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Showing posts from May, 2014

Drunken Delirium

There are many vices that will destroy a person's life. One in particular has began sweeping the United States by storm. Drunkenness has always been a problem, however, it has now become more mainstream than ever. Hollywood's angel, Jennifer Lawrence, was recently caught at a Drunken Party and even was lectured by the less than virtuous Miley Cyrus. Dr. Dre is looking at losing 3.6 Million dollars over his drunken scandal. Yahoo News reports that the Millennial Generation is drinking more alcohol than any generation. Companies that brew Beer, ferment wine, and distill other alchole are trying to come up with new drinks to respond to the increasing demand. Alcohol in of itself is not a sin. Jesus Christ himself drank and was accused by the legalistic hypocrites known as the Pharisees as being a "wine bibber," (Luke 7:34). However, Jesus said "drink, but do not get drunk." (Ephesians 5:18, Proverbs 23:20). Our society is not content with socia...

From Vanity to Victory

I have been reading John Bunyan's classic, The Pilgrim's Progress . One of the most famous chapters and scenes is when Christian, the protagonist, and his pilgrim friend Faithful enter Vanity Faire. Vanity Faire is a market that sells all the vanities of this world. From palaces to petticoats, the faire is stock with everything one of the world could possibly want. It is said that the lord and king of this City of Vanity is Beelzebub. That the Prince of Peace once was taken through the city, but did not yield to the vanities. We live in world that is vanity faire. From malls to mountains, there are things that beckon to us and seek to possess us. Facebook itself has become a vanity faire, where people display their every event; reveling in showing others that they are having a good time. King Solomon once said, "vanity, vanity, all is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 1:2). He is right, with the except of following Jesus Christ. This world wants us to be slaves and to wand...

The Prodigal Son Story Revisted

Redemption sells. People love stories that tell of someone who sinned and did sinister things, but in the end are forgiven. The most famous story about Redemption next to Christ on the Cross, is The Parable of the Prodigal Son. Preachers and Pastors alike tell this story to their congregations to let them know there is hope; that no matter what you have done, your Father in Heaven will take you back if you run to him, repent, and let his redeeming hands lift you back up. The Prodigal is a story of hope and thus is popular in the Church. Everyone does need to be reminded that they can be redeemed from their rowdy and rebellious life. However, there is another part to this story. Next to the Prodigal who is at his Father's feet, is the Honorable Brother. Unlike his brother who ate with the pigs, the Honorable Brother has been pious and pure. He has stayed with The Father and not wavered in his devotion. However, this brother is not without faults. When the Prodigal Brother retur...

Purpose in His Presence

In this world we are constantly indoctrinated with the word "purpose." From companies to churches, the idea of purpose has become a slogan. Famous pastors like Rick Warren want to sell you books like, "The Purpose Driven Life." CEOs of the largest companies want to convince you that you will only find purpose if you join their ranks. Even the Education System has done a campaign to compel people to go to the college, because without a degree they say you will not find your purpose. I for one grow weary of how exploited this English word has been. I am also very disturbed by the notion that you can find purpose outside of Christ, especially in Churches. The mindset is that your ultimate purpose will derive from something you do. That if you become a teacher, athlete, musician, movie star, or any of the other professions you will find your purpose. It is true that these passions can add a sense of joy and excitement to your life. However, they in of themselves a...

The Second Coming is Coming

As Christians we tend to focus on Holy Week and Christmas. We like to remember what Christ did on the cross, in the Tomb, and when He became flesh. These are all important to observe and remember. However, there is still an Act that is not yet completed. The Second Coming is coming. It should be a moment of great anticipation for us as believers, but many now either ignore the imminent arrival of the Master or choose to avoid the subject altogether. It is startling that the Church avoids the Book of Revelation, Matthew Chapter 24, and Luke 18. The divide over rapture, tribulation (wither we experience it or not), and a plethora of eschatological beliefs has overshadowed the more important facts; Jesus Christ is coming back and he will gather his family and judge the quick and the dead. Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and a New Heaven and Earth shall be created. For some diabolical reason these major events are eclipsed by disagreements by every denomination. Arguments ...