Caution: What are your children playing?

Posted on | September 13, 2008 | 4 Comments

There’s a new video game called “Spore”. At the beginning of the game a meteor crashes to earth and that’s where your involvement begins. Here’s how gameplay works from wikipedia:

“Start of life
The game opens using the scientific concept of panspermia. A meteor plummets toward a planet and into an ocean. The meteor, now a geode, then splits, from which a tiny organism emerges.[33]

Cell
The Cell phase. The monstrously large creatures in the background will come to the foreground as the player’s organism slowly grows and evolves.The first phase of existence, the cell phase, is sometimes referred to as the tide pool, cellular, or microbial phase. The player guides simple protean microbes around in a 3D environment on a single 2D plane where it must deal with fluid dynamics and predators, while eating weaker microbes or plants. The player may choose whether the creature is a herbivore or a carnivore prior to starting the phase.[13] Once the microbe has eaten several cells, the player can enter an editor in which they can modify the appearance, shape, and abilities of the microbe by spending “DNA points”. A player may choose to remove some part from the microbe, which will refund some DNA points. If the creature dies, the player may restart from an earlier phase or point in the game.[27] The player must also seek out special “golden shields” from meteor fragments and other organisms that provide new parts for the player to use in the editor, such as spikes, mouths or limbs.[34][13] The phase consists of five stages, which are halved themselves; every half-stage, the creature grows larger, and former predators become harmless or even prey to a player’s carnivore cell creature.

The player may also encounter Epic Creatures. An epic creature is a larger, tougher version of its normal counterpart. In later phases, it is actually user-created content that is increased to giant size; the content is picked by the software based on specific criteria suitable to that particular world.[35]

As the microbe grows, objects that are in the background move to the foreground, which can mean being eaten by a microbe that had previously been swimming in the background. The creature’s behavior directly influences its role in the creature stage, and only parts that are fitting for that creature’s evolution will become available.[13] The ocean floor becomes more prominent, and the creature editor interrupts, requesting the user add legs. Finally, the creature becomes evolved enough to come up to the surface and start the creature stage.[36]

At the end of the fifth stage, the player receives one special “bio-power” in each later phase based on whether the creature ended the phase as a herbivore, carnivore or omnivore. For instance, herbivores are given the “Siren’s Song” power in the Creature phase.”

The game looks entertaining and “cute”, but there’s a clear evolutionary theme.

Valuable Christian resource?

Posted on | September 9, 2008 | No Comments

I found a site that looks promising:  http://www.oneplace.com/

This appears to be a fantastic resource but I seek your wise counsel.  Please check it out and let me know what you think.  OOC

Why Won’t Evangelicals Take a Stand for Jesus?

Posted on | August 30, 2008 | No Comments

Recent events at the Democratic National Convention and the Pew Forum survey of evangelical Christians has prompted me to ask: Have we lost our savor? Is the salt no longer salty in our churches?

When prominent church figures and the majority of self proclaimed evangelicals seem to embrace multiple faith paths to eternal life, we seem to have lost Jesus’ message:

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:5-7

And:

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:13

I think scripture leads us to share the Gospel rather than mix it with other religions.

Our society has many ills, we need to reach them with the love of Jesus without apology for His exlusive claim to salvation for us.

Surely Christians must love. Surely We must respect human life, the misery we face in this fallen world, and care for all of God’s creation. We must not, however, water down the Gospel and rely on man’s wisdom rather than the Lords.

OC

Syncretism and Blasphemy on Display at The DNC

Posted on | August 29, 2008 | 5 Comments

syncretism:  the combination of different forms of belief or practice

blasphemy: the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God

If you want to see both of these words in action, read or listen the the prayer given at the DNC.

Here is the transcript:

Please stand.
We are all here to devote ourselves to the improvement of this country we
love.
In one of the best traditions of our country, would those of you who are
people of faith join me in asking for God's help?
Almighty God, let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us a
reverence for all life.
Give us a compassion for the most vulnerable among us - the babies, the
children, the poor, the sick, the enslaved, the persecuted. For all of those
who have been left out of the advantaged world.
Give us a zeal to clean the environment we have polluted while we create
an economy where everyone who can work can have a job.
Help us to honor those who defend our country by working harder and
smarter for peace.
Help us to counter those that incite fear and hatred by becoming people
who are informed and respectful and are known for principles and projects that
aim higher than our own group's benefit.
Guide Barack Obama and all of our leaders to be agents of your will and
recipients of your wisdom. And grant that all of us citizens will continually
do our part to contribute to the common good by loving our neighbor as we love
ourselves.
Now, I interrupt this prayer for a closing instruction:
Because we are gathered in a country that continues to welcome people of
all faiths, let us personalize this prayer by closing according to our own
tradition.
On the count of three, end your prayer as you would usually do.
Amen!

Let's go out and change the world for good!

Did a Christian pastor just end his prayer by encouraging non-Christians to “pray” to their gods? It sure looks like he did.  I’ve never read in scripture an example of a priest, prophet, or designated leader who encouraged pagans to pray to their gods. Have you?

I’ll write more later.

OC

P.S.  Floridamom added an important fact below: The pastor ended his prayer “in Jesus name.”

I think this adds a bit to the story but doesn’t change the defintion of syncretism.

KAREN WEBER NEEDS YOU!!!!!

Posted on | August 27, 2008 | No Comments

Local 10 News in West Palm Beach Florida reported today that a judge has sided with Karen’s husband and has given him guardianship over Karen. Karen suffered a stroke in December and he husband wants her feeding tube removed and to place her in hospice to die.

Karen told her caregivers, through hand squeezes and blinks, that she does not want her tube removed and does not want to go to hospice.

Removing her tube against her wishes is murder.

I’m not sure what we can do at this point. We need to get her story out.  Where is big media?  Why is this story not making headlines?

Spread the word about Karen Weber’s fate!

I’ll try to get more information and get a more specific plan soon.

OC

Faith & Politics

Posted on | August 24, 2008 | 9 Comments

A prayer to remember:
“Lord our Heavenly Father, High and Mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the Kingdoms, Empires and Governments; look down in mercy, we beseech thee, on these our American States, who have fled to thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent on Thee, to Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support, which Thou alone canst give; take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in Council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their Cause and if they persist in their sanguinary purposes, of own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of battle! Be Thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the councils of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation. That the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that order, harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth and justice, religion and piety, prevail and flourish amongst Thy people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of their minds; shower down on them and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come. all this we ask In the Name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior.

Pastor Rick Warren made an interesting point before welcoming Senators Obama and McCain to the Saddleback Civil Forum: “We believe in the separation of church and state, but we do not believe in the separation of faith and politics because faith is just a world view and it’s important to know what they are.” I may be in the minority. Fifty percent of conservatives think churches and other places of worship should stay out of social and political matters according to a survey released Thursday by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.

Why did I begin this post with a prayer? This prayer was from September 7th, 1774 as the first prayer in Congress. Can you imagine hearing this prayer in Congress today? Do you think our elected officials and next President of the United States should talk about faith or live/vote/lead by faith?

OOC

OC ends “INTERNET Fast”

Posted on | August 19, 2008 | No Comments

Sometimes we Christians don’t get it. OK, we don’t get it most of the time and when we do get things right its because of God at work within us.

What does this have to do with an INTERNET fast?

God showed me that this blog had become an idol for me. I was so focused on promoting the site and learning about the INTERNET that I started to neglect the most important things in my life. I wasn’t reading the Bible. I wasn’t reading Christian authors. I was snippy and rude when others needed me and I was on the computer.

So…why am I back?

I believe God showed me that I need to put this blog in it’s proper perspective for my life. How can I encourage others to be offensive Christians when I’m not living as I should?

I thank God that He opened my eyes to show me where I needed immediate change.

I’d like to take some time soon to discuss with you Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul David Tripp. I’ve been reading it as well as Galatians and James. My study time has been very rewarding and has opened up areas for growth.

I’d like to recommend you pick up a copy of the book either from Amazon below or any other source and take some time to discuss it with me here. I’ll be posting through the book soon. The link below is an affiliate link so if you buy here I’ll get something like 10 cents from the sale. Please feel free to buy from any other source or even see if you can check the book out from the library for free. Just read it. I think its that good.

OC/David

Run God’s race

Posted on | August 18, 2008 | 5 Comments

Competition is in the air with the Olympic coverage streaming almost 24/7. I cannot run a sub-ten second 100-meter sprint, but am pretty competitive with many things in my life. My USAF career will soar (pun intended) if I rank higher than my peers. We’re literally scored #1 down through the lowest ranking person. The system is designed to promote “success”, but I can’t help but wonder if that really matters and continually have to try and keep things in perspective.

Does God want me to sacrifice to be the best officer in my squadron or spend more time teaching my children? Should I read books from the Chief of Staff’s recommended reading list or dig into the Word?

1 Corinthians 9: 24-25
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Please pray we will have the courage and strength to run the race worth winning.

Here today…gone tomorrow

Posted on | August 13, 2008 | 3 Comments

I was informed tonight I deploy tomorrow. I hope to be back in a few weeks. Please keep me and my family in your prayers.

I hope to be strong in the Lord and use this time for His glory. In these uncertain times I hope to meditate on His Word.

Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say [b] of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

God Bless–OOC

Thoughts on the Eucharist

Posted on | August 9, 2008 | 4 Comments

In my last post “Catholic Mom” presented very thoughtful dialogue I’d like to continue in a separate post. While I don’t want to attack the Catholic church or Catholics (I’m convinced Catholics go to Heaven every day!) the topic of communion is worth further exploration.

One of the links Catholic Mom provided discussed John 6:48-57…I REALLY wish the author would have included verse 58. Versus 48-57 say:

I am the the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread, will live forever, and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. The Jews quarreled among themselves saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.”

Why not include verse 58? Verse 58 states: “This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever.” There’s a subtle yet important aspect to verse 58. Jesus called the bread…bread. When exploring the full context of applicable scripture you’ll discover Jesus used symbology several times in his teachings:

John 15:1 “I am the true vine”
John 10:9 “I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture.”
Luke 22:20 “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood”

Was Jesus saying He was a literal vine? Was Jesus saying He was a literal door? Did Jesus mean the actual cup was the new covenant?

Wayne Grudem brings up an excellent point in his book “Bible doctrine”. It’s a good read I strongly encourage. Wayne states:
“The Roman Catholic view fails to recognize the clear New Testament teaching on the finality and completeness of Christ’s sacrifice once for all time for our sins. The book of Hebrews emphasizes this many times, as when it says, ‘Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the Holy Place yearly with blood not his own; for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world’.”

If continued sacrafices were necessary why would Jesus say “It is finished” in John 19:30? Wayne states, “it gives great assurance to us that our sins are all paid for, and there remains no sacrifice yet to be paid. The idea of a continuation of Christ’s sacrifice destroys that assurance that the payment has been made by Christ and accepted by God the Father and that there is no condemnation now remaining for us.”

Is it wrong to practice communion? Absolutely not…in fact we do every Sunday. What’s the difference? We practice communion to remember the ultimate sacrifice Jesus paid for our sins. Additionally, communion isn’t required for salvation as that would imply a “works based” means of salvation.