Scott's Blog - 6/30/06

Lessons From a Train Wreck

Have you ever had a skeptic approach you with a "If you Christians have the truth, what about this?" question?

Some real fodder for just those kind of discussions was the lead story on the Fox News web site today.

A minister's wife charged with murdering her husband told police she shot him after they argued over family finances and then told him "I'm sorry" as he lay dying in their bedroom, according to testimony at a bond hearing Friday.

Mary Winkler, 32, has been jailed without bond since March 23, accused of killing her husband, Matthew Winkler, 31, at their Church of Christ parsonage in Selmer, a small town 80 miles east of Memphis.

In court Friday, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Agent Brian Booth read a statement Mary Winkler gave authorities in Alabama, where she was arrested a day after her husband's body was found by church members.

Now, notice this wasn't something done by Biblically ignorant, fringe dwelling Christmas-n'-Easter believers. This was a horrific act that happened to those at the very top of local church leadership. How could such a thing happen, what can we learn, and what can we share with non believers in the aftermath?

How Can These Things Happen?

It is impossible to say with certainty exactly what triggered this outburst of violence in totality, but a clue to a large part of this tragedy emerges in Mary Winkler's statement to the court.

Winkler said she and her husband had argued throughout the evening about several things, including family finances. The problems were "mostly my fault," she said, because she was in charge of keeping the family books.

"He had really been on me lately criticizing me for things — the way I walk, I eat, everything. It was just building up to a point. I was tired of it. I guess I got to a point and snapped," Booth read to the court.

Relationships are one of God's greatest gifts, but are also able to challenge us to the core. If we are not careful to seek God's power and follow His guidelines, personal pain, frustration, disappointment and disaster can follow.

Our emotions are also a gift from our heavenly Father and part of what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God. But if we find ourselves lead by feelings, rather than faith, with pride and well worn relational practices taking the place of God's principles, what was intended by God to be a blessing can easily become an unbearable burden.

Consider the difference in the outcome of this situation that was possible if a simple principle of God's Word has been understood and embraced.

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.

BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

and do not give the devil an opportunity (Ephesians 4:25-27)

It has been said that we will either deal with our emotions or they will deal with us. Frustration is fueled by hurt. Hurt is fueled by anger. Anger is fueled by fear that we will be cast away and ultimately abandoned. No wonder that God's message to us from Cain's fall in Genesis 4 to Paul's instruction in Ephesians 4 is to bring the root issues into the light, deal with them honestly and with humility, and don't assume we will get around to it later. Like putting a heavy lid on a boiling pot, we are inviting an explosion if we ignore problems.

What Does This Say To Us?

It is easy to distance ourselves from a headline grabbing melt down like the Winkler case. But as I read more of the details of what lead to this horrible situation, the more I saw some subtle traps that are doing extensive damage in many lives.

"Booth said that shortly before the killing, Mary Winkler had shifted money between at least two banks in what he described as a "check kiting" scam. She deposited checks totaling $17,500 in family bank accounts from unidentified sources in Canada and Nigeria, he said.

The checks and money exchanges were not detailed in court, but defense lawyers said Mary Winkler was the victim of a financial scam."

My Dad, a lawyer, used to tell us "If something seems too good to be true, it's because it is." The Bible concurs:

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

(I Timothy 6:9-11)

I can't tell you how many times I have seen sincere Christians become victims of saintly sounding scam artists. If someone says, "You can trust me on this, because I'm a brother.", don't trust them. A solid, ethical business deal stands on its own merits. If someone gets indignant when you suggest having an independent third party (like an accountant!) look the proposal over, or is offended if you want something in writing - run, don't walk out of there. Don't be afraid to let leadership in your fellowship know about these "business offers" or "organizational meetings". Truth doesn't sneak. Integrity is not afraid of scrutiny.

In the case of the Winklers, the pain and shame of being scammed lit the final fuse. An essential lesson challenges us all. The best way to avoid these traps is simple - "Godliness with contentment is great gain." (I Timothy 6:6)

What Can We Say to Non-believers?

A huge, but common error Christians make is trying to defend the message of Christ by justifying the actions of Christians. When I was in Belize, the Moslem host of a secular talk show asked how I could say Christianity was true when horrible atrocities had been done by the church and church leaders down through time?

I replied, "You are no doubt familiar with Jesus. Do you think He would have approved of the Inquisition, the Crusades or the slave trade?"

The host replied, "Of course not!"

"That's why I call you to follow Jesus, not a church, or a church leader. Jesus is no hypocrite. Jesus stood squarely against evil. He is worthy of our trust."

Don't misunderstand me here. We need to understand that our lives speak a message to this world about God every day. Many people will never read a Bible, but they will read the message that our lives present. But the best message we can share with the world is "Don't trust me. Put your trust in the only One Who will never let you down.

You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men;

being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.

(II Corinthians 3:3-5)

Scott's Blog - 6/29/06

Does the Bible Really Teach a Rapture?

Let's open up the Scott Richards Live mail bag and tackle one of the most important questions ever asked concerning the promised return of Jesus.

Hello Pastor Scott, thank you for your show.

My question is about the teaching of the Rapture.

As you know all Christians do not hold to the Rapture as the end times scenario, and one of the claims or objections against it, is that the teaching of the Rapture is a "new" teaching which came about sometime in the 1800s. When I talk to Christians who do not hold to the Rapture they are always quick to point this out.

What are your comments and answers to such objections? Is there any evidence that might suggest different, for instance do we know what the early Church Fathers believed?

Thank you for your help as I continue with this godly struggle

Jonathan
Romans 1:16

Thanks Jonathon for such a relevant question! When those who deny the doctrine of the Rapture make the charge that it is a relatively modern invention, based upon the vision of a 14 year old girl in the 1800's,they are engaging in what is known as a "Red Herring" argument.

Red Herring

Something that draws attention away from the central issue, as in Talking about the new plant is a red herring to keep us from learning about downsizing plans. The herring in this expression is red and strong-smelling from being preserved by smoking. The idiom alludes to dragging a smoked herring across a trail to cover up the scent and throw off tracking dogs. [Late 1800s]

red herring Definition and Much More From Answers.com

Why is this often brought up objection a classic "Red Herring"? Because it distracts us from the single most important question we can ask - What does the Bible say about the doctrine of the Rapture?

Does the Bible even mention a "Rapture"?

One of the most common objections to this doctrine is pretty straight forward. The word "Rapture" is not to be found in any text, so how can it be biblical? However the root word for Rapture is found in the Latin Vulgate translation of I Thessalonians 4:16-17.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

Therefore comfort one another with these words.

The words "caught up" are an English translation of the Greek "harpazo" which means to snatch up, or catch up. The Latin word for this is "rapio" from which we get our term "Rapture". If you want to call the same event the Rapture, the Harpazo, or even the Great Snatch, you would be accurate in doing so. To say the doctrine of the Rapture is not biblical because it is not found in an English text of the Bible is as disingenuous as denying that there is one God in three Persons because the word "Trinity" isn't found in your concordance. Like the term "Trinity", the Rapture is short hand for a cluster of undeniably Biblical truths.

Is the Rapture a Modern Invention?

We have seen that the Rapture is as old as the New Testament itself. At that moment Jesus will return, not to the earth to set up His Kingdom, but to the clouds above the earth to catch up His own.

Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,

in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. (I Corinthians 15:50-53)

Is The Rapture a Modern Discovery?

The objection gets raised, "If the doctrine of the Rapture is so clear, why wasn't it taught in the early church?"

First, it was taught in the earliest form of the church - the church of the New Testament!

Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,

that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that ⁾the day of the Lord has come.

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? (II Thessalonians 2:1-5)

Part of the foundational truth Paul planted in the hearts of the fledgling church at Thessalonica was the eager anticipation of our being gathered together with Him. But interestingly, there is evidence others beyond the time of Paul got the message as well. Consider this eye opening discovery noted on Chuck Missler's Koinonia House web site.

In recent years, many opponents of the pre-tribulation rapture view have made dogmatic assertions that this view was never taught before 1820 A.D.¹ There have been attempts to attribute the origin of this view to John N. Darby.

Grant Jeffrey has found an ancient citation from a sermon ascribed to Ephraem of Nisibis (306-373 a.d.), which clearly teaches that believers will be raptured and taken to Heaven before The Tribulation.²

Ephraem of Nisibis was the most important and prolific of the Syrian church fathers and a witness to early Christianity on the fringes of the Roman Empire in the late fourth century.

He was well-known for his poetry, exegetical and theological writings, and many of the hymns of the early Byzantine church. So popular were his works that in the fifth and sixth centuries he was adopted by several Christian communities as a spiritual leader and role model.

This sermon is deemed to be one of the most interesting apocalyptic texts of the early Middle Ages. The translation of the sermon includes the following segment:³

"For all the saints and Elect of God are gathered, prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins."

This text was originally a sermon called On the Last Times, the Anti-Christ, and the End of the World. There are four existing Latin manuscripts (the Parisinus, the Augiensis, the Barberini, and the St. Gallen) ascribed to St. Ephraem or to St. Isidore . Some scholars believe this text was written by some unknown writer in the sixth century and was derived from the original Ephraem.⁴

The sermon describes the events of the last days, beginning with the rapture, the Great Tribulation of 3 1/2 years duration under the Antichrist's rule, followed by the Second Coming of Christ. In Ephraem's book The Book of the Cave of Treasures, written about 370 A.D., he expressed his belief that the 69th week of Daniel ended with the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus the Messiah.5

This, of course, doesn't prove that the pre-tribulation view is correct; only that it was held (by some) in the early centuries and was not unique to the revival of the 1830's. It simply documents that this view was held by a remnant of the faithful from the beginning until today.

The validity of any view can only be measured by the Biblical text itself.

The lesson here is clear. When we are earnestly contending for the faith, let's steer clear of "Red Herring" arguments and allow the rightly divided Word of truth be the final decider of any issue.

Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to ⁾wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

(II Timothy 2:14-15)

Scott's Blog - 6/26/06

Making Sense of the Middle East Conflict

There seem to be three things we can always count on in this world - death, taxes and war being imminent in Israel.

The latest incident seems particularly dangerous. Palestinian terrorists on a raid inside Israel kidnapped 19 year old IDF corporal Gilad Shalit. Israel has not only demanded his return, but has massed what amounts to an invasion force on the border with Gaza.

What are we to make of this from a biblical point of view? There are three prophetic points than can give us perspective on this event, as well as the crisis moments yet to come for Israel.

First - "The Road Map to Peace" ultimately leads to Armaggedon.

In Zechariah 12:2-3 we are told that negotiated peace is not in Israel's future.

"Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah.

"It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.

Although we hear talk about negotiations between the Israelis and the Arab/Muslim world, it is hard to negotiate with another party who will only be content with either your extermination or complete evacuation from your homeland. The rantings of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are shocking to the West, but only an honest declaration of what the rest of the Moslem world really believes.

Second - The Apparent Peace Will Be a False Peace

The Bible speaks of a last days world dominating dictator who will bring a brief interlude of peace to a war weary world.

And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" (Revelation 13:3b-4)

This powerful and charismatic leader will succeed in concluding a peace treaty with Israel and her surrounding neighbors that will allow the Jewish people to rebuild their temple on its historic site.

Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
      But in the middle of the week
      He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
      And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
      Even until the consummation, which is determined,
      Is poured out on the desolate." (Daniel 9:27)

There will be peace for three and a half years, but at that time this individual will reveal himself as the Anti-Christ, going into the temple and declaring himself God. He will launch a war of extermination against the Jewish people that will make even the Holocaust pale in comparison.

Third- Genuine Peace Comes Only From The Prince of Peace

When will Israel ever know true peace and security?

For unto us a Child is born,
      Unto us a Son is given;
      And the government will be upon His shoulder.
      And His name will be called
      Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
      Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
        Of the increase of His government and peace
      There will be no end,
      Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
      To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
      From that time forward, even forever.
      The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

God promises the true Messiah, Jesus, will come and give Israel the peace she has always longed for. But until that time, we know difficult days lie ahead. Incidents that threaten to ignite a regional or even global war will continue in the region, especially as Israel's enemies become possessors of more and more sophisticated weapons.

What can we do as we await that awesome day of ultimate deliverance for God's chosen people? We need to support leadership in this country that will stand with Israel, no matter what the cost. God promised He would bless those who blessed His people Israel, and curse those who curse them. (Genesis 12:3) Most importantly, we need to pray.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
         “May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
         Prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brethren and companions,
         I will now say, “Peace be within you.”
Because of the house of the LORD our God
         I will seek your good. (Psalm 122:6-9)

UPDATE -6/27/06

Looks like Israel is turning up the heat. Will Hamas back down from the edge of the cliff? There is scuttlebutt that Mahmoud Abbas will step in and secure Gilad Shalit's freedom. This would serve as a springboard to restore his status as the true leader of the Palestinians, at least in the eyes of world opinion. Since Abbas' Fatah party hates their rivals in Hamas almost as much as they do Israel, this would be quite a turn of events in the power struggle for control of Palestine as well. Will Hamas let Abbas use this situation to enhance his position? Will Israeli president Ehud Olmert order an invasion of Gaza if Shalit has been killed? Will the United States back Israel in their own war on terror, as Israel has backed us in ours? Stay tuned!

Scott's Blog - 6/23/06

This week I wanted to share some life lessons that the Lord impressed upon my heart as we traveled and shared His Word in the Central American nation of Belize. A former British colony, Belize is mostly English speaking. It is dominated by lush jungle, the warm clear waters of the Caribbean, spectacular Mayan ruins, and pervasive poverty. There is an amazing openness to the Gospel among the people and an intense hunger for solid Bible teaching among believers there. Belize may be a strategic launch point for significant outreach into Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Southern Mexico and even Cuba. Scott Richards Live is heard daily on Lighthouse Christian Radio 101.3 FM in the city of San Pedro on the island of Ambergris Cay. Please pray for open doors and resources to expand our outreach into Belize City and the capitol city of Belmopan.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

For many of us as Christians, sharing our faith is kind of like eating health food. We know we really ought to do it, but we rarely enjoy it. But on a hot humid day on the south end of Ambergris Cay the Lord gave me a fresh new perspective on personal evangelism I will never forget.

On our final day in the city of San Pedro, we were invited to be part of a unique outreach through the ministry of Galcom International. We headed for the south part of the island with the goal of giving away as many of these unique single frequency radios as possible.

What could have been easier than giving away a solar powered FM radio receiver that could effectively connect people to a radio ministry that could change their lives?

But we ran into a slight hitch. Most people in the neighborhoods we were in did not speak English. I must confess that my Spanish is not all it could be. So when we would offer the radios to people they would politely decline.

"Lo siento. No tengo dinero. No, gracias." ("I'm sorry. I don't have money. No thank you.")

It suddenly dawned on me that the people were under the impression we were selling the radios! Mustering up my best Spanish from my college days I replied, "No! Esta es un regalo de Jesus Christo para ti. No necessitas dinero!" ("No. This is a gift from Jesus Christ for you. You don't need money!" )

I can't adequately describe how wonderful it felt to see the people's eyes light up as they looked at their new radio! Suffice it to say that we had no problem giving away all 50 of the units we brought along.

Personally, I couldn't have been more excited to be a part of the project. After all, here I was giving people something that I was convinced was going to be a great blessing to their lives. Having a solar powered radio could be a life saver in case of a hurricane. And all we were asking for the people to do was to receive it as a gift. To see my wife Pam and my children Sean and Sara getting into the fun was a moment I will never forget. What could be more fulfilling than that?

At that moment I felt the Lord speaking a simple, but profound truth to my heart. "Isn't this exactly what you do when you tell others about Me?"

The Gospel is something that everyone needs.

It will bring the ultimate blessing of forgiveness of sins, eternal life and a personal relationship with Jesus to each person.

We offer it free of cost, not looking for anything else but to share the love of the Lord.

I realized that steamy hot day on the sandy streets of south Ambergris Cay that evangelism wasn't a "got to" but a "get to"! That day the words of II Corinthians 4:6-7 took on a special meaning for us.

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

Scott's Blog - 6/22/06

To Every Man An Answer

A real highlight of our time in Belize was a remarkable event that took place at the George W. Price center in the capitol city of Belmopan . We ended up doing what we call a Scott Richards Live-Alive! session.

We have a standing joke in our fellowship about those who roll in 15 minutes late as being on "Calvary Standard Time". When the time for the program to begin rolled around we discovered that Belizeans operate on a similarly relaxed schedule. But within a half hour we were blown away by the response. Eight area churches devoted their Sunday evening services (the main service of the week in Belize) to being a part of the event.

I spoke for about twenty minutes (Really! It is possible!) on building bridges instead of barriers with non believer, following the example of Paul in Acts 17:16-34. Then we opened the evening up to questions and answers from the audience. Louis Wade Jr., a local pastor and TV talk show host served as our master of ceremonies, running around the audience with a microphone like a Christian Phil Donahue.

The questions were heart felt, sincere and in many cases represented issues that had been a source of real division among believers. In other words, it wasn't a whole lot different than our daily get together on Scott Richards Live.

"Can a believer lose their salvation?"

"Is the gift of speaking in tongues for today?"

"Do Christians that worship on Sunday break the 9th commandment?"

"What does the Bible say about being 'Slain in the Spirit'?"

"What is the unforgivable sin?"

As you can imagine, it was an exciting time. We spent nearly three hours on questions and answers alone!

The session was also taped for later broadcast on Belizean television. We will be making the video available through www.Scottrichardslive.com as soon as it is production ready. It was such a blessing to see the intense interest in solid Scripture based answers to even highly controversial subjects.

As we walked away from the George Price Center , my prayer was that the people of Belmopan would not only have their questions answered, but also find themselves better equipped to Scripturally answer the questions others ask of them.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (I Peter 3:15-16)

If your fellowship would be interested in having a Scott Richards Live-Alive! get together, get in touch with us at 1-877-556-1212!

Scott's Blog - 6/21/06

Life Lesson # 3 - Get Back To Basics

There was something strange and ironic about being a guest on a secular talk show on a radio station called Love-FM.

At the beginning of the interview I was feeling anything but love!

To set the stage, during our mission to Belize, our friend and national missionary Clive Welsh had set up an interview on the #1 rated talk show in the country. The hosts, Ernesto Vasquez and Nouri Mohammed were professional and courteous. But it soon became apparent that Nouri, a Moslem, had some less than positive experiences dealing with Christian visitors to his country.

"Pastor Scott, what you say sounds positive and uplifting. But how can you claim Christianity is true when so many atrocities have been done by church leaders? How can you justify the Crusades, the Inquisition, the slave trade that were done with the support of the church?"

Have you ever faced that question before?

Many Christians will fall into the trap of trying to minimize or justify these awful episodes in history. But there is a better answer.

I replied to Nouri, "No doubt horrific things have been done by religious leaders, and even by unscrupulous individuals and nations using religion to achieve their goals. But can I ask you a question? Do you think Jesus Himself would have approved of these things?"

Nouri looked taken aback and said, "Well, no. Of course He wouldn't."

"That is why I don't call people to follow a religious leader or spiritual movement. I call people to go back to Jesus and His teaching as we find Him in the Bible. This is the only spiritual foundation that won't fail us. Jesus never condoned evil. he is no hypocrite. He is the One we should call people to trust."

At the end of the hour long interview I felt I had built a bridge with Nouri. His co-host Rene asked that we let them know when we were back in the country. It was amazing to see the Lord turn a potentially combative situation around.

When we face tough questions, it is always good to go back to basics, to our foundation of our faith - Jesus Himself!

For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake.

For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (II Corinthians 4:5-6)

Scott's Blog - 6/20/06

Life Lesson #2 - As Long As You're Sincere?

Have you ever come across a ghost town?

There is something eerie about walking through a place that people once called home, where they invested their hopes and dreams, raised their children, lived and loved, only to see time wipe almost all of it away. The sight of a ghost town always makes me wonder why it didn't last.

During our time in Belize we had the chance to visit the grand daddy of all ghost towns I have ever seen - a Mayan ruin with the nearly unpronounceable name of Xunantunich (sun-sin-tin-ich).

To get to the ruin, one must take a ferry boat across a river and then be prepared for a hike. Although the national park like setting allows a drive to the visitor's center, the rest is an uphill climb. As I trudged up the road that curved and hugged the jungle hill side, the patented Central American heat and humidity caused me to think, "This better be good!"

I wasn't disappointed.

When you come around the corner and first catch site of the massive structure called El Castillo, it is an awe inspiring experience. To climb the steps of this structure and look down on the central square, framed by pyramids, ball courts and the royal palace is to be left at a loss for words. There was a sense of loneliness to it all, a place once teeming with life now left for the curious tourist and archeologists trying to make sense of it all.

But then, that old question that ghost towns always pose came to my mind - Why was a place like this abandoned? Why didn't this awesome civilization last?

The answers were eye opening.

From the top of El Castillo, our tour guide told us what took place at this site. In Mayan religion there were 190 gods and goddesses, most of whom were foul tempered or down right evil. In order to keep these temperamental deities from wrecking havoc, human sacrifice was required.

Apparently around the year 850 AD something really bad took place, because the ruler of Xunantunich decreed that 80,000 people would be sacrificed - in a single month. The victims' didn't go easily either. They would be skinned and have their hearts carefully removed so the priests could hold them up while still beating.

To stand in a place where such unimaginable cruelty happened was an emotionally draining experience.

Which raised another question - Where did they get all the victims?

Get ready for a shock - They all went willingly.

Why?

In Mayan religion there was a very scary place awaiting the average person after death. Called Xibalba, it featured rivers filled with scorpions, flying razors, and evil gods who delighted in humiliating human beings. There was only one way to avoid a stay in Xibalba - death as a sacrifice. Then one of the many levels of heaven could be yours.

80,000 people in one month willingly went to their deaths because they sincerely believed this myth.

As we left the site, I was overwhelmed by the incredible impact this myth had on the Mayan people. There is a theory that the Mayan civilization collapsed because they managed to systematically sacrifice the sincere and committed, and left the slackers behind. Countless lives lost, a civilization destroyed because of a bloody mythology.

The bottom line? It really does matter what we believe.

In our culture there is a philosophy that states that it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere. Although sincerity is an admirable quality, it is worthless if it is invested in the wrong place. I can believe that human flight is possible by flapping my arms. I can be so committed to my belief that I am willing to step out of a 10th story window to begin my flight to LA. But all my sincerity won't make the sidewalk one bit softer when I end my fall. You would have to be sincere to willingly allow a priest to perform a heart extraction on you without anesthetic. But you would also be sincerely deceived. You would be wrong. Dead wrong. The object of our faith must be trustworthy. It must be based on fact.

Is your faith based on fact or fiction? This is what so wonderfully separates faith in the historical reality of Jesus' life, death and resurrection from the dangerous myths of this world. Consider how Paul defined the essence of the Gospel itself.

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. (I Corinthians 15:1-7)

The sad lesson of Xunantunich was that countless people lost their lives based on man's speculation about the afterlife. The good news is that we can base our hope of heaven on revelation, confirmed by the historic fact of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

Scott's Blog - 6/19/06

Life Lesson #1 - The Cost of Freedom

You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. (I Corinthians 7:23)

I have been told that in order to really build bridges on the mission field, you've got to speak the language.

Who knew that in the lush jungle interior of Belize, that language would be - German!

Part of our outreach effort in this Central American nation took us to a church called Calvary Chapel Spanish Lookout. As I was introduced to the people by their pastor, Rudy Plett, I was taken aback at the unique work the Lord was doing.

To understand what a miracle is taking place in this unlikely location it is important to grasp some local history. In 1959 a group of German Mennonites settled and established amazingly productive farms and businesses in Belize.

As you can imagine, traditional practices are a powerful force in this community, governing almost every area of life. But from within this group, a number of individuals began to experience a growing hunger for God's Word. They began to wonder if some of the traditions they had lived by were really Scriptural after all. A Bible study began, and after being exposed to verse by verse teaching from Calvary Chapel pastors like Skip Heitzig, a group decided to break from their traditional roots and form a Calvary Chapel. Upon the recommendation of Belizean missionary Clive Welsh, a leadership team of six embarked on a six week "crash course" in practical ministry through Calvary Chapel Saving Grace in Yorba Linda, California.

As Calvary Chapel Spanish Lookout has continued to meet, there has been opposition, rumor spreading and even shunning of those who have taken this bold step of faithfulness to the message of grace and the foundation of the Word. These beautiful brothers and sisters are willing to make whatever sacrifices are necessary to stay true to the wonderful freedom we have in Christ.

We were warmly welcomed that Sunday morning and the flock was very responsive to the message I shared on the trustworthy foundation of God's Word for our lives. The funny thing was, I shared how important confidence in God's Word is in our walk with God, but the believers at Calvary Chapel Spanish Lookout were living it. We were all humbled, and deeply challenged to renew our hunger for the bread of life, but also to be on our guard, lest the traditions and expectations of men become more important to us than faithfulness to Jesus.

I came there to encourage God's people. But it was the heart of God's people that encouraged me!

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth. (Colossians 1:3-6)

Scott's Blog - 6/9/06

Is Your Truth Filter On?

I must confess I am seeing increasing signs that I am becoming old and creaky. You know the warning signals

– Starting a story with the words “When I was your age”.

- Thinking that the latest trend in popular music sounds like a couple of tomcats in a foul mood.

- Finding your self suddenly fascinated by an ad that lists 17 possible side effects for the wonderful product being offered.

But I’d like to add to our list another sure sign you are woefully behind the times. Saying to your self, “It must be true if it’s on TV!”

There is something about a first class visual presentation with state of the art graphics and special effects that instantly boosts the believability of a message. That is why it is absolutely essential that we develop a healthy sense of discernment that we can apply to the messages we are bombarded with in our media saturated culture.

Let me suggest two passages of Scripture that could go a long ways toward developing a functioning Truth Filter for our lives.

19 And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? 20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (Isaiah 8:19-20)

When we sit down to watch the news, or surf the web, or even watch a movie we should continually ask, “Does the message we are receiving line up with what God has said about reality in His Word?

I couldn’t help but think of this standard when I read a quote from Al Gore, the main spokesman in the much talked about film “An Inconvenient Truth”.

While sincere Christians can disagree on the complexities of the global warming debate, I found one clear statement, presented as fact that simply doesn’t pass the Isaiah 8 test.

“The major global cooling period that gradually took place more than 5 million years ago corresponds with the appearance of the first hominids, called australopithecines. It happened because—in the view of many scientists—at least one species of tree-dwelling ape was able to adapt to the disappearance of its forest habitat by learning to forage on the ground and walk on two legs, leaving hands—which had evolved to grasp tree limbs—free to hold and carry food and objects, some of which later became tools.

“The new discoveries relating the emergence of Homo sapiens to global climate changes have solved one of the mysteries in the human story by providing, at least in ecological terms, the missing link in the history of evolution.”

– Al Gore, Earth in the Balance, p. 63, 1993.

Does this mean that Christians shouldn’t see “An Inconvenient Truth”? No. But it does tell us something about the worldview of its spokesman. The Bible tells us something quite different about how we as human beings came to be.

26Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

27God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:26-27)

It is interesting that the Bible tells us we are not the products of random climatic changes, but the special creation of the true and living God. Genesis also tells us that God entrusted humanity with the responsibility of stewardship over His creation. This gives each of us a reason to care about the environment we live in.

We live in an age of amazing opportunities to learn the truth, as well as be deceived. Let’s follow the Bible’s command to “Test all things. Hold fast to what is good.” (I Thessalonians 5:21)

Scott's Blog - 6/8/06

Dying to Live?

Recently on SRL we had the opportunity to talk with Ryan Dobson. No doubt there are those who know Ryan as the son of Dr. James and Shirley Dobson. But in our conversation it became apparent that God has some amazing plans ahead for Ryan in ministry.

I was particularly taken with a simple, yet profound point Ryan made. I asked him to share a bit about his book 2 Die 4.

The essence of the book is that the often-quoted Biblical concept of “dying to self” isn’t something that happens on the wave of emotion at a church altar call, or the final night of summer camp. Dying to self happens when we decide to stop ourselves in the midst of even the most mundane moments of life and allow God’s love and truth to lead our lives. I might be something as small as realizing the clerk gave us the wrong change when we checked out and going back to make it right. It might be when we are driving and instead of getting mad (or the more popular alternative, getting even) we simply exercise forgiveness and grace. In essence we let God guide us by applying His Word, not our will one challenge at a time.

The pay off?

Life becomes an adventure.

Oh, sure we will have our days when we stumble and fall badly. But we will also know what Jesus meant when He promised, “I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Visit Ryan’s web site at http://www.ryandobson.com.

Scott's Blog - 6/07/06

See! We Told You So!

In case you weren't keeping score at home, as predicted in this space -

The world didn't end yesterday.

A good rule of thumb to follow - Don't get caught up in speculation. It is far better to understand Gods revelation.

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all^[a]these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences,^[b] and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:3-8)

As far as I can tell, Jesus never told us to calculate dates, or tie His promises into silly superstition!

Let's continue to live our lives in a way that honors the Lord, and takes His promises seriously. If we do, I can make another prediction - When we see Him, He will say, "Well done!"

Scott's Blog - 6/06/06

Syndrome or Sin-drome?

If the Michael Newdow's of this world are ever successful in their attempt to remove the motto "In God We Trust" from our currency, I have a suggestion for a replacement.

How about "It's Not My Fault"?

There is a trend in our culture to explain all human behaviors in purely chemical terms. There is no right or wrong, only different synapse paths within the brain. If you think that's far fetched, consider this latest take on morality from the white lab coat set.

Study says millions have 'rage' disorder

By LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer Mon Jun 5, 5:00 PM ET

CHICAGO - To you, that angry, horn-blasting tailgater is suffering from road rage. But doctors have another name for it — intermittent explosive disorder — and a new study suggests it is far more common than they realized, affecting up to 16 million Americans

"People think it's bad behavior and that you just need an attitude adjustment, but what they don't know ... is that there's a biology and cognitive science to this," said Dr. Emil Coccaro, chairman of psychiatry at the University of Chicago's medical school.

Road rage, temper outbursts that involve throwing or breaking objects and even spousal abuse can sometimes be attributed to the disorder, though not everyone who does those things is afflicted.

By definition, intermittent explosive disorder involves multiple outbursts that are way out of proportion to the situation. These angry outbursts often include threats or aggressive actions and property damage. The disorder typically first appears in adolescence; in the study, the average age of onset was 14.

The study was based on a national face-to-face survey of 9,282 U.S. adults who answered diagnostic questionnaires in 2001-03. It was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.

About 5 percent to 7 percent of the nationally representative sample had had the disorder, which would equal up to 16 million Americans. That is higher than better-known mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, Coccaro said.

The average number of lifetime attacks per person was 43, resulting in $1,359 in property damage per person. About 4 percent had suffered recent attacks.

Did you catch that last line? A violent, destructive unleashing of rage is no longer a moral lapse but an "attack". I wonder if the person on the receiving end of this "attack" would say, "Gee, I really feel for you. It must be tough to have I.E.D or to be an I.E.D for that matter!" (Does anybody run these syndrome names past a check for unintended irony?)

I am continually amazed at the lengths our society goes to remove the moral and spiritual component from clearly moral and spiritual problems. The Bible tells us the reason for rage is not to be found in our synapses, but our souls!

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,^[c] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,^[d] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

The cure for our personal failings doesn't lie in a new scientific definition of our behavior, but in a new heart. As we honestly bring our sin and unrighteousness to God, we can find not only forgiveness, but His limitless power to change us from the inside out.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23.

Scott's Blog - 6/05/06

A Prophetic Mystery- Solved!

There is no doubt that the study of end times prophecy can raise as many questions as it answers. But one of the most puzzling issues for me personally has as much to do with human nature as God's plan. Maybe you've wondered about this too.

If there is so much discussion in the press, media and basic cable channels about the return of Jesus, the Rapture, and the rise of the Anti-Christ, how will anybody be deceived when all this happens?

Ever since I saw that electric razor running in the sink in the movie "A Thief in the Night", I couldn't imagine a single person still being in the dark about God's plan the day after the Rapture.

That is, until the last few days.

Maybe you've caught some of the hysteria blowing around regarding 6/6/06. The media seem to behaving a field day with this.

Dutch Evangelicals calls for pray-in against the Devil
Jun 05 8:27 AM US/Eastern
Email this story

A Netherlands-based Evangelical organisation has called on Christians in 21 countries to hold a 24-hour prayer vigil against Satanic forces to mark so-called Devil's Day.

Some fear the date 06/06/06, which falls on Tuesday, signifies 666, the Biblical number of the Devil, and will usher in calamities and even the end of the world.

The Dutch-based organisation Ambassadors Ministries called its 24-hour prayer vigil from 6:00 pm (1600 GMT) Monday, saying it hoped some 2,000 Dutch Christians, mainly Protestants, would take part.

"We believe that the plans the enemy has for this date (June 6, 2006) will be destroyed through violent worship and praise. We are inviting the entire world to be part of this huge unity project," it says on its website www.ambasmin.org.

The Drudge Report helpfully notes this item -

Mortgage demand dips as 30-year rate hits 4-year high of 6.66%.

The AP reports that one odds maker has made the world a 100,000 to one favorite to survive tomorrow.

In short, Biblical prophecy has become a side show, a curiosity, a joke.

As I read these articles, and saw the subdued smirks and rolling eyes of the media I realized I had an answer to my question. True, there is more information available about prophecy than ever before. But there is also more distortion of Biblical truth and more mockery of Biblical truth than ever before. It reminds me of...a prophecy.

1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us,^[a] the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,^[b] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:1-9)

Why will people fall hook line and sinker for deception in the last days? Strange takes on Biblical truth, stranger behavior by those who claim to have the truth, smirking dismissals by so-called experts will all have their influence. Let's make sure that we don't contribute to the confusion!

14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (II Peter 3:14-17)

Scott's Blog - 6/02/06

6-6-06?

I will never forget that Sunday morning when I was called "a servant of the Anti-Christ."

It all started innocently enough. The college group I was pastoring had begun to gather. Sound checks and detail work were keeping us busy. Until one of the volunteers working with the group came in with a slightly chastened look on his face.

"Umm.. There's a couple of people out in the parking lot putting these books on all the cars."

He held out a work that looked like it had been printed on recycled grocery bags. What it lacked in style, it more than made up with it's catchy title - "88 Reasons Why Jesus Must Return In 1988."

Since these kinds of mass marketing attempts were pretty common, I told a couple of my support team staff members to go take them off the cars.

The volunteer winced and said, "I was going to, but this lady started yelling at me."

"Welcome to the ministry!", I joked and told him if he got any further grief to send the lady in to talk to me.

Lo and behold, the lady took him up on the offer. With a look in her eyes usually seen on a spooked horse in a thunder storm, she demanded to know why I was standing in the way of this work of God.

I tried as diplomatically as possible to explain that our church was often targeted by all kinds of groups with flyers. All such distributions had to be cleared with the church office first. If she would like her books back, she could call the church and see if it would be OK to do next week...Void where prohibited. Your mileage may vary.

She grabbed her box of books and declared, "You are no Christian! You are a servant of the Anti-Christ!"

I didn't think much about that encounter until the following Thursday. I came home, flopped down on the couch, and opened the evening newspaper to see this headline - Rapture Predicted For Saturday - Believers sell worldly goods

"88 Reasons" had become a national sensation. The book sold over 3.2 million copies. Entire churches jumped on the band wagon. Sincere believers and the skeptical press all watched in anticipation as the predicted time frame (September 11-13th) drew near.

And then it passed.

No rapture.

The author, Edgar Whisenant, attempted to stage a come back with "89 Reasons Jesus Must Return in 1989", but you get the picture.

Date setting has a long and storied history of futility. A fascinating summary can be found at http://www.raptureready.com/rr-date-setters.html

But all this embarrassment could be easily avoided if we took Jesus' words seriously -

42"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

43"But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

44"For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. (Matthew 24:42-44)

Notice the balance in Jesus' teaching. There will be a sudden, unpredictable return of Christ for His people. The abuse of the doctrine by some shouldn't cause us to toss out what the Bible says about the Rapture. We need to live as if it could happen at any moment. But let's not get carried away with half baked theories that are designed to fill pews and book orders, not fulfill the Scriptures!

So why bring all this up now?

Maybe you've heard the latest scuttlebutt - "Pssst! Hey! did you notice? Next week - June 6th, 2006 - 6/6/06!"

What's going to happen?

A remake of a 70's movie loaded with bad theology will try to capitalize on the date.

A prequel to the Left behind Series will be released on that day.

But from a Scriptural point of view the only safe prediction for 6/06/06 will be...

It will be followed by 6/07/06!

Scott's Blog - 6/01/06

Let's Hear It For the Good Guys..Sort of..

There is no doubt we live in a sports obsessed society. I've often wondered what future archeologists will say about us in 2,000 years if the only thing that survives us is an ESPN Sports Center video and a thousand lost golf balls.

But there is something about sports that seems to connect with us on a soul to soul level.

Consider baseball.

In the movie "Field of Dreams" the character Terrance Mann (played by James Earl Jones) expresses why this game continues to hold our attention.

The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.

I hate to disagree with such an eloquent thought, but these days baseball keeps reminding me of all that is wrong with us.

Remember the famous congressional hearings on steroid abuse?

One guy muttered on in double speak about "Not being here to talk about the past."

Another gleefully seized the moment to declare that steroid use was rampant, and helpful to his career.

Another pointed dramatically at the camera and boldly declared he had never used the stuff -ever! Only to fail a drug test within a month.

An assault on the all time record for home runs has now turned into an assault on the credibility of the game.

This win at all costs, no matter what corners must be cut, no matter how much future damage is done to the health and the personal reputations of the people involved, reminds me of the damage inflicted by relativism in our culture. If the ends justify the means and there is no such thing as absolute rights and wrongs, all bets are off. As Doestoevski once put it, "If there is no God all things are permissible."

But occasionally a ray of hope still shines through. Consider this story of a team whose clubhouse culture runs amazingly contrary to the status quo.

BASEBALL TEAM: CHARACTER COUNTS

By Michelle Malkin · June 01, 2006 09:52 AM

Wait until the ACLU hears about this.

Unlike so many other professional athletes in debauchery-filled locker rooms, the members of the Colorado Rockies baseball team do more than say token prayers. Its managers take faith and character seriously. USA Today reports today (hat tip - Tony J.):

No copies of Playboy or Penthouse are in the clubhouse of baseball's Colorado Rockies. There's not even a Maxim. The only reading materials are daily newspapers, sports and car magazines and the Bible.

Music filled with obscenities, wildly popular with youth today and in many other clubhouses, is not played. A player will curse occasionally but usually in hushed tones. Quotes from Scripture are posted in the weight room. Chapel service is packed on Sundays. Prayer and fellowship groups each Tuesday are well-attended. It's not unusual for the front office executives to pray together.

On the field, the Rockies are trying to make the playoffs for the first time in 11 seasons and only the second time in their 14-year history. Behind the scenes, they quietly have become an organization guided by Christianity — open to other religious beliefs but embracing a Christian-based code of conduct they believe will bring them focus and success.

From ownership on down, it's an approach the Rockies are proud of — and something they are wary about publicizing. "We're nervous, to be honest with you," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd says. "It's the first time we ever talked about these issues publicly. The last thing we want to do is offend anyone because of our beliefs."

Rockies pitcher Jason Jennings says: "They do preach character and good living here. It's a must for them, and that starts from the very top. But we're not a military group. ... Nobody is going to push their beliefs on each other or make judgments. We do believe that if you do things right and live your life right, good things are going to happen."

The Rockies, at 27-24 entering Tuesday, are having their best season since 1995 with a payroll of $44 million, the lowest in the National League's West Division. Their season ticket holders and fans are, for the most part, unaware of the significance the Rockies place on Christian values.

"I had no idea they were a Christian team. ... I would love for them to talk about their Christianity publicly," says Tim Boettcher, 42, a season ticket holder for 12 years and an elder at the Hosanna Lutheran Church in Littleton, Colo. "It makes sense because of the way they conduct themselves. You don't see the showboating and the trash talking. ... They look like a team and act like a team."

At first glance this is a very encouraging story. But it also reminds us of a time when a story about a team populated by good guys with high morals, and (dare we say it) a commitment to Christ was one for the "dog-bites-man" files.

Of course! What else did you expect?

That was what we expected before books like "Ball Four" and "North Dallas Forty" not only revealed, but celebrated corruption among our national sports heroes.

Let's hear it for the good guys! How refreshing to hear there are still some teams that run against the tide.

Well, almost.

When word of this story hit the papers there was an almost embarrassed reaction!

Michelle Malkin comments -

Unfortunately, there seems to be some backtracking. The Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post say some players believe the USA Today article took things a bit too far and exaggerated the influence of faith on the team. So either the newspaper got it wrong, which is certainly possible, or the team doesn't want "bad publicity" over the fact that many of its players hold Christian prayer meetings instead of partying.

The world is upside-down. Sigh.

If it is true that our sports teams reflect the condition of our culture, there are a couple of key lessons here. First, it doesn't take much to be seen as radically different in our day. Do you read the Bible and pray daily? Do you take your relationship with God with you into the classroom, or the boardroom as you deal with people as God would want you to? Do you turn away from the dirty jokes, or the call to get blitzed every weekend "because everybody does it"? Staying true to your convictions may cost you in the short term, but in the long run you will find the respect of people who matter most to you, and a reward from your heavenly Father. As Simon Peter expressed it -

11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.( I Peter 2:11-12)

Secondly, if we are going to be different - that is allowing the love and truth of God to be seen in our lives - let's not feel embarrassed about it! When I go to a sporting event, I enjoy myself. I love rooting for my teams (and as a Cubs fan that isn't always easy!). I have never felt embarrassed wearing a Cubs cap to a game against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix. Why then should I feel embarrassed about my relationship with Jesus Christ?

If that is 'bad publicity", bring it on.

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