IllumiNations!

Remembering The Day Our Nation Was Shaken

As I sit in my bedroom watching the San Diego Chargers school the Oakland Raiders, I cannot help but think of that infamous day 5 years ago when our great nation was shaken by the worst single terrorist attack in world history.  As I'm sure most of you have noticed, the last couple of weeks have seen a saturation of media programming that is memorializing 9/11.  It seems everybody has an opinion from every side of the political perspective with some slant that will ultimately have an effect upon some state or national race for office.  The single point that is most amazing to me is the simple fact that 5 years later, we have not had another attack upon American soil!

When the towers fell, the Pentagon was struck, and some very brave men rushed the cockpit of Flight 93 to keep it from hitting the Capital, I was dumbfounded and quite sure that we were in for ongoing strikes and a huge loss of life.  I thank God that is not the case so far.  I can sit quite secure within my home and enjoy a football game without fear, while men and women who love life as much as I do protect our nation in places like Afghanistan and Iraq.  Though I have had misgivings about the war in Iraq from the beginning, I am convinced that our brave men and women fighting the terrorists need to finish what they started with our prayers and support. 

September 11th, 2001 was a surreal day that has forever changed the way this generation of Americans think about the world, Islam, religion, security and what a true hero is.  On that day, we once again came to see that police officers, firefighters and emergency workers were everyday hero's who modeled the ultimate example of sacrifice and love for their fellow man.  In the day and age of  American Idol, baby Suri and Brangelina, it is so good to be reminded that the most important things in life have very little to do with what the tabloids have to say.  I'll take a soldier, sailor, airman, marine, police officer or firefighter over the pop icons of our time any day!

Sadly, it seems the short-term revival of Christian fervor in response to the attacks has passed, and that our slide into moral filth and complacency has continued.  As we remember that day, may those of us who consider ourselves followers of Jesus Christ, awaken to our duty to be salt and light and do all we can to lead our neighbors to the knowledge of the truth that is in Jesus Christ.  Furthermore, may we remember that it is the Lord who watches and protects a city and a nation and not the strength of a military.  He is the One who is shaking nations and testing the hearts of men.  In this time of great sifting, let us turn to Jesus, repent of our sin and lukewarmness, and stand in the gap for the protection, preservation and awakening of this great nation.

Psalm 127:1b -  If the LORD does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the LORD does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard. GNB

Hebrews 12:26-27 -  At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."  This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken--that is, things that have been made--in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. ESV

Tags: 9/11, Iraq, war in Iraq, terrorism, Twin Towers, WTC, World Trade Centers, soldiers, security, prayer, God, Jesus, memorial

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A Chilling New Wave of Anti-Semitism

Please take the time to read this article in Christianity Today by David Aikman entitled, AN UGLY PHOENIX REBORN.  The former correspondent for TIME MAGAZINE describes a chilling new wave of Anti-Semitism sweeping Europe only 61 years after we discovered over 6 million Jews were horribly murdered by Adolph Hitler and his Final Solution!  The article goes on to recount how most Europeans see Israel as the biggest threat to world peace and not North Korea, Iran or radical Islamist terrorism.  This is such an amazing confirmation to me of the demonic nature of this lie and proof that people are already beginning to forget what we promised would "never again" happen in our world.

I am not a Dispensationalist and I do not believe that Israel in its current state is under God's covenant blessing, but I am forever indebted to Judaism and the Jewish people for the great heritage of truth and history that they have passed on to us Christians.  I pray that Jews all over this globe would "look on him who they have pierced" and turn to Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah.  I will continue to support Israel's right to exist as a nation because they are one of the only truly democratic nations within the Middle East and our ally.  I do believe that God did something supernatural 58 years ago when Israel came to be an entity as a nation once again, so it is very important that we stand with them and challenge them politically when they engage in injustice toward any Arab people group.

I would remind those who think Israel is such a threat that almost every day we hear reports of Iran's president promising to wipe Israel off the map.  I would remind you that Israel lives with the constant threat of terrorism and invasion from every nation that surrounds them.  The hatred toward Jews and Israel that I am describing is not based upon injustices toward Palestinians or territory gained in war, but a deep ancient hatred that is rooted in nothing more than Jewish ethnicity and religion. This hatred was present before any of the current political realities and can only be explained as evil and twisted.  Please remember what the Nazi's and Stalinists did to the Jews in the last century and pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the preservation of Israel.

P.S. - A few qualifiers are necessary.  1.  A Dispensationalist is a Christian who has a certain viewpoint on the end times or "last things" when it comes to Biblical prophecy.  It is a complex methodology for determining how this current age will end and views the nation of Israel as having a very prominent part in those events.  2.  When I say Israel in its current state is not under God's covenant blessing, I am simply referring to those promises based upon obedience.  Yes, God promised them the land, but those promises were based upon obedience.   Disobedience would ultimately lead to expulsion from the land.  3.  When I quote from Zechariah 12:10, where the text declares "they will look on Me whom they pierced", I am not blaming the Jews alone for Jesus' death.  The Bible tells us that all of us are responsible for Jesus' death because our sin put him on the cross.  The very fact that the Roman Empire with its mixed multitude and the Jewish religious system were the instruments used,  just confirms our universal responsibility.  Two dreaded enemies got together to kill the Prince of Peace!

Tags: Israel, Anti-Semitism, Palestine, Holocaust, Jesus, Adolph Hitler, Genocide

I Must Stand For Wicca

UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION - BILL OF RIGHTS - Amendment 1.  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Sometimes the Culture War can put us in some rather uncomfortable positions and cause us to have some strange bedfellows as the story I am linking to in Christianity Today  so poignantly illustrates.  As John W. Whitehead explains in his column, Stand Up, Stand Up for Wicca, "Amidst a sea of memorial plaques at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, one space remains blank.  That space is waiting to be filled by a plaque honoring the life and sacrifice of 34-year-old Sgt. Patrick Stewart, who was killed in action on September 25, 2005, when his helicopter was struck with a rocket-propelled grenade as it flew over Afghanistan. But it may be some time before Sgt. Stewart is remembered with a memorial plaque. That's because his war widow and the Department of Veterans Affairs are at odds over the Stewart family's request to have the Wiccan pentacle, a five-pointed star surrounded by a circle, placed on the plaque. As of May 31, 2006, government officials have refused to allow the Wiccan symbol to be placed on Stewart's plaque."

As the rest of the article goes on to point out, it is very important for people of all faiths to stand up for cases like this because if one religion can be disallowed its free exercise, than all can be.  It would be my desire for all Wiccan's to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, the very creator of the sun, the moon, the stars, the earth, the seasons and rhythms of creation, male and female and sexual passion and energy.  But even if they never do, I will stand for a Wiccan's right to worship however they desire, even while trying to persuade them otherwise.  Sergeant Patrick Stewart's family should be able to memorialize his death with whatever symbol is appropriate to the Wiccan religion, and the Department of Veterans Affairs should support them and see that it happens quickly.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I unashamedly embrace Him as the Savior of the world and the only source of salvation, heaven, the forgiveness of sins and fellowship with the Creator Yahweh.  I know Him as the Ultimate Goodness and Harmony behind creation, and the Conqueror of the evil spirits in the world known as demons.  I believe all people must turn from self worship, nature worship and sin to Jesus Christ in order to be in harmony with God and His creation.  I trust Jesus Christ and His sinless, perfect life, substitutionary death, cleansing blood and bodily resurrection and ascension as the only means for seekers to be reconciled to the Eternal God.

Having said all of this, I realize that their are many who do not embrace my beliefs and see them as being intolerant because they make Jesus exclusive and unique above all the other people to have ever walked this planet.  With all that is in me, I would seek to persuade these very people and trust God's Spirit to change their hearts to believe the aforementioned truths.  In spite of all of this, I am an American and I do not in any way espouse forcing people to believe or embrace a particular religion.  I agree with our Founding Fathers and the First Amendment and would stand for any person of any belief system that was being threatened or not given the right to the "free exercise thereof." Because I am a Christian American, I must stand for Wicca in this case.

Tags: Freedom of Religion, Wicca, Christianity, Christ, Jesus, First Amendment, War on Terror, Constitution of the U.S.

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GAS PAINS

It seems Americans are having collective gas pains and there is not an anti-gas pill like "Beano" out there to take away our bloating.  Many people are angry as they look at paying $40.00 or more to fill up their Civic.  I am hearing cries for justice and calls to make "THE MAN" pay!  Some are saying "THE MAN" is G.W. Bush and/or the "Gummint", while others are saying "THE MAN" is Big Oil Companies. 

I say, it is much more complex than these simplistic explanations.  I really appreciated an article I read at WORLD MAGAZINE'S SITE titled "GAS ATTACK" because Gene Edward Veith does a great job of showing the need for a balanced and many sided approach to this issue.  Who knows, maybe we just need to consider changing our diet and start consuming less.  Maybe we will get out and walk a little or ride our bikes.  As Doctor's always tell us, a proper diet and regular exercise will lead to better health and less GAS PAINS.

THE DANGER OF UNDER-POPULATION?!

Genesis 1:26-28 - 26 God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."  27 God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female.  28 God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."  (THE MESSAGE )

It's an amazing thing how all it takes to get most people to believe something is to repeat it over and over again, throw out a few statistics and then let time and the mainstream media do its insidious work.  In particular I am speaking of the myth of OVERPOPULATION that has been foisted upon the human race for the last 4o years or so.  Many of us have actually come to believe that having children is a bad thing for creation and that birth control and abortion are not only necessary, but our duty for the good of the race!

The problem with this idea is the simple fact that it is in direct opposition to God's command to "be fruitful and multiply... and to take dominion" of the earth.  These two commands are linked together and seem to indicate that multiplication and dominion are a package deal.  Children, the Scriptures declare, are a "blessing", "reward", and evidence of God's covenant keeping power. 

WILL THE REAL ISLAM PLEASE STAND UP?!

WILL THE REAL ISLAM PLEASE STAND UP?!  I am confused.  I keep hearing in the Liberal press and in press releases from Islamic Organizations that Islam is a peaceful religion that teaches tolerance and love for your fellow man.  I have listened to Islamic apologists on NPR speak of the "radical minority" giving Islam a bad name.  I guess the reason I don't buy it is because every time a Muslim Nation is faced with an opportunity to demonstrate this so called "religious tolerance" they show their true colors and expose the reality of Islam as a religion of the sword. 

Even in Turkey, a Muslim Nation with a "secular" government, Christians face persecution, bureaucratic red tape and threats.  Our brother in Christ, Abdul Rahman has now been released due to pressure from the West and his so-called insanity and is in need of political asylum in a truly tolerant western nation.  Unfortunately, at this point we are not even sure if he is alive, or where he will go. 

Italy has stepped up and offered him asylum, but the good old U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT has offered this helpful advice, "Asked whether the U.S. government was doing anything to secure Rahman's safety after his release, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in Washington that where he goes after being freed is "up to Mr. Rahman."  Wow, that is profound help!  Where is our courage?  We put pressure on Afghanistan to release Rahman and then don't offer help?  Is this another example of secret deal cutting going on?  I am sorry Mr. Bush, but you have got to do better than this. 

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I recognize those shameful times in history when Christ's followers departed from His character and teaching and did shameful deeds in His name such as Inquisitions, Crusades and Pogroms.  I recognize that Muslims, Jews and fellow Christians have suffered horribly  at the hands of those who claimed to be the representation of Jesus Christ in the earth.  Those who slaughtered and persecuted the innocent in Christ's name were wrong and were not representing His teaching or His nature!  True Biblical Christianity is clear on this.  Unfortunately, all of us who name Him as Lord must suffer with what our forebears did in His name. 

However, Muhammed and his followers have spread Islam by the sword from its very inception.  Islam has always been a religion of war and conquering and to deny this is to be untrue to history.  I know, I know, Jihad is supposed to be about personal struggle and the overcoming of temptation and evil, but it has always included the aspect of making war against Jews, Christians and other infidels.  Whereas Christianity seeks to convert through persuasion, reason and reliance upon God's Spirit working in the human heart, Islam uses persuasion, reason and the threat of violence when the first two have failed.  To deny this is to lack integrity.

So, if any Muslims out there read this article and feel the need to write a response, please enlighten us on the REAL ISLAM.  Please demonstrate for us an example of any state on this planet where Islam is truly tolerant of other faiths.  Islam is in desperate need of reform in the same way Christianity has been at various times in history.  I know there are many good individual Muslims and that millions of Muslims are perplexed by what they see parading as their faith.  Honestly though, when you contrast Jesus and Muhammad, you see a man who conquers human hearts by love and one who conquered by war in Allah's name.  I am not trying to be disrespectful to any Muslim, but I must ask, WILL THE REAL ISLAM PLEASE STAND UP?

FOR MORE ON THIS SUBJECT, PLEASE READ RICHARD COHEN'S COLUMN IN THE WASHINGTON POST BY CLICKING HERE

AFGHAN CHRISTIAN TO BE RELEASED!

The man who was prepared to die for his trust in Jesus Christ appears to be on his way to freedom after the authorities in Afghanistan have decided to drop his case.  Abdul Rahman was facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity some 16 years ago.  It is so very important that we pray for him now since many Islamic clerics are calling for his death.  Among large numbers of Muslims, it would be considered honorable and righteous to kill Mr. Rahman and thus remove the shame from Islam for the "crime" of rejecting Islam.  PLEASE PRAY FOR HIS SAFE RELEASE AND FOR SAFE HAVEN!

READ THE STORY AT USA TODAY BY CLICKING HERE

AN AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST

It seems that everywhere I look out in cyberspace, I here people talking about and quoting  Charles Colson as if he is a newly discovered voice in the Christian world.  I am really excited about this development because I deeply respect Colson and see him as a true Ambassador for The kingdom of Jesus! 

I have been a Colson fan for many years now and really appreciate his ability to take deep philosophical questions that deal with the clash of worldviews and civilizations and make them relevant to scholar and lay person alike.  (By the way, though I am a pastor, I cannot stand the term "lay person"!) 

Well, in honor of Mr. Colson, I have added several of the books he has written in my WORTH READING section that have had an impact on my life and thinking.  These books are an excellent read because Colson won't let you off the hook when it comes to the application of truth.  He will not allow the disconnect between belief and action that is so prevalent in much of Western Christianity to have any place within our common faith.  If you profess that Jesus Christ is Lord, then it goes to reason that He is actively at work within you to enable you to practically live out your profession by demonstrating God's love to the culture at large.  Dig in to a Colson book and enjoy!

P.S. COLSON'S BREAKPOINT RADIO PROGRAM CAN BE HEARD AT HIS WEBSITE BY CLICKING HERE

THE HIDDEN REALITY OF MODERN MARTYRDOM

Revelation 6:9-11

9And when the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their witness. 10They called loudly to the Lord and said, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge the people who belong to this world for what they have done to us? When will you avenge our blood against these people?" 11Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters--their fellow servants of Jesus--had been martyred.  (NLT)

As I have written before, there is a whole lot of important and noteworthy news going on in our world that is unreported by the major news outlets because it is not politically correct.  One of the ongoing stories I would include in this category is the horrible and glorious reality of martyrdom and persecution for being a follower of Jesus Christ.  Every year all over our globe, thousands of disciples of Jesus Christ are imprisoned, lose their homes and jobs, are tortured and even face horrible deaths for the sake of Jesus and His gospel.

This past Sunday on a number of the major news outlets like USA TODAY, the story of an Afghan man facing death for converting to Christianity 16 years ago really caught my attention.  I was both saddened for him and encouraged to see this story making the rounds.  For all of those people out there who continue to declare that Islam is a peaceful religion, I only need to point out that wherever Shariah Law and the Islamic religion have political power, people of other faiths can be and are often imprisoned and put to death for their beliefs.

This man is a hero that we need to highly esteem and pray for.  Let us pray for God's mercy and deliverance from the death sentence for Abdul Rahman.  It may be the will of God for Abdul to die as a martyr, but I will pray for his release and for sanctuary in a Western nation where he can love his Lord openly.  After all, that is what the early Christians did as they prayed for Peter.

ACTS 12:5 - So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.  (NIV)

READ ABDUL RAHMAN'S STORY BY CLICKING HERE

THE RISE OF CHINA; GOOD OR BAD?

Many Americans today are alarmed by the rise of China as a global power both economically and militarily.  The question is, should we be?  Is a military confrontation over Taiwan just around the corner?  Are we going to be buried economically over the next 50 years as China rises to global prominence?  All of these scenarios are possible and some would even say probable, but I'm interested in what Fox News and CNN are not reporting.