Mar 17 2008
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Oct 25 2008
I watched a video earlier about a situation in Massachusetts dealing with the legalization of gay marriages. Since it is legal there, the authorities have deemed it appropriate to teach children in elementary school about this type of lifestyle.
Some parents found a book on diversity in their kindergartner’s book bag and took a look. And what they found, to their dismay, was a book on gay families. They had specifically asked that if anything like this was going to be taught to their child that they wanted to be notified first. The school said that they didn’t have the right to know.
So the parents went to the school looking for a comprimise with the school and the school wouldn’t budge. The father stayed until late at night until he was to get a satisfactory answer. But instead of the answer he wanted, he was arrested, all because he wanted his son to be taught that families are made up of a father, a mother, and their children.
It will soon be here in California, since prop 8 is on the table, and then it will be all of America. What does that mean for us as Christians. We will be forced to do one of two things: surrender and quite preaching truth, or be imprisoned and persecuted for it.
Chien Wei mentioned last night of the ones in India, is it possible that it could be closer to us now?
When that day comes, how do we deal? How do we prepare? What are we doing now?
The good news that we cannot forget, Tim was so gracious to remind our discussion group last night, is that God is sovereign. This is by no means apart from His plan and purpose, and it will come to pass if that is what He intends. And in this we should rejoice, since He is the one we serve and we want Him to bring glory to Himself. And this is just one more thing that has to happen in order for Christ to return. And we are one day closer.
If you would like to see the video, email me bo@bonelson.com.
Oct 22 2008
I want to offer up the opportunity for anyone to write what they think about the topic preached on the previous Friday, or any Friday.
I will do my best to add my thoughts and responses, and I hope the others will do as well.
Such as a question that was asked of me after my message on 1 Peter 3:8-12.
“I know that we are to bless when we are insulted or someone does evil to us, but how does that relate to when someone commits a crime against us?”
This is a great question that I think we all could benefit from. So why don’t we get this going so that we all will help in our sanctification, remember, we are sanctified as individuals as well as a body.
My response is below:
As far as someone committing a crime towards you, and how you respond, there are a few things to consider.
There are certain things that people do to us that we can just let go of and love them, say for instance the analogy of the husband cheating on his wife.
But then there are other things that people do to us that isn’t only us that are affected. Some crimes will go beyond the personal, say for instance if someone were to break into your home, you would call the police, and if that person got arrested and you decided not to press charges, the state would probably take over and pursue prosecution. Because that isn’t only a crime to you, but to the state since they broke the state law.
In Romans 13 Paul talks about how we are to submit to the Government and obey because they are a messenger from God to reward good and punish evil.
Paul also says in Ephesians 5 that we are not to partake in any evil deeds, but expose them.
So I would say when dealing with someone who wrongs you or commits a crime toward you, you can look at it like this:
What is the severity of it, is it something that love can cover?
Are you the only one effected, and if not then for the sake of state justice, report it?
Obey your conscience, if your conscience doesn’t feel right about something, don’t do it.
But ultiimately you want to make sure that you are not taking matters into your own hands and desiring someone punished because they have wronged you, that is where it would break down, because then it is personal and you would be returning the evil for evil.
But if you seek to honor God, and the state, then you have the right to hand the case over to the courts.
I think as Christian, we should be very passive when it comes to evil, but we are not called to be doormats, we are called to be godly.
I hope this helps.
This is from John Macarthur’s message on this passage and I think it gets to the heart of the issue.
http://www.gty.org/Resources/transcripts/60-33
Now you know what that all sums up to? One word, it starts with “F,” what is it? Forgive them. That’s the all-encompassing term because that’s what allows you to respond in that way. It amounts to forgiveness, unselfish, forgiving, gracious, merciful love to someone who harms us.
I always think of my brother-in-law, Duane Rey, many of you know him. He had a son, of course, all of us who knew loved in a special way Tim. And I think of Tim as a vibrant, enthusiastic, dynamic Christian young man. He was a star volleyball player at Northridge, very involved in Grace Church. Not a few years ago, just a few years ago, he was working in a market, a man on drugs came into the market over in Sun Valley and pulled a gun and murdered him when he tried to protect another checker from this guy who was robbing the place. And I remember the night that I received a phone call and said, “Tim’s been shot and he’s dead.” I’ll never forget it. And to watch the scenario unfold and the unbelievable loss of this young man’s life, a young man who was idolized by many, including my own children, who was in many ways a role model for other young man, and I watched Duane dealing with this and had a number of conversations with him. And always his concern was, “Somehow I have got to get into the jail to reach this man who killed my son in order to present to him the gospel.” That was always Duane’s concern.
And as I remember, Patricia, he had the opportunity to do that. That is a forgiving heart. Unimaginably for those of us who are parents but that is the forgiving heart toward one who has murdered your son. That’s the right response.
Apr 02 2008
Hi Epoch!
Cristina requested that I spread the word that she is getting baptized this Sunday! Pls. pray that her unsaved family members to be able to come to witness her baptism & hear her testimony. After Sunday night service, I thought it would be great if we could have a time of celebration with her, but haven’t yet decided on a location. If anyone has a suggestion, pls. let me know at anni.liao@pacbell.net. Thanks!
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