“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.” 2 Peter 3:3
There’s a LOT of ‘em! Entertainers who supported Kamala Harris and the Democratic WOKE agenda. And they won’t shut up! This was brought to my attention by Katie, who became livid at the gym yesterday when the story broke on the news. Entertainers, news people and politicians are going crazy!
Their problem? They can’t figure out WHY they and their agenda lost the 2024 election! I read yesterday that Truth loves questions, but liars hate Truth! The Bible makes that clear. Now that the license to sin appears to be in danger, especially in the sex and gender category, those ‘Actors’ are again using their craft!
Katie wrote in her Journal, “Hey Hollywood! We don’t want your advice! You are ACTORS! We pay you to ENTERTAIN us – not enlighten. You became famous because you are good at your craft, be it movies, singing or sports. The King and his court never asked the jesters for advice. They only expected to be entertained by them. The same goes for celebrity sports. We have rejected your un-American attitudes, even in regards to our National Anthem. Now to play ball, sing or act!”
The Latin word ‘entertain’ means to ‘amuse’ or ‘hold someone’s attention for fun.’ Entertainment has no real value other than to take our minds off of the really serious stu,ff for a while. Today, sports players, actors and singers get paid a FORTUNE and are looked upon as idols and role models. Jesus say’s ‘NOT SO!’
The agenda of satan is to turn our attention from the Godly… to anything but. ‘Actors’ are upset that they may be labeled what they are… dark, empty, lust-filled slaves of depravity (2 Peter 2). Are YOU upset that your source of ‘entertainment’ is in question? Jesus holds the ultimate stage. Do you listen and focus on HIM?
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2 Peter 1:3-4
Today is Veteran’s Day. A day in the year where Americans honor the military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. I know many Veterans. Not being a Veteran myself, I respect people who are. Having heard stories from my sons, and church members who are, Veterans paid a high cost from their personal freedoms.
It is fun, intriguing and safe to listen to the stories of Veteran’s experiences. From our Army Ranger, Church folks in all 5 branches of services, including my son’s experiences at a Federal Academy, I learned that being part of an Armed Forces Team is not something they forget or dismiss. It makes them who they are.
While I never served in the military, I HAVE been enlisted, and currently still serve in the Army of the Lord. The word Veteran ALSO means ‘a person who is long experienced or practiced in an activity or capacity.’ Having been a part of the Body of Christ since I was saved at 12 years old, I can tell you I am experienced!
I too can tell stories proving my service to Christ, and His Church. Service CONTINUES to come at a high cost to the corrupted ‘flesh’ that still ‘veteranizes’ me on a daily basis! Yes I have stories, but will not bother to share. Today’s verses provide both the GIFT of God’s Grace, AND His call to continue to SERVE Him daily.
So fellow warriors of Christ… today is another “no ordinary” day where we are called to take up our cross and follow HIM… right into the devil’s territory… to be victorious in snatching others from the fire, and disciplining others in His Corp.
Are YOU an active Veteran for Christ? Happy Veteran’s Day! OOORAAA!
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.” Luke 6:3
I love my neighbor! Rick and I have done a lot of things together. Trimming trees and bushes between our houses is the usual thing we do. Both of our wives like that… so we trim and clean them regularly. Rick has many skills. When I asked if he’d like to go to Barnes (the Church’s house) to work. He gladly said “YES!”
We had just been over there on Monday and spent about 5 hours. He knows drywall… and knows I HATE drywall. I changed out electrical fixtures. Yesterday Rick called to say he was going over there… alone! I had other things to do, he was looking for something TO do. Later, going out to FLAP… I saw Rick.
Rick’s shirt was completely soaked with sweat and his head was reddish… like he’d just taken a hot shower. “Boy it’s hot over there he said!” I suggested he could have turned on the air conditioner… but it never occurred to him. AC costs money… and it sounded like he didn’t want Jesus paying for his efforts.
FLAP (our Churches Bible Study) was a full house. The subject of ‘loving one’s neighbor’ came up. “How do we really do that?” someone asked. ESPECIALLY if someone is evil. AHHHHH… therein lies the rub! Julie, a church member, is going through a lawsuit with a very evil neighbor who is trying to take her property!
With the election pretty much over, we can see that God has intervened. But it’s like summer is over, but the heat remains! The people we consider our enemies, according to the Word of God, are really God’s challenge FOR us. And the heat is NOT going to go away. Neither is the sweaty, tough work that comes along with it.
Jesus calls those who love Him ‘His disciples.’ He has LOTS to say about what, and how, we do things. One of them is this pesky little verse that is repeated about a hundred times throughout His Word. It’s a command… NOT a request! ‘HOW’ we LOVE will take prayerful consideration, and ultimately… ACTION. So… DO YOU?
Have you asked God for the best possible way for you to show love toward another person? Even if that person proves to be your worst, pesky enemy? The heat is on! Jesus expects I take advantage of His resources, go to Him and ask Him HOW to be a cool disciple! Why not ask God, then go be a Rick and… just DO IT!?
“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12
“I gotta go vote!” That was the final action of James Carpenter before he came home, laid down on the floor under a fan.. and passed away. His ‘I voted’ sticker was still on his shirt when, because of his service as a U.S. Marine, they wrapped him in a U.S. Flag, and took him home to be with Jesus.
James was a one-of-a-kind kind of guy. If you knew him, you could only laugh as you tried to describe him. Swapping stories, Gwen, Josh, Stacey, Katie and I did just that. Remembering him and his stories brought a bit of humor into the sadness of the moment. We talked about what he must be saying to Jesus NOW!
James Dean Carpenter was a lot of things. But what was truly clear was that He loved Jesus. He was not afraid to say so either. When he was off work, he’d come by and stand on the corner with us and hold a sign saying so. You couldn’t miss him… ever… anywhere. For now, we weep and mourn his passing. But soon!
James was a GREAT ambassador for Jesus for our church. James actually, in his own way, brought more people to our church than anyone. Funny how that sounds. But it is true. So who is going to step up, and out, to fill his shoes? They are BIG shoes to fill! The job still needs done… and James would encourage it.
The Election of Trump is a mirror of the Book of Judges. We will gather together tonight at FLAP and talk about what it takes to save a Nation. But the example of James, in HIS country, home and church, would be to GET INVOLVED AND DO IT! “Don’t be a slacker!” He’d say. We will see him again. But now WE are his legacy.
Will YOU stand up and out for Jesus… and America? Because Jesus is taking ALL kinds of characters to do His work. James Dean Carpenter… is proof! Now it’s YOUR turn.
“…the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up…” Judges 3:9
“I’m not going to eat tomorrow.” Those were the words Katie said to me after getting home last night from Ladies Bible Study. I didn’t have to ask ‘why,’ because I already knew. Today is Election Day. And by the end of it, we will not be the same… no matter WHO wins. So today is a day to fast and pray.
I’ve never really been a big ‘faster.’ I’ve tried it before… and can STILL see my dad’s face when, over 50 years ago, HE tried it for 3 DAYS!! He was a mess. And no.. it didn’t do anything for Him in his quest for an answer from God. That doesn’t mean I’m throwing fasting away. After all… today is going to be a tense one.
Make no mistake about it. We, like the Israelites in the book of Judges, have failed and fallen as a county. America’s issues are no different. We, too, worship the gods of immorality. I could barely stomach watching TV last night for all the pro abortion ads. Our nation is one of harlots, murderers, thieves, druggies and liars.
I avoided an exclamation mark at the end of that last paragraph because it is no surprise. We we’re a nation founded on Jesus Christ and the Bible. What we are now mimics Israel and their fated country. But we cannot say we haven’t been warned. For now, it is only God’s move. We’ll get a Godly leader… or a butcher!
The Bible is clear that the LORD left evil nations among them to test all the Israelites. Looking at my life I can see MY faltering steps… and failures… when the same exam was laid in front of me. Thankfully I have a Savior. But that doesn’t mean I don’t face testing now and then. I pray we all become wiser and effective.
So today we wait and pray… concentrating on God’s hand on America. Will you join us in prayer today? For ourselves as much as for our Country.
“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Galatians 5:17 (NKJV)
Searching for a snack out of boredom, I opened the refrigerator to see what I could find. Instantly, my EYES fell upon some Halloween candy. Then my HAND grabbed a piece and shoved it into my MOUTH! All before my BRAIN had time to think about it! So there I stood… candy breath and all… wondering what just happened! I just proved God doesn’t lie. I had vowed to NOT eat candy.
It really ISN’T a mystery. Paul wrote this verse 2000 years ago to give a heavenly explanation to what every one of us should already know. He gave it even MORE detail in Romans 7. Humans make BAD choices… ALL the time. I listen to the excuses regularly, from myself… AND from others… then ask… “I don’t understand… WHY do I keep choosing the wrong thing!” As if I was genuinely surprised!
NO GOOD THING LIVES IN YOUR FLESH (Romans 7:18).But that is NOT what the WORLD, the FLESH or the DEVIL says about me. The message that screams to ALL of us is, “you’re a winner, believe in yourself, you’re enough or you can do it!” And the dude with the candy breath just refuses to smell it! But I am not alone in asking the question. Paul asked it of himself 2000 years ago!
We are agathokakological beings. That means we consist of both good and evil. We aren’t BORN good and then go bad. actually, it is the reverse. No one teaches a child to be bad. They already KNOW. Steeped in sin, we have the natural tenancy to choose the WRONG things. ALL evidence points out that WE NEED A SAVIOR! A fact that quickly disappears with a whisper of, “Eh…I’m fine!”
If I agree with God as to my lost and dead disposition, why is my natural inclination to defend myself? Why do I fight so hard to be right, when I know that the majority of the time my flesh is wrong? In a world of sin, why is a drink or drug chosen over responsibility? Why is it easier to take a nap then get something done? Why is it easier to quit than press on? If you’ve read this far then you already know the answer. Our flesh stinks!
Sin is a stench in the nose of God. If we even had a HINT of its awful reality, we’d faint! Want a taste? Hold your hand over a candle for 1 second! THAT is a TINY taste of what the wage of sin brings. Now multiply that by a gazillion and add eternity! THAT is GOD’S view! THAT is the price he paid to free me from sin’s penalty. The very LEAST I can do is love Him for it.
“For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
I saw a man that I barely ever knew, who knew I was a pastor. When he asked what I was doing for Halloween, I told Him I’d be home passing out candy. From the look on his face, you’d-a thought I’d murdered his baby! I was told, in no uncertain terms, that ‘Christians don’t celebrate Halloween!’ Really!???
The picture above looks spooky. Actually, it comes from a Christian website… the topic being ‘The Rapture!’ You know… the time when Christ returns to collect the church and take her home to Heaven to be His bride! The Rapture, the uniting of ALL Believers (dead and alive) together FOREVER is my greatest Joy. I’m hoping it’s tonight!
All Hallows’ Eve is tonight, and while many celebrate Halloween with Trick-or-Treating or parties, it’s less common to celebrate October 31 as an actual day of Christian worship. So what is All Hallows’ Eve, exactly? It’s a term we hear a lot this time of year, but might think is interchangeable with “Halloween.” That’s true… in a way. The word “Halloween” comes from shortening “Hallow’s Eve”but it’s not just that. For Christians, there is a rich history, and Hope, here to take hold of.
Let’s start with the basics. What is a hallow? Well, hallow simply means holy, as the Lord’s Prayer suggests (“hallowed be thy name”), so a “hallow” is a holy person—a saint (EVERY Believer is considered a ‘Saint’ in God’s eyes). All Hallows’ Eve, then, is the eve of All Saints’ Day—the day the church remembers all the women and men from the past, from St. Peter to St. Augustine to St. Thérèse—who have modeled holiness for us throughout the history of the church.
All Saints’ Day is followed by All Souls’ Day on November 2, the day the church recognizes all the faithful departed—that is, every person who has ever lived and died in Christ, whether the church officially recognizes them as a saint or not. On All Souls’ Day, many churches hold services that specifically remember loved ones who have died in the last year.
For over a century, the Church has observed All Hallow’s Eve as an evening vigil to watch and wait for these two holy days that honor the friends, family, and heroic saints who are now part of the “cloud of witnesses” spoken of in Hebrews 12:1, cheering us on from heaven as we run the race set before us. All Hallows’ Eve is similar to Christmas Eve in that we are eagerly and festively anticipating the holy day that follows.
So, to recap: October 31 is All Hallows’ (Saints) Eve, November 1 is All Saints’ Day, and November 2 is All Souls’ Day. Got it? Good!
What is All Hallows’ Eve?
So, now that you’ve got the basics, you might be wondering how witches and goblins came to be associated with these holy days on the church’s calendar. Likely because October 31 through November 1 was the date of a Celtic festival called Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season. The Gaels believed that beginning at sundown on October 31, the boundary between the dead and alive thinned, and the dead would return home seeking hospitality among the living. If the dead were not appeased, they would wreak havoc on livestock and crops, causing sickness and famine. So on October 31, the Gaels would don costumes, light bonfires, and imitate sorcery practices in order to ward off evil spirits and appease the dead. All hell would break loose and these festivals would often devolve into nights of havoc and terror.
In 835 the church supplanted this pagan festival, setting All Saints Day on November 1, the same day as Samhain. They replaced the havoc and mischief created by the evil dead on Samhain with a hopeful watching, waiting, and celebration of the holy dead, God’s saints.
This history presents us with two views of death: one as terrifying and haunted, the other as hopeful and holy. The church has chosen the latter, and on October 31 we make a party out of it. All Hallows’ Eve is an opportunity for Christians everywhere to celebrate the work God has done in and through his saints, and that neither their stories or ours will end in the grave.
I (K.C.) grew up trick or treating.. and I STILL love candy. We took OUR kids trick or treating. NONE of us turned into devils or worshiped satan! I had a difficult time trying to figure a way to tell my kids we would not be going door to door for candy… like their friends. It’s Candy… It’s a hint at The Rapture. It’s Fun!
So now you know! So why not go and do what you do in the Name of Jesus. And may I suggest that you NOT condemn people for doing things differently than you. Tell them about Jesus….if they don’t know Him… AND “The Rapture!” Personally, I can’t wait to see my Dad again! Oh… And eat some candy, if you’re allowed! It’ll make you sweet!
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
I HATE marijuana. No, I’ve never tried it because I didn’t need to. The stuff available back in 1955, I am told, was weak compared to what’s available today. But it was strong enough to destroy the relationship between my best friend and I. It was then that he chose to follow THAT crowd rather than be my friend. I let him.
Over the years I’ve heard lots of arguments for the benefits of this drug. It wouldn’t surprise me if many reading this may fall into that ‘Pro’ category. But the argument for the medicinal benefits of marijuana sound more like made up ‘healthy’ arguments for NOT cleaning your room! I can easily smell an excuse!
Marijuana, like alcohol, is a drug. I’ve never seen ‘A bottle of Jack Daniels,’ written on a doctor’s prescription. People use it to get high… to take the edge off, or to… whatever! But even folks I’ve talked to who use marijuana KNOW, it isn’t a GOOD thing. Florida faces a bad amendment, written by bad folks, to make it legal.
I went to Miami with my family a little over a year ago. As we walked the South Beach area, I kept asking, “what’s that stench?” Turns out that skunky smell was exactly what our community’s playgrounds, school parking lots and downtowns could smell like this if Amendment 3 passes. It didn’t work well for Colorado.
The Bible is clear. Anything that alters one’s mind from a sober state to another is an invitation for the Devil to enter and destroy. JESUS says so! Go ahead and call me an old fuddy-duddy if you want. But if you do, you might as well roll up a joint and hand it to your 8 year old and ask him to join you. Yeah… like THAT’s ok!
So I suggest you vote NO on Amendment 3. And if my opinion keeps me off your party invitation list, well… you really wouldn’t a fuddy-duddy like me, OR Gov. Ron Disantis, to come anyway. I advise… Keep your head together… and get high on Jesus! Vote NO to keep future minds clear!
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42
The text from Amanda to me read, “We need to put out a prayer request for Abel.” It went on to briefly share that Abel had had an accident and was now en-route to get an MRI. The 1 line sentence contained a LOT of information without saying much. But I didn’t need to know much. I just needed to do what I do.
The word “WE” in Amanda’s request was key. WE didn’t mean her and I. ‘We’ is MUCH bigger than that, and encompasses our entire church. There was a need that needed God’s attention. WE… meaning ‘The Church’… needed to take that request, in the form of an urgent appeal, before God as a Congregation. We did!
I didn’t need to press for details. I just needed to get the word out. So one by one I texted individual people in the Church and asked them, and their families to pray. Amanda told me she’d keep me updated. Sure enough, within 2.5 hours, I got the word that “ALL IS GOOD… GOD IS GOOD.” The Church family had done it’s job.
The Church is an individual body of believers devoted to God, and to each other, for the purpose of making us one in Christ. We serve one another in many ways, but ALWAYS, as we learn God’s Word and mission for us today… together. Yesterday’s outcome was an excellent one. But it doesn’t always go that way.
Christ’s Church encompasses 1 group of people that meets at a specific place, in a specific town. But we are also a worldwide conglomerate. 1 Body united together by the Holy Spirit to become Christ’s hands and feet in this world, and His Bride in the next. Meeting together is commanded by our Lord. Teamwork is our thing!
Are YOU an active member and growing in your love and service to Christ and His Church? That membership, and your growth in it, is the ONLY thing you get to take with you to Heaven. Growing and getting involved.. is a rewarding privilege.