BATTLEGROUND

You're an infidel and they want you dead. Who are they? They are the extremely small minority of the Muslim faith. How small? Well the estimates range from 3% to 10%. Now remember, we are talking about a religion whose ranks are numbered somewhere at 1 billion people world wide. When I do the math, even 3% is a scary number. Somewhere around 300,000 Muslims are in the fringe camp and are sympathetic to at least one of the known terrorist organizations in the world. Their average age is 19. Their numbers are growing. Add to this the rate at which they are repopulating themselves and it's easy to understand why we are only just beginning to feel the effects of their theology. At this moment there are terrorists cells in 39 of our 50 states. We refer to them as sleeper cells. I consider them, pretending to be asleep.

It's hard for me to understand really. How could this be true? Even if you live next door to them and are understanding and supportive of their cause they want you dead. It's join or die. Simple as that. These are single minded, purpose driven men and women, who will not be disuaded. And since they are terrorists, there are no rules of engagement. They will have dinner at your house tonight and slit your wife's throat tomorrow.

So, where do you want to fight these people? If we withdraw from Iraq, we will fight them right here on our soil. Maybe not right away. It could take a little time for them to get re organized. We have fought to keep them off their game plan. It is no coincidence that we have not had a major attack on our soil since we went on a war footing after 9/11. But all of that will change if we withdraw. At the moment, the most rabid of these terrorists are pouring into Iraq, spoiling for a fight and their ultimate glory in eternity. Brave men and women from responsible civilized nations are volunteering to fight these lunatics. Bottom line, where do you want to fight them? There or here?

It is highly likely that we do not have the political will to win the war in Iraq. As citizens, we can change national policy, and once President Bush leaves office, there is limited hope that the next president will see this war through to a stabilized, democratic Iraq. If that takes place, be prepared for a very different America.

SUFFER REJECTION

Easy for you to say. Personally, I am allergic to rejection. I break out in hives. I get a stomach ache. I want nothing more in all the world than to be accepted by all those who are around me. I'm very insecure. I don't like controversy and I don't take criticism well. So then, why title this post SUFFER REJECTION? Because Jesus asks us to. He made it quite clear that those who would come after Him would suffer for His name. He said, "if they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." John 15:20b.

This discomfort, this putting ourselves at risk for the sake of the gospel, is part of the reason that evangelism is unpopular. In our hearts we say,---boy, anything but evangelism. We will volunteer for almost any Christian duty, but evangelism !!!!----let someone else better qualified, tackle that one. I wasn't called to be an evangelist.

Those who kinda know their way around the Bible are quick to quote Ephesians 4:11, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers." So you see; they will say, I wasn't called to do that, I don't have that gift, it just isn't my nature. Or better yet, there is the famous quote by St. Francis of Assisi, that goes something like this, "share God with everyone you meet, and if you have to, even use words." This is an extremely popular quote because it suggests to the hearer that your good deeds are sufficient for others to somehow absorb the gospel from that. I don't know about you, but I have never in my life had a man come up to me and say, --you know,-- you live such a good life, would you tell me your secret?

Underneath all of this is fear. And this is where training comes in. This common fear can be defeated with a little simple training and some practice. Be intentional. Get with a guy who has experience and ask him to coach you. Then, put yourself into a situation where sharing the gospel is expected. On a short term mission trip perhaps, or prison ministry, or a soup kitchen.

When Jesus was walking on the shores of Galilee, the first thing He said to the fisherman there was, "follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Then when he was leaving those men the last thing He said was, "go and make disciples." It's really that simple. Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. After you have done that go and make disciples.

Sure there are a lot of things that make up a Christian walk, things that require much attention and regular sacrifice, but the primary thing is "go and make disciples." Look, here's the deal. You are saved because somebody was obedient to the Holy Spirit and shared the gospel with you. In fact, probably several somebodies shared the gospel with you before you really got it. A number of men faced your rejection and perhaps your scorn all because they knew the importance of evangelism.

Recently I was at a large gathering of Christian men. The question was posed, how many of you men were saved in church? Several stood up. Then the question, how many of you men were saved at an evangelistic event. Once again, several stood up. Then the question, how many of you were saved because a man shared the gospel with you, thousands stood up. It is for that very reason that we share Christ. Men want to hear about the gospel from another man, one on one. That's what makes our personal testimony so important. That's why we need training and practice. With training and practice, sharing the gospel becomes a natural part of who you are.

Be willing to love your lost friends enough to suffer rejection. Love them enough to be willing to offend them, if that's what it takes to get them into the kingdom. Then leave the mysterious work of the conversion to God.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

It was a long day. I was tired and wanting to get home, but first, a stop for dinner at McDonald's. As I wheeled into the parking lot there was a car right behind me. One of those imports that has been lowered and modified. The sound system was rattling my windows. As I got out of the truck, the driver of the car parked next to me. I paid scant attention, but I did notice the tattoo's, the trousers with the crotch at the knees, and the untied shoes. What a waste I thought. Another drugged out kid, slouching into McDonald's for some food. Obviously this guy is so saturated by today's culture that he isn't even aware how predictable and annoying he is.

I place my order and then head for the bathroom. As I am returning to the counter I pass by this young man who has already gotten his food. There he was, leaning forward, and what was that printed on his shirt? a picture of Jesus, with the words, "soldier of the cross" written underneath. And why was he leaning forward like that? He was earnestly praying over his food.

Well, shame on me. My self righteousness and prejudging was hanging out all over the place. I was humbled by this young man. What a lesson God was teaching me at that moment.

Now wouldn't it be nice if this lesson really stuck with me. Of course it would. But it hasn't. I found myself just this very day, doing virtually the very same thing I just described earlier in this post. It is discouraging. However, God is faithful. He will not allow my present state of mind to rule. He forgives. Daily. He renews daily. He encourages daily. Praise His name.

CHURCH GROWTH

The meeting will come to order.

Pete; this meeting has been called at the request of Matt, Tom, John, and Little Jim. Bart, will you please open with prayer?

Bart; Almighty God, we ask Your blessing on all we do and say and earnestly pray that You will see our side as Your side. Amen.

Pete; ---Jesus,--- we have been following you around for some time, and we are getting concerned about the attendance figures. Tom, how many were on the hill yesterday?

Tom; Thirty seven.


Pete; It's getting to be ridiculous. You're going to have to pep things up. We expect
things to happen.


John; I'd like to suggest you pull off more miracles. That walking on water bit was the most exciting thing I have ever seen, but only a few of us saw it. If a thousand or so had a chance to witness it, we would have more than we could handle on the hill.

Little Jim, I agree. The healing miracles are terrific, but only a limited number really get to see what has happened. Let's have more water to wine, more fish and chips [it never hurts to fill their stomachs], still more storms, give more signs. This is what the people need.

Pete; Right. And another thing, publicity is essential, and you tell half the people you cure to keep it quiet. Let the word get around.

Matt; I'm for miracles, but I want to hear a few stories I can understand. This " those who have ears to hear, let them hear" business just clouds the issue. You have to make it clear or most of us aren't going to be able to take anything home.

Big Jim; I'd like to offer an order of service. First a story, then a big miracle, followed by and offering, then maybe a saying or something, followed by a small miracle to bring them back next time. Oh yes, and a prayer if you'd like.

Tom; We have to do something.

Little Jim; That's for sure. Attendance has been awful.

Judas; I'd like to say if we are going to continue to meet in this upper room, we ought to do something about the carpet..........



Richard K. Wallarab, Christianity Today, January 17, 1979

BOOMERS

You've heard a lot from us. How could you not? We've made more noise than any previous generation. You see, "It's all about us." If this is news to you just think back over what we have introduced to the world. We're the generation that brought you the 60's. Now many of you may not be old enough to appreciate just how unusual the 60's were, but the fallout from that decade is still wreaking havoc in American culture.

I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me rewind a little. We come from the parents who were the greatest generation. Our parents were born before the Great Depression, fought their way through WWII and preceded to raise their children in the safest and most affluent time in America's history. It was our parents who instilled in us the importance of character, hard work, honesty, faith and patriotism. And what did we do with this wonderful launch? We threw it in the dumpster. We took the gifts given to us by America's greatest generation and perverted them for our own selfishness.

We're the ones who became physically rebellious on campuses all across the land. We scoffed at patriotism, scorned our military men and women, made fun of hard working fathers and mothers and produced songs that were the threads of anarchy. We gave you the bumper stickers that said, "if it feels good do it." We introduced laws that provided abortion on demand, no fault divorce, started the trend of lawsuits for frivolous infractions, decided that day care was the best way to raise children, preached the nonsense that there is no difference between men and women and raised billboards declaring "God is Dead."

Then just to be sure that our influence and presence was continually felt, we became the professors, the politicians, the lawyers and the social engineers that have kept our self centered dream alive.

We are now entering the retirement years. You may think that you are finally done with our nonsense, but, "Oh---No," we have now increased our demands. We want health care for all of us older folk who need it more and more everyday. But we are so generous with your tax dollars that we are willing to include you in the plan. Besides it makes us look so compassionate. We also want senior care, bike paths, handicap access to everything, senior passes, senior discounts, senior menus, senior, senior, senior. You see, "it's still all about us." we are the leading consumers of not only your tax dollars, we are also leading the charge for every cosmetic operation known to man. And we go around saying things like, "hey, I'm on a fixed income!!", when in actuality we are the richest generation [in terms of money] that America has ever known. And still we demand free prescriptions, Medicaid, Medicare, electric scooters, eye glasses, and shuttle buses. And I hate to tell you this, but we're not through.

If you don't stop us, we will bankrupt the nation. Sacrifice isn't in our vocabulary. We do know that our social engineering has changed the way all Americans think. We have convinced ourselves that you are better off because of us. And of course, we still think that we are vital to the betterment of mankind. It's going to take years of hard work and sacrifice to correct what we have done. The one advantage you will have is we will finally be dead. God help the generation that rediscovers our nonsense.

MY COMMITMENT

The following was written by a young African pastor and tacked on the wall of his house.

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, or ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me-my banner will be clear.