Pastors Blog

2009-06-25T14:47:00.002-05:00

Dear Friends,

One must ask, "What in the world is going on?" In the course of one week, two conservative "family values" politicians and a pastor, whom I know personally, have admitted to having an extra-marital affair. The story of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford is the most bizarre. Last week, the two-term governor and potential 2012 Presidential candidate, went "missing" for seven days, having told his staff he was hiking in the Appalachians, only to confess that he had really been in Argentina with his mistress. This followed just days after another prominent "family values" politician from Nebraska, Senator John Ensign, made a similar confession.

The one that hit me the hardest personally though, was not a politician, but a pastor. A man whom I know personally and have considered a friend for several years. These were all undoubtedly good men, who all began with the truest intentions, but made disastrous decisions that will not only devastate their families, but the lives of many who follow them. Saddest of all is the shame it brings to God's name! The "heathen" among us love to "blaspheme" God's name every time one of us morally fails.

This past week was a reminder that all of us have "feet of clay". Apart from the blood of Christ, we are all nothing but broken human beings. None of us are exempt from the ruin of sin. And all of us are desperate every day for God's grace in our lives. We are all one decision away from "blowing up" our lives. But our decisions equal destinies. Our destinies are determined by our decisions. And not only our destinies, but the destinies of those who are closest to us -- our family, our children, our friends.

We must make "God-centered", "God-driven" decisions -- even if everything within wants to do something different. Jesus must anchor our every choice! He must reign as Lord of our lives! As Lord of our lives, Jesus will never give us "permission" to do anything that would harm us, our families, our friends, and most of all, His reputation.

Proverbs 4:23 "Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life."

Freedom Isn't Free

2009-06-12T21:24:00.004-05:00

Hello Sweet Friends,

This week in 1776, Congress appointed the "Committee of Five" to draft the Declaration of Independence, which of course led to the Revolutionary War. They did it knowing full well they could pay with their lives. This past Saturday, June 6th, was the 65th anniversary of D-day, where 5,000 American G.I.'s all laid down their lives. Thousands more were wounded in combat. The latest fatality of the War in Iraq was just this past week, June 5th, bringing the total number of Americans to lay down their lives in the "War on Terror" to over 4300 in Iraq alone. (Yes, it is still a "war on terror" regardless of what the current Administration calls it.)

We all know that freedom is not free, but this is a time of year that reminds me more than ever of the cost of freedom. Our freedom as Americans has been bought with the blood of tens of thousands we will never know and never meet. Why did they give their lives? Because there are some causes worth dying for. Freedom is but one of those causes worth laying down one's life for.

But can I share with you another one? It's the cause of Christ! It's the greatest cause on earth and it is worthy of our lives! While the sacrifice of American lives impacted future generations of Americans, our sacrifice as Christians will impact, echo and ring for all eternity! As you celebrate freedom on the 4th of July this year, remember the sacrifice of others. Remember the blood they shed. But most of all -- remember the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember His blood that He shed for you. And then consider, what would you be willing to give for Him? He is worthy of our lives. Anything less is not enough.

The kingdom of God is advanced on sacrifice -- yours and mine. Join me in giving our lives. I love you very much!

Pastor Phil

The Murder of Dr. George Tiller

2009-06-04T08:33:00.009-05:00

Hi Friends,

Several have asked my opinion this week about the murder of Dr. George Tiller from Wichita, KS, famous, of course, for being one of the few abortion doctors in the nation to perform ultra-late term abortions. The short answer is that regardless of your position on the issue of abortion, Dr. Tiller's murder is a tragedy. It was cold-blooded murder. And it was wrong. Yes, for those of us who believe that human life begins at conception, Dr. Tiller was himself a murderer. He took the lives of countless unborn human beings. But God has said in Romans 12:19 "...vengeance is mine, I will repay' says the Lord." It was not within this man's authority to execute judgement upon Dr. Tiller. In Romans 13:1-5 the Apostle Paul illustrates how God has delegated His authority to human government to execute capital offenders for capital crimes. But this man was not acting with the authority of human government, nor was he acting with God's authority to execute judgement.

But I call it a tragedy because the implications run deeper than that. All this has served to do is to energize the pro-abortion side of our nation. It accomplished absolutely nothing positive to further the cause of pro-life. Ultimately this man's actions have marred the entire pro-life movement and tarnished how the American populace perceives all of us who hold by conviction that life begins at conception.

We should consider the example of the Apostles and the early Church when considering how to engage a culture that is becoming increasingly antagonistic, if not hostile, toward conservative Christianity. They did not change their culture by force. They did not engage in any political marches or protests (though we should be engaged in the political process). But ultimately the entire Roman World was changed. They reshaped the entire spiritual and moral fabric of civilization. Blood-sports and the gladiator contests were outlawed by the end of the second century. By the end of the fourth century, slavery was no longer as common place. Marriage as we know it biblically was more and more the norm, as opposed to men commonly having a wife to bare his children and multiple mistresses on the side. The Roman "bath houses" where men and women bathed together in the nude as a form of "leisure" was no longer culturally acceptable.

What changed the culture of the entire civilized world? It was the influence of the Gospel! Pagans were being converted to Christ! Biblical morality began shaping people's lives. The effects on culture were not immediate, but undeniable none the less! It was the result of more and more Christians who were living their lives as salt and light! Standing for truth, but exercising grace.

And ultimately these two things should rule our lives -- truth and grace. The courage to stand for what is RIGHT and to stand against what is WRONG...but the grace to do it in a way that Christ can be seen in our actions and our attitude.

God bless you...Please join me in praying for our nation. And pray that our church will be a place where TRUTH and GRACE reign.

Pastor Phil

The Criminalization of Christinaity in America

2009-05-14T10:34:00.006-05:00

I received this E-mail recently from somebody you probably don't know. It is both saddening and maddening...but it's really happening. We are losing our freedoms that we have enjoyed in this nation for over 200 years as followers of Jesus Christ. I'm not an alarmist, but I am a realist. I won't look the other way and you shouldn't either.

The "hate crimes" legislation that could very easily be passed by both the House and Senate, and signed into law by President Obama, contains "hate speech" provisions that could and probably would be used to criminalize any speech that condemns homosexuality as a sin, or other fundamental teachings of our faith. Similar legislation has been used to indict pastors and Christians in other parts of the world. Please take the time to watch this video. Get informed and then let's get active.

Pastor Phil

Original Email:

Dear friends,

You need to watch the video link below.

We should all be aware of how quickly and secretly we are being robbed of our freedoms in our nation. Paying attention to the laws that are being passed and contacting our legislators is essential. That is the natural way to fight.

But we also need God's supernatural intervention quickly. Because the root cause of this is sin in the Church, the fastest way to turn this around is nation wide solemn assemblies.

Now is the time for II Chronicles 7:14 and Joel 2 to be taken seriously. Pastors, we do not have time for business as usual. Souls are at stake. Joel 2 gives the pattern, to interrupt business as usual, forsake EVERYTHING normal, and gather pastors, church leaders and the congregations of each city or region and pray in unity with one voice)--to truly humble ourselves (acknowledge our need for God's wisdom and power alone (Prov. 3:5-6), repent of following our own ways, and return to seeking His face to know Him and His ways and walk in them.

There is no time to lose.

http://www.generals.org/

Blessings & Beauty,
Sandra Wolf