Friday Funnies - Some People Wanna Fill the World With Silly Church Signs

Fifty bloggy points for anybody who can guess what the title is referencing.

I knew there had to be a Starbucks in heaven.

Way to be positive. Sort of.

Ouch.

Cause God's from Wisconsin, not New York.

Not-so-holy spirit.





And it dothent cotht a thing.







An offer you can't refuse.

Thursday Thanks - Slippity Slop

This week I feel like I’ve been drug through enough emotional pig slop to make even a pig disgruntled. (Get it? Pig..disgruntled…anywho..) The enemy loves to throw our pasts and our weaknesses in our faces and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this has come right on the heels of the series I’m doing on spiritual armour and the persecuted church.

If you’ve ever taught the Bible before, you know what I’m talking about. I’ve heard the moans, seen the cocked grins and heard the all-knowing chuckles as someone shares with a group that they’re going to be doing a teaching or a Bible study on something like Learning Wisdom Through the Worst Trials You’ve Ever Heard Of or some other equally formidable topic. Every teacher in the group shares a knowing look as all instructors of the Word have experienced this dreaded phenomenon. We also know that we will be required to learn much more about the subject than we will ever be able to teach.

We know it’s necessary, though, to be able to teach somewhat authoritatively, the key word for us here being somewhat, as God is always the authority. We can’t effectively teach what we don’t know, so we must get a first-hand lesson. And yet we still feel so very unqualified as we stand (or blog) before you.

But I’m still here and I’m not about to give up. I am only more solidified in my resolve to continue teaching, as best I can, the truth that is found in Jesus Christ and His Word. And if I have to go through some hog slop in order to be purified spiritually and be more Christ-like so that I can continue to proclaim the truth and to hopefully be a better encourager to you, then for that I’m thankful.

The truth is:

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name (besides Jesus Christ) under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them (the spirit of the antichrist), because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)


Blessed be the Name of the LORD.

Another Thought On Girding With Truth

I just read another explanation for "girding your waist with truth," and rather than writing a whole new post I'm just going to post this as an addition. I think they can both be true.

Because girding your waist meant pulling up and tying off the tunic so that the worker or soldier would not stumble, girding with truth can also mean to be spiritually sharp and alert so that we won't stumble.

"Therefore girding up the loins of your mind, being sober, perfectly hope for the grace being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance, but according to the Holy One who has called you, you also become holy in all conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:13-16)


I would welcome any other thoughts on this.

God bless.

Armour of God - Girding With the Truth

Armour of God Part one.

As we continue on our journey to our own Promised Land, remember that there will be attacks by the enemy along the way. But God has given us tools, so let’s begin to understand the usage of each piece of spiritual armour, clothe ourselves in it, and master it.

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,” (Ephesians 6:14a)

I’m going to stop mid-sentence in this verse so that we can focus on truth, which is a weighty piece of armour all by itself.

But first, let’s take a quick look at the words “stand” and “therefore.”

Greek Word Lesson Alert!

Stand - “abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up).”

Therefore – this word should always cause us to look back to see what it’s there for.

Verse 13 said, “Therefore, (because we wrestle against spiritual wickedness - vs.12) take to yourselves the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

So, we need to keep abiding in our relationship with Christ so that we can withstand the days of evil, or the days of trials - the days we are attacked by the enemy and our faith is tested so that at the end of our lives we are still found standing boldly in Christ, proclaiming His Name to all.

Okay, onto the armour.

When Paul was writing this letter to the Ephesians, it was common practice in that day to “gird the loins” or gird the waist. Because the men in those days wore long tunics, in order for them to work or fight efficiently when they went into battle, they had to pull up the hem of their garment so that they didn’t trip on it and that allowed them to move about freely without stumbling. So girding about was the way they readied themselves.

The first thing we need to do to ready ourselves is to know the Truth with a capital T. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

In order for Him to make a statement like that He either had to be off His rocker or He had to be God, claiming that He was the personification of all truth.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:1-3)

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

We can only stand in the strength of Christ if we have already come into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, Who is the Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth.

So, do you know the Truth that is Jesus Christ? He is the only begotten Son of the Father who loves you so much that He came to earth, born as a baby in a humble stable, to live and then die as payment for your sins. All you need to do is ask for forgiveness for your sins, accepting Jesus’ payment for them.

“For He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son; in whom we have redemption through His blood, the remission of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14)

If you would like to read more, please click on the tab at the top entitled How To Know God.

If you have truly received Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, don’t ever let the enemy tell you that you aren’t saved.

“And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamelessly at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who called you, Who also will do it.” (1Thessalonians 5:23-24)


Next up: Breastplate of Righteousness

Friday Funnies - Me Community Church

Sprint's cashing in on the whole pervading "it's all about me" attitude. Just a couple of weeks ago, I found a Sprint cell phone brochure, obviously geared toward very young adults. On the front it had a young 20-something guy, smiling and having the time of his life with his new Sprint phone. At the bottom it read: It's finally all about you. Oh brother.

Have a great weekend. And put away that Sprint cell phone at church on Sunday!

Thursday Thanks - God's Grace

A friend gave me a book today called You Write the Ticket, Lord, written by Dorothy A. Galde. Two things struck me about it right away.

First, the dedication is "to those who hurt, with love and understanding." Love and understanding, even by a woman I don't know, and a woman who has since gone on to be with the Lord at that, is still something I appreciate very much.

And second, her preface is as follows:

Kites rise against the wind.
So do airplanes,
So do people.

Dr. V. R. Edman, President of Wheaton College
Said to me years ago,
"Dottie,
you have to write a book
to let others know of the
bouquet of difficulties
the Lord has been pleased to present you.
There are books we can give
to those who have suffered physically,
to those who have lost a loved one,
but He has given you such a
garland of griefs
you must share it."
I wrote and rewrote,
I submitted and submitted,
I waited and waited.
But God has His own time,
and it is perfect.
My desire is that others may be encouraged,
and that Christ may be lifted up.

Dorothy A. Galde
Prescott, Arizona 1982


"the bouquet of difficulties the Lord has been pleased to present you" and "garland of griefs."

Those words add color to the picture of God's grace that I had already formed in my mind. My vision of the beauty of His plan encased in pain is a little clearer because of them and for that I am thankful.

The Real Jesus Freaks

For a while now I’ve wanted to start doing monthly posts regarding the persecuted Christian church around the world. So every first Wednesday of the month I’ll feature a country that is listed as a restricted nation as a result of their persecution of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

First, a little background on the beginnings of the persecution of the Christian church. (And please know that when I refer to the Christian church, I am not referring to any religious institution, but the body of Christ, which is composed not of brick and mortar, but of each follower in Jesus Christ.)

Subsequent to our first and greatest Martyr, Jesus Christ, Christians have been persecuted since very shortly after the His death and resurrection and the continued dawning of the Christian church as disciples were scattered among the nations. These martyred men, women and children stood by their faith in Jesus Christ through unimaginable threats. I pray we are humbled, motivated and energized to take our trust in the Lord to new levels and put feet to our faith.

Ironically enough, the next recorded martyrdom, which is chronicled in the Bible, took place as Saul, a then future apostle who would be re-named Paul, stood by approvingly, protecting the garments of those who stoned to death Stephen, a bold and courageous believer in Christ.

“Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him (Stephen) with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.” (Acts 7:57-8:3)



It is thought that most of the apostles were martyred for proclaiming the Name of Jesus Christ.

Peter was martyred in Rome in 64 a.d. by crucifixion, reportedly upside down, because he said that he was not worthy of dying in the same manner as his Lord.

Andrew, Peter’s brother, was crucified by order of the Roman Governor Aegeas in Greece on an X-shaped cross in 60 a.d.

James, the son of Zebedee, was killed by King Herod Agrippa with a sword.

John, James’ brother, was exiled to the island of Patmos. Though the attempt was made to kill him by throwing him into a vat of boiling oil, he didn’t die as a result of his torture, but of old age in 101 a.d.

Bartholomew, after converting the brother of the King of Armenia to Christianity, was ordered by the king to be beaten with rods, crucified and skinned alive. Because he was still alive after all the torture took place and still continued to exhort everyone to turn to and worship Christ, he was beheaded.

James, the son of Alphaeus, was martyred in 62 a.d. in Jerusalem by being thrown from the top of a temple, then stoned and beaten with clubs, while he reportedly prayed for his attackers.

Thaddaeus, or Judas, the son of James, was beaten to death with a club, then beheaded in Persia.

Philip was martyred in 51 a.d. in Phrygia. Some reports say he was whipped, thrown in prison and then crucified. Other historians say he was tied to a pillar and stoned to death.

Simon the Zealot, whose exact method of martyrdom is uncertain, though it was reportedly by either by crucifixion or by being sawn in half.

Thomas was reportedly martyred in 72 a.d. in India by four soldiers who pierced him with swords.

Matthew was martyred by order of the king of Etheopia. He was arrested while preaching in the church, dragged outside, nailed to the ground with short spears and beheaded.

Paul was beheaded with a sword in Rome in 64 a.d.

In 64 a.d., a fire broke out in Rome. Some believe the fire was set by the Emperor Nero, who then blamed it on the Christians, and then tortured them for it. Afterward Nero, who was quite insane, continued to torture and kill Christians by having them dipped in wax, impaling them on poles around his palace and lighting them on fire, racing his chariot past them and yelling, “Now you truly are the light of the world.” Christians were also killed for sport by being thrown into an arena to be eaten by dogs or lions.

But the persecution only fanned the flame of the Christian faith and the church grew exponentially.

And in 168 a.d., Polycarp, who was a bishop in Smyrna (now Izmar, Turkey) and the last living link to the apostles, was brought into an arena before the Roman proconsul who tried to get him to deny Christ and swear by Ceasar.

Polycarp proclaimed, “Eighty-six years I have served the Lord Jesus Christ, and He never once wronged me. How can I blaspheme my King Who has saved me?”

He was then threatened with beasts and with burning by fire. Polycarp basically said, “Bring it on.” A bonfire was made in the center of the arena and they were about to nail him to a stake. He told them they need not bother. “He who gives me strength to endure the fire will enable me to remain still within the fire.” So they simply tied his hands behind his back.

Polycarp prayed his final prayer: “O Father, I thank You, that You have called me to this day and hour and have counted me worthy to receive my place among the number of the holy martyrs. Amen.”

The fire was then lit, but Polycarp didn’t burn. But rather those who watched said that he “was not as burning flesh but as gold and silver refined in a furnace. And we smelled such a sweet aroma as of incense or some other precious spice.”

Because he wouldn’t burn, the executioner was ordered to stab him with his sword.


If you’d like to find more information on the persecuted church, a good place to start is The Voice of the Martyrs. Another good resource, and one where I gleaned much of the information in this post is the book Jesus Freaks by dc talk and The Voice of the Martyrs. You can find their website here. And please be praying for our repressed, tortured and imprisoned Christian brothers and sisters around the world.

Next month we will look at the persecuted church in Vietnam.

Armour of God - Who Are You Fighting?

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)

This is the exhortation that Paul gave just before he launched into an admonition to remember what enemy we face in spiritual warfare, just as it was the same admonition that God gave to Joshua just before he and the Israelites marched into their own warfare to claim the land the Lord had promised to His people.

And I will tell you that whether you know it or not, you are in the midst of a spiritual battle. There are unseen battles for souls, for our attention, for our strength, and for our witness in Christ. If you’re going to fight successfully, you must heed Paul’s warning to be strong in the Lord. There is no strength outside of the Lord – outside of an abiding, intimate relationship with the Lord Who is over all.

So how is your strength? Are you and the Lord tight? Is your relationship with Him one of trust; of learning more of Who He is every day through the Word He has given to us; of spending time every day in communion with Him, talking to Him, but also listening to Him?

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6-12)

There have always been wars upon the earth. This kind of war is just as detrimental, maybe even more so, because it’s an unseen war. People tend to deal with what they see, but we are reminded that the bigger battle is with what we don’t see.

This is who our enemy is: the spiritually wicked rulers of darkness who dwell in the heavenlies; the former angels who chose to fall from grace and who now live as enemies of the Lord of Light and of anyone who chooses to follow Him.

Our enemy is not our spouse, it’s not our children, it’s not our neighbors, it’s not our co-workers, and it’s certainly not our brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s not even ourselves, although we can allow the enemy to use us against ourselves. Oh, the enemy would love for us to think it is. He is the ancient and evil warrior whose deceptions and traps are well worn. He knows how to cause our focus to be linear rather than to point the finger of guilt where it belongs: squarely at him.

So we need to take our eyes off of the people we’ve thought we had some sort of dispute with, forgive them, and remember that the enemy is only using the situation to keep us angry and unforgiving.

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13)

Because this is a different kind of war we need to have a different kind of armour. We can’t fight this enemy with trillions of dollars of military jets and guns and bulletproof vests.

God has given us spiritual armour and if we wish to stand at the end of each battle and at the end of the war it would behoove us to become an expert in the usage of each piece of equipment, put it on, and never remove it. The enemy never takes time off and neither should we.

This is longer than I thought so I will start next time with our spiritual armour. In the meantime, let’s stop warring with one another and forgive each other. We have bigger fish to fry.

The reality is, we’re on the same team with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should be fighting our common enemy together. Rather than helping the enemy by tearing one another down with angry words and spiteful attitudes, we need to be encouraging and praying for each other so that we can all have the strength we need to keep fighting and find our way to our Promised Land.