Engaging Your World

NO ADAM AND EVE?

2011-08-11T10:53:00.002-05:00

National Institutes of Health (NIH) director Francis Collins, John Schneider who taught theology at Calvin College, and a host of other professed believers are postulating the theory that Adam and Eve were not real and in fact not necessary to believe for a true follower of Christ. This goes along with all who seek to reconcile evolution and creation, without, in my opinion, offending anyone on the side of the theory. So the question is to be asked, "does it matter of Adam and Eve were real, or can it be as Schneider would have you believe that there was no such paradise to be lost, as in his view evolution gives evidence of. You have to wonder where this ends? Once you do not need literal interpretation of things to be interpreted literal you have put truth into the hands of subjective sinful man, a dangerous place for truth to reside.

No Adam? What then of Jesus who is called the Second Adam come to undo the eternal consequence placed on all that are His by the first Adam. If the first Adam is fictitious why not the second? And here is the rub for all these so called intellectuals, as the Second Adam was seen and recorded by many. His reality of being on this earth is not refuted by any who will be intellectually honest. And His reality is only more proof of the existence of the first, although more proof is not needed if you truly believe in Gods Word.

The existence of the first Adam is a necessitated component of the glory of the Son in His redemption of His people as designed by His Father and implemented through His Spirit. You eliminate Adam you eliminate the rest. What true believer in Christ would ever want to even begin to go down that road? A great question that needs to be answered!

blog you later,
pastor tom

NOW HE KNOWS THE TRUTH!!

2011-05-02T10:17:00.002-05:00

Today is a great day for all who have lost loved ones in the attack on our country that fateful day, September 11, 2001. Today loved ones can feel some sense of justice with the killing of Bin Laden. Though nothing can bring those lose back, and nothing can replace the hurt, this is the best thing that could be done to help. Congratulations to the men and women of our armed forces who make it possible to hunt down those who would attack our country, even if it is ten years later. Congratulations to President Obama for having the courage to give the order. It is a good day for our country.

It is also a day in which Osama Bin Laden has found out the truth. The dirty little secret that he did not receive seventy virgins when he entered eternity, but in fact was faced with the God he has rejected and denied, the Lord Jesus Christ. While the events of the last few days begins real closure for the victims of nine eleven, eternal damnation for Bin Laden has just begun! Not because he attacked our country, which many would say is just cause, but in fact because when our soldiers sent him into eternity, he went their as one who rejected Jesus Christ!

blog you later,
pastor tom

REAGAN PART II?

2011-04-21T15:55:00.003-05:00

Is Donald Trump running for President? I believe the answer to that question is yes, but what is more fascinating is why is he resonating with so many people? Why is he near or at the top of polls for the Republican nomination? The answer to these questions while simple, are telling. Donald Trump is leading polls because he is Reaganesque in his conversation with the American people. One of the great strengths of Reagan was he connected with the common man. Calling Russia the evil empire was unprecedented and a major shot across the bow, that the American people loved to hear. Trump is doing the exact same thing in his description of China. When he speaks of China as not being our friend or out for our best interests, and indicates that he would tax their imports twenty five percent immediately, the American people say yes, that makes sense. They resonate with him the way they did with Reagan. When he speaks of going to Libya militarily and receiving oil as a payment for services rendered, the American people say yes.

Regardless of the viability of the positions he takes, Donald Trump is saying things that the American public is thinking and looking for someone to voice for them. Do not overlook this man. He is a business genius who knows the art of the deal, and generally wins at most endeavors he undertakes. Ascending to the Presidency very well might be the next deal he looks to close. And I for one would not bet against him!

blog you later,
pastor tom

GHANDI AND ROB BELL SPENDING ETERNITY TOGETHER?

2011-03-11T02:40:00.003-05:00

As Rob Bell comes out with another book, we will see another doctrine in question. This time it will be Hell and who actually ends up there. While the book is not yet out, the promotional video is, and in that Rob uses Ghandi as his foil for his latest attack on Gods Word. He speaks of an event where someone had posted on a quote from Ghandi that he was in Hell, and Bell states, "Ghandi is in Hell?" In this statement, by way of tone and demeanor it is clear that this is a thought he believes to be not only ridiculous but in fact arrogant to hold, yet that is exactly where Ghandi is and will spend his forever eternity. Some would want to ask how I or anyone could make such a statement. The clear answer from Gods Word is that anyone who does not receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior spends forever in the lake of fire where it is said that the torment never ends. Ghandi was an avowed professing Hindu who never was born again into the family of God through the blood of Christ and thus he is in Hell.

Ghandi is an excellent picture of what Gods Word declares, that all have fallen short of the glory of God and all have sinned. And that our best works in Gods sight is filthy rags, which means that regardless of the life he lived, if Ghandi were trusting in those works instead of, or to the exclusion of Jesus Christ, and died in that state, he is spending eternity in the lake of fire. Rob Bell is an excellent picture of the emergent movement landing in its inevitable home, a universalistic liberal theology that will lead people astray. The stark and sobering reality is that the better question for Rob Bell to be considering is where his eternity will be spent should he die in the state of belief he is currently in!

Blog you later,
Pastor Tom

CHURCH AND STATE!

2010-09-16T08:47:00.003-05:00

The current Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, Benedict XVI, or Joseph Ratzinger,his given name, went to Britain today. Now that does not appear to be any startling news , or even anything out of the ordinary. But when you look beyond the fact that it is,"just another trip," you will see a reality that demonstrates one of the many problems with a papacy. It is not that this Pope is being protested, and people are calling for him to be imprisoned for his role in the rampant worldwide sexual abuses scandals that have damaged so many lives. That is a sad truth of the Roman Catholic Church which has been there for far too long, and prison ought to be the destination of any that were involved, regardless of their position, current or past.

But what is troubling to me, that is evidenced by this trip, is the fact that the Pope is not traveling to the UK as a church leader, but rather as a head of state! Pope Benedict XVI is traveling and being received as the head of state of the country known as the Vatican. This is more proof positive of the Roman Catholic
Church being a political financial institution, far more than a spiritual one. It highlights the reality of where the Roman Catholic Church's priorities are, and what they will be moving forward.

What does a head of state seek to accomplish for his "country"? Peace, power monetary advantage and security. Deals are made, compromised given and received, all in the name of furthering the "countries" agenda. Again these are things that any head of state would be obligated to seek to achieve. So as this Pope travels in this capacity we are seeing what agenda's are for his "country". Does not sound much like a church does it?

While there are many problems with the papacy, from the theological to the practical, here is one that truly shows the church for what it really is, a political institution out for political gain, not the glory of God!

blog you later,
pastor tom

A REALLY BAD IDEA!!

2010-09-08T20:18:00.003-05:00

The whole world is talking about the pastor of a 50 member church in Gainesville Florida. Specifically the "International Burn a Quran Day" that this pastor has announced for September 11, 2010. Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center is planning on burning many copies of the Quran on the eleventh and people are reacting all over the world. From General Petraeus to Secretary Clinton to the President's spokesmen, to Muslims around the world, everyone is reacting.

The question to be asked, in my mind. is should the pastor of a church take part in such activity? And the obvious answer is of course not! If your call is to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, then you have to put all that you do through that filter. and I do not see how this event passes the Gospel test. If we are called as followers of Christ to be salt and light, you have to ask where is the salt and light in these actions? The answer is they are not there, and thus this pastor should cancel the event.

The other interesting thing to note in all of this is the outcry from the Muslim community around the world. It is hard to take serious their complaints of this event creating hate and violence around the world, when that is exactly what has taken place from their community for years now. Their outrage is hard to take serious, when the reaction they have to things like cartoons being drawn is to burn down buildings! While I am against the burning of the Quran and believe it is not helpful to the Gospel proclamation, I also find the Muslim opposition to be disingenuous as best. Is that called speaking out of both sides of my mouth?

blog you later,
pastor tom

BECK'S RALLY....DECEPTION ON DISPLAY!!

2010-08-31T09:35:00.003-05:00

Glenn Beck had his rally this past weekend and it is the talk of the country. Some are talking about attendance, if there were a million people there or not, others are talking about the content of the event and how "spiritual" it was. Even secular liberal newspapers (redundant?) are talking about how "spiritual" it was. To be clear, I have no problem with Beck or anyone else having an event and promoting any belief system they want, as it is a freedom and right of living in this country to do so. My problem is with all of the professed believers in Jesus Christ who spoke, attended and supported this event.

Regardless of how right what was coming from the podium sounded, to be sure this event was coordinated and led by a devout Mormon! Which means that the God he speaks of is a different God than the God of the Bible, the Jesus he speaks of is a different Jesus, and the salvation a different salvation. It takes only a very casual glance at Mormon doctrine to see that they believe Jesus is not divine, but rather a brother of Satan, salvation is universal with people ending up in one of three heavenly places. And the ultimate is that as the best Mormon you can be God yourself, as they believe can really happen if all the proper steps are followed.

How is it that so many can be so deceived into supporting a Mormon led spiritual event? How is it that people can support an event where the leader believed and preaches a different gospel? Well these are the question for all of us to consider, as to be sure Glenn Beck, the Mormon is now being labeled as the "leader of the Christian movement in America". The great danger is that your children and grandchildren will hear and see how all these so called Christians are embracing Beck, and they too might embrace Beck, and his beliefs!

Trust me, the next thing you will hear is that Mormons are Christians. Glenn Beck's event this past weekend is a great example of the Biblical illiteracy and lack of wisdom in those who profess to be Christ's. Can the elect actually be deceived? We might find the answer right before our own eyes!

blog you later,
pastor tom

HAGGARD'S RETURN - SAD BUT TRUE!

2010-07-25T23:47:00.005-05:00

It has happened, that is right Ted Haggard is back in the pulpit. He has a church once again, which means he has a pulpit once again, and that means he has a voice once again. It was a short four years ago that the once powerful Haggard was forced to resign due to his admitted use of methamphetamine with a known homosexual masseuse, along with admitted sexual activity. Haggard at the time was willing to be counseled and submit himself to a group of spiritually mature men. That lasted a short time and of course Haggard decided he did not need that group any longer and was going to pursue his own course of action.

It was obvious to anyone paying attention that this was the goal, having another church. And while his former church and counselors did not recommend this course of action, Haggard believed and believed to this day he knows better. It is sad to see how quickly a man can go from seeming repentance to the self serving attitude that led him down the path of destruction in the first place. But here we are, and the following are some quotes from "Pastor Haggard";

"Tiger Woods needs to golf. Michael Vick needs to be playing football,Ted Haggard needs to be leading a church."

"I over-repented,"

"I cuss now," he said proudly.

He likens himself to Tiger Woods and Michael Vick, he believed he "over repented", and is proud to say that he cusses now from the pulpit, using the word "Hell", but not in a context of quoting Scripture. What we have is an example of a man overly impressed with himself and way too under impressed with the pulpit of God! Haggard has no respect for Gods church, or Gods pulpit. For him it is a right not a privilege, it is owed him, and if you do not believe that just ask him and he will tell you.

The return of Ted Haggard is a sign of how weak the evangelical church in America has become. The fact that in two months he has two hundred people showing up to place themselves under his authority, is a display of frightening theological ineptness. Another example of people sacrificing Scriptural integrity at the altar of pastoral celebrity. And that is always a tragic exchange!

blog you later,
Pastor Tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

AN ELECTION REMINDER OF WHO IS IN CONTROL!

2010-01-20T01:46:00.002-05:00

Today is an historic on for the state of Massachusetts and for the Obama Presidency. For President Obama he will be able to look back at this day and see that this was the day where health care reform, as he would want it, died. The power grab of one sixth of the economy passed away tonight, some time after nine in the evening, eastern standard time. For Massachusetts it is the day that will be looked on as the one where the consistently democratic Senate seat went Republican. A seat that for decades has had the letter D next to it went to an R and not even a visit from the President himself this past Sunday could save it. Scott Brown accomplished was no one thought possible just a few short months ago when his opponent Atty. General Martha Coakley held a lead of upwards to thirty five percent, depending upon which polls you followed. Her lead was so insurmountable that the networks and polling agencies decided not to set up for any exit polling!

But the impossible happened, and there is only one explanation and that is God! I believe God is the one who decides every election and His Word tells us that He is the one who puts leaders in their positions and He is the one who raised up one nation and tears down another. Occasionally though we have an event that reminds of the truth that God is in control of all, and this was one such event. If anyone had said a year ago that the only way the stop President Obama's power grab would be that a Republican would win Ted Kennedy's seat in a special election in the middle of January 2010, everyone would have said you are out of your mind! But this is exactly what happened. Consider the sequence of events;

Ted Kennedy passes away
The special election is set for January 19th
Martha Coakley the State Attorney General wins the Democratic primary handily over some formidable opposition
Scott Brown a State Senator from Wrentham, one of five Republicans in the Senate runs unopposed for his parties nomination
As late as September Coakley is polling thirty five points ahead of Brown

Jan 19th, Brown wins 52%-47%

Every now and then something happens that reminds us our Father is in control of all things and working all things out for His glory and the good of His people. A beautiful sunset, the birth of a child, a catastrophic earthquake, an impossible election result. All pointing to the God of the universe who through the prophet Isaiah, tells us that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts, in fact the difference and contrast is as far as the heavens are above the earth. So, ours is not to try to figure Him out, but rather to in everything give thanks for this is the will of our Father in Heaven. To God be the glory!

blog you later,
pastor tom

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP THE PEOPLE OF HAITI!

2010-01-16T01:19:00.004-05:00

The people of Haiti are in desperate need of practical help. I have been to Port Au Prince three times and it is unimaginable to me what the devastation must be like for these people. Here is a list of places recommended by ACTION Int'l where you can send support to, remembering what the Lord calls pure and undefiled religion. Helping orphans and widows, which sadly now Haiti is filled with;

1. Mission to Children
Mission to Children
P.O. Box 2217
Escondido, CA 92033-2217

Link to donate: https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=1242&AID=299

Canada Office

The Mission to Children
PO Box 51143
RPO Beddington
Calgary AB T3K 3V9

Link to donate: https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=1241&AID=441

2. Union Evangélique Baptiste d'Haïti (Evangelical Union of Baptists)
Unit 2109 - UEBH
3170 Airmans Drive
Fort Pierce, FL 34946

Phone: [509] 223-9682
Email: info@uebh.org

3. Childcare Worldwide
PO Box W
Bellingham, WA 98227

Toll Free: 800.553.2328
Email: info@childcareworldwide.org

4. Missionary Flights International
3170 Airmans Drive
Ft. Pierce, FL 34946
Telephone: (772) 462-2395

Email: mfi@missionaryflights.org
Link to donate: http://www.missionaryflights.org/donate-now

5. Samaritan's Purse
P.O. Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607

Phone: 828-262-1980
Link to Donate: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Giving/Haiti_Donation/

6. Compassion International
Compassion International
Colorado Springs, CO 80997

Toll Free: 800-336-7676,
Link to Donate: https://www.compassion.com/contribution/giving/disasterrelief.htm?referer=105910

7. World Concern
19303 Fremont Avenue North
Seattle, Washington 98133

Toll Free: 800-755-5022
Phone: 206-546.7201
Email: info@worldconcern.org

Donor representative
Beth Molvik
Phone: 206-546-7201
Donate by phone: 1-866-530-5433 (LIFE)
Link to Donate: https://donate.worldconcern.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=2989

8. World Relief
7 East Baltimore Street
Baltimore MD, 21202
Toll Free: 800-535-5433
Phone: 443-451-1900

Email: worldrelief@wr.org
Link to Donation: https://worldrelief.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=208

9. Missions Door
2530 Washington Street
Denver, CO 80205-3142

Phone: 303-308-1818
Email: Info@MissionsDoor.org
Link to Donation: https://dnbweb1.blackbaud.com/OPXDONATE

10. Child Hope International
PO BOX 3677
Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Phone: 888-808-9595
Link to donate: http://www.childhope.org/help/donations/donations.html

11. Medair United States
PO Box 4476
Wheaton, IL 60189-4476
United States

Toll Free: 1-866-599-1795
Email: united.states@medair.org
Link to Donate: https://ncf.stellarfinancial.com/ex_ncF/donation.aspx?org=1

12. Food for the Hungry
1224 E. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Toll Free: 1-800-248-6437
Phone: 480-998-3100
Web site: fh.org
Link to Donate: http://www.fh.org/learn/news/disaster/haiti-rocked-by-powerful-quake?promocode=WA17ED0A7

13. Haiti Christian Development Fund
Box 490127
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33349-9990

Telephone: 954-727-3681

Link to Donate: https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?

14. Feed My Starving Children
401 93rd Avenue NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433

Telephone: 763-504-2919
Email: info@fmsc.org

Link to donate: https://www.fmsc.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=416&srctid=1&erid=116920

blog you later,
pastor tom

PAT ROBERTSON "HEARS FROM GOD"? NOT!

2010-01-11T00:07:00.003-05:00

It happens every year and it has happened again. I really wish it would not happen but it does and it has. What is it you ask? Pat Robertson's annual "prophetic word" for a new year. Robertson is 79 now and does not appear to be slowing down in the prediction department. For 2010, Robertson said, God gave him a more general warning of judgment for America's acceptance of abortion, gay marriage and secularism. Beyond that though, he has a more specific word for America, and it has to do with the economy. In his own words;
"We are engaged in a slow time of financial ruin," he said. "This country will be ultimately bankrupt. It's just a question of how soon. We're beginning that. That's one thing that I can say for certain that is happening. It's a dangerous thing. It's going to hurt America very badly."

So Pat Robertson has decided it is time to speak about the poor condition of the American economy? He has been given a word from God that has been known by everyone for at least two years, and this is supposed to be new, powerful and prophetic? This is the problem with people like this. They are the ones who give Christianity, and specifically Christ, a bad name. Pat Robertson and those in the same camp are the reason followers of Christ are not taken seriously and are seen as a joke. Consider this fact, Pat Robertson wants to be taken seriously as a man of God who hears from God and is called to speak to His people Yet, this "prophet" has been wrong!

Robertson claims a good record in the percentage of his predictions that come true, but there have been notable misses. He predicted that Russia would invade Israel in 1982, projected a worldwide economic collapse in 1985 and said Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.) would be elected president in 1996. In 2007 Robertson predicted a terrorist attack, possibly involving a nuclear weapon, but it did not come about. "All I can think is that somehow the people of God prayed, and God in his mercy spared us," Robertson said in January 2008. So when Russia does not invade Israel in 1982 and a worldwide collapse does not come in 1985, and Sen Rockefeller does not become President and in 2007 there is not nuclear terrorist attack, the answer if God changed His mind? His people prayed and God did not do what He "told" Pat He was going to do?

The best thing you can do with your friends who do not know Christ is tell them the truth about Pat Robertson if they bring himup. Agree that he is nuts and is a false prophet and makes Christians look crazy. Agree with them, and then share a laugh considering what Robertson might come up with for 2011. Maybe God will tell him that people will be arguing about health care!!

blog you later,
pastor tom

YOUR VOTE COULD CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY! FOR REAL!

2010-01-09T01:17:00.005-05:00

There is a special election to fill Ted Kennedy's Senate seat next week on January 19th. I call it Kennedy's seat, as for decades it was and assumed that it would always be a democratic win. The candidates for the seat are Martha Coakley the Democrat and Scott Brown the Republican. Those who run as Republicans in this state are generally looked upon as token candidates, or sacrificial lambs, but this does not seem to be the case this time around, which gives more evidence to the weakness of the Democratic party across the country. Scott Brown is within single digits of Coakley which is an astonishing fact!

The voters of Massachusetts could do something on the 19th of January that sends shock waves literally around the world, and that would be to send a Republican to replace Senator Ted Kennedy. It is not beyond the realm of possibility and some would say it is likely. So who is Scott Brown? Here are his answers to important questions alongside his opponents answers. Note the first answer is Scott Brown's and the one next to it is Martha Coakley's position.

Brown / Coakley
1. Would you support or oppose repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage
Act (DOMA) that only recognizes heterosexual marriage? OPPOSE / SUPPORT

2. Would you support or oppose a federal Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA),
which would repeal all state laws restricting abortion? OPPOSE / SUPPORT

3. Would you support a federal law, such as the proposed Non-
Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would override the religious freedom
protections in Massachusetts’ employment non-discrimination laws? OPPOSE / SUPPORT

4. Would you support or oppose the current “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
armed forces policy that prevents homosexuals from serving openly in the
military? SUPPORT / OPPOSE

5. Would you support or oppose conscience protections for health care
workers to refuse to participate in procedures that violate their religious
beliefs? SUPPORT / OPPOSE

6. Would you support or oppose federal legislation limiting the ability
of government to take private land by eminent domain for other private
development purposes? SUPPORT / NO RESPONSE

7. Would you support or oppose repeal of the federal estate tax (the so-
called “death tax”)? SUPPORT / NO RESPONSE

8. Would you support or oppose inclusion of a public option in any federal
government health care overhaul legislation? OPPOSE / SUPPORT

9. Would you support or oppose taxpayer funding of abortion? OPPOSE / SUPPORT

10. Would you support or oppose amnesty for illegal aliens? OPPOSE / SUPPORT

Without doubt there is a clear choice to be made on the 19th of January. I want to encourage you to go and vote. Remember that elections have consequences as we all are seeing and feeling from the election of Barak Obama. If you want your voice to be heard and would like to see health care not taken over by this President, then vote for Scott Brown. If you want a much more conservative voice representing your state than has been in a very long time, if ever, then vote for Scott Brown. Unlike most elections in our state, this time the voting really does matter and it is not a given that the Democrat is going to breeze into office! So please vote, and vote for Scott Brown!!

blog you later,
pastor tom

EVEN HIS ENABLERS ARE CRITICAL OF THE PRESIDENT!

2010-01-08T00:57:00.004-05:00

It has happened. I want to say finally, but I was not sure it ever would, yet here we are on a day when it has occurred. What is it you ask? The criticism of President Obama by the mainstream media! Yes, you have read that right, they are how taking him to task. The occasion is the breaking of a campaign promise to have the negotiations and dealings on the health care bill be a transparent process that would be televised on C-Span. But President Obama wants the final negotiations on health care reform - a reconciliation of the House and Senate versions of the bill - put on a fast track, even if that means breaking an explicit campaign promise. Breitbart TV has eight clips that show the President promising to have the debate and negotiations on C-Span. You can see for yourself at;
http://www.breitbart.tv/the-c-span-lie-did-obama-really-promise-televised-healthcare-negotiations/

While it is not a surprise to me that the President would be behaving this way, what is a surprise is that the liberal media, (is that redundant?) are actually taking him to task. Particularly since they were so involved in getting him elected. While the President proceeds with his power move to take control of one sixth of the economy under the guise of health care concern, the media, I believe will be increasingly forced to stop drinking the kool aid. It is becoming clear on both sides of the aisle and in all parts of the nation what is happening under the cover of night, and it is not anything that is good for this country. Those media types who are in lock step with the President are having a hard time finding positives in this debacle of a Presidency. I guess even they are in the process of learning that elections really do have consequences. And the consequences of their candidate being elected and all they did to enable that are just beginning!

blog you later,
pastor tom

OSTEEN PRAYS FOR LESBIAN MAYOR!!

2010-01-06T20:55:00.004-05:00

Annise Parker,the newly-elected mayor of Houston was sworn in Monday. She is a lesbian and took the oath with her hand on the Bible and her lesbian partner in attendance. It is noteworthy that an openly lesbian ran for such an office and won in a city like Houston. The more noteworthy event, in my mind, was the invocation, as that was given by none other than Joel Osteen. Osteen who leads Lakewood church which has an attendance of over forty thousand, prayed for and thanked God for this mayor.

This should not surprise people, as this is the same man who on Larry King denied the gospel, saying that he was not comfortable declaring that Jesus was the only way to Heaven and any other way led to Hell. He "just did not want to say that Larry"! This is the same man who refuses to speak of such things as sin and Hell, as his is another in a long line of positive thinking heretics.

So how ought we to look at Osteen leading the invocation for the lesbian mayor? Simply as a man who denies the gospel, preaches a heretical message, being consistent in his heresy. The truly sad thing about all of this are all of those who attend his church believing he is a true pastor. The truth is that Joel Osteen is as lost as anyone could be, but far more dangerous. As with his nice smile, white teeth and easy going demeanor, he, with all of his nice stories, little quips and positive thoughts is leading people straight to Hell with another gospel. And God gives us clear direction about one who comes preaching or teaching another gospel. He tells us in Galatians chapter that the false teacher is to be accursed! And that is the place Mr. Osteen stands in the eyes of almighty God, and ought to stand in every true follower of Christ's eyes.

blog you later,
pastor tom

IT IS FINALLY HERE!

2010-01-06T00:00:00.002-05:00

We are heading in our country into a period of pronounced persecution unlike any that we have ever seen. The rest of the world has been in great tribulation continually while the west has for some providential reason been spared. It appears that Providence has decreed that our time is here, and that is good news, as God tells us in His Word that everyone who wants to live Godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. To highlight the reality of persecution heading our way, I give you the following;

The Top Ten Anti-Christian headlines for 2009 according to Christian Anti-Defamation Commission are,

10. Pro-life Pastor Reverend Walter Hoye of Oakland, CA was jailed for exercising peaceful, pro-life speech.

9. Rev. Fred Winters was murdered while preaching in his pulpit in Maryville, Illinois.

8. HBO's program "Curb Your Enthusiasm" aired an episode where the main actor urinates on painting of Jesus. When confronted HBO would not apologize.

7. The overt homosexual participation in Obama's presidential inaugural events by "Bishop" Vickie Eugene Robinson, the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington D. C., and a homosexual marching band.

6. Police called to East Jessamine Middle School in Lexington, Kentucky to stop 8th graders from praying during their lunch break for a student whose mother was tragically killed.

5. Pro-life activist Jim Pullion was murdered in front of his granddaughter's high school for showing the truth about abortion.

4. An activist judge ordered a home school mom in New Hampshire to stop home schooling her daughter because the little girl "reflected too strongly" her mother's Christian faith.

3. The Federal Department of Homeland Security issued a report entitled "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate" that labeled conservative Christians extremists and potential terrorists.

2. President Obama's appointment of radical anti-Christians like homosexual activist Kevin Jennings as the "safe school czar;" pro-abortion advocate Kathleen Seblius made Secretary of Human and Health Services, and Chai Feldblum, pro-homosexual and anti-religious liberty judge nominated for Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

1. The Federal Hate Crimes Bill that attacks religious liberty and freedom of speech. For the first time in our history ministers are vulnerable to investigation and prosecution for telling the truth about homosexuality.

Suffer well and endure for His glory brothers and sisters, knowing that for the joy set before Him, your Savior Jesus Christ endured the cross!

blog you later,
pastor tom

GUESS WHO IS GOING TO THE BATHROOM WITH YOUR DAUGHTER?

2009-07-15T22:48:00.004-05:00

It has been some time since my last post, but this subject is too important to be quiet about. The Massachusetts legislature is considering a bill HB1728 which has become known as the "bathroom bill". This is a bill that seeks to allow anyone with a feeling that they are of a different gender to take advantage of that genders facilities everywhere and anywhere that is not private, which in this state means everywhere but home. What this bill would do is allow men to go into ladies restrooms, locker rooms and showers, as long as they believed they were a woman trapped in a man's body. As long as they felt like a woman that day they could go into ladies areas, and the reverse would be true for women who felt like men.

The ramifications of this transgender hate crimes legislation is stunning. You would be looking at fines and imprisonment simply for speaking against this if it were to be law. Churches would be in violation if they were to preach against this, as well as individuals. The people of this state need to understand what is happening and make it clear that they will not stand for this. Any pedophile under the auspice of feeling like a woman could enter ladies facilities anywhere, legally with the full authority of the law behind them. The bill is HB1728, you need to call your representative and let them know you are against this on every level, and will hold them accountable for their position on this issue.

The tragic news is that as of now there are 104 legislators sponsoring this bill which is a majority. It is still in committee where it died in 2008 and it needs to die that same death in 2009. The question as always is what are you prepared to do about this?

blog you later
pastor tom

BACK FROM INDIA!

2009-05-25T05:22:00.002-05:00

Having just returned from 12 days in India ministering to persecuted pastors from Orissa, I can only say that I am humbled to have met some of the most courageous joyful men of God who literally have lost all, but not their faith in Jesus. Some of them without a doubt will be martyrs themselves. Many of these pastors literally beat rocks all day and take the pebbles to sell for cement hoping to gain a dollar a day. They have seen things that I will not write here, but yet they sing and worship like no one I have ever seen.

These men are heroes of the faith, but they would not accept that, they would simply want to be good pastors for their people who have been scattered like they are. Theses pastors are targeted and are in danger every day. There are also pastors wives who are widows who are in need and of course orphans. Unless you go and see these men it is hard to understand, but one thing we can do here is help them financially. I will in the near future give you all opportunity to be a part of helping this situation to the glory of God. Pray for the pastors of Orissa as well as the widowed pastors wives and the orphans.

blog you later,
pastor tom

IT IS HAPPENING!

2009-05-07T23:16:00.002-05:00

in a telling moment, Hawaii's state Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill Wednesday to celebrate "Islam Day. This is one of the most noteworthy events that has gone under the radar. Many people have no idea what happened this week and the ramifications. For a state in our country to celebrate an official Islam day is more proof that the leaders of this great nation are asleep at the wheel. Not that I expect this administration to voice any opposition to such a move. But I would think that those in the loyal opposition would at least make some noise. I understand that this is a state issue and not a federal one, but I also know that this has federal implications.

Lets face the facts, we were attacked by adherents to Islam. Lets face more facts, the tenets of Islam are clear in their instruction to kill and conquer all who do not bow to the prophet Mohammad. And even clearer facts are that those who follow the "prophet" have made it clear that Israel is the little Satan and America is the great Satan. For any state of our great union to call for an Islam day, is beyond the pale of common sense.

But it has happened and the march of Islam continues. In much the same way the homosexuals invaded the minds and institutions of our country, Islam follows suit. It is already being asked that certain parts of our country adhere to Sharia Law. Point being this is not going to stop on its own. This invasion will not stop unless or until someone stops it. How that happens is any ones guess as there does not seem to be the will or stomach for such action. So the Sharia beat goes on, hide your women and your Bibles, because here comes the followers of the "prophet"!

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pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com
podcast of radio show at website

WRONG GUY TO ROB! SCORE ANOTHER ONE FOR THE OLD GUYS!!

2009-04-17T22:22:00.004-05:00

Leonard W. Cooper is sixty nine years old and works at a barber shop in Hagerstown Maryland that his pastor owns. Wednesday he was sitting in the shop reading his Bible when an intruder came in wielding a knife and demanding money. Leonard had no money and showed the thief his empty pockets. When the thief went to check the empty pockets for himself, Leonard took the opportunity to begin to wrestle the knife away. And as they fought and wrestled, Leonard realized he could not get the knife from him, so he picked the robber up and threw him through the glass front door. Leonard's comments?

"That’s the only way I could get him off me. I wish I would have thought to get his mask off. All I’m worried about is the knife. It was so fast. We were moving fast. I’m OK. God kept me through all that. God is my protector. It’s been a ... wow ... It’s been a day."

At SIXTY NINE!!! You gotta love it!!

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pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com
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at website

JOB WELL DONE MR. PRESIDENT!

2009-04-13T21:48:00.002-05:00

It is obvious and clear to anyone who reads this blog that I disagree with President Obama about everything. I am hard pressed to think of one policy position of his that I could affirm. I say that to say today I am thrilled at how he handled the pirate hostage situation. From his silence during the ordeal which in my mind, was critical, to the orders he gave authorizing the military to use whatever force necessary, whenever they felt it necessary, our President did a masterful job.

I wish I could say the same for some conservative pundits. I was saddened to hear Sean Hannity attempt to criticize the President on his, "taking credit"for the success of the operation. First of all, I heard the Presidents remarks and found nothing in them that would concur with that critique. Secondly, the mission was a success, a resounding success, and the President would be within his rights to take some credit, as without his orders, this does not happen. I believe that those seeking to critique the President on this one, have it all wrong. If we cannot recognize and affirm a job well done, then in my opinion, our criticisms fall on deaf ear, and are without merit.

If you want to criticize the media for never giving President Bush credit for anything, and their fawning over this President, that is fair game and you could do that for years. President Bush could have cured cancer and aids, solved the financial crisis and found life on mars, and he would have received no credit from the liberal media. But criticism of the President on this event is out of line, gratuitous and small minded. What we should be saying if job well done Mr. President. Thank you for having the courage to give the right orders so that the Phillips family does not have to mourn the loss of their dad and husband!

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pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com
podcast sign up at website

A GLORIOUS WEEKEND!

2009-04-10T22:06:00.002-05:00

It is this weekend that we remember and celebrate the foundation for all that we believe and all that we are in Christ. Good Friday is where we remember and celebrate that Jesus Christ went to Calvary and died a definite atonement. That on the cross He died for all that were His from before the foundation of the world. It was not that He died and hoped people would believe, that would have been careless, random and unfitting for a King. Jesus Christ gloriously atoned for every single person that the Father had given Him, and all of those will be saved, not one of them will perish. Praise God we remember and celebrate the definite atonement of the cross.

We also remember and celebrate that the grave could not hold Him. Though He truly died on the cross, He was Sunday morning alive and walked the face of this earth for over forty days, appearing to hundreds if not thousands of people. This true, historical event separates Jesus from all who would seek His seat as King. Every other religious leader died and stayed dead. Not so with Jesus, He rose from the dead defeating death and the grave, and in the process removing the sting of death for all that are His. We who follow Christ know that to live is Christ and to die is gain, and that is due to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

These are the things that we remember and celebrate this weekend. Glorious truths that are just that, true! Praise God and worship well this Lords day.

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com
podcast of radio show found at website

THREE BLIND MICE? OR DO THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING?

2009-04-08T09:06:00.003-05:00

Three pieces of news that speak loudly of one great theme, the acceptance of homosexuality not only in our nation but in many churches. So here they are, the unfortunate, tragic three;

1. "The church-affiliated Texas Christian University has announced plans to allocate apartment housing on its Fort Worth campus for homosexual students and their supporters. According to a report in the city's Star-Telegram newspaper, the school plans to open a section of the Tom Brown-Pete Wright apartments for "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender students and allies."

2. The White House is allocating tickets for the upcoming Easter Egg Roll to gay and lesbian parents as part of the Obama administration's outreach to diverse communities. White House officials said that tickets for Monday's Easter Egg Roll event were distributed to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender organizations, but did not specify how many or to which ones. Representatives from Family Equality Council, Human Rights Campaign, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and other groups confirmed they were invited and encouraged to have their members participate.

"The Obama administration actually reached out to us as an organization, and said we want gay families there, and they are an important part of the American family fabric," said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Boston-based Family Equality Council, which is helping spearhead the effort to organize families to attend. Chrisler said Tuesday she expects more than 100 gay and lesbian-headed families to take part in the egg roll."

3. "On CNN's "Larry King Live" this week, as "America's Pastor" Rick Warren did a soft shoe act on his role in the same-sex marriage battle over Proposition 8 in California.

"You know, Larry, there was a story within a story that never got told," he said. "In the first place, I am not an anti-gay or anti-gay marriage activist. I never have been, never will be. During the whole Proposition 8 thing, I never once went to a meeting, never once issued a statement, never – never once even gave an endorsement in the two years Prop 8 was going."

All three true,and sad, all three sad but true, all three accountable to almighty God who does have a huge problem with homosexuality as He does with all sin, but this sin in particular, as it strikes at the only relationship on earth that displays Christ and the Church, marriage between a man and a woman, the way God created and designed it to be. So while colleges, the President of the United States and famous pastors accept what God rejects, we must make or own choice as to whom we will serve on this day!

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pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com
sign up for podcast of radio show there

2.5 MILLION ENVELOPES, WILL THE PRESIDENT CARE?

2009-04-07T10:00:00.003-05:00

It is being reported that the White House mail office has confirmed it received a "deluge" of as many as 2.25 million red envelopes symbolizing the empty promise of lives snuffed out in abortion in a massive campaign that was larger than most White House mailing movements in the last 35 years. So now the question becomes what will President Obama do about this? The answer, I am afraid, is nothing.

While I praise God for these and other efforts to display our disgust and angst at the murder of babies that happens every day in our country, I do not believe many understand this President and his ideology when it comes to the life of the unborn. Regardless of his nice smile and charismatic appeal, he has consistently taken the position of death for the unborn, and even death for those born! His continued voting against the infant born alive protection act, should be all any of us need to understand the man.

Any one that would vote against giving care for a baby born in a botched abortion is in a different league when it comes to life and death of children. While this should not stop people from doing all they can to let the voice of life be known, I think it would be more prudent at this point to do all you can to make sure this is a one term President! For sure he will advance the cause of death in his first term, let us hope, pray and work to see that this is the only shot he gets at the unborn!

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pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com
podcase sign up found at website

LIFE! STAND FOR IT!!

2009-04-03T00:01:00.004-05:00

The Dignitas clinic, based in a Zurich apartment has assisted in over 100 deaths in Switzerland, and now they have officially arrived to where anyone with any sanity knew these places would. Yes, they are now going to "assist" in the suicide of a perfectly healthy human being who cannot stand the thought of living without their terminally ill spouse. The founder of this clinic Ludwig Minelli described suicide as a “marvellous opportunity” that should not be restricted to the terminally ill or people with severe disabilities. Here is Minelli on the idea of someone needing to be terminally ill to qualify for this procedure;

“It is not a condition to have a terminal illness. Terminal illness is a British obsession. As a human rights lawyer I am opposed to the idea of paternalism. We do not make decisions for other people. We should have a nicer attitude to suicide, saying suicide is a very good possibility to escape.”

So there you have it, suicide defined as a "very good possibility to escape". If you do not want to live without your spouse, or you are distressed over your job loss, or your favorite pet has been hit by a car, or for any reason at all you feel the need to escape, Mr Minelli is there to be sure you are able to kill yourself! This is the natural consequence and progression of the culture of death that is pervasive in so many cultures.

Once you can redefine the terms and make killing yourself more palatable, and even romantic, then you have won the argument. Suicide, once seen as a gross heinous cowardly act, is now seen as a noble, heroic and even compassionate act. And you can be sure the real victims of this debate are the young people of the world. Those who will have moments of despair where they feel they cannot go on, like most teenagers feel at some point in their young lives. It is at those moments when the ideology of sick people like Minelli will ring in their ears, and walk them to the brink of eternal disaster.

This is why there needs to be a stronger voice for life in the world today. A voice strong enough to drown out the sycophants like Minelli, Obama and others who would see death as a viable alternative from the womb to the nursing home. A voice that speaks from the Word of God that declares that life is a gift from God,precious and not to be tampered with. A voice that declares life is to be defended and fought for, exemplified by the Savior Jesus Christ who came to this earth to give what? Life, everlasting life! So my friends,in this culture of death, celebrate, defend and point people to the One who has life, is Life, and can give life eternally, the Lord Jesus Christ!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com
podcast of radio show available there

TRUTH CHECK FOR THE PRESIDENT, AS IF ANYONE CARES!

2009-04-01T22:14:00.004-05:00

Not that this matters all that much, due to the incredible indifference to anything that President Obama says or does that contradicts his campaign promises, but it is worth noting anyway. You might remember the following quotes from the campaigning Obama;

"I can make a firm pledge," he said in Dover, N.H., on Sept. 12. "Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes."

Not any of your taxes? If you are making less than $250,000 a year, yet today there was a .61 cents tax per pack of cigarettes instituted! A Gallup survey of 75,000 people last year found that 34 percent of respondents earning $6,000 to $12,000 were smokers, and the smoking rate consistently declined among people of higher income. Only 13 percent of people earning $90,000 or more were smokers. In essence this new tax is hitting almost everyone under the $250,000 threshold! Yet you can be sure that all of those who have been hit with an amazing increase, will with eyes glazed over keep their unwavering support of this President, even as he continues to put his hand in their pocket and remove what little money they have left!

Just a few facts for those who still care about such mundane crazy things!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com
podcast of radio show available there

THE CHARM OFFENSIVE!

2009-03-30T06:50:00.003-05:00

It is no secret that Washington D.C. does not understand Islam. There has been committee after committee looking into and interviewing people about this subject and time and again the ignorance is shocking. I remember an author on my radio show who was an expert in Islam and she had just testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the topic of Islam, and she asked the Senators if any of them had ever read the Koran, and of course none of them had. And this is not a problem particular to any one party, it is truly a bi-partisan problem. Well we see more evidence of the ignorance coming forth in Dennis Blair the Director of National Intelligence. In his first press conference last week he said the following concerning the release of prisoners from Guantanamo Bay;

"If we are to release them in the United States, you can't just sort of, as you said, put them on the street and there, but we need some sort of assistance to them to start a new life and not return to some of the conditions that may have inspired them in the first place."

That is truly amazing. He believes that we can give them some assistance that will keep them from returning to their ideology? He believes that there is some assistance that will change their desire to kill the great Satan, us? A desire they have been taught and indoctrinated in since birth! The lack of understanding here is frightening, as it clearly means that those who are manning the controls of our country now are indeed either out of touch, incompetent, or both.

Say what you want about former President Bush, but he understood the enemy. Our current President is a great speaker and a charming charismatic man, which is why someone with so little experience and qualification could gain the highest office in the land. But in spite of his charm he too will find out that it will not work with Islamists. The question is how high of a price we all will have to pay for him to learn that lesson?

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com
podcast of radio show found there

COWARDS AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE!

2009-03-26T06:42:00.005-05:00

It has happened again. In India a 16 year old girl was dragged out of her house by her Islamic Neighbors and burned to death, while her 14 year old sister was locked in her house and listened to her sisters scream for 20 minutes. So here we have another in a long line of attacks on a young girl by hypocritical Muslims who teach and believe you can marry a girl for an hour, a nice way to legitimize having an hour with a hooker. And the world watches in cowardice. Yes there were four arrested but that is not the point. The point is this crazed Sharia Law activity is progressing throughout the world and the world sucks it thumb looking for their binky, while young women are brutally tortured.

The best example of cowardice comes from our own U.S. Senate who last year looked into the tragedy in Somalia where a 13-year-old girl, Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow, was stoned in front of an African crowd of 1,000 as "punishment" for being the victim of a gang rape. Aisha, (probably named after the poor 9 year old who was repeatedly molested by the "prophet" Mohammad) was raped and killed for it, and the response from the Senate? A resolution! Yeah those are real helpful! A resolution that failed to even acknowledge the "Islamic supremacist ideology" behind the attack in Somalia, a nation which now is ruled by Islamic Shariah law from border to border!

This type of cowardice rises to the level of complicity in my view. So what should the response be? From those who follow Jesus should come the Gospel to the Muslim community, but there should also be a commitment to defend life. These poor girls are no different from babies in the womb being murdered, and just as helpless. The true followers of Jesus need to act on the truth that to die is gain and be willing to see that Scripture come to reality in their own life, if necessary in defending those that cannot defend themselves. To not do so, is to our eternal shame!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld
radio show podcast sign up there

FINAL UPDATE FROM THE PHILIPPINES!

2009-03-23T08:24:00.000-05:00

Hello to all and this will be the final update from the Philippines. Today was the Pastors conference and praise God there was an overflow crowd and they ran out of chairs. Amazingly many came back from last year’s conference. Today there were well over 100 churches represented by pastors and leaders. I spoke four sessions as follows;

Session I. Integrity with Doctrine – that the pastors must get their doctrine right and fight for it in their churches.

Session II Integrity with the Order of their churches. This was interesting as it is where I made it clear to the brothers that a woman should not be a pastor, because that is what God says, and the response was fantastic, with pastors asking questions and determining to teach their people this.

Session III Integrity when opposed. This was teaching the men to live a life that stands up against unfair accusation

Session IV Integrity in giving, This was teaching the pastors what to teach their people about giving.

After each session there was a robust question and answer session. Many pastors came up to me asking me what to do in certain situations in their churches. The great news is that I am confident that there are over 100 churches here whose pastors are encouraged and determined to preach right doctrine and to have Gods order in their churches. This is all very humbling to me that God would use me and my family this way. Me by being able to go and my family willing to sacrifice and see me go.

Praise God the leader of the group that invited me asked the pastors who would come back if we did a part 3 to this subject and I believe every pastor said they would come back. So they have asked me to return to do a three-day conference here and out in the provinces where not many people are willing to go and speak to pastors.

Thank you all for your support and prayers, I am really looking forward to getting home to my family.

as always to donate;
Action Int
PO Box 398
Mountlake Terrace, WA
98043-0398
Crouse Acct 42023A
Or donate online at
http://www.actionintl.org

update #4 from the Philippines-A divine Appointment!

2009-03-21T07:07:00.000-05:00

Today I was with Adam Hussey and we were to go to his youth group, which is about one hour outside of Manila. After going with him to the mall where he received a much-needed haircut we began looking for a cab. Due to my back I need a taxi instead of the other transportation available to travel that far out, as the drivers in Manila do not go out to Antipolo where we had to go. The first driver we asked, Sonny, said yes he would take us.

During the drive he tells us he too is born again, which we praised God for, but it was also clear he was not where he had been when he lived in Canada, where he had just gotten back from. He is a Philippino who had to come back due to health concerns. Well we asked him to stay with us when we got out to where we were going, as it would be impossible for us to get a taxi and I also sensed the need for him to hear the Word of God.

The youth service was wonderful. There were about 25 youth there and they put on a skit for us that brought tears to my eyes. Adam is doing a great work out there and he is seen by them as their youth pastor, they all love him. But I noticed during the singing that our driver Sonny was singing with his eyes closed worshipping.

On the drive home we made small talk and then dropped Adam off, and Sonny and I had another few miles to go. About three to five minutes after we dropped Adam off, Sonny began to weep and confess to me that he was struggling with sin. He confessed that he was no longer active in church like he had been for the two years in Canada. When we got to the Shell station where he was to drop me off. We talked some more, he cried some more; he confessed some more, we prayed some more. He was praising God when I left him and we agreed that we would again see each other in Heaven. I know for sure that Sonny is one reason the Lord brought me here. Pray for him as he battles his flesh and desires to again walk rightly with the Lord!

For His Glory,
Pastor Tom

as always to donate;
Action Int
PO Box 398
Mountlake Terrace, WA
98043-0398
Crouse Acct 42023A
Or donate online at
http://www.actionintl.org

PHILIPPINES UPDATE # 3 , TODAY I MET TWO HEROES OF THE FAITH!

2009-03-20T09:38:00.005-05:00

Hello to all from the Philippines. This is my third update and one of a different sort. I am staying at the Martin Burnham New Tribes Mission guest house in Manila. Martin is the missionary who was killed during a rescue attempt for him and his wife as they had been held captive by the Abu-Sayef terrorist group that is very active here in the Philippines. His wife Gracia has a foundation with a website worth visiting at http://www.graciaburnham.org/index.asp. Their story is inspiring to say the least.

At this mission guest house are missionaries from New Tribes and other places, but primarily New Tribes. When I got back tonight I ran into a couple staying here, Lance and Laura Ostman. The are missionaries to the Higaunon tribal people on the island of Mindanao, a heavily Muslim area and very dangerous. As it is with New Tribes they went to this tribe that had never seen white people in 1983! Here are some quotes from the people they went to reach;

"Only one person has ever been said to make it to heaven without dying, but he was sent back because he complained that there was no work for him to do there. In many ways, we fear the tee-noo-mah-nun because of what the spirits tell us we have to do, like having to sacrifice our seven year old children to them and going without food for long periods of time. They would have us go on long pilgrimages through the forest in search for a promised pathway to heaven. Many of our ancestors have died during the tee-noo-mah-nun, but we have no other hope."

"We are really scared of sickness because we have so much of it. We do not name our children until they are about 2 years old because we know that they will have constant sickness and be likely to die before that age. Sometimes, in order to obey the taboos, we have to bury our children at birth.

For instance if a baby has its umbilical cord wrapped around its neck at birth, that is a bad omen and the baby must be buried. We have to crush up some ginger root and stuff it down the babies throat and then place it in a shallow grave under the house. We don't like doing this because many times we hear the baby screaming from under the ground for a long time.

"We also have to worship and obey our ancestral spirits because they control every part of our lives."

This was the state of these people when the Ostmans went to them. The reason I write of them is tonight I found out that the completed translation of the New Testament will be finished in the language of these people who when they went there had no language. After 26 years the translation work by the Ostmans and others is finished, and praise God they have 800 people in the village who have requested copies. Twenty six years spent developing a language, learning it, teaching it and translating the complete New Testament. The Ostmans are taking a one week vacation next week, and then they will be seeking where God wants them to go next. Amazing, humbling, inspiring! That is twenty six years well spent in service to the Lord, the fruit of which will be the Word of God to be used for generations until the Lord comes. This should make us all take a look at how we are spending our lives for the Lord!

blog you later
Pastor Tom

as always to donate;
Action Int
PO Box 398
Mountlake Terrace, WA
98043-0398

Crouse Acct 42023A

Or donate online at
http://www.actionintl.org

UPDATE # 2 FROM THE PHILIPPINES

2009-03-17T23:03:00.002-05:00

Hello again from the Philippines. Well the ACTION conference is over. I spoke 5 times over 4 days, and God moved mightily. This was a conference for the missionaries from ACTION that are working here in the Philippines. I had many comments about how much this meant to people. It seemed that Gods timing for this was perfect for many which should not surprise us. I also spend much time counseling with the missionaries, who as one put it, “had not been able to speak to a pastor for two years!” So there was counseling covering a variety of issues that the Lord allowed me to minister to these dear brothers and sisters.

Next will be visiting and speaking to various ministries, a pastors meeting on Friday, a pastoral meeting that afternoon, a youth meeting on Saturday, with Adam Hussey, then speaking at Higher Rock Church on Sunday, this is a great reformed church of about 300-350, then the CGM Pastors conference on Monday, and I am told again the sign up looks great, last year we were over capacity and had over 200 pastors. Tuesday will be with a missionary in the squatter area, the poorest of the poor, then a visit to a factory that one of our missionaries oversees as a way to provide employment to the locals, and then Wed. it will be flying home.

Please be in prayer for us as my next trip will be in May to will be to speak to 40 pastors who live in the much-persecuted area of Orissa. Also as always pray for our financial support, this month has not been great as far as giving, but we know the Lord is in control. To support us see the information below.

Thanks again for all the prayers and financial support.

For His Glory,
Pastor Tom

Action Intl
PO Box 398
Mountlake Terrace, WA
98043-0398

Crouse Acct 42023A

Or donate online at
http://www.actionintl.org

DISGUSTED IN MANILA!

2009-03-13T19:32:00.003-05:00

All right, I know I was going to try to stick with updates from the Philippines, and I will get back to that soon, although I am unsure of my web access after today for a while. But I could not ignore what I have discovered when it comes to the latest homosexual advance on the children of our culture. It seems that you can go to an online site, shockwave.com and play a free trial online version of the game of Life. Many of you will remember that game where you had the car and family and traveled across the hills of the board to get to the end. Well in the new online version when you pick your person to be in the game, you have the choice of spouses that includes a same sex spouse. So young children playing the game will get the message that it is OK to have a same sex spouse. And the game will even add children to that relationship. One parent whose six year old child discovered this perversion comments;

"You know how kids are. My daughter noticed right away (even before I did) and clicked on one of the girls instead of one of the men and then asked, 'Mom, how come I can marry a woman?' And then that led into a lot more questions that, quite frankly, I was not ready to talk to my 6-year-old about."

I am sure the homosexual activists are popping open champagne bottles when they hear stories like this. Another six year old has been exposed to homosexual relationships being normal. And what safer more effective venue than a game? It is a disgusting reality of the times we live in that young children are being targeted by these depraved individuals. And it is more disgusting that the church is such a coward when it comes to this war. Yes it is a war for the souls of children and the church is in the corner sucking its thumb not wanting to offend anyone. In the meantime child after child is left to consider if they too might be homosexual. God in His sovereignty has placed us in this moment of history, and I believe we will all be called to give an account of what we did during this time. And I do not think saying, " I did not offend anyone" will be the answer the Lord is looking for!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld,com

UPDATE # 1 FROM THE PHILIPPINES

2009-03-12T16:14:00.000-05:00

Hello from the Philippines. Yesterday was an eventful one as we got up at 4:00 am and went to catch the boat that was taking us to the island where the Bible College was that I was to speak at. Once on the Island it was a two-hour very cramped ride on roads that were less than friendly. To say the least it was difficult on my back, but we made it to the College. Once there I spoke to the 25 students from 1 Timothy 1:3-7, encouraging them to stay at the churches God would put them in and fight bad doctrine.

You never know how the Lord is going to work, as when I had finished the President of the College wanted to speak with me, and he proceeded to tell me that the Lord had used the message to encourage him to stay at the college. It seems that his friends and peers were encouraging him to leave as it is not the most glamorous of places, or jobs, for that matter but it is important. I spoke with him for some time and encouraged him in the work he was doing, and pointed out if all of the good godly people leave the hard places, what would happen? And I also pointed out to him that God loves to put His people in hard places. We left him very encouraged and recommitted to the ministry God had called him and his family to, praise God!

We never know how God will use what we do. I was focused on speaking to the students, but it is clear to me that the Lord had us there for this brother. Our job is to show up and be willing to go where He sends and do what He calls us to do. He will do things beyond our wildest imaginations or expectations. I have been asked to come back to the college to teach a week of classes and to also conduct some pastor’s conferences so we will be praying for all of that.

Besides all of this I have already visited three different ministries that Action is involved with here, and I have some short-term opportunities for those interested in building a little church where people now meeting in an apartment could meet. The area is very rough and a great place for a church.

That is all for now, more updates to follow as access to the net exists. Thanks so much for support and interest, as always we could very much use any financial support the Lord would put on your heart to give as currently our personal financial needs are great, but so is our God and we count it a privilege to be able to serve His church and His pastors in this capacity. I pray that you see the importance of that and would join us in this work.

For His Glory,
Tom & Cheryl
As always to support this ministry write to

Action Intl
PO Box 398
Mountlake Terrace, WA
98043-0398

Crouse Acct 42023A

Or donate online at
http://www.actionintl.org

SO WHAT IS THE RESPONSE SUPPOSED TO BE WHEN SOMEONE SHOOTS AND KILLS YOUR PASTOR?

2009-03-10T19:03:00.002-05:00

As I sit here in the Taiwan airport waiting to leave for Manila and two weeks of speaking to pastors at conference, meetings and churches, I am still thinking of the shooting that took place at First Baptist in Maryville Illinois. The pastor Fred Winters was killed as 27 year old Terry J. Sedlacek walked into the church, came down the aisle and began to shoot at the pastor. After two shots, congregants sprang into action, without a doubt sparing lives. While I am comfortable that this pastor is home with the Lord and to die is gain, I am also aware that this type of activity is becoming more common place in our country. Jeff Hawkins, the executive director of the Christian Security Network says hundreds of church leaders have told him about all kinds of attacks they have recently faced, from arson's and burglaries to assaults on members and church leaders. In the first two months of 2009, churches have described more than 140 acts of violence to the Network, he said. In one incident, congregants noticed a person dressed inappropriately for the weather and acting odd. The man was taken outside and questioned. Under his coat, he had two machetes strapped to his back. "He said that he had been hearing the devil speaking to him, telling him to cut the pastor's head off," Hawkins said. "There was no struggle, and everything was calm. The man was removed.

This is a sign that persecution is no longer coming, it is not any longer on the way, but in fact it is here. We are no longer speaking about Hindus in India attacking the pulpit and beating the pastor to near death. This is not a discussion of Muslims in the middle east killing the men of God who have the courage to proclaim Gods Word. This is now people coming to church in the United States of America and seeking to do harm, even fatal harm to those who preach and teach the Word of God, and any who follow such men. That being the reality, what is to be our response?

We are to praise God, take heart and receive all of it with great joy. This was and is our Saviors instruction to those of us He has called to carry a cross and follow Him. The Word of God is clear when the Apostle Paul tells Timothy that, "everyone , who desires to live Godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted". Note the words "everyone" and "will be". These actions against preachers and pastors and believers, are the predicted consequence for being a follower of Jesus Christ. Sure, some will try to explain it away with mental illness, or the effect of Lyme disease, or abusive childhoods, and those might all be true at some level, but the real truth is that this is what is supposed to happen to the followers of Christ. It is the blood of His children that birthed the church, and keeps it going.

As we see and even experience some of this activity against us, let us be clear on our responsibilities. Yes, we are to defend the defenseless, so if there is opportunity to defend and save life, we are to take it and with all that is within us, protect the innocent and those who cannot defend themselves. Praise God for the men of the First Baptist Church in Maryville Illinois who sprang into action, at their own peril and suffering. They saved lives, and that is right for us to do. We also are called to use our minds, and be smart in our thinking through these issues as a church. But most importantly, most critically is our responsibility to rejoice. We need to get to the place where, like the apostles, we rejoice that we could ever be counted worthy to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ! That ought to be the goal of our lives. To be in the place where persecution causes us joy and rejoicing. Where we marvel in amazement that He would grant us the privilege to suffer for His name sake. Paul the apostle would pray for suffering to come his way. He wanted to know Christ and His sufferings, and the Lord certainly answered that prayer.

When was the last time you prayed to know Christ and His sufferings? The world would say that was crazy, and sadly some Christians will tell you the same thing. But the Lord knows and the Apostle Paul learned that the greatest joy was found in the most intimate knowledge of Christ, and that, brothers and sisters is found in suffering on account of His great Name!

I will endeavor to blog from Manila and update on all that going on over here for the glory of God, as many of you who read this blog are supporters financially or in prayer or in both, and have asked me to blog on these trips, so that is my goal.

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com
(sign up for podcast of radio show there)

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER DEATH SIGNING!

2009-03-06T19:47:00.003-05:00

You have to give President Obama credit for one thing, being true to his convictions. I have said for over a year on my radio show and here at this blog that he is the most liberal, socialist, communistic, pro death candidate we have ever seen. While his socialist economic policies have tanked Wall Street faster than any new President in our history, it his love of death that is worth paying attention to. The economic stuff will only limit him to one term, thank God, but his attack on life will be much harder to correct.

In his first week of office he reversed the Bush policy on foreign abortions known as the Mexico City Policy. That prohibited forcing taxpayers to finance foreign groups that promote or perform abortions in other nations. Now in his second act in this drama of death known as his Presidency, Barak Obama will sign an executive order on Monday that will force taxpayers to fund destructive embryonic stem cell research. Not so amazing or surprising is that President Obama is reversing President Bush's strategy of putting money into Adult Stem Cell research, that is the only research that has proven successful and has been used already to treat people with more than 100 different diseases and medical conditions. Like with his economic policy that is implementing strategy that has never worked, see Japan in the 1990's, Obama is traveling the same dead end road with Embryonic Stem Cell research.

I understand the Presidents attraction to this research, as it is consistent with his record of voting for death and against life. But we need to understand that the next step will be the introduction of the idea of creating embryos simply for research. You see this slippery slope does not stop, not when you have as radical a President as we now have. My hope is simple, it is that Americans who fawn and fall over themselves at the mention or sight of President Obama, will look past the teleprompter charm and look at the mans policies and goals, as when it comes to the issue of life they are evil. His economic policies are simply tried and true, wrong, but his policies on life are down right evil, as he is a proponent of death. The sooner we all understand that the quicker we will be able to say, "former President Obama", and that will mean more babies have the chance to live!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com (where you can now sign up for pod casts of the radio show)

BEING A WITNESS FOR CHRIST IN THE MIDST OF A NATION GIVEN OVER TO MARXISM!

2009-02-20T01:32:00.003-05:00

As President Obama takes the country into a level of socialist Marxism that has never before been seen, there are some practical consequences worth mentioning. First, I believe and predict, given the governments grab of banks and houses, there will be a federal law passed in the not too distant future that will require anyone selling a house to have a government official show up and set the price. As redistribution of wealth takes hold you will see the continued demonizing of business and profit. There will be a government set threshold of what is an acceptable profit to be made on the sale of a house and you will not be able to cross that threshold. While some of you might think that to be impossible, think again. Consider what it is that the government now owns, and ask yourself did you ever believe that could happen?

But a more important and meaningful consequence will be the realization of what Gods Word says about money being true. That is riches and money fly away on the wings of eagles. That you cannot love money and God, and in fact the love of money will lead one to a dead end of disappointment and heartache. I believe that these will be great times for the spreading of the gospel and the growth of Gods Church. As Gods people are immune to the soon coming depression, increasing numbers of people will be attracted to that inoculation and will wonder how it can be so, which will be our chance to share the power of Jesus Christ that is beyond economic conditions. It is as simple as this, when this world is not your home and you are laying up treasures for yourself in Heaven and not this earth, you can live with great joy regardless of the ebb and flow of an economy. When you, like the Apostle Paul have learned the secret of contentment, whether you have much or little, which is doing all things through Christ your strength, you are ready to be the means used by God to bring others to faith in Him.

So, when the government man comes one day to tell you that there is a cap on what you can sell your house for, you can stand before him and declare; " the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord!"

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com
podcast of radio show found at website

"RAPELAY" A REAL GAME THAT YOUR CHILD COULD DOWNLOAD AND PLAY! TIME TO MAKE YOUR HOME CYBERSAFE!

2009-02-13T17:24:00.004-05:00

There is a PC game in Japan that has been on the market since 2006, and though only to be marketed in Japan, found its way to the British market via Amazon.com. Amazon has decided due to the outcry about the game to not sell it through their company. The game is called "Rapelay" and here are a few descriptions of what players are able to do in the game;

"In Rapelay, gamers direct a character to sexually assault a mother and her two young daughters at an underground station, before raping any of a selection female characters.

Rapelay, encourages players to force the virtual woman they rape to have an abortion. If they are allowed to give birth the woman throws the player's character under a train, according to reviews of the game. It also has a feature allowing several players to team up against individual women."

Just when you believe you cannot be shocked, something like this surfaces. There are no words to describe the depravity of this game and its creators. But it does remind us of the need to be aware of just what our children are doing when they are online. Can you imagine the damage done and the perverted ideology and indoctrination of a young mind that a "game" like this would produce? Mom and Dad, you need to know what is happening online with your kids. While there a number of filtration products for you computers, there is only one that actually monitors in real time what is happening online with your children.

Cybersafe Home is a product that not only allows you to monitor all activity on your child's computers, from screen shots to conversations to the playing of perverted games like this, but it allows you to monitor from anywhere in the world. Once you have downloaded CyberSafe Home monitoring software on your child's computer you can from anywhere in the world go online and see what they are doing within seconds of their actual activity. The stakes have never been higher and the investment never more worth it. Go to www.cybersafehome.com and download this software on your child's computer, your family computer and any other computer used by someone you love and care for.

Rapelay is a sign of the dark and wicked times in which we live. Thank God there is something out there that allows parents to fight back and protect what is most precious, our children!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com
radio show podcast can now be signed up for at
engaging your world website!

STAND UP TO THE BULLY OF ISLAM!!

2009-02-12T20:42:00.004-05:00

Two newspaper executives have turned themselves in to be arrested for reprinting an article written by Johann Hari. Hari took issue with the actions of the "prophet" Mohammad in his article. Here is one of his sentences;

"I don't respect the idea that we should follow a 'prophet' who at the age of 53 had sex with a 9-year old girl and ordered the murder of whole villages of Jews because they wouldn't follow him," Hari wrote.

The two newspaper executives were arrested due to complaints from local Muslims. My question is why would they be arrested for reprinting some that is historically been proven to be true? There is no debate about the fact that Mohammad married and had sexual relations with nine year old Aisha. In fact you do not have to search far to find clerics today who will defend the action and call for marriages for girls even younger. So if that is true why arrest these men? Why? Because Islam is a bully religion that seeks to intimidate the world. They seek to convert at the edge of the sword and have brought much of the world to their knees in fear. You only have to look to Europe for proof.

What is needed are people to speak the truth to the bully, stand up to him. Mohammad was a pedophile, what else do you call a fifty three year old man having sex with a nine year old girl? There might be other terms but pedophile fits quite nicely. The problem we have in our world is far too few people willing to speak the truth for fear of their lives. But of all people the followers of Jesus Christ should be the most fearless in speaking the truth. As we know to die is gain, it is the best day of our existence. We have not been duped into believing there are seventy virgins waiting for us after we blow ourselves up. We know the Word of God that reveals to us that God sees it as precious when His children die and go home to be with Him.

So brothers and sisters speak the truth of the Gospel, that there is no other way to God but through Jesus Christ. And do not be afraid to speak the truth about a man as sick and twisted as the "prophet" Mohammad. Maybe there are those following him who are not aware of all of his peculiar activities, which would range from sex with young children to genocide! Maybe there are adherents to Islam who if they knew the truth of their "prophet" would reconsider and exchange their faith from following a false prophet who will lead them to Hell, to receiving Christ as their Savior who will lead them to everlasting life in the New Heaven and the New Earth!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

ps.. you can now sign up for my radio shows podcast at the above website

blog you later

IN TIMES LIKE THESE....

2009-02-04T22:01:00.002-05:00

These are interesting times. For many people they have never seen worst economic times, and things are likely to get worse, maybe even catastrophically worse. So the question becomes, how are followers of Christ to react in times like this? I believe it is in these times that the body of Christ can shine. This is the time for the followers of Jesus to give more, not less to their churches. This is the time for the Church to gear up for the many ministry opportunities that recession and even depression will bring. We have seen many years of narcissistic, irresponsible spending and living. We have lived in a culture where people were encouraged and did borrow when they could not pay back.

Now is the time for us to stand out for the glory of God. Let me suggest some ways that we might do that;

1. Speak about owning responsibility. No one is talking about it being the responsibility of the person who received the loans and monies that they now cannot pay back. We should be the ones calling people back to that.

2. Speak of the Sovereignty of God. He is in control and raises up nations and He brings them down for His glory.

3. Speak the Gospel. Things, money, stuff, will all rust and go away, what remains is what matters and that is the souls of men and women. We are born sinners in Adam, we confirm that sin in our deeds and thoughts, and God to demonstrate His love for sinners sent Jesus Christ to the Cross to pay for the sins of all that are His. Share this good news in your conversations with your unbelieving friends, as it is times like these that the Lord will often be opening their ears to hear!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

BEYOND THE PERSONALITY, HERE IS THE POLICY!

2009-01-21T21:19:00.003-05:00

As President Obama begins his "magical" term, I feel it is important to watch this President as it relates to decisions and policy. We all know and have seen the power of his personality and charisma. The case could be made that this is the basis of his being elected, as he has no serious record or experience that would garner such a position. That being the case, it is probable if not likely that much of what he does could get lost in that very same magnetism. There has not been a President who has less accountability to and scrutiny by the press. Some would even charge the press with covering up the radical relationships that Obama had in order to see that he was elected.

All of that begs for us to do our own homework in watching and taking note of what this President does in the area of policy. The good news is that now there will be decisions and policies that he must decide on. The bad news is that many of those will be in direct opposition to good family values. Now I understand that many of us are tired of politics as it has been the longest political season of our lives. But I feel that it is important to know what this President is actually doing, so as policy is made that is noteworthy, I will make note of it here. And here we go from the wires;

"Obama will sign the executive order on the 36th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in all 50 states. The policy, known in governmental circles as the "Mexico City policy," requires any non-governmental organization to agree before receiving U.S. funds that they will "neither perform nor actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations."

In one of President Obama's first moves, he is making sure that we can now give funds to countries that use abortion as family planning. Where President Bush made sure that we would not give funds to countries who use abortion as a way to control the population, our new President right away made sure that we do give funds to those countries. Because this President is rabidly pro-abortion! And underneath all of the charisma and personality, that is the TRUTH!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

AN HISTORIC WEEK!

2009-01-18T23:33:00.003-05:00

This will be a historic week as the first black President is inaugurated. Regardless of the fact that he is half black and half white, it is still seen as historic, remarkable, and validating for all of those whose lineage is marred by the perversion that is slavery. For those whose ancestors were ripped from their countries, taken captive and stolen away for a land far away by boat, this is history of the kindest and most magnificent sort. But there is also history this week that sadly will be quite tied to this historic President. It is this week that the 36th anniversary of the tragedy known as Roe v. Wade will be observed. It is this week that another year will be marked, which means the remembrance of millions of people who were also ripped from their homeland much like those slaves, and quite unlike the slaves, all of these people were not only ripped away from home, but they were all murdered.

And quite unlike slavery, this practice is still going on, with no end in sight. Which brings me to the tie between both historic observations. This historic President, unfortunately, while vehemently disagreeing with the first form of slavery, is quite in favor of the right of the second. He is the most pro abortion President to ever sit in office, and in fact he has declared that one of the first things he will do as President is to see the Freedom of Choice Act enacted, making abortions easier to obtain and more affordable. The contrast, while stark and troubling, is acceptable even to those who believe in life, displaying the incredible power of a friendly face, a nice smile and the right pigmentation of skin. Yes this will be a historic week. And while millions will celebrate across the nation, millions more will line up to be murdered under the watch, and "power" of this historic President!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

"LIKE A VIRGIN, TOUCHED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME?"

2009-01-15T23:10:00.002-05:00

This has to take the cake as far as sad and pitiful. A 22 year old woman is auctioning off her virginity. That is right, she is going to pick someone to give her virginity to, and the person will be someone who bids for this on ebay. The sad truth is that over ten thousand people have bid and there is one bid that is three point seven million dollars for this right. This woman who uses an anonymous name claims she will use the funds to help her graduate education and also her sisters education. Amazingly she claims that this will also help her in the marriage and family therapy career she seeks to have.

The legality of all of this is without question since she is going to do this at the bunny ranch in Nevada where prostitution is legal. Prostitution in the right word as that is what you call it when a woman sells her body. The price does not make it any more of a noble cause. While it certainly is sad, there is another point to be made and that is the high value of virginity in the world. You might not believe that there is high regard for virginity if you follow the media and track young people and their sexual activities. But this shows something much different. It shows that it is highly regarded when someone is a virgin. Sure this is a sick way to have this point made, but I believe the point is made any way. Society does still consider virginity to be of great value. The perceived lack of respect for it, is probably due to so many who have lost that privilege and are jealous of any who still maintain it.

I wonder where the parents are in all of this. I wonder about the fall out, damage, and pain from all of this. But I do not wonder that Gods will and design is for a man and a woman to maintain their virginity until the day they are married. That is His best for His children. So while the world perverts His great design, let those who know Him use times and stories like this to spark conversation about God's design and plan for His creation.

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

A TIME TO RESOLVE!

2009-01-02T17:03:00.000-05:00

As we come upon another new year it is correct form for people to look back and take stock of their lives. Critique the last year and note the progress or lack thereof.
And of course it is the time to look ahead and make those resolutions. What it is that we resolve to do in the coming year? I want to challenge us at the end of 08 and the beginning of 09 to also make some resolutions, but in a new and different way.

Jonathan Edwards was one of the greatest theological minds America has ever or ever will see. He was also a tremendous preacher of the Word of God. It is said that he would read his sermons in near monotone, word for word from a manuscript he had written out. Yet God moved mightily when he preached. He was neither the most charismatic of preachers nor the most entertaining in form and style, yet God moved when the man spoke.

The question is why? Why did God move so mightily when Edwards opened the Word? In looking for the answer we want to be careful to not seek some magic formula for growth or key to success. What we should want is to know what Edwards had that we can learn and take note of. Here it is; I believe what Edwards had was a list of resolutions. He made some seventy or more resolutions at a very young age. In his early twenties he resolved to do some things, and not to do some others. As we approach the New Year I thought it might be helpful if we took a look at a few of his resolutions, and maybe make them our own. Edwards resolved, and then did his best to live out what he had resolved to God. Here are a few to consider making your own, with passion as Jonathan Edwards did.
Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live
Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell
Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good
Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump
Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions
Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking
Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be
May God bless you all this coming year!
Pastor Tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

TRUTH MATTERS!

2008-12-11T21:17:00.002-05:00

One week after telling National Public Radio his view of same-sex unions is shifting, Richard Cizik has resigned as vice president for governmental affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals. This has come as no surprise to many within the NEA as Cizik was under fire for his global warming views. But the question is, how do those who hold views that are clearly anti-scripture, get such high positions of authority and acceptance within the evangelical world?

Here is a man who believes in unions between homosexuals and describes his views on the subject as "shifting". The Word of God is not shifting on the issue of homosexuality, nor is it shifting on the issue of marriage. The Lord has made it crystal in His Word that homosexuality is a sin. A sin that is forgivable in Christ Jesus, but a sin nonetheless. If a person were to die without the Lord Jesus Christ they would be sent to a forever hell for unforgiven sins like homosexuality and others. And God is also very clear on the issue of marriage and sexual relations within marriage. It is for a man and a woman, and never for a man and a man, or a woman and a woman.

Yet Cizik and other prominent people within evangelicalism do all they can to find a way to make everyone happy, at the expense of Gods Word. It causes there to be a blurring of what it means to be an evangelical. I am no longer comfortable being called an evangelical, not while people like Cizik, Brian McClaren, Rob Bell and others of like mind are called the same. The apostle Paul says in Galatians 1:8-9 that those who preach and teach a different gospel are to be accursed. He says it twice, highlighting the seriousness of the charge.

What is needed today are men of courage, like those of yesteryear who posted the 95 these to the church door. People who gave their lives for the truth of Gods Word, not willing to compromise, regardless of the cost. So while people like Cizik are out in public spreading the pablum they call truth, there is a great opportunity for the people of God to proclaim the truth, being the light that they are called to be. The contrast will be stark and dramatic, and God will draw people to the truth, as He is the Truth and He is where the Truth is!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

PUTTING THEM OUT OF THEIR MISERY!

2008-12-07T19:15:00.004-05:00

This past Friday a state District court in Montana ruled in favor of physician assisted suicide. From the wires:

"Montana's First District Court Judge Dorothy McCarter, the Associated Press reports, declared in the case of Baxter et al. v. Montana that mentally competent, terminally ill Montanans may self-administer life-ending medication and that doctors who prescribe such medications need not fear criminal prosecution"

The quotes are self explanatory as to the ideology behind all of this. Robert Baxter 75, who suffers from leukemia and brought the lawsuit;

"It's always been a very important thing with me," says Baxter in Compassion & Choices Magazine. "I've just watched people suffer so badly when they died, and it goes on every day. You can just see it in their eyes: 'Why am I having to go through this terrible part of my life, when we do it for animals? We put them out of their misery.'

"I just feel if we can do it for animals," Baxter said, "we can do it for human beings."

"A mentally competent, terminally ill Montanan should have the right to choose a peaceful death, when confronted by death," Kathryn Tucker, Compassion & Choices director of legal affairs.

Attorney Mark Connell, who filed the suit on Baxter's behalf, told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, "The question in our minds is whether the Montana State Constitution's explicit guarantees of privacy and human dignity give the patient the choice to decide how his life is going to end."

It further propagates the culture of death that we live in. Life is further devalued in this ruling, which makes it easier to discard. This is the consequence of a society that has no regard for God. Once God has been ignored, and marginalized, once God has been discarded, all bets are off. There is an increasing lack of order and rule, along with the cheapening of life. We ought not be surprised, but in fact we all should be preparing for the battles ahead. It will not be long before this culture will goose step down the road of a perfect race. Once God is gone and life has no value, the next casualty will be the weak and infirmed. Those who are mentally or physically challenged. It will be presented as doing them a favor, in not allowing them to live in such a painful disabled life.

Regardless of the many great stories like Joni Erikson Tada, there will an elimination of the weak. After that there will be an elimination of those who do not look like culture says they are supposed to. As Hitler sought a blond haired blue eyed super race, so a culture of new Hitlers will seek to do the same. Though the description of what is perfect might have changed, the methods, goals and ideology will be the same. And as they say in Montana, it is just like is done to animals, putting them out of their misery. The problem here is most people have no idea of the real misery that is on the way!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

A SICK GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS!

2008-12-04T18:33:00.002-05:00

This is the time of year theoretically that people are celebrating the birth of Christ. In truth most people are simply celebrating materialism and going into debt to give gifts that people will forget in a matter of days or weeks. Of course the exception is there are families for whom this is a meaningful time of year and the gifts are the out pouring and overflow of a real genuine love for Jesus. Whatever the paradigm for the season, this year there is a gift that goes beyond the pale of decency.

The Indiana chapter of Planned Parenthood is offering gift certificates for their services as stocking stuffers! While they will advocate that they offer a host of services, there is no getting around the horrific truth that there will be people who will use these certificates to help pay for abortions. Which means that in the celebration of the birth of Christ, there will be people, in the name of Jesus Christ's coming to this earth, Emmanuel, God with us, will give someone the means to kill their baby. Is it not ironic to think of celebrating the birth of a baby by paying to kill a baby? This is how upside down we have become in this country!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

NEED A "BIBLE"?

2008-12-02T22:38:00.002-05:00

Film maker Max Mitchell believes it is time for a new bible. He is coming out with one called, the "Princess Diana Bible". An interesting title for a bible, but what is less interesting and more revolting is the theme of this bible, which is that homosexuality is normal and heterosexuality is a sin. Here is what Mitchell has to say;

"Jesus was gay. In Biblical times homosexual relationships were so commonplace that no one gave it a second thought. It was heterosexuality that was considered sinful,"

And now a part of this "bible" translation;

"And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Aida, and she slept: and he took one of her ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the Lord God had taken from woman, made he another woman, and brought her unto the first. And Aida said, 'This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of me. Therefore shall a woman leave her mother, and shall cleave unto her wife: and they shall be one flesh.' And they were both naked, the woman and her wife, and were not ashamed."

Hey, no big deal right? Live and let live, be kind, be nice, make friends, friendship evangelism, etc etc etc. You keep believing that at the expense of the truth of Gods real Word and this is what you get!!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

GOODBYE MOM!

2008-11-26T17:05:00.003-05:00

It has been stated here more than once that the Muslim faith is one that demeans people, particularly women, is not interested in peace, but in fact does what it has to in order to see it spread world wide. The rules do not apply to Muslims, and in fact they are changed to accommodate those who intimidate again and again. A great example of this is seen in Egypt where there is a growing trend of judges going against the law they are called to enforce in order to see that children are not raised by any Christians. I am referencing those situations of marriage and divorce where there might be a Muslim man and a Christian woman. Egyptian law's Article 20 is clear that a child is to stay with his or her mother until the age of 15. Here are some recent rulings from the bench in Egypt;

"On Sept. 24, an appeals court defied the statute and awarded custody of 13-year-old twins Andrew and Mario Medhat Ramses Labib to their father. The father divorced his wife to marry another woman and converted to Islam in 1999. He then changed the boys' official religious status and applied for custody in 2006.

"Obviously in this custody decision, it is a flagrant disregard of the Personal Status Law, which ensures custody for the mother until the children are 15 years old," said Hossam Bahgat of the EIPR. "In this case the judiciary chose to ignore statutory law and apply their own interpretation of sharia."

In another case, two sisters, Ashraqat Gohar, 12, and Maria Gohar, 8, were removed from their Christian mother in January. Even though the eldest daughter claims her Muslim father, Wafiq Gohar, is an alcoholic, and he has a criminal history, the girls were placed in his care.

Even when an Egyptian court ordered 3-year-old Barthenia Rezqallah of Tanta to be returned to her Christian mother's custody, police refused to comply. The police fear the child would be raised in a Christian environment rather than an Islamic one."

You see, when it comes to Islam, the law and the rules matter and are enforced only as they support and promote the religion. It is not the welfare of children or women that are a concern in Islam, but rather the spread of Islam. And if it comes to the choice of a childs best interest or Islam, the child loses every time!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

HOW WAS THE WORKOUT, MR. PRESIDENT-ELECT?

2008-11-24T10:04:00.004-05:00

It has been three weeks since the country elected Barak Obama as the new President. A position with more responsibility than any of us could ever imagine. It is also a position that comes with great attention from people of all ages, particularly with this President, who had an extraordinary connection with young people. It is with that understanding that I am puzzled by President-Elect Obama's choice to not attend church somewhere for the last three Sundays. With the world watching and most importantly, the young of the world, Obama has not only not gone to church, but instead has gone to the gym. While there is certainly nothing wrong with going to a gym on Sunday, there does seem to be a disconnect when you can get to the gym but not to church.

Particularly if you campaigned as a man of faith, which Obama did. He states that he has not gone to church due to his not wanting to create unnecessary attention at the church, were he to show up. But he did not have that concern on the campaign trail, when it seemed that he had no problem finding a church to be in on Sunday. And while he could very well begin to attend service in Washington D.C. when he arrives in January, I find it telling that now elected, church does not seem to be a priority.

The young people of our nation will take their cues, for good or ill, from President-Elect Obama. And while I have great trouble with the Black Liberation Theology of the church he attended for decades, and while I certainly do not consider him to be a true follower of Christ, I would hope and pray for the man that in this process he would come to have a true vibrant relationship with Christ Jesus. A relationship whose consequence would be the need to gather with the called out people of God on Sunday and proclaim the Glory due His name!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

THE CUT AND PASTE GOSPEL OF TONY JONES!

2008-11-20T22:47:00.002-05:00

In our homosexually indoctrinated, man at the center of the world, biblically weak, church culture, we have people like Tony Jones, making statements like this;

"I now believe that GLBTQ can live lives in accord with biblical Christianity (at least as much as any of us can!) and that their monogamy can and should be sanctioned and blessed by church and state."

Tony Jones is a professing believer in Christ who is a national youth leader. Someone who is spoken highly of by many evangelical leaders and publications. And tragically he works and speaks often to youth. I say tragically because that mean he has the opportunity to pass on his heretical, demonically inspired beliefs to the youth of our country. It is Satan himself who would agree with the church blessing homosexual marriage, as it is the complete opposite of Gods design for marriage. In fact we could say that it is Anti- Christ to believe what Tony Jones puts forth.

But I will leave that obvious point to itself. I just have one simple question for Tony Jones and all who hold to his statement to consider. Why should it matter that homosexuals are monogamous? If we do not care about the definition of marriage being what God says, heterosexual, why should we care about monogamy? Why does Tony Jones get to hold to that ideal, while casting aside the all important one about marriage? The answer is that Tony Jones does what the Emergent Church is known for, the cut and paste of Scripture. Take what you like and discard what you do not. The problem is once you begin to do that you have damaged the Gospel and in fact have come up with a much different Gospel than the one of the Bible.

The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 1:8 that anyone who preaches a different gospel is to be accursed. That means you Tony Jones!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

GETTING IT DONE!

2008-11-19T00:27:00.002-05:00

Officials in North Korea are are quite upset these days, in fact some reports are using the word "enraged". What has them so upset are plastics bags that are being dropped into the country via gas filled balloons. It is the content that is maddening to them, as inside of these bags are gospel pamphlets. Hundreds of thousands have been dropped into the country. The pamphlets say, "The Bible tells us that 'God so loved the world that He sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life" (John 3:16). We love God because He first loved us. God loved you so much that He sent His only Son to die to save you-and He rose from the dead and is watching over you today. That is why you have found this paper."

This is all the work of an organization that must remain nameless in order to protect themselves and those they have on the inside of North Korea working for them. Praise God for these brave men and women who are using their lives to reach the lost in North Korea. Praise God for their courage and ingenuity. Praise God that there are still heroes of the faith who are willing to go and do whatever and whenever for their King Jesus. It does us all good to hear these great contemporary examples of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are on the front lines serving.

What we all should take from this is that God will do extraordinary things through ordinary people. Our job is to be available and willing, and He will give us all we need to do what it is that He is calling us to do. What is it that He might be calling you to do? Is it impossible? Is it beyond you? Is it something that could only be done by God? Perfect, as that is exactly the type of thing the Lord would have us commit to. That way when it gets done, He gets all the glory, as it will be something that only He could have accomplished. So while you pray for the people of North Korea, and I hope you do, pray for direction for what great thing God wants to accomplish through you!

blog you later,
pastor tom
wwwengagingyourworld.com

YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING!

2008-11-17T22:40:00.003-05:00

Well here we go, the beginning of the Obama era. And to start things off it looks like he is going to give Hillary Clinton the powerful position of Secretary of State. Which means she will be the one handling the diplomacy on behalf of the United States around the world. It means when Obama decides it is time to have those negotiations with insane people like the leader of Iran, our hopes and welfare as a nation and as a people will rest with Hillary Clinton. And the strange thing is that most people have come to accept and like her, which demonstrates how far left President elect Obama is. He is so liberal he makes Mrs. Clinton look appealing.

We are about to witness the most liberal, socialist Presidency ever. The President who believes in spreading the wealth around, as Marx did, might just appoint as Secretary of State a woman who tried to socialize health care under her husbands administration. This Presidency is going to be something to behold. The good news is that it will not take long for people to crave good old American Conservative principals, which means 2010 will be a great year for the right, and Obama can plan on one term, as most Democratic Presidents do!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

STILL THE PLACE!

2008-11-15T01:21:00.002-05:00

Kandhar Afghanistan is considered to be the Taliban's birthplace. Wednesday at the Mirwais Mena girls' school fifteen girls, both students and teachers were attacked for simply going to school. For having the nerve and audacity to go to school these girls had acid thrown on them. Acid that ripped through their clothing, scarred their faces and left them afraid to go back, terrorized. The interesting thing about this is the UN calling the attack a "hideous crime". I find their reaction disingenuous and hypocritical as they have done nothing to address the reasons for these types of attacks, which is Islam. All over the world there are hideous crimes as they put it, and they more often than not have an Islamic undertone. We see women stoned in Islamic countries, we see them shot in the head, we see them incredibly mistreated on a regular basis, and yet the UN never sees fit to do anything about it. The United Nations has become nothing more than a front for Islam. They find it very easy to criticize and bring the hammer down on Israel, yet they cannot find it within themselves to ever truly deal with Islamic terror around the world.

This is why the United States of America is so critical to our world. With all, or most countries lining up behind the Crescent Moon flag and all the abuses therein, it will be our country that offers hope and freedom, still. It cannot be alright with us that girls are treated this way. That can never sit right with us. While we cannot always do something immediate about it, we can always be the voice of reason and humanity. We can always be the humane answer to inhumane actions. And it has always been the United States that sends the most money, brings in the most workers, and frankly cares the most about people like these poor terrorized girls. It is the genius of our founders and our country. In spite of all our problems we are still the worlds best hope. We are still the place where courage is found when it is lacking everywhere else. We are still that place, at least for now!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

BORN IN THE USA?

2008-11-14T00:43:00.003-05:00

There has been a lot of talk about President -Elect Obama. From his religion, to his schooling, to his drug use, to his ideology, to his friends etc etc. But there is one continuing question that seems a bit more troubling to me, and that is the place of his birth. There have been a number of law suits filed, both state and federal seeking proof of Obama's place of birth, and at this point to no avail. The Obama camp answers that Hawaii has verified that he was born there. But what Hawaii provides for proof isn't evidence that the President-Elect is a natural born citizen because it doesn't reveal the hospital where Obama was born, a doctor's name or the baby's footprint, according the Associated Press. The million dollar question in all of this is why doesn't President -Elect Obama simply come forth and produce those documents? Why would he not?

One possible answer is devastating to consider, and that would be if in fact he was not born in Hawaii but in Kenya, as his grandmother attests to. If this is the reason for not coming forth, there are some amazing consequences, not the least of which is that Obama would be ineligible to be President. If it were proven that he was not born in this country, that would mean he could not hold the office according to the Constitution. Which would leave our country in a very precarious position, to uphold the Constitution and see the largest and wildest race riots ever, or look the other way and allow the man to serve, finding or creating some weak loophole or exception.

I would strongly advocate and insist that the Constitution must be upheld, regardless of consequence. If Obama were truly not born in our country, then we must obey what the founders set in place for our great country. If we deny or ignore the constitution then we will be no better than............oh yeah President elect Obama. For the sake of our country, let us hope and pray the man was born in the United States, so we can move forward with the great issues of the day. But if he was not , let us also have the courage of our founders to do the right thing!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

WARTIME STRATEGY FOR YOUR FAMILY. DO YOU HAVE ONE?

2008-11-12T23:03:00.004-05:00

In the continuing discovery of all the things about our country that are anti Christ, we come to bus ads. The American Humanist Association is spending $40,000.00 on ads in the Washington D.C. area that appear in a variety of city metro buses. The ad says this; "Why believe in a god? Just do good for goodness sake." There is a person in the ads dressed up in a Santa outfit around which those words appear. There is a point to be made that it is the freedom we have in this country that allows such an ad, but even that point is growing dim, as you and I know that speech is free until and unless you bring Jesus Christ into the picture.

These ads will be seen by thousands of impressionable young people as they ride the bus, and the question will resonate in their minds. Which is why we need to be all the more diligent to preach and teach the Word of God to our young people. We are living and they are growing up in an anti Christian nation. We are no longer a Christian nation, nor are we a post Christian nation, but in fact we are an anti Christian nation. We have become a country that is hostile to the Lord Jesus Christ, and His followers. This is the world our young people are growing up in. A place where they will be ridiculed should they display their faith publicly. A country where school is no longer a safe haven for the kids. We can no longer believe that our children will be protected in school, but in fact we must worry if their attacker and persecutors will be their teachers.

Lets us accept the challenge and teach our young people to be apologists for the faith. Not that they apologize for anything, but rather they are able to defend their faith and are ready to give the reason for the hope that is in them. So when they see an ad that asks why believe in a god, they can answer rightly. That they do not believe in a god, that is of no use or benefit to anyone. Rather they believe in THE GOD, the maker of heaven and earth. He is not only to be believed in, but worshipped, revered, and yes feared, as one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. These are the things we want the next generation to believe and express, as they will have great opportunities that we never have had. They will see things we have never seen. They will face hostility unlike anything we have ever had to face.

Dad, Mom, it is up to you to see that your kids are ready for what is coming. That means you find a church where the Word of God is seriously exposited. Not a place that tickles your ears and seeks to meet all of your felt needs. But a place where Gods Word is held high, taught, believed and lived out in the lives of the believers in that fellowship. Find that church and plant yourself there. See to it that your kids are there whenever the doors are open, as you must develop a war time strategy for their survival. You do not know how long the Lord will leave you on this earth to help them, so do not wait any longer. Get your priorities right so when the Lord does call you home, you leave behind warriors for God , who happen to carry your last name!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

IT IS NOW HERE!

2008-11-11T23:41:00.002-05:00

It is interesting to watch the progress of the homosexual movement. They have achieved most of the goals they set forth in their 1972 platform. One of the areas where the most progress has been seen is in the Bible believing church. It is there that you see the progress most vividly, as many who would once call homosexuality a sin, a perversion of Gods design for marriage, now would cringe at such talk. People who once would stand on the Word of God now are taking positions of apathy, lethargy and even the advocating of such behavior. Many professed believers find is distasteful to speak the biblical truth about homosexuality. It has become an achievement of gnostic like status to see homosexuality as something other than sin. Tolerance is the altar that many who name Christ as their Savior, bow to.

Well this past Sunday in Michigan, while service was going on in Mount Hope Church in Lansing Michigan, a group of homosexuals decided to make themselves known. "Bash Back", as they are called, disrupted the service in ways that would once have been unthinkable. From the wires;

"According to a blog posting by Nick De Leeuw on Right Michigan, the Bash Back organization orchestrated a protest in front of Mount Hope Church to draw the church's security staff away from the sanctuary. Then Bash Backers who had dressed up and infiltrated worshippers took action. According to De Leeuw, "Prayer had just finished when men and women stood up in pockets across the congregation, on the main floor and in the balcony.

Jesus was gay,' they shouted among other profanities and blasphemies as they rushed the stage. Some forced their way through rows of women and kids to try to hang a profane banner from the balcony while others began tossing fliers into the air. Two women made their way to the pulpit and began to kiss," he wrote. He cited the Bash Back organization's own announcement of other items members brought into the church, including "a megaphone, noise makers, condoms, glitter by the bucket load, confetti, pink fabric. ..."

Once this sickening demonstration was finished, the pastor led the congregation in prayer for these people, a noble and Christ like act. But make no mistake about it, the climate has changed. The homosexual movement is encouraged by the election of a pro homosexual President. They are encouraged by the lack of courage and resolve in the followers of Christ, and they are now on the offensive in ways we have never seen in our country. Understand this was not some far away country, this was Michigan! The homosexuals have put everyone who oppose their lifestyle on notice, either get on board with their movement or be crushed. Soon they will have the law behind them in this country as it is in Canada.

It will soon be hate speech to speak of homosexuality as a sin, as something that Christ can forgive at Calvary. It will be hate speech worthy of a fine or even imprisonment to speak of homosexuality as a perversion. The lines are clearly being drawn and soon there will be no room for fence sitters or line walkers. You will either stand for God and His Word and His Son, and face the punishment that comes with that stance, or you will deny Christ and His Word, giving in to the pressure of the culture.
Praise God that we will be given this glorious opportunity. It is a privilege to suffer for our Savior. It is an honor to be counted worthy to suffer for the sake of His name. And this is the honor that is coming soon to all who name Jesus Christ as their King. Let us begin to pray now for one another that in that moment we would stand and make the decision that gives God the most glory. Let us begin to pray now for one another that we would not cave in due to our loved ones, or our perceived need to be free or to stay on this earth. Let us pray that we will, in that moment, follow the footsteps of the Apostles, the Prophets and all the courageous men and women who have given their all, literally for the sake of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTIN LUTHER!

2008-11-10T20:19:00.003-05:00

Today we celebrate the birthday of one of the great men in all of Gods history. Martin Luther was born on this day, November 10th five hundred and twenty years ago, 1483. Here was a man who had a zealous love for the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave his life for the cause of Christ, in the midst of much opposition, persecution and criticism. Luther as we know was the one who posted the 95 theses on the door of the Wittenburg Church, an event said to have begun the Protestant Reformation. We have so much to be thankful for when it comes to Luther and the life he lived. From the printing of the Word of God, to the courageous opposition to the ever powerful Papacy, he was an example in word and deed.

What is often overlooked though, is his conversion. In the midst of his struggle with his own sinfulness in the light of the holiness of God, Luther came to a point of hating God. In the midst of the life of a monk, Luther came to hate God. The perceived weight of the Law was too much for him to bare. Until he came to the passages that spoke of the justification that is by faith. When Luther learned from Scripture that the righteous are those who are justified by faith, the chains fell off. His encounter with Gods grace and mercy through the Word of God, is a powerful example of how it is that Scripture saves people. Luther came to faith in Christ through his encounter with the living Word of God. And God through His Word, radically saved this troubled monk.

The rest at they say, is history, and what a great history it is. Happy Birthday Martin, and thank you for a life well lived!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

GOD KNOWS!

2008-11-08T01:35:00.003-05:00

Some thing happened Friday that went completely under the radar. While President elect Obama was giving his first press conference,getting information wrong and offending Nancy Reagan in the process, O.J. Simpson was in court being told that his request for a new trial was denied. Mr. Simpson came to court in shackles and a prison uniform and it appears that he will spend most of the rest of his life, if not all of it in jail. Simpson as you know was found guilty of a number of charges including kidnapping and eerily he was found guilty on that exact anniversary date of his acquittal for the murder of his wife.

Even though he was found innocent many years ago in the criminal trial, most people understood he was guilty. And in a later civil trial he was found guilty, yes with a lesser burden of proof, but for anyone who followed the trial it was clear he murdered his wife and Ron Goldman. While it seemed that he got away with murder here he was some years later being found guilty, here he is today being denied a new trial and soon he will be sentenced to what will amount to a life sentence.

I am reminded by all of this that Gods Word tells us that our ways will be found out. What is done in private will be made known. This should give those of you who have been wronged without vindication, peace, knowing that God does not let anything go undone. He will right all the wrongs and balance all of the accounts. It might not be in the time frame that you would like but He will bring justice to those that deserve it. It is a great comfort to know that no one gets anything by our Lord. He knows the motives of the heart and the truth about all situations, and He will bring glory to His name, by how He exposes those who need to be exposed.

O. J. Simpson believed he got away with murder, like many who live their lives today believing they too have gotten away with something. But they, like Simpson will also have their day of exposure. And one can only hope in that day it will either bring them to true faith in the Lord, or bring them to a place of repenting as His child. Either way it will resound to His glory!

WILL YOU PRAY FOR THE PERSECUTED?

2008-11-07T00:11:00.002-05:00

This Sunday is another occasion for the worldwide church to remember our persecuted brothers and sisters. While those of us who live in this part of the world have little if any idea of what actually happens daily to those persecuted, it is good for us to try to understand, so that we will pray. I believe our prayers are dictated by the passions of our heart. The mom who prays for her sick child, prays in a way unlike any other. It is what permeates our hearts that dictates our prayers. The cry of King David in the psalms as he begs his God to not leave him, but rather, forgive him. To help our hearts get in line with the reality that is persecution of followers of Christ around the world, I give you this tragic report from the wires;

"India's Communist Party estimates that more than 500 Christians have been killed by Hindu mobs in Orissa, 12 times more than official government claims of only 40 homicides. One official said he personally authorized "cremation of more than 200 bodies" found in jungles after Christians were blamed for the death of Hindu leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati on Aug. 24. Thousands of homes and churches have been destroyed, and tens of thousands of Christians have been forced to flee the violence. Mission Network News estimates 5,000 Christian homes have been burned, 200 churches ruined, 10,000 people remain in government-operated refugee camps, and tens of thousands are living in forests – many seriously wounded."

This is just a fraction of what is happening around the world today. The question becomes, does it stir your heart at all? Does it make you want to pray for those who are your spiritual family who right now are suffering and in the midst of dying for their faith. They are right now thinking of their loved ones and if they will ever see them again. They are trying to survive for one more breath. Will you pray for them? Please do.

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

THE GREAT STATE OF CALIFORNIA!

2008-11-05T22:06:00.005-05:00

And more good news from election night. Now that might sound strange to those of you who are still wallowing in the misery that comes from having elected the first socialist, Marxist, radically pro abortion President. But take heart there is more good news. In California, yes liberal California, there was a vote on Proposition 8 that would overturn the Supreme Court decision that granted homosexual couples the right to wed. It was a vote on homosexual and lesbian marriage. A yes vote would mean that it would be outlawed and that marriage in the state could only be between a man and a woman. Of course we would expect in California that the vote would be for the homosexuals, as it is California.

Well the results are in and once again my position has been reinforced. I have stated all along that every state if given the chance to vote would vote for traditional marriage between one man and one woman. California has decided, and 52% to 48% they voted to outlaw homosexual and lesbian marriage! That's right, it is not a misprint or a typo, liberal California voted for marriage being between one man and one woman, and outlawed the perversion that is homosexual and lesbian marriage. Which tells us again that the country is conservative, it is center right, a fact the Republican party would have done well to take note of.

So while the most unqualified, most liberal, most inexperienced man with the most dangerous and questionable of associations was being elected President, the people of California were reminding us who truly makes up this great country of ours.

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

TAKE HEART, ALL IS WELL!

2008-11-04T23:04:00.003-05:00

It has been a while since my last post and it is on the occasion of the election of Barack Obama to the office of President that I begin anew this blog. First lets consider the positive part of this election. The turnout was fantastic which means that many people took advantage of the privilege we have as Americans to exercise our right to vote. It is to the honor of all of those who have fought and bled and even died for us to have this right. This is a good thing. Second, a black man was voted in as President. We are not that far from the Jim Crowe days. We are not that far from Martin Luther King Jr. speaking and marching and sharing his dream. Yet only some forty years later here we are electing a black President, which speaks well of how far we have come as a country when it comes to race. The negatives of this election are apparently many, from socialist economic policies to big brother shutting down free speech on the air waves. But the greatest and most tragic reality of this election is that we have elected the most pro abortion candidate ever. We now have a President elect who will do his very best to see abortion more frequent, more accessible, and more affordable with you and I paying the bill.

But all is not lost on this night. Gods Word tells us that He is in control. That He is the one who put Obama in office as President. He raises up one nation and brings down another, and that includes the election of Barack Obama. We ask why, and God says my ways are not your ways and my thoughts are not your thoughts. But here is one possible reason that I can think of, and that is the furtherance of the Gospel! Maybe Obama has been elected for us to be the salt and light we are supposed to be. To be sure there will be more abortions, more homosexual indoctrination, and more attack on the Word of God. And this is where we are called to stand up for Christ. So do not despair, this is our time. Our God is in control and He has called us to represent Him well in these the darkest of days. So brothers, sisters, pray for our new President, he is young and without experience and will need all of our prayers. And rejoice with confidence that this is all part of Gods plan to further His Gospel throughout the world!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

2008-10-04T23:52:00.001-05:00

Make that November!

BACK IN SEPTEMBER!

2008-08-06T16:40:00.001-05:00

To all readers, sorry for the late notice but taking the month of August off, but will be back blogging in September.

For His Glory,
Pastor Tom

IS IT WORTH IT?

2008-07-23T20:48:00.002-05:00

An audit of Michigan day care providers has evidenced some extremely troubling results. From the wires;

"Michigan’s oversight of child care providers was so ridden with deficiencies that state regulators licensed hundreds of convicted sex offenders, child abusers and criminals during a three-year period ending in 2006, according to an audit released today by the state auditor general. The Department of Human Services authorized 1,900 unsuitable day care providers during the period placing 4,600 children at risk, auditors found.

Among those authorized, auditors found 428 people who had been identified by the department as having “substantiated histories of child abuse” and 712 providers with unsuitable criminal histories, including 28 with convictions for murder, rape and assault. The department also authorized 31 day care providers who were, at the time of approval, registered sex offenders, auditors found."

While the incompetence of the process is stunning, there is a larger point to be made here. When you drop your kids off at day care you truly do not know who you are entrusting your children to. You might believe you do, but the reality is that the people you hand your most prized possession to, will never love your child the way you do. They will never care for your child the way you do. And as the results of this audit tell us, they might have some very troubling circumstances in their past.

I know some will say they have no choice but to use day care. And I know there are some great day care centers. But is the risk worth it? Is the lifestyle that you seek to maintain worth the well being of your child? While you might think that to be extreme and an out of touch way to think, I would suggest that Gods design is for moms to be home with their children. I would suggest that no one can care for the children they way mom can. I would suggest that it is far better to live in a lower standard of living with mom home than it is to have all the things of this world and lose your child. And if that, tragically, were to happen, you would give all you had to be able to lower your standard of living and protect your child.

Give it some thought, audits do not lie!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

OUR FINAL DESTINATION ON THIS EARTH!

2008-07-17T09:42:00.003-05:00

In Brazil the House of Representatives has passed a bill that now awaits approval in the Senate. If the Senate approves it will become the law that to offend a homosexual could lead to five years in prison. Here are some quotes from the wires;

"If anyone prevents actions of "homosexual affection" in public or private locations open to the public, they could face up to five years in prison for doing so, the Association of the Defense of Life reports."
"
The bill also seeks to penalize private and public school administrators with up to three years in prison if they refuse to hire openly "gay" teachers. According to the CNA, the measure will force prison time for any "moral, ethical, philosophical or psychological expression that questions homosexual practices"

The ADL claims the bill could spell disaster for churches and teachers.

"[A] priest, a pastor, a teacher or even an average citizen who says in a sermon, a classroom or public conversation that homosexual acts are sinful, disordered or an illness could be denounced and detained," the association said."

It is getting closer and closer, as the wall of common sense and decency continues to crumble. This is exactly what is going to happen in our country before too long. All I can say is that the Lord must have a wonderful plan to bring revival to the prisons as this is where most of us will end up before this is all over!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

A LACK OF INTELLIGENCE?

2008-07-16T16:32:00.005-05:00

Have you seen it before today? This cover for the New Yorker is an incredibly bad attempt at satire by a publication that is very pro Obama. The attempt is to show the things people believe about Obama that are not true, like he is a Muslim and hates America. Two things that are not true. I do not believe Obama is a hater of America, although I do believe his policies will do damage to America. Nor do I believe he is a Muslim, although I do believe his foreign policy would be welcomed by the terrorists who are indeed Muslims.

I also think this cover was bad manners and unfair to the Obama campaign. But this is an example of the gnostic type belief that liberals have that they are smarter than everyone else. They like to think of themselves as the intelligent, the upper crust, the ones who know better than the rest of us common knuckle draggers! Yet in all of their supposed intelligence they out smarted themselves with this cover. I am sure that somewhere in a board room they all sat around and talked about how great of a cover this would be. How this would truly help Obama and make clear the erroneous views some have of him.

What they did not count on was their own true lack of intelligence and common sense coming back to bite them. The problem for them is that many people will walk by this magazine, take a quick look and believe that it confirms their suspicions about Barak Obama. In reality they have hurt the one they sought to help. Here is some advice for the boys at the New Yorker, if you have to explain a joke it is a bad joke, and if you have to explain it is satire, it is bad satire.

I guess they aint that durn smart after all, are they ma?!!!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

UNBELIEVABLE!!

2008-07-14T16:10:00.003-05:00

Every now and then the quote says it all. A cell phone giant, believe it or not is attempting to get young people to strip on camera for people to watch. Here you go, from the wires;

"Virgin Mobile's "Strip2Clothe" website displays the campaign slogan, "You take off yours, we donate ours" and "Somewhere someone out there needs clothes more than you." It promises to make a clothing donation to homeless youth every time five people watch the striptease videos.

The website asks that there be no cursing or full nudity. "Think bathing suit, not birthday suit," it says. However, several entries feature young women dancing in bras and panties"

Amazing, God help them all!!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.emgagingyourworld.com

DECIDING TO HELP!

2008-07-11T11:10:00.002-05:00

Spc. Francisco G. Martinez, a 20 year old was killed by a sniper on March 20, 2005, in Ramadi. His father Francisco Martinez was never in favor of the war. He disagreed with it from its inception. Now Franciso is preparing to head to Iraq himself. After a 17 year absence he re-enlisted and volunteered to go to Iraq. The death of his son caused him to evaluate his life and dedicate himself to doing all he can to see that other boys come home. At 44 he knows what his mission is, in his own words;

"We are responsible for everybody’s security on that base," he said. "For me, it’s very clear. It’s not at all abstract. If the Kurds and the Sunnis and Shia get along better and everyone’s lives are improved and they have fair elections, great. But my job is to make sure that everyone who is on that little clump of land comes back alive and well for their airport reunion. That transcends politics."

He leaves his wife and his 7 year old daughter behind, as he heads to the country where his son died. His pay as a Staff Sergeant will be $4400.00 per month, at least half of what he was making in the civilian world. Yet he has found what it is that he is to do that is greater than himself and calls for sacrifice. In fact his sacrifice could be the same ultimate one that his son paid, but he goes anyway, believing he can a part of the solution.

And that is the great example for the rest, to be part of the solution. Wherever God has placed you, be a part of the solution. Instead of complaining and seeing everything wrong, be a part of the solution. This man could have found it very easy to spend the rest of his life complaining about the war and the administration, particularly since he disagreed with the war from the beginning. Yet he did the opposite, he decided to see what he could do to help.

Thank you sir for your great example to the rest of us and may God keep you safe and bring you home to your wife and daughter!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

A PIONEER!

2008-07-10T08:50:00.003-05:00

Bradley LaShawn Fowler, 39, of Canton, Mich is a homosexual man who is a pioneer. A pioneer is someone who goes first into areas that might not see initial success, but pave the way for those who follow. Fowler is suing Zondervan Publishers for $60 million and another $10 million from Thomas Nelson Publishing, because they publish Bibles that speak of homosexuality as a sin. This, he states, has caused him harm for many years and now he wants to be compensated. While he represents himself and no one believes he will win his lawsuit, he is a pioneer.

Think back some years ago, and who would have believed kindergarten age children would be reading books about two mommies. Who would have believed that homosexual kissing would be on network television, let alone a movie that extols the virtues of the perversion. And no one would have believed that states would actually legalize homosexual marriage, but here we are.

It took pioneers who were willing to start the process. People who did not care about initial success but rather would give themselves for the long term goals. Pioneers like Bradley LaShawn Fowler who one day will receive recognition for starting the process of lawsuits and incarcerations that will surely come to any and all who publicly hold a biblical view of homosexuality. It seems to me that those of us who hold that view need some pioneers of our own!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

DADDY DEAREST!

2008-07-08T09:38:00.004-05:00

Sandeela Kanwal, 25 has a father Chaudhry Rashid, 54 who is a Pakistani that believes in arranged marriages and the law of the Muslim. Sandeela had a marriage that was arranged, although she was not thrilled with it. According to her mother Gina, Sandeela wanted to cancel the marriage but had not spoken to her father about it. Well her father found out about her decision to cancel, and did what any Sharia Law believing Muslim father would do, he killed his daughter! That's right, Chaudry strangled his daughter to death in what is known as an "honor killing". Performed in Clayton County Georgia, in the good old U.S.A.!

While no father likes the idea of his daughter going through a divorce, this is what Muslim fathers do. This is what the law of the land for the Sharia Muslim dictates. The more absurd truth is that in England there are high ranking judges that believe it is OK for Muslims to operate under their own Sharia law. While they will give the qualifier of no one being hurt, you can be sure once the door is open the door will be ripped off of its hinges.

So here it is, another Muslim father daughter moment. Another clear example of the abuse that women are forced to endure under the Muslim belief system. Another clear example of Mohammed's followers doing exactly as he taught them and exactly how he showed them!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

DID YOU HEAR? PROBABLY NOT!

2008-07-02T19:57:00.005-05:00

Rene Marie is a jazz singer who was called upon to sing our national anthem at the presentation of Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper's State of the City address yesterday. Instead, she sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing," also known as the "Black National Anthem," to the tune of the "Star-Spangled Banner." After being introduced by the city council president she got up and without notifying anyone sang the "Black National Anthem", because in her words, she doesn't feel American.

Now I am going to guess not many if any of you reading this blog have heard about this. But do you think you would have if the situation was reversed? If a white singer was called upon to sing the national anthem at an event but substituted some song that was known as a "white national anthem", do you think you might have heard about it? Of course you would have heard of it, as it would be on the twenty four hour news loop of all of the alphabet channels. It would be covered as one of the great racist moments in our history.

But when a black singer does this very thing, it receives very little coverage with very little outcry. Reason being ours is a society that has embraced the false notion that all white people are racists and we all owe black people for the atrocities of the past. I recently had Ron Sider on my radio show and got into this very debate with him, as he mentioned all that"we" had done to blacks. I called him on that statement and told him that I had not done anything to blacks, to which he disagreed, given the fact that I was white.

The absurdity of his point was displayed when I asked him if the over ninety percent of blacks in Philadelphia who voted for Barak Obama because he was black were racist. He replied they were not, to which I asked if the many whites in West Virginia who voted for Hillary Clinton because she was white were racist, and he said that they were! So when blacks vote for Obama because he is black, they are not racist, but when Whites vote for Clinton because she is white, they are racist.

This convoluted reasoning is why a black singer can, without notification, decide to sing the"black national anthem", instead of the song she AGREED to sing, and receive very little if any criticism for it. Reason being, people live in fear of speaking the truth. They would rather be liked, accepted and fit in, as opposed to speaking and living the truth. Sad but true!!

HISTORIC? YES! BUT WHY?

2008-06-26T15:03:00.003-05:00

Today there is a historic ruling from the Supreme Court of the United States. The court voted 5-4 to uphold the right to bear arms for all citizens and not just those involved in militias. I want to give you some quotes and then tell you what is historic, but first the quotes;

Writing for the majority, Justice Antonin Scalia said the Constitution does not permit "the absolute prohibition of handguns held and used for self-defense in the home."

Scalia said the ruling should not "cast doubt on long-standing prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons or the mentally ill, or laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings."

Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, called the decision "a great moment in American history."

"I consider this the opening salvo in a step-by-step process of providing relief for law-abiding Americans everywhere that have been deprived of this freedom," he said.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said the White House is "pleased by the decision upholding Americans' right to bear arms."

Sen. John McCain called the decision a "landmark victory for Second Amendment freedom in the United States. Unlike the elitist view that believes Americans cling to guns out of bitterness, today's ruling recognizes that gun ownership is a fundamental right — sacred, just as the right to free speech and assembly,"

Now what is historic,in my opinion, is not the five that voted for the upholding of the 2nd Amendment, but rather the four who voted against it! We have four justices on the Supreme Court who voted in a fashion that would do away with the second amendment. You take those four and then add the vote the Supreme Court took granting legal rights to those in Guantanamo, and you have a frightening situation. Today's vote should have been 9-0 with all justices understanding the Constitution when it speaks clearly, which by the way it always does. This issue of the right to bear arms is not some great area that needs interpreters finesse. Yet four justices voted today to kill the second amendment.

So while the victors enjoy their spoils today, be aware of what this vote really displays. We are heading towards a Surpreme Court that will strip away every foundational right of the Constitution that we have, unless there are more justices like those that President Bush nominated. Which once again makes this coming election the most critical of our time.

Yes the right to bear arms was upheld, but tragically it was a narrow victory. One that might swing the other way should Barak Obama be the one nominating the next two or three Supreme Court Justices. If that does not make you vote for John McCain, then nothing will!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

FINALLY PROOF OF WHAT IS REALLY BELIEVED!

2008-06-25T16:43:00.002-05:00

Well finally we some contemporary proof. Saudi marriage officiant Dr. Ahmad al-Mu’bi told Lebanese television that you could arrange a marriage contract at the age of one, but would have to wait until a later age for their to be consummation of the marriage. What age did he say was appropriate? At first he spoke of the age being different depending on the people and also the need for the father as the guardian to be involved in these decisions. But then he said what is true and amazing, that he followed the prophet Mohammad and that Mohamed married Aisha when she was six but waited until she was NINE to have sex with her! You can watch and hear the interview for yourself at http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1798.htm.

As I said finally there is evidence and proof that sex with young girls was not just the practice of the very troubled and deranged pedophile Mohammad, but is the belief and practice in Islam. People in Islam follow a pedophile, a man who had sex with a nine year old, yet they want to extol the virtues and teachings of this man, while trying to deny or explain away his perverted activities. Well deny no longer as it is on the web and it was said just last week.

As Christs followers we need to be diligent to point out these atrocities to the Muslims around us. As we share the love of God that is available in Christ, we also should ask the moms and dads what they think about adults having sex with nine year old girls? Jesus Christ is truth and as His followers we are called to speak the truth, yes in love, but the truth. It is the only way a person can be set free!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

GIVING WHAT SHE HAD!

2008-06-23T09:34:00.003-05:00

Jiang Xiaojuan is a police officer in China, and she is also the mother of a six month old child. Last month there was a horrific 7.9 earthquake that caused much damage and loss of life. In disasters like these there are always many acts of heroism and sacrifice that go unnoticed and unmentioned. Jiang is an example of such heroism. In an amazing act of heroism this woman left her child with grand parents and went to the disaster site and fed babies with her own breast milk.

She is being called China's number one mom, as what she did literally saved the lives of children. Here is what some parents said;

"We walked out of the mountains for a long time," said Zhao Zong Jun. "I hadn't eaten in days when I got here, and my milk was not enough. She saved my baby."

Liu Rong, another mother who struggled to feed her infant through the trauma, told CNN, "I am so touched because she has her own baby, but she fed the disaster babies first. If she hadn't fed my son, he wouldn't have had enough to eat."

Praise God for Jiang Xiaojuan's willingness to do something to help. There is always something that can be done, but it takes a servants heart to get it done. As followers of Jesus Christ this should be our starting place in all situations. We should begin with, "what can we do?". We should seek Gods direction and then get busy putting feet to those prayers. Yes pray that people be warm and fed, but also get out there with some clothes and food. There is always something that can be done to serve others, as Jiangs example displays.

God takes an offering such as that and saves lives through it! What is it that He would have you offer to serve others?

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

THE FINAL SAY.....EVERYWHERE?

2008-06-19T08:49:00.002-05:00

In Canada the father of a 12 year old had instructed her on Internet use. He laid out the rules like any good father, with the expectation that they would be followed. When they were not, again like any good father he brought consequences to the disobedience. The consequence he brought was to ground the child, a reasonable punishment that would seem to fit the crime. Well the daughter did not agree and actually took the father to court. I kid you not, this 12 year old made use of the Canadian court system and received a court appointed lawyer.

The most bizarre part of all of this is that she won! The court overturned the fathers punishment ruling in favor of the daughter, leaving this parent and all parents in Canada at the mercy of the judiciary. The Quebec Superior Court actually ordered the grounding of the girl lifted. The father has appealed and hopes to have another day in court.

This is the trend and the coming reality to our own country. You only have to look at the latest Supreme Court ruling on Guantanamo to see the similarity. The Supreme Court had no jurisdiction to even consider this case given the fact it was a law that Congress had exempted from any challenge in federal court. The Supreme Court looked into something they had no legal standing to even consider, yet that did not stop them. They looked into and overturned something the legislation had passed and the President had signed, an incredible power grab that rises to the level of a take over of government.

But no one notices these things and the people go on their merry way, whistling past the grave yard. You can be sure that your rights as a parent are fast slipping away. You can be sure that there is a take over of our government by the judges of the land. From homosexual marriage, to war time decisions by the President, to a father grounding his daughter, they believe they know better, and they should decide. They are the men and women in black robes who seek rule and decide as kings, and are fast obtaining exactly what they seek!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

YOUR SAFER TO HOLD IT IN AND MAKE IT HOME!

2008-06-18T08:53:00.003-05:00

The Kampang School in northeastern Thailand conducted a survey last term that showed more than 200 of the school's 2,600 students considered themselves transgender, said school director Sitisak Sumontha. So what they have done is open a transvestite toilet. A place for boys who dress like girls to go for their bathroom needs. On
Thailand television you can see transvestite actors as well as watch a transvestite beauty pageant. Being a transvestite is becoming more normal every day in this country, as it is in other places in the world, including our country. We have seen in a couple of states the removing of gender specific bathrooms, allowing men and women to go into the same place at the same time. Even worse allowing men and women to go where little girls and boys are available to be preyed upon.

In the first chapter of Romans God speaks of turning people over to their depravity because they have exchanged worship of the Creator for worship of the Creation. We are seeing this right before our eyes as men want to be women and women want to be men. The reason is Gods wrath being poured out and the answer if a turning to Jesus Christ in full repentance of sin. Not simply the sin of perverting Gods design of gender, but rather for worshipping the idol of creation instead of God the creator. Apart from repenting of the truth that though they know God but refuse to worship Him as God there will be a forever Hell to suffer from His wrath.

If you are a transvestite, a homosexual, or a heterosexual, you are a great sinner in need of a great Savior. Jesus Christ is the one and only great Savior. Receive Him today!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

GOING TO CALIFORNIA?

2008-06-17T08:44:00.003-05:00

Yesterday in California people flocked to have their homosexual relationships codified as marriage. There were celebrations state wide that would make Sodom and Gomorrah envious. The state ruling has an added caveat that Massachusetts, the other state perverted enough to allow homosexual marriage, does not have, and that is no residency requirement. Which means people will be once again be heading west. Not to open up new frontiers necessarily, but rather to have a marriage that celebrates the homosexual relationship. A UCLA study issued last week estimated that half of California's more than 100,000 same-sex couples will get married over the next three years, and 68,000 out-of-state couples will travel here to exchange vows.

The real problem with this is the lethargy among Gods people. It is sad that we are even moving beyond lethargy into acceptance as some who profess Christ would take the view that we should simply live and let live. Is that what we should do? Is that the most glorifying to God? Who wrote in His Word that homosexuality is a perversion, an abomination, unnatural, the result of God pouring His wrath out on man for worshipping the creation instead of the Creator. I believe God would call us to stand against this homosexual indoctrination that has hit our country. I believe that God would call us to stand for Him and for the children to come who will without doubt be taught at a very early age to accept homosexuality, and even consider it for themselves.

The answer to the sin of homosexuality is the answer for every sin, Jesus Christ. People who live in the sin of homosexuality need the power of Christ to forgive their sin and give them freedom and victory. That is our message, and this is our fight. The question as always is, are you willing to engage in the battle for the glory of God?

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

A SUDDEN LOSS!

2008-06-13T15:46:00.002-05:00

Tim Russert died today. The 58 year old journalist from NBC, the host of Meet the Press, the author of books extolling the virtues of family and fatherhood in particular, is gone. You can have an idea of who someone is from watching them on television or even listening on the radio, and at times you can be very misled. With Russert you always had the impression that this was a hardworking fun loving decent man who dearly loved his family. And from all accounts that is what everyone who knew him is saying today as they mourn his loss.

The other striking, glaring, obvious but unmentioned reality here is the brevity of life and uncertainty of tomorrow. Tim Russert had flown back from Italy to prepare for his Sunday show, was doing voice overs for that show and died. God in His Word tells us that life is like an evening shadow, a morning mist, something that is here and quickly gone. With that being true the thing that truly matters is our relationship with Jesus Christ. Are we His and are we living life for His glory? We do not know if tomorrow will get here for us, or how many tomorrows we have left.

To be sure Tim Russert began this day with many plans and preparing for the future. He ended the day in front of God to be judged. The question for you is when your day ends that way, and one day it will, are you going to be ready? If Jesus Christ your Savior? If not beg Him for mercy, if He is, then live with all you have for Him.

May God have mercy on the Russert family as they mourn the sudden tragic loss of their loved one.

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

PERSECUTION ON THE WAY!

2008-06-12T10:02:00.003-05:00

Under Gov. Bill Ritter's leadership Colorado is fast turning into a liberal bastion. In May he signed a law that did away with gender specific bathrooms, to which Dr. James Dobson commented;

"Who would have believed that the Colorado state legislature and its governor would have made it fully legal for men to enter and use women's restrooms and locker-room facilities without notice or explanation? Henceforth, every woman and little girl will have to fear that a predator, bisexual, cross-dresser or even a homosexual or heterosexual male might walk in and relieve himself in their presence,"

Well now the good Governor is going to sign into law a bill that will require there to be no biblical description of homosexuality outside of the walls of the church. In other words, if you were to call homosexuality a sin outside of the church you would be found guilty of hate. It will be a crime in Colorado to hand out pamphlets or any literature that speaks truthfully about homosexuality. As I have been saying for years, this is coming, and now it is here. This is not across the pond, this is not Canada, but in fact this is now the law of the land in Colorado. Again Dr. Dobson;

"This is your government in action. It represents a payback to Tim Gill and two other billionaires who have essentially 'bought' state legislators with enormous campaign contributions. Coloradans deserve better! And by the way, because of the way this bill is written, it is not subject to the initiative process. There is no recourse."

Persecution is on the way believers. Fines, jail time and worse, and the question as always is who will stand for God and His Word and who will not?

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

Dead Baby Walking! PraiseGod!

2008-06-06T09:19:00.002-05:00

Jodie Percival, 25 was eight weeks pregnant when she made the hardest decision of her life, to abort her baby. The reason was she was told the baby was going to have multicystic dysplastic kidney – an illness where cysts form on an unborn baby's kidneys. Her first son had died from this disease and her second suffered with it, so she made the decision to abort. In her own words;
"Deciding to terminate at eight weeks was just utterly horrible but I couldn't cope with the anguish of losing another baby."

Some time after the abortion she felt movement, went to the doctor and found out she was nineteen weeks pregnant, as the abortion was botched. Her first move was to call and complain, which was met with quick apologies from the medical field. But then the amazing happened, she decided to carry the baby to term. Born three weeks premature at 6 pounds and 3 ounces, baby Finley has damage to only one kidney and doctors are sure he will lead a normal life.

A great reminder that the womb is Gods handiwork and not to be tampered with. How many a woman has made the fateful decision to abort a child based on a medical condition possibility? Jodie Percival was spared that act and shown great mercy by God. To Him be the glory for the miracle of birth, and may His people fight to see that RIGHT given to all in the womb!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

JUSTICE FOR ALL?

2008-06-05T10:36:00.002-05:00

Father Alphonse de Valk, a pro-life activist known across Canada. He has defended life and traditional marriage using a number of writings including the Catholic catechism, and the Bible. Well his views have caught the eye of a, by the Canadian Human Rights Commission – "a quasi-judicial investigative body with the power of the Canadian government behind it" This group monitors "hare crimes" such as morality and quoting from Scripture to defend and describe life and marriage. The father is accused of a hate act. What did he do? From the wires;

"Father defended the [Catholic] Church's teaching on marriage during Canada's same-sex 'marriage' debate, quoting extensively from the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Pope John Paul II's encyclicals. Each of these documents contains official Catholic teaching. And like millions of other people throughout the world and the ages – many of whom are non-Catholics and non-Christians — Father believes that marriage is an exclusive union between a man and a woman"

While this is the reality of Canada, you can be sure that this movement is coming to our country. It has only been a Republican Congress and a Republican President that has held back this tide. But there is a perfect storm coming which is the 2008 elections which will produce a President, either committed to this or at least open to it. Which will put the ball back in the court of those who believe in the authority of Scripture. What will we say or not say when it means fines and even prion? I am afraid man of us will have the opportunity to find out!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

WHAT IS THE ATTRACTION?

2008-06-04T09:06:00.002-05:00

What is it about reality shows that so many people are drawn to them? There is a craze of reality shows out where people are filmed going about their normal lives. Some of the draw is to see how celebrities live, as ours is a celebrity driven culture. If you do not believe that consider all of the magazines that are for sale that are nothing more than pictures books of celebrities activities for the last week. But what is it that draws us to sit at home and watch other people live? And at times what you will be watching is someone else watching television!

I confess myself to being drawn to watch these shows. I am not going to call it appointment television, nor do I even know when one of these shows is on. But if in the course of channel surfing, I come across one, that is where I stay, as I like so many others are drawn to it. Is it some type of sick voyeuristic impulse in all of us? Or is it that the quality of entertainment has fallen to such a low level that watching people live life has become interesting? I do not know all of the answers and am still trying to figure out what it is that attracts people. Along with trying to understand why Deon Sanders some times rides a scooter around his house and other times does not!! Sorry, but I just saw that on Deon and Pilar!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT YOUR KIDS ARE BEING TAUGHT IN SCHOOL TODAY?

2008-05-30T09:56:00.003-05:00

Friendswood Jr. High School in the Houston area recently had an indoctrination into Islam time during what was supposed to be phys. ed. class. According to parents of students there was no notification that something like this would be going on. But it did and it was led by CAIR which is a spin off of the Islamic Association of Palestine led by a leader of Hamas. In this "presentation" at the school the following was taught to the children, according to students who were forced to attend these sessions, these Islamic evangelists taught them:

"Adam, Noah and Jesus are prophets

There is one god, his name is Allah

The 5 Pillars of Islam

How to pray five times a day

Islamic religious garb"

Understand this is a public school funded by your tax dollars and it is being used to promote Islam! Without notification to parents, leaving them to find out after the fact, if they found out at all. How many children simply went home and told their parents nothing? What other things are going on and being taught that children will not talk about? The answers to those questions and more should be sought out. But the reality we must face sooner or later is the invasion continues, and it is coming through the academic institutions from the colleges who receive millions from Islam, to the public schools where classes are being hijacked to teach the religion of terror. One answer is to be sure your child stays far away from the public school system, as these schools are quickly becoming nothing more than indoctrination camps for everything from homosexuality to Islam. Another answer is to get involved, to get on your local school committee and stop these heinous practices. And of course the ultimate answer is sharing the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ with all that you can. And if your local school wants to allow classed on Islam, be sure to demand your rights as a taxpayer who pays for that school and insist on equal time for Jesus !

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

TRULY DANGEROUS!

2008-05-28T10:40:00.003-05:00

"In the Clutches of Ignorance" is a new documentary featuring Uzbekistan Islamic theologians among others. In this film Christian missionaries are described, "as dangerous as terrorist activities or the illegal drug trade." In some respects one can understand the threat that Christian missionaries pose to Islamists. Think about it, Islam reign and rules with the sword, by terror, oppression and fear. While followers of Christ feed, clothe, liberate people from the tyranny of oppression. So it is understandable Islamists would be threatened.

The awesome truth is and always has been that no matter how difficult things become, the followers of Jesus will continue their mission. They will not be deterred by threats or danger of any kind. The Word of God and the history of the Church tell us over and over again that His people will go and they will die following their Savior in the ministry He has called them to serve in.

Yes Christian missionaries are dangerous. Not because they will do bad things to people, but, in fact, just the opposite. They will love their enemies, pray for their enemies, forgive their enemies, all the while seeking opportunity to share the glorious good news that forgiveness of sin and newness of life is found in Jesus Christ and none other. Add to this the truth that followers of Christ know that to die is gain. Not because they believe some fantasy that 70 brown eye virgins will meet them at death, but rather death is gain because they will then be able to live forever with their Savior Jesus Christ. When a person believes life is all about Christ and death is better because they get to go and be with Him, that is a dangerous person. Dangerous for the Glory and Kingdom of God!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

KILL HIM AND HIS FAMILY? FOR AN INSULT? WELCOME TO ISLAM!

2008-05-23T08:50:00.002-05:00

Dr. Robin Sardar, 55 is a Christian doctor who is now in a Pakistani Jail. It seems as if a former friend who was jealous of his success has filed a report claiming that Sardaz made derogatory comments about the Prophet Mohammad. International Christian Concern has investigated and concluded it is simply a case of jealousy over the Doctor's success as a professional. This does not matter as simply being accused is enough to be guilty, which unfortunately is not unlike life in our own country.

What is amazing is the penalty being talked about. Sardar is looking at the death penalty. Here is a description of the chaos that is in place for allegedly insulting Mohammed, from the wires;

"According to Sardar's nephew, a mob of more than 200 Muslims wielding guns, sticks and kerosene oil attacked the doctor's home and medical offices following the report to police. The men, wearing green turbans to represent their Islamic faith, broke into Sadar's home, shattered windows and ruined the family's furniture in their residence and clinic.
"The mob then turned on Sardar and his family," the ICC reports. "Mr. Pervaiz Ghori, another of Sardar's relatives, said that the mob would have killed him if the police had not intervened in the nick of time."
The Islamic extremists protest daily on city streets, calling for the Christian doctor to be publicly executed. His nephew said Muslim clerics have been sending messages out over the mosque amplifier, urging the community to slay Sardar's family."

Once again we see the blind hatred and ignorance that is Islam. Teaching without regard for other human beings, indoctrinated and brainwashed to follow the dictates of the mad man that was Mohammad! Again a great contrast between followers of Islam and followers of Christ. Islam teaches you kill your enemy, while Christ taught you are to love and pray for your enemy. Islam's leader Mohammad, died and stayed dead, while Jesus Christ, died and on the third day rose from that death to prove He was the Messiah, the Way the Truth and the Life, the only way to the Father. He is the only way those trapped in Islam can be free!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

NEEDED, MORE SMOKESTACKS!!

2008-05-22T09:14:00.004-05:00

Robert Hirsch, Management Information Services Senior Energy Advisor is a well respected expert in the energy field. Consider this statement;

“[T]he prices that we’re paying at the pump today are, I think, going to be ‘the good old days,’ because others who watch this very closely forecast that we’re going to be hitting $12 and $15 per gallon,”

He then goes on to speak of rationing and shortages and all of the rest of the fallout of such prices. The question becomes, when will enough be enough? At what point will people begin to care more about people than some endangered species? The reality is that we have enough oil on our own soil to more than sufficiently take of our needs for centuries to come, yet we fail to access this resource due to concerns over wildlife. Yet if we continue down this road that is all that will be left, as more and more people will die due to things like starvation. There are over thirty countries where people are beginning to riot because they do not have food.

Oil relates directly to food, as the higher the price the more it effects productivity all the way down the line right to the grocery store. People will be making real choices between heat and food, driving to work or eating. In spite of that there will be still be those who will tie themselves to trees, picket in favor of not drilling for oil, and caring more for land and animals than they do real people. Although it will be interesting to see how many of those people will be willing to starve instead of drilling for resources that could save life!

One thing we do know and can rejoice in, God almighty is in control and all of this will work out for the glory of His name and the good of His people. It in times like this that we are reminded that Jesus Christ is the only answer. And I want to thank my friend Dave Bolton for emailing me and reminding me of that great truth, and the fact that I negated to put that great truth in this blog, which I now have done to and for His glory! Thank you brother.

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

FUNERALS FOR ANIMALS?

2008-05-19T15:30:00.002-05:00

Pet Angel Memorial Center in Florida is, believe it or not, a pet funeral home! It exists to allow pet owners to have the same grieving process afforded to human beings. Here, from the owner;

"We started the business because I don't have two-legged children," Pet Angel Memorial owner Colleen Ellis said. "All I have is four-legged children and I wanted her treated in the same way as the human funeral business, which is the business I come from."

The phrasing from the owner of this business says it all. "All I have is four legged children". She believes that her pets are on par with human beings. It is a devaluing of human life in the name of love for pets. The sad thing is that this will probably turn into a booming business as all of those pet owners who treat their pets better than most human beings are treated around the world, will readily put together a funeral for their animals. And that is the point, they are animals.

Yes animals should be treated well, the Word of God tells us that a righteous man will treat animals well. But we should not elevate animals to the level of human beings. In doing so we devalue human life and confuse our children. What are children to think when they see rover having a funeral? They will come to the conclusion that rover is no different than they are. When in fact rover us much different, he is an animal.

Unfortunately we live in a society that will spend their money on animal funerals while there are people starving to death all around the world. The truth is we all will give an account not only for our time but for our finances. I do not see how God could ever be pleased with an animal funeral, when those He created to have dominion over those animals are starving to death and living in the streets. In fact I do not see how God could ever be pleased with an animal funeral, regardless of the state of those given dominion. Animals do not warrant funeral homes, that is a dignity that should be reserved for human beings. Who, yes, are different, and yes, superior to animals!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

THE INVASION CONTINUES!

2008-05-13T09:51:00.003-05:00

In Minneapolis there is a student teacher who needs to have a service dog with him, due to his having seizures. Amazingly the dog will protect him while the seizures happen, which is about once a week. Tyler Hurd, 23 is fortunate to have such an animal and that he is not deterred from the career he loves. Recently he was placed in Technical High School in St. Cloud, Minn. for some student teaching experience. Something he has done at other schools. What he encountered at this school is unlike anything he has experienced anywhere else. In this school there is a Muslim student from Somalia who has threatened to kill the dog. The teaching of Islam has little favor for dogs and this student not only was abiding by the rule of not touching such an animal, but had set out to kill it.

You would hope that this story ends with the suspension of the student and the care and concern for the student teacher. But that would be a sane world that does not bow down in fear to Islam. The way this turned out was the student teacher was given full credit for his assignment, not having to teach the final ten hours, so he could get out of the school. There is a great solution, leave the student who has threatened to kill the dog alone, and remove the teacher who needs the dog for medical purposes.

It is simply another in a long line of examples of the cowardice that runs rampant in our country. Islamists are the bully's who have everyone else bowing down to them, and cowering in fear. They have everyone on the run, afraid to contradict and go against any behavior, regardless of how barbaric it might be. The invasion continues while the rest of the nation continues to whistle past the grave yard believing all is well, and the prophets of the day are proclaiming "peace" "peace", when there is none.

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

A HERO HAS PASSED!

2008-05-12T09:38:00.003-05:00

Irena Sendler has died at the age of 98. Who is she you ask? She is one of the greatest heroes of our day. She is the means God used to keep generations of people alive, at great risk to herself. Irene was responsible for putting together a team of twenty that rescued some twenty five hundred children from the Warsaw ghetto from 1940-1943. Here is a description of her heroic work from the wires;

"Records show Sendler's team of some 20 people saved almost 2,500 children from the Warsaw Ghetto between October 1940 and April 1943, when the Nazis burned the ghetto, shooting the residents or sending them to death camps. Under the pretext of inspecting the ghetto's sanitary conditions during a typhoid outbreak, Sendler and her assistants entered in search of children who could be smuggled out and be given a chance to survive by living as Catholics.

Babies and small children were smuggled out in ambulances and in trams, sometimes wrapped up as packages. Teenagers escaped by joining teams of workers forced to labor outside the ghetto. They were placed in families, orphanages, hospitals or convents. In hopes of one day uniting the children with their families — most of whom perished in the Nazis' death camps — Sendler wrote the children's real names on slips of paper that she kept at home. When German police came to arrest her in 1943, an assistant managed to hide the slips — which Sendler later buried in a jar under an apple tree in an associates yard. Some 2,500 names were recorded."

And here is a comment from one of those who were rescued;

"It took a true miracle to save a Jewish child," Elzbieta Ficowska, who was saved by Sendler's team as a baby in 1942, recalled in an interview with The Associated Press in 2007. "Mrs. Sendler saved not only us, but also our children and grandchildren and the generations to come"

As impressive and heroic as her actions were, there is another who has rescued millions. Jesus Christ died a brutal death on a cross at Calvary to rescue people who were also sentenced to death. Only these people were sentenced to death and then life in a forever Hell, a pain and torture beyond death. And here is the sobering reality, if you have never received Christ as your Savior, that is you. You are still under that sentence of judgment, and only Christ Jesus can rescue you. So as we honor the memory of Irene Sandler, a hero, let also remember the One who rescues people not just for this life, but the one to come!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

RED AND YELLLOW, BLACK AND WHITE THEY ARE PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT! BUT NOT THE PROFESSORS!

2008-05-08T08:31:00.003-05:00

Believe it or not there is a "Happiness and its Causes" conference. It is held in Sydney Australia, and from this conference comes "news" from Harvard University psychology professor Daniel Gilbert. It seems Gilbert has found that marriage makes people happy, but having children does not. In his own words;

"Figures show that married people are in almost every way happier than unmarried people — whether they are single, divorced, cohabiting. Married people live longer, married people earn more money per capita, married people have more sex and enjoy it more. But, despite the belief that children are the apples of our eyes, they actually can have a negative influence on marriages,and more kids equals more sadness. U.S. and European studies show that married couples’ happiness spikes when they're expecting a baby but once that baby arrives, it plummets. And forget about empty nest syndrome. The low point comes when children are between the ages of 12 and 16 and happiness only starts to recover once they fly the coop."

Isn't it interesting to see how the world views life? The reasoning behind these findings is not hard to uncover, as it has to do with how self centered we all can be . When there are not children in the house couples are unencumbered and do what they want without restriction. But when children enter, there is a life of responsibility and care that is called for. In fact when children come to a marriage it is a great opportunity to love and serve the way the Lord does. Children are how we best understand how it is that God could love us in spite of how sinful we are. Children are the way we understand a life of cross bearing, living a servant lifestyle.

Marriage should be enough to draw us into living life this way, but it is children that are the miracle used by God to not only make us understand His love better, but how to better live for Him. If you are searching for a life centered around you, then children could be seen as an intrusion. But if you are seeking the greater joy of following your Savior Jesus Christ, baring your cross and living for others, then children are the greatest blessing that will bring you the greatest joy in life.

It is sad that at a conference that seeks how to find the greatest happiness, people would be settling for so little. Calling broken cisterns joy, when there is an ocean of Living Water available. Praise God for the blessing of children!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

DRUGS, DRUGS AND MORE DRUGS!!!

2008-05-05T11:32:00.002-05:00

The may edition of Pediatrics is being released today with a report on the use of anti-psychotics in children. The results are startling;

"In the U.K. study, anti-psychotics were prescribed for 595 children at a rate of less than four per 10,000 children in 1992. By 2005, 2,917 children were prescribed the drugs at a rate of seven per 10,000 — a near-doubling, said lead author Fariz Rani, a researcher at the University of London's pharmacy school"

As troubling as these results are, even more troubling is how they compare to what is going on in America. Consider this
contrast, as an earlier U.S. study found that nearly 45 American children out of 10,000 used the drugs in 2001 versus more than 23 per 10,000 in 1996. While it is bad in the U.K., it is horrific in this country as nearly seven times as many kids are being prescribed these drugs. Can it be that children in this country are seven times more needy than those across the pond? Can it be that children need more drugs than they did in 1996?

I would advocate that this can not be possible, but what is possible, plausible and probable is that drug companies have become better at marketing. They are doing a better job at convincing patients and doctors that the answer is a drug. And that a drug can make your child become the cookie cutter, never cause a problem, fit nicely into society child that many have been duped into believing should be the goal. I believe one hundred years from now people will look back at our society and how we drugged our kids, and come to the same conclusion we have about those who in years past would drill into someones head due to a head ache. You would not drill a hole in your childs head if they had a head ache. Would you?

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

DOCTRINE AND THEOLOGY CAUSES PARENTS TO THROW THEIR BABIES OFF OF 50 FOOT WALLS!

2008-05-02T09:15:00.005-05:00

There is a 500 year old tradition in India that is hard to fathom. New born babies are thrown off of a 50 ft high temple wall and caught with a cloth. It is an amazing sight that can be seen by going to;

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1314661,00.html

The most troubling aspect about this, after the obvious danger, is the reasoning behind the practice. As one devotee put it;
"If you do this, it is good for the child. They become healthy. It is to get the blessings of God. The babies are between nine months and 11 months old or sometimes are of even less age."

The desire is a good one, the blessing of God, but the method and belief of how that happens is dangerously heretical, and points to the importance of doctrine and theology. Some people like to advocate that doctrine divides and theology is unnecessary, but practices like this are ample evidence that the opposite is true. There is nothing more important than doctrine and theology. What we believe and teach about God is how we will live for God. And if we are wrong in our doctrine and theology we are subject to do things like throw babies off of 50 foot walls to gain the blessing of God.

Theology and doctrine are at the foundation of everything everyone does, whether they know that or not. For those reading this blog, I would encourage you to keep your doctrine pure and pursue the theological studies that are available, first through the Word of God and secondarily, but importantly through good books, such as Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology, John Piper's writings, Steven Lawson's works on grace etc etc etc. Do not be afraid of rigorous study when it comes to learning about the God who saved you and calls you to joyous fellowship with Him. It is critical that you become a believer with solid doctrine and a love for good theology. It matters to you and your family, particularly if you have a new born and there is a 50 foot wall nearby!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

GUESS WHO IS COMMUNICATING?

2008-05-01T08:13:00.003-05:00

Last winter Haleigh Poutre 14, was about to die. Not of natural causes but of human decision. The wonderful Massachusetts Supreme Court was about to rule that she could be murdered, or have all life support removed, when she began to breathe on her own, discrediting those who would seek her death in the name of mercy. An interesting thing has happened since then, in that she has learned to communicate. A part of her communication has been to describe the abuse she had endured from her adoptive mother and stepfather. It was not that she injured herself doing a back flip as was the story given at the time but rather she was severely abused.

In an amazingly short period of time this young girl has gone from a death sentence to being able to tell the truth of what happened to her. None of this would have been possible if the courts had their way and the life support was removed from this girl. This story is an incredible contrast between her situation and Terry Schiavo. The circumstances are strikingly similar, both in a state where there was a need for feeding to stay alive. Both situations creating suspicion as to what truly happened to bring their condition about. And both situations in a court system that was going to pronounce a death sentence, which in Terry Schiavo's case was carried through.

What would we have learned had Terry been able to stay alive? If she had been allowed to live instead of die, who knows what she could have told the world. Unfortunately in her case the court went along with an ex husbands desire to see her die. We will never know what Terry knew or could have become. We do know that Haliegh Poutre is on the road to recovery and communicating quite well. Something that Supreme Court of Massachusetts was not going to allow, in the name of mercy, of course!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

A BLACK CHURCH?

2008-04-30T08:22:00.005-05:00

Barak Obama's former Pastor Jeremiah Wright is out and about making speeches and making it impossible for Obama to be elected. In spite of the fact that they are now going at each other in apparent adversarial roles, the damage for Obama's political aspirations has been done, in my opinion. The bigger issue concerning Wright, in my mind, is his use of the "black church" term. He is saying anywhere and everywhere that those who criticize him are not criticizing him but rather the black church.

Now I have said over and over that if I were a part of that community I would be outraged to be lumped together with Wright. But is there such a thing as the black church? Certainly we understand the term culturally, but what about from Gods perspective? Does God have a black church? Does He have a white church? Does He have a yellow church?

What God has and sent His Son Jesus Christ to this earth to die to create is His Church. Gods church is not determined or defined by race. Race is simply a display of the variety and creativity of God in creation. His church is from every race nation tribe and tongue, and would never be defined by any one race. All who have received Jesus Christ as the owner of their lives, their Lord and the forgiver of their sins, their Savior are a part of His church. So, to describe His church in any way other than that is to demean the glory and beauty of His church.

In Gods eyes there is no such thing as a black church. There is the church, those who He has ransomed from all races. It is the beautiful mosaic that could not be created by anyone other than God Himself. And one day His church will live together in a new Heaven and a new Earth, with no sinful racial divided separating His people. The question for you today is , are you a part of His church? Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for the payment of your sins? If not, as you read this today understand you might be a member of a local church somewhere, but you are not a member or any part of His church. For that to change, and for you to escape the very real Hell that is reserved for all who are not of His church, you must submit yourself to Christ. Do that today, and enjoy being a part of His church!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

WHEN WILL WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH?

2008-04-29T06:18:00.003-05:00

There are some troubling forecasts out concerning the state of Gas prices. Two groups in particular see harder times ahead. The chairman of Houston-based Dune Energy, Alan Gaines, sees gas rising to $7-$8 a gallon. The other, a commodities tracker at Weiss Research in Jupiter, Fla., Sean Brodrick, projects a range of $8 to $10 a gallon. Can we even fathom such prices? We might say no, but could we fathom four dollars a gallon just two years ago? The question is not can we fathom it, but rather what are we prepared to do about it?

The reality is that there has to be a number somewhere that causes people to say enough is enough. There has to be a price that will motivate the American people to demand that we begin to facilitate drilling from our own rich resources. Our economy cannot sustain such levels of pricing for a product that is so fundamental to our way of life. While there are those who would advocate alternative fuels, and with wisdom, I might add, the reality is we must tap into our own resources.

We will not see our economy free from its dependency on oil in our lifetime. To believe differently is to whistle past the grave yard. We must face reality that we are an oil dependent country and proceed to free ourselves from so much dependency on foreign oil. It is interesting to look at Africa and see the rich resources that are being harvested through a genocide that has China backing it. It is interesting to look around the world and see the players setting themselves in positions of oil strength through whatever means necessary. While the good old United States continues to pay higher and higher prices and the best idea the politicians can come up with is a day of gas tax relief.

This should tell us that if it is going to change it will be the people and not the government. The people will determine the change when they have had enough and refuse to pay these higher prices any longer. The question is not if that will happen, but rather, at what price will it happen?

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

WHAT WERE HER PARENTS THINKING?

2008-04-28T05:19:00.003-05:00

Miley Cyrus is an incredibly huge star at the age of only 15. Tickets to her concerts are some of the most difficult to obtain, regardless of who you are and who you know. Apparently this huge star has made a huge mistake in agreeing to sit for a photo shoot for an article in Vanity Fair. The pictures reportedly show her in semi-nude positions, which she now is publicly apologizing for. What is amazing in this situation is that her parents, again reportedly, were on the set of the shoot for the whole day and were in agreement with the pictures. Whether this is accurate or not, the magazine will hit the stands next week.

Cyrus has been very vocal in maintaining that her faith in the Lord is what gives her strength and direction, and while her publicists seek to put the best face on this, one can only feel for her. As a 15 year old mega star she is pushed and pulled in a million difference directions and this is where her parents need play their part. It is very often a tragedy in the making with these child stars as time and again they grow up to become adults who cannot handle life.

Will Hannah Montana become another footnote in the common story of child stars gone bad? Or will this story be different? Much of the answer will depend on how genuine her faith in Christ truly is, and how wise her parents are in what they allow for her in the next few years. One thing is sure, they all could use your prayers!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

ONLY ONE ANSWER FOR SOMETHING THIS WICKED!

2008-04-25T04:24:00.002-05:00

Maya Devi, 28, gave birth outside of the maternity wing of Kanpur Medical College in northern Uttar Pradesh state in India. What should have been a time of celebration turned into disaster as both mother and son died. Maya and her son died for an unthinkable reason. They died for not being acceptable to the doctors on staff. Several doctors, including the hospital's chief medical superintendent, had refused to touch her or provide medical care as she delivered her baby, the Press Trust of India reported. Their reason? She was considered an "untouchable" someone from the lowest caste in the caste system. And so due to the caste she was born into, these doctors allowed her and her son to die!

What a contrast to the Lord Jesus Christ whose own testimony was that he did not come for the righteous but the sinner, the poor, the down and out, the lowest of the low. And in this truth is the only hope for people. Atrocities like this are going on all of the time all over the world, and there is only one sure solution, and that is the spreading of the good news, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Only God incarnate could change a heart so hard that it would allow a mom and a new born die, conflicting with every piece of training received. Jesus Christ is the only hope for the world.

We can feed and clothe and house those who are in need. And that is needed ministry. But the proclamation of the gospel is the most important ministry in the world, as there is darkness and depravity that most of us have never considered. The good news about the good news is that this is a ministry that all followers of Christ can share in. The power of the gospel is such that you could share Christ with someone at your work and it is possible that the ripple effect could reach doctors like these in places such as India. So take heart, in the midst of such wickedness, you have the ultimate answer. The question is, will you share that with others?

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

WHICH "WARMING" PROBLEM CONCERNS YOU MORE?

2008-04-23T16:51:00.002-05:00

Well, well, well, it looks like the era of global warming could be over! It seems that physicist Phil Chapman, the first native-born Australian to become an astronaut with NASA, has made some interesting observations. He said pictures from the U.S. Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) showed no spots on the sun, and the world cooled quickly between January last year and January this year, by about 0.7 degrees Centigrade. His words as told the Australian from the wires;

"This is the fastest temperature change in the instrumental record, and it puts us back to where we were in 1930. If the temperature does not soon recover, we will have to conclude that global warming is over."

While those that believe, promote and profit on the global warming movement will never give this data credibility, it once again puts in front of us the reality of very intelligent people coming up with very important data that refutes global warming as presented by its cult like leaders. In spite of this our politicans, our candidates for President and others continue to bow at the altar of man mad global warming, to the detriment of their credibility, in my opinion. The truth is that there is and has been a cycle of warming and cooling in place that the Creator has installed.

As followers of Christ we to use the dominion we have over the planet to the Glory of God. Those in the world will use the world for their own gain. That should never surprise us. What is surprising are the many who name Christ and have more concern over the environment than they do lost souls. Those believers who give their lives over to protecting a planet that God has promised to lay bare with fire one day, while they neglect the many souls that surround them that are bound for Hell because they have not heard the Gospel of Christ. The data will continue to be debated concerning global warming. What is not debatable is that those who die without Jesus Christ as their Savior will have a much greater problem than global warming! And a much warmer problem!

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

WHO GETS THE PRAISE?

2008-04-22T16:47:00.004-05:00

In an amazing turn of events, U.S. Postal worker Lisa Harrell, 42, became a hero while delivering the mail. As she walked upon a building she noticed a baby in the window. The next thing she knew the one year old had fallen out of the window and into her arms. She caught the baby, saving it from a sure death. Lisa is a hero for sure, but what interests me today is the statement made by Albany Postmaster David Yann;

"It wasn't her normal time to be there. The stars were aligned for that baby today."

The Word of God tells us in the book of Romans that the wrath of God is released because of a people who though they lived in the midst of a creation that screams God, though they know that is God, they do not worship Him as God. This statement is a clear picture of what that passage of Scripture looks like. A baby falls out of a window and a woman "happens" to be there to catch that baby, saving its life, and the reaction from the postmaster is to give praise to the stars being aligned, instead of the God who made those stars. People do this every day, as they worship the creation instead of the Creator. The problem is that for many of us we have become numb to this kind of talk and thus we allow it to go on in our presence, without a correction. Let us all committ to listening better for those opportunities to inject bibiical truth into a conversation about events such as this one.

By the way the woman who caught the baby did much better in her description of the event;
"A hero? No. I was in the right place at the right time," Harrell told the Times Union. "God was there for me and the baby."

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com

WELCOME TO THE AGE OF GENDER MANAGEMENT!

2008-04-21T16:14:00.002-05:00

I do not know where to begin. I sit here dumbfounded and unable to write words together that make sense. It is rare when I am so amazed, angered, outraged that I cannot express it, but here is where I write from today. Pediatric endocrinologist Norman Spack, 64, works at Boston's Childrens Hospital, one of, if not the finest in the world. Dr. Spack, in a move that sounds more like Dr. Spock than Spack, has started the Gender Management Service Clinic. An interesting and informative title, that accurately describes the desire of this "Doctor". But lets hear from him;

"Norman Spack, 64, says he started the Gender Management Service Clinic because he found himself encountering 20-somethings who were "transgendered" and in good shape socially, "but they were having trouble getting their physique to conform to their identity.
"I knew the 20-somethings could have better chances of passing if they were treated earlier," he said.

Understand what he is saying, as it is Orwellian and Frankenstinian( is that a word?) in its meaning. This mad "Doctor" is seeking to give children drugs to delay puberty in order to give them the opportunity to decide on what gender they would like to be! You could not make this up on your own, unless you were making a science fiction movie. But this is not a movie, this is really happening at none other than Boston Childrens Hospital. More from the "Doctor";

"The puberty-blocking drugs work best at the beginning of the pubital process, typically age 10 to 12 for a girl and 12 to 14 for a boy. You lose opportunities if you wait. [One of my patients, a] transgendered girl from the UK, was destined to be a 6-foot-4 male. With treatment, she's going to end up 5-foot-10."

He admits that sterility is a real possibility with this procedure and says that you must inform the patients of that. Of course children 10-14 can make rational decisions, we all know that, Sure. No one is safe from the mad people who wear white coats and have Dr. on their pockets. But who is more mad? Who is more crazy? Those like Dr. Spack who are out there doing what they believe they are supposed to be doing, or the rest of society that will hear of this, be outraged for a moment and then do absolutely nothing about it.

blog you later,
pastor tom
www.engagingyourworld.com