mid-week apologetics booster (6-22-2017)

Good morning friends,

Here are your weekly links:

1. Condemnation and Grace: Polygamy and Concubinage in the Old Testament – Christian Research Institute: http://www.equip.org/article/condemnation-grace-polygamy-concubinage-old-testament/
2. The Gracious Heroism of Wonder Woman – Christian Research Institute: http://www.equip.org/article/the-gracious-heroism-of-wonder-woman/
3. Why Katy Perry’s Rejection of Her Childhood Faith Should Concern Every Bible-Believing Christian Faithwire: http://www.faithwire.com/2017/06/16/why-katy-perrys-rejection-of-her-childhood-faith-should-concern-every-bible-believing-christian/
4. Professor of New Testament, Craig Keener, explains his journey from atheism to Christianity. | James Bishop’s Theological Rationalism: https://jamesbishopblog.com/2015/06/12/professor-of-new-testament-craig-keener-explains-his-journey-from-atheism-to-christianity/
5. How Can I Respectfully Explain Why I Chose Jesus? – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH4quiqAyz0&feature=youtu.be
6. What Does the Bible Teach about the Cannabis Plant? – Christian Research Institute: http://www.equip.org/article/bible-teach-cannabis-plant/
7. Cats big and small – creation.com: http://creation.com/cats-big-and-small
8. How can a loving God send someone to hell?: https://www.gotquestions.org/loving-God-send-someone-hell.html
9. How Does Growing Apostasy Prove That Christians Are Getting Closer to the Truth? – Michael Brown: https://townhall.com/columnists/michaelbrown/2017/06/19/how-does-growing-apostasy-prove-that-christians-are-getting-closer-to-the-truth-n2342898
10. Three Good Reasons to Celebrate Your Christian Worldview – Cross Examined : http://crossexamined.org/three-good-reasons-celebrate-christian-worldview/
11. Don’t Stop Speaking the Truth in Love | Stand to Reason: http://www.str.org/blog/dont-stop-speaking-truth-love#
12. Our Faith is Historically Verifiable Or Its Nothing Discover: https://cccdiscover.com/our-faith-is-historically-verifiable-or-its-nothing/
13. Roundworm DNA System Plans Ahead | The Institute for Creation Research: http://www.icr.org/article/10008/
14. Physicist Michael Strauss discusses Christianity and science at Stanford University | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2014/10/18/physicist-michael-strauss-discusses-christianity-and-science-at-stanford-university-5/
15. J.P. Moreland: The Relevance of Rational Apologetics THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2017/06/19/j-p-moreland-and-the-revelance-of-rational-apologetics-2/
16. Alberta Christian school worried school division could ban Bible verses: http://www.humboldtjournal.ca/news/local-news/alberta-christian-school-worried-school-division-could-ban-bible-verses-1.20589159
17. A Christian Rebuttal to Kaimatai, an Atheist Christian Apologists: https://sjthomason.wordpress.com/2017/03/26/a-christian-rebuttal-to-kaimatai-an-atheist/
18. Cherry-Picked Age for Key Evolutionary Fossil | The Institute for Creation Research: http://www.icr.org/article/10030
19. An Atheist Feminist Converts to Christianity, Nicole Cliffe. | James Bishop’s Theological Rationalism: https://jamesbishopblog.com/2017/06/06/an-atheist-feminist-converts-to-christianity-nicole-cliffe/
20. Are You an Evangelist? : Christian Courier: https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1252-are-you-an-evangelist
21. How Old Is the Earth? : Christian Courier: https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/7-how-old-is-the-earth

Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always. Deuteronomy 14:22-23

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (6-8-2017)

Good morning friends,

Here are your weekly links:

1. 7 ways to live out the gospel in a post-truth, post-fact culture – ChristianWeek: http://www.christianweek.org/7-ways-live-gospel-post-truth-post-fact-culture/
2. Millennial Skepticism and Despair | Reasonable Faith: http://www.reasonablefaith.org/millenial-scepticism-and-despair
3. Chicxulub Crater Theory Mostly Smoke | The Institute for Creation Research: http://www.icr.org/article/10015
4. DNA Science Disproves Human Evolution | The Institute for Creation Research: http://www.icr.org/article/10016
5. The Relationship Between Evangelism and Apologetics THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2017/06/02/the-relationship-between-evangelism-and-apologetics/
6. Communicating Biblical Worldview to Millennials and iGens: Taste and See Apologetics – drcone.com: http://www.drcone.com/2017/04/20/communicating-biblical-worldview-millennials-igens-taste-see-apologetics/
7. Is God Really Forgiving If He Required Payment for Sins through Jesus? (Video) | Stand to Reason: http://www.str.org/blog/god-really-forgiving-if-he-required-payment-sins-through-jesus-video#.WTLfnWjyuUk
8. Why Should I Believe Christianity? – a review – bethinking.org: https://www.bethinking.org/is-christianity-true/why-believe-christianity-review
9. Should we expect to know what Gods reason is for allowing evil and suffering? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2016/12/11/should-we-expect-to-know-what-gods-reason-is-for-allowing-evil-and-suffering/
10. William Lane Craig lectures on radical skepticism and the historical Jesus | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2017/06/03/william-lane-craig-lectures-on-radical-skepticism-and-the-historical-jesus-3/
11. WORKS OF 20TH CENTURY APOLOGISTS: Resources for Study: http://2besure.blogspot.com/2015/11/works-of-20th-century-apologiststhat.html
12. How Critics of Christianity Often Distort the Story of Galileo: http://1peter315.blogspot.com/2014/02/how-atheists-distort-story-of-galileo.html
13. Is Science Opposed to Faith in God? – Josh.org: https://www.josh.org/is-science-opposed-to-faith-in-god/
14. Progressive Christianity is as Much of a Threat to Your Kids Faith as Atheism: http://christianmomthoughts.com/progressive-christianity-is-as-much-of-a-threat-to-your-kids-faith-as-atheism/
15. Three M’s That Naturalism Can’t Provide | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2017/three-ms-that-naturalism-cant-provide/
16. How to Encourage Intellectual Christians in the Evangelical Church Reflections: https://reflectionsbyken.wordpress.com/2016/02/16/how-to-encourage-intellectual-christians-in-the-evangelical-church/amp/
17. Everyone Has Faith – Apologetics Canada: https://www.apologeticscanada.com/2015/03/23/everyone-has-faith/
18. Islam and Christianity not comparable: Column: http://amp.usatoday.com/story/24847699/
19. Physicist Michael Strauss discusses Christianity and science at Stanford University | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2017/06/04/physicist-michael-strauss-discusses-christianity-and-science-at-stanford-university-8/
20. Debunking ‘Bible Secrets’ Television Shows: http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2013/11/debunking-bible-secrets-television-shows.html
21. You Need to Know Why Young People Leave Church Discover: https://cccdiscover.com/you-need-to-know-why-young-people-leave-church/
22. Understanding Islam – New York Apologetics: http://www.newyorkapologetics.com/understanding-islam/
23. Why Would God Create Mosquitoes?: http://www.reasons.org/articles/why-would-god-create-mosquitoes
24. Terrorism: Western Values Are Christian Values: http://www.christianpost.com/amp/terrorism-western-values-are-christian-values-186851/
25. What does it mean to say the New Testament is Historically Reliable? | THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2017/06/07/what-does-it-mean-to-say-the-new-testament-is-historically-reliable-2/

“O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. “It is not for kings, O Lemuel– not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. Proverbs 31:2-5

Blessings to you all

5 Ways to Share Christ with Ease and Impact (Greg Koukl)

I received this email from Greg Koukl this morning as an STR Digest.  It contains some really good fundamentals and I simply had to share it.  Since there was no link in the email, the only way I could think of sharing it was on this blog, so here it is:

Let’s face it. Talking to others about controversial things isn’t easy—and issues like God and Jesus and the Bible and morality and sin and salvation and Heaven and Hell are about as controversial as they come.

I know the concern. You don’t want to get in over your head. You don’t want to come across odd. And you don’t want to get into a fight. I share these same sentiments with you, and these are all noble concerns…unless they secure our silence. If they keep us on the bench, they’ve gotten the best of us, and that’s not good.

Over time I’ve discovered some ways to make the task less troublesome, though. I’ve worked out a few principles I think will make a tough job easier, and I’d like to pass them on to you. The first one is the most important, and you’ve probably heard it from me before, but it bears repeating.

Ask Questions. Lots of them. Your first step in any encounter should be to gather as much information as possible. It’s hard to know how to proceed—or even if to proceed—unless you first get the lay of the land. You need “intel,” so to speak, and friendly queries get it for you.

When you need to buy some time to catch your wits, ask a question. When you face a challenge you’re not sure how to deal with, ask a question. When the conversation bogs down and you think it best to move in a new direction, ask a question. Whenever you’re in doubt about how to move forward, ask a question.

Slow Down and Simplify. On a flight back from the midwest I listened while a Christian brother in the row directly behind me vigorously shared his faith with passengers on either side. I was glad for the effort (my wife and I both were praying for him), and he made some fine points, but his conversation ranged from young-earth creationism to Armageddon. That’s a lot to have to swallow to get to Jesus.

Remember, your goal is to put a stone in his shoe, not a boulder. If controversial issues don’t come up, don’t bring them up. Major in the majors. Don’t try to move too quickly or cover too much ground when tackling tough topics. Take complex concerns step by step and piece by piece. Break them into smaller parts and try to make headway on only one part at a time.

Contextualize. I always look for ways to frame my points in terms of the other person’s interests, discipline, or profession. For example, once when an attorney asked me why he needed Jesus, I used a courtroom scene to make my point. This move made the point more persuasive because he saw it in light of things he already knew or procedures he was already familiar with.

Contextualizing your points by tying your comments or explanations to relevant parts of the other person’s world establishes common ground—and is an important tactical skill of an effective ambassador.

Be Nice. Solomon reminds us of something we already know, but still need to be prodded on…often: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1). Later he adds, “Sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness” (16:21). Obvious stuff, but easily overlooked. Start out brash and thrashing about, and things will turn sour in the end. Start sweet, though, and you’ll probably end sweet.

Do everything you can, then, to help friends feel comfortable with the process. Don’t get mad. Don’t show frustration. Don’t look annoyed. Keep your cool. The more collected you are, the more confident you’ll appear and the more persuasive you’ll sound.

Trust God.  No matter how clever you sound, everything you say will turn to dust if God’s Spirit is not in it. No matter how poorly you think you’ve acquitted yourself, even the most meager effort can turn to gold if God decides to move. Never presume on God either way. Be faithful in the moment, then let God do His part—which is all the rest. I’m not saying you need to “tune in” to the Spirit. Encounters don’t usually work that way. Rather, simply do what you can, then trust in God’s sovereign control.

The very first time I ever shared Christ was less than 24 hours after I’d committed my life to Him. It was a long conversation, I felt entirely inept (I was), my close friends were fuming, and I thought it was a complete wash. It wasn’t. Four years later, out of the blue, I discovered what God had been doing that afternoon, and it was something I never would have guessed. It happens all the time.

And because God is at work in the hearts and minds of people you meet, you need to be ready.

Here is a link to donate to Stand To Reason: https://store.str.org/donate.asp

I would also highly recommend getting both the STR App and the STR Quick Reference app for your smart phone.  You can listen to all sorts of great material and even download the podcasts for “off-line” listening.  Enjoy!

 

mid-week apologetics booster (5-25-2017)

Good morning friends,

Here are your weekly links:

1. Teaching Series on Why the Resurrection of Jesus Matters | THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM – This page has 6 embedded youtube videos: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2017/05/19/teaching-series-on-why-the-resurrection-of-jesus-matters/
2. Apologetic Engagement-Fish or Cut Bait – Southern by His Grace: http://southernbyhisgrace.com/apologetic-engagement/
3. Are Objective Moral Truths Merely a Matter of Cultural Agreement? | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2017/are-objective-moral-truths-merely-a-matter-of-cultural-agreement/
4. Defending the Age of Accountability | SOTERIOLOGY 101: https://soteriology101.wordpress.com/2017/05/09/defending-the-age-of-accountability/
5. What Happens to Our Pets When They Die?: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/what-happens-to-pets-when-they-die
6. ACLU and Planned Parenthood Fighting for Teens to Get Secret Abortions Without Their Parents Knowing | LifeNews.com: http://www.lifenews.com/2017/05/18/aclu-and-planned-parenthood-fighting-for-teens-to-get-secret-abortions-without-their-parents-knowing/
7. Atheist Astrophysicist Explains Her Journey To Jesus | Reasons for Jesus: http://reasonsforjesus.com/atheist-astrophysicist-explains-her-journey-to-jesus/
8. Modalism | carm: https://carm.org/modalism
9. Creation Clips – CMI Mobile: http://creation.mobi/creation-videos?fileID=YddmGJofbL0
10. Leading Millennials? Core Issues You Need to Know | ChurchLeaders.com: http://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/303966-leading-millennials-core-issues-need-know.html
11. Six Enemies of Apologetic Engagement – bethinking.org: https://www.bethinking.org/apologetics/six-enemies-of-apologetic-engagement
12. Are Christians Intolerant Haters? The Charges are Not New – Michael J. Kruger: http://www.biblestudytools.com/blogs/michael-j-kruger/are-christians-intolerant-haters-the-charges-are-not-new.html
13. Four Iowa Planned Parenthood Locations Closing After State Cuts Funding to Abortion Facilities | Christian News Network: http://christiannews.net/2017/05/22/four-iowa-planned-parenthood-locations-closing-after-state-cuts-funding-to-abortion-facilities/
14. Case-Making 101: How does the Bible compare to other ancient documents? Truth, Faith and Reason: http://truthfaithandreason.com/case-making-101-how-does-the-bible-compare-to-other-ancient-documents/
15. Who Has the Burden of Proof When Discussing God? | Strange Notions: http://strangenotions.com/who-has-the-burden-of-proof-when-discussing-god/
16. Truthbomb Apologetics: Video: True for You, but Not For Me? by Brett Kunkle: http://truthbomb.blogspot.com/2017/05/video-true-for-you-but-not-for-me-by.html
17. Pro-Abortion Students at Catholic Notre Dame Walk Out of Pro-Life VP Mike Pences Commence Speech | LifeNews.com: http://www.lifenews.com/2017/05/22/pro-abortion-students-at-catholic-notre-dame-walk-out-of-pro-life-vp-mike-pences-commence-speech/
18. Is Right and Wrong Simply a Matter of Human Flourishing? | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2017/is-right-and-wrong-simply-a-matter-of-human-flourishing/
19. Four Things We Wont Need in Heaven (But Ought to Pursue Here on Earth) | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/four-things-we-wont-need-in-heaven-but-ought-to-pursue-here-on-earth/
20. How to Become a True Student and a Better Apologist: http://crossexamined.org/how-to-become-a-true-student-and-a-better-apologist/
21. Nature & Scripture: Argument for the Early Dating of Christian Theology and Christian Writings: http://natureandscripture.blogspot.com/2017/05/argument-for-early-dating-of-christian.html
22. The Trinity is Not A Problem, Its A Solution | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2016/the-trinity-is-not-a-problem-its-a-solution/
23. Why I Wish Christians Would Argue MORE (No, Seriously) ChurchLeaders.com: http://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/301281-wish-christians-argue-no-seriously-trevin-wax.html
24. The Empty Tomb | The John 10:10 Project: http://thejohn1010project.com/the-empty-tomb.html
25. Matthew 7:1-6 Why the Confusion About Judging? | Dr. Mike Spaulding: http://www.drmikespaulding.com/?p=1993
26. Apologetics Mission Trips – Brett Kunkle | Stand To Reason – Opening monologue is pretty powerful: http://subsplash.com/standtoreason/v/5nfgovh
27. Pastor James MacDonald – Are You Saved? – Very convicting sermon, which I like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVRUTknpA7Q
28. What is the Best Evidence for Intelligent Design? Interview with Brian Johnson. – Sean McDowell: http://seanmcdowell.org/blog/what-is-the-best-evidence-for-intelligent-design-interview-with-brian-johnson

My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest– I would flee far away and stay in the desert; “Selah” Psalms 55:4-7

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (5-18-2017)

Good morning brothers and sisters,

I would like to remind you to either invite someone to the Harvest Outreach event or volunteer to serve there.  It is June 11^th at University of Phoenix stadium.  In case you haven’t heard of this, it is the evangelist Greg Laurie.  I think of him as kind of a modern day Billy Graham.  I think this event is well worth your time and effort.  Many will be hear the gospel and be saved there.  I’ve volunteered to be a ‘Decision Followup Worker’.

Here are your links:

1. 4 Ways to become a better listener and a better Apologist: http://crossexamined.org/4-ways-become-better-listener-better-apologist/
2. Faith Under Fire: Christian Ethics in the Workplace, Part 2 | RZIM: http://ca.rzim.org/let-my-people-think-broadcasts/faith-under-fire-christian-ethics-in-the-workplace-part-2/
3. Why We Need a More Reasonable, Evidential Christian Faith (Video): http://coldcasechristianity.com/2017/why-we-need-a-more-reasonable-evidential-christian-faith-video/
4. The Stream:
   1. The Tip of the Transgender Spear in Virginia | The Stream: https://stream.org/the-tip-of-the-transgender-spear-in-virginia/
   2. Ellen DeGeneres Needs a Lesson About Diversity and Tolerance | The Stream: https://stream.org/donald-trump-teach-ellen-degeneres-diversity-tolerance/
   3. An Open Letter to Miley Cyrus | The Stream: https://stream.org/an-open-letter-to-miley-cyrus/
   4. Rage at Rubio’s Bible Tweets: More Evidence of Troubling Bias Against Christians: https://stream.org/rubio-bible-tweets/
5. 110M-year-old dinosaur discovered with skin and soft tissue (not a Christian article, but again, does not make sense given the supposed ages): http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/06/dinosaur-nodosaur-fossil-discovery/
6. From New Age Blogger To Christian: When I Encountered Jesus | Reasons for Jesus: http://reasonsforjesus.com/new-age-blogger-christian-when-i-encountered-jesus/
7. When the Case for God Is Strong, Skeptics Attack Christianity | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2016/when-the-case-for-god-is-strong-skeptics-attack-christianity/
8. Watch “Basic Differences Between Islam and Christianity.” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/N6dkexljCiU
9. Watch “How To Better Apply Apologetics When Talking to Non-Believers” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iArt_fe-EmM
10. Watch “How Atheists Steal Science From God | Frank Turek, PhD” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gurMfV5Pmus
11. Does Belief In God Encourage Criminal Behavior? http://coldcasechristianity.com/2017/does-belief-in-god-encourage-criminal-behavior/
12. Lesbian bishop in Sweden calls for church to remove crosses and install Muslim prayer space: https://carm.org/lesbian-bishop-calls-for-church-to-remove-crosses-install-muslim-prayer-space
13. Nabeel Qureshi – Author of the book ‘Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus’, regarding his battle with stomach cancer:
    1. Torn Emotions: A Visit With Nabeel Qureshi | RZIM: http://rzim.org/global-blog/torn-emotions-a-visit-with-nabeel-qureshi/
    2. Watch “Vlog 29 – Renewed Hope, Mark 7, and More Chemo” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pG2C_Gbzx_s

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.  Matthew 5:23-24

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (4-13-2017)

Good morning beloved of God,

I hope you have a blessed Good Friday and Easter Sunday, contemplating the marvelous sacrifice and vindicating resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Here are your weekly links:

1. Your Kids Need to Think Critically About the Resurrection, because Secular Media Does Not: http://christianmomthoughts.com/your-kids-need-to-think-critically-about-the-resurrection-because-secular-media-does-not/
2. How to T.R.A.I.N. Christian Students (Rather than Teach Them) | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/how-to-t-r-a-i-n-christian-students-rather-than-teach-them/
3. Does the Bible Have Contradictions? Quick Response. – Sean McDowell: http://seanmcdowell.org/blog/does-the-bible-have-contradictions-quick-response
4. Why Some Arminians and Calvinists Need to Calm Down – A Clear Lens: https://clearlens.org/why-some-arminians-and-calvinists-need-to-calm-down/
5. Why Should I Believe that Jesus Rose from the Dead? – Discover: https://cccdiscover.com/why-should-i-believe-that-jesus-rose-from-the-dead/
6. How to Defeat Modern Day Atheism With Three Easy Questions | Shadow To Light: https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2015/06/24/how-to-defeat-modern-day-atheism-with-three-easy-questions/
7. Five atheists who lost faith in atheism | Christian News on Christian Today: https://www.christiantoday.com/article/five.atheists.who.lost.faith.in.atheism/61784.htm
8. 7 Reasons You’ll Be Glad You Saw The Case for Christ – Thinking Christian: https://www.thinkingchristian.net/posts/2017/04/7-reasons-youll-glad-saw-case-christ/
9. A Brief Overview of the Jehovah’s Witness Worldview | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/a-brief-overview-of-the-jehovahs-witness-worldview/
10. God’s Word vs. Roman Catholic Tradition | HOME: http://www.reformingamericaministries.com/single-post/2017/04/03/God%25E2%2580%2599s-Word-vs-Roman-Catholic-Tradition
11. 5 Signs You Glorify Self: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/5-signs-you-glorify-self
12. How To Avoid Being A Hack As A Christian Apologist: http://thereforegodexists.com/avoid-hack-christian-apologist/
13. GREG KOUKL EXPLAINS THE RIGHT WAY TO HANDLE AN ANGRY, AGGRESSIVE ATHEIST: https://winteryknight.com/2015/09/18/greg-koukl-expains-the-right-way-to-handle-an-angry-aggressive-atheist-2/
14. Apologetics and Your Kids: Part 2 – Authenticity & Worldview: http://sharperiron.org/article/apologetics-and-your-kids-part-2-authenticity-worldview
15. How to Raise Your Kids So They Will Remain in the Faith | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2016/how-to-raise-your-kids-so-they-will-remain-in-the-faith/
16. “Debunking Christianity” Writer Becomes Christian Because Of Evidence | Reasons for Jesus: http://reasonsforjesus.com/debunking-christianity-writer-becomes-christian-evidence/
17. Critical Tactic: Surfacing the Question Beneath the Question – Sean McDowell: http://seanmcdowell.org/blog/critical-tactic-surfacing-the-question-beneath-the-question
18. What the Fallen Governor of Alabama Can Teach Us – No amount of privilege or power can shield us from temptation: https://stream.org/fallen-governor-alabama-can-teach-us/

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’ “ The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ “ The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: ” ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus answered, “It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ “ When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1-13

Have a blessed week!

mid-week apologetics booster (4-6-2017)

Hello Friends,

Last night I had the awesome opportunity to speak into the lives of 3^rd to 6^th grade AWANA clubbers by teaching them the word of God, which I’ve been doing once a month this year.  The Bible says “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17b). Earlier in the same passage, Paul says “For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:13-14).  Also, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21)

I was overjoyed to be that “foolish preacher” last night.  The topic was Romans 1:16 – “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile”.  I’d planned the message for 5^th and 6^th graders, but we decided on the spot to bring the whole club into the same room and deliver the message to all of them.  The Gospel was preached.  If you would like to see the contents of the message (slides, speaking notes and a self-examination questionnaire), you can take a look at that on my blog.

Here are your weekly links:

1. 12 Reasons Millennials are OVER Church. I’ve included this link, not for apologetics value, but for the perspective of a millennial on why millennials are largely absent from the church.  In my opinion, I think he gets some things right and some things wrong.  If I get time, I would like to write a blog giving my comments on these 12 Reasons.  Make sure and read the comments at the bottom of the article too: http://www.recklesslyalive.com/12-reasons-millennials-are-over-church/
2. Faith and Lifestyle of Born Again Christians Evaluated in Extensive National Survey | American Culture and Faith Institute.  One interesting stat from this article was “only 30% of born again adults have a biblical worldview”: https://www.culturefaith.com/faith-and-lifestyle-of-born-again-christians-evaluated-in-extensive-national-survey/
3. Biblical Creation Confirmed [Podcast] | The Institute for Creation Research: http://www.icr.org/article/biblical-creation-confirmed-podcast
4. Watch “Creation in the 21st Century Creation and Mathematics” on YouTube – this is really interesting.  It talks about how our current human population only makes sense in light of a young earth view: https://youtu.be/1oFAooUFbdY
5. Is How We Live More Important Than What We Believe? (Christian Mom Thoughts) – http://christianmomthoughts.com/is-how-we-live-more-important-than-what-we-believe-bad-secular-wisdom-series-1/
6. How does God relate to time? http://creation.com/god-and-time
7. Quest for Truth: Lee Strobel on The Case for Christ Movie | CBN.com – this movie opens this week: http://www1.cbn.com/movies/quest-truth-lee-strobel-case-christ-movie
8. Dinosaurs ate birds – CMI Mobile: http://creation.mobi/dinos-ate-birds
9. The way it really is: little-known facts about radiometric dating – CMI Mobile: http://creation.mobi/the-way-it-really-is-little-known-facts-about-radiometric-dating
10. Fallacy of Composition | SES: http://ses.edu/fallacy-of-composition
11. Christian Student Reprimanded for Disagreeing with Muslim Professor about the Resurrection – Christian News Headlines: http://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/christian-student-is-reprimanded-for-disagreeing-with-muslim-professor-about-the-resurrection.html
12. College drops charges against Christian student who challenged Muslim prof’s claims about Jesus – The College Fix: https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/31930/
13. Did Jesus Ever Do Apologetics? – Hope’s Reason: https://www.stephenjbedard.com/2016/10/21/jesus-ever-apologetics/
14. Two Things to Remember When Discussing Creation with Other Christians | Stand to Reason: http://www.str.org/articles/two-things-to-remember-when-discussion-creation-with-other-christians#.WOA9as-p7qD
15. A Look at Jewish Messianism: A Crucified Messiah: What An Embarrassment! – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2017/04/02/a-look-at-jewish-messianism-a-crucified-messiah-what-an-embarrassment-3/
16. Microevolution versus Macroevolution: Two Mistakes | Evolution News: https://www.evolutionnews.org/2015/07/microevolution/
17. The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It’s Our Problem – AlbertMohler.com: http://www.albertmohler.com/2016/01/20/the-scandal-of-biblical-illiteracy-its-our-problem-4/
18. Christian parents, your kids aren’t equipped to be public school missionaries – Matt Walsh: http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/matt-walsh-christian-parents-your-kids-arent-equipped-to-be-public-school-missionaries/
19. A Very Brief Review of Arguments for the Existence of the Soul: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2013/a-very-brief-review-of-arguments-for-the-existence-of-the-soul-bible-insert/
20. The Best Question to Ask When Starting a Conversation About God: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2017/the-best-question-to-ask-when-starting-a-conversation-about-god/
21. Top 5 Reasons Most College Students Give Up their Christian Faith – Summit Ministries (at the end, this was an advertisement, but I thought it was a good article): https://www.summit.org/resources/articles/top-5-reasons-college-students-give-christian-faith/
22. Study: Only 4 Percent of Millennials Hold a “Biblical Worldview” | The Stream: https://stream.org/study-4-percent-millennials-hold-biblical-worldview/

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.  “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.  Matthew 20:29-34

Blessings to you all!

AWANA Teaching on Romans 1:16 (4/5/2017)

Today, Lord willing, I will be teaching the AWANA 5th and 6th grade clubbers on one of their memory verses, Romans 1:16.  Below are the slides and the speaking notes (above each slide), as well as a self examination survey (Are You Ashamed of the Gospel):

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Can anyone quote this verse from memory?

Someone please read it.  This is a rich verse!  There’s so much in it. Just look at all these important words in this verse!  We’re going to go through this phrase by phrase to make sure you understand it.

What does it mean to be ashamed? (wait for answers)  Ashamed means that you’re embarrassed about something or someone and you don’t want to be associated with them.

Our verse tells us that Paul is not ashamed of “The Gospel” this word appears 91 times in the New Testament, so it’s a pretty important word.  What does the word Gospel mean? (wait for answers)

The word Gospel literally means “Good News”.  Let’s read this definition together: “the Gospel is the Good News that Jesus died and rose again and offers us forgiveness of sins and eternal life if we will repent and trust Him as Savior and Lord.”  That is what Paul is not ashamed of.

The Gospel is only made possible because of what happened on Good Friday and Easter.  It is only made possible by the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ!

If there was only Christmas (Jesus coming into the world), there would be no Gospel – no good news.  If He only came into the world, but didn’t die for our sins and rise again, we would not even know about Jesus today – and our salvation would be impossible!

This verse says the Gospel is “the power of God”. The word translated “power,” is the Greek word dunamis. That is the word from which we get “dynamite.”

What is the Gospel powerful for?  The next phrase talks about “salvation”.  For the salvation of everyone who believes.

Salvation, means to rescue, to de­liver, to set free.  Talk about picture of guy drowning…

Like the guy drowning in the water, we also need to be saved from something:

1.From the Penalty of Sin – Hell / the Wrath of God – Romans 5:9 says we are “saved from God’s wrath” through Jesus’ blood shed for us.

2.From the Power of Sin – We are no longer slaves to sin – Romans 6:14 says “for sin shall not be your master”

3.From the Presence of Sin (one day) – when we get to Heaven – Revelation 21:27 says “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful”

(may want to ask if they know what sin is – talk about sins of commission [doing or thinking wrong things] and sins of omission [not doing what you know you ought to do – James 4:17])

Then it says “first for the Jew, then for the Gentile”. Most of the first believers in Christ were Jews.  But the Gospel was intended for everyone. Jesus said that He was sent to the Jews (Matthew 15:24). Paul initially tried to share the Gospel with the Jews, but they opposed him, so he went on to the Gentiles (Acts 18:6). You and I are (most likely) Gentiles.

Now that we’ve gone through the verse one phrase at a time, do you have any questions? (wait for questions)

Now, before we continue, I want to make sure you know that none of what we’re talking about here applies to you if you’re not saved.  So, I have to stop here and ask you point blank – are you saved?  Only you know the answer to that question.  I would suspect that for many of you the answer is a definite yes.  The Bible says “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)

Now back to our verse Romans 1:16 – I’d like to focus in on the part of the verse where it says “I am not ashamed of the gospel”.  This is very important for us as Christians.  God specifically says in His word that He does not want us to be ashamed.

In fact Jesus specifically warned us not to be ashamed of Him and His words. In Luke 9:26, He says “If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.  Matthew 10:32-33

The Apostle Paul also tells us in other places not to be ashamed, for example in 2 Timothy 1:8, Paul says “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God”

The Apostle Peter tells us, “if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name”

Then of course, there’s the AWANA verse: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

So, the Bible is really clear – God does not want us to be ashamed of the Gospel – He wants us to be proud of it and to share it whenever the opportunity comes.

Now we’re going to take a little self-assessment survey.  You don’t have to turn this in and I won’t ask you your answers. It’s to get you to think about whether you’re ashamed of the Gospel.

(here is the survey that I handed out to the clubbers to have them work on it – if they have enough time, in class)

Self-examination Test: Are You Ashamed of the Gospel?

Romans 1:16 – I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Question	Your Answer
Do your friends and those at school know you’re a Christian?
Have you ever talked with someone about your faith?
Have you ever invited someone to church or AWANA?
In a group, if others were making fun of Christianity, would you speak up?
Are you worried about offending people?
Are you worried about pleasing people or pleasing God?
Do you care more about what people think of you than what God thinks of you?
Are you afraid that you won’t be able to answer people’s objections or questions about your faith?
Have you ever had to go against the crowd when they were all doing something wrong?  If so, when they asked you why did you mention your faith?

Finally, this is my last night of the AWANA year for teaching the 5th and 6th graders.  It has been such a pleasure teaching all of you, that I want to give you some small gifts as a token of my appreciation.

(end of presentation)

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I pray that this teaching would draw any non-Christians in the group to repent and place their faith in Christ, and that it would embolden any Christians in the group to not be ashamed and to share their faith with those in their circle of influence.  Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you“ and one of the things He has commanded us (that we have to teach to the disciples we’re making), is the command to go and make disciples.  So, I’m trying to teach the believers to go and make more believers – it’s a self-replicating process – that’s how God designed it!

mid-week apologetics booster (3-30-2017)

Good morning friends,

Once again, I had the awesome privilege of serving in AWANA (3^rd – 6^th grade) last night.  Our Pastor had come to AWANA last week to talk about what a pastor is.  He described that pastor means shepherd and that Jesus is described in Scripture as being the Good Shepherd.  Later in the evening, one of the clubbers asked a really good question.  The question was, ‘If God is a Shepherd, then why does he allow bad people who hurt and kill others?’  It’s hard to give a quick answer to a question like that in a minute during AWANA handbook time, so we decided to show this excellent little ~2 minute video to the clubbers at the start of Counsel Time last night:

This really hit home with the clubbers!  They were able to summarize the message of the video and make additional comments on the topic.  In fact it was so popular, many of them wanted to watch it again!  But when we told them it would take away from their game time, they opted not to 🙂  It was such a blessing to see these precious young clubbers excited and interacting with this topic, thinking deeply about their faith!  We also had a great sword drill during Counsel Time, focusing on God’s faithfulness (e.g. 2 Thess. 3:3).  I pray this prayer for them:

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. ”  Numbers 6:24-26

Here are your weekly links:

1. 5 apologetics arguments Christians should avoid: https://www.premierchristianity.com/Blog/5-apologetics-arguments-Christians-should-avoid
2. Watch “Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?” on YouTube – this is really good – 4 ½ minutes – cartoon video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyZ1l7faKSw
3. Spiritual Inventory Questionnaire – I ran into this while searching for some spiritual inventory questions.  It is REALLY extensive (10 pages long), but seems to be really good – note: it is a PDF file: http://www.bethanychurch.com/home/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/1_Personal-Spiritual-Inventory.pdf
4. Sanctuary Cities in the Bible: https://historyforthechristianfaith.wordpress.com/2017/01/28/sanctuary-cities-in-the-bible/
5. CE 5: You’re Only Christian Because You Were Born in the West – A Clear Lens: https://clearlens.org/ce-5-youre-only-christian-because-you-were-born-in-the-west-2/
6. Watch “Tim Keller on evangelism in the 21st century” on YouTube (first step is let ‘em know you go to church): https://youtu.be/DHQBoLo31Ns
7. The Jihadi Who Turned to Jesus: https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/03/24/world/middleeast/the-jihadi-who-turned-to-jesus.html
8. Is Christianity Jewish?  Dr. Michael Brown:
   1. Watch “Is Christianity Jewish? w/ Dr. Michael Brown 1/2” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kjkm6XS149s
   2. Watch “Is Christianity Jewish? w/ Dr. Michael Brown 2/2” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cwDWnXdyV9U
9. Was Jesus’ Death & Resurrection Copied From Krishna? | Reasons for Jesus: http://reasonsforjesus.com/was-jesus-death-resurrection-copied-from-krishna/
10. Top 10 Lies Christians Believe: http://www.unsealed.org/2016/05/top-10-lies-christians-believe.html
11. Christianity is rejected because of dislike rather than rational reasons | Real Life Apologetics: https://reallifeapologetics.wordpress.com/2015/06/12/is-the-rejection-of-christianity-an-emotional-or-a-rational-decision/
12. The World’s Most Persecuted Minority: Christians | PragerU: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytdMUddGe-U
13. Tell Someone | Harvest Online Courses – free course with video teaching on evangelism sent to your inbox: https://tellsomeone.harvest.org/register/tell-someone/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_content=harvestamerica&utm_campaign=tellsomeonecourse&hs_fb_account_id=22405970&hs_fb_campaign_id=6052164846641&hs_fb_adset_id=6053392481041&hs_fb_ad_id=6070678863441&hs_parent_creative_id=6070679192041&source
14. C. Boycott Over Bathroom Bill Fails Magnificently: https://pjmedia.com/trending/2017/03/22/this-just-in-boycott-of-n-c-over-bathroom-bill-dies-with-a-whimper/
15. How Christianity Led to the Rise of Modern Science: http://www.equip.org/article/christianity-led-rise-modern-science/
16. Stop Using the Term “Fetus”: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2017/stop-using-the-term-fetus/

I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.  Galatians 1:11-12

Blessing to you all!

mid-week apologetics booster (3-23-2017)

Good morning friends,

I sincerely hope you’re enjoying your week!  I was blessed again to be a Community Judge at a homeschool speech and debate tournament – the Camelback Classic!  What an event and what an encouragement to see these young people so proficiently able to defend the faith and to speak intelligently about current events!  I was judge for 2 different events:

Apologetics – Semi Final Round – Saturday morning.  Here are the questions that I judged:

1. What does it mean that Jesus Christ is the Mediator?  Why does this matter?
2. What does John 1:1-3 mean when it says that Jesus is the Word?  Why does this matter?
3. How would you respond to the common observation: “Jesus was a good man and a good teacher, but certainly not the Son of God”?
4. What does it mean to call Jesus Christ the Lamb of God?  Why does this matter?
5. Is the Resurrection essential to the Christian faith?
6. Compare and contrast the origins of the Quran and the origins of the Bible?
7. Are Mormons Christians?
8. What are unique features of Christianity that set it apart from all other religions of the world?

Extemporaneous (Current Events) – Friday morning.  Here were the questions that I judged:

1. What will be President Obama’s legacy?
2. Is ‘Alt Right’ the new face of American Conservatism?
3. Will conservative Republican congressmen scuttle the repeal of Obamacare?
4. Will punishing the media backfire on President Trump?
5. Was it wrong for Attorney General Sessions to ask all of the federal district attorneys to resign?
6. Will President Trump’s affinity for Russian President Putin last?
7. Will the “Resistance” topple President Trump?

I was greatly encouraged to watch them “make the case”.  My thought was, could any adults get up and give extemporaneous talks on any of these topics?  Maybe, but it would certainly be a challenge.  If you want to be encouraged about the next generation of Christians being raised up, I would highly recommend that you volunteer to be a community judge.  The local events occur in November (Cactus Clash) and March (Camelback Classic).

Here are your weekly links:

1. The Source of Our Fear When It Comes to Evangelism: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2017/the-source-of-our-fear-when-it-comes-to-evangelism/
2. Carbon-14, Radiometric Dating and Index Fossils: http://creationstudies.org/articles/science/geology/196-radiometric-dating-and-fossils
3. Three Things The Gospel Authors Would Have Never Invented About Jesus – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2017/03/17/three-things-the-gospel-authors-would-have-never-invented-about-jesus-4/
4. Watch “G.O.S.P.E.L. – Propaganda (Full Video)” on YouTube this is a “rap” presentation of the Gospel: https://youtu.be/jyYFxp7apl4
5. Reasons To Believe : 12 Evidences for the Resurrection of Jesus, Part 1: http://www.reasons.org/blogs/reflections/12-evidences-for-the-resurrection-of-jesus–part-1
6. This Will Help Quiet Pro-Lifers Speak Up | Jim Daly: http://jimdaly.focusonthefamily.com/will-help-quiet-pro-lifers-speak/
7. Did Jesus & His Disciples Speak Greek? | Reasons for Jesus: http://reasonsforjesus.com/did-jesus-his-disciples-speak-greek/
8. Patrick: Reclaiming the Great Missionary: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/st.-patrick-reclaiming-the-great-missionary
9. Answering another abortion argument: http://creation.com/abortion-answer
10. Bible Contradictions:
    1. HOW TO ANSWER ALLEGED BIBLE DISCREPANCIES AND CONTRADICTIONS: http://christianapologeticstraining.com/how-to-answer-alleged-bible-discrepancies-and-contradictions
    2. Are There Any Errors in the Bible? http://normangeisler.com/are-there-any-errors-in-the-bible/
    3. Watch “Is the Bible Full of Contradictions?” on YouTube – Tim Barnett – we watched this video in our apologetics class Sunday: https://youtu.be/YQgR3BrBhss
11. This is the ‘Single Greatest Contributor’ to Millennials Abandoning Faith According to New Book – Faithwire: http://www.faithwire.com/2017/03/09/author-reveals-the-single-greatest-contributor-he-says-has-led-so-many-millennials-to-abandon-faith/
12. Why Apologists are Not Reaching Pop Culture – Free Thinking Ministries: http://freethinkingministries.com/why-apologists-are-not-reaching-pop-culture/
13. CNN religion quiz needs to take Christianity seriously | Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/03/19/cnn-religion-quiz-needs-to-take-christianity-seriously.html
14. Here we go again: Will someone please explain Christianity to the Associated Press? — GetReligion: https://www.getreligion.org/getreligion/2017/3/20/here-we-go-again-will-someone-please-explain-christianity-to-the-associated-press
15. How to Unmask a Hardened Skeptic: http://www.blogos.org/compellingtruth/skeptic-scoffer.php
16. Disney:
    1. A Beast of a Decision? Should Christians Watch Disney’s Beauty and the Beast? https://answersingenesis.org/reviews/movies/should-christians-watch-disneys-beauty-and-beast/
    2. Is It Time to Kiss Disney Goodbye? https://answersingenesis.org/family/homosexuality/time-to-kiss-disney-goodbye/
17. Romans 1:16:
    1. What does it mean to not be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16)? https://www.gotquestions.org/not-ashamed-Gospel.html
    2. The Power of God for Salvation | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org: http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/power-god-salvation/
    3. Romans – Wayne Barber/Part 5 | John Ankerberg Show: https://www.jashow.org/articles/bible/bible-studies/romans/romans-wayne-barberpart-5/
    4. Watch “I Am Not Ashamed of the TRUE Gospel. (Paul Washer)” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vwpm1G5pVho
    5. Six Signs That You May Be Ashamed of the Gospel: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2014/07/22/six-signs-you-may-be-ashamed-of-the-gospel/
18. Watch “An Atheist’s Conversion” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/h4j7FBYXQKs
19. Watch “Living Waters University, Kevin” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4Uftyxz0SWk
20. Watch “I’m A Christian, But I Don’t Read My Bible” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jvBmRGD8FuI
21. Watch “I’ve Kinda Given Up On God” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jPNslXAxAvI
22. Watch “Ricky Gervais & God’s Existence” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EM-53Bq_U6M
23. Watch “Ten of the Top Scientific Facts in the Bible” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t2sMJMXDiH4
24. 17 States Force Taxpayers to Fund Abortions. Does Yours? | LifeNews.com: http://www.lifenews.com/2017/03/17/17-states-force-taxpayers-to-fund-abortions-does-yours/
25. Watch “Nabeel Qureshi // Why I stopped believing Islam is a religion of peace” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2htOWOF4gqs
26. Watch “Shabir Ally & Dr.Nabeel Qureshi – What is GOD really like? part 1 of 2” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dghjlgnZzuY
27. Ten quick responses to atheist claims | Christian News on Christian Today: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/ten.quick.responses.to.atheist.claims/41439.htm
28. Don’t All Religions Basically Say the Same Thing? (Quick Video) – Alisa Childers: http://www.alisachilders.com/blog/dont-all-religions-basically-say-the-same-thing-quick-video
29. Let’s Make Jesus Less … Offensive! | The Stream (Satire): https://stream.org/make-jesus-less-offensive/
30. Remember Those Exciting “Earth-Like” Planets of the TRAPPIST-1 System? The Honeymoon Is Over | Evolution News: https://www.evolutionnews.org/2017/03/remember-those-exciting-earth-like-planets-of-the-trappist-1-system-the-honeymoon-is-over/
31. The Shack Author Rejects Biblical Substitutionary Atonement: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=703
32. Frank Turek podcast and a guy calls and asking about predestination at about 34 minutes into the show. Frank gives interesting analogy about God’s foreknowledge and man’s free will: http://subspla.sh/ohvtxka

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!  Galatians 1:6-8

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (3-16-2017)

Good morning friends,

I was reminded again last night of the importance of heeding the words of 1 Peter 3:15, Jude 3, Colossians 4:5-6 & 2 Timothy 24-26 – being ready to give an answer.  Our AWANA Truth & Training leader gave our 3^rd to 6^th grade clubbers a chance to ask questions about the Bible and their faith last night during counsel time.  What a great session it was.  Once we got them started, the questions were non-stop and we had to cut it off at the end due to running out of time.  Here were some of the questions asked by these young, precious ones:

1. Who made God?  How could He just always be there?
2. Why did God make hell?
3. Why did God create the first people if He knew they were going to sin?
4. Why did God put the tree in the garden if He knew they were going to eat from it?
5. Why did God make Satan?
6. Why doesn’t God (Jesus) come back to earth to prove to everyone that He exists?
7. How do we know Angels and Devils exist?
8. (the answer to the prior question prompted this one) How do we know the Bible is true?
9. Why did God love Satan more than any other angel?
10. Why did God make people if He knew they were going to be evil and bad like stealing things and killing?

It was a 20 minute session and, wow, were the clubbers engaged and loving it… Unfortunately, I don’t have the time (or the memory) to remember all the answers the leaders gave, but it was a great session – they asked tough questions – deep questions.  We even had one of the 4^th grade clubbers answering one of the questions and she was right on target!

I pray to God that this session was meaningful for these clubbers.  It is so important that kids at this age know that they are welcome to ask questions and that it is OK to have questions and even some doubts.  And it is extremely important that we adults have done what Peter has stated (as a command for all believers) “always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you”.  That means you can’t be “winging it” at the time you’re asked.  That command implies that you have (already) been preparing yourself through study prior to the child asking the question.  I truly believe that the parents are the number 1 apologists in our culture.  We need to be ready when the question is asked.  Being ready can consist of having answer ready “off the top of your head” or knowing about a resource that you can get to that explains the answer.

Because this is such an important command, I continue to bombard you with these articles and videos each week.  I pray that you find something useful here, coming just at the right time!

1. When the emotions are gone, what’s left? Engaging the mind as well as the heart is vital: http://creation.com/emotion-gone
2. Why would a loving God allow death and suffering? – This is a very good (and very long) article that gives comprehensive, Biblically based answers to this issue – excellent!  http://creation.com/why-death-suffering
3. The Absence Of A Papacy In Early Responses To Christianity: http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-absence-of-papacy-in-early.html
4. Indulgences – CHRISTIAN HISTORY TODAY (March 15^th) – “My guess is that if Pope Leo X knew what he would set off by allowing the sales of indulgences on March 15, 1517, he’d re-think that one. The building of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican had gone way over budget (it would be almost 80 years until it would be completed) and the Pope’s financial adviser suggested the idea of buying an indulgence would help get a repentant sinner out of purgatory sooner and it was a “win-win”. Then a regional indulgences salesman stopped by the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany and ran into a priest named Martin Luther who decided he’d read about the sale of indulgences in the Bible and found no basis for it. The rest, as we like to say, was history.”
5. Questioning Jesus’ Existence: http://breakpoint.org/2017/03/questioning-jesus-existence/
6. Staying Outside The Shack | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/reviews/movies/staying-outside-the-shack/
7. Parents, Hollywood wants to brainwash your kids. Don’t let them: http://www.theblaze.com/podcasts/matt-walsh-parents-hollywood-wants-to-brainwash-your-kids-dont-let-them/
8. Does James 1:5 teach about praying for a testimony? http://www.mrm.org/james-15-testimony
9. Celebrating gender confusion: http://creation.com/celebrating-gender-confusion
10. Convergent evolution of crocodile and dolphin skull shapes | Uncommon Descent: http://www.uncommondescent.com/news/convergent-evolution-of-crocodile-and-dolphin-skull-shapes/
11. A Fortunate Universe: Life in a Finely-Tuned Cosmos (with Dr. Luke Barnes) – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2017/03/14/a-fortunate-universe-life-in-a-finely-tuned-cosmos-with-dr-luke-barnes/
12. Biblical Faith VS. Blind Faith | Crossexamined.org: http://crossexamined.org/biblical-faith-vs-blind-faith/
13. Every American Needs Know Qur’an (Bill Federer) | Video | C-SPAN.org: https://www.c-span.org/video/?314071-10/every-american-needs-know-quran
14. Watch “How to Listen to the Lord (Mark 4:21-34)” on YouTube (this is a John MacArthur sermon I watched on Sunday since I couldn’t go to church because I was sick): https://youtu.be/RFzGD7S-w3g
15. DOES GOD REALLY HATE ESAU? http://www.toughquestionsanswered.org/2009/05/25/does-god-really-hate-esau/
16. Why did the early church decide to indoctrinate a canon of New Testament books in the first place? https://www.josh.org/early-church-decide-indoctrinate-canon-new-testament-books-first-place/
17. Will We Ever Colonize Mars? http://www.icr.org/article/9900
18. Greg Koukl Stand to Reason podcast – at about 26:30 into the show, an atheist calls in (he calls himself the “Street Epistemologist”).  They are talking about the difference between mind and brain and whether there is a “non-physical realm”.  It is quite a long call (and very cordial, not adversarial at all): http://subspla.sh/0376859
19. What You Can Learn From the Pilgrims (Bill Federer): http://subspla.sh/7277698
20. Watch “Wretched: Nothing made everything.” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sK2yNkTuJkY
21. 3 Horrific Consequences When a Nation Rejects God — Charisma News: http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/63453-3-horrific-consequences-when-a-nation-rejects-god
22. Q&A with Sam Allberry: Same-Sex Attraction, Synod Remarks, and Why The Gospel Is Truly Good News For All | RZIM: http://rzim.org/global-blog/qa-with-sam-allberry-same-sex-attraction-synod-remarks/
23. Planned Parenthood abortion quotas: https://m.facebook.com/video_redirect/?src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent.fphx1-2.fna.fbcdn.net%2Fv%2Ft42.1790-4%2F16616327_245823025863146_1673784158666620928_n.mp4%3Fefg%3DeyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6InN2ZV9zZCJ9%26oh%3D6e69f150dc01e34d1c5525689be4b732%26oe%3D58CABADF&source=misc&id=10154959592988728&refid=52&__tn__=F
24. Here’s 5 things to say when discussing Planned Parenthood: http://www.liveactionnews.org/heres-5-things-to-say-when-discussing-planned-parenthood/
25. Watch “Hollywood and God” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Fohrk2jt0LA
26. Watch “Mark Spence & Shaw the atheist” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dfsS3BB5C-I
27. Book of Job: https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Job.html
28. Cannabis boosts risk of stroke and heart attack, independent of tobacco, new study finds: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2017/03/09/cannabis-boosts-risk-stroke-heart-attack-independent-tobacco/

Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. ” Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear ; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see ; and listen to the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. “Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have devastated the nations and their lands and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. “Now, O LORD our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.”  2 Kings 19:14-19

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (2-16-2017)

Hi Friends,

Here are your weekly links:

1. How should Christians react to ‘The Golden Compass’ movie? https://www.gotquestions.org/golden-compass-movie.html
2. Watch “Does Science Argue for or against God? – PragerUniversity” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/spdgQPJWLfE
3. Watch Ricky Gervais and Stephen Colbert Debate the Existence of God: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/slices/watch-ricky-gervais-and-stephen-colbert-debate-existence-god
4. Who was Simon of Cyrene? https://www.gotquestions.org/Simon-of-Cyrene.html
5. 7 Things We Know about Jesus and His Followers from Non-Biblical Sources: https://greatcloud.wordpress.com/2013/06/30/7-things-we-know-about-jesus-and-his-followers-from-non-biblical-sources/
6. Detecting Design: http://www.daviddesonier.com/apologetics/2015/12/5/when-to-infer-design
7. S. Lewis on Why He Wasn’t Roman Catholic: https://hcchristian.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/c-s-lewis-on-why-he-wasnt-roman-catholic/
8. Tell Someone Talks – Greg Laurie on evangelism – message starts at 36:45 into the video: https://www.harvest.org/watch-and-listen/watch/tell-someone-talks-20170209
9. Why doesn’t God reveal Himself clearly so we can all be saved? Is God incompetent? http://christiancadre.blogspot.com/2017/02/why-doesnt-god-reveal-himself-clearly.html
10. A Universe from Nothing? Dr. Krauss Explains Nothing: http://crossexamined.org/a-universe-from-nothing-dr-krauss-explains-nothing/
11. Ancient Dinosaur Depictions | Genesis Park: http://www.genesispark.com/exhibits/evidence/historical/ancient/dinosaur/
12. Introduction to Islam: https://shariaunveiled.wordpress.com/islam-101/introduction-to-islam-101/
13. Is there any truth to The Da Vinci code? https://www.gotquestions.org/DaVinci-code-truth.html
14. Why do people reject Jesus as their Savior? https://www.gotquestions.org/reject-Jesus.html
15. Is it possible to be a gay Christian? https://www.gotquestions.org/gay-Christian.html
16. Preacher locked up for hate crime after quoting the Bible to gay teenager (in the U.K.): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/05/preacher-locked-hate-crime-quoting-bible-gay-teenager/
17. What is relativism? https://carm.org/what-relativism
18. The Lord’s Day, Meet Darwin Day. and Shudder – Charles Darwin did what he could to hide his materialistic worldview, but we know what he was up to: https://spectator.org/the-lords-day-meet-darwin-day-and-shudder/
19. South Dakota Academic Freedom Bill: http://www.evolutionnews.org/2017/02/reporting_on_so103492.html
20. Shocking Beliefs of John Calvin: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/shockingbeliefsofjohncalvin/
21. Abortion Related:
    1. Watch “Why Abortion Is Unjust Discrimination” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tL_R0y1Utnw
    2. Watch “HOW TO TROT OUT THE TODDLER” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6ktPmgBX_FU
    3. Watch “The Most Important Question About Abortion” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AMwkQVpy98A
    4. Watch “Planned Parenthood’s 3% Abortion Myth” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KKIOBOFaVYs
    5. Watch “One of the best Pro-life speeches EVER! Gianna Jessen abortion survivor Full video” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hOWMmx6eBjU
    6. 2nd Trimester Surgical Abortion: Dilation and Evacuation (D & E) – Former abortionist, Dr. Anthony Levatino, explains the most prevalent second trimester abortion procedure, a dilation and evacuation (D&E).  I don’t know how anyone can remain “pro-choice” after watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgw4X7Dw_3k
    7. SLED test intro: http://subspla.sh/cd6e7d6
    8. S – Size: http://subspla.sh/52200fa
    9. L – Level of development: http://subspla.sh/c03b7b5
    10. E – Environment: http://subspla.sh/469db33
    11. D – Degree of dependency: http://subspla.sh/fcd0a3f
    12. SLED Conclusion: http://subspla.sh/60e03e2

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.  Psalms 127:3

Blessings to you all

Conversation at St. Vincent de Paul Saturday February 11th

This past Saturday at St. Vincent de Paul, where our church volunteers once a month to feed the homeless, I had a conversation with a guy who was with another group volunteering there.  He was a parent of one of the girls on a high school sports club. Right off the bat, another Christian brother and I were talking with him and we let him know that we were Christians. That opened up the conversation for spiritual topics.  So, my friend asked him if he goes to church, and he said, “Well not so much anymore because we’re really busy, we’ve got the girls going to Lacrosse, we have a lot of other things going on, so we don’t really have time.”  I followed up with a question, “So then, would you consider yourself to be a Christian?”  He said, “Oh definitely!”  I filed that in my back pocket. Not much else was said right then, but I knew that since we’d both been assigned to work on the garbage, I would be having a lot of time to talk to him.

At one point during our shift when there was a lull in our garbage work, I asked him about his spiritual journey. He repeated the statement about him not having enough time to go to church. I replied, “Well, it’s only one hour a week, and we have a 168 hours a week. The truth is, we make time for things that we want to make time for. I’m not trying to convict you – I was there too and I know that life does get busy – I understand that. But, consider this: 100 years from today, we will not be concerned at all about what we’re concerned about today. Things that concern us today will be just a distant memory.” He replied, “Yeah because I’ll be dead.” And I said, “Well, you said you were Christian, so as Christians we believe in the afterlife, so actually you won’t be dead, you’ll be alive and you’ll be in one of two places either heaven or hell. So it’s important for us to have an eternal perspective as we go through life.  We sometimes need to back up and just take a look at the big picture and realize that we’re all going to die one day. With everything we’re doing in life, we need to ask whether it will matter 100 years from today.  Am I spending my time on things that will matter eternally?”  He seemed to acknowledge that without much to say in return, but I could see that I made him think about it.  That was pretty much all I said related to spiritual things.  We talked about all sorts of other things including career and how he thought it was so good to be doing this volunteer work.  He thought it was good for us and it makes us feel good as well.  He mentioned that it was good for his daughter, who was there, to see that.

So I hope that this conversation I had with this fellow will make some impact on him and get him to reconsider his priorities in life.

In Jesus’s Holy and Precious Name I pray, Amen!

Conversation at St. Vincent de Paul Saturday

Our Church volunteers once a month at St. Vincent de Paul dining room for the homeless.  Each month our Church collects clothing and then brings them there and hands them out to the clients.  This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to work with a young guy from a local company.  We both worked at the front lobby hanging the clothes we’d collected to homeless people.

While I was talking with him I asked him if he and his wife who was there (but working in another area) were Christians or had any church background. He said, “Well I’m a Lutheran. But my wife is an atheist or agnostic.” I asked him why she was an atheist or agnostic. He said well, she’s never really thought that there was any proof for God. So, I asked him how much she ever looked into any evidence for God? There are many books are there that describe the evidence for God in great detail. He said no probably not, she really doesn’t think it’s that important. I said, “Well each of us is going to have to give an account of himself to God. You won’t be able to point to anyone else being there or your parents or anything like that. We all have to stand before God alone and give an account.”

During the course of the conversation, I found out that this guy, who said he was Lutheran and went through confirmation, doesn’t go to church and doesn’t read the Bible.  He did say he does pray though.  I showed him some of the tools I’ve written that help you stay connected to God’s word on your phone:

1. Nuggets (Web): http://coolgadgetssoftware.com/nuggets_mobile_app/web/index.html#/nugget/y
2. Memory (Web): http://coolgadgetssoftware.com/nuggets_mobile_app/web/memory/
3. Bible Nuggets (Android Native App): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cg.biblenuggets&hl=en

I showed those to him and explained the basic purpose as well as (he was in IT too, so I also talked about the technology involved). I was hoping he would ask how to get them, but no, he didn’t.  I will pray that Paul would come back to the faith of his youth and that his wife would find Christ too.

mid-week apologetics booster (1-12-2017)

Good morning all you who call on the Name of the Lord!

I hope you’re enjoying your life in Christ as you live out your calling as His ambassador.  I like what Greg Koukl tells us in his Tactics book (which is currently $2.99 on Kindle) as he describes the “Ambassador Model”.  An ambassador of Christ should possess:

1. Knowledge – An accurately informed mind
2. Wisdom – An artful method
3. Character – An attractive manner

The goal of these weekly emails is primarily to help you with item #1 – knowledge.  However, all 3 tenets are important in becoming an effective ambassador for Christ.  The Tactics book is a good investment for $2.99 and remember, if you have a smart phone (iPhone or Android), you have a free Kindle app on your Phone (or Tablet).

Here are your weekly links to help you build up your knowledge, leading to an accurately informed mind:

1. 5 Things Christian Parents Must Do to Raise Godly Children in a Secular World: http://crossexamined.org/5-things-christian-parents-must-do-to-raise-godly-children-in-a-secular-world/
2. Are Young People Really Leaving Christianity? | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2016/are-young-people-really-leaving-christianity/
3. Do I have to belong to a church to be a Christian? | CARM Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry: http://carm.org/do-I%20have-to-belong-to-a-church-to-be-a-christian
4. God’s Hiddenness Is Intended to Provoke Us | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2017/gods-hiddenness-is-intended-to-provoke-us/
5. Pro-life Persuasion Always Succeeds | Stand to Reason: http://www.str.org/article/pro-life-persuasion-always-succeeds#.WHAgdMtlDqB
6. 5 New Year’s Resolutions for Christian Apologists – A Clear Lens: https://clearlens.org/5-new-years-resolutions-christian-apologists/
7. Opinions or Truth: Which Shapes You? – BELLATOR CHRISTI: https://pastorbrianchilton.wordpress.com/2015/07/06/opinions-or-truth-which-shapes-you/
8. Six Fossil Timers Stun Secular Scientists | The Institute for Creation Research: http://www.icr.org/article/9753
9. Blinded by evolutionary brainwashing – CMI Mobile: http://creation.mobi/ainsley-chalmers-interview
10. If Naturalistic Evolution Is True, People Are Not Equal | Stand to Reason: http://www.str.org/blog/if-naturalistic-evolution-true-people-are-not-equal#.WHE1d8tlDqB
11. Atheist Astrophysicist Explains Her Journey To Jesus – Reasons for Jesus: http://reasonsforjesus.com/atheist-astrophysicist-explains-her-journey-to-jesus/
12. Popular Atheist Blogger, Leah Libresco, Converts to Christianity – Reasons for Jesus: http://reasonsforjesus.com/popular-atheist-blogger-leah-libresco-converts-christianity/
13. New Report Lists 50 Hardest Countries To Be A Christian In- Muslim Countries Make 9 Of The Top Ten And 75% Overall | Walid Shoebat: http://shoebat.com/2017/01/11/new-report-lists-50-hardest-countries-to-be-a-christian-in-muslim-countries-make-9-of-the-top-ten-and-75-overall/
14. Christians the most persecuted group in world for second year: Study | Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/01/06/christians-most-persecuted-group-in-world-for-second-year-study.html
15. “I Got Gay Married. I Got Gay Divorced. I Regret Both.” | Denny Burk: http://www.dennyburk.com/i-got-gay-married-i-got-gay-divorced-i-regret-both/
16. An Explanation of “Worldview” | Stand to Reason: http://www.str.org/blog/explanation-worldview#.WHV2E8tlDqB
17. 5 Royal Problems with MacroEvolution | CrossExamined Podcast: http://player.subsplash.com/xfn4kbl
18. On the Origin of Human Mitochondrial DNA Differences, New Generation Time Data Both Suggest a Unified Young-Earth Creation Model and Challenge the Evolutionary Out-of-Africa Model: https://answersingenesis.org/genetics/mitochondrial-dna/origin-human-mitochondrial-dna-differences-new-generation-time-data-both-suggest-unified-young-earth/
19. Was Hitler a Christian? http://www.equip.org/article/was-hitler-a-christian/
20. Twelve Points that Prove Christianity is True: http://www.lifestyleofpeace.com/2016/12/twelve-points-that-prove-christianity.html

“He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. “Every man is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud; they have no breath in them. They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish. He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including the tribe of his inheritance — the LORD Almighty is his name.  Jeremiah 51:15-19

Blessings to you all!

mid-week apologetics booster (12-29-2016)

Good morning brothers and sisters,

As we are on the cusp of a new year, resolve to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).  Here are some links that may help you in that:

1. Jesus: the Antidote | Stand to Reason: https://www.str.org/articles/jesus-the-antidote#.WGPQUMtlDqA
2. 15 of the Greatest Pro-Life Quotes of All Time: http://www.lifenews.com/2013/09/03/15-of-the-greatest-pro-life-quotes-of-all-time/
3. Resources to Help You Respond to the Problem of Evil: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/resources-to-help-you-respond-to-the-problem-of-evil-free-bible-insert/
4. Come Reason’s Apologetics Notes: No, Christmas Is Not Based on a Pagan Holiday: http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2015/12/no-christmas-is-not-based-on-pagan.html
5. Jesus, Mystery Religions, and Logical Fallacies – A Clear Lens: https://clearlens.org/jesus-mystery-religions-and-logical-fallacies/
6. Top 10 Apologetics “Tips” of the Year – Sean McDowell: http://seanmcdowell.org/blog/top-10-apologetics-tips-of-the-year
7. Why People Sometimes Disagree About the Evidence for Christianity: http://pleaseconvinceme.libsyn.com/why-people-sometimes-disagree-about-the-evidence-for-christianity
8. 15 New Apologetic Readings for 2017 | THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2016/12/26/15-new-apologetic-readings-for-2017/
9. P. Moreland Answers Three Important Questions: http://crossexamined.org/j-p-moreland-answers-three-important-questions/
10. What Happens When We Divorce Faith from Reason? http://roblundberg.blogspot.com/2016/12/what-happens-when-we-divorce-faith-from.html
11. Debating Atheists: Introduction (part 1/5): http://pleaseconvinceme.com/2016/debating-atheists-introduction-part-15/
12. Is Buddhism Compatible with Christianity? | CARM Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry: https://carm.org/is-buddhism-compatible-with-christianity
13. Tyson Says Chances of Intelligently Designed Universe “May Be Very High”: http://www.evolutionnews.org/2016/12/10_of_our_top_s103386.html
14. Pastor, Am I a Christian? – NYTimes.com: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/12/23/opinion/sunday/pastor-am-i-a-christian.html?_r=0&referer=https://t.co/3B0jCgUnxD
15. Science nudges atheist toward God | The Seattle Times: http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/science-nudges-atheist-toward-god/
16. Does Bill Gates believe that God exists? – Quora: https://www.quora.com/Does-Bill-Gates-believe-that-God-exists
17. Here’s the Most Popular Fast Food Restaurant by State, Can You Spot the 1 Thing That Stands Out? http://www.youngcons.com/heres-the-most-popular-fast-food-restaurant-by-state-can-you-spot-the-1-thing-that-stands-out/
18. Portrait of a Real Man by Dr. Tony Evans:
    1. Part 1: https://youtu.be/gwOAmBBqaYo
    2. Part 2: https://youtu.be/Kvhfmk5pdNk
    3. Part 3: https://youtu.be/Nx1h6JeXRHg

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.  Isaiah 12:2

Blessings

mid-week apologetics booster (12-15-2016)

Good morning friends,

I hope this week finds you appreciating the fact that the Son of God became a man so that men may become sons of God.  Here are some links to help you defend what you believe:

1. Christians Who Fear Christmas, Because It Has Pagan Origins, Is That Good Thinking? http://iapologia.com/christians-who-fear-christmas-because-it-has-pagan-origins-is-that-good-thinking/
2. Watch “Methods for Sharing the Gospel on College Campuses | 2016 Meyer Lecture Series” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SOVcNpPq4Aw
3. Do Varves, Tree-Rings, and Radiocarbon Measurements Prove an Old Earth? | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/age-of-the-earth/do-varves-tree-rings-radiocarbon-measurements-prove-old-earth/
4. How to Answer a False Accusation of Racism: http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2016/12/09/how-to-answer-a-false-accusation-of-racism-n2257095
5. Do 97% of Climate Scientists Really Agree? | PragerU: https://www.prageru.com/courses/environmental-science/do-97-climate-scientists-really-agree
6. How Christian Case Making Impacts the Convinced, the Opposed, and the Undecided | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/how-christian-case-making-impacts-the-convinced-the-opposed-and-the-undecided/
7. Reasons To Believe : Does Dissipation-Driven Theory Explain Life’s Origin? http://www.reasons.org/blogs/todays-new-reason-to-believe/does-dissipation-driven-theory-explain-life%E2%80%99s-origin
8. “Dinosaur” in Amber: Evolutionists Spin Another Tail | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/dinosaurs/feathers/dinosaur-in-amber-evolutionists-spin-another-tail/
9. The ghost at the atheist feast: was Nietzsche right about religion? http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/03/ghost-atheist-feast-was-nietzsche-right-about-religion
10. Should You Talk to a Friend Who’s Gay? | Stand to Reason: http://www.str.org/blog/how-should-you-talk-friend-whos-gay#.WExwlctlDqA
11. Reasons To Believe : Science News Flash: An Old-Earth Perspective on Dinosaur Feathers Preserved in Amber: http://www.reasons.org/blogs/the-cells-design/science-news-flash–an-old-earth-perspective-on-dinosaur-feathers-preserved-in-amber#.WEst5tHKVzE.twitter
12. Washington Post, Your Attacks on Evangelicals are Getting Dangerous | The Stream: https://stream.org/washington-post-attacks-evangelicals-getting-dangerous
13. The Folly of Answering Distracting Atheistic Arguments – Christian Research Institute: http://www.equip.org/article/folly-answering-distracting-atheistic-arguments/#christian-books-3
14. Feathers on a Bird or Dinosaur Tail? The Media Are Certain; the Scientific Evidence Less So: http://www.evolutionnews.org/2016/12/feathers_on_a_b103354.html
15. It is a common misconception that Christians are indoctrinated at birth. Many people hear of Christianity at birth especially if they are born in Christian homes, however, remaining a Christian is always based on that persons’ personal encounter with God.  Now, in EVERY school you are FORCED to learn Evolution. You are FORCED to believe it or fail your Science / Psychology course. You are ridiculed if you question it … considered “smart” if you believe it and “stupid” if you require actual proof of it.  What is indoctrination?… when you believe something wholeheartedly without proof simply because you are “forced” to. Want to know the lies of evolution?… Dr. Kent Hovind explains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKQ-OmeNfFw
16. How We Got the Bible, Part 3 – Reflections: https://reflectionsbyken.wordpress.com/2015/02/24/how-we-got-the-bible-part-3/
17. Christianity is a crutch…you may need it someday – The Veritas Forum: http://www.veritas.org/christianity-crutch/
18. FORMER ATHEIST WILLIAM MURRAY, SON OF THE FOUNDER OF AMERICAN ATHEISTS, CONVERTS TO CHRISTIANITY: https://jamesbishopblog.wordpress.com/2016/12/12/former-atheist-william-murray-son-of-the-founder-of-american-atheists-converts-to-christianity/
19. Is it Stupid to Believe in Miracles? http://crossexamined.org/stupid-believe-miracles/
20. Dark matter caused the demise of the dinosaurs? – CMI Mobile: http://creation.mobi/did-dark-matter-kill-off-the-dinosaurs
21. Hanukkah – Messianic Perspectives with Dr. Gary Hedrick – Hanukkah – Festival of Lights, Part 5 http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/messianic-perspectives/listen/hanukkah-festival-of-lights-part-5-567171.html
22. Was Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Copied from Krishna? http://www.apologeticsguy.com/2016/11/jesus-christ-krishna/
23. JUSTIN MARTYR — THE FIRST APOLOGY OF JUSTIN (150-160 AD): http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html
24. Is Reality One or Many? http://www.reasonablefaith.org/is-reality-one-or-many
25. The Milky Way: https://biblescienceguy.wordpress.com/2016/12/14/the-milky-way/
26. Was the Story of Jesus Borrowed From Pagan Myth? | The Stream: https://stream.org/story-jesus-borrowed-pagan/
27. Should we expect to know what God’s reason is for allowing evil and suffering? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2016/12/11/should-we-expect-to-know-what-gods-reason-is-for-allowing-evil-and-suffering/
28. Why Kids Need a Biblical Worldview and Where to Start – Jonathan Morrow: http://www.jonathanmorrow.org/why-kids-need-a-biblical-worldview-and-where-to-start/
29. 5 Reasons You Should Get Apologetics Training – Sean McDowell: http://seanmcdowell.org/blog/5-reasons-you-should-get-apologetics-training
30. Watch “I left Islam for Christianity” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z-jjJwOtNEw
31. “Moana” Disney Star Nicole Scherzinger Was Almost Aborted: Thankfully My Grandparents Were Pro-Life | LifeNews.com: http://www.lifenews.com/2016/12/14/actress-nicole-scherzinger-was-almost-aborted-thankfully-my-grandparents-were-pro-life/
32. Scientists Confirm: Darwinism Is Broken: http://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/david-klinghoffer/scientists-confirm-darwinism-broken
33. Culture Watch: The Cohabitation Trap: http://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/articles/item/2931-culture-watch-the-cohabitation-trap
34. Testing Islam: https://georgesjournal.net/2016/12/14/testing-islam/

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  Colossians 1:13-14

Blessings

mid-week apologetics booster (12-8-2016)

Good morning friends,

In the midst of this busy season, let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas:

Here are some links to assist you in making the case for your Christian worldview and answering those who oppose it (1 Peter 3:15; 2 Cor. 10:5):

1. Cerebral Faith: Logical Fallacy Series — Part 20: Appeal To Ridicule: http://cerebralfaith.blogspot.com/2016/07/logical-fallacy-series-part-20-appeal.html
2. Researchers Have Found the Oldest Known Manuscript of Leviticus – Jonathan Morrow: http://www.jonathanmorrow.org/researchers-have-found-the-oldest-known-manuscript-of-leviticus/
3. Simple Questions About Christians in the Workplace | National Review: http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/442641/simple-questions-about-christians-workplace
4. Ministering to Mormons in Utah Day 5 – Biblical Worldview Academy: http://biblicalworldviewacademy.org/ministering-to-mormons-in-utah-day-5/
5. Why I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist: http://www.premierchristianity.com/Blog/Why-I-don-t-have-enough-faith-to-be-an-atheist
6. SES Veritas Player | Day 1: The Existence of God: http://subsplash.com/veritasplayer/v/2d5e0b2
7. Apologetics and the Role of Plausibility Structures: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/apologetics-and-the-role-of-plausibility-structures/
8. Truthbomb Apologetics: Video: Answering Atheists by Abdu Murray: http://truthbomb.blogspot.com/2016/11/video-answering-atheists-by-abdu-murray.html
9. Huge sections of the KJV Bible that Joseph Smith just copied into the Book of Mormon: http://www.mormonismdisproved.org/plagiarism.html
10. Christian Essentials Online (systematic theology) – Wayne Grudem messages (mp3 with study outlines): http://www.christianessentialssbc.com/messages
11. Accounting for the Origin of Life, Paul Davies Recognizes the Role of “Software”: http://www.evolutionnews.org/2012/12/accounting_for067461.html
12. 5 Reasons to Share Your Faith: http://www.churchleaders.com/youth/youth-leaders-articles/164712-greg-stier-5-reasons-share-your-faith-in-2013.html
13. Jesus Is A Myth, Just Like President Kennedy: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2016/jesus-is-a-myth-just-like-president-kennedy/
14. “180” Movie – Abortion. Is it a woman’s choice? Or is it murder? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y2KsU_dhwI
15. Perspectives on Louie Giglio, the Homosexual Issue and What It Means to Be a Christ-Follower in This Culture: http://www.epm.org/blog/2013/Jan/14/perspectives-louie-giglio
16. Centre for Intelligent Design Lecture 2011 by Stephen Meyer on ‘Signature in the Cell’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NbluTDb1Nfs
17. 5 Threats Of Demanding Certainty To Change Your Beliefs: http://lukenixblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/5-threats-of-demanding-certainty-to.html
18. As God Is Man May Be? http://www.mrm.org/lorenzo-snow-couplet
19. Crop Circles as an ID Test: http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/01/crop_circles_as068691.html
20. The Difference Between “Belief That” and “Belief In” (< 3 min video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCoaYAovZAE&feature=youtu.be&a
21. When are we human enough to matter: Debate b/w Professor Malcolm Potts and Mr. Scott Klusendorf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsC6ZfTHoL4
22. When Does Personhood Begin? Part I: http://prolifephilosophy.blogspot.com/2012/07/when-does-personhood-begin.html
23. Witnessing for Christ: Spiritual conversation starters: https://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/assess.htm
24. Witnessing: Spiritual conversation starter questions: https://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/starters.htm
25. Faith steps: 8 tips to talking about Jesus: https://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/share-the-gospel/evangelism-principles/faith-steps-8-tips-talking-about-jesus.html
26. Starting a Conversation about Jesus | CBN.com: http://www1.cbn.com/youth/starting-a-conversation-about-jesus
27. BibleForums Christian Message Board: http://bibleforums.org/showthread.php/130604-Bringing-God-up-in-conversation
28. Coaching Center – Turning the Conversation to Christ: http://www.gocampus.org/modx/index.php?id=247
29. The Entire ‘LGBT’ Narrative Just Crumbled | The Stream: https://stream.org/entire-lgbt-narrative-just-crumbled/
30. Never Read a Bible Verse | Greg Koukl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PHs_9vX20Y
31. Case-Making 101: How does the Bible compare to other ancient documents? http://truthfaithandreason.com/case-making-101-how-does-the-bible-compare-to-other-ancient-documents/
32. To Witness Like Jesus, Use Logic and Reason: http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2014/12/to-witness-like-jesus-use-logic-and.html
33. Is Spiritual Truth a Matter of Opinion? Open Letter to a Relativist: http://crossexamined.org/is-spiritual-truth-a-matter-of-opinion-an-open-letter-to-a-relativist/
34. Whale evolution fraud: http://creation.com/whale-evolution-fraud
35. Come Reason’s Apologetics Notes: The Intellectual Cowardice behind ‘Agnostic Atheists’: http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2016/12/the-intellectual-cowardice-behind.html
36. Myth of Neutrality and a Prejudicial Challenge – the pretended neutrality fallacy: http://theophilus-defendingthefaith.blogspot.com/2016/11/myth-of-neutrality-and-prejudicial.html
37. The Gospel According to Peanuts – Larry Alex Taunton: http://larryalextaunton.com/blog/the-gospel-according-to-peanuts/
38. Watch these 6 free Christian films online: http://www.fullyfreefilms.com/
39. Ohio Senate Passes Bill to Ban All Abortions After an Unborn Baby’s Heartbeat Begins: http://www.lifenews.com/2016/12/06/ohio-senate-passes-bill-to-ban-all-abortions-after-an-unborn-babys-heartbeat-begins/
40. 84 Confirmed Facts in the Last 16 Chapters of the Book of Acts: http://truthbomb.blogspot.com/2012/01/84-confirmed-facts-in-last-16-chapters.html
41. The State of Climate Science: No Justification for Extreme Policies: http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2016/04/the-state-of-climate-science-no-justification-for-extreme-policies
42. Does the Cumulative Case for Design Point to a Divine Designer? | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2015/does-the-cumulative-case-for-design-point-to-a-divine-designer/
43. Further Reflections on the Belief That “All Sins Are Equal”: It’s More Widespread Than You Think – Canon Fodder: http://michaeljkruger.com/further-reflections-on-the-belief-that-all-sins-are-equal-its-more-widespread-than-you-think
44. Belief in Christ Is a Conclusion, Not a Delusion: http://www.gospel-life.net/belief-in-christ-is-a-conclusion-not-a-delusion/

Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself ; for you who judge practice the same things.  Romans 2:1

Blessings

mid-week apologetics booster (11-24-2016)

Happy Thanksgiving brothers and sisters in Christ!

Let us remember and reflect upon the goodness of our God and the many blessings He has bestowed on us.  As we heard in the Thanksgiving message last night, let us not forget the Giver of all these blessings as we enjoy them today.  Jesus said to His disciples “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”  Luke 11:13.  Thank you God for treating us so well, even though we deserve only judgment.

1. The Gospel Message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Ex2FpwqvI
2. My Favorite Analogy of the Trinity: http://truthbomb.blogspot.com/2014/10/my-favorite-analogy-of-trinity.html
3. Reboot Christianity: Why apologetics is critical for youth ministry: http://rebootchristianity.blogspot.com/2013/11/why-apologetics-is-critical-for-youth.html
4. Does the church do a good job of equipping Christians to talk to non-Christians? http://winteryknight.wordpress.com/2014/10/19/does-the-church-do-a-good-job-of-equipping-christians-to-talk-to-non-christians-2/
5. Ten Basic Facts About the NT Canon that Every Christian Should Memorize: http://michaeljkruger.com/the-complete-series-ten-basic-facts-about-the-nt-canon-that-every-christian-should-memorize/
6. Watch “The Argument from Reason” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xKX-QtEo2fI
7. Watch “Most POWERFUL video you will see all day.” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7n3ZKtvoprY
8. What your political views say about your suitability for marriage and parenting: https://winteryknight.com/2016/11/18/what-your-political-views-say-about-your-suitability-for-marriage-and-parenting/
9. Rapid Responses to Difficult Questions (J. Warner Wallace):
   1. Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLdKMA8c9h0
   2. Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pveIBtYNLE4
10. Does the Bible Advocate Slavery? http://www.exploregod.com/does-the-bible-advocate-slavery
11. The following passage reminds me of current political environment.  Notice how Pilate asks “Why? What crime has he committed?”, but the crowd refused to give any answer, they just shouted ‘Crucify him’: Matthew 27:21-24 – “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!”   “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd.
12. Christianity is True! Mini-Book/Tract (25 Pack) – Ratio Christi Store (this looks like a good evangelism resource): http://store.ratiochristi.org/christianity-is-true-mini-book-tract/
13. Lacey Sturm: Suicidal Atheist becomes Christian rock star: http://www.premierchristianity.com/Blog/Lacey-Sturm-Suicidal-Atheist-becomes-Christian-rock-star
14. The 3 A’s of Apologetics: http://m.blogs.christianpost.com/dear-ephesus/the-3-as-of-apologetics-18687/
15. Understanding the Times with Jan Markell – When God’s People Stun the Global Elite: http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/understanding-the-times/listen/when-gods-people-stun-the-global-elite-565332.html
16. Enjoy The Distinctly Christian Holiday We Call Thanksgiving: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2016/enjoy-this-distinctly-christian-holiday-we-call-thanksgiving/

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”  1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Continued blessings to you all!

mid-week apologetics booster (10-6-2016)

Good morning,

First, a house-keeping item – I will not be sending out this booster next week.  Rather than encouraging you with apologetics concerning God and His creation, Lord willing, I will be experiencing His creation in a place called Kauai!  So, you’ll hear from me again in 2 weeks.

Now, on to the good stuff…

1. David Silverman Denies That The Holocaust Was Objectively Wrong in a debate with Frank Turek: https://youtu.be/ybiFlsLZU-A?t=2m01s
2. New Bill Would Repeal Johnson Amendment, Protect Pastors’ Rights to Endorse Candidates | LifeNews.com: http://www.lifenews.com/2016/09/29/new-bill-would-repeal-johnson-amendment-protect-pastors-rights-to-endorse-candidates/
3. How Christianity Created the Free Society | Public Discourse: http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2016/09/17405/
4. A Call to Repentance & Renewal – An Open Letter to Christian pastors, leaders and believers who assist the anti-Christian Progressive political movement in America: http://americanevangelicals.com/
5. Did Man Get Here By Evolution Or By Creation? Chapter 3 Does Life Come from Nonliving Matter? http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/evolution67/evolution3.html
6. Five Questions About Evolution that Charles Darwin Can’t Answer: https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1579-five-questions-about-evolution-that-charles-darwin-cant-answer
7. Holy Rebel: http://dangreenup.com/holy-rebel/
8. Evolutionary dilemma – The more we know about DNA, the tougher things get for modern Darwinism: http://creation.com/evolutionary-dilemma
9. Help! My Pastor Became An Atheist! https://clearlens.org/2016/09/28/help-my-pastor-became-an-atheist/
10. Isn’t It Possible That The Jesus Story Was A Conspiracy (unfortunately, this is poor audio)? “Anything is possible, but not everything is reasonable.” A student alludes to the DaVinci Code, saying that it was put forth in the book/movie that Jesus’ follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XV7ajMLYO4
11. The Imminent Death of Darwinism and the Rise of Intelligent Design: http://www.icr.org/article/imminent-death-darwinism-rise-intelligent-design/
12. The Danger of Treating the Word “Disciple” as a Noun Instead of a Verb: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/the-danger-of-treating-the-word-disciple-as-a-noun-instead-of-a-verb/
13. How Christ’s Incarnation Differs from the Hindu Idea of Avatar: https://reflectionsbyken.wordpress.com/2015/12/22/how-christs-incarnation-differs-from-the-hindu-idea-of-avatar/
14. The Free Thinking Argument: http://www.reasonablefaithbelfast.com/blog/-the-free-thinking-argument
15. Canyon creation – CMI Mobile: http://creation.mobi/a/237
16. Biblical Contradictions are as Scarce as Hen’s Teeth – Southern by His Grace: http://southernbyhisgrace.com/biblical-contradictions-are-as-scarce-as-hens-teeth/
17. Evidence for Design Grows Like a New Patch of Kudzu – Southern by His Grace: http://southernbyhisgrace.com/evidence-for-design-grows-like-a-new-patch-of-kudzu/
18. “I Just Don’t Have Your Faith” | Saints and Sceptics: http://www.saintsandsceptics.org/i-just-dont-have-your-faith/
19. Cold-Case Christianity for Kids: Investigate Jesus with a Real Detective (new book for kids by J. Warner Wallace): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/cold-case-christianity-for-kids-j-warner-wallace/1123269143/2675127321420?st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Marketplace+Shopping+Books_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP3038&k_clickid=3×3038
20. What Is the Essential Truth About the Holy Spirit? (J. Warner Wallace podcast): http://pleaseconvinceme.libsyn.com/what-is-the-essential-truth-about-the-holy-spirit?tdest_id=90058
21. The Problem with “Friendship Evangelism”: http://www.missioalliance.org/problem-friendship-evangelism/
22. Creationist receives six-figure legal settlement from public university: http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/29337/
23. Evidence of the Resurrection Accepted Even by Atheist New Testament Scholars: https://cyberpenance.wordpress.com/2016/09/30/__trashed-3/

Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools. Proverbs 16:22

Blessings

mid-week apologetics booster (9-22-2016)

Good morning friends,

Another week has gone by, and we all need to ask ourselves, have we done anything this week to advance the kingdom of God and the Gospel?  The Apostle Paul said

“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” (Philippians 1:12-14)

I suspect that you were not actually physically in chains for Christ this week, but there are other ways that you may’ve been advancing the Gospel.  Maybe you were at AWANA last night advancing the Gospel and the Kingdom of God.  May you gave money to a faithful ministry that is advancing the Gospel and the Kingdom of God.  Maybe you made a meal for brothers and sisters at Church, or did some cleaning or maintenance at the Church.  Maybe you served the homeless in our community at one of the many relief organizations.  Maybe you spoke up in a personal conversation, communicating and defending you faith in Christ.  I know of one of my brothers who led someone to Christ this week in a faraway land over the phone and internet (WeChat).  She prayed to receive Christ and her life was changed forever!  Praise the Lord.  This brother of mine was a faithful witness over several months of weekly calls, teaching and preaching the Word of God to her (after the business talk was finished).  He was advancing the Gospel into a country where she may not’ve heard it otherwise.

God has placed us where we are with our circle of influence.  Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”.  This is our chance in this lifetime to make a difference for the Kingdom of God in a dark and hurting world!  I like how Pastor James MacDonald phrases it – “we need to be shouldering weekly Kingdom responsibility”.  He stresses the fact that every born again, Bible believing, follower of Christ should be striving to:

1. Walk with Christ
2. Worship Christ
3. Work for Christ

I pray that you would all make a difference for Christ this week!

Here are you weekly links:

1. Watch “Catch The Light for Intelligent Design Audio Play – 8th Clip” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CAgobUvih5Q
2. Why Abortion Is Unjust Discrimination – A Clear Lens: https://clearlens.org/2015/12/11/why-abortion-is-unjust-discrimination/
3. The Complete Series: Ten Basic Facts About the NT Canon that Every Christian Should Memorize – Canon Fodder: http://michaeljkruger.com/the-complete-series-ten-basic-facts-about-the-nt-canon-that-every-christian-should-memorize/
4. Tom Gilson talks about how to have critical conversations about difficult topics with teens | Stand to Reason: http://www.str.org/node/42138
5. Watch “The Kalam Cosmological Argument” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6CulBuMCLg0
6. Open Biola: Free Educational Content Created & Curated by Biola University | Open Biola: http://open.biola.edu/
7. Watch “Are Beliefs the Result of Where One Is Born?” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VjHRqToHhCU
8. Watch “Understanding and Sharing Truth in our Culture” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5ODX5r3d_2I
9. New Video Destroys the False Claim That Abortion is Just 3% of What Planned Parenthood Does | LifeNews.com: http://www.lifenews.com/2016/09/14/new-video-destroys-the-false-claim-that-abortion-is-just-3-of-what-planned-parenthood-does/
10. Watch “29. Hasn’t Christianity done more harm than good?” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0bOyoAjhUc8
11. Watch “Was the New Testament Written Early?” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pBxoNiTyfHw
12. Arguing, Quarreling, and Questioning | Think on These Things: https://jaredrabbot.wordpress.com/2015/01/29/arguing-quarreling-and-questioning/
13. What Is Postmodernism? | NAMB: https://www.namb.net/apologetics/what-is-postmodernism
14. Faith Actually: Definitions Matter: http://faithactually.blogspot.com/2016/07/definitions-matter.html?m=1
15. Pastor Andy Stanley says the Bible is too hard to defend – Evangelical pastor preaches that the Bible isn’t the foundation for the Christian faith: http://creation.com/andy-stanley-rebuttal
16. Cosmologist Luke Barnes answers 11 objections to the fine-tuning argument: https://winteryknight.com/2016/09/11/cosmologist-luke-barnes-answers-11-objections-to-the-fine-tuning-argument-4/

Blessings to you all!

mid-week apologetics booster (9-8-2016)

Good morning friends,

Here are your weekly links:

1. The New Face of Atheism (And It’s Not Dawkins!) – Sean McDowell: http://seanmcdowell.org/blog/the-new-face-of-atheism-and-its-not-dawkins
2. God’s Foreknowledge Does Not Force – A Clear Lens: https://clearlens.org/2015/07/24/gods-knowledge-does-not-force/
3. Elementary School with Co-ed Restrooms: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Elementary-School-with-Co-ed-Restrooms.html?soid=1100422530046&aid=yGl2YXsMESA
4. Atheists Who Convert: A Case Study: http://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Atheists-Who-Convert-A-Case-Study
5. LDS Church and Same-Sex Marriage: The DOCTRINE Behind the Policy — dear Ephesus: http://www.dearephesus.org/blog/2015/11/6/lds-church-and-same-sex-marriage-the-theology-behind-the-policy
6. Pornography and Purity: Pursuing a Biblical Vision of Manhood and Womanhood to the Glory of God – Servants of Grace: http://servantsofgrace.org/pornography-purity-pursuing-biblical-vision-manhood-womanhood-glory-god/
7. Why isn’t God’s Existence more Obvious? | Saints and Sceptics: http://www.saintsandsceptics.org/why-isnt-gods-existence-more-obvious/
8. You Don’t Always Have to Make a Defense – Apologetics 105: https://apologetics105.com/2016/08/31/you-dont-always-have-to-make-a-defense/
9. How To Answer, “Can You Be Good Without God?” – DyerThoughts: http://www.dyerthoughts.com/home/how-to-answer-can-you-be-good-without-god
10. Mark Spence videos:
    1. Watch “I Deserve Hell – Mark Spence’s Story” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xci422OZGWE
    2. Watch “Can We Trust the Bible?” by Living Waters on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XyNseXdd260
    3. Watch “Is It Wrong to Judge?” by Living Waters on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ef3P97nz0lU
    4. Watch “Mark Spence ‘The Good News is Great News’” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LdU3y7EIa8Y
11. Harvard PhD tosses questions at fossil claim: http://mobile.wnd.com/2016/09/harvard-phd-tosses-questions-at-fossil-claim/
12. Bad Arguments Against Christianity: Bible Contradictions – A Clear Lens: https://clearlens.org/2015/08/11/answering-the-bible-contradictions-objection/
13. Video Shows Mother Teresa Saying “Every Abortion is a Rejection of Jesus” | LifeNews.com: http://www.lifenews.com/2013/12/27/video-shows-mother-teresa-saying-every-abortion-is-a-rejection-of-jesus/
14. The Problem of Evil Is Often A Problem of Understanding – Cross Examined: http://crossexamined.org/the-problem-of-evil-is-often-a-problem-of-understanding/
15. ISIS Is Killing Us Because We Are Not Muslim – by Nabeel Qureshi: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nabeel-qureshi/isis-is-killing-us-because-we-are-not-muslim_b_11793770.html
16. Lessons for America from the fall of Rome: http://mobile.wnd.com/2016/09/lessons-for-america-from-the-fall-of-rome/#67C09EVzvgw1FYx4.99
17. The Case for Christianity According to a 7th Grader | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2016/10965/
18. Our shrinking brains – CMI Mobile: http://creation.mobi/our-shrinking-brains
19. 4 Ways to become a better listener and a better Apologist: http://crossexamined.org/4-ways-become-better-listener-better-apologist/
20. Why Would an Engineer-Turned-Mom Care So Deeply about Apologetics? http://seanmcdowell.org/blog/why-would-an-engineer-turned-mom-care-so-deeply-about-apologetics
21. The Church of Chronic Denial and Dementia | Today, the Church disavows the theories advanced in the past…… https://robertbridgstock.wordpress.com/2016/09/06/the-church-of-chronic-denial-and-dementia/
22. Four Self-Refuting Statements Heard on College Campuses Across America: http://crossexamined.org/four-self-refuting-statements-heard-on-college-campuses-across-america/
23. What Christian Parents Need to Know About New Age and Occult Beliefs: http://crossexamined.org/christian-parents-need-know-new-age-occult-beliefs/
24. Greg Bahnsen: The Bible is the Word of God: http://evidence4god.blogspot.com/2016/08/greg-bahnsen-standing-on-scripture.html
25. William Lane Craig Q&A: http://www.reasonablefaith.org/knowledge-of-god-and-his-will
26. ‘Increasingly Aggressive’ Atheists Target Children in New Evolution-Promoting Book: http://christiannews.net/2016/09/05/increasingly-aggressive-atheists-target-children-in-new-evolution-promoting-book/

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.  Psalms 100:1-5

mid-week apologetics booster (9-1-2016)

Good morning all,

I hope I find you this morning thinking deeply about “the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent” (John 17:3)!  Here are some items to help you defend your faith this week:

1. Podcast #41: A Clear View of Mormonism with Dr. Craig Hazen – A Clear Lens: https://clearlens.org/2016/08/17/podcast-41-a-clear-view-of-mormonism-with-dr-craig-hazen/
2. How to Talk to Your Kids About Hell: http://christianmomthoughts.com/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-hell/
3. Come Reason’s Apologetics Notes: Using Public Funds to Establish Atheist Beliefs: http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2016/08/using-public-funds-to-establish-atheist.html
4. Talking to a student about God’s existence at The Ohio State University – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2016/08/24/talking-to-a-student-about-gods-existence-at-the-ohio-state-university/
5. Possible Worlds: My Favorite Apologetic Arguments: http://www.randyeverist.com/2016/08/my-favorite-apologetic-arguments.html
6. Come Reason’s Apologetics Notes: Dealing with All Those “Lost Gospel” Claims: http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2014/03/dealing-with-all-those-lost-gospel.html
7. Shia and Sunni Islam – what are the differences? http://www.gotquestions.org/Shia-Sunni-Islam.html
8. 65 Apologetics Questions Every Christian Parent Needs to Learn to Answer: http://crossexamined.org/65-apologetics-questions-every-christian-parent-needs-to-learn-to-answer/
9. Did Adam and Eve Really Exist? – Christian Research Institute: http://www.equip.org/bible_answers/adam-eve-really-exist/
10. Richard Dawkins: The Atheist Evangelist – Larry Alex Taunton: http://larryalextaunton.com/articles/richard-dawkins-the-atheist-evangelist/
11. Did Bible Authors Believe in a Literal Genesis? | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/genesis/did-bible-authors-believe-in-a-literal-genesis/
12. Why some Americans left religion behind | Pew Research Center: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/08/24/why-americas-nones-left-religion-behind/
13. Funsized Fallacies: Post Hoc – A Clear Lens: https://clearlens.org/2015/06/05/funsized-fallacies-post-hoc-3/
14. 5 Questions to Ask Jesus Mythicists: http://www.stephenjbedard.com/5-questions-ask-jesus-mythicists/
15. Your Work Matters to God: https://www.probe.org/your-work-matters-to-god/
16. Parents: Don’t Train Your Kids On Your Own: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/parents-dont-train-your-kids-on-your-own/
17. 3 WAYS ‘THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT’ STORY BACKFIRES: https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/trevinwax/2016/08/25/3-ways-the-blind-men-and-the-elephant-story-backfires/
18. Transgender Identity-Wishing Away God’s Design: https://answersingenesis.org/family/gender/transgender-identity-wishing-away-gods-design/
19. Despite Rape and Torture, ISIS Captive Refused to Renounce Christianity Before Execution | The Stream: https://stream.org/despite-rape-torture-isis-captive-refused-renounce-christianity/
20. FRC Blog » Ending the Secular Witch Hunt: http://frcblog.com/2016/08/ending-secular-witch-hunt/
21. The 5 Worst Beliefs a Christian Parent Can Have in an Imploding Society: http://christianmomthoughts.com/the-5-worst-beliefs-a-christian-parent-can-have-in-an-imploding-society/
22. The Apostles Wrote the Gospels as Eyewitness Accounts | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2016/the-apostles-wrote-the-gospels-as-eyewitness-accounts/
23. Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources – bethinking.org: http://www.bethinking.org/jesus/ancient-evidence-for-jesus-from-non-christian-sources
24. Jesus Is A Myth, Just Like President Kennedy | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2016/jesus-is-a-myth-just-like-president-kennedy/
25. Building a case for the historical Jesus – ChristianWeek: http://www.christianweek.org/building-case-historical-jesus/
26. Reasons To Believe : Universe Cannot Be Created Because That Would Be Magic? http://www.reasons.org/blogs/todays-new-reason-to-believe/universe-cannot-be-created-because-that-would-be-magic
27. Did Papias Know the Apostle John? – Canon Fodder: http://michaeljkruger.com/did-papias-know-the-apostle-john/
28. An Essential Key to Understanding the Development of the NT Canon – Canon Fodder: http://michaeljkruger.com/an-essential-key-to-understanding-the-development-of-the-nt-canon/
29. Watch “Why Can The Bible Be Trusted Sean McDowell” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Jc2wqBfk20E
30. Football banana-throwing racism – What’s the basis for the racist symbolism of hurling bananas at black football players? http://creation.com/banana-throwing-football-and-racism
31. A Billion Genes and Not One Beneficial Mutation: http://www.evolutionnews.org/2016/08/a_billion_genes103091.html

Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.  John 12:27

Blessings

mid-week apologetics booster (8-25-2016)

Good morning followers of Christ!

I ran into an extraordinarily large amount of articles and videos I’m providing you this week.  Hopefully you’ll find something in here to equip you to gently instruct those who oppose you (2 Timothy 2:23-26):

1. How to Respond When Someone Says, “No One Comes to Faith Through Arguments.”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cS2xGUj5KQ
2. When it Comes to Abortion, No One Talks about the One Question that Matters. It’s the One Question the President Never Asks: http://www.str.org/Media/Default/Publications/December%201997%20-1.pdf
3. 4 Myths About Teaching Apologetics in Youth Ministry: http://www.churchleaders.com/youth/youth-leaders-articles/160290-benjer_mcveigh_4_myths_about_teaching_apologetics_in_youth_ministry.html
4. A ‘no brainer’ test for measuring the faith of our young ones – Are your children (and grandchildren) asking the right questions? http://creation.com/no-brainer-test
5. Three Surprising Facts about Atheists | Paul Gould: http://www.paul-gould.com/2016/08/17/three-surprising-facts-about-atheists/
6. We are saved by faith alone, not by faith and works | Salvation and works: https://carm.org/are-we-saved-faith-alone-or-do-we-need-works-too
7. How Come the Bible Doesn’t Condemn Slavery? Reasons To Believe: http://www.reasons.org/articles/how-come-the-bible-doesnt-condemn-slavery
8. Atheist Vs. Christian Summer Camps: Which More Effectively Taught Their Worldview This Summer? http://christianmomthoughts.com/atheist-vs-christian-summer-camps-which-more-effectively-taught-their-worldview-this-summer/
9. Why 99 out of 10 Millennials Leave The Church? http://crossexamined.org/why-99-out-of-10-millennials-leave-the-church/
10. State School? Christian College? Navigating the Many Choices: http://www.equip.org/article/state-school-christian-college-navigating-many-choices/
11. Is it arrogant to claim you have ‘the truth’? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adxa8Iw8T48
12. What are the differences between Catholics and Protestants? http://www.gotquestions.org/difference-Catholic-Protestant.html
13. 6 Ways You May Be Raising Your Kids with an Oversimplified Faith: http://christianmomthoughts.com/6-ways-you-may-be-raising-your-kids-with-an-oversimplified-faith/
14. THEO101: The Destiny of the Unsaved: https://clearlens.org/2016/08/18/theo101-the-destiny-of-the-unsaved/
15. What Can’t Science Account For? http://str.typepad.com/weblog/2016/08/what-cant-science-account-for.html
16. Witnessing To Jehovah’s Witnesses [Part1] – Most Christians are ill-equipped to handle themselves in discussions with Jehovah’s Witnesses. The simple reason is they know their stuff and most Christians don’t. Most Christians know what they believe, but don’t know why they believe it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ6Pf5ZDSCk
17. Asking Questions and Calling Bluffs: https://apolotheo.wordpress.com/2016/04/06/asking-questions-and-calling-bluffs/
18. Why Russell’s Teapot Fails: https://clearlens.org/2015/06/03/why-russells-teapot-fails/
19. Why Every Christian Needs to Be A Sheepdog: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2015/why-every-christian-needs-to-be-a-sheepdog/
20. Funsized Fallacies: Tu Quoque: https://clearlens.org/2015/05/01/funsized-fallacies-tu-quoque/
21. “Ray Comfort on the Banana, in context [HQ]” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BXLqDGL1FSg
22. “The Greatest Gamble” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4uIZkYqkKqM
23. azvoterguide.com: http://www.azvoterguide.com/
24. Do all good people go to heaven? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clJdwHyhJzY
25. Is atheism a religion? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tzxQSFq1iE
26. There’s Probably No God – a response to Richard Dawkins: http://www.saintsandsceptics.org/theres-probably-no-god-a-response-to-richard-dawkins/
27. Two More Ways Learning to Defend Your Faith Benefits You: http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2014/09/two-more-ways-learning-to-defend-your.html
28. More Ways Learning to Defend Your Faith Benefits You! http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2014/09/four-ways-learning-to-defend-your-faith.html
29. Why Would God Have Permitted Any Form of Servitude or Slavery? http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/why-would-god-have-permitted-any-form-of-servitude-or-slavery/
30. Why Natural Selection Cannot Explain the Origin of Animal Development: http://www.equip.org/article/natural-selection-cannot-explain-origin-animal-development/
31. A Wallet, A Dollar, the Existence of God 1-Theism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vi-FsaEb3Q
32. Jesus vs. Horus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FR08QtvapM
33. Questioning Modeled by Jesus | Confident Christianity: http://confidentchristianity.com/?p=1432
34. Your eyeball has 137,000,000 connections in one square inch.. Evolutionism teaches that it happened by chance… That’s ridiculous: https://www.facebook.com/HowToWinASoul/videos/1808089622744119/
35. When did the boat sink? https://www.facebook.com/HowToWinASoul/videos/1720959891457093/
36. Evolutionists say “How can you believe that all the dogs in the world came from two dogs on Noah’s ark?” yet they believe that all the dogs in the world came from a rock: https://www.facebook.com/HowToWinASoul/videos/1808090186077396/
37. Talk It Up! Major New Study on Homosexuality: https://www.thinkingchristian.net/posts/2016/08/talk-major-new-study-homosexuality/

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts ; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.  Psalm 51:1-17

Blessings

mid-week apologetics booster (7-14-2016)

Good morning all,

Here are some links for you to take a look at:

1. 7 Questions Skeptics Ask – How to answer the tough questions: http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/articles/evangelism/seven-questions-skeptics-ask.html?start=1
2. Teaching Apologetics to the Next Generation: http://www.equip.org/article/teaching-apologetics-next-generation/
3. 5 Signs That Someone is Open to the Gospel: http://www.biblestudytools.com/blogs/the-good-book-blog/5-signs-that-someone-is-open-to-the-gospel.html
4. Six Things That May Change the Way You Think About Police Officers (J. Warner Wallace – Cold Case Homicide detective and Christian Apologist): http://coldcasechristianity.com/2016/six-things-that-may-change-the-way-you-think-about-police-officers/
5. Bible Contradiction? Was Jesus born in a house or a manger? https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2016/07/11/bible-contradiction-was-jesus-born-in-a-house-or-a-manger/
6. Who created God? https://coffeehousequestions.com/2016/07/12/who-created-god/
7. Sorry, Faster Mutation Rate Will Not Explain the Cambrian Explosion: http://www.evolutionnews.org/2016/07/faster_mutation102984.html
8. Hermeneutics: The Eight Rules of Biblical Interpretation: http://www.apologeticsindex.org/5846-biblical-interpretation-rules
9. The Big Bang, The First Cause, and God: http://www.uncommondescent.com/philosophy/the-big-bang-the-first-cause-and-god/
10. Another Look at the Earliest Complete List of the Canon of the New Testament: http://michaeljkruger.com/another-look-at-the-earliest-complete-list-of-the-canon-of-the-new-testament/
11. God Space: Where Spiritual Conversations Happen Naturally: https://www.probe.org/god-space-where-spiritual-conversations-happen-naturally/
12. Two Types of Sceptic: http://www.saintsandsceptics.org/two-types-of-sceptic/

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him– the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD– and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest.  Isaiah 11:1-8.

Have a great week!

mid-week apologetics booster (7-7-2016)

Good morning friends,

Here are your weekly links – make good use of them for “summer reading”:

1. The most important thinking skill for a Christian Apologist – great podcast by Dr. Frank Turek – must listen: http://player.subsplash.com/ba83a16
2. Is There Any Difference Between Islamic Violence Today and the Wars of the Old Testament? | Thinking Christian: https://www.thinkingchristian.net/posts/2016/06/is-there-any-difference-between-islamic-violence-today-and-the-wars-of-the-old-testament/
3. What about Aliens, UFOs, evolution and suffering? – CMI Mobile: http://creation.mobi/aliens-ufos-evolution-suffering
4. The Blind Men and an Elephant: http://www.cltruth.com/2015/the-blind-men-and-an-elephant/
5. Christian Anger & Fundamentalism. | James Bishop’s Theology & Apologetics.: https://jamesbishopblog.wordpress.com/2016/07/03/christian-anger-fundamentalism/
6. Christianity for Everyone: Why is Jesus the only way? Part 1: http://christianityforeveryone.blogspot.com/2014/05/why-is-jesus-only-way-part-1_16.html
7. Christian Quotations from America’s Founding Fathers | Thomistic Bent: https://humblesmith.wordpress.com/2016/07/03/christian-quotations-from-americas-founding-fathers/
8. Don’t Be Afraid to Be the Cause of Your Kids’ Questions About Christianity: http://christianmomthoughts.com/dont-be-afraid-to-be-the-cause-of-your-kids-questions-about-christianity/
9. Why I Love Atheists | CrossExamined.org: http://crossexamined.org/why-i-love-atheists/
10. The Brief Biblical Case for the Eternal Life of the Soul | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2016/the-brief-biblical-case-for-the-eternal-life-of-the-soul/
11. Apologetics Press – Could the Ark Stay Afloat? http://apologeticspress.org/DiscoveryPubPage.aspx?pub=2&issue=1221&article=2616
12. Cerebral Faith: Logical Fallacy Series — Part 20: Appeal To Ridicule: http://cerebralfaith.blogspot.com/2016/07/logical-fallacy-series-part-20-appeal.html
13. What is moral relativism and how can Christians respond? – Coffeehouse Questions: https://coffeehousequestions.com/2015/06/24/what-is-moral-relativism-and-how-can-christians-respond/
14. Stand to Reason | Who Are You to Judge? http://www.str.org/articles/who-are-you-to-judge
15. Redeemed Royalty | 75% of Millennials Believe This – And It Could Mean The End Of Freedom: http://www.redeemedroyalty.org/75-of-millennials-are-wrong-about-this-and-it-could-mean-the-end-of-freedom/
16. Colossal Noah’s Ark Comes to Life in Kentucky (today is the opening day): http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/07/06/colossal-noahs-ark-comes-to-life-in-kentucky.html

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions –it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:1-7

 

Blessings

mid-week apologetics booster (6-30-2016)

Good morning friends,

I hope you’re having a good summer!  Here is some good summer reading and watching for you:

1. Frank Turek Lists Six Lines of Evidence That Speak to the Reliability of the New Testament | Reference Shelf for the Kingdom of God: http://blogforthelordjesusreferenceshelf.com/2015/01/04/frank-turek-lists-six-lines-of-evidence-that-speak-to-the-reliability-of-the-new-testament/
2. UNC claims Christmas vacations, golf outings are microaggressions: http://campusreform.org/?ID=7751
3. Reporter Says “Huge” Just Doesn’t Describe the Ark | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/06/28/reporter-says-huge-just-doesnt-describe-ark/
4. Why Are Christians So Defensive? | CrossExamined.org: http://crossexamined.org/why-are-christians-so-defensive/
5. Watch “Nabeel Qureshi // Why I stopped believing Islam is a religion of peace” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2htOWOF4gqs
6. US Supreme Court Rules Against Texas Abortion Restrictions Law | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/06/27/us-supreme-court-rules-against-texas-abortion-restrictions-law/
7. Unbelievable? Is God a God of wrath? Joshua Ryan Butler & Brian Zahnd – Saturday 25th June 2016 02:30 pm: http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable/Episodes/Unbelievable-Is-God-a-God-of-wrath-Joshua-Ryan-Butler-Brian-Zahnd
8. The LGBTQ Straw Man: Why You’ve Got Denial of Service Totally Wrong: http://www.redeemedroyalty.org/the-lgbtq-straw-man/
9. Abortion — Supreme Court Treats It Like a Religion in Its Hellerstedt Decision | National Review: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/437243/supreme-court-abortion-whole-womens-health-hellerstedt-religion-sexual-revolution
10. Watch “The Fine-Tuning of the Universe” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EE76nwimuT0
11. Mike Licona Explains Why Apologetics is Necessary: https://vimeo.com/172362102
12. The Why? Series | RZIM: http://rzim.org/the-why-series?platform=hootsuite
13. Video: Shattering the Icons of Evolution by Tim Barnett: http://truthbomb.blogspot.com/2016/06/video-shattering-icons-of-evolution-by.html
14. How to Evangelise New Atheists | Saints and Sceptics: http://www.saintsandsceptics.org/evangelism-and-new-atheists-a-little-advice-for-aspiring-apologists
15. Does Being Old Disqualify the Bible’s Teachings? http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2014/10/does-being-old-disqualify-bibles.html
16. Why Defend My Faith? – Coffeehouse Questions: https://coffeehousequestions.com/2015/05/04/why-defend-my-faith/

O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. And I–in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.  Psalm 17:14-15

Blessings to you all!

mid-week apologetics booster (6-23-2016)

Good morning everyone,

Hope you’re having a good week knowing and glorifying the Lord, enjoying Him, making Him known to others and defending the Christian worldview.  Here are some items to help equip you in those endeavors:

1. 3 Biblical Principles for Worldview Conflict – A Clear Lens: https://clearlens.org/2015/04/15/3-biblical-principles-for-worldview-conflict/
2. Christian Answers: http://christiananswers.net/directry.html
3. No Original Documents: A Skeleton in God’s Closet? – A Clear Lens: https://clearlens.org/2016/06/22/no-original-documents-a-skeleton-in-gods-closet/
4. The New Atheism and Five Arguments for God | Reasonable Faith: http://www.reasonablefaith.org/the-new-atheism-and-five-arguments-for-god
5. 5 Steps To Save The Next Generation From Godlessness | Redeemed Royalty: http://redeemedroyalty.org/5-steps-to-save-the-next-generation-from-godlessness/
6. Sing It Together Now: “My Booooooody” [Joy Behar]: http://lti-blog.blogspot.com/2016/05/sing-it-together-now-my-booooooody.html
7. 30 Things You Can Do This Summer to Deepen Your Kids’ Faith: http://christianmomthoughts.com/30-things-you-can-do-this-summer-to-deepen-your-kids-faith/
8. WHY I STOPPED WATCHING PORN: http://www.redeemedroyalty.org/real-talk-why-i-stopped-looking-at-porn/
9. California legislature seeks to shut down Christian colleges and universities: https://winteryknight.com/2016/06/21/california-legislature-seeks-to-shut-down-christian-colleges-and-universities/
10. What is Social Darwinism? – #4 Post of 2009Tough Questions Answered: http://www.toughquestionsanswered.org/2009/12/26/what-is-social-darwinism/
11. Doesn’t Bible Condone Killing One’s Rebellious Child? | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/bible-questions/doesnt-bible-condone-killing-ones-rebellious-child/
12. Beware of Bethel: A Brief Summary of Bill Johnson’s Unbiblical Teachings: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletters/2016/newsletter20160620.htm#30

Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, “When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?” The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him. Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” John 7:31-36

Blessings to you all!

Talking with an Indian family about Christianity

Sometime in mid-May 2016, I spent time with my wife and an Indian family eating dinner.  Then, after dinner, unbeknownst to me, they invited me back to their house to “debate religion” (according to their 4th grade child).  So, we went, and what ensued was a (friendly) 4 hour talk about Christianity and some about Hinduism.  All I can say is wow…  I didn’t convince them to become Christians, but I was able to clearly share the gospel with them and left the door open for future discussions.  The husband/father of the family said that he actually believes in Jesus, which of course I had to clarify what he meant by that (he doesn’t believe in the Biblical Jesus from what I could gather).  The objections I encountered centered around several themes:

1. The reliability of the Bible
2. The exclusivity of Christianity
3. That all religions are similar

I addressed all of these issues, but without really changing their opinions.  This is a family we continue to be involved with and I continue to pray for opportunities to discuss my faith with them.

mid-week apologetics booster (6-9-2016)

Good morning,

Welcome to summer – nothing like 117⁰ blast of heat this past weekend to get you into the summer mood 🙂 (Psalms 118:24)  Here are some links to educate, encourage and exhort you:

1. The S.L.E.D. Test (for abortion): http://www.str.org/articles/the-s.l.e.d.-test
2. Richard Dawkins: Atheist academic calls for religion ‘to be offended at every opportunity’: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/richard-dawkins-atheist-academic-calls-for-religion-to-be-offended-at-every-opportunity-a7043226.html
3. Why We Need to Go Back to Basics and Make a Case for Our Worldview: http://www.str.org/blog/why-we-need-to-go-back-to-basics-and-make-a-case-for-our-worldview#.V1TxfctlDqA
4. Why Do We Accept the Biblical Writers as Inspired? https://humblesmith.wordpress.com/2016/06/04/why-do-we-accept-the-biblical-writers-as-inspired/
5. A LOOK AT GOD’S EXISTENCE: EVIDENCE WE WANT VS EVIDENCE WE SHOULD EXPECT: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2016/06/05/a-look-at-gods-existence-evidence-we-want-vs-evidence-we-should-expect-2/
6. The Return of the Bible Memory Man | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/06/06/return-of-bible-memory-man/
7. Animal Consciousness Once More | Reasonable Faith: http://www.reasonablefaith.org/animal-consciousness-once-more
8. Family Group Gives North Carolina AG Biology Lesson in New Ad, Tells Him to ‘Do His Job’ and Defend HB2: http://m.townhall.com/tipsheet/cortneyobrien/2016/06/06/family-group-gives-north-carolina-ag-biology-lesson-in-new-ad-tells-him-to-do-his-job-and-enforce-hb2-n2173932
9. 6 Men Who Disguised Themselves as Women to Access Bathrooms: https://stream.org/6-men-disguised-women-access-bathrooms/
10. Scientist says he found definitive proof that God exists: http://ageac.org/en/multimedia/scientist-says-he-found-definitive-proof-that-god-exists-2/
11. How To Answer, “Can You Be Good Without God?” – DyerThoughts: http://www.dyerthoughts.com/home/how-to-answer-can-you-be-good-without-god
12. How we know beyond any doubt that Jesus existed | Saints and Sceptics: http://www.saintsandsceptics.org/how-we-know-beyond-all-doubt-that-jesus-existed-8-quick-points/
13. How the Church’s Anti-Intellectualism Will Be Her Jailor — Michael C Sherrard: http://www.michaelcsherrard.com/blog/2015/6/1/how-the-churchs-anti-intellectualism-will-be-her-jailor
14. Intro to Shinto: https://jamesbishopblog.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/intro-to-shinto/
15. Yoga – As An Eastern Practice: https://jamesbishopblog.wordpress.com/2016/06/05/yoga-as-an-eastern-practice/
16. [not necessarily related to apologetics, but interesting nonetheless] The Gambler’s Fallacy – A bias against deciding the same way in successive situations can affect whether a foreigner is deported, a business gets a loan, or a batter strikes out: http://www.nber.org/digest/jun16/w22026.html

My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. Psalm 71:15

Blessings to you all!