kingdomready.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8vENZwp1rk 

What would Jesus do is a great question to ask in our lives in this evil age?  Recently there was a Hindu clergy member who was invited to say the opening prayer in the United States Senate.  He was interupted by shouts by Christians from the viewing gallery who were eventually removed. 

There are some obvious circumstances that do not make this situation like something Jesus would have specifically dealt with (for example, the Senate is not the Jewish Temple or a church and the United States is not Israel or the Kingdom of God), but what do you think Jesus’ actions, reactions or inaction would have been to this? Would he have done what the people in the balcony did? Why or why not?

I was at Borders Books and Music last night with my wife. We like to go to their cafe’ and peruse through the new books that are always coming out. As we entered the store we were met by a man wearing all black including a hood that covered all of his head except a small part of his face. I thought this was a tad odd but then as I looked around the store, all the employees were dressed as witches, sorcerers, and warlocks. These were not your average cheap plastic face with a rubber band costumes either, they were quite convincing. I went up to one of the warlockish men and asked why everyone was dressed so strangely. He responded, “It’s HP7.” I said, “what’s that.” He said “Harry Potter book number seven.” They release the book at midnight and then work till about 2 or 3 am. We were only there for about an hour but by the time we left (a little after 9 pm) there was already a huge line forming chuck full of creepy-costumed children. In fact it was quite difficult to get out. We were some sort of fake potion (strawberry smoothie) to eat as we left. The whole experience was a bit overwhelming. I had a few questions:

A clay tablet that was dug up near the ancient city of Babylon and stored in a British museum was translated by a visiting professor.  As it turns out, the tablet was a receipt for a monetary gift that Nebo-Sarsekim gave to a temple.  Nebo-Sarsekim, probably not a name you specifically remember from the Old Testament, can be found in Jeremiah 39.

Pretty exciting find!  For more info check out:

News article

Creation Evolution Headlines

The following article discusses the creationist perspective of photosynthesis versus the naturalistic/evolutionary perspective:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n2/origin-of-photosynthesis

Any thoughts?

Yes, you read that correctly - it says “Life is short.  Get a divorce” and then provides the phone number for a law office.  Divorce is common in our culture.  I remember having a conversation this week with a woman whose father has been married 5 times - including twice with the same woman.  In situations like that it seems like people now consider marriage like they once thought of dating.  Come and go as you please and break up when things get tough or something better comes along.

I have been saddened to read, watch and hear of the events recently at Virginia Tech.  I have dealt with death closely recently myself, but I can not even begin to imagine what the people closest to this tragedy are dealing with.  For many of students, faculty and family members it must have been wonderful to gather together for a campus convocation soon after the events.  At this assembly the University President, Governor and the President all spoke.  Joining them were representatives of the major religions of the United States. 

I wanted to address something that was observed at this convocation that is not related to the tragedy.  This post is not about those events.

Headline: University convocation told of Allah, not Jesus. Speakers also invoke Buddha, Dalai Lama

Romans 12:9-21 ⁹ ¶ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; ¹¹ not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, ¹³ contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. ¹⁴  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. ¹⁷ Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. ¹⁹ Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. ²⁰ “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Last weekend I attended the 16th Anual Theological Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference is put on by the Atlanta Bible College and organized by Anthony Buzzard and family. The intention of this yearly gathering is to present papers on various theological subjects within the Abrahamic movement. Since the event was held at Simpsonwood (a Methodist retreat center) there was much time for informal fellowship. Below are the papers that were presented.

1. Startling Statements to Challenge Abrahamics Everywhere by Anthony Buzzard: Nearly fifty slides were presented including quotations from many well known scholars saying shockingly wrong as well as some suportive statements regarding the gospel of the kingdom, the nature of Christ, etc.

CNN Article

YNET News Article

There are a few interesting things about these articles. 

First off, that there is even discussion about this topic is rather amazing knowing the Bible speaks about the Temple needing to be rebuilt.  There are people discussing these issues who are serious and are campaigning for it to be a reality.

Secondly, it also shows how amazing God’s timing is.  The natural progression for the people of God was intended to move form the Mosaic Covenant (in which animal sacrifice and the Temple system were critical) to the Messianic Covenant (in which the sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah and the church model are central).  Soon after the death of the Messiah, the Temple itself in Jerusalem was destroy - if it could be any clearer to the Jews that God wanted things to change.

Charlene Cothran, is a black lesbian who publishes a successful magazine called VENUS with 38,000 subscribers primarily amoung the black homosexual community.   In a radical and sudden change she has “come out of the closet” again–this time as a Christian.  She has found peace in the forgiveness offerred through Christ and now sees her mission (and that of her magazine) as helping other homosexuals who want to leave the gay lifestyle.

read all about it here