Science Is Learning What God Has Always Known!

In 2015, I found an interesting article and video on Facebook.  The blog which I wrote at that time, I have updated so that we can better understand what happens when the secular world wants to stand science alongside its Creator, and call them equal.  It cannot be done. 

Below I am sharing the URL link to that short article and video.   I recommendwatching the video, then read the article.  From them, we learn that "Scientists At Large Hadron Collider Hope To Make Contact With PARALLEL UNIVERSE" and that, through work done at the Large Hadron Collider, Scientists hope to discover more about the creation of our universe.
 
That is commendable and I have no doubt that through work done by scientists at the Large Hadron Collider we have, and will continue, to learn more about our universe and find new ways to benefit humanity.

However, let's look at the two main points presented in the article and video: 

1.  The article says "Parallel Universe" but it goes on to explain that it really means multiple dimensions within our universe. 

That is something which theologians and Bible scholars have suggested for a long time.  And it is something which I have often suggested would appear to be a viable explanation of how our mortal world could coexist alongside heaven and hell - in the same spatial realm.  Our mortal world consists of four dimensions - height, width, length, and time.  That is three spatial, i.e., physical, dimensions (length, width, height), and one temporal dimension, time, i.e., linear time.

Heaven and hell would consist of height, width, and length - for there is no linear time as we know it in heaven and hell, just eternity.  Our linear earth time (seconds, minutes, hours, days, . . years) was part of God's creation.

So, add those up and we see at least ten dimensions existing in the same spatial universe.

2.  The video tells us that through the use of the Large Hadron Collider, scientists may discover when and how the universe was created.

Isn't it amazing that billions of dollars are being spent attempting to tell us what the Bible has always told us:

First, the creation of the universe:   "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).   This is the absolute answer and it only costs the price of a well studied Bible.

Second, regarding a multi-dimensional universe - the Bible does not speak directly to this issue.  However, there are many allusions in the Bible which strongly suggest that this is true.

John 20:19, "Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, 'Peace be with you.'"

John 20:26, "And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them.  Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, 'Peace to you!'"

Luke 24:36-37, "Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, 'Peace to you.'  But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit."

Consider those events.  The disciples were inside the Upper Room with the doors locked.  And, Jesus Christ suddenly appeared in their midst.  He did not come through the door.  Yet, He was there in His resurrected immortal human body.   How do we know He was in His resurrected immortal human body?

Luke 24:38-40, "And He said to them, 'Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?  Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself.  Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.'  When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.

Luke 24:41-43, "But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, 'Have you any food here?'  So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.  And He took it and ate in their presence."

Jesus Christ was not there.  And then, He was standing among them.  What is the logical, obvious explanation?  For me, it is that our mortal world, heaven, and hell share the same spatial space - but in different dimensions.  And, Jesus being in His immortal, glorified body can easily pass from one set of dimensions into another, from one spatial space into another.  

Another exciting consideration - when we are raptured into our immortal bodies, we will be like Jesus Christ (1 John 3:2 - not deity, but in our immortal bodies).  Is that how, in the New Heaven and New Earth of eternity (Revelation 21), we will be able to visit the New Jerusalem which descends from heaven, yet remains separate from earth?  Food for thought?  And, exciting!   "Beam me up, Scotty!"

It should be obvious to all people, especially Christian believers, that God created the heavens and the earth, and all that exists within those realms.  That includes all the sciences which define and govern the functioning of His creation - and all the laws which define and govern those individual fields of science. 

Science, all science, is a subset of His Creation.  In discussing the Creation, that is the meaning of ex nihilo - that He created the heavens, the earth, and all the sciences necessary to make them function - out of nothing, i.e., ex nihilo.

Basically, progress in scientific fields can best be explained as man discovering - what God always knew. 

In the video below, it explains how the Large Hadron Collider, science's relatively new toy, works.  But, the key point in this six minute video is toward the end, when we are told:

The moment after the Big Bang (two protons colliding in the Large Hadron Collider) particle tracks from these collisions will be analyzed by computers connected to the detectors.  And, it is hoped that these tracks will give a new insight into the very birth of our universe, how our universe evolved, what governs its behavior today, and where it is going in the future.

When I heard that statement, I could not help but think of this Scripture passage:

Romans 1:20-22, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools."

 
So, as science learns more and more about our universe through such tools as the Large Haddon Collider - that should be drawing mankind closer and closer to God, the source of all knowledge.    Knowledge is a good thing - as long as we recognize the true Creator and Source of that knowledge - as long as we use those tools and that knowledge for good, and not evil.

I now invite you to watch the video and then read the article.

Video:  The LHC - The Large Hadron Collider. What is the LHC, how does it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQNpucos9wc

Article:  Scientists At Large Hadron Collider Hope To Make Contact With Parallel Universe In Days
https://theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com/2015/03/21/scientists-at-large-hadron-collider-hope-to-make-contact-with-parallel-universe-in-days/

 
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

The Gospel In One Word - TELEŌ - "It Is Finished!"

Recently, I received an e-mail from "Jesus.Org: Question of the Day" and it offered an adaptation from "The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross - The Word of Victory," by A.W. Pink.  That site titled its article "The Gospel in a Single Word?"  

That was referring to the profound statement made by Jesus Christ when He hung on the cross, "It is finished!"   And, based upon the writing of A.W. Pink, that Question of the Day article is reminding us that, in the original Greek language, "It is finished!" is but a single word:  teleō.   Strong's Concordance tells us that teleō (or tetelestai, derived from teleō ) means:

(1) to bring to a close, to finish, to end,

2) to perform, execute, complete, fulfill,

(3) to pay, as in tribute.  In John 19:30 the word means, "It is finished!"   Christ satisfied God's justice by dying for all, to pay for the sins of the the elect (all who will  by grace through faith, follow Christ).  These sins can never be punished again since that would violate God's justice.  Sins can only be punished once, either by a substitute or by yourself.

In another writing, we find:

What Was Finished?
By Dr. Ray Pritchard
www.jesus.org/death-and-resurrection/last-words/what-was-finished.html

"When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished (Tetelestai).'  With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (John 19:30)

Tetelestai comes from the verb teleō, which means "to bring to an end, to complete, to accomplish."  It's a crucial word because it signifies the successful end to a particular course of action.  .  .  But there's more here than the verb itself.  Tetelestai is in the perfect tense in Greek.

That's significant because the perfect tense speaks of an action which has been completed in the past - with results continuing into the present.  It's different from the past tense which looks back to an event and says, "This happened."  The perfect tense adds the idea that "This happened and it is still in effect today."

When Jesus cried out "It is finished," He meant, "It was finished in the past, it is still finished in the present, and it will remain finished in the future."

Note one other fact.  He did not say, "I am finished," for that would imply that he died defeated and exhausted.  Rather, he cried out "It is finished," meaning "I successfully completed the work I came to do."

Tetelestai, then, is the Savior's final cry of victory.  When he died, He left no unfinished business behind.  (Excerpted from "Tetelestai!" by Keep Believing Ministries [used by permission]).

   

Another writing explains further:

Those three words, “It is finished” come from one Greek word tetelestai or teleō.  The word tetelestai is unfamiliar to us, but it was used by various people in everyday life in those days.  A servant would use it when reporting to his or her master, “I have completed the work assigned to me” (see John 17:4).  When a priest examined an animal sacrifice and found it faultless, this word would apply. 

It doesn’t mean just to terminate something, but to carry a thing out to the full!  The word means, “It is finished, it stands finished, and it always will be finished!”   (Pastor Greg  Davenport - www.pastorgregdavenport.blogspot.com/2008/12/it-is-finished.html)

The Jesus.Org article made me want to look further into the thoughts and writings of A.W. Pink, to know more about the man himself:

(A.W. Pink was) One of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century.   Pink briefly studied at Moody Bible Institute in 1910 before taking the pastorate of the Congregational church in Silverton, Colorado, and in 1917 he became pastor of Northside Baptist Church, Spartanburg, South Carolina. 

By this time Pink had become acquainted with prominent dispensationalist such as Harry Ironside and Arno C. Gaebelein, and his first two books, published in 1917 and 1918, were in agreement with that theological position.  (www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Pink)

Then, I went in search of that full writing by A.W. Pink and found the following PDF article.  Below I am giving you only key excerpts from his finished work.  I highly recommend that you visit and save this full article for your own use and to share with others:

THE SEVEN SAYINGS OF THE SAVIOR ON THE CROSS
www.davidcox.com.mx/library/P/Pink%20-%20The%20Seven%20Sayings%20of%20the%20Saviour%20on%20the%20Cross.pdf#page=5&zoom=auto,-169,43

6. THE WORD OF VICTORY

"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished!" John 19:30

"It is finished!"  The ancient Greeks boasted of being able to say much, in little - "to give a sea of matter, in a drop of language" was regarded as the perfection of oratory.  What they sought is here found.  "It is finished" is but one word in the original (language), yet in that word is wrapped up the Gospel of God; in that word is contained the ground (foundation) of the believer’s assurance; in that word is discovered the sum of all joy, and the very spirit of all divine consolation.

"It is finished!"  This was not the despairing cry of a helpless martyr - it was not an expression of satisfaction that the termination of His sufferings was now reached - it was not the last gasp of a worn out life.  No, rather it was the declaration on the part of the divine Redeemer that all for which He came from heaven to earth to do, was now done - that all that was needed to reveal the full character of God had now been accomplished - that all that was required by law - before sinners could be saved - had now been performed: that the flail (scourge, beat) price of our redemption was now paid.

"It is finished!"  The great purpose of God in the history of man was now accomplished - accomplished de jure (in accordance with law) as it will yet be (accomplished) de facto (in reality).

1. Here we see the accomplished fulfillment of all the prophecies which had been written of him ere he should die.

This is the immediate thought of the context: "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished" (John 19:30).  Centuries beforehand, the prophets of God had described step by step the humiliation and suffering which the coming Saviour should undergo (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, read more at www.gotquestions.org/death-resurrection-Messiah.html).   

2. Here we see the completion of his sufferings.

But what tongue or pen can describe the sufferings of the Saviour?  O the unutterable anguish, physical, mental, and spiritual which He endured!  Appropriately was He designated "the Man of Sorrows."  Sufferings at the hands of men, at the hands of Satan, and at the hands of God.  Pain inflicted upon Him by enemies and friends alike.  From the beginning He walked amid the shadows which the cross cast athwart His path.

3. Here we see the goal of the Incarnation is reached.

Scripture indicates there is a special work peculiar to each of the divine persons, though, like the persons themselves, it is not always easy to distinguish between their respective works.  God the Father is specially concerned in the government of the world.  He ruleth over all the works of His hands.  God the Son is specially concerned in the work of redemption: He was the one who came here to die for sinners.  God the Spirit is specially concerned with the Scriptures: He was the one who moved holy men of old to speak the messages of God, as He is the one who now gives spiritual illumination and understanding, and guides into the truth.

4. Here we see the accomplishment of the atonement.

Above we have spoken of Christ reaching the goal of the Incarnation, and of the consummation of His mission to the earth; what that goal and mission were, the Scriptures plainly reveal.  The Son of Man came here "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).  Christ Jesus came into the world "to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15).  God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, "to redeem them that were under the law" (Galatians 4:4).  He was manifested "to take away our sins" (1 John 3:5).  And all this involved the cross.

5. Here we see the end of our sins.

The sins of the believer - all of them - were transferred to the Saviour.  As saith the Scripture, "The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:6).  If then God laid my iniquities on Christ, they are no longer on me.  Sin there is in me, for the old Adamic nature remains in the believer till death or till Christ’s return, should He come before I die - but there is no sin on me.  This distinction between sin IN (me) and sin ON (me) is a vital one, and there should be little difficulty in apprehending it.

Bill Gray Note:  Sin ON me Christ removed at the cross, making eternal salvation available to all who will receive His precious gift.   Sin IN me is the Adamic Sin Nature through which Satan tempts us and which causes many to reject Christ's offer of eternal life.

6. Here we see the fulfillment of the law’s requirements.

"The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just and good" (Rom. 7:12).  How could it be anything less when Jehovah himself had framed and given it!  The fault lay not in the law but in man who, being depraved and sinful, could not keep it.  Yet that law must be kept, and kept by a Man, so that the law might be honored and magnified, and its giver vindicated.  .  .

But not only did the Saviour keep the precepts of the law, He also suffered its penalty and endured its curse.  We had broken it, and taking our place, He must receive its just sentence.  Having received its penalty and endured its curse, the demands of the law are fully met and justice is satisfied.

7. Here we see the destruction of Satan’s power.

See it by faith.  The cross sounded the death-knell of the devil’s power.  To human appearances it looked like the moment of his (Satan's) greatest triumph, yet in reality, it was the hour of his ultimate defeat.  In view of the cross (see context) the Saviour declared, "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out" (John 12:31).  It is true that Satan has not yet been chained and cast into the bottomless pit.  Nevertheless, sentence has been passed (though not yet executed); his doom is certain; and his power is already broken so far as believers are concerned.

"It is finished!"  Reader, do you believe it?   Or, are YOU trying to add something of your own to the finished work of Christ to secure the favor of God?  All you have to do is to accept the pardon which he purchased.  God is satisfied with the work of Christ, why are not you?

"It is finished!"  Do you really believe it?  Or, are you endeavoring to add something of your own to it and thus merit the favor of God?  Some years ago a Christian farmer was deeply concerned over an unsaved carpenter.  The farmer sought to set before his neighbor the Gospel of God’s grace, and to explain how that the finished work of Christ was sufficient for his soul to rest upon.  But the carpenter persisted in the belief that he must do something himself. 

One day the farmer asked the carpenter to make for him a gate, and when the gate was ready he carried it away to his wagon.  He arranged for the carpenter to call on him the next morning and see the gate as it hung in the field.  At the appointed hour the carpenter arrived and was surprised to find the farmer standing by with a sharp axe in his hand. 

"What are you going to do?" he asked.  "I am going to add a few cuts and strokes to your work," was the response.  "But, there is no need for it," replied the carpenter, "the gate is all right as it is.  I did all that was necessary to it."

The farmer took no notice, but lifting his axe he slashed and hacked at the gate until it was completely spoiled.  "Look what you have done!" cried the carpenter.  "You have ruined my work!"

"Yes," said the farmer, "and that is exactly what you are trying to do.  You are seeking to nullify the finished work of Christ by your own miserable additions to it!" 

God used this forceful object lesson to show the carpenter his mistake, and he was led to cast himself by faith upon what Christ had done for sinners.  Reader, will you do the same?

Do YOU believe the declaration of Christ on the cross, "teleō, It is finished!"   Or are you depending upon a church, church rituals and traditions, church attendance, good deeds done for the poor, homeless, and destitute, or other good works of man - to buy your way into heaven?  Is the work of Christ, i.e., "It is finished!" sufficient to purchase your pardon, your eternal life in Christ - OR - do YOU have to help Him finish His work on the cross?   He is sufficient!  

No matter what any man or church may tell you, Jesus Christ is sufficient and His finished work on the cross is sufficient to purchase YOUR eternal salvation - IF you will just accept and receive His precious blood-purchased gift.

No church can save us.  No works can save us.  Only Jesus Christ in our hearts can save us.  That is explained very well in this beautiful Gospel song:

"It's Not What's Over the Door"

Some people think today, if heaven you would see
You must belong to their church or be lost eternally
But according to God's Word what he's still looking for
Is what he finds within your heart
And not what's over the door 

It's not what's over the door of the church that you attend
That makes you a child of God and a heavenly citizen
As the eyes of the Lord look this world o'er
There’s just one thing He's lookin’ for
Can’t you see that’s what’s in your heart
And not what's over the door

Does Jesus live in your heart, and have you been born again
Has the blood of Calvary's Lamb washed away all your sins?
Are you fully trusting in the crucified risen Lord
Can't you see that it's what's in your heart
And not what's over the door

Can’t you see that’s what’s in your heart
And NOT what's over the door.

Would you like to listen to this beautiful explanation of the Gospel:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUdDMPPuB1c

Note:  In all the writings referenced above the parenthetical (except quoted Scripture verse definition), italic, underline, all cap words, and bold emphasis is mine.

My Friend, if you have received Jesus Christ into your heart, I praise God for your eternal Christian fellowship.  But, we all have one more task to finish.  No, not to work ourselves into heaven - but, to tell all our FRANs (Friends, Relatives, Associates, Neighbors) who do not yet know Christ as Lord and Savior - that they, too, can have His promise of eternal life. 

Share with them the truth and fullness of this Scripture passage:

John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

In this Scripture passage, the word WORLD includes you, me, and every person ever born.

In this Scripture passage, the word WHOEVER includes you, me, and every person ever born.

The key or gating words in this Scripture passage are:  "WHOEVER believes in Him."

WHOEVER, i.e., everyone - who believes in Jesus Christ and receives Him as Lord and Savior (John 1:12), has Jesus Christ in his/her heart and is eternally saved.

WHOEVER, i.e., everyone - who does NOT believe in Jesus Christ and receives Him as Lord and Savior (John 1:12), does NOT have Jesus Christ in his/her heart and is eternally lost.

1 John 5:12, "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."

So, my Friends, it is up to YOU and me to tell all our FRANs, "IT IS FINISHED!"   For our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - was, is, and will always be - fully sufficient to purchase our eternal pardon through the power of His blood.   

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Linfield Christian School In Temecula, California

LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO LINFIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL IN TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA.  The first link below is the Linfield Christian School Facebook page.  And, the second link is a video of a Linfield mother explaining why she and her husband are so blessed by the sacrifice they make to keep their six children in this wonderful school.

The video story this mother tells, of their sacrifice to keep their children at Linfield and the joy of having their children in such a caring Christian school which teaches Jesus Christ alongside academic subjects - is the same for our five grandchildren. 

All five of our grandchildren attend, or have attended, Linfield, the youngest four from Kindergarten.  Our oldest, Elyssa, attended another great Christian school, Stoneybrooke Christian School in San Juan Capistrano, before moving and transferring to Linfield.   Elyssa is now doing graduate work for her teaching credentials at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.  Westmont and Linfield are both Christian educational organizations begun by the same wealthy Christian lady in 1937. 

Every day I praise God for the sacrifices our son and daughter-in-law are making to assure that our children are in Linfield Christian School where praying and praising God is not the exception - but, the blessed standard.

The reason I first offer you the Linfield Christian School Facebook page - is that our grandson, Kobe, is part of their cover photo - third from the left.    In the cover photo, behind the students you can see the lake which gives the Linfield campus the peaceful ambiance of a park.  Great place for the students to gather, socialize, and study.

Linfield Christian School Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/linfieldchristian?fref=ts

Why Linfield? Investment - Video made by a Linfield mother
https://vimeo.com/88789854

I Am A Lion - Video about Linfield Christian School from the students' perspective
https://vimeo.com/140990632

A 2012 Merry Christmas and Thank You Video - From the students and faculty at Linfield Christian School
https://vimeo.com/58585709

And, I want to close by saying how blessed Dory and I feel every time we attend Grandparents' Day at Linfield Christian School.  It is such a blessing to join with the students and faculty to pray, sing Christian songs, and spend time with our children and their teachers at Linfield.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day, 

Bill Gray  

The Night The Lights Went Out In Muscle Shoals!

THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN MUSCLE SHOALS! - Okay, the true lyrics say Georgia, but this is a true life situation where the lights (as in grey matter) seems to have gone out in my Alabama home town area of Alabama, the Shoals.   But, only with one person, my long time TimesDaily Religion Forum Friend, Chick.

Let me bring you up to date on a couple of facts:

First, we all know that last Saturday Alabama (BAMA) whomped Georgia (38 to 10) in a nationally televised football game - and at the game there was an attendance in excess of 92,000 cheering fans.

Next, as I have disclosed before, about six months ago my agnostic, cum atheist-wannabe, Friend on the TimesDaily Forums, Chick, collaborated with the relatively new atheist-leaning Publisher of the TimesDaily newspaper who also also took on the job of being the Forums Moderator (I guess the Publisher position did not give him the needed challenge).   And between them, Bill Gray was banned from posting my Christian beliefs on the TimesDaily Religion Forum.   How dare I post the Word of God and my conservative Christian faith on their Religion Forum? 

Today, if you visit that forum you will find that probably 80% or greater of the new discussions are begun by atheists, agnostics, and other non-believers.  That was the situation on the TimesDaily Forums in January 2007 which caused me to start posting on the Forums - and why I posted there for over seven years.   Because the Religion Forum of 2007 was dominated by atheists.  Now that they have successfully banned me from posting, It seems to have reverted back to its sunken state of atheism.

Okay, Bill, where is all this leading us?   Glad you asked!

Yesterday, my dear agnostic Forum Friend, Chick, posted on the TimesDaily Forums:

(BAMA Coach) Nick Saban Arrested
http://tnvalleytalks.hoop.la/topic/nick-saban-arrested-1?reply=457575320969116664#457575320969116664

Considering he's the Heavenly Being that wears a Halo while looking over his team of Celesta (celestial) beings of the Alabama Tide, no way will this Jerk do any time.

AP-Tuscaloosa, AL:   Authorities arrested Alabama head coach Nick Saban in the predawn hours Monday at his home in Tuscaloosa on animal cruelty charges. Saban, 56, was charged with 85 counts of animal cruelty in an alleged attack which occurred Saturday night in Athens, Georgia.  Police said that as many as 92,138 witnesses saw Saban and a large group of violent young men under his control hit, kick, crush, and destroy a large pack of mostly-docile bulldogs.  One officer was quoted as saying, "I haven't seen bulldogs treated this badly since the Michael Vick case." 

Did she not know that was satire?  Well, obviously she knows as little about football (the second religion of Alabama) as she does about the first, God and the Christian faith.   When I first saw her post yesterday, I chose not to share it - assuming that she knew it was satire and was just having fun.   However, it looks like I gave her too much credit for knowing satire from facts.  Today, that discussion continued with:

Posted by Scro:  You know this is a joke, right?

Posted by SemiAnnualChick:  If it's a joke, why is it on so many media sites?  Can you post a link of it being a joke, please?

Some of you might not be familiar with the term "Valley Girls."   Back in the 1970/80s a new breed of females evolved (forgive the pun) in the San Fernando Valley area of Southern California - and I guess the best way to describe them was, "Duh!"

Wikipedia describes Valley Girls in this way:

Valley girl is a stereotype depicting a socio-economic class of women characterized by the colloquial California English dialect ValleySpeak and vapid materialism.  The term originally referred to an ever increasing swell of semi-affluent and affluent middle-class and upper-middle class girls living in the early 1980s Los Angeles commuter towns of the San Fernando Valley.

In time the traits and behaviors spread across the United States and Canada, metamorphosing into a caricature of unapologetically spoiled "ditzes" and "airheads" more interested in shopping, personal appearance, and social status than intellectual development or personal accomplishment. . .

In 1982, composer Frank Zappa released the single "Valley Girl," with his 14-year-old daughter Moon Unit speaking typical "Valley Girl" phrases.

Okay, I can hear your question, "Bill, what in the world does this have to do with Chick and BAMA football?"

Glad you asked.   The response to the BAMA-Georgia football massacre satire, posted as fact by my Friend, Chick, in the TimesDaily Forums - most certainly falls well within the scope of the Valley Girl's ValleySpeak mindset.  And, all I can add is, "DUH!"

Bless her heart, the lights have truly gone out at one home in the Shoals!   Bill 

Christian Music Through The Decades!

Yesterday, I posted on Facebook and in my Friends Ministry eNewsletter a post which included an article by Bob Kauflin titled "What Pastors Wish Their Worship Leaders Knew" and in my post I included this excerpt:

"About fifteen years ago, I heard an interview on KWVE Christian Radio. The host was interviewing a couple who were both Christian entertainers and the Worship Leaders in their local Orange County, California, church. I will never forget what the husband said, 'When we are giving a concert to entertain people, we sing one way.  But, when we are acting as Worship Leaders in our church, we sing in a different way.'

Basically he was saying that in concert they entertain - but, when leading Worship in Music in their local church, they chose songs that the congregation can sing - and they meld their voices with the congregation."

All my Christian life, I have enjoyed a mixture of Christian music.  I like Contemporary Christian Music.  Not overly fond of the Christian Chorus music which was introduced by Pastor Chuck Smith and Maranatha! Music in the 1960s to reach the drugged out hippies with simplicity - and just repeats the same ten word over and over, fifteen times or more.  But, there is a lot of Contemporary Christian music which has been brought to us through Maranatha! Music, and Gospel songs, which have a lot of theological meat in them.

And, I love the old hymns for several reasons.  First, they seem to have more spiritual and theological meat in them.   And, second, they take me back to my younger days.  I fondly recall going with my grandparents to a small tent church, Baptist, with wood chips on the floor - hidden away in the forest a few miles from their farm.  The song which always brings that memory flooding back is Amazing Grace.  But, all the hymns give me a feeling of being closer to God. 

Over the years, we have seen hymnals disappearing from churches - and we have seen the Worship and Praise Teams, more and more, beginning to resemble an entertainment group, more that a Praise Team leading musical praise to the Lord.  That was the theme of my Facebook post and eNewsletter yesterday.   And, lo and behold, as if guided by the Holy Spirit, my Alabama home town Friend, Nancy DaVinci, posted the video below on Facebook.  Wow!  It is though we are in sync.

If you recall what the professional singers/praise team couple said above, "When we are giving a concert to entertain people, we sing one way. But, when we are acting as Worship Leaders in our church, we sing in a different way."  And, I added:  Basically he was saying that in concert they entertain - but, when leading Worship in Music in their local church, they chose songs that the congregation can sing - and they meld their voices with the congregation.

Well, this video is a great example of all this.  First, the Rob Mills Family takes an old hymn, a standard, "Leaning On The Everlasting Arm" - which I also recall my grandfather's tent church singing.  I have also heard it in a few Baptist churches in the last twenty years, those which refuse to completely give up the old - just to adopt the new.

This man, Rob Mills, puts a new twist on that old standard.   He presents it as it would sound if it had been written for churches in later years, down through the decades.  He takes us decade by decade through each new variation of this old standard.   But, like I suggested about the professional singers/praise team couple above, in his closing number he melds his voice with the people in the audience/congregation to sing "Leaning On The Everlasting Arm" as it was originally intended.
 

Rob Mills Family - Through The Decades
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jwkpd2nAto

Does every hymn need to be sung like a funeral dirge?  Of course not!  A hymn does not lose it message if we sing it a bit more up tempo.  A great example is the recording of Amazing Grace done by Charlie Rich.  He sings this beautiful song in an upbeat tempo and it is great.   I recall, about 10-12 years ago, our church elder and Praise Team member, Ferdy Cancino, was at our home practicing a song with my wife, Dory.  When they took a break, I played this Charlie Rich version of Amazing Grace for Ferdy.  He loved it and immediately picked up his guitar to play along with the recording.
 

Charlie Rich ~Amazing Grace~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXebwJjQJDE  

So, whatever kind of Christian music you prefer, I am sure you will enjoy the Rob Mills Family presentation of "Leaning On The Everlasting Arm - Through The Decades."  And, I have a feeling that you will also enjoy the Charlie Rich song.   And, it is okay if you find yourself tapping your toes or moving your booty as Charlie sings.  That will only make God smile.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Saved By A Church - Or A Relationship?

Today, looking at the Facebook Info page of a long time Friend, I noticed her Christian and Political views -- which led me to comment on them. My Friend wrote:

Religious Views: United Methodist - It's not about religion, it's about a relationship. I am a Bible believing Christian and do my best to walk out my faith every day.

I agree. It's not the church one attends which makes us a Christian. Some of my Religion Forum Friends who are in the more legalistic churches, or are non-believers, already have me condemned to hell for my sharing of the Gospel. I cannot agree with the legalistic "you can only be saved in our church" theology churches -- or the "you can only be saved if you follow all of our traditions, dogmas, and rituals" theology churches.

And, then, I also have a problem with many Liberal Theology churches which teach that the Bible is only a good Christian Life guidebook - and, not the Holy Spirit Inspired, Holy Spirit Inerrant, Literal (God says what He means, and means what He says) Written Word of God.

Now, please do not misunderstand what I am writing. I am not saying that these dear Friends in the legalistic churches and those in the Liberal Theology churches are not Christian believers. That is not determined by which Christian church one attends; but, what is in your heart. Jesus in your heart = Salvation in your soul. What I am saying is that these dear Friends are so busy trying to earn their salvation, their way into heaven - and trying to make sure they do not lose it, once they have it - that there is no time for them to relax and enjoy "peace with God" (Romans 5:1).

I will always believe that God's full revelation to man is found in the Bible - and that, when reading and studying the Bible - we should first read the verse or passage as the Literal Word of God. If a literal interpretation fits, that is your message. If a literal interpretations does not fit - THEN, look for a symbolic or metaphorical interpretation. He is not a God of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).

Like all authors who write a User's Manual, this one, the Bible, is written to be understood and without mistakes or errors. After all, the One who is author of the Bible is without mistakes ("Oops" is not in His vocabulary) - so His User's Manual, the Bible,is without mistakes or errors in its original manuscripts.

Yes, minor copy errors have occurred over the years of reproducing the books of the Bible to be distributed; but, none that have altered nor changed God's message and instructions for mankind found in His User's Manual. That is my Conservative Theology take on it.

One of my favorite Southern Gospel songs explains this "which church issue" so clearly.

It’s Not What's Over The Door

1. Some people think today, If heaven you would see,
You must belong to their church, Or be lost eternally.
But according to God's word, What He's still looking for,
Is what He finds within your heart,
And not what's over the door.

It's not what's over the door Of the church that you attend,
That makes you a child of God, And a heavenly citizen.
As the eyes of the Lord look this world o'er,
There's just one thing He's lookin’ for
Can’t you see that's what's in your heart,
And not what's over the door.

2. Does Jesus live in your heart, And have you been born again,
Has the blood of Calvary's Lamb, Washed away all your sins?
Are you fully trusting in, The crucified risen Lord,
Can't you see that it's what's in your heart,
And not what's over the door. 

It's not what's over the door of the church that you attend,
that makes you a child of God, and a heavenly citizen.
As the eyes of the lord look this world o'er,
There's just one thing he's lookin’ for
Can’t you see that's what's in your heart,
And not what's over the door.

And, my Friend has written on her Facebook Info page:

Political Views: Moderate -- I'm really tired of politics and politicians and the havoc they wreak. God is in control and that's who I trust, so I'm wondering "should I bother?"

While I realize that you, after working in a government position, might be tired of politics (I believe I would be also) -- I always have to ask myself, "What if the candidate, or the bill, which I support -- loses by one vote -- and I did not vote. How would I feel?"

And, that makes me stay in the voting fracas, even though, like you -- I am sick of politics, politicians, political advertisements every five minutes on television, finding my snail-mail mail-box full of political fliers and mail, getting 200 political e-mails every day, and seeing a political candidate on the Jay Leno or David Letterman shows every week.

In other words, I am sick of politics -- but, fearful of letting an incompetent fox like Obama stay in the American Hen House, also called the White House, for four more years. He has already done almost irreparable damage to America in four years -- what could he do in another four years?

So, when you or I feel "should I bother?" -- I say that WE MUST BOTHER.

Please, let's not subject ourselves to another four years of Obama and his Socialist Team.

And, these, my dear Friend, in my subtle way -- are my thoughts.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Once Saved, Always Saved" -- Really"

For over five years, I have been doing apologetic writing on the Religion Forum of our home town newspaper, the TimesDaily. I initially joined this forum because it was inundated and basically controlled by a handful of atheists, in alliance with a small number of other non-believers.

My purpose in joining the Religion Forum was two fold: First, to refute their non-Christian teachings. And, second, to make sure that readers (currently 11,000 plus loosely registered members -- and an untold number of folks who only come to the forum to read) get to read the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Word of God.

On the TimesDaily Forums, there are ten forums of differing interests. So, I will have to extrapolate to say that, on the Religion Forum, this being Alabama (belt buckle of the Bible Belt), we must get our share of readers.

One of the hot-button issues which immediately draws the ire and stones from my non-believing Forum Friends -- is my contention that salvation is by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ -- plus nothing else.

Another "ire and stone attraction" is my belief that once a person has sincerely invited Jesus Christ into his/her heart, i.e., has become a true Christian believer -- that person has the personal promise of Jesus Christ that he/she HAS eternal life in Christ. In other words, the sincerely confessed believer HAS eternal security in Jesus Christ -- and will never lose that salvation. On most platforms this is loosely referred to as "once saved, always saved" -- or, on the Religion Forum, OSAS.

My non-believing Friends on the Religion Forum continue to challenge me to prove these beliefs. And, when I do offer Biblical foundation for my beliefs -- they refuse to hear it, they deny it, and they keep asking me, "Bill, you are always preaching OSAS. Prove it!"

Wee, gee whiz, fellows and gals -- I have shown you practically every Scripture verse in the Bible -- supported by commentary writings from many very knowledgeable pastors, theologians, and Bible scholars. Yet, you still demand, "Prove it!"

Of course, we all know that, "There is no so blind -- as he who will not see!"

Today, on the Hope Bible Institute Facebook page (a ministry of the Church of Hope, Laguna Woods, California, pastored by my long time Friend, Pastor Freddy Cortez) -- I viewed an amazing video about Free Grace Theology and what this means.

The video is from the Free Grace Alliance and the speaker is Dr. Charlie Bing -- one of the best speakers I have heard in a long time. Dr. Bing, Founder, Director, and past President of Free Grace Alliance, earned his Th.M. and Ph.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary. He pastored Burleson Bible Church in Texas for 19 years before transitioning to GraceLife full-time in 2005. He has served as Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies for LeTourneau University since 1992. He is active as a speaker for churches and conferences in the United States and abroad and has published a number of books and articles on the gospel, salvation, evangelism, and discipleship

In this video, Dr. Bing gives one of the best explanations of Free Grace and Salvation Through Faith Alone, plus giving Biblical support for Eternal Assurance in Jesus Christ, that I have heard. Immediately, I realized that I want to share this video, this eternally important message -- with all my Friends. The video is about 48 minutes long; so, get a cup of coffee, kick back, and grow in your faith and assurance of eternal life in Christ.

Intro to Free Grace: Dr. Charlie Bing
From Free Grace Alliance
http://vimeo.com/2919716

And, visiting Dr. Bing's ministry web site, GraceLife Ministries http://www.gracelife.org/aboutus.asp I find that his Statement of Faith aligns perfectly with my own Statement of Beliefs and, what I have been writing for the past twenty years -- what I have presented during the past twelve years in my Friends Ministry enewsletters -- what I shared on The Conservative Voice for three years -- and the message I have shared for over five years on the TimesDaily Religion forum.

GraceLife Statement of Faith:

We believe that there is one God eternally existing in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

We believe that the Bible is God's authoritative written revelation to man. We believe in the verbal plenary inspiration of the Scriptures and that they are without error in the original manuscripts. Scripture should be interpreted according to its historical, grammatical, and normal sense.

We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, that he also took on humanity at His virgin birth, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross to provide for the redemption of all people, bodily rose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and presently is making intercession for us.

We believe in the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit, that He performs the miracle of new birth in an unbeliever and indwells believers enabling them to live a godly life.

We believe that man was created in the image of God, but because of sin was alienated from God.

We believe in the Gospel of Grace, that by simply and only believing in Jesus Christ alone for the eternal salvation made possible by His death and resurrection that our alienation can be removed and eternal life received.

We believe that once saved, the believer can never lose that salvation, and that it is therefore the privilege of everyone who believes to have assurance of salvation, which is not based on works but on the promises of God's Word.

We believe that we are not only saved from the penalty of sin by grace through faith, but we believe that we are also empowered by the Holy Spirit for daily living and victory over sin by grace through faith.

We believe in the Premillennial Return of Jesus Christ to earth in power and glory when He will establish the kingdom.

We believe in the Imminent Pretribulational Rapture of the church. We believe that following the rapture of the church, all believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ where believers will appear to give an account for how their lives were lived as believers. We believe that faithfulness will be rewarded by Christ Himself and that special privileges in the millennial kingdom and eternity will be given to those believers who have lived their lives faithfully while loss of reward will be accorded to those who have not.

We believe those who reject Christ's offer of salvation will suffer eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire with the devil and his angels.

Do yourself a favor and view this complete video. As I said, get a cup of coffee, you may want to also have your Bible handy, sit back, relax, and truly listen to the message presented by Dr. Charlie Bing. His message is powerful.

Why should you take my word for this -- what are my credentials? I am only a born-again believer who opened the door of my heart to allow Jesus Christ to enter in 1987. Shortly after that, I began to do Christian writing -- in my own snail-mail newsletter "The Good News" -- writing tracts and church bulletin inserts -- and sharing wherever God presented the opportunity.

Twelve years ago, I began to study and write full time, sharing messages of Christian encouragement and being pulled more and more into apologetic writings. At the time, I did not consider myself an apologetic writer; only that I was responding to comments and questions sent to me by Friends.

My Friend, Pastor Ed Dacio, told me one day, "Brother Bill, you are an apologetic writer." Hmmm, I had never given any thought to a label of any sort -- just that when a Friend had a comment or question which needed an answer -- God had made it possible for me to have the time and resources to probe, research, study, contemplate, and seek an appropriate response.

Have I ever been wrong? You betcha! But, when I have found that my response was, in any way, erroneous or misleading -- I have sought to find the correct answer and submit that to my Friends.

I will say this. There have been times when I have been wrong in my interpretation of Biblical passages -- and, I pray that when this has happened, I have been, or am, able to correct that and move on. However, I do not believe I am wrong in my Doctrinal Beliefs, or my Statement of Beliefs -- which, as I said earlier, align very well with those shown above.

So, I pray that you will get as much from Dr. Bing's video message as I did -- and, that you have a better understanding of why I feel called to share such resources, along with my writings, to all my Friends.

If you find this useful, please feel free to share it with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Let's keep sharing God's Word and the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world -- until He returns.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill