Author: William

Christ Inconveniences Church

I have often defined Revival as being when the Church is culturally relevant. The opposite of this is if someone padlocked your church doors would your community notice? With Christmas falling on a Sunday this year we may finally get a definitive answer to the question when many of the so called mega churches have decreed that there will be no services on Christmas Sunday this year.

This is such a capitulation to modern culture that it is inexcusable. When the traditions of our society are so important that the Church decrees that the light of the gospel should be extinguished or at least hidden under the bushel basket and away from those that need it, these churches have left the orthodox and biblical reservation.

Christmas and Easter are the focal points of our faith. We all have our way of spending these holidays with family but to simply lock the door and say there is no room at the inn is blasphemous. Yes, many in your church may be out of town or spending the day with family but for a church of several thousand members to simply cancel worship is wrong.

What happened to the promise of Jesus that wherever two or more are gathered in his name he is in their midst? Who changed it to two or three thousand?

A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. This is true for Christs kingdom as well as Satan’s. Any church that is closed on Sunday just because they dont want the inconvenience of getting dressed and going across town on Christmas Day is a church without a wholesome spiritual foundation regardless of the number of members.

Will they start closing church for Easter and the Super Bowl next? Will your church be closed for Spring Break if you live in a tourist area? This appears to be the logic of a business venture not a body of believers building the kingdom of God one soul at a time.

At a time when many of us want to put the Christ back into Christmas, some churches are so busy that they don’t have time to spend with their Lord. If your church is one of these that have no time to spend with Jesus when we celebrate his birth—then do the rest of us a favor and leave the building locked for good. I bet your community wont even notice that youre church is gone.

 

San Francisco Cops Suspended for Videos

Twenty San Francisco police officers have been suspended for making a series of short videos that poke fun at themselves. Many of the videos were shot for a retirement party for one of their fellow officers.

The skits are mild and mostly inside jokes for officers at the Bayview Station. This station serves Hunter’s Point. For those not familiar with Hunters Point, it is a ghetto area that makes Oak Park in Sacramento look like a workers paradise.

Mayor Gavin Newsom and police chief Heather Fong are just fit to be tied. They are treating this like Rodney King II.

Five of these videos were shown at a press conference yesterday and can be found at this link.

This stuff is too mild to make Mad TV. If the Mayor and Chief Fong are wound that tight then they need to find a new line of work. Being a police officer in San Francisco is one of the most stressful jobs anybody could have especially anywhere near Hunters Point. If officers want to blow-off some steam on their free time then they have that right.

Elected officials should support their officers and give them every benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, those in San Francisco always start with the assumption that law enforcement officers are wrong and then just debate their punishment. It is time for the police to standup to these spineless bureaucrats.

Rob Roy is no MacGregor

Liberals haven’t had an original idea for decades but they are good about repackaging their filthy rags and trying to sell them to us again. One such case was argued before the US Supreme Court today.

As a show of solidarity for this case, Rob Roy (no relation to the Scottish hero) and his band of merry men (oops persons) at the student senate at the University of California Davis campus have decided to ban the Army ROTC program from the campus because of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy enacted by their beloved President Bill Clinton.

Hey Rob, your Liberal brethren already tried banning ROTC back during the first Gulf War—when you were in preschool. And guess what? Congress passed a law that any school that bans ROTC can educate their students without any federal monies including those for student loans.

I know that you just want to show solidarity with your academically shallow comrades that took this before the US Supreme Court today but you’re over a decade later with your hate America rhetoric. Congress has spoken and there are no grounds for the Court to overturn this law.

If you truly believe that America is so evil, why don’t you move to France or Iran? I’m sure that you’ll find lots of folks there that feel like you do.

The Fridge on the Freeway

In the movie Gumball Rally, there is a scene where the driver of a sporty convertible is preparing to enter the race from New York to Los Angeles. As part of his pre-race checklist, he reaches up and breaks-off the rearview mirror. The driver then tosses it over his shoulder and behind the car. His partner is shocked. When asked why he did that the drive responds, “What’s behind us doesn’t matter”.

While this philosophy is a hazardous way to drive, it is even more irresponsible when you are hauling furniture. On Saturday my wife and I loaded the family car and headed to the East Bay to do some shopping and see some family members. On the way we had to slow to a near crawl because someone had dumped a once comfortable chair into the number two lane where it had been struck by several other vehicles and caused a major backup in the middle of nowhere.

If someone had secured the chair better then this hazardous situation would have been avoided.

I thought that was about as bad as these incidents get, but I was wrong. That night on the way home I encountered a full sized refrigerator in the second lane of a three-lane highway while going 70 miles per hour! It was sitting upright even though it had been hit by at least one vehicle before I came upon it. At first all I saw was a silhouette that made me think it was a cardboard box but then it was obvious that it was white. My mind registered what it was and I took evasive action as I missed the refrigerator and the parts that had broken off of it. Then I noticed the small car on the side of the road with its flashers on because it had hit the wayward icebox moments earlier.

In both instances, it is negligent and irresponsible behavior that drivers would let cargo they are hauling simply slip off the back of a truck and keep going down the freeway thinking that what’s behind them doesn’t matter.

It is unfortunate that many of us live our lives with the same attitude as these drivers. This is the time of year when we look at the good that our lives can do for others. If you want to contemplate the way that your life touches others; then take some time out of you schedule and dust-off your copy of Its a Wonderful Life , pop some corn and spend an evening counting your blessings. And be careful out there!

 

Senator Specter’s Opposition to Parental Rights

Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter was able to prevail in his pyrrhic victory on behalf of defenders of Roe v Wade. The Supreme Court held hearings today on the New Hampshire parental consent law that some believe could lead to limitations on abortion on demand.

Instead of associate Justice Samuel Alito sitting on the Court, we are stuck with the lameduck Sandra Day O’Connor . Lord only knows how she will vote on this one.

OK Senator, you had your fun. Lets get Alito confirmed and maybe we can get the case reheard before the verdict with OConnor is released.

Ronald McDonald Robs Wendy’s

We All know that competition in the fast food business is tough but this story is really hard to swallow.

It seems that Ronald McDonald was arrested for robbing a Wendy’s Restaurant in Manchester New Hampshire. Why Ronald would steal from Wendy is not revealed in the story. Wendy’s manager caught Ronald McDonald in the act and called police. There is no indication whether McDonald had been consuming Eggnog Shakes prior to the incident.

Clemancy for Stanley “Tookie” William?

The push is on to try to get the death sentence commuted for Stanley Tookie Williams.

In addition to the usual bleeding heart Liberals and small group of misguided but well meaning Roman Catholics, opponents of the death penalty have some new allies from the Right of the political spectrum. There are not many but there are some. Locally Craig DeLuz and Andy Nevis a.k.a. California High School Conservative are among those calling for Tookie to be saved.

On his blog today, Nevis wrote concerning Tookie:

He will certainly do more good alive than dead. If he is allowed to live, he can continue his work against gangs and violence.

As Abraham Lincoln said when pardoning a deserter in the Civil War, He will be of more use above ground than below it.

The power of clemency was given to the Governor for just an instance like this. Its time for the Governor to use that power.

This is a good summary of the views of many of the save Tookie advocates.

The fact is that Tookie is a convicted cold blooded murderer. He has exhausted every judicial appear available to him. There is no one saying that Tookie is innocent. There is no new or mitigating evidence of the crimes for which he has been convicted.

The real issue is can ones good works after conviction be used to mitigate their sentence. It is said that Tookie gave his life to God and has purposed to make amends for his crime. Had Mr. Williams committed property crimes and worked to repay those that were victims of his crime most people would agree that there would be grounds to modify his remaining sentence.

However, when we look at the case of murder does the same principle apply?

For Christians that follow the teaching of Scripture the answer is a clear. In any crime there are actually two victims; the primary victim of any crime is God, the secondary victim is the person that was acted upon by the criminal. In the case of murder, man cannot kill God but he can kill an image bearer of God. A murder is attacking God by destroying someone created in His image.

From Genesis to Revelation, murder is always a crime. This includes abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, homicide and any other act of murder. The Biblical punishment is always the same: restitution. If you take another’s life, then you forfeit your own.

This is reason that human government was instituted in the first place. The State is to protect life and property of its citizens. When someone breaks the law they are subject to the sanctions of the law. This includes criminals within the society and foreign armies without. The oath administered to the military and civilian leaders in the United States to protect us from all enemies foreign and domestic is based upon the Biblical model. (This is also why our Founders wanted the military to be a purely defensive force and gave us the Second Amendment.)

In the Bible only government can put someone to death.

The Church is given an even more awesome power, the power of spiritual life and death. Spiritual life is the goal of evangelism but excommunication is the declaration of spiritual death. Only repentance can move one from death to life.

I think both Craig DeLuz and Andy Nevis have confused these two. They seem to believe that evidence of spiritual regeneration is grounds for the civil government to move Tookie from death to life. Sorry fellas. If Stanley Tookie Williams has undergone a spiritual renewal and given his life to Jesus Christ then that is great. He will be in heaven when he is executed and not another gang banger in Hell.

Spiritual conversion is not grounds for clemency from the Governor. If Stanley has truly repented then he knows that he owes restitution to God and his victims. The only restitution that can make things right is forfeiting his life.

If Tookie wants to be an example to struggling young people then be an object lesson. Show them that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6: 23

In this way Stanley could truly do more good in death than in life.

 

Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Enters Concordat with US Anglicans

The fissures continue to grow as the Anglican world moves closer to splitting into an orthodox Christian body that is jettisoning the corpse of Western Liberalism from its midst.

Last week the gathering of Anglicans in Philadelphia at the Hope and a Future Conference heard from a variety of Archbishops from the Southern Cone (Africa, Asia and South America) that among other things threw down the gauntlet to faithful Christians within The Episcopal Church of the United States (ECUSA). The Bishops said that the time for talk is over; it is time to stand for Christ and leave the unbelievers in ECUSA to their fate. Leave ECUSA and join the worldwide fellowship of orthodox Anglicans so that the Church can go forward with their mission. (Many believe that this exodus is dependent on the outcome of ECUSA’s General Council in 2006.)

Meanwhile, this week it was announced that The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) entered into a Covenant with two American Anglican bodies—the Reformed Episcopal Church and the Anglican Province of America. This is the first of many steps toward a realignment of Anglican Christianity within the United States. Look for other Anglican bodies here in the United States (and Canada) to follow.

Below is the press release of this agreement.

RE Covenant Between The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and the Reformed Episcopal Church and the Anglican Province of America.

In an historic moment, as part of the realignment of global Anglicanism, on November 12, 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Most Rev. Peter J. Akinola, Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Leonard W. Riches, Presiding Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church, and the Most Rev. Walter H. Grundorf, Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Province of America, entered on behalf of their three Churches a Covenant Union of Anglican Churches in Concordat.

The purpose of the covenant of concord is to work together in the common cause of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, pledging to each other their mutual cooperation, support, discipline and accountability. Recognizing that all three Churches share a common heritage of faith and order within the Anglican tradition, they are united by saving belief in Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth and the Life, and by their commitment to the Faith once delivered, based on the irrevocable Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the final authority for faith and life.

It was agreed that ministers of these Churches, subject to the respective regulations within the jurisdictions, may be eligible to exercise pastoral ministry in each Church. Archbishops and bishops of the Churches in concordat may also be invited to conduct episcopal duties within the other jurisdictions with the blessing of the appropriate provincial authorities.

The three Churches have united specifically for joint mission in North America. Archbishops Riches and Grundorf welcomed the Church of Nigerias CANA initiative. They assured Archbishop Akinola that, wherever possible, individual congregations of all three jurisdictions, within proximate geographic locations, would work closely and cooperatively together to demonstrate their commitment to one another and their desire to witness to a consistent Biblical, Evangelical and Catholic expression of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Below is text of Covenant Union of Anglican Churches in Concordat

COVENANT UNION OF ANGLICAN CHURCHES IN CONCORDAT AMONG
THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
THE REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AND
THE ANGLICAN PROVINCE OF AMERICA

Whereas the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Reformed Episcopal Church and the Anglican Province of America share a common heritage of faith and order within the Anglican tradition; be it understood that:


Article 1: The Churches, recognizing the fact that they are working together in the common cause of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, pledge to each other, their mutual cooperation, support, discipline and accountability.

Article 2: Wherever possible, individual congregations within proximate geographic locations will work closely and cooperatively to demonstrate their commitment to one another and their desire to witness to a consistent Biblical, Evangelical and Catholic expression of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Article 3: As evidence of our union in Christ and the Common Standards of the faith existing among the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Reformed Episcopal Church and the Anglican Province of America, a delegation of ministers and laity may be sent to attend each others Provincial and General Synods or Councils. As a further demonstration of our union, bishops of the Churches may attend each others episcopal meetings with the expectation that they will be invited to speak but not cast votes.

Article 4: The Ministers of the Churches may, subject to the respective regulations of the Churches, be eligible to exercise pastoral ministry in each Church. Archbishops and Bishops of the Churches in the concordat may also be invited to conduct episcopal duties with accountability, discipline and the episcopal blessing of the local appropriate provincial authorities.

Article 5: Communicants of the Churches may be received into the other Churches on presentation of letters of transfer, or their equivalent.

Article 6: It is also our declared intention to initiate a process that will permit us, in due course to enter into an agreement of full communion with a clear and common understanding of all of its implications.