Maybe Brad Paisley is a prophet?

"When you're a celebrity, it's adios reality" - Brad Paisley

I love country music. It is part of my hillbilly roots I guess, but I never thought that the day would come when a country song spoke so much truth into the world.

All sarcasm aside, recently there has a been a firestorm of media attention surrounding the commercial released by Mike Huckabee, Republican presidential candidate, wishing those in the states of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina a Merry Christmas.



It seems that those in the media and those in Hollywood cannot understand that a man can believe in the true meaning of Christmas and wish those around him a Merry Christmas and still be in politics.

Fox News writes, "At this time of year, sometimes it's nice to pull aside from all of that and remember that what really matters is the celebration of the birth of Christ," says the ordained Baptist minister, who has been riding a wave of evangelical support with his open religious appeals."

Access Hollywood accuses Huckabee of sending subliminal messages to the evangelical voters by blurring a cross in the background while playing Silent Night and wishing voters a Merry "Christ"mas.

Meredith Vierra on the Today show, quoting critics comments and pointing out the apparent floating cross in the background, said that it was "an overt religious appeal to Christian voters." To which Huckabee responded, "It was a bookshelf."

The "elite" of America who are behind Hollywood and in the media are quite out of touch with the American people and out of touch with something as simple as Christmas. For centuries Christmas has been celebrated, yet in America today there are some who desire to have all of Christianity out of the public square. Be careful this holiday season and each day in life to not take the attitude that the modern world is far superior than those who have gone before.

Christians should not be surprised at the fuss that is being made in the media and the fear that the evangelical vote may push Huckabee to the front. He stands for something simple, Christ as the meaning of Christmas. This simple stance is the very thing the anti-Christian rhetoric does not want.
A sign of the times, surely.
Adios reality, completely.

Great Commission Resurgence

There are many in the Christian Community that are concerned and vocal about a host of issues. From one's opinion on Joel Olstein and his "Best Life Now" to whether one should shop at Old Navy since they have happy "holidays" instead of Merry "Christmas." And one cannot forget that the "Golden Compass" is to be avoided. All of these issues are well and good, but as was written in an earlier post, the greatest adversary to the best is what is good.

Culture can be changed through advocacy, but a man's heart is evil and a fallen world can only be restrained. True reformation only comes with a new creation. It is in the fulfillment of the Great Commission that the new creation reforms one soul at a time. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17.

The message that is being promoted by Dr. Akin and Southeastern Seminary is calling the SBC and its churches to a renewed focus on the best. The following article from the Baptist Press reports a message from Dr. Akin.

SBC needs 'Great Commission Resurgence'
By Jason Hall
Nov 29, 2007

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BP)--Daniel Akin called on Southern Baptists to rally around a "Great Commission Resurgence" to reach the lost that he hopes will define the denomination's direction for years and decades to come.

"Building on the 'Conservative Resurgence' that was initiated in 1979, we believe the time has come for us to focus on the great task the Lord Jesus left us as He ascended back into heaven," said Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. "Fulfilling the task will in no way leave behind or neglect an equal commitment to a faithful biblical theology."

Akin delivered the closing address at the Nov. 26-28 "Building Bridges: Southern Baptists and Calvinism" conference co-sponsored by Founders Ministries and Southeastern Seminary at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina. Founders Ministries formed in 1982 to advance Reformed theology in SBC churches.

As Akin presented his vision for a Great Commission Resurgence, he invoked the memory of key conservative leaders like W.A. Criswell and Adrian Rogers. In praising those men for their devotion to turning Southern Baptists back toward the inerrancy of Scripture, Akin noted that the convention is now faced with a "generational transition that is exciting, but also uncertain."

"We need godly men who can move us forward in concert for the glory of God, the building of the church and the evangelization of the nations," Akin said. "We need men of character and substance, vision and wisdom, humility and conviction. We desperately need leaders who can guide us and challenge us."

In pursuing this vision, Akin noted several reasons why such a resurgence can happen. Like many other speakers during the three-day conference, Akin emphasized that the common confession of the Baptist Faith and Message and its stance on the inerrancy, infallibility and sufficiency of the Bible leaves room in Southern Baptist life for Calvinists and non-Calvinists, but does not allow for petty infighting and arguments that detract from a Great Commission focus.

"Some would say the battle for the Bible has been won and it is time to move on," Akin said. "I would sound a word of warning. The battle over the Word of God did not begin in 1979, it started in the Garden of Eden. The battle for biblical authority will never be completely and finally won until Christ returns in power and glory."

Akin noted the agreement among Southern Baptists on such key doctrinal distinctives such as regenerate church membership, the exclusivity of the Gospel, the sinfulness of man and salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. And Southern Baptist are in agreement that the Great Commission is a divine mandate, Akin said, and that Christians are to give themselves to this task until Christ returns. To affirm anything less, he said, puts one "outside the camp" of Southern Baptists.

" is to deny our heritage and misunderstand our identity," Akin said. "It is to neglect Christ's command, disobey His last words and miss the promised blessing that attends all who take up this holy assignment."

Akin then offered several ways Southern Baptists, who differ on a number of theological issues, can still work together for a Great Commission Resurgence.

First, he said, Southern Baptists need a sound theology based on Scripture alone that is neither too soft nor too restrictive. He noted that such a theology would rule out aberrant doctrines like open theism, universalism or works salvation and would not be wishy-washy on key issues like gender roles and homosexuality.

On the other hand, a sound theology allows for various views on several points, Akin said.

"The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 is well-constructed canopy under which varying perspectives on the issue of Calvinism can peacefully and helpfully co-exist," he said. "Is there a place for differing positions on the issue of election, the extent of the atonement and calling, as well as the details of how we do missions, evangelism and give the invitation? I am convinced the answer is yes."

Akin also cited the need for a revival of genuine biblical exposition in preaching. Despite the success of the Conservative Resurgence, Akin lamented that many Southern Baptist pastors still do not understand how to use the pulpit as anything other than a "self-help seminar."

"In the days ahead we must pursue what I call 'engaging theological exposition,'" Akin said. "We must wed substance and style, content and delivery. We must teach the whole counsel of Scripture book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse and word by word.

"Authentic exposition will bring biblical balance to our theology and force us to engage the tough doctrines of Scripture. It will also cultivate a pastoral perspective that results in a love for the Savior's sheep and the lost."

And Akin encouraged the pursuit of a Great Commission theology that shows love and respect for Southern Baptists who are not in complete agreement on every point of theology.

"One of our problems has been semi-Arminians with an attitude and Calvinists with a chip on their shoulder," he said. "The shrill rhetoric, sloppy history and theology, and unchristian words and actions on both sides of this issue have resulted in a number of unnecessary misfortunes. Misrepresentations of positions on this issue have prevented healthy and honest conversations. Hidden agendas have divided churches and fractured fellowships. False caricatures have made for cute sound bites, but they lack Christian charity and integrity. All in all, the cause of Christ and the well-being of His body has been damaged.

"We may not agree on everything, but we agree on more than enough to work together for our Lord Jesus in fulfilling the Great Commission," Akin said. "So, will we live or will we die? Will we come together for life or fracture apart in death? I make my choice for life."

Tom Ascol, Founders Ministries executive director, in comments preceding Akin, noted, "This has been a historic gathering.

"I pray, as I know you do, that good will continue to ripple out from this over the months and years ahead. One of the things I am so encouraged about ... is the way we have been able to come together and talk about these kind of substantive issues, even where we disagree strongly, and to do it in a kind way that doesn't water down convictions ... and isn't acrimonious."

Ascol said Southern Baptists face numerous challenges to their cooperative unity in working together to make Jesus Christ known to an unbelieving world.

"Mere denominational affiliation can no longer sustain such cooperation, if indeed it ever could," he said. "If Southern Baptists are going to work together in any kind of meaningful way, we must find common ground on which we can stand so we can link arms legitimately, and with integrity, for the sake of making Jesus Christ known."
--30--
Jason Hall is director of communications for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Mark Kelly, a freelance writer based in Gallatin, Tenn., contributed to this article.


Copyright (c) 2007 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press
901 Commerce Street
Nashville, TN 37203
Tel: 615.244.2355
Fax: 615.782.8736
email: bpress@sbc.net

May we too link arms for the sake of making Jesus Christ known!

All the more reason to struggle with all His energy

Lifeway Research Revealed that Many Teens Stop Attending Church at Age Eighteen

Lifeway Research, Christian Post,

Thirty-four percent have not returned to church by age 30.

Only 20 percent of the church dropouts said that while attending church in high school, they planned on taking a break from church once they finished high school.
Most young adults reason for leaving was "I simply wanted a break from church" (27 percent).

Transitioning into college was also a major reason for quitting church (25 percent);

Twenty-three percent said "work responsibilities prevented me from attending;"

Twenty-two percent said they "moved too far away from the church to continue attending."

Although some still wanted to attend church, 22 percent said they "became too busy" and 17 percent "chose to spend more time with friends outside the church."

More than half (52 percent) said "religious, ethical or political beliefs" contributed to their departure from church.

More specifically, 18 percent said "I disagreed with the church's stance on political or social issues;"

Seventeen percent said "I was only going to church to please others;"

Sixteen percent no longer wanted to identify with a church or organized religion;

Fourteen percent disagreed with the church's teachings about God.

On church or pastor-related reasons for leaving, 26 percent said they left because "church members seemed judgmental or hypocritical" and 20 percent said they "didn't feel connected to the people in my church."

The primary reason church dropouts eventually return to church is because of encouragement from family or friends.

Thirty-nine percent returned as a result of their parents' or family members' encouragement and 21 percent attribute their return to their friends or acquaintances.

To see the article and research click HERE.

It is interesting to note that they come back because someone invited them who was relating to them in some way. The Power of the personal invitation still works!

Million Dollar Bill?

I thought this story may interest some, considering that a 31 year old actually tried to deposit the million dollar bill (which does not exist). People never cease to amaze me.

Man Charged With Disorderly Conduct, Forgery After Trying to Deposit $1M Bill

A note on struggling with all His energy

I have recently had a number of people ask about and question my salutation and title of the blog "struggling with all His energy." Everything from why are you so depressed, to shouldn't you be conquering, to how can a pastor always be struggling, to your move to North Carolina must be hard if you want everyone to know you are struggling all the time... I could go on. But I won't.

I pray that the following response will help all to understand my heart and the meaning of the verse from which it is taken, Colossians 1:29, which is also the web address to this blog.

Colossians 1:24-29 (ESV) 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

The word that is translated as struggling, in Colossians 1:29, conveys the idea of laboring to the point of exhaustion to see that those under my care are mature in Christ. That is a struggle and can only be done by His energy. It is not to be interpreted as one who is in the pit trying to get out, but as one who is out of the pit, by His grace, struggling with others to help get them out. There is a constant burden upon my heart, a calling that has arrested my soul since I was 17 requiring me to fight with everything in Christ’s power to see those bound in the prison of sin and held captive as slaves, to be set free by the truth of the gospel. I know that the battle can be won even when we have not seen the King of kings fully in charge yet, though one day He will be. For that I will struggle with all His energy. For in my struggles I know that my King has already conquered. This is why I don’t stop!

I do not know about your heart, but I find that mine so often reflects the laments of Paul in Romans 7 where he says that those things he wants to do he does not do, but the things he does are the things he does not want to do because the sin in his flesh is constantly waging war against the desires of his spirit to follow Christ. After writing on these things he declares, wretched man I am! Who will deliver me?

I have such a desire to be holy as He is holy, yet the more I understand Christ the more I understand my desperate sin condition and oh how that makes my heart long for and love the forgiveness and sacrifice of my Savior more. That he chose me despite my condition and called me despite my failings to be used in His power to share his message of joy and sacrifice.

Who will rescue me? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!!!!!!!

I will celebrate the Lord’s victories in my life and we will conquer so that with all His energy we may struggle against the next sin and the next and the next…. This is not a weak struggle with hopes of making it, as though I can’t, while I pout about how hard life is, to the contrary; this is an intentional struggle aimed at sin and the prince of the air who has held this world captive far to long! Honestly, if it is a constant battle in my own life then I know that it is in others who I have been called to help present complete, sanctified, mature in Christ. May we all struggle for one another that we are mature on that Day!

TheTheological Dictionary of the New Testament captures my thoughts well,

"He (Paul) thinks of the conflicts and sufferings of the Christian life itself as a life which in its totality stands under the sign of the cross and in this sign carries the cause of Christ to victory."

Let us struggle intentionally to advance the cross of Christ, for it is through our struggles that this world will hear and know Christ!

I hope this helps you understand why "struggling with all His energy" is my blog, salutation,ministry philosophy, favorite verse, and encouraging motivation.

Pastor Dave

Click HERE to read a short story I wrote about a year ago to illustrate the meaning of this passage.

For futher clarification please read some other uses of the Greek word, agonizomai, translated struggling in Colossians 1:29, in the NT and how it is translated below. Bold designates its translations:

Colossians 2:1-2 where Paul says "I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and untied in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ."

Also read Ephesians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God."

In Luke 13:24 Jesus uses the word when he says, "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many I tell you will seek to enter and will not be able."

In John 18:36, "Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting , that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from this world."

In 1 Timothy 4:9-10, " Godliness is profitable...For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially those who believe."

The word is used in 1 Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

And finally Paul used it to describe his life as he was about to be killed for the faith in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament defines this word by saying, "It is an insight into the law of life that the better is the enemy of the best, so that even what is right and good may have to be renounced." or "the thought of the goal that can only be reached through the full expenditure of our energies."

In the case of Paul that would be the energies provided by and in Christ Jesus.