Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Hate crime vs. Free speach
Here are some thoughts after Wednesday night's bible study at the corps...
First let me share this report from Jim Brown taken from OneNewsNow.com - 10/29/2009 8:30:00 AM
-----------------
Hate crimes law - ungodly, unconstitutional, unnecessary
A Christian evangelist who was once arrested, jailed, and charged under Pennsylvania's hate crimes law says the federal hate crimes bill signed into law by President Obama is one of the most dangerous laws in the history of the United States.
With the stroke of President Obama's pen yesterday, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act became law. It creates additional penalties for violent crimes motivated by the victim's "actual or perceived" gender, "gender identity," sexual orientation, or disability.
Michael Marcavage, director of Philadelphia-based Repent America, was one of 11 Christians who were jailed and charged with a hate crime for carrying Bible verse banners and preaching at a 2004 homosexual pride event in Philadelphia. The charges were later dismissed -- and in 2008, the state's Supreme Court ruled the law had been passed illegally by the Pennsylvania legislature.
Marcavage says the new federal hate crimes law is yet another move by the federal government to "silence Christians." "What this bill does is [seek] to shut down those who dare to speak against the sin of homosexuality with the hope and freedom that is found in Jesus Christ," says the Christian activist.
"Having been charged under a hate crime, I'm definitely moved with compassion on those who the government is trying to silence us from reaching out to," he continues, "but we're going to continue to do as we have been doing, and ministering to those trapped in the bondage of this lifestyle."
Marcavage offers three reasons why he opposes the new law. He says it is ungodly because it "seeks to shut down the gospel of Jesus Christ"; unconstitutional because it violates the equal protection guarantee of the 14th Amendment; and also unnecessary because there are already laws on the books that punish violent crimes.
-----------------
No matter what your understanding of this current new hate crime law is... we as believers in Jesus Christ all understand this... that the world would like to silence the message that all sin is sin, it is offensive to our Holy God, and that Jesus Christ is the only way to be forgiven of our sinfulness. Only by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ can we be forgiven and empowered to now live a holy life as directed by the Bible and be fit for heaven.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Here is the truth...
1. we currently have freedoms of speech unparalleled by other places in the world.
2. Our freedoms are currently being taken by law or societies requirement to be "tolerantly politically correct."
What must our response be... Whether we are approved by law, or accepted by society, we must continue to preach the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Go be bold in your declaration that Jesus is the Savior from sin and death.
Here is some of our portion of study for next week...
Acts 4 Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin 1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. 23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: " 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.' 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
First let me share this report from Jim Brown taken from OneNewsNow.com - 10/29/2009 8:30:00 AM
-----------------
Hate crimes law - ungodly, unconstitutional, unnecessary
A Christian evangelist who was once arrested, jailed, and charged under Pennsylvania's hate crimes law says the federal hate crimes bill signed into law by President Obama is one of the most dangerous laws in the history of the United States.
With the stroke of President Obama's pen yesterday, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act became law. It creates additional penalties for violent crimes motivated by the victim's "actual or perceived" gender, "gender identity," sexual orientation, or disability.
Michael Marcavage, director of Philadelphia-based Repent America, was one of 11 Christians who were jailed and charged with a hate crime for carrying Bible verse banners and preaching at a 2004 homosexual pride event in Philadelphia. The charges were later dismissed -- and in 2008, the state's Supreme Court ruled the law had been passed illegally by the Pennsylvania legislature.
Marcavage says the new federal hate crimes law is yet another move by the federal government to "silence Christians." "What this bill does is [seek] to shut down those who dare to speak against the sin of homosexuality with the hope and freedom that is found in Jesus Christ," says the Christian activist.
"Having been charged under a hate crime, I'm definitely moved with compassion on those who the government is trying to silence us from reaching out to," he continues, "but we're going to continue to do as we have been doing, and ministering to those trapped in the bondage of this lifestyle."
Marcavage offers three reasons why he opposes the new law. He says it is ungodly because it "seeks to shut down the gospel of Jesus Christ"; unconstitutional because it violates the equal protection guarantee of the 14th Amendment; and also unnecessary because there are already laws on the books that punish violent crimes.
-----------------
No matter what your understanding of this current new hate crime law is... we as believers in Jesus Christ all understand this... that the world would like to silence the message that all sin is sin, it is offensive to our Holy God, and that Jesus Christ is the only way to be forgiven of our sinfulness. Only by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ can we be forgiven and empowered to now live a holy life as directed by the Bible and be fit for heaven.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Here is the truth...
1. we currently have freedoms of speech unparalleled by other places in the world.
2. Our freedoms are currently being taken by law or societies requirement to be "tolerantly politically correct."
What must our response be... Whether we are approved by law, or accepted by society, we must continue to preach the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Go be bold in your declaration that Jesus is the Savior from sin and death.
Here is some of our portion of study for next week...
Acts 4 Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin 1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. 23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: " 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.' 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
To do halloween or not???
Hello soldiers, freinds, and fellow followers of Jesus Christ,
Just a reminder that this year our Corps will not be hosting a halloween alternative carnival. Although we have enjoyed the fun in past years and always gave some form of gospel presentation, we couldn't justify the cost and man-power for such little turn-out and no real corps growth.
SO NOW WHAT DO YOU DO???... Halloween options abound....
Just a reminder that this year our Corps will not be hosting a halloween alternative carnival. Although we have enjoyed the fun in past years and always gave some form of gospel presentation, we couldn't justify the cost and man-power for such little turn-out and no real corps growth.
SO NOW WHAT DO YOU DO???... Halloween options abound....
- This year several church have combined for a united outreach for a safe alternative if you want to join with them.
- You might want to go trick or treating and give out tracts, invites to church, or do one on one evangelism.
- You could open your home to give out treats and also give out gospel information, church invites, etc...
- You could go find a scary part of town and do street witnessing to those who are out and about.
Whatever you do, make sure you use this time of year to speak with people about what they believe about eternity, and then love them enough to share the truth about Jesus Christ. No one will join God Almighty in heaven for eternity without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. No one will be a ghost and hang around, you won't come back for another try, there is only the fact of a place called hell that will be far worse than any haunted house turned reality you can imagine. Jesus Christ was crucified and rose from the dead to defeat sin and death for us. Why not take His offer of eternal life and forgiveness and pass it on to those around you.
Live holy, preach Jesus!Wednesday, October 28, 2009
How to set up the "Sermon.net" tool on your blog.
Hello friends (and specifically pastors today),
A few people have asked for how to post my sermons on-line. So here it is...
There are a few steps in the process, but all in all it's virtually free, so if you don't mind a couple steps it's a great way to keep the corps up to date with a series, or just to let your sermons live forever after you preach them.
Here is the website to my free sermon site...
http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
Just click in the top corner to "Join sermon net" and go to "contributor sign-up". After you register you can get all the "free stuff". There is a small cost for the bells and whistles, but I don't need them here yet. Sign up first and they may walk you through better than I can. Since I can't recall here is what I do....
You will also need a way to record your messages. Since we have no "sound" person I do everything myself. I bought a small cheap RCA digital voice recorder that holds about over 15 hours of recording for about $30. I paid another $15ish for a lapel mic. I just put the lapel mic on the same clip as my wireless mic at the corps and remember to turn on the recorder as I start each message.
If I recall right, Sermon.net will give you a basic walk through the process of posting your messages some, but if not, here is what I basically do....
After church I download from the "voice recorder" to my computer. (I know fancy corps record right to digital or a laptop, but we aren't fancy yet)
I use the program with the recorder to save it as a "WAV".
Then I drag that file into a free program you get on the web called "Audacity 1.2.6" here is the link... http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Once in Audacity you can listen to the whole sermon and cut (even copy and paste) all the "UM's" or "sneezes" or "added comments yelled by kids in the meeting". If you're brave enough you can skip any editing and just go as is.
When it's ready you save that project as a new "WAV" file.
Next you use the "converter" that comes when you sign up with "sermon net". This will convert your WAV to an MP3.
Then log into sermon.net - put in the information for your new sermon (all easy and self-explanatory after you're signed up) and then "Upload your converted message" and any written notes (it will automatically change your Word notes into a pdf for you).
Last it will give you an embed code to past where ever you want - like your blog or web page.
Sermon net also has the code to paste into Blogger that will show the "sermon player" I have at the bottom of my blog.
I know it sounds like a lot of work, and I learned everything by trial and error. I'm sure there's some fancy programs that might cut out a step, but this way works. Hopefully your Corps has a tech / sound wizard who can help.
If I've scared you off completely - it's really less work than it sounds. Feel free to write for more specifics or find a local techie to get you started the first time.
PS. If you know an easier faster way or a better system, a tool that helps me skip a step, etc... please give me some tips.
Blessings,
Captain Mark Thielenhaus
A few people have asked for how to post my sermons on-line. So here it is...
There are a few steps in the process, but all in all it's virtually free, so if you don't mind a couple steps it's a great way to keep the corps up to date with a series, or just to let your sermons live forever after you preach them.
Here is the website to my free sermon site...
http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
Just click in the top corner to "Join sermon net" and go to "contributor sign-up". After you register you can get all the "free stuff". There is a small cost for the bells and whistles, but I don't need them here yet. Sign up first and they may walk you through better than I can. Since I can't recall here is what I do....
You will also need a way to record your messages. Since we have no "sound" person I do everything myself. I bought a small cheap RCA digital voice recorder that holds about over 15 hours of recording for about $30. I paid another $15ish for a lapel mic. I just put the lapel mic on the same clip as my wireless mic at the corps and remember to turn on the recorder as I start each message.
If I recall right, Sermon.net will give you a basic walk through the process of posting your messages some, but if not, here is what I basically do....
After church I download from the "voice recorder" to my computer. (I know fancy corps record right to digital or a laptop, but we aren't fancy yet)
I use the program with the recorder to save it as a "WAV".
Then I drag that file into a free program you get on the web called "Audacity 1.2.6" here is the link... http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Once in Audacity you can listen to the whole sermon and cut (even copy and paste) all the "UM's" or "sneezes" or "added comments yelled by kids in the meeting". If you're brave enough you can skip any editing and just go as is.
When it's ready you save that project as a new "WAV" file.
Next you use the "converter" that comes when you sign up with "sermon net". This will convert your WAV to an MP3.
Then log into sermon.net - put in the information for your new sermon (all easy and self-explanatory after you're signed up) and then "Upload your converted message" and any written notes (it will automatically change your Word notes into a pdf for you).
Last it will give you an embed code to past where ever you want - like your blog or web page.
Sermon net also has the code to paste into Blogger that will show the "sermon player" I have at the bottom of my blog.
I know it sounds like a lot of work, and I learned everything by trial and error. I'm sure there's some fancy programs that might cut out a step, but this way works. Hopefully your Corps has a tech / sound wizard who can help.
If I've scared you off completely - it's really less work than it sounds. Feel free to write for more specifics or find a local techie to get you started the first time.
PS. If you know an easier faster way or a better system, a tool that helps me skip a step, etc... please give me some tips.
Blessings,
Captain Mark Thielenhaus
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday's sermon - Wartime living, submit and resist
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here.
For an outline of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For an outline of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
A prayer from one of my youth group...
Today I'm passing on a prayer written by one of my youth group... hear the heart, the need, the surrender... and make sure you take the time to regularly pour out your heart to God today as well.
"Dear God, Please save me, from myself.
You Yeshua, explained the way. Explain my way!
I want to Yearn for You, and ONLY YOU!
For You're my only hope.
All my other paths are hopeless, and reckless.
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, Holy One, Saving Son.
MY SAVIOUR. I've turned away for far to long.
Now, I'm nothing without you.
I have NOT patiently waited, but I'm crying out now!
Please lift me out of my pit, the one I dug for myself.
I was blaming others for my mistakes.
This was all me. I am the disobedient one.
Please oh God, take from me anything that is displeasing.
I lay at Your feet everything I have put before You.
You and only You are my life, my strength, and my love.
My whole life belongs to you. Clean me lord. Search me!
Take me apart. Everything unclean, please take away, and throw away.
I know now, that you are the only reason for living.
The worldly things seem so good, from far away.
I let myself get caught up in everything I knew was wrong.
You Lord, are my everything. All mighty and powerful.
Heavenly Father, help me through all my troubles.
While through the whole thing being glorified.
Help me glorify you through my words, my thoughts, everything.
You deserve more then I can ever give you.
Words are not enough.
Through everything tomorrow, and everyday Lord, give me the words to speak.
In every situation, I need you with me.
Thank You for being with me, the whole time.
Even when I didn't want to know.
You are my strength, I need You.
Amen "
Live holy, preach Jesus!
"Dear God, Please save me, from myself.
You Yeshua, explained the way. Explain my way!
I want to Yearn for You, and ONLY YOU!
For You're my only hope.
All my other paths are hopeless, and reckless.
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, Holy One, Saving Son.
MY SAVIOUR. I've turned away for far to long.
Now, I'm nothing without you.
I have NOT patiently waited, but I'm crying out now!
Please lift me out of my pit, the one I dug for myself.
I was blaming others for my mistakes.
This was all me. I am the disobedient one.
Please oh God, take from me anything that is displeasing.
I lay at Your feet everything I have put before You.
You and only You are my life, my strength, and my love.
My whole life belongs to you. Clean me lord. Search me!
Take me apart. Everything unclean, please take away, and throw away.
I know now, that you are the only reason for living.
The worldly things seem so good, from far away.
I let myself get caught up in everything I knew was wrong.
You Lord, are my everything. All mighty and powerful.
Heavenly Father, help me through all my troubles.
While through the whole thing being glorified.
Help me glorify you through my words, my thoughts, everything.
You deserve more then I can ever give you.
Words are not enough.
Through everything tomorrow, and everyday Lord, give me the words to speak.
In every situation, I need you with me.
Thank You for being with me, the whole time.
Even when I didn't want to know.
You are my strength, I need You.
Amen "
Live holy, preach Jesus!
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