Between the Boy and the Bridge — A Haunting Question

I am haunted by the one question that seems so obvious and clear in the account of Tyler Clementi’s tragic death. In those days of crushing anguish, humiliation, and confusion, was there no one who could have stood between that boy and that bridge?

Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

Monday, October 4, 2010

By all accounts Tyler Clementi was an 18-year-old young man who was excited to be a freshman in college, gifted as a violinist, and looking forward to the future. All that changed last week when he walked out onto the massive George Washington Bridge that connects New York with New Jersey and jumped 200 feet to his death.

The last few days of Tyler Clementi’s life were a cauldron of confusions. Over the course of three days, he learned that his roommate at Rutgers University, also age 18, had surreptitiously turned a webcam toward his bed, filming him in a romantic encounter with another male student. The roommate employed social media to inform friends of the event, turning what Tyler Clementi assumed was a private moment into a devastating public disclosure. Click here to read full story.

___________________________________________________

After reading this story, I am also haunted by the same question that Dr. Mohler had.  In those days of crushing anguish, humiliation, and confusion, was there no one who could have stood between Tyler Clementi and that bridge?

I ask you the same question that Dr. Mohler posed too his readers. What if Tyler Clementi had been in your church? Would he have heard biblical truth presented in a context of humble truth-telling and gospel urgency, or would he have heard irresponsible slander, sarcastic jabs, and moralistic self-congratulation? What about Asher and Billy and Seth?

Suffering for Righteousness Sake

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:14-17)

Since not everything in the world functions as it should, even those who do God’s will may undergo suffering. When Peter said if we should suffer "for righteousness’ sake", he is saying that believers should make certain that when they suffer it is only because they have served God faithfully and not because they have done anything wrong (1 Peter 4:14, 15). Then Peter states, "you are blessed." indicating that God specially honors those who suffer for doing what is right (see Matt. 5:10–12).

Divorce — The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience

Commentary by Albert Mohler

Note: Albert Mohler is the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world.

Thursday, September 30, 2010 (AlbertMohler.com) - Mark A. Smith, who teaches political science at the University of Washington, pays close attention to what is now commonly called the “culture war” in America. Though the roots of this cultural conflict reach back to the 1960s, the deep divide over social and moral issues became almost impossible to deny during the late 1970s and ever since. It is now common wisdom to speak of “red” states and “blue” states, and to expect familiar lines of division over questions such as abortion and homosexuality.

In the most general sense, the culture war refers to the struggle to determine laws and customs on a host of moral and political issues that separate Americans into two opposing camps, often presented as the religious right and the secular left. Though the truth is never so simple, the reality of the culture war is almost impossible to deny.

And yet, as Professor Smith surveyed the front lines of the culture war, he was surprised, not so much by the issues of hot debate and controversy, but by an issue that was obvious for its absence — divorce. Click here to read full story.

__________________________________________________

The reason that I have posted this article was to bring to your attention something that is very important to God -- and that is marriage and family. I think everyone here would agree that "marriage" is a very important element of any "family" and that it is instrumental in the emotional and spiritual growth of both adults and children. Then why do we not want to raise any issues about how divorces in the country affect the family? We certainly talk about how abortion and homosexuality affects the family, but for some reason the Christian community stays silent on DIVORCE. Have we forgotten what the Word of God tells us about DIVORCE (Malachi 2:16, Matthew 19:8-9, 1 Corinthians 7:11-13)?

UK Bishops Support for Homosexualist Agenda

By Hilary White

ROME, September 27, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Last Monday, when the head of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales (CBEW) told a BBC interviewer that the U.K. bishops had not opposed the creation of legal civil partnerships for homosexuals, he was speaking from a longstanding policy that was published in 2005. But a source close to the CBEW has told LifeSiteNews.com that that policy was rejected by the Vatican for not being in line with Catholic teaching. The UK bishops, however, have implemented it without change, ignoring Vatican-mandated corrections. Click here to read the complete story.

__________________________________________________

This is an interesting video on how the UK Bishops attempt to justify their continual support for a homosexual agenda based on a Vatican-rejected policy that was dated back in 2005.  

The Secret of Contentment

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:10-13)

Are you content in any circumstances you face? Paul knew how to be content whether he had plenty or whether he was in need. The secret was drawing on Christ's power for strength. Do you have great needs, or are you discontented because you don't have what you want? Learn to rely on God's promises and Christ's power to help you be content. If you always want more, ask God to remove that desire and teach you contentment in every circumstance. God will supply all your needs, but in a way that He knows is best for you (Phil. 4:19).

A Story of God's Love

I would like to introduce to you a person that has been an inspiration to me and my wife Margaret in so many ways. This is our cousin Bonnie Lemke who lives in a small town near Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bonnie loves the Lord and she isn’t afraid to let folks know it. She and her husband Randy have a ministry at the local state prison where they go and witness to the lost souls there. But this isn’t the reason why I am compelled to write this post today. For you see, Bonnie is also a cancer survivor and has been an inspiration to thousands of folks who have cancer and to their loved ones whose life’s have been turned upside down with the fear of losing someone to this dreaded disease.

Bonnie has been battling ovarian cancer now for over seven years. Each year was a miracle from God because the doctors didn’t think she would make it one year. It just humbles me to think of how our Lord has used Bonnie to witness to so many hurting folks out there through her CaringBrideg.org website and her prison ministry. I recall how excited Bonnie was when our Lord allowed her to be with her family last Christmas. Oh the love, joy and peace that our Lord gave Bonnie that day when she could be with her family to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. For you see, Bonnie’s health had been going down-hill and her cancer treatments were not working anymore. But God was so gracious with His love and mercy that He allowed Bonnie to spend her seventh Christmas with her family since her diagnoses. God is Good!

This morning our beloved Bonnie is laying in a hospital bed clinging to what is left of her earthly life. With her husband and family by her side, Bonnie can feel the love that they all have for her. Bonnie has fought a good fight and her departure is near. Soon Bonnie will be in the arms of our Lord and she will hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ (Matthew 25:23)

Click here to read Bonnie’s “Survivor’s Story”.

“I AM WHO I AM.”

"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. (John 8:56-59)

God told Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, that through him all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-7; 15:1-21). Abraham had been able to see this through the eyes of faith. Jesus, a descendant of Abraham, blessed all people through His death, resurrection, and offer of salvation.

Can a Christian lose their Salvation?

There are those who believe that a Christian can lose their salvation after God has given them this free gift. These folks believe that if we, as believers, make a mistake (sin) that our Almighty God will erase their name out of the Lamb's Book of Life (Rev. 21:27). I have to admit, that there are a few scriptures in the Bible that may cause a believer to think God will remove their names from the Lamb's Book of Life, but if you look closer at God's Word you will see that there are so many more scriptures that are so clearly telling us this is not the truth.  When God promises to never leave us nor forsaken us He means exactly that (Deut. 31:6) .

Pro-abortion Driver Escalates Abuse to Violence

Written by Operation Rescue Posted September 16, 2010 at 11:58 am

Despite the attacks, pro-life workers continue to save babies and impact the community with the message of Life

Albuquerque, NM – A man that had been verbally harassing pro-lifers outside a late-term abortion mill in Albuquerque for days, escalated his abuse to violence yesterday by driving his large paneled delivery truck up on a curb and striking the large pro-life sign being held by Bud Shaver.

Shaver was unhurt in the incident but his sign showing an image of an aborted baby was damaged.

Shaver jumped into the Truth Truck and was able to get the license plate number of the vehicle that hit him. He reported the incident to the police. Click here for complete story.

__________________________________________________

Can you believe this is actually happening! Apparently verbal harassment did not work so a Pro-Choice advocate decided he would run down a pro-life advocate with his truck.  This type of threatening behavior seems to be the norm in today's society - if you do not agree with another persons moral values - blow them up - shoot them - or run over them with your truck.  My God... What is this world coming to.   

Jesus said, "You must be born again."

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3: 5-8)

What did Nicodemus know about the kingdom? From the Bible he knows it would be ruled by God, it would be restored on earth, and it would incorporate God’s people. Jesus revealed to the devout Pharisee that the kingdom would come to the whole world (John 3:16), not just the Jews, and that Nicodemus wouldn’t be a part of it unless he was personally born again (John 3:5).