Every Christian an Apologist?

Always be ready to give a defense to anyone
who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. -- Peter

An apologist, according to the dictionary, is “one who speaks or writes in defense of someone or something .” Applied to Christianity an apologist would be a person who can defend and explain the Christian faith. The late Paul Little, the late C.S. Lewis, Josh McDowell, and Norman Geisler are several whose books are still available from bookstores and the internet.
The thing is, according to Peter, every single believer should develop into an apologist. Every believer should have some kind of response to anyone who questions their faith.
You don’t have to be an expert in theology or be fluent in languages of the Bible. All you have to do is have an intimate, personal relationship with Christ and be in the process of becoming a disciple.
I overheard one teenager, who had recently received Christ and been baptized, talking to another teenager. He said, “I like to hang around the church any time I can And have you noticed how I’m not as angry as I used to be? I’m different since I became a Christian.”
Now that’s an apologist in action! And he didn’t even know it. He was confirming what Jesus had done in His life.
You can grow in Christ by becoming active in discipleship, Bible study, and a mission or ministry team. You too, can be an apologist.

Sgt. Herb Pettigrew

Herb's life was the Lord, his family and the army -- in that order. He served in the Army and National Guard for almost 40 years. It was time, so the Lord let Him go home on Sunday afternoon at 4:06 PM.

I've only known Herb and Liz for about 3 years, since moving to Grace Fellowship, but he was always one of the warmest people I've met. Always ready to laugh. I'll miss him at the "Spit and Whittle Club" at McDonalds each morning.

He was a blessing to me. Thank You, Lord, for another fine man you've allowed to grace my life.

Israel Anyone?

We're beginning to look at different travel agents for a group tour to Israel next year sometime. Summer is the best time, but it's the most expensive, too. The Fall is the best time, weather-wise and cost wise. Winter is next best.

I'm talking to a tour company that I worked with before. They are very accomodating and helpful. Let me know if you're interested in going to the promised land.

I'm Just a Hog for You, Baby

I admit it, I listen to the old 50s music on XM Radio. Phase 1 of the Rock and Roll era was from 57 to 63 -- then the British invaded. So, many songs on the 50s channel predate the beginning of Rock and Roll. I heard one the other day: I'm Just a Hog for You, Baby. The chorus says: "This little piggy likes pizza; this little piggy dig potato chips; but THIS little piggy wants to feast on your lips!" I can't even type it without chuckling.

The thing is, many of the songs, even in early southern blues and rock and roll, talk about sin, God, God's plan for marriage, right and wrong. Like the song "You Send Me": "I want to marry you and take you home." That's a far cry from "One Night with You" that came later. All the early critics of rock and roll would be glad to return now to those first lyrics and styles.

Our lives are like the transition of music stylings, too. If we don't watch out, our lives will slowly, almost without notice, slip one little step at a time into a activities and attitudes that we would never have entertained before. Keep alert to a growing indifference toward sin and relaxed morals. Being "a Hog" for the things of God is okay. Really.

Global Warming or Islamic Jihad?

Well, I'm supposed to be scared to death of global warming, according to proponents of a faulty science scheme. But let's suppose that global warming is real. How long before it destroys the USA? A century or two? Fifty years? A decade?

I'm also supposed to be afraid of Islamic Jihad -- the militant Israel haters and America destroyers -- murderers and terrorists. These people are serious! They want us wiped off the face of the map. They get into our country over porous borders with plans to kill us and undermine our culture.

Between global warming and Islamic Jihad, I think Islamic Jihad poses the imminent threat. If the Al Gore's of the world would spend as much energy trying to protect our children and innocent citizens from terrorists as they do protect a few caribou from oil rigs, we might indeed be safer and more self-reliant.

Let's see: Global warming, on one hand, that stimies productivity, is based on psuedo-science, and flushes millions of dollars down the toilet, verses Islamic Jihad that wants me dead NOW! I think I'd rather the USA be concerned about the Islamic Jihad.

Note to believers: God is still on His throne and absolutely nothing happens that doesn't cross His desk first! And whatever happened to Christians abiding in the shadow of His wing? He is our Savior, and the One who loves our very souls. So, I'm okay with world events as long as I abide in Christ, and He in me. He, afterall, is sovereign, and "all power is given unto [Christ]." All power means all power. Whew! Now don't you feel better?!

A good example of discipleship

I witnessed a good example of discipleship tonight -- actually over the last several months. It involves the music program at Kaufman ISD. I recently attended the concert for the Junior High and High School bands. They were awesome, and they've won a number of significant awards this year. Yes, indeed, it was a great concert.

Tonight I attended the concert for Nash Intermediate School -- 5th and 6th grade bands. It was a good concert, too. A few more flats, some woodwind squeaks, and less polish than the high school band, but they were good. The band instructor, Teri Sanchez, a member of our church, explained how several students were highly motivated and practiced a lot. They had reached performance markers on the high school level and were recognized and given awards.

I thought, this is how discipleship works. Go for the newer believers first like this music program goes for the youngest children. Over several years of practice, learning, instruction, and more practice they will mature in their craft. They will be more than tolerable to listen to. They will be quite enjoyable.

In the church, we need to make disciples out of believers as soon as we can. Start them out learning the notes, how to make an instrument "work", and laying the groundwork for future maturity and ministry. At first the music they play will be simpler, squeakier, but challenging. Eventually they will find themselves sight reading in high school competitions.

Being in the band since 5th grade does not make a performer an automatic sensation in high school. Work, discipline, and obedience will make the novice into a master musician over time. Christians are the same way. Just being in church and attending week after week, even for years on end, does not automatically make a believer a mature, productive disciple. In fact, many long time church attenders think they have the right to administrative and leadership positions because they've been in church so many years. But they may be immature, ineffective, run of the mill Christians. (Lord, save me from being a "run of the mill" Christian).

Discipleship starts early; stays consistent; makes demands on the Christian; and insists on cooperation and submission to authority. But the result will be sweet music to God's ears as the whole church ministers and worships from the position of maturity and power.

May -- give me warm!

Now, don't get me wrong but I love the north. (To most Texans, the north means Oklahoma). I love Ohio and really love New England. One reason is the four distinct seasons, glorious leaves, and real snow -- lots of real snow.

But this Texas winter is tough. At least in the north you know whether or not to wear longjohns and you know how many layers you need to stay warm...so, you stay warm. In Texas, however, it can be frigid in the morning and warm in the afternoon. So if the forecast says upper 60s and you dress for that, you wind up leaving the house at 5:3o AM dressed for 60s. Only thing is, it's 32 at 5:30 AM!

Look, once the "piggies" get cold, it's over. I don't care how warm the rest of you is, if those piggies are cold, you might as well give up.

Anyway, my point in all this rambling is I'm glad for the warm weather. I can ride my bike and save money, but most importantly I can leave the house with a short sleeve shirt on in the morning without freezing to death. Give me warm!