Tim Hawkins & Ergun Caner
Tim Hawkins is playing this weekend in Lexington, KY at Northeast Christian Church. I’ve seen a couple of his DVD’s and an old episode of Bananas. Tim mixes stand-up comedy with parody rock and pop tunes. He is classified as a “Christian comedian” but admits to not knowing exactly what that means. For $15 you get a good solid two hour show.
Ergun Caner is preaching a weekend revival at Manchester Baptist Church in Manchester, KY. Before Liberty Baptist Seminary, before the book Unveiling Islam, “Butch” Caner was the Youth Minister at MBC. Tim Hawkins is a comedy by vocation, but I swear that Caner is just as funny. He preached the Gospel from Galatians 6, and I enjoyed tonight just as much – and laughed just as hard.
One is a comedian, one is a professor of theology. They both love God, life and family, and prove that God has a sense of humor. He gave them warped minds and they’re using ’em.
Weather, Economy, and the Apocalypse
The price of gas has passed $4 in many places, and some are predicting $5 across the country by Memorial Day. The Consumer Price Index has risen 2.7% just this year. Thunderstorms and tornadoes are occurring with incredible frequency in the United States, and it’s hard to miss the global increase in earthquake, tsunami and volcano activity. So am I ready to predict the end of the world? I suggest not starting an office pool.
The Apostle Paul expected the return of Christ in his lifetime. You can almost feel a change in his attitude by the time of his final letters. There is a noticeable “policy shift” if you know what to look for. Throughout the ages people have predicted the day and date for the end of the world. Statistically they have been wrong 100% of the time. Are wars in the Middle East and earthquakes a sign the end is near? Yes. But in a greater sense, the end is always near. The return of Jesus Christ is imminent; that means nothing else has to happen before his return takes place. That doesn’t mean it will be this weekend – or this decade – however. If I board a non-stop flight in Atlanta, then my arrival in (your favorite city here) is imminent. The plane will not be landing anywhere else first. The next stop will be at our destination. What we know for certain by reading the scriptures is that Jesus’ return will come like a thief in the night. What we know for certain is that we cannot know for certain when it will be.
Things will get worse before they get better. Ralph Sexton Jr. predicted in the late 70’s that the price of a loaf of bread would be over $1. People laughed. When Israel became a nation in 1947 that was as good as handwriting on the wall for many Christians. Yet Jesus did not return the next day. Mikel Gorbachev turned out not to be the anti-Christ. The 91′ Gulf War was not the beginning of Armageddon. The collapse of the Soviet Union meant that it was neither Gog nor Magog (though not everyone agrees).
Today there are earthquakes and storms. There are wars and rumors of war. The end is near. And if Christ tarries his coming another hundred years – or thousand – the end will near then too. Don’t go around saying stuff that will make all Christians look silly this time next year. Love your kids, read your Bible, share the Gospel – and go on with your life. I wouldn’t recommend selling your house just yet.
Gideon Sunday and Mark 4
Today was Gideon Sunday, at least where we live. I wrote about the work done by the Gideon’s International last year. I’ve also written before about sowing gospel seeds, based on the parable in Mark 4. Just this morning I noticed a strong correlation between the two. Continue reading
Kings of Israel – Saul
The Old Testament nation of Israel was ruled over by only three kings, after which time 10 of the tribes broke from Judah. Sometimes Judah and Israel were at war with each other, sometimes not, and each had a long line of kings that forgot God most of the time. But for a brief period Israel expanded its borders, defeated its enemies, and had a king on the throne like all the other nations. They thought they were winners. Continue reading
Reading More, Posting Less
For the past several weeks I have been reading the Bible more. A lot more. I started Genesis at the beginning of January and am now in II Samuel. I do not read through the Bible each year – that could be a long discussion right there – but decided to this year. I’ve read the whole Bible in King James and NRSV, but up to this point have not done a straight through read of the ESV. That has been my preferred translation of choice for reading, preaching and teaching since being introduced to it in 2003, but I’m a little ashamed to say that I have not yet read the entire thing. Well, by God’s grace I’m working on it. At my present rate I should finish in 10 months, not 12, but anything could happen. I prefer reading ahead to catching up.
So the good news is I’m reading the Bible, and having a great time doing it. The bad news, as far as this blog is concerned, is that I’m writing less. It’s okay though. At least I think it’s okay. Internetmonk.com has a team of authors posting daily and there’s a list of good blogs in my blogroll, some of which haven’t quit yet. I hate it when a good blog stops. The Master’s Table has not stopped; it has, at least for the time being, slowed down.
Easter is coming up in a few weeks. Daylight Savings Time started this morning. It’s a good time to be in church. I’m starting a three part sermon on kings of Israel today, and will be posting on Saul (hopefully) this afternoon. If you’re a follower, hang in there. Graduation is now just a few weeks away, and during the summer I should have more time to read and write. God has blessed and is blessing; just thought I would pass that along.
Blessings and Curses: Deuteronomy 28
The last of the five books of Moses, Deuteronomy wraps some things up and reviews some others. He knows that he will not be entering the Promised Land, and wants to encourage the Children of Israel one last time to remember God and keep his commandments. Chapter 28 is in two parts; first the blessings for obedience followed by a list of curses for disobedience.
The first 14 verses of Deuteronomy 28 list the blessings for obedience. In short, God will bless the land allowing it to flow with mild and honey. Crops will fill their barns, grapes will fill their winepresses, children will be born and the nation will live in peace from their enemies. They will be high and mighty over the other nations of the world. Many more verses, 15 – 68, detail the curses God will bring for disobedience. Continue reading
Who Loves You?
When I was a kid my favorite restaurant was McDonald’s. When I saw a t.v. spot for the latest Happy Meal toy, there was nothing doing until I got one. In time I had to decide between the Happy Meal and the Big Mac. All through high school and into college McDonald’s was still my favorite, but during my college years I was introduced to Applebee’s. I had a couple of friends that worked there at different times, and eventually I came to know pretty much everyone at our local restaurant on a first name basis. At a different time in our life, my wife and I ate out just about every night and wound up at Applebee’s even if it was just for desert or to see our friends there. We moved away, grew up a little bit, and now live about 45 minutes away from the nearest one. Ruby Tuesday is now our favorite place to eat out. We save it for special occasions, but their salad bar can’t be beat. I’m a big fan of the bleu cheese crumbles. We love Ruby Tuesday. Continue reading
Bible Survey: The Children of Israel
Bible Survey is a category of posts that are part of The Master’s Table but located under a unique URL. In recent weeks I have been reading the Bible more, but posting on my blogs less. Disciplined Bible reading and prayer are something I struggle with.
The Children of Israel (Gen 29 – 35) is the latest post at Bible Survey. Jacob’s name change, his wives Leah and Rachel, and a listing of his children are all covered. Click through the link to give it a read; questions, comments and discussion are always welcome.
Where is God?
Where is God? Lots of people have a take on where God might be. Atheists believe that there is no god of any kind, anywhere. Agnostics believe there may be a god or some type of higher power, but we either don’t know what that is or perhaps we cannot know. Deists believe the universe was set into motion like the gears of a clock, but that we are tiny and insignificant to such an omnipotent God. Then there’s New Agers, Scientologists, Oprah and so forth. Some spend their entire lives looking for God, but he isn’t hard to find. The truth is it should be hard to miss God. Continue reading
