I miss you mom. Right now I want to talk to you and hear your sweet voice and to embrace your steady confidence in Jesus and your constant and deep love for me. The missing makes me long for your goodness given by our perfect heavenly Father. Missing you makes me long for heaven.
I miss you mom. A right word spoken with such grace and truth. The reliable kindness of your tone and the predictably caring way you spoke to me. What a great mom I have been given. Greater now than ever. I miss you mom.
I miss you mom. Right when I needed a soft and gentle touch you were there. You personified peaceful love given joyfully to all who found our way in front of your overflowing heart. What an amazing picture of Jesus love you were and are.
I miss you mom. Right now I want to see you and talk to you. How often I begin to pick up the phone to call you as I did over the past 30 years. Always accessible. Always encouraging. Mom, thanks for loving me so well. Thanks for being you.
I miss you mom. Right now your absence is more noticeable than ever. 71 days in heaven and your joy continues to grow. I wouldn’t ask you to come back and honestly you wouldn’t want to come. Just know I’m really missing you right now.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
A Strangely Encouraging Loss
Yesterday Mary Anne and I spent hours at a public hearing downtown standing for some 110,000 people who could not be in attendance--because they were killed in Travis County.
It was strangely encouraging because of what God has done in our hearts to open our eyes to His heart for the unborn. This was not the case in the previous 17 years I pastored in the Austin area.
We trucked downtown at 3:30pm on Thursday to sign up to speak at the Travis County Health District's hearing on using county tax money to pay for elective abortions for low income women.
It was strangely encouraging because the numbers of us standing for life dwarfed those who came to defend the right to kill the unborn. The pro-life community in Austin is rising up and waking up!
I didn't get to speak. I was #15 and they cut it off at #13. That's when it's good to have a strong view of the sovereignty of God. We know we were there to pray!
It was strangely encouraging because those opposed to tax funds for abortion spoke clearly and powerfully for life. One woman who had 3 abortions gave her testimony that she never knew about alternatives and when she found out she delivered her 4th child. She so regrets her abortions.
Travis County is the only county in Texas that uses tax dollars to pay for abortions. Tarrant County was the only other and they stopped in 1988.
It is strangely encouraging that the couple that always wanted to be missionaries has been placed in a sure enough mission field right here in Austin. That became crystal clear last night.
So here it is...here's the speech that was never given:
Hello, I am Trey Kent and I represent the Austin Area Pastor's Council and I am the pastor of Northwest Fellowship here in Austin. I have been pastoring in Austin for the past 18 years. Since the passing of Roe vs. Wade in 1973, in Travis County we have killed 110,000 of our own citizens through abortion. That's more than killing every elementary school student, every middle school student and every high school student in the Austin Independent School District where 82,000 students attend. Can you imagine a proposal that would kill everyone of these students? Can you imagine us sitting down in a public hearing to debate whether the county should use tax funds to pay for this? Travis County Heath District, your role is not to fund the killing of your own citizenry. Over the past 18 years I have worked with men and women whose lives have been ruined by abortion. Will tax money be used to pay for the counseling of those who are forever tormented by the killing of their children? And we paid for the killing? I have yet to meet a woman who is glad she killed her baby. I also have yet to meet a women who said, "Oh, I wish I would have had an abortion instead of giving you life." The women going to the abortion clinic do not go because they are pro-choice--they go because they feel they have no choice. Why not use this money for paying for adoption, to pay for food and medical needs or to help out mothers who have babies but need help? Yet this provision we are discussing tonight is about one thing and one thing only--money to terminate life. No money for counseling. No money for adoption. No money to help mothers who choose to have the baby. All of you are educated people. You must resist the pressure of the "elected officials" and "higher ups" who are pushing this agenda. Be men and women of courage. There's always a way to do the right thing and this is wrong. It is not the place of the Travis County Heath District to fund the killing of it's citizens. It's your role to help. To promote life. As I'm sure you know, the latest Gallup Poll shows more Americans are pro-life than pro-choice. That's because we all have friends, sisters and people we've met who have been devastated by abortion. And, we've all seen a sonogram. We know that baby is alive. Once again, there's always a way to do the right thing and the Travis County Heath District does not exist to kill it's children and mar the hearts of it's women.
That's it...it was a strangely encouraging night. Virtually everyone who spoke for abortion said they personally were against it or that most often it's wrong. That's the new way to talk about abortion--all because we know in our hearts that's it's never right to kill a helpless unborn child created in God's image.
Rise up army of God. You are a missionary of love and truth. Let's awaken to our role to educate, challenge and love.
Oh, with little discussion the board voted unanimously to use tax money to pay for up to 1,000 abortions in Travis County in 2010.
It is strangely encouraging because our eyes are open and we are waking up.
It was strangely encouraging because of what God has done in our hearts to open our eyes to His heart for the unborn. This was not the case in the previous 17 years I pastored in the Austin area.
We trucked downtown at 3:30pm on Thursday to sign up to speak at the Travis County Health District's hearing on using county tax money to pay for elective abortions for low income women.
It was strangely encouraging because the numbers of us standing for life dwarfed those who came to defend the right to kill the unborn. The pro-life community in Austin is rising up and waking up!
I didn't get to speak. I was #15 and they cut it off at #13. That's when it's good to have a strong view of the sovereignty of God. We know we were there to pray!
It was strangely encouraging because those opposed to tax funds for abortion spoke clearly and powerfully for life. One woman who had 3 abortions gave her testimony that she never knew about alternatives and when she found out she delivered her 4th child. She so regrets her abortions.
Travis County is the only county in Texas that uses tax dollars to pay for abortions. Tarrant County was the only other and they stopped in 1988.
It is strangely encouraging that the couple that always wanted to be missionaries has been placed in a sure enough mission field right here in Austin. That became crystal clear last night.
So here it is...here's the speech that was never given:
Hello, I am Trey Kent and I represent the Austin Area Pastor's Council and I am the pastor of Northwest Fellowship here in Austin. I have been pastoring in Austin for the past 18 years. Since the passing of Roe vs. Wade in 1973, in Travis County we have killed 110,000 of our own citizens through abortion. That's more than killing every elementary school student, every middle school student and every high school student in the Austin Independent School District where 82,000 students attend. Can you imagine a proposal that would kill everyone of these students? Can you imagine us sitting down in a public hearing to debate whether the county should use tax funds to pay for this? Travis County Heath District, your role is not to fund the killing of your own citizenry. Over the past 18 years I have worked with men and women whose lives have been ruined by abortion. Will tax money be used to pay for the counseling of those who are forever tormented by the killing of their children? And we paid for the killing? I have yet to meet a woman who is glad she killed her baby. I also have yet to meet a women who said, "Oh, I wish I would have had an abortion instead of giving you life." The women going to the abortion clinic do not go because they are pro-choice--they go because they feel they have no choice. Why not use this money for paying for adoption, to pay for food and medical needs or to help out mothers who have babies but need help? Yet this provision we are discussing tonight is about one thing and one thing only--money to terminate life. No money for counseling. No money for adoption. No money to help mothers who choose to have the baby. All of you are educated people. You must resist the pressure of the "elected officials" and "higher ups" who are pushing this agenda. Be men and women of courage. There's always a way to do the right thing and this is wrong. It is not the place of the Travis County Heath District to fund the killing of it's citizens. It's your role to help. To promote life. As I'm sure you know, the latest Gallup Poll shows more Americans are pro-life than pro-choice. That's because we all have friends, sisters and people we've met who have been devastated by abortion. And, we've all seen a sonogram. We know that baby is alive. Once again, there's always a way to do the right thing and the Travis County Heath District does not exist to kill it's children and mar the hearts of it's women.
That's it...it was a strangely encouraging night. Virtually everyone who spoke for abortion said they personally were against it or that most often it's wrong. That's the new way to talk about abortion--all because we know in our hearts that's it's never right to kill a helpless unborn child created in God's image.
Rise up army of God. You are a missionary of love and truth. Let's awaken to our role to educate, challenge and love.
Oh, with little discussion the board voted unanimously to use tax money to pay for up to 1,000 abortions in Travis County in 2010.
It is strangely encouraging because our eyes are open and we are waking up.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Vapor, Fear and Legacy
I just watched a 4 hour funeral (online) of Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty. He was the pastor of the 17,000 member Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He died at 57 years old. What an amazing man!
"You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." James 4:14 Most of those reading this blog have never heard of Pastor Billy Joe...but like our lives...his was a vapor. But, it was a fruitful vapor. He touched millions of lives through his ministry around the world. Most of us will never touch millions...but we all can have a fruitful vapor by...
Facing our fears...the Bible gives us good news in that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Tim. 1:7 All of us are being held back right now by fear...but Jesus has conquered fear and has given us His Spirit which trumps fear. What are you called to do but fear has made your vapor fruitless...today pray and then claim your heritage...the one in 2 Tim. 1:7...the one in which fear is replaced with power, love and a sound mind! And then...
You will be on your way to a fruitful legacy. We all leave a legacy...but not all a fruitful one. We will all leave different legacies...according to our calling by God. Everyone who leaves a fruitful legacy will have faced their fears and stepped out for God. Do so...
Today...take one step over fear...why not right now!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
A Good Friend
So many of you have been praying for me since Mom went to be with Jesus almost a month ago. Thanks you so much. Your prayers have comforted me more than I know! And think about this…Mom’s been with Jesus for almost a full month…this has been the best month of her entire existence and every moment is better than the last!!!!
Where do you go when your grieving? Countless folks over the years have turned to the exact place I’ve been camping…in the Psalms! In the Psalms I’ve found a true, good, faithful, compassionate and ever present friend in Jesus. David words pour forth Christ’s Words (see Ps. 22 for an amazing example) and bring such comfort to my scattered and wondering soul. This morning before church I received such joy as I meditate on the fact that my Shepherd RESTORES MY SOUL (see Ps. 23). In the midst of me losing an unbelievable friend in Mom (one I’ve missed talking to more than you can imagine) I’ve found a deeper friendship with Jesus—through the Psalms.
I wonder if this is not the plan…bringing great loss in order to bring greater depth of healing and love through our trusted and faithful Friend—Jesus. Some months ago while preaching God gave me this inspiring understand from Job 1…here we learn from this suffering dad at the loss of all his children when he says… “God gives and God takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!” (see Job 1:21). Do you see it? God gives first and then He takes away…He never takes away from us without first giving to us! Like a wise parent who distracts a child who is playing with a dangerous object by giving a safe toy before “taking away” the dangerous one. God is so wise…He gives and then takes away. He gave me the Psalms and then He took away my Mom. He has given me so much more than I ever knew prior to the real loss of Mom.
A good friend is difficult to find…a friend who will never forsake you is found only in One. What’s He doing now to bring you into a deeper friendship? Where are you going to pursue it? Come join me and my Friend in the Psalms!
Where do you go when your grieving? Countless folks over the years have turned to the exact place I’ve been camping…in the Psalms! In the Psalms I’ve found a true, good, faithful, compassionate and ever present friend in Jesus. David words pour forth Christ’s Words (see Ps. 22 for an amazing example) and bring such comfort to my scattered and wondering soul. This morning before church I received such joy as I meditate on the fact that my Shepherd RESTORES MY SOUL (see Ps. 23). In the midst of me losing an unbelievable friend in Mom (one I’ve missed talking to more than you can imagine) I’ve found a deeper friendship with Jesus—through the Psalms.
I wonder if this is not the plan…bringing great loss in order to bring greater depth of healing and love through our trusted and faithful Friend—Jesus. Some months ago while preaching God gave me this inspiring understand from Job 1…here we learn from this suffering dad at the loss of all his children when he says… “God gives and God takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!” (see Job 1:21). Do you see it? God gives first and then He takes away…He never takes away from us without first giving to us! Like a wise parent who distracts a child who is playing with a dangerous object by giving a safe toy before “taking away” the dangerous one. God is so wise…He gives and then takes away. He gave me the Psalms and then He took away my Mom. He has given me so much more than I ever knew prior to the real loss of Mom.
A good friend is difficult to find…a friend who will never forsake you is found only in One. What’s He doing now to bring you into a deeper friendship? Where are you going to pursue it? Come join me and my Friend in the Psalms!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Outlasting It All
Have you noticed it seems everyone is being shaken in some way…financially, physically, relationally, and/or spiritually? When we are being tested it’s easy to focus on the obvious pain instead of the not so obvious victory. Not so obvious because the enemy we face (in whatever area) will not reveal to us what the Bible tells us—their triumph is short-lived and more than that the grief they are causing us is only revealing a GREATER GLORY FOR US THAT OUTSHINES THEM ALL (check out 2 Cor. 4:17).
Faith, in the midst of the storm, is seeing that which is true but easily missed… that God is greater…that God is in you…and “Greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). What if we saw all the trials simply as a way for God to “show off” as being “greater in you” than all your enemies? Another way to look at it is like this—Satan is defeated…and in the meantime…until he is thrown in the lake of fire…we are the daily object lessons (remember Job) showing all heaven and hell that God is greater in us…and that we will not curse God…that we will stand…and in the end we will know our God in a way we’ve never known Him before. Satan, who was trying to steal, kill and destroy us—becomes the tool leading us into deeper fellowship, intimacy, faith, love and joy in God. That dummy!
It’s all working for our good…hope is here…His name is Jesus…and He’s inside you to bring hope up right now!
Faith, in the midst of the storm, is seeing that which is true but easily missed… that God is greater…that God is in you…and “Greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). What if we saw all the trials simply as a way for God to “show off” as being “greater in you” than all your enemies? Another way to look at it is like this—Satan is defeated…and in the meantime…until he is thrown in the lake of fire…we are the daily object lessons (remember Job) showing all heaven and hell that God is greater in us…and that we will not curse God…that we will stand…and in the end we will know our God in a way we’ve never known Him before. Satan, who was trying to steal, kill and destroy us—becomes the tool leading us into deeper fellowship, intimacy, faith, love and joy in God. That dummy!
It’s all working for our good…hope is here…His name is Jesus…and He’s inside you to bring hope up right now!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
A Torch Has Passed by Erin Kleinecke
A light has left our world after burning brightly for 73 years. The passing of Eileen Jacobson Kent may not be covered 24/7 by CNN or splashed across the headlines. For her accomplishments are not given the recognition they deserve in this day and time. But fame or fortune was never important to Eileen.
She epitomized the definition of a lady. She was soft-spoken, cheerful, optimistic and always interested in how "you" were doing--no matter who you were. She made you feel as though you were the most important person in her life. Hers was a sincere interest in your well-being, not a disingenuous affectation flaunted for show. You walked away from any conversation with her feeling just a little bit better about yourself.
Eileen was married for 50+ years to the highly successful tennis coach, David Kent. His accolades are re-counted in numerous ways and his name forever in the history books of American collegiate tennis. He would be the first to say that he couldn't have done it without Eileen. She was his rock and anchor through the storms of coaching; an incredible role model for coaches' wives everywhere.
She mentored many of those wives through her coaches wives' bible study group. She could empathize with the challenges of the lifestyle without ever demeaning or degrading the coaches themselves. She lifted everyone up with her positive outlook.
She was a person of great faith in God. She didn't just tell you what she believed, she demonstrated her beliefs with action. She fed the hungry, clothed the naked, housed the homeless and ministered to the sick. She truly saw Jesus in everyone she met.
Eileen was faithful in matters big and small. Her family came first, nurturing three children, seven grandchildren and boasting a great granddaughter. But she was never too tired or too busy for a friend in need.
Recognition in this life was not her aim. Her only goal was to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Come share your master's joy."
Those who were blessed by the light of her life can take comfort in knowing she achieved the only recognition that lasts. Her torch can light the way for all who choose to follow.
She epitomized the definition of a lady. She was soft-spoken, cheerful, optimistic and always interested in how "you" were doing--no matter who you were. She made you feel as though you were the most important person in her life. Hers was a sincere interest in your well-being, not a disingenuous affectation flaunted for show. You walked away from any conversation with her feeling just a little bit better about yourself.
Eileen was married for 50+ years to the highly successful tennis coach, David Kent. His accolades are re-counted in numerous ways and his name forever in the history books of American collegiate tennis. He would be the first to say that he couldn't have done it without Eileen. She was his rock and anchor through the storms of coaching; an incredible role model for coaches' wives everywhere.
She mentored many of those wives through her coaches wives' bible study group. She could empathize with the challenges of the lifestyle without ever demeaning or degrading the coaches themselves. She lifted everyone up with her positive outlook.
She was a person of great faith in God. She didn't just tell you what she believed, she demonstrated her beliefs with action. She fed the hungry, clothed the naked, housed the homeless and ministered to the sick. She truly saw Jesus in everyone she met.
Eileen was faithful in matters big and small. Her family came first, nurturing three children, seven grandchildren and boasting a great granddaughter. But she was never too tired or too busy for a friend in need.
Recognition in this life was not her aim. Her only goal was to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Come share your master's joy."
Those who were blessed by the light of her life can take comfort in knowing she achieved the only recognition that lasts. Her torch can light the way for all who choose to follow.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Few Die So Well...A Tribute To My Mom
An amazing passage that I’d never seen in action till now is found in the stark words of Christ to Peter, “I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" John 21:18-19
Did you catch that…"the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God!" Since January of this year I had the rare privilege of walking with and watching my Mom stare death in the face with unflinching faith. She lived out the promise found in Hebrews 2:14-15…“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”
We talked about heaven (she was studying the book Heaven by Randy Alcorn) and we shared about the attributes of God (as we prayed the Scriptures together from Praying The Attributes of God). But most of all I stood amazed as did my brother Todd and sister Tanya as Mom moved steadily and firmly toward her eternal home in Heaven with the strength and focus of a highly skilled athlete…all I can say is few die so well. Few leave a legacy in life of love, prayer and amazing peace-filled compassion in so many generations…she served the rich, the poor, the old, the young and God produced amazing fruit in every field He sent mom.
Her greatest legacy must be how well she loved Dad. Nothing stands out more to me than that. Her faith was best lived out at home and being right by Dad's side. She modeled prayer, faith and love for God’s Word. In that she was a beautiful shining picture of Christ’s church in response and joyful submission to Christ's leadership (see Eph. 5 for this beautiful picture of marriage). She was and is the bride. She reflected and now even more reflects the beauty of the bride without spot or wrinkle! Her radiance in life and victory in death leaves a legacy for me and my family. Few live so well. Few die so well.
You are invited to join our family in a celebration of Mom’s life on Friday, October 9, 2009 at 1pm at Grace Bible Church in College Station, Texas (Grace Bible Church…Anderson Campus… 700 Anderson Street College Station, TX 77840… Phone: 979.693.2911)
Did you catch that…"the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God!" Since January of this year I had the rare privilege of walking with and watching my Mom stare death in the face with unflinching faith. She lived out the promise found in Hebrews 2:14-15…“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”
We talked about heaven (she was studying the book Heaven by Randy Alcorn) and we shared about the attributes of God (as we prayed the Scriptures together from Praying The Attributes of God). But most of all I stood amazed as did my brother Todd and sister Tanya as Mom moved steadily and firmly toward her eternal home in Heaven with the strength and focus of a highly skilled athlete…all I can say is few die so well. Few leave a legacy in life of love, prayer and amazing peace-filled compassion in so many generations…she served the rich, the poor, the old, the young and God produced amazing fruit in every field He sent mom.
Her greatest legacy must be how well she loved Dad. Nothing stands out more to me than that. Her faith was best lived out at home and being right by Dad's side. She modeled prayer, faith and love for God’s Word. In that she was a beautiful shining picture of Christ’s church in response and joyful submission to Christ's leadership (see Eph. 5 for this beautiful picture of marriage). She was and is the bride. She reflected and now even more reflects the beauty of the bride without spot or wrinkle! Her radiance in life and victory in death leaves a legacy for me and my family. Few live so well. Few die so well.
You are invited to join our family in a celebration of Mom’s life on Friday, October 9, 2009 at 1pm at Grace Bible Church in College Station, Texas (Grace Bible Church…Anderson Campus… 700 Anderson Street College Station, TX 77840… Phone: 979.693.2911)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Men, Mountains and Osama
What an amazing morning…prayer at church at 6am and then prayer in front of the Anderson Mill Abortion Clinic (in the glorious rain nonetheless). It was a powerful spiritual moment as 4 NWF folks stood in the rain (no umbrellas) making a statement in Christ to the devil and all His demons and to all those driving by that mercy and truth are worth it…babies are worth in…and the women who might stop by the clinic are worth it!
MEN…Have you heard that crazy talk that men don’t want to go to church because church is too feminine? That’s a bunch of malarkey…men don’t want to go to church because the Light of Christ exposes the sin of darkness! But, I’ve got good news…we have an amazing adventure for men. We learned from John Eldredge’s book Wild At Heart that men are looking for an adventure, an enemy to conquer and a maiden to rescue (or something to that effect). I have great news…praying peacefully in front of the abortion clinic does all three. Today I got to lock eyes with the abortion doctor. I got to pray feet away from a death zone (or as Carol Everett the former abortion clinic owner called it “the gates of hell”). I got to stand for the protection of women (born and unborn). Nothing in the history of our nation has been more damaging to women than abortion. Men…rise up…the church is doing manly things!
MOUNTAINS…Climbing mountains is good. Shooting stuff fun. Going to football games exciting. But, men…we were made for way more than that. Is that really adventure? Isn’t adventure standing in the face of darkness and declaring “GREATER IS HE WHO IS IN ME THAN HE WHO IS IN THE WORLD!”? Oh, climb your mountains, shoot your guys and enjoy your games…but don’t miss the call upon you to protect “the least”, to “love as Christ loved”, and to “lay down your life” for something that matters eternally. Pray for the mountain of abortion to be removed and thrown into the sea!
OSAMA…That’s what he said. The owner of the abortion clinic we are standing in front of peacefully praying for the next 40 Days (you can sign up to prayer at www.40daysforlife.com/austin) said last night to the evening news that we are like Osama Bin Laden. In other words we are terrorists for protesting his daily killing of unborn babies and for his daily tormenting of confused women. Unfortunately this death doctor has it wrong. We are the hands and feet of Jesus reaching out in love to both the doctor and the possible patient. We are asking for mercy and grace to fall…for hearts to change and for forgiveness to come. Isn’t it amazing to think that this abortion doctor who has been killing babies and injuring women for 15 years or so on Anderson Mill Road could today be totally forgiven and become as righteous as Jesus!!! All his sins forgiven and he could be equally welcomed in heaven as Billy Graham! Amazing grace indeed…where wretches like us are saved! Remember the Osama of old who became the Paul of the Bible…God still does this stuff!
Men…called for adventure! Mountains…waiting for you to cast them into the sea! Osama…he can be changed…so can we!
trey
MEN…Have you heard that crazy talk that men don’t want to go to church because church is too feminine? That’s a bunch of malarkey…men don’t want to go to church because the Light of Christ exposes the sin of darkness! But, I’ve got good news…we have an amazing adventure for men. We learned from John Eldredge’s book Wild At Heart that men are looking for an adventure, an enemy to conquer and a maiden to rescue (or something to that effect). I have great news…praying peacefully in front of the abortion clinic does all three. Today I got to lock eyes with the abortion doctor. I got to pray feet away from a death zone (or as Carol Everett the former abortion clinic owner called it “the gates of hell”). I got to stand for the protection of women (born and unborn). Nothing in the history of our nation has been more damaging to women than abortion. Men…rise up…the church is doing manly things!
MOUNTAINS…Climbing mountains is good. Shooting stuff fun. Going to football games exciting. But, men…we were made for way more than that. Is that really adventure? Isn’t adventure standing in the face of darkness and declaring “GREATER IS HE WHO IS IN ME THAN HE WHO IS IN THE WORLD!”? Oh, climb your mountains, shoot your guys and enjoy your games…but don’t miss the call upon you to protect “the least”, to “love as Christ loved”, and to “lay down your life” for something that matters eternally. Pray for the mountain of abortion to be removed and thrown into the sea!
OSAMA…That’s what he said. The owner of the abortion clinic we are standing in front of peacefully praying for the next 40 Days (you can sign up to prayer at www.40daysforlife.com/austin) said last night to the evening news that we are like Osama Bin Laden. In other words we are terrorists for protesting his daily killing of unborn babies and for his daily tormenting of confused women. Unfortunately this death doctor has it wrong. We are the hands and feet of Jesus reaching out in love to both the doctor and the possible patient. We are asking for mercy and grace to fall…for hearts to change and for forgiveness to come. Isn’t it amazing to think that this abortion doctor who has been killing babies and injuring women for 15 years or so on Anderson Mill Road could today be totally forgiven and become as righteous as Jesus!!! All his sins forgiven and he could be equally welcomed in heaven as Billy Graham! Amazing grace indeed…where wretches like us are saved! Remember the Osama of old who became the Paul of the Bible…God still does this stuff!
Men…called for adventure! Mountains…waiting for you to cast them into the sea! Osama…he can be changed…so can we!
trey
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thinking Christians!
Wow that’s refreshing…a Christian thinking…loving God with “all his mind!” I’ve just been reading WHY PRO-LIFE by Randy Alcorn (we passed out this book to everyone on Sunday…you can get them free on the table to the right when you walk in NWF) and have been so blessed by the clear, persuasive, poignant, pragmatic, logical and truthful presentation of why being pro-life is so “rational”. Rational, that’s a word we’ve given over to the world. Can Christians be rational? Absolutely, truth is not only rational—it is ultimate reality. Even when the world cannot grasp God’s truth, because of blindness, it is nonetheless the most rational (real) information possible.
Here are a few excerpts from Alcorn’s pro-life book:
· WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EGG, SPERM, EMBRYO, AND FETUS? “It’s scientifically inaccurate to say a human embryo or a fetus is not a human being simply because he’s at an earlier stage of development than an infant. This is like saying that a toddler isn’t a human being because he’s not yet an adolescent….something nonhuman doesn’t become human by getting older and bigger; whatever is human is human from the beginning.” (page 33)
· IS THE UNBORN APART OF THE WOMAN’S BODY? “The unborn child also has a genetic code, but it is distinctly different from his mother’s. Every cell of his body is uniquely his, each different from every cell of his mother’s body…a child may die and the mother live, or the mother may die and the child live, proving they are two separate individuals.” (page 37-38)
· WHAT DO THE PICTURES TELL US? “When a pro-life candidate ran television ads showing aborted babies, people were outraged…The question we should ask is not ‘Why are pro-life people showing these pictures?’ but ‘Why would anyone defend what’s shown in these pictures?’ The real concern about pictures of unborn babies isn’t that they’re gory, but that they prove the accuracy of the pro-life position…And if abortion isn’t killing babies…then why are these pictures so disturbing?” (page 45-46)
· WHAT MAKES A HUMAN LIFE “MEANINGFUL”? “With no hype at all, the fetus can rightly be called a marvel of cognition, consciousness and sentience….Scientists have already detected self-awareness in the second trimester. The extraordinary capacities of the preborn children have been well documented by scientific studies for years. By early in the second trimester the baby moves his hands to shield his eyes from bright light…responds to sounds…covers ears at loud noises…experiences REM sleep, indicating that he’s not only sleeping but dreaming. Can we say that someone capable of dreaming is capable of thinking? Undoubtedly, later abortions kill a sentinel (self-aware), thinking human being…(and) early abortions are no better than later ones. A living child who would’ve had a name, family, and life will now have none of these.” (page 49-50)
And…there’s so much more…I am only on chapter 8! It’s so true that most of us, including me, have not been well educated in the pro-life “rational” truth! Please read…you will be so amazed. Christianity is truth…thinking God’s thoughts after Him. It’s also grace…embracing God’s forgiveness when we fail at following His truth.
Let’s think…and let’s embrace both Truth and Grace!
trey
Here are a few excerpts from Alcorn’s pro-life book:
· WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EGG, SPERM, EMBRYO, AND FETUS? “It’s scientifically inaccurate to say a human embryo or a fetus is not a human being simply because he’s at an earlier stage of development than an infant. This is like saying that a toddler isn’t a human being because he’s not yet an adolescent….something nonhuman doesn’t become human by getting older and bigger; whatever is human is human from the beginning.” (page 33)
· IS THE UNBORN APART OF THE WOMAN’S BODY? “The unborn child also has a genetic code, but it is distinctly different from his mother’s. Every cell of his body is uniquely his, each different from every cell of his mother’s body…a child may die and the mother live, or the mother may die and the child live, proving they are two separate individuals.” (page 37-38)
· WHAT DO THE PICTURES TELL US? “When a pro-life candidate ran television ads showing aborted babies, people were outraged…The question we should ask is not ‘Why are pro-life people showing these pictures?’ but ‘Why would anyone defend what’s shown in these pictures?’ The real concern about pictures of unborn babies isn’t that they’re gory, but that they prove the accuracy of the pro-life position…And if abortion isn’t killing babies…then why are these pictures so disturbing?” (page 45-46)
· WHAT MAKES A HUMAN LIFE “MEANINGFUL”? “With no hype at all, the fetus can rightly be called a marvel of cognition, consciousness and sentience….Scientists have already detected self-awareness in the second trimester. The extraordinary capacities of the preborn children have been well documented by scientific studies for years. By early in the second trimester the baby moves his hands to shield his eyes from bright light…responds to sounds…covers ears at loud noises…experiences REM sleep, indicating that he’s not only sleeping but dreaming. Can we say that someone capable of dreaming is capable of thinking? Undoubtedly, later abortions kill a sentinel (self-aware), thinking human being…(and) early abortions are no better than later ones. A living child who would’ve had a name, family, and life will now have none of these.” (page 49-50)
And…there’s so much more…I am only on chapter 8! It’s so true that most of us, including me, have not been well educated in the pro-life “rational” truth! Please read…you will be so amazed. Christianity is truth…thinking God’s thoughts after Him. It’s also grace…embracing God’s forgiveness when we fail at following His truth.
Let’s think…and let’s embrace both Truth and Grace!
trey
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Anointing
“The anointing breaks the yoke of bondage!” (Isaiah 10:27 KJV) That’s what I always heard as a new believer. There is truly nothing like it when the Holy Spirit breaks in through a song, message, testimony, prayer or through the Word.
I saw that this past Sunday. We had 6 Japanese students here at NWF who had NEVER been to church. But a strange but true thing is that they had been taught the song Amazing Grace (in English nonetheless) in grade school. When we sang that song at church on Sunday the Holy Spirit fell and 2 of the girls broke down crying—later stating they “felt God”! Feeling God is good—but not enough for salvation.
Today we were taking one of the Japanese students to the airport. She asked, “Why do you believe in Jesus?” We told her 2 things—(1) Remember how you felt God on Sunday. He’s real. (2) Jesus lived, died and rose again to prove He’s God and the only Savior!
The full “anointing that breaks the yoke of bondage” comes as the Holy Spirit is embraced and the Word is taught. Spirit and Truth…breaks the yoke of bondage. Pray with us that all 6 of these students will come to radical saving faith in Jesus Christ!
Spirit and Truth…Revisited
trey
I saw that this past Sunday. We had 6 Japanese students here at NWF who had NEVER been to church. But a strange but true thing is that they had been taught the song Amazing Grace (in English nonetheless) in grade school. When we sang that song at church on Sunday the Holy Spirit fell and 2 of the girls broke down crying—later stating they “felt God”! Feeling God is good—but not enough for salvation.
Today we were taking one of the Japanese students to the airport. She asked, “Why do you believe in Jesus?” We told her 2 things—(1) Remember how you felt God on Sunday. He’s real. (2) Jesus lived, died and rose again to prove He’s God and the only Savior!
The full “anointing that breaks the yoke of bondage” comes as the Holy Spirit is embraced and the Word is taught. Spirit and Truth…breaks the yoke of bondage. Pray with us that all 6 of these students will come to radical saving faith in Jesus Christ!
Spirit and Truth…Revisited
trey
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