"The Best of the 80's" -Brings out the "WOW"

This morning I watched, Mike & Mike in the Morning. It is an ESPN radio program that talks about sports. This morning the program's theme was, "Best of  the 80's".

 They interviewed some of the greatest athletes in the 80's such as Larry Bird, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Jim McMahon. They wanted to draw us back to all things in the 80's. They did a fantastic job of bringing my heart back to my childhood. They talked about the best actors, best movies, best songs, best fashions, best sports moments, best teams, best sports calls and the best athletes of the 80's. Since the program is primarily a sports program they drew my in to some great memories. I felt a level of awe of the 80's. There was a short clip of the NBA Dunk Contest. The final 2 of the contest were Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins. They had some spectacular dunks. However, I'll never forget the dunk that won it. It was Michael Jordan jumping from the free throw line to dunk the ball. Every time I watch it I am amazed. It is such a "WOW" I wish I could do that moment. I was full of awe. It seemed like Michael Jordan was in the air for like 5 minutes. He had the opportunity to draw people into his greatness.

That brings me to aim of this article. Today the church has lost the "WOW" of Jesus Christ. We have forgotten that when we walk into sanctuary that we are collectively in the presence of True Greatness. The Pastor needs to remember that he is to draw people to realize that they are in the presence of the Greatest Person in all of History. There is no one more preeminent in history than Jesus Christ. Let us return to the "WOW" of Jesus Christ! Amen?

WHAT IS THE DIARY OF YOUR BIBLE?

* January 15-Been resting for a week. A few nights after the first of the year, my owner opened me, but no more. Another New Year's resolution gone wrong.

* February 3-Owner picked me up and rushed off to Sunday school.

*February 23-Cleaning day. Dusted and put back in my place.

*April 2-Busy day. Owner had to present the lesson at Sunday School. Quickly look up a lot of references.

*May 5-Grandma's in town. Back in her lap. A very comfortable place.

* may 9-She let a tear fall on John 14.

*May 20- Baby born. they wrote his name on one of my pages.

* July 1-Packed in a suitcase. Off for a vacation.

* July 20-Still in the Suitcase. Almost everything else taken out.

* July 25-Home again. Quite a trip. Although I am not sure why I went.

* August 16-Dusted again and put in a prominent place. The Pastor is coming over for dinner.

* August 20- Owner wrote Grandma's death in the Family Record. He left his extra pair of glasses between my pages.

* December 31-Owner just found his glasses. I wonder if he will make any new resolutions this year about me.

IF YOUR BIBLE COULD WRITE A DIARY ABOUT YOU THIS LAST YEAR, WHAT WOULD IT SAY?

"Who's laughing now, Voltaire?"

There was this French infidel named Voltaire who lived in the 1700's. He really wasn't to keen on the Bible. He really did not enjoy the Bible. He really had a big-time issue with the Bible. He predicted that within a 100 years of his lifetime that the only place that you would find a Bible would be in a museum. The point he was trying to make is that the Bible's message would no longer be vogue, or that it would be totally yesterday's news. People would move on, and move on to more current and helpful spirituality. 

However, Jesus so has a profound sense of humor, and He was going to personally prove it. Instead within 50 years of Voltaire's death, in 1778, the Geneva Bible Society purchased Voltaire's home for a printing press. They used his printing press to print Bibles. Jesus certainly had the last Word on the issue. Isaiah writes, "The Grass withers, The flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8). No matter what man says or does, he cannot thwart God's unalterable purposes. The testimony of the Word of Jesus Christ is such a confidence booster. It's internal evidence gets Voltaire. The Bible is inspired by God (II Timothy 3:15-16). Think about this. God breathed His Word into 40 people. These 40 people could not be more diverse. Some were shepherds, some were political leaders, doctors, tax collectors, religious leaders and fishermen. These people lived over a period of about 1,500 years. The writers had absolutely zero contradictions in their books, and they all were connected to and by Jesus Christ. The ability for us to get 40 different authors from various walks of life over period of 1,500 years and have no contradictions. If I were to take 4 people and have them watch a car accident, and I promise you that they will have inconsistencies. It would be impossible for me to do this. Oh yes, but with Jesus all things are possible. It was not difficult for Jesus at all. Voltaire is one man that tried to attack the greatness of the Bible, and he mocked the Bible. Who's laughing now Voltaire? "He Who sits in the heavens laughs: the Lord hods them in derision"(Psalm 2:4). Thank you Jesus for proving Voltaire wrong, and for graciously saving me!

Common Sense by Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck is a program that is on Fox news Monday through Friday (4-5pm CST).  I'm reading his book titled, Glenn Beck's Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-Of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine. It is a good read. It is #1 on New York Times Best Seller's List. He has help me realize how out of control our Government is. He did a survey of several key issues. First, the goal of our politicians is not that they work for us, but that they will do whatever it takes to stay in office. Second, I learned that our President's 2009 spending was projected to produce a deficit of $1,700,000,000,000, that is $4.657 billion every day, to break that down even more that is $53,906.64 per second. That is a lot of money! I will not make that much in a year. It just shows how out of control the spending of our Government really is, and that is incredible! Get the book, read it! But remember, the follower of Jesus Christ is sovereign. He is way above our Government. AMEN!

God Wrote A Book

I want to challenge you to read this book. Mark Barlow and myself challenged Mark Driscoll to read this book and now it is his top books for Hermeneutics. Please read this book if you truly love the Bible. To love the Bible is to love Jesus Christ. James MacDonald does a wonderful, witty, engaging and humorous job in this book. I have given a few links below for further information.

Walk In The Word's Website (James MacDonald) 

Book Link:

(http://store.walkintheword.com/p-707-god-wrote-a-book.aspx)

God wrote a book. There’s something very powerful in that simple statement---especially when you realize He wrote it to you and me, sharing His thoughts and His heart with each one of us.

But not everyone believes that. In fact, you’ve probably been asked why you are so bent on following God’s book . . . believing it and doing what it says. For those times, here’s affirmation to bolster your faith and a reasonable response for you to give to others who are asking legitimate, intelligent questions about what the Bible is and what it can do for them.

Audio Sermon Series Link:

(http://store.walkintheword.com/p-1070-god-wrote-a-book-how-to-study-trust-and-defend-the-bible.aspx  )

CD Series Details:

God wrote a book...to you and me. Isn't that incredible? The Creator of the universe, the Lord of life sharing His thoughts and His heart with each one of us who seeks the treasures of His Word. How often we neglect to do that! This series gives us confidence in the origin of the Bible and why the application of its truths is all we need to live our day to day lives successfully. It also provides clear answers to those who ask why we depend on God's Word for the answers we need. 

Messages in this series:

Why I Believe in the Bible	Isaiah 40:8
Where Did the Bible Come From?	Various
What is the Bible Good For?	Psalm 19:7-11
How to Benefit From the Bible	Jeremiah 15:16

The Resurgence Website (Mark Driscoll) (http://theresurgence.com/Great_Books_Bible_Study_and_Theology)

Grace and I have personally benefited from the following books; they are easy to read and are among the best in their areas of instruction. We have recommended these books many times over the years and have purchased many copies for our friends.

Bibles and Bible Study

Children's Bible
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name (Zondervan, 2007) by Sally Lloyd-Jones

Inerrancy
God Wrote a Book (Crossway, 2004) by James MacDonald