Islam - The World's Fastest Dying Religion - Aug 14

Found this awesome little video for you. Turns out the hyperbole about Islam being the fastest growing religion is a bunch of horse feathers. According to this video:

Africa

On a continent-wide basis, there are converts leaving Islam at a rate of:

667 per hour
16,000 a day and;
6 million annually

• In 1902 there were only one million Catholics in the Dark Continent. In the year 2000, that number has jumped to 330 million.
• Algeria has a growth rate of 10,000 new converts a year.
• Morocco beats that with a growth rate of 45,000 new converts a year.

Elsewhere in the world

• In Kyrgyzstan there are reports of tens of thousands embracing Christ.
• Pakistan had a mere 80,000 Christians in 1947. In 2000 that number has now swelled to six million believers.
• Bangladesh boasts of ten million new believers who have added their name to the Book of Life.

The Decline of Islam

• Cambodia used to have 250,000 Muslims. They now have zero.
• Russia used to have 24,321 mosques in 1927. That number has now dwindled down to 20.

My own personal observations

• All these numbers of new converts are ten years out of date and represent a low-ball conservative estimate. The case of Kyrgyzstan is a prime example of where the true number of converts is unknown.
  
• This doesn't even take into consideration the explosive growth of the church in China. When Christians not only get the attention of the the Communist Party of China but get them concerned and agitated you know something fantastic is happening.
• Islam's time is running out. So is the Church Age - or the 'end of the age' as Jesus mentions in commanding His Great Commission (Mt 28: 16-20).
• The new Leftists - those who wage the cultural jihad against the West and Judeo-Christian values - show themselves to be utterly bankrupt and on the wrong side of history. There will indeed be an 'end to history' but not the way the leftists envision.
  
• God's prophetic word is 100% trustworthy.
  
• The video mentions the explosion of new Catholics in Africa. The number of new converts created by Protestant churches and charismatics (Pentecostal) would also likely be a significant boost to the body of Christ.
• Lastly, I concur with the videos conclusions. This process will advance human rights, nation-building and the rule of law over the cruel dictates of Islam. It will be a glorious victory for mankind.

Johnny Cash

The Perfect Lie - Aug 9

I've written about this before but I figured it was time to revisit and improve upon the idea.

First Things First

So what's this 'perfect lie' that I write so dramatically about? It is this: That we can please God through our own efforts. Do you want to know the heart of the gospel? Here it is:

Unless you repent, you too will all perish.
(Luke 13:5b)

In the gospel of Luke, Jesus refers to a lost sheep (Luke 15:3-6), the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10) and the well known parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). What do all these stories have in common? That which is of great value has been lost only to be found again.

Unless A Man Repents He Will Surely Die

For some strange and inexplicable reason this sentence has been vexing me recently. It is glaringly obvious that 'I'm a good person' is the reigning pop-culture theology of the day. I often hear such lame excuses as these:

• No need to repent. I'm a good person!
• No need for a Messiah (on a cross). I'm a good person!
• No need to reconcile my faith with the Bible. I'm a good person!
• No need for a (Holy) Spirit-led life. I'm a good person!
• No need to radically change my lifestyle. I'm a good person!
• No need to change my worldly attitudes. I'm a good person!
  
• No need for holiness in word, thought or deed. I'm a good person!

On and on it goes. Seven points have been listed here for your consideration. Truth is there are literally thousands of excuses people employ. The devil loves nothing more than to tell how good a person you are. The Biblical truth is far more sobering:

As it is written:

"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
(Romans 3:10-12,18)

This is not a popular message. Never has been and never will be. All those who dare preach it will face all manner of persecution and (sometimes violent) opposition. This corrupt world will hate all those who faithfully remind us of our fallen nature. Yet it must be taught if we are to count ourselves as Christ's disciples.

The Faith of the Foolish

Why does this lie work so effortlessly? For one very simple reason: It appeals to our pride and our overwhelming sense of self-importance. Hell will be filled with good people who've substituted their own piety and religious observance ahead of the sufferings of Christ. Only through Him can we approach the Father:

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
(John 14:6)

Johnny Cash

Practical Evangelism - Jul 22

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Hebrews 12:2)

Did you ever wonder why so many well-meaning evangelists fail? They have their hearts in the right place. They love Jesus and they love people. Yet their efforts continue to fall flat. Here are a few pointers as to how to be a better communicator for Christ.

Why The 'Big Stuff' Doesn't Work

Do you wonder about Heaven and life after death? Are you fascinated by the concept of salvation and a resurrection body? I find myself wondering about these 'big' things all the time. But do you well and truly conceive it? Can we compare any of these mysteries to our present condition? No we cannot. I believe in Heaven (and the existence of Hell) as well as the glorious idea of salvation through grace. I don't understand it but I do believe. I also believe in the idea of the resurrection, the tribulation and the rapture of the church. But do I fully comprehend it? No I don't. Guess what? Most Christians don't either.

'Just Getting Through The Day': A Faith That Sustains 24/7

Most people, especially in modern Western countries, are so busy with their lives. They're not thinking about such weighty topics as eternity or anything else remotely associated with God. Getting through the day with their sanity intact is victory enough. They're looking for the strength to persevere for one more day, whether it be a Monday morning or a Friday afternoon.

Wisdom and Discernment: Immediate Dividends of Salvation

In any major city (such as the Greater Toronto Area), there are probably countless seminars being taught at any given time. Some have to do with finances and business matters. Others deal with marriage and family. A location is booked for a certain date at a certain time and most often a registration fee has to be paid prior to attending. Now imagine a seminar offering the wisdom of the ages. You chose the location, date and time. Even better, the registration fee has been waived! Who wouldn't attend such a seminar? Sadly, many do by rejecting Christ. Even if there was no Heaven to gain or Hell to fear I'd still give my heart to Christ for the advantages offered above: wisdom and discernment.

Reality or Fantasy: Which One Will You Choose?

The world is awash in lies and clever fabrications. So much data yet so little truth! If I were conversing with someone about God, I'd lovingly ask: 'Wouldn't you want to know why geopolitical events are happening the way that they are?', 'Why does the world obsess over Israel?' and 'Wouldn't you want the ability to see the 'big picture' accurately when everybody else is in perplexity?'

Salvation: An Abundant Life Lived to the Fullest

Do you want mediocrity or excellence? Are you the man/woman you've always wanted to be? Do you want your marriage to be a loving one or a joyless (read: NO SEX!) union. If you have kids, do you want to send them out as a sheep before the slaughter? Of course not. I am of the firm belief that anything worth doing is worth doing well. I am also of the firm belief that everything starts with salvation. Want to understand the Middle East? Gotta start with salvation. Want to be a good citizen/husband/father? Start with salvation. If you want the blessings of God in your life, you start with salvation by way of the cross.

The Author and Finisher of our Faith

It is vital the evangelist grasp fully the concept of sanctification. Start with the little stuff first. Only the most foolhardy and prideful will consider themselves to be in need of nothing. Once a person sees the immediate advantages to be had, curiosity about the bigger mysteries of our faith will naturally be piqued. The new believer will, over a period of time, become aware of an entire body of knowledge that had been sealed to them before. Herein lies the key: Keep It Simple Stupid! Then let God do the rest. He knows what He's doing!

Johnny Cash

Good People Go To Heaven; Bad People Go To Hell - Jun 1

Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
(Matthew 10:28)

This great wondrous lie will condemn more souls to hell than any other lie conceived. Do you want to know the truth instead?

Hell Will Be Filled With Good People

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
(Romans 10:3)

Most of the population of hell will not be populated by the likes of Clifford Olsen, Paul Bernardo or Ted Bundy. These reprobates will not even represent 10% of hell's demographics. The majority of hell's inmates will be there due to incomplete and superficial theology. Oh, they're sincere in their beliefs, make no mistake. But what good does sincerity count if you're sincerely wrong? Hell will have all kinds of folk. Devout pagans and New Agers will be there. So will Muslims, Shia and Sunni alike. Hinduists, Buddhists, Taoists and followers of other Eastern religions will be there. The superstitious, the foolish and the 'I'll get saved tomorrow!' crowd will also be well represented. The rest of hell will be mainly populated by practical atheists and fortune cookie philosophers. All 'good' people to be sure. Not one will be spared.

Heaven Will Be Populated By Sinners

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
(Psalm 18:2)

Is your head spinning yet? Does the above scripture offer a clue? Those who will be part of the Kingdom of God will have at some point in their life made a similar statement of faith just like what David made. David understood that salvation was through the grace of God alone. I'm not heavenly bound because of anything I've done. I'm heavenly bound because I believe in what Christ did for me. True salvation is 100% Christ-centered.

You Cannot Finesse Your Way Past Jesus

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. A man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
(Matthew 10:34,36)

Here's a some open questions for those aforementioned atheists and philosophers: What book other than the Bible has more influence on Western thought? Who has shown more wisdom and performed greater miracles than Jesus? What other religious founder has literally and visibly conquered the grave? You cannot 'whatever, whatever' Jesus and conveniently push Him aside. Jesus Christ is and always will be the dividing line between civilization and anarchy. He's the dividing line in our personal lives between pride and humility. All those who deny this claim are ignorant and in a state of unbelief. Jesus Christ is unavoidable. You can't outflank Him, go over or under Him. Either you accept Him or you reject Him. No exceptions! Hell or heaven awaits. Will you make the right decision?

Johnny Cash

Four Words Every Christian Should Know - Apr 1

No April fools to be found here! I'd like to apologize for my lack of timely posts. You get busy and before you know it the day is done. Even a once a week posting can be too much! So without further ado let's start this month off right.

What Four Words Am I Referring To?

They are Jesus (Christ), cross, blood and grace. As a Christian, we have two priorities. One is to give comfort to the saints. The second is to give our testimony to an unbelieving world. That's it. It's not our job to 'save the world' or to try to create heaven here on earth.

Let's Put Those Words in a Paragraph!

If you were to ask me, I think my testimony might sound a bit like this:

"It was Jesus who bore the penalty for my sins by the shedding of His blood on the cross. We do not earn our heavenly citizenship through our own efforts. It is through the grace of God alone that I can boast of having eternal life."

Now let's ask someone else if they're headed for eternity with God:

"I'm a good person who is living a good life. I pray, I go to church and I try to do the right thing. I also volunteer once in a while and help old ladies across the street!"

Which Testimony Belongs To You?

Notice the difference between the two? On the surface they seem pretty similar. However on deeper analysis they're worlds apart. Let's look at some scripture:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
(Ephesians 2:8-10)

By Paul's testimony we see that the first testimony is indeed the saving one.

Why Is This?

I'm going to let you in on a little secret: Satan loves religion. Moreover, Satan relies extensively upon religious people to do his dirty work. By appealing to our fleshy nature and to our pride, we delude ourselves. God's holiness is perfect and absolute. We cannot please Him through our own efforts:

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
(Isaiah 64:6)

Jesus Christ must be the focal point of all of our worship and devotion. He must be at the center of what we ourselves desire to be. Jesus must be the golden standard. A Messiah that refuses to shed His blood on the cross is useless to us. Had Jesus balked at such a cruel and painful fate every single one of us would face a lost eternity. It is precisely this wonderful and glorious mystery that confounds the saints instead of uplifting them.

God Is Serious About This Stuff!

What passes for 'religion' today is 99% un-Biblical. No mention of a Messiah to bridge the gap between sinful Man and a holy God. No mention of a cross. Bloodless gospels that appeal to our sensuality have become all the rage. No need for grace. We can do it all by ourselves! Yet by studying God's word we recognize the folly of our thinking. It is not by works that we are saved! It is God and God alone that can take the credit for our salvation. No-one but Jesus has the credentials to call themselves Messiah. No-one else but Jesus has the capacity to forgive us for our sin. No-one else but Jesus could be the sacrificial Passover lamb that was perfectly pleasing to the Father. No-one else except Jesus can come close to fitting the profile of over 400 Old Testament Messianic prophecies. Christ stands alone. No-one else can offer the promise of eternal life. Not the Prophet Mohammed. Not Buddha. Not any other guru or sage. Certainly not L. Ron Hubbard! Do you see what I mean here? The question is not of semantics. We cannot squirm our way past the light of Biblical truth. Jesus cannot be ignored. He's the only hope you have.

Johnny Cash

The Sinner's Prayer - Feb 14

Without a doubt this is my most important post. I should have done this sooner but as the saying goes, better late than never. Let's look at some scripture first:

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 6:20-23 NIV)

There is none so good that need not be saved and there is none so bad that cannot be saved. What must we do to avoid this eternal separation?

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'
(John 3:3-7 NIV)

Do you want to be born again as Jesus commanded? There are literally a million and one different variants of the sinner's prayer. It's also the only prayer coming from an unbeliever that God will answer. Do you want eternal life right now? Then pray something like this:

Lord, I am a sinner. You promised that you would receive anyone who would come. Lord, I want to be saved. You sent your Son to die on the cross on my behalf. Lord, I now willingly accept that sacrifice. Thank you for saving me. Now give me the courage to make my private faith in Jesus Christ a public one. Let me never be ashamed of you. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Johnny Cash

That's My King! - Jan 9

Saw this wonderful YouTube video at Whatever He Says with much thanks to Belinda. The preacher giving the sermon is S.M. Lockridge. Hope you enjoy his sermon as much as I did.

Johnny Cash

A Pig For Christmas - Nov 15

How about a pig for Christmas? Or a goat? Sounds like some cheesy game show doesn't it? In places like India a pig or goat means having a continual source of income and the ability to put food on the table. Please give and help a family in need.

Johnny Cash

Four Mistakes Evangelists Make - Aug 25

If we have the greatest book ever written about the greatest man who ever lived why are we going backwards? A Christian who is eternally saved ought to bringing souls to Christ left, right and center. Yet strangely this is not occuring. Here are four mistakes that Christians make when giving their testimony to the world.

An Incomplete Faith

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
(Colossians 2:8)

Saved thought they might be, many a saint hasn't read God's word with care. Worse, they mix in their own unBiblical interpretations! A daily dose of God's word is the only cure. How can we argue for a book when we ourselves have an incomplete understanding? Granted, few of us have the money and time needed to attend a theological seminary. Yet so often we miss out on God's best because we bow to the world's foolish philosophies and human traditions.

Unfamiliarity With Demonic Spirits and Doctrines

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.
(1 John 2:15-16,18)

In order to bring a person to Christ, we must first realize that we are soldiers in a spiritual war. Through this demonic deceptions people are kept in spiritual bondage. Think of it as a 'double learning curve'. The false must be disproven first before we can even touch on the truth. Many well-meaning Christians skip the first obstacle to learning and go straight to the second learning curve as would a Sunday School teacher instructing young children. Any 'cold turkey' approach to evangalizing adults fails if we do not take this into account. Adults come with baggage that children lack. Unlearning old habits is never an easy task. Patience and prayer are crucial to a fruitful adult ministry.

Pray For Adversity - And Mean It!

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.
(1 Corinthians 3:11-13)

Nothing wrong with praying for God's blessings and protection. Yet God is passionate about our personal growth. Praying for adversity serves two purposes. One, it purifies the believer. Would you rather have gold, silver and costly stones or wood, hay and stubble? The answer is obvious. The struggle that adversity produces causes complete dependence on God rather than relying on our own guile. Two, adversity is useful in undermining a false faith. We don't need better behaved Muslims. We need more Christians! We're not being cruel when we ask Him to send adversity to an unbeliever. Rather, it is an exercise in 'tough love'. Trusting in God's perfect ways and timing is always best.

The Failure to Anticipate An Emotional Knee-Jerk Response

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
(Matthew 24:9-13)

Fear leads to anger and anger leads to hate. Once that happens, persecution to the point of death is not that uncommon. Don't get me wrong. Emotions are a vital part of the human condition. Without love and compassion it is doubtful the human race would ever survive! Yet our emotions more often then not tend to screw us up. We react 'according to the flesh' as it were, relying on human experience and a sensual understanding. We feel as if we are under attack and the need to lash out in order to defend ourselves. It is precisely this emotional response that Satan is counting on. Marketing and political campaigns have been built on less. Raw emotional manipulation designed for you to 'buy' whatever corrupt product or message being sold. Thus we end up seeing things as we would want them to be, rather than what they truly are. It is only when we clear our minds and rid ourselves of fear and anxiety do we see the larger picture at hand. A Christian ought to exude and export joy wherever they go. Only then do we become the salt and light that God commands us to be.

Johnny Cash

A Piece of Chalk - Jul 31

Here's a story about an arrogant professor who miraculously gets his comeuppance at the hand of a freshman and a mere piece of chalk. Yes, the LORD is still alive and well! Thanks to Marjorie for the tip. JC

The Greatest Lie Ever Told - Apr 21

If the greatest truths are about God, it stands to reason that the greatest lies we face also concern God.

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

1Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2"The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

4"Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.'

5"But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

8"Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' 10So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11"But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless.

13"Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

14"For many are invited, but few are chosen."
(Matthew 22:1-14)

Let's see if we can figure out what this parable means.

The King: This one strikes me as obvious. This is God the Father. The son is none other than Jesus Himself.

The Invitees: The high muckity-mucks of this world. The 'beautiful' people if you will. In 21st century terms, they'd be the Hollywood celebrities and the political elite. Sadly, their businesses keep them away from God.

The Servants: This one is the most curious of them all. Three times the King sends forth His servants. These are three seperate and unique groups sent out in chronological order:

Verse 3: Those who served God faithfully prior to His First Advent such as the OT prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Verse 4: God's people, the Jews. Don't you find verse 7 terrifying? Yet that's exactly what happened to Nazi Germany in the waning months of WW II (More specifically, think of the firebombing of Dresden). It was God's plan that it would be the Jewish people who were going to spread the gospel. Satan's great plan therefore is to rid the world of Jews because they delivered the gospel to humanity.

Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed." (Isaiah 61:9)

Verse 8-10: Seeing as European Jewry fared poorly, the third set of servants must be Gentiles. These are your pastors, your Sunday school teachers, and (blush) your faithful Christian bloggers.

The Guests: These lucky guests have chosen to accept Jesus Christ as their saviour. However in verses 11 and 12 the King confronts an usurper. Who is this person who has shown up in his old, shabby clothes?

Many Are Invited But Few Are Chosen

Thus verse 14 closes the parable. But we are still left with the question: What is the greatest lie ever told? It is this: We CANNOT stand before God based on our own righteousness. This is exactly what the usurper finds out when he is dramatically given the heave-ho. On the surface, this seems strange to us. After all, Jesus hung out with prostitutes and tax-collectors. Why is our King so enraged at our usurper not wearing the wedding clothes? It is the sin of pride. Not just any kind of pride mind you, it's religious pride.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

Not by our own efforts and by our works do we please Him. When we put on the garments of salvation and robes of righteousness it is only then we are allowed to enter into the banquet hall. By believing in the shed blood of Christ alone do we achieve full atonement.

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:6)

Johnny Cash

The second part of this post can be found here. Please do give it a read.

Have You Seen This Man? - Feb 27

Nobody knows for sure what Jesus actually looked like. He was Jewish to be sure, and likely had a Mediterranean (meaning dark) complexion. However, that is not the main point of this devotional. The question we really ought to be asking ourselves is 'Has Jesus opened my eyes so that I may see Him?'.



They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"

He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. (Mark 8:22-25)

We must make an important distinction here: This is ONE miracle in two parts, not two miracles, the first one incomplete and the second one completed. Why the 'in-between' stage where the blind man has his sight only partially restored? First of all, Jesus is putting His sovereign power on display. Everything He does is for a reason and in its due time. Secondly, and most important of all, Jesus wishes to show us three basic levels of faith:

Complete Blindness

This is where the majority of people lie. They may be 'good', but have little or no use for the Bible or church. The broad path to destruction has become a comfortable place to stay and they see no reason to change.

'Trees walking around'

These love to compare themselves with themselves (bizarre circular logic if you ask me) or against others. These are those who've found religion but never found the forgiveness that only Christ can bring. They read the Bible, go to church and bore us to death with their list of good deeds. 'Good' indeed! But they've never really had an encounter with the Divine such as the prophet Isaiah:

"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." (Isaiah 6:5)

Mere religion without genuine repentance still leaves us blind. Those having ears that do not hear and eyes that do not see are a sorry sight to behold.

Full Restoration of Sight

Oh, blessed are those that truly see Him for who He is! Why is it that so many are angry with God? Why is Jesus' name dragged through the mud on a daily basis? I'll tell you why: Ignorance. Their eyes have not been opened by the Holy Spirit. Violence masquerading as love is the epitome of false religion. Yet so many falsely attribute these problems to Jesus' teachings. This I think is where God wants us to be. To have our eyes opened to the Messiah.

Hope you enjoyed my first full-time devotional. I've got some other links I'd like to share:

Check out this cool photo essay of naval gunfire from Stratfor.com. Be warned it may take time to load. I have a 248 kbps modem and it loads reasonably quickly for me. Just watch the Stratfor logo as it fills up.

Part two of a never ending road trip for six GFA missionaries in Andhra Pradesh. Part one can be found here from an earlier post.

A Saudi columnist laments the expulsion of Christians from Arab lands. The more I learn of the ME, the more intrigued I become. It is much more layered and complex than what we think.

Eight evangelists in Jordan have been arrested. May God see them through their ordeal with strength and grace.

Johnny Cash

Devotions - Feb 25

After some degree of reflection I've decided it's time to make some major changes. After two full years of existence the Christian Defender will now be a devotional blog. There are some good reasons for this.

Beating A Dead Horse: Politics and Islam

Why move away from current events? First of all, there are many other sites that do a much better job of delivering the news than I can. Nobody is interested in stale news, much less my interpretation of it. Only in the case of major advances in Bible prophecy will I make the occasional foray.

Secondly, the question of Islam. Again, there are many others such as Jihad Watch that do a much better job than I ever could. I've made my position on Islam crystal clear. Here are six main points to consider:

1) The Islamists are playing for keeps. Political correctness is strangling the much-needed debate on this attack on our cherished freedoms. Until we wake up and realize that we are in the midst of a material, ideological and spiritual war with Islam, the jihad being waged against the West will continue.

2) Our efforts of appeasement have been an abject failure. All of this pandering has not given us even a moment of peace. Worse yet, this has emboldened the enemy's resolve.

3) Israel's fight is our fight. Tiny Israel is at the very forefront of this battle of civilization. The leftist idea that Israel and the Jews can be sacrificed 'for the greater good' is not only profoundly anti-semitic, it's also dangerous.

4) As for America and Europe, unless we stand up for what we believe in we too shall be steamrolled into oblivion. Countries like Canada, the U.S., Great Britain, France and Germany were founded by Christian principles in both its laws and in its institutions. If we lose our Christian heritage, we lose everything.

5) Our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, though flawed, are vital. Pulling the plug prematurely sets all of our efforts back at least a generation. Simply put, no army has ever won a war by going backwards.

6) The maltreatment of non-Muslims at the hand of Muslims. And it's not just the Israelis either. Go ask the Serbs or the Egyptian Copts or the Assyrian Christians in Iraq. Strangely enough, the reverse is not true. So much for moral relativism! The kind of people that Islam produces is a horror story.

After that there's little more that needs to be said. The links I have on my sidebar pretty much explain where I stand on the issue of jihad and dhimmitude.

What Will You See More Of?

I don't think I'm really cut out to be some kind of news reporter. Journalists strike me as being a little bit high-strung, probably as a result of too much coffee. It's an attribute I don't care to share. In short, here are the things I intend to use a lot more of:

Scripture. And Lots Of It!

For me, my real passion is to share God's word. Makes you think what would Paul and the rest of Jesus' disciples think of the world wide web! The internet poses a glorious opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ with the unsaved. As I've stated before, there's a lot of sloppy theology being taught out there, even in the churches! I've been studying the Gospel of Mark at my local church with the pastor and a few others. Through this it has become painfully clear the real need for good prophetic teaching. The deconstruction of the plain teachings of God's Word is a burgeoning industry. One that needs to be confronted with sound Biblical doctrine.

Sports and Popular Culture

Why not? As an avid follower of sports for most of my life it makes sense to comment on all matters athletic. Sports is a big part of Canadian culture, and not just hockey!

As for my rants on pop culture, I do think it is important to have a Biblical outlook on the general silliness that pervades our lives. I live in the world yet I feel like a foreigner in a strange and hostile land. I think that's the attitude God wants us to have. In the world but not of the world. So many Christians miss out on God's best because of their obsession with earthly matters.

Why The Change In Format?

In a word: Flexibility. Not that I've ever suffered for lack of material. I haven't. I just feel that this gives me more latitude and freedom. Seems silly for me to restrict myself on my own blog! As I mentioned above, this will come at a price. Less political punditry and anti-jihad rants and more scripture. I firmly believe truth is both timeless and universal. It is precisely for that reason that this change is essential. Not only will this hopefully increase readership, it will have a much greater personal impact. Giving glory to God is probably the greatest service any man or woman can do for humanity. I've got an internet connection and I intend to use it!

Johnny Cash

Darts and Laurels in 2007 - Jan 14

Better late than never I suppose. Seeing as it's still January and I've had these bookmarks burning a hole in my pocket, time to do the right thing and get rid of them. So in no particular order, here are the individuals who've either earned our admiration or contempt.

2007 Man of the Year: General David Howell Petraeus

Check out the rack of medals on this guy. While the American military tend to hand out service medals like they were Halloween candy, some of the medals here (click to enlarge) aren't exactly chump change. For defeating al-Qaida in the Land of the Two Rivers (and causing the Left to cry in their towels), General David Petraeus gets a sizeable laurel.

One Big Honking Dart to Czar Vlad


Does anybody out there still read TIME magazine? Being called TIME's 'Person of the Year' was once upon a time met with bated breath. Now it's met with a shrug and a yawn. While TIME insists that this is not an endorsement, Putin's Russia has become increasingly hostile towards freedom of the press, political freedoms and a top-down approach to the economy.


Check out these Russian neo-nazi skinheads. Does their salute remind you of anyone? Whenever tribalism and anti-Semitism raises its ugly head, wars and rumors of wars are the natural result. Worthy of a dart. Preferably where it really hurts.

A Dart to Those Who Would Appease Our Enemies

Seeing as our enemies won't be surrendering to us anytime soon, it behooves us to be wary of any politician who's naive enough to believe that this jihad is nothing more than a big misunderstanding. America doesn't need to be 'nice'. It needs to be strong (Hello President John McCain!). A dart to all those who would undermine America with this rosy thinking.

A Laurel to ABC News

Rarely do I give a tiff about the MSM. However, I have stumbled across this link which will help those American voters who aren't sure whom they should support. Just answer each multiple choice question honestly and get the top three candidates who best fit your political views. Try it a number of times (with different answers of course) and see what you come up with. It's the least I can do to dispel the fog and confusion surrounding this presidential race.

Laurels for Stratfor and Walid Phares

Forecasting the future is notoriously difficult. People can die in violent and unexpected ways (witness Mrs. Bhutto) and irrational people on a glory trip can cause us no end in trouble. I applaud anyone who is willing to put their reputation on the line and give us their thoughts as to what will happen in the next twelve months.

Here is Stratfor's Annual Forecast for 2008 (pdf file).

And here is Mr. Phares with his prognostications.

A Dart for Saudi Arabia and North Korea

Why you ask? These two countries top the list when it comes to persecuting Christians. In Saudi Arabia, Wahhabi Islam has a strict monopoly. In the Hermit Kingdom, being sent to prison camps (along with all your family) is the fate of those found in possession of a Bible.

Laurels To Those Spreading the Good News

Evangelism isn't something you have to do, it's something you get to do. Witnessing to an unbelieving world is difficult even at the best of times. So when God places His missionaries in almost impossible circumstances, it is nothing short of miraculous when those efforts still bear fruit.

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (1 Corinthians 1:19-20)

In Afghanistan.

At a porn convention. Yes, you read correctly!

A prison ministry. Satan really is quite stupid. A jailed missionary is the most dangerous person of all. Why? Because he has nothing but the souls of inmates to gain.

Lastly, a dart to Michael from Texas. He was one the the many winners (or is that losers?) of the 2007 Darwin awards. Alcohol makes fools of us all.

Johnny Cash

God Is Winning - Jan 2

Happy New Year everyone! Thought I'd share a little good news with you. The church is growing in exponential terms. How fast you say?

1) On the day of Pentacost, 3,000 souls were saved. That was just in one day. Today that is happening globally every 25 minutes.

2) In 1960, the ratio of unbelievers to believer was 24:1. That has now dropped to 6:1.

3) In the course of a day, there will be 175,000 more Christians adding their name to the Book of Life.

4) From 1970 to 2000, core apostolics doubled every 9 years.

5) A conservative estimate is that there are 707 million missionaries world-wide.

6) In 1960, the strongest part of the church was growing slowly. Today it is growing at a rate nearly seven times as fast.

7) Campus Crusade for Christ estimates a billion new converts in the next 10 years. Even if CCC was half right, that's still a staggering number.

Read it all here.

I believe this has profound prophetic implications. God is willing that none shall perish but that all should come to everlasting life (John 3:15-18). The explosive growth in the church can only mean one thing: The church age is rapidly coming to a close:

This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Mt 24:14)

If I had to guess, I would say the Day of Pentacost on 2017/5777 sounds like an excellent departure date. But please don't quote me on that.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

Johnny Cash

Proof Of A Living God - Dec 8

Here are three main points which for me prove God is still interested in our well-being and that He still loves us.

Answered Prayer

Many atheists scoff at this notion. Say a believer is sick and his (or her) church is praying for a healing. Later on however that person dies. 'See!', the scoffer would say, 'Your prayers weren't answered!'. That may be true if we rely on human experience to solve the problem. God doesn't answer prayer when, where, or how WE think He should answer our prayer. The death of a beloved member of a church will never be fully explainable using our fallible and mortal logic. So it is when we see little or no progress in a prayer that is consistent with God's will. God is just and forgiving and is sovereign above all. Just because it doesn't make sense to you does in no way imply God doesn't know or care. He DOES know and He DOES care!

Changed Lives

God is still in the business of reclaiming lost souls. Indeed, He has not changed one bit! This is wonderful news for those that knew Him when they were young but fell away or those that have never heard God's plan of salvation before. Whether it be daredevil Robert 'Evel' Knievel who came to faith late in life before passing away or Franklin Graham preaching in Hong Kong, people are coming to faith in Christ in record numbers. In the above article it states:

American evangelist Franklin Graham held his largest evangelistic event to date this past weekend with 423,335 people overflowing seven separate venues in Hong Kong and in neighboring Macau.

And ...

By the final night, 33,464 people had responded to the invitation to accept Jesus Christ as their savior.

In one day nearly half a million people heard the message of salvation and some thirty-three thousand responded. Peter gave a sermon on Pentacost and 3,000 souls were added to the Book of Life. Mr. Graham has now superseded that miracle event eleven times over. Do not believe the secular humanist media who say that Islam is the world's fastest growing religion. It isn't. Muslim women may be winning the 'War of the Womb' but in terms of adult converts the contest isn't even close.

Fulfilled Prophecy

I could fill a hundred pages if I had the time and money to show you that God's plan of redemption is still on track. Fortunately for you I will not attempt to do this right now. Precept upon precept and line upon line is the only way to show the veracity of this position. Here are seven reasons why Christ's return is far closer than what we think:

The regathering of the Jews in Israel (Ezekiel 37): Despite the odds and its formidable foes (see below), Israel continues to flourish amidst a sea of hostility.


Israel is made a nation in one day (Isaiah 66:8):

Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labour than she gives birth to her children.

Yet the impossible happens and Israel is reborn on May 15, 1948. Is this a disaster or 'al-Naqba'? For Satan and all those who follow him it is!

Jerusalem Becomes The World's Burdensome Stone (Zechariah 12:2-3):

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. In that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

Throw the Jews under the bus and peace will surely follow! What folly. Sadly we have learned NOTHING from history.

The Rise of Russia (Ezekiel 38-39):


The recent reversal by the Bush administration regarding Iranian nuke capabilities takes the heat off of Iran as far as the rest of the world (namely the EU and UN) is concerned. With Iran no longer under the microscope Israel is placed in even greater peril than before.

The Call For Global Gov't (Daniel 7:7):

After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

I'm of the firm belief that along with the ME conflict and economic integration, climate change will be a big enabler of global government.

Increase in Knowledge, Power and Speed of Travel (Daniel 12:4):

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

This one is really personal. I cannot help but think of my two nephews Huey and Duey (not their real names obviously) who are growing up in this modern age. The technological gap between when my sister and I were born and when Huey and Duey were born is like none other. Thanks to air travel I've visited all four provinces of Western Canada (BC, AB, SK, MB), as well as Quebec and the Maritimes (NS and NB). Mom and Dad visited England (again) this year and have journeyed as far as Australia! No other generation previous to this one is more travelled.

The Rise of Immorality (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

OK, so I know this sounds old. While every generation has had its share of cads and bounders, can any other generation boast of such sensuality as ours? I don't think so. We have forgotten how to blush. Shame is just another word in the dictionary. Know this: all this bad behaviour we see doesn't prove the Bible false, it proves it to be true.

So there you have it. You can argue if you wish but all my points are valid. It takes more faith to be an atheist than a Christian. Be one less of them and one more of us and join the adventure!

Johnny Cash

Deception (and Hope) In The Latter Days - Dec 1

It appears 2007 still has one month left to go. Time sure flies, does it not? Despite the passage of time however, there are more than a few things that remain constant. The battle for the hearts and minds of men and women are still being waged. The enemies of truth (and therefore God) are still active.

A Lump Of Coal To The Times

The New York Times has given up on any kind of credibility and have resorted to fairy tales. Most Americans are appalled at the amnesty that the Bush administration is offering to illegal immigrants. Yet to hear the liberal press caterwaul you'd think that this debate was very much touch and go. It isn't. Not even close. I'm not immigrant-bashing (though they don't get off scot free either) but the thing that should truly appall us how out of touch the Times have become. The MSM and the GOP may have stopped believing but most Americans still hold true to conservative principles.

Peace In Our Time? Not With These Jokers

Ah yes, the Annapolis conference. I mean, why do we bother? Only the naive and foolish place any hope in these confabs. I'm not referring to the average citizen. I'm referring to Condi Rice and a weak Ehud Olmert playing the fools. Islam cannot, nor will it ever accept a Jewish state in its midst. Israel is still allowed to exist mind you (no problem there), so long as its Jewish character is eliminated. Ooooh, how exciting! Throw the Jew under the bus and ME 'peace' will ensue! This will not do and should not be acceptable to any freedom-loving person.

Three Obstacles To Peace

The first casualty of war is truth. Indeed, making war whilst lying to the enemy go hand in hand. That principle has not changed today. The Islamic form of misinformation, called 'al-taqiyya', is still in tactical use. And make no mistake, WE are the enemy as far as Islam is concerned.

Too many useful idiots shilling for that 'Religion of Peace'. We need more apologists for terror like we need a knee to the groin. In other words, no thanks!

Upside-Down History Lessons: I wish that it was just the New York Times that was the only paper out of touch with the people and history. Sadly, that's not the case. Aren't you supposed to do some research or something before you write? Do you think I type out impulsively whatever pops into my head at any given moment? No! By my own admission I am a perfectionist. Links are read from top to bottom and all words are carefully considered. Yet these basic principles of journalism seem to evade us when dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The fact that deadlines have to be met is no excuse for shoddy reporting.

So much data yet so few facts. It is a supreme irony in this modern age. No wonder people have turned to the internet (and bloggers) for their daily dose of geopolitics!

Iran, Iran So Far Away!

Should it surprise you that I find the people and country of Iran fascinating? It is Iran, and not Iraq, which has the greatest potential for democracy in the region. A fact which no doubt has not escaped the attention of the mad mullahs who rule. Why is there so little compassion and intellectual advancement in totalitarian societies? Because the people are afraid. Remove that fear and compassion and freedom will flow like a river. One of the toughest jobs in Iran is to be a journalist or a blogger critical of the regime. And a regime it is in every sense of the word. Calling Iran's leaders a 'government' is being far too kind.

The Red Horse of the Apocalypse

Which nicely segues into the next question: What would happen in an Iran-Israeli nuclear exchange? It would likely be Iran, and not Israel, that would be the worst off in such a nightmare scenario. Consider the following:

1) Israeli first responders are second to none. They have a wealth of experience to draw from when dealing with mass casualty attacks. I doubt the Iranians have the same capabilities.

2) Iran's maximum yield would be 100 kilotons (possibly by 2010), whereas Israel's current yield is in the one megaton range. The radiation fallout from an airburst of a one megaton bomb can kill unsheltered people up to 80 miles within 18 hours from the radiation plume drifts.

3) Iran would have 30 nuclear warheads by 2010 and would aim for the main population centers of Tel Aviv and Haifa. Israel has more than 200 warheads at its disposal and far better delivery systems, including cruise missiles launched from its 3 Dolphin-class submarines.

4) Iran's capital Tehran is home to 15 million people. Located in a topographic basin surrounded by mountain reflectors, it represents a nearly perfect nuclear killing ground.

5) Lastly, not only would Jordan receive fallout from a strike on Tel Aviv, the Israelis would also retain a reserve nuclear strike capability. Say goodbye to Syria and Egypt!

God: The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever

Yet there is still hope. I'm what you would call a cynical optimist. My cynicism is based on what Man can do. My optimism is based on what God can do. Seeing as God is greater, what have I to fear? Thankfully my optimism outweighs my cynicism. As I like to leave my post on a positive note, here are three items to lift the burdened soul:

On September the 11th, 2007 something miraculous happened in China. The Amity Printing Company in Nanjing printed its 50,000,000th Bible. You read correctly. FIFTY MILLION. And that's only since 1987. Six years after America's worst terrorist attack God is still in the business of changing lives.

Not only in China, but the ME as well. The number of new Christians in the world each year surpasses that of new Muslims, with the major growth for Protestants coming through conversion. It is Christianity, and not Islam, that is the world's fastest growing religion. The battle is surely being won. Praise God!

Let he who is thirsty come and drink freely the water of life: In India, a 'Jesus well' is bringing tremendous growth to a local ministry.

Johnny Cash