One of the great promises Trump made, which he could never deliver, is that he would drain the swamp. Unfortunately he underestimated the depth of the swamp and found himself mired in a swamp of his own making. However, The promise of American politics being rid of the "Swamp" is one which, I believe, not only resonates with Trump followers but with the average American as well! Left side, right side, we all know our government is corrupt, self serving, making it ineffective and impotent. I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said: “When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.” I see the point of this statement being about power and not money! As long as the American people choose to surrender their power and rights to those who seek power at the expense of the rights of Americans our people will languish and our country will continue to crumble. This should be the new cause of the American people. A revolt, without violence or hatred. A revolution righting the wrongs of human greed and corruption. This is not the job for one man or even ten! it is the job of every patriotic American! This is not a plea for nationalistic extremism it is a plea for sanity.

Danger! Danger Will Robinson!

Tragically Hip

The Point is This

Can a Leopard Really change It's Spots? No! But Jesus Can!

Post Salvation?

Starting With Jesus

From the Beginning...

Just Like a Natural...

It's Not About What You Have. It's About What You Do With It.

Here's What We Do Now, pt. 2

Savor the Gifts of God

So, Who's Table Do You Sit?

Gifts to Grow On

Don't Mistake Him for a Good Guy

Your Affectionate Uncle Screwtape

FBC's Sunday Online Worship Service

Woo Woo! First Stop Jesus

Knowing Where to Start

Sacred or Secular You Choose

The 1,2,3's

1,2,3, Easy Peasy

Faith is Like a Good Pair of Glasses

Looking for God? Here's something you should know!

Lip Service

Faith and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies...mmm that's the ticket!

To Believe You Need Faith! To Have Faith You Must Believe...Arggg

Seek the Lord Because He is Good

Growing begins...somewhere right. Growing in Christ begins with God.

Christian...Why!? Because of God!

Run America Run...Back to God

A Wonderful Life Mr. Pool

It's Not Yours Throw it Back!

Seek God First

Are You Being Saved? If so What From?

Guns Solve Problems...ARE YOU ON CRACK!

Feeling Overwhelmed?

Wisdom...Wisdom...Who Got the Wisdom?

Sept. 13, 2020 Online Worship Service

This is On You

Betwixt and Between

Wisdom

Tough Times Produce Strong Lives

Back to Basics

Accept One Another

One Mind

Not Less Than

Who Am I?

I Swear It's the Gospel Truth

Could be Your Daughter, Wife, or Mother

There Are Signs Everywhere

Not Incidental but Foundational

Are You a Stray?

Keepin' It Real

Looking Through the Mirror, Consider Jesus

Don't Worry Tomorrow Has it's Own Problems

Stuff, Can You Dig It

Off the Shelf Worship

Aren't You Worth So Much More?

Top Five New Age Teachings in the Church

Be Confident

If So? How So?

What Floats Your Boat?

Is Your Treasure in a Dump, or Does Your Treasure Create the Dump?

Daniel and the Lions Den

None Can Stop Them Now

Unleash that Burden of Sin

Conquer Sin With Prayer

A Daily Dose....

No Other Name Under Heaven...

Faking it is so Hard to do!

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Pray Like This...

Pray Like You Mean It!

Give From a Heart of Love

Walk a Mile in Another Pair of Shoes

Faith Put Him on His Feet

Go the extra mile!

Thru the Week - Tuesday

Thru the Week - Tuesday

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

Straight Talk

It's Time Christian...Light it Up!

You Got Flava, Baby!

God Loves You

Don't Forget the Good News!

Don't Forget the Why of the Gospel!

Be Happy

Don't Waste Your Time

The Forget Me Not Model

Forget Me Not

Daniel san and Samurai Pastor

Getting to Know You...

Rage Against the Machine! Pray Unceasingly.

What Does God Want?

What Cha' Doin' Under There

Jesus is a Better Way

Faith Under Pressure

It's A Topsy-Turvy World

What Does the Lord Require...

Night and Day

Don't Jump Through Hoops!

Live a Life That Makes a Difference

Worship and Praise

Have You Considered...

The Wonder of Widgets

Keep Your Heart with God

A Most Unlikely Person

Legacy of Faith

Faith

Good News!

2020 05 18 11 02 16

Ya' Gotta Have Heart

                            I Think I'm Tired of Being Famous

I think I'm tired of being an Internet celeb. Sometimes it just feels good to get your thoughts down. Since Monday I have felt like this rebellious soul seeking out ways to break out. So, I haven't been online streaming "Thru the Week" as usual. Instead I have been doing alot of reading, meditating, thinking, and praying about what it is that God is doing in this world. I am mostly concerned with how to get in front of things so I can be of value to my community. So far I have done pretty good at treading water learning how to enter into the 21st Century technologically. But it is taking all my efforts and I'm not sure I have all that much brain capacity to lend. However, I am grateful to my Brothers and Sisters who are being diligent in reaching out and keeping connected.

I see an almost Utopian social upgrade possible through this crisis. Many in our society who have gone unappreciated and somewhat voiceless are now being acknowledged for their strength and courage...Healthcare Workers are a good example. We readily adorn doctors with accolades, but what about the nurses? They attend a great deal of schooling also and work their fannies off. Or, what about the CNA. I have yet to see a commercial on TV that shows the workers who keep the floors clean and clear out the bloody...infected...yucky medical waste from an ER triage. Even so, I'm really happy to see all of our Healthcare Professionals being recognized. I hope that recognition goes across the board and doesn't fade when the emergency does.

This really speaks to something more systemic you know? The presuppositions we have concerning hierarchical social structures creates opportunities for the neglect of the "transparent". What is a transparent? Well I am using the word to describe someone who is so far in the background society hardly ,or prefers not to knows they are there. And, if they are seen they can be dismissed with a heavy sigh, or "Oh yeah that's tragic", or "Man, that's not right!"...you know like black joggers. There is another form of "transparent" that is finally emerging. These have the attention of everyone and unfortunately cannot be dismissed by anyone. My dad has this saying "hoof and mouth disease"; which is to say a person who says or does something so dumb there is no amount of fake news that can suppress the fallout...you know like the death of thousands that will just go away.

You are probably asking what, if anything, does this have to do with anything utopic? Well...it's like this: we can learn from this or we can suffer the consequences. We can recognize the corrosiveness of being a society that lives with "transparents" or be a society that "lives transparently". By "living transparently" I mean being honest about our society: its strengths, its downfalls, yet is actively doing something to strengthen it's moral and ethical social being. The consequences can be drawn from this syllogism: a common cut can heal or become infected. That infection can either be cured or can fester into something more sever. The severity of that infection can cost you a limb or your life. Wouldn't it be better to take care of it rather than watch it become it's worse logical outcome. It's a simple syllogism think about it.

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What I do Know

I was just talking to my 20 year old daughter about "God and Evil". Now I'm not going to jump into some long diatribe about this subject. Mostly, because I really have limited understanding about it all. All I'm really sure of is I know the guy who has the answers and it's not me. Here's what I do believe:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Joh_3:16

The Bible stands unequaled in all Literature. Yes, there are many volumes of sacred writings held in high esteem by many peoples; works of history, poetry, philosophy, spirituality, humanity, philanthropy and mystery.

They each have their place, and have undoubtedly contributed in some way or another to either the maintenance, or advancement of their respective cultures. But, still, none of them equal the Bible in its depth of inspiration, or its sweep of influence.

We readily recognize numerous references from Scripture that fill our daily lives with spiritual trivia. That lump in people’s throat is their Adam’s apple. A person enduring extreme adversity has the patience of Job. Someone who’s been around forever is as old as Methuselah.

The dove and the olive branch remain the global symbol of peace; the serpent, an image of evil. Jezebel is to this day the quintessential stereotype of a controlling woman, and Judas is the all-time bad guy.

We speak of walking on water to suggest the impossibility of some task, and soaring with wings as eagles to suggest attaining some great and noble goal. These are but a few of the many famous expressions that come from the Bible.

There is one text of Scripture, however, that towers above and beyond all others. It is without question the single, most known Bible verse in the entire world. And the expression it produces is always one of awe.

It is known by the youngest of children who are first learning to read, and it is pondered by the oldest of the aged who stand on the threshold of eternity.

Of course, I’m referring to Joh_3:16 — “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

It is that singular sentence that stands uniquely alone – needing no commentary, and soliciting only reverence.

Ryle

There is one or two things that can be attached to this, however. No matter how intense the disconnect or desperate the world presents itself the Love of God is transcendent. It overcomes any amount of evil...past, present, or future. Should you say you have no faith in this?! All you need is to ask "God show me the way!"

This for anyone who might be interested. I am teaching two classes: Cults, on Wednesdays @ 7 pm; which is ending next week with Christianity being the final episode.

And, Touring the Gospels, Thursdays @ 7 pm; which is a practical guide for integrating the Gospels into a unified picture of Jesus.

These are ZOOM meetings and will require an invitation. So, if you want to join us please send your email via messenger or pastort.fbcplano@gmail.com. Hope to see you there

Our Mission

fbc-planoil.com

I'm sure it is no secret that things are very sketchy these days and that many of you are going through serious changes in your lives.  Changes to what we have always understood to be personal freedoms.  Changes to social conditions.  Changes in those things we used to think we could depend on as stable.  You know the old death and taxes thing...but now that seems to have developed nuanced meanings.  Now each of us is faced with decisions that seem to have no upside...Do we continue in lockdown or do we grit our teeth and break the lockdown to try to salvage what is left of our "normal" lives and rebuild.  What do you think?

Carriers of the Keys

“And I will give unto you the keys of the Kingdom…” (Mat_16:19).

This is perhaps one of the more noted sayings of Jesus, and the very idea that we can actually open and close heaven’s doors fills our imaginations with both wonder and inquiry. What does He mean by this? Some would argue that since Jesus was speaking specifically to Peter, these words make him the first of many successive Popes who hold an authority to which no other human may lay claim. Not so. For the same words were spoken to all the disciples on other occasions. Jesus is saying that His followers, those who are a part of the Community of the Called Out, have been given the ability to grant access into the kingdom — as well as close access to those who will not enter. Furthermore, it is not Heaven’s doors we are opening and closing. Rather, this is about helping others access the very real and royal presence of the Lord and His work here on the earth. This is a right now activity, not something in the sweet by and by. Did it ever occur to you that you can actually be the means whereby the Lord extends His love, light, and life to others? You can be the one that makes it possible for someone else to actually experience a real and lasting touch from Jesus; a touch that heals, that forgives, that cleanses, and that transforms. Christ can make Himself known through your hands, through your words, and through your deeds.

You are a carrier of the Keys that opens the Kingdom. And you have been authorized by the King to give away to others what your have freely received yourself. Ah, but there’s the rub. Have you indeed received it yourself? Has the touch of Jesus healed you, cleansed you, forgiven you, and transformed you? If so, then in the words of the Psalmist, “let the redeemed of the Lord say so!” (Psa_107:2). But If not, then what in the world is keeping you back? I open the door to you right now! Come on in and behold the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!

One final note. This is not a free-for-all, indiscriminate toss out of heaven’s treasures like candy thrown from floats in a passing parade. No, Jesus set clear perimeters in His commissioning us a carriers of the Keys. “What you open on earth must already be opened in heaven,” He said. In other words, we are to follow God’s lead — just as Jesus Himself did. “I only do those things I see My Father doing.” So, yes we have authority, symbolized by holding the Keys; but we also are charged with the responsibility to only do as the Lord directs. This means we must always be in relationship with Him, for that is the only way to handle each and every situation as Carriers of the Keys. So, what are you waiting for? There’s a whole lot of folks just waiting for you to pass their way.

James Ryle

Preach as You Go

Don't be Fooled, pt. 2

Don't Fool Yourself

The Kingdom Now

Road Maps: James 1:13-15

Road Maps: James 1:13-15

FBC Global: James 1:1-4

Discipleship 101

Discipleship 101

Do you want to be a disciple of Jesus?  If you do then this is what you must do!  Are you up for the challenge?  

Deny Yourself

                                   i.     What does that mean?  Well it doesn’t mean becoming mindless, freedom less, or non-existent.  What it does mean is that whatever is your present way of thinking, your lifestyle, or sense of who you are…you exchange for the world view, life choices, and concept of self-worth that is provided for you by faith through the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
 
                                 ii.     When I was in my early twenties, I fell into a cult which messed my mind up so bad I was a social pariah.  After I left the group I was lonely, depressed, and wasted all the time.  One morning around 3 or 4 o’clock I woke up drunk in an ally next to the bar.  I was wet.  I threw up on myself.  I felt sick.  I gathered up some sense and yelled at the sky “Is this it?!  There must be something better!  You up there?  I could use a little help!  God if there is something better, I wish you would please show me.”  That was the moment I was saved.  I really didn’t know then.  But having cried out to God in my desperation lead me to a man, a couple of years later, who introduced me to Jesus.  That’s why I often sign off on my writings as “Jesus is a better way”.  After I met Jesus I began to heal emotionally and physically.  It took a while but it happened.  God protected my with sincere caring Christians wo taught me what it meant to live the life of Christ.  I sinned, of course I did.  But I wasn’t lost anymore I have an advocate with the Father…Jesus!
     
b.   Take up your cross
                                   i.     Like I said I sinned but now I have Jesus and the Holy Spirit to guide and empower my new life.  So, taking up the cross means to me struggling with the day to day realities of living in a fallen world.  A world that is no longer mine.  What do I mean by that?  Although I live in this world, physically, I am not condemned by this world’s understanding of what is “normal”.  It isn’t normal to drink till your stupid every day.  It isn’t normal to scrape in garbage cans for food because every dollar goes to drugs.  It isn’t normal beat, sell and objectify others.  It isn’t normal to devalue life so that the loss of life, at any stage, is not horrifying.  It isn’t normal to be satisfied with evil!  It isn’t normal to abandon the worship God for the practice of idolatry, in whatever form that may be.
 
c.   Follow me
                                   i.     I struggled a lot to practice Christianity.  I am an addict.  I pretty much don’t care what it is I can abuse it.  Now after over 40 years of practicing Christianity…well…I still struggle.  The drugs are quite now.  My urge to be wild is quieter now.  My violent nature is quieter now.  I’m not depressed, don’t see things, hear voices anymore.  I’m still an out of the box thinker, only because I’m not sure what a box looks like.  Following Jesus continues to teach me how to live with myself and others.  The ethics of Jesus is not self-indulgent.  It is sacrificial. The ethics of Jesus is not violent.  It is peace led by peacemakers.  The ethics of Jesus is not sickness and harm.  It is healing and kind.  Jesus says in Matthew 11:28:
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
2.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Discipleship
“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'Ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
 
3.  Are you ready to lay down your burdens?
a.   I’m not going to tell you being a Christian is easy.  It’s not.  There is a lot of opposition to being a Christian.  Because of this it can be hard work.  It takes a great deal of reorientation You’re going to have to learn to love and not hate.  You’re going to have to be joyous and not be a Debbie Downer.  You’re going to have to demonstration peace instead of violence.  You’re going to have to be patient. You’re going to have to show kindness.  You’re going to have to display goodness.  You’re going to have to be faithful.  You’re going to have to be gentle.  You’re going to have to show self-control.  I know you’re probably saying to yourself “nobody can do all that!”  You’re right nobody can without the power of the Holy Spirit!  These are those characteristics which Christians are to strive for.  Do you see anything here you don’t want to have in your life?  It’s tough but it is so worth it.  To have this level of harmony and integrity is priceless. 
2Co 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
  Ready for that new life?  What are you waiting for!

The Road Map to Happiness