May 1, 2008
During one of my recent perusals of all the silliness surrounding the modern “church,” I stumbled upon this page. It is full of satirical motivational pictures for the “Emerging Church,” and is really really worth the click! If only the posters could reach past the shell of worldliness that is so pervasive in most churches. May this always be the realm of fiction for me and you.
April 22, 2008
In a recent allegory posted on Sharper Iron, Dr. Kevin T. Bauder draws a simple and deceptively logical argument for the inspiration of the many different Bible translations. It is logical on the surface, but it is deceptive. You can read the story here. The problem with the whole idea is the assumption that any well which gets water is good! I grew up in the country, have friends that live in the country, and have tasted well water many a time. The simple fact is that different wells bring different tastes. Some are steeped in alkali, and make it salty. Others contain iron, and taste like blood to the untutored. Still others may contain traces of any number of minerals, all affecting their taste and usability.
Each well does not contain water only. Many wells are contaminated by various pollutants, and some are heavily influenced by the land above. Some wells contain oil, which is helpfull to the wallet, but useless for the body. I have showered in well-water that left you dirtier than you came. I have drunk well-water that left you thirstier than before. I have used well-water that left one feeling slimy, putrid, and sick afterward. And thankfully, I have tasted well water that was more pure and clean than any I have ever had in the city. Nothing beats good water from an old well, especially on a hot day.
Dr. Bauder would do “well” (pun intended!) to survey the ground before he wrote. I would agree with him that many of the wells “contain” water. I would even go so far as to state that most of the wells are even profitable for us. However, I am thankful for the old Authorised well, and it’s fierce guardians. I know there is no tampering, no pollutants, and limited supply. There is no toll charged for its water, and the only requirement is that we do not undermine that Ancient spring.
May God give us discernment in these deceptively easy times. Stay with the Authorized Well
April 17, 2008
It is no surprise to many of us the current climate & direction at Bob Jones University. Discerning men have been warning about their direction for years. Further proof of their slide into ecumenism is offered by this article (here), an excerpt from here. The part that caught my attention was the fact that a lot of Bob Jones graduates are going to divinity school at Trinity International University, a school that hold to the doctrines of the Evangelical Free church of America. The transcript also mentions that they are mostly baptistic, but not all. Of course in a school the size of BJU, you can expect a few to slip through. However, the simple reality is that you cannot be broad minded in your approach to scripture and expect to be narrow minded in your approach to separation and the fundamentals of the faith.
One interesting observation is the “civilizing” of the fundamental camp. It has been my personal experience that the “fighting fundamentalists” often behave more like street thugs than trained soldiers. I have seen a great many web-sites that look like a baptist version of the National Enquirer. This is a shame and a reproach to God’s people, and one that is long overdue for changing! In the transcript above, Dr. Carson mentions how the current generation of fundamentalists are more civil in their approach to doctrine. This is commendable and Biblical, yet contains a warning for us. The “civilizing” of fundamentalism must NOT result in “pacification.” Having intellect and being gentle unto all men does not require an acceptance of apostasy and ecumenism, nor does it require us to be open to “dialog.” Be smart, be civil, but remove not an inch from the old paths and the old Book.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
October 10, 2007
Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Have you ever seen those retirement homes with the sign, “Assisted Living” on them? Another famous ad in the Toronto area calls it “gracious Living.” As I view these signs from the perspective of my 31 years, I shudder to imagine needing assistance. The very idea of “Assisted Living” repulses me, as it cloaks desperate need under a veil of respectability. Now, I understand that one day I may need these facilities, and I have nothing against the aged. But the idea of weakness strikes a blow to my pride & abilities.
In the same manner, we Christians often resist God’s “Assisted Living” program. We try to muddle our way through our lives, fighting to retain our “freedom.” We reject the supports extended by His Spirit, and avoid the restraints He places upon on our frail, limited, failing flesh. Paul cried “O wretched man that I am…”, yet so many of us have a very different view of our abilities.
A man who has Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, bad eyes, and a weak heart would be thought a fool if he insisted on driving. Why do we insist on driving our “spiritual car” when we have the same spiritual symptoms?
2Peter 1:5-9, Jeremiah 17:9,Heb 12:12
September 28, 2007
This week we experienced a beautiful full moon. The sky was clear, and the moon was so bright I could read by it. As I watched and marveled at its brightness, it occurred to me that the moon possesses no light of its own. Now, I know this is simple science, but it led me to think of a verse we have been studying in Sunday School.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
As I meditated on this verse, and thought about the moon, God gave me three observations.
#1: How do we shine? Paul says so clearly that in ourselves is nothing good! Romans 7:18 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:…” Therefore, the light that we shine must be a reflection of Christ’s light! Having nothing good in myself, (The moon is a cold, dark, lifeless place) yet still I am commanded to illuminate the world. I can only do so through His light! Which brings me to observation #2.
#2: The phases of the moon are caused by the moon moving in orbit. As it orbits the earth, there are times when the earth blocks out all or part of the sunshine from reaching the moon. In like manner, our reflection of His glory is greatest when the world and it’s atmosphere do not block the Son’s light in our lives. When the earth blocks the sun, the moon is darkened, and the light in the dark areas of the world is diminished. So also our illumination in the darkness of this world is affected by how brightly the Son of God shines upon us.
#3: You know those dark areas on the shining moon? The “face” of the moon? Those are caused by imperfections and irregularities on the moon’s surface. If the moon were perfectly smooth, the light would be much brighter. Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Imagine how much brighter you could shine for Christ in this world if your surface were free of imperfections!
Simple science… with Sobering implications… for Sincere Christians. Now let your light Shine!
July 6, 2007
The following is an excerpt from a proclamation for a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer, issued by President Abraham Lincoln, March 30, 1863.
“ …We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.
But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.
Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!
It behooves us then to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”
…
“All this being done, in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the nation will be heard on high and answered with blessing no less than the pardon of our national sins and the restoration of our now divided and suffering country to its former happy condition of unity and peace.”
As I read these words, written over 140 years ago, I was struck by the clarity by which Lincoln assessed his own age, and the striking similarity to our own nation’s condition. Look at the words he used. “Forgotten God…intoxicated…self-sufficient…proud” These words are clearly applicable to Canada as well! Psalm 9:17 says “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” O Canada! In our quest for wealth we have abandoned Wisdom. We seek peace but scorn the Prince of Peace. We assert our multiculturalism but cheerfully tear down the moral fabric of our nation. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. Psalm 50:22-23
O Canada, remember the Lord!
- Pastor Hollingsworth
May 2, 2007
From time to time I am asked about the programs our church offers to the community. People ask what causes we support, and which local agencies we are affiliated with. The answer to all of these is “none.” But why? How can we not be involved in righting the social ills of this world? This is a valid question with a simple answer. We are involved. I believe the Bible encourages us to relieve the oppressed, the needy, and the hungry (Matthew 25:34-40), and I attempt to do as much as I am able. A member recently brought me a story of her son purchasing lunch for one of society’s cast-offs, and using the opportunity to witness to him. Fantastic! Our lives abound with opportunities to alleviate suffering. But drunkenness, slavery, poverty, disease, etc. are symptoms, not causes. I will submit to you that there is no injustice, poverty, discrimination, or disease in the world that does not have its root in sin (e.g. Deuteronomy 28:15-68). I understand that there are those who suffer through no wrong of their own, yet the mission of the church must be the glory of God and the conversion of souls (Matthew 28:19-20). There are many agencies in the world that care for the body, but few that care for the soul. There are many who are rich in this world’s goods, but few who are rich toward God. Therefore, while we will do our part personally, as a church we will focus our energies, time, and resources on the spiritual needs of our community and the world, for it is the spiritual condition that dictates the social and physical conditions.
1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;.
April 26, 2007
I must admit I weary of mediocrity. I despise blandness in my food, politicians, and Christianity. More and more I understand Christ’s disgust with the Laodicean church. I am tired of the polished veneer and divided hearts. Divided, I say, between God and the world. Divided, I say, between holiness and sinful pleasure, between eternal truths and temporary conveniences, between Christ and self-will. Where are the men of God who stand like Elijah of old and thunder the truth? Where is the man who will cast his pride aside and live completely for Christ? Oh God, give us MEN who will set fire to their worldly allegiances! Give us MEN who will defy ungodliness in their life, their family, and their church! Give us MEN who will pray instead of play, workers instead of whiners! Give us MEN who are willing to spurn the glass baubles of this life that they may earn eternal crowns in the life to come!
My friends, this life is too short to use it in any way except in whole-hearted, single-minded devotion to Christ. I urge you to spurn all earthly considerations in favour of eternal rewards. I encourage you to begin running NOW with courage, determination, and passion. I implore you to order your life after Heaven’s values – for we shall soon be there, worshiping Christ in our glorified bodies. And when ten millenniums are past, and the feeble joys of earth long since forgotten, we will wish we had spent more for others, less for self, and all for Christ.
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” Philippians 3:7-8
April 25, 2007
Supercalifragilisticexpialidoucious! Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious. If you say it loud enough you’ll always sound precocious. 13 year old Morgan Pozgar won the US Texting Title by texting the above in 15 seconds on her cell phone! I can barely say it in 15 seconds! It is almost faster for me to send a letter than text. My sister-in-law Tina can a page of text while carrying on a verbal conversation! But why can Morgan and Tina do what I cannot? Are they wiser, younger, more tech savvy? I suspect that the real reason is practice or diligence. We become good at what we practice. Let me give you a verse. Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Webster’s Dictionary defines diligence as “characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort” How good are you at keeping your heart & soul clean & close to God? We admire great Christians, but how did it happen they became great? No amount of talent makes a “great” Christian! Could it be that they have been diligent to keep their heart & soul before God?
Deuteronomy 4:9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;
Determine to be diligent!
April 23, 2007
Tomorrow starts spring cleaning in the Hollingsworth house. You men know what that means! (No sitting down, no meals, no sleep, the vacuum starts the “Shock and Awe” campaign at 7am sharp…) Now it’s not really that bad, I’m allowed a 15 min break at lunch! 
But all jesting aside, the impending rite of spring made me think about spring cleaning in our personal lives. We ought to be keeping a close watch on things, keeping the filth and muck swept out of our lives, but sometimes things start to slip. It reminds me of Psalm 51, written after David’s sin with Bathsheba. Psalms 51:2-3 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. David acknowledged his sin and asked for cleansing “throughly”. “Throughly” means throughout, but also has meanings that imply severity or ruthlessness. Is this not what God wants of us in regards to our sin? To be thorough, to be ruthless in removing our sin? I am afraid that all to often we settle for a quick tidy of our inward man instead of paying the price to be really clean. When is the last time you had a spiritual spring cleaning? Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Items of Interest
