tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89994007968766736782024-03-13T00:42:55.599-04:00Dum Spiro SperoFaith is the assurance of things hoped forThe Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-32809548480035629342009-03-16T08:37:00.004-04:002009-03-16T08:51:09.689-04:00New BlogI've started a new blog! I know... I know... I never update this one, why start another one? The new blog is specifically designed for our church. It's a way for me to communicate thoughts about the Christian life or about sermons between Sundays. Since preachers are constantly thinking about church life, this new one should be updated with more frequency. Check it out:<br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><a href="http://npbcpastor.blogspot.com/">npbcpastor.blogspot.com</a></span></div><br /><div align="left">And our church's new website:</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.npbcfamily.org/">www.npbcfamily.org</a></span></div><br />I'm still undecided on what to do with this blog; keep it going, close it down, donate it to science... we'll see.The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-49643987832642704302009-03-02T09:40:00.004-05:002009-03-02T09:45:25.428-05:00The Man ColdI (along with nearly everyone else in the county!) have been sick recently. The following is a perfect reenactment of my sickness...<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mz6DktXFvg4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mz6DktXFvg4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Poor Dianna!The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-73952919104578963462009-01-28T21:17:00.002-05:002009-01-28T21:22:30.915-05:00Ex-Pres HumorThis is funny stuff...<br /><br /><embed name="flashObj" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=" src="http://services.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1155201977" width="486" height="412" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="videoId=9357934001&playerId=1155201977&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" seamlesstabbing="false" swliveconnect="true"></embed>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-17370555891498490672009-01-22T21:54:00.004-05:002009-01-22T22:44:43.791-05:00Ready for ReformationThis evening in our time of family worship, we read Nehemiah 13 and some devotional remarks on it (found in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-God-Companion-Discovering-Riches/dp/1581340087">this book</a>). I wanted to share these powerful words:<br /><br /><div align="center"><em>One of the most striking evidences of sinful human nature lies in the universal propensity for downward drift. In other words, it takes thought, resolve, energy and effort to bring about reform.</em></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"><em></em></span> </div><div align="center"><em>People do not drift toward holiness. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith.</em></div><br />Reformation is something I've been thinking on a lot recently. As we read from Nehemiah, there were two thoughts going through my head: 1) I need to obey God's Word & 2) Our church needs to obey God's Word. In my own life I know that I will (and do) move in the wrong direction when I'm not purposefully striving for holiness and pursuing God. We sinful men & women are never treading water spiritually. We're either swimming upstream or we're being pushed downstream. So fight for it! Take the kingdom of heaven by force (Matt. 11:12)!<br /><br />All this is true for the church, too. A church that is not purposeful in watching over its doctrine, holiness and practices will inevitably drift, and I'm afraid that many Southern Baptist churches have drifted. This is a drift that will take more than a 'revival' service to undo. This is a drift that demands nothing short of a full-fledged reformation. <br /><br />I long for an Ezra/Nehemiah-like, God-sent, Spirit-led reformation! We need our membership rolls reformed. We need our preaching reformed. We need our worship reformed. We need our local church leadership reformed. We need our youth ministries reformed. We need our lack of prayer, lack of passion, lack of evangelism, lack of accountability reformed!<br /><br />When I look at the biblical standards and then look at the average church, I see an enormous gap between the two. My generation has inherited a mess, which is why many of us are opting to just start new churches. Clean slate; no mess. I see the benefits. But before I walk away from the established church, I want to fight for reformation. <br /><br />I'm encouraged to fight for at least two reasons. First, God is patient. He is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">looooongsuffering</span>. Hallelujah! He knows that we're prone to wander, and He is faithful to bring us back. Second, reformation is what God does. The Christian life <em>is</em> reformation. Because sin is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">constantly</span> attacking, a Spirit-led church is constantly reforming. And get this... if God gives us the grace to see our need, and if God gives us the grace to care about it, then why wouldn't God give us the grace to make it happen?<br /><br />Go ye therefore and start a reformation!The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-62375088966194797972009-01-16T09:23:00.009-05:002009-01-16T10:10:48.203-05:00A Good President & A Great Man<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXLUsXmggkG9yPNOku0t156yLDZAT59wgsc5sfgon7z0f6nJWaHoqPr31g1NgI5d9uO_pDbvQtFec0VtsXWCoR86kyxvQ5soUYxg5kvDLKfoWtnXtYRNj45H5mMw667bz-vR073r83M0/s1600-h/20090115-17_e5u5037-515h.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291906794237685474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXLUsXmggkG9yPNOku0t156yLDZAT59wgsc5sfgon7z0f6nJWaHoqPr31g1NgI5d9uO_pDbvQtFec0VtsXWCoR86kyxvQ5soUYxg5kvDLKfoWtnXtYRNj45H5mMw667bz-vR073r83M0/s200/20090115-17_e5u5037-515h.jpg" border="0" /></a>Last night President Bush said his final goodbye to the nation he has served for the past eight years. In the speech, he remained strong and steady, continuing to warn against the evils of terrorism and promote his belief that, if given the choice, all people will choose freedom. He defended his media-tarnished record, admiting some wrong decisions but reminding us that he was willing to make the tough decisions. Ever the optimist, President Bush used words of hope when speaking of the future of our country and our new president. He said,<br /><br /><div align="center"><em>"President Thomas Jefferson once wrote, 'I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.' As I leave the house he occupied two centuries ago, I share that optimism. America is a young country, full of vitality, constantly growing and renewing itself. And even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to the broad horizon ahead."</em></div><br /><div align="left">I haven't agreed with every decision of the Bush administration. He got some things wrong. But as he leaves office, if I had the chance to tell him one thing, it would be "Thank you." <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmeBh6GVSpvpC_20-wSS_r61HkPeUYFbzpe7_h7iAcYMf7EkX1l4E9oLqJFusAT_bvl_YCUq9GDF1gs66xsi4TIT7GJEiUKsQ6nhzWo7xRGhUOMhbiCyL8YykCb6TRc6K-x-4znq55kI/s1600-h/beckwith.jpg"></a></div><br /><div align="left">Thank you, Mr. President for holding your office with honor and dignity. Thank you for the tears that always come to your eyes as you speak of our troops and their families. Thank you for making the hard decisions. Thank you for your courage and steady leadership in the face of mounting pressure and criticism. Thank you for your commitment and your success in keeping my family safe for the past seven years. Thank you for using the most powerful office in the world to aid the most powerless people in the world -- the unborn. </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffcc99;">_</span></div><div align="left">Thank you for being a good president and a great man. May God bless <em>you </em>and may God bless our country.</div>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-28112021865941783172009-01-15T15:32:00.002-05:002009-01-22T22:56:00.169-05:00My Baby Mama<div align="center">Check out my wonderful wife's blog. Big news on the parenting front!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://thejoyofhome.blogspot.com/2009/01/baby-is.html">We're having a...</a></div>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-76596825022476725982008-12-24T09:49:00.004-05:002008-12-24T11:03:43.605-05:00Jesus, Lottie & Santa<div align="left">Growing up in a Southern Baptist church, there were three names associated with Christmas: Jesus, Lottie Moon, & Santa -- and in that order! As I think on it, those three names and all that they represent aren't a bad way to keep Christmas in its proper perspective.</div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffcc99;">_</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#009900;"><strong>JESUS:</strong> Salvation! </span></div><div align="left">Christmas (like every other time of year) in our home centers around our Savior -- we sing hymns, read Scripture, talk about Him, etc. Just think of all Jesus gave up when He humbled Himself by leaving Heaven and coming to live among us. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><em>There</em>, He eternally existed; <em>here</em>, He was born among livestock. </div><div align="left"><em>There</em>, He dwelt in splendor and majesty; <em>here</em>, He had no home.</div><div align="left"><em>There</em>, He enjoyed sweet fellowship with the Father & Holy Spirit; <em>here</em>, He was despised & rejected.</div><div align="left"><em>There</em>, He sat upon a throne; <em>here</em>, He hung upon a tree.</div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#009900;">"Oh, the love the drew salvation's plan! Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!"</span></em></div><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><strong>LOTTIE:</strong> Missions!</span><br />Christmas is perhaps the greatest motivation for world missions. Just as Jesus left the glories, perfections, and comforts of heaven to dwell among sinful men and women, so Christians must be willing to sacrifice money, home, family, and friends in order to tell others the good news. This Christmas season, pray for the missionaries as they share the Gospel and as they are away from family. Give generously to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering (or any missions fund) this Sunday! And consider how the Lord might be calling you to personally go to the nations -- full-time or even short-term. <br />Remember Jesus came to bring good news of great joy to sinful people. What are you personally doing to continue that mission?<br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><strong>SANTA:</strong> Childhood Memories!</span><br />Last (and least!), is the fun tradition of Santa. The jury is still out for us on what exactly to do with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ol</span>' Saint Nick, but we both really enjoyed the thought of him bringing gifts on Christmas Eve. It seems like an innocent childhood imagination (like playing pretend and having imaginary friends), so he makes the list.<br /><br />Those three names and all that they represent sum up Christmas for our family. So I give you these three names, encouraging you to remember that Jesus is the name that is above every name!<br /><br />Have a lovely Christmas!The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-41926900627699172102008-12-17T15:11:00.005-05:002008-12-17T15:23:22.732-05:00Inmates for ObamaMeet the fine, upstanding citizens who helped President Obama win this historic election.<br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1217081mugyear20.html"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280854453774256770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 323px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 622px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxppilX-2PID6rBbkN1p_fF6oMn45aqLBFBmBFEQWi3-ll2U02yh1-obMjGvaMF3bXxFNMaiHA8YLcKMYpw83Xb_jtN80IGiiXv9mImIcBQAZJjPy-pORhpnqOEteeKmXfJR8wd_OGCc/s400/1217081mugyear20.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><p>Hey... if you were in their shoes, you would've voted for change, too.</p>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-24559901216610705922008-12-13T09:07:00.000-05:002008-12-13T09:07:24.914-05:00Graduation, Thankfulness & FacebookWell, I am an official graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary! I graduated yesterday with a Master of Divinity degree (can you really master divinity??). Nevertheless, thankfulness fills the Culbertson house today, and this is especially true for me. <br /><br />I am thankful for Southern Seminary, a fortress of truth sending out an army that is mighty in the Scriptures. Everytime I walk on that beautiful campus I know it is a bright hope for the SBC.<br /><br />I am thankful for Dr. Al Mohler and the men who taught me. I have come to deeply respect these men and greatly appreciate all that they teach.<br /><br />I am thankful for my wife. Her encouragement, support and assistance eased the burden of these last few semesters. Dianna is truly a God-delivered helpmate.<br /><br />These past two days were wonderful. And to top it all off, I'm on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/friends/?ref=tn#/photo.php?pid=5004890&id=610655108">Dr. Mohler's facebook</a> page!The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-2645702882764772722008-11-05T17:49:00.000-05:002008-11-05T17:49:57.501-05:00Congrats to Democrats...againI'm neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but my election predictions came true last night. <a href="http://joshculbertson.blogspot.com/2008/03/congrats-to-democrats.html">Click here</a> for my comments about a McCain/Obama match-up.<br /><br />History has given us a president unlike any we've ever had before. There are a lot of things going on in my mind about this.<br />1. The black community is experiencing their finest moment in our nation's history. It's a moment of vindication for them, a moment of deep emotion, a moment that is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MLK's</span> dream come true. It really was a powerful thing listening to Juan Williams, Colin Powell, and even Jesse Jackson fight back tears as they looked upon the first black president. For our black friends and neighbors, I am happy.<br />2. The political campaign waged by Mr. Obama was amazing... another history-making event. They were able to take a no-name (odd-name!) and sell it to the American people. By sticking to the vague, safe messages of "Change" and "Hope," liberals and moderates and probably even a few conservatives voted for their ideas of "change." Obama was the blank slate upon which each of his voters could project their "hopes." <br /><em>Granted, they had no small bit of help from the economy and Bush's poll numbers, but still...</em><br />3. Barack Obama, my president, is still a political figure with whom I have deep disagreements. His views and record on abortion disgusts me and could never allow me to cast a vote for him. I pray that God changes his heart. <br />4. There's talk that the nation has shifted toward the left. I don't believe it for a minute. This was just the Democrats' year. How could it not be? The Republicans blew their time in power... they don't deserve it back right now. But the fact that California banned gay marriage is enough to show you that America is not moving left. So, my advice to the Republican party is don't jump to the middle of the aisle! Move back to the right... establish your convictions and stick with them. <br /><br />We conservatives will be desperately looking for a voice in 2010, 2012. Until then, pray for Obama; pray for the Democratic House & Senate; and remember that Christ is our King and only His kingdom deserves our true <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">allegiance</span>.The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-35942924123747183862008-10-23T15:02:00.001-04:002008-10-23T15:05:37.040-04:00There's Probably No God...Atheists of London have united to put ads on the sides of buses that read: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260426088033567074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 192px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLQ7IPjnwVWskfL5y3EU9w9xdPpBB-KCF2r-lms8PF614fS_FO4O17dwLxdcKzpDfHegha_xmvJqnv90sLnCAgaIzCpCcVR5ZgdNkoZcKGL0WhOjwL0_jQC7xP2og29TvTQBYic4pOkQ/s320/atheistbus-731291.jpg" border="0" />That's a real comforting thought, huh? There's <em>probably</em> no God, which means all the bad things that happen in your life are random and meaningless, we, cruel humans, are ultimately in control of the world, there's no standard of right/wrong, and even if there is, there's no one to enforce it. So go and enjoy life! Boy... there's a lot riding on that word "probably."<br /><div></div><br /><div>The interesting thing to me is that what the atheists seek from their non-religion is exactly what Christ offers them. Their logic goes like this: </div><div align="center"><em>There is no God. Therefore, we can live free from worry & enjoy life.</em> </div><br /><div><strong>BREAK THIS DOWN...</strong><br /></div><div>There is no Good Sovereign who created, controls & carries out His good will in the universe.</div><div>We can live free from worry, knowing that no one is in control of the universe and that nothing has any purpose.</div><div>We can enjoy life by doing whatever we want to do. (Nevermind that following my strongest lusts has never brought me lasting happiness.) </div><br /><div>Christianity's logic works this way: </div><div align="center"><em>There is a God who has revealed Himself in the person & work of His Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, we can live free from worry & enjoy life.</em></div><br /><div><strong>BREAK THIS DOWN...</strong></div><div>There is a Good Sovereign who created, controls & is carrying out His good will in the universe.</div><div>We can live free from worry, knowing that all things were created through Christ, for Christ and in Christ all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17). We also know that all things (including evil, wicked things) work together for the good of those who love God (Romans 8:28).</div><div>We can only enjoy life by seeing the sinless, crucified, risen Christ as our most valuable possession and by striving to be like Him (Matthew 13:44 & Psalm 63:5-7).</div><br /><div>My conclusion: </div><div align="center"><em>Christ is God. Forsake all else, live for Him & find the true contentment & lasting joy for which you seek.</em></div><br /><div>-P.S.</div><div>To be expected, the <a href="http://ekklesia.co.uk/node/7811">Methodists</a> approve of the ads... </div>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-46909088282326111252008-10-18T09:56:00.000-04:002008-10-18T09:57:39.134-04:00W. Stands for...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUlEdP74PkT471cw_rNANVEsfBMc3QGpWp0VdvVcCLzZQ9TgBf6ZJg9HB8QztRVPV9_VXqyOG8bEZ5xxhGbeF14SCIVzof4tKjmi7B969rhioyfNxyKHv-Cv0qSYdFvsxkS0PkRhYUgQ/s1600-h/international_w_poster_m.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258492199763269138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUlEdP74PkT471cw_rNANVEsfBMc3QGpWp0VdvVcCLzZQ9TgBf6ZJg9HB8QztRVPV9_VXqyOG8bEZ5xxhGbeF14SCIVzof4tKjmi7B969rhioyfNxyKHv-Cv0qSYdFvsxkS0PkRhYUgQ/s320/international_w_poster_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Something has <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">happened</span>. Something that so infuriated me that it roused me from my blogging <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hibernation</span>.</div><br /><div>Dianna & I went to see Oliver Stone's sorry excuse for a movie, "W." We were on a date and Hollywood just isn't producing much worth seeing these days, so we wound up in this movie. I can laugh at George Bush just as much as the next guy. These past 8 years have been a comedian's dream. But this movie... As I watched it, the 'W.' took on new meaning:</div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:180%;">W</span><em>hat?? </em></strong></div><div>Don't get me wrong, I expected an unflattering portrayal of Bush, but this was absurd.</div><br /><div>Josh <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Brolin</span> did well with the swagger and the speech, but beyond that, it stunk. Every demeaning thing they could throw in, they did. Bush is a sloppy eater who talks with his mouth full and picks his teeth with his finger. Bush talked to Laura while sitting (and wiping) on the toilet. Bush got a girl pregnant and made her abort the child (an allegation made by none other than the honorable Larry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Flynt</span>; it has never been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">substantiated</span>). Bush's entire presidency, especially Iraq, was just an attempt to make daddy proud. What?? </div><br /><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Condi</span> Rice is a fawning servant... she might as well of called him '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">massa</span>' (Where's the claims of racism??). And don't even get me starter on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Thandie</span> Newton's sorry attempt at her accent. </div><br /><div>Karl Rove is a loser who makes his way to power by brown-nosing Bush. Not to mention he looks like a mad scientist.</div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:180%;">W</span><em>hen is this going to end?</em></strong></div><div>I actually said this out loud. Don't worry, it didn't seem to disturb the other 10 people in the theater. This was just a bad movie. Even if you loathe Bush, you had to be bored through most of this. It was like a cross between a boring documentary and one of those <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">SNL</span> skits that drags on with no laughs. There was no humor (I don't recall much laughter from anyone). There was no suspense, no action, no good acting... not even the slightest hint of entertainment! And I paid for it!!</div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:180%;">W</span><em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">alked</span> out</em></strong></div><div>Yep. We left. We stayed for an hour and 1/2, but I just couldn't take it anymore. The kicker came when Bush visits wounded troops and just hands them a t-shirt and shows no compassion for them. Oliver Stone can say want he wants, the liberals can believe what they want, but I've seen this president in tears several times when just talking about those young men and women who fight to protect their rights to produce junk like this.</div><br /><div>In the heat of a political season, I'm trying to stay off the blog for fear that I might say what I think of Obama and the socialist regime that might soon come to power. Suffice it to say, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">NObama</span>!"</div>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-80072657683360444872008-08-08T11:16:00.010-04:002008-08-08T11:32:50.673-04:00We Yearbooked Thomas!<div align="left">There's nothing like having a good laugh at the expense of your own child... the joys of fatherhood! (Chris, you're gonna be a pro!) Some of the pictures of Thomas looked evil (baby's face on a teenager's body -- weird). Here are the funny ones...<br /></div><div align="center"><em>He looks like a gangster!</em><br /><em>Thomas 'Babyface' Malone</em></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232167504469452834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8ANq7tAwgq2gP480uxhRDd6iKtKElzmaojFdGuEpZtbz8UxcZyXxR702W9FTx3z5BHAZ66bHU6k4cJzODYhbxuNJdZ_ZdcGtB_4fHsnSSWbfecK_5VW9i4fXxowQJADvo_fjcGW4kFc/s200/ybthom5" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><em>Hillarious</em><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232167433928118450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuryTGnJP-59aBkaGsvWdJAO-WNK_TxSc5O7n1ZX7X0kSv275NEna2QILJoAvSUnBwyNNTAylE5vJpr5hJqRfytY8PJ_mr_HJwEcfdicbFgbvjB3ij5R7unumjpvoPsRFzVFk0rFlVyMI/s200/ybthom4" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><em>The Afro</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232168919438652498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEZG1Di6vrb_n8_hgWpOuSdh1RPAw8ppEKQ-q1LmoI3hd6DkcsU0r3fND-uStgXHI6g-2UVMqTbiZ4-K0ki7qExxMIVF5xQ5E6Cq8KODXJP9sLqnPwVgWo9sPyLEA7sRX7FdyHawgENw/s200/ybthom3" border="0" /><br /><em>The fat kid picture worked well!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232166493740861634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi2LTo0B57QeXuoZvvkMzHs_PEmM00-X8QZXEpsN8AFcpQWs0Gh-AzRe_M4IKcim0kLuTPlwn-wxLFSGdNyVJLMKD1B9JlJl_zgYXkWZ_KLqS5TGh5Jq7JznhxiVuZ7vxwNrHLuO5zhg/s200/ybthom1" border="0" /></p><p></em>I can't wait until he grows up and I can show him these!</p>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-12342528671247893682008-08-06T22:40:00.000-04:002008-08-06T22:51:15.200-04:00Yearbook Yourself!There's a <a href="http://www.yearbookyourself.com/">new craze </a>that seems to be sweeping the blogosphere. I'm usually not a jump-on-the-bandwagon kind of guy, but I just had to with this one!<br /><br /><div align="center">1952 </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231598352459820594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX__TSCTZ6c6IV1KMxypTccWeVeaPQ43fTr9czQxjsGX7PorW_Q1e3soCAZD0Lm4wlZC0nS8Eoz1KrTqPl5CNxJWKuxfw-YOKA4RHs07g-HT8XmFcg-DJ0g0u4Tsf_dQH5nSI2Tn5zcCw/s200/josh+56" border="0" /></div><div align="center">1964- Just before my parents graduated (they looked much better than this!)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231598554959393554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCugegJkun01BRt99H8R6U4698C8q_w2Bp-i75b4SFt_rNsrTL4hg3bbJ38X8fMsxiNXoWxKw3Ng0thIU-SXSjSx8TWOvL9SGVQDlF9aKaoYUkLYnIrK0oVS9aTg6cWrEhsmOZeYHNbI/s200/josh64" border="0" /> 1970- There's not a doubt in my mind that this is indeed what I would've looked like in 1970 (minus the glasses).<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231599657924060402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEV90Ydyc_UKILLiv48w8GuKuJWgyZZeWbawHsua6SDbK8VoRLXJgZ8iz-DxRIYpMlsX5tDqtlMMCEMoJ5WWUFgscJEuc_1wuvWcfDdOsl7mu5Tq6Qyze0asz4G44nZnFDZdrP0wvdOs/s200/josh70" border="0" /> 1984 - There's not a doubt in my mind that this is NOT what I would've looked like in the 1980s!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231599291888196786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUivm1WS7TvMUtxvkW1BxJkngjMlHPMDY6v-E3ic8NC6e1MZjdsKhtm4vH_nWh7fyk8_-UUq9LPxltkmiA-W_8hbOevc2FhsrXwSBMzQofawoUEybyktBeQ0Jc2EFh5SgiX-N285PokQs/s200/josh84" border="0" /></div><p align="center">1992<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231599800189923218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LpLcOkyyKf1gMTmsjVnZKvwxO06r5BSK3-wXQCWyLRYRkpX2oJpMy9o1mDALNRglb_vBsXL9JLKZoDEG6eqwUWJLqtMdie4j1YT-CKGl0l84d_5-o5YG1HE8kHoFr75xJYs4hm45ME4/s200/josh92" border="0" /></p><p>If you think these are bad, you should see my <em>real</em> HS pictures!</p>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-6014756318712587072008-07-25T10:42:00.000-04:002008-07-25T10:42:42.294-04:00NObama!<div align="center"><em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gerard</span> Baker of the</em> London Times <em>best sums up the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Obama</span> trip. </em></div><div align="center"><em>You've GOT to read this. </em></div><div align="center"><em>Warning: Not for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">biblically</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">illiterate</span>.</em></div><div align="center"><em>_____</em></div><div align="left">And it came to pass, in the eighth year of the reign of the evil Bush the Younger (The Ignorant), when the whole land from the Arabian desert to the shores of the Great Lakes had been laid barren, that a Child appeared in the wilderness. </div><div align="left"><br />The Child was blessed in looks and intellect. Scion of a simple family, offspring of a miraculous union, grandson of a typical white person and an African peasant. And yea, as he grew, the Child walked in the path of righteousness, with only the occasional detour into the odd weed and a little blow. </div><div align="left"><br />When he was twelve years old, they found him in the temple in the City of Chicago, arguing the finer points of community organisation with the Prophet Jeremiah and the Elders. And the Elders were astonished at what they heard and said among themselves: “Verily, who is this Child that he opens our hearts and minds to the audacity of hope?” </div><div align="left"><br />In the great Battles of Caucus and Primary he smote the conniving Hillary, wife of the deposed King Bill the Priapic and their barbarian hordes of Working Class Whites. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">And so it was, in the fullness of time, before the harvest month of the appointed year, the Child ventured forth - for the first time - to bring the light unto all the world. </div><div align="left"><br />He travelled fleet of foot and light of camel, with a small retinue that consisted only of his loyal disciples from the tribe of the Media. He ventured first to the land of the Hindu <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kush</span>, where the<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Taleban</span> had harboured the viper of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">al</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Qaeda</span> in their bosom, raining terror on all the world.<br />And the Child spake and the tribes of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Nato</span> immediately loosed the Caveats that had previously bound them. And in the great battle that ensued the forces of the light were triumphant. For as long as the Child stood with his arms raised aloft, the enemy suffered great blows and the threat of terror was no more. </div><div align="left"><br />From there he went forth to Mesopotamia where he was received by the great ruler <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">al</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Maliki</span>, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">al</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Maliki</span> spake unto him and blessed his Sixteen Month Troop Withdrawal Plan even as the imperial warrior <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Petraeus</span> tried to destroy it. </div><div align="left"><br />And lo, in Mesopotamia, a miracle occurred. Even though the Great Surge of Armour that the evil Bush had ordered had been a terrible mistake, a waste of vital military resources and doomed to end in disaster, the Child's very presence suddenly brought forth a great victory for the forces of the light. </div><div align="left"><br />And the Persians, who saw all this and were greatly fearful, longed to speak with the Child and saw that the Child was the bringer of peace. At the mention of his name they quickly laid aside their intrigues and beat their uranium swords into civil nuclear energy ploughshares. </div><div align="left"><br />From there the Child went up to the city of Jerusalem, and entered through the gate seated on an ass. The crowds of network anchors who had followed him from afar cheered “Hosanna” and waved great palm fronds and strewed them at his feet. </div><div align="left"><br />In Jerusalem and in surrounding Palestine, the Child spake to the Hebrews and the Arabs, as the Scripture had foretold. And in an instant, the lion lay down with the lamb, and the Israelites and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Ishmaelites</span> ended their long enmity and lived for ever after in peace. </div><div align="left"><br />As word spread throughout the land about the Child's wondrous works, peoples from all over flocked to hear him; Hittites and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Abbasids</span>; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Obamacons</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">McCainiacs</span>; Cameroonians and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Blairites</span>. </div><div align="left"><br />And they told of strange and wondrous things that greeted the news of the Child's journey. Around the world, global temperatures began to decline, and the ocean levels fell and the great warming was over. </div><div align="left"><br />The Great Prophet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Algore</span> of Nobel and Oscar, who many had believed was the anointed one, smiled and told his followers that the Child was the one generations had been waiting for.<br />And there were other wonderful signs. In the city of the Street at the Wall, spreads on interbank interest rates dropped like manna from Heaven and rates on credit default swaps fell to the ground as dead birds from the almond tree, and the people who had lived in foreclosure were able to borrow again. </div><div align="left"><br />Black gold gushed from the ground at prices well below $140 per barrel. In hospitals across the land the sick were cured even though they were uninsured. And all because the Child had pronounced it. </div><div align="left"><br />And this is the testimony of one who speaks the truth and bears witness to the truth so that you might believe. And he knows it is the truth for he saw it all on CNN and the BBC and in the pages of The New York Times. </div><div align="left"><br />Then the Child ventured forth from Israel and Palestine and stepped onto the shores of the Old Continent. In the land of Queen Angela of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Merkel</span>, vast multitudes gathered to hear his voice, and he preached to them at length. </div><div align="left"><br />But when he had finished speaking his disciples told him the crowd was hungry, for they had had nothing to eat all the hours they had waited for him. </div><div align="left"><br />And so the Child told his disciples to fetch some food but all they had was five loaves and a couple of frankfurters. So he took the bread and the frankfurters and blessed them and told his disciples to feed the multitudes. And when all had eaten their fill, the scraps filled twelve baskets. </div><div align="left"><br />Thence he travelled west to Mount <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Sarkozy</span>. Even the beauteous Princess Carla of the tribe of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Bruni</span> was struck by awe and she was great in love with the Child, but he was tempted not.<br />On the Seventh Day he walked across the Channel of the Angles to the ancient land of the hooligans. There he was welcomed with open arms by the once great prophet Blair and his successor, Gordon the Leper, and his successor, David the Golden One. </div><div align="left"><br />And suddenly, with the men appeared the archangel Gabriel and the whole host of the heavenly choir, ranks of cherubim and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">seraphim</span>, all praising God and singing: “Yes, We Can.” </div>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-23754863133423203982008-07-18T16:03:00.002-04:002008-07-18T16:19:27.156-04:00Reasons to Leave a ChurchI've got a question for you... should believers leave their current local church for another one? If so, why?<br /><br />Ever thought about this? Our church culture would have you believe that switching churches is just a normal part of the Christian life. It happens all the time. But <em>should</em> it be this way?<br /><br />Every month, our church gets several couples who are "looking for a new church." You'll hear them say things like "shopping" for a church and seeking a church that "meets our needs." Where do we get such phrases? From the Bible? No. Paul never advised believers to find a "better" church. We get our church lingo from our consumer culture. To hear Christians talk, it's as though a church is no different from a store. Home Depot didn't have what I wanted, so I took my business to Lowe's; service at Sam's Club was poor, so we're shopping at Costco now; the youth group at First Baptist wasn't good, so we moved to Second Baptist.<br /><br />We carry our consumer mentality into the local church, and it ought not to be so!<br /><strong>Leaving a church because someone offended you is sinful.</strong> Such behavior completely ignores Christ's commands to be reconciled, forgive, and love your neighbor.<br /><strong>Leaving a church because it doesn't meet your needs is sinful.</strong> Can you see the selfishness in that? The local church does not exist to serve ME and MY FAMILY. The local church exists to serve Jesus Christ.<br /><strong>Leaving a church because you don't like the pastor <em>might</em> be sinful.</strong> <strong></strong>Notice the "might"! If you don't like him because he didn't visit you or because his sermons are too serious, then those would be sinful reasons to leave. God calls you to love, pray for, support, and forgive your pastor. But if his preaching is unbiblical and he doesn't meet the qualifications listed in 1 Tim. 3 & Titus 1, then those might be grounds for leaving a church.<br /><br />As far as I can see, there are only a handful of reasons to leave your local church:<br />1) <u>For Ministry</u> - Leaving your church to serve another one or to start a new one is clearly supported in the NT. (Philippians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:2)<br />2) <u>Relocation</u> - Obviously, when you move, you will need a new church. I think we see this in the NT as well. (Romans 16:1-2)<br />3) <u>False Teaching</u> - If the church you are in strays from the truth and begins teaching and embracing false doctrine, you need to get out! (Galatians 1:9)<br />4) <u>Doctrinal Disagreement</u> - I don't think we see examples of this in Scripture simply because there seems to be complete agreement in doctrine among the early church. That is not the case today. Where there is serious doctrinal disagreement, the church member and church leadership should thoroughly discuss the matter. If an agreement cannot be reached, it is sometimes wise to move churches. This must be done in a way that does not break the commands given in Colossians 3:12-14.<br /><br /><strong>The</strong> <strong>vast majority of church switching that goes on these days is sinful.</strong> We should not desert the brothers just because we're mad or we didn't get our way. We, like our L<span style="font-size:85%;">ORD</span>, must be longsuffering, slow to anger, quick to forgive, and humble in everything.<br /><br />Here's what I think all this means for us...<br /><em>Church members</em>, stay where you are. Learn to love your local body with all her flaws (as they learn to love you with all your flaws!) Fight the temptation to be a church-critic or church-consumer.<br /><em>Pastors</em>, don't accept church-hoppers into membership. Get in touch with their current pastors and strive with them to be reconciled.<br /><br />I'm curious to hear what you think of all this...The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-22759718267479272008-07-04T12:18:00.002-04:002008-07-04T12:30:38.411-04:00National Independence, Personal Dependence<div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219183295571409266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5_QNBtmfojZnsebwwlNbKD7w6TlnqrwQhuWjBlJQdGjILhEavAKH7QRmn3KBP6bxBitcUwQLZBZ7gnSeqPDsY8Ko_EBW9hSLRU4pzCX95Jsuokmiswyp6iS7xm4t3Zsy9amSHNwHdIc/s320/american-flag.jpg" border="0" /><strong><u><span style="color:#ff0000;">Happy</span> <span style="color:#ffffff;">Independence</span> <span style="color:#000099;">Day</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">to all</span> <span style="color:#ffffff;">my fellow</span> <span style="color:#000099;">citizens!!</span></u></strong><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">This breaking away from Great Britain has worked out really well for us. Think of all the perks... We don't have to drive on the left side of the road... We discovered dental hygiene... And we're not stuck with the embarrassment of that royal family. Those things alone make July 4 a day to celebrate!</div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="left">One problem though: In America, we've taken the idea of independence a little too far. It has become one of our most treasured personality traits. I agree that <em>national independence</em> is a good thing, but I disagree that <em>personal independence</em> is always a good thing. </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="left">The reality is that we need other people. Humans are not independent creatures. Think on 1 Corinthians 11:11-12 this July 4: <em>"Woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God."</em> Paul is arguing that husbands are dependent on their wives and wives are dependent on their husbands. Radical thoughts in our society of independence! You won't find the modern American proverbs "be your own man" and "never depend on a man" in God's Word. Instead, God created us and commands us to be dependent!</div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="left">Notice the end of 1 Co. 11:12 -<em>"And all things are from God."</em> Men and women are dependent upon each other; churches and pastors are dependent upon each other; employers and employees are dependent upon each other. And all of us are dependent upon God! See that? God created us to depend on Him. The trouble came in Genesis 3, where we bought the lie of personal independence. Satan told Adam & Eve, "If you'll eat this fruit, you'll be like God... you'll no longer have to depend on Him for everything!" And so foolishly believing that they would gain personal independence, they ate. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">The lesson? There is no such thing as personal independence! Adam & Eve were created to depend on God, yet they opted to depend on Satan. You & I are born naturally dependent on Satan (original sin), but we can opt to start depending on God... totally relying upon Jesus Christ to forgive our sins and give us eternal life.</div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="left">So on the day when we rightly celebrate our nation's <em>independence</em>, can you celebrate your personal <em><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dependence</span> </em>on Christ, the Son of God?</div></div>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-8099760717078569882008-06-24T15:24:00.001-04:002008-06-24T15:25:58.693-04:00A Revival of Church Membership & Discipline!<em>I am very pleased and very surprised to share that the Southern Baptist Convention adopted the following resolution at its '08 meeting:</em><br /><br /><div align="center">ON REGENERATE CHURCH MEMBERSHIP AND CHURCH MEMBER RESTORATION</div><div align="center">June 2008 </div><div align="center"><br />WHEREAS, The ideal of a regenerate church membership has long been and remains a cherished Baptist principle, with Article VI of the Baptist Faith and Message describing the church as a “local congregation of baptized believers”; and</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="center">WHEREAS, A New Testament church is composed only of those who have been born again by the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the Word, becoming disciples of Jesus Christ, the local church’s only Lord, by grace through faith (John 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9), which church practices believers’ only baptism by immersion (Matthew 28:16-20), and the Lord’s supper (Matthew 26:26-30); and</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="center">WHEREAS, Local associations, state conventions, and the Southern Baptist Convention compile statistics reported by the churches to make decisions for the future; and</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="center">WHEREAS, The 2007 Southern Baptist Convention annual Church Profiles indicate that there are 16,266,920 members in Southern Baptist churches; and</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="center">WHEREAS, Those same profiles indicate that only 6,148,868 of those members attend a primary worship service of their church in a typical week; and</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="center">WHEREAS, The Scriptures admonish us to exercise church discipline as we seek to restore any professed brother or sister in Christ who has strayed from the truth and is in sin (Matthew 18:15-35; Galatians 6:1); and now, therefore, be it</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="center">RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 10-11, 2008, urge churches to maintain a regenerate membership by acknowledging the necessity of spiritual regeneration and Christ’s lordship for all members; and be it further</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="center">RESOLVED, That we humbly urge our churches to maintain accurate membership rolls for the purpose of fostering ministry and accountability among all members of the congregation; and be it further</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="center">RESOLVED, That we urge the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention to repent of the failure among us to live up to our professed commitment to regenerate church membership and any failure to obey Jesus Christ in the practice of lovingly correcting wayward church members (Matthew 18:15-18); and be it further</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="center">RESOLVED, That we humbly encourage denominational servants to support and encourage churches that seek to recover and implement our Savior’s teachings on church discipline, even if such efforts result in the reduction in the number of members that are reported in those churches, and be it finally</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="center">RESOLVED, That we humbly urge the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention and their pastors to implement a plan to minister to, counsel, and restore wayward church members based upon the commands and principles given in Scripture (Matthew 18:15-35; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20).</div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">_</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">_</span></div><div align="left"><em>Wow! In a church culture that fails to take church membership seriously... in a church culture that has never heard of church discipline... in a Baptist culture completely ignorant of regenerate church membership, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SBC</span> makes this robust, biblical statement! I truly am astonished and filled with joy at this resolution. I praise God that my denomination, with all its flaws, still has the courage to stand for truth in this manner. I praise God for His work among us! Praise the L<span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ORD</span></span>!</em></div>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-43594980813985736972008-05-26T21:04:00.001-04:002008-05-28T11:33:09.300-04:00Get Behind Me, Pastors!<span style="color:#000000;">I can't believe I'm about to come to the defense of these guys, but here it goes... </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">John McCain has recently rejected the endorsement of two pastors, John Hagee & Rod Parsley due to some of their comments which are deemed 'politically incorrect.' The interesting part of this is that McCain actively sought the endorsement of both these men earlier this year when trying to convince evangelicals to back him. Yet, as soon as the media launched its attack on the pastors, McCain (seeing Obama's pastor trouble) dumped them. A few thoughts...</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Their comments expressed common Evangelical beliefs.</strong> </span><span style="color:#000000;">Let me be clear... I don't normally agree with Hagee & Parsley. In fact, I have numerous problems with both of their theologies, and I even consider some of Hagee's views heretical. However, the comments under question are in perfect keeping with a Protestant, Evangelical position. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NQnWLY1hQvd8wGvG0m0Xt6bZ7hmcNratSyDjXIb0QLC8uvXjVmRGotMxsFv8v00FTD5wscviM6NQePdJfM5OUWKqcRiS_prNxbHB9aLnUZUelY-vDkWk1ghrpy4mtnXWqiomsZ_EWCU/s1600-h/hagee.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204858332761126514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px" height="184" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NQnWLY1hQvd8wGvG0m0Xt6bZ7hmcNratSyDjXIb0QLC8uvXjVmRGotMxsFv8v00FTD5wscviM6NQePdJfM5OUWKqcRiS_prNxbHB9aLnUZUelY-vDkWk1ghrpy4mtnXWqiomsZ_EWCU/s200/hagee.jpg" width="173" border="0" /></a>Hagee</strong> harshly criticized and denounced the Catholic church. That's historically common among Protestants! If you think what he said was bad you should read Martin Luther or the English Puritans. </span><br />Hagee also said that Hitler was under God's sovereignty during the holocaust. That is absolutely true. God is sovereign over all things... even evil things. It may be hard to understand, but it is a fundamental Christian doctrine. And for the media to paint Hagee as anti-Semitic is just laughable. No pastor supports Israel & the Jews more than he. In fact, he founded <a href="http://www.cufi.org/site/PageServer">CUFI</a>, a political action committee solely devoted to supporting Israel.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChh9FEc6n3t2Bfn1R5JERZBB-qQGIaxmYWY0StwM63gVE6VnIdl7PdNw9aqSFZ3fa40Ef6AEfGcePeCSntauDkFZjOOYXqxCeeJdSz2lvHhTax4C2Grj0OxuZbRCt9HuQKr3c68JXMK4/s1600-h/home-1b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204858526034654850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="162" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChh9FEc6n3t2Bfn1R5JERZBB-qQGIaxmYWY0StwM63gVE6VnIdl7PdNw9aqSFZ3fa40Ef6AEfGcePeCSntauDkFZjOOYXqxCeeJdSz2lvHhTax4C2Grj0OxuZbRCt9HuQKr3c68JXMK4/s200/home-1b.jpg" width="187" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Parsley</strong> criticized Islam as an 'anti-Christ' religion. Well, they certainly aren't pro-Christ, are they? To consider Islam (and all other religions) to be false is a biblically accurate statement and another fundamental Christian belief.<br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>McCain <em>(like most Republicans)</em> uses Evangelicals.</strong> </span><span style="color:#000000;">The DNC uses the black community and the RNC uses the evangelical community. In 2000, McCain called Jerry Falwell an 'agent of intolerance,' but in more recent years (leading up to election '08) he recanted and actually spoke at Liberty University. Now we see him begging for the endorsements of these pastors and just a few months later denouncing them as extremists. Thank God my hope doesn't rest in fickle politicians or in the ever-shifting sands of public policy! </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Pastors & Politics don't mix.</strong></span> The Bible is a politically incorrect book. Jesus has some very unpopular commands. Thus, the pulpit and politics just don't jive... at least not these days. Our un-Christian nation doesn't understand a biblical worldview. And that's fine. This just gives us an opportunity to talk about biblical principles. But let's do it through conversation, not Congress. Let's win our neighbors' hearts by preaching, not PACs. Let's change our nation by our love, not our lobbying.<br /><br />America needs to change. But Christians shouldn't look to Obama or McCain to get that job done. We need to look at ourselves, at our churches. We hold the tool to change America, for only we hold the Gospel.The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-48012505653515328732008-05-15T16:40:00.001-04:002008-05-16T09:37:27.934-04:00Ashamed of the Gospel?<div align="center"><em><span style="color:#330000;">"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.'"</span></em></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#330000;">Romans 1:16-17</span></div><br />Paul says that he isn't ashamed of the gospel. The gospel, of course, is the good news that Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again to redeem us from our sins. What we could not do for ourselves, Christ has done on our behalf! Good news, indeed.<br /><br />Paul isn't ashamed of this good news. My initial thought is, "Well, why <em>would</em> he be ashamed of it?" But think about that. To the Jews, this message was confusing because they were under the impression that they could become righteous by obeying the Law. They could be good enough to get to heaven. But the gospel says you can never be good enough. You need the righteousness of another. This left the Jews puzzled (1 Co. 1:23). On the opposite side were the Gentiles who thought this message was just stupid. God came in the form of man, lived a perfect life, died on a cross, and then rose from the dead? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">C'mon</span>... that's just silly. No reasonable person would buy into that. So the gospel left the Gentiles of Paul's day thinking it was just a bunch of folly (1 Co. 1:23). Thus, the vast majority of the people in Paul's day dismissed the gospel as either confusing or foolish. See how early Christians might be ashamed of the gospel?<br /><br />When we're tempted to be ashamed of the gospel, we begin pulling other tricks out of our hats.<br /><br /><span style="color:#330000;">Oh... you think the gospel isn't cool.</span> Okay. Well how about a concert? Will you come if we offer free pizza? How about if we all dress in Hawaiian shirts?<br /><span style="color:#330000;">Oh... you're offended by being labeled a sinner. </span>Okay. How about we just call sin a mistake? Let's just say Jesus came to free us from our low self-esteem... is that better?<br /><span style="color:#330000;">Oh... you're uncomfortable with talk of blood and crucifixion.</span> Okay. We can leave that out. No biggie. We'll just say Jesus loves you; is that better?<br /><span style="color:#330000;">Oh... you think it's arrogant to say Jesus is the only way.</span> Okay. Do you mind if we say He's the best way? Don't like that either? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Umm</span>... how about we just say Jesus is how we experience God? Maybe other religions experience God in different ways.<br /><br />In our modern culture, it's easy to be ashamed of the gospel. It's easy to think, "This stuff won't grow our church. This talk of sin and a bloody cross won't attract people. John 14:6 & Acts 4:12 just seem arrogant these days." So we're tempted to tweak the message, soften it up a bit, improve Jesus' PR a little. Jesus is cool... just look at our rock band style worship. Jesus is inclusive... see, we affirm gay marriage. Jesus is fun... just look at all the trips we're taking.<br /><br />Without realizing it (I hope), we're replacing the gospel with something else. "No, no, no," some argue, "We're not changing the message; We're just changing the method." But what they don't realize is that the message (the gospel) <em>is</em> the method. The bloody cross, the reality of sin, the wrath of God, the exclusivity of Christ <em>is</em> the power of God for salvation. People get saved only when we tell them about this stuff. They can only understand God's love for sinners when they understand God's hatred of sin. The gospel - and only the gospel - powerfully sets sinners free!<br /><br />That's why Paul wasn't ashamed of it. It was for that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">glorious</span> gospel that Paul worked tirelessly, was mocked, threatened, imprisoned and eventually killed. And here we are... afraid of being labeled 'arrogant' or 'mean-spirited' or 'judgmental.' So we back off. We change the subject. We adapt the message. We try another method. Rather than defending the gospel, we try to improve it. We try to make the truth of the gospel 'acceptable' or '<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">simpler</span>' or 'more relevant.' And as we do, we're stripping it of its power to save.<br /><br />Ashamed?The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-14222364099749816462008-05-14T16:16:00.002-04:002008-05-14T16:21:46.419-04:00Obama & Jesus<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wEC7ZZShzoeqRR5NrN2l5bdUPPbx-kbISDchEWcQBZGydjVsrUmvjAegOzB5KK9uqC4fcYFI0SCznM2SZPSIqV9sCzUCS97d2dRkXOQL-JuRwBlZztsFzi-xkcJvFISv9fFPxFduTGg/s1600-h/nm_obama_church_070604_ms.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200328820159604770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 209px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 164px" height="164" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wEC7ZZShzoeqRR5NrN2l5bdUPPbx-kbISDchEWcQBZGydjVsrUmvjAegOzB5KK9uqC4fcYFI0SCznM2SZPSIqV9sCzUCS97d2dRkXOQL-JuRwBlZztsFzi-xkcJvFISv9fFPxFduTGg/s200/nm_obama_church_070604_ms.jpg" width="200" border="0" /></a> In an attempt to reach out to evangelical Christians and to dispel the (rather silly) internet rumors that he is a Muslim, Barack Obama has released a <a href="http://race42008.com/2008/05/12/barack-obamas-pitch-in-kentucky/">new flyer</a> in Kentucky. On it, Obama is shown standing at a pulpit, with a glowing cross prominently displayed behind him. On the back, you can read a short version of Obama's conversion story: "That day Obama felt a beckoning of the spirit and accepted Jesus Christ into his life."<br /><div></div><br /><div>Really? Let's think this through...</div><br /><div>Obama's church, Trinity United Church of Christ, is a bastion of black liberation theology, which preaches a false Gospel, one that replaces the biblical Christ with a black-power activist, spiritual salvation with political liberation, and God's people with black people. Thus, when Obama says that he is "doing the Lord's work" (quoted from the new flyer), one has to wonder what that really means. As the recent turmoils over Jeremiah Wright have disclosed, Trinity UCC is a false church with a false gospel. Yet it was in this false church, under the preaching of false doctrine that Obama claims to have had a (false?) salvation experience.</div><br /><div>To top it all off, Trinity UCC is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, one of the most liberal denominations of our day. Their "God is still speaking" campaign reflects a common liberal view that God's Word, the Bible, is not the final authority. This allows room to interpret Scripture in light of modern scientific findings and popular cultural movements (i.e. the UCC's acceptance of homosexuality). To give you a taste of just how far-out this denomination is, here's an excerpt from a UCC website:</div><div><br /><blockquote>Although Christ is the primary lens through which we view God, we experience God<br />in a variety of ways. Through the centuries, one way the church talked about God<br />is through the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We also speak about God in other ways that enrich our faith—God as mother, rock, liberator, savior, and friend.</blockquote></div><div>Christ is a lens through which we view God? No; Christ <em>is</em> God! One way the church talked about God is through the Trinity? No; God <em>is</em> Triune! These aren't just ways to 'view' or 'experience' God. These are truths about the essential nature of God. And I won't even get started on the 'God as mother' stuff.</div><br /><div>So Obama accepted Jesus into his life. I don't doubt that. The question is <em>which</em> Jesus? The black-empowering Jesus proclaimed from the pulpit of Jeremiah Wright? The all-inclusive, gay-friendly Jesus of the United Church of Christ? Some combination of these probably make up the Jesus that Obama accepted. That Jesus may empower you and make you feel good about yourself, but he cannot save you. </div><br /><div>A Jesus who accepts all sinful lifestyles has nothing from which to save us. A Jesus who is not fully man and fully God could not conquer sin on the cross or defeat death at the Resurrection. </div><br /><div>You, I & Obama need the biblical Jesus, the God-man who came to bear the wrath of God for us, who rose physically from the dead to grant us eternal life, and who will return again to judge all those who do not place their faith in Him today.</div><br /><div>Which Jesus have you accepted?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>____</div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">PS- Sorry about the recent lack of activity on the blog!</span></em></div>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-75876507881623102292008-03-31T18:14:00.003-04:002008-03-31T17:25:05.788-04:00A Savior for the Suffering & Suicidal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQtNWr3QaM3kMHsXArgJwYb_Nj4XhHS1Ck3RIWPIm62P4zBXMDdiZv751x6tfVgdXhhdEFVSyA337SRgs_vlHgF_qqOg1HLqMj8Z-HUBvkHUtIGWJqHgm-WvPNKOPh8fWlq-AGWqr9X0/s1600-h/roger-kusch-8882649-kopf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184017615210214738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 171px" height="180" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQtNWr3QaM3kMHsXArgJwYb_Nj4XhHS1Ck3RIWPIm62P4zBXMDdiZv751x6tfVgdXhhdEFVSyA337SRgs_vlHgF_qqOg1HLqMj8Z-HUBvkHUtIGWJqHgm-WvPNKOPh8fWlq-AGWqr9X0/s320/roger-kusch-8882649-kopf.jpg" width="279" border="0" /></a>A new invention in Germany allows people to kill themselves with the push of a button. Since assisted suicide is so hotly debated, the inventor of this machine offers a way around the problem... go back to the old-fashioned way where you actually do the deed yourself but use the modern technology of assisted suicide. This machine injects potassium chloride into its user (the same demise of many Death Row inmates), killing them within seconds.<br /><br />As I read the article on this, a chill ran up my spine. Death, even suicide, are casually discussed as easy ways to end suffering. The fact is that millions of people around the world are suffering tremendously from terminal diseases. The pains they endure are agonizing. The family members who care for them weep over their loved ones' pain. Many of these people feel that death would be better than the miseries they are living through. Nearly 700 people have traveled to Switzerland to be legally assisted in killing themselves.<br /><br />How should we, as Christians, respond to all of this?<br /><br /><span style="color:#660000;"><strong>First, suffering is part of the curse of sin. </strong></span>Genesis 3 tells us that the results of Adam and Eve's disobedience to God are pain, difficulty, and eventual death for us all. This life will not be easy because this world is marred by sin. Diseases, handicaps, suffering, even the desire for suicide itself are all due to the fact that we live in and are active participants in a fallen world. It is so important for us to understand that God is not behind suffering. Satan is. Sin is.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;">Secondly, God has a purpose and plan for suffering.</span></strong> The Bible clearly communicates this truth. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph, a man who suffered immensely in his life was able to say, "God meant it for good." Romans 8:35 says, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ... No!" The classic example, of course, is Job who lost everything he owned including his health. Yet Job was able to confess, "The L<span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ORD</span></span> gave and the L<span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ORD</span></span> has taken away; blessed be the name of the L<span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ORD</span></span>."<br /><br />How could Joseph and Job say that? How could people who suffered immense pain say that it was actually a good thing? How could Scripture teach to "count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds" (James 1:2)? Because Christians know that God has a purpose for suffering. There is no such thing as needless, pointless suffering. Every ache, every grief, every throb, every breath-taking pain serves a purpose!<br /><br /><span style="color:#660000;">1. Your suffering can make you holier.</span> (James 1:3-4) God can use the heartaches and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">body aches</span> that we go through to make us more like Him. Only through suffering, can we learn that the sins that give us cheap thrills here and now really have no lasting value. Only through suffering can the impurities of our lives be removed, making us holier and happier people.<br /><br /><span style="color:#660000;">2. Your suffering can make you ready for heaven.</span> (Revelation 21:3-4) For a Christian, every pain experienced reminds us that a day is coming when sin & sorrow will be no more. Only through suffering can our hearts learn to long for God's presence. Only through earthly pain can our souls beg for heavenly rest.<br /><br /><span style="color:#660000;">3. Your suffering can bring you to Christ.</span> (Philippians 3:8-10) There are times when the Lord uses trials to humble us to the point where we can honestly say, "Knowing Christ is more important than anything else... more important than money, job, family, health, even life itself." When your health is deteriorating, you see that the things you once held so dear aren't going to last, and you get a glimpse of the eternal value of Christ.<br /><br /><span style="color:#660000;">4. Your suffering can bring God glory.</span> (John 9:1-3) Giving God glory, making Him famous is the most important work we can do. Suffering provides an unique <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">opportunity</span> to do that. You can respond to suffering in such a way that honors God and lets those around you know that God truly is all you need. I think of Dianna's grandmother and how she responded to her terminal cancer. Even on her death bed, she was praising God for her life and thanking Him for soon taking her to meet her Savior. She knew that this painful death was her way to draw closer to Christ, and she embraced it as such.<br /><br />The Christian answer is that pain and suffering, though a result of the Fall, can and are used by God for wonderful purposes. These poor souls considering assisted suicide are desperately seeking relief and rest from their tremendous pain and immense suffering. Surely, we can understand that desire. But surely we will tell them that the grave does not relieve suffering. In fact, for those without Christ, death is only the beginning of the greatest suffering ever known.<br /><br />Only Jesus can ease your pain. Only Jesus can give purpose to your suffering. Only Jesus can lead you through the valley of the shadow of death. Flee to Him now. Make Him your refuge in this time of trouble.<br /><br /><div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#990000;">"Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#990000;">and I will give you rest."</span></em><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">- Jesus (Matt. 11:28)</span></div></div>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-69100050487189897072008-03-16T12:13:00.001-04:002008-03-19T11:15:23.209-04:00The Soul of the Black ChurchWhile it is tempting to get bogged down in the details and political ramifications of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Barack</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Obama's</span> race speech (i.e. Mr. Wright's racism was excused...), there is a bigger issue that surfaced as a result of this. Through the mouth of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Obama</span>, those of us on the outside got a rare glimpse into the soul of the black church. Personally, as a Christian and a pastor, I have been concerned about the black church for some time. While many would say it is none of my business, I would argue that as a Christian, all my brothers and sisters in Christ are my business. I am my brother's keeper, and I must stand against any teachings that destroy the souls of men. For that reason, I want to express a few of my concerns for the black church.<br /><br /><strong>"For me to live is black."</strong><br />For many black Christians, their lives and their faiths are defined by being black. A quick trip to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">webpage</span> of <a href="http://www.tucc.org/">Trinity United Church of Christ</a> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Obama's</span> church and a member of one of the most liberal denominations in the nation) reveals that they offer a "Black worship service and ministries that address the Black community." Being black is the center of their existence. They interpret the Gospel of Christ through the lens of race. An excerpt from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Obama's</span> speech shows this. He describes his first time worshiping at Trinity <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">UCC</span>:<br /><br /><em>"At the foot of that cross, inside the thousands of churches across the city, I imagined the stories of ordinary black people merging with the stories of David and Goliath, Moses and Pharaoh, the Christians in the lion’s den, Ezekiel’s field of dry bones. Those stories – of survival, and freedom, and hope – became our story, my story; the blood that had spilled was our blood, the tears our tears; until this black church, on this bright day, seemed once more a vessel carrying the story of a people into future generations and into a larger world."</em><br /><br /><br />From the Exodus of Israel to the Cross of Christ, everything is viewed through the lens of race and racism. Paul's words, "for me to live is <em>Christ</em>" are replaced with "for me to live is <em>black</em>." Please understand, I'm not saying that every black Christian believes this way. However, this mindset - openly expressed by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Obama</span> - is not uncommon.<br /><br /><br /><strong>"Let my people go."</strong><br />Another common characteristic found in the black church is the idea that all our problems are the result of what someone else has done to us. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Obama</span> waxed eloquently on this for quite awhile. He blamed the disparities in the black community on slavery and Jim Crow. Segregation is to blame for the achievement gap between white and black students. Legalized discrimination of the past is to blame for the income gap between whites and blacks. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Economic</span> injustice explains the erosion of black families. The lack of basic services (like parks and garbage pick-up) in urban areas explains the violence and neglect among blacks.<br /><br /><br />In short, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Obama</span> has summarized the message coming from so many black pulpits: "We are victims of our heritage. It is not our fault. We were put here by 'them.' So our message for 'them' is, 'Let my people go!'" But this message only produces anger, resentment, and racism. James 3:16 says, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." This disorder and vile practice is what we see in the black church and community. And it isn't due to slavery and Jim Crow (as evil as those things were). It is due to this self-centered victim mentality preached by too many black pastors.<br /><br /><p><strong>"Your people shall be my people, and your God my God." </strong></p><p>I know that I cannot fully sympathize with the black community; I do not pretend to. I know that black people have been terribly sinned against throughout the history of our nation. I know that even today there exists hatred and all sorts of injustice. I can even understand any deep-seated resentment on their part. </p><p>But in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, <em>black nor white</em>, for we are all one in Christ Jesus. My concern is not with the racism seen in the black community. My concern is with the racism seen in the black church. While I may not be able to identify with the black community at large, I can identify with black Christians for we are one in Christ. To my black brothers and sisters in Christ I say, your race <em>is</em> my race. Your people <em>are</em> my people. Your concerns <em>are</em> my concerns. Because your God is my God! I beg you not to put your people before God's people. Do not put the god of 'my rights' or 'my culture' before the God of Scripture. </p><p align="center"><em>"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” </em></p><p align="center">Revelation 7:9-10</p>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-7209789481177401532008-03-11T16:46:00.002-04:002008-03-11T15:48:40.441-04:00The Mrs. Hits the Blogosphere!My godly, gorgeous, Georgia girl now has a blog!<br /><br />Several people (myself included) told her she should start posting her thoughts on homemaking and biblical womanhood. Before you visit her blog, I'll go ahead and warn you, Dianna's beliefs are counter-cultural. But 'counter-cultural' is just another word for 'biblical!' I'm so thankful to have her in my life, and I know her thoughts will be valuable to so many women seeking relief from the lies of feminism. So, with a somewhat biased zeal, I commend to you my wife's new blog...<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.thejoyofhome.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#6666cc;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>The Joy of Home</strong></span> </span></a></div>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999400796876673678.post-59824454097438391242008-03-04T23:58:00.000-05:002008-03-05T00:00:11.740-05:00Congrats to Democrats<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtumguo8827TyM42j6Mfnymm0-mnk_lK4NyRYmLoIM4g1cm8CuuO43TnN-H2n6-oLzQl6gYNSObuG9KoegN0I9pWhqMoT1BBOvVTo_dsPWSJJvMCGa7cfyS4c4r1Ofut7g0IYe8IHtOBw/s1600-h/McCain.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174116878018552930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="214" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtumguo8827TyM42j6Mfnymm0-mnk_lK4NyRYmLoIM4g1cm8CuuO43TnN-H2n6-oLzQl6gYNSObuG9KoegN0I9pWhqMoT1BBOvVTo_dsPWSJJvMCGa7cfyS4c4r1Ofut7g0IYe8IHtOBw/s200/McCain.jpg" width="212" border="0" /></a>With Huckabee out, the official Republican nominee is an elderly white man who has zero charisma, speaks of a 100-year war in Iraq, and has yet to energize his <em>own party's</em> base. Now put this candidate up against a young, energetic black man whose speeches sound more like sermons and whose supporters seem more like disciples.<br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffcc66;">_</span></div><div>Get the point?</div><br /><div>Sure, congratulations are in order for John McCain. But his nomination is ultimately a victory for Democrats... particularly, Barack Obama. If November's decision is between Obama & McCain, get used to saying, 'President Obama.' If it's Hillary (which I hope it is) Republicans have a shot. But with a war-weary electorate and a hurting economy, Republicans have a hard row to hoe. That's why the GOP candidate needed to be fresh and vibrant... two words never used to describe John McCain.</div><br /><div>Don't get the wrong idea. Yeah, I supported Huckabee, but I'm not bitter about this. After Super Tuesday, I really didn't expect much more from Huck. I'll bite the bullet and vote for McCain. But the reality is that a Democrat will most likely take the White House in '08.</div><br /><div>Huckabee in 2012??</div>The Culbertsonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802402322700110183noreply@blogger.com13