What happens when a Homeless person is given $100,000?

Reversal of Fortune:

What Happens When A Homeless Man Is Given $100,00?

Today I watched a documentary about a certain experiment: what would happen if a homeless man is given $100,000? While I think it was a good and noble thing to give such a substantial amount of money to this man, I firmly believe that money, in and of itself, could never solve problem affecting him, or anyone else for that matter. While money may help for a period - and the film does show this - it will not; indeed it could not, totally assuage the root of the problem. This, after all, is the crux of the matter - the "root issue." Once when asked by Time Magazine "what is wrong with the world," famed writer G.K. Chesterton wrote, in pithy fashion, the following reply: 

"Dear sir, 

In response to your question 'what is wrong with the world,'

I am. Yours Truly,

G.K. Chesterton."

What Chesterton aimed in conveying is simply what Jesus taught when he said, "for from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery" (Mark 7:21). The problem with man isn't homelessness, famine, wars, or any of these things that truly plagues the human race, but rather man himself, who is the cause of all these things. As I watched this documentary, my heart broke for this man. I did not know him, but I didn't need to. I only needed to know myself, and what the bible says of man to accurately guess what would be the outcome of such a generous gift. The outcome? By the end of 6 months, the man who was given such an amazing gift, totally squandered it all. You may ask after reading this, "if money cannot help man in his situation, what will?" I answer in the words of Jesus, "that which is flesh is flesh...you must be born again." What does this mean? It means that we are born sinners; we are weak and prone to do that which is consistent to our fallen nature. We must be born again - i.e., undergo a spiritual birth given by God himself. This new birth will give power to go against the sin that comes so natural to us. 


This is the true cure! It entails a heart and mind change (the born again phenomenon), which goes right to the root of the problem. Money will not cure the problem of greed or laziness or the numerous addictions that the man in the film had, but a change in the very being of the man will. If he is a lover lusting - as the film demonstrated, the cure is to change him from being a lover of lusting, to hating it. This is the power of God in his gospel. This is the truth, and it will set anyone who aims to be free, free indeed

  

For a more detailed synopsis of the film, please visit the following website here. 

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Mark Driscoll - Proverbs and Planning

I need this. How about you?

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How should Christians react to Haiti's recient Earthquake?

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Eph 2:10

Recently, I was disappointed to find that some Christians were telling others that "the earthquake in Haiti was God's judgment on the Haitians for making a pat with Satan." Whether or not that statement is true is of no consequence to me, and I will not deal with the historicity of that report. What does concern me however, and what I will deal with in this blog, is how we are to react to such a tragedy. Before I begin on that issue, let me first remind the readers of a story taken out of Luke's account in the Bible (Luke 13:2-4) .

Jesus once told a story about a tower falling on about 18 people in a town called Siloam. After telling the story, he asked the question, "do you think the people who died in the accident are any worse sinners than those who live in Jerusalem?" To which he replied, "No! And unless you (those in Jerusalem) repent, you too will likewise perish." There are many things that could be said on this story, but I only use it as a platform from which I will give an answer to the question the blog asks. Are the people of Haiti more wicked that we in the United States? Well, quite obviously someone may say, "they practice voodoo as their religion, and commit ungodly crimes."  Well, have you not read..."all we like sheep have gone astray" and "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory?" God is no respecter of persons, and he does not choose one sinner over another, based on the sinner. As it is written..."God has mercy on whom he has mercy, and compassion on whom he has compassion."

Any sinner, whether Haitian or American, does not merit God's mercy based on their sin. Again, "all have sinned, and have come under the just judgment of God." Rather - and this must be seen if any humility is to be birthed in us - the evidence of God's mercy on a particular person, is that the person does not sin as much as they could. All persons have certain proclivities to produce great and terrible evils, it is the sovereign God of the universe who curtails, and altogether frustrates our sinful desires. So all that being said, I would have to say that the Haitians sins aren't any worse than ours here in the US (not to mention, we here do some pretty wicked things too!). So why did the earthquake occur in Haiti and not here? My answer is simple: I don't know. I honestly don't know. And, since the Bible doesn't tell me as a Christian why God allows calamity in one place, and prosperity in another, I cannot in truth or sincerity tell you why Haiti is suffering. What I can tell you however, is that Haiti is suffering! I can also tell you why God saves people; the heading gives a hint - "for good works and to bring Glory to the Father."

So all that being said, what are you doing to help people in need, Christian? I know that all aren't able to be there physically, but there are other ways you can help. You can give to the missionaries and other organizations there. Honestly speaking, all help is good help to the Haitian people right now. However, if you are a Christian, there is more at stake here than just being good and moral people. We are not solely a "nice people" who help others when in need. We exist for more. We exist as walking and living reminders - reminders that point to the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. There is more at stake here than just physical and temporal needs (that is a need, and I pray you would help in any way you could!). Eternity coming. Jesus' words is still applicable today - "unless you repent, you too would perish in hell." So how are we as Christian people to act?

We are to be a loving and sympathetic people who pray and give! We pray until we've prayed, and until God the All Mighty One hears us, and we give as if it were us in need. More than that, we are to take the good news of the gospel (which incidentally is seen for which it is intended - namely good news, often times in times of great despair) to a people who, just like everyone else, will one day die. Whether we die in an earthquake or in our beds is of little importance. What is important, however, is if we died as sinners who have been reconciled to God via faith in God's sacrifice, Jesus Christ.

If you would like to give to a creditable ministry who has been doing God's work in Haiti for awhile, please send your donations to:

Heritage Baptist Church

3585 Thruston Dermont Rd.

Owensboro, KY 42303

In car of Keith Maddy for Haiti

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Chuck Swindoll's Pastoral Accountability Questions

Chuck Swindoll's Pastoral Accountability Questions:

In his book, The Body, Chuck Colson lists the questions used by Chuck Swindoll.

1. Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?

2. Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?

3. Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material?

4. Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?

5. Have you given priority time to your family?

6. Have you fulfilled the mandates of your calling?

7. Have you just lied to me?

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Evangel's Response to Rakim's Holy Are You

Remember Queens native rapper, Rakim? Sure you do. Well, he has a new song called "holy are you," where he makes a bunch of blasphemous charges about being the true God. While Rakim claims to have read the Bible - and I do not doubt that he has - I do not think he understands much of it. And, while the Lord Jesus himself promised that "man will give an account for every careless word he speaks," Rakim proves that for the one dead in his sins, "there is no fear of God before their eyes." Pray for Rakim! All that said, I like what Christian rap artist, Evangel has done. Listen to his song with the same title above. Also, if you're curious about what Rakim said in his own song, listen here:

"Holy Are You" by Rakim

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John Piper - The Protestant Work Ethic

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Bible Study pt 14

"I choose Christ' will over my own because I study finance. I have considered all that I may get in this life via my intellect, ability, and wit, versus the eternal glory that comes with giving myself to the work and will of my God. I chose God's will, since he promised that if I store up treasures in Heaven, it will be unlike the treasures of the earth - it will be eternal!"


I have been rocked by Monday night's bible study. Josh spoke on the topic of stewardship; specifically speaking about the preciousness of time, and the importance of handling money with maturity. Expounding on the fact that all things - even our time and money, are given by God, Josh asked some questions that I believe has revolutionized my thinking. The first question is..."how much of God's time will I use for myself?" and the next..."how much of God's money will I keep for myself?" I love the way these questions were asked, as they carry clear connotations and serious reminders of God being the giver of things I have. I look forward to putting these things into practice, and redeeming the time. I have nothing else to add but this pray: "Lord, teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom"(Psa 90:12).
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Could I - I mean "me" - Actually Make Jesus Happy?

"...all things were created through him and for him" (Colossians 1:16).

I want to try something new; something perhaps a bit radical in the idea that it may not be the usual way in which I've learned to mortify sin in my life. What am I speaking about? I am speaking about a thought that has just passed through my mind. I do not remember who said the following words - I think it may have been Matthew Henry - but in keeping with the quote above, he said that..."we are made for his pleasure and praise." Now here are my thoughts. Could it be that when we are fighting sin, we should think about the fact that it pleases the Lord when we do what he wills, rather than just doing his will out of an obligation or a fear of punishment? I am sure that each motivation may work and therefore have its place, nevertheless the idea of pleasing God inasmuch as to make the Eternally Glorious One happy with a finite and insignificant speck of dust, is very appealing to me. More than just appealing, it is both enticing and exciting. Again, the thought that I, being as small as I am in relation to life and everything else, could actually make King Jesus happy is stunning to me! I look forward to putting my thoughts into practice.
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The king of Pop has Died

“I was a veteran, before I was a teenager.” - Michael Jackson

There's so much to be said of Michael Jackson's death, and the implications for believers. For now, all I want to say by way of reminder is, make your life count, believer. Pray for Mike's family, and enjoy one of my favorite Michael Jackson here:

Human Nature

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What God Showed Me Today

"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ..." (Philippians 3:8-9).

Tonight I had a chance to speak to a friend about what it means to be justified by faith in Jesus, and as we spoke on the subject, God graciously worked on both our hearts. For me, as I began to think about being justified, I was instantly reminded by some scriptures and there implications for me. Here's a small summary of my thoughts:

I have been born again because all my hope and trust is in Jesus (John 1:12). Because I trust in Jesus, I am justified insomuch that "there is now, therefore, no condemnation for me" (Romans 8:1). God loves me just as he loves his Son Jesus, in whom he is well pleased (John 17:23). I exist by God and "for God" (Col 1:16). Presently in my life, I do not want to be married and I have contentment in singleness (though I'd like to get married sometime in the future), therefore I should not waste time thinking about what I do not have; especially considering that the Sovereign God of the universe has given me a sense of contentment. I should aim hard at pleasing God where he has me, and be faithful.

The following scripture also came to mind. It was both convicting and encouraging:

"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions..."(James 4:1-3).




Oh help me in this Father, please!!
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God's Guidance - Brent Brewer

Experiencing God's Guidance (Proverbs 16:1-4)

Preached by Brent Brewer

May 10, 2009

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Blog Update ("I'm Still A Stupid Calvinist!")

<----Stupid Calvinist Boy

Here's my update:

Remember February's post about me looking for a good enough argument to disregard my branch of theology as good sounding lies (see it here)? Well, I'm sorry to report that I'm still the dreaded "C" word. Yes, you've guessed it, I'm still "childish." Also noteworthy - and more relevant to the context of this post - I am still a Calvinist as well. Okay guys, you "Calvinism is evil" type people (some of you exist as dear brothers and sisters in the faith), you need to know that misnomers, cliches' and caricatures, just aren't going to do it for me. I'm going to need more convincing...and from scripture, please!
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They Have Received Their Reward

"...The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men... who exchanged the glory of the immortal God." - Romans 1:18, 23

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
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Look Mom, I'm Becoming Cultured

I believe it was Benjamin Franklin who said, men ought to be a "jack of all trades and master of one." What Mr. Franklin was trying to convey, was that the cultured person should know something about everything, and everything about a particular thing. In my aim to become cultured and aware of the arts, I've begun to listen to famed German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. I'm now listening to Bach while the rain beats against my window. Feels nice!
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Let Your Words Be Few

"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent" (Proverb 10:19).

Often, when people consider what it means to "count the cost" of living for Jesus, thoughts of martyrdom and losing family and loved ones seem to be conjured up as the only and real meaning of the phrase. No doubt these are examples, but I do not feel as if they are the only ones. Take me for example. When God saved me, grace was given that my family and I (though we find it hard to have any long and meaningful discussion on religion, the Bible, and the things of that nature), still love each other and remain, for the most part, close. You may ask then, "what's changed? How do you count the cost? What has following Jesus cost you?" I'll tell you. Following Jesus cost me myself and my, for lack of better words, "comfortableness." This thread is just one of many examples in how that plays out. I'm a talker...I like to talk. Christ cost me my perceived liberty to talk as I'd like. Oh how hard it is to shut up sometimes!

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