Head-dibs

The Zwemer Center For Muslim Studies at Columbia International University offers courses to help you understand Islam and Muslims for field worker candidates, workers on home leave, professional tentmakers in an Islamic country, pastors serving where there is a growing number of Muslims, and students sensing God's call to work among Muslim people groups. Scholarships are available. Current course offerings for Summer 2008 (credit/seminar): ICS/MIS 5020 Islam through Christian and Muslim Eyes, June 23-27; ICS/MIS 6072 Responding to Muslim Concerns, June 30-July 4; ICS/MIS 6013 The Spirit World of Islam, July 7-11; ICS/MIS 6071 Approaches to Muslims, July 14-18; ICS/MIS 6037 The Sacred Sources of Islam, July 21-25; Courses through Distance Learning (can be taken "any time" from home): ICS/MIS 5020 Islam through Christian and Muslim Eyes; ICS/MIS 6051 Understanding Muslim Women.

“If the gospel be not preached, Jesus Christ is, as it were, buried. Therefore, let us stand as witnesses, and do Him this honor, when we see all the world so far out of the way; and remain steadfast in this wholesome doctrine. . . . Let us not deceive Jesus Christ in the testimony we owe Him, by stopping our mouths, when it is needful to maintain His honor, and the authority of His gospel. Yea, and when we see our brethren afflicted for the cause of God, let us join with them, and assist them in their affliction. Let us not be shaken by the tempests that arise, but let us always remain constant in our purpose; and stand as witnesses for the Son of God, seeing He is so gracious as to use us in such a good cause. Let us mark well, whether men suffer for their sins, or for the truth of God . . . . Every man will confess this: but they add, we are weak, and shall quickly be beaten down by the cruelty of our enemies. But St. Paul taketh away this excuse, by saying, God will strengthen us, ...

On a recent shopping trip, as I was leaving the register area, the cashier said, "Have a blessed day!" I took it as one of those secret sayings just among us Christians. Whether or not that was her intention, I don't know, but the incident got me thinking about how we greet people and what do we say when they leave our presence. Consider the 20th Psalm where David writes a number of blessings that he give to other people. " May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble !" (20:1) (Help that is perfectly timed) " May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high !" (20:2) (Help that is perfectly secure) " May He grant you your heart's desire and fulfill your counsel !" (20:4) (Help that is complete) " May the LORD fulfill all your petitions " (20:5) (Help that is comprehensive) " May the King answer us in the day we call " (20:9) (Help that is prompt) (From my friend, Dr. John Williamson, at First Baptist Church ...

A devoted Christian business man was struck by an automobile and rushed to a hospital. He was informed by the doctors that he had only about two hours to live. He had implicit faith in the goodness of God and in His Word, so to him death was only a gateway leading to the glory of heaven and the presence of God. He had his family called to his side, and thus addressed them: "Goodnight, my dear Wife. You have been the greatest woman in the world to me. Through sunshine and shadow we have walked together. You have been my inspiration in everything I have undertaken, especially in my walk as a Christian. Many times I have seen the Spirit of God shining in your face. I love you far more than on the day you became my bride. Goodnight, dear; I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight." "Goodnight, Mary. Mary, you are our firstborn. What a joy you have been to me! How glad I am that in face and spirit you have always reminded me of your mother. I see in you the sweet, beautiful,...

Ben Stein has given us a must-see documentary. What will you lose to see it? What will it cost to think? Click on the Banner for the site.

Isaiah 6:3 ; Revelation 1:8 ; Isaiah 43:25 ; 1 John 3:18-22 ; James 4:13-16 ; Micah 4:2 The Lord our God is enthroned on High, and we live in His world unstunned by His glory. The angels in God’s presence don’t dare to look or be uncovered in His sight; yet they dare not look at anything but Him nor do anything that is not pleasing to Him. They dare not say anything beyond calling out who He is. They are not merely overcome with astonishment, but are mobilized by the fear of who He is. Men live, move and have their being without guilt or shame, uncovered with high-handed sin in His sight. There is no fear of God before our eyes. If we did fear Him, He would receive much higher praise, louder and longer praise by all we say and do. “ Einstein had so little use for organized religion, although he strikes me as a basically very religious man. He must have looked at what the preachers said about God and felt that they were blaspheming. He had seen much more majesty than they had every imag...

Starting March 31 at 10:00 p.m., FamilyNet is going “ Wretched .” He’s freakishly tall, he’s funny. He can even tell you who Herman is . . .

“The message of salvation can be presented through means of the printed page. It never flinches, it never grows tired, never grows disheartened; it works while we sleep; it travels cheaply and requires no rented building; it never loses its temper; and it works long after we are dead. The printed page is a visitor which gets inside the home and stays there; it always catches a man in the right mood, for it speaks to him only when he is reading it; it always sticks to what it has said, and never answers back. The printed page is deathless: you can destroy one, but the press can reproduce millions. As often as it is martyred it is raised. It can enter doors locked to the evangelist; it preaches in the factory, the train, the kitchen; it visits the school and the jail; it whispers in the ear of the dying. The printed message can reach those whose religions forbid them to go to church. It can reach the student who, proud of his intellectualism, refuses to listen to the Gospel or relate him...

Dr. William "Bill" Larkin , professor of Greek and New Testament in the Seminary and School of Missions at Columbia International University , teaches a class at First Presbyterian Church, Columbia (MP3s and some outlines). 1) Here is an extensive list of audio lessons taught by Dr. Larkin. 2) Spring 2008 - The Doctrine of Scripture (new lessons added as they are recorded). He really wants to you listen.

I'd love to, but... 1 I have to floss my cat. 2 I've dedicated my life to linguini. 3 I want to spend more time with my blender. 4 The President said he might drop in. 5 The man on television told me to say tuned. 6 I've been scheduled for an eyelash transplant. 7 I'm staying home to work on my cottage cheese sculpture. 8 It's my parakeet's bowling night. 9 It wouldn't be fair to the other Beautiful People. 10 I'm building a pig from a kit. (Thanks, Pastor Tim )

He rose! And with him hope arose, and life and light. Men said, "Not Christ but Death died yesternight." And joy and truth and all things virtuous Rose when He rose. --Anonymous

1 Cor. 2:2 Alltel has no control over, and is not responsible for, the content or use of this picture or the accompanying personal message.

He died! And with Him perished all that men hold dear; Hope lay beside Him in the sepulcher, Love grew corse [sic] cold, and all things beautiful beside Died when He died . . . .

Jury Duty seems to liven life up a bit for law-abiding citizens. This is a "must read" from Ray Comfort's blog: "I was called to jury duty in Compton, California, the city that has been called "the murder capital of America." As I sat with 44 other people in the jury selection process, the judge asked the prospective jurors in the jury box if they would give as much credence to the testimony of a gang member as they would to the testimony of an officer of the law. I looked across at the two gang members who were on trial for the murder of an Hispanic “human being,” as the judge had put it. They looked nice enough, in their plush suits and ties. I imagined them in their baggies, with their long socks and hats to the side, holding their guns the way gangs do. The judge also asked the prospective jurors if they would be prejudice against anyone who pleaded the Fifth Amendment, and didn’t testify on their own behalf. The next day I was called to the jury box. ...

Gall is the taste of life when we Who live must bear our Calvary. On this day our Master died-- Christ, our Lord, the Crucified. Upon the cross in agony He shed his blood for love of me. In every street, on every hill, The Heart that stopped is beating still. --Vincent Holm

"Arthur C. Clarke: Luminaries Pay Tribute" By Clara Moskowitz , Staff Writer posted: 19 March 20080 1:16 pm ET As news of Arthur C. Clarke's death spread through communities of scientists, writers and science fiction fans, many people shared their memories of how the visionary writer, inventor and futurist inspired and influenced them. Clarke is famous for his book, "2001: A Space Odyssey" (he also co-wrote the screenplay for the movie), for coming up with the idea for the communications satellite and for predicting space travel long before humans left Earth. "I think the passing of Arthur C. Clarke is really epical," said Alan Stern, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate. "There is no one of his caliber or vision on the scene today ... Clarke's contribution was to motivate people to go after careers because they wanted to help shape a certain kind of future, to be at the beginning of something of millennial impo...

In a country village of Pennsylvania a physician gave books on infidelity [immorality, pornography] to a young man and persuaded him to deny the Lord Jesus Christ. When the young man was fifty years old, he lay dying and was attended by the same physician, the infidel teacher. As the end was approaching, the doctor told him to die as he lived—a rejector of the great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Hold on to the end,” the doctor urged. “Yes, doctor,” said the dying man, “there is just my trouble—you gave me nothing to hold on to.” The doctor could not answer.

"God has saved multitudes through Gospel tracts, so always carry them with you, and take a moment to encourage other Christians to do the same. Let them know that Christian literature can be used as a conversation opener. One of the most difficult things about witnessing is starting up a conversation about God. A tract can do that for you. It can be left with the person you have spoken to, so that he or she can read further about the way of salvation. Tracts can be given to people when it's not convenient to speak to them. Simply say, 'Did you get one of these?' If you find that difficult, you could at least leave them in places without the daunting thought of human confrontation. Whatever you do, never let a day go by when you don't do something to reach the lost while you still can. There goes another minute. Gone forever. Go share your faith while you still have time." From Way of the Master Minute . [or say, "Here, hold this for me." ;-)]

A number of people called attention to this clip from the popular TV series ER. It really is amazing for secular television. The "Fair Use" law allowed us to teach from it, without violating copyright laws.

Here are a few videos I took of St. Pat's in Five Points in downtown Columbia, South Carolina: Video #1 Video #2 Video #3 Video #4 Video #5

You can do it too!

Changed from an ugly caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly! This transformation that takes place in nature is a good illustration of what takes place when a person experiences the new birth. Man's life begins unattractively, too, being born in sin and shapen in iniquity ( Psalm 51:5 ), and he continues to live after the desires of the flesh and mind ( Ephesians 2:3 ). This is contrary to God's purpose in creation, and shows man's need to be made a new creature in Christ Jesus. Only the new birth can give one new desires and a new life. The caterpillar does not become a butterfly by education, religion, or self-effort. Likewise, it is only by the miraculous metamorphosis of new birth that a man's life can be made beautiful to God and man. A few passages from the Scriptures will serve to enlighten the seeking soul about the new birth. The Fact John 1:12,13 state the fact of the new birth: "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the [children] of...

"Seeking something to while away his time, Hudson Taylor turned over a basket of tracts in his father's library and selected one that looked interesting. While reading it he was struck with the phrase, 'The finished work of Christ.' Immediately the words attracted his attention. 'What was finished?' he asked himself. Reading further, the tract explained the finished work as 'A full and perfect atonement and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world.' Then Hudson thought, 'If the whole work was finished on the cross of Calvary, and the whole debt of sin paid, what is there left for me to do?' Hudson was thus convinced, as the light of God's truth flashed into his soul by the Holy Spirit, 'There was nothing to be done but to fall down on my knees and accept the Saviour and His salvation and praise Him forever.' Hudson Taylor was seventeen years old at the time. He then went on to faithfully serve His Saviour for many years in China....

A thought woke me in my sleeping hours last night. The Five Points Association, Inc . of Columbia, SC is anticipating 40,000 people to party this weekend in at the St. Pat’s in Five Points festival (10,000 more than last year). There are approximately 661 places of worship in Columbia alone (not counting Lexington or West Columbia.) Assuming that at least 450 of those places of worship are evangelical, with a combined membership average of 300 (I’m really shooting in the dark here), that represents 135,000 people. If each one of those 135,000 people told at least one person in Five Points about Jesus, they could still reach another 2 people NOT at the party before the day was over . . .

Psalm 139:1-6 ; 41:4 ; Matthew 6:25-33 ; Luke 12:22-31 ; Mark 8:33 The Lord is not a God of passive interest. Of all that is in creation, He is intensely familiar, relational with you and me, individuals. He does not merely acknowledge men and women, boys and girls, even the nations as a casual observer; rather, God recognizes, acknowledges and instructs. He has thoroughly investigated and grasps who we are and loves enough not to leave us alone. He leaves our mouths gaping . . . Of all the arguments for the existence of God, this is most compelling: He is present and is closing in, “pressing in from the outside,” but not forcing. This is beyond comprehension. Someone has asked, “Who said you have to believe in God?” God did. Who said you had to reject Him? The problem is that we love God too little, and this is sin. Besides “himself,” the only interest to a pagan is what he will eat, what he will drink, what he will wear, and what he will do with tomorrow when/if it comes. What makes ...

“There are some dear people whom I must encourage to be a little more bold. We have some friends, here and there, to whom I could hint, only very gently, that they are quite forward enough, but there are many good people who always keep in the background. They might do so much for Christ if only they had a little courage! Do, dear Friends, break through the ice this year! If you have felt that you ought to do something for your Lord, and yet have never begun to do it, begin at once! Do you ask, ‘What is the best way to try to serve Christ?’ Well, I think the best way is to do it ! ‘But how should I begin?’ Well, I would begin by beginning! ‘When shall I begin?’ Begin now! This very hour. ‘But in what way?’ In the first way that comes to hand—‘whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,’ for our text says, ‘ Arise, shine .’ If you have the light, emit it, distribute it, scatter it somehow or other! Have pluck—that is a plain English word, but I do not know how to put my m...

As promised in the blogs since Sunday, here are some suggestions for getting the conversation started and how to evangelize animists/New Agers. Note: this is not going to be an “overnight” process, unless the Lord has already been at work and you get to reap what someone else has sown. Otherwise, be prepared to cultivate a relationship that the following may be accomplished: Getting the conversation started with animists/New Agers: 1. Ask questions: a. General (these put the burden of proof back on an objector): i. “What do you mean when you say _____?” ii. “How do you come to that conclusion?” b. Specific [i] i. Ask, “How, if we are divine, could our mere ignorant self so easily override our divine goodness?” ii. Ask if truth contradicts itself. It does not. If we each have our own truth, these different truths can’t ultimately contradict each other—or they wouldn’t be true. c. The New Age Movement (NAM) says that Jesus is only one of many ways to God; but Jesus said He is the only wa...

Dedicated Christians who are not for sale; Who are honest, sound-true to the heart's core; Who condemn wrong in friend or foe, in themselves as will as others; Whose conscience are steady as the needle to the pole; Who will stand for the right if the heavens totter and the earth reels; Who can tell the truth and stand by it; Who neither brag nor run; Who neither flag nor flinch; Who can have courage without whistling for it, and joy without shouting to bring it; Who have the current of everlasting life running deep, still and strong - Who know their message and tell it, know their duty and do it, know their place and fill it - Who are not too lazy to work, nor too proud to be poor. Who are willing to eat what they have earned, and use what they have paid for.

“But read the Bible and, strange to say, the more you read it, the more satisfied you will be with it. When you begin to read the Bible, perhaps you need 50 other books in order that you may become a thorough Bible student, but your library will gradually diminish until, at last, the more you understand the Bible, the fewer books you will need, and you will come to say, ‘If I might have all my days over again, this should be the only book that I would study. And I would concentrate all my powers upon the understanding of this one volume.’ You can get to the bottom of all other books—you dive into them and, at first, they seem to be very deep—but every time you plunge, they appear to get shallower and shallower until, at last, you can see the bottom at a glance. But in God’s Word, every time you dive, the depths grow deeper!” (Charles Spurgeon, Sermon #2724, of Volume 57 Collected Works— THE DEW OF CHRIST’S YOUTH )

[This post is a continuation of Sunday's post.] “ having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart .” (Ephesians 4:18) “ Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him .” (Proverbs 26:12) I Googled “Astaria” in the wee-hours of the morning and found next to nothing initially, apart from the name being used as a proper noun: a name for a certain restaurant; a town name (and that not being the town mentioned in scripture) [i] ; also the name of a complex role-playing game. After some searching, I did find one page that connected “Astaria” with a religion of some kind. Here is a link to what may be the most information that is “out there” (pun intended). Don’t spend too much time trying to figure it out (you won’t get those hours back again—besides, some people after 50 years still don’t have it figured it). “Astaria” seems to be a “quiet” form of ...

The streets of Five Points in downtown Columbia, S.C. will be covered in all things green for the annual "St. Pat's in Five Points" festival on Saturday, March 15, 2008. This means that hundreds of people will be gathering to hear the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ! Just look at what they already did to the Fountain! Anyone with a burden for this lost and dying world interested in an evangelistic outreach, get in touch with me soon so we can organize. St. Patrick's Day Evangelism Surveys are here for the printing if you are in to doing your own thing. Don't worry. I'll have the rest of yesterday's blog posted later.

You really want to watch the video down below . . . but first, some context: Spring Break began Friday, and our evangelism team (being College and Seminary students of Columbia International University) already scattered to the far reaches of wherever-it-is-they-come-from. I’ve been burdened all week for meeting one specific person (some day I would like to devote one entire blog to him) and really did not want to miss going down, even without the team. So my lovely wife, Leslie, accompanied me to the green fountain of Five Points. We made our way to Starbucks for coffee where I spied this older man standing at the counter, doing nothing, actually. I greeted him, and noticing the small bags hanging off his shoulder, thought him to be an out-of-town visitor. Not only was he from out of town, but since he left the Navy (where he’d was “bitten by the travel-bug”) he spent the last 50 years traveling the world. He listed a recent visit to China, Tibet and a few South American countries whe...

Ya'll have a nice day.

"Are you filled with an inexpressible gratitude for the 'unspeakable gift' of the Cross? Have you seen Jesus Christ 'evidently set forth and crucified?' Can you say with Paul, ' God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world ' (Galatians 6:14)? After seeing the love of the cross, how could we ever go back to the pleasures of sin? To do that, we have to trample underfoot the blood of Jesus Christ. We would have to count the sacrifice of Calvary as nothing. Instead, we willfully crucify ourselves to the world. We whisper with the hymnist, 'When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.'" (From Way of the Master Minute )

(by Bob Moorehead, Overlake Christian Church; Redmond, Washington. In his book, “Words Aptly Spoken.”) “I am part of the ‘Fellowship of the Unashamed.’ I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight-walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy-giving and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, live by prayer, and labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I...

Yesterday’s Daily Bread devotional (written by Philip Yancey) brought some deep reflections after dinner last night. He wrote of the miracle of restraint, of God’s choice to curb His own power. “The miracles Satan suggested to Jesus (Luke 4:3, 9-11), the signs the Pharisees demanded (Matt. 12:38; 16:1), the final proofs I yearn for offer no obstacle to an omnipotent God. More amazing is His refusal to perform, to overwhelm. God’s terrible insistence on human freedom is so absolute that He granted us the power to live as though He does not exist. Jesus must have known this as He faced the tempter in the desert, focusing His power on the energy of restraint. I believe God insists on such restraint because no pyrotechnic displays of omnipotence will achieve the response He desires.” I’m not a Yancey “fan” but every once-in-a-while I come across something he writes and I am intrigued. When I read the devotional, I was reminded of conversations I’ve had (such as the one last week) where unb...

“ One of the two who heard John and followed Him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is, being translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus . " (John 1:40-42) I’ve already related here one conversation with three rather rebellious young ladies. That is how my portion of our ministry ended last Friday night, a far cry from where it began. And here's how it began. We got to the Fountain in Five Points a little late (but right on time on God’s clock). I have been building a small “library” of material to give away, items that cover issues people bring up in conversations. I would like to either send people off with something to read about a matter that concerns them, or attract people by the material. When we get to the Fountain, I arrange my stuff on the wall with some Open Air material as well. When we got set up, there was not much foot traffic, so some team members were lo ok...

By CIU Professor, Dr. Shirl Schiffman Picture this: A woman in a poor, animistic village in Rwanda tries for nine humiliating years to have a child. Never having heard of the God of the Bible, she repeatedly offers animal sacrifices to curry favor with the spirits. To her great joy, she finally bears a baby boy – Musekura. He is still a child when his mother entrusts him with the responsibility of offering sacrifices for her continued fertility and protection from evil spirits. One day an American missionary walks into the village. In God’s mercy, adolescent Celestin Musekura is saved, but expelled from his home for fear of spirit reprisal. He struggles on his own, frequently in rags, until an elderly lady in the missionary’s home church in America hears of the young man’s plight and begins to send a small amount of money each month for his education. Now picture this: Dr. Celestin Musekura stands on the platform of Shortess Chapel at Columbia International University. He is the keynot...

Of course the title is a pun on Dr. Seuss’ famous “Horton Hears a Who,” and because the movie is coming out this summer is of no consequence. I met someone Friday night who would rather hold to fairy tales than embrace the true and living God. [Derek, you will like this one] Toward the end of our evening in Five Points (I will relate other conversations later) I found three young ladies sitting on the back side of the fountain. I noticed they had been there a while, as if they were waiting on someone, but they never moved. I thought I would go ahead and see what would come of an evangelistic conversation. I never thought things would turn out they way the did. When I look back on the event, I keep seeing that scene from the 1963 Ray Harryhausen movie, “Jason and the Argonauts” where the harpies swoop down on the old man to steal his food . . . the screeching and the clawing . . . I approached the girls with a couple of magic tricks that would serve for my springboard, so I asked (to pr...

The place wherein these revelers go To drink their beer (then wail with woe) Is recognized both far and wide, Called by that what’s found inside. The Public House’s now called the “pub” (One slept and drank and got some grub); The “ταβέρνα” [tavern] came from the Greeks (“the shop” or “shed” for woodwork geeks). “Saloon” comes from “salon” or “suite,” Or a car to hold four-to-six a seat. No “Pub,” “tavern” or “saloon” by far Is called by any other name (but “bar.”) “But what’s ‘bar’ mean?” you ask yourself. Friend, the bar’s not more than a shelf. The shelf’s a place on which “things” sit, (“it” looks at you, you look at “it.”) Makes one wonder who’s more the fool, The one on the shelf, or the one on the stool? The first bar-shelf came from a door (There were no locks in days of yore). The bar kept people in or out, Now it’s holding wine and stout. “But whoever named it, named it well: A bar to heaven, a door to hell; A bar to manliness and wealth; A door to want and broken health. A b...

This video is called "How to detect a lie." So punish the lie. The video really shows "How to detect a liar": How To Detect a Lie Add to My Profile More Videos "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and a breather of lies shall not escape." (Proverbs 19:5) "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and one speaking lies shall perish." (Proverbs 19:9) "But the fearful, and the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, will have their part in the Lake burning with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Rev. 21:8)

Charles Bradlaugh was the outstanding atheist in England. Down in one of the slums of London was a minister by the name of Hugh Price Hughes. All London was aware of miracles of grace accomplished at his mission. Charles Bradlaugh challenged Mr. Hughes to debate with him the validity of the claims of Christianity. London was greatly interested. What would Mr. Hughes do? He immediately accepted the challenge and in doing so added one of his own. Hughes said, “I propose to you that we each bring some concrete evidences of the validity of our beliefs in the form of men and women who have been redeemed from the lives of sin and shame by the influence of our teaching. I will bring 100 such men and women, and I challenge you to do the same. “If you cannot bring 100, Mr. Bradlaugh, to match my 100, I will be satisfied if you will bring 50 men and women who will stand and testify that they have been lifted up from lives of shame by the influence of your teachings. If you cannot bring 50,...