The First Christmas in Labrador Canada

I grew up in Labrador. Labrador is in eastern Canada and is the "main-land" portion of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Geographically it is nearly two or three times the size of the island of Newfoundland, but only 14% of the entire Provinces population reside there. It remains somewhat isolated with an "all-season" Highway, although not paved, has been roughed into the region in the past few years.

I was doing some reading on Missionaries and came across an arctical about the first Christmas celebrations in Labrador. It was Moravian missionaries from the UK and Germany who introduced the Gospel to the Labrador Inuit (aka. Inuk or Eskimo) staring in the mid 1700's.

The first recorded Christmas to be be celebrated in Labrador was in 1771. Although there are many denominational churches in central, west, and south coast of Labrador, there are few notable christian organizations with a strong presence throughout the Inuit Communities that are mostly along the Northeast coast.

I would love to see a little more work going on in those communities to further the Gospel.

Just over 10 years ago, one small community had so much trouble with substance abuse, children huffing gasoline, and violence that the Provincial Government moved the entire community to a new location for afresh start over. Davis Inlet moved to Shango Bay. We as Christians know that what they needed more than anything was and is the Gospel. However, sadly, I don't recall hearing much of anything significant from the Christian communities in central, west and southeast Labrador to try to reach these people with the good news.

Here is a link to some great stories about the first Christmas celebrated in Labrador. Courtesy of Memorial University. CLICK HERE

If you'd like to read more about Missions to Labrador during the early settlement of North America, check out:By Eskimo Dog-Sled And Kayak - A Description Of A Missionary's Experiences & Adventures In Labrador

Street Preacher arrested in UK

Sean Holes from New York state was arrested in Glasgow Scotland on March 18th 2010. Sean was open-air preaching to shoppers in Glasgow, when a young gay couple came up to him and starting asking him about the bible and gays. Sean stated that it felt to him like it might have been a set-up. When they asked him about his views on homosexuality he simply replied that practicing homosexuals are deserving of Gods wrath-and so are all other sinners-they are going to a place called Hell.

It was for that statement that Holes was arrested for "breaching the peace", and later fined 1000 pounds (approx. $1500 CAD) for homophobia. Not that that charge is accurate at all, but even if it was I find it odd that being afraid of something is against the law in the UK!

Sean plead Guilty to the charges to avoid lenghty court sessions, so he could return to the US to see his wife and Father, who is a hospice.

In a show of support a Catholic spokes-person denounced the charges against the Christian saying, "We supported [hate crime] legislation but it is very difficult to see how this man can be charged for expressing a religious conviction. The facts of this case show his statement was clearly his religious belief. Yes, it is strong language he has used, but it is obviously a religious conviction and not a form of discrimination."

To learn about Christians who've gone Home early for the sake of their beliefs check out:

Anxiety and How Christ Managed His Time.

If you're anything like me, you take on too much! Before you know it your plates overflowing and your anxiety levels are looking for the hold in the ozone layer so it can go just a little higher. Is it that I have trouble saying "no" to people. Not really!

The bible says that believers will not be subjected to trials that they cannot make it through. Perhaps the anxiety in this case is God's way of providing a threshold warning that we are over-extending ourselves and robbing oursleves of precious time with God, and robbing Him of ourselves. In my experience this almost always results in anxiety.

So how do we prevent anxiety? The type of anxiety I am referring to is situational. It is more or less caused by environmental factors like workload and responsibility. Therefore, the most effective way of manipulating the level of this situational anxiety is to make a change in your workload and responsibility.

We can see throughout Jesus' ministry examples of how He maintained balance in his life. You see often, where Jesus would simply walk away from the crowds to be alone. Jesus was no stranger to setting boundaries. He knows that boundaries are nessessary to living in peace and maintaining a focus on the divine!

We know where we need to set boundaries. All too aften we are afraid of hurting or disappointing people by saying "No". As a result, we are easily swayed into engaging in some reponsibility or activity we know will cause us to put-off the important things.

Chances are if you are expreiencing high anxiety, you know what some of the main causes are. You may not know conciously, but with a little thought, you will know. Maybe you'll deny the real causes because the corrective action is unattractive. In that case you'll have to choose between the short-term pain of fixing the problem, or the long-term pain of the continuing anxiety. When you are absolutely sure (not by feeling but by God's Truth) that you know what needs to be done to fix things, DO NOT hesitate. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to do!

Don't be afraid to set boundaries. It's kind of like loving discipline for yourself and your situation instead of your kids(to use a parental analogy).

Anxiety does not always have it's foundations in a lack of Faith. Like depression, it can also be a result of physical and checmical reactions in the brain. However, trust that God will use your anxiety for the your good in the end..."And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

For a good book on dealing with anxiety from a personal and biblical perspective check this out:Don't Forget To Look Up : A Christian's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Religion is NOT a requirement for Salvation

You and I go out for a coffee. You offer to pay for my coffee. I say, "sure, you can pay for half, but I'm paying for half myself!". Would you still feel as good about your offer, as when you first made it? You tried to extend a little grace my way, but I decided I wanted some of the credit. Not to mention the lovely young lady at the counter now thinks you're a tight wad and that I'm broke!

Jesus Christ paid an enormous price for our Salvation when he died on the cross and rose on the third day. He did that for you, because he loves you. You don't deserve Salvation. I didn't. So, what makes you think that you deserve any of the credit?

We are obedient because we Love God and want to please him. We do good works as a result of our change of heart (repentance), and our Faith in Jesus. When we repent and humble ourselves, fully trusting in Jesus we are given new desires. Works is a reaction, or a result of Salvation, not means to achieving it!

In the book of James, it says that "Faith without works is dead." Good works while not required for Salvation, is evidence of being saved. While this means that everyone who is saved should be doing good works it does not mean that everyone who does good works is saved. The Bible says that any works demonstrated by the wicked are not seen by God because of the sin in the persons life.

Should you go to church? Of course! The Bible tells believers not to forsake fellowship. But do you have to to be saved? No. However you'll want to once you are saved.

Should I be baptized? If you're saved you will have been baptized by the Holy Spirit when you repented and put your Faith fully in Jesus. Baptism is a symbolic ritual that the bible says we should do. As a matter of obedience, not as a requirement for Salvation. You don't have to, but I think the bible clearly says that it pleases God to do it! Just about every new believer in the early church was baptized. Jesus himself was baptized!

Salvation is a gift, given by the Grace of God, through Jesus Christ alone. When you truly realize that, His Mercy and Goodness will overwhelm you and you will not be able to help but be grateful, obedient, and desiring to please Him with your good works!

Go Bear Fruit!

For more on Justification, Check out: Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification by RC Sproul.

Recommended Reads!

Here's a couple of good books I recommend!

Repent and Believe, or Believe and Repent?

I caught an interview with Ray Comfort, from Living Waters Ministries yesterday, and he made a point that I thought made a lot of sense.

The discussion entered into the topic of False-Converts. Ray commented that one of the reasons we may have so many false-converts (people who fall away, who never were of us because they went out from us) in the church, may be because people not saved get into a church community, get confortable, and most times don't even realize they aren't Saved.

Believe and Repent: Someone gets to the point where they believe the Gospel, but aren't nessessarily ready to repent and live in continued sactification...not ready to give up their sins. The problem is that they get comfortable, accepted, and never really get that seed down into the good soil. Hardship comes and they fall away, plus their unrepentant lifestyle affects the church as a whole. Internally, and externally to the community.

Repent and Believe: When someone has taken BOTH steps required to be accepted by Jesus and have righteousness applied to their account, before they come to church, they have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and will have a genuine love for fellowship and the discernment that comes from having the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. There's a much lower chance of them being a false-convert, and perservering in Faith into eternity.

Repentance! Post-modern, emergent movements, and other heretical movements have made a God they are more confortable with. One who is not Just, but a weak, lovey dubby type, who doesn't mind if we continually break His laws. They deny Hell and Divine Justice. They are Idolators!

This why Theology and Apologetics are so important, even at the local church level. True Christianity is under attack...Universalism is rampant...Heresy is rampant.

The Wolves in our churches are more attractive than ever before! Perhaps becasue they know that the Goats may soon outnumber the Sheep! Do Not stand for Heresy! Stand up against false teachings, and Check everything you hear a learn against the Word of God.

Be Blessed!

I'm NOT Perfect!!

Someone made a comment to me recently that they don't like Christian Blogs because many come off all "high and mighty" and are difficult to relate to on any personal level.

While I cannot say that I won't get "preachy" in future posts (after all anyone who is insistant about what they know to be true, can come across like that sometimes, to some people), I felt compelled to post the following statement:

"I am by no means perfect! I've gotten unjustly angry, prideful, and impatient. I've gotten anxious and I don't always put God at the centre of my life. I don't always treat people with the respect they deserve. I've stolen, lied, and looked with lust. I've dishonored my parents, and have used the Lords name in ways that weren't appropriate. See...Not even close!

What I need to be, what God requires of me, in order to get into heaven and recieve enternal life is Perfection. I can't be perfect by myself, because I am sinful by nature! Just like everyone else, including "YOU"!

Seems like we got a problem! So what are we to do?? God has to punish us or how could he be Just! He can't just let us into heaven or he wouldn't be a very good judge. God loves us enough to punish us for our sins, but he loves us so much that he made us a way out of this terrible dilema!

See we broke the law, now we have a big Fine to Pay! You and I, we'd never be able to even come close to being able to pay that Fine oursleves and our eternal punishment is the only thing that will satisfy the wrath of the perfect Judge. So God sent Jesus, himself, the perfect god-man, wholly God, and wholly man to Pay the Fine. Jesus was the only "man", to live a perfect sinless life. Therefore He is the only one who could possibly pay our fine! He paid it with his life, and in His defeating of death! He took the wrath meant for us! He suffered greatly on the cross for our Salvation, and we can access that gift if we Repent and put our complete Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ."

I would never sit here and make myself out to be a good person. Romans 3:12 says, All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

ALL OF THE GOOD IN ME COMES NOT FROM ME, BUT FROM HIM WHO IS IN ME, HE WHO SAVED ME! I AM NOTHING WITHOUT HIM!

Who is church for?

Church, as in your local fellowship of believers, in my opinion is for two primary purposes. First, To Glorify God, and Second, to Feed and Equip believers.

Too many churches these days are more concerned with getting attendance numbers up than they are in the spiritual health of their members! What I think happens all too often is that churches zealous to get new members, start turning their "worship services" into a "seeker friendly", "excite them to the Lord" kind of Shows! My fear is that in doing this we may be sowing the seeds in shallow and thorny soil.

We should be doing church first for God, and second to equip the saved to live a life of sanctification, and train them to share their Faith and Witness, thus fullfilling the Great Commission!

We should be going out a preaching (sharing) the Gospel with every lost person we come across. We, as Christians, know that they are headed for destruction, so how can we not tell them how to be Saved!!!

Once they understand, they will get so much more out of the fellowship. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV) says, The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Do not just bring people to church hoping they will get the Gospel message. Spend some time with them first to make sure they understand the Gospel.

And the next time you leave a service, and you hear someone say, "you know, I didn't really get a whole lot out of church today", remind them that worship is for God, nor for us! When we leave church we should be asking, "God, How did you like that?"

God Bless!

Heresy of the Week: Open-Theism

Open theism is the belief that God does not exercise meticulous control of all of creation. It leaves the future "open" for humans to make significant choices (free will) that impact their relationships with God and others. Open Theism is sometimes also called free will theism and openness theology.

Why is it Heresy? A direct violation of the first commandment! Some people decided that the true God of the Bible was too Just, and too Demanding. They created a God to whom one can easily relate and who is manageable in place of a God who punishes sinners for their sin. They created a loving Father who is provoked into giving us loving encouragement by the Sins we commit. It is not only an attack on the Sovereignty of God, but on His Righteousness, and Integrity.

The most common question I get in response to what I've stated above is; What's the purpose of prayer than if God is going to do what he is going to do, and my prayers don't have an effect.

Well, see, your prayer is always heard by God, and He always answers, Yes, No, or Not Right Now. He knew you would pray about what you pray about, and he knows that what His answer is...but don't ever forget, sometimes your prayer is the vehicle He uses to prompt his response. In other words, you praying, and His answer to your prayer, may very well be the way in which He accomplishes His Will here on earth.

For more in depth information on the Heresy of Open-theism, Click Here!

How we treat the Lost

I thought I'd post this music video from Casting Crowns. This is one of my favorite songs from the past year. It is a great reminder to all Christians and those who say they are about how they sometimes inadvertantly push the lost away when they come seeking refuge in our midst.

What exactly is "Repentance"?

When I share the Gospel with people, most understand the problem humanity faces and why we need Saving. Once someone understands they have a problem, they are much more open to the solution! It's what we must do to be saved, that is usually a bit foggy in the minds of most; Faith and Repentance.

The english language is continually evolving. Over time the nuances within the meanings of words can be altered. New words are created, and older words seem to have their definitions expand. Both of the words, "Faith" and "Repentance", now have much wider meaning than they once had.

When sharing my faith, I'll often ask if the person to whom I'm witnessing if they know what repentance is! The most common response I get is "asking for forgiveness". While that is true, it's only a part of what it means to Repent.

The idea of repentance in the old testament is usually represented by the hebrew words, "shuv" (to return), or "nicham" (to feel sorrow). In the new testament, the greek word, "metanoia" (which means to change ones thinking, or to have a change of heart accompanied by regret and change of conduct) is used.

At the beginning of the sermon on the mount, Jesus listed eight statements that are commonly referred to as the Beatitudes. Let's look quickly at the first three, it will help us understand and reaffirm a clear concept of Repentance.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". Being poor in spirit means that you have realized that you cannot live without God. It is Humility. It means that you realize that you have a problem. You know that you have a sinful nature that can only be oversome fully with strength from the Holy Spirit.

"Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted." The mourning here doesn't just refer to people who are mourning the loss of a loved one, but also a true sense of remorse and regret that comes from knowing how you've treated your Creator.

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Once who is meek becomes gentle and kind, and exhibits a docility of spirit, even in the face of adversity and hardship. A person that is meek is one that exhibits self-control.

Within these three first Beatitudes that Jesus outlined, we can clearly see the attributes of repentance. They were probaby stated first since they are imperative to having the payment by Christ on the Cross credited to our account! The reamining five beatitudes deal with the virtues of living a righteous and obedient life that will provide a way of life that promises salvation. They also provide peace in the midst of our trials and tribulations on this earth.

If I were to slap you in the face every ten seconds, what would you want me to do? Ask for forgiveness? Of Course! But wouldn't you also want me to stop doing it? So repentance is not only acknowledging what you've done wrong, and apologizing for it! It's also not doing it again, turning away from doing those things.

Some people find themselves, repenting over and over and over again. While we may slip up again because of our sinful nature, one who has Really Repented, will not return to that particular sin as an on-going lifestyle or regular basis.

What is the "Chocolate Cake" Truth?

Welcome to my new blog! I am a Christian! You hear that quite abit, don't you? Well there's a whole bunch of people all over the world who call themselves christians when what they are practicing is a diluted-christianity that very well may fall short of providing the true route to recieving God's Grace and Salvation. After all, during the sermon on the mount, Jesus said, "the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it, but small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

The credit for the title of the blog goes completely to a listener of the "wretched radio" show. He offered the following analogy to explain why a true christian who is sharing the Gospel and will not listen to a false teaching is not being arrogant;

Imagine we all lived in a remote village that had never ever had any contact whatsoever with the outside world and I left and actually made it out of the jungle, to civilization. While in the outside world I actually tried a nice big slice of chocolate fudge cake...mmm mmm... I head back to the the jungle and somehow manage to make it back to the village. I tell everyone all about this wonderful chocolate cake I experienced and people start believing in chocolate cake. But there are some skeptics in the village who say I really didn't go anywhere, I just hid in the jungle, and this "chocolate cake thing" is a fabrication. They claim to have all kinds of "evidence" that points to their theories being true. I absolutely refuse to let them show me any of their "evidence" or listen to their misguided reasoning. See, I actually had the chocolate cake, put it in my mouth, felt it, tasted it, experienced it and all of its effects...so how could you call me arrogant for not listening that I know for a fact is not true!

One of my greatest hopes in writing this blog is that maybe someone will stumble upon some of the truth I present. Not be decieved by the Wrong Theology of the prosperity preachers, word faith movement, and the diluted theology presented my the emergent movement. Pray for discernment and wisdom for yourselves, check everything against the Word of God, and don't be afraid to tell people the Truth...their lives depend on it!