Obama says he supports same-sex marriage
After years of flip-flopping, evolving and equivocating on the issue of same-sex marriage, Obama has revealed his true colours. Obama supports same sex marriage His comments follow Vice President Biden endorsement that he was ‘absolutely comfortable’ with same sex marriage. Chad Griffin – President of the Human Rights Campaign said. “For the millions of young gay and lesbian Americans across this nation, their president’s words provide genuine hope that they will be first generation to grow up with the freedom to fully pursue the American dream.” Who knew that the American dream was to have homosexual sex with one’s neighbour?
Marriage was, is and always will be a religious recognition, ordained by God, for one man and one woman. In the light of a Holy eternity, nation states make such declarations and laws are phyrric victories at best. The real tragedy will be the false ministers of the gospel who line up to religiously endorse and perform such marriage ceremonies. Such antichrist ministers are shepherding the souls of men into hell.
Enough said!
While Obama’s statement is not the end of the world, it is another nail in the coffin of the idea that hope and change are improving the world or that society is turning to God. Rather the Bible’s prophesies that the heart of men will wax worse and worse. This is being fulfilled before our eyes. It certainly sadden’s my heart to see our society’s decline into debauchery, but it is not a surprise. We have only been saved from that debauchery ourselves because of God’s grace.
It is not all doom and gloom. These days just require us to abandon our desires for this world and increase our desire for the next world. Any faith we had in political leaders, must be replaced by faith in the King of Kings. Every day we must look to the sky, because our Lord’s return cannot be far away.
We have read the end of the book and Jesus wins. So be encouraged and press on towards the prize of His high calling.
- Blessings
JC
BOOK RELEASE! Theological Meditations on the Gospel
God uses weakness to show his strength. That is not the topic of this book. No, it’s how this book came to be. God allowed a period of time in my life recently when I felt useless. I had few opportunities to minister and my faith was being tested. It was during this time that I wrote this material, and later, decided to publish it as a book.
This brief book is a collection of meditations on the theology of the gospel. The process of writing and editing this collection has been an exercise in preaching to myself. Many times I’ve stopped to beg God for eyes to see and savour these realities.
Publishing this book is not about money. It is about sending out one more beam of gospel light into a dark world. My prayer is that this beam will shine brightest in the hearts of bible-believing Christians. It is toward this audience that this beam is directed.
From the back cover
“Have you heard dozens of sermons on the gospel, but still don’t have a clear picture of what fits where and why? These meditations are designed to draw your heart to worship through the simple and clear explanation of the theology of the gospel.”Now available in two formats!
Trade paperback (CreateSpace, Amazon
Kindle eBook (Amazon Kindle Store)
I originally intended to offer it as an eBook on Google Play, but have decided to offer the eBook exclusively through the Kindle Store at least for now.
The Mental Illness Defence
Matthew Newton is at it again – bashing women and beating up workers. The Underbelly star is proving that life does imitate art. CCTV footage now shows that he is in denial and a liar. Despite his behaviour, there seems to be no end of people who are lining up to defend him. Few of us are surprised when his lawyer Chris Murphy uses the mental illness defence. ”Can’t cure mental illness with ‘You stop that!’. Bipolar sufferers need patience & support. Matthew Newton has mine. Treatment continues.” he tweets. But it seems that many Australians have become so star-stuck that we are prepared to defend the indefensible. “The problem is not Matthew Newton, the problem is the debilitating disease that he suffers from” – or so the line of argument goes. Why do some people advocate such twisted logic?
Mental Illness?
Avoiding responsibility is a classic response. If we are not responsible for our sins, then God would be unjust in sending us to hell. If we can blame mental illness (or other external disease), then we can not only deny responsibility, but also blame others or even God for our behaviour. If anyone asks us to be responsible, then we can accuse them of being ‘un-compassionate’ or ‘un-Christian’. I have great compassion for those who genuinely struggle with mental illness. However, the majority of those with mental illnesses do not bash taxi drivers, beat up their girlfriends, or punch hotel workers. The genuine supporters of mental illness suffers should be outraged and leading the exposure of celebrities who hide behind mental illness as an excuse. The genuine battlers of mental illness are heros. Matthew Newton is a coward who is hiding behind their brave and daily fights.
Sinful Nature
The truth is that we all have a sinful nature. The sad truth is that many celebrities habitually indulge the sinful nature to increasingly depraved degrees. We can expect more ‘moral messangers’ to be shot as the ‘excuse industry’ responds to our reprobate society. In days gone, society would have drawn and quartered such offenders. My view is that if Rachel Taylor or Brook Satchwell was my daughter, then as a father, my moral and righteous duty would be to introduce Matthew Newton to a baseball bat. I see such a response as both
1. a compasionate defence of women, and
2. a just response of a righteous society to serial beast.
A Just Response?
I expect that some people will say ‘what about repetentence? and ‘what about not repaying an eye for an eye? I fully believe that Matthew Newton is not beyond God’s grace, and repentance could be possible. Those of death row can still be saved by God. Repentance does not negate the consequences of their sin. God’s command in Genesis 9:6 still applies where he says, “Whosoever sheds man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed?” A good wallop may just be what Matthew Newton needs for him to realise what he has done to others. The baseball bat may be the tool that God uses to bring about repentance – because let’s face it – the status quo has failed.
Bad Parenting
Ultimately, I surmise that it is bad parenting that has created the degree of rebellion and bad behaviour in society today. Bert and Patti Newton’s softly softly rationalisation of his behaviour is the biggest offence in this whole saga. I am by no means blaming parents for the behaviour of their adult children. Adult children are accountable. But good parents don’t sweep their little angel’s behaviours under the carpet. Bert and Patti’s public statements provide a sorry insight into how they trained up their Matthew. (Proverbs 22:6) A truly godly response would have been for them to show compassion for Matthew’s victims and to commit to justice being done.
If society was righteous we would be seeing a unanimous response to badly behaving celebrities. The fact that sin in celebrities lives and our lives is tolerated so much, shows just how unrighteous we have become. We are not going to see a righteous society this side of heaven. While we should still stand up and call for justice for Matthew Newton’s victim’s, we must also long the Jesus to return so that he can bring ultimate justice and righteouness to all.
Blessings
- JC
Do You Feel the Hate?
Like most sane people, I want to be liked. It feels good to have smiles all around and a friendly society to live in. However, am I the only one who is frustrated at the increasingly open and hostile attacks on Christians and godly values? The attacks on God and His People is at all levels – from the east to the west. From the:
- the Physical persecution of Christ’s followers in Nigeria by Islamic militants
- the execution of Christians in Iran
- the censorship of ads promoting those who have converted from homosexuality
- the hunting down and harassment of a politician who will not change his belief
There is a huge and unapologetic double standard in the ‘diversity narrative’ at the moment. In banning ‘Core Issues’ Christian ad from buses, conservative London mayor Boris Johnson declared ”London is one of the most tolerant cities in the world and intolerant of intolerance.” It is the moral thing to censor Christianity, but abhorrent to censor sin and hedonism. The world has also decided it is wrong to offend Islam but ok to mock Christ. The non-Christian world is angry my friends and its rage appears to be boiling towards a crescendo. But what is the non-Christian world angry at?
- Is it that we don’t believe what they believe? I don’t think so. There are so many different beliefs within the non-Christian world.
- Is it that we harrange them with fire and brimstone? I don’t think so. The general ‘Good News/Christian message’ is promoted in such a ‘seeker-friendly’ way these days.
- Is it that our existence reminds them of God and the truth of accountability to Him?
I believe so. The Jews have been object of the world’s hatred for thousands of more years than Christians have. All in the name of being known as ‘God’s People’
While many in the non-Christian world may not be able to articulate the gospel clearly, their behaviour demonstrates an inner understanding of who the true God is? Why else would they attack a belief system with such ferocity if they believed it was just fairytales? It seems that they hate the idea of absolute truth so much, that their conclusion is ‘if can shoot the messenger, then we can ignore the message.
Jesus tells us not to be surprised when they hate us, because they hated Him first. It is easy to dispair and give up hope for this world. Yet, Jesus did not give up hope on us. And God has not given up hope of this world yet, because He has not returned yet. This is why Paul exhorts us to not foresake the assembly of Christians together and so much more so as we see the day approaching.
My challenge is to not return their hate with hate. It is easy for me to think like the self-reighteous man who prayed “I thank the Lord that I am not like that man…” But we must pray for strength. Absorbing the hate and returning love is not natural for our old nature. But we have received a more powerful example of love in Christ. As we gaze into His love, we will be less dispaired by the hating world. And in the end, this world is not our home. So let’s long and look forward to the day when we will enter the age that is 100% hate-free.
Blessings
-JC
Why the approval of God OR the wilderness is a false dilemma
In Mark 1:11, Jesus rises from the waters of baptism and is greeted by God the Holy Spirit and God the Father who states simply his deep pleasure in his son: You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.
The struggling, faltering believer hardly dares to hope for a similar approval from God, and yet Romans 8:38-39 is direct: I am sure that… [nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. In other words, when we stand in Christ, we stand beneath the glowing approval of God when he utters the words “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
The very next words in Mark’s gospel are calculated to detonate at the heart of our legalistic, self-righteous, if-things-are-going-well-I-must-have-God’s-approval mentality. “The Spirit immediately drove [Jesus] out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan.”
God showers loving approval on his son, then immediately drives him into the wilderness for a time of hunger, loneliness, and temptation.
If you are in the wilderness of testing, do not automatically assume that you got there by your works as if God was getting back at you for some sin or weakness or failure. If you are in Christ, it is his works in which you stand and they are all righteous works. You stand approved by God in Christ! And you have the privilege to share with Christ in his sufferings. And it is in this very assurance of God’s approval that we are best prepared to overcome the temptation in the wilderness.
Grace to you.
S.W.A.T. Camp 2012
What is a SWAT Camp?
SWAT is an acronym for Spiritual Weapons and Training. SWAT Camp is an annual event which brings together young people from all over Australia with one common goal; training and equipping young adults for the ministry. SWAT Camp was established in 2006 and has been held annually (sometimes biannually) since that time. SWAT Camp will be hosted by Mt. Cathedral Community Baptist Church (independent). For more information please contact Daniel Kriss (details at bottom of page).
When is SWAT Camp?
Wed. 26th September 2012 – Sat. 29th September 2012 (first week of school holidays).
Swat Camp begins at 2:00PM on Wednesday and concludes at 5:00PM Saturday.
Where will SWAT Camp be held?
“Woodhaven” – 2 Hill Avenue, Marysville
Location details and photos are available on the webpage.
What can I expect at SWAT Camp?
Previous SWAT Camp attendees will attest to the blessings found in being immersed in teaching from God’s Word every day. Traditionally the SWAT Camp consists of two chapel services and two seminars each day. Typically the chapel services include a praise and testimony component followed by sound, challenging preaching by the keynote speaker. The seminars usually comprise of an interactive teaching lesson presented by a visiting guest speaker. The second seminar is usually a ‘split session’ where a ‘gender-specific’ topic is related to the ladies and gentleman separately.
A number of other unique activities form an integral part of a SWAT Camp. These include: public evangelism in a local area, opportunity for a number of young men to prepare a message and preach at a chapel service, hikes and sporting activities, sharing testimonies publicly, working bees and much more.
Probably the best part of SWAT Camp is the opportunity for young people around this nation to come together in one place and enjoy the sweet fellowship that can be had where there is a likeness of mind and vision! See for yourself.
Who will be Directing & Speaking at SWAT Camp?
Daniel Kriss is the founder of SWAT Camp and continues to direct it each year. SWAT Camp 2012 will feature the following speakers:
Jason Harris (Keynote Speaker) – Preacher, Teacher, Author, Musician & Founder of Infocus Blog
Steve Shaw – Senior Pastor, Heritage Baptist Church, Ballarat & Chaplain of Christian School
Daniel Kriss – Youth Pastor, Mt. Cathedral Community Baptist Church, Taggerty
The following ladies have been confirmed to speak at the split-session seminars:
Jessica Kriss – Impact Youth Leader, Mt. Cathedral Community Baptist Church, Taggerty
Emma Calleja –
Impact Youth Leader, Mt. Cathedral Community Baptist Church, Taggerty
There are still a number of unconfirmed speakers and this blog will be updated upon confirmation of their availability.
Who can attend a SWAT Camp?
SWAT Camp is open to any Christian young person between the ages of 16-30 who has a genuine desire to learn more of God and be equipped for the work of the ministry.
Registrations are being accepted directly through the SWAT website this year.
What is the cost for SWAT Camp?
SWAT Camp fees are set out below:
$99 – Student & Concession
$115 – Non-concession
SWAT Camp T-shirts will be extra and a love offering will be given to the speakers.
How can I register?
All the information for registration, location, speakers etc. can be found at:
The website is not completely finished but the registration page is online.
Limited spaces….only 38.
Who should I contact?
Daniel Kriss – kriss.daniel@gmail.com or via mobile 0400 282 536.
Because of Calvary,
