Pastor Marty's Pulpit

Mr. Conservative

2006-10-23T18:10:00.000-04:00

Born on January 1, 1909, Barry Goldwater was destined to change politics in the United States forever. He served five terms as a US Senator from the state of Arizona and ran for President in 1964 against Lyndon Johnson but received only 38% of the vote and won only 6 states. He has been hailed by his supporters and demonized by his detractors. Called "Mr. Conservative" who was Barry Goldwater.

Strongly opposed to Roosevelt's New Deal and the progressive social policies of Truman, Goldwater finally joined the Republican Party and was elected to the Senate in 1952. He was a strong and loyal supporter of Senator Joe McCarthy. Goldwater found himself at odds with Republican President, Dwight Eisenhower. He called him a "dime store" version of the New Deal. Increasingly frustrated with the Republican's failure to balance the budget, control trade unions, and having abandoned their strict constructionist approach to the Constitution, in 1960 he wrote book called The Conscience of the Conservative.

He was considered too extreme on states' rights issues because he opposed the federal civil rights laws, so he was often portrayed by the media as being a racist and a biggot.

Johnson successfully painted Goldwater as a War Monger set on Nuclear War with Communist Russia. The propoganda tactic worked and frightened voters supported Johnson's re-election. Goldwater supported Nixon for the Presidency twice. Finally, on August 5, 1974 he voted for Nixon's impeachment. Nixon resigned four days later. Goldwater opposed Jimmy Carter and threw his full support behind Ronald Reagan. Reagan achieved what Goldwater had fought two decades for: getting the power and control of the Republican away from the country club Republicans and into the hands of the conservative, right wing. Reagan ran on the Goldwater philosophy: the Government is too big and it spends too much.

Today, many claim that Goldwater was the Grandfather of the Conservative movement in the United States of America.

Some Christian conservatives today are disappointed in George W. Bush and are refusing to vote this election cycle. That's stupid. In fact, Goldwater told the conservative Republican's of the Sixities that staying home didn't punish the Republicans. It rewarded the Liberals and hurt themselves. We may not get everything we want from George Bush but it's a better deal then we'll ever get from the Democrats. BUT that is not the reason for this post.

Today, a conservative is not only one who is perceived as a fiscal conservative but a social conservative as well. Goldwater opposed the Christian right. Goldwater supported abortion. Goldwater supported Gay rights.

Rudy Guiliani is a fiscal conservative, a strong defense and law & order kind of man, but a flaming liberal on social issues. The Christian right says, "No Way!"

Hold it... the grandfather of the movement (founder) was an "historic" conservative who created the movement.

There theological fundamentalists today who claim to be "historic" fundamentalists but argue things like standards, versions of the Bible, and etc are the fundamental hijackers. Hmmm, sounds like the "historic" fundamentalists can be called Goldwater Fundamentalists.

Today... we not dream of calling someone a Conservative who supported abortion or gay rights. Neither should we call someone who throws out standards and the preservation of the Bible a fundamentalist.

The Deification of Superman

2006-08-01T18:47:00.000-04:00

Since I was kid I have loved Superman. My first memories of the man of steel were watching the afternoon reruns of The Adventures of Superman starring George Reeves on WPIX channel 11 out of New York City. The stories were campy, the acting was not impressive, and the plots were simple: Lois and Jimmy get into trouble and Superman comes to the rescue. Superman stood for truth, justice, and the American way. As a kid it always bugged me that no one could figure out that Clark Kent was Superman. I mean he's surrounded by newspaper reporters whose jobs are based on getting the scoop and finding the inside dirt on what's going on, and yet a pair of horn rim glasses fooled the lot of them. But it didn't matter. As kids we loved it. We wore mom's bath towels for capes, jumped off the back of the couch, and flew threw the air even if only in our immaginations. Then something happened when I was 11 years old .... Superman became a movie!

Christopher Reeve brought the character to the big screen. His bumbling manner as Kent was a better cover then just a pair of glasses. He made you believe that a man could fly. The special effects were beyond the old TV show and the characters were rich with humor and complexity like Margot Kidder as Lois Lane and Gene Hackman as Lex Luther. The first movie did so well along came a sequel and then a third and finally a fourth. While Reeve was excellent in the first two installments, he became "preachy" in the final two movies. Supergirl was a super flop and so the man from Krypton went away until he was resurrected for TV in Lois and Clark and then Smallville.

This summer the man of steel was set to return to the big screen with new actors and new energy for a new generation. Owning the first movie on DVD as well as 30 episodes of the original TV show I was excited and made plans to take my boys. Off to the multiplex we went with anticipation and wonder.

The lights dimmed, the previews rolled through, and then ..... the theme music with the words Superman Returns blazing across the screen.

The basic plot was simple to follow. Superman (Brandon Routh) has been gone for 5 years and returns to find that life has changed and Lois (Kate Bosworth) is engaged and is a mother. Routh's haunting resemblance to Reeve was only surpassed by his portrayal of Clark Kent with the same bumbling manner that Christopher Reeve brought to the character. Bosworth in my opinion was a better Lois Lane than Kidder but Kevin Spacey as Lex Luther was missing the wit, charm, and ego given to him by Gene Hackman in the first two movies.

My boys loved the special effects and the action scenes but as the movie flowed I became more and more unsettled. Gone was his American identity. He was now a global hero. But what became more and more disturbing was the fact he was no longer being portrayed as an alien who looked human and had greater strength but now he was deity. He was god. Lois Lane, in his absence, had written an article entitled the World Doesn't Need Superman. In a scene where the two are reunited she says, "The world doesn't need a savior." To which he responds, "but everyday I hear them crying out for one."

As he flies away broken hearted that Lois has moved on he hovers over the world (actual scene) with his out stretched as if he were on a cross and he hears millions of people calling out to him (praying) for help. When Lois and her son find themselves in danger, Superman comes to the rescue but not before we witness an amazing fete of strength from the five year old boy as he throws a grand piano across a room to kill a man who was going to hurt his mother.

Lex and Superman face off and Luther gains the upper hand by stabbing him with kryptonite. Our hero ends up in the hospital. When a nurse goes in on the third day to treat him ... he's gone leaving nothing but an empty bed and a sheet in hs place. We then see him in the home of Lois and her fiance kneeling at the bed of our little super one. Yes. Superman has a son. Lois, espoused to another gives birth to Superman's heir. As the caped hero kneels he whispers into the sleep ears of his off spring, "The father is now the son and the son will become the father."

....if you have seen me you have seen the Father...

I left the theater sickened and saddened. There was nothing hidden about what the Director was infering. Superman is no longer just one who is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, or able to leap tall buildings in a single bound ... he's now god.

As the world falls further from the truth and becomes more and more a post Christian society it is now time more than ever to be shinning lights of the true gospel.

It's All Jack Hyles' Fault

2006-07-25T11:42:00.000-04:00

In the book 100 People Screwing Up America, author Bernard Goldberg wrote, " By now it is old news that Paul Begala, the CNN commentator and a primary architect (along with business partner James Carville) of Bill Clinton's rise to the presidency in 1992, is a left wing hate-monger." Goldberg continues, "The story begins in the days right after the chaotic election of 2000. On MSNBC, Mike Barnicle, the commentator, held up a map of the United States, noting the Red States (for Bush) in the middle of the country and the Blue States (for Gore) on the coasts." The comparison was made of a cultural divide in America ... Wal-Mart vs Martha Stewart or family values vs a sense of entitlement.

One week later in a column written by Paul Begala he stated, "Yes, Barnicle was right when he notes that tens of millions of good people in Middle America voted Republican. But if you look closely at the map you see a more complex picture. You see the state where James Byrd was lynch-dragged behind a pick up truck until his body came apart - it's red. You see the state where Matthew Shepard was crucified on a split rail fence for the crime of being gay - it's red. You see the state where right wing extremists blew up the federal office building and murdered scores of federal employees - it's red. The state where an Army private was thought to be gay was bludgeoned to death with a baseball bat, and the state where neo-Nazi skinheads murdered two African-Americans because of their skin color, and the state where Bob Jones University spews its anti-Catholic bigotry: they're all red too."

Linking Republicans who did nothing wrong (except for voting for George Bush) to bombers and racists and homophobes was indeed a smear in a hate filled column. Begala didn't see it that way. After several of his media contemporaries, even liberal ones, took him to task for his original article he wrote a follow up piece. Under the headline "I'd Like To Report A Mugging" Begala stated that he had been mugged by other reporters and commentators for daring to disagree with his conclusions.

In the style of Begala and with less grace than a James Carville rant on Meet the Press, Jeri Massi has made it her life's mission to associate all independent, fundamental Baptist preachers as women abusing, child molesting, sheep beating, dictatorial psychos with poor doctrine and militant views. The congregations are, in her estimation, made up of either scared victims who are afraid to leave or stupidly blind loyalists who will drink poison if the preacher says so.

While there have been and are and will be abuses within IFB circles and people who have suffered true abuse which is not what Christ had in mind when He established His church, it is her broad brush approach to which I take issue. An internet search will reveal that abuses cross denominational lines. Yet, Jeri has focused all of her attention on one group and then narrowed it down to those within that group who followed the ministry of the late Dr Jack Hyles.

One of the men greatly influenced by Dr Hyles was Jerry Falwell who not only pioneered fundamentalists having a TV media ministry but was also the founder of Liberty University. Seeing the college ministry as a viable tool to reach and influence American fundamentalist churches, Hyles founded Hyles-Anderson College in Crown Point, Indiana. http//:www.fbchammond.com

Dr Hyles ministry was widely received during the late 60's and 70's and early 80's as being an innovator in church growth methods, an emphasis on personal soul-winning, and an ardent supporter of the Bus Ministry. Each year he hosted a national conference for pastors and lay leaders called Pastors' School. Thousands of delegates from across the nation would gather for a week of practical instruction on church organization methods by day and hell fire & brimstone pulpit pounding revival preaching by night. In the mid 80's Dr Hyles son, who was pastoring in Texas, was discovered to be involved in immorality on a level that rocked every fundamental church to its core. Hyles himself became embroiled in a scandal of alleged adultery by a former deacon who took his tabloid story to an evangelist and Christian newspaper editor with an axe to grind. Support and confidence eroded in Dr Hyles' ministry.

Several pastors, some with personal agendas in mind, came to Dr Hyles' defense thus isolating him from mainstream fundamentalism. Everyone understands that when you feel threatened, persecuted, or singled out that you're happy to get support and friendship from almost anyone willing to offer it when you're down. This Dr Hyles did and while it protected him in the short term it actually hurt him over the long term.

When a Detroit TV station decided to do a hit piece on a Michigan church being acused of harboring child molesting volunteer workers, immediately they wanted to make a connection between the pastor's training at Hyles-Anderson College and the seemingly evil behavior of the alleged molesters (who were found innocent by the way). Preying From The Pulpit aired over several nights claiming that the Hyles brand of Christianity fostered abuse. With a musical background from a horror movie, Hyles sermon sound bites never put into a context for the viewer, and tearful testimonials one would walk away with the impression that Jack Hyles taught pastors to beat people, abuse women, and molest children.

Jeri Massi, a Bob Jones University graduate and published fictional author, has picked up the mantle that all the evils in the world are somehow Jack Hyles' fault. She maintains a blog as well as a presence of the Fighting Fundamentalist Forum. Her self proclaimed mission is to document the abuses of IFB pastors who had a connection to the teachings of Jack Hyles. It is obvious she is not a victim's advocate. If she were truly interested in helping hurting victims then she would be concerned about all victims of abuse and not just those of the IFB. What about the abuses of those suffered from Catholic priests? No mention by Jeri. What about the sex abuses of children by the hands of those within the public school profession (which out number the Catholic priest scandal)? Again, no mention. Just as there is no mention of the victims within her own denomination of Presbyterian.

That brings us back to Hyles. Out of a ministry that spanned 4 decades and saw tens of thousands of people who were influenced by him either directly as a pastor or indirectly through his conference speaking circuit and audio tapes and books he released or the nearly 1,000 graduates of the college that bears his name what is the number of cases of abuse that Jeri Massi must wage a never ending crusade on: 12 maybe as many as 20 if she can somehow connect the terrorists of 9-11 to maybe having once driven through Indiana - the Hyles state.

While I agree that one case of abuse is too many ... she wages war on Hyles who may have been directly or indirectly connected to 12 men who committed evil crimes against women and children. Compare to that to the nearly 28,000 cases against the Roman Catholic Church or the 290,000 students subjected to sexual abuse by public school employees between 1991 and 2000. That's nearly 32,000 cases a year or one in every ten students as reported to the US Department of Education by Charol Shakeshaft, statistics professor, in a survery done by the American Association of University Women Educational Foundation.

As Begala tried to associate ALL midwestern Republicans in the Red States as guilty of murder, hate, and bigotry .... Jeri Massi attempts to associate all IFB Pastors as whoremongers, rapists, and molesters because of the actions of 12. She associates all IFB Pastors who are connected to Jack Hyles as beaters, cheaters, and defeaters. That would be like claiming "New York - the state where a Jewish rabbinical student was stabbed to death by a black man who was part of the frenzied anit-Semitic black mob - Blue State (for Gore). California - where rioters hauled an innocent, helpless man out of his truck and beat him senseless with a brick - Blue State (for Gore). The states with the most people of welfare - Blue (Gore)."

What a sad waste of her talents as a fictional writer. Oh, wait... she is still writing fiction. Aaah, I can breathe a sigh of relief.

First Response

2006-06-17T10:55:00.000-04:00

It's been nearly a month since we were all shocked regarding the news about Bob Gray of Jacksonville, Florida. I wrote several letters to people and organizations which supported and promoted Dr Gray's ministry.

I have received my first reponse....

Monday, June 12, 2006

Dear Bro. Braemer,

Thank you for your letter concerning Dr. Gray. I, too, am sickened by what has happened. While I have never spent much time with him, I have known him for years and, of course, heard him preach several times. This is all very hard to imagine.

I have told my staff and anyone else that has brought up this subject that it is a tragedy. If it is true it is tragic what happened to those young girls. If it is not true it is a tragedy because Dr. Gray's ministry is ruined. Of course if he is guilty he should be treated the same as any child molester.

We did take Dr. Gray's picture off of our website on the first day that this was all heard. I am sure that we will address this in some form once the story unfolds and we know more. You are right; fundamentalists cannot just stick their heads in the sand and pretend it didn't happen. While we did take Dr. Gray's picture off because of this incident, it is not the first time we changed around list. Ironically, we just recently added his name. I noticed that we had never listed him and my website manager that we should add him (bad timing).

I am praying for Bro. Messer and Trinity. I know they must be going through much turmoil.

Sincerely,
Dr. Neal Weaver
President ... Louisiana Baptist University http://www.lbu.org

I appreciate Dr. Weaver's candid response.

Artificially Flavored

2006-06-03T12:36:00.000-04:00

When my wife and I first got married we did many things together like shop for groceries. On one of our first trips to the supermarket my assignment was to go to the dairy aisle and get one gallon of milk, one dozen eggs, and pack of American cheese. When I returned to the cart with my find... she stopped me and inspected my items. The milk and eggs went into the basket but not the cheese. She pointed to the label that read "cheese food" and said, "this is artificial cheese." I returned to the cheese bin and found the pack with the official dairy logo on it because artificial just won't do.

Barry Bonds has tied Babe Ruth for the most home runs hit ... maybe. For over a decade he has spurned the media and been antagonistic toward his own team mates. Under pressure he finally admitted to using "some" form of steroids that he didn't know was steriods at the time ... maybe.

This season when he took the field for the first time he received boos and someone threw a syringe onto the field at him. In stadiums across the country he was greeted with banners that read things like "Babe Ruth did it on beer and hotdogs, Hank Aaron did it with class, Bonds did it on drugs." Sad. Barry has entered into full damage control mode by being friendly to the media, taking extra time for the fans, and tearing up on ESPN in his own weekly PR show called Bonds On Bonds. Why, if I didn't know better I would think he was a preacher in trouble. Simply replace the inflated stats of home runs for inflated attendance and salvation decisions and you're on your way. Replace the steroids scandal with a sexual affair or worse and you've reached second base. Then make nice - nice with all the other preachers and camps you've ripped on, do nice things in the community that get you free, positive press, and maybe add a Swaggart style confession and you just crossed home plate.

Here's part of the truth in the Bonds story no one likes to admit. We (the fans) love watching the home run. We get caught up in the chase of a record. MLB itself looked the other way for over a decade as players like Sammy Sosa went from looking Tattoo on Fantasy Island to the Incredible Hulk. Steroids were padding the records which led to padding the attendance which in the end led to padding cash drawer. In short, Bonds - Sosa - McGwire made MLB and their teams money. Now, as we look back at the lesser known and forgotten players of two or three generations ago and realize what they accomplished without enhanced equipment, loaded bats, lighter balls, or performance boosting drugs we yell, "Foul!" Bottom line... we created the Bonds effect. We wanted entertainment - excitement - and a hero.

As we self righteously scorn preachers who are exposed in moral failure we need to take a look at ourselves. Who was the secretary that never said anything as a steady stream of young girls went into the molesting preachers office?

My wife is a nuse and a nutritionist. The reason she doesn't like cheese food, margarin, and equal... what's articial is not good. When stats are artificially enduced we have replaced the genuine ability of the athlete and the true Holy Spirit power of the preacher with a cheap immitation and in the end that's not good.

A Call for Clarification on Bob Gray

2006-05-30T11:17:00.000-04:00

Missionary to Germany, Mark Bachman, called me today to offer some clarification regarding the missionary status of Dr. Bob Gray. Mark was concerned over one aspect of the comments regarding the Bob Gray incident. He wants people to understand that Bob Gray was not sent to Germany by Tom Messer or Trinity Baptist Church.

Apparently Dr Gray served as a post war correspondant in Germany during the War Trials. He and his wife visited Germany every year since then. Their vacation was an annual missions trip to Germany. As early as the mid 1980's Dr Gray had made it known that his desire was to leave the pastorate and go to Germany as a missionary. According to Mark, several other pastors encouraged Dr Gray to stay in Jacksonville. Mark and his wife arrived in Germany in 1989 and were told then that Bob Gray would be coming to serve with them. He finally arrived in 1992.

Mark did not simply defend Dr Gray. In fact he made the comment that perhaps this was an exit strategy in the back of Bob Gray's mind for some time. He (Bachman) wanted to make it clear that this was not a Tom Messer plan to get Gray out of the country. Dr Gray had made numerous trips and visits to Germany over a 50 year time period. None of us know if all or part or any of these allegations are true but we all agree they must be taken seriously and prayerfully for are those involved. We continue to pray for Dr and Mrs Gray as well as their family, Tom Messer and the families of Trinity Baptist Church, and the families of the alleged victims as well as all the law enforcement officials and attorneys involved.

I appreciate Brother Bachman calling to offer some clarification. Again, this is not second hand information or hear say. This comes directly from a man who worked along side Dr Gray in Germany. Mark told me he read my article here and was not concerned with the content of my writing but rather he was concerned with some of the response comments made by others implying that Trinity & Messer hatched this plot at the last minute in '92 to get rid of Gray. Going to Germany was completely Dr Gray's idea. What all the reasons were behind his decision is known only in Gray's heart and God's mind.

Play Ball or .... Fundamental Politics

2006-05-28T02:23:00.000-04:00

I pastor just 20 minutes from the quaint little town of classic Americana known as Cooperstown, New York which is the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It's a small town in every sense of the word. Sitting on the banks of Otsego Lake, rows of storefront baseball memorabilia shops line Main Street and the side streets. Doubleday Field, home of the annual Hall of Fame game, is across the street from the firehouse. My two sons and I like to go to Cooperstown for a boys day out.

Once a year I take my family to see God's favorite baseball team... the New York Mets. Driving to see the Mets from my house is about three hours but once you cross the Tri-Borough bridge from the Bronx into Queens and you pass LaQuardia International Airport on the Grand Central Parkway, the sight of the "other" holy land is just on the horizon... Shea Stadium. Inside the first smell to greet you are the Nathan's hot dogs sizzling on the grills. Now, my story is about Cooperstown, but I needed to set the stage.

Hot Dogs go with baseball like Babe Ruth, home runs, and yelling at the umpire. Cooperstown as a municipality is run by the "hysterical" society. Residents are strictly regulated on the up keep of their homes to maintain that vintage turn of the 20th century look and feel. McDonald's, fastfood, and chain motels are located 8 miles out of town. In the village you can stay at a bed & breakfast or a mom & pop motel or one of the grand old hotels that will cost you a week's salary to stand in the lobby. You can shop until drop and find anything and everything related to baseball for trading cards to actual MLB uniforms. You can eat at a sidewalk cafe' or sit down and dine on seafood BUT you can't buy a hot dog in Cooperstown. Why? Good question...

Recently, I made my 9,000th visit to the home of all things baseball with Jon Jenkins, pastor of the Grace Baptist Church in Gaylord, Michigan. After a non hot dog lunch of over priced for the tourists hoagies, we walked to the Hall of Fame. Greeting you as you enter are two life size statues. One is the Babe and the other is Ted Williams. Both are carved from a single log. They are so life like you think they can talk. After paying our admission fee we headed to the Grandstand Theatre for a multi-media baseball presentation. From there it was on to the exhibits.

As we walked through the complete evolution of baseball from the late 1800's bar clubs to the sleak, well financed game of today we had a conversation about the change of baseball and how the independent fundamental Baptist movement is that same place.

Baseball has changed since its birth. The gloves are better as is all of the equipment used to play the game from catchers gear to the lighter uniforms. Nike, Converse, and Addias have turned old stiff leather cleats into fast, flexible, and comfortable athletic shoes. Games are played at night and the technology of television takes these games around the world. Despite these changes, the basic concept of baseball is still the same. Each team fields 9 players. The batter attempts to hit the ball safely and round the three bases and reach home without being tagged out to score a run. The defense try to catch the ball in the air or tag the runner out to stop him from scoring. The pitcher fires at the batter and the umpire makes both teams mad.

Now, there are some die hards like my father who argue, "East coast teams should not have to travel to the West coast and play night games there. 7Pm is 10PM at home and who wants to play at 10PM?" Others argue that the DH for the American league is not real baseball and still more say that "Wild Card" teams in the playoffs damage the sport's integrity. Me, I hate inter-league play. Nothing worse then eccumenical baseball.

Again, with all the changes the game itself is still basically the same. Today, many in fundamentalism are opposed to change ... ANY change. Now, I agree that our doctrine does not and should not change. But when we start arguing that churches which use movie screens to project the words to their songs instead of using hymnals is somehow the first step to apostasy, we need to take a time out. Okay, so charismatics used them first. So what? Movie screens and power point are not doctrinal issues. Hymnals are not sacred, divinely inspired books. It's funny but Amazing Grace can be projected onto a screen just like a new chorus.

These men who argue, "We're on the old path! We ain't changing nothing!" Oh, really??? So are they now Amish? Do they reject cars, cell phones, computers, and ESPN? No, they only object to something they consider NON Baptist like movie screens or keyboards instead of organs or choruses instead of hymns because Pentecostals came up with that stuff. Did you know that the first church service to use PA equipment was an eccumenical gathering on Armistice Day on November, 1921. Gathered to protest war and pray for peace, Lutherans along with Anglicans and other protestants used a PA system designed by AT&T with microphones, amps, and speakers made by Bell labs.

Hey Baptist Preacher Brethren... next time you stand in your pulpit and yell into your PA while making a tape of your preaching remember that the Presbies, Lutherans, and "liberals" used it FIRST!

Just like no ball player today would want to wear a 100% wool uniform on a humid July afternoon or take a buggy ride to the ball park or stand in the batter's box without a helmet... we need a reality check within fundamentalism. So when Dennis Corle or Keith Gomez write articles in their papers about how they won't change and movie screens are wrong then I must ask... are they now scribes? I mean, do they hand copy every issue of their papers or do they write them out on a computer and then have them mass produced on a webset printer? Why, Gomez is more liberal than Corle because Keith's paper is full color while Corle's is Baptist black and white.

Now, let me say that I know both of these men. I believe them to be sincere men who love the Lord and don't want to leaven in the loaf. I agree. But let's keep out the leaven of heresy. Whether they write their articles on a lap top or a Royal typewriter... we all use some form of technology. Let's keep the fundamentals of our faith, the fundamental focus. Some of the equipment may have changed and some of the rules (preferenced standards) may have been adjusted but the core beliefs are the same.

It was fun to look back at the old uniforms with the thick gloves that couldn't close but it's not practical for today. Yes, it's fun, as fundamentalists, to think of ourselves as old fashioned and unchanging but as we sit in our air conditioned auditoriums or listen to our own messages on CD the truth is we have changed. Change is part of life ... it's part of growing. Me, I hope I am changing. I hope I have changed to be more like Christ today then yesterday. If we never change then we'd all still be infants sitting in a play pen wearing diapers and sucking our thumbs.

Come to think of it now... just kidding. Just like historians have taught us and places like the Hall of Fame preserve for us, let's respect the past but also embrace the future. Are we going to like all the changes? No. I still hate interleague play, but I love to watch baseball on TV. Do I like all the changes in our churches? No. I personally don't like youth pastors who look like MTV video hosts, so I won't have that change in the church that I pastor. We moved our Sunday School and Bus Ministry from Sunday morning to Wednesday night. For us, it works. If you don't like that kind of change then don't do it. Bottom line... we're still anchored on the fundamentals of the faith, we have a healthy respect for our heritage and heroes, but we balance the changes of the future with the Word and how God directs us an individual ministry.

Try it... it works.

Calling All Pastors

2006-05-24T18:44:00.000-04:00

The recent comments here and on the Fighting Fundamentalist Forums with regard to my letter to Dr Shelton Smith of the Sword of the Lord have sparked an overwhelming acceptance for the idea of accountability.

The events surrounding Bob Gray, former pastor of the Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville, is seemingly the last straw. When a trusted leader and ambassador of the Gospel forces himself sexually upon innocent children there needs to be more then private gossip and public silence. There needs to be Biblical justice.

Another pastor suggested I write a follow up leader to Dr Smith along the lines of the original. This time it would include the names of other pastors (and their churches) that want to see publications like the Sword of the Lord speak out on this. What do you think?

I will send another copy of the original letter along with a letter stating the following pastors and churches urge you (Dr Smith) to take a lead on this. If you agree, submit your name and church name, town, and state on the comments section of this blog. If you have a direct comment you would like to make to Dr Smith you may leave that as well. I will wait to see the response and then notify you when the new letter with the names will be sent. Let's act now! Fundamentalism has been silent long enough.

Accountability

2006-05-24T02:17:00.000-04:00

The first time I heard him was a teenager at the Perth Bible Church in Amsterdam, New York. His name was Dr. Bob Gray and he was the pastor of the Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. At the time I was junior in high school and serving a suspension from school. I wasn't allowed to attend the day chapels, but I did come to the evening services. The first night he spoke on "God Still Uses People Who Make Mistakes." Now for a kid who had just gotten into trouble and was being told by certain people that I would never be of any use to the Lord, that message impacted my life like few sermons ever had. That night God melted my cold heart.

Our church many of the well known fundamentalist preachers of the era stand in the pulpit but Bob Gray was different. He was down to earth and real. I liked his preaching style. I liked him. I considered going to his college, Trinity Baptist College, but eventually went to Hyles / Anderson College.

I had a few of his preaching tapes. One of those tapes I treasure to this day entitled "Highways, Hedges, and Buses" which always seems to renew my commitment to the Bus Ministry.

The Fundamental Movement, which I am a member of, has had long heritage of standing for positions which are seemingly to others unpopular or unimportant. Many within "my" camp can preach long and loud about the sins of other camps and chastise other men by name for doing "wicked" things like replacing the church organ with a keyboard or not following a particular standard in the same manner in which they practice it. Yet, there seems to be a silence to name men within our movement who sin. I don't mean make a mistake. I mean sin. Grossly sin in moral disobedience.

On Friday, May 18, 2006 at the age of 80, Dr Bob Gray was arrested on charges of sexual battery against minor age children during the lates 60's through the mid 80's. I couldn't believe it. As I researched the articles on line and watched news footage it was clear that not only are there multiple accusers but apparently in 1992 the leadership within Trinity Baptist Church asked Dr Gray to step down. Things have been kept pretty silent but now the whole world is watching.

I believe in local church autonomy. If a pastor sins or mishandles himself then I believe it's between him, God, and his congregation. When a pastor crosses a line into a moral failure that also violates the law then it is no longer a simple matter of church discipline. Dr. Gray has been charged with molesting girls between the ages of 6 and 9 years old over two decades.

As Fundamentalists we like to claim autonomy on these issues. "Let Trinity handle it. It's a local church matter," is the usual montra. Really? Then why do we chide Pensacola Christian College for their lavish campus or Jerry Falwell for becoming a southern Baptist or churches who incorporate a "praise & worship" style of music into their local churches? Aren't they autonomous, too?

Recently, I wrote a letter to Dr. Shelton Smith of the Sword of the Lord with regard to this....

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Dear Brother Smith,

I am writing to share with you a concern that weighs heavily on my heart. I have been sickened over the past forty eight hours as I have read newspaper accounts and watched TV coverage of the events surrounding the arrest of Dr. Bob Gray of Jacksonville, Florida.

Now, I realize this is in the early stages of the investigation and the media seems to have a flair for sensationalism which isn’t always anchored in unbiased truth but it does not change the fact that these are serious allegations. There was apparently an issue or issues which led the leadership at Trinity Baptist Church to “discipline” Dr Gray and seek his resignation in 1992.

I am not writing to you as an attack on Bob Gray or Tom Messer or Trinity Baptist Church. Again, these are still just allegations but the list of victims seems to be growing and one must assume that where there’s smoke there is at least a small fire.

Just a week ago I was sitting in a restaurant with a well known preacher within our camp. We were discussing the known scandals within our camp that get whispered about quietly at tables in preachers’ fellowships but never shouted from the pulpit. I told that pastor that I was sick and tired of attending conferences where many in our camp ride their high moral horses about peripheral issues and point their guns while thundering the sins of Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, and pedophile priests while remaining deafening silent on sins which “lieth at the door” within our own camp. Now, we have a mess in Jacksonville. Yes, I said “we” because this affects us all.

The typical independent, fundamental Baptist approach to a scandal like this is first to deny it. I understand that. I truly do. None of us wishes to believe that people we loved and admired and followed could be capable of such sinful acts, especially against children. Then when it is realized there may be merit and teeth to the charges we ignore it. I mean we’ll remove Bob Gray’s picture from our websites, remove his name from our missionary lists, reprint conference flyers that once featured his name as a guest speaker, and gather up all of his preaching tapes. Neither his name nor anything about him will ever be mentioned from the pulpit in any conference where he once spoke. It will almost be as if he never existed.

Dr. Smith, there is a better way… a more biblical way. Let’s face it. I mean let’s address it. At one time Dr Rice used to print the names of southern Baptist officers who owned properties which they rented out to the owners of liquor stores, movie houses, and taverns. How much more accountable should we hold those who claim to be called by God to an office that features a list of character and moral requirements that includes mandates like “blameless” and above reproach?

I know, we’re independent and one of the Baptist distinctives is autonomy. But Bob Gray was not simply a local pastor. He held a national platform. One of the providers of that platform was the Sword of the Lord.

His actions reflect on not only all independent Baptist churches but the Body of Christ as a whole. If can we write about Jerry Falwell changing his standards at Liberty or Dave Bouler changing the music and special speakers at Southwide then certainly someone who has broken God’s moral law and violated the innocence of children should also have his name mentioned.

There can be no lasting repentance or revival until there is accountability.

The Sword of the Lord, which at one time held the ear of the vast majority of fundamentalists in America, needs to take the lead on this issue. At the very least there needs to be an article informing people of the charges. You can encourage your readers to pray for all of those involved from Dr Gray to Trinity Baptist to the alleged victims. You can also encourage them to pray that the truth, whichever side it may fall on, be revealed and justice served. If he is found guilty and the allegations are in true, then Dr Gray needs to be publicly rebuked and not only by Trinity but also within the pages of the Sword.

“Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” I Timothy 5:19-20

Yes, I love Bob Gray. He was truly one of my heroes of the faith. He had a great influence on my life when I was teenager. His sinful actions do not make the truths he preached any less true but it certainly does bring reproach to the cause of Christ.

In the past there have been men who got away with adultery and worse. I realize that ultimately they will face God but in the meantime innocent people have been hurt and lives have been shattered and destroyed. I am for the local church. I am for local church governing itself. But the local church cannot properly govern if it does not know what it is never told.

Dr. Smith, there is nothing which can be done about the sins of the past. However, there is something that can be done about this sin. We have no right to wave our Bibles or call ourselves the hope of America if we ignore this or simply talk about it quietly in private while pounding the pulpit in public over which preachers are now using movie screens and power point in their services. Funny how the autonomy argument becomes moot when preaching against local churches deciding what kind of music they prefer for their services or which standards they choose to have or not have. Purity is more than a haircut or a dress length. It’s a matter of the heart before God.

If we truly want to see revival then we need more than just preaching that shears the sheep. We need an accounting of the shepherds.

By His Grace,

Marty Braemer

Senior Pastor

follow the story in the news...

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=58052

Rolling the Dice

2006-01-20T10:19:00.000-05:00

Paul states that all things, unless specifically forbidden by God, are lawful for me as a Christian BUT not all things are beneficial for me as a Christian.

Gambling is not expressly forbidden by scripture. Many Christians tend to ask questions on controversial subjects like this as "Can I do it?" Though the theological answer is "Yes" the impact on your testimony needs to be considered. The better question here is, "Should I do this?"

Here are some simple guidelines....

APPEARANCE

I Thess 5:22 warns us to avoid the appearance of evil. Gambling has long been associated with vice and corruption. Few people would dispute that. Places of gambling and their patrons are usually unsaved individuals where their flesh is driven by greed, lust, and pride. Now, that does not mean everyone who participates in the activity is a greed driven lust monger but is the appearance of a Christian in that enviroment going to be a stumbling block to someone? Is that beneficial?

ASSOCIATION

Eph 5:11 warns us not to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Las Vegas advertises itself as "Sin City" where you can engage in open vice but need not worry because what happens in Vegas... stays in Vegas. The Mafia played a large role in establishing Las Vegas and Atlantic City as places of gambling and adult entertainment. Corporate America attempted to clean up Las Vegas with family friendly resorts and activities for kids while mom and dad gamble their college savings away but have since discovered the high rollers and those who want the vice have been staying away. Now the trend is going back to those images of the late 50's, 60's and 70's where Joe Average can go and rub shoulders with gangster bad guys and be "naughty" away from home. Is that beneficial?

ACCEPTANCE

Is 5:20 warns us to be careful when good is portrayed as bad and bad as good. There is a very open acceptance of gambling today. Most states feature Indian Casinos and lotteries. Gone are the images of smoke filled dark rooms with cheap women. Now casinos look like hotels with shopping malls inside them. You stop and get a manacure and a Chappachino on the way to the roulette table. Wal-Mart sells gambling kits that have small roulette wheels, poker chips, and other assorted gambling games. Poker with the kids has replaced Clue or Monopoly. Is that beneficial?

AUTHORIZATION

James 4:17 tells us that when we know to do right and don't we have sinned. When we accept and participate a practice like gambling what is the message we are sending to our children? Even if we set a limit and do not exceed it when betting and have not lost our savings or become drunken, depraved, and homeless from the vice of Vegas... we are telling our kids it's okay. Is that beneficial?

The whole concept of gambling from betting on a ball game to playing poker has roots and a history that is tainted at best and corrupt at worst. Is this something we as Christians should condone and associate ourselves with? What positive fruit has gambling brought or produced? Is this beneficial?

Never Settle for Cheap Immitations

2006-01-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

I love model trains. I love Coca-Cola. Put the two together and you've got somethin' gooood!
This past Christmas season I looked at a Coca-Cola logo train set at Wal-Mart several times. I even picked it up once or twice and tried to justify in my own mind why I should buy it as a Christmas present to myself. Since it was not a budgeted priority I put it back and prayed one quick, simple prayer... "Lord, this is a desire of my heart and I would love to have it. I'm not going to ask for it or hint for it. Place it on someone's heart to give me." That was that.

Christmas came and went and NO Coke Train. My birthday came and went this past weekend and still NO Coke Train. Tonight, I preached to the TNT Youth Department of the Fords Bush Bible Church. Super Youth Dude, aka Bro. Kevin Keever, introduced me. He then stated to the teens how my birthday was on Sunday and so they sang to me and then presented me with a present... THE Coca-Cola logo HO scale model train set! Can somebody say, "Amen!"?

First, I want to thank Bro Keever and the TNT Youth Staff and teens for their thoughtfulness. You have no idea how much the LORD used you. Second, I thank the Lord for giving me a want of my heart and not just a need. Today was a difficult day after receiving a "not so nice" letter from a former member. GOD knew I would need a little extra encouragment and HE knew when I would need it. His time is always the RIGHT time.

Now, I could have rationalized buying that train two months ago at Wal-Mart. What a blessing I would have missed. How many little desires and special wants do we rob ourselves from receiving from the LORD because we decide to bless ourselves instead? The blessing of GOD is an original that can never be duplicated, copied, or immitated. It's the REAL Thing!

Brokeback Morals

2006-01-17T08:57:00.000-05:00

Last night Hollywood again pushed their agenda and where they desire to see the country... full acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle. At the Golden Globe awards Brokeback Mountain was given the highest honors for a dramatic movie. Starring Heath Ledger (The Patriot) and Jake Gyllenhaal (October Sky - Day After Tomorrow) as Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar as two cowboys who begin a plantic friendship that turns physical and sexual.

When the job ends they go their separate ways- one becomes a father of two and the other a successful business man. Years later they are reunited and their feelings for one another are rekindled. Ang Lee directed what has been called "the first truly homosexual western."

It doesn't seem to matter to Hollywood that mainstream America is offended by this and stayed away. Box office receipts are do to a big push in the homosexual community and liberal left to see this movie. Curious people after reading the controversy also attended but these numbers do not mean that America, as a whole, is ready to embrace same sex marriage and relationships as normal. Once again Hollywood proves it is at war against mainstream America and Chritianity.

Movies used to entertain. Now, they feel they need to preach. Their message is simple: The Gospel of Secular Humanism. "Embrace diversity" is their montra. Homosexual characters are always portrayed as intelligent, honest, and charismatic. Christians are usually portrayed as ignorant, deceitful, and caustic. Is this by accident? No.

Maybe it's time for Christians to let Hollywood know we really feel. Most fundamental-evangelical people are not going to go see Brokeback Mountain but they do go see the family friendly movies which usually produce the BIGGEST box office receipts which gives the studios the profits they need to make the movies that tear down our core beliefs. Maybe it's time to boycott the family movies. Let's not give Hollywood the resources to keep attacking our values. How many times are we going to give the enemy the very weapon he needs to hurt us... money. In the end... Hollywood may love to preach a politically correct gospel of liberalism and acceptance of the perverse but even they need money in the collection plate to make that happen. No more tithes to Hollywood until it gets our message!

Happy Birthday to Me

2006-01-15T13:38:00.000-05:00

Thirty eight years ago today my mother gave me a gift that I can never repay her for... life! I want to thank every mother who chooses life. Abortion is not a choice.

Thirty eight years ago today I made my arrival known during a sleet and freezing rain storm. My brother and sister will contend that I was favored and spoiled because I was the youngest. No. No. I was favored because I was the cutest and the smartest! All kidding aside... I want to thank my parents for their sacrifice to raise me in a good home. They taught me two lessons that I have never forgotten. First, learn to think for yourself. Second, always stand up for what you believe.

I love you both and I thank you.

Dress Standards

2005-12-30T14:08:00.000-05:00

Few people, if any, argue that the issue of dress standards is controversial. I believe there are several reasons for this BUT the main reason is because of individual pride. What you wear says a lot about who you are and when some criticizes your wardrobe they are in essence criticizing you as a person. No one likes being told they are stupid but when someone says, “that outfit looks stupid,” they are actually saying you look stupid and are stupid for wearing it.

When a preacher says, “this kind of attire is worldly… sinful… wicked…” it is then perceived by the person wearing that outfit that the preacher is calling them worldly, sinful, and wicked.

People become extremely defensive in this area. “Who gives you the right to tell people what to wear?” or “Where does it say that in the Bible,” are the usual comebacks. Well, let’s take a look at this controversial issue in a Biblical light.

MODESTY

1Ti 2:9

“In like manneralso,that womenadorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacednessand sobriety;not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls,or costly array.”

No one argues that the Bible teaches modesty but the definition of modesty has become a point of contention. In simple terms modesty means not flaunting sexuality or being provocative. Any article of clothing that is designed to draw attention to sexual areas of the body by either leaving it exposed, near exposed, or fitting in such a manner as to accent it and highlight it for public attention is immodest. Period.

There is no such thing as a modest two piece bathing suit or a modest mini skirt or half shirt or spandex or bikini briefs on men etc. Whether or not it leads to immoral behavior is not the question. The question is does it violate scripture and the answer is yes.

Exo 28:42

“And thou shalt make them linen breechesto cover their nakedness; from the loins even untothe thighs they shall reach.” The word nakedness in scripture has two means. One is the literal exposure of skin and the other is our spiritual nakedness before God. What is the first thing that Adam and Eve did when they sinned? They covered themselves. Man was not capable of covering his spiritual nakedness and that required Christ’s sacrifice but mans’ actual bodily nakedness then became a biblical mandate to be covered.

Yes, men are to be modest. Many women feel that there is more pressure put on them then on the men. That’s true. The main two reasons are (1) the Bible specifically addresses more of this at women (2) men are most times stimulated through the eyes of what they see. So when a woman says, “this is how I dress and if some guy has a problem with it then that’s his problem.” No, if she is clearly dressing immodestly which creates a sexual arousal then she is at fault for tempting.

GENDER DISTINCTION

Deu 22:5

The womanshall not wear that which pertainedunto a man,neither shall a manput ona woman's garment: forall that do soare abominationunto the LORDthy God.

If a man walked into church wearing a dress, heels, and makeup what would most people think? Cross dresser. Clearly wrong. Why? That’s women’s apparel. So what about pants on women?

Today, pants are considered acceptable attire for either men or women. Are dresses? No. Go to a public restroom facility and what picture do they to identify the difference between the men’s room and the ladies’ room… one has a dress on and the other has pants on. Which sign is for which room?

Genesis specifically states the God created male and female. They were created differently, with different needs, and different make up. God wants there to be a distinction between them in their roles in life, there place in His kingdom, and even their physical appearance. Paul admonished the Church at Corinth by stating that long hair on women was a crowning glory while long hair on men was a shame. It eroded the distinction.

Satan rebelled because he desired God’s glory. Man was created a little lower than the angels but one day will receive a glorified body which means our being elevated above what satan was before he rebelled. His desire is to keep us from giving God glory. Is it any shock that satan desires to devalue the distinctions God created? Trans gendered people are now fighting for their rights and place in acceptable society.

When you see a woman with a crew cut, no make up, and men’s jeans on what’s the first thing that runs through your mind?

Pants have become as accepted on women as necklaces have on men. Now, I admit that in most cases there is a stark difference between men’s pants and women’s pants. To be honest there is no verse that states pants on women is wrong. Neither is there a verse that says dresses on men is wrong. Deuteronomy teaches it is wrong for men and women to wear what has been appointed to the opposite sex to wear.

Honestly, there are women in the church I pastor who wear pants and they are treated with respect and dignity and are never singled out nor scorned. We teach plainly that God desires a distinction between the sexes. Modesty on our activities and in our school is mandated. In their own homes it is between them and God.

I will also add this and expound on it in another edition… young men do treat young ladies differently when they look like young ladies and not their brother or a street walker.

CULTURAL APPROPRIATENESS

Phi 4:5 "Let yourmoderationbe known unto allmen."

A couple of years ago I became aware of the “gansta rapper” cultural based on what some of our public school kids were wearing. In talking with one of those boys I asked, “what would you do if I dropped you off in a neighborhood where those gang colors could get you into all kinds of trouble?” BTW, I did this privately and did not embarrass him in public about it.

A New York State prison administrator shared with me that the baggy, oversized pants worn down below the hips with two inches of boxer shorts exposed was a way that homosexual inmates advertised their availability among the prison population. Now, that may not be what the rapper on the MTV video was advertising that our kids imitate BUT that was how it originated.

In short… we teach our young people to not dress in the styles and cultures that are in direct opposition to Christian faith and values. No, Christian young people should dress in Goth, or look punk rock with multiple body piercing and tattoos, dress like calls girls, or look like an MTV video. Those cultures are in direct opposition to traditional culture.

On the flip side we also teach appropriateness. I don’t wear a suit to a baseball game nor do I wear cut offs and flip flops to church. Do I ever wear shorts? Sure. Knee length shorts for basketball or casual kahkis on the golf course are more than appropriate. If I know that someone else is bothered by it then I don’t wear it when I’m with them.

Bottom line… when putting something on search your heart before God and His Word if its appropriate.

Next Issue on 1/3/06... Behavior Standards! Who says I can’t drink or gamble???

What About Standards???

2005-12-29T16:00:00.000-05:00

Webster’s defines the word “standard” as something established for use as a rule of measurement for judging value, quality, or content. In churches today we seem to use it as a measure for judging the character and quality of someone’s Christian life and morality.

Preaching on the subject of standards can be difficult at best because many people assume they are subjective… “what’s a conviction for you is liberty for me.” BUT are standards subjective or, better worded, should standards be subjective? The answer is simple, NO. If standards are rules how can they be subjective when being used as a measuring guide?

I am a certified Basketball Referee. How could I properly officiate the game if every team made up its own rules? Now, each year the NFHS does update, modify, or change rules BUT all schools are subject to those changes. For example, when I first became a ref over 16 year ago players on a foul shot could enter the key when the ball left the shooters hands. Now the ball must hit the rim of the cylinder (touch iron) before players can attempt a rebound. These are man made rules which means they are subject to change as man changes his mind.

In MLB (Major League Baseball) it has bothered me for years that there is no standard for the outfield fence. In one park centerfield may be 425 feet from home while in another park it’s 399 feet. What’s the difference besides distance? Records. Should a player’s forty home runs in a smaller ball park mean more than another player’s 35 home runs in a big, deeper park? Every sport from football to soccer to basketball has a standard, uniform size playing area so why not baseball? It makes the game subjective. In Boston at Finway Park you need to hit the ball 2 miles in the air to clear the short distance in left field over the “green monster” while in Houston and San Francisco they have jigs, jogs, and even a hill in play in the outfield. Then there are parks where the fence is simply a straight shot in one direction or another. Home field advantage takes on a whole new meaning when the playing area is not a uniform standard but subjective.

Now to the church… should there not be standards to help you stay on track? Most people would answer “Yes” as long as those standards are in keeping with the Bible. Presbyterians accuse Baptists of being too loose with church structure and church government while Baptists blast Presbyterians for being too loose with dress standards and rules of personal conduct. Both claim Biblical authority.

Over the next several days we will examine standards for the life of the believer in conduct, dress, and function. Tomorrow’s installment: What Does the Bible Say About Dress Standards?

I believe the Bible clearly teaches three things about dress:

I. MODESTY

II. GENDER DISTINCTION

III. CULTURAL APPROPRIATENESS

Stay tuned…

Home for Christmas

2005-11-26T20:50:00.000-05:00

“And when he came to himself… I will arise and go to my father… But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 5

I fully understand that the parable of the Prodigal Son has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. In fact, at the time Jesus told this story Christmas was not a celebrated holiday. Today, however, there are few things that get people to think about home like Christmas. For some people the memories are bitter and painful while for others they are memories of simpler and happier times.

Everyone has one favorite Christmas memory. Mine, as I’ve shared here before, was when I was five years old and I got my first Tyco H.O. scale train set. That memory is so precious because it became foundational to my entire childhood. I don’t have many memories of doing lots of things with my dad but I do have the memories of he and I spending hours and hours turning that simple train set into a full blown layout that took one third of the basement. We spent weekends going through every hole in the wall hobby shop on every side street and alley way in Schenectady and Albany. We built building, landscaped the countryside , and added dozens of locomotives and cars. From the time I was 5 until I was 18 and left home to head off to college it was not uncommon for me to spend many happy, contented hours in the family cellar working on another detail of that layout.

When I went to college I secured a good job and stayed there year round. I remember coming home for a two week vacation one summer. As usual I headed down to the basement. I felt as though I had been kicked in the stomach when I saw the entire layout completely dismantled. Without me my father had lost interest. Every locomotive, car, and building had been carefully wrapped and placed in card board boxes. Imagine, my entire childhood packed away in boxes. It was then I realized it wasn’t really home anymore. Oh, it was a place I would always be welcomed and loved but God had other plans for me. Other places to go. Another place that was yet to become home.

Like the old WWII classic song “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” that tells the tale of a lonely G.I. far away from home who says he’s coming home “if only in my dreams” home had become a dream from dorm room. I grappled with the concept that God had not fully shown me all that was in store for me.

Today, I’m a middle aged man with children of my own. My two sons and me have our own H.O. scale train layout in a spare room in the house. We have spent hours in the very same stores my dad took me. There will come the day when my boys will head off into the destinies that God has for them. The Christmas mornings that began at 5:00AM with four little ones jumping up and down on my bed yelling, “Get up! It’s Christmas!” will be a memory. The Christmas Eves of “some adult assembly required” (never was there a bigger lie told in advertising) will be no more. The little giggles of children trying to sneak a peak under the tree before mom and dad awake and Christmas lists for Santa and endless viewings of Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph will fade into time past.

No matter how far the Lord and life may take my children I want them to always know there’s no place like home. Even if you can’t go back you can make your home now a haven of Christmas memories for those you love.

1) EMBRACE THE HOLIDY … don’t get so busy you miss it

2) EMBRACE THE REASON … don’t let Christ get lost in Christmas

3) EMBRACE THE MEMORY … don’t miss out - make some memories

All Aboard

2005-10-19T02:44:00.000-04:00

Some of my earliest memories are of trains. When I was five years old I got my first electric train set for Christmas. It was a Tyco H.O. scale Santa Fe freight train. From that my dad and I began model railroading. Diesel was a “sin” to my father, so we turned half of our basement into a replica of a New York Central steam era layout. Several Hudson locomotives were featured on our design along with Pullman cars, hoppers, coal tenders. My dad, a master hobbyist, built most of the buildings and scenery from scratch. Even the couplers on the cars were changed from the stock issue to the spring loaded replicas of actual train couplers.

As a kid I remember my dad and I spending hours in the basement with my … his … OUR toy. In fact, on one family vacation we got my mother and sister to pit stop with us at Steam Town USA. They never quite shared our enthusiasm.

As I got older, I too, began modeling. I stuck to kits but became fairly proficient at it. My crowning achievement was when I finally convinced my dad to go diesel when I built a late 40’s reproduction of the New York Central 20^th Century Limited with streamlined passenger cars and a shark nose diesel engine at the helm. But then it was off to college. Eventually, my dad packed up our layout into dozens of carefully protected boxes and put into storage.

After college I took a job as on a Christian radio station and eventually became the Program and Music Director. One of my duties was to host a 90 minute format on Saturday mornings that featured programs for children like Adventures in Odyssey , Children’s Bible Hour, and Your Story Hour.

They called it the Sonshine Express. After a few weeks I decided to really have some fun with the whole concept. I became Conductor Marty. The format was extended to three hours and I even had my own thirty minute program called Conductor Marty’s Clubhouse. It featured a cast of characters who introduced the lesson for the week in a 3 to 5 minute sketch and then Conductor Marty taught the lesson using 5 to 6 appropriate songs. I also read kid’s letters, did live give-a-ways, and even hosted area events at shopping malls and etc.

Well, when I became a full time pastor, Conductor Marty retired. When my son Ira turned 4 years old I bought him a train set for Christmas. It was a Tyco H.O. Santa Fe freight train set. Now, I had it mounted to a quarter inch piece of ply wood and permanently mounted the track, trestle, and bridge along with a couple of buildings and some artificial trees. My wife asked, “Where are we going to put that?” I explained how it was designed to slide under his bed. There. I had passed on model railroading to my son and my involvement was done or so I thought.

One afternoon I was pawing around a junk shop and found a box of old H.O. scale model buildings and other assorted goodies. All of a sudden I was 8 years old again in the family basement. I offered the guy $50 for the entire box and took my treasures home. I explained to my wife what an awesome deal I got but she just kept repeating, “$50? You spent $50 on that???” Women just don’t appreciate the finer things in life.

Soon I emptied my home office and turned into the train room. I told the boys “we” are going to build a model railroad layout. Ira later told my wife, “Dad took my train set.”

After a difficult period in my ministry I became totally absorbed that winter in late night model railroading. Long after the family went to bed I went to work building stores, factories, and everything my early circa early 60’s layout needed from the local movie house and corner drug store to a drive in hamburger joint. I spent hundreds of hours and money to build this little world. My wife didn’t seem to mind, though. I took my boys to hole in the wall hobby shops all over Albany and Schenectady. I was reliving one of my happiest childhood memories with my own sons. I've always been fascinated by trains and even portrayed a character involved with trains but I never had any real experience with trains.

When I travel I usually go by jet but recently I rode the rails of the American rail road. I was scheduled to speak at the East Coast Baptist Conference in Brooklyn, New York. I was not looking forward to NYC traffic and the four hour drive each way. Then lightning struck… Take A Train!

I booked a round trip ticket on Amtrak for less then the price of a tank of gas. Albany to Manhattan.

I arrived at the station just as my train was leaving! The next train was scheduled to leave within an hour so I wasn’t too panicked. Then it happened… DELAYS. The Conference began that night and I was the first speaker. I needed to be in Manhattan before rush hour to ensure that I could into Brooklyn on time. Well, Amtrak had other ideas. We finally left Albany four hours later. I was scheduled now to arrive in NYC at 6:05PM and the conference started at 7:00PM. It took me nearly six hours to go two hours. That’s what happens when the government takes over a business. If they can’t keep trains on schedule do we really want to trust them with health care?

At 6:03PM I jumped off the train and up the stairs into Penn Station. WOW! It was a whole universe unto itself. Since Penn Station is also attached to Madison Square Garden. The Rangers were in town for a hockey game. Without exaggerating there must have been 20,000 people moving through that station at that time! Everyone from commuters on their way home to hockey fans to people like me wandering around thinking, “Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore!”

The conference was being held at the International Baptist Church where Dr John Morgan is the pastor. IBC is also the home of International Bible College on Long Island. He sent two college young men to retrieve me from the station. There was one problem… how to find them. A game of cell phone scavenger hunt began and I was the prize. Jose asked me for a land mark to which I responded, “I’m standing next to a Hudson News Stand.” He said he saw it and was on his way. Several minutes later he called back and asked where I was. I told him I hadn’t moved. Turns out there are 400 HUDSON NEWS STANDS in Penn Station. Finally, after 15 minutes of “Can you see me now” we met up. Out to the street and in the car.

We had 30 minutes to make the 45 minute run into Brooklyn and they had just closed the Holland Tunnel on a Home Land Security warning. Every 10 minutes one of the associate pastors called to check on our progress. In between conversing with these college chauffeurs and praying for my life to be sparred as we raced cabs, dodged pedestrians, and took short cuts known only to true New Yorkers I did get to see Ground Zero. Unbelievable. Well, we made it to the church in 27 minutes flat! I had three minutes to catch my breath, meet Dr Morgan, and thank God for keeping safe before I had to speak. The meeting was packed and God met with us in a wonderful way.

The trip back to Manhattan was a bit calmer. One of the staff members took me across the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan. It was breath taking to see that city all lit up. We drove by the Empire State Building and Macy’s on 34^th Street where Miracle on 34^th Street was filmed. Then it was on to Times Square. It was 10PM but there were thousands of people everywhere. Finally, I arrived back at the Garden as the Rangers game was letting out. Now that I had time to get my bearings I made my way to the Amtrak section of Penn Station and went for the 10:45PM Empire Express back to Albany.

As I stated I’m used to airports and flying. I’m used to people of middle eastern descent sailing through security check points while I and elderly women get frisked and checked terrorist devices. Oh, well. But I was absolutely shocked that Amtrak does absolutely NO security checks whatsoever. Apparently they think terrorists aren’t interested in flying. As I thought about that while waiting for my train it hit me. What better attack then Penn Station especially on a night when the Knicks are in the Garden. That’s over 50,000 potential casualties. Maybe HLS should enact some security measures at America’s train stations.

You can imagine my general concern when two guys got on our train at 10:45PM with no tickets and no ID after we were underway! Finally they bought tickets over the phone but that still didn’t make me feel any safer.

I arrived in Albany at 1:50AM and home by dark thirty. All in all it was a long but very productive day. I guess Conductor Marty will stick to model railroading. Riding the rails may make wonderful and nostalgic lyrics to great Americana songs but flying is definitely for me.

Defending OR Extending

2005-10-09T02:45:00.000-04:00

As a teenager in the early 1980's my mother enrolled me in a Christian school. At first this strange new world was a mystery to me but then I began to catch on. Soon I realized that even in a Christian environment there was "drama".

Some of you may remember that the TV show Dallas was the big prime time soap opera of that era. I used to kid with my friends that producers could get better ratings with a show like As The Pulpit Turns or All My Flock. It's sad but true that there is drama and, at times, even scandal in the House of God. Why? Because there are people there and people give into temptation, ignore God's Word, act carnal, give into the flesh, and a hundred other reasons.

Writing this will no doubt have me branded, yet again, as a defender of the indefensible but others with a discerning spirit will understand my heart. Dr. Bob Gray and his church in Texas are embroiled in a scandal. Admittedly I do not have all the facts in this case and neither do his critics on the Fundamentalist Fighting Forums. The bottom line is that there are accusations of sexual misconduct between former staff members of Longview Baptist Temple and some young ladies who attended the church and were enrolled in one of the schools operated by the church. One of the key figures is the former principal of the school that enrolled bus kids, Mr. Russell Hirner. Apparently Mr. Hirner engaged in sexual activities with some of the under age teenage female students of the school. It is my understanding that he has admitted to these charges and is serving time in prison.

Some of Dr Gray's critics contend that he did not act fast enough. In fact, they feel he knew about it but swept it under the rug until it became too big to hide.

A law firm has now entered the picture to represent the victims. According to some people neither LBT nor Dr. Gray have any insurance coverage for this kind situation meaning this will go to trial. If the church loses the lawsuit that is said to be worth several million dollars then it is extremely likely that LBT will lose all of its buildings and assets.

No one is arguing that molestation should go unpunished. Hirner is in jail where he belongs. Many churches have policies and proceedures in place to try and avoid these kinds of tragic incidents from happening. Some pastors have told me that when other organizations also have these safe guards in place BUT still have problems it makes one shudder.

My issue has to do with those former TBC students and critics of Dr Bob Gray who are actually rooting, cheering, and hoping for the destruction & down fall of the church and all of its ministries. Why? Is it because they feel that is the best way for the victims to be vindicated? NO. Their motives are as corrupt and vile as the actions of Russell Hirner. They simply hate Bob Gray. They hate what he preaches and how he preaches it. They hate his philosophy of ministry. They hate his views and opinions. They hate him. Period.

Oh, they will attempt to hide behind rhetoric and verses but in the end they hate Bob Gray. They have been waiting for this man they consider to be arrogant and psychologically abusive of people to fall and now they have an issue to run with. They preach Grace but live judgment and condemnation. They preach liberty but live in the captivity of hate and bitterness and unforgiveness.

I do not agree with everything Bob Gray preaches. I do not hold to all of his convictions and views and philosophies. There are things about his approach to the ministry that I would never do BUT I do not want to see his destruction nor that of the Longview Baptist Temple.

When a poster on the FFF named Martin Luther Hyles writes that he can't wait for Bob Gray to be dispatched to hell I don't hear any concern for the victims. I hear a bitter man spewing venom against someone he hates. When Jeri Massi, who has no direct connection to LBT whatsoever, spends a day trying to contact the attorney involved so she can get the low down for her blog article I see hatred in action. Funny, she will contend that she is concerned for the victims and hates the "legalistic" approach of fundamentalists like Gray as choking out God's Grace, yet she never tracks down stories of this kind of behavior in any other camp EXCEPT the Independent Fundamental Baptist camp. I see a hate filled woman with a bias agenda who tramples on the very concept of Grace she claims to defend.

Other FFF posters couldn't wait to pronounce judgment. They love to quote that the righteous are allowed to judge but yet they forget this... "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again...Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Give and it shall be given unto you...for with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured unto you again." Luke 6:35-38

I am not defending the sin of a child molester. I am not defending poor judgment on the part of church administrators mishandling these kinds of situations. I am defending Bob Gray from those who are seeking his demise simply because they hate him. One graduate of TBC who pastors in Texas wrote on his blog that Dr. Gray has sowed to the wind through the years and will now reap the whirlwind. If that is true then it is God's business to tend to it and not his, not mine, and certainly not the scorners and haters who only wish to see judgment and damnation. According to the verses of Luke 6 if they are not careful they will get to see judgment and damnation ... their own.

So to the man, Bob Gray, that at times I have clashed with I offer my prayers and hope of God's mercy on this litigation he faces. After all, there by Grace of God go you or I. Let's try and remember that before we pass sentence and then cheer about it.

At the Box Office

2005-10-02T16:30:00.000-04:00

Most men are fairly simple and uncomplicated when it comes to their entertainment needs. They like to watch sports and action movies. An ultimate guys night is going out to a ball game and then grabbing a pizza and some hot wings on the way home to "dine" on as they watch the latest car chase-blow 'em up DVD from the video rental store or pay-per-view.

Action flicks don't require much of a plot but great special effects are a big plus. Just have a bad guy doing something bad and a larger then life hero who can put a stop to him even if it means leveling half the city to it and wah-lah you have satisfied the typical man's need for amusement. These good guys don't need permission or a vote from congress to nuke the evil dude off the planet. They just get results.... and usually get the beautiful woman who was thrown into the story to try and give the wives a reason for watching these movies with their husbands.

For many generations no one suited the description of an all American movie hero better than the Duke, John Wayne. Listen, Pilgrim, there was never any need for the Duke to be sensitive

or admit he'd made a mistake because he never made one. He was always right no matter what and he always got the job done. Those movies didn't contain any messages except good always triumphs over evil. There was no blurring or shades of gray. Everything was black and white ... right or wrong ... good guy or bad guy. America was great. Period.

As the 1970's approached America was embroiled not only in Vietnam but also the Cultural Revolution. Young people were now openly questioning and defying the "establishment." In 1971 Clint Eastwood brought a new kind hero to the screen in Dirty Harry. As the character of San Francisco homicide inspector Harry Callahan, Eastwood introduced to us to flawed hero. No longer was the hero always right. No longer was the hero without any vices of his own. No longer was the hero a role model. Callahan was not only fighting criminals but a liberal, ineffective judicial system that gave rights to criminals and penalized the police officer. This new kind of grittier and close to life realism rallied audiences from coast-to-coast.

The formula was still there.... good guys vs bad guys BUT sometimes the good guys did bad things to catch the bad guys.

For the most these action movies drew male audiences who were fed up with political correctness, non traditional diverse values being spun as normal, and a system that talked but didn't act. Even liberal commentators like Chris Matthews of MSNBC's Hardball said how much he liked watching John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Chuck Norris, Arnold, and Bruce Willis despite the fact the themes of their movies were very conservative.

Apparently other liberals were not as "opened minded" as Matthews. After decades of trying to cram political correctness and tolerance at us in "serious" dramatic movies... they changed tactics. They realized that movies like Making Love in 1982 were not the best suited venues to sell America on homosexual acceptance. What did they do?

Give the American male audience the liberal agenda in an action movie!

Enter new action stars like Steven Seagal, a practicing Buddhist and martial arts expert, to punch home the message. The movies started out on easily accepted plot lines... Above the Law where a good cop is chased by not so good cops but everyone is a "little" dirty. Blurring...

The Patriot took on those gun toting, flag saluting, Bible thumping militia nuts that were going to over throw America.

In the Under Siege series Seagal plays Naval officer Casey Ryback who must kill a CIA agent turned traitor in the first movie played by Tommy Lee Jones. When Jones tells Ryback we've been lied to by our government Casey responds, "we both serve the same sick master and he's ungrateful." In the sequel he must kill Travis Dane, the creator and inventor of the Star Wars missile defense system, who has decided to sell this weaponry to the highest bidder after he blows up a Chinese chemical plant.

Both bad guys were actually trained by the US Government until there "usefulness" was no longer needed. The subtle messages of those movies... America creates it's own problems. Sounds like the spin of the media today on why we should withdraw from Iraq. Afterall, we created these dictators and now we're sending innocent young boys to die in George Bush's war.

Most action audiences would miss the changing themes. The special effects are getting better, the plots grittier, and bad guys are still being killed.

Gangsta rapper turned movie star, Ice Cube, has now added his name and influence to the list. After appearing in Boyz in the Hood about gang life in L.A. and the comedies of Barbershop and Are We There Yet?, the Cube melted into the role of Darius Stone for the sequel XXX:State of the Union. Samuel L. Jackson recruits this thrill seeking convict to be the next xXx agent.

His mission: save the US Government from a deadly conspiracy.

Who is the bad guy this time? Five star general and Secretary of Defense George Deckert (played by William Dafoe).

It seems the President wants to lead the world in peace by disarming and reducing the size of the military (one of those quaint but misguided liberal ideas that somehow bad people who hate America will love us if we disarm and surrender). The Secretary of Defense will not allow the President to disarm so he must be stopped. Enter xXx to stop Deckert. Plenty of action, fast cars, and even part of the Capitol of Dome gets blown up while the liberal message quietly begins to make its move... the bad guy is now the pro American conservative who has national security and sovereignty at heart.

Whether it's Will Smith's sci-fi movie Independence Day that plays out like the dated song, "we are the world... we are the children..." where all the governments work together and declare the 4th of July Independence Day for the World (nice erosion of our own national sovereignty there) or the next Matt Damon "Jason Bourne" movie.... the tide is turning. Liberals are slowly but steadily taking the last line of conservative expression in the entertainment field: the action movie.

As the Kevin Costner's make throw back movies like Open Range which clearly depict right vs wrong and good vs. bad... Hollywood will thrive on the multi dimensional character who may save the day but is just as bad as the guy he killed. Now that the Kurt Russells and other conservative actors find other avenues of expression rather than the Big Screen we even see icons like Clint Eastwood making liberal leaning theme movies like Million Dollar Baby which depicts the positive side of suicide.

Where are ya when we need ya, Duke?

100 People Screwing Up America

2005-09-19T00:05:00.000-04:00

Saturday night I went to my local 24 Hour Super Wal*Mart and picked up a copy of Bernard Goldberg's 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America. It's an easy read as far as format and style so therefore I didn't have any problem or difficulty reading it in a day.

The problem came with the content. When you see the quotes and views of the American Left ideology you're not sure whether to laugh, cry, shake your head in disbelief or your fist in anger. These people shape the opinions and views of America's youth by portraying themselves as relevant and intellectual yet their ideas are morally bankrupt, culturally divisive, intellectually shallow, and completely disconnected from mainstream, traditional America.

When I was finished this book it sent a chill down my spine to think of these people as my "fellow Americans."

Bernard Goldberg is one in a growing list of media celebrities and personalities who has made a dramatic shift from the left to the center-right. Actor Ron Silver provided positive commentary on Chris Matthew's HARDBALL coverage of the Republican convention on MSNBC. Ron supported Bill Clinton but jumped on W's team after 9-11 when he saw the Deomcratic left waffling on how to deal with militant Islamic terrorists. He stated that he supports the War on Terror. Comedian, satirist, former regular on Saturday Night Live as well as ABC Monday Night Football commentator Dennis Miller is to young conservatives what Chris Rock is to the left. Dennis made the shift as he noticed how Guilliani had fixed New York City even prior to the attack on the World Trade Center. His stand up routines are a mix of common sense, frank realism, and good ole American sarcasm. While the left trots out Whoopi, Williams, and Carlin for never ending profane and vulgar commentary on conservatives for being black hating, women oppressing, homophobes (yawn)... Miller makes his audiences think.

Goldberg is the author of New York Time's number one bestseller Bias, a behind the scenes expose of the way Big Journalism distorts the news, as well as writing Arrogance. He won six Emmy Awards for his work as a senior correspondant on the CBS program 48 Hours. Currently he reports on HBO's acclaimed Real Sports, where he recently won his eighth Emmy, this one for Outstanding Sports Journalism.

100 People is Bernie's view of who are those that have made contributions to the intellectual decay we see around us. He doesn't just single out leftists, although they do make up the majority of the list. He has listed the former CEO's of Enron and Tyco for greed and corporate looting. Jerry Springer and Howard Stern made the list for smut media being given an actual place in our society. NBA player Latrell Spreewell made the list as being an example of our misplaced priorities in rewarding bad behavior with outrageous salaries if the guy can play a child's game. He even went after his own... namely Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, and Dan Rather. For Walters and Sawyer he views their fluff interviews with people like Anne Hesche and Paris Hilton as journalistic garbage where pop culture is being treated like serious news.

News shows like Dateline NBC, 48 Hours, and 20/20 are more concerned with ratings, acccording to Mr Goldberg, then factual, actual content. He views Dan Rather's hit pieces on President Bush, while ignoring the Swift Boat Vets when it concerned John Kerry, as more proof of the double standard. Case in point... Rather's presention of forged documents regarding the President's military record and then refusing to give a full retraction even after they were proven bogus of the news media as a whole is not interested in reporting news but shaping it to fit their own agenda. No wonder no one trusts the New York Times or network news.

Bernard also laments the complete erosion of values on network television shows. While he states that the Ozzie and Harriet shows of the 1950's didn't have to be as tame and lame as they were he also says that open discusions of sex and cheating as punch lines on sitcoms has gone over the top. Well, then this leads me to a question?

Mr. Goldberg, I believe you when you say you are disgusted by Jerry Springer trash TV, the liberal leaning news bias, and the open acceptance of immorality as "normal" behavior. So why do you defend the ACLU for defending free speech? There's nothing American nor civil about the American Civil Liberties Union. In fact, they attmept to supress speech which they deem as "hate" which usually means Christian. While I applaud you stating that television producers need to be held accountable for programing content as having an effect on society you missed a person from your list of 100 that should have been near the top... Norman Lear!

His characters of Archie Bunker and Maud Finley turned Father Knows Best into the sewer and cesspool we see on television today. Norman made it acceptable to talk about anything on television. So you can stop scratching your head as to why Howard Stern gets away with what he does. Norman made it okay.

Like anyone reading this book I am sure others have said so and so should be on this list. I am equally sure that there are some on the list that many would say, "Why is he/she on Bernard's list?" Michael Savage made the list for his "extreme" views. Extreme? I simply think of him as the conservative's answer to Michael Moore and James Carville. Which brings me to my final point...

Al Gore, Al Franken, Jesse Jackson, Paul Begala... okay I get why those names are there and let me add they should be. Robert Byrd's continued bigot record as a KKK member needs to be documented as has been done in this book.

But #70... Jimmy Swaggart??? Are you kidding? Apparently Bernie didn't care for the fallen from grace televangelist's views of homosexuality. Jimmy has hurt himself more than he has hurt America. I guess my personal dilema is why was he was the only religious leader singled out. No mention of the media circus created by Jim and Tammy Bakker. Pat Robertson has made his fair share of outrageous comments on television as has Jerry Falwell. Can anyone say, "Teletubbies?"

Personally, I wouldn't mention any of those people. While I may agree or disagree with them on certain issues none of them, Swaggart included, have messed up America. If you're looking for a religious leader who has truly messed up America then what about Cardinal Law?

The book is 305 pages in length and can be read in a couple of hours. Its message will have you musing for weeks to come. Published by HarperCollins it sells for about $17 at your local retailer. It's a good read and Bernard Goldberg's engaging and at times sarcastic style is a bit of venting, frustration, and coming full circle with one's own personal ideology and how we got it.

I Understand

2005-09-16T00:35:00.000-04:00

When the name of Dr Bob Gray from Longview, Texas is envoked it draws many reactions from people who are familiar with the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement. Some believe he is a motivational genuis while others contend he is a manipulative dictator. While his ministry serves as an inspiration to many pastors of being sold out for soul winning and reaching those people that others seem to have forgotten, his critics contend it's all about numbers and nickels.

His story is one that stirs curiosity. He was called to be the pastor of the Longview Baptist Temple in August of 1980. Almost immediately after his arrival and his ministry began there was controversy because he brought in converts and individuals that made the status quao in his pews, namely the deacon chairman, uncomfortable. The church split and Dr Gray was faced with empty seats and mounting debts. Defectors even tried to get the buildings from the members who stayed. What did this man who had once worked in the accounting offices of General Motors and then later surrendered his life to be a pastor do? By his own testimony he went soul-winning.

I'm sure he also prayed and pleaded with God for His divine intervention. But basically he went to work building the attendances and the ministry of the Longview Baptist Temple which also houses a Christian day school and Texas Baptist College.

Dr Gray and I both attended the same college, Hyles-Anderson College in Crown Point, Indiana. He and I both called Dr Jack Hyles our pastor and had the opportunity to attend First Baptist Church of Hammond and serve in the ministries there. Now the truth is Dr Gray had attended HAC several years before I did. In fact when I arrived for my freshman year Bob Gray was beginning his sixth year in Longview.

I remember once or twice when he spoke in chapel but to be honest he was never on my list of favorite speakers. After leaving Hyles-Anderson in 1990 I took a job selling Cadillacs and then Nissans. From there I became the Program Director for a 50,000 watt Christian radio station in Albany, NY. An area pastor was bringing Dr Bob Gray to his church in Albany and contacted the station about advertising. At first I thought he meant the "other" Bob Gray from Jacksonsville, Florida. When I found out it was a fellow Hyles-Anderson man I went to both evening services as well as the morning Q & A time for pastors and full time workers.

A few years past and by now I had left radio and become the pastor of the Fords Bush Bible Church in Fort Plain, NY. Our ministry was growing and we had gained some national attention in periodicals like the Sword of the Lord and Revival Fires. Becoming a bit impressed with myself I started hosting some regional conferences and got plugged into the "Preacher Gossip" hot line. Two of my friends in the ministry were each singled out in some sermons by Dr Gray. I got the tapes. I got mad. I got out my word processor and fired off a series of letters to Dr Gray and a few hundred of my "closest" preacher friends. There! I had struck a blow for the defense of fundamentalism. Dr. John R Rice could rest easy.

I got word that Dr Gray was going to be speaking at a Hillbilly Meeting in Troy, NY, so I gathered up some of my staff men and we went. I must honestly say that I had never been to anything like it. There are two memories that still stick out from that night. First, live barn yard animals roaming loose around the auditorium which also included a goat. About two thirds into the service my brother (who was my associate pastor at the time) leaned over and said, "pick up your feet." Naturally, I asked why. He told me not to look down but just pick up my feet. So I looked down. A river of goat urine was running directly under my seat. The second most striking memory of that night was the length of the service. It started at 7:00PM and the host pastor never introduced Dr Gray to speak until after 10:00PM.

As more years past I had suffered some set backs and trials within my own ministry. Some of my wounds were self inflicted and there are some that were outright vicious attacks by satan and acts of betrayal.

I began to realize I needed to tend my own yard and not worry about what was going on in someone elses. In other words, I laid my pen (word processor) down.

I hadn't really thought much more about Dr Gray or his ministry with the exception of reading an occassional post him on the old FFF. As God's sovereignty would have it this past June I hired a new staff member who just happens to be a graduate of Texas Baptist College. He and I shared an immediate bond in that we shared much of the same background in the world of the IFB movement. We've laughed over pizza telling our "war stories" from college and "big days" in the bus ministry. Mine in Hammond and his in Longview.

Brother Keever has a vast collection of preaching tapes by Dr Gray. I have listened to a few. Some were newer messages and others were vintage Bob Gray from the early to mid 80's. As I sat listened to one of those messages where he was really shelling it, yelling it, and telling it... I realized something significant. Behind all the public persona of Bob Gray that invites both positive and negative comments beats the heart of a pastor.

One night I was listening in the living room to one of his messages when my wife said, "he's a broken hearted pastor pleading with his people and scolding them like a father who's scared and frustrated that they're going to make that one decision that could destroy their lives. " I thought... is she serious?!? Then she said, "you can tell he's been hurt and he hurts for his people." WOW!

My wife does not come from an IFB background but she's been well educated in the pains and hurts of ministry.

I did something that night I had never done before. I prayed for Dr Bob Gray and his ministry in Longview, Texas. In fact, I've been thinking and praying a lot for him lately. One of the reasons I am writing this is because a preacher friend called me tonight and shared how God had laid it on his heart to pray for Dr Gray.

Now, there are things in the pulpit that he says that I would never say. There are scoldings he gives I would never give. But I can honestly say that "I understand now." What I didn't realize as a young, had the fundamental world by the tail, but was a very wet behind the ears kid... I now see through the eyes of a middle aged pastor with an earned Ph. D in hard knocks and ministry heart aches. I understand.

You can write your tales of being treated unfairly as a student at TBC because it's easier then admitting there were times you got the punishment you should have or skated when you weren't caught.

You can post your criticisms of his "easy believism" and question his baptismal statistics if you like in an attempt to mask the fact you haven't even shared the gospel let alone actually led someone to Christ in how long.

You can say he's a type A personality who wants to dictate and control people because you want to have the freedom to call sin, grace and to call liberty, license. You can mock his attendances as bloated while leading a patio Bible study because that's all you could fill.

It is no more Bob Gray's fault that some over zealous college kid who wants make a name for himself or win some contest rushes "Juan" for the umpteenth time through the baptistry at an off site chapel somewhere anymore then it's President Bush's fault that people he put in charge of Katrina relief in the Gulf Coast dropped the ball.

By the way, for the critics who love to challenge the validity of Dr Gray's baptismal statistics let do some math. If he posts 10K baptised and you claim it's smaller because the same bus kid got baptised 14 times that year then what should it be? Let's say for sake of debate that only half of those baptised were nonrepeats... that's still 5,000!

Oh one more thing... for those of you who like eye witness testimony... I have a staff member who swears he never saw lines of kids of being rebaptised for the 3rd-4th-10th time. Other than isolated incidents among college kids padding their own numbers it WAS NOT standard practice as some people love state.

Now, I am not saying I always agree with Dr Gray or endorse all of his methods. Nope. But I can say from one who has been judged and misjudged. I can say from one who has had his motives criticised and the validity of his ministry questioned... I Understand!

Some of you may feel genuinely hurt by some experience you attribute to Dr Gray. For some it may be real while for most it's an excuse to blame him for your own pity party. As a pastor I know there have been times that I blew it with someone. I also know there are people in the pews who blow it with the pastor. By the way, for those you that claim it's genuine then forgive and move on. If you can't then make an appointment and go see him. But it's time to have some closure rather than these endless strolls down memory lane on internet message boards of stuff you can't get over from back when you 20 years old and your acne hadn't even cleared up.

For those of you who still feel the "pain" of having been part of LBT or TBC and have this need to vent.... vent it to the Lord. Pray for Dr Gray. It's amazing what it does for your heart and your spirit to pray for someone you may even consider to be an enemy. For those of you who twist the truth and attempt to portray Dr Gray as someone who endorses the abuse and mistreatment of children... the Lord rebuke you!

Dr. Gray, if by chance you should read this I want you to know that I understand even if I don't agree with you on everything AND I really am praying for you. You have a friend in New York.

Growing A Little Older...

2005-09-13T23:20:00.000-04:00

Where does the time go? Was I really that young? Was I really that thin once?

On Labor Day morning 1994 I received a phone call at 7:30AM from Mrs Marian Krehbiel asking me to candidate at the Fords Bush Bible Church of Fort Plain, New York. She was the wife of the founding pastor, David Krehbiel. For twenty eight years they watched over this rural congregation. Within a month I would speak three times at the church, attend a public question & answer session, attend a private question & answer session, and have my references and resume checked and rechecked until finally it came to a Wednesday night vote. I'll never forget sitting in my apartment waiting for the call. Shari was a nurse and on duty at the local hospital as I sat alone. When the phone rang I remember the shear terror that ran through me as I picked up the receiver. Pastor K said, "Is this Martin?" I answered in the affirmative. "It is my duty and my honor to extend a congratulations to you as you have been unanimously voted in as the new pastor of the Fords Bush Bible Church. Do you accept this call?" Are you kidding? I had been waiting for this since leaving Bible college. It didn't bother me that the salary was small. Hey, I would have paid them to have this opportunity.

Through the years God blessed us with incredible growth. When I wrote the book This Too Shall Pass I made the comment that I had the Midas touch BUT not everything that glitters is gold. Pride has a way of dethroning you from your own self importance after you fall, crash, and burn.

Many people have come through our doors. Some I appreciated and others who went unnoticed and slipped through the cracks. As the years become the second decade of service here I have paused this week to think about what was gained and what has been lost. Yes, there have been people who have left. Some of those moved away or simply moved on to other ministries or perhaps out of church all together. Then there are those bitter sweet departures from people who were once side-by-side companions. I have my share of regrets and wishes of being able to certain things over again the right way.

As time passes and as we get older hopefully we also get a little wiser along the way, too.

Here Comes the Bride

2005-08-28T13:30:00.000-04:00

We had one of those services where God was just all over this place today. It began during our Praise & Worship time. Our first chorus was Soon and Very Soon (we're going to see the King) and that was followed by What A Day That Will Be (when my Jesus I shall see. When I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace. He will take me by the hand and lead me through the Promised Land. What a day, glorious day that will be).

As we started our third song, He Is Exalted, you could begin to sense that sweet presence of the Holy Spirit as He began stirring peoples' hearts as they worshipped. This portion of the service drew to a close with Open Our Eyes, Lord (we want to see Jesus). This flowed into the special music which happened to be my daughter, Hannah, singing a Ray Boltz song entitled "Thank You."

The entire singing took over 40 minutes as He was lifted up, as He was glorified, and as He was praised.

The message was entitled You Are Cordially Invited. This was based on Revelation 19:6-10 as the Bride of Christ being called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. I used the backdrop of a Jewish Wedding Ceremony to set the stage for the pictures and symbolism of the rapture.

THE CHOOSING OF THE BRIDE (John 15:16)

A young Jewish man chooses a young woman to be his wife.

Jesus Christ came to seek and to save.

THE INVITATION TO THE FATHER'S HOUSE (John 14:2-3)

A marriage contract is presented that outlines to promises of the groom and the obligations of the wife. If she agrees to accept this contract then it becomes an official espousal which means they are legally married but they have not yet consummated the union. Once she agrees she receives a gift(s) as an outward symbol of her beloved's intention.

The husband then tells her, "I go to prepare a place for you." The couple is then separated as he and his father prepare them a home.

THE CHOSEN BRIDE IS THEN SANCTIFIED AND SEPARATED (Matthew 25:1)

She knows not when her groom will come but she is to keep herself pure and ready for his return. At this point she wears a veil to signify to all others who see her that she is not available. This was a visible witness.

We, as the Bride of Christ, need to be ready (lamps trimmed and burning) and set apart. People should to look at us and see that we belong to another... to Christ.

THE GROOM RETURNS FOR HIS BRIDE (Matthew 25:13)

He comes and he calls her unto himself.

Christ will come and call us unto Himself.

THE CEREMONY OF THE WEDDING (Psalm 27:5 and Isaiah 26:20-21)

The Groom awaits on the altar under a Chuppa (canopy). This represents the Cloud of Glory of God who was their protection by day and led them as a pillar of fire by night. It also represents the Bridal Chamber that sets the couple apart from everyone else.

The Bride is carried into the ceremony. She is lifted up onto the altar to her awaiting groom under the Chuppa. This is a picture of the Holy Spirit carrying us up and out (Rapture) to meet the Lord.

THE INVITATION

First, everyone needs a wedding garment (Matt 22) ... 4 people saved today

Second, is the Bride ready? Have we kept ourselves faithful and pure?

We invited people to come and repent and pray on the platform under the Chuppa as a symbolic gesture of understanding that we are HIS Bride and we need to keep ourselves consecrated for Him and His imminate return. By the way, people came forward as the instrumentalists played the Wedding March!

People are still crying, shouting, and rejoicing over what became a powerfully moving experience.

Israel ... God's Chosen People

2005-08-27T14:55:00.000-04:00

There is a dangerous doctrine being spread in our churches today called REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY that basically teaches that the church (Christians) have replaced Israel as God's chosen people.

Those of us who adhere to a biblical position that the Jews and the church are two separate and distinct entities are now being called CHRISTIAN ZIONISTS. Replacement proponents, also known as Covenant Theologians, are comparing us to the New Testament Messianic believers who attempted to mix Judaism with Christianity. This is simply not the case. We are taking a stand on an historic fundamental position that God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants was literal and eternal.

Genesis 12-17 outlines the Abrahamic Covenant where God promised Abraham that his seed would be blessed and be God's chosen people.

When the Jews rejected Jesus Christ as their Messiah the gospel was then given to the Gentiles (Romans 1:16). This is not to say that we were an after thought and that the gospel was given to us as God's Plan B. It simply changed how it was presented to us. If the Jewish people had embraced Jesus Christ as their Messiah then those of us who are not Jewish would have been given provision to convert. Since they did reject Him the gospel was offered to us directly.

Galatians 3 teaches that we, the Christians, are now able to "share" in the Abrahamic Covenant but we DO NOT replace Israel. God is now working through the church but He is NOT finished with Israel. The Tribulation period (The Time of Jacob's Trouble) is their opportunity for redemption and reconciliation with their Savior, Jesus Christ.

Proponents of REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY base their belief on a misinterpretation of I Peter 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people..." as being proof positive that the church are now God's chosen people. While we argee that as Christians we can apply this verse to ourselves we must ALSO remember the context of the message of the passage. According to I Peter 1:1 Peter was addressing the "strangers scattered" which were Messianic Jewish Believers who were scattered from their homes and their lives because of their new found faith in Jesus Christ. In other words, Peter was telling these converted Hebrews not to lose heart because they were still God's chosen generation. He wanted them to understand that they were not losing out by accepting Christ but they were gaining.

The argument is given today that the Jews who inhabit Israel now are apostate and secular. They have not kept the covenant. That is true, however, the whole point of Genesis 17 was the fact that God already knew from the beginning that they would not keep covenant BUT He chose them anyway!

It pictures our salvation. We don't work to keep ourselves saved. God does the saving and the keeping. It's ALL on Him. Hallelujah!

God's heart still cries out to Israel. He's a Father. Even when a child becomes rebellious and disobedient it may cause the father not to give his blessing or his favor or even his full help to that child BUT it does not change the fact that that child STILL belongs to that father and he still loves them. God loves His people. Yes, they need to accept to Jesus Christ as their Savior and without Him they will spend eternity in Hell but that doesn't mean that God doesn't still have a plan for them. They are STILL the apple of His eye!

"For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God; the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon theface of the earth." Deuteronomy 7:6

Need A Rest?

2005-08-20T14:40:00.000-04:00

If you are feeling tired, run down, and on the brink of burn out then let me pass on some helpful advice... DON'T GO ON VACATION.

This has been a rushed summer for me personally. We rushed to finish school and then rushed into VBS and then rushed off to a Youth Conference and then rushed back to host a southern gospel concert. In between those events there were two weddings to officiate, two graduation ceremonies to host, a youth director to interview - hire - and move here, and my wife has gone back into nursing two days a week. Did I mention we still have four kids, I coach tee ball two nights a week, and there are a (couple) of projects going on at church as well????

Thursday we rushed off for a two day vacation so we could "rest" and relax. We arrived at a six flags amusement park. Most of the day was spent consoling two of our younger children who were constantly being told there were too small to ride on the rides they wanted to go on. After seven hours of that fun we headed to our hotel and checked in. Down to the pool was our next stop. My wife slipped and fell but wasn't badly hurt as Iassisted her to pool side. The sign out front said "heated pool" but I haven't figured out what it was heated by other then perhaps a dump truck load of ice. We went back to our room and thawed out.

Following a minor argument among the siblings over who would sleep on the roll-a-way bed it was off to dream land and the muffled sound of 400 bikers roaring past our hotel every fifteen minutes. I hate hotel beds. I have never found one to be comfortable. Tossing and turning on my part allowed my wife to "feel" the realistic rumble of the bikers as they rolled along.

Next morning it was off to an All You Can Eat Breakfast Buffet at Howard Johnsons and then a tour of a British Fort from 1757. That was engaging and my kids loved the tour and the demonstrations of musket rifles and canons being fired. Ice cream on the boardwalk and an afternoon at the arcade then led us back to our hotel and the arctic wave pool. My daughter Hannah swam while Ira and Andrew tried out their Kentuckian Musket Rifles from the fort "we got 'cha if wanna leave" gift shop. Charity, my youngest daughter, was the selected target of prey for these two wilderness patriots.

We ventured out for a ride and then diner. Later in the evening it was tv back in the room with a delivery from Dominoes Pizza. We packed up early this morning, enjoyed breakfast with Ronald and his gang at the Golden Arches, and have now arrived back home where I am sifting through mail, email, and phone messages as my father-in-law finishes his surprise "I just wanted to take a look at your plumbing so there's no water until I put your house back together" greeting.

Now that the vacation is over I can rest.

Jesus taught by example the principle of going apart before you fall apart in scripture. There were times when He separated Himself from His disciples and the people. Why? Yes to pray and fellowship with the Lord but also to rest His mind and His emotions. You may not be able to go on a vacation this summer but you can rest.

Make Time - just like going to work, eating, laundry, and etc... make time to rest.

Separate - get alone even if it means sending everyone else away for a little while.

Meditate - pray, praise, and worship.

Rleax - do something you enjoy even it's only taking a nap or watching an old movie.

Just take a deep breath before your world comes crashing in and.... rest awhile. You can do it right now. Give it a try.