Hello world!

Student life is alive and well at Fairfield West Baptist Church.  My wife and I can’t wait to share all that is going on here.  Check weekly for updates!

An Interview with an Atheist, Part 3

An Interview with an Atheist, Part 3

I first became very interested in understanding Atheism and helping other Christians understand atheism in college, but have grown more interested in the issues at the rise of the popularity of the self proclaimed “evangelist of atheism”, Richard Dawkins. Dawkins and others like him have risen to popularity in a culture that is growing more and more skeptical. The Christian must always be concerned about truth and spreading truth. Jesus claims to be truth so we are continually seeking out how we can demonstrate and defend this message. I have taken a break from this discussion so I could step back and check my motivation. Unfortunately, I entered this discussion with dual intentions. I wanted to make a new friend, learn what he believed and maybe share what I believe in the process, but I also had some other motivations that led to some frustrations (Christian learn from my mistake) . Somewhere deep down I also wanted to elevate myself, under the shadow of saying I was elevating Christ. For this I apologize to my atheist friends and blog readers. There is something apart of each human that sneaks into every discussion if we are not careful and that is careless pride. I am convinced of the truth of Christianity, but that did not mean I did not have doubt, and still do not have questions about some things. Bottom line, I don’t know every answer, but I believe our believe system is the most reasoned out one. I don’t need to have every answer about how an atom works that makes up the chair I sit in, but I do need to know if it is sturdy enough to hold my weight. I have found that Christianity as a chair can hold my weight, and I can see how it is put together as dependable. I am a Graduate student of Theology & Church Ministries, and as I have continued my studies on atheism one person offered for me to personally interview him, “Mr.L”. It is important to note that “Mr. L” does not fit that “militant atheist” as such characters Dawkins who has declared that the belief in God is a virus that needs to be cured (or at least “Mr.L” did not seem that way to me). In my best estimation he is a fun loving guy who desires to love other people, but he is also a thinker and will not just believe Christianity because others do. We are talking about a really nice guy who loves tree climbing and repelling, and who I am hoping to take paintballing as soon as it gets warmer.  Christians believe in God, but do not want to be lumped with religious people like Catholics or with Muslims etc, But we should not lump all atheists together either. Some are angry, some are just searching, and some really just don’t care. Christians must learn they are not all the same. We can’t assume they all want to “get us” like a monster in the closet, rather we should approach all people as Jesus did, with love, understanding and truth.

Good Sam

GOOD SAM

A few months ago we took a tour of Good Sam and I was blown away by the staff and facilities. It was a great day except for the video of labor that scared me for life and the words said by our nurse/tour guide that have haunted me all the way til October 7, 2011 at 4:45 pm, which were…

Celebrate The Win

Celebrate the win with us!

Greetings, I would like to thank everyone in the Fairfield West Family for the prayers and support for the teens this year at LIFT CAMP.

Too many times we Christians move from event to event without truly praising God for the work he has done among us. On one hand we always want more. We cry out to God exclaiming “We are hungry for  you Lord! Please save this generation!”, but on the other hand we move along too Quickly if we do not thank God and thank others around us for help. It is important to celebrate the wins and to rejoice in the day of rejoicing!  We took 86 with our group which is the largest group that we have taken in about 9 years and for sure the largest group I have had to manage in the 4 years since I have been youth pastor. I am so grateful for your prayers and financial support to send teens to camp and care enough to help see students saved.

Spiritual warfare is real!

The enemy is an outspoken killer (roaring lion) who is trying to destroy the lives of teens and this is why we are outspoken enthusiasts of Jesus who is the all powerful son of God who was dead, buried and rose again on the third day  and who offers life, life abundant and life eternal. He is a well that does not run dry the thirsty run to him and are quenched. In two weeks we have see two teen deaths effect this student ministry. Teens are hurting more than ever and I am so humbly grateful that they are coming to us for help because tragedies are inescapable, but the Bible says we are not without hope and we are never FORSAKEN. We can be salt and light to a culture that desperately needs the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 states that we are not “forsaken”…in fact it is impossible for the Christian to be forsaken. Things may get bad, but we are never without resource if we are in Christ. He was forsaken so we never have to be.

On behalf of every teen that this ministry and on behalf of the 11 saved this year at camp and the many who rededicated their lives and gave their lives to full time ministry…THANK YOU!!!!!!! With love and In Christ,

Pastor Steve

Do Christians Celebrate Earth- Day?

Do Christians Celebrate Earth-day?

I recognize the importance of being a wise steward of every resource and possession that is given to me as the Bible outlines. I also can n0t pretend to give an answer to this topic which demonstrates what every Christian believes. I am not every Christian. There should be a unifying element of all professing Christians,  “the inspiration of the Bible” and “the person of Jesus Christ”, but this is being attacked and deteriorated even among Christians. So I humbly submit this reminder of who Jesus is in the modern context of “Earth- Day”.

1. Jesus is creator of the earth and all that exists (John 1:1, Colossians 1:15-16)

2. Jesus is Lord over the earth and sustainer of the earth (man will never stop or change this)

Genesis 8:22

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

3. Man has a tendency to worship things created over the creator (Romans 1:20-25)

4. Jesus was demonstrated his power over all in his death burial and resurrection

Bearded Christians Preaching in the Woods

Bearded Christians Preaching in the Woods

Starting with the 1^st century Christians we were persecuted and many still are today. I was confronted early on with the idea that if you are called to preach you are called to preach no matter what the persecution. This past week in preparation for my ordination I was asked what I would do if the church decided not to ordain me. My answer is simple, “I would preach the gospel anyway”. I would like to go further with this answer as well because I believe it will be useful to every Christian. What would I do if I had no church? I would preach the gospel in the woods. What would I do if my life is threatened? I would preach the gospel. Christianity has always grown under persecution. Why is this? Because persecution forces Christians to stand strongly for what they truly stand for the gospel and as a result many more believe the testimony and accept Christ.

Who Cares what Harvard Thinks?

Who Cares what Harvard Thinks?

Yesterday, Harvard decided to let the R.O.T.C.  back on campus after banning them from campus for over 41 years according to fox-news[1].  The Reserve Officer Training Corps was first banned in the controversy of the Vietnam War and now they have decided to forgive and forget after the Congress repealed the so- called “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. I am so glad that Harvard can give its approval to training young men and women in the service of America again! (Sarcastic)

Who cares what Harvard thinks? I am extremely disappointed in a University that was started by the Minister, John Harvard and that set out to train ministers in the gospel.  They have been long gone from this purpose, so making policy decisions based on if that policy is “gay friendly” does not surprise me. Harvard and schools like it should have a warning label before you apply that says “WARNING: We have thrown God off campus and God’s morals are not welcome here either! Proceed with caution!”

24 oceans

24 oceans

This title comes from the popular christian band switchfoot. Those who are fans recognize that Jon Foreman often reflects on his age in song form. I was 18 when I heard this song and remember thinking “wow, I wonder what 24 is like.” Now I wish I could have 24 back. I miss my child hood. I miss being a teen. I like the scene in Billy Madison where Billy goes back to school and gets to re-live each grade. In one scene he grabs a chubby young man by the face and says “cherish it!!”… this scene makes me laugh every time, but there is a Biblical truth is this statement.

We are told in Scripture that life is a vapor and when we were children to think like children, but as adults to put away childish things. Let’s be honest …growing up stinks. Our world is overwhelming…stress is demanding and we are constantly reminded of our failures of the past and responsibilities for today. Death is something the child never thinks about, but we adults are often reminded of its looming prescence. What do we do now? Can we makw like an ostrich and insert head into sand or is there something more.

In the song 24 Foreman states ” I am the second man now, and your raising the dead in me”. This is the power of Christ…the second life. This is the hope for the Christian that changes how we view everything. We do not morn as those who have no hope means we deal with life and death through Christ. He secured new life here and in the next life for those who believe.

This past week I lost a friend and fellow church member. Kevin was a constant encouragement to me and we all do not know how to get through this tragedy if it were not for our saviour, Jesus Christ. There is comfort in knowing he is face to face with Jesus and we will see him again. This week Pastor Terry Zeller died also. This was my pastor until I was 14. He preached the gospel which lead me to salvation and he baptized me. Both men will be terribly missed. To be honest I am devistated. How can you not be? But there is a huge difference in being devistated and devistated with hope. I have hope in knowing they are with Jesus and in knowing I will someday be there too. This is our faith to the test. Do we rwally believe what we say we believe. Is Jesus really the truth? Is Jesus really life? Is he really the way?

Spurgeon states, “The thought of this future may well relieve the darkness of the past and the gloom of the present. The joys of heaven will surely compensate for the sorrows of earth. Hush hush…my doubts! Death is but a narrow stream, and you will soon have forded it. Time, how short– eternity, how long! Death, how brief–immortality how endless!The road is so short and I will soon be there.”

“Still I am singing Spirit, take me up in arms with you”

God and Science

God and Science

by Nikmal Jmot, Ph.D

Stephen Hawkins, in his recent book, The Grand Design, states that because “there is such a law as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist.” Wow, that is one packed statement full of flaws that seems to fly against everything I ever learned about formal logic or scientific reasoning. Let me explain. If the universe derived from nothing because there was gravity first then there was something before the universe and therefore his statement would be highly flawed – self-defeating. If gravity was present before nothing then that is just a plain silly statement. If on the other hand, there was nothing before the universe and the presence of gravity now somehow demonstrates the likelihood of deriving something from nothing then we can throw out the laws of energy and matter. I mean really, there is almost no point in debating such statements. If that is possible then maybe the beliefs of spontaneous creation from the middle ages are true too! Time for an alchemy class at Oxford just n time for our huge national debts!

Is Jesus a Fake?

Is Jesus a fake?

In the movie the Grinch who stole Christmas…Little Cindy Lou Who sets out on a mission to discover the true meaning of Christmas. She faces the frustration of a culture that thinks that it is all about gifts and longs for something more. “And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” – Narration from movie

Shia LaBeouf (of Transformers, Holes, And Indiana Jones) “Sometimes I feel I am living a meaningless life….I don’t handle fame well. I have no Idea where this insecurity comes from, but it’s a God- sized hole. If I knew I’d fill it and I’d be on my way…I have no answers to anything. None. Why am I an Alcoholic? I have no clue! What is life about? I don’t know?”- Journal News article

Continued Facebook Discussion

Continued Facebook Discussion

The Problem of Evil

The problem of evil is the content of my original post on facebook. I asked for opinions on how evil can exist and God be good? This I think this is one of the top questions in the hearts of man. I will admit that this is likely the hardest to answer, because it affects us personally, we hurt. We ask how could God allow this.  A brief recap on my answer is that