Desiring to know Him

1Co 2:2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

How can we desire any thing else after we have seen Christ for who He is?

I constantly find myself saying I want this or if only I could have that. How meaningless any thing is when we compare it to the beauty of Christ.

What fleeting joy we find in the lowly pleasures of this world are nothing when placed near the glory of Christ. How true it is that "the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace."

Amen

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

Refrain

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Refrain

To know His Grace is to know His wrath

Joh 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

For many years I believed that Hell was the absence of God's presence, but in truth Hell is the holding place of torment until the wrath of God being poured out on sinners at the day of judgment. A wrath that they will suffer under for all of eternity.

I believe it is very important that we understand Hell and God's wrath. It is a key point in understanding His grace.

We cannot only know that we are saved, but we must know what we are saved from.

The more we understand our sin and God's hatred of sin, the more we understand what how marvelous His grace is that called us out from that sin. The more we understand what the true payment for our sin is the more we understand what Christ went through on the cross of calvary as the wrath of God was poured onto Him for the forgiveness of His people.

What a great and gracious God and King. That he would save a wretch as I.

Read and sing the following hymns that speak such truth.
__________________________________________________________________
Lord, I deserve thy deepest wrath.

Lord, I deserve thy deepest wrath,
Ungrateful, faithless I have been;
No terrors have my soul deterred,
Nor goodness wooed me from my sin.
No terrors have my soul deterred,
Nor goodness wooed me from my sin.
My heart is vile, my mind depraved,
My flesh rebels against Thy will;
I am polluted in Thy sight,
Yet, Lord have mercy on me still!
I am polluted in Thy sight,
Yet, Lord have mercy on me still!

Without defense to Thee I look,
To Thee the only Savior fly;
Without a hope, without a friend,
In deep distress to Thee I cry,
Without a hope, without a friend,
In deep distress to Thee I cry.

Speak peace to me, my sins forgive,
Dwell Thou within my heart, O God,
The guilt and pow’r of sin remove,
And fit me for Thy blest abode,
The guilt and pow’r of sin remove,
And fit me for Thy blest abode.
____________________________________________________________
Amazing Grace.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

Help! I'm going to jail!

Okay not real jail, but MDA jail. I've been recruited on Aug. 27th to spend an hour in jail and I must raise $2008 to get myself out. I've been a huge supporter of MDA Jerry's Kids for many years now and love the word they do. This year is especially important though as last November I lost a dear brother in Christ to Muscular Dystrophy.

So in his honor I'll be raising the funds. If any of you would be willing to help raise donations at your work or elsewhere it would be greatly appreciated. The event is at the Ameristar from 9-5 on Aug. 27th and I'll be in jail from 2-3.

You can make donations and find out more about the event at:

https://www.joinmda.org/stcharles08/Jason

Please pass that along to others that could help.

BTW my friend's name was Joseph Dennie and his wife was pregnant when he died. Little Joseph was recently born and could very likely have MD as well (I'm not sure on the heredity though). Please pray for Leanna and Joseph Dennie Jr.

As I said Joseph was a dear friend in Christ and I wanted to share the note I posted on facebook in memory of him soon after his death. I pray that my life may touch others as his did.

As some of you may have noticed from my status I lost a good friend this week. This is a note to remember him. Some of you knew him really well but others of you I just wish would have.My friend's name was Joseph Dennie. He was 23 and he had muscular dystrophy. Most people would look at the guy and the wheelchair and think that defined him, but anyone that knew Joe at all would know that wasn't the case. The only thing Joe was ever defined by was Christ and Christ alone.

Because of the MD he couldn't carry a Bible around easily so he had decided to do as David said and "hide it in his heart." He had memorized five books by the time we graduated high school. He was also a phenomenal speaker/preacher.

I remember one time when he spoke of having to overcome his anger at God because of the MD and there was not a dry eye in the room. Joe was a guy that was just full of joy because it didn't come from his circumstances it came from his God. He was also a guy that was always full of hope. I think it was that made him so memorable and why he went farther than the statistics said he would.

The statistics said he would never graduate a normal high school. He did and that day we gave him a standing ovation. The statistics said he would never graduate college. He did and went on to start his masters. The statistics said he would never fall in love and marry. He did. Unfortunately, like most people we grew apart after high school but the last time I spoke to him all he could talk about was Leanna. Apart from Christ I don't think anything made him happier than her.To Joseph congratulations bro. You endured to the end. With you I rejoice.To Leanna thank you loving my friend. For your lose I will weep with you.To those of us who had any time at all with him we were blessed by his life.As I said the only thing that ever truly defined Joseph was Christ. I've seen people post that a great way to honor his memory is to donate to muscular dystrophy research. While that is great aspiration and a worthy cause I believe that its better to remember Joseph by reminding others of the God he loved. The God that called Joseph out of his sins to Himself. The God that would sacrifice His own son on a cross to adopt Joseph as an heir. The God that would keep him by His grace until the end. And the God that welcomed him into paradise when we lost him. That is the God that Joseph spent his life serving and preaching. I pray you know this God just as Joseph did. That you would believe and hope and be joyful and impact others for Christ just as Joseph did. Remember him by by remembering his God. May God comfort us all in our grief.


Thanks again for those that can help raise funds. Remember the funds do not only go research but to help families and camps.

Praying for the kings

1Ti 2:1-2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, (2) for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

I have been highly involved in politics since I was 16. Every two years I have gotten involved in a campaign. While I have primarily worked on republican candidates I have worked for a couple conservative democrats as well.

I have realized something that I should have many years ago. I complain a lot.

I complain and gripe about their policies, their speeches, and even their wives. This year I'm an equal opportunity complainer though because I cannot bring myself to support either candidate of the two major parties.

In all this complaining though do I ever stop to pray for these two candidates? No.

I have no challenge complaining even though it does no good, but I never take time to ask God to change the hearts of the candidates or politicians.

I'm asking God to change my heart in this matter and I'm asking you to join me.

Please begin praying that each candidate will come to see God's Word as the ultimate authority and base their positions on that.

More importantly, pray that God would bring each of these candidates to salvation. Their is no fruit of Christ that can be seen in either of their public lives and so before anything else pray they come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and savior. That God opens their eyes that they may know Him.

The Annual Picnic and Departure

What a phenomenal day in the Lord! I was so blessed today. We had an amazing worship service with on our elders, Bob Schembre, sharing the testimony of what God has done and continues to do in his life. Giving all praise and honor to Christ for the work of regeneration of his dead heart.

This brother at 52 will not only be heading back to college, but he will be playing football as well (he even admits it may be a mid-life crisis, but at 52 I think he is really optimistic to call it mid-life). He will be helping his sons start a ministry on this very secular campus. Please be praying for them as they work to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our missions moment today was from Johnny Parker. Johnny and his wife Joyce (and soon to be born baby Abby) are officially leaving for Southern Seminary this week. I must say I had tears as they said good bye. I really have only known them a short while, but what a blessing they have been in my life. I so desire to have brothers in Christ that I can lean on and worship with. God I think you for bringing the Parkers into my life even for such a short time. Bless them in their work and studies that they may continue to be tools to your glory. Amen.

Please pray for this family as the move, find jobs, begin seminary, and have their first child.

Today was also Rockport's annual picnic after the service. What a great time! I must say the highlight was that John Weber and myself beat Cyndi Loving and Amy Lee in horseshoes and it was the first time either of us had played. These are two of the most skilled women I know so even though we were knocked out in the next round I was satisfied.

There was also washers (A Missouri thing), swimming, volleyball (my team won three games, even WITH me on the team), and BBQ hamburgers (another Missouri thing).

I must say it was exhausting. I praise the LORD for a great day and a great week. I have so long been praying for godly companions and He in His mercy and grace has seen fit to bestow them upon me. Even in this though He continues to challenge and teach me.

With all the great worship and fellowship I hadn't yet had time to spend time in God's Word. As we were leaving the picnic I was invited to my friends Brady, Jeremy, and Jesse's house. Now, I am never won to turn down such an invitation, but as I was getting a ride back to the church to pick up my car I began to feel the LORD speak to me. It was though He was saying, "I've given you the friends you desired, but do not forsake your creator to spend time with the creation." By the grace of God I listened and thank Him for bringing me to His Word.

I think that is one of the greatest temptations we have as Christians. God will bring us to our knees in prayer with a desire for something and while we desire it we are constantly calling out to Him. Then when we receive it we abandon our relationship so quickly and forget anything Him might have taught us while we sought our desire.

Be ware oh Christian that you hold your face to Christ and cling to His grace and mercy.

Rom 1:24-25 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, (25) because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Clothed for Worship

As seen in previous noted I've started to read 1 Timothy. By God's grace I heard a phenomenal sermon on 1 Tim. 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3-4 by Alister Begg.

1Ti 2:9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,

1Pe 3:3-4 Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear-- (4) but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

Before I begin let me make it clear that what I am about to right about and exhort is not the same thing that God taught through Pastor Begg.

It is clear from these to passages that Paul and Peter are not just trying to attack and condemn certain styles, but they are making some principles about worship.

Some of the principals:

Dress modestly and as not to draw attention to yourself.

Do not dress in "costly attire." (that one is universal)

Dress in a way that demonstrates self-control.

Let the beauty you have externally be saved for your spouse and do not share it with the world. It is to be treasured with your partner to whom you are forever joined.

Let your beauty be a gentle and quiet (or submissive) spirit. This beauty is an imperishable beauty and God sees it as very precious.

Now all of these principles seem to point in the exact opposite way of much traditional teaching within the church.

Gorwing up I was taught that when you go to church you are to "look your best." What this meant was that ladies wore dresses and men wore suits. But these Scripture say the exact opposite of that. They teach us that we are not to be concerned with our outward appearance or looking our best, but to focus on the heart and spirit.

Take specifically Easter. Every Easter as a child I was bought a new outfit for Easter Sunday, so I could "look my best for the Lord." Yea, I'm as lost as lost can be with even my "good" deeds as filthy rags before a holy God and He wants to make sure I have the best pastel plaid button-up in the country on. And it wasn't just my family, but this thought process permeates the body of Christ.

Their are still churches today that will not let you in the door without a suit. (BTW, most suits and dresses are quite "costly apparel.")

I think the real question is what is your heart focused on? I beleve that if we were take the time preparing our hearts to worship instead of preparing our clothes then we would be much more likely to meet with Christ in a fuller way by His grace.S

o consider this next Sunday and for the Sundays to come. I think the best way to honor the Lord with our dress is not to "look our best," but to be modest, cost-appropriate, and preparedto worship the King of kings, Lord of lords, and maker of heaven and earth.

Praise Him!

Praise Him for He is Worthy!

Psa 18:3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Heb 3:3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses--as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.

Rev 4:11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

Rev 5:12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"

Praise Him for He is Holy!

1Sa 2:2 "There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.

Psa 77:13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?

Psa 99:5 Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!

Psa 99:9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy!

Rev 4:8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"

Praise Him for He is Glorious!

Exo 15:6 Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.

Exo 15:11 "Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

1Ch 29:13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

Psa 72:19 Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!

Psa 76:4 Glorious are you, more majestic than the mountains of prey.

Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him!

Psa 148:1-14 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! (2) Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! (3) Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! (4) Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! (5) Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created. (6) And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. (7) Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, (8) fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! (9) Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! (10) Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! (11) Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! (12) Young men and maidens together, old men and children! (13) Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. (14) He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD!

Child in the faith

So I started studying 1 Timothy and I made it 2 verses in before the Lord once again showed me His grace and glory.

1Ti 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, (2) To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

What struck me specifically was Paul's phrase "my true child in the faith."

Can you imagine having a "father in the the faith" like Paul? Do you have someone like that?

Do you have someone that exhorts and rebukes you?

Do you have someone that greets you with blessings of "grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord?"

If not that is something you should be seeking out. Find someone in the church of Christ to lead and guide you. Someone to love you enough to advise and rebuke you.

For you mature men in Christ are you acting as a "father in the faith" to someone?

Consider these things and I leave you with this final call: Be someone worth imitating, worth following, worth calling a father in the faith.

1Co 4:15-16 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (16) I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

Grace, mercy and peace from Gof the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord,

Jason Vaughn

A place of arrogance and pride

God has recently been revealing to me places in my life that I am prideful and take a sinful joy in thinking that I have personally accomplished anything.

One of those places is in my knowledge of Scripture. God has revealed to me that I have considered myself wise in my own eyes in this matter. Whether it be because of personal study or I have studied the Scripture in college I have taken pride in such things.

The truth of the matter is I know nothing of the Scriptures compared to so many others. Before I moved to St. Louis it was easy to think highly of myself as others came to me for advice and council concerning the Scripture. Even at North Greenville I think there was a part of me that boasted in knowing the truth of election.

At best though (and I in no way was I the smartest person around back then) I was king of fools. It is not hard seem wise when so surrounded by so many that are blind.

I was as a toddler lording my age and elderly wisdom over a new born babe.

God is showing me how truly ignorant I still am to His Word.

He has done this in two ways.

1. He has placed me among others much wiser and humbler than myself. Now I still seem as though a toddler, but in a land of giants. God has placed me among men that love the Lord and His Word. I am so grateful for their great knowledge. So to Scott, Aaron, Johnny, Brady, Tren, Bob, Will, Kurt, John, Billy, and so many others at Rockport I thank you and praise God for placing you in my life.

2. Most importantly God has continued to teach me that all I know is by His grace alone. Not only is it my His grace that I came to know Christ in salvation, but it is by His grace that I continue to grow in knowledge.

There are two responses that I am prone to since God has revealed this pride.

The first is a response of my flesh. In my sin I have a desire to "catch up" by studying more and learning more not for the knowledge, but for resemblance of power I have associated with the knowledge. Along with this I am tempted to put on a show and at least seem that I know more than I do.

The second response is one I make by God's grace alone. This response requires I thank God for the knowledge He has given me. I praise Him for placing me among men that can teach me. I continue to study His Word simply to grow closer to Him, to know Him and to love Him.

By God's grace I will follow the second response. May God continue to reveal my sin and more importantly His grace in my my life. May I boast in Him alone.

For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
(1Co 4:7-13)

BTW, 3 years later I finally hit post 50 on this blog!

Being Accountable

I am learning so much at Rockport Baptist and praise God for bringing me to this amazing church. One of the greatest lessons I am learning is about being accountable to the leadership of the church. I have gone to churches of all sizes in the past, but never has a church been so concerned about the spiritual lives of it's members.

This is really on my mind today because tonight I begin meeting with on of the elders, Will Jackson, to learn about walking closer to Christ and leading a godly life. Truthfully, I am nervous because Will is one of the godliest men I know and he is very quiet. I don't like silence so this should be interesting.

I know there is so much I can learn from this man and I wish that I had men of God offering to shepherd me when I younger.

From Scripture it seems this should be an integral part of every church, but yet it lost it a vast majority of American churches.

We have small groups and councils and committees, but where is the one on one accountability in the church?

I think part of the problem is that so few older men in the church truly walk with God that it would be difficult for them to help others.

So this is a call to all men, old and young.

To the old men, if you are walking with Christ then offer to mentor a young man. If you are not yet mature in Christ, then seek Him diligently and find guidance for yourselves.

To the young men, find a godly elder in the church and seek his guidance. We are so prone to fall in our flesh that we must have someone to help us walk and not stumble in Christ.

Final Thoughts

I drove past a major accident tonight and it reminded me of how fleeting this vapor of a life is. I thought about any last words I'd want to say and what I might have forgotten to tell those I love. So here it is. Every major and important truth I have learned in my short time on this earth. I doubt I'll learn anything to add to it. Should I die please remember these truths.

Seek Christ. Know Christ. Love Christ.

These foolish lips and sinful heart have nothing left to say.

Thoughts from a great leader

I've been reading about the great President Theodore Roosevelt. Here are some quotes to inspire you.


“The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first and love of soft living and the get-rich-quick theory of life.”

“The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight.”

“The only man who makes no mistakes is the man who never does anything.”

“With self-discipline most anything is possible.”

“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checked by failure...than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”

“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing”

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

“To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”

“I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do! That is character!”

“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

“Believe you can and you're halfway there.”

“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.”

“Wars are, of course, as a rule to be avoided; but they are far better than certain kinds of peace”

“We can have no "50-50" allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all.”

“Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage.”

“There has never yet been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering.”

“A typical vice of American politics is the avoidance of saying anything real on real issues.”

“The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”

“If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.”

“To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a meance to society.”

“The best executive is one who has sense enough to pick good people to do what he wants them to do, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it”

“Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike.”

“There is a homely adage which runs: "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far”

“The boy who is going to make a great man must not make up his mind merely to overcome a thousand obstacles, but to win in spite of a thousand repulses and defeats.”

“War is not merely justifiable, but imperative upon honorable men, upon an honorable nation, where peace can only be obtained by the sacrifice of conscientious conviction or of national welfare”

“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.”

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. In this life we get nothing save by effort.”

“Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit softly”

Sola Scriptura or not?

This is blog about the real challenge with the Southern Baptist Convention and specifically the Missouri Baptist Convention’s decision to defund promised money to church plants affiliated the Acts 29 Network. The churches are being defunded because they refuse to condemn the moderate consumption of alcohol (nor do they encourage it). The challenge is that Scripture does not condemn the moderate consumption of alcohol (though drunkenness is sinful). The MBC is coming from a side of tradition as Southern Baptists have held an anti-alcohol policy. The pastors involved did sign a form saying they would not drink and they have kept to that commitment, but have refused to enforce teachings that add to the Scriptures. So the real question this debate brings up is whether or not the Scripture is sufficient and the ultimate authority for the SBC?
The reformers used the Latin phrase sola scriptura, Scripture alone, as one of their guiding principles. Sola Scriptura (from wiki) is the assertion that the Bible as God's written word is self-authenticating, clear (perspicuous) to the rational reader, its own interpreter ("Scripture interprets Scripture"), and sufficient of itself to be the final authority of Christian doctrine. Every conservative leader within the SBC will claim to believe in this principle, but in practice many are concerned more about traditions.
I was had a conversation with a catholic about the sacraments being needed for salvation. His response was that the Catholic Church just has a higher standard. Let me be very clear on this YOU CANNOT HAVE A HIGHER STANDARD THAN A PERFECT GOD! By adding to the Scriptures that is exactly what one attempts to do. God is perfect and so is His Law. If we change that law then it is no longer perfect. This is the real tragedy of the MBC. Not only are they breaking unity over a non-biblical issue, but in doing so they are claiming that Scripture is not sufficient. With the actions they took they are defiling the very Word of God by claiming that their authority is superior.
That is why this issue should truly righteously anger all Christians. This is not a matter of alcohol but of truth and authority. We all have personal convictions that God through the Holy Spirit has given to us, but these convictions should remain just that, personal. There are things in Scripture we know are absolutely sinful, but on others the Bible is silent. On these matters a believer should follow their own convictions.
I cannot understand how anybody that loves God and His Word can stand aside so calmly and see its authority defamed. I cannot understand how why so many are blind to the seriousness of adding to the Scriptures. I cannot understand how this news cannot bring us to our knees weeping over the broken fellowship and the sinful pride of those that think they know better than a perfect God. I cannot understand how men that were created with an instinct to fight and defend the truth.
To stand aside and let our brothers be rejected for a biblical stance is not loving. To accept sin is not loving. To ignore the truth when it has been made known is not loving. What is loving is to respectfully present the truth to the leadership of the MBC. Let them know that they are not only wrong but in sin. Encourage them to correct the matter and continue with our work as harvesters for the Kingdom of God.
I beg you dear reader to consider and pray over these things. Let us decide this day whether or not God’s Word is truly enough for us.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
(Rev 22:18-19 ESV)

Nationwide Tour

On July 10^th, Jason Vaughn of Higher Hope Entertainment will embark on a nationwide ministry tour. He will visit every state in the continental United States and present a message that will change the way you view your place of ministry. “Created to Create” is a message that will help you and your congregation discover their unique gifts and ways to use them in the advancement of God’s kingdom. Jason is not only a licensed minister, but a talented balloon entertainer. He will use these skills to begin this sermon with a gospel presentation geared toward children. If two services are organized while Jason is available in the area he would love to teach on his hearts passion “The fatherhood of God.” This message will bless the heart of the perfect or the prodigal son. It will show the lost their way home and those already home a clearer face of their father.

The trip will end early November as Jason stops in Cincinnati, OH for Balloon Town USA (BalloonTownUSA.com), where he will join dozens of other balloon artists to build the world’s largest three dimensional balloon sculpture using 150,000 balloons. The project will be toured by thousands and donations will be given to support multiple charities.

This trip has been a dream for many years and now God has begun opening the doors to make this dream a reality. Prayerfully, you will decide to partner in with many others in this effort to reach people all over this great nation with the good news of Jesus Christ.

There are many possibilities for your partnership.

The first place we always start is in prayer. Pray that God would prepare the hearts of those that will hear the Word. Pray that God will not only give the resources necessary, but that He will give abundantly to fill not only our needs but our desires as well. Pray that those that know the Lord will grow closer to Him and find a place to serve and minister.

The second way you can help is by booking Jason at your church or other event. Below is the list of place Jason will be in each state and the dates he will be there. Remember you can organize special events for the summer and fall for Jason to speak of perform (Summer Fun Day, Family Picnic, Back to School, Harvest/ Fall Festival). Jason is an expert at organizing events and will be pleased to assist you.

The third way you can assist this project is by donating items, gift certificates, or money. Jason has the talent and the drive, but needs your help with the funds. Some items that are needed: AAA premium membership, sleeping bag, many balloons, balloon pumps, balloon DVDs, a cooler, clothes, gas, oil changes/ tune ups, food, snacks, water, hotel rooms/ spare rooms, rent and utilities (I’ll be taking 5 months off and need to keep up with responsibilities at home).

Thank you for your time and prayers and please pass this along to others as that is the best way to raise awareness is word of mouth.

Jason Vaughn

Higher Hope Entertainment

301 Surfside Dr. A4

Goose Creek, SC 29445

(864) 423-7139

HigherHope.BalloonHQ.com

Date Location

July 10 Buford, GA

July 12 Clearwater, FL

July 15 Alabama

July 17 Mississippi

July 19 Independence, LA

July 21 Pocahontas, AR

July 23 MO (Hopefully to meet some friends from CompletingKaden.com)

July 30 Kansas City, KS

Aug. 2 Oklahoma

Aug. 4 Cedar Hill, TX

Aug. 7 New Mexico

Aug. 9 Denver, CO

Aug. 12 Provo, UT

Aug. 14 Surprise, AZ

Aug. 17 Las Vegas, NV

Aug. 20-29 Various CA cities

Aug. 30 Oregon

Sept. 2 Vancouver, WA

Sept. 4 Pocatello, ID

Sept. 6 Montana

Sept. 9 North Dakota

Sept. 11 Sioux Falls, SD

Sept. 13 La Grange, WY

Sept. 15 Omaha, NE

Sept.17 Des Moines, IA

Sept. 19 Minnesota

Sept. 21 Wisconsin

Sept. 23-27 Chicago, IL (MBD2 Balloon Jam)

Sept. 28 Nashville, TN

Sept. 30 Raleigh, NC

Oct. 2 Richmond, VA

Oct. 4 Delaware

Oct. 6 New Jersey

Oct. 8 Connecticut

Oct. 10 Cranston, RI

Oct. 12 Boston, MA

Oct. 14 Maine

Oct. 16 New Hampshire

Oct. 18 Vermont

Oct. 20 Rochester, New York (See the finished Balloon Manor)

Oct. 22 Gettysburg, PA

Oct. 24 Maryland (Working with Joel Rainey)

Oct. 26 West Virginia

Oct. 28 Kentucky

Oct. 30 Hartford City, IN

Nov. 1 Battle Creek, MI

Nov. 3 Cincinnati, OH (Balloon Town USA)

Truth Requires Change

Your Arms

I long to be held

I long to stay close

I long for the comfort

Of your arms.

I want to know

I want to hope

I want to be

In your arms

Give me the wisdom

Give me the strength

Give the gentle touch

Of your arms

Show me the majesty

Show me the glory

Show me freedom

In your arms

For years I’ve longed to be held and to hold someone whom I love and that loves me.

For years I’ve wanted a dream of fantasy and wonder

For years I’ve begged for the a loving embrace

For years you’ve shown me your arms

A place to laugh

A place to cry

A place hide

In your arms

Can you say oxyMORON

Below are two articles. One reads GLOBAL WARMING THREATENS EARTH, The second reads

Easter Bunny Bundles Up Unusually Cold Just About Everywhere In U.S. East Of The Rockies

Hmm I think there be contradiction around here somewhere.


Doe
Panel: Global Warming a Threat to Earth
Email this Story

Apr 6, 7:16 AM (ET)

By ARTHUR MAX

(AP) Director of WWF's Global Climate Change Programme Hans Verolme talks to the media during a press... Full Image

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - An international global warming conference approved a report Friday warning of dire threats to the Earth and to mankind - from increased hunger to the extinction of species - unless the world adapts to climate change and halts its progress.

Agreement came after an all-night session during which key sections were deleted from the draft and scientists angrily confronted government negotiators who they feared were watering down their findings.

"It has been a complex exercise," said Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Several scientists objected to the editing of the final draft by government negotiators but in the end agreed to compromises. However, some scientists vowed never to take part in the process again.

The climax of five days of negotiations was reached when the delegates removed parts of a key chart highlighting devastating effects of climate change that kick in with every rise of 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit, and in a tussle over the level of scientific reliability attached to key statements.

There was little doubt about the science, which was based on 29,000 sets of data, much of it collected in the last five years. "For the first time we are not just arm-waving with models," Martin Perry, who conducted the grueling negotiations, told reporters.

The United States, China and Saudi Arabia raised the many of the objections to the phrasing, often seeking to tone down the certainty of some of the more dire projections.

The final IPCC report is the clearest and most comprehensive scientific statement to date on the impact of global warming mainly caused by man-induced carbon dioxide pollution.

It said up to 30 percent of the Earth's species face an increased risk of vanishing if global temperatures rise 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above the average in the 1980s and '90s.

Areas that now suffer a shortage of rain will become even more dry, adding to the risks of hunger and disease, it said. The world will face heightened threats of flooding, severe storms and the erosion of coastlines.

"This is a glimpse into an apocalyptic future," the Greenpeace environmental group said of the final report.

Negotiators pored over the 21-page draft meant to be a policy guide for governments. The summary pares down the full 1,500-page scientific assessment of the evidence of climate change so far, and the impact it will have on the Earth's most vulnerable people and ecosystems.

More than 120 nations attended the meeting. Each word was approved by consensus, and any change had to be approved by the scientists who drew up that section of the report.

Though weakened by the deletion of some elements, the final report "will send a very, very clear signal" to governments, said Yvo de Boer, the U.N.'s top climate official.

The summary will be presented to the G8 summit of the world's richest nations in June, when the European Union is expected to renew appeals to President Bush to join in international efforts to control emissions of fossil fuels.

This year's series of reports by the IPCC were the first in six years from the prestigious body of some 2,500 scientists, formed in 1988. Public awareness of climate change gave the IPCC's work unaccustomed importance and fueled the intensity of the closed-door negotiations during the five-day meeting.

"The urgency of this report prepared by the world's top scientists should be matched by an equally urgent response from governments," said Hans Verolme, director of the global climate change program of the World Wide Fund for Nature.

"Doing nothing is not an option," he said.

During the final session, the conference snagged over a sentence that said the impact of climate change already were being observed on every continent and in most oceans.

"There is very high confidence that many natural systems are being affected by regional climate changes, particularly temperature increases," said the statement on the first page of text.

But China insisted on striking the word "very," injecting a measure of doubt into what the scientists argued were indisputable observations. The report's three authors refused to go along with the change, resulting in an hours-long deadlock that was broken by a U.S. compromise to delete any reference to confidence levels.

It is the second of four reports from the IPCC this year; the first report in February laid out the scientific case for how global warming is happening. This second report is the "so what" report, explaining what the effects of global warming will be.

European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said the report will spur the EU's determination to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

"The world needs to act fast if we are to succeed in stabilizing climate change and thereby prevent its worst impacts," Dimas said in a statement.

For the first time, the scientists broke down their predictions into regions, and forecast that climate change will affect billions of people.

North America will experience more severe storms with human and economic loss, and cultural and social disruptions. It can expect more hurricanes, floods, droughts, heat waves and wildfires, it said. Coasts will be swamped by rising sea levels. In the short term, crop yields may increase by 5 to 20 percent from a longer growing season, but will plummet if temperatures rise by 7.2 F.

Africa will be hardest hit. By 2020, up to 250 million people are likely to exposed to water shortages. In some countries, food production could fall by half, it said.

Parts of Asia are threatened with massive flooding and avalanches from melting Himalayan glaciers. Europe also will see its Alpine glaciers disappear. Australia's Great Barrier Reef will lose much of its coral to bleaching from even moderate increases in sea temperatures, the report said.

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CBS/AP) Never mind the Easter bonnets. In a large swath of the U.S., you had better remember where you put your winter hat and put it on.

Just about everywhere east of the Rockies, it's extremely cold for this time of year – with snow in parts of the Northeast and Midwest, and freezing temperatures elsewhere - and it's going to stay this way right through the weekend.

Parts of the upper Northeast are slogging through over a foot of snow which closed schools, tangled traffic and knocked out power to more than 180,000 homes and businesses.

Frost and freeze warnings are in effect for the next few nights throughout much of the Southeast, while the snow continues to pile up across portions of the Great Lakes and the Northeast, which has seen more snow so far this April than what fell over the entire month of December.

The cold weather, says CBS News meteorologist George Cullen, is the result of an intense storm system sweeping down extremely cold air from central Canada on down to the eastern half of the U.S.

The result, says Cullen, is temperatures 15 to 30 degrees below normal, with many record lows likely over the weekend, from the Ohio Valley on down to southeast coast.

At least two deaths – traffic accidents in New Hampshire and Michigan - are blamed on the wintry weather, which began late Wednesday.

The flakes fell at a rate of up to 2 inches per hour, and by early Thursday, areas of Maine already had nearly a foot and a half of wet, heavy snow, and central New Hampshire saw 16 inches in spots. Up to 24 inches fell in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, as many as 13 inches in Vermont, and upstate New York had several inches as well.

In Kansas, five to eight inches of snow is on the ground in the east-central and north-central parts of the state, and with temperatures expected to dip into the lower 20s and teens in the next few days, farmers are worried about their crops.

The cold snap came after two weeks of exceptionally warm weather, with highs around Kansas of from 60 to 80 degrees, speeding up the growth of the wheat by about two weeks.

"I'm concerned," says Saline County wheat farmer Gary Olson. "Usually if it gets below 24 degrees, the experts tell us our wheat crop might be in trouble."

"We're pretty vulnerable," says Tom Maxwell, agricultural extension agent in Salina. If the weatherman's right, he adds, "we're going to see some damage."

In Nebraska, it's also cold and snowy, but some locals are unimpressed, pointing out that snow in early April is far from unprecedented in the Plains.

In Arkansas, snow is not an issue, but the cold is – with freeze warnings in effect and record lows expected over the weekend.

Things will also be a lot nippier than usual in Augusta, Ga., home of the Masters golf tournament, already underway.

It will be one of the coldest Masters ever, says Cullen, with temperatures struggling to get out of the 50s. "Usually the temperatures are not lower than the scores; this year, they will be."

(CBS/AP) In many areas of the country, spring snow and shivers are following a winter that was often unusually warm.

"We had Easter on December 25th. People had crocuses coming out and blooms on bushes. And now we have Christmas, with all this snow," said meteorologist Butch Roberts of the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine. "It's a little topsy-turvy sometimes."

Maine baseball fans shared in the misery as the Portland Sea Dogs season opener was postponed for at least a day, but the team made the best of it, dotting the field with 11 snowmen in jerseys and caps - nine players, a batter and an ump. It was the second time since 1994 that opening day was delayed by late snow.

In Manchester, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats canceled Thursday night's home opener but put out the call for fans to help clear the turf for a Friday game. Volunteers who show up with shovels get free tickets.

The 24 inches that fell in Negaunee Township, Mich. broke a 1974 record of 12 inches, said meteorologist Jason Alumbaugh. The cold weather forced postponement of Thursday's baseball game at Comerica Park between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers.

Snowfall in April is not unusual, but the volume of snow in this storm is relatively rare. The 11.6 inches on the ground in Portland, Maine, tied a record for its fifth-biggest April snowfall.

Jon Blanchard, spending his first night back in Portland after a winter in Florida, was awakened Thursday by the sound of tree limbs snapping under the weight of the heavy snow.

He put aside plans of unloading his camper and fired up his snow blower instead.

"I hate it," Blanchard said. "That's why I spent the whole winter in Florida."

The weighed-down trees and limbs also felled power lines. About 100,000 homes and businesses lost power in Maine, in and around Alfred, Brunswick and Portland; another 81,000 customers were in the dark in New Hampshire, and Vermont had about 1,300 outages.

Outages could continue as snow melts and more trees fall, utilities said, and a spokesman in Maine said many customers there would be in the dark into Friday.

The heavy, wet snow clogged roads early Thursday, prompting school officials to cancel or delay classes around the region.

The Red Cross had to cancel several blood drives in northern New England, and issued a plea for donations.

A man was killed in New Hampshire when his car ran off Interstate 93 and hit a tree during the storm Wednesday night on the Canterbury-Concord line, state police said.

A tractor-trailer carrying oxygen bottles skidded and rolled over Wednesday night on the Everett Turnpike in Merrimack. Bottles rolled out, and it took crews all night to clear the road, though none of the bottles broke. The driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Cars were also reported off the road in Maine, and police said a 17-year-old girl's death Wednesday on a slippery road in Topsham may have been weather-related.

At ski areas, the snow was a welcome lift.

"It's going to help us close the season strong," said Chris Lenois, a spokesman for Vermont's Mount Snow, which ends its season on Sunday. About 6 inches fell in West Dover.

Where is your Focus?

Lately I have been considering the prosperity gospel as it has been called. The is a teaching usually found in the charismatic churches and has spread into other denomination. The main point of this teaching is that through faith in Christ believers will walk in health and financial prosperity. Personally I come from a Southern Baptist background where in most cases piety is the equivalent of poverty. The poorer you are obviously the more you have given up to the glory of God. If you drive a new car you are of the Devil. As I study the Word of God it seems that both of these standards are false.
If the prosperity gospel is true then there are many strong men of God that are walking without faith, and if the poverty gospel is true then many of the Old Testament heroes of the faith are sinful as they walked in abundance.

Why do Christians walk through trials and challenges in life?

1) We live in a fallen world. Due to the sin of Adam and our sin since Adam we live in a world that is dying and off balance. It is because of this that we suffer at times and question whether God can be real in a world such as this. We question it because what we see is not in line with the moral will of God. We live outside His moral will and therefore suffer for being out of alignment.

2)Trials keep us focused. In Deut. 6 God tells the Israelites to remember Him after their victory and blessings have been received. When we are in pain we will call day and night of God to help us, but as soon as we just start to get out of a bad situation our focus is taken off God. We become as the 9 lepers that do not return in thanks to God for healing us. If we could stayed focused on God in prosperity I believe He would heap it on us with greater liberty.

What about the Scripture that says it is easier for camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God?

Let me ask you this: How easy is it for a poor man to enter into the kingdom of God? Rich or poor the door is still Christ and the path is still narrow. Again it is the focus of a man's life that determines their destiny in Christ. If riches distract you from God it is an idol and is a curse, but poverty is also a curse. If you think that poverty is a high esteem in life then you should read Proverbs. God gave us a book devoted completely to prosperity in various physical forms.

It all comes down to the focus on your life. I believe that both standards described above have their fault. We will go through trials of health and finance, but if we follow the examples set forth in proverbs then God says that blessings should follow.

Twist and Shout

What a phenominal couple of days it has been! For those who don't know I am currently in Nashville, TN and the largest balloon artist convention in America. Can you imagine puttin nearly 300 of your best friends who also happen to be entertainers in one room? It is amazing and a breath of fresh air. Personally, I haven't learned too many new sculptures yet as I am taking several business classes. I have to say that Laura Caldwell and Steve Jones are my new heroes (I almost wrote herpes and that while misspelled would still be bad). They have taught me so much about marketing myself. We really are worth so much more than we think. That is not just balloon twisters, but everyone that continues to improve on themselves. Well I have had about 2 hours of sleep as we stay up all night twisting an laughing so I will now leave. Stay tuned for further updates on the greatest convention ever!

Higher Hope Ministries

The vision of Higher Hope Ministries began four years ago on a mission trip to Miami. It was on this trip that I first saw the power to present the gospel of Jesus Christ using a simple twisted balloon. Since then my desire has grown to utilize this and other talents to take the message of God’s son to the world.
When God created us in His image I believe that God’s desire to create was imbedded in each of us. Look at painter as he paints or a carpenter as he finishes a new project. Everyone wants to stand back and I did that. I remember a recent drive by a park I had helped build many years ago and pointing out “I helped put those benches in.” I also believe this is the reason unproductive people have limited joy.
Every one of God’s people has a unique way in which he creates. Some create songs or painting or statues. Others create homes and sewer systems and business. Whatever talent or gift you have developed can be used to create. I also know that this desire to create can be used to the glory of God.
The purpose of Higher Hope Ministries is to train and draw out of God’s people these talents. Higher Hope Ministries will network with other Kingdom workers around the globe to put each person’s gifts to work. This process will begin by creating series of books and DVDs to train people in various creative ministry techniques. The next step will be to create performances and classes that teach audiences these principles. Then a team will be formed that will travel the US and eventually the world performing, evangelizing, and teaching. The ultimate goal is to create ten ministry teams with people who can use their gifts for storytelling and send them out all over the world to spend a month in an area. When the team is finished serving they will have trained new storytellers from the nationals that will continue to minister, replicate, and send out teams.
We seek to form partnerships around the world learning and assisting one another in Kingdom endeavors. I hope that God has caught you up in this vision and you will join me prayer over this and future endeavors.

In God we Trust,
Jason Vaughn

3 Mosspoint Dr.
Greenville, SC 29617
(864) 423-7139












Higher Hope Ministries Plan of Action

Phase One
This phase will begin by the production of a one-man show. There will be two shows designed. One will be for a Christian audience and the second for a secular audience in schools, libraries, etc. The shows will be completed by December 2006.

Phase Two:
The ministry will begin by writing and producing a series of books and DVDs on Bible Ballooning and creative ministry. These will create a training basis for this and other ministries. This will also act as a supplementary fund as the ministry is built. 50% of
the profits from the books and DVDs will be sown into other ministries. The goal is to have 2 books and 2 DVDs finished by May 2007.

Phase Three:
This phase will begin the construction of a creative ministry team. This team will consist of many talented and godly men and women. This group will travel around South Carolina and perform, evangelize, and disciple using their talents. Eventually, this
team will travel the US and then the world. The SC team will begin training in the summer of 2007 and traveling the in the fall. The team will begin a US tour in Dec of 2007 and a World tour in May of 08.

Phase Four:
The final phase will be the development of ten different creative ministry teams. These teams will travel and work with groups around the world doing creative ministry. They will also train a team of nationals to use their talents, usually specific to that region, to do ministry as well. These teams will be in place by Jan. 2010.

*The primary method of these teams will be storying.

Prayer Concerns:
Steady income for those involved that the weekends can be freed for ministry.
A quick and successful publication of books and DVDs.
That God will raise up a team of committed believers that will understand this kingdom vision.
That God will place experienced ministers as mentors for team members.
That churches will understand the need for their members to use talents for building God’s kingdom.
That experienced accountants and lawyers will be lead to assist in the technical construction of this ministry.
For training materials for team members.
For our ministry partner: Harvest Fields International, a group of devoted believers ministering to the Lenca Indians of Honduras by reaching the orphans and widows. Our ministry has dedicated 25% of all profits from the sale of books and CDs to this ministry.