Grace Under Pressure

Utah trip May 2010

2010-06-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures of my and Veronica's visit to see Jamie and her husband and their newborn, Alia. Paul and his wife Casandra and their son Erik were there also--visiting from Boise, Idaho.

A new dog on the knob

2010-03-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

The new dog of David's daughter Roni has moved to the mountain home with Malachi and Gideon. Zeke is a stray that Roni found but they already have 5 dogs at their house. We are happy to have another pet.

Pirate Drummer

2010-01-04T18:50:00.000-08:00

Kirsten's nephew, Matthew, tries out two of his Christmas presents.

Snow Day

2010-01-04T18:01:00.001-08:00

Finally, a decent snowstorm on our knob. The dogs love it, too. (The snow not the sled)

Snow Day

2010-01-04T17:35:00.001-08:00

Finally, a decent snowstorm on our knob. The dogs love it, too.

Christmas Day 2009

2010-01-04T16:44:00.001-08:00

Unwrapping presents in the afternoon Christmas Day with Kirsten's parents and her sister and brother-in-law. And, of course, the star of our show, their son Matthew.

Koziar's Christmas Village

2009-12-23T12:43:00.000-08:00

The largest outdoor Christmas display in the US. It includes lots of little "homes" with different Christmas themes inside each one and lots of outdoor Christmas lights and displays. Kirsten and I traveled to Bernville, PA just to see this (and play in the snow).

Pennsylvania Snow Trip 2009

2009-12-23T12:17:00.001-08:00

Kirsten and I traveled to Pennsylvania for fun in the snow and to visit Koziar's Christmas Village in Bernville. Who would have guessed that back in North Carolina our home would get more snow than this.

Christmas Tree 2009

2009-12-17T16:39:00.001-08:00

Thanks so much to Kirsten's sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and John Kilby, for our beautiful tree from the tree farm of John and his brother.

Weekend at Lake Junaluska

2009-10-28T16:51:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend at Kirsten's parent's home at Lake Junaluska near Asheville, North Carolina. We were there at a great time for crisp fall weather and beautiful leaves. Kirsten is quite beautiful also.

The Fear of God

2009-02-27T16:18:00.000-08:00

In Sunday School a couple of weeks ago, we talked about what Psalm 130 taught us about forgiveness. A radio sermon by Alistair Begg reminded me of this and impressed me with his preaching on the fear of God.

First, the psalm teaches us that the Lord's forgiveness is:

1 - Abundant (v. 7)

For with the LORD there is mercy,
And with Him is abundant redemption.

2 - Comprehensive (v. 8)

And He shall redeem Israel

From all his iniquities.

3 - Intimate (v. 4)

But there is forgiveness with You,

That You may be feared.

Alistair Begg talked today about this fear (or respect or awe) of God. He was preaching that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 9:10) . Listen to his powerful conclusion (scroll to about 19 minutes into the broadcast).

Don't forget our first love!!

2009-02-21T18:29:00.000-08:00

The Bible study I attend at work is studying Revelation. I posted the following comment on their blog about the letter to the church at Ephesus.

I can relate the church at Ephesus with some friends that I have in the blogosphere. I am active with a number of blogs that include former Mormons or who are involved in evangelical outreach to Mormons. But I fear that too often the point becomes to prove Mormonism wrong without including the greater message--the gospel of Jesus Christ.

To the Ephesians, Jesus said "you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars...Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." (Revelation 2:2-4)

If we do not lead people to Christ--only lead them away from their false prophets and gods--I don't know that we do them any long-term good. See Matthew 12:43-45.

Reminiscing on Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T21:20:00.000-08:00

Kirsten's parents just mailed us some pictures from the day we were married--Christmas 2007. So, we reminisced today about that wonderful day and how lucky we are to be married. Awwwh.

Where Have We Been?

2009-02-12T16:36:00.000-08:00

So sorry!!

It has been a long time since we posted here. We have been busy with real life and hanging out in other areas of the blogosphere:

David is managing a blog for the bible study group at his work. They are currently studying the Book of Revelation and having a fun time doing it.

David also authors a blog to share his thoughts about the Sunday School lessons at our church, Elkin First United Methodist.

And David spends a lot of time at the Mormon Coffee since he is a former Mormon and wants to be part of the outreach to the LDS people.

Kirsten has transferred to the local office of the counseling group she works for. No more commute--YEA! She is also involved with the confirmation class at the church. She feels like God is using her, and the excellent youth minister we have, to reach these kids for Christ.

David and Kirsten are both involved in the evangelism team at church. David is the team leader this year and so there is a lot of planning going on.

So, we apologize for letting our lives carry us away from our blogging home. We'll be back, we promise.

Churched but not Necessarily Christian

2008-11-09T15:18:00.000-08:00

Kirsten here!

I was raised in the church and never doubted I was a Christian. I was a Christian because I went to church,and my parents were Christians. I "believed" that Jesus died for my sins. The thing is, for 35 years, I really didn't know what that meant. It was such a catch phrase to me. I remember when I was overseas (where saying you are Christian gets attention), someone asked me, "How long have you been a Christian?" I replied, "Oh, I've always been a Christian!" I was insulted anyone could ask such a thing. After I said that, the person just walked away. I was a Christian, because I was an American, I thought. After being born again, I realize that no one has "always been a Christian".

"Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you who work inequity!'" (Matthew 7:22-23)

Despite the fact that I easily told others I was Christian before being born again, if I heard someone ask, "Would you admit you are a sinner and place your trust in Jesus Christ alone?" I would become uneasy. The fact is, I thought I would go to Heaven, because I was a good person. Even though that isn't Biblical, I didn't want to know the truth. I wouldn't admit it, but I knew that I would be convicted if I did. That meant I could no longer have a fun life. I told myself I wasn't ready. What's interesting, is that I must have known that something would change if I did know the truth.

All people know that, but few admit it. Few surrender.

"How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!" (Matthew 7:14)

Alot of people consider God to be a "celestial killjoy". The fact is, God loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. He loves us so much, that he gives us a gift of salvation which we do not deserve. Everyone of us deserves to go to Hell. That is Biblical. Most people do not want to believe that we can do nothing on our own to get to Heaven. However, the Biblical standard for getting into Heaven is perfection. That means it is impossible for us to go to Heaven on our merit.

Are you perfect?

If you have disobeyed any of the ten commandments then you deserve to go to Hell. That is God's Law. That is why we need a savior.

The Bible makes it clear that WE can do nothing. We cannot, by some resolution, obey the Law of God and work ourselves out of our spiritual depravity. Since we cannot give ourselves new life, we need to be recreated. We need a new heart - a new nature. We need to be born again.

To be born again means to be "born from above." It is a radical heart change that only God can do. What you receive after being born again is a God given faith and a God given salvation.

"By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).

Jesus declared to Nicodemus, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (John 3:1-21)

"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). A new birth is essential. That's what salvation is: God restoring his relationship with Him, and planting His Spirit in you thus enabling you to obey the will of God. That's the purpose of regeneration.

But it's not enough to have someone offer you a gift. You must accept it or reject it. You cannot be neutral about the offer - or say that you aren't ready.

This is a YES or NO proposition.

"Whoever is not with me is against me" (Matthew 12:30)

Are you with Jesus or are you against Him?

Jesus is giving you the gift of eternal life TODAY. Jesus said, "Today is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2)

I have heard people say, "I'm a Christian, but I'm not as extreme as one of those born-again types."

According to Jesus, you are NOT a real Christian UNLESS you are born again!

What is your response?

'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me". (Rev. 3:20)

Do you want to be SURE you have eternal life? Going to church, being a good person, or being born into a Christian home does NOT mean you are going to Heaven.

"... if you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with the heart you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved (Romans 10:9,10)."

If you want to be sure that you will have eternal life, and if you really want to know God, pray this prayer. If you mean it from your heart, God will hear you:

Dear God,

I know that I am a sinner. I know that your son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross for me. I turn from my sin now and receive you into my heart. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for coming into my life.

If you prayed that prayer and meant it, let us know on our blog.

Defending the Faith

2008-10-23T19:14:00.000-07:00

Kirsten and I are really excited about this conference coming to Charlotte next month. Last year's conference was an awesome line-up of some of the best defenders of the Christian faith. This year should be even better. Click on the graphic for more information.

Can Man Become God?

2008-08-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

Kirsten gave me a book recently called "Now, That's a Good Question" by R.C. Sproul. It is a Q&A book that is a great survey course in Christian doctrine and worldview. It is not an apologetic book like Hank Hanegraaff's Bible Answer books which are great for defending the faith.

God's attributes

On page 6, Dr. Sproul is discussing the phrase "God is love." His comments got me thinking about the nature of God and how man may be created in the image of God but he cannot become God.

Dr. Sproul says, "When we talk about the attributes of God, we're referring to those characteristics that describe God's being [God is love]. When we describe [a person's] attributes, we usually make a distinction between a person and his attributes. For instance, you may say your mother is patient, but you wouldn't say that your mother is patience."

"But God is different from your mother in that it was God's being that defined attributes in the first place...God is His attributes."

I would add that man can have those same attributes but cannot be those attributes and therefore man cannot be nor become God.

Are we created or begotten?

This also reminds me of C.S. Lewis' discussion of creation versus begetting. In his book, Mere Christianity, his reasoning leads me to understand that God created man and placed him on this earth but God did not beget man.

"To beget is to become father of; to create is to make. And the difference is this. When you beget, you beget something of the same kind as yourself. A man begets human babies...But when you make, you make something of a different kind from yourself. A man...may make a statue which is very much like the man indeed. But, of course, it is not a real man."

"What God begets is God; just as what man begets is man. What God creates is not God; just as what man makes is not man. That is why men are not Sons of God in the sense that Christ is [Matthew 5:9; Romans 8:14; Galatians 3:26; Revelations 21:7]. They may be like God in certain ways, but they are not things of the same kind. They are more like statues or pictures of God."

Jesus is the only Begotten of the Father (John 1:14, 18; 3:16; Psalms 2:7; Acts 13:33-34; 1 Jn 4:9). Not man, not angels (Hebrews 1:5-7).

A Story (and a song) of Grace

2008-08-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

Here is an article about a band formed by young men who used to be missionaries and converts of the Mormon church. Like me, their journey out of the church was a story of grace, pure and simple.

You can also use this link to listen to Crazy About Me.

Their music doesn't rock my world like some Christian bands (Leeland and MercyMe), but you can't help but love their witnessing.

Peace and grace to you all through Jesus Christ.

Are Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse legitimate illnesses and diseases, or the result of lack of Faith and Sin?

2008-07-03T05:33:00.000-07:00

This was the subject of a recent broadcast of Truth Talk Live, a worldwide Christian talk show that originates in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Kirsten called in to give her educated opinion. She is, after all, a Ph.D. in counseling psychology. But what she said was from a Christian's perspective, not worldly advice.

Here is a link to the show's website about this particular broadcast.

Click here to listen to the portion of the show where Kirsten talks. Kirsten says she sounds like a 10-year-old on the phone.

Christian-themed movies using the game software "The Movies"

2008-04-23T19:06:00.001-07:00

Note: This is a repost of a previous blog entry. However this posting includes links to streaming video (YouTube) making viewing more enjoyable.

Kirsten gave me the game software, The Movies (made by Lionhead Studios Ltd.) some time ago. I have made a few movies and Kirsten wants me to do more. It is fun to do but a little frustrating because you have a limited number of scenes to work with. Besides I am a perfectionist.

I wanted to link to a couple of movies with Christian-based themes that I made. Well, actually the first movie has the idea of a guardian angel and going to heaven and it was made before I was born again. The music is a song called Angel or So (also the movie's title) and is by a-ha, one of Kirsten's faves in college.

Compare that with the movie I made after being born again. It is called Voices (aka Jesus Saves). The music is by Toby Lightman. Definitely a witnessing movie where the first one is kind of a wishy-washy message. I actually posted this one on the community site for The Movies and got one response from a fellow Christian.

Enjoy.

Titanic failure

2008-03-23T17:20:00.000-07:00

More and more it appears that scholars are trying to rewrite the history of Jesus and portray him as less than He claims -- the Son of God who was crucified on the cross for our sins and was risen on the third day so that we may all be resurrected.

Watching TV this weekend produced an interesting juxtaposition. The movie Titanic, directed by James Cameron, played on one channel while later the Inspiration Network (INSP) presented a special called "The Tomb is Empty."

What is the connection?

"The Tomb is Empty" is a rebuttal to a Discovery Channel documentary executive produced by James Cameron.

Cameron's documentary uses archaeologists who claim to have found the family burial tomb of Jesus' family and with it the ossuary that have contained the bones of Jesus Christ. The claims are made mostly on the names inscribed on many of ossuaries and the parallel those names have with the family of Jesus.

The most controversial derivative of these findings is that if Jesus' bones were buried, then the resurrection did not occur.

The INSP special is itself a scholarly approach and includes a favorite of me and Kirsten, Gary Habermas (link to Dr. Habermas's own article on the subject).

I applaud the production of this faith-building, intellectual look at an important matter of faith -- the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I am not a big fan of the Inspiration Network because of some of the pseudo-Christian ministries and church movements represented, but I thank them for this special program.

Kirsten and I would like to give our testimonies that Jesus is the Son of God and that He is Risen! He Lives! And we will all be resurrected because of His great power over death.

1 Corinthians 15:17
"And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."

The End of the Show

2008-03-02T17:42:00.000-08:00

Today was the last performance of Radio T.B.S. by our local community theatre in Elkin. Here are some pictures from a dress rehearsal.

The comedy is about the crazy goings-on at a Florida trailer park with a particular focus on some rather self-righteous women. The climax involves a drive-by Nativity scene which also includes an Elvis impersonator. After all, it is a tribute to the "two Kings."

There are some good lines about how supposedly Christian woman will gossip and talk trash about each other. But it is a comedy so it is not heavy-handed. But I think we would recognize a few of the characters in our own churches.

Kirsten plays two roles and I play a young woman who eats a lot (but wins the local beauty pageant anyway).

Thanks to Tommie Ann Tulbert for providing the pictures from her camera and to Leighanne Wright who took the pictures.

Comedy is not pretty

2008-02-28T12:35:00.001-08:00

Kirsten and I are performing in a dinner theatre production in our little town of Elkin, North Carolina. Kirsten actually plays two roles and has some quick costume changes to make.

Here are two pictures that appeared in local papers. Ah! Small town life.

Click here to see the picture of me and my "mom" from the Mt. Airy newspaper. It is on page 3. Yes, that is right. I play a young woman. Did I mention this was a comedy?

(You will need to have Acrobat reader to see this pdf file. Click here to download if you need the reader.)

Kirsten works in Mt. Airy. And Andy Griffith was born in Mt. Airy. What are the odds?

Click here to see the picture from the Elkin newspaper. Elkin is where we live. I am in three scenes and eat the whole time!

I'll have to take some pictures of Kirsten to post here.

Honeymoon on the lake

2008-02-17T14:14:00.000-08:00

Kirsten and I spent the week which included Valentine's Day in Brevard, North Carolina for our honeymoon. We rented a home that is in a secluded development with a handful of man-made lakes and wooded lots. It was quiet and very relaxing.

What a Christmas present

2008-01-24T19:17:00.000-08:00

We did it. David and Kirsten were married at the home of her parents at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Kirsten's father, Dr. Jacob Martinson, performed the ceremony on Christmas Day.

What a blessing to share our anniversary with the birthdate of our Savior. Looking back, it is a fitting gift to offer our Lord--our lives as a married couple dedicated to God. We pray for His blessings upon our union.

Matthew the Elf

2007-12-21T19:39:00.000-08:00

Click here to see Kirsten's nephew, Matthew, dance for your Christmas pleasure.

Another picture of David's newborn grandson

2007-12-12T06:22:00.001-08:00

From God's Mouth to a Prophet's Lips

2007-12-08T16:37:00.000-08:00

John MacArthur, one of Kirsten's and my favorite preachers, preached a sermon that was broadcast on his radio show on Monday, December 3rd and prompts this post by David.

MacArthur talks about the importance of words as it relates to the inspiration of scripture. In a nutshell, he is saying that God speaks words, not concepts, to the prophets and apostles.

Mormonism and the manner of revelation
Mormonism promotes the notion that revelation is, in effect, a translation effort. That is, God has something to say and the prophet receives that truth and translates it and uses his own words (admittedly human and feeble) to proclaim them to the people.

This reasoning is used to explain why Joseph Smith made revisions (even significant doctrinal changes) to his revelations.

To represent the Mormon position, I refer to a source that is often used by Mormon apologists. It is a master's thesis by Melvin J. Petersen titled "A Study of the Nature of and the Significance of the Changes in the Revelations as Found in a Comparison of the Book of Commandments and Subsequent Editions of the Doctrine and Covenants"

Here are two important quotes from Petersen's thesis:

"The great challenge of this study is to determine whether the revelations as given to the prophet Joseph Smith were dictated by the voice of inspiration word for word and would therefore not be subject to any revision or change, or whether the concepts were revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith leaving him responsible to put them down in writing according to his ability, thus leaving him free to change, revise, subtract or add as the need may be in order to best portray the truth which God had revealed to him."

"It should be noted that those who criticize changes in Latter-day Saint revelations base their views upon a fixed concept of how revelation comes. To them revelation must be dictated from God to man in such a manner that there should be no corrections, revisions, additions or omissions; all revelation is absolute, in the sense that once received the final word has been said; revelation is not the language of man but the language of God; hence man speaks the words God puts into his mouth. The words of God therefore are given to each prophet who in turn records them for the people to whom they were directed."

MacArthur's sermon shows how this "fixed concept of how revelation comes" is the correct Biblical view.

Mormonism's view of revelation is not Biblical
Let's set aside the question of the significance of the revisions that Joseph Smith made to the revelations originally published in the Book of Commandments and later re-published in the Doctrine of Covenants. Let's focus strictly on what the Bible says about revelation of scripture.

Here are the highlights from John MacArthur's sermon. Click here to listen to the entire broadcast. The emphases are mine.

Exodus 4:12
God says to Moses: "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

Jeremiah 1:4-94
The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
6 "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."
7 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.
8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.
9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth."

Jeremiah 5:1414
Therefore this is what the LORD God Almighty says:
"Because the people have spoken these words, I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes.

John MacArthur: "God spoke and they spoke. And they spoke what He told them to speak."

John 17:8
Jesus says: "For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them."

John MacArthur concludes:
"So when you are talking about the Bible, you are not talking about some general ideas from God. You're talking about that every word of God is pure. Not just floating ideas."

Bottom line: Mormonism says that, by definition, revelation is imperfect because humans must translate God's truth (concepts) into a language that man understands. However, MacArthur successfully points out that God is truth and revelation is true and comes from God using words that the prophets are commanded to repeat to the world.

David is a new grandfather

2007-12-08T15:25:00.000-08:00

Paul is David's son. Paul's wife, Casandra, delivered a beautiful 7 pound, 13 ounce boy on December 6th. His name is Erik Michael Nielsen. He is 19 inches long. He was delivered by C-section. The bad news is Sandy won't be doing sit-ups for a while. The good news is Erik is so pretty since he didn't have to squeeze through the birth canal. Just like your aunt Jamie ...
Congratulations to Paul and Sandy.

The House that David Built

2007-12-08T15:00:00.001-08:00

For last week's teacher gift (a present for Kirsten each Tuesday when she teaches her community college course), I made her a gingerbread house. It didn't turn out as well as I wanted. But Kirsten loved it. That is why I love her. She is always so grateful. I love her.

Dr. K., I love you

2007-12-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

On Tuesdays, Kirsten teaches a beginning psychology class at a local community college. I will go up and help her get ready for class and usually give her a surprise. One week, I gave her a little Skittles treat. Whoo hoo.

Are Mormons Christians?

2007-11-26T14:07:00.001-08:00

My daughter Jamie commented on one of my posts and it was important enough that I wanted to start a new post to respond to her comment.

Jamie asked "Am I not a true Christian?" I am sure one reason she asks this question is my reference to becoming a Christian myself earlier this year after being a life-long Mormon. That description of me is more a reflection of my relationship (or lack of) with Jesus before being born again and not necessarily an indictment of Mormonism. I was a not a true Christian because I did not have that relationship. I was a Mormon who was not a true Christian. Not because I was a Mormon, per se.

But let's look at the question "Are Mormons Christians?"

Short answer: I believe that a member of the Mormon church can be a true Christian and that only Jesus Christ can make that judgement. I believe that the Mormon church can be included in the Christian label because it claims to believe in Him. Finally, we all recognize that the Mormons believe in a Jesus Christ different from the traditional Christian denominations and it is appropriate to point that out without resorting to name-calling.

Are Mormons Christians?
Let me say that calling Mormons "non-Christian" strikes me as name-calling (see below). And it hurts the cause of Christian evangelism. First, even "nominal" Mormons will throw up a wall when they hear that description. Even those who may not have a strong testimony of the Church feel an affinity to the Church and will be defensive. Also, people who are not Mormons will be suspicious of such a description because they may know someone who is a Mormon. "I know Joe down the street and he's a Mormon and he has a picture of Jesus in his house ..."

Who can define what a Christian is? The term was originated by Gentiles as a moniker for anyone who was a follower of Jesus of Nazareth (http://everything2.com/index.pl?node=Christian). They did not bother to differentiate among the individual sects or churches but painted all believers (those who claimed to follow Christ) with the same broad brush.

Eventually, this originally pejorative term was adopted by the early church. And today, it is the Christians themselves who seem to want to define the term. I see two problems with that.

One, which "Christian" group or denomination gets to define which beliefs or doctrines qualify another denomination as being truly Christian? There are some significant differences in Christian doctrine among the so-called traditional Christian denominations (e.g., Catholic versus Protestant) and some of today's church movements are viewed as straying from the Biblical basis for the body of Christ (e.g., Word-Faith, Seeker Sensitive and Emergent Church movements). Who gets to referee the application of this term to a particular Christ-professing group?

Two, an individual's identity as a Christian requires a judgement as to whether that person truly believes and has been born again (John 3). No one but our Judge and Lord, Jesus Christ, can make that call. I believe there are Mormons who are true Christians just as there are some Methodists who are NOT true Christians. Membership in a particular Church is not the criterion; belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior is.

Using the original definition, the Mormons can be called a Christian religion because they claim to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as our Savior, and the term was applied to any who made that claim.

Isn't Mormonism "disqualified" because they preach a different Christ?
The very nature of the restoration message of the Mormon Church implies an understanding of the nature of God that is not in line with traditional Christian churches. Does the Mormon belief in Jesus as a literal (flesh) son of God and not a Triune God mean that Mormons cannot be Christian? Does their emphasis on works invalidate their understanding of grace and disallow them to be called Christians?

I prefer to eliminate the "Christian" label from the debate. Isn't it more effective and more honest to discuss the objective and concrete doctrinal differences rather than try to frame the debate with an subjective judgement for which we have not been called to make?

Christian-themed movies using the game software "The Movies"

2007-11-21T13:52:00.000-08:00

Note: The movies linked to are really big. They are not streamed so it will take some time, even with a fast connection, to download. Sorry.

Kirsten gave me the game software, The Movies (made by Lionhead Studios Ltd.) some time ago. I have made a few movies and Kirsten wants me to do more. It is fun to do but a little frustrating because you have a limited number of scenes to work with. Besides I am a perfectionist.

I wanted to link to a couple of movies with Christian-based themes that I made. Well, actually the first movie has the idea of a guardian angel and going to heaven and it was made before I was born again. The music is a song called Angel or So (also the movie's title) and is by a-ha, one of Kirsten's faves in college.

Compare that with the movie I made after being born again. It is called Voices (aka Jesus Saves). The music is by Toby Lightman. Definitely a witnessing movie where the first one is kind of a wishy-washy message. I actually posted this one on the community site for The Movies and got one response from a fellow Christian.

Enjoy.

David's Christian Radio Talk Show appearance

2007-11-21T12:43:00.000-08:00

This is David. Not long after I was born again, I appeared on the call-in show Truth Talk Live carried on Christian radio stations around the country and across the world on http://www.truthtalklive.com/. There is a story behind the invitation from the Friday host Alex McFarland, President of Southern Evangelical Seminary. Short version is I met him at a book signing just days after coming to Christ and told him my story. He invited me to appear on the show.

I was disappointed with my performance on the show. I spoke too softly (or was not well miked) and I stumble across my thoughts. Kirsten thinks I did well. I also wanted to spend more time talking about my coming to grace but ended up answering a lot of questions about Mormonism, especially whether Mormons are Christians.

You can hear the entire program by clicking here.

Church Denominations

2007-11-11T14:56:00.000-08:00

Kirsten here.

Does anyone else have a problem with Christian denominations? When I say "anyone", David, I mean you, because we seem to be talking back in forth on this blog alone.

Anyway, when a fellow church member says, "I tried to explain what Methodists believe to one of my atheist friends, and..." it makes me stink. The reason why I have this reaction is because it is NOT about being a Methodist or being a Baptist or any other denomination. It is about CHRISTIANITY. Can we say that together? It's about Jesus dying in our place. It's about evangelizing to those who are lost.

Sometimes I wonder if we know what evangelism is. We give to the poor, build back destroyed homes, feed the hungry, etc. Do we ever tell them about Jesus? In response to this question, I hear, "They know we are Christians by our good deeds!" That is certainly Biblical, but does that mean we never talk about Jesus? We are just "good people"?

I am thinking that it comes down to one of 2 things. Either we don't believe the Bible or we don't care.

By not believing the Bible, that means we don't think there is a hell. That means we think that sincere, good hearted people will go to heaven. In essence, relativism is chosen over the Bible.

Thing is, in order to join a Christian church, isn't it required that you agree that the Bible is the infallable word of God? With that in mind, what is going on here?

Why I Tithe

2007-11-09T10:41:00.000-08:00

This is David. I want to post the text (rough draft really) of a talk that Kirsten gave last week in church. The church is preparing for Loyalty Sunday this week -- which is the opportunity to pledge our gifts for the 2008 budget year.

I was really impressed with how Kirsten took the opportunity to evanglize. This was not your normal talk on tithing but it was "on topic" and was just what they needed to hear.

She did not give the entire talk because she was limited to just 4 minutes but I thought you would appreciate the full text.

One more reason why I love Kirsten.

Why I Tithe

Tithing is a demonstration of my surrendered life to God. It is a symbol of the faith I have in Him as well as a way to say, "Thank you" for all He has done. Afterall, it's not really MY money anyway. It's HIS.

We have a concern as Christians. It is the same concern that I had in my own life. You may or may not relate to this. I grew up in a family with 5 generations of Methodist ministers. I was baptised as a baby, went to church regularly (when I wanted to go), recited the Lord's prayer, sang the hymns, took communion - hoping to keep up a Christian life which I never seriously contracted to begin.

My intentions were good! Was I committed? Only half way. Was I a good person? Oh, Yes! But there was no genuine decision day. No D-Day. When I would hear preachers on TV say, "Have you committed your life to Jesus Christ?"

I would scoff and say, "You're preaching to the choir, man!! I come from 5 generations of Methodists ministers. I know all about Jesus!!"

However, in the Lord's prayer when we say, "Give us this day our daily bread."(Matthew 6:11) I actually didn't believe it. I was so self sufficient. I thought I could do it on my own. I didn't even consider letting God lead the way.

I had NOT surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.

Either a person can live a self centered life, or he can live a Christ filled life. There are no other choices.

Luke 9:23 "Then He said to them all, "If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me."

Unlike other religions, Christianity is about a relationship with Jesus Christ. Religion is man's way of working himself towards God. Christianity is about surrendering your life to Him.

Surrendering means giving up pride, giving up control, giving up independence, giving up all those things in our life that we have deemed important and precious and have placed ahead of Jesus Christ.

Before the birth of Christ, people in the old Biblical days constantly made sacrifices to God. They would take their best animals, or the best portions of their crops, or fresh baked loaves of bread, or containers of oil, or just about anything of value, and they would surrender it totally and completely up to God.

Surrendering the best they had, showed that they themselves were surrendering to God. After the Messiah Jesus Christ came into this world, we no longer had to sacrifice animals and other things up to God.

Now our sacrifices to God consists of the surrendering of our minds, our bodies, and our souls up to the Son of God. After Jesus was born our sacrifices were to become faith, trust, and obedience. Tithing is a symbol of this.

I never understood the following scriptures until I surrendered to God.

2 Corinthians 5:17. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new".

Ephesians 4:23-24 "Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness."

And do you want to know exactly what God himself said would happen to you the very second that you surrendered and accepted Jesus Christ and were born again?

He told you something very interesting at:

Ezekiel 36:26-27.
"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you".

In conclusion, I tithe as a symbol of my faith and trust in God. I also tithe, because I am so grateful for all He has done. It is the least I could do.

David and Kirsten in Alaska

2007-10-26T18:52:00.000-07:00

Kirsten and I were in Alaska in 2003 for a short-term mission trip. We traveled with a group from Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. We spent a week presenting a vacation Bible school for children on the Aleutian Island of Unalaska.

Why did we create this blog?

2007-10-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

This blog is authored by David and Kirsten who have recently been saved by His good grace.

"Grace Under Pressure" means we seek the courage to defend the faith and stand as witnesses to Him in a world that no longer believes.

Kirsten comes from 5 generations of Methodist ministers. She surrendered her life to Jesus Christ and became a Christian in May 2006. David was a life-long Mormon who did the same in July 2007.

"We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved." (Acts 15:11)

"Courage is grace under pressure." (Ernest Hemingway)

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men [and women] of courage; be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13)

"I am put here for the defense of the gospel." (Phillipians 1:16)

The URL for this blog represents what has become David's favorite scripture as he became a new creature in Christ:

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me

21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! (Galatians 2:20-21)

We hope that this blog will be a blessing to you. We pray that amid the pressures of this world, you will come to know God's grace.