Finally A Bible I WIll Not Be Buying!

I found this advertised in Christianity Today yesterday. I hear St. Al Gore appears in this version here!

The definitive green movement Bible that shows God is "green" and helps us see how we can care for and protect God's creation. The Green Bible equips and encourages you to see God's vision for creation and helps you engage in the work of healing and sustaining it. With over 1,000 references to the earth in the Bible, compared to 490 references to heaven and 530 references to love, the Bible carries a powerful message for the earth. This Green-Letter edition of the Bible highlights scriptures in green ink that teach about God's care for creation and how God interacts with creation, in an effort to bring greater awareness to how this message is woven throughout the Old and New Testaments. Essays from leading conservationists and theologians on how to read the Bible through a "green lens" as well as a green topical index and Green Bible Trail Guide for personal study will be paired with teachings throughout the ages to show people how caring for God's creation is not only a calling, but a lifestyle.

Features include:

• Green-Letter Edition - verses that speak to God's care for creation will be highlighted in green ink
• Inspirational poems from St. Francis of Assisi and Wendell Berry
• Essays from key leaders and thinkers on various aspects of scripture and its mandate for creation care
• Quotes from Christian teachings throughout the ages from St. Augustine to C.S. Lewis
• A green topical index
• Green Bible Trail study guide
• Appendix to include information on ways to get involved and practical steps to take
• Printed on recycled paper, using soy-based ink, with a cotton/linen cover

Southern Baptist leader Richard Land: "Sure it's important, but when they asked Jesus what was most important, he said, 'Love your God, and love your neighbor as yourself.' He didn't say anything about creation." I agree with Richard! Anybody plan on buying this? What are your thoughts?

Got To Go Hug A Tree, Pastor Phillip

Look At The Little Children That Are Murdered...

This Came From The Stand To Reason Blog

GE, which developed the 4D ultrasound imaging technology, has a website of images that follow the timeline of the unborn's development from six weeks to birth. It's a fantastic window into the womb to see the human being, bring to life the formerly unseen, at stake in abortion. These pictures are worth 1000 words, but use the words as well to explain the value of these children.

Click Here To See These Amazing Images


Amazing beautiful little lives, Phillip

Got To Love Moms

This is really funny. Moms are the best! Phillip

God's Anger In Psalm 78

I love Psalm 78. I just finished reading it in the NLT Study Bible. I love this Bible, very helpful notes. The translation takes some time getting used to, but the notes are just what you want. They explain the scripture, fairly, evenly, and thoroughly. They also add in what they call theme notes. These are extended notes, that look at a theme in one section of Scripture, but then place it in the lager context of Scripture. I like Biblical theology, and these short concise segments are awesome additions to a study Bible. Here is great note on God's anger as seen in Psalm 78.

The psalmists understood Israel’s exodus from Egypt as an object lesson about God’s anger (78:18-64). God expressed his anger against the Egyptians while sparing his people (78:49-50). But Israel became the object of his wrath during the wilderness journey, when the people provoked the Lord to anger through their rebelliousness (78:31; 106:29, 32; see Rom 2:5). God took an oath that that rebellious generation would not enter his place of rest (95:8-11), and they died in the wilderness. But he restrained his wrath (78:38) and did not destroy Israel as it deserved.

The Lord is just and righteous in his judgment (7:11); he is patient and slow to anger (86:15; 103:8; 145:8). The wicked have stirred up God’s wrath and deserve his judgment (see 2:5, 12; 21:9; 56:7; 59:13; 69:24; 79:6; see also Rom 1:18). The purpose of his wrath is to remove evildoers and extend his kingdom. Evil must come to an end, and the wicked must perish for the godly to inherit the earth (Ps 37).

God’s people experience his wrath when they sin. The experience, though painful, is brief in comparison to their joy in God’s mercy and goodness (30:5). He will not be angry forever (103:9). God’s wrath brings death (106:23), but his forgiveness and mercy restore his people (see 85:2-7).

God is love, and he loves people with justice and holiness. In love for us, he poured out his anger on Jesus Christ (Rom 3:25; 5:9). Jesus received the full brunt of God’s wrath so that he could atone for our sins and reconcile us to God. He saves his people (1 Jn 2:2) and rules from heaven at God’s right hand (Heb 2:17). Jesus is now the agent of God’s wrath against the wicked (2:5-9; 110:5-7; Eph 5:6; Rev 6:15-17; 11:18; 19:11-16).

Have a great weekend, read your Bibles. Pastor Phillip

Funny!

Check This Story Out. This man passed gas on a police officer and was changed with "battery of an officer." If Rebecca finds out about this story, there is a good chance she may press changes on me of spousal abuse!

Pastor Phillip

Imagine No Religion And Become A Fool!

Imagine there’s no heaven It’s easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today.… Imagine there’s no countries It isn’t hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace.… You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will be as one….

John Lennon wrote this hippie garbage and I ignorantly sung it when I was in high school. But, this stuff is wrong, bad theology, and not worth much. Our friends over ar FFRF.Org think this is a Lennon's world is a great world? They believe that

The history of Western civilization shows us that most social and moral progress has been brought about by persons free from religions.

This sounds nice until you look at the facts? Atheism kills! In the name of creating a version of a religion-free utopia, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Zedong collectively these atheist tyrants murdered more than 100 million people? Sure, we had the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the Salem Witch trials. The most-cited atrocities are either overblown or misrepresented. We don’t actually know how many people died in the crusades, record keeping not great. You can find estimates of 1 million to 9 million. This number is both Christians and Muslims. But, these was not a solely religious fight, the Christians were fighting to reclaim land that was stolen from by the invading Muslim hordes. They were very much nationalistic and political. But, they were overboard and are not a bright spot in Christian History. The Inquisition claimed 2,000 to 10,000 lives over three and a half centuries. The Salem witch trials produced fewer than 25 executions. So, there is more at stake than numbers. But, with no objective criteria or right and wrong atheism degenerates into “might make right”. Check out some great resources here Stand To Reason. Remember what Ps 14:1 says "A Fool Says In Heart There Is No God"

Glad God's Grace Has Kept Me From Being A Fool, Pastor Phillip

The Forgotten Tenth...

Do not covet your neighbor's house. Do not covet your neighbor's wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Ex 20:17

This morning I started reading "True Spirituality" by Francis Schaeffer. I bought his complete works a while back and enjoy his writing, but it requires full mental engagement. Rather deep stuff, but good for a dumb guy life to think. My usually thoughts are about food, my good looking wife, and how tough my son is. But, anyway he made the point about the importance and the power of the 10th commandment. I got to be honest of all the "Big Ten" I forget about the 10th commandment not to covet the most. It is the only internal command; all the others are external in nature. He argues that we break it before we break any of the other.

This comes back to contentedness. When we are not content with God, we find a new to God to worship and we break number #1. When we are not content to worship God in Spirit and in truth (Jn 4:24), we make image and statues of the appearance of the God we want, and we break #2. When we are not content with situation we can curse God, or we pray selfish materialistic prayers in "Jesus Name" and we take the Lord's name in vain and break #3. When we are not content with six days wages and fail to honor the Sabbath and work instead of rest and worship, we break #4. When we become mad that God did not give us the parents (like those of our friends) we wanted or we fail to love and serve them because it takes too much time on our part, we break the 5th. We kill and break the 6th when we are not content to let God bring about justice and exact his vengeance. We commit adultery and break the 7th when are not content with the spouse God gave us. We break the 8th and steal, when we want and do not have and do not think God can provide what we need. We lie when we think that it is more advantageous for us and we are not content to tell the truth and break the 9th.

And so, we come back to the forgotten 10th. Ephesians 5:1-4 says "Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. (2) And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. (3) But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. (4) And coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks." Notice, Paul views giving thanks as the corrective to the above vices mentioned. We certainly believe Romans 8:28 "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God." So if we believe that, then whatever we have, don't have, good, bad, ugly, God is using to help us be "conformed to the image of His son" (Rom 8:29). This means not coveting and being content is of the utmost importance to the Christian walk.

Listen to Scripture further...

But godliness with contentment is a great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. (8) But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. (9) But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. (10) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. (11) Now you, man of God, run from these things; but pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:6-11

I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. (12) I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content--whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. (13) I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.Philippians 4:11-13

Proverbs 30:8-9 Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor wealth; feed me with the food I need. (9) Otherwise, I might have too much and deny You, saying, "Who is the LORD?" or I might have nothing and steal, profaning the name of my God.

So, how can you be content today? What things do you need to stop coveting? The writer of Hebrews says in 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." He links all our covetousness to us not appreciating, valuing, or caring about Jesus never leaving us of forsaking which is the precious promise of God in Scripture. What do you want more that God? If there is anything there, you can’t develop the deep relationship with God that He and hopefully you want. Remember Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Seeking not to covet today, Pastor Phillip Howle

Getting Going...

Say a prayer for me! I can't get going. I had a busy weekend with a funeral, teaching, and a bike crash. But, it is Tuesday and it feels like 4 a.m. on a Monday Morning. I try not to complain on my blog, but say a prayer for me.

Paul asked the church at Ephesus to pray in Eph 6:19 "Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel."

Pray that I will be like Jeremiah who said in Jer 20:9 "If I say: I won't mention Him or speak any longer in His name, His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones. I become tired of holding it in, and I cannot prevail"

Also, I am going to try and heed the words of Ephesians 5:14 "Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you."

Needing the awakening and illuminating light of Christ to shine on me this morning, Pastor Phillip

By the way the video below pretty much shows how I am feeling this morning!

Not Good For A Man To Be Alone

Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is like him." Genesis 2:18

This verse speaks to me and is the beginning of next weeks sermon! Rebecca and Cason went to Greenwood yesterday and I stayed here in Edgefield. So, I got some work done and went Mountain biking. Well, after about 10 miles, I was zooming downhill at about 16 mph, when I came to an abrupt stop as I hit a tree. Don't ask what happened, because if I knew, I would have not hit the tree! My wrist hurts, my shoulder does not feel great, but my bike is really jacked up. Both rims are way out of true and I and the bike will need a tune up before I can ride again. Thank God for the nice man who picked me up and drove me the six miles back to the trail head as I was not looking forward to the long walk. So, not good for me to be alone!

Pastor Phillip

Book Of The Week V

The age of the earth and questions about dinosaurs are very common. There is a broad difference between 10,000 years and 14 Billion years. It is very common in some conservative circles to make the age of the earth a divisive issue. If some one believes in an old earth they are liberals and heretics, but this should not be the case. Plainly stated Moses and God are not concerned about telling when the earth was created, but they are very concerned with conveying copious amounts of information about whom that Creator is. I personally am open minded and critical of both positions and I am still seeking God's guidance on the matter.

So, in hopes of finding more information on the subject, I read and am rereading A Biblical Case for an Old Earth by David Snoke. Snoke spends some time with the scientific arguments for an old earth, which he summarizes quite well. These include arguments from starlight, from magnetic domains on the ocean floor, and from other phenomena on Earth showing the passage of time. He also spends some time showing how flood geology will not account for the geological layers we observe. I liked this book quite a bit, and it challenged many of my assumptions about creation, sin and death. The crux of his Biblical argument is that very good creation of Genesis contained both positive, helpful, parts, and dark, dangerous parts. He argues this by explaining the place of the "sea" and "sea monsters" in Hebrew biblical thought which is neglected by most and crucial to understanding Genesis.

He also deals very nicely with the "appearance of age" theory (that God created the earth with the appearance of age). He agress that God created Adam miraculously with a 30-year-old body. That would make sense because in order to exist, Adam had to exist at some stage of physical maturity. But, he argues that it does not seem plausible that God would create the universe with the appearance of huge numbers of specific prehistoric events, from supernovae down to the life and death of individual animals.

The best part of this book was that Snoke attempts to make a Biblical case. I am fairly ignorant when it comes to science, but competent when it comes to Scriptures. I found most of his exegesis refreshing and seemingly accurate. He is PCA and very conservative. He completely denies evolution, holds to a literal Adam & Eve. This is a worthwhile read, but it takes time to consume and digest his ideas, which are new to me. I appreciated the headache the book gave me, and the book gave me much food for thought.

Pastor Phillip

Bearing One Another's Burden

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

On Friday, September 5th Cherril Turner took a little jump out a trailer and severely broke her leg. It required surgery, and it is going to require 3 to 4 months of no weight being placed on it. Not an easy task for one person or even for her and Chris, her husband, to handle. Getting out of the house and trying to carry someone who has a majorly broken leg down steps is not easy for anyone involved. But, Chris and Cherril are part of the body of Christ. You see Paul tells us in the above verse, that when one part of the body is hurting, we all hurt. We must all do our part to try and help alleviate that burden. This is a beautiful design God has for the world, but is sadly seldom followed. Well, it was followed on last Friday Night as the Brotherhood here at Antioch went over to Chris and Cherril's house built them a wheelchair ramp. It only took a few hours of time because everyone did their part and worked great together. I love seeing the church do what it is meant to do! Please be in prayer for Cherril and Chris, her leg is healing and Chris is a decent nurse from what I hear!

Pastor Phillip

Visitation...

A big part of being Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church is visitation. This to me just means getting to hang out with people. Sometimes it is sick people at home or in the hospital. Other times it is seniors who just love to see my son Cason more than me (that is probably true for all people though). It may be ball games or dance performances for kids in the church. But, I get to see people, who for the most part look forward to seeing you. I get to be blessing to them, and they almost always are a blessing to me in return. I was told by a wise pastor, "If you are going to be a shepherd, you better smell like your sheep." Great advice! Now, I once new a pastor who named his boat "Visitation" so when people called the church the secretary would tell them "the pastor is out on visitation." Now, I don't have a boat, but I do love getting the privilege to be apart of some many wonderful people's lives here at Antioch.

Proud To The Pastor Of Antioch Baptist Church! Pastor Phillip

What Are You Made Of?

They told me when I was young that girls were made of sugar, spice, and everything nice. This seemed right to me back then and still does today. I was also told told that boys were made of spiders, snails and puppy dog tails (the puppy dog tail part sill is pretty freaky to tell a small child) . But, I have been studying Genesis 2:4-17 for Sunday Morning sermon and came across what we are supposedly made out of.

The physical makeup of the human body is 58 lbs. oxygen, 50 qts. Water, 2 ounces salt, 31 lbs. calcium, 24lbs. carbon, Some chlorine, phosphorus, fat, iron, sulfur and glycerin.

He then noted that having the ingredients alone is not enough. Instructions are needed. But, even if we had the instructions the complexity of the details of such an undertaking would make it impossible for one human being to make another human being. He said that

A mere piece of skin the size of a postage stamp requires three million cells; a yard of blood vessels, four yards of nerves; one hundred sweat glands, fifteen oil glands, and twenty-five nerve endings.

Dr. Mayo of the Mayo Clinic has a humorous way of putting it.

He said, "you would need enough potassium for one shot of a toy pistol, enough fat for seven bars of soap, enough iron for one large nail, enough sulfur to delouse a dog, enough lime to whitewash a chicken coop, enough magnesia for one dose of medicine, and enough phosphorous for a few boxes of matches. The total amount of all these items would not fill more than a couple of grocery sacks.

I also found this more scientific and detailed breakdown as well.

Oxygen	65%		Sulfur	0.3
Carbon	18.5		Sodium	0.2
Hydrogen	9.5		Chlorine	0.2
Nitrogen	3.2		Magnesium	0.1
Calcium	1.5		Iodine	0.1
Phosphorous	1.0		Iron	0.1
Potassium	0.4		Everything else	0.1

“Everything else” is aluminum, boron, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, manganese, molydenum, selenium, silicon, tin, vanadium, and zinc.

See, my point is that we are not worth much with God. Jesus said in John 15:5 "apart from me you can do nothing!" But, with Jesus says in John 10:10 "I have come that you may have life and life abundantly!"

Glad that our lives are more than chemical processes, Pastor Phillip

Obama, Meet Gianna Jessen

I was brought to literal tears today as I watched Hannity and Colmes on my DVR. They interviewed Gianna Jessen. She was born as the result of a failed saline abortion at 7 1/2 months (Some pro-abortion people have claimed she is lying, but the birth record is posted here as well). She was found by the nurse dying and taken to a hospital and was saved. But, if Obama had his way, she would have had to be killed by the attending physcian (if you can call an abortion practioner that) all in the name of a woman's right to chose to kill her own baby. This is unthinkable, please pray for our nation during this election. The top video is an ad for Jill's website and the bottom video is the actual interview from Hannity and Colmes. Also check out her website bornalivetruth.com and for infomation you can see www.jillstanek.com.

Pastor Phillip

Youth Summer Missions!

Make sure that you head over to the Antioch Baptist Church website to see and read about our youth in article written by the Mission Lab at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. You will also get to see pictures of our very own Paige Eubanks and Lisa Turner hard at work. I wonder why was there no picture of any of the guys who went hard at work? I don't know, but you can ask them if you come out the dinner Wednesday evening at 6:30 and hear about their trip and all of the missions activities here at Antioch Baptist Church. I hope to see everyone there!

Pastor Phillip