A Boomer in the Pew

King David's Palace Found in Jerusalem?

For centuries, scoffers have held forth against the Bible's authenticity from an archeological perspective.  But over, and over it would seem that God has other plans for those who would sneer.

From aish.com:

"But the debunkers of Jewish biblical history got some bad news recently, when a spunky, dedicated archaeologist began her latest dig. Dr. Eilat Mazar, world authority on Jerusalem's past, has taken King David out of the pages of the Bible and put him back into living history. Mazar's latest excavation in the City of David, in the southern shadow of the Temple Mount, has shaken up the archaeological world. For lying undisturbed for over 3,000 years is a massive building which Mazar believes is King David's palace."

The article is a fascinating read, and seems to have all the suspense of a modern day novel:

"But as fast as new Jewish artifacts are being unearthed, Mazar is concerned that a great number are being destroyed.

As spokesperson for the Committee Against the Desecration of Antiquities on the Temple Mount, Mazar has for the past six years tried to alert the world to the vandalism being perpetrated by the Muslim Waqf, who have their own agenda of destroying remnants of proof of Jewish sovereignty in Jerusalem, and who consistently deny that there ever was a First or Second Temple.

According to agreements made between the Israeli government and the Waqf, to whom the Israelis handed control of the Temple Mount in 1967, the Arabs are not permitted to carry out independent works on the Mount without permission from the Israel Antiquities Authority. Over the years, however, there have been indications of the Waqf breaking this status quo, such as when they sealed up the ancient Hulda Gates entrance to the Temple Mount on the southern wall and buried the adjoining steps and ancient tiling, and the sealing of an underground water cistern that some rabbis thought would lead to the Temple foundations.

The greatest breech was discovered in 1999, when the Waqf bulldozed and then paved over close to 6,000 square meters of the ancient Temple Mount surface. Temple Mount artifacts were ripped from the Mount and secretly dumped in several places throughout Jerusalem, mostly in the Kidron Valley east of the Old City and also in the city dump. Over 100 truckloads of Temple Mount rubble, soil and artifacts were clandestinely removed."

It will be captivating to watch this story unfold.

HT:  Justin Taylor, Gene Veith

What are we to think of the LGBT Pride Month reception in the White House?

From the White House Blog:

"The President and First Lady hosted the first-of-its-kind LGBT Pride Month reception at the White House yesterday. On the heels of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the reception brought together LGBT families, volunteers, community leaders, lawmakers and heads of LGBT organizations to celebrate the LGBT community."

I have quite a number of friends, and a large number of clients in Michigan who belong to the LGBT community.  All of them possess a great deal of love from this man's heart.

This is such a polarizing subject in our nation.  It is clear that God's word is in strong opposition to this behavior.  It is also clear that some are predisposed to same-sex attractions.  To make matters worse, it would seem that some would seek to move, what I believe to be a disposition, to a cellular temperament.

To make this issue even more tangled, there are clear stereotypes, and prejudices in the mix.  What a complete and utter mess! 

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

A great many in the Christian world would read this verse and see only the word homosexual.  But God does not isolate the homosexual any more than he would isolate the sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, greedy, drunkards, revilers, or swindlers.

We all have sinned, do sin, and do fall short of the glory of God.  My tendency towards the love of money is no different, in God's eyes, then someone's tendency towards homosexuality.  Both are sin.

And certainly, we have seen idolaters of money in the White House a great deal! 

What do you think of this LGBT White House Celebration? 

Here is video from the White House:

Dear Burger King: I am appalled at your lack of judgment in this "blow job" advertisement

Dear Burger King,

I can't begin to describe how appalled I was to happen across this advertisement.  Your double entendre is childish, demeaning to women, vulgar, and a downright foolish thing for a company to do.

Is there no end to the lengths at which you will go to create some buzz? 

Sure, the marketing world is all abuzz about this advertisement.  Childish boys, all around the land, are giggling in amusement.

I, for one, am not amused.  This demonstrates a serious lack of judgment, an obvious moral decay at the top reaches of your organization, and sadly perhaps, a nation that has taught you that this is acceptable corporate behavior.

Well, my prayer will be that America slaps you profusely for this inane act. 

It is a big challenge for parents to rear their children right.  We certainly don't need you, Burger King, demonstrating such sophomoric behavior.

I will never again grace your doors, and support your enterprise. 

Center for Arizona Policy - Senate Passes Abortion Bills - Call Governor Brewer Today

Phoenix, Arizona - this is just in from the Center for Arizona Policy:

June 23, 2009 

 

On Tuesday, the Arizona Senate passed two bills to clarify and update Arizona abortion laws:

1. HB 2564, the Abortion Consent Act, establishes informed consent procedures for women considering abortion, fixes problems in Arizona's parental consent law, and protects health care workers from being forced to participate in abortion against their moral and religious beliefs. It is the most significant pro-life legislation to pass in Arizona.
2. HB 2400 bans partial-birth abortions from being performed in Arizona. It mirrors the federal law, making sure that this horrific procedure will not be available in Arizona.

Governor Jan Brewer now must sign these bills for them to become law. Governor Brewer and her spokesman repeatedly have stated that Gov. Brewer is pro-life!

But Gov. Brewer needs to know that the pro-life community strongly supports these bills. She needs to hear from you today!

ACTION REQUESTED:

E-mail or call Governor Brewer's office TODAY, thank her for being pro-life and ask her politely to sign the two abortion bills. 

•  E-mail webform
•  Phone: (602) 542-4331 or (800) 253-0883  

Forward this e-mail to like-minded friends and family. (use the "Share This" button below)

Pray!

For more information on these two bills, including talking points, visit www.azpolicy.org

Please take action on this right now!

Dr. Wayne Grudem - 50 Factors Within Nations that Determine Their Wealth or Poverty

Dr. Wayne Grudem presents ESV Study Bibles to Janos, President of the Christian Business Association of Hungary.

Politics, economies, rich nations, poor nations.

These are the things that God has pressed upon the heart of Dr. Wayne Grudem these days.

Are there laws contained in the Bible, that if observed, would separate nations, rich from poor?

"Yes!" says Dr. Wane Grudem.

In our Christian Essentials Sunday School Class, at Scottsdale Bible Church, Dr. Wayne Grudem just completed a four week journey through his "50 Factors Within Nations that Determine Their Wealth or Poverty."

I high recommend that you listen to these four lessons on God's economics.  There is much to observe, and thank God for.

Furthermore, these would be outstanding lectures to forward to those representatives who are making critically important financial decisions, on behalf of our nation.

Why not forward these to your congressional representatives?  It would be good for them to hear God's opinion on financial concepts.

Forgiving a Killer - A Slain Pastor's Wife Speaks Out

Pastor Fred Winters was shot, while preaching in his pulpit, last week.  Here is a most touching interview, with his wife, showing compassion, love, and forgiveness to his killer.  [HT - my friend, Barry Wallace]

Are you still trying to shove your camel through the eye of the needle?

Cartoon from the Brick New Testament

The Dow Jones Industrial Average broke below 7,000 today.  This is a 50% reduction from its highs, from not too long ago.  We are living in unprecedented times!

Are you still trying to shove your camel through the eye of the needle?  I must confess, this morning, as I was made aware of the news, I was feeling a little more like the dude on the left!

Abba,

Forgive me, once again.  Teach me to keep my eyes, and faith on you, and not in whatever wealth I may possess.  Help me to understand the balance between being an idolater of money, and not being a good steward of the possessions, that you have placed in my care.   I am feeling lost between the two.

Your Son,
David

Dr. Steve Lawson - God's Sovereignty Over America

Dr. Steve Lawson is a regular in my iPod.  He is currently two years into an exposition of the Book of Mark, is also doing an exposition in Galatians, but most recently completed a must hear, special series called "God's Sovereignty Over America".

Have you ever wondered what God thinks of America?  Have you ever wondered where God was when hurricanes are pounding our shores, or our nation's banks are near collapse?

Have you ever wondered why God would allow 45% of the wealth to disappear from the stock market? 

Dr. Lawson is a gift to America.  I can't recommend this series more highly.  You simply must sit down with your entire family and listen to this series.  You will come away with a more clear view of God, his sovereignty, and America's role in the future.

Amazing Podcast of Young Christian Medical Student on US Airways Flight 1549

Here is the amazing re-telling of a young Christian medical student, Andrew Jamison, who was on US Airways Flight 1549, that crash landed in the Hudson River.

Here is the link for the podcast, taken from the Christian Medical & Dental Association website.

An amazing display of God's Sovereignty.

Makoto Fujimura, the International Arts Movement, and finding God through Artistic Expression

"Precious Grace" by Makoto Fujimura.

I have been exploring, and becoming a fan of Makoto Fujimura.  I was exposed to Fujimura's work through Ken Myers', "Mars Hill Audio".

Fujimura, it seems, has a heart for Christ and is willing to put that heart into action in a number of ways.

First off, he has founded the International Arts Movement.  Here is their vision statement:  "IAM gathers artists and creative catalysts to wrestle with the deep questions of art, faith and humanity in order to inspire the creative community to engage the culture that is and create the world that ought to be.

Art is society's existential statement, in answer to the question, "Why live?" International Arts Movement works as a catalyst to inspire people to hope, engage deeply into the depth of culture's critical zones, and create a world that ought to be. We believe that artistic excellence as a model of "what ought to be" paves the way for lasting, enduring humanity."

Secondly, he was a founding elder of the Village Church (PCA), in Greenwich Village, which appears to have the courage to confront gender issues in a very loving way, without watering down God's desire for sexual purity.

In my heart, I am an artist.  My gift, which sadly seems to be taken from me at the moment, is operatic vocal expression.  I understand the expressive heart of the artist.

I especially appreciate Makoto's courage to take that gift, and use it to let Christ's light shine.  If you will invest an hour or so, poking around his website, looking at his artwork, understanding his voice, and watch his ability to gather artists, from many different disciplines, and engage them into a conversation about faith, then you too will come away a fan.

My hat is off to you Makoto Fujimura!