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Take Me to Church

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Gospel Life Center in Munich, Germany When I’m evangelizing and find out someone is already saved, often I’ll ask where they go to church. Some reply, “I used to go to such and such church.” Others will say, “I have church at home” or “church is in my heart.” Sadly, many who give answers like that tend to act very unChristlike.  One time at the Florida State Fair, I saw two men handing out brochures. I offered one of them a gospel tract in exchange and discovered they were Christians. When I asked this man which church he went to, he defiantly replied, “I am the church!” I then knew there was going to be trouble. He then tried giving me another brochure about all the “corruption” going on in various churches. Not wanting to read stuff like that, I responded by quoting 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Acting like a spoiled child, this man returned my tract saying he didn’t want to read it. A friend once shared
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Holy Addiction

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Years ago, a friend wore a T-shirt that said “Addicted to Space Invaders.” For a while, I was hooked on video games . One of my favorites was “Dr. Mario.” I would spend up to $10/day on that game. That was when most video games still cost only a quarter to play. One dictionary defines  addiction  as “relinquishing ourselves to the control of something or someone else.” An addiction usually doesn’t happen immediately. Alcoholics often start with just one drink. If they don’t know how to “hold their liquor," they gradually drink more and more until they cannot control themselves.   Everybody gets addicted to something. Some may choose drugs, pornography, gambling , food, sports, or watching TV for hours. A few of the latter could be called “news junkies” (or “headline stress disorder” according to a Northwestern University Medical School article). They have an obsession to know the latest current events.  I’ve heard people declare they have a caffeine addiction. While I often 
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An Open Letter to Tim Cook

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Dear Tim, I’m a missionary who has used Apple products for almost two decades . Since 2006, I’ve owned a MacBook Pro. Last month, I purchased an iPhone 13 Mini after using Androids for years. I’ve been pleased despite the higher price tag. I’ve looked forward to watching your Apple event videos to stay up-to-date on your latest products and software updates. The productions have some cool effects. Unfortunately, the “Wonderlust” presentation streamed last Tuesday was full of environmental propaganda. A woman representing Mother Nature appeared at Apple Park to check on your goal of making all products carbon-neutral by 2030. I’m all for being a good steward of our planet’s resources . However, I refuse to believe a global warming gospel . You also talked about Apple Watch functions that assisted people during emergencies. You stated, “Nothing’s more important than helping save lives.” I agree, except a long life on earth doesn’t matter from an eternal perspective if one is not in
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Organizing a Tent Revival

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During the 20th century, tent revivals were used to reach multitudes  with the gospel . Oral Roberts, Jack Coe, R. W. Schambach, and others preached messages of salvation (with miracles often a by-product). At 16, Billy Graham got saved at a tent meeting conducted by Mordecai Ham. Years later, Billy had a “canvas cathedral” in Los Angeles that attracted approximately 350,000 people over a two month period. He went on to have mass meetings mostly in stadiums. Tent revivals may seem old fashioned nowadays because of churches with comfortable seating and an increasing number of folks watching services online. Nevertheless, there are ministers still using tents to reach the lost. Mario Murillo is one of them. He stated in his blog, “It is time for the harvesters to leave the safe zones and win a sin-sick and broken-hearted nation to Jesus.” Rodney Howard-Browne trains his associate ministers and bible school students to conduct meetings in neighborhoods throughout the Tampa Bay Area (at
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A Moral and Biblical Case Against Alcohol

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Years ago, I looked forward to having drinks. Nowadays, I consider myself a teetotaler. I’ve seen firsthand the devastation alcoholic beverages can bring.  During my twenties, I frequented nightclubs and beer parties. One night, I got arrested for drunk driving. Eventually, I plea-bargained to lesser charges but still had to pay over $400 in towing charges, fines, and court costs. Two other times, I went to the hospital for stitches after being attacked by men who were intoxicated. One of them was my then-roommate. Family and friends have also been negatively affected by drinking. My mother grew up in a home where her father physically abused the family when drunk. One of my uncles died from alcoholic poisoning. Another former roommate of mine got killed when his car collided with a drunk driver going the wrong direction on the freeway. A few months after giving my life to the Lord in 1991, I made the decision to shun alcohol completely. For those of you who think I’m being religiou
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False Prophets and False Accusations

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When asked by His disciples about the signs of His Second Coming, Jesus answered , “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ,' and will deceive many...Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.” (Matthew 24:4-5, 11). The Lord later said in verse 24, “ For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” The word prophet comes from the Latin word “propheta” which means, “One that foretells future events; a predicter; a foreteller.” Throughout the Bible, men of God such as Moses, Elijah, David, and Isaiah were inspired or instructed by God to announce future events. Under the New Covenant, we still have prophets as well as other ministers who operate in the prophetic. Some of the latter get dubbed “false prophets” by critics who disagree with their teachings. Many of them don’t even claim to be prophets . In April 1997, John Kilpatrick, then-pa
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Face the Music

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One thing that kept me away from Christianity during my younger years was religious ideas regarding music . Some church folk preaches against genres of music they hate, such as hard rock and rap. After becoming a believer, I learned of one denomination that prohibits musical instruments during worship services. They only allow a cappella singing. A meme circulating online lists the following reasons why some believers are against instrumental music for worship (along with Scripture references to defend their beliefs): Was not commanded by Christ (Matthew 28:18-20, Colossians 3:17) Goes beyond the doctrine of Christ, and adds to the Word of God (2 John 9-11) Makes worship vain (Matthew 15:1-9) Is not a part of true worship (John 4:24) Is not a part of “the truth” of the Apostles (John 16:13; 17:17) Is not walking by faith (Roman 10:17) I find these narrow interpretations of God’s word ridiculous. Laptops, tablets, and smartphones aren’t in the Bible. Wouldn’t that mean one shou
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