do not commit adultery

According to this editorial in today's USAToday, up to 60% of married women have an affair and up to 70% of married men. If these numbers are true, they are startling on two fronts:

1. Most married people have an affair. We live in a sexually saturated culture in which sexual immorality seems less and less gross and more and more acceptable, if not advisable. It could happen to any of us. Let’s be VERY careful with ourselves—be very clear in your mind what your boundaries are for interaction with members of the opposite sex: physical contact, personal correspondence, being alone with non-family members, etc. Err on the side of caution. One failure in this arena can derail your ministry and influence for Christ. 1000 moments of awkward physical interaction with a member of the opposite sex beats 1 interaction that causes a spark.

2. The gap has almost closed b/w men and women. Even ten years ago the gap b/w the % of wives and % of husbands who cheat was wider. The myth that men are more likely to cheat or are more prone to cheat is simply not true. We are so sexually saturated that women now are as sexually aggressive, open, and inclined as men are. Women in the Christian community may object, but the numbers are in. This should sound a note of caution to women: you are as likely to cheat as your husband. Women need to take as much precaution as men do in this arena—if not more. The tendency to hug everyone, physically touch everyone while talking to them, etc, needs to be considered. Women need to be very clear in their minds what their boundaries are for interaction with members of the opposite sex—for their own sake—so that they do not fall into temptation.

Walk in Christ, don’t light your sexual fire when you are single, make sure you have a healthy sex life when married—one that is meeting both partners’ needs, and you’ll be fine.

Glory to God.

Microtext Syncing

I continue to enjoy the micro text world through my blog, twitter, and facebook. Micro text (blogs, text messaging, twitter, facebook, myspace,) is a powerful form of communication. Sometime in the last two years, I can't remember exactly when, the National Education Association released extensive survey results showing that for well over half the American population does 80% or more of their reading in microtext form. That means if it isn't micro text, Americans likely aren't reading it. That is a staggering finding. The average COLLEGE GRADUATE reads just one book from the time they walk the stage at college graduation until they die. One. Those who don't microtext will not reach our culture.

For some time now, I've had twitter synced to facebook so that whatever I tweet becomes my facebook status--those of you not familiar with twitter may wonder what the weird symbols are sometimes doing in my facebook status--that's twitter stuff.

And now I've also synced twitter to this blog so that whatever I tweet will also be in the right margin of this page. Already you can look over on the right side and see my last few tweets.

how much should you know about your potential spouse's sexual past?

Dr. Russ Moore presents one of the most wise and clear answers I've ever seen. High schoolers, college students, and single adults would do well to read this article.

the new theological liberalism?

The inerrancy of the bible will always be a battle that every generation must win for itself, but these days I'm wondering if in particular, our understanding of God is the new battle brewing among theologically conservative evangelicals.

More and more I hear of theologically conservative evangelicals who have found a new meaning to the biblical truth that there is only one true God. Historically, that has always meant all other gods are false gods, or put another way, non-existent gods; which, is why we say that the god of Islam, the gods of Hinduism, and the Zulu pantheon of gods are false gods. However, I'm hearing more and more conservative evangelicals say it doesn't mean that the false religions' gods don't exist, but rather that all religions are pursuing God, they just don't understand they have to go through Christ to get to Him.

These two paths will not converge in the woods, they are headed in completely different directions. I walk the path of our spiritual forefathers who believe(d) that the gods of false religions are false gods and not a misconstrual of the God of the bible. I simply cannot affirm that the god of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or the Jehovah's Witness faith practice or Islam or Hinduism are the God of the bible simply misunderstood. To walk the other path is not only unbiblical, it will assuredly lead one to make concessions to false religions that are very dangerous and damaging to the Kingdom of God.

It concerns me that I'm hearing of this more and more and it causes me to wonder if it will be a battle this generation must wage to once again preserve the bible and a proper understanding of God.

opening ceremonies

The Olympics are a big deal at the Linos--the summer AND winter versions. One thing about the Olympics, you better be in go mode from night one because they only last two weeks. There is no ramp up time to get in the swing of things. We watch events we don't even care about because it's about the people phenomenon...men and women who have completely devoted themselves to years of training to compete in an event that will last minutes and sometimes seconds.

The opening and closing ceremonies always remind me of Heaven because the bible says that one day around the throne of Christ will be people of every language, tongue, and tribe. One day folks from every people group will rally around something much greater than physical human feats, we will rally around our Maker, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the meantime, be awed by your Savior over the next two weeks as you see the amazing feats that can be accomplished by the human body He designed. Every athlete you watch was handcrafted by Christ while in their mother's womb--get ready to be amazed by His handiwork.

building expansion update

I'm not reporting anything new on this front, but the request for earnest prayer continues. Things are looking very positive and I hope to report something very soon.

Meanwhile, as if we needed anything more to help us find urgency to build a bigger worship center, Atascocita ranks #1 among Texas cities for 2009 growth and top 10 in the nation.

We have to build.

local shooting

According to this article, today, at 5am CST, four homes were shot on streets that Yahoo Maps says are just 1.08 miles from NEHBC. At least one bullet went in through a window and into an interior closet in the home. We have NEHBC families that live on those streets. Praise the Lord nobody was hurt.

Here is what is surreal to me: on multiple occasions we have hung NEHBC fliers or shared the gospel door-to-door on all the streets mentioned in the article. We have attempted to reach the families whose homes were shot. Further, in order to get to those homes, it's quite likely the shooter(s) drove right past NEHBC.

Houston leads nation in births among mothers under 15 years of age

Below the Mason-Dixon Line and sitting on the main thoroughfare through the Bible Belt, Interstate 10, Houston, Texas, is not what people may think. National rankings put Houston in America's top 5 in restaurants, museums, and theater district, very much competitive with the likes of NYC, Chicago, and LA. The downtown culture is eclectic and unique drawing celebrities, artists, chefs, musicians, and the like. Lofts and high end apartments downtown are home to a sprawling population of young singles and newly weds who have yet to have kids and make the move to the suburbs. Many cultures of the world coexist side by side in our city.

But, in the last 12 months, we have also become the nation's largest city with a gay mayor and home to the largest abortion clinic in the western hemisphere. Another survey reveals we now also lead the nation in births among the under 15 years of age demographic. Our city is suffering tremendously from moral decay.

The solution is not legislation. The answer is a spiritual matter. Houston is in desperate need of spiritual awakening. We need a movement of God. History evidences that it will first require that we have revival in our churches. Houston's moral drift evidences how much our churches have fallen behind the curve in reaching our city. We need more church plants and we need the churches we do have to recalibrate: we have by and large stopped making disciples and now just worry about helping people in the sinner's prayer so they avoid going to Hell. Disciples make disciples, converts do not reproduce.

We need the Southern Baptist Convention to make Houston one of the "focus cities" one year soon. We need our seminaries to put Houston in the minds of church planters. We need Houston's pastors to love each other and root for each other instead of eyeing each other as rivals and worrying about "marking territories". While we play selfish, unbiblical games, millions of people in our nation's 4th largest city are going unreached.

We can still reach our city, but it's going to take a movement of God in and through our local churches. May it happen in my lifetime. I love our city and I love Houstonians; Houston is my favorite city on earth.

think about adopting a Haitian child

With over 100,000 dead from the Haiti earthquakes, there is no shortage of children who were orphaned overnight and are now in need of a dad and mom. Would you pray about whether the Lord might have you legally adopt a Haitian child? He might and He might not, however, if you feel it might be something the Lord is leading you to do, a helpful step as you wrestle with the issue would be to order Adopted for Life, an outstanding resource that will help you think biblically through adoption.

Haiti Donations Deductible on 2009 Tax Returns

It looks like congress is going to send a benevolent bill to the Oval Office for President Obama's approval. Kudos to them if they get this done.

British Study on the Role of Preaching

Al Mohler, President of the SBC’s Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY, and a leading evangelical cultural observer, interacts with a recent study in Britain on the role of preaching in the local church. http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/01/20/how-will-they-hear-without-a-preacher/

Boycott Houston

You heard about "Boycott Houston"? A pastor in Amarillo has called for believers all across America to boycott Houston in order to punish Houstonian believers for the election of our gay mayor and the opening of the western hemisphere's largest abortion clinic. According to those involved in Boycott Houston, the blame for the election of a gay mayor and the abortion clinic falls at the feet of Houstonian believers.

Before we get all up in arms about the ridiculous plan, let's see this as a great learning opportunity. I've long said Christians boycotting unbelievers and their businesses simply for doing what unbelievers do is unloving and hampers evangelism.

As a Christian living in Houston, how does it feel right now knowing that you have brothers and sisters in Christ who are calling people to boycott your city and business with the purpose of causing you personal, significant financial hardship, all in an effort to get you to agree with them? They want to bankrupt you and put your spouse and children on financial hard times in order to get you to agree with them. Is their strategy working...are you embracing their perspective or feeling wrath toward them? Are you wanting to know more about what they have to say or do you want to "let them have it"? Do you view them as credible or have you written them off along with everything else they have to say?

So, the next time a believer comes up with some "brilliant" plan to boycott an unbeliever who is merely doing what unbelievers do, remember how the "Boycott Houston" news affected you--it turned you away from those who are trying to do you harm. Boycotting unbelievers doesn't communicate anything to them except hatred and harm and hinders the advance of the gospel.

Is it better to slap a company in order to communicate how much you don't like them supporting the gay lifestyle and in so doing turn them away from the gospel or to make disciples of the employees and decision makers of said company?

Love our City, Love the World.

Jan 18th Protest of Abortion Clinic

Last month, Houston became the nation's largest city with a gay mayor. This month, Houston becomes home to the nation's largest abortion clinic.

On Jan. 18, there will be a large and well organized pro-life rally outside Planned Parenthood's new 6 story, mega facility. For those in town and available, this is a great opportunity to prove there are many people who hold to a pro-life/pro-family value system.

Interesting Survey Results Re: Happiness

Here are some interesting Pew Research Center results on happiness:

Marrieds happier than unmarrieds
Republicans happier than Dems
Whites and Hispanics happier than Af Ams
Rich happier than poor
Married with children NOT happier than married without children
Retirees NOT happier than those still working
Those that live in Sun Belt happier than any other part of USA
Those who go to church happier and healthier than those that don't

From Nicole's Blog

Nicole posted a great challenge for mothers to be proactive in being prepared and educated to raise daughters in biblical womanhood instead of what our culture has to offer.

Global Warming Article

A professor friend at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth pointed me to this very good article that addresses from a Christian worldview, various issues related to our culture's current conversation re: global warming. Great article for all thinking Christians to read.

Thoughts I think about the election of Mayor Parker

1. 2.2 million people live in locations of our nation's 4th largest city that qualify them to vote for our mayor. Stunningly, only 152,000 of them voted in the runoff. Talk about an election in which every vote counted! Did you know Houston is the county seat of Harris County, a county larger than the state of Rhode Island? Only 152,000 people voted. Wow.

2. Our city is now the largest in the country with a homosexual mayor. I am not surprised. I have been telling folks in our convention for years that Houston is overwhelmingly unchurched and unreached, and few believe me because our city is the largest in the bible belt. Anybody surprised by Houston's mayoral election does not have a pulse on our city. Again, I urge local churches, the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) to invest heavily in reaching Houston. If you feel called by God to an urban setting to make disciples, please give Houston serious consideration.

3. The location of my residence prevents me from voting in city elections. Had I been qualified to vote, I would not have voted for Mayor Parker due to a strong disagreement with her family values, namely homosexuality, abortion, and the definition of marriage. I pray her agenda related to those issues fails.

4. I do not hate or scorn Mayor Parker, in fact, I am deeply committed to her personal well being. It is an act of Christian conduct to love her like I love myself. So, I pray for the Lord's blessings upon her. I pray for her protection and safety, her health, financial blessing, wisdom, strength, and that she will learn to love the Lord Jesus with all her heart. I would urge Christians everywhere to do the same.

5. Houstonians now have a mayor and president with a value system far from Scripture, including the arenas of homosexuality, marriage, abortion, and sex education. Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, is a key date for Texans who vote biblical values. On that day, Texans will elect their new governor. Should someone with similar values be elected, Christian Houstonians will simultaneously have a mayor, governor, and president whose value systems are opposed by Scripture.

American Culture Through the Eyes on Tiger

My prediction is that in two months, nobody will care about the Tiger Woods scandal--it will barely be back page news. A couple of months after that he will be the well liked Tiger of old. Why? in American culture, productivity trumps character by a very large margin, every time.

In our culture, evidence overwhelmingly indicates that what you do matters much more than who you are as a person. When we meet new people, we ask "what do you do?" questions more than "who are you?" questions. In the '90s we had a married president who had adulterous sex in the Oval Office while on the telephone with a senator and lied about the affair to the nation and a grand jury, yet today he is an American icon and hero because despite his values, he is undeniably a great leader. Wilt Chamberlain admitted to tremendous sexual deviancy in the '60s, but was a top athlete and is revered. Magic Johnson admitted to a litany of affairs, but was a top athlete of the '80s and is dearly loved. Michael Jordan admitted to at least one affair, but was a top athlete of the '90s and is dearly loved. Tiger Woods admitted to an affair, but is the top athlete of the '00s and will be dearly loved.

On the other hand, see national pariah, Pete Rose--what is his unforgivable offense? He cheated in the productivity arena. What is Roger Clemens' unforgivable offense? He cheated in the productivity arena. Why is Marion Jones an unmentionable on sports television? She cheated in the productivity arena.

"Productivity over integrity" is a cultural norm in this country and thus my prediction that Tiger Woods will be back on his throne in short order. He is still the best golfer in the world, even to me, a fan of Lefty.

However, it's this very cultural norm that makes it difficult to live out a Christian worldview in America. Consider the Lord's qualifications for a pastor in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and a deacon in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Out of the credentials list of a pastor, only one is related to church productivity, "able to teach". The rest of the list are all character issues. Out of the credential list for a deacon, none are related to church productivity. In the Kingdom of God, "integrity over productivity" is a cultural norm. The Christian worldview and the culture's worldview are at odds and always will be.

We who are Christ followers are foreigners and aliens in this land just as 1 Peter says. This place is not our home, we are merely pilgrims passing through on the way to our Promised Land. Until we get there, let's hold fast to our culture's values and yet be kind to those who hold to our host country's values for, as much as possible, we want to maintain open lines of communication with them in an effort to make disciples of as many as possible. Let us not grow weary from waiting to enter the Promised Land, nor become frustrated by those that hold to the worldview of our culture. We must be longsuffering, desiring for no man to perish.

Pray for the Children

Tuesday morning of this week found me inside Texas' Plane State Prison for women, visiting one of our members. This will be her first Christmas behind bars so there was lots of talk over the phone, through the glass window, about not being home with her children for Christmas. My heart is heavy.

This Christmas, many children in our city and around the world will be separated from parents through no fault of their own: prison sentences, military service, missionary service, kidnappings, job demands, grudges, divorce, and so much more.

Would you take a moment to pray for the children of the world who, despite a deep yearning for a parent, will be separated from them by time and distance through no fault of their own? Pray for comfort and peace. Pray that they will know a personal relationship with the ultimate parent, our Heavenly Father, through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

(picture taken on 2004 NEHBC mission trip in Mexico)