Finish what you begin
Posted by
Pastor Coon
Labels:
From My Heart

Have you noticed that God finishes what He starts? He didn’t stop creating the heavens, the earth, the sea and all that is in them until He was finished. Jesus did not give up the Ghost until “it was finished”. God's Word says He won't stop until He ushers in the millennial reign followed by the new heaven, new earth, and the new Jerusalem.
God is not finished with us either. He is shaping us for eternity in heaven. We may be tempted to think that the good work begun in us was our idea (wrong!). We may be tempted to think that the good work we are doing in His Name will not be completed (wrong again!). God has ordained our times and seasons.
It can be tempting to give up the good fight when we have so much going against us. We may find that our zeal for evangelism fizzles because we are overwhelmed with the resistance of Satan. Resolve to keep your eyes on Jesus. Press on to finish the race, forgetting what lies behind.
Be a finisher.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1:6).
Have you noticed that God finishes what He starts? He didn’t stop creating the heavens, the earth, the sea and all that is in them until He was finished. Jesus did not give up the Ghost until “it was finished”. God's Word says He won't stop until He ushers in the millennial reign followed by the new heaven, new earth, and the new Jerusalem.
God is not finished with us either. He is shaping us for eternity in heaven. We may be tempted to think that the good work begun in us was our idea (wrong!). We may be tempted to think that the good work we are doing in His Name will not be completed (wrong again!). God has ordained our times and seasons.
It can be tempting to give up the good fight when we have so much going against us. We may find that our zeal for evangelism fizzles because we are overwhelmed with the resistance of Satan. Resolve to keep your eyes on Jesus. Press on to finish the race, forgetting what lies behind.
Be a finisher.
Saturday, May 16, 2009 | > 0 Comments
Religion and Politics Don't Mix?
Posted by
Pastor Coon
Labels:
Current Events,
From My Desk
For all of our nation's history, there have been tactical battles between opposing political ideologies -- liberals (leftists) who want to liberate us from constitutional rule of law, and conservatives who strive to conserve rule of law. Great political capital has been, and continues to be, expended by the Left in order to offend our Constitution, and by the Right in order to defend it.
Amid the din and rhetoric of the current lineup of tactical contests, I ask that you venture up to the strategic level and consider a primal issue that transcends all the political noise.
How many times have you heard the rejoinder, "Religion and politics don't mix"?
Most Americans have, for generations now, been inculcated (read: "dumbed down") by the spurious "wall of separation" metaphor and believe that it is a legitimate barrier between government and religion. So effective has been this false indoctrination that even some otherwise erudite conservatives fail to recall that religion and politics not only mix, but are inseparable.
Recall that our Founders affirmed in the Declaration of Independence "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
In other words, our Creator bestowed the rights enumerated in our Declaration and, by extension, as codified in its subordinate guidance, our Constitution. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are natural rights; they are not gifts from government.
To that end, Alexander Hamilton wrote, "The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for, among old parchments, or musty records. They are written, as with a sun beam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power."
But the Left has, for many decades, made its primary objective the eradication of God from every public quarter, and routinely relied on judicial activism to undermine constitutional rule of law and, thus, the natural rights of man.
The intended consequence of this artificial barrier between church and state is to remove knowledge of our Creator from all public forums and, thus, over time, to disabuse belief in a sovereign God and the natural rights He has endowed.
Read more here or download the whole document in a PDF.
"The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time."
--Thomas Jefferson
For all of our nation's history, there have been tactical battles between opposing political ideologies -- liberals (leftists) who want to liberate us from constitutional rule of law, and conservatives who strive to conserve rule of law. Great political capital has been, and continues to be, expended by the Left in order to offend our Constitution, and by the Right in order to defend it.
Amid the din and rhetoric of the current lineup of tactical contests, I ask that you venture up to the strategic level and consider a primal issue that transcends all the political noise.How many times have you heard the rejoinder, "Religion and politics don't mix"?
Most Americans have, for generations now, been inculcated (read: "dumbed down") by the spurious "wall of separation" metaphor and believe that it is a legitimate barrier between government and religion. So effective has been this false indoctrination that even some otherwise erudite conservatives fail to recall that religion and politics not only mix, but are inseparable.
Recall that our Founders affirmed in the Declaration of Independence "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
In other words, our Creator bestowed the rights enumerated in our Declaration and, by extension, as codified in its subordinate guidance, our Constitution. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are natural rights; they are not gifts from government.
To that end, Alexander Hamilton wrote, "The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for, among old parchments, or musty records. They are written, as with a sun beam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power."
But the Left has, for many decades, made its primary objective the eradication of God from every public quarter, and routinely relied on judicial activism to undermine constitutional rule of law and, thus, the natural rights of man.
The intended consequence of this artificial barrier between church and state is to remove knowledge of our Creator from all public forums and, thus, over time, to disabuse belief in a sovereign God and the natural rights He has endowed.
Read more here or download the whole document in a PDF.
Friday, May 15, 2009 | > 0 Comments
Language: An Uncommon Threat
Posted by
Pastor Coon
Labels:
From My Heart
Satan is tirelessly working against God by seeking to destroy His children. That threat is common to every Christian. The Enemy’s persecution appears in varying forms, even deceiving the elect.
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (Col 2:8).”
These last days call for discernment and wisdom. Something that appears good can be nothing more than a facade concealing the evil lurking behind it. Be warned. Satan’s attack is increasing while he is cleverly disguising his deceptive tactics. His tactics now on the socio-political front on found in every-day, common language...wording such as "Hate Crimes" or "Fundamentalist" or "Freedom of Choice" are all simple things with deadly meanings and consequences. Just as God can speak through people, Satan also can use people to voice his lies. Be careful what you believe, Christian.
“Extremism” is the present-day code word used to label people as an enemy whether of the State or the religious norm. I believe that God would refer to the world's tag of "extreme Christians" as those who are merely faithful and obedient. Are you increasing in your obedience to the One who sits on the throne? “Intolerance” and “hate” are other words Satan uses to cause Christians to compromise, without them realizing it.
The Truth is the utmost picture of love and liberty...but the devil (being the father of lies) will blur the lines of truth, tolerance, and love in our socio-political world to corrupt the message of Truth and to discredit the proclaimers of Truth. Never, never, never compromise the Truth. Jesus said he is "the way, the truth, and the life..." (John 14)
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (Col 2:8).”
These last days call for discernment and wisdom. Something that appears good can be nothing more than a facade concealing the evil lurking behind it. Be warned. Satan’s attack is increasing while he is cleverly disguising his deceptive tactics. His tactics now on the socio-political front on found in every-day, common language...wording such as "Hate Crimes" or "Fundamentalist" or "Freedom of Choice" are all simple things with deadly meanings and consequences. Just as God can speak through people, Satan also can use people to voice his lies. Be careful what you believe, Christian.
“Extremism” is the present-day code word used to label people as an enemy whether of the State or the religious norm. I believe that God would refer to the world's tag of "extreme Christians" as those who are merely faithful and obedient. Are you increasing in your obedience to the One who sits on the throne? “Intolerance” and “hate” are other words Satan uses to cause Christians to compromise, without them realizing it.
The Truth is the utmost picture of love and liberty...but the devil (being the father of lies) will blur the lines of truth, tolerance, and love in our socio-political world to corrupt the message of Truth and to discredit the proclaimers of Truth. Never, never, never compromise the Truth. Jesus said he is "the way, the truth, and the life..." (John 14)
Friday, May 08, 2009 | > 0 Comments
Bless This Bottled Water
Posted by
Pastor Coon
Labels:
From My Inbox
Forget Evian or Vitaminwater. The latest beverage trend: 'Holy Water.'
You need only go back to the first chapter of Genesis to see how elemental water is to the observance of faith: "And the Spirit of God," the Bible says, "moved upon the face of the waters." In the Torah, water is used to ordain priests and to purify the sons of Aaron before they enter the temple. In the New Testament, John baptizes Jesus with water from the Jordan River. Observant Muslims wash hands and feet before they pray, orthodox Jewish women take ritual baths once a month -- and every Christian denomination still uses water as part of its sacred rites. Mormons, when they take the weekly sacrament, drink water instead of wine.
So it's not surprising that a few savvy marketers would seize on this universal symbol of purity for financial gain. Inspired, perhaps, by vitamin and energy waters, a number of new companies have begun making more explicit claims: their water doesn't just promote good health, it actually makes you good. Holy Drinking Water, produced by a California-based company called Wayne Enterprises, is blessed in the warehouse by an Anglican or Roman Catholic priest (after a thorough background check).
Like a crucifix or a rosary, a bottle of Holy Drinking Water is a daily reminder to be kind to others, says Brian Germann, Wayne's CEO. Another company makes Liquid OM, superpurified bottled water containing vibrations that promote a positive outlook. Invented by Kenny Mazursky, a sound therapist in Chicago, the water purportedly possesses an energy field that Mazursky makes by striking a giant gong and Tibetan bowls in its vicinity. He says the good energy can be felt not just after you drink the water but before, when you're holding the bottle.
Read more of this Newsweek article here
[1 Timothy 6:10 tells us "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."]
You need only go back to the first chapter of Genesis to see how elemental water is to the observance of faith: "And the Spirit of God," the Bible says, "moved upon the face of the waters." In the Torah, water is used to ordain priests and to purify the sons of Aaron before they enter the temple. In the New Testament, John baptizes Jesus with water from the Jordan River. Observant Muslims wash hands and feet before they pray, orthodox Jewish women take ritual baths once a month -- and every Christian denomination still uses water as part of its sacred rites. Mormons, when they take the weekly sacrament, drink water instead of wine.
So it's not surprising that a few savvy marketers would seize on this universal symbol of purity for financial gain. Inspired, perhaps, by vitamin and energy waters, a number of new companies have begun making more explicit claims: their water doesn't just promote good health, it actually makes you good. Holy Drinking Water, produced by a California-based company called Wayne Enterprises, is blessed in the warehouse by an Anglican or Roman Catholic priest (after a thorough background check).
Like a crucifix or a rosary, a bottle of Holy Drinking Water is a daily reminder to be kind to others, says Brian Germann, Wayne's CEO. Another company makes Liquid OM, superpurified bottled water containing vibrations that promote a positive outlook. Invented by Kenny Mazursky, a sound therapist in Chicago, the water purportedly possesses an energy field that Mazursky makes by striking a giant gong and Tibetan bowls in its vicinity. He says the good energy can be felt not just after you drink the water but before, when you're holding the bottle.Read more of this Newsweek article here
[1 Timothy 6:10 tells us "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."]
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 | > 0 Comments
Presence brings Awareness
Posted by
Pastor Coon
Labels:
From My Desk
The title really says it all as long as you understand the context and the parties involved in presence and awareness. Simply put when we draw closer to God or rather seek His presence then and only then are we able to operate with full awareness. Awareness of His grace! Awareness of His blessings. Awareness of His mercy and long-suffering. Awareness of His desire for us to obey Him. Awareness of our need to tell others of His presence. Read what one of our missionaries wrote recently.
George Kinsey
Missionary to South Africa
The book of James in chapter one and verse eighteen says that, "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." It was God out of His pure love and mercy that made me realize His verdict on my awful rebellion and to feel the awful guilt that I was justly condemned because of my sins. It was His grace that stopped me in my foolish race toward separation and brought me to my knees to seek His free grace in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Oh, His great grace has set my heart on fire for Him and made me give up myself to Him forever. Oh, that we be more grateful, more aware, and walk holy in these last evil days.
George Kinsey
Missionary to South Africa
Sunday, April 26, 2009 | > 0 Comments
A Changing World
Posted by
Pastor Coon
Labels:
Current Events,
Misc
This is a picture of a changing world both by societal standards and religious influence. This is a call to action, indeed!!
This is a picture of a changing world both by societal standards and religious influence. This is a call to action, indeed!!
Saturday, April 25, 2009 | > 0 Comments
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