Hope yours is better than theirs:
And my personal favorite:
Merry Christmas 
The Overflow
"For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." -Jesus
Posted in December 2009 …
John Piper on Jesus & Truth + Priest Encouraging Impoverished to Steal
Couple of items I’d like to share with you today.
First, I ran across a good article from John Piper on Christianity.com today. In it, John points out four aspects of Jesus’ “bearing witness to the truth:” 1) Speaking the Truth, 2) Being the Truth, 3) Dying to Establish the Truth, and 4) Sending Us to Witness to the Truth. It’s short and worth the read – check it out.
Second, this story made me chuckle today. A priest in England encouraged poor congregants to steal over the holidays. Here’s an excerpt:
Father Jones told the congregation: ‘My advice, as a Christian priest, is to shoplift. I do not offer such advice because I t
hink that stealing is a good thing, or because I think it is harmless, for it is neither.
‘I would ask that they do not steal from small family businesses, but from large national businesses, knowing that the costs are ultimately passed on to the rest of us in the form of higher prices.
‘I would ask them not to take any more than they need, for any longer than they need.
‘I offer the advice with a heavy heart and wish society would recognise that bureaucratic ineptitude and systematic delay has created an invitation and incentive to crime for people struggling to cope.’
He added that he felt society had failed the needy, and said it was far better they shoplift than turn to more degrading or violent options such as prostitution, mugging or burglary.
He continued: ‘My advice does not contradict the Bible’s eighth commandment because God’s love for the poor and despised outweighs the property rights of the rich.’
The local police disagreed:
‘First and foremost, shoplifting is a criminal offence and to justify this course of action under any circumstances is highly irresponsible.
‘Turning or returning to crime will only make matters worse, that is a guarantee.’
I see the priest’s point and understand where he’s coming from, but believe this is bad advice.
… but wait a minute – if they end up in jail, they’ll get three squares a day, right?
Hey, maybe this priest is on to something!
Read the full story here.
123 Baptisms, 158 Restorations at River City Ministry in 2009
I just received the year end report from Anthony Wood – the evangelist for River City Ministry.
I’ve written about River City several times before having spent a good part of my growing up years being influenced by this ministry. My dad, Jim Woodell, currently serves as the Executive Director there, and my brother-in-law filled that position before him.
River City Ministry is a mission to North Little Rock, AR’s, poor and homeless population with facilities located in a pretty rough part of town.
Free groceries, shelter, clothing, showers, toiletries, medical services, prescriptions, eye and dental care, daily meals, and a host of other services are provided by the good people at River City.
But there’s one more thing: they also have a full-time evangelist on staff whose sole purpose is to share Jesus with those coming there for other services.
River City is a great example of a ministry concerned with social justice that is making an eternal impact on the individuals being served – not simply providing them with temporal care. Other ministries like this that aren’t experiencing these types of results might think about studying River City to see what you could do differently.
From Anthony’s email:
Friends I wanted to send you this list, as I have on occasion of those immersed and restored. As 2009 comes to an end, we all rejoice that because Jesus was lifted up daily by all who serve with River City Ministry, 120 were immersed into Christ and 158 were restored back to their first love.
I am so thankful to serve with a team of dedicated servants who glorify God in every way as they serve those whom society seems to forget. Please take a few minutes to pray each by name that the faithfulness, security, hope and love of God will richly indwell them.
Here’s hoping you all have a wonderful, rich, and restful holiday season.
Blessings,
Anthony Wood, Evangelist
River City Ministry
North Little Rock AR2009 River City Ministry Baptisms
1/12 Alfred T.
1/14 Randy T.
1/15 Pamela M.
1/20 Ray T.
1/20 Teraz H.
2/9 Tony M.
2/10 Ricky B.
2/12 Clara H.
2/17 Gracie H.
2/24 Alonzo P.
2/26 Oliver S.
3/2 Lee B.
3/2 Loretta D.
3/10 Krystal W.
3/10 Darren B.
3/11 Bill K.
3/12 Ronnie T.
3/18 Vicki B.
3/24 Frederick F.
3/30 Tawana H.
4/1 Claude A.
4/6 Tim S.
4/6 Jackie G.
4/6 LaVonne T.
4/8 Tony B.
4/9 Freddie W.
4/14 John G.
4/15 Rachel M.
4/15 Buford B.
4/22 Ken P.
4/23 Frieda R.
4/27 Norman S.
4/28 Quartez S.
4/29 Chris H.
4/29 Bryan S.
5/6 Christy C.
5/7 Shawn C.
5/12 Mary B.
5/13 Cleophus B.
5/18 Brian T.
5/21 Mike R.
5/27 Adam M.
5/28 Helen D.
6/1 Kristopher S.
6/8 George B.
6/8 James T.
6/9 Richard S.
6/11 Mike S.
6/12 Roger G.
6/14 Archie J.
6/15 John K.
6/22 James J.
6/23 Willie M.
6/23 John H.
6/28 Frances N.
6/30 Robert G.
6/30 Troy H.
6/30 Don J.
7/1 Andre-a W.
7/6 Edgar B.
7/8 Charles F.
7/9 Greg P.
7/13 Antonio “Shorty” T.
7/13 Amy T.
7/14 Andre’ C.
7/20 Christy S.
7/20 Joe S.
7/21 William H.
7/22 Jason M.
7/23 Eddie D.
7/24 Jean S.
7/27 Robert C.
7/28 Brian-Paul W. H.
7/28 Rodney C.
8/2 Cleophus B.
8/4 Lamareo C.
8/5 Dean D.
8/5 Wes S.
8/6 Don K.
8/10 Nicky L.
8/11 Dairon B.
8/26 Ronnie R.
8/26 Ashante S.
8/26 Kenneth W.
9/3 Donneal M.
9/10 Larry W.
9/15 Tim R.
9/22 David W.
9/22 Anna B.
9/22 Sylvia A.
9/22 Carlester Y.
9/23 Torence N.
9/24 Emma S.
9/28 Craig W.
9/29 James S.
9/30 David F.
10/1 John H.
10/4 Shirley J.
10/6 Robert C.
10/7 Phillip “Billy” J.
10/7 John B.
10/13 Daniel S.
10/14 Jamie O.
10/14 Ulysses H.
10/15 Ralph R.
10/19 Gastivus H.
10/20 Marcus M.
10/26 Vernon F.
10/27 Glen W.
11/11 Teresa M.
11/12 Dennis C.
11/16 Paul D.
11/17 Herman B.
11/17 Brad B.
11/19 Terry A.
12/3 Pat B.
12/3 Steve P.
12/3 Samuel T.
12/9 Keith M.
12/9 Kyle T.
12/10 Louis B.
12/14 Kim H.
12/16 Mark B.2009 River City Ministry Restorations
1/6 Billy B.
1/8 Mack Y.
1/8 Rita W.
1/12 Geraldine L.
1/13 Aaron J.
1/20 Carlton W.
1/21 Cherry W.
1/22 Lilly W.
1/25 Donald B.
2/3 Brian S.
2/3 Wesley B.
2/4 Sharon H. G.
2/4 Gary Z. W.
2/4 Anthony S.
2/4 Michael Y.
2/5 Dan S.
2/11 Adam M.
2/11 Stephen S.
2/17 Alonzo M.
2/17 Willie L.
2/17 Ron M.
2/17 Earl M.
2/17 David R.
2/17 Ronnie K.
2/19 Billy B.
2/25 Oliver S.
2/26 Donald J.
2/26 Marcus T.
2/26 Joanna S.
3/2 Manuel O.
3/2 Desmond A.
3/4 Adrian B.
3/4 Wiley C.
3/4 Christy S.
3/9 Robert B.
3/10 Marty R.
3/16 Earle M.
3/17 Bryant R.
3/17 Barry M.
3/18 Albert B.
3/24 Terrence C.
3/25 Gary M.
3/30 Gastivus H.
4/1 Lloyd P.
4/1 Oliver S.
4/1 Tochelle W.
4/6 John G.
4/7 Larry H.
4/7 Kay M.
4/7 Ruth J.
4/13 Joe K.
4/16 Jeremy R.
4/20 Michael F.
4/21 Yolanda C.
4/21 Keith M.
4/22 Shantana M.
4/26 Sara B.
4/29 Danny P.
5/4 James W.
5/4 Calvin C.
5/6 Odell D.
5/7 Samuel T.
5/11 Willie J.
5/14 Mike H.
5/18 Kenneth H.
5/20 Ricky N.
5/21 Steve K.
5/26 Jay A. G.
5/27 Ed D.
5/28 John G.
6/1 Robert G.
6/5 James T.
6/9 Teraz H.
6/11 Yolanda M.
6/11 Lee B.
6/16 Dean B.
6/18 Wendell W.
6/19 Dwayne S.
6/22 Gastivus H.
6/23 Lenora B.
6/23 Michael S.
6/30 Robyne B.
7/1 Mark M.
7/13 O.J. W.
7/13 Linda H.
7/16 Tommie J.
7/22 Marcus T.
7/24 Dean D.
8/4 Roosevelt B.
8/4 Carl W.
8/11 Ronnie C.
8/11 Earnest A.
8/12 Gastivus H.
8/24 Victoria M.
8/31 Doris W.
8/31 Jesse M.
8/31 Charles C.
8/31 Linda H.
9/2 Jerry A.
9/2 Randy B.
9/9 Larry W.
9/10 Dante T.
9/15 William B.
9/21 Samuel T.
9/21 Herbert M.
9/21 Herman B.
9/21 Sylvia C.
9/22 Sylvia A.
9/22 Carlester Y.
9/28 Sandra D.
9/28 Jerry M.
9/29 Kenneth P.
9/29 Sharon W.
10/5 Frank P.
10/5 Rickey S.
10/8 Ed D.
10/8 Nandre E.
10/12 Jimmy D.
10/13 Clara H.
10/21 Tim J.
10/12 Clarence B.
10/21 Harold H.
10/21 Kenneth E.
10/22 Sherman C.
10/26 Vernon F.
10/28 Robert M.
11/2 Albert B.
11/4 Derrick C.
11/4 Terrence C.
11/5 George B.
11/5 Beth H.
11/9 Leroy K.
11/9 Andrew R.
11/9 Nathan M.
11/11 Marilyn G.
11/11 Willie J.
11/16 Charles C.
11/16 Bradley B.
11/18 Terry A.
11/18 Ronnie M.
11/18 Romero B.
11/23 Brian H.
11/24 Regina F.
11/24 Carol L.
11/30 Doris W.
11/30 L. P. F.
12/1 Donovan M.
12/1 Steve P.
12/2 Pamela B.
12/2 Dawn S.
12/14 Terrence W.
12/14 Robert A.
12/16 Rhonda B.
12/16 Darin Y.
Awesome.
As Anthony requests, “please take a few minutes to pray each by name that the faithfulness, security, hope and love of God will richly indwell them” – I know they’ll appreciate it.
‘Twas the night before Christmas at Rock-Away Rest
To celebrate my triumphant return from the deer woods (where I killed Bambi and the rest of his family – we’re eating good over here), I share with you a Christmas poem:
‘Twas the night before Christmas at Rock-Away Rest,
And all of us seniors were looking our best.
Our glasses, how sparkly, our wrinkles, how merry;
Our punchbowl held prune juice plus three drops of sherry.
A bed sock was taped to each walker in hope,
That Santa would bring us soft candy and soap.
We surely were lucky to be there with friends,
Secure in this residence and in our Depends.
Our grand kids had sent us a few Christmas crafts,
Like angels in snow suits and penguins on rafts.
The dental assistant had borrowed our teeth,
And from them she’d crafted a holiday wreath.
The bed pans, so shiny, all stood in a row,
Reflecting our candle’s magnificent glow.
Our supper so festive — the joy wouldn’t stop!
Was creamy warm oatmeal with sprinkles on top.
Our salad was Jell-O, so jiggly and great,
Then puree of fruitcake was spooned on each plate.
The social director then had us play games,
Like ‘Where Are You Living?’ and ‘What Are Your Names?’
Old Grandfather Looper was feeling his oats,
Proclaiming that reindeer were nothing but goats.
Our resident wanderer was tied to her chair,
In hopes that at bedtime she still would be there.Security lights on the new fallen snow
Made outdoors seem noon to the old folks below.
Then out on the porch there arose quite a clatter
But we are so deaf that it just didn’t matter.
A strange little fellow flew in through the door,
Then tripped on the sill and fell flat on the floor.
‘Twas just our director, all togged out in red.
He jiggled and chuckled and patted each head.
We knew from the way that he strutted and jived
Our social-security checks had arrived.
We sang — how we sang — in our monotone croak,
Till the clock tinkled out its soft 8 P.M. stroke.
And soon we were snuggling deep in our beds.
While nurses distributed nocturnal meds.
And so ends our Christmas at Rock-Away Rest.
Before long you’ll be with us, put that to the test!
You’re welcome.
And Merry Christmas (thanks to my friend Keith S. for sharing this with me).
A Good Reason Not to Accept State Funds for Your Campus Ministry
Who decides what qualifies as discrimination?
Thanks to my friend Benson Hines for bringing this case to my attention. Several years ago I heard about a campus ministry in California involved in a legal battle because an openly gay student attempted to run for president of a campus-based Christian club. Of course, the existing club members declined to allow him to run.
Obviously this young man’s beliefs didn’t mesh with that of the club and he had no business running for president, but now the club had a big problem: they’d accepted the state funds offered to all campus organizations (by the university) to finance activities for the year. Since state funds had been accepted, it was argued that state anti-discrimination laws applied, and I heard the organization was forced to dissolve on that campus. The reason: sexual discrimination. They’d refused to let a student run for office in the club based upon his sexual orientation, and he pressed charges and won the case.
Apparently this type of thing has happened more than once, and in order to avoid it I recommend Christian orgs refuse to accept state funds in the first place. State funds = possible legal problems.
Of course I’m happy for gay students or people who aren’t Christians to be my friend or to check out a meeting of an on-campus Christian club. The clubs exist in order to help people learn more about Christianity (namely, people who aren’t already Christians). It’s not like anyone is going to belittle you or be mean. In fact, you’ll find just the opposite – friends. I have many good buddies who don’t believe the same things I do and we get along just fine. Just because we have some differences doesn’t mean we can’t be friends, right?
But does it really make sense for someone who fundamentally opposes key doctrines of orthodox Christianity to be allowed to run for a leadership position in an orthodox Christian club?
What about this: would it make sense for a staunch Republican to be allowed to run for president of The College Democrats? How about a white dude running for president of the Black Student Union? Both of those scenarios are equally as ridiculous.
Whose beliefs are really being discriminated against here?
This issue has hit the Supreme Court. Read a short synopsis about it here, and a much more detailed article here.
