RIP VAN...WHO!?!

     Well...Hello! It's been quite a while! Now that I am not pastoring a church anymore I am looking forward to posting now and then. I'll have to see how frequent that will be.
     I am looking forward to where the Lord leads me in service to/for Him! I am currently readying myself for an Evangelistic Ministry as an itinerant preacher/singer being available for concerts, pulpit supply, and revivals! Pray for me as I follow Him is my plea to you. I am...

                                                      ...Grateful for Grace!
                                                               The DOGpreacher
  

TOUCHED...

Oh, the joy, of love Divine;

Such peace and assurance, to be His, and not mine.

I was wretched and poor, once enslaved to sin;

'Til His light shone all about me, and His grace reeled me in.

Now a slave to righteousness, oh what joy to be;

In the service of my Lord, the One who rescued me.

From the day to day horror, of a lost and helpless soul;

To adoption, yes, a child of God, the One from whom all things flow.

Unmerited favor (?) , yes, now I understand;

I am born again, not of myself, but by the touch of the Master's Hand!

Touched,

The D.O.G.preacher

Malnutrition......In A Land Of Plenty...Part 2
(So...What’s In Your Pantry?)

It might be that you have already performed this exercise, however once is not enough for what we are doing here. This must be something you eventually do continually. You will, in time, progress to a point where this exercise will progress to a 'preventative maintenance' type of work, instead of a 'spring cleaning'.

Okay, let's all do this together. In keeping with the theme of this series, let's open our pantries for inspection. No, I won't be looking, just you...& Him. Just so we all are on the same page, the PANTRY I am referring to is the variety of places you frequent (home [library, T.V. room, etc.], work, recreational areas, church...etc.) in which you are fed mentally/spiritually. This should include (for example) what you READ, what you VIEW, what (& who) you LISTEN to. At this point, some of you have already felt that old familiar rebellion rising up within you (yes that is rebellion), that brings forth from your lips your favorite battle cry (text), "Judge not lest you be judged...”! If that isn't the first cry, it will only be because you have first sounded off about 'legalism'. But, that's alright, stay with us here and see that this is applicable to you just as it is to all of us.

How many of you would be appalled if you answered the knock at your door, and found a few people who said, "Hi, I hope you don't mind if we come in. We would like to curse and swear, make blatant innuendos of a sexual nature, show you some graphic violence and murders via this slide show. Don't worry, we brought our own projector. Now, for a little mood music, could you play some Eminem, Beastie Boys, Spice Girls, Korn, AC/DC, Prince...or basically anything that glorifies illicit sex, violence and death, you know, anything opposite of what God would approve of you consuming? Oh, c'mon, even if YOU don't have anything like that in the house, we know your children do. Speaking of them, have you seen the commercials for the sadistic (rated T for Team, M for mature, and WORSE) games for their PlayStation or whatever that is that YOU bought them for Christmas, and then allowed it to be in their room w/their own TV?! WELL....it's been nice entertaining you for the evening...now, pay up! You surely didn't think this kind of entertainment would be free, did you?"

Just the thought of someone barging in your home with this filth and degradation is appalling to consider, isn't it? We might react, saying, “I wouldn't stand for that in my house, I would throw them out.” NO, YOU WON'T.....instead; YOU call THEM up and INVITE them out, and PAY them to come into your home. Is it local cable you have, or is it satellite, transmitting all of this "junk food" into your home.

No, I am not saying that the TV is Satan in a box. The TV is neither righteous nor evil. It is you & I...humans. WE are the ones who choose the sexually suggestive programs we watch, the vanity promoting magazines we read, the suggestive (violence, sex, rebellion) lyrics we listen to, and repeatedly pound into our heads.

Have you caught yourself laughing at the sexual innuendos (all outside of Gods intentions for sex) of your favorite sit-com, de-sensitized to the multitudes of brutal crimes (Assault, rape, murder, etc.) that we watch on the hour-long dramas, OR, the complete assault on your mind with the pooling together of these with the Names of our Saviour and God being continuously & flippantly taken in vain, in the Movies we watch?

Philippians 4:8-9....."(8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things (are) honest, whatsoever things (are) just, whatsoever things (are) pure, whatsoever things (are) lovely, whatsoever things (are) of good report, if (there be) any virtue, and if (there be) any praise, think on these things. (9) These things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. One must be very selective in their consumption of the various media outlets of this world, if they intend on keeping their mind on the things we are urged to keep them on in Philippians. Personal Holiness is not a real popular thing today....but, it should be. It amazes me how Christians today lament the fact that they are worried (finances, children, job, etc.) so much, and seem to have 'no peace of mind'. As the aforementioned scripture stated, "...the God of peace shall be with you."...WHEN you put your mind on the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtuous, & praiseworthy...THEN the God of peace WILL be with you, and 'peace of mind' will be yours.
We all know what GIGO stands for, right? Yeah, that's right, garbage in.....garbage out. That's right, what we feed on (whether physically, or spiritually/mentally) WILL make up who we are. THEN, what is inside us will come from us in our actions.

NEXT.....Pt.3, Manna from Heaven!

Feeding On The Word,

The D.O.G.preacher

GRACE

(My Conversion...& yours!)

I was born in sin,

a curse of "the fall";

not I alone...

but humanity...all.

My trajectory was downward,

as only it could be;

'til His hand caught my falling soul,

graciously revealing Himself to me.

I saw my sin...

my state...my plight;

then turning from darkness,

I ran to light.

By grace, through faith,

I have been set free;

no longer a slave to sin,

but to the One Who's blood bought me.

Before the foundation of the world,

He chose me, in Him to abide;

Then with irresistible grace,

did draw me to His side.

And so, fearing not,

I now stand;

So safely cupped,

in those nail-scarred hands.

With God for me,

whom shall I fear;

as He preserves me,

I persevere!

In His Hand,

The D.O.G.preacher

Yes, this is my conversion I wrote about, but it easily could have been yours also. Notice that there is nothing personal about this testimony to God's saving grace that links it only to me (or anybody else). Quite frankly...this is simply what happens to every one who has ever been born from above (born again).

Malnutrition......In a land of plenty
(Those Who Have, & Those Who Have Not)

You have all seen the pictures I am sure. A Child...with swollen belly, and frail appendages; How does this happen, we ask. The answer is Malnutrition. Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary/10th Edition defines malnutrition as "faulty or inadequate nutrition". BOTH of these defining points play a part in these children we see in the aforementioned condition. An inadequate supply of food combined with the fact that there is not the right kinds of foods for balanced nutrition, and the contamination factor (water & food), ALL contribute to the malnutrition we see in these commercials...asking for us to help...to help get the right foods for a balanced nutrition. They must get the PURE (uncontaminated) water & bread to these little ones, or they have NO HOPE!!

Now...take the time to look around you. We live in a land of plenty. For most, there is an adequate supply of food here. For most it is clean & contamination free food & water. We have in this Country (for the most part) exactly what is needed for balanced nutrition. And yet, this Country is one of the most obese and out of shape in the world, not to mention the most wasteful. This is to our great shame.

From The Physical To The Spiritual

This country does have its malnourished. In this country (for the most part) there are no excuses. In a land where we have an abundance of food & water that is uncontaminated and is perfect for supplying the bodies with the needed nutrition for good health.....look at us. One has the accessibility to the proper diet, but prefers to ingest the things that will slowly lead their body...their health, to physical ruin. Is this an example of insanity? That IS a fair question.Those of you reading this who watch what you eat very closely, and have probably been in agreement with all I have written so far.....what's your excuse ? Yes, YOU!

When it comes to physical food you have been wise, and have taken care of your body by regulating what your dietary intake will be. How much more should you regulate your spiritual/mental intake? There are many types & brand names of food in the grocery store competing for your loyalty as a consumer. Yet, you resist an urge to buy 6 Twinkies & 3 Turtle Fudge Cheesecakes by the reasoning that this would not be good for your body. This is much the same as it is in the field of Religion. There are new marketing strategies every day it seems, to entice you to be a loyal consumer of their brand. However...this is a part I will wait to comment on for awhile.

So.....You Think You’re Sane Do You?

Didn't some one say that the definition of insanity was to do the same thing over and over, the exact same way.....and expect different results ? Oh...YHWH our God, let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds, help us to put on the mind of Christ (Yeshua). Then, we will be of sound mind.

I will get right down to the issue at hand. 1 John 2: 15-17 says, "(15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17) And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever."

OK, I will pause for those who wish to repent & clean house now!

What kind of mental/spiritual "food" are you feeding on daily? Have you 'counted the cost' of grazing at the feeding troughs of the world? As you "sip the wine of the wrath of her fornications" you are desensitized and deceived as to your spiritual state. Alright, let's get down to the crux of the matter. The "Churches" of today are disobedient & a stench in His nostrils. Oh, I know...not you & yours...it's those "others". My advice unto you (as unto myself) is to "examine yourself", and all that entails.

Humble yourself before the Almighty, and ask Him to point out any wicked way in you (me). Do this (pray) right after you have read 1 John 2: 15-17, and then read it again. No one that He loves will be exempt at this point from the chastising conviction of the Holy Spirit of God upon your heart/mind. Will you be found guilty of loving this present world more than the One who redeemed you? Or will you be righteous in your own eyes? Be careful Mr. Pride, & think this through. When you "feed" on the things of this world instead of His 'manna' from heaven, you will be the baby christian who is so pitiful & sad. With a bloated spiritual belly from the worlds contaminated food & drink that you are ingesting, you have no strength to stand when needed. You are weak in all areas, especially the mind. The Church is FULL of this because the Church is FULL of the WORLD!!The passage says, "...if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

Accounting/Inventory Department

Do you love this One who died that you might have life abundant & eternal? It is time to take inventory. It is time for an accounting. When you rationalize the few sex scenes, and the nudity as a MUST for making a good movie (huh?), and the MANY times God's name is taken in vain (not just the times it is linked up with damn.), as well as the barrage of sexual innuendos, ask yourself, "Am I even remotely pleasing to God BY these actions, or is He displeased with my choice of entertainment?" I assure you He will NEVER approve of your preference for the world over Him as a way to spend your time. That would be contradictory to His Word. Oh, you may hear a still small voice say, "it's okay, you're a good boy/girl....”. Guess what? That wasn't God!! God NEVER approves of or winks at our sin. That was your wicked and deceitful heart trying to justify the sin you love so much. Well....this is the Accounting/Inventory Department.....excuses and self righteous 'feelings' carry NO weight around here.

Final Thoughts on Part 1

So.....how are we doing out there? There's only two types (and that is INSIDE the Christian camp) that are reading this. One says (with bowed head), “search me dear God, and reveal to me my wicked ways, and help me to know you more, and my ways to be pleasing to you." Then there's the other type. I know him well. I used to be him. He already had a hundred thoughts of self-justification for his ways before half-way finishing this post. He is angry at such [legalistic] nonsense. I am free he says. I have Christian liberty. My friend, look around you...right now, in your own home/room/desk/bookshelves/magazine racks/cd-dvd changer/your mind.....ooh....see. THAT isn't free. That is displeasing to Almighty God!

Stay tuned for Part 2: So.....What's In Your Pantry?

Grateful for grace,

The D.O.G.preacher

The D.O.G. House

This is the initial post of "The D.O.G. House", a blog centered around Elm Baptist Church & operated by the Elders, of which I am one. I am Gregg Hall (Elder/Pastor), A.K.A the D.O.G.preacher. The D.O.G. is for "Doctrines Of Grace" of course! I hope to inspire other members of Elm Baptist Church to not only enter "The D.O.G. House" to read the Posts and to comment, but hopefully to contribute their "kibbles & bits" (relevant posts) concerning Elm Baptist Church, so that those of you who are curious can get to know us!