Another Program Up and Running

February 25, 2006
(mp3 format, right click and choose “save as”)

Song - “The Old Account” by The Calvary Quartet, Wonderful Savior
Sermon - “Six Principles for the Christian Single” by Pastor Kevin Thompson
Sermon – “100% Sure” by Evangelist Dan Knickerbocker
Links:
The Calvary Quartet
Fundamental Baptist Singles’ Fellowship
Revival Ministries – Evangelist Dan Knickerbocker

Interview with Marlin Fitzwater

The following is from an interview I had with Marlin Fitzwater, who was Press Secretary under both Ronald Reagan and George Bush, Sr.. The interview was held on November 18 1993. As you will probably notice, it was my first.
The picture here was taken at that same event, but this is Andy Card, now Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush. For some reason I cannot find the picture of me and Fitzwater…

Kevin Thompson: Now you went to college in Kansas?
Marlin Fitzwater: Yes, I attended the University of Kansas. I graduated in 1965.
KT: What did you major in?
FITZWATER: I majored in journalism.
KT: And straight from there you went into politics?
FITZWATER: As a matter of fact I did, I worked for the government as a publicist.
KT: What did you do from there?
FITZWATER: Well, I worked in various different agencies such as the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency]…Then in 1983 I got into the White House.
KT: As President Reagan’s Deputy Press Secretary?
FITZWATER: Yes, then I worked in 1985 as vice-president Bush’s Press Secretary, and then President Bush’s Press Secretary in ‘89.
KT: How does it feel to be the only Press Secretary to serve in that position for two Presidents?
FITZWATER: It’s kind of funny because there’s a tradition in the White House that the Press Secretary always leaves a note, in a bullet proof vest in the security closet, for his successor. I wrote myself a note. I told myself to know when to quit.
KT: As Press Secretary, what were some of your basic jobs and duties?
FITZWATER: I hold a press conference each day, and I issue most public statements the White House has.
KT: You Obviously worked with the press a lot, what role do you think the press plays today in policy making?
FITZWATER: It certainly has an influence. It can change your attitude toward something.
KT: Many people blame “the past twelve years” for the recession we’re now in, and other look back on the 1990 budget deal. What’s your opinion?
FITZWATER: We had twelve years of prosperity without a recession. We have to remember that the recession of 1991 – 1992 was predicted to come in 1986 – 1987. It was bound to happen. It was a business cycle recession.
KT: What about the 1990 budget deal which President Bush signed?
FITZWATER: It was a mistake, it really was a mistake.
KT: Why do you think Bush signed it, to get in good with the Democrats?
FITZWATER: No, it was sincere. He truly thought the deficit was a problem and thought raising taxes would help. He really had the country in mind.
KT: What advice would you give young journalists today?
FITZWATER: It’s a great occupation, stick with it, and always be honest and accurate.

Three Signs of A Man-Centered Theology

“What we think about when we think of God,” says AW Tozer, “Is the most important thing we can think about.” How we approach the Almighty Sovereign of all creation is foundational to every aspect of our Christian lives. Unfortunately, in today’s church there is growing epidemic which pollutes our praise and holds back our worship. I call this, man-centered theology.

Propisitional Statement:
Man-centered theology is an attempt to understand God only as He relates to mankind.

I. Man-centered theology focuses on gratitude, but not worship (Isa 6:3)
A. Praise is for what God has done for me, but not for simply who He is
B. God is good because of what he does for me
– We thank Him for answered prayer
– We thank Him for His love for us
– We’ve reduced God to a prayer genie
– Your girlfriend’s name could be substituted for God’s name in most
modern praise choruses
C. It is almost as if the created are being worshiped through the Creator
– God is good because he deemed us worthy to receive His blessing
– Imagine treating anyone else that way. I think we all a friend growing up, that this
was true of. Even though it was increadibly shallow, we still did it. Sure, we didn’t
like him too much, but he had a pool. So we were friends at least in the summer
time…. He had the toys I always wanted… How shallow is our walk with God?
D. Instead we must focus on who God is, and how undeserving we are
E. Isiaih here is looking at God Almighty – how can He be concerned with anything
else? How dare he be concerned with anything else? Our problem is, we stand
before God and fail to realize who we stand before. Have you ever been absolutely
mesmorized by something? Maybe it was a sunset or painting, beauty of some sort.
You just can’t take your eyes off it. We need to realze the awesomeness of God. We
have lost that knowledge.
F. There is a place for gratitude. We ought to thank God for what He has done in our
lives. But we must remember that what He does is a direct result of who He is.

II. Man-centered theology focuses on works, but not grace (Eph. 2:8-9)
A. Salvation is looked on as a loan, not a gift
1. A loan must be paid back.
2. Because Christ did this for me, I must do this for Him
3. Good works in the Christian life are looked on as payback
B. A free gift does not need to be paid back, otherwise it was not free
C. Every good work we do to “pay Him back” is done through His strength and by His
grace, so as we try to pay back what we owe, we grow even deeper in our “debt to
God.” Instead of paying God back, we must make full use of HIS power and use it to
further His kingdom and praise His name

III. Man-centered theology focuses on the practical, but not the conceptual
(Eph 3:17-19)
A. When preaching, we want only what will help me in my everyday life.
– How can I get my prayers answered?
– How can I get spiritual victories?
B. We do this at the cost of theological exploration into the person and character of God.
– We need to focus our attention on God and who He is
– We need to fall in love with Christ, let Him fill our lives.
C. In all reality, this is the most practical thing I could tell you. The Christian life at its
best is one that has lost sight of self and has set its sites completely on the person of
Christ. Everything else is a by-product of your relationship with Jesus. You can’t have
a relationship with someone you don’t know!

Conclusion:
If we all were to examine our hearts, I’m sure we would see some part of a man-centered theology deeply ingrained and rooted within ourselves. We must renew our focus upon God and not on ourselves. We ought to search the great depths of Scripture diligently for a deeper and more intimate knowledge of the Almighty. We must strive to say with the Apostle Paul, “That I may know Him…”

A Good NIght’s Rest

I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.—Psalm 3:5

Ever stay up all night worrying? Sure, according the alarm clock on the night stand, you should be asleep, but your mind is racing with all sorts of problems and dilemmas. You toss and turn all night wondering what the morning will bring. How will that situation turn out? What in the world can you do about it? Uncertainty and doubt plague what should be your time of rest.
The next morning is even worse. Now, not only do you still have all the problems you spent last night worrying about, but now you are tired and irritable!
David did not have that problem here. Why? You would imagine that with all he went through (Goliath, Saul, Bathsheba…), there would be many a sleepless night. But David enjoys rest here for one lone reason—The LORD sustained me. The world is full of problems, but we have a Lord who is sovereign over them all. He loves His children and diligently keeps watch over them all. The problems are present, but so is God’s sustaining power. Forget about counting sheep, remember all that the Lord has done for you. Find your rest in His strong yet loving arms.
Have you ever thought about that one phrase stuck in the middle? “I awaked.” Well, since David is writing, we assume that to be true. Seems a bit unnecessary to even mention it. Yet, God would not take up precious space in His Holy Word to include meaningless phrases.
He awaked. Ever not want to get up in the morning? Waking up means a departure from dreamland and re-entry into the real world. Sometimes reality can be hard to face. Sure, you have many dreams for yourself. Then reality comes along and cruelly squashes them. Friend, go ahead and wake up. The Lord is with you. The Lord has big plans for your life, plans you never even dreamt of.

Today’s Program

This Week’s Program:

February 18, 2006
(mp3 format, right click and choose “save as”)

Song - “Be Thou My Vision” by The Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team, Higher Ground – Irish Stylings

Interview - Evangelist Dan Souza

Sermon - “Shall A Man Live Again?” by Evangelist Dan Souza

Links:
Altar Call Ministries
Baptist Web Site
The Steve Pettit Evangelistic Ministries

God’s Inheritance

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. – Psalm 2:8

It should not surprise you to learn that this world is not our friend. Everyday our Christian values and beliefs are under constant assault. Across the world, the blood of the martyrs still flows from the treacheries Satan has prepared for those who cling to the Cross. The main stream media and culture are more than willing accomplices in this never-ending attack.
The pressure is on and growing each day. Perhaps you find yourself struggling at the job with that one co-worker watching every move you make. For his own sake, he needs your faith to be fake. Perhaps you find yourself the sole Christian in your family. They just do not understand why someone with your financial problems continually wastes ten percent of your income, while bills pile up and children are in need. We all face pressure from an unsaved world.
Well, friend, I have good news for you. This verse reminds us that the enemies of Christ are the possession of Christ! God the Father has given His Son Jesus reign over all creation. That includes even those who blaspheme His name and seek to purge the earth of His presence. Those who shout against God with every breath, do so only because Christ allows them air! In other words, God is in control.
Remember that through the process of pain and purging, God is molding and shaping you into His image. God uses persecution in our lives to bring about His desired end. But don’t lose faith, when He is finished—our enemies are finished. Just think, how embarrassing it will be for the adversaries of Christ to find out all their work actually strengthened His cause! Now that’s an encouraging thought…

Today’s Program

This Week’s Program:
February 11, 2006
(mp3 format, right click and choose “save as”)

Song – “Since I Met Jesus” by The Byron Fox Family, Singing His Praise

Sermon – “The Bible Makes us Baptists” by Kevin Thompson, Assistant Pastor of North Baptist Church

Links:
Galilean Baptist Church, Stafford Springs, CT
North Baptist Church of Brockton, MA
Bible Truth Music

Super Bowl Sunday

Today was the big day for millions around the country. The big game. When did we ever get to the point where we allowed a game to rival our commitment to the church? Really? I understand that football is a popular sport, but how can the choice between a game that means nothing of any real consequence and a commitment to God and His Body ever really become an actual choice that people need to think about?

I am not preaching against sports. And for the record, I did watch the last half of the game after church. But, really, why are we so wrapped up in a game. Even if your team won – how does that effect anyone’s life? You will still have the same job tomorrow, facing the same problems you had yesterday, and nothing has changed! Yet, when we approach the doors of our local church where the Word of God is preached, which has the power to change lives, generations, and eternity, we treat it casually and try to “make time for it” every now and again.

I wonder how powerful our churches would be if we showed as much excitement for the things of God as we do with sports. Just a thought…