Aug 22, 2009

The TRUTH Project - Creating a Christian Worldview

The TRUTH Project is a marvelous 12 part series with the intent to help create a Biblical world and life view.

"In a recent study, the Barna Research Group revealed a stunning statistic that continues to reverberate throughout the evangelical world. Only 9 percent of professing Christians have a biblical worldview."

Because of this, today's believers live very similarly to non-believers. A personal sense of significance is rarely experienced, we spend our money and time on things that fail to satisfy and we begin to wonder what life's ultimate purpose really is. We are, in short, losing our bearings as a people and a nation."



In order to make disciples of all nations, I believe it is imperative that more than 9% of Christians develop a Biblical worldview. Our nation has lost its way in large part because too many Christians (including yours truly until 4 short years ago) are aimless, fearful and confused. Do we believe the Gospel has the capacity to reform planet earth or are the doom and gloom prophecy pundits correct? Should we become involved in all areas of life, or is it simply too late? If we think best sellers like "The Late Great United States - What Bible Prophecy Reveals about America's Last Days" have no effect on our resolve to make disciples of all nations, I believe we are naive.

The incessant bombardment of these kinds of apocalyptic books (that I believe have little Scriptural foundation) are helping create a generation of Christians who actually believe the Gospel is in route to defeat at the hands of the dark forces of the antichrist and the new world order. But what does Scripture say about these matters? Did God really set us up for defeat? Did Christ's death and bodily resurrection (overcoming sin and death) only have a personal salvific application? Or is the saving grace of Jesus as manifested by the power of the resurrection and the infestation of the Holy Spirit, going to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil?

When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Col 2:15

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Heb 2:14-15

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world... 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:4-5

It seems that if we continue to believe the "time is short" and the "form of this world is passing away" in our generation (removing these statements from their original immediate context), many will see little need in reforming our paradigms in accord with God's Word. I continue to hear statements like, "Let's convert as many as we can before the final collapse and the dissolution of planet earth."

If we transport the expectations of the inevitable moral decline (prophesied by the Apostle Paul as he referenced the "last days" of Old Covenant Judaism in Timothy's day - 2 Tim 3:1-13) to the 21st century, how will the paradigm shift-changing TRUTH Project have maximum benefit? If we believe the Gospel's effectiveness is going to be increasingly stunted and ultimately turned away, and if we think that through Christ we cannot have a significant impact in the reversal of evil, what is the use in continuing to polish brass on what too many believe is a sinking ship? What the TRUTH Project gives, our modern day eschatological assumptions unwittingly take away. Therefore I believe we must develop a Christian worldview espoused by the TRUTH Project and in consort begin to recognize the need to revolutionize our eschatological assumptions.

I believe series like The TRUTH Project are an absolute must if we are to fulfill our mandate to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. I hope you will prayerfully consider involvement as this TTP comes to your city. My church, Bay Life Church (Brandon, FL), is hosting this series beginning on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 (my 31st Anniversary!) at our 60 campus. I hope to see you there.

As I have attempted to share time and again, one's eschatological presuppositions (although clearly not foundational to our faith) have and will continue to affect our expectations. Gary DeMar, in his small book, "Is Jesus Coming Soon", offers a Biblical "end times" view that is in diametric opposition to that of most of our modern day prophetic speculators. In order to see the need for developing a well-rounded Christian world and life view offered by The TRUTH project, I believe it is necessary to create expectations that fall in line with the overcoming nature of the Gospel.

I also highly recommend an audio series entitled "Last Days", found at www.charlescoty.com/audio2.html. Scroll down near the bottom right under "Dan Norcini". These sermons will absolutely blow you away. Dan is thoughtful, humble, as Scripturally literate as any you will find, and he is adept at creating a sound Biblical argument. Enjoy! And don't forget to tune in to a TRUTH Project near you.

Aug 14, 2009

Two Friends, Different Paths, Same Destiny

This is dedicated to Mike Fitzpatrick, long time friend and running buddy from Boca High days. Mike was the epitome of the party guy and one heck of a talented harrier. He's been in the auto dealership business out in SoCal for much of his adult life. We crossed paths via phone a few years ago and have remained in contact since.



Back in 1971 when the above footage was taken, I thought I was earning my way Heavenward by staying out of trouble. Mike on the other hand was doing just the opposite with reckless abandon..."eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we will all die"... and each day he didn't was due to God's merciful grace! During his morning runs Mike could regularly be seen heaving roadside, ridding himself of the prior nights encounter with multiples of six packs. I on the other hand, never touched a drop of alcohol, smoked the evil weed or did a whole lot of carousing. One living it up while the other living it down...both of us, however, were at the time running the same course...our ultimate destination...an eternity apart from God.

At the tail end of my senior year, after finally realizing that I couldn't earn my way into Heaven, God began to crystallize my thoughts. What had eluded me for so long became abundantly clear...I didn't have to "do" or "not do" anything to secure my spot with God in the afterlife. It was never about my behavior. I simply needed to put my faith and trust in Christ and allow His payment for my sin to do what I could not. (Ephesians 2:8-9) [The testimony of my family's conversion to Christianity can be found HERE or below, as Dr. David "Rev" Nicholas shared at my Mom's going home party, October 31, 2009---if you are thusly inclined, in "BECOMING", I share what Rev calls the "the bad news and the good news"]

(Kneeling L to R - Lee, Mike, Chuck, Les; Standing George & Coach)
[click to enlarge]

I don't know all the details, but at some point in Mike's life, he also became acquainted with the death, burial and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. At the very moment he recognized his need for the Savior, and even though we had no clue of each other's faith commitment to Christ, we became eternal brothers on God's vaunted track team. Aint that awesome! It sends chills down my spine thinking we'll once again run as teammates!

For at one time we were on totally different roads with the same ill-fated ultimate destination, that is until Christ revealed Himself to us. Now, Mike and I talk regularly about life as a Christ-follower and of course running, because it will always be our passion. There's something about running that is unique...with each breath is the presence of God.

Bless you Mike Fitzpatrick, for you will forever be my brother. I love ya man! My prayer for you Mike, is that God will continue to mold and shape you into a vessel of His mercy and grace. God has great plans for you brother. From the sands of Spanish River Park to the grasslands of St Andrews, to the asphalt at Boca High, we now run a very different race with one truly amazing outcome. The road is clearly long, winding and rarely smooth, but the race is worth every dime Christ's invested in us! Bless you!

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown." 1 Cor 9:24-25

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb 12:1-2

For Les Stone...my prayers will continue.

David Nicholas Memorializes Mom