I recently completed a five week series at Saving Grace called “CSI: Examining the Evidence for Creation”  You can listen to those sermons and download the handouts by visiting our sermon audio page here: http://www.savinggracelc.org/resources/sermons/current.html

What I hope to do in the next few blog posts is to summarize briefly some of the key points from those messages.  To do that, I am going to present the material in an order & organization completely different than the sermon series.  I hope this is helpful.

The first point I hope to make is that Both Darwinism (Evolution) and Creation are religious beliefs or worldviews.  Though we are regularly told that evolution is science and completely proven fact, what we discovered as we studied over the weeks is that it is anything but.  In fact, according to the scientific method, real science is:

1. observable
2. measurable
3. repeatable

Yet Darwinian evolution seeks to answer questions of origin and history.  It seeks to postulate about things which can no more be observed, measured or repeated than a 6-day creation or a global flood (see the first nine chapters of Genesis).  This makes me wonder whether this so called “science” of evolution is science at all, or whether it is more appropriately categorized as philosophy or religion.

In addition, consider this:  The a priori (preconceived) assumption of virtually every evolutionist is that there MUST be no God and that EVERYTHING must be able to be explained by materialistic arguments.  This is what’s called a “materialistic worldview.”  And it is dangerous to real science which should not allow wordviews, philosophies or religions to bias its observations or results.

Here’s the kind of bias I am talking about.  If two paleontologists come across a fossil buried among sedimentary layers of rock.  One scientist may postulate that the fossil is millions of years older than another fossil because of the layers in which they were found.  The other scientist, however, may disagree and say that in fact this fossil is approximately the same age as another fossil found several layers above it because, he postulates, the fossils were buried rapidly in a global flood.  Both scientists are looking at the same data, but the second scientist’s hypothesis won’t even be considered because his explanation involves something suggested in the Bible.  My question is, why aren’t the first scientist’s hypotheses considered “religious” in nature?  He (or she) is asserting an UNPROVABLE worldview/philosophy as the basis for his assumptions.  Yet in our mixed up world, the second scientist’s analysis won’t even be considered, even though it fits the data BETTER (very often, 6-day special creation and global flood explanations fit the data better than “uniformitarian” analyses) than that of his secular counterpart.  And all this is done citing the claim that the one analysis is “religious” and the other “scientific.”  Nonsense!  A materialistic worldview/philosophy is still a philosophy/religion and not science. Period.

One more thought on this… how “religious” do these assumptions of evolutionary scientists sound?

1. “given ENOUGH TIME anything can happen!”
2. “the processes we observe today were always the same throughout time.”

Who says?  To pound one’s fist on the table and assert the two statements above is scientific and not religious??  Why? Where’s their proof?  They don’t have any.  In fact the evidence suggests otherwise, but they won’t consider it because they have already made up their minds.

I will say it again, evolutionary scientists are not un-biased, and they are not non-religious.  They put forth their unsubstantiated arguments with all the same zeal as any religious adherent.

The Bible tells us in Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

I would say that evolutionary science fits this description entirely.  It’s NOT science.  It is a hollow and deceptive PHILOSOPHY which has pervaded our laboratories and classrooms, and we, as Christians, are warned against it.

I look forward to sharing with you next time many of the frauds and fakes that evolutionary science has put forth over the years.

Blessings!
PA

Part 1   Part 2

May your life be blessed with wisdom and marked by peace.

- PA

Just this morning at the church office, I saw some evidence.  Our twelve acres of farmland, that will soon be transformed into a church campus, is currently occupied by a number of gophers.  Now I love all of God’s creatures, but these gophers really gotta “GO” … I mean it’s in their name after all: “GO-phers!”  When I look out all around the property I see literally dozens if not hundreds of gopher mounds.  Now, I have never actually SEEN a gopher hopping around the property, but I sure have seen the EVIDENCE of gophers!  I know their marks well.  And I can see that they are alive and well at 24414 S Ellsworth Rd in Queen Creek, AZ!

And that got me thinking about God.  You and I have likely never SEEN God with our eyes, but we see the EVIDENCE of God all around!  The sun, moon and stars are evidence of His handiwork - and wow! do they ever sing His glory!  The birds, grass and flowers likewise give testimony to a powerful and amazing creator.  Likewise, people - humans who are able to love and give and serve … show us evidence of the nature of our loving and gracious creator!

On Sunday, we will begin a 5 week sermon series that will take an even closer look at some of the EVIDENCE of our creator God that is all around us - evidence that has been “co-opted” by an unbelieving scientific community and used either incorrectly or fraudulently to in fact argue AGAINST God.  I hope that you’ll join me as together we use some investigative techniques like you’ve seen on the popular TV series: “CSI -Crime Scene Investigation.”   Here’s what we’ll do:

5/17 - Secure the Scene

5/24 - Examine the Timeline

5/31 - Interrogate the Witness(es)

6/7 - Analyze the Data

6/14 - Tell What Happened.

You won’t want to miss it!

May you be blessed and may God be glorified!

Pastor Augie

Here is the story/poem that was read at church on Sunday.  Isn’t it a marvelous picture of faith?

“At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I’d done wrong so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I died.  He was out there sort of like a president.  I recognized His picture when I saw it but I didn’t really know Him.  But later on when I met Christ it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride.  But it was a tandem bike.  I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me to pedal.  I don’t know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.  When I was in control, I knew the way.  It was rather boring but it was predictable.  It was the shortest distance between two points.  But when He took the lead He knew delightful long cuts, up the mountains, through rocky places at break neck speed.  All I could do was hang on.  Even though it looked like madness, He said pedal.  I worried. I was anxious.  I asked, “Where are You taking me?”  He laughed and He didn’t answer and I started to learn to trust.  I forgot my boring life and I entered into the adventure.  When I’d say, “I’m scared!” He’d lean back and touch my hand.  I didn’t trust Him at first to control my life.  I thought He’d wreck it.  But He knows bike secrets.  He knows how to make it bend around sharp corners, how to jump to clear high rocks.  He knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.  I’m learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places.  I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion Jesus Christ.  When I’m just sure that I can’t do it any more, He just smiles and says, “Pedal!”
(Author Unknown)

God’s Blessings,

PA

Dear  Pastor Augie

Thank you for praying  for us  and for our  outreaches of April,we are winning many souls and people are being delivered from the powers of Satan and we are have given them all bibles. We are so busy every week we minister for four days.In the first week of April 41 people made decision to follow Christ, second week 39 people , third week which was last week 26 people gave their lives to Jesus Christ. We are completing our last outreach this week as from tomorrow Wednesday through Saturday.Hope you will pray for us that many will come and give their lives to Christ.

We praise God that students who are in school holidays are making decision to know Jesus Christ. This leaders of tomorrow have began trusting God for their life.

We thank you  for praying with us a bout the famine , we have five bags of corns for famine relief , it will be distributed this Saturday to those in lacking after we have come back from the evangelism.
Many people are touched and are donating the little they have to save  lives of those who are not able to buy or raise anything for themselves.

Last Sunday we found a big number joining our church after having given out free foods to those in great needs, We believe in the coming Sunday it will be wonders as many plan to join too…

God bless you
pastor Lucas obanda

Please join me in thanking the Lord for the ministry of Pastor Lucas and New Hope Fellowship Church, and praying for their continued effectiveness in ministry!

Download audio file (090306PA-BradAldrichPodcast.mp3)

You can learn more about this Immersion Excursion experience at Saving Grace by clicking: Immersion Excursion - March 27-28 Phoenix (703 Kb)

Please register (registration takes less than one minute) for one or more sessions by clicking on the following links:

• Friday 3/27: 6:30pm-10:30pm Training, Role-plays, Prayer, BREAK, then optional witnessing experience
• Saturday 3/28: 9am-Noon Learn & Practice several different evangelism tools, More Role-plays
• Saturday 3/28: 1:30pm-4:30pm Training, then gather prayer requests from the local neighborhood, followed by a prayer meeting for those neighbors.

You can learn more about Brad’s Cross Pollination Ministries by visiting www.cpmin.net.  In particular, check out:

• An Introduction to Immersion Excursion (click on videos)
• Some “Sneak Peaks” at what we’ll be learning

Please consider participating in this Immersion Excursion experience.  No prior experience or skills are necessary.  I promise you - you will be transformed!

What’s Love really about?  Jesus showed us as He stretched out His arms on the cross and died for our sins.  I hope among all the Valentines you get & give this Valentine’s Day, that you “get” this one:

.                           For God so loVed the world,
.                                 That He gAve
.                                       His onLy
.                                       BegottEn
.                                              SoN
.                                                  That whosoever
.                                  Believeth In Him
.                                     Should Not perish,
.                                  But have Everlasting life.
.                                                                       - John 3:16

Observation: The Psalmist writes with a glad heart (Ps. 16:9). In what is his gladness found? This Psalm lists a great many things: God has assigned him his portion and cup, and made his lot secure (v. 5), given him a great inheritance (v. 6), instructed him wisely (v. 7), given him security and protection (v. 8-10), and ultimately opened to him the PATH OF LIFE… being in GOD’s PRESENCE! (v. 11). Certainly life brings its pain and struggles, but the Psalmist keeps that in perspective by remembering all of the good things that God has done for him, and all of God’s promises giving him hope.

Application: Right now we’re in really tough financial times. Everywhere you turn, people are getting laid off, stores are closing, and the news is full of gloom and doom. Everyone’s talking “stimulus packages” but all indicators show that it’s likely to get worse before it gets better. I don’t know what it was like for king David, but I know that in my lifetime, this is one of the scariest times we’ve faced as a nation. And yet, the words of Psalm 16 still ring true today. If I am looking for refuge, the Bible tells me where I can find it – GOD keeps me safe! (v. 1). Any of the good things that I’ve enjoyed are really just gifts from God (v. 5-6). How can I doubt God’s goodness? And why should I now start to worry that God won’t keep me in his care? In fact, the Lord is ALWAYS before me. He is at my right hand (v. 8 ) – meaning that he is right there with me in every high and in every low. So through it all, my tongue can rejoice, my heart be glad, and my body be SECURE (v. 9). Because I KNOW that God will not abandon me (v. 10).

Prayer: Father, as I find myself afraid about what tomorrow may bring, remind me that by your grace you “have brought me safe thus far” (hymn: Amazing Grace), and that by grace “you’ll lead me home.” Help me not to fret about the worries of today and the fear of tomorrow, but rather to take refuge in you – my only hope.  Amen.

2005 -REFRESHING (I felt we needed to take a breather, we were somewhat beaten up and tired at some failed attempts at purchasing land.)
2006 - FUNDAMENTALS (A ministry can only get so far on advertising “glitz.” What really grows a ministry long-term is the foundational ministry behind the scenes.)
2007 - STRUCTURING (realizing that to best provide foundational ministries in a consistent way that doesn’t burn out the staff and leadership, we need good leadership structures in place.)
2008 - CLARITY (We need to all be clear on what we are doing as a church, and thus the ministry strategy of “UP-IN-OUT” was born.)

So now we arrive at 2009 - a year of TEAM.

And we have good scriptural support from today’s Life Journal readings in Exodus 17 & 18.  In Exodus 17, when the Israelites were fighting against the Amalekites, the Israelites were winning when Moses raised his hands and the staff he had used to part the Red Sea and make water come from the rock, but would start to lose if Moses lowered his arms.  What was the solution?  Moses got help from his brother Aaron, and his brother in law Hur - a TEAM, you could say.  They held up his arms to ensure that Israel was successful.

In Exodus 18, Moses’ father in-law Jethro noticed that Moses was going to wear himself out and the people with him by doing too much work! (Exodus 18:18).  All of the people would stand around in lines waiting for Moses to help them discern God’s laws and deliberate in disputes.  Quite simply, Moses was hoarding all the work to himself!  What was the solution? Moses needed to form a TEAM.  Jethro suggested putting capable leaders in place as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens (Ex. 18:21).  That’s what Moses did.  Not only was Moses not exhausted, but the people’s needs were met more efficiently and the other leaders grew in their wisdom and knowledge of the Lord.

That’s what needs to happen at Saving Grace.  We need to concentrate on establishing more ministry TEAMS that can work together to accomplish the work of God’s Church.  In doing this, I believe that the ministry will be more of a joy to those who are in positions of both leadership and service.  When the workload is shared, not only will we be able to better minister to the spiritual needs of God’s people, but we’ll be able to enjoy the company and experiences of fellow leaders and servants.  In this process, we will each grow in our spiritual walk with the Lord, and God will be glorified!

I hope and pray you’ll be a part of the TEAM!

Being a witness for Jesus is the goal of my life.  It’s also a goal of Saving Grace Lutheran Church, and I pray it’s also a goal of yours.  That’s why I am excited that we will be having our first SERVANT EVANGELISM planning meeting of 2009 tomorrow night (Tuesday, 1/27)!

Servant Evangelism is a wonderful opportunity to do exactly what Jesus spoke of - be his witnesses.  How do we do this?  Simply by showing acts of kindness as demonstrations of God’s love to others.  When we do this we are witnessing to the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us!

In today’s world, where people are more concerned about “what’s in it for them,” people take note when someone does something truly of a selfless nature, simply to be kind, helpful and generous to another.  When they see this action, they undoubtedly ask, “Why are you doing this??” (with astonishment).  To which we simply respond something like, “Because God loves you and so do I!” or “because my Lord has given me so much blessing that I just want to share it!” (responses vary).  Once people’s amazement wears off, they are left with a positive lasting impression that Jesus cares for them and so does His Church!

You can find out more about Servant Evangelism by visiting www.servantevangelism.com - Steve Sjogren’s site - he’s a pioneer in this ministry of servant evangelism.

If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll join us in this ministry!  May God bless our efforts to CONNECT PEOPLE TO JESUS this year!