How Much is Too Much?? - Latest Question

Since the Sabbath is rightfully on Saturday, why do Christians continue to celebrate on Sunday? This is a clear change in God's law, which is a sin. It is making man an idol, putting his opinion and traditions above God's written command?

Secrets ...

Is it ever okay to keep a 'secret' from someone, such as a spouse? What if it's kept to protect someone? The problem is that if this 'secret' is told, two things could possibly happen: one person may go to jail and one may end up six feet under.

My mind goes wandering with this question ... and I thank you for asking it.

PHM Missionary Journal: In Bits and Pieces ...

PHM Missionary Journal: In Bits and Pieces ...: I will keep updating along the way ... for those who are interested.  I do want to say how appreciative I am to and for all of my family and...

PHM Missionary Journal: New Horizons Ahead ... Nothing Left Behind

PHM Missionary Journal: New Horizons Ahead ... Nothing Left Behind: You may or may not know that we have been in a state of transition for almost two years.  Two years ago we knew God was leading us to leave...

Buried With Him In Baptism

Why did Jesus get baptized in Matthew 3? What righteousness was He fulfilling?

That is a great question. We are going to need to remember John, Jesus cousin for this one. According to Dispensationalism ... wait ... what's a dispensation? Glad you asked.

More Cowbell!!

Based on the opinion of some, drums are NOT to be used in worshiping the Lord.  The Bible is quite clear on every instrument being used to make a joyful noise on to the Lord.  This goes back to opinion I would think but, would you be sinning if you used a drum in your service?

This really is a great question.  I think it is much more deeper than just drums though ... much deeper.  We have been witnesses (for decades) to the mutation of the definition of worship from "service before God" and "prostrating oneself before God" into "music that makes one feel or sense the presence of God."

You're Going To Eat!

I have some questions about the Biblical Feasts. I was almost sucked into this stuff recently. I may lose a very good friend because I chose not to become Torah observant. While she isn't as dogmatic as this site is (www.therefinersfire.org), a lot of what she told me can be found on the site. How do they apply to Christians today? Are they something we can or should be pursuing?

Good question ... Messianic churches do attend to the feasts and many of the traditions because they are Jewish just as other ethnic groups often incorporate their cultures and traditions into their faith.  There is nothing wrong with that in itself.  Concerning the Jewish traditions, they are much like the ordinances of the church ... nothing to determine salvation but a time to remember God's salvation. There is good substance to experiencing the feasts but nothing that determines righteousness or holiness. Remember, the early church had a problem where the converted Jews were forcing the customary traditions (circumcision, feasts, etc) on the converted Gentiles ... they were told not to ... that it wasn't an important issue. Then the Apostles gave the Gentile believers were given simple guidelines ...

Need Room To Breathe?

My parents' restrictions are choking me!  The want to shelter me from everything they think is bad in the world!  How do I get them to recognize that I am no longer a child and to let me spread my wings a little?  I want to enjoy these last few years of high school!  Why won't they trust me?  Help!!

This was a question sent in through my ATH sessions I used to do live in New Orleans.  Considering the weekend I have had, I felt it was worth bringing forward.   Before I tell you about it, I will answer the question the same way I did then ...

I'm Surprised That You're Surprised - Revisited

"How am I supposed to react to all of things that are happening in our social and political environment? It seems that every time there seems to be someone worth supporting, conspiracy, corruption, and controversy surface. People claim to be Christian yet seem to act no different ... possibly even more scandalous. How do I find hope in what seems to be a hopeless world?"

Email Question Concerning Divorce Revisited

I have heard the only time a divorce is okay in the eyes of God is when a spouse commits adultery. Is this true? What is a wife of 28 years supposed to do when she's had enough of her husbands verbal and physical abuse, alcoholism and drug problems, and occasional gambling problems? Is she right to finally wake up and want a divorce? Would God want her to continue suffering??? I think she needs to pack her bags and never look back, but what is the biblical answer???

FYI Great Source of Info For Church Copyright Law Issues

This is a fantastic post I ran across last week. The direct link here: http://thecreativepastor.com/seven-things-you-need-to-know-about-ccli/

The Greatest Season of the Year

I love Resurrection Day (AKA Easter) - it truly is my favorite time of the year, and the most introspective. I this take time every year to do an inventory on myself - I don't always like what I find. My lacking, or being weighed, measured, and being found wanting only adds more value to the cross. It is my greatest need. Too many people rush to carry it without considering first what it cost Jesus, and what it costs us.

Take some time and evaluate yourself - your true self - and express your appreciation for His love for you ... that's what I do.  Please continue reading ...

Who Gives This Man ... Wait ... What??

"I would like to know your take on gay marriage. The Bible is clear on the issue of homosexuality, in that it is sin. The Bible is also clear that God has given all of us a free will. Frankly, my question is, who are we to take away the option God has given everyone to disobey Him? I am opposed to legislating morality, and do not see where scripture encourages such. Please don't misunderstand me - I agree that homosexuality is wrong. However, I don't agree that because the book I choose to base my life on says it is wrong, everybody else must be legally forced to abide by my book's rules.

I know one of the major arguments is about how it undermines and weakens the institution of the family, and in many ways, I agree. However, I think there are oodles of examples of damage done to children and families within the confines of heterosexual marriage - too many for this to be a valid argument for much longer."

Well … we love controversy … and this is par for the course. Podcast Episode 9 - Growing Pains (http://chrisasksthehaz.blogspot.com/2012/03/chris-asks-haz-episode-9-growing-pains.html) directly addresses this question but I also wanted to address it as a written blog.

Can't We All Just Get Along?

"My parents got divorced when I was eight so it's just me, my mom, and my sister.  How do I deal with their fighting?  I just hate it when they fight.  How do I tell them to stop without getting them to get mad at me?  Please don't mention my name on anything."

I am sorry that your family is struggling.  I will answer gladly answer your questions and I would also like to encourage you ... maybe even give you some insight and ideas.

Let's break this down.

That's What Friends Are For ...

Please pray for my friend, she has had RSD(more information below)for over 20+ yrs. She says, "How I've always described my RSD pain that is 24/7/365 is this: Picture you have a knife in one hand, a hammer in the other....it's just stab-hammer-stab-hammer-stab-hammer....& while that is going on, imagine someone else holds a blow torch to the area!!! THAT is what my RSD feels like!" (Boy...I sure would like to know what I did that was so horrible that God felt I deserved this! Lol!) What can I say to her?

RSD is also referred to as the suicide disease because there is no cure or effective treatment. It's rated on the McGill pain index as greater than the amputation of a digit or childbirth or cancer pain. She (name removed) is a new friend on facebook,she's catholic. I have been praying for her but I don't know the right words to say to her. Whatever you share with me I can share with her. Thank you and God bless you.
These are good questions; heartfelt questions are always good questions.

Find Out What It Means To Who?? Reboot

This is a great post that I don't feel got enough attention ... check it out and chime in!!

What do you do when your family, friends, and associates do not respect your religious beliefs?

Oh the bliss of a new conversion.  The feeling of a soul lifted out of the mire to finally discover what freedom tastes like.  I remember my conversion clearly.  The details are for another time but what is important and very relevant here was the belief that I would simply go back and lead my friends to Christ as I had led them to other regrettable activities.  I would soon find that bubble popped.   

Read the rest of the answer by clicking the link!!

http://www.askthehaz.com/2013/09/find-out-what-it-means-to-who.html

Is that fasting?

Considering that this is ceremonially a time of fasting and self denial for so many, I thought it would be a great idea to resurrect this post (pun intended)

I have been looking into fasting.  I am not sure what it actually does for us.  I also was told that I could fast things like TV, internet, and other entertainment alternatives.  Can you provide some insight about fasting?

Gladly.  As a young Christian I was asked frequently to join fasts for different things .. I had a difficult time getting a clear picture on what the purpose of fasting was.  Most people told me that fasting was about making some need known to God in a powerful way ... that by fasting He was more likely to respond.  I was taught that fasting food was too difficult for most people, so instead, we could fast TV, movies, etc.

Spring Cleaning: Reboot

“Can you please elaborate and explain the purpose for Lent? Is it even necessary? If so, for whom and why? Why do people flaunt what they're giving up or beginning to do for the 40 day period? Shouldn't we practice 'being good' or striving to do our best every day, and not just a 40 day period?

When I converted from Catholicism to Christianity many years ago, lent was no longer discussed. (Although I never understood it to begin with.) However, I have noticed a few Bible based churches mentioning 'lent'.

With so many people around me during lunch discussing how they can't eat meat on Friday, or they're giving up 'whatever' for lent, how am I supposed to respond? I really just wanna hit them over the head with a Bible and knock some sense into them!! Sorry, I'm sure there is a better approach.”

Although We've Come To The End Of The Road ...

During your time in louisiana, what was your most favorite memories at Fisher High School?

So ... since I do not usually edit the question, I'm going to take advantage of the grammatical dilemma of this sentence by taking advantage that is written in both the single (was) and plural (memories) ... I gladly except that challenge bc I don't have just one ... and that I can have piece of mind knowing I wasn't the english teacher ... I'm kidding here!

I had a blast teaching at Fisher High School in Lafitte, LA (just south of New Orleans) for 3 wonderful years (Aug 09- Jun 12).  

It is honestly difficult to come up with an exclusive list of great memories, since so many were made ... so I will list a few and explain as well as add a few of my own grammatical errors.

It's The Teacher's Fault? - Flashback Post

What do you do when you are fighting a battle that you think you can’t win? I am really in a bind with my teacher and I really don’t know what to do. I’m failing her class but at the same time I don’t get anything out of it.

Cain Was Afraid .. of Who?!?

Were other people created by God besides Adam and Eve?

I have been asked many questions of this basic theme over the years.  The answer is quite simple: the Bible doesn't say.  I think the phrase "I don't know" seems almost alien to many Christians who, in err, feel that if they can't answer every question, then somehow they fail God and His sovereignty somehow dissolves.  It's ok to say it ... the fact is that if a sovereign god exists and we, through mortal and finite understanding, can fully understand and explain him, her, or it, then the god we represent is no god at all.

Parenting and Social Media

There is an over abundance of social media available right now. It's difficult enough for some adults to behave appropriately with this media; what about our teens? It seems that teens are favoring social media that are less used or known by their parents. This has resulted in much unsavory language and behavior. As Christians, are we to advise our teens to 'unfriend' or 'unfollow' others who behave this way online, even though they don't behave this way in person?

Great question!  It's funny, because just 15 years ago this really was a non-issue (or was it?).  I am not sure exactly but if I remember right ...

Going to the Chapel ... You're going to WHAT??

Why does society not accept intimate relationships between step brothers and sisters?
Thank you for sending this question. Truthfully, there is no Biblical guidance or persuasion concerning the ethics or morals involved with marriage relationships between step siblings. So there is no Biblical ground to stand on in telling anyone they are wrong and in sin. Any guidance here is completely subordinate to that.