This newspaper article was sitting on my desk when I came back to the office.
“Change by LDS causes a stir” . . . “The next edition of the Book of Mormon has an introduction indicating a possible change in the religion’s view of Indians.”
– The Post Register, Saturday, November 10, 2007 (more…)
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the church family of College Park Baptist Church in Cary, NC tucked inside the white collar triangle. I am praying today for these brothers and sisters. Great folks!
And I must mention one of my favorite landmarks in North Carolina: Elon University. Hey, I am famous. For some of you who don’t know my full name, it’s Elon Todd Wood. E.T. for the short version. The earlier Hebrew professors rightly named the campus after the particular trees providing shelter and enjoyment for the student body.
And yet as an Idahoan, I am happy to be back in my home area. Driving down 17th street to our church building in Ammon, I slowly tagged along behind a 15 passenger van. Family decals on the back window showed a husband and wife holding hands as eleven children trailed to the right of their picture. Here are the letters I saw on the license plate: “QUIVRFL”. (more…)
My wife and I have been observing the mission field of the highly, technological city of Cary, North Carolina. It is quite a mix. Hindus. Buddhists. Etc.
I am really enjoying the time of fellowship and sessions with the brothers and sisters of College Park Baptist Church in Cary, North Carolina and this year’s missions conference, Courage in the Gospel. Pastor Matt Walker has me intrigued about the American church planting network through Arch Ministries.
The weather has been beautiful. This afternoon, we will be watching Duke’s football team probably get stomped by Georgia Tech.
Noticing the Raleigh North Carolina LDS Temple, I feel right at home as a Southern Idahoan. I read Gordon B. Hinckley’s prayer of dedication. He certainly makes a strong case for Elohim as Father in contrast to the Only Begotten Son. But cannot Jesus be Almighty Elohim? Are LDS allowed to worship the Lord Jesus Christ in such fashion? (more…)
Hey, my wife and I are soon flying to North Carolina in order to speak in a missions conference. But I have noticed today that the conservative Christian website, Sharper Iron, has posted my short book review on Craig Harline’s, Sunday (Doubleday, 2007).
Check it out. I noticed that Craig is not too fond of Puritan, Calvinistic preachers. Would you think it right of me in saying that Mormonism is the direct antithesis?
The movie was filmed in Utah. Beautiful place, indeed. But who would have ever thought that this cheesy melodrama with awkward dialogue and worse special effects than “Little House on the Prairie” could strike such a powerful chord in my heart. I just watched this flick with my three older children.
What is the sin-eater’s name?
His name is Jesus.”
My heart ran, soared, and sang with Cadi and the little angel, Lillybet, along that Appalachian mountain ridge, knowing the personal experience of the complete forgiveness of sins, past, present, future – every dark stain on my soul removed forever!
As a youngster, I remember the deep anguish. How was I to pay for the actions, words, and the iniquitous thoughts that plagued my mind? I saw God in all glory contrasted to my heartless seeking of personal glory. For I knew . . . I sought personal gratification. I reveled in self-pleasure. I desired and took at the expense of others. I enjoyed seeing others suffer who hurt me. I pouted. I sat in depression when angry at my own limitations and loss. I lashed out. I hid from wisdom. I would be postured wrongly, stubbornly for hours, days on end. I had a high opinion of my self. I sought praise. I sought glory that belonged to Jesus Christ alone.
In a nutshell, the puritan Owen pegged my heart . . . “unintelligent, unfaithful, unnatural, unappeasable, and unmerciful.”
Frankly, I strain over how to properly express my own past undoing and unhappiness. Raw. Gnawing. It makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about it.
I thought others had done worse than me. I was the church boy. Others even praised me for being such a good boy. Pride filled me. But I also knew what others didn’t know. I was the outward angel but the inward rebel. I truly knew my own heart. I knew the scriptures said I was worthy of the pain of Hades. And it rankled me.
How could I have been so senseless in seeking that which belongs to the Savior alone? I couldn’t muster up perfect love, perfect obedience, perfect faith, perfect holiness. Who I was kidding? I walked enslaved to the prince of the power of the air. But I didn’t want to believe it. Not me . . . stubbornly entrenched Todd Wood. Yet my continual self attempts at trying to meet my personal best rather than being obedient in faith to the gospel insulted both the all sufficient work of the Son and the matchless love of His God. I deserved hell. (more…)
1. Kaimi at Times and Seasons delivers a winner on evening sunsets. How often the Creator of all paints the most beautiful masterpieces. To see such extraordinary canvasses should cause anyone to turn “from vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.” I was with Paul yesterday in the book of Acts. Yes, there are beautiful places in Turkey. But Paul would have gaped with mouth wide open if he were to live and see the beauty that we enjoy quite frequently in the American West. The big skies testify that God is no chimera. (more…)
This post “Conversion Into” is written by the bishop’s wife (laughing) in Ammon, Idaho. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Kristie Wood. (more…)
Ann Romney, wife of presidential candidate Mitt Romney, on her conversion to Mormonism:
I’m still adjusting because I don’t like going to church for three hours every Sunday. That’s rough!
World magazine (November 3, 2007), p. 16.
Actually, our church has three hours (Sunday School and morning worship) in the morning, not counting the pre-SS prayer meeting. We also have a Sunday evening service.
I invite Mitt and Ann to come visit the next time they are in Idaho Falls. Do many LDS like many evangelicals think three hours is rough? 🙂
Sometime, I will post my thoughts on Craig Harline’s new book, Sunday (2007).
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther initiated discussion by submitting 95 theses for the Roman Catholic Church to consider. Today, 490 years later, as one who was born and has lived in Mormon country for most of my life, I earnestly submit my 95 theses for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) to consider. The religious leaders of the intermountain West need to completely rethink the foundational undergirdings that hold up the well-oiled, seasoned superstructure.
Governor Mitt Romney, a man who intrigues me, is seeking the presidency of the United States of America. The LDS religion is a topic of discussion throughout many parts of the country. In observing some of the conversation in the corridor, I am at least aware of many undercurrents in popular LDS thought and action. As a Bible preacher who considers himself a latter-day saint living within the I-15 Corridor, the stretch of interstate from the top of southeastern Idaho to St. George, Utah, I offer frank and honest propositions for LDS in 2007. I am sure that for each earnest and regenerated Christian, as he lives in and observes his particular cultural environment in America, thoughts of conviction from time to time will arise to the surface that need to be expressed. Here are some of mine:
I went to the headquarters of our local newspaper, the Post Register. I wanted to pay for a small 2 x 4 advertisement to be placed tomorrow. It would have these words:
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther issued his 95 theses to the Roman Catholic Church. Today, 490 years later, a Bible pastor is respectfully submitting his 95 theses to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. See here, www.heartissuesforlds.org “
The newspaper has decided not to place this ad anywhere in the paper.
Hmmm. I don’t currently receive the local paper. Sometime, I might get back on the list. I do like to regularly stay in tune with what is going on locally.
But I wonder over the refusal by the higher ups. (more…)
Jesus in Idaho Falls 