Guest Columnist, Craig Cooper, had his piece, “Hail to the Pastafarians”, published in the Post Register today.  “Cooper is a local scientist with expertise in energy, environmental, and policy issues; and a former member of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s legislative staff.”

Excerpts from his article,

My pastor and I were chatting after church the other day, and he shared the story of an interesting Nativity display that that some Pastafarians put up in a small Virginia town. . . .

Ya’ll will not be surprised to learn that this display was a tad bit controversial!  My pastor, however, was amused by the display’s creativity and seemed to consider it an example of how, “God works in mysterious ways.” . . .

The Pastafarians originated as a response to the growing political influence of fundamentalist Christian organizations. . . .

Many Pastafarians believe success in this endeavor could weaken the political power of Christian fundamentalism, and bring our society closer to a world where facts are established by science — not religion.

I am a Christian.  But I am also a scientist.  Many people see conflict in this.  I do not. . . .

To prosper, human society needs both science and religion.  Yet, we also need to understand the limits of each.  The Pastafarians can help us to better understand the limits of these two worlds of thought, and God bless them for that.

Let me say that I am a Christian who holds to bedrock fundamentals of Christian doctrine.  And secondly, I care not really about the power of American politics or its current trends (less so, I am sure, than Cooper).

But when Craig brings in a flying spaghetti monster into the debate between theistic evolution and creationism, what technique do you call this in debate?  In pofo format, how would you respond when your opponent throws out to you the meatballs?

(laughter?)

1.  Our church building where I preach sermons resides within the city limits of Ammon.  Of course, that name in the Bible has a sordid history.  We read about it, today.  “It happened on the next day that the firstborn said to the younger, ‘Indeed I lay with my father last night; let us make him drink wine tonight also, and you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father.’ Then they made their father drink wine that night also.  And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. . . . And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day” (Gen. 19:34-35, 38).

2.  What or Who is the hope is for Ammonites?

3.  A leper in Matthew 8 came to Jesus and worshiped Him, saying, ” ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’  Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’  Immediately his leprosy was cleansed” (Matthew 8:2-3).  If Jesus can help a leper with physically cleansing, surely He can help an Ammonite with spiritual cleansing.  And the complete cleansing of the sinful heart will be immediate.

Click here for a picture of a LDS meetinghouse built 75 years ago in town.  But believe it or not, LDS architecture is not the first religious architecture in the city.

We just finished reading the Sermon on the Mount today.  It is a well-known passage in Idaho Falls, especially in the KJV.

Highlights from today’s reading:

1.  “Remove the plank from your own eye” (Matt. 7:5).   That could be really painful.  This is a bigger job than what the Advantage Eye Center, Idaho Family Vision, and the elite laser team of the Idaho Eye Center can do.  I know.  I have had lasik surgery.  But none of these fine professionals can help me with what Jesus is talking about here.  I need the skill of the master Surgeon – the one who gives the seeing eye.

2.  “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it” (Matt. 7:13).  The narrow gate is not where all the crowds are at.

3.  The warnings get more severe.  “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt. 7:19).  Some in America say we should not be too concerned about fire, that love wins.  But it is hard for me to trust speakers, no matter how fascinating their rhetoric, who put the words of Jesus on trial.  I realize that Jesus in Matthew 7 is not trying to woo and win the ears of the crowds or the religious hierarchy. 

4.  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matt. 7:21-23)  In the town of Idaho Falls, we would probably have around 35,000 people professing to be Christians, but wouldn’t it be awful for those among us to hear these words from the Lord Jesus Christ in the end?  Stop a minute.  Consider why you are doing all your religious work, work, and more work.  Ask yourself.  Is your life really on the rock?  Well, how important to you are the sayings of the One having authority?  Who is your authority at the moment?

1. “Melchizedek king of Salem brought bread and wine” . . . “Abraham gave him a tithe of all” (Gen. 14:18, 20).  Among the “Melchizedek priesthood” in Idaho Falls, why no kings? no wine? and no tithes given to them?

2.  “Be angry, and do not sin” (Ps. 4:4)  Challenging verse, isn’t it.

1. “So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground” (Gen. 7:23).  Yes the Creator can do that.  It behoves the creature to not rebel.  It’s pure folly. (Sidenote:  What do you think about the new Ark Encounter?  Sidenote 2: What is your stance on the opening chapters of Genesis and evolution?  Reading scripture, it is easy for me to reject macro evolution and not accept Paul Wallace’s recent rebuke to those he labels scientifically illiterate.)
2. “Nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done” (Gen. 8:21).  A question came up yesterday in an afternoon home Bible study, “Will God destroy the earth again?”  Answer:  Yes, but not by a flood.
3. “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ (Matt. 4:4).  Jesus fought the devil with the written Word.  Go and do likewise.  You carry the Word that slays dragons in 2012.  By the way, I do like the title of my friend, Dr. Bob Gonzales’ blog, It Is Written.
4. When Jesus calls you, what should be your response?  Answer:  “They immediately left their nets and followed Him” (Matt. 4:20).  It is not, “O let me think about it.”  The King’s command is not a matter of debate.
5. The theme for our monthly Saturday men’s breakfast fellowships in 2012 is “Courage”.  The psalmist says today:  “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around” (Ps. 3:6).  There is only One whom you need fear.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
6. It is not what you have.  It is not what you do.  It is what you are.  What is your character?  People of the Kingdom have this character:  poor in spirit, mourn, meek, hunger and thirst of righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted for righteousness’ sake (Matt. 5:3-10).
7. “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20)  Throw that into your community discussions today in Idaho Falls.  How will you discover people interpreting these piercing words by the Lord Jesus Christ?

~Scripture references taken from The NKJV Daily Bible (Thomas Nelson, 2004).

Claire Whitworth is a 7th grade homeschooler and the daughter of a missionary pastor serving with Biblical Ministries Worldwide in the Utah/Idaho field.

Here is her drawing:

That truth of that banner is the only solution to the devastating message of the flying scroll that goes out over the face of the whole earth (Zechariah 5:1-4).

1. “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate” (Gen. 3:6). Notice the roots of idolatry as you battle temptation in 2012.

2.  “And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden” (Gen. 3:8).  Sin is insanity.  Hiding from God?  Hiding from God is the eternal howl of hell.  To hide from God is to turn from pure love, joy, and peace.

3.  Who would have expected it?

• The Seed of the woman shall bruise your head (Gen. 3:15).
• From Bethlehem, the least among the rulers of Judah – “for out of you shall come a Ruler” (Matt. 2:6).
• “Out of Egypt I called My Son” (Matt. 2:15).
• “He shall be called a Nazarene” (Matt. 2:23).

In 2012, Jesus will probably manifest His glory where you least expect.

4.  “They presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matt. 2:11).  In the Museum of Idaho, the latest exhibit reveals life-size magi on the second floor.  And there is a display discussion of these gifts.  I personally think that the gifts point to Jesus as the King, High Priest, and Savior.

5.  “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry” (Prov. 2:12).  John the Baptist declares the work of the Messiah: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matt. 3:11-12).

What are you relying upon to be your salvation from judgment?  God told Noah, “Make yourself an ark of gopher wood” (Gen. 6:14). What will be your ark?

6. Trinitarian Glory – “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.  And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:16-17)  To be in Christ is to have the Spirit and the full pleasure of the Father.

-taken from The NKJV Daily Bible (Thomas Nelson, 2004), you can pick one up at the Calvary Chapel Bookstore in Idaho Falls

Some pictures taken today at the museum in downtown Idaho Falls:

1. We enjoyed all the local and international nativity displays.

2.  I enjoyed chatting with prior Idaho Falls mayor, Linda Milam, in the gingerbread room.  The room contained some remarkable candy reproductions of local church buildings.

3.  My wife and I relished the live performance of sacred hymns by harpist Sarah Close.

4.  I loved the scripture proclamations on the museum wall announcing Jesus as the Savior of the Nations!

Beau has recently finished his undergrad degree with Moody Bible Institute.  Congratulations Beau!  This weekend, they will be moving to Southern California, where Beau will begin his studies for the Master of Divinity degree at Talbot Theological Seminary.  Our prayers are with them.

Baptist Church

[Jews at Berea] they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11)

Welcome to B.B.C.!  Through a careful study of God’s Word, we desire for this church to be place where people find Christ, learn Christ, love Christ, and live Christ.  May the Lord bless you today.

Sunday School – 9:30 am: Classes for (1) 4s & 5s; (2) 1st – 3rd, (3) 4th-6th; (4) junior high – high school; (5) adult class with Dallas Marcott – The Holiness of God (R.C. Sproul curriculum) (6) adult class with Mike Ghiglia and Paul Whittington – “Strategies in Evangelism”

Main Service – 11:00 am:  instrumental and singing prelude, reading of Psalm 150, announcements, prayer, congregational singing (“Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne”, “Good Christian Men, Rejoice”, “Go Tell It on the Mountain”, “Angels We Have Heard on High”, “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”), scripture reading (Malachi 4:8-10), offering,  song – As Long As You are Glorified, presentation of the new church directories and taking prayer requests from the church family, special prayer for Beau & Kimberly Floyd, conclusion with the Lord’s Table.

Theme Verse for 2012

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

This week’s memory verse

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (I Corinthians 13:4-7)

This week’s Bible reading

• (1/1) Gen. 1:1-2:25, Ps. 1:1-6, Prov. 1:1-7, Matt. 1:1-25
• (1/2) Gen. 3:1-4:26, Ps. 2:1-6, Prov. 1:8-9, Matt. 2:1-23
• (1/3) Gen. 5:1-6:22, Ps. 2:7-12, Prov. 1:10-19, Matt. 3:1-17
• (1/4) Gen. 7:1-8:22, Ps. 3:1-4, Prov. 1:20-22, Matt. 4:1-25
• (1/5) Gen. 9:1-10:32, Ps. 3:5-8, Prov. 1:23-27, Matt. 5:1-26
• (1/6) Gen. 11:1-12:20, Ps. 4:1-3, Prov. 1:28-33, Matt. 5:27-48
• (1/7) Gen. 13:1-14:24, Ps. 4:4-8, Prov. 2:1-5, Matt. 6:1-18

This week’s discipleship and outreach

1. Monday, 7:00 am – men’s study in Zechariah at Bella Vita
2. Tuesday, 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm – men’s prayer meeting, downtown at the City of Refuge
3. Tuesday, 6:30 pm – evening boy scouts &  cub scouts
4. Wednesday, 1:00 pm – senior ladies’ study in Galatians (Kenney’s home)
5. Wednesday, 6:30 pm – Bible study at the church building
6. Wednesday, 6:30 pm – Patch the Pirate Club (kindergarten & elementary children)
7. Thursday, 6:30 am – Prayer meeting at the church building
8. Saturday, 7:00 am – Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

Coming Up

1. January 8 – Start up of Adult Sunday School Classes, afternoon ministry outreach at the Bonneville County Jail
2. January 20 – B.B.C. Ladies Winter Dinner
3. January 22 – Quarterly Potluck & Church Family Session (approving financial budget & leadership team for 2012)
4. January 27-28 – Prayer Advance for Christ’s Kingdom in our city
5. January 29 – 17th Anniversary of Berean Baptist Church

“Always the Word” – The desire of the Bereans in Idaho: let the written word run and be glorified so that all might gaze upon the living Word and be healed.