Rick Warren: Say it ain't so Rick!

From what I read in the print media, Rick Warren ( of Purpose Driven Life fame ) has been waffling on the issue of marriage being only between a man,..and a woman. Unfortunately, his reported confusion isn't limited to only him.



For the sake of brevity here,..please examine prior post of 4/19/09,...entitled Homosexuality, as it provides even more depth to accompany this post. I sense God's Word is needed here, because it's death to the clamors of political correctness,...


Genesis 1:27,28,..."So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply,..."

One has to have experienced a shipwreck of conscience not to interpret this correctly; or be completely bewildered by groping for affirmation of their perverted idealisms. Cloaked in innocence, God's plan for males and females begins to unfold....



Genesis 2:18,..."And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him."

Here, at the beginning, we see the fingerprints of God upon his institution of marriage.



Genesis 2:21-24,..."And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

The first institution of marriage has been completed; and wholly orchestrated by God!! And for the 'loophole libertines',...a cursory examination of O.T. Hebrew bears out that the term wife
carries a feminine connotation. But imitate the biblical Bereans , and check it out to see if it's so.



I don't personally know Rick Warren, nor do I know his heart; but I find it hard to believe anyone can dispute, or misinterpret, such clear teachings. However, I do know that circulated articles of 'celebrity' Christian's fence-straddlings should keep us driven to our knees !!



Compromise is merely seduction in disguise; and it's no time to coddle the carriers of such gross imbecility. Our passions for loving our God dictates that we unshackle the tightening strangleholds our enemies have placed upon the minds of Christians. We must recognize this principle; the liberty of our faith carries with it a tint of anarchy; it has to be done God's way !


I close with these two verses:,....one of warning for those shifty Word wrestlers,....

Jeremiah 6:15,..." Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall,...."



...and one with the remedy for those Word wrestlers,....

Jeremiah 6:16,..."Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therin, and ye shall find rest for your souls. ,...."


"The Dinosaur Book of Wisdom and Observations"......a good book.

Carrie Prejean: Watch where you stand, while standing.

Last night I read comment postings concerning an article about Miss USA runner-up, Carrie Prejean; and as usual, they mirrored the Church's " we're just so like you" attitudes and thought processes.

I'm not positioning myself to denigrate Miss Prejean's response to the question regarding same sex marriage; but merely attempting to illustrate the Church's lack of principled behavior to a world lacking an authoritative moral compass.

I applaud her biblical stance within her answer, however, launched from the platform of a beauty pageant it dares to open the gateway for a closer examination.




I'll comment on the comments first:

At the time I read them, 116 comments were posted, with only 4 questioning her participation in a beauty pageant. 112 obviously agreed with her participation; you figure out the percentages !!


"Christians aren't prudes and certainly never claim to be perfect."

This is the pat politically correct answer to sin. It's other bedfellows are, "I may not be perfect, but I'm forgiven" and, "God's still working on me." Undoubtedly, they do contain degrees of scriptural truthfulness and have made the "Christian" bumper sticker & coffee cup merchandisers small fortunes, but,... they are presented as palatable excuses, assuring that lifestyles contrary to God's Word maintain shades of gray rather then the usual stark blackness.



"more courage than most Christians in the whole world have."

This answer can only illicit two conclusions; either the Church possesses so little backbone and strength of belief, that a beauty contestant's answer to a question is the highlight of it's testimony. Or, you have to dismiss the myriad of 3rd world persecuted Church members, or the silent saints laboring for God daily outside the 'limelights' of celebrity fame! I appreciate the qualifying inclusion of "most" into the comment, and that alone is indicting!



"great examples of good morals and virtue"

If displaying your partially clothed body to strangers,...and being involved in a pageant that focuses upon worldly perceptions of beauty, surrounds itself with the most shallow concepts and materialistic underpinnings, and exists solely for titillation, and results in the degradation of women,... is a great example,.....then I need to sharpen my scissors and thin my Bible out a bit !!!



"Looks like God is not against beauty pageants. I believe Carrie is a modern day Esther"

This comment is a s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d extrapolation from Esther, the 2nd chapter. There wasn't anything happening in the palace that was spiritual, it was a bastion of godlessness. I find no evidence that God approves of beauty pageants, but God, while disapproving, does allow many things to happen while we're walking outside of his will. However, God WILL overrule despite your surroundings, and subsequent involvements, allowing for his providence to be completed.

Most modern-day comparisons to Bible personalities,...undoubtedly causes great eye rolling in the "great cloud of witnesses" !!!

And also, for what it's worth,...men and women are wired differently. As a general sex knowledge rule, woman generally tend to respond with arousal to the touch, while men respond merely to sight. Why do you think 5th Avenue advertisers frame every product for men with sexually explicit, or sexual innuendo graphics and sound !!!


1 Timothy 2:9,.."In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,..."

Modest, not scantily, provocative, revealing, nor enticing. I've heard Miss Prejean has garnered much media time,...especially her swimsuit exhibition.



1 Peter 3:3-5,..."Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves,...."

Intrinsic value, not the externals. God's value base, not the world's standards.



1 Corinthians 8:9,..." But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak."

Many say, it's not my fault they lust after me !! Yes, it is; if you're strutting "your stuff" in front of men. Pay special attention to the word...weak.




1 John 2:16,..."For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

Refer to previous verse and comment.




1 Thessalonians 5:21,..."Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."

Colossians 2:8,..."Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

One must listen solely to God's Word, and act accordingly.




As Paul advised his son in the faith Timothy,...1 Timothy 4:12,..."...but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

God mandates we be an example. We are ambassadors for Christ; and we need to represent Him well.



I'll close with this. I know we often justify our presence and participation in activities by proclaiming we're being a witness. My answer is this; don't those people you're trying to witness to ever buy gasoline, go shopping, go to the bank, eat at restaurants, go to movies, have a job, belong to organizations, listen to radio, and so on ?? Aren't there Christians available there for a witness?? Or,......do we Christians justify secular pursuits and it's worldly approval by dipping into that old reliable can of gray paint, grab a wide brush,...and with rapid fire 'gotta get done quick' strokes cover up that old roadside direction sign,...."A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."

Again, I applaud Miss Prejean taking a biblical stance, I just don't agree with where she was standing......as a beauty contestant.


Colossians 3:23,..." And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."

If you haven't already, check out, "The Dinosaur Book of Wisdom and Observations." A four page synopsis is located at,...preacherjoepaluch.com.

Who's dealing the "RACE CARD"?

Today, as I listened to conservative programming, commentary was given regarding last week's assembling of people together in what was deemed, "Tea Party" day. However, that wasn't what spiked my blood pressure; it was liberal reaction playing the race card. A certain media personality has put forth that it was all about hate, and caused by the fact our President is black. I AM SO SICK OF THE RACE CARD....TEAR IT UP!!!

I'm a Christian,...and the combination of salvation turning me into a new creation, and Scripture admonishments; prevents me from being racist. Don't cover me, nor my co-laborers, under your blanket indictments of racism.

Basically, I didn't vote for President Obama because I believed he lacked any experience, I didn't like his associations, he only spoke in generalities, and what I knew of him personally, I was troubled by. Now that he's President, his actions have only confirmed my reasons for not voting for him. THAT'S the reasoning. Color never was, is, nor will be, a consideration of his; or anyone else's worth.

I really want to inject some of God's Scripture here;...



Proverbs 14:21,..."He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth:..."

If one studies out the word, "despiseth" in the Hebrew, the connotation of the word is, "contempt." Regardless of the circumstances, color included, we've no reason to hold our neighbor in disfavor, or contempt. The ONLY reason for it is simple, one chooses not to follow God's Word.



James 2:9,..."But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin..."

Putting this into the race discussion; if one exhibits favoritism toward one color, or holds one in disfavor because of their color,...respecting one over the other;.....it's as the Bible also states in Matthew 22:29,..."Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures..." Again, one has to completely ignore the Bible to prefer a person based upon their race.



Psalm 133:1,..."Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

This isn't some Pollyanna, hot tubbing, let's tiptoe down the rose petaled pathway type Christianity,...This is rubber meets the road, now hear this, let's attack hell with a squirt gun theology! One must read this in light of Romans 12:1,2.......

" I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Essentially, when you put it all together, and again remembering this article is about racism,...God wants to transform us through His Word so we'll be Christlike, and unlike the world with it's predjudices. Then we'll exhibit His will for us by dwelling together in harmony with the brethren. He also tells us that it's no superhuman feat, but just what a reasonable Christian would be doing! To harbor racism, is to be conformed to this world.



Galations 3:28,..."There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ."

This verse doesn't blur individual distinctions, nor stations in life; it simply teaches us that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. We're one in faith, heart, and spirit. God looks upon all of us as equals, for the Bible records Peter in Acts 10:34,..."Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:" And if God sees everyone as equals, is there valid reasoning for us not to?



Acts 17:26,..."And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation:"

"one blood" means that regardless of your ethenticity, color, ancestory, DNA makeup, or any other factors, this verse stipulates there's only one race,....the human race !! Granted, there's defining characteristics, cultural nuances, and the like,...but only "one blood." Also, we need not lament where we live, nor the times that we live in,..for God has set that in place. That 'race card' is beginning to look like the one that plays it,...a joker.




Galations 5:15,..."But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."

1 Peter 5:8,..."Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

Upon examination of these verses; in the second one we see that the devil seeks to devour people, and unfortunately, we've seen and know the resulting carnage when that happens. The first verse strikes home with a stern warning that if we're fussin' and fightin' we better stop before we're guilty of burning down the house to get rid of that old proverbial rat! Both the verses mention devour. In the second one it says the devil does it; in the first one it says we do it, so I'm wondering,...does that mean when we do it,...we're just doing the devil's work for him ???? Ever think about who REALLY deals out the 'race card'?



Just because I don't agree with a person of differing color doesn't make me a racist; it merely makes me as one that disagrees with them. No more, no less. If one wants to continue viewing EVERY person through racial tinted glasses, weigh every action as racial bias, and continue starting fires of racial discontent,..that's your perogative, just leave me out of it !!!

This obviously, has been written for Christians. Why? The Church has Scripture showing God's Bride how to act; and being a racist isn't acceptable behavior in any form, or fashion. We are to be the picture of peace and harmony because we are brethren. If we can't show the world love, who can? And if we don't,...who will?

Yes, I'm sick of the whole race issue. Those that promote it, those that profit from it, self proclaimed victims peering from behind it, those that pretend it's here or there, parents passing it down, and lastly,..preachers not preachin' against it!

In light of all the preceding Scripture, Ill close with James 4:17,.."Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."


If you haven't already, please check out the four page synopsis of my book "The Dinosaur Book of Wisdom and Observations" at,...preacherjoepaluch.com......

Homosexuality: Not an issue of political correctness

Periodically, while navigating, one must check their "moral compass" to verify if their headings are correct,....


Jesus speaking in,.... John 14:6,.."I am the way, the truth"........

Jesus speaking here of the Word,...John 17:17,..."thy word is truth".......

The Word of God describes the Church as,... 1 Timothy 3:15,..."the pillar and ground of the truth."

And finally, Jesus states in,...Matthew 24:4,..."Take heed that no man deceive you."



We're truth-handlers. People should look at us expecting integrity within and without, by word, and by deed. There's glaring evidence of slackness within the Church regarding homosexuality. One can only surmise why such polarity exists,...but regardless, the disregard of scriptural heedings sets the Church up for yet another reason it's losing relevancy, which hinders the cause of Christ !

Let's perform a little examination:....in John 3:16,.."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." We see that God loves all sinners, inclusive of homosexuals. He died for ALL sinners, paving the way to an eternal relationship with Him.

What's the best way for the Church to treat homosexuals? However we choose, here's one option not available to us,...when Jesus was asked by soldiers how to treat others , Jesus replied in ,..Luke 3:14,.."Do violence to no man,"..... This gives us a partial guideline as to treating others, including homosexuals.

God, in an Old Testament declaration, says in,...Leviticus 18:22,..."Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."

In a New Testament declaration, we read in,...Romans 1:26,27,..."for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:"... "And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly,"..... What one must make notation of here, is that the people 'made a choice' to behave this way; they weren't born this way. Perhaps the best explanation of choosing to sin is found in,...James 1:14-15,..."But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

The damnation of it all is couched in,... Romans 1:32,...where the preceding v31 mention of "without natural affection" is brought to bear, it reads,..."Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death,"......

In a discourse ( Matthew 24:25 ) upon the mount of Olives to his disciples, Jesus states, "Behold, I have told you before." In other words, coupling that with Jesus's statement in John 16:13,...speaking of the Holy Spirit,..."he will guide you into all truth:"... we have to come away with the fact we've been taught well, but have we responded well to the teaching? Perhaps a little rereading of the demise of "Sodom & Gommorah" would be appropriate here.


In light of modernistic teachings, these following verses may be prove to be great meditation:

Hebrews 13:8,.."Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." and......

Malachi 3:6,..."For I am the Lord, I change not;"....


There's always a door of escape provided for sinners; and the Church needs to realize that overlooking and enabling are not remedies for sinners; but that our Lord alone provides the escape through Scripture,...1 John 1:9,.."If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." and the results are miraculous; just read
John 8:36,..."If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."


Speaking of Paul's writings, 2 Peter 3:16,...gives us this, "which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." This very aptly describes those spineless truth-twisters, and their end. Galations 5:7, really places a mirror in front of their countenances, while posing this indictment,..."Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? In essence, it begs an answer to what their 30 pieces of silver was. Position? Possessions? Power? Which one numbed their grip, so that, "truth is fallen in the street" ? ( Isaiah 59:14 )

In conclusion:
Homosexuality is a sin.
God has always considered it an abomination.
He will not change His mind.
But there's hope.
Ignoring it, nor condoning it, isn't hope, nor help.
If anyone teaches differently, it's to their own destruction.
Now, what should be the Church's position?


We must ask ourselves,..What part of "Thou shalt not" don't we understand?


~ If you haven't read "The Dinosaur Book of Wisdom and Observations"... check out a four page synopsis at,... preacherjoepaluch.com~

The Victory Gardener's Promise

Let me begin with a little scriptural prefacing,....
Luke 12:48,..."For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:..."

The nihilistic mantras chanted by a lost humanity, constantly beckon us to take our hands from the plow. We, who'll pray over land, readying it for the planting of seed. We, that labor long in early preparation for a boundless harvest. We, that willingly break up the fallow ground with each passing season; as our solitary shadows grow more bent upon the land. We, that labor with purpose, as God provides the increase.

We, who have sharpened the plow's edge. We, that give no excuse for reasons of the weather. We, that with the passing of times, have sacredly stored, and handled the seed. We, that lovingly support the weak firstfruits. We, that gently guide the spreading vines. We, that constantly feed. We, that swiftly remove the ever intruding 'wolf' weed.

We, that praise God in the spirit of thankfulness for receiving His bounty. We, that practice stewardship over what God has blessed us with. We, that allow other's to glean. We, that heed God's commands,...and not the world's demands. We, that tend to the Lord's victory garden !!!

Yes, much has been given,....and much is required,......and voices beckon to turn loose of the plow; but always remember this promise by our Lord:....

1 Corinthians 15:58,..."Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

____________________________________________________
~ If you haven't already,..check out, preacherjoepaluch.com ~

The skinny,...on being 'skinny'!

As a youngster, I performed a literary examination of many a comic book, and one constant always prevailed,...either inside the back, or the front cover, I'd find the 'skinny' child lurking !!! In a most popular display, some hapless muscle challenged child or teenager was portrayed having sand kicked in their face by a local bully. Accompanying this displayed 'problem' was a simplified (for a small price) solution; a bodybuilding course offering the procurer strength, security, and increased social standing !

Recently President Obama stated to foreign audiences that the United States doesn't consider itself a Christian nation. This, in spite of the existing mountains of paper, rivers of ink, innumerable placards & inscriptions, our defining history, and time-honored traditions attesting to the contrary;...and, additionally, the daily religious activities and general concensus of this nation's people. I may defer to an ebbing of Christian influence, but to the proclamation that we no longer retain "Christian nation" status; I emphatically,...and unapologetically must say, "He's wrong!"

There's an old war movie depiction of a ranking member of the Japanese military;... speaking of their imminent Pearl Harbor invasion, he laments, " I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." Hopefully, our president's indictment of the Church,...and our, 'Christian nation' ,... will result in that same awakening !

Although we're being treated as the 'skinny' one, and having words, not sand, kicked into our faces,...there IS a simple solution. We MUST subscribe to the "body" building course the Lord Jesus has afforded us at 'no cost!' If we study His Word, and make life applications of it, we shall build up our strength. If we accept all He says, we'll have that unbreachable security. If we become Christ-like, knowing that, ("greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" ) our lights shall shine; and perhaps while not securing the world's social standing,...no one shall fail to recognize,..our spiritual standing !!!

Gazing up from where we've slipped, this climb appears as no small task, and may even appear somewhat daunting; but let's just ask ourselves,.... "What's at stake?"....and...."What's the alternative?"

The Scripture admonishes, yet, encourages us: 1 Peter 2:15,..."For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:"