We are often quick to judge continents like Africa or Asia with the crime of syncretism. We are quick to proclaim that they blend their Christianity with tribal beliefs, making a caricature of something that was once so pure. Animism, Buddhism, Hinduism, tribal beliefs, witchcraft, and so on have blended with Biblical belief in these nations that must be vehemently fought against as one would so fight for the health of their body. Much of the reason for the Christian form that is mocked today is this very reason. Anything but the purest form of Christianity must be constantly attacked with solid apostolic doctrine. A problem exists in the fact that much of our own lives are syncretistic as well.
Leonard Ravenhill said, "How can we expect to pull down strongholds of Satan, when we don't have the strength to turn off the tv." This God, whom we profess to love more than our own lives, often takes a backseat to the pleasures we pull from this world. Work takes precedent over God, sleep takes precedent over God, our stomachs take precedent over God, internet takes precedent over God, and the list takes a form that, in length, would rival the great genealogies of Scripture. These practices, which we don't clearly admit to ourselves, are just as syncretistic as a baby Asian Christian worshipping Jesus, but also offering incense and prayers to their dead relatives!
The burden God must daily deal with, when He considers such things. I'm convinced God is much more grieved with these things than we are. Conviction and convenience have waged a war, and convenience seems to be winning.
It's time Christians die to self. There are too many of us professing things we aren't living. Sometimes I look at the body of Jesus, which I am indebted to, and am embarrassed for us. What I see shocks me. It is a body independant from it's head! This may have the appearance of "one of Duffy's rants", but time has come for great change in every one of our lives. No one who claims belief in Jesus Christ is exempt. "Reform of self" need be our cry, as we pursue holiness as devoutly as the world pursues sin.
"Your doctrine can be as straight as a gun's barrel, and just as empty (Ravenhill), needs to be at the forfront of how we live our lives. The standards of the Bible should be lived, as well as taught. The world (for the most part) knows what we believe, they just haven't seen it exemplified. Our words of truth now condemn us.
Pursue holiness as much as you would pursue air if being held under water. Release God from the responsibility He has given us, and lets take it back on our shoulders. The tools are already given to us; they're intimacy with Holy Spirit, and obedience. Let's take our syncretistic lives to the cross where much of our sin has alrady died. Let us cry' "I am second, JESUS FIRST".
 
RAVENHILL!!!!! 09/22/2009
 
 
still in Windsor 09/21/2009
 
It has felt like a long time spent in Ontario thus far. Since the end of HH till the time we board a plane to Cambodia, 2 whole months will have passed. So much for the $$$ we made this summer! It's all good though. We have been spending time in Jenny's part of the world, and will be heading to PEI on saturday, for almost 3 weeks.
Last week was spent in St Catharines with the Karanfilis'. We visited with Tim Hawryluk, the Woodwards, Heymans, and Scott Manor. It was pretty sweet. Cheers to Vitor Belfort for his smashing of Rich Franklin! 
Yesterday, Jenny had the honor of teaching at Calvary Community Church in Tecumseh, ON on missions in the 10/40 Window. Francis Xavier would have been proud! It was an amazing message.
Wednesday we will have the awesome privilege of visiting the Cuthill's. William Booth FOR LIFE!!
That's what's up.
 
 
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Jenny & I just got back last night from celebrating our 1st Anniversary in Las Vegas!! If you don’t remember, we got married here last year at The Little White Wedding Chapel.
We arrived on Tuesday (the 8th) mid-afternoon and after getting acquainted with our room, and the Luxor, we were picked up by Tony (from First Presbyterian Church of Las Vegas [FPCLV]) and taken to Jan & Jack Kluever’s for dinner and then a spirited time of Wii Sports! It was pretty awesome. We met Jan & Jack at FPCLV last year and have kept a good relationship with them. It was so awesome to see them and keep our friendship growing. Tony dropped us off afterwards, and we spent a little time in and around the Luxor. 

September 9th was our anniversary and we had a very full day. We took the bus down the Strip to the Wynn, and then toured the Venetian, the Mirage, the Flamingo’s wildlife exhibit, the observation deck of Paris’ Eiffel Tower, and the Bellagio. We had lunch at Chipolte, which is a fast food Mexican place with pretty good burritos. We cruised back to the Luxor to chill at the pool for a bit.

For our evening festivities we kicked off at 7pm with Criss Angel/Cirque de Soliel’s show Believe. It was pretty amazing, and, it was included in our vacation package!. Then we travelled back down the Strip to Caesar’s Palace where we ate at the Cheesecake Factory. Then we caught a free show at Treasure Island called Sirens of TI. To end the night we went to the Rockhouse at Imperial Palace. It has been ages since I was last at a ‘club’, and I now see why. After maybe 10 minutes, we were outta there! Terrible. 

Yesterday, we kicked the day off by going to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. In my opinion, it was over-hyped and over-priced, but it was still kinda cool. We got to pet sting rays, so that was sweet. Then we met Jan & Dana (from FPCLV) and ate at the Four Seasons restaurant. I had a salmon burger and IT WAS SOOOO GOOD! Crazy good, even. We then returned to the Luxor and hung out at the pool for an hour or so. After that we treated ourselves to some of the tastiest treats in the world at Cold Stone at Excaliber! I love Cherry Cheesecake Milkshakes! We finished our touring by visiting Hooters (which has an undeserved negative reputation compared with almost any other bar) and indulging in some wings. 

It was an awesome time, but once again, Jenny & I were struck by the stories we heard from our time of hanging out with the homeless of Las Vegas. Any time we passed the homeless, we made sure to sit and talk with them for a couple of minutes. The stories (believable or not) were heartbreaking. Being in Vegas only a few days, the best we could do was give them some change and recommend a great feeding/clothing ministry called Amazing Grace. There are services for the poor in Las Vegas, but like Mother Teresa has said, “Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” It is important to not throw some change or a bill at the homeless as we walk by, without taking the time to acknowledge them. We may be passing Jesus by.
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Paris Las Vegas, Bally's, Planet Hollywood, Bellagio sign,and City In A City
 
 
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We use lights to make manifest. A Christian man should so shine in his life, that a person could not live with him a week without knowing the gospel. His conversation should be such that all who are about him should clearly perceive whose he is, and whom he serves; and should see the image of Jesus reflected in his daily actions. Lights are intended for guidance. We are to help those around us who are in the dark. We are to hold forth to them the Word of life. We are to point sinners to the Saviour, and the weary to a divine resting-place. Men sometimes read their Bibles, and fail to understand them; we should be ready, like Philip, to instruct the inquirer in the meaning of God’s Word, the way of salvation, and the life of godliness. Lights are also used for warning. On our rocks and shoals a light-house is sure to be erected. Christian men should know that there are many false lights shown everywhere in the world, and therefore the right light is needed. The wreckers of Satan are always abroad, tempting the ungodly to sin under the name of pleasure; they hoist the wrong light, be it ours to put up the true light upon every dangerous rock, to point out every sin, and tell what it leads to, that so we may be clear of the blood of all men, shining as lights in the world. Lights also have a very cheering influence, and so have Christians. A Christian ought to be a comforter, with kind words on his lips, and sympathy in his heart; he should carry sunshine wherever he goes, and diffuse happiness around him.
(Charles Spurgeon)
 
 
On September 1/04 terrorists stormed an elementary school in southern Russia and 3 days of Hell started. I was humbled to be in Beslan 3 yrs later to preach in a small church about the Gospel of Divine Love. We cannot afford to forget these acts in history. There is too much to pay by doing so.
To order an amazing book on Beslan for under $10, click -->HERE<--.