What part of "NO OTHER" do you not understand?

There is no doubt that we live in America.  The U.S. is full of luxuries and conveniences that you can find in no other country.  There is no nation like this nation.  We are so blessed to live in a Country like this.  So you would think that the Christians who live here are just thanking God for such abundance, so think again.  We live in a Country that has the most poorest excuse of Christians in all of Christiandom.  People who are so busy and time consumed with their own selfish desires, hobbies and activities that i know if it make me a creature puke, I know that it makes God puke.  God stated in HIS WORD,

Exo 20:1-3 And God spake all these words, saying, (2) I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. (3) Thou shalt have no other gods before me.


     Look at these words, I brought you out of EGYPT (SIN)  I brought you of the house of BONDAGE (DEATH - HELL).  Because of this you shall have no other gods (House, Work, Hobby, Family, Car, Bed, Woman, Man, Laziness) before me.
 
     I could not tell you how much people put other things before God.  Nathan the prophet approached King David and asked him a question, 
 
2 Samuel 12:9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight?.....
 
      So there are Prophets and Pastors and Teachers and Apostles who ask the same questions to those Christians who have not made God number one in their life.  You know who you are....
 
Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight?

What part of "NO OTHER" do you not understand?
 
Yes, putting things before God is evil and a disobedience to God.  If any think otherwise they are decieved and if any think that we are legalistic you have failed to read this:
 
1 Corinithians 10:21-22 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. (22) Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?


or even this:

Jas 4:4-8 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (5) Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? (6) But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

or even this:

Mat 10:37-38 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (38) And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.


  What part of " NO OTHER " do you not understand?  May the Lord bring revelation to the heart of those who need to serve Him.  May the Lord remember our chains no more and may we remember that God is NUMBER ONE above all.


Thank you Jesus.






 
  

Don't Look Back

     There is a story of Fernanado Cortez who wanted to capture the most valuable treasure in all the earth.  He spent all he had and bought 11 ships to sail to capture this treasure.  We he came to shore he trained his army and then told them to torch the boats.  BURN THEM DOWN.  He stated that the only way we are going to leave is with their boats victorious. 
     Christians are told the same when it comes to following God.  If we choose Christ we need to burn our boats.  Many people do not realize that Jesus said, PARAPHRASED "If you don't give up everything for me you are not worthy of me."  Paraphrased "A person who puts his hand on the plow can not look back." 
     People need to burn the boats.  Stop going back to a life of sin.  Stop acting and living as an unbeliever.  Start living for God. 
     Ask yourself, what boats are still on my shore?  Why are they still there?  Oh by the way, Cortez did come out victorious but it was only because there was no other way.  So it will be with your walk in God if you burn the boats.

Do we fall in the sin of Hypocrisy?

Mat 23:23-24 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (24) Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

     The other day I was listening to a program that was talking about obeying the law and paying our taxes.  They said that obeying the government because is God's way.  I was also listening to Christians who were talking about SB1070 the new immigration law and stating that the law is the law and if we are Christians we should obey the law because that is what God wants. 
     This morning I was listening to a program on the same station that was asking Christians to donate money so that we can send Bibles to China and distribute it to the underground church. There were even testimonies of God helping Christians smuggling bibles into China.
     This is when the wheels began to turn in my head and let me say it was a burn out.  Have we become just like the Pharisees who say that we should obey THEM AND ONLY THEM but when it comes to doing what is right we ignore it.  How can Christians say that illegals are breaking the law and those who support them are wrong, while in the same breath say that smuggling bibles in China is right.  So is it OK to disobey other governments and break their laws and call that good as long as we do not break our laws.  Even calling those who do sinners and wrong.  Jesus would say to those who think like that, "HYPOCRITES." 
     The fact is mercy and grace belong in all governments, whether America or China.  Laws that disobey God should be and must be broken.  Christian Americans, sadly said, are not taking into consideration all the Americans who are here illegally because they were brought here while they were young.  Americans are failing to consider these issues and are throwing the baby with the bath water.  These are people who are neglecting mercy because they want to pay the tithe, cummins and mint.  Now those who hop the boarder and cause mahiem need to be sent back.  China that prohibits bibles and the Chrisitan from worship must also be dealt with properly.  Christians should at all cost,  even meaning death or imprisonment, can not but preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. 
     So folks let us not get caught up with the sin of the Pharisees and become Hypocrites but be right and administer grace and justice to all.

IF YOU HAVE YOUTH YOU NEED TO READ THIS...

OK HERE IS THE STUDY:
We have a problem in America


•70-75% of Christian youth leave the church after high school (see survey data at Barna and USA Today).

•Most Christian students are not equipped to resist rabidly anti-Christian college professors who are intent on converting their students to atheism.

•College professors are five times more likely to identify themselves as atheists than the general public.

•More than half of all college professors view evangelical Christian students unfavorably (see article

at Free Republic).

•The “new atheists” — Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens — are writing books and are growing in popularity.
 
     When I read this I do not doubt it.  I remember being a Youth Pastor and remember youth in my classes who were 16-18 years old.  I would do my best to teach the youth the fundamental doctrines of Christianity but I also had 13-16 year olds there also.  So I could not get too deep into the study.  The sermons had to be Dumbed Down.  This is the problem.  Our Youth are not receiving biblical training in youth Groups.  Further the parents who attend only once a week are damaging their children more than they know.  While we hold secular education high we take biblical education as a fall back.  Our children are abondoning the faith and turning away from God.  Their marriages and so forth are not as fruitful and they fail being a Christian.  
 
THE SOLUTION:
 
1)  I believe that once a child reaches 12-13 years old they should join the Adults.  This has always been the factor is was not until modern Christiandumb did we keep our youth in baby classes.  12-13 years old get to know the meat. 
 
2)  Parents need to take Christian Education as  a priority.  Church or classes once a week is not sufficient.  Would you send you children to school once a week? 
 
CONCLUSION,
 
If you want to buck the system, the only way is to follow the system of God.  Serve the Lord with all your heart, strength and mind.  NOT YOUR LEFTOVERS.  Ultimately the only person who pays for neglecting the youth is the parents.
 
Proverbs 17:25


(25) A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to his mother.

Relationship Evangelism

"A Letter To Way Of The Master"

I was with our team at Huntington Beach last Saturday when I noticed some teenagers with signs that said, "FREE HUGS." It turns out that they were a Christian group sharing "God's love" with strangers, by giving them a hug. I asked the leader if the kids shared the gospel with the strangers they hugged. They didn't. It was "relationship evangelism." Yes, they were going to Hell if they died in their sins, but they didn't want to be pushy. I encouraged him to have his team at least give out tracts to those they hugged, but he was in a hurry and had to leave before I could convince him to do so.


In a list of "Ten Ideas for Everyday Outreach," a leading Christian magazine recently suggested praying for people "as you walk by them," tell them you appreciate them, leave notes of encouragement, pick up trash, leave a thank you note for waiters, be friendly, etc.

If that's outreach, what are they reaching out for? Is it so that if sinners die in their sins they will think about how nice Christians were to them, and how they keep the sidewalks free of trash? They will need more than a hug, in Hell.

I couldn't help but think of how bold a person has to be to run around with a sign that says "FREE HUGS." Surely there must be someone in their leadership that has read "How shall they hear without a preacher," and will steer these kids to be true and faithful witnesses. Then again, they may have got their hugs idea from the leading Christian magazine, and therefore think that they are doing the right thing.

REPLY:  PASTOR MICHAEL SALMAN

     Relationship Evangelism is very effective if it is done properly.  With that said, I want to stress the point that relationship evangelism could also be fake and religious.  A person who is nice to other people only because they want to convert them to Christianity seems to be putting on a front.  The fact is Christians should be nice, PERIOD.  We should have the call of God on us and the best relationship evangelism should be that of a real life witness of holiness and purity for God.  Remember Jesus won people not because he was nice but because He told the truth.  As a matter of fact when it came time for sinners Jesus was not really nice at all.  In many of his teachings the sinners and those who reject God are going to Hell, they wither, or burn up.  Remember in Jerusalem He turned tables, and rebuked the Pharisees.  In another time he turned to the people and said, stop being free loaders and follow God because you love Him not because what he can give you. 
     True evangelism means being True not fake. 

The Woman At The Well...

John Chapter 5 tells us of a woman who meets Jesus at the well.  This woman is struggling in life.  She has been married over 5 times and her current live in mate is not her husband.  She is living in Adultery and on top of that Fornication.  Jesus approaches her and lets her know that He knows everything about her.  The greatest conversation occurs which I encourage everyone to read, but at the end the woman finds herself seeing her faults and repenting of her sins.  She realizes within scripture that her lifestyle has been destroying her due to her lack of the Christ living in her life.

     Can we learn from this woman?  The answer is Yes.  People who live their live without the principles and laws of God will only find themselves destroyed.  It is not until we meet Christ at the Well and realize that without Him we will never be satisfied or quenched, only then shall we find a life worthy of living. 

     I pray that those who see the truth and turn to God will know that He is there to receive them and forgive them of their sins.  Repent and know that there is only One God and Father of All.  Give your heart ot Him and you will find that he will quench your thirst. 

In Christ.

Pastor Michael Salman
"Servant of the Most High God."
 

The Prayers Of the Righteous are Effective

James 5:16-18  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective.  Elijah was a man just like us.  He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and 1/2 years.  Again he prayed , and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crop.

The LORD is far from the wicked but He hears the prayer of the righteous.  PROVERBS 15:29


     What a great prelude when it comes to prayer.  Prior to the declaration that the prayer of the righteous are effectial the Word of God tells us how to become righteous.  Confess your sins!!!  Wow!  You see that is the problem between the righteous and the unrighteous.  Confession of sins.  While the wicked continue in their wickedness and their folly against God, their prayers do not even reach their cieling.  That is why their life is falling apart.  Marriages are breaking, family is broken up, loneliness sets in and you are left there alone with no friends or family and no purpose in life.  This wicked person then only becomes more angry and refuses to repent and confess their sins.  So their prayers unfortunetly are never answered. 
     The Word of God says, repent of your sins and you shall be heard.  When you repent and confess, your sins are relieved and you are made righteous and your prayers reach the throne room of God.  The ears of God.

The Truth...You can't handle the truth!!

Do you remember that line spoken by Jack Nicholson, "The Truth...You can't handle the truth!!"  A line to be remembered throughout all ages.  The fact is what he said was absolutely right.  People can not handle the truth.  People get upset when the truth is spoken. 
     This past week I was questioned on my worship of God by the prosecutor.  The question he asked me was a question that could be placed in the Left Behind Books.  He asked me whether or not I and my family were going to continue to worship on Sunday on our property with my family and friends even thou the City prohibits us to do so.  I have given my word that I would tell the truth so I had no choice but to tell them the truth.  THE TRUTH is Yes.  As long as I have a neck on this body I will worship the Lord every Sunday with whomever God places in my life.  The city did not like that.  Of course they will say to me that I have the right to worship but it can not be wherever I want and whomever I want.  It must be in their controlled enviroment with their approval.  Sounds funny folks but it is the truth to them.  It is a truth that we can handle despite persecution from them and them breaking the law.  Despite the fact that they are breaking the law by prohibiting me and others to come to our property for worship we have no choice but to allow the lot to fall where it may.  I will die for my faith.  So if I will die for my faith I will begin by living for my faith. 
     In the courtroom I began to think about all the prophets, apostles and even our Lord being in the same place as I am.  Falsely accussed of things that I do not condone and am against.  They said I was an agressor, a troublemaker, a neighbor hater and even called our worship on Sunday as a nusinace to the community and the neighborhood.  As I was listening to all that, I was such at peace because I was counted worthy of persecution for our Lord.  I have been nothing but nice and kind to my neighbors.  I have been considerate and always tried to keep the line of communication open despite our differences.  Even thou there has been disagreements I have never taken it personally.  I mean who are they fighting with anyway.  They are fighting with God.  The only thing me and family have done is go and hide behind our Fathers back and let him fight our battles.  God is not blind and He is the only one we need to follow.  There are times I wish I would have not said things like calling my neighbor JERK for flipping me off but it was already done.  I have learned just to walk away and not even handle this type of insults. 
     As a Pastor and a human it is very hard to hold myself to a higher standard especially when people are accussing you of false things, yet I die daily for God.  I must subject my body and my emotions and bring all things into subjection.  It is so much easier when you have the support of other brothers and sisters in Christ and the power and Guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

Act 5:41-42


(41) And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

(42) And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

 
Thank you Jesus.        

The Progress

The Bible says, "How sweet it is when brethren dwell together, it is like the oil that falls from the beard of Aaron."  I gues know one could understand that unless they really dwell with Brothers and Sisters in Christ.  This past weekend I was reminded of the beauty of brothers and sisters who got your back.  As some of you know the city with the help of some of the neighbors have been trying to stop me and my family and friends from worshipping on my property.  Yes, I live in America.  LOL.  In 2007 we were going to change our name from Harvest Christian Fellowship to Harvest Christian Fellowship Community Church due to our neighbor stealing our name.  Since there was no need to do that because our 501 c 3 still recognized our name as HCF we abondaned HCFCC INC.  Now fast forward 2 1/2 years and you have a complaint drawn by the city against HCFCC INC.  I have never been a person to run away from persecution, so for 2 months we tried our best to convince the city that the activity on the proeprty is not of HCFCC INC but rather my family or even that of HCF INC.  They did not care but rather wanted to pursue HCFCC INC. instead.  Now fast forward 7 months and we have a judgement against HCFCC INC. for over $200,000  Oh I forgot to mention, HCFCC INC.  was dissolved in April of 2009 by Suzanne and me and dissolved by the Arizona Coproration Commission in July 1st, 2009.  In other words it is dead and has been dead.
     This weekend we met with brothers and sisters for prayer and worship and the brothers and sisters in Christ just like it was clock work started to say things that would make any Pastor have joy in his heart.  They all agreed that if the city try's to stop us from worshipping that they were all going to be in this fight.  We were reminded that this was not about me but about 40 other people that have just the same right to worship on my property as I do.  The city was not only comming against me but them also.  Praise God.
     I can only pray that God gives our leaders wisdom and they try to find a better way of spending our tax payer money rather than pursuing Christians and Churches from worshipping.  Meanwhile we will continue to pray for them and their wisdom in leading our city.  God be with us.   

Go to Church?

     Yesterday I was speaking with a believer and during the conversation I asked what the person did on Sunday. They answered nothing really. I then asked if they went to church and they said No instead they stayed home and watched Joel Osteen and then proceeded to say that all the churches in their area was too liberal. Of course I chuckled because Joel Osteen's middle name is Liberal.
Can a person believe in Christ and not go to church? The church of Christ is called the body. The body is identified as a group of believers lead by Pastors and deacons. To me that sounds like a local fellowship or congregation. So I guess the answer is how can you say that Christ is the head if you are not part of His body? You can not be a true obedient believer in Christ if you are not part of a local body of believers called the church. There may be a lot of good teachers on TV and the radio but they can never replace the actual physical supplements found in a local body. Watching TV to get your spirtual food is like watching the food network and saying you are full.
Let TV and radio create an appettite for the real thing and then act on it by being part of what God wants you to be in.


Pastor Michael Salman

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

State Day Of Prayer

January 17th, 2010 our Governor Jan Brewer by the request of 40 clergymen declared that January 17th be a State Day of Prayer.  She is calling all believers to pray for our budgets and to ask God to help us through these times.  So on January 17th, 2010 please pray for our State and while you are at it please pray for our Nation and especially the city in which you live in.  In Jesus name.

Lord Jesus, you are the Creator of Heaven and Earth.  You the Lord God almighty and there is none like you.  We pray this day for our State that you will lead our leaders to wisdom in handling and dealing with our budget.  Lord we know that you can and will provide for each and everyone of us who call on your name.  Be with our State, our cities and our Nation during this time of struggle.  Let us not compromise our values for the sake of money and let us learn that you are God and that there is blessings in obedience to you.  In Jesus name.

Happy New Year

     I want to first of all wish everyone a Happy New Year.  This year was an awesome year and God had done so much in our lives.  Even thou there were speed bumps and so forth God has brought us through and is continuing to bless us and the fellowship.  One of the highlights of the year just recently occurred children from the fellowship sacrificed a toy that they received as a present and had decided to give it to a family who does not have.  The others in the Fellowship had donated money and had given it to an Orphanage/Childrens Shelter.  This had been very touching because it brings us to realize how much we have and the blessings God has given to us.  I am so proud of many of our family and friends who have stepped up to the plate to do the work of God.  This year our the fellowship had organized a group to feed the homeless, the poor and needy.  They had donated clothes and other items to the shelters.  They had given to the orphanages and shelters.  They continue to preach and teach in the jails.  They hold up signs and witness on the corners.  The fight with their brothers and sisters in Christ through persecution.  They had given to Voice of the Martyrs and other organizations.  I can only pray that this Year we will do even more.  Happy New year and from all of us here we wish you many blessings in each and everyone of your lives.  In Jesus Name and for HIS glory. 
   

The New Year

     We are about to enter the new year.  Are you ready to make this Year truly the year of the Lord?  So many times we have stated that this is the year of God.  We say it as if this unlike any other year, this will be different.  We come up with jingles and ryhmes to give it some uff.  Like 2007 is the year of heaven.  2008 in the Lord we celebrate and etc.  You get my drift.  So now we enter 2010 and we start this year just like any other year, placing on our checks 2009 because we forgot it is 2010.  LOL.  But really just like every year we should come up with and think of ways to improve ourselves especially our walk with Jesus Christ.  How can we draw closer and know Him more.  When you are thinking about that please remember one thing:  It is not a sprint but a Marathon.  2010 is 12 months long.  The best cooked meat is one that has been roasting and or broiling for a long time.  Allow God to make you tender for Him.  God bless you and Happy New Year.


 

Death Of Oral Roberts

Oral Roberts died today at the age of 91.  He was best known as the crying preacher who stated that god was going to kill him if he did not raise millions of dollars by a certain time.  I find it very funny and yet sad that when people think about Oral Roberts this is what they mention.  They don't mention the fact that he began a Bible University or Television Program or that through him God healed many.  All the good people do and the only thing humans remember is the bad and ugly. 
     That is why we are thankful that God in his love and mercy does nto see us like others do.  He sees the good and the love in us.  It is this that God sees and remembers in us.  I can only pray that when we die that all our faults and mishaps are placed aside and that people remember the good that we have done.  May our Legacy be that of blessings and fortune to humanity through Christ.

THIS IS THE SEASON - WATCH

     This season many people are getting sick.  They start getting sick not only physically but spiritually and mentally.  The sales, the emotions, the lonliness, the financial stress and struggles, these all become very difficult and people become very stressed.  Eventually everything going on creates a void and loss of the meaning of the season.  I never was a person who enjoyed all thehustle and busle of the Christmas season due to 2 things.  1)  Physical illness with many & 2)  the commercial aspect of the season. 
      This year I can only pray that people remember 2 things.  1)  Without CHRIST you can not have CHRISTmas.  & 2)  JESUS is the reason for the season.

Have a Merry CHRISTmas.


     

Today I viewed a video located below about Richard Dawkins calling Ray Comfort a serious and radical evangelist an idot because he refutes Darwinism.  At first it made me angry but then I realized that many people feel this way about Christians.  Jesus himself told us that if they called your master the prince of Devils what would they call you.  The scriptures also tell us that we are fools in the eyes of the world because of our faith in Christ.  I bet Moses was considered a fool for taking Israel out to the wilderness, or Abraham going to sacrifice his son, or David going to defeat a Giant, or Gideon Battling thousands with only 300 men.  Yet we know how all this ended.  The Promise, The Faith, The Victory.  So to all you fools and idots out there, GOD BLESS YOU for we know that God always has the last word.  
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/11/25/darwin.dawkins.evolution/?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+Dawkins&utm_content=harvestchristian%40cox.net&utm_campaign=Dawkins+Resorts+to+Name+Calling+%2F+Someone+Won+the+%2420%2C000

The Holy Spirit

When we think of the most vital part of our Christianity many people will refer to the word FAITH.  I believe thou that the most important part of Christianity is the HOLY SPIRIT.  If a person does not have theHoly Spirit living in them they can not living a Christian life.  Unfortunetly that is what we see in many people.  Their belief is head knowledge and not guided by the Holy Spirit.  If more Christians were filled by teh Holy Spirit we probably would not have the issues within the church or other so called Christians attacking other Christians.  So how do you know if you have the Holy Spirit living in you? The scriptures make it very clear in many parts:

1)  There is FRUIT.  You are actually doing something for God and I do not mean going to church.  You are witnessing.  When was the last time you told someone about Jesus?  I assure you if you have not told someone about Jesus or encouraged them to follow Jesus you do not have the Holy Spirit.  Many people will say that, they are shy.  Even if that is true, when you have the Holy Spirit you have boldness to speak and do the things for Christ.  In all the parables of Jesus when referring to the believers He makes one thing evident.  The TRUE BELIEVER reproduces.  Here is a just a couple of the parables: The Sower, The Talents, The Sheep & Goats, The Wise Steward, The Vine and many others. 

2)  There is CONVICTION.  When people think of what is right and wrong they may feel that they have a grasp of things.  The fact is thou many people may be doing wrong and not know it.  For example, unforgiveness is wrong with God but unforgiveness is permitted in the world.  Hatred is not against the law but with God it is.  So people may say, hey I am not doing anything wrong, meaning "I am not breaking the law" while in reality they are.  The Holy Spirit brings convictions to a person because the Holy Spirit teaches a person of a eternal law.  When you are convicted for doing something that maybe the laws of man don't find offensived but God does it is likely that it is the Holy Spirit.

     In short we see a vital walk and importance to following Jesus and only can be done through the Holy Spirit.



   

Feeding the Homeless is a crime...

     On Novemebr 10th, 2009 the city of Phoenix and their anti-christian sentiments came up to the conclusion that if you are a church that you are not allowed to have ministries that cater to serving the poor.  Yes, you heard it right.  It is a crime and against city ordinance if you as a church feed the homeless. 
     I spoke to a few Pastors and ministers this week concerning this decision.  They pretty much felt that the City can KISS THEIR GRITS.  They felt that this decision is not only unconstituational but it is bias.  The fact is folks I AGREE.  We have all decided that if the city even thinks about enforcing such a rule like that, there will be a Class Action Lawsuit against them.  So pass this on.  If your church feels that it may be hindered now or in the future from doing the work of the Lord, as feeding the poor or homeless to let me know.  We already have churches on board ready to take action.  Victory outreach, Teen Challenge and the Dream Center are ministries dedicated to outreaches that reach out to the poor and needed.  Church on the Street and Phoenix First are also ministries and churches dedicated in serving the poor and homeless.  There is going to be a big fight that may end up bankrupting our city.  It is so sad that all the councilmen and women we have none who call themselves Christian are able to fight.  A cloud without water.  Thunder without rain.   

When Laws Go Wrong!!

Lisa Snyder is the kind of neighbor everybody likes to have. Every school day, the Michigan mom welcomed neighborhood children into her home—kids whose mothers have to leave for work an hour before the school bus picks up the kids. Snyder didn’t charge anything—she just wanted to be a good neighbor.

But then someone reported Snyder to the authorities—and the state of Michigan told her to stop babysitting, or else. The Michigan Department of Human Services said if Snyder wanted to take care of unrelated kids in her home, she had to get a daycare license.

It’s an example of laws gone wild—too many regulations, and too little common sense.

And that’s not even the worst example. Last March an Indiana grandmother named Sally Harpold was arrested for buying two boxes of cold medicine in less than a week. That’s illegal, if the combined boxes contain more than three grams of pseudoephedrine. They did—which put Harpold in violation of state laws regulating methamphetamine, which can be made from pseudoephedrine.

Harpold—who was handcuffed and booked—wasn’t running a meth lab. She was buying medicine for her three sick grandchildren. But the local prosecutor was unapologetic. Harpold, she said, ought to have known the law.

That might be easier if there weren’t so many local, state, and federal laws to keep track of. While Harpold is catching up on her legal reading, maybe the prosecutor can take care of her sick grandchildren.

Happily, in Michigan, common sense prevailed. Governor Jennifer Granholm ordered the Department of Human Services to work with lawmakers to change the daycare law to protect people who are simply trying to be good neighbors.

Sally Harpold was not so fortunate. She had to go into an alternative punishment program, and pay attorney fees and court costs.

With cases like these, it’s no wonder Americans are growing increasingly distrustful of government—and of the growing numbers of laws and regulations that are making daily life, well, difficult!
Part of the problem is that we have lost the biblical view of the role of government, which is to preserve order, restrain evil, and promote justice. Government has no legitimate interest in slapping the helping hands of citizens like Lisa Snyder. Rather, government should promote neighborly charity! When it comes to helping a neighbor in trouble, government is not the answer. Good neighbors are.

The Reformers understood this, and called it “sphere sovereignty.” Each institution—family, church, and the private associations—knew their job.

In Catholic social teaching, it was called the principle of “subsidiarity,” recognizing that the interests of individuals are best served by the institution closest to them.

In both traditions, government should perform only those functions which can’t be performed by these “intermediate structures.”

But the other part of the “laws-gone-wild problem” is we ourselves. As the moral order of society breaks down, government—and its laws—step in to fill the void and to prevent chaos.

Indiana banned buying too much cold medicine because of the plague of methamphetamine. When we can no longer master our own cravings and inclinations to evil—in other words, when we can no longer govern ourselves—we invite government intervention. And grandmas like Sally Harpold get dragged off in handcuffs.

Time to wake up and apply biblical teachings to the role of government and the individual.

The Life In Christ

Do you have a life in Christ or is Christ in your life?  The other day I was reading an article that spoke about being a Christian.  What makes a Christian?  Is it because someone goes to church?  Actually the article goes on to say that a Christian is someone who lives their life for Christ always.  I agree.  As some of you know, my wife and I have worship at my home.  We have people come to our home every week and worship Jesus Christ.  We have dedicated our lives to God, our home, our property and our family.  When I walk on my property, I feel as if I walked into the land of God.  Our Jerusalem!  When my family and friends come to worship I am grateful that God has granted us the ability to share in His blessings.  God has placed in our hearts to feed the poor, to help the needy, to minister the gospel to all in need.  I remember when we lived at our home in Waltann and worshipping in the living room every Sunday with our family and friends, how small it was but how wonderful it was.  Oh!  How good the Lord is!!!  I am a firm believer that when you are faithful in the least you will be faithful in the much.  God has granted us a larger property with more room.  Thank you Lord.  I say that to say this:
     I began my life in Christ giving Him everything.  There is never a line in my life that said, Christ here and others there.  It is and always has been Christ.  So it should be with you in your life.  Whether work, play, relationship, friends and no matter what Christ needs to be all and in all.  This is what it means to have a life In Christ and not just Christ in your life.  May God bless you in your walk with Him.