Thursday, November 13, 2008

Sex sells!


Ed Young, pastor of
Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, and son of Ed Young, longtime pastor of Second Baptist, Houston, caused quite a splash last week with his "Seven Days of Sex" errr... progr... uhhh... stud... errr... series. The younger Young is sometimes referred to as "Ed Young, Jr.," but technically he's not a junior (different middle name than dad's). Ed Young, the younger, is but one of a generation of young, hip, primarily non-denominational, megachurch (or megachurch wannabe) pastors. You may recall this strange video he posted of himself last year. And this one.

The Dallas Morning News
story.

The first sermon in this series can be seen
here. It's entitled, strangely and appropriately enough, "Leaving Lust Vegas - Toilet Water." Instead of a pulpit, he had a real toilet in the middle of the stage upon which he plopped his open Bible.


The idea for this... series... didn't originate with Ed Young. A.R. Williams, pastor of World Overcomers Church in Memphis, the mostly black megachurch that built this monstrosity, delivered a similar... performance... almost a year ago. You can read the whole story here and here.

Here's the scene:


"Members of World Overcomers were shocked on last Sunday morning when they entered the place where they assemble to worship God. In the pulpit was a queen-sized bed draped in burgundy and gold.

"Members were wondering why the place that normally Pastor Alton R. Williams preaches the word of God from had turned into a large bedroom, when he entered wearing a robe and pajama pants with his Bible in hand. The lights are dimmed, mood music is playing. Williams at this point lies on the bed reading from the Songs of Solomon.

"While still reading the Bible his wife Sherrilyn enters the sanctuary wearing a long red-feathered, seductive-fitting gown. Mrs. Williams very seductively walks across the pulpit-turned-bedroom and sits on the bed next to her husband. She closes his Bible and begins to rub on him, and then lifts him from the bed and very passionately embraces and kisses him. Pastor Williams, whose Sunday morning freak session is designed to save marriages, tells the women in the congregation, 'This is how to keep your husband so the Hoe don't get him.'"


Kinda makes you wonder how low these "pastors" can go!

Ed Young's blog provides more interesting reading.

261 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 261 of 261
Dr. Bill Loney said...

OC,

s-word? Are you accusin' me of having inclinationals t'wards Loni-cating? Bite your tongue OC. It's jus' being back on Loney Mountain in the winter has got me needin more than a thick coat of back hair for warmyness.

BTK,

unvoluntarily is on page 453 of the Loney Mountain Book o' Word Meanin's. It means: 'to get something done to you that you aint wantin to get done to you'.
It's common knowledge man.

WTL, MD

Dr. Bill Loney said...

OC,

what's happenin' over at TCR? or is it a nunamybizness thing? If so, no hair off my back.

WTL, MD

New BBC Open Forum said...

Dr. Loney,

"Gmommy" said she will hurt me if I publish your 9:53 comment!

TN Lizzie said...

To add to this conversation, my word verification is lipersem.

Is that word in your book, Dr. Loney? Seems like it should be...

On another note, we had fried Spam sandwiches the day after Thanksgiving, and I thought of you!!

How do you celebrate Christmas on Loney Mountain?

Dr. Bill Loney said...

what? about my date? is it cuz I talked 'bout trying to get me a smooch? I guess that was kinda adult sensitive. I'll put it on my webbernet page.

WTL, MD

ps...bok, bok bok bok bok:)
pss...gmommy, sorry I talked about smoochin my mail lady:)

Dr. Bill Loney said...

TN Lizzie,

Our puritanical roots up here on Loney Mountain sorta dictate that we dont have any real celebrationals...but for some reason we still got a rattlesnake box at the church...go figure

But if I could, I'd get me one of them big giant glowed up snowmen, and put it on the roof! And then the family'd all go have a big eatin at 'BURGER MADNESS' ;)

WTL, MD

New BBC Open Forum said...

what? about my date? is it cuz I talked 'bout trying to get me a smooch? I guess that was kinda adult sensitive. I'll put it on my webbernet page.

No, the smoochin' attempt had nothing to do with it. One can't blame a lonely Loney for trying to get him a little lovin'. Maybe if y'all had just ordered something else from the BURGER MADNESS menu....

Dr. Bill Loney said...

Well Nass, the only other good thing on the menu was the Taters & Asparagus combo. And if I'd tried to grab some off of her plate, we'd probably had the same problems.

WTL, MD

New BBC Open Forum said...

Yep, you're right. We would. You're one of a kind, Dr. Loney, one of a kind. (Don't I hope!)

oc said...

Doc,
TCR? As far as I can tell:
A parasitic infestation presented itself which made the situation much diarrheaticly obnoxious. But never fear. There is hope for the patient yet. A heart beat still remains.

At least there is no Cankle surgery forecast. That would be certain death.

Just sayin'.
oc.

Dr. Bill Loney said...

OC,

I aint got no de-canklins set up for the near future, seein' how Phel stole my fat sucker 'fore he left at thanksgiving...I'm tryin to rig up somethin' with a garden hose and dustbuster, but so far I aint gettin near nuf suctionating power.

Nass,

justa re-readin...so you gave GMom a holler after you got my mail lady datin' update?...and she gave you the thumbs down? Thats copeestetic and all, but I'm figurin that even though Gmom and every good instinct you got wuz tellin you not to, deep down, you wanted to. I understand...dont need to be givin others stones to throw at you. But ever now and then, a persons gotta throw caution to the wind and walk on the Loney Side.

Well, if you and GMom ever head west over into Loney Mountain terrortory, I'll treat yall at BURGER MADNESS...and the answer is no even 'fore yall ask...hands off the tail!! Whens people gonna understand that NO means NO? Course that aint fussin at yall...but deaconess Margene got her a kwik grab on it this mornin' at church when I was distracted while tryin to change outta a dollar in the offerin box. Speakin on church, the preacher made special reconizings on me this mornin on account that I got all shaved and shined up, boy I was all grins and tooth. But he did go off on a screamin spell in his sermon, on how 'certain people' ought not be joggin in speedos, sayin' that aint what turnin' your cheek means. If I wuznt wantin to date up with his sister, he'da gotta look at where the goat gored me.

TN Liz

Thanks for thinkin 'bout me for thanksgiving...yall didnt cook up a big spurkey? and my drunk box says 'unwed'...even the webbernet is mockin' me.

WTL

gmommy said...

Dr Loney,
Thank you for the invitation to walk on the Loney side with you...I don't know that I've received such a...nice invitation in quite some time :)

I'm afraid there aren't enough digestive enzemes in my entire huge bottle that would allow me to indulge in buger maddness with you...but it was so kind of you to ask!!
Sorry I was a kill joy...it was a little "upsetting" to read :)

New BBC Open Forum said...

You know it had nothing to do with your mail lady. It was your menu selections.

I'm sure "gmommy" would love to accompany me on a trip to Loney Mountain someday. Where is it anyway?

As for your vestigial tail... not to worry. Trust me, I don't want to even think about it, much less see it, and the thought of touching it makes me nauseous. But we still love you, Dr. Loney.

New BBC Open Forum said...

"Buger Maddness"? Is that what he said??? Probably was.

gmommy said...

No...Dr Loney spelled it right :)
I didn't proof read or use spell check....ooops!!!

I'm the last person you have to be concerned about Dr Loney...now Nass.....Mmmmm...I just don't know :)
That basement is a pretty boring place...walking on the Loney side may sound like fun...who knows?????

all2jesus said...

As of a short while ago, these were the available seats for the SCT:

Fri Dec 12: 1468
Sat Dec 13: 582 (2:00)
Sat Dec 13: 1278 (5:30)
Sun Dec 14: 720 (3:00)
Sun Dec 14: 1745 (6:30)
Mon Dec 15: 2435
Tue Dec 16: 2885
Wed Dec 17: 3100

Total: 14213

As you can see, you'd better not count on seats being available; there are practically none left. :-)

I haven't been able to determine the sanctuary's exact capacity, but the wiki page puts it at just over 7500. If so, BBC may have sold about 46,000 tickets. I estimate around half the seats are classified "gold" (far more than the old $10 sponsor section), maybe a third are "silver" and the remaining 15% or so "bronze" ($3). The latter are on the far wings and practically none have sold. Ignoring bronze seats, if we figure a 60/40 split between gold and silver sales they've already raked in about $440k.

gopher said...

More like less than 7,000 as the other figure of 7500 includes the choir and the front sides which are not available.

Steve was telling members Sunday night to buy the $3 tickets and give them to their neighbors.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas one and all!

God is using Jon where the Gospel is free.

2007 – The 2007 LCT saw the Holy Spirit move in incredible ways. Our guest evangelist, Thomas Young, gave a clear presentation of the Gospel, and over 500 people came forward to make a first-time profession of faith in Jesus Christ. The total attendance was over 60,000 people for the five presentations, and over 650 of those people made some type of spiritual decision. At this year’s LCT, we welcomed the third Associate Pastor of Worship responsible for the Tree and our current Worship Leader at Sevier Heights Baptist Church, Jon Tyner.

How much do tickets cost?
Tickets are free. Sevier Heights does not believe the Gospel of Christ is for sale or that any barrier should be placed in the way of someone coming to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe that this is a free gift to our community each year.

Should you be interested in more information here is the
link to the Living Christmas Tree site.

New BBC Open Forum said...

"Tickets are free. Sevier Heights does not believe the Gospel of Christ is for sale or that any barrier should be placed in the way of someone coming to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe that this is a free gift to our community each year."

Amen.

Anonymous said...

My oops! Too late.

All of the comments posted should have been in quotes as they were copied directly from the web site.

The "free" statement is under the Frequently Asked Questions link on the TICKETS page.

TN Lizzie said...

Original music, rather loud. Not my personal taste, but the message is great! Just in time for Christmas.....

Don't Kick Jesus Out of Christmas

TN Lizzie said...

Aww ~ Now, this is just perfect!

Happy Birthday, Jesus

all2jesus said...

We had a nice dinner with a blog friend the other night who confessed to being a regular reader of the FBC JAX blog, and I see why. Incisive and to the point. If nothing else, read the list of Max Brunson's abuses for some eerie parallels with the Senior Pastor of a certain Memphis megachurch.

bowtheknee said...

Dr. Loney,

Methinks you have been hittin' the bottle a little bit harder than usual.

And please for the umpteenth time get your eyes checked!!!! I am not a MAN!!!!!!! How could you? I'm so embarrassed. (See 9:41 post, Dec 6)

You didn't ask me about Burger Madness. I think I might like to venture out there...... Is that one of those roadkill places? My husband's been wanting to try one of those. Apparently my cooking is lacking in some way.

Just sayin'

diningroomtableforsale said...

All to Jesus,

The Bellevue sanctuary holds right at 6,500 and that includes the choir so knock off another 250 seats there since nobody would be able to sit there.

WIKI is not accurate on their numbers.

One other thing, don't beleive for one minute the numbers of tickets left. There are many more than that available.

sleepy said...

I've been reading your blog for a long time. I attended BBC with my son on my visits to Memphis. AR was the best and the spirit was so present. My son moved to Knoxville with the family and I've not been back to visit since. It hurts to hear of all the problems. My prayers are still with you.

I wanted to comment on the Living Christmas Tree in Knoxville by Sevier Heights Baptist Church. It is the most beautiful and emotional production. We've never had to pay. They even have to rent Thompson Boling Arena for the production and still we pay nothing. They have 4 productions and the arena is packed at each performance. All I can say it is amazing and Knoxville is so forunate to have a loving and caring church like Sevier Heights to do this each year. We love them.

Miriam Wilmoth said...

Just an update ...

Remember Sam, the little boy who was adopted from Ethiopia by the Wisconsin family, who was run over by the tractor a couple of months ago?

He's going HOME tomorrow!!! Just thought you all might like to rejoice with me over Sam's wonderful progress and God's infinite grace and goodness.

Merry Christmas to all -
MJM

gopher said...

At Bellevue Baptist

4th of July is Free

Halloween is Free

Christmas Tree is NOT

Easter Pageant probably Not

Dr. Bill Loney said...

BTK

Sorry 'bout man-ernizing you...and it might be kinda hard to be takin yall for eatin...I been makin some courtin' time with Vern Simpson's alligator-garfisharized legless widow. She aint much for shirtless trail joggin, but she sure can cut a mess of firewood from that 4x4 rascal of hers. But she accidental like ate some of my homemade botox I had curating in the ice box, so she aint blinked or frowned for 2 days now. I think my cursin' mail lady might be gettin' a peck jealous...yesterday when she passed by and throwed my mail outta her jeep, she fired a couple of warning shots at me with her deer rifle, sorta like she wuz sayin' that she dont like me courtin around with legless wood choppin widows...aint that cute of her? Ah, love is in the air on Loney Mountain! And, speakin of the air...it done turned off cold...my neighbor's oxidational pond done froze over, and me and the widow Simpson went out this morning for a lil' dirty ice skatin.

Though we dont formal-like celebrate x-mas on Loney Mountain, there wuz some singers came from a couple mountains over and they was carolizing and stopped by. They sang some traditionals like "Jerry the Blue-nosed guard-goat" & "All I want for christmas is a New Front Partial", but they sorta panicked and runned off when I brought them some pipin hot nutria nogg...in hindsight, I probably shoulda screened out a lil' more of the fur...and, I maybe shoulda put a shirt on...and maybe I coulda put on something over my speedo.

WTL, MD

ps...Nass, my tail...nauseating? that's what all my ex-Ms. Loneys used to say...along with "get them hay-bale sized hairballs outta the sink"...now I'm gettin all nostalgically teary-eyed.

all2jesus said...

I ran across an article by Dr. Don Boys written during the PW scandal that gives a pretty good synopsis of Bellevue's travails to that point. Amazing that an outsider was able to glean so clear a picture. With no real repentance of these transgressions, they remain, as it were, buried under the tent.

all2jesus said...

gopher, would you mind emailing me?

New BBC Open Forum said...

a2j wrote:

"With no real repentance of these transgressions, they remain, as it were, buried under the tent."

Watch it there. Someone might accuse you of issuing death threats again.

New BBC Open Forum said...

Two other related articles by Don Boys are linked from here and here. More Don Boys commentary can be found here.

bowtheknee said...

Congrats to Billie Tapp! This week the Fayette Falcon reports that Billie has had a book published. God's Timed Zone is about a change in the mind. Billie grew up in Somerville, Tennessee where she had little wealth but she had a seed of faith. The story goes on to say that Billie has ministered to others for over a decade by her expository teaching and love for the Lord. Congrats Billie!!!

TN Lizzie said...

And here it is:God's Timed Zone

Looks like it's on sale.

New BBC Open Forum said...

From the Fayette Falcon...

Book Is Published By Local Resident

PublishAmerica is proud to present God's Timed Zone by Billie Tapp of Somerville.

Americans recognize the need of change but few know what kind of change will make a significant difference in our country. This book is about change, a change in the mind. It is possible to live in a culture of havoc and twisted idealogy with a right mind. It is possible for peace, prosperity and security regardless of the storms you encounter in life. God has uniquely timed everything under heaven, both good and evil, to reach the hearts of the people. His desire is to take all things and work them together for our good.

This book, written in simple words, will take your mind on a short journey through time, a time worth spending, a journey of experience through some difficult circumstances. It is about a woman who by grace discovered that her faith has made her well. A steadfast faith in God's Word delivers the mind where negative circumstances take on a positive role resulting in an optimistic attitude and peace.

Billie Tapp is from Somerville, Tennessee, where she grew up with little wealth of the world. She proclaims, "I had all I needed; a Seed of Faith!" Her life reflects mountains and valleys with losses, heartaches, triumphs and personal gains. For more than a decade, she has ministered to others by her expository teaching and transparent love for the Lord who brought joy into her life. Billie speaks from the heart of the "common folk" living in America.

Congratulations, Miss Billie!

New BBC Open Forum said...

From today's Commercial Appeal.

Caption underneath photo: "Jean Stockdale prays holding a tiara during her Moms ministry at Bellevue Baptist Church. Stockdale used the story of Esther to teach the women in attendance to live like a queen in their lives and avoid the trap of trying to do too many things at once."

One guess where she got the tiara.

New BBC Open Forum said...

Anyone attend or watch the SCT this year? Thoughts?

BkWormGirl said...

No, I attended GBC's Memphis Christmas Experience. It was WONDERFUL!!

TN Lizzie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
TN Lizzie said...

[Edited to correct a goofy spelling error!]

"One guess where she got the tiara."

There's no telling ~ Craig or her sons? Her DIL's? Any of the Mamas who have been drawn closer to Christ through the Moms ministry?

Folks who know her know that she is the real deal, and one classy lady too.

I can't imagine how she can sit under SG's leadership, but I know she used to teach good Bible... I pray for her.

New BBC Open Forum said...

The Singing Christmas Tree presentation for Monday, December 15, has been cancelled, due to inclement weather.

Tuesday and Wednesday night’s presentation of the Singing Christmas Tree will go on as scheduled.

If you have tickets for Monday night’s presentation, please call the ticket office at (901) 347-5507 for refunds, or to exchange tickets for Tuesday or Wednesday night’s presentation.

New BBC Open Forum said...

"One guess where she got the tiara."

There's no telling ~ Craig or her sons? Her DIL's? Any of the Mamas who have been drawn closer to Christ through the Moms ministry?


No, I was thinking from Donna Gaines.

32yrs@bbc said...

BkWormGirl said...
"No, I attended GBC's Memphis Christmas Experience. It was WONDERFUL!!"

And free!!

TN Lizzie said...

"One guess where she got the tiara."

There's no telling ~ Craig or her sons? Her DIL's? Any of the Mamas who have been drawn closer to Christ through the Moms ministry?

No, I was thinking from Donna Gaines.

Do you really think Donna would let go of her tiara?

New BBC Open Forum said...

Someone sent me this today...

Here we are, ladies and gentlemen, in the midst of an economic crisis, an automobile potential bailout, now we got this Bernard Madoff thing that's happened, and this is fascinating, this is overwhelmingly fascinating to me, when you understand what happened, all of this going on, we've got reporters in Baghdad throwing a shoe at George W. Bush, and the drive-by media here in this country is very excited about it. Fact of the matter is, ladies and gentlemen, this incident shows that we have succeeded in Iraq. Had this guy thrown his shoe at Saddam Hussein, he would have been shot five minutes later. This guy is still alive to be made a star by the drive-by media around the world. Long live freedom! Long live democracy!

Dr. Nachos Grande' said...

In my veelage out of Mexico City limitations, we no have the singing chreesmas trees or the santa clauses, but the keeds like to hit the piñatas that are looking like snowing men until the jollee ranchers are falling out. And on chreesmas day, old st. Ricardo rides into the veelage in his cart pulled by pedro the ill tempered donkee and he passes out the sacks feeled with juicy fruit gums & pencils…then the main event ees the liting of the chreesmas cactus with the road flares and the seenging of ricky martin carols, then we are all watching our most favored movie in the veelage square, the 3 amigos…how senor chevy deedn’t get a oscar trofee is steel a meestory

Lynn said...

Benicio Del Toro gives his 2 pesos: "I think anyone who buys a T-shirt of Che has gotta be cool. If I see someone with a Che T-shirt, I think, 'He's got good taste'"

Whats wrong with this picture? Since when has been celebrating a cold blooded killer been considered "good taste"?

TN Lizzie said...

Here is an awesome word on the economic crisis from Pastor David Wilkerson: God's People Will Not Be Ashamed in the Time of Calamity

This may be long, but it is worth printing out and carrying in your Bible.

Here's one bit for you to chew on:
Think of it: No matter what happens in the world — no matter how fearful the news becomes, how severely the world shakes, how economies may teeter toward collapse — God’s people will not be left ashamed. Indeed, the Lord will act on our faith to fulfill his Word to us. We may suffer, but he will come through for all who fully trust in him. The world will never be able to say, “Your God didn’t keep his Word.”

Make no mistake, we are going to face impossibilities in the days ahead. But our Lord says he is God of the impossible, providing miracles when there is no human answer. In fact, he willingly puts his reputation in the hands of his people, calling us to commit him to his Word. You may think, “But God can defend his own name. He doesn’t need me.” Not so! God has chosen his people to be his testimony to a numb, unmoved world. And he is calling us to openly commit him to do what he promises.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Merry Christmas, dear ones. God is faithful, and He keeps His promises! Work like it depends on you, and pray like it depends on God. Both statements are true.

concernedSBCer said...

Dr. Loney: Even though you don't officially celebrate Christmas, a little gift for the postwoman, or your legless wonder, might do much in warming them up towards your...ummmm.....body type.

SCT: If BBC wants to charge for tickets, I guess that's their right (although I think it's WRONG) BUT if they are going to charge for tickets, they should not be having the "beg for an offering" time in the middle. One or the other, folks. And if $440K was made selling tickets, wouldn't that more than pay for the production? Why continue to beg for more money?

"It is Finished" was cut, as was the Angel/Mary/Joseph trio. The tree was also new and still not full. It frankly looked as if there just weren't enough kids to fill it. Remember the year the Lion King traveling Broadway cast came? At one point there were over 250 kids on stage- Toy soldiers, band, etc.- and the director of the Lion King complemented Carter on the organization for so many amateur performers. Now, it is a shell of that. Such a shame.

concernedSBCer said...

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! In the midst of the craziness we call our churches and our world, I am thankful Jesus came to earth for us.

Junkster said...

M
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C
H
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I
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T
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T
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A
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oc said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

gmommy said...

Hey Blog Friends!!!
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!!

oc said...

The Almighty God, The Creator of the Earth and all the Heavens..
Condenscended..to become a helpless baby... and lived a righteous and sinless life... and died...a criminal's fate... died...on a criminal's cross, and yet rose ..Alive... and
shouted out the glory from the grave,...
He came to save us. He did it and meant it from the the stable to the Cross... it was LOVE all the way... He knew the cost.
There was no mistake.

Just sayin'.
oc.

oc said...

God Almighty. The Creator of Heavens and Earth. Condescending to become a baby. For me, for you.

What love.

Merry Christmas.

oc said...

1Now in those days a decree went out from (A)Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of (B)all [a]the inhabited earth.
2This was the first census taken while [b]Quirinius was governor of (C)Syria.

3And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

4Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because (D)he was of the house and family of David,

5in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

6While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

7And she (E)gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And (F)an angel of the Lord suddenly (G)stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

10But the angel said to them, "(H)Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a (I)Savior, who is [c](J)Christ (K)the Lord.

12"(L)This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14"(M)Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men [d](N)with whom He is pleased."

15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."

16So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

17When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

18And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary (O)treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

20The shepherds went back, (P)glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Jesus Presented at the Temple
21And when (Q)eight days had passed, before His circumcision, (R)His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22(S)And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "(T)EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD"),

24and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, "(U)A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS."

25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was (V)righteous and devout, (W)looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26And (X)it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not (Y)see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, (Z)to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,

28then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29"Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
(AA)According to Your word;
30For my eyes have (AB)seen Your salvation,
31Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32(AC)A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
And the glory of Your people Israel."

33And His father and (AD)mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.

34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary (AE)His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for (AF)the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed--

35and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

36And there was a (AG)prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of (AH)the tribe of Asher She was advanced in years (AI)and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with (AJ)fastings and prayers.

38At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were (AK)looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Return to Nazareth
39When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to (AL)their own city of Nazareth.
40(AM)The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Visit to Jerusalem
41Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at (AN)the Feast of the Passover.
42And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast;

43and as they were returning, after spending the (AO)full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it,

44but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day's journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him.

46Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.

47And all who heard Him (AP)were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

48When they saw Him, they were astonished; and (AQ)His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, (AR)Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You."

49And He said to them, "Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that (AS)I had to be in My Father's house?"

50But (AT)they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.

51And He went down with them and came to (AU)Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and (AV)His mother (AW)treasured all these things in her heart...


Christmas isn't really about a bsby, is it? Is it really about something/someone else? Or is it maybe both/and?
Isn't it a wonder?

Thank you God, that you are way beyond us. And it's all in Your hands.

Merry Christmas!

Dr. Bill Loney said...

happy hollerdays fellers & fellerettes!

Dr. Bill Loney said...

yall read this fer me & say hi

New BBC Open Forum said...

For those of you tired of looking at Ed Young's mug, there's a new thread.

NBBCOF

Ray said...

Perhaps if the Church was more committed to speaking about sex from the pulpit, our children would not be learning about from the secular world. In my entire life the only message I received from Church regarding sex was, "don't do it till your married."
There was no discussion concerning the gift of sex and why God created it. Why we as Christians do not have to be ashamed of it. To this day when I mention sex from the pulpit my older members grimace, because they were taught that it was an inappropriate topic. This is the reason so many young married couples have difficulty in the first years of their marriages and why I spend a great deal of time in pre-marital counseling talking about the subject.
I have listened to Ed Young Jr. for some time and while his ways may be unorthodox, his theology is completely orthodox. The problem is many SB do not know what orthodox theology is.

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