Pastor Al's Comments
27 Jan 15
Interview with Missionary Nader Baraty
This past Friday, Jan 23, Nader Baraty, missionary to Ethiopia, was a guest on our program. Bro. Baraty has an unusual background in that he is the son of an Iranian Muslim and an American Christian and, as a result, has dual citizenship in both America and Iran.
Although his mother died at a young age she was able to plant the gospel seed in Nader's heart. Consequently, even though his father exposed him to life in Iran and Islam, he eventually came to trust in Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. Now, he longs to reach Muslims and others with the same Gospel saved him and see souls saved and churches planted in Ethiopia and throughout the Islamic world.
You can listen to the program here: http://live.mapleknoll.us/23jan15.mp3
.15 Jan 15
Would You If You Could?
Amongst other things, we got into an interesting discussion, based Mathew 5:28 ("But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."), that if desiring to commit a sinful act is, in God's eyes, as bad as actually doing it, then desiring to do a good deed just as good as doing it?
I think the answer lies in James 2:15-17: "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
Then again, maybe it could be summed up with the question, "Would you if you could?" After all, one of the main reasons that we don't act on our sinful thoughts and desires is that we are afraid of the cost or consequence of actually doing it. In other words, if we could we would. So, applying that line of reasoning to a good deed, can we honestly say that we would if we could? Or, is it more of a case of we wouldn't even if we could? If it is the latter, then I don't see how there would be any merit or reward to good intentions that we do never actually intend to carry out.
You can listen to the program here: http://live.mapleknoll.us/11jan15.mp3
. (The question and discussion begins at 39:20.)18 Dec 14
Audio Segment: When Does Life Begin?
I edited last Friday's discussion [see below] about abortion and when life begins into a stand alone audio clip.
You can listen to the segment here: http://live.mapleknoll.us/whendoeslifebegin.mp3
17 Dec 14
When Does Life Begin?
I spent some time discussing abortion, focusing on just when does life begin on last Friday's program. Briefly, I outlined how biology, the Bible, and reason all point to life beginning at conception.
Biology tells us that at the moment of conception, the unique DNA of a new human being, distinct from both the father and the mother is formed and this new human being begins all the functions of a living organism. Consequently, an abortion is the destruction of a distinct, living human being prior to birth.
The Bible tells us that at the moment of conception we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" and that in God's "book [DNA] all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." (See Psalm 139:13-16) The Bible also equates the death of an unborn child the same as the death of person in Exodus 21:22-23.
And, reason tells us that there would be no need for abortion if the unborn baby was not alive. It also tells us that abortion debate does not really revolve around when human life begins but rather when is it permissible to end human life.
You can listen to the program here: http://live.mapleknoll.us/12dec14.mp3
Unfortunately, Ohio State Representative Matt Lynch was unable to join us last Friday. I hope to reschedule him sometime in the future to talk about some issues stemming from the defeat of the Ohio Heartbeat Bill.
12 Dec 14
Program note: Ohio State Representative Matt Lynch will be calling in to our Friday, December 12, program at about 1:45 PM
We will be talking about the failure of the Ohio House to pass the Heartbeat Bill due to the betrayal of pro-life voters by the Republican leadership and several Republican representatives who ran as pro-life candidates just over a month ago.
Tune in live at 1:30 PM or visit our webpage and click on the link for AM 1220 WHKW to listen online. If you cannot listen live, I will be posting an mp3 file of the program later on,both here and on our Facebook page.
For more information on the death of the Heartbeat Bill, go to: Anti-abortion 'heartbeat bill' dies in Ohio House.
31 Oct 14
A Biblical Ghost Story
Today being Halloween I decided to read a ghost story from the Word of God. That story is found in Job 4:12-21:
"Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.
In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:
It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,
Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it.
Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom."
In the story, Job's friend, Eliphaz, is awakened in the middle of the night by ghostly apparition that terrifies him. The spirit is silent at first but then delivers a message to Eliphaz.
Interestingly, the message of the spirit is, in and of itself, true in principle. However, it is the application of the statement to Job that causes Eliphaz, as well as Bildad and Zophar, to accuse Job of harboring secret sin and to, consequently, afflict Job rather than comfort him. Rather than try the spirits, Eliphaz listened and thereby allowed himself to be used of the devil to add to Job's suffering.
All in all, this story has many of the attributes of a modern day ghost story. A person wakes in the middle of the night, terrified. A ghostly presence appears in front of them with a message. Problems ensue as result of the encounter. Only God is able to resolve the situation in the end.
You can listen to the program at: A Biblical Ghost Story
15 Oct 14
New Facebook Page
Live with Pastor Al
Recently, with a great deal of trepidation, I created a Facebook page for the radio program. I say trepidation because I have purposely avoided getting involved with Facebook for quite some time now, figuring that our webpage and my LinkedIn account were more than enough. Nevertheless, in order to expand the outreach of our program and hopefully gain some more listeners, I finally gave in to the advice of a few friends and set up a page.
So, check out our new Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Live-with-Pastor-Al/292635240925258?ref=profile" and, if you are on Facebook yourself, please "like" our page and recommend it to a friend.
11 Oct 14
Elam, Iran, & Jeremiah 49:34-39
I was recently asked about the prophecy in Jeremiah 49:34-39 regarding the judgment of Elam. Specifically, I was asked if it might be applied to Iran today since the area of Elam is located within the modern state of Iran.
The last verse of the passage in Jeremiah says, in verse 39, "it shall come to pass in the latter days," indicates that ultimate fulfillment of the prophecy is to take place in the last days.
Interestingly, the passage also says, in verse 35, "I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might." Breaking "the bow of Elam" likely indicates that the military might of Elam will be broken. It also indicates that "the chief of their might" is also broken. What makes this even more interesting is that Bashehr, Iran, which is located in the area of ancient Elam, is a center of Iran's nuclear weapons program. Could this be what is meant by "the chief of their might"?
If so, perhaps the end times fulfillment of Jeremiah 49:34-39 refers to a coming attack on Iran's nuclear weapons program. This attack could come during the Ezekiel 38 invasion of Israel or, perhaps more likely, during pre-Ezekiel 38 war that is described in Psalm 83. You can listen to the segment by clicking on: Elam, Iran, and Jeremiah 49.
6 Oct 14
The Islamic State, the Kurds, & Isaiah 13
Last night, a caller asked about the the Islamic State (also called ISIS or ISIL) and if it had anything to do with Bible prophecy. Since it was nearing the end of the first half of the program I said I would discuss it at length after the break. I ended up examining the current situation of the Islamic State and the Kurds in light of the prophecies regarding Babylon and the Medes in Isaiah 13 at length for most of the second half of the program.
The synopsis of the discussion is that the Islamic State is gaining control over the area occupied by Babylon in Isaiah's day and that the Kurds are the modern day descendants of the Medes. Babylon is destroyed by forces that "come from a far country, from the end of heaven, (vs. 5)" and become "as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah (vs. 19)". Further, Isaiah's prophecy states that, although animals will dwell in the ruins, "It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. (vs. 20)". Following Babylon's destruction the Medes will stirred against them (vs. 17) and have no pity, even towards children (vs. 18).
The Islamic State is taking control of the area that was Babylon in Isaiah's time and viciously attacking and killing the descendants of the Medes (Kurds), driving them out of their homes and into the mountains with just the clothes on their backs. When you look at what the Islamic State fighters are doing to the Kurds, you see them doing all the things that Isaiah prophecies will be done by the Medes to the Babylonians: "Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword. Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished. Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it. Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children. (Isaiah 13:15-18)" It may be that, when the Islamic State is destroyed by the people that "come from a far country, from the end of heaven," that the Kurds do to the Islamic State the things that the Islamic State are currently doing to the Kurds as revenge.
So, who are the people that "come from a far country, from the end of heaven"? Well, since the type of destruction Babylon suffers seems to best be explained by a nuclear attack, it seems reasonable to identify the people that "come from a far country, from the end of heaven," as a nation possessing nuclear weapons. Some believe this could be the United States because, while there a number of nuclear states that could attack the Islamic State, the United States is the farthest away.
Whether or not the current situation in the Middle East is the unfolding of Isaiah's prophecy, it should cause us to pay more attention to God's Word and to get more involved in God's work. As Jesus said in Luke 21:28, "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."
You can listen to the discussion by clicking on: The Islamic State, the Kurds, & Isaiah 13
22 Sep 14
Special Guest: Evangelist David Porter
David Porter joined me on our program this past Sunday night. Porter shared his testimony during the first half of the program about how doctors diagnosed him with a large brain tumor and gave him less than two months to live in January, 2004. Despite the pessimistic diagnosis, Porter prayed for God's will to be done and now, nearly 11 years later, he continues to preach the gospel.
You can listen to his testimony and the rest of the program by clicking HERE.
22 Sep 14
Special Guest: Dr. John Yingling, General Director of Baptist International Outreach
Dr. John Yingling and his son, Jeremiah, joined me on Late Night Live with Pastor Al this past Sunday night. Dr. Yingling and I worked together as missionaries in the Samoan Islands in the 1990's where we planted the Grace Baptist Church, now known as Vai O Le Ola Baptist Church in American Samoa. Since that time, Dr. Yinling has gone on to become the General Director of the independent Baptist missions agency, Baptist International Outreach.
During the first part of the program we spent some time talking about the challenges and blessings we experienced as missionaries in the Samoan Islands and how those experiences have impacted our lives and ministries since then. From there we moved into a general discussion of missions today. Along the way, we discussed some of the ways churches can help and encourage their missionaries and talked about opportunities for church members -- especially those who are retired -- to make a difference on the mission field using their skills and knowledge.
You can listen to the program by clicking HERE.
15 Sep 14
Pastor Al Guest Hosts Where Is God's Word? Again
Bruce Musselman, host of Where Is God's Word? was unable to host his program Thursday, September 5. Consequently, he once again contacted me about filling in for him and I was thankful for the opportunity.
The general theme of the program was that Bible prophecy proves the reliability of the Bible. You can listen to the program by clicking here.
Where Is God's Word? airs live each Thursday from 3-4 PM Eastern Time on AM 1220 WHKW.
30 Aug 14
Pastor Al Speaking at Crusade Baptist Church, September 3
I'll be speaking at Crusade Baptist Church, located at 2982 Copley Road in Copley, Ohio, on Wednesday, September 3, at 7:00 PM. Pastor Max McKanna asked me to speak about Bible prophecy and current events in the Middle East so our church folks are going to join with Crusade Baptist for this special service.
If you are in the area we would love to see you. Crusade Baptist Church is located just west of Akron, Ohio, on Copley Road between Jacoby Road and Copley Circle. It is easy to get to off either I-77 or State Route 21.
Hope to see you there!
21 Aug 14
Benefit Golf Tournament For Brother In Christ with Cancer
"At only 42 years of age, Steve Weese, a follower of Jesus Christ, husband of 20 years to Chrissy, father of 5 young children and a dear friend to many, was recently diagnoses with a very aggressive form of Cancer.
"100% of the net proceeds of this event will be used to help the family through this difficult trial. Consider this your personal invitation to show your love and support to our friend."
Please click on the picture above or go to this link,
http://www.cvent.com/events/play-foresteve/event-summary-33a4eb94f0fd449e85958e0fe55828c6.aspx,
to find out more information on you can pray and play for Bro. Weese and his family.
17 Aug 14
Free EBook Give-Away To Celebrate 8 Years On the Radio with Late Night Live with Pastor Al!
Eight years ago, myself, my wife, and our church took a step of faith and began a radio outreach ministry. Now our radio outreach has grown to include not only our hour long Sunday night program, but a half hour program every Friday afternoon, helping with an hour long program every Thursday, and guest hosting for a couple of other radio programs occasionally. Additionally, we have gone from being only on our flag ship station, AM 1220 WHKW in Independence (Cleveland), Ohio, to being on Faith Talk 570 and 910 WTBN in Tampa, Florida, as well.
I'll be talking a bit about the history of the program tonight so I hope you will be able to join us. However, I also want to so something to thank our listeners, whether you listen on the air, online, or to our recorded mp3 programs at the right. As many of you know, I wrote an ebook, The Coming Arab-Israeli Nuclear War that deals with events in the Middle East and the possible fulfillment of Bible prophecies dealing with Israel and its neighbors. As you can see, the book is available for purchase over on the right side of this website.
In celebration of our eight years on the radio, however, I want to make my book available free to all our listeners and to those who follow this website. There is a catch, though. This is a limited time offer and in order to get the book for free you will have to go to the website, Smashwords.com, where the book was originally published and sign up -- for free -- to download the book using the following coupon code: AE96F.
Or, you can click on the book cover at the left and, once you are signed up with Smashwords.com, you can enter the coupon code: AE96F at purchase in order to get my book FREE.
Remember, this only works at Smashwords.com and is for a limited time only. The coupon will expire by 14 September 2014.
15 Aug 14
Pastor Al Guest Hosts Where Is God's Word?
Bruce Musselman, host of Where Is God's Word? was unable to host his program last Thursday. He called late Wednesday evening and asked if I could host the program.
Well, the Bible says to be instant in season and out of season and I have been praying for more opportunities to be on the radio (and I do help Bro. Musselman with his program each week) so I agreed. You can listen to the program by clicking here.
Where Is God's Word? airs live each Thursday from 3-4 PM Eastern Time on AM 1220 WHKW.
12 Aug 14
Pastor Al & Pastor Lutz Combine Programs for GG9
Pastor John Lutz (North Coast Baptist Church, Lakewood, Ohio), host of For the Cause Of Christ and I combined our two individual half-hour programs last Friday, Aug 8, in order to do a special, hour long program in honor of the GG9.
What is the GG9, you ask? Well, it is the ninth quadrennial Gay Games, and it is being held in Cleveland, Ohio. Actually, the games are being held at several venues across the Cleveland-Akron area and hotels throughout the area (including where our church meets) are hosting participants, officials, media, and spectators of the games. They are patterned after the Olympics and intended to cast homosexuals in a positive light through the media coverage and attention during the games.
Since both Pastor Lutz and I wanted to use the games as an opportunity to counter the popular media's glowing portrayal of homosexuality with a Biblical perspective, we decided to pool our efforts by combining our programs. In addition, we also had a special guest, Greg Quinlan, who came out of the homosexual lifestyle after trusting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour.
You can find the two programs here:
We did a similar combined program about a year and a half ago regarding a billboard along I-71 in Brunswick, Ohio, that said, "Homosexuality is sin...but Christ can set you free."
You can find those two programs here:
While we're on the subject, here's some of what the Bible says about homosexuality:
- "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. (Leviticus 18:22)"
- "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. (Leviticus 20:13)"
- "And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. (1 Kings 14:24)"
- "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: 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, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (Romans 1:24-27)"
- "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)"
- "But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. (1 Timothy 1:8-11)"
- "Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. (Jude 1:7-8)"
11 Aug 14
New Web Address: www.livewithpastoral.com
It's been a long time coming but we now have a simpler, easier to remember website address: www.livewithpastoral.com. Of course, it will still send traffic to this page, nevertheless, it is a much more user-friendly address than http://live.mapleknoll.us.
Eight years ago, when we first started the program, domain names where more expensive than they are today. Consequently, since I already had the domain www.mapleknoll.us registered, and since we were operating on a shoestring budget, we set up the website for the radio program as a subdomain of the Mapleknoll domain to save money.
Hopefully this new domain name will be a blessing and make it easier to find our webpage.
1 Aug 14
Welcome to our new listeners at Faith Talk 570 and 910 WTBN in Florida!
I am excited to announce that our Sunday night program, Late Night Live with Pastor Al, is coming to Faith Talk 570 and 910 WTBN in Florida! Be sure to tune in this Sunday night, August 3, at 11:00 PM for an hour of live talk and conversation featuring your questions about the Bible and current events in light of God's Word.
Late Night Live with Pastor Al began nearly eight years ago as a radio outreach ministry of our home church, the Bible Baptist Church in Richfield, Ohio. We began broadcasting on 1220 WHKW in Cleveland, Ohio, early Monday mornings from Midnight to 1:00 AM. A few months later we were able to move up to the 11:00 hour on Sunday nights. After about six years, God enabled us to begin an additional half-hour program on WHKW Friday afternoons at 1:30 PM.
Recently, we began praying for an opportunity to expand our radio outreach by syndicating our Sunday night program. After investigating and praying over a number of potential areas and stations, God opened the door for us to join the Sunday night line up at WTBN.
We cannot thank the fine folks at Faith Talk 570 and 910 WTBN and our good friends here at 1220 WHKW enough for all the hard work that they have done to bring everything together, sync up the equipment and computers, and help me put together the promos and audio recordings that needed to be done in a very short period of time.
We are especially grateful for the opportunity to be on the Bill Bunkley program this past Thursday. It was a real blessing to be able to introduce myself and Late Night Live with Pastor Al to the WTBN audience. If you missed the interview you can listen to it at: Bill Bunkley Interview - 31 Jul 14.
Again, thanks to everyone who has made this possible. Please pray for us and join me, this Sunday night at 11:00 PM. Bring an open mind and an open Bible because you never know what we're going to talk about next.
25 Jul 14
Where Is God's Word?, Thursday, July 24
I had a great time filling in for Evangelist Bruce Musselman, host of Where Is God's Word? yesterday afternoon. And, unless plans change, I will be filling in for Bruce again next week. You can listen to the program by clicking on this link: Where Is God's Word? -- 24 Jul 14
23 Jul 14
Pastor Al will be filling in as a guest host on Where Is God's Word?, Thursday, July 24, at 3:00 PM
I will be sitting in for Evangelist Bruce Musselman, host of Where Is God's Word? tomorrow from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Where Is God's Word? is the radio ministry of evangelist and Bible teacher Bruce Musselman.
Bruce Musselman has been preaching and teaching God's Word for over forty years as a church planter, pastor, college instructor, evangelist, and radio host. Bruce has an encyclopedic knowledge of church and Bible history and a passion to defend the King James Bible as the divinely preserved Word of God in the English language
I plan to look at a number of online resources and websites available to help understand the KJV Bible issue better. And, as we do on our regular programs, Live with Pastor Al and Late Night Live with Pastor Al, we will have the phone lines open to take your phone calls as well.
Also, it looks like I will be filling in for Bruce next week as well (July 31). Be sure to check back here for further updates.
22 Jul 14
Program Available
Thanks again to Pastor Lutz and the North Coast Baptist Church for allowing me to host their program.
You can find the program here: http://live.mapleknoll.us/ncbc11jul14.mp3.
Please note that, in a couple of weeks, Pastor Lutz and I will be combining our programs on August 8.We are planning a special program in honor of the Gay Games that are being held in Cleveland, Ohio, this summer. Be sure to check back here for further updates.
10 Jul 14
Pastor Al will be filling in as a guest host on For the Cause Of Christ, Friday, July 11, at 1:00 PM
I will be sitting in for Pastor John Lutz, host of For the Cause Of Christ tomorrow from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM. For the Cause Of Christ is the radio outreach ministry of the Northcoast Baptist Church in Lakewood, Ohio.
Thanks again to Pastor Lutz and the North Coast Baptist Church for allowing me to host their program once again.
What About the Bible and UFO's?
A caller last Sunday night mentioned that promos for our program mention that we talk about all kinds of things, including aliens and UFO's. So, he asked me what I thought about the subject in light of God's Word.
The question prompted an impromptu discussion of the subject, resulting in two audio segments that I have listed in my clips at the right. You can also find the two audio clips here at The Bible and UFO's - Part 1 and The Bible and UFO's - Part 2
The short answer to the caller's question is that the vast majority of UFO sightings can be explained simply by people seeing things and lights in the sky and just not knowing or understanding what they are looking at. The small amount of truly unexplained sightings can be mostly explained away as classified military activities or hoaxes. (Do you really think that when the military is asked if they have any classified aircraft flying around that they are going to admit it? It's classified!!)
There does remain, however, a very small number of incidents which cannot be explained away by the preceding explanations. These can best be understood as demonic activity and manifestations designed to lead people away from God and His Word.
I go into a bit more depth in The Bible and UFO's - Part 1 and The Bible and UFO's - Part 2 so I would encourage you to listen or to share the links with those you know who have an interest in this area. I would also suggest that you read Gary Bates's book on the subject, Alien Intrusion: UFO's and the Evolutionary Connection. You can also watch a video of Gary Bates discussing the subject:
30 Jun 14
Program Note
Just to let you know, Live with Pastor Al will be live on July 4. I hope you will tune in and give a call.
Have a happy and safe Independence Day!
The Bible and UFO's - Part 1
and
The Bible and UFO's - Part 2
16 Jun 14
Where Is God's Word
I am putting together a new website for Evangelist Bruce Musselman's radio program, Where Is God's Word His program airs live each Thursday from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on AM 1220 WHKW.
Please check out the website for information on the program as well as to listen to past programs.
21 May 14
Pastor Al Joins Evangelist Bruce Musselman's Radio Program
Evangelist Bruce Musselman recently asked me to help out with his radio program, Where Is God's Word? His program airs live each Thursday from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on AM 1220 WHKW.
Where Is God's Word? deals with the history of the Bible, defends the King James Authorized Version as the preserved Word of God for the English speaking world, and touches on church history, Bible prophecy, and current events. We will be taking questions from listeners as well during the program.
Don't worry, though, I will still be on the air each Friday afternoon and Sunday night with our regular programs.
20 May 14
Pastor Al Guest Hosts For the Cause of Christ
I filled in as a last minute substitute on the radio program, For the Cause of Christ, recently. For the Cause of Christ is the radio ministry of the North Coast Baptist Church in Lakewood, Ohio, and airs every Friday afternoon on AM 1220 WHKW from 1-1:30 (just before our Friday afternoon program).
Pastor John Lutz was busy installing a new baptistery in their church and unable to do the program. So, he called me that morning and asked if I could fill in for him that afternoon. You can find the program here: http://live.mapleknoll.us/ncbc9may14.mp3.
Thanks again to Pastor Lutz and the North Coast Baptist Church for allowing me to host their program.
2 May 14
Disaster Relief Ministry
Pastor Allen Jenkins of Columbia Road Baptist Church, North Olmstead, Ohio, will be with me on today's broadcast. We will be talking about their upcoming tornado relief effort to Conway, Arkansas, next week.
Pastor Jenkins and the Columbia Road Baptist Church are organizing the trip as a part of their disaster relief ministry, 7 on 7 Ministries. If you would like find out more about their disaster relief ministry, or find what you can do to help, please go to their site, http://columbiaroad.org/promotion/tornado-disaster-relief/.
For a complete list of needed items, please click on this link: http://columbiaroad.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/DisasterReliefItems.pdf.
16 Apr 14
On What Day Was Jesus Crucified?
What day was Jesus Christ actually crucified on? If you are like most people, you probably answered, "Friday." After all, that's what the Bible says, right?
Well, I used to believe that, too. That is, until I got to thinking about a specific, prophetic statement that Jesus made regarding His death, burial, and resurrection. In Matthew 12:38 the Bible tells us that "certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees" said to Jesus, "...Master, we would see a sign from thee." Jesus answered in verses 39-40, "...An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Now, if Jesus was crucified on Friday, we have a problem. Jesus would have been in the tomb ("the heart of the earth") Friday night through Sunday morning. That gives us two days, Saturday and Sunday, and two nights, Friday night and Saturday night. Of course, we could be generous and count parts of days as full days, which is not an uncommon or unreasonable thing to do. Unfortunately, while that does give us three days, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, it still only gives us two nights, Friday night and Saturday night. Of course, this would not be a problem if Jesus had not specifically said that He would be "three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Not simply three days, but three days AND three nights. Try as we may, there is simply no way to fit three days and three nights between Friday night and Sunday morning.
The problem doesn't stop there, either. If Jesus was indeed crucified on Friday, then Jesus was wrong when He claimed in Matthew 12:39-40 that He would be in the tomb three days and three nights. Failing to fulfill His own prophecy would mean Jesus is a false prophet and we should not pay attention to anything else He has to say. After all, Deuteronomy 18:22 says, "When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him." The only other alternative is that the Bible contradicts itself or is in error, either of which doesn't do much to bolster the credibility of either Jesus or the Bible.
So, if Jesus was not crucified on Friday, why does the Bible say that He was in Luke 23:50-56 and John 19:31? These passages very clearly tell us that Jesus was crucified on the day before the Sabbath. And, since the Sabbath is on Saturday, isn't that proof positive that Jesus was crucified on Friday? Well, even if it were we would still have the same problem of how to get three days and three nights in between the crucifixion and the resurrection and the doubt that it casts upon the credibility of both the Bible and Jesus. However, a closer examination of John 19:31 reveals that there was something different about the Sabbath following the day Jesus was crucified. It was a high Sabbath: "The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away." (emphasis added). Consequently, as other passages indicate, there were two Sabbaths that week, a high Sabbath and the weekly Sabbath, with a day in between the two.
If you are keeping track, two Sabbaths that week, with a day in between them, means Jesus must have been crucified on Wednesday, not Friday. That, of course, gives us plenty of time to have three days, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and three nights, Wednesday night, Thursday night, and Friday night, between the crucifixion and the resurrection.
But wait a minute. Doesn't a Wednesday crucifixion conflict with Jesus' prophecy of three days and three nights as well? Didn't Jesus rise from the grave Sunday morning at sunrise? If so, what about Saturday night and Sunday? Too many days and nights is just as much of a problem as too few. And, while we are at it, if Jesus was crucified on Wednesday rather than Friday, how can you fit in all the events in that occurred between Palm Sunday and the crucifixion?
Click here to read the rest of this article!
12 Apr 14
Special Blood Moon Tetrad Program
Yesterday we had our much anticipated program on the blood moon tetrad phenomena with our special guest, Carl Gallups.
The take away from the program I believe was that there is a factual basis to the blood moon tetrad but we should not be overly obsessed with it. The main thing is that it serves to get our attention and reminds us that we are to be watching and waiting for the Lord's return.
For instance, in Luke 21:25-28, Jesus says:
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Notice, Jesus said, "when these things begin to come to pass", we are to "look up, and lift up your heads". Why? Because our "redemption draweth nigh."
The blood moon tetrads, which could be construed as "signs...in the moon" do not necessarily mean that the rapture of the believers will take place next week, or next month, or next year. It just means that momentous events are occurring, the day of our Lord's return is drawing near, and we need to be wakeful and working.
Just before and during the last three tetrads we saw the rediscovery of the New World in 1492 by a Hebrew, Christopher Columbus, with the first man to set foot in the New World being another Hebrew, Louis DeTorres. The Americas soon became a sanctuary for Jews fleeing persecution and oppression in Europe. Israel became a sovereign Jewish state in 1948 and immediately fought and won a battle for its very survival and right to exist. Then, in 1967, Israel again fought and won another war for its survival, the Six Day War, during which they captured Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. It is no wonder that many are closely watching to see what may happen with regards to Israel and the Jewish people just before or during the coming tetrad that begins on 15 April 2014.
Again, you can listen to the program by clicking here: The Four Blood Moons.
9 Apr 14
Special Blood Moon Tetrad Program - Fri, Apr 11
We've had questions about the coming blood moon tetrad on nearly every program for the last month or more. So, we decided to do a whole program on it prior to the start of the tetrad on April 15. We will have a special guest, Carl Gallups join us to help sort through the hype in an effort to make sense of the phenomena.
Basically, the blood moon tetrad is a succession of two total lunar eclipses occurring on two Jewish holy days in one year and another two total lunar eclipses on the exact same holy days in the following year, with no other lunar eclipses, partial or total, in between. Here is a list of the blood moon tetrads that have occurred since the time of Christ:
- 14 April 32 - Passover
- 7 October 32 - Tabernacles
- 3 April 33 - Passover
- 27 October 33 - Tabernacles
- 17 April 162 - Passover
- 11 October 162 - Tabernacles
- 6 April 163 - Passover
- 30 September 163 - Tabernacles
- 9 April 795 - Passover
- 3 October 795 - Tabernacles
- 28 March 796 - Passover
- 21 September 796 - Tabernacles
- 30 March 842 - Passover
- 23 September 842 - Tabernacles
- 19 March 843 - Passover
- 12 September 843 - Tabernacles
- 9 April 860 - Passover
- 3 October 860 - Tabernacles
- 30 March 861 - Passover
- 22 September 861 - Tabernacles
- 12 April 1493 - Passover
- 25 September 1493 - Tabernacles
- 22 March 1494 - Passover
- 15 September 1494 - Tabernacles
- 13 April 1949 - Passover
- 7 October 1949 - Tabernacles
- 2 April 1950 - Passover
- 26 September 1950 - Tabernacles
- 24 April 1967 - Passover
- 18 October 1967 - Tabernacles
- 13 March 1968 - Passover
- 6 October 1968 - Tabernacles
- 15 April 2014 - Passover
- 8 October 2014 - Tabernacles
- 4 April 2015 - Passover
- 28 September 2015 - Tabernacles
We will be discussing the claims made about the past tetrads and the possible significance, if at all, of the coming tetrad on the program 11 April 2014 at 1:30 PM (EDT) on AM 1220 WHKW. If you cannot listen on air, you can listen online by going to the AM 1220 WHKW website. Hopefully, I will get the program uploaded and posted on this page in just a day or two, so check back for it.
1 Apr 14
6 Mar 14 New eBook by Pastor Al Published
I recently updated and revamped a Christian mystery thriller, Wildwood: An Age Old Mystery Unfolds.
In Wildwood, Missionary Paul Brown returns back to his hometown of Wildwood, Ohio, only to be plunged headlong into battle with an ancient evil that threatens to destroy him and the Wildwood Baptist Church. Armed with his faith in God, the support of his family, and the help of his friends and fellow church members, Paul races to uncover the mystery before it is too late. From the sudden death of his pastor to the final confrontation with evil itself, this fast-paced thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Your purchase of this ebook helps keep Live with Pastor Al on the air.
15 Feb 14
New Website Launched
We are launching a new website, WhatIfGodExists.com.
The site is being developed in connection with a mailing campaign for our church. The campaign revolves around 2 questions: "What if God really does exist?" and "Wouldn't it be His responsibility to tell us?"
The goal of our new site is to:
- Defend the fundamental, Bible-believing world view as reasonable, intelligent, and sensible
- Provide a friendly format for people to freely ask questions and provide Bible-based answers
- Alert and inform Christians
- Earnestly contend for the faith
- And, most importantly, point people to Jesus Christ.
14 Feb 14
We had a great program with Missionary Nader Baraty earlier today.
The program is now uploaded and available at the right at 14 Feb 14. You can also listen by clicking here.
13 Feb 14
Missionary Nader Baraty will be my guest tomorrow, February 14, on our Friday program.
Baraty is planning on working in East Africa, and in particular in the country of Ethiopia. He is a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Ashland, Ohio, and will be going through Baptist International Outreach.
We will be talking about how Baraty, who was raised as a Muslim, came to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior a few months after graduating from Kent State University and then burdened him to reach Muslims and other non-Christians in East Africa.
If you have friends or family who are ensnared by Islam or other false religions, you will be blessed and encouraged by this young man's testimony.
5 Feb 14
A Couple of Observations About Last Night's Debate Between Ken Ham & Bill Nye
A number of points regarding the secularist views of Christianity can be seen in Bill Nye's approach. One is the repeated marginalization of Ken Ham as a close minded religious extremist pushing a fringe position rejected by reasonable, educated people. Along with that was the implication that those who promote "Ken Ham's Theory" represent a threat to national security by dumbing down the education of America's children with the result that we will no longer produce the scientists and innovators necessary for America to compete with the rest of the world.
However, the secular objections to teaching creationism can be boiled down to two things that Nye said in the question and answer period. First, he said that Ken Ham's worldview was objectionable because those who do not believe the Bible are doomed to eternal punishment. That points to the secularist's objection to being told that he is a sinner.
Second, Nye said, essentially, "We are how the universe is aware of itself." In other words: PRIDE. Pride in his belief that after billions of years of chance occurrences, the universe has finally self awareness in the form of man. That points to the secularist's desire to be a god.
31 Jan 14
Ever heard of Rabbi Yitzhak Kaduri? Until recently, I hadn't. Nevertheless, Kaduri was world-renowned Orthodox rabbi in Israel who, a few months before he died at 108, left a sealed note to be opened a year after his death. In the note he claimed to reveal the name of the Messiah. One year after he died the note was opened and it said:
Concerning the letter abbreviation of the Messiah’s name,The key portion of the note, He will lift the people and prove that his word and law are valid, appears in Hebrew as:
He will lift the people and prove that his word and law are valid.
This I have signed in the month of mercy,
Yitzhak Kaduri
[English Translation]
Yarim Ha'Am Veyokhiakh Shedvaro Vetorato OmdimThis portion of the note gives the name of Yehoshua, which is a longer version of Yeshua, in an acrostic form as the name of the Messiah. Yehoshua/Yeshua is the same as Jesus, indicating that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.
Shortly after the contents of the note were revealed, it disappeared from the Kaduri website and his followers denounced the note as a fraud and a forgery.
Now all this is very interesting, but what does this mean for born-again Christians? With that question in mind, I had Pastor Carl Gallups on as a special guest Friday, January 24. Pastor Gallups has written a book, The Rabbi Who Found Messiah, which delves into the significance of Rabbi Kaduri and his identification of Jesus Christ as the Messiah.
While Christians accept that Jesus is the Messiah, the Jews do not. Consequently, having one of the most prominent Jewish Rabbis in the last 100 years claim that Jesus is the Messiah is bound to have an impact on the Jews, especially the Orthodox.
You can listen to the program here.
14 Jan 14
The end of December and the beginning of January is one of the busiest times of the year for the pastor of a small church. Not only are there are the special programs and activities associated with Christmas at church and with family (immediate & extended), but January means tax time. That means financial statements and giving reports have to be prepared for the church, personal income and expense reports have to be prepared for my wife and I in order to file our taxes, all the while trying to keep up with the ministry demands of pastoring a church and hosting a twice weekly radio program.
Consequently, I have not been keeping up with this website and blog as much as I would like to. Nevertheless, I am very thankful that God has given me a tremendous opportunity to serve Him when and where He has placed me. It is only by the grace of God that I been blessed to pastor a church that loves learning about God and His Word and have the opportunity to talk about God and His Word on the radio.
Keep checking back here from time to time, though. We are planning to have some unique guests and topics coming up in the coming weeks and months. And, of course, your phone calls with your questions about the Bible and current events in light of God's Word.
14 Dec 13
We were pleased to have Chris Hofacker, of Law to Grace Ministries on with us Friday, December 13. Chris combines his passion to preach and teach God's Word with many years of law enforcement, defensive tactics training, and mixed martial arts in a unique ministry dedicated to assisting churches and Christian schools with safety awareness, security procedures, training security teams, and providing self-defense classes.
It is a shame that we need men like Chris Hofacker and ministries like Law to Grace Ministries, but we live in a world where even churches and Christian schools are not immune from the violence around us. Shepherds (pastors) need the help of sheep dogs to help keep their flocks safe and secure. Thankfully, God has raised up men like Chris and ministries like Law to Grace Ministries to meet the need.
The program with Chris Hofacker is now uploaded and available at the right. It is also available by clicking HERE.
2 Dec 13
Chemtrails...BEWARE!
I don't believe we've ever talked about chemtrails on the program before. However, last night, our first caller brought the subject up by asking what I thought about them. (I've linked the call here.)
For those haven't heard of chemtrails before, the basic idea is that some nefarious group, generally thought to be the United States government, is spraying unknown chemicals out the backs of aircraft flying overhead. The purposes given for this aerial dusting ranges from population control to mind control, and everything in between.
Now there are a number of logical and logistical problems I have with the chemtrail conspiracy. First, the thousands and thousands of people involved in the production, transportation, storage, and dispersal of the chemicals involved would be so great as to preclude the ability to keep the program a secret. Second, the infrastructure and funding necessary to support such a widespread, ongoing aerial spraying campaign would be too massive to hide. Where are the production facilities? The fleets of tankers to transport the chemicals? The massive storage facilities needed at airports across the country? And who pays for it all?
Here's a good breakdown at the what would be needed to dust the American people from on high:
If the chemtrail conspiracy were true, millions of pilots would be needed to crop dust the American population. A typical crop duster might use seven ounces of agent diluted in seven gallons of water to cover one acre of land. Chemtrail "people dusters" would use a similar concentration to cover the entire United States, just to be safe. For 2.38 billion acres of land, the pilots would then need--for just one week of spraying--120 billion gallons of these cryptic chemicals. That's around the same volume as is transported in all the world's oil tankers in one year. And such an incredible amount of agent would need an incredible number of planes. Considering that a large air freighter like a Boeing 747 can carry around 250,000 pounds of cargo, at the very least, the government would need to schedule four million 747 flights to spread their chemicals each week--eighteen times more flights per day than in the entire US.Yes, there are conspiracies out there, but I don't think chemtrails should rank too high on the worry scale. In fact, as I told the caller, the master conspirator is identified in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10 as Satan, and his plan is to bring about a one world government under the antichrist:
(A Million Poisoning Planes by Kyle Hills)
(1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,I believe that the conspiracy, identified in verse 7 as "the mystery of iniquity," is being actively held back by the work of the Holy Spirit. Verses 6-7 tell us that the revelation of the antichrist (verses 3-4) is actively being held back by the work of someone (withholdeth and letteth come from the same Greek word, katecho, which means to hold back, restrain, or hinder:to withhold). Furthermore, I believe that that someone is the Holy Spirit of God who will be "taken out of the way" when God catches born-again Christians out of the world and the Holy Spirit ends His present ministry. At the time, the work of the Holy Spirit, primarily through believers who are called to be light and salt in this present evil world, will come to an end and the Devil will finally be able to bring the "mystery of iniquity" to fruition and bring forth the antichrist on the world scene.
(2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
(3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
(4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
(5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
(6) And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
(7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
(8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
(9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
(10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Until then, I don't think we need to worry too much about chemtrails or be "soon shaken in mind, or be troubled" by any of the myriad of conspiracy theories floating around the internet and talk radio. Instead, we should worry more about our relationship with God. If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, then you need to believe and accept in your heart that Jesus, as God in the manifest in the flesh, willing went to the cross where He suffered and shed His blood to pay for your sins, that He died, was buried, and rose again victorious over sin and death, and believing that confess your sin, turn to Jesus Christ and Christ alone as your only hope of eternal salvation (The Gospel of Jesus Christ). If you have trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, then you need to resolve to yield yourself over to the Holy Spirit to be salt and light in a dark world.
28 Nov 13
Happy Thanksgiving!
"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. (Psalms 95:1-3)"
27 Nov 13
We were pleased to have William Federer, of The American Minute on again last Friday. He provided a historical background leading up to the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving.
The program is now uploaded and available at the right. It is also available by clicking HERE.
22 Nov 13
William Federer, of The American Minute will be with me again afternoon at 1:30PM. We will be talking about the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving.
12 Nov 13
Program Notes:
Our program with William Federer, The American Minute, is now uploaded and available at the right. It is also available by clicking HERE.
Bill Federer will be with us again on Friday, November 22, to talk about the pilgrims and the origins of Thanksgiving.
November is National Hospice Month. A representative of Harbor Light Hospice will be joining me on Friday, November 15, to talk about hospice from a Christian perspective.
Also, our Friday afternoon program will be preempted November 29 for a sports broadcast. Please bear with us and join us on our Sunday night program.
8 Nov 13
William Federer, of The American Minute will be my special guest this afternoon at 1:30PM.
14 Oct 13
Dr. David Smeltz joined me on the radio this past Friday, October 11. We talked about the origins of Islam and its role in the end times. We even looked at the Islamic background of President Obama and discussed the question of whether he is still a Muslim today or not. (You can listen to the program by clicking HERE.)
We hope to have Dr. Smeltz again this coming Friday, October 18. If he is able to be with us we will be talking about Abraham's third wife, Keturah, and the often overlooked descendants of Abraham through her.
You can find out more about Dr. David Smeltz and his ministry, as well as obtain his books, at his website, His Word of Truth Ministry
3 Oct 13
Special Thanks
I want to thank Pastor John Lutz of North Coast Baptist Church, in Lakewood, Ohio, for filling in for me on Friday, September 20. My wife and I had to go to Kentucky that week for the funeral of her grandfather. He went to be with the Lord at the young age of 101.
Pastor Lutz hosts a live, half hour program just before our Friday afternoon program each Friday at 1:00 PM. The original plan was for him to do his program and then ours, with me calling in as a guest. However, the funeral got pushed back to Friday so, when I would have been calling in from somewhere on the road headed home, I was sitting in a funeral service. Somehow I didn't think my wife's family would have been to happy with me talking on the phone during the midst of the service!
Discretion being the better part of valor and all, I missed the first Live with Pastor Al radio program since first going on the air in August of 2006. Nevertheless, it was more needful for me to be with my wife and her family to celebrate the life of her grandfather than to be on the air. The Lord knew that in advance, however, and graciously provided Pastor Lutz as a fitting substitute.
Coming Special Program
Friday, October 11, we will have Dr. David Smeltz on as a special guest. We will be talking about Islam and the end times. It should be an information packed program.
12 Sep 13
Nehemiah's Network
Last Friday (September 6) I had a fascinating discussion with Pastor Alan Jenkins (Columbia Road Baptist Church, North Olmsted, Ohio) and Director Jim Skuly about Nehemiah's Network.
Nehemiah's Networkis a unique surplus materials and supply ministry operated by the Columbia Road Baptist Church. This, as I said, is a unique ministry that can allow anyone to be involved by donating surplus materials and supplies that can be recycled into the Lord's work at home and abroad. They also store up supplies through this ministry to use in disaster relief efforts. Check out their website at www.crbc-online.org/supply to see how you and your church can get involved.
Gospel Soloist Eric Hawout
Gospel soloist Eric Hawout will be our special guest tomorrow, September 13, on our Friday afternoon program at 1:30 PM. We will be talking about the need for good Christian music in general and about his music ministry in particular.
Eric Hawout will be singing at the Bible Baptist Church in Richfield, Ohio, on Sunday, September 15, in celebration of our church anniversary. He will provide special music in the morning service, at 11:00 AM, and then provide a free concert at 2:00 PM.
Please accept our invitation to join us this coming Sunday. The church meets at the Richfield Holiday Inn Express at 5171 Brecksville Road, in Richfield, Ohio, right where the Ohio Turnpike (I-80) and I-77 interchange is located. If you can make it for the morning service, please plan to stay for dinner with us following the morning service.
7 Aug 13
Great Time at the Fair
I had a great time at the Medina County Fair last week at the Amazing Grace Mission booth. Got to meet a several listeners as well as some old friends and relatives, and, best of all, got to talk to a number of people about the Lord. This week I will be at the Cuyahoga County Fair Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from about noon until 3:00 pm.
We use several means to get people to stop, talk, and think about their soul, with the hope of sharing the gospel with them and getting them to trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. One of my favorites is the "See Three Things God Cannot Do" board. On it are three doors designed to get people's attention.
In case you are wondering, here are the three things God cannot do:
(1) God cannot lieWe also debuted our new gospel bird at the Medina County Fair:
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (Titus 1:2)
(2) God cannot change
"For I am the LORD, I change not... (Malachi 3:6)"
(3) God cannot allow anyone into heaven unless they have been born again
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)"
It is an origami bird with a gospel message.
If you already know how to fold the bird, you can download a PDF template here. For those of you who do not know how to fold the bird, I hope to upload video instructions on how to fold the bird or possibly link to a web page that shows how to fold it in the near future.
22 Jul 13
With Unwashed Hands
It was a real blessing to have Darrell and Joanie Bolton on the radio with me last night (see 20 Jul 13 entry below). We started out talking about their backgrounds and how they happened to be in South Asia where Darrell suffered a medical emergency. From there we spent a few minutes discussing what happened and how they dealt with the situation as the events played out. After that we spent the rest of the program talking about how God blessed, protected, and provided for them and about how God worked in their lives and in the lives of those around them during the midst of incredible trials.
One of the most moving and inspiring parts of the interview was when I asked Darrell and Joanie what they would like to do or say to the doctor that was responsible for so much of their pain and suffering and who nearly, not for lack of trying, killed Darrell. It was amazing to hear both of them say, with Christ-like love and compassion in their voices, that they would like to tell the doctor about the God of the Bible who enabled Darrell to survive his ordeal and then share the gospel with him that he might have the opportunity to trust Jesus Christ as his Savior.
If you missed the program or would like to listen to an mp3 recording of it, please click here.
If you would like to find out more about the Boltons or read their book, With Unwashed Hands, please click here.
20 Jul 13
Program Note: Sunday, July 21
On Sunday, July 21, I will be interviewing Darrell and Joanie Bolton during the first half of the program. We will be talking about their experiences that began on a short term missions trip in 2012. When Darrell suffered a medical emergency in a third world country, his background as a retired Air Force officer nearly cost him his life at the hands of vindictive doctor in a partially communist country.
Their story is a stunning testimony to God's grace, provision, and protection in a time of unimaginable stress, uncertainty, and grief as the Boltons learned to rely upon God and God's people during their trial of faith. Darrell's survival is a true medical miracle and Joanie's testimony under fire is truly inspiring.
After much urging by friends and family Joanie wrote about their experiences in her new book, With Unwashed Hands.
Be sure to tune in Sunday night at 11:00 AM Eastern to hear their story!
17 Jul 13
Prayer Requests
One thing my wife and I learned as missionaries is that you can never have too many people praying for you. With that in mind, I would like to ask you to pray for my wife, Kim, and me, our local church, Richfield Bible Baptist Church, and this radio ministry. Whether it is just a one-time prayer as you read this or whether you make it an on going matter of prayer for us, we would sure appreciate it. After all, "...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16). Most churches with a radio ministry already have by default a prayer support team in the hundreds or even thousands just by virtue of their church membership. Unfortunately, as one of the smallest churches on the radio, we can't say that. It would be a stretch for us to say dozens. So, if you can, please add us to your prayer list. We would sure appreciate it.
Please pray that God would provide Kim and me with the wisdom, discernment, and insight to understand and communicate God's Word effectively and the strength, energy, and health to do His Work
Also, please pray that God would bless, build, and protect our church. Our small congregation currently meets in a local hotel conference room. While it meets our needs for now, we hope to one day out grow it and move into our own building or rental space where we can meet anytime.
And, please pray that God would bless and increase our radio ministry. God has enabled us to be on each Sunday night for one hour for nearly seven years now and for one-half hour every Friday afternoon for just over a year. By the grace of God, every program has been literally "Live with Pastor Al."
We would love to increase both the frequency and the length of our broadcast times but that, of course, takes money. And, since each program, whether Friday or Sunday, currently costs us $150.00 to broadcast, we are currently stretched beyond our measure as a small church just keeping up with the cost of our current programming. In fact, if it were not for the extra help of our sponsors over the years, and the occasional gifts of God's people, we not have been able to remain on the air as long as we have.
Since we do not want to spend all our time on the air fund-raising, please pray that God will:
(1) Help our church to grow so that we will be able to directly fund our radio outreach ministry better;Thanks in advance for your prayers. May God bless you richly for it.
(2) Raise up additional sponsors to help support our program on a regular basis;
(3) Lay it upon the hearts of interested individuals to provide occasional gifts of support in any amount, made out to: "Bible Baptist Church", for: "Radio Ministry".
Our mailing address is:
Richfield Bible Baptist Church
P.O. Box 452
Richfield, Ohio 44286
16 Jul 13
I can see it now: Tweet 12 Hail Mary's and post one Our Father..."
I recently found the following article online.
Vatican offers 'time off purgatory' to followers of Pope Francis tweets"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.(John 3:14-18)"
"Papal court handling pardons for sins says contrite Catholics may win 'indulgences' by following World Youth Day on Twitter"
Don't see purgatory there...
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)"
Don't see purgatory there either...
"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:11-13)"
Still no purgatory...
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:18-21)"
Nope, no purgatory...
Maybe that's because they are, "Making the word of God of none effect through [their] tradition... (Mark 7:13)"
11 Jul 13
Changes to the Website
I've done a little rearranging of the website. Several items that were in the right-hand column have been relocated into the left-hand column. In addition, a new section, Read Pastor Al's Articles...
has been added to the right-hand column.
This new section links to a number of articles that I have written over the years and posted to my other website, Pastoral Guidance Suggested. I am looking at gradually phasing out that website and merging it with this website.
26 Jun 13
I fear for the future of my country...
Supreme Court hands double win to gay marriage backers
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 5:20-24)"
Does the Bible predict a coming war between Israel and Syria? The Iranians do...
Iran: Commander Of Basij Militia Says Civil War In Syria Will End With Annihilation of Israel
See also: Putin and Obama Cross Swords on Syria. What Next?
The destruction of Damascus/Syria...
"The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid. The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts. And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean. (Isaiah 17:1-4)"
Despite the fact that scholars and commentators claim that this prophecy was fulfilled when the Assyrians conquered Syria, Damascus has never been "taken away from being a city" and become "a ruinous heap." It did not happen when the Babylonians captured Damascus and defeated Syria either. Neither did it happen when the Medes and Persians, the Greeks, the Romans, or anyone else attacked Syria. In fact, Damascus is recognized as one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in the world. The Assyrians may have partially fulfilled this prophecy but they did not completely fulfill it. To claim they did is to ignore history and violate a basic principle of Bible interpretation that if a prophesied event has not been fulfilled completely in the past, it must yet be a future event.
So, if the destruction of Damascus and Syria is yet future, then the part of Isaiah's prophecy declaring that "[t]he fortress also shall cease from Ephraim" and "the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean" cannot refer to the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians either. It must also be future. Furthermore, it may be that Isaiah is not telling us that Syria and Israel suffer at the hands of a common enemy as is commonly taught. Instead, it may be actually saying that Syria and Israel suffer at the hands of each other in a future military conflict. Consequently, in the event of regional war where Israel is forced to go nuclear it is easy to see how Damascus could be "taken away from being a city, and...be a ruinous heap" and the "kingdom" cease "from Damascus" and "[t]he cities of Aroer are forsaken" while Israel suffers tremendous military and civilian losses, just as Isaiah predicts.
(Taken from my book, The Coming Arab-Israeli Nuclear War; Setting the Stage for the Rise of the Antichrist and the Ezekiel 38 Invasion of Israel.)
25 Jun 13
The incredible information storage capacity of DNA points to the necessity of a Creator...
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalms 139:14-16)"
24 Jun 13
The Bible should show more signs of use than the gun. After all, if Bibles were used more in America then guns would not need to be used as much.
Two Things Every American Should Know How To Use:
5 Jun 13
The Boy Scouts & Homosexuals
We had quite a busy discussion last Sunday on the recent decision of the Boy Scouts of America to allow open homosexuals to join the Boy Scouts. (See: Baptists plan exodus from Boy Scouts
Some of the concerns we discussed had to do with:
1. Sleeping arrangements (You wouldn't put a teenage heterosexual boy in the same tent with a teenage girl, so why would you put a teenage homosexual boy in the same tent as a teenage boy?)
Oh, and in the interests of full disclosure, I was never a Boy Scout, a Cub Scout, or a Scout Leader, although I did work a couple of summers at a Girl Scout camp. I was a member of 4-H instead.
2. Potential for legal challenges and lawsuits against churches who do not allow homosexuals to join, serve on staff, or use their facilities but do sponsor or allow Boy Scout groups.
3. Even if a particular Boy Scout troop does not allow homosexual members, what happens at camps, jamborees, or other functions where they are in contact with those who do?
4. What about alternative organizations are there for churches who end their affiliation with the Boy Scouts?
