The Weblog of Mark Hurd

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Dr. John MacArthur, a popular evangelical writer and pastor, expressed his deep concern about the Emerging Church during a recent visit to Answers in Genesis’ Creation Museum. While those leading the movement say that the gospel can’t be clearly known, they presume to know one thing for certain: “The Bible doesn’t mean what traditional people think it means.”

“This is not an intellectual movement. This is not a movement that has discovered evidence that overturns inspiration, evidence that overturns inerrancy or authority. This is a movement born of people who do not want to accept the clarity of Scripture,” says MacArthur.

Read the entire article here->

Tags: Bible, Christianity, Emerging Church, gospel, Postmodernism, Theology
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by: Joseph M. Willmouth, Pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Biloxi, Mississippi 39532

(click here for original post)

Today, one of the most quoted verses that we hear thrown out by people is "Judge not, that ye be judged." Therefore meaning, "who are you to judge me?" "Don't you know that you are not supposed to judge people?" Usually this is what comes out of a person's mouth when confronted about their behavior, their personal beliefs, or for what they are teaching. Is this really what the New Testament teaches, or is this just a smoke screen to cover-up unbiblical behavior or teachings? Let's look at what the New Testament teaches concerning a Christian's position when it comes to making judgments. read more click-> %%title%%.

Tags: 1 Corinthians, Bible, Bible Study, Christianity, Emerging Church, Life Skills, obey, Personal Management, Postmodernism, Theology
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I was absolutely fascinated by the recent Pew Research poll.  Imagine yourself as a practicing Christian, and 46% of the people who knew of you, couldn't tell what religion you were.
That's the statistical fact regarding President Obama according to a group of 3003 people during the period from July 21, 2010 to August 5, 2010. read more click-> %%title%%.

Tags: Bible, Christian, Christianity, Life Skills, Personal Management, politics
Filed under: Christian Walk, Provoking Thought, Signs of Our Times, humor | No Comments »

I had the privilege of being interviewed by Alan Ahlgrim–the lead minister of Rocky Mountain Christian Church–yesterday.  In two weeks, they are kicking off a church-wide study based on my latest book Eats With Sinners and they wanted to interview me on video to introduce the series.

In the process I got to sit in on a taping of Alan’s message for this Sunday entitled, “The Church is not Optional.” read more click-> %%title%%.

Tags: alan ahlgrim, rocky mountain christian church, Uncategorized
Filed under: Christian Walk, From Other Authors, General Posts, Signs of Our Times | No Comments »

B y Richard R. Hammar 

In October of 2009 President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation created a firestorm of controversy, with exaggerated and unfounded claims being made on all sides. According to some, pastors who preach against homosexuality from the pulpit, or even quote passages of the Bible pertaining to homosexuality, will be guilty of a hate crime. Is this fear warranted? read more click-> %%title%%.

Tags: Christianity, gospel, pastor, preacher
Filed under: Articles, General Posts, Sermons, Signs of Our Times, leadership | No Comments »

My family and I just got home from a two-week adventure in the Northwest.

Every morning, the kids and I would ride our bikes down to the beach and play in the ice-cold water.  Well, they would play and I would watch from a warmer perspective–wearing a hoodie, in my chair, wrapped in a blanket.

Those mornings on the Pacific were some of my favorite moments of the entire trip.  I loved watching my kids playing on the beach.

One morning I noticed some things that reminded me of God and His power. read more click-> %%title%%.

Tags: Christianity, family, trust, Uncategorized
Filed under: From Other Authors, Marriage & Family | No Comments »

Am I focused on what is going to last?

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while now you know I love to ask questions to get you thinking…  Here is one that I have been asking myself for a few months now.  Am I focused on what is going to last?

It’s often said you can tell where a person’s priorities are by where they spend their time and money!  A couple people were at a funeral of a very rich acquaintance, as they looked at their friend in the casket one said “It’s a shame, he had so much to live for” the other turned and said “No, he had so much to live on, but he had nothing to live for…”

What “defines” my life?  If I were to die right now today, what would be said about me at my funeral?  What would my family and children say about the way I spent my life? read more click-> %%title%%.

Tags: family, Focus, Life, Personal Management, Priorities, Success, Time, Time Management
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A good friend of mine was speaking at an event I attended last night, and he asked a question that really stuck with me, “What would your life look like if you didn’t fear man and only feared God?”   read more click-> %%title%%.

Tags: Faith, fear, god, Life Skills, Religion, trust
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Most people would agree that Joy is a good thing, and may even have an idea of how to obtain it.  Visions of abundant money, time, friends, family or even walking on some quite beach in the tropics come to mind when we think about joy.  Not many of us however, would think of the “trials” in life as something we should be joyful about, but that is exactly what God says. 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  James 1:2 – 4 NIV read more click-> %%title%%.

Tags: god, Joy, Life, Peace, Religion, Running, Success
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Part of what made Christianity appealing, is the moral code to which those who ascribe to the faith subject themselves. From the days of the Enlightenment to the 1960's, the moral code of holiness prevailed, but was constantly sliding away from the puritanical roots from which it came. I have to admit that some of the puritanical code was a bit over the top. But, that was a cultural phenomenon which, though it had influence in many generations, is becoming less and less a part of our post-modern culture. read more click-> %%title%%.

Tags: alcohol, Bible, family, flesh, holiness, secularism, tattoo, weakness
Filed under: Marriage & Family, Signs of Our Times, leadership | No Comments »

Those of you who know me, know I am somewhat of an amateur cartoonist.  I have RSS'd several "underground" cartoonists.  One of my faves is David Malki.  His strip, called "Wondermark" has sharp wit and sometimes bizarre thoughts and drawings… to say the least.  Take a look at this one: read more click-> %%title%%.

Tags: comics, tattoo
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Just 10 more min on this project then I’ll go to bed, just one more episode of my favorite show, a little bit more time on Facebook, just one more article in the local newspaper, as soon as I finish watching the local news…

Busyness is a plague in our country, we ALL deal with it.  We can’t escape it, it’s built right into our culture, a culture that looks down on you if you can’t prove to the world how busy you are!  When was the last time you heard someone say, “you know, I’m so relaxed and not busy these days, it’s just GREAT, I have the time I need to focus on things that are truly important and really matter to me!” read more click-> %%title%%.

Tags: family, Getting Things Done, god, Life, Life Skills, Success, Time Management
Filed under: Christian Walk, From Other Authors, Marriage & Family, leadership | No Comments »