6 Traits That Measure Authentic Manhood

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GARY ABERNATHY/FOR ALLPRODAD.COM

You can pretty much measure authentic manhood in a man if he possesses these character traits. (iStock photo)

For many years I've admired the current King of Jordan, King Abdullah II, for his principled, authentic manhood and fair hand. His tiny nation sits surrounded by war, hate, fear and catastrophe.

The kingdom he rules has been and remains in the most perilous of situations. Yet his voice is of a great peacemaker, calm and reasonable. Then recently, he did something that impressed me beyond measure.

Responding to a terrible act upon his kingdom, the king decided force must be used to protect his people and send a message of strength. But instead of just ordering young men and women into harm's way by command, he led them by physical example. He climbed aboard a Jordanian fighter jet and engaged in the battle himself. Rare is the leader that not only leads with great diplomatic skill and fairness, but also has the intestinal fortitude and skill to fly a jet into combat.

In calculating authentic manhood, it requires us to take a look into the entire picture of our lives. We cannot just cherry pick the portions that make us look good. The goal is to keep pushing toward completeness. Here is a look at the composition of authentic manhood and how it can be achieved:

Emotional Balance

It is important for a man to be in control of his emotions. We are made to be leaders, and that requires delicate emotional balance. Different aspects of our lives demand different emotional capabilities. This is where many men lose their way.

Some scenarios call for us to be hard-nosed and unwavering, which is the stereotype of male emotion. But our family life and parenting calls for us to be far more dynamic. We need to be able to reason logically, compromise, give empathy, display compassion and be vulnerable enough to love deeply.

Intellectual Relevance

A man should never stop learning. Life is a continuous state of education and, when we succumb to the ideal that we've learned all we need to know, we become intellectually stagnant. We should train our mindset to not only enjoy learning new things, but to relish it. Pick up a book, learn a new skill, experience other cultures ... always keep expanding your capabilities and viewpoint. It will take you far in life.

Responsibility and Loyalty

A common thread of great men is their adherence to responsibility and their determined loyalty. We are in a culture that has bred multiple generations of the "me first" mindset. The ramifications of that are startling and have taken large tolls on marriage, the family and the entire social fabric of the culture. It goes against every single God-given principle of life. We were created to serve and love each other. It's necessary and needed.

Honor and Dignity

The things we do in the dark eventually catch up to us. Liars, cheats, thieves and such live in dark shadows far away from honor and dignity. Some of them look successful from their ways, but behind them is a long trail of the misery. Do you truly want to be an authentic man? It starts with honor and dignity. I'll leave it with the wisdom of Socrates who said, "The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be."

Gary Abernathy writes from the unique perspective of being primary caretaker of his two daughters, he has shared his experience and heartfelt encouragement for many years with Family First.

Sex and Your Marriage -Taiwo Odukoya

Fountain of Life with Taiwo Odukoya: Sex and Your Marriage

 By Taiwo Odukoya

About Taiwo Odukoya

Taiwo Odukoya is the senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church. He is an avid believer in the role of the Church in the social and economic life of the nation. He is the host of The Discovery for Men, The Discovery for Women, The Woman Leader, and Ruth and Boaz, quarterly meetings that reach out to thousands of men and women from all works of life and denominations. He lives in Lagos with his wife, Nomthi, and children. He can be reached at pastortaiwo@tfolc.org

Sexual intimacy in marriage is sacred, beautiful and good. It is the deepest level of intimacy you and your spouse can share. In fact, ‘making love’ is such an intense bonding experience that the Bible refers to it as “becoming one flesh.”

The truth is, God ordained sexual intercourse as a way to foster unity in marriage. If handled properly, what this means is that sexual intimacy has the power to create intense physical, emotional and spiritual bonds between you and your spouse.

Part of the challenge, however, is that the man and the woman have different attitudes to sex. This is one of the reasons sex is a sore point in some marriages. It is therefore no wonder that many married couples are more tolerant with their sex lives than they are satisfied.

Now, when it comes to sex in marriage, statistics generally paint a boring and scary picture:

• Married couples say they have sex an average of 68.5 times a year. That is slightly more than once a week. — Newsweek
• 15 to 20 percent of couples have sex no more than 10 times a year, which experts define as a sexless marriage. — Newsweek
• 20 to 30 percent of men and 30 to 50 percent of women say they have little or no sex drive. — USA Today
• Married people under 30 have sex about 111 times a year. – General Social Survey
• About 15 percent of married couples, in a survey, have not had sex with their spouse in the last six months to one year.

According to Marriage Missions International, one in five couples are living in “sexless” marriages, meaning having sex less than 10 times a year. And one-third of married couples struggle with the problem of mismatched sexual desire.

Although there is no magic number that can tell couples how often they should have sex, it is important for couples to discuss their needs openly with their partners and negotiate a relationship that meets both of their needs. While having sex less than 10 times a year is considered sexless, having sex once or twice a week is generally considered average.

It is also important to understand that lack of enough sex in marriage can have grievous consequences:

• When there is a major disconnect in the sex lives of couples, intimacy at all levels tends to drop. Lack of sexual intimacy will further draw married couples apart and make it difficult for them to handle other less serious problems.
• People in sexless marriages are less happy in their unions and more likely to consider divorce.
• It has also been found that infidelity in marriage is sometimes a result of a partner not getting enough sex at home. The partner who is not getting enough is tempted to look outside for his/her sexual needs (although this should never be considered as an option or condoned).

The question is: If sex is so important, and naturally pleasurable, as indeed it is, why is it that some couples struggle in that aspect of their lives?

Physical

• Fatigue resulting from too much work. If husband and wife work long hours, there is less interest in sex. The demands of work and home rob people of their energy. This is often the case when husband and wife work round the clock to earn good salaries.
• Routine and boredom. After about five years of marriage issues crop up in the marriage: loans/debts, school fees, frustrations at work, house maintenance and chores etc. Husband and wife settle into a home routine that almost always does not include sex. When they were just married, sex was more frequent. The sex was still great before the children started coming, but when more pressing problems come up, sex goes to the bottom rung of the ladder.
• Medical condition. Husband or wife develops a medical condition that could significantly lessen their sex drive, either from the condition itself or from the effects of the medication.
• Men especially have this issue with performance problems such as premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction, but women also can have issues such as loss of feeling after childbirth and changes to the female reproductive system that can make sexual intercourse unbearable.

 Emotional

• Couples may have unresolved differences that prevent them from enjoying sex together.
• Unhealthy attitudes about sex. One spouse may have been raised to think that sex is more of a duty than something to derive pleasure from.
• Cultural differences could affect the quality and frequency of sex between mixed-marriage couples.
• Deeply-seated psychological problems that make sex impossible. These could be anxiety, fear, or being a rape or incest victim in the past.

Other hindrances to sex in marriage include a job loss, a death in the family, or financial difficulties. Infidelity on the part of one spouse could also lead to the loss of interest in being intimate. Trust issues are also a factor.

Now, a lot of problems can also arise from a terrible sexual history. Some who were sexually abused in childhood become frigid, even when they are married; some become sexually wild and insatiable. Naturally speaking, this can affect people throughout their lifetime. But it shouldn’t. What you should do in such instances is talk to a professional counselor or pastor about it. Most importantly, talk to God, allow His Word heal your mind.

Now, if you are having sex with someone who is not your wife or husband, this is the time to break off that relationship because could destroy your marriage faster. And if your unfaithfulness in the past is constituting a hindrance to your having sexual fulfillment in marriage, then genuinely ask God for forgiveness and move on.

If you are married and your sex life is not as great as it should be, here are some tips for sexual intimacy:

1. Shun selfishness. Sex is not just about you, it also about (and I dare say, much more about) your spouse. So get out of that ‘selfish mode’ and begin to place the needs of your spouse above your own.
2. Understand your differences. God wired the man and the woman differently, so this affects their sexual desires and the way they handle sex generally. Together, you and your spouse can make the best of your differences.
3. Learn to forgive. Resolve any lingering issues in your relationship that have not been dealt with properly.
4. Keep the fire of romance burning. Sex is better and more rewarding when the ‘environment’ and accompaniment are right. With your husband or wife, constantly look for and embrace new and exciting ways to make your love and sex lives better and God-honouring.
5. Keep the communication line open. It has been discovered that couples who talk over their sex lives (as well as other aspects of their marriages) tend to have healthier marriages. So learn to talk things over with your spouse.Make time for rest and relaxation. Today, many work very hard in pursuit of money and the good things of life, but so readily put off working on their relationships. We must understand that if there is no intimate bond between spouses, all that hard work is ultimately unfulfilling. The loss of our relationship can have deep consequences. So make out time for your spouse—just for relaxation.
6. Constantly pray for opportunities to ‘connect’ with your spouse. Never neglect prayers in seeking solutions to sexual issues with your spouse. You will be amazed that praying together and ‘breaking bread’ can remove obstacles to sexual intimacy.

Now, God wired us with a sex drive, and this is one of the most powerful forces man can experience. However, like fire, when it is not contained and controlled, it becomes a damaging and destructive force. May your sex be a pleasurable, relationship building and edifying experience in your marriage now and always. Amen.

About Taiwo Odukoya

Taiwo Odukoya is the senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church. He is an avid believer in the role of the Church in the social and economic life of the nation. He is the host of The Discovery for Men, The Discovery for Women, The Woman Leader, and Ruth and Boaz, quarterly meetings that reach out to thousands of men and women from all works of life and denominations. He lives in Lagos with his wife, Nomthi, and children. He can be reached at pastortaiwo@tfolc.org

The Five-Fold Ministry

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Why Do We Need the Five-Fold Ministry?

 FELICITY DALE

Is it necessary to have all of the five offices of the church in operation? What if you don't have everyone who fits the five-fold ministry calling on your team? (Charisma archives)

In many churches, people get excited when one of the so called "five-fold ministries" comes to town. (The name "five-fold comes from the passage quoted below in Ephesians 4.) They hope to receive a personal prophetic word from the prophet, or see many people become Christians when an evangelist gives an altar call. They like to receive good teaching from someone with a teaching ministry. They hope to see these people showcase their gifts in an impactful way.

The only problem is that this is not the purpose of these gifts that Jesus has given to the church.

This is what Ephesians 4:11-12 says: "He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ."

According to this passage, these people are gifts of Jesus to His church. The five-fold gifts of Ephesians 4 are there to equip God's people to do the work of ministry. This means they impart to others, training them in the skills that are needed to function in their particular area of gifting. They are not doing all the work of ministry themselves.

The apostle trains others to think strategically about the kingdom, starting churches, etc.

The prophet teaches others to prophesy.

The evangelist teaches people to spread the good news of the kingdom and make disciples.

The teacher trains others in how to teach.

The pastor teaches people how to care for others.

The purpose of Ephesians 4 ministries is not that they showcase their gifts, but they train others with the skills they have been given.

 Adapted from Felicity Dale's blog, Kingdom Women. Felicity Dale is an author and an advocate for women in the church. She trains people to start simple, organic house churches around the world.

A Blast From the Past! ~ Fall 1979 ~Halton Hills Pentecostal Assembly "Canada's Indoor Camp Meeting"

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• Every Wonder What Your Community of Halton Hills was like 36 years ago? ...Let's take a look in the archives.

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A bit of history uncovered in Georgetown (April 28/2015)

History revealed

Photo courtesy of Trendz Hair Studio

nextplay/pausepre2/2

Independent Free Press

By Cynthia Gamble 

Sign installers uncovered a bit of history today (Tuesday) when installing a new sign on a Main St. S. building in Georgetown.  Currently  and just to the right of this former old "HERALD" building is "Yong's" Chinese Restaurant.

The Georgetown Herald sign was revealed after peeling back the layers.

The Georgetown Herald opened in the 19th century and moved to this Main St. location in 1952. In the late '70s-'80s it moved to its last location on Guelph St., near Mill St. The paper was closed by the Thomson Newspapers chain in 1992.

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•  ...Remember, this was very much during the "analog age" ....way before PC's and the internet were invented.
• Prime Minister Joe Clark had just been sworn in as Canada's Youngest Prime Minister.
• President Jimmy Carter was the then-current President of the USA.

• The Georgetown "Herald's" slogan was ..."The big paper with the big circulation read first by everyone! ... Reaching more than 13,650 homes in Halton Hills!"
• I recently ran across archived pages of the "Georgetown Herald" from Oct 3, 1979 and you can view them here online at the following link:  Georgetown Herald ~circa Oct 1979

Here is the "Thanksgiving Week" ad for our church (GCF), then known as "Halton Hills Pentecostal Assembly", "...Canada's Indoor Camp Meeting!"  

Angus Nicholson (1940 to 2011)

• I knew Pastor Angus Nicholson before he pastored Georgetown, so this is particularly memorable for me to review.  Pastor Angus was from Sydney Mines, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and every inch an evangelist.  I never grew tired as a teenager to visit his church.  With a twinkle in his eye and a joyful grin he would walk over to the piano and mount it like he owned it.  In a minute the crowd would be warmed up with his smile, and worshipful, heartfelt often toe-tapping music, during which, his hands would be just flying around the keys. The place would explode into lively worship & praise before preaching. 

• Angus suffered with dementia (Alzheimer's disease) in the last decade of his life. If you are not familiar with dementia, suffice it to say that it's effect include attacks on the brain causing severe memory loss and confusion.  Surprisingly though, the internet contains some "piano footage" of him during this "confusing [dementia]" time of his life just prior to his death.  His command of the piano here is slower due to his age and dementia, ...trust me here he is just a shadow of what he once was, however you can hear he still plays very well.  He blessed audiences all across Canada with lively preaching and worship usually leading singing from the piano as an evangelist. 
• A family member recorded him and he apparently was not aware that he was being recorded: 
•  Here is the Link: [Elderly ~ in his early 70's] Angus Nicholson playing the piano "A man and his piano"

• Obituary ~ Rev. Angus NICHOLSON
  Reverend Angus Nicholson born in Sydney Mines, N.S., March 28, 1940. Surrounded by his loving wife Rose, daughters Bonnie(Al), Tricia (Bryan), and son David. Also surviving are his eight grandchildren. A great brother and uncle with a large circle of friends began his heavenly journey on October 21, 2011. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hosanna Evangelistic Ministries at 308-A34313 Forrest Terrace, Abbotsford, B.C., V2S 7L2. 

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Strangely Wrapped Gifts - Jentezen Franklin

Jentezen Franklin - Strangely Wrapped Gifts

Jentezen Franklin (born July 21, 1962) is the senior pastor of Free Chapel in Gainesville, Georgia and Free Chapel OC (Orange County) in Irvine, California. 

Franklin is the author of New York Times best sellers, Right People, Right Place, Right Plan and Fasting.

In PHILEMON - He is our Friend

Philemon 1-25: Mending Fractured Relationships ·       In Philemon, Jesus is our Friend!

Dave and Andy enjoyed a prosperous business partnership for several years. Their families became closest friends, sharing vacations made possible by their growing computer business. Then one day Andy disappeared, along with the company bank account. Dave lost his friend, his business and his home. Three years later Andy returned, having squandered the money but having found Christ. Could Dave forgive him? Could they ever be friends again?

In Paul's letter to Philemon, you'll find principles for bringing reconciliation between two Christians who know the pain of wronging another and being wronged.

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Overview:

·         Paul wrote (from prison...just before he was released) his letter to Philemon at the same time he wrote his apostle letter to the Colossians (64 AD). 

·         Purpose for writing:

- To ask Philemon to be merciful and gracious to Onesimus

-To promise to pay any debt that Onesimus might owe him

-To ask Philemon to be preparing a place for Paul to stay upon his imminent release from jail

·         At this time in Roman history,  slavery was common and it has been estimated that 60 million people were enslaved across the Roman world at this time.  Slavery is one of the most terrible things that one human being can do to another.    When I worked in Sudan, it was common to hear and see people who enslaved other people to do their work.  From time to time even today we hear stories about human- trafficking in other people, often for sexual purposes.

·         It appears inconsistent that Philemon a christian man would have a slave.

·         The letter was to Philemon, who lived in Colosse.  This letter was written at the same time that Paul wrote the Colossian epistle.  When he wrote the letter to Colossians,  Paul mentioned that he would be sending the letter to Tychicus and that also Onesimus would be coming with Tychicus and the Colossian letter.

·         The letter to Philemon involves this man Onesimus, for he was at one time a slave of Philemon. Evidently Onisemous had stolen some money from his master and Paul was returning him.  Onesimus  had met Paul and became a Christian.  Under Roman law, Philemon had the right to brand a returned slave and even kill him. Usually, if death didn't occur, the runaway slave would have an "F"  for fugitivo (fugitive) branded onto his forehead, marking him as a slave. 

·         Paul is interceding to Philemon for this slave.  He wanted Philemon to no longer serve him as a slave, but as a brother in Christ.  As a spiritual father to Philemon and an elder in the church, Paul could have ordered Philemon in this matter, but because of love he chose to make a request.

·         Paul applies what he wrote in Colossians:  "Here there is no Greek or Jew ....slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all"  (Col. 3:11).  Philemon and Onesimus are given the chance to participate in a revolutionary new process for reconciliation.

·          

New International Version 1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home: 3Grace and peace to youa from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving and Prayer 4I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Paul’s Plea for Onesimus 8Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus,b who became my son while I was in chains. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 12I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. 17So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. 22And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. 23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. 25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

OTHER ANVIL Route 66 Studies:

EPHESIANS

PHILIPPIANS

COLOSSIANS

1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

1 & 2 TIMOTHY

TITUS

PHILEMON

HEBREWS

JAMES

10 Ways the Enemy Gets the Upper Hand in a Church

CHUCK LAWLESS

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Are pride and ego allowing the enemy to get the upper hand in your church? (iStock photo)

Let me start this post with a clear caveat: Satan will not ultimately win as he attacks God's church.

Jesus broke the powers through His cross (Col. 2:15), and the enemy will eventually be cast into outer darkness (Rev. 20:10). In the meantime, though, the devil strategically attacks us.

Consider the following ways he seeks to get the "up"per hand.

1. He wants us to mess up in sin. The consequences of our sin are numerous. Our witness loses credibility. Our prayers are hindered. Our joy wanes. Relationships often suffer. The world looks at us and sees no difference—and the enemy temporarily wins.

2. He wants us to cover up our sin. He did it in the Garden of Eden, and he still does it today: If we sin, he wants us to hide like Adam and Eve did. That way, we never confess it and turn from it. Likewise, the enemy wants the local church to ignore the sin among its members.

3. He wants us to get hung up on difficulties and discouragement. "You've served God faithfully," he says to us, "but what good has it done? You're still struggling and lonely." He delights when we cower in the cave like Elijah (1 Kin. 19), forgetting God's previous blessings and focusing on only the trouble at hand.

4. He wants us to clam up in evangelism. God has only one plan to get the gospel to our neighbors and the nations: believers telling the story to others (Rom. 10:9-16). It's the enemy who points out reasons for us not to share the gospel. Maybe you've heard messages like "You're going to lose your friendship" or "You really don't know enough to do evangelism."

5. He wants us to bow up over position and power. The enemy who himself sought the throne of God is pleased when we guard our turf and protect our positions in the local church. "You've served in that position for years," he reminds us, "and why should you give it up? Nobody can do it as well as you can."

6. He wants us to break up. This strategy, too, started in the garden, where Adam turned on Eve and blamed her for his wrong. From the beginning, the enemy has sought to sever marriages, families, friendships and congregations. He knows the church will hardly make a difference when we shoot each other in the back.

7. He wants us to build up our own kingdoms. He does not mind when we talk about the kingdom of God, as long as our real focus is our own kingdom. "Serve God," he says, "but make sure others know just how much you're serving Him. In a 'humble' way, be sure to get the word out about the size and influence of your ministry."

8. He wants us to cloud up the message. Without question, the enemy rejoices when the gospel message is decidedly and clearly forsaken. At the same time, though, he is pleased when the message is subtly changed so the gospel disappears while still sounding like a biblical message. The cloudiness of the message thus keeps non-believers from hearing the truth.

9. He wants us to give up on prayer. He points out unanswered prayers, reminding us that God has at times not heard us in the past. Why would we then seek God's presence and power today?

10. He wants us to get puffed up with ego. In fact, this strategy is the root of the rest of these strategies. When we reside on the throne of our lives, the enemy is at least temporarily winning.

What other ways have you seen the enemy get the "upper" hand in a church?

Build An Altar!

My backyard gaze is telling me that soon those willow buds will break out of seeming never-ending dormancy, springing forth another season of growth and renewal.  My heart is excited as I am well past our introduction to our rewarding Hebrews study, although  I'm having a hard time getting my head past the depth of the second verse of Chapter 1.

1In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son".   (Hebrews 1)

Are you letting him speak to you?  Are you building altars throughout your life to remember Him by? 

The Altar, A Place Of Commitment

On July 27, 1991 during a simple ceremony in an old rented Port Credit, Ontario stone church with beautiful stained glass windows,  I slipped a tiny, elegant diamond ring on my bride’s hand.  As the minister (my dad) united Andrea and I in marriage, a few friends and family looked on.  Only her and I knew that the inside of our rings were engraved with "1 John 4:19";  "...we love because He first loved us", acknowledging God in our union. As we made our promises that day before God, etched forever in my memory is the way Andrea looked at me, her big bright eyes beaming through tears, and silently mouthed the words, “It’s happening”.  My long search for a “Significant Other” was finally concluding before that very altar. 

What we said at that altar by reciting our vows publically and before God, was that at this altar we are committing ourselves to each other, forsaking all others.  An altar is a place of commitment.  God's plan for marriage is commitment. The two shall become one, for life! He doesn't ever want the fire to go out; He wants it continually nourished and burning brightly!

As the ceremony concluded, I stepped back from the altar looking forward to what was ahead.  Believe me, my life has never been quite the same!  I made a decision before God and it changed my life.  But something in my life had to ...DIE!   My old life and way of living changed; I could no longer be out with some of the girls I used to see.  That part of me died when I committed to Andrea, and I took on new life!  An altar is a place of commitment!

The Altar, A Place Of Sweet Aroma!

God's priestly instruction as Israel camped at Mt. Sinai, was that when they offered a burnt offering on God's altar, that He didn't ever want the fire to go out!  (Lev. 6:12).  The priests were instructed to keep the fire burning!  A continual sweet aroma filled the temple as sacrifices were burnt as a memorial, as an honor to Jehovah God.

When Noah came out of the ark, the first thing he did was build an altar! God responded to Noah when this happened!

Genesis 8:20 - "18So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. 19All the animals and all the creatures that move along the ground and all the birds—everything that moves on land—came out of the ark, one kind after another.

20Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. 21The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even thougha every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done."

Adam, Abraham and Others Built an Altar

The bible speaks of Abraham's faith and of how God honored Abraham with the now famous Abrahamic covenant.  Abraham put his trust in God's faithfulness and built an altar to honor God.  Do you suppose that God wanted to test Abram (later called Abraham); watching to see if "...the fire would go out?"  Perhaps he did.  But what Abram said was "I'm in this for the long haul - I'm going to trust you Lord for the fulfillment of your promise to me, no matter what comes".

The Family Home Altar, A Place Of Consecration

As we push back from our family supper table, we make our way to the family room and have our evening family altar.  This has been our family norm now since not long after our marriage began.  When our four children were small preschoolers we read them bible stories and taught them to pray.  At times it was difficult, but we are so glad we persisted in establishing our family altar.  Now they are in their teens and we read the Bible together and  take turns to pray about all the needs in our family and sphere of influence.  We now all look forward to this half hour together where we all contribute to this altar.  When there are visitors, we invite them to join us. Having a family altar has been one of the most rewarding and special times we've spent together as a family.  We renew our allegiance to Christ and worship Him together daily because we have a family altar in place.  An altar is a place of family consecration!

Church and The Old Camp Meeting Altar!

What an exciting time it is to attend a summer Braeside Camp and listen to inspiring messages by gifted speakers from far and wide, in a refreshing country setting.  Inevitably the focal point of the sermon is to renew, and revive our commitment to God.  We most often end our service by being drawn to the "front", when given the altar call invitation for prayer and resolve, crying out to God for His intervention, strength, help and infilling of the Holy Spirit.  New visitors to the altar arrive in the public altar setting,  believing God for salvation. It is very much an altar of consecration.   All my life the focal point of the sermon was to address a required life-change, which for a Pentecostal meant that it was to be dealt with "at the altar".  

Altar's should be front and centre in the christian's experience.  I am frequently saddened when this crucial aspect of our services are forgotten or left out. 

Long Live the church altar!!!  What we "say" at that altar publically and before God, was that at this altar we are consecrating ourselves anew to Christ and will allow Him to live His life through us, forsaking all other gods or distractions. There should never be an occasion to forget to have a public altar, excuse it away or be embarrassed about it!  Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes" ~ Romans 1:16.   He doesn't ever want the fire to go out; He wants it continually nourished and burning brightly.  

Paul's language in Romans 12 is that of an altar scene; a living sacrifice.  1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  How awesome that we can learn to publicly offer to God our lives as living sacrifices.

A regular church service altar enables us to worship as a church family and keep the fire burning!  Yes!  ... to many in the public eye, Calvary can be considered offensive; that indeed is the nature of a cross!  The Cross was offensive because it was the place of death.  It was indeed very messy!  However it is that death there which brings us new life.  Anyone that comes to Christ must come by the way of the cross.  

In Luke 9:23, Jesus said, "“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 

Jesus said, "You MUST be born again" (John 3:7)

Jesus said, "“A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’.......COMPEL them to come in, so that my house will be full."  (John 14)    

There is a sense of urgency in an altar!  Can you hear it in Jesus words?  When I look at my thesaurus, the word "compel" is explained as: oblige, force, pressure, press, push, urge, bring about something.   Wow!    ...however you want to slice it, we have to be tuned into the urgency in the very words of Christ.  Waiting or hoping for people to send us an emailed question probably wasn't exactly what He had in mind.

I was so encouraged to hear of the harvest time at an altar in two area churches this past Easter weekend.  A friend has just mentioned to me of one altar call response, where the Easter story was again powerfully retold.  Following the message, when the personal invitation to accept Christ came, over 300 responded eagerly under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and 300 souls entered the kingdom of heaven! Imagine that!  Jesus STILL saves (Do you STILL Believe it?)  and we all have to come by way of the cross, where the ground remains level ground for all.

Billy Graham reminded us often that "the people Jesus called, He called publically".  His altar calls brought millions into the kingdom.  We must embrace the altar, as the place in our private and public church life that keeps the fire burning brightly.  

Men, BUILD an Altar!