During my seven or eight years at City Bible, I have heard probably three sermons that actually stuck with me, and two of them were by Ken Malmin. (The other sermon was given by an Irish gentleman, whose name I forget.)

So when I was checking the pastoral speaking list today, and saw Ken Malmin’s name listed as the speaker for September 18. I downloaded that baby onto my ipod and listened while walking to work.

He didn’t dissapoint.

Ken was taking over for Pastor Frank who was speaking at a conference in England. (Sharing the good new of "how to charge for parking" I imagine). In the wake of Katrina and in the shadow’s of 9/11, it was Ken’s job to explain why bad things happen. His answer: sin. Ken didn’t elaborate on what type of sin, other than to say that sin is what separates us from God and that is what makes our world a difficult place to live.

However, he then begins to explain how we as Christians are supposed to behave in turbulent troubled times. His advice: Trust God and Help Others.

And this is why I appreciate Ken. He gets it. Its not a show with him. He’s not trying to impress the audience with his knowledge of theology or his new car or where he gets his coffee. He simply shares from his heart, and so when a hardened ex-City Bible member is listening to the sermon, he actually hears an excellent message and not just something to mock.

Homosexuality is a sin as is any sexuality outside of marriage. Don Feder is not a Christian. He does not believe Christ is the Messiah (who, by the way, would forgive all repentant homosexuals and then command them to “go and sin no more”). Don Feder is a Jew.

Anonymous in Portland, OR

Editor’s Note:
CBC regrets the error.

From the Drudge report, apparently a a christian school in california expelled a girl because her parents were gay.

More Christian’s spreading Christ’s love. Its good to see.

(Yes, this blog is turning into a tabloid)

Hey Asshole (http://www.grasstopsusa.com/091405.html),

I just read your thoughts on hurricane Katrina and how it relates to your agenda (which you call it God’s judgment).

You think God is judging New Orleans because of the gay lifestyles there. Now let me ask this question:

WHY DO CHRISTIAN THINK THAT BEING GAY IS THE ONLY SIN THAT GOD HATES THESE DAYS?

I’ll allow the thought that God was judging America, but let’s change the reason to be caused by a pathetic and unloving “Christian” society.

Here is what you said: (oddly enough, this is the same statement that led me to my conclusion)

“Katrina hit New Orleans days before the scheduled Southern Decadence – an annual orgy celebrating alternative death-styles, characterized by nudity and public copulation. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, welcomed the freak-fest with the following proclamation: “There is no place like this on Earth! Southern Decadence XXXII is an exciting event. We welcome you and know that you can anticipate great food, great music and great times in New Orleans.” Not to mention great sodomy.”

Let’s see here, “death-styles” and “freak-fest”; I’m not sure that’s how God wants you to respond in times of crisis (this will be hard for you to hear, but God loves the gays as much as he loves you). Instead of Gay-Bashing, why not try to show them the same love that God showed you… remember, when he saved your soul despite its sinful nature.

Thanks for giving the homosexual community another reason to hate Christ and thanks for giving me another reason to hate being associated with Christians,

Yours in Christ,

Johnpaul Morton

P.S. I know it’s hypocritical for me to call you an ass-hole and then rip you for calling the gays names; when my hurricane comes I’ll be sure to take full responsiblity.

You new it would happen. Pastor Don Feder is claiming Hurricane Katrina is God’s judgement on America for its sin.

I tend to think the hurricane was God’s judgement on America for failing TO FORTIFY THE LEVY’S. But what do I know.

A lot of people seem to think that Catalyst and I have it out for PF and CBC. This simply is not the case. Recently, I came across a 15 minute prayer card for Pastor Frank & Sharon Damazio. I would like to share it with you incase any of you would like to add 15 more minutes to your daily walk with God.

For the record I have not changed or edited any of these requests; I am simply posting them as they were written.

- Pray for Pastor Frank and Sharon to have continued spiritual and physical strength.

- Pray for God’s favor to rest on the Damazio family:

- Pray for God’s wisdom to help us grow and manage our two campuses. Pray for the new simulcast model we are using as we continue to improve and enlarge.

- Pray for continued breakthrough in the area of miracles and healings.

- Pray for spiritual impartation in the areas of serving, evangelism, and worship.

- Pray for God’s wisdom as we take PBC to a new level with new strategies.

- Pray for a new level of release and recognition for women leaders within our church.

- Pray for the spirit of reformation to rest upon our church as we face culture wars.

- Pray for our church to enlarge our multi-ethnic and multi-cultural growth.

- Pray for a continual open heavens in our corporate church services.

- Pray for the tithe to increase 15 percent along with missions and Forward Together increases.

Good god ladies and gentlemen,

It has come to my attention, thanks to an email from an old friend at the Oregon Family Council, that the sanctity of marriage is once again under attack.

Is it those pesky gays again? Wanting to destroy my marriage by making another commitment that only heterosexuals should make? No. Thank god. This time the gays are building a casino. I know, I know, why do the gays want a casino? Well, I don’t know, but since the OFC is emailing about it the gays must have something to do with it, right?

I guess it doesn’t really matter, if theOFC says vote no then I’m voting no. (As long as Marc Estes approves, I always copy his ballot anyway).

Here is what the email said:

3 Reasons to oppose the Gorge Casino Proposal.

1. Bad Precedent. Allowing Oregon’s first off-reservation casino at Cascade Locks sets a bad precedent and opens the door to even more casinos closer to Oregon’s cities and neighborhoods.

2. Risk to Families. Building a 500,000 square foot casino only 45 minutes from Portland, a population of over 1 million Oregonians, will place Oregon families, marriages and children at a greater risk than ever before. (Visit our website for more information on gambling.)

3. 63% Oppose. According to a recent statewide poll, 63% of Oregonians oppose the Gorge Casino and 71% believe approving it will lead to more casinos off reservation lands.

Yes, you read it right. OFC thinks the casino will place Oregon marriages at a greater risk than ever before. But I wonder? Will marriage really be at a greater risk than when the gays were destroying it? ‘Cause from what I remember, that the greatest risk of all time. How could anything be any greater then gay marriage? (I know, Christian affairs, but we sweep those under the rug so our cell group leaders can go on sinning without the shame).

Are these really the 3 best reasons to oppose the casino? Just because the “defense of marriage” worked once doesn’t mean you should use that as an excuse for everything. Think this through people, dig around, you’ll find better reasons.

For the record, I’m against building a casino in the gorge. Here are my 3 reasons you should oppose it too:

1. Casino’s are trashy
2. The gorge is beautiful
3. Trashy Casino + Beautiful Gorge = Trashy Gorge.

Thats just my opionion, for more info visit http://oregonfamilycouncil.org/. Read their link on gambling; it really is entertaining.

A relatively new blog in Portland called Portland Transport, has linked to a Religion News Service article that discusses a new movement in church planning. The movement is called “New Urbanism” and revolves around the concept of creating smaller more urban churches.

Randy Frazee, a pastor at Willow Creek Community Church, discusses this concept.

(side note: The article describes Willow Creek as a trend-setting Illinois megachurch attended by more than 20,000 people. …I’d love to know what trends this church is setting. If it involves a Christian re-enactment of the movie Willow… I AM THERE! You could have christian dwarfs and christian ogres… it would be great… I’m rambling, but I think I’m onto something here).

Anyway, here’s Mr. Frazee:

Frazee says there’s a “movement brewing” where Christians are striving to capture the values of New Urbanism because of an urgent need.

Frazee compared mega-churches to castles surrounded by moats. A few times a year the drawbridge is lowered to let people in, where they become a subculture separate from the outside world. They become so involved in church life that they are not involved in their neighborhoods, he said.

“You have to disengage from your community to be involved in the church,” Frazee said, describing the problem. “Now the church has become irrelevant to the community.”

….hmmm ….this reminds me of another church I know…

Up until now City Business Church has done nothing but talk about the problems, but now were tired of all the talk. We want to do be just like many other churches who have offered their help for relief efforts.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION FOR HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS PLEASE CLICK HERE:
https://donate.msn.com/pages/accountinfo.aspx.

There now we are up to par.

I slam churches all the time for their failure to act or their lack of compassion.

Thus, I feel I should also offer praise where it is due. There is an article in the NYTimes discussing how churches thoughout the US are opening their doors to evacuees.

Its good to see.