We all think back on our childhood with some sense of fantasy, and we extend that fantasy to our own children as we imagine little Susie getting on the bus and going off to learn and grow and make friends and eat popsicles. But, my friends, this vision could not be further from the truth. A more apt analogy today comes from Pinnochio, who, only hours after his creation, was sent out the door to school…and who was the first person he met? Yes, you guessed it–the wolf!

Public education is public enemy number one for Biblical Christianity. This system destroys and undermines the faith of literally millions of Christian children, and the numbers support my bold conclusion. Up to 88% of children raised in Christian homes leave the church after high school and never come back.

Although I don’t have time to work through all the reasons this is true or to report the frightening things our children are learning in the classrooms and hallways of State run schools, I do want to point you to a place that can enlighten you to the ungodly realities of modern public education.

If you haven’t read, The Harsh Truth About Public Schools, by Bruce N. Shortt, I strongly recommend you do before you allow your children to spend another day in public school. (I just looked it up on Amazon and you can buy it by clicking here.) Also, spend some time on the website for the book at http://www.harshtruth.blogspot.com/.

I know you’ve got that uncomfortable feeling in your stomach right now. You’d rather continue safely unaware of what is really going on than face the frightening truths that lie just ahead; but I implore you, in the name of Jesus Christ and for the glory and continuation of His kingdom, step forward and learn the uncomfortable truth. It will save you–and your children–in the end.

An 11-year-old little girl lies dying in a hospital bed. Her red hair matted, and her frail body shrinking under the power of leukemia. As the hospital workers pass in the hall, their eyes are drawn to the countless wires and tubes, and to her precious, painful eyes. Whatever their mood before, now a dark, sinking feeling pulls them down from inside. Oh, that poor little girl, they think to themselves. What a terrible thing.

So, what would you say to her or to her parents? What would be your message of hope? Do you have one? Continue Reading »

“The Bible, because it has been written by man, is corrupted. Over the years men have changed it, either through unintended error or on purpose in order to promote their own power over other people. Therefore, we shouldn’t accept its teachings as reliable.”

This objection, or something similar to it, is repeated without limit in America today. We’ve heard it so many times from so many people for so long a time that we don’t question it anymore. If this claim is true–as with all truth claims–it must be consistent with the evidence. In other words, if the Bible has been corrupted by man over the years, there should be ample proof to confirm this claim. But is there?

Let me give you three weaknesses of this view, a few things for you to chew on as you try to make up your mind about the Bible. Continue Reading »

This is part 2 of a 2-part article. Click here for part 1. 

Asking Good Questions

Before we move on to the next step in the BUDDI System, let’s discuss a critical part of becoming a friend–learning to ask good questions.

Much of our anxiety related to getting to know new people comes from the fact that we don’t always know what to say to a stranger. We make an introduction and then the conversation goes cold; nobody knows what to say next. The easiest way to avoid this is to learn to ask questions that will get your new friend talking. Use the questions listed above when you first meet someone and you’ll find Continue Reading »

This is part 1 of a 2 part series. 

You can say virtually anything to a real friend. They will allow you into the secret places of their hearts, seeing their fears, sharing their joys. Even their deepest disappointments and greatest sorrows are open to you if you are one of these. But if you are an outsider, you can forget it. You are kept at a different distance. You haven’t earned their trust so you can approach the compound but not get inside the gate.

To build a real disciple, you must be the former. God and faith are sacred, emotional, and personal things to most people. Some have been so hurt by religious people, some have terrible sins to hide, and others are just hard headed and stubborn (and need to be told!). But whatever the case, to go where you need to go and deal with the issues you need to deal with, you have to gain the trust that is only given to a genuine friend.

Continue Reading »