Letters from Paul

The saying, “If the shoe fits, wear it,” was a comment that people would make if a description or an attribute was assigned to an individual (or group), and although the individual might be offended by the comment, if it was accurate he or she ought to own up to it.  In many ways, it was a way to get the offended party to take a second look at themselves or their character in order that they might change it.  That no longer seems to be the case in this day and age.  Nowadays, evidently if the shoe fits . . . fight for it, steal it, or even kill for it, but don’t worry – your character is not in question.

I am not sure why I am shocked by anything that happens anymore.  It seems by now I would understand the fact that people will do anything.  This was once again proven by the response of people upon the release of the Nike, Air Jordan Retro XI.  I have to admit that it DID NOT surprise me that people would kill for shoes.  People have killed for less, but what did surprise me was the response from community activists and “ministers” (There is a reason the second group was put in quotes).  The response was . . . simply put . . . pure stupidity.  If you are not aware, these so-called leaders in the Houston area called for Nike to lower the price of the shoes so that more people could afford them and that way, perhaps, the violence would be curbed.

continue reading more…

This morning I woke up, knowing what lies ahead. I feel the weight of preaching (proclaiming) one of the greatest events in all of human history . . . the birth of Jesus Christ. If you doubt the significance of this event, consider the fact that mankind divides all of history by “The Day of our Lord.” Both this Sunday and next, Christmas Day, our church will focus on the Miracles (please note miracles is plural) of Christmas. My family has personally invited over 50 people to come hear about this event. I have studied, prayed, and asked God to send The Holy Spirit to speak through me, focus our attention, open our eyes and ears, and ultimately change hearts. I am still praying. So, why the sense of heaviness this year? I have preached about the birth of Christ before. Why do I have such a burden? I think it is the result of a couple of recent events that have occupied my mind. One event is personal and the other is very much removed from me. Some might say an international news story, but it still captured my attention.

continue reading more…

Who’d have thought that a simple blog about being thankful and simply pointing out that the Thanksgiving Holiday is pointless to those who refute the existence of God would be so vehemently opposed?  Mind you, I did not post my thoughts on an atheist’s website.  History is really quite clear on this.  Thanksgiving was a day set aside by Christians to thank God.  If you doubt what I wrote concerning the history, I would again encourage you to read the proclamations by William Bradford, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln.

Suppose for a moment that a Muslim wrote “Ramadan means nothing to Christians.”  I wouldn’t have a problem with that statement nor with the writer.  Ramadan exists to teach Muslims about fasting, patience, spirituality, humility, and submissiveness to God.”  These disciplines are not exclusive to the Islamic faith any more than “gratitude” is exclusive to the Christian faith.  It goes without saying that the Muslim and I would disagree upon who God is, but I would not be outraged by the proclamation.

This courtesy certainly wasn’t extended to me.  Perhaps, I stirred up a hornet’s nest.  Since my Thanksgiving post, there have been  many comments about what I wrote and a huge outcry that I won’t post the comments by those who were offended.  I have already stated, in a previous blog, that I would no longer allow all comments and why that was the case.  If interested you can read that here:

http://www.paullyle.com/2011/10/12/is-there-enough-time/

The comments left on this topic were a confirmation of my decision.  I have ignored the personal attacks, but perhaps this will settle some of the issues you wrote about and allow others to get a glimpse of what you wrote. continue reading more…

Thanksgiving . . . the beginning of the Holiday Season.  Doesn’t that seem fitting?  I am not sure there is any other way to begin the holidays than being thankful.  For many in this country, we enter a time that is accompanied by family gatherings, good food, and stopping to remember how blessed we are.  This is a time that holds many special memories and it is a time that both young and old look forward to.  I remember getting up and my parents would have the Thanksgiving Day parade on the TV and the last float or exhibit would always be Santa Clause on his sleigh.  I remember my mom always thinking we would have our turkey and fixins ready to eat by noon, but it never happened.  We always found things to snack on during the time between breakfast and lunch which would commensurate around 2:30 or 3:00 PM, so no one really cared.  Grandparents would come over and my brothers and I would always be entertained by conversations at the table and then we would find ourselves watching football and old movies during the remainder of the day as the late afternoon naps began to overtake all the adults.  There was one other thing that I failed to mention . . . there was ALWAYS . . . ALWAYS a time when we stopped to thank God for what he had done.  We thanked him for our family, for the food, for the opportunities during the past year, for our health and for His faithfulness as He watched over us.  Most importantly, we thank God for the gift of his Son and the salvation that He had provided.  In only a month, we would be remembering the birth of Jesus, but I wonder . . . are we losing our sense of thankfulness?  Why is Thanksgiving Day simply becoming another shopping day connected to Black Friday?  Why are Wal-mart, Target, and Toys-R-Us, along with other retailers, deciding to open their doors on this day?  Why is a day that has been set aside for “Giving Thanks” losing its importance?  Perhaps the question is simply, “As our country becomes more secular, what is the point of Thanksgiving when there is no one to thank?” continue reading more…

It has been a while since I posted.  All I can say is that I have been extremely busy.  Fall is just one of those times a year where school kicks in, my kids get back involved in their sports, and people who have moved into new neighborhoods visit the church.  It has been great to meet new people and see new faces in our congregation.

Many times, I simply blog about social or theological issues that seem to make the news.  These days, the only issues that seem to make the news are political ones, but recently the subject of religion came up in the political discourse.  The issue of Mormonism was bound to come up at some point.  I am not sure why so many are  shocked and outraged that a pastor would proclaim that not only is Mormonism not Christian, but that it is a cult.  I am not going to address the term “cult,” but I will ask “Why is anyone who is a Christian surprised that Mormonism does not line up with Biblical Christianity?”  Rather than blog about this issue again, I am simply leaving a link where I clearly point out why Mormonism IS NOT Christian.  It is illogical to make such a claim from a historical standpoint, from a Biblical standpoint, and from a reality standpoint. 

http://www.paullyle.com/2010/10/19/210/#more-210

Recently, I even had a Mormon invite our church to participate with them in dedicating a facility in which Mormonism would be promoted.  The Mormon elder was shocked that I would not participate.  After explaining my position, I simply asked him (remember, this is an elder in the Mormon Church) “Did you not know the differences in our faiths or did you simply think that I did not know the differences?”  Unfortunately, there are many in the church that would have to affirm that they “do not know the differences.”

BUT, LET’S MOVE ON continue reading more…