John 3:30

He Must Increase, I Must Decrease

Just me

I wouldn’t change a thing

by

2 years ago today, on January 10, 2009, after only 60 days of knowing Erin O’Neil I proposed to her. I bought the ring the night before, and couldn’t hold it very long, but a truck stop didn’t seem like the right place to propose.

So when she came to visit me on January 10, 2009, I made sure I would be able to do it. We went to Easton mall to just walk around together and I took her to Ocean Watch or something like that for seafood. I kept pretending there might be an engagement ring hidden in every piece of bread or dish. This entertained her slightly, but I think annoyed her more.

Ultimately, I pulled out the ring and asked and she said yes. 4 weeks later we were married!

The point of this post is to share that I wouldn’t do anything different. After almost 2 years of knowing each other (better and better), I love her more and more each day. There is no one who I want to be around as much, or who I miss as much when we are not together. I am so grateful for her loving care of our daughter and my two kids who are now her stepchildren. I could not do the evangelism or service I do without her, nor my regular occupation.

If I had known how much of a failure I’d be at being as good a husband as I would’ve once promised, I might have been more cautious. But my faith is that Christ has already forgiven me and can make me better each day, and each year. I love every part of my wife, even the imperfect parts; and I’m grateful she shares her struggles with me. Neither of us is perfect, but as we grow together, some of the past imperfections have faded. I trust the same will be true of the present ones and the as-of-yet-unnoticed character faults in each of us.
She is more beautiful than she was the day I met her, and I cannot imagine life without her.

Michael Coughlin

Put the ‘X’ back in Xmas

by

I’m sure you’re thinking, what a strange name for a post. You probably think I’m the type of guy who always puts the “Christ” in Christmas. In fact, if I was you, I’d guess that Michael Coughlin is the type of guy who spells the late December holiday, “CHRISTmas.”

Well, sometimes I do spell it CHRISTmas. In fact, I always spell out the word. Here is an interesting video that may help people to understand some things about the name of Christ, particularly in the Greek. There are some people out there who are really judgmental of others who abbreviate Christmas:

It’s always about the heart, isn’t it? My pastor abbreviates “Christmas,” also with Greek letters. He does it for economy. The same reason we type LOL and things like that.

I WILL NOT abbreviate specifically because before I was saved I intentionally wrote XMAS IN ORDER TO exclude Christ from Christmas. Yep. I was “that guy.” I actively enjoyed seeing the letter X replace Christ and I was annoyed and angered by the “put the Christ back in Christmas” people.

So in a sense, it matters NOT how it originated, essentially because all things are lawful…I mean, we can take something that the devil meant for evil and use it for good if we wanted to anyway…

But it does matter why that person or corporation uses the “X.” I do believe if we asked everyone who abbreviates with an X, why they do that…you’d have a nice mixture of responses. And I do believe there would be at least some portion that intentionally excludes Christ and replaces with an “X” out of a sort of malice. It is for these people’s sake, and my own conscience that I don’t put the “X” in Christmas.

I’m sure there’s more that can be said, but there’s my 2 cents. I’m happy to know I can abbreviate and thanks to Mike and my own pastor I am now less ignorant than I was just 1 week ago about the whole deal.

Merry CHRISTmas, everyone. 😉

The Sovereignty of God in Salvation

by

This post might end up reading differently than you expected. I’m not going to go into an explanation of TULIP or new birth. There will be little or no exposition of scripture, just a story of Providence.

Brothers and sisters, please pray for Maria.

It’s July 27, 2010, I normally take the bus by 7:40 AM to get to work, but my wife asked if I could take my son to football camp today so she could stay home with the girls and have less running around to do. This morning when I spoke to my son about it, he wasn’t even that interested. It seemed the Wii seemed more exciting, but for some reason, before I left to get the early bus, he changed his mind. I took my son to football, and instead of rushing off to the bus, I stayed to watch him play with the other boys. I finally left…deciding not to take the bus, but rather to drive downtown, I went left instead of right out of the parking lot. As I drove I kept seeing bus stops for a different bus than I usually take. I noticed the Park N Ride was along the side of the road and I decided to stop and take the bus anyway, largely because I write my blogs on the bus now and don’t care to spend the money to park.

My wife and I were on the phone, and the call got cut off. I was sad, but saw it as an opportunity. I pulled out a tract and handed it to the lone woman at the bus stop and sat down the way of the bench from her. She read the tract. I kept looking at my phone to see if I could get re-connected with my wife and realized this lady was ACTUALLY reading the tract. I prayed. I prayed some more.
Suddenly her posture changed, I’m used to this, people rear their shoulders back and hand me tracts back all the time. They appear almost menacingly angry as they do. Sadly, I’m used to this now. But that is not what happened, she slumped over the card and flipped it over and kept reading. I thought I saw her start crying. I waited…wanting to speak so badly but trying to be patient as she read. I decided to pray; I asked my wife for prayer via text. Then she was done reading.

I asker her, “What’s your name?”

“Maria,” was her reply.

“What do you think of the card?”

“That’s deep, I need a new Bible” she said.

I told her to contact my church or me for a bible and noticed she was overcome with emotion. I asked her if she was sure her sins were forgiven and she said no. She said she’s done some really terrible things. It seems there are some people the devil tricks into believing they are so good they don’t need God, and some others his ploy is to allow them to think they are so wicked God cannot or will not help them. I suppose either are forms of pride in the human heart, a self-centered God-averting focus which we all had while enemies of God. But I couldn’t help but have compassion. I bowed my head and asked her if she saw my scar. I explained to her that the scar was from a beating by police during a drunken evening in my past. I related that I had been divorced and there was much pain, pain I had caused in my life. I explained that I, too, had sinned and God was able to find peace today in my heart knowing that I am now in right standing with him.
I asked if she lived around here, and she said yes, over in the apartments right there where that girl was shot. She’s crying out for help: 2 kids, no job, no baby daddy to help, and a third child 13 years old that she hasn’t seen since the baby was 18 months. She admitted to murdering a woman and doing time for it; to drug use and dealing and alluded to prostitution. She still smokes weed once in a while she said. She seemed to know all these things were wrong and that they hurt her. I asked her if she could stand before God and would she realize the judgment would be worse than anything in this world. I told her she could have forgiveness for her sin through Christ’s sacrifice. She asked me how to do that!

So I explained to her that there is no magic prayer or special words; that she needed to talk to God and tell Him she was sorry for her sin against Him and that she wanted and needed the forgiveness that is offered in Christ alone. I emphasized that she must trust that His work is sufficient for her forgiveness and that it is the only provision for her forgiveness. I asked her why she wouldn’t do that right away, what was keeping her from doing it right now, and she said she had to think about it. Then her phone rang.
After her phone call the tone changed. She told me about how she prays everyday for forgiveness…I reminded her that she must go through Christ, that real forgiveness is found there and he will never leave her nor forsake her once this occurs.  She let me know that she believes in God and trusts him.  I offered a smile and repeated that if not through Christ, she has no access to God.
I was a little sad that there wasn’t an immediate conversion. There was a point I thought she was going to call out to Jesus. But she seemed to understand, and I planted the seed that is the gospel. I cannot imagine an explanation for today’s events by a professing Christian that isn’t absolutely providential. The Lord’s love for me and for Maria is obvious to me by this one experience. I’m not even talking about regeneration and depravity or election or any number of items that are argued in sovereignty of God discussions. I could; that’s just not what this post was about.
So why did Nick have football today? Why did I take him and not my wife? Why did I stay as long as I did? What force was behind my decision to go left instead of right, and then take the bus anyway after planning to drive downtown? How did I get tracts in my pants pocket where I never carry tracts? Whose will was at work when I remained quiet while Maria read or listened attentively while she recounted her life? The list could go on, of course.
I just wanted to share experientially that God’s providential care, that His amazing work in calling sinners to Himself was seen today by me. I want people to see His glory and Praise Him, for those things we hear labeled coincidences or random chance. I know that if Maria becomes a follower of Christ, she will too. I don’t propose that my brief experience today is a proof of God’s Providence. If you are not already inclined to believe it exists, my story won’t be compelling. But if you are bent toward the Sovereign God, I hope this story refreshed you and you will start to see more of His hand in your own life and find the peace and comfort that comes from truly resting in Him.

Christian Haiku

by

Ok, this is a bit off the beaten path, but tonight during the adult prayer meeting, it was my privilege to work with the children. Normally I preach for 30-40 minutes (they are a great practice audience), but since they already sat through Pastor Cuenin’s “Wednesday mini,” I figured I’d cut them a break. We had two new girls there, so I made sure to present the plan of salvation in Christ alone, then we wrote “Bible Haiku.” Please enjoy!

David’s coat was many colors
Moses was a good leader
Jesus died for our sins
Moriah age 7		 Moses was a baby
3 wise men saw the baby
Jesus love babies
Luke age 7
Noah built an ark
he brought animals with him
there was a great storm
Bailey age 9		 Jesus died for me
on the cross he bore my sins
suffering my shame
Michael age 34
Genesis is true
Adam and Eve walked with God
then disobeyed Him
Michael age 34		 crucifixion time
Christ on the cross for sinners
and he rose again
Alexandra age 6
Jesus rose again
Jesus died on the cross for
our sins…Jesus loves us
Nicholas age 7		 Jesus died for me
Jesus was nailed to a cross
Samson’s hair was cut
Samuel age 9
Noah brought a few animals
Jesus loves the little children
there was a big flood
Jayden age 9		 Adam and Eve sinned
God created a Heaven
Noah built an ark
Taylor age 10
Abraham’s promise
fulfilled in his seed the Christ
Jesus, Sovereign Lord
Michael age 34		 when Jesus was a
baby his mommy held him
and loved him so much
Nathan age 4
Proverbs has wisdom
Romans theological
prophetic is Psalms
Michael age 34		 Moses a baby
Moses went to the Pharoah
lived in a basket
Caleb age 6
Elijah loves light
fears the command of the queen
laughs at their idols
Michael age 34		 Jesus loves us lots
first he died on the cross
then he rose again
Nicholas age 7
Malachi is the
messenger of the Lord God
last O.T. prophet
Michael age 34		 husbands love your wives
as Christ loves his church and gave
himself a ransom
Michael age 34

Am I a hypocrite? Was I ever?

by

Let’s begin by defining the word “hypocrite.” I’ll use the www.m-w.com definition stated below:

Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English ypocrite, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin hypocrita, from Greek hypokritēs actor, hypocrite, from hypokrinesthai
Date: 13th century
1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion
2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feeling

Here is a sample of verses that use the word hypocrisy. Note, not all the verses are translated with the word “hypocrisy;” the idea of hypocrisy involves lying or pretending. In fact, the Greek word used is actually the same word used for “Actors!”
Matthew 23:28; Mark 12:15; Luke 12:1; Galatians 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:2; James 5:12; 1Peter 2:1; Luke 20:20

The following verses all depict Jesus calling someone a hypocrite, and always with disdain:
Matthew 6:2,5,16; 7:5; 15:7; 16:3; 22:18; 23:13,23:14,23:15,23:23,23:25,23:27,23:29; 24:51; Mark 7:6; Luke 6:42; 11:44; 12:56; 13:15;

I point this out for one reason, and that is to show that if prevalence of occurrence in the Bible means anything at all, (and I’m convinced it does), hypocrisy is one of the worst sins imaginable. It is mentioned, especially by Jesus’ own mouth during the incarnation as often as other sins for which I’ve searched.

So what’s the point of this post then? Well, I’m here to say that I was never a hypocrite! As long as I went about my life before Christ, I never had a false appearance of religion. I really acted in harmony with my stated beliefs. In fact, one of the fears I have of the result of evolutionary teaching is that we will raise a nation of people who are not hypocrites, but have the false belief in molecules to man evolution! People who are taught and believe that they are nothing more than animals fighting to survive end up being able to justify horrible atrocities like school shootings, theft and lying and cheating, and adultery.

Don’t misquote me, I’m not saying that ONLY people who believe in evolution commit these sins; I’m saying that an evolutionary belief system allows a person to justify these acts, as these acts are not wrong according to their worldview! And I, being a good evolutionist, God-hating American before His grace took over, was never a hypocrite. In fact, my only goal in life was the pursuit of hedonism and I sought it fervently. Oh, if we all sought Christ with the fervency we clung to and pursued sin!

Here’s my concern then. The only reason I was NOT a hypocrite before, is that I had no standard in the first place! I couldn’t “live below” my own standards, (hypocrisy means to “under judge” in a sense), because my standards were so low that would be impossible. In fact, the closest I came to hypocrisy was if I would restrain myself from immediate pleasure, which I learned to do, but only because I thought it was best for me; never was it for the sake of righteousness.

The fear now is that I actually have standards, so hypocrisy is easily accessible to me! For the first time in my life, I am not only claiming to believe in a high standard of righteousness, but I am preaching it. My fall will be much further now than ever before. So I must be on guard. This is interesting to me. I mean, when I was saved, I had so much despicable sin in my life that I was fending off; the thought of fending off a new sin was out of the question. And now, I’ve realized that this new sin is one I’ve never dealt with. Ultimately the sin is pride and deceit. Hypocrisy, at its root, denies the omnipresence and omniscience of God. It is an act of putting what other men think of me OVER what God thinks. I can lie and deceive men into thinking I am better than I am, but not God.

True hypocrites, in their hearts believe they are deceiving both, even if they don’t know that’s what they believe. The hypocrites of Jesus’ day, the Pharisees, were outwardly very religious. In fact, they professed many things that were truly righteous acts, but in their hearts they still sinned. Being able to clean up the outside is easy, what none of us can do is cleanse our own hearts; that requires the work of the Holy Spirit. Jeremiah 17:9, John 6:63, 1 Corinthians 2:14

Some will read this and say, He is a hypocrite! I know he’s sinned! True, but I don’t think that a single sin makes a person a hypocrite, even if it was presumptuous. The nature of hypocrisy, (as well as the other sins mentioned in the New Testament that truly regenerate men are now free of) is that the sin is continuous; that is, there is a pattern of sin in the man’s life. Christians still sin, but in their hearts, there is a change. The desire or need to cover their own sin, to hide it from God and even other men is gone. Laying our sins at the foot of the cross, walking humbly and trusting Christ alone for forgiveness, not our own works or penance is what separates believers from non-believers, the righteous from the wicked. Have I violated God’s commands, yes! Have I violated commands that I’ve even preached or taught others they should not violate? Yes! I’m not proud of this, I’m ashamed. But the point is that the law of God is righteous and true regardless of this servant’s inability to perfectly follow. Dear Christian, do your best and rely on Christ. Work hard to study to know His Word that you might not sin. (Psalm 119:11) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

In conclusion, I was not a hypocrite, by the Grace of God and largely due to my own lack of righteousness. I never was a false convert. Am I a hypocrite today? I’m sure at times I have been, but my heart’s intention now is to be cleansed and forgiven, and because God is just, I know I am cleansed and forgiven. Romans 8:1, 1 John 1:9

Please don’t make the mistakes I’ve made; allow God to search your heart for the hidden sin that is in you, that you might never be accurately called a hypocrite.

Here are some examples of hypocrisy you may search for in your own heart:

Do you speak or preach against sin such as homosexuality, yet foster lust in your heart or even act it out? This includes heterosexual pornography, sex outside marriage, even “just looking.”

Do you tell people they should be out witnessing or passing out tracts and you don’t do it yourself?

Do you tell people to trust God in all things, like their finances or when they’re sick, but there are still areas of your life where you don’t fully trust Him, like your workplace or your marriage?

Do you fantasize about certain sins that appeal more to you, while showing disdain for the sins of others that maybe aren’t as big an issue for you? For example, maybe you think about getting drunk on alcohol, and you think it’s not a big deal because you aren’t actually doing it, but then if your spouse was thinking about another person, you’d be pretty offended wouldn’t you?

Do you tell people they should worship the one true God, and then you participate in activities like yoga or listening to music or watching movies that blasphemes God’s name or depicts sin in an enticing, attractive manner?

Ultimately, do you tell people that you love Jesus; that you are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, and then live a life the exhibits a greater love for the things in this world that the things of God? 1 John 2:15-17

Do not do these things! Repent – change your mind about your sin and give it to God. He can carry the entire burden; he already has! Christ has paid it all, and He wants it all, and He deserves it all, all your life that is! Today is the day of salvation for someone, and for many it will be the day to enter eternity; where will you spend it?