Opossum Remvoal: Aaron's Website of the Week!

This is great!

Check it out here!

God's Word, God's Messenger... Wow.

I don't have a lot of time to type this up (I'm piggy-backing an internet signal at home... lol) so I'm going to keep it short!

Pastor Mike knocked it out of the park today at church, preaching from the book of Mark.

You can hear the messages posted on the church website at www.lakeviewbaptist.net

Awesome services! Praise God

Apostasy: Read with caution!

The Character and Condition of an Apostate

Pilgrim's Progress

In Bunyan’s classic allegory of Christian’s journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, one of the most striking and horrifying sights is the man confined in the iron cage of despair. His hopeless, miserable, irrevocable condition is set before Christian to warn against the damning sins that lead to apostasy and, at last, to hell. Here one should learn to keep watch over his own soul and to make his calling and election sure, lest he prove reprobate, false, and deceived. While it is not possible for a true child of God to apostatize, it certainly is possible for one who thinks he is a true child of God to do so.

Apostasy is not a concept with which most modern evangelical Christians are at all familiar. In this day it seems that every profession of faith in Jesus is regarded genuine and soul-saving, as long as it is sincere. Sincerity and tears sway us into thinking that any person who professes to know and love Jesus actually does savingly know and love Him. Should such a sincere person turn out to be a hypocrite who ultimately turns away from Christ and the gospel in his heart, that person is still thought to be sure for heaven because of a twisted understanding of ‘eternal security.’

The apostate man in Bunyan, forever bound in the iron cage of despair until he is cast into everlasting flames, is certainly an allegorical man. It is one in ten thousand (if that many) who will ever admit to his own apostasy (or even understand it for what it is) as the man in Bunyan’s story. Most apostates equivocate, split doctrinal hairs, and continue to present themselves as true Christians, only believers with areas of struggle and difficulty; they are, in fact, aliens to the life of God, have never loved Jesus Christ, nor were they ever regenerated by the Spirit-power of saving grace. They heard the gospel declared in the Spirit’s power and experienced something spiritually real, and then trifled with it. They took holy truths into their hands and treated them as playthings. Their pretended love for Christ was always counterfeit; yet one more deception of themselves and others.

Many Christians have no concept that apostasy is real, even though it is evident all around us. Many whom the people of God have regarded as ‘carnal Christians’ are certainly apostates. They once thought themselves sure for heaven and made a good show of it; but secretly their hearts are so hardened against Christ that they cannot repent. These will never be saved. Hear the man describe himself and the sins that sealed his soul up to despair and eternal loss.

“I am now a man of despair, and am shut up in it, as in this iron cage. I cannot get out; Oh now I cannot!” “…I left off to watch and be sober: I laid the reins upon the neck of my lusts; I sinned against the light of the word, and the goodness of God; I have grieved the Spirit, and he is gone; I tempted the devil, and he is come to me; I have provoked God to anger, and he has left me: I have so hardened my heart, that I cannot repent.” “…I have crucified him to myself afresh; I have despised his person; I have despised his righteousness; I have counted his blood an unholy thing; I have done despite to the spirit of grace: therefore I have shut myself out of all the promises and there now remains to me nothing but threatenings, dreadful threatenings, faithful threatenings of certain judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour me as an adversary.”

The reason for any person’s apostasy is his own sin and wickedness of heart and willful rejection of the gospel and its promises. We must never blame divine sovereignty for anyone’s apostasy. It was out of the rich goodness of God that the apostate once perceived enlightenment through the preaching of the gospel. It was from God’s goodness that he tasted the powers of the age to come and received the clear light of the gospel and got a certain taste of the good Word of God.

What a testimony to the necessity of regenerating grace the apostate person is! No matter how many sweet favors are ours through the goodness of God, our wicked hearts would cast them all back into the face of God apart from regenerating grace! It is the wretched sin of the sinner that damns him and seals him up to lasting hopelessness. Be sure of this: every apostate, like a madman, drives headlong to hell trampling underfoot the eternal Son of God, regarding Jesus’ blood as worthless as dung.

While there may be sadness and despair in the heart of an apostate, there is never repentance. Repentance flees where there is no humility, no sorrow for sin, and no turning to Christ. Matters are so much the worse because of the tremendous privileges the apostate person enjoyed, but then ultimately despised and refused the Savior of men.

Christian asked the caged man why: “For what did you bring yourself into this condition?” His reply is chilling. “…For the lusts, pleasures, and profits of this world; in the enjoyment of which I did then promise myself much delight: but now every one of those things also bite me, and gnaw me like a burning worm.” Thinking of his own conversion and knowing the tenderness of Jesus, Christian wonders at the man; why he does not simply change his mind and turn? The man answers: “God hath denied me repentance. His word gives me no encouragement to believe; yea, himself hath shut me up in this iron cage: nor can all the men in the world let me out. Oh eternity! eternity! how shall I grapple with the misery that I must meet with in eternity?” How strange this is to the modern evangelical’s ears; but it represents a spiritual truth too quickly and too easily dismissed in this time by those who profess to be wise, yet who know nothing as they ought to know it.

This man in the iron cage had Bunyan’s knowledge of Scripture to fill his mouth with a true report of his soul’s condition. Most apostates walking about in this world continue to play out the scene, as if nothing is amiss and their hope of heaven remains sure. The reality is that there are far more people than we realize, people with whom we brush elbows day by day, who are sealed up in the sins they love. They cannot repent. Their coming misery is yet to be comprehended, for only eternity will measure their bloodguilt, they who have trampled underfoot God’s Darling Son and done despite to the Spirit of grace.

The apostate’s misery is a dreadful warning to every true saint. True saints keep watch over their souls; to live in disobedience to God’s Word while holding a Christian profession is to tempt God and to run the risk of personal apostasy. True saints live in love with Jesus and more and more despise their sins. True saints are aware that they could as easily have been deceived; they “make their calling and election sure” by a constant appeal to the unfailing promises of the gospel. They realize that they are only “accepted in the Beloved.” The redeemed take refuge in Jesus alone. To us His blood is most precious, because only by His cross do we have the sure hope of heaven. True saints trust not their own hearts, deceitful as they are; but they do trust the heart of their Savior who takes away their despair, replacing it with everlasting hope and joy for the journey.

Timothy S. Adkins

Timothy Adkins is a preacher from Kingsport, TN. Posted with permission.
Check out Timothy's blog here. Also view his website http://www.hopefultoday.org/

Bob Barker and his "wabbits"

This has been a sad, long week...

Anyways here is some humor to lighten the load! I'm reading today about Bob Barker's new book coming out blah, blah, blah....

Did you know he has two rabbits named "Mr. Rabbit" and "Honey Bunny!!!"

LOL I can just imagine this elderly dude sitting at home in his recliner petting his two friends all the while having a conversation with them that would go sort of like this:

"So Mr. Rabbit, have you had a good day? Honey Bunny did what? No he didn't! That is horrible! Honey Bunny you should be ashamed of yourself! Come on Mr. Rabbit, lets go play outside!"

I love imagination... I think I'm losing my mind! LOL :)

Mike White's Obituary

If you haven't yet, please pray for this family and also consider sending Kelly White a love offering. I've posted a few addresses in the last article where you can send a monetary gift to help with the expenses or to send your condolences. Thank you for your consideration...

~ Aaron

Michael Kenneth White, 26, of Supply, died March 22 at his home.

He was born in Greenville, S.C., on July 20, 1982, a son of C.W. and Lynn Holcombe White of Supply. He was preceded in death by his brother, Rusty White.

He was a member of Bible Baptist Church, where served in the audio and video ministry.
Survivors in addition to his parents include his wife, Kelly L. White of the home; his daughter, Elizabeth White of the home; and a sister in-law, Rebecca White of Supply.

Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Friday, March 27 at Bible Baptist Church, 2428 Seashore Road in Supply, with Pastor Chris Swiatocho officiating. Burial will follow the service.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 26 at Bible Baptist Church.

Offer condolences and sign the guestbook at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.

Mike White's Funeral

Mike was a blessing to me while I was at Bible Baptist Church a few years ago. He was 26 years old. He has left behind a wife and a little girl. They are going to bury his body Friday at 11 AM.

I spoke with Pastor Chris and I am under the assumption that this young family had no insurance and little in savings. I hope you will consider sending an offering to help Kelly out during this time of need. I know everybody's money is tight, but if this had happened to my family I hope and pray people would step up for Sarah.

You can send funds to:

Bible Baptist Church

2428 Seashore Road

Supply, NC 28462

Please note on the memo line for Kelly White.

You can send funds directly to her at her home address along with any condolences:

Kelly White

2015 Cedar Lane

Supply NC 28462

You would want some one to step up for your family if death knocked on your door. Please consider being a blessing...

Sadly,

D. Aaron Butner

Theological Champions!

From left to right: William Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza & John Knox

(Actually I think Beza and Knox may need to be swapped... Not sure!)

I hyper-linked there names so you can read about them on wikipedia ( I know... ) and learn a little more about them. I know there can be a little bit of "confusion" concerning some of their theological stands but the fact that Mr. Theodore Beza's Greek NT translation (5th edition) was heavily used by the King's translators should soothe the minds and hearts of every KJV Bible lover out there. Enjoy!

Please Pray!

I had the awesome opportunity to work as a youth pastor at Bible Baptist Church in Supply (Holden Beach), NC a few years back. During that time I met an energetic young man name Mike White. Mike was at the church before I ever got there and had been working with the youth for some time. Mike had a troubled past but had given his heart to Christ and was trying to do good. I have not stayed in contact with Mike since my exit from BBC, but the many hours we spent together in ministry are burned in my mind and heart. We had many discussions about the Bible, life, the kids we worked with and just plain cutting up sometimes! He was my age and was good to talk to sometimes. Now we didn't always see eye to eye, and I'm sure I disappointed him sometimes but overall I would say that while I was at the church Mike and I worked and worshiped well together...

I got an email today from Preacher Chris... Mike was 26 years old. Mike passed away Sunday morning March 22nd in his sleep...

My heart is heavy for his family. He has left behind a wife a little girl and his parents. Please pray for his family and his church. This is going to be hard, but may they see Christ lifted up and exalted. It is my hope that Mike is in the presence of Jesus Christ now...

I'm here at my desk, at work, and my eyes are full of tears... Tears of sadness and pain for the family, tears of fear because death is no respector of persons (or age) and tears of joy, to imagine to leave this world with all of it's false fluff and disappointment and be in the presence of the Creator and our Savior.

Pray for Mike White's family.

I will post more as I hear...

NCAA Tourney

Ok, my lunch break is almost up but I have to let you in...

I am currently listening to the tournament (LSU vs. Butler) thanks to my computer... Do I have to turn it off??? NO!!!!!! LOL

Anyways my Final Four looks like this:

Michigan State
UCONN
Pitt
UNC

And the winner?

PITT!!!

Busy times!

Tons of things going on these days!!!

* BB&T has chosen me to start training to handle "non-performing assets!" I'm excited but it's going to eat up a good bit of my time, both in training and in execution! I begin class next week for a month... all at night, after work! My wife has been gracious enough to allow me to explore this opportunity; she's the best wife I've ever had! (And the only one I will ever have!)

Ummm...

* Sarah and I've got cake class tomorrow: The Great Finale!!! We are doing a pretty rose cake... No messing this one up folks, sorry!

* I've had a headache for two days now... Do you ever think in the back of your mind while dealing with a headache, "I'm having a stroke!" or "It's probably a tumor!"? I guess I'm just a worry wart... but you never know... HERE I GO AGAIN! The car alarm going off outside of our apartment this morning didn't help either... LOL

* I love Dt. Mt Dew... It's good, sugar-free, but SOOOO bad for me.

* I'm listening to John Piper talk about using God's name in vain. Don't make God's name EMPTY. Listen to it here.

Thank You Mr. White!

Most men are not satisfied with the permanent output of their lives. Nothing can wholly satisfy the life of Christ within his followers except the adoption of Christ’s purpose toward the world he came to redeem. Fame, pleasure and riches are but husks and ashes in contrast with the boundless and abiding joy of working with God for the fulfillment of his eternal plans. The men who are putting everything into Christ’s undertaking are getting out of life its sweetest and most priceless rewards!

(J. Campbell White, “The Layman’s Missionary Movement”)

Liar, Lunatic or Lord?

C S Lewis said it best, "Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic or Lord." This is the argument presented by Lewis in Mere Christianity (I believe a MUST read for new believers). In my studying, I scribbled down a few things that I think are worth sharing...

Either what Jesus said about Himself was true or it was the greatest lie ever fabricated!

*Today's culture is willing to tolerate Jesus, not accept Him as God, but declares Him to be a great teacher, some sort of magical peace maker and problem solver for those who need a "crutch" to get through life.

*Today's church (not all of them but alot!) is willing to declare Jesus, not as the Sovereign Lord, but a tolerating deity, equivalent to a "Roto-Rooter" plumber... if you have crap clogging up your life just call Jesus - He'll make everything flow right again.

Now here lies the problem... Jesus didn't declare Himself a "Master Teacher" (though He is!)... He exclaimed to those around Him, "I am God, I can forgive sin, I have power over death and I am in control!" The idea that Jesus is just a great teacher or rabbi is ridiculous; how can a person accept Jesus only as a teacher but not as God? The argument that Jesus was only a philosopher with some good ideas is negated by the fact that He claimed to be God as well... That would make Him a nut case not a great teacher!!!

Concerning the church's view of Christ, it is so short sighted and dangerous. False teachers and preachers portray Jesus as type of fairy god mother, limiting Christ to nothing more than a topical pain reliever; not a conqueror of the heart but a good salve for cuts and bruises we get from everyday life. There is a blatant denial of the true POWER of Jesus Christ in the church today!!!

Ok, so our culture and the church have some serious issues with WHO Jesus Christ is, but there is one more "group" that is worse than these two put together... Ok, maybe not a "group..."

The ULTRA guilty party is:

Aaron Butner

If you asked this guy if he knows Jesus Christ as Lord, Saviour, Master of the Universe and King of kings he would give an emphatic, "YES!" Ask this guy if he believes that Jesus is a great teacher, model citizen and awesome philosopher and he would nod his head. Ask him if he thinks Jesus is the only way to Heaven and eternal life and he'd wink and say, "Definitely!" Ask him to provide hard evidence of those declarations from the last 24 hours and he would stutter and stammer, searching for a good answer...

In fact MANY of us would do the same thing. We say we have a knowledge of Christ but our lives deny the truth. Sure I've read my Bible, scanned over religious material and even talked about God in the past 24 hours but if you asked me how much TV I watched or how many times I got angry over something stupid (like spilling coffee grains in the bottom of the trash can) I would (and I have!) hang my head in shame. I fail God so often and get so distracted from my calling to be the "salt of the earth." Sure the skeptics and liberal reject Christ, but like the disciples early in their following of Christ I let Him down often...

There should be such a passion for God, such a fire burning in my heart to do EVERYTHING I can to bring fame to His name. Sarah and I were talking about this last night... My prayer is that God burns into me and my wife an unquenchable desire for Jesus Christ and to bring glory to Him. May God change us for His glory and honor!

Chuck Norris Facts!

I love these! Anyways, one of my co-workers and I were just discussing it so I decided to post a few. Chuck Norris is the man with the plan! (So 80's!)

Guns don't kill people. Chuck Norris kills People.

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of animals Chuck Norris allows to live.

Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

The chief export of Chuck Norris is Pain.

There is no chin under Chuck Norris' Beard. There is only another fist.

Chuck Norris has two speeds. Walk, and Kill.

The leading causes of death in the United States are: 1. Heart Disease 2. Chuck Norris 3. Cancer.

Chuck Norris drives an ice cream truck covered in human skulls.

Chuck Norris doesn't go hunting.... CHUCK NORRIS GOES KILLING.

Chuck Norris uses pepper spray to spice up his steaks.

Lakeview Baptist Church

Woooo Hooooo!!!

Our church has gone to a different format for our website! You can see what's going on at my church and even hear my pastor preach! Ch-Ch-Check it out!

Lakeview Baptist Church

Why Parents Go Crazy

This is courtesy of my wife... Some email that has been forwarded around...

I thought it was funny.

The boss wondered why one of his most valued employees was absent but had not phoned in sick. So he dialed the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's whisper.

' Hello ?

''Is your daddy home?''

Yes, he's out in the garden ,' whispered the small voice.

'May I talk with him?'

The child whispered, ' No .'

So the boss asked, 'Well, is your Mommy there?''

Yes, she's out in the garden too...

''May I talk with her?

'Again the small voice whispered, ' No .'

Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, 'Is anybody else there?''

Yes ,' whispered the child, ' a policeman. '

Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, 'May I speak with the policeman?''

No, he's busy , ' whispered the child.

'Busy doing what?''

Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the police dog men. '

Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the background, the boss asked, 'What is that noise?''

It's a helicopter ' answered the whispering voice.

'What is going on there?' demanded the boss,now truly apprehensive.'

The search team just landed a helicopter...

''A search team?' said the boss. 'What are they searching for?'

Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle....

' ME '

Cake Class II

Here it is! No sissy clown cake for me! The clown laying in the pool of blood got "whacked" for stealing the other clown's gigs... I put "Ruth" on there as a joke; Sarah wrote Ruth on her cake... I was being a copy-cat!

LOL Some of the women in our class POURED over my cake and took photos of my master piece... I'm trying not to let it go to my head!

"Neenjas"

Clemson Wins...

Sad.

That's how I would describe this game. (Please excuse the HORRIBLE quality of the picture. I took it with my phone!) Clemson chewed up Virginia, beating them by 18 points...

Yep. Uh-huh...

I guess the best part of the game was the fact that Virginia had 3 technical fouls called on them. LOL That got the crowd on their feet, but that was about the only thing that made them cheer/boo.

Honestly though I was just happy to be at a college basketball game. It's been YEARS!!! I love college ball! :)

Oh yeah, and Duke is still ahead of Clemson: GO DUKE!

What is going on?

* My head is killing me!!! Ahhhh!!!

* Thanks to my buddy J-Wags for the ride to work on Monday! I was able to provide for my family yet once more!

* If all goes according to plan, I will have the opportunity to watch Clemson and Virignia play tonight! Wooo Hooo!!! Clemson by 12!

* Tired............ Will be VERY tired by tonight's end.......