A few days ago I saw the intro to the season nine finale of the ABC show Modern Family the youngest cast member on the show Joe (played by Jeremy Maguire) reacted, when his mother sneezed while cutting his hair leaving him with a bad haircut; this caused him to proclaim “my hair is my identity!” The surprised and disappointed look on his face was priceless. But it brings to mind a bigger and deeper question. A question that has haunted countless people. The question is simple but daunting for many: “Who am I?”
What’s your identity?
Men, generally speaking, are notorious for going through a midlife crisis. Maybe it’s an affair, a Corvette Stingray or some other life altering decision to do something that goes against their normal course of behavior. Why do so many men (and women too) go through such struggles? The problem is not necessarily facing one’s own mortality, though that may play a role, the problem is much deeper. How you identify yourself will affect not only the decisions you make but how you cope with life’s struggles and sadness. Try this. Fill in the blank: I am a/an _______________.
What was your answer? Did you write your occupation? Did you write something related to your personality? Maybe you mentioned your role in your family. How you completed that sentence indicates where or in what you find your identity.
Why is your answer so important?
If you listed your occupation in the blank then you must ask yourself: “what happens when I’m no longer in that occupation?” What happens when the pink slip is handed to you, the company downsize dissolves your position or you simply reach the finish line and retire? For many people the result is depression and despair. You experience a feeling of loss, your sense of direction and purpose in life is gone. If your answer was a spouse or parent; what do you do if your spouse leaves you or passes away? What if, and God forbid, that you have to bury your child?
The Answer
When you place your identity in temporal things despair is never far away. Whether your identity is in your job, your car, your possessions, your conquest, your job, your family, or your hair (which, by the way, will one day turn gray or loose), the end is always around the corner and what will you do when the end arrives? The Apostle Paul, when speaking of enduring hardships, pointed to the hope we can have when persecution and peril engulfs us. His words are simple, powerful and true: “So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18). If you want to avoid the identity crisis that’s around the corner, identify yourself with the only thing that is truly permanent; the eternal God who loves you so much He gave you the greatest gift you will ever hope to receive. When you trust Christ as Savior “not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Rom. 8:38-39)
There’s many paths offering satisfaction, peace, fulfillment and meaning; but if Christianity is true (and there is overwhelming evidence that it is) there’s only one way that you can go to find the life that brings ultimate meaning and purpose. Jesus said; “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10). If you choose to give your life to Christ – to identify yourself as His – you will still face struggles and sadness but your identity will stay intact as you rest in your identity as a child of God.
You can become a child of God by admitting you’re a sinner, believing Jesus was who He said He was, and placing your trust in Christ as Savior. By giving your life to Christ you will receive God’s gift of salvation (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9, 13). If you do make this decision let me know about it on FB or Twitter.
If you have enjoyed this blog please like it and share it with your friends and family.
Dr. Brady Blevins is the senior apologist at Watchman Fellowship and assistant dean of the Graduate Theology School at Arlington Baptist University. Follow him on Twitter: @bradyblevins and/or Facebook: facebook.com/brady.blevins1
I’m thrilled to announce my latest book, What the Qur’an Really Teaches About Jesus. For a limited time, I’m offering signed copies of the book. Watch this 5-minute video to learn more.
Why This Book?
In just 10 years, Islam has grown by 160% in the US. Internationally, Islam is quickly become the geopolitical issue of our generation. When it comes to Islamic terrorism, I am convinced that there is no military or political fix. Our only lasting hope for Muslims is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The worlds two largest religions, however, remain deeply divided over the identity of history’s most important person. Jesus himself asked the striking question, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15). The Qur’an affirms that Jesus was a prophet and was born of a virgin.
The Qur’an, however, denies essential biblical truth about Jesus:
Jesus is the Son of God
Jesus died on the cross
Jesus rose from the dead
Jesus is God in the flesh
My book is designed to give everything you need to start a positive gospel conversation with a Muslim friend, neighbor or coworker.
I have also included interviews with three former Muslims who became Christians. They tell incredible stories of their spiritual journeys. You will also learn the most important truths that their Christian friends shared with them and how those truths made all the difference.
UPGRADE to the Islam Debate Set: Book plus DVDs
I am asking for a donation of $25 or more* for a signed copy of my book. You may also upgrade your order to include the signed book and the DVD Debate Set including my two debates with Khalil Meek of the Muslim Legal Fund of America, PLUS the bonus DVD Understanding Islam for a donation of $45* or more. Click here to learn more or order: www.watchman.org/DebateSet.
Thank you for you prayer and financial support that makes our ministry of evangelism and apologetics possible.
*This offer ends Nov. 30, 2018. Free shipping is included (USA only). International donors are encouraged to purchase the book through Amazon.com.
There is an auditory phenomenon sweeping the internet right now. Similar to the dress photo from a couple of years ago that sent everyone into a frenzy. This year it is not an optical illusion but an auditory…illusion (for lack of a better word).
What do you hear when the word “laurel” is played audibly? Some hear the word “laurel” as you would expect; but others hear “yanny.” I have listened to the word “laurel” at varying frequencies and heard both words. But does that mean that both are true? My daughter and I debated this on the way to school the other day. Her conclusion was insightful when she said, “dad it doesn’t matter what you hear the word is laurel!”
While this is really fascinating to me; it makes me wonder about how we “hear” truth. Is what we perceive or experience more important than what we know as truth?
Our culture has taught us that you can have your truth and I can have mine. Is that really accurate? Does that work in the “real” world? Can you imagine trying that with the police officer the next time you get pulled over for speeding? Give it a try and see how far “your truth” will get you.
Think about this, we are often confronted with competing “truths” when it comes to spiritual things. So, should we trust our experience or perception? Or should we dig deeper past our emotions to discover the answer to the burning question: what is truth? Pontius Pilate famously asked Jesus this same question moments before condemning Jesus to the cross(John 18:38). It seems today that Pilate’s question remains a difficult one. Truth is defined as that which corresponds or is in accordance with reality. In other words, is the concept, idea or thing in question verifiable? Does truth exist or do we live in a post-truth world? We don’t live in a post-truth world. Oprah, at the Gold Globes, said that “your truth is the most powerful tool we all have” Uh, no! Oprah is wrong. There’s no such thing as your truth; just like there’s no such thing as my truth. Truth is absolute and is not affected by our thoughts, experiences, feelings, or anything else. Truth is unchanging. Truth is discovered not decided. Truth is the same today as it was thousands of years ago and will be thousands of years from now. The reality of the world we live in proves to us each day that our perception or experience, although powerful and often convincing, is not a clear indicator of the truthfulness of something. The equation 2+2=4 is a true expression. It will always be true even if I feel or think that it is not true; and even if I did think the equation was false I would be wrong not the equation.
Have you ever disagreed with someone? You can feel like you’re right but that doesn’t make you right. In Romans 1:19-20, Paul clearly writes that God’s existence is clearly seen in the world we live in yet many people disagree.
Think about it from another aspect. Many of my Mormon friends tell me about an experience they have had answering the challenge in Moroni 10:4 of praying and asking God for a sign the Book of Mormon is true. While their experience was certainly real; does it make the experience true? Just because we experience or perceive something to be true, does that make it true? So, we are left with the burning question:
What is truth?
Jesus identified that the Word of God is truth (John 17:7). How can we know if God’s Word really is truth? It goes back to our definition of truth: does it correspond with reality? Let’s consider this for a moment.
Scientific evidence points towards the universe coming from nothing – the Bible says God created ex nihlo (out of nothing)
History has confirmed the events recorded in Scripture.
Archeology has consistently confirmed the Bible.
Nearly 6,000 Greek New Testament manuscripts has allowed scholars to confirm all but 40 lines of the New Testament.
Fulfilled prophecy throughout the Bible shows the trustworthiness.
The list could go on but I think you get the point. While none of these points singularly make the case, the cumulative case is overwhelming – the Bible passes the test.
How can we use this latest hot topic to teach our children? Ask your children: “Is there an objective truth in the laurel/yanny debate?” How can we know which word it is? In this case it is quite simple; but what about the areas of life that really matter? What about God’s existence? What about the trustworthiness of the Bible? How can we determine what is truth? Use this to challenge your children to dig deeper to find the real, unchanging and absolute truth. I have found the unchanging Word of God to be truth, just as Jesus proclaimed; but don’t take my word for it – discover it for yourself.
Brady Blevins is the senior apologist at Watchman Fellowship and assistant dean of the Graduate Theology School at Arlington Baptist University. Follow him on Twitter: @bradyblevins
WACO, TEXAS — 25-years ago 4 ATF agents were tragically killed in the line of duty and over 80 Branch Davidians along with their prophet, David Koresh died in a horrific fire. Our ministry was able to help the family of one Branch Davidian, Robert Scott, escape from Koresh before the fire. Watch my interview with Robert, who is now a Christian. We also are offering two free books plus a bonus video.
SPECIAL OFFER: Two Free Books and Bonus Video
Robert’s parents, Ken and Alice Scott, never gave up on rescuing their son from the dangerous influence of David Koresh. My staff worked countess hours with Robert’s family helping them to understand the beliefs of the Branch Davidians and the incredible control David Koresh exerted over his followers. Fortunately, the Lord blessed and Robert broke free. His messiah is now the Lord Jesus Christ not David Koresh.
Alice Scott made a decision to publish everything she had learned through this experience and use it as a blessing. She told their story in her book, The Incredible Power of Cults, specifically to help others whose children or loved ones were trapped by spiritual abuse in a false religion. Last year, Robert Scott also wrote his autobiography, A Branch on Fire, including his life experiences and the critical lessons he learned in Waco at the Branch Davidian compound under David Koresh. I would like you to have both books for free!
I would like to mail you a free copy of The Incredible Power of Cults by Alice Scott (currently $30 on Amazon.com) and send you a link to read the digital edition of Robert Scott’s book. Both books are free. All we ask is a donation of at least $3.84 to help with postage.1 Any tax-deductible donation above that will be greatly appreciated. We can really use your support and I hope you will be as generous as possible. The bottom line, however, is that I don’t want finances to keep you from owning these books. That’s why we are giving them away. Just click here to request your two books and bonus video: www.watchman.org/waco.
BONUS VIDEO: My Interview with a Current Branch Davidian
Did you know that there are still Branch Davidians who believe David Koresh is their Messiah who will soon return to earth? With your books, I would like to include a link to watch a bonus video. I was able to interview a surviving Branch Davidian and burn victim, Clive Doyle, while in Waco last month at the Branch Davidian chapel.
Mr. Doyle was one of the few Davidians who managed to escape the burning building 25 years ago. Although his daughter was killed and he was badly burned that day, he still believes that David Koresh was sent by God and will physically return to earth along with all the Davidians who died in the fire. I conducted a lengthy interview with Mr. Doyle to find out his version of what really happened 25 years ago. I wanted to know after all that, how he can still believe in Koresh.
I will include a link for you to watch my interview with Clive Doyle in its entirety. Just request both books and the bonus interview using the enclosed reply form or online at www.watchman.org/waco.
After checkout, please check your email for instant access to the bonus video and both books in digital format. Then, allow 10 to 14 days for shipping to receive your paperback copy of The Incredible Power of Cults.
Thank you for your prayer and financial support! Your gift helps us to share the true gospel of Jesus Christ with those of other faiths!
1Due to postage and customs restrictions, the paperback book, The Incredible Power of Cults, is shipped to US residents only. International donors will only receive instant access to the digital editions of both books plus a link to watch the bonus video. This offer ends May 30, 2018.
There are just 4 days left to make your year-end donation to help support our staff and ministry. Year-end giving for us is huge as it can literally make or break us. That’s why I am asking for your help right now. If you can make a tax-deductible donation (any amount) by Dec. 31, I would like to say thanks by sending you my two-hour debate with Mormon Elder Joseph Evans on DVD.1 Our debate topic, Is Mormonism Christian?, offers a fantastic learning experience and great witnessing tool (just watch the 5-minute preview above).
As much as a third of our total support for the year is received in December but with just days to go and time running out, we still need over $71,000 to reach our budget and fully enable our ministry going forward in 2018.
Our staff and their families trust in the Lord’s provisions and rely on the generous donations of partners like you to advance our ministry of apologetics, research, teaching, and evangelism. Would you please stop and pray for us right now?
If you have recently given a gift to support this work, THANK YOU for partnering with us to reach the lost in other faiths and religions. If you have not yet made a 2018 year-end gift, would you please consider a tax-deductible donation right now?
The Debate – Is Mormonism Christian?
By far, this has been the most popular DVD we have ever produced. Joseph Evans, the regional head of the Mormon Seminary system and LDS Institutes on local university campuses, has been my friend for ten years. Our public debate pulled no punches. You will see that it was even tense at times but it was always very respectful. Believe it or not, Joe and I have continued our friendship even after this debate. I would like to put this DVD in your hands as a tool to help educate and equip you, your family and friends.
Do You Know a Mormon? This is also a great witnessing tool to give to your Mormon friend or neighbor. Usually Mormons are reluctant to watch a “biased” Christian video about their church. But this DVD is totally different because both sides are presented in a fair, timed debate. I have been surprised by the number of Mormons, including Mormon missionaries, who were genuinely curious about the debate. Many were more than willing to watch the video and give me some feedback.
Instantly Watch the DVD on your Smartphone?
Please allow 10-14 days for your DVD to ship (USA only1) but you can actually start watching it immediately. After you donate online, just check your receipt email for a link and password to register your DVD. Once registered, you will be able to instantly stream the two-hour debate to your computer, smartphone or tablet.
All you have to do is respond before midnight, December 31 with a tax-deducible donation (any amount). Please note that the DVD itself is free and $3.82 of your donation will help cover the postage. Any gift beyond that will enable us to finish the year in the black and have a strong start in 2018. Regardless of the amount, 100% of your donation is tax-deductible in the US. Your prayer support and financial gifts make our ministry possible. We are extremely grateful!
We hope you enjoyed a joyous Christmas and will have a blessed new year in 2018.
1Offer ends midnight December 31, 2017 and is valid in the USA only. Due to shipping restrictions, international donors will only receive a link and password to stream the two-hour debate video to their computer, smartphone and tablets. USA donors receive both the instant streaming link and password plus the DVD shipped by USPS (Please allow 10-14 days for delivery).
After the August meeting of the Atheist Christian Book Club I interviewed our co-founder, Bill Kluck, about what we have been able to accomplish over our first five months and what we can expect to learn from from the book we will discuss on September 1, 2017, Nailed.
This is NOT a coincidence! You will love watching my interview with Jaron Fowles, a returned Mormon missionary, on main street in Manti, Utah. I met Jaron exactly three years earlier at that same intersection. Watch what happened next.
When I first met Jaron in 2014, he told me he was about to leave on his Mormon mission and he had been assigned to the Texas, Fort Worth Mission. In God’s providence, he was placed in an apartment within walking distance of my home.
Although I am an ex-Mormon, Jaron had the courage to call my cell when he arrived in Texas. That call was the beginning of a great friendship that lasted throughout his two-year mission and beyond. He is still a believing Mormon but he says he now has questions about Mormonism that have “rocked me to my knees.” Jaron and his brother just drove 4-hours round-trip to meet me in Manti, Utah for this interview. Please watch and let me know what you think.
THANKS to each of you who prayed for our 2017 Utah Mission trip and for those of you who gave financial support to our ministry. You literally make ministry like our 2017 Utah Mission Trip possible. Please take a few minutes to watch the 10-min. video interview and to pray for Jaron. I also want say a special “thank you” to all 30 of our 2017 Utah missionaries who gave of their time and finances this summer to reach Mormons with the true gospel of Christ.
QUESTION: What advice or encouragement would you give Jaron today? Let me know and I’ll pass it on to Jaron. I’m sure that he will be thrilled to know you are praying for him. (Privacy Note: I will not share your name or email address!)
Great news! We have received the remaining support needed to fund our 2017 Mission to Utah. Thank you for your prayers and donations that made this possible. Watchman staff Renae Storms and Brady Blevins are already in Utah right now leading our Week #1 team. We have already seen God move! Just watch this 74-second video report: www.watchman.org/Utah1
Salvation by Grace: Even before our training was completed, we already have a report of one salvation. There were some great gospel conversations on the plane going out. We are also hearing of fantastic spiritual discussions, opportunities to build some new friendships and share the true gospel of grace with a number of Mormons.
Prayer Request: I am asking for prayer right now! The real focus of the mission trip starts as our team joins with many other Christian missionaries in Manti, Utah, site of the Mormon Miracle Pageant. Each summer, tens of thousands of Mormons attend this is a huge outdoor drama with a cast of hundreds, powerful music, and special effects. The drama reenacts Joseph Smith’s “First Vision,” his claims to be a prophet of God, and many events written in the Book of Mormon. For about three hours leading up to the pageant, we will be starting gospel conversations with the gathering crowd.
We have 31 missionaries — our largest team ever! We have had to break up into two groups. Renae Storms, Brady Blevins, and Brian Harbeck are leading this weeks team. I will be leading week two along with Bob Stewart and Ken Taylor. Most of that team will be students from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
All of us covet your prayers. We are all there to build relationships and share the Good News not to prove our point or win arguments. I know that we will never see eternal results by trusting in our own abilities. That is why I am asking you to take just a moment to pray that the Lord will work in a mighty way in Utah these two weeks — all to HIS glory. Thank you!
You will love this free book! As a former Mormon myself, I rarely discover a book that more clearly lays out the differences between Mormonism and biblical faith. At the same time, here is a book that goes beyond the facts to tell a story of personal transformation. As I read it, I was vividly reminded of every feeling and emotion that I experienced during my own transition from Mormonism to Christianity. Get it here: www.watchman.org/FreeBook
Here in Vol. II, Carma Naylor once again strikes that perfect balance between exposing the errors of Mormon doctrine and providing a vivid description all of the emotions and tension that resulted from her discovery. She invites her readers along for an incredibly personal journey through the desperate drama that came with losing her religion followed by unexpected joy upon discovering the grace of Christ. I know you will want this book and I would like to give you a free copy.1 Why?
31 Reasons Why Am I Giving You This Book
Our 2017 Utah Mission trip is just weeks away. We are poised to have our largest team ever (31 missionaries) and have expanded our outreach to two weeks. With time running out, however, we are still $10,372now just $5,996 short of having the funds to cover all 31 missionaries for food, airfare, accommodations, etc. All 31 have:
Volunteered their time
Applied and completed their paperwork
Received an endorsement from their pastor
Raised at least part of their travel expenses
I want no missionary left behind! I want to see all 31 missionaries in Utah sharing the gospel. They are the 31 reasons I want to raise awareness with this free book. Would you consider helping?
I am very thankful for each of you who have already donated to help send one or more missionaries. If you have not done so yet and want to help send a missionary, here is your chance. Any tax-deductible donation above the cost of postage will help send one of our team members to the mission field.2
If you only want to cover postage, however, please don’t hesitate to claim your copy. I don’t want the cost to prevent you from enjoying your own copy of this valuable resource.
Okay, what is the catch? Here is the fine print. We do ask for a donation of at least $3.81 to help cover the postage. We do have a limit of one free book per household. This offer is valid in the USA only* and the offer ends Friday, June 30 at midnight.
Last year we offered Vol. I of Carma’s story and shipped hundreds of free copies. I received tons of positive feedback with many asking how they can get Vol. II. I’m pleased to announce that it is finally available. If you did not get a copy book one last year, don’t worry. Vol. II begins with a brief synopsis of part one of Carma’s story so you can catch up. You really don’t need to read her first book to fully enjoy Vol. II.
Not only will you enjoy reading Carma’s story, this book also makes a great gift to share with a Latter-day Saint to help introduce them to the biblical gospel of grace.
Do you know any Mormons — a coworker, neighbor, or family member?
Have you ever had the Mormon Missionaries knock at your door?
If you answered yes, you will want to be prepared to be a witness when the Lord give you an opportunity. This book is a great way to be “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) to a Mormon friend.
1This offer ends 6/30/17 at midnight. * Limit one free book per household * This offer is valid in USA only. The high cost of international shipping, insurance, and customs regulations prevents us from shipping this book to other countries. We appreciate all of our international friends, prayer partners, and supporters. We suggest they order the book from Amazon.com in either Kindle or paperback: A Mormon’s Unexpected Journey, Vol. II by Carma Naylor.
2 Your donation is tax-deductible in the USA. If we are able to receive funding above and beyond the expenses of our 2017 Utah Mission trip, some of these funds may be applied to other Watchman Fellowship mission trips, educational resources, training and evangelism projects.
I’ve had a crazy response from the email I sent offering our 4-page Profile on The Shack. Over 1,000 people have already downloaded our Profile and I’ve had tons of feedback and shares. With this much buzz, I thought it would be helpful to offer another free resource — this sermon I preached on the book, The Shack.
All Roads Lead Where? Seeking God at The Shack
I shared this message live at Colonial Baptist Church in Cary, NC for my friend Pastor Stephen Davey. It was carried worldwide on the Wisdom for the Heart radio network. Feel free to listen to this sermon and share it with others. We have included the PowerPoint that you may watch along with the audio.
We also added some eye-opening video. Please play close attention when watching the two video clips we included from CBC TV’s The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos interviewing The Shack author William P. Young. Once you watch the interview, I think you will understand the source of much of the controversy.
In case you missed my email, The Shack movie just opened last weekend in theaters worldwide. It is based on the controversial book, self-published in 2007, by a heretofore unknown author, William P. Young. The book, which had been rejected by traditional Christian publishers, shocked the publishing world by jumping to #1 on the NY Times bestsellers list in 2008. The movie is being heavily promoted now in many Christian churches. The movie is poised to be a blockbuster but you will want to know that there are some serious theological problems.
I want you to be prepared. That’s why I sent our 4-page Profile on the book, The Shack. If you didn’t get it yet, you may still download that 4-page Profile for FREE here: www.watchman.org/Shack.pdf.
If the movie previews are any indicator, the film will be repeating some of the same doctrinal errors promoted in the book. Among other problems, The Shack misidentifies the Persons of the Trinity, hinting at the heresy of Modalism and promotes a form of Universalism (everyone eventually goes to heaven) called Universal Reconciliation. Dr. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said:
This book includes undiluted heresy. … It is a deeply troubling book. … It is intended, undoubtedly, as a way of trying to bring about some kind of redefinition or new understanding of the Christian faith. … The main character says at one point that he now understands that everything he learned at seminary was basically all wrong.
Please read the Profile to get a better idea of what is at stake. Also, I want you to feel free to share this with others either by emailing the link or printing copies.
Thank You for your Prayers and support!
We are an evangelical Christian apologetics ministry focusing on reaching people of other faiths and religions with the true gospel of the grace of Jesus Christ. Thank you for enabling us to continue through your prayers and financial support.
