Wal-Mart...

The other night out of mere curiosity I watched CNBC's documentary called "The New Age of Wal-Mart." The show intrigued me very much and got me to ask numerous questions about different things. The link below is a clip of the documentary that CNBC has done on Wal-Mart and the entire program will be aired again the first of October.

The New Age of Walmart ? Preview - CNBC.com

A few of the complaints that interested me the most are as follows and below each quote I've added my thoughts on each issue.

"If Wal-Mart moves in then it kills off the little guy."

-Sure, if a new company moves into town then it does make for more competition. In competition someone does loose, but why take aim at the winner? Don't forget, Wal-Mart started out as the little guy.

"Wal-Mart doesn't pay their employees enough to live on."

-If your job isn't paying enough for you to survive on then ask for a raise or find a different job. The documentary even shows that Wal-Mart offers the standard pay rate that any other retail store would offer.

"Wal-Mart is killing the American economy by selling product made from foreign factories by people who are basically treated like slaves."

-Tell me what major company that's in business that doesn't sell foreign made products? As for the workers in the factories, the documentary shows that Wal-Mart is pushing and expecting better working environments for those employees. And don't forget that those factories are not owned by Wal-Mart. They are owned by those that sell merchandise to Wal-Mart. It should be the governments of those countries that should do a better job of enforcing the labor laws. Yet, Wal-Mart is using some of its major power to work toward reform in that matter. Should it be done faster or better? Whose to say, but at least they are doing something about it.

"Employees wanting Wal-Mart to unionize."

-This is very interesting because an amount of Wal-Mart employees are wanting to bring the union in for better pay and benefits. I guess the union is good and does work for the people, but what if Wal-Mart then decides to just move all of its stores out of the United States? Where would our economy be then? The documentary shows that Wal-Mart is now thriving world wide and at some point will have more stores in China then they do here in the states. If Wal-Mart left the USA because of the union then would those mom and pop stores be able to provide enough income and benefits for a family to survive?

All in all I thought the program was very interesting and worth my time. I've realized that Wal-Mart can and is a hot topic with a lot of people. The worlds largest retailer is providing jobs for about 250 people per store if I remember correctly. Wal-Mart has over 4,000 stores nationwide; that's a lot of jobs. Like it or not, Wal-Mart is a major force in our economy. I don't or have ever worked for Wal-Mart, but I do know people that have or do. It's basically like anything else, some like it while others don't. My family does and will continue to shop there, after all it's a one stop shopping trip. We need stuff, they provide it and at usually a low price. It's simple supply and demand.

In Christ Alone,

Mr. V.

Being A Teen Again...

The thought of being a teenager again has crossed my mind over the last couple of weeks. The reasons for the thought are 1. teaching youth again and 2. having another birthday. Just to go ahead and clear the air, there is no way I would want to go back and become a teenager again.

Sunday morning in class we talked about trusting others and the fear of the unknown. I'm still young enough to remember what they are talking about when they make those claims, even though they might not think so. Some are concerned over boyfriend/girlfriend issues, others are worried about tests and homework or athletics. Then there are some that are worried with bigger things, like wondering if their parents will be home when they get there or if mom and dad are fighting again. These are all issues that happen everywhere, even small towns like the one I live in. Yet, it almost seems as though these issues will never be approached or spoken too. They will continue to go on until the youth either moves out or goes away to college. Then, depending on the issue those same concerns will be left for a younger sibling to be worried with; not to mention what the adults in the home are putting each other through.

I then begin to wonder, "where does the church come into all of this?" Some of these kids have been involved in the church in some form or fashion for a period of time, yet as I mentioned above, nothing is done. So where does the church define the line of getting involved in the life of a young person? Is it just offering them a cool place to come and hang out in hopes that something the teacher or preacher says sticks? If so, then what's the point? Even the public school system has a better plan then that. Speaking of the public school system, I would dare say the church looks more like it then the other way around, but that is a topic for another day. I would also say that it doesn't take offering the kid food or a cool place to hang out in order for them to show up or even open up and talk. All it really takes is to ask them. Teens love to talk about all different kinds of issues. They just don't want to be approached as children. I've come to realize that people will react to expectations. If you expect a child to be hard working and caring, most of the time they will be. All people want to be given truth and no one wants to feel talked down to. If a young person knows that you are serious about what's going on with them and you want to share truth with them, regardless how hard it may seem, they will respond. The question should really be, "Are we prepared for what they might say?" Are we as adults prepared for the unknown of the life of some teenager?

So, there is no way I would want to go back and be a teenager again. And my reasons have nothing really to do with the above. I've lived those years for a God given reason and purpose. That purpose was to prepare me for the work that He has for me. That work being to worship Him and to lead my family in a Christ like manner and I wouldn't trade those for anything.

In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.

Dr. Mohler on being Baptist...

From time to time I will pick up the book entitled, "Why I Am A Baptist" edited by Tom J. Nettles and Russell D. Moore so that I can read what individuals have to say about being a Baptist. On this occasion it was Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. that I came across. Dr. Mohler is probably the face of the Southern Baptist Convention right now. He is the President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky; the flagship school of the SBC. SBTS is one of the largest seminaries in the world and even in these tough economical times the school continues to grow and thrive. I truly enjoy reading and listening to Dr. Mohler because of his knowledge for church history and his desire to be known for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. I thank God for what He is doing through Dr. Mohler and the rest of the leadership at SBTS.

I have pulled the following from Dr. Mohler's article in the book. This information and a little more about Dr. Mohler can be found on pages 58-64 of "Why I Am A Baptist" edited by Tom J. Nettles and Russell D. Moore. I hope the following give us Baptists a little more understanding on why we are Baptist.

THE INTEGRITY OF THE GOSPEL

Baptists are gospel people. We cherish the gospel of Jesus Christ as the means of salvation to all who believe. We know that there is salvation in the name of Jesus and in no other name. Sinners come to Christ by faith, and are justified by faith alone. Grace is our theme and the gospel of Jesus Christ is our message. As the 1644 London Confession stated: "The tenders of the absolutely necessary, any qualifications, preparations, terrors of the Law, or preceding ministry of the Law, but only and alone the naked soul, as a sinner and ungodly to receive Christ, as crucified, dead, and buried, and risen again, being made a Prince and a Savior for such sinners."
Believer's baptism is essential to our understanding of the gospel, for it is our public profession of faith in Christ. It underscores the necessity of personal confession of Christ as Savior and Lord, and denies any faith by proxy. Our rejection of infant baptism is rooted in the clear and normative New Testament witness to the baptism of believers by immersion. But we are also chastened by the knowledge that millions of persons, baptized as infants, consider themselves Christians while never confessing Christ as Savior. I am a Baptist because we defend the integrity of the gospel.

THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE

Every denomination operates under some concept of spiritual authority, however vague or unbiblical it may be. Baptists often describe their churches as "spiritual democracies." This is a true statement, but it can be dangerously misunderstood. Christ rules in his church, and he rules through his Word.
The Bible, and the Bible alone, hold ultimate authority in a Baptist congregation. The Second London Confession of Faith (1677) put the issue plainly: "The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own Glory, man's salvation, Faith and Life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture; unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new Revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men."
Baptist congregationalism is an exercise in bringing ourselves under submission to the Word of God--not in exercising our own authority in the place of Scripture.

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

Congregationalism is more than a system of church polity; it is the Baptist vision of the visible church as revealed in the New Testament. The core of congregationalism is the affirmation of our responsibility, under the lordship of Christ and the authority of Scripture, to come together as believers under a covenant of faithfulness to Christ. No one is a Baptist alone.
Seeking to define the church, the New Hampshire Confession of Faith (1833) states that a visible church is a "congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word." Every word of this definition is essential to the New Testament vision of the church.
In a Baptist congregation, every believer is in covenant with brothers and sisters in Christ. Believer's baptism by immersion, faithfully following the example and instruction of our Lord, is the sign of that covenant, and is prerequisite to membership. We are a congregation of believer priests, serving the Lord in the preaching of the Word, the observation of the ordinances, discipline in accord with God's laws, and the proclamation of the gospel.
I cannot reconcile any other form of church government with the New Testament. Believer's baptism is so central and essential to our understanding of the church that we can see no church without this ordinance and can recognize no other baptism as true baptism. We came by our name honestly.
Baptist by family heritage, I am a Baptist by conviction. With thankfulness to God, I claim this heritage as my own and pray that the Baptists of this generation will stand in faithful obedience before God. By God's grace, this is why I am a Baptist. -Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr.

In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.

Acts 12, Peter Imprisoned...

I was just doing one of my favorite things to do and that's flip through the book of Acts until I find what seems to be a good starting point and there I begin reading. I enjoy the book tremendously because it details the early church on how they operated. I love reading about Paul's conversion and how Stephen was chosen to serve, but in this particular reading I came across what I think to be one of the coolest things in the book.

In the twelfth chapter of the book of Acts it is speaking of the death of James and Peter being put into prison. In verse four King Herod puts Peter into prison and orders four squads of soldiers to guard him. Verse five speaks of earnest prayer made to God by the church for Peter and then verse six, which is what I think is the coolest takes place. The night after Passover King Herod was to bring forth Peter from prison and give him to the people. Basically, the King was going to kill Peter for the entertainment of himself and the Jews.

Anyways, verse six tells us that Peter was bound with chains and sleeping! How crazy is that!? Peter, knowing that in a very short time he could be put to death, is asleep in his cell. Peter was solely relying on God in that situation. He knew whatever happened it would be for the glory of God and he was fine with that. How often are we in situations that don't even come close to the one Peter was in and we go straight into panic mode trying to figure out what "I" have to do in order to fix the problem?

Finally, in verse seven an angel of the Lord appears next to him in the prison cell. And even with the light coming from the angel Peter doesn't budge, he keeps on snoozing!! The verse goes on to say that the angel had to strike Peter on the side in order to wake him. Again, facing possible death, Peter gets a good nights rest. Verse nine tells us that Peter thought he was dreaming the entire event until he got down the street. When he realized that it wasn't a dream he automatically gave praise to the Lord for sending the angel to save him. Peter then went to the house of Mary and testified of what the Lord had done for him.

How great is our God that He takes care of us in all matters of life and He gives us the faith and trust to rely on Him in what seems to be the worst of times. And as Peter shows us, when we love God we can't help but to praise Him in all things as well as testify to those around us for what He has done.

In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.