101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #22 When We Do Wrong, We Are Out Of Fellowship With God

ASK STEVE MCVEY

This segment answers questions about the judgment seat of Christ, th sheep and goats, the meaning of crucifying the flesh, keeping NT commandments, tithing, whether we can lose our salvation, having faith and what it means to follow Jesus.

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #21 We Need To Continually Ask God To Forgive Our Sins

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #20 We Must Feed The New Nature And Starve The Old Nature

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #19 There Are Certain Religious Rules We Need To Keep

Weekend Fun

One of the things Melanie and I have enjoyed most since we moved to Florida three years ago has been the annual Real Music Series at Busch Gardens. Florida residents can pay for a day and go all year. Every year they have a big band series and a rock n' roll series. We've heard the Glen Miller Orchestra, Les Brown's Band of Renoun, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Herman's Hermits, The Platters, Three Dog Night and others.

This weekend we went to hear the Terry Myers Orchestra with guest, Peter Appleyard. Melanie and I have often said that we were born 25 years too late. We love this kind of music. The video below is the song "Sweet Georgia Brown" with Peter playing the vibraphone, the piano and drums. He's an amazing guy for any age, but considering he was born in 1928, he's phenomenal. He is recognized as the world's best on the vibraphone and has appeared on Johhny Carson as well as many other shows. He is a Canadian and has been playing big band music for fifty years. I hope we all have his energy when we reach his age!

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday -Lie #18 If You Resist Sin You Will Become More Godly

Your Father's Heart

As revealed through these verses, all taken from the book of Isaiah.

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #17 God Wants To Give You What You Need

Grace Walk In Haiti

Craig Snyder, Director For Grace Walk Missions, and Darvin Eason, a good friend who is also very passionate about the grace walk were in Haiti last week. Craig spoke several times in a pastor's conference there. Over the years he and Darvin have been going there, God has raised up Julio Jean Gilles as a strong voice for the grace walk message there. This video is a short word from Julio. Pray for the people of Haiti and pray that the message will continue to spread among the people.

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #16 God Expects You To Do Your Best

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #15 Christ Wants To Have First Place In Your Life

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #14 You Need To Try Hard To Please God

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #13 Your Greatest Responsibility Is To Serve God

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #12 Grace Can Lead To A Careless Attitude Toward Sin

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #11 Grace Is A Very Important Doctrine

My Roots

I grew up on this type of music. Does anybody else remember a TV program that came on Sunday mornings called "Gospel Jubilee?" We listened to it every week as we got dressed for church. Various quartets sang each week. For years I didn't like this type of music, but now it appeals to me in a nostalgic sort of way.

An Entertaining Movie & An Inspiring Book

As many know, Melanie and I are real movie buffs. We saw one we really enjoyed this past week. "The Bucket List" was a refreshing change to the hedonistic bias found in many contemporary films.

Corporate billionaire Edward Cole, played by Jack Nicholson and working class mechanic Carter Chambers, played by Morgan Freeman, have nothing in common except for their terminal illnesses. While sharing a hospital room together, they decide to leave it and do all the things they have ever wanted to do before they die according to the bucket list they've made together- the list of things they want to do before they kick the bucket.

The movie is entertaining as they visit places like the Himalayas, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Majal, and other exotic locations. They even visit a tattoo parlor. The underlying theme is that we should live each day with gusto, as if it might be our last.

One positive aspect of the movie was the contrast made between Freeman's character and the role played by Nicholson. Carter (Freeman) is a man who loves his family and openly embraces his faith. Edward (Nicholson) is a rich hedonist. The movie makes it clear that, in the end, what matters is family and faith, not money and self-gratification. One scene even has Carter saying the blessing as he lovingly enjoys a meal with his family while Edward is in a room crying, despite the fact that there are two beautiful women there with him.

My favorite scene is when Edward accomplishes one of his items on the list - to kiss the most beautiful girl in the world. I won't spoil it by telling about it. If you see the movie, you'll get it.

There's some bad language in it at times, so you probably won't ever see the film at church, but I thought it had a strong, positive message and enjoyed seeing it. In fact, I thought the story had a strong element of redemption in it.

On the reading front, I've been reading a good book by John Wood called Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur's Odyssey to Educate the World's Children . Since beginning to explore the best way to help people in Swaziland, I've been interested in reading about how others are helping people around the world. Wood is a remarkable man. He left an upper level position with Microsoft after he vacationed in Nepal and found himself being stirred to help the children there. He soon returned home, resigned his position at Microsoft and founded Room To Read, an organization that has done remarkable things in a short time.

In the three years since then, Room to Read has established 300 school libraries, built 25 schools, donated more than 140,000 books, set up 11 computer rooms, and awarded 100 scholarships to fund the education of young girls. Most of this work has taken place in Nepal, but Room to Read is also building schools and libraries in Vietnam, and there are plans to expand into Cambodia and India.

If you want to be inspired and motivated by the realization that one person can make a difference in changing the lives of many, this book is a good read.

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #10 You Can Go Too Far With Grace

ASK STEVE MCVEY

Answering your emails online...

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #9 The Christian Life Is All Of Him And None Of Me

Here's an official notice :) I've had numerous requests about posting this video blog content on other sites and blogs. Of course, I'd be happy for anybody to link to these videos or even embed them on your site. In response to questions about me having this content in written form, I don't. I do plan to write a book using the "101 Lies..." title so I'm not comfortable with giving permission for others to transcribe the videos and use them in print. I'm assuming everybody will understand my position on this. In other words, this post hereby notifies all who see these videos that the contents are copyrighted and can't be transcribed and used.

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #8 The Holy Spirit Convicts Unbelievers of Their Sins

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #7 The Answer To A Weak Christian Commitment Is To Rededicate Yourself

Running For Swaziland

Our daughter, Amy, ran the 26.2 mile marathon at Disney World today. We were all thrilled for her to cross the finish line feeling tired, but otherwise in good shape. She has had a stomach virus for the past few days and we were all concerned about her trying to run the race having not fully regained her strength. The longest distance she had run before today was twenty miles.

Amy called her run "Miracle In The Marathon" (scroll down to see her explanation in another blog beneath this one). She had commitments from friends to donate money to the impoverished nation of Swaziland for every mile she ran. By completing the race she was able to raise a thousand dollars!

Two significant moments happened as she ran. The first was around eight miles into the run when she began to feel dizzy and weak. She was surprised to feel so bad that early in the run and began to pray, "Lord, do I need to stop or keeping going? I don't want to faint along the way, but don't want to give up either." Just as she was praying a stranger on the sidelines called out to her (seeing her name on the bib that had her number on it) and said, "Keep going, Amy! You can make it!" That was all the answer she needed.

The second incident was around twenty miles when she began to feel weak again. She was just thinking about having not eaten much in the past days because of being sick and thinking that she needed to have eaten more carbs. At that moment, another runner came along beside her and said, "Do you need some sugar?" "Yes, as a matter of fact I do!" Amy answered. So the stranger shared something sweet with Amy to give her the boost she needed. She said she felt fine for the rest of the run.

She finished the race well. Her family was there to celebrate her victory and we are all proud of her. Most important is the fact that the people in Swaziland she wanted to bless will see the love of God more clearly because of her run.

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #6 Your Greatest Need Is To Love God More

ASK STEVE MCVEY

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101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #5 Our Sins Are Under The Blood Of Jesus

Lie #4 Becoming A Christian Means Having Your Sins Forgiven

Miracle In The Marathon

Our daughter, Amy, has had a burden for missons since she was a little girl. When Melanie and I came back from Swaziland and Amy heard the report we gave of our time there, the Lord really touched her heart. She wrote the note below about the marathon she will run this weekend in Orlando to raise money for the children in the village of Mafutseni. I'm really proud of her. (The picture above is Amy and Melanie approaching the finish line at at 5k race they ran together a few months ago.)

Amy writes:

When I first began to hear what was going on in Swaziland I knew immediately I was meant to help and I began to pray. Each day this village and these children began to consume my thoughts.

After a week I found myself becoming angry. I went to God and asked "Why in the world would you even let me know about this when you know I can’t do anything about it? Dad can travel all over the world and back. Other people can give financially. I’m a homemaker with 3 small children, and no money. I can’t hug them I can’t give them money, encouragement, nothing! Why would you give me all these desires when you know I can’t do anything.”

Then the Lord told me, “You can’t but I can through you.” I remembered a conversation my dad had told me about when the council in Swaziland met about the state of the people, the children, and the village. After the discussion, several of the chief’s council were wiping tears from their eyes and one man stated, “unless a miracle happens we will not survive.”

With that lingering in my mind Miracle in the Marathon was born. I began training for a marathon in July and taking sponsors for my run. I have never run a marathon before so I’m really nervous. One hundred percent of the profits will go to the children in this village. So I want to give you the opportunity to give.

I’ve had donations both great and small. The most touching donation I’ve had so far was from my daughter. She overheard me on the phone discussing the children in Swaziland and went upstairs to her room and emptied her piggy bank and came to me with 35 cents in nickels and pennies and asked, “Will this help them mama.” It made me think of the story in Mark 12:41-44:

41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

What a precious gift. This is exactly what I hope will happen, that people will become moved to help whether you have hundreds to give or thirty five cents. How awesome to be partakers in his divine nature. Please be part of making this miracle happen.

Running in Faith,
Amy Harvison

Helping The People In Swaziland

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This audio was recorded when I was with Nelson Vilikati, the Director for The Voice of The Church in Swaziland. Please keep praying with me that we can make a difference in the lives of the people there during 2008.

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #3 When You Became A Christian, God Changed Your Life

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #2 A Christian Is Just a Sinner Saved By Grace

Ask Steve McVey

Answering your questions online . . .

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Sunday - Lie #1 Salvation Is You Giving Your Life To Christ

I will address the 101 Lies on this video blog in no particular order of importance. I would like to hear the religious lies that you've heard during your life. Email me with those lies at info@gracewalk.org. Lies bind you, but the Truth will set you free!

101 Lies Taught In Church Every Week

This video explains the plan. I will upload new videos as often as I possibly can.

Email the lies you've heard taught to: info@gracewalk.org

Steve Harvey Introduces Christ

Wow, check this out. It's great to see somebody of Steve Harvey's stature speak of Christ this way, as opposed to the disrespect so many entertainers display these days.

New Years Eve in Hilton Head

Melanie and I are in Hilton Head, South Carolina where we spent New Year's Eve. Al and Carol Hanson have been friends for several years and asked us to stay aboard their boat, Dare To Dream. We were also with Roger and Jan Dean and Curtis and Regina Stewart. We met the Stewarts this week, but have also been friends with the Deans for a lot of years.

We came on Saturday afternoon and will drive back to Florida today. On Monday we went from Hilton Head to Beaufort, SC down the Beaufort River. It was great to be on the water again. Melanie and I have always loved being on and around the water.

We had a great dinner and saw the New Year come in together last night. The only negative to living in Florida is not being able to see our friends and family from Georgia more often.

On a downside, Melanie stepped backward from the stateroom into the galley on Sunday night as we were going to bed. She didn't realize she was so close to a 10-12 inch drop off between the two rooms. When she stepped off, her foot hit the wrong way and broke two bones. We were at the Hilton Head emergency room until 2:30 in the morning. She'll need to see an orthopedic doctor when we get home to make sure she doesn't need surgery. Her grace walk has become a grace limp on crutches for the past few days.

I hope you and your family have a great New Year's Day and pray that 2008 will be a grace filled year for you!

These are a few pictures I took at Hilton Head: