Interesting Story

This article is an interesting one about people starting to meet in their homes for church. That by itself isn't a wrong approach for a church. The reason for doing it is paramount though- if you are doing it out of convenience or personal preference, then you are acting schismatically. However, if you do so to preserve/continue sound doctrine, then you are working in the old Christian (and Lutheran) tradition. Either way you look at it, it is an interesting article about some trends that exist in modern America.

For what it is worth, my take is most of the people are acting dangerously with "spontaneous" and self-guided approaches with little of Doctrine of the Church (or the theological history of her). I certainly would not attend a church based on those approaches or moving in their direction.

Demon Possession

There are no proscribed methods in the Bible for detecting possession (that I know of). However, I think it would probably be fairly obvious. It just isn't reported on, at least not outside of the "sci-fi" reports alongside ghosts and mangy dogs. However, this article comes from, of all places, Saudi Arabia. Apparently a Saudi man has a "jinn" (genie, or demon) possessing his son. His son is chained in the basement for his protection. It might just be a trumped up article (since I cannot confirm the truth of it). I did find it interesting a major publication carried the story at all (and numerous other places have also picked it up). If true, I hope the Gospel is preached and the demon excised.

The logic of the world

You probably saw the article on "Atheists using hair dryers to de-baptize." This is an excellent example of worldly logic and reason. Namely it is neither. The atheist is so convinced they are right, the logic of what they are doing is totally confused. See the following quote (and remember atheists don't "believe" in God, or any god(s)):

"Leading atheist Edwin Kagin blasted his fellow non-believers with the hair dryer to symbolically dry up the holy water sprinkled on their heads in days past. The styling tool was emblazoned with a label reading "Reason and Truth.""

If you don't believe in God or baptism, and you suggest God doesn't exist, why do you need to get rid of the baptism? Logically, if there is no God, there can be no baptism and no need to "de-baptize." This lays bare the real reason they believe there is no God- they wish to take His place. Mr. Kagin did get one thing right: "I was born atheist..." Everyone is. Unfortunately Mr. Kagin is blinded by sin and does not realize what he is doing. I pray God converts Mr. Kagin, and all of his "atheist" friends, so their sins would be forgiven and their eyes, and minds, opened to Truth.