There are as one old preacher put it, speculators , spectators, agitators, gravitates but what the church needs is Faithfulness. Why go to church is one of the questions being asked by not just the people outside the church but many inside the church and especially young people. I could make this a short article with one smooth stroke of the pen and just give you the verse that answers the question and move on. Hebrews 10:25, "Forsake no the assembling of yourselves together as the manner of some is but so much more as you see the day approaching."
That could be faithfully interpreted that the local "ecclesia" the church is a meeting place for people of faith and that with the approaching return of Jesus for His bride we should be in the church faithfully worshipping , studying and praying more than ever before. I have some to understand that it is not as much a conviction as it used to be . The importance is gone. The seriousness with which the verse speaks of the return of Christ soon is not there. You know by now after reading some of my articles I enjoy humor and this subject reminds me of the little girl who had listened for what seemed like an eternity to her as the preacher was preaching and she turned to her mother and said, "if we give him our money now will he let us go". Church has become one of the things that is not high on the priority list of many believers. At least if you go out and ask people do you believe in Jesus and have you accepted Christ they would answer in the affirmative but when you ask them do they have a church where they regularly attend church that is a different story.
Is faithful involvement in church that Big a Deal? It is if you want to obey the Bible. It is if you want to do as the early church did and meet regularly to learn , study and worship. It is if you want to make friends with other believers. It is if you want to have spiritual needs prayed over and a place to unload the cares of this world. It is if you have a Pastor you can share your heart with and let them pray for you. It is if you want to teach your children the Bible and have them grow up learning the truth of the Bible and teach them how to live and make godly decisions. It is if you want to do what God says, "Forsake not the privilege to assemble together…."
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
What does a Christian home look like?
A Christian Home is important. A Christian home can be a single-parent Christian home. It can be a home where Mom and Dad are both facilitating the growth and maturity of their children. The Christian home today has many challenges, however. The culture alone causes the homes of our country function unlike any home of 25 or 30 years ago. Every culture comes along with its new challenges. I'm sure that the homes of 25 or 30 years ago were like nothing the 1920’s and 1930’s families had ever seen.
The fact is, either our homes change our world, or the world changes our homes.
The wonderful news is there is always hope. The bad news is Satan never stops trying to do whatever he can to destroy the Christian Home. Then there are homes where the name of Christ is mentioned infrequently if at all. I remember an old saying that really does work. “A family that prays together stays together”. “A family that worships together is more likely to stay together.” “A family that reads the Bible stays together.” The homes of our city and county are worth more value than we see being placed on them.
One of the problems is that we parents today are either not getting our children trained or we are simply failing to step up to the plate and take responsibility for our roles as parents. I realize there are times children can become unruly even children from God fearing homes and you may want to pull your hair out but there is no quit in parenting. One tired mother opened the front door to her home to find a young minister from the neighborhood who said, “I’m collecting donations for the new children’s home we’re building. I hope you will give what you can.”. “To be sure “ said the beleaguered woman, “I’ll give you two boys, two girls or one of each”. While that may be a little humorous it is not far from the truth. Children every day are abandoned, abused and neglected.
I remember in college hearing a speaker make a statement I found hard to believe at the time. It was during the cold war and he said the communist had a motto, “Give me a child until he is one to five years of age and he will be a communist the rest of his or her life." If the communists can have that much effect on a child’s life, I know a Godly mom and dad and the power of the life-changing Christ can change the hearts of children to want to know Christ. I find it true more and more. The children that are in Sunday School, Church, Sunday night choir, Wednesday activities at the church are the ones who come earlier than others realizing they need to accept Christ as their Savior.
What does a Christian Home look like? One that honors God and loves him with all their heart, soul and spirit.
The fact is, either our homes change our world, or the world changes our homes.
The wonderful news is there is always hope. The bad news is Satan never stops trying to do whatever he can to destroy the Christian Home. Then there are homes where the name of Christ is mentioned infrequently if at all. I remember an old saying that really does work. “A family that prays together stays together”. “A family that worships together is more likely to stay together.” “A family that reads the Bible stays together.” The homes of our city and county are worth more value than we see being placed on them.
One of the problems is that we parents today are either not getting our children trained or we are simply failing to step up to the plate and take responsibility for our roles as parents. I realize there are times children can become unruly even children from God fearing homes and you may want to pull your hair out but there is no quit in parenting. One tired mother opened the front door to her home to find a young minister from the neighborhood who said, “I’m collecting donations for the new children’s home we’re building. I hope you will give what you can.”. “To be sure “ said the beleaguered woman, “I’ll give you two boys, two girls or one of each”. While that may be a little humorous it is not far from the truth. Children every day are abandoned, abused and neglected.
I remember in college hearing a speaker make a statement I found hard to believe at the time. It was during the cold war and he said the communist had a motto, “Give me a child until he is one to five years of age and he will be a communist the rest of his or her life." If the communists can have that much effect on a child’s life, I know a Godly mom and dad and the power of the life-changing Christ can change the hearts of children to want to know Christ. I find it true more and more. The children that are in Sunday School, Church, Sunday night choir, Wednesday activities at the church are the ones who come earlier than others realizing they need to accept Christ as their Savior.
What does a Christian Home look like? One that honors God and loves him with all their heart, soul and spirit.
Monday, April 7, 2008
It's Been a While!
It sure has been a while since we last spoke, or I blogged and you read my writings, “Oh you know what I mean”. It seems like forever ago. I sat down in my office at my computer and I have some time that I haven’t had in about six months. It really seems weird or different somehow because it feels like I’ve been on a trip and have just returned. It feels like I went to sleep and woke up and now I’m back in reality. It really feels strange. I love my daughter Melissa and our son in law Josh so much . They are the ones that must feel like they have been in a cave somewhere and all of a sudden walked out and here we are again. Savannah our granddaughter… what can I say about her? She is super fantastic in every way, what a blessing to have her in our lives. I just like to look at her and stare; watch her every movement and then just enjoy her affection to “Pap Paw.” She can have anything she wants!!! (Right now, anyway!)When I wake up from this last six months I am thankful for my wonderful church family. No one has been as gracious as you have. Some of you have done nothing, you thought, but by just being there you have helped us cope. Some people don’t understand if they are not here on Sunday I actually do miss them . I physically look in every way I can to find out why they were not here. Sadly, when I look at pictures some people are not here any longer and that makes me hurt on the inside. They are loved, you are loved but maybe something has gotten in the way. It’s been a while but I will be checking and trying to locate out missing persons in our fellowship. Our teachers are and should be doing that, our Deacons are and should be doing that. Our staff is, and should be doing that. And I know I have to delegate but I miss some of our people and when you love your church it is difficult to see one missing. I know what is happening, someone says, “It’s been so long. My presence doesn’t matter”. It matters for my benefit and yours. You get blessed by the word and music and I get blessed by having the opportunity to minister to you and see you and hug you and let you know you are special. Just because you are you.
Wow! Time flies. The Scripture has it right: it moves fast James 4:14. I was talking with someone the other day and they said they would be 50 this year and I thought, “I’m 50 and will be 51 in July.” Wow! Now I know some of you don’t believe that because I don’t look it…..Careful, I can see and hear you in there. Yet I don’t feel 50 or 51 for that matter. I feel like I am about 40 or about to turn 40. So it must be true the new 50 is the old 40. I look in the mirror though and things change. I say to myself, “You’re 50”. I told Karen and you may have heard me say it, I want to totally enjoy the next 20 years until that age that everyone talks about even the Bible talks about: 70. I pray I get there if the Upper-Taker doesn’t come first but I hope I make it as far as God want s to use me for Him. I want to be found faithful until He says your time is up. Did you hear about the lady in a boat, the other day cruising on the water and all of a sudden a stingray jumped out of the water and hit her and killed her instantly upon the force of impact? That might happen one in a billion times. Yet it obviously was her time to leave this world.
Enjoy today! Let God’s promise of I will never leave you or forsake you be your fuel that keeps you going. He is faithful and He will be a faithful companion all the way til the “stingray” comes or whatever it is He is faithful. It is only that I know what I know that has sustained me through such great hours of pain, anger, disappointment, disillusionment, tears, why, and all the other. Life is very short. For our precious Victoria Leigh Wilhoit it was less than six months, who knows how long it will be for you or me or a special friend or a loved one or the next person you meet? I was driving down the road the other day and a man’s picture advertising his business is located on a bill board. Several days earlier I recognized him as the man on the billboard but this time hi picture was in the obituary. His picture is still up on the billboard but he isn’t here. I talk a good talk about this enjoying every moment and being happy but I must admit it is hard at times still. I haven’t arrived I guess is what I am saying. But I do know the answer and in fact my devotional thought I was reading this morning was exactly what I am dealing with. It talked about to find contentment is to find Intimacy with God. I can fight against trusting Him by self sufficiency, anger, fear or what ever it might be but the bottom line is we need intimacy with God and the more I love Him and the more I place my trust in Him the more I am able to heal.
It’s been a while, but hopefully I’m back to writing, sharing, and encouraging you (and me!) along the way. God Bless and have a great day!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Stand Up for Jesus
Over the weekend at the Emmy Awards, so-called and self-proclaimed comedian Kathy Griffin, receiving a Emmy trophy, began to lambaste and take the opportunity in front of a national audience to say some disrespectful, degrading things about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let it be known at the outset here that Jesus doesn't need for me or anyone else to stand up for Him. He is perfectly capable of standing on His own but the reason I am firing back and outraged is because, were her comments changed to say anything about Mohammed, or Allah or Hinduism or Buddha. The reason why she didn't speak of any of them in particular is there would be a riot and cars would be set ablaze, people would be hurt or killed, death warrants sworn out for the perpetrator. But when it comes to Christianity it is an easy target because we preach Christ and Him crucified and resurrected and the only one who can forgive sin.
It should be pointed out Kathy Griffin is a former Catholic and from what I understand even some Catholics are not happy with her tirade. The fact of the matter she is not going to make one iota of difference in who Christ is, the truth of Christ for salvation or the reason we worship on Sunday. But I am a believer and if someone uses God's name in vain it offends me. If they use it around my wife or children I let them know I don't appreciate it. If someone uses language that should never had been allowed on television 25 years ago, then it is time to speak up. The time has come for the "redeemed of the Lord to say so". In our wonderful country she is allowed to say anything almost that she wants. I am allowed to refute her ranting as hate speech and disgusting just as much however.
She has referred to Jesus as dead so He would not do anything about her ranting anyway in past comments. She has referred to Christians believing in fairy tales, but so do children she says. The point of all this is that in some twisted way Kathy Griffin thinks this will revive or bolster her career.
Here is what Kathy Griffin said without the specific wording that is offensive and slang and something that we do not use in our everyday language at our house. Upon receiving the Emmy and holding it in her hand she said: "I guess hell froze over. A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. So, all I can say is, s*** it Jesus. This award is my god now," she concluded. Earlier this year she described herself as a "complete militant atheist." In June she was quoted in a homosexual magazine as saying, "If you don't believe in God, even though you don't try to inflict your atheism on anyone, people get furious. And yet we have to listen to everybody's God this and Jesus that. I'm sorry it bothers you that I don't believe in God. I don't care what you believe in. Whatever."
To be quite honest in America she can say what ever she likes even if it were vulgar and rancid. I am more concerned for her soul than I am about making a point that I am offended. I am not sitting in a corner crying because someone has attacked the Lord. They have been doing that for thousands of years now. My point is had it been any other so called religion we would have had riots and bedlam in the streets.
The Kathy Griffins of this world will always be there. I am concerned with Christians carrying their Bible and living godly and not giving the unbelieving world an opportunity to see a double standard or double talk in the Christians life. We have for too long sat back and are taking it as it comes and thinking, "well I'm going to Heaven no need in getting so engrossed in all this". I am writing this article on Sunday morning and no doubt there will be Christians sitting at home this morning or working in the yard or just using Sunday the Lord's Day as their day. No wonder when the car doesn't leave the driveway the neighbors wonder whether we believe what we say we believe or not.
This is not going to change the fact that Jesus is the Lord and Savior and He is returning soon, real soon. But it does mean I am going to speak up, stand up and rise up when my Lord is attacked. God help me never to be like Peter at the betrayal, at the crucifixion and be silent and say that I don't even know the man.
Let it be known at the outset here that Jesus doesn't need for me or anyone else to stand up for Him. He is perfectly capable of standing on His own but the reason I am firing back and outraged is because, were her comments changed to say anything about Mohammed, or Allah or Hinduism or Buddha. The reason why she didn't speak of any of them in particular is there would be a riot and cars would be set ablaze, people would be hurt or killed, death warrants sworn out for the perpetrator. But when it comes to Christianity it is an easy target because we preach Christ and Him crucified and resurrected and the only one who can forgive sin.
It should be pointed out Kathy Griffin is a former Catholic and from what I understand even some Catholics are not happy with her tirade. The fact of the matter she is not going to make one iota of difference in who Christ is, the truth of Christ for salvation or the reason we worship on Sunday. But I am a believer and if someone uses God's name in vain it offends me. If they use it around my wife or children I let them know I don't appreciate it. If someone uses language that should never had been allowed on television 25 years ago, then it is time to speak up. The time has come for the "redeemed of the Lord to say so". In our wonderful country she is allowed to say anything almost that she wants. I am allowed to refute her ranting as hate speech and disgusting just as much however.
She has referred to Jesus as dead so He would not do anything about her ranting anyway in past comments. She has referred to Christians believing in fairy tales, but so do children she says. The point of all this is that in some twisted way Kathy Griffin thinks this will revive or bolster her career.
Here is what Kathy Griffin said without the specific wording that is offensive and slang and something that we do not use in our everyday language at our house. Upon receiving the Emmy and holding it in her hand she said: "I guess hell froze over. A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. So, all I can say is, s*** it Jesus. This award is my god now," she concluded. Earlier this year she described herself as a "complete militant atheist." In June she was quoted in a homosexual magazine as saying, "If you don't believe in God, even though you don't try to inflict your atheism on anyone, people get furious. And yet we have to listen to everybody's God this and Jesus that. I'm sorry it bothers you that I don't believe in God. I don't care what you believe in. Whatever."
To be quite honest in America she can say what ever she likes even if it were vulgar and rancid. I am more concerned for her soul than I am about making a point that I am offended. I am not sitting in a corner crying because someone has attacked the Lord. They have been doing that for thousands of years now. My point is had it been any other so called religion we would have had riots and bedlam in the streets.
The Kathy Griffins of this world will always be there. I am concerned with Christians carrying their Bible and living godly and not giving the unbelieving world an opportunity to see a double standard or double talk in the Christians life. We have for too long sat back and are taking it as it comes and thinking, "well I'm going to Heaven no need in getting so engrossed in all this". I am writing this article on Sunday morning and no doubt there will be Christians sitting at home this morning or working in the yard or just using Sunday the Lord's Day as their day. No wonder when the car doesn't leave the driveway the neighbors wonder whether we believe what we say we believe or not.
This is not going to change the fact that Jesus is the Lord and Savior and He is returning soon, real soon. But it does mean I am going to speak up, stand up and rise up when my Lord is attacked. God help me never to be like Peter at the betrayal, at the crucifixion and be silent and say that I don't even know the man.
Live to Be 100
It is very rare that someone lives to be a 100 or more but there are a small percentage of our populace that have graced the century mark. I would hope that if God gave me the grace to live that long I would be able to fend for myself at least, that would be my prayer. The other side of the equation is no one is going to live life as we know it forever.
There is coming an end to this life and each person will live forever somewhere -- II Cor. 5:8. We work at living longer and longer. We take medicines and vitamins and exercise more and more to gain a few more days of life. I don't know about you but the thot of being with the Lord and not having the things of this world to bring us down is sounding better all the time. However, it is a thing only the Lord knows regarding our time to live and our time to die -- Hebrews 9:27.
An irate subscriber stormed into a newspaper office waving the current edition, asking to see "whomever wrote the obituary column." When referred to a young reporter, he yelled, "You can see I am very much alive, and you've put me in the obituary column. I demand a retraction."
Replied the reporter, "I never retract a story. But I tell you what I'll do. I'll put you in the birth column tomorrow and give you a fresh start."
The only fresh start that we as believers can ever hope to receive is the new life found in Jesus. Even then there are times in this world that we are drug down with so many encumbrances it is difficult to continue on at breakneck speed.
When a grandmother was in her late eighties she decided to move to Israel. As part of the preparations she went to see the doctor and he gave her a clean bill of health and all her charts. The doctor asked her how she was doing, so she gave him a litany of complaints, this hurts, that's stiff, I'm tired, slower, etc.. He responded, "Mrs. Siegel you have to expect things to start deteriorating. After all, who wants to live to be 100?" The grandmother looked him straight in the eye and replied, "Anyone who's 99."
There is coming an end to this life and each person will live forever somewhere -- II Cor. 5:8. We work at living longer and longer. We take medicines and vitamins and exercise more and more to gain a few more days of life. I don't know about you but the thot of being with the Lord and not having the things of this world to bring us down is sounding better all the time. However, it is a thing only the Lord knows regarding our time to live and our time to die -- Hebrews 9:27.
An irate subscriber stormed into a newspaper office waving the current edition, asking to see "whomever wrote the obituary column." When referred to a young reporter, he yelled, "You can see I am very much alive, and you've put me in the obituary column. I demand a retraction."
Replied the reporter, "I never retract a story. But I tell you what I'll do. I'll put you in the birth column tomorrow and give you a fresh start."
The only fresh start that we as believers can ever hope to receive is the new life found in Jesus. Even then there are times in this world that we are drug down with so many encumbrances it is difficult to continue on at breakneck speed.
When a grandmother was in her late eighties she decided to move to Israel. As part of the preparations she went to see the doctor and he gave her a clean bill of health and all her charts. The doctor asked her how she was doing, so she gave him a litany of complaints, this hurts, that's stiff, I'm tired, slower, etc.. He responded, "Mrs. Siegel you have to expect things to start deteriorating. After all, who wants to live to be 100?" The grandmother looked him straight in the eye and replied, "Anyone who's 99."
Questions to Ponder
It seems like forever since I have communicated a devotional thot with you and so I must ask you to forgive me for not doing so. It has been rather busy for several weeks in a row that I have put other things in front of my daily devotional thot. But come to thinking of it, none of you even emailed to say you missed it, so, if you did, you need to let me know and if you didn't, my email receipts will tell the story. Anyway, enough of that. I have been thinking about questions. Some people ask a lot of questions about life, about things that happen in a person's life and much more. Here are a few to consider:
* When an agnostic dies does he go to The Great Perhaps?
* Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called "rush hour"?
* Do you think David Copperfield has ever locked his keys in his car?
* Can atheists get insurance for acts of God?
* If a #2 pencil is the most popular why is it still #2?
* Isn't it strange that people who laugh at fortune tellers play the lottery?
* If Practice makes perfect, and nobody's perfect, why practice?
* Why is there always one in every crowd?
* If all the world is a stage, where does the audience sit?
* How do you know when it is time to tune bagpipes?
Just a few questions that make for deep thinking. Sort of the way the Bible says that people outside of faith in Christ think we are foolish. The word foolishness in the passage in Corinthians is the Greek word "moros" where we get our English word 'Moron". So the world thinks we are morons for believing and confessing Christ and believing all we do about the Bible and it's truths. But I have always wondered like the question I posed above, how do atheists claim acts of God and claim there is no God.
Have you ever wondered what will be placed on your head stone? Some of us have already made it clear to our families what we want to be placed there. Some are still thinking about it or don't want to think about it. It really doesn't matter but we all are going to face that fate one day. We are born, we live and we die. Unfortunately that is the facts as they really are. Reminds me of the woman who meant to call a record store, but dialed the wrong number and got a private residence instead. "Do you have "Eyes of Blue" and "A Love Supreme" the lady asked the person on the phone. "Well no," answered the puzzled homeowner. "But I have a wife and eleven children." "Is that a record?" she asked, all puzzled herself. "I don't think so," replied the man, "But it's as close as I want to get."
Some people will miss Heaven by 18 inches. From the Head to the Heart. Atheists can't believe in God because their head says no. Their heart probably says something different, but in most cases we will never really know.
* When an agnostic dies does he go to The Great Perhaps?
* Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called "rush hour"?
* Do you think David Copperfield has ever locked his keys in his car?
* Can atheists get insurance for acts of God?
* If a #2 pencil is the most popular why is it still #2?
* Isn't it strange that people who laugh at fortune tellers play the lottery?
* If Practice makes perfect, and nobody's perfect, why practice?
* Why is there always one in every crowd?
* If all the world is a stage, where does the audience sit?
* How do you know when it is time to tune bagpipes?
Just a few questions that make for deep thinking. Sort of the way the Bible says that people outside of faith in Christ think we are foolish. The word foolishness in the passage in Corinthians is the Greek word "moros" where we get our English word 'Moron". So the world thinks we are morons for believing and confessing Christ and believing all we do about the Bible and it's truths. But I have always wondered like the question I posed above, how do atheists claim acts of God and claim there is no God.
Have you ever wondered what will be placed on your head stone? Some of us have already made it clear to our families what we want to be placed there. Some are still thinking about it or don't want to think about it. It really doesn't matter but we all are going to face that fate one day. We are born, we live and we die. Unfortunately that is the facts as they really are. Reminds me of the woman who meant to call a record store, but dialed the wrong number and got a private residence instead. "Do you have "Eyes of Blue" and "A Love Supreme" the lady asked the person on the phone. "Well no," answered the puzzled homeowner. "But I have a wife and eleven children." "Is that a record?" she asked, all puzzled herself. "I don't think so," replied the man, "But it's as close as I want to get."
Some people will miss Heaven by 18 inches. From the Head to the Heart. Atheists can't believe in God because their head says no. Their heart probably says something different, but in most cases we will never really know.
Are You Ready for Some Football?
I am sure you are well aware by now that I enjoy watching college football. The rivalries and the atmosphere of cheering for your favorite college team is second to none. I have always loved any kind of football even the NFL but the outrageous salaries and the off field shenanigans has made it not what it used to be for me anyway. There are some "purists" still playing in the NFL but so many are attracted to the fame, attention and money. While College is still somewhat protected it is good to see young people disciplining themselves and preparing their bodies to out muscle out wit or out score their opponent ultimately to be the best they can be.
It is unique how so many people get so involved in a football game and forget some of their actions are questionable at times. Compare football, even college football to the excuses you hear why people don't come to church. For example:
· Every time you go they ask you for money.
· The people who sat near and around you weren't that friendly and you hardly knew them.
· The seats were too hard and not very comfortable.
· The coach never came by to speak to me.
· The referee made some decision I could not agree with.
· I was sitting with some hypocrites- they came only to see what others were wearing to the game.
· Some games went into overtime, and I was late getting home.
· The games are scheduled when I want to do other things.
· My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.
· Since I read this book on sports, I feel I could coach as good as those coaches we have.
· I don't want to take my children, because I want them to choose for themselves what sport they like best.
· The parking was awful… I had to walk six blocks to the stadium.
· Nobody came up and introduced himself to me …very impersonal, and too loud.
· It's always too loud and people are always standing up and not letting me see the game.
· It's always too hot or too cold in the stadium.
Should I keep going or does that about say it all? What if we took on our church responsibilities as serious, the same way we attend and root for our favorite team, hobby or other activities we are involved in. I spoke to the Youth last night and challenged them to be sold out to Christ and live a dedicated, consecrated, all out Christ like life. We have lowered our standard of living to accommodate and go along and get along to get many times more numbers and I'm all about reaching more, but not at the cost of consecrated living.
Jesus didn't prick His finger and have blood drawn for our sins, He went all out because He loved us that much. What drives us to our consecrated living, "Love for Jesus."
It is unique how so many people get so involved in a football game and forget some of their actions are questionable at times. Compare football, even college football to the excuses you hear why people don't come to church. For example:
· Every time you go they ask you for money.
· The people who sat near and around you weren't that friendly and you hardly knew them.
· The seats were too hard and not very comfortable.
· The coach never came by to speak to me.
· The referee made some decision I could not agree with.
· I was sitting with some hypocrites- they came only to see what others were wearing to the game.
· Some games went into overtime, and I was late getting home.
· The games are scheduled when I want to do other things.
· My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.
· Since I read this book on sports, I feel I could coach as good as those coaches we have.
· I don't want to take my children, because I want them to choose for themselves what sport they like best.
· The parking was awful… I had to walk six blocks to the stadium.
· Nobody came up and introduced himself to me …very impersonal, and too loud.
· It's always too loud and people are always standing up and not letting me see the game.
· It's always too hot or too cold in the stadium.
Should I keep going or does that about say it all? What if we took on our church responsibilities as serious, the same way we attend and root for our favorite team, hobby or other activities we are involved in. I spoke to the Youth last night and challenged them to be sold out to Christ and live a dedicated, consecrated, all out Christ like life. We have lowered our standard of living to accommodate and go along and get along to get many times more numbers and I'm all about reaching more, but not at the cost of consecrated living.
Jesus didn't prick His finger and have blood drawn for our sins, He went all out because He loved us that much. What drives us to our consecrated living, "Love for Jesus."
What Matters Most of All
I have been amazed and excited about our church for some time now. I am amazed that we have seen a growth of some 400 people over the course of the last three years. I have been even more amazed at the offering growth almost twice what it was three years ago. Without harping or ranting and raving about attendance or giving people have seen, I hope the pure motives within the church and the staff that we have assimilated to the point we understand we all have one commission and one calling to enlarge the Kingdom of God. When I think of 400 plus people coming over the past four years it is simply a God thing. It really boils down to how much we care. Do we care enough or could we care even more and no telling what might God entrust us with?
For example, on a routine visit to a busy Bellevue Hospital. A charity case if you will. A drunken homeless man had slit his throat and died. Then came the visit to the morgue by the Pastor. The derelicts name was misspelled on the hospital form, But then what good is a name when the guy' s a bum. The age was also incorrect. He was 38 not 39 and looked twice that. Somebody might have remarked, "What a shame for one so young," but no one did. Because no one cared.
The details of what had happened in the predawn of that chilly winter morning in New York were fuzzy. The nurse probably shrugged it off. They had seen thousands and were sure to thousands more.
His health was gone and he was starving. He had been found lying in a heap, bleeding from a deep gash in his throat. His forehead was badly bruised and he was semiconscious. A doctor used black sewing thread to suture the wound. Then the man was dumped in a paddy wagon and dropped off at Bellevue Hospital where he languished and died. But nobody really cared.
A friend seeking him was directed to the local morgue. There among dozens of other nameless corpses he was identified. When they scraped together his belongings, they found a ragged, dirty coat with .38 cents in the pockets and a scrap of paper in the other. All his earthly goods. Enough coins for another night in the clubs and five words, "Dear friends and gentle hearts." Almost like the words of a song, some one may have thought.
Which would have been correct, for once years ago this man had written the songs literally made the whole world sing. Songs like, "Camptown Races", "Oh Susanna", "Beautiful Dreamer", " Jeanie with the light brown hair," "Old folks at Home," "My Old Kentucky Home," and two hundred more that have become deeply rooted in our rich American heritage. Thanks to Stephen Collins Foster. The question is do we care enough to show hospitality to strangers. I said it yesterday and I'll say it again, "The world does not care how much we know until they know how much we care."
For example, on a routine visit to a busy Bellevue Hospital. A charity case if you will. A drunken homeless man had slit his throat and died. Then came the visit to the morgue by the Pastor. The derelicts name was misspelled on the hospital form, But then what good is a name when the guy' s a bum. The age was also incorrect. He was 38 not 39 and looked twice that. Somebody might have remarked, "What a shame for one so young," but no one did. Because no one cared.
The details of what had happened in the predawn of that chilly winter morning in New York were fuzzy. The nurse probably shrugged it off. They had seen thousands and were sure to thousands more.
His health was gone and he was starving. He had been found lying in a heap, bleeding from a deep gash in his throat. His forehead was badly bruised and he was semiconscious. A doctor used black sewing thread to suture the wound. Then the man was dumped in a paddy wagon and dropped off at Bellevue Hospital where he languished and died. But nobody really cared.
A friend seeking him was directed to the local morgue. There among dozens of other nameless corpses he was identified. When they scraped together his belongings, they found a ragged, dirty coat with .38 cents in the pockets and a scrap of paper in the other. All his earthly goods. Enough coins for another night in the clubs and five words, "Dear friends and gentle hearts." Almost like the words of a song, some one may have thought.
Which would have been correct, for once years ago this man had written the songs literally made the whole world sing. Songs like, "Camptown Races", "Oh Susanna", "Beautiful Dreamer", " Jeanie with the light brown hair," "Old folks at Home," "My Old Kentucky Home," and two hundred more that have become deeply rooted in our rich American heritage. Thanks to Stephen Collins Foster. The question is do we care enough to show hospitality to strangers. I said it yesterday and I'll say it again, "The world does not care how much we know until they know how much we care."
Changing the Culture
I was watching Larry King Live on CNN the other evening and heard Bill Maher talk of his beliefs and total disregard for religion, as he called it. He went on to talk about a documentary that will be coming out next Easter dispelling the so called truth of Religion. The documentary traveled to all the religious hot spots, Vatican city, Jerusalem and the Dome of the Rock where Mohammed is purported to have flown off into Heaven. I am sure he covered Baptists and Bible believers because he went on to speak how no one can know where they are going or what will happen after they die. He looked at Larry King and said, "I don't know what happens when I die and no one else does either."
This used to be a non issue. Yes, there have been people who have always questioned the truth of the Bible and the existence of God but there is a platform now like never before. There is the internet, television, radio, talk shows, pundits and skeptics and lifestyle groups who are determined to not let anyone challenge their right to do and think and challenge even our right to disagree with them by making Christians appear foolish and ignorant. They have the monetary resources to get their message out. Believers have the proof of lives changed.
There need not be fear in the camp because someone dares to call our faith a hoax and our belief false and phony. The greatest defense for our Faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world is changed lives. Perhaps that is why the culture is shouting so loud to be heard is because there is not enough change agents in the world. Are we making a difference or are we simply maintaining our position and not reproducing our selves in others as the Great Commission states we should be doing. We are too weak in our fervency to stand for our faith. Leon Walters said, "Lord, give the determination and the tenacity of a weed".
My prayer: "God give us faithful, bold and conscientious believers who not only have eternal life but know how to live their lives so that others will want what they have because it is so life changing, they are drawn to Christ". We need plumbers, engineers, construction workers, business men and women, doctors, lawyers, Pastors, dentist, truck drivers, stay at home moms, computer scientists, factory workers and grocery store workers who are committed to sharing their faith to change the world.
Remember this as you face this week and all of its challenges, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
This used to be a non issue. Yes, there have been people who have always questioned the truth of the Bible and the existence of God but there is a platform now like never before. There is the internet, television, radio, talk shows, pundits and skeptics and lifestyle groups who are determined to not let anyone challenge their right to do and think and challenge even our right to disagree with them by making Christians appear foolish and ignorant. They have the monetary resources to get their message out. Believers have the proof of lives changed.
There need not be fear in the camp because someone dares to call our faith a hoax and our belief false and phony. The greatest defense for our Faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world is changed lives. Perhaps that is why the culture is shouting so loud to be heard is because there is not enough change agents in the world. Are we making a difference or are we simply maintaining our position and not reproducing our selves in others as the Great Commission states we should be doing. We are too weak in our fervency to stand for our faith. Leon Walters said, "Lord, give the determination and the tenacity of a weed".
My prayer: "God give us faithful, bold and conscientious believers who not only have eternal life but know how to live their lives so that others will want what they have because it is so life changing, they are drawn to Christ". We need plumbers, engineers, construction workers, business men and women, doctors, lawyers, Pastors, dentist, truck drivers, stay at home moms, computer scientists, factory workers and grocery store workers who are committed to sharing their faith to change the world.
Remember this as you face this week and all of its challenges, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
Cool in the Desert
Boy, has it been hot lately.
Now if you know me then you know I enjoy the warm weather but do not like the cold weather. Each person has his or her favorites. Of course we all would love it to be spring or fall year round but that is not likely to happen. There has also been a lot of talk about Global warming and that we are entering a critical phase and it is in our hands to control. While it may be true we are depleting our air and oxygen supplies with gas fumes, I am not personally convinced we are about to see the earth go into oblivion just yet. I understand however that just as much as anything else in the Bible we should take care of and keep it the best we can, this creation God has blessed us with.
Sometimes we are like the two guys who meet in the middle of the desert. One was carrying a car door, and the other an umbrella. The one with the car door said to the guy with the umbrella, "Why are you carrying that umbrella around, it isn't going to rain in the desert?" To which the guy with the umbrella replies, "Yeah", but it keeps me out of the sun! By the way, why are you carrying around that car door, you don't even have a car to go with it". The guy with the car door days, "Yeah, well at least if I get too hot from the sun I can just roll down the window!"
Anger is a deadly character trait.
Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Fret not in any way to do evil.
Proverbs 14:17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly.
Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty.
James says be swift to hear and slow to be angry.
Keeping our cool is not always easy. For some of us the nagging thing that we have to continually work on just like everyone who lives has something to deal with is the anger bug. Anger is something we most likely all fight or have fought at times. Of course Jesus and His Temple experience where He turns over the tables and the money changers is used by many to say, "see even Jesus got angry". Jesus spoke probably pretty loudly when He said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer but you have made it a den of thieves." Mark 11:17 I preach and I get loud most of the time but it doesn't mean I'm mad or angry, it means I am passionate about what I am saying. You can be passionate about something without being sinfully angry.
Be Cool. There will probably come sometime this week you will wish and pray someone would be patient with you. When cool heads prevail much can be thought through and problems solved. I know of a church where a business meeting became unlike anything that would please the Lord. A man stood up and the veins in his neck were pulsating and he fell over after his tirade and was later pronounced dead. Anger is not something to be played around with. You and I both want kindness and courtesy then give it and you will get it.
Now if you know me then you know I enjoy the warm weather but do not like the cold weather. Each person has his or her favorites. Of course we all would love it to be spring or fall year round but that is not likely to happen. There has also been a lot of talk about Global warming and that we are entering a critical phase and it is in our hands to control. While it may be true we are depleting our air and oxygen supplies with gas fumes, I am not personally convinced we are about to see the earth go into oblivion just yet. I understand however that just as much as anything else in the Bible we should take care of and keep it the best we can, this creation God has blessed us with.
Sometimes we are like the two guys who meet in the middle of the desert. One was carrying a car door, and the other an umbrella. The one with the car door said to the guy with the umbrella, "Why are you carrying that umbrella around, it isn't going to rain in the desert?" To which the guy with the umbrella replies, "Yeah", but it keeps me out of the sun! By the way, why are you carrying around that car door, you don't even have a car to go with it". The guy with the car door days, "Yeah, well at least if I get too hot from the sun I can just roll down the window!"
Anger is a deadly character trait.
Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Fret not in any way to do evil.
Proverbs 14:17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly.
Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty.
James says be swift to hear and slow to be angry.
Keeping our cool is not always easy. For some of us the nagging thing that we have to continually work on just like everyone who lives has something to deal with is the anger bug. Anger is something we most likely all fight or have fought at times. Of course Jesus and His Temple experience where He turns over the tables and the money changers is used by many to say, "see even Jesus got angry". Jesus spoke probably pretty loudly when He said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer but you have made it a den of thieves." Mark 11:17 I preach and I get loud most of the time but it doesn't mean I'm mad or angry, it means I am passionate about what I am saying. You can be passionate about something without being sinfully angry.
Be Cool. There will probably come sometime this week you will wish and pray someone would be patient with you. When cool heads prevail much can be thought through and problems solved. I know of a church where a business meeting became unlike anything that would please the Lord. A man stood up and the veins in his neck were pulsating and he fell over after his tirade and was later pronounced dead. Anger is not something to be played around with. You and I both want kindness and courtesy then give it and you will get it.
The Cause of Pain
Pain is not fun at all. When something hurts in our body and it is a severe pain especially it makes us miserable from top to bottom. It seems we can't do anything without the pain influencing what we do and how we do it. The other thing about pain is it is noticeable no matter how hard you try and fake it. People can tell.
A little girl went up to her mother one day while holding her stomach saying, "Mommy, my stomach hurts." Her mother replied, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something inside it!" She then prepared a bowl of soup.
Later that day when the Pastor and his wife were over for dinner. The pastor began to feel bad. Holding his head he said," I have such a terrible headache!" The little girl looked up at him , giving him the sweetest smile that any little child could give. Then she said, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something inside it!" Careful, I heard those laughs out there. What a cute story about how pain hurts.
Not only does Pain Hurt. But Pain helps. Last week we celebrated the Lord's Supper at our church on a Sunday morning. What a wonderful service it was because we had a drama to go along with it entitled the "Living Lord's Supper". It brought to life the night Jesus broke bread with His disciples and told them a traitor was among them and of His impending death as their leader. Inthis situation Pain helps. Were it not for the Pain and the suffering of Christ on the Cross we would be utterly hopeless. Our destiny would be sure and it certainly would not be with the Lord.
Pain can also not only help but Pain can also help and it can also bring Hope. Because Jesus suffered on the cross you and I do not have to. I don't believe we fully grasp the fact that unless we go out into the highways and byways and compel them to come in we are not giving or spreading Hope to the Hopeless. The Lord never one time said, " Let them come to you." Just create this Holy Huddle and they will come.
In fact that is the exact opposite of what He instructed us to do. He instructs us to be on the offensive and reach out to those who come in our path with the Gospel of the good news of Christ. Pain binges hurts, pain helps, and pain brings hope. Pain also can honor God.
Over and over again the scripture is replete with those who have suffered for the name of Christ and time after time they honor God with a testimony to HIS faithfulness. God loved us enough He sent His best. Not a substitute so the real thing would not get hurt or suffer pain or be dishonored but Christ was in pain so we might be pain-less. He bore our sins on the Cross. "Oh, what a Savior".
A little girl went up to her mother one day while holding her stomach saying, "Mommy, my stomach hurts." Her mother replied, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something inside it!" She then prepared a bowl of soup.
Later that day when the Pastor and his wife were over for dinner. The pastor began to feel bad. Holding his head he said," I have such a terrible headache!" The little girl looked up at him , giving him the sweetest smile that any little child could give. Then she said, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something inside it!" Careful, I heard those laughs out there. What a cute story about how pain hurts.
Not only does Pain Hurt. But Pain helps. Last week we celebrated the Lord's Supper at our church on a Sunday morning. What a wonderful service it was because we had a drama to go along with it entitled the "Living Lord's Supper". It brought to life the night Jesus broke bread with His disciples and told them a traitor was among them and of His impending death as their leader. Inthis situation Pain helps. Were it not for the Pain and the suffering of Christ on the Cross we would be utterly hopeless. Our destiny would be sure and it certainly would not be with the Lord.
Pain can also not only help but Pain can also help and it can also bring Hope. Because Jesus suffered on the cross you and I do not have to. I don't believe we fully grasp the fact that unless we go out into the highways and byways and compel them to come in we are not giving or spreading Hope to the Hopeless. The Lord never one time said, " Let them come to you." Just create this Holy Huddle and they will come.
In fact that is the exact opposite of what He instructed us to do. He instructs us to be on the offensive and reach out to those who come in our path with the Gospel of the good news of Christ. Pain binges hurts, pain helps, and pain brings hope. Pain also can honor God.
Over and over again the scripture is replete with those who have suffered for the name of Christ and time after time they honor God with a testimony to HIS faithfulness. God loved us enough He sent His best. Not a substitute so the real thing would not get hurt or suffer pain or be dishonored but Christ was in pain so we might be pain-less. He bore our sins on the Cross. "Oh, what a Savior".
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