tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75766533597311760722024-02-19T01:20:21.409-05:00Greg...ismsPastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-4558721697407383332019-10-15T21:03:00.001-04:002019-10-15T21:03:06.165-04:00It's Been A-While....<br />
It's been since 2017 since I posted anything to my blog.<br />
A lot has changed... don't know if anyone still reads or follows. But here goes....<br />
<br />
A lot of changes since Mari and I moved from Albany, GA to Cullman, AL. <br />
I am presently working at Cullman Funeral Home.... apprenticing to become a Funeral Director. What is that like? a lot like being a pastor...caring and ministering to people who are suffering and hurting. <br />
I am also interim pastor at Friendship Baptist in Cullman. Friendship is a small but dynamic church off of Eva Road. Having a good time... preaching, encouraging, I hope, helping this congregation during their time of transition. My delimma is that they want me to stay on as pastor, and I am uncertain about making that commitment. Your Prayers are greatly appreciated.<br />
Mari is now fulltime with the Cullman City School system. PTL...we have insurance like we have not had before. <br />
We moved back to be close to and to help her dad who is in the Woodland Village Nursing Home. I have to say that Mari being closer to her dad has been good all around. It was hard making the decision to step down from Central Baptist...but looking back 2 years... it was the right decision.<br />
We are busy trying to keep this 40 acre farm halfway decent. I know one thing...I, nor Mari, are farmers.... no green thumbs on either of us...this preacher learned quick the difference of inside and outside labor, especially in the heat of the summer.<br />
Well enough... God is good.... and we have experienced His goodness these past two years.<br />
<br />
Keep The Faith<br />
Greg<br />
Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-80444146275336501212017-04-25T08:41:00.002-04:002017-04-25T08:41:51.962-04:00A.B.I.D.E.David Jeremiah<br />
<br />
A.B.I.D.E.<br />
<br />
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.<br />
John 15:5<br />
<br />
Recommended Reading<br />
John 15:1-8<br />
What can we do without Christ? Nothing. What can we accomplish when we abide in Him? One man said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). What, then, does it mean to abide in Christ?<br />
<br />
“A” stands for absolute surrender. We have to come to Him just as we are, confessing our sin and saying, “You are the potter and I am the clay.”<br />
“B” stands for believe. We have to trust Him completely to do with us, for us, and around us what is very best while we stand on His promises.<br />
“I” stands for insight. We have to pour ourselves into His Word each day, learning His ways and gaining His insights for living.<br />
“D” stands for dedication. We have to persevere over time, separating ourselves from sinful habits and from people or places that may hinder our purity.<br />
“E” stands for enthusiasm. We go about His work in the power and energy He provides.<br />
Nothing takes the place of abiding in Christ, for everything depends on Him.Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-5773282995108624562016-12-28T15:36:00.001-05:002016-12-28T15:37:22.809-05:0010 ways to Grow your faith in 2017<br />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">No one becomes godly by accident.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">You can grow spiritually in 2017.<br />
You can become a better person.<br />
You can deepen your walk with God.<br />
You can change.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">You can deepen your faith next year, but you
must be intentional about it. Here are ten steps you can take that will help
you grow as a Christian in the new year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #313131; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 112%;">1. Meet with
God before you check Facebook<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">We live in a social media world. We text, we
tweet, we update Facebook, we post our projects on Pinterest, and we put photos
on Instagram Some days I feel like I live on Facebook. And I like to start my
day checking my Twitter feed. While there is nothing wrong with social media,
it can control us if we’re not careful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Start with God next year. Commit yourself to
reading God’s Word and praying before you get absorbed in the latest updates. <b>“</b></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #c00000; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Seek first his
kingdom and his righteousness</span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">”</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #c00000; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">(Matthew
6:33). </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Your day will go better when you
start with God, not with social media.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #313131; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 112%;">2. Choose a
book of the Bible to study this year<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Many people will start reading through the
Bible in January. Nothing wrong with that. I encourage you to read through the
whole Bible in 2017, especially if you’ve never done it before. But there is a
great value in digging deeply into one book of the Bible and letting its
message soak into your heart. You could read Genesis or Proverbs or Daniel or
Mark or 1 Peter. If you don’t know where to begin, start with Ephesians. Read
it at least 20 times. Read it slowly. Read it fast. Read a few verses a day. Use
a Bible commentary to help you with difficult passages. Ephesians is so rich
that you could spend all of 2017 studying it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #313131; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 112%;">3. Buy a
study Bible<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Owning a study Bible is like having a
seminary faculty on your bookshelf. A good study Bible has notes on every
passage, book introductions, outlines, maps, charts, diagrams, and
illustrations. Today you have many excellent options: The MacArthur Study Bible,
the Life Application Bible, the Ryrie Study Bible, to name only a few. You’ll
never regret investing money in a good study Bible. It will jumpstart your
knowledge of God’s Word.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #313131; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 112%;">4. Get
involved in a small group<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">While it is possible to grow on your own, you
will grow much faster when you are involved with a small group of other
Christians. You could join a Sunday School class, a men’s group, a women’s
group, a Bible study group, or a prayer team. The possibilities are endless.
Don’t sit on the sidelines. Share your life with other Christians who can
encourage you, pray with you, laugh with you, and cry with you. Taking part in
a healthy small group is like taking an energy shot for your soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #313131; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 112%;">5. Start a
journal<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Chuck Swindoll said he found journaling a useful
way to track God’s work in his life. Keeping a journal is like keeping a diary,
except that you use your journal to do “God sightings.” Where has God shown up
unexpectedly in your life? Where have you seen the fingerprints of the Lord?
Write it down so you won’t forget it. Over time your journal will help you see
how God’s plan is unfolding in your life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #313131; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 112%;">6. Memorize
Psalm 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">That’s the one that starts this way:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #c00000; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">“Blessed is the
man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and
on his law he meditates day and night.”</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #c00000; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Psalm 1 stands at the head of the psalter for
a reason. It describes the fundamental difference between a life lived for self
versus a life lived for God. Because we live in a me-centered world, we need to
tattoo these verses on our heart so we won’t forget them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Start with Psalm 1 and memorize a verse or
two each day. You could easily finish it in a week. After that, go on to Psalm
2 or Ephesians 1 or 1 Corinthians 3 or Matthew 5:1-16. Whatever passage you
choose, commit yourself to storing God’s truth in your heart this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #313131; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 112%;">7. Do some
Bible listening<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Start by downloading these two apps: </span><a href="https://www.youversion.com/" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #193478; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%; text-decoration: none;">YouVersion</span></b></a><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;"> and </span><a href="http://www.bible.is/" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #193478; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%; text-decoration: none;">Bible.Is</span></b></a><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">. Bible
listening means that instead of reading the Bible, you listen as someone reads
it aloud. The Bible.Is app contains hundreds of audio versions of the Bible,
including tribal languages from around the world. They also include dramatized
versions that include music and other sound effects. After listening to a large
part of the Bible on audio, I can testify that many passages came alive to me
for the first time, even though I had read them many times on my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #313131; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 112%;">8. Become a
quick forgiver<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Mark Twain once remarked that forgiveness is
the fragrance the violet yields to the heel that has crushed it. Easy to say,
hard to do. Make up your mind that you won’t be a grievance collector in 2016. </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #c00000; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">“Love doesn’t
keep score of the sins of others”</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #c00000; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;"> (1
Corinthians 13:5 MSG)</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">. Add to that </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #c00000; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">1 Peter 4:8, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude
of sins.”<b> </b></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Love has a
short memory and sealed lips. We need to hear this word because others will
indeed fail us a “multitude” of times. Sometimes the people we love the most
will hurt us deeply. Love expects others to fail, expects to be hurt and
expects to be used unfairly. It goes on loving anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">There is nothing sadder than a bitter
Christian. Don’t fall into that trap this year. Be a quick forgiver.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #313131; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 112%;">9. Do
something crazy for God this year<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Start by reading Hebrews 11. Noah built a
boat. Abraham left a prosperous city, not knowing where he was going. Sarah got
pregnant when she was 89. Abraham offered Isaac. Moses refused the riches of
Egypt in favor of suffering with his own people. The Hebrews marched around
Jericho. Rahab hid the spies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span lang="EN" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Faith is
belief plus unbelief, <u>and acting on the belief part</u></span></i></b><i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">.</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;"> At some
point, you’ve got to get off the couch and do something. Faith grows when we,
like Peter, dare to get out of the boat. What does that mean? It might mean
pursuing a God-sized dream. It might mean giving more than some think is wise.
It might mean getting involved in a new ministry. It might mean spending two
weeks on a missions trip. It might mean daring to start over again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Living by faith means that you stop making
excuses and get in the game for God. If it doesn’t scare you, it’s probably not
crazy enough. True faith leads you out of your comfort zone. God will help you,
but you’ve got to take the first step.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #313131; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 112%;">10. Pray for
missionary eyes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Every day you meet people who need the help
only you can give. Some of them need a word of encouragement, and you are
the only one who can give them that word. Some of them are staggering beneath a
heavy load, and you are the only one who can lift that burden from their
shoulders. Some of them are about to quit, and you are the only one who can
keep them in the race. Some of them have been hit with an incredible string of
trials, and you are the only one who can help them keep going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span lang="EN" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Pray that
God will give you Missionary Eyes to see the real needs of the people you
meet.</span></i></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">Pray that God will bring at least one person across your path who needs the
help only you can give. That’s a prayer God will answer, for there are folks
all around you who are just barely making it. You see them where you work, and
you live next door to them. Your children go to school with their children.
They are out there waiting for someone to give them help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">So there you have it. Here are ten ways you
can grow your faith in 2017. But remember the key point: </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">No one
becomes godly by accident. Intentionality is the key</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "droid sans"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 112%;">. If you want to grow next year, you can. With God’s help, you can be a
different person 365 days from now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-7950525409044595772016-10-31T11:34:00.001-04:002016-10-31T11:34:23.227-04:00Praying Romans 12:1<div dir="ltr">
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.<br />Romans 12:1 NLT <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://bible.com/116/rom.12.1.NLT&source=gmail&ust=1478014131662000&usg=AFQjCNG3ugbmkTP5BOERpBqrkbSjdIN5MQ" href="http://bible.com/116/rom.12.1.NLT" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://bible.com/116/rom.12.1.<wbr></wbr></span>NLT</a> he’s talking about the dedication of our entire beings to God’s service. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
From this verse, I began a habit of mentally going through a process of offering myself to God. It goes something like this:</div>
<div dir="ltr">
God, today I dedicate my mind to you. I want to think on things that are good, right, pure, and excellent. I want to take captive any thoughts that aren’t from you. I want to remember your past faithfulness when I am tempted to doubt.</div>
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Today, I dedicate my eyes to you. I want to see others the way you see them. I want to view my circumstances through the lens of hope and faith. I want to look at life as one who is confident that you are with me. </div>
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Today, I dedicate my ears to you. I want to hear your voice above all the others clamoring for my attention. I want to listen to you and to honor others by listening well to them. </div>
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Today, I dedicate my mouth to you. I want my words to be life-giving. I want to speak honestly and sincerely. I want to think before I speak. I want to let others have the last word.</div>
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Today, I dedicate my heart to you. I want my heart to be pure and undivided. I want to master my emotions, not serve them. I want my dreams and desires to please you.</div>
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Today, I dedicate my hands to you. I want to work hard at whatever I put my hands to. I want to touch others in love and goodwill. I want my hands to be open for whatever you want to give me and willing to release anything you want me to surrender.</div>
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Today, I dedicate my feet to you. I want to go wherever you send me. I want to walk toward the messes, not run from them. I want to stand firmly upon the truth and not stumble.</div>
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The most important relationship I have deserves my greatest expression of worship: a dedicated life.</div>
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</div>
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(Elaine Scott -- Browns Bridge Church)</div>
Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-42081354347373680512016-09-12T09:00:00.002-04:002016-09-12T09:00:54.989-04:00To all of my cracked pot friendsAn elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. <br /> One of the pots had a crack in it while the ot<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">her pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.<br /> At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.<br /> For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.<br /> Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. <br /> But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.<br /> After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. <br /> 'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'<br /> The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?' <br /> 'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'<br /> For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. <br /> Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'<br /> Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. <br /> You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.<br /> SO, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!</span>Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-77288595640532668932016-06-18T07:47:00.001-04:002016-06-18T07:47:04.596-04:0010waya to be a miserable church member<header class="entry-header" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.7em;"><h1 class="entry-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; clear: both; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-size: 17px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">10 Ways To Be A Miserable Church Member</span></h1><div class="entry-meta" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0.85em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="posted-on" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://katielapierre.org/2016/06/11/10-ways-to-be-a-miserable-church-member/" rel="bookmark" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2016-06-11T21:35:13+00:00" style="box-sizing: border-box;">JUNE 11, 2016</time></a></span><span class="byline" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; display: inline;"><span class="sep" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> / </span><span class="author vcard" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="url fn n" href="https://katielapierre.org/author/katielapierre/" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;">KATIELAPIERRE</a></span></span></span></div></header><div class="entry-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;">#1 Forget that your pastor is a sinner.</u></strong> Yep. Dwell on the fact that he is not perfect as often as possible and make sure to <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">meditate on all his faults.</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;">#2 Forget that the entire leadership is made up of sinners.</u></strong> While you are thinking about all your pastor’s weaknesses be sure to look for all the weaknesses in all the leadership. <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Criticize their every decision and talk to others, but don’t ever go to them with your concerns. </b><u style="box-sizing: border-box;"></u></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">#3 Forget that your brothers and sisters in Christ are all sinners.</strong></span> This is a really important one. Go to church expecting everyone to be perfect. Get really upset when someone doesn’t notice you or someone offends you. Then leave the church and tell people you don’t go to church because it’s filled with hypocrites. <b style="box-sizing: border-box;"></b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;">#4 Forget you are a sinner.</u> </strong> Like numbers one through three instruct, <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">focus on everyone else’s faults, but do your best to forget about anything you do wrong</b><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">. And since you’re perfect nobody should ever wrong you.</b> Expect the most out of everyone except yourself and <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">get really angry when people don’t live up to your standards.</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;">#5 Don’t be involved, but then complain that you don’t know anybody, and make sure to point out how your church is filled with cliques.</u></strong> This one is SURE to make you miserable! <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Make sure you are involved in the least amount of activities and events, but then make complaints like, “Nobody ever says hi to me” or “Nobody knows me.”</b>Consistently whine about all the cliques in your church and how impossible it is to get to know anyone.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-94" src="https://katielapierre.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/baby-215867_1280.jpg?w=676" alt="baby-215867_1280" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%; height: auto;"></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;">#6 Get upset every Sunday about the music.</u></strong> Church bodies all over the world are divided over music; you can easily use this area to make yourself miserable. Make sure you criticize every song the music leader chooses and make fun of him if he makes a mistake. <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Bemoan how hard it is for you to listen to the hymns (if you don’t like hymns) and whine about how lame the contemporary songs are if you don’t like those.</b> Be sure to do this with the leadership constantly. <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Forget about the fact that there is only one instance recorded of Jesus singing (and even then it was only one song), but make sure the music in your church is one of THEE most important issues. </b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;">#7 Don’t ever invite people over to your house.</u></strong> Then be sure to get really upset that no one ever invites you over.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;">#8 Wait around for the leadership to do everything, and complain about all of your ideas that aren’t followed immediately</u>.</strong> Come up with things your church SHOULD be doing, but don’t do it yourself and get really angry when your pastor says, “That sounds like a great idea! Why don’t you go ahead and head up that ministry?” <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Never offer to help serve in the areas you see there is a need. </b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;">#9 Only come to Sunday morning service and then get mad because you and your family aren’t “growing.”</u></strong> <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Be sure to get angry that your church body (the pastor in particular) is not meeting your family’s spiritual needs when you only come to one service a week (maybe less) and are not looking for other ways to grow.</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;">#10 Forget that the local church body is about Jesus and not you</u>.</strong> <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">This is THE MOST IMPORTANT AND VITAL WAY TO BE MISERABLE in your local church body. Forget that the church is for Christ and His honor, glory and purposes and make it for your honor, glory and purposes! Make church all about you!</b></span></p></div>Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-71852838375602412602016-04-20T09:57:00.001-04:002016-04-20T09:57:42.085-04:007 Ways Church Members Should Prepare For Church<div><br></div><div><header class="entry-header" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline" style="text-align: start; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 36px;"><span style="font-size: 17px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seven Ways Church Members Should Prepare for a Sermon</span></h1><h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline" style="text-align: start; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 36px;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px; font-weight: normal;">What if church members began their own form of sermon preparation?</span></h1></header><div class="entry-content" itemprop="text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For countless decades, we have heard about the role of pastors in sermon preparation. The number of hours they need to prepare. The priority of preparation. The role of prayer in sermon preparation.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But what if church members prepared for each sermon they heard? What if they believed their roles as recipients of the Word are also crucially important?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I can see incredible church revitalization taking place if church members took on their own responsibilities of sermon preparation. Here are seven ways members can actively prepare for sermons.</span></p><ol style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 30px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 800;">Pray for the sermon. </span>For a few minutes, the church member should pray for the upcoming sermon. That prayer might take place during the week, the night before the preaching, or the morning of the preaching.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 800;">Pray for the pastor who is preaching. </span>Pray that the pastor will understand God’s message for that text. Pray that the pastor will have no distractions. Pray that God’s Spirit will fill the pastor in both the preparation and delivery of the sermon.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 800;">Pray for yourself as you prepare to hear the sermon. </span>Pray that God will speak to you through the message. Pray that you will not be distracted. Pray for clarity of mind and an open heart to receive the message.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 800;">Read the biblical text before the sermon is preached. </span>If possible, read the text from which the pastor will preach. Read it thoroughly. Read it prayerfully.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 800;">Take notes. </span>Take notes as the pastor preaches. You will have a greater focus and greater retention. Review the notes at least once during the next week.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 800;">Seek an application to your life. </span>Ask God for discernment to help you understand how the sermon should change your life. Seek to understand the sermon not only in its biblical context, but in your life as well.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 800;">Share with the pastor “one thing.” </span>If possible, share with your pastor one significant takeaway from the sermon. Pastors hear countless “good job, pastor,” or “nice message, pastor,” but they long to know if God really made a difference in the lives of the church members through the preached word. If you are able to communicate just one takeaway from the sermon in person, by email, or in social media, your pastor will be greatly encouraged.</span></li></ol><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The preaching of God’s Word is central to the life of the church. It makes sense that pastors should give it the highest priority.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But doesn’t it also make sense that church members should prepare as well?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">(Written by Thom Rainer)</span></p></div></div>Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-85199932513393719552016-02-22T08:27:00.004-05:002016-02-22T08:27:48.067-05:00Guest vs VisitorsWhen you hear the words <strong>Visitor </strong>and<strong> Guest</strong>, do you consider them synonymous? Do you think we are splitting hairs by looking for a distinction between the 2 terms? I was very pleased to have responses from the attendees, with most if not all saying that “guest” was more:<br />
> Relational<br />
> Welcoming<br />
> Personal<br />
> Intentional (love that one for sure!!!)<br />
Think about it in these common phrases. Which ones feel right and which ones don't fit:<br />
<strong>Guest</strong> of honor vs Visitor of honor<br />
<strong>Guest</strong> blog vs. Visitor blog<br />
<strong>Guest</strong> bedroom vs. Visitor bedroom<br />
<strong>Guest</strong> bathroom vs. Visitor bathroom<br />
<strong>Guest</strong> speaker vs. Visitor speaker<br />
<strong>Guest</strong> Appearance vs. Visitor Appearance<br />
Here is another thought...in many sports, you will have the HOME team and the VISITORS. In this case, the visitor is actually your adversary. <em><strong>OUCH</strong></em>...not sure we want to consider those coming to our church for the first time as the adversary.<br />
Below are “definitions” that I borrowed from some else…that I cannot recall, just don’t want you to think I was smart enough to come up with these on my own:<br />
<strong><em><span>“Visitor” </span></em></strong>- <em>is typically somebody who comes and goes without much preparation on our part or much thought afterward</em>.<br />
<strong><em><span>“Guest” </span></em></strong>- <em>is typically a person who is cared for and has been intentionally prepared to attend. Most of the time, a guest is somebody who is a participant...a person looking for a specific experience</em>.<br />
For me it is pretty clear that if you are a church, you really are looking to have <span>guests</span> and not just visitors. We want people to feel a part…to feel welcomed…to feel as if we were expecting them to come and that we cared enough to prepare for them…and to follow up with them after.<br />
To our guests…especially those that may not be believers or be far from God…these intentional shifts can make the world of difference. For the most part, we can make this adjustment to our “language” with little or no cost. Imagine that…a transformational change for little or no cost?!?!<br />
Here are some practical ideas to help you implement this:<br />
<ol>
<li>Parking lot should have <strong>GUEST</strong> parking signs and not visitor</li>
<li>Announcements…written or spoken…should address <strong>GUESTS </strong></li>
<li>Have a <strong>GUEST</strong> welcome area</li>
<li>Possible have a <strong>GUEST</strong> reception area</li>
<li>Avoid anything that references “members only”…this is polarizing</li>
<li>Train your teams to identify and greet guests. Be creative, but not overbearing.</li>
<li>Prepare your facility for a great guest experience…not just the “special” things (aspects I consider <em><span>“Second Mile”</span></em> hospitality) like a free gift card or t-shirt or free coffee or mints in the restroom. But also what I call the <em><span>“First Mile”</span></em> standards like: <ol>
<li><span>Adequate paper products in the restrooms.</span> Is it more important to your guests to have mints or toilet paper? This is no joke. The lack of one will make a big impression!</li>
<li><span>Clean facilities. </span>This tells a lot to a guest as to what you value…and if you don’t value your facility when expecting guests, how can you expect them to think you will value them? This includes odors.</li>
<li><span>Trash receptacles emptied regularly.</span> Aromatic hand soap is cool in a restroom…I like it. But not if the trash cans are overflowing with waste.</li>
<li><span>Things work.</span> This is everything from the toilets, to sinks, to lights, to HVAC, to sound system, to TV monitors, to ________ (you fill in the blank).</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
These simple…but <strong>intentional</strong> adjustments...can transform your guest’s experience. If we believe that our “church” is actually not for those regularly attending but <strong><span>rather for those not here yet</span></strong>, then why would we not take steps to make this the best experience ever?<br />
<br />
(this post was written by Tim Cool)Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-73465111806671312042016-02-02T17:09:00.001-05:002016-02-02T17:09:46.799-05:00Not everything happens for a reason<center style="box-sizing: border-box;"><h1 style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 20px 0px 10px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: 17px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not Everything Happens For a Reason. By </span><span class="author vcard" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://www.feelingsandfaith.net/author/christine-suhan/" title="Posts by Christine Suhan" rel="author" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Christine Suhan</a></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span class="meta-sep" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; box-sizing: border-box;">| </span><span class="entry-date" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; box-sizing: border-box;">August 10, 2015</span></h1><div class="container" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-right: 15px; padding-left: 15px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; width: 750px; text-align: start;"><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-right: -15px; margin-left: -15px;"><div class="col-xs-12" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; min-height: 1px; padding-right: 15px; padding-left: 15px; float: left; width: 750px;"><div class="fb-like fb_iframe_widget fb_iframe_widget_fluid" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/feelingsandfaith" data-layout="button" data-action="like" data-share="true" fb-xfbml-state="rendered" fb-iframe-plugin-query="action=like&app_id=&container_width=720&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ffeelingsandfaith&layout=button&locale=en_US&sdk=joey&share=true" style="box-sizing: border-box; top: -4px; display: inline; position: relative;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; position: relative; text-align: justify; width: 98px; vertical-align: bottom; height: 20px;"><div style="text-align: start;"><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div></span></div></div></div></div><img width="361" height="361" src="http://www.feelingsandfaith.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/IMG_20150810_072851.jpg" class="img-responsive page-img wp-post-image" alt="IMG_20150810_072851" srcset="http://www.feelingsandfaith.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/IMG_20150810_072851-150x150.jpg 150x, http://www.feelingsandfaith.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/IMG_20150810_072851-300x300.jpg 300x, http://www.feelingsandfaith.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/IMG_20150810_072851.jpg 361x" sizes="(max-width: 361px) 100vw, 361px" style="text-align: start; box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; display: block; max-width: 100%; height: auto;"></center><div class="p10" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 10px;"></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Have you ever found yourself, in the midst of unimaginable grief, pain, heartache, or despair, wondering how you are going to make it through another day? Wondering where your next breath is going to come from? Your world has crumbled beneath you and you are left feeling shattered, empty, and hopeless.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And then a well meaning friend or family member comes along and drops the infamous “<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Everything happens for a reason</em>” bomb. You smile kindly and nod- that’s all you can do to keep yourself from punching them in the face.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You can’t possibly imagine a reason for what just happened. </em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The more you stew about a possible reason for your pain, the angrier you become. You try desperately to make sense of a situation that won’t ever make sense. You reach for answers but none come.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I spent years searching for answers, trying to find reasons that would bring an end to my pain. I thought that if I could find the cause, I could treat the condition. But what I found through years of searching, experiencing, and living is that often there is no reason for why tragedy has occurred.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sometimes bad things happen for no reason other than we are human beings having a human experience. Pain, heartache, grief, loss, disease, and death are inevitable parts of the human experience. </em></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We hear people say “Life dealt me a crappy hand” as if pain and hardships are not the norm. We assume that life is supposed to be easy and when things don’t go our way, we feel like we have been wronged. Human beings seem to have an innate sense of entitlement. We think that we are owed a pain free existence.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But the truth is that <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">human beings are not exempt from the human experience. And struggle is an innate part of the human experience.</em> None of us are exceptions to this rule. <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">We all struggle. We all suffer. We all experience pain, heartache, and loss.</span> And sometimes, there’s just no reason other than we are human and pain is a part of the process.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I recently had a conversation with a friend who was struggling to find peace with “God’s plan” for her life including the recent death of a loved one.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“How could this possibly be God’s will?” she asked.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here’s what I’ve come to know about God’s will:</span></p><p style="text-align: start; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><a class="inline-twitter-link" href="http://www.feelingsandfaith.net/not-everything-happens-for-a-reason/#" title="Tweet This!" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat;"><font color="#000000">God’s will is not the path we walk, but rather how we walk the path. <span class="dashicons dashicons-twitter dashicons-inline-tweet-sharer" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; width: 20px; height: 20px; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: top; text-align: center; transition: color 0.1s ease-in 0ms; -webkit-transition: color 0.1s ease-in 0ms; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></span></font></a></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">God’s plan is never for someone to have cancer. God’s will is not for an innocent child to be brutally murdered. God’s will is not for a teenage girl to be raped. God’s will is not chronic pain, illness, disability, or death.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">God’s will is not an event that happens to us, it’s how we respond to what happens. </em></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">God’s will for us is to walk with Him through the cancer. Through the abuse. Through the death. Through the illness. God’s will is for us to draw close to him in the midst of pain. <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">God’s will is for us to use our painful life events to carry his message of hope, grace, forgiveness, and mercy. </em></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">God’s plan was never for pain to be part of the human experience. His plan was for us to live in peace and harmony with Him. The human experience became painful when sin entered the world. Our own free will weaved threads of tragedy, loss, heartache, and pain into the human experience</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">God is not responsible for our pain. We are not responsible for our pain. What happened in the Garden of Eden is responsible for the human condition. And the human condition is hard wired for pain and suffering. God is not causing us to hurt. He is hurting with us. What we do with our hurt is what matters. How we handle tragedy is what brings purpose into our pain.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There’s hardly ever a justifiable reason for the bad things that happen in life. Tragic loss is not laced with inherent specs of good. I used to get so mad when people would say, “you can find good in every situation.” That’s just not true. There was nothing good about being raped. There is no good in murder or abuse.<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"> We have to create the good. We have to choose to respond in a way that brings good into an impossible situation. We have to choose to give purpose and meaning to our suffering.</em></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Not everything happens for a reason. But in everything that happens, there can be a reason to bring hope and healing to others. God can use our pain for a greater good if we choose to let Him in. </em></span></p>Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-61626635076877860062016-01-28T20:15:00.001-05:002016-01-28T20:15:54.228-05:00Family and Church Attendance<header class="entry-header" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><h1 class="entry-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px auto 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; clear: both; line-height: 1.33333em;"><span style="font-size: 17px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I Won’t Force My Kids To Go To Church</span></h1><div class="entry-meta" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 24px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.71429em;"><br></div></header><a class="post-thumbnail" href="https://dirtyhands.wordpress.com/2016/01/25/i-wont-force-my-kids-to-go-to-church/" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; display: block;"><img width="281" height="439" src="https://dirtyhands.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/closed-door.jpg?w=422" class="attachment-edin-featured-image size-edin-featured-image wp-post-image" alt="closed door" originalw="281" src-orig="https://dirtyhands.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/closed-door.jpg?w=281" scale="1.5" style="box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px auto;"></a><div class="entry-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“<em style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My parents forced me to eat three times a day growing up. No joke. Three times. Every. Single. Day. And it wasn’t always stuff I liked, either. Matter of fact, I complained a lot about what my mom made. ‘Ewww, gross! Meatloaf? Seriously? Mom you know we hate this stuff!’ So as I approached adulthood I made an important decision. Since my parents forced me to eat while I was growing up, I decided I was done with meals. Oh, here and there I’ll eat out of obligation. I mean, family traditions like Thanksgiving and Christmas, yeah, I’m there. But daily eating? No way. I’m done.</em></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Set in any other context, excuses people make for not going to church sound completely ridiculous. But set in the context of Christianity, people say these things in all seriousness while others nod sagely in somber agreement.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My son told me a few weeks into school that he didn’t like the teacher. He wasn’t getting excited enough about learning, and he didn’t really feel connected to the other kids in his class, so I told him he never had to go back to school again. Who wants to waste their time going somewhere they aren’t being fulfilled?</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We’ve never forced our daughter to stay off the road when playing. We don’t want to restrict her imagination. We allow her the freedom to make her own choices in life.</em>”<br style="box-sizing: border-box;">– Ruth Meyer</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now maybe the above analogies sound ridiculous. Maybe you’re thinking, “No loving parent would let their kids decide whether to go to school or not, and they definitely wouldn’t let their kid play in traffic. That’s endangering their lives. Its a matter of life or death.” And that is exactly the point. This is a matter of life or death for your child. Eternity is at stake.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In our family, church is a non-negotiable. Its a non-negotiable because we understand that how we raise our children, and what we teach them (or don’t teach them) about Jesus carries eternal consequences. And as parents we have a responsibility to share with them what God has done in our lives through the love of Jesus. So we read the Bible together at night and we pray together. We got to church. We talk about God at home and in the car and at the park. Will they always be excited about getting up and going to church? I hope so, but I doubt it. But regardless, my wife and I still make them go because we are their parents and we know whats best for them. And so, when they complain we will tell them why gathering together is a non-negotiable. Just like when they complain that we serve them healthy meals we explain why we eat vegetables and not just cake. We take them to school every morning; no matter how much they complain or bellyache. And we explain why school is so important. We set boundaries and limits while they are playing outdoors. We tell them to look both ways when they cross the street, not because we said so, but because to do otherwise means possibly being hit by a car. We do these things because we love them and we are looking at the long term outcome, not what will make them happiest in any given moment.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;">– Proverbs 22:6</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Will all of that insure that they turn out to be the model upstanding citizens that my wife and I hope? No. Its even possible for children to be brought up in a loving Christian home and still turn away from Jesus later. That is out of our control. As parents, our responsibility is to teach our children about the world and about God. We teach them how God created this world perfectly. We teach them how the world became broken through that first sin of Adam and Eve. When their own brokenness shows itself, we point it out, and then we point to the One who came to heal that brokenness; Jesus. And they are never too young to begin learning these things. Each of our children learned to pray while still in highchairs. Our responsibility as Christian parents is about so much more than just taking our kids to church on Sunday mornings.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To say, as a parent, “I won’t force my kids to go to church. I’ll let them decide on their own.” sounds so enlightened. But its the most dangerous thing a parent could say. It would be safer for you to let your children play on the highway in rush hour traffic than to let them decide whether or not they wanted to go to church. One of those options carries temporary consequences (if you let your child play on the highway in rush hour traffic they will die); and the other carries potential eternal consequences.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Church isn’t just one good choice among many. Church isn’t a building. Church, properly understood, is the body of Christ; the gathering of believers in a specific place. And as such, it is a place where we all belong. We are all equally sinful before God and equally in need of a Savior. Church isn’t just a place you go to. Its not a place that you go to feel better about yourself. Its not entertainment. Its purpose is not to give you ten easy steps to fix your marriage. Church is the gathering of believers to receive what God has come to give in Jesus.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Jesus himself said, “<em style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.</em>” – Matthew 18:20</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So when we come together we confess our sins. Then, having confessed our brokenness and need, we hear words of forgiveness. We hear that, though our sins are many, God in Jesus has forgiven them. We hear God’s word spoken to us as Scripture is read, and we speak those words to each other through various parts of the service. We sing songs and hymns praising and proclaiming what Jesus has done for us. We hear hear sermons that proclaim the good news of forgiveness in Jesus.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Don’t give up and don’t give in to those outside voices that tell you how much more important sleep, or schoolwork, or band, or sports, or anything may be than church. Instead, “<em style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.</em>” (Hebrews 10:23-25)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p></div>Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-6401477150822677182016-01-28T08:40:00.002-05:002016-01-28T08:40:29.175-05:00Is God Angry Anymore<h2 class="article-page-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Is God Angry Anymore?</span> </span></h2>
<h4 class="article-page-title">
by Jim Elliff </h4>
<div class="entry-content">
When I was in public high school, we had to read part of a famous sermon called <i>Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God</i>, by Jonathan Edwards. He graphically pictured sinners as spiders dangling by a thread over the fire of Hell. He also asserted that God is angrier at this moment with some who are living than with others who are already in Hell.<br />
Do you believe that? Is God angry? I don’t believe my teacher thought so. When I later studied the Bible on the subject, I was surprised by what I found.<br />
I learned that God’s anger is pure. The biblical command, "Be angry and sin not" reminds us that there is an anger that is justified. God always has this kind of perfect, holy anger.<br />
The Apostle Paul said, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men…" Romans 1:18a<br />
King David said, "God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day." Psalm 7:11 (NKJV) And the Apostle John said, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him." John 3:36<br />
Note that these verses teach that God is not only angry with sin but also with the sinner. Since God sees everything (Hebrews 4:13), He evaluates perfectly. Whenever God is angry it is for holy reasons.<br />
Sometimes we think of God as a judge sitting on the bench who passively issues sentences to guilty persons. But is God like this? The original words used for God’s anger are passionate words. Why? Because, unlike our court judges, God Himself has been sinned against.<br />
Notice the emotion in Nahum 1, where God is identified as jealous, avenging and filled with wrath (verse 2). Verse 6 is even more pointed. "Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him."<br />
However, even in the midst of His fury, God is self-controlled. The Bible teaches that He is slow to anger (Nahum 1:3), and most of us learned long ago that God is love. But while a loving God certainly is willing to hold off His judgment, it is just as certain that He will judge sin.<br />
Romans 2:5-6 describes it this way: "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God ‘will give to each person according to what he has done.’" In verse 16 of the same chapter it says that this will occur "on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares."<br />
<br />
Why is God so angry? There are at least three reasons.<br />
<b>1. Because of the sheer number of your sins.</b> If you were to sin only 10 times a day for one year, you would disobey God 3,650 times. But if you sinned 10 times a day for 15 years, you would sin 54,750 times! You are a professional sinner! Yet, how many times did Adam sin before he was cursed by God?<br />
<b>2. Because you have sinned against such an infinite God and high command. </b>There are different levels of sin and punishment (Luke 10:12; 12:42-48). A crime is weighed according to the seriousness of the command and the stature of the person who is sinned against. It is one thing to disobey your coach at school. It is another thing to disobey a judge. It is one thing to turn in a late term paper. It is another thing to murder the president. The highest command is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength." The greatest being is God. Each time you sin, you commit the highest crime against the greatest being! God ought to be angry.<br />
<b>3. Because you have sinned against God’s greatest act of love. </b>Christ was sent into the world of men and women out of love (John 3:16). But many of your friends, and perhaps you also, have rejected Christ up to this very moment. This rebellion is a sin against compassion. Is it any wonder that God is angry with those who think little of His love?<br />
How can you be rescued from this holy anger? Only through propitiation. But what does that mean?<br />
The word "propitiation" (pro-pish-ee-ay-shun; sometimes translated, atonement) means this: Jesus fully satisfied the just anger of God for people like you by dying in your place, taking on himself all the wrath you deserve. We learn about this in Romans 3:24-25 and Hebrews 2:17. God’s just fury, indignation and anger for sins were poured out on Christ for every sinful person who will come to him by faith.<br />
And that is great news!</div>
Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-31245119094859590392016-01-27T10:43:00.001-05:002016-01-27T10:43:04.550-05:00Courage to be a Godly man...<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.briandoddonleadership.com/2015/09/29/15-thoughts-on-why-pastors-and-christian-leaders-refuse-to-change-for-the-better/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none;">Dr. Crawford Loritts</a> ...</strong><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">53 leadership quotes about the courage needed to be a Godly man:</strong></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1. Spiritual gifts are not a path to self-discovery. The only reason is for the wholeness and the blessing of the body of Christ.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2. Adversity and inadequacies are gifts from God.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3. What you don’t have forces us to rely on God.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">4. God hits straight licks with crooked sticks.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">5. Having gaps does not limit what God can do.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">6. It is a miracle God would use me to do anything.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">7. It is more important for us to have a big vision for God than it is for us to be looking at if we’re capable of something.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">8. We all are deficient.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">9. Spurgeon struggled with depression his whole ministry. Feeling of worthlessness.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">10. Listen to God speaking through your wife.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">11. No one can be the husband of your wife but you. No one can be the father of your children but you.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">12. Some of us get in trouble not because of the work but other things.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">13. You have to speak in one voice as a couple.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">14. It is the wife and mother that creates the environment that creates the attitude about dad.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">15. If momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy. If daddy ain’t happy, nobody cares.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">16. Kids need to know there are justifiable sacrifices.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">17. It takes courage to be a man.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">18. Nothing in life happens apart from courage.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">19. There is no movement in life apart from courage.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">20. Somebody has to own the responsibility to do something. That is the role of being a husband and father. Someone has to go to a place nobody wants to go so others can arrive at a place they always wanted to be.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">21. Great disclosure comes greater responsibility.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">22. Great understanding brings greater accountability.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">23. The first pillar of courage rests upon a clear assignment from God.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">24. When a man of God dies nothing of God dies. Don’t get arrogant.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">25. Our hearts are to be filled with what God wants done apart from our personalities and feelings.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">26. There is no such thing as courage apart from clarity.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">27. Faith does not exist apart from opposition.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">28. You are courageous for something. There is an assignment from God. There is something that needs to be done.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">29. Courage is always in the verb position. It is always moving somewhere.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">30. If you are the head of your household, God expects us to listen to Him and do what needs to be done inside that house.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">31. Seek God’s will about our lives. Why are we here? What were we born for? What are our assignments? What is He telling us to do? Too many of us are too passive.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">32. Courage rests upon the assurance of God’s presence.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">33. God never called anyone to do anything in the Scriptures that you don’t see a promise of His presence. When you do what He wants you to do, there is a manifestation of His presence.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">34. God’s will and God’s plan is about the manifestation of Himself. Your neck is not on the line.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">35. Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the direction of your fear.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">36. Don’t ever follow anyone who never said they were never afraid. That person is an idiot.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">37. If you fear God more than people, you will always come out courageous.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">38. Courage rests upon on focused determination.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">39. God does not negotiate with Joshua whether he is courageous enough to handle the assignment. He commands him to be courageous.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">40. If you act with courage, you’re going to get courage. Don’t wait to feel like you have it.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">41. Courage is like a muscle. It gets stronger when you exercise it.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">42. Leadership is not for the faint of heart. The devil is not sitting back while we determine to raise Godly kids. He is going to come after you. You are on the right target when you are being shot at.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">43. Success and failure is really in your hands.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">44. Your success or failure is determined by your relationship to the Word of God.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">45. A leader means you are a portrait of the desired destination at which others should wish to arrive. We’ve got to be it.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">46. Our culture and society is going down the crapper because we have ignored Truth.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">47. You’ve got to proclaim Truth. You’ve got to possess Truth.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">48. When they cut you, you ought to bleed Bible. – Tony Evans</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">49. You’ve got to practice Truth.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">50. Leadership in the Bible is all about character because the leader needs to be worth following.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">51. People follow you because of who you are.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">52. We’ve got to organize our life based upon what God is calling us to do and be.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">53. Pull the trigger. Get up and act. Take responsibility. Apologize for where we have been passive with our wives and kids.</span></p><div><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: medium; vertical-align: baseline;"><br></span></div>Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-63829046639647556222016-01-21T11:12:00.004-05:002016-01-21T11:12:41.487-05:00<h1>
10 Things Generation Y Christians Need To Hear</h1>
<span class="date">January 20, 2016</span> <br />
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Ten somewhat blunt pieces of advice to myself along with any generation Y christians.</div>
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<li><strong>You don’t have to have a certain theme going for you in order to be a christian. </strong>You do not need to know how to do calligraphy. You do not need to own anything North Face and no, not even Patagonia. You are allowed to not like Chacos. An Eno is not a necessity. You do not need to have a certain look to be a christian. You just need a certain heart; a broken one- a broken heart in need of repair. Priceless.</li>
<li><strong>There is a big difference between showing off your God and showing off your relationship with God.</strong> It is all about your motives. If you are Instagramming a picture of your bible and notes to glorify your God, continue on but if you are deep down glorifying yourself and how prideful you feel for spending time with the Lord, just post the picture of your dog from last Thursday instead.</li>
<li><strong>Don’t let your holy phone life take place of your good actions in real life. </strong>If you text sincerely and genuinely, you better be talking even more sincerely and genuinely in person. If you remind others of true Love via social media, you better be showing them even more of it when you see them in the real world. Don’t hide behind your phone. Show Jesus in your actions, not just in your captions.</li>
<li><strong>Age should not discourage you but you don’t need to have it all figured out either. </strong>You will never know the full reality of Jesus Christ until you have made it to His feet in heaven. Don’t act like you know it all. There is a reason why they call it growing in Jesus Christ. There is no christian who has it all figured out because God is so great and mighty, He has made Himself impossible to completely figure out here on earth. Give yourself a break, no one else in the room knew how to pronounce Ampliatus either.</li>
<li><strong>Don’t expect nor give yourself any glory for doing what you have been called to do. </strong>Stop celebrating yourself when loving others. Celebrate God being so grand and personal that He loved the ones you love through your actions. He chose to do it through you and you could not have done it without Him. It is all His. We need to stop being proud for loving others. Loving others should be the norm.</li>
<li><strong>Pray to the Ruler, not the room. </strong>When we pray to the room for affirmation from others, our prayers are stationary. When we connect our prayers to the Ruler, our prayers have power basked in power because the greatest Power is the receiver of these prayers. Powerful, real prayer are linked to the One above, not the ones around.</li>
<li><strong>Never stop being amazed with how abundantly free and full God desires you to live. </strong>Jesus did not just die for you so you could lay down your life the day you handed it over but so that you could choose freedom in each day, so that you could touch the fullness of life He created in every day. He gave up perfection so you would not have to run in fear of it. Never stop realizing how good He is, how free you truly are and how loved you will forever be.</li>
<li><strong>If they aren’t leading you, you better be leaving them. </strong>I have said it once. I’ll probably say it about fifteen more times this month. If they are not leading you to the cross-recklessly, lovingly, boldly, and your number one goal in life is to be with Jesus Christ intimately and closely, something is off. Make sure their heart is for Jesus before their heart is for you. Make sure your relationship with them is not the most significant one in their life.</li>
<li><strong>Do not be scared if your perception of God shifts as you grow. </strong>Do not shy away from learning about who God truly is just because He is becoming a clearer, more real and personal God, perhaps an even more straight to the point kind of God. His love still endures forever. He is still good no matter how complicated He may seem at a certain valley during your growth.</li>
<li><strong>Stop freaking out at the cash register. </strong>Stop trying to find your credit card. Stop trying to dig for your checkbook. Stop trying to find any coins. They are not present. Someone who went before you has already paid for all you owe and you can never return the favor. All you can do is live your life like a big, “Thank you!” and go in peace, freedom and love. That’s it.</li>
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Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-60117701574792754442015-09-15T08:37:00.001-04:002015-09-15T08:37:36.355-04:00Tithing....<h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit;"><a href="http://www.ronniefloyd.com/blog/9668/southern-baptist-convention/tithing-is-not-taboo-generosity-is-better-than-greed/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; text-decoration: none; font-size: 17px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">Tithing is Not Taboo: Generosity is Better Than Greed</font></a></h3><div class="categories" style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: italic;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.ronniefloyd.com/blog/category/join-the-movement/" rel="category tag" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; text-decoration: none; transition: color 350ms; -webkit-transition: color 350ms;">Join the Movement</a>, <a href="http://www.ronniefloyd.com/blog/category/southern-baptist-convention/" rel="category tag" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; text-decoration: none; transition: color 350ms; -webkit-transition: color 350ms;">Southern Baptist Convention</a></span></font></div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><a href="http://www.ronniefloyd.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/OfferingPlate.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; text-decoration: none; transition: color 350ms; -webkit-transition: color 350ms;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9670" src="http://www.ronniefloyd.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/OfferingPlate.png" alt="OfferingPlate" width="500" height="150" style="padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; float: none; display: block; max-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 10px auto !important;"></a>Tithing is the spiritual practice of honoring God by giving the first tenth of your entire income to your local church. </span>Tithing is <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;">not </span>taboo, meaning it is not banned, prohibited, or forbidden. Your church may not emphasize the importance of tithing from your entire income, but it is a very important part of the Christian life.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Generosity is a lifestyle that gives freely and lives openhandedly. Generosity is the amount beyond the first tenth you give to your church. I can assure you that generosity is better than greed.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Greed is an insatiable desire for more. Greed is about grasping, craving, acquiring, and hoarding, while generosity is about giving, charity, blessing, and handing.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Greed is Not Godly</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Christians ignore and mock God’s Word when they do not honor God with giving at least the first tenth of their entire income to their local church. They try to rationalize or even justify it, and some even attempt to explain it away biblically. I have never discovered anyone who practices tithing and generosity try to explain why tithing and generosity are not biblical.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Somehow, we must grow in our faith enough to understand that when we do not give biblically by both tithing and practicing generosity, we are not walking in godliness. Greed is not godly.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">No One is Exempt from Tithing and Generosity</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pastors, staff members, elders, deacons, lay leaders, and all Christians are not exempt from tithing and generosity. In fact, when we do not practice giving the first tenth of our income and enter into the sphere of generosity, we are practicing and choosing greed.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Greed is like a rattlesnake that many of us want to snuggle up with in our hearts. While on a run last week, I ran upon a Copperhead snake lying right beside the curb. I did not cuddle with it; in fact, I ran with a chill up my spine for the rest of the week.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;">Greed is not about how much a person has or does not have.</span> Greed is a matter of the heart. I have seen greed exist in the lives of those who have little and I have seen it exist in the lives of those who are overwhelmed with wealth. Nice things are not wrong until you violate God’s principles of giving in order to attain them.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is Only One Way to Avoid Greed</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is only one way those with much or those with little avoid greed: <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;">Giving the first ten percent of their entire income to their local church and moving into the sphere of practicing generosity. </span>They completely embrace a lifestyle of giving freely and living openhandedly.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pastor James MacDonald is correct when he says that giving the first tenth of all G<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;">od has given to you is the on ramp to the highway called generosity. </span>Wherever you are in your life educationally, vocationally, or financially, ALL BLESSINGS flood the person and family that get on this on ramp that leads to the highway called generosity.<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Living on 90% with God involved will go much further than living on 100% without God involved.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When you obey God’s Word about giving and generosity, you are getting God involved in your life supernaturally. You are never more like Jesus than when you give.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;">Living on 90% with God involved will go further than living on 100% without God involved. </span>I have never met any person who practiced giving the first ten percent of their income through their local church that ever regretted it or did not have their needs met in life.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Three Important Things to Remember</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1. Pastors need to preach unashamedly and uncompromisingly what the Bible says about tithing and generosity.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When you speak on tithing and generosity, there will always be some who will complain or crank up the rumor mill. But just remember pastor: Many who do so do not give as they should biblically. Many who cause this stir are carnal and do not want to face the reality of their greed. Pastor, you and your family should model giving at least the first ten percent of all God gives you through your local church and practice generosity beyond that.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;">2. Laypeople, encourage your pastor to preach on tithing and generosity.</span></span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lead the way laypeople, encouraging your pastor to preach on tithing and generosity. Encourage and defend him both privately and publicly. Rebuke people who want to criticize him for doing it. People who do not want to hear and be challenged in giving are people who are not practicing giving God’s way.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3. Give freely and live openhandedly.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Be a giver, not a grabber. Live generously, not greedily. Give freely because God gave all He has given to you freely. Live openhandedly, sharing it with your church and other people because none of it is yours anyway. <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;">You own nothing; God owns everything.</span> Give it away freely and live your entire life openhandedly. By the way, even when you die, leave at least the first ten percent of all God had given you in your life and legacy to your local church. Additionally, practice generosity by giving to your church even beyond the first ten percent and then to other Christian ministries that are advancing the gospel globally.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;">We are never more like Jesus than when we give. Allow God to be part of your life in a supernatural way by giving biblically.</span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;">Now is the Time to Lead,</span></span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ronnie W. Floyd</span></span></p><div><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: PMNCaeciliaW01-75Bold; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: PMNCaeciliaW01-76BoldIt; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><br></span></span></div>Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-25168084949287100982015-07-27T14:26:00.003-04:002015-07-27T14:26:54.299-04:00I Am A Grateful Pastor<h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline">
I Am a Grateful Pastor <span style="font-size: x-small;">(repost from Thom Rainer</span></h1>
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I am a grateful pastor.<br />
I admit I get discouraged at times. And I admit that I can get frustrated and weary as well.<br />
But I have so much for which to be grateful. There are so many church members who bring me joy and encouragement.<br />
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I am a grateful pastor.</div>
I am grateful for the church member with a great attitude, the one who encourages me, who prays for me, and has a ready smile for me.<br />
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I am a grateful pastor.</div>
I am grateful for that church member in worship services almost every week. He has his Bible open and his heart open to hear God’s Word proclaimed.<br />
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I am a grateful pastor.</div>
I am grateful for the lady who is in a Bible study group every week. She loves to study the Word of God in fellowship with others.<br />
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I am a grateful pastor.</div>
I am grateful for the young mom who serves in the church with joy and commitment. She is busy, and her family does come first, but she makes time for her church as well.<br />
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I am a grateful pastor.</div>
I am grateful for that dear man living his retirement years sharing the gospel wherever he can. He is a witness in both word and deed.<br />
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I am a grateful pastor.</div>
I am grateful for that single mom who gives abundantly. I know she has to stretch her dollars, but she trusts God and is generous without hesitation.<br />
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I am a grateful pastor.</div>
I am grateful for that business executive who was tempted to drop out of the church but didn’t. He was hurt by other church members, but he chose to forgive and to stay.<br />
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I am a grateful pastor.</div>
I am grateful for the young man who recognized he was playing church games. He committed in God’s power, to become a truly functioning part of the body of Christ. His change is evident<br />
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I am a grateful pastor.</div>
I am grateful for that 40-something lady who dropped by my office to tell me she had recommitted her life to making a difference for God through her church. In just a short while, she has touched countless lives.<br />
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Indeed, I am a grateful pastor.</div>
I could focus on the tough times and the critics, and sometimes I do. But I have so much for which to be grateful, so many church members who bless me week after week.<br />
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I am a grateful pastor.</div>
And I thank you, God, for letting me serve at this great church.<br />
<div class="at-below-post addthis_default_style addthis_toolbox at-wordpress-hide" data-title="I Am a Grateful Pastor" data-url="http://thomrainer.com/2015/07/i-am-a-grateful-pastor/">
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Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-84597191869074188392015-02-13T20:27:00.001-05:002015-02-13T20:27:19.648-05:0023 Things Love Is<h2 style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px; font-weight: 700;"><br></h2><ol><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> being willing to have your life complicated by the needs and struggles of others without impatience or anger.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> actively fighting the temptation to be critical and judgmental toward another while looking for ways to encourage and praise.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> making a daily commitment to resist the needless moments of conflict that come from pointing out and responding to minor offenses.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> being lovingly honest and humbly approachable in times of misunderstanding.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> being more committed to unity and understanding than you are to winning, accusing, or being right.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> a making a daily commitment to admit your sin, weakness, and failure and to resist the temptation to offer an excuse or shift the blame.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> being willing, when confronted by another, to examine your heart rather than rising to your defense or shifting the focus.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> making a daily commitment to grow in love so that the love you offer to another is increasingly selfless, mature, and patient.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> being unwilling to do what is wrong when you have been wronged, but looking for concrete and specific ways to overcome evil with good.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> being a good student of another, looking for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs so that in some way you can remove the burden, support them as they carry it, or encourage them along the way.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> being willing to invest the time necessary to discuss, examine, and understand the relational problems you face, staying on task until the problem is removed or you have agreed upon a strategy of response.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> being willing to always ask for forgiveness and always being committed to grant forgiveness when it is requested.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> recognizing the high value of trust in a relationship and being faithful to your promises and true to your word.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> speaking kindly and gently, even in moments of disagreement, refusing to attack the other person’s character or assault their intelligence.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> being unwilling to flatter, lie, manipulate, or deceive in any way in order to co-opt the other person into giving you what you want or doing something your way.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> being unwilling to ask another person to be the source of your identity, meaning, and purpose, or inner sense of well-being, while refusing to be the source of theirs.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> the willingness to have less free time, less sleep, and a busier schedule in order to be faithful to what God has called you to be and to do as a spouse, parent, neighbor, etc.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> a commitment to say no to selfish instincts and to do everything that is within your ability to promote real unity, functional understanding, and active love in your relationships.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> staying faithful to your commitment to treat another with appreciation, respect, and grace, even in moments when the other person doesn’t seem deserving or is unwilling to reciprocate.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> the willingness to make regular and costly sacrifices for the sake of a relationship without asking for anything in return or using your sacrifices to place the other person in your debt.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> being unwilling to make any personal decision or choice that would harm a relationship, hurt the other person, or weaken the bond of trust between you.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> refusing to be self-focused or demanding, but instead looking for specific ways to serve, support, and encourage, even when you are busy or tired.</span></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>LOVE IS...</b> daily admitting to yourself, the other person, and God that you are unable to be driven by a cruciform love without God’s protecting, providing, forgiving, rescuing, and delivering grace. Copied from Paul Tripp</span></li></ol>Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-79690504665496503072015-01-29T18:43:00.001-05:002015-01-29T18:43:23.860-05:00The Most Frequent Burdens Pastors Face<a href="http://thomrainer.com/2015/01/29/frequent-burdens-pastors-face/">The Most Frequent Burdens Pastors Face</a>Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-83151759392944052782015-01-27T06:36:00.001-05:002015-01-27T06:36:22.950-05:00When Things Are Bad--Does My Faith Hold?<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“If you obey Jesus you will have a life of joy and delight.” Well, it is not true. Jesus said to the disciples, “Let us go to the other side of the lake,” and they were plunged into the biggest storm they had ever known. You say, “If I had not obeyed Jesus I should not have got into this complication.” Exactly. The temptation is to say, “God could never have told me to go there, if He had done so this would not have happened.” We discover then whether we are going to trust God’s integrity or listen to our own expressed skepticism. <br style="-webkit-touch-callout: none;"><br style="-webkit-touch-callout: none;">“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit” (Psalm 51:17)—that of a spirit God has made glad by a great forgiveness. The sign of this kind of broken heart is that the saint is untroubled by storms, and undismayed by bereavement because he is confident in God. <br style="-webkit-touch-callout: none;"><br style="-webkit-touch-callout: none;">Reflection Questions: When things go badly, do I see it as an indication that I have been mistaken about God’s leading or about God’s love? Am I prepared to accept that perhaps neither is true? What better explanation is there? </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div>Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they launched out. But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?" (Luke 8:22-25 NASB)</div>Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-46617747954864277342014-12-11T19:09:00.001-05:002014-12-11T19:09:32.248-05:00Church: Family or Store? by James Emery White<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-1372427493741598085" itemprop="description articleBody" style="width: 586px; position: relative;"><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Vol. 10, No.<b> </b>93</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s1"></span><br></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On Halloween, a member of our church’s staff came to our door to trick-or-treat with her three kids.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was their 17th straight year.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Her oldest son is taller than me and stopped dressing up long ago. In fact, he drove the family to our house.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The daughter is probably on her last year (she dressed as Katniss Everdeen – that should be a hint).</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The youngest may have a couple more years in him. Tops.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Their mother has been a part of the church for even longer – twenty-two years, to be exact. She was actually at Meck’s very first service on October 4, 1992, and was the very first person to become a Christian through our services.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For whatever reason, it made me think of two different ways of viewing a church: a family or a store.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If church is a family, then you relate to it as a son or daughter, mother or father, brother or sister. Deeply biblical ideas, I might add. When the Bible talks about Christian community, these are the metaphors it falls back on.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If a church is a store, then you are nothing more than a consumer. There is a retail outlet and a customer, a provider and a receiver.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It strikes me that these are the two ways that people can view a church.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Family...or store.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If it’s a family, they stick with it. Work through it. Stay in it. There are deep blood ties. It’s not about what you get, but what you give.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If it’s a store, then it’s a consumer decision. Who has the best prices? Most convenience? Quickest access?</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The great danger, of course, is when churches intentionally posture themselves as “stores” in competition with other “stores”. This is not only biblically misguided, it is theologically heretical.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And will not serve in the long run.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Open the front door wide, to be sure, but never fail to remember that who you are at your most foundational level is “family.”</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And make sure you help people become that family.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">James Emery White</span></div><div class="p4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s1"></span><br></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Editor’s Note</b></span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC, and the ranked adjunctive professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, which he also served as their fourth president. His latest book, <i>The Rise of the Nones: Understanding and Reaching the Religiously Unaffiliated</i>, is now <a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=52744866&msgid=714125&act=42NR&c=320029&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FRise-Nones-The-Understanding-Unaffiliated%2Fdp%2F0801016231%2Fref%3Dsr_1_2%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1393183047%26sr%3D8-2%26keywords%3Drise%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bnones" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="s3">available on Amazon</span></a>. To enjoy a free subscription to the Church and Culture blog, visit <a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=52744866&msgid=714125&act=42NR&c=320029&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.churchandculture.org" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="s3">www.churchandculture.org</span></a>, where you can view past blogs in our archive and read the latest church and culture news from around the world. Follow Dr. White on twitter <a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=52744866&msgid=714125&act=42NR&c=320029&destination=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FJamesEmeryWhite" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="s3">@JamesEmeryWhite</span></a>.</span></div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><br></span></div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"></div></div><div class="post-footer" style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 1.5em 0px 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div>Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-57141807107686667472014-12-08T14:23:00.001-05:002014-12-08T14:30:07.009-05:00Part 1 of 2014 Christmas Series<br />
<a href="http://drgdavis.sermon.net/20263225#.VIX6riTr8lw.blogger">Part 1 of 2014 Christmas Series</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHRmJP4M9L-X6s8Y4_-_F2ZJ15QahlJdEXK6YGWBHIVW7OsjWYnGb6zANPUSli1XxhBGW8rEtkTDxMg8cVw9mEevLJ3BNqYfk7vpWUaVmC9llrzCUANByJ55JvpmN_iDix83yBjsbJolw/s1600/immanuel+Factor1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHRmJP4M9L-X6s8Y4_-_F2ZJ15QahlJdEXK6YGWBHIVW7OsjWYnGb6zANPUSli1XxhBGW8rEtkTDxMg8cVw9mEevLJ3BNqYfk7vpWUaVmC9llrzCUANByJ55JvpmN_iDix83yBjsbJolw/s1600/immanuel+Factor1.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-75135463955296291152014-11-18T09:13:00.000-05:002014-11-18T09:13:04.523-05:00This Thanksgiving “get to Him” and give thanks.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">One Thanksgiving season a family was
seated around their table, looking at the annual holiday bird. From the oldest
to the youngest, they were to express their praise. When they came to the
5-year-old in the family, he began by looking at the turkey and expressing his
thanks to the turkey, saying although he had not tasted it he knew it would be
good. After that rather novel expression of thanksgiving, he began with a more
predictable line of credits, thanking his mother for cooking the turkey and his
father for buying the turkey. But then he went beyond that. He joined together
a whole hidden multitude of benefactors, linking them with cause and effect. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He said, "I thank you for the checker at the grocery store who checked out
the turkey. I thank you for the grocery store people who put it on the shelf. I
thank you for the farmer who made it fat. I thank you for the man who made the
feed. I thank you for those who brought the turkey to the store." <br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Using his Columbo-like little mind, he traced the turkey all the way from its
origin to his plate. And then at the end he solemnly said "Did I leave
anybody out?"
His 2-year-older brother, embarrassed by all those proceedings, said,
"God."
Solemnly and without being flustered at all, the 5-year-old said, "I was about
to get to him." <br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Well, isn’t that the question about which we ought to think at Thanksgiving
time? Are we really going to get to him this Thanksgiving? The Psalmist said<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, “</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Oh
give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the
peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. Glory in
His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad. Seek the LORD
and His strength; Seek His face continually. Remember His wonders which He has
done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth, O seed of Abraham,
His servant, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Psalms 105:1-6 NAS95)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This
Thanksgiving “get to Him” and give thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-7101097265514873832014-11-13T18:12:00.001-05:002014-11-13T18:12:53.422-05:0010 Ways the Enemy Gets the Upper Hand in a Church<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Reposted....</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Let me start this post with a clear caveat: Satan will not ultimately win as he attacks God’s church. Jesus broke the powers through His cross (Col. 2:15), and the enemy will eventually be cast into outer darkness (Rev. 20:10). In the meantime, though, the devil strategically attacks us. Consider these ways he seeks to get the “up”per hand.</span></p><ol style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 26px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">He wants us to mess up in sin</span>. The results of our sin are numerous. Our witness loses credibility. Our prayers are hindered. Our joy wanes. Relationships often suffer. The world looks at us and sees no difference– and the enemy temporarily wins.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">He wants us to cover up our sin</span>. He did it in the Garden of Eden, and he still does it today: if we sin, he wants us to hide like Adam and Eve did. That way, we never confess it and turn from it. Likewise, the enemy wants the local church to ignore the sin among its members.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">He wants us to get hung up on difficulties and discouragement</span>. “You’ve served God faithfully,” he says to us, “but what good has it done? You’re still struggling and lonely.” He delights when we cower in the cave like Elijah (1 Kgs 19), forgetting God’s previous blessings and focusing on only the trouble at hand.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">He wants us to clam up in evangelism</span>. God has only one plan to get the gospel to our neighbors and the nations: believers tell the story to others (Rom. 10:9-16). It’s the enemy who points out reasons for us <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">not </em>to share the gospel. Maybe you’ve heard messages like “You’re going to lose your friendship” or “You really don’t know enough to do evangelism.”</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">He wants us to bow up over position and power</span>. The enemy who himself sought the throne of God is pleased when we guard our turf and protect our positions in the local church. “You’ve served in that position for years,” he reminds us, “and why should you give it up? Nobody can do it as well as you can.”</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">He wants us to break up</span>. This strategy, too, started in the Garden, where Adam turned on Eve and blamed her for his wrong. From the beginning, the enemy has sought to sever marriages, families, friendships, and congregations. He knows the church will hardly make a difference when we shoot each other in the back.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">He wants us to build up our own kingdoms</span>. He does not mind when we talk about the kingdom of God as long as our real focus is our own kingdom. “Serve God,” he says, “but make sure others know just how much you’re serving Him. In a ‘humble’ way, be sure to get the word out about the size and influence of your ministry.”</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">He wants us to cloud up the message</span>. Without question, the enemy rejoices when the gospel message is decidedly and clearly forsaken. At the same time, though, he is pleased when the message is subtly changed so the gospel disappears while still sounding like a biblical message. The cloudiness of the message thus keeps non-believers from hearing the truth.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">He wants us to give up on prayer</span>. He points out unanswered prayer, reminding us that God has at times not heard us in the past. Why would we then seek God’s presence and power today?</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">He wants us to get puffed up with ego</span>. In fact, this strategy is the root of the rest of these strategies. When we reside on the throne of our lives, the enemy is at least temporarily winning.</span></li></ol>Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-90286408886786502902014-08-20T08:12:00.001-04:002014-08-20T08:12:29.042-04:007 Things We regularly Get Wrong About Worship<div class="articleimage" style="float: left; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px 15px 0px; text-align: center;">
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">
<img class="article" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/cms/CW/faith/851-Family%20Church%20Worship.220w.tn.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px 0px 15px; max-height: 264px; max-width: 220px;" /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<em style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name (Psalm 29:2).</em></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's Sunday around noonish. As the congregation files out of the sanctuary heading toward the parking lot, listen closely and you will hear it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's a common refrain voiced near the exit doors of churches all across this land.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I didn't get anything out of that today." "I didn't get anything out of the sermon." "I didn't get anything out of that service." "I guess her song was all right, but I didn't get anything out of it."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sound familiar? Not only have I heard it countless times over these near-fifty years in the ministry, I probably have said it a few times myself.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is like dry rot in a congregation. Like a termite infestation in the building. Like an epidemic afflicting the people of the Lord, one which we seem helpless to stop.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But let's try. Let's see if we can make a little difference where you and I live, in the churches where we serve and worship. We might not be able to help all of them, but if we bless one or two, it will have been time well spent.</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1. You are Not Supposed to 'Get Anything Out of the Service'</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Worship is not about you and me. Not about "getting our needs met." Not about a performance from the pastor and singer and choir and musicians. Not in the least.</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2. Worship is About the Lord</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name." That <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=ps+29:2" style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Psalms 29:2</a> verse atop our article today is found also in <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=1ch+16:29" style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">1 Chronicles 16:29</a> and <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=ps+96:8" style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Psalms 96:8</a>. It deserves being looked at closely.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a) We are in church to give. Not to get.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now, if I am going somewhere to "get," but find out on arriving, I am expected to "give," I am one frustrated fellow. And that is what is happening in the typical church service. People walk out the door frustrated because they didn't "get." The reason they didn't is that they were not there to "get," but to "give."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Someone should have told them.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">b) We are giving glory to God. Not to man.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We know that. At least we say we do. How many times have we recited, "...for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory"? And how often have we sung, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow..."?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">c) We do so because glory is His right. He is "worthy of worship."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is the theme of the final book of the Bible. </span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Who is worthy?" (Rev. 5:2) </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"You are worthy...for you were slain, and have redeemed us" (Rev. 5:9). </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain" (Rev. 5:12).</span></li>
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<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3. Self-centeredness Destroys All Worship</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If my focus is on myself when I enter the church--getting my needs met, learning something, hearing a lesson that blesses me, being lifted by the singing--then Christ has no part in it. He becomes my servant, and the pastor (and all the other so-called performers) are there only for me. It's all about me.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We have strayed so far from the biblical concept of worship--giving God His due in all the ways He has commanded--it's a wonder we keep going to church. And it's an even greater wonder that our leaders keep trying to get us to worship.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The poor preacher! Trying to cater to the insatiable hungers of his people, even the best and most godly among them, is an impossible task. One week he gets it right and eats up the accolades. Then, about the time he thinks he has it figured out, the congregation walks out grumbling that they got nothing out of the meal he served today.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The typical congregation in the average church today really does think the service is all about them--getting people saved, learning the Word, receiving inspiration to last another week, having their sins forgiven, taking an offering to provision the Lord's work throughout the world.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Anything wrong with those things? Absolutely not. But if we go to church to do those things, we can do them. But we will not have worshiped.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Warren Wiersbe says, "If you worship because it pays, it will not pay."</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">4. Evangelism & Discipleship, Giving & Praying, Grow Out of Worship; Not the Other Way Around</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The disciples were worshiping on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit filled them and drove them into the streets to bear a witness to the living Christ (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=ac+2" style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Acts 2</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Isaiah was in the Temple worshiping when God appeared to him, forgave his sins, and called him as a prophet to the people (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=isa+6" style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Isaiah 6</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was in the act of worship that the two distraught disciples had their eyes opened to recognize Jesus at their table (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=lu+24" style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Luke 24</a>).</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">5. We are to Give Him Worship and Glory in the Ways Scripture Commands</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Give to the Lord the glory due His name and bring an offering." So commands I Chronicles 16:29 and Psalm 96:8.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart--these, O God, you will not despise." (Psalm 51:17)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Singing, praise, rejoicing. Praying, offering, humbling, loving. All these are commanded in worship at various places in Scripture.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Lord Jesus told the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, "Those who worship God must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). That is, with their inner being, the totality of themselves, their spirit, not just their lips or their bodies going through the motions. And in truth--the revealed truth of how God has prescribed worship to take place. He is not pleased with "just anything" that we claim as worship.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We must balance our worship between spirit (the subjective part: body, soul, emotions) and truth (the objective aspect: all that God has revealed in His word).</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">6. We Are the Ones Who Decide Whether We Worship upon Entering the House of the Lord</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Don't blame the preacher if you don't worship. He can't do it for you.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">No one else can eat my food for me, love my cherished ones in my place, or do my worshiping for me.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">No pastor can decide or dictate whether we will worship by the quality of his leadership or the power of his sermon. Whether I worship in today's service has absolutely nothing to do with how well he does his job.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am in charge of this decision. I decide whether I will worship.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When Mary sat before the Lord Jesus, clearly worshiping, He informed a disgruntled Martha that her sister had "chosen the good part," something that "will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42). That something special was time spent in worship. Such moments or hours are eternal.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lest someone point out that Martha could have worshiped in her kitchen by her service for Christ, we do not argue, but simply point out that she was not doing so that day.</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">7. Remember: Worship is a Verb</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And it's an active verb at that.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Worship is something we do, not something done to us.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the worst of circumstances, I can still worship my God. In the Philippians prison, while their backs were still oozing blood from the beating they'd received, Paul and Silas worshiped (Acts 16:25).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Even if a church has no pastor and has to make do with a stuttering layman or some inept fill-in, I can still bow before the Lord, offer Him my praise, and give Him my all. I can humble before Him and I can bring my offering.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What I cannot do is leave church blaming my failure to worship on the poor singing, the boring sermon, or the noise from the children in the next pew. I am in charge of the decision whether I will worship, and no one else.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Someone has pointed out that ours is the only nation on earth where church members feel they have to have "worshipful architecture" before they can adequately honor the Lord. Millions of Christians across the world seem to worship just fine without any kind of building. Believers in Malawi meet under mango trees, according to retired missionary Mike Canady, and their worship is as anointed as anyone's anywhere. (What? No stained glass!)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our insistence on worshipful music, worship settings, and worshipful everything are all signs of our disgusting self-centeredness.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's disgusting because I see it in myself, and do not like it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">No one enjoys a great choir more than I. I love to hear a soloist transport us all into the Throneroom by his/her vocal offering in the service. A great testimony of God's grace and power thrills me. And of course, being a preacher, I delight in hearing a sermon that you feel is direct from the heart of God.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But if I require any one or all of those before I can worship, something is vastly wrong with me.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My friends, something is vastly wrong with us today.</span></div>
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<em style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="font-style: inherit;">Dr. Joe McKeever </strong>is a Preacher, Cartoonist, and the Director of Missions for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans. Visit him at <a href="http://joemckeever.com/mt" style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">joemckeever.com/mt</a>. Used with permission.</em></div>
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Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-87609561231249500752014-07-31T21:52:00.002-04:002014-07-31T21:52:59.888-04:00Prioritizing Church Attendance<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.45em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Let’s just face the facts. Today, many Christians do not think attending church is that important. In the past, Christians believed that actively being a part of a church body was absolutely necessary to one’s faith. There used to be an understanding in Christian families that unless one was deathly ill or there was a family emergency, you just never ever missed church. So what has changed and caused so many people to view the church as a disposable good instead of as an intricate part of one’s spiritual life?</span></div>
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<strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">WHY WE DON’T ATTEND CHURCH: A 40-HOUR A WEEK JOB, BUT NO TIME FOR GOD</span></strong></h3>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pastor Kevin DeYoung is right. Our lives really are “crazy busy.” There is no doubt about it. Whether you are a college student, a newly-wed couple, or have a family of seven, we live in a day and age where the mentality is simply: go, go, go! This is one of the main reasons why church attendance is viewed as optional. Most people work 40-hour a week jobs in the United States, and so once the weekend hits the mindset of rest and recovery sets in. Trust me, I get it. Everybody wants some downtime. But why do we think that rest and recovery should take place outside of the confines of the house of God?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Recently, Trevin Wax wrote an article titled: “<a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2013/08/06/are-you-a-part-time-churchgoer-you-may-be-surprised/" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Are You A Part-Time Church Goer? You May Be Surprised</a>.” Wax explains various reasons why people miss church in today’s society. There are 52 Sundays a year. If you only attend 25-30 Sunday services, you are a part-time church goer. Congratulations!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Do you recognize what is clearly wrong with this? Our jobs, which of course we must have to be able to support ourselves and our families, are seen as absolute necessities, while church attendance is simply seen as a dispensable activity. Brothers and sisters, this is not how it should be. Of course, the mindset of just attending church, getting your church attendance ticket punched, is absolutely wrong as well. Pastors and church leaders should preach against this mentality as well. However, think about this for a second. Just like you gather with your biological family, shouldn’t you also desire to gather with your spiritual family?</span></div>
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<strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">WHY WE NEED THE CHURCH: A BIBLICAL CASE</span></strong></h3>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I know the arguments that are going to be raised about what I have said thus far. People are going to say: “Does he really believe that attending a local church, going to its building, and doing this once or twice a week is what the Bible is suggesting?” Well yes and no. Kevin DeYoung explains, “I know we are the church and don’t go to church (blah, blah, blah), but being persnickety about our language doesn’t change the exhortation of <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Hebrews 10.25" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Hebrews%2010.25" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Hebrews 10:25</a>.” I couldn’t agree more.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fellowship with your spiritual family is a sign of maturing in the faith as a disciple. <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Hebrews 10.25" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Hebrews%2010.25" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Hebrews 10:25</a> says, “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Have we really become so “new-agey” in our thought that we now think that we have matured past the need to attend church? Lord, let it not be so.</span></div>
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<strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">GOSPEL-MOTIVATED CHURCH ATTENDANCE</span></strong></h3>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is no doubt that what we need to recover in the life of Christians today is a gospel-motivated church attendance. What might this look like? Well, in my opinion its demonstrating the fact that when the church gathers on the Lord’s day, she proclaims the gospel, meditates on the gospel, and rehearses the gospel. By doing this, lives will begin to fundamentally change. It really is just that simple.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When the gospel is at the center our focus shifts. We no longer view church attendance as something we just need to check off, but as an intricate part of our spiritual lives. Instead of serving the god of individuality, we will be serving the God of Scripture. The gospel changes everything. However, we must first let the gospel change our low views of the church, and recognize that the house of the Lord is absolutely vital to the Christian life—to the life of a mature disciple. Should not the good news of Jesus Christ dying for our sins motivate us enough to enter into God’s house on Sundays? I would say so.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We are all at different points in our spiritual walks with the Lord. No matter what point you are at on your journey, I hope that you will come to see the importance of attending church. Do not be so narcissistic and self-consumed to think that you do not need the body of Christ. That is simply a sign of spiritual immaturity and a straight-up lie from the Devil.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am not trying to guilt anyone into attending church regularly either. However, I am issuing a challenge to those who consider themselves Christians. If you consider yourself to be a part of the bride of Christ (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Rev. 19.7-9" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rev.%2019.7-9" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Rev. 19:7-9</a>, <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Rev 21.2" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rev%2021.2" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">21:2</a>), tell me why would you separate yourself from the body of Christ (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Rom. 12.5" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom.%2012.5" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Rom. 12:5</a>; <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="1 Cor. 10.17" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Cor.%2010.17" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">1 Cor. 10:17</a>)? Logically, that makes no sense at all.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So Christians, live in light of the fact that you have been redeemed and do not have to earn your acceptance before God through your church attendance. The community of Christ needs you because it cannot function without all of its body parts. This is not condemnation, but rather an exhortation. Attending church is a blessing that should not be taken for granted.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">—</span></div>
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<em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Matt Manry</strong> is the Director of Discipleship at <a href="http://www.lifebiblechurch.com/" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Life Bible Church in Canton, Georgia</a>. He is a student at Reformed Theological Seminary and Knox Theological Seminary. He also works on the editorial team for <a href="http://www.credomag.com/" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Credo Magazine</a> and <a href="http://gcdiscipleship.com/" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Gospel-Centered Discipleship</a>. He blogs regularly at<a href="http://gcdiscipleship.com/4-ways-to-sense-god-through-suffering/gospelglory.net" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: opacity 0.5s, color 0.5s, border-color 0.5s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="gospelglory.net">gospelglory.net</a>.</em></div>
Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576653359731176072.post-710408285740718952014-07-26T09:05:00.000-04:002014-07-26T09:06:25.094-04:0011 Differences between a College Football Fan and a Church Member<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am reposting this article by Thom Rainer... It does speak ....</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Warning: The article below is a bit of sarcastic humor. I am speaking in hyperbole to make a point. The football fan noted represents a very rabid football fan. The church member represents some, but certainly not all, church members.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Disclosure: I tend to be a rabid college football fan. I see my allegiance as an area of devotion that needs significant adjustments downwardly. So I don’t necessarily practice what I preach. For example, even as I type these words, I am reminded that the kickoff for my team’s first game of the season is exactly five weeks from today.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Caution: While I do write these comparisons with some humor and a lot of hyperbole, you might get just a bit uncomfortable reading them. That may indicate there is some truth in each of them.</span></div>
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 26px 40px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A college football fan loves to win. The typical church member never wins someone to Christ.</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A college football fan gets excited if a game goes into overtime. A church member gets mad if the pastor preaches one minute past the allocated time.</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A college football fan is loyal to his or her team no matter what. A church member stops attending if things are not going well.</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A college football fan is easily recognized by his or her sportswear, bumper stickers, and team flags. Many church members cannot even be recognized as Christians by people with whom they associate.</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A college football fan pays huge dollars for tickets, travel, and refreshments for games. A church member may or may not give to his or her church.</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A college football fan reads about his or her football team every day. A church member rarely reads the Bible once in the course of a week.</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A college football fan attends the game no matter how bad the weather is. A church member stays home if there is a 20 percent chance of rain.</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A college football fan invites others to watch the game every week. A church member rarely invites someone to church.</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A college football fan is known for his or her passion for the football team. A church member is rarely known for his or her passion for the gospel.</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A college football fan will adjust gladly to changes in kickoff time. A church member gets mad if his or her service time is changed by just a few minutes.</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: decimal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A college football fan is loyal even if he or she never gets to meet the coach. A church member gets mad if the pastor does not visit for every possible occasion.</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yes, I admit I do enjoy college football. But I really love Christ’s churches even more. I need to demonstrate that reality more readily. Do you?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">So . . . what would you add to my somewhat sarcastic list? Do you see the humor? Do you see some truth?</span></div>
Pastor Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09304977521137269281noreply@blogger.com0