90 degrees Farenheit. That was the temperature in our car this past week as we traveled through the Midwest fighting the onsalught of sleet and snow. The only way to fight the build up of ice on the windshield was to have the defrost on high (MAX and 90), or so I thought. More on that in a sec…
So as we are riding through this winter storm on our way to another church, I couldn’t help but notice that none of the other cars (all with Iowa and Nebraska license plates) seemed to be having much of a problem. Maybe it was the fact that I was sweating profusely, or the fact that my pregnant wife was fanning herself and using cold bottles of water as personal neck coolers, but eventually I said out loud “okay something is not right!” Jessica agreed and began searching Google using a missionary’s best friend (iPhone). And then we found it: de-icer windshield washer fluid.
Fact: they don’t sell -34F de-icing windshield washer fluid in South Carolina. I had never heard of it. They don’t sell it in the Philippines either, and Jessi had never heard of it. But you learn something new every day, and that day we learned that Family Dollar in Iowa sells it for $2.99 plus tax. And so, we were on our way. This time with a much more comfortable in-car temperature….
What exciting lessons will be learn next on deputation? Stay tuned….
I recently watched the movie The Soloist with Jamie Foxx about a musical genius who basically went crazy due to his life circumstances. He ended up homeless. It is based on a true story. As the story goes, someone saw what no one else did and helped him regain his platform. He could still play the cello like no one else could.
We were recently traveling in Kansas, and we were eating breakfast in McDonalds. There was a man sitting behind us who was obviously “crazy” by any definition. He was talking to himself, had a table full of ‘nick-nacks’ and kept getting up and down and looking in the trashcan. My heart went out to him. I thought, “Jesus could change his life”. I prayed that the tract I was about to hand him would make an impact, and then I walked it over to him.
He looked up to heaven as if asking God, “why is he talking to me?”. Then he looked at me. His eyes told me that no one had talked to him in a long time.
“Your favorite? Did you write it?” he asked.
“No I didn’t, but it’s a good one”, I said with a smile as I walked away.
And that was that. If he read it, Christ could heal him and change his life. I am confident of that.
Church (n): the spotless and pure bride of Christ (Eph 5)
Believer’s Baptism seems like a funny place to continue our discussion, but hang with me. “Believer’s Baptism” says that you cannot be baptized until you have first trusted Christ for salvation, thus following the biblical model. Those who hold to this model generally also hold to the teaching that you cannot join the church until you have been baptized. And in baptism the believer is counseled and is sure of his decision to repent and trust Christ. So, in effect, to join the church as a member, a person has been vetted, if you will, and joins in like faith and like mind. He is a member of the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, as part of the ecclessia. Ecclessia is the Greek word meaning “assembly”; in other words, the assembling together of those who have been saved, baptized, and brought into the body of the local church.
We assemble. As a majority. This gives strength to the body of Christ. Any schisms or disagreements are to be addressed in the common Spirit that we all have. This is the biblical model of a church. How does this differ from some models today, you ask. I’m glad you asked.
The New Testament church assembled together, and then went out to evangelize and bring others in. I’m sure there was a visitor here and there, and they probably had their version of “Friend Day”, but on the whole they went out. Why? They knew that their lost friends would not enjoy assembling with them and worshipping a God they currently were rejecting! We worship in Spirit and truth. The lost world has neither. So why do some have this idea that we can create an assembly that will simulatneously glorify God and attract “seekers” who are lost? Creating a service atmosphere of this nature, in my opinion, requires removing much of the spiritual content and “meat” (doctrine) from the service. This has two damaging effects:
1) it dilutes the church body
2) it gives “seekers” a false assurance of their present state
In conclusion: 1 Corinthians 1:18 – For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
The strongest church is the one that assembles together as a body and energizes people to go out and do the work of God, ultimately bringing others into the body. It is this strength of the body, soundly holding up the light of Jesus, that changes lives. It is not a church’s job to dilute things and make the message palatable to the lost world. It is a churches job to shine the Light.
Do you agree? Is there a limit to how acceptable the content of a church service should be to the lost?
“Caffeine is the most commonly used mood-altering drug in the world”
I am now +1 week cafeeine free. It was one of my New Year’s resolutions. I am drinking decaf in the morning, and laying off sodas (which I have been for a while now).
And after reading articles like this one by John Hopkins Medical Center, with words like “mood altering drug” and “reinforcer” , I am glad to have quit this particular drug cold turkey.
Question: How do you view America’s addiction to caffeine? Good, bad, or neutral?
Merry Christmas! Below you will find two codes that get you access to an instant download sampler from The Bible Experience.Enjoy!
1. Copy www.bibleexperience.com into your browser
2. Enter the code below in the box marked “Free Download Code”
3. Select your age in the drop-down menu
4. Click the button to download
Cuba Gooding, Jr. as Jonah – CODE: JONAH2CAT09
Mary Mary’s inspirational Psalm performance – CODE: PSALMSCAT09
I have to admit this. In times past, children’s Christmas programs did not excite me very much. I don’t know why, I just honestly had little interest in watching.
That is, until I found this principle.
And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?“ Matthew 21:16
Christ was referencing Psalm 8:2. The praise that little children have for Jesus, especially this time of year, is something very special. Their faith is refreshing – it is innocent and whole-hearted.
So when you attend the “Children’s Choir Christmas Musical Extravaganza Pageant Program Play” this year – don’t be bored or uninterested.
Study how much in love with Jesus they are in the simplicity of their faith.
Matthew 18:3: And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
