A Christian on Colbert??

I found this information on Ben Witherington’s web site.

Check out N.T. Wright’s video.

I think God revealed Himself on The Comedy Channel.  This will give those who are lost something to think about.  Praise the Lord! 

Spiritual tune up

Mark Wilson has a post that I encourage many to view. 

It is scary how easy it is to learn how to play the role of a Christian.  We are always so concerned with taking ground for Christ that we forget to check to see how are relationship with Christ is. 

I had a professor, Bud Bence, who told our class about a time that he stayed at a Monastery and they were allowed to have a question and answer time.  Otherwise, they must maintain silence.  During this Q&A, someone asked why the monks were simply praying about changing the world instead of going out and changing the world.  Their answer was that us Protestants were so busy trying to change the world that do not pray. 

I hope I told that story correctly; but I think you get the picture.  I have begun to realize that it is time for a spiritual tune up in my personal life.  I fear that everything in our society is about change.  The danger for Christians is that we focus so hard on change that we forget to take care of our relationship with Christ who nourishes us with His Word and Presence. 

When was the last time that you had a Brother Lawrence moment and Practiced the Presence?  Beware of being a race car Christian with a one track mind that is only focused on running hard to win.  We must practice proper maintenance so that we can finish the race.    

Something to consider while forwarding emails

Christians I want you to know that whoever becomes President it will be because God allowed it.  Political email that is not truthful is something that should concern any Christian.  I know where Jesus said falseness comes from.  We have to be careful not spread that stuff to others.

The Bible says that we are supposed to be careful not cause a weaker brother, or sister, to stumble.  I think that we sometimes try to protect the truth by lying.  We should consider that the truth is God’s truth and does not have to be protected by us.  Instead, we live by it, because the truth is what sets us free. 

Here is a link to another blog about this topic.  Read it.  In addition, here is a link to Obama’s web sight that is designed to combat false accusations against him.  This does not mean that I am supporting Obama.  This means that I support the truth.   

What I need

I need someone to step up at our church.  This person will be from our community and will have a strong desire to be used by God to save people.  He, or she, will combine that desire with the need to see our church involved with ministry to the community.

I need someone to love our church.  When a church is not healthy Christians, including myself, tend to become like a pack of wild dogs who destroy the weaker dog.  Instead of us complaining, we must be motivated to be part of the solution.

I need commitment from people.  Apathy must be stamped out.  Spiritual laziness will not fly with God.  If following the command to make disciples, from Christ, does not spur us to action, then it seems that we are fooling ourselves into thinking that we are His. 

I need people who talk about our mission with others in the community all the time.  People with passion.  Enthusiasm will overcome all of our shortfalls.  This will only happen if people have confidence in God, the church, the pastor, and each other. 

I need people who want a revival.  I do not mean a three day paid speaker to come in.  I mean a revival that motivates us to action. 

Our growth, will start through the lay people.  It will be the people that God will use to fulfill His commands.  The only change that we need is a heart change.  Music and programs will not be the answer.  The answer will be that God showed up through His people. 

USA Olympic Basketball TAKE NOTES!

  Here it is!  And it is the Celtics’!

First, Congrats to the Big Three for not scoring like they have in the past.  What I mean is that these men decided that basketball is a team sport.  Teams win championships.  Individuals win personal trophies.  Personal trophies do not help franchises. 

Next, I hope our Olympic basketball team has taken notes on how to play DEFENSE, and TEAM basketball.  Unselfishness and sacrifice will always prevail.  This Celtics team played like Celtics in the 80’s. 

Finally, remember the Dream Team.  The almost passed the ball too much.  This is what it will take for the USA to recapture the Gold in the Olympics.  Oh, by the way, 3 of the best, finally got what they deserve.  A championship.  Good guys finally finish first.  This is another clue for our Olympic team. 

Let’s go get the Gold!  Go Celts!  Go USA!

Thoughts about MapQuest, mapping out success at Smith Chapel

Result: Out of 60 different people, who were present for at least one service, 2, I think, said this is what we as a church need to here and then do.

Issue: We had a state of the church meeting a week ago.  30 out approx. 50 were there.  I showed slides with charts on them that showed a huge loss in elementary and high school students at our church.  We all agreed that we need to pray about this.  We talked about building maintenance.  We all agreed to do something about these needs.  Hmm . . .

Issue: It seems that there is a lack of vision for ministry that seeks to transform our community and world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are thankful for our beautiful church and location. 

Issue: I am waiting on someone who will come to me with a burden, and passion, to minister to our community.  This person will have everything ready to go without me having to do it for him, or her.  This person will just want me to encourage, pray, and guide when necessary.  

Result: It seems that more money will be given, during regular tithes and offerings, when we have a need.  However, if it is tithe money, if it comes in, then we could use for needs that exist now.  

What I know: Until we are united in the desire to have young people at our church, we will not.  Youth and children’s ministry is only successful when the students can feel and see when the congregation wants them to be there.  There is no possible way that one person can do the ministry alone.  It takes a team.  Leadership will have to get behind the vision first.  This will take sacrifice on their part as well as commitment.  Leadership is not about thinking for the church.  It is about serving the church. 

We are a Holiness denomination.  What does this mean?  It is supposed to mean that we have surrendered our lives to Christ, which means that He has first place in all that we do.  A rule of thumb to remember is that Holiness does not exist to fill the church.  Holiness exists to fill the world with God’s goodness.  Holiness empowers Christians to bring the good news to the lost; and is not limited to just simply a word that demonstrates spiritual superiority.  Yes, we are delivered from our desire to sin which is replaced with a desire for Him.  This in turn, means, that we desire to do His will which is to transform our community and the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.   

Where does this leave our church?  Simply put.  If we are not multiplying, then we do not really have a desire for Jesus. 

Following the map to success at Smith Chapel Wesleyan Church pt. 4

This was the final installment of our MapQuest series.  This series was designed to give us direction to success in fulfilling the mission of Jesus Christ.  This series was meant to help us, as church, to become outward focused instead of inward focused.  I beleive that the answer to growth is being missional about spreading the Word of God; the Good News.  

Endpoint

The text:Mark 8:34-38

We are on a long journey together.  There will be days when we will want to give up.  To be successful as a church means that we will all have to sacrifice together and practice total allegiance to Jesus Christ and His mission.  Smith Chapel will have to focus upon Christ while ignoring the various distractions that world has to offer.  Mark wrote that Jesus expects total allegiance to a church who was being killed for following Christ.  This type of example should speak volumes to the American Christian that only has to fear people making fun of us; or disagreeing with us.  Jesus gives three reminders that should help Smith Chapel to fulfill her mission.

1. We must deny our self to complete our mission-we must remember, as Mark Driscoll has said, God does not exist for us, but we exist for Him.
2. We must not deny Christ during our mission-when sacrificing the journey becomes long and personal goals seem more natural to us.  If our allegiance gets divided, then we are dangerously close to denying Christ. 
3. We must deny the world to benefit from the mission-according to Jesus, those who seek comfortable life and profit and do not deny the world, these are not making wise decisions.

The world has a lot to offer for a short time, and sacrifice and allegiance can make the mission seem long.  Yet, Jesus would desire us to focus on what He has called us to do, “Transforming our world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” 

 

Funny, but painful

Sometimes surfing the blogs will turn up a gold nugget.  Check out the source that I got this from too. 

 

Contextualization

Tell me what is out of place in this set of words:

Pompano Beach, Florida
Brazilian
Haitian
Urban
City
Multicultural
Country-Western Themed Vacation Bible School

Some thoughts about new GS DR. Lyon from Wade Rogers

I sense the same amount of excietement over Dr. Lyon being missional as I do her election being historic.  I am glad of both.  Nevertheless, she seems to be truly the best person for the job.  She seems to think like those of us who are concerned to “go” and do something to impact the Kingdom of God. 

So here is the link.

A good post from one of my favorite writers, James Watkins

With all the natural disasters that have occurred recently many may wonder how God could let such things happen.  Here is a post that gives insight which will help aid in understanding God’s role in these tragedies.