Thoughts

• ESPN gives game balls on Monday Night Football during halftime.  So, I thought I would give my game ball to Mike Singletary.  I am doing this for his decision to to send Vernon Davis to the showers in the middle of the 49er’s loss to the Seahawks.  Singletary was adamant that the 49ers are a team first!  Their team will not be about and individual.  This is the way it used to be.  I also want to say that Vernon Davis admitted that the coach was right on the 49ers web site.  I applaud him for saying that and that he thought they could still work together. 
• I am a Cowboys fan.  It seems that Singletary would be good for that team right now.  This team has 13 or 14 pro bowlers on it.  They should be winning every game.  Yet, it appears to me that this team isn’t sold out to the cause of winning a Super Bowl.  Things started off track when Terrel Owens began to get frustrated about the amount of passes he was receiving.  When I played high school basketball I wanted the ball every trip down the floor.  But if someone else scored for our team I was elated every time.  I just wanted us to win.  There were games that I would gladly give up scoring to shut down someone else who scored a lot with my defense too.  I wanted our team to win and I would do anything to make that happen.  I was sold out to our cause of winning each game we played.  We didn’t win them all, and we struggled, but I continued at 110% no matter what.   Jerry Jones needs to seek guys who will work hard with a good attitude and allow the coaches to coach.   
• I attended a funeral yesterday of Herb Dongell.  What a man of God!  As far as I know his whole family are devoted to Christ.  His oldest son teaches at Asbury Theological Seminary and his youngest son is ordained.  It sounds bad to say that I enjoyed being at the funeral because I know how sad it usually is.  However, some of the life stories that were told about Dr. Herbert Dongell were wonderful to hear.  His son shared about how he and his siblings would call and ask thier father what amounts they should put into stocks, 401’s, insurance, and etc.  His reply was “The steps of a goodman are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23).  Every time!  Their father even gave up a chance to play baseball to follow God’s call to become a minister!  Nice contrast to the professional athletes who can’t give up thier spotlight so that their teams can win. 
• How will I be remembered when I pass?  My desire is that my children will remember me as a man devoted Jesus Christ.  Yet, for this to happen it will take more than words spoken by me.  It will have to be a lifestyle.  In other words, the unintentional sermons will be what are remembered.  Actions must match the words that are spoken. 
• God showed up at our church this Sunday.  And, you guessed it.  The devil is already trying to tear down in different ways.  But greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.  My best attempt at paraphrasing.     
• I am really concerned with our election that is coming up.  We live in a dangerous world.  One of these two candidates will be tested.  I am concerned about one of these two making some of the changes that they are talking about, that likely will not work economically,  and then we will spend the next 20 years trying to dig out of a mistake.  Redistributing wealth sounds good for Robin Hood stories, but when the government gets involved in it I am a little uneasy.  And guess what?  I don’t have any wealth and might gain from this type of promise.  So, when I make that statement, it cannot be said that I am trying to hang on to something. 
           

The World’s trouble with the Church

I shared a conversation today with someone who challenged me and caused me to defend what I believe with answers that went beyond “Because the Bible says so!”  Here is what needs to be defended according to those who do not attend church and have family members who go to church.

• Why won’t some churches allow people to serve in leadership if they have had a divorce, but will gladly receive their money and allow these people to work themselves to death?  I don’t care if you are a Bible scholar; this looks bad!  I have known people who have been damaged because of this.  If the Church is supposed to be the corporate character of Christ, then how can this happen? 
• Why does the Church spend a great amount of time screaming and complaining about what they are against instead of doing something to help those who are lost to find Jesus?  Isn’t this simply about control?  Is control an attribute that Christ bestowed upon the Church?  Or, did He bestow love as the main attribute of the Body?
• Why do small churches spend so much time condemning other churches and denominations?  Does this come from jealousy?  The most frustrating accusations from these churches who try to keep what little people they have scared straight is that Billy Graham is going to hell (a preacher in Phoenix has this video on youtube).  Wow!  If this is true, we are in serious trouble. 
• Why are so many churches and ministers trying to escape from the run-down neighborhoods instead of staying to minister (serve) in them?  I listen to some church planters and get excited to dream with them.  Yet, some want to plant in the affluent areas instead of the places that are surviving on government help.  This is a whole new type of “Left Behind.” 
• Another question in our conversation that was asked, “Why doesn’t the Church like to talk about Jesus in casual conversations?”  It does seem that we Christians try to keep our faith quiet instead of shouting about what God has done for us recently.  As a matter of fact, this person said that most of the time sermons come from the OT or Paul’s letters to the churches.  There needs to be a good balance of the Word of God in light of the Gospels people!
• My favorite.  Why do Christians get stuck in debates over alcohol or cigarettes?  Shouldn’t God be allowed to be God by letting Him help these people to quit for their health and not eternal damnation?  Could it be that God might be more concerned with children who are starving in Africa?  Isn’t gossip more damaging to the Body of Christ than someone drinking a glass of wine?
• My last favorite.  Why is it that those Christians that God has blessed financially give less than those who do not have much?  This trend seems to be true even in the secular world. 

Well these are some good discussion starters that should get those of us who care about the Church being Christ thinking.  If you comment and use Scripture, remember not to take special verses out of context.    And please limit yourself to what the Bible actually says about this stuff; nothing more and nothing less.

A Video reminder for our upcoming election

Here is a video that has been put out that reminds us of what is really important.

http://www.catholicvote.com/Default.aspx

Sunday sermon recap

• I am preaching a series called “God’s Instructions on building His Church.”  This series is focusing on 1 Corinthians. 
• The bottom-line, the Church is built upon the foundation of the Cross of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection. 
• My desire is to communicate that God wants His Church to rely upon Him by faith, as a group, instead of the wisdom of the world.  “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1:18).  The local church as a group of people must make important decisions by faith.  Remember, the way of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.  In other words, when we trust God instead of our common sense, it will seem foolish to us and everyone around us.  Faith in God is what matters. 
• “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building” (3:9).  In reference to the church being divided over whether to follow Paul, Apollos, or Cephas.  These 3 were on the same team and God used them to work in His Church that should be united under the Holy Spirit.  Think about how Paul described the church.  “God’s field, God’s building.”  God sends ministers in to work His field which is the church.  This does not mean individuals, although it does eventually have to, but the church is God’s.  The group submits to God’s doctrine.  If the church does, then the world sees the love of Christ.  Let me take a big step forward here.  When the church as a group is under the influence of the Holy Spirit instead of the wisdom of the world, then Jesus Christ becomes Incarnate in this world that is looking for a Savior.  Don’t believe me then check out Steven Hawking’s comments.   
• When the church does not behave as the Incarnate Christ would, then the world is stuck in a rut looking for a Savior that it can believe in.  For too long local churches have not portrayed the characteristic of Savior who gave Himself for the sake of the lost world.  I fear that human wisdom controls Club Jesus churches all over the United States.  When will the Church engage itself in the imperishable work instead of perishable agendas? 
• I want to revisit a thought from an earlier post of mine a week ago.  With our economy going so poorly, how important is it for the Church to behave like the town of Bethlehem during the time of the famine.  This little town continued to follow God’s Law and still took care of the poor and the aliens. 
• One last thing; we, the Church or the church, will be judged for what we have done to reveal the character of Christ, and what we have not done.  I know this is controversial.  Yet, there seems to be some accountability between the Church and God.   
• Each one of us who lead churches have to decide if we will lead by faith or by common sense decisions.  The bottom-line if God tells us in His Word what to do, we must do it.  If God leads us to do something that requires us to sacrifice we must do it.  We are His field and building. 

What do you all think?

Looney Tunes history

I have been watching some the cartoons that I grew up with on youtube lately.  As a result, I have come to realize that I want to see these cartoons more often.  Hanna Barbara, Warner Brothers, and Walt Disney have put out some of the best cartoons in the past. 

My favorite cartoons are Looney Tunes without a doubt.  I love Marvin the Martian, Foghorn Leghorn, Yosemite Sam, and others.  These cartoons really make me laugh.  

While looking for DVD’s to buy on Amazon, I read a review that mentioned the Termite Terrace Culture.  I had no idea what that was.  So if you are interested here is the article that will help you win the next Trivial Pursuit game.

Why I want to grow a bigger church

Last week I took a small part in the funeral of dear lady who went to be with Jesus.  She attended several churches during her life and Smith Chapel was one of them.  One the churches that she attended was a rather large church, the kind a small church pastor might want to become a janitor at or at least covet, this church seated may be a thousand people!  It was truly a beautiful church.  The choir loft seated around 90 or so.  In other words, you could put my congregation in the loft twice. It was well lit and the carpet was clean looking. 

My people from Smith Chapel came in and, if you know me you know that I tend to tell the same joke over and over to people as they come in, I kept telling them to keep the pastor busy while steal his one of his cameras or bongos.  Finally, someone came in and looked at the sanctuary and said to me, “Here you go Pastor, a big church just like you always want.”  After a couple of years of preaching about being missional and reaching people for Jesus Christ I was stunned that this is what someone thought was the reason I talk about growing.  So here are a few reasons why I want our church to grow:

• Growing numerically will help us to grow spiritually. 
• Numerical growth takes us out of our comfort zones and causes us to rely upon our faith in God.
• Numerical growth grants the opportunity to welcome those who other churches may not want into our fellowship. 
• Numerical growth creates more opportunities to bless others.
• Numerical growth brings others into the mission of the church to become servants of Jesus Christ.
• Numerical growth, yes I will say it, brings more resources like finances into the church so that the church broaden her mission to the community and the world.
• Numerical growth, while not the only way to measure success, is one way for the church to see fruit from her labor. 
• Numerical growth creates the opportunity for the church to continue multiplying herself by planting another church. 
• A larger church facility also allows for church growth.  Now I know that there are going to be some purests out there that will say that I am focusing on the thing.  May be so.  But we cannot deny that in this day of plenty, many people choose the more up to date churches that are new looking.  When I first moved to SC, we found two grocery stores in Clemson, Winn Dixie and Bi-Lo.  They sold the same things and had the same sales.  Yet, the Bi-Lo, which is newer, had the people all the time.  While the now out of business Winn Dixie store, which was older and dated looking did not have many shopping there. 
• The better facility is not a hinderance to the gospel.  The hinderance happens when we are only motivated to build a new church so that we can have a cornerstone on the front of the building and a pat on the back from others.
• Church growth is the result of being missional.  It is not the objective.  It just happens when a Body of Christ desires to reach out to the lost world with more than mere words.     

I want to grow a bigger church only if it is the result of faith and obedience to Christ’s mission as the Body of Christ.  I just wanted to clarify to everyone and myself why I want to grow.  It is good to check my motives and that is what I have had to do.  So I am grateful for straight talk from people in my church sometimes because I do not want to be a pastor who is career minded only.  I want to simply here, “Well done; good and faithful servant.”

Living by faith in the Lord

Here is a post from my friend Austin Porter who is planting a church by faith.  I hope that if you are reading this post that you understand what it is to live by faith.  Many Christians really don’t know what it is to live by faith; yet we say we do.  Petra sang about faith this way in Beyond Belief, “Leap of faith without a net, makes us want to hedge our bets, but waters never part ’til our feet get wet!”  Planting a church means that you have to find money to survive as a church, and for yourself. 

Austin is one that I am watching.  Why?  Because there is no savings account that is going to cover for him when money runs low.  On his blog, he talks different than others.  what I mean is that he is not letting some past experience, living by faith, to guide him and comfort him.  He is stepping into the unknown.  God called Abram to travel to an unknown land too.  Austin has a degree in religion, but, he is learning about God in the school of faith now. 

So, when he writes about tithing, I think it is worthy to take notice and listen.  I assure you that money is the one thing that he desparately needs right now.  I hope he doesn’t mind me saying that.  You see, most want to quit tithing because they think the church has not done enough for them.  Some think that the church only cares about getting money from you.  Well the church doesn’t rely on man’s money, we rely upon God.  Some get frustrated with a decision that was made, and then they send their tithe elsewhere to teach a church a lesson.  Others get stressed out over their bills, because we tend to spend more than what we need, and decide to that tithing just doesn’t fit into the family budget.    I assure you that you reveal your love and trust in the Lord through willingness to tithe.  Why?  Because we are supposed to give secretly, and not sound the bells about it. 

Another reason I wanted to direct you to his blog is because sometimes people look for a good ministry to give to; well here it is!  Again, it is good to listen to someone who we know that is living our struggles teach us about tithing.