Sarah Palin is a great pick for John McCain. A great surprise for all of us and really threw a curve ball to the Democrats and to all of us.
Great Job John. Stole the spotlight from Obama and no one is talking about him. Brilliant
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Missing the Beauty
We are currently doing a survey of the Old Testament in our Sunday Evening Bible study. We were looking at the book of Ezekiel and I was taking them through the beauty of the book. How Ezekiel is trying to tell these captives that there will come a day that will be so much better that what they were experiencing at that time in their history.
I was struck by the beauty of what he told them. It really seems as if Ezekiel and the prophets are talking in materialistic terms at times. But they are not.
This is how we concluded:
Just to say this, it can seem, when you read the Prophets, that they are talking materialistically, just as it can seem in the New Testament as you read about streets of gold in Jerusalem and so on, and you say, “Oh gee, it is all materialistic.” That is a misunderstanding. With Ezekiel, when you read about the supposedly material restoration, like you will get your land back, but it is not the same land. You will get your city back but it is not the same city. You will get your temple back but it is not the same temple. Everything changes. What he is really saying is, “We prophets do give our predictions in what sounds like material terms, land and vineyards and abundance and all that. But if you really examine what we are doing, we are using that as a means of conveying the fact that there is something ahead that we don’t even understand. It is beyond; it is great. You don’t understand it; we don’t understand it. It is something fabulous in the plan of God. We can only describe it from the point of view of the material but that is not really what we are thinking.” If you understand that, you can see it so well in Ezekiel 40-48. It will be like a prism through which you can, also then, suddenly understand what Amos means, for example, when he says, “The days are coming when the person trying to plant his field will tell the person who is still harvesting, 'Would you please get out of the way, I need to plant the crops',” because the harvest will be so abundant that they will go right around to planting time again. That is just crazy in any agricultural society; you do not have harvests like that. It is a way of saying, using material terminology, something great and wonderful is ahead that we do not really have any ability to portray as well as we would like to.
This is what John did. Will Heaven have streets of Gold or is God really Jasper and Carnelian? No but it is just the best way I can think to describe it, John would say.
Sometimes we miss the beauty of the prophets and Revelation because we think they predict the end of the world but they don't and when we realize that the beauty and exictement of what they are really saying can wash over us.
I was struck by the beauty of what he told them. It really seems as if Ezekiel and the prophets are talking in materialistic terms at times. But they are not.
This is how we concluded:
Just to say this, it can seem, when you read the Prophets, that they are talking materialistically, just as it can seem in the New Testament as you read about streets of gold in Jerusalem and so on, and you say, “Oh gee, it is all materialistic.” That is a misunderstanding. With Ezekiel, when you read about the supposedly material restoration, like you will get your land back, but it is not the same land. You will get your city back but it is not the same city. You will get your temple back but it is not the same temple. Everything changes. What he is really saying is, “We prophets do give our predictions in what sounds like material terms, land and vineyards and abundance and all that. But if you really examine what we are doing, we are using that as a means of conveying the fact that there is something ahead that we don’t even understand. It is beyond; it is great. You don’t understand it; we don’t understand it. It is something fabulous in the plan of God. We can only describe it from the point of view of the material but that is not really what we are thinking.” If you understand that, you can see it so well in Ezekiel 40-48. It will be like a prism through which you can, also then, suddenly understand what Amos means, for example, when he says, “The days are coming when the person trying to plant his field will tell the person who is still harvesting, 'Would you please get out of the way, I need to plant the crops',” because the harvest will be so abundant that they will go right around to planting time again. That is just crazy in any agricultural society; you do not have harvests like that. It is a way of saying, using material terminology, something great and wonderful is ahead that we do not really have any ability to portray as well as we would like to.
This is what John did. Will Heaven have streets of Gold or is God really Jasper and Carnelian? No but it is just the best way I can think to describe it, John would say.
Sometimes we miss the beauty of the prophets and Revelation because we think they predict the end of the world but they don't and when we realize that the beauty and exictement of what they are really saying can wash over us.
Monday, August 25, 2008
I am back
Sorry it has been a while since I blogged. I have had a very busy 10-12 days. The last two weeks we have had 125 and 105 in Church. Yesterday we were down a bit but had a great day. We had a nursery shower for our new nursery. It was well attended and many either gave gifts or gave money.
The church has really responded well to some of our changes for the most part. Last week I also started my classes at Louisville Bible College. I go back tonight and Thursday.
I am teaching I II Timothy and Titus in a Satellite Class at Central Christian Church. I am loving all this preaching and teaching.
Hope to get back to you soon.
The church has really responded well to some of our changes for the most part. Last week I also started my classes at Louisville Bible College. I go back tonight and Thursday.
I am teaching I II Timothy and Titus in a Satellite Class at Central Christian Church. I am loving all this preaching and teaching.
Hope to get back to you soon.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Traveling Light
For a few years now I have wrestled with questions. Questions like How can I best serve the Lord? What can our church do to reach the greatest number of people with the gospel, without compromise? I have come to the conclusions that our structures weigh us down.
After thinking over these things I want to make a few statements:
First, I am traveling internationally in December and I have learned through experience and very good advice that the best thing to do is to travel light. I only took one suitcase and a small carry on. I finally decided that the church would do well to do the same. These are just some questions I have.
Why is that so many of are interested in building monuments and not participating in movements? Why so many of us program focused and not people fixated? Are we an organism or organization? Will our churches be led by chairpersons or by co-workers? Will we continue to believe that if a structure is not visible or rigid God just can’t be served or worshipped?
God is not hung up on structures. I think we place so much emphasis our structures because we place so little emphasis on the Holy Spirit. Structures must follow identity and mission but they must be light and flexible to liberate people.
We must be willing to dismantle without regret when something else more suited to the needs of the day comes along. These light and flexible structures can adapt to the changing need. Why are so many of God’s people more interested in keeping things the way we think they have always been rather than realizing that we live in a world different than did our ancestors, even our ancestors of 50 yrs ago? Why do so many cling to ways of doing things that may have been effective in another era but no longer works with reaching people with the gospel?
Would we be willing to give up a 9AM church service if you knew you could reach more people by having that church service at 4PM? Why are so many devoted to certain style of church music or preaching rather than to unceasing worship of God?
Why are so many committed to pleasing people and not ruffling feathers rather than being a people whose core value is pleasing God? We don't want to be a community departing from God’s word but we want to be a community trying to develop in light of biblical truths in order to carry out the great commission.
Is it possible that we as the Restoration Movement have ceased becoming a movement and have become a "church?"
Now a word of warning if you plan on challenging structures:It is dangerous. The greatest threat Jesus faced didn’t come from without but within. The first martyr in the life of the Church did not come at the hands of a Roman Sword but from Jews throwing Stones.
I close with this quote from a very peronal mentor of mine "
May God give us men and women who are alive to the times, who respect the past and yet are not blind to past mistakes or mired in deadly traditionalism, and who eagerly anticipate the future, desiring to go where God is going and already is—all so that people are reached with the gospel of Christ." Are we going to go where God is going and are we going to travel light?
After thinking over these things I want to make a few statements:
First, I am traveling internationally in December and I have learned through experience and very good advice that the best thing to do is to travel light. I only took one suitcase and a small carry on. I finally decided that the church would do well to do the same. These are just some questions I have.
Why is that so many of are interested in building monuments and not participating in movements? Why so many of us program focused and not people fixated? Are we an organism or organization? Will our churches be led by chairpersons or by co-workers? Will we continue to believe that if a structure is not visible or rigid God just can’t be served or worshipped?
God is not hung up on structures. I think we place so much emphasis our structures because we place so little emphasis on the Holy Spirit. Structures must follow identity and mission but they must be light and flexible to liberate people.
We must be willing to dismantle without regret when something else more suited to the needs of the day comes along. These light and flexible structures can adapt to the changing need. Why are so many of God’s people more interested in keeping things the way we think they have always been rather than realizing that we live in a world different than did our ancestors, even our ancestors of 50 yrs ago? Why do so many cling to ways of doing things that may have been effective in another era but no longer works with reaching people with the gospel?
Would we be willing to give up a 9AM church service if you knew you could reach more people by having that church service at 4PM? Why are so many devoted to certain style of church music or preaching rather than to unceasing worship of God?
Why are so many committed to pleasing people and not ruffling feathers rather than being a people whose core value is pleasing God? We don't want to be a community departing from God’s word but we want to be a community trying to develop in light of biblical truths in order to carry out the great commission.
Is it possible that we as the Restoration Movement have ceased becoming a movement and have become a "church?"
Now a word of warning if you plan on challenging structures:It is dangerous. The greatest threat Jesus faced didn’t come from without but within. The first martyr in the life of the Church did not come at the hands of a Roman Sword but from Jews throwing Stones.
I close with this quote from a very peronal mentor of mine "
May God give us men and women who are alive to the times, who respect the past and yet are not blind to past mistakes or mired in deadly traditionalism, and who eagerly anticipate the future, desiring to go where God is going and already is—all so that people are reached with the gospel of Christ." Are we going to go where God is going and are we going to travel light?
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Bother Me
http://www.myspace.com/consumedartistagency
That is the link to my Brothers new talent agency. Copy and paste it into your browser, it won't work right for some reason.
On it you will find a music video called bother me. It is on the right side of the site just scroll down you will find it. The family on the video is My brother Mark, sister in law Sherry and my neice and nephew Mia and Zach.
Check it out. The site is also linked from the bottom of my blog.
That is the link to my Brothers new talent agency. Copy and paste it into your browser, it won't work right for some reason.
On it you will find a music video called bother me. It is on the right side of the site just scroll down you will find it. The family on the video is My brother Mark, sister in law Sherry and my neice and nephew Mia and Zach.
Check it out. The site is also linked from the bottom of my blog.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Russia, Georgia, and Jesus
Well it was inevitable. Some misguided soul would think the return of Jesus is soon because of war in Russia. For years preachers have been trying to decipher when Jesus is coming back. They use very obscure texts and play on them like kids on a jungle gym.
The truth is Jesus is bodily returning to earth one day. When it happens it will be the greatest event in history. However, wars, nor earthquakes, nor oil prices will give us a better idea than we already have. That is no idea. Martin Luther was asked if Jesus came back tomorrow what would you do. "I would plant my garden today." He responded. May we ever be watchful to the sky and not the news when it comes to Christ's return.
The truth is Jesus is bodily returning to earth one day. When it happens it will be the greatest event in history. However, wars, nor earthquakes, nor oil prices will give us a better idea than we already have. That is no idea. Martin Luther was asked if Jesus came back tomorrow what would you do. "I would plant my garden today." He responded. May we ever be watchful to the sky and not the news when it comes to Christ's return.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Happy Birthday Granny
Today we are celebrating Tina's grandmother's 85th birtday (it was actually Wed.).
HAPPY BDAY Granny
HAPPY BDAY Granny
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
It Never Gets Old
WOW What A Day! This Morning was started off with the Baptism of a man in our community. I never tire of hearing the words "I Believe that Jesus is the Christ,the Son of the Living God, and I accept Him as my Savior." Then burying him in the water for the forgiveness of his sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit."
The Last act of a sinful man is one of complete submission. How Great is that.
Now a frustrating question will be asked. "Didn't he join the church?" That is frustrating to me because the decision to become a Christian is not the same as which church to join. Mostly they are made at the same time but they are not the same decision. If he and his wife join our fellowship, she is already immersed, then great. If God can use them elsewhere then that is great as well.
The Last act of a sinful man is one of complete submission. How Great is that.
Now a frustrating question will be asked. "Didn't he join the church?" That is frustrating to me because the decision to become a Christian is not the same as which church to join. Mostly they are made at the same time but they are not the same decision. If he and his wife join our fellowship, she is already immersed, then great. If God can use them elsewhere then that is great as well.
Monday, August 04, 2008
RIP Skip
I couldn't help be sad this morning as I learned of the death of long time Braves announcer Skip Cary. Skip was a great announcer and did a great job. He was a cornerstone of the Atlanta Braves and I know will be missed greatly.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/08/03/skip_caray_dies.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
Above is the story about Skip that appeared at http://ajc.com
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/08/03/skip_caray_dies.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
Above is the story about Skip that appeared at http://ajc.com
Friday, August 01, 2008
Happy Anniversary
Today is the 20th Anniversary of Rush Limbaugh's Radio Show. This is one of my favoite things to do. I listen in my car or on my computer. I am a member of Rush 24/7 and can see his webcam as well. First thing today President Bush 41 and 43 and Gov. Jeb called in.
I am a conservative in the mold of Rush. Low Tax, small Government, and and no commies, ie Obama.
CONGRATS RUSH
I am a conservative in the mold of Rush. Low Tax, small Government, and and no commies, ie Obama.
CONGRATS RUSH
Finally Home for a Lesson on Marriage
We got home yesterday from the Hillsboro Family Camp. We had to leave a day early because a lady in our congregation passed away and her funeral was this morning. Minnie Brown was 97 and she and her husband Ralph, who died in September of 2006, were married over 70 years.
How do you do that? Well this story should show you how: A lady from our church asked Ralph what kind of pie was his favorite. She was going to bake him one since Minnie couldn't bake anymore. Ralph thought for a minute and told her, "Minnie likes Lemon."
Thinking of the other persons wants, needs, and desires is how. May I have that kind of marriage and may you as well.
How do you do that? Well this story should show you how: A lady from our church asked Ralph what kind of pie was his favorite. She was going to bake him one since Minnie couldn't bake anymore. Ralph thought for a minute and told her, "Minnie likes Lemon."
Thinking of the other persons wants, needs, and desires is how. May I have that kind of marriage and may you as well.
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