There will always be setbacks on this journey. The important thing is how they are handled. One month things are looking great then a month later I find myself ready to throw in the towel and just revert to keeping my thoughts to myself. In the end, I'm just not going to give up that easy. The apostles dealt with much worse than I am facing. I guess this is just another growth oppotunity.
2 Timothy 4:5 says, "But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill you ministry." This is exactly what I'm going to do, fulfill my ministry. I can't do it by myself. I need the help of the Body.
I need correction like everyone else. Sometimes I might fight it. I might exasperate or even infuriate my teacher. That does not change the fact that I need correction. The Holy Spirit will convict. The Scriptures will correct. But if my brother remains silent, how can I grow?
Proverbs 23:13, 14 says, "Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge. Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell."
Hebrews 12:5-8 says, "And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as sons: 'My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every one whom He receives.' If you endure chastening, God deals with you as sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons."
I ask you my brothers, do not keep silent when you see that I am in error. I may not like it, it's humiliating. Guess what, it's not about me! God's honor and Truth are more important than my feelings. I want Him to be glorified. God bless (and correct) y'all real good.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Merry Christmas!
I'm sure I'm not the only person who has many fond memories of Christmas as a child. I'm probably not the only person who would like for the joy of those times to return. Do I just accept that it is because I'm an adult that the emotions of Christmas will never be the same? Should I feel guilty because the anticipation isn't the same as when I was a child?
Maybe it's because I worship Jesus all year round that the Christmas season is no different from any other time of year. Do we pressure each other to have a certain response when Christmas comes?
With all these questions, am I too self focused? Maybe that's the problem.
Let me say this. I am truly thankful that Jesus came. I'm sorry He had to endure what He did but I'm thankful He did it. Hebrews 12:2 says, "...who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..." I'm thankful that the Lord sought me, revealed Himself to me, and gave me the faith to believe.
After having said that, my attitude is changing. It takes a reminder. I had to remind myself why we celebrate Jesus' birth. It was His death and resurrection that makes His birth worth celebrating. I'm no longer focused on me but on Him. It's not about ME!
In the midst of all your Christmas shopping and preparations, remind yourself why we celebrate Jesus' birth. Have a wonderful, blessed, joyous Christmas! God bless y'all real good.
Maybe it's because I worship Jesus all year round that the Christmas season is no different from any other time of year. Do we pressure each other to have a certain response when Christmas comes?
With all these questions, am I too self focused? Maybe that's the problem.
Let me say this. I am truly thankful that Jesus came. I'm sorry He had to endure what He did but I'm thankful He did it. Hebrews 12:2 says, "...who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..." I'm thankful that the Lord sought me, revealed Himself to me, and gave me the faith to believe.
After having said that, my attitude is changing. It takes a reminder. I had to remind myself why we celebrate Jesus' birth. It was His death and resurrection that makes His birth worth celebrating. I'm no longer focused on me but on Him. It's not about ME!
In the midst of all your Christmas shopping and preparations, remind yourself why we celebrate Jesus' birth. Have a wonderful, blessed, joyous Christmas! God bless y'all real good.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Well, DUH!!
I really appreciate how God prompts me to stay focused on the Scriptures. Okay, I'm humbled by it too.
I recently read "The Shack" by William P. Young. It's a controversial book. Basically it is about a man who meets with the Trinity. He learns that he needs to forgive two people in his life that caused him great pain, his father, and the man who murdered his daughter. I won't go into details but I will point you to a review that I found to be really good.
http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/the-shack-by-william-p-young.php
I have friends who love it and I have friends who refuse to read it. Even though the book is fiction, the author portrays God (the Trinity) and makes statements about God that I assume he believes to be true. The bottom line is that they are not Scriptural.
In my reading there were times when I would shake my head and say, "That's not right!"
I continued to read constantly reminding myself that it was fiction. The conclusion about unforgiveness, it's control on our lives, and the importance of forgiveness could have been reached using Truth. The author's ideas about the relationship between the Father, Son, and Spirit needs to be reviewed with a Bible.
It wasn't until I read the review that I mentioned above that I realized something. There were little subtleties that I missed. Had I known (or remembered) Scripture they wouldn't have slipped by me unnoticed.
That's the point of my post. Christians need to know the Scriptures! I know what you're thinking, WELL DUH!
I can't stress enough that Christians need to know their Bible. They need to be under good teaching. They need to be able to discern what is right. They need to be in constant communication with God. They need to be lead by the Spirit.
Read 2 Timothy. It is Pauls's last letter. I refer to it in my post from September
14th. You will see the importance of knowing Scripture. Also read Hebrews 5:11-14.
I am thankful that the Lord has lead me to good instruction. He has put wonderful brothers and sisters in my life that encourage me to study the Bible. He has put me in the presence of many good teachers. Even though I might wander off course at times, He is faithful to guide me back to the narrow way. God bless y'all real good.
I recently read "The Shack" by William P. Young. It's a controversial book. Basically it is about a man who meets with the Trinity. He learns that he needs to forgive two people in his life that caused him great pain, his father, and the man who murdered his daughter. I won't go into details but I will point you to a review that I found to be really good.
http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/the-shack-by-william-p-young.php
I have friends who love it and I have friends who refuse to read it. Even though the book is fiction, the author portrays God (the Trinity) and makes statements about God that I assume he believes to be true. The bottom line is that they are not Scriptural.
In my reading there were times when I would shake my head and say, "That's not right!"
I continued to read constantly reminding myself that it was fiction. The conclusion about unforgiveness, it's control on our lives, and the importance of forgiveness could have been reached using Truth. The author's ideas about the relationship between the Father, Son, and Spirit needs to be reviewed with a Bible.
It wasn't until I read the review that I mentioned above that I realized something. There were little subtleties that I missed. Had I known (or remembered) Scripture they wouldn't have slipped by me unnoticed.
That's the point of my post. Christians need to know the Scriptures! I know what you're thinking, WELL DUH!
I can't stress enough that Christians need to know their Bible. They need to be under good teaching. They need to be able to discern what is right. They need to be in constant communication with God. They need to be lead by the Spirit.
Read 2 Timothy. It is Pauls's last letter. I refer to it in my post from September
14th. You will see the importance of knowing Scripture. Also read Hebrews 5:11-14.
I am thankful that the Lord has lead me to good instruction. He has put wonderful brothers and sisters in my life that encourage me to study the Bible. He has put me in the presence of many good teachers. Even though I might wander off course at times, He is faithful to guide me back to the narrow way. God bless y'all real good.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Article From The Simple Church Journal
The following article is from the Simple Church Journal aka House Church Blog. It is from a book titled "The Simple/House Church Revolution" by Roger Thoman.
My intention for posting it is not to continue the argument of house church vs. traditional church. For me that has been resolved by my understanding of "one body, many parts". I think it is a simple reminder of what the church is.
Read it and be reminded and encouraged. Let me know what you think.
Chapter 2: Defining "Church" (Webster Has It Wrong)
From "The Simple/House Church Revolution" Book. The entire book can still be downloaded here.
Church according to Miriam-Webster’s online dictionary:
1: a building for public and especially Christian worship
2: the clergy or officialdom of a religious body
3: a body or organization of religious believers: as a: the whole body of Christians b: denomination c: congregation
4: a public divine worship
Webster defines church according to the way this word is used today. I was taught this same definition as a little boy when I would put my hands together and recite the rhyme: “Here is the church, and here is the steeple; open the door and here are all the people.”
Jesus, however, introduced the term “church” with a very different meaning in mind. He used a word “ekklesia” that simply described a group or assembly of people. This is the original definition of the word. He described “church” as those people who were following Him—people walking in allegiance to him. People. His followers. Nothing more than that.
Jesus did not spend much time describing how to organize his people together or how to do meetings. Rather, his focus was on a lifestyle of loving others and obeying Him: “Go into all the world…” “Let your light shine…” “Do what you see the Father doing…” “Love one another…” Church, as defined by Jesus, was simply his followers living life for and with him.
Over the years, however, the word “church” began to include the many structures and forms that we added to the original meaning:
• Public meeting places (buildings or storefronts)
• Organizations of believers who get together to be led by a worship team and preached to by a pastor
• Denominations that we join
But, as John Eldredge reminds us:
Church is not a building. Church is not an event that takes place on Sundays. I know, it's how we've come to think of it. ‘I go to First Baptist.’ ‘We are members of St. Luke's.’ ‘Is it time to go to church?’ Much to our surprise, that is not how the Bible uses the term. Not at all.
No. Not at all. Church is God’s people—those who are choosing to live life with Jesus… 24/7. That is it. Nothing more.
But don’t God’s people gather together? Yes. We do see gatherings take place in Scripture. Many gatherings. Most often informal and simple. Normally in homes (Romans 16:5). Everyone participated (1 Corinthians 14:26). They functioned as spiritual families that cared deeply for one another (Romans 12:10). Yet the focus of the church (God’s people) was a lifestyle of Jesus-following, rather than organizing events, attending programs, or joining organizations.
Perhaps the best way to describe the church of the New Testament is as small, vibrant, caring families of believers who are loving others and reproducing themselves into every corner of the world.
The Things I Learned About Church From Bible College
I attended a Bible College as a brand new Christian hungry to live a life useful to God. I loved reading the stories of the disciples following Jesus, traveling with him, ministering with him, doing miracles alongside of Jesus as he poured out his life for others. I thought it was fantastic. I enjoyed studying the book of Acts and seeing God’s people going throughout the world, filled by the Spirit, walking in God’s purposes and power. But, as a subtext, I was also taught to “do church” in Bible college. It was not a specific class. There was no text book. I simply learned to follow “how it was done” by those around me. Frankly, the way I learned to “do church” did not look much at all like the lives of the early disciples that I was studying and wanting to be like.
Nevertheless, by the time I felt called to pastor a church, I no longer questioned how church was done. We started with a building and a core group of Christians. We invited, and planned, and organized, and put together Sunday events. We built more buildings and started more services to invite people to. We developed programs for young and old, men and women, married and divorced. We hired staff and we organized ministry teams.
Without realizing it, we were following human traditions for church life that were developed over the centuries: cathedrals, pulpit-led services, pews, order-of-service, etc. All of these things may be useful in their place (God can use anything), but they have no place in the basic definition of “church.”
Sadly, as the church has adopted more and more traditions and become more and more institutionalized, it has become largely ineffective in its impact on earth. In the western world, where we have created the best organizational church systems that exist, Christianity is declining. In contrast, in parts of India and China where the expression of church is largely organic, simple, and fluid, the church is flourishing.
Our longing is to see the church restored to its essence of life and vitality so that she becomes the full expression of Christ’s power and love on earth. This is the great hope of God’s kingdom coming to influence, save, and redeem a lost planet. Priscilla Shirer made this comment:
In the first century in Palestine Christianity was a community of believers. Then Christianity moved to Greece and became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome and became an institution. Then it moved to Europe and became a culture. And then it moved to America and became a business. We need to get back to being a healthy, vibrant community of true followers of Jesus.
Being Church.
My Filipino friend, Molong Nacua, wrote an excellent article entitled “Being Church” that reminds us of the true meaning of “church:”
Church is where Christ lives, not the place where we meet. It is Christ-empowered people, a kingdom of priests for the purpose of winning against the works of the devil and establishing God's Kingdom (1 Cor. 3:17; Matt. 18:19; Ex. 19:6)… Christianity is not about doing church, but being the church. Church is not some place to go to participate in, but it is about being who you are in Christ and thus experiencing His real life in you. Your Christianity was never defined by attending a particular church. It is defined by Christ in you. In other words, you are a Christian 24/7, not because you participate in a two-hour worship service, but because Christ lives in you every minute of every day.
Again, my intention is not to step on toes. If anyone is offended please forgive me. I was encouraged as I read this article that I am a part of the church. It excites me to see the bigger picture. God bless y'all real good.
My intention for posting it is not to continue the argument of house church vs. traditional church. For me that has been resolved by my understanding of "one body, many parts". I think it is a simple reminder of what the church is.
Read it and be reminded and encouraged. Let me know what you think.
Chapter 2: Defining "Church" (Webster Has It Wrong)
From "The Simple/House Church Revolution" Book. The entire book can still be downloaded here.
Church according to Miriam-Webster’s online dictionary:
1: a building for public and especially Christian worship
2: the clergy or officialdom of a religious body
3: a body or organization of religious believers: as a: the whole body of Christians b: denomination c: congregation
4: a public divine worship
Webster defines church according to the way this word is used today. I was taught this same definition as a little boy when I would put my hands together and recite the rhyme: “Here is the church, and here is the steeple; open the door and here are all the people.”
Jesus, however, introduced the term “church” with a very different meaning in mind. He used a word “ekklesia” that simply described a group or assembly of people. This is the original definition of the word. He described “church” as those people who were following Him—people walking in allegiance to him. People. His followers. Nothing more than that.
Jesus did not spend much time describing how to organize his people together or how to do meetings. Rather, his focus was on a lifestyle of loving others and obeying Him: “Go into all the world…” “Let your light shine…” “Do what you see the Father doing…” “Love one another…” Church, as defined by Jesus, was simply his followers living life for and with him.
Over the years, however, the word “church” began to include the many structures and forms that we added to the original meaning:
• Public meeting places (buildings or storefronts)
• Organizations of believers who get together to be led by a worship team and preached to by a pastor
• Denominations that we join
But, as John Eldredge reminds us:
Church is not a building. Church is not an event that takes place on Sundays. I know, it's how we've come to think of it. ‘I go to First Baptist.’ ‘We are members of St. Luke's.’ ‘Is it time to go to church?’ Much to our surprise, that is not how the Bible uses the term. Not at all.
No. Not at all. Church is God’s people—those who are choosing to live life with Jesus… 24/7. That is it. Nothing more.
But don’t God’s people gather together? Yes. We do see gatherings take place in Scripture. Many gatherings. Most often informal and simple. Normally in homes (Romans 16:5). Everyone participated (1 Corinthians 14:26). They functioned as spiritual families that cared deeply for one another (Romans 12:10). Yet the focus of the church (God’s people) was a lifestyle of Jesus-following, rather than organizing events, attending programs, or joining organizations.
Perhaps the best way to describe the church of the New Testament is as small, vibrant, caring families of believers who are loving others and reproducing themselves into every corner of the world.
The Things I Learned About Church From Bible College
I attended a Bible College as a brand new Christian hungry to live a life useful to God. I loved reading the stories of the disciples following Jesus, traveling with him, ministering with him, doing miracles alongside of Jesus as he poured out his life for others. I thought it was fantastic. I enjoyed studying the book of Acts and seeing God’s people going throughout the world, filled by the Spirit, walking in God’s purposes and power. But, as a subtext, I was also taught to “do church” in Bible college. It was not a specific class. There was no text book. I simply learned to follow “how it was done” by those around me. Frankly, the way I learned to “do church” did not look much at all like the lives of the early disciples that I was studying and wanting to be like.
Nevertheless, by the time I felt called to pastor a church, I no longer questioned how church was done. We started with a building and a core group of Christians. We invited, and planned, and organized, and put together Sunday events. We built more buildings and started more services to invite people to. We developed programs for young and old, men and women, married and divorced. We hired staff and we organized ministry teams.
Without realizing it, we were following human traditions for church life that were developed over the centuries: cathedrals, pulpit-led services, pews, order-of-service, etc. All of these things may be useful in their place (God can use anything), but they have no place in the basic definition of “church.”
Sadly, as the church has adopted more and more traditions and become more and more institutionalized, it has become largely ineffective in its impact on earth. In the western world, where we have created the best organizational church systems that exist, Christianity is declining. In contrast, in parts of India and China where the expression of church is largely organic, simple, and fluid, the church is flourishing.
Our longing is to see the church restored to its essence of life and vitality so that she becomes the full expression of Christ’s power and love on earth. This is the great hope of God’s kingdom coming to influence, save, and redeem a lost planet. Priscilla Shirer made this comment:
In the first century in Palestine Christianity was a community of believers. Then Christianity moved to Greece and became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome and became an institution. Then it moved to Europe and became a culture. And then it moved to America and became a business. We need to get back to being a healthy, vibrant community of true followers of Jesus.
Being Church.
My Filipino friend, Molong Nacua, wrote an excellent article entitled “Being Church” that reminds us of the true meaning of “church:”
Church is where Christ lives, not the place where we meet. It is Christ-empowered people, a kingdom of priests for the purpose of winning against the works of the devil and establishing God's Kingdom (1 Cor. 3:17; Matt. 18:19; Ex. 19:6)… Christianity is not about doing church, but being the church. Church is not some place to go to participate in, but it is about being who you are in Christ and thus experiencing His real life in you. Your Christianity was never defined by attending a particular church. It is defined by Christ in you. In other words, you are a Christian 24/7, not because you participate in a two-hour worship service, but because Christ lives in you every minute of every day.
Again, my intention is not to step on toes. If anyone is offended please forgive me. I was encouraged as I read this article that I am a part of the church. It excites me to see the bigger picture. God bless y'all real good.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I Need Them! They Need Me!
I see the church differently today than I did twenty-nine years ago. I was twenty-one years old when I became a believer. I was "saved" in the Lutheran church, Missouri Synod. After two years I joined the Wisconsin Synod which was more conservative. Later I spent time in a non-denominational church and eventually ended up in a pentecostal church.
I held different positions from youth leader to worship leader. I was on a pastoral search committee and lead a small group.
At one time I thought of church as only the people that belonged to my group. Church was confined to everyone within the four walls of the building. I was only seeing a part of the picture. The building had windows but I thought they were for letting in light not looking out into the world. I'm glad God is bigger than that. I am thankful that He began a good work in me. (Philippians 1:6)
I am no longer a member of a particular church body. I meet with a group of people on Sunday morning for coffee, bagels, Bible study, and encouragement. I still lead a small group. I am a part of the body of Christ! I always was! Today I have a fresh perspective on what that means.
Does this mean that believers who gather in different places with different forms are not a part of the body? NO! That's the point! We're all a part of the body! I need them! They need me! Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. One body, many parts!
When another part of the body has a need and I can help, I should. When another part of the body needs encouragement, I should speak up. When another part of the body needs prayer, I pray. Should I not fellowship with other parts of the body because I'm not a member of their church? Should they keep me from fellowship because I'm not a member? 1 Corinthians 12:26 says, "If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad."
This world has enough challenges. We need Jesus and we need each other. How healthy is a body with missing parts? God bless y'all real good.
I held different positions from youth leader to worship leader. I was on a pastoral search committee and lead a small group.
At one time I thought of church as only the people that belonged to my group. Church was confined to everyone within the four walls of the building. I was only seeing a part of the picture. The building had windows but I thought they were for letting in light not looking out into the world. I'm glad God is bigger than that. I am thankful that He began a good work in me. (Philippians 1:6)
I am no longer a member of a particular church body. I meet with a group of people on Sunday morning for coffee, bagels, Bible study, and encouragement. I still lead a small group. I am a part of the body of Christ! I always was! Today I have a fresh perspective on what that means.
Does this mean that believers who gather in different places with different forms are not a part of the body? NO! That's the point! We're all a part of the body! I need them! They need me! Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. One body, many parts!
When another part of the body has a need and I can help, I should. When another part of the body needs encouragement, I should speak up. When another part of the body needs prayer, I pray. Should I not fellowship with other parts of the body because I'm not a member of their church? Should they keep me from fellowship because I'm not a member? 1 Corinthians 12:26 says, "If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad."
This world has enough challenges. We need Jesus and we need each other. How healthy is a body with missing parts? God bless y'all real good.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)