Do you agree with Martin Luther who said "Anyone who is to find Christ must first find the church. How could anyone know where Christ is and what faith is in Him unless he knew where his believers are?" Or do you you like what Pope Boniface said "The Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship, but to keep her on her course. "
Yes, no, right, wrong, why? Pastor Phillip
I love PETA (people eating tasty animals). They are great. They used to go to fishing tournaments and slap the water with bamboo poles to scare the fish away. Now, they are seeking to save fish by re-naming them sea-kittens. I can't really make this up. You must go and check out this website. You can adopt a sea-kitty, read bedtime stories to sea-kitty. It is great. It makes me want to thaw out some frozen catfish filets for dinner tonight.
I also learned this great facts like these
Like their surface-dwelling cousins, the land kittens, sea kittens enjoy being petted. Their lack of arms makes it difficult for them to pet back, but they often gently rub against each other as a sign of affection.But, re-naming something is a strong tacit. Jerry Bridges recently came out with a new book which is titled, Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We tolerate. In one of his opening chapters, he states:
OR
Sea kittens talk to each other through squeaks, squeals, and other low-frequency sounds that humans can only hear through special instruments. Most ichthyologists—scientists who specialize in sea kitten biology—agree that this is just about the cutest thing ever.
"We see that the entire concept of sin has virtually disappeared from our American culture at large and has been softened, even within many of our churches, to accommodate modern sensibilities. Indeed, strong biblical words for sin have been excised from our vocabulary.
“I don’t use it. I never thought about it. But I probably don’t. But most people already know what [when] they’re doing wrong. When I get them to church I want to tell them that you can change.”He does not use the word sinner and what’s remarkable is the he has not even thought about it. Sinner is offensive so just don't say it. Look at the repacking of other words. Take the sin of adultery, it is called an affair, or sleeping together, running around, cheating. It is adultery, it is a sin, no matter how you dress it up. Or take fornication, it is now hooking up, a fling, or one night stand. Homosexuality is now alternative lifestyle.
2 Cor 5:21 "For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ" would not be true for me.
Cordless drills are great. You can use them anywhere and do almost any little job, faster and with less effort: two things I like. But, I have a problem with mine that I never charge the battery. I use it, leave it out until I need it again and it never seems to have enough power to get the job done. The battery is dead, I have two batteries, but two uncharged batteries are equally worthless. In have found that spiritually I am not a cordless drill even through sometimes I try to be one. Let me explain.
Each day I begin with a time of prayer (usually guided by the Psalms or The Valley Of Vision), followed by daily Bible reading and then another time of prayer over the people in our churches directory. It is a great start to my day. But, often from that moment I get going with my business. I find that the "charge" from morning time with God wains quickly, the more I do "my" work. So, some days I try to pray and have another little time with God to "charge"me up again. But, again it drains quickly. So, I am not a cordless drill.
I am finding that I must be continually connected to the source of my strength Jesus Christ. This continually connection comes from trying to foster a minute by minute recognition of my need of Him. Now, I fall short of doing this all the time. But, striving for a continuing connection to God is the essence of what Paul meant when he told us in 1 The 5:17 to "pray constantly" and Jesus in John 15:5 "apart from me you can do nothing."
This also the essence of the great hymn "I need thee every hour"
So, plug in, stay connected, and do great things for God in all your endeavors today. Pastor Phillip
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
I am a little tired and my coffee had not yet hit my bloodstream. I like Chuck Norris, I liked him during the Mike Huckabee Presidential Campaign and in some of his movies and TV shows. Having watched Walker Texas Ranger is one of the requirements of holding a man card. But, I recently came across some of this stuff below. I think it is funny. But, if you want to use your time wisely, then you can skip it. By the way, I really want to substitute my name for Chuck’s and teach this to Cason as facts about his dad!
Really, I am getting back to work now! Pastor Phillip
We continued to week two of our series Practical Atheist. Here are the notes if you missed them.
PRACTICAL ATHEIST: SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN GOD, BUT LIVES AS IF HE DOESN’T EXIST.
SERMON #2 I BELIEVE IN GOD BUT DON’T WANT TO GO OVERBOARD
WE MUST MOVE PAST CULTURAL CHRISTIANITY
The Lord said: Because these people approach Me with their mouths to honor Me with lip-service--yet their hearts are far from Me, and their worship consists of man-made rules learned by rote--
THE RIGHT REPONSE TO GOD IS TO GIVE UP EVERYTHING TO HIM
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. (45) "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. (46) When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had, and bought it. Mat 13:44-46
LUKEWARM CHRISTIANS MAKE JESUS WANT TO VOMIT AND RUIN A GOOD MANURE PILE
Every one of you who does not say good-bye to everything cannot be My disciple.(34)"Now, salt is good, but if salt should lose its taste, how will it be made salty? (35) It isn't fit for the soil or for the manure pile; they throw it out. Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!" Luk 14:33-35
A LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN MAY OR MAY NOT EVEN BE A CHRISTIAN
Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test.
1) Crave acceptance from people more than acceptance from God.
2) Rarely share their faith in Christ.
3) Do whatever it takes to alleviate their guilt.
4) Think more about life on earth than eternity in heaven.
5) Gauge their morality by comparing to others.
6) Want to be saved from the penalty of sin without changing their lives.
7) Only turn to God when they are in a bind.
8) Give whenever it doesn’t hinder their standard of living.
9) Are not much different from the rest of the world.
10) Want the benefits of what Christ did without conforming to who He is.
11) Don’t know they are lukewarm
17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked… 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Rev. 3:17, 20
Questions For Later Reflection
1) Have you lost the joy of your salvation? Why or why not?
2) Review the 10 qualities of lukewarm Christians. What is the biggest one (if any) that applies to you?
3) What are you going to do about your answer to question 2?
4) Are you sure if you were to die your would spend eternity in heaven with God?
