| - What is a Church? |
| 12:41 pm Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 |
| In Matthew chapter 21 just after Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey and people were laying branches in the street and shouting "Hosanna in the highest!", he heads directly to the temple. Inside the temple, people were capitalizing on the Law of Moses. They were making an industry of sacrificing. Jesus drove out everyone who was buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. v 12 While reading this I was thinking about churches in my community. I was thinking about how a lot of times I think that we transform the church to be something it wasn't meant to be. Church isn't supposed to be a giant 2 million dollar building or have abstract colors on the walls, or have drums and electric guitar or have all the different programs and services that you can be involved in. Now, I know that there is not a direct relation here but while I was reading Matthew this morning and reading about how people turned the temple into something it wasn't meant to be. What about us? Do we transform church into something it's not meant to be? Now I am not saying that we can't have cool colors, contemporary music or building projects. But if those things get in the way of what God wants us to be doing, I think there is something wrong. The early church met in houses of the congregation. It was personal, real, and they served the community. They weren't concerned with the building, music or anything like that. Their hearts were with the people. And that's what the church is supposed to do. The body of Christ is supposed to serve. I think of Stephen, a faithful servant to the Lord and he was virtually a bus boy. Clearing off tables and serving food for the widows. Stephen, as he was being stoned, had the great privilege of seeing Jesus before he died. Pastor Jeff at the Berean Church in Hastings once spoke about Stephen. He pointed out that in Acts 7:56 Stephen says "Behold I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But Jesus said in Matthew that he would be sitting at the right hand of God. So there was something special about Stephen that Jesus stood up while Stephen was being stoned. Jesus stood while he welcomed Stephen into heaven. For me... this is a great point. What did Stephen have? Other than being the first martyr? He was faithful and he was humble. He understood what church meant. He understood it is about people and the kingdom of God. Thanks Jeff for making that point in one of your messages. Now.... I am not saying that churches today are awful but I do think that we need to examine our hearts and look at what are we striving for. Are we striving to assist those in the community or building a bigger building or having the best music? That is the question. I often find myself caring more about other things rather than reaching out. So... I just thought I would share my thoughts regardless of anyone reads this or not. |
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| - God is Truly Good. |
| 10:20 am Monday, January 18th, 2010 |
| This weekend some friends of mine went through a tough time. As I was talking to them I was reminded that I had gone through a very similar situation last year. I knew what they were going through and was able to offer some words of encouragement. During our conversations I realized that God truly does turn a bad situation and mistakes and turns it into something good. Something that glorifies Him. I am thanking the Lord that I was able to help my friends and that God doesn't forget His promises. We serve an Awesome God. |
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| - New Web Site! |
| 9:22 am Thursday, December 31st, 2009 |
| So....This is my new site. I think its kind of neat. It's not much but its clean and I like blue. I will post updates here on occasion but I am not much of a blogger so don't count on it too much. Not that you are too interested in what goes on in my life. Although on occasion I do have some good insight. Anyway...God Bless You and your families in 2010. |
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