To Believe or NOT To Believe...

Here is an interesting story I have come across. Not sure of the validity of the story or not, but it does make you think...

A TEXAS BEER JOINT SUES A CHURCH

In a small Texas town, (Mt. Vernon) Drummond's bar began construction on a new building to increase their business.. The local Baptist church started a campaign to block the bar from opening with petitions and prayers. Work progressed right up till the week before opening when lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground.The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means.The church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise in its reply to the court.As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork. At the hearing he commented, 'I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but as it appears from the paperwork, we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that does not.'

Obstacles...

Ran across this quote while in sermon prep and thought I would share it here. Oh, how we need to be determined to do what we are called to do. In fact, I think that is should be in a Believer's DNA to be an overcomer!

1 John 4:4 - You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
1 John 5:4 - For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith.
Romans 8:37 - But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

Adam & Eve

I heard some disturbing news on FOX this morning that only magnifies the fact that this Nation continues to get more and more sick.

This whole politically correct thing is just getting out of hand with people saying that we cannot call someone and elderly person any longer, or a senior citizen; they are now an "older person."

Now, for as silly as all this seems, what is really disturbing is that they also have changed how we refer to Adam and Eve! You know...the first two people God created in the Bible!? Well, according to the "powers that be" we have to refer to them as "Eve and Adam!" This is because when it is the other way around, it makes the man sound dominate over the female. Well, not for nothing, but isn't this how God established it?? I know that it doesn't fit our culture, but Christians never will anyhow.

So as for me, and my Church, we will still know these two as ADAM & EVE! After all, the Word of God will remain and never can be changed - not a jot or a tittle!

God bless you as you wade through this world, doing your best not to be dirtied by its fodder. And remember to fight the good fight of faith!

Reality Check!

Thought this was a fun reality check for why we do what we do, and the sense in it all (if there is any at times).

Keep this in mind when you are at the restaurant again... Or maybe you should think about this when you are writing out your tithe check this week???

Christianity...

Here is a great quote that I found in a missionary newsletter recently, and I thought I would share it here. Good food for thought!

"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance.

The only thing it cannot be is moderately important."

C. S. Lewis

There is no living on the fence for any of us! "God doesn't have any fair weather friends" as Mirilla Cuthpert told Anne in Anne of Green Gables. Which is the same that Jesus says to us when He tells us to put our hand to the plow, and not look to the left or the right. So keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.

Lost & Found

I am just finishing up my sermon for Sunday Night this week (yes, we still have a Sunday evening service) and it is about the Parable Jesus taught in Matthew 13. Where the man sells everything in order to buy a field with a great treasure buried in it, and also the pearl of great price.

These two simple parable tell us a great truth about God's Kingdom. That the sacrifice we make for the sake of gaining the Kingdom is not really a sacrifice in the first place. It is a win-win situation afterall... We trade in so little, and gain so much! So what sacrifice what there made in the first place?

Well anyhow... I came across this little story from a Pastor's newsletter, and thought it was fitting so I wanted to share it here...

There is an ancient story about a man who hid his gold by burying it at the foot of a tree. Every week he used to dig it up and admire it. A thief noticed this routine and dug up the gold and ran off with it. The next day the man went out to discover his gold was missing. His mournful cry was so loud that he neighbors came to comfort him.
One of his friends asked if he ever used the gold. “No,” said the man, “I only came out to look at it.” The friend replied, “Why don’t you just keep coming out and look at the hole. That will do you as much good as just looking at the gold.”Do we make the best use of our resources, or is it just as if we did not have it at all?

This story teaches us a lesson in a bit of a different direction than the parables, but is still of value. We can't bury our gifts, and expect them to be blessed. It would be just like you didn't have them in the first place! Even though you know where they might be, they are still lost! So, find them, and use them!

Don't Go To Church?!?!

Starting in March, I am beginning a new sermon series that God has laid upon my heart. I have entitled it, "Don't GO To Church - BE The Church!" My intention is to take six weeks and discover what Church is and what it means to BE the Church.

I will attempt to give a snapshot of the thoughts here on my blog...so check back!