I am a Patriot! I love this land and I am thankful for the liberties and freedoms I enjoy. After my trip to Cuba I realize the freedoms even more. So today in many churches and congregations we will celebrate the birth of our great nation. I always enjoy these services! Yet we must watch out! Look at how we celebrate the 4th of July. Fireworks and family and fun! Oh what wonderful memories I have of 4th's gone by!
Often the reason for celebration was completely left out of the festivities. Unless someone intentionally mentioned the reason for our celebration. Watch out! Even today we get wrapped up in the festivity and forget the faith in our congregations!
We have all the fireworks in the church but unless someone is intentional about the reason for our celebration we will continue on this pathway of forgetting and forsaking. The Good News is there is liberty in Jesus Christ! Let the celebration begin!
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Negative attitude-
Thinking in the negative tends to be a commonplace attribute of people these days....all we have to do is listen!
People complain, gossip, nag, belly ache, and all the other words that characterize the incessant negativity that seems to be sweeping the world.
Yes there are wars, natural disasters, famines, etc...and these seemingly eternal realities produce a subliminal fear; yet there is a mysterious strength in mankind!?
A strength that comes from hope. The vision of a brighter day? The mental picture of happiness or fulfillment? These visions carry us on....yet too many hopes are fallacious and selfish thus pushing people into despair and addictions.
That's the problem today! Too many people making a living on drumming hope...a hope that sounds good but produces nothing but debt! Too many liars, false prophets, and hypocrites! It is hard to find the hope that doesn't disappoint!
Even religion has ventured into the realm of offering false hope! The venturing away from the clear and explicit teachings of God is happening in our faith based communities today....all because of negative thinking and fear!
It's time for someone, or a group of someone's to start believing in the hope that doesn't disappoint! Then maybe, just maybe, in this sea of negativity an island of hope will appear!
People complain, gossip, nag, belly ache, and all the other words that characterize the incessant negativity that seems to be sweeping the world.
Yes there are wars, natural disasters, famines, etc...and these seemingly eternal realities produce a subliminal fear; yet there is a mysterious strength in mankind!?
A strength that comes from hope. The vision of a brighter day? The mental picture of happiness or fulfillment? These visions carry us on....yet too many hopes are fallacious and selfish thus pushing people into despair and addictions.
That's the problem today! Too many people making a living on drumming hope...a hope that sounds good but produces nothing but debt! Too many liars, false prophets, and hypocrites! It is hard to find the hope that doesn't disappoint!
Even religion has ventured into the realm of offering false hope! The venturing away from the clear and explicit teachings of God is happening in our faith based communities today....all because of negative thinking and fear!
It's time for someone, or a group of someone's to start believing in the hope that doesn't disappoint! Then maybe, just maybe, in this sea of negativity an island of hope will appear!
Monday, June 23, 2014
The trouble with truth
I am a Pastor....59 years old now....I like to think I've seen it all but I am continually surprised! As I step back and try to look with objective and grace filled eyes I can't help but be saddened by the trends that are digging deep nearly inescapable ruts in the present culture both secular and sacred. These cultures seem entwined and inseparable.
At times I find I struggle with walking by faith or sight! We are conditioned to exist by sight and faith is often left up to personal opinion.
I know that God cannot fail, He cannot lie, and He will prevail. Sadly the malady of walking by sight still dogs us and leads us into the traps and snares of the Devil.
How do churches select pastors, staff, or even decide on ministry adventures? It's all done by sight! Godly character and God's command often are second tier priorities.
Bring this up and trouble erupts! Opinions flare and positions are defended. There is trouble with truth. This is why it's easier to walk by sight....what do we do? Pray, go and don't ever give up! Truly decide to walk by faith....if you choose this path you'll have to face your fears! Thus faith has to be exerted and glory is won for God!
At times I find I struggle with walking by faith or sight! We are conditioned to exist by sight and faith is often left up to personal opinion.
I know that God cannot fail, He cannot lie, and He will prevail. Sadly the malady of walking by sight still dogs us and leads us into the traps and snares of the Devil.
How do churches select pastors, staff, or even decide on ministry adventures? It's all done by sight! Godly character and God's command often are second tier priorities.
Bring this up and trouble erupts! Opinions flare and positions are defended. There is trouble with truth. This is why it's easier to walk by sight....what do we do? Pray, go and don't ever give up! Truly decide to walk by faith....if you choose this path you'll have to face your fears! Thus faith has to be exerted and glory is won for God!
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