As we came up to thanksgiving this year, i wanted to take some time to get into scripture and see what it offered on thanksgiving. We first find it in the book of Leviticus chapter 7, in what it describes as "the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings."
I wanted to look at this passage of scripture Leviticus 7:11-15.
One of the first things that stands out to me is that it is called the "sacrifice of thanksgiving," which to me means that giving thanks can sometimes be a sacrifice. You will not always fell like it but you can do it.
In Leviticus the sacrifice of thanksgiving was not a separate offering but was kind of like a peace offering. For us today we can see how this peace offering was made by Christ for us so that we could be with the Father. Also we can picture the inner peace that we can have through Christ. This peace is like what Philippians 4:7 speaks of, a peace that passes all understanding.
We have to have this peace in order to truly be thankful. If we gripe and complain we worry about what we want, we will forget what He has given us. When you complain you can not have the true peace of Christ.
Next we see that the offering of thanksgiving is a multiple offering. In the old testament we see it made with unleavened cakes, wafers, and other cakes of fine flour. These different types of bread were not offered as options but were commanded to be offered together. This for us let us know there are many different ways to give thanks. You can do it through your giving but also by serving others, there are many ways to give thanks. How many can you come up with?
This next one i like, God made an unusual requirement for this sacrifice. He commanded "Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving" (verse 13). Leaven (which means it has yeast in it), you will find many times in scripture and is always representing something negative, false, impure, or sinful. So how can something negative be part of the thank offering? Well......we have to give God thanks for ALL things. That includes the bad things as well as the good. We don't always know what God has in store for us, we just have to trust Him and realize He knows whats best for us.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Give thanks in ALL things
Mathetes is the greek word for disciple, to disciple is the calling of the church
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Thanksgiving For Thousands
Many years ago our church, Dagsboro Church of God, started something amazing. It all started as our church body wanted to serve people on Thanksgiving Day, so we cooked food and served it in our church to anyone who needed a meal. We did this for a few years and wanted to expand the outreach. So we partnered up with a local chicken company here in Delaware and started making boxes that were a complete dinner that could be cooked in others homes.
Well this project of feeding thousands has been going on for over17 years now and here are some pictures of this years out reach.
Every year on the week of Thanksgiving, early that Monday morning volunteers from all over Sussex County come out to a huge warehouse in Selbyville, DE and pack a complete meal in a box. From chickens to veggies and cranberry sauce, enough to feed around 6 people. This year we packed over 6400 boxes.
The next day we distribute them to people all over Delmarva! Some more pictures.
This is a great event and a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone one who helped make this outreach possible.
Mathew 25:35 "I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,"
Well this project of feeding thousands has been going on for over17 years now and here are some pictures of this years out reach.
The next day we distribute them to people all over Delmarva! Some more pictures.
Mathew 25:35 "I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,"
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Be Happy and Give Thanks
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5
I must say that for several years i have noticed a trend in our culture, a tendency to go from Halloween to Christmas. The issue i see is we are skipping something vary important, something critical that we must do..... Give Thanks. As soon as October comes to an end santa pops up everywhere, people listen to Christmas carols for two months, but we never stop long enough to say thank you to our God. Thanksgiving has been celebrated in a fest like fashion ever since 1565 in Florida, to 1607 in Virgina, and 1621 in Massachusetts. It was a time to celebrate the harvest they had been given and take time to thank God. But now we live in a society where companies want you to go from spending money on candy to buying presents fro each other. All because they don't make that much money on Thanksgiving.
Take extra time this month to show appreciation to others, show how grateful a christian can really be.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
If we show others the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, they will get a real glimpse of Jesus. Give God even more praise than you normally give him, realizing every day is a gift from him. Rejoice always,17 pray without ceasing,18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Pastor's Advice on corporal punishment
I don't know if you read the recent story about Tennessee pastor Michael Pearl, who wrote a book about corporal punishment for children "To Train Up a Child." "In their self-published book, Pearl, 66, and his wife Debi, 60, recommend the use of "the rod" to teach young children to submit to authority. They give instructions on how to use a switch for hitting children as young as six months, and describe how to use other implements, including a quarter-inch flexible plumbing line. Older children, the Pearls say, should be hit with a belt, wooden spoon or willow switch, hard enough to sting. Michael Pearl has said the methods are based on "the same principles the Amish use to train their stubborn mules.""
The only problem i see with this is that children are not mules!
"There are 670,000 copies of the book in circulation, and it's especially popular among Christian home-schoolers such as Larry and Carri Williams of Sedro-Woolley, Wash. In September, local prosecutors charged them with homicide by abuse after their adopted daughter Hana, 11, was found naked and emaciated in the backyard, having died of hypothermia and malnutrition. She had been deprived of food for days at a time, and made to sleep in an unheated barn.
Hana, originally from Ethiopia, also had been beaten with a plastic tube, as recommended by Michael Pearl. Carri Williams had praised the book--which advises that "a little fasting is good training"--and had given a copy to a friend, local authorities say.
The Pearls aren't being charged. But Dr. Frances Chalmers, a state pediatrician who examined Hana's death, suggested to the Times that their teachings may have played a role in Hana's death. "My fear is that this book, while perhaps well intended, could easily be misinterpreted and could lead to what I consider significant abuse," she said."
There are at least 3 other children that have died with parents/gardens who have had connections to this book.
"The Pearls, along with some conservative Christians, say the Bible calls for corporal punishment. "To give up the use of the rod is to give up our views of human nature, God, eternity," they write in the book.
And Michael Pearl rejects the notion that his teachings bear any responsibility for the childrens' deaths. "If you find a 12-step book in an alcoholic's house, you wouldn't blame the book," he told the Times."
But other like blogger Crystal Lutton and myself disagree. I want to state that i have two children who do on rare occasion get a spanking. I don't do it everyday, every week or even every month. There are several ways to punish children and spanking is always my last resort.
I know there are scripture about spanking your children;
Proverbs 22:15 "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him."
Proverbs 23:13 "Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die"
Note it says he wont die, because your not doing it to torcher them, it is only to be used as disciplinary action when needed.
But i also know scripture says to love like Jesus loved us. Did Jesus have some hard words or his followers yes, did he beat them to death.......no.
I love having fun with my kids and i do it everyday, but i also remember that i am their father and the one who disciplines them not because i like punishing them but because i know they will benefit from it.
I encourage you to spend a little more time than you normally would loving on your kids, or grand kids this week. Do something with them that will bring them joy, and show them how much you love them.
Find more on this story from Zachary Roth from The Lookout at
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/pastor-corporal-punishment-advice-scrutinized-child-deaths-160004793.html
The only problem i see with this is that children are not mules!
"There are 670,000 copies of the book in circulation, and it's especially popular among Christian home-schoolers such as Larry and Carri Williams of Sedro-Woolley, Wash. In September, local prosecutors charged them with homicide by abuse after their adopted daughter Hana, 11, was found naked and emaciated in the backyard, having died of hypothermia and malnutrition. She had been deprived of food for days at a time, and made to sleep in an unheated barn.
Hana, originally from Ethiopia, also had been beaten with a plastic tube, as recommended by Michael Pearl. Carri Williams had praised the book--which advises that "a little fasting is good training"--and had given a copy to a friend, local authorities say.
The Pearls aren't being charged. But Dr. Frances Chalmers, a state pediatrician who examined Hana's death, suggested to the Times that their teachings may have played a role in Hana's death. "My fear is that this book, while perhaps well intended, could easily be misinterpreted and could lead to what I consider significant abuse," she said."
There are at least 3 other children that have died with parents/gardens who have had connections to this book.
"The Pearls, along with some conservative Christians, say the Bible calls for corporal punishment. "To give up the use of the rod is to give up our views of human nature, God, eternity," they write in the book.
And Michael Pearl rejects the notion that his teachings bear any responsibility for the childrens' deaths. "If you find a 12-step book in an alcoholic's house, you wouldn't blame the book," he told the Times."
But other like blogger Crystal Lutton and myself disagree. I want to state that i have two children who do on rare occasion get a spanking. I don't do it everyday, every week or even every month. There are several ways to punish children and spanking is always my last resort.
I know there are scripture about spanking your children;
Proverbs 22:15 "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him."
Proverbs 23:13 "Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die"
Note it says he wont die, because your not doing it to torcher them, it is only to be used as disciplinary action when needed.
But i also know scripture says to love like Jesus loved us. Did Jesus have some hard words or his followers yes, did he beat them to death.......no.
I love having fun with my kids and i do it everyday, but i also remember that i am their father and the one who disciplines them not because i like punishing them but because i know they will benefit from it.
I encourage you to spend a little more time than you normally would loving on your kids, or grand kids this week. Do something with them that will bring them joy, and show them how much you love them.
Find more on this story from Zachary Roth from The Lookout at
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/pastor-corporal-punishment-advice-scrutinized-child-deaths-160004793.html
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Count Your Blessings
Many know the song "Count Your Blessings" and many other hymns but often we don't know the story behind them. This song which if you know and start to sing it once will be stuck in your head for a wile was written by Johnson Oatman in 1897. He was a Methodist pastor ran a mercantile business and also served as an administrator for a New Jersey insurance company. But he had a passion for writing hymns, he wrote over five thousand hymns during his life time. "Count Your Blessings" is one of his best know. The music was written by Edwin Excell who travel the country as a singing teacher.
When it was introduced it became a favorite in American and elsewhere. During a time of revival in England it was said to be sung at almost every service. The London Daily said "in south London, the men sing it, the boys whistle it, and the women rock their babies to sleep on this hymn."
Let this song stick with you for a wile today, think about how true this song is that was written over a hundred years ago. Count your blessing and realize that God has done a lot for you. That does not mean that you don't have problems, we all do. But realize that God has given us so much to thank Him for.
From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.
John 1:16
When it was introduced it became a favorite in American and elsewhere. During a time of revival in England it was said to be sung at almost every service. The London Daily said "in south London, the men sing it, the boys whistle it, and the women rock their babies to sleep on this hymn."
Let this song stick with you for a wile today, think about how true this song is that was written over a hundred years ago. Count your blessing and realize that God has done a lot for you. That does not mean that you don't have problems, we all do. But realize that God has given us so much to thank Him for.
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessing, name them one by one,
Count your blessing, see what God hath done!
Count your blessing, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.
John 1:16
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Unstoppable Reach
Many people think the church has taken a defensive posture now of days. Between what is happening in the political world or in other world events they see the church as if it is being attacked. Well i fell as if they are right about the church being attacked but the only problem i see is that the church is the one who holds the key. That is because the only thing that can stop the church is the church!
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus tells Peter that he is the rock that the church will be built on but, it was not just Peter, it is all of us who follow Jesus, we are the church. But i believe there are a few things that we have lost touch with.
1) Humility
James 4:6 "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
We have to learn to decrease so that He can fill us and He can increase.
2) Holiness
This is one many preachers could spend all day on but i will try to keep it short and sweet. We have to learn that Jesus called on us to minister to this world not to just jump into to what they are doing with a Jesus t-shirt on. When we do, say, and act like everyone else who does that make you like? If you walk like a duck, talk like a duck, swim like a duck chances are you are a duck.
Romans 6:22 "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." Every one talks about being free in Christ, well you are free from sin in Christ but you have become a slave to God because he bought you with a price. That price was His own sons blood.
3) Move on out (Be Jesus to the world, not Judas)
He has called us to go into the world and be a witness for Him. That does not mean putting your churches bumper sticker on your car and cutting people off on the highway so they see it.
When was the last time you did something that you think God was telling you do, weather it was paying for someones meal or gas, or giving someone encouragement that you see is down.
Please take tame sometime this week to do something not normal, something that just makes you stand out different not like everyone else. See if people notice.
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus tells Peter that he is the rock that the church will be built on but, it was not just Peter, it is all of us who follow Jesus, we are the church. But i believe there are a few things that we have lost touch with.
1) Humility
James 4:6 "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
We have to learn to decrease so that He can fill us and He can increase.
2) Holiness
This is one many preachers could spend all day on but i will try to keep it short and sweet. We have to learn that Jesus called on us to minister to this world not to just jump into to what they are doing with a Jesus t-shirt on. When we do, say, and act like everyone else who does that make you like? If you walk like a duck, talk like a duck, swim like a duck chances are you are a duck.
Romans 6:22 "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." Every one talks about being free in Christ, well you are free from sin in Christ but you have become a slave to God because he bought you with a price. That price was His own sons blood.
3) Move on out (Be Jesus to the world, not Judas)
He has called us to go into the world and be a witness for Him. That does not mean putting your churches bumper sticker on your car and cutting people off on the highway so they see it.
When was the last time you did something that you think God was telling you do, weather it was paying for someones meal or gas, or giving someone encouragement that you see is down.
Please take tame sometime this week to do something not normal, something that just makes you stand out different not like everyone else. See if people notice.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Is the Story of Adam and Eve real or not?
Genesis 2:7
the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
On Thursday September 22nd Talk of the Nation ran a story about Christians believing in the story of Adam and Eve. They stated that 4 in 10 Americans believe in the story of creation told in the beginning in the book of Genesis. Well some of you may think that is a good thing but i still see that around 60% of Americans don't believe in the story of creation. Where do you stand?
There are now a growing number of Christians who believe more about evolution and that we evolved from primates rather than God creating us. Scientist say that after mapping out the human genome that there could not have been any less than 10,000 people in the beginning of what we now call the human race. Due to all the different types of people there are in the world. They say that in order for there to have been 2 original people that there would have to be such a huge mutation to get all the different types of people there are in the world that it is just not possible.
The question that was asked on the show and the question i ask you, if you don't believe in the beginning with Adam and Eve does the whole thing (Christianity) fall apart?
Remember its not just this part in the begging of the Bible but even in the New Testament the Apostle Paul references Jesus as being the second Adam, who makes everything right between God and man.
This relatively new train of thought at least from a Christian perspective, should not be a surprise due to the fact that evolution has been taught in our school for many years now. It has slowly changed the way we think just like school has changed the way we think on other vary divisive issues in our nation.
Some say that the story of Adam and Eve is not central to Christianity, but i have to say i think it is. When you take out ANY part of Scripture then you have no reason to believe in any part of it you don't want to. I feel we have to as Christian be willing to as crazy as it sounds believe what the word of God say and realize that these books have been around for a thousands of years and the science behind evolution and they way we teach things in our schools has only been studied for in modern terms less than 100 years. Just like many argue about climate change, i don't feel that we have not been keeping track long enough for to start doubting the teaching of the word of God.
Share you option and do you believe in the story of Adam and Eve? And do you think that if you take out the story of Adan and Eve that Christianity has a leg to stand on?
The full story can be found on NPR Talk of the Nation website
www.npr.org/programs/talk-of-the-nation
Christians Divided Over Science Of Human Origins
It will make for good listening and is about 30 mins long, transcripts also available.
the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
On Thursday September 22nd Talk of the Nation ran a story about Christians believing in the story of Adam and Eve. They stated that 4 in 10 Americans believe in the story of creation told in the beginning in the book of Genesis. Well some of you may think that is a good thing but i still see that around 60% of Americans don't believe in the story of creation. Where do you stand?
There are now a growing number of Christians who believe more about evolution and that we evolved from primates rather than God creating us. Scientist say that after mapping out the human genome that there could not have been any less than 10,000 people in the beginning of what we now call the human race. Due to all the different types of people there are in the world. They say that in order for there to have been 2 original people that there would have to be such a huge mutation to get all the different types of people there are in the world that it is just not possible.
The question that was asked on the show and the question i ask you, if you don't believe in the beginning with Adam and Eve does the whole thing (Christianity) fall apart?
Remember its not just this part in the begging of the Bible but even in the New Testament the Apostle Paul references Jesus as being the second Adam, who makes everything right between God and man.
This relatively new train of thought at least from a Christian perspective, should not be a surprise due to the fact that evolution has been taught in our school for many years now. It has slowly changed the way we think just like school has changed the way we think on other vary divisive issues in our nation.
Some say that the story of Adam and Eve is not central to Christianity, but i have to say i think it is. When you take out ANY part of Scripture then you have no reason to believe in any part of it you don't want to. I feel we have to as Christian be willing to as crazy as it sounds believe what the word of God say and realize that these books have been around for a thousands of years and the science behind evolution and they way we teach things in our schools has only been studied for in modern terms less than 100 years. Just like many argue about climate change, i don't feel that we have not been keeping track long enough for to start doubting the teaching of the word of God.
Share you option and do you believe in the story of Adam and Eve? And do you think that if you take out the story of Adan and Eve that Christianity has a leg to stand on?
The full story can be found on NPR Talk of the Nation website
www.npr.org/programs/talk-of-the-nation
Christians Divided Over Science Of Human Origins
It will make for good listening and is about 30 mins long, transcripts also available.
Monday, October 3, 2011
"Church autonomy versus civil rights"
This article was in the The News Journal on Monday Oct 3rd, 2011 for a link to full story and more coverage..... www.delawareonline.com
After reading please share your thoughts.
Church autonomy versus civil rights
by: Alan Garfield
"Can a parochial school discriminate against a disabled teacher? The answer depends on how the Supreme Court decides a case being argued before it this Wednesday.
To understand the case, it's important to recognize that federal law is generally committed to ridding the workplace of invidious discrimination. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. And the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the ADA) forbids discrimination on the basis of disability.
Things get complicated, however, when these laws are applied to religious institutions. Surely, for instance, the government cannot forbid a Baptist church from discriminating on the basis of religion when hiring its pastor.
Anticipating this problem, Congress exempted religious organizations from the prohibition on religious discrimination. But this statutory exemption applies only to religious discrimination, not to other forms of discrimination based on race, gender, or disability.
Thus, the ADA's legislative history gives an example of a Mormon organization that "wishes to hire" only Mormons for certain jobs. The example says that if a disabled non-Mormon applies for the job, the organization may refuse to hire him because he's not a Mormon. But if two Mormons apply for the job and one has a disability, the organization may not discriminate against the disabled applicant because of his disability.
This legislative scheme strongly suggests that a parochial school may not discriminate against a disabled teacher. But the analysis is complicated by the fact that constitutional concerns have led lower courts to give religious institutions an additional layer of immunity from anti-discrimination laws.
This constitutionally based exemption -- called the "ministerial exception" -- applies most clearly to employment decisions regarding a religious institution's spiritual leader. Courts recognize that the spiritual leader is the "lifeblood" of a religious institution and the "chief instrument by which the church seeks to fulfill its purpose."
The ministerial exception acknowledges that the government has no business telling religious institutions whom they may hire as their spiritual leaders. Indeed, any government attempt to regulate this decision would violate the First Amendment principle of separating church and state.
The Supreme Court has yet to weigh in on the ministerial exception, but lower courts generally agree that the doctrine applies to employment decisions regarding clerical leaders like ministers or rabbis. So, even if federal law does not expressly exempt the Catholic Church from gender anti-discrimination rules, the church can still discriminate on the basis of gender when choosing priests.
Lower courts also generally agree that the ministerial exception does not apply to lower-level employees, like secretaries and janitors, whose functions are not closely tied to an organization's religious mission. Consequently, religious institutions must abide by the anti-discrimination laws in dealing with these employees.
It's less clear, however, whether the ministerial exception should apply to parochial school teachers. On the one hand, teachers, like ministers, often lead students in prayers and provide religious instruction to students. So perhaps the ministerial exception should apply.
On the other hand, many parochial school teachers spend most of their days teaching secular subjects like math and history. Since their responsibilities largely mirror those of teachers in secular private schools, maybe they should receive the same anti-discrimination protection as the secular school teachers.
In the case before the Supreme Court, the teacher taught at a K-8 Lutheran day school. She taught math, language arts, social studies, science, gym, art and music. But she also taught short religion classes four days a week, attended chapel services with her students, and led her class in short prayers three times a day. She was terminated after being diagnosed with narcolepsy even though her doctor says medications allow her to work without any restrictions.
The federal court of appeals concluded that the ministerial exception did not apply because the teacher's primary function was to teach secular subjects.
The school insists the teacher was a ministerial employee -- that "she was the Church's primary means of communicating the faith to her students." It therefore contends that the school's employment decisions are immune from federal anti-discrimination laws.
In deciding this case, the Supreme Court will have to navigate between the competing values of respecting church autonomy and protecting the disabled from discrimination. Certainly, government intrusion into religion is unsettling. But should our desire to avoid this intrusion justify giving religious institutions unbridled discretion to discriminate against disabled employees?"
So should the church or Christian school be able to hire who it wants? Wither it be a janitor or a preacher? Your Thoughts.........
After reading please share your thoughts.
Church autonomy versus civil rights
by: Alan Garfield
"Can a parochial school discriminate against a disabled teacher? The answer depends on how the Supreme Court decides a case being argued before it this Wednesday.
To understand the case, it's important to recognize that federal law is generally committed to ridding the workplace of invidious discrimination. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. And the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the ADA) forbids discrimination on the basis of disability.
Things get complicated, however, when these laws are applied to religious institutions. Surely, for instance, the government cannot forbid a Baptist church from discriminating on the basis of religion when hiring its pastor.
Anticipating this problem, Congress exempted religious organizations from the prohibition on religious discrimination. But this statutory exemption applies only to religious discrimination, not to other forms of discrimination based on race, gender, or disability.
Thus, the ADA's legislative history gives an example of a Mormon organization that "wishes to hire" only Mormons for certain jobs. The example says that if a disabled non-Mormon applies for the job, the organization may refuse to hire him because he's not a Mormon. But if two Mormons apply for the job and one has a disability, the organization may not discriminate against the disabled applicant because of his disability.
This legislative scheme strongly suggests that a parochial school may not discriminate against a disabled teacher. But the analysis is complicated by the fact that constitutional concerns have led lower courts to give religious institutions an additional layer of immunity from anti-discrimination laws.
This constitutionally based exemption -- called the "ministerial exception" -- applies most clearly to employment decisions regarding a religious institution's spiritual leader. Courts recognize that the spiritual leader is the "lifeblood" of a religious institution and the "chief instrument by which the church seeks to fulfill its purpose."
The ministerial exception acknowledges that the government has no business telling religious institutions whom they may hire as their spiritual leaders. Indeed, any government attempt to regulate this decision would violate the First Amendment principle of separating church and state.
The Supreme Court has yet to weigh in on the ministerial exception, but lower courts generally agree that the doctrine applies to employment decisions regarding clerical leaders like ministers or rabbis. So, even if federal law does not expressly exempt the Catholic Church from gender anti-discrimination rules, the church can still discriminate on the basis of gender when choosing priests.
Lower courts also generally agree that the ministerial exception does not apply to lower-level employees, like secretaries and janitors, whose functions are not closely tied to an organization's religious mission. Consequently, religious institutions must abide by the anti-discrimination laws in dealing with these employees.
It's less clear, however, whether the ministerial exception should apply to parochial school teachers. On the one hand, teachers, like ministers, often lead students in prayers and provide religious instruction to students. So perhaps the ministerial exception should apply.
On the other hand, many parochial school teachers spend most of their days teaching secular subjects like math and history. Since their responsibilities largely mirror those of teachers in secular private schools, maybe they should receive the same anti-discrimination protection as the secular school teachers.
In the case before the Supreme Court, the teacher taught at a K-8 Lutheran day school. She taught math, language arts, social studies, science, gym, art and music. But she also taught short religion classes four days a week, attended chapel services with her students, and led her class in short prayers three times a day. She was terminated after being diagnosed with narcolepsy even though her doctor says medications allow her to work without any restrictions.
The federal court of appeals concluded that the ministerial exception did not apply because the teacher's primary function was to teach secular subjects.
The school insists the teacher was a ministerial employee -- that "she was the Church's primary means of communicating the faith to her students." It therefore contends that the school's employment decisions are immune from federal anti-discrimination laws.
In deciding this case, the Supreme Court will have to navigate between the competing values of respecting church autonomy and protecting the disabled from discrimination. Certainly, government intrusion into religion is unsettling. But should our desire to avoid this intrusion justify giving religious institutions unbridled discretion to discriminate against disabled employees?"
So should the church or Christian school be able to hire who it wants? Wither it be a janitor or a preacher? Your Thoughts.........
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Proverbs 30
Wile reading Proverbs 30 one day i came across a part of scripture that i think 97% of all people would struggle with.
"Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." Proverbs 30:7-9
A man named Agur wrote this passage and he realized something most of us wont admit to. He ask God not to be deprived before he dies, for the Lord to remove falsehood and lies from him. Also to not let him be poor or be rich but to give him just what he needs to survive.
Most of us would ask God to remove falsehoods and lies, but how many would pray to God the bold prayer not to be poor or.......rich but only give me what i need. It's like saying God just pay my bills i don't need a savings account or money for retirement. Just keep a roof over my head and food on my plate.
One think i have noticed about myself, the times in my life when i did not have hardly any money when i did not know how we were going to pay the bills i looked so much more for God to step in and do something miraculous. But when my saving account has a little money in it i don't feel the urge to rely on God like i know i use to.
I want to pray like Agur did....
"I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man's understanding. 3 I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know! 5 "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." Proverbs 30:2-5
Father i know i am nothing in you sight but let me follow you will, i can not understand your ways you are so much higher than me, but allow me to take shelter under you and provide for me so i may not beg for bread but also rely on you for my needs.
"Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." Proverbs 30:7-9
A man named Agur wrote this passage and he realized something most of us wont admit to. He ask God not to be deprived before he dies, for the Lord to remove falsehood and lies from him. Also to not let him be poor or be rich but to give him just what he needs to survive.
Most of us would ask God to remove falsehoods and lies, but how many would pray to God the bold prayer not to be poor or.......rich but only give me what i need. It's like saying God just pay my bills i don't need a savings account or money for retirement. Just keep a roof over my head and food on my plate.
One think i have noticed about myself, the times in my life when i did not have hardly any money when i did not know how we were going to pay the bills i looked so much more for God to step in and do something miraculous. But when my saving account has a little money in it i don't feel the urge to rely on God like i know i use to.
I want to pray like Agur did....
"I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man's understanding. 3 I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know! 5 "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." Proverbs 30:2-5
Father i know i am nothing in you sight but let me follow you will, i can not understand your ways you are so much higher than me, but allow me to take shelter under you and provide for me so i may not beg for bread but also rely on you for my needs.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Are you upfront or in the shadows?
Are you upfront or in the shadows?
Joseph of Arimathea was the man who took the body of Jesus and wrapped him up and placed him in his (Joseph's) tomb. All the bible has to say about him is in these four verses Matt 27:57, Mark 15:43, Luke 23:51, John 19:38. Joseph was from Arimathea a Judean town about twenty miles from Jerusalem, and he was pretty well off (he had some money). He was a member of the council (or Sanhedrin), the ruling class of the Jews, and he did not want to see Jesus crucified. He was a man who followed Jesus and who like most Jews he was waiting to see the kingdom of God.
But we see that he keep his belief in Jesus a secret because he was afraid of what might happen to him, that was until he witness Jesus dying on the cross. On that day he decided to ask for the body of Jesus and placed him in Joseph's own tomb, this would obviously be a demonstration that he truly liked and followed Jesus.
Joseph had times like i am sure many people have, they believe in Jesus and want to follow his teachings but are afraid what other people might think or what they will say. I recently was watching a t.v. show with a scientist who you knew did not really believe in God, but something happened to his son and, when he had no were else to turn, no way he could help the situation, he turned to God to ask for help.
Please don't wait till something traumatic happens in your life to turn to Jesus and follow him, not just while you in your house but out in public and around you friends as well.
Matt 10:32-33
"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Joseph of Arimathea was the man who took the body of Jesus and wrapped him up and placed him in his (Joseph's) tomb. All the bible has to say about him is in these four verses Matt 27:57, Mark 15:43, Luke 23:51, John 19:38. Joseph was from Arimathea a Judean town about twenty miles from Jerusalem, and he was pretty well off (he had some money). He was a member of the council (or Sanhedrin), the ruling class of the Jews, and he did not want to see Jesus crucified. He was a man who followed Jesus and who like most Jews he was waiting to see the kingdom of God.
But we see that he keep his belief in Jesus a secret because he was afraid of what might happen to him, that was until he witness Jesus dying on the cross. On that day he decided to ask for the body of Jesus and placed him in Joseph's own tomb, this would obviously be a demonstration that he truly liked and followed Jesus.
Joseph had times like i am sure many people have, they believe in Jesus and want to follow his teachings but are afraid what other people might think or what they will say. I recently was watching a t.v. show with a scientist who you knew did not really believe in God, but something happened to his son and, when he had no were else to turn, no way he could help the situation, he turned to God to ask for help.
Please don't wait till something traumatic happens in your life to turn to Jesus and follow him, not just while you in your house but out in public and around you friends as well.
Matt 10:32-33
"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Are you a trader?
I watched a you tube video that i thought was pretty neat the other day and wanted to share it with you. It is only just over 2 min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqQueZwIuzk
Are you willing to take the calling to be a trader, and live dangerously for Christ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqQueZwIuzk
Are you willing to take the calling to be a trader, and live dangerously for Christ?
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
When do we know we're ready?
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16
This week my family has had to battle some bad things. My grandmother Leona Evans had a stroke sometime late Saturday or early Sunday paralyzing her on her left side as well as some brain damage. This was not her first stroke but was the wost one. Now after a short stay in the hospital they have brought her home and put her under hospice care.
Although she has had some health problems over the past year you could tell that she knew it was coming to the end of her time here with us. She starting making funeral arrangements and getting everything in order. This got me thinking about when you know your time is coming and..... your at peace with it. I know I am still young and maybe have a wile (God willing) before I have to worry about it, but it still make you wonder what that moment will be like.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, Ephesians 1:11
It's not always easy to just think about leaving our lives in God's hands, but in the end whether we choose to or not that how it ends up. Try to make the best of every opportunity we have with our short time together. Please take this time to think about what God has done for you, what He has given you. So that even if tomorrow something happens you have something to be grateful for and realize that death here on earth is just the beginning of eternity.
Remember: "The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him."
Nahum 1:7
This week my family has had to battle some bad things. My grandmother Leona Evans had a stroke sometime late Saturday or early Sunday paralyzing her on her left side as well as some brain damage. This was not her first stroke but was the wost one. Now after a short stay in the hospital they have brought her home and put her under hospice care.
Although she has had some health problems over the past year you could tell that she knew it was coming to the end of her time here with us. She starting making funeral arrangements and getting everything in order. This got me thinking about when you know your time is coming and..... your at peace with it. I know I am still young and maybe have a wile (God willing) before I have to worry about it, but it still make you wonder what that moment will be like.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, Ephesians 1:11
It's not always easy to just think about leaving our lives in God's hands, but in the end whether we choose to or not that how it ends up. Try to make the best of every opportunity we have with our short time together. Please take this time to think about what God has done for you, what He has given you. So that even if tomorrow something happens you have something to be grateful for and realize that death here on earth is just the beginning of eternity.
Remember: "The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him."
Nahum 1:7
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Bread has to be eaten...
Today bread does not hold the same weight as it used to. Now we just use it to hold our sandwiches, subs, hot dogs, or our burgers together. Very seldom do you ever see a commercial for restaurant that talks about all the good bread they have, they always want to talk about what's in between the bread.
But not too long ago things are very different. When dinner was announced, everyone knew when they said “come and get it” what “it” was… bread. That’s the way it was in Jesus time. Now bread might have not been the only thing on the table, there might have been some fish for some vegetables around, and if they had any fruit it was normally dessert. Poor people may have ate barley bread, olives, and fruit. They even ate locust as a substitute for meat.
Of course it back then bread was a very labor intensive task, the grain had to be grounded into meal, then mix with water and salt to make the dough, then add the yeast to make it rise.
People knew that the bread that they ate was a very important part of their diet. That's why they all thought Jesus was a little crazy when he told them in john 6:35 “I am the bread of life he who comes to me will never go hungry”
The funny thing about bread is though is it no good if you don't eat it. Wither is wheat, rye, dare I even say white it does you absolutely no good if you don't eat it. If you stare at it for too long it will go stale.
This is where Jesus got into a little bit of trouble when he said that he was the living bread. How many of his listeners probably thought he was crazy. It even says in verse 66 that some of his disciples turned back and no longer follow him. Jesus had a good way with words, and a good knack at getting people to scratch their heads in wonder. Bread is one of the most common things but at the same time something vary important. Bread was honored in the Old Testament tabernacle and in the temple in the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies.
Jesus was connecting the lines between them; bread: common and yet uniquely holy, Jesus: human yet uniquely divine.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
You Lucky Dog!
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:3-5
People play the lottery everyday hoping to win it big. Maybe you have even thought about if you could just get this much money we would be set….for life! I know I have. But there have been many different TV shows that look at the lives of people who win the big one, and find that it did not really solve their problems, it just changed them. They thought that money could fix their life or make them happy, they realized it can’t.
When Jesus said what he did in Matthew 5:3-5, you think to yourself that does not make since, it did not make to much since in Jesus’ day either. The word “blessed” basically means lucky or that you have it pretty good. So how can this be?
The poor in spirit. You would probably think that you should not be poor in spirit but when you think you rich in spirit you might stop looking. But even after you have grown in the Lord you realize he has so much to offer and keep seeking after Him, and stay humble.
Those who morn. Jesus could be talking about morning the loss of a loved one; this is the same word used to describe Jacob morning for Joseph when he thought he was dead. Or it could also be us recognizing our failures and our inability to please God on a consistent basis.
The Meek. This is the word used for a tamed animal, someone or something that is calm. We see a lot that people like to see and hear preachers that are loud and boisterous. People often mistake meekness as weakness.
Jesus spent a lot of time teaching something that most consider to be a upside down view of the world. He said “whoever wants to lead should be a servant,” I see a lot of this in the church today many leaders/preacher expect others to do the grunt work and can’t figure out why no one in their church is volunteering to do anything. Because they don’t see their leaders/pastors doing any of the grunt work. If you are a leader, pastor, teacher show those around you that you care and have just as much if not more invested in their work.
We can’t be afraid to get dirty.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Are you up for it?
This past week I had the opportunity to help out with our children's ministry and the lesson was on perseverance. When my wife and I were preparing for it I was trying to think of a good way to really explain it to them. I had tried to talk it over with my 5 year old son but he just was not getting it.
One of the main points in the lesson simply said "not giving up on something when things get hard." My part in the lesson was to tell a bible story about perseverance. And I have been doing a lot with the book of Job lately, so that's the story I told.
Job 1:1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.v4 He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
Think about that story, if you have not read it you need to. There is no greater story of someone persevering over great obstacles. He lost everything, not because of anything he did but because he was a holy and upright man. But because he still stuck it out and served God, God rewarded him and blessed him.
Are you able to do that? Go through something really crazy, that you don't think you deserve to go through and still serve an awesome loving God.
Are you able to do that?
And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.Luke 14:47
One of the main points in the lesson simply said "not giving up on something when things get hard." My part in the lesson was to tell a bible story about perseverance. And I have been doing a lot with the book of Job lately, so that's the story I told.
Job 1:1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.v4 He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
Think about that story, if you have not read it you need to. There is no greater story of someone persevering over great obstacles. He lost everything, not because of anything he did but because he was a holy and upright man. But because he still stuck it out and served God, God rewarded him and blessed him.
Are you able to do that? Go through something really crazy, that you don't think you deserve to go through and still serve an awesome loving God.
Are you able to do that?
And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.Luke 14:47
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Don't turn Jesus into a drive thru
I just recently read a blog that talked about how churches have looked at changing everything except looking at their times of their services. With the development of mega churches, and also churches that run multiple services on Sundays, we always got the question now of .....time. What time do we start our service, what time do we end our service, how long before another service starts, how long should the worship be, how long should the preaching be. I think these are all good questions and I don't think that we can say that we should never plan for anything. But we also have to the willing to let God be God and let him do what he's going to do. We cant be so concerned about what time it is right now, or worry about what is coming up next on the service's schedule.
I have had people ask me before about both; why don't we shorten our services? God can still move right? And also; Why are our services so short, we use to have 3 or 4 hour services? That's not the way we use to do it!
Our society nowadays is so worried about getting in getting out getting on with life We can never forget that Jesus is life, He's the sole reason for what were doing right now, He's the sole reason were alive right now. It's so easy on a Sunday morning to worry about what's for lunch when your belly starts grumbling. Or not to show up to a bible class throughout the week because your favorite TV shows on. But none of this is the reason that Jesus carry the cross of the hill. He gave his life so that we can have ours, not ours just to do whatever we want but to serve Him and give Him glory.
2 timothy 1:8-9 "So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,"
I wonder if we were living in the book of acts right now, or the apostles were around, what would they have to do different in order to get your message out to a world that wants everything fast and in a hurry? But still be powerful have the power of god. This is something that our church and churches all around the nation have had to struggle with at times. Remember it's not a bad thing to plan a service but it is a bad thing to squelch the move of God. If the Holy Spirit starts moving in your service and you are a pastor or a worship leader I urge you to flow in the Spirit. Do you like the church in acts did, wait around and see what God will do.
And don't worry there will always be lunch afterwards.
Also check out Colossians 2:13-23
Please leave any comments and share your thoughts...
I have had people ask me before about both; why don't we shorten our services? God can still move right? And also; Why are our services so short, we use to have 3 or 4 hour services? That's not the way we use to do it!
Our society nowadays is so worried about getting in getting out getting on with life We can never forget that Jesus is life, He's the sole reason for what were doing right now, He's the sole reason were alive right now. It's so easy on a Sunday morning to worry about what's for lunch when your belly starts grumbling. Or not to show up to a bible class throughout the week because your favorite TV shows on. But none of this is the reason that Jesus carry the cross of the hill. He gave his life so that we can have ours, not ours just to do whatever we want but to serve Him and give Him glory.
2 timothy 1:8-9 "So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,"
I wonder if we were living in the book of acts right now, or the apostles were around, what would they have to do different in order to get your message out to a world that wants everything fast and in a hurry? But still be powerful have the power of god. This is something that our church and churches all around the nation have had to struggle with at times. Remember it's not a bad thing to plan a service but it is a bad thing to squelch the move of God. If the Holy Spirit starts moving in your service and you are a pastor or a worship leader I urge you to flow in the Spirit. Do you like the church in acts did, wait around and see what God will do.
And don't worry there will always be lunch afterwards.
Also check out Colossians 2:13-23
Please leave any comments and share your thoughts...
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Amazing Forgiveness
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Please take time to listen to this story it is just over 3 minutes, and it is amazing. http://www.npr.org/2011/05/20/136463363/forgiving-her-sons-killer-not-an-easy-thing . I first heard this story while driving with my wife one day; we were both floored when you hear of the challenges these two people had to overcome to love one another. Jesus said “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” Matthew 6:14
It is so amazing to realize that things like this still go on in a world of hurt, pain, and suffering. Hopefully Christians can learn something from this; too many times we get so offended over something small we don’t talk to people for years. Christ has forgiven us so we must return this compassion to other people.
Luke 6:37 Jesus said “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The tragedy of the wicked
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.5 They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. 6 Therefore pride is their necklace. Psalm 73:2-6a
This passage is written by a man named Asaph who was a prominent priest and a chief musician at the time of King David. It is a passage that i'm sure most Christians have felt before, they are trying to live for God and barley getting by. But they see wicked people prosper and wonder why.
There are so many preachers and teacher out there who always speak of the blessings of God, especially about money, they act like money is just going to fall out of heaven and land in their bank account, well God is almighty and could do that but i don't really hear of it. Truly God does want to bless his children and those who serve Him but it might not come in the way your expecting. Remember God sees the big picture He knows what is coming down the road and we don't. We have to understand He knows what is best for us while we are on this earth.
That is easier said than done, look at Job, there was a battle going on in the spiritual world he could not see. But God knew that when it was all over He would bless Job even more than what he had before.
Something that will be a hard pill to swallow is this. This blessing may come in this life, but...it may not. Our spirits will long outlast our bodies and eternity is a long time. If God want to use you and your life as a testimony like Job and even Jesus, we have to be ready to accept that. Jesus had to suffer and die, some think that is what was expected out of Him. Jesus was just fulfilling the will of the Father which lead to His torture and death. If God expected this much out of His son could he not ask for a similar commitment from us lowly sinners?
Revelation 2:7 "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."
There are many christians who have died that were full of disease, sickness that were poor and have seen so much pain but that does not take away their blessing. As long as they are still serving Christ, believe in Him, and their sins are forgiven they have recieved their full blessing sitting in heaven worshiping the Father.
Romans 6:22-23 "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This passage is written by a man named Asaph who was a prominent priest and a chief musician at the time of King David. It is a passage that i'm sure most Christians have felt before, they are trying to live for God and barley getting by. But they see wicked people prosper and wonder why.
There are so many preachers and teacher out there who always speak of the blessings of God, especially about money, they act like money is just going to fall out of heaven and land in their bank account, well God is almighty and could do that but i don't really hear of it. Truly God does want to bless his children and those who serve Him but it might not come in the way your expecting. Remember God sees the big picture He knows what is coming down the road and we don't. We have to understand He knows what is best for us while we are on this earth.
That is easier said than done, look at Job, there was a battle going on in the spiritual world he could not see. But God knew that when it was all over He would bless Job even more than what he had before.
Something that will be a hard pill to swallow is this. This blessing may come in this life, but...it may not. Our spirits will long outlast our bodies and eternity is a long time. If God want to use you and your life as a testimony like Job and even Jesus, we have to be ready to accept that. Jesus had to suffer and die, some think that is what was expected out of Him. Jesus was just fulfilling the will of the Father which lead to His torture and death. If God expected this much out of His son could he not ask for a similar commitment from us lowly sinners?
Revelation 2:7 "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."
There are many christians who have died that were full of disease, sickness that were poor and have seen so much pain but that does not take away their blessing. As long as they are still serving Christ, believe in Him, and their sins are forgiven they have recieved their full blessing sitting in heaven worshiping the Father.
Romans 6:22-23 "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Is your paradise in turmoil?
If you ever thought you had any sort of control over your life and how it was going to go well......think again. Look at Job 1:6-7 "One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.7 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.." We see that many things from this bit of scripture, one of them is satan goes from earth to heaven looking to challenge God's creation. If you read on in Job you will see that God opens the door for satan to challenge Job by taking just about everything away from him except his wife. Satan just knew that if he took away everything that Job had even attacking his health he would curse God. Well it did not work.
We find when we look deeper at how satan works we see he uses every weapon he can think of to try to challenge God's people.
Ezekiel 28:14-17"You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. 16 Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. 17 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings."
Isaiah 14:12-14" " "
"How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!13 You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."
With all the struggles you go through will God be able to say about you what he said about Job (2:v3)"Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."
It is not going to be easy but remember what Jesus said in Matt 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Only a few find it ...
We find when we look deeper at how satan works we see he uses every weapon he can think of to try to challenge God's people.
Ezekiel 28:14-17"You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. 16 Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. 17 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings."
Isaiah 14:12-14" " "
"How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!13 You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."
In both the Isaiah passage and the Ezekiel passage, the representation is not just of lucifer/satan as confined to his own person but also his working in and the consummating of his plans through earthly kings and rulers who want to take to themselves divine honors and who, whether they know it or not, rule in the spirit and under the aims of satan. Remember the scripture "For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12, NIV).
Satan will use people in your life to discourage you from seeing the whole picture and realizing who you are in Christ.
Remember Job did not do anything wrong to deserve the horrible things that happened to him. But he was caught up in something bigger that he could not understand. There is the spirit world that we can not see with a war constantly raging over those who want to destroy God's creation and gain power for themselves. With all the struggles you go through will God be able to say about you what he said about Job (2:v3)"Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."
It is not going to be easy but remember what Jesus said in Matt 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Only a few find it ...
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
A Messy Faith
Don't we all wish there were a magic formula for a easy and care free life. A life where we received the promise of God that every preacher and devout christian friend ever told us about. Well forget about it! Over the next few weeks i will be spending some time on Job, no not job but Job the man and book in the bible. Job was a blessed man (Job1:1-3), he had everything he needed and more. But in just a few brief moments his life turned into the worst story you have ever heard.
He lost everything, his children and all of his possessions, gone! All he was left with was his life and his wife, and he probably did not want either of them by this time either. Ever think you had a bad day read the first two chapters of Job. But we see Job did nothing to have all of this horror thrown upon him except serve and worship God.
We read that God allowed Satan to test Job to see if after all the blessings God had given to him were taken away if Job would still serve God. Have you ever thought about that when your day starts off bad, you get into an accident or something bad happens in your family? This could be a test not one you can see with your eyes but something happening in the spiritual world.
Job just like us did not understand what was happening or why, yet somehow amazingly still served God. Sometimes people could say the wrong thing to me or i just wake up with a headache and i am not fit to be around. That is not the kind of Christ like example He has called us to live.
Remember we will practice what we believe so how are you living today?
What do your actions, habits, or reactions to painful or difficult seasons in your life reveal about your core beliefs about God or this story (of life) your in?
Genesis 4:7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it
The last question was taken from Job, a messy faith by Ron Keck.
Please leave your comments or questions.
He lost everything, his children and all of his possessions, gone! All he was left with was his life and his wife, and he probably did not want either of them by this time either. Ever think you had a bad day read the first two chapters of Job. But we see Job did nothing to have all of this horror thrown upon him except serve and worship God.
We read that God allowed Satan to test Job to see if after all the blessings God had given to him were taken away if Job would still serve God. Have you ever thought about that when your day starts off bad, you get into an accident or something bad happens in your family? This could be a test not one you can see with your eyes but something happening in the spiritual world.
Job just like us did not understand what was happening or why, yet somehow amazingly still served God. Sometimes people could say the wrong thing to me or i just wake up with a headache and i am not fit to be around. That is not the kind of Christ like example He has called us to live.
Remember we will practice what we believe so how are you living today?
What do your actions, habits, or reactions to painful or difficult seasons in your life reveal about your core beliefs about God or this story (of life) your in?
Genesis 4:7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it
The last question was taken from Job, a messy faith by Ron Keck.
Please leave your comments or questions.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Where is your loyalty
Many of us know the story of David one of the great kings of Israel, but i wonder how many of us know about the men who supported him before he was king and during his time as ruler. He had men like Abishai, who David considered a mighty man(2 Samuel 23:18-19). Abishai was a great warrior he had loyalty, courage, and prowess but he was lead astray a little by his bloodthirsty brother Joab. He was devoted to his uncle David, when David was fleeing Saul it was Abishai who said he will go with him into Saul's camp (1 Samuel 26:6). He also protected David's honor wanting to kill Shimei for insulting the king (2 Samuel 16). He rescued David from the Philistine Ishbi-Benob "But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him" 2 Samuel 21:16-17. He fought in battle against the Edomites, Arameans, and the Ammonites demonstrating his military ability.
However, Abishai was also loyal to his brother Joab who talked him into doing some rather dirty deeds. The two brothers worked together to kill Abner, another commander who they held responsible for their brother's death (2 Samuel 3:30) and also did not say anything when Joab murdered another commander Amasa (2 Samuel 20).
Many Christians can be just like Abishai, they can be great warriors for God but their relationships with their family and friends hold them up from obeying God. It could be a brother, sister, or friend who go along with and participate in sin. Or a husband and wife who do not help correct the other when they see them not living a Godly example. God wants us to love and obey Him more than any relationship we have with other people.
"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." Psalm 37:5-6
Please share with me your comments!
However, Abishai was also loyal to his brother Joab who talked him into doing some rather dirty deeds. The two brothers worked together to kill Abner, another commander who they held responsible for their brother's death (2 Samuel 3:30) and also did not say anything when Joab murdered another commander Amasa (2 Samuel 20).
Many Christians can be just like Abishai, they can be great warriors for God but their relationships with their family and friends hold them up from obeying God. It could be a brother, sister, or friend who go along with and participate in sin. Or a husband and wife who do not help correct the other when they see them not living a Godly example. God wants us to love and obey Him more than any relationship we have with other people.
"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." Psalm 37:5-6
Please share with me your comments!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Practice what you believe
People may not always practice what they preach but they do practice what they believe. This is always a important thing to remember whenever you hear about some who fails you. But it is also important to pay attention to those who say they don’t believe in God or Jesus but when trials or test come into their life they ask for prayer or support. This normally means that some where deep down in their heart they realize God is real they are just not ready to make the commitment to Him.
I always thought it was amazing how in the Old Testament you had people like king Artaxerxes of Persia, who was king during the days of Ezra and Nehemiah who did rather strange things for a king of that time. A few decades earlier, many Jews had been sent into exile under the Babylonian Empire but then the Persians defeated the Babylonians and took over all their territory into their empire. The first one to decree that the Jews were free to return to Jerusalem was king Cyrus and rebuild the temple. Later Artaxerxes would do a similar thing and give Ezra funds to rebuild the temple and offer sacrifices to God. "Now I, King Artaxerxes, order all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, may ask of you" Ezra 7:21 NIV. Why would a non-believing king do this, look at Ezra 7:23 "Everything the God-of-Heaven requires for The Temple of God must be given without hesitation. Why would the king and his sons risk stirring up his wrath?" TMV
Although the king was doing this for his own preservation not wanting to make the True and Living God angry with him, this shows us he believed in God. For today’s time with preachers making false accusations of the return of Christ and other coming up with their own version of Christianity we must show the world grace and mercy and be a living example for our friends and family and point them to the cross and show them the truth in love.
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."
Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV
Please share your comments, tell me what you think!
I always thought it was amazing how in the Old Testament you had people like king Artaxerxes of Persia, who was king during the days of Ezra and Nehemiah who did rather strange things for a king of that time. A few decades earlier, many Jews had been sent into exile under the Babylonian Empire but then the Persians defeated the Babylonians and took over all their territory into their empire. The first one to decree that the Jews were free to return to Jerusalem was king Cyrus and rebuild the temple. Later Artaxerxes would do a similar thing and give Ezra funds to rebuild the temple and offer sacrifices to God. "Now I, King Artaxerxes, order all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, may ask of you" Ezra 7:21 NIV. Why would a non-believing king do this, look at Ezra 7:23 "Everything the God-of-Heaven requires for The Temple of God must be given without hesitation. Why would the king and his sons risk stirring up his wrath?" TMV
Although the king was doing this for his own preservation not wanting to make the True and Living God angry with him, this shows us he believed in God. For today’s time with preachers making false accusations of the return of Christ and other coming up with their own version of Christianity we must show the world grace and mercy and be a living example for our friends and family and point them to the cross and show them the truth in love.
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."
Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV
Please share your comments, tell me what you think!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Who needs the church!
On the question of why join a local church? A pastor said, "because it gives us a purpose to live for, people to live with, principles to live by, a profession to live out, and power to live on." There is not quite any place on earth where you can find all these benefits in one place except for the body of Christ.
People often ask "Why should i join a church anyway? After all, it makes no difference, i can still go to church and participate in all the activities without feeling tied down or committed."
The last word in that is very key to why you should be a part of a local body- commitment. Joining or membership in a church is a step of commitment which the dedicated christian expresses through their words and their deeds that Christ is Savior and they will follow Him. This commitment involves many areas of our lives such as commitment to God, our family, personal growth, and our ministry that God has called us to. Proverbs 12:7, Philippians 3:14, Ephesians 4:11-12. (Side note YES! God has given you a ministry to serve Him in, something He has given you the gifts talents and ability to do.)
A main part in a persons commitment lies in accountability to the church and its leadership (Hebrews 13:17, Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). Without this it can be easy to falter and fail but your local group of leaders can be there to help and encourage you along the way. With love, support, encouragement, and a little bit of challenge from the leadership and the congregation each person can not only maintain, but grow in their walk with God.
Another reason to join a local church is- relationships. There are no one man shows in Christianity. "Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God" 1 Peter 2:5 We are being built together to do amazing thing for Christ.
We are all part of the body of Christ, He has given all of us something to take part in.
"The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body,". Romans 12:5
Remember your church needs you for strength, unity, growth, ministry, and direction. You also need the church for the same thing.
"Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. 11 Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, 12 cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. " Romans 12:10-12
All Scripture quoted was from The Message translation.
Please share your comments.
People often ask "Why should i join a church anyway? After all, it makes no difference, i can still go to church and participate in all the activities without feeling tied down or committed."
The last word in that is very key to why you should be a part of a local body- commitment. Joining or membership in a church is a step of commitment which the dedicated christian expresses through their words and their deeds that Christ is Savior and they will follow Him. This commitment involves many areas of our lives such as commitment to God, our family, personal growth, and our ministry that God has called us to. Proverbs 12:7, Philippians 3:14, Ephesians 4:11-12. (Side note YES! God has given you a ministry to serve Him in, something He has given you the gifts talents and ability to do.)
A main part in a persons commitment lies in accountability to the church and its leadership (Hebrews 13:17, Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). Without this it can be easy to falter and fail but your local group of leaders can be there to help and encourage you along the way. With love, support, encouragement, and a little bit of challenge from the leadership and the congregation each person can not only maintain, but grow in their walk with God.
Another reason to join a local church is- relationships. There are no one man shows in Christianity. "Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God" 1 Peter 2:5 We are being built together to do amazing thing for Christ.
We are all part of the body of Christ, He has given all of us something to take part in.
"The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body,". Romans 12:5
Remember your church needs you for strength, unity, growth, ministry, and direction. You also need the church for the same thing.
"Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. 11 Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, 12 cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. " Romans 12:10-12
All Scripture quoted was from The Message translation.
Please share your comments.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Give it all up. What?
Jesus asked His followers in Mark 8:36 "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" Many think that, that is the correct way to think. But many do not think about how hard that can really be. Look a few chapters ahead in Mark at the one we call the rich young ruler. He came to Jesus like so many others and fell on his knees and asked "Good teacher...what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17-22) But Jesus being Jesus could tell this man's heart just like the Holy Spirit can today. The man thought it would be easier to gain eternal life, Jesus knew it would cost him but just how much was he willing to pay. They talked about how he had keep the commandments, he knew the word but he needed to act of faith. "Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth." (Mark 10:21-22)
The man seeing the savior's love for him could not let go, and that held him back from serving Christ. In our society today we all like to have things our way, we like to make it all about me. Jesus is not looking for followers who will be about themselves but about Him.For some it may be money, for other it may be their time, for some maybe a relationship your in and you should not be. As you read this ask the Holy Spirit if you are holding on to anything that might be setting you back from truly following Christ and being in God's perfect will.
Matthew 16:24-25 The Message
"Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. 25 Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self."
Please share your comments.
The man seeing the savior's love for him could not let go, and that held him back from serving Christ. In our society today we all like to have things our way, we like to make it all about me. Jesus is not looking for followers who will be about themselves but about Him.For some it may be money, for other it may be their time, for some maybe a relationship your in and you should not be. As you read this ask the Holy Spirit if you are holding on to anything that might be setting you back from truly following Christ and being in God's perfect will.
Matthew 16:24-25 The Message
"Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. 25 Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self."
Please share your comments.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The Creasters don't stay, why?
Definition of Creaster: A person or family who only come to church on Christmas, Easter, for weddings, and funerals.
Just a few weeks ago was Easter Sunday our church like most others seen a dramatic increase in attendance. We all know them they are the ones who only come to church on Christmas, Easter, for weddings, and funerals. The real question every year is, how do we reach these people so they find Christ and say in church to learn more about Him? We have all most likely tried different programs of dramas, choir specials, special kid presentations, and other similar types of ideas but still most have a vary minimal success in most places. We as the church seem to be unable to show most the love of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Maybe we the church, the whole church, need to put the same time and attention we do to get people to church on Easter and Christmas the rest of the year. Christians are not known for being the most constant people, and i know others will always see us when we mess up. But as the body of Christ i know He has given us the ability to change the would if we would only follow Him and seek after His will for us.
1 Peter 1:22 "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart"
After Christ comes to live inside us we purify ourselves why? So we can love others. i pray that the Lord helps me and you to love others with more passion than ever before and to point them to Christ.
Please share any comments you have.
Just a few weeks ago was Easter Sunday our church like most others seen a dramatic increase in attendance. We all know them they are the ones who only come to church on Christmas, Easter, for weddings, and funerals. The real question every year is, how do we reach these people so they find Christ and say in church to learn more about Him? We have all most likely tried different programs of dramas, choir specials, special kid presentations, and other similar types of ideas but still most have a vary minimal success in most places. We as the church seem to be unable to show most the love of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Maybe we the church, the whole church, need to put the same time and attention we do to get people to church on Easter and Christmas the rest of the year. Christians are not known for being the most constant people, and i know others will always see us when we mess up. But as the body of Christ i know He has given us the ability to change the would if we would only follow Him and seek after His will for us.
1 Peter 1:22 "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart"
After Christ comes to live inside us we purify ourselves why? So we can love others. i pray that the Lord helps me and you to love others with more passion than ever before and to point them to Christ.
Please share any comments you have.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Superman vs. Jesus
This week i had the opportunity to speak to the students at Lighthouse Christian School and the message i talked about with them was simple but yet applies to all of us (at least i think). We all have seen the super hero movies whether it is spider man, batman, the hulk, or superman. i noticed something about super heroes, for the most part they all had something happen to them like an accident or maybe in the case of the x-men they were born that way to make them super. But i spoke to the students and talked about superman, he was different he was an alien (not the little green type) but he was from a different planet. That's where he got his super powers from, he was different from most of the other super heroes.
Most people never think of themselves as special, they think that they are just like everyone else but if you follow Christ your not! You are different God has created you something special.Lets look at what most would call great men of faith.
First at Abraham out of all the people in the world God chose him to be a father of nations (Gen 18:18) and said that nations of the earth will be blessed by him. It is my true belief that if not for Abraham there might not be a United States of America, some of the most important people in the world mite not have been the success they were if not for him. He had faith not fear to step out and follow God into the unknown. Abraham was no superhero but did some amazing things
Then look at Moses, he should have been killed twice before he ever led anyone but God chose him to be the deliverer of a nation. When Moses had led the people out of Egypt they were trapped between a sea and a army, Moses had faith and trusted in God held out his staff and what a sight he saw. He was not a super hero just a man following the will of God.
Jesus called us to be a peculiar people that means we are to be different they others. 1 Peter 2:9 says "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" NIV
Not only are we different but we following Gods will have been given power through the Holy Spirit to do amazing things. John 14:12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father" NIV
And remember Superman can fly and leap over buildings but only Jesus lived then died was raised and ascended to heaven. Superman can't touch that!
Please leave your comments below.
Most people never think of themselves as special, they think that they are just like everyone else but if you follow Christ your not! You are different God has created you something special.Lets look at what most would call great men of faith.
First at Abraham out of all the people in the world God chose him to be a father of nations (Gen 18:18) and said that nations of the earth will be blessed by him. It is my true belief that if not for Abraham there might not be a United States of America, some of the most important people in the world mite not have been the success they were if not for him. He had faith not fear to step out and follow God into the unknown. Abraham was no superhero but did some amazing things
Then look at Moses, he should have been killed twice before he ever led anyone but God chose him to be the deliverer of a nation. When Moses had led the people out of Egypt they were trapped between a sea and a army, Moses had faith and trusted in God held out his staff and what a sight he saw. He was not a super hero just a man following the will of God.
Jesus called us to be a peculiar people that means we are to be different they others. 1 Peter 2:9 says "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" NIV
Not only are we different but we following Gods will have been given power through the Holy Spirit to do amazing things. John 14:12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father" NIV
And remember Superman can fly and leap over buildings but only Jesus lived then died was raised and ascended to heaven. Superman can't touch that!
Please leave your comments below.
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