07.30.08
Posted in Christian, Faith, Religion at 7:07 pm by
There’s a group on the social website “Facebook” that is dedicated to “Independant Christian Church Ministers”. The moderator posted this note on “The Wall” this week.
What does it mean to be relevant?
What is your church or ministry doing to stay relevant to it’s people/ community?
How do you balance being relevant without sacrificiing the message?
The space allowed for Wall posts is limited and I hit the end of my short space before I finished typing - so I’ll just post a link to this note there and answer here. 
Works for me, hopefully it’ll work for the folks in the group as well.
Relevant - having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand - affording evidence tending to prove or disprove the matter at issue or under discussion, having social relevance
OK, now that we’ve got a definition - how does it apply to me as a christian? It is my belief that through a life devoted to following Christ I can demonstrate relevance to those around me by having the answers to the questions that torment them. And not just a “pat answer” but an answer demonstrated through a life changed by God. When I go through the same trials and temptations that they do - but with demonstrably better results, that affords me the opportunity to show them what Christ could do in THEIR life - if they would but let Him.
So, what do I do to maintain relevance? I do my best Monday through Saturday to put into practice that which I teach on Sunday - so to speak. When the church is so busy with their “worship service” and their “praise service” and their “bring a friend Sunday” and other such programs and activities that they don’t take time to live out the Truth in their lives during the week, they lose relevance. They are no longer able to “have significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand” because they are so wrapped up in themselves and their programs that they forget to whom they were sent to minister in the first place.
Our ministry maintains relevance by “the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ”. I do not believe that the Apostle was referring to “full time Christian service” when he mentioned “work of ministry”, but rather he referred to the Church serving (ministering to) the world around her - thereby maintaining relevance and building up the Body through natural means.
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07.23.08
Posted in Christian, Faith at 9:52 am by
Then He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the LORD’s presence.” At that moment, the LORD passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. I Kings 19:11-12
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10
Today it is common for people to run around seeking great and miraculous signs of God. They want an experience, something earth shaking, something bold and daring. Now, to say that God is not capable of showing Himself in such ways is naive at best. But so is insisting that if He does not show Himself in such ways then you’ve not been in the presence of The King. “Be still and know that I am God” wrote the psalmist. And often, that is what we must do. We need to step out of our busy world and take time to be still before the Lord, to hear “the still, small voice” speaking to us. Too many times we seek for God in a desperate, busy way - when He wants us to simply be still before Him. “Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still.” Psalm 4:4
Do you take time to seek God’s presence? Do you take time to listen to Him in silence?
And then we also often neglect to allow Him to be a part of our day. We get busy doing things and forget the Apostle’s admonition to “pray without ceasing”. When we take time to be still before the Lord we come to know that He is always at our side and even in the midst of activity He is tuned in to hear our thoughts and to prayers.
Praying is not just about getting on your knees or prostrating yourself before the Lord - although both postures have much to commend them to those who seek God’s presence. Praying is about being in communication with our Creator, about letting Him have a place in our busy lives. As you drive down the road or go about your daily chores you have ample opportunities to allow Him to be a part of your life. “Pray without ceasing” is about being in touch with YOU as a person and with GOD as your source of wisdom and strength. And too many times we do not allow Him room. We shut ourselves up in our busy lives, keeping our thoughts and emotions to ourselves - and don’t let Him in to help us through the tough times.
A friend wrote recently about some experiences he had. He was going through some tough and strenuous times and didn’t take time to take it to the Lord, much less to allow others to lift him up before God’s throne. Now, I mention this not as a criticism but as an illustration. He’s a great guy and the pastor of a church - but in the midst of stress forgot to take time to allow God in to help. And I can identify with him because I’ve “been there, done that, got the t-shirt” so to speak.
Recently a young woman was talking with my wife. She was feeling bad because she wasn’t having time in the morning to get onto her knees everyday like she felt she SHOULD - from the teaching she’d received in a certain religious group. And although she was using her bus ride to talk to the Lord about her life and family and job and such, she felt guilty. But she IS learning to practice the presence of God in her life. Over the past few months she has been learning to “let go and let God” - and her marriage and family show the effects. We’ve seen them go from separation on the way to divorce to a growing and maturing relationship. Thanks to her learning to “be still and know that God is there”. He has carried her through some tough times and has helped her to overcome difficult situations. It has been a pleasure to see her learn to make Him part of her life and not just a morning ritual to fulfill religious preconceptions.
The presence of God. There’s a time for worship, that’s for sure. But the idea that only during such times are we “truly in touch with God” is false - He wants to be a part of our lives on every level. He wants us to truly “pray without ceasing” - touching base with Him all through the day and allowing Him to help us through the tough times.
Now, to learn to truly put this all in practice consistently. That in itself tends to be a lifelong battle against my “macho” attitude of “I can do it all myself.”
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06.23.08
Posted in Christian, Faith, Firearms, Freedom at 3:51 pm by
Have you ever imagined what the world would be like if the First Amendment to the US Constitution were treated like the Second Amendment has been? After all, EVERYONE’S in favor of “reasonable restrictions” on the exercise of the Second Amendment and EVERYONE’S in favor of “proper training” for those who choose to exercise their right. So, what if we demanded that the First (and all the rest) were treated equally?
You’d have to get a permit from your local government in order to post a blog. You’d be limited to the number of blogs you could have. You’d be limited in the number of words you could print on a given topic. You’d not be allowed to use any of that “saturday night special” language - nor any of that “sophisticated military style language”. The right to worship God as you see fit would be regulated and perhaps limited to “one religious service a month”. You’d have to have a license from the government to use religious language. You’d be at the mercy of the BPSRO (Bureau of Political Speech and Religious Organizations) and any regulations they’d dream up to further hamper your freedom. Anyone who wished to collect or sell Bibles and other religious or political books would have to jump through hoops to acquire the Federal, State and Local permits to do so - and would be subject to surprise visits to check that their paperwork was in order and all such dangerous items were properly stored and accounted for.
And the list could go on and on… how long would folks stand for it? I fear that the time may not be to far distant when such types of authoritarian infringements might become reality. Already many laws are in place which say that quoting the Bible is “hate speech” and one can actually be punished quite severely for doing so. “Radicals” who dare question the furtherance of the “homosexual agenda” to not only “normalize” but actually promote as desirable the sodomite lifestyle are already coming under fire -as are those who question the advisability of promoting obviously flawed “sex education” classes in public schools or who oppose the murdering of pre-born infants. The infringements have started - it’s probably only a matter of time before the First Amendment will be as heavily fettered as the Second.
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06.04.08
Posted in Christian, Faith, Freedom, Friends, Religion at 6:28 pm by
We started holding public meetings in Pereira on the first Sunday of June in 2002. That first Sunday we had our family (six of us at the time) and one other family - of three at that time. Since then the Lord has blessed us and many have joined us in worshiping and studying God’s word. Many of those have moved on to other cities and other congregations, but the Lord has preserved a remnant here and in the past year has blessed and increased the number of His people here. Lately we’ve been stretching the folks a bit, encouraging them to move past their “comfort zone” to seek what the Lord is wanting to do through their life. But I digress. On June 1st, 2008 we had our annual “Anniversary Bash” This year we held it here at the house and were joined by 39 people, including two new families. For some of them it was the first time they experienced a “party” in which they didn’t have to drink to have “fun”. What a novelty to wake up the next day and remember what all happened and to not have a hangover…
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Posted in Christian, Uncategorized at 6:18 pm by
A while back I came across a site called www.efolkmusic.com and later www.efolkmusic.org spun off of it. This is a good source for folk, bluegrass, celtic, gospel, country and old time music. You can buy the music by the track or order CD’s and other merchandise. Since we’re overseas it’s been easiest for me to just download and then burn my own CD’s. Also, this way I get a good variety on each CD and music that I like. We’re in the land of Vallenato, Merengue, Salsa, Champeta and other sounds which I find hard to adapt to. efolk, on the other hand, offers music that speaks to MY soul. :) And also there’s a lot of “unknown” artists that you won’t find at your local wallyworld or bulkmusic store. And if you’ve got a folk, bluegrass or other such band - well, they offer a chance for you to gain a wider audience for your work.
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04.19.08
Posted in Christian, Faith, Firearms, Freedom, Politics, Religion at 6:12 pm by
233 years ago today a group of simple village and farm folk stood up against the forces of an empire which desired to force upon them its ideals and laws. They “fired the shot heard ’round the world” and after several long years of war they attained their goal - a free and sovereign nation that was built upon Biblical principles with freedom for all. May we all be grateful for the legacy passed down to us by those brave men. It is because of their resolve and dedication and sacrifice that we enjoy the freedom that we have a US citizens.
Now we have candidates to the presidency of the US who would take away the very freedom by which our nation was founded. We have a candidate who denigrates “fly over land” as “bitter people clinging to their guns and religion”. I stand amazed at the current crop of candidates and can only wonder what happened to the spirit of the men who stood that April morning against the forces of a far off king and set the stage for a grand new nation’s entrance upon the stage of the world. Oh that their spirit may spring once more to life in the hearts of my fellow citizens.
Concord Hymn
by Ralph Waldo Emerson
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled;
Here once the embattled farmers stood;
And fired the shot heard round the world.
The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps,
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream that seaward creeps.
On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone,
That memory may their deeds redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.
O Thou who made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free, –
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raised to them and Thee.
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03.06.08
Posted in Christian, Faith at 9:40 am by
Last month I was privileged to travel to Hastings, Minnesota to participate in a “Truth Project” training seminar. I’d been able to view some of the material, but did not know of the teaching aids and training material available on the ‘net. The temptation is glorify or deify the leader of any kind of movement. This is true of the “Purpose Driven” series as well Maxwell’s leadership materials. It will also probably be true of the “Truth Project” as well - but I hope not. Dr. Del Tackett expresses from the very beginning a desire to see individuals be transformed as they come into closer contact with God and His Truth. The focus is on God and how He manifests Himself through His creation and His Word - may that focus not change to the person of the one who set up the series.
For those of us who are fascinated by history, science, law, morality, etc, the series provides some fascinating material. As I watch the videos I find myself thinking “I KNEW that, why couldn’t I express it so well?” This series is geared towards the Church, God’s people. It is designed to help God’s people draw near to Him, to allow Him to transform them through a renewing of their minds. In Hastings I was told that another series is being planned as an outreach toward unbelievers. Let us uplift this project in prayer and keep the ones who are working on it before the Throne of God as they seek ways to open the door of truth to a world that does not believe that Truth even exists.
One of the most exciting pieces of information (for me) is that the “Truth Project” is coming out in Spanish, probably before the middle of the current year! WOOHOOOOO!!!! Am I excited? Yes! Much of the content is similar to what I’ve been trying to teach folks here. My prayer is that the presentation will be much more polished than my own, allowing folks to assimilate the information and draw nearer to our Lord and Savior.
Did I happen to mention that the “Truth Project” is something I’m excited about? I’d encourage you to look into the “Truth Project” as well.
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02.04.08
Posted in Christian, Faith, Firearms, Freedom, Politics, Religion at 8:19 am by
With 2008 being a presidential election year, we are now about past the middle of the active electioneering that’s been going on since last year. There’s a recurring theme I keep hearing from dyed in the wool members of the supposed “conservative” party and that is “Anyone but a Democrat!” It matters not what the so called “Republican” stands for, all they need to do is say “I’m a REPUBLICAN!” and folks will vote for them. But that’s not what bothers me the most, and is only partially the reason for this post.
What really “gets my goat” is the attitude that “We have to vote for the ‘lesser of two evils’.” The lesser of two evils - is still evil. Let’s see. On one side we have Democrats who are in favor of the sodomite agenda to demean and dishonor marriage by twisting it to include their unholy unions. And they are also in favor of executing unborn children who have done no harm to anyone. And they are in favor of prohibiting the free use of weapons by ordinary, upright citizens. And they are in favor of granting amnesty to the millions of foreign nationals who have violated our laws and invaded our land. On the other hand we have Republican candidates who are in favor of the sodomite agenda to demean and dishonor marriage by twisting it to include their unholy unions. And they are also in favor of executing unborn children who have done no harm to anyone. And they are in favor of prohibiting the free use of weapons by ordinary, upright citizens. And they are in favor of granting amnesty to the millions of foreign nationals who have violated our laws and invaded our land. So, what’s to choose from? Does it really matter which party drags the country into the mud?
Now, I know I’m generalizing and not all the candidates openly support the issues outlined above - but they ALL have abominable track records on one or more of the issues above, issues I’m convinced are of vital importance to the nation. And yet, when one says “Send me a truly conservative candidate who will obey and enforce the US Constitution, uphold moral values, secure our borders and decrease the interference of the Federal government in individual citizens’ lives” people tell me “If you DON’T vote Republican you’ll be putting a DEMOCRAT in the oval office!”
I’ve got news for the Republican party. If they want to REALLY do something POSITIVE and garner the support of the sector of the US population that holds onto traditional values -THEN QUIT TREATING US LIKE IDIOTS BY OFFERING UP LIBERALS IN CONSERVATIVE CLOTHING!!!! If the Republican party endorses a liberal candidate and tries to cram them down the throats of voters with strict conservative beliefs - they are the ones who will be responsible for keeping conservatives away from the polls. Telling us that WE are responsible for the failure of a liberal Republican to win the presidential race is like telling a woman that she is responsible for the actions of a rapist.
I’ve made it clear that I will not be kidnapped. I will not go along with evil men merely because they threaten my life. Nor will I go with them because they threaten the lives of someone else. I will not go along with them because I do not agree with what they are doing. If they kill someone else or if they kill me because I refuse to cooperate - THEY ARE THE ONES WHO PULL THE TRIGGER - NOT ME. In other words, any innocent blood shed is not by my hand but theirs. In the same way, those who offer up a liberal, pro sodomy, pro abortion, pro amnesty for law breaking aliens, pro higher taxes and anti second amendment (or any combination of the above) candidate and say “Vote for them or else” are giving me the same option as those who would attempt to force me to acquiesce to their demand to accompany them at the point of a gun. I simply will not be coerced into violating my principles.
To those who are running the supposed “conservative” party I say “Give me a REAL conservative or I’ll seek out my own. And so will others who are also tired of voting against someone. Give us a leader who will honor the Constitution and the foundations of our nation, give us someone to vote FOR, who represents our values from the heart - or YOU will be responsible for the continued downward spiral of the nation as we sink lower and lower into the moral abyss - one “lesser evil” at a time.
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12.27.07
Posted in Christian, Faith at 4:05 pm by
Have you ever stopped to think “What’s the meaning of my life?” Have you ever wondered “Is there something more than living, breathing, eating and sleeping until my body gives up and quits?” Or do you live each day of your life merely seeking some kind of narrow fulfillment of your own narrow desires and will?
I’m reminded of the outlook of the five missionaries who gave their lives willingly, so that a tiny indian tribe might hear the Gospel message. And the words of the Pilgrims, on the Mayflower Pact - that they were come to this new land “for the glorie of God”. What do we do, each day, to fulfill that purpose? Do we realize that each day, each moment we are part of a larger plan? Do we really understand that there IS a larger plan? Are we willing participants, or do we, like Pharaoh, harden our hearts time after time until God then hardens our heart for our destruction?
As we come into a new year of life, may we all keep in mind that there IS a bigger picture - and there’s more to life than our own personal, narrow goals, aims and desires.
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12.14.07
Posted in Christian, Faith at 5:20 pm by
Yes, he couldn’t believe it. And I didn’t tell him how much over 35 I am. He’s working through a problem with addiction - on many levels. All we can do at this point is keep pointing to Christ - the only One who can give us the strength we need to stand strong in the face of temptation.
So, is it such a “strange” thing for someone to make it to middle age without ever being under the influence of drugs such as alcohol and marijuana? To some folks it is. You should see their reaction when we tell them that we married at 21 - as virgins. In today’s society people seem to think that sinking to the “lowest common denominator” is the way to go. As Christians we should strive to reach a higher plane, a higher way of living - and to help others to raise up over the siren call of our fallen culture in order to also stand on a higher level.
It’s not easy, but it IS possible. It takes more than a casual effort to do so, however, and thus may seem like “too much of a challenge” to some folks.
But people need to know “It IS possible to live a life that is pleasing to Christ.” They need to know that they TOO can raise above the muck and mire and walk “in newness of life”. Although I managed to make it to adulthood (and beyond) sober, I found plenty of other ways to sully my path. We all have weaknesses in one way or another and we all need the redeeming blood of Christ to wipe us clean, to allow us to walk near to God instead of along our own miry way.
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