Archive for the ‘Faith’ Category
Thoughts on “Being a pastor”
Del Tackett posted an interesting article entitled “When The Chair Just Doesn’t Fit” regarding certain issues amongst those who are involved in full time Christian service. Far too many folks see “The Pastor” (and it is capitalized in their verbal usage) as a perfect being only one step down from Jesus the Christ Himself – including many who fill the position. Read the rest of this entry »
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Riding the Storm
This writer stands convinced that the best place to be is smack dab in the middle of God’s Grace and doing what He wants one to do. Being in such a place is not necessarily easy as sometimes the storm about one detracts from one’s ability to recognize that the Lord of All is on the vessel upon which one is traversing the stormy lake of life. He can calm the storm, but how exhilarating it is when He calms one’s heart instead so that one can find zest in the thrill of the ride.
Thoughts On Relationships
The following is in response to an inquiry from a friend who was wondering about long distance relationships. A lot of it has to do with relationships in general. So, for what it’s worth, here it is.
First, for a relationship to be a long term success it has to have a firm foundation. Just like building a house. No good foundation – it’s gonna fall. This means that we need to think outside our current societal “box” so to speak. Our culture over the past decades has emphasized some of the worst foundations for long term relationships possible. Some of them are as follows. Read the rest of this entry »
Your Spiritual Act Of Worship
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
A long standing gripe of mine is the current religious culture that glorifies those who are “real worshippers” (ie – can move audiences with their vocal or musical talents) all the while ignoring what real worship IS. In the passage above we are told to “offer our bodies as a living sacrifice” and are told “this is your spiritual act of worship”. For some reason I tend to prefer the teaching of the Apostles who REALLY knew Jesus and His teaching to the current crop of religious folk who filter the Word through centuries of tradition and current fads. Read the rest of this entry »
Who is a Christian?
Who is a Christian?
This is the title of an essay by Franklin Graham on the internet, on 09/20/10. He quoted Jesus as saying “that his true followers are those who have been ‘born again’ by the Spirit of God.” He was referring to John 3, but he didn’t fully quote what Jesus said. Jesus actually said, “Truly, truly, I say to you (Nicodemus), unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
Thinking about book burning – holy or otherwise
As mentioned earlier this week, a pastor in Florida planned to burn copies of the Qu’ran (Koran) on September 11, 2010. His reasoning – “It’s the devil’s book.” Well, so? What does burning the Qu’ran do to change minds and win over people who are convinced that it is God’s book, not satan’s? The answer is – nothing. To many people the physical book itself is what is holy. There are protocols about the proper treatment of the Qu’ran. It is kept on the top shelf. It is never placed under another book. It is covered with a plastic or cloth dust cover when not in use. It is never allowed to be on the floor. Etc, etc, etc. All these have to do with the physical book itself.
Regarding the Ground Zero “Prayer and Islamic Cultural Center”
200 yards from the site where nearly 3,000 people died on September 11, 2001 by the actions of muslim extremists there is a plot of land upon which adherents of Islam wish to build a 13 story “prayer and cultural center”, an edifice which is being called “The Ground Zero Mosque”. Their plans have fanned the flames of discontent amongst those who remember the celebrations by muslims in the streets around the world that were broadcast in the aftermath of the horrific attacks. However, it is not just non-muslims who are raising their voices. A quick search on a good internet search engine yields a number of articles by and about muslims objecting to this project. From Miss America to imams to political commentators there are voices raised by muslims decrying the intentions of those who have formulated this plan.
Muslim Outrage Over Violence In The Name Of Islam
Thank you to my brother Benjamin Rees for providing the search words that dug up the following information. I had looked online but am one of the world’s worst googlers ever, can’t seem to put the search words together in the right way to find the info sought sometimes. Anyway, below is a follow up to yesterday’s article, starting with the reply by brother Rees. Read the rest of this entry »
Christian Outrage Over Koran Burning
On the news recently is a church in Gainesville, Florida that is preparing to burn copies of the Koran (Quran) on September 11, 2010. 9 years after the horrific acts of violence against peaceful civilians perpetrated by fanatical believers in Islam, the world continues to wonder, “Where is the outrage by the members of this “peaceful” religion?” Many of us remember the dancing in the streets in muslim countries around the world. We remember the words of hate against our nation by members of muslim communities living within our borders. What we did not see was outrage at the acts of violence nor did we hear muslim leaders denouncing the senseless, barbaric murder of thousands of non-combatants and the destruction of private, non-military property. Read the rest of this entry »
People of Faith
“People of Faith” – a term that many in today’s culture bandy about with derision and scorn. They look down on folks who are “people of faith” and turn up their nose at the ideas such folks espouse. And yet, what does the term mean? What are “people of faith”? Are they people who have faith in faith? Are they folks who trust in trust? As far as that goes, who ISN’T a “person of faith”. Even the atheist is a “person of faith” – they have faith that their ideas are right. They have faith in the non-existence of a divine being who will one day ask for an accounting. Each one of us had faith in something or someone. Each one of us expects life to be a certain way and to run by certain rules.
So, what is this with “people of faith’? When it is used in today’s culture, most often it refers to people who believe in God, the Creator. The people who are immersed in our post modern culture looks down on such people because supposedly they are so much more “enlightened” and have a better perspective on life. It is high time we started to use words correctly and to hold others responsible for doing so too. The next time someone looks down their nose at you and says, “You say that because you are a person of faith” – or some such silly “put ‘em in their place” argument – simply smile and respond, “You, too, are a person of faith.” It’s time to reclaim our language – and our culture.
