A matter of choice

Thanksgiving usually means everyone is thinking turkey will be on the menu. While I like turkey, and we occasionally have the bird at Thanksgiving or Christmas, it is not always on the menu. And, that holds true for Thursday. My husband doesn’t like turkey although he will eat some of the white meat. I’m truly a white meat eater. But, I have children and grandchildren who love turkey, no matter white or dark meat.

This year, a ham will grace my table. I know that it will go over good and everyone will have leftovers to take home. I have one grandson who could eat ham every meal. And, to go with the ham, I’ll have the traditional dressing, yes – made with chicken. You haven’t tasted dressing until you taste mine!

We make other choices in life that makes an impact on others. The way dress, the way we talk to others, the way we conduct our lives in public, the cars we drive – I could go on and on. But, you get the picture. Whatever we do, there are others watching us from afar or perhaps even next door. We are individuals that can make a difference in the lives of many.

When we become Christians, our lives should take on a different direction. Rather than trying to make decisions by ourselves, we need to pray and get direction from the Lord. I know that might not go over with some, but it’s imperative that we sustain a close relationship with our creator. Life is made easier in retrospect. Sometimes we do undergo things that we don’t understand, but it only helps to make us stronger. Whatever direction our life goes in, it has been our choice. We can choose to live a life of righteousness for the Lord or a life of good for the enemy. Good doesn’t get us any place, although it may make you look good in the eyes of others. But, a true repentant heart makes you a child of the King! What choice have you made?

Linked at Conservative Cat
Third World County
Planck's Constant

Technorati Tags: Choice, Thanksgiving, Turkey, Righteousness, God, King

And the rains came

Well, they haven't come yet, not enough to put a dent in the drought we are having in the south. But, they will come.

The governor of Georgia, Sonny Perdue, will join ministers and lawmakers today on the steps of the capital to pray for rain. Governor Riley declared a week in July as "Days of prayer for rain".

There will be protesters at the event. It isn't that they are against the rain coming, but against the prayer to get it here.

The loudest opposition to Perdue's move has come from the Atlanta Freethought Society, a secular group that is expecting about a dozen of its 125 members to protest at the vigil.

"The governor can pray when he wants to," said Ed Buckner, who is organizing the protest. "What he can't do is lead prayers in the name of the people of Georgia."

We have a very bad drought problem here in Alabama and in neighboring states. Lakes that supply the water for our homes are almost dry. Alerts have gone out for everyone to conserve the water. We have had a little rain but not enough to fill up all the lakes that provide us with our water. Lakes in Alabama and Georgia are running dry. But, I believe in miracles. God can fill those lakes miraculously. There have been floods in other parts of the country, but we are coming close to running out of water if the rains don't come soon.

• Leviticus 26:3-4, "If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit."

In the 26th chapter of Leviticus, God tells us to follow Him, to obey him and we will have plenty. But, if we are not obedient and follow his commandments, then certain things will befall us. None of us know for sure if this is judgment coming from God for all the things America has done against Him. But, in all my life, I have never seen a situation with rain as bad as it is now.

Thomas Jefferson, for one, resisted calls for a federal day of prayer. But he was an exception. From George Washington, who declared "a day of prayer and thanksgiving," to Harry Truman, who established a National Day of Prayer, American politicians have not been shy about associating themselves with petitions to the Almighty.

Rocky Twyman says that we need to "call upon God because what we are doing isn't working". I think this man has a point!

Linked at Conservative Cat
Dumb Ox Daily News
Third World County

Technorati Tags: Rain, Sonny Perdue, Georgia, Governor Riley, Alabama, Rain

A Designer Original

Some people would do anything for a Designer Original dress or suit. They cost more than my money could buy. I never even entertain the thought of having a designer original. Those expensive outfits look good on the models, but believe me, I do not have the body of a model!

But, God, the Designer Original, created each of us as a unique individual. There are differences even in twins. Each of us has identifying marks that no other person in the world has. We all have a unique set of fingerprints that can be picked out among millions with today’s techniques.

My fingers were designed to be the long, slender fingers of a pianist. I play but do not consider myself anything beyond ‘loving to play’. Along with those long fingers, God made me tall, with long arms and long legs. I may have similar features of other women, but my body is mine and mine alone.

We look at people and judge them on their looks. But, with God, there are no good or bad looks. He made all of us in his image and his likeness. We look in the mirror and see flaws; He sees perfection, for we are his creation. We each have a uniqueness that God has given to us.

We need to realize that God made each of us for His pleasure. We may not measure up to what we would like to be, but we measure up to what God meant for us to be, if we serve Him. It is our duty to take this ‘designer original’ and use it for His glory, spreading the gospel wherever we go.

Technorati Tags: Designer, Original, God, Unique, Creation

Christian Carnival CLXX (170)

Christian Carnival is back up, in Dory's absence. This edition is over at Brain Cramps for God.

Do go over and support the effort of these people to keep the Christian Carnival up and running. And, also, there are many great entries this week.

Technorati Tags: Christian Carnival, Brain Cramps for God

Christian Alternative to MySpace

Today I picked up the May edition of the Birmingham Christian Family publication at our local WalMart. While thumbing through it's pages, I found a faith-based networking site created by two Chattanooga residents. Greg Thomas and Ralph Russ wanted to create a Christian alternative to social websites that attract our teens, and sometimes having questionable content.

JCFaith.com was started one year ago and advertised as clean, safe, and enriching, and it's monitored by Christian adults and pastors. Any messages or photos that are questionable that pop up are quickly deleted. The users are encouraged to get involved in the Saturday chat room prayer groups and Bible studies. The site offers Bible resources, music downloads, blogs and both fun and faith-based polls.

Thomas and Russ originally started JCFaith.com for the youth, but they have found that 50% of the members are 25 or older. In just one year, it has grown to over 10,000 people from all over the world. This ranks it in the top three networking sites in existence.

Linked at Church and State
Conservative Cat
Basil's Blog
Pursuing Holiness
Woman Honor Thyself

Technorati Tags: JCFaith.com, MySpace, Christian, Chattanooga, Bible, Networking

No room for a Savior

2000 years ago, a Savior was born. God sent his only begotten Son to earth. He would live a life as we do, but would be crucified on a cross, being punished for sins he never committed. But, through his death and resurrection, we have been given a chance to reign with him one day, if we accept that free gift of grace through faith. Salvation is ours, if we want it.

Back then, there was no room at the Inn for Mary and Joseph when it came time for her to give birth. They were not treated as royalty. And, Joseph had a dream where the Lord sent an angel to him, and told him to get Mary and Jesus out of Bethlehem because King Herod was going to try and destroy him. So, again, they had to leave their home to protect our future Savior, until they heard the King was dead. Upon his death, they could again return to their home without worry.

This week, we are celebrating Passover. Easter, which many celebrate as Resurrection Sunday, comes next Sunday. That is the day that Jesus arose from the grave. But, so much has happened in the world since that day.

We have His Word in the form of the Bible. But, there are many trying to say the Bible is only another book of fiction – ‘nice stories, but truly fiction’. For, why would a ‘loving God’, as He is portrayed in scripture, let people die and not heal them all? Why would he let little children suffer, and babies be aborted? How could He stay quiet when thousands of people were killed in one morning? Where was He?

And, as Easter approaches, we have a man trying to prove that the tomb of Jesus was found with the bones of Jesus and ‘his supposed wife’, along with others. Those of us who hold that the Word of God is truth, know this could not be true, since the Word says he was crucified, laid in a tomb, and 3 days later, he was gone, with only the grave clothes remaining. And, according to the Word, Jesus was never married. He worked as a carpenter for 30 years and then began his public ministry, in which he stayed until he was crucified at the age of 33.

• Matthew 28:6, "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

Then there is the 'return of the secret Mark Gospel'. The debate begins again!

Ho-hum, you say? Isn’t it simply Easter season, when fresh Gnostic gospels or dubious ossuaries show up like spring daffodils?

Christianity is being ‘railroaded out of town’ by those that stick to ‘separation of church and state’. Christian clubs have to fight in order to be able to hold meetings in school. Children are told not to pray at school.

Author David Limbaugh, in “Persecution: How Liberals are Waging War Against Christians,” wrote how a judge threatened public school students, back in 1995, with arrest and incarceration for six months if they mentioned the name of Jesus.

Remember how protestors were allowed to paint the Capitol steps by the Capitol police? But, Christians are not allowed to kneel and pray.

The Christian Defense Coalition was sponsoring a public celebration of The Stations of the Cross when they were ordered to leave a public sidewalk in front of the Library of Congress while they were kneeling in prayer.

The group had been granted a permit by the United States Capitol Police and they were not blocking pedestrian traffic on the public sidewalk.

More and more, Christians are treated as though our faith is something of which we should be ashamed. Our mouths are being shut while perversion is being shown all over the television, allowed to be shown in art displays, and it is taking place on our public streets. Yet, the Christian population is the one that is being told they are wrong.

Just as it happened 2000 years ago, it’s happening today. People are too busy to bother with Jesus. Some feel that they live a ‘good life’ and they don’t need a ‘Savior’ to keep them straight. Life is supposed to be lived, not ‘depressed’, as some would see a life of holiness – living for the Lord.

As we approach Easter (Resurrection Sunday), it is my prayer that eyes will be opened to the real truth, that ears will hear what is being said, and lives will be changed. Too much is happening in the world today to shove the Word on a back shelf and not realize that the day of Jesus’ return is quickly approaching.

• Luke 21:28, "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."

Linked at Conservative Cat
Pursuing Holiness
Mark My Words Open Trackback
Don Surber

Technorati Tags: Savior, Easter, Jesus, Salvation, Resurrection, Redemptin, Bible, Grace

How do you work in your church?

Or, more on target, should I ask "do any of us show the attributes of any of these animals?"

I just received the following in an email. I do not know the author, but what profound knowledge this person has about the 'interior' of a church!

• "Some church members are as stubborn as a Missouri mule about doing church work, but as sly as a fox in their own business deals; as busy as a bee in spreading the latest gossip, but as quiet as a mouse in spreading the gospel of Christ. Many are as blind as a bat to see the needs of others, but have eyes of a hawk to see the faults of a few. Some are as eager as a beaver about a barbecue, but as lazy as a dog about the prayer meetings. Some will roar like a lion when things do not go just to suit them, but they are as gentle as a lamb when they need the preacher of the church. Some are as noisy as a blue jay when calling on the church for advice, but as timid as a kitten about talking to the lost and as slow as a snail about visiting absentees and shut-ins. Many are night owls on Saturday nights, but "bed bugs" Sunday mornings and as scarce as hen's teeth on Wednesday nights."

There are so many animals named in that one paragraph that 'work' in a church!

1. Mule
2. Fox
3. Bee
4. Mouse
5. Bat
6. Hawk
7. Beaver
8. Dog
9. Lion
10. Lamb
11. Blue Jay
12. Kitten
13. Snail
14. Night Owl
15. Bed Bugs
16. Hen's teeth

Hopefully, none of our churches have all these animals in them. Otherwise, our church wouldn't exist. But, I'd be wrong if I said the church of today doesn't harbor some of these 'animals' amongst us. We become complacent in our every day walk and fail to pray or go to meetings other than Sunday morning, thinking that will get us through the week. I've missed on Sunday night and Wednesday night and feel like I've been out forever!

There are those that are right handy to be at the next Church outing/meal, etc., but only come on the days there is to be a big meal. And, then there are those that really want to 'run the church' and make noise if all doesn't go their way. But, they aren't quiet when they need the preacher to come visit! I've seen these things happen time and time again.

What we need in our churches today are those that are true warriors for Christ: prayer warriors, intercessors, and those not afraid to help where help is needed. Many want help, but never want to give help. I believe that it's just as important a job to be janitor for the church and clean the toilets as it is to serve on any other job. It takes the whole body to make up the true church. And the 'whole body' should be willing to do what is necessary to help the church grow both spiritually and in numbers. When we have gossipers that spread the bad news, it gets around. Nobody wants to go to a church where you have lots of 'loose tongues'.

If a church has all those 'animals' in it's congregation, perhaps the thing to do would be to corral them all up on the front row and preach the Word to them! Seriously, we need to pray for the 'health' of our church - for the people to see the light of God through the Word preached, and for the Holy Spirit to enlighten them as they read for themselves. Then, perhaps it would weed out the 'sin' in our hearts,and our church could become healthy and more on the fire for the Lord!!

Technorati Tags: Church, Church Members, Congregation, God, Holy Spirit, Bible

Jesus will not be debunked!

Matt Lauer, host of The Today Show, had what he called an exclusive ‘that could rock Christianity to it’s core’. His co-host, Meredith Vieria, interviewed James Cameron about his new documentary called ‘The Lost Tomb of Jesus’ to be aired on The Discovery Channel on Sunday at 9ET/8CT PM.

Matt Lauer: "Also ahead we're gonna talk about a discovery that if it's true it could rock the world. Did this 2000 year-old tomb in Jerusalem once hold the bones of Jesus and his family including a son? A new book and a documentary from Oscar-winning director James Cameron traces an archeological find that could change everything we know about Jesus, Mary and Mary Magdalene."

This tomb was first discovered 27 years ago. So, that news isn’t anything new. It is just that the claim it is the tomb of Jesus, and possibly his marriage to Mary Magdalene and that he could have had a son is very new!

First of all, how could the ‘bones’ of Jesus have been found when the Bible clearly states the tomb where he was laid was empty the third day? Even the linen that he was wrapped in was found in the tomb.

As one comment said: “I'm not one for conspiracy theories either. However, as a Christian I don't merely see uncoordinated attacks from various immoral elements. I see them each - individually - as an attack from someone who is coordinating them.”

Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

I believe, until the end of time, until the return of Jesus to catch away the saints, there will be people trying to debunk the facts of the Biblical Christ that we have grown to know through His Word.

John 8:32, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

HT: Ten Reasons Why The Jesus Tomb Claim is Bogus

Linked at Pursuing Holiness
Conservative Cat
Don Surber
Third World County

Technorati Tags: Jesus, Christ, Christianity, Truth, Matt Lauer, James Cameron, Documentary, Lost Tomb

Feeling Worn Out and Rusty?

The picture is of my husband’s Dad’s old Farmall H tractor that hasn’t been moved in years. It is in our pasture where my husband put it after his Dad passed away almost 16 years ago. I am sure he would love to refurbish it to make it look new, but that would cost lots of money. So, it continues to set where it was placed those many years ago, becoming more rusty as the years go by and useless as a farm tractor. Yet, it is a memento of years gone by when he used to drive the tractor for his Dad in its’ better days.

Just like the tractor, we can become worn out and rusty. As we grow older, if we don’t maintain our bodies, we get to the point we are unable to do much; our bones ache, and it is hard to walk or maybe even get out of bed without groaning and complaining.

You have heard the old saying, ‘we are what we eat’…….and we are also what we ‘listen to, read, and speak’. We listen to gossip and slang, and we start to gossip and talk with words unbecoming to us, as Christians. If we never study or read the Word, how do we expect to grow spiritually, and stay ‘alive’ spiritually? How can we speak words of encouragement, wisdom, love, or of spiritual content, if we aren’t renewing our minds with the Word of God?

2 Timothy 2:15 tells us, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." We can sit and listen to the preacher, but that isn’t studying. We need to study for ourselves and also be doers of the word.

James 1:22-24, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:"

When we become Christians, we are supposed to put off the old and put on the new. We are to be ‘renewed in the spirit of our mind’. (Ephesians 4:23) Sometimes, we get lax, become worn out, and rusty, spiritually.

So, let us begin to wipe away the ‘rust’ from our ‘bodies’ and begin to saturate our minds in the Word. This way, we can become strong spiritually, in order to be able to combat anything that comes our way. The Word does tell us to ‘put on the whole armor of God that ye might be able to withstand the wiles of the devil.’ (Ephesians 6:11)

Linked at Conservative Cat
Pursuing Holiness
Third World County

Technorati Tags: Christians, God, Spiritual, Armor, Rusty

Does the Holy Spirit feel at home in your temple?

When we are expecting guests, we are known to roll out the red carpet, so to speak. We spend ample time cleaning our house from top to bottom; everything has to be spotless and everything in it's own place. Our furniture has to pass the 'white glove' test. Our bathrooms have to be fit for a king! And, we usually get most of the food prepared ahead of time so we can spend time with our guests relaxing and enjoying their company.

Do we give God the same amount of attention? Do we prepare our 'temple' for His presence just as we prepare our earthly house for the anticipation of guests? Do we study the Word as we should? Do we pray as we should, or do we only pray occasionally, or when we need the Lord's help? I believe all of us are guilty at times for not keeping our temple prepared for the Holy Spirit. We skip prayers and worship too much.

Each of us,and I'm speaking to myself as well, should pray daily, giving attention to what God says to us. Many times we pray for something specifically, or ask God for guidance in some part of our lives. But, then we just go on our way, not giving Him the time to give us an answer to our prayers. In other words, we do not take time to listen to the Holy Spirit. How do you think your earthly guests would feel, if, when they arrived, you answered the door, and then proceeded to leave them standing and went into another room? Rude, right? They would feel very unwelcome. I wonder how many times the Holy Spirit has felt He was an unwelcome guest?

Linked at Church and State
Woman Honor Thyself

Technorati Tags: Holy Spirit, God, Temple, Home,
Prayers>

Getting our house in order

I am normally a good housekeeper, but there are times when I let things go undone. In fact, lately, I have been sick, and things are not like they should be. I haven't felt like cleaning house, or even cooking. I have only done what was necessary in order to make it liveable around here. I am sure all women get that way at one time or another. When your body is out of energy, then it makes sense to sit down and rest.

But, there's another house that needs to be taken care of. Sunday, a lady at my church said God had been dealing with her to get her 'house' in order - not only her literal home, but her spiritual house. Too many times we pay attention to our earthly home, and forget about tending to the temple that houses the Holy Spirit. We let our bodies run down; we don't exercise to stay in shape, and most of the time we don't get the rest our body needs in order to be in top notch shape. It is easy to become complacent in our spiritual life when we are complacent in how we treat our body.

Remember Mary and Martha? Jesus came to town and Martha invited him to the house. She got busy cooking the meal, and working in the kitchen. She was worried, I am sure, that things would not be perfect for Jesus. She thought Mary should come and help, but Mary chose to sit before Jesus and listen to his every word. Martha wasn't happy with her choice, so she went to Jesus and told Him she thought that Mary should help her serve.

Jesus said, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42

Sometimes we get things all turned around. We tend to things we think are necessary, but we don't tend to those things that God says are necessary. In getting our spiritual house in order, we need to learn to ask God what things we need to change in our lives. Is there any sin that needs repenting of?

Our spiritual house can be cleansed through heeding the Word. Psalm 119:9 There is nothing that God will not do for us. If you are having problems with what the world offers or your spiritual life in general, ask the Lord to help you. 1 John 4:4 say, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

Linked at Third World County
Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Spiritual House, Jesus, Martha, Mary,

Christian Carnival 150 is up

The newest edition of the Christian Carnival is up at Brain Cramps for God. He calls it the Holiday Fruit Basket Edition. There are many good articles to read, so go over and check them out.

Technorati Tags: Christian Carnival

Non-Western Christians and the cross

When the British Airways employee was suspended for refusing to remove the cross from her neck, we heard lots about this on our news. So this brought about a look at what the cross means for those Christians in the Muslim world.

To those of us living in the Western world, we look at the cross on a chain as a piece of jewelry. But, to those non-western Christians, it means much more. It identifies them sympolically with their faith, church, and community.

The Muslims look on the cross with hatred, because it identifes the so-called 'false religion'. But, those Christians, who live in the Muslim world, the cross symbolizes the persecution and martyrdom they have had to endure for centuries.

Muslim hatred for the cross is evident in the hadith (traditions) that foretell the Muslim belief that, in the End Times, Jesus will reappear as a Muslim and will break all crosses. In history for example, Caliph al-Mansur (754-775) forbade the public display of the cross and destroyed the crosses on top of many churches.

Forbidding the public display of crosses continues to be the case in modern day Saudi Arabia. Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim (996-1021) forced Christians to wear a five-pound cross around their necks as a sign of humiliation.

Coptic Christians in Egypt tattoo it on the inside of the right wrist. They want to be identifed as marked followers of Christ.

"They want to be identifed as marked followers of Christ.

But, they face persecution, when doing so. In April 2005, a 17 year old girl was kidnapped, raped, and tortured for 23 hours, by an extremis Islamic group. They tried removing her tattoo from her wrist with scissors. Imagine the pain this young girl went through for her identity with Christ. Would we be able to endure the pain she went through for her love of our Saviour?

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Third World County
GM's Corner

Technorati Tags: Non-western Christians, Christians, Persecution, Cross, Muslim, Egypt

Christian Carnival CXLVI is up

The Evangelical Ecologist has this week's Christian Carnival up. Dory of Wittenberg is being recognized this week for keeping the Carnival going. There is also a story about a real tent revival in 2002 before the Carnival starts, which is very good.

There are many great posts this week, perhaps more than I've seen in awhile. I believe there is something for everyone this week. So, go check them all out. I am about to do the same.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Christian Carnival

Christian Carnival CSLV is now up

Henry, over at Participatory Bible Study Blog, has presented this week's Christian Carnival with the theme from an amusement park. He has done a great job, and there are some great posts. Why not take a few minutes and go over and see what the Carnival has to offer this week.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Christian Carnival, Christian,

New Bible publication literally cuts out unused parts

I have always been a reader of the KJV. In fact, it's the only copy of a Bible that was ever in my parents' home. Therefore, I got very comfortable with it at an early age. And, when I read a different translation, I am forever comparing it, since words are different. I enjoy using The Amplified Bible, which I have in a Parallel Bible with the KJV, for study. But, my memory will always bring back the scripture I learned from the KJV.

Then, I ran across this new Bible publication review. I was shocked! I remembered the tale of the young woman leaving church one day with a Bible missing many pages under her arm. The preacher noticed her Bible and asked what had happened. She told him that, everytime he said something didn't apply for today, she would tear the pages out of her Bible, and about all she had left was the covers.

It seems a Dutch organization wants to take the stress out of reading the Word for contemporary Christians. So, they are literally doing the same thing as the young woman did - removing those parts they feel doesn't apply to us today - or, better still, those parts that they might have a hard time applying to themselves.

That's because those troublesome verses about justice for the poor, responsibility for the rich to address their neighbors' needs, and all that talk about money, are gone. Not just edited out, cut out.

A report from Assist News Service said the Western Bible Foundation published the book to meet the "growing wish of many churches to be market-oriented and more attractive."

The Bible is only available in Dutch for the time being. Hopefully, it will stay there. Parts of the Ten Commandments, Isaiah, Proverbs along with the Sermon on the Mount has been removed. After all, 'it isn't useful for today'.

"After all, 'it isn't useful for today'.

Am I missing something here? Does not the Word say, until heaven and earth passes away, that not one jot or tittle will pass from the law until it is fulfilled? And, I think I remember that Revelation 22:19 warns us about taking away from the scripture, and the consequences of such an action.

The Bible is actually published by Time To Turn, a network of Dutch students "who want to choose a sustainable and just way of life, based on their faith in Jesus Christ."

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Pirate's Cove - Tuesday Linkfest
This May - Or May Not
Adam's Blog

Technorati Tags: Bible, Dutch, Faith, Jesus Christ, Christians

144th Edition of the Christian Carnival is up!

Buzz, over at The Buzz Blog, has up the 144th edition of Christian Carnival this week. I am sure you you will be blessed with what the Carnival has to offer this week. So, why not go over and read the entries, and support Buzz for his participating this week in supplying us with these great entries.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Christian Carnival

Are local churches becoming taboo?

Dan, over at Cerulean Sanctum, wrote a post that caught my eye. The name of it is “Because we can, we should?” I read up on the website he was talking about, MySecret.tv, and found it is an offspring of LifeChurch.tv.

Now, I love church, and I love going to church. But, I have yet to understand how an online church could suffice for a live church service. To me, there is nothing that can replace the meeting of Christians as a church body, to edify one another. How easily it would be for anyone to say act like they were Christians ‘online’, because nobody can see me or really know my heart, unless they know me personally. There is no way I can be taken seriously, because I’m a ‘hidden figure’, saying I’m Christian. Only God would know if I was an imposter or not.

But, what really got to me was the fact this LifeChurch.tv has a place for you to send in donations, tithes, and offerings! I know we are living in some fast times, where the Internet plays a big part in our lives.But, I have a hard time seeing my home church replaced with an online one, and my giving to people I do not know. For all I know, the money could be going for anything for the ‘pastor’ of this ‘online church’ to do with whatever he wants, whether it is to further the gospel message or not. I don’t see where the ‘online church’ is held responsible by any organization. It was started by one man, and has an online staff of two people, that I can tell.

MySecret.tv is a place to go tell your ‘secret’ confessions online to other people. Oh, I know he says don’t go and read just to see what others have done. I could understand telling a chosen few in my church body I had done wrong, but not an entire world! You need people praying who truly know you, and want to see you back on the track with God. I see no way a body across the world can truly know you have indeed changed by making an online confession. We need to repent to GOD – not man.

Help me. Am I reading this all wrong? Are today’s churches taboo, since we are so computer minded, and are too lazy to get out of our chairs, get ready, and go to our local assembly?

Linked at Conservative Cat
Is It Just Me?
DragonLady's World

Technorati Tags: Church, Online Church, Christian, Confession

Christian Carnival CXLI is up

A Penitent Blogger hosts the Christian Carnival this week. If I counted right, you have 37 great blog entries to read. I haven't read them all, but I am sure they are good. So, hop on over and treat yourselves to some good stories this week.

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Marinate in the Word

Until recently, while reading blogs, I thought to ‘marinate’ meant to soak food (mainly meat) in a liquid mixture, in order to give it flavor when you cook it. To my surprise, Doug, over at CoffeeSwirls, mentioned that Christians should ‘marinate in the Word’

"'marinate in the Word'

.... meaning the Bible. He mentioned staying on a passage until he feels he is ready to move on.

A former Sunday School teacher of mine always stressed the importance of studying the Word for ourselves. His favorite verse was:

2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

John 17:17 say ‘thy word is truth.’ I believe, when we delve into the Word more and more, we find how easy it is to fall in love with the Word of God. It makes us want to study more and more. And, as we 'marinate' in the Word, we become saturated to the core with Truth, which causes us to become more acquainted with Jesus, and who He is. Scripture tells us in Romans 11:17 that ‘faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.’ And, as we study and build our faith, we find it easier each day to conform to what God wants our lives to be.

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