Caring for The Environment of God’s Earth
You don’t have to like or agree with Al Gore in order to care about God’s creation. Christians have no business dismissing everyone who cares about this planet as “environmental wackos” “eco-Nazis,” cranks, and chicken littles. Yes, of course there are extremists. (Hey, I live in Oregon. I know those extremists, but I still want Oregon to remain clean and beautiful!) Remember, there are “Christian wackos” too, but most of us do not appreciate being dismissed by that label. Don’t throw out the baby of responsible earth-care with the bathwater of anti-enterprise gloom.
Discussing and Dealing with Pornography
Today, we are evangelizing and disciplining a generation of men who have been inundated with sexually provocative images and have in many instances become numb to sinful sexual practices and inappropriateness. In fact, sexuality is so pervasive that according to one author, “If you don’t address sexuality as part of your evangelism then you’ll either store up problems for future discipleship or you’ll never win people for Christ in the first place.” That’s a strong statement. Yet, it serves to remind us of the ubiquitous nature of unbiblical sexuality in our culture, and how its sinful effects are felt by all. For sure, there can be no true and lasting discipleship today without dealing with the issues of pornography and sexual temptation.
Your Worship Service is B-O-R-I-N-G!
Your church exists (especially it’s corporate worship) to Glorify God and edify believers. That can’t happen if both God and the church are bored…even if that boredom is created by willful decisions to remain boring.
Are we really “losing” our young people?
If they go to another church and stay faithful to the Lord, have we really lost them? And yes, I do have problems with young people that leave my fellowship and go to places that do not believe those things that Scripture teaches really matter. But having said that, I find many young people in house churches, cell group fellowships, and various churches with differing worship styles. But if the core convictions are the same, I don’t believe we have “lost” them.
There Really Is A Reason – 12 Benefits Of Afflictions
So in God’s plan, afflictions have great benefit to us, as painful as they are at times. If we keep these benefits in mind when we suffer, they can help us endure joyfully.
I write this as an encouragement to those churches who have not yet discovered the value of incorporating more of the Bible into their worship services. Because God’s word is what revives the soul, makes us wise, enlightens the eyes, and is the means by which God sanctifies us (Ps. 19; Jn. 17:17), we should be eager to give it a prominent place in our worship. While it is common to read the Scripture with the sermon and before the Lord’s Supper, I want to suggest 5 more places in worship where the word of God can be lifted up.
When Grief Kills Your Faith: Some Practical Advice
The dilemma that results is this: we need our family and friends during grief … to share our grief with, to remember and to receive acceptance; yet, we’re afraid we will be ostracized by our family and friends if we express our doubt. Do we: 1. Pursue our grief induced doubts at the expense of our community and at the expense of experiencing the grief within the community; or, 2. Do we pursue our community at the expense of our personal faith searching?
Why I started Visual Worshiper
Diving in to the concept of visual worship led me to be fascinated by old church buildings and cathedrals where I saw something interesting: the Church used to be REALLY good at using visuals in worship spaces! Stained glass, mosaic, tapestries, paint – they ALL told stories of God and helped the Church worship…visually. However, every time I would look out at our sanctuary walls; they were bland. White. Void. You might be able to relate…
Mormon bishop with Samurai sword runs off attacker
Hendrix, a bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said it was the first time in 30 years of practicing martial arts that he’s used the sword. He didn’t swing it at the man, only showing him he had it.