Our whole lives need to be poured out in worship. And in the end, that's the ultimate responsibility of anyone who truly recognized the all-consuming revelation of God. -Matt Redman
Soda or Pop?
As a native of Southern California currently living in Oregon, I have been engaged in the ongoing and ever so important debate, just what do you call your favorite carbonated beverage....soda, pop, or coke? It now seems that depends on what part of the country you live in, and even what county!
Growing up in So Cal we simply called all carbonated drinks coke, even if it was a Spirte, although that seems to have changed according to the map. Well, that doesn't fly in Oregon. For the most part it is pop, and sometimes soda.
Check out this map to settle the controversy once and for all! Visit www.popvssoda.com for an even more detailed and interactive map.
Whew...sure glad that is settled!
His Space?
It's no secret that I am not a big fan of myspace. I read through many myspace pages, as most of my high school students have them. Most of the time it leaves me feeling sick to my stomach. I have no problem with social networking, it's all the garbage that get's thrown in, on myspace, that bothers me.
Well now there is xianz, the Christian alternative to myspace. While I'm no fan of myspace, I am left wondering do we really need a Christian version of it?
I grow weary of all the ways we Christians isolate ourselves from the world. I have a hard time believing that we would find Jesus on xianz. Just this morning I read in Mark 2:15-17 of how Jesus was having dinner with tax collectors and other "sinners." When the religious leaders of the day approached Jesus and confronted Him on the way He chose to spend His time, He told them that, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
It is vitally important that we as belivers stay in close community with other believers. That is a big reason why God has given us the Church. It is also very important that we spend time where "sinners" are, so that they too might have to opportunty to enjoy the life that Jesus offers them.
We are called to be the salt of this earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-15). How will this be accomplished if we continually stay sequestered in our Christian bubbles?
Let's enjoy good fellowship with one another, and maybe xianz is a way that we can do that, yet let's not forget that we also need to be out in the world making a difference for the Kingdom, not running from it.
Perfect Church
For those that want to create the perfect church....perhaps this is the answer!
Get yours here!
In truth, may we be more committed to discovering how to be the church as opposed to how to do church.
May it be our desire as the church to truly give ourselves to the lifestyle of worship that God desires..
Therefore, 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. Romans 12:1
May we learn how to truly live in the kind of community that God desires...
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer...... All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47.
May it begin with me.
Invisible Children
Today I saw the film "Invisible Children." It rocked me. I still hardly know what to think, let alone do.
It's the story of the children of Northern Uganda that are forced to flee their homes each and every night so that they might sleep without the fear of being abducted by the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army), the forces engaged in the 17 year battle to overthrow the Sudanese government.
It is a tragedy that has gone on largely unnoticed by the rest of the world. It is an injustice that must be brought to an end. Please visit Invisible Children to learn more.
Here's the trailer....
Think On This
Whenever the method of worship becomes more important than the Person of worship, we have already prostituted our worship. There are entire congregations who worship praise and praise worship but who have not yet learned to praise and worship God in Jesus Christ. - Judson Cornwall
Get Through
If you are anything like me, you are sick of calling some company only to get lost in the web of their phone system instead of actually talking to a real live person. Yesterday I came across a gem of a find!
Are you ready to really stick it to the man? Check out the Gethuman Database. There you will find current a listing of 402 companies, their phone numbers, and the codes to use to get right to a live person!
Whoever created this goldmine of a database is my hero!
The McPassion
To make the point that the marketing of Jesus has gone way to far, filmakers Rik Swartzwelder and Benjamin Hershleder have produced this comical, disturbing, and yet poignant 4 minute film.
See more here.
Introducing...
I introduce to you... Jonathan Lopez Toledo. Jonathan is the third, and most recent, child our students are sponsoring through Compassion International. Jonathan lives in Mexico with his mother and stepfather and lives in a world of great poverty.
It is our desire as a ministry to take seriously the needs of people in this world, children in particular. It is clear in scripture that children were very close to the heart of Jesus.
One cannot read the words of Jesus in Mathew 18:2-6 and not be moved...
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."
As a ministry we also sponsor Oscar Silvestre of Bolivia and Karla Lopez Santiz of Mexico. What priviledge to be an active part of their lives, to love them as Jesus does.
If you are unfamiliar with the ministry of Compassion International and child sponsorship, I encourage you to visit their web site and consider investing in the life of a child. They will be blessed. You will be blessed.
The Numbers Are In
I mentioned in my last 30 Hour Famine post that I would share how much was raised through our effort. I am happy to report that through your help, and the help of many others, we were able to raise $4,268.49! What an incredible blessing! That is $1,858 more than last year!
With that amount we have the privilege of feeding 12 children for an entire year! Famine funds this year will help both in Darfur, Sudan, and in Kenya, as well as in other needy areas such as Niger.
It excites me to see our students gain a greater heart for the the needy in our world; to truly gain a heart for the things that break the heart of God.
It is my prayer that we would all gain a greater understanding of what Jesus taught in Matthew 25:31-36. May we know that we when we minister to those in need, we minister to Jesus Himself.
Free Joe
Don't forget to get your FREE cup of Starbucks coffee tomorrow morning! That's right, Starbucks plans to give away 500,000 cups of free coffee from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm!
Hmmm...I wonder if they will deliver to our staff meeting?
Read the Press Release.
Think On This
When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.
-John Piper
Pews
Dan Kimball shares here some great history, and thoughts, on the pew. I agree with him.
What do you think?
Snow?
Woke up to this this morning! Last I checked it's March!
Don't believe I have ever seen snow in March.
Kind of a neat surprise though. Thanks God!
Make Some Noise
I remember as a child hearing the statement "Children are to be seen, and not heard." We're you ever told that? I didn't like hearing it then, and I especially don't like hearing it now. It certainly is not the sentiment we hear from Jesus.
I believe we as children of God, both in the grown up sense, and the youthful sense, are not only supposed to be seen, but are also to be heard, and heard loudly! Jesus even told us in Luke 19:40, if we keep quiet then the stones will cry out! He wants us to be heard! He desires that we make some noise for Him, in order to bring glory and recognition to His name.
To night the theme of our Second Wednesday Worship with our high school students is Make a Joyful Noise. Most of our 2W2s have been quite quiet and reflective in nature. Not to night. To night we rock, not just for the sake of being loud, but to be reminded that we are to make some noise in this world.
One of the songs we plan on singing is the David Crowder song "Make A Joyful Noise/I Will Not Be Silent" I like the line that says, "And I will not be silent, I will not be quiet anymore." There are too many silent Christians in this world. I don't want to be one of them. It is our prayer that in our time of "noisy" worship that we might be moved all the more to go out and make some noise.
The songs goes on to say,
The wind against my skin
Every ocean
Every sea
Every river
Every stream
Every mountain
Every tree
Every blade of grass will sing
Let's join in with the rest of creation and make a loud noise, for it is that noise that will cause our Lord to smile.
Jack Bauer School of Ministry
Because of my love for youth ministry, and my appreciation for Jack Bauer saving America from all the terrorist out to get us, I post the following from Mark Helsel's blog.
Top 10 things that I have learned about ministry from the show 24!
10. Thoroughly background check the people that you hire especially the executive pastor. How many moles can one place hire, tighten up CTU!
9. Have the latest smart phone. You never know when you will have to send skematics of the new sanctuary to the local zoning board or a teens picture to the police.
8. Computer geeks are essential. Every church needs an Edgar (R.I.P) to stop the meltdown of nuclear reactors or make sure the church newsletter gets e-mailed to the congregation.
7. If you ever need to get teenagers to listen to you at youth group just scream "Federal Agent, let me see your hands!"
6. Breaking protocol is a good thing. It is better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
5. Bad things happen when the main guys daughter is around. See Kim Bauer!
4. Every ministry needs a socially awkward employee or volunteer like Chloe. This person will typically be in the financial department or nursery.
3. Head pastors are like Presidents you either get a great one like President Palmer or a toal weiner like President Logan.
2. If you need information there is no better way than torture. Can I get an amen! Don't you wish you had a Jack Bauer around when someone comes up to you and says "Some people are saying...but I can't tell you who they are!"
1. How can things go so wrong in just 24 hours? Is Jack on a perpetual middle school overnighter?
Jack should have been one of my profs at Bible College!
Think On This
If you cannot worship the Lord in the midst of your responsibilities on Monday, it is not very likely that you were worshipping on Sunday!
-A.W. Tozer
Church Sign
As many of you know, I have a fascination with church signs.
Here's an interesting one. Nothing like a little corporate sponsorship!
Thanks Lark News.
If Jesus Had An Obituary
Jesus Christ, 33, of Nazareth, died Friday on Mount Calvary, also known as Golgotha, the place of the skull. Betrayed by the apostle Judas, Jesus was crucified by the Romans, by order of the Ruler Pontius Pilate. The causes of death were crucifixion, extreme exhaustion, severe torture, and loss of blood.
Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham, was a member of the house of David. He was the Son of the late Joseph, a carpenter of Nazareth, and Mary, His devoted Mother. Jesus was born in a stable in the city of Bethlehem, Judea. He is survived by His mother Mary, His faithful Apostles, numerous disciples, and many other followers.
Jesus was self educated and spent most of his adult life working as a Teacher. Jesus also occasionally worked as a Medical Doctor and it is reported that he healed many patients. Up until the time of His death, Jesus was teaching and sharing the Good News, healing the sick, touching the lonely, feeding the hungry, and helping the poor.
Jesus was most noted for telling parables about His Father`s Kingdom and performing miracles, such as feeding over 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish, and healing a man who was born blind. On the day before His death, He held a Last Supper celebrating the Passover Feast, at which He foretold His death.
The body was quickly buried in a stone grave, which was donated by Joseph of Arimathea, a loyal friend of the family. By order of Pontius Pilate, a boulder was rolled in front of the tomb. Roman soldiers were put on guard.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that everyone try to live as Jesus did. Donations may be sent to anyone in need.
Jesus rose the third day and will come again for those who name his Name as Lord and Savior.
Thanks Gman.
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