A New Year’s Resolution?
Resolutions are a weird thing to me. I’m not sure if they are ‘biblical’. And yet I presently find myself strangely pulled to make some life changes concerning diet and certain habits and well….diet. It’s that whole end of the year, beginning of the new thing that seems to happen every year.
Have you had success with resolutions? If so, would you share it with us?
g
P.S. Sorry for the blog drought. I hereby resolve…..
The Coffee Revolt
In opening up our Grindhouse Cafe and generally adjusting the way we do things in the new place, we decided to eliminate the free-will donation coffee that we have offered for years. It just made sense to me on a number of levels. I like tying up loose ends.
“People won’t miss it.” I thought. “A few might struggle not having their Folgers available, but they’ll adjust.” I said to myself.
Boy, was I wrong! Shortly after the news of ‘No Folgers for you’ was out, they were outside of the church with pitchforks and lanterns and clubs demanding the Coffee Nazi’s hide.
OK, so I am exaggerating…..but being the wise and prudent man that I am (and not wanting to take a beating if I don’t have to), I caved to the demands of the revolting villagers. Those jonesing for Folgers will get their fix this weekend and subsequent weekends until the Lord returns. Now, drop those pitchforks…..g
The Boy Becomes a Man
Danny Braga has more than a little prophet edge in him. While he was our youth pastor here at LCF, he would not infrequently breath out fire and brimstone in his messages to the kids. But last night I listened to a man full of grace and compassion as he ministered the Word of the Lord to a bunch of grieving folks. Danny gave a beautiful message from John 11.
Last night I saw the boy become a man…..and I the teacher became the student. God bless you, Danny. I am really proud of you in the Lord!
g
Hurt So Good….
I have been gently and lovingly rebuked numerous times in the past few weeks….A brother came up to me after a Sunday Morning service recently and pointed out that a vehicle that belonged to me was parked in the handicapped parking space by the front door of the church. He told me that his precious mom (who has a very hard time walking) had to walk from a much more distant parking place because someone who is not handicapped chose to take up a handicapped parking space. Though I didn’t personally park there, someone in my family did. I felt terrible.
On another occasion….A dear brother asked me if everything was OK. You know, the ‘Are you alright’ kind of question. I said, ‘Ya, I’m fine. Why do you ask?’. He proceeded to tell me that he listened to a Podcast of one of my sermons and said it sounded suspiciously similar to a message he had heard from someone else. He then gently and lovingly told me that he loved me, respected me and was worried about me. He was raised up under my ministry. I proceeded to admit that though this wasn’t normal, I have on occasion leaned heavily upon other’s outlines and material in presenting a sermon. I again felt terrible. I felt ashamed.
Later, when I was alone with God, I fell to my knees and repented of my laziness and insecurity. I promised the Lord that I would never again lean upon another’s man’s work in that way. God has given me a voice. I want to be who God created me to be.
It took courage for these people to confront me. I respect them all the more for it……..
Are you a person who cares enough to give correction? Are you a person who loves Jesus enough to receive correction? It hurts so good…..g
Sects
I am currently perusing the Song of Solomon for this Sunday Night’s sermon on Biblical love-making. I am struck by the liberty and joy of both the husband and the wife in their physical relationship. I am also impacted the clarity of the Word of God concerning these issues. And yet, God’s people have always struggled in this area. Perhaps it’s partially due to humanity’s radical abuse of God’s good gift and some bad teaching over the ages by some notable Christians:
Augustine: “Intercourse isn’t evil, but the lust and pleasure is”
Roman Catholic Church: “Intercourse is only for procreation. Otherwise it is sinful.”
Luther: “Intercourse is never without sin.”
I look forward to teaching through this vital issue and bringing the clarity of God’s Word to bear upon the subject. I think it will be liberating for many–offensive to a few. Pray for me…..g