How many needs the love of the Father, that He has placed in each one of us to share, and not to keep?
This video keeps speaking to me today....
Maybe you are like the girl...
Maybe you are like the snobs...
We all need forgiveness.... even me. God knows how much I ask him for forgiveness... I think I ask so much, that I have a speeddial button on my prayers!!!
Please, please watch it... and let God break your heart.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
A DVD you have to see...
THE CHRISTMAS STAR
The True Story
Barry Setterfield discusses the historic and scientific evidence for the Christmas story.
The Birth: When was it?
The Wisemen: Who were they?
The Star: What was it?
This is A very enlightening study that every Christian needs to see... Barry does a great job of stripping away traditionalism, and replacing it with the truth of Scripture.
Have you ever wondered if December 25th is Jesus' actual birthday? Where did the Wisemen come from? Just what was the Christmas Star the Wisemen followed? Barry Setterfield uses Science and History to support the Bible.
Beginning in November, we as a church will look at these Questions using this DVD.
You can also own one of these DVDs! It will make a great Christmas present for friends and family...
Our homecoming committee is selling these for only $20 a peice.
For every one we sell, $5 goes to help support our upcoming church anniversary celebration...
So, Learn more about Christ, while giving a great Christmas present, all while supporting a ministry... what better use of $20 can you think of?!!
Top Ten Things...Never heard in church
10. "Hey, mister, get up! It's my turn to sit on the front seat!"
9. "Pastor, I was so blessed that I didn't even notice the service went over time by 35 minutes!"
8. "You know, I enjoy coming to Sunday School so much more fun than going fishing on Sunday."
7. "Oh, good! We have another missionary with us today!"
6. "Pastor, I'd like to volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the junior high Sunday School class."
5. "Yes, I would so appreciate having the opportunity to serve on the clean-up committee!"
4. "I just love singing choruses I've never heard before."
3. "Well, it seems the sanctuary is already filled, so let's just start the service early."
2. "Pastor, we would like to send you to the month-long Bible seminar on Maui."
And the number one statement nver heard in church is:
1. "Nothing inspires me like the annual stewardship campaign!"
9. "Pastor, I was so blessed that I didn't even notice the service went over time by 35 minutes!"
8. "You know, I enjoy coming to Sunday School so much more fun than going fishing on Sunday."
7. "Oh, good! We have another missionary with us today!"
6. "Pastor, I'd like to volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the junior high Sunday School class."
5. "Yes, I would so appreciate having the opportunity to serve on the clean-up committee!"
4. "I just love singing choruses I've never heard before."
3. "Well, it seems the sanctuary is already filled, so let's just start the service early."
2. "Pastor, we would like to send you to the month-long Bible seminar on Maui."
And the number one statement nver heard in church is:
1. "Nothing inspires me like the annual stewardship campaign!"
Friday, October 26, 2007
"Amazing Grace..My Chains Are Gone" By Chris Tomlin
This is more beautiful than the original "Amazing Grace"
I know my next song to learn!!!
Amazing grace How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
My chains are gone I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbade to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine
I know my next song to learn!!!
Amazing grace How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
My chains are gone I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbade to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Do you know someone like this? Could this woman be named Paula?
After you watch it, watch it again, and pay attention to the guy on the right with the cutter...
Then at the very end, watch for some action on the left, toward the back of the room...
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Don't pick on a Korean...
Today's afternoon sermon, the annual sermon, was brought by Ken Miller, Pastor of FBC Weston. He preached on the need to not exact revenge on people, but to bless those who curse us. It went along with the theme of the convention this year which is Peacemaking... How to get along with your enemies....
Anyway, he told a story I want to relay to you...
There were these three men int the army stationed in Korea. They had a young Korean for a cook... These three men thought it was funny to play practical jokes on this young Korean. They would put vaseoline on the knobs on the cook stove, They would position pails of water over doorways so they would fall on him when he walked through the door... They would take his shoes when he was not watching and nail them to the floor...
One day, they felt bad for what they did, so they went to him to apologize...
The Korean said, "Let me get this straight... no more sticky to da stove?"
The three said... yep...
"No more wet on da head?"
The three said ... yep...
"No more "stucky to da floor?"
The three said ... yep...
The Korean boy.. .said, "GOOOOOD, NO MORE SPIT IN YOUR SOUP!!"
Gotta go, we just finished eating at Cracker Barrell, and we have to be back at church by 6:30...
Anyway, he told a story I want to relay to you...
There were these three men int the army stationed in Korea. They had a young Korean for a cook... These three men thought it was funny to play practical jokes on this young Korean. They would put vaseoline on the knobs on the cook stove, They would position pails of water over doorways so they would fall on him when he walked through the door... They would take his shoes when he was not watching and nail them to the floor...
One day, they felt bad for what they did, so they went to him to apologize...
The Korean said, "Let me get this straight... no more sticky to da stove?"
The three said... yep...
"No more wet on da head?"
The three said ... yep...
"No more "stucky to da floor?"
The three said ... yep...
The Korean boy.. .said, "GOOOOOD, NO MORE SPIT IN YOUR SOUP!!"
Gotta go, we just finished eating at Cracker Barrell, and we have to be back at church by 6:30...
Monday, October 15, 2007
We made it...
I just wanted to let everyone know that we made it to Parkersburg for the WVBC.
After a good night's rest, we will be busy, busy, busy...
But if you need me, just call the cell phone.
BTW, the fall leaves are beautiful in the mountains!!!
After a good night's rest, we will be busy, busy, busy...
But if you need me, just call the cell phone.
BTW, the fall leaves are beautiful in the mountains!!!
Friday, October 12, 2007
The Dusty old shoes
I showered and shaved.............. I adjusted my tie.
I got there and sat.............. In a pew just in time.
Bowing my head in prayer......... As I closed my eyes.
I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own. I sighed.
With plenty of room on either side...... I thought,
"Why must our soles touch?"
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much.
A prayer began: "Our Father"............. I thought, "This man with the shoes.. has no pride.
They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!"
"Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on.
The shoe man said............... a quiet "Amen."
I tried to focus on the prayer....... But my thoughts were on his shoes again
Aren't we supposed to look our best.. When walking through that door?
"Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought, Glancing toward the floor.
Then the prayer was ended............ And the songs of praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud...... Sounding proud as he sang.
His voice lifted the rafters......... His hands were raised high.
The Lord could surely hear.. The shoe man's voice from the sky.
It was time for the offering......... And what I threw in was steep.
I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep.
I saw what was pulled out............ What the shoe man put in.
Then I heard a soft "clink" . as when silver hits tin.
The sermon really bored me......... To tears, and that's no lie
It was the same for the shoe man..... For tears fell from his eyes.
At the end of the service........ As is the custom here
We must greet new visitors.. And show them all good cheer.
But I felt moved somehow............ And wanted to meet the shoe man
So after the closing prayer.......... I reached over and shook his hand.
He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess
But I thanked him for coming........ For being our guest.
He said, "My names' Charlie.......... I'm glad to meet you, my friend."
There were tears in his eyes......... But he had a large, wide grin
"Let me explain," he said........... Wiping tears from his eyes.
"I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to say 'Hi.'"
"I know that my appearance........."Is not like all the rest
"But I really do try................."To always look my best."
"I always clean and polish my shoes.."Before my very long walk.
"But by the time I get here........."They're dirty and dusty, like chalk."
My heart filled with pain............ and I swallowed to hide my tears
As he continued to apologize......... For daring to sit so near.
He said, "When I get here..........."I know I must look a sight.
"But I thought if I could touch you.."Then maybe our souls might unite."
I was silent for a moment............ Knowing whatever was said
Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head.
"Oh, you've touched me," I said......"And taught me, in part;
"That the best of any man............"Is what is found in his heart."
The rest, I thought,................. This shoe man will never know.
Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul
I got there and sat.............. In a pew just in time.
Bowing my head in prayer......... As I closed my eyes.
I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own. I sighed.
With plenty of room on either side...... I thought,
"Why must our soles touch?"
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much.
A prayer began: "Our Father"............. I thought, "This man with the shoes.. has no pride.
They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!"
"Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on.
The shoe man said............... a quiet "Amen."
I tried to focus on the prayer....... But my thoughts were on his shoes again
Aren't we supposed to look our best.. When walking through that door?
"Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought, Glancing toward the floor.
Then the prayer was ended............ And the songs of praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud...... Sounding proud as he sang.
His voice lifted the rafters......... His hands were raised high.
The Lord could surely hear.. The shoe man's voice from the sky.
It was time for the offering......... And what I threw in was steep.
I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep.
I saw what was pulled out............ What the shoe man put in.
Then I heard a soft "clink" . as when silver hits tin.
The sermon really bored me......... To tears, and that's no lie
It was the same for the shoe man..... For tears fell from his eyes.
At the end of the service........ As is the custom here
We must greet new visitors.. And show them all good cheer.
But I felt moved somehow............ And wanted to meet the shoe man
So after the closing prayer.......... I reached over and shook his hand.
He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess
But I thanked him for coming........ For being our guest.
He said, "My names' Charlie.......... I'm glad to meet you, my friend."
There were tears in his eyes......... But he had a large, wide grin
"Let me explain," he said........... Wiping tears from his eyes.
"I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to say 'Hi.'"
"I know that my appearance........."Is not like all the rest
"But I really do try................."To always look my best."
"I always clean and polish my shoes.."Before my very long walk.
"But by the time I get here........."They're dirty and dusty, like chalk."
My heart filled with pain............ and I swallowed to hide my tears
As he continued to apologize......... For daring to sit so near.
He said, "When I get here..........."I know I must look a sight.
"But I thought if I could touch you.."Then maybe our souls might unite."
I was silent for a moment............ Knowing whatever was said
Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head.
"Oh, you've touched me," I said......"And taught me, in part;
"That the best of any man............"Is what is found in his heart."
The rest, I thought,................. This shoe man will never know.
Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Redneck Baptist Church
You are in a redneck Baptist Church if…
* The finance committee refuses to provide funds for the purchase of a chandelier because none of the members knows how to play one.
* People ask (when they learn that Jesus fed the 5000) whether the two fish were bass, crappie or catfish, and what bait was used to catch ‘em.
* When the pastor says, “I’d like to ask Bubba to help take up the offering,” five guys and two women stand up.
* Opening day of deer season is recognized as an official church holiday.
* A member of the church requests to be buried in his 4-wheel-drive truck because “It ain’t never been in a hole it couldn’t get me out of.”
* The choir is known as the “OK Chorale.”
* In a congregation of 500 members, there are only seven last names in the church directory.
* Baptism is referred to as “branding.”
* There is a special fundraiser for a new church septic tank.
* Finding and returning lost sheep isn’t just a parable.
* High notes on the organ set the dogs in the parking lot to howling.
* People think “rapture” is what you get when you lift something too heavy.
* The baptismal font is a used dip tank donated by a farmer
* The choir robes were donated by and embroidered with the logo from Larry, Darryl and Darryl’s Barbecue.
* The collection plates were made out of hubcaps from a ‘56 Chevy.
* The pulpit committee asks prospective pastors questions about hunting dogs, shotguns, and deer rifles.
If you have Mens and Ladies out-houses behind the church (and its part of the pastor’s job discription to clean em)!
If there are gun racks on each side of the front door.
If the church has smoking and non-smoking sections in the sanctuary.
If the outcome of the NASCAR Winston Cup points standing causes a church split.
If church discipline means a trip to the woodshed!
…you have a NASCAR driver’s name on your prayer list.
…you have made change out of the offering plate.
…you left the baptismal pool a little warmer than when you entered it.
…you have trucks in your parking lot with recently killed deer in the back.
If the communion cup holders on the backs of the pews double as spit cup holders.
If the men come in their “dress” bib overalls.
…if church potluck announcements have to specify “no roadkill”.
…your John Deere hat matches your tie.
If instead of a bell, you are called to service by a duck call.
If the minister and his wife drive matching pickup trucks.
If the communion wine is Boone’s Farm “Tickled Pink”.
If “Thou shalt not covet” applies to hunting dogs, too.
If the final words of the benediction are, “Y’all come back now!! Ya Hear!”
So go out there and git-r-done for Jesus!, because Jesus Got-r-done for us!
* The finance committee refuses to provide funds for the purchase of a chandelier because none of the members knows how to play one.
* People ask (when they learn that Jesus fed the 5000) whether the two fish were bass, crappie or catfish, and what bait was used to catch ‘em.
* When the pastor says, “I’d like to ask Bubba to help take up the offering,” five guys and two women stand up.
* Opening day of deer season is recognized as an official church holiday.
* A member of the church requests to be buried in his 4-wheel-drive truck because “It ain’t never been in a hole it couldn’t get me out of.”
* The choir is known as the “OK Chorale.”
* In a congregation of 500 members, there are only seven last names in the church directory.
* Baptism is referred to as “branding.”
* There is a special fundraiser for a new church septic tank.
* Finding and returning lost sheep isn’t just a parable.
* High notes on the organ set the dogs in the parking lot to howling.
* People think “rapture” is what you get when you lift something too heavy.
* The baptismal font is a used dip tank donated by a farmer
* The choir robes were donated by and embroidered with the logo from Larry, Darryl and Darryl’s Barbecue.
* The collection plates were made out of hubcaps from a ‘56 Chevy.
* The pulpit committee asks prospective pastors questions about hunting dogs, shotguns, and deer rifles.
If you have Mens and Ladies out-houses behind the church (and its part of the pastor’s job discription to clean em)!
If there are gun racks on each side of the front door.
If the church has smoking and non-smoking sections in the sanctuary.
If the outcome of the NASCAR Winston Cup points standing causes a church split.
If church discipline means a trip to the woodshed!
…you have a NASCAR driver’s name on your prayer list.
…you have made change out of the offering plate.
…you left the baptismal pool a little warmer than when you entered it.
…you have trucks in your parking lot with recently killed deer in the back.
If the communion cup holders on the backs of the pews double as spit cup holders.
If the men come in their “dress” bib overalls.
…if church potluck announcements have to specify “no roadkill”.
…your John Deere hat matches your tie.
If instead of a bell, you are called to service by a duck call.
If the minister and his wife drive matching pickup trucks.
If the communion wine is Boone’s Farm “Tickled Pink”.
If “Thou shalt not covet” applies to hunting dogs, too.
If the final words of the benediction are, “Y’all come back now!! Ya Hear!”
So go out there and git-r-done for Jesus!, because Jesus Got-r-done for us!
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Alan Jackson and working your way to Heaven...
Alan Jackson has a popular song... Maybe you recognize the lyrics....
Where I Come From
'Cause where I come from it's cornbread and chicken
Where I come from a lotta front porch pickin'
Where I come from tryin' to make a livin'
Workin' hard to get to heaven
Where I come from
Did you see that... "Workin' hard to get to Heaven" What?
You see this is the problem with the old fashioned, southern USA, country mentality....
The old thinking is this: If you are good enough, and work hard enough you will go to Heaven...
I have one word for that.... Hogwash!
If you were to die today would you go to Heaven?
If you were to die ten years from now would you go to Heaven?
The answer depends on whether you fully trust Jesus to get you there.
If you say, “I don’t know about 10 yrs from now… I might lose my salvation.” Or "If I am good enough" You are not fully trusting in Christ to save you, which is very, very dangerous.
If you are depending on getting to Heaven by what you do, or don’t do, you are basing your salvation on your works…
Those that base their salvation on their works will go to Hell..
Think about it like this…. If you could get to Heaven by yourself, why did Christ die?
It is only through his shed blood on Calvary that you can go to Heaven…
And only through trusting Him… faith… do you have access to the blood.
Eph 2:8-9: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Do you see the NOT OF WORKS part?
If you are working yourself to Heaven, you are on your way to Hell…
Stop today… put your trust in Him… your whole trust.
It is the only way to save your life!
I hope Alan Jackson realizes this.
Where I Come From
'Cause where I come from it's cornbread and chicken
Where I come from a lotta front porch pickin'
Where I come from tryin' to make a livin'
Workin' hard to get to heaven
Where I come from
Did you see that... "Workin' hard to get to Heaven" What?
You see this is the problem with the old fashioned, southern USA, country mentality....
The old thinking is this: If you are good enough, and work hard enough you will go to Heaven...
I have one word for that.... Hogwash!
If you were to die today would you go to Heaven?
If you were to die ten years from now would you go to Heaven?
The answer depends on whether you fully trust Jesus to get you there.
If you say, “I don’t know about 10 yrs from now… I might lose my salvation.” Or "If I am good enough" You are not fully trusting in Christ to save you, which is very, very dangerous.
If you are depending on getting to Heaven by what you do, or don’t do, you are basing your salvation on your works…
Those that base their salvation on their works will go to Hell..
Think about it like this…. If you could get to Heaven by yourself, why did Christ die?
It is only through his shed blood on Calvary that you can go to Heaven…
And only through trusting Him… faith… do you have access to the blood.
Eph 2:8-9: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Do you see the NOT OF WORKS part?
If you are working yourself to Heaven, you are on your way to Hell…
Stop today… put your trust in Him… your whole trust.
It is the only way to save your life!
I hope Alan Jackson realizes this.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Are you looking for a perfect pastor?
OK, here he is....
The Perfect Pastor
Preaches exactly 20 minutes and follows it with an invitation in which everyone is convicted but no one is offended.
Works from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and serves as church counselor as well as janitor.
37 years old with 40 years of preaching experience.
He is paid $400 a week, and gives $100 back to the church.
Tall and short, thin and heavy set.
Hair is parted in the middle and is straight on one side and wavy on the other side, with a balding spot on top revealing his maturity. And grey all over.
Has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spends all his time with seniors.
He smiles constantly with a straight and sober face because he has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously at his work.
Spends 40 hours a week in sermon preparation, 20 hours in counseling, 10 hours in meetings, five hours in emergencies, 20 hours in visitation and 15 hours in evangelism, 6 hours in weddings and funerals, 30 hours in prayer and meditation, 12 hours in letter writing, and administration, and 10 hours in creative thinking.
Spends 5 evenings at home with his family, plus a day off, and always stops for interruptions.
Makes 15 visits a day to shut-ins and is always available in his office.
Spends all his time evangelizing the unchurched.
A seminary graduate, but uses only one- and two-syllable words.
His kids are perfect, his mother is rich, and his wife plays the piano.
His house is large, his bank account is small, and his car is in the shop.
He is paid too much but gives it all to the poor and wears nice clothes.
He is talented, gifted, scholarly, practical, popular, compassionate, understanding, patient, level headed, dependable, loving, caring, neat, organized, cheerful, and above all, humble.
If your pastor does not measure up to these criteria, send this list to six other churches that are also dissatisfied with their pastor. Then, bundle up your pastor and send him to the church at the top of the list. In one week you will receive 1,643 pastors. Surely one of them will be perfect. Have faith in this letter. One church broke the chain and got its old pastor back in three months.
The Perfect Pastor
Preaches exactly 20 minutes and follows it with an invitation in which everyone is convicted but no one is offended.
Works from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and serves as church counselor as well as janitor.
37 years old with 40 years of preaching experience.
He is paid $400 a week, and gives $100 back to the church.
Tall and short, thin and heavy set.
Hair is parted in the middle and is straight on one side and wavy on the other side, with a balding spot on top revealing his maturity. And grey all over.
Has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spends all his time with seniors.
He smiles constantly with a straight and sober face because he has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously at his work.
Spends 40 hours a week in sermon preparation, 20 hours in counseling, 10 hours in meetings, five hours in emergencies, 20 hours in visitation and 15 hours in evangelism, 6 hours in weddings and funerals, 30 hours in prayer and meditation, 12 hours in letter writing, and administration, and 10 hours in creative thinking.
Spends 5 evenings at home with his family, plus a day off, and always stops for interruptions.
Makes 15 visits a day to shut-ins and is always available in his office.
Spends all his time evangelizing the unchurched.
A seminary graduate, but uses only one- and two-syllable words.
His kids are perfect, his mother is rich, and his wife plays the piano.
His house is large, his bank account is small, and his car is in the shop.
He is paid too much but gives it all to the poor and wears nice clothes.
He is talented, gifted, scholarly, practical, popular, compassionate, understanding, patient, level headed, dependable, loving, caring, neat, organized, cheerful, and above all, humble.
If your pastor does not measure up to these criteria, send this list to six other churches that are also dissatisfied with their pastor. Then, bundle up your pastor and send him to the church at the top of the list. In one week you will receive 1,643 pastors. Surely one of them will be perfect. Have faith in this letter. One church broke the chain and got its old pastor back in three months.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Playing God
Why is it Christians wants to make up so many rules?
Don’t get me wrong, rules are important.
But there are some very legalistic Christians out there that only seem to be happy when they have a list of do’s and don’ts…
I personally think they are lazy Christians that don’t want to wrestle with Scriptures to let the Holy Ghost guide them. So what do they do? They let others make up the rules… It is just so much easier that way.
What are some rules that Christians have made up that are not in the Bible?Here are a few:
Must only use the KJV
Women must never wear pants
Men must not have hair on their face
Women must not cut their hair
Women must wear head-coverings
Christians cannot play cards
Christians cannot go to the movies
Christians cannot go to sporting events
Contemporary music is of the devil
We must sing only 300 yr old hymns.
It ain’t preachin if the preacher ain’t spittin
Now am I saying that a woman that believes she should wear dresses all the time is being legalistic…..NO, not at all. That is a conviction that she has, and should follow it.
For instance, we used to have friends that believed that a woman must wear dresses all the time in order to be right with God… When we went to visit them, my wife would wear a dress. The other woman never told my wife to, but my wife did it out of respect for her friend. Is it my wife’s conviction to wear dresses… no, she can dress modestly in jeans.
Another example: My wife’s grandmother believes that card playing is wrong… so when she would come to visit us, we would hide the rummy cards…. out of respect for her.
So when does it cross the line?When others take their convictions and make a list for others to follow…They are then playing God.
God says that he has written the law on our hearts. Why do we need man made lists then?The answer….If we can check off everything on the list, then we “feel” holy.That makes us feel good.And we can be proud that we are right, and others are wrong.But you see, pride is a sin too…
I want to challenge you to ask yourself why you hold to the standards you do.Is it because you have wrestled with them?Or did someone playing God come along, and enslave you to their convictions?
More later…
Don’t get me wrong, rules are important.
But there are some very legalistic Christians out there that only seem to be happy when they have a list of do’s and don’ts…
I personally think they are lazy Christians that don’t want to wrestle with Scriptures to let the Holy Ghost guide them. So what do they do? They let others make up the rules… It is just so much easier that way.
What are some rules that Christians have made up that are not in the Bible?Here are a few:
Must only use the KJV
Women must never wear pants
Men must not have hair on their face
Women must not cut their hair
Women must wear head-coverings
Christians cannot play cards
Christians cannot go to the movies
Christians cannot go to sporting events
Contemporary music is of the devil
We must sing only 300 yr old hymns.
It ain’t preachin if the preacher ain’t spittin
Now am I saying that a woman that believes she should wear dresses all the time is being legalistic…..NO, not at all. That is a conviction that she has, and should follow it.
For instance, we used to have friends that believed that a woman must wear dresses all the time in order to be right with God… When we went to visit them, my wife would wear a dress. The other woman never told my wife to, but my wife did it out of respect for her friend. Is it my wife’s conviction to wear dresses… no, she can dress modestly in jeans.
Another example: My wife’s grandmother believes that card playing is wrong… so when she would come to visit us, we would hide the rummy cards…. out of respect for her.
So when does it cross the line?When others take their convictions and make a list for others to follow…They are then playing God.
God says that he has written the law on our hearts. Why do we need man made lists then?The answer….If we can check off everything on the list, then we “feel” holy.That makes us feel good.And we can be proud that we are right, and others are wrong.But you see, pride is a sin too…
I want to challenge you to ask yourself why you hold to the standards you do.Is it because you have wrestled with them?Or did someone playing God come along, and enslave you to their convictions?
More later…
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