,

There Are No Evolutionists On Halloween

Spooky is the type of spirituality that Americans are comfortable with.  Faith in demons, ghosts, omens, and imps isn’t much of a leap for most.  Spine-tingling premonition is esteemed with solemn reverence.

But with the mere mention of morality, something magical happens.  Talk of righteousness, divine revelation, and a Holy Ghost turns everyone into post-modern, rationalist, naturalist, materialist atheists.  If you really want your countrymen’s skin to crawl, encourage piety.  You’ll find it’s holiness that’s most horrifying to them.  Our neighbors would rather hold the hand of the devil than entertain angels.  What are we to make of this?  Well, despite what they may assert to the contrary, Americans actually believe in darkness and light; in an a priori evil and good.  And that’s somewhat heartening, even if they’re far more comfortable living in the shadows than in resplendent sunshine.  Jesus observed this phenomenon and mentioned it in his discourse with Nicodemus, “. . . the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil.”  The occult is an empty, sugary spirituality – lollipops for suckers.  Christianity offers communion with God – the body and blood of Christ for sinners.

/by
,

Belling the Cat

Old Aesop recounted for his readers the curious tale of a community of mice who called a council to address a deadly concern.  The barn they inhabited had begun to be patrolled by a marauding, bloodthirsty cat.  Every morning another mouse or two would be unaccounted for, likely victims of the tabby’s sharp, deft claws.  Something had to be done.  As the mice met and discussed the problem, only one possible solution gained everyone’s approval.  If a bell could somehow be hung around the cat’s neck, its ringing would sound the alarm and be their salvation.  But the question was soon asked, “Who among us is going to bell the cat?”

Who would be willing to dare do such a thing?  Sadly, excuses were the only reply and the council was adjourned in despair.  What was necessary required a courage and a love unknown in the hearts of those assembled.  Of course, this apathy and lack of faith proved more deadly than the cat.

Our hearts, homes, and communities have our own marauders on patrol.  Satan has long prowled about looking to strike with lethal lies and deadly deceptions and delusions.  We, too, every morning are sobered by another one of our loved ones waylaid by the enemy.  We’re not without hope of a solution, however.  The Apostle Paul makes a sound proposal to the church in Ephesus, one having to do with prayer, spiritual armor, and good old fashioned courage.  It reads really well.  It preaches really well.  It sounds very, very good.  But who among us is willing to bell the cat?  Are you?

/by
,

The Siegeworks of Love

Seventeenth century poet and playwright, John Dryden, offered a word of caution to anyone battling the steadfast; “Beware the fury of a patient man.”

Like a cat in the tall grass waiting on the imprudence of its prey or a dug-in army’s captain waiting on the weariness of the walled-in; the patient man waits because he knows what he wants and is confident that time will prove the promise of his approach. The Apostle Paul, writing of God’s desire for His creation, provides the following assurance that such a communion will one day be won: His love is patient. Though daylight fade and darkness increase; love is patient. When reason falls and madness reigns; love is patient. As kindness hardens and anger burns; love is patient. There is never any panic in heaven.God’s steadfast love will win the accomplishment of His will in the world and we, His people, would do well to serve that love with confidence.

/by
,

The Way

A treasure hunter’s first treasure is a map.  No life is long enough to crawl down all the world’s caves, or dig up all the earth’s deserts, or set sail for all the remote islands in all the seven seas.  Without an “X marks the spot”, fortune will likely elude our explorer.  Sadly, the same fate awaits those who seek to find the treasures of knowing God’s will for their lives.  Whoever would hunt for God’s best is certainly in need of a map.  This Sunday morning, September 10th, we begin a course of study entitled Decision Making and the Will of God that aims to offer insights to those eager to answer the question: “Does God have a specific will for my life and can I know it?”  So grab your fedora, kindle a sense of adventure, and join the discussion.  The study will be held in Room 208 in the Family Life Center on Sunday mornings at 8:30.  We’ll be brewing coffee and serving baked goodies!

/by

B.U.I.L.D. VBS!

  “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

We are excited to join together July 31 – August 4, 9:00am – 12:00pm, as we learn how to B.U.I.L.D. our lives on the Lord Jesus Christ! We will learn that we can Believe on Him, that “U” are God’s Masterpiece, that I am new in Christ Jesus, and can Live differently, and Do good things. All this in one fun-filled week!

 

Follow this link to check out the BUILD VBS page, register your kids, and volunteer!

/by