Lent has been Rick Rolled
Are you a Christian today? Or when? or a New Definition for Lent
I hang out with all kinds of people. Some I choose, some they choose, but I’m thrown into several varied situations everyday. I’m always amazed how topics, comments, even language changes when they eventually find out that I’m an ordained pastor. Its’ not that I keep it a secret, I just enjoy the freedom of watching others be open and honest with me about who they are and what concerns them.
Holidays make things interesting. Well, I should rephrase: Holidays that are Christian and overtly religious make things interesting. Add Ash Wednesday/Lent to the whole thing. I can tell automatically who you are by what you call Shrove Tuesday, by what you eat on that day, and by whether or not you call it “a Catholic thing”.
What I really find interesting is the shift in moods that occurs when Lent come around. Voices take a softer edge as they talk about what they’re giving up. They want others to know what they’re giving up. Things get hushed as it’s revealed, and there’s a sigh and an “I understand”. It’s almost a time of confession because they are giving up something they know they indulge in. It becomes a sacred moment… but the reasons seem to be mostly for health. What’s given up is fast food, or chocolate, or soda. All good things to give up if its what you struggle with, but do these things get to the heart of the matter?
I love the prayer I posted yesterday because it gets to a deep truth: we need to keep eternity in our minds at all times, and not just as a fleeting moment brought on by the circumstances or places we find ourselves in. To look for Christ and in His goodness only once a week robs Him of His true identity as Sovereign; to only look for God when we need a hand is to rob ourselves of he joy of getting to know the One who Creates and Redeems. It really calls us to question who we are. We cannot claim to live in a Kingdom with a King only when it is convenient or when we are aware. We could never do it in our day-to-day nationalities, so how can we think we can do it in our faith?
Instead, let me redefine, or at least give a new look at Lent. Lent is 40 days to prepare us to carry our cross the other 325 days. Lent should be a time of garnering new habits so that we can be better servants of God and of each other. It just started, so no fear about getting it wrong. Lent should be a time for us to gather in community to support each other in our weakness, and to learn about each other so we can help and pray for each other the other 325 days of the year.
So in the hushed talk between cubicles about Lenten activities with your coworkers, or maybe it comes up over the fence with your neighbor, see these conversations as they are: a sacred dialogue where your friend/coworker/relative is sharing their weakness with you. Support them, help them, pray for them. And check back.
Even if you don’t think they’re taking this season as seriously as you do, show them by your care how seriously you take them.
A Prayer for Ash Wednesday
Lord of Heaven,
Thy goodness is inexpressible and inconceivable.
In the works of creation thou art almighty,
In the dispensations of providence all-wise,
In the gospel of grace all love,
And in thy Son thou hast provided for
our deliverance from the effects of sin,
the justification of our persons,
the sanctification of our natures,
the perseverance of our souls in the path of life.
Though exposed to the terrors of thy law,
we have a refuge from the storm;
Though compelled to cry, ‘Unclean’,
we have a fountain for sin;
Though creature-cells of emptiness
we have a fullness accessible to all,
and incapable of reduction.
Grant us always to know that to walk with Jesus
makes other interests a shadow and a dream.
Keep us from intermittent attention
to eternal things;
Save us from the delusion of those
who fail to go far in religion,
who are concerned but not converted,
who have another heart but not a new one,
who have light, zeal, confidence, but not Christ.
Let us judge our Christianity,
not only by our dependence upon Jesus,
but by our love to him,
our conformity to him,
our knowledge of him.
Give us a religion that is both real
and progressive,
that holds on its way and grows stronger,
that lives and works in the Spirit,
that profits by every correction,
and is injured by no carnal indulgence.
~
-
Fourth day morning: True Christianity
, The Valley of Vision
I can’t believe I’m the father of a 7 year old
I had that surreal moment of looking at my little girl and seeing an echo of who she was six years ago, this little girl who wanted her hair tied up in a ribbon just like Alice from Alice in Wonderland. I did that for her everyday before I took her to preschool, or to church, or to someone’s house to play. But now, there was this still little girl who had grown up.
I remember so well the ay she was born. I remember so well how and who she was when Lily was born. I remember so well her excitement for Alice to be born. She’s such a great big sister, and a wonderful daughter. I love that she loves to read, and that her imagination leans on the practical side. I love overhearing her talk to others about the love of her savior, and her concern for justice and fairness.
But she’s 7.
People are telling me this gets worse.
I really don’t feel that old. I suffer more from realizing my actual age than the effects of it. I don’t feel old, and I think it’s working with kids and with young families that keeps me rejuvenated. It’s also certainly from hanging out and playing with my girls. But she’s 7. Wow. That’s a long way for a guy who didn’t see himself past 25 for so long to realize that God has given not only the blessings of a second chance, but the blessing of progeny and encouraging them to see what I have found.
She’s 7.
Who am I? Who are you?
I was roused by thoughts this weekend about who I am. I’ve had quite the struggle in the face of opposition to those who have said contrary to me about what I know to be true about what God has said to me about me.
I don’t think I’m alone in this struggle. We have an accuser whose sole purpose is to batter, berate, to wear us down. I have my share of “Job’s friends.”. Sometimes their voices are so loud it’s hard to hear the voice of encouragement.
But are we to be defined by our sin? Or, can we see ourselves as rescued? Who we are, who we are meant to be, can be so easily swayed by the passing currents in our mind, but we have a rock to keep us tethered, by whom we have a good foundation for not just understanding the world around us, but who we are, as well.
Valentine’s Day by the Numbers
Will you be my companion?
I am such the Geek
Cause seriously…
What I’m reading today…
So, here’s what I’m reading today…
looking for a job??
So, if I googled “pastor position”, do you think this would come up? ’Cause this is an actual job description for a church in PA:
Pastor, Coal Township, PA
Coal Township, PA
We are currently looking for a Pastor for our church in Coal Township, PA. Currently we hold services once a week at my home with our 6 members with me teaching due to the lack of a Biblically based church in our area. We are looking for a Pastor who is BIBLICALLY QUALIFIED and KING JAMES ONLY! We also need a Pastor who is constantly reading and studying God’s word.
The Biblical qualifications of a Pastor are
Titus 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
1Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
In the qualifications for a Pastor it says he must be the husband of one wife. We believe that divorce is biblically unacceptable. We believe in biblical words such as Pastor, Bishop, Deacon etc. We Reject titles such as Reverend, Doctor, Minister, and Scholar. Reverend is used once in the bible and it is referring to God so unless you’re God… Simply put don’t give yourself a stupid name and we won’t call you by it. We also believe the Pastor MUST currently be raising or have raised Godly children. We currently have our service on Sunday 1-2:30pm, and then after we go Soul winning. We believe door to door Soul winning is VERY IMPORTANT as a church, and that it must be done on a regular basis. And finally we believe that salvation is through faith and faith ALONE! We do not believe in repentance of sins to be saved, or to be a good person, or to go to church.
The only repentance (Change) that has to be made is where your faith is. Repentance is not a guilty feeling it is just a change. We believe that the Holy Spirit DOES NOT Convict you of sins! It is NO WHERE in the bible unless you are reading an NIV. Salvation is not about emotion; it is about your FAITH. We also believe once you are saved you are saved FOREVER!
1John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
On the back of our Soul Winning Pamphlet we put what we believe:
We believe the King James bible is thee word of God in English. Modern “Translations” remove verses, words, and change the meaning of Gods word.
We believe the entire bible from cover to cover including the Old Testament. There has been a change in some of the laws such as the Sabbath, the Passover, and a doing away of the Cardinal and fleshly ordinances including meats and drinks. However Gods laws of right and wrong still apply therefore murderers, adulterers, kidnappers, sodomites, etc. deserve the death penalty according to God’s word.
We believe in Door to Door Soul winning as thee only biblical method to reach the lost. Tracts, Street Preaching, and Life Style Evangelism are all unscriptural and will never work.
We believe in the local church as an independent congregation separate from all religious organizations and governmental rules and regulations.
We believe in separation from both the world and any one who teaches or believes false doctrine. This includes dress, music, speech, etc.
We reject the false teaching of the pre-tribulation Rapture. We believe that Gods people always have and always will go through tribulation. The Great tribulation is not God pouring out his wrath.
We Reject ALL forms of Dispensationalism.
We believe that everyone is created equal and that there is no difference between Jew or Gentile, black or white!
We stand firm on God’s word and God’s word only as our final authority in life.
We believe that God put in his word everything we needed to know, and he didn’t write a sequel. We are 100% King James ONLY! We do not consult the History books to see if Man is smarter than God.
In addition to this we believe in a single church. No Sunday schools, Nurseries, Youth Groups etc. We also believe Bible colleges, Christian Schools, etc are biblically incorrect. You DO NOT have to be ordained by a bible college to be a Pastor considering it is NO WHERE in the qualifications! Also we believe that the church should not be selling ANYTHING and that includes an Education. Why would it be okay to charge for a “Bible Education” However it is not ok to charge for a church service? Why do you think Jesus threw tables in the temple? TWICE!!!!!
We believe the women are to have NO PART in the Teaching at church! A woman is to keep SILENT during the Teaching and Preaching. This DOES NOT forbid a woman from singing. Women can and should be preaching the Gospel through soul winning, and any chance she can get. She is only forbidden from doing so during church!
1Timothy 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
1Corinthians 14:34 � Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
Revelation 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
We also believe in a literal six days of creation.
We reject all forms of theistic evolution, gap theory, day age theory etc. SIX DAYS MEANS SIX DAYS!
We also believe the King James is the inspired word of God in English! We do not believe in going back to the Greek, Hebrew, Chaldean, Sand Script, Native American, Cave paintings, or Finger Paintings by children to “interpret” Gods word. God can speak English just fine and since he promised to preserve his word there is no need to go outside the English language to find it.
Once again Do not contact us if you are not interested in the position. If you’re looking for an argument find a tree and maybe you’ll win!
