Wednesday, August 30, 2006

In The End

I recently came across this statement in a weekly news letter I receive, and I echo it's message. Enjoy


"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me." - Erma Bombeck

Monday, August 28, 2006

Books And Their Covers

Just about everyone has heard the saying, 'You can't judge a book by it's cover.", and it might possibly be the one I've heard the most. This weekend we attended the 150th anniversary celebration of a church on the north side of town, and had a rather good time. There were about 4-5 ministers who had served there in the past that were invited to speak and give a short walk down memory lane, and then Bishop of the United Brethren Denomination was the main speaker. I really enjoyed the bishop's message, which mostly focused on the how the church can have a better future than it has had a past. He spoke about how we as a church body will determine the future of the church by how we choose to respond to God's calling. If I can recall them correctly, he gave some statistical numbers of how the United States is quickly becoming the 3rd largest mission field in the world due to the fact that only about 17% of the country claims to practice a religion. Christianity, catholic, Buddhist, etc. It makes me very sad to think, that we as a country are quickly failing to live out or to live up to those biblical and moral principals upon which this country was founded. Now you may be asking how does all that fit the title of this blog? Well the rest of the days' story goes like this.

After the morning service, we enjoyed a carry-in dinner complete with a Hog roast and many many desserts. Now mind you, the tent is full of people who for the most part are in their 50's to 70's and are enjoying good food and good conversation, trying to catch up on the past and enjoying a nice Sunday afternoon. Well there was also live music planned. The first band that stepped on stage just happened to be an alternative / heavy metal Christian band from town. One member was dressed with black fingernail polish, a belt chain, large and multiple ear piercings, and a shirt that read "Porn Sucks" As you can probably guess it didn't go over so well. The minute they started to play about 75%-85% of the tent made a mass exodus that moved faster than the Israelites. Now coming from one who likes music, it didn't sound bad, actually it sounded really good (musically). The lyrics (the ones I could hear over the screaming guitars and ear splitting drums) were good, however not the right time, place, or genre for that matter. It's hard to imagine a mosh pit full of baby boomers. Talk about knee and hip replacements. My point is this, as the afternoon went on, I sensed a opinion forming about the band and it's members. I could sense the disapproval of many about the music and style of presentation. Now I'm not speaking for any of them here, because nothing was actually said to me directly about the character of the band members, but you could sense the disapproval. Now outside of it being the wrong style of music for the age group (and volume) there was nothing wrong with it. So it makes me wonder, how often we do this "book cover judging" on a day to day basis. I'd like to think that Jesus would have sat there and listened to the music with a joyful heart because he knew the heart of the artist. It also makes me wonder if this selective acceptance is part of the reason of the decline in our denomination and in Christianity all together. I think that in general, we only accept those who are like us, those that pose no threat to us, and those who make us feel comfortable. God have mercy on us all if that is how HE works. Now, I pose the question, will those who attended that days activities die due to the loud music they were subjected to? No, not unless they were deafened and can't hear the train coming down the tracks. However, if we keep up this selective acceptance, and we pick and choose who we think God loves, how many will die because we didn't love like Christ loves us?

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Aaron the Worshiper

I came across this tonight in my files and liked what it said. I wish I could take credit for writing it but who are we kidding. Enjoy!

Aaron The Worshiper

Some people have greatness thrust upon them, as William Shakespeare once reminded us. This might have been the case with Aaron, MosesÂ’ older brother. When we consider the responsibility that was placed upon Aaron, it is easy to imagine that he felt singled out for a task that was beyond his abilities. God chose Aaron to address Pharaoh, since Moses felt incapable of speaking publicly. Despite the difficulty of the task, however, Aaron obeyed God. After the Israelites left Egypt, God chose Aaron again for the immense responsibility of mediator and worship leader of the Israelite community. Aaron fulfilled this role faithfully until his death.


AARON THE WORSHIPER
AaronÂ’s divine calling did not prevent him from committing serious errors. He led Israel in its first act of idolatry, making a gold calf for the Israelites to worship. Later he joined his sister, Miriam, in a serious challenge to MosesÂ’ authority. Eventually Aaron recognized his sin, however, and repented, and God showed him forgiveness.
Once each year on the Day of Atonement, Aaron was appointed to enter the Most Holy Place—into the very presence of God—and make atonement for the sins of all the people. He represented the Israelites in a sacred meeting with God.


LEARNING FROM AARON
Worship that is done according to the Lord’s design is pleasing to him. Regarding the sacrifices offered by Aaron and the priests, there are at least seventeen instances in the book of Leviticus where an offering is described as “pleasing to the LORD.” In the same way, our acts of obedience and service today are acceptable sacrifices to God (Philippians 4:18).
As mediator between God and his people, Aaron was the forerunner of a greater High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, our High Priest and Mediator, is the perfect representative of humanity in the presence of God. We may now come before God because of ChristÂ’s atoning work.


FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE
When we worship, we should recognize, as Aaron did, that we do not come before God on our own merits, for we are completely unworthy to do so. Yet at the same time we should worship with complete confidence that God has called us to be there and that he has made us holy by the blood of his Son, Jesus Christ. Since God has so graciously made it possible for us to come before him, we should consciously strive to offer worship that is pleasing to God.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Blogs I Like

I'm somewhat new to the blogging world, but I find it interesting and informative. You can learn a lot about someone that blogs if you read their stuff long enough. Two blogs I like particularly are links on the sidebar. Randompokes is a good friend of mine and I have enjoyed reading his blog for quite sometime. You can find anything from his love for Anchor Community Church where he attends, to politics, to family musings. The other blog is the United brethren Bishop's blog site. There you can read what is on the heart of the Bishop concerning the denomination, and the local church's response. Over time I hope to find other blogs worthy of reading, but for now these to are my favorite.

Monday, August 21, 2006

The Eternal Song

Do you ever wonder what it will be like to join the eternal song in Heaven? I spend a lot of time here on earth lifting my voice to God in songs that I hope He is pleased to hear. I often think about the day that I will get to join the ranks of angels that sing praises to His name day in and day out. Never stopping to go to work or run errands. Never running out of something to say to the glorious creator. I look forward to the day that I get to shead the sin laden body of this world and join Him in the Eternal realms of Heaven. Mind you I enjoy my life here with my family, but to feel like a visitor here, like you don't quite belong in this place isn't a bad thing. Until then, my voice will continue to lift the name of Jesus Christ in hopes that through the loud exhalting voices of the choirs of Heaven, my still small voice will be heard.
Chris