Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Goodbye Max

On Monday morning, Denise and I had to say goodbye to our dear old Max. Having him put to sleep was one of the most difficult things we've ever had to do, but he was suffering too much to continue on. He was a good ol' doggie who gave us lots of love and laughs over the years. Last summer he became ill with what the veterinarian felt was bladder cancer. Max lived considerably longer than the 1-2 months he predicted. I could write lots about this dog who brought so much joy- and perhaps I will. Right now, we're just going through the grief and sadness of losing him. I thank the Lord for nearly 16 years with him (he lived to be nearly 17 years old). We'll always have great memories of Max.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

How songs travel

I'm fascinated with how songs travel across miles and cultures. Some of this can be attributed to those who have journeyed with songs and shared them with new audiences- and I'm not talking about multimillion dollar concert tours. What I find amazing is the sharing of songs in a grassroots fashion, be it through churches, coffeehouses or other venues and how those songs speak to audiences perhaps never imagined.

Though she doesn't like that I emphasize its small size, Denise comes from a small island nation. (Well, technically the nation is made up of two islands.) In fact it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it's tiny; St. Kitts is an island of only 68 square miles. Yet, I continue to be surprised by the fact that many songs I would think would be unknown there are not. 

Today we were driving around and listening to a new CD we picked up from Dave Moody, titled "Feels Like Home". Not to take away anything from the artist, but wouldn't you know, Denise was familiar with all of the songs except for one? Granted, there are several traditional songs but there also some originals as well as a few covers I would have thought rather obscure, such as "Feels Like Home" by Randy Newman and "You Did That For Me" by Jonnell Mosser and Pierce Pettis. I guess I thought wrong. It turns out the only song on the album she hadn't heard before was "Love at the Five and Dime" by Nanci Griffith. And she heard these songs before the internet became widely available on the island. Go figure.

By the way, the CD by Dave Moody (our first by him) is very good and we would highly recommend it.

Monday, February 15, 2010

The trouble with lust

"But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28 ESV)   

It's almost cliched now to say we, especially men, are confronted with overtly sexual images. And in a time of increasing opportunities for accessing information and entertainment, we are often a mouse or remote click from sexual enticement.

In light of this, it is now more important than ever that we keep or guard our hearts.
"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."(Proverbs 4:23 NKJV)

Here's a verse which I heard shared by a minister on a radio program several years ago. Job had done a very wise thing, realizing the danger in gazing in lust. (Remember David and Bathsheeba?)
"I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin?" (Job 31:1 NAS)

So, it ought to be pretty clear that it is bad to lust. Yet, many of us have struggled with this. Though I am grateful for the freedom of expression we have in this great country of ours and with the technology we have, I'm afraid this freedom is often abused. Yet, it is our responsibility to abstain from lust. And thankfully, for believers, we have God's word and the Holy Spirit within us to help us in this area.


Here are some practical thoughts about lust:


1) When we look at a woman in lust, we are reducing someone made in God's image to an object to serve our own sinful, selfish pleasure. Let's think about how we would feel if someone looked upon our daughter, wife, fiancee, girlfriend or sister as objects in that way.


2) Lust is clearly of Satan because lust is purely about serving self- and we know he's all about self. Lust benefits no one, though it does bring temporary and inappropriate sinful gratification to the one who is looking or thinking lustfully. And that's the devil's hook!

3) The Lord God who created us, made us to be sexual beings. He perfectly understands the desires to have this God-given aspect of our beings satisfied- but there are clearly right and wrong ways of doing it. It is crucial that we understand that the marriage union He ordained is His provision for meeting those needs and having them met. Paul, understanding the difficulty in self-control in this area for many, said "it is better to marry than to burn with passion." (I Corinthians 7:9 NAS) But, like everything else, Satan does his best to pervert and twist what the Father created for good.


4) Lust can become addictive and, like all addictions, only lives to feed its insatiable appetite. Forget about esteeming others better than ourselves. Forget about serving others- including the Lord. Pure selfishness. Sinful addictions leave room for no one or nothing else and are the epitome of all that is Satanically self-serving and self-centered, and if not remedied, will destroy the individual and damage lives in its wake.


Let's stand together, guarding our hearts, keeping in the Word, guided and empowered by the Spirit that we may live victorious in this critical area.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Analysis wrap-up


I'm going to close out my analysis of First Connecticut Open Bible Standard Church with a summation of sorts. Our pastor, who is away on vacation, asked if I would speak during the week he was away. Following is basically what I read to the congregation. If you've been following this series, you'll notice I've taken right from my previous posts. I did not tell the congregation I was speaking about our church as I read description though it became rather obvious. Beneath the paragraph are some verses and a few points which tie in. Based on the response, I think we're prepared to move forward.

A Church with Opportunity for Growth

This church stands in a mixed residential and business section of the city, centrally located, just outside of downtown on a main thoroughfare. Though typical attendance on a Sunday morning ranges from 25-35 people, there currently exists the capacity for seating around 80-85 if needed. The attendance has been fairly steady for several years without much fluctuation. In addition to the sanctuary, this church includes a nursery room for infants, a classroom, an office, a kitchen and three bathrooms.

The church’s bi-vocational pastor has been serving in this position for about eight years. Prior to this, he served as an associate pastor in another state where he and his wife made their home. This particular church includes a praise and worship team which is quite large- especially for a congregation as small as it is. Along with the worship leader there are a couple of others who are capable of leading in this capacity, and indeed do from time to time. The team includes a bassist, guitarist, drummer and five singers. In addition to the primary drummer, who also happens to be the pastor, there is another musician who fills in on the drums on occasion. That makes a total of nine individuals. As I said, it's a good-sized group- especially when on average church attendance is around 30 people or less. In fact, it is not uncommon for there to be just as many (if not more) people on the praise and worship team as there are in the congregation at the start of Sunday morning services. The songs used are diverse, comprised of a blend of traditional hymns and choruses, modern classics, newer songs, lesser known music from independent artists and even the occasional original song.

In regards to denomination, there is only one church in the entire state and this church is it. Aside from annual or semi-annual meetings with sister churches in a neighboring state, the church does not interact with other congregations in the area. Though the denomination is considered to be Pentecostal in nature, most, though not all of this church’s members and attendees, would probably not describe themselves as such. Perhaps evangelical would better characterize this group

The church’s pastor delivers weekly bible-based, Christ-centered messages which, from this writer’s perspective are enriching and challenging. Of particular note is the degree to which he grown in his speaking skills and ability to deliver relevant, expository sermons with transparency, self-effacement and even a bit of humor. He and his wife are very down-to-earth, approachable and humble servants. In addition to the pastor, the church leadership also includes two advisors who were appointed by the denomination’s regional officers. This appointment was made because rather than being self-governing, the church is and has been under regional supervision. Despite the stated relationship, the church’s pastor and advisors do not meet together.

Though small, the church’s congregation is diverse, drawing from a rich cultural palate with at least four countries and three states represented.

Although there are only a few children of various ages, the church does offer a “children’s church” on Sundays which takes place in the classroom while regular (or adult) service is being held in the sanctuary. In addition to Sunday worship services, the church holds a weekly combined prayer time and bible study with typical attendance of 4-6 people, men's and women's ministries that meet once per month and monthly potluck fellowship dinners. There are even occasional movie nights and times of praise and worship held on occasional Fridays.   

The church has taken part in a semi-annual cultural event its city, setting up a tent where passers-by can find out more about the church and its people. Over the course of several months, led by the pastor who shared his vision for surrounding the community in prayer, members prayer-walked sizeable areas of the city.

Though this church isn’t perfect- and no church is, it has a lot going for it. The problem is that it isn’t growing.

But there is hope because this is a church with opportunity for growth.

WHY AREN'T WE GROWING?

WHY SHOULD WE GROW?

The Lord Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples. The act of making disciples is not simply the work of the pastor, but the work of all of those who are followers of Christ.

MATTHEW 28:18-20

A church that isn’t growing is a church that is dying.

A church that is growing in numbers does not necessarily mean it is a growing church, but a church that is not growing in numbers is definitely not a growing church, and therefore not doing what the Lord has commissioned us to do. (Thanks to Steve G for sharing this crucial point.) The charge Yeshua has given to His disciples, His people, His church is to go forth and make disciples.

HOW DO WE GROW

Spiritual disciplines- prayer, study of the scriptures on a personal basis and through interaction with a community of believers, the body of Christ.

People who aren’t growing aren’t particularly interested in the growth of others.

You need to be growing and need to plug into opportunities for spiritual development and the building of relationships in the body of Christ.

ACTS 3:42-47

This is the basis for the small group.

People need to be involved. If not we get bored. There is no place for spectators.

Evangelism is really an extension of this growth through a resultant building of faith.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES?

At some point, someone invited you to join them on the Christian journey.
Who was it? Where and when did it occur? What community did you interact with on a regular basis that encouraged and challenged you in your faith?

IF WE’RE GOING TO GROW WE MAY NEED TO REMOVE SOME PARTITIONS

With this church being the only one of its kind in this state and within a 100+ mile radius, it may be time to look toward working together with area churches who share the same Christ-centered, Spirit-led objectives.

ADMONITION TOWARDS GROWTH

Revelation 3:1-3

I believe we are on the cusp of greater things if we search and seek the Lord for opportunities to grow in Him and reach the community He has placed us in. Are you willing?