SHABBAT SHALOM

As many know, my computer is virtually dead and my time on the computer is so limited right now that I don't have the time to do much of anything.  We hope to have another one soon and then I'll resume my communities and blog.  Please be patient and know I have not strayed from the faith.  I also need more Bible study and less social media.  I can get Twitter and F/B on my cell but not my blog or gmail.  I do apologize and will check in from time to time as I can.  Prayers would be appreciated and please don't worry or forget me.  Maybe God knew I was spending too much time online and not enough with Him.  He humbles and delights me with His ways.  I'm happier and at peace, something I haven't felt before in my life.  I have a bad anxiety disorder as well as not being able to sleep but I'm getting better each day.  The only living God is so good.

Go see "Let There Be Light."  I'm going Thursday night and the reviews are out of this world!  I truly believe that this is the beginning of a change in the movies and television shows we will be seeing, maybe even by mainstream Hellywood.  People are tired of the low quality, bad acting and the fact that for a family of 4, IF you can afford popcorn and drinks, you almost have to take out a loan.  Over-priced and a waste of time.  I'm not a big movie goer and television just is so bad now that I watch reruns or Animal Planet, but Pureflix is a great alternative.  Sean Hannity from Fox News and born-again actor Kevin Sorbo made this movie.  It's not of any denomination and bring tons of tissues.  You will cry.  Yes, even you men.  So far, all of them I've read admit it.  God bless and keep the faith.  I'll do the best I can.

WHO RUNS THE MUSIC INDUSTRY REALLY? VIDEO

Just sharing a creepy video that some may be interested in.  I don't know how to explain it but take about 3 minutes to see if it's something you want to consider.  This is not something new and I've seen some highly credible news sites share stories about what music is all about today.  I don't endorse it nor disbelieve it.  Draw your own conclusions.  God bless and pray for our youth.  Be careful, parents.  I see a lot of indoctrination in children's books, movies and esp. cartoons.  God bless!

WARNING...NOT RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN AND IT'S GOT SOME HARSH LANGUAGE.  I FEEL IT'S WORTH WATCHING.

FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:1-11

THE CROSS IS OUR SALVATION!!!

HEBREW WORD OF THE DAY

Kerchief...

I would love to be able to crochet these...anyone have any patterns?

GOD BLESS AND SHALOM!

Plan of Salvation

First Corinthians 15:1-11

Death/Burial/Resurrection = Eternal Life

we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, through Christ Jesus alone!

Ephesians 2:8-9

ONE ESSENTIAL MARK OF CHURCH REVITALIZATION - SCB

by Mike Leake

There is a type of shrewdness that is pastoral. There is another type of shrewdness that is Satanic. Knowing the difference is key to church revitalization.

Pastor Jim normally threw away all the ads that piled on his desk on Monday morning. Most of them frustrate him. He’s been pastoring this little church for a few years now. The initial growth which came from the “new pastor” is long gone and his hope is deteriorating every Sunday. They’ve plateaued and he knows it. So all those invitations to conferences about pastoring an awesome church serve as daggers to his weary soul.

But one catches his attention. He goes to the conference. He is on cloud nine as he believes he has been given the silver cattle prod to wake up his dying church. One of the conference speakers explained how his church grew from 125 people to 750 because they changed their music style, shape of their pulpit, color of their sanctuary, and the way they welcomed people.

Jim knew that such changes would be difficult for him to institute. He also knew that it would cost him a ton of relational capital to do things like change carpet colors and put in a projection system. He wasn’t sure his pastorate would survive the changes.

Thankfully, Jim had a buddy who was a seasoned worship leader with thick skin who needed a job. Together they devised a plan. Jim’s buddy would push hard for all of the changes that Jim wanted. He’d gather a paycheck for about a year, make everybody mad at him, and keep the pastor out of it. At the end of a year, Pastor Jim would have his projection system and colors changed in the sanctuary. Then he’d also receive the added relational capital of firing the music guy that everybody now hated.

Shrewd.

Also Satanic.

Jim hasn’t pastored his church toward revitalization, he’s just planted seeds of discontent and established a pattern that is going to bite him in the end. You cannot get holy results through unholy methods. It just doesn’t work. Ask the Israelites in Hosea’s day. You sow the wind you reap the whirlwind.

One could look at this and rightly accuse Jim of having a wrong focus. We could say, “Silly boy, the church isn’t changed by carpet colors and projection screens”. But what if we change carpet colors and project screens to, “hiring gospel-centered staff, moving towards a more biblical leadership structure, and healthier models of discipleship”. Is it okay for us to engage in deceptive practices and maneuverings in order to see more biblical things happen in our local church?

Listen, any unholy seed you plant is going to come back and bite you. It is true that God uses crooked sticks to accomplish his purposes. But those who are intentionally engaging in crooked practices (even in attempts to “be more biblical”) aren’t engaging in the right type of shrewdness or wisdom.

When we engage in church politics instead of faithful and holy proclamation of the Word what is really happening is that we’ve stopped trusting in the Lord. I’ve never once regretted time I spent in prayer or faithful proclamation. But I’ve regretted plenty of “wise” decisions that I’ve made. Charles Bridges is correct when he says, “Be in the habit of going to him in the first place—before self-will, self-pleasing, self-wisdom, human friends, convenience, expediency.” Trust in God’s methods.

Revitalization is a long and hard road. But it’s a straight and holy road. I’m not sure what you’d call the church replanted at the end of a crooked road—but it isn’t revitalized.

Be holy, first. Then you’ll be the right kind of shrewd.

HEBREW WORD OF THE DAY

Dog.....

And God Created ALL our Fur Babies!

PRAY FOR VEGAS, PUERTO RICO, TEXAS AND MEXICO

No greater love hath a man than one who would lay down his life for  a friend.  Love is the 1st and 2nd GREATEST Commandment

Yes, thank you God for adopting us into the Kingdom!  Yes, You ARE my REAL FATHER

Love your enemies, pray for them and do good to them.  If God's creatures can, we sure can because WE are made in HIS image!

share the Gospel

First Corinthians 15:1-11

Ephesians 2:8-9

John 3:16

SINNERS

Romans 3:23 and 8:23

SHALOM!

PRAY FOR VEGAS

Hi Everyone,

My computer is broke so I won't have much time and I've been very sick and hospitalized with heart issues but nothing major, thank God.  PLEASE PRAY FOR VEGAS. 

Love in Christ Jesus, Brenda