As I look outside my office window, I am blessed to look out and see the beauty of mountains with their peaks with just a hint of snow. I am able to see for several miles the rolling hills. At this time I am able to see the clouds creep up and over the mountains as a cool from works its way to the east. All beautiful reminders of God's glorious creation.
I am also able to see the roofs of many homes. I am able to see the lights of cars going up and down the road. This time of day many are working their way back home after a hard day's work. I see many electrical poles which connect us to power to light our homes, phone lines to talk to one another many miles apart, cable lines so that we can watch our favorite movie or sporting event or whatever else we want. The power also provides for our computers from which we can now talk to virtually anywhere in the world, shop for almost anything in the world, connect with almost anyone or anything in the world.
As I think about these two pictures a striking thing becomes apparent. When I look at what God made, I worship, I find peace, I find quiet. When I look at what man has made I find work, I find noise, I find struggle. Isn't it interesting that what God makes brings peace, what man makes brings something else. Yet the ingenuity of man addicts us to those things in the hopes that they will give us that which only God can give...peace.
Solomon reminds us that God has placed eternity in man's heart, maybe we ought to quit trying to fill eternity with things that aren't eternal.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Great Historic Day!
It was a great day today at the SBC. The report of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force was passed. It was a great day not only because it passed but because while we had honest frank debate, it was done in my opinion in a manner that I believe Christians should be able to discuss matters. We affirmed our historic roots and even affirmed them while realizing that we need to make some changes in how we do things because as a denomination we cannot hide the fact that we should be doing better at fulfilling the Great Commission.
These last two conventions have been the best ones I have attended. Not only because of the friends I revisit, the new people I meet, the preaching, the worship, but because we have come together and actually talked and now done something about something that matters.
How do we better fulfill the Great Commission? That is a question that is not only for our denominational structures but ultimately for the local church. That is what makes our denomination great in my opinion, that the local church is to fulfill the Great Commission not a denomination. We wholeheartedly reaffirmed that today!
These last two conventions have been the best ones I have attended. Not only because of the friends I revisit, the new people I meet, the preaching, the worship, but because we have come together and actually talked and now done something about something that matters.
How do we better fulfill the Great Commission? That is a question that is not only for our denominational structures but ultimately for the local church. That is what makes our denomination great in my opinion, that the local church is to fulfill the Great Commission not a denomination. We wholeheartedly reaffirmed that today!
Monday, June 14, 2010
SBC 2010 Orlando
Back at the blog, and back at the Southern Baptist Convention. Looking forward to the convention. It started last night with the Pastor's Conference, excellent session! All the speakers were excellent concluding with Tony Evans. Worship was led by Travis Cottrell and his team.
Lots of people already here. Lots of young people too. I believe it is for a couple of reasons. Obviously, being in Orlando helps. I know that the childcare and the children and youth camps are full. I cannot remember when that has ever happened. The more important reason is that what we are discussing and voting on is really important. What we are discussing what we need to do as a denomination to facilitate a "Great Commission" resurgence. It will be interesting, especially when we basically have a huge Baptist business meeting. That may not excite a lot of people and for good reason, but what we are talking about is really important and I for one am glad we are discussing something that really matter and that younger leaders decided to attend. More soon.
Lots of people already here. Lots of young people too. I believe it is for a couple of reasons. Obviously, being in Orlando helps. I know that the childcare and the children and youth camps are full. I cannot remember when that has ever happened. The more important reason is that what we are discussing and voting on is really important. What we are discussing what we need to do as a denomination to facilitate a "Great Commission" resurgence. It will be interesting, especially when we basically have a huge Baptist business meeting. That may not excite a lot of people and for good reason, but what we are talking about is really important and I for one am glad we are discussing something that really matter and that younger leaders decided to attend. More soon.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Experiencing Community
I have always been big on being at church. When I first became a follower of Jesus it was hard to keep me away from church (just ask my parents). People like to say to me, “well you’re a pastor you are supposed to be at church.” That quote always bothers me because I take it as a questioning of my commitment to my Lord and Savior. What they don’t understand is that I would still be at church if I wasn’t a pastor.
I am always amazed at the reasons people who profess to be followers of Jesus give for not being in church. The list of reasons (excuses) is too exhaustive for this article. Quite frankly, the reasons at their core have not really changed all that much. I know people who would say you don’t need to be a part of a church to be a Christian. I have trouble finding that in the New Testament.
Here in the 21st century, people are using other avenues to avoid coming church. The use of the internet and social websites such as Facebook has ushered in a whole new list of reasons to avoid coming to church. While I am a big fan of these new technologies (I use them myself) they are not going to church! You cannot experience community through electrons and binary code!
The church is Christ’s bride. We are the church so we are His bride. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to neglect gathering together as is the habit of some. I fear too many have a habit that has become hard to break.
I am always amazed at the reasons people who profess to be followers of Jesus give for not being in church. The list of reasons (excuses) is too exhaustive for this article. Quite frankly, the reasons at their core have not really changed all that much. I know people who would say you don’t need to be a part of a church to be a Christian. I have trouble finding that in the New Testament.
Here in the 21st century, people are using other avenues to avoid coming church. The use of the internet and social websites such as Facebook has ushered in a whole new list of reasons to avoid coming to church. While I am a big fan of these new technologies (I use them myself) they are not going to church! You cannot experience community through electrons and binary code!
The church is Christ’s bride. We are the church so we are His bride. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to neglect gathering together as is the habit of some. I fear too many have a habit that has become hard to break.
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