Along with piles of school-related stuff, I'm also reading Why We Love the Church by Kevin De Young and Ted Kluck. I've only just started so I don't have a lot to say about the book itself (except that so far I'm enjoying it). They have said something, though, that I've thought about before.
To start, though: I love the church. I know it isn't perfect, but I strongly believe that we are supposed to be a part of a local church, and to belong rather than just attend sporadically or church hop or even attend services regularly without any commitment. I think that it is important for fellowship and accountability, as well as for being taught and for serving.
So, here's the part that most resonated with me so far, and seemed to sum up a lot of people I've spoken with who will not join a church for whatever reasons: "People seem to want fellowship without commitment; they want to learn from each other, without being taught by anyone" (p.21).
I think it's a desire for freedom, first: freedom from commitment that may require work or service on their part, freedom to walk away if they disagree, and freedom from possible accountability from those who may see sin in their lives.
Further, I see an element of pride: they want everyone equal, teaching each other, with no one above anyone because then there is no one above them. No one is allowed to assume that he knows more than the rest or to offer more than an opinion, and thus no one is ever wrong.
Guess what? There are people who know more than others, and not everything is a matter of opinion; in fact, truth cannot be determined by opinion. And I, for one, am very thankful for men who study God's word and who know more than I, and who teach me truths, not just opinions.
Monday, 24 May 2010
Sunday, 9 May 2010
But: The Happiest Conjunction
Usually "but" is a maligned conjunction. It can be unhappy: "I love you, but..." or "You're doing a good job, but...." Plus, all the management books say not to use it. Today, though, I've decided that "but" is the happiest conjunction. Allow me to explain:
First, look at Romans 3. Paul spends verses 9-20 explaining how we are all sinful. Really, really sinful; if you read it, you'll find that we are all condemned as unrighteous and useless, having turned away from God. It's not a happy passage; in fact, much Romans up to then is condemning people. Further, we are all accountable to God and will not be justified through the Law; "for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin."
Then you hit Romans 3:21 and on: "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe...being justified as a gift by His grace..."
Did you hear that? We're all sinful, not seeking God, not able to become righteous ...but... He made a way, through Christ, as a gift.
Second, there is today's sermon. The elder was preaching on Psalm 5 (the pastor and his wife are on vacation). This his third sermon on Psalm 5 and for the most part he was talking about verses 4-6: "For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You. The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; the Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit."
The elder called his sermon "The Hatred of God" and talked about how much God abhors sin and all who do iniquity. He pointed out that none of us lives up to God's perfect standard and we don't find all sin to be an abomination as we should. It was a very heavy, convicting sermon (and a very good sermon; go listen to it here). And then he reached verse 7:
"But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You."
Do you see that? God hates sin and all who do iniquity ...but... His love for His people is abundant.
It's all over the Bible: we are sinful, God hates sin, there is no way for us to save ourselves ...but... Romans 6:22-23 and Romans 10:8-10.
And that is why "but" is the happiest conjunction.
First, look at Romans 3. Paul spends verses 9-20 explaining how we are all sinful. Really, really sinful; if you read it, you'll find that we are all condemned as unrighteous and useless, having turned away from God. It's not a happy passage; in fact, much Romans up to then is condemning people. Further, we are all accountable to God and will not be justified through the Law; "for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin."
Then you hit Romans 3:21 and on: "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe...being justified as a gift by His grace..."
Did you hear that? We're all sinful, not seeking God, not able to become righteous ...but... He made a way, through Christ, as a gift.
Second, there is today's sermon. The elder was preaching on Psalm 5 (the pastor and his wife are on vacation). This his third sermon on Psalm 5 and for the most part he was talking about verses 4-6: "For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You. The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; the Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit."
The elder called his sermon "The Hatred of God" and talked about how much God abhors sin and all who do iniquity. He pointed out that none of us lives up to God's perfect standard and we don't find all sin to be an abomination as we should. It was a very heavy, convicting sermon (and a very good sermon; go listen to it here). And then he reached verse 7:
"But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You."
Do you see that? God hates sin and all who do iniquity ...but... His love for His people is abundant.
It's all over the Bible: we are sinful, God hates sin, there is no way for us to save ourselves ...but... Romans 6:22-23 and Romans 10:8-10.
And that is why "but" is the happiest conjunction.
Friday, 7 May 2010
A Stolen Story
Sorry, sorry, sorry! I totally mean to post more often! All I have for you today is a story I'm stealing from Baby Sister's facebook update.
It seems my small nephew is having a birthday soon. Timothy will be 4 on the long weekend and Patty is having his party early. Keona, most beloved niece (who is only 7 1/2), made him a card that said, "Happy Birthday, Timothy. I hope you enjoy your new dick."
After getting Keona to read it to her, Patty explained to her how "bike" is spelled and what way a "d" faces!
It seems my small nephew is having a birthday soon. Timothy will be 4 on the long weekend and Patty is having his party early. Keona, most beloved niece (who is only 7 1/2), made him a card that said, "Happy Birthday, Timothy. I hope you enjoy your new dick."
After getting Keona to read it to her, Patty explained to her how "bike" is spelled and what way a "d" faces!
Saturday, 24 April 2010
Children's Church Question
I'm preparing lessons for next month's children's church teacher. We're just finishing up the gospels and, by the end of the month, we'll be starting Acts. I write the lessons myself, then find and photocopy colouring pages, and finally I look for illustrations (and this month I'm also going to get the flannel board stuff ready, but usually someone else does that for me). On the last Sunday of each month I get the stuff back from that month's teacher, replace the old lessons with new ones, check supplies, and turn it all over to the next teacher. Then, unless there are problems, I ignore the whole thing for a month (well, sometimes I ask the teacher how things are going, but mostly I can let them handle things themselves).
Today I've been finding illustrations for next month. I have the "Ultimate Bible Picture Collection!" with "8000 royalty-free Bible pictures in 375 folders on DVD" to help me, so it's pretty easy to find whatever we need (although sometimes I need to wade through some bad pictures (like the pictures of God, a lot of wimpy, baby angels, and one where it looks like Jesus is wearing glasses)). Some of the pictures are also freaky and might give my kids nightmares. Still, there's usually something good (although I used a picture from the file labeled "Amos" once for Jeremiah).
When it comes to pictures of Jesus, I have some hesitations. I don't want them getting into their heads, "That's what Jesus looks like," when there's no real way to know, especially since they can go from there to "That's what God looks like," and that can't be right. I actually talked to one of the elders about the problems of using pictures of Jesus. What we agreed was that they already see pictures that claim to be Jesus, so not using them is pointless. It's also very hard to find illustrations for the Gospels that don't have Jesus! What I've been doing (and the elder agrees with this) is using many different pictures of Jesus (the makers of the DVD pulled pictures from a lot of sources, like old story Bibles) so there is no actual "Jesus" being portrayed and they have less chance to form set mental images. So Jesus has different clothes and different hair, he changes sizes, his beard gets longer and shorter....you get the picture.
Here's my question: I use three different pictures that obviously came from three different sources for the lesson about the Road to Emmaus. Do you think the kids will notice that not only is Jesus different in every picture, but so are the two men?
Today I've been finding illustrations for next month. I have the "Ultimate Bible Picture Collection!" with "8000 royalty-free Bible pictures in 375 folders on DVD" to help me, so it's pretty easy to find whatever we need (although sometimes I need to wade through some bad pictures (like the pictures of God, a lot of wimpy, baby angels, and one where it looks like Jesus is wearing glasses)). Some of the pictures are also freaky and might give my kids nightmares. Still, there's usually something good (although I used a picture from the file labeled "Amos" once for Jeremiah).
When it comes to pictures of Jesus, I have some hesitations. I don't want them getting into their heads, "That's what Jesus looks like," when there's no real way to know, especially since they can go from there to "That's what God looks like," and that can't be right. I actually talked to one of the elders about the problems of using pictures of Jesus. What we agreed was that they already see pictures that claim to be Jesus, so not using them is pointless. It's also very hard to find illustrations for the Gospels that don't have Jesus! What I've been doing (and the elder agrees with this) is using many different pictures of Jesus (the makers of the DVD pulled pictures from a lot of sources, like old story Bibles) so there is no actual "Jesus" being portrayed and they have less chance to form set mental images. So Jesus has different clothes and different hair, he changes sizes, his beard gets longer and shorter....you get the picture.
Here's my question: I use three different pictures that obviously came from three different sources for the lesson about the Road to Emmaus. Do you think the kids will notice that not only is Jesus different in every picture, but so are the two men?
Monday, 19 April 2010
A Conversation in Sunday School
Teacher: What are the "flaming arrows" that we face?
Student 1: Trials!
Teacher: Okay, but be specific; what type of trials?
Student 2: Oh...being stoned!
Student 1: No on gets stoned anymore.
Student 2: Oh yeah, it's illegal to get stoned now.
Teacher: You remember that when you're older.
They still don't know why I was laughing.
Student 1: Trials!
Teacher: Okay, but be specific; what type of trials?
Student 2: Oh...being stoned!
Student 1: No on gets stoned anymore.
Student 2: Oh yeah, it's illegal to get stoned now.
Teacher: You remember that when you're older.
They still don't know why I was laughing.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Written in Sidewalk Chalk
Dear Abbey
I will play
I have to go home now.
bye bye
(past some coloured squares and surrounded by pink hearts)
Dear Colton
I am sad you cud not play with me.
Love, Abbey
I will play
I have to go home now.
bye bye
(past some coloured squares and surrounded by pink hearts)
Dear Colton
I am sad you cud not play with me.
Love, Abbey
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
The Meeting
Today was day one of my work's annual "gather in all the directors and have a meeting/training time." It was the challenging, growth, out of our comfort zone day (tomorrow is 8 hours of meetings, and the main challenge will be staying awake and not dying from boredom).
Today was not as bad as I thought it might be. In fact, it had nothing on other training sessions, including last year's amazing race (a full day of things I'm not good at). All we had to do was sell water. Each team of 4 had 18 bottles of water to sell: 9 cheap brand and 9 premium brand. First we had to make a 1-minute commercial for each brand. They were filmed at the local TV station (and no, they won't be aired; in fact, they need to be destroyed to avoid ever being seen outside our company because we showed the brand names in the ads). Then we had to sell the water.
Selling was easy. One of the guys in the group called a friend at a comic book shop (the friend gives out water at some group gathering thing) and got him to buy the lot. In fact, it was a bit disappointing and slightly annoying because he did this without consulting the rest of us, so we had no input or chance to talk about different selling ideas; further, the guy went with the suggested retail price and rounded up; I was ready to sell for much more. Ah, well; it was easy and we made the second largest amount of money.
The commercials were fun. I did the cheap water commercial for our group. We decided to aim at families, so I was the tired, stressed, thirsty mom with a purse full of stuff that I had to pull out to get to the water. The guy in our group sold the premium brand water; he played the part of a Norwegian dragon slayer.
Back at head office we watched all the commercials (and laughed a lot) and then voted on which one we thought was the best for each brand. To brag a little (hey, it's my blog), I not only received the majority of the votes for the cheap brand commercials (and the vote of the boss, his wife, and the director at the studio), but I also had the most votes overall. Our premium brand commercial also scored the most votes in its category, so we won the competition (did I mention that it was a competition? And there was a cash prize?).
Not a bad day at all!
Today was not as bad as I thought it might be. In fact, it had nothing on other training sessions, including last year's amazing race (a full day of things I'm not good at). All we had to do was sell water. Each team of 4 had 18 bottles of water to sell: 9 cheap brand and 9 premium brand. First we had to make a 1-minute commercial for each brand. They were filmed at the local TV station (and no, they won't be aired; in fact, they need to be destroyed to avoid ever being seen outside our company because we showed the brand names in the ads). Then we had to sell the water.
Selling was easy. One of the guys in the group called a friend at a comic book shop (the friend gives out water at some group gathering thing) and got him to buy the lot. In fact, it was a bit disappointing and slightly annoying because he did this without consulting the rest of us, so we had no input or chance to talk about different selling ideas; further, the guy went with the suggested retail price and rounded up; I was ready to sell for much more. Ah, well; it was easy and we made the second largest amount of money.
The commercials were fun. I did the cheap water commercial for our group. We decided to aim at families, so I was the tired, stressed, thirsty mom with a purse full of stuff that I had to pull out to get to the water. The guy in our group sold the premium brand water; he played the part of a Norwegian dragon slayer.
Back at head office we watched all the commercials (and laughed a lot) and then voted on which one we thought was the best for each brand. To brag a little (hey, it's my blog), I not only received the majority of the votes for the cheap brand commercials (and the vote of the boss, his wife, and the director at the studio), but I also had the most votes overall. Our premium brand commercial also scored the most votes in its category, so we won the competition (did I mention that it was a competition? And there was a cash prize?).
Not a bad day at all!
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