Plastic Letter Theology: 3 May 2008

I actually like this message (although I wouldn’t really put it on a church sign).  This message actually states a truth that more churches need to follow.  Jesus is the Head Pastor of all our churches and we are simply serving as under-shepherds to His greater headship.  When we begin to see the church for it what it really is then we will have more awe and reverence for the Bride of Christ.  The ideas of “casual” worship will leave our vocabulary because we can never come before the Righteous King with a casualness.  This does not mean we have to wear specific clothes or say certain words but it does mean that our hearts should be bowed before Jesus. 

Jesus is the Head of the church and we must never forget.

 

Hotdogs for Jesus

Last night our church left the building and went to the local housing authority.  We bought 200 hotdogs (remember we are in a small, poor town) with chips and drinks.  We set up two grills in the main lawn area and began to grill hotdogs and hand them out to everyone who lived in the housing authority.

Conversations began to spark and smiles entered faces (both the people we were there for and our church body).  It was a joyous experience even with all my doubts.  I wanted to make sure that this was in no way creating a consumerism with the people we were there to engage.  I did not want to “buy off” people to come to our church.  My intent was to have the people of Ferry Lake re-engage the community that once were a part of and bring Christ to the streets.  This small community, as well as most towns across the nation, is very segregated and it is seen most on Sunday mornings.  Hopefully this was the first step into building bridges again for the community and ultimately the reflection of Jesus and how His blood unites us all.

For weeks up to this event, I prayed that the Holy Spirit would go before us and prepare hearts to receive us and Jesus.  God graciously answered our prayer and I saw great hope in the lives of all of the people present.  This does not mean that the pews will be filled this coming Sunday, nor was that the intent.  My desire and passion is that the kingdom of God will be filled with souls that may have been touched by one stupid little hotdog.

 

I’m Baaack…

I now have a little more time available to write.  Most of you know that I am active duty Air Force, a bivocational pastor, a husband, a father and multiple other things.  Trying to juggle all these can become a burden.  Because of the priority of being a Christian, a husband, a father, a pastor and pilot some other things had to drop off the plate.  I had to stop seminary for now and writing was too much.  I am now out of the Air Force (please pray for a job when the government stops paying me) and have time to catch up with some reading and now some writing.  

Writing is good for the soul and it allows us to formalize our ideas.  Journals are great but are never examined by others to enhance truth or show error.  The blog is a great tool for Christians and pastors.  It allows us to bounce ideas off of one another and to sharpen each other.  Hopefully I can post several times a week for awhile and please let both Chris and I know what you think.  Keep us sharp.

Jason

 

“A Savior On Capitol Hill” :: John Piper On The Similarities Between Liberals And Conservatives

Dr. John Piper has written a thought provoking post on the difference (or the lack of difference, rather) between conservatives and liberals. With politics in the air this season, I thought this was fitting for us all to think about. Yes, even you Ron Paul supporters, too!

 Here is a quote from the post:

That liberals justify their support for butchery in the name of freedom, and conservatives justify their indifference to the miseries of poverty in the name of freedom, does not conceal the selective nature of the freedoms they want. The one says, Keep your hands off my body. The other says, Keep your hands off my wallet.

The rest of this article can be read here.

Also fitting is this song from our brother Derek Webb.

 

When its all said and done, it doesn’t matter if you are Ron Paul, Barack Obama, George Bush, or George Washington, politics is politics and evil is evil!

 

Are You Treating The Gospel Like A Flu-Shot? :: Paul Washer On Salvation

 

How Big Is Your Quiver? :: Mark Driscoll On Birth Control

Mark Driscoll offers a balanced, biblical view on the topic of Christians and birth control. It is worth listening to if you are a Christian married couple dealing with these issues.

If you believe that life begins at conception and are already using chemical birth control I encourage you to listen to stage 4 especially, and then do your own research on drugs like Orthotricyclen or others. Too many Christian couples use the pill without knowing about its abortive potential. I will say it another way. Some of you who use the pill may or may not know that it has the potential to abort a life that has already been created in the womb. A friend of mine in Fort Worth found this out and still decided to use the pill. I can’t go there. For me and my wife, introducing a drug into her body that has even the smallest chance for abortion is unthinkable. PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON THESE DRUGS!!!

 HERE is Mark’s message on Birth Control.

 

Are You A Member Of The Club, Or A Member Of The Covenant? :: A Prophetic Word (does that title bother any of you?)

Time for a little Edwardsean preaching. This sermon was preached recently by a very good friend of mine. Great message. Timely and prophetic. This is the kind of preaching that God has used to spark revivals for centuries!

 Just click the link and give it a listen (it’s not that long).

False Christianity

by: Jason McNutt

 

Great Point :: Christians In The “Secular” Music Industry

Here is a great post on whether or not a Christian can live a God-centered, Christ-exalting life making a living in the “secular” music business. To me, the “secular” music industry is no different from the “secular” oil business, or “secular” coffee house business, or the “secular” whatever-your-job-is-outside-the-church. Christians can and should be salt and light in every aspect of society. That doesn’t mean that a musician’s music must preach the gospel in order to glorify God.

 

Saviour King :: by Hillsong United

Thank God for those young, hip Charismatics down-under! These guys are so creative. I don’t know what the church at large would do without them. This is a lengthy song, but it is worth the listen. I get goosebumps every time I hear it. Great song. Pretty cool what they do in this worship service with the candles too.

 

The Power Of The Cross :: A Modern Hymn

Great song about the cross

by Stuart Townend