I’m still away, so I am still operating out of the unusual. We’re in Alabama with Kedra’s kin folk (speaking the local lingo).
I had a wonderful time at Lipscomb. My two classes went well, but the real experience was listening to others and spending tons of time with Earl Lavender. I am re-energized, so watch out. I will try go easy... ha ha ha
So what’s up up your way?
This week we are going to consider this text from Ephesians 4:11-16:
It was he (Christ) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
What do you think about this text?
How does it relate to our discussion about elders and deacons?
Just what on earth are you to do for heaven’s sake? (Ha ha - sorry)
What else is on your mind??
Sunday, July 08, 2007
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25 comments:
I read the text and the first thing I thought of was that it is beautiful. Its so beautiful how Jesus set everything up and beautiful for us to live it.
Everyone wants to belong and fit into something greater than ourselves. We are like puzzle pieces, each in a separate place but all connected. It takes all of us to make up the picture. And I feel the love.
A week or so ago I took my granddaughter to camp for Alissa to babysit and I ran into Sue. Sue was asking me who Daela was. I guess with camp, vacations, work and schedules she had not seen her before. And when I was driving away, I realized just how connected I feel to Sue and how much I truly love her. It is like that with many people at church, I really love them and I feel connected.
Annette
when i read this i find comfort in the fact that there is a plan in place. it just shows that it all has fits together. everybody doesnt have to be everything. no one is expected or needs to do it all because for what we cant do or dont know some one else is there to cover. shows the need and value in community ( you can pay me for that plug later allen! ha ha)
with respect to elders and deacons, i think this just goes right a long with what we have been saying all along. dont be discouraged if you dont fit all the criteria, there still is a place for you in the kingdom and its works.
RR
The scripture this week is very encouraging to me. It tells me there is a place for everyone. It also encourages us to use what we have been given and when we do it with love the whole body is built up by even a small deed. Like riples in a pond when a stone is thrown in, the influence of the smallest act goes on sometimes forever. He does not want us to stagnate in the 'pond' because of fear, guilt or lack of confidence. Great accomplishments are made up of many small ones, sometimes quiet ones, done each day, each minute and each hour. Each small act of love matters even if we think it does not. We are joined together with Christ as our head and supported by each other, His body. Building ourselves up in love as we each do our little part here. I feel so blessed to be a part of the body at Mitchell. You may not see everything that is being done but be assured this is a vibrant and alive congregation. When things are done in love, God sees and knows and that is all that matters, pleasing our Maker. Have a blessed day everyone. Love, Sherron
I have a serious question to ask but I need this question answered by someone who actually been put through the test and passed it.
When I was a kid, I would sit in church and watch my mother lead the church choir and praise the Lord all through the service, but when the service
was over with the real person came out of the closet. My step father claim to be a christian but the only time you ever saw him in church was during the
holidays or when my mom would nag him to go. Both of them lived a lie and I grew up despising the both of them because I knew how they really were
on the inside but the church they saw a different side of them. The last time I talked to my mom, she was a different person, a God fearing woman who got her life
straight with the Lord. Hat off to mom. Now here comes the downside of things for me, even though my mom no longer live her life as a hypocrite.
I still have problems dealing with Hypocritical Christians. I hold bitterness toward them. I despise them and in truth, I want nothing to do with them
because I see nothing good in a person who act one way when they are in church and another way when they are outside the church. The devil has a better chance
when dealing with me because I know where he is coming from. My question is this. I know that God doesn't want me to be this way and this is a test I am failing
with a big fat F. How did you pass the test? I tried prayer and the bible doesn't give much imput on how to deal with a hypocritical person. This is a test I want to
pass but like I said I am failing big time. Please give me some input if you have been through this and pass the test.
Hey Gino, this is Jon Goller first of all I think you can only say you fail the test when in fact the test is Over. and if we are typing on this thing then the tests aren't over for either of us. second (as close to your point as I have) I have an aunt that was so mean to me and my family that it was painful being around her, and she too was always in the front row of the church and singing the loudest for all to her. (tooting her horn the loudest) and then barely getting out of the church door before she bad mouthed people left and right. and it gave me a bad bad tast for church folk, cause i thought everybody was like that. but it took me a lot of growing and trying to understand her and her actions. and like i said earlier non of us have passed or failed the test until the test is over (life) and then I think Jesus will tell us if we passed or failed. but I fought those feelings as well as most of my bitter feelings by constantly reminding myself that I as a person suck just as bad as the rest of those people and I have no right to hold anything against any of them. that whole thing about those without sin cast the first rock. well I'm not even about to pick up a rock cause I just can't. and the other thing is and I don't want to steal anybody's quote but whomever said "love the sinner and Hate the sin", well I repeat those words to myself alot. and they help me Alot! But don't ever think you've lost the fight or failed the test until it's over. and if you do figure out how to 100% win the fight and pass the test will you please please let me know cause we all get tired of the fight just the same. some of us are waiting on the bell to ring to catch a breather in between rounds so we can keep going.. Take Care man and keep swinging your not alone..
Jon Goller
Jon buddy!!! You smacked that one out of the park. You are so right. It aint over so until its over we can determine failure or success! Great point.
The thing I tell myself on this topic is that it is not for me to judge and determine the condition of thier heart with God. It may appear to be hypocritical to me and if I did what I saw them do, i would judge myself as hypocritical but as Jon said with not daring to pick up the first stone, i too feel there are way too many shortcomings in my life to be determining if this or that person is a hypocrite.
The point to take from this Gino in my opinion is that you recognize you have an issue of judging and dealing with those who you feel are practicing as they preach. Recognition is great. You know you have an area that God isnt through with you yet. Ask for his help and guidance and then have the faith that he is going to give you the strength to deal with it. Probably wont be a smack up side your head or anything like that, but you will find with time that he has removed or is removing those feeling and attitudes you have struggled with.
RR
oops
suppose to say "WE CAN'T" determine failure or success
RR
Good stuff, Jon!
You guys are doing great, so I am hesitant to even jump in. But it is raining really hard, here in Alabama, so I will do a little posting.
I think I can make a pretty strong case that everyone is hypocritical, depending on how you define the term. I think definition is the key. I am pretty sure that we ALL, at times, pretend (the essence of hypocrisy, if I understand the idea) to be something that we are not or to leave the impression that we do or don’t do things that we claim to do or don’t do. It can be as simple as greeting one another.
“How are you?”
“Fine.” [We say that even though we may not be. Right?]
I find it easier to deal with flawed people when I recognize my own faults and flaws. That’s all I need, I think. My hypocrisy may be different from yours, but in the end it all has the same origin.
I think the idea that Paul puts forth in our text for the week really could help us overcome some of this stuff. If we can create an environment where the truth can be spoken in love, then we are on our way.
Be transformed by the renewal of your mind....if you feel bitterness, choose not to feel it anymore. It might take some practice but it can be done. Choose not to think the bitter thoughts, don't claim the thoughts, shut them out. Unfortunately sometimes we like the thoughts even though we want to get rid of them and this gives satan freeway to play with your mind. Ask God to take the thoughts when you have them and just let go, don't let them take root. When you have those thoughts don't let them take hold of you and choose to think of something good. I hope this helps.
Annette
I’ve had a really good couple of days down here in ‘Bama. We got here Saturday afternoon and had a nice relaxing evening. We worshiped with the Mayfair Church on Sunday. I really enjoyed it, even though it really wasn’t about my enjoyment. Those leading me in worship did a good job.
On Sunday afternoon the fun started happening! I have been thinking about this for a long time. I finally did it! I purchased a smoker (not a person; think “grill”). I had accumulated enough Lowes gift cards from Christmas and other occasions to purchase everything I needed, including charcoal, so this involved no out of pocket expenses at all. I got a Char-Broil Offset Smoker. Some assembly was required, but Luke and Ben were all over it. Sunday evening I “seasoned” it, and at the end of that process I grilled some chicken over the firebox. Hmmmmm.
Monday was the true test. For the first time in my life I decided to try smoke spare ribs. Kedra and her mom purchased the ribs, while I was busy studying up on process and procedure (hey, what can I say? I am a student for life.) Well anyway, I decided on a 6 hour, 20 minute process. I ciphered, in my head, what time I should start, based on what time we wanted to eat. Impressed?
I will spare you the details to keep you from ribbing me, but I found the time to be relaxing and enjoyable. How can you not enjoy working with fire and meat? Like a geek I sat in a lawn chair sipping various iced beverages and read The Conversion of Imagination by Richard B. Hayes.
I must say that the ribs turned out really well: tender and tasty. The smoker will now be transported home in Luke’s truck, and I will try do some more work with it soon.
Thank you for allowing me to share this excitement with you.
When we look around us instead of looking up to God we will always be frustrated. There is an illustration of missing the beautiful tree by staring close view at the trunk. Back up and see the beauty. I think that is how God is with us. Up close under inspection, we are not too pretty but from a distance in God's eyes all are precious souls, even my enemies, even hypocrites (because we all are in some way) even the most vile sinner has a precious soul worth saving. I am thankful for God's grace and that He extends it to the most unlikely recipients, even me. When you are really trying and others really are not, it is tempting to want to 'call down fire' on their heads but that is not our job. God will take care of it. My job is to work on me and ignore the past and current sins of those around me because in some way I have been or done and still do err in my ways. I have chosen a different road than some of my family and it has made all the difference in my life and some of them are still struggling and wandering around trying to make sense of the obvious. Refusing to connect with the Source of Life in their lives. All we can do is pray for those people that in some way they will come to the Light and find peace. He is our peace, He is our Salvation. God bless us all as we struggle in this world below to be lights for Him. Sherron
Your words are so uplifting to me Sherron. You are so right, we all have a full time job keeping ourselves in check. Look to improving yourself and the humbleness that brings (for all of us fall short) lets us be more forgiving towards others. I would love to get a bunch of women together for a time of sharing and have a praise pow pow. Would you be interested? What about you Diane?
Annette
You guys continue to impress me with your good words.
I want to tell you something about last week that impressed me. I have been wanting us to move to small groups for about 6-7 years, I guess. It has just hasn’t happened, and I have sensed that it just wasn’t right to “push” it. Well, for the last few months things have started moving in that direction thanks, in part, to Anthony. Anthony has met with the elders and received their blessing to study all this with a view of implementation at some point in the (not too distant) future. Last week Anthony, along with Wayne and Duane, came to Lipscomb to meet with one of my ACU buddies who is a small group minister. John met with us for quite a long time, and then Anthony, Wayne, and Duane attended one of his classes about small groups.
I thought it was really neat for these three guys to drive to Nashville for a day to get more information about this very important ministry. You’ll be hearing more about it soon, and I think that EVERYONE (well, that’s probably overstating it; can’t please everyone, they say) will be pretty pleased with the final product. I do know this: whatever we do will be done carefully (full meaning intended), prayerfully, and with a view of bringing glory to God by increasing our connectedness to one another. I’m pretty excited about it.
Heads up Boyz! I'm talking to the 3 Belly's Crew. After reading Allen's Smok'n Post we'll have get together and try to decide if he's gonna be a "Brother of the Smoke" or just another competitor,(like Jeffers who left town in tears) hehehe. Actually I'm excited for you Allen. We'll have to think up a new Handle for you. BIGG DADDY
Now thats the best picture yet!
Oh, Bigg Daddy, I could never compete with the kings of bellies. Thus, I enter into an area that I thought was out of your normal domain. As far as I am concerned you are the King of Smoke, especially with your Boston Butt (are there any jokes here?). In fact I would like to talk smoke with you soon. Perhaps the Smoke King and the Horse Queen could gather with the Holy Smoker and Snow White (Kedra is going to kill me, but some people thinks she looks like Snow White. I’m not sure what that makes our kids?) at some point to enjoy our craft?
It is a distinct pleasure to know Bigg Daddy, Sargent at Arms, Lead Belly of Three, and King of Smoke. I am not worthy. I am not worthy. I am not worthy.
To G'str an Bigg MC, Stand DOWN Boyz, I think Holy Smoker wants to talk. Check his kids out though, they may be part of the 7 Dwarfs, find the other 3... BIGG DADDY
Smokin' ain't easy...but somebody has to do it.
Matthew
3 Belly's Team Member
God has so much power. We win in the end, how do we know this? The bible tells us. Over the years I have suggested that we have a class on the promises of God and how to tap into all that power. As Christians we have the power of God behind us and I was always fascinated and excited about learning how to do this.
As we live and learn and study we pick up some of these. But don't you want more? I do. Some things are really basic to most of us. I learned early how not to hate. Why? because it is so destructive, it only hurts you. Same way with bitterness, harboring all those bad feelings inside can just destroy you and cause you pain (and others around you). Once you give these up and choose not to feel that way then you get peace. Like a weight lifted off your shoulders. Didn't Jesus say to give him all your problems and troubles so He could carry them for you. Free's you up to move on to the next problem. Pretty soon you get rid of a lot of baggage. Any problem or hurt can be overcome by God.
Take gossip for instance. If you have a problem with gossip and you want to stop then practice keeping your mouth shut. But don't stop there, after you get to where you can keep your mouth shut then work on batting the thoughts away so your mind can be free. And then if 10 yrs down the road you notice you start to have the problem again,then you know how to work on getting rid of it again. But this time you will get rid of it faster.
Life can get so busy and distracting and satan uses that against you. I know leaving the church only hurts you and you back slide really fast. The simplest things you learned get harder to recall. I remember when I started back to church, Allen had a sermon on how the Holy Spirit always gives you a door to open to avoid sin. That really struck me because at the time I was in such a fog that I didn't realize there was even a door there to open. Such is life, you can really make some bad decisions. But the hope is God is still there. He will still be there waiting to take you back into the fold.
Don't know why I chose to share this but here it is.
Annette
[Good post/thoughts Annette.]
Other than Annette, you guys have gone quiet on me. Are you just simply in awe of the ribs? Is that it?
Life in Alabama continues. It’s been kinda strange this time. Rebecca is at Camp, and Lester is working, so we’ve only had 4 of us here. I have really enjoyed spending extra time with Luke and Ben. Luke returned home this morning. He took the smoker home with him, so I was very relieved to know that he arrived safely this afternoon.
I’ve been working on Sunday’s sermon most of the day. I think it is about finished.
Ben, Kedra, and I just got back a little while ago from playing miniature golf. Kedra’s mom is presently frying chicken. I didn’t get a run in today, but I think that would have been a good idea, based on how much I am eating. I did go up on the mountain for a couple hours plus yesterday. It was pretty neat. It had rained earlier in the morning and was still foggy and misty. I like running in those conditions. I was totally soaked by the time I finished. I ran some of the rocky, hilly Mountain Mist 50K course.
Yesterday I took Luke and Ben to see Tranformers. I enjoyed it because the boys enjoyed it, but I think my movie tastes have changed as I have aged. There sure was a lot of action. Let’s see, one dies so all the others can live. Now, where did they come up with that idea? Did I spoil the movie for you? Naw.
We’re heading out in the morning. I think I am ready to come home. I miss my yard and wild critters. I also can’t wait to see Lester and Rebecca. And you, of course. On Sunday.
Hi All; I have not bloged in a while; been busy with work since I will be on vacation next week. Allen the ribs look great; I have not graduated to a smoker yet; just got my first gas grill this summer. When I do think I am ready for a smoker; I will seek the guidance of the all knowing wise one they call Big Daddy. I heard the neats thing this morning on the way to work; it was Max Lacaodo (wrong spelling on last name I am sure). He was talking about a half tri-atholony he did and how when he was running the guy next to help started talking about how this was the stupidest thing he had ever done; Max said he did not stay there long he ran ahead and paired with a 60 yr old grandmother who encouraged him for the next few miles with your joy for life until she sprinited away from him. The point he was making that in life when we are down or hurting we tend as humans to gravitate to others that are down or hurting. While yet as christians we should seek those that will lift us up; help and encourage us. I must admit over the past few months I have had my days and this blog with all you on it has been that encouragement; so I say thank you. Next week is the fair so since I don't have a notebook with wireless conection yet I will not be blogging. If you happen to be at the fair I will most likly be either in the pig barn or sheep barn. Hope to see you all Sunday; after I feed the animals at the fair and I will change my shoes (Allen will know what I am saying). Robin
Word of the Day for Friday, July 13, 2007
triskaidekaphobia \tris-ky-dek-uh-FOH-bee-uh\, noun:
A morbid fear of the number 13 or the date Friday the 13th.
Allen, those ribs looked excellent, we need to get Robin to turn loose of one of his pet pigs. I figure we could save him a week of shoveling dip, (figure the cost of his time on that) knock that dude in the head (the pig not Robin) and smoke a whole hog. I'll be glad to teach him all I know and embrace him into the Brotherhood at the same time. BIGG DADDY
Big Daddy!
I like your idea.
Let me tell you about one of those "pet pigs"
It is so lazy, it sits on its butt to eat and drink. It really does and then it just lays down and goes to sleep right there.
It also the other day just decided to reach over and bite me! It literally just reached over and chomped down on my thigh.
I think the dude needs smoked too!
RR
Robin, I hope your little brother doesn't take offense at your description of him, but sometimes a man just to lay the truth out there... you were talking about Ryan were'nt you? HEHEHE BIGG DADDY
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