Bush's Last Days

I've beeninterested in various interviews done by President Bush in these the final days of his watch. What I've appreciated most about him these eight years and was reinforced in the last several days is his unshakeable convictions regarding freedom and keeping America safe. His convictions did not change even when his popularity began taking severe hits. On a recent edition of "Hannity," the President talked about this very thing. Thank God for a man who doesn't change with every political poll!

The American Way and Evangelism

Al Mohler has a great entry today concerning evangelism and the "American Way." In essence, Mohler writes that because of Americans' belief in fair play, equality, etc., we really don't believe people who fail to accept Christ will go to hell.

Mohler asks, "Is God subject to the American way?" The answer, of course, is no. We are, however, very much subject to His. We'd better get out and tell people about Jesus!! American Christians must be influenced more by the Bible than the Constitution.

You Know You're a Reckneck Preacher When-

10 Signs that You Know You're a Redneck Preacher:

10. If your Sunday School bus is on blocks.

9. If you've ever canceled church because your cows got out.

8. If your belt buckle's bigger than your Bible.

7. If you're skeptical of preachers who wear robes and clerical collars.

6. If there's a sign over the church that reads, "Protected by Smith and Wesson."

5. If you've ever taken deep-fried possum to a church dinner.

4. If you've ever made change in the offering plate.

3. If you've ever shown slides from your trip to Graceland.

2. If you "work up lather" when you preach.

1. If your altar call is longer than your sermon

[This from Dave Black's Blog]

Church Hopping

This week a good friend of mine and his wife spent the night. He is a missionary in Brazil and as we were renewing our fellowship he asked me what was different about serving in South Carolina as compared to other places I've been. It only took a moment for me to answer. It is the "church-hopping" mentality of many people here. On any given Sunday, we'll have 5 to 10 people visiting our church who are members of other churches. Those folks are discontent for whatever reason with the church they're in. The sad thing is just the opposite is likely true. It is a fact that most churches grow around here by swapping sheep.

I've never seen so many discontented people in one area, and I've tried to put my finger on why that is true. I'm sure I'll keep working on the answer, but here are some preliminary observations:

• There is the need for a religious experience. Some people need an emotional high all the time. After attending a church for a while the new wears off, the high become more middle, and they're off to some other place.
• There is lack of spiritual maturity. Some people are simply not growing in the Lord and do not have the spiritual maturity to handle any "pot-hole" that inevitably shows up in any church. At the first sign of a problem in the church of when they themselves have a problem with someone else, they're gone.
• There is a general lack of commitment to any institution. This is a sign of the post-modern era in which we live. Some simply do not want to live by any one's rules, including God's.
• There is the need to be entertained. Of course this hits at the lack of knowledge about true worship.
• There is a "me" mentality. Some who hop around are looking only to be served and not to serve.

There may be many other reasons but these are starters. In my opinion, if God leads an individual to a church there are only two reasons why He would lead them out. The first is a theological problem. If the church does not stand on the Word, then there is a need to move. Second is moral. If there is a terrible moral problem that the church will not address, there is the right to move. That's it!

How can a church be strong and accomplish God's will if a good number of the members are wondering whether they should go somewhere else?

Succeeding a Moses

I'm studying Joshua 1 in preparation for a sermon and was struck again at the magnitude of succeeding a giant. Just read the few verses that end Deuteronomy and see what kind of man Moses was. One writer calls him, "Moses the Incomparable." No wonder Joshua was a bit fearful.

Yet there is one truth that jumps off the page of Joshua 1. Dale Ralph Davis writes, "Moses may die; God's promise lives on. There is a passing of an era yet the endurance of the promise. Yahweh's fidelity does not hinge on the achievements of men, however gifted they may be, nor does it evaporate in the face of funerals of men."

He is so right. When someone passes off the scene God always has another to take his place. Moses was dead, so God used Joshua. That thought humbles me. God will use me today, but tomorrow He will use somebody else. God's work goes on. Thus I should never think the church can't get by without me. It can and will. In the meantime, I am simply to be faithful. I'm standing on the shoulders of others. One day others will stand upon mine.

Scientology

The recent tragic death of John Travolta's son brings Scientology back to the news. An informative overview of Scientology can be found at 4TruthNet. You might want to check it out. Scientologists believe that human beings are divine. They also believe in reincarnation.