I am trying out a new blog site. I cannot deicde what to make it look like just yet. So here is the link. It is not permanant. Just tell me what you think.
http://jennysmith.wordpress.com/
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Monday, July 09, 2007
American Church Trends
The state of the american church is devastating. Yet, when Gordon spoke Tuesday night about the church as a whole it was amazing to hear that the problems we have in America are not unlike any other. They have the same degrees of trouble in Scotland also. I guess when I was there I did not see it with the discerning eye he has. I was more caught up in that they are so deeply rooted in christian history, I could not see past their decline. Brad taught from Rev 3.
"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. 15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Wow - these words pierced. I have read this passage many times and yet it had a totally different meaning Tuesday night. It was staggering to think upon the disarray of the church today. All of the passage gives a stern word of wisdom to those living in complacentcy. I find myself all to often too comfortable in my skin. Yet, I had never really applied the passage as it should be, a passage speaking to a group, a church, possibly the American church. When I finished reading it I saw the last verse, let him who has ears hear, I began thinking about that verse. Everyone has ears, yet how many are in tune with the Father? As christians we all have the capability to follow God's will and hear His voice, but many of us have gotten comfortable with turning off our hearing aids. It is crazy. Preachers will preach from the pulpit without fresh words from God. Families will function as the world demands without regard. People will live without careful instruction from the Lord. We act in impulse, but rarely contrast our actions to scripture. We cannot grasp the sufficiency of scripture and turn to many other things to answer our questions, self-help boks, counseling, etc. I am not saying these are bad things, but many have not exhausted the scriptures before putting on the help light. Oh how this troubles me. People are so content with not hearing and waiting on the Lord, reading the Word is laborous. It troubles me to see artificial growth measured by less than godly means. As churches grow and programs expand, many times spiritual decay goes unnoticed. People learn not to discern the will of God, or rely on the truth that they are part of the royal priesthood, or draw on scripture for guidance, but turn to other softer, more comfortable things. We know that Christ is the Word. It is also living and acive, sharper than a two edged sword. Christ is also the Bread of Life. As christians, living without partaking of the word, is learning to live on starvation. It all makes little to no sense.
"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. 15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Wow - these words pierced. I have read this passage many times and yet it had a totally different meaning Tuesday night. It was staggering to think upon the disarray of the church today. All of the passage gives a stern word of wisdom to those living in complacentcy. I find myself all to often too comfortable in my skin. Yet, I had never really applied the passage as it should be, a passage speaking to a group, a church, possibly the American church. When I finished reading it I saw the last verse, let him who has ears hear, I began thinking about that verse. Everyone has ears, yet how many are in tune with the Father? As christians we all have the capability to follow God's will and hear His voice, but many of us have gotten comfortable with turning off our hearing aids. It is crazy. Preachers will preach from the pulpit without fresh words from God. Families will function as the world demands without regard. People will live without careful instruction from the Lord. We act in impulse, but rarely contrast our actions to scripture. We cannot grasp the sufficiency of scripture and turn to many other things to answer our questions, self-help boks, counseling, etc. I am not saying these are bad things, but many have not exhausted the scriptures before putting on the help light. Oh how this troubles me. People are so content with not hearing and waiting on the Lord, reading the Word is laborous. It troubles me to see artificial growth measured by less than godly means. As churches grow and programs expand, many times spiritual decay goes unnoticed. People learn not to discern the will of God, or rely on the truth that they are part of the royal priesthood, or draw on scripture for guidance, but turn to other softer, more comfortable things. We know that Christ is the Word. It is also living and acive, sharper than a two edged sword. Christ is also the Bread of Life. As christians, living without partaking of the word, is learning to live on starvation. It all makes little to no sense.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Travel Time
This is short and to the point mainly because it is late on a Saturday night.
I would appreciate your prayers as I begin to travel. I am going on two mission trips in a week.
Mexico - Pharmacy Technician, July 15-20
Puerto Rico - Team Leader, July 21-28
I will post details later. Just please keep me in your prayers.
I would appreciate your prayers as I begin to travel. I am going on two mission trips in a week.
Mexico - Pharmacy Technician, July 15-20
Puerto Rico - Team Leader, July 21-28
I will post details later. Just please keep me in your prayers.
Chatterbox
Wow. I have not published anything in a long time. I just feel that I am not an intelligent blogger. Who wants to read about what I am doing? I am not sure, but I will try again to keep things fresh.
I just noticed that Kathy tagged me in her eight post. I am not sure if I have eight good facts.
1. I love chocoalte and coffee. You cannot forget all of the other lesser candies, chocolate is the wa to go especially when there is a cafe mocha in your other hand. Chocolate covered espresso beans is a great example of a happy marriage between coffee and chocolate.
2. I was born in Chicago. I did not live there long. I moved to SC, then TX. I have lived in TX for 13 years or so.
3. I wear bandannas because I bought one in seventh grade for a play. I was a western banker from the old west and I thought it would be a nice prop. I never intended to wear them for the rest of my life. In fact, I do not think they should be a part of anyone's standard dress. I ended wearing them out of convience.
4. I cannot cook. I have set something on fire almost every time I get the chance. (bagels, toasters, spaghetti) Yet, I do love trying to cook.
5. I like reading, but I struggle with finishing books. I read several at a time and I guess that has somethig to do with it. I rarely read nonfiction. One of the colleges I visited asked in an interview what books I was reading and when I responded all theology books and mainly the Bible, the interviewer was not impressed. He asked what fiction I read and I said I read only what is profitable for my mind. He stared at me funny.
6. I can do a thumbs up with both of my big toes.
7. I know I already mentioned chocolate, but nothing says happiness like a chocolate chess pie. Chocolate chess pies are a family special.
8. I like funny t-shirts. I believe I only own one, but everyone should have a t-shirt that gives you a laugh. If you were at the John Bunyan conference, you saw it. Thanks Kathy!
So, I do not really know of anyone else to tag. That is really sad. I have a limited audience.
I just noticed that Kathy tagged me in her eight post. I am not sure if I have eight good facts.
1. I love chocoalte and coffee. You cannot forget all of the other lesser candies, chocolate is the wa to go especially when there is a cafe mocha in your other hand. Chocolate covered espresso beans is a great example of a happy marriage between coffee and chocolate.
2. I was born in Chicago. I did not live there long. I moved to SC, then TX. I have lived in TX for 13 years or so.
3. I wear bandannas because I bought one in seventh grade for a play. I was a western banker from the old west and I thought it would be a nice prop. I never intended to wear them for the rest of my life. In fact, I do not think they should be a part of anyone's standard dress. I ended wearing them out of convience.
4. I cannot cook. I have set something on fire almost every time I get the chance. (bagels, toasters, spaghetti) Yet, I do love trying to cook.
5. I like reading, but I struggle with finishing books. I read several at a time and I guess that has somethig to do with it. I rarely read nonfiction. One of the colleges I visited asked in an interview what books I was reading and when I responded all theology books and mainly the Bible, the interviewer was not impressed. He asked what fiction I read and I said I read only what is profitable for my mind. He stared at me funny.
6. I can do a thumbs up with both of my big toes.
7. I know I already mentioned chocolate, but nothing says happiness like a chocolate chess pie. Chocolate chess pies are a family special.
8. I like funny t-shirts. I believe I only own one, but everyone should have a t-shirt that gives you a laugh. If you were at the John Bunyan conference, you saw it. Thanks Kathy!
So, I do not really know of anyone else to tag. That is really sad. I have a limited audience.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
I never wear watches
I thought I hit publish, obviously I did not.
I have no sense of time. I should wear a watch to keep track of time but I find that even when I have one on my wrist I rarely pause to see the time. Before I know it, the sun has already gone down and the day is almost gone. I have found that one thing I find in my life that can cause me to stumble is time. I fill my schedule up with so much stuff I miss giving more time to God. I am busy with a lot of things that are not all bad, but I rarely take the time to stop and be still and just know God in my silence.
I have no sense of time. I should wear a watch to keep track of time but I find that even when I have one on my wrist I rarely pause to see the time. Before I know it, the sun has already gone down and the day is almost gone. I have found that one thing I find in my life that can cause me to stumble is time. I fill my schedule up with so much stuff I miss giving more time to God. I am busy with a lot of things that are not all bad, but I rarely take the time to stop and be still and just know God in my silence.
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