It's safe to say that hurricane Katrina devastated parts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. News photos tell only parts of the destruction to lives and property.
It's times, like these, we as Christians are called into action: prayer and service. My wife and I nearly wept as we watched the news videos of people who lost everything. Everything.
A man lost his wife to the flood waters.
A family lost their home and belongings.
Families are without food and clean water with no where to go.
These people are OUR people. They need our help. Some simple things to do in addition to prayer:
1. Clean out your closets and donate that clothing to your nearest Red Cross, Salvation Army, or Goodwill centers.
2. Donate canned goods and water.
3. Financially support the aforementioned organizations along with church organizations, i.e. the Southern Baptist Convention- Disaster Relief or the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
Most of all, please keep all of these families in your prayers as God provides for them in all their needs.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Anti-War Protests in D.C.
From CNS News...Anti-War Protests Target Wounded at Army Hospital
As much as I don't care for the anti-war protests, they do have a right to protest. They only have the right to protest due to a war that was won by people yearning to be free.
This story regarding anti-war protesters, outside Walter Reed Army Medical Center, takes the cake. Soldiers stay here to recover from their war wounds. These soldiers need to be surrounded in love and positive attitudes. Even though many may never walk the same way again, they will always be soldiers. They are honorable and brave.
If the anti-war demonstrators had any decency, they would leave and take their protests elsewhere. Or, do something even better: Volunteer to brighten the day of a soldier who needs compassion.
As much as I don't care for the anti-war protests, they do have a right to protest. They only have the right to protest due to a war that was won by people yearning to be free.
This story regarding anti-war protesters, outside Walter Reed Army Medical Center, takes the cake. Soldiers stay here to recover from their war wounds. These soldiers need to be surrounded in love and positive attitudes. Even though many may never walk the same way again, they will always be soldiers. They are honorable and brave.
If the anti-war demonstrators had any decency, they would leave and take their protests elsewhere. Or, do something even better: Volunteer to brighten the day of a soldier who needs compassion.
Rick Warren and the SBC
From The Baptist Press...Rick Warren dispels rumors, says church committed to SBC
Part 1
Even though Pastor Rick Warren supports the SBC, he doesn't agree with everything they do:
Warren, though, doesn't agree with everything Southern Baptists do. He told BP the SBC's 2004 vote to withdraw from the Baptist World Alliance was a "major mistake." He spoke at the BWA's Centenary Congress this summer in Birmingham, England.
I point this little blurb out to remind SBC folks that it's OK to disagree with the SBC and still support them. This is not about theology; it's about relationships and evangelism. The problem with the SBC (and CBF for that matter) is the typical mold they put themselves in: Pressed suit, tie, and shiny shoes. Can you reach the homeless, the hurting, the sinner in this attire and presence?
My guess is no.
Pastor Warren is not afraid to tell the SBC what he thinks and what he does for the sake of Christ. The SBC would do well to listen and take notes.
Part 2
I love what Pastor Warren has to say about church growth, since I am often asked this question when interviewing with churches. He hits the nail on the head:
"The problem with many churches is that they begin with the wrong question. They ask, 'What will make our church grow?' This is a mistake. Instead they should be asking, 'What is keeping our church from growing?' All living things grow. You don’t have to make them grow. If they are healthy, they grow automatically. Since the church is a living organism, it is natural for it to grow. It is unnatural for it not to grow."
Wow! This puts the accountability on who? Yup, the church. Imagine that...
Oftentimes church members get so set in their ways that they don't want to reach out. The church begins to fester and no one understands why. Soon, what was once a living organism, is now dying.
Pastor Warren is right: When we start looking in the mirror, taking responsibility, and reach out to those in need, then the church will begin to grow.
Part 1
Even though Pastor Rick Warren supports the SBC, he doesn't agree with everything they do:
Warren, though, doesn't agree with everything Southern Baptists do. He told BP the SBC's 2004 vote to withdraw from the Baptist World Alliance was a "major mistake." He spoke at the BWA's Centenary Congress this summer in Birmingham, England.
I point this little blurb out to remind SBC folks that it's OK to disagree with the SBC and still support them. This is not about theology; it's about relationships and evangelism. The problem with the SBC (and CBF for that matter) is the typical mold they put themselves in: Pressed suit, tie, and shiny shoes. Can you reach the homeless, the hurting, the sinner in this attire and presence?
My guess is no.
Pastor Warren is not afraid to tell the SBC what he thinks and what he does for the sake of Christ. The SBC would do well to listen and take notes.
Part 2
I love what Pastor Warren has to say about church growth, since I am often asked this question when interviewing with churches. He hits the nail on the head:
"The problem with many churches is that they begin with the wrong question. They ask, 'What will make our church grow?' This is a mistake. Instead they should be asking, 'What is keeping our church from growing?' All living things grow. You don’t have to make them grow. If they are healthy, they grow automatically. Since the church is a living organism, it is natural for it to grow. It is unnatural for it not to grow."
Wow! This puts the accountability on who? Yup, the church. Imagine that...
Oftentimes church members get so set in their ways that they don't want to reach out. The church begins to fester and no one understands why. Soon, what was once a living organism, is now dying.
Pastor Warren is right: When we start looking in the mirror, taking responsibility, and reach out to those in need, then the church will begin to grow.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Choices
Foxnews... Bush: Iraq Pullout Would Hurt Democracy
I feel bad for our fallen soldiers. I feel bad for their families.
We live in a great soceity. We have the privilege of choice.
And yet, I wonder what people think of when they choose to join the military. Is it much like joining the police or fire department with the intention of never seeing action?
And so I wonder about comments such as this one from the article:
"Nothing is going to justify my husband's death," said Melanie House, 27, of Simi Valley, Calif., whose husband, Navy medic John House, was killed in a January helicopter crash.
"Why are we there? What is President Bush trying to get out of this? Why must my son be fatherless?" she told the crowd, referring to her 8-month-old son.
Ms. House, I'm sorry for your pain. But, your husband chose the military. He chose to do something honorable. Why can't you see that? Will you now raise your son to be honorable and defend this great country or raise him to be a hate-filled radical?
It all boils down to choice.
I feel bad for our fallen soldiers. I feel bad for their families.
We live in a great soceity. We have the privilege of choice.
And yet, I wonder what people think of when they choose to join the military. Is it much like joining the police or fire department with the intention of never seeing action?
And so I wonder about comments such as this one from the article:
"Nothing is going to justify my husband's death," said Melanie House, 27, of Simi Valley, Calif., whose husband, Navy medic John House, was killed in a January helicopter crash.
"Why are we there? What is President Bush trying to get out of this? Why must my son be fatherless?" she told the crowd, referring to her 8-month-old son.
Ms. House, I'm sorry for your pain. But, your husband chose the military. He chose to do something honorable. Why can't you see that? Will you now raise your son to be honorable and defend this great country or raise him to be a hate-filled radical?
It all boils down to choice.
Monday, August 22, 2005
John Piper & Living Christianity
From Crosswalk.com...Making Room for Atheism: Thoughts on the Supremacy of God
By John Piper
Desiring God
If you ever get the chance to listen to John Piper, please do so. He is a wonderful, passionate speaker. His comments on Christianity in everyday life are very interesting:
The fact that God establishes his kingdom through the supernatural miracle of faith, not firearms, means that Christians in this age will not endorse coercive governments—Christian or secular.
This is why we resist the coercive secularization implied in some laws that repress Christian activity in public places. It is not that we want to establish Christianity as the law of the land. That is intrinsically impossible, because of the spiritual nature of the kingdom. It is rather because repression of free exercise of religion and persuasion is as wrong against Christians as it is against secularists.
We believe this tolerance is rooted in the very nature of the gospel of Christ. In one sense, tolerance is pragmatic: freedom and democracy seem to be the best political order humans have conceived.
Please don't take what is being said here incorrectly. The root word of caution here is, "coersion", or the use of force. Dr. Piper has it right. We enjoy living in a free soceity. We are free to choose and express our beliefs.
In my free speech blogs, I mention the frequent mis-interpretation of the First Amendment. But what I don't say is for our government to force it's people to choose a particular religion. In the Great Falls case, the city council was not forcing citizens to pray in Christ's name. No one held up a gun and said, "Say the name of Jesus or else!"
This is the sticking point with today's liberal judges: They don't understand "coersion". Maybe if they visited Kosovo, China, or any Muslim led country, they would.
By John Piper
Desiring God
If you ever get the chance to listen to John Piper, please do so. He is a wonderful, passionate speaker. His comments on Christianity in everyday life are very interesting:
The fact that God establishes his kingdom through the supernatural miracle of faith, not firearms, means that Christians in this age will not endorse coercive governments—Christian or secular.
This is why we resist the coercive secularization implied in some laws that repress Christian activity in public places. It is not that we want to establish Christianity as the law of the land. That is intrinsically impossible, because of the spiritual nature of the kingdom. It is rather because repression of free exercise of religion and persuasion is as wrong against Christians as it is against secularists.
We believe this tolerance is rooted in the very nature of the gospel of Christ. In one sense, tolerance is pragmatic: freedom and democracy seem to be the best political order humans have conceived.
Please don't take what is being said here incorrectly. The root word of caution here is, "coersion", or the use of force. Dr. Piper has it right. We enjoy living in a free soceity. We are free to choose and express our beliefs.
In my free speech blogs, I mention the frequent mis-interpretation of the First Amendment. But what I don't say is for our government to force it's people to choose a particular religion. In the Great Falls case, the city council was not forcing citizens to pray in Christ's name. No one held up a gun and said, "Say the name of Jesus or else!"
This is the sticking point with today's liberal judges: They don't understand "coersion". Maybe if they visited Kosovo, China, or any Muslim led country, they would.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
