You are currently browsing the monthly archive for August, 2007.
Just a quick update.
I have not forgotten about the site but I have been trying to get registered and start classes at Luther Rice for the Fall semester. I am hoping to take three courses this semester: Science, World History, and Life of Christ. The Science and History classes are general education requirements and they are not offered all the time so I am going to go ahead and take them – even though I hate science.
I haven’t forgotten about the posts on my ponderings – I am working on the first now concerning spiritual growth. Check back soon for updates or simply subscribe to this blog and you can be alerted when I post a new message. Click on the ‘Subscribe to Feed’ link at the top of the page.
God Bless, Sam.
My boss at Bank of America gave me a religious quote calendar last year at Christmas. Most of these are the common quotes : What’s missing at CHCH – U R.
However, the one for this past Saturday was interesting:
“We are called to be witnesses, not lawyers and judges.”
What do you think about it?
God Bless, Sam.
My recent rant on the organized church and its implications raises a good question. What to do?
If I, or anyone else, leaves their opinions and does nothing to act on their thoughts then we become just another Mad Christian. You know, the one that everyone likes to point at like a sideshow at a county fair. If we don’t realize our faults and then strive to change then why waste the effort to even speak out.
Unfortunately, many Christians do this already. They sit in their seats each day, afraid to voice any concerns or seek to change because it may cause them to act or face opposition. It takes courage to stand up for what you believe.
Over the next few posts I will look at each of my ponderings and offer my thoughts on how to fix – but also look at myself and ways for me to affect change in today’s church. If I don’t fix myself then who am I to ask for change in anyone else?
Maybe you have some thoughts as well. Comment freely and let me know. Let’s strive to impact today’s world with the best news ever – The Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It doesn’t get any better than that!
God Bless, Sam.
This post was originally an email sent out Thursday, August 9th.
Ever think about how important a simple character can be? The character I am speaking about is the asterisk (*). I bring this up because, for all baseball fans, Barry Bonds broke the home run record this week by hitting his 756th home run, breaking Hank Aaron’s record that stood for over 30 years. Over the past few days one of the discussions about this record was the concern that an asterisk needed to be added to his name. Why the asterisk? Because Bonds is being investigated for steroids use that would have greatly “helped” him have more power, in turn hitting more home runs.
My thoughts are not on the debate that will rage on about this record but it got me to think about how we, as Christians, NEED the asterisk in our daily lives as Christians. Yes, let’s give steroids to the senior adults to see them get more work done around the church (BUMPER STICKER: Our church’s senior adults can beat up your senior adults!). Seriously though – we need the asterisk because we need the help of the Holy Spirit in our lives daily to do what God has commanded us to do. How many of us have, in the past or even today, chosen to do things your own way without even thinking of bringing it before God? We have the power to do all things – only if we seek discernment and wisdom from God to do his will.
Look at this common scripture passage: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Phil. 4:13. But also focus on a verse found in Philippians 4 in verse 9: Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
As you go about your daily tasks today – place your thoughts on the following question. Do I place an asterisk by my name today because I sought God’s help and guidance today? Or is it just plain me – doing everything in my own power. Live for God – use the knowledge and abilities he has gifted you with today to be a help to those around you.
Think about it – God Bless each of you today!
Sam
I recently sent this email out to several family and friends to relay some thoughts and ponderings I have been facing since my resignation from ministry. These thoughts are mine but several come from other sources so all of them are not necessarily original – but I liked them because I felt they best examplified my thoughts as well.
My life, as all of you know, has faced some rocky roads here in the past few months. I have recently resigned my ministry position due to problems in the local church, which I will refer to as the organized church. Why? Because it seems every church has the same organizational structure – just a few alterations here and there.
I have become tired and stale to the workings of organized churches today – we have lost our place and position in society due to our ineffectiveness. Why am I tired? Follow along and maybe you have felt the same – if not, maybe you have some ponderings to add yourself. Read these and then read what I have to say at the end.
I am tired…
I am tired…..of watching the same people sit in the same churches week in and week out, with no visible spiritual growth at all.
I am tired…..of seeing people plop themselves down in church and seemingly state in their actions “Please Me”. Where in the Bible do we see worship is pleasing and focused on men? Read Isaiah 6 and then dare to plop down again.
I am tired…..of watching parents seemingly hand over the greatest gift given to them as parents, their children, to churches – allowing churches to train their children instead of themselves. Where in scripture is it found that churches replace parents?
I am tired…..of parents who fall for the lies above and then blame the church when their child falls to the wayside.
I am tired…..of those “Christians” who seem to think they have the deed to the church – in their name. Read Romans 12:1-2.
I am tired…..of churches whose idea of church “discipline” is to tear down those who are seemingly going through trials in their lives.
I am tired…..of churches who think that all ministries take place within the four walls of the church. Ever thought that maybe church could be a training ground for Christians and the world the ministry and mission fields?
I am tired…..of churches whose idea of church growth models consists of Baptist fellowship (gossip) of other churches’ problems and then swooping down to capture the wounded. Then we sit them next to the parents and “please me” crowd above – what kind of spark will we get?
I am tired…..of the same churches above whose other idea of church growth are watching other churches who are growing, then stealing their members to come to their church. Where do they sit? – Doesn’t matter because they will at the next church as soon as your church grows!
I am tired…..of watching people subscribe to the belief that all ministry is done through the staff but are the first to stand in line to complain when we fail.
I am tired…..of watching churches only staying along denominational lines when providing ministry to the surrounding communities. Yes, we have doctrinal beliefs but whether we sprinkle or dunk doesn’t mean we can’t stand together and minister unto the entire world! Some Baptists won’t even associate with other Baptists!
I am tired…..of churches whose belief in new ministry opportunities is copying what the other churches in town are doing. Hey – you gonna do Awana – do it because you want to see kids and families come to Christ and not simply to provide another event on the calendar!
I am tired…..of “Christians” whose idea of commitment is tied to the current month and not the year. And heaven forbid you call them on it – you’re judgmental!
I am tired…..of a lot of other things but, man, if we could fix these things the others would quickly fall away.
I KNOW – who am I to state these ponderings! Well – are they true or not?
Feeling guilty of some of these ponderings? If so, there is a program to fix it (we are Baptists, you know!). No, it’s not a 3, 5, 7 or 12 step program – just a 1 step program. The one step is found in the command we do not want to obey – Take up your cross and follow me. (Luke 9:23 and Matthew 16:24)
You want to see Christians train themselves to serve God? Take up your cross and follow me.
You want to see Christian exhibit true signs, or fruits, of faithfulness? Take up your cross and follow me.
You want to see parents’ exhibit true signs of biblical parenting? Take up your cross and follow me.
You want to see Churches actually become ministry centers to the community? Take up your cross and follow me.
You want to see Churches full of people eager to serve God, not themselves? Take up your cross and follow me.
You want to see the Church grow – follow the one step program! Take up your cross and follow me.
It was said to me recently that the most quoted verse was no longer John 3:16 but Matthew 7:1 (Do not judge, lest you be judged). So for those who look these ponderings and say “You are judgmental” I simply look at it as neither a glass half-full or a glass half-empty but say what it is: a glass of water. It is what it is! What are we, as today’s organized church, going to do about it?
I boldly predict that if the church stays on the same progress scale as it is on currently we will see churches literally die in leaps and bounds within two generations.
How do we fix today’s organized church? We must start with ourselves – no where else. Assume your responsibility as Christians, denying yourselves and following God. This command is personalized to each and every Christian.
Maybe the trials I have faced recently are part of bearing my cross – it is NOTHING compared to the sacrifice my Lord and Savior did for me!
It isn’t too late – I definitely have room to fix my errors. How about you?
God Bless, Sam
I have copied all of my entries from the old blogger site and I thought it would be good to start blogging some of my thoughts from ministry, family, school, and maybe even work if I think about it (insert funny story here – my new boss at BofA asked me last year this question: What keeps you up at night? as the father of three children and full time student I replied “Not this job!”) A little honestly helps!
I encourage anyone to comment and share their thoughts and ponderings as well. I simply ask that it be done tastefully and not tear anyone else down.
God Bless, Sam.
Just wanted to update you briefly that I have resigned as Minister to Children at Pine Grove Baptist Church in Lake Wylie. I’m sure I’ll have more to say later but it is not time yet.
Pray for Pine Grove and its congregation as they endure a rocky road.
Pray for me and my family as we seek new direction.
