Friday, April 30, 2004

I wish I could do this more often...

Have you ever said you didn't want to do something but you did it because it was for a member of the clergy or for "the church." Why do we do that? I believe it is because it fits right into our works-based theology, even in the evangelical church. We feel that we can be justified by the clergy or "church" on this earth and God in heaven. We're basically trying to work for our justification on earth and in heaven. But didn't Paul say in the big quote from Eph 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, though this not of yourselves, it is a gift from God, not by works that no man should boast." We know this and we believe this and approve of this teaching but often it does not move into our daily lives. Not that these things are wrong to do, but it's the reason behind them. Am I making any sense?

On another topic, do you ever think how much we do just because it is a lifestyle? For instance, my going to coffee shops, I like coffee and all, but it would be much cheaper to brew some at home and sit at my desk or on the couch? But I choose to go and pay $4 for a "latte" just because it is a lifestyle and I can fit in with a group I enjoy to be around, even though no one talks while we are there.

Crazy...

Monday, April 12, 2004

It's been quite a while since I have updated, sorry to any of you who read this. I come back where I left off, eternal perspective:

"Think of Pastor Kim, the leader of a group of Chinese Christians meeting in
underground tunnels. We complain here in America about uncomfortable seats
and poor lighting, and here are Christians meeting in China under a street
praising God.

The Communists began to build a road and found the Christians at this time.
Immediately they were ordered to deny Christ, yet they would not submit.

They then took the four smallest children, and ordered them prepared to be
hanged. As they tied the noose around their precious little necks, they
again asked the adults to deny Christ, but they wouldn't, telling the
children they would see them soon.

After the children were hanged, the Christians were ordered to lie flat down
as the Communists got a steamroller. One last time they were ordered to
deny Christ, yet they again would not submit, even as the steamroller
flattened them to death as they went home to be with the Lord.

Dwight Moody once said "One day you are going to read in the paper that
Dwight Moody died, don't believe it for a second. At that time, I will be
more alive than ever before."

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing,
yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction,
which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are
seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen
are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor.
4:16-18