Me, Myself and Mine

Sunday, September 27th, 2009

What causes a church NOT to grow? Why do so many churches struggle to survive? One reason would be that it is God’s job to cause the growth of any given church body. The choice is up to Him to allow it. We see in Acts 2: 47,  “And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” But we also see in the verses preceding that they were doing certain things that seemed to encourage that action by God. They were looking out for each other, sharing in communion with each other, or identifying with Christ, and embracing Christ as their common denominator of Salvation. They were sharing with each other as any had need. They were sharing meals with each other, praising God and having favor with all people. (more…)

Posted in By the Creek | No Comments »

Cross, or Abundant Life?

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

The question is, “How does one carry his cross and yet experience the abundant life?”
Okay, so which is it? I guess here would be a good place for definitions in Christianity. What does it mean to carry a cross? In the days of the first century, to carry a cross meant you were going to die a horrible, shameful, longsuffering death. I think that would be a burden!
Jesus said to His followers that they must also carry their crosses to follow him, (Matthew 16:24). So I am guessing that we also, as Jesus followers, must carry a burden to a death of sorts. That death will probably be horrible, shameful and longsuffering also. The Bible also says that after His death Jesus was seated in victory at the right hand of God. So we, after carrying and putting to death our sinful selves are seated with Christ in Heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).  Longsuffering, horrible and painful as it is, I long for it. (more…)

Posted in By the Creek | No Comments »

God Packed Our Lunch

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

If you are at all like me, you have fond memories of going to school and wondering what was going to be in your lunch when it was time to eat. What kind of goodies did mom prepare for me to enjoy? Oh Boy, a tuna sandwich, and some chips, celery, and a Snack-Pak, I always loved Snack-Paks. Usually there was a spoon and a napkin to top it all off. The point is mom gave us what we need to make it through lunch period. It was all prepared before hand to help us get us through the day. (more…)

Posted in By the Creek | No Comments »

“Get in the Boat!”

Sunday, September 6th, 2009

While channel surfing recently, I happened upon “Titanic.” I have seen it before and wasn’t much of a fan, but the effects are so great I stayed with it, and before long I was into it. There is an incredible scene that takes place right before the boat is about to take its death plunge to the bottom of the ocean. People are scrambling here and there, conniving ways that they can get off of the ship and to safety. People are trying to lower the lifeboats. Mayhem is occurring all around. At one point a girl makes her way to a lifeboat and is debating whether or not to get inside. She cannot decide as the lure of being with her true love is keeping her on the ship. She has one foot inside the boat and then pulls back. Her mother who is already in the lifeboat cries, “Get in the boat!” (more…)

Posted in By the Creek | No Comments »