Last Sunday

Last Sunday was most interesting. I was preaching a multifaceted sermon where I attempted to answer numerous questions from the congregation. I had a broad range of topics to cover: What we'll look like in eternity, Cave men vs. Adam & Eve, Alledgedly contradictory accounts of Judas' death, Dinosaurs and Noah's ark, Modesty, etc. I was wrapping up my sermon series "You Asked For It!" and I had several questions remaining that I wanted to handle albeit with brevity. Anyway, I got into Romans 14 and asked the folks to name some "disputable manners" which became very interesting to say the least! Topics that arose were: earrings for men, how to dress for church ,tatoos, smoking and drinking alcohol! Needless to say people were paying attention. One person said "baptism" and I had to point out the baptism was not a disputable matter in Scripture. I tried to be as biblical and honest as possible. I probably stunned a few people, but I didn't get fired!

Tennis Tonight

I'm excited that tennis season begins tonight. I'll be taking the court with my buddy and brother in Christ Dave Hileman. It is not an ideal time to begin for me however. I coughed all last night and am in need of a seriously big nap. My back is bothering me too and I'm a good 20 pounds overweight. AND I HAVEN'T PLAYED TENNIS IN A LOOOONG TIME. Yet, somehow, I'm ready to go. I know it doesn't make sense, but I'm looking forward to swinging the racquet in a few hours. Oh, did I mention it will cold tonight? I don't like playing in the cold either, but, again, I'm still ready to go! I have watched a little tennis on TV recently, so maybe I'm a tad inspired! I especially enjoyed watching the replays of matches from many years ago. Bjorn Borg was my favorite back in the day. I think I'll roll with a two-handed backhand tonight in his honor.

Sundays in the Commonwealth

"82 out of 100 of our neighbors are not in church Sunday in Virginia according to the American Church Research Project. It is also reported that a high percentage would attend on Easter IF someone invited them." (From http://vefnexus.wordpress.com/)

Looks like we have some work to do.

Put on the Armor

Ephesian 6: 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

ShamWow!

Go here for the details.

Personally Invited?

I'm on my way into the office this morning taking the usual route by the same church sign I pass every day. However, instead of blending into the scenery, this time it catches my eye. The sign says, "You are persoanlly invited." I think the invitation was to their annual Easter production. Anyway, it struck in an odd sort of way. Personally invited? Really? To me, it seemed very impersonal and a reflection of modern "churchianity" at its finest. Now I haven't studied the etymology of "personal." Neither have I consulted an unabridged dictionary for all the possible meanings of "personal" or "personally". What I did do was ponder this "personal invitation" as I drove on. I wondered how silly it must seem to those who even notice the sign. I should also mention that this isn't some podunk church - it is a large program rich group with multiple services and a spiffy facility on a main drag. I'm sure they have the megachurch playbook in hand at all times. Yet they sitll felt comfortable trying to pass off a church sign as a personal invitation. I wonder how many similar things we do that are equally dumb?

Nehemiah

I've been in a srmon series entitled "You Asked For It" since the beginning of the year, but I'll be wrapping it up this Sunday. We've entertained questions form Christians & non-Chritians too. I didn't get all the questions answered (I never will), but we covered a lot issues and I think it has been good. It's time, however, to get back into a book of the Bible. I like to mix in topical sermon series throughout the year, but after "Easter" it will be straight through the book of Nehemiah here at OCC. I preached through this tremendous OT book many years ago, and after looking back at my notes, I have plenty of room for improvement going forward! I'll also be teaching on "Leadership" at the Haw Branch Church of Christ later in April and will use Nehemiah as the biblical reference point for our topic. Know any good resources on Nehemiah? Please let me know. Thanks much!

Off to RBC (MACU)

RBC must have finally run out of alums who are in preaching ministries. How do I know this? Because I've been selected as "Preacher of the Month." Yes, I know it is hard to believe but it has actually happened! I will be honored tomorrow and get to speak in chapel as well. I do appreciate the affirmation and the opportunity to preach the Word as well. The funny thing is that I am always quite nervous when I return to my alma mater. I can't explain exactly why either. I'd appreciate your prayers. Thanks.

Out with the old...

And in with the new...

Roanoke Bible College is undergoing a name change. Reportedly, as of June 2009, Roanoke Bible College will be no more... from that point on, RBC will be known as Mid Atlantic Christian University (MAC-U). For what it's worth I'm down with the name change. Fellow RBC grad and blogger Chris Woolard says the new bi-line is "an education built upon the 66 books" He thinks "it's the power's that be attempt to let everyone know that 'Just because RBC is going through a name change doesn't mean that they've gone liberal.'" So, start taking care of those RBC t-shirts - they will soon be collector's items!

My Final Four

Here it goes...

Louisville
UConn
Duke
UNC

Duke will win it all!!!

Bible College Thoughts

A couple of my favorite bloggers have some really good discussions going on. Soren started it and then Aaron took it in another direction. I think these discussions are very important. My comments can be read on their blogs so i won't rehash them here. I am concerned with the direction of some our schools and I also think the current Bible College model will become increasingly unsustainable in the years (perhaps decades) ahead. Check it out.

More Revelation

I have a new found love for the book of Revelation. It promises a blessing to those who read it (1:3) and I'm really being blessed these days! I, like many new Christians, read Revelation many years ago after my conversion. It's a book, however, that I've tap danced around for many years since. It was cool... it was mysterious... but I basically didn't get much from it between chapters 3 and 21! I recently committed to studying it and it has been incredibly inspiring. The book of Revelation rocks! When I read it I can't help but get pumped up! And it should encourage us. It did so for our brothers and sisters many years ago and for many generations since. Here's a taste from chapter 5...

6Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

I recently read the entire book without chapter or verse markings. I had to do a lot of cut & pasting from Biblegateway. It took a few minutes, but I highly recommend it. Try to do it in one sitting if you possibly can. It's awesome - trust me.

Hey Dan Snyder

Get Jay Cutler! He wants out of Denver and it's time for Washington to get an elite QB. Campbell is nice guy but he's not getting it done. C'mon Mr. Snyder - Get a deal done! Give them draft picks. Give them Campbell. Just get it done. Thanks.

It's all about me...

This is one of the better "church videos" that are seemingly everywhere these days. I did like this one it makes great point.

Marriage Assault

Marriages are under assault in case you haven't noticed. I notice. I see it ALL THE TIME. Satan knows "if it ain't broke don't fix it" and his strategy ain't broke! I have seen many "Christian" marriages wrecked over the years. Many more than I care to remember. I've learned some important lessons too. Lessons like: There are two sides to every story. People are basically going to do what they want to do. People want confirmation not counsel. Many "Christian" marriages aren't very "Christian". Thankfully there are rare exceptions, but my negative experiences have been reinforced repeatedly through the years. I honestly struggle to muster much effort in some of these cases (maybe that's why they turn out like they do). It's like seeing your team taking on a much superior team - you almost know it's over before it begins. I guess failure replayed has a tendency to harden us. In my estimation couples wait until things almost too far gone before they attempt a rescue. Often this "attempt" is weak at best - it's too late (in their minds). And, yes. the odds aren't in their favor at this point. Sometimes its pride - they don't want anyone to know. Sometimes they don't want to save the marriage. And often there children involved - HOW SAD! So, what's the solution? I don't think it is another marriage seminar. It goes way deeper.