Perfect Church?

“If I had never joined a church till I had found one that was perfect, I should never have joined one at all. And the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect church after I had become a member of it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us.” - Charles Spurgeon

Managing Resources

“Christian stewardship is the management of life and all its resources for the glory of God.” —Murray J. Harris

Vote as though not voting

Dr. Piper has a great post over at desiring God concerning the Christian and voting. With the election just a week away it's a good time to consider who we are in Christ, the world we live in and our role as resident aliens. I would encourage you to pray for the candidates, for the voters, for the country that in all things God might be glorified in our actions, attitudes impacting others and moving them to know and love Jesus as well. So vote in a way that makes much of Christ, vote as if it depends on you, vote knowing that it all is under the authority of Christ.

Vote as though not voting article.

Heart Surgery

“Scripture is clear in teaching that we are not all journeying toward God. Instead, Scripture presents us as needing to have our hearts replaced, our minds transformed, our spirits given life. We can do none of this for ourselves. The change each human needs, regardless of how we may outwardly appear, is so radical, so near our roots, that only God can bring it about. We need God to convert us.” —Mark Dever

Gravest Question

“The gravest question before a person is always God Himself, and the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like.” - A. W. Tozer

Who is Your Father?

I am a nerd. I'll admit it. I am not ashamed of it. I think, if the rest of the dudes in my family would admit it, they are nerds too. To be more specific I am quite the Star Wars Nerd (I even have a shirt that says I am). I still remember siting in the theater and gasping in astonishment when Darth Vader told Luke Skywalker he was is real father. "NOOOOOOOOOOO" was the cry of Luke to learn this horrific news. Who wouldn't cry out like to learn the Dark Lord of the Sith was your daddy. Now I am partial to Vader, black is my thing. I like Johnny Cash too, but man that would be some shocking news. It changed everything for Luke.
The Apostle John writes in 1 John chapter three that people not only have earthly fathers, but spiritual dads as well. And when it comes to our spiritual fathers there are only two options- God or the devil. Bold statement. Perhaps even more shocking than in Star Wars.
John wants us to know our dads. So we can love and please him, or run from him if he happens to be all that is evil and against God.
Who's your Father? Do you know? John gives us a spiritual paternal test here in 1 John:
1. Who do you love? Children of God Love Jesus and live for Jesus.

2. What's your life look like? Do you keep God's commands our are you constantly ignoring them and finding a million ways to stay as far from him as possible? Children of God love their daddy and listen to him (listening and applying scripture and biblical teaching) and obey him cause this keep us from sin, evil and death.

3. Finally What's your love look like? God's Kids love their brothers and sisters. Do you? Do you spend time with other Christians, do you meet the needs of other beleivers- do you know the needs of other children of God? Do you love the church? Is it a priority in your life?
Does any of this come as a shock? You might need to look around and ask yourself some questions. Does it lead you to a curdling scream of "NOOOOOOOOOOOO"- maybe thats a good thing. Maybe that leads to you to examine a few things about your father, maybe it moves you to repentance and pleases of grace and mercy, maybe it leads you to love and adore God- the good father who longs to love you, adopt you, provide for you and accept you as his Son.
Image to be with THE FATHER where He rules the Galaxy together Father with the Son. (yeah that was another cheesy Star Wars Reference....)

Ashley and I this Halloween....Oh how I Wish.....

Ownership Seminar Begins this Friday

Heads up! If you are sign up for the Ownership Classes they start this FRIDAY Oct. 3rd at 6:30pm at the First Presbyterian Church Building.

Bring your bible, a pen and an appetite for food and learning.

This week will be an introduction to the membership chapter one: The Bible.
We will be answering "what is the bible" and what Mystery believes about scripture.

See you There.