Many people have decided to take out the "Beast" as it is often referred and start spending more time together as a family. I'm of course talking about the TV. We do not have cable television or local channels piped into our home for one main reason. It takes away our precious time as a family and we don't have a lot of that as it is...We do still have the TV for viewing videos or TV shows we choose.
Now I said that was the main reason, but there are more...
Commercials are deadly; and you can't really watch any type programming from cable without having to view them or at least turn off the TV until the storm passes. Also, there just wasn't anything that we like on TV, except the very rare occasion that we could find something wholesome and for the most part that was on a religious station.
The next topic is going to ruffle some feathers in Blogger land, but I'm going to go ahead and say it...
If you are one such as I that thinks the TV is or most certainly can be a "Beast" in your home, then you have to hopefully realize that the computer is the "Beast's" cousin the "Dragon".
The only difference I see in the "Beast" verses the "Dragon" is the commercials...That could and probably will change in the future when commercials will be mandatory over the internet...
Here's what you can get from the TV and Computer that is equally deadly to your family:
1) Less time with your family
2) Immoral items (you fill in the blank)
3) Misinformed or biased opinions about a subject.
4) Addiction to either...
And the list goes on, and on, and on.....Just like the energizer bunny.
The Church
There are many definitions of church. One such definition would be the universal church where all who come into a relationship with God through Christ have been baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body. The body of Christ. Another would be the local church. Another for some would be where scripture talks of two or three gathered in My name and He being in the midst of them. There are some scriptures that push us to examine what church is. For example:
"Where is Abel, thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother's keeper?"(Gen. 4:9)
Now I realize these were 2 brothers, but the mindset behind this based upon the next scriptures is crucial. This mindset is that we are one another's keepers in the family of God.
Paul speaks of us (the Church) being the body of Christ with many members and one can't do without the other. Here it is in 1st Corinthians Chapter 12: Verse 12 through the entire chapter...
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Now I do not believe a church should tell you how to raise your children and therefore take the responsibility and God-given role of the parents away, but I do think we can isolate ourselves to the point of being unbiblical in our lifestyle...In other words, we should not be dictated to by the church and feel pressured into joining in on activities that we feel doesn't line up and square with our parental raising of our children, but there is no way we can function healthy in the body of Christ if we totally isolate ourselves.
The last and probably most convincing scripture for what Church is and really about is in Hebrews Chapter 12: Verses 19 through 25.....
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Now in context here the writer has just talked about the only sufficient sacrifice for our sins being Jesus Christ and this act alone sanctifies, or separates us for the Lord to work in our lives by "putting His laws in our hearts"..
Then you have Therefore in verse 19, or one could say because of Jesus dying for me (us) and Him being the sufficient sacrifice.....well you can read on now from verse 19.
The "Church" is God's people and we better get used to spending time together....How about ETERNITY.
"Where is Abel, thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother's keeper?"(Gen. 4:9)
Now I realize these were 2 brothers, but the mindset behind this based upon the next scriptures is crucial. This mindset is that we are one another's keepers in the family of God.
Paul speaks of us (the Church) being the body of Christ with many members and one can't do without the other. Here it is in 1st Corinthians Chapter 12: Verse 12 through the entire chapter...
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Now I do not believe a church should tell you how to raise your children and therefore take the responsibility and God-given role of the parents away, but I do think we can isolate ourselves to the point of being unbiblical in our lifestyle...In other words, we should not be dictated to by the church and feel pressured into joining in on activities that we feel doesn't line up and square with our parental raising of our children, but there is no way we can function healthy in the body of Christ if we totally isolate ourselves.
The last and probably most convincing scripture for what Church is and really about is in Hebrews Chapter 12: Verses 19 through 25.....
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Now in context here the writer has just talked about the only sufficient sacrifice for our sins being Jesus Christ and this act alone sanctifies, or separates us for the Lord to work in our lives by "putting His laws in our hearts"..
Then you have Therefore in verse 19, or one could say because of Jesus dying for me (us) and Him being the sufficient sacrifice.....well you can read on now from verse 19.
The "Church" is God's people and we better get used to spending time together....How about ETERNITY.
Real Deals
My momma always said it: "Son, you will know them by the fruits they bear." How true she was. Jesus tells us in His word that all the law and prophets hang on 2 commandments; 1)"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 2)"Love your neighbor as yourself."
Do you define love as a feeling? Do you think that if you show unkindness to someone you're loving them? If you do, then we read different Bibles. Love is an action word and the Word proved it by performing an act of sacrificial death. Death on a cross for you and me. I have had many people over the years that have been true friends. They're the ones that love being with you and spending time with you, but not being a blanket. I've also had some that say they are my friends, and that they loved me, but boy my home was not where their heart was. That's why it's so refreshing to meet those that come along in your life that are what I call "The Real-Deals". They live out their faith and maybe they don't always agree with you, but they love you as the second commandment above states that a Christian should. I am so glad we're not all alike. How boring life would be. Oh I think one should have a lot in common with another brother in Christ, but no one has all the same likes and dislikes, somebody is faking it.
By the way, here is another hot topic I'm going to shoot out there for those that want to debate it on my next post.
How do you define Church? What does the bible say makes up a church?
More on that later......
Do you define love as a feeling? Do you think that if you show unkindness to someone you're loving them? If you do, then we read different Bibles. Love is an action word and the Word proved it by performing an act of sacrificial death. Death on a cross for you and me. I have had many people over the years that have been true friends. They're the ones that love being with you and spending time with you, but not being a blanket. I've also had some that say they are my friends, and that they loved me, but boy my home was not where their heart was. That's why it's so refreshing to meet those that come along in your life that are what I call "The Real-Deals". They live out their faith and maybe they don't always agree with you, but they love you as the second commandment above states that a Christian should. I am so glad we're not all alike. How boring life would be. Oh I think one should have a lot in common with another brother in Christ, but no one has all the same likes and dislikes, somebody is faking it.
By the way, here is another hot topic I'm going to shoot out there for those that want to debate it on my next post.
How do you define Church? What does the bible say makes up a church?
More on that later......
Charles Towler
On Saturday, March 27, we had an historic day at Waterville. We celebrated Charles Towler's 50th year of writing and composing gospel songs. Charles is such a humble man, but truly has extraordinary talent. He can play multiple instruments, and is one of those God-gifted teachers in general, but especially in the music field. He was the Music Minister at Waterville for 15 years before I came in late 2005. Talk about intimidating; but not with Charles, he has been here to help me each step of the way and for that I'm forever grateful. God Bless You Charles Towler!, and I agree:
As Long As I Have Breath, I Will Praise The Lord!
Check Out This Sample Of The Celebration:
As Long As I Have Breath, I Will Praise The Lord!
Check Out This Sample Of The Celebration:
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