I received the following article (contained in the following link) as part of one of my weekly email news letters. I am interested in your thoughts. Although the author makes some good points and at the end addresses some of the most common questions that come up on a topic like this, I think some of the questions we have to answer is who is the church service for and what is its purpose. Yet still as a spirit led believer for almost 30 years it is troubling to me that church has to be reduced to a tight schedule that must be adhered to the minute. (you'll see what I mean after reading) Too often we tend to ignore the fact that it is the spirit that draws and changes the heart. Although we often have to tweak methods to our times, I think this suggestion is a bit over the top. Here is the link http://www.sermoncentral.com/articleb.asp?article=Dave-Browning-Case-Hour-Long-Service&ac=true Let me know what you think.
Until next time,
Pastor Paul
Monday, January 19, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
First let me start by wishing you all a very happy new year. I know my posts have been a little sporadic but hey, it is winter and there is not any grass to cut. So how can I get on the tractor to think?
Seriously it is the start of a new year and with it comes the hope and expectation of better days ahead. We close out the past (especially if it was what we consider a bad year) and look forward. Last year for me was probably what we could call a fairly normal year. Although there were some extremes. On the high end we got into our first church building in June. One the low end our son had a bad car accident on exactly the same day. Before and after though things were fairly tranquil. For all of us the current financial crisis has hit in one way or another causing a little bit of discomfort. Consequently we hope for better days ahead.
As a believer we should live everyday with hope, no matter what the date. Jesus came to give us an abundant life. He said not to worry. He will take care of us. He warned us of trials but that He has over come them. Friends regardless of our present situation there is a better day ahead for the believer. One when there will be no more pain or tears. One where we will see Jesus face to face. No one knows exactly when that day will arrive, but we know it will. Jesus said so. And that it is the hope we should cling to. That is what we should be looking forward to.
Until next time,
Pastor Paul
Seriously it is the start of a new year and with it comes the hope and expectation of better days ahead. We close out the past (especially if it was what we consider a bad year) and look forward. Last year for me was probably what we could call a fairly normal year. Although there were some extremes. On the high end we got into our first church building in June. One the low end our son had a bad car accident on exactly the same day. Before and after though things were fairly tranquil. For all of us the current financial crisis has hit in one way or another causing a little bit of discomfort. Consequently we hope for better days ahead.
As a believer we should live everyday with hope, no matter what the date. Jesus came to give us an abundant life. He said not to worry. He will take care of us. He warned us of trials but that He has over come them. Friends regardless of our present situation there is a better day ahead for the believer. One when there will be no more pain or tears. One where we will see Jesus face to face. No one knows exactly when that day will arrive, but we know it will. Jesus said so. And that it is the hope we should cling to. That is what we should be looking forward to.
Until next time,
Pastor Paul
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