My friend, Pastor Mark Jeske, host of the "Time of Grace" television program recently offered some thoughts about last week's Supreme Court decision. Let me share some of what Pastor Jeske wrote:
In my pastoral opinion, the best thing straight Christians can do to protect "one man, one woman" marriage is to take better care of their own marriages. Marriage is like a car - if you just drive it and drive it and never refuel or do maintenance, the car will die by the side of the road.
Christians should stop expecting that their government will be the teacher of national morality...Our nation's laws are based not on the Bible but on what the people want. That's the downside risk. But there is an upside - the darker and bleaker our world gets, the better and more desirable our Christian communities will appear. Where God's Word and Spirit are disappearing, Satan moves in. In Satan's wake are always pain, conflict, hatred, selfishness, and cruelty.
Opposition to the LGBT agenda and lifestyle is not "homophobia." That very word is a made up mishmash - "phobos" is the Greek word for "fear." We are not "afraid" of gay people. We are simply convinced by the clear words of Scripture. Neither are we haters. Christians whose harsh words make them look like haters only make the Biblical position look backward and distasteful.
People with same sex desires are people too, people loved unconditionally by the Lord, sinners just like you and me in desperate need of the blood of the Lamb. People who feel shunned by their families and churches are often intensely lonely and can find acceptance and support only in the gay world. We need to find a way to make people with gay desires feel valued and loved even while discouraging living their lifestyle. We must find a way to welcome people even when not sanctioning parts of their lifestyle. Gay people need to be in church. Gay people need Jesus.
LGBT advocates argue that the very presence of gay desires legitimizes those desires. Their Christian allies will say things like, "This is how God made me." Biblical Christians do not have to yield on this point. The presence of a desire in someone's mind and heart does not make it right. A persistent subset of the population fantasizes about sex with children. That does not make it right.
You can read the complete presentation by Pastor Jeske at the Time of Grace website. May the days ahead lead us all to a concerted time of prayer and Scripture reading as we reflect on how believers in Christ can show and share His love to all people while standing firm on the clear teachings of the Bible, teaching that are designed to keep us safe and enable us to live out our new life in Christ.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Saturday, June 27, 2015
The last time I checked...
Almighty God is still in control.
Almighty God is wiser and more powerful than Anthony Kennedy and the 4 Supremes.
We are still children of God.
We are still loved by the Father.
We are redeemed by the blood of the Son.
We are being made holy by the Spirit.
We will love one another.
We will stand on the truth of Holy Word alone.
We will confidently trust that the Lord will hold us up and lead us through any persecution the church might face in the future (just as He always has).
We will continue to pray, "Come, Lord Jesus."
LICL has worship services on Saturday at 5 pm and Sunday at 8 and 10:45 am. Come and receive the gifts of God, given just for you.
Almighty God is wiser and more powerful than Anthony Kennedy and the 4 Supremes.
We are still children of God.
We are still loved by the Father.
We are redeemed by the blood of the Son.
We are being made holy by the Spirit.
We will love one another.
We will stand on the truth of Holy Word alone.
We will confidently trust that the Lord will hold us up and lead us through any persecution the church might face in the future (just as He always has).
We will continue to pray, "Come, Lord Jesus."
LICL has worship services on Saturday at 5 pm and Sunday at 8 and 10:45 am. Come and receive the gifts of God, given just for you.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Top Ten Signs Your Pastor Enjoyed Vacation Just a Little Too Much
10) Has ushers greet all worshippers with complementary leis
9) Suggests that the apostle Paul's missionary journeys would have been so much easier with the right "maps app"
8) Encourages the congregation to tithe their frequent flyer miles
7) Wears a different souvenir t-shirt over his alb every week
6) Wants to include a can of mosquito repellent in every visitor gift bag
5) Has congregation file into the sanctuary as if boarding a flight on Southwest Airlines: "Now seating A 1-30 only"
4) Orders clergy shirts from Tommy Bahama
3) Replaces office furniture with beach chairs
2) Stops work at 4 pm each day for a Pina Colada
And the number one sign that your pastor enjoyed vacation just a little too much:
1) Keeps reminding you that is was 65 degrees where he vacationed
9) Suggests that the apostle Paul's missionary journeys would have been so much easier with the right "maps app"
8) Encourages the congregation to tithe their frequent flyer miles
7) Wears a different souvenir t-shirt over his alb every week
6) Wants to include a can of mosquito repellent in every visitor gift bag
5) Has congregation file into the sanctuary as if boarding a flight on Southwest Airlines: "Now seating A 1-30 only"
4) Orders clergy shirts from Tommy Bahama
3) Replaces office furniture with beach chairs
2) Stops work at 4 pm each day for a Pina Colada
And the number one sign that your pastor enjoyed vacation just a little too much:
1) Keeps reminding you that is was 65 degrees where he vacationed
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Summer Book Reading List
Here's what I'm working through this summer:
"Motivation for Ministry" by Nathan R. Pope. This book was written in the early 1990's by a veteran pastor who believes that a pastor's motivation for ministry to God's people is simple: all things are done to the glory of God. I'm about half way through the book and have been greatly encouraged by this author's pen.
"A Short Guide to a Happy Life" by Anna Quindlen. This book was recommended to me by a friend. It's 50 pages long so I'm guessing that it can be read in one sitting. Quindlen writes "Knowledge of our own mortality is the greatest gift God ever gives us because unless you know the clock is ticking, it is so easy to waste our days, our lives."
"A Storm of Swords" by George R.R. Martin. This is book three in the series from which "Game of Thrones" is based. I don't get HBO but I've found the books to be a captivating read. They need to be since each book runs a good 1000 pages.
"Beatles vs. Stones" by John McMillian. The author is not a pop music writer but a college professor. He dives into the various ways the two bands were marketed in the UK and the USA. I'm gathering that while members of the Beatles and Rolling Stones were friends, there was also a serious competition between the two groups. I've looked at only a couple of pages of the introduction and have already picked up a couple of insights that I hadn't known.
I hope you're taking some time to read a book or two this summer. I prefer paper and print but that's just me. However you get it, find something good to read. It will be time well spent (and don't we want to spend our time well?).
"Motivation for Ministry" by Nathan R. Pope. This book was written in the early 1990's by a veteran pastor who believes that a pastor's motivation for ministry to God's people is simple: all things are done to the glory of God. I'm about half way through the book and have been greatly encouraged by this author's pen.
"A Short Guide to a Happy Life" by Anna Quindlen. This book was recommended to me by a friend. It's 50 pages long so I'm guessing that it can be read in one sitting. Quindlen writes "Knowledge of our own mortality is the greatest gift God ever gives us because unless you know the clock is ticking, it is so easy to waste our days, our lives."
"A Storm of Swords" by George R.R. Martin. This is book three in the series from which "Game of Thrones" is based. I don't get HBO but I've found the books to be a captivating read. They need to be since each book runs a good 1000 pages.
"Beatles vs. Stones" by John McMillian. The author is not a pop music writer but a college professor. He dives into the various ways the two bands were marketed in the UK and the USA. I'm gathering that while members of the Beatles and Rolling Stones were friends, there was also a serious competition between the two groups. I've looked at only a couple of pages of the introduction and have already picked up a couple of insights that I hadn't known.
I hope you're taking some time to read a book or two this summer. I prefer paper and print but that's just me. However you get it, find something good to read. It will be time well spent (and don't we want to spend our time well?).
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
I'm glad God is more forgiving than the USGA
Watching the US Open last weekend was painful.
It seemed to me that the gold course had been set up in such a way that unless golfers hit the perfect shot they were going to be in trouble.
Again and again, one pro after another would hit an iron onto the green only to watch it slide off into a sand trap or roll backward 20 or 40 or 100 yards or more from the pin.
It must have been frustrating for the best golfers in the world to hit a great shot and get nothing or even be penalized for it.
At the US Open the participants had to be perfect.
I'm glad God doesn't expect such perfection.
It was our imperfection, our sin, that caused God the Father to send His only begotten Son to save us.
The writer to the Hebrews puts it like this: "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all...For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (10:10,14)
Jesus' one time, perfect sacrifice paid the penalty for all our sins. But by that one sacrifice Christ has made us perfect, those being sanctified or made holy by the work of the Spirit.
What we are unable to accomplish, our gracious God does for us.
Rather than demanding perfection, the Father clothes us in the perfect righteousness of Jesus.
I'm glad God is more forgiving, more gracious than the USGA.
It seemed to me that the gold course had been set up in such a way that unless golfers hit the perfect shot they were going to be in trouble.
Again and again, one pro after another would hit an iron onto the green only to watch it slide off into a sand trap or roll backward 20 or 40 or 100 yards or more from the pin.
It must have been frustrating for the best golfers in the world to hit a great shot and get nothing or even be penalized for it.
At the US Open the participants had to be perfect.
I'm glad God doesn't expect such perfection.
It was our imperfection, our sin, that caused God the Father to send His only begotten Son to save us.
The writer to the Hebrews puts it like this: "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all...For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (10:10,14)
Jesus' one time, perfect sacrifice paid the penalty for all our sins. But by that one sacrifice Christ has made us perfect, those being sanctified or made holy by the work of the Spirit.
What we are unable to accomplish, our gracious God does for us.
Rather than demanding perfection, the Father clothes us in the perfect righteousness of Jesus.
I'm glad God is more forgiving, more gracious than the USGA.
Monday, June 22, 2015
A prayer for the beginning of the week
This week we may be given
challenges instead of ease
courage instead of contentment
opportunities instead of rest
But we have a Savior who brings
strength out of service
faith out of struggle
and victory out of defeat
Go, then, fearful of nothing
sure that in everything
we are held secure
in the Master's steadfast love. Amen.
E. Lee Phillips
challenges instead of ease
courage instead of contentment
opportunities instead of rest
But we have a Savior who brings
strength out of service
faith out of struggle
and victory out of defeat
Go, then, fearful of nothing
sure that in everything
we are held secure
in the Master's steadfast love. Amen.
E. Lee Phillips
Saturday, June 20, 2015
A prayer for Saturday
O Lord, the source of eternal light: shed forth your unending day upon us who watch for You, that our lips may praise You, our lives may bless You, and our worship tomorrow give You glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the "Book of Common Prayer"
Join us for worship at Life in Christ this weekend. Saturday's service is held at 5 pm; Sunday services take place at 8 and 10:45 am.
From the "Book of Common Prayer"
Join us for worship at Life in Christ this weekend. Saturday's service is held at 5 pm; Sunday services take place at 8 and 10:45 am.
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