The video below is of the Friday evening service at Youth Challenge 2009. My good friend, former pastor and mentor John Manley preaches a stirring message in this video that you must watch! If you have ever wondered if there is hope for someone like you - watch this video! If you want to skip ahead to the preaching go to around 01:28:00.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween Reformation Day
Today is Halloween Reformation Day. 492 years ago today Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the doors of a church in Wittenburg Germany.
Sadly, the church in America is in need of Reformation just as much as the medieval church. Take for instance the first of Luther's 95 Theses: "When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said "Repent", He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance." I think we may need another Reformation on this point alone! Many of today's preachers rarely, if ever, preach repentance.
Today I celebrate the Reformation - not Halloween! And may God once again grant a Reformation in the Church of today!
Sadly, the church in America is in need of Reformation just as much as the medieval church. Take for instance the first of Luther's 95 Theses: "When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said "Repent", He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance." I think we may need another Reformation on this point alone! Many of today's preachers rarely, if ever, preach repentance.
Today I celebrate the Reformation - not Halloween! And may God once again grant a Reformation in the Church of today!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Thursday, October 08, 2009
The role and responsibility of a Shepherd
My Conference President Walter Hedstrom included the following in his weekly email to us pastors. I thought it was very good so I thought I would post it here:
The role and responsibilities of a shepherd are very demanding. The book "Turnaround churches" states.....Shepherds of biblical times lived and worked in parched, inhospitable, and dangerous environs. The occupation was not for the weak. Shepherds encountered harsh weather, rough terrain, and predators...loneliness was expected...Solitude was the norm...Uncertainty was daily fare...The shepherd never heard a word of gratitude from those he carried, restored, fed, and protected. He, however, did not work for the sheep, he tended sheep for HIS MASTER.May God help me to be a good shepherd as I tend my sheep for the Master!
I think he's right
In the video below Paul Washer says that Calvinism is not the issue - regeneration is. While I am a strong Wesleyan-Arimian and have massive issues with Calvinism I have to agree with him on this issue. Of course I would imagine that I probably have a differing opinion of when regeneration occurs and how it occurs than Washer, but at least he's right about the importance of it.
If someone has been truly born again and regenerated - having turned from the way of sin to following Jesus they are a brother or sister in Christ. Because of various reasons they may be a Calvinist but I can still have fellowship with them because of what God has done and is doing in their lives.
Where there's a problem is with people who claim to be Christians whose lives have never been changed because they've never been truly born again, or since being born again they have returned, like a dog to its vomit, to a sinful life all while still claiming to be a Christian because they were "once saved always saved." My primary concern then is not to convert people to Wesleyan-Arminism but to get them converted! (Of course, I think God will eventually "convert" their minds as well :-)
HT: Arminian Today
In totally unrelated news I've been considering deleting this blog. I've lost interest/haven't had the time/realized I have less of a perspective than I used to/use Facebook now, and so I'm considering doing away with it - not that anyone probably cares, I just thought I mention what I've been thinking about.
If someone has been truly born again and regenerated - having turned from the way of sin to following Jesus they are a brother or sister in Christ. Because of various reasons they may be a Calvinist but I can still have fellowship with them because of what God has done and is doing in their lives.
Where there's a problem is with people who claim to be Christians whose lives have never been changed because they've never been truly born again, or since being born again they have returned, like a dog to its vomit, to a sinful life all while still claiming to be a Christian because they were "once saved always saved." My primary concern then is not to convert people to Wesleyan-Arminism but to get them converted! (Of course, I think God will eventually "convert" their minds as well :-)
HT: Arminian Today
In totally unrelated news I've been considering deleting this blog. I've lost interest/haven't had the time/realized I have less of a perspective than I used to/use Facebook now, and so I'm considering doing away with it - not that anyone probably cares, I just thought I mention what I've been thinking about.
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