Christians With Attitudes

My friend Travis has a great post on being an example for Christ. He works in a printing business and brings more horror stories than the ones here about Christians just losing their minds over the small things in life. We are supposed to be different. We are supposed to exemplify Christ not act like the world. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that if you call yourself a Christian but you have never let Christ into your life to change you and your bad attitude or fowl mouth, you may not be a Christian at all.

We are told that many will show up on judgment day and say, “Lord, Lord” and Jesus is going to say, “I knew you not.” Let him in, and let Jesus truly change you and he will change your life. If you don’t want that then just stop being a jerk when you deal with people that know you are a Christian so maybe they will at least not hate the church and Christ because of you.

Thanks a Lot, Church!

Urban Exile: Re-discovering Justice? | Out of Ur | Conversations for Ministry Leaders

I receive a weekly newsletter from Leadership Journal and I usually just go through the main articles then file it in my leadership folder for future reference.  Today I scrolled through it and decided to go to their blog called Out of UR.  David Swanson has written a very good article about the new move toward a social justice in our conservative churches.

About four years ago we had a guy come to our church to help us discover our mission and try to figure out how to reach our community.  During one of these session I pointed out that our church does no mission work either in our neighborhood or abroad.  I was met with a resounding what are you talking about our this and we that.  So I knew we were going to get no where.  Yes we give about 13% of our budget to missions but we do no missional work what so ever.  But I digress

This article points out what I was trying to tell our congregation 4 years ago.  We need to see the hurting and get involved.  Unlike the social gospel movement in more liberal churches we are equipped to share the gospel when we do these missional projects.  My point is that we need to get involved.  Read the article I think you will like it.

Urban Exile: Re-discovering Justice? | Out of Ur | Conversations for Ministry Leaders.

Been Thinking About » Messianics, Law, and Grace

Mart De Haan gives a great look at Paul and without saying it, legalism.  He shows how Paul looked at the law as a mirror of ourselves not as something to be lived up to.

He never denied that the law of Moses tells the truth about us. He just used the law like a doctor uses diagnostic tests. Not as a cure, but to show what’s wrong.

Been Thinking About » Messianics, Law, and Grace.

It Is The Start of a New Era In America

If you know anything about me you know I did not support President Elect Obama in the election.  However I want to echo Senator McCain’s pledge to support him in his presidency.  Coming from a military background I understand what the cohesiveness of supporting the Commander-in-Chief.  I served under President Clinton and did not agree with many of his decisions. I supported him anyway.  We can not all live the Rush Limbaugh disdain for those who do not agree with us.  We don’t get paid to be that way and Rush does.  We have to live with those around us and as Christians we are called to love not hate.  We need to voice our disagreement when bill are passed on abortion or marriage. We don’t need to hat and let our emotions drive us when we speak on these subjects.

God is sovereign in all this.  There is a reason that our President will be Barak Obama.  Remember that.  No matter if Oprah believes that positive thinking put him in place.  God has a reason for him to be there.  Romans 13 says it this way:

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Pray for all of our elected officials.  Pray for our country. Pray for our world.  Serve where you can.

Steve

Another great blog post with perspective on how we should really look at this election.

Prophetic vs. Political: Thoughts on the Day After Obama’s Election

Presidential Prayer Team: so you can pray for the president

The Church & Politics Quiz | LeadershipJournal.net

I ran across this quiz and it gives a pretty good perspective on where I stand as far as the church and politics. I am considered a private patriot. Take the quiz and see where you rank.

The Church & Politics Quiz | LeadershipJournal.net.