Category Archives: Just my thoughts

Whatever my brain is musing on at the time

Thoughts for the New Year

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“In our Christian pilgrimage it is well, for the most part, to be looking forward. Forward lies the crown—and onward is the goal. Whether it is for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the inspiring of our love—the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye of faith.

“Looking into the future, the Christian sees sin cast out, the body of sin and death destroyed, the soul made perfect, and fit to be a partaker of eternal glory. Looking further yet, the believer’s enlightened eye can see death’s river passed. He sees himself enter within the pearly gates, hailed as more than conqueror, crowned by the hand of Christ, embraced in the arms of Jesus, glorified with Him, and made to sit together with Him on His throne.”

—Charles Spurgeon, “The Grand Object of the Eye of Faith”

We have a great year and a great future in store for us. We have no reason to doubt or worry. We have Him, who carries us, who knows every second of our future and has it all under control.

May you all have a glorious 2010, and may you grow to be more like Jesus everyday, as you walk this journey as His disciple.

4 ‘W’ Churches

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There are several kinds of churches in America. I’m not talking about different denominations, or different religions. I’m talking about aspects of “Christian” churches. I can sum up 4 kinds with 4 W’s.

Many of the most common ones today – found throughout a WIDE difference of doctrine and denomination backgrounds from one another, dead, alive, whatever – is the Worldly church. These are “market driven”, denying the sufficiency of Scripture (perhaps not vocally or consciencely) adding much psychology, pragmatism, and entertainment to make the gospel appealing to the masses. Now I’m not against reaching the world, just justifying pragmatic methods that compromise the Gospel to do so, and I question the true and lasting “fruit” of such.

Then there is the Weird church. They have taken Bible truths of freedom and power and left the ones of holy living and reverence behind. They’re usually pretty pragmatic too, attempting to justify anything by “God told me so.” Now I’m not against “God told me so”, nor freedom in Christ, nor the power of the Holy Spirit alive and active today, only when the “word from God” is against clear Scripture commands and principles, and freedom becomes a license to sin, and power is man-constructed.

Then there is the Wasting church. The ones that are both dead and dying. They follow a ritual with no life in it. Make a check list of the few things they should do, and if they’re done it doesn’t matter what else they do. I’m not against Disciplines, only when they replace a transforming relationship with God.

What I’m wanting to see is a WOW church. One full of passion, purity, power, and purpose. A church based wholly on His Word, walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, trusting in the redemptive blood of Jesus. A church that loves God with all its heart, soul, and mind. A church that is set apart to be holy. A church that proclaims the Word in power with signs and wonders following. A church that has a mission calling from God that they pursue wholeheartedly for His glory alone by His prescribed methods. Many of the above churches may claim to be this, but … I just don’t see it.

At Jesus’ feet,
SDG,
Lisa