Why are we here?

For Christ sent me, not to give baptism, but to be a preacher of the good news: not with wise words, for fear that the cross of Christ might be made of no value. 1Cor. 1:17

Paul certainly had focus. He had a laser sharp focus. We believers get so obsessed about baptism, communion and the right way to do church that we lose of our central mission. We are here to announce the good news to the poor, to bring healing to the broken and recovery of sight to the blind.
Now that Easter is past are you getting ready for Pentecost? Let's ask the Jesus to refresh us with His Holy Spirit and set us ablaze with a passion to bring the great news to the world.
Don't worry if you don't have a lot of fancy words, the cross speaks for itself.

Simony

I have always believed the Gospel is to be offered freely without charge. It bugs me when I see so-called ministries charging for their services. Up until now I did not have a word for this activity but the other day I came across the term Simony. It's an old word, but I think it's time to revive it in Christian circles. Can you imagine Jesus offering his "Sermon on the Mount" audio series for a one time gift of a hundred dollars? How about Peter charging fees to provide coaching to church planters? It would have been ridiculous then and it's ridiculous now.

Come Lord Jesus and separate the sheep from the goats.
Like wolves they feast themselves on your people and satisfy themselves with your lambs.
They speak from their own minds with boasting words and for a fee prophesy lies.
But you Lord, offered yourself freely for the sake of love.
You poured yourself out and gave all for your bride.
May we follow your example and give our all to you and you alone.

Isaiah 55:1

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."

Jeremiah 23:1

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD.

The Word Made Flesh

He could have remained far above us in his holy heaven. Angels attend him and perfection surrounds him, but he did not remain removed and aloof; God came down to us. In fact, he actually became one of us. He shared in our pain, our sweat, our grime.

He could have written us off. He could have decided we were not worth the effort. If we destroyed each other, that was our problem. Love compelled him. Love could not sit idle while humanity continued it's steady slide into self destruction. Love had to intervene.

He could have just sent us a bible and left it at that, but that would not do. He could have sent an angel or a prophet but he did more than that; he came in person. He did not want to just tell us the message of salvation he decided to be our salvation. He wanted us to see, feel and know clearly that he loves us and wants us to be with him.

Behold, the Word made flesh. God among us.

Advent - Are You Ready?

Every year our family celebrates Advent. It's a great way to lead the family in our devotion to Christ. We light the candles, read scripture, sing hymns and discuss the deeper things of life. I believe every man is pastor of his own family and that church-life begins at home. That may sound a bit chauvinistic in this modern day, but it has been my experience that most christian women have a strong desire for their husbands to take the lead in spiritual things. If you are tired of the commercialism of the holidays, perhaps it's time to make a change?
How do you take the lead in your family to prepare for the advent of the king?

Outlive Your Life

Outlive Your Life, by Max Lucado
When I first saw this book I was a bit wary of the title. I was wondering if it was going
to be another one of those positive self-help books promising happiness and roses if we
follow the authors ten step plan. I was surprised to find a book that actually challenged
my thinking about living out my faith. The real life stories of every day people
doing awesome things was encouraging and scary at the same time. Encouraging
because these every day Joes or as Max called them Mr. Pot Roast, were just like me
and scary for the same reason. I was inspired by the interspersion of prayer at the conclusion of each chapter. If your a couch potato with no interest in helping others then this book
is not for you, but if you have any inclination to live beyond yourself this is
a good place to start. You can make a difference just by buying the book. The profits
from the book are going to be donated to World Vision, so go ahead, Outlive Your Life.
I was provided a copy of this book for review from Thomas Nelson. If you have a blog and
like to read/review books check out their program at http://booksneeze.com.

What a Real Prophet Might Look Like

I'm not sure I have ever met a real prophet, I may have and not known it. I do have some thoughts on what a real prophet would look like.

• A real prophet would speak by the Spirit and have no need of human dramatics.
  
• A real prophet would point people to Jesus and make Christ the center of attention.
• A real prophet would speak about real things, not just empty wish fulfillment.
• A real prophet would be hated by the world, because the world hates the one he speaks for.
• A real prophet would not be quick to speak in Jesus name, knowing he will have to give account for every word.
• A real prophet would not need to advertise, his reputation would precede him.
• A real prophet would not appeal for money, he knows who meets his needs.
• A real prophet would not manipulate or control people, we are all brothers and sisters in the Lord.
• A real prophet would accept feedback graciously, because the church has the right to judge prophecy.
• A real prophet would make mistakes, he is just a brother after all.
• A real prophet would admit he made mistakes, he knows there is only one perfect with all knowledge.

May the Lord give us prophets who speak the truth in love by the Spirit.

A New HC Blog in Town

I've been recently introduced to a HC blogger in the Portland area. His site is a good read. I like the title: "The Ekklesia in Southern Maine" It's exciting to read the adventures of a fellow traveler out here on the fringes of this thing we call church. I pray that the Father may direct Dan and company through the spirit of wisdom and knowledge in Christ.
Peace.

Storm Warning By Billy Graham

Billy Grahams update of his 1992 apocalyptic commentary, conveys a message of hope and warning. Using the metaphor of gathering storms, he presents a way out and a place of safety for those willing to embrace the truth. Billy artfully draws comparisons between the four horseman of John's revelation and current events. Generously sprinkled with insightful anecdotes from his many years in ministry, I found this book to be an overall compelling read. Billy Graham does one thing and he does it well; he relates the gospel to the times he is in. He pulls no punches when it comes to addressing the needs of the human heart.
I'm not usually a fan of doomsday books, but when I saw that this one was written by an elder statesman of the faith, I thought it would be worth a look. I would say that this was not really a commentary on the book of Revelation as much as a backdrop for the Gospel message that Billy has preached for so many years. A message I am convinced the world needs, more today than at any other time. I was touched and inspired by his stories, drawn from a life lived to the full.
The book did suffer from thematic inconsistency at times. I found the switching of metaphor's to be a bit tedious. It seemed to vacillate between a bible commentary and an evangelistic sermon, but I guess that's what Billy does best; preaching the gospel. I would recommend this book to anyone who is just starting to ask questions about the gospel.
I was provided a copy of this book for review from Thomas Nelson. If you have a blog and like to read/review books check out their program at http://booksneeze.com.

How Little we Know

How little we know the Holy Spirit. We know much about Him, but how little we know of walking daily in His power and presence. We understand His deity, we can catalog His works and we can site the many promises of His coming, yet for all of our study and striving, the reality of fellowship with the Holy Spirit remains for many illusive. For many God is in His heaven and we just plod along as best we can on earth. Yet the promise of the Master remains. "I will never leave you or forsake you". "I will give you another Comforter and He will remain with you forever".
My intention in this study is not to simply gather more facts about the Holy Spirit, but to deepen my communion with Him. Jesus has promised to provide this comforter and Paul spoke of the "fellowship of the Spirit". What adventure awaits those who explore the depths of fellowship with the Spirit. What would He say to us? What mysteries would He reveal? What sin expose? With humble trust in the graciousness of Christ, let us seek to walk in daily, intimate communion with the Spirit of the Living God. Lead on dear Jesus. Lead on.

Inspired by "The Spirit of Christ" by Andrew Murray

We gather as the church to follow the leading of the Spirit.

If Christ is the head of the church then should he not be present at each meeting? In many churches the service is more like a funeral memorial than a visit with Christ. Many believers today have an image of Jesus as being somehow disconnected from His church, as though he was too far away to meet with us. Did not Jesus say that where two or three are gathered in his name he would be there? I hear that verse quoted a lot but I wonder how many take it to heart. By the working of the Spirit we have the real presence of Jesus with us.
Oh Lord, that we may follow as sheep, the great shepherd of our souls.

House Church Central - Grandaddy of all HC sites.

If your looking for a House Church this site has an old and venerable directory. Definitely worth checking out. House Church Central

About Gatherings

We gather as the church as often as we feel the need. This may seem a bit presumptuous to some but consider what the Master said in regard to keeping the Sabbath day, "The Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath." This must have blown the religious people of his day away! It would seem that Jesus wanted his people to not become subservient to a day. If the Jewish people under the law were not servants to the Sabbath, then why should we, children of grace, be servant to a standing meeting?