Staying Home from Church

[Warning: Potential legalism approaching]

Today a Pastor friend asked me my opinion about professing Christians who stay home from church more often than not. What are we to make of their spiritual condition? Another question, what do we do to try to minister to these folks? Here is a passage to use as you reflect on this issue:

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:23-25

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments about this issue that many pastors struggle with.

Are you smarter than a blonde 5th grader?

I don't really like "blonde" jokes. But, I do like funny jokes. I'm not very smart so visual aids have always been my friend.

Check out the diagram below. Substitute "Jon's Geometry test" and you have an indication of my ability to assist my daughter, who is a 5th grader.



I'll admit, I laughed out loud.

God is at work!

What a great joy it is to know that God is at work in the hearts of men, all over the planet. He is at work on the "Emerald Isle," in remote mountain villages and in the lives of pagan tribal chiefs. God is working in the deserts of Arizona, the mountains of West Virginia and even in a tiny borough just outside of Louisville, Kentucky.

I have recently been encouraged to hear of men and women all over the world coming to faith in our Savior. The words of 2 Corinthians 4 have impacted me to see with fresh eyes why we preach, what we preach and how God uses vessels of "clay" in his service.

All for His glory alone!

A Step Towards Life

Brian LeStourgeon and Albert Mohler both speak to the US Supreme Court decision to uphold the ban against partial-birth abortion. This is certainly a step towards life.

[Notice I put my buddy first and the really well known seminary President second. Go Brian!]

"Just" Pray

I received an email today that originated with Dennis Rainey from FamilyLife ministries. The crux of the message was a worldwide call to prayer for the victims and families affected by the tragic events on the Virginia Tech campus. This is a must read article. Apparently Rainey's daughter has been instrumental in stirring the hearts of many student leaders on campuses all over the world to PRAY. This article will inspire you, challenge you and comfort you.

Often, as believers, we say to someone in need, "There's not much else I can do but pray." Wow! How we limit our Sovereign God and diminish the power at our disposal. The privilege we have, because of God's grace in Christ, to enter into the very presence of Almighty God. The One who "hung the moon." He loves us and is pleased when we flee to him in praise, thanksgiving and supplication.

I would challenge you to urgently seek our Father today on behalf of this situation. Think about it. You can step into the throne room of the King of Glory! What an honor and a joy, to "just" pray.


Additionally, Tim Challies has linked to this interesting article about Scientologists involvement on the VT campus.

VT Tragedy

As news unfolded yesterday about the tragedy at Virginia Tech I had a sick feeling in my stomach. What is most interesting is to listen to reporters and others as they analyze the situation. Someones worldview becomes very clear as they articulate "why" this shooting took place etc.

I heard someone comment yesterday morning that, "shootings like this have become common only in recent years" (my paraphrase). I disagreed. My mind immediately went back to February 1977. I was in the 7th grade at Hayes Jr. High School. It was a snowy morning. Our homeroom class was extended for about 2 hours. Eventually we heard the sound of a State Police helicopter landing on our campus. We would all learn later that one of our classmates had been shot dead by another student. Several teens witnessed the tragic event. That was probably the first time I had the sick feeling in my stomach. It was odd, but I realized that death had come to a 14 year old that day. This was difficult to process. By the way, the shooter at my Jr. High had never listened to gangster rap or played violent video games. Neither existed in 1977. So, why did he do what he did?

Years later I have a different level of understanding about the depravity of man. That is what has been magnified for us in the horrible events on the VT campus, although the media calls it by other names. It's not acceptable in our politically correct culture to call it "sin," but that's what it is. The man who sprayed bullets into classrooms yesterday was displaying his sinful nature. I heard one talking head say that the shooter wanted to "go out in a blaze of glory." Today in chapel Dr. Mohler, Southern Seminary President, rightly stated that sin robs God of his glory. Well put, given the aforementioned assertion about the desire of the shooter. Read an article by Mohler here.

It is at times like this that we pray for those touched by these terrible events. God is able to comfort and heal. He is able to bring peace and clarity. Moreover, he can get much glory during this time. Many will have questions. Will we have answers? This may be an opportunity for us, as believers, to shed the light of the gospel into a dark and tragic situation. How will you respond?

To Every Tribe

Last night our church had the privilege of hosting David Sitton and Rod Conner from To Every Tribe Ministries. Sitton is the President of this missions organization. What a blessing! You may link to the ministry web page here.

Their ministry efforts focus on several locations in Mexico as well as New Guinea. They target tribes and people groups that are unreached. These are people who have never heard the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. The primary core value of To Every Tribe is God's glory.

I have known Rod Conner for over 30 years, no joke. (You didn't realize I was so, mature.) He was our youth pastor at Randolph Street Baptist Church in Charleston, WV. It was such a joy to spend the evening with him and see his heart for missions, his desire to reach the lost and to make an eternal impact in the lives of the unreached. Please join me in praying for this ministry. Take a moment to visit their web page. It is clear, God is doing a mighty work among tribal people in a land far away from where we live comfortable lives. The gospel is at work. Pagans who formerly worshiped "spirits" and lived violent, evil lives are being born into the family of God. I was just as lost without Christ, how gracious our God is! The magnitude of this work is often lost on us.

"It is too small a thing that you should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light to the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth." Isaiah 49:6

Good Move for Herd Hoops

[Okay, two days in a row I post about basketball. Not the primary focus of my blog but nonetheless it's here.]

Marshall University makes a great move by hiring Florida assistant Donnie Jones as their new men's basketball coach. Jones is a solid guy with roots in WV, not to mention he has two national championship rings to his credit as part of the Gators staff.

I met Jones about 50 years ago, okay maybe not 50. It was more like 15 years ago. I was working at the University of Charleston in admissions and Donnie was in a similar capacity at Pikeville College. Our paths crossed a couple of times and he seemed like a great guy. In addition to his admissions duties he was also an assistant basketball coach. Jones played collegiate ball at Pikeville for some coach named Greg White. Needless to say his career has taken him to a bit bigger stage than Pikeville, Kentucky...or Point Pleasant (his hometown) for that matter. But, in true form, West Virginians love to come home.

I look for the Thundering Herd to regain their swagger. This is a great move for Marshall basketball! More info here.

Huggins and WVU Hoops

West Virginia University has just announced the hiring of a new men's basketball coach. You can read some details here from the conservative Charleston newspaper.

I am not a WVU graduate, (although I could have nearly had an associates degree based on time spent there for parties/ballgames) but I am a native West Virginian. I have really enjoyed following WVU basketball for the past several years with the rise of the 1-3-1 zone defense and 3 point bombs, exciting stuff. Sorry to see John Beilein leave the "Mountain State."

Enter Bobby Huggins. I want to be perfectly clear: I'm not thrilled with this move by WVU. Although they didn't consult with me, surprising I know. Huggins is notorious for running a "thug" type program that features players with lots of skill and even more attitude. He has a win-at-all-costs persona and his coaching career has been tarnished with negative headlines and NCAA sanctions. But, he is a home-grown guy who is also a proven winner.

Huggins style of play does not match the current players on the Mountaineer roster. It might be messy in Morgantown in the coming months. I can say for certain, I will never be a Huggins fan. For now, this Mountaineer will take a wait and see. My guess is, Huggins will have players doing jail time before he ever takes WVU to the Final Four. Am I being negative? We shall see.

Quotable

"We live and die; Christ died and lived!"
John Stott

Comments for this Blog

For the benefit of those new to blogs, [read some of my family members] here is a tip. Note just below every post is a link - "Comments." If you click on that link it will open a window and allow you to leave a comment for all to read. Your comment will not show up immediately, I have to "publish" it, so be patient. DO NOT click on the little picture of an envelope unless you wish to email THE POST to a friend.

It's really easy. So, leave a comment...now, I mean leave one now!

By His Wounds We Are Healed!

"Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
and our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
and by His scourging we are healed.
All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him." Isaiah 53:4-6

On the recently released "Glory Revealed" CD you will find an awesome song based on the Is. 53 text. The song is entitled "By His Wounds." You can listen online here. [make sure your sound is on, if you have dial-up be patient] It is well worth the 3 minutes.

Take time to reflect on the price that was paid for you. Jesus Christ bore the wrath of God on behalf of wicked sinners. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Encouraging Words

In recent weeks I have been encouraged in reading The Autobiography of George Muller. Muller lived and ministered around London in the mid 1800s. He was a pastor and itinerant preacher. However, his greatest work for the cause of Christ was the "orphan houses" that he founded and operated for many years. Muller was a man of great faith and a giant in prayer. His autobiography allows a peek into his prayer closet as he tells of the trials and victories of his life and ministry. I have been both encouraged and convicted by this man's account of his walk with the Lord. He prayed like many of us would aspire to pray, but precious few of us ever do.

Below is an entry dated March 17, 1842. Read it, and be challenged to draw closer to our great and awesome God.

"This morning our poverty, which now has lasted for several months, became exceedingly great. I left my house a few minutes after seven to go to the Orphan Houses to see whether there was enough money to buy milk. I prayed that the Lord would have mercy on us, even as a father has mercy on is children. I reminded Him of the consequences that would result, both in the lives of believers and unbelievers, if we had to give up the work because of lack of money, and that He therefore would not permit it to fail.

While I was walking and praying, I met a brother who was on his way to work. I greeted him and walked on, but he ran after me and gave me one pound for the orphans. Thus the Lord speedily answered my prayer.

Truly, it is worth being poor and greatly tried in faith for the sake of having such precious, daily proof of the loving interest which our kind Father takes in everything that concerns us. How could our Father do otherwise? He gave us the greatest possible proof of His love when He gave us His own Son. Surely He will also freely give us all things."