Preaching part deux…

Posted on by
1

So a couple of months ago I preached my second ever sermon. 

You can find the audio here.

I also preached my third ever sermon that evening as well.  Our pastor was on vacation and asked me if I would like to preach those slots.  I accepted, knowing that it was going to be a long day.  What I did learn however is that preaching twice in one day is a task for those who are truly called. 

I still think I have a lisp.

I still need work on my closings.

I will always seek to do better next time.

With all that said please listen to it, enjoy it, hate it, but at least leave a comment about which way you go with it.

Three Way God

Posted on by
Reply

God manifests to us as the father, son, and holy ghost. Much similar to the work John, church John, and home John.

The difference is that God will never contradict himself whereas the many versions of me do.

The three different manifestations of God represent different relationary principles.  While there are three different manifestations of God, they are one.  The concept of the holy trinity is very confusing and devisive.  I’ve heard of people poking fun at Christians for being polytheistic because of the Trinity.  For my personal use, the three different manifestations of God help me to relate in different situations.  The names are simple enough to see the correlation of the relationary principle each one implies.  While I may be able to relate to the different versions at different levels, they are still one being.  They are not merely similar in nature, but identical in makeup. 

How do I measure up to this versionistic(not even a word) God? 

Each version of me is filled with fatal flaws and faults.  No amount of self introspection will cure me.  I modify my being to fit in to each situation that I encounter without thought.  It becomes second nature to chameleon your way into life. 

Until I can clearly define only one John, God will continue to convict me of my personal character flaws.  When will I be able to define one John?  Pretty sure I will never releave myself from these multiple personality tendencies.  The worldly John wants nothing more than to fit in.  To conform to social norms.  However the true John seeks to rise above those norms and be all that God calls me to be. 

What does that even look like?

Wants vs. Needs

Posted on by
Reply

Somewhere along the way we seem to have confused wants and needs. As a proud member of the consumeristic culture of the United States I’ll be the first to say that I’m as guilty of this as the next person.

I need a new car.  It is what is essential for me to be able to get to work, transport my child and even get to church.

I want God to give me direction.  Sometimes God doesn’t answer my prayers in a way that I deem correct.  That allows me to think that there are times when God is silent on the direction he wants me to take which leaves room for me to figure it out for myself.

We have it all backwards.

We need God to move in our life.  Without his influence everything we do is just the motions.  Things we do because it is what is expected of us.  If we get to the point that we need God to direct us daily we will find everything just seems to fall into place.

We want a new shiny car.  While it may be what I think is necessary, I have to stop and realize that I’m wrong more often than I’m right.  I don’t want to want anything that God doesn’t show me that I need to have. 

A want is optional. A need is essential.

Insulting God

Posted on by
Reply

We often catch ourselves insulting others or speaking ill of them. Usually out of decency we do it behind their back. When confronted by our insults we vehemently deny it for fear of upsetting the insulted party. It’s just a level of common decency.

Why do we seem ok with our sin pattern?

Yes we were forgiven but every time we do it God is standing right next to us. Insulted.

Insulted that we would put so little weight in what he has done for us.  Insulted that we would put so little thought into our words and their impact.  Insulted that we would speak ill of one of his beautiful creations.

Progress…

Posted on by
Reply

So far I have lost 17 pounds and have gone down a pant size.  This is the only progress I have made so far on any goal. 

I guess I need to add an addendum.

I am finishing up some classes.  Once that is done my goals will come to the forefront of my list of things to do.  Right behind making a chicken coop and preparing our garden.  Thats right a chicken coop.  We currently own 6 chicks that will become the central hub of our farming operation.  Rumor has it that we might eventually inherit some honey bee’s as well.  I know, it’s a regular green acres acre almost acre.

Other than that, most of our projects have ceased for a while.

Goals…

Posted on by
1

I’ve been struggling with some goals that I have for this year.  Not so much resolutions.  More things that I would like to see done before the end of the year.  I realized quickly that the only way to have any level of accountability for these goals is to publish them.  It will enable me to look at them in writing on a daily basis but also inform those around me of the things that I really want to accomplish so they can be an encouragment. 

Lose 30lbs. 

Honestly I could stand to lose more than that but this is a start.  I’m already on my way to this one, but it is a daily struggle with understanding the difference between real physical hunger and mental hunger.  Knowing that while my mind may tell me I’m hungry, my body has all the nutrients and calories it needs to sustain is difficult.  Also I have a love obsession with food. 

Host a Secret Church event.

Secret Church is something I read about a long time ago.  I have some ideas about this and really feel like it could be very meaningful in the lives of Christians across denominations.  Whether it be a live simulcast or a reshowing of an old event, it is something I feel that needs to be done in our area.  If nothing more than to create an understanding that the “persecution” we think we feel living in a modern secular society is nothing compared to the rest of the world. 

Outline and launch a true Media Ministry.

We do a lot of media related stuff for our ministries at church.  However I want to truly hash out the ministry.  Complete with a robust video ministry and a consultation option for churches in our surrounding area that dont’t even know some of the cheap(or free) tools at their disposal to cast a larger net.  Help them to develop a better cohesiveness to their services through the effective use of technology and media.  We also need to do a better job of educating our own congregations of the tools at their disposal.  With technological advancements people can have a veritable library of biblical resources at their fingertips.  They just need to be shown what is out there.

The list isn’t incredibly long, but I need to leave room for anything new that might pop up, and the current obligations I have on my plate.