So, who was Lottie Moon? Do you know? Is it just a name on an offering for you? Click here for more information on Lottie Moon
Is Church Membership Too Easy?
Baptist Press recently ran this article about church membership. Read it and let me know what you think. Is it truly too easy?
On one hand, I see the author's point? Why should I expect a church to accept me as a member just because I "do the right thing?" As the author states:
One of the easier organizations to join is a Baptist church. Not much is required. Walk down an aisle, gently grasp the pastor’s hand, nod affirmatively at his leading questions, correctly fill out the card on the clipboard, stand before the congregation and listen to their “Amen” as the pastor asks if they are “glad you have come today.” As one who once was a church member before becoming a Christian, I am aware that it is quite possible to join some churches without being a follower of Christ.
On the other hand, does the body have this right? The only person who knows if I am saved or not is the Almighty God. How can men judge that?
Right now, I'm undecided but leaning towards the "proving" part…at least in some basic way. I should have to demonstarte to my brothers and sisters that I should be allowed to join them. They should know me before they allow me to join. If they don't know me, how can they vote up or down? And, as God says:
For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Dr. Rankin
Every Wednesday, the IMB has chapel. Occsionally, there is a special chapel service where new employees are introduced, terms of service are recognized, etc…. Today was one of those services. As a new employee I was introduced, stood up, everyone applauded, etc…. Afterwards, I hung around to speak with some people and meet new people. Well, while I was standing there, I turned around and was face to face with Dr. Rankin. If you don't know, he is the President of the IMB. (If you want, you can find out more information about him here at the IMB website.)
We made some small talk. He mentioned that it was good to have me there. I said it was good to be there. Standard stuff. However, combined with what he said in chapel, his past, etc…, this came across as very nice and real. Here is a guy who has TONS of stuff to do–remember, the SBC annual meeting is coming up–and he takes time to show up at chapel. But not only that…he makes time afterwards to make conversation. That meant something to me. It gave me a feeling I never had at NiSource about the CEO there.
Williamsburg
Cyndi and I went to Colonial Williamsburg on Memorial Day. Here is a link to the pictures we took. Enjoy!
Boldness
Last night, Cyndi and I went back to Staples Mill Road Baptist Church for their Sunday Evening Service. On Sunday Evenings, the interm pastor is going through the book of Acts. Last night, he brought a message on boldness. His text?
I will sumarize:
* Peter and John are going to the temple
* They see a beggar
* Peter had no money to give the man
* God healed the beggar
* Peter and John preached a great sermon to the people
* Religious leaders didn't like it
* Peter and John were arrested
* Peter hand John were told not to preach any more
* Peter and John said they could only tell what they had witnessed
* The disciples prayed for boldness
As Christians, we are going to be put in hard situations. All around the world, Christians are persecuted for what they believe. Here in the US, we are intimidated. Our reaction should be to pray for boldness! We shouldn't back down! Continue going forward! We shouldn't go looking for trouble: we shouldn't walk up and punch someone in the face. However, when trouble finds us–someone says quit speaking about Jesus or I'll punch you in the face– we should be bold and continue to speak!
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Christian artist refuses to alter mural
When Napa High School senior Kyle Trudelle began his art project – a mural depicting steps leading to a castle in the clouds – he didn't imagine some students would start a petition to stop him for violating the separation of church and state or school officials would order him to put down his brush while district lawyers reviewed the matter – particularly since there was already an adjacent mural depicting Our Lady of Guadalupe, an important religious figure to Catholics and the large portion of the student body of Mexican decent.
Kyle, I support you. Don't change the painting. Stand up for what you believe. Be bold!
Memorial Day
Today the US is celebrating Memeorial Day. It is a day set aside to remember those who have served, fought, and died to preserve our freedom. Without their sacrifice, who knows our country would be like.
The Navy Hymn
I'n sure everyone has heard the hymn Eternal Father, Strong to Save. Did you also know that it is The Navy Hymn? Did you also know that verses have been written covering just about every job in the US Navy? Well, if you have never been to chapel on a military base, you may not; however, it is true.
Several years ago, my mom asked me if I knew where she could get verse such and such. I didn't think it would be that hard but it was. It took me a few hours to find all the verses. I eventually found them on a US Navy site (somewhere). Because I think it came from a US Government source, it is public domain; however, it may not be. If you are the/a copyright owner and you want your verse/the whole thing removed, send me an e-mail.
Richmond House Pics
To see pictures of our new house in Richmond, go to http://techs4jesus.dynup.net/webpics/200505RichmondHouse/. Enjoy!
NiSource Outsourcing
Even though I have left NiSource, I still want to keep up on the outsourcing so I talk to friends regularly. I have heard that IBM has started the interview process. Of course, all the company says is some people will stay NiSource, some will be rebadged, and others will loose their jobs.
At the outset of the project, the employees were supposed to know by the end of May what was going to happen. Well, that has been pushed back to the end of June.
Good luck to all at NiSource!