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First Post

Just my first post on my new blog.  I hope this will remain the home of Matt's Thoughts for a long time to come.

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Sorry

Ok guys, I'm sorry I haven't posted anything for a while. I was really busy at work and simply didn't take the time. Over the next few weeks, my website is going to chage (I'm working on upgrading the look and feel), so there may be fewer posts till that is done.

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IMB Controversy

I've stayed silent on this issue, but I thought I would take some time today and make a post about it. Just in case you haven't heard, the International Mission Board's board of trustees recently voted to change some candidate requirements. I'm not going to comment on what I think about it…I'm just going to blog about a misinterpret of the policy I have read (most of the problems people have with the policy revolve around this sort of thing, so this one is fairly representative).

Will Shin states on his blog "…it [baptism] is to be administered by ordained ministers only."

I think this is an incorrect interpretation. The policy simply states (you can read the whole thing ) ""…Baptism must take place in a church that practices believer’s baptism by immersion alone, does not view baptism as sacramental or regenerative, and a church that embraces the doctrine of the security of the believer." How do you read that and get that you have to be baptised by an ordaned minister? It simply means that the church where your baptism takes place has to believe in certain things…the body you join when you are baptised must believe certain things. If you are baptised outside in the creek (like many people are) are still valid (remember, a church isn't a building…it is a group of people), yes your baptism still counts.

[Update 10 March 2007] – As I was putting this post up on Maxsons.org, this one had formatting issues.  When I went to the link I had for Will Shin's blog, I realized that I missrepresented Will's position.  He was simply quoting Wade Burleson…he was not taking the position 

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Sunday, Christmas, and the Church

These two news reports just go to show the sad state of "the church" in America:

With Christmas falling on a Sunday, some churches break from tradition
Some churches to shut doors Christmas Day

What's more important: Santa or The One True Living God? Presents or Worship? Gifts or Worship? Come on people! Take a break from your self-centeredness for an hour on Christmas morning this year. You claim to be "christian," but you are not Christ-like. If you want to open presents that morning, just wake up a tad earlier. Better yet, why not practice some delayed gratification and open presents after church? Or how about opening them the night before? Think about your answers then tell me if you are a christian or not. Here are some examples:

Oh, we can't open them the night before, Santa hasn't brought them. Ahh, your true self is showing through. Are you teaching your kids the real reason for the season or that Santa brings them presents? What happens when they find out you've been lying to them all their life about Santa? Might they start to not trust other things you say?

We'll get busy with presents and forget church. Set an alarm and put it up and do what is necessary to get to church on time. Stop opening presents if you have to. Tell you kids to put them away…they'll be there when you return.

The kids can't wait. What's more important…God or worldly things?

Christians in America, we all need to step back, evaluate our lives, read the Bible, and decide are we "Christian" or are we truly Christians!?!?! Being a Christian is more than getting up and going to church on Sunday. Heck, its even more than going to church 3 times a week, being chairman of the deacons, and a Sunday School teacher! Christians were first called Christians because they were Christ-like. Is your life truly reflective of Christ? What does your Bible say about gathering together:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching

—Hebrews 10:25

 

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Christmas Cards

Cyndi and I have made our own Christmas Cards every year. I have decided to put them up on the Internet for anyone else who wants to use them. Eventually, they will be available in our online store. They are all copyright by Christian Computer Solutions; however, you are free to use them under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License.

Wise Men Still Seek Him
Wishing You A Merry Christmas
Christmas Reminds Us That God Keeps His Promises
Each Year We Gather To Celebrate

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License.