Perspectives on Creation

“He counts the stars and calls them all by name.”
~ Psalm 147:4

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.”
~ Psalm 19:1-4

“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
   the moon and the stars you set in place—
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
      human beings that you should care for them?”
~ Psalm 8:3-4

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.”
~ Psalm 139:13-16

Technology in the Pulpit?

Today, while catching up on some of the blogs and forums I follow, I read an interesting thread.

The initial post was titled “playbook in church” (‘playbook’ being the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet):

“spotted! my pastor at church uses his playbook as his bible during his sermon. im not sure if he is using notes or the bible app , either way playbook has made it to the pulpit. AMEN”

I had to smile, as I’ve been using my HP TouchPad religiously (pun intended) on Sunday mornings ever since I received it a few months ago.  I’ve even used it in a wedding ceremony.  I’ve found it to be a great ministerial help, so much so that I’m sure I’ll blog about it at some point.  As it stands, I can’t imagine going back to paper notes.

Having said that, I want to share one of the comments someone posted to that thread.  Bear in mind, virtually all of the replies (135 at last count) were overwhelmingly positive.

“Using a tablet in church seems a little over the top, even for pastors. Seriously, I doubt that God is amused...”

I’m wondering why the author of this comment feels this way.  Thoughts, anyone?

Shake Off the Dust

Here are a few scriptures that have spoken measures to me in recent weeks; verses that have been especially cathartic as I’ve been striving to put the past behind me, and to freely move into the next chapter of my life:

"Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them." - 2 Timothy 2:14

"Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.  A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants." - 2 Timothy 2:23-26

"Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them." - Titus 3:9-11

There are times when it is important to defend the faith (Jude 1:3), but there is also a time to shake off the dust and to move on (Matthew 10:14).

This is where I am in my journey, as I begin a new year.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you all,

Pastor Joe

My Pastoral Resolutions

• I resolve to be a man of constant joy, prayer, and thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
• I resolve to love my wife as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25), and to manage my own family and household well (1 Timothy 3:4).
• I resolve to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).
• I resolve to do my best to present myself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15-16).
• I resolve to preach the word of God, to be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not, to patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage the people with good teaching (2 Timothy 4:2).
• I resolve to guard myself and God’s people. I will feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed me as pastor (Acts 20:28).
• I resolve to care for the flock that God has entrusted to me; to watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what I will get out of it, but because I am eager to serve God; to not lord it over the people assigned to my care, but lead you by my own good example (1 Peter 5:2-3).
• I resolve to use the spiritual gifts that God has entrusted to me with to serve you (1 Peter 4:10), to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility value others above myself, not looking to my own interests but to the interest of others (Philippians 2:3-4), and to be the servant of all (Mark 9:35).
• I resolve to rejoice with those who rejoice, to mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15), and to share in your burdens (Galatians 6:2).
• I resolve to strive to forget the past and to look forward to what lies ahead, to press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Philippians 3:13-14).

A Few Verses on Truth

"I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit" - Romans 9:1

"Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God." - 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15

"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." - 1 Corinthians 13:6

They Gave Him a Manger for A Cradle…

‎"They gave him a manger for a cradle,
a carpenter's bench for a pulpit,
thorns for a crown, and a cross for a throne.
He took them and made them the very glory of his career."
~ W.E. Orchard

For the Glory of God

I've heard much ado as of late about how Christians shouldn't do this or celebrate that because of the ties to paganism.

Instead of cowering behind a fear of being corrupted by paganism and risking incurring God’s wrath, it’s important to see this issue in the light of the New Covenant given to us through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross.

Jesus said, "If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that." (Matthew 5:27 NIV) Should we then not show kindness at all, because we don't want to be associated with paganism?

Reread the passage -- Jesus isn't telling us not to do what the pagans do, but to live our lives in such a way that brings honor to Him, that if people found out we were Christians, they wouldn't be surprised at all.  No, we are not to call ourselves Christians, yet continue to live sinful, worldly lives.  Instead, we are to “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:12)

Don't just be kind only to your friends, but be kind also to strangers, even to your enemies.  Live your life with a heart of love, not love merely reserved for those who love us, but for all, unconditionally and radically.

Likewise, don't not celebrate Christmas because it's "pagan."  Don't only celebrate it on December 25th.  Celebrate it every day in the way you act, talk, live!

“In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.  Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God.  For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves.  If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.” - Romans 14:5-9

“For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks?  If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?  So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:29b-31

What “pagan” customs should we stay away from?

“For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.  They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.  But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” - 1 Peter 4:3-6 NIV

“Israel failed to destroy the nations in the land, as the Lord had commanded them.  Instead, they mingled among the pagans and adopted their evil customs.  They worshiped their idols, which led to their downfall.  They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons.  They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters.  By sacrificing them to the idols of Canaan, they polluted the land with murder. They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the Lord’s sight.” - Psalm 106:34-39

Jesus said, “It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth… the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you.  For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.” (Matthew 15:11,18-19)

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God!