The Blogosphere

There are a lot of crazy blogs out there  (speak for yourself Buller) but if you are looking for some challenging ideas regarding todays church vs. todays culture check out http://www.qideas.org/blog/

All We Need Is Just A Little Patience

It’s occurred to me recently just how impatient I am. I want my sons room cleaned NOW! I want our church to reach more people NOW! I want lunch NOW!!

Maybe my Microwave mentality isn’t all that troubling given the limited time I have on the planet. BUT what happens when our impatience ceases to become a matter of inconvenience and begins to dictate how we live our lives. Or worse, affects how we treat the people God has placed in our lives?

When my impatience with my sons messy room results in my treating him as something less than the gift from God he is to me, has my impatience taken that relationship to a new low?

A friend of mine named Doug was not a kind soul in his younger days. He went as far as to say he was a tool for evil. I met Doug again several years ago. He talked a different story. He was a “Christian” now and involved in ministry. As hard as I tried I could not accept his “change of heart” on the spot. I wanted proof and I wanted it NOW!! I think I sinned against Doug that day. Does that make sense? Over the past few years I have seen a genuine change in Doug’s life. At the same time I’ve heard from God time and time again, “Patience Ed, Patience!”

Is there someone in your life that God wants you to be patient with? Is there something happening in your life that you should wait on just a little longer before you make a decision. The answer is YES!

The word of God clearly states that Patience is a Fruit of Gods spirit. I think Patience is actually an expression of Grace. Heaven knows I’d like more of it from others. 

Do you realize that taking more time and being less impatient is actually waiting on God?

Before making up your mind on something or someone this week, try approaching them or it with patience. You might be pleasantly surprised at the outcome. Read Galatians 5:22-26 while you’re at it.

What do you think?

Church on the Web?????

I received some constructive criticism this week about our church website. The criticism suggested that we should not be spending any money on a website for the church. Instead, the money could be spent elsewhere for better purposes.

My first instinct was to disregard the criticism. Then I thought about it. Imagine that, me actually thinking. So I took a trip over to my Facebook page and asked the question “Should churches spend money on websites?” The responses came back overwhelmingly positive. Words like “Yes” and “Absolutely” abounded. I quietly thanked myself that my thoughts about church websites had been vindicated!

Then God got a hold of me again. Imagine that, God prompting me to think. That’s twice now for those of you keeping track. Here is that God thought:

Exactly who would be visiting my Facebook site to answer the question “Should churches spend money on websites?” Well, people who spent a lot of time on computers of course! They are the only ones who look at my Facebook page. in short the people answering the question are all people who would be in favor of church websites People who already use technology as a tool for building the kingdom.

In other words I was preaching to the choir.

I’m still in favor of spending money on our church website. Last week I talked to no less than three people who said that one of the reasons why they attended our church for the first time was because of the information they found about our church on (drumroll please)  the website!

At the same time, I’m reminded that when we are seeking the truth about what people think it’s a good idea to ask everyone and not just those who you already know agree with you. If you’re not sure what I’m saying ask yourself this question.

How many times have I asked someone for advice and or input when I already know where their advice and or input will be?

That’s why I allowed seeking God! His advice is exciting, frustrating, mystifying, mind-numbing, life transforming, stretch the living daylights out of me-ing and so much more.  Rarely do I know exactly what I’m going to get from God until I honestly and openly ask him, seek him, listen to him and then do what he says.

1Corinthians 2:6-8

6We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

 Anyways, that’s what I think. What you think?

Halloween Apples

Ed talking to his daughter Alyson

Ed: Alyson, why do you celebrate Halloween?
Aly: Because I like to dress up and get candy!
Ed: That's it??
Aly: What else is there???

Facebook Chatter

It's been awhile since I've seen such passionate responses to a question I posed on facebook. The question: "Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?" You should know from the start that I'm a big believer in Christians celebrating Halloween with our children and their friends. I think it's a powerful way to build relationships with people that don't know Jesus. 


I can just imagine being invited to trick-or-treat with a friend and his daughter and


- saying no
- explaining the Satanic reasons behind my stance
- watching his eyes glaze over with confusion and disappointment
- listening to him mutter as he walks away "Yikes. What's up with him? I'm just hanging out with my kids and dressing up, not worshipping the devil. You won't catch me in his church anytime soon."


In my opinion the Halloween arguement has become overblown and evil is loving the view as Christians throw mud at each other over this issue. I've even been told that by dressing my kids up I'm encouraging a celebration of all things evil because of how the holiday began. Did you know that Christmas began as a non Christian Beer Bash and Orgy back in the day. It seems to me that when Christians finally picked Christmas Day as the day to celebrate the birth of Christ they were redeeming both the day and the celebration. 


Can we not do the same with Halloween?


In the end... what are we celebrating? On Christmas I choose to celebrate the birth of Christ and not alcohol and sex in all its perversions. On Halloween I choose to celebrate family and build relationships with my neighbors and their families. As I build those relationships I hope to help God expand his kingdom. What witness do I send to my non-Christian neighbours by turning my lights out on Halloween or celebrating the evening inside the walls of the church instead of the community? Does evil win or lose if I dress up with my daughter and head out looking for candy???

Matthew 5:14-16

¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl (or in a dark house, or at a harvest party with church kids)! Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.


By the way, we don't really know the exact day of the year that Jesus was born. We just know that he was born (the bible is pretty clear on that)! Back in the day the church chose December 25th. Wouldn't it be a little intriguing if the actual day Christ was born was October 31st? I'm not saying it was... just talking story...


Anyways that's what I think. What do you think? Please feel free to comment. All I ask is that you don't get angry and judge others comments. Approach this and all opinions with grace. Thats how I read he bible. 


Bonus Material: For more on Christianity and Halloween take a trip over to my friend Steves website. He in an international best selling Christian musician and he has an intrguing take on the history of Halloween and the present response to it. You can find it at...


www.stevebell.com/2009/10/keeping-christ-in-halloween 

What evangelism has become.

Enough said?

What do you think?