On death and internet posts
The tragic passing of one of our forum members at GMT reminded me today about something I wrote years ago in The Cyber-Phenomenon.
Have you ever gone back and read a post from a few months ago and thought “what was I thinking!?!” If you have, just think of what you’ll say when you read your posts twenty years from now. Sure, there will be evidence of growth over those years, but will there be tears because of how you treated someone who is now in eternity? … Don’t sow the seeds that will harvest waves of regret someday.
I’m trying out Twitter. I have some ideas of what I’d like to do with it so we’ll see how it develops. My user name is tojasonharris.
Pure in an Impure World
Last week we considered exhibiting purity in character by dressing modestly. This week let’s contemplate purity in our thoughts and actions. What does purity mean? Purity is being morally blameless, above reproach, unmixed with sin, innocent, clean. We live in an impure world, and, therefore, we must take great care in what we choose to think and how we choose to act.
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14-15
We must be diligent and zealous to pursue purity. Great discernment is needed to be pure in an impure world. We cannot walk through life willy-nilly, living on impulses and doing whatever we deem best. We must carefully line up our thoughts and actions according to God’s standard, not our own.
You might find the following questions helpful as you seek to discern whether your thoughts and actions are pure.
- Is it evil/bad? 1 Corinthians 10:6; Romans 12:9, 21
- Is it expedient/best? 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 10:23
- Is it enslaving/binding? 1 Corinthians 6:12, 2 Peter 2:19, Romans 14:19
- Is it edifying/building? Romans 14:19; 1 Corinthians 10:23
God has granted us forgiveness of sin and has also provided us with the power we need to overcome sin – to be pure “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation”. May He help us each day to set our minds on things above!
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:1-5
Prayer
For the last few weeks , our pastor has been taking us through prayer in the Old testament during our mid week meetings.![images[3]](http://givemetruth.net/infocus/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/images3.jpg "images[3]")
These are some of the things that I learned:
1-Moses’ tireless intercessory prayers were a dialogue not a monologue.
2-Willful prayer is getting our own way in prayer as a judgement from God . We saw that in the life of Balaam .
3-Grief and prayer are , or should be , profoundly linked .Grief that does not find its way to God in prayer cannot be addressed and healed .
Yes, this we learned from the prayer life of Job as well as
” I would not suggest that believers aught to “model” their grief after the pattern of Job or anyone else .I would insist , however , that when believers find themselves grieving like Job , they are in good and godly company.
Grief is a highly individual thing . It differs just as persons differ-in temperament , experience , dependency , spiritual condition. For some there comes instantly a peace and a reigning calm. For others this peace is hard-won. Before calm may be emotional collapse, a response perfectly natural and not to be condemned. Whichever occurs, God Has a way of making Himself especially read to us in our times of acute emotional need (Ron Horton; see Mood Tides).
Last year Lily showed a lack of desire in praying her night time prayers. After some probing this was her answer :
” What if He says no “!
![images[3]](http://givemetruth.net/infocus/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/images31.jpg "images[3]")
When A Church Plants A Church
Last week I attended a church planting conference at Moore College with some friends. The event was well-attended with around 150 participants. I interacted with Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist and a few Pentecostal ministers. While we obviously would not agree on various doctrines, I found the meeting to be helpful and informative, balancing practical advice with theological issues.
One helpful session came from Queensland minister Phil Campbell of Michelton Presbyterian Church (MPC). His goal is to help nurture a network of “clear, Christ-centred churches around Brisbane’s northside.” Having planted or revitalized several churches, Phil offered his perspective on the relationship between a mother church and its daughter church.
1. It is sad and hard to send away some of the best people to the new church. MPC has repeatedly released workers to other ministries, recently sending about 30 people to plant another church.
2. There are conflicts in expectations. Some observers expect the church plant to be a mini version of a perfectly functioning church, with an established ministry structure and eldership. The mother church may initially expect an ongoing warm relationship within “one church,” yet the new churches have gradually disengaged from the resourcing church.
3. “We must decrease so they can increase.” By strategically planting or revitalizing local churches in its own region, MPC has also reduced its own geographical area of ministry, painting itself in a corner.
4. How many to send? The resourcing church must rebuild its leadership and core group after planting a new church. This process is costly.
5. Lost momentum: with churches being planted or revitalized, there is sometimes a sense within MPC that the excitement is elsewhere.
This church demonstrates the importance of intention — to deliberately envision and organize strategy to advance the Gospel locally, under God’s providence. Also, such intention involves sending people and resources, which can strain the church. Yet by God’s grace, their deliberate and sacrificial approach has effectively sparked new churches.
Nine reasons I believe in camp ministry
Saturday night I got an email asking if I could help drive our church teens down to Camp Benaiah today for a week of camp. I was thankful for the opportunity to do it because I believe in camp ministry.
Here are some of the reasons why…
1. Young people have fun at camp.
2. Old people act young at camp.
3. Young people slow down at camp.
4. Relationships are built and strengthened at camp.
5. Character is revealed at camp.
6. Convictions are tested at camp.
7. Young people get marinated in God’s Word at camp.
8. The world to grows “strangely dim” as young people “turn their eyes upon Jesus” at camp.
9. Lives are transformed at camp.
Life on planet blog
I reckon this link section needs a more permanent title. Right now I’m leaning toward “Life on planet blog.” I may change my mind.
- If you want to understand how Generation F (as in facebook) thinks, this post is an excellent overview.
- Eight common problems in evangelism… and suggested solutions. HT
- Theology Central: Pastor Nathan Hitz dedicates a full service each month to the public reading of Scripture. HT
- Would you trade that gadget for a soul?
And now for the substance of my weekly posts…
