Your Church Isn’t As Cool As My Church!

Why is it that people like to spend more time bashing a church than they do fulfilling their commands as Christians?  I’ve noticed over the past several years that if Church A is growing and Church B is stagnant then Church B will accuse Church A of doing something, for instance brain washing, to get members in their doors.  The biggest problem is that Church B is not growing because of the people who fill those pews every week.

Over the past 15 years we’ve seen many new churches pop up that provide a more contemporary worship service and while those churches seem to be growing each week the traditional churches are becoming emptier causing those members to blame the contemporary churches and their practices.  I’ve heard the old-fashioned churches accuse the contemporaries of only wanting the members money yet, they both ask for a tithe in their services and they go about it the same way.  How is this any different?  If both churches have a tithe plate passed one time in their service then what is the issue here?  I’ve been to both types of churches and here is what I have noticed:

1. Both services open with a few songs.  The contemporary churches use a band and sing a few praise songs and the traditional ones sing out of a hymn book.
2. Both ask for an offering after those songs.  The difference is that the contemporary churches may have thousands giving during their tithing and the traditional usually may have just a few hundred.
3. Both sing a song during the offering.
4. The traditional churches usually talk about some kind of church business or potluck dinner after the service and the contemporary normally goes straight into the message.
5. Traditional services have an invitation and sing “Just As I Am” while contemporary services have an invitation with maybe a light electric guitar or keyboardist playing in the background.
6. The service ends.

I really don’t see any difference in the two once you look at it other than there is a band playing and the contemporary churches don’t have hymnals.  They normally use a screen with the lyrics on there;  many traditional services are going that way too.

The last thing is that I’ve heard that these contemporary churches don’t preach out of the bible or else only preach passages.  Well I was raised Baptist and my pastors always preached out of book x, chapter x, verse x through y.  Contemporary churches do the same as a matter of fact about 60% of traditional churches that I pass have a sign up that says contemporary service at a certain time as well.

On Sunday the 24th of January 2010 Newspring Church in Anderson, SC celebrated their 10 year anniversary by filling almost every seat in the house.  Over 14,000 people were singing “How Great is Our God”, “This Is Our God”, and “Revelation Song.”  Some people say the church is too big, well you are going to hate heaven if 14,000 people is too much for you.  Newspring announced it would open its 5th campus in Charleston.  How many churches would love to do that?  Some say a man who has no seminary degree should not be preaching the word of God.  I didn’t realize Paul, John and the apostles had seminary degrees.  Didn’t they preach the gospel?  Weren’t they some of the first ones to teach about Jesus?

In conclusion, I was one of those contemporary church haters for a long, long time, but instead of continuously griping about something I had no idea of and only going by hearsay or letting others influence my decision I listened to the only voice that can lead me where I need to be and that is the voice of God.  I love contemporary services. I love pastors that don’t sugarcoat the gospel and try to make me believe that walking with Jesus will mean that my life is perfect.  I love knowing that I’m not going to be coddled and I am going to be held accountable by my church for my mistakes.  Sure there are those who attend contemporary churches that live like the devil during the week, but sing like a saint on Sundays.  Thing is though, it happens even in the traditional ones.

My church is no better than your church because we are all on the same team!  Remember that next time you want to question another ones place of worship!

He Shoots, He Score or Rather He Passes He Scores.

Quick predictions on a short blog:

Saints 40 – Cardinals 30

Ravens 17 – Colts 10

Chargers 35 – Jets 14

Vikings 28 – Cowboys 27

Ok God, I Don’t Need You Anymore!

When we get sick we take medication, when we get hurt we have surgery or use bandages, yet when we feel well there is no need for a doctor, nurse or surgeon.  Some “Christians” view God in the same way.  God is our quick fix to our lives when times are tough, when are hearts are broken and at the time in our lives when we hit rock bottom.

• Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Sure Jesus said that all who are sick should come to him, those who have sick souls, those who are hurt within and those who have physical ailments and not only did He heal those, but still does to this day. In saying this then why do I take it upon myself to say using God in the hard times is wrong? I’m not! Using God for our own personal gain is always wrong. Praying God give me this or God give me that is a condition we put on our faith that, if not fulfilled, causes many people to leave their faith.  In understanding God’s true purpose  for us then our faith needs to be an ongoing growth and study in the word and in our own hearts and souls.  How do you know if you are growing spiritually?  Here’s a checklist to think about:

1. Is your Bible only opened on Sunday?  If so then how do you expect to learn and grow without knowing the foundation of your faith and the laws and grace that God provides each of us.
2. Do you only pray when you need something?  Honestly if you had a friend or a relative call you only if they needed something how would you feel?  What about if your child did the same thing?  A true parent will love their child unconditionally, but a conversation or a thank you go a long way to growing personal relationships and the same thing goes with God.
3. Would you mind if your church leaders saw what you do when you aren’t in church?  This gets to be a little touchy especially since each denomination has a slightly different interpretation on the “gray” areas.  I don’t mean being afraid if your pastor sees you have a beer or knows what kind of movies you watch.  I’m talking about the true you, the language you use when you speak to others, the compassion or lack thereof to those who are less fortunate.  What about when you are alone with your girlfriend or boyfriend, does anything go on that you would not want your church to find out?
4. Are you more concerned about what others in the church are doing and not your own spiritual well-being?  Honestly, there are those who would rather find the flaws in the guy sitting beside them on Sunday than look in the mirror.  Don’t forget about the speck and the plank.

• Matthew 7:5 “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

We are not called to be passive “Christians”, we are called to be radical and open.  We should be compassionate to those who don’t believe and not condemn them and tell them if you don’t believe the way I do then you are going to hell.  Let them see the God inside of you even through the good times.  Don’t let God be your Prozac, let Him be your eyes, ears and mouth.

God wants you to call out to Him in the bad times, but he also wants you to call on Him when you feel good and praise Him for the things that make you smile.  Grace is a great and powerful gift that we may never fully understand on this side of eternity so let’s celebrate it when we are well and let’s celebrate it when we are sick!

What If The Pharisees Had Twitter? (Credit This To Perry Noble)

Ok, I had to repost Perry Noble’s blog because it’s was just to freaking good not to.  All credit to my Pastor for this!  I figure if you can retweet stuff then hopefully this is ok too.

What If The Pharisees Had Twittered?

Disclaimer…some of these phrases MAY be over 140 characters, work with me! 

• “Heard this guy named Jesus teach today, not very impressed.  All He did was tell stories, didn’t really go in depth like the guys do at the tabernacle.”
• “That Jesus guy healed a dude on the Sabbath right in front of everyone, which was so disrespectful.  Sure, it was nice that the person got healed, I just don’t agree with the way He went about it.”
• “BIG DEAL!  So this Jesus guy fed over 5,000 men with five loaves and two pieces of fish.  Seems to me like He is just into trying to do entertaining things to get people’s attention rather than teaching them anything of substance.”
• “The people that seem to be following Jesus and taking on some responsibilities for Him have not been to seminary…this is not acceptable!”
• “This Jesus guy keeps talking TO and ABOUT ‘lost people.’  I think His singular focus is going to be destructive to His ministry.”
• “This Jesus guy won’t answer any of our questions.  I think He is arrogant to not listen to us…doesn’t He understand who we are?”
• “Jesus didn’t wash His hands before He ate a meal with me last night, I did, therefore I am so much cleaner than Him!”
• “Jesus called me a snake/viper today, I am not quite sure that was appropriate language and I think that kind of talk is going to damage His reputation.”
• “Jesus always calls me and my friends out for His perceived problems with us…and quite often isn’t very ‘loving’ in the way He does it.  I think He has temper issues and should stop being so reactive.”
• “Jesus keeps hanging out with the wrong people…doesn’t He know that the people who are closest to Him don’t have their act together?”
• “Jesus lost His temper today and threw things and people out of the temple.  His irreverence for the things that matter to me is quite disturbing.”
• “This guy Jesus waters down His teachings, the way He is presenting things ANYONE can be forgiven!”

Let’s Go Back Jack and Do It Again! Or At Least Try To!

Alright this is gonna be short because I feel like major crap right now; sinuses and heal feel about twice their normal size (I know my head is big enough already).

So I was 2-2 on the games this weekend.  Who would have thought that the Green Bay vs Arizona would end up being so good after the stinky first half?  Analysis and predictions will come later.

I’ve really been digging some Steely Dan recently, not only because we are putting it into our cover arsenal, but because they are very underrated.  The new band name “Die Behind the Wheel” is going to be our new band name for the full band while the acoustic band is gonna be called “Sophie’s Dilemma.”  There are stories behind both and I’ll get into that more in a later post.

Steely Dan “Reelin in the Years”, Steely Dan “Deacon Blues” , Steely Dan “Do it Again”.

Tomorrow nite Clemson will be hammering UNC around 9PM and I’ll be there.  Looking forward to seeing the Tarholes get beat again.

Ok well I’m off to nurse my cold before the guys get here.  Cya!

Playoffs? Are You Kidding Me? Playoffs?

Ah yes, another wake up in the middle of the night for me so I thought I’d post my thoughts on the playoff games this weekend and see what everyone else thinks.

Green Bay vs Arizona

• Earlier this season I picked the Packers to win it all, but if you know history then you know that there hasn’t been a team that beat Tampa Bay in the regular season that has won the Super Bowl.  Having said that here’s a breakdown of what I believe will happen in this game:
• Anyone who watched the game last week against these two teams knows that Arizona basically took the day off while Green Bay just steamrolled on in preparation for the playoff rematch.  The Packers are hitting their stride now and Aaron Rogers has become one of the next great QB’s in the league.  While the Arizona D is better than they have been in years past I just don’t think they can stop the offensive power of Green Bay.  Arizona’s D will play inspired playoff football and they’ve been there before, but I just don’t see them making the same kind of run they did last season.  We also may be watching the last game of Kurt Warner’s surprising career.
• Green Bay 24 Arizona 10

Dallas vs Philly

• I really don’t like either one of these teams chances to go very far in the playoffs and more than likely this could be the ugliest, most boring game of the weekend.  Here goes my analysis:
• Look out for Donovan McNabb.  The past few times these two teams have hooked up the Dallas D has completely shut down McNabb and his big play threat DeSean Jackson.  If McNabb can stretch the field with Jackson and if Westbrook is anywhere near 100% then I think the Eagles could come out of this game victorious.  I can’t see Tony Romo having another bad playoff game, seriously the botched snap curse has to end sometime right?  I look for Philly to really put pressure on Romo and get in his head early.  Philly must cause Romo to have as little time as possible in the pocket or else he’ll pick them apart again.
• Could this be McNabb’s last game in a Philly uniform?
• Dallas 30 Philly 17

New York vs Cincinnati

• Who would have thought either of these teams would be in the playoffs this year?  Seriously, a rookie QB who started on full season in college and a franchise known for mediocrity.  Well I think this might be the best game of the weekend so here goes:
• With Cedric Benson returning to the lineup for Cincy you not only have the possible come back player of the year back on the field, but also a monster weapon in the running game for the Bengals.  Palmer still hasn’t put that stamp on his career that puts him into élite QB range, but a win this weekend could go a long way to solidifying his place in the upper echelon of NFL QB’s, kind of like what Eli Manning did a few years back.  On the other side you have a rookie QB who has at best this season been serviceable behind a pretty strong O line.  The real stars in this offense are rookie Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones.  Jones has been an absolute beast since joining the Jets several years back and while being paired up with Leon Washington the running/return abilities of this team have been almost unstoppable.  When Washington went on IR Shonn Greene has stepped in marvelously as the change of pace behind Jones that the Jets hoped he would be when they drafted him earlier this spring.
• This game is going to come down to experience and whether the Bengals can penetrate this Jets defensive front.  In the end thought rookie QB’s have a hard time winning in their first playoff game.
• Bengals 17 – Jets 6

Baltimore vs New England

• Welcome back to the playoffs Patriots.  Yeah I know last year was an anomaly for the Patriots it’s still good to see them back.  Besides the Colts there is no other team you either love to root for or hate than the Patriots.  Analysis?  I think so:
• Seems like the Ravens aren’t buying into this whole Brady is hurt media frenzy.  I can’t say that I believe it much myself and considering Wes Welker is done and if it is true that Brady is hurt then here goes a quick exit for the Pats.  There isn’t much you can say about the Pats that most don’t already know; they’ll get the ball to Moss, they’ll rotate 3 backs to carry the rock and they’ll throw it about 70% of the time.  That’s been their formula for the past 10 years and I don’t see it changing any time soon.  Now the Ravens will probably look to pound it on the ground, control the clock and Flacco will probably look to throw it about 20 times.  If the Ravens have success on the ground it should be an easy day, but with Vince Wilfork back for the Pats running could find it’s self difficult.
• I’m not a fan of either of these teams, but I really like what Flacco has brought to the Ravens and I think John Harbaugh is becoming a great coach (anyone see what his brother is doing at Stanford).  I’m going to go out on a limb this week.
• Baltimore 19 – New England 10

I’ll revisit the Saturday games after they are complete and we’ll see how good or bad my analysis were.

It’s Almost The End…Here’s The Review

Well after another great football season, college and pro, the end is upon us.  This is normally the time of year I start really pushing into college basketball and gear up for the White Sox who, in my opinion, should be pretty good this year.

The Jimbo Fisher era at FSU has officially began and I have to say our chances in the ACC next year should be pretty good.  The D was only so so against West Virginia, but E.G. Manuel showed out and won the MVP of the game.  You have to like when your backup is that solid.  I’ll post more on FSU football as the new season gets near.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, what can I say, were awful this year.  I was expecting that with Raheem Morris taking over and once Josh Freeman got in there at QB we were able to do a little bit.  I was intent on us getting Suh from Nebraska in the draft, but a few wins down the stretch probably put us in position to get the 4th or 5th pick so that probably isn’t happening now.  There are rumors that Bill Cowher is on the hunt for a new job and that Morris may take a back seat again for a few years until the program is more suited for him.  We’ll have to see about that.

The Chargers are still in the hunt and have a team that could really do something in the playoffs.  Here’s looking forward to a post about San Diego’s SB win in the near future.

Now for a little college basketball.  How about those Seminoles being ranked #18?  I’m really liking this team now.  We definitely lost production with Douglas graduating, but I’ll have to say Alabi and Singleton are looking really good and if we can make some noise against Duke, UNC and Clemson then I’ll be looking for a possible repeat to the ACC Championship game (I will be attending the tourney again this year) but hopefully with a win instead of a loss.

My early predictions for the Final Four have Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Kansas and Texas there with Duke and Syracuse knocking on the door.  I am happy to say that there will be no run by UNC this year after the debacle against College of Charleston on Monday.  Nothing makes me happier than to see UNC lose to a team that another ACC school, Clemson, handled with ease.

Alright so I had no major nuggets of wisdom today, but after yesterday and the comments I received on FB I figured I’d go less controversial!

Is sin really sin or are there sins that are “greater” than others?

I have become concerned about how the church and Christians view certain sins.  I have come under scrutiny for my situation and I don’t think it’s fair.  Should a man be judged by something that is beyond his control?

There has been an ugly trend over the past year or so in our town that has seen women leave their husbands for other men, money or just because they “weren’t ready” to get married.  In most cases it seems that the church has faulted the men for this.  Now I can understand that it may be some men’s fault, but we cannot put the blame on them all for these actions.  I for one know of a few who are not to blame and have done everything within the guidelines of the bible to rectify their situations yet the offending party turns a deaf ear.  Is it now fair for the other party involved to not be allowed to volunteer for the church, serve in the church or even lead a church?

The matter is confusing from a biblical stand point because in the passage below if you take gender out, because in these times women were of lesser rights, then if your spouse divorces you then even though you are innocent you are forced to be a sinner:

Matthew 5:32 - But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife . . . causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

Also there is the belief that even if your spouse has an affair then you are permitted to divorce yet you aren’t permitted to remarry:

Mark 10:11 - Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.

So what exactly can you do?  Is it better to stay single?  If you get married and have a spouse that is selfish, self-serving and ungrateful then you are screwed in the eyes of God and the church?  What about those who do serve the church, but are married to those that were divorced?  According to scripture they are sinning as well.

I don’t have the answers, but I wish there was someone who could lead me in the right direction on this because if this is true then a lot of folks out there who think they are on the path to Heaven are being deceived.  According to the following scripture, if you are divorced then too bad for you:

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral . . . nor adulterers . . . will inherit the kingdom of God.

That’s pretty strong stuff there.  I’m more confused about this than any issue in the bible.  I’ve heard people say if you got divorced before salvation then you are ok because the slate is wiped clean, but my problem is that you still sin every day so can you not be forgiven after salvation for a committed sin such as adultery, murder, theft or any of the other countless sins we commit each day?  In this case it’s like saying “sorry man but you should have had your divorce before you were a Christian, too bad bud.”

In case you couldn’t tell I’m pretty bitter about this matter and it is currently affecting my spiritual growth because of the obstacles I am facing due to my possible future situation.  Hopefully the 4 of you that possibly read this can shed some light or may know of someone who can post and answer for me.

Does anyone have the theological knowledge to clear this subject?

(References – Divorce and Remarriage View 1, Divorce and Remarriage View 2)