The Christian Journey: Relationships

The Christian Journey: Relationships

Few things in this world are more important to our success, on any level, than our relationships.  It is clear that we are not made to be alone.  This is spelled out early on in Scripture where we are told,

And the Lord said, "it is not good that the man should be alone, I will make an help meet for him."  Genesis 2:18

From this we can see the natural affinity we have toward others, the shared humanity, and the need we have for companionship.  Although this is the beginning of our proof text for  marriage it stands as the basis for all our relationships.

Scripture speaks in great detail of our relationships to God and one another.  The Church is called the Bride of Christ, those in the Church are called brothers and sisters, God is referred to as the Father.  Groups of people are called out, or sanctified, such as the Old Testament children of Israel or the 12 Apostles of the New Testament.

From the beginning we have been a relational people, and for God's work to be done must effectively it must be done through the building and nurturing of  relationships.  That is what the Church is all about.

"Though one can be overpowered, two can defend themselves, but a cord of three strands is not quickly broken." 

Ecclesiastes 4:12

If you want to Make Today Great, and each successive day greater still, then look to the relationships in your life.  Build them up, grow them, and make sure they have been chosen wisely.  Not all relationships are beneficial, with discernment there are times that relationships must be severed for a greater cause. 

May you each find strength in many close and powerful relationships.

The Christian Journey: Baptism

The Christian Journey;

Baptism

Baptism is at the heart of the Christian religion, and is one of its tenets that pretty much sets it apart from others.  This act of obedience to God is a beautiful testimony to the faith an individual has developed.  I would encourage each believer to spend some time in study about this act.

As I have studied it recently I am struck by the various doctrines and practices that exist within Christendom.  While all Christian bodies embrace baptism as a part of their spiritual journey the varying levels of significance each places upon it is all over the board.  Even more troubling is when examining the websites for some of these bodies is the lack of Biblical supports that are given for most of their positions.

Scripture indicates in a number of passages that baptism is intricately linked to salvation.  In fact in the book of Mark it says:

Mark 16:15-16New American Standard Bible (NASB)

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned."

There is a tiny word in the midst of this passage that holds tremendous impact as we read it, and, this little conjunction should leave us with little doubt as to the power of baptism in our faith journey.  Merely believing, while a good thing doesn't seem to get the job done.  But, you may ask, why does it say, "but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned"?  This clause doesn't say anything about those who haven't been baptized being condemned.  This is where simple logic should rule the day.  Why would one expect for someone who hasn't even believed to take the step of baptism?  For one who has no belief, no faith, to submit to baptism would be highly unlikely and of no benefit.

I am not here to stir up controversy or strife among those who read this but providing my honest assessment of what I see as a Biblical truth.  May we, myself included, each seek greater understanding of His Word each day, and may we not use it to beat people into submission, but rather to show a lovingkindness that draws others to Him.

If we will seek Christ in this way, then we will Make today (and every other day) GREAT!

Midweek Motivation

Today marks the opening of the NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament, which is historically a low productivity day in America.  Yes the tournament is fun and this time of year used to be my favorite, but with age comes a different perspective.  Be interested, and enjoy the tournament while not losing focus on the important things in your life.

Final four prediction:  Villanova, Notre Dame, Oregon, and UCLA

National Champion:  Villanova in a repeat.

Who are your picks?

**This weekly post along with my Monday Morsel post is going away, for at least a while as I reassess my blogging priorities.  I plan to continue with my weekly post on Sundays.

Make Today GREAT!!!!

Midweek Motivation

Today marks the opening of the NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament, which is historically a low productivity day in America.  Yes the tournament is fun and this time of year used to be my favorite, but with age comes a different perspective.  Be interested, and enjoy the tournament while not losing focus on the important things in your life.

Final four prediction:  Villanova, Notre Dame, Oregon, and UCLA

National Champion:  Villanova in a repeat.

Who are your picks?

**This weekly post along with my Monday Morsel post is going away, for at least a while as I reassess my blogging priorities.  I plan to continue with my weekly post on Sundays.

Make Today GREAT!!!!

The Christian Journey: Decision Making

The Christian Journey:

Decision Making

Our lives are formed in great measure by the decisions that we make.  When we are small children many of the decisions are made for us, then by observation and experience we are prepared (we hope) to begin making decisions on our own.  Then as we age into our teens and early adulthood we are allowed to begin making more of these decisions for ourselves, unfortunately we are not always as well prepared for this as we would like.

The decisions in our lives span from the mundane such as what shampoo we might use or brand of ketchup to buy, up to those that have lifetime or eternal consequences such as who we will marry or whether to follow God or not.  This is difficult ground to cover without a solid foundation or thought process.  Most enter into these decisions purely from a perspective of doing what "feels" right, or applying an economic model such as cost-benefit analysis or risk-reward.  These can be good models as a part of the process, but for the Christian there is more.

Several years ago I was given the book, " Lists to Live By: The Christian Edition" which as its title would indicate is a book of various lists that might help us in forming frameworks or points of reference for our Christian walk.  Among those lists was, 8 Tests for Decision Making, which will form the basis for my discussion today.

Test 1 > The Scriptural Test - can the answer be found in scripture?  Refer to 2 Timothy 3:16

Test 2 > The Secrecy Test - would it bother you if everyone knew this was your choice?  Refer to Proverbs 11:3

Test 3 > The Survey Test - what if everyone followed my example?  Refer to I Timothy 4:12

Test 4 > The Spiritual Test - Am I being people-pressured or Spirit-led?  Refer to Galatians 1:10

Test 5 > The Stumbling Test - Could this cause another person to stumble?  Refer to Romans 14:21

Test 6 > The Serenity Test - Have I pray and received peace

about this decision?  Refer to Philippians 4:6-7

Test 7 > The Sanctification Test - Will this keep me from growing in the character of Christ?  

Refer to 2 Corinthians 3:18

Test 8 > The Supreme Test - Does this glorify God?

Refer to I Corinthians 10:31

While these tests may not help you decide what to eat at your next meal or which color of crayon to use when coloring with your child, they do provide a solid footing for making moral, ethical, and relational decisions that you will certainly face.  It is my hope that when you are faced with a difficult decision that something will click for you, and that this line of thinking will be triggered.  With this sort of framework it should be far easier to Make Today Great!

** "Lists to Live by the Christian Collection" by Alice Gray and John Van Diest  

Midweek Motivation

Are you a worrier?  STOP IT!  Worry is a lack of faith, and causes all sorts of other issues.  Walk boldly toward your goals, and let your worries be overtaken by a quiet confidence that recognizes that there will be setbacks along the way, but they aren't typically fatal.

Monday Morsel #45

Do you have a vision for the week ahead?
The Bible tells us

"Where there is no vision, the people perish:  but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."  

Proverbs 29:18
King James Version

This vision should be a big picture for the future, supported by a smaller vision for the current time frame that walks us step by step to the big finish of our overall vision.

See it, and be it!

The Christian Journey

The Christian Journey

Today marks the first Sunday of a new quarter at Center Hill Church of Christ where Angie, Olivia, and I are active members of a tremendous church family.  The start of a new quarter means new classes begin, and this time around I will be teaching that generation right behind us, the 20's-30's, which includes both millennials and the younger part of my own Gen X group.

The theme that I have chosen for this quarter is "The Christian Journey".  Over the course of our time together we will be taking a look at very practical applications of scriptural truths for our daily walk with Christ.  It is sadly fitting that as we begin our journey together through this course that we reflect on the loss of one our congregation's stalwarts of the faith.

Yesterday, Brother Walter, realized the end of his journey as he entered into the glory of the Lord.  His encyclopedic knowledge of scripture, his deep seated concern for the souls of man, and a sense of humor that I grew to appreciate more each year will be sorely missed.  Men like Walter are hard to come by, and I wonder how we in the younger generations will be able to lead as he, and so many others, have in the past.  Our journey has become one of ever-present distraction, whereas his was one of hard work and deep daily study of scripture.

It will be my pleasure to take up my cross and follow Christ daily in an attempt to be a resource for, and encourager to others as Mr. Walter was to me and countless others. In this series of classes I look forward to bringing out the fact that Christianity is more than a confession of Christ, but a daily walk.  

Decision making, relationships, parenting and several other topics will be a part of the discussion as we proceed.  For those of you who are not a part of this class session, I will be using this Workout Your Faith space to take you on the journey as well.  So for the next 13 weeks this blog will be taking a heavy turn to the spiritual, and sharing with you much of what we will discuss with the young adults of Center Hill.  I hope you will take the journey with us.  If you will, then I firmly believe that you will be better equipped to Make Each Day GREAT! 

Midweek Motivation

There is so much to look forward to in our daily lives.  Today give a smile and look for a smile from another.  Listen to good music, it can stir and calm the soul at the moment.  Soak in some sunshine, and drink in knowledge from a good book.
This is a partial recipe from a GREAT and GRATEFUL day!