Many of us were taught a myth in school. In our “history” classes we were told that Thanksgiving was begun by the grateful pilgrims as they shared a feast with the native Indians (whom they later slaughtered). The truth is far less imaginative and politically correct for those who believe in the other myth of Separation of Church and State; Thanksgiving originated as a religious holiday instituted by our first President; George Washington. As a Christian, he believed it only right that we thank God for His provision and care of our Nation. Read his words and as you gather tomorrow, remember Thanksgiving was established as a religious holiday, which would be celebrated not with football or feast, but rather with prayers and repentance.
George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
What Are You Being?
What will you do today? Do you even know? You have your plans and you may well do your best to follow those plans, but what thing of eternal significance will you do? In other words, in what way will you contribute to the building of God’s kingdom?
I asking you Spiritual Leaders as well, in what way will you contribute to the Kingdom of God; here’s a hint, your religious duties will not necessarily fulfill them.
The Apostle Paul admonishes us, “THEREFORE, WHETHER YOU EAT OR DRINK, OR WHATEVER YOU DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.” 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 This literally mean that as disciples of Jesus, however we spend the next eight hours of life which we shall never recover, we need to invest them in such a way that the result of our choices live throughout eternity.
Should I go to church? In reality; church is the last place you are going to impact your world for Christ. However, at the gas pump, in the grocery line, digging a ditch, working in the office or the store or your business; those are places where you can share the love of God.
You mean I should witness for Him? No! Your life should be a witness for Him, there’s a huge difference. If I accost the girl in the grocery with Jesus jabber every time I see her, believer or not, eventually she’s going to run when she sees me coming. If, on the other hand, I am the most pleasant customer she has every day that I am in her line, she is eventually going to wonder what makes me so different from the grouches who usually fill her line. Eventually she is going to ask why I am so patient or loving or kind and I can tell her about Jesus when she is ready to hear.
But I’m not ashamed of Christ! Neither am I, but people must know you care about them before they care about what you say to them. The Christian life is not a sprint, it’s a walk. “THE MIND OF MAN PLANS HIS WAY, BUT THE LORD DIRECTS HIS STEPS” PROVERBS 16:9 If I have the faith to know that I am in step with The Holy Spirit, then I will be on God’s time table, I may not always speak first, but when I speak it will produce fruit.
You are alive today because God has something for you to be, I bet you thought I thought I was going to say, God has something for you to do, but you are NOT a HUMAN DOING, you are a HUMAN BEING! We must BE about our Father’s Business, which may mean nothing more than choosing to do your best at whatever you do to God’s Glory, at your job or at the gas pump, at home, in your yard or in your school. Each time another person sees the light of God’s love alive in you, you are expanding the boundaries of the Kingdom of God.
For Heaven’s sake, quit pretending to be perfect; you’re not. Just be the real you to the Glory of God. Did you get that? Not for your glory, not to enlarge your church or denomination. A lost and dying world is watching you; “THEREFORE, WHETHER YOU EAT OR DRINK, OR WHATEVER YOU DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.” Amen!
I asking you Spiritual Leaders as well, in what way will you contribute to the Kingdom of God; here’s a hint, your religious duties will not necessarily fulfill them.
The Apostle Paul admonishes us, “THEREFORE, WHETHER YOU EAT OR DRINK, OR WHATEVER YOU DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.” 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 This literally mean that as disciples of Jesus, however we spend the next eight hours of life which we shall never recover, we need to invest them in such a way that the result of our choices live throughout eternity.
Should I go to church? In reality; church is the last place you are going to impact your world for Christ. However, at the gas pump, in the grocery line, digging a ditch, working in the office or the store or your business; those are places where you can share the love of God.
You mean I should witness for Him? No! Your life should be a witness for Him, there’s a huge difference. If I accost the girl in the grocery with Jesus jabber every time I see her, believer or not, eventually she’s going to run when she sees me coming. If, on the other hand, I am the most pleasant customer she has every day that I am in her line, she is eventually going to wonder what makes me so different from the grouches who usually fill her line. Eventually she is going to ask why I am so patient or loving or kind and I can tell her about Jesus when she is ready to hear.
But I’m not ashamed of Christ! Neither am I, but people must know you care about them before they care about what you say to them. The Christian life is not a sprint, it’s a walk. “THE MIND OF MAN PLANS HIS WAY, BUT THE LORD DIRECTS HIS STEPS” PROVERBS 16:9 If I have the faith to know that I am in step with The Holy Spirit, then I will be on God’s time table, I may not always speak first, but when I speak it will produce fruit.
You are alive today because God has something for you to be, I bet you thought I thought I was going to say, God has something for you to do, but you are NOT a HUMAN DOING, you are a HUMAN BEING! We must BE about our Father’s Business, which may mean nothing more than choosing to do your best at whatever you do to God’s Glory, at your job or at the gas pump, at home, in your yard or in your school. Each time another person sees the light of God’s love alive in you, you are expanding the boundaries of the Kingdom of God.
For Heaven’s sake, quit pretending to be perfect; you’re not. Just be the real you to the Glory of God. Did you get that? Not for your glory, not to enlarge your church or denomination. A lost and dying world is watching you; “THEREFORE, WHETHER YOU EAT OR DRINK, OR WHATEVER YOU DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.” Amen!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
TRUE STORIES - WIHOUT LOVE
A church member approaches his preacher after morning worship, without as much as a flutter of his eyes he boldly says to his pastor, “You know the last 6 months or so you’re preaching has sucked!” Taken back the pastor can only mutter, “I’m sorry”. “And I might as well also tell you that I don’t like your story-telling either.” Catching his breath and feeling his temperature rise, the pastor addresses the man by name and comments, “I’ve been your pastor for the past several years, my style hasn’t changed!” “Well, preacher, don’t you think it’s about time it does? I’m not the only one who feels this way!” Of course he would punctuate his verbal assault by speaking for others who are to cowardly to do the same.
To make the above matter sadder is the fact that the pastor in question has been ill for the past six months and even undergone heart surgery. It doesn’t seem the church member hasn’t even considered that the pastor’s health may have affected his preaching, nor has he considered how difficult it will be for the preacher to take to the pulpit whilst wondering who else is against him.
In another place, another time, the senior pastor gently takes the hand of his Associate Pastor’s wife, “I’m concerned”, he begins. “I know your husband hasn’t been home much lately. I know he has been telling you that he is working, but I have got to tell you, I have not been asking him to work these long hours, he says he’s making calls for the church, but are you sure he isn’t doing something else, perhaps seeing someone else? “
Sadly the feigned concern is just one of many ploys the Senior Pastor would try to discourage the Associate who was in transition to take the Senior Pastor’s position. Having left secular work and cutting his income in half at the Senior Pastor’s urging in order to effect a six month transition to the Senior Pastor position; after a culmination of 13 years of faithful service to that church body, after turning down various other ministry options at the Senior’s Pastor’ urging, he is unaware that the pastor has changed his mind and has decided to turn his ministry over to his recently married son, who had previously been uninterested.
Fortunately for the associate pastor, his wife knows him better than the senior pastor assumes. She and her husband communicate regularly every day, she knows of his tireless efforts for the church.
A young couple are asked by their pastor to led a particular ministry, unsure that they can be successful in the endeavor, they nonetheless “step-out in-faith” at their Pastor’s urging. When the costly adventure fails, the pastor steps aside like a trained matador and places the blame on the sincere couple.
Sadly, “brothers and sisters in the church” turn on the couple, leaving tem wounded and effectively without a church family.
I wish these were isolated stories, the exception rather than the rule; however the institutional church can be a very dangerous place for people with caring hearts. The corporate church can be as ruthless and cutthroat as corporate America. Loyalties forgotten, lies are told, names are called, reputations are ruined and families are destroyed all for the “GOOD of the ministry” or a man’s ministry. Manipulation, lies, deceit, heartless attacks are all tools of Satan whether used by laity or clergy.Jesus left the 99 to reach out in love to the one lost sheep, too many involved in church today will easily slaughter one in order to pacify the 99. Such behavior should never be found with Christ’s name attached. Whatever we do, whatever our plans, goals, efforts or actions, anything we do for God ought to be permeated by and with the love of God; if they are not; they are worthless! Consider, Pastor, Churchgoer, professor of Christ;
1 Corinthians 13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether [there are] prophecies, they will fail; whether [there are] tongues, they will cease; whether [there is] knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these [is] love.
The greatest of these is love; Jesus doesn’t care how full your church is, how successful your programs are or how busy you are for Him if you do not love unconditionally as He loves us. Amen!
To make the above matter sadder is the fact that the pastor in question has been ill for the past six months and even undergone heart surgery. It doesn’t seem the church member hasn’t even considered that the pastor’s health may have affected his preaching, nor has he considered how difficult it will be for the preacher to take to the pulpit whilst wondering who else is against him.
In another place, another time, the senior pastor gently takes the hand of his Associate Pastor’s wife, “I’m concerned”, he begins. “I know your husband hasn’t been home much lately. I know he has been telling you that he is working, but I have got to tell you, I have not been asking him to work these long hours, he says he’s making calls for the church, but are you sure he isn’t doing something else, perhaps seeing someone else? “
Sadly the feigned concern is just one of many ploys the Senior Pastor would try to discourage the Associate who was in transition to take the Senior Pastor’s position. Having left secular work and cutting his income in half at the Senior Pastor’s urging in order to effect a six month transition to the Senior Pastor position; after a culmination of 13 years of faithful service to that church body, after turning down various other ministry options at the Senior’s Pastor’ urging, he is unaware that the pastor has changed his mind and has decided to turn his ministry over to his recently married son, who had previously been uninterested.
Fortunately for the associate pastor, his wife knows him better than the senior pastor assumes. She and her husband communicate regularly every day, she knows of his tireless efforts for the church.
A young couple are asked by their pastor to led a particular ministry, unsure that they can be successful in the endeavor, they nonetheless “step-out in-faith” at their Pastor’s urging. When the costly adventure fails, the pastor steps aside like a trained matador and places the blame on the sincere couple.
Sadly, “brothers and sisters in the church” turn on the couple, leaving tem wounded and effectively without a church family.
I wish these were isolated stories, the exception rather than the rule; however the institutional church can be a very dangerous place for people with caring hearts. The corporate church can be as ruthless and cutthroat as corporate America. Loyalties forgotten, lies are told, names are called, reputations are ruined and families are destroyed all for the “GOOD of the ministry” or a man’s ministry. Manipulation, lies, deceit, heartless attacks are all tools of Satan whether used by laity or clergy.Jesus left the 99 to reach out in love to the one lost sheep, too many involved in church today will easily slaughter one in order to pacify the 99. Such behavior should never be found with Christ’s name attached. Whatever we do, whatever our plans, goals, efforts or actions, anything we do for God ought to be permeated by and with the love of God; if they are not; they are worthless! Consider, Pastor, Churchgoer, professor of Christ;
1 Corinthians 13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether [there are] prophecies, they will fail; whether [there are] tongues, they will cease; whether [there is] knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these [is] love.
The greatest of these is love; Jesus doesn’t care how full your church is, how successful your programs are or how busy you are for Him if you do not love unconditionally as He loves us. Amen!
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