Talk about the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee and most people immediately think about water and wine.  Mostly wine.  The oft times controversial subject of wine (and other alcoholic beverages) sometimes clouds our view of what is really happening in John 2:1-12.  I don't want that to happen this Sunday.  (By the way, for an article on why I don't drink alcohol, go to www.forevertruth.org and scroll to the bottom of the page.  Hit the link and read away.)

The first sign performed by Jesus has little to do with water and wine and much to do with the glory of Jesus.  What captures our hearts is the fact that Jesus can change the natural elements simply by His will.  He is the everlasting Word of John 1:1-3 through whom everything that was made was made and who still exercises dominion over everything that He made.

And that's good news for us.  For what we learn from such signs as turning water into wine is that we can trust both His creative power and His creative wisdom.  And with that comes peace.  What better place is there to be but in the hands of the Master of the universe?

Posted 11:33 AM

The blog was silent last week.  It was a week of stillness.  A week of learning anew that Jehovah is God and that He will be exalted among the nations.  A week of relearning that Jehovah is God over me and that He desires to be exalted in my life.

Such lessons are learned in the silence of stillness.  When the news of the unexpected and dreaded comes, we too often plunge headlong into panic.  With our microwave oven mentalities, we want to hit a button and in sixty seconds solve it all.  And when that doesn't work we stand there furiously punching buttons and screaming at our circumstance until we collapse and draw up into the fetal position.  Fear consumes and God seems so very far away.

Knowing that Jehovah is God in the midst of dread requires stillness, silence, waiting on God.  In the stillness our vision is drawn from the fear of the dreaded news to the delight of the awesome power of our God.  In the stillness our soul is quieted and our hearts set at peace.  In the stillness we find refuge and strength in the God who is our very present help in trouble.

So despite the dreaded news that may be dragging you toward despair, be still and know that help is on the way.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.  God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.  The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.  The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth.  He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.  Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Posted 2:55 PM

Writing of the unchurched in America, George Barna draws the following conclusion from his research:

"The best chance of getting them to a church is when someone they know and trust invites them, offers to accompany them, and there is reason to believe that the church event will address one of the issues or needs they are struggling with at that moment." (http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=293)

We know that the Word of God addresses the issues and needs of people when we labor diligently to teach the truth of the Word with integrity to the Word and relevance to the community.  And while some in our community will attend our church without invitation or any personal connection to someone within the church, I dare say that most will not.

Andrew found his brother, Simon, and brought him to meet Jesus.  Philip found his friend, Nathanael, and brought him to meet Jesus.  Do you have a relative or friend who doesn't know Jesus?  Why not find them and bring them?  Why not this Sunday?

Posted 10:27 AM

(This will mostly make sense to those who were present Sunday evening or have listened online to LNTW: Then what Should a Christian Look Like in the World?)

Today my shirt has a horse on it.  It's actually a bucking horse being ridden by a cowboy.  It's the emblem on the shirt pocket.

If you see me today you may notice the horse and the cowboy.  But what I'm praying for is that people will notice Christ.  May we all so pray.

Posted 1:11 PM

What does a Christian look like? Does he wear jeans or slacks, a tie or a t-shirt? Does she wear a skirt or pants, make-up or not? And how would our version of what a Christian should look like fit with another culture on another continent where men wear dresses (togas and robes)?

Gets complicated fast, doesn't it?

We are instructed to quit loving the world. (1 John 2:15-17) And we've been learning what that means on Sunday evenings. And like most things Biblical, the theology we have been unpacking from that passage has practical implications. Including the oft discussed topic of what a Christian should look like.  If we adorn ourselves like the world, are we indeed worldly?

This Sunday evening we will tackle that question. I don't promise quick and easy answers. But I do believe the Bible addresses our attitude and the image we seek to project of ourselves. And most of all I believe that the Bible calls on us in everything we do to glorify Christ. Even if that means sacrificing our self image.

So join me Sunday evening at 6 o'clock and let's learn together what a Christian should look like.

Posted 10:28 AM