Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Someone asked a really good question on Sunday. I can’t remember the exact words but here’s the general idea: How “wicked” were people in Noah’s time? What did they do that caused God to want to destroy the entire earth?
Seems like that would be pretty good information to have, Right? It would be useful to know “what not to do” to anger God so much that he decides destroying the whole world is the only option.
So what did the people in Noahs time do? The account in Genesis 6 just says that mankind had become “greatly wicked- and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time”
Jesus said the following about the people of Noahs time when speaking about their judgment…and the final judgment of all people on earth when he returns.
37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. Mathew 24:37-39
So what made the people of Noah’s time so distasteful to God? Was it the parties? (yeah I’ve heard preachers say that.) Was it the weddings and banquets? (wedding planners beware 
What made God so very angry?
It may never be clear what the great “sins” of the people of Noah’s time were. I’m pretty sure they weren’t markedly different from the sins of today. It is however, very clear that the combination of being completely self-absorbed in our own “life” -while living in a completely corrupt and wicked society is definitely on the “do not do” list! Concentrating on entertaining ourselves…seeking pleasure for ourselves while ignoring the rest of the world is definitely on the “do not do” list.
So does that mean we shouldn’t enjoy a party? …a banquet? A wedding? Should we stand around holding “Judgement is coming” signs? What should we do?
Your thoughts?
More of mine tomorrow.
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Monday, January 4th, 2010
We kicked off the year at actionchurch talking about endurance. The new year is a time for new beginnings…resolutions…fresh starts. The sad truth though is that most of our best intentions, resolutions, and “beginnings” don’t last. We live in a ever faster society, where “impatience is a virtue”, and we have microwave instructions on our pop tarts because somehow our toasters just aren’t fast enough. Unfortunately, there are no 3 second “microwave directions” for life. All most important matters of life, including health, finances, relationships, our character, and where we will spend eternity, require long periods of often painful and difficult work to “finish well”.
As Galations 6:7-9 says: 7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
God’s plan for blessing us is a lot like toasting a pop tart. If we don’t try to take control…take “microwave shortcuts”…if we simply follow his spirit and trust him to reward us…in just the right time our reward will “pop” up…If we don’t quit.
We’ll spend the next three weeks at actionchurch talking about just that: How NOT to give up…how to endure…how not to miss out on the rewards of your work…while you’re waiting…and (sometimes) waiting…to see the results of your efforts.
Failure to excel onstage this week. Love these guys. You can always be sure that when these guys are on stage that you are going to witness something special…and off-stage they are the absolute nicest guys to work with you will ever meet.
Had a week of “trying” stuff. (both definitions work in this case) I felt like we used a TON of video in the last (re-gift) series, so for the first time ever we used NO video. …which reminds me of why we use video. Also I “tried” to build a snow fort entrance for actionkidz…not so much either. At least we can say that as a church we are not just “doing the same thing” in the new year.
BUT…we did get to give away a “Limited edition-Failure to Excel autographed-cheapo ollies toaster” after the service. I DO NOT want to see that thing on ebay
Great to be back at actionchurch. Thanks to all the great crew and crowd that make it happen each week. Remember to NOT get tired of doing what is right…we are guaranteed reward if we don’t quit!
Bonus picture of the week
(for all the folks that see images of Jesus in their toast. I’m just sayin’)
For more photos from Sunday (courtesy Garrettsnyder) go here
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Friday, December 18th, 2009
I’ll admit it. I’ve watched Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer WAY TOO MANY times in the last two weeks. I can’t get the lyrics to “We’re a couple of Misfits” out of my head.
Why am I such a misfit?
I am not just a nit wit!
They can’t fire me.
I QUIT!… I just don’t fit in.
Enjoy. Now you’ve got it stuck in your head. I hope my “suffering” will be worth it when we talk about our little “church for misfit toys” in the actionchurch Finale Sunday. I think Josiah and I will have a “take” on Rudolph, and a passage of the Christmas Story, that you have probably NEVER encountered. We’ve also got the ac all stars doing some Christmas classics, an original, and a Christmas song you hoped would stay in the 80’s. Sunday is not to be missed.
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