As followers of Christ and workers in His kingdom we all have a job to do.  A lot of us are more behind the scenes but what we do is as vital to the Kingdom as those in the forefront of ministries.  There are so many “superstars” in the body of Christ in this country that everyone knows of at least one.

We have also all heard of at least one that has fallen due to some sin issue or other.  Many have been ministering for long periods of time while secretly living lives that very likely grieved the Holy Spirit within them.  There was even some evidence of fruit while many of them were leading these double lives.

My question today has to do with this fruit.

If a person is blatantly, but secretly, living a double life, such as preaching while having an affair, or evangelizing while partying and drinking, or beating their wife while pastoring a church, etc., are they really able to do the work of the Kingdom?  Are they bearing any good fruit?

Basically, do you think a person can live knowingly in sin and the Holy Spirit work through them?

Let me know what you think.

Love you all

Tags: bearing fruit, Body of Christ, Holy Spirit, Kingdom, Sin, superstars, town hall, Tuesday

We all pray.  I dare say even atheists do at times.  There is even an old saying about there being no atheists in foxholes.  The reason behind this is that when the going gets really, really tough even the tough need someone to turn to.

The Church of God denomination is focusing on prayer as a method of effecting the change we need in our lives and for the nation we live in.  This focus has caused me to pray and to reflect on prayer more than I sometimes do.

This Tuesday discussion is in line with this focus.  I have three questions to ask or one really, with three aspects to it.  If God was to promise to answer only these three prayers what would you ask for?

What one thing would you have Him change about our nation or society?

What one thing would you have Him change about your own life or family?

What one thing would you have Him change about yourself?

The tendency might be to say that you would ask for all people to love each other, and for you to see all of your kids saved, and to make yourself serve and be totally Christlike.  But we should all want these things.  I want to hear what you think would impact the world, your life or yourself.  I want to hear if you just need some personal changes or things.  I want honesty and I want to know what is important to you.

(By the way, what you say has an impact on me.  After writing about criticism last week, my Town Hall graphic was criticized and made fun of, so I am experimenting with some others.)

Love you all

Tags: atheist, atheists in foxholes, Christ, Christlike, Church, Discussion, honesty, Love, Personal, Prayer, town hall

I found it a little more difficult to come up with this week’s discussion topic than usual.  Usually I know what I want to discuss at least a week ahead of time but this time I could not narrow it down.  There are still lots of questions in me but I am just not sure if they would interest you.

And current topic discussions seem to be a little heated to some but be assured, on my part, that they are just discussions.  Part of the reason I wait to comment on this Tuesday thing I am doing is to get real responses because I know that sometimes I am going to be a little controversial.  And I really value your input.  So I wait.

Then it has a tendency to get a little deep sometimes but I love you guys, and these discussions.

But this week will be, I think, maybe just a little less opinionated and more thoughtful.  But opinions are thoughts, so I don’t know really.  So here we go.

I have been reading about the different church models many ministries are trying.  Most seem to have the bigger is better mindset but there seems to be a growing movement based on the benefits of “house” or “home” churches.  These seem to be smaller groups of Christ followers just getting together for scripture exposition, worship and prayer time, and fellowship in either a home or some other small establishment.

Some think that this is the proper model after studying the early church, especially as depicted in some parts of Acts.

What do you think?

Do we need large buildings with many members and paid staff?

Do we even need the small 100 member churches with a small building but as much of the traditional trappings of church as they can afford?

Can a house church do what Christ instructed us to do?

Love you all.

Tags: Christ, christ followers, Church, Discussion, Fellowship, Love, Prayer, proper model, scripture, town hall, Value

Okay.  It is December.  It is probably the busiest month of the year.  The month when most people try to see family, shop for gifts, throw and attend party after party, decorate the yard, the house and the tree, and so on and so on.  It is an exhausting month of celebration but not often celebration of who it is supposed to be about.

Please don’t forget Christ as you go about the hustle and bustle of this season.

But it is Tuesday so I hope you can spend a few minutes here also.  I have held this topic for a few weeks because it has, I believe, the potential to get controversial.  But then again, I’ve thought that before and was wrong.

I was reading some comments on the internet a few weeks ago and someone made the following statement.

But I am an American. I am a Christian. I have a duty to God and Country.

They went on to expand on this to say what they had to about the topic at hand, which I can’t remember, but I could not forget it so I saved it.  I am referring just to the statement above that is in bold text.  It bothers me on some level.

• What do you think about the statement?

• Do you believe it is a truthful statement?

• What is this idea of duty and do I have a duty to these two entities?

• Do I have a duty to anything or anyone else?

What do you think?

Love you all.

Tags: America, Believe, celebration, Christ, December, God, Hope, Lie, Love, season, town hall, Truth