In case you haven’t heard, another useless church slaying occurred Sunday. A pastor was shot and killed during service and a couple of others were wounded. The story can be found here and other places.
This was just another senseless attack in a ever increasing string that has occurred lately. No one so far even knows what the motive for this one was. This murderous interruption to a worship service has many in the church discussing the issues of church safety and the carrying of weapons in church services. There are also larger issues to discuss. So if you would, I would like to read your feedback and answers to these questions.
Do you think Jesus is okay with any of his followers shooting someone in self defense?
Do you think it would be wise for just anyone to carry a gun in church? Would you?
If you would carry a gun, under what circumstances would you use it?
If you are against all of this, carrying weapons and using them, then what do you think is our role in protection of ourselves and others?
Finally, what caliber would Jesus recommend?
That last one is just a light hearted one meant to keep us from getting too angry in case we disagree. But this is a very serious topic and I have read a lot of opinions already.
Care to share yours?
Love you all
Tags: caliber, Church, jesus, Murder, pastor, protection, Self, self defense, Service, town hall, Tuesday, Weapons
It seems to me that maybe I have been a little bold lately in some of my posts. Commenting about controversial issues and even getting a little harsh is some responses. Some of this stems from a passion for Gods truth while some may just come from that confrontational part of me that I just wrote about and am truly trying to tame. But it is not tamed and there are good reasons for some of what I ask. I really am still learning myself. And one of the ways to learn what we believe is to bounce those beliefs off those that others hold. So the questions for today may spark more controversy. I hope not and I really do not want any heated arguments or words of offense. But I do want to know what you think.
We also touched on this topic a while back in some of the comments. That post was not about this exactly and really had another focus. So if you replied there about this topic you can fell free to comment again here.
The bible is pretty clear about Gods views on drunkenness. Most people do not see such clear lines about alcohol consumption though.
What do you think the bible says about consuming alcohol?
What do you personally think about consuming alcohol and why?
Please keep it civil but tell us what you think.
Love you all
Tags: alcohol, Belief, consumption, controversial issues, drunkenness, fruit of the vine, Personal, town hall, Truth, Tuesday
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Php 3:12
I am not perfect, you are not perfect. Paul told us here that he was not yet perfect either. We all have a ways to go before we get to the point where we are who God wants us to be.
Today’s question is not only a simple one but one of the hardest for most of us to answer. I am interested in how many responses I will get on this one.
The simple but very hard question is…
What is wrong with you?
If you want to, be bold and transparent and let us know where you recognize the areas where you fall short.
Love you all
Tags: Christ, Fall, Love, Perfect, town hall, Tuesday
Today’s discussion concerns a famous statement that is in the United States Declaration of Independence. The statement is…
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
If we were to unpack this statement we could find many things in it but the focus here will be on Rights. Three of the Rights that supposedly were self evident to the framers of the document are the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. These Rights are also supposedly given to us by our creator.
The questions for today that I would like to know your answers to are these.
- As Christians, do you believe our creator, God, has given us these rights?
- Do you believe we have any rights at all?
- What are they?
The focus here is what is given to us by God, not the USA. The Government of this nation has decided we do have certain rights and I am all for and do not deny that. I am also thankful for these rights.
But I want to know if you think the statement in the Declaration is in alignment with what you perceive about God.
Love you all
Tags: Believe, certain unalienable rights, Creator, Discussion, God, Government, Happiness, Life, life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, town hall, Tuesday, united states declaration of independence, USA
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
