I grew-up in a Christian home. My parents are Christians and all my grandparents were Christians or at least Christians minded. Many of my earliest memories surround assembling with Christians and having other church members over our house on Sunday evenings. Growing up there were two major influences other than my family they were Church and school. My … Continue reading Loving Christ’s Church
church
Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign
Now that the song from Five Man Electical Band (or if you are younger - Tesla) is stuck in your head, I want to talk about church signs. Not the sign for the congregational name, but those marquee or digital message signs. I have a love-hate relationship with these signs, although they don't know it. I … Continue reading Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign
Expatriate Patriotism
Sunday is an anniversary of an event that momentarily changed the United States. Most, if not all of us, who were alive and aware that day fifteen years ago will always remember the Eleventh of September. The images are forever implanted in our minds eye. We still see the Twin Towers of the World Trade … Continue reading Expatriate Patriotism
Church Assemblies circa A.D. 150
I found this quote nearly 30 years ago and I keep it bookmarked in the source. It is in Cairns, Earle E., Christianity Through the Centuries: A History of the Christian Church (Zondervan:Grand Rapids) 1981, pp. 83. Quoting from The First Apology by Justin Martyr (A.D. 150-155) and the Didache (A.D. 90-150), Cairns records: "The service, … Continue reading Church Assemblies circa A.D. 150
The Beauty of Christ’s Body
Yesterday I read a piece in the Huffington Post from and author who was disappointed in the congregation of the Lord's Body that she attended from childhood. She shared an incident or two that would be enough to disillusion anyone. Sadly, using large brush strokes, she in many ways blames every church of Christ. After … Continue reading The Beauty of Christ’s Body
I am not Sorry
What I am about to say is un-American, un-patriotic, unlike many right-wing republicans, and definitely un-Tea Party -like. I am not sorry for what I am about to say. I believe my words to be truth, founded upon scripture. They are thoughts that our hymnology (is that a word?) proclaims. These thoughts come from many … Continue reading I am not Sorry
You Are Missed
They weren't here. I did not see them. I am looking at the list of "absentees" from worship this past month and like every month, I wonder, "why are they not attending regularly?" Is it the preaching? Is it our congregational singing? Are we not welcoming? Do they not feel important, needed, and appreciated? Do … Continue reading You Are Missed
Take Your Hat Off and Stay
This is an edit of a post from 2012. With all the political correctness going on and people not wanting their feelings hurt by being told they are wrong, I thought I would update and share. A well-to-do family hired a maid to keep the house and laundry clean. All the first day the new maid … Continue reading Take Your Hat Off and Stay
Hitchhiker’s Church History
Douglas Adams quotes to his readers from the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe’s entry on Galactic Civilizations. According to the Guide civilization pass through three stages before their demise. The stages are: Survival, Inquiry, and Sophistication otherwise known as How, Why, and Where. Adams explains it in terms similar to this: Survival - “How are … Continue reading Hitchhiker’s Church History
Don’t Go to Church this Christmas –
I heard about two billboards one in Colorado and one in North Carolina in Bible class yesterday evening and saw a story about it on social media. An atheist group paid for these billboards that have a picture of Santa and the following quote, "Go ahead and skip church. Just be good for goodness sake. Happy Holidays" This … Continue reading Don’t Go to Church this Christmas –
Driving Thought 