Cynicism in the Church [post 23]

There is a cloud of things that I believe we don't want to face and it keeps us from being a part of a God-following community. It happened to us and then turned to bitterness, hate, judgment, and self righteousness and this is where we see the heart of rebellion in the Church. A whole generation of "social renegades" are on the loose with their fists in the air swearing change to the death!

So I wonder if there is room for those who are skeptics within the church? When do we go too far? When does searching for "truth" turn into rebellion and we see the roots of our pain? Why can't we just move on?

It is my thought that when we are damaged we tend to cry, freeze or fight. 


We are at a place that God is calling to many of us to stand up and move into His thing but that means that it has a cost. We have to be transparent with our faith that God is right, trust in others around us including leadership, and show our enthusiasm about what we are doing. No one said that passion is pretty nor is it perfect.

I feel God calling us to be involved and to rise up and face the truth. There is a honing place where we can reject mindless social trends and embrace truth, passion and justice and that is with Christ. It is possible that the cynical mind has a place in the Church as long as the heart of it all is passionately involved with forgiveness, which is fuel for the fire that will explode in movement.

Today I want to forgive those who caused me damage and be active. As a church I want us to be a people with naked passion inside that pierces dullness and opens a surge of life!

Stand up!
Shake it off!
There's a mission for you. You already know its coordinates.
Allow your feet to move to the rhythm of God's heartbeat.
He is for you!!

May God cover us all. May we be well to the point of getting over the things we feel hold us down. May God use us.

- Kris Catoe

Power on [post 22]

He controls the sky and the air.
He has a mighty arm with a reach of absolute sovereignity.
Creation comes from His thoughts and power from a simple breath.
He flexes His arms...Stretches His wings to rule over all.
The Earth covered.

All must come to His Lordship.

I say goodbye to all that held me (control, depression, judgment, anger and rage) because this darkness and His light can not mix. God be in control...not me.

Today I embrace MY King!

- Kris Catoe

Gifts [post 21]

Today began a little earlier than most days because my hubby had given me a few chores to complete before I leave for Chattanooga tomorrow. You know -- practical things I don't think about like replacing the windshield wiper blades and getting an oil change. So, there was no loitering around my house this morning. This retiree got straight up out of bed, jumped into the shower, dressed, and left promptly without eating breakfast. I did however take my medicine.



On the way into town, I did not stop and get the windshield wipers because I didn't want the man at RBC auto parts to have to replace them in the rain. Maybe it won't be raining this afternoon. I also did not get my oil changed because the whirling in my stomach reminded me that I had taken my medicine without eating. So, I decided to try out Jim's favorite morning eatery - Arby's.

Since it was raining, I decided to go through the drive thru. I usually don't do breakfast out and didn't really know what Arby's had to offer, so I was going to have to study the menu.


Usually, that invisible entity inside either has a nasally impatient voice, a rapid fire machine gun tone that leaves you wondering how much you owe, or a loud disinterested megaphone that leaves an impression of, "Why are you bothering me?"



This morning was different. Instead of the usual voices, there was softness and politeness and beauty and sensitivity and patience. As I drove up to the window to pay, I smiled and thought, "What a beautiful voice!" You see, this morning I was fragile. I didn't need those other voices.



Soon a wrestling match occurred. I have these little people that are firmly attached to both of my shoulders. One says, "Do it!" The other cries, "Don't. You'll be sorry." This morning the "do it" won out.



"Has anyone ever told you that you have a lovely voice?" BIG SMILE -- "Yes, a man who just drove through said the same thing." "Well, you do. You have a beautiful voice, and I thank you."



As I pulled away from Arby's drive thru, I was so thankful to God for this not-so-small gift and remembered Paul's thoughts in 2 Corinthians 2:15. WE ARE UNTO GOD THE SWEET FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST.



Christ has given each of us His Spirit, and His Spirit transforms all that it touches. So, everything about us can be usuable and consecrated for His service.



"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. These gifts are given to each of us as a means of helping us all. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another he gives the gift of special knowledge. The Spirit gives special faith to another, and to someone else he gives the power to heal the sick. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and to another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to know whether it is really the Spirit of God or another spirit that is speaking. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, and another is given the ability to interpret what is being said . . . So if God has given you the ability to prophecy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly . . . Under the Spirit's direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." (1 Cor. 12:4+, Romans 12:6+, Eph. 4:16)



As we utilitze the gifts He has given us, we become God's gift to the body. What He has given one, He has given us all. There are no small gifts. "Whatever we have to offer owes everything to that which causes it to be (without Me ye can do nothing), yet God counts it as something." - Amy Carmichael



You know, it really is Christmas (Christ's mass) all year long. His gifts to us that we in turn give to others can be given every moment of every day of the year.



Thank you, God, for the woman with the beautiful voice for she was your special gift to me this morning.

-Debbie Handy

Thus is Faith - A Poem [post 20]

'Tis a world filled with chaos and trouble,
rivers of tears,
fountains of hate and misunderstanding.

We struggle to survive,
to smile,
to remember that this multitude of woes
only seems like a barrier of bronze remaining unopened.

The unmovable is but a momentary diversion
whose sole purpose is but to distract,
to disappoint,
to frustrate.

'Tis but the tempter's invitation to quit,
merely a dark cloud behind which a great light shines.

The light shines always
regardless of the cloud or the night.

Our task is to see the light,
to believe in its beneficence always,
to feel its warm smile in spite of the cold or dark,
to hear its gentle song in the night and know its purpose for our lives,
to touch its tears and its strength,
to stand steadfast,
solid like an oak that bends in the roughest wind
but does not break.

-Debbie Handy

One... [post 19]

The number '1'....That's how (I think) God views His church. Yeah, I know it's made up of many parts but the sum is greater than the parts.


He is very gracious to allow us to have our little flags that give us a name and is a reflection of who we really are as a community of followers, but we are still one.


Imagine.....if you will....(using your best Rod Serling Voice) that when God looks down or around on Gadsden He simply sees the Church of Gadsden. He doesn't differentiate between Baptist/Episcopal/Methodist/Catholic/etc. He just sees His body in Gadsden. It is in this swirling mass of Church-dom that we find the heart of God for His body. That in the dynamic known as community we are to "Attain the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man (and woman) to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ."


What this really means is that we do our best "growing" in God when we are in community.


Are you a part? Think on it.


mbb

-Michael Bynum

D'ya ever see something for the first time... again? [post 18]

I know that sounds a little funny but hang in there with me. You've had those moments too. I had one yesterday that really kinda took me back. I was reading November 21 in "My Utmost for His Highest" for like the 15th year in a row. So that means I've seen that devotional thought at least 14 times, right? You'd think I would have read it by now. But as I was reading yesterday, the word 'martyr' caught my eye. I don't know if it's all the talk about 'martyr' versus 'suicide bomber' I heard on one of the late night news shows the other day or what. But for whatever reason, it caught my eye. So I re-read the page. 


An Oswald's thought was that Jesus was not a martyr. So I thought about it and decided to agree. He didn't die an unplanned death. That's why He was born. So I was OK for a sentence or two. Then I read this: 

"Never build your preaching on the fact that God is our Father and He will forgive us because He loves us." 

At first I thought, "Man, that doesn't sound just right, does it?" Then, the truth of what Oswald Chambers had written hit me. God doesn't forgive us because He loves us. He sent Jesus because He loves us.
He forgives because Jesus died. 
Everything He does for me He does because Jesus died. 
I know He loves me... Jesus died. 
I know He's made a place for me... Jesus died. 
He didn't take pity on me and give me a 'get out of jail free' card because He loves me. He required blood for my sin and mine wasn't the right type so Jesus took my place. God is Holy. I gotta be Holy to visit with Him. I can't be holy. Jesus is.


Now I know I knew that. It's just that I hadn't thought of it in a while. I get kinda focused on the fact that the Father wants a relationship with me and I forget somehow that it's only possible because Jesus died. I get tuned in to the fact that I'm created to worship and man, am I glad about that. I'm fairly sure my life would be worth squat without the chance to worship. 


But I can only approach the throne in worship because Jesus died. 


I know that sometimes death and blood are not pleasant topics in our world. We see so much senselessness -- so much wrong. But the death of Jesus is precious to me. His blood is incredibly valuable to me. He bought me with it. And I'm so very thankful to have the chance to be His. I belong to Him. Man, what a concept!

- Bruce C.

THE BLINKING CHURCH SIGN [post 17]

The best way to defuse the principalities and powers of postmodern culture is not to escape from it, but to learn its language, master its media, and engage it on a higher level.

-Leonard Sweet, soulTsunami, 1999, p 21

Revival is when God gets tired of being misrepresented and shows up to represent Himself.

- Karen Bacon's comment to Len Sweet

Man They Grow Up Fast [post 16]

   In the blink of an eye it comes and goes. Just like a baby is born and then it seems like the next day you are watching her get married or sending him off to college. As is everything in life. Somehow it seems the good times go faster than the hard times do. Go figure. What's that you ask? Oh, yeah, I do have a point. Some of you know, but for those of you who don't, I'll start at the beginning. 


   In October of 2004, I felt that God had given me an idea. I had the notion to start a Saturday night fellowship/coffee & dessert/worship/non-religious kick back and relax and unwind with God and friends casual kind of meeting thingamajigger. Anyway, we started the first Saturday in November of '04. I must say that for me, these were some of the most incredible times I have ever experienced. We saw healing, deliverance, outpouring of the spirit, and kinship building. I could give you stories, but that's another blog for another day. We would meet every week at the church at seven o'clock. Normally we would spend at least half an hour in fellowship time and then worship collectively. Sometimes we would fellowship more or less, sometimes not even have music. There were nights when there were three of us, and nights when there were twenty. Almost every week there was a different group of people. And no matter what we did or who was there, it seemed that every week God would come and do something incredible for someone. 


   Well, this went on for over a year. It seems as though it were only a few weeks. However, about three or four weeks ago, I started to feel uncomfortable. I could tell something was happening. Something was changing. I'm about as sharp as a bowling ball, so you can imagine how I wrestled with my mind trying to figure it out. Then, this past Saturday, I was at the church with my guitar. I was playing a little and then I realized it was 7:00 and no one was there. Then, at 7:30 and again at 8:00, I found myself still alone. So I kept playing and praying. Then finally, I felt the Lord with me. 


   I asked Him to let me in on what was going on with Saturday night. Where was it headed and what was His plan? 


   I even went so far as to ask that He give me a word or sign that I could understand and that it be clear and simple so I could get it. After a little while of praying and talking with God, I had an overwhelming peace about me. Well, I figured He would fill me in later. So I grabbed my gear and locked the doors. Then as I turned to get in my truck, the largest bus I have ever seen turned onto Broad Street and rolled right in front of me. It was a big grey bus and on it were the words: 

NEW DIRECTION CHARTER.

   Now in the natural, we all know what that means. However, I really felt that was God's response to my request. An answer to my prayer. So I immediately thanked Him for His faithfulness and then went back inside to collect myself. I then realized what was happening and began to panic. I didn't want to see this end. It seemed as though it had become part of me. I knew in my heart that God was moving on, though. I could tell that the grace was no longer there. So I talked to my wife and to my pastors, and then laid it to rest. 


   So I say goodbye now to another season of my life. I will take the experiences and build on them, and hold fast to the memories and stories that have evolved. I will embrace the next thing that God set before me with hope and faith, knowing that He is God.

- Todd Bagley

Beauty Tips from Audrey Hepburn [post 15]

Someone shared this with me, and so I share it with you.

November Is Beautiful Woman Month

One of the world's most beautiful women was Audrey Hepburn. Years ago, someone wrote to her and asked for her beauty tips. Her reply was read at her funeral years later.

• For attractive lips, seek out the good in people.
• For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
• For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it twice a day.
• For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
• People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
• Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
• As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

- Debbie Handy

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow [post 14]

Did you know that successful people never dwell on the past. Somehow, they are able to let it go and are free to be.

We've all done things in the past that we shouldn't have. I know that I have. Sometimes, we look back with shame and guilt, but that's not what God intends for us to do. When we ask for forgiveness, those things are GONE. If we receive His forgiveness, they are GONE. Period! Throw away your shovels, folks!

God is one thing. Humans are something else. Unless God has gotten hold of them, humans tend to never forget. "I'll forgive, but I won't forget." Families are sometimes the worst culprits. They'll dig it up and throw it in your face and enjoy doing so.

Living in the past blinds us to what's going on right now, causing us to miss today's opportunities and hindering our moving forward into tomorrow, into our future.

You know, it's not just the "bad" from the past. Some people get stuck reliving their successes, their glory days. Well, if what was is as good as it's going to get, then we're all in big trouble.

Our future is unwritten. What we do and how we live today determines our tomorrow.

• May we live in the present moment.
• May we forgive and forget. Throw away those shovels.
• May we not be afraid of change and of new things and ideas and people.
• May we be generous with stuff and with our lives.
• May we live expectantly and go farther than we ever dreamed possible.

- Michael Bynum

Thank You John Wimber [post 13]

are


Thank you John Wimber for:


1.)not knowing what you were doing and instead listened to God.
2.) For thinking that we are all called to "do the stuff".
3.) For pulling worship into our generation and beyond. 
4.) For making me believe that THE BOOK is a practical guide for my life.
5.) For walking your life in humility before us all and for leaving a legacy that has affected me.
6.) For being comfortable in your own skin.
7.) For simply loving the body of Christ.

- Michael Bynum

Ed:

John Richard Wimber was born on February 25, 1934 in Peoria, Illinois and was raised in a non-Christian home. He became "an equipper of men". He died on November 17, 1997.