[ACTS 20:29,30]

I think that some of today's churches tend to try and appease the crowd, and some even dilute the truth, as referred to in ACTS 20:29,30.  Also, some churches tend to celebrate the holy Communion as a "side bar", or as an incidental.

In our church, we try and make Communion a very precious and special time of celebrating remembrances of Jesus, who He is, what He does and what He will do.

We also believe in the Greek definition of the word remember.  "To bring up from a sitting or fallen position."   We speak about how flesh cannot live with blood, and when we take the bread, we must also take the juice to make it whole, and that we must remember Jesus from our fallen position so that, through Him, we will also be made whole in Him.  We also encourage all of our members, to NOT partake of the emblems if our hearts are harboring any negatives towards our fellow man, as it is best to pass until such time as we have properly aligned our hearts once again to our Savior.

We are solemn, we are very respectful and we are tremendously joyful that He loves us enough to let us have that time for Him.

I really didn't mean to write a book here....sorry.

In Christ,
Pastor Bruce

Hi, Ollie.  You are right - the church is the body, not the walls that house the body, however, it might be a little easier on everyone if we used just a touch of good ol' common sense and didn't go overboard nitpicking.  The karate center made a wonderful "house" for the church to assemble in, and if you were to ever find yourself in Chandler, Arizona, I'd very much welcome you in - - to see how a karate center can house a church for the Lord's glory!  

I once heard that if there were three Christians gathered, there would surely be 4 different opinions and at least two of the three would get upset over something.  I don't really agree with that, but I do think that we sometimes overdo the semantics a little.

Have a blessed day and a LORD-filled weekend!

Serving Him,
Bruce

Hi, A.B.
We tried to do the same thing early last year and hit a brick wall at every turn.  But, as hard as we tried to ignore the calling, God kept pulling us back.

We finally planted a church in 11/03 with 4 people!!!  Today, there are nearly 30, and it is growing slowly every week.  We were looking for a place and I kept driving by a very large Karate studio that I thought would be a wonderful church!  Of course, I knew we couldn't afford it.  But, one day I just stopped and asked.  He asked me how much I could afford and I said $75. per week, tops.  He said fine, and gave me a key.  He has since proved to be a very good landlord, and he is also a Christian.

My point is this, if you feel the call, just do it.  God will pull the impossible off if that is what He wants you to do.  If getting a grant seems hard, don't pursue it.  God will test you, but He will never drive you into the ground with hardships.  Just go for it if that is what you think He really wants, and if you do ... He will open doors that you cannot even imagine of now!  And we shall keep you lifted.

God bless you abundantly, Butcha!  Every Christian is called to preach - - only a few are called to do it from the pulpit.  All of us are to work sowing the seeds for Jesus.  That is the single most important job we have in my opinion, and then either we, or someone else will end up watering that seed.

Let your life's actions and attitudes sow those seeds, my friend.  And may our Lord bless you while you toil for Him.

I am a second career pastor.  By that, I mean that I am getting ready to retire from the Post Office, and have already planted a church that is growing, making me a bi-vocational pastor. I was called at the tender age of 6 to preach, and have finally been ordained 3 years ago!  (Slow but sure, right?)

I am wondering how many others are being called to go into a ministry later, rather than sooner, in their life.  If you are older than 50 and have started a ministry, I would appreciate your telling us all about it.  Who knows, you might be encouraging someone else to work for the glory of God, too!

[ALL OF US]

There is an old expression that I believe sums this entire affair up:  'It's gotta get worse before it gets better'.

The Salvation Army is not the organization it once was.  Much of that is directly due to the liberal agenda of 'life appointed' judges across this wonderful nation.  These men and women on the bench do not realize what they are doing, but they are working hand in hand with Satan himself.

But, we have to realize, too, that this is  just another step closer to the return of our Lord!  We cannot just sit here and do nothing though.  We must do whatever the Lord has given us to combat this trend.  

Some have abilities to go to court and fight.  Others have been given the abilities to get the behind the scenes informaiton and report it to the public.  But ALL OF US [/flash] have been given the abilities to witness and to pray!

Keep your chin up .... that way your eyes will always be looking at Heaven, my friend.  

Ebia, I understand your frustration, and I agree that a sin is a sin is a sin.  But I might also add that liars do not normally stand out and blatantly tell you they are a liar, nor do cheaters, killers, etc.  If it seems that todays' church "picks on" homosexuals, it might be that the homosexuals of today are much more vocal and demanding about their acceptance.

I pray that I am wrong, but it seems that you might be leaning on the side of acceptance of homosexuality rather than describing it as the sin that the Bible says it is.  If that is the case, I would have to wonder how devoted you are to actually taking up your cross and following Jesus daily.  I am not trying to put you down, but I believe that if we call ourselves Americans, we must be "of America", and if we call ourselves Christians, we must be "of Christ", and if we are of Christ, we must be devoted to His principals and dictates.  Please forgive me for going on about this, I didn't mean to lecture, but your last input really hit a negative.  God bless you, Ebia.

[REV.21:8]

RE: Homosexuals - God loves us all and wishes that none would perish .... and with that being said, I will say that it is my belief that when He sees humans acting blatantly sinful, no matter what they are doing, He hurts.  And God has already told us who will NOT be entering into Heaven in REV.21:8.  People have the option of scoffing at, or ignoring, this passage, but no matter how you might want to color it, the truth is always the truth, and it is Jesus Christ.

We must remember that there are christians and then there are CHRISTIANS, the difference is the submission of the entire heart to learn and do, not just sit in a pew.  We cannot sing HOW GREAT THOU ART on Sunday, and then the rest of the week sing HOW GREAT I AM.  And for real Christians who are truly devoted to the Lord in the Bible, we must not hate homosexuals....we must love them enough to do two things....1) lovingly tell them the truth when given the opportunity, and 2) pray for them, and pray for them, etc.  That is what God wants Christians to do.  Love, pray for and witness to.  I think it is impossible for a person who is a real Christian (follower of Christ) to be for anything that Christ is against - period!  Of course, that is just my humble opinion.

RE: having others nest (spend time) with you.  My first thought is:  that is excellent discipling, which is what we are commanded to do ..... and my second thought is to be very, very careful - especially if that other person is of the opposite sex and you are a church leader.  Not saying it is a bad thing, just saying to really be careful.  May God bless you as you choose to walk with His Son.