National Survival

I'm sorry!

I know I haven't written in a while and hopefully will explain why in the near future.

But today I write because I wanted to express my humble thoughts on some of the things that are going on right now.

First--I have a saying that I told, and still do to this day, "Remember who you are and whose you are." I'm not sure where I got the saying but at some point, in my young parenting life, I began using the statement and challenge for my children when they would be going somewhere away from their mother and I.

Basically, it is a statement I hoped would burden their conscience to think before they spoke or acted. I believe for the most part it worked with my children. I know that there were times that it didn't have the effect I would have liked it have had. After all, they are human just like all of us. They made mistakes in their lives, but I believe that they never forgot the statement that I placed upon their hearts when they left my oversight. (I love them for this!)

So let me get to my point for this blog.

I believe that as Americans, we have forgotten who we are and whose we are!

Look at what we as a country are concerned about.  The past! As a society we are more focused on the past problems of our United States than anything else. So much so that we are spending literally hundreds of thousands of dollars on the removal of "past sins" reminders of our country. The past reminds us of where we have come from. To glorify those who were a part of the past for what they did, I believe, is just as wrong as removing the reminders of the things that divided us as a country.

I believe that the answer to our problems in our country is to look to the future and forget the past problems we have had. It is time to remember that the past is not who we are now and the fight over these issues can only grow to divide us again. It is time to remember who we are and whose we are.

God has been left out of the process. Not once has anyone on national media, nor the leaders of those who are fighting to "rectify" the past invoked the power of our one nation under God.  It is time we begin to remember who we are and whose we are.

I believe we are Americans. It doesn't matter where you came from, where you live in our country, or what stance on politics you take, unless you take God out of the equation. Understanding our forefather's desire to have a place where all men are equal (I know that slavery still worked its way into our society, the sins of the past), we should have taken the high road to build our country into the future.

The answers to our nations problems are in the future, not trying to repair the past! I am ready to see us become the nation that is respectful of each other.  I believe we came into existence to achieve this very thing.

Those of us who are Christians need to remember who we are and whose we are. We need to reach out in love and become the vocal majority of love and peace, respect and understanding. It is time for us to be accountable for our actions and lead by example so that others would want to be like us, because we are like Him. 1 John 4:17 "...in this world we are like Him."

I believe this is the answer to our national crisis.

By the way, I am still thankful that we take care of during major disasters. At least we haven't lost all of our love for humanity. Maybe this can also help us remember who we are and whose we are.

I love you all (4),

Britt

Non-Denominational Christianity

Non-Denominational! Yes, that is the key word to many of our religious friends and neighbors and many of whom are truly searching for God's direction for their lives.

To get into this discussion we have to first define the term "Non-denominational".

First, the prefix non comes from the word none.  None has the meaning according to Encarta Dictionary English (North America) -- not any part of something, or not a single one of something.

Second, the word denomination from same reference -- "a religious grouping within a faith that has its own system of organization."

Nondenominational according to Dictionary.com 

adjective

1. of or pertaining to a denomination or denominations.

2. founded, sponsored, or controlled by a particular religious denomination or sect:

denominational schools.

3.limited, conditioned, originating in, or influenced by the beliefs, attitudes,or interests of a religious sect, political party, etc.: denominational prejudice.

So, as I see it, non-denominational would have the meaning of a religious body not limited to or conditioned or influenced by the beliefs, attitudes or interests of a religious sect.  

This would mean that the religious group who is claiming to be a "non-denominational body of believers, or church" would be totally autonomous.  

Autonomous, according to Dictionary.com adjective

1. Government.

a.self-governing; independent; subject to its own laws only.

b. pertaining to an autonomy.

2. having autonomy; not subject to control from outside; independent:

So, to be a totally Non-denominational church or religious body would mean..."a self-governing, independent body of believers meeting in one place subject to its own membership controlled only from internal leaders completely independent of a board, leadership, or hierarchy outside the group.  

Using the words "nondenominational church" puts a lot of pressure on the local group striving to be truly autonomous striving to be free from following any list of rules or regulations outside of their local group.  Many of those who are claiming this thought process of not being linked to any other group may have trouble being true to themselves if they are overseen by a group who are not a part of that particular local congregation, body of believers, or group of Christians.

With that all said, let me address where I am coming from as far as why I worship with those who have, over the years, claimed the name "Church of Christ."  It is true that most of those who claim that name as a distinction do so for the purpose of core belief recognition.  They, for the most part, have the same core beliefs.  The only connection between these groups is that recognition.

I have preached and or worshiped with sixteen different churches over the last forty years. I attended a Christian College and preaching school that was led by those who were involved with that local school. During that time there has never been a directive from a church board or hierarchy from outside those local churches that has had any responsibility to regulate or dictate doctrinal matters or even matters of opinion that was given as a "church law, or doctrine" that had to be followed to keep a charter or "matter of faith" that affected the standing of that particular local church or congregation.

True non-denominational Christianity is to be led exclusively by God's word and the members of that local church or congregation of people claiming the same core beliefs. In true non-denominational faith, not everyone will agree on matters of opinion nor be held accountable for matters of opinion that come from others outside that local church or congregation of God's people.  True non-denominational Christianity would, and in my opinion from the definitions we use to describe "Non-denominational" churches, govern and regulate their thoughts on EVERY MATTER!

In most, not all, churches of Christ, elders (shepherds, bishops, pastors, etc.) lead the church and the minister who preaches is a paid (or financially supported) individual who takes the direction from those elders (shepherds, bishops, pastors, etc.) as far as matters of faith and or opinion. Those men, (elders, shepherds, bishops, pastors, etc.) are responsible to God and the local church members and to them only.  

Non-denominational Christianity can only be truly claimed by those who are truly autonomous and separate local congregations, churches or bodies of faith with the ultimate goal of bringing themselves and others closer to God and His Son, Jesus Christ our savior.

These churches or bodies of faith are responsible to God and His word.  That is why every time we see leadership in the New Testament that there is a plurality of leaders (elders, shepherds, bishops, pastors, etc. and in that group there are certain qualities that these men should have that are recorded in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1).  These men, and from what I have studied not women, are to meet these qualities in that local congregation, church, or body of faith.  They are the decision makers for that local body of believers. This is according to the Biblical example therefore without need to be decided by man. 

When we allow "Men" or those outside of the local church, congregation, or body of believers make decisions we are no longer autonomous.  

Non-denominational Christian churches are true to God's word if they are totally autonomous from other leadership outside of the local church, congregation or body of believers.  

That is one of the reasons I believe I worship with the people I worship with. The leaders here take their responsibility seriously when it comes to leading the people of God who meet at West Freeway church.  They meet and pray together asking God's help in leading this local church in faith.  

Learning to be answerable to God and not man is a difficult aspect of being "Non-denominational". I am thankful to be the preaching minister here because I know that these men are not only responsible for all the members of this church family, this congregation of believers sharing a common faith, but that they are also my leaders.  I am not only responsible to God for what I teach and preach but I am also responsible to these men in following their leadership.  They will answer to God for the decisions that they make and it is with that I am able to pillow my head at night knowing that I have men who are not only praying for my church family but also praying for me.  They know me and my needs and bring those before God in their prayers.

I hope that you will find a church with Biblical Leadership.  I pray that you truly find a non-denominational church, congregation or body of faith, that will comfort you as you strive to follow the path of God to belong to a group truly striving to be what God wants them to be with biblical leaders that are truly "Non-Denominational."

May God bless you in your search for truth and a true "Non-denominational" church, congregation, or body of believers.

Pre-marital Sex

A friend of mine shared this with many of us on his Facebook time line and I wanted to share it with you.  It is from Bob Russell and was copied from http://www.churchleaders.com/ Church Leaders Web site.  I hope you share this with those you know!  

Occasionally church leaders email me, asking for my opinion on various personal or church problems. This spring, I received a note from a church leader in another city. The location isn’t important, because the situation he outlined is common across the nation.

He wrote of how a number of members ages 25 to 35 had reached the conclusion that premarital sex is “OK.” Some even play on the praise team, teach in the children’s program, or film videos for weekly announcements.

“The problem is that some of them will tell me that they cannot find anything in scripture that says that what they are doing, having sex with someone, is wrong,” he said. “I have taught on the subject, but they do not see a direct statement against premarital sex.”

Dealing with sin.

He asked for other scriptures he can use, as well as about the church’s stance.

Should it allow them to continue leading ministries or bring them before the congregation and—as the Bible says—have nothing to do with them in hopes it will help them see their sin and return to Christ?

“I know that Satan wants to get in and cause problems in the church, but I also know the need to accept them and love them,” he concluded. “But we also have to deal with sin, or Satan wins.”

In my response, I pointed out that the Bible repeatedly instructs God’s people to “flee fornication.” For 2,000 years, the word translated “fornication” in Scripture has been understood to include the prohibition of sex prior to marriage. Webster’s dictionary definition is clear: “consensual sexual intercourse between two persons not married to each other.”

A privileged experience.

God designed the physical union of a man and a woman as a privileged experience within the bounds of marriage. The Lord intended marriage as a secure environment for raising children and a uniquely meaningful union that symbolizes God’s committed relationship to us (Ephesians 5:32).

If there was nothing wrong with premarital sex, then why was Joseph determined to divorce Mary when he discovered she was expecting a child prior to marriage?

If there is nothing wrong with premarital sex, then one could conclude there is nothing wrong with having children out of wedlock.

Obviously, those who would suggest the liberalization of the biblical standard are ignoring the clear teaching of Scripture, conforming to the values of the world, and yielding to the desires of the flesh. As Jesus said, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).

The church’s responsibility.

Just as I said to this letter writer, I say to all church leaders: The church has a responsibility to practice discipline in regard to flagrant, known sin. 

This is especially true for those in leadership. We are to gently confront believers who are known to be living in sin and encourage them to repent.

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus cautioned us not to attempt to remove a speck from someone else’s eye without first examining ourselves to make sure there is not a log protruding from our own. Later, He explained that if the person living in sin doesn’t repent, then the believer is to take two or three others to confront again. If the backslider still refuses to change, the issue is to be taken to the church (Matthew 19:16-17).

The shepherds of the flock are then to confront in love and encourage restoration to Christ. If the offender still refuses to repent, he/she is to be treated as an unbeliever.

Removal option.

The Apostle Paul instructed the Corinthian church to remove from their fellowship a man who persisted in living in incest, warning, “With such a man do not even eat” (1 Corinthians 5:11). Now, I know such measures sound harsh in an era of super-tolerance, but I’ve seen them work very effectively—often in the first stages. 

God designed the church to consist of people who are “called out” from the world. We are to live separate and holy lives. Unless we practice some measure of church discipline, the church is in danger of simply reflecting its culture rather than transforming it. 

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus said if salt loses its saltiness, it is good for nothing except to be cast out and trodden under men’s feet. This is the present-day danger all church leaders face.

May we have courage to point others to the truth instead of settling for the path of least resistance.  

Celebration to Come!

When I was 11 years old, my baseball team won the City League championship in Longview, TX.  We were the Colonels and my brother Andy was the bat boy and was so excited about the win that he did a flip on the pitcher's mound.  The celebration for a group of  11 year old boys and their parents was so exciting that I have considered that year to be one of my favorites memories and my favorite age.

That one championship became one of my accomplishments that I cherished in my heart.  One of my teammates passed away as a result of a car wreck he suffered later in his teens.  Bruce Fisher was a friend and I have been thinking about him and the rest of the team who I wish I could see again.  We grew up, and now as men we have our own lives that were all shaped by the events of that summer.

However, several years later, I became a Christian by being immersed for the forgiveness of my sins and there are several people who were there as a part of that are no longer living in this world. I have lost my mother, several of my close friends who became a part of the team that I knew at that time as a result of my decision, and the preacher who immersed me, J.D. Lancaster and many who encouraged me to become who I now am in life.

Today, I live and work with a team of Christians who are living to win the championship of life.  Heaven is our goal, the celebration will be sweet, and I know that my brother Andy will do a flip for me at the thrown of God as a celebration of being home. (Well, maybe!) My Christian team was and is my favorite team and many memories have surpassed those baseball memories some 40 years ago. I have lost many of my friends and church family to death, but I know that they are waiting for the final celebration to come in eternity.  I too, with my physical and spiritual family, can't wait to celebrate with Jesus who "pitched a perfect game" in this life and is waiting for us to come home.

I hope you are ready for that celebration.  I would love to see you Sunday at the West Freeway church so that we can worship and praise Him who was perfect in this life so that we would have the chance to join Him for that celebration.  He lived the perfect life to be the perfect sacrifice for us.  "Come, now is the time to worship." 

God bless you.  See you Sunday so that I will be to possibly see you in heaven.

My Bucket List

It has been a while since I last wrote here so my apologies if you were waiting (no one mentioned it but just thought I'd say it)!

Bucket Lists are popular right now so I thought I would give you my top 10 things I want to do before I die.

10 -- Live more spiritually in the moments of everyday life.

9 -- Live at peace will all men.

8 -- Know that all whom I have hurt or offended have forgiven me.

7 -- Study more diligently to be more helpful to others.

6 -- Lose enough weight to make a difference in my health.

5 -- Write my story in a way that would lead others to a closer walk with Jesus.

4 -- Love my family the way they deserve to be loved.

3 -- Share my faith regularly.

2 -- Share countless blessings with my wife.

1 -- Be who I need to be for everyone I meet.

Honestly, this is my bucket list.  I hope you are thinking more spiritually than you are physically in your quests in life.

God bless you!