TMNT Review - PlanetWisdom.com
Here's a good summary of the new movie. A few of the guys at Hangtime said it was a good movie. If you go, make sure you answer the questions with some friends and take a conversational "fork" in the road towards bringing God up in the conversation.
Pastor D
Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Three-part Communion (part 1)
Students who have trusted Christ need to take part in communion. Jesus commands that we commemorate what He did for each believer by dying on the cross for their sins; "do this in remembrance of me (Luke 22:19)." Later as the church kept growing the Apostle Paul passed on this ordinance for the church at Corinth to practice when he wrote, "For I received from the Lord, what I also passed on to you...(I Corinthians 11:23)." Paul outlined the ordinance of the Bread and the Cup.
Northwest Chapel practices three-fold, three-part communion. We engage in three symbols that picture a believer's relationship with Christ. The three parts of the Communion Service are the feet washing, the love feast, and the Bread and the Cup. Each part symbolizes biblical truth.
The first part is feet-washing. It was typical for Jewish people at the time of Jesus to wash their feet upon entering someone's house. Yet Jesus rose from the meal as it was in progres and washed the disciples' feet (see John 13:2-5). Northwest Chapel believes that the feet-washing Jesus performs with the disciples is a special feet washing. Jesus gave special meaning to this feet-washing.
The feet washing is a symbol of cleansing from sin. Once a person has trusted Jesus to take over his or her life, a Christ-follower still commits sins from time to time. He or she needs to be forgiven. Peter objects to getting his feet washed but Jesus informs him that if Peter did not have his feet washed he would have no part with Jesus. So Peter asks Jesus to wash his entire ody; however Jesus points out that he does not need to have his whole body cleaned since he already knows Jesus. Only his feet needs to be cleansed.
Feet-washing is a symbol or picture of what has happened spiritually in the life of a believer in Christ. Because I have trusted Jesus, I can experience this daily cleansing of sin and receive Christ's forgiveness. I can symbolically picture this truth by washing someone else's feet (read John 13:12-17). I will get to the second part later this week. I wonder if you would like to come and observe how we conduct communion. You are invited to join us this Sunday, April 1 @ 5:30pm in our Multi-purpose Room @ 6700 Rings Road in Dublin, Ohio--no fooling :).
Pastor D
Northwest Chapel practices three-fold, three-part communion. We engage in three symbols that picture a believer's relationship with Christ. The three parts of the Communion Service are the feet washing, the love feast, and the Bread and the Cup. Each part symbolizes biblical truth.
The first part is feet-washing. It was typical for Jewish people at the time of Jesus to wash their feet upon entering someone's house. Yet Jesus rose from the meal as it was in progres and washed the disciples' feet (see John 13:2-5). Northwest Chapel believes that the feet-washing Jesus performs with the disciples is a special feet washing. Jesus gave special meaning to this feet-washing.
The feet washing is a symbol of cleansing from sin. Once a person has trusted Jesus to take over his or her life, a Christ-follower still commits sins from time to time. He or she needs to be forgiven. Peter objects to getting his feet washed but Jesus informs him that if Peter did not have his feet washed he would have no part with Jesus. So Peter asks Jesus to wash his entire ody; however Jesus points out that he does not need to have his whole body cleaned since he already knows Jesus. Only his feet needs to be cleansed.
Feet-washing is a symbol or picture of what has happened spiritually in the life of a believer in Christ. Because I have trusted Jesus, I can experience this daily cleansing of sin and receive Christ's forgiveness. I can symbolically picture this truth by washing someone else's feet (read John 13:12-17). I will get to the second part later this week. I wonder if you would like to come and observe how we conduct communion. You are invited to join us this Sunday, April 1 @ 5:30pm in our Multi-purpose Room @ 6700 Rings Road in Dublin, Ohio--no fooling :).
Pastor D
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
.:: CPYU | The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding -Walt Mueller's Blog::.
.:: CPYU The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding -Walt Mueller's Blog::.
Here's a great blog to add to your newsreader. It'll make you think. Way to go Walt!
Here's a great blog to add to your newsreader. It'll make you think. Way to go Walt!
Free Hugs
I visited YouTube to see who won the First Annual Awards. I was most moved by the award to Juan Mann for freehugs video. Click on this link here to YouTube to watch this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4 I watched it and I will share with you the link above. Watch it and consider these lyrics from Casting Crowns (note bolded chorus, my emphasis),
I wonder what if we as Christians reached out our arms to hug those who need God's love in a real way. I wonder what God could do through us. Where are the free hugs from God's people to a lost and lonely world?
"If We Are The Body, "Lyrics by Mark Hall Music by Casting CrownsSong based on James 2:1-9© 2003 Club Zoo Music
It's crowded in worship todayAs she slips in trying to fade into the facesThe girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they knowFarther than they know
Chorus: But if we are the body Why aren't His arms reaching? Why aren't His hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching? And if we are the body Why aren't His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way? There is a way
A traveler is far away from home He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back rowThe weight of their judgmental glancesTells him that his chances are better out on the roadJesus paid much too high a priceFor us to pick and choose who should comeAnd we are the body of ChristJesus is the way
I wonder what if we as Christians reached out our arms to hug those who need God's love in a real way. I wonder what God could do through us. Where are the free hugs from God's people to a lost and lonely world?
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Time alone with God
Silence is loud.
This morning I led students to take a few moments before God to experience quiet time with Him. I discovered that for me its a learned habit. I wonder if students know what to do. So I will include what I outlined for them. If you have any links or insights about your time with God, then please post a comment.
First, wait on the Lord. Realize God's presence with you by taking 2 minutes of quiet. The Bible says that God the Holy Spirit indwells each believer. The God who created all that there is abides in you. He tabernacles in you. So get quiet and listen for his still, small voice. Invite God to speak to you. Ask Him to tell you what he thinks of your life. Say this short prayer, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening." The young man Samuel heard God speak. You can read his experience in I Samuel. So wait on God's presence and His whispering voice in the silence.
Next, Pray for yourself. Ask God what He wants you to do. Say, "God, what do you want me to do?" You will get leadings, promptings, impressions within your mind. Jot them down. Then reflect on them. Is that leading truly from God?
Pastor Bill Hybels shares a warning that Satan, the evil one, is capable of both issuing his own leadings for destructive purposes and undermining God's leadings in your life (II Timothy 4:1). These lying spirits may appear to be channels of God's power. Jesus predicted that false Christs and false prophets would perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that we possible (Matthew 24:24); to deceive those who follow God. False impressions or misguided leadings are hard to distinguish for "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (II Corinthians 11:14)." It is very important to know the origin of the leadings coming into your mind.
For example, Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 followed a leading to increase their knowledge by eating an attractive fruit and they plunged the human race into darkness and separation from God! So know the origin of your leadings before following them.
A leading that is probably from God must remain consistent with God's truth found in the Bible, must remain consistent with who God made you to be, and require some act of service for others or sacrifice of yourself made in faith. If a leading violates what the Bible says, then question it. If a leading contradicts who God made you to be, then question it. If you have certain gifts and abilities and you feel you need to go outside of your gifts and abilities in a totally unrelated field, then question it. If a leading is self-promoting or self-serving, then question it as a counterfeit leading. Use discernment in understanding what the Lord's will is "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is (Ephesians 5:17)."
As you pray for yourself and what God wants you to do, things will pop into your mind. Jot each one down. Collect them for future reference, pray about them, and plan how you can take care of them and when.
My summary of my time with God this morning with students. I heard God say that I need to spend more consistent time with Him. He wants me to meditate, to marinate my mind in His truth. He promises success and wisdom. He truly loves me and wants me to succeed. But that means I need to turn off the noise of my busy life and get quiet to hear from Him. That's what God said to me. I wonder what He says to you. Take the challenge and spend quiet time with God.
Pastor D
This morning I led students to take a few moments before God to experience quiet time with Him. I discovered that for me its a learned habit. I wonder if students know what to do. So I will include what I outlined for them. If you have any links or insights about your time with God, then please post a comment.
First, wait on the Lord. Realize God's presence with you by taking 2 minutes of quiet. The Bible says that God the Holy Spirit indwells each believer. The God who created all that there is abides in you. He tabernacles in you. So get quiet and listen for his still, small voice. Invite God to speak to you. Ask Him to tell you what he thinks of your life. Say this short prayer, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening." The young man Samuel heard God speak. You can read his experience in I Samuel. So wait on God's presence and His whispering voice in the silence.
Next, Pray for yourself. Ask God what He wants you to do. Say, "God, what do you want me to do?" You will get leadings, promptings, impressions within your mind. Jot them down. Then reflect on them. Is that leading truly from God?
Pastor Bill Hybels shares a warning that Satan, the evil one, is capable of both issuing his own leadings for destructive purposes and undermining God's leadings in your life (II Timothy 4:1). These lying spirits may appear to be channels of God's power. Jesus predicted that false Christs and false prophets would perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that we possible (Matthew 24:24); to deceive those who follow God. False impressions or misguided leadings are hard to distinguish for "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (II Corinthians 11:14)." It is very important to know the origin of the leadings coming into your mind.
For example, Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 followed a leading to increase their knowledge by eating an attractive fruit and they plunged the human race into darkness and separation from God! So know the origin of your leadings before following them.
A leading that is probably from God must remain consistent with God's truth found in the Bible, must remain consistent with who God made you to be, and require some act of service for others or sacrifice of yourself made in faith. If a leading violates what the Bible says, then question it. If a leading contradicts who God made you to be, then question it. If you have certain gifts and abilities and you feel you need to go outside of your gifts and abilities in a totally unrelated field, then question it. If a leading is self-promoting or self-serving, then question it as a counterfeit leading. Use discernment in understanding what the Lord's will is "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is (Ephesians 5:17)."
As you pray for yourself and what God wants you to do, things will pop into your mind. Jot each one down. Collect them for future reference, pray about them, and plan how you can take care of them and when.
My summary of my time with God this morning with students. I heard God say that I need to spend more consistent time with Him. He wants me to meditate, to marinate my mind in His truth. He promises success and wisdom. He truly loves me and wants me to succeed. But that means I need to turn off the noise of my busy life and get quiet to hear from Him. That's what God said to me. I wonder what He says to you. Take the challenge and spend quiet time with God.
Pastor D
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