DISQUS

My personal opinion is that I should wear what I wear every day like we do in my church and yours. We are creatures of habit – thus if I pray to God, sing to God, and worship God in jeans on Sunday – it feels natural to do it the other six days (not that it shouldn’t feel any different.) I really don’t think that God requested that I wear a suit or formal attire to church. He just wanted me to be the church and love him. Period. He knows my heart.

So in conclusion, Church is about Christ. Notice I did not say which bible is followed, what songs are sung (a totally different topic but equally has interesting for some), or whether a person wears a suit vs. a pair of jeans. Church is about Christ – plain and simple.

Any chance you would be willing to listen to a little song I put together and provide some feedback?

Done... do you now need to approve my username info?

Michaels last blog post..Another Quote

Sounds like a plan...give me a shout when you are moving forward with this.

Michaels last blog post..Training… training… training…

Nice reminder... I was on a role for a while and then ... and then... and then.... the excuses rolled, the bible stayed shut a little more often... time to workout more often. I will say that God is on my mind alot, so there is a mental workout and conversation going on with God throughout the day, but I need to add to that foundation.

I just want to be part of the party... :D

Michaels last blog post..Still thinking about Colorado

I struggle with this issue from time to time. At what point do we offer an inviting door where non-Christians don’t feel like running away, yet offer a church home that allows a person to grow – one where that person who did walk through the door comes to know Christ – not the latte machine. If all we do is offer a Sunday morning coffee bar, we have failed. If what we do with that coffee bar is keep it open 24/7, be bible based, challenge people to think about God, help them grow in their faith, see a congregation live more Christ like, and reaching out to their city, state, country and even the world then we are moving in the right direction.

So to add to the discussion, there are little c churches where people who go to church for the friendship and latte machine. I think we could probably point to some in our own church. Was this due to how they were introduced to the church in the first place? If all you know about church is it is friendly place, has good coffee, and has a good “Sunday morning” band - I cannot blame that person…they don’t know any better. But one can point the finger at the little c church that focuses only on the marketing and not the message. I really don’t think that applies to my church either, but I am sure there are a few that are out there.

Great conversation… thanks.

Michaels last blog post..Still thinking about Colorado

Heath... great week this week with regard to Romans. So much to think through... I cannot wait until we move further along. Not an easy chapter for me, but one that I need to hear.

Michaels last blog post..Romans 21-31: Blogger Small Group

Can we have fun and try and flood it to bring it down? :D

Michaels last blog post..What does the Church and the pogo stick have in common

I am not sure about a piece of what you are saying. I think that Paul stated that just because you are a Jew doesn't mean you have a free ticket. What changed from the old testament to the new testament is Christ. He fills the gap for us... we will always live in sin, and and unless we believe in Him, we will always fall short. Prior to Christ, there was mercy - but no accountability?

Love this... "all the Law does is show us how bad we really are, it doesn’t fix our problem"

Also this... " We place our faith and trust in our own understand and interpretations." Just look at the recent report about how American believe.

Michaels last blog post..Romans 3: 9-20 - Blogger Small Group

Like you said, we heard it before, and then we hear it again. Someday I will listen and understand. But I will say, I am starting to get it. I know that I sin, just like anyone else. That my sin isn't any "better" or "worse" than the next guy... my sin is equal in God's eyes. And like you, I am sorry for thinking I am better in some way that someone else.

Michaels last blog post..Romans 3: 9-20 - Blogger Small Group

Two things:

1. "How many Americans think their ok with God simply because of being born American?" it would be very interesting to see the response to this type of survey...

2. "Religion does not, can not, and will not save you." How interesting I find it that the church is so divided - some thinking that they are the only real "religion" out there. My thought is to follow the religion that brings you closes to God, follows the bible, and teaches you to be more Christ like. If we all did that, appreciated one another for that, think how powerful the church would be.

Michaels last blog post..Romans 2

Yip… “you have no excuse, O man….” your words O man… my words… Ugh… still the same meaning. I have not excuse if I judge… if fact I should not judge… do I sometimes, yes. Ugh…

New web site... this is where I posting my Roman 2 thoughts.

Michaels last blog post..Romans 2

Just a blogger small group guy - out here to learn and share a different way than I have in the past. Love the post and comments that I read from time to time. Nothing fancy - this is just me.

Michaels last blog post..Life in the fast lane

Flying through life right now...sorry I missed week one - but will be there for week 2... I might be moving to a different blog... let me know which you like better...

http://justanotherminute.wordpress.com/

Michaels last blog post..Just along for the ride?

Gotta love "Sometimes we erroneously think the heroes of the Bible were some kind of super-spiritual beings, but that’s just not true." Other than Jesus, I would venture to say that everyone in the bible is just an ordinary man or women. I read a book recently titled twelve ordinary men - pretty amazing. Those 12 had issues - maybe not exactly like you and me...maybe we will not be able to even understand fully what they went through in a short period of time, but they were 12 ordinary men to begin with.

Michaels last blog post..James 5 - The Judge is standing at the door

Gotta love your comment, "knocks all the “name it, claim it” prosperity preachers on their butts" ... so true.

Also the talk about other churches criticism of other churches is well made. My church is doing something I think is amazing. We are sharing our paster with 2 other churches and they will do the same. We are learning that we are all followers of Christ... not I am Baptist, I am Methodist, I am ... Our paster said it best for me when he said that the church is the bride of Christ... if we insult another church, we insult the bride of Christ.

Interesting...

I also saw the proverb that talked about how He is "a fiercely jealous lover.” I struggled understanding verse 5, and really looked at this closely. I think it was due to the fact that there are so many things in my life that take over...

Also, love the 24 hour challenge...

Michaels last blog post..James 4

A more interesting break down for me would be what type of church are you going to that offers a contemporary service (i.e., “seeker church”). Is it suburbia? Is it inner-city? Is it mid-town? I think that just because our “tunes” don’t match that of itunes, it does match, at least in part, our demographics. In addition, we have a more traditional venue to choose from as well.

But ultimately I will say that all music comes from God, it is man who throws the words in.

Nice read, glad you are on board. As I read your thoughts, one thought came to mind regarding your mission trip... talking about your experience, or any experience for that matter, if told from the heart instead of the head, is a good thing. At least that is my understanding. Be humble and gracious... not boastful... to tell your story is important - others need to hear it... understand it.

"People who can make these monumental changes in their character wll see massive returns for such a life." - Love it...

Michaels last blog post..James 3

Like your thoughts on 5-8...I continue to struggle, and need to revisit these verses.

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