Submitted by Sunset Alumni on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 00:32 from Omar and Tana Palafox, View Original Posting
La Libertad Church and their fellowship time
If we could imagine hearing this: "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out"
Submitted by Sunset Alumni on Fri, 12/07/2012 - 06:00
Okay folks, I have to say that this one was hard to put together. The articles were easy to write, but all the other details have just not flowed for me. Hahaha We have so many good things going on here. I can't wait to share it all with you. I love you all and I am praying for each of you. I am already working on the next one and I'm going to update the website as well. God Bless You all!!! Marie
Submitted by Dougle on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 15:57 from Mike and Lucy McDougle, View Original Posting
The Word became flesh...
Recently, it seems like I have come across several articles focusing on the "Word of God." Most people that I spend time with use the phrase "Word of God" or "God's Word" to mean the written Scriptures (the Bible). Yet these articles have seemed to challenge this commonly held understanding of what the Word of God really is. One has even said that the Bible is an idol, while another claims the Bible is the anti-Christ and posts videos on YouTube of his child tearing pages out of the Bible.
The most common reason for saying that the Bible is not God's Word is that the Gospel of John says that the Word became flesh. In other words, the Word of God is a person, not a book.
Yet when I hear these types of statements I am left wondering if this is what John actually meant. It seems to me that John was simply saying that the Word that created the heavens and the earth in Genesis 1 became a human being. In other words, the creator became a part of creation.
But does this mean that the Word of God cannot be the Bible?
Submitted by Trey_M on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 15:18 from Trey Morgan, View Original Posting
A year and a half ago we completed our first Augment Project (see it here). It was an old condemned house that we purchased very cheap and rebuilt for a lady in Childress who needed one. It was an awesome project that the whole community of Childress helped with.
Submitted by Sunset Alumni on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 12:24 from Zack Blaisdell, View Original Posting
Some time ago I read some from a book called Like A Shepherd Lead Us. It was a book on spiritual growth and the elders.
I have thought about spiritual growth. All of God’s children should be growing spiritually. It is the church leadership’s job to help the church to do that.
But where do church leaders go to grow spiritually themselves?
I like reading my Bibles and try to keep a prayer journal. I also have some books I like to read.
What resources out there do you find useful to grow spiritually? I would love to have dialogue about this. Spiritual growth is so important.
Comments, thoughts, questions, etc are always welcomed and encouraged.
Submitted by rondowney on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 11:06 from Ron Downey - Dean of Asia, View Original Posting
Ron has commissioned me to write from my perspective an account of this next part of our adventure. On Tuesday morning we were driven to the bus terminal in Naga. That would be the easiest part of the day. The “highways” between Naga and Santo Tomas are bumpy and winding with a lot of stop and go and wait for all the small vehicles, trucks and road work. The bus seating is designed for small Philippine people. Therefore, Ron’s knees touched the seat in front of him the entire way. Mine did as well because of the seat in front of me being reclined. We were VERY appreciative of the two stops during the 8 hr. journey.We are more thankful now for the easier modes of transport we usually have. The countryside is covered in rice where there is an open space and banana and coconut trees everywhere else. The sights were beautiful and it was inspiring to see the people as we passed.
Submitted by odlerp61 on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 18:37 from Bob and Terry Odle, View Original Posting
Just read this from the Christian Chronicle, “An international newspaper for Churches of Christ.”
According to their numbers, there are over 100,000 fewer “men, women and children in the pews of Churches of Christ in the U.S.” than there were just 9 years ago.
Tough stuff.
As a Preaching Minister for A Cappella Churches of Christ, it is even tougher, especially after reading through the comments to the Christian Chronicle piece and after sifting through yet another “church growth study,” not to feel guilty, depressed, responsible … something.
Submitted by odlerp61 on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 22:50 from Bob and Terry Odle, View Original Posting
Jesus hates religion? Well, perhaps.
Then again, maybe not.
As in all complex conversations, it all depends on what we mean by the term, Religion.
On January 10, 2012, Jefferson Bethke uploaded a video clip on You Tube. Bethke says that the video is, “A poem I wrote to highlight the difference between Jesus and false religion.”
The video has gone “viral.” As of today’s date (February 7, 2012) it has been viewed 18,483,750 times.
I watched the clip and found myself agreeing with much of it.Then I found myself questioning whether I really agreed with it. Then I wondered what I really think about the issues being raised.
Submitted by Sunset Alumni on Mon, 02/06/2012 - 20:43 from The Lord's Humbled... - John Reeves, View Original Posting
I have heard the statement, "Jesus is your savior but He may not be your Lord." I believe I understand the reasoning behind this thought but it is definately not a biblical thought. It's a crock thought.
If you choose to follow Jesus as your savior you also agree to make Him your Lord and King. Obedience is necessary when you are a servant of the King.
If Jesus is your Savior, remember He is also your Lord.
