Leading people to faith and maturity in Christ.
Some have aksed for a copy of the “Fill in the Boxes” chart I used (1/23/11) to help map out a plan for spiritual growth in 2011 when we talked about “Until Christ is formed in you.” You can download it here… Until Christ is formed in you
I would like to hear back from anyone — here on the blog or by email to steve@gnbc.org — who uses the chart to think through a plan for their spiritual formation in 2011.
Resting in Him,
Steve
Here’s a list of some opportunites to serve–at GNBC and out of GNBC–that I talked about last Sunday (1/30/11)…
Abundant Hope PRC Team
Bulletin Team
Care Groups Hosting
Care Groups Leading
Child Care for Mom-to-Mom
City Supper
Compassion Team
Facilities/Campus Upkeep
Family Room Host
Greeter Team
Gym Break-Down
Gym Set-up Teams
Lawn Mowing Team
Library Upkeep
Men’s Ministry Team
Missions Task Force
Nursery Care Team
Nursing Home Ministry Teams
Painting Team
Personal Discipleship
Praise Teams
Prayer Warrior
Prison Ministry Team
Rescue Mission Ministry Team
Saltshaker
Second Chance Clothes
Sports Leadership
Street Sign Team
Tech Team
Transportation
Women’s Ministry Team
XNK – Sunday School
Youth Ministry Team
So, what is God prompting you do do to move from the Front Porch to the Living Room and into the Kitchen?
Resting in Him,
Steve
“We become what we worship” – Gregory Beale
I mentioned a few Sundays ago (1/23/11) while talking about a plan for “Until Christ is formed in you” that my recent diet uncovered the simple yet staggering insight that, for me, food is an idol. When I am happy, I celebrate with food. When I am sad, I console myself with food. When I am anxious, I calm myself with food. In just about any and every circumstance of life, the answer for me is … food.
And I realized that food is not just a diet issue, it is a spiritual issue for me. Food has become an idol for me. Cheeseburgers with extra bacon. Dr. Pepper. Chocolate anything. It’s an idol because anything that takes the place of God in my life is an idol. Anything that I turn to first to fulfill my needs–to calm my soul, to give me joy, to relieve my depression–is taking the first place that God is to occupy in my life.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind…”
Well, those brief comments that Sunday yanked the chains of a few “sleeping dogs.” And a number of folks responded with their own stories of how food is the idol of their own life. I guess it should be obvious when we look around and see more Thick people then there are Thin people around us. We see more Thick kids and young adults these days.
And the result of this idolatry with food has some significant impacts on us… The staggering rise in diabetes, which can disable and ultimately kill you. The spread of fatal heart disease from the male to the female population. And the many other weight-related health complications. Plus, spending more on food, clothes and health issues–all because of food idolatry.
For myself, it continues to be an ongoing struggle. The temptations to idolatry are all around me. The stuff I love is always close at hand. But, as my daughter Meegan told me…
“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.”
So, now I’m sleeping much better, usually all through the night, something I haven’t been able to do in years. Just this morning I had my annual physical and the Doctor told me to bring home my Blood Chemistry Test printout, put a gold star on it and hang it on the Fridge because my good cholesterol is way up and my bad cholesterol is way down. My blood pressure is finally down to the normal range. No medications used or required!
The temptation to bow down at the idol of food is still there. I suspect it always will be. But I like the victory. I like the way I feel. And I have had to repent of the idolatry, ask for forgiveness and begin to learn again what it means to “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…”
Resting in Him,
Steve
I made a mistake when I talked about how to spot a cult in my off-the-cuff comments (1/23/2011) on Galatians 4:17…
Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.
Bill “Wes” Silva caught the mistake and reminded me that not all cults deny the deity of Jesus Christ, i.e., that Jesus is God, part of the 3-in-1 Trinity. He noted The Boston Church of Christ as one prominent example of a controlling cult that still embraces the deity of Jesus Christ.
For the sake of quick review here’s a list of the tell-tale signs that you’re dealing with a cult…
If you see a friend or family member hanging out with a new group that exhibits any of these practices, warn them and WATCH OUT for yourself!
Resting in Him,
Steve
Well, yesterday’s talk on “More stuff?” kicked over a few hornets nests (1/9/11). The good news is that means not only that some were listening to God’s Word but, surprise-surprise, they were actually taking God’s Word seriously and personally!!
One sincere man was near tears as he wrestled with what it means to be “rich towards God” and looked at his own plans to buy a sweet piece of land for a family vacation home. I was deeply touched that he was taking the challenge of Jesus very seriously and very personally.
And another sister was wrestling with what “treasures in heaven” means for her as she plans her budget and buying and giving for the new year.
Praise God we have people at GNBC who are listening to God speaking to them through his Word and not minimizing or rationalizing the direct challenge to our dominant culture of consumerism!
What does it mean to invest in God’s Kingdom and trust him for the outcome? Where are the boundries? Can I own a second home? Do I have to sell all that I own and give it all to the poor? We’ll try to flesh those serious questions out with some practical apps this coming Sunday from 2 Corinthians 9:6-15.
Meanwhile, I love being in a faith family that takes God’s Word seriously!
Resting in Him,
Steve
