Us vs. Them Mentality

Christians are not concerned about the common good. They are not concerned about the issues of the neighborhood, they are really concerned about their tribe.

So, what kind of church are you?

Time will make a difference!

People and things do change over time. Listen, Trust & Obey Him Alone!

“Godly leaders are not produced by Bible colleges or seminaries; they merely give them the tools with which to work. Nor do pulpit committees or ordination councils make men fit for the ministry; they merely have the responsibility to recognize those who already are. Only the Holy Spirit can produce a true spiritual leader.” John MacArthur

Shocking! Disturbing! Who in today’s culture compares them self to a singing Nazi? That would be social and political devastation. Before you pass judgment, you need to take a few minutes to read this post written by Thy Grace is Sufficient. Steve does such a wonderful job challenging each of us to look deeply and honestly at ourselves. When I read this piece a couple weeks ago it shook my very core. And yet I had no idea of the extent of damage the shaking had really produced. That is until today.

Since reading this article, Steve’s chilling words have haunted my daily thoughts. The very thought of men singing and laughing together while tens of thousands of men, women and children are being sent to their death leaves me speechless.

He writes,

“Now, back to the thought that rushed into my head, upon seeing these photos of singing Nazis. Singing, while only yards away, thousands were being gassed to death. Joyous and completely oblivious, uncaring. How was that possible? What was wrong with those people? Could they not feel anything? Where was their compassion? Were they devoid of souls?

And then, it hit me. In some way, I might be like those Nazis!

Perhaps I am not far from those men in the picture at all. My heart is often just as black. I am not superior. I am not better than they were. Not a bit.

Maybe I too, am singing while all hell is breaking loose. Darfur, Burma, inner city killing and crime, struggling teenagers in my own city.

What parts of my own life are like a singing Nazi? Where are the places where I could not give a crap about the suffering of others?

Am I just as clueless, and am I singing my life away, while other are suffering, and I might help?”

It is these illustrative words that haunt my thoughts. Am I so blind and self absorbed in my own life that I cannot see the pain, suffering and violence? Even more haunting, have I inoculated (justified) our congregation to sit blindly, as many other’s have?

What is my responsibility? Is the life I am living really relevant to God’s word?

And then the final words, “AND I MIGHT HELP”.

No one will take the Church seriously until the Church starts taking itself seriously.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines faith as: Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing; Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.

Hebrews 11:1-3 (NLT) defines faith this way, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.” With that said, we professing Christians faithfully base our salvation in Jesus Christ. What he said and accomplished alone.

Riddle Me This…
So, how does the world know we have faith in Christ if faith is something that cannot be seen?

Crocodiles can not stick their tongues out

All mammals have tongues

Pantophobia is the general fear of everything

Giraffes are unable to cough
more…

My dear brother-in-law (shout-out to Dean) sent this to me and I just wanted to share.

An atheist was walking through the woods. 
”What majestic trees”! 
”What powerful rivers”! 
”What beautiful animals”! 
He said to himself. 

As he was walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. He turned to look. He saw a 7-foot grizzly bear charge towards him.

He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder & saw that the bear was closing more…