If you are in the Goshen area...

I want to invite both of the people who read this blog (and anyone who might have stumbled across this on accident) to an awesome event on Sunday night. My church (Community Church of Waterford- 65154 CR 21 Goshen, IN) is hosting creation scientist Dr. Jackson at 6:00. Dr. J is awesome. He is passionate about science and the Bible. He doesn't make stuff up or teach crazy ideas. He just sticks to good solid science. He is also a great entertainer and will have you both laughing and amazed.

This is an event that will radically change the way you view science, God, and the Bible.

If you want to check out his website it is www.pointsoforigins.com

The B Word

Lately I've been far to busy of using that foul little four letter B word. You know the one that can cause you to the stress to the point that your body and mind just quit. It can be the best excuse for not doing anything that you really should do. That's right, I've said "Busy."

Anyway this week I've had some early morning breakfasts with kids in our church. I've told myself that I'm too busy to get up even earlier and read my Bible.

I hate it when I do that...but I still do it. Why don't I just have the discipline to read my Bible every day.

Anyway, this morning I left myself about 10 minutes to read it (dang- I just realized I was trying to do the microwave/fast food church thing that I complained about in my last post- talk about being a work in progress). Anyway, in my microwaved quiet time I only read 4 verses. They stopped me pretty quickly. It is amazing how God's word speaks so clearly when you want to listen. These were the words:

Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Take a minute to think about the words of Jesus. Remember to spend some time with him today.

Church

Has anyone else noticed how the Church (the people) has turned Christianity into a drive though? Here is what I mean. We get in our cars about 10 minutes before church starts, place our order for a quick bite of Jesus, an order of encouraging handshakes, and a caffinated set of singing songs...and for dessert we'll take an order of blessing...why don't you super-size that one.

It seems to me that many people in the Church have lost site of the fact that the purpose of church, is for believers to gather, worship God, and encourage each other. That view is pretty different than what happens today.

This week I ran across this passage of scripture. I think it shows Jesus's attitude toward this type of Church. It comes from Luke 8:40-48


Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

"Who touched me?" Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."

But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."

Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

Notice here that Jesus concern doesn't seem to be that someone received an "unauthorized healing." Jesus doesn't try to make the woman sick again. He doesn't reprimand her. So why did Jesus stop his trip and demand to know who touched him.

Do you see it?

Look hard.

Jesus wanted to know the woman! Healing people was great, but he wanted to know who this woman was.

I think that today Jesus has so much more for us than a fastfood diet of church will give us. Yes, he wants to bless us, but he wants so much to KNOW us and for us to KNOW HIM! This week I would challenge you to take some time to get to know Jesus. When you go to church go early and stay late. When you sing, don't get caught up in the band, but take a seat at the feet of Jesus and praise him.

If you don't know Jesus, check out Romans 10:9 for how you can know Him.

May you know him this week.