Bayou Christian

Will Freedom Reign - a July 5th sermon

2009-07-06T12:29:00.002-04:00

Today we gather on the day after our nation’s 233rd birthday.
Praise be to God! And to God be the Glory.

But on this 233rd birthday I am reminded that our current sitting president has stated that the United States is no longer a Christian Nation.
Qoute:
Whatever we once were, we're no longer a Christian nation. At least not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, and a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers," then Senator Obama said.

And he went on to say:

"Somehow, somewhere along the way, faith stopped being used to bring us together and started being used to drive us apart. It got hijacked. Part of it's because of the so-called leaders of the Christian Right, who've been all too eager to exploit what divides us," he said.
(source: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=67735)

At one level I agree with the president that we are a nation that gives rights to all groups, people, regardless of their creed. But I deny his statement that this changes the fundamental nature of our nation and how it was formed. He in fact seems to imply that our nation could have been created by any other religious framework. I am afraid that is historically untrue and factually impossible. This is a Christian nation because it was based upon Christian principles in its creation and has been governed so every since.

I want to offer you the prayer offered at the first Constitutional Congress in 1774:

O Lord our Heavenly Father, high and mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the Kingdoms, Empires and Governments; look down in mercy, we beseech Thee, on these our American States, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on Thee. To Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support, which Thou alone canst give. Take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in Council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their Cause and if they persist in their sanguinary purposes, of own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of battle!
Be Thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the councils of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation. That the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that order, harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth and justice, religion and piety, prevail and flourish amongst the people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of their minds; shower down on them and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come. All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior. Amen.

Reverend Jacob DuchéRector of Christ Church of Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaSeptember 7, 1774(source: http://chaplain.house.gov/archive/continental.html )

Now I want us to pause and consider the meaning of this – that our country’s founders had a clear and consistent view of their work being superintended by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of the Christian faith. I also want to make sure we understand that wherever the founders wrote of all “religions” they were referring to the various denominations of the single Christian faith. This is a truth that is self evident and historically factual.

Now if our country is truly, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu as our president says; many of us are deeply concerned about when and how this change occurred.

None of us seek to deny that our nation is inhabited by folks, who are Jewish, Muslim, or Buddhist, and Hindu but I fail to agree that this changes the fundamental nature of our nation and its origins.

Some will argue that some of the founding fathers were not actually Christians and that they saw religious equality as something other than equality among Christian denominations. One of their favorite examples is the very complex person, Benjamin Franklin, who is often cited as a “non-Christian” founding father but to that charge I bring to you this report from James Madison.

The Constitutional Convention had been meeting for five weeks, and had hit a perilous deadlock. The large states were insisting that congressional representation be based on population; the smaller states wanted a one-state-one-vote rule. The entire effort to create a stronger union was in jeopardy. Eighty-one-year-old Benjamin Franklin, quiet during most of the deliberations, then addressed the group. According to James Madison's notes, here is what happened next.
Qoute:
In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the Contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection.- Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending providence in our favor….
Franklin goes on:
….To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that "except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel….
(source: http://candst.tripod.com/franklin.htm)

Brothers and sisters we find ourselves in peril of behaving just as that Constitutional Congress over 200 years ago. In our fears of the present and future our solutions may take shape in political action but they will only bear out in success if we, like the founders of our nation appeal to heaven above.

NIV Psalm 2:1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. 3 "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters." 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill."

Can we not today, just as the founders did then look around at the other nations and realize they are not as we would want our nation? Do we not realize now as they did then that other nations are in direct violation of the will of God? Do we not understand now as they did then that Europe is part of the problem not part of the solution? If any of you have traveled to Europe you know that the differences are profound. We think our country is sliding into depravity with its hyper sexualized advertizing and etc, however, it is far worse in Europe. The rate of unemployment is - higher, the rate of single parent homes – higher, abortion rates - higher, the rate of church attendance is miniscule. The founders intentionally made the American Constitution unique in the entire world then, and we have reap the benefits now.

We hear it said that, “the Founding Father’s could not have envisioned the changing world, nor the innovations in government from Europe but an European traveler and author came to America to discover what made America great and wrote a book to describe what made the American democracy so unique. Alexis de Tocqueville then wrote in 1835 his book “Democracy in America” saying:

America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, American will cease to be great.

He went on to say:

Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.

We must always remember that our nation was birthed in prayer, that the very constitution that we live under was birthed in fervent daily prayer. It is important on the occasion of this great nation’s birthday for the people of God to turn to his word and pray for our nation. That equality and liberty would continue to be the standards for our great nation. We must remember that the very “Christian” founding Fathers of our nation wanted to protect us from an equality that did not include freedom. Many of their personal journals and letters show that they did in fact predict the very debates that we are having today and they wrote the constitution in atticipation of those issues.

As God’s word says:
Proverbs 29:2 2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.

Let us now pause and give forth prayers of thanksgiving that no matter what the rulers of earth plot – the anointed messiah Jesus Christ rules over all that our right attitude at this time is one of prayer:

– let us begin by praying in celebration of Jesus Christ. Our liberty as a country was bought at a price but so too is our freedom as Christians….

We are a democracy so ultimately if we are concerned about our future as a nation it is us who need to change:

2 Chronicles 7:14 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

WE are called by God’s name and we must humble ourselves in prayer – let us pray….
WE are told to turn from our wicked ways repentance needs to start right here – let us pray…
WE are promised that God will forgive our sins, and heal our land let it be so as we remember God at work in the creation of our nation, that we ourselves are a new creation and that ultimately our citizenship is not of this world, that no matter how great our nation, how unique in history, even it is not our final home, there is a better home in our future:

Hebrews 11:13-16 And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

So to conclude – if we want the freedom established in our country to continue we must be diligent and persistent in prayer but no matter what occurs on this earth - Freedom will continue to reign because we are ultimately the citizens of an eternal kingdom not an earthly one. And Jesus Christ will continue to Reign so the answer is: Yes Freedom will continue to Reign!

A little Fun - Calvinism Repackaged?

2009-05-25T09:15:00.002-04:00

This from a friend: (Just click the words)

See you soon - I hope

Bill Crawford
Bayou Christian

Chicken Little and Christian Fads

2009-05-12T11:36:00.006-04:00

Is the sky falling? You would think so these days. In fact for the first 10 years of my ministry (lay and ordained) my work was primarily in exhorting the mainline PCUSA to get up and change or else. But somewhere along the way something happened.

One the PCUSA is no longer my denominational home - (yeah - we celebrate our 1 year anniversary with the EPC this month), and two I continue to see ways that the Church does need to change. But is the situation really that bad?

Everyone seems to think so these days especially after the release of the new ARIS (btw - I really like the logo with the rainbow flag - no bias in this report) a report many in the secular press are joyfully using to write that the end of Christian America is upon us. In all fairness even Christians are somewhat concerned about the report.

But really is it the end of the world for Christians? Do we have to change everything we do or else? Simple answer "No".

We tend to forget (and often) that the Christian world has experienced some profound hard times. I mean when Rome fell to barbarians it was at the center of the Christian World (so too Constantinople for that matter - although it's fall was a much more tragic story because there would be no return and the Muslims would not be converted later to Christianity).

But back to my original line of thought - I have been in ministry for roughly 11 years - 8 of those as an ordained clergy. My primary calling is to work in this small congregation and help it become healthy and grow - and God has done that work. But already I am "out of date" my methods are "behind the curve". I regularly read blogs and books that say if I don't change my methods - I'm doomed. I've learned that "Penal Substitutionary Atonement" was a fad and we need a "New Perspective on Paul" - wow that Fad (PSA) has a lot of history and biblical witness. So my theology is outdated, and because I believe in Propositionalism so too are my methods. Obviously I don't think so - but I'm not the one to defend these issues I'd recommend work by John Calvin, John Piper, Al Mohler, Sinclair Ferguson, Ligon Duncan, and many others. For that matter even Time Magazine seems to think Calvinism is pretty special.

Wow - that was sudden and dramatic. I mean I just caught up with the "Purpose Driven" idea; our congregation went from nearly dead to healthy and now after 8 years I'm already a neanderthal (well some would say that was true all along). Whew that was a quick decent from "cutting edge". All of this is of course said with my tongue in my cheek.

But my brief career has been built upon ("Christ" but for the sake of this discussion...) my being a change agent. Have I already sunk into stodgy mainlinism? Am I already a stick in the mud?

again "No"

Christian - be careful of fads, and those who want to change the Church "or else."

Most of what they are talking about has been tried before, much has failed before, The reason that much of what we do remains the same is that it is the Core of our belief. That's why for me the "Missional" discussion has gotten out of control - being missional, to me, seems to be about being biblical. That's why Emergent, for me, means remembering the past while looking to the future (not, however, just becoming a modern heretic), that's why I'm discovering that the discussions about "Christendom" have become so large, so fraught with personal hopes and fears, that it has lost it's grounding in history and become "Myth"(by which I mean something that holds truth but not necessarily is factual). So with that wild series of statements - enough.

In the end we have the same message as always. What is required is passionate, loving, truthful, faithful, proclaimation. The Message does not change (check out DA Carson's talk on this here).

Future topics related to this:

Missional Discussions
Emergent Church
What is becoming the "Myth of Christendom"

Hope to get to those by the end of the year!

Forgotten Foundation

2009-05-06T11:22:00.002-04:00

This is a great book that I am recommending to everyone I can get to listen:

Exodus Continues

2009-05-04T12:41:00.002-04:00

What happens when a denomination stops being the Church?

I mean particularly when the Word is not rightly preaches, when sacraments are not rightly administered, and Godly discipline does not occur.

People of good conscience leave - either by choice or by force.

Read of the ongoing saga in Denison Iowa and the continue decline of the PCUSA.

I feel for Rev. Rihner's family who has lost its sense of security and fellowship. Living in a small town they are now headline local news. Their father and husband has been attacked without clear reason by an institution claiming to be "the church" - what an incredibly sad day.

However, when godly people have rallied to their cause, where they have recieved support and sustanance from Christian brothers and sisters, there Jesus Christ has been proclaimed!

3 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

All Scripture Is Breathed Out by God

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Gospel Coalition

2009-04-22T15:51:00.001-04:00

thanks for the Hint:

You can listen and watch the Gospel Coalition talks at:

http://www.christianity.com/gospelcoalition/

Propositionalism - Fallen on hard times

2009-04-20T16:21:00.002-04:00

This past Sunday I preached an introduction to the book of Judges sermon series I am beginning. We looked at chapter one but talked a good deal about the historical context of Judges and the Historical books. What we see at work is the cyclical nature of sin: Drifting away from God, fall into subjection (to sin and to others), repentance and crying out, deliverence.

Also we see Historical Ignorance.

As I studied those issues this week I am also mindful of conversations I've been having with others about the terms Missional, Emergent, and Propositionalism. First of all the definitions of each of these words are incredibly "shifty" depending upon whomever you are talking with. It's a shame really but the words just don't seem to have concrete definitions anymore.

For instance a proposition is:

1. A plan suggested for acceptance; a proposal.
2. A matter to be dealt with; a task: Finding affordable housing can be a difficult proposition.
3. An offer of a private bargain, especially a request for sexual relations.
4. A subject for discussion or analysis.
5. Logic
a. A statement that affirms or denies something.
b. The meaning expressed in such a statement, as opposed to the way it is expressed

Well all of this gets tied up in discussions about Post Modernity, and the Emergent Church.

For an introduction to the topic go read this article by Albert Mohler.

Then for fun you can go read this critique of Mohler

I know one of my readers has a very strong passion about this topic perhaps in a comment he and others could help us out by trying to give us a "pithy" working definition of "Propositionalism" then once we agree upon a definition (yeah right) perhaps we can debate teh topic some more.

Keep in mind that I am flying out tomorrow am and won't be back until this weekend.

Where am I going? A little propositional type convention called "the Gospel Coalition" I may or may not have access to the web while I'm there.

Housecleaning

2009-04-15T16:53:00.002-04:00

This blog is in essence my internet home. Despite repeated requests there is someone who feels the need to continue to enter my home unwelcomed. For that reason I am putting this blog back on full moderation mode.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Further PCUSA Update

2009-04-14T09:31:00.004-04:00

I've found the proper context for the picture here.

PCUSA update

2009-04-06T11:33:00.003-04:00

Those of you in the PCUSA should be able to have some fun with this "make up your own caption contest".

LOL - it is so fun living in Louisiana

Freedom

2009-03-27T10:04:00.001-04:00

how about this nugget from Ben Franklin:

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Of from the Word:

It is for freedom that Christ set us free.

Just a Reminder

2009-03-26T12:04:00.002-04:00

I know some folks think I'm overreacting to recent steps towards Nationalization. It is en vogue to label such criticism as the "chattering classes" or "shrill voices of the past" and even "racism" gets thrown around just a reminder of an older post:

http://bayouchristian.blogspot.com/2008/11/perspective.html

I also preached a sermon calling for a time of peace and giving the new president a chance.

But we've given him a chance and he's taken the most radical agenda into the White House in history. While promising to cut the deficit in half by 2012 he's trippled the largest deficit in history (the previous record was one Obama criticized).

I also would like to remind everyone that we are told this very complicated problem went something like this:

The House Lending Market was Loosened up
Insurance agencies got tied into this money
The housing market crashed
Insurance companies started failing
Banks started failing
the Nation was about to fall into a depression

Just another reminder;

http://bayouchristian.blogspot.com/2008/10/speaking-of-disasters.html

and for a serious conversation about the complex nature of the markets from an Obama supporter read all of this very important article:
http://www.mainstreet.com/article/moneyinvesting/news/cramer-takes-white-house-frank-rich-and-jon-stewart?page=1

Now to get on topic - Pastors, Elders, congregations - if you want to get out and reach people start offering finance classes. You cannot borrow your way out of debt - but that seems to be the only answer that any of the Politicians seem to be offering.

What is staggering to me now is that we're spending well over a Trillion in debt, but we're guaranteeing Trillions of debt. And the solution is that if we lend the banks money, they can lend more money, so we can buy more things we can't afford.

Nationalization

2009-03-24T11:16:00.002-04:00

Its called Nationalization

And in governments that nationalize their institutions the Church is usually in trouble.

Lenten Break

2009-02-25T16:53:00.003-05:00

Although we are not obligated to pursue the practice of Lent it is an opportunity.

I'm taking a break from blogging during Lent. I may drop the occassional picture or thought but for now I am going to focus on study and prayer.

See you in 40.

In the meantime He's Back.

Monday Morning Quarterback: Where You Set Your Foot

2009-02-23T11:27:00.003-05:00

Joshua 1:2-3 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them-- to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.

During the tumultuous 60’s there was one bright spot of history. With an unpopular war in Vietnam, hurricanes like Betsy and Camille, Donna and Carla and a two year recession in 1960-61 the space race gave Americans something positive to focus upon. During this period of history, unlike our own, astronauts were the superstars – and their words have been immortalized ever since.

But how many of us know that Buzz Aldren celebrated communion on that day? Aldren, a Presbyterian Elder, understood that any undertaking, no matter how big or how small, should be dedicated to God. As we enter into the Lenten Season perhaps it is time to once again set the foot of Jesus firmly upon our lives?

Hebrews 2:8 8 and put everything under his feet." In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.

Perhaps we could pursue that goal by meditating on this passage of scripture and its amazing promise?

2 Peter 1:4-8 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Tuesdays Thoughts - Emergent - Emerging - Confusion

2009-02-17T08:40:00.003-05:00

First of all an admission; I am reading the book "Why We're Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be" and it shapes this thought dramatically.

Over the years I've been pretty interested in the Emergent conversation but primarily (I realize in hindsight) in terms of worship style. I am very interested in ways to make worship accessible and faithful for a broad spectrum of people. One of my early discoveries was to realize that much of what I loved in worship had a direct relationship to my nature as an extravert - but what about introverts? How do we balance our reach into the future while holding on to the past? These two questions are very often linked (in ways that I won't explore unless someone wants to).

But Emergent has grown into a movement (or something) and I find that I'm just not as interested as I once were. I know some of my friends and colleagues are very interested and have engaged in the "Emergent Village" or even "Presbymergent" I'm not here to criticize either of the groups so the links are there for your self exploration. What I will critique is what I have heard out of some of the "voices" of the movement.

What I discovered at a conference (previous thoughts linked above) a few years ago was a bunch of Baptists, Assembly of Gods, and other more "conservative/evangelical" folks who were talking a lot about "social justice" and good works ministries but who were also (in my opinion) stumbling down a road I was in the journey of leaving behind. We were taking paths in the opposite direction.

That is the same Social Darwinism, and progressive liberalism that took over the mainline churches from the early 1900's until today. Less theology, more emotion, less word, more works, less individual responsibility, more collectivism, more mystery, less known truty. Obviosly a good bit of this is not "good vs. bad" or "black vs. white" - but the idea that one group owns either side of these pairings is wrong too.

My point is that this "new thing" and its "new and radical theology" is not new at all and I find that I (like the authors of the aforementioned book) am just not going to be emergent after all.

I will explore new music, I will consider re-ordering worship, I will consider tapping into the old, I will continue to work on social issues, I will continue to agressively proclaim good news and truth. I will love mystery, and I will know and be known by God. I will do all of these in community and I will take personal responsibility for my personal relationship with God (in community). I think I share much of the hunger of those who are "Emergent" but I think the answers are found in what we have learned so far.

I also find that this new view on "community" and "salvation" sounds like a new Roman Catholicism where tradition is equal to (or greater than) scripture. Sorry I just can't walk that path.

Well that's my part of the "discussion" (that's an inside joke).

Bill Crawford

Monday Morning Quarterback

2009-02-16T15:42:00.003-05:00

Context: Moses' Death and Joshua's beginning as leader of Israel

This week I've reflected on the death of Moses and how (roughly) 'no prophet ever did the things that Moses did....' Hard thing for Joshua to live with I bet.

But on the other hand is the bitter scene of Moses looking over the promised land and then dying (reference Deuteronomy 34 and Joshua 1) without setting foot in it.

There we stand in the middle either looking back at how we will never measure up or looking forward at what we have failed to attain. Yes Moses was the 'greatest prophet of all' and Joshua accomplished what Moses never did. They were both used mightily by God.

The thing we must all learn is that the story isn't ours to judge. We aren't competent to judge our lives, our success, our worth. The Judge is God, the story is His, the tasks are his to assign: we are only called to be faithful.

So instead of looking back or looking forward how about we look up to the Author and Perfector of our Faith?

That should help us all shake off the Monday morning blahs.

Floundering Around: Timothy's first "Yakfish"

2009-02-12T12:50:00.002-05:00

This picture is the redfish my son caught off of the back side of the kayak! Quite a fish and he did it all by himself - even casting to an area that I said "You can try that if you want to" with little conviction.

Go Timmy!

Monday Morning Quarterback: Flux

2009-02-08T19:53:00.002-05:00

This week as I studied Deuteronomy 31 one word came to mind "Flux" and what a wonderful journey that turned into.

Church leaders today need to live in "Flux" a word that has 4 very different meanings.

The first is Medical - "The Flux" or Dysentery is when the body tries to flush out impurities or illness in the system. Many churches have been in this state of flux for years.

Next the term has its scientific meaning which is close to the common usage - the transmission of a substance through another substance. It is the flow of change over time. Congregations have to change just as Moses gave way to Joshua we must have "leaders in the wings" being identified, trained, and prepared for the future.

Another definition of Flux is one that I've never heard before the psychological usage:

Flux a.k.a. Flow is the mental state of operation in which the person is fully immersed in what he or she is doing by a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity.

Moses calls the people to remain focused on God as he writes down all that he knows about God in the "Law". What happens if we don't remember these things? The story of Joshua and Caleb is very enlightening.

Lastly the term flux refers to a material used in soldiering material or welding. It is used to cleans the two surfaces so that they may make a solid bond. The church is the body of Christ and it must first be cleansed so that it may be sustained with a solid connection from past to future.

Flux it is an amazing little word - does your church live in it?

Floundering Around

2009-02-05T15:15:00.004-05:00

ahhh, feel better just looking at it! Hope to have some new fish pictures after my trip tomorrow!

Just a little note. If you and a group (6 ppl) are ever interested in a kayak fishing retreat - get in touch.

Magic Bullets - What Next?

2009-02-04T14:46:00.002-05:00

So you've got the Magic Bullet. Now what?

If the bullet of desperation is the way to kill church decline, then, "What is the Gun?"

Willingness. Not just the kind of willingness that says, "I'll do what it takes". Although that is important but its the kind of willingness that I call "The Willingness to Fail". That's right. I think and have seen that many churches are dying because they are not willing to fail. They have to get it right.

Many people fall into the trap of thinking that the folks who taught them how to do church are somehow superior to them. That is why you find churches doing exactly the same things 50 years later. In essence children are doing exactly what their parents taught them to do. Forget the fact that those children are now 50, 60, and even 90 years old themselves. They really have bought into the idea that there parents were/are better Christians than they are. This is an unbiblical belief:

Romans 3:22-24 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

So people have to start trying and frankly tryng leads to failing. No way around it. I call it the spaghetti method of redevelopment. You have to keep throwing things against the wall until they stick!

NIV Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

So church get out there and try something. It just might work. And believe that God is as at work in your congregation today as He was 100 (measely) years ago.

Bill Crawford

Tuesdays Thoughts - Prayer

2009-02-03T11:42:00.003-05:00

One of my fellow pastors asked a great question last week. It's one that I come around to from time to time and had been asking myself. How is your quiet time? Even if yours is pretty good it is likely to be dismal compared to the great minds of Christian history. Calvin, Luther, Swingli all spent hours daily in prayer and study of God's word.

EM Bounds the great author/prayer warrior in his book "Power Through Prayer" says that the Pastor who preaches without prayer preaches death - that's a loose paraphrase.

I think the same is true for all of us - we must pray more.

I need this reminder from time to time I hope you hear this in the same manner.

Monday Morning Quarterback: The Glory of Grace

2009-02-02T11:57:00.002-05:00

This weeks I was surprised when I discovered the doctrine of Grace in a Deuteronomy passage. Without rehashing an entire sermon if you look at the Bible in Deuteronomy 29 and 30 you find Moses approaching the end of the 40 years of wandering and this particular nugget as God, Moses, and Israelites are rehashing the covenant they have made:

Deuteronomy 30:1 When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come upon you and you take them to heart wherever the LORD your God disperses you among the nations,

Notice God doesn't say "if" but "when" - in otherwords the Soveriegn ruler of the universe knows that the Israelites will fail. In fact if you go back to chapter 29 you find these words:

3 With your own eyes you saw those great trials, those miraculous signs and great wonders. 4 But to this day the LORD has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear.

The Israelites fail - because God has not yet "given" them ears to hear and minds to understand.

Couple this with a reading in 2 Thesalonians:

2 Thessalonians 2 , 13 because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"But for the Grace of God there go I!"

Walk humbly in the world for we have done so little and God has done so much.

Bill Crawford
The Bayou Christian

Floundering Around

2009-01-31T10:26:00.006-05:00

Sorry so late. On this week's Floundering around but I got Skunked. It doesn't happen often but after days of North winds and cold weather the water is "stained" and "skinny" which means dirty and shallow.

But here is a pleasant picture to hold you over for now. I've got to get cracking on some fishing for the fish fry in two weeks. We are looking forward to the team from Bay Presbyterian Church coming down to work on the homes down here!

Bill Crawford

Abortion Insanity - updated as part of Tuesday's Thoughts

2009-01-26T10:54:00.005-05:00

Normally I refrain from politics on this blog. Normally I do the same in my congregation. There is one issue that I have in both of those arenas been unapologetic about. That is that abortion is a crime against nature and God.

This report, therefore demands a report:

STEPHANOPOULOS: Hundreds of millions of dollars to expand family planning services. How is that stimulus?
PELOSI: Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those - one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government.
STEPHANOPOULOS: So no apologies for that?
PELOSI: No apologies. No. we have to deal with the consequences of the downturn in our economy.

this insanity is reported on the Drudge Report from ABC's "This Week"

UPDATE: A concern has been raised that I am jumping to conclusions. That Pelosi is talking about "contraception" and "family planning". I, however, know from experience that extreme leftest candidates hide their support for unfettered abortion behind those two terms. One of the services that Family Planning provides is abortions. That to me would be like having a local butcher who includes "murder for hire" on his list of services. I would find anything he does suspect as a result. So in that mindset I return you to the original post:

So the destruction of human life is economic stimulus! This from a party that will be defending amnesty for millions of illegal alliens. Are we really stupid enough that Pelosi thinks this is a convincing argument?

Further new commentary: And it is a little ridiculous to pretend that even what we would all call contraception is an economic stimulus. Where does this money come from anyway? When the government prints money it doesn't have doesn't that lead to inflation? Isn't this all the same exact stuff that Carter Did? OK - no more politics.

Update: Looks like outrage works from time to time.