This is my planned communion meditation for the Contact Church on Sunday, January 17, 2010.
Nearly 50 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke these words:
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'
"I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood...
"I have a dream that one day...in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."
Nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ spoke these words:
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:18-19).
When Christ told his apostles to "make disciples of all nations," he was instructing them to welcome people from all ethnic groups into his band of disciples. In fact, the original Greek word for nations could be translated ethnic groups.
Before his death and resurrection, Jesus had said, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" (John 12:32). He knew that his death on the cross would bring all kinds of people--Jewish people and Gentile people-- to his side.
Jesus Christ had a dream of bringing together people from a variety of ethnic groups as brothers and sisters in his Father's family.
Tomorrow, we will celebrate the memory of Dr. King, the man who changed America with his message of racial harmony and justice.
But today, as we observe the Lord's Supper, we can look around and see the impact that Jesus Christ has had on our lives. As black people, white people, Latinos, Creeks, and Cherokees, we celebrate the memory of the man who died and was resurrected in order to reconcile us to God and to each other.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Adoption and Manhood
Last week, I read a great post about adopting children even when you already have biological children. It may be found at www.cbmw.org/Blog/Posts/Don-t-You-Already-Have-Kids-Adding-to-Your-Existing-Family-Through-Adoption. I have made most of the same points before on my blog, but the author presented one that I had not considered:
"We are committed to biblical manhood. Men are called to lead, provide, and protect (Gen. 1-2, Eph. 5, 1 Kings 2:1-9, 1 Pet. 3, Col. 3). This is a fundamental teaching of the Bible and it does not merely pertain to the four walls of one's home. Men should be looking for those who need protection and provision. There are fatherless children all over the world. Every year I meet women who are burdened for adoption but their husbands won't budge. It's usually something about retirement, college costs, or they are finally able to afford that boat they always wanted. In our home, the men lead and sacrificially give of themselves for the good of others."
After reading that paragraph, I was reminded of Job, a good man in the Bible who "delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him...(who) was a father to the needy, and (who) searched out the cause of him whom (he) did not know" (Job 29:12, 16). His example is worthy of imitation.
"We are committed to biblical manhood. Men are called to lead, provide, and protect (Gen. 1-2, Eph. 5, 1 Kings 2:1-9, 1 Pet. 3, Col. 3). This is a fundamental teaching of the Bible and it does not merely pertain to the four walls of one's home. Men should be looking for those who need protection and provision. There are fatherless children all over the world. Every year I meet women who are burdened for adoption but their husbands won't budge. It's usually something about retirement, college costs, or they are finally able to afford that boat they always wanted. In our home, the men lead and sacrificially give of themselves for the good of others."
After reading that paragraph, I was reminded of Job, a good man in the Bible who "delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him...(who) was a father to the needy, and (who) searched out the cause of him whom (he) did not know" (Job 29:12, 16). His example is worthy of imitation.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
A Weekend to Remember Contest
Three years ago, I won tickets from a local radio station to attend FamilyLife's A Weekend to Remember marriage conference. Janet and I had a great time.
During the conference, we learned about the biblical plan for the role of husbands, the role of wives, valuing each other as God's gifts, sexual intimacy, communication, and many other subjects. The speakers were insightful and humorous. They even set aside time on Saturday night for couples to have a date night together. It truly lived up to its name. It was a weekend to remember.
Since we enjoyed the conference so much, Janet and I have decided to pay the registration for another couple to experience A Weekend to Remember. The conferences are being held across the United States and in Canada this spring. You may find information about dates, locations, and other details at www.weekendtoremember.com.
In order to win registration to A Weekend to Remember, please leave a comment on this post. The contest will be open until 12:01 am January 10, 2010. Next Sunday, I will randomly draw one name from the comments section of the reader who will win the registration. (Sorry, but we cannot pay for your hotel room and meals; but the registration fee is valued at $258, so it is still a very valuable prize for a blog contest.) If you are the winner, we will get your mailing address and instruct FamilyLife to send a gift certificate for you and your spouse to attend the conference of your choice.
Of course, if no one enters the contest, Janet and I will enjoy another Weekend to Remember ourselves. But we hope others will take advantage of this opportunity to possibly win this prize.
During the conference, we learned about the biblical plan for the role of husbands, the role of wives, valuing each other as God's gifts, sexual intimacy, communication, and many other subjects. The speakers were insightful and humorous. They even set aside time on Saturday night for couples to have a date night together. It truly lived up to its name. It was a weekend to remember.
Since we enjoyed the conference so much, Janet and I have decided to pay the registration for another couple to experience A Weekend to Remember. The conferences are being held across the United States and in Canada this spring. You may find information about dates, locations, and other details at www.weekendtoremember.com.
In order to win registration to A Weekend to Remember, please leave a comment on this post. The contest will be open until 12:01 am January 10, 2010. Next Sunday, I will randomly draw one name from the comments section of the reader who will win the registration. (Sorry, but we cannot pay for your hotel room and meals; but the registration fee is valued at $258, so it is still a very valuable prize for a blog contest.) If you are the winner, we will get your mailing address and instruct FamilyLife to send a gift certificate for you and your spouse to attend the conference of your choice.
Of course, if no one enters the contest, Janet and I will enjoy another Weekend to Remember ourselves. But we hope others will take advantage of this opportunity to possibly win this prize.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Looking for a New Church for the New Year
I posted this nearly two years ago, but I thought it might be appropriate for anyone who stumbles across this blog after making a new year's resolution to start attending church services during the new year.
"...in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive" (Titus 2:10, NIV).
I've been thinking about people who want to follow Jesus Christ, but they have not connected with any particular church. What if I were in their situation? How would I find a church? What would make a difference in my search?
Generally, churches look alike in their yellow pages ads and mass mailings. Their radio and television commercials seem very similar. I might visit a church based on advertising alone. However, if a church did not live up to its projected image, I would not return.
Recently, I have been thinking about another method of finding a church. What if I started looking at the people around me to find the most Christ-like men and women? What if I decided to visit congregations that they attended? I have little doubt that I could find an excellent church using such a method.
I would look for men and women of kindness, the type of people who will reach out in compassion to others around them who are hurting or lonely. I would look for people of conviction, people who would stand for biblical standards and doctrines despite the unpopularity of their positions. I would look for men and women who would not only refuse to participate in office gossip, but who would not allow it to go unchallenged in their presence. I would look for people of wisdom, people who know how to live godly and attractive lives at the same time. I would look for men and women who enjoyed life and had grateful attitudes. I would search for people who spoke of faith in Christ and lived by faith in him. I would seek out men and women of humility, people with a sense of security without a sense of arrogance.
Such people reflect well on Christ, but they also reflect well on their local congregations. They are the best advertisements that a church could place in a community.
I want to be that kind of living commercial for Jesus Christ and for the Contact Church.
"...in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive" (Titus 2:10, NIV).
I've been thinking about people who want to follow Jesus Christ, but they have not connected with any particular church. What if I were in their situation? How would I find a church? What would make a difference in my search?
Generally, churches look alike in their yellow pages ads and mass mailings. Their radio and television commercials seem very similar. I might visit a church based on advertising alone. However, if a church did not live up to its projected image, I would not return.
Recently, I have been thinking about another method of finding a church. What if I started looking at the people around me to find the most Christ-like men and women? What if I decided to visit congregations that they attended? I have little doubt that I could find an excellent church using such a method.
I would look for men and women of kindness, the type of people who will reach out in compassion to others around them who are hurting or lonely. I would look for people of conviction, people who would stand for biblical standards and doctrines despite the unpopularity of their positions. I would look for men and women who would not only refuse to participate in office gossip, but who would not allow it to go unchallenged in their presence. I would look for people of wisdom, people who know how to live godly and attractive lives at the same time. I would look for men and women who enjoyed life and had grateful attitudes. I would search for people who spoke of faith in Christ and lived by faith in him. I would seek out men and women of humility, people with a sense of security without a sense of arrogance.
Such people reflect well on Christ, but they also reflect well on their local congregations. They are the best advertisements that a church could place in a community.
I want to be that kind of living commercial for Jesus Christ and for the Contact Church.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Giving to Save Lives
At http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2009/12/29/why-i-made-a-small-year-end-gift-to-a-crisis-pregnancy-center-and-you-should-consider-doing-something-similar/, Kevin DeYoung explains why he made a year-end donation to a pro-life pregnancy center and why we should consider doing something similar.
If anyone is interested in making a donation to a pro-life ministry, I would like to recommend two possibilities:
1. Christian Services of Oklahoma (our adoption agency)
501 E. 15th St. Suite 500A
Edmond, OK 73013
Read about Christian Services' pro-life alternative to abortion at www.christian-adoption.org/Abortion-Alternative.
2. Contact Life Ministry of the Contact Church (our church)
1529 W. 49th St.
Tulsa, OK 74107
Read about this aspect of the Tulsa urban ministry at www.contactchurch.net/Contact_Life.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
A New Year's Resolution
I have been thinking about making a new year's resolution. I don't do it every year, but once in a while, I like to challenge myself.
This coming year, I resolve to memorize the book of Titus.
I love the pastoral epistles. They are short in length, rich in theology, and filled with practical principles for living out my Christian faith.
Since Titus is the shortest of the three pastoral epistles--and since I have never memorized a book of the Bible before--I plan to memorize Titus.
I wonder how it will change me. Will I think and act any differently next year? Will I be closer to the Lord? Hopefully it will be a life-changing experience.
Do you have a new year's resolution?
This coming year, I resolve to memorize the book of Titus.
I love the pastoral epistles. They are short in length, rich in theology, and filled with practical principles for living out my Christian faith.
Since Titus is the shortest of the three pastoral epistles--and since I have never memorized a book of the Bible before--I plan to memorize Titus.
I wonder how it will change me. Will I think and act any differently next year? Will I be closer to the Lord? Hopefully it will be a life-changing experience.
Do you have a new year's resolution?
Monday, December 21, 2009
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