Why religion is silly (part 3)…

** From time to time I will come across an article that simply makes me think “Religion is so silly!” As a disclaimer I should state, I have no problem with these people’s right to worship as they please (this is the U.S.), but to do this in the name of Christ is just silly (and that is the nicest way I can out it.**

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po8zNqSt5t8&feature=related]

“Pastor” William J. Collier and his Church of God’s Chosen held a “Christian” conference in Winfield, AL and all are invited — as long as they are white. Flyers for the conference with the title: “Annual Pastors Conference All White Christians Invited” first appeared last Monday around town outraging many local residents. According to the local new the mayor was adamant that the event is not representative of the community in any way.

“Business people are upset. The city is upset. The city of Winfield does not condone this…”

– Mayor Wayne Silas

The event was reportedly draped with symbols of the Ku Klux Klan, Confederate flags and white supremacy slogans. When confronted by a reporter with Bible verses on equality of all races, Rev. Mel Lewis, the founder of Christian Identity Ministries, the event’s co-sponsor, got defensive:

“Well, you’ve picked out some wonderful verses out of context and out of the direction of Scripture. All you’re doing is making a mockery of God’s Word,” said Lewis, according to WFSA. “You’re absolutely abusing the Scripture.”

The three-day conference concluded on July 6 with a cross burning, which organizers are called a “Sacred Christian Cross Lighting Ceremony.”

Honestly, after reading and researching this article I was left completely speechless. The audacity, and overt nature of this bigotry is one that seems to have caught this nation by surprise. This is nothing new for me unfortunately and now its at the forefront of America’s minds. This is yet another example of the destructive silliness of trying to achieve your own righteousness through [your] works and not grace.

I would love to hear your comments below…

Some additional Christian Pickup lines

In March I posted a top 10 list of Pickup lines for Christian men and I wanted to add to those stellar works for my single friends. I love twitter hashtags for this reason and I noticed that a lot of them are aimed at Lolo Jone’s heart. It is okay to laugh out loud, because this is exactly what my wife does when I drop these works of art on here. This is my top 20 list but there are more out there under the hashtag #christianpickuplines on Twitter for more, tell me your favorites or add your own below. Enjoy!

How many Goliaths do I have to slay to win your heart?
So I was reading in the book of Numbers last night when I realized that I don’t have yours.
[Ladies] You put the stud in bible study.
Are you the fisher of men? Because you just reeled me in.
Now I know why Soloman had 700 wives… Because he never met you.
Phil 4:8 says to think about whatever is pure & lovely. And I’ve been thinking about you ALL DAY!
Are you a preacher? ‘Cause I’d respond to your altar call any day.
“You and me, we’re like loaves and fishes…we just might be a miracle.
Girl you are so fearfully and wonderfully made.
Would your name happen to be Ruth? Because I can be your Boaz.
Are you lost? Because heaven is a long was from here.
Somebody better call God, He’s missing an angel!
Is it a sin that you stole my heart?
[Favorite] If I march around you 7 times, will you fall for me?
“Excuse me ma’am. I believe your rib belongs to me.”
It took 7 days to create the world, but it only takes 7 digits to change mine.
Is this seat saved? …. Are you?
Are you hot? Or is that the Holy Spirit burning inside of you?
Do you want to be accountability partners?
The word says “Give drink to those who are thirsty, and feed the hungry” … how about dinner?

Update: this video is out of control!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4uIdXn7-jA&feature=youtube_gdata_player]

Some things I didn’t get to share last night

As I mentioned in my sermon last night there are a few things that I struggle with in my life. I wanted to share with you some things that God showed me but i didn’t have time to share on Sunday night. I hope you enjoy…

Jesus loves His church more than I do. So there is no reason for me to freak out, though I do constantly.
The same God who allowed the storm I am going through will also see me through it.
The results in ministry are NOT up to me! (I need this reminder daily)
Success in ministry will not be measured by how big my ministry is, but rather by whether or not my wife and little children really love Jesus and there daddy my journey is finished. I can always find another ministry position, but I can NEVER replace my wife and kids.
Someone recently to me that “Clear communication prevents unnecessary frustration.” I can’t assume people know what I know, so it is necessary to take the 2-3 extra minutes and fully explain what I am trying to say.
Eternity IS reality. if this is true then every single person I see is someone who will spend eternity somewhere and I need to embrace that fact with urgency.
Being busy doesn’t equal being godly!
Sometimes fighting the good fight means walking away from certain fights or to say it another way, not every hill is worth dying on.
The same power that brought Jesus back from the dead is living is in Him and now resides in me. I can do ANYTHING that He commands me to do!

Preach the Gospel to yourself!

A few weeks ago I once again received a call to join the staff at Concord Baptist Church. Soon after moving to Jefferson City and beginning my tenure here I was asked to preach on a Sunday night service. Given the nature of this pastorate I jumped at this opportunity. Much like last time I preached found myself not feeling comfortable with any of the subjects that came to mind for to preach. You see, for me, if I am going into an environment where I do not necessarily know/ understand the culture I try to prayerfully seek a subject that the Spirit leads me to say, and this time it interesting. As I was walking through the halls of the church hearing, shaking babies and kissing hands I began to hear some Christianeese (or the language that is spoken in churches that isn’t always translatable anywhere else). The phrase that I heard was the famous “Preach the Gospel and if you have to use words”, attributed to St. Francis of Assisi which I blogged about here. At that moment the Father spoke to my heart and I had to change my subject. In order to finish this message I found a new haunt (Coffeezone) in downtown and plodded away until I was finished. This sermon was for not only for me but as I soon found out for many people in the attending audience. I pray that it is half of the blessing it was to me in preparing it.

an open letter to NTR

** Now that we getting settled here in Jefferson City and I have some thoughts I wanted to get down on paper. I apologize that it has taken me so long but here they are.**

Dear NTR family,

I wanted to take the chance, through this letter, to bid goodbye to each one of you. I want you to know how much you have meant to me and my family over the last few years. Through you I have learned much about my weaknesses and strengths. I have had my faith challenged, my pride exposed, my eyes opened, my heart pricked. I have shed many tears for you, and prayed for you each by name. When I left I said that I would never forget a single one of you and I was completely serious. NTR is one of the most unique places I have ever worked, in so many ways. Like every other restaurant I have ever worked in we are a dysfunctional family, but a family at that. The stories, the fights, the celebrations, the achievements, and the [vivid] memories will not leave my mind and for that I wanted to take this time to thank you. I wish all of you a very bright future and know that I love you each much more than any of you will ever know.

Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone),

Jon C. Nelson

Even nature sings

This world is messed up in magnitude, but there is a more amazing God who has invited us to know him, linking arms with us that we might be amplifiers for the beauty of Jesus to all peoples.

He is not only a global God — he’s a galatic God. He is bigger than anything we can imagine. We don’t have a clue, really, about who we are dealing with. The universe was one of God’s thoughts.

These are some of the thoughts that Pastor Louie Giglio shared at the Desiring God 2011 National Conference. His text was from Psalm 148: 1 – 5

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!
Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created.

In the message he helps up to remember that God tends to direct our attention to things greater than us to lead us to worship. We don’t understand the expanse of the worship that constantly surrounds the throne of God. I hope that is short clip from his message will help you to realize the heavens are already doing what God is calling us to do everyday. Enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB835wkz1Tc&feature=related]

(View the complete message here)