Unchurched Prefer Cathedrals Over Contemporary Church Buildings

RevJim »

Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:28 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Brother Pablo

Very nicely put and in more detail than I chose to do, but I agree with you completely!! May God bless you and your congregation, as it seems that your church body are doing the work that our Lord Jesus Christ intended and directed us to do. As you also put, we must also live the life that we are preaching to others. I send out prayers to you and all others who read this that God continues to give you strength and encouragement in this difficult time in the world to do His Will, His Way only.

Unchurched Prefer Cathedrals Over Contemporary Church Buildings

RevJim »

Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:09 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Well, once again, the focus has become the building as to what will draw the unchurched into the church. I understand that individuals must feel welcome in the church, but that feeling should come from the Body of the church, that being the members. Like many of you I am sure, you have visited various styles of churchs, some of which you felt welcome and others you maybe didn't as much. The reality is, what should draw the unchurched into the church SHOULD BE those people that make up the church. Remember, as our Scriptures teach us, what makes a church is the people, not a building. Who cares what the building looks like, if your church isn't reaching out to the lost and helping others to find Jesus Christ, then it isn't a church at all. May God bless all of you and remember that we are instructed by the Scriptures to go out, not just sit in a building. May the Lord bless each of you in all you do.
Doing His Will, His Way!

Pro-Gay Booklet's 'Facts' Draw Criticism

RevJim »

Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:02 pm Agree: 7   Disagree: 2

As mentioned on other articles on here, let me re-state that any sexual orientation other than male-female relationships is NOT Biblical in any manner. I find it very dissappointing that schools would even allow materials of such nature to be readily available to students because of the potential questions and other problems that could arise from it. In the public schools, I would assume that most teachers are not qualified to handle addressing issues stemming from this material. Let me say that we do need to remember that sexual immorality is a sin just like murder, idolatry, lying, stealing, etc. Those individuals need ministering to in a loving, but strong manner so that they may see their sin for what it is, repent by their own admission of sinful ways, and be born again through Jesus Christ. As Christians, we have that obligation to minister to the lost so they may be found. All sin is sin, not one higher or worse than another, but all can be forgiven, through Jesus Christ. Let us witness to people of all kinds of sin so they too may know the love and grace of Jesus Christ rather than being bound by the chains of Satan. I pray these words will encourage everyone to be a humble servant of the Lord and remember we all are sinners. Doing His Will, His Way!

Study: Americans Say Non-Church Worship is Fully Biblical

RevJim »

Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:21 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 1

Pastor Coats

AMEN!! Brother Will on your moving and inspiring words. Reading your words sounded so very familiar to me, as I did not understand what the Lord was preparing for me. For the longest time, of being involved with many churchs in many capacities, standing up for the Word of God and being told to be quiet because it wasn't how we do things so things could be "covered up", I never understood why I was put there. Quite some time ago God spoke to me saying this is why I put you in the places I did, so you could see how things are being done and how it is not of my will, so go and do things they way of My Will. I understand how you feel when you say people talk and say things about you because you trust in the Lord to guide you totally. Similarly to you, I never imagined myself as a Minister, but the Lord does work in amazing ways and will continue to do so if we submit to him TOTALLY in all things he asks of us. I pray that Jeus Christ continues to bless you in your work for him, your family, and all those in your congregation. Amen.

Doing His Will, His Way!
Rev. Jim Rinaldi
Would enjoy speaking to you more sometime.

How to Share Your Faith Using Amy Winehouse's 'Rehab'

RevJim »

Sat Feb 23, 2008 11:52 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

CP2008

I would say that even before I personally, and for alot of others who are Christians, we feel that there is an emptiness, or hole within us. That something is missing within our lives, but we can't explain what it is. With that, rather than turning to Jesus Christ, as sinful beings by nature, we try to "fill that hole" with other things. It is one of those things that is hard to describe and have everyone grasp it because everyone has different experiences and various ways of feeling a need. I would agree with you that being direct with people about their sin and that separates them from God is a good approach. I very strongly believe that God speaks to each and every one of us, both saved and unsaved, when we are dealing with different situations in our lives. The difference is, hopefully those that are saved have learned to listen to "that little voice" within us, as many people speak of it, and that voice being God trying to direct down his path of rightousness. Once a person has truly heard the voice of God speak to him or her, they will come to recognize it more easily and hopefully let it be their guide in all things. I don't know if this was helpful or not, but hope that it does bless someone. Doing His Will, His Way!

How to Share Your Faith Using Amy Winehouse's 'Rehab'

RevJim »

Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:47 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Maybe this will be helpful in figuring out what the "God-shaped hole" is. Think of it this way, unfortunately, most of us have lost a loved one, whether a close friend, family member, or what have you. That empty feeling that you have like something is missing when you lose someone that fills such an important part of your life. Unfortunately, until we find Jeus Christ, let him into our hearts completely, by that I mean letting Him lead us, direct us, and completely trust in him for all things, we fill that "missing" feeling with other things. So, that "God-shaped hole" is that unexplainable empty feeling similar, although VERY different, to that empty feeling we experience when we lose someone close to us. Bless you all! Doing His Will, His Way!

How to Share Your Faith Using Amy Winehouse's 'Rehab'

RevJim »

Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:34 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

CP2008

First, let me say that I am greatful that you have found the Lord and turned your life over to Jesus Christ. Your question about where in scripture does it mention the God-shaped hole is not so explicitly listed that way. I think that the author of the article was using that phrase as a figure of speech to represent the idea that the emptiness or hole that people try to fill with other things doesn't fix that void, only the Spirit of Jesus Christ can do that. You may not think of it that way by your experience, but from what you realized one day, you did indeed experience the need to fill the "God-shaped hole" that only God could fill in your life. The need to fill the "hole" is quite different from person to person, but the important thing is that people realize that drugs, alcohol, sex, greed, hate, revenge, etc., etc, will not fill that emptiness that people often describe. I hope that is helpful and makes sense. May these words bless all those who read them. Doing His Will, His Way!

Study: Americans Say Non-Church Worship is Fully Biblical

RevJim »

Wed Feb 20, 2008 5:52 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

To comment more on the issue of the article here, I think alot of people have gotten away from attending the traditional church and have started home churchs or individual worship groups due to the lack of Biblical application in them. As the article mentions, most of your churchs fall on a routine of practices that were developed by culture and not by the Bible. With this in mind, for many people, church has just become a routine of something we do, therefore psychologically that is how it is approached, its routine rather than allowing the Spirit of the Lord to flow and a real annointing of the Spirit to take place. As I mentioned in a previous post as well, alot of churchs have become a business rather than a working body for the Lord and this will most definitely not bring a blessing to those that really need to Spirit brought into their lives. May the Lord bless you all. Doing His Will, His Way!

Study: Americans Say Non-Church Worship is Fully Biblical

RevJim »

Wed Feb 20, 2008 5:38 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

wrhalver,

I agree with you completely that the person behind the pulpit is held to a higher level of accountability both by God and the congregation. The point I was trying to make was just that often times that person behind the pulpit is the one being worshiped rather than God. There is a different annointing or a higher level of annointing with those of us that are called to preach and serve the Lord in this manner, and I agree with you on that as well. Thank you for your comment and may the Lord bless you in all you do! Doing His Will, His Way!

Study: Americans Say Non-Church Worship is Fully Biblical

RevJim »

Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:14 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Okay, you have me started here, so please understand. I have seen many churchs both large and small ones that when you visit them it becomes obvious very quickly that the people in the congregation are not worshiping the Lord, but the Reverand, Pastor, Minister, or whomever is delivering the message. Those in the congregation should be more focused on the message being brought forth, the annointing it brings to those present, and the blessings that people get from it. The presenter, for lack of redundant wording, is just the vessel, or should be looked upon as such, just as the building should not be the focus of things. Worship should not be about the "show", it should be about the bringing forth the Spirit of the Lord to work among us and bless us. Bless you all! Doing His Will, His Way!

Study: Americans Say Non-Church Worship is Fully Biblical

RevJim »

Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:02 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

I have to agree with Topekan, look at what the book of Acts teaches us about what the church is and should be. The modern day church, in my opinion, has become more of a business and about the show and production to gain membership numbers and huge pocket books or endowment funds and less about doing the work of the Lord and gaining souls. The church is the people in it and wherever those people are, that is where the church is. So, let us remember that WE are the church and should conduct ourselves accordingly wherever we are. The church is never closed and the work of Jesus Christ is never done and should always be working. May the spirit and these words bless you all. Doing His Will, His Way!

'Can You Be Gay and Christian?' Poses Conservative Activist

RevJim »

Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:52 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

I don't understand the negative reference made that the NIV should be trashed and the homosexual behavior is allowable. It is most certainly NOT acceptable to God and to quote 2 references in the NIV, Leviticus 18:22 -"Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable. Further reference to this is Leviticus 20:13 - "If a man lies with man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads." Now, looking at the NIV once again in the NT book of 1 Corinthians 6:9 - "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders..." Clearly seen here, the NIV translation is very clear that it does not convey a mixed message that homosexual activity should be nor is acceptable under God. Homosexuality is clearly a sin just as being a theif or a liar. Sin is sin, and one sin does not rank higher in God's eyes than another, they are all unacceptable to Him. If we are to be Christians and do the will of Jesus Christ, then we are to help those that are lost and do not know the Lord, so that their life can be changed. We should not allow ourselves to be "fleshly" and make judgements about others without first stoping to think of where we have come from ourselves, as we all have a sinful past and should strive to be more Christ-like. I hope these words inspire all to do His Will and do it His Way! May the Lord Bless you all!

Film on Ex-Stripper Turned Preacher Stirs Controversy

RevJim »

Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:55 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

We must all remember that, we all have a past and it is not sin-free. Any sin is just as bad as the other, it is still sin. If the ministry of the JC Girl's is saving souls and it is genuine, then their work should be commended and will be rewarded in heaven. Remembering what the Word of God tells us, we are to be deciples of Christ and go out into the world, but not be of the world. We are to go out and save the lost, not just expect the lost to come to us and our fancy pretty buildings that we call a church. As true Christians, we should be going out, just as Jesus did. May these words inspire us all to take a better look at ourselves and what we are doing to bring the lost to Jesus Christ. Doing His Will, His Way!