Americans' Confidence in Religion Waning, Poll Finds

jimwilljr »

Sat Dec 27, 2008 8:00 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

tiponeill1

I agree on two things: first, religion does not have the solution. Christianity in its purest form is the outward expression of an inward relationship with Jesus. Take Jesus out of Christianity, and you have a religion no different from any other. A communal relationship with others through "religion" helps us understand Biblical truth. Outside that personal relationship, you will not find an answer.

Second, mainstream churches, at least the ones who accept the Bible as truth, too often set a few select sins apart for condemnation, homosexuality being one. (others ignore "sin" in favor of attendance and acceptance.) The reasons are multiple, but only slightly grounded. A small percentage of homosexuals are in your face about it, demanding we accept it on their terms. This creates hostility from the church. Anyone who gets that attitude will become offended. If I ran up to you and called you a sinner, nothing else I say will ever matter. I have created a barrier that will not come down. It goes both ways. I worked with a gay man in the military. We all knew it, but he was private about it, and didn't put it out there. As a result, we left it alone. If he had demanded we accept and approve of his lifestyle, he would have been rejected.

On the other hand, I cannot honestly read the Bible in context and find homosexuality as compatible with Christianity. Same for tax cheats, bigots, racists, drunks, or anyone else who puts self before God. Sin isn't so much what you do, but who is in charge of your life. That's why religion doesn't have an answer; religion cannot overcome self. Only a relationship with God can.

As you can see by some of the posts already, some are more interested in condemning than restoring. Please do not reject my savior because of "religious" folks; seek HIM, not religion. Don't know where you are, but my office and my church is open to you anytime you or anyone else wants to find the answers. I am not here to condemn; I am here to help others find truth and peace in Christ. He is the answer you seek, not religion.

Americans' Confidence in Religion Waning, Poll Finds

jimwilljr »

Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:16 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Some of you have hit it, but this one is more than I can pass up. As a pastor, the greatest threat to the health of my local church is "Religion", as so well defined by Mr. Webster and daniel paul. Religion is a nessessary part of the expression of our faith ("The Way" began and continues as a body of believers)-unfortunately, many in the church, young and old, treat religion as the answer while ignoring or minimalizing the relationship and accountability aspects of Christianity. The church often has people who are "religious" at the expense of "Godly" and "Holy". If there is one person reading this blog that rejects Christ, it may be OUR fault for being so religious, and not being the hands and feet of Christ. It isn't about who's right and who's wrong; its about loving as Christ did. We as the body need to get past religion and get engaged in the battle for souls. Any other topic is a distraction from our mission of changing lives for the better.

Obama to Expand Bush's Faith Based Programs

jimwilljr »

Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:44 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

all programs we support/provide should come from the churches themselves. Using a "Foodbank" as an outreach is fine, but if we use fed money, it can no longer be an outreach-we must sanitize the evangelical messege from it. Then, we are just a community club. Let's stay focused on the great commision, and leave the social programs to the government.

Obama to Expand Bush's Faith Based Programs

jimwilljr »

Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:41 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Two things: first, I am beginning to agree about the tax exempt status. As a pastor, I am seeing too many churches run like a after school club instead of a serious effort to reach the lost. Maybe taxable status would help thin the social clubs.
Second; is there anything that says churches must accept this money from the feds? I won't run a social program in my church if it needs federal funds. Our primary call is to reach the lost and introduce them to a life changing relationship with Christ, not provide daycare or staples to them.

New Methodist High Court Shifts Left

jimwilljr »

Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:02 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

"I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out." - John Wesley

Has God Called You? Discerning the Call to Preach

jimwilljr »

Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:34 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Same here. Ran for 15 years. And it was Luke 12:48 that nailed me, also. I had to preach/teach or run again. I finally understand what people mean by their "calling", as opposed to a job. I cannot help but proclaim His truth.

Grassley Still Waiting on Preachers Under Financial Scrutiny

jimwilljr »

Thu Dec 20, 2007 7:41 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

1 Cor. 16:2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don't wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.

Apparently, Paul didn't get the message about no more tithes and offerings. Actually, I agree about the "10%" legalist point; but that only means we should give out of our abundance, not a specific minimum requirement. I find that most people who argue against tithing are the same ones who think dropping a $5 bill in the plate equates to the offering of the widow's mite. If God is blessing you, (and I don't mean financially), isn't it consistent with His nature to accept our praise offerings as a sign of love and commitment? (My first fruits are financial; I left the farm 25 years ago) The Legalist attitude is the problem, not the 10% part. "Tithing" should be a return to God based on your blessings, not a specific amount, but it should be a sacrifice of praise, not a burger and fries. I also think it includes time and talent, not just money.

Matt: 23:1-3 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples, "The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the Law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don't follow their example. For they don't practice what they teach.

(These "preachers" in question may or may not fit this description about the Pharisees; that is what the senate is trying to find out.)

Do you really think Jesus told the Jews to practice what the Pharisees said practice, then changed His mind for the church, which was primarily Jewish the first 40 years? That kind of kills the idea that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Jesus simply did not "end" the law; He put it in perspective. The Law is not the way to salvation; it is an indication of your heart condition. Obedience of the law is the natural action of one saved by grace. If God truly has your heart, you will give without worrying about the "minimum"; you will give to be a blessing to God. And I mean give to kingdom building, not televangelist dynasty building. Please, do not let the hucksters on TV (there are some, for sure, even if it isn't all these) rob you of being a blessing to God and to others. Use your gifts, time, and money to build Godly relationships in your congregation, not make someone wealthy or build a cathedral to man.

Grassley Still Waiting on Preachers Under Financial Scrutiny

jimwilljr »

Thu Dec 20, 2007 4:38 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

If God does not have your wallet, along with everything else He has loaned you in this life, then He does not have you. I don't want your money, but God expects, no ,commands we give back out of our blessings.

These ministries should be jumping at this chance to demomstrate the honesty they practice in their financial dealings. If there were no reason for congress to investigate, they should be rushing to show Grassley that.

Grassley Still Waiting on Preachers Under Financial Scrutiny

jimwilljr »

Thu Dec 20, 2007 4:32 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Oglefam,

At no point does Jesus instruct us to stop tithing. In fact, he commands us to tithe.

"What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
Matthew 23:23

"What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
Luke 11:42

Jesus did not command us to stop tithing any more than he commanded us to abandon any other principle of the Law.

"Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the Law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.
Matthew 5:17

Jesus taught obedience.
Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. Matthew 28:20

Tithing pre-dates the Law of Moses.
And this memorial pillar I have set up will become a place for worshiping God, and I will present to God a tenth of everything He gives me."
Genesis 28:22

This is about transparency in ministry, not tithing.

Barbara Walters Criticizes White House Biblical Christmas Card

jimwilljr »

Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:11 am Agree: 8   Disagree: 1

Barbara, dear, why don't you stop celebrating a Christian holiday if it offends you so? A personal card from a citizen (yes, even the president is given first amendment protection and privilages) provided by non-government funds (the RNC-this makes it private, not public), should not be so suprising when it is sent to a show that is joining in the festivities of the season (I assume; getting a card from EJ must mean you are participating). If you do not want Christians offending you with Christian messeges during a Christian holiday, refrain from the blasphemy of celebrating a Christian Holy Day as a pagen event. If you do not accept or believe in my savior, stop trying to take over our festival. (That's how they saw celebrations in the Old Testament; festivals)
If I put witches and black cats all over my yard in October and ran around saying happy halloween, I should not be so offended if I recieve a card from a witch!! Remember, I have the same right to speak my views as you; and you have the same right to ignore me as I do you. The difference; I don't fear the view as much as you apparently fear my God. I don't want you silenced; your "view" re-enforces our commitment to pray for our leaders who stand for right in the face of attacks from opponents of God.