It seems it’s becoming harder for folks to see the tiny narrow gate with it’s rusty hinges next to the well-worn path leading to the huge glittering spectacular gates of hell.
I am reminded of Proverbs 23, especially verses 4 and 5.
“So long as we live in this world we cannot escape suffering and temptation. Whence it is written in Job: “The life of man upon earth is a warfare.” Everyone, therefore must guard against temptation and must watch in prayer lest the devil, who never sleeps but goes about seeking whom he may devour, find occasion to deceive him. No one is so perfect or so holy but he is sometimes tempted; man cannot be altogether free from temptation.
Yet temptations, though troublesome and severe, are often useful to a man, for in them he is humbled, purified, and instructed. The saints all passed through many temptations and trials to profit by them, while those who could not resist became reprobate and fell away. There is no state so holy, no place so secret that temptations and trials will not come. Man is never safe from them as long as he lives, for they come from within us – in sin we were born. When one temptations or trial passes, another comes; we shall always have something to suffer because we have lot the state of original blessedness….
The beginning of all temptation lies in a wavering mind and little trust in God, for as a rudderless ship is driven hither and yon by waves, so a careless and irresolute man is tempted in may ways. Fire tempers iron and temptation steels the just. Often we do not know what we can stand, but temptation shows us what we are….
We should not despair, therefore, when we are tempted, but pray to God the more fervently that He may see fit to help us, for according to the word of Paul, He will make issue with temptation that we may be able to bear it.”
The outside is even more advanced than the photo shows on the link, Xenia. The plaster is skim coated white now. Very easy on the eyes, blends nicely with the blue.
Orthodox churches usually have a dome whereas western churches tend to go for spires. (Think gothic cathedrals vs Hagia Sophia). On the inside, when you look up at the dome, there is usually an icon of Christ as Pantocrator (All-Powerful), sometimes with stars on a blue background to represent Heaven. The EO architecture aims to bring Christ down to the people whereas the gothic/spire architecture strives to reach up to God.
My church doesn’t separate them either, until about half way through the service. The Pastor calls them all up front for a talk/message, then they head downstairs with the teachers for Sunday School.
Never had any really unruly ones, their parents keep pretty good eyes on them. If a baby gets a little loud, nobody really sees that as a problem. Although we do have a cry room if a parent feels it necessary.
It’s all yours today…
James Macdonald in trouble again:
https://theelephantsdebt.com/2017/09/27/hbc-elders-remove-macdonald-from-leadership-retain-him-for-teaching/#more-2982
Retain Macdonald for teaching but remove him from leadership? Wow. Sounds like the elders are a tad bit confused. He shouldn’t be teaching at all.
It seems it’s becoming harder for folks to see the tiny narrow gate with it’s rusty hinges next to the well-worn path leading to the huge glittering spectacular gates of hell.
I am reminded of Proverbs 23, especially verses 4 and 5.
On Suffering and Temptation
“So long as we live in this world we cannot escape suffering and temptation. Whence it is written in Job: “The life of man upon earth is a warfare.” Everyone, therefore must guard against temptation and must watch in prayer lest the devil, who never sleeps but goes about seeking whom he may devour, find occasion to deceive him. No one is so perfect or so holy but he is sometimes tempted; man cannot be altogether free from temptation.
Yet temptations, though troublesome and severe, are often useful to a man, for in them he is humbled, purified, and instructed. The saints all passed through many temptations and trials to profit by them, while those who could not resist became reprobate and fell away. There is no state so holy, no place so secret that temptations and trials will not come. Man is never safe from them as long as he lives, for they come from within us – in sin we were born. When one temptations or trial passes, another comes; we shall always have something to suffer because we have lot the state of original blessedness….
The beginning of all temptation lies in a wavering mind and little trust in God, for as a rudderless ship is driven hither and yon by waves, so a careless and irresolute man is tempted in may ways. Fire tempers iron and temptation steels the just. Often we do not know what we can stand, but temptation shows us what we are….
We should not despair, therefore, when we are tempted, but pray to God the more fervently that He may see fit to help us, for according to the word of Paul, He will make issue with temptation that we may be able to bear it.”
– Thomas Kempis, 1380-1481
off leadership, still teaching? Maintain the cash flow.
I’d like to share a link to a song I heard today.
Dear Hate~Maren Morris & Vince Gill
Scooter–seen the progress on the EO church near Rogue River, OR lately? Impressive.
filbertz, just drove by around noon today. Very beautiful architecture. Can’t believe how much recent progress they’ve made.
http://www.stinnocentorthodoxchurch.org/
The outside is even more advanced than the photo shows on the link, Xenia. The plaster is skim coated white now. Very easy on the eyes, blends nicely with the blue.
Orthodox churches usually have a dome whereas western churches tend to go for spires. (Think gothic cathedrals vs Hagia Sophia). On the inside, when you look up at the dome, there is usually an icon of Christ as Pantocrator (All-Powerful), sometimes with stars on a blue background to represent Heaven. The EO architecture aims to bring Christ down to the people whereas the gothic/spire architecture strives to reach up to God.
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/80327178.jpg
Thanks, Scooter. We drive by that way usually once a year and it’s great to see the progress.
G-Man
Dan from Georgia
David H
Scooter Jones
AND ESPECIALLY, JOSH THE BAPTIST!
I think I’ve found our praise band… https://youtu.be/cEWiJR9qeoc
Doc, that was great.
Duane, that’s the good stuff, right there…..
Half my church would be rockin out, the other half just might start praying for our souls…..
How bad does it get in the children church area of your church?
What is done in the tougher situations?
Asking for a friend…
Like every Christian friend who is part of a local church
?
My church does not separate the children. Everyone comes to regular church. Children and adults can all sleep through the sermon. 🙂
My church doesn’t separate them either, until about half way through the service. The Pastor calls them all up front for a talk/message, then they head downstairs with the teachers for Sunday School.
Never had any really unruly ones, their parents keep pretty good eyes on them. If a baby gets a little loud, nobody really sees that as a problem. Although we do have a cry room if a parent feels it necessary.
Duane, I’ll bring my Ibanez electric with the pointy edges…that’ll rattle a few feathers! Hehehe