CraigLewis Sings the Brady Bunch

LOL! I love this video... it's actually funny and entertaining. And, these young men can sing!

As I watched, however, conviction came over me on behalf of the church. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? That's the question heard. Immediately, I thought of all the church services I've been to - more than half of those I've attended in my life - where the singing was awesome. The preaching was animated. The singers and the preachers had TALENT BUT NO MESSAGE!

Just like we see in this video, which was obviously done in fun, two young men have talent, but the essence of their message is nothing more than a sitcom theme song. Everyone can relate. It sounds good. It keeps us entertained.

Entertainment? Haven't we had enough? When the runs are gone... When the music stops... When the people stop shouting... What has changed? What was the message, REALLY?

Selah.

"Life Begins at Conception" (Pro Life)

This video is truly a blessing. Life is such a precious gift, and we often take for granted the greatest gifts given to us by our Heavenly Father.

I am, indeed, PRO-LIFE!!! Amen!

Can You Imagine?

This is a very true and real message for the church today. The deliver is different, but the message is still the same. Wake up and take this walk seriously. It's time to walk upright before God and stop taking for granted the work of the cross!

Read the Bible in 90 Days - Day 5

The reading for Day 5 spanned the history of God's people after Joseph's reign, which was the beginning of a period of slavery for the Hebrews. They were beaten, abused and enslaved by the Egyptians for over 400 years.

At the beginning of the book of Exodus, I was amazed at the hatred that was turned toward God's people. Despite every effort to kill their male children, God still prevailed and raised up a prophet and leader in the person of Moses. Of course, this is a familiar turn of history and passage of Scripture, but I noticed in these chapters how God hardened the heart of Pharoah on so many occassions. His purpose was only to then deliver and receive the glory.

I immediately thought of Jesus and the blind man. His discipled asked Him, "Who has sinned? This man, his mother or his father?" Jesus quickly reminded them that no one's sinned caused his blindness. Instead, he was blind because God wanted to operate through Him. God wanted to use him to birth a miracle and receive glory.

As I read through each trial and plague, I imagined the strong sense of discouragement and disappointment that God's people must have felt. Imagine being enslaved and told you are free only to find yourself enslaved again. Disappointment after disappointment... False hope after false hope...

Today, it is an encouragement for me. I just began to meditate on all the times that people treated me harshly. Yet, God received the glory. Could all that I've been through be for that purpose, for the sake of my testimony? Wow - God is truly awesome! It's a quick reminder that this walk is not at all about us. If we are called and chosen of God, we must give as lives as a sacrifice to be used in whatever manner necessary to bring God glory!

Read the Bible in 90 Days - Day 4

In our journey through the Bible in 90 days, we have now completed the entire book of Genesis. Overall, one of the things that has stood out to me is God's infinite ability to make the first last and the last first. Never before have I noticed that so many times, God favored the one who should have been last. Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, Ephraim and Manasseh...

I began to think of all the times that I started out behind, yet the favor (blessing) of God brought me to the forefront... To GOD be the glory! So often, men don't understand your position and your authority as a child of God. Of course, having God's favor doesn't always mean you are the "best," but God has a way of giving increase to His children. He has a way of touching and fulfilling covenant promises to those that He favors. It's aweome!

Of course, the entire book of Genesis also humbles me simply because God goes through the miraculous just to restore relationship with His creation. Over and over and over again, He extends His hand of mercy. Over and over and over again, flesh fails! Man commits sin. Yet, our loving Father always has a plan to restore His children back to Himself. He always has compassion. Who wouldn't serve a God like this???

Finally, I will note that this journey is already blessing me tremendously. While I've read the Bible from cover to cover a few times, I've never done it in 90 days. The discipline for this journey literally feels like a fast, and I love it. My flesh is being weekened and disciplined, while my spirit continues to yearn for more. God is speaking so much and so clearly that I can barely contain myself. I love the Word of God, and this is sparking even more zeal and compassion. The Word of God is truly living, and I look forward to 86 more days! It's not too late to join in!

Read the Bible in 90 Days

Yesterday, our church began a journey through the Bible in 90 days! Our goal - to read the word of God, cover to cover, before 2010. It has already proven to be an exciting venture. I have never seen people so excited and zealous about the word of God. I love it!

I will say that I didn't realize so few people have actually read the Bible in its entirety. It's been a couple years since I've done the same, so I am certainly looking forward to it. We are officially using the program designed by Ted Cooper. I must admit that I am NOT a fan of the NIV version, simply because it eliminates a number of Scriptures (See http://jesus-is-lord.com/nivdelet.htm for more information). However, one can follow the program with any Bible. For many, the NIV is also easier to read. As a Pastor, I am just elated to see people excited about knowing God's word. If they can more easily understand and read the NIV version, so be it!

Last night's reading was from the beginning through Genesis 16. The thing that stood out to me most was the fact that mankind has disappointed God SO MANY TIMES!!! It was almost heart-breaking. Before the seventh chapter, our Father has already regretted creating man. Wow! It shed a whole new light on the need for repentance and the ever present evil our our minds without Christ.

Well, I've been hungry for more of the word all day. There is more to come as I journal through this journey. Won't you join me?