Doo-Doo Prayers

            I’m guessing that you’re already thinking, “What is this dude writing about now?” I want to share about something that perhaps we just don’t understand (self included). Probably more times than not, we just “don’t get it.”

            Less than 2 minutes ago, I finished helping my oldest son Cross (he’s 23 months old) get to bed. Before we put him in bed, we always read a short Bible story from his baby Bible and then we say our prayers. Just about every time, Rachel or I are the ones saying the prayers.

            But not tonight. I asked Cross if he was ready to “say prayers” and he said “uh huh.” And with a voice that makes me melt, he began to pray. You know what he said? Here it is. It’s really profound but really great:

            “Doo – doo Jeez. Amayn.”

Now if anyone else had heard that, they’d have no idea what he said but being the parent, I knew exactly what he said. The translation is this:

“Thank You Jesus. Amen.”

            Now before I start to portray my son as the next Billy Graham, I must say that he has already shown his sinful nature on many occasions but he is learning what it means to know God. Even tonight, he reminded me of the simplicity of prayer and gratitude. Adults want to make it complicated but it’s not. Sometimes Jesus just wants a simple yet grateful “Thank You Jesus. Amen” instead of a “Dear heavenly Father, we thank You so much for all of the blessings You have so richly bestowed upon us. . . .”

           Psalm 100:4 tells us how to approach God. We’re to “enter His gates with thanksgiving.” Thanksgiving is the key that unlocks the door of fellowship with God. It’s the way into His presence but it doesn’t have to be elaborate.

            When you’re able to have food on the table, you can pray a “doo-doo” prayer.  When you remember that you have friends, it’s time to say “doo-doo.” When you remember that God loves you, it’s time to say “doo-doo.” And so it goes on and on.

            Remember your “doo-doos” and remember that God loves “doo-doos.”

Your Thoughts About The "Real" Church

Ok – So I asked for it and I got it. Below are all the comments I received from many of you about what the New Testament Church should look like. There are some really good insights below. Have fun!!

At its best they were devoted to God, to others (meeting the needs within the body) and sending out many to distant lands to share the Good News of Christ. The message then is the same today that brings lost people into the kingdom.  Christ crucified, buried and risen!!! So the essentials of worship and doing Church are vertical and horizontal. "Loving God Loving Each Other". Sunday or any day, would be set aside as a day to join other believers to hear the teaching and preaching of The Word, and praising Him in song (although I don't recall them singing, I know they must have sung some of the Psalms). Then family time ...... seeking and meeting the needs of those within the body.

-       Brenda

Things would be totally different! Like in Acts 3, the first miracle wasn't that a lot of people heard the gospel, it wasn't that a lame man was healed: the first miracle is in verse 1: Peter and John went together to pray publicly. They were polar opposites but they loved Christ and so put aside their differences for sweet fellowship. Churches don't do that now- cults, sororities, country clubs, hypocrites, and false doctrines are about as much light of the world the lost see, and real churches aren't getting the message through to them. If we all don't love each other and encourage one another, and see God more than once a week, why would any unsaved person ever want to come to our churches?

-       Bill

There are various estimates of the Christian church. Some think everything of her; some think nothing of her; and probably neither opinion is worth the breath which utters it. Neither Ritualists, who idolize their church, nor skeptics, who vilify all churches, have any such knowledge of the true spiritual church of Jesus Christ as to be entitled to give an opinion . . . . The church, again, consists of a praying people. Now prayer is that which links weakness with infinite strength. A people who can pray can never be overcome, because their reserve forces can never be exhausted.

-       Charles Spurgeon quote sent by Sue

It would be simple
It would be run out of Homes/predominantly
It would be reproducing
It would see itself as a part of Christians everywhere
It would have multiple elders
It would be built on the basics
It would be easily reproducible

-       Brad

You really give us a challenge for 2011.  Ron's Bible Fellowship class yesterday was the part of the blog that is below.  We listed 5-6 items.  They are on the board in room 221.  I can remember 3---The absence of the Holy Spirit, true Bible Study with no frills. Suggestion---do Bible Study in our homes with our neighbors.  We realize that some might not come.  Ron used the Book of Acts to talk about what a church should be.  After the preaching and bringing people to Christ, there was a time of Praise.  I had never thought about it before but scanning through the book the word praise is seen time after time. 

-       Betty 

To me the biggest thing to see in Acts is not how the church was or operated but what a Church can be when it's people are actually being salt and light at every level, being clean earthen vessels.  This is when Christians are being Christian, sold out to God, Living by Faith, hands on the plow, experiencing the miracles of forgiveness and grace that is in Jesus Christ- not ashamed of Him, His work and His WORD, with leadership, discipleship and structures all based on truth lived by humble, and obedient people... made new, with new hearts, living in the Joy of following the LORD. What made the ACTS church a model to follow?  I submit it that it was the repentant believing hearts, of its people.

-       Brian

I would like to think it would be being the "Church" weekly to our neighbors, family, co-workers, and friends.  There would be a lot of prayer, Bible study, and fellowship.  Being the "Church" as we go.  Not as we try to squeeze it in our busy schedules.   That would be our sole priority in our jobs, at school, on the road, in our homes, etc.  He should be such an important part of our lives that it pours out to everyone around us.  Then, when we gather for corporate worship we would worship collectively as one body, yes even with our youth, preschoolers, and children for an entire day being in awe before a King who gave it all.  No time limits, no busy activities, no entertainment, and no ME involved at all.  We would just be a group of sinners that are coming to worship with other sinners to praise our God for allowing us just one more day to be at His feet.  Get it...Not about ME...It's all about Him.

-       Julie  

No one wants to fully renew their mind. That's what it would take. If that was done.....if we all could completely renew our mind of what worshiping God collectively as a body of believers (church gathering), if I could view church as a clean slate and go by what you said - what would it be like for me?

• I wouldn't feel the often pressure to come up with a "snappy-great opening song" this Sunday!  (As I'm sitting in my shop now about to plan this Sunday's service!).
• The "geographical location of the epicenter of repentance" would be reformed.  We have trained church members that you can only really be close to God this morning if you come to the altar.  The altar is in our hearts, not carpeted steps.  Public confession IS GOOD ---There is too much emphasis on the location and not the act of repentance.
• the congregation would be treated (and would even ACT) as if they were actually "on the field" with the teaching pastor - not treated like they were "in the stands"....observing.  the mentality is MERCENARY MINISTRY from the congregation - "We listen to you Pastor, we pay your salary and send YOU out to do the job we should be doing".
• WE WOULD MEET DAILY!  Wow.....talk about a world-changing thought!  Acts 2:46.
• WE WOULD WANT TO MEET DAILY together!
• There would be no need for Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Car Insurance, AFLAC-duck Insurance.....if there was a need, the body would cover it.  A death, the body would help out.  A tragedy?  The church body would step in and step up financially....car keys would be laid at the feet of others - "what's mine is yours"....

Daron

I read that Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to help unite two separate churches in Corinth and unity is one lesson that we have not learned.  Most of us live divided lives.  We have our church life and church friends in one hand our work life and work friends in the other and our family lives are being juggled somewhere in between.  We have also divided as a body of Christ.  I wouldn’t attempt to list all of the different denominations of church that exist today. Instead of agreeing to disagree and parting ways we all should struggle to understand the unchanging Truth of the gospel and worship God united.  God needs to be the force that ties every aspect of our lives together and we should feel united and connected with all Christian despite what church they go to.  

-       Clay

I know we need to rethink how we do a lot of things within the church, but we are often so busy maintaining the present structures that we don't.

-       Daniel

A New Church For A New Year

Imagine for a moment that you don’t know anything about cars, trains, planes, boats, bicycles, or anything else that relates to transportation. Now imagine that someone comes to you and says, “Hey, I need something that can take me from South Carolina to California in less than a week.” Would you come up with the modes of transportation as you now know them?? Or would it be just slightly possible that you’d have a completely different set of ideas about transportation????

Now, change gears for a minute. Imagine with me that you didn’t know anything about God, the Bible, Christianity, the Church, spiritual matters, faith, etc. Your mind is a blank slate. Then someone comes to you and says, “Here’s a book entitled ACTS. Read it fifty times and then write a 2 page summary of what the CHURCH is supposed to look like and how it is supposed to function.”

Know where I’m going? Yeah!!! The question now is this: Would your “CHURCH” look anything like it looks now or would it completely be different?

That’s an incredibly powerful question that deserves some serious thought. Seriously – would our typical Sunday morning worship service be what you’d come up with? Would your summary of the church look like what goes on each week in the average church?

I tend to believe that it would be WAYYYYYYY different! I would really love to know how you think the church would be different. I’m not doing this to see who’s reading this or not. I seriously want to get some feedback about how churches can get back to the LEGIT basics. Pass this blog link on to your friends and let them respond. Email your responses to me at bryan@fbcsaltillo.org

I’ll compile the list of all the responses and post them word for word in the next blog for us to see.

Maybe it’s time for God to revive His church.

Maybe it’s time for a new church in a new year!!

A Digital Christmas

Interesting how Christmas may have happened in 2010 huh? Merry Christmas!!!

Top 10 Reasons You Won't Set Goals For 2011

That’s right!! You heard me! I bet you won’t do it!! I triple dog dare you!!!!

Here are my "Top 10" reasons why I believe you probably won't set goals for 2011.

10. UNAWARENESS: You ask, “Do I really need to have goals?”

9. APATHY: You’re probably content with your life as you know it.

8. BUSYNESS: You’ve got too much going on to even think about your goals.

7. FAILURE: You’ve never reached your previous goals.

6. SKEPTICISM: You think setting goals doesn’t really make a difference.

5. PASSIVITY: You never actually write your goals out.

4. LAZINESS: You say, “That takes to much time to think about.”

3. PROCRASTINATION: You know you really should, but you just don’t get around to it.

2. DOUBT: You think that you’ll forget them.

1. FEAR: You’re afraid you won’t keep them.

Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your PLANS will succeed.” Later in Scripture we are told, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen!” (2 Peter 3:18).

I don’t know about you, but I believe these verses and I believe God wants me to be proactive about growing into the person He wants me to be. It doesn’t happen automatically though. We've got to plan our growth! 

Here are some areas to think about: Spiritual, family, financial, physical, personal growth, etc.

Come on now!! Prove me wrong!!!! Start working on some goals for 2011 !!!

Email Terrorism

Ever received an email with a subject line like “MAD AT YOU!!!!” or “PROBLEM WITH YOU”? Maybe someone was really nice and wrote “Concern” as the subject line. If it was from someone at church, the subject line may have even said, “Prayerfully.”

Isn’t that sweet?

Email terrorism happens when someone attacks you through email (or facebook, twitter, etc) instead of addressing their concerns face to face. In their warped thinking, some find it too easy to “speak their mind” in a way they’d never be brave enough for in person or for that matter, even over the phone.

I’ve found it so amazing in times past that after I’ve received a terrorist email, the same person is a lot nicer in person. That’s because email terrorists refuse to handle conflict in person. It’s much too easy to take pot shots from a safe distance.

Most of the time, these kinds of emails hurt the terrorist much more than they hurt the recipient.  Instead of breaking out of their shell, they mistakenly build the walls of insecurity around them higher and higher. For the terrorist, learning how to properly deal with conflict in a spiritual manner (Matthew 18:15-17) produces perhaps the deepest character growth anyone can experience. It forces someone to face the fear of being extremely uncomfortable but facing our fears head on improves our character.

What should we do when we receive a terrorist email?

1.     Do not respond to their direct concerns. Don’t even mention them!

2.     Don’t turn into an email terrorist yourself. Love them like Jesus would love them.

3.     Do not defend yourself by email.

4.     Invite the person to come talk with you face to face about their concerns.

5.     Do not waste your time emailing back and forth. It’s madness!

6.     Drop the issue. Handle it when they come to you in person. My dad used to say, “Don’t let them get your goat!”

The Face Of Christ

Great video to remind us about compassion prevailing over concern for trash dumpsters!