I was over on another Pastor’s blog and was introduced to this video, The Me Church. It is a humorous exaggeration and reflection of the way some churches operate and how many think the church should function. It raises the questions, what is the purpose of the church?, what should I expect from the church?, how if at all should the church be marketed?, what is my responsibility within the church?, and even what is the church? It has been a lasting concern of mine that we have defined or allowed the church to be defined as a brick building, an organization or institution, or even a pastor, when in reality it is a body of people. Now there has been almost an entire generation of church goers that have been introduced to what a church is only in the Me driven market. The church has bent over backwards to attract the lost. Have we bent over so far that we have stopped being the church? Well so much for it being a humorous video.

On Sunday mornings I have been preaching through a series entitled, “The Purpose Driven Cross.” This week we will be looking at Christ’s purpose of transforming His people. God’s intent of saving is not to leave his people in a sinful state, but to save them from their sins, to transform them into a holy people. We often call this transformation our sanctification. Much the same way we know that Salvation is all of God, not of man’s works, and yet man is responsible to believe, so too our transformation or sanctification is of God and yet man is responsible to be holy. And so while we see that it is in Christ we are holy and are told that God is faithfully doing a good work in us and will bring it to completion, we have a responsibility. In the helpful Banner of Truth book, No Holiness No Heaven!, there is a helpful list of self examination questions for the believer that were written by Fletcher of Madeley. Now self examination is not popular, some may even wrongly consider it legalism, but it is something we are called to do by Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5, so that we may be confident that we are in Christ. In a time when easy believism can readily be found, it is becoming more and more important to examine our faith to determine whether or not Christ is at work within us.

1. Did I awake spiritual, and was I watchful in keeping my mind from wandering this morning when I was rising?
2. Have I this day got nearer to God in times of prayer, or have I given way to a lazy, idle spirit?
3. Has my faith been weakened by unwatchfulness, or quickened by diligence this day?
4. Have I this day walked by faith and eyed God in all things?
5. Have I denied myself in all unkind words and thoughts? Have I delighted in seeing others preferred before me?
6. Have I made the most of my precious time, as far as I had light, strength, and opportunity?
7. Have I kept the issues of my heart in the means of grace, so as to profit by them?
8. What have I done this day for the souls and bodies of God’s dear saints?
9. Have I laid out anything to please myself when I might have saved the money for the cause of God?
10. Have I governed well my tongue this day, remembering that in a multitude of words there wanteth not sin?
11. In how many instances have I denied myself?
12. Do my life and conversation adorn the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

I promise I have another theological post coming, but I want to just recommend a few helpful programs for any interested.

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I know I really need to write something of substance on here again, but right now I have other things I am focused on. So I want to use this post to do 2 things. I want to encourage those who are working through the one year bible to not give up. It has been a great benefit and encouragement to me this year knowing that so many are keeping up.

Second, I want to give a few highlights from our Florida trip:

• Favorite Road Sign: For Sale, Used Cows (this was in Kentucky)
• Favorite Truck: Septic Tanker with Yosemite Sam on the back saying back off, We ain’t hauling milk
• Karaism: Heather told the girls that they had the best looking guy in all the world for a daddy, Kara started to say yes in agreement, but then quickly said, “No, Jesus is.” What a pastor’s kid.
• Most Excited to see Disney: Mommy

Well we are back from vacation. We had a great time, relaxing at the beach, visiting Disney and MGM, and just playing with our children. I have some great quotes from the trip, but I need to double check a few before I post them.

For now it is good to be back home.