You can go to other posts I’ve written and read why some people choose to be legalists. This, however, is a message I preached this past Sunday morning.
Maybe some of you will find it encouraging or helpful.
Filed under Christian Maturity, Church, legalism, Preaching
Annapolis, Maryland (Artist: Susan Cassidy Wilhoit)
Filed under America, Apologetics, Culture Wars, God, The Magnificent Fifty
I don’t know about you, but I miss Mr. Monkey. It has been a long time since I made a video with him, and how sad is that? I mean, here I am with an iPhone with all the video-making power one needs (along with iMovie), and nothing…sad.
But part of the problem is a lack of ideas. Writer’s block is easy to overcome – just start writing. But movie-making block is a different story altogether; one has to plan.
So, could you help me? First, you can click on the archive tab above and find links to previous Monday Monkey videos, and that should give you an idea what I’m capable of (and those videos were all done on an iPhone 5s, not my 7!). Then, suggest something. Give me some ideas.
Yes, life is serious, I’m an adult, and there are more important things in life than making movies with a 30-year-old puppet monkey.
But God invented humor. And if He invented it and even used it Himself a time or two, I see no reason why we who are “sober and vigilant” can’t use it for God’s glory.
Leave me some suggestions for plot lines or situations in the comment section below. If I choose your idea (or if it inspires me to do something else), then I’ll send you a signed photo of Mr. Monkey and me!
…OK, you don’t have to accept the photo, but it’s available if you want it. Unless we break the camera 😉
The above photo is nearly 10 years old. Mr. Monkey hasn’t changed a bit!
Filed under Humor, Monday Monkey, Uncategorized
Some of you may still be unaware of the work I do on my other blog, ProverbialThought.com. It’s one that I share with several other gifted authors who love the Lord.
If you are unfamiliar with Proverbial Thought, then I guess it’s possible you could be unaware that my middle daughter, Katie Marie, is also a wonderful writer (and singer, and songwriter, and photographer).
That is why I would really appreciate you taking a look at the post she just published today on Proverbial Thought. It is her first post there since we finished up the original study a couple of years ago.
Here is a link to her post, “The Preciousness of Wisdom.” Why not check it out and let her know what you think? I know she would appreciate it.
Then, make sure to visit HER blog, Shutter Elf.
Filed under blogging, Uncategorized
Augusta, Maine (Artist: Susan Cassidy Wilhoit)
I wonder if the current leadership of Maine has a grateful heart toward the Sovereign God, Ruler of the Universe? I wonder if they implore “God’s aid and direction” in their government? It’s something we should all be asking ourselves…”We the people…”
Filed under America, Apologetics, Culture Wars, God, grace, The Magnificent Fifty
I had to share this wonderful, if for no other reason than the last line.
Click on the link below to “Always Loved…” And let Mike know what you think.
There was no decision made by me to allow him to love me. He just did.
Filed under Uncategorized
Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Artist: Susan Cassidy Wilhoit)
To accomplish their goals, nearly every state constitution will have to be re-written. But that is the depth to which the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) in Wisconsin and their 20,000 members (a tiny fraction of our population) must go should they want to remove God and faith from the public square and our nation’s foundations.
#Bryancollege #FoundationofFaith #themagnificentfifty
Filed under America, Apologetics, Faith, God, The Magnificent Fifty
Frankfort, Kentucky (Artist: Susan Cassidy Wilhoit)
Filed under America, Apologetics, God, politics, The Magnificent Fifty, worship
A very revealing study was done, leading to a book detailing how 300 churches went from declining or dying, to growing. In Comeback Churches, written by Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson, there is a list of 30 different barriers to church growth. Having received permission from the publisher (B&H Publishing Group), I would like to discuss a few of them.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Why do we do good works? Why do we feed the poor, shelter the homeless, tend to the elderly, etc? Do we do these things so that our Father will be glorified, or do we do them in order to get glory for ourselves?
Some people do good works with the sole intention of being seen and considered especially spiritual. Jesus said that “Everything they do is for show” (Mt. 23:5 NLT). Jesus spoke of those who wanted to be seen as pious and holy by wearing boxes containing Scripture on their foreheads or arms. The bigger the box the better. All this was in an attempt to say, “I am keeping the law better than you!” (See Deuteronomy 6:5-9)
Then there are other people who do plenty of good deeds without even acknowledging God. For example, go to any charity ball held by your local “high society” club. There you will find plenty of people who willingly give thousands to worthy causes but smile as big as they can when the magazine photographers come around.
They may even be members of local churches and give large offerings to the building fund (as long as it’s named after them); buy the pastor a new car, or pay for a youth mission trip. “And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the [congregation].” – Matthew 23:6 NLT
Some people do good works in order to be accepted by God. They give away fortunes and spend their lives doing good deeds, but not to be seen by men. They want to be seen by God and thought of as worthy of His love. The only problem is that salvation is “not of works, lest any man should boast.” They work themselves to death in order prove their loyalty, thereby supposedly ensuring a place in heaven. But the glory goes not to God, for attached to the works is an expectation of reward based on merit.
All glory should be to God alone. If our works are done in order to receive praise, then God is not getting the glory. If our works are meant to earn credit with God, then God is not getting the glory. If we work ourselves silly to meet the legalistic requirements placed on us by men, then God is not getting the glory. However, if out of a heart of love we do good works without expectation for reward, recognition, or acceptance, then God will receive the glory.
When all glory, honor, and praise is given to the Lord, He will draw all men unto Himself. Church growth will be unstoppable. Yet, if we expect credit for anything, then what should we expect but further decline? “For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.” – Isaiah 48:11 KJV
We want others to see our good works, but not for our own glory. May they “glorify [our] Father which is in heaven.”
Filed under book review, God, legalism, Uncategorized
Topeka, Kansas (Artist: Susan Cassidy Wilhoit)
Filed under America, Apologetics, God, The Magnificent Fifty
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The Recovering Legalist 