Monday, January 19, 2009

Quarterback Kurt Warner's Faith Comments after the Game

A Fox Sports News Writer wrote this about Kurt Warner's Belief:
Actually, the issue isn't really religion. It's faith. I don't care what or whom a ballplayer believes in: Jesus, Moses, Buddha, L. Ron Hubbard. I don't care what his position is on stem cell research, abortion, gay rights. But a system of belief — any system, really — that stills the mind and quells doubt is of obvious benefit, particularly if you're an athlete. However, Kurt Warner is working on faith.
"It's an advantage for any individual, when you have faith and believe in something," Warner told our Greg Boeck Thursday after the Cardinals broke practice. "In my case, it's the power of Jesus ..." "I walk by faith and not by sight. I walk according to what I believe, and what I believe the power of God is, as opposed to what the world tells us, or what circumstances appear to be."
Put another way, belief can liberate you. You need not dwell on the long odds. You're free of the thoughts that crush so many comebacks — the assortment of self-involved, self-inflicted self doubts.
"So much of this business is 'Me, me me,'" Warner told Boeck. "... My faith has allowed me to step back from that and say, 'Hey, this isn't about me.'"
A guy like Warner, though, isn't working off the betting line. He doesn't care what circumstances appear to be. He's got faith.

Here is a man of God who has a close relationship with Jesus and is not afriad of telling others about his faith. Amazing how it got the attention of this sports writer who cannot believe his faith is the center of his life. You will never know how your walk and talk can get the attention and influence others such as this reporter. Christians should be more vocal about our faith. We should be vocal about what we stand for even though we may get egg on our face. We hide in our church buildings and "practice" our religion behind closed doors. Folks, this is the mess we are in now in the USA, because we have not expressed our faith in Christ like Kurt Warner has publically and not be ashamed of the gospel we are to share. (Romans 1:16) TIME TO STAND UP!!! Sleepy Disciple

Monday, January 5, 2009

Why the Church Must Teach Today.....Part III

I am committed to blog more in 2009. There is so much to write about and I need to be more committed to sharing biblical things from my heart. So if you will read, then I will write. I don't want to bore you, but my intention is to challenge you with things the church should be thinking, praying, and pursuing.

WHY THE CHURCH MUST TEACH TODAY...Part III
The church instructs in Christian doctrine. The church teaches the basic truths of the Christian faith. It guides Christians in understanding significant beliefs. It opens the Scriptures to determine those doctrinal ideals upon which the church is founded. It guides faithful Christians to maturity so that its members may not be “no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ," Eph 4:14-15 (NASB95)

Most Christians only know few things about doctrine. Recently, I taught the doctrine of Redemption on Sunday nights and it is interesting the steps of redemption there are according to Scripture and how most Christians do not know the work of God through these steps in our lives. The incredible transformation that takes place before, during and after salvation. It shows our ignorance of Scripture and our lack of desire for the wisdom and knowledge that comes from reading and understanding God's Word.

Statement: All doctrinal instruction leads to Christ who is the final source of the Christian’s faith.
Christian doctrine is essential to learn as a foundation of your Christian faith. I read a great statement from "Extreme Church Makeover" by Neil Anderson that said, "Knowledge of God's Word should govern our relationship with God and others in righteousness, and the proper preaching and teaching of God's Word should result in the Body of Christ falling in love with their heavenly Father and each other."

The Church should be helping to point all believers to the Lord through the teaching and preaching of God's Word. It isnt any hard formula to follow, it isnt any "magic" idea, it isnt a new idea...it is what God intended His church to be. Let's begin the New Year with a passion for this very thing!!!

Sleepy Disciple.....who will catch up on sleep this week...AMEN!!