- Went to see Robin Hood on Friday night. Decent movie. I am jaded b/c I don’t think Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe will ever outdo their Gladiator performance.
- Ate at Macaroni Grill after the movie and that’s when the fun began.
- I got really sick about 1 am Saturday and “re-visited” what I ate at Mac Grill.
- Spent all day in bed Saturday with fever and regular trips to the bathroom.
- My fever was actually gone when I got up Sunday morning so I was able to teach.
- I didn’t feel good but we still had a solid day at GP.
- The band has been rocking recently.
- It is always cool to see people who were a part of GP in our first few years before moving. I visited briefly with a lady who was in town and I had baptized their entire family. They now live in New Mexico and are plugged into a church there and serving!
- We continued our Q & A series today talking about some tough stuff. Here are the questions I answered today:
What is the fate of those who have never heard of Jesus?
What is the fate of the “innocent” (unborn children, young children, mentally incapable)?
How do we know if guilt is from God or the Enemy?
Why do Christians tend to focus on certain sins and neglect others?
Why do we not use the sign of the cross?
Why pray? Does prayer change God’s mind?
How do I pray?
Did Jesus hear and answer prayer as baby?
- I talked today about a principle that I have adopted in recent years: we should be known more for what we are FOR than what we are AGAINST. I grew up in churches that tended to focus on what we are against. Christians tend to have the reputation in culture that they are against things. I believe the NT model is Christians should be known for what they are for. Obviously there are moral issues that Christians should stand against. But here is my philosophy: if I am known for what I am for then what I am against speaks for itself. For example, God is for marriage. Christians should be for God’s model of marriage: one man – one woman – one flesh – lifetime. If I am FOR this model of marriage and teach this model of marriage, then what I am against speaks for itself (divorce, homosexuality, polygamy, adultery, etc.). I am against those things that contradict God’s design. So as a Christian, I need to learn to focus on what God is for and then what I am against speaks for itself. I would also add that if I am known as a person who loves Jesus and reflects Jesus then I can talk about Jesus. Christians are known for standing in front of abortion clinics and picketing. But are we known for standing behind abortion clinics to offer the love of Jesus to women who have just made a life-affecting decision? Thoughts to ponder for sure. We want GP to be a church that is known for what it is for.
- I had to “stay away” from everyone today because I did not want to get others sick so I didn’t really get to interact with GPers. I always enjoy hanging out with our people.
- I am glad to be feeling better.
Survivor finale tonight!
later