Contributors
Joni
Andy Thomas
George Tolbert
Bruce
Goodrich
Jim Kinnu
Steve Balloch
Buz Barlow
Lloyd Peterson
Posting these commentaries and
comments represent our appreciation to those who offered them for their
willingness to share in our efforts to help our Christian brothers and
sisters center their thoughts and prayers on our soul business of being His
disciples. The viewpoints expressed are not necessarily ours.
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jegrimm3@sbcglobal.net
Posted 2/2/2011
Jim, I just finished reading your Feb.
articles. Once again, you have described so perfectly the American "christian"
church of the last days. Just as righteous Lot was sorely vexed, so am I. I
am so grieved by all that is transpiring, yet I know it must come to pass.
It's very sad how I am considered a peculiar people even in most churches.
Meanwhile, as we look forward to our eternal Home, we must continue to
occupy.
God bless you as you continue your work for the Lord. I love your articles!
Joni
http://www.poemsbycc.com
Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 8:17 PM
Your two new newsletters are wonderful, as usual! I praise and thank God for your gift of discernment and the wisdom which HE has so filled you with. You have EYES TO SEE, dear brother. As usual your words, are MY constant thoughts.
The condition of the church makes me weep. It is so far from what the Church is supposed to be. The "entertainment" the "chicken soup for the soul, feel good sermons", etc. just sicken me Jim. There is no worshipping God in truth and spirit as a Body. You are so right! The Church is NOT for the outside world. It is for THE BODY. And because today’s church is geared towards entertaining and impressing THE WORLD, it is simply dead. And I wonder if it will ever be made right before the Lord comes. Do you think so?
God bless you Jim!
01/11/08
I've been reading your website for hours! I am blown away
by all that I read here, for it's exactly as my family and myself have been
feeling for so many years now.
I was saved in 1972 during "the Jesus movement". I reached a point about 8
years ago where I began questioning all the churches had taught since my
salvation. The Lord opened my eyes to what is HIS way and what is MAN'S way,
which is how the churches have been doing it. The church is a mess, and it
saddens me and grieves my heart. You wrote on every issue which grieves me!
God continue to bless you and use you for His glory!
Joni,
06/06/2010
Yet another month of fantastic articles, James.
In your article, "Meet the Real Jesus", you wrote,
"The real Jesus was probably considered something of an oddity as He went
about changing water into wine, healing the sick, raising the
dead and other miracles. That's what drew the crowd, not the real Jesus."
Isn't it exactly the same way today? "Christians" are still seeking after
signs and wonders. Running to wherever God supposedly is;
wherever the signs, wonders, and prophecies, are being given. Yet they have
no idea WHO the real Jesus is. How sad.
God bless you brother.
Joni
POEMS BY CC:
02/02/2011
Jim, I just finished reading your Feb. articles. Once again, you have
described so perfectly the American "christian" church of the last days.
Just as righteous Lot was sorely vexed, so am I. I am so grieved by all that
is transpiring, yet I know it must come to pass. It's very sad how I am
considered a peculiar people even in most churches.
Meanwhile, as we look forward to our eternal Home, we must continue to
occupy.
God bless you as you continue your work for the Lord. I love your articles!
Posted 10/2/04
About "The Parking Lot Church"
from Andy Thomas
Visalia CA USA
Torn between the tension of being a pastor (providing religious goods and services) and following Christ alone, I am discovering that the two aren't congruent. Your article on the "Parking Lot Church" was indicting, yet inspirational. (Not in a warm, charming way, but more of a charge to go forth, shed the scales of religion and clothe ourselves with "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Col. 3:12) and to "Accept one another," just as Christ has accepted me "in order to bring praise to God." (Rom. 15::7) Thank you for your article and your desire (God's desire) to see the "Church" become more and more aligned with its Head, Jesus Christ.
Posted
10/18/04
In this time of uncertainty, of this we can be certain
and confident, our Lord is coming again.
Your Biblically based essays/articles/letters
do much to "disciple" those not otherwise in touch with the Word of God. You
continue to be bless us.
Your Friend,
Bruce Goodrich
Posted 8/16/05
marketing ways and means of attracting people to the “church
Bruce
Goodrich
Jim, thank you for being a faithful friend, disciple, and discipler. I suspect one reason why your articles may go unchallenged is because you have been “unabashedly” faithful to the Word of God. As you have been led to study, dissect, and interpret both “in context” and “out of context” materials while using comparative and parallel formats and content, your writings have engendered authoritative, knowledgeable, and sensitive subject matter.
This is a time of many denominational, inter-denominational and non-denominational based ministries designing and marketing ways and means of attracting people to the “church” (not always “ekklesia” meaning “assembly” or “congregation”).
The satisfaction of the needs of “self” seems to have prominence over learning from instruction (sound teaching) how the written Word of God can be applied both as the rule of faith and for practical living. Contemporary thinking and practice suggests ministries not wanting to “offend the non-church goer” by the use of pews, availability of Bibles, or a cross in the sanctuary or auditorium avoid such ‘trappings’ of Christian worship. The Gospel of Christ together with the mystery of the faith (Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again) is too often either watered-down or lacking and in effect (and reality) becomes the mechanism of deluding us as Christians and diluting our duties and charge to be “salt and light” in the world” (Matthew 5:13) and to “go and make disciples of all nations...”.Matthew 28:19.
2 Corinthians 10:12-13 (KJV) Verse 12 “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. Verse 13 But we will not boast of things without [our] measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach unto you.”
Commentary by Matthew Henry reads as follows; “The apostle refuses to justify himself, or to act by such rules as the false apostles did, v.12. They were pleased, and did pride themselves, in their own attainments, and never considered those who far exceeded them in gifts and graces, in power and authority; and this made them haughty and insolent. Note, if we would compare ourselves with others who excel us, this would be a good method to keep us humble; we should be pleased and thankful for what we have of gifts and graces…” . Verse 13 “He (Paul) fixes a better rule of conduct, namely “not to boast of things without his measure”, …the measure God had distributed to him. His meaning is, either that he would not boast of more gifts or graces, or power or authority, than God had really bestowed on him; or, rather, that he would not act beyond his commission as to persons or things, nor go beyond the line prescribed to him, which he plainly intimates the false apostles did, while they “boasted of other men’s labors”.
1 Peter 5:5 (KJV) “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
Let us ever be mindful that “they that put their pants on one leg at a time is necessitated by the fact that they must keep the other on the ground.” I pray we keep our minds and hearts fully ground in the word of God and its truth for all time.
I praise God for your deep convictions.
Your friend and brother in Christ Jesus,
Bruce Goodrich
About Earthly Empires
(An article in Business Week Online)
Comments by George Tolbert
The first time I heard of a church targeting people who don't like going to church was at the service of Rick Warren's.
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Posted 8/9/5
George Tolbert on
Individualism and Christianity.
"Haven’t you noticed how many people violate things as mundane as traffic laws let alone the more serious such as embezzlement, fraud, income-tax evasion, theft and murder? There just aren’t enough policemen, there can’t ever be (even with a spy camera on every corner), to enforce society’s secular laws. How can we possibly expect it (society) to monitor our moral behavior? And, it isn’t just in the "bedroom" or in the "boardroom" our behavior needs monitoring, it is everywhere with " every breath we take; every word we speak. Our "heart" must control everything we do."
On his Insight for Living program a few days ago, Swindol was saying how much he liked to go to sporting events because when one of the players did something wrong there was a re free to immediacy blow a whistle a penalize the player, unlike life where people do wrong and seem to get away with it.
It seems so natural to judge people and their behavior and to let their actions justify mine. But whose standard should be guiding me? I would pray that it is Christ's Standard. I work hard at not letting someone else's behavior justifies mine. They get by with it so why can't I? But what childish thoughts and are we not to put those childish thoughts away, which would set us apart as Christians. I am grateful most of the time can hold on to my believe That Life Is Not Fair but God is Good!
Peace be with you,
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Jim: I read your to feature articles this month and I have a real problem
with your points about Genesis 1. Are you familiar with the Reasons to
Believe (RTB) ministry of Dr. Hugh Ross and his associates. Dr. Ross is an
Astrophysicist by education and training. He was on the faculty of Cal Tech
in Pasadena, CA. He and his staff of other scientists and theologians have
devoted their time to bring the science of the universe's creation (as
written in Genesis and the discoveries of the world of science in our
Universe) together. In my opinion they are doing a very good job. You should
read what he and members of his ministry have said - particularly as it
relates to the "7 days" for creation in Genesis. I think you need to rethink
tieing 7 days to a 24 hour time period. That definition is man made and tied
to our observation of the solar system and our definition of a second,
minute, and hour respectively.
Notwithstanding, I find your articles thought provoking. God bless and keep
it up.
Jim Kinnu
Fountain Valley, CA
Posted 06/12/2010
Greetings Jim,Thank you for blessing the Balloch's with your beautiful
Disciple Newsletter. We appreciate it.
I hope you and your lovely wife are doing very well.
Steve Balloch
Posted 09/02/2010
You
bless me continually through your Scripturally based and thought provoking
writing; I look forward to receiving a new issue of the newsletter each
month.
W.P. Barlow, Jr
Posted 11/13/2010
Lloyd Peterson
A friend sent my your wonderful website, you are truly
inspired and I shall be returning, also passing your site onto my friends
and relitives, Please visit my website, "Beyond The Sunset"
God Bless You My New Friend.
Beyond The Sunset @ http://lnp826.topcities.com/bts-index.html