Final post: Moving to tumblr

It's been a while since I've posted. Life has definitely been crazy as of late. This will be my final Foosball Hero post since I am moving my blogging efforts to tumblr. I will still be writing on theological subjects, but will also be further broadening the personal post I already do and using my tumblr for a multitude of blogging purposes.

I hope you will check me out at slightsanity.tumblr.com!

A Faith Tested and Proven

If you are like me, or any other human being for that matter, you deal with struggles in life. Things are difficult and don't always go your way, and sometimes it feels like you are the only one. I often begin to have thoughts of doubt on whether I'm doing the right things because often times it can feel so hard just to go through the day to day.

I have posted before on my struggles with just time in the day alone. About how much of the time it feels like I am burning a candle at five ends. With college, work, and then my internship at First Baptist Clarksville (that I consider my real job, regardless of pay or not), it can begin to feel like too much. Sometimes I feel like I just want to be done with it all and be in full time ministry, but God has his subtle ways of keeping me humble in my place in life.

Just today I was supposed to preach to the high school students in our student ministry, but a kink was thrown in when I was scheduled to begin my new paying job during the time of the service. At first I was frustrated, getting angry at my situation and wondering why things have to be so difficult, but then one of those subtle reminders from God came. In the very passage that I was preparing to preach on tonight (1 Peter 1:3-25), through His word, God had a message for me.

In 1 Peter 1:6-7, I was reminded that trials in life are meant to test us, to strengthen our faith and give glory to God. I praise God for the reminder, that I seem too often to forget, and I pray that through the trails in life my faith is proven.

Rest in the Lord

I am grieved, yet also filled with joy that my great grandmother, Ruth Shipman, is now with the Lord. She was one of the strongest women I have ever known, and much of who I am today is due to her and the closeness between four generations of family members. I will always remember spending time at my great grandparent's land and all of the memories that were made there. Though she will be greatly missed, I hold my hope in Christ and her faith in him.

Love you Granny!

Isaiah 51:11

D3- Down and Dirty in the 'Ville (Louisville that is)

The past week has been a blast working with a group of the high school students from FBC. Starting Monday and running until Thursday, we took a group to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky for the D3 Youth Conference put on by their college (Boyce College). The conference used the facilities of the seminary campus and operated like a conference-camp hybrid.

The name D3 stands for the basis on how the teaching sessions work. We had general sessions every day involving everyone, but there were also three different track sessions that met 4 times for one hour sessions. These were three areas of discipleship, hence the name D3, and they were Missions, Spiritual Leadership, and finally Worldview. Students, along with adult leaders, were able to choose what track they wanted to take, and our group was mainly split by Spiritual Leadership and Missions.

This was honestly the first youth event that I have witnessed in a long time that was

immediately all about scripture. We checked in, took our stuff to the dorms they had us staying in, and right after that we dove into the first general session. Everything from the worship and teaching was deep in scripture and truth, lacking the surface teaching and concert worship I have become accustomed to seeing at youth events, and as the Conference Pastor Eric Bancroft started speaking we immediately started dissecting the truths of scripture on what discipleship is truly all about. He used The Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20, and talked about how Jesus commanded the Disciples to take what he had taught them and take that to the nations. So it should be with us that to instruct others in the way of the faith, we must know the word of Christ ourselves.

There was even an intense game of Underground Church that we played to bring awareness of the persecuted Church to the students, using almost the entire seminary grounds where Jeff, Kyle, and I somehow found our way into the office of Dr. Russell Moore, the Dean of the School of Theology at SBTS, as well as a teacher of the word I greatly respect and look up to. We didn't touch anything, I promise...

So much more was discussed throughout the week and many great men and servants of the Lord came to teach (Jeff Struecker, Al Mohler) and lead in worship (The Hoffmans). We also had a "concert", which was more like another sermon through music, from the Christian Rap artist FLAME. I can't help but be amazed by these men and their hearts for the Lord and discipleship, as well as all of the others behind this conference, seeking to love on and teach these students.

Seriously! Check This Out

This is a blog that I read earlier this week. I tweeted about it, facebook-ed about it, but I still want to share it. There are so many great points about how in Christ we, who were once completely dead, are made alive. Rather than bad people that become good. The blog post is titled, God's Final Solution- by Pastor Tullian Tchividjian, Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

"To focus on how I’m doing more than on what Christ has done is Christian narcissism."

Click here to read!

Sermon Notes: Build Up the Body

Paul often uses the illustration of a race, or a runner, in his letters to the early church. The reason for that is that we as humans often associate with what we know. The idea of a race is a great analogy for the Christian life. For one, in a race you are trying to reach a goal, winning, but if we translate that to the life of a believer the goal becomes Christ, and we are trying to reach that. Hear me when I say that our actions do not make us closer to Christ, but rather our faith in him. It is in that faith that we strive to be more like Christ. On a personal level this may translate to study and prayer, letting God’s word encourage and move us forward. There is a great importance in building up our own spiritual “body”, but that is not the Body we are talking about tonight. We must not neglect the building up of the Body of Christ, that is to say “us”. As believers we are a part of the Body of Christ, or the Church. Going back to the analogy, a runner must work towards their goal. They cannot only expect to win, while not doing anything to reach that goal, but they must strive towards it, building in strength and endurance to achieve.

-To discuss how to build up the Body of Christ, we must first fully understand that we are the Body. 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

-As members of the body we must strive to be one/unified. 1 Corinthians 12:21-27
-Our motives must not be self centered (Philippians 2:1-5), but rather by a spirit of love. Galatians 5:22-24, Romans 12:9-13

-Do this so that we may together become mature in the Spirit that we may accomplish the task before us. Ephesians 4:1-3, 11-16

-To succeed in building up the Body, we must each set our sights on striving to bring glory to God. We present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God to serve his purpose. Romans 12:1-8

God's Word is Truth

The passing weeks, months even, have been filled with heavy discussion within the Christian community, much of which has been fueled by Rob Bell (Pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church) and his newly released book, Love Wins. Debate like this is nothing new. For years we have seen debate, much of which is still going on. For example, just last night I watched a live discussion over homosexuality within the Christian faith on CNN's HLN station (too many acronyms, I know!). That's nothing new, of course, but still a highly debated topic, and I have seen more and more throughout my time within the Church (women pastors, Calvinism vs Arminianism, denominational/doctrinal differences, etc.). This post is not to discuss these, but as always feel free to ask and I'll be happy to let you know my thoughts according to scripture.

I don't know if it is the fact that I'm becoming increasingly tired of it all, or that being a college student makes me more "feisty", but I do want to say that God's word is true, and he is quite clear on where he stands. We should always return to God and Scripture when these debates present themselves.

With any book on the Christian Faith that we read, we must always match it up to God's word. This goes the same with our views on God Himself because it is in his word that he has revealed a glimpse of who He is to us. I do this with all books that I read, from authors/pastors like David Platt, Mark Driscoll, Francis Chan, and many others. Take a serious look at these, not just the face value of it.

Personally, I have not read Rob Bell's new book. That being said, I do plan on reading it and not discussing it until then. I have, however, read many reviews on it, both in support and criticism, and all are in agreement on what the book is about. Dr. Russell Moore wrote a thorough review of the book I would suggest anyone with interest in this read.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." -John 1:1-5 ESV

God is Good?

You may wonder why the title of this post is ended by a question mark. In my mind I imagine this statement said with a condescending and upward inflection. The reality is that many Americans, and other throughout the world even, ask this question of Christians all the time. Many who believe they are scientifically, or philosophically, "enlightened" are quick to point out to any Evangelical the "inconsistencies" within the Bible, and even the way the world is, in relation to who God is and what he does. Within my own dealings I have heard that, "The God of the Old Testament [or Tanakh] and the God of the New Testament are characteristically different." Also I have heard or been asked ,"How can God exist when all this bad is going on in the world [disease, war], and how could he allow 'good' people to die?" A closer look at scripture shakes the very fabric of these statements and questions, along with the perceptions of the world we have been taught.

First, we must understand that God is completely sovereign. He is the creator, sustainer, and ruler over all. He is fully good, and in his goodness he is completely just.

The next thing we have to do is understand our place as humans in scripture. Many people see humans as generally "good". This is what we learn as children and it gives us a false sense of entitlement. The reality is that we are not "good", not a single one of us. We are born into a world that is in a fallen state (Genesis 3). This is the reason that a sacrifice is needed to cover the sins of man (see Old Testament instruction in the book of Leviticus), but the blood of animals could not permanently cover sin, thus the reason for the death of Christ on the cross (Hebrews 10:1-18). We often fail to realize that God, being good, has full right to pour out his judgement on all of us. Yet in his goodness saw fit to send Christ as a permanent sacrifice for our sins.

A close look at scripture shows a God who is unwaveringly just, but also completely loving and good. The death of Christ on the cross is a testament to both of those characteristics. He is just, therefore there must be payment for our sin and rebellion, while being loving and good in that he sent his son to live a perfect life, then die and overcome the grave, so that we may live! He created us to give himself glory, and was not obligated to give us life in that, he would gain the glory either way. We see strong examples of this in the Old Testament, where God uses the Israelites, as well as other nations against them, to bring himself glory (as well as so many more examples). Yet he loved us so, that he covered our sins with the sacrifice of Jesus.

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

Being Who God Calls Us to Be- Are you up for it?

The idea presented in this video by Darrin Patrick is on that needs to be heard by many people in our churches today. Over the years churches have risen and died because of a lacking in discipleship. Granted there are always a couple of people here and there that take discipleship of younger generations seriously, but that number gets fewer and fewer as time rolls on. I can remember in my own childhood, after I publicly professed my salvation that I had a severe sense of being lost. In my mind I was saying, "I'm saved, now what do I do?" but the answer never seem to come. See, there were a wealth of great men in my church, many that came through later on, but there at the very start I had no one who told where to go from there. As a result, my spiritual life was stunted. I searched for a role model in other areas, like my older brother and his friends, and then people older than me in school. Time and time again they all failed me, and it led me down a path opposite of where God has called me, ending with me feeling completely lost in life. I won't continue to harp on my own experiences, but as always feel free to ask if you would like further detail.

Luckily, I was fortunate to find strong Christian leadership, but the problem is that many people have not or will not find that if trends continue. That is why one of my biggest passions in life is discipleship. Without that we end up with generations of men and women who have no idea how to carry on their faith, or as the video said, have no interest in doing so. As Darrin Patrick discusses in the video, we need leaders and pastors in the church who are up to the task of being an adult, not ones who are trying to prolong their adolescence. It is far from "lightly" that I say this... We need strong leadership from generation to generation, to teach, lead, and bring up the younger generations in the truth of God's word, so they may learn how to be the men and women God calls them to be. We are to follow the example of Christ, bringing people up in his teachings.

"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."- (Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV)

I echo the final words of the video, this comes from me just as much as it came from Darrin Patrick in the video, "I don't want anyone to have a bigger dream for my church, and my city, than I do."

If we fail to do this, our churches will stand only as a testament to what they once were.

Letters to Corinth: 3-Wisdom from God (Part 2)

Passage- 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

We talk about seeking true wisdom from God, and we know that it comes from him, but it is also important to see how he reveals his wisdom to us. See, in the time of the life of Christ, he was there to speak words of wisdom to his disciples. After the ascension of Christ, He was no longer present to share that wisdom. Prior to his ascension though, as told in Acts chapter 1, Christ tells the disciples that he will send them his Holy Spirit so that they will be his witnesses to the people. Then in the beginning of Acts chapter 2, we see where Christ's promise of the Holy Spirit comes on the day of Pentecost where all of the disciples were gathered in one place.

Now, getting to 1 Corinthians, Paul has been discussing in this letter about the wisdom of God and how wisdom from God is true wisdom. We should seek out wisdom from God, learn from him the things that do not come in our own understanding. Though in this, we must comprehend that this wisdom is revealed to us only through the Holy Spirit. We see in verses 6 through 8 that apart from the wisdom of God, we cannot understand the purpose of Christ and his death on the cross, as the rulers who executed Jesus did not understand. In the same way, without the Holy Spirit Paul, the Corinthians, and even us today could not understand the meaning of "Christ crucified", as discussed in the last post.

"these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." - (1 Corinthians 2:10-11 ESV)

The role of the Holy Spirit is key. The Spirit not only searchers our hearts, but also the depths of God. The Spirit is the bridge in the gap between our hearts and God. The truth of Christ can only be understood by the wisdom of God. It is when the Spirit is at work in us that we are able to truly see sacrifice Christ paid on the cross for us. When teaching the word, it is not human wisdom that is given, as Paul discusses in verse 13, but it is the Spirit that teaches of the wisdom of God through us. True wisdom is from God alone, and it is by the Holy Spirit that we are given this wisdom.

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 'For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." - (1 Corinthians 2:14-16 ESV)

Christmas Time is Here!

Now that the Thanksgiving holiday is over, it's officially time for Christmas. Let the decorating begin, the cookies start their baking, and most of all... the music be played! I am always a big fan of Christmas music, provided it's done tastefully and the singing of it is not depressing and contrary to the words themselves.

Someone who does a fantastic job of this is Phil Wickham, one of my favorite worship artist! He has just released a new album entitled, "Songs for Christmas". I can't get enough, and Phil does not shy away from what Christmas music really should be, worship of the Father. I encourage everyone to get a copy of it, and in the mean time, here is a snippet of the song "Christmas Time" of the album. Enjoy!

Christmas Time by Syntax Creative

Going Out or Staying In?

I've been seriously pondering how we do church in the United States lately. For some reason we feel this need to bring people to "church" so they can hear the gospel. But is that what we are called to do?

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”- Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

At the end of Matthew 28 we see what we call "The Great Commission". In this, Jesus' call and command is to GO and make disciples, not invite them to a building. We spend so much time working on ways to get our church numbers up, as if that really matters, and trying to get non believers in a building that many have a lot of animosity towards. Our culture is full of misconceptions of what the church really is, and it's because we treat it like some exclusive club.

We see in Acts that the church is a body of believers that go out into the community. What if our focus stopped being on filling seats, but rather on taking the love Christ to the people?

"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”-

Romans 10:14-15 ESV

Check out this video of an event held by Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. While most churches hold fall festivals at their building and invite people to it, this body of believers took the festival to the people, playing music, games, and giving out groceries to needy families, even with only a one hour window. With this small time slot they probably touched the lives of more people than hours of effort in inviting people to an event at a church. Is this really that revolutionary of an idea, or just one that we overlook?

Flash Fall Festival from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

Check This Out

Great thoughts from Dr. Russell Moore on testimonies!

Check it out here- http://theresurgence.com/2010/11/07/do-our-church-testimonies-empower-satan

Letters to Corinth: 2-Wisdom from God (Part 1)

Passage- 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

In continuing the next section into 1 Corinthians, I want to split up this next section into to two parts. Paul is further addressing the wisdom of God that was a main piece of chapter 1. Of the whole of chapter 2, let us section off the first five verses.

"[1] And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. [2] For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3] And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, [4] and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [5] that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." - (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ESV)

Paul begins, talking about how he did not come to the people of Corinth with "lofty speech or wisdom", but rather to speak in the simplicity of the message at hand. Paul simply rests in the truth and simplicity of the message of Christ crucified. That's it! The fundamental truth of our faith that rests above all else is Christ crucified on the cross for our sins, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11). Anything aside from that truth is fallacy. We must not rest in our own ability, but the truth of the message of Christ. As Paul states in verse 3, he as the messenger was in just the same place as everyone else, humble before the power of God!

That is how we should be in proclaiming the Gospel, being weak in and of ourselves, but strong in the message of Christ!

This is an important piece of truth, and though this passage doesn't make for a very long blog post, it is further testament to simplicity of the message of Christ crucified. I will end with this... In verse 4 and 5 Paul states that the Gospel is not "plausible" by the wisdom of man. The knowledge and ability of man will not save people, so don't rest on your own ability, but rest only in the power, truth, and wisdom of God.

God's Calling Transcends Musical Genre

In a post earlier in the summer I said I would post an article describing my musical influences and other things relating to that. This post is kind of something like that.

Music has always been a major part of my life. Ever since I was a child it fascinated me and I participated in it any way that I could, mostly in singing. I listened from country to classic rock, and Christian Contemporary as well. In and around the 5th grade I listened to a lot of alternative and pop-punk, eventually finding my way to real punk music. Around the 6th grade I found an interest in playing bass and trying to start a band, even as young as I was, and began to learn from my older brother. My musical tastes started progressing and I became really into hardcore, along with all of the metal and alternative variations of it. A particular type was post-hardcore, a very progressive style mixing ideas of punk and metal, and a few other things.

I realize that this type of music does not appeal to the masses, but this all is just some background to begin my main point in this post, which is essentially the video above.

I began listening to the band Underoath when their third album, The Changing of Times, came out in 2002. They quickly became, and have remained, one of my all time favorite bands, despite member and sound changes. It still amazes me how this band has thrived in a genre once scarcely populated by Christians. One of my favorite parts about their music was the melodic hooks of drummer/singer Aaron Gillespie. Then in 2007, Aaron came out with the debut album from his side project, The Almost, consisting of melodic/alternative type of music, of course I was on board! After leaving Underoath last year he has been focusing on The Almost, as well as ministry opportunities, and this video explains much of how he goes about songwriting and ministering within music in Underoath and The Almost.

P.S. I like all types of music, not just those mentioned. If anyone would like to know more about my musical influence and/or my testimony, all you ever have to do is ask.

A Hectic, Yet Blessed Life

It's been nearly a month since my last post and so much has happened since then. I have been meaning to update my blog, but every time I try something else comes up. For those who may not know, I am an intern with the student ministry at First Baptist Church in Clarksville, TN. I volunteer my time, seeing as I don't get paid, but I am very serious about it and see it as my job and as first priority. Again I do not get paid, therefore as a college student I needed a way to make some cash.

I have been doing this for a year, the entire time desperately searching for a paying job to be able to support myself financially. As my first year of school went by nothing seemed to poke it's proverbial head. In this time God taught me a lot, and I believe used that time to further mold me into being self sufficient as I received a bare minimum from my parents to get me along until I had a paying job.

Just before I was getting ready to start classes at Austin Peay this semester, God seemed to just throw an opportunity in my lap. I got a job at a Lasater's Coffee and Tea franchise here in Clarksville. Since, times have just been hectic with training there, now working closing shifts, and school work, as well as my job as an intern at FBC. The past month of my life has been a constant juggling act, burning a candle at three ends, just trying to figure out where everything fits. God has blessed me in so many ways, and in the midst of my current chaos I feel a sense of peace in it all.

Do not worry, in case anyone was, I have not forgot about my blog series on Corinthians. I plan to continue on soon, along with other posts. God is just doing many a work in my life right now, and I praise him for the blessing it is to be calm in the midst of this all, and the way he has blessed me in new relationships and a blessing financially with this new job.

I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

-1 Corinthians 9:23

Check This Out

A video of discussion between pastors Josh Harris, Francis Chan, and Mark Driscoll talking about What is next for Francis Chan and their hearts for pastoring. A great video!

What's Next for Francis Chan? A Conversation with Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris from Ben Peays on Vimeo.

Letters to Corinth: 1-Boast in the Lord

Passage- 1 Corinthians 1:18-30

(I will quote specific verses, but I ask and encourage you read, or have on hand, the passage.)

You may notice that I have skipped a small section of 1 Corinthians. This is deliberate in that we will return to it soon. Paul is addressing a specific issue of division in the church, but there are sections to the way he addresses it. Therefore in these next few posts we will dissect some of the specifics, and then take a look at it in the grand scheme of what Paul is saying to the church in Corinth. At that point we will come back to the section I am skipping for now.

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.'" -1 Corinthians 1:18-19 ESV

In this passage, Paul addresses the wisdom and the power of God. For the next few verses, he talks about how in the world's eyes, how the gentiles think of what wisdom is, the truth of the gospel is foolish, or "folly", as Paul states. But he addresses the world's wisdom, compared to God's wisdom in verse 25, saying, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." Specifically, Paul talks about how to the non-believing Jew, a crucified Christ is offensive and a stumbling block. And that to the "wise" Greek, or gentile, it is foolish. They don't understand it. In their way of thinking, whether it is offensive or foolish, Christ crucified makes no sense to them. The point that Paul is quick to make is that the wisdom of God surpasses that of man by leaps and bounds. What is wise to man is made foolish by the surpassing wisdom of God. In verse 21 he says how God is pleased in us preaching foolishness for the glory of God, because in reality, in preaching the gospel of Christ crucified we are sharing the true wisdom of God.

"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;" -1 Corinthians 1:26-27 ESV

In that time, people were considered above others because of ancestry, how "wise" they were, or how much power they had. In verses 26-31, Paul points out that many of the church are not of these attributes. Explaining that Christ chose them by nothing of what they had done, but that God makes the standards of wisdom and power in the world low because of his surpassing wisdom. In the world people are chosen because of what they have done, but in Christ we are not chosen by foreseen merit, but because of the grace of God. In this we boast not in ourselves, but in the wisdom and power of God.

"And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.' " -1 Corinthians 1:30-31 ESV

We live in such a similar state to that of Corinth. So many similarities in our culture, specifically the focus on wisdom. People of our day boast in what they know, filling our nation and world with prideful arrogance. Like to the people of Corinth, the gospel is foolishness to the "wise" of today. We live in a time where we boast in our success, fame, and fortune. We must be weary and heed the word that God brought through Paul. Not to boast in ourselves, but boast in the fact that we are saved through Christ, by nothing that we have done, but what God has done in us. Seek the true wisdom of God, not the self-righteous "wisdom" of our day.

Letters to Corinth: Intro

In the coming weeks I will be posting a series of blog posts titled, "Letters to Corinth". This is not anything I'm trying to peddle as some new or cool idea. There have probably been, in fact, I am quite certain that I've read blogs and listened to sermons on this same subject, possibly even titled exactly the same. This is a study of how God's words, through Paul, hold just as much weight as they did in the days of the early church.

The idea to do this really stems from hearing and reading so many passages from 1st & 2nd Corinthians over this summer and last year. I have felt a strong desire to study this and the idea came across to put this up on my blog and open to a bit of discussion. So over the coming weeks, intermingled with my other posts, there will be these, studying through 1st & 2nd Corinthians, dissecting how these two letters to the 1st century church in Corinth apply to the church today.

I will end this short introduction with a quote, specifically what Paul says in opening to the church in Corinth,

"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." -1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (ESV)

Follow Up

A few months ago I posted a link to an article on The Resurgence titled "A Religious Boneyard: Examining the South" by Tyler Jones, a pastor in North Carolina. If you haven't read it check it out here, http://theresurgence.com/religious-boneyard-examining-the-south

This is a follow up article describing the problem in the "church" of the South. Here's a quick quote from the article.

"Our churches are full of good-looking, upright, moral people. The tragic irony is that our goodness is our poision. A great many Southerners claim Christianity as their religion, mimicking righteousness on the surface while their hearts remain unchanged by the gospel of Jesus."

Get the full article here, http://theresurgence.com/quaint_moralism