In America, the church has been sinning. God looks down upon us and loves us, but knows that we could be doing a lot more, and the reason we aren't is because we are in sin. What sin is this? Not just one, but many, but the biggest is materialism.
We have "left our first love" and, as Americans, conformed to the world and what it has to offer. While the church of Acts led a wonderful example on how we should spend this money, we now strive to use our money to entertain ourselves, and not to help others.
The ten percent was a minimum, folks. If you look at what the church of Acts did, ALL of their money went to further the 1) church and the 2) people in need. I don't think that if the church was around now they would NEED to buy the biggest boat, the newest clothes, and the fastest computers.
There is nothing wrong with these, of course, but when they are bought out of selfishness (in other words, not for the purpose of furthering the kingdom) then it is a sin to buy them. What is the point?
One guy at my church was gloating about his new shoes, which cost him $120. My question was "WHY?!?". The obvious purpose of getting them was to make himself look better, but how many children could he of sponsored in one month? MANY! He could have sponsored a native missionary and helped them spread the gospel! He could have gotten a homeless person a whole set of secondhand clothing to wear!
Buying things for ourselves has always been, and always will be, a sin. Life is all about Jesus, guys. Not TV, video games, Internet, clothes, and keeping up with the world. We should be moving further from the world, and closer to God. But when we make material possessions our idols, we are not worshipping God.
10:07! My this is late;)
Bush did a good job today with his speech, though I don't agree with everything he said. I liked how he quoted the Bible (and also how he said that Arafat --"CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?"-- needed to go.) and it was well done.
Listening to talk radio right now. About to fall.....................asleep.........
I just got back from running. I am a sweating mass of taness, muscle, and manli--- oh, wait, nevermind:)
Nothing much going on this evening. Stupid KXL isn't running Laura Ingraham right now because of a basketball show?!?!?!?! Who on earth would replace a talk show with a basketball show?!?
Ahem. I am learning sign language, did I tell you all? I am catching on very quickly!
Well, cleaned the trailer and now I am bored.
Hello everyone, nothing much today. Just a lazy, summer day. I think I may go running later when it gets cooler.
That is what I do like about Oregon. The summers are nice and hot. Could it get hotter? Sure, and I would like it, but this is good too. I just wish it was ALWAYS like this!
Well, I just took a long nap. I hate taking naps, I really do, but this one was very much needed.
It is like I loose some of my life when I take a nap!
(1 talkers | talk to me!)
A guy walks into a bar with a piece of cement under his arm. He says to the bartender, "I'll have two drinks. One for me and one for the road."
I am skipping the second service. I am sorry, but I can't take it today. Pastor Mark has a good message, but it takes him FOREVER to get to it, and I just can't handle it today. Today, so far, has been stressful.
We did our "Praise and Worship" thing in Sunday School. Needless to say that doing it with a bunch of non-believers is intimidating, but I think it went well. I just hate it when Christians don't worship because they are afraid of what others think of them. What is up with that?!? We are worshipping our creator! Our Savior, and, quite literally, our lover! It's all about Jesus!
Ahem. Anyway, that went OK with what we had. One thing that annoyed me was that we had the little platform set up with two high chairs (for Mike, guitar, and me, leading) and Caleb just walks in and takes one. I was like "What are you doing?" and he got all frusterated and said "Bye Nathan" and started walking out, I said, "Excuse me, but what are you doing with it?" He explained that he needed it to do a guitar presentation downstairs.
Do I care? No! He can take the darn chair, but at least tell us what you are doing before you just walk in and take it! Sheesh!
Also, my stomach felt bad before, but it is better now.
Have a great day, everyone!
Hey all. Nothing mcuh going today. Just had a good worship team practice. We had to talk about the way things are going, which isn't too well, bit hopefully that will change soon.
Tonight I am going to a concert, hopefully, and my pent church. Haven't been there for a while, and I am looking forward to it.
And now, for a potty humor joke...
( What did the maxi pad say to the fart? )
New York City, New York The City That Never Sleeps
Miami, Florida The Gold Coast
Long Island, New York The Great Island
Houston, Texas City of Excitement
Norfolk, Virginia Heart of the Hampton Roads
Well, I am back from camping, Alle, and I guess I will tell you all how it went.
Of course, you all know I absolutely hate camping. Besides mushrooms and peanut better, I would have to say that camping could be the thing I hate most in the world. Naturally, I wanted to get a job so I could get out of it, but alas, that failed.
So we set off, after some delay, south of Portland. It is so funny because my dad insists that it was only 15 minutes away, and we were in the car for almost an hour. Yet when we got here, he still insisted that we were in the car for only 15 minutes. My mom and I cracked up.
So we set up, and then the fun began. I started reading. The first afternoon, I read the entire book of "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis. I like these stories very much, but I haven't actually read through the whole series, so I'd figured I'd stat from the beginning.
Day 2- I read "Prince Caspian".
Day 3- I am reading The Voyage of the Dawn Treader". Aren't I a freak? We go camping and I am just reading!
Of course, I did other stuff besides read. I walked a bit. There was a huge oak tree on the hill, and I climbed it at least twice a day that we were there (and read out of it, I admit), but then further, across the road, was an orchard.
Now guys, I love orchards, and I have to admit that owning one wouldn't be so bad (though I always diss on farms), because they are just really quiet and peaceful. I really enjoy walking through them (though I don't do it very often). This orchard was a hazelnut one, apparently, and it was quite small, though I could imagine that I was surrounded my miles of trees. (That would be soooo cool!)
Heehee, the funny thing about me is that I am such a dramatic freak. Whenever I am out in nature I always start narrating in my head, pretending that I am in some strange land. (I think reading the chronicles of Narnia had an influence too), and the entire time walking I have an English accent in my head and start pretending all of these crazy stories. Hopefully I would get a good one someday and right it down, and live comfortably off the profits of my books;)
My dad brought his laptop, MWAHAHAHAHAHA, so I was able to work on content for my website. Unfortunately, there is no connection out here, so I am not able to do e-mail or LJ. (By the way, I am writing this while still at camp, the night before we leave)
The annoying thing is that tomorrow we were going to leave in the morning, but because my mom wants to see a museum over here, we have to wait until one in the afternoon (or later, because that is when the museum opens!) This puts a damper on things, I must say, because I want to be home! I hope someone is having people over tomorrow, I feel like hanging!
Well alle, I am gone for 3 days to go (starts to cry) camping. I guess I will see you all later! (breaks down). Wish me luck. (starts sobbing.) Excuse me...
OK. I don't know how it is going to be. The weather is pretty up here right now, so I don't know if it will get better or not. Chat with you all later
Just got done doing small groups at Michaels. Good times. I hope he was reached tonight.
And I did get to hang out with Mike (different one) this afternoon, so that was fun.
I love Laura.
Just got done taking ANOTHER nap! This is bad, folks, because I haven't been getting to sleep till 12 or 1, which is LATE for me. I was explaining to Mike yesterday, that sometimes I go to bed a t 9! That is the bed time I am used to! lol.
Anyway, that is all that is really going on. Nothing too exciting is shaking the fance (whatever that means).
I don't think I am hanging with Mike before small group, because he hasn't called me, and he isn't home. Bummer. Oh well, we will hang when I get back. Ugh. I am going to miss youth group too, this Wed.! I hate it when I miss that!
I have never seen this show/movie/whatever the heck it is...
Just got done painting a celing in my brother's room and doing some trim. Quite exciting, let me assure you. Getting paint in your eyes is very interesting!
*Yawn* I am tired. Not really looking forward to camping (see intrests list).
Well, we are getting ready for camping today. Sigh.
Hopefully I will get to hang with Mike this afternoon, and I will, from there, go to small group.
Scoti is gone for 5 weeks!
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