counting the cost

As with most of my post, this one comes from life lessons learned and the ways that God wants to change things. Well the recent event that triggers this post was the recent opportunity I had to hear from missionaries to a closed country(sharing the gospel is illegal) in a small group question and answer format. This meeting was very encouraging and resolved some of the hang ups that I had with certain missionary organizations. One story that really got me to examine the thought process of my own life and actions follows. One of the missionaries spoke of a person that they had been working with who would admit to the truth of the Gospel, but would be willing to do anything about. The reason that person gave was that after their mother passed they would have to pray their mother into heaven. Hearing that reminded me of a story in the Gospel of Matthew 8:21-22. One of Christ disciples gave the excuses that he needed to wait until his Father died, bury his Father...then he would follow and preach of Christ. Christ then gives him the response "Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead". Makes you wonder what barriers are standing in the way of you dropping everything and following Christ to the ends of the earth? Just so you know that this is not just another "preaching style devotional", I'm going to speak a bit about how this affects me. In recent years through study and time I have veered some from my super conservative roots. Contrary to much of the teaching I have revived, I have come to the theological position that I do not feel that alcohol or cigars are evil. I think they can be, but if done in a responsible matter they can be a place for community and community among believers. I realize that some will still argue this point, but if I must give up those things for 'health reasons", then we need to talk about giving up Big Mac's too. Back to the theology, I this hold to the fact I feel those things are fine. The problem is that many missionary organizations do not agree. That causes a conflict and becomes an obstacle for what I have worked for my entire life.  So the question for me is am I willing to give those things up, not for theology, but for the Cross?    

The color of the Carpet

This title may seem a bit off, but I assure you it is Biblical in nature. It has been said in a joke that the only word you can't say in church is "CHANGE", seems like such a dumb statement and it is. Though my experiences and the experiences of many many others. Many churches have done a pour job teaching doctrine. Instead of taking time to teach the why, questions are usually brushed off and responded with statements like "you just need to have faith" and "you just need to pray about it." Yes I believe in the power of prayer, but the bible often gives us clear teaching and puts people in our lives to mentor us with practical advice. My point is that sometimes church members are just legalistic for the sake of being legalistic on some issues. So in the rest of this post I am going attempted to list what I believe on various doctrines and issues, because of having to address these things recently.
The Bible: Inerrant and Infallible Word of God.That's right it is all true.
Sin: All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Rom 3:23. End of story you and I are sinners.
Salvation:Grace through Faith. Jesus is the Only way. John 14:6
Heaven: Eternal resting place of believers.Literal.
Hell: Eternal resting place of everyone else. If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior that is where you are going. It is a Literal place.
The TULIP debate: God is in control. There is both a election of the Holy Spirit that calls you to him and a free choice that you make to respond to him.
Music: David played the harp and the piano is a stringed instrument.
Marriage: Is a christian institution between man and woman. No court ruling will ever change the truth of that.  Should not be entered into in haste. Recommendation from scholars and other counselors that I have learned from is 1 1/2-2 years of dating at minimum. Yes, I'm saying believers rush into marriage for Sex and that is crazy. The best advice I have for that is this: "Sometimes marriage is less about staying in love, than it is covenant keeping." John Piper or the words a man once told me "If you go into it with divorce as a option, then that is how you will end up." K.P.
Drinking: Is not evil. Jesus drank wine....it may have been very low alcohol, but it was alcohol. Not always profitable. Never getting drunk.  obey the law 21.
Law: should abide by as long as it dose not conflict with your faith. That is right Christians should not speed!!!!.
Tobacco: You should not be addicted to anything. permissible.must according to the law at 18.
Other things: There are many issues that America should address before even attempting to single out this or that. The gluttonous behavior of over eating, The addiction to caffeine. speeding down the highway and the failure to get out and witness, but instead taking a political stance.