Hello Folks,
I was just reading about a resurgence in Calvinism at least here in America. One author maintained that it was a backlash to the Emergent Church viewpoint that is moving through evangelical church groups. The Emergent Church maintains that theology is basically what you think it is--this may be a rather broad statement so please understand there can be some variety in that viewpoint. The resurgence in Calvinism is especially concentrating on predestination. With those two "bookends" of belief it is an interesting question, at least to me, as to where the Church of God Reformation Movement fits. Certainly we are not followers of predestination. Could it be that we have some of our pastors and educators who are moving closer to an Emergent viewpoint?
I am not for sure about this but it certainly seems that we are moving away from sanctification as definite second work of grace and casting aside holiness as it has been understood in the Holiness Movement. One factor that stands out to me very clearly is that question on alcohol consumption. With leaders and pastors who are fearful of angering the 20-30 year old demographic it appears that we are telling them that alcohol is acceptable as long as you do not get drunk. Social drinking is becoming acceptable in our circles and the thought that it might be wrong is cast aside. For the pastors who believe that it is wrong but they do not want to address it they should be ashamed! Our silence might be a very large factor in why the message of holiness is not being heard.
Let me give you something that might be of far greater importance where these issues are concerned. Does anyone care anymore?
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Hello Folks,
Every day we get up and face what God brings to us. This is not a matter of happenstance but the desire of God to use us in His Kingdom. I wonder how He wants to use you and me today? Could it be that some of us miss the hand of God in our lives due to the fact that we are so intent in do what we have planned for that day? Maybe God wants to do more than we could have ever imagined in our lives if we would just pay attention to Him. What about you and I spending this day simply looking for the opportunities that God will bring to us! If we do that would our lives and our world see changes take place that are planned by God for us? If we do not I wonder if would miss some of the plans that God has for us?
Last Friday night I watched a local football game that a couple of the young men in our church were involved in and it was a very exciting game. One of the things that must take place for victory to be achieved is for the players to pay attention to the coaches. They all have been assigned certain responsibilities and for a play to work as it is planned everyone of them must do what they are supposed to do. Is this not also true for the church? Are we not part of the body of Christ if we are followers of Jesus and are we not told that we He places us in the body as He sees fit? When a local congregation fails to fulfill the desired plan that God has for it could it be that individual members are refusing to fulfill the plan that God has for them? I pray that I would fulfill His desire!
Have great day,
HGRudd
Every day we get up and face what God brings to us. This is not a matter of happenstance but the desire of God to use us in His Kingdom. I wonder how He wants to use you and me today? Could it be that some of us miss the hand of God in our lives due to the fact that we are so intent in do what we have planned for that day? Maybe God wants to do more than we could have ever imagined in our lives if we would just pay attention to Him. What about you and I spending this day simply looking for the opportunities that God will bring to us! If we do that would our lives and our world see changes take place that are planned by God for us? If we do not I wonder if would miss some of the plans that God has for us?
Last Friday night I watched a local football game that a couple of the young men in our church were involved in and it was a very exciting game. One of the things that must take place for victory to be achieved is for the players to pay attention to the coaches. They all have been assigned certain responsibilities and for a play to work as it is planned everyone of them must do what they are supposed to do. Is this not also true for the church? Are we not part of the body of Christ if we are followers of Jesus and are we not told that we He places us in the body as He sees fit? When a local congregation fails to fulfill the desired plan that God has for it could it be that individual members are refusing to fulfill the plan that God has for them? I pray that I would fulfill His desire!
Have great day,
HGRudd
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