Articles for Edification - April 22, 2013 Edition

The Secret to becoming Awesome  - don't let the title turn you away; there are some good points here taken in the context of "calling"

Keeping Church Members from dropping out

Spiritual Maturity tied to strong Doctrinal Beliefs - interesting article

When is it time to leave

What's in a name - Should a church have a denominational label in its name? - good research here

Assurance of Salvation

Good Nutrition

20 Hidden Ministry Killers - interesting take on this

Is Your Church Stuck? - food for thought

"Do Your Best and Jesus will take care of the rest"

I have traveled by this sign on several occasions, and it always puts something in my crawl when I read it. "Do your best and Jesus will take care of the rest". It's really hard to give the benefit of the doubt on this one. However, I am not sure of the context in which the phrase it meant to be taken. I am wondering, what is "the rest"? How does this phrase line up with our declaration that "Jesus paid it all"? Also, my mind thinks toward Philippians 3:1-7, and Paul's litany of "his best". When he finishes listing his "best", he doesn't then cry out to Jesus to take care of the rest. Rather, he calls "his best" all "dung" (think cow manure) when compared to the righteousness he received from Christ's perfect and sinless life through faith. His "best" wasn't good enough and never would be. So, when it comes to righteousness before God, our best is never good enough and never adds anything to the imputed righteousness we receive from Christ through faith.

A better sign post might be the words from a recent hymn:

In Christ alone my hope is found, he is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm

Thank Jesus today, he gave his best and it was better than good enough!

Articles for Edification for April 12 (previously titled "On the Blogs")

The Prosperity Gospel  - if you are inclined toward what is labeled the prosperity gospel, you will not like this video

Warning: Don't let this person join your church - pretty good

5 signs of a dying church - interesting

What does it mean to "believe" - this is very good

On the Blogs for April 8, 2013

The Primary Task

Common Misconceptions about God's Will - even if you may disagree at points, it's good food for thought

On the Blogs for April 1, 2013

Who's on First? (this is great!)

Abbot and Costello do Math

New City Catechism (good for learning and growing)

When God is not enough

The seduction of success - this is a good read and great reminder of the subtlety of evil in our own hearts