Coming to the Still Waters

Why Church Members Don't Invite Others To Church Here is a shortened list of the content. 1.  don't think about it 2.  afraid to be rejected 3.  music isn't good 4.  preaching isn't strong 5.  too many church problems 6.  already too crowded 7.  not challenged to invite 8.  don't know how to start the conversation 9.  Spirit's job, not mine 10.  too far for people to come A great podcast to listen to and be encouraged about the opportunity that we all have on a regular basis. Sunday is approaching and I think the number 1 reason is really the number 1 reason.  It is usually a question of priority in our lives.   God bless your opportunity to be in a church this Sunday with other followers of Jesus Christ, worshiping together the King of kings and Lord of lords. Adam

     I still have some wood and was very tempted to fire up the wood stoves this morning.  I just put on more clothes and got moving to keep the blood flowing.  This is the summer that wasn't up here in the northern woods.  Our garden is feeling it but our greens are loving it.      The house is on the market and the real estate agent took some great pictures.  It is a house in progress and today we will spend some of the day working on some more projects.       I almost thought that last picture might have snow on the ground!!  And then there is the growing box mound!!!!      Among all of this is our work in the church that is so important no matter where we are.  I am thankful that it looks like we will be able to complete the book of 1 Peter before we leave for our new assignment from the Lord.   This Sunday is the completion of chapter 4 and really the completion of Peter's instruction about what to do in the face of persecution for

     Today we made a decision to follow God's lead and affirm a three fold affirmation from the Oglesby Union Church.  God made it unanimous with the search team and with the overseers and with the general membership.  We will be busy this month with preparing our house for sale and packing up our belongings.  Our current church has been so gracious to us and so loving as we have walked through this process.  We covet your prayers for the sale of our home and also the process of our current church and denomination in placing the next pastor here in Gaylord.  We are humbled to continue to be used by Him for His glory. Adam

     Lately I have been listening to the podcast of Thom Rainer and gleaning many important life lessons especially as it relates to the general church.  His latest had a list of the "8 Warning Signs Of The Most Common Factor in Declining Churches." Here is the link to listen:  Thom Rainer Podcast      Listed is a list that is usually in the negative and I like to go through and look at the possible positive solution.  So here is my attempt. There are very few attempts to minister to those in the community.  (Therefore we need to keep community focused with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Local efforts will reflect in more workers for global efforts.)  Church business meetings become arguments over preferences and desires.  (Therefore is would be great to change not just in name but also focus the church business meeting to a church ministry meeting.  Business may be discussed but it is always underneath the umbrella of ministry.) Numbers of members in the congregation

     I think back to my first year in the ministry in 1986 and how at times I was up until 2 or 3 in the morning on Sundays finishing up what I would say to the congregation in just a few hours.  I would like to think that it wasn't a time management process (although I was flying by the seat of my pants) but now having this much time with the Scriptures and seeing how it flows and its overall purpose that the sermon comes easier but maybe it is now harder to deliver with the weight of what is being said.  I spend so much more time now thinking and reflecting on the message than the actual words that I have on the screen or in the bulletin outline.  So here are some pre-thoughts about the upcoming sermon.      A decision needs to be made between following the lusts of men or the will of God.  The problem is that Peter had people in the church (Christians) who were still following and living their lives following the lusts of men.  He paints the picture of the progression of sin s

     Just a short post of something someone posted on Facebook after the sermon this Sunday.  I think it is very relevant to the message of the progression of sin. "Set one foot on the slope of compromise and you'll find the rest of the downhill slide quick and easy."      Thanks Becky!!!! Adam

The slippery slope argument.   "If we allow A to happen, then Z will eventually happen too, therefore A should not happen." The claim goes that this is a fallacy because you do not have proof that this holds true in every situation.  Also it claims that what happens is that we look at the hypotheticals instead of looking at the issues at hand. I understand both of those points but what about the warnings of Scripture?  What about the progression of sin that Scripture lays out in Romans 1 and also the passage this Sunday in 1 Peter 4 and many others?  Maybe the term "slippery slope" may be problematic and the concept of the "progression of sin" might be a better route of explaining this to keep our eyes on the starting point.  What about all the experience that I have also seen of this in real life situations?   1 Peter 4:3 gives us another list of sins but I also see the progression that Peter gives here. step 1 - sensuality - entice the s

     I have been listening and reading Thom S. Rainer's blog lately so here is a recent blog on Millennials.    Who are they?  A population of 78 million in the United States, the largest generation group.  You are a millennial if you were born from 1980 to 2000 so anyone from 14 to 34 in age.    Here is a link to the full blog post but I thought I would list his findings from a large study and make a few observational comments of my own from what I have seen. 10 Ways Millennials Are Shaping Local Congregations Today   1.  More of them are attracted to smaller venues.  (I wonder if this falls in line with our fascination to find that quaint shop or coffee shop.) 2.  They see culture as something to influence, rather than an enemy to denounce.  (You are the salt of the world, you are the light of the world concept.) 3.  They like to cooperate with others.  (Maybe looking at the task of the Great Commission and pooling like minded resources to go forward with it.) 4.  T

     First, let me share with you about a book that I am re-reading again.  It is titled "Taking God At His Word" - subtitled "Why the Bible is knowable, necessary, and enough, and what that means for you and me." - authored by Kevin DeYoung.       Here is the summary of a majority of the book that the author gives: a handy acronym SCAN "Sufficiency:  The Scriptures contain everything we need for knowledge of salvation and godly living.  We don't need any new revelation from heaven. Clarity:  The saving message of Jesus Christ is plainly taught in the Scriptures and can be understood by all who have ears to hear it.  We don't need an official magisterium to tell us what the Bible means. Authority:  The last word always goes to the word of God.  We must never allow the teachings of science, of human experience, or of church councils to take precedence over Scripture. Necessity:  General revelation is not enough to save us.  We cannot know Go

     My sermon is prepared along with a couple other devotionals if I am called on to give some extra lessons.  The "This Is Your Life" slideshow is put together and I forced myself to limit the photos of Evan and Andrew.  The lawn is mowed and weed whipped and the garden and berry patches are picked until we return.  We are packing clothes for the wedding in Chicago and the weekend with Oglesby Union Church and tomorrow we will put together our food cooler.      I am a researcher so here are some photos I dug up on the internet of the church long ago.  I think this first picture is from 1904. This next one shows the addition added on and a little more decor, maybe in the 30's... This last one is how it looks today with the spire moved and a new sanctuary added to the front of the existing building in the 50's...with a brick facade now. Here is a more recent picture of the front entrance to the newer sanctuary.        It is very interesting to s

           My parents tell me it was a very hot August 1st in 1964 and a Saturday.  Through the internet I am able to check that and though my small town that I grew up in is not recorded, it was a hot weekend in Michigan in August that year.  Isn't that amazing?  I am still in awe of what you can find out with this personal screen that we call a lap top.      No big party today but better (probably not best because that would mean a lot of air flights to get them home) with a Google hangout with all the kids tonight.  Again, another thing that I am in awe of, that God would entrust us with these beautiful ones.  Friday is a day that I make some final adjustments to the sermon and many times do a practice run through at the church.  We will be completing 1 Peter 3 this Sunday.  More practical application of how to live in a hostile world and some great information from Peter about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.      Some things that I do now: 1.  I dr