A Whole Street of Houses, Stirred With A Spoon

-
Image
“ And by this time they were come up to the great iron gates in front of the house; and Tom stared through them at the rhododendrons and azaleas, which were all in flower; and then at the house itself, and wondered how many chimneys there were in it, and how long ago it was built, and what was the man’s name that built it, and whether he got much money for his job? These last were very difficult questions to answer. For Harthover had been built at ninety different times, and in nineteen different styles, and looked as if somebody had built a whole street of houses of every imaginable shape, and then stirred them together with a spoon.” —The Water-Babies, by Charles Kingsley. Ch.1 (1863)

mailbag

-
I am seeking God's perspective on some issues so I started a new Bible study last night. Looking at Revelation 2-3 I read through what Jesus had to say to 7 churches and here are my initial impressions:

Ephesus (2:1-7) "First Church of INTENTION". This church seems to want to do the right things, but they have gotten off-track.

Smyrna (2:8-11) "First Church of IGNORANCE". They are about to face persecution and the things they are rich in will not help them.

* Pergamum (2:12-17) "First Church of INTEGRATION". This church has compromised its teaching by mixing things displeasing to God into its ministry. God will war against false teachers!

Thyatira (2:18-19) "First Church of ILL-ADJUSTMENT" (a church plant of the "First Church of Integration") They, too have compromised, doing great deeds, but do them with wrong intention, motivation and for the wrong reasons.

Sardis (3:1-6) "First Church of INACTIVITY". They are "in extremis" (at the point of death).

Philadephia (3:7-13) "First Church of INDECISIVENESS". This church really has nothing negative said about it, save their seeming hesitation to go through the door God has opened to them.

Laodicea (3:14-22) "First Church of INDIGESTION." Lukewarm, rejectable, ignorant, poor values.

I put an astrix by Pergamum because I feel this is where most western churches are today, mixing political correctness and "sensitivity" to the point they are not only rendered ineffective, but are idolatrous as they exalt their style of ministry over God's Word.

"Seeker Sensitity" has reduced the gospel message to "believe in Jesus" without saying why this is necessary. People don't know of sin because it is offensive and brings discomfort. Well, even Jesus said He sent the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.

If we are going to ignore the words of Jesus and have our backs saddled with the teachings of Balaam and the things God wars against, we might as well change our sign out front . . .

Popular posts from this blog

Rock Me, Epictetus!

-
Image
“Keep constant guard over your perceptions, for it is no small thing you are protecting, but your respect, trustworthiness and steadiness, peace of mind, freedom from pain and fear, in a word your freedom. For what would you sell these things?” EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 4.3.6 b –8 
Read more

The Smooth-flowing Life

-
Image
Legend has it that the astronomer Ptolemy (1st century A.D.) suggested that falling stars were caused by the gods moving in the heavens, thus knocking stars out of their places. Somehow people reasoned that that if the gods were moving, they must be getting close to earth so they would lift their "prayers" or "wishes" (literally, "desires") whenever they saw the stars falling in hopes the gods would notice and grant a favorable answer. But how does one wish on falling star? Once you see it, it's gone before the wish or prayer can be made! The answer is simple: meteor shower. That's how to get your wish. Mrs. Ann Hodges had a wish fall right into her lap. Sort of. In 1954 Mrs. Hodges was sleeping on the couch when a 8 1/2 pound meteorite fell through her house and into her living room where it bounced off the radio and struck her left hip leaving her with a bruise. Not sure what she was wishing, but that's not how to do it. Epictetus hel...
Read more