Wisdom Calls
Reader’s Digest – Why I Am Not Renewing My Subscription
This morning I sent this letter (via email) to Readers Digest. Although I did it my self, I do hope you are moved to do the same thing. We are choosing not to renew any of our subscriptions with Readers Digest. It is unfortunate as my family, as well as my parents’ families (on both my and my wife’s side), have always enjoyed reading Readers Digest from cover to cover. Those subscriptions, as well as the ones we have given as gifts, will not be renewed. Our reason is simple – as a business Readers Digest has decided to take a side in the culture war on homosexuality. I (we) no longer want to read another article promoting a lifestyle that is deadly and immoral. This issue can be looked at both from a religious perspective, as well as a secular (non-religious) perspective. Religious – it’s immoral. It’s a sin against the Creator of the universe. Both the Old Testament and New Testament declare it to be sin. Secular – it is against the principal tenant of … [Read More...]
Big God, Small Me: Bigger Than My Selfishness
Pastor James MacDonald March 17-18, 2012 Intro Philemon 1:8-22 There will be a new Harvest Campus launching on the North Shore (7th Campus) on Easter Sunday. For details, go to harvestbiblechapel.org/northshore. Paul was a relational genius. Many times our problems are relational. We believe the Holy Spirit has to help us understand God's word. Philemon is a prison epistle. Jesus had gone back to the Father about 30 years ago. The letter was written to a wealthy man, named Philemon, about another brother, Onesimus. The Bible does not condone slavery, however it does regulate it. It was prevalent during this time. Pastor James asked us to write down two names...people we are on good terms with, but the two of them are not. Why do we not want to be active about getting them back together (and risk our own friendships)? Answer - Because I'm a selfish person. How to Bring People Together 1A) Make it an appeal instead of a requirement. Philemon … [Read More...]
Big God, Small Me: Bigger Than My Past Expectations
Pastor James MacDonald Sermon on February 25-26, 2012 Intro Acts 13-14 Communion was held this weekend. The goal of this message is that we would have right expectations when you serve the Lord. My thoughts - We spent most of the time reading through Acts 13 and 14. Pastor James showed the typical pattern of ministry as noted below. He went through 4 examples that followed a similar pattern. Pastor James cautioned those that get into ministry thinking it would be easy or without trouble. On the contrary, ministry life comes with opposition from the evil one. If you share the gospel you are going to be met by the enemy - to silence the message. There were not as many notes to take as normal. Reading the scripture and noticing the pattern is what is important. When you do, you will come away with the knowledge that it is a battle for souls. It will be difficult, we must persevere and expect to suffer - Christ did, why shouldn't we? A final … [Read More...]
Big God, Small Me: Bigger Than My Past
Pastor James MacDonald Sermon on February 18-19, 2012 Intro: God likes new stuff God gives us a new heart, new self and new name. God will bring down a new heaven. God says "behold I make all things new" 1) God is bigger than my past. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. God will not call your past or my past to mind. 2) In Christ, I have a new purpose. Acts 9:16 You have to come to the place where your eyes are open and you see Jesus for who He is. Once it happened to Paul he had a new purpose. He is now willing to suffer for His name. 3) In Christ, I have a new boss. Acts 9:17-18 If you don't know Jesus Christ as Master, Lord or Boss you don't know Him at all. Paul was immediately baptized Jesus only gave us two orders. Remember me - communion Go public - don't hide me, tell everyone one - get baptized - the New Testament knows nothing of an unbaptized … [Read More...]
Big God, Small Me: Bigger Than My Sin (part 1)
Pastor James MacDonald Sermon on February 4-5, 2012 Harvest showed a brief video that is shown to people that come looking for a church - The video is at the bottom of this post. A call was made to participate in the new believer's classes. Pastor James announced that the notes provided are incorrect. He changed the message Saturday morning. 1 Timothy 1:12-18, Genesis 3 12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his … [Read More...]
Great Quotes
Oswald Chambers – “It is not true to say that God wants to teach us something in our trials…He wants us to unlearn something.”
It is not true to say that God wants to teach us something in our trials: through every cloud He brings, He wants us to unlearn something. From the … [Read More...]
C. S. Lewis – “You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.”
"You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body." … [Read More...]
Abraham Lincoln – “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." Abraham Lincoln The 16th president of the … [Read More...]
Ronald Reagan – “… those in America today who have come to depend absolutely on government for their security…”
"There are those in America today who have come to depend absolutely on government for their security. And when government fails they seek to rectify … [Read More...]
Ronald Reagan – “Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession…”
"Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first." … [Read More...]
Ronald Reagan – “…Our leaders attempt to blame their failures on circumstances beyond their control…”
"They tell us we must learn to live with less, and teach our children that their lives will be less full and prosperous than ours have been; that the … [Read More...]
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