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A La Carte (9/10)
- 09/10/10
- 8
Football season began yesterday. This is really the only time of the year that I miss having cable television. I know that I’m far better off not having it, but still, there’s something about football in the fall that calls to me. The only time I catch a game these days is when I happen to be traveling and can watch for an hour at the airport. And that’s just kind of sad.
What You Want in an Athlete - This is an interesting article. It discusses Tim Tebow who, though the third-string quarterback for the Broncos, is their most admired player. “There has really never been a player like this in the NFL. One whose every move appears to be so pure and without pretense that he is beloved by millions, many of whom wouldn't call themselves sports fans. Yes, much of it is based on his Christian faith and his proud admission that as a star athlete he is still a virgin and also about the television commercial he filmed with his mother explaining why she did not abort him when it appeared that complications were life-threatening.”
Teen Texting Reaches Critical Mass - “It won’t come as a surprise to parents of teenagers, but a recent survey conducted by the free mobile text messaging app textPlus shows that teens not only are habitually text messaging with parents and friends in class, but most of them don’t even feel guilty about it.”
Have We Shared Too Much? - This infographic looks at the kind of information we give to many of the big companies like Google and Facebook.
Don’t Give Up on the Church - Randy Alcorn speaks to Christians who can’t stand the church.
If God be God, then no insoluble problem exists. And if God be my God, then no problem of mine is without its appropriate solution. —Maurice Roberts
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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Comments (8)
“Football season began yesterday. This is really the only time of the year that I miss having cable television. I know that I’m far better off not having it, but still, there’s something about football in the fall that calls to me.”
May I suggest this is perhaps needless asceticism?
Great article on Tebow. This single statement works for the commoner as well as the star:
“People may not agree with his beliefs but they admire his conviction”
Randy says…”I’m tired of all the christians who are anti church now.”
I can understand Randy’s frustration. I was in “leadership.” I was a part of Today’s “Corrupt Religious System,” and thought the way Randy does. Found out, what I believed, was mostly “Traditions of Men” that nullifies “The Word of God.” (Mark 7:13) It was hard to admit I had been deceived for so long. I had believed the commandments of men, and the doctrines of men, and rejected the commandments of God. But, the truth sets you free, and liberty is wonderful.
I also noticed, that when you start to touch a man’s “traditions” he gets pretty upset. He rarely takes the time to hear the whole story and take it to God to see if it is truth. It’s often hard to admit that we have believed lies. Or that people we respect, taught us lies. I have been deceived by others, those I loved, and deceived myself. Don’t know it all now. So, in some areas, I’m still deceived. Oy vey! :-)
When we’re deceived, we don’t know we’re deceived, we don’t always realize we’re believing a lie. :-(
When we believe the lie we start to die…
Most folks I know have not left “The Church of God,” the Body of Christ. They have left - the church of man, the 502 (c) 3, non-profit, tax deductible, Religious Corporation - to find the “Truth,” to find Jesus.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos 3:3
Hmmm? **Todays** “Pastor/leader,” is this a “Title” or “Position” in the scriptures?
In the Bible, How many people… have the “Title” pastor?In the Bible, How many people are… referred to as pastor?In the Bible, How many people are… ordained as a pastor?In the Bible, How many congregations are… “led” by a pastor?
What is popular is not always Truth.What is Truth is not always popular.
I’m Blest… Because I’ve returned to the shepherd and bishop of my soul… Jesus…
Without taking too much time to look it up, I’m not sure that anyone has the title “pastor” in the Bible. However, there are people referred to as elders and overseers (1 Tim. 3, Titus 1). Paul, in 1 Timothy, calls the position of overseer an office and says that the overseer is to care for God’s church. In 1 Corinthians 12, he says that God has appointed to the church apostles, prophets, teachers, etc. These are just a few examples off the top of my head of the Bible describing positions of leadership in the church. Also, there’s the whole Hebrews 10 passage about not neglecting to meet together.
We haven’t had cable or satellite TV for years, but here in the U.S. we can see plenty of football. We bought an HDTV, put an antenna on the roof and — voila! — about 30 free channels. We get the major networks, public broadcasting, a couple of movie channels and weather. All for free. Granted, we don’t want 98% of the junk that’s on TV, but for our local football team or events like the Olympics or big news stories, we do just fine.
I have considered jotting down the number of people that I see in one day and how many are on some sort of technical device - including at church. I have read Stanford University articles (was it at your site as well?) about the lack of focus/attention of media multitaskers. What could possibly be next? Is a great fall inevitable? Is it good? Could access to differing modes of communication be good for those introverts who find it difficult to express themselves? Is it bad? Are we too consumed with self? Identity theft continues to increase. Is satan’s job made easier with google, facebook…?
Matt
Seems you’re ok with NO one in the Bible having the “Title” “Pastor.”
You do mention elders and oveerseers.
Don’t know if you ever thought about the qualifications, but…I’ve never met an “elder/overseer” who meets Paul’s qualifications. ;-)
The way it looks today, Paul’s qualifications weren’t that important. Paul was just making a few suggestions. Seems today you can pick and choose what ever fits. :-)
1 - **blameless** — unrebukeable, without fault.
2 - husband of one wife — married, male.
3 - rules well his own house — have a family, children.
4 - not greedy of filthy lucre — Not greedy for money.
5 - vigilant — no excessive wine, calm in spirit.
6 - sober — of a sound mind, self controlled.
7 - of good behavior — modest, unassuming, reserved.
8 - no striker — not quarrelsome, contentious.
9 - not a brawler — abstaining from fighting.
10 - not self willed — not self pleasing, not arrogant.
11 - not soon angry — not prone to anger.
12 - temperate — having power over, restraining.
13 - **holy — undefiled by sin, free from wickedness.
14 - **just — righteous, virtuous, innocent, faultless.
And their children must qualify also…
“having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly”
15 - faithful — believing, one who trusts in God’s promises.
16 - not accused of riot — Strongs - asotia — unsavedness.
………an abandoned dissolute life, lost to principle.
- unruly — disobedient.
Now, that’s a tough list qualifications. Yes?
If you think you qualify…
Try measuring up to “1 - Blameless,” “13 - Holy,” and “14 - Just.”
( I couldn’t. I was convicted. Had to remove myself and tear up my papers.)
If someone thinks they qualify?
Is that pride and thus NOT without fault? NOT blameless? Hmmm?
Will they remove themselves? When they recognize they don’t measure up?
The Bible talks about elders/overseers and qualifications for elders/overseers. Can you have one with out the other? Well can you? ;-)
Which one’s aren’t important? Which qualifications can we overlook? ;-)
If some one says they are an “elder/overseer” and don’t meet the qualifications; What are they… really…???
I’m Blest… I’ve returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of my soul… Jesus…
Tim,
Not trying to lead you astray, but I am also enjoy a football game now and then. I’ve found that NFL.com gives really nice video recaps of all the games. I have also found that www.espn3.com covers many college football games live. I’m not sure if it works in Canada, but I can watch my hometown team (Northwestern Wildcats) pretty regularly.
Vaughn