Theology, Politics, and Glenn Beck

By pastorscott

Acts 5:39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.

They thought they had taken care of the “Jesus problem” but now his disciples are causing trouble, proclaiming that the Jesus they crucified is alive. Now, the miracles they’re doing are complicating matters. One solution is to kill them too. However, one of the most respected of their number, Gamaliel, cautions them against it. If this is somehow manmade, he reasons, it’ll die of its own accord. If it’s from God, though, they don’t want to, and in reality can’t, oppose God.

It was a tough call for the Pharisees. After all, Jesus didn’t fit their theology. In fact, it was clear that their dislike was mutual. To accept Jesus would mean that they admitted they had been too narrow, too exclusive in their view of God. The solution was to get rid of him. Now, with his defiant disciples before them, and accepting the advice of one other own, they’ll try something different. Confident of their superiority, they’ll wait out this Jesus business.

A sobering moment for me was when I realize that fairly often I play the role of the Pharisees here. If something doesn’t match my theology I discount it and brush it aside as “not from God.” I take Gamaliel’s route. That is, I won’t try to stop it, but I sure won’t help it either.

It is easy to watch, for instance the “Restoring Honor” event in Washington, D.C. and, realizing that I have huge disagreements theologically and smaller ones politically with the organizer, Glenn Beck, I keep my distance. After all, I don’t want to lend any weight to his messed up religion or show support for the more radical edges of his political views.

But what if? What if it’s as Beck said — that the whole idea for this rally came from God? What if this man with the messed up theology is operating beyond himself and, once again, this is a case of God using “the foolish things of the world to shame the wise”?

Sometimes I think I need to recognize that God might just be doing something and lend my support, laying theology and politics aside. Otherwise, I may find myself a bystander to something I’ve prayed about for years.

Book review: Faith Intersections, edited by Matt Zimmer

By pastorscott

“Faith Intersections” is a book about listening to people who have different belief systems than our own. In each chapter a Christian interviewer listens as an individual talks about what they believe and why. We hear from them what they consider to be the purpose of life and their view of the afterlife. In some cases, we listen as they talk about us.

Some chapters are almost painful to read. Right off I find myself listening as a former Christian dismantles modern Christianity. This man knows us well and many of his observations are, I fear, painfully accurate. The conversation with the Mormon leaves me feeling frustrated as I hear the “party line” stated with such conviction. The chapter on Scientology leaves me deeply saddened. It’s the only chapter without an interview. The reason? The knowledgeable writer has years of experience trying to dialogue with adherents and knows it can’t be done in the spirit of this book.

Let me add that there’s some positive material in this book, some encouraging and some instructive. The whole idea is to model for the reader how to listen, valuing the speaker’s point of view without having to debate them. In fact, in some instances, the genuine friendships have had wonderful results. It’s encouraging to hear people who aren’t Christians speak positively of Jesus even if some are rather critical of his followers. Sometimes I’m critical of our crowd myself. The “atheist” chapter has a great story in it that will bless your heart.

I appreciate the opportunity to do an early read of this thought provoking book.

Here’s a link to the book at NPH

A second statement from the Church of the Nazarene Board of General Superintendents on the emergent Church

By pastorscott

As of August, 2010 the Board of General Superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene have issued a second, and more detailed statement on the emergent/emerging conversation.

I see here an acknowledgment that, from our denomination’s point of view, some in this conversation have gone too far into unorthodoxy. They have, in our view, set themselves adrift from foundational beliefs necessary to following Jesus.

However, speaking from our “side” just as big a problem is people who have overreacted to that error and painted every person who sees value in having this emergent/emerging conversation as endorsing these most extreme views.

I see people do this in political circles all the time. The left wing finds one nutty fringe person who associates themselves with the Tea Party and then pretends all who are involved with the Tea Party are like that. Slap a label on them and then it’s easy to discount everything they say. Of course, the same thing happens from the other direction too.

So…since one person who says they’re emergent (or even writes books in the name of the emergent church) makes some outlandish statements about atonement, eternity, or some current moral issue, it must be that all who are involved in the emergent conversation believe the same thing….they’re bad, bad, bad!

This statement from the BoGS calls us to not park our brains at the door on this topic. Some, we’re told are carefully listening to what’s being said and seeking answers that might help the Church to better minister to a post-modern culture. They understand that this isn’t a “take it or leave it” proposition.

It’s clear from this statement that the BoGS are in favor of paying attention to what emergents among us are saying. Most of “our” emergents aren’t numbered with those who have bought into some of the more fringe stuff, instead, they’re trying to minister to their own generation and culture.

I think the key statement in the entire statement, which I’m including in this post is this: “Nonetheless, it is our hope and prayer that those in the Church of the Nazarene who are engaged in this conversation will do so with grace and humility. We believe it is possible to move beyond mischaracterizations, embrace what is legitimate, and reject any unorthodox positions without hesitation.”

A Statement on the Emergent Church

As a denomination of 2 million members in 156 world areas, there are conversations on a variety of topics taking place within the Church of the Nazarene.

One discussion centers on “emergent” or “emerging” churches. This subject creates confusion and conflict in some circles. There are several issues related to “the emergent church.” Some are helpful and positive; others are problematic and troubling. This is compounded because those who self-identify as “emerging” reflect a wide array of positions and perspectives and differ among themselves.

There are authors with a significant readership who readily identify themselves as “emergent church leaders.” They are aware of the Church’s need to increase its engagement with society. Some are completely orthodox in their theology and views of Scripture, but others embrace positions that the Church of the Nazarene would view as unorthodox and therefore unacceptable.

Some of our pastors, superintendents and lay members believe that there is a certain segment within the Church of the Nazarene who is embracing a new “movement” filled with risks to our theological coherence as a denomination. They fear this direction will only serve to undermine the Church of the Nazarene with heresy.

Their concerns are seemingly reinforced by a few “emergent” leaders who have made statements that to them are troubling. These comments reflect theological positions denying several of the basic tenets of Scripture and orthodox Christianity as held by the Church of the Nazarene in our Articles of Faith.

There are others within our denomination, including pastors, superintendents and scholars, who view the concept of an “emerging” church as a positive and hopeful expression of what it means to be the Church. They are seeking to genuinely come to terms with ministry in a complex and rapidly-changing culture. Their goal is to demonstrate the relevance of biblical truth through incarnational and transformational living.

This latter group is deeply committed to the authority and infallibility of the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives, communities, and nations. They are often engaged with the brokenness in society through active, compassionate ministries working diligently to bring renewal, conversion, and transformation.

The Board of General Superintendents neither endorses nor affirms “emergent churches” or leaders who are not orthodox in their theology. “We Believe,” the statement issued by the BGS, clearly articulates the position of the Board regarding the Articles of Faith, the values, and the mission stated in the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene, encouraging Nazarenes everywhere to join them in embracing these vital truths. (See “Official Statements” on the nazarene.org website.)

The involvement of many Nazarenes in this conversation reveals a sincere desire to embrace our missional objectives. They are attempting to reach the emerging cultures around us while clearly articulating an orthodox interpretation of Scripture and theology.

John Wesley, founder of Methodism and a firm believer in the power of the Holy Spirit to sanctify and cleanse the heart of all unrighteousness, was intentionally and forcefully engaged in the social needs around him. In that same tradition, P. F. Bresee established the first “Church of the Nazarene” with a focus on both the physical and spiritual needs of people while calling men and women to make a total commitment to Christ and to the fullness of the Spirit in cleansing and heart purity.

This is the objective toward which Nazarenes, including those engaged in ministry to emerging cultures, are committed.

Any conversation of this nature carries with it the risk of being misunderstood or being classified with positions that are not healthy or appropriate. Issues involved in discussions such as these are often complex. The communication is sometimes at inappropriate volume levels.

Nonetheless, it is our hope and prayer that those in the Church of the Nazarene who are engaged in this conversation will do so with grace and humility. We believe it is possible to move beyond mischaracterizations, embrace what is legitimate, and reject any unorthodox positions without hesitation.

The Board of General Superintendents is engaged in study and conversations with numerous Nazarene scholars, pastors, districts superintendents and laity on this subject. Each general superintendent continues in prayer and in a careful search for what is true and best in all things related to Scripture and mission.

While the Board does not embrace anything that is heretical it does encourage healthy conversations among Nazarenes who are part of a holiness and Great Commission church.

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ who lived, died, and was resurrected to save the lost and broken of the whole world. He is coming again, to set to right all things. The mission He gave to His Church was to announce and embody the Kingdom, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, and to visit the sick and imprisoned. His mission is our mission as well.

Board of General Superintendents
August 2010
bgs@nazarene.org

Scott Daniels on the death of the emerging church

By pastorscott

I’ve linked to Scott Daniels before on this topic, and his latest article should be required reading for all who want to talk about (or write about) the emergent conversation. Check it out: http://drtscott.typepad.com/pastor_scotts_thoughts/2010/08/the-death-of-the-emerging-church.html

Devotionals Published

By pastorscott

I write and publish daily devotionals on the Internet.  I’m humbled and pleased to have several people who either subscribe or visit my webpages to read the devotionals each day.

However, I was especially pleased last year to be invited to write devotionals for Reflecting God for the week of August 9-15, 2010.  “Reflecting God” is our Nazarene daily devotional publication.  It’s also published to the internet and is heard on some radio stations.

So my writing will have a wider audience this week.  The “Reflecting God” devotionals are different than my regular Daily Devotional Writing from Pastor Scott which continues.  It’s neat to think that what I write will be read by folks who haven’t seen my writing before.

I certainly appreciate the opportunity to write for a denominational publication and to be read by so many people.

I’m glad Peter said Sarah called Abraham “Master”

By pastorscott

1 Peter 3:5-6 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6  like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

I’m glad Peter said Sarah called Abraham “Master.”  Before you start laughing at me let me explain why. Peter is obviously writing to his own culture here. No preacher in his right mind would suggest that this is God’s mandate for women everywhere and for all time.  You see the writers of the Bible often apply principles to their on their own culture and that’s what’s happening here.  I have to be careful that I don’t fall into the “The Bible says it and that settles it” trap.  Remember that Paul tells Timothy that we’re to be good students, rightly applying the Word of God to our lives

This “Master” business highlights how important that is.  Am I to take this statement literally, and insist that all wives must, from now on call heir husbands “Master” or do I look at the culture of the Bible, the culture today, and find the principle in play here?  I think “the principle” approach is the one we want, so what is it?  That makes things easy: it’s a beautiful thing when a wife loves and respects her husband - that’s it!  Easy!

Let’s take it one step farther.  It’s my belief that the few passages of the N.T. in which women are limited in some way (be silent, don’t teach, wear long hair) are based on good principles being applied to local cultural concerns.  That principle is that people aren’t to demand their rights if their doing so somehow hinders the spread of the gospel.  Otherwise, there’s a broader Christian principle to apply: Galatians 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

God works in the lives of women the same as he does in the lives of men, using them for his purposes - for the advancement of his Kingdom on earth

Peter also tells women “do not give way to fear.”  I think these words are especially meaningful in our society today.  On one hand, Christian women hear the call of what might be labeled radical feminism - “claim your rights” — “you’re just as capable, or even more capable than men, don’t let them walk all over you.”

On the other hand, Christian women hear the call of Christian fundamentalists: “the Bible says for you to keep quiet.”  Women of God find themselves in the middle.  On one hand it’s not about our “rights.”  On the other hand we want to be careful to read and understand the principles behind what the Bible says.

So we take hits from both sides.  Without joining the battles and not being afraid of what people say or think and we focus on getting the Good News of the Gospel preached.

What burden would you place on the emergent church?

By pastorscott

Acts 15:28-29 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.

We know the story. There’s a dispute concerning the Gentile believers. How “Jewish” do they have to be? The question is brought to the Church leadership in Jerusalem and after some discussion they push their own Jewish heritage aside and list just four things that the Gentiles must do to be accepted by the Jewish believers.

Of course, there are some things that are assumed. That is, these Gentiles have believed in Jesus Christ and are followers of his. Still, its rather stunning to think of these Jewish believers in a Jewish Savior being willing to lay aside so much that they might embrace the Gentile believers.

It’s also interesting to realize that only one of the four “add-ons” survived. The dietary requirements aren’t part of the average book of discipline of any of the primary Christian groups today.

So, imagine with me that there’s another big council. This time, it’s those of the emergent church who come to the council asking just how much of what we consider “Christian” these days is required of them to be accepted under the umbrella of Christianity.

These emergents are trying to bridge the message of Christ to a post-modern culture that is quite non-Christian. They are examining every element of how we “do church” and deciding what is and isn’t necessary to be truly Christian.

If you sat on that council what would you say? Obviously, and assumed, is faith in Jesus Christ. However, as we consider the fact that the Jewish believers added a few extras that they felt were necessary for them to feel comfortable with the existence of a Gentile flavor of Christianity we see that it’s okay to go a bit beyond just the basics.

So what would you suggest be added? Avoid using bars and strip clubs as meeting places? Avoid the use of profanity? Wear a suit and tie on Sunday?

Understand that it’s okay to add stuff that is cultural more than Biblical but also remember that the Church at Jerusalem gave away a great deal. Also, don’t just answer with yourself in mind, but as a leader of the church would answer. Answer as though you are going to be challenged by settled traditionalists in your own congregation about what you decide.

So what do you think should be required of the emergent church if it’s to be accepted into fellowship by the mainstream church?

Ted Dekker’s Black, Red, White, Green Circle series

By pastorscott

I’ve just finished re-reading the first three books of Dekker’s “Circle” series. In the story a young man, Thomas Hunter, finds himself living in two worlds. Each time he sleeps and dreams he wakes up in the other world.

One world, is ours. And here, great evil is at work which could easily result in the death of most of earth’s population.

The other world, is, in the beginning, a place where good and evil are divided and in which one can see with their eyes what is good and what is evil. The good side of the world is beautiful and the inhabitants enjoy close communion with their Creator. Their religion is called the Great Romance.

At first, it seems that Thomas is the only common link between the two worlds, but it becomes apparent that what happens in one is directly related to what happens in the other…with the fate of humanity hanging in the balance.

The series is Dekker’s approach to the alligorical stories such as we see in the Chronicles of Narnia and the story of the Lord of the Ring.

The fourth book, Green, was written a few years after the series was published. I haven’t read it yet, but it both fills in some blanks and advances the story somewhat.

I give the series a thumbs up - a good summer read!

Plumber may have solved oil blow out cap design problem

By pastorscott

I haven’t seen it confirmed, but apparently an unnamed plumber may have provided the design for the (so far) successful oil well cap being used in the BP blow out in the Gulf.  If so, it’s a pretty neat story.  Plumbers deal with (ah-hem) “blow outs” all the time.  Some practical experience and some out-of-the-box thinking may have been just what was needed to begin the closing chapter of this terrible (ecological, economic, physical, and political) disaster.

It’s nice to think that an average, hard working person can give the experts a hand once in a while.

Story here.

Park Review: Marys Lake, Estes Park, CO

By pastorscott

Like most RV’ers I prefer open ended camping destinations.  However, during busy periods I know that I might end up out of luck so I compromise and make advance reservations when I’m headed for a popular spot or going to be out over a holiday weekend.

This is the case with our time in Estes Park, CO - the busiest time (July 4 weekend) in a very popular area.  This year the county has purchased an older RV park, Marys Lake at Estes Park, turning it into a county park.  As a commercial park, this one got poor reviews, however, the county has taken it over and it’s now a work in progress.

It’s a huge campground, with everything from tent sites to full hookup sites.  We wanted full hookups so we ended up in the “parking lot” section.  The place was packed over the 4th, but by the evening of the 5th there were lots of open sites.  One of the nice things about the park is that there are a number of work camper “hosts.”  These are fellow RV’ers, friendly, and out here because this is where they want to be.  One fellow spent a half hour helping me back into a site that was really too short for my 30′ camper.  He helped me get squeezed in between the concrete slab “patio” on one side and the electric/water pole on the other side.  Once in there was about a couple of feet to spare.  He then stuck around to help me level.  Such help is fairly unusual except for upper end parks.  (I guess it should be added, that it is also unnecessary in parks with wide, level sites!)

The park is just 5 minutes from one of the Rocky Mountain National park entrances.  The only real grocery store in town, Safeway, is on the opposite side of Estes Park 10 or 15 minutes away depending on traffic.

When I booked the site I thought I was getting a good deal, $30 a night in a popular spot and full hookups.  Once I got here, saw the tightness of the campground, the clean, but dated, restrooms, and especially the sneaky $7 a night park “admission fee” I decided I just did average.  A total of $37 a night is high elsewhere, but I think I would have ended up at $45 or more in other are full hookup campgrounds.

The campground has a small laundry, bathhouses, and wifi is included in the price.

So: I’d rate the park, itself at a 6 or 7.  I’d rate the value at a 7 or 8.  Considering the location and the fact that when I’m at this park my main focus is on the national park, I’d likely return.

Planning averts disaster!

By pastorscott

This morning my electric coffee maker quit working.  As you can guess, such a disaster would have ended our vacation and caused us to have to come home early.

But all was not lost!

Under the kitchen sink of our camper, stored away for “dry camping” was my old time flame powered peculator.  Even as I type these words, my afternoon pot of coffee is happily perking away to the tune of “the best part of waking up is Folgers in my cup.”

Smoking or non-smoking?

By pastorscott

Here’s a West Texas story from around 20 years ago.

A family was traveling out toward the Texas panhandle and dropped in on a Sunday night Nazarene service. The church had no a/c, and with the temps hovering around 100 dry degrees, the evap coolers (otherwise known as “swamp boxes”) were the only hope of even pretending to be comfortable. The visitors arrived a few minutes late and were amused to see around 20 people sitting on the left and only two older ladies sitting on the right side of the sanctuary. The family moved to the side with ample seating and settled in for the service.

In a few minutes they were melting from the heat and realized that the swamp box on their side of the sanctuary wasn’t running. Now they knew why everyone was sitting on the left side of the sanctuary! After the service they visited with the pastor and he apologized for the uncomfortably warm conditions and the visitor said, “What is wrong with the evap cooler on the right side of the sanctuary?”

The answer: “Oh nothing is wrong, but those two dear saints always complain that they get too cold, so we don’t turn it on on that side of the building.” He added, “the church folks call the left side of the sanctuary the ‘heaven side’ and you can guess what they call the side you occupied!”

Don’t always trust the Windows Disk Defragmenter’s Recommendation

By pastorscott

I’ve been working on a computer that was very sluggish.  It shouldn’t be a high powered gamer’s machine, just an middle aged Pentium 4 with a 1.9 gig processor.  The machine is underpowered in RAM, just 512 of memory.  Still, it behaved like a 1993 XT (for those who remember those golden days of computing).  Even shy of ram it shouldn’t run as slow as it did.  I checked it for viruses, the check taking about 4 hours.  I then ran Ad-Aware and it took about 8 hours.  No big problems.  I ran Ccleaner and let it aggressivly clean everything it could clean.

I checked it’s master hard drive, an 80 gig, and Windows Disk Defragmenter said it was fine.  However, the drive was about 80% full, mostly of a few videos, and since the computer sports 2 80 gig drives and the second drive was pretty much unused, I decided to move the big stuff off to drive 2.  It took about 4 hours to move the huge files.  When it was finished drive one had around 35 gigs and drive two had around 45 gigs on it.

When I looked at the Disk Defragmenter again, in spite of the fact that I had done nothing but move stuff off of drive one, it now said I needed to Defragment it.  It took about 3 hours and the performance gain is noticeable.  Once the memory is upgraded the computer should offer a few more years good service.

Here’s what I think is the deal.  Windows Disk Defragmenter must work on the average fragmentation of the hard drive.  Since I had a few huge video files that weren’t fragmented at all the “average” space on the hard disk was fine.  However, aside from the video files the disk turned out to be a real mess.

Moral of the story: if you have some big files, go ahead and run the Defragmenter anyway.  It can’t hurt, and it might just help.

Great holiness song

By pastorscott

It’s been awhile since I’ve heard this song on the radio but for some reason it’s come to mind a couple of times lately.  It comes from David Baroni’s “Promised Land” project and it’s called “Took me out of Egypt.”  The message of the song is powerful.  The singer thanks God for freedom from the old way of life - “Egypt” yet finds another level of slavery, this on the inside. I love the words of this song and these are, I think at the heart of the matter:

Lord You took me out of Egypt
Now take Egypt out of me
You delivered me from Pharaoh now set me free from me
Let my heart become a promised land
Where the desert used to be
Lord You took me out of Egypt
Now take Egypt out of me

Thank God for his deliverance from the old way of life, it’s a transformation that makes all things new.  However, in that delivered life, over time, the believer is dismayed to find that something of the old way remains.  There’s competition for the Lordship of one’s life.  Will it be God’s way or mine?  This song describes the believer coming to a decision.  Self must bow to the Lordship of Christ.  The prayer then, is “Lord, you took me out of the old life but something of that old life remains in me.  Now, I ask that you will do a deeper work in my heart that I might be not only free from the consequences of my sin, but from the nature of sin and self.  Take the throne of my heart.”

I love the message of this song and even more, I love what the Lord does in the lives of those who come to that place of full surrender.

Here’s a short sample of the song, “Took me out of Egypt.”

Memorial Day thoughts

By pastorscott

This weekend the USA remembers those who have fallen in service of our country.  Describing our Lord’s incredible sacrifice for us, the Apostle Paul writes: “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.”  As we observe Memorial Day, we’re reminded that Paul’s “very rarely” isn’t rare enough.

At Memorial Day, we thank God for the bravery and sacrifice of these who have paid the ultimate price for our freedoms and in many cases for the freedom of those of other nations as well.

Here are some sobering statistics of the number who have died in service of our nation:

American Revolutionary War - 25,000

American Civil War - 625,000

World War I - 116,516

World War II - 405,399

War on terror - 5,490

In addition, there have tens of thousands who have died in other wars, like Korea and Vietnam.

Again, “very rarely” isn’t rare enough.  We remember those who have given their all and pray God’s comfort on those families and friends who think of Memorial Day, not in terms of tens of thousands of people, but in terms of just one person who will not be coming home.

Google search doesn’t seem to like Google Sites

By pastorscott

This is so weird…

For years I’ve written a daily devotional, working my way through the Bible.  I’ve actually completed the O.T. and have now gone back to the beginning, editing and updating and adding devotionals.

Anyway, for a long time I had a “regular” website on a server.  I post the individual devotionals to my http://nazareneblogs.org/pastorscott/ account, but as I complete devotionals on books of the Bible I publish them as a whole to my website.  I track traffic to both “versions” of the devotionals and the nazareneblogs one get’s more hits than do the “book version” one at www.pastorscott.com.

A few months ago I decided to just move my personal site (including the devotionals) to Google Sites.  The site is easy to set up and maintain and it looks good.

However, my traffic from Google searches dropped to almost zero!  At first I thought it had to do with DNS, etc. so I waited a few weeks to see if traffic would come back up.  It never did.

Finally, I went back to a regular website.  It took about 3 days for me to start seeing traffic again, but after less than a month I was again getting hits to the site like I did before.

It seems strange that Google takes web sites it is hosting less seriously than those it doesn’t host, but that seems to be the case.

An easy way to post sermon audio online

By pastorscott

I’ve done this using other methods, but I think this is about as easy a way to put sermon audio online as I’ve found.  Dropbox recently upgraded and now it’s easier than ever to do this.

1. Get a free DropBox account.  Install it on the computer you use for recording the sermon mp3’s.  If you use this link to sign up, you’ll score some additional storage for me - however, to get the the beta version that automatically indexes the page, grab the current version from this page.
2. In the Public Folder, put a copy of Pyndexer.exe (You may also need a copy of MSVCR71.DLL from the same place)
3. Also, in the same folder, put a copy of player.swf and swfobject.js
4. Now, after you record, save the sermon to your new My Dropbox/Public folder
5. After you save it, go to that folder and run pyndexer.exe - the screen will flash and the program will write a new index.html file that will sync to the folder on the internet.  Every time that folder is changed, just run pyndexer.exe again.
6. Now, on your computer, right click on the Drop Box folder named “Public” new index.html file, pick Drop Box>Get Sharable Link.
7. Put that link on your church website - linking to recent sermons.  People who click on that link will now see a directory of the sermons and be able to listen right there.

I put the Drop Box Public page in an iframe, so you see it as part of the church website.  You can see it in operation on our church website.

Maintaining a website with QuickChange

By pastorscott

I have a website that is fairly static - not many changes.  I don’t need a full blown CMS for such a simple website but I want the ability to edit it online.  I also didn’t want a CMS because I like the design I already have and don’t want to dig through their template to try to duplicate my existing design.

A editor like TinyMCE handles the editing part perfectly, but it wants to output to a database or to some php file that will handle inserting the output into a webpage.

After searching the internet, I found QuickChange.   The coder has written a script for calling up the editor and a backend for inserting the results into a webpage.  I think his approach is genius!

• Install the package and make a couple of simple configuration edits.
• Add the script files to the header of the page.
• Put special css tags before and after the text you want to be able to edit.
• Go to the page via the web and hit a key combination.
• All the text and images inside the tags gets a yellow background.
• Click anywhere in the yellow and you’re in the editor.
• When you’re finished, save it.  Log out.
• The page is changed.

The cost: the author wants you to go to paypal and buy him an espresso.

Quickchange

At the Pearly Gates

By pastorscott

On this day there happens to be a backlog at the Pearly Gates. Nothing major, but there’s a line of several hundred people waiting to be processed in.

Once in awhile, there’s a great cheer from those who are close to the front of the line. The folks in the back are not only anxious for their turn to be admitted into heaven, but they are also curious as to what the cheering is about.

The line moves forward and there’s more cheering. “What are they cheering about?” those farther back ask.

Now, they’ve moved forward and there’s a great cheer by those just in front of them. Someone asks the one in front of them, “Did you hear why they’re cheering?”

“Yes,” she says, “Saint Peter says that Sunday nights don’t count.”

“Yeaaaaaa!” the group cheers.

My skirmish with the KJV only battle for the Bible

By pastorscott

Around 25 years ago I was asked to do pulpit supply just one Sunday in SW OK. We drove out to the church, arriving just before Sunday School. I said I’d just sit in the empty nursery at the back of the sanctuary and collect my thoughts for the message rather than sit in the sanctuary for the adult class.

However, I could hear what was being said in the class. The teacher was talking about versions of the Bible and how he could never be a part of a church that used anything but a KJV. Everyone seemed to be in agreement. There I sat with my NIV in my lap preparing to preach the only sermon I would ever preach there.

I didn’t want to stir anything up, so I slipped down to the church basement where the only other class, the teens, were meeting. I looked in several empty rooms, sure that there’d be an old KJV laying around somewhere. No luck.

Back upstairs, I could see that there was a pastor’s study off the platform and I guessed that there would be a Bible there.

The adult class ran just a bit long and, since everyone was already in the sanctuary by then, they wanted to get right to the service. I said I’d like to step into the pastor’s study for just a second. Some folks gave me a strange look, wondering what I needed to do that for after having been praying in the nursery for all of Sunday School.

In the study, there were several nearly empty bookshelves, but I didn’t see a Bible. Then, as they were starting the music for the service, I spotted a stack of a few rag-tag Bibles. I grabbed the one that looked the most presentable and hurried to my assigned spot on the platform.

I opened the Bible.

It was written in Chinese.

(During the offering I retrieved one of the more ragged looking Bibles - it was KJV.)