Archive for Broadman News
Baptism is a common word to people of Christian faith and is still something many in our culture have heard of our sceen. However, not all Baptism’s are the same. When you say Baptism, what does that really mean? Do some we see infant baptism to other we see it as a beleivers baptism. Others may see it as a covenant while some see it as a decision of faith. Some may believe that sprinkling or pouring water is okay, while others believe in full emersion or dunking. So what is baptism?
Recently we had a Baptism Sunday at Broadman…we saw six people baptized. Some has a Catholic background and where baptized as an infant, but came to realize that it was now their decision to be baptized and follow Jeus. Others had be Christians for nearly 40 years…but had never been baptized and needed to step out in faith. One was a child who recieved Chrsit during VBS but was scared of the water and a par of googles and his faith in Jesus helped him overcome his fears. All of them had a different story that led them to that day and to their baptism, but they all had one thing in common – They all had professed Jesus as Lord and Savior, and each one desired to be Baptized as an act of following Jesus and associating their lives with Jesus.
Baptism is a beautiful thing. But sadly it seems to be a controversial thing about Christian faiths because we fail to follow the Scriputures and in stead follow church traditions or rituals. I would like to express an opininon that we need to make sure we do baptism for the right reasons and by the right methods so that we fulfill God’s purposes of Baptism.
I propose we look at the word baptize (Baptizo)…batpize, baptize, wash…by means to make “fully wet.” Or “Bapto” to cover wholly with water…to stain. This literally means to immerse, dunk or submerge for religious purposes.
With this understand I submit that a believer (not an infant) should be baptized and made fully wet by means of immersion.
Biblically, we have Christ’s example, Christ’s command through the Great Commandment, Christ’s Church using baptizm by immerision in the book of Acts and the Symbolic connection and association with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. There is simply no other way to have Biblical baptism but to baptize by Jesus’ example and command. Nor can we avoid the powerful symbology of being bured with Christ in baptismal waters to be raised to walk in the newness of life that we have in Christ. For all who are buried with Christ in baptism have put on Christ to live for HIm.
May our act of baptism be a reminder to others that we serve the RISEN LORD.
For those who have not been baptized I ask you the same question that the Eunuch asked Philip in the book of Acts – “What is keeping me from being baptized?”
May you experience the power of the sacred waters of baptism in your life…may we be buried with HIm to be raised with Him to put on Him!!!!
Blessings!
PC
Praise the Lord….Cuyahoga Falls is one of the top 100 places to live in the United States! What a blessing to live in such a wonderful city. CF is truly a great place to live, but we know that because we live here. But being an all American city does not mean this city doesn’t need God. Let’s all remember that “Unless the Lord builds the city, out labor is in vain.” This city needs Jesus. This city is far from being a city that is built on a hill so its light can be seen by all. But we can be a part of making sure our light is not hidden.
Lets help make Cuyahoga Falls a greater city because the people love God and one another…let’s be a city that truly cares about moral issues…let’s be a city that has good Samaritans…let’s be a city that makes a difference for Jesus Christ.
Here is the link: http://top100.relocate-america.com/
Following up on my blog from last week about Rick Warren and his position on Larry King Live about the gay-marriage issue.
After the dust has settled a little I still have some issues. It is not neccessarily what Rick Warren said, but what he did not say that is troublesome to me. I still believe that the Purpose Driven LIfe has great merit, is Biblically solid and God has used this work to accomplish some great things and transformed lives. I also still beleive that Rick Warren is a good man and that he does love the Lord. However…
Let me first applaud Rick Warren for clearly defining marriage as between one man and one woman. I can also understand him trying to not be associated with the anti-gay movement. For we as Christian’s are not anti-gay people. So what is the however? THe however, is that Rick Warren is involved in many cultural aspects. The mere fact that we find purpose from God (as he espouses in his book) means that we need to promote God’s purposes. Rick did promote the definition of marriage. In his mind he probably believes that he did enough. But the problem is that when asked about the Iowa Supreme Court decision he said he was oblivious to that and then went on to say that is not on his agenda. THis is the problem. It is GOd’s purpose to establish God-honoring homes…homsexual marriage is not GOd’s purpose. How can we live a purpose driven life when we cannot defend the purpose of marriage. Rick had an opportunity to stand for truth…in my opinion he fail short.
So now what? First, I believe my initial reaction was too strong. Looking over the actual footage…not what others have said or written about it reveals that Rick does hold a Biblical view. So the real issue is that there are many who beleive Rick did not take a firm enough stand and dodged the issue. This is something that still bothers me, but it is not something that I can reject Rick Warren’s ministry upon. I hope and pray that in the future Rick will not be oblivous to culturally relevant issues that the Bible clearly speaks about. I also pray that Rick will be more forthcoming and supportive of pro-marriage issues instead of taking a back seat and declaring he never attended or supported them. Lastly, may we realize that people who speak in public are allowed to make mistakes. Rick lost an opportunity in my opinion. I will give him the benefit of the doubt and say that I believe his intentions were good and that he does desire to glorify God…but along the way all of us that desire that sometimes fall short of GOd’s glory (Romans 3:23). But in the end thanks for Jesus who gives us the victory (Romans 6:23).
* I had told everone that in my assessment as more information came out I would be humble enough to change my position if neccessary. That is what this write up is about. If things change I will post more in the future. God bless – PC
Just in case there was any doubt…Jesus is awesome!
Jesus Saves!
Jesus Loves!
Jesus Heals!
Jesus Forgives!
Jesus Creator!
Jesus Wine Maker!
Jesus Carpenter!
Jesus Judges!
Jesus Mends!
Jesus Sends!
Jesus Eternal!
Jesus Immanuel!
Jesus Son of Man!
Jesus Son of God!
Jesus Prince of Peace!
Jesus lover of my soul!
Jesus Friend!
Jesus Forever!
Jesus Fabulous!
Jesus Fantastic!
Jesus Worthy!
Jesus Glorified!
Jesus Good!
Jesus Best!
Jesus Blessed!
Jesus Happy!
Jesus Mercy!
Jesus Possible!
Jesus Hopes!
Jesus Perfect!
Jesus Terrific!
Jesus Super!
Jesus Suffered!
Jesus Satisfies!
Jesus Sacrificed!
Jesus water walker!
Jesus Cried!
Jesus Splendor!
Jesus Miraculous!
Jesus Victorious!
Jesus Baptized!
Jesus Crucified!
Jesus Died!
BUT Jesus Lives!
Jesus is Awesome!
I just thought I would let you know several reasons why!!!!!
I think that over the last three months everyone has been educated in economics! All of us have been touched by the economic hard times that face our nation. Most of know people who have lost jobs and know that things are pretty serious. In fact I would say America is in a panic right now.
Think about it. President Obama says he inherited this wrapped wiht a bow. The democrats are adding pork like crazy to what is supposed to be a stimulus bill to create new jobs…I am wondering how polar ice cap exploration is going to create jobs for the people I know? I see business begging for money or they will go under and tank the economy. I see us printing and spending money we do not have. I see all kinds of blame and not responsibility. I see know one saying…we knew this was comgin and I see no one saying we need to consider what we do today for the future, all we care about is now. We need to stop this recession now. We need to stimulate our economy now. We need…now, now, now, now! We sound like a little baby.
What I have not heard is what is God trying to say to us? Are we ever going to learn that the economy belongs to God? Will we ever realize that we have overspent ourselves? Will we ever realize that we can only go so far into debt? Will we ever realize that we need to stop and focus and truly pray about our future?
I am not an economist. I have bee hit by the economic pinch…we all have. I could be out of a job as easily as the next guy…I realize this. But I cannot go out a write a Chris McCombs stimulus check to stimulate the McCombs fourtune 500. That is absurd. I have to work hard. Make srue I pay my bills. Make sure that I have more money left over at the end of the month than what I pay out. I have to be responsible.
God tells us to be good stewards…we are reaping what we have sown right now. Sadly some people are being hurt…I believe more will experience the pain. I don’t think the Government is our answer…but God’s ways. Our government through this panic may end up putting a bandaid on a huge bleeding wound. But only God can heal our economy by each of us changing the culture of materialism, debt, and greed that we all live by as American’s.
We are so blessed…never forget that. No matter what happens may we never forget to remain calm as believers knowing that God provides and that it is the economy of God that I am banking on.
I hope you enjoy my rambling…but I really needed to get that off my chest.
For a good book on this pick up the “Economic Earthquake” by Larry Burkett.
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year – I can say that right?
Posted by: Pastor Chris | Comments (1)In America the Christmas War continues. We all have witnessed it. It truly is a “Silent Night” in so many ways. The battle has been fought through fear tactics. Schools are threatened lawsuits if they have a nativity or a Christmas program that mentions Christ…even though they have won these battles in court School boards don’t know this. Merchants don’t want to offend anyone so they try to be neutral but in doing so they offend those who hold to the true meaning of Christmas and a majority of American’s who still celebrtate Christmas in some form or fashion. I don’t have to tell you, you have probably witnessed it. If you are one of them that wants to take away Christmas or say Happy Holidays so not to offend then please put this in all of your Christmas Cards:
“Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country. This statement is made to you without regard to your race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference.”
How insulting this must be God, but also to our Founding Fathers of this the Greatest Nation on God’s Green Earth. It not the holidays…its Christmas!!!
So to all who know the Way, the Truth and the Life and are not afraid to speak the truth:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
“As for me and my house we will serve the Lord” We will not follow the gods of the people.
To all of my congregation – know that the Great Shepherd loves us all and your pastor is proud to serve Him and you. Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS that is filled with Christ’s message and love and have a Blessed New Year in which the Hand of God guides you every day.
Pastor Chris