Category: Zeal
Subject: Zeal
Podcast: Devoted Disciples
The Lord’s church today needs devoted disciples. Six years into the new century, there needs to be the recognition on our part of the many challenges besetting the church, and the part we play as individual Christians in overcoming these challenges.
To listen to this Podcast, click here .
To subscribe to the podcast feed, click here .
Sermon: Prices We Pay
Sermon Title: Prices We Pay
Anything that is of value costs us something. We must be diligent and focused to obtain the imperishable crown, and all the spiritual and valuable objects in life.
Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Religion Without the Pews
A majority of Canadians celebrated Easter over the weekend but not all of them went to church.
While 73 per cent of Canadians responding to a poll by Ipsos-Reid believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and was resurrected to eternal life and 62 per cent agreed that through his life, death and resurrection, God provided the way for the forgiveness of sins, just 17 per cent said they attend church regularly.
Win on Mac: A Sign of the Apocalypse?
I am experiencing the computer equivalent of an out-of-body experience. In front of me is Apple’s sleek new MacBook Pro laptop computer. And on the screen is a familiar sight in an unfamiliar setting: the rolling green hill and the blue sky spotted with clouds (and dotted with icons) that is the unmistakable Windows XP desktop. It’s like Pepsi in a Coke bottle, DeLay as a Democrat, Johnny Damon in a Yankee uniform (oops, forget that last one). Though it had previously been possible to run Windows on a Macintosh via pokey simulation software, this time Windows runs “native” (i.e., directly, just like with Dell and the rest) on the Intel chips that Apple has been switching to this year. Depending on how I start it up, this MacBook can retain the identity of a Mac running the Tiger OS, or become a Windows box in Mac clothing. It’s making me dizzy.
Steven Levy
The Technologist, Newsweek
Analysis:
Many know that I am a bit of a computer nut. And, I have always used computers that have Windows operating systems. Continue reading “Win on Mac: A Sign of the Apocalypse?”
Sermon: We Need Some Fire!
Sermon Title: We Need Some Fire!
The figure of fire is used on several occasions in the Bible, and a discussion of this figure is helpful in many areas of the Christian walk.
Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here.
Sermon Audio: Click Here.
Congregational Goals
The new year is upon us, and it is a good time to establish some resolutions and goals for this congregation as we enter the year 2006.
While I know that such resolutions are somewhat arbitrary, given that there is nothing special in the date of January 1st itself, nevertheless it is as good a time as any to evaluate our progress in the work of our Lord, and to encourage in each of us a more zealous effort in the future.
In the past year we have had several long time members move away for retirement or to begin working with other congregations. While we are proud, for example, of the preaching efforts of brother Kris Braddock, his and Courtney’s association with the brethren here is missed, as are all who have left our number and moved to other places.
Developing Intimacy With God
How would you characterize your relationship with God? Do you have the deist’s view of God?
de · ism: a movement or system of thought advocating natural religion based on human reason rather than revelation, emphasizing morality, and in the 18th century denying the interference of the Creator with the laws of the universe. (my emphasis, SC)
(Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary)
Many people today advocate a deistic attitude toward God. In their way of thinking, God exists, and perhaps is responsible for our existence, but has no direct interaction with man. This allows us to believe what we want, do what we want, all without fearing any consequence from a deity which is, after all, far removed from and uninterested in the existence of His creation.
A Challenge for West Side
“…We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:14-16).
The work of edification, as revealed by Paul, is a work that belongs to every member of a local congregation. While certain Christians have been given such works as apostle, prophet, preacher and teacher, these offices are intended to equip all Christians for the “work of ministry.” That way, as “every part does its share”, the body grows.
Here at West Side, we have a wonderful opportunity to grow as a congregation. This growth can be both visible, as the church increases numerically, and new souls are added to the Lord’s body; and it can be more subtle, as Christians mature and increase in zeal and steadfastness.
