Cleverness or Christ?

Drving to school today I encountered yet another one of those clever
church marquee signs; you know the ones I'm talking about--the catchy
little slogans churches use to draw in prospective members. I don't
know why but these usually bother me; and today the unseen reason
became very apparent to me.

As I said, while I was on the road today (I won't mention where for
the sake of anonymity incase any of you have been to the church) I saw
a slogan that read, "If you don't have Jesus your hopeless". Now
sometimes these signs have an underlying message that isn't as
straightforward but tends to rub me the wrong way. This church
apparently decided to skip the clever subtltey and wratchet up the
pressure.

Now I know that in all actuality this sign, in some sense, was 100%
correct--without Christ we have nothing; but be honest, if you were an
unbeliever, does this sign encourage you to step foot in that church?
In essence, its as if this body of belivers is collectively (yet
another qualm I have with these signs) screaming "don't bother--since
your not a Christian yet what hope do you have in finding Christ now",
as if to effectively declare the Great Commission null and void now;
you've had your chance.

So I must ask: what purpose does this sign truly serve. What ever
happened to putting scripture up and meting God's word speak for
itself? Can't we just announce the weekly prayer meeting and be done
with it? And the best question of all-- when did we become so clever
as to undermine the awesome saving grace God extends to ALL of us at
ALL times? Read it, digest it, then come comment on it.

Until next time,
Geoff

Security in an Unsecure World...Can We Be Insecure?

Found this over at the rabbitroom.com, a blog I follow. I think this is a good transition from our "Daddy Issues" lesson in the LOST series we have started, to lead us into next Wednesday's service. Read it over by clicking the link below then visit us at www. geoffthinksblog.blogspot.com to comment on what this piece means to you in your Christian walk. I think there's much disscussion to have on the issue.
[Rabbit Room Post on Security]


Until next time,
Geoff

Caution--Updates

So I'm back on and ready to begin blogging away again. If you visit the actual site (not the facebook Notes imported version) then you may notice things are changing around the site. But let's face it--change is good. So fear not and look for many updates to come in the future. But most importantly plan on attending College Service with us at Sharon Baptist Church, Wednesdays at 8!

Also if you have yet to join, be sure to become a fan of Sharon Baptist Church College and career group on facebook. This is the best way to get up-to-the-minute updates on our group! Just click below!

Don't you just love it? (or things I'm learning daily)

Don't you just love it when you have this big problem--I'm talking the kind you can't fathom getting over--and you approach it alone. I mean I'm supposed to be some big guy, right? I mean sure, you act like you give God control over it but underneath it all your grip is still as firm as ever. This has been my past two or three weeks: finals approaching, school bills due, things not falling into place at work--you name it. And then today seemed to be the culmination of it all--on the verge of a breakdown or something (as close as I come to that....lol)--I just couldn't work things out right at work to save my life and I realize a huge balance is left on my fee bill due to a scholarship not coming through. I mean why can't I fix THIS. All I could think is ME, ME, ME. And then, at the height of it all, when I think my options have run out, I finally--three weeks in the making--finally give it to Christ; the last I turn to is the place I should have started........Where do you think this is going? What does God do for those that truly humble themselves and remove doubt in him? Within 1 hour I find out that the scholarship check went out 2 or 3 days ago and should be here just in time and my boss (my aunt and best friend) calls to let me know everything is fine--something I've needed to hear for awhile now. Why do I do this to myself?
Sometimes God allows us to continue in our ways, to continue in our own folly to the very last instant--to that instant in which we truly humble ourselves and give our troubles to him. This is just one way in which our King is "mighty to save."

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Now playing: Hillsong - The Freedom We Know
via FoxyTunes

I need to do this more often

With the chill (or lack thereof) of fall comes football, sweaters, and school. With all that said, there's still no excuse as to why I haven't posted as much. But I'm coming back with a vengeance. Check back for more on our new study on Acts. It's a good one. Be there, 8 o'clock on Wednesdays to join us in our journey to truth and togetherness.

Geoff

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Now playing: Casting Crowns - What The World Needs
via FoxyTunes