I felt, as time went on, those “lessons” made us more inwardly focused. We began to argue the nuances of people’s belief’s and positions. Basically, we created an envronment of Teacher/Student. All of us exerting our teacher-ship. Exactly what I did not want to happen. So as a counter-measure we stopped having our “lessons.” And basically became very focused on relationships. Win.

However, we are now at a place where questions are being asked in the group setting regarding theological and philosophical subjects and when we get together we are spending a lot of time discussing more “nuances.” I believe that part of growing in Christ is renewing our mind. This is good. We do desire to learn more about Him and the Bible and ourselves.

In response to the “demand” I would like to suggest we read a book (Bible or otherwise) together as a kind of Book Club. Using the website (http://brichouse.org) as place to post thoughts and responses as we read the book together. And those topics may or may not appear on the nights we gather together or not. I would like for the times we gather to be organic, and natural, not in the form of a lesson.

To start things off, I have begun to read Francis Chan’s Erasing Hell. I will post responses as I read and hopefully we can begin a dialogue online that leads to real dialogue offline, to His Glory and Honor.

Who’s with me?

Also a friend is on her way to the hospital for some testing.

And another is waiting for some results to come back.

The point?

To remove any and all traces of the problems that are incubated and birthed in our current churches. Those problems: thinking that we, as sinners (or saints) have ANYTHING TO DO WITH OUR SALVATION. When Paul said that: ”For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9 HCSB) he meant it. Read it again. You are saved by Grace. Not your grace. His. His gift to you. SO THAT YOU CAN NOT BOAST. (Yes I am yelling.)

Imagine a church that was so full of sin, it had a reputation. Sinners. No one telling them they needed to behave better when they attended. They came as they were. Sinners, fallen. ”For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 HCSB) All of us have fallen short. ALL.

Have a look at the first verses of Romans 2. “Therefore, any one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. Do you really think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. He will repay each one according to his works: eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth but are obeying unrighteousness; affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. There is no favoritism with God.” Romans 2:1–11 HCSB

There is so much in those verses. Too much to write about now, but I have italicized the ones I wanted you to focus on: You do the same things. YOU SIN. Also, what leads to repentance? What leads us from turning away from sin? God’s Kindness! Not His wrath! Do you love God because you fear hell? Then I would question your salvation.

I know that this is an over correction to a problem. I know that I cannot gather a bunch of people together, encourage them to sin, and preach the Gospel to them. Mainly because the Bible still teaches that we shouldn’t sin. It would be wrong for me to encourage it. But hear this: IT IS ALSO WRONG FOR YOU TO BOAST IN ANYWAY ABOUT YOUR SALVATION. You had nothing to do with it.

“And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:10 HCSB)

Your ability to do “good” works starts with Him. What about Philippians 2:12 you say? You know the verse: “So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Now read 13:

“For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13 HCSB)

“So then it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy.” (Romans 9:16 HCSB)

I originally ran across this video on the website, A Little Leaven.

The question, “How can you market the gospel?”

In other words, how does one make the betrayal and murder of Christ, His resurrection and our submission to Him, a thing that is more than it is, more easy to digest, or even desirable?

Some of the scriptures brought up:

“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1–2 HCSB

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance.” 1 Peter 1:14 HCSB

You are invited to a fun, casual baby shower to benefit Sanford Crisis Pregnancy Center!

This fantastic organization helps women at a very scary time of their lives with free pregnancy tests, one-on-one counseling, and education.

All of the gifts collected at this event will be helping stock the Boutique at the center. SCPC has an “Earn While You Learn” program which helps educate expecting mothers (and fathers) on how to care for a child throughout pregnancy and beyond! As video and worksheets are completed, Boutique Bucks are earned and can be used to “buy” practical items like maternity clothes, baby clothes, diapers, formula and other supplies for a newborn. Larger items such as cribs, strollers and furniture are also available on occasion.

The Boutique is stocked by donations from the community… that’s where this shower comes in!

Swing by this “open house” with a friend… bring a gift, grab a delicious snack and learn a bit about what this great group is doing in our community.

This is an open event, so Share the Love and spread the word! See you there!

Please register on the Facebook event if you can make it: https://www.facebook.com/events/308631379181715/

Thanks so much for being a part of our lives. See you Tuesday night for bakes ziti!

I would like to try and create a more specific environment. One that is more ordered and reverent. The lighting will be different and the reading/scriptures will be more directed. You can download the prayers before Thursday to read and meditate on them.

This is not an effort to change who we are, but to acknowledge who He is. What I am proposing isn’t a permanent change, but a temporary one. I still love seeing us laugh and play. I love seeing us just being friends and not having any kind of constraints. We joke and poke and everyone enjoys it.

This Thursday however, I would like to invite you to think of yourselves as entering the Presence/House of God, not my house mind you, or that there is anything sacred about 1341 Stanley Street. There isn’t.

You are sacred. We are sacred. We are His bride! His Church. This Thursday, we will follow an “order of worship.” We will pray together, and read together. We will confess together (silent or aloud) and we will study together. Please bring, by God’s grace, humility and brotherly love.

See you all soon.

The next time we get together we will go over the Spiritual Gift Test. You can download it here: http://cl.ly/1r1t0Q0n1I2G0V0r1h0t. Feel free to complete it before hand or on Thursday night. I was considering having Thanksgiving day leftovers, but I am sure you are all sick of turkey. I will update this post when we figure out what we are going to do for dinner.

How has your Thanksgiving week been?

Our Thanksgiving Day Bird

Jesus said, “Whatever you do to the least of these my brothers, you’ve done it to me.” And this is what I’ve come to think. That if I want to identify fully with Jesus Christ, who I claim to be my Savior and Lord, the best way that I can do that is to identify with the poor. This I know will go against the teachings of all the popular evangelical preachers, but they’re just wrong. They’re not bad, they’re just wrong. Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in your beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you. Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken.

- Rich Mullins