Who is Jesus?

     God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27) but often, our temptation is to make God in our image.  Some people have made idols --graven images--of what think God should be.   I imagine most of you reading this have never literally worshipped a graven image.  But many of us still make God in our own image.  By that, I mean that we only see the attributes of God that suit us.  Some only see Him as a God of love, without seeing His righteousness.  Some only see His justice, without seeing His forgiveness.  Some people who don't even acknowledge Him most of the time are very quick to say, "But the Bible says not to judge!" While the Bible does say Judge not, lest you be judged... (Matthew 7:1), those who disregard the rest of scripture and quote this verse are taking it out of context and using it for their own selfish ends.  Out in the world, people make God out to be a god to their liking.  

     What about Bible-believing Christians?  Do we do it too?  Clearly, we are not bowing to statues and worshiping them.  And hopefully, we aren't denying some of God's attributes to overemphasize others.  And yet we can still fall into that.  This is most common when we look at Jesus, God the Son.  

     In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asked a crucial question: But who do you say that I am?  Our answer to that question determines where we will spend eternity.  Peter got it right when he answered Jesus, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.  (Matthew 16:16).  There are a lot of things we can disagree on, but if we don't agree on who Jesus is, we're in trouble.  Jesus Himself said, I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  (John 14:6).  Jesus described Himself as the only way to God, at the exclusion of all other ways.  This is a far cry from our pluralistic society, that wants everyone to just affirm all beliefs as being right and good.  Some even say that Jesus wants us all to agree and get along at all costs, and they paint Jesus as a wimpy little peace guru who never stands for anything.  I don't know what Jesus they're talking about, but it isn't the Jesus of the Bible.  

     A lot of religions include Jesus as an important figure, but He isn't seen as Divine.  To Muslims, Jesus was a prophet.  To many Hindus, Jesus is a guru.  To some Buddhists, Jesus is an ascended being, having lived many previous lives.  To Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus is the archangel Michael, and the first created being.  To Mormons, Jesus is our elder spirit brother, as well as the brother of Lucifer, who achieved godhood, and paid for our sins through his sweat in the Garden of Gethsemane (not through His blood at Calvary).  To Progressive (so-called) Christians, Jesus was a carpenter in ancient Palestine who set an example, and only "became" Christ by inspiring others (and he only rose from the dead in the minds of those who follow his example. See here.).  

     It is easy to look at these other belief systems and think, "They believe in Jesus.  Maybe they're not that far off.  Maybe we should think of them as our brothers and sisters in Christ."  That sounds so kind, and a part of me would love to agree, but that just isn't biblical, or logical.  They believe in Jesus, but which Jesus?  Jesus the Lord?  Jesus, God the Son, the Son of God?  No.  None of these false belief systems can say that.  What if I had a cup of water, and I decided to call it "Jesus" and believe in that cup of water, and I told everyone, "I believe in Jesus.  See?"  Well, I'm saying the right words, that I believe in Jesus, but that cup of water is not Jesus!  The same is true of the Jesus each of these groups espouses.  

     Jesus came to save us from the penalty of our sins, by taking it upon Himself when He died on the cross, conquering it when he rose on the third day.  While He walked this earth, He showed us what God was like.  That is why Colossians 1:15 refers to Him as, the image of the invisible God.  Jesus, along with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, created all things (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16-17).  Jesus said that He and the Father were one (John 8:31).  He is the God of love who left His kingdom for a time, in order to bring people back with Him (John 1:14).  He is the God of creation, who calmed the storm (Mark 4:39).  He is the righteous Lord, who challenged those who perverted God's word (John 8:31-59).  He is the forgiving Savior, who delivered demoniacs, adulteresses, and others suffering with ailments, but He also urged them to sin no more (John 5:14; John 8:11).  I love how the Christian and Missionary Alliance (an evangelical denomination) calls Jesus our Savior, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King.  That sums it up quite well.  

     A lot of people like to see Jesus as our example.  Other's see Him as a political revolutionary.  Still others, misunderstanding his interactions with the Pharisees, see Jesus as someone who just wanted to rock the boat and challenge the status quo.  These perceptions of Jesus are so limited, and not really true.  Jesus is God.  He is our only hope of eternal life.  He is the Savior.  One day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:11).  Those who deny Jesus now, or those who like to see Him in their image, will one day be humbled, and will bow their knee to the real and reigning Savior, Jesus Christ.  For many, it will be too late, and their acknowledgement of Jesus will come from hell (Philippians 2:10).  We need to be introducing others to the real Jesus before it is too late (Today is the day of salvation--Second Corinthians 6:2).  

     If you love the Lord and believe the Bible, you likely have the correct answer to the question of who Jesus is.  But here is a way many true Christians  still often reduce and minimize Jesus.  Jesus becomes a theological concept, rather than the God who saves us and wants a relationship with us.  Mind you, it is vital to have correct theology about who Jesus is.  That's what I've been saying this whole post.  But if we leave it at that, we are a lot like those Paul warned Timothy about, Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof... (Second Timothy 3:5).  Some develop an almost robotic Christian walk, reading the Bible out of duty, obeying it's claims and commands, and then going about their day in their own strength, rather than letting God speak to our hearts, and specifically seeking His guidance and will in every situation.  Jesus said in John 10:27, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  Correct beliefs about Jesus won't just stay correct beliefs, but will lead to deeper closenesswith Him.  I hold correct beliefs about George Washington--he was the first President of the United States.  He died in 1799, at age 67.  He was married to Martha from 1757 until his death.  He was the only US President who never lived in the White House (because it wasn't built until John Adams was President).  See.  I know a lot of correct info about George Washington.  But I'm not depending on good old George to get me through the day, guide my life, or make an impact on my day-to-day decisions.  Jesus isn't just a theological concept to be believed, but a Lord to know and follow, just as the disciples followed Him on earth.  You hear His voice when you read the Bible, and allow the Holy Spirit to speak truth to your heart.  

     Who do you say Jesus is?  Think hard about that before you answer.  Your eternity is resting on what you believe.  Jesus is the Image of God, our Lord, and our God.  Thomas was known as a doubter, but when he saw the risen Savior, he exclaimed, My Lord and my God!  (John 20:28).  Is that who He is to you?  Search God's word for answers, and ask Him to search your heart, to see if you have made Jesus in your life who the Bible says He is.  

Convictions

     A friend and fellow mission trip partner years ago held the conviction that we should never talk about anyone if they weren't standing right there.  Her heart was pure and right in this.  On a basic level, I agree.  However, the degree to which she took it backfired on her (and me).  We had a teacher at missionary school who was very harsh and legalistic.  He made a hurtful comment to her, personally, in front of others.  He then told all of us we were failing in our ministries.  When she and I were alone praying together that evening (we did that every night), she confided how much this teacher had hurt her feelings, and I sympathized and agreed.  That was all we said before moving on.  The next day, this sweet teammate felt so convicted that she had been wrong to express frustration about him toward me during our prayer time that she went and confessed to him, "Janelle and I were gossiping about you yesterday."  She felt better, but he was offended--and then he started targeting us both more with his meanness!  Her conviction changed a little bit after that experience.

I am pictured on this 2001 college-aged mission trip, sharing the Gospel.  My sweet teammate is not pictured, nor is the mean teacher.

     As Christians, how should we form our convictions?  What happens when we re-examine them later on and find we no longer hold those convictions?  Does it mean we were wrong?  When and how should we change our convictions?  

     As a very basic truth, our convictions must line up with the Bible.  Convictions that are directly out of God's word shouldn't change.  The Bible says not to steal, so that should be my conviction, now and always.  The same is true for anything directly from God's word.  I am going to assume you are actively trying to live by God's word, so I won't go into further detail about that.  

     Some convictions aren't technically black and white in the Bible, but are godly ideas.  Paul addressed this in Romans 14.  In that passage, he is talking about how some believers had freedom of conscience to eat meat offered to idols, and others felt it was a sin.  Paul urged them not to judge each other and not to make each other stumble, before adding, For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Romans 14:23b).  This clearly illustrates that sometimes, godly, Jesus-following, Bible-honoring Christians might have different convictions deep in their hearts, and they need to follow those convictions.  To go against one's conscience is a sin.  By allowing this to be in His Holy Word, God is acknowledging that not everything is cut and dried.  There are a lot of factors that might determine how someone is led in a given situation.  

     Years ago, a certain television show was a stumbling block to me.  It was a favorite, but it was a stumbling block at that time in my life.  My conviction about it grew, until I knew God was leading me to give it up, and I did.  For years, I didn't watch it.  After a little while, I barely ever thought about it.  Years later, I encountered it again, and at that different point in life, it was no longer a stumbling block to me.  I was able to enjoy it without that struggle I'd had before.  If I were to tell you what the show was, you'd probably laugh that it made me stumble at one time.  But it did, and my conscience propelled me to give it up for a while.  

     Have you ever felt strongly about something, only to discover years later that you no longer felt that way?  What reasons should we change our convictions?  When should we keep our convictions?

Here are some reasons our convictions should not change:

*The Bible is very clear about this particular issue.  God's won't change (Numbers 23:19; James 1:17), so you shouldn't either.  

*Your conscience still leads you to hold onto this conviction (Romans 14:23)

*Outrightly or publicly changing it could be a stumbling block to others (Romans 14:13)

*Outrightly or publicly changing your conviction could create a conflict of some sort (Matthew 5:9).  And yes, there are times when God leads us to make a stand that creates conflict, but be certain that is how you are led before doing so.

Note, with the last two above, you can technically still change what you believe about the conviction, but it wouldn't be wise to flaunt your new belief.  For an example, it is the conviction of many Christians that believers are required to tithe 10%, whereas others hold that this was an Old Testament command that is replaced with the New Testament teaching Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (Second Corinthians 9:7).  If you have the conviction that you are free to give whatever amount God has led, without worrying about it being 10% or not, that is great, but flaunting that, especially if your church holds to the 10% tithe, can create conflict.  Quietly give the amount you are led, but don't create a problem for others.  

Here are some reasons to change your conviction:

*It wasn't biblical to begin with.  I used to know someone who had the conviction that you should never try to convert members of another religion to Christianity, because that seemed disrespectful.  As this person grew in the Lord, they came to see that we are called in scripture to reach everyone with the Gospel.  The conviction changed to align with God's Word.  

*The conviction itself was a cover for sin, or other character defects that need to be dealt with.  I had a friend years ago who was disobeying the prompting of the Holy Spirit in an area of surrender in her life.  She didn't surrender this area to the Lordship of Christ, even though she confided in me she knew she should.  To compensate for this sin, she developed very legalistic convictions.  She started saying it was a sin to shop at a store if there was another one that had the same product a few cents cheaper, because it was being a bad steward.  I had the "freedom" to shop at a certain grocery store, which was around the corner from my apartment at the time, so I could walk.  I had developed a relationship with the employees there, and had been able to share the Gospel.  It was worth the few pennies extra I spent there than I would have  spent by driving an extra few miles to go to another store that was slightly cheaper.  But this was a deep conviction that she confronted me for.  It wasn't a real conviction from the Lord.  It was a cover for her own lack of real surrender about something a lot more important than grocery stores.  And lest I only pick on others, I used to use convictions out of fear, and would use them to control others.  There was a time when a certain popular version of the Bible had a bad connotation to me (very long story as to why), and I refused to use it.  It was one of the main versions used in our ministry at the time (they have since switched), and I inconvenienced a lot of people by refusing to use it back then.  It wasn't a real conviction based on actual logic or reasoning.  That's the next point.

*You learn truth that undermines the reason for the conviction.  As a senior in Bible college, I did a paper on different Bible translations, and why we have so many versions in English.  It was a much more complex subject that I realized.  I came to discover that the version I was so down on wasn't a bad translation.  In light of the truth learned, I was forced to change my stance, and admit it was an emotional response, not an intellectual one.  

*God has shown you that you can let go of that conviction.  This goes with my experience of being led to give up that TV show for a while, but had freedom to watch it later.  It isn't that God's truth changes.  Where you're at in life, and the things that make you struggle change.  

     The most important convictions we hold come from God's word.  No matter what your convictions are on the non-essential issues, make sure to Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  (Second Timothy 2:15).

Changing Persepctive, Unchanging Word

     As we grow in our Christian lives, our perspectives about some things may change.  Second Peter 3:18 says, But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ... As we get more mature in the Lord, get more involved in service, memorize more of His word, and just experience life, we sometimes get a deeper view of things.  I experienced this yesterday as I revisited a movie that I really loved in 2006.  I still enjoyed it yesterday, but my perspective has changed a little bit.  I'm going to use this movie as an example, but many things can serve as a gauge for your growth.  

     In 2006, the Christian movie Facing the Giants made history as a Christian theatrical film that actually hit theaters, and wasn't too corny.  I grew up renting cheesy Christian movies from the Christian bookstore.  None of them would have had any hope of being in theaters.  It wasn't that these movies weren't good.  Some were really wonderful and made really good points, and had decent acting.  They just didn't have the budget secular films had to work with.  Christian movies had been in theaters here and there prior to 2006, but Facing the Giants was a new standard.  It was the second film made by the Kendrick Brothers (who went on to make very successful movies, such as War Room, Overcomer, and The Forge).  Their movies are inspirational, and deeply Christian.  Truth is never compromised.  Due to the Kendrick Brothers, and others like them, Christian media is now much higher quality and much more common than it was when I was growing up.  Christians have carved out a place for themselves in mainstream entertainment.  Facing the Giants was an early success, grossing $10 million dollars against a $100,000 budget.  The Kendrick Brothers films have only grown more and more successful since then, as well as more and more professional.  

     I was 25 when I saw Facing the Giants in the mid-2000's, and I thought it was wonderful.  In case you're not familiar, the basic plot is as follows.  

     Grant Taylor is a football coach at a Christian high school.  It seems everything is against him.  His team has a losing record.  The players' fathers are pressuring the principal to fire him.  His car constantly breaks down (and he can't afford a new one).  His house has a terribly foul smell that he and his wife Brooke are unable to find the source of.  On top of all of that, Grant and Brooke are struggling with infertility.  The discouragement is portrayed well, and the audience can easily relate to Grant (even if they haven't been in his exact circumstance, they can relate to being discouraged, at the point where only God can help).  The lowest point in the film comes when Grant learns that he is the cause of their infertility, and then he goes back to his office at the school to find the fathers meeting with the principal to try to get him fired.  He comes home, and he and his wife cry together, and it is a real tear-jerker.  They are at the end of their rope, and only the Lord can deliver them.  The next scene shows Grant really wrestling with the Lord, reading his Bible, and crying out to God.  He eventually concludes he is going to give God his best in all things, and leave the results up to Him.  So far, so good.

     The rest of the film shows how Grant's commitment to obedience impacts his team.  Their attitude becomes, "If we win, we'll praise God, and if we lose, we'll praise God."  They begin playing better as a team, and have some wins.  A revival happens at the school, and one of the toughest boys on the team is saved.  This boy's father (who had previously wanted Grant fired) is now deeply touched by Grant's influence on his son, and ends up buying him a new truck to replace his clunker (but does it anonymously).  Grant gets a raise.  Grant and Brooke finally discover the terrible stench in their home was a dead rodent, and they get rid of it.  The football team ends up making it to the state championship, and face a team called the Giants.  Long story very short...they win.  It isn't that simple.  There are a lot of suspenseful moments leading up to this.  At the very end, Brooke reveals that she is pregnant, so they are able to have children after all!  The final scene shows Two Years Later, and shows Brooke lovingly looking in on Grant, playing with their toddler, and she pats her again-pregnant stomach, and in the background, we see two more championship trophies, revealing that their team has continued to win.  This is a basic synopsis, without sharing some of the secondary plots and characters.  

     At 25, I was deeply touched by this movie.  I knew discouragement, and the feeling of being at that moment where only a touch from the Lord can help.  I knew there were those spiritual moments where God seemed to minister to my spirit (the movie portrays these well).  There are several very touching scenes that really ministered to me, and still do.  

     At 25, I was single, really wanting to meet that "right guy" God had for me.  I was really seeking God for His will for my life.  The desperation I felt was similar to Grant and Brooke's infertility desperation in the movie, and I had to wrestle like they did.  It wasn't just that I wanted to marry.  My heart and spirit had been crushed in relationships, and it made me feel invalidated.  Everywhere I turned, I got different advice (most of it unasked for!).  I knew I was supposed to be married, and it broke my heart when it wasn't happening.  I knew I needed to live by faith and not by sight--and that eventually led me to my husband Walter.  This movie really gave that encouragement.  I also knew discouragement, followed by those spiritual moments where God intervenes.  I knew that I wanted everything I did to count for eternity, as the movie urges.  So at 25, I related to the message.  And I will add that I still do relate to those parts.

     I am no longer 25.  I am no longer single.  God has led me onward from where I was at that time.  While this movie (which I watched yesterday for the first time in a while) still encourages me, there are some points I now have a small issue with.  Small.  I obviously still agree with the truths taught.  

     I find it a little predictable.  Things are going really badly for these poor characters.  They hit their lowest point.  They seek the Lord, and then things turn around drastically.  Every problem is resolved by the end, including the infertility.  While it is done beautifully, it might have been more powerful to show only some of the problems being resolved, and them still wrestling but trusting with the others.  Or, maybe it should have shown them pursue adoption instead of Brooke being pregnant.  As someone who has struggled with infertility, I find their sudden turnaround in this area disingenuous to those of us who really have wrestled with it, and still didn't get pregnant.  

     My biggest gripe is that the doctor Grant sees tells him his options for having children are IVF and adoption.  When Grant says they can't afford IVF, the doctor says adoption is just as expensive.  That really bugs me.  If you are adopting through a private agency, then, yes, it can be expensive.  But if you are adopting through the foster system (or the Cherokee Nation, like we did) the cost of adoption can be little to nothing.  We paid $27 for the new birth certificate, but nothing more.  We even get paid a small monthly stipend (and he is 100% adopted--our son, but we still get a stipend).  So, implying adoption is always costly is a misleading message, and may discourage viewers from considering it.  God didn't allow us to have our own children, but He led us on this beautiful path of adoption, and it has been just as redemptive as Brooke's pregnancy in the movie.  I think the way it is handled in the movie kind of gives adoption a bad name.  I know that wasn't their intent at all.  I also think God can meet us in our discouragement, and lead us on to victory, even if we don't always see these extreme wins.  Just because you gave it to the Lord doesn't mean your team will start scoring championships, or that someone will give you a new car.  Sometimes, God meets us in quieter ways, or He does these bigger things over a longer period of time.  

     Where I'm at in life now has given me perspective I didn't have years ago.  Sometimes, revisiting a book, series, movie, etc that has been meaningful to you can help you see how far God has brought you.  You can still glean from what ministered to you in the past, but also see how far you've come.  These things don't technically change, but you have changed, and you can see it by how you now relate to these books, shows, movies, etc.  

     On a deeper note, God's word never changes, and you will never outgrow it.  You can read a passage that ministered to you years ago, just when you needed it, and you will remember God's faithfulness to you.  However, God might open even deeper revelations of Himself to you that you are now ready for.  That is how His word is different than a movie or book.  You have the Author living in your heart.  John 16:13 says, When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.  

     It's wonderful when God uses people to create media (books, movies, audio programs, etc) that minister His word to us.  It is also wonderful how we grow in our Christian lives, and how we can gauge it through revisiting these things.  No matter what, though, only the Bible can be counted on 100%.  We'll never get beyond what it can teach us, in the hands of the Holy Spirit.  

     I am thankful for the Kendrick Brothers, and how God has used their films to minister to many.  I know their integrity to God's word and portrayal of real-to-life people facing real-to-life problems will continue to touch hearts and lives.  Take the biblical truth from these sources, and let Him teach you.  Always go back to His word.  

     

(De)nomination, Part 2

     This is kind of a follow-up on my post (De)nomination, from May 24, 2020.  You can read this without reading that one, but if you're interested in my thoughts at that time, you can go back and look at it.

     A lot of churches nowadays claim to be non-denominational.  Even churches that are affiliated with a denomination are routinely taking the denomination out of the name on the sign outside the church.  What does this mean?  Why is this happening?  Is it good, bad, or neither?  What does it mean to be part of a denomination anyway?  If we can answer that, we can answer another the question of what it means to be non-denominational.  

     When someone asks, "What denomination is this church?" they might be asking one of two questions.  Most commonly, what they really mean is, "What does this church believe?  With what vein of church history does this church most closely align?"  They want to know if this church is more like a Baptist church, or a Pentecostal church, or a Presbyterian church, or a Methodist church, or something else.  They know what these different churches teach and believe, and want to know what they're getting into if they visit this church, so they ask for the denomination.  However, the second question that could be intended when asking "What denomination is the church? is, "What hierarchy is this church part of?"  When people ask the question, meaning the first definition of it ("What does this church believe?  With what vein of church history does this church most closely align?") people will commonly give the answer to the second question, "Oh, we're not answerable to any higher authority of churches.  We're independent."  Even though this sounds like an answer, when the question was worded, "What denomination is this church?" it might not actually be the answer the person meant to ask for.  I will give a few examples, in order of the "non-denominational-ness."  This is not an exhaustive list of denominations by any means.  It is an illustration of the progression between completely independent churches and very srong denominations, and all that comes between.  

     Woodland Hills Christian Church, in Alexander, Arkansas, is a lively little church.  They partner with our ministry.  We have been so blessed by this small congregation.  They are Bible-believing and very evangelistic, and are constantly seeing people saved and discipled.  I hold them in high regard, as my son was saved at their Vacation Bible School.  They are non-denominational.  In their case, they are 100% independent, not in any way affiliated with any similar churches (though they have friendships with many churches in the community).  They are not accountable to any sort of hierarchy.  They're not part of any group at all.  They are as non-denominational as it gets.  Their beliefs about the specifics of the faith (things Christians may differ on) can be ascertained by asking members and leadership.  There are many such churches that have no affiliation whatsoever, and are pretty much free to do as they please.  They come in all stripes of belief, and the only way to know what a truly non-denominational church believes is to ask them (or look on their website if they have one).  

My son Tommy received Christ as his Personal Lord and Savior with children's minister Stacey Schenck, of Woodland Hills Christian Church.

     I am originally from Southern California.  The biggest influence in Christianity there has been the Calvary Chapel movement, which began in Orange County in the late 60's and early 70's.  This revival is depicted in the 2023 movie Jesus Revolution.  My father was strongly influenced by this revival at the time.  This was a movement of the Holy Spirit, independent of denominational oversight.  In fact, founder Chuck Smith had previously been a pastor in the Foursquare denomination.  This work of the Lord led him away from some of the denominational requirements that had been placed on him.  He had more freedom to follow the Spirit's leading.  This ministry spawned hundreds of other Calvary Chapel churches all over the world.  Other groups have split from Calvary Chapel and started their own movements, such as Vineyard.  Calvary claims to be non-denominational.  While it is true they have a high level of autonomy, they are not as independent or non-denominational as Woodland Hills in the previous paragraph.  They are affiliated.  They have a statement of beliefs that must be adhered to in order for a church be become a Calvary Chapel.  They have their own Bible college and conferences.  They are known for strong biblical teaching, and going through the Bible verse-by-verse, teaching the "full counsels of God" (Acts 20:27). Considering how Chuck Smith left his previous denomination to follow God's leading into Calvary Chapel, it is understandable why the title of being "non-denominational" would sound attractive to Calvary Chapel participants.  However, they are not really non-denominational in the sense of being unaffiliated, or outside of a theological vein of church history.  They do have an affiliation with each other.  They didn't start existing in a vacuum.  They hold basic evangelical beliefs that most Christians share, and they tend not to "major on the minors" so to speak, but if you get really into the nitty-gritty, they do hold some specific beliefs that are distinct.  Chuck Smith wrote a wonderful book in 2001 called Calvary Chapel Distinctives, which explores some of the theological positions that set them apart.  You can order it here.  Also worth noting, Calvary Chapel is the most notable of non-denominational affiliations, but it is not the only one.  I already mentioned Vineyard Churches.  Also, other groups, such as the Independent Fundamental Churches of American (or the IFCA), are affiliations that would probably claim to be non-denominational.  

The Calvary dove, the logo of Calvary Chapel, found on many of their church signs, and on many car bumpers in Southern California

     My husband and I are part of the Southern Baptist Convention.  This, as well as other Baptist bodies, usually admit to being denominational.  If you were to attend our congregation, Immanuel Baptist Church, and asked someone, "What denomination is this church?" You would be told that we are Southern Baptist.   The fact that we are more likely to admit to being a denomination is really the only way we are less "non-denominational" than groups like Calvary Chapel.  Our affiliations with each other and "higher ups" are similar to Calvary Chapel's affiliations.  The real difference is that "denomination" isn't a dirty word to most Baptists (though there are some who would still deny being a denomination).  We are autonomous, and could choose to leave the denomination at any time.  The building belongs to the local church, not the Southern Baptist Convention.  Churches vary in structural government, with some being more congregational and others being more board-led or pastor-led.  Southern Baptist Churches adhere to the statement of faith known as The Baptist Faith and Message (you may read the 2000 edition--the newest reiteration of it--here..  Other Baptist groups, such as the American Baptist Church, USA, have their beliefs on their websites.  For many, the term Baptist helps to explain what that church probably believes.  Baptist is often a belief system more than a hierarchy.  There are independent Baptist churches with little to no affiliation, as well as more organized Baptist denominations.  They're not going to be exactly the same, but there are some things that most churches that call themselves Baptist have in common, most notably believer's baptism by immersion only.  Most Baptist also believe in eternal security (once-saved, always-saved), though there are Free-Will Baptist and General Baptists who do not share this belief in eternal security. 

Our church, Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas.

     I call myself a lifelong Baptist, but for a few years, my husband and I were actually members of a church that was part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance.  This is a wonderful denomination.  Theologically, they are very similar to Calvary Chapel.  They are evangelical and very mission-minded.  They don't "major on the minors" often, although they do have their beliefs, most notably praying for the sick.  Like Calvary Chapel, they were started as a result of a movement, and for many years, they refused to be considered a denomination, but eventually acknowledged that this was what they were.  They are autonomous, but have their specifics, including their missionaries, college, and seminary.

Walter and me, 2017, at our Christian and Missionary Alliance church in Vermillion, South Dakota.  If we had not moved, we would still attend that church.

     There are other denominations that have stricter affiliations for their congregations.  One is the United Methodists.  As that denomination has become more open to liberal theology, some of the more conservative churches have wanted to leave.  But, unlike Baptists, they are not autonomous, and can't simply leave.  In 2019, some guidelines were given that made it possible for congregations to leave the denomination before the end of 2023, and retain their building.  It wasn't a simple process, and the churches that chose to do it really had to takes some steps, but it was made possible.  Between 2019 and 2023, about a fourth of Untied Methodist Churches in the United States left the denomination.  Our ministry has been partnering with two such churches, one of which joined the new Global Methodist denomination, and the other of which has chosen to remain unaffiliated.  Without this provision, leaving the denomination would have cost these congregations their buildings and resources.  Many other larger denominations exercise that kind of leadership over local congregations.  Some similar denominations operate very differently on this.  For example, the conservative group Presbyterian Churches of America (PCA), operate with the congregations owning their property, whereas in the more liberal denomination, the in Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA), the denomination owns the building.  All major denominations have their own teachings, approved seminaries, and specific traditions.  How important these specifics are depends on the denomination itself, and the individual church.  

     If a person asks you what denomination your church is, before you say, "Oh, we're non-denominational" make sure you know what they're actually asking.  Most people who strive to be non-denominational want to get away from the hierarchy (and I can't say I blame them), but that is not usually what the person is asking.  They want to know what your church believes.  What can they expect if they attend a service there?  When someone comes to your church, will they see a traditional, liturgical service with organ music and a pastor in a robe, or a casual service with upbeat praise songs and people lifting their hands?  Do they baptize infants with sprinkling, or believers by immersion?  Do people speak in tongues?  Do they they give an alter call?  Do people lay hands on the sick and pray for them?  Is it open or closed communion?  What does your church believe about the essential doctrines of the faith (and maybe some of the non-essentials as well)?  These are what people often really mean when they ask you what denomination you are.  It is okay to say, "We're not officially affiliated with a denomination, but this is what we believe..."  It is also okay to say, "We're Presbyterian," or "We're Baptist" or "We're Calvary Chapel," or...whatever you are!  There is no shame either way, but make sure you know what they are actually asking.  Even the truly non-denominational churches, like Woodland Hills, didn't just start existing in a vacuum.  They are part of God working out church history.  They all have beliefs that align with truths believed by Christians since the book of Acts.  Most non-denominational churches are at least similar to a specific church tradition.  Many are similar to Baptist, or Pentecostals.  People aren't usually making a judgment about your church's hierarchy.  They really want to know where you fit theologically and what to expect if they were to visit.  

     So, which is more godly and spiritual, denominations or being non-denominational?  The answer is neither.  It really depends.  Being part of an affiliation (whether or not you use the word denomination) can be good for accountability and support.  On the other hand, being completely independent can allow more freedom to follow the Holy Spirit's leading.  I know people on both sides.  One Christian woman told me she had been spiritually abused in a non-denominational church that had no accountability, and she would never again attend a church that wasn't part of a well-established denomination.  Others have told me that they believed denominations stifled God's work, and they refused to go to a church that was part of a denomination.  

     Some see denominations as divisions between Christians.  That can happen, but it shouldn't.  When we lived in Albuquerque, I taught at a Christian school that was affiliated with a Calvary Chapel, and their statement of belief included these words: We are not a denominational church, nor are we opposed to denominations as such, only their overemphasis of the doctrinal differences that have led to the division of the Body of Christ. This is an understandable concern, and there are many unaffiliated churches that are solid and biblical.  But couldn't the same statement be said about the non-denomination trend?  I have met non-denominational Christians who were more divisive about it than those of official denominations.  No church type is immune from division.  If Jesus is our Lord, and we agree about what is very clear in scripture, then we can agree to disagree about some of these secondary matters of faith.  As a Baptist, I attended a Bible college that was largely influenced by the Assemblies of God (a Pentecostal denomination).  My husband and I are home missionaries with an interdenominational ministry that works with all sorts of Bible-believing Christians of different backgrounds and church traditions.  I also teach at a Christian school that leans toward the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition.  I have been blessed and ministered to by all of these different Jesus-followers.  They have sharpened me in my own faith, and I hope I have done the same for them.  

     Everyone needs to Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  (Second Timothy 2:15).  We all need to be in God's word, and if we see things in our churches and church affiliations that don't line up with what we read in the Bible, we need to challenge that.  Jesus had a lot of diversity in His followers.  The early church had people of Jewish, Hellenist, and Gentile backgrounds.  All of them had vastly different traditions prior to coming to Jesus, and even somewhat after, and yet they all believed the same thing about Christ and salvation, and we will see them all in Heaven.  Can't we accept a little diversity among our brothers and sisters today?  As long as they are walking in biblical teaching and integrity, we can't fault them for having different preferences and traditions than ours.  

     My favorite YouTube channel about Christian denominations (and non-denominations) is called Ready to Harvest.  They do not give strong opinions.  Simple facts are stated, and the viewer can make his or her own decision about whether or not they agree with a given church or denomination.  They put out a recent video about the very subject of non-denominationalism, and I will share it below.   I think you will like it. 

https://youtu.be/OtZ07UhBg7M?si=azCLPWNCF8SSptTG

Politics and Religion

      A list of stagecoach etiquette from the Omaha Herald in 1877 includes: Don't discuss politics or religion...  This should illustrate that the idea of avoiding these subjects isn't new.  And yet where has this avoidance led?  Some say that it has led to an inability to have a frank but polite discussion of either.  

     Even Christians get in on this avoidance at times.  While most of us are eager to share Christ and discuss our faith, we still often avoid politics.  When I was growing up, my parents refused to have signs or bumper stickers espousing political candidates or issues, because they only wanted to be known as Christians, not for their political views.  I don't disagree.  Above all, Christians should stand for Christ, for He is all we have in the end.  And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live. (First Corinthians 8:6).  

     The level to which we become politically involved is dependent on God's leading.  However, I find a lot of Christians almost spiritualize being politically uninterested.  Some say, "Both sides are bad," or, "It's the lesser of two evils."  If a person who makes a statement like this can honestly articulate what is evil about both sides, I respect their integrity, even if I don't necessarily agree.  However, very few can actually really explain it, but are only parroting the general consensus who are sick of politics and want to just demonize everyone.  

     I have seen churches with marquee signs (during this election cycle) that say things like, "Jesus will still be Lord after this election," or "Jesus is greater than the elephant and the donkey."  Are these statements true?  Absolutely!  100%.  But they also lead me to wonder if people realize how high the stakes are.  Yes, Jesus is and will forever be Lord, but what happens in this election may affect our freedom to proclaim His truth in future generations.  I feel some of these statements, while completely true, come off as trite.  It's as if they're saying, "Hey, whoever wins the Super Bowl, Jesus is still Lord, so let's not allow it to divide us!"  This is a little more serious than football.  

     I think it is possible to be kind and charitable to people of all political viewpoints.  We can treat anyone with the love of Christ and basic Christian charity.  As far as close friendships go, though, there can be a little difference.  The way someone votes is rooted in the convictions they hold.  If someone holds very different convictions than you about things you consider important, you can still love them, but that might hinder closeness.  Only you can determine that.  Don't get me wrong, we can be close friends with people who disagree with us.  Agree to disagree.  But there are limits to how close we can be when we disagree about significant things.  There are often some deeply-held convictions behind why someone holds the views they do, and that deserves respect, even if we disagree.  Respect notwithstanding, though, it doesn't always warrant closeness.  

     I remember my first election to vote in was the 2000 primary, Super Tuesday.  That November, I voted in the Presidential General Election.  It was exciting to be a young college student doing this.  I had wanted to vote for years, and had always known 2000 would be my first election.  I won't directly tell you who I voted for (cough cough--George W. Bush), but my candidate won.  I voted for him again four years later, and he won again (not to imply my vote alone did it).

Al Gore and George W. Bush in 2000

     When I first started voting, the election was between then-Vice President Al Gore and George W. Bush.  A lot of my friends (also first-time voters) said, "I don't vote for a Party, I vote for the person."  That all sounds good, and maybe it worked back then.  But things have come too far now to say that.  If someone is backed by a Party, we need to look at that Party's platform.  What does that Party endorse?  Can we get behind it?  If so, then vote for the candidate.  If not, then don't.  For example, if we were still living in pre-Civil War America, and there was a candidate who supported slavery, and yet also stood for a lot of good things, and was known as being honest, and faithful to his wife, would you vote for him?  Hopefully not.  The evil of slavery should outweigh all these other good qualities when it comes to electing a leader.  Both of our candidates in 2024 have had character flaws come out at different times in their lives.  I'm not interested.  I'm interested in what they want to do with our country--with me, and all I hold dear.  I feel many people who vote for the person instead of the real issues need to heed Jesus' words in Matthew 23:23, [you] have omitted the weightier matters of the law: judgment, mercy, and faith...  Don't omit the weightier matters because you like a candidate's personality, culture, skin color, or sex, or even some smaller issues you agree with them on.  Vote the real issues that protect lives and freedom to live as God intended.  

     My favorite Bible teacher on YouTube, Allen Parr did an excellent video entitled, Should Christians vote Democrat or Republican?  I'll put the link to it at the end.  In this video, he examines both Party Platforms.  Allen is African-American, and I really valued his perspective.  Like me, he refused to examine the candidates' characters, but instead looked at the Party Platforms.  He pointed out that both parties have some aspects we could argue that have Christian ideas within them. He says a lot in this video, and I won't steal his thunder, but ultimately, he says that we shouldn't ask, "Which Party is more Christian?" but rather, "Which is more unChristian?"  

Allen Parr, an excellent Bible teacher

      Also worth noting, there are more than two parties.  In our state's last gubernatorial election in 2022, my husband and I voted for the Libertarian Candidate, both for governor and congress, because both of those candidates in our Party were questionable to us, and we had seen them both act in ways inconsistent with what our Party stands for.  Those in our Party ended up winning in both cases, without our vote.  In those cases, we could agree with the Libertarians on the "weightier matters."  Look up all the Party Platforms, and be informed when you vote.

     Once upon a time, even in my adulthood, those with different political affiliations could politely agree to disagree.  In a way, we still can, but the stakes are high, and different votes reveal different beliefs and values, different desires for the direction of our nation.  I choose to vote for a country with religious liberty, limited government, personal responsibility, the right to life, equality of opportunity (not equality of outcome, as that is one's own personal responsibility), fair and low taxes, and freedom to live as God has seen fit.  

     Yes, Jesus will still be Lord, regardless of how this election pans out.  One day, everyone--including our leaders, will declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:11).  But that shouldn't be a catch-all phrase to keep us from doing our duty as good Americans to vote with integrity.

     You can watch Allen Parr's excellent video here.

End of the Story

      "I can't believe I wasted a year of my life," I grumbled.  If there's anything I dislike, it's wasted time.  Feeling annoyed, I let my mind go back over the past twelve months.  It had been fun, I had to admit.  It had seemed so meaningful--so eternal.  But now, I wasn't so sure.  

     I had poured myself into my friend Katie*, who was a new Christian, and her sister Faith*, who was not yet saved.  I had discipled Katie and witnessed to Faith.  The three of us had read books together, prayed, read the Bible, and gotten involved in a fun college/career Bible study together.  Besides all of that, we had gone camping, roller skating, and out to ice cream.  We were all young single girls in our early 20's.  It was a fun time in life.  I prayed daily for my friends.  I prayed for Katie to grow in Christ, and for Faith to truly come to know Jesus.  

     Now, it was all behind me.  A quarrel had ended the friendships and fun.  Katie and Faith were going in a different direction than me, and had left a note on my door, telling me so.  I was hurt, and even felt used.  But most of all, I knew that what had started out as godly fun had ended badly.  What a way to end a story!

     The thing was, that wasn't the end of the story.  No one ever knows the end of the story.  I was in the middle of it, but only thought it was the end.  

     The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Philippians from prison.  He might have thought it was the end of his story.  He might have thought, "Here I was leading people to Christ, and I'm stopped in my tracks and put in jail.  Why?"  And yet he didn't say that.  Instead, he wrote in Philippians 1:12, I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.  He went on to explain that, not only did it give Paul more opportunities to share the message while in prison, but it also emboldened other believers.  It might have seemed discouraging, but it wasn't the end of his story.  

     Have you ever felt like you were at the end of the story, and you didn't like the ending?  Well guess what?  It isn't the end.  No one knows the end of the story.  Paul's mission was to reach the Gentile world for Christ, and that is still happening every day!  Paul had no way of knowing the scope of what he was doing.  People today are still continuing Paul's story.  Every time a Gentile comes to Jesus, Paul's story goes on.  He couldn't have known that back in jail.  Likewise, you have no way of knowing the end of your story.  You might have impacted someone by a kind word or deed.  Maybe it was a small thing to do, and you forgot all about it, but the power of it lives on.  Without knowing it, you might have encouraged that person just enough to enable them to go on, and accomplish something eternal that you'll never know about until Heaven!  God is at work all the time, using our obedience and its ripple effects.  

     The long-ago day that my friendship with Katie and Faith seemed to end really hurt me, and made me feel as if all my efforts had been for nothing.  

     The years passed, and I tried to move on.  God gave me more people to minister to, and more people to learn from and grown from.  He led me to more maturity in my own life and walk.  Finally, six years after my last communication with Katie and Faith, I received a letter in the mail from Faith's family.  She and her now-husband (they hadn't yet been married when I knew them before, but had since married), had given their lives to the Lord, and they wanted to be friends again.  They began attending my church!  Not long after this, Katie and her new husband also joined our church, and the friendship was rekindled.  Katie told me that the year we had spent in discipleship together remains the best year of her life, and she cherishes those times, and lives on the strength of them.  That time wasn't wasted.  It took time for me to see the results, but it wasn't a waste.  God was using it.  

     I had another friend I'll call Lindsay*.  We worked together, and really hit it off well.  I shared Christ with her a lot, and she listened, but didn't seem to get it, or see the importance in her life.  Even with my lesson about Katie and Faith behind me, I still began to think I had wasted my time with Lindsay, as she grew further and further from the things of the Lord.  Then, Lisa had a terrible experience this year.  A crime was committed against her, and she told me everything I said about Jesus came back to her.  She said God alone got her through the ordeal, and she has begun reading the Bible and praying, and is now receptive when I share Jesus with her.  Again, God was at work, but it just wasn't obvious to me.  We have to be paitent.  It isn't the end of the story yet.

     We don't even always see results in this life, but one day in Heaven, I believe we will see the amazing results of God at work through us in ways we didn't even know!  Everything done for Him lasts, even if we don't see it, or even remember it!  The Apostle Paul had no way of known there would be Gentile believers all over the world in the 21st century, praising Jesus and spreading the word.  His obedience outlasted his life, and has become a crown of glory!  Just think what God can do with your obedience?  Your story isn't done yet!  Don't get discouraged in the middle.  Be like Paul was in jail.  Think about how He has used you, and take joy in Him, knowing He is still writing the story!  In Him, the best is always yet to come!

What's the Big Idea?

      In the busyness of family life, a new school-year (in which my son is attending pre-K at a classical Christian school, and I am teaching first grade at the same school), while continuing in the ministry we serve with, it has been almost a month since my last post.  So many things come to my heart and mind that I could share.    

My teacher school picture

     In my "down" time in the evening, I like to read before bed.  I recently re-read an interesting book, titled Me, Myself, and Bob, by Phil Vischer (creator of VeggieTales).  I'll put the link to it at the end.  In this book, he shares his journey of being a hurting young man from a broken home with a dream of being used by God to bring healing to others (while searching earnestly for it himself).  He dreamed of telling stories that would change the world for God.  The book is very enjoyable, because I was a high schooler when his famous VeggieTales videos began appearing in stores.  

     I don't spend a great deal of time thinking about VeggieTales, but when it comes to mind, it's always interesting, because I have a complicated relationship with this series of children's videos.  When we first adopted Tommy as a young toddler, a lot of people said, "I bet he watches a lot of VeggieTales, right?"  and they were shocked when I said we really hadn't done VeggieTales.  Part of that was because there are newer and (I think) better Christian children's options (Tommy's favorite are the Good News Guys--check them out!).  But there was another reason Tommy hadn't seen VeggieTales.  I'll get to it, because I have revisited it this week.  

The Good News Guys. Check out their videos on YouTube

     I remember first becoming aware of VeggieTales as a teenager, browsing in the Christian Bookstore around 1996.  An employee of the store was showing the video to a family with children, and I remember hearing the employee tell them, "It uses the same animation as Toy Story!"  Since Toy Story was the recent big hit that had wowed the world with its revolutionary computer animation, this claim about VeggieTales using the same animation caught my attention.  Could a Christian video really use the same technology as a major hit movie?  I glanced over from the Christian teen romance book I was looking at and saw the family excitedly pick up the video the employee was recommending.  I filed this away as interesting knowledge, but didn't really expect to think more about it, since it was clear these videos were geared to kids, and I was above the intended age.  

     What I would later learn (and Phil Vischer's book goes on to share) was that the first VeggieTales video had launched in 1993 (I was still older than their target audience then).  With each new release, they grew in popularity, until I heard about it that day in the bookstore.  Phil Vischer had started the company behind these successful videos, and called it Big Idea.  For the first several years, they grew amazingly.  Everyone loved them.  Phil shares in the book that he had dreams of growing the company to become a Christian version of Disney, and taken entertainment back to wholesomeness and family values--all for God.  I'll return to his story.

     Shortly after the bookstore encounter, kids I babysat started watching VeggieTales videos, and suddenly, I was watching them too.  The first one I watched was a spoof on Gilligan's Island, and taught a lesson about forgiveness.  Because I got the intended references, the humor of it hit me hard, and I cracked up at the zaniness of it.  To this day, that is my favorite VeggieTales story.  I'm sure it has a name, but I always just call it the Gilligan's Island one.  I saw several others, and was always entertained.  Other teens got into them, and pretty soon, youth group kids (and youth pastors) were sporting VeggieTales merch.  A movement was happening.  

  

     Behind the scenes of Big Idea, things weren't so rosy.  Phil recounts how, due to their growth, they began to produce faster, and had to hire more and more people.  Since computer animation was a new field at the time, animators were harder to locate, and they couldn't afford to be too picky about the animators' personal lives or beliefs.  This meant that non-Christians were working for this Christian company.  Phil publicly stood for Christ and his mission when he was invited to speak, but in his own company, he shied away from sharing the Gospel, because he was afraid of offending his people and driving them away.  He was trying to do something good, so it didn't matter, right?  But it did.  He also made naive and misguided business decisions.  His company had taken everyone by storm and become popular so fast, and he was unsure how to handle the growth.  

     Into my adulthood, I got a chuckle out of VeggieTales whenever I'd see them (which was less often, as I was no longer babysitting as much).  One day, all that changed.  A pastor I was serving under just told me in the calmest, most pleasant voice, that he didn't approve of VeggieTales, because, "they make light of the wrath of God."  His cheerful tone as he said it almost seemed to contradict his words.  But it made me think.  He was kind of right.  

     While they didn't teach heresy or false doctrine, they certainly didn't teach salvation or deep spiritual truths.  Even the fun forgiveness one (AKA Gilligan's Island) just taught that God always forgives us when we ask, so we should forgive others, but there was no explanation of why and how that forgiveness was made available.  In Bible story episodes (that is, when the Veggies acted out actual stories from the Bible), the zaniness went a little far (like the Canaanites dropping slushies on the Israelites).  Some of the new ones at that time told sanitized versions of David and Bathsheba (only about a rubber ducky) and Queen Esther (only instead of annhiliation, the Jews were to be sent to the Island of perpetual tickling).  These soften the realities a bit too much.  These stories are in God's word, and teach us about what was going on in history as people awaited the Messiah, and Satan tried to fight it.  Reducing it to rubber duckies and tickling seems wrong somehow.  

     Even less extreme stories based from the Bible changed the facts a little too much.  An early one (which I enjoyed a lot) was a play on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, only the setting was a chocolate bunny factory, and the character's names were Rack, Shack, and Benny.  The boss of the factory was Nebby K. Nezzer (get it?  Nebuchadnezzar.  Nebby K. Nezzer.  It kind of makes sense.).  I didn't see a problem with this until kids in my Sunday school class started referring to these Biblical heroes by the VeggieTales names.  When I would tell the story from the Bible, kids would interrupted and say, "No, their names are Rack, Shack and Benny, and you forgot the part where Mr. Nezzer makes them sing the Bunny Song and chases them around the factory!"  It was like they believed in the Gospel According to VeggieTales.  

     Teaching God's word is a big responsibility, and we can't take it lightly.  James 3:1 says, Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.  Some have argued that it's the parents' job to teach their children God's word, and if the children think the VeggieTales version is correct, it's the parents' fault for not teaching them the real version.  Maybe.  But if VeggieTales is all they're getting, they may as well be accurate, right?  An evangelism teacher I had in high school used to say, "You can have fun with God's word, but don't make light of it."  I think VeggieTales started out as wanting to have fun, but there were times I think that line might have gotten crossed.  

     From the day this pastor ruined VeggieTales for me with his observation, I never really got into it again.  When God brought Tommy to us, I didn't show him VeggieTales, because I wanted him to learn God's word clearly, rather than through the filter of too much silliness.  This week, though, after one of his Good News Guys videos ended, I didn't change it fast enough, and the next video up happened to be a VeggieTales--and just after I had re-read Phil Vischer's book.  Providentially, it was the Gilligan's Island one, so no Bible Story was misrepresented.  Tommy giggled at the singing and dancing vegetables, and enjoyed it.  Memories were brought back for me, from being a teenager babysitting fun kids from church, laughing at this silly video.  It felt good.  It had been a long time.  I'm not ready to show Tommy the Bible stories on VeggieTales yet, and don't know if I really will, but he's seen one now.  

     To get back to Phil's book, he relays how his misguided view of following his own dream (even doing it for godly-sounding reasons) led to the demise of his company as he knew it.  He lost Big Idea, and was deeply humbled by his experience.  He gives a lot of business insight into the way some of it went wrong.  But he concludes with spiritual reasons, his own faults that led to the company's direction.  He warns about following one's dreams, and instead, urges Christians to seek God's will for them and spend time in the Bible.  There are a lot of Christian executive types who are always interested in numbers, and growing a company (or even a ministry), but that might not be what God wants.  God doesn't define success the way we do.  In the Bible, God led Philip away from crowds of people to lead one man to Christ (Acts 8:26-40).  Phil Vischer even came to the point that he doesn't like the question, "Where do you see yourself five years from now?"  He believes the answer should be, "In the will of God."  I agree.  

     This week has been a stroll down memory lane, to a time when everyone was singing along with the VeggieTales theme song, when pastors wore VeggieTales ties, and youth pastors wore VeggieTales T-shirts.  To a time when I was a teenager, enjoying my babysitting jobs, getting a laugh out of some talking vegetables doing a spoof on a well-known TV show.  The memories are fun and pleasant.  The lessons are critical, though.  First, as Phil Vischer warns, beware of your dreams, and focus on God instead.  As I advise, study and handle God's word diligently.  I don't know when or if my son will see more VeggieTales, or if I'll ever see the ones I missed (which are basically any made after the turn of the century).  But the lessons will stay with me.  They definitely got something right.  As Bob and Larry always concluded their shows, "God made you special, and He loves you very much." 

To view Me, Myself and Bob, click here.