It seems in our day and age that being relevant is more important than being Scriptural. Pastors seem to be more concerned with meeting emotional and mental needs than teaching the Bible. They seem to be more concerned with meeting needs with psychological, self-help messages, than with making sure that they feed God’s sheep. They preach and teach things that could very easily appear on a TV, daytime, talk show and be applauded, rather than preaching the Gospel, which will sometimes draw the boo’s of the lost crowd.
It’s very concerning to me to see so many young Pastors try to copy Joel Osteen, or Ed Young, Jr.; rather than copy some of the great Pastors and Preachers of the past, who really declared, “Thus saith the Lord.” I truly wish that these young ministers would be more influenced by Dr. Adrian Rogers, and Dr. W. A. Criswell, and Dr. Jerry Vines; rather than some guy getting on a stage, who’s trying to be cool and hip and with it. And, he depends on his stage props, and his hair-do, and his cool mic, and his 5 or 6 step sermon to help people be more successful, or to achieve personal happiness; rather than depending on the Holy Spirit’s power and the truth of God’s Word. It’s very concerning to see where some preachers seem to be heading.
You know, it used to be that a lot of Pastors, out there, just preached evangelistic sermons. Or, they’d ride their hobby horse to death at a church; whether that was prophecy, ecclesiology, or eschatology, or soteriology, etc. They’d also preach against sins, often. But, you’d never hear much, real, true, Bible teaching from the pulpit. So, those congregations never learned the Bible very much. And, that was a shame. That was a shortcoming of the past, and it still goes on today in some churches; especially in the rural South. But, nowadays, instead of Pastors just dwelling on certain topics, to the exclusion of the rest of the Bible; now we have Pastors that aren’t even teaching the Bible, period. Oh, they may read a Scripture here and there, every once in a while; just to make it sound like Bible preaching. But, they’re far, far away from truly preaching and teaching the Word of God. They might as well be quoting a Scripture every now and then, while doing a cooking show; teaching someone how to bake really good, gooey, moist brownies; than pretending to be preaching and teaching God’s Word to the church.
Yet, is not teaching the Bible what God has commissioned us to do? To preach and teach His Word to His people? Aren’t Pastors supposed to feed God’s sheep God’s Word? Is not our calling to get the whole council of God out to the church? Are not Pastors supposed to be more concerned with people getting saved and growing in their faith? Rather than people walking out of the auditorium feeling warm and fuzzy inside? feeling that they just got some good advice about how to deal with their finances? marriage? raising children? being successful at work? having a better sex life? being able to make friends? being more positive on a daily basis? What about God? Where’s God in all of that? Where’s the Gospel? Where’s sin, judgment, and Hell? Where’s repentance and faith? Where’s being filled with the Holy Spirit? Where’s not committing adultery? Where’s living your life on mission for God? Where is the Bible in these pulpits?
My friends, we’re seeing a whole lot of people out there going to Church nearly every Sunday, and they’ve been saved for quite a while; but they’re still wearing diapers and sucking on a spiritual passey. We have a lot of churches out there where the people don’t know anything about the Bible. They just know that their church is really helping people feel better about life. They just know that their Pastor is super cool, and he’s nice. They just know that they go away feeling good on Sunday morning. And besides, they’ve made a lot of friends at church. They enjoy their church. And, they’ve handed out bottled water to thirsty people at the 5K run a time, or two. They’ve actually taken up aluminum cans, and used the money to buy food for the hungry. But, the Bible? Well, that’s boring to this crowd. They really don’t want to get serious about learning the Scriptures. They just want their Pastor to preach a relevant message that will help them be a better business man next week. They just want their Pastor to preach a message that will help them make friends and influence people. They just want their Pastor to help them know how to deal with discouragement and depression. The Bible? Well, yea, they believe the Bible. They just don’t know what’s in it.
We must not settle for less. We must seek God, and want all that God has for us. We must see that His Word is where real life is found. And, Pastors need to see themselves as God’s messenger boys, rather than a rock star philosopher. Preach the Bible. Declare God’s Word. Teach the Scriptures. God will bless it, and He’ll use it to really, truly make a difference in the lives of people.
If you have to choose between being relevant and being biblical in your preaching, you’re probably neither.
By the way, that is a generic “you.”
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Andrew,
True dat.
David
I think this has a lot to do with the pastor’s priorities. Our Senior Pastor spends hours in scripture everyday preparing for each of his sermons. And sermon study is not the same as Personal Bible study. Sharing God’s word must be the priority.
THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! It is nice to know there are more people out there who see the preaching landscape as lacking in true teaching of the Bible and more of self help with a sprinkling of scripture…and are concerned about it. I gave my life for the first time to Jesus Christ 8 years ago and as I searched for preachers to grow closer to Christ, the men you listed are the ones that I planted myself in. My prayer is for the young preachers to look to these giants God has raised up, and for their legacy not to be lost in this popular culture of false leading and pastoring. When I get a chance to teach or preach I do look to these great men as influence. Thank you for a great article!!
Thank you again!!
One observation I forgot to mention above is the absence of the pulpit in these churches. It is a podium or nothing at all. I believe that the pulpit did and still does have a significant meaning when it comes to proclaiming God’s truth.
the nicer part about being me is that though I read a lot on the blogs about the folks who yada yada good things, the majority of church folks I know (the ones walking and talking and ministering around me, come from churches in which the Lord is Lord and the Bible is as relevant as the day it was inspired by the Spirit of God. There is no other relevance that Christ. Folks who steer away from Jesus have just lost their first love. And I am so guilty of forgetting how marvelously wonderful my life was when Jesus first gave me His life in full. Sometimes I forget how much I dearly loved HIm and wanted the world to know. That is the difference in my life. Where I once saw Him in every detail of every situation, sometimes I waken and have a cup of coffee before I remember to say Good Morning, Lord. Thank you for allowing me one more day of life.
The not so nice part of me is when I allow myself to wade into the streams of negativity and forget how precious the people of God are in my own church and churches which my husband pastored. Not all pastors are preaching the come-see-me instead of come-see-Jesus messages in their churches. Just saying…selahV
Phillip, hello. don’t believe we’ve ever engaged. Why do you think pulpits are being moved out and replaced with stools, and motorcycles? Yeah, I know of one who did that. selahV
David,
I think you’re right, there are many churches not preaching the Word and church is nothing more than a cool place to go. Sort of like going to the club minus the alcohol. But can’t we be both? The Bible in itself is relevant. Can’t we meet needs by preaching the Word of God. I don’t see it as a either/or but a both/and. Our preaching/teaching must be biblical and relevant. As for the pulpit, Jesus preached in a boat many times so I don’t know if we can say for sure what we should use. The Bible is the only thing you really need. Just an opinion. Thanks.
David,
Sorry, forgot one thing. I think we can learn from many different guys. The other night I listened to messages from Dr. Rogers, Perry Noble, and T.D. Jakes and I’m a SBC church planter! As long as the message is Christ and Him crucified what difference does the rest of it make really?
“As long as the message is Christ and Him crucified what difference does the rest of it make really?”
A lot.
Hi DAVID,
I think you must have watched Father Groeschel’s Lenten Meditation for today before you wrote this post. There is a part at the end that is particularly moving, about how even the small things in our lives find their meaning in Christ: as ultimately all that is relevant derives its meaning from the Eternal Word. Peace in Christ, L’s
http://www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/index.htm
L’s,
Gambling was one of the things I had to leave behind when I became a Follower of Christ by His grace leading me to repent and believe the biblical gospel. But……..
…….I ain’t so sure it would really be gambling to bet you Vol did not watch “Father Groeschel’s Lenten Meditation for today before you wrote this post.”
I think it would actually be like finding money under a rock under the sea. It would just be my lucky day!
So what do you say L’s? Wanna bet? :-)
Well, C.B.,
I haven’t been a ‘betting woman’ since my husband and I were in Vegas thirty years ago. Actually, I only bet a dollar, but my husband . . .
well, we won’t go there.
Actually, Father Groeschel is so well known that lots of Christian people watch his broadcasts. I don’t agree with all of his opinions, particularly about women in the Church, but he is a good man I think, who loves Christ, and it comes through when he reads the Holy Scriptures so powerfully. Sooooo, I wouldn’t be surprised if David had seen the Lenten broadcast. And, if he didn’t, then there must be something about this time of year, just before Easter, that draws all Christians back to what is important, as David wrote from the heart: “We must seek God, and want all that God has for us. We must see that His Word is where real life is found.”
Well, all bets are off, dear one. Did you find anything in Father Groeschel’s message that spoke to the post, as I found? Christians all the time try to find answers where they may not be found, when all they really need is to return to Our Lord for help.
If I don’t connect with you before Easter, God bless and keep you, C.B.
And, if you can, I hope you can go to a ‘sunrise’ service on Easter morning. So beautiful.
Remain in the peace of Christ,
Love, L’s
L’s,
In all truth I see the sun rise most every day. If I sleep late it is because I am sick.
But you have a wonderful Easter. Maybe this will be the one for you. I pray so.
Love,
cb
CB,
You said “a lot.” What did you mean? And for gosh sakes, leave L’s alone. I don’t even know her but you’re starting to sound like a Jehovah Witness on a Saturday morning at 7:30.
McGirt,
All of you speak from a singular base of understanding.
L’s comes here and comments under the assumption that she is to be considered as a believer. She assumes that because she has determined she can write her own script as to how to be right with God and it will be perfectly acceptable.
This situation is not like just hounding someone who is lost and minding their own business. L’s is not just minding her own business. She is demanding that she be accepted as a follower of Christ by her own accord and not according to the biblical gospel.
The Scripture demands that we who are believers are to oppose that. And what I can’t understand about the situation is that most of you people who are believers are willing to let it go as if she is a Christian when the great reservoir of evidence is that L’s is lost and on her way to hell.
And you McGrit, to have to ask me why I say “a lot” reveals you to understand far less than you should if you are in any way a mature believer.
BTW, don’t say “gosh. ” It is profane. Or maybe you did not know that either.
And lastly, I consider a visit from JW’s at 7:30 on Saturday morning as just another good opportunity to talk about the biblical gospel. What do you do when they come to visit you; slam the door in their faces?
L’s:
Are you actively involved in removing the queer/pedophile priests from harm’s way and protecting the innocent little boys in the Catholic church?
Do you have any intentions of holding the popery accountable for sexual perversion?
You stated to CB the other day about wanting him to meet a priest. :D Methinks that the queer/pedophile priests should be put in a cage match with CB . . . Methinks, also, that CB will pull out some of that Alabama ‘whoop-bass’ (borrowed from Ed Young) :shock: and give him a good whoopin’! :razz:
Cordially,
–chadwick
Chadwick,
Blog post comment threads in several places reveal that L’s is all for speaking out on the sins, missteps, mistakes and hypocrisies of the “clergy”…….as long as the perp. is a Baptist preacher, missionary, teacher or institutional administrator.
CB:
Has L’s addressed Pope Benedict in any of those comment threads?
Chadwick,
If she has, I missed it.
Maybe she did not know about that particular situation. But she always seems to be “in the know” about any thing wrong in the SBC.
CB:
It’s all over the news . . . uh, I mean Foxnews, at least. :razz:
A ‘one-eyed monkey’:shock: with half a brain & internet connection knows about all the sexual perversion taking place at the Vatican.
CB:
I’m quiet sure that L’s has ‘overlooked’ the fact. Here is a ‘starter’ link for the ‘thorough’ research that I am sure she will do:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article7060406.ece
:eek:
–chadwick
I rarely comment on blogs. However, i feel compelled to share my thoughts on this post.I believe you have made an inaccurate and unfair misrepresentation when you lumped Ed Young, Jr in with Joel Osteen.
I have never seen Joel use a Bible (though I seldom catch any part of his broadcast. However, I love to hear Ed Jr, because he clearly teaches the Bible and biblical principles to a yuppie or millenial group. He covers such unheard subjects as modesty (gasp). His message on Samson was one of the best I have ever heard.
I encourage you to separate style from substance in preaching. Joel and Ed are totally different.
CB,
Let me help you with something quickly. However conservative you are, I’m two steps right of you! Ask Tim Rogers, he’ll tell you. Anyway, I guess what I was saying was I’ve never seen anyone won to Christ by hounding them and you’re right I don’t know either of you except for the comments you both right on the different blogs. (Maybe I do really know you, huh?) As for L’s, didn’t Jesus say He would separate the sheep and goats? It’s not for us to judge her salvation. She is the only one who knows for sure in her heart whether she is truly saved or not just like you and me. So let me get this straight, you don’t want me to say the word “gosh” but chadwick can say “whoop-bass” and that’s ok? Just checking. Oh and by the way, JW’s never come to my house Mormons do and I always talk with them and share why I believe I’m going to Heaven when I die and how they can too.
should have been write above, sorry.
Michael:
I clearly stated: ‘whoop-bass’ (borrowed from Ed Young)
Quoting Ed Young was a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ metaphor to add to Vol’s validity of using Ed Young as an example of who not to pattern after.
Please watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-FiTJgL2k
–chadwick
McGrit,
Two steps ahead of me? OK. I don’t care how conservative you are.
The big problem for you then is: You asked Vol this question:
“As long as the message is Christ and Him crucified what difference does the rest of it make really?”
Conservative you may be, but you having to ask such a question reveals you to be a little short on knowledge. Being conservative without knowledge is problematic to say the least. In truth we could have completed the work of the CR long before we did had it not been for “conservatives” without much knowledge.
And I don’t care what Tim thinks about this. Although, I do know Tim is both conservative and knowledgeable.
BTW, You are right. Jesus will have the goats and sheep separated. But He did not say we would not know who the goats are. Actually He made the gospel so plain, it is pretty easy to tell a goat who consistently claims to be a sheep, but denies the power thereof. And that brings us back to your original question as to “….what difference does the rest of it make….?” and my answer: “A lot.”
CB,
No problem, obviously you can’t or won’t answer the question, which by the way was addressed to David, not you and for some reason you decided to pipe in as you usually do and that’s cool. I guess what I’m saying is it will be L’s standing before God on judgment day not you and L’s. God doesn’t need you telling Him whether you believe she is a true believer or not. This has gotten pretty far off topic, so I’ll try to get back on. Still haven’t heard from David on this.
Chadwick,
I don’t know you either and I was just having some fun with CB and I used your term to prove the point. I’m aware of what you were saying with Ed Young, Jr. I think we too often criticize that which is not like what we do. But as the GCR is showing us, the way we’ve always done it ain’t get it done. (excuse the grammar)
McGrit,
I have not told God anything. You are making a false assumption at best by saying that or you are telling a falsehood at worst by saying that. You know your heart as to what the case may be. But I can assure you I have read God’s Word by which He speaks to us and God’s Word declares only one way to heaven and L’s, by her own confession, is not embracing that one way.
“Piping in” is the nature of an open blog comment thread. You did the same about my comments to L’s. Thus your comment about me “piping in” smacks with a slight degree of hypocrisy at least, don’t you think?
Dear C.B.
If you have time, and the patience to do it, could you share with all of us how your ‘biblical gospel’ differs from this:
http://www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/index.htm
Once, someone said to you, (one of your own denomination) that you spoke always of a ‘biblical gospel’ but you did not ‘articulate it’ clearly.
Can you share with us? How is your belief different from the Lenten meditation of Father Groeschel? Is he wrong? Is there more that anyone needs for ‘salvation’ that than the grace to accept Jesus Christ, and Him crucified? How is your ‘biblical gospel’ different?
If these questions make you uncomfortable, please ignore my request. And, in all things, be peaceful in Our Lord.
Love, L’s
Robert,
Amen to comment #5.
Phillip,
Thanks for comments #6 and #7. Although, dont you think that a pulpit is a matter of one’s personal preference? I mean, the Bible doesnt say that a Church has to have a pulpit. I do think that a pulpit in the center of the stage does have a significance, though. My opinion is that a pulpit sitting in the center declares to the church that Bible preaching and teaching is the center of our worship experience. When I was a Methodist, they had a pulpit on each side of the stage. One was where the music was led. The other one was where the preacher spoke. They did this…from what I understand… to show that all the worship was equally important, or something like that.
David
Michael, I know you don’t know me, and I don’t know you. But I have to say that when I read your question: “As long as the message is Christ and Him crucified what difference does the rest of it make really?” I went, opps. In most any Baptist stream, especially that which is conservative, I knew that rhetorical question was gonna get snapped up like Ed Young, Jr’s lizard. I read it to my husband and said, “opps. just wait”. I even thought about commenting myself. The one “and” kept me from jumping into the water with waders, though. I would say the vast majority of people overlook the fact that “Christ and” means the entirety of Christ the Lord (all the things He has taught). They may get hooked on Christ-crucified and forget about the burial and the resurrection, and what all that means to those who find themselves justified, righteous, reconciled and sanctified.
Indeed, they may conclude that Christ on the cross and Him crucified, and all that matters is that they believe it to be an historical fact. However, Jesus as He ascended told the onlookers to go into all the world and make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to observe “all” things He had taught them. So while it may not matter to some, it mattered a bunch to Jesus. Just an observation from one who found herself to be a catfish rather than bass. I knew and believed Christ crucified for many years. It’s the rest of the story, I had not known, nor understood. (And dyed-in-the-wool Baptists teach so well).
As for the goats and the sheep, the tares and the wheat, I have to agree with CB on that. Jesus just don’t want us separating them. He wants us talking to them and telling them, hey…look in the mirror you ol’ goat…do you really think you look like that sheep over there? I’m embellishing a bit here for emphasis. Anyone who knows anything about farm animals can see the difference between a goat and a sheep. Sometimes we just need to lead them over to the Water and tell them to look down into the water and peek at their own reflection so they can see the difference.
That said, if I were to walk down to the water’s edge with CB and lean over the bank, I’m sure I’d see two sheep. But CB would be a rough looking one, I’d say. Probably one who hadn’t been sheered lately cause he was too busy out mingling with the goats, pushing and shoving them down to the Water so they’d take a look at themselves so they’d see they ain’t sheep at all–they are goats.
And when I saw me, (remember, CB and I are comparing our reflections,here), I would say I am probably a bit of a “ewe” who chomps along in the grass next to those goats, and chats a while with them. But I’m always concerned about my appearance and so I make sure I’m well-groomed, and there is no grass stuck in my teeth when I smile, and say things just right so as not to offend those goats and get the other sheep all riled up. That’s kinda how I see it…but then, I’m just standing here from afar…and I don’t know you…just going by what I read here by this stream. May God richly bless you as you seek to lead others to Him. hariette petersen, (a.k.a. selahV Today)
BTW..I appreciate your comments. They sure gave me something to chew on.
Selah,
I thank God for all the Churches that do preach and teach the Word of God. This post was not about them. I rejoice that there are some Pastors and some churches that value the preaching and teaching of the Bible.
Michael M.,
I think that all true preaching and teaching of the Bible is relevant. The Bible is relevant for today, just as it was back in the Early Church. It doesnt have to be an either/or thing, but sadly, some Pastors seem to think that way; and they opt for relevancy, or their opinion of what’s relevant.
David
L’s,
I’ve never heard of Father Groeshel. And, if you want to check that out to the Nth degree to make sure that I’m telling the truth, as you and Debbie and FBC Jax Watchdog and “Dr.” White seem to like doing; then go for it. But, I’ve never heard of the man, nor have I ever seen his show, nor do I want to.
Also, is God really glorified with the obsession to hound and nitpick and dissect every single thing that someone does or says, and make a huge mountain out of every molehill glorifying to God? Would you, or the others involved in the great white whale hunt, like for your lives to be dissected and blogged about, like what’s happening to Dr. Caner? Do you think that we might turn up a few skeletons in yall’s closets? I really want to encourage yall to stop hunting the white whale; to quit fighting the wind mills.
David
Michael M.,
In answer to your question, the rest of it does matter, Brother. It matters to God how we live for Him. It matters to God that we believe sound doctrine. It matters to the Lord that we believe the truth which sets the hearts of men free.
Brother, I understand what you were trying to say. And, you’re probably a good Brother in Christ, especially if Tim Rogers can vouch for you. But, it really does matter about the rest of it….it matters greatly…if we want to please God with our lives, and do the work like He wants it done on this Earth.
David
Dennis Dunn,
To go along with Chadwick’s video about Ed Young, Jr. I also give you this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQcp-J-3njw
And, make no mistake about it….this is a validation of Joel Osteen and the others that he’s mentioning. I have also heard Ed Young, Jr on tv. Every time I’ve heard him preach, it was a topical, 5 or 6 or 7 step, help you to live type message. I’m not saying that that’s all he preaches…maybe you can tell us different?
David
Hi DAVID,
Thank you for responding. I understand that you do not care to watch the ‘meditation’. Actually, I meant no disrespect to you or to your denomination. Father Groeschel is a ‘Franciscan’, and there are Franciscans in many denominations, although I doubt many Southern Baptists of the SBC who are fundamentalists have ever heard of St. Francis of Assisi. He was, for my Church, a ‘reformer’. That sounds strange, I know. But I thought you might have seen it. And, if I have given you offense by asking, I ask your forgiveness, with all respect.
Have a blessed Easter. And remain always at peace in the loving care of Our Lord.
Dear C.B., Chad, and David,
I stole this from my friend Paul ’cause I thought you all sounded a little bit down. It will make you feel better. Love, L’s
http://www.responsibilityproject.com/films/player/the-home-run
This argument boils down to preference in speaking style and worship style. Both sides try to couch their positions in scripture, usually either taken out of context or just shoehorned in to make their case.
The fact of the matter, it’s simply just preference.
There is no set style of speaking that is the end all, be all.
Some people prefer pastors who scream and yell while making their points while others prefer a pastor who presents more like a teacher. It’s all a matter of preference.
There’s a balance to be struck in presenting the gospel and when one side tries to claim their method is the most biblical, it’s usually far from it.
I just wish people would be honest and admit that they prefer a certain manner of worship music or preaching style rather than trying to claim its a biblical issue of heaven or hell implications.
It’s not.
David,
Sorry, should have clarified. The secondary issues are what do not matter to me. Whether you use a pulpit or a podium, music, creative ways to reach those who otherwise would never darken the door of your church or mine. I definitely wasn’t speaking of doctrine. We never ever change the message or compromise the Word. When I said what difference does the rest make, I was referring to ways of reaching people and the way we do church.
Selah V,
I had to read your comments several times to understand what you were saying. CB looks more like other animals than sheep judging from his picture, but for that he has no control over. Just kidding of course. Of course we are to preach/teach the whole counsel of God and I do. I don’t see in my Bible where it’s our job to sort out the sheep and the goats, I could’ve have missed it. Jesus did say you will know His followers by their fruits. I don’t know L’s or her fruits, so that would be difficult for me to evaluate, you may know more than me. Bottom line is that Jesus said you will know my disciples by their love one for the other and a whole lotta love I haven’t seen many times on these comment threads. And CB, your right that was hypocritical of me. My bad. You pipe in all you like and so will I. As for telling a falsehood, I’m not sure what you are referring to there, but I’m not always certain what you’re saying sometimes.
L’s,
I don’t care what another of my “denomination” said or did not say, you and I both know I have presented you the biblical gospel on many occasions. How many times, I do not know. But we both know it has been many. Even Debbie has allowed me to share the biblical gospel with you at her Funhouse…not once but at least three or four times. Of course, then she comes in and says you know the gospel as well as anyone she knows, tells you what a great person and friend you are, giving you a false sense of security, especially since you believe in a manifested religious labor soteriology in the first place.
amen Scott!
L’s,
Go back to Tim Roger’s post on the social gospel dated March 26, 2010 and read comment #19.
Hi C.B.
Found it.
You had written this: “There is only one gospel and that one gospel is the biblical gospel of grace brought forth by the atoning work of Christ on the cross wherein He was made to be sin that those who repent of sin and believe the gospel will become the very righteousness of God.”
C.B., how is what Father Groeshel said different from the above?
What is different? I can see the similarities, but not the differences.
BTW, thank you, and I hoped you liked that little film comment #40.
It made me cry and smile at the same time. I LOVED IT. :)
SelahV,
To be honest, I have done just a little goat huntin’ today. Most of my time has been spent in another direction today as Tm Rogers can tell you. One of my little girls had a birthday today. As you know, this is my first experience rearing girls. All my other youngun’s are males of the species. (And a wild and wooly lot, one and all I must admit.)
Well, anyway SelahV, today I went to a place called “Build a Bear” with Karen and our youngest daughter. I knew as soon as I walked in the door, I was out of my element.
My little girl “picked out her bear” and it was flat as a pancake. (I thought to myself that if she would have just waited until the Carnival came back to town I would win her three or four 5′ fully stuffed bears at the shootin’ gallery. I told my wife as much and she told me to “hush.” She said, “when we get this little bear finished it will be cute.”
Next, we went in line to a really squeaky voiced guy who asked me if I wanted to “rub the little bear’s heart to warm it up.” I looked at the fellow with a good death stare, but my little girl said, “Please, Pa, rub Elizabeth’s heart so she will be warm enough to stuff.” So, there I was; A full grown, weather-eyed, old man rubbing a fake bear’s heart so it would be warm enough to stuff, with a bunch of women, little kids, a squeaky voiced, sissy guy and my wife all smiling at me. But my little girl was happy so I guess it was worth the humiliation. Then the sissy fellow put the bear on a “stuffing machine” and stuffed it.
Next we had to pick out some bear clothes. Then we paid for the thing. SelahV, I could have killed a real bear and had it mounted for about the same cost as that little brown fake bear cost me.
We left that store and and I was glad to go. Then my little girl got my hand and said, “Thank you Pa, for getting me Elizabeth. I love you. My wife was smiling that “I am proud of you smile” at me. As for me, well, I think the next time I go back to the Build a Bear Store, I am going to get the floppy-eared rabbit and name him Earl.
Hi C.B.
I can see you buying a floppy-eared rabbit. Actually,, you remind me of a rabbit in a children’s book called The Velveteen Rabbit’. I quote from it here:
“What is REAL?” asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. “Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?”
“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”
“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.
“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”
“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”
“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”
Some see you as a ‘Crusty Buzzard’, C.B.
But, to me, you are THE Velveteen Rabbit.
Happy Easter, dear Rabbit.
Love, L’s
L’s,
I thrust Easter for you will be unique in and of itself.
Also, a dare to you: Go to Early Mass this Easter Sunday. Then go to the most hardcore Bible believing Baptist church in town and listen with all your heart to the preacher as he shares the Good Story of Jesus Christ.
Scott,
No, you are dead wrong. It’s not a matter of personal preference. That’s not what I’m talking about….at all. I dont care if the preacher hollers, or if he teaches with a quiet voice. I dont care if he wears a suit and tie, or if he wears a t-shirt and flip flops. I dont care if he preaches behind a wooden pulpit, or a clear one.
What I do care about greatly is if the man is preaching and teaching the Word of God, or is he just preaching shallow fluff!!! That’s the point of my post. And, I fear that we have many Pastors in this land, who are more concerned with the fluff, than they are about preaching the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit.
I think you need to go back and re-read what I wrote in my original post. And, when you do, then read it with the paragraph above in mind.
David
PS. Michael McGirt, I recommend that you go back and read it again, as well.
L’s: Christiane, I loved the film. It was wonderful…I sent it to several people I know. thanks for sharing that. I promise when I get a bit of time I am going to listen to that other message that you wonder about the differences. Would you mind if I peeked at it and took a stab at what the differences are? by the way, if I might ask, what does L’s stand for?
C.B: I love that slice of your life. What a sweet memory your little girl is going to have. Can I repost this on my blog? pretty please?
You are a velveteen rabbit. But you aren’t at all worn out. Wish I had your staying power. You amaze me. I guess few folks know any of us, do they?
SelahV,
Feel free to use what you please. But I ain’t no velvet rabbit. :-)
Hi Selah V,
I am L’/Christiane, and the L’s is short for ‘Lucy’s Grand-daughter’, as my Grandmother, of blessed memory, was a Southern Baptist. Of course, you can use that film. I think it does people good to see something like that, especially when they need cheering up. It’s good to meet you, and I think we may both know Debbie Kaufman.
Hi C.B.
Selah V is right. We have got your number. Your ARE a Velveteen Rabbit. Everyone else thinks you’re a crusty grouch, but we see through the whole act, and that lovely story about your daughter and the bear store proves that we are right.
It’s like Joe Blackmon, everyone thinks he’s a grouch, but I know better.
He LOVES elephants. And no one who loves elephants could ever be a really bad person. Now, go buy ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’ and read it to that sweet child and her new bear. You will both enjoy it very much.
Love you dearly, L’s
Hi Selah V, again.
Of course, take a look at Father Groeschel’s meditation. I would LOVE for take a look at C.B.’s comment on the other post, and compare the two and let me know what you think.
I suspect that Father Groeschel is old, and shabby, and has had a stroke, and perhaps that is why he seems a little off-putting to some people, but I think he is a good man, and I love to hear the reverence with which he reads the Bible and speaks of Christ. I only see similarities, Selah V, sometimes, when everyone else sees differences. I’m not very wise, I guess.
Thanks for wanting to help. You are a blessing in that way. :)
L’s
Michael, sorry I’m so confusing to you. didn’t mean for my little parable to confuse you. Glad CB got it.
I don’t know L’s or her fruit either. Wasn’t talking about L’s. Was talking about goats and sheep and how CB is a sheep, but with the personality of a bulldog. He’s not one to follow along and graze like the rest of the sheep. And when goats are walking alongside him in pasturelands [like his community and church], and along streams [like blogging streams], he isn’t like some of us (not meaning you), who walk on the grass like it is filled with eggshells. He’s not “sorting” out, he is recognizing when one thinks it is a sheep, and helping them see they are not. If our churches weren’t filled with sheep AND goats, the preacher would have no need to preach on how to be saved, would he? It’s amazing how many folks in churches (not necessarily SBC) all across the land think they are sheep, when they are goats. And if it wasn’t for the discernment of ministers like CB, they’d go on being goats.
I’m not saying L’s is lost or saved, sheep or goat. I don’t know her. I’m just saying that when a person shares that they believe something that is contrary to the gospel of Christ (no matter how they embellish it to look like the gospel), it opens the door for another to try and clear that up. Knowing CB, and by the sounds of L’s, they are not strangers to one another. I don’t go where they go, so until this stream, I didn’t know her from any other letter in the alphabet. [that is a play on words, as in L's is plural of a letter in the alphabet].
Sorry for being so confusing. If this isn’t any clearer to you, then you’d probably be better off to just skip me when you read my name. And I will skip you when it comes to commenting so you don’t think I’m trying to mess with your mind. selahV
L’s, okay. I’ll try and get it all listened to, and will read C.B.’s comment. Is this the comment you want compared to Groeschel?:
“There is only one gospel and that one gospel is the biblical gospel of grace brought forth by the atoning work of Christ on the cross wherein He was made to be sin that those who repent of sin and believe the gospel will become the very righteousness of God.” selahV
C.B. you’re right. you are not the velveteen rabbit. he’s too soft. ha ha. you’re more like godzilla, whose heart was rubbed by Jesus. :) selahV
Hi Selah V,
Thank you. I appreciate this.
C.B.’s directions to his complete comment are:
“Go back to Tim Roger’s post on the social gospel dated March 26, 2010 and read comment #19.”
L’s, that is sweet that you take that on from your grandmother. Southern Baptist, eh? And she didn’t wear off on you? ;)
Yes, I do know Debbie Kaufman. Well, not really. Just in passing on blogs. It’s hard to really say one knows someone when one knows only the ‘blogging” side of them.
Well, C.B. is really not a crusty “grouch”. He may seem grumpy at times, but so am I. Just try not to let others know it unless I’m ranting. When I rant, I try to make folks know I’m ranting.
Don’t know how much wiser I will be. Seems like I am rather confusing when I write according to Michael. I’ll try to be more succinct and use less imagery, metaphors, and allegory comparisons. You may understand my language though, since you can use a Velveteen Rabbit to describe ol’ C.B. :) selahV
Hi Selah V,
Sorry, I forgot to give you this for Father Groeschel’s Good Friday meditation (it is very short)
http://www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/index.htm
Thanks again,
L’s
Oops, sorry Selah V,
I just checked Father G’s site, and they have already changed the site to Holy Saturday’s meditation from the Holy Friday one I asked C.B. about. I am sorry to have caused you to waste time. L’s
L’s, no problem. I copied and pasted it all in my drafts on my site so I could have it all in one place. If you ever get a copy of the one you’d wanted me to compare, just email me. My email link is on my website. selahV
David, I appreciate you not whacking me for chasing rabbits on your site. I also want to say I agree with you that many are preaching sermons that have little to do with the Word, taking particular scriptures out of context to fit a particular topic, and to draw all men unto them instead of all men unto Jesus. That is what I was saying in my first comment, in case anyone found my comment confusing. Keep preaching. sister selahV
wabbits? wabbits? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxiv3CBMS4M
and my password is self-control!
Steve, that is hilarious. ha ha ha. my password is gentleness. such an oxymoron when you watch your clip. tooooo funny. selahV
David Worley,
I reread your article. Twice, I might add.
My point still stands.
And it’s not too hard to dig into your history of comments on other articles to justify my position.
Thanks,
Scott
SCott,
It’s not about personal preference. I’m all for making changes that are good changes to fit your culture. I’m all for doing things that are seriously gonna help you reach more people for Christ.
But, what I am talking about are Pastors who trust in technology and being “hip and cool” in order to get a crowd, and they trust in preaching shallow, psychological, self help sermons over the Bible. I am talking about the tendency today to be more interested in getting a big crowd over true, sincere, meaningful worship. To hear some Pastors talk, the bigger crowd you have, then the more successful you are. Or, the bigger crowd makes you the expert in church growth. If that were true, then we’d all need to study Joel Osteen and PTL. No thanks.
Scott, would you be interested to know…since you think you have me sized up…that I’m a rocker from way back. I prefer praise music over traditional music, although I still love the old hymns, as well. Would it interest you to know that my church has wild game suppers, Awana, Easter egg hunts, Trunk or Treat, and a host of other evangelistic outreach events thru out the year? Would it interest you to know that I try to encourage my people to be as “missional” as possible….if by missional you mean to live out your faith in everyday living? Also, I wear a pretty hip, mic on my ear when I preach? That I only wear a suit and tie at funerals, or when I preach revival meetings, etc at other Churches where that’s what they expect? Well, anyway, Scott, I just believe that Pastors should be concerned with preaching and teaching the Word of God, rather than their opinions and thoughts. I just believe that we should trust in the power of the Bible, and depend on the annointing of the Holy Spirit over gimmicks and stage props. I mean, if you want to preach from a bed when speaking about marriage…go ahead. I’ll pass on that, because I think it’s stupid; but if you think that the young people will think you’re super cool for preaching out of a bed, or ridiing into the sanctuary on a Harley, or whatever….then be my guest. I’ll just chuckle inside, and go on with life. But, as a seminary prof used to say,”If you have to have a circus to get people to come to church, then you’ll have to have a better circus to keep them coming.” I could offer chances on winning a new car….if you come to Church every Sunday for a month, and put your name in the big bucket that hangs over the center of the sanctuary. Then, at the end of the month, we’ll have the big drawing of the winner of the car. Scott, do you think I’d get a crowd? What about the next Sunday, and the Sunday after that? When there’s no car to win? When it takes love for God and a desire to worship God to come to Church? You think the circus crowd will come back?
Well, I just want you to know that it’s not about personal preference. It’s about preaching the Bible, and being wise, and having just plain ole good horse sense.
David