Monday night, news reader presents the "most talked about story" of the day. Turns out to be a non-story, something about a "mistake" at the Oscars presentation the previous evening. "Someone will have to be held accountable. . ."
The considered "opinion" of the news agency seems to be that the Academy is likely to sever its relationship with Pricewaterhouse. Well, of course. There's accountability for you, is it not?
I propose a different take on the whole thing. It was Hollywood, right? The whole thing was a carefully orchestrated and well-acted farce designed to extend unwarranted attention of the country to the tedious annual self-congratulatory mess.
ho-hum
Monday, February 27, 2017
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Vision
Today's lesson is taken from the Sermon on the Mount, the greatest sermon ever preached, as spoken by Jesus Himself. Text reading Matthew 5:13-16.
Pastor spoke about the phenomenon of "mission drift" in the church which he said occurs when the focus becomes the self rather than Jesus.
Jesus said "You are salt. . ." This addresses the practicality of being a believer in Jesus.
A believer is down-to-earth, useful, approachable. Are you the type people want to be around because you make things better? Are you good for others?
Jesus said, "You are light. . ." This asserts that we have the answer: hope for the world even if the world does not realize it needs the light. Good people who do not know Jesus have a problem. It is not enough to be a good person. One must come to know Christ.
Our actions must bring honor and glory to God.
Five things we at Trinity believe.
1. We believe Trinity is here for people who are not here yet. We must operate like we believe this.
2. We believe we exist to see people begin and grow in their relationship with Jesus.
3. We believe we are a place where broken people belong, a place where broken people find belonging and healing.
4. We believe people will choose to follow Christ if they see and experience authentic Christian living. The world is hungry to see what is real. If they see authentic Christians they will want to know what Jesus has for them.
5. We believe that we are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus such that we bridge the gap between the world and God.
5. We believe that we are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus such that we bridge the gap between the world and God.
INVEST IN PEOPLE'S LIVES!
If you have no friends outside the church, go find some.
Do your neighbors know you love them?
There are approximately 10,000 unchurched people in the county.
Invite someone!
Connecting people with Jesus only works if each individual participates.
The people we are called to connect with Jesus are those around us.
Will they be able to see our transformed lives? Give God the glory.
Ask yourself, How can I be a practical evangelist in everyday life?
Pastor Johnnie Blair
Sunday morning
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Robocall # *&^%
Phone: Get the phone! (I see it is a 210 area code.)
I: Hello!
Perky Female Voice: This is your last and final notice. . . (Last and final. Wow! That sounds like Armageddon.)
I: Good! I am glad you won't be calling anymore. (But the robot voice goes on and I hang up.)
I: Hello!
Perky Female Voice: This is your last and final notice. . . (Last and final. Wow! That sounds like Armageddon.)
I: Good! I am glad you won't be calling anymore. (But the robot voice goes on and I hang up.)
Monday, February 20, 2017
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Have any Giants?
The scripture lesson is from I Samuel 17 which relates the encounter of the Isrealites with the Philistines in which David ultimately dispatches the Giant, Goliath.
No matter what giants you have in your life, no matter what sins encumber you, try this formula for overcoming them.
1. To become a giant killer I must identify the character defining moments in my life.
When the desires of the heart come to the fore, we must always pick a side.
2. Learn to see what God sees.
Sin is too big for you to handle is a lie of the enemy. Whatever you face, it is nothing to what God can do. Nothing can defeat you so long as you see what God sees. Call sin what it is.
3. Believe in my heart that God is able to deliver me.
Begin to change, with God's help, and build on successes. David killed both the lion and the bear before he slew Goliath. Rather than to be seized by fear, believe that God is able.
No matter what giants you have in your life, no matter what sins encumber you, try this formula for overcoming them.
1. To become a giant killer I must identify the character defining moments in my life.
When the desires of the heart come to the fore, we must always pick a side.
2. Learn to see what God sees.
Sin is too big for you to handle is a lie of the enemy. Whatever you face, it is nothing to what God can do. Nothing can defeat you so long as you see what God sees. Call sin what it is.
3. Believe in my heart that God is able to deliver me.
Begin to change, with God's help, and build on successes. David killed both the lion and the bear before he slew Goliath. Rather than to be seized by fear, believe that God is able.
God will make a way!
4. Give God the credit and the glory for every victory.
David placed Goliath's sword in the tabernacle, gives glory to God rather than to himself. In chapter 21 we see the priest returning the sword to David.
What the devil wanted to use to destroy you will one day be turned on him.
The Holy Spirit aligns my thinking with His so that I may see what God sees.
I am a child of the Living God.
This giant shall have no power over me.
No weapon formed against you shall prosper. --Isaiah 54:17 (Read the entire verse.)
The ultimate goal is not just to kill giants but you will, over time, become a Person after God's own heart! Then there is nothing that can defeat you.
Pastor Johnnie Blair
Sunday morning
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Monday, February 13, 2017
Sinema?
Just heard on the news about a new phenomenon: Netflix cheating.
Run! The relationship was doomed before it started.
What is the matter with people? Don't answer that.
Run! The relationship was doomed before it started.
What is the matter with people? Don't answer that.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Anger
The scripture lesson is 2 Samuel 11, which is the same passage that has been used throughout this series on the deadly sins.
Anger is an emotional response to something that causes emotional hurt or pain.
Anger is not necessarily a sin. It may stimulate a desire to see justice done; a desire to right a wrong.
But,
Anger has a dangerous side, a sinful side.
Anger is called one of the seven deadly sins for a reason. It is the one that is called forth to defend us when we are called out for one of the other deadly sins.
When one is called out for a wrong behavior, anger comes to his rescue.
Most terrifying: anger may wear different faces such as rage or violence.
**Anger covers up for something that is going wrong within.**
Anger very rarely admits to wrong-doing. When we are called out we are guilty, offended, and insulted.
In anger we will push away that which we should cherish most. It is the denial of a truth at the expense of another person's pain.
Passive aggression is not less deadly than open hostility, and sometimes it is more damaging.
Anger never affects only the target, but others as well.
Some symptoms of sinful anger: sarcasm, foul language, the silent treatment, course joking.
Anger is a control issue. We want to be in control. Anger reflects a need for control. Sequentially it is followed by a desire for vengeance.
[Pastor related that anger in his own household is characterized as "intense moments of fellowship."]
In surrender to God we find release from anger.
Give up your anger and in return find forgiveness and peace.
Anger is an emotional response to something that causes emotional hurt or pain.
Anger is not necessarily a sin. It may stimulate a desire to see justice done; a desire to right a wrong.
But,
Anger has a dangerous side, a sinful side.
Anger is called one of the seven deadly sins for a reason. It is the one that is called forth to defend us when we are called out for one of the other deadly sins.
When one is called out for a wrong behavior, anger comes to his rescue.
Most terrifying: anger may wear different faces such as rage or violence.
**Anger covers up for something that is going wrong within.**
Anger very rarely admits to wrong-doing. When we are called out we are guilty, offended, and insulted.
In anger we will push away that which we should cherish most. It is the denial of a truth at the expense of another person's pain.
Passive aggression is not less deadly than open hostility, and sometimes it is more damaging.
Anger never affects only the target, but others as well.
Some symptoms of sinful anger: sarcasm, foul language, the silent treatment, course joking.
Anger is a control issue. We want to be in control. Anger reflects a need for control. Sequentially it is followed by a desire for vengeance.
[Pastor related that anger in his own household is characterized as "intense moments of fellowship."]
In surrender to God we find release from anger.
Give up your anger and in return find forgiveness and peace.
Pastor Johnnie Blair
Sunday morning
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Bullies: Envy and Greed
A bully becomes an internal voice. "Do I measure up?"
Our desires are bullies within.
Envy and Greed are bullies.
Envy: the feeling of discontentment aroused by desire for others possessions or situations.
Greed: the desire to acquire or possess more than one needs. (See James 4)
We try to accumulate possessions, power, authority. When we compare our situation with others the bullies within tell us we are not quite good enough.
Instead of rejoicing with others, we wish we were in their position.
In First Samuel 18 we see envy bullying Saul. He begins to keep a close eye on David. He is envious of the praise and adulation David receives; Saul is greedy of the throne. He is so driven by envy and greed that he determines to kill David. Envy and greed ultimately destroyed Saul.
David, too, was bullied by envy and greed. (Refer back to Second Samuel 11 and last week's message.)
--Sin will always take you farther than you want to go.
--Sin will always cost you more than you want to pay.
--Sin will stay longer than you ever planned.
OUT OF THE WAY OF DUTY; IN THE WAY OF TEMPTATION.
The problem with envy and greed is that one will never have enough.
Symptoms of the discontent of envy and greed.
1. Consistent restlessness. Underestimating the self, overestimating others.
2, Materialism. Want more of the best. Oh, the joy when others covet what you have!
3, Accumulation of debt. Results in pain and humiliation.
Many are beaten down by these three symptoms
Make a commitment to keep these three things in mind. Write them down if need be.
1. I am who I am. It is not about possessions, but about character of heart. Stop playing the comparison game.
2. I have what I have. Be content in whatsoever state you are in. (Philippians 4) To want more of what others have is to assume God made a mistake.
3. Lord, help me to give back all that I have been given. The consequence of envy and greed is to lose everything; the cure is to give it away. Watch the blessings of God flow over your life beyond measure!
Our desires are bullies within.
Envy and Greed are bullies.
Envy: the feeling of discontentment aroused by desire for others possessions or situations.
Greed: the desire to acquire or possess more than one needs. (See James 4)
We try to accumulate possessions, power, authority. When we compare our situation with others the bullies within tell us we are not quite good enough.
Instead of rejoicing with others, we wish we were in their position.
In First Samuel 18 we see envy bullying Saul. He begins to keep a close eye on David. He is envious of the praise and adulation David receives; Saul is greedy of the throne. He is so driven by envy and greed that he determines to kill David. Envy and greed ultimately destroyed Saul.
David, too, was bullied by envy and greed. (Refer back to Second Samuel 11 and last week's message.)
--Sin will always take you farther than you want to go.
--Sin will always cost you more than you want to pay.
--Sin will stay longer than you ever planned.
OUT OF THE WAY OF DUTY; IN THE WAY OF TEMPTATION.
The problem with envy and greed is that one will never have enough.
Symptoms of the discontent of envy and greed.
1. Consistent restlessness. Underestimating the self, overestimating others.
2, Materialism. Want more of the best. Oh, the joy when others covet what you have!
3, Accumulation of debt. Results in pain and humiliation.
Many are beaten down by these three symptoms
Make a commitment to keep these three things in mind. Write them down if need be.
1. I am who I am. It is not about possessions, but about character of heart. Stop playing the comparison game.
2. I have what I have. Be content in whatsoever state you are in. (Philippians 4) To want more of what others have is to assume God made a mistake.
3. Lord, help me to give back all that I have been given. The consequence of envy and greed is to lose everything; the cure is to give it away. Watch the blessings of God flow over your life beyond measure!
Pastor Johnnie Blair
Sunday morning
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