cb.blog

Category: Religion

re·li·gion: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conductof human affairs. Posts in this category pertain to religious matters and issues.

  • OYB August 22

    Today´s reading:
    OT: Job 4-7
    NT: I Corinthians 14:18-40
    Ps: Psalm 37:30-40
    Pr: Proverbs 21:27

    Today´s notable verse:

    17 “What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention, 18 that you examine him every morning and test him every moment?

    Job 7:17-18 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

  • Church of the Week

    My church, Destiny Church of Saint Louis, is featured this week as the 700 Club‘s Church of the Week:

    Destiny Church of St. Louis provides ways to get their members involved in evangelism.

    …

    For making a difference in St. Louis and throughout the world, The 700 Club commends Destiny Church in St. Louis, Missouri.

    The articles quotes my pastor (and occasional tennis partner) Jim Stern and my friends Alicia and Nikki, and references the church’s Serve St. Loius efforts, including sending care packages to troops in Iraq and pillows to children at a local hospital.

  • Sunday School Scandal in Watertown

    In The Agora has a post about First Baptist Church in Watertown, NY, dismissing Mary Lambert from her Sunday School teaching position, which she had held for 54 years, citing I Timothy 2:12 (NIV):

    I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.

    The pastor, Timothy LaBouf, issued this statement on the church’s web site.

    The church also has a blog, but it appears to be only for posting weekly sermons.

    There appears to be some history, both with church members taking church matters public, and also specifically with Ms. Lambert, according to this statement from the Diaconate Board. The part that puts the church board and the pastor in a tenuous position is that the dismissal letter referenced only the Scriptural rationale for Lambert’s dismissal, yet the board’s statement indicated that the dismissal had only a small part to do with that rationale:

    In the specific case of Ms. Lambert the Board’s decision to remove her from a teaching position was multifaceted and the scriptural rules concerning women teaching men in a church setting was only a small aspect of that decision. Christian courtesy motivates us to refrain from making any public accusations against her.

    According to the pastor’s statement:

    We had originally intended to include the various multifaceted reasons for the dismissal in our corresponds however after legal review it was recommended that we refrain from including issues that could be construed as slander and stick with “spiritual issues” that govern a church, which the courts have historically stayed out of. With threats of lawsuits in the past we wanted to try hard to not go down that road again.

    I’m no lawyer, but it would seem to me that this course of action would only invite more legal scrutiny…

    Perhaps, before making such a drastic decision, rationalized based upon a single Scriptural reference, the church should remember this Scripture:

    Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

    II Corinthians 13:1 (NIV) (See also: Deuteronomy 19:15)

    More importantly, if the church wanted to dismiss Lambert for other reasons, they should do so, and state them, rather than hiding behind a “Scriptural rationalization” out of fear of legal ramifications.

  • OYB August 21

    Today´s reading:
    OT: Job 1-3
    NT: I Corinthians 14:1-17
    Ps: Psalm 37:12-29
    Pr: Proverbs 21:25-26

    Today´s notable verse:

    “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”

    Job 1:20 (NIV)

    Amazing that, in the midst of such suffering and loss, Job’s example is one of surrender to the soverignity of God. I wonder how often our response is even but a shadow of his, in the face of but a fraction of his suffering?

    So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

    I Corinthians 14:12 (NIV)

    Here, Paul gives a great reminder that we are given gifts and abilities – in this case, specifically, Spiritual gifts – for the purpose of the edification of the church and to the glory of God, not for our own edification or glory.

    The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;

    Psalm 37:21 (NIV)

    Wow, ouch! Talk about a reminder truly to leave no debt outstanding…

    The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

  • OYB August 20

    Today´s reading:
    OT: Esther 8-10
    NT: I Corinthians 12:27-31, I Corinthians 13
    Ps: Psalm 37:1-11
    Pr: Proverbs 21:23-24

    Today´s notable verse:

    Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

    Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.

  • OYB August 19

    Today´s reading:
    OT: Esther 4-7
    NT: I Corinthians 12:1-26
    Ps: Psalm 36
    Pr: Proverbs 21:21-22

    Today´s notable verse:

    He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

    Proverbs 21:21 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.

    Testing trackbacks: One Year Bible Blog

  • OYB August 18

    Today´s reading:
    OT: Esther 1-3
    NT: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
    Ps: Psalm 35:17-28
    Pr: Proverbs 21:19-20

    Today´s notable verse:

    I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.

    Psalm 35:14 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.

  • OYB August 17

    Today´s reading:
    OT: Nehemiah 12:27-47, Nehemiah 13
    NT: I Corinthians 11:1-16
    Ps: Psalm 35:1-16
    Pr: Proverbs 21:17-18

    Today´s notable verse:

    11 In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

    I Corinthians 11:11-12 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.

  • OYB August 16

    Today´s reading:
    OT: Nehemiah 11, Nehemiah 12:1-26
    NT: I Corinthians 10:14-33
    Ps: Psalm 34:11-22
    Pr: Proverbs 21:14-16

    Today´s notable verse:

    Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

    I Corinthians 10:24 (NIV)

    So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

    I Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.

  • OYB August 15

    Today´s reading:
    OT: Nehemiah 9:22-38, Nehemiah 10
    NT: I Corinthians 9:19-27, I Corinthians 10:1-13
    Ps: Psalm 34:1-10
    Pr: Proverbs 21:13

    Today´s notable verse:

    19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

    I Corinthians 9:19-22 (NIV)

    And again:

    Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

    I Corinthians 9:24 (NIV)

    And yet again:

    12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

    I Corinthians 10:12-13 (NIV)

    Some of Paul’s best writings are in this passage. Nothing really to add; his words are sufficient.

    The One Year Bible Blog‘s comments for today.