tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287232152024-03-06T03:46:26.601-05:00Think About Itchad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-50601685507252282872009-03-13T14:13:00.002-04:002009-03-13T14:44:34.630-04:00Who Changed?This time last week I was in another Country. A few of us were walking around one day and came upon a young man who was crippled. He sat on the sidewalk begging for money. I looked on him and my heart went out to him. At that moment there was an instant burden on my heart to go and pray over him and to pray for his healing. I was at once shocked and disgraced. I didn't have the faith to follow through.<br /><br />Over the next few days I have thought about that moment a lot. Then last night I was talking to a friend of mine and he had been reading in the book of Acts. He was questioning me as to why God did not move in mirculous ways anymore. I responded that God does still move in miraculous ways. I have heard stories and had friends tell me of specific instances where they saw God move in amazing ways.<br /><br />I have even heard Adrian Rogers tell of a time when he was preaching in India and at the invitation a man came down who was obviously possessed. He said the man was writhing on the ground uncontrollably. Dr. Rogers said he stepped of the platform and laid his hand on the man and rebuked the enemy asking God to free this man. At once the man went limp and rested on the ground. They raised him up and shared the Gospel with the man. The once possessed man was saved that day.<br /><br />Do not tell me that God does not move in the miraculous anymore. He may not move that way in America but others around the world see Him move in the miraculous. So what is the deal????<br /><br />Could it be that in our pursuit of the knowledge of God that we forgot to pursue Him. Could it be that we have a cold, dead orthodoxy devoid of the Power of the Spirit of God. Correct knowledge is fundamental, but if it is void of the power of God then what do we really have that will change lives and the world.<br /><br />Only the Lord knows what would have happened if I had acted in obedience and prayed over that young man. The sad thing is that he could have been changed and I could have been used for the glory of God. Instead, there was an unchanged man and a disobedient servant in me. God forgive me. God forgive us for our lack of faith.<br /><br />So who has changed? Do we serve a different God than that of Scriptures. I think not. God has not changed His people have...<br /><em></em><br /><div align="center"><em> Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.</em></div><div align="right"><em>2 Corinthians 3:5</em></div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-68800962239711871042009-03-07T09:54:00.002-05:002009-03-07T10:19:14.776-05:00Good GiftJust got back from traveling. I worked this last week in a place that has by percentage has one of the least number of believers in Jesus Christ in the world. The statistics are that .006 % of people are followers of Christ. I spent much time in prayer in this place and God is moving in this there.<br /><br />I have been profoundly effected by the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lostness</span> of this place. This morning I found myself weeping over it's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lostness</span> and how of the millions, so few have ever even had a chance to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. I also found myself weeping for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">lostness</span> of my own nation. I pray that God will open our eyes to our own need and how we must continue to take the Gospel to America.<br /><br />The Lord has blessed me with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">privelege</span> of taking His message to many parts of the World. I have often wondered if He will give me a heart for a specific people. I know many friends who have been given such a heart for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">particual</span> people and it is incredible to see them give everything and go to take the Gospel. Yet, God also gives some the gift of a burden for the world. The weight of such a burden is more than any man can bare yet HE, The Giver of Every Good and Perfect Gift bows the knee and bends the back of some with a gift of sorrow for the nations and with heavy hearts we weep for the salvation of the nations and enter into the fellowship of His sufferings willingly.<br /><br />To God be all honor, glory, and majesty. Let the Nations praise You and may Your followers be true to your heart, denying themselves and taking up our Cross to follow You and take the Message of Salvation to the Nations.<br /><br />P.S. This Lost nation I was in last week was at one time saturated with the Gospel and now it is all but completely lost. May We Who are true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ take note and sense the urgency of this place and what it can shortly become if we fail to proclaim the Gospel clearly.chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-3057974407537379392008-09-20T09:17:00.006-04:002008-09-20T09:48:58.530-04:00What if...What if we, followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, went out from this day until the end of this year and focused on two things.<br />The first, one is being obedient to The Spirit of the Lord in our lives. When we are convicted we agree with the Lord and obey. When we are prompted to do something, we say "yes Lord". When the Lord says "keep your mouth shut" we obey. When the Lord says "speak" we open our mouths. As we yield to the work and word of the Lord, the Spirit of God will use us to literally change our world.<br />The second thing is that we return to the Lord and renew our commitment to obedience in the sharing of the Gospel. I talked with a friend this week and she was in tears because the lost friends that she had invited did not show up at our weekly bible study. Friends, that is a heart after God's own heart. I can guarantee you this...that lady who is broken for the lost is praying for those friends and continually looking for a way to reach out to them. I'll bet she is also careful to present a witness for Jesus Christ. She has "others" on her mind.<br /><br />Be a faithful witness this week and seek to reach someone with the Gospel in the coming days.<br /><br /><div align="center"><em>Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.</em></div><div align="center"><em>He who continually goes forth weeping, </em></div><div align="center"><em>Bearing seed for sowing, </em></div><div align="center"><em>Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, </em></div><div align="center"><em>Bringing his sheaves with him.</em></div><div align="center"><em><strong>Psalm 126:5</strong></em></div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-17355414199592773532008-09-13T05:32:00.003-04:002008-09-13T06:38:04.536-04:00To say the least, these past few weeks have been interesting. It's been one of those times where I have been awakened to the brevity of life. During these days I have spent some time contemplating life and what is really important. I have learned and been reminded of many things. One reality that I came to Tozier spoke of in <em>The Pursuit of God. </em>It has to do with allegiance of the heart.<br /><br />In the Christian life one will often hear of accountability groups. Especially, between young men. It is good to have accountability in our lives but, what happens often is those groups become tools to keep us from doing certain things. Setting up rules in our lives are not a bad thing. I mean God gave the children of Israel the Law and in it contained the do's and dont's for the Israelites. So rules can't be all bad, right? Guess what...the Law didn't work to make the Children of Israel any holier. Instead, it showed them that they needed something far greater, more profound, and much more powerful than the Law. They needed to be changed from the inside out. Man's wicked heart cannot be changed by the bonds of religion of which the Pharisees of the New Testament are a good example. So young men coming together to have accountability to stay pure with their girlfriends, or to stay free from pornography is simply not enough.<br /><br />So what is the answer? The answer is a passionate, hot hearted love for God. Sounds simple enough right? Follow me for a moment...<br /><br />I love my wife Heather. What will keep me from having an affair with another woman? God's word forbids it right? Sure, but if that were enough then why would over 50% of "God's People" end up divorced with many due to extramarital affairs? The Command is not enough. So what will keep me from falling into the same mistakes that so many do. The answer is love.<br /><br />If I love Heather more than anyone else then I will take precautions and set up boundaries to keep us both safe. Love for her motivates me to seek her out, to take care of her, and to protect her.<br />In the Christian life, Love is to motivate us in our relationship with God. If we love God at all it is because He first loved us and He demonstrated that love in that while we were still in our rebellious, broken and sinful state He sent His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to die for our sins. If we love God then we will seek Him, desire to know Him, and in the end we will obey Him. <br />If I love God more than__________(you fill in the blank) then it will cause me to both stay away from the sinful and pursue the Holy.<br /><br />In your accountability group and in your life make the point and focus of your pursuit to grow in your love for God above all things whether it be the applause of men or the desires of the flesh and you will find yourself in obedience to the Greatest Command....<em>"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>My prayer: </em>Lord, thank you for your love for us. I am continually amazed to experience your grace and mercy toward me. You know better than anyone the rebellious, sinful, selfish, and ugly state in which you found me. Yet, you loved me and set your affection upon me and saved me. I know that in me dwells no good thing. Unless you had given me Your Spirit and changed this heart, there would be no hope of me ever loving You.<br />Yet, You did change me and gave me the ability to love. I have known you over these years and still so many times I find myself loving this world and this life far too much. Father, forgive me and may I this day grow in my love for you as we spend time together. The more I know you, the more I love you. Lord, help this day to not be swayed by the things of this world that might cause me to forget so easily Your great love. In Jesus, I pray. Amen<br /><br /><div align="center"><em>He who has My commandments and keeps them, </em></div><div align="center"><em>it is he who loves Me. </em></div><div align="center"><em>And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, </em></div><div align="center"><em>and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”</em></div><div align="center"><em>John 14:21</em></div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-37923974653452057572008-08-01T17:59:00.002-04:002008-08-01T18:11:25.070-04:00Changes in Our Small Groups (wePods)We are going to make some changes this fall in the way we handle our small groups. After much prayer, research, and deliberation we really believe it is in the best interest of our small group ministry to "close" the groups. This means that people will commit for the whole semester and to being a regular part and contributor to a small group as well as being faithful in attendance the the church with a desire to grow in your understanding of the Lord. The "closed" aspect means that people will not be allowed to join during the semester. This will encourage deeper relationships and trust within the groups as well as foster an atmosphere of mutual accountability in growing deeper in our love for God and for others. The Point of the small groups is to Grow Together in Christ and in their obedience to him. i.e, living a life on mission for God, obedience in your personal life, and using your God given gifts for the builiding up of the body of Christ<br /><br />About midway through the semester we will have a betaPod for visitors and new members who wish to get plugged into a small group. These betaPods will last four weeks and train the new people about small groups and what is expected of them in a wePod. Then the next semester they can join a wePod with the full understanding of the commitment to God and to others in the body.<br /><br />Billy Just sent out an event sign up for "The Leaf" group on facebook. if you wish to be a part of wePods this fall you <em>MUST</em> sign up.<br /><br />God bless you all, Chad, Billy, and the Leadership Teamchad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-18009871382855695432008-07-04T07:15:00.003-04:002008-12-10T00:56:30.252-05:00Freedom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmZrgcCS9Ji8ThYBznx-AxnEu6GuQiEUK65DCW42yGpnQ2hjPjEmBVYqUbRN8L_cKD-_R9LoB6i2lZUbbiDLOPwOHR-_toCjrF2lSdlOMkr8DDnDn1eO_T4SbmoLowC3-9jWU/s1600-h/fireworks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219122909305458402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="195" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmZrgcCS9Ji8ThYBznx-AxnEu6GuQiEUK65DCW42yGpnQ2hjPjEmBVYqUbRN8L_cKD-_R9LoB6i2lZUbbiDLOPwOHR-_toCjrF2lSdlOMkr8DDnDn1eO_T4SbmoLowC3-9jWU/s320/fireworks.jpg" width="246" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Happy 4th of July! This is an incredible holiday in which we celebrate the beginning of our country's struggle for freedom. We know how the story turns out but, I wonder what those early signers to the Declaration thought? Undoubtedly they considered the thoughts of dying in a fight for freedom better than living under tyranny for the rest of their lives. </div><br /><div>Living in America today, it is hard to understand the importance of freedom because it is all we have ever experience. But, all you needs to do is travel to a foreign country where there is no real freedom and you can begin to get a taste. My travels abroad have only deepened my respect for our country and the blessing it is to live in a place where i can live, raise a family, and express my thoughts and actions without fear. I am not saying America is perfect, but i can tell you for sure there is a reason that people swim across rivers to get here, work for years to get visas to enter the States, and leave all that they know for a chance to come here. It is because America is a land of hope...</div><br /><div>Yes, in America you have the chance to live in freedom and build a life. The reason people come here is Freedom and where there is freedom mankind understands intuitively there is hope. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>With all that being said freedom outwardly is secondary to freedom of the soul. Jesus said Then " to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, ...Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." -<em>John 8:31-35</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>You see</em> it is possible to live in free America and be bound by sin. It is possible to live in a nation where there is hope yet in your soul find none. I have found the following to be true in life... no matter where one lives or what circumstances we find ourselves, if Jesus has set you free then you are free indeed. This freedom is not bound by outward circumstances but the inward reality of being free from sin. Where there is freedom from sin, there is hope that transcends. It transcends circumstances and ultimately transcends even death itself. This freedom in Christ leads to hope eternal and that is real freedom. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This July 4 I am thankful for the freedom that <em>The Son </em>offers and I am thankful that I can enjoy it in the freedom of America. </div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-89348454996611059082008-06-28T08:04:00.003-04:002008-12-10T00:56:30.451-05:00Busy!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfVTOVv_lBzN9LoXyMXgMhlwJD8Gx9Jvq_WjQJE4gd2HkhZ8GGj1to33_B-OhfhAclRI7X1SoAq6wGtAj9Q-TkEM8xf05WsSns4NSOlo9SO5HDESwHjCQZU6e5bq-fgykxVjq/s1600-h/JD+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216905051235001778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="162" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfVTOVv_lBzN9LoXyMXgMhlwJD8Gx9Jvq_WjQJE4gd2HkhZ8GGj1to33_B-OhfhAclRI7X1SoAq6wGtAj9Q-TkEM8xf05WsSns4NSOlo9SO5HDESwHjCQZU6e5bq-fgykxVjq/s320/JD+028.jpg" width="236" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The last few weeks have been amazing! We kicked off our summer with all the students coming back home, working on some new outreach stuff, and in the middle of it all Heather and I had our 4th boy! James Daniel. (JD) He is sweet and seems to be pretty laid back. The other boys really like him and want to hold him occasionally. Winston (Golden Retriever) had the most questions. Everytime JD would cry in those first two weeks, Winston would walk up all worried and put His big old cold wet nose on him. It was really funny to watch. </div><br /><div>Then last week Troy and Alyssa were married out on the outer banks. Alyssa was beautiful and we did the best we could with Troy:). It was such a beautiful wedding. It could have had to do with the beach, sunset, gentle breeze and such. :) </div><div></div><br /><div>With all that said, I am hopefully back on my feet somewhat??? And will be back in the habit of writing. There are a lot of things on my my mind that I would love to write on. Especially things that we have talked about this summer in Rev714. ch</div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-84148663592084981652008-06-06T10:49:00.004-04:002008-06-06T10:54:13.568-04:00Notes From Our StudyWe will be posting the rest of the notes for the Summer Study on the website instead of here. <a href="http://www.revolution714.org/">http://www.revolution714.org/</a> under "media center". thanks, College and Beyond Staffchad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-23480582172671531242008-05-24T09:17:00.004-04:002008-05-24T09:38:36.680-04:00Two Distinctives of the Church 2008 Summer Bible Study #2
<br />Two Directives of the Church
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<br /><strong>2 Distinctives of the Church
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<br />Proclamation and Ordinances (baptism and the Lord’s Supper) briefly explain that they are Distinctives and pay attention over the next two weeks as to why they make the church so distinctive.
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<br /><strong>What is a church? </strong>John Calvin would say “Wherever we see the Word of God purely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to Christ’s institution, there, it is not to be doubted, a church of God exists there.
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The first Mark of a true church is correct teaching or proclamation</span></strong>
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<br /><strong><em>From the very beginning the Word of God was the means by which He created
<br />Creation</em></strong>
<br />i. Genesis 1:3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light,
<br />ii. Genesis 1:6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters
<br />iii. Genesis 1:9 Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so
<br />iv. So God spoke and created
<br />God gave life to His Creation the man and woman as He “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7
<br />Man and woman would rebel against the Word of God bringing sin into the world and with sin certain judgment but the One True and Living God would sustain man with a what?
<br /><strong>Word of Promise</strong>
<br />i. Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”
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<br /><strong>Creation of a people of God to carry the message of hope to the world by His Word.
<br /></strong>i. Genesis 12 1Now the LORD said[<a title="See footnote a" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2012;&version=47;#fen-ESV-300a#fen-ESV-300a">a</a>] to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3(<a title="See cross-reference C" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2012;&version=47;#cen-ESV-302C#cen-ESV-302C">C</a>) I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
<br />ii. By His Word he gave the nation of Israel the Law. And in that Law man would be laid beside the holiness of God and realize that he would nor could measure up to the holiness of God in his own power
<br />1. the law served as a cosmic neon sign pointing to the Seed because there was no hope in the law itself.
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<br /><strong>Take this Concept to the New Testament and Watch how it unfolds </strong>
<br /><strong>
<br /></strong>John Would write “In the beginning was(<a title="See cross-reference B" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201;&version=47;#cen-ESV-26035B#cen-ESV-26035B">B</a>) the Word, and(<a title="See cross-reference C" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201;&version=47;#cen-ESV-26035C#cen-ESV-26035C">C</a>) the Word was with God, and(<a title="See cross-reference D" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201;&version=47;#cen-ESV-26035D#cen-ESV-26035D">D</a>) the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3(<a title="See cross-reference E" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201;&version=47;#cen-ESV-26037E#cen-ESV-26037E">E</a>) All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
<br />i. That is why He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end.
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<br /></strong>So the Word of God, the Son of God comes in flesh to <em>preach God’s Word, embody God’s Word, and to fulfill Gods Word through His perfect life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection.
<br /></em>i. Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
<br />1. In every way Jesus fulfilled the law
<br /> a. Moral law by keeping it perfectly
<br /> b. Ceremonial law by being the embodiment of all the symbols and types
<br /> c. Judicial law by personifying God’s perfect Justice <a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a>
<br />2. That is why we do not practice the Old Testament laws and rituals because they were completely and utterly fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ.
<br /> ii. He is the completion of all that the Law is. The law divinely pointed to the need for a savior and uncovered mans need. Because God is holy and our sin separated us from fellowship with Him.
<br />Because he is the embodiment and completion of all that the Law was we now do not preach OT Ritual but faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So we preach the Word. Romans 10:17 So(<a title="See cross-reference Y" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%2010;&version=47;#cen-ESV-28190Y#cen-ESV-28190Y">Y</a>) faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
<br />i. Romans 2:28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 29Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
<br /><strong>What does that mean?
<br /></strong>It means that the word of God is preached and through the Spirit of God man is strengthened to respond in faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
<br /><strong>--</strong>That is what happened when Peter began to preach what “The Word” in Acts 2. people were moved to respond in faith and three thousand by faith responded to the truth of Jesus Christ and His Work
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<br /><strong>The Church is expanded when the word is rightly preached and people respond in faith.</strong>
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<br />God is sovereign. "Sovereign" means that he alone exercises supreme authority.<a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">[3]</a>
<br />In fact that is how Jesus Taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10 “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done”
<br />i. The Lord who is creator and Lord of the Church is also Lord of all that He has made. His sovereignty and Lordship will be acknowledged by all with Shouts of joy or fists of anger
<br />ii. In that sense the Church is a breaking in, reclaiming of His sovereign rule into this present age…a sort of foretaste of heaven
<br />iii.
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<br />So all proclamation of the church should be within the guideline and framework placed on it by The Sovereign God and should the message of the church should have at it’s center the Gospel Message which is the More than “God loves you and died on the cross”
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<br />Yes The God of the Bible is a loving God. However, that love cannot be fully understood without first understanding His Holiness.
<br />Gods Love provides what His holiness requires
<br />If God is not set apart, if God is not holy, then the church need not exist. But apart from Gods love the church would not exist
<br />If God is set Apart then His people must likewise be set apart. So the Message that God brings to his people can be summed up as
<br /> i. He is a just God and Gracious as well
<br /> ii. He is a Holy God yet He is merciful
<br /> iii. Humanity is in Sin Yet God offers His divine forgiveness through Jesus Christ. That is the message of the Gospel
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<br /><strong><em>Therefore, anything which detracts or adds to the message of the Gospel is actually a lie because it takes away or adds to the only means of redemption that God has given.</em></strong>
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<br />When this happens it imperils every lost soul who here’s the distorted message
<br />i. So when a preacher gets up and preaches a gospel without the truth that man has sinned and that God's holiness requires penalty, but also that God in his love sent His Son, The Lord Jesus Christ, to take that penalty upon Himself for the sins of man, that He died, was buried, and rose again on the third day defeating death, hell and the grave then that man ceases to preach the gospel. It is not just love, nor is it only condemnation.
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Result of Right Teaching
<br /></span></strong>Right Teaching of the Gospel centers around the right understanding of the Gospel
<br />Right teaching about the Gospel results in a correct understanding not only about God but about humanity.
<br />Right teaching of the Gospel Centers the church itself upon Christ’s work of atonement and not only his teaching or life example.
<br />i. This is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions of the world in that the figurehead acts as both example and redeemer. Christ came not only to preach but to be a ransom for his people
<br />ii. So when the church gathers it gathers not as just in instructed or encouraged people but a ransomed and saved people.
<br />Finally right teaching about the gospel centers the church not on human actions but on receiving by faith and repentance the rewards of Gods actions in Christ.
<br />i. God made Him who knew no sin to become sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
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<br />So in the end a Gospel centered church teaches both the turn from sin and turn to Christ.
<br />So an exposition if Mans sin is not enough
<br />Neither is only preaching on the Love of God enough both are necessary
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<br />The Oldest Sermon we have outside the New Testament was preached sometime in the early in the second century and was circulated with a message from Clement of Rome. No one really knows who the writer was but it was clear what he was preaching.
<br />The focus was on remaining steadfast under the hardships of being a Christian in that Culture but listen to where that hope came from…
<br /><em>“Involved in blindness, and with such darkness before our eyes, we have received sight, and through his will have laid aside that cloud by which we received sigh, and through his will have laid aside that cloud by which we were enveloped. For he had compassion on us, and mercifully saved us, observing the many errors in which we were entangled, as well as the destructions to which we were exposed, and that we had no hope of salvation except it came to us from him. For he called us when we were not, and willed that out of nothing we should attain a real existence. .. since he has displayed so great mercy towards us and especially in this respect, that we who are living should not offer sacrifices to gods that are dead, or pay them worship, but should attain through him the knowledge of the true Father, how will we show that we do indeed know him, but by not denying him through whom this knowledge has been attained.</em> <a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4">[4]</a>
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<br />A cross not taken up by repentance nor affirmed by faith is a cross that does on save. Therefore the right preaching of the Word is central to the church and is the basis and core of who we are.
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<br />IF a church loses the gospel message then that group ceases to be a church. It may be a religious organization or a club but it is not a church for the true church must present the Gospel and respond to it.<a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5">[5]</a>
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<br />What is our message to the world? What is that we are to proclaim as individuals and corporately?
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<br />The Gospel…Paul would say it this way…” 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
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<br /><a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">[1]</a> Macarthur study bible, notes on Matthew 5:17, p 1400
<br /><a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">[2]</a> The notes from this lesson are mainly from Aiken’s A Theology for the Church “The Doctrine of the Church” by Mark Dever P. 778-783
<br /><a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">[3]</a> adapted definition from m-w.com “Merriam Webster online, “sovereign”
<br /><a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4">[4]</a> Steven Mckinion, Life and practice in the early church, page 76
<br /><a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5">[5]</a> John Hammett, Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches. Page 64
<br />chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-3291149597462315192008-05-24T09:01:00.004-04:002008-05-24T09:40:35.375-04:00Foundation of the Church - Notes<strong>Summer Bible Study #1 </strong><br /><strong>The Foundation of the Church</strong><br /><em></em><br /><em>These are my speaking notes as i use them. The Notes are <strong>outlines</strong> that more or less guide me in speaking. They do not convert easily from Word to blog so hopefully you can make sense of them. Feel free to Comment or ask Questions. chad</em><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Church #1<br /><br />The concept of Church<br /></span></strong><br /><br /><strong>Introduction:</strong><br /><br />It's beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart. ~Anonymous ~<br /><br />But what truly possesses beauty. I know this…we desire to capture beauty and bring it into the soul… paintings, nature, pictures allure us and we are somehow drawn to it and desire in some way to be a part of it and for it to be a part of us . I think in the end beauty emanates from God Himself<br /><br />We do not want merely to see beauty, though, God knows, even that is bounty enough. We want something else which can hardly be put into words — to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it. That is why we have peopled air and earth and water with gods and goddesses and nymphs and elves — that, though we cannot, yet these projections can, enjoy in themselves that beauty, grace, and power of which Nature is the image. That is why the poets tell us such lovely falsehoods. They talk as if the west wind could really sweep into a human soul; but it can't. They tell us that "beauty born of murmuring sound" will pass into human face; but it won't. Or not yet. For if we take the imagery of Scripture seriously, if we believe that God will one day give us the Morning Star and cause us to put on the splendour of the sun, then we may surmise that both the ancient myths and the modern poetry, so false as history, may be very near the truth as prophecy. At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the splendours we see. But all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumour that it will not always be so. Some day, God willing, we shall get in.<br /><br />Beauty Is found in Creation and even though this world is fallen beauty is still clearly seen and that beauty is representative of its creator in some way.<br /><br />Of all the things I have studied, the pictures I have seen, the places I have been…probably the most beautiful thing on this earth is the church. Think about it. it is a place of life, growth, transformation, wrongs being made right, the beginning of the reversal of effects of the fall.<br /><br />I hope that over this summer you begin to see the beauty of the Church, the power to change lives that it possesses in the gospel.<br /><br />Introduction<br /><br />Disclaimer: We are going to come to this study of the church and what you believe about the church may be challenged. Your part in the church may be called into question. All I ask is that we truly seek the truth of what the Church is and how it is to function.<br /><br />When I speak of the word church I am using it in what I call the all encompassing singular. The church not in a specific are but the universal concept of the church consisting of all believers in the world.<br /><br />The Birth of the Church<br />Qahal in the OT – bound up in the understanding that these were God’s chosen people, called out.<br />Ekklesia in the NT<br />i. Used 114 times in the New Testament<br />ii. It is used<br />1. once in Hebrews for an OT assembly<br />2. acts 19 used three times to refer to the assembly gathered at an amphitheater to deal with Paul<br />a. the other 109 times it is used of a Christian assembly<br /><br />b. So Ekklesia as we will use it is defined as an assembly that meets for a Christian purpose.<br />a. This Ekklesia was different because it was founded, empowered, equipped, and redeemed through His Own Work<a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a><br /><br /><br />Matthew 16:18 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.<br />b. Intimate Connection: The church is His because He purchased it. (Acts 20:28) “purchased with His own blood”<br /><br />With the Purchase of the church by His work on the Cross through salvation Jesus Would go on to birth the Church in that first chapter of Acts. Jesus had been preparing His disciples for the incredible, he had been laying the foundation for the unimaginable, He had been paving the way for the miraculous birth of the Church that would be used to supernaturally change the world.<br />i. Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord[<a title="See footnote a" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%202&version=50#fen-NKJV-26945a#fen-NKJV-26945a">a</a>] in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.<br />1. Peter Preaches a Sermon from the Old Testament full of the Power of God<br />ii. Acts 2:40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly[<a title="See footnote g" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%202&version=50#fen-NKJV-26985g#fen-NKJV-26985g">g</a>] received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.<br /><br />The writers of the New Testament under the inspiration of the Spirit of God would go on to describe the church using a number of major images to convey the nature of the church<a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">[2]</a><br /><br />Three Major Images of the Church<br /><strong>The People of God</strong><br />Romans 9:25 25 As He says also in Hosea:“ I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved.”[<a title="See footnote h" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=52&chapter=9&version=50#fen-NKJV-28175h#fen-NKJV-28175h">h</a>] 26 “ And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,‘ You are not My people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living God.<br />I Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.<br />i. We are not Israel but the Similarities are striking there is a distinct parallelism between the church and Israel even though they are separate.<br />1. chosen generation<br />2. royal priesthood<br />3. holy nation and our banner is Christ<br />4. on an on.<br /><strong>The Fellowship</strong><br />I Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:<br />i. 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.<br />1. there was the fellowship in the Lord Jesus Christ<br />ii. 1 Corinthians 10:15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.<br />1. one bread<br />2. Paul did not explain precisely how such “communion” takes place through the Supper. He emphatically believed the Supper tied participants closer to one another and to Christ. <a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">[3]</a><br />Understanding this idea of fellowship or oneness in Christ helps to clearly paint the understanding as to why Paul would so vehemently speak against fellowship with darkness<br />i. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?<br /><strong>The Body of Christ<br /></strong>Ephesians 5:22 Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ<br />Romans 12:5 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.<br /><br /><strong><em>Major Emphasis on the Unity within the Church<br /></em></strong>Unity is due to the Working and manifestation of the Spirit of God in each of the believers life that connects them with Christ and with one another<br />What is the one thing that happens within churches many times?<br />i. Disunity<br />If you were the enemy and you knew that the strength of an organization lay in its unity where would you attack? Unity of the church<br />i. Every good commander on the battlefield knows that if you can disrupt the unity of the enemy and divide the forces they are more easily conquered<br />That is why it is so important to maintain the unity of the church<br />i. How<br />1. by not quarreling<br />2. by taking care of your relationships<br />3. Placing others above yourself<br />4. Most importantly through your own personal pursuit of the Holy!!!<br />a. <strong>You allow sin into your life and the first thing it will do is rip you away from the unity of the body. Your hurt yourself, your brothers and sisters, and the work of Christ</strong><br />b. You actually undermine the work of the Gospel by disobeying The Lord.<br /><br /><br />So The Church consists of believers that are first and foremost unified in the Lord Jesus Christ who meets together in local fellowships that express the change that has occurred in their lives. They are to be unified in their worship of God and sacrificial devotion to one another and clear about the mission for which they exist…namely to Go therefore[<a title="See footnote c" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2028&version=50#fen-NKJV-24209c#fen-NKJV-24209c">c</a>] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you<br /><br />Where there was once brokenness in relationship between man and God now there is relationship<br />Where there was brokenness between man there can be oneness of fellowship.<br />Where there was a curse now there was blessing<br />Where there was death there is now life<br />Where there was no hope there is now hope and all of that belongs to the people who by faith trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and are the church.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>So we could say that the ekklesia was a body connected and empowered by the Lord Jesus Christ. Going along with our previous definition it was a body, group, a gathering with a purpose which is the worship and proclamation of the Lord Jesus Christ.</strong><br /><br /><a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">[1]</a> Theology for the Church, edited by Daniel Akin, article written by Mark Dever Page 771<br /><a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">[2]</a> ibid. the majority of these notes come from the resource mentioned above.<br /><a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">[3]</a> Holman Christian Dictionary “Fellowship” articlechad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-8533986725583510472008-05-06T10:52:00.016-04:002008-12-10T00:56:30.717-05:00COMING HOME!!!!!<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0oQQNrWVGwh_fs_LPewHQDLy3t_geVlHreI96HpOa8SfSHvpEX0EmKj27qz3BVZOk7i5XDAAOP0_N3ESacRSGoN9tn6pOl4kPJvsZjTY94IOkUT94Gckth4umFTRaFfBHkrF/s1600-h/growandgo_logo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197280881798548402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px" height="238" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0oQQNrWVGwh_fs_LPewHQDLy3t_geVlHreI96HpOa8SfSHvpEX0EmKj27qz3BVZOk7i5XDAAOP0_N3ESacRSGoN9tn6pOl4kPJvsZjTY94IOkUT94Gckth4umFTRaFfBHkrF/s320/growandgo_logo.jpg" width="368" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><p>We have been working hard and preparing for the Summer!!! If you are coming home for the summer break we have tried to make it very easy for you to get plugged in. We are excited that you are coming back to your home church and your college and young adult ministry. </p><br /><p><br />For those of us who have been here for the entire year, I can honestly say this is one of the best years we have ever had. We have seen a number of people come to Christ and others have grown in their love for God and for others and it is evident in their life. We believe that the summer will be even better. </p><br /><p><br />I do not know what your ideas are about the college ministry at Bay Leaf but trust me. If you will be with us on May 14 or 18 I am sure you will see why the ministry continues to grow. There are people that really love God and will love you. Come on you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.<br /><br />Our Summer Small Groups will begin meeting in a few weeks so you can get home and have time to get plugged in. We are going to have events for hanging out weekly and end the summer again with the 8th Annual Beach Bash!!! You can register online already!<br /><br /><strong><em>TO KICK THE SUMMER OFF RIGHT!</em></strong><br /></p><ul><br /></ul><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;">Summer Revolution714</span></strong> will begin on May 14 The Theme for the Summer is Grow and Go</p><ul><br /></ul><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;">Welcome Home/ See All Your Friends/ Schools out/ Summers Here Party!!!</span></strong> It will be Sunday Night May 18. I will send out details in a couple of days. If you are going to be here for the summer there are a number of WePods (small groups) you can be involved in. If you were plugged into one last summer just jump back into your group or pick another one. Email me if you already know which group you would like to be plugged into at <a href="mailto:chood@bayleaf.org">chood@bayleaf.org</a> There is a map of small groups on the website. <a href="http://www.revolution714.org/"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://www.revolution714.org/</span></a> </p><ul><br /></ul><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;">Weekly events</span></strong> are planned that will be fun and good for just hanging out, making new friendships, and rekindling old ones. </p><br /><p>We hope to see you soon and look forward to catching up with what is going on in your life.<br /><br /><em>In Christ, Chad and Heather</em> </p>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-55765837316215053842008-04-11T09:21:00.002-04:002008-04-11T09:28:27.891-04:00Last Lecture<div align="left">Randy Pausch's is a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon Univeristy. He was recently diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. He recently made his what he called his "Last Lecture" at Carnegie Mellon to a packed auditorium. A book is forthcoming in which he gives the wisdom of his own life. He is husband and father of three small children. Below is a video with some interview clips.<br /><a href="http://www.bordersmedia.com/features/video/lastlecture.asp">http://www.bordersmedia.com/features/video/lastlecture.asp</a><br /><br />If you watch the video you will see that Randy Pausch is not a weak-hearted man. Where some would give up he is not. Throughout the interview you can hear of his love and devotion to his family. What strikes me most is the ferocity with which he is living these last months and that is a good reminder to me that tomorrow is not promised. I should live my life preparing, teaching, loving, and strengthening my family. That is a lesson I can learn from professor Pausch.<br /><br />However, I was deeply troubled by the interview and if you watched it I hope you were as well. There was the complete absence of hope in his words.<br /><br />One thing he said really saddened me …“If you live your life the right way the karma will take care of itself.” There is no hope in a statement of that nature. The fact is that the world is a hard place. Bad things happen, people die, babies get sick, and we lose those we love. But, karma and a strong will are nothing to hope in.<br /><br />I am so thankful that when life hurts and the fall takes its final toll, the battle is not lost for those who have their faith an hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Put yourself in Randy Pausch’s position. How would you respond to news that you had terminal cancer? How would you react? What would you do?<br /><br /><strong>What would be the message of your “<em>Last Lecture</em>”?<br /></strong><br /><em>Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again <strong>to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ</strong> from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, I Peter 1:3, 4</em></div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-30385939457451388272008-03-18T16:18:00.003-04:002008-12-10T00:56:30.799-05:00YouMe-MeYou (Communi-te' Part II)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2TjOeKEOuf8iT136yyyL9Asmy_HFslySPim-rh95URkPWGFmCHi1HhhB4rpxDlVL2Xs82a0o0IzgAAkBNMbiIhtmt1gxcMa-pWgTKsksfMCmEPSlb_897v42XP9ZrsjsVbh2/s1600-h/hand.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179180402347378594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="245" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2TjOeKEOuf8iT136yyyL9Asmy_HFslySPim-rh95URkPWGFmCHi1HhhB4rpxDlVL2Xs82a0o0IzgAAkBNMbiIhtmt1gxcMa-pWgTKsksfMCmEPSlb_897v42XP9ZrsjsVbh2/s320/hand.jpg" width="184" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This is a continuation of sorts from the last blog so read it first. God chose the idea of a body to illustrate the connection between Jesus and the Church as well as well as the connection between the individuals that make up the Church. Jesus is the head and those who are true followers of Jesus Christ make up the parts of the body.<br /><br />Before I go any further, let me say that not all “church-goers” are truly followers of Jesus Christ. To be one, there must be the understanding that we have sinned against a Holy God. Either we have done something that we were not supposed to do as it pertains to God’s commands or either we have not done something we were supposed to do. I have hardly ever had to convince someone that they have done something wrong. However, I have had to help them understand what the “wrongs” they have done are in relation to. When a person understands that they have sinned against God it is vital to understand the penalty for that sin was taken by Jesus Christ on the Cross. When that person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and accepts by faith that Christ paid that penalty asking God to forgive the Bible says that person is “saved” from their sin and its penalty. At this point the Spirit of God changes that person and comes to reside in them. Change is definite and will manifest itself outwardly in the person’s life.<br /><br />The Spirit of God is sent into everyone who truly believes. So, it not only changes them but also eternally connects them to the Lord Jesus Christ and to other believers.<br /><br />Paul said it this way “so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” – Romans 12:5<br /><br />The implications of this truth are astounding and often missed. We as believers are vitally connected to one another. Here is the deal…We are all members of one another…Just like a hand is connected to fingers on one end and a wrist on the other so we are connected to each other. Just for fun, let’s say you and I are fingers on the same hand of this “body”. What if you decided you didn’t want to be a part of the body. A couple of things would happen. First, you would be a dead finger on the sidewalk of life. Fingers cannot live detached. (unless you are a part of some freaky cryogenic experiment) Second, the rest of us on the hand would be at a disadvantage and would not be able to function with the strength and dexterity we would have had with you. We might be able to get it done but with more difficulty.<br /><br />Another thing is that with you not living in the context of the body, I am missing something that I need…you. Likewise you are missing something that you need…me.<br /><br />It is vital that you understand your commitment to Jesus Christ and therefore your commitment to His Body, The Church. Think about it. </div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-71009693951720565202008-02-28T09:58:00.001-05:002008-02-28T10:03:30.660-05:00Communi - te'Over the past year I have really begun to try to understand this idea of “community”. What does it mean and what is the point, especially when it comes to the church.<br /><br />I think in some minds church is where a community of believers gets together to fellowship and love one another. While that may be partly of it, there is a whole lot more to “Christian community”.<br /><br />First, the community exists because of Jesus Christ. He is what the apostle Paul called, “the head” of this body with the body being those who have confessed Jesus Christ as Lord, been forgiven of their sins, and entered into a relationship with Him.<br /><br />Therefore, it does not matter that your ethnicity, income level, country of birth, or gender may be different. Christian community is centered on the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. If a community is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ then it is imperative we know Him, his message, and his reasoning, and his plan. In short, we are to be disciples of Jesus. A disciple is someone who spreads the doctrine or teaching of another. (<a href="http://www.m-w.com/">www.m-w.com</a> ) <br /><br />So a Christian community is a group of disciples that are held together by the common bond of Jesus Christ seeking to know Him and his message better that it might spread the message to others.<br /><br />All of that to say this…a Christian community will come to understand that the message of the Gospel changed those in the community. Now that community exists to take the same message that has changed it to a world that needs that very same message. So you could say in the end that the community has a very distinct purpose…to live and share the message of the Gospel for those not yet in the community. It is like the entire body of Christ is missionary that lives to spread the message of Jesus Christ.<br /><br />It is crucial to understand the culture so that there can be communication in words and ways that people can understand. The Gospel is always relevant so it demands that I communicate it in a way that people can understand no matter the culture or the people group. BUT, let us not become so consumed with trying to be relevant that we forget the true message of the Gospel. The Gospel has never changed throughout the centuries because the need of mankind has not changed. We have all sinned against God and Jesus Christ came and died on a cross to take the penalty for our sin that if we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and by faith receive His forgiveness then God saves us, changes us, brings us back into relationship with Him and with other believers. A Community of believers (church) that embraces this truth will take the message of the Gospel as individuals and as a group to their world will actually transform it…<em>transformed community transforming its world</em>.chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-10390119609800199102008-02-13T12:30:00.003-05:002008-12-10T00:56:30.996-05:00Part of the Whole<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXDjkx19hRAAghQtJ-b58VRJVfdQbPG6cINzaeBWVNSM-YSLE5og3XymgodrB95TkWjEPHU_Fn20ohHmkehpeWKSRQApcBrGmkQER8rD1k2NuY5btMZjlcs4RB69u7uirkHNj/s1600-h/da-vinci-vitruvian-man.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166519183108306466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 151px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 197px" height="220" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXDjkx19hRAAghQtJ-b58VRJVfdQbPG6cINzaeBWVNSM-YSLE5og3XymgodrB95TkWjEPHU_Fn20ohHmkehpeWKSRQApcBrGmkQER8rD1k2NuY5btMZjlcs4RB69u7uirkHNj/s320/da-vinci-vitruvian-man.jpg" width="158" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It has been an amazing couple of weeks. I know that God is moving in our ministry. We have seen a number of people come to Christ and there are others that want to talk to us about a personal relationship with Christ. Another sign something is happening is that more and more people are becoming increasingly convicted over there sin.<br /><br />With this conviction is coming an increasing devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ and to His Church. I believe many Christians never experience all that God has for them because they do not understand that they are part of the Body of Christ. The apostle Paul called the people that were Christians the body of Christ with the head being Jesus Himself. I Corinthians 12 is a wonderful passage on this subject. Paul was telling the church at Corinth that each person who was a true believer in Jesus and had been saved was a part of the Body. Each member is extremely important to the whole. In fact, each part of the body has a specific place given by God to serve in the body just like parts of our own body.<br /><br />That being said, each person has a ministry in the body. If one part of the body is missing it does not mean that the person is not a part of the body. <em>It simply means that something is missing from the work of the ministry as a whole.<br /></em><br />When a person is in right relationship with the head, Jesus, then the most natural place to be is with other believers. If you are not comfortable with the body then one of two things is happening. One, you could be out of the will of God and there is sin in your life. A second is that you are not really a part of the body at all. Many grow up in the church, come to the church, serve the church, give to the church, but are not truly a part of the body. If there is not personal relationship with Jesus and if this is the case then the person is in danger of hearing what Jesus said in Matthew 7. Some will be there in the end saying “didn’t we do all these things like cast out demons in your name?” and Jesus will respond to them, “Depart from me, I never new you.” </div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-3946149781267823532008-01-19T09:35:00.000-05:002008-12-10T00:56:31.123-05:00Biblimissional...or Something Like That!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZiCiEs1OnUX_UunwaZepUE68TpDgZ1KySAv9rbeSuazCyUgjy91-mUrT3_LZ8cPhTOaRI5KHPosWlard2R4IGWkD_lUcsqZO43WFquubZ4Y-50GBm5IhyphenhyphenVNTqFVmWU6MxlCp/s1600-h/iStock_000003534905Medium.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157201558134102050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 141px" height="133" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZiCiEs1OnUX_UunwaZepUE68TpDgZ1KySAv9rbeSuazCyUgjy91-mUrT3_LZ8cPhTOaRI5KHPosWlard2R4IGWkD_lUcsqZO43WFquubZ4Y-50GBm5IhyphenhyphenVNTqFVmWU6MxlCp/s320/iStock_000003534905Medium.jpg" width="212" border="0" /></a>I have been studying the term “missional” lately. It is a buzzword among the Emerging Church that simply put means to be a missionary in the culture in which you live. Overseas missionaries have been doing this for years. They attempt to learn their culture and understand the people in that cultural context. The missionary will be looking for opportunities to “bridge the gap” between the culture and the Gospel.<br /><br />In essence for an individual to be “missional” simply means to be a missionary in the place where ministering. For example, someone desiring to minister in an urban setting would need to learn who the people are in the area. It would be important to understand how they communicate, what are the major influences in the area, what they love, what do they hate, how do they express themselves, and where do they congregate. This urban culture would be very different than a rural Midwestern community so knowing the differences would be of utmost importance. It is no different than what Hudson Taylor did in China during the late 1800’s when he went local and started dressing in Chinese clothing and infiltrating the Chinese culture in order to share the Gospel more effectively.<br /><br />To be missional is to understand the culture that you are trying to reach and then make every attempt to do so. While the term may be new, the meaning is not. This is exactly what God did in sending His Son. Jesus came into humanity being fully God and fully man and was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. In Fact, one of His names is Emmanuel which being translated means “God with us”. That means that God sent His son into the culture of mankind and identified with us. I think that is the point…to identify.<br /><br />In the end to be missional is to identify with the people surrounding you and give them the message that God loves them and wants to be in a relationship with them.<br /><br />Personal confession time: The older I get the more I believe what I am about to say. Heather and I work with College students and Young Singles. I might listen to my music louder than you do. I stay out later than most my age. My kids hang out with students in coffee shops so much that they actually know the ingredients in a Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha® and could probably make it better than the kid behind the counter. (Well maybe not) Often there are people in our house until after midnight and I still have to be at the office by eight. It sounds like a sacrifice doesn’t it. But you know what; Love does not see it that way.<br /><br />I used to be different because I have a deep disdain for normal and boring. But over the years as God worked in our lives to teach us love for Him and love for others we have decided to live with the people we minister to. We desire to know them and minister to them. That means going to where they are and pouring our lives into them. While that sounds “missional” (and it is) it is also biblical. I think I will call it “As you are Going” theology because in Jesus’ last conversation with His disciples He told them “as you are going make disciples of all the nations.” As you are going this week, look around, be interested in someone besides yourself and share the Love! </div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-72829862576959095852008-01-05T09:45:00.000-05:002008-12-10T00:56:31.961-05:00Communication Miscommunication?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ1dkZzppd5J2HsXD7Fu0DFx861xpjrN4Tkrtf_FSuyiDB1T_HtwikAEXADJzp20pMCXvBdVjz5RisqKtj1_E3dFzEU9JCLqaKH5VxSmyw8nqBkYmp8ZZbTiC6hNnxWFc22Cv/s1600-h/Laptop.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152006073635084306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" height="154" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ1dkZzppd5J2HsXD7Fu0DFx861xpjrN4Tkrtf_FSuyiDB1T_HtwikAEXADJzp20pMCXvBdVjz5RisqKtj1_E3dFzEU9JCLqaKH5VxSmyw8nqBkYmp8ZZbTiC6hNnxWFc22Cv/s320/Laptop.jpg" width="212" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I recently heard something that captured my attention. I happened to turn the television to one of the news channels during the Iowa caucus. The commentator was speaking to a couple of guests concerning voters. He made a statement that went something like this, “with the internet taking so much attention away from what the candidates are saying, how do you think….” And then I tuned out because my brain went into overdrive.<br /><br />That statement caught my attention because it is essentially wrong. It also showed that there is a misunderstanding of the culture that is forty years old and younger. That misunderstanding is prevalent in nearly every major institution, company, or person that has not taken the time to reevaluate how this vibrant and colorful culture communicates.<br /><br />This commentator was wrong in saying that attention was taken “away” from what the candidates were saying by the internet. A quick browse through YouTube (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/">http://www.youtube.com/</a> ) will give you some idea of this. For example, Ron Paul’s Question about the war during the presidential debate held at the Reagan Library on May 3, 2007 had, at the time of writing this, been viewed over 300,000 times since then. ( <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hfa7vT02lA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hfa7vT02lA</a> ) Even more than that, go search youtube for “presidential debate” and sort the search by “view count” and you will see that the top two have been viewed over a million times with Huckabee’s response to the question of evolution being viewed almost two million times!<br /><br />No, what the candidates are saying is being very much attended to, but in a very different way, even since the last election. News channels do not have the monopoly any more. And the web is the way to get information that is detailed and specific. This culture is communicating and being communicated to in very different ways from the past.<br /><br />If an institution or individual wants to communicate effectively then there must be an understanding of how this culture is communicating. Churches must also understand the nature of the communication breakdown that has taken place over the last twenty years. Those churches that are clearly communicating the simple truths of the Bible in a way that this culture can understand it are seeing fruit. By fruit I mean people coming to know Jesus Christ personally. Salvation! And guess what, it does not stop there. Churches must continue to communicate the truths of God’s Word to those people in a way that helps them to grow in their personal relationship with God.<br /><br />I heard a statement recently that made me laugh and cry at the same time. “If America has a revival of 1950’s culture, most of our churches are poised perfectly to meet it.” I believe this could be a non-issue if our goal was to reach the lost and take the message of the Gospel to the world being willing to do whatever changing it takes to accomplish that mandate. The Gospel is always relevant and it demands that we be relevant as well. Speaking so a lost world can understand it’s deepest need is for salvation is so important.<br /><br />May we seek to communicate in a way that the world can understand and receive it…</div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-27622354319741190712007-12-22T09:02:00.000-05:002008-12-10T00:56:32.272-05:00The Perfect Christmas?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8xxrhmimV1yXEWbkLnf68gEgM01sae1w71-3cTJDnxfjveHmL018KALHJhYzEtDTyAqATYqRSvXB0GLTstRGEsQCBvb3GXL9BHjsKGybijn7Mex-ageS0ldfuyvRoXgXvU-I/s1600-h/plym50xmas.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146798936889792498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="236" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8xxrhmimV1yXEWbkLnf68gEgM01sae1w71-3cTJDnxfjveHmL018KALHJhYzEtDTyAqATYqRSvXB0GLTstRGEsQCBvb3GXL9BHjsKGybijn7Mex-ageS0ldfuyvRoXgXvU-I/s320/plym50xmas.jpg" width="185" border="0" /></a> Heather asked me a good question the other day. She wanted me to “describe a perfect Christmas”. I started describing the details of <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">“my perfect Christmas Eve</span>".</span> You know the warm fire, snow falling outside, a cozy chair with the kids sitting and listening to “Twas the Night Before Christmas. She quickly stopped me because that was not what she was talking about at all. She was thinking about the whole thing and not just one aspect of one part of Christmas. Ah, the differences between women and men. It is a beautiful thing.<br /><div>As we continued talking, one of the major factors of “The Perfect Christmas” had to do with friends and family being around. Not until this morning, looking back over the conversation, did I realize that in our perfect version of Christmas there was not one mention of receiving gifts.<br /></div><div>I don’t know about you but that kind of surprises me on one hand because we all love receiving gifts. However, in our conversation that never came up. You know, receiving was not the central part of a great Christmas. It was being around family and friends that made Christmas. I really think it is all about the love. We all want to feel the love and warmth of those we care about and give that love as well.<br /></div><br /><div>I know, I know… we sometimes feel we are in the lost episode of <em>Christmas Vacation</em> instead of a Norman Rockwell Christmas. In fact, I will confess this before the world… sometimes <em><span style="font-size:85%;">I feel like Chevy Chase when he starts to go crazy and walks down the stairs cutting off the squeaky banister with a chainsaw</span></em>. But, in the end it is the love we share as we celebrate the Greatest Gift ever given that makes a wonderful Christmas. </div><div></div><div></div><div>Just remember, even though friends and family can drive us crazy, sharing it with them can and should be a major factor in our celebration of Emmanuel. After all it is because of our Father’s love that He gave His Son that we might have a restored relationship with Him. This year my favorite Christmas verse has become John 3:16. Read it in the context of Christmas.<br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;">For God <strong>so loved</strong> the world that <strong>He gave</strong> His only begotten <strong>Son</strong>,<br />that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.</span><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></em></div><div> </div><div>May you celebrate this Christmas by giving your love to those around you. (even if they do drive you crazy sometimes:)<br />Merry Christmas, Chad, Heather, Will, Samuel, Benjamin, and Baby Boy due in the spring <span style="font-size:78%;">(four boys?!! I hope Cathy is writing a manual...i am going to need it :</span>) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE55Mzgs2h0ujKHZga8TY2SzfGJFKgbfKWDzm8GY07wKn0XxkRmKcalA1JnBrwVNSy5nHfrSWPZwJ5SbZc8DnG4FqPykHv4Nmv3MpaT_mTRiM67kZromBYptqWvYT2w1K7y1Qu/s1600-h/chasemas.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146799362091554818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 114px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 147px" height="203" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE55Mzgs2h0ujKHZga8TY2SzfGJFKgbfKWDzm8GY07wKn0XxkRmKcalA1JnBrwVNSy5nHfrSWPZwJ5SbZc8DnG4FqPykHv4Nmv3MpaT_mTRiM67kZromBYptqWvYT2w1K7y1Qu/s320/chasemas.jpg" width="125" border="0" /></a></div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-47681730771451886502007-12-06T10:39:00.000-05:002008-12-10T00:56:32.486-05:00The Arrival<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VKydrx4UVr2SFXNC9q54WcTMq7JBvK41n0g4MFBEJ4wNZdMExCFveMel7QGgZUFuh7VFZyUE50R-a0cYf_dnmetdb02n4QlMCdO7oxJXvQZa0kdUO-P6O63kIpnUs8KqZvBi/s1600-h/shepherds.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140886621934196418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="247" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VKydrx4UVr2SFXNC9q54WcTMq7JBvK41n0g4MFBEJ4wNZdMExCFveMel7QGgZUFuh7VFZyUE50R-a0cYf_dnmetdb02n4QlMCdO7oxJXvQZa0kdUO-P6O63kIpnUs8KqZvBi/s320/shepherds.jpg" width="170" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Joy at the birth of the one true King<br />Doth fill the heart and mouth to sing<br /><br />Unknown to the world He quietly came<br />With shouts from heaven to men proclaim<br /><br />Of the joyous truth that He has come<br />To beckon the lost “ye sinner come home”<br /><br />Come to earth, unlikely the place<br />Born to give fallen men grace<br /><br />The arrival of the King hidden from sight<br />Proclaimed to shepherds by Angels in the night<br /><br />From the days gone past voices of prophets old<br />The shepherds find as the messengers had told<br /><br />The great JOY has come to all who will hear<br />The King we celebrate this time of the year. </div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-51914265684113336202007-12-03T14:16:00.000-05:002008-12-10T00:56:32.786-05:00Live Life Well<div>I have been contemplating life today. The funeral service for John Cooper was held a little while ago. I have known John for seven years. He has a beautiful wife and four wonderful boys. He died a few days ago very suddenly at 52 years young. It hit me harder than I would have ever expected and for a couple of reasons.<br /><br />One reason is that it took me back to memories of losing my dear mother. She was 49 when she died. It took me back to the questions I asked. (And still do) It also reminded me of the sorrow I felt when my son Will was born. I would never get to see the joy of her meeting Will, Samuel, and Benjamin for the first time. My mom loved me and would have flipped out to see our three incredible boys. So there is this sadness for all the life that I would never get to experience with her.<br /><br />The other reason the passing of John has been difficult is because there are few people in the world who can understand my crazy life. I have three perfectly rambunctious boys and Heather is at this moment pregnant with our fourth child. (We don’t know the gender yet) John knew what it was like to have a house full of boys. He understood the chaos that often engulfs me:)Whenever we would talk he would encourage me to love every minute of it. He understood all too clearly that children grow up fast and there will be a day when you will look back and miss those times. He took that time with his family and encouraged me to do the same. He helped me have a proper perspective.<br /><br />As my boys have gotten older and started sports he would often cheer me on with a big smile and say “It is so fun watching them play!” Oh, he loves his boys and through all the craziness of life his reminder to me is “don’t just get through it, but enjoy it!” Grab those boys and look them in the eye and tell them you love them and then live that love out with them.<br />He made an impact and the truth of that bears witness in the life of his wife and those four young men for sure. But, you know what? It bears witness in my life as well.<br />The testimony of John Cooper stands this day encouraging me to love my God, love my wife, and love my boys...and by the way love life!<br /><em></em><br /><em>I guess life is not necessarily summed up in how long you live but, how well you live it. May you, like John, live your days well.<br /><br /></em><br /><p align="center"><br /></p><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBSNdx8jdLsetU1PKavU2gzvA2qlAvP0XKTLS2qBQaonX5XCDpbimpAqGex3UKwfMe_3K24h3QUZMlzABVCM4i9uSi2nkyC5q4T8Ezjh7PCjFbl_JZFnjG8brbnrHUHPcJC3a/s1600-r/John+Cooper.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139833749356287666" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 202px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px" height="272" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9T2uuJRJFqxBumMBPxy1nSoXmCUOTyVhzXsPO4ZcUUdCc4gVrOSAVjf5u_jMMKIVOCaih3Jn3qdxqmoOWvqFde30zApkUlYRk1NBJjFiDsiGGPsc2_uILWzE4ihE482_IVms/s320/John+Cooper.jpg" width="162" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><br />In Memory of John Ireland Cooper<br />October 30, 1955 – November 28, 2007 </p><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBSNdx8jdLsetU1PKavU2gzvA2qlAvP0XKTLS2qBQaonX5XCDpbimpAqGex3UKwfMe_3K24h3QUZMlzABVCM4i9uSi2nkyC5q4T8Ezjh7PCjFbl_JZFnjG8brbnrHUHPcJC3a/s1600-r/John+Cooper.jpg"></a> </p><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBSNdx8jdLsetU1PKavU2gzvA2qlAvP0XKTLS2qBQaonX5XCDpbimpAqGex3UKwfMe_3K24h3QUZMlzABVCM4i9uSi2nkyC5q4T8Ezjh7PCjFbl_JZFnjG8brbnrHUHPcJC3a/s1600-r/John+Cooper.jpg"></a> </p></div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-47546804175798506852007-11-22T09:17:00.000-05:002008-12-10T00:56:32.934-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdnDynnBEVxBrWZ0S6XXWIxC5My64VCES6FitMzXb4DhQWix4njc9wZvkRoN4eFPChJd2T_dP8vZr4Cdp1yKjHbxoKDgF9-fCeSTdW4LkHstMRjTJt_TlqxNMvXhtzW8de04p/s1600-h/thanksgiving.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135671613578991650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px" height="195" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdnDynnBEVxBrWZ0S6XXWIxC5My64VCES6FitMzXb4DhQWix4njc9wZvkRoN4eFPChJd2T_dP8vZr4Cdp1yKjHbxoKDgF9-fCeSTdW4LkHstMRjTJt_TlqxNMvXhtzW8de04p/s320/thanksgiving.jpg" width="255" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I arose early this morning to begin with thanks this day we celebrate as Thanksgiving. As I was praying and thanking God for a host of blessings including my family, friends, and most of all Jesus my Savior and Lord, I could not help but think back to those early days of our nation. The pilgrims had come to this land for religious freedom and a fresh start.<br /><br />Those early few years were difficult indeed. In 1622 there was a real and legitimate fear of starvation. It is in fact reported that things were so bad that each person was rationed five kernels of corn each day. <a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a> Yet in these times of struggle Governor William Bradford and the people never doubted that God was with them and providential over even these difficult circumstances. They were thankful even for the little supply of food.<br /><br />There would come a time of plenty for the Pilgrims and there would eventually be a celebration in which the Wampanoag Indians would come to celebrate the abundance. But, before all of this there would be times so difficult as to strip the Pilgrims of any self-reliance leaving them totally dependant upon God for provision and sustenance.<br />This Thanksgiving most of us will eat meals of which most of the world could not dream. Do not feel guilty. Be Thankful and remember those who have little or nothing this day in prayer and in your giving. But, also remember those early days of our nation when our forefathers had little. I believe in the end that those Pilgrims were thankful even for their struggle for in their times of want they saw the hand of God provide every step of the way.<br /><br />We all have difficult seasons of life. Going through those times I have often wondered “where is God in all of this?” Circumstances may even seem chaotic and hopeless. However, I am always amazed when I look back over difficult times in my life. Looking back it is not difficult to see God’s hand in my life and circumstances. I see that those times were not chaotic and hopeless. On the contrary, God was working very deliberately in those difficult places.<br /><br />I guess we come to a place of spiritual maturity when in the midst of those circumstances we can trust God implicitly knowing that He is moving even when we cannot understand it or recognize His hand of provision….even when there are only five kernels of corn on the plate. Have a Happy and Thankful Thanksgiving- chad<br /><a title="" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28723215#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">[1]</a> The "Five Kernels of Corn" material is based largely on the work of Susan E. Roser of the Canadian Mayflower Society taken from <a href="http://www.rootsweb.com/~mosmd/#part6">http://www.rootsweb.com/~mosmd/#part6</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>“Five Kernels of Corn”</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><br /></strong></span><em>'Twas the year of the famine in Plymouth of old,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>The ice and the snow from the thatched roofs had rolled;</em><br /><br /><br /><em>Through the warm purple skies steered the geese o'er the seas,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>nd the woodpeckers tapped in the clocks of the trees;</em><br /><br /><br /><em>And the boughs on the slopes to the south winds lay bare,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>and dreaming of summer, the buds swelled in the air.</em><br /><br /><br /><em>The pale Pilgrims welcomed each reddening morn;</em><br /><br /><br /><em>There were left but for rations Five Kernels of Corn.</em><br /><br /><br /><em>Five Kernels of Corn!</em><br /><br /><br /><em>Five Kernels of Corn!</em><br /><br /><br /><em>But to Bradford a feast were Five Kernels of Corn!<br />"Five Kernels of Corn! Five Kernels of Corn!</em><br /><br /><br /><em>Ye people, be glad for Five Kernels of Corn!"</em><br /><br /><br /><em>So Bradford cried out on bleak Burial Hill,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>And the thin women stood in their doors, white and still.</em><br /><br /><br /><em>"Lo, the harbor of Plymouth rolls bright in the Spring,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>The maples grow red, and the wood robins sing,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>The west wind is blowing, and fading the snow,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>And the pleasant pines sing, and arbutuses blow.</em><br /><br /><br /><em>Five Kernels of Corn!</em><br /><br /><br /><em>Five Kernels of Corn!</em><br /><br /><br /><em>To each one be given Five Kernels of Corn!"<br />O Bradford of Austerfield hast on thy way,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>The west winds are blowing o'er Provincetown Bay,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>The white avens bloom, but the pine domes are chill,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>And new graves have furrowed Precisioners' Hill!"</em><br /><br /><br /><em>Give thanks, all ye people, the warm skies have come,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>The hilltops are sunny, and green grows the holm,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>And the trumpets of winds, and the white March is gone,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>Five Kernels of Corn!</em><br /><br /><br /><em>Five Kernels of Corn!</em><br /><br /><br /><em>Ye have for Thanksgiving Five Kernels of Corn!<br />"The raven's gift eat and be humble and pray,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>A new light is breaking and Truth leads your way;</em><br /><br /><br /><em>One taper a thousand shall kindle; rejoice</em><br /><br /><br /><em>That to you has been given the wilderness voice!"</em><br /><br /><br /><em>O Bradford of Austerfield, daring the wave,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>And safe through the sounding blasts leading the brave,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>Of deeds such as thine was the free nation born,</em><br /><br /><br /><em>And the festal world sings the "Five Kernels of Corn."</em><br /><br /><br /><em>Five Kernels of Corn!</em><br /><br /><br /><em>Five Kernels of Corn!</em><br /><br /><br /><em>The nation gives thanks for Five Kernels of Corn!</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">By Hezekiah Butterworth - Appeared in National Magazine, November 1899</span>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-60606366920770523592007-11-17T10:55:00.000-05:002008-12-10T00:56:33.235-05:00Quiet Voice<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglttORb8eDBYynZeFDDCNkN1CzY-zu1p-IV3DUeBy6F571U2nEnpnQD9tl73cwCsfVMy_6bhR0bhMj8TYCqE4oqH1moLYouhyphenhyphenbibVdV2Qmb8YOrFWBd4bCg8TCQclKH9Ycz5_h/s1600-h/young+man+thinking.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133841480769525778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 237px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px" height="156" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglttORb8eDBYynZeFDDCNkN1CzY-zu1p-IV3DUeBy6F571U2nEnpnQD9tl73cwCsfVMy_6bhR0bhMj8TYCqE4oqH1moLYouhyphenhyphenbibVdV2Qmb8YOrFWBd4bCg8TCQclKH9Ycz5_h/s320/young+man+thinking.jpg" width="249" border="0" /></a><br /><div>There are voices that speak into our life all the time. They may be voices from our family, friends, our culture, our television, and even through books. (For those of you who actually read:) However, there is one voice that we seem to have a hard time listening too and that is the voice of God.<br />This past week I studied and taught on I Kings 19. It is the story of Elijah running from Jezebel after the incredible spiritual victory on Mt. Carmel against the prophets of the pagan idol Baal in which fire falls from Heaven at Elijah’s request. Immediately Elijah prays again and a three year drought ends. Things are going well for Elijah to say the least. It is at this point that he runs to Jezreel where the message of the evil queen Jezebel meets his ears. She promises him that by the next day he will be dead.<br /> Elijah immediately runs for it dropping his servant off in Beersheba which is ninety miles to the south and he continues on another day into the wilderness. There he pretty much collapses, asks God to “kill him”. God in his mercy sends a “messenger” to feed him twice and then Elijah heads out on a forty day wandering which leads him to Horeb the mountain of God. </div><div> You see fear and a lack of faith in what God was doing had led him out there into that desert to wander and years prior another group of people had wondered in that same desert because of fear and lack of faith in God and His plan. Sadly, their wandering lasted forty years instead of forty days.<br /> Elijah ends up at the mountain where it had all began. It was the mountain where the Law had been given, where Moses had fasted forty days and where Moses had been hidden in the rock as the Lord had passed by. Elijah goes into the cave and falls asleep.<br />Here is where it gets interesting. God speaks to Elijah and asks him, “Why are you here? Elijah immediately responds that he has been, “very zealous for the LORD”, “the Children of Israel have forsaken the covenant”, the “prophets have been killed by the sword”, he “alone is left and they seek to take” his life. While most of this is true not all of it is and he knows it. Obadiah had already told him of at least one-hundred prophets of God still alive so what is going on here?<br />I really believe that Elijah thought God was going to cleanse the land and bring revival in this huge way to Israel. After all, the fire did fall and 450 prophets of Baal were executed not to mention a three year drought had just ended at his prayer to God. All these huge things were happening and I believe Elijah looked for them to continue into spiritual renewal for the nation. But something happened…Jezebel happened… and she was a ruthless murdering pagan queen who kept her word. Elijah was simply not expecting this and it sent him off into this depressed, questioning, fear-ridden state that took him far away. It is in this state where God asks, “What are you doing here?” </div><div> Are you in a place like Elijah. Are you questioning everything around you, where you are in life, or maybe even questioning God. God tells Elijah to come outside the cave for He (God) is going to pass by. So all of the Sudden this incredible wind that rips the rocks from the mountain itself comes through and it is powerful. But, God was not in the wind. Then an earthquake shakes the foundation of the mountain itself. God was not in the earthquake. Then a fire scorches through but, God is not in the fire either. Then…there in the quietness after all the noise had passed “a still small voice”. At this Elijah puts his mantle on his head in reverence because he knows God has spoken.<br /> He had just heard God ask him the question of “why are you here?” So what was the deal with “still small voice?” I really believe that Elijah was being taught a valuable lesson. It was this. Yes, God does often move in huge ways that are clearly evident. But, often…very often…God is moving even when we do not see nor perceive it. God is powerful and he shows that in creation but I think the real power and wisdom of God is seen in that He can speak directly into the heart of fallen, confused, and rebellious, man in such a way that man can hear it.<br /> With that God asks him why he is there a second time. Elijah responds the same way as before. Then God doesn’t seem to even speak to Elijah’s response at first but tells him to go back up north and anoint the enemy king of Syria, Go anoint a new king over Israel, and go anoint Elisha as a prophet in your place. Then almost parenthetically God says, by the way I have reserved 7000 prophets who have not bowed a knee to the idol nor have the kissed the idol. End of story…<br /> God takes Elijah back to the place where he had left off showing him that He was still working even though Elijah could not see it. Get this, Elijah is to go dabble in international politics with anointing the king of Syria (who was an enemy of Israel) reminding Elijah and us that God is sovereign over the nations. Then go back and anoint a new king over Israel showing that God is sovereign over His enemies. Finally, God says to God anoint a new prophet showing that He will choose His man to accomplish His will. I think I get the point…<br /> <em>You know the older I get the more I realize that life rarely turns out the way I think it is going to. I mean, you see God working in this way or that way so you assume that this and this is going to happen next and when it doesn’t it throws you off sometimes. Here I think we need to draw back and realize that God’s ways are far above our ways and his thoughts are far above our thoughts. Instead of assuming, we need to watch and listen understanding with maturity that God may choose to move in ways that we neither see nor understand at the time. The only way you can do this is in faith. Instead of reacting to circumstances, stop and ask God what your response needs to be in a given situation. This allows a couple of things to happen. First, for your heart to settle back into a response of faith and secondly for you to have wisdom to see the situation as the Lord wants you to see it. This will lead to a response of faith and not fear.<br />I mean even if people had been looking for God to show up on earth they probably would not have been looking for baby in a feeding trough in Bethlehem and neither would you…. You can Trust HIM!</em> P.S. this is a confession of my own struggles, chad</div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-77350902151139312162007-11-14T18:14:00.000-05:002007-11-14T18:20:08.334-05:00TonightIn fifteen minutes we will begin setting up for our college and singles bible study called Revolution714. As i sit here and pray i wonder who will be there. But, i also wonder what God is going to do tonight. I wonder what he wants to accomplish in our hearts....i also wonder if we will miss it. I desperately want God to do something in our hearts so that we will go out and change the world or rather He will change the world through us. i do know this is what He wants from us. So my prayer is that we would hear tonight and that God would change us.chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-73459402010975517882007-10-12T22:17:00.000-04:002008-12-10T00:56:33.381-05:00If you grew up in church...This one's for you.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadEwk68rAE_Vlcl1jBFCLKM2SXIeH_KGG37ErkP2KK_g2L1Bf-UQ4FJ-m7sYOyG1LZ_AJ7bxw-M1NU1AYzVuyhOJCJR9egiRLKozJkoFzj9kVIHO4LLTl9X8twRI95mUmEimV/s1600-h/U%2520Turn.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120645020261250642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 177px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px" height="223" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadEwk68rAE_Vlcl1jBFCLKM2SXIeH_KGG37ErkP2KK_g2L1Bf-UQ4FJ-m7sYOyG1LZ_AJ7bxw-M1NU1AYzVuyhOJCJR9egiRLKozJkoFzj9kVIHO4LLTl9X8twRI95mUmEimV/s320/U%2520Turn.gif" width="233" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><em>These people draw near to Me with their mouth, </em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>And honor Me with their lips, </em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>But their heart is far from Me.</em> <span style="font-size:78%;">Isaiah 29:13</span></div><br /><div align="left">Many of us grew up in church. Those days of being carted off to the wooden pew have grown into hit or miss days of attendance down at the church. Many times we go to satisfy the badgering of parents or relieve the guilt of not going because you know you’re supposed to go. If this is you then you desperately need to hear what I am going to say. </div><div align="left"><br />From the time I was six until seventeen I went to church regularly. Then something happened. I remember it as clearly as anything I could ever remember. God called me to preach. Where I came from you were either a preacher or a deacon and neither of them looked too fun. A lot of things led me to not trust God in those days and none of them had to do with Him. But, I ran. Friend, listen to me. I don’t know if you can sense the shame through this message. But, I can never explain the hurt that my disobedience caused others and most importantly the shame that was brought to my Savior. From seventeen until about twenty-two I became despondent toward church. I could count on my hands the number of times I went to church in those years and it was for the reasons that are stated above.<br />However, all that time I was under such deep conviction. Yes, I was saved and you will not believe this but I prayed nearly every night for God not to strike me dead. In my disobedience I often read my Bible( Funny, huh.) I never opened the book of Jonah in those years. I was afraid to because I knew the message. I knew enough of the Bible to know that continual disobedience had its consequences for God’s people.<br />By His grace and mercy I ended up at a church in Atlanta that preached unashamedly the Gospel of Jesus Christ and just as importantly lived it out. I was miserably living in disobedience, but there I was convicted. God radically changed my life in that place and I repented and began to follow God. <br />If you grew up in church, but in your life there is <strong>no</strong> hunger for the things of God at all then you are probably lost and on your way to hell. Now would be a great time for you to repent of your sin and ask God to forgive you. Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. If you are reading this and you are convicted about your relationship with God…Repentance is the only good option for you as well. You can rebel but you will regret it on this side hopefully and on the next side for sure. Trust an old runner…it is not worth it! LISTEN! Please turn to God and let Him give you forgiveness, grace, and mercy.<br />I am most certainly not trying to make you feel guilty to get you to church. I am trying to encourage you to turn to Jesus in repentance and renew your relationships with Him. I have been the college and singles minister at Bay Leaf for 7 years. I have seen the effects of sin on lives all too often. Life is not a joke and you only get one chance to live it.<br />My prayer is that we would wake up and understand what it means to love God love others and live authentically. There is a lost world out there looking for something in which to believe.<br />The world has enough church goers! Save the pew space and stay at home. (Just kidding…kind of…) And please quit calling yourself a Christian if you are living like hell. This world needs some authentic followers of Jesus Christ. Hear me and hear me well. If you are living a disobedient life listen to the words of King Solomon. </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center"><br />My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, Proverbs 3:11-13<br /><br /><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong>If you have no idea of what it means to follow Christ do not let the above statements alarm you. There are many people out there who are living an authentic Christian life. That means they really do love Jesus and there life actually exemplifies that Truth. You will find these people to be deeply loving and unwavering in their devotion. They will not be perfect but they will also quickly admit that. </strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong>Most importantly they will be intent on bringing much Glory to the God who saved them and will want you to know the truth of that in your own life. If you are reading this please know that I am praying for you and want your life to honor God first and foremost because I know based on The Word of God (Bible) and from my own personal experience that true fulfillment and purpose is only found here.</strong> </div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28723215.post-28050457354932717682007-10-02T20:58:00.000-04:002008-12-10T00:56:33.393-05:00Tomorrow<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAOKSQPDy8AxCIi7DJFIIPRpBLR-Va6_6p7iDgptahyUBnTdjZH5SYAfSaVT_YZPgk-fvwdty6vSYEWR9YSVixLoWHRG9wLUib7nmO3VLRiIWiCgFMYlQDbTDcbWD40acSErF/s1600-h/scotland-wallace4.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116909395146143298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 159px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" height="245" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAOKSQPDy8AxCIi7DJFIIPRpBLR-Va6_6p7iDgptahyUBnTdjZH5SYAfSaVT_YZPgk-fvwdty6vSYEWR9YSVixLoWHRG9wLUib7nmO3VLRiIWiCgFMYlQDbTDcbWD40acSErF/s320/scotland-wallace4.gif" width="159" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It’s coming in a few hours whether you are ready or not. But, what about that tomorrow…you know, the one that is 30 or 40 years down the road…that tomorrow.<br /><br />William Wallace in Braveheart<em>: “Aye, fight and you may die, run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!”</em><br /><br />Now that is a movie line. You...yeh you...the one reading this. How about you friend? Many years from now dying in your bed will you be willing to trade those days for one more chance to live for something that could make a difference? I mean to really take life and squeeze every ounce of purpose from it, to live a life that meant something and to change the world.<br /><br />If you are living for yourself, there is a good possibility that might happen. We can get all the stuff and finish with a bank account, vacation home, etc. only to stand before God one day and have to give an account of the spiritual beggar’s life that we lived when He sent His Son to give us the power, right, the position of Son’s and Daughters of the Most High God. Co-heirs we are, if we know Jesus.<br /><br />Let’s re-evaluate. I want to LIVE!!!!!! How ‘bout you?</div>chad hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981514895749559584noreply@blogger.com0