I see many people, especially teens, being drawn into the occult simply because of the demonstration of “power” they witness. Why aren’t they drawn to the Church? Where is the demonstration of the Power of the Holy Spirit?

Until we truly understand who we are in Christ, and use the Power we have been given through the Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit, the Church will never live up to her full potential.

Recently, I wondered… as much as I love the Christian college my daughter attends, what if she got pregnant? Would they throw her out? I know that non Christian colleges wouldn’t. What is our goal as Christians?

I’ve told my daughter before she headed out for her freshman year, that there was nothing she could do that would make me turn away from her. She was always welcome home.

Now wouldn’t it be wild if I, as a Christian, could say that to my political, social, and physical neighbors? Working on it.

For years I had been told by “Christians” that grades were not important, winning athletic events were not important, and these same people would dampen my enthusiasm for my children’s success. I know that some may replace their relationship with Christ in distraction with these things, but my point to my kids is to do their best because they represent Him. And also that God does not have a plan of mediocrity for His children.

Oh, I love this topic. I want to teach my kids to be winners. Not for pride’s sake, but because it just seems like the thing God wants for His children. I also tell them to run their own race in life. Because looking to the left and to the right may distract them and take them off God’s course. In their academic and athletic endeavours their sights must always be ahead towards God. But they are to live among their peers and be loving and relational. I was almost ashamed to want to win, because so many Christians I knew thought it was prideful to think that way. But winning in God spills over into so many aspects of our life and sets us up to win in those things as well. I just love it!

I feel like in many areas in my own life I had been a loser. Well, I’m done with that and I’m not passing that on to my kids. There will be times of apparent failure, such as Jan had mentioned, but perseverence will tell the whole story. Such a good lesson.

I think that the Church needs to get back to it’s roots. In college I attended a Greek Orthodox church. What a culture shock!! Yes, there’s a liturgy and it’s repetitive, but the pastor (or whatever he went by) said that it was good having a pattern considering the whole sermon rotations were based on Christ. There was no wandering towards causes and other stuff.

The Church today should get back to that emphasis. After all, it worked for the first century Church (considering its incredible growth). Part of what attracted me to Mountain Springs was the emphasis it placed on the Scriptures. I’ve long held the position that the Bible does a pretty good job of preaching Christ all by itself. Funny how that works.

* Bible knowledge beyond a shallow level
* Linking between faith and obedience (Romans begins and ends this way)
* The fear of God
* Acknowledgement of Divine wrath and retribution stored up to be revealed later
* Acknowledgment of coming Judgment and accountability
* Honest uncertainty about assurance of salvation
* Acknowledgment of degrees of eternal reward and retribution
* Protestant work ethic
* Exhortations
* Warnings
* Pursuit of Holiness
* Love of righteousness
* Hatred of wickedness
* Calls to action
* More…