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Sunday Morning Reflections 8.22.2010

By michaelcriner · Comments (1)
Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

Below are some of my reflections from our first college hour this Sunday. Let me just say… it was so great. I have big hopes for this year!!!

-If you missed the 9AM worship service, it was one of Pastor Toby’s best sermons ever! But that is for another day… On to College Hour.
-We started by singing ‘Chainbreaker’ – there were two words that stood out to me in that song “heart Savior”; I didn’t want to move too quickly from those two words because it runs to our deepest need & our deepest hope we have for students.
-There’s just something powerful and excited seeing new students along with old faces – it was like a big reunion – good times.
-BY FAR one of the BEST first Sunday’s we’ve ever had.
-Greg’s leadership along with the band was POWERFUL!
-We love the gospel. At the same time, we want to be people who are loving the gospel well…
-We ran out of donuts. (10 dozen folks… T-E-N)
-Since Satan is the father of lies, we’ve got to know his lies – BUT MORE important is to know BIBLICAL TRUTH so that you might dispel such lies.
-Satan can attack us but he can never ultimately destroy true Christian faith, because we are preserved by God’s grace.
-Satan ultimately seeks to destroy our enjoyment of the grace of God.
-God seeks to restore our enjoyment of Him.
-Paul tells us to put up the shield of faith to fend off the “fiery arrows” of the enemy – you know what that means? Put up the shield!
-I quoted John Owen today but didn’t give him credit… so here is me giving him credit: “there is a difference between the knowledge of the truth and the knowledge of the POWER of the truth.”
-We do not base God’s love for us on our circumstances; rather His PROVISION.
-The only way you can really feel the security of God’s love is by beginning to understand the inner meaning of the death of Jesus on the cross.
-Our God!! AWESOME song, right!?
-Absolutely LOVE hearing students sing “we are Yours!”
-LIE: God is not for you. – TRUTH: If God is for us, who can be against us!?
-How can you know that God is for me?
-Rom. 5:6-8 – “For while we were still weak, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows his love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
-Rom. 6:7-8 – “For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”
-Rom. 7:24-25 – “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
-Rom. 8:31-32 – “What then shall we say of these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”
-Thank You Jesus for the cross!
-We prayed that we’d have a fire code violation because of how many students were at church… we came close!! We had more students come to College Hour today than ever before (every student matters, but shouting the number to the world is a little pretentious, IMO).

As a final note, a BIG thanks to all of our volunteers. We had a lot of people jump in and just help without being asked. SO – THANK YOU!! YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!! Also, thanks to all those who prayed for us and have been praying for us… we can feel it!!

It was a great day, and I’m ecstatic as to what God has in store for us this semester! If you weren’t able to join us, check out www.fwcm.org to check out what took place. God has been very kind to us today… we plead that it would continue!

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Everybody has a relationship with Jesus.

By michaelcriner · Comments (1)
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

In our evangelical circles, we put a lot of weight behind and put a lot of emphasis on having a ‘personal relationship with Jesus’. In fact, we’ve been taught that this personal relationship is what differentiates us (Evangelicals) from religion (fill in any other faith-practice apart from Evangelicalism). I get it, and to the extend that it is implied, I agree with it.

But…

after some thought, I’ve come to this conclusion: everybody has a relationship with Jesus.

Think about it. In some way, shape, or form, we’re in relation to Jesus. I mean, even the devil has a relationship with Jesus… only his relationship is one that is at odds with Jesus. All of us are in relation to Jesus, but not all of us are united to Jesus. This to me is simply a matter of distinction and probably another way I’m becoming hung up on words, but it’s an important distinction. Why is it important? Well, if you aren’t united with Christ, then you’re against Christ.

So how does someone become united to Jesus? (thanks for asking)

Faith. Faith in Jesus. Faith that what he has done on the cross satisfies the wrath that was to be poured out on you. Faith that the cross is the extreme and extravagant love of God onto people. Faith that Jesus was who he said he was, and did what he set out to do. This is how we may become united to Jesus and not simply related to Jesus.

So, having a personal relationship with Jesus does not save us unless it’s a saving relationship… do you have faith in Him – faith that He was who He said He was? Faith that He is and will do what He set out to do? May His grace continue to draw you in if you struggle like I do at times with my faith. And may you live your life in awe and worship of Him.

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Categories : Faith, Theology
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I want to ride this Hot Air Balloon

By michaelcriner · Comments (4)
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

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Categories : Humor, Photography
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Kevorkian’s single worst moment of his life

By michaelcriner · Comments (1)
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Not many men have been as polarizing as Dr. Jack Kevorkian. He is most famous for a number of things, namely his “right-to-die” activism, among other things. You can read all your fill on him HERE.

The problem with his point of view is that it’s quite off base… essentially he believes that your body is your own possession and you can do whatever you want to with it – even kill it off if you like. What is sad, is that we are not our own. We’ve been made for a purpose by God and for God… beyond that, we’re not made to be autonomous individuals but rather as image bearers of God (Gen. 1:26-27; 5:1-3; 9-6; 1 Cor. 11:7; James 3:9).

His motivation seems to actually be compassionate as he wants people to die without pain. He’s wanting others to avoid pain… but pain is inevitable in life. All of us feel it. All of us in life will have clouds of trials, pain, loss, hardship, hurts, tears that stream down our faces… everyone of us will face it. This is where it’s important to know Jesus. Because of Jesus, we learn that his purpose in life was to glorify God the Father… and this included in suffering and dying on the cross (John 12:23.27-28; 13:30-32; 17:1). My point is that there is joy not only in our success but also in our suffering. This is retold for us in the Bible in Hebrews 12:1-6. I think this is in the Scriptures so that we might find hope when things seem pretty bleak… and know that we can be like Jesus and pick up our cross and follow him as he commanded (Matt. 16:24).

In a recent interview by CNN and he had this to say about his life:

The single worst moment of my life… was the moment I was born. -Dr. Kevorkian (via)

May this not be how you and I see the end of our days, rather if you’re suffering, take courage and know that God is aware and calls us to rejoice not in the pain but rather in what it can accomplish for the gospel. May you and I know that you are loved deeply, and pursued relentlessly by our God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:1-7).

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Great Links / Reads

By michaelcriner · Comments (0)
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

Every once in a while I come across some things that I think would be good for you to read. So, at your own risk… or not.

  2. Does Your Passion Have A Slow Leak? – a great post to ask yourself if your passion for Jesus and His mission is waining in your heart.
  4. The 10 Oddest Apple-Themed Products – Mashable posted this article and I think it proves people will buy anything.
  6. Top 10 Pet Peeves About Worship Leaders – This is a collection of statements made by people who attend church worship services on a regular basis. If you’re offended by any of them get over it.
  8. Who do you say that I am? - Here is a GREAT post on different people’s views of Jesus… it’s really well done!
  10. 10 Reasons your Team Hates you (they just won’t say it to your face) - ummmmmm…. yeah…. do you?

grace.

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Why I’ll be less critical of annoying church signs

By michaelcriner · Comments (0)
Thursday, January 28th, 2010

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Upon reading the title, many of you automatically know what I mean by “those church signs” – you know, like the ones above. Typically, these signs are made fun of, seen as ridiculous, and in my mind, do more harm for the cause of Jesus than benefit. But as I was getting a hair-cut, the barber-lady began to speak about her life story and the troubles she’s had. I did my best to speak the gospel into her life, and she made the mention of her appreciation for me sharing with her where I find hope in times of distress.

And then the story took a twist. She mentioned her great appreciation to the messages on church signs. She shared that in many instances, those signs brought her closer to God/got her back on track from where she was to where she needed to be in her relationship with God. Pretty crazy huh?

So, maybe I’ll still laugh and scoff at those crazy signs on churches – but I’ll remember that to some, it’s a benefit.

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3 reasons why you should read Mark Batterson’s new book Primal

By michaelcriner · Comments (0)
Monday, December 21st, 2009

In November, I was informed by Random House that I was invited to read and then review Mark Batterson’s book Primal. Let me just say this, I was ecstatic! To be invited to do such a thing is an honor and I count it a great joy to be asked to do such a thing! His two previous (In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day & Wild Goose Chase) were books that have helped shape some of my dreams of what it means to live a life following Jesus. Both these books challenged my thinking on many accounts and so I entered into reading this book with great hope.wpid-51mO7sG16hL._SS500_-2009-12-21-17-35.jpg

Let me just say this: I wasn’t disappointed. I know that sounds like major brown-nosing, but really. I enjoyed almost every page of this book. I wanted to read this all the first day I received the book in the mail (December 11th) but I kept putting it down to write out more dreams I had as a college pastor, as a father, and as a person. The book really isn’t long at all – 192 pages – but they’re small, manageable pages. What I mean is that before you know it – you’ve read a chapter and you’re hungry for the next one!

Here’s a couple of quotes that stopped me in my tracks:

“… our generation has conveniently forgotten how inconvenient it can be to follow in the footsteps of Christ.” (It’s true – our generation is narcissistic enough to the point that we’re out for our own comfort rather than sanctification to become like Jesus.)

“The most important decisions you make are pre-decisions. Pre-decisions are the decisions you make before you have to make the decision.” (There are some things that if unplanned, will never be. So, decide today what you need to do and you’re more likely to do it.)

“Some people spend their entire lives getting ready for what God wants them to do. But they never end up doing it because they never come to the realization that they’ll never be ready.” (This made me stop in the middle of reading and journal for several hours… seriously. I’m always thinking of reasons for NOT doing what God is birthing in me rather than going and doing it! So, GO AND DO IT!!)

All this being said, here are 3 reasons why you should read this book:

  2. You need to recapture the Great Commandment
  4. You need to rethink how you currently live your life
  6. You need to recreate how you communicate the gospel in everyday life

This book will help you along the way…
What does all this mean?

I think this should be the first book you read this upcoming year. No seriously. It could be exactly what you need to start 2010 with some big dreams for the next decade you might be granted from our good God.

YOU CAN BUY IT HERE

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Before you make a plan for spiritual formation, define it.

By michaelcriner · Comments (1)
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Simply, in my observation, spiritual formation is not too different from discipleship in nature. I think the difference would simply be that “spiritual formation” evokes fertile images of growth, slow maturation, and gentle becoming. It is a focused attention upon the heart – what is being stirred in your affections; what your minds attention is focused upon. In my view, “spiritual formation” is about your betterment, your sanctification in the most radical ways of which takes place in the most ordinary places.

Like unto it, discipleship is done with one another in community. You have a discipler. You have someone who is coming along side with you and helping you grow. Spiritual formation is an inward discipline; discipleship is an outward discipline. That being said, I think there is a ton of room for disagreement here… the point is that we are called to follow Jesus.

Thus, this is how I would define spiritual formation: the maturing process of a follower of Jesus, so that they might be sanctified.

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Is it necessary for the local church to continually try to enhance the spiritual formation of its congregation?

By michaelcriner · Comments (0)
Monday, November 16th, 2009

I think it is imperative for a local church to on regular occasion teach, disciple, lead, form, preach, model, etc. what it means to be a follower of Jesus. It is completely necessary, and if you are not doing this in your local church OR you think it can be done without a plan and therefore will happen naturally, you’re a fool.

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No Phone Friday

By michaelcriner · Comments (0)
Friday, October 16th, 2009

Periodically, I’ll turn the ole’ cell phone off for a day. Consider it my “fasting” from the phone. If you’re not familiar with the discipline of fasting, I would say; read your Bible. ;-)

What I mean is that any time you read Jesus’ instructions/comments on prayer, it is closely tied together with fasting. Fasting is a spiritual discipline in which you abstain from something so that you might direct your attention on Jesus. You may fast from food, water, people, work, Facebook, Twitter, TV, or technology all together! By fasting from these things, you then use the time you would regularly spend doing those things praying, or reading Scripture, etc. It’s a spiritual discipline, and one I think should be part of every follower of Jesus.

Therefore, don’t try to call me on Friday – it’s “no phone Friday” for me. I’m taking a break from the ole’ phone so that I might focus my thoughts on that which matters… namely, Jesus. I don’t tell you this to boast – rather I tell you this so that you might consider giving something up for a time, fast if you will, so that you might be drawn into a deeper walk with Jesus.

enjoy

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