Thursday, February 22, 2007

The Weird Critters Called Bloggers

Not many months ago, I didn't know what a blogger was and now I are one! Blog comes from the term "web log"--kind of a digital diary (oops, that's too feminine a term) that is, an internet journal ( more macho). It has become such a powerful medium that many of the candidates for the Presidency have announced they are running on a blog.

A recent survey was done of "Christian" bloggers, that I participated in--so now I am listed on numerous blogs with a link to my site. Perhaps it will soon become a favorite among the masses, and everyone will be talking about "Mountain Top Musings" (not likely)!

The price to pay for this exposure was a willingness to post the links of others on my site. THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF ANY OF THESE BLOGS OR BLOGGERS! I would suppose most, if not all, are fine (though I'm sure there would be a point or two of disagreement on some matters). Still, I have not visited each one--don't know when I'd have time to--and unless alerted to a problem, I have posted these with the aforementioned disclaimer. Here goes:

ministrypastor.blogspot.comhttp://ministrypastor.blogspot.com
Simplyjosh.comhttp://Simplyjosh.com

churchonomics.comhttp://churchonomics.com
marcpitman.comhttp://marcpitman.com
ifjesushadawebsite.nethttp://www.ifjesushadawebsite.net
ngpfocus.wordpress.comhttp://ngpfocus.wordpress.com
danieldecker.nethttp://www.danieldecker.net
ericbryant.org/bloghttp://www.ericbryant.org/blog
thefissiongroup.com/blog http://www.thefissiongroup.com/blog livelikejesus.com/bloghttp://livelikejesus.com/blog
emergingwomen.blogspot.comhttp://emergingwomen.blogspot.com
julieclawson.blogspot.comhttp://julieclawson.blogspot.com
post-methodist.blogspot.comwww.post-methodist.blogspot.com
edbuford.blogs.comhttp://edbuford.blogs.com
jeffsmithspeaks.blogspot.com/index.htmlhttp://jeffsmithspeaks.blogspot.com/index.html
churchcommunicationspro.com
http://www.churchcommunicationspro.com
friesville.net/blog
http://friesville.net/blog
ministrymarketingcoach.com
http://ministrymarketingcoach.com
johnsmulo.com
http://johnsmulo.com
douglast.com/thoughts
http://douglast.com/thoughts
thebellsite.com
http://www.thebellsite.com
ghostofmediocrity.blogspot.com
http://www.ghostofmediocrity.blogspot.com
morethanstone.blogsome.com
http://morethanstone.blogsome.com
davedavis.typepad.com
http://davedavis.typepad.com
theflippingsweetblog.blogspot.com
http://theflippingsweetblog.blogspot.com
blog.aspiringindie.com
http://blog.aspiringindie.com
spirittalks.blogspot.com
http://www.spirittalks.blogspot.com
chiselrod.com
http://www.chiselrod.com
microexplosion.com
http://microexplosion.com
levite.wordpress.com
http://levite.wordpress.com
learning2beastoryteller.blogspot.com
http://www.learning2beastoryteller.blogspot.com
billspondering.blogspot.com
http://billspondering.blogspot.com
dhfriss.typepad.com
http://dhfriss.typepad.com
imageforth.com
http://www.imageforth.com
despuesdeldomingo.com
http://www.despuesdeldomingo.com
mattandnancy.org
http://www.mattandnancy.org
mondaymorninginsight.com
http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com
valuetheprocess.wordpress.com
http://www.valuetheprocess.wordpress.com
themerge.blogspot.com
http://themerge.blogspot.com
semilladeamorgt.blogspot.com
http://semilladeamorgt.blogspot.com
mattsingley.com
http://www.mattsingley.com
timsweatman.blogspot.com
http://timsweatman.blogspot.com
jenniclayville.com
http://www.jenniclayville.com
anotherstorm.com
http://www.anotherstorm.com
elblogdecristianosh.blogspot.com
http://elblogdecristianosh.blogspot.com
kelly94942.blogspot.com
http://kelly94942.blogspot.com
melindalgroth.blogspot.com
http://www.melindalgroth.blogspot.com
churchrelevance.com
http://www.churchrelevance.com
lapalabra.ws/blogs
http://www.lapalabra.ws/blogs
twelvewitnesses.com
http://www.twelvewitnesses.com
thoughtsofacountrypreacher.blogspot.com
http://thoughtsofacountrypreacher.blogspot.com
knhamann.blogspot.com
http://knhamann.blogspot.com
lizziesotola.com
http://lizziesotola.com
jdblundell.blogspot.com
http://jdblundell.blogspot.com
jason.voxtropolis.com
http://jason.voxtropolis.com
rwbooth.com
http://www.rwbooth.com
decloaked.blogspot.com
http://www.decloaked.blogspot.com
davetilma.com
http://www.davetilma.com
debbie-thoughtsof.blogspot.com
http://debbie-thoughtsof.blogspot.com
theclayvilles.typepad.com/brian
http://www.theclayvilles.typepad.com/brian
estudios-biblicos.blogspot.com
http://estudios-biblicos.blogspot.com
elcalvario.us/quicuj
http://elcalvario.us/quicuj
arator.wordpress.com
http://arator.wordpress.com
xanga.com/rtsguy
http://www.xanga.com/rtsguy
la-guarida-del-perro.blogspot.com
http://la-guarida-del-perro.blogspot.com
forgodssakeshutup.blogspot.com
http://forgodssakeshutup.blogspot.com
determinacionhoy.net
http://www.determinacionhoy.net
discipleshipmeanderings.wordpress.com
http://discipleshipmeanderings.wordpress.com
challies.com
http://www.challies.com
allensonthe.net
http://www.allensonthe.net
nanolog.blogspot.com
http://nanolog.blogspot.com
donniejohnson.blogspot.com
http://donniejohnson.blogspot.com
missionsconnexion.com/cs
http://missionsconnexion.com/cs
tonydye.typepad.com
http://tonydye.typepad.com
brianeberly.com
http://www.brianeberly.com
curtbradford.typepad.com
http://www.curtbradford.typepad.com
gavin.inthebackyard.com
http://www.gavin.inthebackyard.com
communionreflections.blogspot.com
http://communionreflections.blogspot.com
victorychristianfellowship.net
http://www.victorychristianfellowship.net/index.php?page=blog
timothymyson.blogspot.com
http://www.timothymyson.blogspot.com
rbcgrace.com/deanblog/index.html
http://www.rbcgrace.com/deanblog/index.html
youthguy68.blogspot.com
http://www.youthguy68.blogspot.com
digitalchurch.com.au
http://www.digitalchurch.com.au
djs-book-rants.blogspot.com
http://djs-book-rants.blogspot.com
robertpooley.org
http://www.robertpooley.org
wideworldof.blogspot.com
http://wideworldof.blogspot.com
revunplugged.blogs.com
http://www.revunplugged.blogs.com
xanga.com/welcometotheedge
http://www.xanga.com/welcometotheedge
collinwimberly.blogspot.com
http://www.collinwimberly.blogspot.com
thecrossers.com/blog
http://www.thecrossers.com/blog
atravelersjourney.blogspot.com
http://atravelersjourney.blogspot.com
kairosofthisworld.blogspot.com
http://kairosofthisworld.blogspot.com
revnorman.blogspot.com
http://revnorman.blogspot.com
soomah.de
http://www.soomah.de
leadingsmart.com
http://leadingsmart.com
pontiacbible.org/brian
http://www.pontiacbible.org/brian
tianke.multiply.com
http://tianke.multiply.com
mountain-top-musings.blogspot.com
http://mountain-top-musings.blogspot.com
discipletim.blogspot.com
http://discipletim.blogspot.com
macmike.typepad.com
http://www.macmike.typepad.com
mcfaddencircle.blogspot.com
http://mcfaddencircle.blogspot.com
getanchored.blogspot.com
http://getanchored.blogspot.com
bucketsfromgoldie.blogspot.com
http://bucketsfromgoldie.blogspot.com
leslieherron.typepad.com
http://www.leslieherron.typepad.com
adoracionyartes.blogspot.com
http://www.adoracionyartes.blogspot.com
johnnyleckie.blogspot.com
http://johnnyleckie.blogspot.com
ridleybarron.blogspot.com
http://www.ridleybarron.blogspot.com
davebowmanonline.com
http://www.davebowmanonline.com
kevinpurcell.org
http://www.kevinpurcell.org
evtales.com
http://www.evtales.com
checkyourcompass.blogspot.com
http://checkyourcompass.blogspot.com
theoskaris.blogspot.com
http://theoskaris.blogspot.com
samshaw.wordpress.com
http://www.samshaw.wordpress.com
zayasbazan.blogspot.com
http://zayasbazan.blogspot.com
explorechrist.blogspot.com
http://www.explorechrist.blogspot.com
gracepages-mbc.blogspot.com
http://gracepages-mbc.blogspot.com
morganchurchdevotional.blogspot.com
http://www.morganchurchdevotional.blogspot.com
2timothy22.blogspot.com
http://2timothy22.blogspot.com
mixmastersean.blogspot.com
http://www.mixmastersean.blogspot.com
freedombc.org
http://www.freedombc.org
velocityhsm.blogspot.com
http://velocityhsm.blogspot.com
josue.townhall.com
http://josue.townhall.com
echalelena.blogspot.com
http://www.echalelena.blogspot.com
myspace.com/ncm.pcc.syl
http://www.myspace.com/ncm.pcc.syl
anopendoerr.com
http://www.anopendoerr.com
rockc3.com
http://www.rockc3.com
youthministryhilarity.blogspot.com
http://www.youthministryhilarity.blogspot.com
otbthinking.blogspot.com
http://otbthinking.blogspot.com
cowboycountrychurch.com
http://www.cowboycountrychurch.com
xanga.com/apolizzi
http://www.xanga.com/apolizzi
newlifebrisbane.blogspot.com
http://www.newlifebrisbane.blogspot.com
straightfrompastor.blogspot.com
http://straightfrompastor.blogspot.com
lifeofchrisrandomthoughts.blogspot.com
http://lifeofchrisrandomthoughts.blogspot.com
arktrav.blgspot.com
http://arktrav.blgspot.com
jurgenvandenherik.nl
http://www.jurgenvandenherik.nl
johannesrueschel.de
http://www.johannesrueschel.de
hufi.blogspot.com
http://hufi.blogspot.com
completinggodsmission.com
http://www.completinggodsmission.com
cobbsinger.blogspot.com
http://cobbsinger.blogspot.com
fellowshipdayz.blogspot.com
http://fellowshipdayz.blogspot.com
bridgecommunity-mike.blogspot.com
http://bridgecommunity-mike.blogspot.com
jonathaneverette.blogspot.com
http://www.jonathaneverette.blogspot.com
thegatheringplacehome.blogspot.com
http://thegatheringplacehome.blogspot.com
seabourn.org
http://www.seabourn.org
gupdate.blogger.com
http://www.gupdate.blogger.com
jonathaneverette.blogspot.com
http://www.jonathaneverette.blogspot.com
myspace.com/morelikeyou
http://www.myspace.com/morelikeyou
preacherjoe.blog
http://www.preacherjoe.blog
theworldfrommywindow.blogspot.com
http://theworldfrommywindow.blogspot.com
attemptedphilosophyblog.blogspot.com
http://www.attemptedphilosophyblog.blogspot.com
amandaowen3.blogspot.com
http://www.amandaowen3.blogspot.com
pastorsview.blogspot.com
http://www.pastorsview.blogspot.com
severnrun.wordpress.com
http://severnrun.wordpress.com
waitingforsunday.com
http://waitingforsunday.com
lynda.pongracz.blogspot.com
http://www.lynda.pongracz.blogspot.com
reverandd.bravejournal.com
http://reverandd.bravejournal.com
oncoffee.blogspot.com
http://oncoffee.blogspot.com
otherstudentministry.com/blog.cfm
http://www.otherstudentministry.com/blog.cfm
jayhardwick.com
http://www.jayhardwick.com
stonecreekchurch.com
http://www.stonecreekchurch.com
unfoldingneurons.com
http://www.unfoldingneurons.com
the-beat-goes-on.blogspot.com
http://the-beat-goes-on.blogspot.com
fbcsulphur.org
http://www.fbcsulphur.org
evenyou.blogspot.com
http://evenyou.blogspot.com
now-lets-see.blogspot.com
http://now-lets-see.blogspot.com
becoming.voxtropolis.com
http://becoming.voxtropolis.com
emilioetaty.multiply.com
http://emilioetaty.multiply.com
hblogcpj.blogspot.com
http://hblogcpj.blogspot.com
marshilltop.blogspot.com
http://marshilltop.blogspot.com
jeffreycrawford.blogspot.com
http://jeffreycrawford.blogspot.com
thewhatisup.blogspot.com
http://www.thewhatisup.blogspot.com
trevorscott.vox.com
http://www.trevorscott.vox.com
gmchurch.org/blog
http://www.gmchurch.org/blog
blog.myspace.com/servingtheking
http://blog.myspace.com/servingtheking
chipsanders.blogspot.com
http://chipsanders.blogspot.com
tommyham/typepad.com
http://tommyham/typepad.com
highercallingchurch.blogspot.com
http://www.highercallingchurch.blogspot.com
livingwatermuscatine.com
http://www.livingwatermuscatine.com
thislamp.com
http://www.thislamp.com
blog.myspace.com/nathanhyde
http://blog.myspace.com/nathanhyde
bibleblog.typepad.com
http://www.bibleblog.typepad.com
peanutsizzler.blogspot.com
http://www.peanutsizzler.blogspot.com
danmoore.livejournal.com
http://danmoore.livejournal.com
cmol.org
http://www.cmol.org
mikebellanti.voxtropolis.com
http://mikebellanti.voxtropolis.com
lenscleanse.blogspot.com
http://lenscleanse.blogspot.com
darinsrealtruth.blogspot.com
http://www.darinsrealtruth.blogspot.com
graceforme.org
http://www.graceforme.org
jeffsmithspeaks.blogspot.com
http://jeffsmithspeaks.blogspot.com
simplyhsp.multiply.com
http://www.simplyhsp.multiply.com
untilsunday.blogspot.com
http://untilsunday.blogspot.com
umbl0g.blogspot.com
http://www.umbl0g.blogspot.com
lorenhicks.typepad.com
http://www.lorenhicks.typepad.com
caldjr.blogspot.com
http://caldjr.blogspot.com
thewallah.blogspot.com
http://www.thewallah.blogspot.com
louicanchola.typepad.com
http://www.louicanchola.typepad.com
tommyhargrove.blogspot.com
http://www.tommyhargrove.blogspot.com
leehodges.blog.com
http://leehodges.blog.com
growingtogether.net
http://www.growingtogether.net
nathanrice.org
http://www.nathanrice.org
sdmkp.blogspot.com
http://sdmkp.blogspot.com
360.yahoo.com/genblessings
http://www.360.yahoo.com/genblessings
donbillie/myspace.com
http://www.donbillie/myspace.com
pastorjohnccc.blogspot.com
http://www.pastorjohnccc.blogspot.com
ministrycenter.blogspot.com
http://www.ministrycenter.blogspot.com
brassworld.blogspot.com
http://www.brassworld.blogspot.com
pastoringonpurpose.com
http://www.pastoringonpurpose.com
kimzweygardt.com
http://www.kimzweygardt.com
tonymorganlive.com
http://tonymorganlive.com
andrewcairns.com
http://www.andrewcairns.com
paulpeterson.wordpress.com
http://www.paulpeterson.wordpress.com
freshfaithworship.blogspot.com
http://freshfaithworship.blogspot.com
newhopeaubrey.com/consume/consume.htm
http://www.newhopeaubrey.com/consume/consume.htm
markbatterson.com
http://www.markbatterson.com
runwithgod.com
http://www.runwithgod.com
sequimur.com/banditsnomore
http://www.sequimur.com/banditsnomore
kemmeyer.com
http://www.kemmeyer.com
danieldecker.net
http://www.danieldecker.net
adventurefaith.blogspot.com
http://www.adventurefaith.blogspot.com
michaeldeutsch.blogspot.com
http://michaeldeutsch.blogspot.com
xanga.com/timsmithxa
http://www.xanga.com/timsmithxa
tonystewardblog.com
http://tonystewardblog.com
p-robspot.blogspot.com
http://p-robspot.blogspot.com
johnnylaird.blogspot.com
http://www.johnnylaird.blogspot.com
chadkmiller.blogspot.com
http://chadkmiller.blogspot.com
anchorite.org/blog
http://www.anchorite.org/blog
e-devotion.blogspot.com
http://www.e-devotion.blogspot.com
chriswhitehead.blogspot.com
http://chriswhitehead.blogspot.com
nathandiehl.com
http://nathandiehl.com
girlrev-cindy.blogspot.com
http://girlrev-cindy.blogspot.com
revsonic.org
http://www.revsonic.org
jameslaws.typepad.com
http://jameslaws.typepad.com
elhammond.vox.com
http://elhammond.vox.com
georgejromano.blogspot.com
http://www.georgejromano.blogspot.com
faithengineer.com
http://www.faithengineer.com
edbuford.blogs.com
http://edbuford.blogs.com
stevansheets.com
http://www.stevansheets.com
baileythoughts.wordpress.com
http://baileythoughts.wordpress.com
barryclarke.blogspot.com
http://barryclarke.blogspot.com
lizardsmommy.blogspot.com
http://lizardsmommy.blogspot.com
wonderingthoughtsbyjoe.blogspot.com
http://wonderingthoughtsbyjoe.blogspot.com
achristianchronicle.blogspot.com
http://achristianchronicle.blogspot.com
blurty.com
http://www.blurty.com
theviewfromosprey.blogspot.com
http://theviewfromosprey.blogspot.com
trydyingtolive.blogspot.com
http://trydyingtolive.blogspot.com
genejennings.com
http://www.genejennings.com
ericmesselt.blogspot.com
http://ericmesselt.blogspot.com
InsightsfromRick.com
http://www.InsightsfromRick.com
chuckmusselwhite.com
http://chuckmusselwhite.com
stanchfieldbaptist.com
http://www.stanchfieldbaptist.com
pastorjohn58.blogspot.com
http://pastorjohn58.blogspot.com
rpc-foundation.blogspot.com
http://rpc-foundation.blogspot.com
discoverychurchjason.blogspot.com
http://www.discoverychurchjason.blogspot.com
simplystudents.blogspot.com
http://www.simplystudents.blogspot.com
wdmbarker.blogspot.com
http://www.wdmbarker.blogspot.com
timschmoyer.com
http://www.timschmoyer.com
serialyouthpastor.blogspot.com
http://www.serialyouthpastor.blogspot.com
gondimenespanol.blogspot.com
http://gondimenespanol.blogspot.com
pastorbrad.org
http://www.pastorbrad.org
ridgethoughts.blogspot.com
http://www.ridgethoughts.blogspot.com
xanga.com/revshortridge
http://www.xanga.com/revshortridge
jonsampson.blogspot.com
http://jonsampson.blogspot.com
juniorhigh.blogs.com/joshuamichael
http://juniorhigh.blogs.com/joshuamichael
wideopensecrets.blogspot.com
http://www.wideopensecrets.blogspot.com
studying-by-grace.blogspot.com
http://studying-by-grace.blogspot.com
undertheeagleswing.blogspot.com
http://undertheeagleswing.blogspot.com
myspace.com/blogpastor_charlie
http://www.myspace.com/blogpastor_charlie
mattandmeganmckee.blogspot.com
http://mattandmeganmckee.blogspot.com
flowerdust.net
http://www.flowerdust.net
revitalizeyourchurch.blogspot.com
http://www.revitalizeyourchurch.blogspot.com
xanga.com/samwisegmge
http://www.xanga.com/samwisegmge
pcnotas.com.br
http://www.pcnotas.com.br
supermom56.blogspot.com
http://www.supermom56.blogspot.com
lastsermon.blogspot.com
http://www.lastsermon.blogspot.com
djchuang.com
http://www.djchuang.com
tallskinnykiwi.typepad.com
http://tallskinnykiwi.typepad.com
pastormikeinantigua.blogspot.com
http://pastormikeinantigua.blogspot.com
myspace.com/stevepatient
http://www.myspace.com/stevepatient
268pastor.blogspot.com
http://268pastor.blogspot.com
growthstarts.org
http://www.growthstarts.org
horizonscommunitychurch.blogspot.com
http://www.horizonscommunitychurch.blogspot.com
paulneel.blogspot.com
http://paulneel.blogspot.com
cyword.com/jesusheaven
http://www.cyword.com/jesusheaven
jasondeuman.com
http://jasondeuman.com
talawas.com
http://www.talawas.com
chrisburke.ca
http://www.chrisburke.ca
joshcrain.com
http://www.joshcrain.com
jaycurlee.blogspot.com
http://jaycurlee.blogspot.com
themerge.blogspot.com
http://themerge.blogspot.com
weskenney.net
http://weskenney.net
churchtechmatters.com
http://churchtechmatters.com
daves-doodles.blogspot.com
http://daves-doodles.blogspot.com
blog.myspace.com/ricolsen
http://blog.myspace.com/ricolsen
doug-hart.net
http://www.doug-hart.net
chetswearingen.wordpress.com
http://www.chetswearingen.wordpress.com
armyrenewal.blogspot.com
http://armyrenewal.blogspot.com
bittersweetblue.blogspot.com
http://bittersweetblue.blogspot.com
randompokes.org
http://www.randompokes.org
calvaryaustin.org/blogs/allen
http://www.calvaryaustin.org/blogs/allen
debbie-thoughtsof.blogspot.com
http://debbie-thoughtsof.blogspot.com
gjblog.com
http://www.gjblog.com
wallsandgates.squarespace.com
http://wallsandgates.squarespace.com
nomad4god.blogspot.com
http://nomad4god.blogspot.com
vidaplus.blogspot.com
http://vidaplus.blogspot.com
smconger.blogspot.com
http://smconger.blogspot.com
mynameiselisabeth.blogspot.com
http://mynameiselisabeth.blogspot.com
timliu.org
http://www.timliu.org
praisegodbarebones.blogspot.com
http://praisegodbarebones.blogspot.com
assembling.blogspot.com
http://assembling.blogspot.com
gomotion.blogspot.com
http://gomotion.blogspot.com
pollections.blogspot.com
http://pollections.blogspot.com
downshoredrift.com
http://downshoredrift.com
talesfrommiddleearth.blogspot.com
http://www.talesfrommiddleearth.blogspot.com
davesamples.blogspot.com
http://www.davesamples.blogspot.com
davidpete.blogspot.com
http://davidpete.blogspot.com
worldoffaith.wordpress.com
http://worldoffaith.wordpress.com
mightyfowl.blogspot.com
http://www.mightyfowl.blogspot.com
blog.jasonkearney.net
http://blog.jasonkearney.net
kevinbussey.wordpress.com
http://kevinbussey.wordpress.com
pathwaycc.blogspot.com
http://pathwaycc.blogspot.com
robwitham.com
http://www.robwitham.com
matt-knight.blogspot.com
http://matt-knight.blogspot.com
themiracleofmercy.blogspot.com
http://www.themiracleofmercy.blogspot.com
texasinafrica.blogspot.com
http://texasinafrica.blogspot.com
reformedchicksblabbing.blogspot.com
http://reformedchicksblabbing.blogspot.com
blogministry.com
http://blogministry.com
glenwoods.blogspot.com
http://www.glenwoods.blogspot.com
journals.aol.com/marqduncan/the-bishop-blog
http://journals.aol.com/marqduncan/the-bishop-blog
suzy.theshipmans.co.uk/blog
http://suzy.theshipmans.co.uk/blog
CriesOfTheHeart.com
http://www.CriesOfTheHeart.com
pcnotas.com.br
http://www.pcnotas.com.br
dancort.gospelmais.com.br
http://dancort.gospelmais.com.br
marriagevictory.com
http://www.marriagevictory.com
videoadoracao.blogspot.com
http://www.videoadoracao.blogspot.com
blindbeggar.org
http://www.blindbeggar.org
paulmayers.blogs.com
http://paulmayers.blogs.com
missiodeiscandia.wordpress.com
http://missiodeiscandia.wordpress.com
thiagocarvalhodesign.blogger.com.br
http://www.thiagocarvalhodesign.blogger.com.br
iwerth.blogspot.com
http://iwerth.blogspot.com
thewearypilgrim.typepad.com
http://thewearypilgrim.typepad.com
coisasdemim.blogspot.com
http://coisasdemim.blogspot.com
davethepastor.vox.com
http://davethepastor.vox.com
davethepastor.livejournal.com
http://davethepastor.livejournal.com
newhopevalp.org/blogger.html
http://www.newhopevalp.org/blogger.html
itslikeherdingcats.blogspot.com
http://itslikeherdingcats.blogspot.com
prayershake.blogspot.com
http://www.prayershake.blogspot.com
missionalchallenge.blogspot.com
http://missionalchallenge.blogspot.com
igneousquill.blogspot.com
http://igneousquill.blogspot.com
chuckwarnockblog.wordpress.com
http://chuckwarnockblog.wordpress.com
amicusdei.com
http://amicusdei.com
dennyburk.com
http://www.dennyburk.com
stevebishop.blogspot.com
http://stevebishop.blogspot.com
ngpfocus.wordpress.com
http://ngpfocus.wordpress.com
cantodojo.blogspot.com
http://cantodojo.blogspot.com
gotgrace2.blogspot.com
http://gotgrace2.blogspot.com
littlepastor.blogspot.com
http://littlepastor.blogspot.com
julieclawson.blogspot.com
http://julieclawson.blogspot.com
larzmarshall.blogspot.com
http://www.larzmarshall.blogspot.com
e-devotion.blogspot.com
http://e-devotion.blogspot.com
faithfulweb.wordpress.com
http://faithfulweb.wordpress.com
oddideas.com
http://oddideas.com
pastor-jons-blog
http://hopebaptistsingles.squarespace.com/pastor-jons-blog
alliancefriendschurch.org
http://www.alliancefriendschurch.org
veldugo01.blogspot.com
http://veldugo01.blogspot.com
countercultureblog.com
http://countercultureblog.com
markkelly.wordpress.com
http://markkelly.wordpress.com

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

THE BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE, Article Ten

This is Part 10 of a continuing series of articles examining the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. This statement of faith was adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting on June 14, 2000 “to set forth certain teachings which we believe.”

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper.
The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.*

The Greek word rendered baptism in the New Testament means to immerse. In the common usage of the term in the first-century, as you washed dishes, you would “baptize” (immerse) them. You didn’t sprinkle water on them—that wouldn’t get them very clean!

Baptism is for believers—those old enough to have made a personal faith commitment to Jesus Christ. The order in the New Testament is that someone believed and then they were baptized. For this reason, we do not “baptize” babies.

Baptizing in the name of the Triune God comes from a direct commandment of Christ. When He gave the church the Great Commission, He told us to baptize in that fashion.

The water of baptism has no power to wash away our sins, but it is an outward expression of that spiritual reality. Neither does it have the power to save us, but gives a clear testimony of salvation. Each time it is practiced it is a graphic portrayal of the Gospel—the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Our profession of faith is that we have died to the old life (buried in baptism) and have been raised to walk in newness of life. Further, we declare our conviction that now having eternal life, even though our bodies may be placed in a grave one day, there is going to be a resurrection.

Baptism is the way you become part of a Baptist church.

Being part of the church means that we should participate in another symbolic ordinance—the Lord’s Supper. When we partake of the bread we are remembering the sinless body of Jesus offered up as a sacrifice on the cross for sinners. Partaking of the fruit of the vine reminds us of the blood of Christ that purchased our salvation. The elements do not actually become the body and blood of Jesus, but represent the same.

The Lord’s Supper looks back to an event that redeemed us to God by the blood of the Lamb. The Lord’s Supper looks around to the members of the family of God—our brothers and sisters—as we have communion with them as we commune with Christ. The Lord’s Supper looks ahead to the coming King who reminds us that we are to observe this ordinance until He comes—and He is coming—maybe soon!


* Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12. (Baptist Faith and Message, 2000)

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

THE BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE, Article Nine

This is Part 9 of a continuing series of articles examining the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. This statement of faith was adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting on June 14, 2000 “to set forth certain teachings which we believe.”

The Church

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture. The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ, which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.*


The church administration manual is the New Testament. We are not interested in what man’s religious opinions and church traditions tell us about the nature of the church—but what does the New Testament say?

The church belongs to Jesus. He lovingly bought it with His blood. Christ has the right to direct His church to accomplish His will. It is His body, His bride, and His building. It is described as His field and His flock. Christ is the head of the church—not the pastor, not the deacons, not a pope, priest or presbytery.

This means that the church is autonomous as concerning any earthly power. We are not wed to any secular government, being citizens of the kingdom of heaven. We are not controlled by any ecclesiastical hierarchy, being led of the Spirit of God. That Spirit calls us into the body and bestows grace gifts to equip the church for Kingdom service. A local church functioning as God intends, has a membership that prays and seeks to submit to the Word of God, coming together to carry out her mission.

Although the New Testament occasionally speaks of the church as a universal, spiritual body of all believers, most references are to local assemblies. The local church is where the action is! That local assembly is to be composed of a regenerate membership, committed openly to Christ through baptism, and linked together in the bonds of love to accomplish the Great Commission. The ordinances of the church are baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper. As there are two ordinances, there are two offices in the church—the pastors and deacons—these are the elders of the church who provide leadership to the assembly. The Bible acknowledges the indispensable gifts and ministries carried out by women in the church, but in the different roles God has established for the sexes, men are chosen to be the God-ordained elders of the church.

In a day when many disdain the church, and scorn what they call “organized religion,” it is important to note that the heritage of the church of yesterday and the hope of the church of tomorrow speaks of the health of the church of today. The church—Christ’s church—is still alive and well! I’m glad to be a member and servant of the church—the local church; specifically, Pole Creek Baptist Church!


* Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.
(Baptist Faith and Message, 2000)
What Happens If a Church Member Hits the Jackpot?

I was faced with that very issue at another church, several years ago. A fellow told me about his sister going to Mississippi, to one of the casinos, and that she had "hit the jackpot." She was going to give the Lord "His part" however. 10% was going into the offering plate--a sizable sum for that country church. I'll return to the story in just a minute.

But first, let me share with you what triggered this line of thought. I read an article from the Executive Director of the Christian Action League in North Carolina. It brought back some memories. Here's what he said:

The Right Frame of Mind: Should the Church Accept Lottery Winnings?
By Rev. Mark H. Creech February 12, 2003
(Agape Press) -
There was a time when gambling was considered a vice and a crime in this country. Things have changed. Today, 39 states have state-sponsored lotteries and the church no longer takes a strong stand against gambling.
Approximately six weeks ago, Andrew "Jack" Whitaker of West Virginia announced his plans to donate $17 million -- 10% of his $170 million gross winnings of a Powerball jackpot -- to three Church of God pastors. One of the pastors said, "That's a blessing to have that kind of backing."
Shortly thereafter, David Rush (a Florida man) sent $100,000 from his $14 million Florida Lotto jackpot winnings to the Salvation Army in Naples, Florida. But Salvation Army Maj. Cleo Damon told Rush that he couldn't take his money and returned the check.
A spokesperson for Damon said Damon believed that taking a stand against gambling and then taking winnings from the lottery would have been hypocritical. Yet, Lt. Colonel David E. Grindle (Salvation Army Chicago Divisional Commander) was quick to point out that Damon's decision was purely his own and didn't reflect Salvation Army policy regarding such gifts.
The fact that churches and Christian organizations would even consider accepting gifts from lottery winnings clearly demonstrates how the church has weakened in its opposition to gambling. Have we forgotten that lotteries are a form of gambling, and that gambling is a sin that destroys thousands of lives?
Someone may be quick to say, "That's a sanctimonious overstatement. You can't show one place in the entire Bible where it says: ?Thou shalt not play the lottery.' You can't show anywhere in Scripture where it says: ?Thou shalt not gamble.'" And that is correct, I can't. Still the subject of gambling is not that easily dismissed.
I can't show any place in the Bible where it says: "Thou shalt not watch a pornographic movie." Yet, the Scriptures do talk about the sin of lust and advocate principles that would deny any individual to do anything that would entertain or generate or provide the means for and expression of the sin of lust.
Interestingly, the same Bible that talks about the sin of lust also talks about the sin of covetousness. Those who cannot see the connection between lust and pornography are not likely to see the connection between covetousness and gambling. Nevertheless, gambling is simply a form of covetousness -- a violation of the Tenth Commandment of God.
Covetousness is an inordinate desire for money, property, or something that belongs to someone else. Rex Rogers in his book, Seducing America, rightly says there are only three ways to legitimately acquire property: (1) as a gift, (2) as a payment for labor, and (3) in fair exchange. Anything else is but a form of covetousness -- and gambling certainly doesn't fit any of these criteria.
Simply put, gambling is all about avarice. It is the old desire of something-for-nothing -- the "get-rich-quick" scam.
Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, has written: "The Bible is clear on this issue. The entire enterprise of gambling is opposed to the moral worldview revealed in God's Word. The basic impulse behind gambling is greed -- a basic sin that is the father of many other evils. Scripture repeatedly addresses greed, covetousness, and avarice as a sin against God, and often with graphic warning of the destruction that is greed's result. The burning desire for earthly riches leads to frustration and spiritual death."
"OK", someone says. "I understand that gambling is sinful. But what's wrong with accepting gambling winnings for the church?"
Again, this is a matter where there is no definite command in Scripture, but the Bible does talk about the principle of Christian separation. With fatherly concern, the apostle Paul admonished the Church: "Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing" (2 Cor. 6:17).
Of course, this doesn't mean we should retreat into our monasteries to get away from worldly values. Nevertheless, it does mean that we shouldn't knowingly enter into any bond with evil. It's a standard that centers on our ability to have and maintain a credible witness for Christ.
Pastor Scott Thomas understands this principle well. According to Family News In Focus, he faced a very difficult situation several years ago when a deacon in his church offered a portion of lottery winnings for a building fund. Thomas refused the gift and stood on the principle of Christian separation. "I've just always believed that God doesn't need to use chance to build his Church," said Thomas. Furthermore, he added that impoverished people largely play lotteries and the church shouldn't profit on the backs of the poor.
Despite Thomas' opposition, however, the church wanted the money and fired him. They accepted the gift and built the building. As a result, attendance has dropped from 165 to fewer than 50 people a week. Thomas says: "Several of the members have called me and said, “The albatross around our necks is that we are now known as the lottery church.'"
Recently, Pastor John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, wrote an editorial entitled: "Don't Play the Lottery for Me!" Piper's editorial sums up, what I think, ought to be the position of every church on whether to accept gifts from gambling winnings.
. Piper wrote: "We are followers of Jesus. He had no place to lay His head and did not accept the demonic temptation to jump off the temple for the jackpot of instance recognition. The Calvary road is not paved with Powerball tickets, but with blood. The Church was bought once by One who refused the short cut of instant triumph. It will never be bought by those who dream of riches.
"Don't play the lottery for Bethlehem Baptist Church. We will not, I pray, salve your conscience by taking one dime of your plunder, or supporting even the thought of your spiritual suicide. Let the widow give her penny and the laborer his wage. And keep your life free from the love of money."
Indeed, Pastor! We need to be separate as Christians. We mustn't be conformed to this world that we may prove what is "that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom. 12:2).
Rev. Mark H. Creech (calact@aol.com) is the executive director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina, Inc.

Now, back to my former dilemma--what did I do? I went to this sweet lady (she really was) and told her that while I appreciated her devotion to the church and desire to be helpful that it would not be appropriate for me--knowing where the money came from--to accept this gift. It also gave me an opportunity to warn her of the peril she was placing herself in. She took it rather well and gave me assurance that she--a businesswoman--knew better than to plunge deeply into gambling.

But she was hooked. Back to gambling she went--it was an addiction and she poured all her money into this habit--until she lost her family, her business, her home, and so far as I know walked away from the church and has not returned.

Groucho Marx used to emcee a TV show called, "You Bet Your Life." That's the danger you face when you begin to play the lottery, visit the casino, bet on the horses--whatever. You'll not come out ahead. How do you think casinos stay in business? Apparently they are making money and not giving it away! Like that dear woman I mentioned above--if you win, you might become the biggest loser of all. Don't bet your life!