July 21, 2013
Pastor Mark welcomed his relatively new flock (allsaintsministry.com) to a study of Psalm 148 with the purpose of creating a sharper vision and deeper feeling for worship in "A Worshipping Community and School of Practical Theology". The Psalms (songs of David), some of the earliest forms of worship, provide an opportunity to understand where soulful worship began in the Hebrew culture and where a blend of the old and new songs are taking us today. Various music groups are invited to lead the Songs of Worship and today, Jon Henderson Jr. and his group supported Pastor Mark's inspirational insight into the power and glory residing in the Psalms of David.
This innate side of worship explored through themes of "Cathedral of the Cosmos", news is sugar for the body becoming an addiction compared to the Psalmist's life in the desert where where David developed critical thinking reflecting the ebb and flow of one's life' cycles. Here, the bedouin Jews revealed an honesty of feelings much different than the American Worship Experience which seems tailored to the "least committed person".
Old songs such as The Doxology, reflect the celestrial and terrestrial nature of the Psalmist's deepening feelings in his relationship to God Almighty and provide rationale for this relationship: God in heaven vs. man on earth. Consequently, we can rejoice in "halleleuia" praise which is our faithful response to understanding God sees things differently than man. This Hebrew word and it's many applications and meanings are explored in the podcast which is definitely a "must see".
Gripping me most: 1. Jon's drummer epitomized David in that his every nerve was totally engaged in his song and that like David, you "can't take the rhythm out of the bones". 2. Longfellow's Psalm of Life reflects a much more recent "song" which, perhaps, we may be unaware of how close, we are.
Ron Jones
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Discerning where God is leading us (as a church)
Our church is currently looking for a new home and at the same time "discerning where God is leading us" as a congregation. What circumstances have caused us to be a "church without a home"? But, more importantly, where is God leading us?
It seems, personally, that since "God is in control", we'd be in different circumstances, having "faithfully followed " Him for 30-some years. How would it be that we haven't been to church in quite a while? Yet, now we consider the plight of the church and realize that we are not alone, both individually and as a church.
Where do we go from here? On a more personal basis, where do I go from here? I have learned from experience that in order to manage circumstances, I must first manage myself. It is I who must return to "center, focus and concentrate" on the "pioneer church" within me. Spiritual renewal ultimately comes from study and meditation. If I wish to be renewed by the Holy Spirit, then I must return to "pursuing God". If I just wish to have my spirit renewed, I can go just about any place; and that is the problem.
It seems, personally, that since "God is in control", we'd be in different circumstances, having "faithfully followed " Him for 30-some years. How would it be that we haven't been to church in quite a while? Yet, now we consider the plight of the church and realize that we are not alone, both individually and as a church.
Where do we go from here? On a more personal basis, where do I go from here? I have learned from experience that in order to manage circumstances, I must first manage myself. It is I who must return to "center, focus and concentrate" on the "pioneer church" within me. Spiritual renewal ultimately comes from study and meditation. If I wish to be renewed by the Holy Spirit, then I must return to "pursuing God". If I just wish to have my spirit renewed, I can go just about any place; and that is the problem.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
A PIONEER CHURCH
As the door closes on our old church building, a new one opens and we pause to think about what is happening. We are, beginning again, in a different building. Like life, a new day welcomes a new body, albeit one day older. If old, one realizes there is not much time left; if young, time means nothing. Some of us are older and we remember the days of our youth. Now that we are old, we know we must leave something of our days for our youth. So it is with the pioneer church, the roots of Lookout Mountain Community Church:
A PIONEER CHURCH
It was up Mount Vernon canyon, on the wagon trail of sod; our forefathers tried to find, the higher ground to God. Deep down in the valley, it stands there yet today; a symbol of our legacy, it's grave yard in disarray.
Here lie heroes of our Civil War, true native sons at rest. And nameplates on it's worn pews, show those who gave their best. Upon this church's' doorstep, a new pastor once had stood. Looking up the mountain, praying some should come and would. Standing in silence on a hill, on the old wagon trail of sod. Patiently, it is waiting still, to bring people back to God.
Ronald Thomas Jones
There are many stories about our history. There are several of them apparent in this rendering of a personal viewpoint. Of course, everyone has their own way to look at things and not everyone wants to write a poem or sing a song. But then, we are all searching for a way to sing life's song and before our time is up, perhaps we can learn that going back to God, is truly,....our salvation.
A PIONEER CHURCH
It was up Mount Vernon canyon, on the wagon trail of sod; our forefathers tried to find, the higher ground to God. Deep down in the valley, it stands there yet today; a symbol of our legacy, it's grave yard in disarray.
Here lie heroes of our Civil War, true native sons at rest. And nameplates on it's worn pews, show those who gave their best. Upon this church's' doorstep, a new pastor once had stood. Looking up the mountain, praying some should come and would. Standing in silence on a hill, on the old wagon trail of sod. Patiently, it is waiting still, to bring people back to God.
Ronald Thomas Jones
There are many stories about our history. There are several of them apparent in this rendering of a personal viewpoint. Of course, everyone has their own way to look at things and not everyone wants to write a poem or sing a song. But then, we are all searching for a way to sing life's song and before our time is up, perhaps we can learn that going back to God, is truly,....our salvation.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Righteousness
Our last sermon GOSPEL WITH A FACE was the last in this series. The series intended to put a face on contemporary Christianity which is purported to be "watered down" and perhaps therefore, ineffective in keeping one "out of the weeds" and on a path of Bible-centered spiritual renewal. "Our Enslaved Free Will" explored the "law of my mind" working against the human nature of flesh and heart in relation to God's Sovereignty. Historically, the concept of "free will" evolved from the Greek "Thelema" (longings or feeling for what I want), early theologies translating to "Autoexousia" (you can choose but you are responsible for it) and then transitioning to Latin "liberatum arbitrium" (free will, a Stoic notion). Augustine then saw this as really not being free but addicted (Hence, his Confessions) or "liberatum arbitrium captivatum" or "Captive Free Will" requiring post provident grace which seems to be the same idea the Apostle Paul was saying.
Take a breath here. Now we launch into the WANT-TO CALCULATOR (a form of deceit) which is controlled by the CHOOSER BOX, which is totally free. The WTC is pictured as a heart balanced on the scale of justice and features a key-hole which is last week's sermon, The HOLY IMPOSITION where God shoves his Spirit into the key hole, an act of Godly love. Therefore, our WTC's are not free but harnessed to our human nature, our ENSLAVED FREE WILL. The point is: current theology tends to waterdown christianity and treat it as a spectator sport or "practice" satisfying the heart while placing the Holy Spirit in a vase on the wall. Like Job, we must repent of our "righteousness" in order to be restored, an important point to consider as we decide next week what to do under our economic circumstances as a church.
Take a breath here. Now we launch into the WANT-TO CALCULATOR (a form of deceit) which is controlled by the CHOOSER BOX, which is totally free. The WTC is pictured as a heart balanced on the scale of justice and features a key-hole which is last week's sermon, The HOLY IMPOSITION where God shoves his Spirit into the key hole, an act of Godly love. Therefore, our WTC's are not free but harnessed to our human nature, our ENSLAVED FREE WILL. The point is: current theology tends to waterdown christianity and treat it as a spectator sport or "practice" satisfying the heart while placing the Holy Spirit in a vase on the wall. Like Job, we must repent of our "righteousness" in order to be restored, an important point to consider as we decide next week what to do under our economic circumstances as a church.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
LMCC and JOB
There is an interesting parallel between the current circumstances of our church and the story of Job. Our church is rooted in Rockland Community Church which began as a "pioneer" church in the valley across I-70 from our present location. From a church on the wagon trail up Mount Vernon canyon the present day Rockland Community Church was built. Our current church resulted from a split which sent us to the Nature Center as Mountain Christian Fellowship and then as Lookout Mountain Community Church in a new location. That building was sold to build the new church we presently occupy. In this process we grew from a few pews to a mega-church but like Job, we lost it all and are now struggling again with just a few in the pews.
Job had it all in his day.The story of Job, you may recall, begain with God and Satan agreeing to test Job under dire circumstances. Job remained faithful as some of us but God did not answer his pleas. One day, Elihu, the son of Barakel, the buzite, approached Job's three friends and rebuked them saying, "I have kept my mouth shut and watched what is happening to Job and now I am angry and going to speak. You did not refute Job in his distress". And to Job Elihu said, "Job, I am angry with you. Quit trying to justify yourself, juustify God!" God had not spoken to Job throughout this entire episode and as Elihu continued speaking to Job, Job repented from his pleas which had been "I've been a good boy, God, why are you doing this to me?" It is interesting to note that when the dialogue of Elihu ended, the next chapter begins, "And God said to Job....". Job quit thinking about himself and centered on God and he was restored.
As we begin "deliberations" about last week's Olah service, may we remember our church and the story of Job as we struggle with the ragged edges of creative cooperation and July 17's congregational meeting where our church will reach another milestone or perish with a circumstancial mill stone. Job kept the faith but he had to repent to be restored.
R. Jones
Job had it all in his day.The story of Job, you may recall, begain with God and Satan agreeing to test Job under dire circumstances. Job remained faithful as some of us but God did not answer his pleas. One day, Elihu, the son of Barakel, the buzite, approached Job's three friends and rebuked them saying, "I have kept my mouth shut and watched what is happening to Job and now I am angry and going to speak. You did not refute Job in his distress". And to Job Elihu said, "Job, I am angry with you. Quit trying to justify yourself, juustify God!" God had not spoken to Job throughout this entire episode and as Elihu continued speaking to Job, Job repented from his pleas which had been "I've been a good boy, God, why are you doing this to me?" It is interesting to note that when the dialogue of Elihu ended, the next chapter begins, "And God said to Job....". Job quit thinking about himself and centered on God and he was restored.
As we begin "deliberations" about last week's Olah service, may we remember our church and the story of Job as we struggle with the ragged edges of creative cooperation and July 17's congregational meeting where our church will reach another milestone or perish with a circumstancial mill stone. Job kept the faith but he had to repent to be restored.
R. Jones
Monday, July 4, 2011
Olah-Oh My Gosh!
July 4, 2011
I didn't want to go to church Saturday night because I'd had a glass of wine. I told Kathy it would be just my luck to have the pastor come up and smell it on my breath. (Which he may have) I told her if I could just make it through to communion, not stumble or anything on the way up there, I'd be covered since because, of course, I'm taking the wine and bread so wine on my breath would be expected. What was to happen however, at the "Olah" service (this is the service where you offer yourself as a burnt offering to God, lay all your burdens at the foot of the Cross and find hope and peace as a result) created a giant hang-up for me.
The "Banquet Hall" had changed and there were tables and chairs instead of rows of chairs. We chose a table near where we usually sit and there happened to be a table of people next to us with a bottle of wine on the table. We thought, perhaps, they were just finishing up before the service but no, the wine and cheese indulging continued, right on to communion!
Now, there are many ragged edges to creative cooperation. In renewing my Spiritual life, I have studied and meditated, attempted to clarify my values and then, make a commitment. My personal commitment is to establish a relationship between God and myself. Period. I have strived to develop a balanced focus based on an inside-out, character-based and principle-centered foundation. I simply have a personal relationship with God, no matter how many times I get out in the weeds. At the Olah service, with my sense of values challenged, I must stand and make a statement. I don't believe "we" should be behaving completely opposite of what this worship service represents. To eat and drink in the presence of Almighty God is wrong! It also is a lust of the flesh which interferes with our developing the mind of Christ. Therefore, since this is my church, I'm going to strive to follow the principles of "think win-win, seek first to understand and then be understood in an effort to creatively cooperate with those who now, to me, seem out in the weeds.
Our church is in dire straits. Like Job, who had it all, we are about to lose it. Like Elihu, who rebuked Job and began by saying, "I have kept my mouth shut. However, I am now angry and must speak. Job, quit justifying yourself, justify God!"
My wife and I have raised our children in this church. We are not going to leave, we have decided to make a stand, like Elihu. As Pastor Bill said, "whatever happens to this church is God's will" but for me and my house, "we will serve the Lord".
Ron Jones
I didn't want to go to church Saturday night because I'd had a glass of wine. I told Kathy it would be just my luck to have the pastor come up and smell it on my breath. (Which he may have) I told her if I could just make it through to communion, not stumble or anything on the way up there, I'd be covered since because, of course, I'm taking the wine and bread so wine on my breath would be expected. What was to happen however, at the "Olah" service (this is the service where you offer yourself as a burnt offering to God, lay all your burdens at the foot of the Cross and find hope and peace as a result) created a giant hang-up for me.
The "Banquet Hall" had changed and there were tables and chairs instead of rows of chairs. We chose a table near where we usually sit and there happened to be a table of people next to us with a bottle of wine on the table. We thought, perhaps, they were just finishing up before the service but no, the wine and cheese indulging continued, right on to communion!
Now, there are many ragged edges to creative cooperation. In renewing my Spiritual life, I have studied and meditated, attempted to clarify my values and then, make a commitment. My personal commitment is to establish a relationship between God and myself. Period. I have strived to develop a balanced focus based on an inside-out, character-based and principle-centered foundation. I simply have a personal relationship with God, no matter how many times I get out in the weeds. At the Olah service, with my sense of values challenged, I must stand and make a statement. I don't believe "we" should be behaving completely opposite of what this worship service represents. To eat and drink in the presence of Almighty God is wrong! It also is a lust of the flesh which interferes with our developing the mind of Christ. Therefore, since this is my church, I'm going to strive to follow the principles of "think win-win, seek first to understand and then be understood in an effort to creatively cooperate with those who now, to me, seem out in the weeds.
Our church is in dire straits. Like Job, who had it all, we are about to lose it. Like Elihu, who rebuked Job and began by saying, "I have kept my mouth shut. However, I am now angry and must speak. Job, quit justifying yourself, justify God!"
My wife and I have raised our children in this church. We are not going to leave, we have decided to make a stand, like Elihu. As Pastor Bill said, "whatever happens to this church is God's will" but for me and my house, "we will serve the Lord".
Ron Jones
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
A large weekend at LMCC
March 19-20: Japan struggling, UN resolution 1973 and Libya, the largest moon in 19 years and Pastor Bill is away presenting a paper to the Society of Biblical Literature in New Jersey. Back at LMCC alot was going on! If one believes in the principle that "what binds us together, is greater than what drives us apart" and if we truly believe that working together, we can accomplish something meaningful, then what went on during this rather large weekend at Lookout gives us rather miraculous hope. We acknowledged our couple going to Nigeria to facilitate the "Crutches for Christ" program; the "Baldericks" appeared with shaven heads supporting Childhood Lukemia fundraising; our son Tim arrived in Thailand for missionary work with Burma and Adam continued the series on "Song of Songs" focusing on the image of marriage as analogous to God the King pursuing us to make us His own. To demonstrate, Adam invited two couples to testify about where God showed up in their marriages to not only persevere but meet the challenge of the future with great hope. Sunday morning, the Hill Toppers reviewed "Just Like Us" a book on four Mexican girls growing up in Denver, two here "legally" and two who were not. John Moyer did a masterful job of leading us through a heart-wenching but real story which challenges us all. Then on to the Underground. Kyle had invited the Hill Toppers to engage with the Jr. High group in yes, the Underground! So after the sermon, we had a most fantastic experience, which not only gives us hope but proves that creatively working together, we can accomplish something very meaningful if the Holy Spirit empowers us.
These stories are so important, several of them will be subjects of subsequent posts. We may then, more clearly understand the power of the Holy Spirit in the testimony of our everyday lives and challenges. May God continue to bless our journey together.
These stories are so important, several of them will be subjects of subsequent posts. We may then, more clearly understand the power of the Holy Spirit in the testimony of our everyday lives and challenges. May God continue to bless our journey together.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)