Thanks Mom
Thoughts from Craig Jackson, Student Minister

Happy Mother’s day to the mothers in our church family. As a young man I cannot even begin to imagine what it is to be a mother, but I do know by watching my own mom it is a full time job. So where do I even begin in thanking and honoring my own mother? I look at everything she’s done for me in my life and words can’t express how thankful I am for all the cooking, cleaning, laundry, taking me back and forth to school, putting up with my silliness and even my rebellion. She’s taken care of me when I’ve been sick, away, and prayed when I’ve strayed away from the Lord. I look at everything my mother has done for me and I’ve truly been blessed.

As I look around the world today, I’m honored that God blessed me with the mother He’s given me. It’s sad to see how children bear the marks of not being raised in Godly homes, with parents who do not endeavor to put the Lord first, serve Him, and surrender their families to His care. I’m not bragging by any means, but praise the Lord for a Godly mother that raised me in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Even so much to obey Proverbs when it came to correcting me.

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” – Proverbs 29:15

Thanks mom for all you’ve done for me, and a special thanks to all of the mothers in our church family. Without you we wouldn’t be able to raise up the next generation for the glory and honor of the Lord.

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed;” – Proverbs 31:25-28a

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What Is A Christian?
Thoughts from Shawn Nichols, Pastor

Mormonism looks very moral and has released some of the best television commercials, but it is not Christianity. That’s not a denominational statement, that’s a Bible statement. With Mormon Mitt Romney projected to be the Republican nominee, there seems to be a lot of conversation about his “Christianity.” I think it’s good for the question to be brought to light. But rather than deciding who is a Christian, I believe it would be better to determine what a Christian is to begin with.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” – John 14:6

A Christian is an exclusive believer in trusting the finished work of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Any other dependency (self-sufficiency, denomination, priest, baptism, morality, or deed), however sincere, misses the demands of Jesus. You can’t believe in the Jesus of the Bible and not believe Jesus is God (Hebrews 1). You can’t believe in the Jesus of the Bible and expect a further revelation, that in many points is contrary to the Bible, to better support life and faith more than Scripture (Psalm 12:6, 2 Timothy 3:16). You can’t believe in the Jesus of the Bible and expect that good deeds, missionary service, Baptizing the dead, or living a good life is going to put you in favor with God (Romans 3:10-12). All of these heresies to the Christian faith the Mormons propose. That is not Christian, and anyone who lives by such non-biblical fallacy is not a Christian.

We have had some good Presidents who were not Christians, some of which I would have supported. I’m not even suggesting that you not vote for him. But I don’t appreciate men using my Savior to pander for a conservative vote. We are Christians. And because God through His Spirit lives inside of us, we’re smarter than that!

XPressing Worship In Our iCulture
Thoughts from Shawn Nichols, Pastor

Have you ever noticed in the branding of products that everyone wants in on the naming game? Years ago when Windows XP was released, an “X” in a product name was “in.” There was even an XP Dog and Cat Repellent in the garden section. Apple has been so successful with a lowercase “i” before product names that you now see the small identifier on shampoo, technology gadgets, and new sports drinks. What’s sad about this branding fiasco is that religion is getting in on the game to bolster modernization and sport a kind of doctrinal following.

I’ve been introduced recently to terms such as FICs (Family Integrated Churches) and regulatory worship. In the defense of many cliche-driven ministries, there is something to be said about connecting with people around terminology that succinctly describes a doctrine, position, or practice. We’re simple people and we need a vision. But this vocabulary trend we are seeing carries with it some inherent problems.

First, there’s a semi-elitest attitude in expression. Why can’t they just say, “We worship with our kids in church,” or, “if it’s not in the Bible we don’t do it?” There are even associations around a particular worship style, like ncfic.org. I’m not necessarily opposed to the above mentioned practices, but in trying to categorize our philosophy we often leave people very confused. Even more, churches that worship in similar manner without all the branding of philosophy are often seen by congregants as “old-fashioned” or “out of touch.” Personally, I find it difficult to keep up with all the newest labels with my head buried in Bible study all week.

Even more, there are underpinnings of doctrinal problems not clearly identified as we throw around these market-savvy terms. While Ezra preached from a pulpit, we don’t have evidence that Moses did. And while instruments were used in Bible worship, they didn’t have pianos or even sound systems. So the finer points of philosophies, like regulative worship, gloss over some finer points that are left insinuated. I think that’s dangerous.

As a church, let’s work to stay focused without getting caught up in the latest trends. Let’s change as we identify shortcomings in our character or culture without denominational pressure. Let’s keep ourselves unspotted from the marketing agenda. Let’s be open to consider better (and more biblical) ways of worship without the need to be trendy. And let’s worship authentically, biblically, and uniquely, as God gifts us as a body.