A reminder from NorthRidge Church

I write this to voice my concern over a piece of literature I came across from NorthRidge Church. (If you are not a local reader of this blog, you can visit NorthRidge Church's website and see what they are all about, or at least what their website conveys.) The item in question is a reminder card given to new members being prepared for membership a few years back. I am not sure if it is still being used today. I dug it up in an old bookmark box trying to find a placeholder for a new book I am reading. Rather than scan and post the original, the table below will suffice. The glossy 2.5" wide by 5.5" tall (apx.) card reads,

Side 1	Side 2
Our Strategy (The Spiritual Journey) I.                    The Journey to Faith:  SALVATION 1.       Build Relationships 2.       Live and Share Faith 3.       Invite: To Weekend Services and Events 4.       Persist One-at-a-time	Our Strategy (The Spiritual Journey) II.                  The Journey to Full Devotion: SPIRITUAL GROWTH 1.       Attend Weekend Services 2.       Attend New Life Services 3.       Connect: to NorthRidge Groups 4.       Serve: in NorthRidge Groups 5.       Give: ‘excel in the grace of giving’

and this is what I see,

Side 1	Side 2
Our Strategy (Growing NorthRidge) I.                    The Journey to Faith: NORTHRIDGE 1.       Build Relationships 2.       Live and Share NorthRidgianity  3.       Invite to NorthRidge 4.       Persist One-at-a-time until they come to NorthRidge	Our Strategy (Growing NorthRidge) II.                  The Journey to Full Devotion: NORTHRIDGE PIETY 1.       Attend NorthRidge 2.       Attend NorthRidge 3.       Connect: to NorthRidge 4.       Serve: in NorthRidge 5.       Give: your money to NorthRidge

Anyone else seeing this?

Disclaimer: I am not a critic of NorthRidge church for the sake of being a critic. I am however, deeply perplexed and disturbed by the true message that is promoted by this establishment. I am afraid, that it is no gospel at all. Just because the name of Jesus is on it, doesn't mean he's in it.

Good Ministry, Bad Ministry, You Decide...

Good Ministry: Walking with confidence in the Son of God, the light of the world without fear of the world because Christ has overcome the world, and seeking to do the will of God, proclaiming liberty to the captives. (John 11:9)

Bad Ministry: Seeking to live according to the power of the flesh, refraining from being seen in the light because the light exposes your true deeds, and walking without the light of Christ in you. (John 11:10)

A Twisted Scripture 6

I am the living bread matzo cracker which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread cracker, he shall live for ever let him always attend communion: and the bread cracker that I will give is my flesh communion, which I will give for the life of the world only those that attend communion. (John 6:51 Twisted)

Book Review: Fasting, The Sacred Practices Series by Scot McKnight

Admittedly, I am intrigued by the topic of fasting. As sparse the evidence in the New Testament may be for pragmatism, I honestly believe the symphony of scripture provides plenty examples for our own personal implementation. What is addressed in this particular book treating the topic, is obviously anecdotal. What exactly is fasting, its past manifestations and origins, its contemporary examples, and just how do some of humans conduct ourselves while doing it? Jews, Christians, Muslims, and many other world religions, practice fasting. The question this book seeks to answer is, what in the world is your point? If you are fasting, is it to convince God to create a result in your favor? Or do you fast in response to something requiring the practice of body submission?

This is the first time reading any works by the author Scot McKnight. This particular offering was well balanced and demonstrated scholarly aptitude worthy of examination. At times, the book does begin to smell of ecumenism, but only to the extent of acceptance of ancient Catholic scholars and authorities on the practice of fasting. The author also systematically treats the various pros and cons related to the abundant forms of fasting we see occurring today. One of the examples treated in the book are a comparison of abstinence to fasting. This reminded me of my employment with McDonald's Restaurant and the purposeful marketing of the Double Filet O'Fish during Lent. It was amazing how many fasting Christians would demonstrate their piety with their manners and super-sized fish meals. I mostly enjoyed this book and found it interesting to see a fair treatment of the variety of fasting one could observe in practice in most every given circumstance fasting occurs.

In Fasting, The Sacred Practices Series by Scot McKnight, you will find that he is consistent with his thesis, critically treats the text, and concludes the book with a fair view of the 'medical' impact fasting has on the human body. The most interesting nugget of them all came in knowing that physiologically, the human body can hold out during a fast for 40 days before all things go haywire. Pick this book up today if you are at all interested in learning about fasting and what it really is about biblically. Hint, it is not about what you will get, it is about why you do it. Sorry Jentezen Franklin, I'm going to have to go with the Anabaptist Scholar on this one.

I received Fasting: The Ancient Practices Series as part of the Book Sneeze program in return for posting an unbiased review.

For the first time ever...

I think I might have broken a record. For the first time at Deliver Detroit I have posted for four weeks in a row. That is twenty-eight days straight. Just thought I would tell you that.

Oh, and because I wanted to maintain my integrity and excellence in persistent blogging, I had to boast in this post, because my mind is toast right now.

I have nothing.

See you tomorrow.

A Twisted Scripture 5

In the spirit of Alan Knox's "Scripture...as We Live It" series,

In the same way, let your light the Pastor's sermon shine before others at church on Sunday, so that they may see your good works his exegetical prowess and give glory to your Father who is in heaven his seminary training. (Matthew 5:16 Twisted)

Bible study software: The Word

Have you heard of The Word? Not bird....The Word! Apparently, while trolling around the internet looking for E-Sword modules, I discovered a dissenting E-Sword user's website who is actively promoting The Word in protest of Rick Myers. Of minor note, E-Sword has also recently released it's software with a module down-loader built right into the software. It tells you what modules are installed and which ones currently available that you do not posses.

The Word appears to be a fantastic alternative to the E-Sword free bible software. Over the years, E-Sword has been unprecedented in bringing bible study software to the masses for free, while be comparable to many of the paid modules on the market.

Some of the functions I really enjoy are the enhanced graphical interface, the plethora of free modules and resources available, the compatibility with E-Sword modules (has a built in module converter), and the portability of the USB option. You can install the entire module library, plus the software on a single USB drive and take your Bible software and library anywhere you go.

I have also been able to successfully run The Word with the WINE program for MAC OS/X as if it were operating in it's native PC environment. So double the freebie value and now you have double sweetness!

I will be adding the links for this awesome resource to the "resource" tab here at the blog for future use.

So before you check it out, here are some of the highlights from The Word website include,

Fast and responsive Tired of waiting for the program to follow you? Afraid of trying out new things? Not any more! Configure everything Tailor the software to your liking. Rearrange everything, configure every little detail to your heart's liking. Everything for free Unless you try it, you will not believe that free software can be of such quality. No catches, no ads, no nags, no registration, not even your e-mail to download.

Write down your notes! Add notes to verses, chapters, whole Bible books or create you own personal hierarchical books. Highlight your favorite Bible passages. Edit, print, share you own modules. Take it with you The Word is portable! You can put it on a USB flash drive and carry your favorite Bibles, Books and personal notes wherever you go. Enjoy an ever-growing library Expand your library with many add-on modules, most of which would cost hundreds of dollars to buy.

Neglecting the assembling of the saints: Breaking bread

Yesterday I brought up a foray of topics in an attempt to clear the cavernous recesses of my mind. It did not work too terribly well, as it is still pretty dusty up there. But, I shall keep trying!

I would like to provide a synopsis of the three topics breaking bread, the meeting dynamic, and apostolic ordinance/tradition in 1st Corinthians. It is my hope that my study into the topics can spark discussion and hopefully enlighten myself, my readers, and others to glean from the scripture what I feel has richly blessed me as of late. The freedom of allowing the text to speak for itself is a wonderful experience. Before you think I am going all froo froo on you, do not fret, I am far from it.

Why is breaking bread so important to me right now? Well, there appears to be significance in the meals that transpire in the scripture when Jesus is present. I may be reaching at times, but It is a faithful reach. It is a reach that I believe seeks to be obedient to the custom in which our Lord implemented the practices that bore out our modern day Lord's Table.

For example, take note of the following scriptural examples from Luke's gospel, and as you reference them, ask yourself, what kind of meal is taking place, who is at the table/meal, what purpose does it serve, and what was the outcome of our Lord's teaching/purpose?

Luke 5:27-32, Luke 7:36-50, Luke 9:10-17, Luke 10:38-42, Luke 11:34-54, Luke 14:1-24, Luke 19:1-10, Luke 22:7-38, Luke 24:13-35, and Luke 24:36-53. (note: if you do not read these texts with the question above in view, you will be wasting your time)

One must also consider the Exodus account of the Elders ratifying a covenant with the Lord, at table, in his presence in Exodus 24:1-12. The Lord's final meal with his disciples and the meal between God and the Elders of Israel bear an uncanny similarity to one another.

Now that we see a pattern of bread breaking and fellowship at table in Luke, it logically makes sense to carry this context of what 'breaking bread' is into the account of Acts. Now compare  Luke 24:5-46 to Acts 20:7-12. Luke genuinely draws a striking paradigm between the two accounts, and they all entail coming together, breaking bread, eating together, the first day of the week, conversation, teaching of the word, and rising from the dead.

With the significance that is given to the contemporary practice of 'communion' this is not a subject that is often broached without raising a few eyebrows. Tradition, liturgy, and sacred rite are all things that can flare tempers and encroach upon individual preference. I am not sure the excuse of Christian Liberty finds itself wholly applicable to the disservice done to the body dynamic of God's people when they come together to break bread. The scriptural evidence is quite clear. The breaking of bread is a meal with God's people, gathered together, at table, in covenant with Christ, and remembering him. That meal was quite literal to our Lord, the disciples, and many other early Christians. Why has it become second place to us, and been relegated to oyster crackers and souffle cups of grape juice?

If the emblems have taken on more significance than the purpose of coming together in communion together and with the Lord, then why do it at all? The Church gathered is significant because the Church dispersed is the Church militant, diligently laboring in the fields for the harvest of our great King.

Special thanks to John Marks Hicks' book, Come to the Table for the light it has shed on many of the scriptural nuances illustrated in this post.