One thing he has right is that all those measures of worldly success don’t and won’t count for anything. Another thing he has right is that we are indeed called to do good deeds, to be compassionate, to be generous, etc. Such things aren’t merely an add-on to Christian life, or even only a faithful response to our salvation in Christ. Instead they are an inherent part of our experience of being saved and of being a Christian. They are part of our being healed and our being freed from bondage to sin.

Where the author goes wrong–or perhaps where he goes most wrong, since there are several problems there–is in expressing such things as countable. There is no fixed number of people to clothe, etc. And we are not required (I believe) to run around worried about how many people we’ve helped each day (or preached to, a la the ICC).

The point rather, and the thing we could be questioned about, is whether we have been faithful in the circumstances which God has sent our way. Yes, that could be something concrete from the author’s list, such as adopting a shut-in to visit, or doing meals-on-wheels, etc. But it could also be something as small and spontaneous as -say- catching someone’s paper that’s blowing by. (I know, it’s a lousy example, but the idea I’m aiming to convey is to have a generous spirit at all times–the Spirit of Christ dwelling within us.) Again, it’s nothing that could be measured or checked off a list. Indeed, we undermine and undo whatever good there is in it for us if we start to think of it in those terms. Ideally it should come to us so naturally that we don’t think of it at all. But we do need to work at it to get to that point.

One thing I’m recognizing more lately is how my time could be more edifyingly spent. For example, instead of sitting on my butt watching TV/videos or mindlessly playing sudoku or the like in the evenings, I could and should go to my icon corner and say my evening prayers. I have a bad habit of doing whatever engages me until I get too tired and it’s so late, and I just skip the prayers and go to bed. Now, there’s no merit to be earned by having a daily rule of prayer; any good thing I do is what I should have been doing all along anyhow. And the dissipative distractions I usually spend my time on aren’t all that inherently bad (for the most part :-)). But which behavior is more like the wise virgins who kept their lamps tended while waiting for the bridegroom? Which behavior is a better investment of the things entrusted to me, yielding greater fruit, for which I will ultimately have to give an account? Salvation is indeed not meritable or earnable or even measurable–but it is something we need to be intentional about, lest we be spat out in our lukewarmness and lest we lose our savor and be cast out underfoot.

It is not wonder Christians struggle to strive in a secular world because they cannot defend nor tell people what the Bible really says. While we have future pastors graduating from seminary, sometimes, they leave clueless themselves.

Yes, churches are fighting several battles are once! First, how do we grow the church without compromising? Secondly, is the church really focused on living for God or are we saying that in jest? Finally, does the Church has the “will” to change bad habits?

One problem will always remain…not all churches will see eye-to-eye on doctrine. However, if the churches would stopping telling how they are better or have superior teachings, it is a good start to fixing a problem.

Yes, church should not have to fight on several fronts which includes other churches. I have seen how God uses Pentecostal, Methodist, and Baptist for His will.

Yes, I for one agree with your point…feed the congregation with more meat and potatoes instead of cheap, good fast food like McDonalds. McDonald’s french fries might taste good but does nothing to help your health!

Well written and well done! Again, churches do not need more feel good revivals and “Happy Meal” sermons. It is time to pass the cauliflower and water and genuinely open our hearts for God’s truth!

Ps…sorry about the English…I am not the best writer.

It seems you two are on the same track… just running right beside each other!

Sam

Here is all sorts of contact information to tell people what you think about this, let them know how important Issues, Etc. was to us, and ask why the show was cancelled:

Rev. David L. Strand
Executive Director
Board for Communication
(314) 996-1200
(314) 822-0000
david.strand@lcms.org

Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
1333 S. Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122-7295
(888) 843-5267
(314) 965-9000
FAX: (314) 996-1016
infocenter@lcms.org

KFUO Radio Station
(314) 725-0099
(314) 725-3030?
(314) 721-2969

Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick
Synod President
(314) 996-1402
(314) 842-7110
president@lcms.org

LC-MS Board of Directors
(314) 996-1350

————————

Meanwhile, an online petition has been started up about Issues, Etc. being ended. I don’t know how much good it will do, but it should be able to do some. it certainly can’t hurt to put your name down. Here’s the link:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Issues/petition.html

For anyone who comes across this and has Facebook, the most discussion it seems is going on at the “Bring back Issues ETC!!!” Facebook group.
http://facebook.com/group.php?gid=11679316089

————————

Finally, financial help for the Schwarz and Wilken families can be sent to the following address. Just put in the memo line that it’s for the “Schwartz/Wilken Fund”. The Schwarzes especially need the help and Rev. Jack Schwarz’s wife Beth has been recently diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy and they need to go to Mayo Clinic to try figuring out what can be done.

“Schwartz/Wilken Fund”
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 247
Hamel, IL 62046

All help and all prayers are appreciated.

————————

I will be continuing to post information and resources relating to the cancellation of Issues, Etc. and firing of Rev. Wilken and Mr. Schwarz. So, if you could please help me draw people to the resource of my blog, I would really appreciate it.
http://latinkid.blogspot.com/2008/03/pulled-from-air-issues-etc.html

God bless,
–Aaron Nemoyer

Here is all sorts of contact information to tell people what you think about this, let them know how important Issues, Etc. was to us, and ask why the show was cancelled:

Rev. David L. Strand
Executive Director
Board for Communication
(314) 996-1200
(314) 822-0000
david.strand@lcms.org

Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
1333 S. Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122-7295
(888) 843-5267
(314) 965-9000
FAX: (314) 996-1016
infocenter@lcms.org

KFUO Radio Station
(314) 725-0099
(314) 725-3030?
(314) 721-2969

Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick
Synod President
(314) 996-1402
(314) 842-7110
president@lcms.org

LC-MS Board of Directors
(314) 996-1350

————————

Meanwhile, an online petition has been started up about Issues, Etc. being ended. I don’t know how much good it will do, but it should be able to do some. it certainly can’t hurt to put your name down. Here’s the link:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Issues/petition.html

For anyone who comes across this and has Facebook, the most discussion it seems is going on at the “Bring back Issues ETC!!!” Facebook group.
http://facebook.com/group.php?gid=11679316089

————————

Finally, financial help for the Schwarz and Wilken families can be sent to the following address. Just put in the memo line that it’s for the “Schwartz/Wilken Fund”. The Schwarzes especially need the help and Rev. Jack Schwarz’s wife Beth has been recently diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy and they need to go to Mayo Clinic to try figuring out what can be done.

“Schwartz/Wilken Fund”
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 247
Hamel, IL 62046

All help and all prayers are appreciated.

————————

I will be continuing to post information and resources relating to the cancellation of Issues, Etc. and firing of Rev. Wilken and Mr. Schwarz. So, if you could please help me draw people to the resource of my blog, I would really appreciate it.
http://latinkid.blogspot.com/2008/03/pulled-from-air-issues-etc.html

God bless,
–Aaron Nemoyer

Here is all sorts of contact information to tell people what you think about this, let them know how important Issues, Etc. was to us, and ask why the show was cancelled:

Rev. David L. Strand
Executive Director
Board for Communication
(314) 996-1200
(314) 822-0000
david.strand@lcms.org

Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
1333 S. Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122-7295
(888) 843-5267
(314) 965-9000
FAX: (314) 996-1016
infocenter@lcms.org

KFUO Radio Station
(314) 725-0099
(314) 725-3030?
(314) 721-2969

Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick
Synod President
(314) 996-1402
(314) 842-7110
president@lcms.org

LC-MS Board of Directors
(314) 996-1350

————————

Meanwhile, an online petition has been started up about Issues, Etc. being ended. I don’t know how much good it will do, but it should be able to do some. it certainly can’t hurt to put your name down. Here’s the link:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Issues/petition.html

For anyone who comes across this and has Facebook, the most discussion it seems is going on at the “Bring back Issues ETC!!!” Facebook group.
http://facebook.com/group.php?gid=11679316089

————————

Finally, financial help for the Schwarz and Wilken families can be sent to the following address. Just put in the memo line that it’s for the “Schwartz/Wilken Fund”. The Schwarzes especially need the help and Rev. Jack Schwarz’s wife Beth has been recently diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy and they need to go to Mayo Clinic to try figuring out what can be done.

“Schwartz/Wilken Fund”
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 247
Hamel, IL 62046

All help and all prayers are appreciated.

————————

I will be continuing to post information and resources relating to the cancellation of Issues, Etc. and firing of Rev. Wilken and Mr. Schwarz. So, if you could please help me draw people to the resource of my blog, I would really appreciate it.
http://latinkid.blogspot.com/2008/03/pulled-from-air-issues-etc.html

God bless,
–Aaron Nemoyer