No Perfect People Allowed

Okay... Is The Bridge Closing?

Those of you who live in Madison, IN or across the river in Milton, KY have heard that they are closing the bridge (the next closest one is 25 miles upstream and then 25 miles back) for repairs on 3 weekends.  We were told that it would begin this weekend.  Now, we've been updated that it won't close until the last weekend in July and into August. 

Some would think that this is a huge obstacle for our church since we have over 30 families who use that bridge every Sunday to worship with us.  But we're looking at it as another opportunity to do something different.

Our leaders have been praying about launching a satellite church in KY.  Could this be a surprise opportunity to test the "waters" so to speak?  Hmmmm....

What An Amazing Attitude...

I am reading through Paul's prison letters and something hit me today... In all his words, Paul never seeks sympathy from his readers.  He never wrote, "Woe is me... I can't believe God is allowing this to happen to me."  Read those letters.  He never did.  I can't find it. And if anyone had the opportunity to complain, blame God, get bitter... Paul did.  Chained to a guard, shipped wrecked on the journey to Rome, misunderstood, travel plans and missionary journeys taken away... yet, he wrote,

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ."  Ephesians 1:3

"I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God's ambassador."  Ephesians 6:20

"Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, Rejoice!"  Philippians 4:4

No matter what happens, good, bad, indifferent... God loves me.  I don't want to have a "woe-is-me" attitude.  Jesus didn't die on the cross for our sympathy.  He died on the cross to save me from my sin and to bring glory to God. 

So as hard as life can be at times... God has my back.  He's got a plan and in that plan is His love for me!  I may not fully understand it... but He does!  Paul may have not fully understood God's plan for him to be in prison... but he knew God's love was wrapped all around him!  What an amazing attitude!

The Upside Down Way Of Jesus...

You can't get too far into the New Testament without realizing that the life and teachings of Jesus were not status quo.  Everything about His life seemed "Upside Down."  From His birth to His death and resurrection... everything seemed to turn the world's ideas, philosophies, and structure upside down!

And His teachings... if followed the way Jesus taught them to be followed would not only change culture, it would create a new culture.  His apostles proved that.  In the book of Acts, which is the history of the early church, Paul and Silas, 2 of Jesus' "Upside Down" followers came into the city of Thessalonica.  For 3 weeks Paul spoke about Jesus' suffering and resurrection.  He and Silas lived among the people sharing their "Upside Down" lifestyle.

Some of the citizens were really upset about this... so upset that they mobbed the house that Paul and Silas were staying at.  (I'm not making this up... it's in Acts 17)  They didn't find Paul or Silas so they literally dragged Jason (the owner of the house) and others before their city council.  (wonder if this has ever happened in Madison?)  Here's what they said...

"Paul and Silas have turned the rest of the world upside down, and now they are here disturbing our city..."  Acts 17:6

That makes me wonder... have we tried to "right-side up" the "upside down" way of Jesus so we won't be disturbing? Mmmmm...

By the way... for the next 2 weeks, NMCC is going to be looking at this closer...