We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Thom Rainer did a study a number of years ago asking formerly unchurched people the open-ended question, “What factors led you to choose this church?” A lot of surveys had been done asking the unchurched what they would like in a church. But this study asked the formerly unchurched why they actually were now in a church. The results were surprising: 11 percent said worship style led them to their church, 25 percent said children’s/youth ministry, and 37 percent said they sensed God’s presence at their church. For 41 percent, someone from the church had witnessed to them, and 49 percent mentioned friendliness as the reason for choosing their church. Can you guess the top two responses? Doctrine and preaching – 88 percent said the doctrine led them to their church, and 90 percent said the preaching led them there, in particular, a pastor who preached with certitude and conviction… When it comes to reaching outsiders, bold, deep, biblical preaching is not the problem. It’s part of the solution.

Kevin DeYoung

Pastors are sinners. They have weaknesses and faults just like church members. This is not to say that they are not to live as an example to the flock (1 Peter 5:3) and are not to have met certain moral qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). But we must be realistic about their sinful nature. They will continually do battle with the old nature which is still part of their lives, and will do so as long as they live. Total victory over sin will not be won in this life. Sanctification will take place; victories will occur; bad habits and sins will be overcome – but there will be many battles to fight until the day of glory… Remember that your pastor and his family constantly live in a fishbowl for all the church to see – and sometimes the sight is not going to be particularly attractive. They are humans also!

Curtis Thomas

We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Tomato Arugula Salsa

January 25, 2023

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Grains	Italian	Frugal, Gourmet	1	Servings

INGREDIENTS

1	lb	Plum tomatoes — seeded and
		Chopped
1	c	Arugula leaves — chopped
1	tb	Minced red onion
1/2	c	Extra virgin olive oil
1	ts	Dijon mustard
2	tb	White wine vinegar
2	tb	Lemon juice
		Salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

You can use basil, italian parsley or watercress instead of the arugula.
Chop by hand and combine all ingredients.
Posted to MC-Recipe Digest V1 #157
Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 16:59:04 -0700 (PDT)
From: PatH <phannema@wizard.ucr.edu>
Recipe By     : Smith Cooks Italian (1993)

A Message from our Provider:

“Hurting? No one understands like Jesus”