Tag Archive - The Giant Elephant

Wounded

This past weekend I talked about several subjects and  the most difficult was abortion. This was not because I am afraid to talk about difficult issues, or I thought the Bible was unclear on the topic.  I know when I talk about abortion the issue has often already been framed by the past church/Christian/political responses…“No… Don’t… It’s murder… You are going to Hell”.  I have talked to many women who have been branded and wounded by their feeling of guilt and the adversarial approach of too many so called “Christians”.  The truth is life is sacred and only God (who created it) has the right to end it.  I began the discussion with a reminder of God’s grace and what Jesus Christ’s death on the cross was all about.  If you have had an abortion or encouraged someone to have one- God can forgive, it is not the unforgivable sin.  The abortion clinics have never told the women about their future emotional pain and hurt because of the abortion.  No one tells the women they may remember each birthday, graduation day and other special days they would have had if they had given birth.  We seem to have lost the mom and the unborn child in our desire to be right.  This is true on both sides of the issue.

So when it comes to abortion I am thrilled that many Christians have gotten proactive in providing counseling, pre-natal care, adoption series and such so a potential mom and dad know they have options.  I want to camp out and spend my energy at the options place and the post-abortion place.  Let’s be a church of grace and hope.  Let’s put our emphasis on providing options to women who feel trapped in a pregnancy and for women who have experienced an abortion, let’s post abortion counseling and help instead of focusing on picket signs and politics.  We are missing the mark when we attack those who are wounded.  Let’s continue to be a place of hope, healing and dreams.  No matter where you have been or what you have done, God alone can take you through.

Let me give you some links for Hope and Help for someone who might be considering abortion

Let me also give you some links for people who have been through an abortion and are struggling:

If you missed the message this weekend where I spoke about abortion- here it is.

If you don’t see a video- click here

I Promised…

We are in our Giant Elephant series and I promised some links for further study.  Here you go..

The Trustworthiness Of Scripture

Bible Prophesies Fulfilled

Creationism

Help For Those Considering Abortion

Help For Those Who Have Had An Abortion

If you have missed any of this series sermons- just click here for access.

Got Any Proof?

Our series, The Giant Elephant, has been very engaging.  The questions submitted  on TheGiantElephant.com  will top 50 this week and your text questions during the message have increased as well.  I am grateful to be the lead pastor at a church where people are hungry for God’s truth.  I said this weekend our purpose in this study is not to help you argue your faith better at the water cooler.  I really hope to win hearts rather than arguments.  Our goal is that we would all understand better what our next step in following Jesus Christ is.  The last two Sunday’s I began with this statement:

 Basic Instruction for Life and faith

are found in The Bible

So as I approach you questions each week, I look to the scripture for the answer.  So, this week’s Elephant questions will address the Bible itself.  I will talk about:

  • How is the Bible different than other “religious” books?
  • Does the Bible have errors?
  • Who wrote the Bible?
  • Does the Bible conflict with evolution and science?

That will give us a good start and then I want to step into some real controversy.  I will talk about what the Bible has to say about:

  • The Death Penalty
  • War
  • Abortion
  • Euthanasia

Everything we do at Church at the Bay centers around the Bible and what God has commanded us to do.  Plan to come this week and take some good notes- I believe you will be greatly encouraged!

One more word, please pray for an open reception over the next two Sundays.  I will be addressing some polarizing issues and I am asking God to use me to bring peace and healing for many wounded people.  When I talk about Abortion this weekend I know there will be ladies in the room who have been wounded.  I am asking God to use me to bring clarity; healing and hope to everyone in the room.  Would you please pray to that end?

Man’s Head Explodes In Barber’s Chair

This headline is one topic we did not address this past Sunday- nor will we in the future!  I just thought since we are doing a series called The Giant Elephant- I should have a catchy blog title.  As you know, we are in a new series called The Giant Elephant.  During this 4 weeks series we will try to cover as many questions as we can.  These are questions that you have wanted to ask or wished someone would talk about them.  I promise to be honest – which means I will be an equal opportunity offender!

Last Sunday was all about politics.  Would Jesus vote Democrat or Republican?  Would His team be in the ACC or SEC?  We had a lot of fun with the topic and also covered some big issues. Politics is often called the third rail of religion… If that is true- it was tri-rail Sunday! If you missed- it is a must see and will be embedded at the bottom of this post.

We are getting a lot of questions from your communication cards and from TheGiantElephant.com!  Here are some topics I am considering for this Sunday (I am not sure which will make the cut or we will have time for):

  • How can Jesus be all human and all God?
  • The Bible seems conflicted over divorce?  Right or wrong?
  • What is the “unpardonable sin”?
  • Why does God allow evil?
  • If God is all knowing, why would He ever create mankind- He knew we would sin?

So you now know- you must be here Sunday and bring a friend… or heads may explode!

If you don’t see a video click here

Page 1 of212»