The Periodically

As someone who works with youth the issues of modesty and purity seem to come up rather often in conversations. How does one pursue modesty and purity in a self-centered and sexually driven culture? What are they even? How are we as a church to help others pursue these things? There are so many questions in these areas and our culture certainly does not help answer them in any way that honors the Lord or upholds His Word and desires. Thus, it seems good to at least delve into these topics a bit and, if nothing else, hopefully start us thinking and conversing on these topics a little more. I believe it necessary first to define a few terms and to do so Biblically... modesty - choosing to act in such a way as to not draw away attention from Christ or others to oneself. 1 Tim 2:9-10 is not talking about the women wearing too little clothing and needing to put more on in any way, nor is the dress described necessarily seductive in any way in that cultural time. ...

Have you ever had difficulty understanding what it means to “ have faith ”? I remember asking my  Sunday  School teacher what the word “faith” meant. He read Heb. 11:1, but at the time, it just didn’t make sense to me. I find that many adults wrestle with what it means to  “have faith”  and certainly all of us have difficulty continuously living  by  faith. Years ago, I came across a very practical definition from Dr. Ron Alchin at the Biblical Counseling Center, Arlington Heights., IL. As I meditated on this and studied through the principles, I began to share this with others. Over the course of time, I’ve added several nuances that helped me gain understanding and motivation to practically apply the truths of this definition. Dr. Alchin has graciously given me permission to do what I wanted to with his initial ideas so, I offer you the following definition of faith. You may recognize some of the phrases, as James MacDonald quotes the original de...

  “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”  I John 3:2-3   (NIV) It was in early September of last year that my mom was diagnosed with cancer. We were told that it was not curable, but with aggressive treatment, there was a high percentage its harm could be minimized if not put into remission.   Less than three months later, a year ago today, I said, “I love you” to my mom for the last time.   She passed from this earthly life into eternity and met Jesus face to face.   Today as I think about my mom, my heart is filled with sadness and joy.   It is overwhelmed with sorrow and hope.   It is filled with sadness because I think about the things I miss:   talking on the phone with her as I drive to Peoria, hearing h...

Image by Andrew Lamb What would it look like if your care group was all people from your neighborhood? What a powerful community that would be to partner together to reach a neighborhood together. If that is not your current reality, what if you partnered with a few key families in your neighborhood to do a Neighborhood Watch Program. Some in your neighborhood won’t come to a neighborhood gathering unless there is a purpose higher than “just getting together”. The Watch Program could be that very thing. Our family recently asked another BCC family down the street to join us to helping to get together a Neighborhood Watch informational meeting. We also asked another family in our neighborhood to help. We had a great turn out and while we were there, a group decided to plan a neighborhood block party. Both events have tied our neighborhood relationally together and give believing families entry ways into the gospel. We printed off a google map of the neighborhood and now h...

Here are some more thoughts for you on ways to apply my previous posts on evangelism. I’ve often heard care group leaders say they’d like to have a way for their care group to do a service project of some kind. Here are are two ideas for you to consider that can lead to not just physical work but gospel proclamation as well (Note: if you are not in a care group, keep reading, and you can adapt this idea for you.) 1. Make meals together (indirect servant evangelism) Get together and make freezer meals together for our benevolence ministry. BCC often gets calls from those in our community who are in financial need. The looks on their faces are priceless when they come to our offices to get a financial gift and discover that we have a meal or two for them as well. These meals are also used for those inside the church when needed. Let me know if you need recipe ideas as others at BCC have gathered to do this in the past. 2. Neighborhood Service Project (direct serva...

How can a Christian use Halloween to build relationships in their neighborhood that lead to sharing the gospel? Here are some ideas... First thing first. Here is what John Piper, former pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minnesota, said when asked about his perspective on Halloween: "It's kind of one of those questions of, 'Do you see Christ against culture, Christ in culture, or Christ over culture?’  I would guess that at our church there would be people from one end of the perspective to the other.  That is, some who would say, 'We don't want anything to do with that demonic holiday! Why would you even be involved with that at all?' And others who would have their children dress up as a butterfly and go knocking on doors and say, "Trick or treat!" And then in the middle would be people who do counter events, like a thing at the church where you dress up like biblical characters and have a great time. I would hope tha...

Continuing from my first two posts, as we remember the gospel, here is another reason why all believers are called to joyfully share God’s plan of redemption with the lost world: a love for the Lord.  Have you ever considered this? Evangelism is a way we are able to express our love for God in a way we won’t be able to in heaven. What a joy that He allows us to do that! What a joy to do that as a part of our purpose in life--to glorify God!  The goal of a believer’s life is to glorify God. Everything exists for His glory! So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  (1 Corinthians 10:31)  So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.  (2 Corinthians 5:9)  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)  Our salvation is for His glory! 5  he predestined us for adoption as sons ...