Social Issues and the Church

I listen to a lot of podcasts.   Some of the podcasts that I listen to are in no particular order:  Sheila Zilinsky, TruNews (Rick Wiles), Hagmann & Hagmann, and the Power Hour.  I especially like when Ted Broer is hosting the Power Hour.   I am mentioning this because one of the podcasts I listened to yesterday had a portion about another Barna Study.   This was the study that I had been looking for when I wrote yesterday's blog.  Some of my favorite guests on the above podcasts are Steve Quayle, Timothy Alberino, Ted Broer, Nathan Leal, Jonathan Cahn, Pastor Lankford, Augusto Perez, LA Marzulli, and Russ Dizdar.  Of course, I don't agree completely with any of them, but these are people who make me think.  That helps me research and delve into deeper studies of what the Bible says.
The study that I heard about was about why Pastors don't touch the social issues of our day.  You can read the study at:  Barna Study Regarding Controversy
I have often wondered why pastors in America don't talk about the issues of the day.   I know some do and to those I say Kudos!  I had somewhat come to the conclusion that they just weren't aware of what was going on.  I know that sounds very simplistic.   I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt.
According to this study 90% of them state that "the Bible speaks to every one of the issues."  Less than 10% will speak to the issues.  "When researchers ask those pastors what else they are willing to do to get their people active in the political process, Barna said 'it's almost nothing.' "
Why?  Why would this be?  "
"Why the disconnect? According to Barna, the answer is simple. He suggests asking pastors how someone would know if their church is "successful" – which he did.
'There are five factors that the vast majority of pastors turn to [when asked that question]," he explained. "Attendance, giving, number of programs, number of staff, and square footage.' "
What?  Huh?  Are you kidding me?   I do not believe that you can find backing for any of this in the Bible.  Somehow, I think that God's idea of a successful church is far different.   Here are some things that the Bible says about what the church is to do:  the gates of hell will not prevail against the church, laying down our lives for another,  known by our love for one another,  knowing the Word of God (Bible), having mature Christians, going into the world and making disciples of all nations, the gospel preached to every tribe and tongue (every people group), having the fruit of the Spirit, having gifts of the Spirit, knowing what Christ did for us, not being afraid to die for the gospel.   Of course this list could go on and on, but you get the idea.

Day 8: It may look the same, but it's new

Forgetting: Sameness.   Thinking that every day is the same, one after another.  That life resembles a line of zombies monotonously plodding one behind another.

Remembering:   Each morning brings new mercies from God the Father.   Each day He releases the thing that I need to get through that day.   Every day can be an adventure with God.  My part is invite Him, and to follow where He leads, and do what I see Him do.

Update 11/11/17
In June of 2017, there were people painting rocks and leaving them places.  A co-worker gave me a rock that said "And so the adventure begins" or something like that.  Well, the adventure needs to end.  Sameness is looking really good now.  Everyday with God is an adventure to some degree.  The joy is there if we choose to tap into it.

Day 4: Spirituality

Forgetting:  a poverty spirit

Remembering:  my God and Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills.  He uses gold to pave streets.   He creates universes.  His worlds are songs composed of light and music.  Despite all He has he chooses to love the people He created.  He promised that He would meet all my needs according to his riches in glory.

Read:  Psalms   David talks about the majesty of God.  While I don't understand it,  I do know that God cares about my every need.

Update 11/11/17:
While I believe that this idea of a purpose driven life is akin to heresy, I do believe that God has work for me to do.  My "work" is to do the will of the Father.  I am to do good works daily.  Those good works could be many things, such as:  a smile at a disheartened co-worker, crying with someone in pain, listening patiently instead of thinking of all I could be doing, being patient in a line at a store, cooking a meal for my family.  These are the will of the Father, and a whole lot more. 

Day one: The Tongue

Forgetting this:  thinking that I will always  get into trouble because of my tongue.

So before too long into my day I found that I had done it again.  Opened mouth and I inserted foot.  It seems that many people do this and it doesn't bother them.  

It did bother me.  I want to change.  According to the book of James, taming the tongue is possible.  It's hard but possible. 

Learning:  to tame the tongue.

It seems that in order to succeed, I should be wise in my speech.  I probably would benefit from reading James 3 often.
Another good thought would be to read Proverbs daily.

Future:  reading James has brought up other issues I believe I need to deal with.

Update 11/11/17:
I am still having trouble with the tongue.  I am still hopeful that I will grow closer to God and part of this is taming that tongue.  I do talk a lot less than I did, but it seems like talking gets me into trouble.  I am trying to listen more and talk less.