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OnceWasLost
December 10th, 2008, 11:24 AM
This morning my wife and I were driving close to our home. Not far from me was a church advertising a "Candlelight Christmas Service". I know it would be goofy because it is a willow creek associated fellowship. I explained to her how it would be contemplative and weird, basically, I :rant My wife jokingly said "too much knowledge isn't always a good thing" She said it completely tongue-in-cheek.

So we continued on our drive and we were listening to our local "Christian" FM station, which is playing Christmas music. Between a couple of songs the hosts break in and there is a guy who gives life application, touchy feely, types of commentaries. Here is where it got weird.

He was saying that we need to be careful and sensitive to things around us. OK so far, it was a bit Dr.Phil for my liking, but that's another story. He then goes on to explain what he meant by quoting from rob bell and "velvet elvis" :tsk

That book and that author are Apostate! I have read that blasphemous piece of trash, so I would know how to blow holes in his demonic Theology, and it took little effort. Brothers and Sisters, the signs of a church, asleep at the switch, are all around us.

So as you can see the drive this morning was infuriating for a couple reasons. The church has allowed liberal/mystical, among other Godless false doctrines in the front door. There is no longer a message of saving faith left in the pulpits of a large majority of American churches today.

For this Christmas season in particular we need to remember, in spite of the rob bell types and the mystical rubbish being spewed in God's name, the Christmas message is a simple one. Jesus was the baby born in a manger and yes, He had to have a physical birth. (John 1:14) This was necessary because he would eventually die for my sin and that of all of those who would call upon his name. (Mark 10:45, Acts 2:21) How dare we trivialize such an indescribable example of His great love.

Thank You Heavenly Father for the demonstration of love beyond measure. Salvation by the Death, and Resurrection of Your dear Son Jesus our Lord. Eternity spent in Your presence because that is Your desire. We are simply are the beneficiaries of "So great a Salvation" (Hebrews 2)

Merry Christmas to all who know "The King of Kings and The Lord of Lords" (Revelation 19:16)

His Bride
December 10th, 2008, 11:45 AM
Amen, OWL!

OnceWasLost
December 10th, 2008, 10:03 PM
I went to the website of the church later today in this is what I found.



It is a most wonderful time of the year. We sometimes call it "the
holidays" or Christmas time but in the church we call the season
"Advent". Advent is the four week lead-up to the great celebration of
Christmas. During the season we celebrate God's gift of Jesus, but it is
also a time for reflection and getting ready for the coming of
Jesus. After all, Advent means "coming" and during these weeks
we remember how Jesus came to the world, we reflect on how He
comes to us today, and we ready ourselves for when He will come
again.

This Advent my message series will focus on the theme of Light. We
will think about the Light of Hope, the Light of Love, the Light of Joy
and the Light of Peace during the season.

Each Sunday our services will include the lighting of the Advent Candles
to symbolize the Light of the World. Advent services will include some
very special music. A string quartet will play one Sunday. The choir
will sing a couple Sundays. A children's choir and the "little blue
angels" will also be a part of our Advent worship. Advent begins on
Sunday November 30 and continues for four weeks leading to
Christmas.

Christmas Eve Candlelight services will bring completion to our "Light
of the World" series. Two identical services will be held on December
24; the first will be at 4:30 pm and the second at 6:00
pm . These beautiful worship experiences will make your Christmas
complete. It is a great time to invite others to church. There is no
greater gift you can give to another than to help them experience the
hope, love, joy and peace that comes from the "Light of the World".

They took a good long drink of the apostate koolaid served up by willow creek. :tsk

Tres Wright
December 10th, 2008, 10:46 PM
I went to the website of the church later today in this is what I found.



They took a good long drink of the apostate koolaid served up by willow creek. :tsk

Wow, no kidding! They seem to be missing something from their Christmas service.... oh yeah, the birth of Christ maybe :doh

We go to a presentation every year at a local church that is sort of a living play where the spectators are in the middle of it. One of the opening scenes puts you in the middle of a dirt road in Bethlehem, people are trying to sell you live chickens and soldiers decked out in armor are riding in on horseback, it's actually a little scary! It draws you in because Mary & Joseph are actually in the "audience", you walk along with them to the stable. The play goes through Jesus' birth, death & resurrection, all done with live actors in impressive sets that put the audience right in the action. It's really nicely done.

OnceWasLost
December 10th, 2008, 11:30 PM
Wow, no kidding! They seem to be missing something from their Christmas service.... oh yeah, the birth of Christ maybe :doh

We go to a presentation every year at a local church that is sort of a living play where the spectators are in the middle of it. One of the opening scenes puts you in the middle of a dirt road in Bethlehem, people are trying to sell you live chickens and soldiers decked out in armor are riding in on horseback, it's actually a little scary! It draws you in because Mary & Joseph are actually in the "audience", you walk along with them to the stable. The play goes through Jesus' birth, death & resurrection, all done with live actors in impressive sets that put the audience right in the action. It's really nicely done.

Sounds great. There is a similar thing here but I can't bring myself to go to the crystal cathedral. :tsk

autumn8297
December 11th, 2008, 10:22 AM
"These beautiful worship experiences will make your Christmas
complete."

Makes it sounds more like they're trying to sell Avon than invite people to worship Jesus. In truth what they are trying to sell is increased church attendance and mystical experiences for the congregation. (sigh)

OnceWasLost
December 11th, 2008, 10:42 AM
"These beautiful worship experiences will make your Christmas
complete."

Makes it sounds more like they're trying to sell Avon than invite people to worship Jesus. In truth what they are trying to sell is increased church attendance and mystical experiences for the congregation. (sigh)

Ah, yes, the "experience" that trumps the simple teaching of the Word of God. How emerging of them. :tsk

His Bride
December 11th, 2008, 04:10 PM
That was the phrase that jumped out at me also. No, the experience that makes my Christmas complete is the experience at Calvary. Period!

icebear
December 11th, 2008, 04:28 PM
Christmas Eve Candlelight services will bring completion to our "Light
of the World" series.
sounds more like baseball than Christian worship. :tsk



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