Happy Wednesday!
We’re getting ready to overhaul the blog site and we’re looking for some creative input from you guys!
- Layout: have you seen another blog site layout that WOW’s you away? Please tell us about it!
- Video: would you like for us to start adding video content? If so, how often would you prefer video verses text?
- Content: are there certain topics you need to read about over others? What kinds of things would you like for me to talk about?
- Length: shorter? longer? how much longer or shorter?
- Photography: more photo’s? less photo’s? more personal photgraphy? less? larger photo’s? smaller photo’s?
- Interaction: how often would you like to see me commenting? more? less?
- Journaling: are you hoping for more personal content? less?
- Biblical Message: more bible references? less?
- Focus: what do you see as the FOCUS of this blog site? If we wanted to make the site more SPECIFIC, how would you describe that?
As you can imagine… blogging EVERY DAY takes a very large chunk of time out of my morning routine. It’s my pleasure… AS LONG AS IT CONTINUES TO BECOME MORE AND MORE EFFECTIVE… as long as my writings ADD TREMENDOUS VALUE to your amazing lives.
Please share your ideas with us… ANYTHING else we can do to INCREASE our effectiveness… and INFLUENCE more people throughout the world. Your creative input is so much appreciated… thanks for interacting with us to make this outreach the best it can be!
Spiritual thought for the day…
Genesis 5:21-24 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD; then he was no more, because God took him away.
Walking with God is not as hard to do as one would assume. Have you ever been IN LOVE before?
When we are LOVE STRUCK, all we can think about is that special someone! Well, the concept of WALKING WITH GOD is just the same… to throw our HEARTS at him… and FALL for him… and be conscious of him… all day long.
Take a few minutes before your day becomes too complicated… communicate with God… focus on his amazingness… read about him in the Bible… decide to GIVE him QUALITY TIME in your world today!
Enoch WALKED WITH GOD… and then he was no more (in the earth), because God took him away! I want to be like this man… walking so CLOSE to God… until the veil between time and eternity becomes THINNER and THINNER… and one day, I am TAKEN AWAY.
Please, dont forget to leave you comments about enhancing the blog site… and talk about this spiritual thought of the day. Tell us about your WALK with God? How is it UNIQUELY VIBRANT and NEW EVERY DAY?
Have a super day everyone!
One can never go wrong with more Bible.
My personal preference would be more theology as well as applications of that theology (even if we disagree on a certain doctrine). Theology does matter. Everyone has a theology, even atheists. It's a question of whether one has a good (biblical) or bad theology. Bad theology directly affects life applications of that theology.
Inspiration is great, but inspiring warriors is a useless cause unless the warriors have weapons and a battle plan.
Great thoughts Puritan Lad… even though apologetics is not one of my natural gifts, I have a great appreciation for guys like you!
I feel as if my calling is:
1. To INVITE people into the family of God,
2. IGNITE a passion in their hearts for Jesus Christ and the Great Commission, and
3. INSPIRE them to depart from status quo to labor in a legendary cause!
Invite, Ignite, Inspire… not that I'm creating a mission statement here.
thanks for the input… I will CERTAINLY pray over your thoughts… and I will keep on praying that God uses us both to HOLD DOWN THE ANCIENT BOUNDARIES. Love you bro!
Thanks Chuck,
I wasn't referring to apologetics in particular (though that is a weapon), but just the general armor of faith that Paul instructs us to put on. Inspiration is part of the shield of faith, but we need the sword of truth (theology), the only offensive weapon that we have.
My question is why change a GREAT THING? You already offer a variety from day to day by using personal life, examples of your life, your family's life, adventures, where God has or is taking you. We can NEVER have too much of God's Word so whether you use more scripture or not will not affect your message on here. Anyone who knows you, knows that your blog and/or messages are inspired and come directly from the WORD OF GOD, not from Chuck (with the exception of your vacation adventures – which still had a message for life in them and I thoroughly enjoyed). You are inspiring, igniting and invite people to your site and to your life. I believe you need to follow God's guidance and direction as to what you blog about and add to it on a personal level,then there is nothing to worry about. As far as a new design or layout, I can't help you there as I don't have the time to research that. There are a huge variety of webpages and layouts out there. Just keep it simple, powerful, and relevant! For what it's worth…these are my thoughts and opinions. Keep on keeping on what you are doing! Love to you and your family and church.
Thanks Rae… very helpful and ENCOURAGING!
I hope to hear from some of our other bloggers before the day is out… HINT HINT!
Enoch walked with God…..I do believe your blog is your walk with God and that is good. It helps others see how someone else walks with God.
I would like to read more about life application of the Word. I know I apply things, but would like to know how you apply things more.
I like the humor….everyone needs to laugh.
I enjoy reading about your family.
The focus of this blog: your relationship with God and how you approach it. Does that make sense?
that is all I can think of right now, but if more comes to me I will share.
Thanks Nuala… outstanding!
Hi Chuck,
This article shows exactly what I'm talking about concerning the need for sound doctrine.
The new Christian bridge builders
"Right after 9/11 a Pew poll found that 62 percent of Evangelical Christians believe that their faith is very different from Islam".
That means that (at least) 38 percent of "Evangelical Christians" have no idea what it means to be a Christian. O that Christian leaders would take a strong stand and dedicate themselves to the study of sound theology, and "hold fast to sound doctrine" instead of Rick Warren's false teachings.
I agree with you that we should become FAR more theologically ROOTED… and that we should be far more intentional about DISCIPLING a generation that lacks a solid conviction. I love the way you keep pressure on me and the rest of the body of Christ concerning doctrine… it's such a strength of yours.
Since this blog site is designed to BUILD UP and INSPIRE… I don't want to give negative opinions about other high profile leaders. Let's talk about what we are FOR instead of what we are against… at least on this blog site.
I'm certainly not advising you about the apologetics approach you're taking… just asking that we not write negatively about specific leaders on this blog. Thanks for respecting this desire of mine… it means so much to me. I love so much of what you have to say Puritan Lad… thanks for interacting with us and have a super day.
No problem Chuck. I will continue to warn of false prophets, just not here…
Not to stir the pot but why wouldn't you want to point out false teachings/teachers. There are so many people that are baby Christians and they are being mislead and if no one teaches them the truth then they will go looking for it else where and may not end up with the truth. I know that we are to read our Bibles and study it so we know the truth, but aren't we also to seek out mentors who will help us steer clear of lies.
Mark 9:39-41 "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us. 41I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
Philippians 1:15-18 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.[a] 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Whereas I see the value in pointing out our differences of doctrine for the purpose of maintaining truth… I feel like I am called to spend MOST of MY time talking about what I DO believe verses what I DON'T believe. As I stated above… I sincerely admire Puritan Lad for spending so much time in Christian apologetics.
There are so MANY functions we can serve in Christianity… and so far mine is to Invite, Ignite, and Inspire. There is not enough time in my day to carry out this mandate… especially if I get sidetracked debating whether or not certain christian leaders are of God or not. There are other blogs sites dedicated to the topic… and I will pray for God to give them great wisdom and blessing as they endeavor to hold up the ancient biblical standards of our faith.
Puritan Lad… thanks for being here. Again, you are a blessing!
Thanks Chuck. God certainly has changed us since our high school days
BTW: Everyone pray the "Tim the atheist". See http://blog.schillingshow.com/2009/07/23/guest-ed… and feel free to comment. Only God can make him see the kingdom.
Pastor Chuck: Your last comment and scriptures is what I love most about you and your ministry. You know EXACTLY what, where and when God has called you and you do not waiver, nor does it go to your head and you become prideful and arrogant about it. You are so genuine and real and I believe God honors you in so many ways because you are His good and faithful SERVANT! Thank you!!!
Yes Puritan Lad… we have changed SO MUCH! And how good that is for everyone else!
Rae… thanks for appreciating our mission like you do! Even though you live half way across the country from us… I consider you to be a significant part of this ministry! God is using you in so many ways!
Have a super night you guys!
Thanks chuck for taking the time to explain that to me. I do appreciate it.