The Church is You!

We do not go to church as we commonly say. We may go to a building or to a school, but we do not go to church. You and I make the church. Consequently, the church is the sum total of all its members. Whatever the church is that is a reflection of who we are. Interesting!


The Apostle Paul says that whenever we – the church - come together for worship, someone should bring a hymn, someone a word, someone a praise, someone a tongue and yet another an interpretation of the tongue. The fact is, if no one brings anything, then there cannot be worship and coming together is futile.


It is sad that we often see the church in terms of what “they” are not doing or are doing. What about us? If the church – we – are failing in a ministry area, it means that we are not working to build that ministry. It means that someone in church is not using his or her God-given gifts to serve. If the church is unfriendly, it means that we are unfriendly. Do you get the picture? We are the church. The church is whatever we make it, or want it to be.


Here is another startling reminder: as children of God and followers of Jesus Christ, we are still walking in imperfection. Yes, we mess up. Yes, we do not always get it right. Therefore, wherever we worship as a group of believers - the church - it will be imperfect.


But thanks be to God that through Jesus Christ we have victory. There is hope! The Bible declares that as we focus on Him, we are being changed from glory to glory (becoming better Christians, if you will). If the church is willing to become more like Christ, we certainly can. Then, what glorious times we will have together – as the church!


And, even then, we as the church will sometimes step on each other’s toes and will always see room for growth.


Finally, what really is the role of the church? Yes, as Hebrews 10:24 tells us, we must consider each other to "provoke unto love and good works." Hebrews also reminds us not to forsake to assemble together as believers. However, Jesus’ main commission to the church before returning to the Father was, “Go ye into all the world…” So is the church mainly for us as believers? I do not think so. Again Jesus on one occasion said that He came to call sinners to repentance, not the righteous. There is strong evidence that the church’s main focus should be the lost – sinners - not us. Have we lost sight of this our calling?


If our focus has shifted to what we can get out of church, we have lost sight of Jesus’ commission to go. Now think about that.


- Thanks for spending time with us! Peter @ www.LetsServeYou.com

"Demonization" of the Wealthy

Why do some people in general and one political party in particular tend to depict the wealthy as having too much? While it is true that some people and companies “play rough” and trample others to earn what they have, most of the wealthy work hard and invest a lot to get what they have. Why then should the wealthy be demonized? If Jesus said that the “richer will be richer and the poor, poorer” why do we think that man can change that?


You may recall that while growing up we envied what the other kid had. Unfortunately, even as adults we still wonder why certain people can drive certain cars, buy certain houses, wear certain clothes and visit certain places, while the others just cannot seem to get ahead. The same envious spirit that plagued us as children has followed us into adulthood. That may be one explanation for some people’s belief that wealthy people and wealthy companies have too much. What say you?


Let us focus on wealthy companies.


Inarguably, some companies deal dirty. Many big companies force Mom and Pop out of business; pay their employees meager salaries; offer inadequate benefits such as medical insurance plans that require huge out of pocket payments; employ cheap, and in some cases child labor to produce raw materials; ship jobs overseas; and the list goes on. There are many stories of wounded people, destroyed lives, shipwrecked careers, and prison cells packed with the “once big and wealthy” to prove that dirty dealings and inhumane business practices exist.


However, there is one principle that remains true: you reap what you sow. If, on the other hand, companies are doing right and investing a lot, is it not fair that they should reap a lot of good – returns?


Let us reason for awhile. Would you agree that most companies deal more fairly than how they deal abusively? I believe so. In fact, all companies which are wealthy today had to pay some price for their success. I want to focus on what is positive.


You may agree that companies that do well spend millions on research and development. You may also agree that these wealthy companies treat their employees as people by looking out for their health, well-being, future and their families. You may also agree that these wealthy companies invest in the training and all-round growth of their employees and they equip them with the tools to do well. You may also agree that wealthy companies invest in their communities through sponsorships of many kinds. You may also agree that these wealthy companies hire more and more people as they improve the quality of their products and business booms.


Now, if you are honest enough to agree with the above statements, can you understand why wealthy companies are constantly demonized? If wealthy companies do research, invest, offer great benefits, hire 1,000's and build their communities, I believe that it is fair that these companies should reap the harvest.


Wealth companies are needed to invest in research and development that benefit all mankind. The poor cannot invest. Wealthy companies are needed to expand and improve infrastructure from which everyone benefits. The poor ones cannot do that. Wealthy companies are needed to hire 1,000’s of workers ensure that they will have a paycheck to support their families. The poor ones cannot do that. Wealthy companies are needed to invest in equipment and machinery to ensure that people of various skills and training can find jobs elsewhere. The poor ones cannot do that.

Do you get picture?


You can say with certainty that many wealthy people and companies are selfish and are only interested in what works in their best interests. However, without those who have some wealth to build and hire, what would happen to the rest of us?


Remember – you reap what you sow. If the wealthy sow wealth, it follows that they will reap more wealth. One grain of corn produces two or more ears of corn. Think about that.


- Thanks for spending time with us! Peter @ www.LetsServeYou.com

Balance of Power in Washington

Many conservatives are working indefatigably to ensure that Republicans regain control of Congress in the upcoming Midterm Elections. While that is a good thing from a party standpoint, it may not be the best thing for our country. In my humble opinion, no party should control all branches of government.


The framers of the United States were insistent that while each branch of government – The Executive, Legislature and Judiciary – is powerful in its own rights, none should be allowed to operate without checks and balances. Today we have the best form of government because each branch is able to slow the “power march” of the other. However, the balance of power works best when one party does not control every aspect of government.


One thing is clear about our politicians in Washington is that each side is bent on promoting and to some extent “legalizing” its ideas for what America should be, whether those ideas be good or not. Politicians refuse to work together to produce “engines” that both sides will agree work best for this country. Instead we have politicians constantly bickering across the aisle and behaving like spoiled children when their ideas are ignored.


Let us be honest. Prior to 2006 when the Republicans controlled Congress and George W. Bush was President, how much good came out of Congress? Yes, admittedly, some good was accomplished. Yet, we watched exhaustingly as lawmakers constantly fussed, blocked bills, and did everything possible to prevent the other side from eking out a “win”. Whenever there was a “win”, it generally came about on a party-line vote.


Jump ahead to 2009 and 2010. What do you see? The Democrats control the federal government and the same things are happening: fussing, accusations, blocking and party-line “wins”. Not much good for America!


Yes, I am conservative and I want our country to reclaim and retain its conservative roots. However, I also want to see Republicans and Democrats working together for the good of America. That will only happen when government is shared among the political parties and the balance of power is intact. When both parties share power, they are forced to put America first and themselves second.


Desired 2010 Election Results:

Republicans 1;

Democrats 1; and,

Americans – Winners!!!


- Thanks for spending time with us! Peter @ www.LetsServeYou.com