bayouchristian

Humility

Rev Bill Crawford — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:43:35 +0000

This great scripture has always had a profound impact on me. We just can’t ignore the importance of humility. It may not always come naturally but it is well worth the effort.

Philippians 2:1-7 NIV Philippians 2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

There’s this amazing thing about God on the one hand He absolutely must trumpet his Glory (or He is being selfish) but on the other He chooses; in Christ, to be humble. “Amazing love – how can it be?”

God is not like any of us.

Thought Provoker

Rev Bill Crawford — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:00:24 +0000

When did my freedom become more important than God’s sovereignty? When did my works become equal to the Grace of God? How can God be all powerful but can’t make me do nothin’?

One of my Heroes

Rev Bill Crawford — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:09:14 +0000

I just love this guy. Being blessed by God doesn’t always take us where we want to go but if we are with him on that journey it is still a blessing:

Proud Pagan but Bad Historian

Rev Bill Crawford — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:49:59 +0000

Oh how I wish I wrote down the exact bumper sticker! Yesterday I was driving along innocently when a “Proud to be Pagan” bumper sticker caught my eye, the next bumper sticker basically tried to say that Pagans supported freedom of religion only to be burned at the stake.

Boy is that just historically laughable. Freedom of religion is a Christian invention. Pagans ran Christians through the lions at the Coliseum, Pagans not only burned Christians at the stake but systematically killed them off for centuries. Pagans held crusades long before the term was invented. The Christians who pursued the Crusades were really recent converts from – pagan belief – barbarians.

We have plenty to repent about and the Church has repented publicly and will continue to do so but let’s not try and whitewash pagan history either. Burning babies, human sacrifice, wars, are all central parts of pagan history.

Sure in response Christians did some pretty horrible things but let’s not be historically ignorant. Long before Christians came along the worshipers of Baal were killing off the worshipers of Zeus, and Thor’s folks were killing off Apollo’s followers. Christianity did not eliminate war but they didn’t create it and there is a promise with the Christian faith that paganism will never offer:

Revelation 21:4
New International Version (NIV)
4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Be a blessing to the world create 36″ of world peace around your body today. The problem in the world is not God it is humanity.

Skunks at the Sacrament!

Rev Bill Crawford — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:55:05 +0000

The text in Titus this week was particularly challenging – especially when paired with the headline out of Sacramento regarding skunks. But out of that challenge comes a true blessing – listen!
ESV Titus 3:1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

Click below to hear:

week 4 Titus 3 Skunks at the Sacarment

Christian Witchcraft?

Rev Bill Crawford — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:26:57 +0000

This video captures a thought I have been exploring for some time.

Komen Foundation Reverses Decision To End Planned Parenthood Grants | Fox News

Rev Bill Crawford — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:41:32 +0000

Komen Foundation Reverses Decision To End Planned Parenthood Grants | Fox News.

Well that didn’t last very long. Very frustrated over this action. Why are we tying breast cancer funding with abortion funding? Completely unnecessary.

God Saves Us

Rev Bill Crawford — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:04:29 +0000

Titus3:4-7 was this mornings reading (and Sunday morning’s sermon text).

God saves us. We westerners have grappled with the meaning of this for some time. We really struggle with being “helpless” but the fact is the human is helpless to overcome their sins and the only course to salvation is God’s saving us.

This is further expounded throughout the book of Ephesians but specifically covered in the foundational text of the Reformed Tradition:

Ephesians 2:8-10
English Standard Version (ESV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

What does it mean to you today that the God of the Universe, the one who creates all things, knows all things, is all present, and is all powerful created you? and is calling you to a profound and meaningful relationship?

What does it mean to you that God; being in his very nature all knowing and all powerful, could not create Adam without knowing and creating you?

These are profound, awesome, and wonderful thoughts to live with. They should be life changing and life impacting.

Be blessed, bless God, and bless others.

Big Idea

Rev Bill Crawford — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:03:25 +0000

Tuesday’s big idea is found in John 8:12-51 as Jesus proclaims who he is.

Jesus lights our path.

Jesus gives us the truth.

Jesus is eternal.

These big ideas should shape the Christian’s life. From the big things down to the little things.

Practical Blessing for the day – Drive nice. Do you glorify God in your treatment of your fellow travelers? Its never too late to start.

Weekly Sermon – Ephesians 1:3 – Blessing God

Rev Bill Crawford — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:20:15 +0000

Another chance to play Monday Morning Quarterback. Here is our sermon from Sunday the 29th. I felt the Spirit very present I hope it carries through to those who listen online!

40 days week 3 blessing God