Star Wars

Tonights the night. Here I come to see Yoda kick some Sith butt.

Shocked. . .Not really

One of our local news stations reported a story about an offensive license plate. On the license plate was "John 3-16). A woman who was driving behind the car reported to the State Department of Licensing that she was offended and did not want to be "prayed over" by a license plate and that there is separation between church and state. Since this was a filed complaint, the owner of the plate will have to defend her plate in front of a review committee. She has had the plate for 21 years.

You can read the story by clicking on this link. http://www.komotv.com/news/story_m.asp?ID=36833

I am not shocked at this story. We live in a post-Christian society in America. We have left the times when church and faith was the norm. I live in a state that the majority of the population is nonreligious (and that includes any religion). Not only has America become a secular country, it has rebelled and revolted against Christianity. All religions will be tolerated except Christianity.

I will not be surprised if the owner of the vehicle is required to change her license plate. I will not be surprised if this story gets more involved. Sadly, I will not be surprised if this goes to court or even the Supreme Court of Washington. I believe now more than ever the world needs the message of John 3.16. Christians need to be introducing people to God's love. God loves everyone so much, that. . .

Many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

At HOME groups tonight, we read most of John 6. Toward the end of the passage many of the followers decided that Jesus was not worth following. I asked the question "why is it so hard to follow Jesus?" That opened up over an hour discussion on reasons why it is hard to follow Jesus. We had answers anywhere from his hard sayings to taking the leap of faith. There comes a point in your life when you will be faced with the choice to take the leap. Sometimes we have relied upon science to help make this decision easier (but it can't). Sometimes we have relied upon our rationality to make this decision (but many of the things God does are irrational).

We are stuck with the leap of faith. Are we willing to take that leap and decide to believe or stay in our neat little "controlled" worlds? What would happen if we did have that faith as small as a mustard seed?

If we do take that leap, God begins to work through us but also he begins to transform us. Those are exciting and great futures. But God also begins to demand things from us. The rich man could not give it up. Judas couldn't see past himself. Pilot lost courage. But the roman soldier at the foot of the cross echoes in the house of faith "surely this man was the Son of God.

Faith is a simple but very complex thing. Good thing God gives it to us.

Must read

This is a must read. Read the Thursday May 12th post.

http://mikecope.blogspot.com/