techfellowship | tf

I hope that your summer is going well, have those “dog days of summer” hit yet. What are those anyway? I have really enjoyed this summer; plenty of cook-outs on the back deck, fresh vegatables from our garden and alittle water activity along the way. I would love to hear from you if you have a fun summer story to tell.

Have you ever tried to do an activity that takes two hands and use only one hand. How does that work out for you? Was that golf swing better? Did the dishes go faster? Try sending me a comment to this post with one hand. One-handed sewing, video gaming, etc. is pretty difficult.

This week in our summer discussion group we talked about how the Church has historically tried to carry out the Great Commission of our KING using only one hand. Has the Church at times been less efficient by using only one hand? What’s in the Church’s hands?

First Hand: The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, Hope in Jesus Christ
Second Hand: Social Action; defending the poor and oppressed through healing, food and clothing.

Jesus was very clear to His disciples in Luke 9:1-6 …and He sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. As the Church today we must be in step with the Holy Spirit to know when and how to carry out the Great Commission with two hands. Our hope is not in social action its in JESUS. The Holy Spirit will lead us as we go in using social action for the redemptive purposes of God. Its not a discussion of which hand; as the Body of Christ lets put both hands forward.

Just a reminder that our support of our India kids is coming up in a few weeks and we need $66 to meet our July commitment. Please pray about what you can give. Stay in touch.

love serve live
Scott Palmer

In our summer study we have begun a new series entitled No Plan B. How many of you like to have multiple options and plans to fall back on? I know that I do, but one thing we must all come to grips with is that God has a Plan A and that’s all. His plan and life requires us to address the needs of the poor and oppressed. Last night in our study it was said that there are 2000 verses in the Bible that deal with the poor. What that clearly reveals to me is that the Body of Christ has a mandate to serve the poor and oppressed.

I hope that as you were growing up that you had the chance to sing the classic childrens song This Little Light of Mine. Matt. 5:14-16 is the basis for that song. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount is reminding us that our lives are the light of the world. These lights should never be put under a bowl but rather be placed on a stand so that everyone can see. The purpose of this is that when our lights shine and men see our good deeds our Father in heaven is praised.
Isaiah 58:9-10 tells us what makes our light shine bright in the darkness.

If you do away with oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like the noonday.

I guess Matthew 10:39 is true, whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Spending our lives in behalf of the poor and oppressed will allow our King to be praised and our light to shine. I can hear you now starting to sing… this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine…

love serve live
Scott Palmer

Could it be possible that the Kingdom effectiveness of the Church has become minimal because we have become incestuous as the Body of Christ from the stand point that we have been more about “talking and learning” rather than “going and doing”.
Yesterday I read again something that I am finding over and over again and it is this;  that the rate of young people from ages 16-26 dropping out of church is rapidly increasing. The ironic thing is that most of these young people have not disconnected from the Church because of dissatisfaction with or misunderstanding of God, rather it is because they feel empty and unprepared by the Church to “live this thing out”. Young adults are tired of the talk about US and are seeking ways to take what we have out of the four wall of the church. The cry of this generation is what are we going to do?  Young adults are best connected to the Church through their service, giving and missions (essential church?) In Matthew 9:35-38 we see our great mentor at work; yes, there were times of teaching in the synagogue but the call of this passage is to go. James 2:14-20 challenges us to connect our faith and our works. This is not a discussion regarding which one to eliminate rather it is about a Christ-modeled balance. Would the Church be wise to evaluate its “talking and learning” vs. “going and doing”? I definitely believe it would if it wants to keep this powerful generation engaged in the Kingdom Purposes of God.

love serve live
Scott Palmer