Help from the Other Side?

Everywhere you turn, there's another news story that suggests God is getting beat down.

From the porn movie broadcast at the University of Maryland, to the 10 Commandments being removed from government property, to redefining what a marriage is. There was even criticism of Rick Warren's prayer at Obama's inauguration (how dare he mention Jesus!).

You'd think that all of America had come to the same conclusion--God isn't.

Despite this, Americans have this fascination with the spiritual? It's everywhere; not just on Oprah.

Ghost Town - a jerk dentist survives a near-death experience and see ghosts.

Ghost Whisperer - Jennifer Love Hewitt's character aids troubled spirits.

Supernatural - two brothers hunting demons.

Medium - Allison Dubois helps the police solve murders through visions and contact with the dead. Interestingly, this week, she concludes that her gift was given to her by God.

We could go on (Touched by an Angel, Joan of Arcadia, Ghost, The Others, Sixth Sense, A Haunting in Connecticut, The Gift), but you get my point!

Oh, there's also a great book on the supernatural. It's called the Bible. It's author might know something about this subject.

Now, the story it tells doesn't read anything like what we're getting from Hollywood.

But, hey, if you think Hollywood has a bead on all things spiritual, I've got a bridge in New York I want to sell you.

Want to compare Hollywood's take with God's? Visit us at 11:00am this Sunday at 1988 Kirby Road, McLean, VA.

It might make your head spin--but probably not 360 degrees.

Want to ponder in advance? Try Galatians 5.

The Big Question: What's Next?

I spent a chunk of this week comforting a woman whose mother died.

She knew her mom's time was drawing to a close; and had known it for months.

A hospice was overseeing her mom's care. You don't get that unless the medical professionals think you have less than 6 months left.

She died quietly, at peace, at home, last Sunday morning.

As funeral plans shaped up, the one big concern has focused on answering questions from the grand kids.

Two boys, ages 10 and 14.

Interestingly, they are the same questions a lot of us have.

Is grandma just floating around up in space?

Is she still hurting?

Will we ever see her again?

How will we recognize her?

Will she know us?

We could make up stuff to try to comfort folks, but it turns out that God has given us His thoughts on the subject.

So, we're going with His thoughts, incorporating them into this week's message--part of our series on answering key questions that people who don't follow Christ ask about Christianity.

Death is something we're all gonna face, sadly. But maybe it doesn't have to be that sad.

Maybe we can look to going through this thing we'd rather not with a little hope. a little confidence.

It is what we're going to talk about this Sunday, at 11:00am at our 1988 Kirby Road, McLean location.

Why not drop on in? We're dying to meet you.

Getting what is coming to you

In the classic black-and-white gangster movie, particularly those starring Edward G. Robinson (man, they are the best ever), you hear this recurring line:

"I want what's coming to me."

The other person ominously promises:

"Yeah, you'll get what's coming to ya."

The first guy is expecting a payoff or something, but alas, he always gets whacked.

So, sometimes "getting what's coming to ya" isn't that grand.

Here's an example:

It's 15 April, TAX DAY. I just hit the send button. But I didn't really want what I had coming to me. But I got what was coming to me. POW!!! BLAM!!! SHOT DEAD!!!

So, when I think about taxes or anything else, really, I think I've landed on something.

I'd like not to get what's coming to me.

I'd like to get something better.

Something I didn't deserve.

Where do I get some of that?

Good news is that there is some of this out there - It's called grace.

And God's sending some of it your way.

Hear all about it Sunday at 11:00am at New Life Westmoreland (1988 Kirby Road, McLean, VA).

Want to ponder the thought in advance? Check out John 6:29.

Rebel Yell

Bernie Madoff...

Governor Spitzer...

Michael Vick...

Kobe Bryant...

NBA Referee Tim Donaghy...

A-Rod...

Marion Jones...

Tonya Harding...

A couple others????

Living large and in charge! On top of the world! Masters of our own fate!

They don't answer to nobody, right?

The rules? They're for the little people.

We're never gonna get found out. We'll beat the odds. 'Cause we're different. We're unique.

They are rebels and proud of it.

Uh, that is, until they're not.

So, what if your rebellion doesn't make you unique, special, or different at all? What if you're just another link in a long, long, long--dare I say it again?--long chain, who'd make it work, get away with it, never get caught?

Well, striving to be a rebel pretty is familiar turf for God.

Join us Sunday for just one thought from Him on the subject.

I know you don't have time for two thoughts. But one? You've got time for one thought, don't you? Promise you'll have plenty of time the rest of the day for your rebel thing.

11:00am at 1988 Kirby Road, McLean, VA this Sunday.

Want to read an exciting reality adventure on being a rebel? Check out II Chronicles 36.

Who Made Up All the Rules, We Follow Them Like Fools*

*(First line of "They" by JEM)

Jenny was late! She was late! For a very important date!

This would be the perfect job, she thought. Only 15 minutes from home. Except now she has to make up the minutes lost searching for the keys. But how?

The complete answer never came, because the rolling stop through the intersection got her introduced immediately to a member of the motorcycle police force.

Fuming while waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting to get the bloody ticket, she reflected that this didn't seem fair.

She had, after all, stopped at that same sign hundreds of times in the past. Why doesn't she get some credit or something for all the times she obeyed the law? But, NOOOOOO! One violation, and BOOM, she's nabbed.

And then it hit her. The law is not her friend. It's never sitting there on the books to tell her how wonderful she is. Nope.

It's just sitting there waiting patiently for her to mess up. Just biding its time until she screws up just that one tiny bit.

And then Jenny reflected on the stuff she'd been hearing at church lately.

Hmmm... I wonder if that's what the pastor meant when he said we can never be good enough to make God happy by just following all the rules. Maybe God's rules are like this stupid stop sign. Only good for one thing--to accuse us when we violate them.

Because, oh yeah, she had violated a few of those God rules, too.

"Well, if the rules aren't the way to make God happy with me," she thought, "then what is?"

We hope Jenny is with us Sunday, when we explore that question. You might want to give a listen, too.

If you're inclined, read through Exodus 20.

Or hear the answer at 11:00 a.m. this Sunday at 1988 Kirby Road, McLean, VA.

Town Hall for Hope - April 23