Joshua's Way

Excerpts from Letter from a Birmingham Jail

written April 16, 1963 by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

"There was a time when the church was very powerful--in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators."' But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven," called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment...By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests. Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an archdefender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent--and often even vocal--sanction of things as they are.

 

But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century."

 

"I Have Been to the Mountaintop"

Excerpts of last sermon by Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.

April 3, 1968-Night before his assassination

 

"Well, I don't know what will happen now; we've got some

difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me

now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't

mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life - longevity

has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just

want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the

mountain. And I've looked over, and I've looked over, and

I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you.

But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will

get to the Promised Land. And so I'm happy tonight; I'm

not worried about anything; I'm not fearing any man. Mine

eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. "

 

 

Published on December 8, 2008 at 9:35 am | Permalink | 0 Comments

Thoughts for an Election Season

Important principles to remember for those who march to the beat of the Heavenly Drummer. 

by David Rogers

1. Jesus Christ-not America or any political party-is the hope of the world. Mat. 12:21; 1 Tim. 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:3; Acts 4:12

2. Love is the central Christian virtue. We are to love God first, others second; and we are to do everything in love. Mk. 12:30-31; 1 Cor. 16:14; Mt. 5:43-44;

3. We should not be against government, for it is an institution ordained by God.  We should be for good government. Rom. 13:1-6

4. Morality matters. Ps. 1:1-3; Gal. 6:8; 1 Thes. 4:1; Rom. 6:23; Ex. 20:3-17; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 1 Tim. 1:9-10

5. God really cares about the poor, the weak, and the disadvantaged.  So should we. Mt. 25:31-46; Prov. 14:31: 19:17

6. Bias against people because of their race or gender is wrong. Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11; Mk. 12:31; Act 10:34-35; Rom. 2:11

7. We should speak up and seek justice for those who cannot speak for themselves-including the unborn. Prov. 31:8; Amos 5:24; Ps. 82:3-4; 139:13-17; Jer. 1:5

8. People are made in God's image, unlike animals or trees. People are more important than any other part of God's earthly creation. Gen 1:27; Ps. 8:5

9. We should be good stewards of God's earthly creation. God commands it, and it is good for people. Gen. 1:28; Ps. 8:6-8

10. Merely being a Christian does not qualify a person to be a brain surgeon, lawyer, plumber, electrician, or government official. However, faith in the God of the Bible is a necessary starting point for any person to please God, no matter in what capacity he or she may serve. Heb. 11:6; Ps.14:1; Ex. 20:3; Col. 1:9-10

11. God is sovereign. No one becomes the leader of a nation apart from His sovereign will. Dan. 5:18-21; Rom. 13:1

12. Be still. Fret not. God reigns. Nothing can separate us from His love. Ps. 47:7-8; 46:10; 37:7; Rom. 8:38-39

 

To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever.

 

 

Published on September 22, 2008 at 11:21 am | Permalink | 0 Comments

Ministering for Christ

August 20, 2008

I have been thinking a lot in recent days about how we best minister for Christ at Joshua's Way. In other words, what are some practical principles that we should follow to most effectively serve Christ? How can we avoid becoming another inflexible, ineffective institution? How can we maintain our focus and accomplish our mission?

To answer some of these questions for myself and Joshua's Way, I developed a Philosophy of Ministering for Christ: 10 Practical Principles. These principles may not be for everyone. There are certainly other principles that could be on the list. But these 10 principles have guided a lot of what we have done at Joshua's Way. So here they are for your consideration.  If you have thoughts or comments, I would be delighted to hear from you.  David Rogers

 

Philosophy of Ministering for Christ

10 Practical Principles

 

1. Be wary of crowds; realize the effectiveness of the small, the mobile.

2. Seek the simple path and the direct way using the called and committed.

3. Avoid mere activity, needless meetings, ongoing "committees", constraining procedures.

4. Be not so much concerned with budgets as with mission.

5. Be wary of the "splash", the grand; seek after the quiet, the steady, the cool heights of the mountain that few truly wish to climb.

6. Be wary of earthly encumbrances, "pious" talk, the trappings of religion, personal ambition; seek after heaven, reality, "true truth".

7. Before seeking to change the whole world, seek first to change ourselves and those God sends across our path.

8. When teaching, teach in a way that is plain, unencumbered, foundational,  enlightening,  and teach those who wish to see.

9. Be not driven by societal expectations or human traditions.

10. Seek hard after God and His pleasure.

 

Published on August 20, 2008 at 2:43 pm | Permalink | 0 Comments