Jack’s Winning Words 1/17/14
“I run the race with determination…I am my body’s sternest master.”  (1 Cor 9:26,27)  This is the slogan of Team Sweaty Sheep, a group of Kentucky church people who run on Sunday mornings.  Their run is followed by a contemporary worship.  Their pastor is an actual athletic trainer.  A Denver church is named, A House for All Sinners and Saints.  What do you think is appropriate when it comes to “church?”    ;-)  Jack

 FROM HONEST JOHN:  Worship of the Lord.   Can happen in a lot of different ways.  Now I have my preferences but they in no way run the gamut.====JACK:  Which do you put at the top of the gamut list... Julotta?====JOHN:  Nar juldags Morton glimmar.   Jag Vill til stalled ga ====JACK:  Here are the lyrics, in case you feel like singing this morning...
 När juldagsmorgon glimmar
Jag vill till stallet gå
Där Gud i nattens timma
Ren vilar upp på strå
Där Gud i nattens timma
Ren vilar upp på strå

Hur god du var som ville
Till jorden komma ned
Nu ej i synd jag spiller
Min barndoms dagar mer
Nu ej i synd jag spiller
Min barndoms dagar mer

Hur Jesu vi behöva
Du käre barnavän
Jag vill ej mer bedröva
Med synder dig igen
Jag vill ej mer bedröva
Med synder dig igen

 FROM TARMART REV:  The catacombs in Rome sufficed for some of the earlier Christ-followers . . . the front rooms of houses were popular back in "The Jesus Movement" days of the 70's . . . use what we have at the time a place is sought . . . "faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys" (Matthew 25:21 Amplified Bible).====JACK:  One church that I know of, followed the example of Jesus and worshipped in a synagogue.

 FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE:  People who worship Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.====JACK:  Malcolm Boyd wrote a book of contemporary prayers.  The title was taken from one of the prayers which began, "Are you running with me, Jesus?"

 FROM MY LAWYER:  Everything.  All inclusive!====JACK:  Andre Gide wrote..."Believe those who are seeking the truth.  Doubt those who find it."

 FROM GOOD DEBT JON:  I think "Church" is wherever you are "in sync" and on purpose in your walk with the Creator. This stance isn't received well among many of my Baptist Brethren. I would think God understands and appreciates intent over formal "aisle walking" and parroting an earthly version of what a Lutheran, Baptist, Muslim, or Catholic thinks is "conversion." God must be amused by our antics...    ====JACK:  One of the truisms of philosophy or theology is that there are no correct answers, only opinions.  Yesterday I attended a meeting held at our local Muslim Unity Center.  Their imam is one of the kindest and most gentle persons that I know.

 FROM BBC IN ILLINOIS:  Appropriate or beneficial or….I think we don’t typically spend enough time on praise and worship per se.  People seem to either focus more on the teaching, or, dumb it down so that “outsiders are comfortable” which leaves the flock in need of nourishment or stick so close to the traditional liturgy that the insights and gifts of everyone are not used.  That is a very good question.    If only we could be open minded enough to allow for different styles/seasons/formats throughout the year.====JACK:  Is worship meant to satisfy us, or God?  And, what is satisfactory to God?  Maybe it's to be private.  Jesus said, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."  Or, maybe that's taking it too literally.

 FROM MOLINER JT:  More on "church" tomorrow. Tomorrow is our annual meeting. Although things seem to be going good we need a "shot" of get-up-and-go. Where are the youth?====JACK:  Times change, and the Church changes with the times.  As far as the youth are concerned, fewer babies are being born, and many who are born are either non-church related or are part of a denomination different than yours.

 FROM SBP IN FLORIDA:  appropriate" when it comes to "church"? Church can be a building where people gather to be refreshed, reinforced, recommitted, remember, renewed spiritually, while their children are being introduced to the Scripture....all the while participating with fellow Christians/believers. If, however, the building "church" is not a possibility...Must there be walls and a steeple to be a "church"? Do not warm greetings to friends/neighbors/strangers fellow shoppers...praying at meals or special occasions, spontaneous prayers, "Thank you, Lord!" and mini conversations w/God throughout the day constitute "church"???...including our senses during our walks...... For some "church" is the experiences of life, I believe.====JACK:  In fact, I once thought of calling my Winning Words "ministry," a Church Without Walls, because I consider you and other readers of Jack's Winning Words as members of my congregation.  The blog allows feedback on "the sermons," not offered on a Sunday morning.  Members of "the church" include people of different denominational beliefs, Christian and non-Christian and non-anything..  I've found, in retirement, a different way to be a pastor, without wearing a clerical collar.  My role as chaplain to the Fire Dept, and now to the Police Dept, has expanded the "non-walls" of my church.   ====SBP:  Just another "I have to."  I'm reading Buddhist Boot Camp . Interesting!====JACK:  I wonder if that's the same boot camp the Beatles attended?

 FROM RI IN BOSTON:  What is "church" brings to mind a few choice words..."for where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."  I remember a worship service you celebrated with a small group, outdoors among the trees of a Lutheran camp in upper Michigan.  Very simple, but simply beautiful.====JACK:  I remember having a funeral service where one person showed up, besides the funeral director.