Church Plans

One thing that comes with church authority: church plans. I’m looking at a set of building plans for a church. It’s a reflection of this particular church’s authority. Just the plans alone must have cost a tidy sum, probably as much money as I make in ten years. I estimate the building construction cost at least 12 million dollars (5 million more than Gospel for Asia’s headquarters in Texas). The church also plans to send a bunch of young people to Kenya this year. With passports, visas, plane tickets, lodging, etc, etc., the tab will come up to about $4,000 per person. Oh, and this includes a two-day mini safari. Not bad. It’s a missionary trip, to show the Kenyans the true light of Christ. The ‘missionaries’ have been told to be sure and bring articles of clothing they don’t need, especially shoes, because these can be bartered with the natives for handmade items (which in turn can be bartered for a quite a gain back in America). Getting back to the church’s building plans: It shows a “coffee seating” room. In comparison to the rest of the church, it is only a very small area off the huge entry hall. At 2000 square feet, it has twice the seating area of our local Starbuck’s. Nice plans they got there.

Chris Simonson 5/31/2005

Thank you for your timely response. Unfortunately, we will not be at the camp-out. I simply cannot justify spending the 50 dollars for the campsite for two days, and then the food, gas and equipment. Besides, I have not labored enough to earn a rest yet. Blessings. I hope you and the men up there get a lot of rest, so that you will be able to return refreshed to the war-torn battlefield of the brave believer, who's faith is evidence in works through Christ and to His honor.

I'll keep you posted about upcoming preaching opportunities; Lord willing all this rest will encourage us to go preach the Gospel, which is one of the evidences of our faith and is the power of God for the salvation of all whom believe. May we be able to labor in our rest, as Hebrews says and may God fill our hearts with love for our brethren and compassion for those heading to hell.

Steven  5/30/2005

Church camp out

I am debating whether or not my wife and I will attend this camp-out. So often at these kinds of events, whether out at the park or camping, or what have you, it's aggressively peddled as fellowship for months on end but turns out to be 'church cliques' talking about their businesses, homes, sock collections or whatever else is contrary to true, Christ-centered fellowship. If I wanted to spend copious amounts of time talking about worldly things with christians, or sing a marshmellowy Kumbayah I would have joined the rotary club. Nevertheless, I trust this will be different and am therefore breaking a cardinal rule here in the Styles Manor... actually contemplating attending a church camp-out. Seriously though, I don't want to go if it's just a big vacation and we all get filled with the party spirit. I am looking for some earnest fellowship and to get to know some of these people after the Spirit, without competing with our fleshly distractions.

Lord willing, let me know what you think of my opinion; is it 'loose-cannon' propoganda or did I hit the nail on the head? I know the saying "that you attract more flies with honey", but, who wants to attract flies? Just a thought.

Steven  5/29/2005

Dear Chapel

I sent a fax in to the Chapel office on Friday night in regards to a brother in the faith, whom I believe you met about a year ago when we brought him to Chapel. He is having severe financial problems, which are not the result of actions of his own. This is a great opportunity to bless a brother whom is truly in need, and whom cannot repay Chapel or bring it any gain or notoriety, save to please God by helping out one of His servants. This would also greatly strengthen this brother's faith, knowing that there are brothers out there not just concerned with their own prosperity and comfort. Perhaps maybe we can forgo the extra golf trip or vacation this month and help a brother out. It would be great to see a fellowship of believers put their money where their mouth is; I hope to be encouraged by action, for he has served the Lord many years and in my book he is worth double honor because he has been faithful to teach and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

( Unfortunately, the chapel whom received this plea told me they that would respond, but did not, nor even did they contact the individual in need to see if the claim was legitimate. I waited a month then confronted them after Sunday Services; the leadership blamed their inaction on 'miscommunication', but still did nothing and have not to this day, six months later. This is typical of the modern church in America; they say one thing and pretend to love, but in their actions they hate their brother. As far as they are concerned, they are justified because they show up on Sunday. This is a warning to us not be hypocritical with the things God has given us. May God continue to convict us of sin and lead us unto holiness. )

Steven  5/27/2005

Steven  5/26/2005

No one has ever been saved by the name of ‘morality’. Now I am not saying that the genocide of the 45 million innocent, defenseless, unborn children is not grievous beyond reason and does not attract the Lord’s wrath, but is this issue pre-eminent over the Gospel? Certainly not. What other message is there for the lost than how to be found in Christ? What is really happening here is that the modern christian church has decided to bury its head in its Sunday activities and through covetousness and idolatry has turned its back upon the very One it claims to love, justifying themselves in their works. Now, don’t get me wrong, the modern church has not stopped appearing religious for it continues to bring back sheep from battle to sacrifice to God, but the modern church neglects to be obedient, merely delighting in its sacrifices, such as parading under the guise of anti-abortion, when the Gospel is the power of God which leads men unto salvation.

Steven  5/25/2005

Steven  5/24/2005

Come out and preach

We, as believers in Christ, have been granted the privilege and commandment to go out and preach the Gospel of Christ, and "not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be made of none effect..." It is a call, for those who claim faith in Christ, to action in Christ. We will not be going out representing any particular church-affiliation, non- denomination or denomination, or political stance but going out to represent Christ and His word. There won't be props, there won't be a worship team, an announcer or a pat on the back, except knowing that by faith we are doing the will of the Father, testifying of our salvation that we once were lost and have now been found by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, repentance and forgiveness of sin. If you know any other brethren that would like to come out by all means invite them that they may be encouraged in their faith. If, for some reason, you can't come out then please labor with us by praying for us that we may have boldness and not shrink back from the calling that God has called us all to.

Steven  5/23/2005

I am tired of tasting the salt-substitute; it is like the difference between a delicious, vine ripe tomato that has been nourished by the sweetening Son, verses chewing on a flat and flaky dried tomato that has been long on the shelf. Or, it is like laboring hard in the field, sweltering in the sun, and someone hands you a warm Coke, when all you crave is a tall glass of ice water, cool and refreshing.

I am not complaining about the gentleman who called me, he is just doing what he has been trained to do. I am just not convinced that God is honoring this lukewarm manner of playing church. I look down the road and I see persecution coming and hardship for the Body of Christ, and yet we seem to be asleep at the wheel, and no matter how one may yell warnings the drug of covetousness has induced a deep slumber.

I would love to be able to fellowship with more brethren, but the way that modern christendom has designed things seems to go against that, in that we go to church and then go home, or that we have pagers, phones, ministries, families, work and all other sorts of distractions, or that we have better things to talk of than Christ. When we do gather outside of our Sunday church building the fellowship is confined to the regular groups of people who have become clannish and been dogmatized into believing that regular attendance on Sunday is godliness.

Although I may not agree with some methodology I have seen at Chapel, I am convinced that God has a specific purpose for all these things and that my eye is too short to see it, and my hand is too short to save, but by the grace of God go I.

Steven  5/22/2005

And your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3 (continued)

A wonderful, spiritual reality. It cannot be proven to the carnal mind that my life is hidden with Christ, or that God is hidden in Christ. But because I am dead, it is true. Because this life is hidden does not mean it has no effect in the seen world. Although our earthly bodies have not been changed, the glory of Christ’s life in us can be manifested. And because our life is hidden with Christ, no man understands how this can be (John 3:8). But we have this treasure in earthen vessels so that the glory we manifest is clearly not our own, but Christ’s (2 Cor. 4:7). And because our life is hidden, no man can rob us of that life (Psalm 91). “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” Matthew 13:44. “It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened” Luke 13:21. “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” 1 Peter 3:4, speaking of woman’s service to God. (To be continued)...

Chris Simonson  5/13/2005

For ye are dead, Colossians 3:3 (continued)

This is perhaps my favorite word of faith in the Bible. The very shortness and finality of it assures me I am dead. It is a wonderful thing to be dead and know it. Dead to my own evil desires and
dead to the world. The dear cross of Christ by which I am crucified to the world and the world to me. In the very midst of my troubles, when the world and its evil ways seem to be choking me, entangling me with the cares of this life, I can put my trust in Jesus Christ, for its true that I am dead. How can anyone have claims on a dead man? How can the Law of Moses itself have any power against me? I am a dead man. I have died, not alone, but I have been crucified with the beloved Savior of my soul, my Lord and my God, who was also resurrected. This is why I am also risen with him into newness of life. (To be continued)

Chris Simonson  5/12/2005

Chris Simonson  5/09/2005

Man #1: “Hi Mom, here are some flowers for Mother's Day to show my appreciation for your nurturing and careful loving of us children." Mom: "Oh thanks honey, how sweet!" Mom thinking: I was hoping for more, maybe tickets to Hawaii.

Man #2: "'Hi Mom, there's a Lexus in the driveway. You raised such a good son that I thought you should reap a percentage of my earnings. Plus, I need to get rid of a few thousand dollars or the auditors might inspect me." Mom: "Well your such a good son, I knew I went right with you, too bad my other kids gave up their lives to serve God; I might have a new garage to go with that."

Man #3: "Mom, I've been putting this off too long, but here's a gift of all gifts that I could get you." Mom opens here package. Mom: "A Bible?". "Yeah Mom, it has the words of Christ in it. He is the resurrection and the life. If you reject Him you'll be thrown into Hell; please read it." Mom: "Why Tommy, I never thought you would say such a thing. You should know if anybody is going to heaven your mother is; I spent 7 hours in labor with you! Where did I go wrong?"

Jesus: If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.

Matt Simonson  5/08/05

Chris Simonson 5/05/2005

In it’s attempt to satisfy all men, America has lost it’s innocence. America has attempted to justify it’s sins by accusing or excusing: many of it’s leaders and people take pleasure in accusing, discrediting and dishonoring those who hold to morality, whom seek justice and those who worship God; generally these same people and leaders, to justify their own murderous behavior and longing for perversion, make laws to supersede the laws of the just and moral, such as abortion and homosexual rights. They often parade their defilement under the guise of ‘love’ or ‘tolerance’.

America has become ungrateful and covetous, constantly seeking after power, pleasure and wealth. America, in it’s attempt to ‘liberate’ women, has become bound by feminism, and their children are rising up as their oppressors. America stands guilty before the holy and just God, who will judge all men.

Is America alone in it’s sins? By no means; the Bible says we have ALL fallen short of the glory of God, and deserve to spend eternity apart from Him, in hell. God commands men everywhere to repent of their sins, turn from their idolatries, immorality and covetousness and to accept His son Jesus Christ as Lord, in order to be saved from His Wrath.

Steven  05/04/2004

The cost of discipleship

Cost? I thought it was free. What about the “Romans road to salvation”? Doesn’t Romans 6:23 say that the gift of life is free? Aren’t we continually reminded in sermon after sermon that everything is “on the house”? Romans 4, verses 4 and 5, plainly state that our salvation cannot be based on works but on God’s grace. Some will say there’s a big difference between salvation and discipleship. But that is heresy! A disciple is a follower. It is required for salvation that we follow Christ. Christ told the rich young ruler to sell everything he had and give it to the poor, and come, follow Him for eternal life, the very thing the young man had come to Jesus for. A dispensationalist may say that this requirement was pre-cross, but we see from dispensationalism that they wish to remain covetous and keep their cake. No, there is only one way to salvation. If a person seeks to save his life, he will lose it. If he loses his life for the sake of Jesus and his gospel, he will inherit eternal life. Free, in the sense that we cannot work our way to heaven. Expensive in that we must join Christ in his death.

Chris Simonson  05/03/2005

Chris Simonson  5/02/2005

Sunday Special - Response to EARTH DAY

“When I first conceived of Earth Day, a global holiday to celebrate the wonder of life on our planet, I thought long and hard about the day on which it should fall. It must be meaningful. One that might be accepted universally for all of humankind. When the Vernal Equinox dawned on me, I immediately knew it was right. The Earth tremor that shook our California dwelling at that moment seemed an omen of confirmation. What could be more appropriate than the first moment of Spring, when day and night are equal around the world and hearts and minds can join together with thoughts of harmony and Earth's rejuvenation. Just as a single prayer can be siginificant, how much more so when hundreds, thousands, millions of people throughout the world join in peaceful thoughts and prayers to nurture neighbor and nature. And so it came to pass we initiated the celebration of Earth Day on March 21, 1970. The first Proclamation of Earth Day was by San Francisco, the City of Saint Francis, patron saint of ecology.” - John McConnell, “founder of Earth Day” as quoted from his website.

I must note the tendency for people to worship earth instead of earth’s creator. As far as these nature-worshipers go is to feel that god loves them if there is one. Mr. McConnell in his “77 Theses,” says in Thesis 67: “ That most conflict over religious and ideological beliefs have their roots in different hypotheses about the unknown. Does God exist? What is the nature or purpose of reality?” He says we must avoid such conflict by loving mother earth, Thesis 72: “That every adherent of ethics or religious faith should act as a responsible Trustee of Planet Earth: join the global Earth Trustee Effort and assist some Earth Care project.” He concludes:
“77. THEREFORE, LET US PLEDGE OUR LIVES AND FORTUNES TO AID THE GREAT TASK OF EARTH'S REJUVENATION, AND WITH CONFIDENCE AND FAITH, EACH DO OUR PART AS A TRUSTEE OF EARTH TO TAKE CHARGE AND TAKE CARE OF OUR PLANET.”

So, instead of worshiping God, whoever or whatever that might be, we should worship that which we do know, the planet earth. By this we might be worshiping the true god, who knows? This is merely one avenue for men to think they are gods themselves, and definitely in keeping with witchcraft’s traditions. If we read Romans 1, we see that worship of created things is totally against God, and he turns his wrath out upon those who exchange the proper use of the creation for their own lusts. He will even destroy this earth and those who worship it.

It is interesting that John received confirmation of his calling from the Northridge earthquake. He calls it an “omen of confirmation.” The Bible speaks of the earth and gods this way: “They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.” From Psalm 82.

Chris Simonson  5/01/05