How Women Are Treated In Churches

I have always wondered do we treat women as second class Christians. Paul tells us that there is "neither male or female for we are all one in Christ Jesus." Do we believe that as believers and church leaders? I believe it is so important that we treat women with respect and allow them to use the talents and abilities that God has given them to do. I believe that many times churches hinder and put limits on the talents, abilities, and roles that God and His Holy Spirit has put in them. Women played a vital role in the N.T. Church. I believe they play a vital role in the 21st century church as well. Women have so much to give to the church and the work of the Kingdom as well.

How do you feel that the church treats women? How does your church treat women? Do you as women feel as second class Christians? Why? What can the church do to change this? Does it need to change the way it allows women to use their gifts and talents and in what ways? Why do some churches put limits on what women can and can't do? Should they? Why or why not? What talents and gifts do you see women using in your church for the Kingdom of God? As a women what do you think you can add to the kingdom? As churches what can we do to make women feel special and an important part of the body of Christ?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Nit-picking the Word of God

I believe the entire inspired word of God. I don't pick one version over another. The questions I have today are: Do we nit-pick the Bible? Do we fight over words? Do we as believer pick and choose what we want to do and not do or even what is doctrine? Should we do this? What problems can occur when we do this? What problems have you seen in your own church because of picking and choosing what we believe? Do and can opinions become as authoritative as the inspired word? What happens when we let our opinions dominate doctrine? How can this hurt the church?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts?

Facebook

I finally did it!
I am now on facebook.
Look me up: Kinney Mabry
If you would like to follow my facebook page you can sign up as a friend.
I will have daily comments, thoughts, discussions.

I will continue my blogging here as well.
I just feel God has given me this opportunity to minister in this particular way.

Hope Vs. Hopeless

"There are no hopeless situations; there are only men who have gown hopless about them." Clare booth Luce, American Playwright

"Hold you head high, stick your chest out. You can make it. It gets dark sometimes bt morning comes...Keep hope alive." Jesse Jackson

"We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope." Martin Luther King



Hope. Hopeless. Do we have hope? What is life like without hope? It is hopeless. Yet as believer you and I have a hope that can never perish. Peter writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heave for you.".
1 Peter 1:3-4 NAS. Thanks be to God that we have hope! Imagine life without God. Hopeless. Doing things by our own might and will is what the world is all about. Yet, we as believe have hope. We have a God who can do all things through us as stated by the apostle Paul. Why is it though that many believers live day to day feeling hopeless? Take heart we have overcome the world through Jesus Christ. We have God with us, who loves us and is for us in every way! Put your trust in God today and understand the living hope you have through Jesus Christ. You are special. You are loved. You are chosen. You are created to make a difference in the world. You have purpose. Praise God today for the living hope. Don't be hopeless. Be hopeful always! Things may be difficult now but God will give you the hope you need in the circumstance in which you are faced with. Isn't that wonderful?

The questions I have for discussion: Why do may believers live hopelessly everyday? What message does that send to the world? How does that effect the church? What can we do to living hopefully in every situation in life? How have you put your hope in God and what has been the outcome? Have you seen God work through what you have seen as hopeless situations? How does that effect your faith? Why is hope so important?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Will The World End in 2012?

Nostradamus and others have predicted that the world will end in 2012. The Mayan calendar also runs out on Dec. 21st, 2012. The movie 2012 comes out this month and is about the prophecies of 2012. Will WWIII and a possible comet hit earth in 2012? Many believe so.

"And as he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples said to Him privately, "Tell us when will these things and what willl be the sign of Your comming, and of the end of the age"? And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ', and will mislead many. And you be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for these things must take place; bt that it is not yet the end "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But these things are merely birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you. And at that time many will fallaway and will deliver up one anther and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. And becuase lawlessness is incread, most people's love will grow cold. But one who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preach in the whole world for a witness to all nations and then the end will come. There for when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken through Daniel the prophet, in the holy place - let the reader understand;then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let him who is on the housetop not go down to get the things out that are in his house; and let him who is in the field turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days! But pray that your flight may not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath; for then there will be a great tribulation, such has not occured since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall! And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved, but for the sake of the elect those days shall be cut short. Then if anyone says to you: Behold, here is the Christ or look there He is.' do not believe him. For false christ and prophets will ariase and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance. If therefore you say, Behold, He is in the wilders.' do not go forth or Behold, He is in the inner rooms, do not believe them. For just as lightening come from the east and flashes to the west, so shall be the coming of the Son of Man. Whever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. But immediately after the tribulation of those days,
The Sun will be darkened
And the Moon will not give light
And the Stars will fall from the sky
And the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
and then the sign of the Son ofMan will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the S0n of Man coming on the cleads of the sky with power and great glory. And he will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and will gather together his elect from the four winds from one end of the sky to the other." Matthew 24

Some believers think this isn't telling us what things will be like before he returns, yet other do.
Is this just myth or is this how it will be? Will this take place in 2012?
What does this mean? Will the world come to an end in 2012? What do you think? Do you believe any of the prophecies of Nostradamus and others about others? How should this effect us as believers? Should it change our message and focus? Should we be talking about the end more and stressing repentance? Jesus mentions that after the whole world has heard the good news of the gospel then he will come. With the internet, television, radio, mass production of the Bible in new languages, mass transportation and missionaries, have we reached the whole world with the gospel? Are we close?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Ministers Dealing With Depression & Suicide?

Ministers, pastors and other clergy have the most challenging and stressful jobs that anyone can have in life. The expectations that are placed on them can be often times unrealistic to meet. Even though I loved being a minister I found it extremely difficult as these unrealistic expectation were placed on me as well as my family. I found myself often abused by those that I was trying to serve. I was burned out, depressed, delt with anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. Minister have a harder time dealing with depression and anxiety because of their positions. They often feel as if they can't tell anyone how they are feeling. In doing so can sometimes even cost them their ministry positions in the churches that they pastor. Where do they turn? If they share their thoughts with members, elders, or others in their church it can cost them. If they share their thoughts and feelings online it could cost them if someone reads what they feel unless it is a blog with security protection. I am going to try to start a blog that will help ministers share their experiences, frustrations, anxieties and depression that they might have. It will be security protected with only passwords that they will be able to recieve. It is my way of helping those in ministry.

There is a great article from USAToday on this very topic.
www.USAToday.com/news/religion/2009-10-28-pastor_suicides_N.htm


I ask everyone to read.

Why do ministers suffer from depression and thoughts of suicide? Why can't they turn to others for help? Do congregations place unrealistic expectations on ministers and their families? Why? Should congregations allow ministers and pastors to do their jobs? Have you felt this way as a minister? Why is the job so stressful? What can be done to help ministers and thier families? What have you seen done to help ministers and their families? Have you had ministers leave your church frequently? What expectations has your congregation placed on it's ministry staff? What is your church doing to make sure your minister and families are taken care of? What can your congregation do differently? As ministers what would you like to see done?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

We Are "ALL" One In Christ Part 3: Answering The Prayer of Jesus!

The prayer of Jesus in the garden always amazes me. As he is about to go through the most horrible death possible he thinks of and prayers for future believers. May we listen, meditate on, and let these words move us to action! "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who wil believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:20-24

"May they be brought to complete unity." Jesus

What is it going to take for all believers to be brought to complete unity? Can we be brought to complete unity? Is it possible for us to answer the prayer of Jesus? What message does it send to the world when believers aren't unified? Do they see the love without unity? Jesus states that the reason for unity is to let the world know that God sent him and have loved them even as you have love the son; so what is the importance of our unity? Do we hear enough sermons and classes on unity? Is it stressed enough, too little, or not enough? What can your church do to bring about unity? What is your church doing to bring about unity? What can each believer do to bring about unity?

My prayer is that of Jesus, that we will be one as He and the father are one. I pray that we will be brought to complete unity. God help all of us as believers to answer your Son's prayer!!

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

We Are "ALL" One In Christ Part 2: Challenge For The Restoration Movement

Christians only. Not the only Christians!
Motto of the Restoration Movement????

The Restoration Movement was a movement of unity. It has changed so much over the years. Churches are splitting not over matters of essential doctrinal issues but over opinions and lack of what they think should be "uniformity". Jesus tells about a kingdom divided within itself will not stand." The same goes for any church that is divided within itself cannot stand! In order for us to strive and thrive in the 21st century we must be united within first. We cannot share commonality with other believers if we are fussing, fighting and destroying each other. Jesus prayed for us to be ONE. One with all believers. One in faith, one in love and one in hope. These I believe are the key essential doctrines of the Christian faith. Faith, Hope and Love. The greatest of these essential doctrines is love! Without love everything we do means nothing!

Listen to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1-ff, "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing! And if I give all my possessions to the poor, and if I deliver my to be burned, but do not have love, it profits nothing! Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous, love does not brag and is not arrogant, and does not act unbecomingly, it odes not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.' Vs. 13, "But now abide: faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." NASV

Do we focus on the petty non-essentials of faith? Our differences? Get mad and hate because things don't go our way or do we set our differences aside for the sake of love? If we have not love everything we do means nothing. The way we sing, the way we do worship every Sunday, the ideas and opinions on what we think is dogma or doctrine means nothing! Is pointless and meaningless if we have not love.

Can we set aside our difference and find unity with all believers within the Restoration Movement? Can we find and celebrate our similarity on the key, essential doctrines of all Christian faiths:
1.Faith in Christ
2.Hope that He Promises Everyone
3.LOVE
The greatest of these love!

Ministers, elders, deacons, all believers the time is now to start striving and focusing on unity! It is time to start preaching it from our pulpits, teaching it in our classes, practicing it in small groups, living and striving for it in all aspects of our life and faith. May we be know as a people who loves and accepts all believers. May we be known for our authenticity of grace through Christ Jesus. God help us not to confuse "uniformity" with "unity"! May we be Christians Only. Not the only Christians!

What will it take for the Restoration Movement to be a movement of unity once again? Can those within the Restoration Movement set aside differences for the sake of unity within its own fellowship? Can we set aside our difference for the sake of unity with all believers of the Christian faith? What do you think about the they key essential doctrines that I list? Have you thought of them as doctrines before? Have we focused and practiced them the way we should or have we focused on more non-essentials? Is it time to stop focusing on what is essential and what is not for the sake of these three essential doctrines and unity? Is your church striving for unity with other believers within the Restoration Movement or believers of all Christian ? Does your church accept all believers? What does it say when a group is exclusive or isn't willing to fellowship with others? How can your church be known for its unity? How far are you willing to go for the sake of unity? How can you personally make a difference?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.