<![CDATA[Church of Christ at Sioux Center, IA - Chatter Matter]]>Tue, 26 Apr 2022 13:01:04 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[When a Woman Becomes a Man]]>Sat, 31 May 2014 19:33:19 GMThttp://calledout.com/chatter-matter/when-a-woman-becomes-a-man
From the text of Deuteronomy 22:5 the nation of Israel is given command not to cross dress but to make clear distinction of their gender by what they put on. 

This literal manifestation of staying put, so to speak, in one's life role becomes a picture of what is expected from us in a spiritual way today. Churches today are confused as to how women dress for and implement their gender-specific role in worship, but we are expected by our gender to put on Christ so as to manifest a very specific placement in worship.

When we blur the lines of gender specific roles in our homes, in our behavior, or in our worship assembly, we portray the same queer image of the church as transvestites might manifest by their dress:  things which are against nature.  While transgender dressing is abhorrent, cross-dressing is desirable, if you get my drift.
]]><![CDATA[Game Night]]>Fri, 02 May 2014 23:52:32 GMThttp://calledout.com/chatter-matter/game-nightPicture
The game night this month was a horse of a different color.  Not your usual cards, movie, or table top event.  Everybody was jostled, juggled, and hopefully nobody felt too jilted by the games last Sunday afternoon.  There was a combination of games for teammates to show their strength of camaraderie as well as activities for individuals to boast their agility... Props go to Caleb and Pam as a team, also to Verlyn as the individual winner.  We all had such a super time.  What a blessing to have a building that provides for these events... even strange ones. 


The goal of these activities in my mind were very specific as opposed to other game-nights with an orientation towards outreach.  In a distinct manner, this special time was geared for our church members to get a little bit closer to one another through some cordial physical contact and team strategy.  You see, the tendency of the true church today is to emphasize the law above the spirit of worship.  In our culture, people have forgotten what it is to be citizens of a KING, and thus the need for the church to set the Law on a high pedestal and keep people from veering in independence from it.  But this stifles our spirit of worship and affection for one another.  These games forced a certain closeness in order to develop some needful feelings for one another through joint participation.  Jesus said "...this is how people will know that you are my disciples...that you have love for one another..." and that certainly included a deep compassion (feelings).

]]><![CDATA[Log-time at the Tabernacle]]>Sat, 19 Apr 2014 21:08:20 GMThttp://calledout.com/chatter-matter/log-time-at-the-tabernacle
“Behold, we perish, we are dying, we are all dying!” was the exasperations of Israel in the wilderness.  (Num. 17:12)  This was not among their usual complaints in response to their dismal, desert, surroundings; rather, this realistic threat was an awakening to their own terribly evil and rebellious hearts.  You see, they had caught an infectious plague as an outward sign of the dark poison coursing through their minds, and the rot that was found on their lips as they spoke against Moses.  Now they were dying, literally, keeling over by the thousands!

However, there was a solution offered and a sign performed to quell their own rebel heart attack.  A rod, a branch, was taken from each family represented in Israel and laid before the ark of testimony in the tabernacle.  These deadened sticks were then all returned the next day except Aaron’s whose rod budded into new life.  Now the people could “twig on” to the life found in the person who drives away the plague of rebellion (Num. 16:48)— this is none other than the high priest and family of priests who ever “log time” with the Lord in His tabernacle.  

For this Easter season, the hope of new life and reversal of the deadly plague is retold in the form of a rod, a fruitful staff, who is Jesus Christ; He will begin to bud in us a belief that will renew our faith.  It's log-time at the Tabernacle--the church of Christ--the house of God.
]]><![CDATA[The Perfect Gem]]>Sun, 02 Mar 2014 05:45:05 GMThttp://calledout.com/chatter-matter/theperfect-gem
In the text Exodus 28:15-21 consideration is given to part of the High Priest's attire--specifically the square cut of cloth that held precious stones of various colors and degrees of translucence.  

Now if one could ask, "What is the perfect Gem?" most likely the response would NOT be the KIND of gem, but more about how that particular gem was cut to reflect and refract the light.  This seems to be the case with those precious stones in the breastplate of the High Priest.  You see, the Urim and Thummim were God's divining tools of that day to give reply to Aaron and were placed behind the gems.  Urim and Thummim are the Hebrew terms that are interpreted as "Lights" and "Perfection."  As the perfect lights shone through the gems, it would be the brilliance and glory of each stone to refract and reflect a particular aspect of that light. 

Christian, we are those precious stones just as the names of God's people were etched on them long ago.  How do you show forth the true light of God?  What peculiar hint of beauty do you attribute to God's nature?  And how could you possibly shine out that light if you were not part of the gathered gems (the church) with the true Light in the midst?  Don't let your light fade, your value decrease, by isolating yourselves from God's assortment of precious stones of the church where the perfect Light resides.
]]><![CDATA[Christmas--Still in Season]]>Sat, 11 Jan 2014 21:46:13 GMThttp://calledout.com/chatter-matter/christmas-still-in-season
Heavenly messengers came one night to announce how the world of animalistic people could be nourished.  Their tune:  you will find a baby...lying in a manger.  But this night was one to be remembered; one for all time!

It is a truth that animal-like people will find holistic health to all things spiritual through a man who had his beginnings in Bethlehem of Judea.  

If you find an incurable wound in your heart, mind or soul, AT ANY TIME come to the manger of the Word of God located in the church--the house of bread (Beth-lehem) where the people praise God (of Judea).
]]><![CDATA[Digging up Dirt]]>Sun, 24 Nov 2013 05:21:56 GMThttp://calledout.com/chatter-matter/digging-up-dirt
From the text of Numbers 5:17 we learn that the tabernacle floor was inglorious and made of dust.  In every other direction one would look there were relics of magnificent beauty... as long as one didn't look down! 

In the Lord's church today, we must set our minds on things above, and fix our eyes on Jesus, and lift your head to your redemption.  God's house is made up of dusty earthen vessels, yet God desires us to see far more than a dirty old house. 

There is plenty to criticize even among the church of God, but then you are looking down instead of where your eyes should be.
]]><![CDATA[Thanksgiving]]>Sun, 10 Nov 2013 03:19:10 GMThttp://calledout.com/chatter-matter/thanksgiving

Record a Blessing in the comments for the church to read
Enter His gates with thanksgiving.      
                                        -Psalms100:4
What a great holiday!  Aside from titillating foods, there is focus on family and outreach to others.  Yet in the midst of joy and bountiful harvest, take note that giving thanks is more than a day to commemorate in our national history.  It does us well to flatly point out that a person depraved of this generous attitude simply will NOT enter into the courts of heaven.  The complainers in the wilderness prove this to be true.  God is disgusted with grumbling.  It is a person who is introverted and self serving who grumbles & complains.  So why not spend a full day reminding ourselves to be thankful?
]]><![CDATA[A Tiny Tabernacle]]>Sat, 09 Nov 2013 03:22:15 GMThttp://calledout.com/chatter-matter/a-tiny-tabernacle
From the text of Exodus 12:37 we read that 600,000 men on foot exited Egypt.  This number didn't include women, infants, children, and a mixed multitude (meaning a whole lot of other people).  Without too much exaggeration, three million people could have left Egypt that day.  Yet, the tent which God chose to dwell in among them was conservatively 150 ft x 75 ft. 

That amount of floor space is miniscule considering the number of people it was to serve.  It's as if God knew that at any given moment in time, even among His own people, there would not be all that many coming to worship Him from their tents or seek Him out in their day.
]]><![CDATA[Church Chatter Forum:  Oct. 6th - 23rd]]>Mon, 07 Oct 2013 05:01:24 GMThttp://calledout.com/chatter-matter/church-chatter-forum-oct-6th-23rd
Church Chatter Forum
Brethren, "whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely," and moreover, " whatever is of good report, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise...dwell on these things."  Tell us some good news you have learned or received  this week by adding your comments below that we may have FELLOWSHIP with you.
]]><![CDATA[October 04th, 2013]]>Fri, 04 Oct 2013 19:28:04 GMThttp://calledout.com/chatter-matter/october-04th-2013
From the text of Philippians 4:8 we learn the importance of implementing good reports in our families and churches. 

Good "chatter matter" was a practice of the early church and it continues to have a crucial ethical value to us even now.  It is the energy source that will revive a stale work of God. 

Good words should proceed from our mouths, not only as we speak, but also by strategic speech.  In other words, we need to plan on bringing good news to the table.
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