Facebookers: click through for the video.  Tim Chester talks about his new book that takes the biblical principles in You Can Change (the book we are currently using in Theology Lab) and applies them specifically to the issue of porn addiction.  Right now, you can pre-order the book for about 7 bucks (free shipping) - it will be out in two weeks.

Last but not in any way least, we are about his Church! Christ loves his church, so much so that he gave himself for her. Often people like to think about his church as being all Christians and forgetting the local church. But biblically and logically we can see that the church (All believers) is made up of churches (communities of believers). 1 John teaches us clearly that if we don’t love the church, we ought to question if we truly love God. 

Tonight at Kaleo and many mornings at FBC, I am reminded of how great a blessing it is to be a member in a local church. The blessings of accountability, teaching, training, truly being able to carry out the “one another” commandments of scripture to list a few. But tonight I was thankful for love that comes from being part of a church family.

After worship I was thinking how much I love to sing to the Lord (something I never loved or did for that matter before I truly joined Christian community). I was thinking how much I love to sing with my church family. It is not because Josh is a great vocalist (thought I believe he is) nor is it that the band is very talented (though I believe they are) but it is because they are the taste my church, my family has grown to love.

I thought of this analogy of the blessings of family. Many would prefer the cooking of our own mother to that of anyone else. Even as we grow we find her cooking, even if we have experienced better somewhere else, to be as loved and familiar taste.  We enjoy dinners with our families, we love the flavors not only of the food but also of the fellowship, and what draws us to that table of fellowship is not the taste of the food. It is the sweetness, the safety and the comfort of the fellowship found at that table.

To seek a church based only on the “taste” or preference of Music, or show, is to choose company based only on the food at the table. I pity the many that are seeking to find the tastiest morsels of music or style and are missing the true sweetness of family and fellowship to the Glory of God.  I am thankful God has blessed us with a church.

Go here to buy the song or the video. All proceeds from the sale of this song and video will be given away. Donations are going to Churches Helping Churches for their work in helping the local church in Haiti provide relief to their communities.

Decide to abandon retirement as the reward of your life (Facebookers click through).

Driscoll's sermon on Haiti after spending some time there last week (Facebookers click through).

To give to the physical needs and the spread of the Gospel in Haiti we have been giving to Children's Hunger Fund.  Churches Helping Churches is also highly recommended.

Giving is contagious. When I heard how much was collect for Haiti at Kaleo last week, I thought to myself, "well, I can give more!"

I bet I'm not the only one that would like to give more after seeing pictures like these and hearing of the great generosity of other Kaleoites. It's a great example of how we can "stir up one another to love and good works".

So this Sunday we're going to raise more money for Haiti and we'll look at three example of radical giving from Scripture.

No guilt, just a chance to be inspired by the giving others and have another opportunity to give as a body.

It's good to be the Church with you all!

Erick.