The Branch Church

Cymbala's Excerpt Of Love - Still Relevant to The Church

“One Sunday about 20 yrs ago, back in our days in the YWCA, I said something impromptu while receiving new members into the church that has stuck with us ever since.  People were standing in a row across the front before me, and as I spoke, the holy spirit seemed to prompt me to add, ‘And now, I charge you, as pastor of this church, that if you ever hear another member speak an unkind word of criticism or slander against anyone – myself, another pastor, an usher, a choir member, or anyone else – you have the authority to stop that person in mid sentence and say, ‘Excuse me - Who hurt you? Who ignored you? Who slighted you? Was it Pastor Cymbala? Let’s go to his office right now. He will get on his knees and apologize, and then we’ll pray together, so God can restore peace to this body.  But we will not let you talk critically about people who are not present to defend themselves.’”

“New members, please understand that I am entirely serious about this.  I want you to help resolve this kind of thing immediately and meanwhile, know this: If you are ever the one doing the loose talking we will confront you.’”

“To this very day, every time we receive new members, I say much the same thing. It is always a solemn moment. That is because I know what most easily destroys churches. It is not crack cocaine. It is not government oppression.   It is not even a lack of funds.  Rather, it is gossip and slander that grieves the Holy Spirit.”

“People nod their heads with understanding, and as a result rumor and busy body talk are kept to a minimum.  We have had to confront a few people along the way, of course, but the general concern to live with clean hearts and clean speech before the Lord prevents many problems from ever getting started.”

“I’ll never talk about you, until I’ve talked to you. Then I’ll only talk for you, and never against you.” – Anonymous

The Lion, The Lamb, and The Marines

Excerpt from Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper:

"The Lion of Judah conquered because He was willing to act the part of a Lamb. He came into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday like a king on the way to a throne, and He went out of Jerusalem on Good Friday like a lamb on the way to the slaughter. He drove out the robbers from the Temple like a lion devouring its prey. And then at the end of the week He gave His majestic neck to the knife, and they slaughtered the Lion of Judah like a sacrificial lamb.

"So Christ is a lamb-like Lion and a lion-like Lamb. That is His glory - 'An admirable conjucntion of diverse excellencies.'

"This glorious conjunction shines all the brighter because it corresponds perfectly with our personal weariness and longing for greatness [and purpose].  Jesus said, 'Come to Me, all who are labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart' (Matthew 11:28-29). The lamb-like gentleness and humily of this Lion woos us in our weariness. And we love Him for it. If He only recrutied like the Marines, who want strength, we would despair of coming."

Why Books in the Margins?

I haven't done a good job of keeping up on my blog over the years. However, during the ebbs and flows of writing, I have liked the ability to provide links to books I'm reading or have read. I don't provide these links to show that I am well-read or seem pious in any way. In fact, this year proves I've been a lousy reader.

The reason I provide the links is that I feel good books by proven Christian authors and leaders can be a great study tool to aid in reading the bible. While I agree with those who have said the greatest book we can ever read is the bible, I have found that when I am inspired by a good book (a work I believe to be of the Holy Spirit), I read the bible more. Usually there are great references and excerpts that are direct quotes from God's word that make me want to follow up or do some digging on my own. In addition to that, I feel like reading a good book wakes my brain up, and then I get more out of the word of God.

There isn't an exact formula to it, but I provide the links, essentially, in the hopes that others might find a book title that intrigues them, follow up on it, and start reading it themselves.