The Power of the Local Church

Just wanted to take a moment and share some thoughts about the local church.  Many people have many different thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about the local church and it's role in society.  I want to be very clear, I am a local church guy.  I believe the local church is the hope of the world.  I am a part of a dynamic, spirit filled local church, The Life Church of Memphis.  This weekend my pastor asked a question during his sermon and it was this, when you think of the local church, what ideas, feelings, thoughts  surface in your mind and heart?

I'm sure many people have experienced many different experiences in their respective local church.  Some good, some bad, some memorable and some you simply want to forget.  There is no perfect church, but there should be life giving, warm, accepting environments where people feel connected and valued.

I was brought up in a very traditional church setting.  It was a small church, where we were truly like family.  While that had it's benefits, there was also downsides to that type of environment.  Without a doubt, I can say the local church has been a difference maker in my life.  When I think of the local church, many thoughts run across my mind, like the Summer I spent leading teenagers vacation bible school as a college student.  The old hymn that my grandmother would lead during Sunday morning devotions, even the week long revivals and the mourners bench.  The night my brothers and I gave our hearts and lives to Jesus Christ.  I am able to share those stories because I was a part of a powerful local church.

We live in a day were many people are skeptical, critical, and anti-church.  The reality is the church as a whole have a part to play with this attitude that's shared by so many people.  When we get back to the basics, the foundation of what the local church was intended to be, we will see revival in our cities, countries and world.

The only thing Jesus ever promised to build was the local church...its time for you to get plugged in!

The Coming Revolution Book Review

Dr. Richard Lee issues a clarion call to the citizens of this great country, the call is loud and clear it’s time to wake up, stand up, and speak up.  Dr. Lee parallels history with our current political, social, economic climate.  He uses past success and failures to script a plan of action for us today.  It has been stated before that if we don’t learn from history, then history will repeat itself.

I personally found this book to be eye opening, encouraging, and inspiring.  The author looks into recent movements such as the Tea Party and Occupy Movement, which gives readers insight into the true purpose and motives of both movements.  The reality is the main stream media has played a tremendous role in shaping the opinions and ideas of the American people as it relates to politics, in particular this current political climate.  As we stand on the brink of a critical election year, this book is not only extremely important but essential in setting inaccurate reporting straight and opening the eyes of the American voters as they compare and contrast presidential candidates. 

Historically, the great awakening is the moment in history when the American people awoke from their sleep and mobilized for freedom and liberty.  Dr. Lee suggests the same thing is happening with the tea party movement we see today.  “We the people” are awakening from our slumber and standing up for freedom.  The freedom with seek isn’t just for us, but it’s for our children and our great grandchildren.  While there are some who are ashamed of the success of our country, I’m not.  I realize that God has set this land as a beacon of  light for the entire world to see what can happen when free people are able to be free.

Note: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. Other than that, neither the publisher, author nor anyone connected to them offered any influence on the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are entirely my own.