What Is In a Name? Part I

There are many reasons why churches* choose their name. Some want to stand out from the “competition.” Some simply are fulfilling a legal requirement for government forms. Sometimes churches choose a name to identify a particular bent, doctrine, or attribute that they want their church to be known for.

I have seen some different at best and down right strange at worst names for churches. I have also, like many of you, come across some weird names on the internet.

For December, I want to take each Friday and share some of these strange and different names. These names are not all original with me. I have taken them from various sites. I simply hope you can enjoy them and chuckle with me, (even if you shake your head in disbelief or bewilderment.)

Note: These name are not made up. They have been verified from church directories. Some stuff you just can’t make up!

"Cool" Churches: ("I would that thou were cold…" Rev. 3:15)

Yoe Christ United Methodist Church

Yoe, PA

Coolville United Methodist Church

Coolville, OH

Grooverville United Methodist Church

Boston, GA

McCool United Methodist Church

McCool, MS

McCool Junction United Methodist Church

McCool, NE

North Pole Church of God

Fairbanks, AK

Penguin Baptist Church

Penguin, Tas., Australia.

Arctic Circle Baptist Church

Fort Yukon, AK

Snow United Methodist Church

Lowell, MI

Glacier Way United Methodist Church

Detroit, MI

Coldwater United Methodist Church

Coldwater, MI

Snow Shoe United Methodist Church

Cent. Pa. 

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* Please note that believing one is a church, organizing as a church, or having the name "church" does not make an organization a church. This fun look at various names does not give any endorsement to any of these organizations. You must use discretion, wisdom, and New Testament truth to consider any organization a church, especially if you were to consider worshipping or fellowshipping with such organization.

Warning: Wolf in "Casual" Shepherd's Clothing

I have never posted any article or video this lengthy. However, I feel this video is well worth watching. Actually, I think it is a "must watch" video. 

As a shepherd (pastor) I have a responsibility of not only feeding the sheep, but watching, guarding, and protecting the sheep. One of the most dangerous things that a pastor must guard people against is a false gospel. False gospel's dam souls to hell. Most false gospels do not come labeled: "Warning Will Robinson - False Gospel ahead!"

False gospels are usually very insipid. They are up to 99% true with 1% or so error. It is that small insipid error that first, makes it a false gospel and second, provides no true salvation. His casual Hawaiian shirt doesn't make his message any less venomous. Casual or formal shepherd's attire doesn't mask false doctrine.

Romans 16:17 says, "I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them." (ESV)

Galatians 1:8-9 says, "...even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." (ESV)

Good and/or honorable intentions aside, Rick Warren preaches "another gospel." His gospel is void of repentance. His gospel is void of turning from sin and turning in faith to Christ to walk in a new life.

This video is a great "eye-opener" for those who have been and are sucked in by Warren's charisma and his "purpose driven drivel." If the Robot from Lost in Space were available, he would no doubt exclaim... 

Warning: Wolf in Shepherd's Clothing!

Some Suggestions for Your Prayer List

Sometimes we wonder how or what to pray for ourselves. Unfortunately, most believers treat God like a genie in a bottle when it comes to their prayer closet. Some prayer meetings sound like Major Nelson asking Jeannie for three wishes rather than asking their heavenly Father for the things that they need to honor, make much of God, obey God and for their growth. They focus on physical or material things. Here are some things to add to your prayer list.

Father, by your grace, please keep me mindful of...

• the grace that drew me to Christ
• the blood that cleanses me from all sin
• the righteousness that justifies me and governs me
• the truth that continually sanctifies me

and Father, by that same grace, please keep me from...

• obscuring your truth
• injuring your people
• distorting your name
• grieving your Holy Spirit
• blaspheming your dear Son
• failing to serve obediently

Dear Lord, Please Help Me...

Over the last forty (40) years I have written a number of quotes, comments, pithy sayings, and poems in the fly-leafs of my bibles. Each Tuesday I am going to share those various entries from my bibles with you. I hope they will be as much of blessing to you as they have been to me. Sometimes I will be able to give credit where credit is due and sometimes I won’t be able to credit the source. I apologize for this to each one who contributed these gems over the last forty (40) years.

TODAY'S TREASURE:

Dear Lord, Please Help Me...

• hate and forsake every false and evil way
• truly know my own condition and character
• to bridle my unruly, murderous tongue
• to keep my heart with all diligence
• to watch and pray against temptation
• to diligently and violently mortify sin
• to be concerned about the salvation of others

An Answer to the Soul of a Convict

Porter Wagoner recorded this song in 1960. In this song he tried to take a novel idea about God giving ill-treated convicts a reprieve from hell. Great humanism but not biblical truth. I like the song and it dawned me that I could answer this song. The following composition was written in one sitting with no editing or revision by myself to answer his query. 

An Answer to the Soul of a Convict
written by Gregg Metcalf

Soul of a Convict – Performed by Porter Waggoner

Answer to Soul of a Convict – Written by Gregg Metcalf

Just like you Mr. Wagoner I was taught the bible at my mother’s knee

When we finished all the reading she would teach me how to pray

She told me about God’s goodness and all about the devil’s way

So I hope you will let me answer your question, for this is my plea

Yes, there is good in the bad and there’s some bad in the good

And there is no question that every man has been affected by sin

But I can answer your questions about those who die in the pen

when death knocks at their door dressed in his dark black hood

I could never imagine that I am God almighty gazing at these men

Even when their life is over and they are finally freed from the pen

I think that God who is true and just can look from his heavenly throne

And be pleased to see men placed in chains and stripes

Tucked away from their love ones at home

God is a just God who requires payment for crimes that men have done

No man for a minute would ever think that prison could ever be fun

I agree no one should be worked like a dog or be fed like a hog or chained

No man should suffer beatings or tortures that leave good men maimed

I am sure you could tell us many stories that would make a man sick

And I know that men are still beaten and many times still take a lick

Although God is a loving God full of mercy He’d neither sneer nor frown

At men treated so badly but Mr. Wagoner please don’t turn things around

You are right there is a heaven and there is a hell and its God we trust

And although you fret and worry God will always be just

Don’t be mistaken about meeting God on those golden stairs

Hell is meant for the soul that sins and it doesn’t matter where

If a man never repents it doesn’t matter if he was in the pen

No man can pay the debt of sin nor pay the price for men

And some men are born to trouble that I could never explain

Underdogs or not men from the pen will suffer just the same

Mr. Wagoner it’s not a question of will God make a man pay twice

No man will be able to stand on judgment day and hand God a price

Sin’s debt must be paid by the shedding of blood that God will receive

It doesn’t matter what you think or what you have come to believe 

On that judgment day when God calls that convict I think must be you

He will not say that you had your hell while in the pen, no that’s not true

If you want to save the soul of a convict, forget what you think or hope

Give way to God’s Son or you will perish on hell’s slippery slope

To Welcome or Not To Welcome?

Unlike one or two of his predecessors, if there were celebrities in the congregation he neither knew nor cared. He was there to worship God and never raised his eyes from his hymn book. The idea that the minister should smile benignly at the people, or make them "feel welcome" with some words of social greeting, was foreign to his whole conception of the grandeur of Christian Worship. If the church were the minister's home and the people his guests, then, he argued, it would be permissible to say, 'Good morning folks; nice to see you, how good of you to come,' but he regarded that whole approach as wrong; 'It is not our service; the people do not come there to see us or please us...They, and we, are there to worship God, and to meet with God. A minister in a church is not like a man inviting people into his home; he is not in charge here. He is just a servant himself.'

Taken from 

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Fight of Faith, 1939-1981

Iain H. Murray, p. 254

Saturdays with Spurgeon #17

"There are, in truth, but two denominations upon this earth: the Church and the world--those who are justified in Christ Jesus and those who are condemned in their sins."

--Charles H Spurgeon

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Happy 81st birthday today to my wonderful father,

Glenn F. Metcalf, of Modesto, CA

Born:  December 1, 1931 in Guymon, OK

Raised:  Oklahoma City, OK

Married:  June 7, 1953 (Evelyn L. Reed)

Children:  5 - two boys, three girls 

(Gregory D.; Donna G.; Nancy K.; Craig L.; LeeAnn E.)

Grandchildren:  14

Great Grandchildren:  8

Retired:  San Jose Mercury News - District Manager

Hobbies:  Golf, Bowling, Computer, Crocheting

Loves the Sooners and the San Francisco 49ers (Joe Montana)