I've found this kind of series (Lies We Believe) to be a really useful tool. Sometimes I phrase it more positively, like, "The Truth Is Better than We Thought."

I remember you preached this the day before VBS (our biggest program) started - that juxtaposition made me carefully consider my motives and opened my heart to why I can't just run on autopilot and make sure it's love that makes me tick, not just being "wound up"

Programs, rather than 'being', places our confidence in 'us', rather than in Him in us. The uninterupted presence of God in us is the most powerful and universally acceptable witness for Christ. Programs simply represent the power of man unwilling to trust in the indwelling of God. A really pathetic and God unhonoring substitute.

Enjoyed this very much until about 10:40 into it... video and audio drops out.

Shawn,

That is odd.

We loaded it up again. Give it a try. Not sure what happened.

Ed

Great challenge, Ed. It's true that a 'big and busy' church is not necessarily a great church. I've heard it said, "beware of the barrenness of a busy life. Beware also of the busyness of a barren life" (is it just as true if we changed the word 'life' to 'church'?).

thanks Ed

patrick