Lifestyle

Foundations

 Every congregation has some form of government. Our church is a mix of democratic and staff led principles.

Grilled Greek chicken

Wheeler CowperthwaiteMeals with WheelsGrilling is the perfect way to spend the summer, so try this recipe for grilled Greek chicken Since summer is here,...

Survey Says

I received an email with a survey for evangelical pastors from a church curriculum provider the other day. In it, I was asked how often a Gospel presentation was offered at my church. Generally speaking, we offer an invitation to accept the Good News every Sunday. On occasion, there has been a Sunday where an invitation wasn’t offered to accept the message of Jesus. Church leaders can get fearful, maybe fearful is too strong of a word, of confronting non-church people (non-followers of Jesus) with the Gospel. There is pressure on pastors and church leaders to keep from running people off with the confrontational message about sin and our need for a Savior. Supposedly, many churches don’t even use terminology like “sin”, “salvation”, or “you must be born again”. The message of “love God and love people” (a critical message of Christianity) is typically what resonates with churches that are uncomfortable with evangelism. The survey I took brought up these types of concerns. I am nominally aware of the trends of churches and the concerns of pastors who do not wish to offend people due to the confrontational nature of Jesus’ message of forgiveness and transformation. The truth is, the Gospel message is confrontational. And, until a person can admit their sins and repent of those sins against God and then, by faith, believe in Jesus as the one God sent to die on our behalf, salvation isn’t possible. I accepted that message a long time ago and I am not ashamed of that message. I will continue to present it to anyone willing to consider it for it is the power of God for salvation (Rm 1:16). What are your thoughts? Are the concerns over the church’s invitation to respond to the Gospel at the end of a service merited? Why or why not? Email me at ty@fbcartesia.org and maybe we both can make sharing the Good News about Jesus easier and more effective. (FYI “Repent of your sins”: Mt 3:2, Rv 2:16, Mt. 4:17, Mk 1:15, Ac 2:38, Ac 3:19, Lk 13:3; “be born again” Mt 3:3, 2 Cr 5:17, Ez 36:26-27, Ti 3:5, 1 Pt 1:23, Rm 6:4, Ep 2:4-5, 1 Jn 5:1, Ja 1:18; “salvation” 2 Co 6:2, Rm 13:11)

What a country

I want to invite you to consider the phrase “The pursuit of happiness.”

Paid in Full

  In a few short words Paul said that our debt of sin has been paid in full by Jesus. 

What chance did he have?

In the early 1920’s Philo Farnsworth was working on a farm, plowing a straight line on a potato farm. His mind was far away, thinking about the possibility of transmitting moving pictures through the air.

For those facing everyday battles, there is hope in Jesus

One day a young father was shopping in a crowded super-market. His three-year old son was with him.

Yard of the Week

The yard transformation at 1605 Hermosa has been made in the last seven years by Daniel and Denise Idoy.

Romance of a Summer Picnic

What a forgotten treat a summer picnic is as well as being such a simple but deeply intimate gesture of care and love. Not just for sweethearts, but also a sweet surprise for your favorite lunch mate when one on one time comes at such a premium.

Artesia General opens medical assistant program

Artesia General Hospital (AGH) announced the next class for its Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Program, a nationally accredited nine-month hybrid training course through the AGH Advanced Learning Center. Designed to prepare students for healthcare environments, the program will begin September 2025, and is now accepting applications through Friday, July 3, 2025.

Rodriguez to lead wound care

Rodriguez leads a dedicated team of specialists in providing advanced, compassionate care to patients with chronic and non-healing wounds.

Earl Grey cookies flavored with tea and zest

Ever have one of those moments where something new fills you with a sense of awe?

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