To twitter or not to twitter

That is indeed the question. I've answer it for now. I am twittering. For some of you twitter is a familiar word. For others it is new.

Here is the statement from twitter.com web site related to the purpose of this somewhat new technology:
Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

In layman's terms it means intermittently throughout the day, I will "twitter" what I am doing at that moment. What I am thinking or doing at that moment. Now, I will warn you, I have followed a couple of twitters for several weeks. It can be funny. It can be informative. It can be downright silly at times. It can even be annoying. You can sign up by going to the twitter website here. You can have the twitter sent to your web only. Or you can have it sent to your mobile phone as well as the web. It will come in as a text message. For those that follow my facebook page, my status will now be updated via twitter ... I think (at least I tried to set that up).

I will be learning to send photos via twitter when I get my email fixed on my blackberry. So from time to time you will get a candid shot with comments. It's still new technology to me so I will be learning for a few days.

One more thing. When you sign on and search for me under my name. There are currently four Mark Marshalls (who knew?). Mine is mxmarsh.

Why do I feel between facebook, the blog, ClearView's site, and now twitter I am walking into the heart of the Matrix. If you like communication and information, here it is :-).

Two great Sundays

The past two Sundays were just incredible at ClearView. When we had over 1540 in worship August 10, I wondered if we could better that on the 17th. Well, we hit over 1570 in worship on the 17th. Wow! These are record breaking back to back Sundays. The only time we have had larger crowds has been Christmas and Easter. We have never had two weeks back to back like this. I am so grateful for all God is doing. More than the numbers in worship have been the numbers responding that they wish to become members of CV and / or know more about a relationship with Christ. We had several families and individuals respond via the famous "tear offs" over the past few weeks.

If you are reading this as a member of CV I need your help. We have a couple of wing sections of seats down front near the stage. Maybe you could talk 10 or 12 of your closest friends to join you in sitting in them. I know, I'm asking a lot of my favorite people (my blog readers :-)). Really, I won't call on you or spit on you if you choose to sit down front.

Also, we definitely went over time this past Sunday during the first service which created a MAJOR bottleneck in the hallways. We will aim at getting out much earlier this week and eliminate this problem. Please spread the word.

If you get this before tomorrow night (Wednesday night) we think we have solved our space challenges we have encountered on Wednesday nights. Who would have ever thought we would have space issues on Wednesdays. You guys are awesome!!! I can't wait to see you tomorrow night!

I know it's only preseason ...

But it is still nice to see the Bulldogs on top ... click. Let's see if they can hang on all year.

Hunker down you hairy dogs!

A Day of Gratitude

While it is true that we should maintain an attitude of gratitude at all times, today was a day when I just seemed to be especially grateful. There was an old hymn we sang in church when I was growing up: "Count your many blessings, name them one by one". Here are some of the thoughts I have been flooded with today.

1. God's patience with my frailty.

2. A wife who love's me more than I deserve.

3. Two daughters who have somehow turned out with a heart for taking the gospel to the nations ... despite my imperfections as a parent.

4. A church with a desire for God's Word and a growing heart for those around us without Christ.

5. A church that loves each other, my family, and me.

6. A beutiful view from my house.

7. Relatively cool weather in August.

8. God's faithfulness each week in my time of preparation.

9. Health.

10. Dark chocolate (sorry ... couldn't be serious all the way through ... but I am grateful).

Your turn ...

Baptism - What is it and why does it matter?

Since New Testament times baptism has been central to the corporate life and the individual identity of those who call themselves Christ followers. Bring up the subject of baptism with people of various denominations and you get a variety of opinions and beliefs. Some believe baptism is required for salvation. Some do not. Some believe infants should be baptized. Some do not. There are various opinions about the mode of baptism (sprinkle vs. immersion). So, does any of it matter?

So, what does The Bible say? How should we think about this?

We need to get this most important point on the table as we begin. Baptism does not save us. Faith alone in Christ alone brings salvation.

8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. Eph 2:8-9 (HCSB)

Baptism is identification and union with Christ. When we embrace Christ as our savior, He did not make us a little bit better or a little bit cleaner. He made us a new person! A change like that deserves a bold public declaration. Baptism highlights that there has been a radical change of life. The symbolism (with immersion) is that of turning from our former way of life (dying to self) and a turning to a new way of life (in Christ). It is a clear marking of our faith step in trusting Christ alone for our salvation. Jesus Christ died, was buried, and resurrected in order for you and me to know forgiveness and eternal life. The symbolism is clear that we acknowledge that truth along with our own life transformation.

Christ Himself was baptized to mark the beginning of His earthly ministry.

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to stop Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?” 15 Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him [to be baptized] . 16 After Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water. Matt 3:13-16 (HCSB)

Christ commanded that we be baptized and that we baptize those who join us in faith.

19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. Matt 28:19-20 (HCSB)

Putting the two statements above has always made me wonder how someone could put their faith in Christ for eternal salvation, but choose not to follow His clear example and command to do as He had done.

Baptism also identifies us with others who have also embraced Christ.

12 For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body
1 Cor 12:12-13 (HCSB)

The focus of baptism is identification with Christ and a bold testimony of our new life in Him as stated above. But this verse clearly states that we are secondarily baptized into a body. What body? The body of Christ ... the church. When compared with other New Testament scripture it is clear that this baptism is administered by the visible expression of the body of Christ ... the local church. Yes, there were exceptions in Acts, such as the Ethiopian Eunoch, however, exceptions can never define the boundary. Keep in mind the Book of Acts is written about a time of massive transitions. The Church was just coming into focus.

The New Testament has no concept of an unbaptized believer. They simply could not conceive of such.

This post is a follow up to a message preached August 10. You can hear it hear.