"Are you a Cards or Cats Fan?"

In this part of the country when you ask that question (Are you a Cards or Cats Fan?) most people would think you are talking about the University of Louisville (Cards) or the University of Kentucky (Cats), but in that case it has nothing to do with either school. The question has to deal with your understanding of Christ and the role the church plays in your life. Of course both "Cards" and "Cats" are actually acronym words.

The acronym for Cards is Christ Always Redeems Dry Spirit! It is our faith in Jesus Christ that helps us get through the most difficult times in our lives. We all have times when Christ seems so far away from us, but in reality he is always with us. Everyday we need to take time out and pray...not some formal prayer, but more of a conversational prayer. It can be as little as, "Lord please be with me today" or "Lord I need your help." Both of those statements are prayers and it will help us feel his presence more readily.

The acronym for Cats is Churches Alter The Spirit and the can be a positive or negative experience. I pray that as pastor of Speed Memorial Church that the only altering effect I have on a person is that they come to accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior. But I realize that some ministers have a negative effect on their congregation and I believe that comes from their attitude that they are the most important person in the church...and nothing could be further from the truth! I wrote an article several years back for the International Council of Community Churches (I.C.C.C.) entitled, "I Am Only Temporary!" In the article I stated that "as a pastor I will either move on, die or retire and no man or woman is greater then the body of Christ." I also stated that the "body of Christ" (the church) will continue far after the pastor leaves because the "body is constant."

So is it Christ that moves you everyday or is it your experience in the church that leads you? If you want to continue to have your faith make sure it is Christ...in your life and in the church that moves you forward. Remember, no matter where you feel Christ in your life..."I (you) can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (you)." Philippians 4:13