What not to say and what to say

I'm always learning something from Tom Rainer. Today, on his blog, he shared a few things we should say when we meet guests at our church gatherings and a few things we should not say to guests. Let's only say the things we should say.

The seven things you SHOULD say to guests are:

1. “Thank you for being here.”
2. “Let me help you with that.”
3. “Please take my seat.”
4. “Here is my email address. Please let me know if I can help in any way.”
5. “Can I show you where you need to go?”
6. “Let me introduce you to ___________.”
7. “Would you join us for lunch?”

The ten things you SHOULD NOT say to guests are:

1. “You are sitting in my pew/seat.”
2. “Is your husband/wife with you?”
3. “Are those your children?”
4. “The service has already begun.”
5. “There is not enough room for your family to sit together.”
6. “You will need to step over these people to get to your seat.” 
7. “That’s not the way we do it here.” 
8. “You don’t look like you are a member here.” 
9. “Have you considered attending the church down the street?”
10. “The nursery is real full.”

The Great Omission

A couple of weeks ago I finished an incredible book: The Great Omission by Dallas Willard. I love the writings of Dallas Willard. He will make you think. This book is a collection of articles and lectures of his. It's worth reading.

There were two lines that are repeated over and over again in the book. I keep thinking about them and wanted to share.

Here's the first: Salvation is opposed to earning but not effort.

I love that. We can't earn our salvation, but it does require effort. We don't magically become like Jesus. We have to discipline ourselves. We have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. 

Makes me wonder: What effort am I (or are you) putting into your salvation?

The second is related, and this is a paraphrase: Do we have a plan or system in place for teaching people to obey all that Jesus commanded?

In the great commission we're told to "teach them to obey all that I've commanded." That should be our goal. Obedience to all Jesus commanded us to do.

I could say more, but I think it'd be better for you to read the book.