As I write this Blotter, I am waiting for the OSU/Illinois football game.  And it is raining.  Hard.  That is why I am glad I'm at home.   

I have been to the “Shoe” to watch a game during a downpour. If you have never had that experience, try sitting in your bathtub with the shower on "full".  Cold water only.  And, to round out the picture, imagine doing this with 105,000 of your closest friends.    

Now, if you are a FAN, you would probably consider this a lousy day for a game.  Here's the weird part:  there are actually football teams that DREAM of playing in weather like this: it plays to their strength.   

Perspective is an odd thing.  For fans, this is a crummy Saturday.  For certain teams, this weather is a dream come true.   

Perspective plays an important part in the Church's mission as well.  Some people believe that the Gospel message can't be adequately preached unless we have:   

a)   A great preacher  

b)   Brand-new, "visitor friendly" facilities  

c)   A thriving youth program  

d)   A receptive audience.  

Many congregations don't have that.  Does that mean that their evangelistic efforts are doomed?  Hardly.  The early church THRIVED under the most adverse conditions.  The people were often poverty-stricken.  The government...and often the populace at large ....were hostile to the message.   And there was a shortage of "golden throats" in the pulpit.    

How could they have done what they did?   The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

1 Corinthians 2

¹When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.^[a]

²For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

³I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.

⁴My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power,

⁵so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.     

God's power is what does the trick, not "ideal conditions."   In fact, when conditions are "ideal" the church often gets lazy because things are so easy.   Well, things aren't so easy now.    Once again, the government and populace at large are growing more and more hostile to the church.   How should we respond?    Hey, let's go get 'em.  God's got them right where He wants them!  

Bill