CELEBRATION BLOG

2009-04-20T07:16:00.000-05:00

JESUS HEALS A BLIND MAN by Max Lucado

“As [Jesus] passed by, He saw a man blind from birth.” John 9:1

This man has never seen a sunrise. Can’t tell purple from pink. The disciples fault the family tree. “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” (v. 2).

Neither, the God-man replies. Trace this condition back to heaven. The reason the man was born sightless? So “the works of God might be displayed in him” (v. 3).

Talk about a thankless role. Selected to suffer. Some sing to God’s glory. Others teach to God’s glory. Who wants to be blind for God’s glory? Which is tougher—the condition or discovering it was God’s idea?

The cure proves to be as surprising as the cause. “[Jesus] spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes” (v. 6).

The world abounds with paintings of the God-man: in the arms of Mary, in the Garden of Gethsemane, in the Upper Room, in the darkened tomb. Jesus touching. Jesus weeping, laughing, teaching … but I’ve never seen a painting of Jesus spitting.

Christ smacking his lips a time or two, gathering a mouth of saliva, working up a blob of drool, and letting it go. Down in the dirt. (Kids, next time your mother tells you not to spit, show her this passage.) Then he squats, stirs up a puddle of … I don’t know, what would you call it?

Holy putty? Spit therapy? Saliva solution? Whatever the name, he places a fingerful in his palm, and then, as calmly as a painter spackles a hole in the wall, Jesus streaks mud-miracle on the blind man’s eyes. “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (v. 7).

The beggar feels his way to the pool, splashes water on his mud-streaked face, and rubs away the clay. The result is the first chapter of Genesis, just for him. Light where there was darkness. Virgin eyes focus, fuzzy figures become human beings, and John receives the Understatement of the Bible Award when he writes: “He … came back seeing” (v. 7).

Come on, John! Running short of verbs? How about “he raced back seeing”? “He danced back seeing”? “He roared back whooping and hollering.”

___________________________
From His Name is Jesus: The Promise of God’s Love Fulfilled by Max Lucado

Jesus saves sinners. Thank God. Only sinners. We sinners.

2009-04-19T15:05:00.002-05:00

by Bishop William H. Willimon

When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick….For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” Matthew 9:9-13

I stand at the front door of the church. It is Sunday. I like to stand here and watch people entering the church. What unites them?

Sinners come in the church. Some are still in their mother's arms. Sleeping, they come, but not of their own volition. They look innocent enough, but they are still sinners.

Though outwardly, cuddly and cute, they are among the most narcissistic and self-centered in the congregation. When they wake up, they will cry out, not caring that the rest of us are about important religious business. When they are hungry, they will demand to be fed, now. Cute, bundled up, placidly sleeping or peevishly screaming. Sinners.

Sinners come to church. They are being led by the hand. They do not come willingly. Though they put up a fight an hour ago, a rule is a rule, and there they are. They have said that they hate church. They have said things about church that you wouldn't be allowed to have published in the local newspaper, if you were older. Ten years old they are, and they lack experience and expertise but not in one area: they are sinners.

Sinners come in the church. Sullen, slouched, downcast eyes. Out with friends last night to a late hour, the incongruity between here in the morning, and there last night, is striking. They know it and it is only one of the reasons why they do not want to be here. Dirty thoughts. Desire. Things you are not supposed to think about. These thoughts make these sinners very uncomfortable at church.

Sinners come to church, and they have put on some weight, middle-aged, receding hairlines, "showing some age." They are holding on tight. Well-dressed, attempting to look very respectable, proper. Youthful indiscretions tucked away, put behind them, does anybody here know? A couple of things tucked away from the gaze of the IRS. And a night that wasn't supposed to happen two conventions ago. These sinners are looking over their shoulders. They are having trouble keeping things together. Maybe that is why there are so many of these sinners here, coming in the door of the church.

Sinners come in the church, doors at last are closed. The last of them scurry to their appointed seats. The organ begins to play, played by an extremely talented, incredibly gifted artist, who is also a sinner. And the first hymn begins. Something about, "Amazing Grace," sung, appropriately, by those who really need it, need it in the worst way. They sing in the singular, but it ought to be in the plural. “Amazing grace that saved wretches like us.”

Sinners come into church. And now for the chief of them all, the one most richly dressed, most covered up, the one who leads, and does most of the talking. Some call him pastor. Down deep, his primary designation is none other than those whom he serves. Sinners come into the church, and now their pastor welcomes them, their pastor, the one who on a regular basis presumes to speak up for God, making him the “chief of sinners.”

Sinners, come to church, all decked out, all dressed up, all clean and hopeful. Sinners, sinners hear the good news, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." Jesus called as his disciples, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Mary and Mary Magdalene. Sinners. Only sinners. And Jesus got into the worst sort of trouble for eating and drinking with sinners. Only sinners. Sinners.

Jesus saves sinners. Thank God. Only sinners. We sinners.

Though He Slay Me

2008-05-09T07:44:00.001-05:00

This post was written by Greg Hazelrig. He is a United Methodist pastor in the Mississippi Conference.

Forgive me, but I just had to use a portion of my own devotion this morning for Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest.

"Because you have kept My command to persevere..." (Revelation 3:10)

Perseverance means more than endurance - more than simply holding on until the end. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, "I can't take any more." Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God's hands. Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15). - Oswald Chambers

Is there anything you're struggling with now and are telling God "I can't take on any more" or "I can't do it anymore"? Could God be strengthening you to let you fly like the archer's arrow? I think that often times when we're struggling with something we look to God for comfort when what we need is the faith that He's doing something in us that might hurt now, but will be great in the end.

An Unusual and Painful Story

2008-05-08T07:15:00.003-05:00

Devotion by Mark Roberts is a pastor, author, speaker and blogger. From 1991 through September 2007, he was the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California.

Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah). [Matthew 1:6]

One of the distinctive features of Matthew's list of Jesus' ancestors is the inclusion of four women, each of whom had an unusual and painful story to tell.

Take Bathsheba, for example (2 Sam. 11-12). While she was bathing on the roof of her home, King David spotted her and lusted after her. He used his sovereign authority to have her brought to him so that he might have sex with her, even though he knew that she was married to a man named Uriah. When she became pregnant, David tried to get Uriah, who served in the king's army, to sleep with his wife so that David's immorality might not be discovered. But Uriah refused out of loyalty to his fellow soldiers. David responded by having Uriah placed at the front of the battle line so that he might be killed.

As judgment upon David for his gross sins, God took the life of the child he fathered through Bathsheba. Later, he again slept with her, after he had taken her as one of his wives. This time Bathsheba gave birth to a child who lived: Solomon. And he became one of the legal ancestors of Jesus.

Talk about amazing redemption! God used even David's abomination in his plans to save the world. This in no way excuses David for what he did with Bathsheba and Uriah, but it does testify to God's amazing grace and inscrutable sovereignty.

If God can work even through a man like David, then he can work through people like you and me. If God can bring good out of David's egregious sin, then he can redeem our lives as well.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How has God brought good out of bad things in your life, or the life of your family? If God can bring good out of evil, does this lessen our desire to do what's right? Or does it increase it? Why?

PRAYER: Gracious Lord, I marvel at the wonder of your grace, and the mystery of your sovereignty. You execute your will, not only in spite of our sins, but sometimes even through them. You can take the worst of actions and turn them around for good. That doesn't excuse the wrong, of course. But it does testify to your incredible mercy and love.All praise be to you, my Redeemer, for taking the mess of my life and working it out for good. What a wonder you are, dear Lord! Amen.

Quiet

2008-01-27T17:46:00.000-06:00

A man prayed, and at first he thought that prayer was talking. But he became more and more quiet until in the end he realized that prayer is listening.
---Søren Kierkegaard

Moving to the City?

2008-01-27T17:43:00.000-06:00

The ultimate challenge of Jesus’ ministry was to go to the city, the city of Jerusalem. This city, which was the center of education, religion, and politics, was also the place where corruption and crimes abounded. Yet, Jesus went there anyway. Following Jesus to the city was a risky business. Many would-be followers dropped out when they saw this ultimate danger. What will it require of us to move to the city? I ask this question whenever I find myself wanting to settle down in the comfort of material well-being. God may not ask us to physically move to the city, but God does require that we reach out to hurting people with the gospel, wherever they might be.

- Kyungsig Samuel Lee (Korean Family Devotions)

Cast the first stone.....

2008-01-17T20:48:00.001-06:00

This post was written by Greg Hazelrig. He is a United
Methodist pastor in the Mississippi Conference.

At dawn [Jesus] appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?""No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."John 8:2-11 (TNIV)

The biblical word for cheating on one's wife or husband is adultery. And it's frowned on heavily by God. As a matter of fact, the prohibition of it made it into the Ten Commandments (number 7). The reason God abhors it so much is that it ruins the relationship between a man and a woman. And God's greatest desire is for us to have relationships…relationships with each other and with Him.

In our Scripture reading the Pharisees bring a woman who has been caught in the act of adultery to Jesus and ask him point blank…what do you say that we should do with her? On one hand, the Law of Moses says to stone her. On the other hand, Roman law prevented this kind of punishment.

And then there's the fact that if he said, "Let her go", the Pharisees could say that he didn't adhere to Jewish Law. Of course if he said to stone her, he would go against everything he taught.

What was he to do? He simply wrote in the dirt (maybe the question – where's the man). And when pressed, he gave an answer that's like one of those great lines from an old movie. One that will last forever in people's memories…kind of like Frankly my dear Scarlet…or I don't think we're in Kansas anymore Toto…or of all the gin joints in all the…. He said, "He that is without sin cast the first stone." And that line has been repeated over and over through the centuries.

Wow! What could they do? Uhhhh Ummm! Can you imagine them looking at each other. "You do it. No, you do it." Then one by one, beginning with the oldest (probably because they were the wisest) they dropped their deadly weapons and slunk away. Even they weren't hypocritical enough to claim that any of them were without sin.

When all the Pharisees were gone, Jesus asked the woman, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?" "No", she replied. And then we hear those wonderful words of grace, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more."

The original Greek means that Jesus deferred judgment. He didn't say to her, "Forget it. It's no big deal." What he meant was: "I am not going to pass judgment on you now. Go out and live a different life and do what you can to become a different person."

In a round about way, isn't that what he's told you before? I know I've heard those words before. He says to us, I don't condemn you. Instead, I forgive you. Now, I want you to change and try to become the person you're meant to be. At that point...it's up to us.

Lying Lips

2008-01-16T07:38:00.000-06:00

Hatred is an acid that corrodes its container. ---Tonya Baker

He who conceals his hatred has lying lips,and whoever spreads slander is a fool. Proverbs 10:18

Dead by Midnight?

2008-01-16T07:32:00.000-06:00

Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster,and do so with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again. -Og Mandino

So teach us to number our days,That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

GOD’S MISSION: ADOPTION by Max Lucado

2008-01-15T06:21:00.000-06:00

When we come to Christ, God not only forgives us, he also adopts us. Through a dramatic series of events, we go from condemned orphans with no hope to adopted children with no fear. Here is how it happens. You come before the judgment seat of God full of rebellion and mistakes. Because of his justice he cannot dismiss your sin, but because of his love he cannot dismiss you. So, in an act which stunned the heavens, he punished himself on the cross for your sins. God’s justice and love are equally honored. And you, God’s creation, are forgiven. But the story doesn’t end with God’s forgiveness.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God (Rom. 8:15–16 NASB).

But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons (Gal. 4:4–5 NASB).

It would be enough if God just cleansed your name, but he does more. He gives you his name. It would be enough if God just set you free, but he does more. He takes you home. He takes you home to the Great House of God.

Adoptive parents understand this more than anyone. I certainly don’t mean to offend any biological parents—I’m one myself. We biological parents know well the earnest longing to have a child. But in many cases our cribs were filled easily. We decided to have a child and a child came. In fact, sometimes the child came with no decision. I’ve heard of unplanned pregnancies, but I’ve never heard of an unplanned adoption.

That’s why adoptive parents understand God’s passion to adopt us. They know what it means to feel an empty space inside. They know what it means to hunt, to set out on a mission, and take responsibility for a child with a spotted past and a dubious future. If anybody understands God’s ardor for his children, it’s someone who has rescued an orphan from despair, for that is what God has done for us.

God has adopted you. God sought you, found you, signed the papers and took you home.

Headed Home (Max Lucado)

2008-01-14T07:39:00.000-06:00

“He chose us in Him before the foundations of the world.”Ephesians 1:4 NKJ

Search the faces of the Cap Haitian orphanage for Carinette…The girl with the long nose and bushy hair and a handful of photos…The photos bear the images of her future family. She’s been adopted.

Her adoptive parents are friends of mine. They brought her pictures, a teddy bear, granola bars, and cookies. Carinette shared the goodies and asked the director to guard her bear, but she keeps the pictures. They remind her of her home-to-be. Within a month, two at the most, she’ll be there. She knows the day is coming…Any day now her father will appear. He came once to claim her. He’ll come again to carry her home. Till then she lives with a heart headed home.

Shouldn’t we all? Our Father paid us a visit too. Have we not been claimed? Adopted?...God searched you out. Before you knew you needed adopting, he’d already filled out the papers and selected the wallpaper for your room.

If you believe.... (Max Lucado)

2008-01-12T16:25:00.000-06:00

“If you believe, you will get anything you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:24

“If you believe, you will get anything you ask for in prayer.”

Don’t reduce this grand statement to the category of new cars and paychecks. Don’t limit the promise of this package to the selfish pool of perks and favors. The fruit God assures is far greater than promotions and proposals.

God wants you to fly. He wants you to fly free of yesterday’s guilt. He wants you to fly free of today’s fears. He wants you to fly free of tomorrow’s grave. Sin, fear, and death. These are the mountains he has moved. These are the prayers that he will answer. That is the fruit he will grant. This is what he longs to do.

The God Who Follows (Max Lucado)

2008-01-11T07:22:00.000-06:00

“The upright shall dwell in Your presence.”Psalm 140:14 NKJV

Lazarus was three days dead in a sealed tomb when he heard a voice, lifted his head, and looked over his shoulder and saw Jesus standing. God had followed him into death.

Peter had denied his Lord and gone back to fishing when he heard his name and looked over his shoulder and saw Jesus cooking breakfast. God had followed him in spite of his failure.

God is the God who follows. I wonder…have you sensed him following you? We often miss him…But he comes.

Through the kindness of a stranger. The majesty of a sunset. The mystery of romance. Through the question of a child or the commitment of a spouse. Through a word well spoken or a touch well timed, have you sensed his presence?

I Am ........... (David Jeremiah)

2008-01-10T08:36:00.000-06:00

[John the Baptist] said: "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said." John 1:23

God said, "I AM WHO I AM." Abraham said, "I am old." Jacob said, "I am Esau your firstborn." Moses said, "I am not eloquent." Gideon said, "I am the least in my father's house." Ruth said, "I am a foreigner." Nehemiah said, "I am doing a great work." Job said, "I am a brother of jackals." Jesus said, "I am the door, the light, the bread, the Good Shepherd." Paul said, "I am the chief of sinners."

How would you answer the question, "Who are you?" When John the Baptist was asked that question, he spoke without hesitation: "I am the voice." John was not confused and he did not stutter. He knew exactly who he was and what he was called to do. He was "the voice." His calling was to speak—to announce the coming of the kingdom of God and of the Messiah of Israel. It didn't bother John that he wasn't the Messiah. The only thing that would have bothered him was not to speak clearly. John was a satisfied man, confident and content in his knowledge of himself.

Can you say the same about yourself? Take a moment and fill in the blank: "I am ......."

Then decide, "How happy am I with my answer?" If you're not sure about either, ask God for His insight.

In For the Long Haul?? (by Sky Lowe-McCracken)

2008-01-09T07:16:00.000-06:00

This is written by Sky Lowe-McCracken. He is a UMC pastor near Paducah, Ky. His blog is at: http://revdsky.blogspot.com/

We all make New Year’s resolutions that we usually end up breaking. Diets, television habits, being more involved in something, spending more time with loved ones. They, like the things we say we will give up for Lent, are often temporary or short term.

But what about for the long haul? Our faith walk and discipleship require more than just temporary or short term sacrifices and actions. It’s life long. And we choose to keep the resolutions we make, just as we consciously choose how to live out our discipleship.

We have seen witness to that in years past. Our church has been actively involved in mission work to Alabama and Mississippi the past two years to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. Yes, that was two years ago. Had some folks not been committed for the long haul, the victims that are still homeless and in despair would now be receiving no help at all.

As human beings, we are very short-sighted and our memories are short-term. We often choose to ignore or rationalize the challenges and opportunities that confront us daily on our walk with Christ. These were the very things the Apostle Paul warned us about when he shared with us the costs of discipleship.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I
have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:7-8

But being in for the long haul has its rewards, too. There is joy in finding that God can use us as a part of His plan. And there is peace in knowing that our sacrifices, just as Jesus’ sacrifice, are not in vain, and that we are redeemable people.

So make some good resolutions this year. But make some that will stick. And more importantly – make some that will, in the long haul, make a difference in God’s Kingdom.

The Last Few Weeks (by Jim Martin)

2008-01-08T08:38:00.000-06:00

Written by Jim Martin, the pastor of Crestview Church of Christ in Waco, Tx. http://godhungry.org/ ----I especially like the part about reading the Psalms.

The last few weeks, I have spent time just trying to clear away clutter. The motivation? I came across a brief, one page article by David Allen, author of Getting Things Done. (Allen’s book has been very helpful to me in many ways.) So the other day I stumbled upon an article that Allen recently wrote about beginning a new year. The short article motivated me to clear out some clutter. Last weekend this included a closet that needed cleaning, my desk at home that needed overhauling, and several "stacks" that I had been ignoring.

The last few weeks, I have been skimming through a number of book reviews. You may have noticed on the sidebar of this blog a section for book reviews (i.e., The New York Times, Books and Culture). These book reviews are very helpful to me in terms of keeping up with what is being written and discussed. It only takes a trip to Barnes & Noble for me to realize that there are far more books coming out than I will ever have the time (or inclination) to read. However, I do want to have an awareness of what is being written that is either significant or has become a part of the conversation in this country.

For a minister, this is one reason why a site like Scot McKnight’s Jesus Creed is so helpful. He regularly reviews many books that I at least want to be aware of. In the last few years, I have read a number of these books. His review of a particular book will often help me notice an author I want to read and spend time with.

During the last few weeks, I have been thinking about some projects I have actually been avoiding. Sometime around Thanksgiving, I began to realize that there were several big projects lurking out there that I had been avoiding. A few of these relate to work and a few of these relate to our house. I began to notice that I would acknowledge to myself that the project was there but I would never break it down into the steps I needed to take. Consequently, I didn’t get anything done on the project. These have a way of becoming like dark gray clouds looming overhead. Anyway, I made a short list of these and then began to think about what I needed to do with each one of these.

The last few weeks, I have done some thinking about my Bible reading. For several years, I have spent much time in the Psalms. I have done this for my own nourishment. On one occasion, I read through the Psalms highlighting in yellow every attribute of God, every description of God, etc. I was amazed and strengthened by what I saw. This kind of reading nourishes and strengthens me.

I am finding, though, that there is another kind of Bible reading I need to do. Tim Keller speaks about "rapid Bible reading." That is, there is value in reading through the Bible in such a way so as to regularly be exposed to the vast terrain of Scripture. This is not a substitute for slow, thoughtful and prayerful reading of Scripture. I want to continue to do that. However, I realize that it has been a long time since I have read some significant books of the Bible. So, I am thinking about a way to do this slow reading and yet also have time to read at a rapid pace.

Finally, during the last few weeks, I spent some time thinking about my/our future. Far too often, I get so wrapped up in what I need to do today or this week that I don’t really step back and look at the past/present/future as one big picture. I especially want to do this as I think about what it is that I believe God wants me to be about today, tomorrow, and in months and years to come.

I don’t know if any of this is helpful to you as you think about your own life. (It certainly helps me, though, just to think about it as I write.)

HE LOVES TO BE WITH THE ONES HE LOVES by Max Lucado

2008-01-07T14:55:00.000-06:00

Holiday travel. It isn’t easy. Then why do we do it? Why cram the trunks and endure the airports? You know the answer. We love to be with the ones we love.

The four-year-old running up the sidewalk into the arms of Grandpa.

The cup of coffee with Mom before the rest of the house awakes.

That moment when, for a moment, everyone is quiet as we hold hands around the table and thank God for family and friends and pumpkin pie.

We love to be with the ones we love.

May I remind you? So does God. He loves to be with the ones he loves. How else do you explain what he did? Between him and us there was a distance—a great span. And he couldn’t bear it. He couldn’t stand it. So he did something about it.

Before coming to the earth, “Christ himself was like God in every-thing.… But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born to be a man and became like a servant” (Phil. 2:6–7 NCV).

Why? Why did Jesus travel so far?

I was asking myself that question when I spotted the squirrels outside my window. A family of black-tailed squirrels has made its home amid the roots of the tree north of my office. We’ve been neighbors for three years now. They watch me peck the keyboard. I watch them store their nuts and climb the trunk. We’re mutually amused. I could watch them all day. Sometimes I do.

But I’ve never considered becoming one of them. The squirrel world holds no appeal to me. Who wants to sleep next to a hairy rodent with beady eyes? (No comments from you wives who feel you already do.) Give up the Rocky Mountains, bass fishing, weddings, and laughter for a hole in the ground and a diet of dirty nuts? Count me out.

But count Jesus in. What a world he left. Our classiest mansion would be a tree trunk to him. Earth’s finest cuisine would be walnuts on heaven’s table. And the idea of becoming a squirrel with claws and tiny teeth and a furry tail? It’s nothing compared to God becoming a one-celled embryo and entering the womb of Mary.

But he did. The God of the universe kicked against the wall of a womb, was born into the poverty of a peasant, and spent his first night in the feed trough of a cow. “The Word became flesh and lived among us” (John 1:14 NRSV). The God of the universe left the glory of heaven and moved into the neighborhood. Our neighborhood! Who could have imagined he would do such a thing.

Why? He loves to be with the ones he loves.

Been Fishing? (David Jeremiah)

2008-01-05T15:10:00.000-06:00

Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:18-19

Pastor H. Edwin Young once explained the reason for the growth of his church in Houston, Texas. "Everything we do has a hook in it," he said. Their many activities, programs, ministries, and events are all designed to "catch" people. And that's biblical. In Luke 5:10, Jesus told the disciples to catch men.

This isn't just the job of churches in general, but of Christians in particular. If we're following, we should be fishing. A postal carrier in a southern city recently told a friend about his church, which had grown from 50 to 500 in a relatively short period. "Sixty of the new members are from my mail route," he said. "I find it easy to talk with people as I go up and down the streets, and I'm always looking for a way to turn the conversation toward the Lord."He's a fisherman for Christ.

Do you have any hooks in the water?

More Youth Ski Trip Photos

2008-01-05T15:05:00.000-06:00

Fearless Leader?

Youth Ski Trip

2008-01-04T20:36:00.000-06:00

This man is chaperoning our youth on the Ski Trip. More details to come.....

The Unlovable Guard (David Jeremiah)

2008-01-02T17:12:00.000-06:00

If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 1 John 4:12

In the mid 1930s, a German Protestant pastor was abducted from his church. Suspected of aiding and abetting Jews, he was thrown into prison without a hearing, a trial, or even a phone call to his family. The prison guard outside his cell hated everyone associated with Jews and purposefully skipped the pastor's cell when meals were handed out, made him go weeks without a shower, and gave him the most difficult job on the labor gang. The pastor, on the other hand, prayed that he would be able to love this guard with God's love. As the months went by, the pastor smiled at the guard, thanked him for the few meals he did receive, and even got to talk about Agape love. The guard never said anything; but he heard it all, and one night he cracked a smile. The next day the pastor received two meals and was able to shower for as long as he wanted. Finally, one afternoon the guard personally made the long-awaited call to the pastor's family, and a few months later, he was released.

It is against our human nature to love someone like that prison guard; but through His power, God can give us the ability to love the unlovables.

"The love, even for your enemies, which Jesus commands, is not our work but His work in us." Thomas Green

A Great Promise for a New Year (Max Lucado)

2008-01-01T15:26:00.000-06:00

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6 NKJV

Look at the first word: surely. David didn’t say, “Maybe goodness and mercy shall follow me.” Or “Possibly goodness and mercy shall follow me.” Or “I have a hunch that goodness and mercy shall follow me.” David could have used one of those phrases. But he didn’t. He believed in a sure God, who makes sure promises and provides a sure foundation. David would have loved the words of one his great-great-grandsons, the apostle James. He described God as the one “with whom there is never the slightest variation or shadow of inconsistency” (James 1:17 Phillips).

Our moods may shift, but God’s doesn’t. Our minds may change, but God’s doesn’t. Our devotion may falter, but God’s never does. Even if we are faithless, he is faithful, for he cannot betray himself (2 Tim. 2:13). He is a sure God.

December 31st is an Occasion (David Jeremiah)

2007-12-31T07:33:00.000-06:00

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid . . . for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

To many people, today's just another day; and to the Lord, it's but a passing instant. But for us, December 31st is an occasion to entrust the past to God's keeping and the future to His service.

In his final message to the Israelites, Moses told them to be strong, courageous, and mindful of God's presence as they crossed Jordan and entered the Promised Land. "He will not leave you nor forsake you," Moses said. The New Testament applies those words to us in Hebrews 11:5, so we can claim them as a promise of our own for the New Year.

God may have something new for you in 2008, but perhaps it seems foggy just now. Maybe your family isn't on board, or you don't have the details worked out. But remember: The Lord repeatedly led individuals into new territory in the Bible, and not once did He fail to show them the way. So be strong and of good courage. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

I am well, but weak; and for another year of service I need that the right hand of the Lord may be laid upon me, and that He should say to me, "Be strong: fear not." - Charles Spurgeon

Emmanuel. He is with us. God came near. (Max Lucado)

2007-12-21T21:38:00.000-06:00

It’s Christmas night.

The midnight hour has chimed and I should be asleep, but I’m awake. I’m kept awake by one stunning thought. The world was different this week. It was temporarily transformed.

The magical dust of Christmas glittered on the cheeks of humanity ever so briefly, reminding us of what is worth having and what we were intended to be. We forgot our compulsion with winning, wooing, and warring. We put away our ladders and ledgers, we hung up our stopwatches and weapons. We stepped off our race tracks and roller coasters and looked outward toward the star of Bethlehem.

More than at any other time, we think of him. More than in any other season, his name is on our lips.

And the result? For a few precious hours our heavenly yearnings intermesh and we become a chorus. A ragtag chorus of longshoremen, Boston lawyers, illegal immigrants, housewives, and a thousand other peculiar persons who are banking that Bethlehem’s mystery is in reality, a reality.

For a few precious hours, he is beheld. Christ the Lord. Those who pass the year without seeing him, suddenly see him.

Emmanuel. He is with us. God came near.

Soon life will be normal again. But for the moment, I want to savor the spirit just a bit more. I want to pray that those who beheld him today will look for him when the gifts are history and carols are quiet. And I can’t help but linger on one fanciful thought: If he can do so much with such timid prayers lamely offered in December, how much more could he do if we thought of him every day?

For after all, the One who came that Christmas morning so long ago, still comes. He comes every time a seeker turns his face heavenward and says “Yes!” to the Savior. A Savior sent by a God who “so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16).

A Star in the Sky

2007-12-20T07:28:00.000-06:00

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39.

Here is what we want to know.

We want to know how long God’s love will endure . . . Does God really love us forever? We want to know . . . how does God feel about me when I’m a jerk?

I want to know how he feels about me when I snap at anything that moves, when my thoughts are gutter-level, when my tongue is sharp enough to slice a rock. How does he feel about me then?

Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us?

God answered our question before we asked it. So we’d see his answer, he lit the sky with a star. So we’d hear it, he filled the night with a choir; and so we’d believe it, he did what no man had ever dreamed. He became flesh and dwelt among us.

The Least of These.... (David Jeremiah)

2007-12-19T06:35:00.000-06:00

Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. Matthew 25:40

Courtney Steever is a missionary to the poor in Kolkata (Calcutta), India. The needs are limitless: "Some days it just seems too overwhelming," she says. "Often I get tired of the frequent tugs of little hands on my sleeves asking for rupees as I walk down the street . . . . Need is around every corner, under every bridge, down every street—yet it's so easy not to see."

Courtney and some workers from the Missionaries of Charity visited the Sealdah Train Station to search for the destitute and ill. She stopped to give a hard-boiled egg to a young man covered in rags, to wrap the wounds of a woman. They came upon a dying man lying on the ground, covered with flies and his own waste, and took him to the Sisters of Charity home where he lived only a few hours. But he died with a measure of dignity, surrounded by people who cared for him. When Courtney wonders if her work makes any real difference, she remembers that man. It made a difference, for a few hours, to him.

Your cup of water will not quench the thirst of all the world's poor, but it will quench the thirst of the one to whom you give it.

Keep Jesus Christ in your hearts, and
you will recognize His face in every
human being. John Paul II

Rest? At Christmas? (Max Lucado)

2007-12-18T06:16:00.000-06:00

“Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter.” Exodus 20:9-10

God knows us so well. He can see the store owner reading this verse and thinking, “Somebody needs to work that day. If I can’t, my son will.” So God says, Nor your son. “Then my daughter will.” Nor your daughter…“I guess I’ll have to send my cow to run the store, or maybe I’ll find some stranger to help me.” No, God says. One day of the week you will say no to work and yes to worship. You will slow and sit down and lie down and rest.

Still we object…“What about my grades?” “I’ve got my sales quota.” We offer up one reason after another, but God silences them all with a poignant reminder: “In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day.” God’s message is plain: “If creation didn’t crash when I rested, it won’t crash when you do.”

Repeat these words after me: It is not my job to run the world.

Are you Like a Child? (Max Lucado)

2007-12-17T06:43:00.000-06:00

“You must change and become like little children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

Bedtime is a bad time for kids. No child understands the logic of going to bed while there is energy left in the body or hours left in the day.

My children are no exception. A few years ago, after many objections and countless groans, the girls were finally in their gowns, in their beds, and on their pillows. I slipped into the room to give them a final kiss. Andrea, the five-year-old, was still awake, just barely, but awake. After I kissed her, she lifted her eyelids one final time and said, “I can’t wait until I wake up.”

Oh, for the attitude of a five-year-old! That simple uncluttered passion for living that can’t wait for tomorrow. A philosophy of life that reads, “Play hard, laugh hard, and leave the worries to your father.” A bottomless well of optimism flooded by a perpetual spring of faith. Is it any wonder Jesus said we must have the heart of a child before we can enter the kingdom of heaven?

The Manger of My Heart (Renee Swope)

2007-12-15T11:55:00.000-06:00

CAROLINE WARD SENT ME THE EMAIL BELOW:

Recently a sister in Christ and new friend, Renee Swope, shared this prayer on her blog that she wrote several years ago. Renee is with Proverbs31 Ministries, an organization "Bringing God's Peace, Perspective, and Purpose to Today's Busy Woman."

It is also the ministry through which I have answered a calling from God on my life. In the near future I will begin what Proverbs 31 Ministries calls a "Gather and Grow" group for women.

Ladies, you will be hearing more about that later. In the meantime, take a few moments, men and women alike, to read the following prayer. It has helped to change my perspective on Christmas. Enjoy!

Caroline Ward

The Manger of My Heart

This Christmas, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Fill me with your presence, from the very start.
As I prepare for the holidays, and gifts to be given,
Remind me of the gift You gave,
when you sent Your Son from Heaven.

The first Christmas gift, the greatest gift ever,
You came as a baby born in a manger.
Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree,
Waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me.

This Christmas, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Search me and know the most intimate parts.
Reveal to me if I have ever hung a sign within,
Claiming it off limits, implying "no room at the Inn."

Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus’ birth,
when He left the riches of Heaven
and wrapped Himself in rags of earth.
Emmanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night.
As angels announced, "Into your darkness,
God brings His Light."

"Do not be afraid," they said, to shepherds in the field.
Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield.
Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to your call.
Casting distractions and worries aside,
to You I surrender them all.

Surround me with Your presence, Lord,
I long to hear your voice.
Clear my mind of concerns and all the holiday noise.
Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush.
In the midst of parties and planning,
I want to feel Your hush.

This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart.
Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part.
Dwell within and around me,
as I unwrap Your presence each day.
Keep me close to You, Jesus.
It’s in your wonderful Name I pray.

© 2003, Renee Swope ~ www.ReneeSwope.com

http://reneeswope.blogspot.com/2007/11/christmas-prayer.html

A HEAVENLY AFFIRMATION (Max Lucado)

2007-12-13T06:57:00.000-06:00

Each of us has a fantasy that our family will be like the Waltons, an expectation that our dearest friends will be our next of kin. Jesus didn’t have that expectation. Look how he defined his family: “My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what God wants” (Mark 3:35).

When Jesus’ brothers didn’t share his convictions, he didn’t try to force them. He recognized that his spiritual family could provide what his physical family didn’t. If Jesus himself couldn’t force his family to share his convictions, what makes you think you can force yours?

We can’t control the way our family responds to us. When it comes to the behavior of others toward us, our hands are tied. We have to move beyond the naive expectation that if we do good, people will treat us right. The fact is they may and they may not—we cannot control how people respond to us.

I can’t assure you that your family will ever give you the blessing you seek, but I know God will. Let God give you what your family doesn’t. If your earthly father doesn’t affirm you, then let your heavenly Father take his place.

God has proven himself as a faithful father. Now it falls to us to be trusting children. Let God give you what your family doesn’t. Let him fill the void others have left. Rely upon him for your affirmation and encouragement. Look at Paul’s words: “You are God’s child, and God will give you the blessing he promised, because you are his child” (Gal. 4:7, emphasis added).

[And] don’t lose heart. God still changes families.

From He Still Moves Stones
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 1999)
Max Lucado

2007-12-12T18:31:00.000-06:00

"There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us"

Richard Sibbes in The Bruised Reed

Forgives us all, Forgives us still...

2007-12-12T18:26:00.000-06:00

Many find Jesus’ teaching on enemy love and forgiveness a stumbling block to faith. Because we find it too difficult to practice, we dismiss it as unrealistic and utopian. We should think again, and we should pray that it is not unrealistic, because this congruence of Jesus—the consistency between his teaching on forgiveness and his action on the cross—is really our only hope. It is all that stands between us and the consequences of our monumental frailty. Thank God today that Jesus died as he lived, because with those words, “Father, forgive…” he forgives us all, and he forgives us still.

- Peter Storey in Listening at Golgotha: Jesus’ Words from the Cross

In the End, We'll Win (David Jeremiah)

2007-12-11T16:43:00.000-06:00

He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death . . . and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Hebrews 2:14-15 (NIV)

Monday night football is played mid-afternoon in Hawaii due to the time zone, so the local TV station delays its telecast until 6:30 p.m. Native Hawaiian, Lyle Akaki, admits that when his favorite team is playing, he is too excited to wait for the delayed airing and listens to it on the radio in real time. Then, he watches it on television later that night. If his team won, it influences how he watches the game: Fumbles or interceptions aren't a problem because he thinks to himself, "That's bad, but it's okay. In the end we'll win."

As Christians, we have no reason to fear death. The game has been played, the Lord has won, and the Bible promises us that "we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection" (Romans 6:5b NIV).

We worship a God who went to battle with death and emerged victorious. As a result, we have a hope that extends beyond this life and promises an eternity spent with our loving Savior.

"I've read the last page of the Bible. It's all going to turn out all right."

Billy Graham

Charles Swindoll on Trying to Earn Acceptance

2007-12-10T18:58:00.000-06:00

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Ephesians 4:7

"Imagine coming to a friend’s house who has invited you over to enjoy a meal. You finish the delicious meal and then listen to some fine music and visit for awhile. Finally, you stand up and get your coat as you prepare to leave. But before you leave you reach into your pocket and say, “Now, how much do I owe you?” What an insult! You don’t do that with someone who has graciously given you a meal. Isn’t it strange, though, how this world is running over with people who think there’s something they must do to pay God back? Somehow they are hoping God will smile on them if they work real hard and earn his acceptance; but that’s an acceptance on the basis of works. That’s not the way it is with grace." Charles Swindoll in The Grace Awakening

Praise and Hope (David Jeremiah)

2007-12-10T06:45:00.000-06:00

But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. Psalm 71:14

See if you can find one Christian, just one, who is filled with praise for the Lord—but is hopeless. Or, see if you can find one who is hopeful about the present and future but never praises the Lord. Hope and praise seem to go together in the Christian life—and why shouldn't they? For the Christian, to have hope is consistent with having faith in a gracious God, meaning He is worthy of praise. One flows naturally from the other.

The psalmist combined these two elements when he found himself in the hand of "the wicked . . . the unrighteous and cruel man" (Psalm 71:4). In spite of his dire situation, he said he would continue to hope and would praise the Lord "more and more" (verse 14). The more the psalmist hoped, the more he praised; and the more he praised, the more he hoped! It was a self-perpetuating cycle with each virtue stimulating the other. What about you? If you find yourself hopeful but lacking praise, check the object of your hope. If you're praising but lacking hope, check the object of your praise.

Praise keeps hope alive while hope becomes a reason for praise.

"Be not afraid of saying too much in the praises of God . . . . All the danger is of saying too little." Matthew Henry

One appointment that none of us will miss.... (Max Lucado)

2007-12-08T08:34:00.000-06:00

“Teach us how short our lives really are so that we may be wise.” Psalm 90:12

In a life marked by doctor appointments, dentist appointments, and school appointments, there is one appointment that none of us will miss, the appointment with death. “Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God” (Heb. 9:27 tev). Oh, how we’d like to change that verse. Just a word or two would suffice. “Nearly everyone must die…” or “Everyone who forgets to eat right and take vitamins must die…” But those are not God’s words. In his plan everyone must die, even those who eat right and take their vitamins.

Exercise may buy us a few more heartbeats. Medicine may grant us a few more breaths. But in the end, there is an end. And the best way to face life is to be honest about death.

Evidence of Hope (David Jeremiah)

2007-12-07T08:44:00.000-06:00

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17

If you have ever had to practice football twice a day in 100 degree heat, endure nine weeks of military basic training, or live with nausea for six weeks of chemotherapy, you were likely told, "Hang in there. You can do anything for a short period of time." The difference between "temporary" and "permanent" can seem like the difference between life and death.

The apostle Paul knew the difference between the two. There were many occasions in his Christian life where he felt terrible, but he never lost heart (2 Corinthians 4:16). In fact, his favorite phrase was "but not": Hard-pressed, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (verses 8-9). Paul knew that every difficulty was temporary. Even if it lasted his whole life, he still saw it as temporary compared to the hope of eternity. If he ever lost hope, it was only for the moment. His permanent perspective was eternal hope in the goodness and purpose of God.Have you learned to separate the temporary from the permanent in your life? That distinction is evidence that hope is alive and well.

The future is as bright as the promises of God. Adoniram Judson

Proud????

2007-12-05T11:08:00.000-06:00

"Prostitutes are in no danger of finding their present life so satisfactory that they cannot turn to God: the proud, the avaricious, the self-righteous, are in that danger."
---C.S. Lewis

Making the Impossible Possible (Max Lucado)

2007-12-05T06:18:00.000-06:00

“God can do things that are not possible for people to do.” Luke 18:27

God always rejoices when we dare to dream. In fact, we are much like God when we dream. The Master exults in newness. He delights in stretching the old. He wrote the book on making the impossible possible.

Examples? Check the Book.

Eighty-year-old shepherds don’t usually play chicken with Pharaohs…but don’t tell that to Moses.

Teenage shepherds don’t normally have showdowns with giants…but don’t tell that to David.

Night-shift shepherds don’t usually get to hear angels sing and see God in a stable…but don’t tell that to the Bethlehem bunch.

And for sure don’t tell that to God. He’s made an eternity out of making the earthbound airborne. And he gets angry when people’s wings are clipped.

More on Humility?

2007-12-04T15:23:00.000-06:00

Beautiful is the moment in which we understand that we are no more than an instrument of God; we live only as long as God wants us to live; we can only do as much as God makes us able to do; we are only as intelligent as God would have us be.

- Archbishop Oscar Romero

Jesus and Humility (Max Lucado)

2007-12-04T06:14:00.000-06:00

"He gave up his place with God and made himself nothing.” Philippians 2:7

God grants us an uncommon life to the degree we surrender our common one. “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life” (Matt. 16:25 NLT).

Jesus did. He “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men…He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death” (Phil. 2:7-8).

No one in Nazareth saluted him as the Son of God. He did not stand out in his elementary-classroom photograph, demanded no glossy page in his high school annual. Friends knew him as a woodworker, not a star hanger. His looks turned no heads; his position earned him no credit.

“He gave up his place with God and made himself nothing.”

God hunts for those who will do likewise—people through whom he can deliver Christ into the world.

Random Quote (Pascal)

2007-12-03T09:54:00.000-06:00

People never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction. - Blaise Pascal

He will rejoice over you with gladness...(Max Lucado)

2007-12-03T09:46:00.000-06:00

“He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love.” Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

Suppose you dwell in a high-rise apartment. On the window sill of your room is a solitary daisy. This morning, you picked the daisy and pinned it on your lapel.

But as soon as you’re out the door, people start picking petals off your daisy. Someone snags your subway seat. Petal picked. You’re blamed for the bad report of a coworker… More petals. By the end of the day, you’re down to one…You’re only one petal-snatching away from a blowup.

What if the scenario was altered slightly? Let’s add one character. The kind man in the apartment next door runs a flower shop. Every night on the way home he stops at your place with a fresh bouquet. Because of him, your apartment has a sweet fragrance, and your step has a happy bounce. Let someone mess with your flower, and you’ve got a basketful to replace it!

God hand-delivers a bouquet to your door every day. Open it! Take them! Then, when rejections come, you won’t be left short-petaled.

from A Love Worth Giving by Max Lucado

The Faith in Princess Baugh by Brad Baugh

2007-11-29T18:08:00.000-06:00

The post below is by Brad Baugh. Brad and Veronica Baugh are new to Jasper and to FUMC. I am allergic to cats but could not be more pleased at getting to know them. (But maybe not hanging out with the cat.......) Thanks Brad from sharing this:

Ashley, at four years old, was at that age where she felt she just needed a pet to take care of. My dad, having nursed several strays back to health, had been blessed with an abundance of friendly felines that had made his residence their home. At any rate, being a good grandfather, he decided to bring us one of his friendliest companions so that my little girl could have her very own kitty. Unfortunately, this cat was a young tom cat, probably 2-3 years old, and did not take too well to being suddenly relocated.

"Buddy", as he was called, immediately bolted upon being let out of his carrier. We coaxed him back with some fresh food and water. Our daughter was disappointed at not being able to hold and pet her new kitty, but we assured her that he was just nervous and would calm down with a little time and some space. He did calm down and allowed us to pet him. However, after a few days, we only saw him late in the evenings or early morning. Then he disappeared altogether. My daughter seemed to take it well. She was sure he was just playing in the woods behind our house, intending to come back soon. Before long, Buddy was no longer mentioned and was assumed forgotten.

About two months after Buddy’s vanishing, Ashley’s preschool had a representative from the Humane Society come to visit to talk about animal rescues. My wife, Veronica, took the unused cat food and other supplies with our daughter to donate to the Humane Society. Quietly explaining the donation to Ms. Sharon, Veronica hoped the exchange would go unnoticed by Ashley. As children are prone to do, she overheard the discussion anyway, and informed all who were listening that she, in fact, had a cat named Buddy. To which her teacher, apparently unknowing of Buddy's true fate, replied, "Yes, sweety, we pray for your cat every day."

Veronica was floored, as was I when she relayed the day's events to me that evening. But that is not the end of the story.

The very next day, I walked in from work to find a full house. Some friends had come over with their two children who were about the same age as ours. All four children, two at 4 years old and two at about 1 year old, were hovering over a cardboard box in the middle of the kitchen floor and my two little girls were squealing with delight. When I looked into the box to see what the fuss was all about, I saw a cute little calico kitten staring back at me with a mix of fear and hope in her eyes. Our friends had been on their way to our house to visit and happened to pass by a large dog playing with something. They quickly realized that the something was a tiny kitten, about 4 weeks of age, and that it was about to become a scooby-snack. They stopped and managed to persuade the dog to give up his toy.

And now here she was. I was not thrilled at the prospect of having to raise this kitten. At only four weeks old, she would require a lot more work than I was prepared to invest in a pet. After negotiating with my wife, she agreed to perform the necessary "mothering" jobs, such as encouraging the kitty to go the potty. After some further contemplation, I decided that this little kitten just might be God’s answer to my little girl’s prayer. Who could argue with that? We took the kitty to the veterinarian the next day for de-worming and a check up (she was too young for any shots).

Princess Baugh, as she was named by our oldest, has turned out to be a great blessing. Our daughter has learned to take care of something other than her self. It is wonderful to see both my daughters doting over the little fuzz ball. Princess has adapted quite well to life in our home. She knows to stay just out of reach of the hands of our one year old when she has that mischievous look in her eye. She is quite content to be cradled and carried around the house in the arms of our oldest. She pounces on your feet from behind the legs of the table and wrestles with your toes. She curls up on your lap when she has played herself out. She seems happy to be a part of our family, and our family seems to be all the happier for her addition.

There are several lessons that I have learned from these events. The first is that one should never underestimate the power of a child’s prayer. And it follows that one should never underestimate the importance of teaching a child to pray. At our home, we pray with our oldest daughter every night before bedtime. I encourage her to feel free to pray about anything she wants to take to God. We give thanks, we ask questions, we ask for healing and help. Much of the time, she simply repeats after me. Sometimes, however, she gets excited and whispers, "Daddy, let me say something!" She will then proceed to bring something to God that at times I had no idea was even on her mind.

Another lesson that I took from this kitty "cat-astrophe" is that blessings often do not come in the form that we expect. If our hearts are not open, we may miss them altogether. Had I not recognized God’s hand in the perfect timing of these events, or had I agreed with the part of my mind that railed against the work and aggravation of raising a kitten that should still be nursing its mother with its siblings, I would have missed the blessing God had intended for us. I would have missed the joy brought to my two daughters. I would have denied my oldest daughter the wonder of having a prayer answered.

Indeed, since Princess has come into our family, I have noticed that my daughter’s prayers have changed somewhat. She has begun to interject more with her own requests and to give thanks for more little blessings. Most important, though, is the change in the tone of her prayer. She prays with more confidence as if she has suddenly found a little bit of faith in what God can do in her life. Maybe we should rename Princess and call her Faith instead. Or maybe, we could call her Princess Faith Baugh, or just Princess, for short.

Brad Baugh
October 11th, 2007

Carried Through the Valley (by Cheri Russell)

2007-11-29T09:17:00.000-06:00

These thoughts on the "valleys" of life are by Cheri Russell:

"Anyone who questions me about the source of my joy always gets the same answer, "It's a God thing." Just as one tends not to appreciate good health until a bout with some physical demon, I believe our joy experience is in direct proportion to the darkness we have weathered and survived. How profoundly reassuring to have walked through that valley, nay, been carried through that valley in the arms of a loving God, to stand victoriously on the other side! How empowering, how joyful!!! In hindsight, I wouldn't give up any of those valleys. How else might God have blessed me with such profound peace, assurance, and joy without them? God can take even the greatest tragedy and turn it into a blessing ... watch for it. "

Cheri (thisischeri@aol.com)

Don’t know what to say? (Max Lucado)

2007-11-28T17:38:00.000-06:00

“Everything that was written in the past was written to
teach us, so that…we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 NIV

Encourage those who are struggling. Don’t know what to say? Then open your Bible...

To the grief stricken: “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Heb. 13:5 NIV). To the guilt ridden: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1 NIV). To the jobless: “In all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Rom. 8:28 NIV). To those who feel beyond God’s grace: “Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).

Your Bible is a basket of blessings. Won’t you share one?

Parent’s Night Out will be this Friday night

2007-11-28T17:28:00.000-06:00

GAME NIGHT!!!

Parent’s Night Out will be this Friday night, November 30 from 5:30 until 9:00.

We will have pizza and play games. The finale for the night will be
watching the movie “Polar Express” We will have hot chocolate and
graham crackers as a snack during the movie. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite board game or card game to play (no poker games, please). Cost will be $5 per child.

Oh yeah, don’t forget to wear your pajamas!!!

It’s us who put him there. (Max Lucado)

2007-11-28T07:10:00.000-06:00

“After Mary saw Jesus, she went and told his
followers, who were very sad and were crying.” Mark
16:10
Tears represent the heart, the spirit, and the soul of a person. To put a lock and key on your emotions is to bury part of your Christlikeness!

Especially when you come to Calvary.

You can’t go to the cross with just your head and not your heart. It doesn’t work that way. Calvary is not a mental trip. It’s not an intellectual exercise. It’s not a divine calculation or a cold theological principle.

It’s a heart-splitting hour of emotion.

Don’t walk away from it dry-eyed and unstirred. Don’t just straighten your tie and clear your throat. Don’t allow yourself to descend Calvary cool and collected.

Please…pause. Look again. Those are nails in those hands. That’s God on that cross. It’s us who put him there.

Honest Doubt

2007-11-26T16:11:00.000-06:00

This is written by Sky Lowe-McCracken. He is the pastor of Reidland United Methodist Church, located in the suburbs of Paducah. Original post is at: http://revdsky.blogspot.com/2007/11/honest-doubt.html

It may come to a surprise to you that your pastor occasionally has his doubts and weaknesses. Let me be the first to say that I certainly do. The first time I buried a teenager I was angry with God. When a tornado went through the parish I served, I doubted God. And there are days, even now, when I wonder if I’ve been faithful to the grace I’ve been given. Theological doubts, weakness in ability and faith, doubting of faith and self-confidence – these are real. And as I have read the spiritual giants and eminent divines of the faith, I realize that they had their doubts too.

John Wesley had this struggle all of his life. Not even a year after Wesley’s heart-warming Aldersgate experience, he wrote these words on January 4, 1739:

"My friends affirm that I am mad, because I said I was not a Christian a year ago. I affirm I am not a Christian now. Indeed, what I might have been I know not, had I been faithful to the grace then given, when, expecting nothing less, I received such a sense of forgiveness of my sins as till then I never knew. But that I am not a Christian at this day… For a Christian is one who has the fruits of the Spirit of Christ, which… are love, peace, joy. But these I have not."

It is very easy for those who take up the cross of Christ and practice radical discipleship to get discouraged, for this reason: any intentional attempts at practicing radical discipleship will bring opposition. And sometimes, the battles within the Church are harder than the ones outside of the Church.

Do our doubts in faith mean something is wrong with us? Hardly. One of the ways our faith is made stronger is through self-examination. And the good news is that not only Scripture, but also the experience of those saints who also dealt with struggle are instructive for us. It is a pipe dream to think that life will not have struggles – that’s simply not realistic. But it is realistic to expect God to be walking with us in our struggles.

In fact, God holds us in the palm of His hand - and doesn't let go.

Respond to it?? (Max Lucado)

2007-11-25T15:54:00.000-06:00

“With one sacrifice he made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:14

We would have scripted the moment differently. Ask us how a God should redeem his world, and we will show you! White horses, flashing swords. Evil flat on his back. God on his throne.
But God on a cross?

A split-lipped, puffy-eyed, blood-masked God on a cross?

Sponge thrust in his face? Spear plunged in his side? Dice tossed at his feet?

No, we wouldn’t have written the drama of redemption this way. But, then again, we weren’t asked to. These players and props were heaven picked and God ordained. We were not asked to design the hour.

But we have been asked to respond to it.

How to Be Free (David Jeremiah)

2007-11-22T06:24:00.000-06:00

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Kenneth Hart, a psychology professor at the University of Windsor (Ontario, Canada), studied sixty-six recovering alcoholics. The individuals had one thing in common: They were all angry with someone. Teaching forgiveness, Hart found, is one way to break the cycle that causes recovering alcoholics to relapse. If they release their anger through forgiveness, they no longer have a reason to use alcohol as an escape. One of the former addicts said, "Forgiveness is more for yourself than for the person you're forgiving. For me to forgive that person sets me free."

This therapy of freedom through forgiveness is totally biblical. God is free to love us because He has forgiven our sins committed against Him. God's anger toward sin has been propitiated (turned away) by the death of Christ (1 John 2:2). Paul writes that we should forgive one another as God has forgiven us. Think how the world (your world) would change if all personal anger were immediately released through forgiveness.

If there is someone you have not forgiven, you are not yet free. Find freedom today by releasing the anger that holds you captive—forgive just as God in Christ has forgiven you.

Forgiveness is God's command. Martin Luther

"Far too Public" (David Jeremiah)

2007-11-21T07:30:00.000-06:00

I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life. Psalm 119:93

Abolitionist William Wilberforce once wrote, "I must secure more time for private devotions. I have been living far too public for me. The shortening of devotions starves the soul, it grows lean and faint. I have been keeping too late hours."

At the time he wrote this, Wilberforce had fallen victim to the busyness of a demanding political position. Fortunately, he understood that having a vibrant, active relationship with the Lord was something entirely different than simply going through the motions of being a Christian, and he was determined to feed his famished soul.

When we are not feeding our soul from God's Word and drinking from the Living Water, we are starving ourselves of the most fundamental necessity of our Christian walk, the very nourishment we need to show signs of life.

Take some time to examine your relationship with the Lord. Is it alive and well or underfed and weak? In either case, staying in fellowship with the heavenly Father will keep an active spiritual walk healthy and breathe new life into a malnourished soul.

"Feed on Christ, and then go and live your life, and it is Christ in you that lives your life, that helps the poor, that tells the truth, that fights the battle, and that wins the crown." - Philips Brooks

Is there any sin you are not capable of committing?

2007-11-21T07:19:00.000-06:00

We all readily agree that God forgives sin, that Jesus brought salvation from sin, but we have a very hard time seeing ourselves as those who need forgiveness and salvation. We watch the evening news or read the newspaper and decide that we really are not so bad after all; the things we may have done—may have done!—are not anything compared to what other people are doing.... We will never have an accurate picture of ourselves and our fallen human condition until we understand that there is no sin we are incapable of committing.... [But] God has come to bring the people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. We are forgiven as soon as we grasp the fact that we need forgiveness.

- Mary Anna Vidakovich

Giving Permission (by Andy Bryan)

2007-11-20T13:48:00.000-06:00

This article was written by Andy Bryan (Methodisct minister from KC at: http://entertherainbow.blogspot.com/2007/11/giving-permission.html

Here's one of my favorite parts of Bishop Schnase's book:

"First, congregations should give ready permission to those who have the energy for and interest in new initiatives. They ought to reduce the number of hurdles, the layers of organizational reporting and approval seeking, especially by persons who have no particular interest in volunteering themselves. Leadership, vision, planning, soliciting help, and participation must come from those who feel called and eager. Cultivating a permission-giving, rather than an approval-seeking, environment in a congregation has huge implications not just for the planning of missions but for beginning new Bible studies, support groups, and other ministries."

How is the congregation where you hang out a permission-giving rather than an approval-seeking environment? I'm running a poll to that effect - vote today!

We are trying here in Northtown to become more permission-giving, but not everybody agrees as to what exactly that means, especially when it comes to communication and accountability. I sometimes find myself speaking what seems almost like a completely different lanugage than some in the congregation. I want to convey the idea that a lot of what happens in our congregation may not be known by everyone, and that's okay. As long as what is happening is accountable to the mission of the congregation, it's all good. That's a hard thing to understand for some people.

When a small group of a half a dozen people wants to do some ministry project, and they put it together, organize it, implement it, and generally make it happen, we want to celebrate it and give God thanks for the energy and initiative this little team has taken on behalf of Christ. What we don't want to do is add so many layers of reporting and approval that it bogs the whole thing down and it loses effectiveness, fruitfulness, and impetus.

And it may require that I admit I don't know exactly what's going on, too! I have often heard myself answering inquiries with, "I don't know" when someone asks, "Hey, what are So-and-So doing with the This-and-That?"

"I don't know," I'll say, "But I know So-and-So, and I trust that whatever they're doing, it's going to be pretty cool!" The key, as with so many things, is the development of loving, grace-filled, trusting relationships among fellow disciples. Minus the development of those relationships, you really can't do much.

But when we are truly seeking a relationship grounded in the love and grace of Jesus Christ, when we live in that love and grow closer to one another and to God all the time, when we put aside our need to know and control what's going on and release ourselvews from that paralyzing tendency, God will truly amaze you at what might just happen.

COMMENTS ARE WELCOME BELOW!!!!

Do You Doubt (Max Lucado)

2007-11-20T06:09:00.000-06:00

“Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea, blown up and down by the wind.”James 1:6

Doubt. He’s a nosy neighbor. He’s an unwanted visitor. He’s an obnoxious guest. He’ll pester you. He’ll irritate you. He’ll criticize your judgment. He’ll kick the stool out from under you and refuse to help you up. He’ll tell you not to believe in the invisible yet offer no answer for the inadequacy of the visible…His aim is not to convince you to confuse you. He doesn’t offer solutions, he only raises questions.

Had any visits from this fellow lately? If you find yourself going to church in order to be saved and not because you are saved, then you’ve been listening to him. If you find yourself doubting God could forgive you for that, you’ve been sold some snake oil. If you are more cynical about Christians than sincere about Christ, the guess who came to dinner?

I suggest you put a lock on your gate. I suggest you post a “Do Not Enter” sign on your door.

God’s Help is Timely (Max Lucado)

2007-11-19T06:59:00.000-06:00

“We will find grace to help us when we need it.”Hebrews 4:16 NLT

God’s help is timely. He helps us the same way a father gives plane tickets to his family. When I travel with my kids, I carry all our tickets in my satchel. When the moment comes to board the plane, I stand between the attendant and the child. As each daughter passes, I place a ticket in her hand. She, in turn, gives the ticket to the attendant. Each one receives the ticket in the nick of time.

What I do for my daughters God does for you. He places himself between you and the need. And at the right time, he gives you the ticket. Wasn’t this the promise he gave his disciples? “When you are arrested and judged, don’t worry ahead of time about what you should say. Say whatever is given you to say at that time, because it will not really be you speaking; it will be the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11, emphasis mine).

God leads us. He will do the right thing at the right time.

Not in some things...

2007-11-18T14:59:00.000-06:00

This post was written by Greg Hazelrig. He is a United Methodist pastor in the Mississippi Conference.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Not in some things...not in most things...not in the good things that happen in our lives...but in "ALL" things God works for the good of those who love him.

In the midst of our personal trials, we may not think anything good can happen. But if we will look close enough, we will see that God even uses these times. It may be to build our character or strength. I remember one of the Star Trek movies where someone "playing" God told Captain Kirk that he could take away the things from his past that caused him pain. Kirk replied that he didn't want his past pains taken away. These were the things that brought him character and made him who he was.

We would not be who we are today if it were not for the good and bad things that happened in our lives. We are strengthened by trials and tribulations that we've overcome. And this is just a sample of how God "can" work for good in all things.

Other times that seemingly have no upside to them are times of disaster. We all remember 9/11. This was a terrible event in the history of our nation. But afterwards our nation banded together and you didn't hear about political parties and other kinds of disputes. We were all on the same team, even if only for a short while. How did God work good in this? Church attendance rose in the weeks following this event. I know that many of those who started coming after 9/11 have long since quit coming again, but you and I will never know how many came back and stayed and how many found a deeper relationship with God because of it. And God works for good.

Lets not forget tragic natural disasters like the earthquake I read about this morning in Chile or the devastating hurricanes that hit our Gulf Coast within the last several years. Where was God through events such as Katrina? I saw Him in the aftermath where people learned that they could make a difference. He was there when neighbor helped neighbor (even if that neighbor was someone they'd never met). People learned how to care for others and feed others and pray with others. Many learned how to be a Christian, maybe for the first time. And so the love of Christ has been shared throughout our lands. And God works for good.

We can see God working good in ALL things if we will only look close enough. He didn't make 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina happen. He didn't start the fires that swept through California earlier this year. He wasn't trying to test us, punish us, or see how we would react. But in these events He does see us through and works good for all of us who love Him and are called to live according to His purpose.

Today you may be going through trials of pain in your life. This pain could be physical or mental or emotional. But whatever kind it might be, know that God is with you and that He can even bring good out of whatever you're going through. May God bless you in whatever circumstances you live. And may there be more good ones that bad ones. And may you see the good that God does in your life through both.

More from Wednesday Night

2007-11-14T20:17:00.000-06:00

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN TO THE FUN ON WEDNESDAYS!!!

SHE SAID "APPLE JUICE"

Upcoming Christmas Musical

2007-11-14T20:14:00.000-06:00

Scenes from Practice for the Upcoming Christmas Musical:

Commander Matthews

2007-11-14T16:20:00.000-06:00

Commander will be having rehab at:

Ridgewood Health Care

201 Oak Hill Rd.

Jasper, AL 35504

Room 113.

He Understands (Max Lucado)

2007-11-14T08:54:00.000-06:00

“God even knows how many hairs are on your head. So don’t be afraid.” Matthew 10:30-31

Why did Jesus grow weary in Samaria (John 4:6), disturbed in Nazareth (Mark 6:6), and angry in the Temple (John 2:15)? Why was he sleepy in the boat on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:38), sad at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35), and hungry in the wilderness (Matt.4:2)?

Why? Why did he endure all these feelings? Because he knew you would feel them too.

He knew you would be weary, disturbed, and angry. He knew you’d be sleepy, grief-stricken, and hungry. He knew you’d face pain. If not the pain of the body, the pain of the soul…pain too sharp for any drug. He knew you’d face thirst. If not a thirst for water, at least a thirst for truth, and the truth we glean from the image of a thirsty Christ is—he understands.

And because he understands, we can come to him.

Prayer Request from Diane Fender

2007-11-13T08:23:00.000-06:00

Prayer Request from Diane Fender

"Bob, Would you please add to the prayer list my mother, Myrtis Hanson and Ken's mother Sue Upchurch. If anyone has a minute and is at Ridgeview visiting Merle could I ask if they would stop by and say hello to Ken's mother. She is in room 159 and misses her friends at her home so much.. Just to go by and say hello we are praying for you would be great. She is away from her church family and sister. We are the only outsiders she gets to see each day. Thank you so much. Diane"

Bulletins and Prayer Lists

2007-11-12T18:38:00.000-06:00

The Post Below is from a United Methodist lay speaker and associate member of The Order of St. Luke The Physician (an interdenominational healing order). He states that it needs to be shouted from the highest peaks that God is not out of the miracle business. The original post can be found at http://brothermarty.blogspot.com/

Bulletins and Prayer Lists

I've had occasions to be at 4 different churches in the past month within a 30 mile radius of my home church and I found a common denominator in each of these churches...a prayer list in the bulletins. To my surprise and pleasure, I found some of the same names on these prayer lists at each of the different churches. I really shouldn't be too surprised as we are in a rural area and there are a lot of ties that go beyond local communities. Still, I was awed by each church listing the names of those needing prayer in their bulletins.

I have made it a habit of asking a congregation if they pray for each individual by name every day when saying their prayers. To my astonishment, nearly half of the people I ask do, literally, pray for each individual by name every day. They keep their Sunday bulletin with their bibles and bring it out when it's time for prayer.

The joy that comes on Sunday morning when asking for praises and concerns is in the dynamics of people saying, "You can take 'such and such' off the prayer list - she's better". It isn't uncommon for our church to erupt in applause along with "Praise God" when we remove someone from the list.

I'm especially moved by a healing I've seen take place in one individual who's name is on multiple churches' prayer lists. He has been lifted up in prayer, daily, by at least 500 people that I can surmise, although it may be even more. I've witnessed his change from a feeble, cancer-stricken 80 year old shadow of a man, to a strong, healed warrior for Christ. When I saw him at a funeral yesterday, he shook my hand. It was with such power that I thought I was shaking hands with a lumberjack...and the sparkle in his eyes was like a reflection of heaven. I shared with him that I'd seen his name on numerous prayer lists in a couple of counties and he said that he felt the prayers of everyone, and that God has made him a humble, grateful person in the process. Awesome!

Something I have trouble understanding is this: The bigger the church, the smaller the prayer list. The church the next town away has about 300 members and only 10 people on their list. Our church with 35 attending members, has roughly 50 people on our list. Likewise at the other small churches I've visited recently.

It truly is an awesome experience to see and share with others the power of intercessory prayer. It's 7:21 AM and my wife has the bible, the Upper Room, and the bulletin. She just asked, "Ready for devotional?" Time to pray and lift up the names of those we know of who need all the prayer they can get. Please pray for someone today.

Christ to his Neighbor (David Jeremiah)

2007-11-12T06:21:00.000-06:00

He who despises his neighbor sins, but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. Proverbs 14:21

Mamie Adams always went to a branch post office in her town because the postal employees there were friendly. She went there to buy stamps just before Christmas one year, and the lines were particularly long. Someone pointed out that there was no need to wait in line because there was a stamp machine in the lobby. "I know," said Mamie, "but the machine won't ask me about my arthritis."

The human touch of kindness is our species' distinguishing mark and something many go without due to all of the world's technological advances. Just like Mamie, many people would rather sacrifice the modern-day convenience of a machine in order to receive a friendly greeting from another living, breathing human being. Jesus understood the importance of kindness and took great care in being kind to everyone, especially the downtrodden and unsaved. He knew this was the key to opening the hearts of those who otherwise might never respond to the love of Christ.

Make it your goal to be kind to everyone; you never know who might be in need of the human touch of kindness.

It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor. Martin Luther

High Level Discussion of Doughnuts at Church

2007-11-11T17:32:00.000-06:00

J. Michael, Bryson and Coleman discussing doughnuts at church.....

Patience replaced.... (Max Lucado)

2007-11-09T08:13:00.000-06:00

“Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do.”James 1:4

Sometime ago our church staff attended a leadership conference. Especially interested in one class, I arrived early and snagged a front-row seat. As the speaker began, however, I was distracted by a couple of voices in the back of the room. Two guys were mumbling to each other. I was giving serious thought to shooting a glare over my shoulder when the speaker offered an explanation. “Forgive me,” he said. “I forgot to explain why the two fellows at the back of the class are talking. One of them is an elder at a new church in Romania. He has traveled here to learn about church leadership. But he doesn’t speak English, so the message is being translated.”

All of a sudden everything changed. Patience replaced impatience. Why? Because patience always hitches a ride with understanding. “A man of understanding holds his tongue” (Prov. 11:12 NIV). Don’t miss the connection between understanding and patience. Before you blow up, listen up. Before you strike out, tune in.

Parent's Night OUT!!!!!

2007-11-08T15:33:00.000-06:00

Capt. Chris Pearson

2007-11-08T06:49:00.000-06:00

Here is the address for Capt. Chris Pearson. He is Dan McLaury's Son-in-Law serving in Iraq. (In very dangerous conditions even by Iraq standards) He also has the added problem of being an LSU fan like Dan has so we need to pray for that also. You can also email him at cpears1@lsu.edu

I know he would appreciate some small packages!!

CPT Chris Pearson
A Co 1-15th 3rd BCT 3rd ID
APO AE 09308 - 5956

NO MORE (Max Lucado)

2007-11-07T19:54:00.000-06:00

“The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command.”

I Thessalonians 4:16

Have you ever wondered what that command will be? It will be the inaugural word of heaven. It will be the first audible message most have heard from God. It will be the word that closes one age and opens a new one.

I think I know what the command will be. I could very well be wrong, but I think the command that puts an end to the pains of the earth and initiates the joys of heaven will be two words: “No more.”

The King of Kings will raise his pierced hand and proclaim, “No more.”

The angels will stand and the Father will speak, “No more.”

Every person who lives and ever lived will turn toward the sky and hear God announce, “No more.”

No more loneliness.

No more tears. No more death.
No more sadness. No more crying.
No more pain.

Passionate Worship (Long but worth the read...)

2007-11-07T19:45:00.000-06:00

In his newly published book, Five Practices of a Fruitful Congregation, Bishop Robert Schnase highlights the practices that shape and sustain a vital church: radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission and service, and extravagant generosity.

Schnase writes, "People are searching for worship that is authentic, alive, creative, and comprehensible, where they experience the life-changing presence of God in the presence of others" (p. 33).

Unfortuantely many people think of worship as the "be kind to God hour" (my words) in which worship gets planned around the rest of our schedule for the day. Studies show that the time of a service is more important than style in most parishioners choice of worship service. But Schnase states, "We don't attend worship to squeeze God into our lives; we seek to meld our lives into God's" (pp. 33-34). In worship we give God the worth due him, and in return God gives to us what we need in the way of identity, formation, discipleship and calling to service.

Worship is communal in character. Private devotional time is not an adequate substitute.

Corporate worship is indispensable for Christians as we have been called as a people. Worship must be passionate, for it is the most likely place that people will come to the realization that they need to be in relationship with God, that they need to become part of God's people. "Worship is the most likely point of first contact the unchurched have with a congregation, and in some churches, many visitors do not find genuine warmth, a premium on excellence, or a message presented in a form that engages them. When a congregation loses touch with the purpose of worship, people come and go without receiving God" (p. 37). Passionate worship creates a "mindset of expectancy." It is in worship where people come to realize that God wants to be in relationship with them. As they offer their best, God offers his best in return.

"Passionate worship is not restricted to any particular style..." (p. 39). What makes worship passionate is how it is offered. One should not assume that so-called "contemporary" worship is naturally passionate, and "traditional" worship is naturally dull. Moreover, passionate worship cannot only take place in a sanctuary setting; it can also happen in a gymnasium. "Worship leaves people challenged, sustained, and led by the Spirit of God" (p. 39).

Passionate worship must be not be poor in quality. Poorly offered worship, whether it is found in the music or the preaching, makes it difficult for people to enter into the presence of God for a life-changing experience. Thus those persons involved in worship and its planning, must be intentional about worship, and must not take a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants approach. "When worship is a high priority, Passionate Worship is evident" (p. 41).

Context is critical in passionate worship. There is no "one size fits all" style or pattern that will fit every congregation. Some people will connect with less formal worship, where others will find vitality in formal expressions. Some will find guitars and drums to be a worshipful expression in song; others will prefer the pipe organ. The important point here for Schnase is that "[w]orship wars erupt when church leaders force a dramatic change of style in music and liturgy upon an existing service. Nobody can make country-and-western fans enjoy rap music, or rock 'n' rollers appreciate Mozart. Nor can traditional organists, choir members, and worshipers be forced to give up the music and liturgy that has helped them connect to God their whole life. Traditional worship forms and music can be improved, enhanced, and deepened in a thousand ways, but people cannot be forced to change their taste in music" (p. 45).

The solution to this is not to exhange the style and form of the one service, but to offer an additional and alternative service. If more traditional folk cannot be expected to change their taste in music, neither should they expect younger folk who like modern sounds to have to change theirs in order to come to church. Schnase observes that one hundred years ago all persons from every generation listened to the same music and shared the same culture. This is no longer the case. Thus the church must offer alternatives to attract those whose music tastes and culture are different without taking away the current traditional forms that have spoken to many generations throughout the years.

Schnase ends the chapter: "The motivation for enhancing the quality of worship is not only about deepening our own faith but also allowing God to use us and our congregations to offer hope and life and love to others. God works through us to change the world. Worship is God's gift and task, a sacred trust that requires our utmost and highest" (p. 56).

MIGHTY TO SAVE

2007-11-07T10:43:00.000-06:00

We are singing this song on Sunday. The Lyrics are below.

MIGHTY TO SAVE LYRICS

Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
A kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

My Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus

Our God is More Merciful Than That

2007-11-07T07:22:00.000-06:00

THE WORDS BELOW WERE WRITTEN BY:

Matt Judkins a United Methodist pastor serving in the Oklahoma Conference . http://catchingmeddlers.com/

On Saturday, I went to our ministerial alliance meeting. We met out at a church about 15 minutes from town, because they were having their monthly men’s breakfast. We drove out into the country and found the church sitting next to an old cemetery just about a mile off of the lake. We walked in to a hearty breakfast. The biscuits and gravy were delicious, the coffee was stout, and the bacon was cooked crispy, which in my opinion is the only good way to cook bacon.

After the breakfast we preachers, and that is what we’re usually called, broke off into another room to carry on the business of the day. There were only eight of us there that day. Southern Baptist, Freewill Baptist, Church of God, two Community Churches, and two men from another community that I didn’t know. We took care of the business of planning our upcoming Thanksgiving service with the usual conversation.

After that, a few of the preachers left and the real conversation began. Several of the men took turns sharing how God was at work in their lives, oftentimes sharing how they had led someone to the Lord. Finally, one of the men who I’ve really come to respect started to share. In order for you to understand this story more deeply, you need to know this preacher is a “whoopin’ and hollerin’” sort of preacher. He’s sort of baptist, but doesn’t really belong to any denomination. He doesn’t have any kind of degree whatsoever, and he probably couldn’t quote a theologian if he had to. But he shared a story that has been on my mind ever since.

He began to share about a man named “Catfish.” Catfish was a friend of his, but he was not a churchgoing man. His wife had went to my preacher friend’s church for many years, but Catfish never would darken the doors except occasionally on a Sunday night. Catfish got cancer. My friend went to see him several times in the hospital. Each time, before he left the hospital, he told us how he’d ask Catfish if he was right with God. To this, Catfish always replied, “The Lord’s Spirit don’t strive with me anymore, because I denied him and missed my chance.” This happened twice. The third time, when my old friend returned, Catfish was in bad shape - just waiting to die. They began the same conversation they always had about various things from the weather, to fishing, to how the doctors thought he was doing.

Before leaving, my preacher friend reached out to hold Catfish’s hand. He said, “You know what I’m going to ask. I want to know if you’ve made your peace with God.” Again, Catfish said, “The Spirit don’t strive with me anymore. I’ve missed my chance.” My friend then told us, “Right then, I tightened my grip on his hand just a bit…and I looked him in the eye.” In a quiet trembling voice he shared with us the words he spoke to Catfish, “I said, my God is more merciful than that.” At this, he said, Catfish broke into tears. In that moment, he knew a merciful, forgiving, and loving God - a God who doesn’t give up. He made a commitment to Christ right then and there, with his wife and my friend sharing tears with Catfish by his bed.

I don’t think I’m anywhere close to describing the power this simple story had for me in that moment; maybe you had to have been there to hear the aching love of God present in those seven simple words. But I do know this. If our theology of evangelism, salvation, and God’s work can’t embrace the story of my preacher friend and Catfish, then we just might need to take it back to the drawing board. I know a whole lot of sophisticated seminary-type folks like myself who think we know quite a bit, but I wonder if we could have helped Catfish in a moment like that. Thanks be to God; someone did.

Election Day

2007-11-06T10:51:00.000-06:00

This is an article written by Rev. Chris Roberts of Grace United Methodist Church in Kokomo, Indiana. Original article is found at: http://pastorchrisroberts.blogspot.com/2007/11/election-day.html

At the church I serve two members are running for Mayor. One is the Democratic candidate and the other is the Republican candidate. Both are respectable men who are passionate about making the Kokomo community the best it can be. While I have cringed at a few of the commercials and ads I have seen and heard from these two men, mostly it has been a clean and honest campaign.

These two men have differing political views and opposing opinions on a number of issues, like taxes, education, labor, how to run the local government and perhaps other polarizing social issues (that have not become an issue, Thanks be to God! because they are not extremely important in a mayoral race). While they have these differences I am encouraged to see them in the pews on Sundays.

This is a testimony to true Christian unity. While two people may stump and run on different platforms of government and issues, they sit side-by-side in worship of the one true God. Since the beginning, the Christian faith has been inclusive of people with lots of opinions on lots of issues. While we are not going to argue over the basics of the faith (such as the Creeds), let’s join John Wesley when he said, “Think and let think.” In the parking lot, we can disagree about the war, governmental programs, legalization of marijuana, who is going to win Survivor, who is best suited to be the next mayor (or President), or any number of divisive issues, but when we get around the Table, we are unified about worshipping Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When we all get to heaven our pride and polemics will disappear in the greatness of the God of All Creation. None of the social, economical, political, and national issues will be important as we encircle the Trinity and worship for all eternity. None of our political or national allegiances will matter.

As for today’s election, I pray for both of these men and their families. Both of them will remain strong leaders in our community. I hope both of them will get more involved in their church family and continue to take their faith more seriously than their politics. For their willingness to serve the community, I am grateful. I look forward to worshipping with and working along side these men (and their wonderful wives) for years to come.

Generosity vs Stewardship.

2007-11-05T19:07:00.000-06:00

THIS ARTICLE BELOW WAS WRITTEN BY Kim Matthews a Methodist who writes at: http://sandpipersthoughts.blogspot.com/

I've written before about the Five Fruitful Practices of Congregations. One of them is extravagant generosity. Today I ran across an article by Robert Schnase, who wrote the book, and is also the Bishop of the Missouri Conference. He is discussing the differences in the terms stewardship and generosity. He visited the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, which is one of the large UM churches in the world, by membership. Their Executive Director of Stewardship recently had a title change to Executive Director of Generosity.

I wonder about that. What is implied in each word? What do we hear when we hear the words themselves? Which is a truer representation of what we are to do with the gifts God has given to us.

First, stewardship. I think it implies that we are stewards and that the "talents" we are managing are not our own. One would never expect a steward to be generous, because generosity implies ownership. If you have a financial advisor and you give him control of a certain amount of your money, you expect him to be a good steward, to use that money as you instruct him to do. When you ask for the money, it is still yours, and generosity of the money manager's part is not required in order for him to return it to you. He is your steward.

I think that there is a benefit of using that word. It does hammer home to us the idea that all that we have belongs to God. We do not have ultimate ownership of it, whether it is our time, or talents or gifts or our service. It all belongs to God, and we are to use it as he instructs us to.

Generosity is something else. We can really only be generous with something that we own. Schnase argues that generosity implies to many people a larger definition than stewardship. He believes that in our society, we have equated stewardship with money, while generosity can still apply to gifts, to time, to talents. He says that generosity is an aspect of character -- we are generous. We can choose to be generous. He also says that this word is more readily understood by "unchurched" people. Stewardship is an "insider" word, while generosity is not.

In truth, whatever it is called, I think giving to God's work needs to be done as a response to God's grace. It needs to be inclusive of more than just our money, but of all that which we have been given by God. I'm not sure which words defines that better, but I do think that we need to work on this concept in our churches.

The word extravagant? That one I like!

Opportunity in every difficulty.....

2007-11-05T08:29:00.000-06:00

"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." Winston Churchill

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses,in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

Jesus Burped? (Max Lucado)

2007-11-05T06:59:00.000-06:00

“God will show his mercy forever and ever to those who worship and serve him.” Luke 1:50

For thirty-three years he would feel everything you and I have ever felt. He felt weak. He grew weary. He was afraid of failure. He was susceptible to wooing women. He got colds, burped, and had body odor. His feelings got hurt.

To think of Jesus in such a light is—well, it seems almost irreverent, doesn’t it? It’s not something we like to do; it’s uncomfortable. It is much easier to keep the humanity out of the incarnation. Clean the manure from around the manger. Wipe the sweat out of his eyes. Pretend he never snored or blew his nose or hit his thumb with a hammer.

He’s easier to stomach that way. There is something about keeping him divine that keeps him distant, packaged, predictable.

But don’t do it. For heaven’s sake, don’t. Let him be as human as he intended to be. Let him into the mire and muck of our world. For only if we let him in can he pull us out.

God Uses the Common (Max Lucado)

2007-11-03T07:32:00.001-05:00

“Those who try to keep their lives will lose them. But those who give up their lives will save them.” Luke 17:33

Heaven may have a shrine to honor God’s uncommon use of the common.

It’s a place you don’t want to miss. Stroll through and see Rahab’s rope, Paul’s bucket, David’s sling, and Samson’s jawbone. Wrap your hand around the staff that split the sea and smote the rock. Sniff the ointment that soothed Jesus’ skin and lifted his heart…

I don’t know if these items will be there.

But I am sure of one thing—the people who used them will.

The risk takers: Rahab who sheltered the spy. The brethren who smuggled Paul.

The conquerors: David, slinging a stone. Samson, swinging a bone. Moses, lifting a rod.

The caregivers: Mary at Jesus’ feet. What she gave cost much, but somehow she knew what he would give would cost more.

The Common Goal (David Jeremiah)

2007-10-31T06:59:00.000-05:00

Finally, all of you be of one mind . . .1 Peter 3:8a

An Aesop's Fable perfectly illustrates the importance of unity in the body of Christ. A lion prowled about a field in which four oxen dwelled. Often the lion tried to attack them; but whenever he came near, they turned their tails to one another so that whichever way he approached them, he was met by the horns of one of the oxen. At last, however, the oxen started to quarrel among themselves and each went off to pasture alone in a separate corner of the field. The lion saw his chance, attacked them one by one, and soon made an end of all four.

Aesop ended the fable with the simple but powerful statement, "United we stand, divided we fall," which Patrick Henry used later to stress the importance of standing together in a unified love of freedom rather than being divided by petty differences. He knew divisions among the colonies would prevent the establishment of the country we now know and love.

It's the same in the Christian community. We must be united in our love for God lest our common goal of reaching lost souls for His kingdom be sacrificed for the sake of our minor differences.

United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs. Patrick Henry

The Cost of Compassion (David Jeremiah)

2007-10-30T09:36:00.000-05:00

But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. Luke 15:20

The word sacrifice is the costliest word in the biblical lexicon, especially when it comes to the price God paid—allowing His Son to be sacrificed for our sins. Sacrifice means to offer up something of one's own—to relinquish ownership, to give it up for a higher purpose or calling. But there is another word that has a high price attached to it, one that gets less attention than sacrifice.

The cost of compassion, while perhaps not as high as sacrifice, is nonetheless high—as all compassionate people can attest. Take the father of the prodigal son in Jesus' parable, for instance (Luke 15:11-32). When the rebellious son returned home after a period of profligate living, the father welcomed him home with compassion. What price did he pay for his compassion? How about the sleepless nights that he agonized over the fate of his son? Or the forgiveness he extended? Or the large sum of money that the son wasted in riotous living?

Compassion's price is the loss of whatever we could be doing for ourselves instead of spending ourselves on another. Keep your compassion account balanced, ready to spend when needed.

Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation. Henry Ward Beecher

It's About God by William H. Willimon

2007-10-30T06:07:00.000-05:00

It's About God by William H. Willimon

In our Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony (Abingdon, 1990), Stanley Hauerwas and I said that there was much a-theism in the contemporary church. Atheism? We go about evoking vague spiritual sensibilities in our listeners (preaching), soothing the anxieties of the affluent (pastoral care), keeping the machinery oiled (church administration) as if God didn't matter.

Most of us began worrying about our membership loses with the publication of Dean Kelly's Why Conservative Churches Are Growing (Harper & Row, 1977). Kelly's thesis, as best I remember, was not simply that conservative churches were growing because they were strict and conservative (although their relatively high demands upon their members was a positive growth factor) but rather because these churches kept themselves energetically focused on the main business of religion -- making meaning for their members. When churches become distracted, seeing themselves as just another volunteer service organization, or one more friendly social club, they decline. The business of churches, said Kelly, is meaning in God.

In the succeeding years, we pastors were deluged by studies and books on church growth and decline. Some said Kelly had neglected certain sociological factors; that he had made too much of the intellectual/theological basis for church growth. They pointed out that the mainline protestant birthrates had declined since the 1950's. Most mainline growth comes through births to members, therefore the decline.

Then a book by C. Kirk Hadaway and David A. Roozen, Rerouting the Protestant Mainstream: Sources of Growth and Opportunities for Change (Abingdon, 1995) showed the fruit of decades of studies of church growth and decline. As their title shows, Hadaway and Roozen, two distinguished observers of the mainline church, tried to get beyond analysis and more toward positive prescription.

We live in a buyer's market, as far as religion is concerned, say Hadaway and Roozen. And that's not completely bad. Having had a virtual monopoly on American religious life, today's mainline protestants must now adapt to a consumeristic culture where people shop for a church, where people demand quality, and where people drop their church if it doesn't meet their demands.

Too often those demands are identified as an upbeat worship service, a clean nursery, a big parking lot -- which are important factors. However, Hadaway and Roozen highlight a demand that echoes some of Kelly's earlier claims. They say that, when all the factors are studied, "the key issue for the churches seems to be a compelling religious character...not whether the content of that character is liberal or conservative" (p. 69).

For some time I’ve believed that Mainline Protestantism is in trouble because we provided people with the theological rationale not to go to church. We gave them a theology of secularity. Hadaway and Roozen seem to agree. Church cannot be a sanctified form of Rotary. We must clearly, intentionally, relentlessly be determined to be a place where we meet God and God in Jesus Christ meets us.

Hadaway and Roozen tell the delightful story of a Roman Catholic congregation that opened their worship with a time of friendly community and handshaking. The priest said, "It would be a shame to leave here without knowing those around us." Then, with a twinkle in his eye he said, "It would be a much greater shame to leave here without knowing God!" The congregation erupted into applause as if to affirm this is the reason why we are here.

A strong sense of identity and a compelling vision are the two essential characteristics for a vibrant congregation. Hadaway and Roozen are critical of Kelly and others who believe that high demands, conservative theology, or strict expectations are the key.

We desperately need leaders, say Hadaway and Roozen, leaders who are dissatisfied with decline, who refuse to bow to sociological determinism, who emphasize the distinctive, spiritual, God dimensions of church.

Halford Luccock, that great teacher and preacher, told the story of the Methodist congregation, somewhere in the remote Dakotas, who suffered a severe blizzard one winter. The snow was high. Even the mail did not get through for a week. That meant that the pastor and congregation had no clue what was the denominational emphasis for that week. They did not if know this Sunday in February was United Nations Sunday, or the Festival of the Christian Home Sunday, or what. So, said Luccock, the pastor strode embarrassed before the congregation that Sunday and said that, "In the absence of any other reason for gathering today, we'll just worship God."

Give up your Life (Max Lucado)

2007-10-29T07:43:00.000-05:00

“He gave up his place with God and made himself nothing.” --- Philippians 2:7

God grants us an uncommon life to the degree we surrender our common one. “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life” (Matt. 16:25 NLT).

Jesus did. He “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men…He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death” (Phil. 2:7-8).

No one in Nazareth saluted him as the Son of God. He did not stand out in his elementary-classroom photograph, demanded no glossy page in his high school annual. Friends knew him as a woodworker, not a star hanger. His looks turned no heads; his position earned him no credit. “He gave up his place with God and made himself nothing.”

God hunts for those who will do likewise—people through whom he can deliver Christ into the world.

God's first class love

2007-10-26T17:24:00.000-05:00

Luke 7:36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

Fred Craddock, pastor of the Cherry Log Christian Church in the mountains of North Georgia in tells the story of a missionary sent to preach the gospel in India near the end of World War II. After many months the time came for a furlough back home

His missionary society wired him the money to book passage on a steamer. So, this young missionary journeyed to the port city. It was December of that year. Port cities are always full of interesting and fascinating sights and sounds, but in this particular place, he discovered that a boat load of Jews had just been allowed to land temporarily. These were the days when European Jews were sailing all over the world literally looking for a place to live. Many countries wouldn't even let them come to port--most countries wouldn't let them stay for more than a few days. These particular Jews, anxious to be off the crowded conditions of their ship, were staying wherever they could find, in attics and warehouses and basements all over the port.

On Christmas morning, the young missionary sought out an attic where scores of Jews were staying. He walked in and said, "Merry Christmas."

The people looked at him as if he were crazy and responded, "We're Jews."

"I know that," said the missionary," What would you like for Christmas?"

In utter amazement the Jews said again, "We're Jews."

And again the missionary responded, "I know that. What would you like for Christmas?"

Convinced that he was either crazy or possibly genuine, an elder answered, "Pastries. Melt in your mouth pastries. Good pastries, like the ones we used to have in Germany."

So the missionary went out. He searched high and low, and bought out every fine bakery he could find of their best pastries. He bought as many fine pastries as he could for all the Jews he could find staying in the port. He used all the money his mission society had sent for his return passage home.

Of course, then he had to wire home asking for more money to book his passage back to the States.

As you might expect, his superiors wired back. "What in the world did you do with the money we already sent?" they inquired. This, or course, was long before the day of email. Transoceanic telephone was impractical. Wires took some delivery time and some reply time. The young missionary sent his reply.

"I bought Christmas pastries for Jewish immigrants here in the port city."

He waited for the reply. His superiors wired back, "What in the world possessed you to buy Christmas pastries for Jews? They're not Christians. They don't even believe in Jesus."

He wired back: "Yes, but I do."

Not the crumbs from under the table, but God's first class love. That's the example we have from Jesus.

"If you suffer, whoever you are, enter, eat, sleep, recover hope, here you are loved."

2007-10-25T19:59:00.000-05:00

L'Abbé Pierre was a man who had dedicated his entire life to the downtrodden, the poor and the homeless. He was the founder of Emmaüs, an organization "dedicated to fighting extreme poverty and its causes." He became famous when, in the severe winter 0f 1954, he made a desperate appeal for funds on Radio-Luxembourg, which began with the following words:

"Help, my friends... A woman just froze to death last night at 3:00 a.m., on the sidewalk of boulevard Sebastopol, clutching the paper informing her that she had been evicted. In front of their brothers dying of misery, only one opinion must prevail among men: The will to make it so that this cannot last."

In the aftermath of this appeal, he received 500 million francs worth of donations. His lobbying on behalf of the homeless led to the enactment of a law that forbids the eviction of tenants during the winter months. There are now over 350 Emmaüs communities in the World, including 110 in France alone. The man who called himself La Voix des hommes sans voix (the Voice of voiceless men) disliked being in the public eye, but would come to the fore when he had to denounce a blatant injustice and, in its article, Le Monde refers to him as the "conscience of French society."

This motto of his organization is:
"If you suffer, whoever you are, enter, eat, sleep, recover hope, here you are loved."

My friend John Coleman preached a sermon on June 10, 2007 on this story. You can find it by clicking here-------> http://coascension.nextmeta.com/content.cfm?id=2027

John called the sermon "Avert your Eyes." It is a challenge to not "avert our eyes" from those who are hurting.......

Riddles of God

2007-10-25T12:05:00.000-05:00

"The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man" -----G.K. Chesterton

Praise versus Thanks

2007-10-25T07:02:00.000-05:00

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Luke 11:2a

Many people mistake thanking the Lord for praising Him. Oftentimes we rattle off a list of things we are thankful for and move right to our requests, believing we have spent time giving glory to God. But there is a clear distinction between thankfulness and praise.

The Merriam-Webster definition of "thankfulness" is: conscious of benefit received. In contrast, the definition of "praise" is: to glorify, especially by the attribution of perfections. The primary difference is that when we give thanks, our focus is on what God has done for us, whereas during praise, the focus is solely on Him.

The Bible lists a myriad of God's attributes for which we can glorify Him. It tells us that He is holy (Lev. 19:2), just, perfect, and righteous (Deut. 32:4), merciful (Psalm 116:5), mighty and infinite (Psalm 147:5), and sovereign (Psalm 47:8), just to name a few.

So, let's remember to take a few moments at the beginning of each prayer to tell the Lord how much we love Him just for being the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

"When I give thanks, my thoughts still circle about myself to some extent. But in praise my soul ascends to self-forgetting adoration, seeing and praising only the majesty and power of God, His grace and redemption." --- Kristian O. Hallesby

What do you think?

2007-10-24T12:51:00.000-05:00

Dick Freeman likes this music. I think I do as well. I really like the way the words are on the screen. What do you think. You can make comments below.

Do Not Lose Heart

2007-10-24T10:40:00.000-05:00

Look outward and be distressed,
Look inward and be depressed,
Look upward and be at rest.
-Corrie Ten Boom

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Ten Minutes From Seeing Lazarus (Max Lucado)

2007-10-24T06:46:00.000-05:00

“Jesus wept.”John 11:35 NKJV

Jesus…weeps. He sits between Mary and Martha, puts an arm around each, and sobs…

He weeps with them.
He weeps for them.
He weeps with you.
He weeps for you.

He weeps so we will know: Mourning is not disbelieving. Flooded eyes don’t represent a faithless heart. A person can enter a cemetery Jesus-certain of life after death and still have a Twin Tower crater in the heart. Christ did. He wept, and he knew he was ten minutes from seeing a living Lazarus!

And his tears give you permission to shed your own. Grief does not mean you don’t trust; it simply means you can’t stand the thought of another day without the Lazarus of your life. If Jesus gave the love, he understands the tears. So grieve, but don’t grieve like those who don’t know the rest of this story.

ARE YOU TIRED? (Max Lucado)

2007-10-23T10:16:00.000-05:00

“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Come to me…The invitation is to come to him. Why him?

He offers the invitation as a penniless rabbi in an oppressed nation. He has no political office, no connections with the authorities in Rome. He hasn’t written a best-seller or earned a diploma.

Yet, he dares to look into the leathery faces of farmers and tired faces of housewives and offer rest. He looks into the disillusioned eyes of a preacher or two from Jerusalem. He gazes into the cynical stare of a banker and the hungry eyes of a bartender and makes this paradoxical promise: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29).

The people came. They came out of the cul-de-sacs and office complexes of their day. They brought him the burdens of their existence, and he gave them not religion, not doctrine, not systems, but rest.

Don’t praise yourself... (Max Lucado)

2007-10-21T19:13:00.000-05:00

“Don’t praise yourself. Let someone else do it.”Proverbs 27:2

Demanding respect is like chasing a butterfly. Chase it, and you’ll never catch it. Sit still, and it may light on your shoulder. The French philosopher Blaise Paschal asked, “Do you wish people to speak well of you? Then never speak well of yourself.” Maybe that’s why the Bible says, “Don’t praise yourself. Let someone else do it.”

Do you feel a need for affirmation? Does your self-esteem need attention? You don’t need to drop names or show off. You need only to pause at the base of the cross and be reminded of this: The maker of the stars would rather die for you than live without you. And that is a fact. So if you need to brag, brag about that.

Church Picnic

2007-10-21T07:36:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Stuart and Perry for the Great Music at the Church Picnic. (Stuart skipping an Alabama Football Game is truly the "Hands of Christ"....)

Administer true justice

2007-10-20T20:07:00.000-05:00

"This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Administer true justice;
show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow
or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not
think evil of each other."
-- Zechariah 7:9-10

THOUGHT: Do you want a clear, simple, straightforward word from the Lord today? That's what Zechariah gives us. He reminds us that God wantsus to be fair, compassionate, caring, without prejudice, and tenderhearted to those in need, and to give each other the benefit of the doubt. In other words, he wants us to treat each other like Christ treated people. Why? Because we can't be right with God and be wrong with people!

PRAYER: Loving Father, please forgive me for the times I've gottenb ogged down with hard-to-understand verses in Scripture and ignored your clear teaching on how to live. Please give me the opportunity this week to live like you have commanded me. In the future, when my heart grows cold or my response to others is not what it should be, please use your Spirit to bring to my remembrance this passage

A Finished Work (Max Lucado)

2007-10-19T02:45:00.000-05:00

“God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished.” Philippians 1:6

The message of Jesus to the religious person is simple: It’s not what you do. It’s what I do. I have moved in.

Religious rule-keeping can sap your strength. It’s endless. There is always another class to attend, Sabbath to obey, Ramadan to observe. No prison is as endless as the prison of perfection. Her inmates find work but never find peace. How could they? They never know when they are finished.

Christ, however, gifts you with a finished work. He fulfilled the law for you. Bid farewell to the burden of religion. Gone is the fear that having everything done, you might not have done enough. You climb the stairs, not by your strength, but his. God pledges to help those who stop trying to help themselves.

The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations

2007-10-19T02:37:00.000-05:00

The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations Website: http://5practices.org/

Radical Hospitality
Passionate Worship
Intentional Faith Development
Risk-Taking Mission and Service
Extravagant Generosity

Room for Miracles (Max Lucado)

2007-10-18T06:13:00.000-05:00

“I will not believe it until I see the nail marks in his hands and…

put my hand into his side.”John 20:25

In our world of budgets, long-range planning and computers, don’t we find it hard to trust in the unbelievable? Don’t most of us tend to scrutinize life behind furrowed brows and walk with cautious steps? It’s hard for us to imagine that God can surprise us. To make a little room for miracles today, well, it’s not sound thinking.

We make the same mistake that Thomas made: we forget that “impossible” is one of God’s favorite words.

How about you? How is your imagination these days? When was the last time you let some of your dreams elbow out your logic? When was the last time you imagined the unimaginable?… Has it been awhile since you claimed God’s promise to do “more than we can ask or imagine?” (Eph. 3:20)

John Wesley Quote

2007-10-17T08:36:00.000-05:00

Do all the good you can,

by all the means you can,

in all the ways you can,

in all the places you can,

at all the times you can,

to all the people you can,

as long as ever you can.

~ John Wesley ~ (1703-1791)

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

Final Poll Results: Other than Sunday School, what type of small group do you attend?

2007-10-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Women's Circle -----------------7 (21%)
Men's Group ------------------10 (30%)
Wednesday Bible Studies------- 9 (27%)
Women's Bible Study -----------3 (9%)
Prayer Group ------------------6 (18%)
Service Team ------------------ 4 (12%)
Disciple Class ------------------10 (30%)
Youth Group------------------- 5 (15%)
Dinner/Supper Meeting------- 10 (30%)
Worship Team----------------- 16 (48%)
Other --------------------------9 (27%)

Everything You Need (Max Lucado)

2007-10-17T05:47:00.000-05:00

“My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need.” Philippians 4:19

May I meddle for a moment? What is the one thing separating you from joy? How do you fill in this blank: “I will be happy when _________________”? When I am healed. When I am promoted. When I am married. When I am single. When I am rich. How would you finish that statement?

Now, with your answer firmly in mind, answer this. If your ship never comes in, if your dream never comes true, if the situation never changes, could you be happy? If not, then you…need to know what you have in your Shepherd.

You have a God who hears you, the power of love behind you, the Holy Spirit within you, and all of heaven ahead of you. If you have the Shepherd, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, and an anchor for every storm. You have everything you need.

Joke

2007-10-17T05:35:00.000-05:00

When Jerry Garcia died, he woke up and found himself on a stage on which a number of instruments were set up. A door offstage opened and in walked Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Brian Jones, John Lennon, Otis Redding and Buddy Holly. Each musician picked up his favorite instrument and began tuning up. Jerry walked up to Jimi and said, "Man, so this is what heaven is like."Jimi looked at him and said, "Heaven? You think this is heaven?"At that moment, Karen Carpenter walked in, took her seat behind the drums, and called out, "Okay guys, 'Close to You.' One, two, three, four!"

No Fear of Bad News (David Jeremiah)

2007-10-16T10:39:00.000-05:00

He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7

At first reading, Psalm 112 seems too good to be true; but on further study, we realize it's so good it must be true. This Psalm explains how God blesses us when we praise Him, fear Him, and delight in His commandments (verse 1).

Our children will be blessed by our faithfulness (verse 2), our needs will be met (verse 3), we'll become more gracious, compassionate, and righteous (verse 4), and more generous and discreet (verse 5). Best of all, we'll be secure in our hearts, unafraid of bad news (verses 6-8).

This isn't a promise that bad news will never come, for we all read the headlines every day and sometimes face that dreaded call in the night or those difficult conversations with a friend. But faith turns the bad news into items of prayer and objects of trust, for we know God works all things together for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Because of God's sovereignty and Christ's resurrection, we have a peace the world can never understand. Our hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

"(The) peace of God . . . is an unspeakable calmness and serenity of spirit, a tranquility in the blood of Christ, which keeps the souls of believers, in their latest hour, even as a garrison keeps a city." John Wesley