Central Worship

What is God shouting?

2010-03-02T08:00:00.004-06:00

With the shooting at Discovery Middle School followed by more at UAH, you may be asking:
“Where are you, God, in all this?”

Allen’s lesson on February 21 confirmed your right to ask it.

Questioning is a form of struggling that helps you grow and mature.
Questioning is one way you work out your faith.
Questioning validates the existence of God. (You’re still asking Him the question, after all).

In the beginning, God created perfection. But man chose death rather than life.

The only hope to solving the death problem (pain) was for God to enter our world to fix it. So Jesus did.

So what is God trying to tell you?
And as God’s mouthpieces, what should Christians be saying?

God: “I will be with you always.”
Christian: “I’m here for you.”

God: “My grace is sufficient.”
Christian: “I’m here to help.”

God: “Do not fear.”
Christian: “We’ll get through this together.”

God: “Justice will prevail.”
Christian: “Let me share my faith with you.”

Be watching for God with spiritual eyes.
Be working with God to perform gracious acts.
And be listening for God to hear what He's saying.

You’ve been set up

2009-09-23T12:47:00.004-05:00

God has set us up for success.

Macky shared four ways last Sunday, Sept. 20, that God has set us up to succeed in sharing him with others.

(1) Internally
He puts a “God-shaped hole” in every heart.

God has set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:1), a God-shaped hole. Each person has it. And as believers, we know what fits exactly. The world offers other options: Sports, money, education, shopping, relationships, work, alcohol, thrills, spiritual highs, family, food, drugs…

But they never fill us up. Only the perfect thing designed to fit, Jesus Christ, will satisfy. Share him. He’s who everyone is made for (John 4:13-14).

(2) Externally
He makes his presence obvious.

You can’t miss him. God has plastered himself all through creation (Romans 1:18-20). All we have to do is point to what God has already done. God has set it up for us by making himself plain.

(3) Impeccable Timing
He puts each person in the right place at the right time.

God sets us up with divine appointments, not coincidences. He has us here and now, at this time and place, so we can best find him (Acts 17:26-27). We are where we are because of his infinite wisdom. Use the opportunities that he provides through your times and places to share him with others.

(4) Best Tools
He gives us his Holy Spirit and his Words to carry.

He has equipped us with master tools: 1. His Spirit, and 2. His complete and perfect Word. Share “the rest of the story” with those he places in your life. His Word won’t return empty (Isaiah 55:10-11).

* * *

Challenge for Christians:

Don’t be just a bench/pew warmer.
Take advantage of God’s setup.
See broken cisterns (Jeremiah 2:13) as opportunities.
Trust in God’s ability to draw people.
Show up to divine appointments.
Put God’s tools to use.

Challenge for Those Seeking:

Reflect on God’s setup for you.
Refuse to fill up on the temporal.
Seek Jesus and study his Word.
Welcome a “Philip” to help you (Acts 8:26-40).

God has done all the hard work for us. He’s set us up to do the easy stuff. His Spirit is at work. Are we?

Better Together

2009-08-27T12:57:00.007-05:00

Central has been chosen to participate as one of the "best practices" churches for "The Better Together Conference on Race" on September 10th and 11th at the Redstone Federal Credit Union Training Center in Huntsville.

The Conference is a community effort to increase awareness of racial disparities and equip Huntsvillians with tools to reduce disparity gaps and promote racial harmony.

Richard Brown and Delois Smith will represent Central on one of the panels Friday morning, September 11th.

They were recently interviewed on WAAY 31 by Stephanie Beecken about the diversity efforts at Central. Read the transcript here:

Huntsville Church Makes Effort To Diversify Congregation

Watch the video that aired here. Scroll through the "Focus on Faith Videos" for "Focus on Faith: Church Diversity."

Focus on Faith Video: Church Diversity

For more information about the Conference:

Better Together Conference

Read the Gospel of John

2009-06-08T15:06:00.007-05:00

Allen’s recent sermons have been gearing us up to study the Gospel of John. Make your own preparations by reading through it now!

It’s only 21 chapters. If you read at least a chapter a day, you’ll be finished in 3 weeks.

Even better, grab a friend or family member and read it together. Download and print this bookmark for an easy way to keep track, and to answer a couple of questions per chapter to spark discussion with each other.

I’m reading through it with Jeff at a slower pace. We try to read it at least 4 days a week, often over the phone if we’re in different cities. We answer Question “a” before we read the chapter, and Question “b” afterwards. (Questions are loosely adapted from the Serendipity Bible.) If you’d like to blog with us, please do so here.

The more we look upon Jesus, the more we can be transformed into His likeness. Get a good look at Him now through the Gospel of John!

~ Lisa

Had she been another mother

2009-05-10T20:30:00.003-05:00

Allen also shared this poem by Ruth Bell Graham.

Had she been another mother

Had I been Joseph’s mother
I’d have prayed
protection from his brothers:
“God keep him safe;
he is so young,
so different from
the others.”
Mercifully she never knew
there would be slavery
and prison, too.

Had I been Moses’ mother
I’d have wept
to keep my little son;
praying she might forget
the babe drawn from the water
of the Nile,
had I not kept
him for her
nursing him the while?
Was he not mine
and she
but Pharaoh’s daughter?

Had I been Daniel’s mother
I should have pled
“Give victory!
This Babylonian horde –
godless and cruel –
don’t let them take him captive
– better dead,
Almighty Lord!”

Had I been Mary –
Oh, had I been she,
I would have cried
as never a mother cried,
“…Anything, O God,
anything …
but crucified!”

With such prayers
importunate
my finite wisdom
would assail
Infinite Wisdom;
God, how fortunate
Infinite Wisdom
should prevail!

Mothers in the Bible

2009-05-10T20:26:00.001-05:00

As we celebrated mothers today, Allen shared this list of "Moms in the Bible." Look them up as you have time.

Poem by Lois Cheney

2009-04-13T22:08:00.004-05:00

Allen ended his sermon on Easter Sunday with this poem. Everyone listened intently as he read it aloud. As you view it now, also read it aloud to yourself to absorb its full impact.

Once upon a time there was a God
Who so loved the world
That He gave his son; his only son.
And they took that son
And they hung him a cross
And that son died.

And they buried the son—
Sealed him up tight.
But God said, “Oh no you don’t!”
And he rolled back the rock
And unsealed his son
And his son came out,
Came out walking and breathing
And he was alive.

And he’s alive today
And he walks around
And he stalks around
Breathing life and life.

Every morning just before dawn
For thousands of years
Little grim people—
Preachers and bankers and
Storekeepers and students—
Sneak up to the grave and roll back the stone
To seal it up tight.
And every morning God roars,
“Oh no you don’t!”
And he flings back the stone.

And out walks Jesus all over again;
Out stalks the grinning, striding Jesus.
Tight-lipped little people hover all day
Around the tomb
And cover it with incense
And bow before it
And walk before it
And sigh before it
And pray to it
And sing to it
And weep to it
And lean on it.
And weep to it
And lean on it.
And no one notices
Or at least they pretend not to notice,
The living, breathing, walking, talking Jesus
Out on the edge calling
“Hey! Hey you!”

~ by Lois Cheney

The God of All Comfort ("Changed into His Image" series)

2009-03-17T11:57:00.006-05:00

Allen began a new series this past Sunday—“Changed into His Image”—on the character of God. This Sunday we looked at the “God of all comfort” from 2 Corinthians 1:3-11.

Paul’s Point
God is sovereign. God is King. God is known through Christ. Our true identity is in Him. That’s where we find fulfillment, even in suffering, because He is the God of all comfort.

What is comfort? It is not the absence of pain or problems, but rather the presence of God in the problems. It is the condition of peace in the midst of troubles, being confident of God’s deliverance (Psalm 46).

What are Paul (and we) being comforted from? Every problem—ones that we cause and ones that we don’t cause. God comforted Jesus; God comforted Paul; God comforts us.

Paul’s Position
Paul had been drowning in distress and saw death as the only out—except with God’s help. Because God had helped him in the past, he was confident he would do so in the future. Resulting in? Thanksgiving and praise!

Paul’s Perspectives
...of God: God’s character is comfort. It doesn’t change.

...of Suffering: Lumps it in one pot. The obedient suffer just as the disobedient suffer.

...of Ministry: Paul was an illustration of God’s power because Paul was called to suffering. Be faithful whether you're suffering or not.

Four Life Applications:
1. Live focused on thanksgiving and praise.

2. Live focused on the character of God. Learn who he is.

3. Live focused on God’s sovereignty. Honor his kingship.

4. Live focused on sharing with others the comfort we have received.

One word to describe my character is...

2009-03-03T17:12:00.004-06:00

Allen wrapped up the “Reverse Osmosis” series last Sunday. He posed these three big questions to us. Ask yourself:

1. Where’s my faith?
1 Peter 1:3-12. Who is it that I’m trusting in?

2. How’s my walk?
1 Peter 1:13 – 2:12. Am I walking in self-reliance or Christ-reliance? One way to tell: watch my obedience levels.

3. Am I growing?
1 Peter 2:13 – 3:7. What am I putting off and putting on? Am I submissive? Jesus showed his maturity by submissiveness, a positive sign of growth.

Then Allen challenged us with this exercise.
Take a moment to really consider your answer.

Choose one word that best describes your character.
Which word would you choose?

Harsh or Holy?
Worried or Confident?
Arrogant or Humble?
Pure or Lewd?
Frustrated or Resting?
Greedy or Giving?
Loving or Selfish?
Forgiving or Nursing a Grudge?

Jude 24, 25 was our ending exhortation—a beautiful encouragement to keep our eyes on Jesus to live a life of dependence, a life of repentance, and a life of confession.

Jesus is the Way to live a pure life in our 21st century world.

What Language Do You Speak?

2009-02-22T15:59:00.007-06:00

Over 6,700 languages are spoken around the world. But before the end of this century, half of those will be gone. About 200 languages now have fewer than 10 speakers, and another 200 languages have less than 50.

We use language to communicate our thoughts, pass along memories, share information, point to the future. As Jim pointed out today in Part 7 of our Purity and Holiness series, God gave us speech:

to praise Him
to encourage others
to inspire others
to do good
to be what He created us to be

So how are we doing? Do the words we speak live up to those goals? Are they expressing who we really are...children of God, saved by grace, created to give God glory?

Or would the world be better if some of the languages we speak disappeared? According to UNESCO, a language is considered endangered when its speakers quit using it, when it is used in less and less situations, and when its speakers fail to teach it to the next generation. Should we be doing that with some of our speech?

On the other hand, how do we keep a language from disappearing? The most important things are: “to create favorable conditions for its speakers to speak the language, and to teach it to their children.”

There’s only one native speaker of the language of Livonian left. When he dies, the language will be gone as well. If you were the last native speaker of the language you’re using, would it be a good or bad thing for the language to die with you?

Choose your words wisely.

My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. Psalm 145:21

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:4

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

Learn to Live a Pure Life

2009-01-16T13:05:00.009-06:00

Allen began an excellent new sermon series on “The Call to Purity” last Sunday, and we followed up by discussing it in our Wednesday night classes.

Please join us for the next 7 weeks as we delve deeper into these topics on Sundays, and discuss applications on Wednesdays:

Materialism – Jan 18 - 28
Sexuality – Feb 1 -11
Truthfulness – Feb 15 - 18
Conversation – Feb 22 – 25

And then wrap up on March 1. Together, we press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).

New Year Resolutions for a Transformed Life

2009-01-04T19:04:00.009-06:00

Allen started us off easy (and smiling) this morning with some no-fail New Year resolutions.

But those weren't for keeps. He then moved us into the hard stuff. And effective stuff. If you really want to live a transformed life in 2009, try these 7 ways instead:

1. Connect to God through prayer and Bible study that affect both mind and emotions

2. Nurture spiritual friendships with fellow believers

3. Pursue your faith in a church family

4. Intentionally find ways to grow spiritually

5. Serve others

6. Invest time and money in spiritual pursuits

7. Have spiritual conversations with outsiders

Hearing from God—Daily Bible Reading

2009-01-01T14:25:00.005-06:00

If you’ve resolved to hear more from God this year (i.e., read your Bible more), have you chosen a plan? Here is a review of several choices. And link here to 10 different plans. Along with sheets you can download and print out, these plans also offer web readings, email reminders, and mobile device readings.

Can it get any more convenient? Let God speak to you more directly this year. All you have to provide is the discipline, and He even promises to help you with that.

Days in Thy Presence

2008-12-31T10:41:00.005-06:00

As you press onward to a new year in Christ, be intentional. Seek His will; praise His name; spread His message.

O Lord,

Length of days does not profit me
except the days are passed in Thy presence,
in Thy service, to Thy glory.

Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides,
sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from Thee,

But may rely on Thy Spirit
to supply every thought,
speak in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,

And give me a desire
to show forth Thy praise;
testify Thy love,
advance Thy kingdom.

~ from Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions

Adore Him

2008-12-25T11:54:00.001-06:00

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come,
With all creation I sing:

Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I will adore You!

2008-12-22T10:39:00.000-06:00

He IS the Light

2008-12-15T16:04:00.012-06:00

If you worshiped with us yesterday, you’ll remember our focus was on the light of God.

Keep the thought burning--meditate on the passages; sing through the songs; continue to praise our Savior for the illumination of His glory, even in what we call our darkest times. As Stuart pointed out from Psalm 139, our ‘darkness’ is only so because we perceive it to be. In God’s presence, all is light!

What I want for Christmas...

2008-12-12T17:18:00.003-06:00

A Christmas List

What I want for Christmas...
I’d like a CD, some clothes, a pair of shoes, maybe a book or two, and a few surprises.

More specifically,
CD of Paul and Silas’ Greatest Hits sung from a Philippian prison cell (Acts 16). What were the words? Psalms I have in my own Old Testament, perhaps? What were the tunes? Did any other prisoners know the words and join in?

Clothes: how about a Clorox-white robe washed in red blood? I want to stay clothed in Christ’s righteousness now and always (Revelation 7). There’s no garment more precious.

Shoes: some hiking boots would come in handy as we travel the mountains carrying good news of peace and happiness and salvation, saying “Our God reigns!” (Isaiah 52).

Book: Maybe a prayer book with the words Daniel prayed as he looked out his window every day, wondering if he was being spied on, but kept on praying anyway (Daniel 6)?

Surprises:
Wouldn’t it be nice to receive the PEACE that Mary felt once she committed to following through with God’s will to carry His Son in her womb (Luke 1)?

And the JOY that the shepherds felt when they heard the good news on that angel-lit night (Luke 2)?

And the LOVE that came wrapped up in a sweet baby’s face that God hand-delivers to us (Luke 2)?

That would make a very Merry Christmas indeed!

For the Heart of Central—give thanks

2008-11-25T10:45:00.003-06:00

I’m thankful...

...for quiet servants who don’t wait on programs to organize good works, but see a need and meet it.
...for repentant hearts with authentic confessions and for compassionate hearts that actually forgive.
...for young people excited to be with each other every opportunity they can get.
...for quick fingers that type up prayer requests and announcements so the rest of us can remember to pray.
...for wise ones who diligently lead and teach our children and adults, year after year, with no desire for recognition.
...for enthusiastic voices that learn then lift heartfelt, Spirit-led, truth-filled songs of honor to our Father and encouragement to each other.
...for busy hands that cook for and clean up after preschoolers and college students and senior citizens.
...for friendly faces at the front and side doors to welcome in strangers and greet old friends.
...for organized folks who keep an older (but paid for) building clean and functioning.
...for seeking minds on college campuses wanting a fresh wash in clean blood, and for mature Christians showing them the Way.
...for the sharing of babies and caring for new mothers.
...for the muscles of young and old who set up chairs and take them down every weekend.
...for courageous families willing to live anywhere to share Jesus’ love, and for those at home who pray and pay for them to do so.

...for a million other “little” things that go unnoticed by human eyes but never escape divine ones.

Extraordinary people living out of an extraordinary Spirit.

Partners in the gospel; companions in grace; brothers and sisters in Christ.
That’s a lot to be thankful for.

Father, we offer our thanks...for keeping Your heart at the heart of Central.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
~ Philippians 1:3-5

Election Day 2008

2008-11-04T06:45:00.002-06:00

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
~ Romans 12:12

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
~ Proverbs 3:5,6

Who Do You See?

2008-10-18T10:46:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Kay for agreeing to share an excerpt of her poem (read complete poem here). It came from her personal study of Jesus’ interactions with women, and how His contact with them changed their lives forever.

Who Do You See?

Who do you see, Lord
When you look at me?
What do others see?
Will I be changed? Will I be free?
What will become of me?

You saw Mary
A frightened teenage girl… with a secret
No one could believe her
She surrendered all to you… in trust
And held the Savior of the world in her arms.

You saw the bleeding woman
Suffering in physical pain… 12 long years
No one could heal her.
All she needed was to touch you… and she did.
Your power flowed and her body was healed.

You saw Martha, opening her home
She was concerned about everything being just right… a proper hostess
Everyone depended on her to take care of things
She was distracted by all she needed to do… and missed what was important
You gently reminded her not to worry, but to be with you instead.

You saw the poor widow
She had nothing to live on… except her faith.
Others secretly scoffed at her meager offering
She gave everything she had… and you noticed
You praised her above everyone else for her trust in you.

You saw the woman caught in adultery
She had no dignity left… completely terrified.
Those around stood in self-righteous judgment, ready to stone her
She couldn’t even look at you… didn’t dare to ask for anything
Your probing question dispersed the crowd and you sent her on her way, redeemed and forgiven.

Go and sin no more.

Who do you see when you look at me?
Each woman here… I am all of these.
You look at me
I am full of sorrow… so much pain and regret.
Does anyone know my guilt, my grief? You do.
If only I can rest in the comfort of your love… feel your touch.
You promise to be with me always, to the very end of the age.

Now look at me again, Father
Who do you see?
I am clothed with Christ… it’s Jesus you see!
What do others see?
A sister, a friend… very much in need.
Will I be changed? Will I be free?
What will become of me?
Let my heart be yours alone, Lord… to YOU be the glory!

by Kay Carter

Read the entire poem here

My Battle Cry

2008-10-06T07:02:00.006-05:00

by Lisa

Last Wednesday night, the ladies’ Psalms class focused on facing enemies. Using Psalm 3 as our example, we each rewrote David’s prayer in our own words. I offer mine up for the family:

A Prayer for Central

O Lord,
       How big our enemy seems! He is attacking from around every corner. He whispers in our ears: “Your God isn’t big enough; he can’t rescue you from this mess. Not this time.”
       But you, O Lord, are our shield. No enemy ever defeats you!
       So we use our voices to cry aloud to you, and you answer us in your holiness. You have saved us before; you will save us again. We are safe in your protection.
       We need not fear, not even multitudes of enemies. For you, our very God, arise to save. You bless your people. And we thank you, Lord, that by your grace, we are your people.
       Because of Jesus' blood,
       So be it, Amen

More prayers from scripture here on defeating our enemies

Resolve to Control My Tongue

2008-09-27T11:58:00.002-05:00

To coincide with Allen’s series on the book of James the past several weeks, here is a list of 20 resolutions from James on how to control our tongue, put together by Sinclair Ferguson.

1. I resolve to ask God for wisdom to speak out of a single-minded devotion to him. (1:5)
2. I resolve to boast only in the exultation I receive in Jesus Christ and also in the humiliation I receive for Jesus Christ. (1:9-10)
3. I resolve to set a watch over my mouth. (1:13)
4. I resolve to be constantly quick to hear and slow to speak. (1:19)
5. I resolve to learn the gospel way of speaking to both rich and poor. (2:1-4)
6. I resolve to speak in the present consciousness of my final judgment. (2:12)
7. I resolve never to stand on anyone's face with the words I employ. (2:16)
8. I resolve never to claim as reality in my life what I do not truly experience. (3:14)
9. I resolve to resist quarrelsome words as evidence of a bad heart that needs to be mortified. (4:1)
10. I resolve never to speak decided evil against another out of a heart of antagonism. (4:11)
11. I resolve never to boast in anything but what I will accomplish. (4:13)
12. I resolve to speak as one subject to the providences of God. (4:15)
13. I resolve never to grumble. The judge is at the door. (5:9)
14. I resolve never to allow anything but total integrity in everything I say. (5:12)
15. I resolve to speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer. (5:13)
16. I resolve to sing praises to God whenever I'm cheerful. (5:14)
17. I resolve to ask for the prayers of others when I'm in need. (5:14)
18. I resolve to confess it whenever I have failed. (5:15)
19. I resolve to pray with others for one another whenever I am together with them. (5:15)
20. I resolve to speak words of restoration when I see another wander. (5:19)

Building Our Own Tower of Babel

2008-09-12T10:14:00.005-05:00

by Chloe

Sometimes as I pass through the motions of everyday life, I hear God trying to tell me something. Something big, something profound, something to which I should pay attention. Something to ponder, something to record. For what purpose? That is not always clear in the moment. It is enough to recognize the instruction and to be compelled to obey.

A few days ago I had one of these moments while driving on I-565 past the Space and Rocket Center. It was a moment where I felt that God revealed a profound truth to me ... one of those "light bulb" moments. In an instant, I saw something clearly that I had not realized before. I knew I needed to ponder it, listening for what else might be revealed. I tried to make a mental note to come back to later, when I had time. But later I could not remember, and I felt a profound sense of loss, that somehow carelessly I had discarded something very precious.

How intimately God knows our human frailties! I should not be surprised that He is patient and would simply instruct me again, in much the same way that I repeat myself over and over to my two-year old. So yesterday as I drove down I-565, I heard Him again. Then as I found myself awake in bed this morning in the wee hours, I knew it was time to ponder and write. All is provided ... a quiet house, sleeping children ... and so I meditate on what I heard in the shadow of the towering Saturn V rocket.

Your people in this time are no different than those of old. You squander precious time and resources building your own Tower of Babel. You do this INSTEAD of doing what I have instructed. I created you, I know what you need to have a good life in your time on earth: physically, mentally, spiritually. I have clearly told you what to do. But your people instead neglect the work I have designed you for and pursue your own agenda. You think your way is better than Mine. You dare to believe that you can improve upon My design! You are as stiff-necked a generation as I have ever seen! Rebellious as the Israelites, proud as the Pharisees. You stand in a time where your knowledge of history is unparalleled, yet instead of learning from it you are doomed to repeat it.

[Read the rest here...]

A handle on the inside

2008-09-08T21:19:00.004-05:00

He was a POW in Vietnam. A kept-guest in the Hanoi Hilton for 6 torturous years.

Locked in a 5 x 6 cell, you have time to do some serious thinking about suffering and about living and about dying.

Medal of Honor winner Leo Thorsness shared some sobering thoughts in The Huntsville Times yesterday (Sept 7) about being shot down by an enemy fighter in 1967. And about his release in March 1973. And about life since then.

According to Mr. Thorsness, “If a door’s got a handle on the inside, that’s a good day.”

As believers in Christ, shouldn’t we be living with that same attitude every day? Haven’t our grubby hands turned the handle on the beautiful Door to enter the Kingdom? Ever since Peter was handed the keys, he’s left the door unlocked for all who believe in Jesus to walk right through. Can it get any better than that? Isn’t release from our self-made prisons of sin and suffering cause enough for triumphant celebration?

Mr. Thorsness described his day of release this way: “We showed no emotion at all until the airplane broke ground. Then we all let it go; it was total jubilation. I’d waited six years and then to have your freedom, all that emotion was released, it was a phenomenal experience.”

A phenomenal experience indeed. We, too, have our freedom. Total freedom. Let’s praise the Lord every day for being the Door...with a handle on the inside.

Jesus said, “I am the door.
If anyone enters by me, he will be saved
and will go in and out and find pasture.”
~ John 10:9

Did you commit?—Strolling thru the OT

2008-08-30T07:59:00.001-05:00

It’s Day 14.

Two weeks ago many at Central took a “Walk thru the Bible” to gain a straighter timeline and a greater appreciation of God’s good purpose throughout history.

Many also made private commitments to stay in the Word daily for the next 30 days. If you’re using the workbook to guide your reading, you’ve been walking through the Pentateuch and reviewing the 77 hand signs each day to imprint the big picture into your head. Stay with it! It is time well-invested.

Are you ready? “Creation—fall—flood—nations--...”

Is this a new song?

2008-08-15T11:36:00.008-05:00

Is this a new song?

I’ve heard it before. I’ve even sung it before, as recently as last week. So is it new?

When the valley seems so dark and deep
And the burdens hard to bear
When the storm clouds gather in the east
And it seems that no one cares

Remember you are not alone
Look closely and you’ll see
The Savior watching over you
And He’s watching over me

(more here...)

A lot can happen in a week. We collect new frustrations. New joys. New prayers. New predicaments with others. New encounters with God. So when we hear a familiar song, but we’re not the same person that we were the last time we heard it, is it new?

In one sense, yes.

Each time we gather together, we have new blessings to celebrate from living off of God’s faithfulness for the past 7 days. We have a fresh coat of blood covering our sins from yesterday. When we sing of “storm clouds” that gathered and how our Savior was “watching over me”, we remind ourselves of the new ways that He did do just that, not once upon a time, but a few hours ago. Even now. Fresh memories; fresh mercies.

And next week? He'll do it again. So we'll do it again: Sing an old song like a new song. Again and again.
~ Lisa

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.
~ Psalm 40:3

My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
~ Lamentations 3:20-23

Pray for China

2008-08-08T16:53:00.015-05:00

It's 8/8/08.

The number 8 is significant in Chinese history. As the world focuses its attention on the Olympics beginning at 8 p.m. tonight, may believers worldwide also focus attention on the competitions going on behind the scenes. For souls. It's significant.

This resource, "China Games and Beyond" (PDF) provides devotions and prayers for the church in China, for Chinese athletes, and for their coaches, during both the Olympic games and the Paraolympic games. Also check out "Serving China.com" for other web resources.

Let the games begin...

Who Is Calling Whom? Lessons from Narnia

2008-07-31T21:07:00.004-05:00

“Speak your thought, Human Child,” said the Lion.

“I was wondering—I mean—could there be some mistake? Because nobody called me and Scrubb, you know. It was we who asked to come here. Scrubb said we were to call to—to Somebody—it was a name I wouldn’t know—and perhaps the Somebody would let us in. And we did, and then we found the door open.”

“You would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you,” said the Lion.

“Then you are Somebody, Sir?” said Jill.

“I am.”
~ from The Silver Chair, C. S. Lewis

God called Abram to swap his nationality for a new patriotism in an unknown world. God called Moses to leave Egypt for a magical land flowing with milk and honey. Jesus called his disciples to “Follow me” to places they couldn’t imagine.

What does God call me to do? You to do? For starters: He calls us to be His. To be saints—sacred ones, set apart for His use.

Then we, in turn, call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—leaving behind thoughts of earthly things and setting our minds instead on things above, in a new realm, a new kingdom.

He calls us; we call Him. We find the door open, and Somebody lets us in.

“...to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...”
~ 1 Corinthians 1:2

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
~ Colossians 3:2,3

“The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”
~ Revelation 22:17

If we could see the difference...

2008-07-26T10:02:00.018-05:00

Yes, the small things...

"I strongly suspect that if we saw all the difference even the tiniest of our prayers make,
and all the people those little prayers were destined to affect,
and all the consequences of those prayers down through the centuries,
we would be so paralyzed with awe at the power of prayer that we would be unable to get up off our knees for the rest of our lives.”

--Peter Kreeft, Professor of Philosophy, Boston College

A small thing.

2008-07-22T21:15:00.005-05:00

He is so sick; his skin looks awful. I wish I could do something. Why am I thinking like that? He killed my family and brought me here.

His wife is good to me and I like doing things for her. His illness must sadden her. I wonder if she would listen?

They have the weirdest ideas about ‘god.’ ‘Rimmon’, they call him and ‘Hadad’. They claim he is the god of storms. He goes into that temple with the king to worship the silent, still ‘god’ made by men. Why would he listen about some other god? Why would he care about YHWH?

I dare not try and talk to him, he is too important and too busy. He talks to his king all the time about war and fighting and political things. He is too important for me to bother. Perhaps, if I tell his wife she will tell him. But what good would that do? Why would she listen to a girl, and a foreigner at that? Slaves, like children, are to be seen, not heard. And why would he listen to her anyway? She is just a woman.

Why am I even thinking like this? It is none of my concern. What is the tug I feel in my heart? What can I do anyway? Why am I having trouble sleeping – waking up thinking of him and his illness?

It would be just a small thing, just a short suggestion. I guess this will never leave me alone unless I tell her. Who knows; she may just ignore me?

What words can I use? How can I say it quickly and convincingly?
“If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.”
Where did those words come from? They are perfect! Short and to the point. Somehow, I really believe he will be cured. Where did I get that idea? Before I was brought here, I remember seeing many people with this illness but none of them were cured by the prophet. Still, I really believe my master will be cured.

She listened to me, and she told him! My very words! Well, not really my words, but words that came into my head. He told the king!

He is going!

He is back and he is cured! He looks so healthy. His skin looks better than mine – so clear and clean. My mistress is smiling like she never has before. She even smiled at me.

He is telling her about the muddy little river and about deciding to swallow his pride and walk into the water. What did he tell her? It sounded like, “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.” What did he say about the dirt in the mules’ packs? I couldn’t hear that.

His servants are excited and nervous. They said something about him promising to worship YHWH. Will there be two of us now?

He has called for me! I am to tell him about YHWH.

A small thing?

Really?

~ Posted by Ed Ditto

Is God on Vacation?

2008-07-17T07:07:00.009-05:00

Last Sunday in Harvest, Alabama, they loaded god into an elaborately-decorated chariot. The short street along his route ahead was swept clean for his journey by the highest-ranking official present, Governor Bhandare of the state of Orissa in east India.

Where was he going? For a week’s visit to his old home, Auntie’s House, the old Church of Christ building a hundred yards away, remodeled several years ago into a Hindu temple before the larger temple was built in 2005.

Think of it as god’s yearly summer vacation. You go to the beach; he goes to Auntie’s House. Then when time is up, he’ll get back into the chariot for his ride back home, and in a ritual descent, enter the newer temple again.

But not without grief, for he left the wife at home during this vacation. And she’ll be none too pleased with him when he returns. She’ll shut the door in his face, and he’ll have to bribe the female gate-keepers before he can reenter their dwelling.

In the Hindu religion, this Festival of Chariots (Ratha Jatra) is wildly popular. The people celebrate in the streets, thrilled with the opportunity to glimpse their god outside of his inner sanctum. They are ecstatic as he rides past them in his chariot.

But I wasn’t there last Sunday to see his chariot go by. I was at another famous festival. A Christian one. One we gather for every Sunday.

We, too, celebrate that our God, Yahweh God, the One God, stepped out of His inner sanctum to come live in ours. We, too, are ecstatic that He journeyed away from His heavenly palace to enter our dusty streets so we could see Him.

But it’s no summer vacation for Him. He has taken up permanent residency in our hearts. His temple is our bodies. We have the pleasure of His presence every second, every day, all year round. In the Christian religion, how much more we have to celebrate!

For God “who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:24,25).

Because we are His living, breathing offspring, we know His divine being is not “like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by heart and imagination of man” (Acts 17:29).

Every day is a festival in Christ!

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the LORD!
~ Psalm 106:48

Move the Dirt

2008-07-15T00:24:00.004-05:00

Nine times in the history of Earth people have come back to life and then died again (ten if you count Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones). Have you ever wondered about those people?

What would I do?

Join me as I imagine.

I die, there is a funeral, a grave is filled and, like the Thief, I am in Paradise.

The Thief and I are introducing ourselves along with a man named Lazarus and a young girl who says her dad is Jairus. Suddenly, we are joined by an angel. “Ed, you are wanted back on Earth – back in your old body – alive again.”

“Who wants me?”

“Paul, Elijah, Elisha and Ezekiel.”

“No, thank you. Please tell them that I don’t want to go back. I like it here.”

Gently, from the angel, “Peter asked for you by name.”

“WOW! I am truly honored that an Apostle, Peter, would call my name, but look around at this place. Have you ever been to Earth? Please tell Peter, that I respect him greatly, but I don’t want to go back.”

The angel is gone.

The Thief, Lazarus, the girl, and I are together again. Both Lazarus and the young girl, with knowing looks, tell me “You will go.”

A strong yet gentle soft voice; “Ed, come forth!” It is the voice of the only One to whom I cannot say “No.” It is the voice of the One who, as He is asking me to do, left this place and came to the Earth (that He created). He knows exactly what He is asking. He has earned the right to ask me to come back.

“I am coming but it is scary. What happens when I fail while I am there this time? I am so safe here and so vulnerable there. I will be like I was. I will sin there. I will disobey You again. I will have to die again. I thought all that was past.”

“Yes.”

“Yes?”

“I have not changed, Ed, my grace was sufficient for before and it will be sufficient for now.”

“Tell them to move the dirt.”

“They already have.”

~ Posted by Ed Ditto

What is God singing? (and other random thoughts in the night)

2008-07-10T21:05:00.005-05:00

It’s 3:13 a.m.
It’s dark.
And I’m wide awake.

My mind bounces. Barrion’s provoking questions from class last night continue to demand answers. Why do I study the Bible? Why don’t I study the Bible? Wish I had heard Clyde sing his solo in class last week:

“No one ever cared for me like Jesus;

There's no other friend so kind as He.
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me;
O how much He cared for me.”

I sing words in my head from last night’s 6:30 medley:

“...whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You”

“...find rest my soul in God alone”
“...to find our way in the darkest night, let Your light shine on us”

Stuart changed the words on You Are My Hiding Place to better reflect the scripture: “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with songs of deliverance. ” ~ Psalm 32:7

So God is singing over me? Surrounding me with HIS songs?

I keeping hearing voice after voice. The teens: Adam working hard for Jesus in New Orleans. Stories of Cody knowing how to paint. Serving; growing; worshiping. Memories from Long Beach, MS: Charlene Tate singing Had It Not Been the Lord—“the water would have engulfed us.”

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
~ Zephaniah 3:17

C.S. Lewis had Aslan sing Narnia into existence. But what does God’s singing voice sound like? A deep bass like James Earl Jones? Or maybe Jim Carrey (please, no)?

It’s 4:23 a.m.
Still dark.
Still awake.

Thoughts still flit. Will I ever go back to sleep? Will it rain tomorrow—oops, I mean, today? The e-mail from my sister: her friend visited Central on the 5th Sunday Family Night, and loved our singing and scripture sharing.

I hear His voice mingled amidst all these. But I’m listening for a solitary voice. And it’s not my own. It’s His. I want to hear His alone.

So just from Him, just to me, He sings me back to sleep this morning, with:

“I have called you by name, you are mine.”

~ Isaiah 43:1

He continues,

“I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
~ Isaiah 43:3

And more,

“You are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you.”
~ Isaiah 43:4

There is no sweeter sound than God singing over me.

It’s 5:28 a.m.
It’s light.
And I’m at rest.

--Lisa

12 Sins We Blame on Others

2008-06-30T20:42:00.004-05:00

Author: Ben Reaoch, on Desiring God blog

It started in the Garden. Adam said to God,

The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.
~Genesis 3:12

The first man, caught in the first sin, turns to blame his wife. And he extends the blame to God as well! He implies that he would have remained innocent if God hadn't put Eve in the garden with him.

The blame-shifting in the Garden continues today. Our proud hearts send us desperately looking for someone else to point to every time we're confronted with our own sin. There must be someone else—our spouse, sibling, parent, boss, co-worker, pastor, friend, or God, himself.

We are so desperate to justify ourselves that we become irrational. Here are 12 examples.

1) Anger I wouldn't lose my temper if my co-workers were easier to get along with, or if my kids behaved better, or if my spouse were more considerate.

2) Impatience I would be a very patient person if it weren't for traffic jams and long lines in the grocery store. If I didn't have so many things to do, and if the people around me weren't so slow, I would never become impatient!

3) Lust I would have a pure mind if there weren't so many sensual images in our culture.

4) Anxiety I wouldn't worry about the future if my life were just a little more secure—if I had more money, and no health problems.

5) Spiritual Apathy My spiritual life would be so much more vibrant and I would struggle with sin less if my small group were more encouraging, or if Sunday school were more engaging, or if the music in the worship service were more lively, or if the sermons were better.

6) Insubordination If my parents/bosses/elders were godly leaders, then I would joyfully follow them.

7) A Critical Spirit It's not my fault that the people around me are ignorant and inexperienced.

8) Bitterness If you knew what that person did to me, you would understand my bitterness. How could I forgive something like that?

9) Gluttony My wife/husband/roommate/friend is a wonderful cook! The things they make are impossible to resist.

10) Gossip It's the people around me who start the conversations. There's no way to avoid hearing what others happen to say. And when others ask me questions, I can't avoid sharing what I know.

11) Self-Pity I'll never be happy, because my marriage/family/job/ministry is so difficult.

12) Selfishness I would be more generous if we had more money.

Making excuses like this is arrogant and foolish. It's a proud way of trying to justify our actions and pacify our guilty consciences. And it keeps us from humbling ourselves before God to repent of our sins and seek his forgiveness.

Consider James 1:13-15, which leaves us with no way of escaping our own sin and guilt. We cannot blame God, for he "cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one."

Instead, we have to accept the humbling truth that "each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." This will end the blame game, and it will send us pleading for Christ's mercy and grace.

A Prayer of Psalm 119

2008-06-23T08:27:00.003-05:00

Lord,
Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.

I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.

Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

Amen.

~ Psalm 119:129-133

Be still....in THIS unique moment

2008-06-16T10:45:00.022-05:00

Who is God? “I AM”

Where is God? Here

When is God? Now

What is God? Love

How simple He makes it for us—I am here now. To love. To be loved. In this moment—yes, even this one.

Are we too deaf to hear? Too busy to slow down? Too apathetic to care?

“Outlandish as it may sound, the mystery of eternity is wrapped up in daily attentiveness. Communion with God is affirmed by the way we embrace this one day.” ~ Ian Stackhouse

Lord,
in THIS moment,
may we be attentive to You.
Increase our awareness that
every second with You is sacred.

The Season for Fruit

2008-06-15T08:01:00.001-05:00

Last year was a bad year for blueberries. Right after the bushes bloomed, we experienced a hard freeze beginning April 1st with temperatures below 20 F for three nights in a row. This resulted in the complete loss of every berry on my bushes. I had to write the year off and wait. This year appears to be a bumper crop year... if it will rain at the right times.

What, pray tell, does this have to do with memorizing Scripture? Look closer at Psalm 1:3 near the middle of the verse, "...which brings forth it's fruit in season..."

There is a place and time when fruit comes, well, to fruition. It doesn't happen all the time! Yet that is exactly what I expect of my walk with God; a constantly fruitful and rewarding experience for myself.

The truth is everything has a time, including the transformation I undergo by being in His Word. I just need to abide in His Word (like the tree planted by streams of water) and patiently wait for the season for fruit. It will come.

It amazes me how a truth so profound can be so simple and so easily overlooked.

David

Did You Remember?

2008-06-14T16:00:00.007-05:00

Is it worth my time?

Why should I memorize scripture?

See if it:

• helps you not sin (Psalm 119:11)
• gives you guidance for life (Psalm 119:105)
• provides words to fight temptation (Matthew 4:4)
• stocks up material to meditate on (Joshua 1:8)
• prompts words of blessings to others (Proverbs 25:11)
• prepares you to explain your hope (1 Peter 3:15)
• equips you to teach others (Colossians 3:16)
• on and on and on (Isaiah 55:11)

Allen has challenged the body to memorize James 1:1-8 (NIV). Here is an audio version you can listen to or download to help you along. While you’re at it, double up and memorize Psalm 1 with a few in David’s Wednesday night class. (And read Stuart's post below for extra insight into that Psalm.) For extra memory motivation and practical tips, read “An Approach to the Extended Memorization of Scripture.”

It takes time to put the Word in your heart. But it is ALWAYS worth it. Try it!

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
~ Psalm 1:1,2

The Blessed Ones - Psalm 1

2008-06-06T10:35:00.012-05:00

“Blessed is the man …”

There they are, the very first words of the first chapter of the longest collection of writings in the most widely read, the most widely translated, and [simply put] the most important Book in the history of mankind. You know, the one clearly titled “The Book” (well at least it was in the original language).

In Psalm 1, “Blessed” would sound more familiar to our present day ears as “How Happy!” That’s pretty much at the core of our lives, isn’t it? We gravitate towards those people and activities in life in which we derive delight, joy, satisfaction, enjoyment … all those synonyms for Happiness.

How many books have been written trying to sell the “Secrets to Happiness”? 10,000? 100,000? I decided to see if I was in the ballpark by doing this search on Amazon.com. The result?

Showing 1 - 12 of 274,559 Results
Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill
The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want
Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment
Stumbling on Happiness

And on and on the list went …

With page after countless page having been dedicated to the subject, can we really expect the Psalmist to reveal something profound in 6 short verses – a mere 120 words or so?

As Mr. Nance so ably reminded us this past Wed night, God is not trying to hide His Word or His Will from us, to the contrary it should be called the “Message of the Obvious”. There are no secrets to decipher, no puzzles to solve. So what message does the Psalmist have for us?

Is Psalm 1 a blueprint to Happiness?

I think we want it to be … we want to “Stumble” upon it, as one of the books listed above so enticingly promises. Don’t we just want to be able to say the right magic words or participate in the right rituals at the right times and know for certain that Happiness would be waiting in our Inbox later that day – like the confirmation email you get after you sign up on a website? And in case that piqued your interest as it did mine, I’ll save you the trouble - yes, happiness.com is already up and running.

After some reflection, I don’t believe being such a blueprint is the intent of this Psalm, despite our desires to the contrary. We are simply being told the way things are … "I am going to describe the ones who are happy". And what do we learn about them?

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night

The law is so invasive in and pervasive throughout their lives that it directs how and where they walk, stand, sit, and meditate every day and night. Hmmm … that pretty much covers the 24-hour cycle, doesn’t it? And yet somehow, it is not a burden? It is to be delighted in?

Ok, I can hear you from the other end of the internet … “But didn’t you just finish teaching a class about how Christ came to abolish the idea of Law-keeping and to firmly establish the righteousness which comes by faith?”

Well yes, I did. The texts are numerous and very direct. Here is one concise example:

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law,
has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
~ Rom 3:21

And yet, the Apostle Paul lets us know there was a purpose for the Law to act as a tutor, to teach us the language of covenant, the A-B-C’s of a relationship with God, if you will:

So also, when we were children,
we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, …
that we might receive the full rights of sons.
~ Gal 4:3-5

Even though we have moved on to adulthood through Christ’s work, we don’t forget those fundamental principles we learned as children do we? Sin and its consequences, the Holiness of God, Sacrifice, Promise, Deliverance, and at the very core, Love:

The entire law is summed up in a single command:
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
~ Gal 5:14

And now that the time has fully come, we can understand and commune with the Law-giver in a way that was previously unknown. In a way that frees us from any burden to justify ourselves in His presence, because He has taken the curse of the Law on His shoulders. We are free to have direct, continual access to Him:

… we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place
by the blood of Jesus
~ Heb 10:19

And by faith we know that is where we want to be, where we desperately need to be … in His presence. How does Happiness flow from there? I honestly don’t know. I daresay it is Indescribable. Immeasurable even. It must be dynamic and unique to each of His children – in each of our specific circumstances and stages of life. I don’t think we have to know how it “works”, but rather:

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.

We are simply called to put down deep roots with Him. Delight in Him and drink from His Spirit ... continually, with the full expectation that He is sufficient.

“Blessed is that man” indeed.

~ Posted by Stuart

How Sharp Is Your Sword?

2008-06-04T23:06:00.005-05:00

" …Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
~ Ephesians 6:17

“I need to liven up my daily Bible reading.”

“I really have no clue on how to study the Bible; I’ve never done it.”

“How can I avoid boredom from re-reading the same stories I’ve read a million times?”

“I can’t stay awake to read the Bible.”

Can you relate to any of these? We can. We spoke them all tonight—in a class coordinated by David Nance, “Improving Your Personal Bible Study”, held on Wednesday nights this summer to address these very issues and more.

The Lord has placed us in a community of believers to learn from each other and to help each other grow. Opportunities such as these provide extra encouragement as well as new skills to nurture our individual relationships with God, and consequently with each other.

Take the first challenge to the class: commit to reading the Bible every day this quarter (now through August). Even when you don’t understand the prophecies, even when you’re in the boring genealogies, even when you’ve read it before. Read it anyway. At least a little. Every day.

“I want encouragement by seeing how excited other people are about studying.”

“There are people I don’t know, and I can get to know them in this way.”

“I imagine we’ll see that the Word is a lot bigger than we individually experience it.”

Let the Scriptures come alive to you and lead you into the very heart of God. There’s no better place to be!

"For the word of God is living and active,
sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow,
and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
~ Hebrews 4:12

"Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts."
~ Jeremiah 15:16

Death of a Soldier: A Tribute of Honor

2008-05-29T20:34:00.014-05:00

We lost one of our own last week...one of the good ones.

Henry Bragg sailed home early Saturday morning. But he left something behind.

A legacy of honor. It can’t be buried; it won’t be entombed. Henry’s life of integrity and value will live on in a place of highest honor in our memories.

Because he honored others, from the least to the Greatest, we return the favor to him. We join in the celebration of his victory, of the laying aside of his fighting uniform, to join his King in the homeland.

No more weariness; no more pain.

The battle is over.

Look at one tiny snapshot: of those asked to participate in his funeral service on Tuesday, to speak words or pray blessings or sing songs, there was an overwhelmingly common reply:

“It would be an honor to do so for Henry.”

Repeated so often, it doesn’t go unnoticed.

Not only was Henry a patriotic sailor from World War II, but he was a valiant warrior in the on-going battle we all fight between flesh and spirit. His greatest joy came in honoring his Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ.

As stories were shared at his funeral, this theme trumped all others. Henry knew how to glorify the Lord through his conversations with friends as well as strangers, through his defense of the Truth, and through the giving of his energy, finances, and time.

At Maple Hill Cemetery on that rainy Tuesday afternoon, the ceremonial U.S. flag covering Henry’s casket was folded, saluted, and handed to Henry’s wife, Gloria. This sentiment was expressed to her:

"On behalf of the President of the United States, a grateful nation and a proud Navy, I present this flag to you in recognition of your husband’s years of honorable and faithful service to his country."

May it be our honor to echo this same expression for our fellow comrade, Henry Bragg:

"On behalf of the family of grateful believers in the heavenly Kingdom, we recognize our brother’s years of honorable and faithful service to His God."

With amazing grace, his precious Lord took his hand. And so it is well with his soul.

He rests in peace. On the winning side. We will miss him.

~ In memory and honor of
Henry V. Bragg
December 14, 1923, to May 24, 2008

The Tower of Westin

2008-05-17T11:46:00.014-05:00

I’m on the 45th floor.

Only the 45th . There are 73.

As I peer over downtown Atlanta from my room at the Westin Peachtree Plaza, I realize I am above almost everything else. Even among most of the other skyscrapers, I’m higher. Lights blink atop summits, warning aerial passersby: “I am here! I am here!” Looking down, matchbox cars speed along toothpick roads.

Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and
a tower with its top in the heavens…."
~ Genesis 11:4a

How much higher can we go? This Westin opened in 1976 as the tallest hotel in the world (over 700 feet), and was Atlanta’s tallest building for 11 years.

The tallest man-made structure now is a skyscraper (still under construction) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It already claims 2,000 feet, and is still climbing to some secretive height. It will house 30,000 homes, nine hotels, a park, a mall, and even a lake.

"…and let us make a name for ourselves."
~ Genesis 11:4b

But competition is stiff. Other buildings, already under construction or proposed, brag of greater heights upon completion. The "Ultima" Tower proposed for San Francisco would be over 2 miles high and house one million residents. (Interestingly, it is modeled from a God-design—African termite nests).

How much more attention do we need? Who will be the highest, the one looking down on all others, the one looked up to by all others? How much more can we accomplish with our concrete and steel, glass and aluminum?

Will our towers reach Heaven?

We can never reach God by building ourselves up. He never expected us to go higher and higher and get louder and louder to grab his attention. He doesn’t want us to work our way up to Him—He chose, and continues to choose, to come down to us.

And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built.
~ Genesis 11:5

Or are we trying to BE gods ourselves? With enough engineering skill and construction know-how, we can figure it out on our own. “Me do it all by m’self.”

Well, sometimes it appears we CAN do it.

I look at new buildings going up outside my window. Cranes over 500 feet high are circling other buildings, gently placing more concrete blocks higher and higher. People all around are at work within the completed cells of the skyscraper office buildings. Functioning. Running. Efficient. A testament to man’s ability?

Then GOD scattered them from there all over the world.
And they had to quit building the city.
~ Genesis 11:8

But the idols we erect to ourselves in our high places are not safe.

On a Friday night two months ago, March 14, an F2 tornado shattered the illusion of our independence. The Westin hotel lost over 100 windows and the top swayed several feet.

We may look powerful, but we’re vulnerable. To a suicide pilot. To a dropped lit cigarette. To a growling earth-tummy.

To a furtive glance. To a prideful boast. To a grumbling tongue.

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
And he said to Him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."
~ Matthew 4:8,9

The devil knows what tempts us on our high mountains. He glitters the gold of the world before us, promising it is ours, if we only will fall down and worship him.

Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"
~ Matthew 4:10

So though I enjoy the view on this visit and benefit from the God-given ingenuity of men smarter than me, I won’t seek satisfaction in them. I admire the created things, and even marvel at them, but I save my worship and fullest adoration for the Creator.

I zoom down the high-speed elevator to ground level. From the altitude of standing on my own two feet, He still lifts me high upon a Rock that is higher than I, inside the strongest Tower against all enemies.

My satisfaction doesn’t come from making a name for myself, but on making much of His Name.

Because at my lowest point, on my knees, I reach the Highest.

~ Lisa

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.
The LORD is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens.
Who is like the LORD our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high?
~ Psalm 113:3-5

You, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
~ Psalm 97:9

The Pleasure of Pride

2008-05-08T14:35:00.003-05:00

Thus says the LORD:
"Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom,
let not the mighty man boast in his might,
let not the rich man boast in his riches,
but let him who boasts boast in this,
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD who practices
steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."
~ JEREMIAH 9:23-24

The pleasure of pride is like the pleasure of scratching.
If there is an itch one does want to scratch;
but it is much nicer to have neither the itch nor the scratch.
As long as we have the itch of self-regard
we shall want the pleasure of self-approval;
but the happiest moments are those when we forget our
precious selves and have neither but have everything else
(God, our fellow humans, animals, the garden and the sky) instead.
~ C. S. LEWIS

Humble yourselves… under the mighty hand of God
that He may exalt you at the proper time.
~ 1 PETER 5:6

What Is Freedom?

2008-05-02T09:48:00.027-05:00

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

~ Galatians 5:1

To close each Wednesday night’s Galatians class this quarter, we join hearts in prayer, beseeching the Lord to send the newly-learned bits of knowledge deeper into our souls.

For knowledge itself is not our end goal—it is only a means to increase faith in the One who sets us free from ourselves.

This past Wednesday was a pivotal class with much discussion on what freedom is and is not.

Father,

We don’t understand freedom in its fullness. We sample it; we like it; we want more. Thank you for it.

But we can’t comprehend it. It seems simple in theory, yet it is fuzzy in practice. It is our present reality, yet a promised inheritance to come. It is our eternal Sabbath rest, yet it coexists with our active struggle against sin.

Its opposite? Slavery—but even that can masquerade as freedom. It sits “ME” on the throne as an illusion of liberty. We’re deceived by its false promise until we discover we’re never more enslaved than when we’re dying in the midst of self-will and self-worship.

Freedom, on the other hand, means JESUS is on the throne. He alone leads us to Life. His work eliminated our sin liability, so we live debt-free.

How can we owe you nothing, God? Will our pride let us accept that? Are you really that good, and do you really love us that much?

Grant us your wisdom to better appreciate our freedom; give us courage to live more fully in it; plant our feet more firmly on it.

Freedom is not just a concept to us; it is a Person. And his name is Jesus. We praise you for your priceless grace.

Always yours,
Amen

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
~ Titus 3:4-5

2008 Prayer for Our Nation

2008-05-01T06:49:00.008-05:00

"The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped."
~ Psalm 28:7

Today is the 57th Annual National Day of Prayer. This year's theme is "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield".

2008 Prayer for Our Nation

Holy Father, in a world where so many are hungry,
You have given us food in abundance;

In a world where so many are hurting,
You offer to bind up our wounds;

In a world where so many are lonely,
You offer friendship to every heart;

In a world longing for peace,
You offer hope.

Yet, we are so stubborn and resistant.
Have mercy upon us, Lord.

Our nation is at a crossroads this year;
we look to you to be our strength and shield.

Please give us the guidance to elect one who will honor you
and to respond to the wisdom from above
so that our hope may be renewed and our blessings be treasured.

In God's holy name.

~ Dr. Ravi Zacharias
2008 Honorary Chairman,
National Day of Prayer Task Force

Do We?

2008-04-25T16:21:00.022-05:00

"So, brothers, we are not children of the slave
but of the free woman."
Galatians 4:31

In our Galatians class this past Wednesday night, Stuart guided us in listing the differences between the old covenant on the left and the new covenant on the right, between Hagar and Sarah, between slavery and freedom.

Our rational minds say, “Given the choice, WE would all choose the right side!”

But in reality, do we?

Do we live lives of natural strength or lives empowered by the Spirit?

Do we depend more on our own law-keeping for salvation (and feel guilty when we fail!) or rely SOLELY on God’s merciful grace?

Do we adhere ever-so-strictly to an empty religion or pursue an intimate, interactive relationship with the living Jesus?

God worked his promises in the life of Abraham because Abraham reciprocated with the essential ingredient: active faith. Not passive belief--active faith.

Abraham didn’t just believe in God; Abraham believed God.

Do we?

Abraham "believed God,
and it was counted to him as righteousness."
Galatians 3:6

For you...for you...for you

2008-04-16T06:36:00.012-05:00

This very intimate poem, later adapted into song and popularly used by choral groups, speaks of a singular focus—“for you”.

For God—we are born. For God—we live. For God—we die.

Such a beautiful, satisfying, profound purpose we enjoy. In this moment, let us praise Him for it!

Amor de mi alma

(You are the love of my soul)

I was born to love only you;
My soul has formed you to its measure;
I want you as a garment for my soul

Your very image is written on my soul;
Such indescribable intimacy
I hide even from you

All that I have, I owe to you;
For you I was born, for you I live,
For you I must die, and for you
I give my last breath

~ Garcilaso de la Vega (1503-1536)

Glorifying God in Creativity

2008-04-12T13:13:00.004-05:00

Randy Alcorn writes in his book 50 Days of Heaven,

Art, music, literature, crafts, technology, clothing, jewelry, education, food preparation—all are part of society or culture, the creative accomplishments of God’s image-bearers. Human creations are an extension of God’s own creative works, because he created us to reflect him by being creators.

As humans, we glorify God by taking what he created from nothing and shaping it into things for our own good and for his glory. The entire universe—including angels and living creatures in Heaven—should look at our creative ingenuity, our artistic accomplishments, and see God in us, his image-bearers.

God created his image-bearers to glorify him in creative accomplishments, and he’s pleased by them. God is pro-culture; he is the creative artist behind and over human culture.

~ From Desiring God Blog, April 12, 2008

(Photo: Reflections in Sawbill, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Northern Minnesota, USA)

JONATHAN: Strengthen a Leader; Save a Nation (Excerpts from the Giants)

2008-04-07T16:53:00.002-05:00

Jonathan gave up his own right to be king in deference to David, God’s true anointed.
1. When have you given up your “rights” in a situation? Was it difficult for you?

* Part of helping others to grow in their Christian service is to put oneself/ego in a background mode and encourage them to feel more confident in their effort. After all it is not my "right" to anything in life, it is the privileges that God has given me.
Was it difficult? We humans like to be given recognition for our efforts; however with "age" I have found that God knows and sees all and that is enough.

* Sometimes it’s hard for me to give up my right for “equality” in various settings—I like things to be fair and equitable according to MY definition and time table of such. I have to remember that God has promised to take care of that, and that I don’t have to force it myself.
And I'm very thankful that the Lord doesn't treat me "fairly"! :-) Grace is way beyond fair.

* In order to grow spiritually, mentally and morally we have to learn how to keep our ego in check. …We live in a "selfish me/mine, I'm more important than you" society. The number of people willing to step back and not demand "center stage" is dwindling faster than ever. The "second chair" attitude is achieved only by a conscience decision to seek out the greater good, i.e. the bigger picture.
As Christians I think we are obligated to be fair-minded and equal in all situations. Jesus purchased those "rights" for us.

* When God made us righteous he gave us a new view of our rights. "We no longer regard anyone from a worldly point of view" (2 Cor. 5:16) This includes ourselves and others. It is a wonderful gift of grace not just to have to be first, but not even to care that much about it. This is how I see it when I am in my right mind, but sometimes I slip into old ways of thinking.
As soon as I find it difficult to do or be what is obviously right and look for reasons to be or do what I really want, I know it is time to pray and renew my mind so that I can see clearly. God allows us our humanity and in our weakness gives his strength and grace.

2. When have you lifted someone to a higher level, or had someone lift you? Who could you be lifting up now?

* A vital part of a Christian walk is to lift up each other spiritually, emotionally, even physically when needed. A note, a kind/ or encouraging word, hugs!, helping with a task, listening, a phone call, etc., all provide a boost. Every time I am around fellow Christians, I am lifted up in one way or another. I hope I can do the same to those around me.

* I believe it is part of my God-given calling to lift up my husband and children to be the best they can be for God. And I think they do the same for me. I’m currently trying to lift up a friend who is under a great deal of pressure. I can’t do the job for her, but I can at least help keep her encouraged and supported to do the things that she is having to do on the front lines.

* I think I could do a better job of lifting up my family. Those who have lifted me are too numerous to name. :-)

* As a teacher for so many years, I had opportunities to lift up students and colleagues. I often pushed students, read numerous college applications and wrote a volume of letters. Every time one of them got the acceptance letter they coveted I rejoiced. I still hear from some of them and that is one of the joys of my retirement.
I have not lacked cheerleaders most of my life. My parents, especially my dad, was my devoted fan as have been my aunts and my grandmother. I've also been fortunate to have wonderful encouragers in and out of the church. And has it helped!...One of my favorite passages is Ps. 116:5-7. The Lord has been so good to me.

* My family is definitely my "Lifter"--a call from one of my children or grandchildren make my day, and my husband is always my #1 encourager. The Teens are also one of my supporters. The Sunrisers on Thursday mornings always make me feel super….I think that we mutually lift each other up in so many ways. Because when I lift someone up--at the same time they are lifting me up.

DAVID: Overcome Your Limitations (Excerpts from the Giants)

2008-04-04T10:17:00.002-05:00

Even after being anointed as the next king of Israel, David still had to wait many years for many things to come to pass before taking over the throne.

1. What in your life are you currently waiting for? Is it easy or hard to wait patiently for this?

* For a number of years I have been waiting on my husband to be added to the Lord's Church…A few years ago I realized all I could do was try to be a good wife as well as set a good example. I had to turn it all over to the Master. I am patiently waiting and of course praying.

* While I have some things we are hoping to do in our future, I don't feel as though I am 'waiting on them.' We eventually would like to return to the mission field in a foreign country, but I am happy here too looking for people to share my faith with or study with.

* I am waiting for God to change me into a really nice person, and one who doesn’t worry about anything. :-) Sometimes I am patient; sometimes I am not, for those things and more. When I see things through “eternity” eyes, I am more patient. Other times I can only think about getting through one day at a time anyway.

* I'm also waiting on God for "character" type things—waiting for him to change me. Or to change those around me. :-) And patience is hard.

* While we are waiting for all the things that distract us to happen: the happily ever afters, explosions, escapes, escapades, and seasons of this existence, ever wonder what God is waiting for?

...His longsuffering (good KJV word), says scripture, is for our good because he wants all of us to have the best. He must occasionally wonder: What we are waiting for?

* I am waiting for, or looking forward to, my family maturing in their faith. I have truly seen so much growth in them and yet they are babes in Christ and we know Satan is always roaming around preying on the weak. I’m weak sometimes too so I pray for God to send others to help them as well. God has definitely brought us to the right church family.

…I would like God to just speak all these changes into existence, though the truth is that I don't know what God has in store for me. I also know I must be actively seeking to improve myself, supporting my family in their spiritual growth, and improving other aspects of my life while praying for God to guide the outcomes. I'm enjoying waiting to see what God has planned for the story of my and my family's lives.

* I don't have a "wait" list. I'm not sure what that says about me. :+) Hopefully that means I have just turned it over to God and his timing, but more likely means that I haven't recognized in my heart what I am waiting for except the coming of Christ.

* I am waiting for ??? I am not sure what I am waiting for, perhaps God's guidance as to what HE wants me to do next.

* I enjoy just sitting back and letting God direct me. (Sometimes I am not good at His directions though.)

2. David had to rely on his faith in what God could do. When have you really had to rely on your faith?

* I need to rely on my faith all the time, but to my shame I sometimes rely on Me, a poor substitute. I have raised children and buried my parents. …When I lost my parents, my faith was a crucial sustainer as well as people of faith who knew me. Now, I find myself relying on faith as the grandchildren arrive and grow, the church changes, and life changes.

* The last 20 to 25 years of my life has brought many events that were catalysts to bring my reliance on faith to a new level, or renewed my faith. It is sad to say but most often the events that brought me closer to God were traumatic, painful, and/or scary.

...These events I view as the trials and tribulations we are to consider pure joy (James 1:1-3) because it helps us develop the strength to hold on another day.

* I am having to rely on my faith with a daughter in college. I have to trust that the Lord is taking care of her and is giving her guidance that she needs, and all I can do is give advice now and again and watch from the sidelines as she makes her own decisions. And pray!

* I had to really rely on my faith the years I homeschooled my kids. Now I have to rely on my faith that God will take care of them while they are in school.

* I have had health issues to deal with and those have been hard. Losing my mom was really hard. But, some of the hardest times was when I think I wronged someone. If I thought for a moment I had made someone stumble for having not put forth Christ in the relationship, that deeply bothers me until I have gone to that person and made things right.

* One of the hardest times for me was when my daddy died. All that weekend though, I was at peace and knew that God was in control. I also knew where my daddy was going! At the present time it's making sure that my mother is taken care of.

* When my daughter started dating, it really tested my faith to turn those worries over to God. He was faithful, and I am thankful. The other testing time was during my husband’s health trouble, but I never remember feeling anxious or worried beyond what I consider normal. I felt very comforted and strengthened that God was in total control of the outcome, whatever it was to be.

* Currently I am having to rely on my faith in caring for my mother, while trying to not diminish caring for other personal and church family members. I have seen God's hand in my life in the past and I pray daily for guidance.

SERVANT GIRL: Small Act Can Make Big Difference (Excerpts from the Giants)

2008-03-31T16:07:00.006-05:00

Commander Naaman had leprosy. A young slave girl in his house knew a healer. Despite immense differences in position between the slave and the commander, the girl still shared her knowledge of the prophet Elisha with Naaman so that he could be cured.

What types of people are you hesitant to share your faith with? Why?

* The arrogant. Those who think they’re too “smart” to believe such nonsense as Christianity.

* I feel nervous around people who I don't know are believers or not.
There are unbaptized believers that only need additional teaching. Sometimes we will agree to disagree. Even in this case we still have a respect and connection with each other. They are much less intimidating.
Angry and mean people scare me too. People who are obviously hard and disrespectful of God from the first time you meet them.

* Belligerent people are a fear to me, too. There's so much violence in the world today... On the other hand, there's a chance to prove Proverbs 15:1, "A soft answer turns away wrath."
This little servant girl had probably seen her master angry. He was angry when he was told by the SERVANT of the prophet to wash in the JORDAN RIVER.
"Voice of the Martyrs" details current persecution and deaths of Christians around the world. It is SO inspirational to see how God empowers His people to respond to threats and violence.

* With working with teens, I understand that people dress--should I say "differently". So I do try to get to know the individual a little before making any kind of preconceived judgment about them.

* It's actually a lot easier for me to share my faith with relative strangers than with friends... probably because I'm scared that my friends might think differently about me or that our friendship might somehow change.
But really, I need to start focusing on my friends who would probably listen to me more because of knowing me personally and who I care about more because of knowing them personally.

NEHEMIAH, Part III: No Problem Too Big with Help (Excerpts from the Giants)

2008-03-28T07:15:00.008-05:00

3. Share a task that you undertook with others that brought glory to God and lifted your own spirits.

* Painting the 3rd grade room with Misty Whiting and Joyce Davis was fun and encouraged me! Also- whenever our Life Talk does a "service" project, I am usually encouraged by doing that with my friends, whether it is visiting our Sunriser or cleaning something.

* Leading the Women's Committee was a step of faith for me and it turned out wonderfully because of the participation of many others.
It was Lana Moore's idea to do the birthday theme; it was Julia Wright's idea to have the mentor presentations; it was Deborah Brown who was always getting all the food plans straight; Beth Bentley did the Secret Sister stuff; and Misty Whiting, Beth Martin, Joyce Davis and Mary Callins were faithful in tying up loose ends and doing whatever they were asked.
And don't forget all the sisters who shared their testimonies…and many others who were involved in the trip to serve the ladies in Long Beach.
Thank you, God, for your faithfulness.

* I never could/would have undertaken the Katrina clean-up trips without our groups. Although the trips were hard in a lot of ways, they were so worth it. I saw God in fresh ways through the people we helped as well as through the brothers/sisters that were doing the work. It still boosts my spirits just to think back on it.

* Over the years, helping others to grow in their faith walk and service has been the most meaningful task for me; to see others gaining confidence in using their talents for God is a great joy to me.

* When Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, Paul Gibbs went and was overwhelmed. He took two men on his second trip. When the three came back, again overwhelmed with the destruction and the great human suffering, their compassion began to spill over.
Finally there were close to 100 people from Central who went, some several times, and much "sweat" was donated, with money, supplies, hugs and tears. Their zeal was contagious to others.
God often puts the same dream into more than one person so that His people will function as a whole.

* Rewarding times for me have been mission trips with our teens. Watching them share is unbelievable! Also going to Rainbow Omega--watching the residents' faces when we pull up in our van and talk/sing/play with them is so rewarding. It's great to share Jesus with someone and watch the light "come on" when they understand and want to follow Him.

* The trip to Mississippi was an uplifting experience. I enjoyed being with Kim Story on the drive, and having time with brothers and sisters… I met Charlene Hicks (age 78 and a cancer patient, an elder's wife at Long View. We hit it off.). She cooked with me and gave me her dumpling recipe but when I got home I had lost it.
Last year, she died before I could get it from her again. But guess what? Just before Christmas, I opened the little Bible I took on the trip. The recipe fell into my lap. It was a very pleasant find and a reminder of how I who went to help storm victims was myself helped.
It is comforting too since Charlene has gone on that I still have her handwritten recipe from a time when we fed others and were ourselves nourished. She was truly one of those that Philemon speaks of who refreshed the brethren.

* While pondering on Nehemiah this morning, one of the things that came to my mind was the wisdom of God in not allowing us to see the future. Would Nehemiah have ever taken that first step if he had known all the hardships that he would endure in the process?
When I look back on "big projects" in my life, physical and spiritual, I am just amazed. It is that one-step-at-a-time mentality with God and my brothers and sisters at my side that accomplishes unbelievable things.
That first step is SOOOOOO important.

* I find I am continually being blessed from a simple but needed ride to town (Remember, Brenda?) to one taking my place on short notice for Tues. Bible class (Kay, thanks) to another being coordinator and last minute baby sitter on Tues. (Sue, thank you) to one listening and commiserating about the worry over a pregnant daughter making a long drive home (Pat, I needed you.) And these are just 4 examples.
May all of us continue to reach out and love one another and do the work God has created us to do. May we all know one another better so that we have more to thank God for on each remembrance of one another. Praise to our Lord Jesus Christ and to God the Father!

NEHEMIAH, Part II: No Problem Too Big with Help (Excerpts from the Giants)

2008-03-26T16:24:00.003-05:00

Nehemiah had opportunities to become lonely or discouraged during particularly hard days of building the wall.

2. When do you feel lonely or discouraged? What strengthens you?

* My very lonely times come when I am embarrassed and ashamed or afraid to share a guilt, a sin, or a fear with others. It's always so good to share with someone human who will listen and encourage. Even with Jesus, I want a human supporter with me. (And He had his three closest friends too.)

* My loneliest times are when I don't feel like there is anyone I can share something important with- whether I am embarrassed, afraid, or whatever- whether I don't think I can trust someone, whether I just don't think they can handle my problems, I don't know- that is a very lonely feeling, though. It is the worst when I am surrounded by good people, but feel like I have to keep too much to myself.

* I can become discouraged when I’ve had too much time around other people and not enough time recharging with just me and God. I’m strengthened by getting away and having quiet time with Him, but I’m also strengthened by encouraging words from others. Those words are often lifesavers for me, and what may seem small for somebody to say often brings big help to me when I hear it.

* My loneliest times have come during times of adversity/illness/etc., when I was more isolated from my church family for one reason or another. Prayer to God and my faith in Him have been my greatest source of strength and continue to be so.

* I feel really lonely when I find myself in any kind of conflict with those closest to me. The 'human' support is so important to me, probably too much so at times. So that is where I'm trying to grow in my reliance on and trust in God.

* I feel the loneliest when I'm not in the Word and with Him in prayer. It's also hard when I'm not around Christians.

* When I find myself feeling lonesome all I have to do is think about Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, when He said "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" (Mark 14:34). How terribly alone Jesus must have felt. Probably more alone than anyone on earth had ever felt.
Hence, the total sum of all the loneliest, most fearful, most distressing, most ill times in my life could never and will never come remotely close the loneliness Jesus must have experienced in the garden as well as the day that followed.

* As I have become older I find myself even less lonely. I am perfectly happy to be by myself. That is one of the reasons I wanted to participate in this study. I wanted a chance to get out of myself a little. It is a small step but it is a step.

NEHEMIAH, Part I: No Problem Too Big with Help (Excerpts from the Giants)

2008-03-24T12:58:00.006-05:00

Nehemiah set a good example for us by seeking help from others to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem.

1. How reluctant/eager are you to ask for help?

* I am generally slow to ask for help, as a last resort...but when I do: 1. Prayer comes first. 2.Try to handle the situation by using physical family members. 3. Reluctantly will ask others for short term help...especially if they have already offered to be of assistance.

* I don't like asking for help. I don't like accepting help when it is offered- even to the point of making people mad or upset that I won't take their help. :-) I'm not sure all the reasons for it.

* I definitely prefer to offer help, not ask for it. Usually when I get to the point of having to ask, the task has already become burdensome or overwhelming, and I don't want to 'drag' anyone else into the mess. But I am grateful when I look back and see the many times family and friends have been there to help 'rebuild the walls' that have crumbled around me at times.

* It is hard for all of us to ask for help. But there are times when we cannot do it alone. I ask God for help, then my physical family. I'm just so glad that I also have my spiritual family to depend on.

* There was a time in my life when I didn't like asking for help. I use to think I could handle it, i.e deal with any problem all by myself. Now, how foolish was that? I've learned to recognize when a problem or situation is just too big for me to handle. Then, the first thing I do is go to the Lord in prayer. After that, I talk to anybody that will listen. (smile)

* If someone offers help, I now remind myself that maybe I am more overwhelmed than I realize (or I'm about to be). Others who have worked through the same task or situation I am working can probably see the outcome further down the road. I am caught up in the moment, or the day or week, etc.
There have been times when I could see that if a person doesn't get help soon they are going to be in trouble. I can see that because I have been there or I have a better view of the problem because I'm not in "it". I try to remind myself that the person offering help to me may be seeing my situation better than I do.

* I have trouble asking for help, too…Part of it is my natural tendency to be independent and self-sufficient. Part of it is arrogance that my way is the best/only way and I might as well do it myself if I want it done right. Part of it is I only feel close enough to a few people to ask for help.

* It's possible if we don't ask someone for help when we need it, we may be denying another person an opportunity to be blessed, too…There have been many times when I have gone to help someone and ended up being blessed myself, sometimes more than they are... so this is just something to think about when we are hesitant to ask for help.

ABRAHAM: God Always Does the Right Thing (Excerpts from the Giants)

2008-03-20T08:51:00.002-05:00

Abraham had to learn patience while waiting on God to fulfill His promises.

1. In which areas do you struggle with God?

* With impatience….I definitely knew God had a plan for us; He was taking care of us; and that all would work out--but my impatient self wanted it to work out a lot sooner.

* I have been struggling with impatience for a number of years. As a matter of fact, I pray about it at least once a day. …Sometimes I get impatient if I'm puzzled by events taking place in my life. Sometimes I want answers revealed sooner. I am learning to "Stand Still" as my grandmother use to say. "God will let you know in due time." She was right.

* I always want to understand before I obey. (Even though I heard from my mother at least 1,000+ "because I said so".) …Even after I obey, there will still be many things I don't understand about God…Where the patience comes in is believing that as my righteousness grows, God will increase my understanding according to what He knows I need.

* What God has promised to me has pretty much already been fulfilled through Jesus. He promises grace, but that's mine to accept already, and He promises peace, but doesn't promise that we won't have troubles, etc.

* There have been many times when I have struggled with being completely confused about what God was doing in my life only to look back a few months later and see how everything had fallen into place perfectly, as only He who can see eternity could do.

* I see God as the ultimate Sovereign, so I know His ways are not mine and that I should not question Him as far as wondering what He is doing…God always does what He promises and the right thing. It is important we know those promises and not expect more or less than what he promised. He works everything to our good if we are called according to His purpose. (Rom.8:28).

2. Name something that you are surrendering to God.

*Time...my sense of controlling my time the way I want to use it versus letting God do what HE wants to with my time. Too often I think I don’t have enough time to do all the things that I want to do; I have to remind myself that God will always give me enough time to do the things that HE wants me to do. And find peace in that.

* At times it feels hard just to surrender in a general way, let alone the specifics. Also, since it doesn't seem like God usually speaks to us as directly as he did to Abraham—"Go kill your son Isaac"—it can be a little difficult in some situations to know God's will.

* As I was reading this chapter, it really made me realize how I need to grow in my trust for God.

* It is very hard to surrender your children and there come times when you must...I found I had to let go, and let God and them work things out. …I do well at this awhile and then I find myself trying to figure a way. I have to come back to my senses and in humility remember the absurdity of thinking I could fix anything. Then I pray for them and for myself.

REBEKAH: Give Generously to Others (Excerpts from the Giants)

2008-03-17T07:01:00.002-05:00

With no obvious incentive to do so, Rebekah gave freely by watering the camels of Jacob’s servant. She was richly blessed by God as a result.

1. What hinders you from giving freely?

* My biggest hindrance—my rationalizations. Satan tries to make me rationalize that I don't need to give because others are giving, or that I don't have to give because they probably don't really need it. ...Giving to others is what God commands us to do, whether or not it's actually needed. I try to constantly remember this quote from Elisabeth Elliot: "No service offered to God is ever wasted."

* After working all day on Wednesdays--there are times when I am tired and would love to just go home, sit down and relax. BUT after getting here I am so refreshed and encouraged by everything/everyone.

* Every time we give to “somebody”, we’re really giving worship to God as well. We always have a need for that.

* I have noticed oftentimes when I am wondering whether I need to give as much as usual or to something more, a financial gift will come my way to make it work.

* God has taught me that he doesn't need my money; he just wants my heart/obedience.

* Sometimes I hesitate when I feel that the receiving person does not appreciate the effort or use the gift in a beneficial way...but then I realize that God is judging hearts, not me!

2. When have you benefited by others giving freely to you?

* Since I have been in the church I have had numerous people share with me time, laughter, wisdom, comfort. I have truly been blessed in this area and I love giving too….The difficulty is often where, how and when to use time and resources, not "If". Giving to others keeps me mindful of God's blessings to me. Jesus's words, "it is more blessed to give than to receive" is not a platitude.

* I benefited from a sister’s generosity in praying for me about a project. It takes time and commitment and heart to pray consistently for someone else’s need, but she was very faithful to both pray for me and to follow up by asking me questions about it and giving me constant encouragement. It was the best gift I could get.

* “When we give generously, we receive more than we would ever think possible.” It’s very generous of God to always give US a blessing when we try to bless others. He is so faithful to always outgive us!

* Being generous with one's time, talents, heart, resources, etc. to those around us is an integral part of our Christianity. All we have is what God has given us; how can we not be generous to others?

* My parents were not only generous with material things. They generously took the risk of being hurt over and over by me. They always prayed for me. We always benefit from the prayer of others said on our behalf.

MOSES: Live in Faith Zone, not Safe Zone (Excerpts from the Giants)

2008-03-14T08:21:00.005-05:00

Moses had several key moments in his life when he had to leave his safety zone and grow into who God wanted him to be.

1. What spiritual breakthroughs have you experienced?

* In my older age, "wisdom." I have found that I don't have to forge my path through my life...if I am quiet and wait on Him, God will show me what He wants me to do. It is up to me to recognize the new way and act on it!

* Patience…We knew that God heard our pleads for a job--the right job, but we also know that God's timing and our timing can be so different.

* Understanding God’s grace…Once I began to grasp (still grasping it!) that I’m saved 100% by the grace of Jesus Christ, and that my works only come as a result of my salvation, I felt freedom. Free from unhealthy guilt. Free to have a true love relationship with the Lord.

* The breakthrough came a few weeks after being baptized at age 30 and immersing myself daily in the word… As I read the word and saw how it all fit together and fit my life I was astounded. The substance of it and of Jesus' work gripped me and has never let go even when all around me seemed to be falling down.

* My most recent "breakthrough" was when I came to really understand that I am responsible for my own salvation and must seek it with fear and trembling….While I will not be saved because of my achievements, I cannot make it to heaven on the faith of my family or friends. I have to study and nurture a deeper faith through my own study.

* As I got older, chronologically and spiritually I came to know more about the God I wanted to serve…Nowadays, I have no problem seeking God's council about anything and everything. One of my greatest joys is knowing I can talk to God any time, day or night about any subject. I'm still a work in progress, but I am well aware of who the captain of my ship is. I am ever so thankful.

2. What did you learn from the life of Moses?

* God is more creative than what I can imagine in any given moment and if I am looking to him and wanting to do what is right, even if I am too afraid to carry out his will, he can make it happen anyway- just like the way he sent Aaron to speak for Moses. I felt very loved by God that day- that he would use me in spite of my inadequacies.

* I am almost always out of my comfort zone when trying to serve and obey God in any way that means verbal communication with other people. Thank God, He gave me a good example to watch my dad step out of his comfort zone because he wanted to serve God. At 89 he is still doing it at the retirement home. What an inspiration.

* Reminded me of a conversation long ago that I believe changed my life….A friend told me that I needed to stop playing it so 'safe' in life and be more of a 'risk-taker.' ..I got involved in children's ministry at that point and it became one of the great joys and challenges in my service to God. I don't think I'd be the mother that I am today if it wasn't for the lessons I learned over the years in working with the kids….So I'm grateful for that challenge to ‘take the risk’ and the lesson from Moses about living outside the 'safe zone.'

JOSEPH: Don't Give Up on Your Dreams (Excerpts from the Giants)

2008-03-11T10:02:00.005-05:00

Joseph had several down periods in his life, but he held on to his convictions even during the difficult times that didn't make sense.

1. When have you been glad that you didn’t give up too easily when things were going wrong or you didn’t understand what was happening to you?

* A few years ago I was in ICU, not expected to live. A nurse whispered to me one night, "It's ok to let go." …Although I understood her reason for telling me it was ok to let go, I equated it to quitting, and that for me has never been an option. I'm sure there were times when Joseph, Noah, Esther and the other Giants wanted to quit. Still, they put their trust in God. I'm learning to do the same.

* Not giving up on the church which has been in upheaval more than once since I became a Christian. I kept my eyes on Christ and company with others who did the same.
Not giving up on riding the roller coaster of parenting through the teen and adolescent years.
Not giving up on Bible study and prayer even if I can't be as consistent as I would like.
Not giving up is daily for those of us who follow Christ.

* Finding God was my dream come true and my hope. I thank God for not 'quitting' his search for me and rescuing me from the burden of those influences.

* Life is full of times when you might have to change directions but NEVER give up your devotion and loyalty to God. He is with you through the blackest of times.

* I'm so thankful God wouldn't let go. He sent people to help me. He was faithful. He carried me. I love Him.

2. Joseph grew even in the down times. How have you done that?

* I have had many 'growing' times that have been brought about by the 'down' times of dealing with my own sin. The big lesson that I think I'm learning (still!) is that God really is with me through it all.

* Both Joseph and Esther are inspirational examples of how God's time is not our time and how what seems unusable to us can be valuable in God's plan.

* It is very much the way God works in our lives—sometimes it is many years before we see his plans completely unfold and see the purposes in the pain we have suffered... and we can see that he didn't give up on us.

ESTHER: God Has a Place for You (Excerpts from the Giants)

2008-03-06T18:55:00.006-06:00

Esther took a risk to fulfill a greater purpose than her personal safety.

1. Describe leaving your own comfort zone. How do you handle it?

* My comfort zone was "abandoned" when I first started teaching others about training up biblically-able children. Prayer, study, hard work, and experience helped me be more comfortable speaking before strangers.

* My lesson is: be what God wants me to be where he wants me to be it.

* God uses those times as opportunities to increase my dependence on Him… Definitely worth the initial discomfort.

* Times I have really felt out of place are when I've met friends from my past, before becoming a Christian. At first, I felt paralyzed. Ashamed of what I was, and wanting somehow to communicate "whose" I am now. But after a quick prayer, God gave me the words to say. Now many years later, they do know and are amazed that I have remained faithful.

* When I am in unfamiliar territory, I try not to get in the way of the Spirit giving me the courage to stay in control of myself, the patience to wait for the Lord’s direction, and wisdom to be able to discern the truth from a lie.

* Now, when I look back I can clearly see how God gave me those times of loneliness so that I would learn to trust Him when I had no one else, but that He also put special people in my life at just the right time.

* I am a very quiet and reserved person, but I feel convicted that God has called me out of my comfort zone to share his news with others. While going to live in other countries was a challenge to my comfort zone, I am thankful for the opportunities to share God's riches.

2. What did you learn from Esther?

* Esther was able to carry out her purpose without "demanding her rights" as society pushes us to do today, but instead followed a very thoughtful, prayerful, submissive plan to fill her responsibility.

* It’s not always easy to understand why we are in a certain place or situation, but if we can trust that God knows what He’s doing, we can also trust that He’s capable of and desiring to use us just where we are, just the way we are.

* I've always loved Esther's statement "if I perish, I perish". I so want to have that attitude in my life - to live my life in a godly way, and take risks for the Lord, and “if I perish, I perish”.

* It's a privilege to get to be a part of what He's doing. Knowing this helps me to want to do His will more.

NOAH: One Person Can Make a Difference (Excerpts from the Giants)

2008-03-04T17:14:00.016-06:00

Several of our ladies are studying Old Testament giants of the faith as an on-line reading group. Remembering Noah’s story of doing the right thing in the midst of a faithless culture brought out these comments below. May you be encouraged by reading excerpts from our very own giants of the faith at Central:

1. What or who helps you to do right when those around you are doing wrong?

* Remembering how miserable I was when I was not doing right or following Christ. I remind myself of what Christ saved me from and how much I love Him.

* I think of God and how repulsive sin is to Him. I think of Jesus and His sacrifice and how disappointed he is when I fall short. I think of the Spirit in me that is hurt when I sin.

* I think about my kids when I am tempted to mess up in a big way and how my actions will affect them... that usually helps me choose right.

* Reading my Bible and being thankful in prayer helps me remember Jesus' love. Christ's love compels us, but not if we forget.

2. What reminders do you have of God’s faithfulness to you?

* Family, friends, material blessings, wedding rings, shells, rocks, smiles, flowers, singing at church, shooting stars, in-laws, sunrises, the ocean, …

* A picture I have of my great aunt impressed me when I was about 8 years old, and we shared a motel room. In her 70's by then, she knelt as was her habit by the bed and prayed before we turned out the light. I don't remember what she said, but I've never forgotten that she was faithful and without timidity in praying to Him who was faithful to her.

* I no longer have guilt over some of my past sins (guilt that crippled me for a long time). I have His strength to handle situations and the desire to want to glorify Him in them.

* Everyday I have the realization that I cannot handle life's "challenges" alone; I don't have to make things better just on my own guidance. He has a plan for me; I just need to let Him "speak!" God will help me through whatever may come.

* The first thing that came to my mind was the Bible. And then I thought of the church (specifically for me, Central)- but how God promised that the gates of hell would not "prevail against" it and that is true 2,000 years later every time we meet together!

How Great Is Our God

2008-02-27T23:34:00.013-06:00

How great is our God
Lord, I delight in the easy times of seeing your greatness. But I’ve grown to appreciate the hard times, when your greatness catches me off guard, and surprises me anew when I least expect to see it, like…

Sing with me

tonight. Tonight I needed to sing of your greatness with my family. I needed to hear myself say it and I needed to hear my brothers and sisters say it, that you are indeed great, no matter what,

How great is our God

even on the 8^th floor of the hospital. After I left behind the singing and the cocoon of my comfortable Christian family, I stepped into the world of the desperate ones. Desperately seeking a miracle; desperately seeking traces of a husband or mother or best friend as they once were; desperately seeking a Hope to cling to,

And all will see

and I saw you. In a nurse named Kathy. She’s been ministering there 22 years, not burning out, because she sees your greatness. She sees miracles all the time. Miracles of life, and miracles in death. You. And,

How great, how great is our God

my spirit joins hers tonight in saying that you are great, our God. We remember your greatness 8 years ago on the 8th floor with our own Mike-miracle. So,

Name above all names

we bless your name for Who you are—our King, clothed in majesty, wrapped in light,

Worthy of our praise

and we give you all our worship—because you are deserving. We explode with joy in you;

My heart will sing

our hearts overflow; and we agree that…

How great is our God

yes, how great you are, our God!

So be it…amen.

Invited through Worship

2008-02-25T20:19:00.006-06:00

Worship.

It's a gift that extends to the giver as well. Through worship, we come to see God more clearly. God invites us, through worship, to see his face so he can change ours. In worship, we simply stand before God with a prepared and willing heart and let God do his work.

And he does.

He wipes away the tears. He mops away the perspiration. He softens our furrowed brows. He touches our cheeks. He changes our faces as we worship. The wise men sought the child of God, just as God seeks his children. "The Father is actively seeking such people to worship him" (John 4:23).

~ from One Incredible Moment by Max Lucado

Central--From the Inside Out

2008-02-11T01:19:00.002-06:00

The door opened for me before I even got to it Sunday morning. I was heartily welcomed into the building by someone 20+ years my age, who remembered to ask about my most recent trip.

After services, I was escorted to my car by someone more than 20 years my junior, yet with similar attentiveness.

At a committee meeting that afternoon, we were asked to relate a recent reading or scripture that was meaningful. Everyone quickly had something to share. Something they were excited about in their personal study—discovering the gospel message in Jeremiah; extra clarity on idols as counterfeits; the power of setting examples; personal instructions in James; an encouraging study on discipling. I soaked it in, encouraged by the genuine enthusiasm and love for the Lord these brothers portrayed.

There are people here truly seeking God—to obey Him, to worship Him, to love Him. That’s what clinched it for me to stay at Central after my trial run here several years ago. And that’s what keeps me here. A family in love with their Father.

I shared with the group about my study on prayer for an upcoming retreat. I don’t go it alone. I’m surrounded by a Central "cloud of witnesses" cheering me on: one editing a clip for me; another sending me graphics; others relaying testimonies I can share. All are giving freely. Of time, of thought, of faith. Because that’s what family does.

I ended the day around a table sharing physical food with my spiritual family, my Life Talk brothers and sisters, leading to a spiritual feast over conversations about and then with our Father.

A blessed Sunday.

That’s Central--from the inside out.
That’s family.
Praise to our Father!

~ Lisa

Here I Am...I Am Here

2008-02-01T13:23:00.002-06:00

Where’s Your Emphasis?

Occasionally on Wednesdays when Stuart leads “Here I Am to Worship”, he provokes us to prioritize our emphasis in that song. Perhaps go a little lighter on the “here”. Granted, we are worshiping “here” at Central when we’re together, but the “here” can be and should be everywhere, anywhere.

It’s the “I” that is critical.

How available am I on Wednesday nights to worship? How about Sunday mornings? Mondays? Tuesdays,…? Am I worshiping on Thursday afternoon when I’m vacuuming my house? Or on Monday morning when I’m teaching math?

I am here for a purpose. And that purpose isn’t dependent upon my location. It doesn’t change with my surroundings. Wherever I go, will I be there to worship the Lord?

“I am here to worship
I am here to bow down
I am here to say that You’re my God”

Singing the Classics

2008-01-26T13:27:00.000-06:00

If you're familiar with Mike Cope, you know what an excellent and insightful speaker he is. But did you know he has singing talents as well? And if you're familiar with many of the favorite songs among the churches in our heritage, this spoof on "Classics" CDs will bring a smile to your face.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=16fqyp8UPaA

The Wheelbarrow Ride

2008-01-14T17:17:00.001-06:00

In David’s “Trust and Obedience” class last Wednesday night, he mentioned the familiar story of the Niagara Falls tightrope walker. Legend has it that Charles Blondin, a French daredevil in the 1860’s, asked crowds if they believed he could traverse the falls pushing a wheelbarrow.

Yes. They knew he could. He had crossed Niagara Falls several times and several ways—backwards, blindfolded, on stilts, at night.

But would they volunteer to ride across in the wheelbarrow? No. Their faith wouldn’t take them that far.

How far does our faith take us? If we truly believe that Jesus is THE WAY, the only way, will we get in the wheelbarrow he’s pushing? Hasn’t he proven himself to us already in the crazy situations we get ourselves in—backwards, blindfolded, on stilts, at night?

If we believe he’s so trustworthy, what’s holding us back?
Fear of falling? Risk of being out of control? Too proud? Lack of motivation to get to the other side?

At times, we get in the wheelbarrow anyway. Even though we’re scared. And we hunker down in the bottom, hands over our heads, and pray that the Lord really knows what he’s doing with our lives. It’s out of our hands, and we finally acknowledge it.

Other times, we get in and feel confident enough to look over the top, but still cling white-knuckled to both sides. We may not feel totally safe, but we’re trying to enjoy the ride.

And then there are those rare moments when we stand up in the wheelbarrow and look around at the glorious water underneath and dance around and revel in being in God’s hands. Those are the times we were made for.

Perhaps it will take time to learn to live more in those moments, to truly trust.

But until then, let’s jump in the wheelbarrow anyway. “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) We really ARE safe there, whether we feel like we are or not.

Enjoy the ride.

A Day to Celebrate!

2008-01-12T08:56:00.002-06:00

CELEBRATE MORE
Perhaps we do not celebrate enough - often enough or grandly enough. Perhaps we do not make enough out of the good things God does for us. In Genesis 21 we read that Abraham made a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned. Certainly that was a cultural event. It would seem odd to celebrate the same event today. Yet there are other things we could celebrate within our culture, but we don't.

When was the last time you made a big deal out of something important? Perhaps a high school or college graduation. A successful music recital. Running a marathon.

God has created us with emotions that make life a richer experience for us. Perhaps we should celebrate more--in both quantity and quality.

PRAISE MORE

Celebrate your personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ by giving Him your praise:

I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only. O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works.

(Psalm 71:16-17)

WORSHIP MORE
Offer this prayer of worship to the Lord:

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen

(Ephesians 3:20-21)

~ Excerpts adapted from “Quiet Walk: Daily E-Devotional”, January 12.

Focus on Jesus

2008-01-09T10:33:00.001-06:00

Allen appropriately challenged us in last Sunday’s sermon to resolve to “Focus on Jesus!” in 2008. The following quote by C. H. Spurgeon echoes that thought:

"It has been said by some one that ‘the proper study of mankind is man.’ I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God's elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead.

The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity.

Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, ‘Behold I am wise.’ But when we come to this master-science, finding that our plumb-line cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought, that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass's colt; and with the solemn exclamation, ‘I am but of yesterday, and know nothing.’

No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God……But while the subject humbles the mind it also expands it.

After all, the most excellent study for expanding the soul, is the science of Christ, and him crucified, and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity.

Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity."

In and Out: E-Devo

2007-12-31T10:33:00.001-06:00

Another way to get the Word in..and back out in your life:

“Quiet Walk Devotional” is an excellent Bible-based daily devotional that works through the Bible using scriptures for prayers of praise, thanksgiving, and confession, plus a suggested list of 3 or 4 items to pray over for action in your life. It’s short and to the point.

I’ve had it arriving in my inbox the past few months and have appreciated the extra reminder to focus on loving the Lord using His written truths. Admittedly, many days I delete it before even reading, but other days I spare two minutes and pray through the scriptures sent. On those days, His Word often reaches me at my exact point of need. He is indeed an alive and active God!

Lisa

Get in the Word----Daily Bible Reading

2007-12-29T12:35:00.002-06:00

It’s almost January 1. Again.

How many Christians are resolving, once again, to read through the Bible in a year? And how many more have given up ever resolving that again, after bogging down in Leviticus by mid-February and conceding total defeat?

Want a more workable plan? Take 2 years instead. It’s really not sacrilege, and your chance of success is more than doubled. Revised from a chronological plan handed out at Central a few years back, this plan takes 60 weeks to read through the Old Testament, and 35 weeks through the New Testament.

Readings are only for 5 days a week instead of 7, again increasing your likelihood of success. And because the schedule is padded for only 95 weeks of reading in 2 years, you have a safety net for catch-up days (and weeks!).

Ten years from now: would you rather have never made it through the Bible from a too-grandiose one-year plan, or made it through 5 times from a slower reading plan? (Or even 3 times from a 3-year plan?)

The goal, of course, is never to just check the box by reading some words. However, there will be days like that; don’t let that stop you. Remember that the Spirit is more powerful than our faulty motivation. So read anyway. And check the box if it makes you feel better.

But keep your eyes open—even in our struggling-to-read days, God works in mighty ways to bless our efforts to know Him.

Even in Leviticus.

You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them.
I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 18:4

Lisa

The Good Shepherd

2007-12-25T01:00:00.001-06:00

I have come that they may have life,
and have it to the full.
I am the Good Shepherd.
The Good Shepherd lays down
his life for the sheep.

~ John 10:10-11

Still Point

2007-12-24T16:48:00.001-06:00

Christ is the still point of the turning world.

~ T. S. Eliot

O Thou Fount of Ev'ry Blessing

2007-12-21T14:37:00.001-06:00

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
Your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
Your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.
How priceless is your unfailing love!

Both high and low among men find refuge
in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house;
You give them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
In your light we see light.

~Psalms 36:5-9

Magnificat

2007-12-21T09:17:00.001-06:00

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."

Luke 1:46-55

A Prayer at Mid-Day

2007-12-13T18:34:00.001-06:00

In the hustle of Christmas month, may this prayer offered in Richard Foster's Prayer Treasury help us remain focused on Jesus.

The day has been breathless, Lord.
I stop now for a few moments and I wonder:
Is the signature of the Holy over the rush of the day?

Or have I bolted ahead, anxiously trying to solve problems that do not belong to me?

Holy Spirit of God, please show me:
how to work relaxed,
how to make each task an offering of faith,
how to view interruptions as doors to service,
how to see each person as my teacher in things eternal.

In the name of Him who always worked unhurried,
Amen.

Who's Your David?

2007-12-07T11:07:00.001-06:00

Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you. Psalm 63:1

David, did you know that we, thousands of songs later, would still be singing your songs? …to praise with you? …to cry with you? …to thank with you?

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Psalm 31:1

David, did you know that we, thousands of years later, would still be reading your words? ...to voice our thoughts? …to confess our sins? …to brag on our God?

Sometimes words come hard. It’s not always easy to verbalize what we’re thinking or feeling.

But when we open the Psalms, and read the words of David, Solomon, Asaph, Ethan, and yes, even Moses (Psalm 90), the words we fumble for pour out. They utter the intimacies that we feel, but struggle to articulate.

If all I had was one last breath
I’d spend it just to sing Your praise
Just to say Your name

But these are not words of David. Do we still have “Davids” today? While not inspired by the Spirit in the same manner as David, don’t we still hear voices to help us express the same thoughts to the Father?

If all I had was one last prayer
I'd pray it 'cause I know You're always listening

If all I had was one more song to sing
I would raise my voice to make the heavens ring

Who is your David? Toby and Aaron? Max and Beth? Britt and Mandisa? Ken and Brandon?

None replace David in breathing out God’s messages. But others can help speak for us when we can’t speak for ourselves.

'Cause I know You're there,
I know You see me

You're the air I breathe
You are the ground beneath me

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

~ Lisa

When Your Hut Is on Fire

2007-12-06T07:33:00.001-06:00

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Everyday he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger.

He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?"

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?," asked the weary man of his rescuers.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

The Moral of This Story:

It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives..... even in the midst of our pain and suffering.

Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

Psalm 8

2007-11-30T11:11:00.001-06:00

A psalm of David.

1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.

2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Thanks, Ed, for sharing the photos and the thoughts.
Thanks, Lord, for providing the abundance of majestic material for us to work with. There is none like You!

Oops! Are we listening?

2007-11-29T20:14:00.001-06:00

Surprise!

So Nov 14 was NOT our last class after all. Was God trying to make a point that indeed His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9)?

That the heart of man (or woman—if the glass slipper fits) may plan his way, but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9)?

That it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23)?

Perhaps...
Regardless, another night to praise Him together was a blessing, and may His words that were shared accomplish that which He purposes, and succeed in the things for which He sent them (Isaiah 55:11).

If you missed the stories:

Ask Kathleen and Mike how God uses sheet cakes and lullabies.
Ask Tamara how God inspires 9-yr-olds to rewrite lyrics.
Ask Meagan who is the real Love of her life.
Ask Sharon how God uses hymns to weed hearts.
Ask Joey why we should worship God 24/7.
Ask Allan about God’s pre-winter color scheme.
Ask Selwyn how inaccurate Newsweek's obituaries are.

And ask God what He's trying to say to YOU ...through His Word, His world, and His children.

Dying of Thirst

2007-11-26T08:12:00.001-06:00

She saw the stream, bright as glass. But although the sight of the water made her feel ten times thirstier than before, she didn't rush forward and drink. She stood as still as if she had been turned into stone, with her mouth wide open.

And she had a very good reason: just on this side of the stream lay the Lion.

She knew at once that it had seen her, for its eyes looked straight into hers for a moment. She couldn't take her eyes off it. How long this lasted, she could not be sure; but it seemed like hours. And the thirst became so bad that she almost felt she would not mind being eaten by the Lion if only she could be sure of getting a mouthful of water first.

"If you're thirsty, you may drink."

The voice was not like a man's. It did not make her any less frightened than she had been before, but it made her frightened in rather a different way.

"Are you not thirsty?" said the Lion.

"I'm dying of thirst," said Jill.

"Then drink," said the Lion.

The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic. "Do you eat girls?" she said.

"I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms," said the Lion. It didn't say this as if it were boasting nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.

"I daren't come and drink," said Jill.

"Then you will die of thirst," said the Lion.

"Oh dear!" said Jill, coming another step nearer. "I suppose I must go and look for another stream then."

"There is no other stream," said the Lion.

~ excerpt from The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

Evening Prayer of Gratitude

2007-11-21T08:31:00.001-06:00

We thank You LORD, for it is You alone

who is Adonai our God.

You are the Rock and Shield of our salvation,

You alone, from generation to generation.

We thank You and tell of Your praise,

for our lives are in Your hands
and our souls are trusting in You.

Every day Your miracles are with us:
Your wonders and favors are at all times,
morning, afternoon, and evening.

O LORD, Your compassions are never exhausted,

and Your kindnesses are continual.

We put our hope in You.

~ from the Hebrew Hoda’ah,

an evening prayer of Gratitude

How Foolish...

2007-11-20T10:41:00.001-06:00

I Cor 1:18-21
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

I Cor 1:25-31
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things, and the things that are not, so that no one may boast before him.
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

I Cor 3:18-20
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool" so that he may become wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”, and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."

So that’s it? Our faith rests in
...The FOOLISHNESS of God?

But faith isn’t blind …He has shown all throughout history that He is Jehovah Jireh--“The LORD who provides”.

So, will I be faithful in those “small” ways …. even though my natural tendencies and all of the culture around me are saying,
“How Foolish”?

-from Wednesday's class, Nov. 14

How to Slay a Giant

2007-11-19T09:24:00.001-06:00

We all want the faith of Peter and David, right? To know for certain that when it counts, we’ll come through for God.

But do I have to wait for another stormy night on the Sea of Galilee?
Or go find a 9 foot tall soldier profaning the Holy LORD?

“One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much …" ~Luke 16:10

How am I being asked to be faithful in the here and now? Are there things God wants me to be and do that are “unnatural?” Is He preparing me to accomplish the impossible with Him one day? To overcome a force that seems invincible to me right now?

* if someone hits you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also ~ Matt 5:39
* consider others better than yourself ~ Phil 2:3
* I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties – for when I am weak, then I am strong ~ 2 Cor 12:10
* pray continually ~ 1 Thess 5:17
* whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant ~ Matt 20:26
* forgive those who sin against you ~ Matt 6:12
* rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ ~ I Pet 4:13
* if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles ~ Matt 5:41
* accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters ~ Rom 14:1
* the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him ~ Rom 14:3
* it is for freedom that Christ has set us free… to become slaves to God ~ Gal 5:1, Rom 6:22
* give, pray, fast in secret … then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you ~ Matt 6:4,6,18
* fix your eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen ~ 2 Cor 4:18
* love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you ~ Matt 5:44
* do not become gossips and busybodies, saying things you shouldn’t ~ I Tim 5:13
* do everything without complaining or arguing ~ Phil 2:14
* lay down your life for your brothers ~ I John 3:16
* love keeps no record of wrongs ~ I Cor 13:5
* to live is Christ and to die is gain ~ Phil 1:21

Yes …Just a few things that aren’t natural - that don’t make sense.

Is this what Jesus meant when he said, “anyone who has faith in me will do greater things” than he did?

Is this how we walk on water?
How we slay giants?

It’s almost foolish to think so …

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 14

Unnatural in the New Testament, Too?

2007-11-18T16:32:00.001-06:00

So, what about the New Testament? It’s ushered in with a pretty amazing story, too.

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke 1:46-49

Some call it the “Greatest story man ever heard.” Definitely fitting, but it is much more than that, isn’t it?

In fact, all of these great stories of faith and of God working are much more...

Look at Heb 12:1, immediately after the run down of the “Hall of Faith” in chapter 11 …
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” ~ Hebrews 12:1

“A great cloud of witnesses …” Giving testimony that God has been and continues to be at work …doing things HIS way.

Does the weight of the evidence make a difference to me?

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 14

What About These? Natural or Not?

2007-11-16T18:39:00.001-06:00

But is David’s story of “unnatural” events a special case?
Got a minute? Look up these stories. Do they seem “natural” to you?

In the beginning God … ~ Gen 1:1

Build an Ark, and I will save your family when I destroy the earth and all its people. ~ Gen 6:13-14

Abram, leave your home and country and go, there is no need to bring a map. ~ Gen 12:1

Although your wife Sarah is 90 years old, I will bless her with a son so that she will be the mother of nations. ~ Gen 17:16

Joseph, I sent you to Egypt in bondage, and you were wrongfully imprisoned so that I could save lives through you. ~ Gen 45:5

Tell the Israelites to camp by the Red Sea, so they can see the deliverance of the Lord! You will never see this Egyptian army again. ~ Exo 14:13

Moses, I will stand before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink. ~ Exo 17:6

The 7th time around as the trumpet blast sounded, Joshua said, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city of Jericho!” ~ Jos 6:16

Gideon, the 32,000 men you have are too many for my purposes. Let them go. I am going to save you with only 300. ~ Judges 7:7

Answer your servant Elijah, O LORD, so these 450 prophets of Baal, the 400 prophets of Asherah, and the people of Israel will know that you are God! ~ I Ki 18:37

My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me! ~ Dan 7:22

Nope, David’s story wasn’t isolated. The Bible is full of stories that display the power of God in spite of man’s weaknesses or the natural way of things.

Hmmm … I suppose that is THE STORY of the Bible!

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” ~ Is 55:8-9

So many amazing stories of God at work. And we haven’t even made it out of the Old Testament …
Yet ;-)

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 14

Is This Normal?

2007-11-16T09:18:00.001-06:00

David had many sons:
Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream, Shobab, Nathan, Shimea, Solomon, Ibhar, Eliphelet, + more.
Certainly Solomon was NOT next in line of succession.
So why was HE the next king?

Only one reason.
Solomon was specifically appointed by the Lord (1 Chr 22:6-10). He was the son of promise. And the king of promise.
Just like his father David was a king by promise (1 Samuel 16:10-12).

God was obviously in charge, doing this HIS way—not man’s way, not the “natural” way.

It’s a common refrain in David’s life. Remember these events?

Mephibosheth—it would have been “natural” for David to leave him in exile or kill him. But he had made a promise to Jonathan.

Goliath—was it “natural” for a shepherd boy to be meeting the enemy’s champion with God’s reputation on the line?

Of course, David didn’t always follow God’s ways…

The Census—isn’t it “normal” for a king to know if he had enough soldiers to win HIS battles? No, not the way God was operating.

Bathsheba—It was certainly “the norm” for kings in that time and place to take the best for themselves—land, crops, and even women. But God’s idea of a king isn’t the same as everyone else’s.

So David’s life is full of examples of how God works in ways that aren’t “natural” to man. Does this make sense?

Is this…normal?

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 14

"Absurdity in the Flesh"

2007-11-15T13:17:00.001-06:00

“You mean to tell me God became a baby…?”
“Yes, that is what I mean to say.”
“And then, he was raised in a blue-collar home? He never wrote any books or helds any offices, yet he called himself the Son of God?”
“That is right.”
“And this crucifixion story?”
“That’s correct.”
“And all this was to prove that God still loves his people and provides a way for us to return to him?”
“Right.”
“Doesn’t that all sound rather…absurd?”
“Yes. Yes, I suppose it does sound absurd, doesn’t it?”

My Sunday school Jesus had been taken down from the flannel board. What God did makes sense. It can be taught, charted, and put in books on systematic theology.

However, why God did it is absolutely absurd. That type of love doesn’t have a drop of logic nor a thread of rationality.

And yet, it is that very irrationality that gives the gospel its greatest defense. For only God could love like that.

How absurd to think that such nobility would go to such poverty to share such a treasure with such thankless souls.

But he did.

~ Excerpt from God Came Near,
“Absurdity in the Flesh,” Max Lucado

Epilogue: What's It All About?

2007-11-13T13:31:00.001-06:00

Story:
Once upon a time, there was a church. It was a good church, but the numbers on the record book looked bleak: attendance—falling; budget—unmet; and baptisms—few. The more the church examined the numbers, the more despair they felt.

What to do? What to do?

So they set aside their record book in exchange for THE book, the HOLY book, to search for timeless answers.

They discovered many stories about numbers—about rich men and poor widows, about prophets and kings.

And about one man. THE man who was THE God.

Suddenly, the discouraging numbers from their own records faded away—all they saw was One…Jesus.

Their eyes lit up with glee; their joy returned; and they praised the One for His mercy…and His saving of this one, and that one, and that one, and this one….

The End.

Question:
Where’s my focus—on numbers and records that I can count, or on Jesus? Where am I really safe…and saved?

Answer:
* I have no power to face vast armies that come against me, so my eyes are on you. 2 Chronicles 20:12
* Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14
* My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he plucks my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:15
* I have not come to what may be touched, but I am receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Hebrews 12:18,28
* I fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Hebrews 12:2

Moral:
Jesus. It’s all about Jesus.

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 7

Chapter 5: Trust the Nails

2007-11-12T08:24:00.001-06:00

Story:
Once upon a time, there lived a God in a human body. He was a mighty, loving God.

But those he loved were weak, and sick unto death.

There was only one cure. But it would require a perfect, strong God to bleed until death.

He was the only one. What should he do? Was there no other way?

Alas, there was no other way.

So the perfect God allowed his perfect blood to pour out. One healthy, holy God in exchange for billions of sick people. Those were the numbers.

Did the plan work? Yes! The plan worked!

All the people who believed in him were saved, and lived happily ever after with God in his eternal kingdom.

Question:
Do I really believe that one holy man can save billions of bad men, including me? Can I really trust him with control of my one and only life? Isn’t this too good to be true?

Answer:
* By the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, God’s free gift overflows to many. Romans 5:15
* The Son of Man came to give his life in exchange for many. Mark 10:45
* God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
* God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all. Romans 8:32
* There is one God and one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus, who gave himself to set all men free. 1 Timothy 2:5,6

Moral:
Trust the nails, not the numbers.

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 7

Chapter 4: Saved by the ____

2007-11-11T16:40:00.001-06:00

Story, 2 Chronicles 16

Once upon a time, there was a king of Judah named Asa. In days of old, he had defeated mighty armies despite their great numbers of chariots and horsemen because he relied on the Lord.

The Lord saved him and gave him victory.

This time, he turned away from the Lord’s mercy. Instead, he asked other nations for help.

The prophet of Judah knew that King Asa was making a big mistake, and told him so. “You have done foolishly in this; from now on you will have wars.”

This enraged King Asa so deeply that he threw the prophet into prison.

King Asa became afflicted with a horrible foot disease. And even though his disease was severe, he stubbornly refused to ask for help from the only One who could save him, but sought healing from his many physicians instead.

King Asa died.

Question:
Do I even need God? I don’t commit big sins; I go to church every week; I put money in the plate every Sunday; I even fill out a blue card. Isn’t that enough to get me into heaven?

Answer:
* I have not been saved by my own works but by a gift from God—grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8,9
* God has saved me not because of righteous works I have done, but because of his mercy. Titus 3:5
* It is the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that gives me eternal life. Jude 21
* I give thanks to God because of his great mercy in giving me new life. 1 Peter 1:3
* God has saved me not because of anything I have done but because he gave me grace in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:9

Moral:
Works don’t add up. Grace is what saves.

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 7

Chapter 3: The Invisible Army

2007-11-10T09:17:00.001-06:00

Story, 2 Kings 6

Once upon a time, there was a servant to a man of God named Elisha. The servant knew that war was in the air between his king of Israel and the king of Aram.

All during the night, the king of Aram surrounded the city with a strong force of horses and chariots. Their numbers were great.

The servant awoke early the next morning, and seeing the formidable force, asked, “Oh, man of God, what shall we do?”

The man of God, Elisha, prayed, “O Lord, open my servant’s eyes so he may really see.”

When the servant looked again, the numbers had changed. Not of the enemy force; they remained the same.

But he now saw God’s innumerable army, hills full of horses, and chariots full of…fire!

With God’s great mercy on their side, this uncountable, invisible army would surely save the day.

Question:
Am I more confident in what I can see, than in what I cannot see? Do I have to see it to believe it? Do I understand that I’m really living in an invisible kingdom?

Answer:
* I fix my attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. Things that can be seen are only temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18
* Like Moses, I also persevere because I see the Invisible One. Hebrews 11:27
* Because I have been raised to life with Christ, I set my mind on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1,2
* I walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
* My mind is not on earthly things because I am a citizen of heaven. Philippians 3:20

MORAL:
Trust invisible things, not things you see.

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 7

Chapter 2: Rich Man/Richer Widow

2007-11-09T12:20:00.001-06:00

Story, Luke 12, Mark 12:

Bigger Barns
Once upon a time, there was a certain rich man. Very rich. So rich, the numbers of his grain were larger than the numbers of his barns.

But instead of being rich toward God, he built more barns for himself. “I will relax. I will eat, drink and be merry.”

But on the very night of his calculations, God demanded his life.

No more counting riches for him!

Widow’s Two Mites
Once upon a time, there was a poor widow. Her coins were easy to count: 1, 2.

But instead of hoarding, one morning she donated both of her small copper coins into the temple treasury box.

The very important God-Man witnessed her actions. He was so pleased with her disregard for numbers and for her trust in God’s care that he told his followers that her contribution added up to more than the large sums of the rich people’s offerings.

Question:
How much time do I spend worrying about money—getting it…keeping it…spending it…getting more? Am I trusting my money to take care of me and make me happy more than I’m trusting God to do so?

Answer:
* I brought nothing into the world, and I can take nothing out of it. If I have food and clothing, I will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:7,8
* I will not put my hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but I will put my hope in God who richly provides me with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17
* I will seek first his kingdom and righteousness, then all the things I eat and drink and wear will be given to me also. Matthew 6:31,33
* My God will meet all my needs through his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
* His divine power has given me everything I need for life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3

Moral:
All needs are met in God.

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 7

Chapter 1: Safety in Numbers?

2007-11-08T18:14:00.001-06:00

Story, 2 Samuel 24:

Once upon a time, there was a king—a mighty, victorious king named David. But King David started wondering about the next battle.

Would he have enough soldiers? Would he have enough swords? Would he be safe?

So instead of trusting God to save him no matter what, he needed to see the numbers to sleep better at night. He ordered a census of all fighting men.

Did this lack of confidence in God make God happy? Most certainly not! And did this make the king happy? Most certainly not!

He admitted, “I have sinned badly. Lord, forgive me for doing this very foolish thing.”

So God laid out 3 options for punishment. Which should the king choose? Option #1: 3 years of famine? Option #2: 3 months of running from enemies?, or Option #3: 3 days of plague?

The king was in great distress. “I’d rather fall into the hands of the LORD, whose mercy is great, than fall into the hands of men,” so he chose #3.

The Lord did indeed send a plague on the land, but in response to David’s plea for mercy, the plague was stopped.

The king, once again, was saved only by the Lord’s mercy.

Question:
What about me? Am I only at peace when my circumstances are under control—steady job, cancer-free, reliable car, healthy relationships? Am I happy only if I’m living the American dream?

Answer:
* My strong confidence is in the fear of the LORD. Proverbs 14:26
* I succeed not by might nor by power, but by the Lord’s Spirit. Zechariah 4:6
* No weapon formed against me will succeed. The LORD defends his servant and gives me victory. Isaiah 54:17
* The Lord’s grace is all I need; his power is strongest in my weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
* Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but I trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

Moral:
There is only one safe place—in the Lord’s hands.

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 7

Who You Gonna Trust?

2007-11-08T14:13:00.001-06:00

Who you gonna trust?
What you can see? ...or what you can’t?
The visible? …or the invisible?
The temporary? …or the permanent?
The numbers? …or the nails?
Which is real…and lasting…and guaranteed?

We each have a set of numbers that define us and describe who we are. Your set of numbers is as individual to you as your fingerprints are.

What are your numbers?
Your age…your weight…your shoe size…social security #…monthly rent…student i.d.…blood pressure…car mileage…your vision…savings balance…your cholesterol…favorite TV channel…cell number…your semester hours…401K balance…your PIN number…songs on iPod…memory capacity…weekly paycheck…best 5K time….

We know a lot of numbers. And if your numbers are good, hey, life is sweet. You’re safe, right? It’s easy to place our confidence in numbers. But are they lulling us into a false sense of security (or insecurity)?

Are they promising safety where there is none?
Is our faith only in what we can see and count?
Are our idols molded out of…numbers?

We live in a world that places high value on numbers and statistics and scientific facts—things that can be seen and supposedly proven--which can be very good things, but they’re not sure things, not things worthy of our trust.

As citizens in an unshakable kingdom, our aim is to stay focused on spiritual things, which are often invisible things, things that can’t necessarily be measured in tangible ways, things like love, joy, righteousness, and peace.

Place your trust in the nails, i.e. the grace of Jesus. Only here is 100% guaranteed, eternal safety.

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2

--from Wednesday's class, Nov. 7

I told you so....

2007-11-05T07:57:00.001-06:00

Story: David spares Saul ,1 Samuel 23, 24

This was his big chance.

After hiding day after day in the caves and canyons of treacherous desert, eluding King Saul’s murderous hunt, the tables had turned. Saul was now easy prey—trapped in a compromising position in the very cave where David was huddled. Revenge was so near that David snipped off a corner of the royal robe.

Now was David’s opportunity to kill this maniac king and collect his due. His men urged him on, and for justifiable reason. David had done nothing to deserve the death threats from Saul. David—the soother of Saul’s very own soul, time after time. David—the one hand-picked by God to be the next king of Israel. David—the befriender of Saul’s son. If anyone had a right to exact revenge, it was David.

How easily do we desire revenge when it is our due? Especially when our “big chance” is right in the palm of our hand, and we’re being urged on by others? Wouldn’t revenge be sweet when it is most obviously warranted?

Wouldn’t at least a tiny “I told you so!” be understandable?

But David held back. Instead of payback, he paid homage. Not because Saul’s character was worthy of it. Not even because of David’s character per se.

Then why? Because of God’s character. David knew enough about the Lord to trust him to judge and avenge. He did not have to take matters in his own hands, because the matter would be better settled in God’s hands.

When we seek revenge, can we hold back and trust God to handle matters instead? Do we have enough faith in God’s character to allow him to avenge the wrongs in our lives, in his timing, in his way? Without our help? When our Saul is within our grasp, can we open up our hands and let him go? Because we trust the righteous character of God?

Our certain security is in God’s justice. He tells us so. Believe him.

--Lisa B.

The Dead Sea

2007-11-02T08:42:00.000-05:00

Water: Living or Dead?

2007-11-02T08:23:00.001-05:00

Imagine leaving a beautiful city…
…where there is plenty of fresh water,
…where the temperature is ideal and food is abundant,
…where you can talk to God with others,
…where olive trees grow for hundreds of years and are full of fruit,
to travel across the wilderness.

You carry your own water because you can’t predict if the cisterns along the way will be contaminated or not. You tread on land where the rocks are so sharp they cut through your leather shoes. You feel the heat as if it were 125 degrees.

Can you imagine…
…the wide and dangerous wadies,
…your strength sapped by crossing beds of gravel and sand,
…being baked by the reflective rays of the sun in an hour?

And then you finally see water! Water so clear that even at 3 feet deep you can see the bottom. The desire to drink is very powerful…yet if you drink from this water, it will kill you.

It’s the Dead Sea. Over 30% salt. The more you drink of this water, the faster you will die. Remind you of sin? Yes! The desire to drink of the deceptively clear “water” of sin is also very powerful. And like gulping down water from the Dead Sea, drinking of the water of sin will also kill you.

Thirsty from walking in the desert? Don’t be deceived by the dead stuff. Only Living Water will satisfy.

But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
John 4:14

--adapted from Graham R.’s talk in Wednesday’s class, Oct. 31

We pray...

2007-11-01T16:12:00.001-05:00

A Prayer of Thanks:
(from Psalm 63)

In this dry and thirsty life, you are our sanctuary.
You are our help.
Your right hand does uphold us.
Our soul can cling to you.
We can praise you as along as we live.
Your love IS better than life…

Class prayer:

Go home with us, Father.
Bring to our memory tonight’s ideas.
Fill us with Living Water.
Drive us to carry Living Water to thirsty people.
Never let us outlive our love for You.
We pray in the name of the Living Water.

--from Wednesday's class, October 31

We will sin. Will we repent?

2007-10-29T14:23:00.001-05:00

Our sins have consequences.
With every sin we crucify Jesus again and we spit on his face (Heb 6:6).

So what does repentance look like?
* Sense of one’s own guilt and sinfulness
* Hope for God’s mercy in Christ
* Hatred of sin and turning from it to God
* Persistent endeavor after a holy life—walking in the way of his commandments

In plain language, this all means:
Get closer to God.
Ask for mercy not justice!

So what does repentance do? The real, no kidding sorrow toward God on account of sin?
* Understand that sin is ugly and run from it
* Humbly surrender to God
* Make restitution

In plain language, this means:
Surrender to him—let him take over.

The Lord knows we will sin.
The question is: will we repent?

--from Wednesday's class, Oct. 24