Stuff @ the Resource Desk

The RESOURCE DESK is in our new building.  On the left when you walk in the foyer.

Today we have these things there, in hard copy:

1. Everything is Interesting: an article on parenting by J. Barrs
2. Original Sin, a half-sheet primer, by JI Packer
3. Weight of Glory, by CS Lewis

Verifiable & Validated

G. K. Chesterton <http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/G._K._Chesterton>  once noted that "Certain new theologians dispute original sin, which is the only part of Christian theology which can really be proved," (Orthodoxy, chap. 2). He saw original sin as the one Christian doctrine that is empirically verifiable and validated by 3500 years of human history.

Not no more

"A good man is hard to find," Red Sammy said, "Everything is getting terrible.  I remember the day you could go off and leave your screen door unlatched.  Not no more."

--Miss Flannery O'Connor

What happened to the beauty I had inside of me?

 

--U2, City of Blinding Lights

 

 

 

 

(topic: mankind dignity & depravity)

Jerram Barrs

As we teach our children about human beings, we must not only teach that we are sinners. In fact before we say we are sinners, we must first say that God has crowned us with glory and honor and set all things under our feet. We must work at helping our children enjoy the glory of their humanity and of the humanity of the people around them. To fail to do so is, in effect, to blaspheme against God. Help children see the glory of what different cultures have created. Help them see the creativity, the wonderful music and painting and literature that flows out of humanity. The book of James puts it this way, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness…this should not be!" (James 3:9,10).

 

 

Excerpted from a tremendous article entitled Everything is Interesting

 

 

What kind of grace do you seek?

PaulTripp: Grace this side of eternity is often uncomfortable grace; you want grace of relief/release, you need the grace of refinement.

thinking of humans as glorious and broken always leads to U2, and Johnny Cash

I went out there in search of experience
To taste and to touch and to feel as much
As a man can before he repents.

 

--U2, The Wanderer, written by Bono for Johnny Cash—who sings it

 

I also love this image:

I went out walking with a bible and a gun

Human Nature's Four-Fold State, by Augustine

 

Pre-Fall Humanity

able to sin; able not to sin 
(posse peccare, posse non peccare)

 

Post-Fallen (i.e. Fallen) Humanity

not able not to sin 
(non posse non peccare)

 

Regenerated (Reborn) Humanity

able not to sin 
(posse non peccare)

 

Glorified Humanity

unable to sin 
(non posse peccare)

 

Calvin, again

Every person, on coming to the knowledge of himself, is not only urged to seek God, but is also led as by the hand to find him.

getting pumped about preaching on Humanity on May 30

Our wisdom, in so far as it ought to be deemed true and solid Wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts:

 

 the knowledge of God and of ourselves. 

 

--John Calvin

People, by CS Lewis

Caspian, who is now king, is listening to Aslan describe the not-always-noble history of the Telmarines, of whom Caspian is one. He laments, "I was wishing that I came of a more honourable lineage." Aslan replies:

 

You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve,

and that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar,

and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor in earth.

 

Congregational Meeting

There will be a brief congregational meeting for the purpose of voting on Richard White as a potential new elder for our church.

Will convene 10 minutes after the benediction and will last 5-10 minutes.

Waiting

Waiting = living through those moments when you don't understand what God's doing & have no power to change them for the better.

Paul Tripp

The world becomes a strange place

“Knowing about God is crucially important for the living of our lives. As it would be cruel to an Amazonian tribesman to fly him to London, put him down without explanation in Trafalgar Square and leave him, as one who knew nothing of English or England, to fend for himself, so we are cruel to ourselves if we try to live in this world without knowing about the God whose world it is and who runs it. The world becomes a strange, mad, painful place, and life in it a disappointing and unpleasant business, for those who do not know about God. Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfolded, as it were, with no sense of direction and no understanding of what surrounds you. This way you can waste your life and lose your soul.”   –J.I. Packer

Knowing God

Sunday we begin what should be a great study
Who is God?

On January 7, 1855, the minister of New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, England, opened his morning sermon as follows:

It has been said by someone 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.

There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. 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 plumbline 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 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. He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe.... 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.

And, whilst humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatory. Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Ghost, there is a balsam for every sore. Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead. It is to that subject that I invite you this morning.

These words, spoken over a century ago by C. H. Spurgeon (at that time, incredibly, only twenty years old) were true then, and they are true now. 

John Calvin on Colossians 1:15

"For Christ is the image of God because He makes God in a manner visible

to us….For in Christ He shows us His righteousness, goodness, wisdom, power, in short,

His entire self. We must, therefore, take care not to seek Him elsewhere; for outside of

Christ, everything that claims to represent God will be an idol."

 

 

--John Calvin

Busy street is Parker Road

140 cars drove past our building in a 10 minute period.

Counted by Olivia @ 5PM

We dance, but not like this

The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is at the bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good.  Nothing but blind pitiless indifference.  DNA neither knows nor cares.  DNA just is, and we dance to its music.    

                                      --Richard Dawkins, Out of Eden

looking at Colossians 1:15-20 laid out as the hymn it probably is

He who is the image of the invisible God,

Firstborn before all creation,

because in Him all things were created —

things in heaven and things on earth,

things visible and invisible,

whether thrones or dominions,

whether principalities or powers —

they have all been created through Him and for Him

He indeed is before all things,

                        and they all cohere in Him;

            He is also the head of the body, the church

He is the beginning,

            Firstborn from the dead,

                        that He might be preeminent in all things,

            because in Him it was decreed that all the fullness should

                        take up residence

            and that through Him, [God] should reconcile all things

                                    to Himself,

                        having made peace through the blood of His cross — [through

                        Him], whether those on earth or those in heaven

translation by FF Bruce

In obedience, in keeping, and in expectation

Final paragraph of Bryan Chapell's helpful booklet "Why Do We Baptize Infants"

"Yes, it is sweet to savor God's goodness to families, but sentiment is not what leads a church or parent to this holy ordinance.  We baptize children in obedience to biblical teaching, in keeping with the precedent of centuries of faithful families, and in expectation of God's presence and blessing.  God now uses this sacrament to pledge us to His faithfulness as we, in faith, devote this child of the covenant to Him."

Also, fyi, if you search this blog for baptism you'll find scores of resources (look in upper left hand corner to search)

Fixed & Fit Together

All the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—
       people and things,
           animals and atoms—
get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies,
all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.


--The Message on Colossians 1

reflections

"Every time we sing praise to the triune God, we are asserting our opposition to anything that would attempt to stand in God’s place. Every hymn of praise is a little anti-idolatry campaign."


--John D. Witvliet


No gloomy uncertainty as to God’s favor can subdue one lust, or correct our crookedness of will. But the free pardon of the cross uproots sin, and withers all its branches. Only the certainty of love, forgiving love, can do this.” --Horatius Bonar


Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing!




He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love!

                  --Charles Wesley

Owen Best

todd, holli, and marin welcomed Owen Best (no middle name yet) last night, May 11th.  he was born, safely, in their home around 3:00am.  he weighed in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces.  he seems to be healthy and strong.  mom is doing well.  todd is keeping everyone fed and well cared for.  marin is a big help as well.

if you are interested and able to cook a meal for this family, please contact rebecca schackow by phone or email.  She is setting up the schedule.

prasie God for this new member of our church family!  he is adorable!

Owen Best

Todd and Holli had their baby!

I'm looking forward to posting more when I know.

Dedication Service, 6pm May 16---- Prep for your part!

The minister shall say:
Beloved in the lord, we are gathered to consecrate and set
apart this house for the worship of the one living and true God.
Let us therefore dedicate this place to its proper and sacred uses.
Then the minister and the people shall say responsively:
To You, God and Father of Jesus Christ, our Lord:
We dedicate this house.
To You, eternal Son of God, Redeemer of Your people
and Head of they church:
We dedicate this house.
To You, Spirit of God, lord and giver of life, our teacher,
sanctifier and comforter:
We dedicate this house.
For the worship of God in praise and prayer;
For the preaching of the gospel of the grace of God;
For the celebration of the holy Sacraments:
We dedicate this house.
For the diffusion of sacred knowledge;
For the promotion of righteousness;
For the extension of the kingdom of God:
We dedicate this house.
For release of the captives;
For recovering of sight to the blind;
For rest to the heavy laden:
We dedicate this house.
For comfort to those who mourn;
For strength to those who are tempted;
For assurance to those of little faith:
We dedicate this house.
For the sanctifying of the family;
For the nurture of the young;
For the perfection of believers:
We dedicate this house.
In gratitude for the gracious keeping of the divine
covenant throughout past generations;
In reliance upon the promise that the gates of hell shall
not prevail against the church;
In the hope of the eternal glory of the Church Triumphant:
We dedicate this house.

Sanctuary Info

Sanctuary Information, available @ resource desk in lobby today

After many years of meeting in facilities that did not belong to us, we are excited about creating our own space for worship. Everything in the sanctuary has been so placed for a Biblical purpose. Here, you will find a brief explanation of what you’ll find in our sanctuary and why it’s here.

Kneelers:

In the thirty-five appearances of the image in Scripture, knees are most often used to signify the state of one person before another, usually in submission or humility.  We offer kneelers so that those desiring to physically bow in prayer may do so.  Different people worship God differently. Consequently, some people desire to be more physically expressive in worship. If you wish to outwardly demonstrate your submission to God during prayer, please make use of the kneelers in the sanctuary whenever you feel so led.

Pulpit: (coming this week)

The pulpit—centered on the platform to represent the centrality of the preached Word of God—includes a carving of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified. The cross has come to represent many things, including the sacrifice that God made by sending His unblemished Son to suffer and die for our sins. It is also a symbol of God’s power of all things—death included—and is included on the pulpit as a reminder that Christ is our only Redeemer.

Communion Table: (coming this week)

Used to prepare and serve the Lord’s Supper, the communion table has a baptism bowl placed upon it. The baptism bowl represents the commitment of Christ Community Church to the sacrament of baptism and the outward demonstration of God’s covenant with us, His people, and that we need, accept and desire His grace.

The table carries the inscription “This, do, in remembrance of Me,” as a reminder that we are to take the Lord’s Supper—also called holy communion and the Eucharist—as an outward demonstration of our redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through Him, we have been redeemed.

Signs

It was in downtown Sacramento

Kim and I went to a tremendous restaurant with 2 friends. After being seated and starting to peruse the menu, my friend said--"Put your menu down. The chef here is brilliant. Let's tell him we trust him and need 4 entrees and a bottle of wine. If he wants to do something off menu and/or experimental--go for it.". So we did.

It is one of the top 10 meal experiences of my life. The chef responded generously to being trusted. He sent 5 killer entrees and 2 bottles de vino--all the extra was complimentary.

As we come to the Communion Table, I ask you to put down your menus. Where you are trying to plan out your lives for what you'd prefer God do for you--drop it. Trust Him.

God loves to be trusted. His generous response will suprise you.

Note to self, read this sometime

Believing in Adam and Eve: Reformation21 reprints an essay by Michael Reeves. http://bit.ly/aTaH9n

kneelers

Below I add to an excerpt from the Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, on Knee, Kneel

In the thirty-five appearances of the image in Scripture, knees are most often used to signify the state of one person before another, usually in submission or humility.  We offer kneelers so that those desiring to physically bow in prayer may do so.

(put the Sanctuary Primer here)

Spurgeon AM today

"Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all."
- Matthew 12:15



What a mass of hideous sickness must have thrust itself under the eye of
Jesus! Yet we read not that he was disgusted, but patiently waited on
every case. What a singular variety of evils must have met at his feet!
What sickening ulcers and putrefying sores! Yet he was ready for every new
shape of the monster evil, and was victor over it in every form. Let the
arrow fly from what quarter it might, he quenched its fiery power. The
heat of fever, or the cold of dropsy; the lethargy of palsy, or the rage
of madness; the filth of leprosy, or the darkness of ophthalmia-all knew
the power of his word, and fled at his command. In every corner of the
field he was triumphant over evil, and received the homage of delivered
captives. He came, he saw, he conquered everywhere. It is even so this
morning. Whatever my own case may be, the beloved Physician can heal me;
and whatever may be the state of others whom I may remember at this moment
in prayer, I may have hope in Jesus that he will be able to heal them of
their sins.
My child, my friend, my dearest one, I can have hope for each, for all,
when I remember the healing power of my Lord; and on my own account,
however severe my struggle with sins and infirmities, I may yet be of good
cheer.
He who on earth walked the hospitals, still dispenses his grace, and
works wonders among the sons of men: let me go to him at once in right
earnest.


Let me praise him, this morning, as I remember how he wrought his
spiritual cures, which bring him most renown. It was by taking upon
himself our sicknesses. "By his stripes we are healed.
" The Church on earth is full of souls healed by our beloved Physician;
and the inhabitants of heaven itself confess that "He healed them all.
" Come, then, my soul, publish abroad the virtue of his grace, and let it
be "to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign which shall not be cut
off."

Light it up

Where do I go?

Sunday we celebrate holy communion

Prepare yourself.

You are a sinner. You need a saviour. You have a saviour. He has rescued you:

A.) From the guilt of your sin. You have a clean record.
B.) From depending on your own wisdom. You have a commanding King.

We have a future. Our story shall end very very well. There is a feast waiting. Sunday is a foretaste.

Good Times Sunday

Wow, we've been waiting awhile to enjoy Sunday. This is June 2009

Our Sanctuary and our unfinishedness

The room in which we worship is referred to as a Sanctuary. (more on this later)

3 key pieces of furniture for the sanctuary are set to arrive on Wednesday May 12--which is after this Sunday.  So, the chancel/platform/stage portion of the room may look a sparse.  This will be helped when the furniture arrives.


But it brings up a helpful idea:
We are NOT seeking to "finish" the building without thought and reflection.  For a couple of months you may see things that make you say, "That oughta be done."
What do you do when you think that thought?

1.) Pray for the Building Committee.  "Thank you Jesus for the 10,000 things they thought of.  Give them wisdom on this one thing that might have been overlooked."
2.) Wait.
3.) If after a week, or a fortnight, you think you might be of some help in that area-- email the church office at infoATchristcommunitychurch DOT com
and your desire to serve will be passed on to the proper folks.


Thanks for caring about our church and about our building.

Ulysses, James Joyce, Andrew Pendley, and the Addcox Stephen and Anna

The other day Andrew said, "Will you buy me a book?"  I gave my standard, "As long as it wasn't written in the last 50 years."


Ulysses.


Me: "Ok, yeh, that was written in year 300 so i'll get it.  Oh, it was written by James Joyce?
Well, I (think I) know all about him because, you know, I saw the movie "Notting Hill".  He was British in the 1700's."


This led me to telling him he should talk to an Addcox because they are (like me) experts on English Literature.  Well, turns out James Joyce was Irish and the book was first published in 1922.  I'm an idiot.  But still glad my son wants to read this and still very grateful to be in a church family with folks like Stephen and Anna.


(Ah yes, I haven't read Ulysses.  So if there is a sinful act or a curse word in it---please don't tell me.  Thanks.)

John 13

so---we meet in our new building sunday

In many ways a new day for CCC, in many ways  it offers an opportunity for us to express our loyalty to our mission in new ways.  We are here to experience and extend the grace of Jesus Christ.  So, John 13:3-5




Jesus,
knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands,
and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 
rose from supper.


He laid aside his outer garments,
and taking a towel,
tied it around his waist.




Something very important here about motivation to serve:
--flows from knowing
--flows from knowing who you are (identity)   "He as from God and all things given to him."
Eugene Peterson quote @ meyers-briggs not defining me
--flows from hope/destiny ("he was going back to God")

Grace

"Grace" is the most transformational word in Scripture. The entire Bible is a narrative of God's story of undeserved redemption

Paul Tripp

Invite

Guys B'fast Thursday (tomorrow)

6:30am Perkins

Bummer

I was really hoping these young turks could play at the Building Dedication on May 16.
Just got word that they are busy.

Another invite you can download into an email to friend and foe alike

all of these invites are also available on front page of www.cccgainesville.com

a downloadable invitation to May 16 Grand Opening

Artwork in Children's Rooms

Cleaning the Kitchen, getting things ready!

Lynn Livers works the dry-vac!

What a CO look likes

Building dedication service May 16

On May 16 at six o' clock in the evening we will gather to worship God through the dedication of our church building.  This is a "don't miss" event.  Here is an excerpt from that night.

The minister shall say:

Beloved in the lord, we are gathered to consecrate and set apart this house for the worship of the one living and true God. Let us therefore dedicate this place to its proper and sacred uses.

Then the minister and the people shall say responsively:

To You, God and Father of Jesus Christ, our Lord:

We dedicate this house.

To You, eternal Son of God, Redeemer of Your people

and Head of they church:

We dedicate this house.

To You, Spirit of God, lord and giver of life, our teacher,

sanctifier and comforter:

We dedicate this house.

continued..

After service move!!

After tomorrow's service (10:30, last one @ OHS) we NEED HELP moving children's and music equipment to our new building. After we finish, there will be pizza served at the conclusion of our move.

Plan to help!

Our temporary sign announcing Grand Opening