Wants Jesus to help her.
'
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Men's Road Trip
Road Trip to S.Carolina, to serve at a Children's Home
Depart Thursday September 30, return Sunday October 3
Where: Anderson, SC (near Clemson)
How much: $25 plus food while travelling
Where: Anderson, SC (near Clemson)
How much: $25 plus food while travelling
Who can go? Any guy. Right now signed up are: Ben French, Brian Schackow, Mike Marshall, Chris James, Rob Pendley.
Contact Ben French to sign up: benfrench66 AT msn DOT com
Contact Ben French to sign up: benfrench66 AT msn DOT com
September 30-October 3
Two service stuff
Yesterday was our 2nd week of doing two services. Several reflections:
1.) Great attitudes the people of CCC are showing. Most groups are notorious for hating change and complaining about it. This group rolls with it and serves. Great to observe.
2.) 10:00am Classes are packed and we still want to jam in more folks. I was in the Ecclesiastes study yesterday and Chris Fyock did a splendid job. That room was way overcrowded. There is a possibility of switching locations for Marriage Class and Ecclesiastes. Watch the website and weekly email for details.
3.) The 2nd service is over-crowded. It would be splendid to get 20-40 college students who said, "I'll serve by attending the 8:30."
4.) Both services have a great spirit to them. It is exciting to be a part of what God is doing in our midst.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Mysterious Ways
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
The hymn God Moves in a Mysterious Way has been a source of great comfort and blessing to many of God's people since William Cowper wrote it in the 18th century. Yet few people know of the unusual circumstances that led to its composition.
William Cowper was a Christian, but he had sunk to the depths of despair. One foggy night he called for a horsedrawn carriage and asked to be taken to the London Bridge on the Thames River. He was so overcome by depression that he intended to commit suicide. But after 2 hours of driving through the mist, Cowper's coachman reluctantly confessed that he was lost. Disgusted by the delay, Cowper left the carriage and decided to find the London Bridge on foot. After walking only a short distance, though, he discovered that he was at his own doorstep! The carriage had been going in circles. Immediately he recognized the restraining hand of God in it all. Convicted by the Spirit, he realized that the way out of his troubles was to look to God, not to jump into the river. As he cast his burden on the Savior, his heart was comforted. With gratitude he sat down and penned these reassuring words: "God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm. O fearful saints, fresh courage take, the clouds you so much dread are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head."
See: Col 2:2-3
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Why Pharoah Ordered Moses Dead in 2:15
"In acting to defend the Hebrews, Moses was challenging the basic
foundations---social, political, and religious---on which Egyptian
society had been established."
foundations---social, political, and religious---on which Egyptian
society had been established."
--James Ackerman
'
Thy work alone, O Christ
Not what my hands have done
Can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh has borne
Can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do
Can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers,
And sighs and tears
Can bear my awful load.
Classes @ 10am
Come to one of these. You'll be glad.
--Marriage (sanctuary)
-- Ecclesiastes (classroom of main bldg)
-- Culture (classroom of main bldg)
-- Biblical Theology (office complex)
--Marriage (sanctuary)
-- Ecclesiastes (classroom of main bldg)
-- Culture (classroom of main bldg)
-- Biblical Theology (office complex)
See website for proper names of classes, and course descriptions.
10am
Services @ 8:30 and 11:15
Cheers!
'
Friday, August 27, 2010
Ponder Anew
"Moses' mother learned that in salvation God satisfies the deepest
longings of the people He plans to save."
longings of the people He plans to save."
--Phil ryken
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
If with His love He befriend you
'
The only God worth knowing is
a God who has the power to work in human history to accomplish salvation.
--Phil Ryken, commentary on Exodus
--
--
Thursday, August 26, 2010
misc.
i need to rant about Dove World stuff, I know it is much more serious---- but did they attend Lane Kiffin school of PR?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Move!
If you want to get warm you move near the fire. If you want joy, peace, eternal life, you must get close to what has them.
CS Lewis
Monday, August 23, 2010
What the Bible is About, in 5 minutes
 The Gospel Coalition (@TGC)8/23/10 1:24 PM What is the Bible really about? Check out this encouraging video featuring Tim Keller. http://bit.ly/cl93pD |
@ScottyWardSmith, 8/23/10 5:53 PM
 Scotty Smith (@ScottyWardSmith)8/23/10 5:53 PM "God's jealousy for our love is the greatest compliment he could pay us." Abraham Kyper |
Friday, August 20, 2010
Isaiah 45:18
For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who
formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it
empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no
other.
formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it
empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no
other.
RP
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Pharoah echoes the words of Babel Builders
"Come, let us." Now, recall the words. The only time that phrase is used prior in the Bible is in Genesis, chapter 11, verse 4. You remember that? It's the builders of the tower of Babel. "Come, let us build a temple that reaches to the heavens." And now the Pharaoh announces, "Come, let us deal wisely with them." In both cases, because later on we'll hear about the bricks and the mortar that Pharaoh will employ. In both cases, people are building cities out of bricks and mortar to make a name for themselves. Remember the builders of Babel had explicitly said, "Come, let us make a name for ourselves." In contrast, in Genesis, chapter 12, God had said to Abraham, "I will make a name for you. I will make your name great." Remember what Pharaoh means. It means great house. So the great house says, "Come, let us deal wisely with them."
--Ligon Duncan
Bible descrepancy?
from Ligon Duncan, in his sermon on Exodus 1
look at the phrase the "sons of Israel." Now we saw that phrase over and over in the book of Exodus, but this is the last time in the five books of Moses, the first five books of the Bible, the so-called the Pentateuch. This is the last time in the Pentateuch that the phrase "sons of Israel" will mean Jacob's immediate family. From now on it will refer to the people of God as a whole, collectively. Notice also that interesting number seventy. Seventy. This is the number of the sons of Jacob given in Genesis 46 that went down to Egypt. But it's interesting that the order of the sons' names are not given in the birth order. They are given according to their mother, Leah, Rachel, the concubines. This is the order that we saw in Genesis 35. Now you may be interested to know that in Acts 7:14 Stephen speaks of seventy-five going down into Egypt. And you think, oops. This says seventy, Stephen said seventy-five. But Stephen is most likely referencing the Greek translation, and the Greek translation of Genesis 46 says, "Seventy-five went down." You get that number by adding to the patriarchs some of the wives and daughters-in-law who went down into the land. But seventy is often a symbolic number for completeness in the Old Testament. Do you remember that the number of nations descended from Noah's sons was seventy when we looked at Genesis 10 together? And so this is a number for completeness. The whole of Israel had gone down into Egypt.
look at the phrase the "sons of Israel." Now we saw that phrase over and over in the book of Exodus, but this is the last time in the five books of Moses, the first five books of the Bible, the so-called the Pentateuch. This is the last time in the Pentateuch that the phrase "sons of Israel" will mean Jacob's immediate family. From now on it will refer to the people of God as a whole, collectively. Notice also that interesting number seventy. Seventy. This is the number of the sons of Jacob given in Genesis 46 that went down to Egypt. But it's interesting that the order of the sons' names are not given in the birth order. They are given according to their mother, Leah, Rachel, the concubines. This is the order that we saw in Genesis 35. Now you may be interested to know that in Acts 7:14 Stephen speaks of seventy-five going down into Egypt. And you think, oops. This says seventy, Stephen said seventy-five. But Stephen is most likely referencing the Greek translation, and the Greek translation of Genesis 46 says, "Seventy-five went down." You get that number by adding to the patriarchs some of the wives and daughters-in-law who went down into the land. But seventy is often a symbolic number for completeness in the Old Testament. Do you remember that the number of nations descended from Noah's sons was seventy when we looked at Genesis 10 together? And so this is a number for completeness. The whole of Israel had gone down into Egypt.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Exodus-----Epic
From the ESV Literary Study Bible (which looks great online)
The book of Exodus is presented in the form of an *epic. Like most epics, it begins in the middle of things, with the Israelites languishing in slavery and their would-be deliverer born under the threat of death by drowning. The story proceeds along epic lines, with a cosmic confrontation between good and evil that is happily resolved through a mighty act of rescue and a long journey to freedom. Moses is the heroic (albeit imperfect) national leader who serves as the human instrument of a divine deliverance. Like many epics, Exodus is also the story of the founding of a nation. This helps to explain how the second half of the book connects to the first: once they are delivered from bondage, the people of God meet to receive a national constitution (the Ten Commandments) and to establish a place for their national assembly (the tabernacle). Within its epic framework, Exodus also contains a wealth of subgenres: *rescue story, *calling story, human-divine *encounter, diplomatic negotiation, plague story, *genealogy, institution of a festival,*song of victory, *travelogue, *miracle story, legal code, case law, covenant renewal ceremony, architectural blueprint, garment design, building narrative.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Men's Road-Trip, details of the work we shall do (Sept 30-Oct 2)
September 30-Oct 3
Fellas, you don't want to miss this trip---Alabama weekend. We'll watch the game together after a hard day's work helping out some kids.
See Ben French @ church sunday or call the office 379-4949--- Ben just sent over this list
Our list is always changing but here are some likely options:
1. Installing a dishwasher
2. Installing two ovens
3. Painting – outdoor
4. Yard work – edging, mulching, etc.
5. Planting grass – fertilizing, getting hoses set up, etc.
6. Sheet rock in the admin
7. Building picnic tables (we have the wood but not the hardware)
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Spurgeon on private prayer, fight thru the Old English---worth it
“Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide.”
Genesis 24:63Very admirable was his occupation. If those who spend so many hours in idle company, light reading, and useless pastimes, could learn wisdom, they would find more profitable society and more interesting engagements in meditation than in the vanities which now have such charms for them. We should all know more, live nearer to God, and grow in grace, if we were more alone. Meditation chews the cud and extracts the real nutriment from the mental food gathered elsewhere. When Jesus is the theme, meditation is sweet indeed. Isaac found Rebecca while engaged in private musings; many others have found their best beloved there.
Very admirable was the choice of place. In the field we have a study hung round with texts for thought. From the cedar to the hyssop, from the soaring eagle down to the chirping grasshopper, from the blue expanse of heaven to a drop of dew, all things are full of teaching, and when the eye is divinely opened, that teaching flashes upon the mind far more vividly than from written books. Our little rooms are neither so healthy, so suggestive, so agreeable, or so inspiring as the fields. Let us count nothing common or unclean, but feel that all created things point to their Maker, and the field will at once be hallowed.
Very admirable was the season. The season of sunset as it draws a veil over the day, befits that repose of the soul when earthborn cares yield to the joys of heavenly communion. The glory of the setting sun excites our wonder, and the solemnity of approaching night awakens our awe. If the business of this day will permit it, it will be well, dear reader, if you can spare an hour to walk in the field at eventide, but if not, the Lord is in the town too, and will meet with thee in thy chamber or in the crowded street. Let thy heart go forth to meet him.
spurgeon morning devotion for August 15
.png)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Prayer Week--Sanctuary open 6-8am & 4-8pm Mon-Fri
As we approach some new initiatives (2 service schedule, new zeal towards education/training hour) we will pursue praying together.
Of course one can pray anywhere and everywhere. This week, we thought it might be helpful to give you opportunity to pray in the sanctuary.
Envisioned was
-- families dropping by and dropping to their collective knees and saying, "Jesus, build your Church--and use us to do it."
-- folks walking from parking lot to the building and remembering, "Oh yeh, I think THAT friend of mine might appreciate an invite to one of the 2 services."
-- much more
Of course one can pray anywhere and everywhere. This week, we thought it might be helpful to give you opportunity to pray in the sanctuary.
Envisioned was
-- families dropping by and dropping to their collective knees and saying, "Jesus, build your Church--and use us to do it."
-- folks walking from parking lot to the building and remembering, "Oh yeh, I think THAT friend of mine might appreciate an invite to one of the 2 services."
-- much more
Friday, August 13, 2010
The 2nd Advent of Jesus Christ
A transcendent event
An example of the importance of considering each part of Scripture's teaching on any subject in the light of the whole is the second coming of Christ. It would be easy (and dangerous) to be selective in the texts from which we build up our doctrine. Thus, some passages indicate that Christ's return will be personal and visible, indeed that he will come 'in the same way' as he went (Acts 1:11). But before we press this into meaning that the return will be a kind of ascension in reverse, like a film played backwards, and that Christ will set his feet on the precise spot on the Mount of Olives from which he was taken up, we need to consider something Jesus said to counter those who wanted to localize his return:
For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other (Lk. 17:24).
The truly biblical Christian, anxious to be faithful to all Scripture, will want to do equal justice to both these strands of teaching. The coming of the Lord will indeed be personal, historical and visible; but it will also be 'in power and great glory', as universal as the lightning, a transcendent event of which the whole human population of both hemispheres will be simultaneously aware.
--From "Understanding the Bible" (rev. edn. London: Scripture Union, 1984), p. 179.
John Stott
An example of the importance of considering each part of Scripture's teaching on any subject in the light of the whole is the second coming of Christ. It would be easy (and dangerous) to be selective in the texts from which we build up our doctrine. Thus, some passages indicate that Christ's return will be personal and visible, indeed that he will come 'in the same way' as he went (Acts 1:11). But before we press this into meaning that the return will be a kind of ascension in reverse, like a film played backwards, and that Christ will set his feet on the precise spot on the Mount of Olives from which he was taken up, we need to consider something Jesus said to counter those who wanted to localize his return:
For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other (Lk. 17:24).
The truly biblical Christian, anxious to be faithful to all Scripture, will want to do equal justice to both these strands of teaching. The coming of the Lord will indeed be personal, historical and visible; but it will also be 'in power and great glory', as universal as the lightning, a transcendent event of which the whole human population of both hemispheres will be simultaneously aware.
--From "Understanding the Bible" (rev. edn. London: Scripture Union, 1984), p. 179.
John Stott
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Sunday, can help a brutha out?
I'm speaking on prayer Sunday. I'm 99% sure there will be a point in the sermon when we stop and pray. I'll invite all y'all to cry aloud some gift you'd love to see God bestow upon Christ Community.
One to 3 word phrases will be the parameters. If you can help by launching our prayer time--just say it out loud and others will follow you.
I'll probably say, "Father, for the glory of your name, we ask for ________"
And you guys pray:
Joy!
Love!
Unity
Youth Group conversions
Etc.
Merci beaucoup.
Not FOR but WITH
It's not about doing anything FOR Jesus, but everything WITH Jesus. HE'S the one making all things new, including us.
--Scotty Smith
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
School uniform shirts to give
Walgreens has school uni shirts 2 for $10
I bought some to give away.
Now praying for opportunity.
Join me?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
When does the church accomplish the most
“The church has always accomplished the most when she has most deeply realized her own helplessness. Dependence upon God is our greatest need; it focuses our attention on what He can do; and it makes His glory a supreme reason for all our concerns.” --Ian Murray
Our greatest danger
“Our greatest danger is not liberalism, modernism, postmodernism, bible criticism.... the greatest danger is the church doing the work of the ministry in the power of the flesh.”
--Francis Schaeffer
--Francis Schaeffer
Spiritual Gifts
Amid many obscurities and debated questions regarding
New Testament charismata, three certainties
stand out. First, a spiritual gift is an ability in some
way to express, celebrate, display, and so communicate
Christ. We are told that gifts, rightly used, build
up Christians and churches. But only knowledge of
God in Christ builds up, so each charisma must be an
ability from Christ to show and share Christ in an
upbuilding way.
Sunday, August 08, 2010
No classes on August 8 and 15
Morning schedule for today and next Sunday:
10:30am Worship Service and childcare for youngest and children's church for K-2nd grade
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Spurgeon's Morning & Evening - August 7
--------------------------------
Morning Devotional
"The upright love thee"
- Song of Solomon 1:4
Believers love Jesus with a deeper affection then they dare to give to any
other being. They would sooner lose father and mother then part with
Christ. They hold all earthly comforts with a loose hand, but they carry
him fast locked in their bosoms. They voluntarily deny themselves for his
sake, but they are not to be driven to deny him. It is scant love which
the fire of persecution can dry up; the true believer's love is a deeper
stream than this. Men have laboured to divide the faithful from their
Master, but their attempts have been fruitless in every age. Neither
crowns of honour, now frowns of anger, have untied this more than Gordian
knot. This is no every-day attachment which the world's power may at
length dissolve. Neither man nor devil have found a key which opens this
lock. Never has the craft of Satan been more at fault than when he has
exercised it in seeking to rend in sunder this union of two divinely
welded hearts. It is written, and nothing can blot out the sentence, "The
upright love thee." The intensity of the love of the upright, however, is
not so much to be judged by what it appears as by what the upright long
for. It is our daily lament that we cannot love enough. Would that our
hearts were capable of holding more, and reaching further. Like Samuel
Rutherford, we sigh and cry, "Oh, for as much love as would go round about
the earth, and over heaven-yea, the heaven of heavens, and ten thousand
worlds-that I might let all out upon fair, fair, only fair Christ.
" Alas! our longest reach is but a span of love, and our affection is but
as a drop of a bucket compared with his deserts.
Measure our love by our intentions, and it is high indeed; 'tis thus, we
trust, our Lord doth judge of it.
Oh, that we could give all the love in all hearts in one great mass, a
gathering together of all loves to him who is altogether lovely!
--------------------------------
Morning Devotional
"The upright love thee"
- Song of Solomon 1:4
Believers love Jesus with a deeper affection then they dare to give to any
other being. They would sooner lose father and mother then part with
Christ. They hold all earthly comforts with a loose hand, but they carry
him fast locked in their bosoms. They voluntarily deny themselves for his
sake, but they are not to be driven to deny him. It is scant love which
the fire of persecution can dry up; the true believer's love is a deeper
stream than this. Men have laboured to divide the faithful from their
Master, but their attempts have been fruitless in every age. Neither
crowns of honour, now frowns of anger, have untied this more than Gordian
knot. This is no every-day attachment which the world's power may at
length dissolve. Neither man nor devil have found a key which opens this
lock. Never has the craft of Satan been more at fault than when he has
exercised it in seeking to rend in sunder this union of two divinely
welded hearts. It is written, and nothing can blot out the sentence, "The
upright love thee." The intensity of the love of the upright, however, is
not so much to be judged by what it appears as by what the upright long
for. It is our daily lament that we cannot love enough. Would that our
hearts were capable of holding more, and reaching further. Like Samuel
Rutherford, we sigh and cry, "Oh, for as much love as would go round about
the earth, and over heaven-yea, the heaven of heavens, and ten thousand
worlds-that I might let all out upon fair, fair, only fair Christ.
" Alas! our longest reach is but a span of love, and our affection is but
as a drop of a bucket compared with his deserts.
Measure our love by our intentions, and it is high indeed; 'tis thus, we
trust, our Lord doth judge of it.
Oh, that we could give all the love in all hearts in one great mass, a
gathering together of all loves to him who is altogether lovely!
--------------------------------
Friday, August 06, 2010
when it DOESN'T work
Last night I missed an opportunity.
I was at Borders. As I was taking in Rolling Stones special issue "500 greatest songs of all time" a fellow was returning the copy he'd been perusing. We stopped and talked a bit and he moved on. After a few minutes, he returned--he just wanted to talk @ music. We had a great time together. I was just about to invite him when I realized I had no invite cards on me.
It would have been a natural transition to say, "I'm a part of a church that values the creativity and artistic expression we've been talking about. I'm not sure what you think about God, Christ and the Church---but I'd love to have you as a guest some Sunday soon."
But I didn't. So this morning I loaded up on those cards and pray that the fella will cross my path again. But I'm ready for the next natural time to invite.
(by the way, that RS issue is incredibly interesting)
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Inner health made audible
The humblest praise most, while cranks & malcontents praise least. Praise almost seems to be inner health made audible.
Lewis! of course
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Mark Sheplak's personal testimony from Sunday August 1
(the audio will be available at the website soon)
My wife Jeanniel and I with our children, Rachel and Matthew started attending Christ Community Church in late January of this year. During our first visit, we were drawn in by the warmth and grace of Christ reflected by the congregation.
When I say warmth and grace, I don't mean this figuratively.
After attending a few times, we went through a very difficult time with my Mother passing away suddenly and unexpectedly from cancer.
So many people supported us in a variety of ways. People called to encourage us and reminded us that we were being prayed for.
Many families brought by meals. Words cannot express our
gratitude for all of the help and support that we received. This
experience further confirmed us that Christ Community is where God wanted us to serve and worship Him.
We felt led to serve in the area of children's ministries.
Because we have two small children, we know first-hand how vital this ministry is to any church. The quality of the children's ministry program was also one of the major factors we considered when we were looking for a church home. At our previous church, Jeanniel served in the children's ministries by herself and I felt like I was missing out something. Given our new start, I wanted to jump in and help out. This experience has been a real blessing for both of us. It is a privilege to help the children learn about Jesus. From a practical perspective, it has helped both Jeanniel and I to meet many people in the congregation and accelerate the process of becoming fully "plugged in".
We especially loved the "church-community integration" of Vacation Bible School. It was a great demonstration of how Christ Community Church serves the community collectively in a Christ-centered manner. The kids not only learned about Jesus via "study", but were also part of "applying" Christ's teachings. In the morning, the children's crafts were focused on serving local ministries like Bread of the Mighty, Arbor House, St. Francis House. It was explained to the children how the respective ministries served the Lord and tied it into scripture. For example, the kids went packed groceries for the Bread of the Mighty and the scripture was story of Jesus feeding 5000. In the afternoon, the youth group, which assisted all day with VBS, then brought the items from the craft time to the ministries and then served them usually by performing hard labor. In the evening, the Community Groups, in our case the Gallagher group, then prepared and brought food to Frank and Sharon's guest house to share dinner with the youth group. This made the VBS more Kingdom-minded and provided a great demonstration about how the body of Christ comprised of many different parts comes together to bring Him glory.
As you have heard and read, there are plenty of opportunities to serve, especially with the new dual service schedule coming up. I would like to encourage anyone who is considering serving, but may be a bit shy about doing so like I was, to give it a shot. I think that 1 Peter 4:10 sums up the call to become engaged and serve each other,
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."
In our brief time here at Christ Community, it has been a great encouragement to see God's people using their various gifts to build His kingdom and extend His grace to the surrounding community.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)