A New Israel

Israel (as the people of God) was not reconstituted in 1948.... Jesus did it in Mark 3!

"When Jesus called the twelve, he began to create a new Israel and begin to lead his people in a new Exodus. Through the proclamation of the gospel that Jesus taught these twelve men and which they’ve proclaimed to us through God’s word, God has called each one of us by name. We come from different races, we have different backgrounds, and we occupy many stations of life. But make no mistake about it. God has called each one of us by name to place our trust in Jesus Christ. Like the twelve, we leave everything behind and we follow our new master as he leads us through the wilderness of this present evil age as we make our way to the heavenly city. --Kim Riddlebarger

The Twelve

Mark 3:13-19 lists the calling of "The Twelve"... as the disciples are called in the gospels. It is difficult to overestimate what God is going to do through these 12 ordinary men. Because of time we know how their lives & influence turn out... but they didn't on the day they stood on that mtn with Jesus.

It reminds me of a line in "National Treasure" when Nicholas Cage reflects on how radical the writers of the Dec. of Independence were in their actions & lives.
"A toast, to high treason. That's what these men were committing when they signed the Declaration. Had we lost the war, they would've been hanged, beheaded, drawn and quartered, and oh my personal favorite, had their entrails cut out and burned! So, here's to the men who did what was considered wrong, in order to do what they knew was right."

(i hesitate to illustrate biblical truth with American stuff for fear that someone thinks that USA is parallel with God's Kingdom.... don't do that)

Parenting Teenagers

Hear ye! Hear ye! Richard & April Horner are taking the baton from Frank & Suzanne Matthews. The Matthews have, I'm told, done a wonderful job of laying out the Bible's teaching on parenting, particularly of younger children. (I've seen the teaching outlines and they look great!)

Now, the Horners... parents of a high schooler and 2 univ. students will take over. 9am in the media center, starting Sunday October 28.

The Gospel According to Mark

Sunday we are continuing our series on Mark’s gospel. We will enter a new section of Mark’s gospel–Mark 3:7-6:13. by way of review... here is helpful summary of where we've been, Mark 1:1 thru 3:6
As Jesus came preaching that the critical moment in redemptive history had finally come. The kingdom of God had drawn near in his very person. As proof that this was the case, Jesus cast out demons,healed the sick, and called disciples to follow him. He even forgave sins. Soon huge crowds followed Jesus everywhere he went. But even as Jesus was preaching the good news about the kingdom of God, the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees were offended by almost everything Jesus did. Jesus ate
with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus and his disciples did not observe the fast as did the Pharisees. And
Jesus healed on the Sabbath. Although Jesus outraged the scribes and Pharisees, his actions were
indicative of the fact that he was Israel’s Messiah and the Son of God. Sadly, even though Jesus came to
bring salvation to his people, the scribes and Pharisees were now conspiring with their political
enemies–the Herodians–to find some excuse to put Jesus to death. Jesus came to bring salvation to
God’s people. But it was becoming clear that Jesus’ mission would be opposed by those very people he
came to save. --Kim Riddlebarger

Seeking Holiness by Grace

“For my own part, I desire constantly to stand at the foot of the cross, with no other testimony concerning myself than this —

I the chief of sinners am, But Jesus died for me.

Personal holiness is to be sought for with all our hearts, and it can only be obtained by faith in Jesus Christ — by simple faith in Him. He gives us power to overcome sin through his precious blood. Christ is made of God unto you “wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption;” in Him be all your glorying, and in Him alone, for if not so, the rubbish will cover up the foundation. “I know whom I have believed.” None but Jesus, none but Jesus.

“Personal holiness is to be sought for with all our hearts, and it can only be obtained by faith in Jesus Christ…”

There rests our souls’ only hope, upon His precious blood and righteousness; every other hope we heartily abhor. Well, the foundation is laid. Blessed be God for that! When a man is brought to rest alone in Jesus, then there is laid for him in Zion a sure foundation-stone, and to that he is cemented by sovereign grace.”

C.H. Spurgeon

Reformed Means Zealous for God's Glory

Sunday is "Reformation Sunday" celebrating

in a strange way.... i think the way you honor your fathers in the faith is to seek to do in your generation what they did in theirs... NOT seek to bring their style of ministry & life into OUR generation.... so the way you show you are reformed is by not talking about being reformed but by being zealous for the same things they were... and one of those is the glory of God.

(October 31 is typically known as Reformation Day)

helpful stuff:
--Woltersdorff quote (that dude has THE HARDEST name to spell!)
--JI Packer's preface to John Owen's DEATH OF DEATH in the death of Christ
-- the God Alone class CCC is offering 'rat now' on Sundays at 9am

On Being Reformed

i am forever returning to this quote to broaden my understanding of what it means for a Christian or a church to be "reformed".....
“It’s a style of life that gives prominence to the conviction that God is creator; hence it is that
we give thanks to God for the goodness that surrounds us. Secondly, it incorporates a deep and powerful sense of the fallenness of all things, understood in such a way that there is a strong impulse to resist all attempts to draw lines in the sand, with the explanation that human fallenness occurs on this side of the line and not on that side of the line. Fallenness runs throughout our entire existence—indeed, through the cosmos.
Corresponding to this comprehensive view of sin is then an equally comprehensive view of faith and salvation... In short, I think that at the heart of the Reformed tradition is a passion for totality, for wholeness, for integrity, for not allowing life to fall into bits and pieces but to constantly ask, ‘What does my faith—what does the gospel of Jesus Christ—have do with this and what does it have to do with that?’ And then never being content with the answer, ‘Nothing!’” --Nick W.
--more much more to post

Not a single shred !

“Retain a single shred or fragment of legality with the gospel, and you raise a topic of distrust between man and God. You take away from the power of the gospel to melt and to conciliate. For this purpose the freer it is the better it is.”
- Thomas Chalmers, “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection”

"To believe a thing is to see the cool crystal water sparkling in the cup. But to meditate on it is to drink of it. Reading gathers the clusters; contemplation squeezes forth their generous juice."
Charles H. Spurgeon

Mondays at 1:00 we pray...

... the staff of Christ Community, that is. If you would like to request prayer, email
lizette AT christcommunitychurch DOT com

An explanation of today's worship service

Today Christ Community Church is being recognized by the North Florida Presbytery as a member congregation. This means that we have elders and pastors installed to serve and lead. The presiding minister, Rev. Rod Whited, and others from the presbytery are here to enact this event. From this time on Christ Community Church has the authority to ordain our own officers.

Why are we governed and served by elders? We find in the Scriptures instruction on how Christ desires his Church to be led. This includes elders who have exhibited lives that are joyfully dependant upon Christ and living in the power of His grace. They have been tried and approved to have the character and wisdom to serve and lead the church family with humility, boldness, and love. The qualifications for elders are found in Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3.

What difference will this make in the life of Christ Community Church? The changes should be subtle and strengthening. The core values and vision of Christ Community Church remain the same.

How should I be encouraged by God today? Primarily that Christ cares for His people. Are you a long-time member of Christ Community Church? Be encouraged that God has answered our prayers and used our meager efforts to establish something that He plans to use for years. Are you newer to Christ Community Church? This is an opportunity to rejoice that God has been at work to do us good a long time before we actually experience His grace and love. This is a pattern of our great God.

What’s up with all the vows? What you are participating in today is both witnessing and making vows. If you are a member of Christ Community Church you are entering into a relationship with elders through vows. Everyone is promising to look to Christ for strength to carry out their God-given roles. And God is delighted to resource His children!

I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in y o u will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

–The Apostle Paul, to the church at Philippi

The Church's one foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation,
by water and the word:
from heaven he came

and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.

--Samuel Stone, 1800’s

What a scene!

Then he stood still a while, to look and wonder; for it was very surprising to him that the sight of the cross should thus ease him of his burden. He looked, therefore, and looked again, even till the springs that were in his head sent the waters down his cheeks. Zech. 12:10. Now as he stood looking and weeping, behold, three Shining Ones came to him, and saluted him with, "Peace be to thee." So the first said to him, "Thy sins be forgiven thee," Mark 2:5; the second stripped him of his rags, and clothed him with change of raiment, Zech. 3:4; the third also set a mark on his forehead, Eph. 1:13, and gave him a roll with a seal upon it, which he bid him look on as he ran, and that he should give it in at the celestial gate: so they went their way. Then Christian gave three leaps for joy, and went on singing,

"Thus far did I come laden with my sin,
Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in,
Till I came hither. What a place is this!
Must here be the beginning of my bliss?

Must here the burden fall from off my back?
Must here the strings that bound it to me crack?
Blest cross! blest sepulchre! blest rather be
The Man that there was put to shame for me!" --bunyan "Pilgrim's Progress"

The Church of God

CCC will have her 1st ever elders ordained on Sunday. In Acts 20 the apostle Paul gives some amazing words of instruction to the Ephesian elders... pray these things for Mike Marshall, Charlie Staples, Larry Eubanks, Frank Matthews, and the chief sinner--Rob Pendley.

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock,
in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers,
to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Keller book sounds good

and it sounds great... read about it here-- you can also pre-order it:

Our Sure Footing

“If I am a new creature in Christ, then I stand before God, not in myself—but in Christ. He sees no longer me—but only him in whom I am—him who represents me, Christ Jesus, my substitute and surety. In believing, I have become so identified with the Son of his love, that the favor with which he regards him passes over to me, and rests, like the sunshine of the new heavens, upon me.

In Christ, and through Christ, I have acquired a new standing before the Father. I am ‘accepted in the beloved.’

My old standing, that is, that of distance, and disfavor, and condemnation, is wholly removed, and I am brought into one of nearness, and acceptance, and pardon—I am made to occupy a new footing, just as if my old one had never been. Old guilt, heavy as the mountain, vanishes; old dread, gloomy as midnight, passes off; old fear, dark as hell, gives place to the joyful confidence arising from forgiveness and reconciliation, and the complete blotting out of sin.

All things are made new. I have changed my standing before God; and that simply in consequence of that oneness between me and Christ, which has been established, through my believing the record given concerning him. I come to him on a new footing, for I am “in Christ,” and in me there has been a new creation.” - Horatius Bonar, “Christ and the New Creation”

Easier than we think

I just invited a family to our October 28 Fall Festival. They are new friends from school and were absolutely delighted to be asked. So why am I still so slow to ask?

October 28 at 4:00 Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff... Oh by the way, I'm making my soon-to-be-famous "Pendley's Hollerrr Chili"

A Town Hall Meeting about adding the 2nd service

On Sunday October 28... immediately after the worship service there will be an opportunity to meet with Rob Pendley, Frank Matthews and another elder about the plan to launch a 2nd service in January 2008. While this decision was reached after much prayer, discussion, and counsel we know that some may need more information or simply to be heard. We hope to create a space for you to:
--ask questions
--express concerns
--etc

The meeting will be held in the Student Center.

Moving to a 2nd service in January 2008, why?

1. Opportunity

A. To reach new people... our mission statement is
Christ Community exists to experience & extend the grace of Jesus Christ
B. To develop new leaders
C. To stretch Christ Community

2. Need
A. Christ Community needs "eyes lifted" to see the harvest
B. Theater has "full" sense on at least 2 of 4 sundays

Additionally, when the elders were discussing this in early September a major point was this:
When CCC moves into the building on Parker Road we will have 344 seats. This means that we would be going to a 2nd service during our first month in our new facility! The elders felt that the growing pains associated with adding a 2nd service would better be experienced in the familiar environment of Oak Hall. This would free Christ Community to fully enter into the joy of having a place to call home without simultaneously feeling the growing pains we are all feeling now.

vows members take sunday

in an effort to help you more meaningfully enter into the vows of members on sunday... i put them here:

Do you, in reliance on God for strength, solemnly

promise and covenant that you will walk together as an

organized church, on the principles of the faith and order of

the Presbyterian Church in America, and that you will be

zealous and faithful in maintaining the purity and peace of the

whole body?

Questions to Congregation2

Book of church order, section 21-6. The candidate having answered these questions in the affirmative,

the presiding minister shall propose to the church the following questions:

1. Do you, the people of this congregation, continue to profess

your readiness to receive _________________, whom you

have called to be your pastor?

2. Do you promise to receive the word of truth from his mouth

with meekness and love, and to submit to him in the due

exercise of discipline?

3. Do you promise to encourage him in his labors, and to assist

his endeavors for your instruction and spiritual edification?

4. Do you engage to continue to him while he is your pastor that

competent worldly maintenance which you have promised, and

to furnish him with whatever you may see needful for the honor

of religion and for his comfort among you?

Sunday 4:30pm CLUB 45

from 4:30 til 6 at the church house.... club 45
October 21

God is God-centered!

The foundation of our justification — our acquittal, our forgiveness — is not a flimsy sentimentality in God, nor is it a shallow claim of human worth. It is the massive rock of God’s unswerving commitment to uphold the worth of his own glory, to promote the praise of his holy name and to vindicate his righteousness.

The God-centeredness of God is the foundation of his grace to the ungodly. If God were not committed first to vindicate the worth of his own glory, there would be no gospel and no hope, for their would be no glorious God.”

- John Piper, The Pleasures of God (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2000), 166.

Vows of Ruling (aka "Lay") Elders

On Sunday.... Mike, Larry & Charlie will be making vows using the following questions:

1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as

originally given, to be the inerrant Word of God, the only

infallible rule of faith and practice?

2. Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and

the Catechisms of this Church, as containing the system of

doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures; and do you further

promise that if at any time you find yourself out of accord with

any of the fundamentals of this system of doctrine, you will, on

your own initiative, make known to your Session the change

which has taken place in your views since the assumption of this

ordination vow?

3. Do you approve of the form of government and discipline of the

Presbyterian Church in America, in conformity with the general

principles of biblical polity?

4. Do you accept the office of ruling elder in this church, and promise faithfully to perform all the

duties thereof, and to endeavor by the grace of God to adorn the

profession of the Gospel in your life, and to set a worthy example

before the Church of which God has made you an officer?

5. Do you promise subjection to your brethren in the Lord?

6. Do you promise to strive for the purity, peace, unity and edification of the Church?

“We are to detach ourselves from the compulsive organism of sin rooted in the unregenerate human nature and to put ourselves in gear with the living power of Christ’s resurrection which will then express his character in our lives. But choice and will enter in along with faith and understanding, and neither is spiritually alive without the other. The process of sanctification is broader and more subtle than our conscious efforts to mortify know patterns of sin in our lives. Much of our growth in grace is quietly effected by events and conditions God brings into our lives to perfect his work in us. We are faced by sacrificial choices…and our positive response to such choices deepens our purity of our intention to follow Christ.” Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life

Evangelism is born of love. --John Stott

Join with Rusty & Trish Homan in Rejoicing

Wesley Eugene Homan and Taylor Ellsworth Homan were born Thursday at 10:30am.
Wesley weighed 6lbs 11oz and Taylor weighted 6lbs 10oz. They were just over 37 weeks old and born via a scheduled C-section. Mom and babies are doing great!

Youth Group Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt TONITE

6pm meet at church house
parent pick up 8pm at church house

Blessings abound wherever He reigns;
The prisoner leaps to lose his chains;
The weary find eternal rest,
And all the sons of want are blessed.

Let every creature rise and bring
Peculiar honors to our King;
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the loud amen! --Isaac Watts

Spurgeon on loving our friends & neighbors...

Oh, my brothers and sisters in Christ, if sinners will be damned, at least let them
leap to hell over our bodies; and if they will perish, let them perish with our arms
about their knees, imploring them to stay, and not madly to destroy themselves.

If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one
go there unwarned and unprayed for. --Charlie Spurgeon (349.11)

I believe

The Latin credo means literally “I give my heart.” In addition, believe comes to us from the Old English belove, making clear that this too is meant to be heart language. To say, “I believe in Jesus Christ” is a confession of commitment, of love. Faith….is not about propositions, but about commitment. It does not mean that I intellectually subscribe to the following statements, but that I give my heart to this reality. --quote by Diana Eck, by way of Lauren Winner's GIRL MEETS GOD book

Fall Festival & Chili Cook-off

Make sure you block out this time
4-7pm on Sunday October 28
Christ Community's Fall Festival
(Hayride, Chili-Cookoff competition, pumpkin painting, and much more!)
held at the Stankunas' house... more info coming

God, You have been my helper... (Psalm 29)

God is the ultimate Helper. He alone has the grace to rescue you from you. What does this mean? He gives you power to deal with all the sins of thought and desire that get in the way of you doing what God has called you to do. Not only does he help you with internal weaknesses, he alone is able to remove external obstacles. Because he's our helper, we don't have to place the completion or success of the task on our shoulders. It's not our job to complete the task, it's our job to obey God's call; he will complete the task. I don't have the power to get people to respond. I don't have the power to make situations change. I can't make my husband or wife love me. I can't get my children to believe. I can't force two people to reconcile. I can't make my neighbor be committed to peace. It's not my job to make these things happen. It's my job to respond to the call of God in each of these areas; the hearts of people and the control of situations are in his hands. --Paul Tripp

Be Nice?

“Niceness—wholesome, integrated personality—is an excellent thing. We must try by every medical, educational, economic, and political means in our power to produce a world where as many people grow up ‘nice’; just as we must try to produce a world where all have plenty to eat. But we must not suppose that even it we succeeded in making everyone nice we should have saved their souls. A world of nice people, content with their own niceness, looking no further, turned away from God, would be just as desperately in need of salvation as a miserable world—and might even be more difficult to save. For mere improvement is not redemption, though redemption always improves people even here and now and will, in the end, improve them to a degree we cannot yet imagine. God became man to turn creatures into sons: not simply to produce better men of the old kind but to produce a new kind of man.” --C S Lewis, Mere Christianity

What is "reformed" ?

i am forever returning to this quote to broaden my understanding of what it means for a Christian or a church to be "reformed".....
“It’s a style of life that gives prominence to
the conviction that God is creator; hence it is that
we give thanks to God for the goodness that surrounds us. Secondly, it incorporates a deep and powerful sense of the fallenness of all things, understood in such a way that there is a strong impulse to resist all attempts to draw lines in the
sand, with the explanation that human fallenness occurs on this side of the line and not on that side of the line. Fallenness runs throughout our
entire existence—indeed, through the cosmos.
Corresponding to this comprehensive view of sin is then an equally comprehensive view of faith and salvation... In short, I think that at the heart
of the Reformed tradition is a passion for totality, for wholeness, for integrity, for not allowing life to fall into bits and pieces but to constantly ask,
‘What does my faith—what does the gospel of Jesus Christ—have do with this and what does it have to do with that?’ And then never being content with the answer, ‘Nothing!’”

a prayer about The Joy of Jesus Christ

mark 2 section on fasting basically says... when Jesus shows up there is joy... b/c Jesus is full of joy....
Father, it is a great comfort to us that you and your Son
are never glib and never gloomy. We delight in the truth
that you can be infinitely happy without being callous
to our pain. We stand in wonder that the light of Jesus’
joy makes a rainbow in the tears on his face. We long
to be like this. We want to be strong and unshakable
in the joy of our faith. But we don’t want to be oblivious
to the grievousness of our own sin or the pain of
other people’s distress. O God, fulfill in us the purpose
of your Son in promising that his joy would be in us
and that our joy would be full. Make the fruit of the
Spirit—joy—flourish in our lives. Satisfy us in the
morning with your steadfast love that we may rejoice....... (john piper)

Communion Sunday

The Lord’s Supper is an act of worship taking the form of a ceremonial meal, in which Christ’s servants share bread and wine in memory of their crucified Lord and in celebration of the new covenant relationship with God through Christ’s death. --JI Packer
Brief article here

Next Step Class

friday night (7-9pm) and saturday morning (9toNoon)
for those interested in learning more about Christ Community Church... ALL WELCOME!
held at the church house on parker road... more info? 379-4949

The Poison of Self-Pity

“Feeling sorry for yourself is one of the strongest, most addictive narcotics known to man. It feels so good to feel so bad. Self-pity arises so easily, seems so plausible, and proves so hard to shake off.”

- David Powlison in the newest Journal of Biblical Counseling (Summer 2007, Vol. 25, No. 3) p. 7.

1st Sundays are great

Mark 2 showed us that friends bring friends to Jesus... I'm grateful for the monthly opportunity we have right now to join in a prayer meeting that is about bringing people to Jesus... and other aspects of God's Kingdom Coming to earth... and His will being done on the earth...

a recurring appointment... 1st sunday of each month...
8:30--8:55am Kingdom Prayer Meeting (childcare provided)

10:15am Lord's Supper/Eucharist/Communion Celebration

Jesus' Beautiful Anger.... and yours?

As I've mentioned before... because we are trying to go through Mark's gospel at the pace & rythym that it feels like he designed and wrote it to be read.... we're having to skip over or barely mention some really good and sometimes confusing stuff.... such is the case in the first part of Mark 3 where the text says Jesus is "ANGRY". Well, in an effort to give opportunity for those of you who want "more"... here is a link to 2 sermons I did on Jesus' Beautiful Anger in Mark 3 in 2005.
Beautifully Angry Part 1
Beautifully Angry Part 2

Extending God's Kingdom by Stewarding His Creation

Nicole Mytyk... a former CCC'er is in the news

Next Step this weekend

Friday night and saturday morning at the church house
Next Step (the class formerly known as Intro to CCC)... if you have questions, or plan to come please call 379-4949 .... if you need help w/ childcare, please ask!

Big Shout Out of Thanks

Many of you have been sitting towards the front in an obvious effort to help create space. This is so helpful and necessary. God is bringing many new people and, quite frankly, CCC would be a much less hospitable gathering to walk into if it weren't for the effort you are making. IT MATTERS!!! Thank you, a 1000 times thank you!

God loves you AS YOU SIN

God’s love is like Himself- it is equal and constant. And even the things which appear to show that God has changed His mind about us proceed from His love for us. We are so different- our love changes, yet God’s love is always the same.

“Objection. But you will say, ‘This comes nigh to that blasphemy, that God loves his people in their sinning as well as in their strictest obedience; and, if so, who will care to serve Him more, or to walk with Him unto well-pleasing?’

Answer. There are few truths of Christ, which, from some or other, have not received like entertainment with this. Terms and appellations are at the will of every imposer; things are not at all varied by them. The love of God in itself is the eternal purpose and act of His will. This is no more changeable than God Himself: if it were, no flesh could be saved; but it changeth not, and we are not consumed. What then? Loves He His people in their sinning? Yes; His people-not their sinning. Alters He not His love towards them? Not the purpose of His will, but the dispensations of His grace. He rebukes them, He chastens them, He hides His face from them, He smites them, He fills them with a sense of His indignation; but woe, woe would it be to us, should He change in His love, or take away His kindness from us! Those very things which seem to be demonstrations of the change of His affections towards His, do as clearly proceed from love as those which seem to be the most genuine issues thereof. ‘But will not this encourage sin?’ He never tasted of the love of God that can seriously make this objection.” -- John Owen (Not sure if regular font is Owen... but i saw the italicized stuff at google books, straight from John Owen's COMMUNION WITH GOD.... get the forthcoming reprint edited by Kelly Capic & Justin Taylor)

Sin & Sickness AND Forgiveness & Healing

Because we are not intimately familiar with the Old Testament and don’t immediately make the
connection that Jews steeped in the Torah and the prophets would have made, we might miss something very important about our Lord words and actions. Throughout the Old Testament, sin and sickness are frequently connected, as is forgiveness and healing.
much more on this connection here--Kim Riddlebarger wrote this one and the 2 below as well

Not Everybody Likes Jesus

As we move into Mark chapter 2, it has become clear that Jesus’ messianic ministry is not
only attracting the poor and suffering throughout the whole region, but Jesus is becoming the subject of intense controversy and conflict with the Pharisees and scribes in the area, who had come to see Jesus not as Israel’s Messiah, sent by God, but as a threat to their own power and prestige. In fact, the next five incidents recorded by Mark (which takes us from Mark 2:1-3:6) indicate that Jesus and his disciples were being constantly challenged directly or indirectly by the Jewish religious authorities.

a good summary of Mark 1... as we head into Mark 2....Israel’s long awaited Messiah has appeared in the most unexpected of places and in the most unexpected of ways. The Messiah’s forerunner, John the Baptist, had completed his work of preparation and was now in jail at the hands of Herod. Jesus had followed John out into the desert, was baptized by him, and received the Father’s benediction– “this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus then spent forty days in the wilderness, resisting the temptation of the devil, as he began
to fulfill all righteousness. Having triumphed over Satan, Jesus then appeared in Capernaum, a small backwater fishing village on the Sea of Galilee. It was here, of all places, that Jesus began preaching the good news of the kingdom of God, casting out demons, calling disciples and healing the sick, including a man with leprosy, the most feared and horrible disease of that age. While Jesus instructed this man to be quiet about his healing and to report to the priest so that he could be declared ceremonially clean and regain his life, instead this very excited man went out and began to spread the news everywhere about what Jesus had done. The buzz about Jesus was spreading throughout the whole area and as we learn at the end of Mark 1, “Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.”

Hymns can help you pray

example:

Almighty to rescue Thou art;
Thy grace is my shield and my tower:
Come, succor* and gladden my heart;
Let this be the day of Thy power!

--from a hymn by Augustus Toplady *means "help" or "relieve"

Consider This

.... writing in your little daytimer, or putting in outlook or Gmail calendar or whatever...

a recurring appointment... 1st sunday of each month
8:30--8:55am Kingdom Prayer Meeting
10:15am Lord's Supper/Eucharist/Communion Service of Worship

good quote

"Blessings at times come to us through our labors and at times without our labors, but never because of our labors.. For God always gives them because of His undeserved mercy." --Martin Luther

Next Step Class

October 5 and 6
Next Step Class (formerly known as Intro to Christ Community)

While coming to the class doesn't obligate you to membership... the class is a pre-req for membership. Make sense?

Which "Respectable" Sins Do you Tolerate?

Jerry Bridges, a faithful "father" in the faith who is zealous for Christ's people to seek holiness in the power of the gospel, has a new book about "respectable sins". The list is quite convicting, i think.
anxieties and frustrations;
discontentment;
unthankfulness;
pridefulness and pride revealed specifically in self-righteousness,
even in a pursuit of theological accuracy,
in seeking pride in achievements and in independence;
selfishness with our interests, time, money and inconsiderableness;
lack of self-control in eating, drinking and temperament, finances, entertainment and shopping;
impatience and irritability;
anger, even anger towards God, and the underlying roots of anger in resentment, bitterness, enmity, hostility and holding grudges;
judgmentalism and critical spirit over differing convictions and doctrinal disagreements;
envy, jealousy, competitiveness and being controlling;
the sins of the tongue like gossip, slander, lying, harsh words, sarcasm, insults and ridicule; worldliness shown financially and in idols and in “vicarious immorality,” that is,
the enjoyment of watching or reading the sinfulness of others.
Here is extended review of the book... and i deeply appreciated the reviewer's comment:
"Only one who has proven himself faithful to the Cross like Bridges is suited to lead us deep into the caves and caverns where sin lives in our hearts."

Totally, Like... Whatever!

The poem with which i opened the sermon y'day has been requested by a couple of you....
The words are here and
Taylor Mali recited the poem here

also... you can give Taylor some love at itunes as well....

They Passed!!!!

It is with great joy that I announce that Mike Marshall & Charlie Staples were overwhelmingly approved for the office of elder by the North Florida Presbytery.

So, mark October 21 on your calendar for a great day that will include:
1.) The official forming of CCC as a self-governing church
2.) The ordination of Mike Marshall & Charlie Staples to the office of elder
3.) The installation of Mike, Charlie, Larry Eubanks, Rob Pendley and Frank Matthews as the session of Christ Community Church

Great things are happening in our midst. The room continues to be full each week with more visitors than perhaps ever before. Last Sunday we had 53 children in attendance, our highest number ever, I think. Momentum with Journey of Faith and the hopes for our own facility soon... more and more....

Jesus picked up the "Fishers of Men" theme from the Old Testament

Whenever someone becomes a Christian they also become a fisher of human
beings. This was not merely a cute metaphor which fit the setting. If you look at
Jeremiah 16:16: Ezekiel 29:4f; 38:4; Amos ·4:2; Habakkuk 1:14-17, you will see
there is a wealth of Old Testament material which serves as the background for
Jesus' use of the phrase "fishers of men".
In the Old Testament God was the fisherman and the image stressed divine
judgment (i.e. if you don't repent you are likely to get a hook in your mouth). By taking up this metaphor Jesus stressed his message of the nearness of the Kingdom and the necessity of responding in radical repentance. The cost of following Jesus involves the willingness to take that message of judgment upon our lips. --from the Mark Study Guide produced by Redeemer Church NYC

Gospel Humiliation, by Tim Keller

[The following is from Tim Keller's chapter in a forthcoming book, “The Gospel and the Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World.”]

I know this heading [“Gospel Humiliation”] sounds pretty strong, but I want to get your attention. In Jonah 3:1–2 we read, “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.’” In Sinclair Ferguson’s little book on Jonah [Man Overboard] he comments on the broken, humbled prophet who hears the second call to Nineveh and answers it. He says:
God intends to bring life out of death. We may well think of this as the principle behind all evangelism. Indeed we may even call it the Jonah principle, as Jesus seems to have done. . . . [I]t is out of Christ’s weakness that the sufficiency of his saving power will be born. . . . [So] fruitful evangelism is a result of this death-producing principle. It is when we come to share spiritually—and on occasions physically—in Christ’s death (cf. Phil. 3:10) that his power is demonstrated in our weakness and others are drawn to him. This is exactly what was happening to Jonah.
What does this mean? A man recently shared with me how he was trying to talk about his faith with his neighbors, to little avail. But then some major difficulties came into his life, and he began to let his neighbors know how Christ was helping him face them. They were quite interested and moved by this. It was the Jonah principle! As we experience weakness, as we are brought low, Christ’s power is more evident in us.
Lloyd-Jones once gave a sermon on Jacob’s wrestling with God. In the talk he told a story of a time when he was living in Wales. He was in a gathering of older ministers who were discussing a young minister with remarkable preaching gifts. This man was being acclaimed, and there was real hope that God could use him to renew and revive his church. The ministers were hopeful. But then one of them said to the others: “Well, all well and good, but you know, I don’t think he’s been humbled yet.” And the other ministers looked very grave. And it hit Lloyd-Jones hard (and it hit me hard) that unless something comes into your life that breaks you of your self-righteousness and pride, you may say you believe the gospel of grace but, as we said above, the penny hasn’t dropped. You aren’t a sign of the gospel yourself. You don’t have the Jonah principle working in you. You aren’t a strength-out-of-weakness person. God will have to bring you low if he is going to use you in evangelism.

What a Story

I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible;

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of his Father before all worlds;
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered and was buried;
and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures;
and ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of the Father;
and He shall come again, with glory,
to judge the quick and the dead;
whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord and Giver of Life;
who proceedeth from the Father and the Son;
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified;
who spake by the prophets.

And I believe one holy catholic* and apostolic Church;
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins;
and I look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

*catholic, meaning universal... not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church ("...not that there's anything wrong with it..")
cath·o·lic /ˈkæθəlɪk, ˈkæθlɪk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kath-uh-lik, kath-lik] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –adjective

1.	broad or wide-ranging in tastes, interests, or the like; having sympathies with all; broad-minded; liberal.

2.	universal in extent; involving all; of interest to all.

3.	pertaining to the whole Christian body or church.

Loving the ACTUAL people we are in church with

“He who loves his dream of a community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter, even though his personal intentions my be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, p. 27.

Heroics

Not long ago there was a great disaster at sea. A tourist boat, loaded with cars and holidaymakers, had failed to shut its doors properly; the water began to pour in; the boat began to sink, and panic set in. People were screaming as the happy, relaxed atmosphere of the ship turned in minutes into something worse than a horror movie.
All at once one man- not a member of the crew- took charge. In a clear voice he gave orders, telling people what to do. Relief mixed with the panic as people realized someone at least was in charge, and many managed to reach lifeboats they would otherwise have missed in the dark and the rush. The man himself made his way down to the people trapped in the hold. There he formed a human bridge: holding on with one hand to a ladder and with the other to part of the ship that was nearly submerged, he enabled still more to cross to safety. When the nightmare was over, the man himself was found to have drowned. He had literally given his life in using the authority he had assumed- the authority by which many had been saved.

....(by telling stories of Jesus' healings of folk) Mark begins to tell us both about how Jesus became so popular so quickly and of how the course of His public career pointed inexorably to its dramatic conclusion. There is no doubt that Jesus quickly attracted huge crowds, and that His authoritative healings were the main reason. That in itself would have been threatening to the authorities; but, as we shall discover soon, there was more. Jesus had joined in a struggle against the forces of evil and destruction, forces that, like the dark, cruel sea pouring in on top of frightened and helpless travelers, seemed sometimes to be carrying all before them. Jesus came to be the human bridge across which people could climb to safety. And if, in the process, He Himself paid with His own life the price of this saving authority, a human bridge with outstretched arms carrying people from death to life, that was simply part of the integrity of His action. The demons had their final shriek at Him as He hung on the cross, challenging and mocking for the last time the validity of His authority. On the cross He completed the healing work He began that day in the synagogue.
--Tom Wright on Mark 1 in his little book, Mark for Everyone

A FIGHT in Church? and Who is Jesus?

Our text this week has something you don't see everyday... A FIGHT IN CHURCH! The scene at synagogue in Capurnaum is definitely combat & conflict between Jesus & Kingdom of God and a demon and kingdom of satan. The demon calls Jesus both : "Jesus of Nazareth" and "The Holy One of God".... displaying that the demon knew more about our Lord's true identity than anyone else present. This brings up interesting fact about how Jesus is identified by various groups in Mark's gospel.

In the Gospel According to Mark.... sick and suffering folk identify Jesus using honorific titles showing Jesus great respect. They call Jesus
“Lord” (7:8), “Teacher” (9:17), “Son of David” (10:47-48) or “Master” (10:51).

But those who are demon-possessed identify Jesus using divine titles; “the most holy one of God” (1:24), “the Son of God’ (3:11) or even as “the son of the Most High God” (5:7).

Those who are suffering seek Jesus’ help because he is a miracle-worker and perhaps the Messiah. But the demons clearly know who Jesus is and they identify him accordingly. --good stuff from Kim Riddlebarger, who nicked it from William Lane

We are racing through Mark.... partially because that is an honest--i think--way to get the feel for the urgency that dominates this text..... but that means we have to "blow" by alot of stuff that you might want (and need!) to hear more on .... examples so far

--Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit

This week.... what are demons?

I'll try to point you to resources in case there is something you want/need to pursue more info on....

--Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks.... you can probalby get a paperback for $5 or read it online here
--Demons, brief article by Packer here

Jesus is 'da man!

Reading and preparing for Mark 1:14-45 this week i am reminded of the wise words of Dorothy Sayers
"To do them justice, the people who crucified Jesus did not do so because he was a bore. Quite the contrary; he was too dynamic to be safe. It has been left for later generations to muffle up that shattering personality and surround him with an atmosphere of tedium. We have declawed the lion of Judah and made him a housecat for pale priests and pious old ladies."

Why Jesus Told People To Shut Up

.... well, he told them to keep quiet...

A suggestion:
"Jesus knew how easily His miracles would be misunderstood; they would gather a crowd of followers who were interested in Him exclusively because he could do signs & wonders. Jesus wanted people to see that His miracles were signs of the kingdom of God, and that it was submitting to the reign of God, not being a spectator of wonders, which really mattered." --Sinclair Ferguson

The Potential of One View of Christ's glory

By his cross, divine holiness and justice were exalted, and
through his triumph, grace and mercy are poured out to the full.

In glorious thoughts of this let my soul live, and in believing it let my soul die. And let the present wonder of this glory make way for the eternal enjoyment of it in it’s beauty and fullness…

One view of Christ’s glory by faith will scatter all the fears, answer all the objections and disperse all the depressions of the poor, tempted, doubting souls. To all believers it is an anchor which they may cast within the veil, to hold them firm and steadfast in all trials, storms and temptations, both in life and in death.” - John Owen, The Glory of Christ (p 80-81)

a 4th "C" ? Christ Community Connectional Church

Christ Community is connected to:
-- North FLorida Presbytery
-- Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)
-- The Willow Creek Association
-- The Gospel Coalition
-- every church that proclaims Christ

What a privilege

Just met w/ a bunch of guys from Christ Community.
Their desire to know Christ, to love their wives, to impact the world for God's glory.... is so strengthening and compelling to me. What a privilege to be around them.

Yes, see your sin... Then YES YES seek to SEE Christ!

For every one look at yourself and your sin.... take 10 looks at Christ and His cross!

--paraphrased from Robert Murray M‘Cheyne (1813 - 1843)
Because only looking at Christ & His cross and the gracious benefits that are OURS because of Him will lead to repentance and a life that pursues true holiness & beauty. Beware a desire, upon seeing the idols of your heart (i.e. your sin) to earn your way back to God or earn your way into a position of being worthy of His blessing.

"Even after you become a Christian by believing the gospel, your heart is still addicted to salvation by works. In your heart you still want to make the duties of the law come before the comforts of the gospel. Even if you have become assured that your salvation does not depend upon your own works, you will still tend to make all of the comforts and blessings of the gospel depend upon your own works. You will find it hard to believe that you should get any blessing before you work for it. You will think this is as unreasonable as an employee getting a paycheck before he works, or a farmer getting crops before he plants and reaps!” (Marshall, p. 117)

Law & Gospel

“But what should the believer do, when the law comes to charge him, and command him to obey upon pain of death, or to curse him for his disobedience? Why, he may even say in the words of Luther, who, upon the point of justification, was as sound as any since his day;
‘O law, Christ is my righteousness, my treasure, and my work; I confess, O law, that I am neither godly nor righteous, but yet this I am sure of, that he is godly and righteous for me.’ His obedience answered both the godliness required in the first table of the law, and the righteousness in the second table.

The believer may say to the law, O law, I am dead to thee, and married to another Husband, even Jesus Christ; and therefore, cannot bring forth any children, any fruit, any acts of obedience to thy threatening commands: but, behold, I run to my sweet husband, who hath suggard and sweetened the law, with a gospel-dress and form; which, giving strength to obey, and shewing the believer’s freedom from the wrath of God, ‘encourages the believer, as our Confession of Faith speaks, being free from the curse of the moral law, and delivered from everlasting damnation, to yield obedience to God;’ not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love, and a willing mind.”

--Ralph Erskine, “Law-Death, Gospel-Life,” in The Works of Ralph Erskine, p. 62, vol. 2

A Chair with Your Name on IT

Men's Group Tuesday 6:30am at Pub D'town
Women's Group Tuesday at 9:30am off parker rd

Eyes to see

As I've been praying for Christ Community in preparation to our time in Mark's Gospel... one thing again and again emerges... that we need to see Christ in His glory & grace... and that that mysteriously changes us. Pray for those who preach to be given power towards this lofty dream. Here Paul Tripp provides helpful meditations on seeing the glory & beauty of the Lord.

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and seek him in his holy temple." (Psalm 27:4)

I have a vision problem;
my eyes are okay,
but my heart
doesn't see very well.
I live in a world
where your beauty
is everywhere visible.
It is there
in the lily.
It is there
in the cascading wave.
It is there
in the multi-hued sunset.
It is there
in the stars of the night....
....
I do not see your beauty.
I must confess
I am so blind.
I see
my busy schedule.
I see
things to be fixed.
I see
obstacles to my plan.
I see
bills to be paid.
I see
things to be done.
I see,
but I fail to see your beauty.
Yet there is more...

So, Lord
correct my vision....

(Read Paul Tripp's entire post here)

When God Shines His Light in our Hearts

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

“Faith implies the enlightening of the understanding to discover the suitableness of Jesus Christ as a Saviour, and the excellency of the way of salvation through him. While the sinner lies undone and helpless in himself, and looking about in vain for some relief, it pleases a gracious God to shine into his heart, and enables him to see his glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

Now this once neglected Saviour appears not only absolutely necessary, but also all-glorious and lovely, and the sinner’s heart is wrapt away, and for ever captivated with his beauty: now the neglected gospel appears in a new light, as different from all his former apprehensions as if it were quite another thing.”

Samuel Davies, Sermons of the Rev. Samuel Davies, vol. 1 (Pittsburg, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1993), 125.

dates for next big thing student ministries

MS Mid-Winter
February 8-10, 2008
Word of Life Camp

HS Elevate
July 5-10, 2008
Covenant College

MS Conference
July 14-18, 2008
Camp Kulaqua

SUNDAY

9:00 classes for all ages, 2 options for adults
GOD ALONE, a study of the work of God in Christ to redeem his people (Led by Rob Pendley, Chipper Flanigan, and RC Sproul)

PARENTING 101, 'nuff said (Led by Frank & Suzanne Matthews AND Richard & April Horner)

9:50 iced coffee, sweet muffins, and each other

10:15 worship
our highest privilege, to praise our God and be renewed by the power of His Spirit as we gaze upon His Son

A Prayer as we start into Mark's Account of Jesus' Life

Almighty and merciful God, we exult in the reflection
of your might and mercy in your Son, our Lord, Jesus
Christ. We rejoice in the strength of his lion-like power
and in the tenderness of his lamb-like meekness. We
take heart from his incomparable combination of
excellencies. It reassures us that there is none like him,
and that he is not a mere man like others. O grant us,
in our brash indifference, to tremble before the Lion of
Judah and to humble ourselves under his fierce holiness.
And grant us, in our brokenness and fear, to
gather courage from the lion-like Lamb. Oh, how we
need the whole Christ! Open our eyes to see the fullness
of his excellence. Remove the lopsided and distorted
images of your Son that weaken our worship
and lame our obedience. May the power of the Lion
and the love of the Lamb make our faith in Christ
unshakable. So deliver us from small dreams and timid
ventures and halting plans. Embolden us. Strengthen
us. Make us love with fierce and humble love. Let us
share the confidence of the Lion of Judah that gave him
the will to die like a Lamb and rise in everlasting joy.
And in it all, grant that all might see the glory of Christ
and that you might be honored through him. In Jesus’
name we pray, amen.

Study Guide for Gospel of Mark

I'm gonna miss having little kids....

My last one, age 6... just listened to me say something that i was excited about and he said, "Oh, yeh? Listen to this!!" and he proceeded to do an armpit "fart" that he's just learned.

I looked at him and said, "I'm so proud of you."

Life Is Hard

Periodically I rec'd these kinds of resources... tuck them away for you or a friend. Quite frankly, following Christ honestly either has you experiencing suffering personally or vicariously (as you love others)--ALL THE TIME!

Shortly after 9/11/01 the folks at Redeemer Manhattan put this stuff together and the same principles that helped New Yorkers years ago helps those suffering NOW with marriage/children/job/health/etc suffering now.

Coping with suffering & tragedy

What does a teacher make?

Taylor Mali is a teacher and Slam Poet who makes me cry. Especially his essay/poem called, "What Teacher's Make".....
I don't know if it hits me so deeply b/c:
-- I was raised by a teacher
-- I have 3 children who have, like, 10-12 teachers in school
-- I feel the vision for a renewed kingdom of God when Taylor Mali speaks... what if Christians valued children the way this guy does? what if I did?

Excerpt: You want to know what I make?

I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional medal of honor
and an A- feel like a slap in the face.
How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best.

you can read it here or
Watch the 3 minute video here

Respond by doing one of these:
--writing one of your children's teachers (at school, church, or your spouse!)
--pray for the 15 or so folks at CCC who mission every weekday in the elementary & middle schools (do we have any high school teachers?)
-- going after your kids in a way you haven't in a while... praying zealously that God would give them grace to see Christ, His Kingdom and His World in all its beauty & brokenness and be caught up in the wonder of it all


Oh, by the way, there's about 3.5 curse words in his 1000 or so word essay.... i warned you

Prayers for the People of our Church

Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven
and earth, hear our prayers for this church family.
Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the
repentant. Grant us all things necessary for our common
life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within
your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. --from The Falls Church in Virginia

women's event tonite 7pm

CCC "Recipe Exchange Party"
7:00-9:00pm
@ the home of Jenn Phegley (Click here to find directions...)
All women, college age and up, are welcome to come for fun, food, and friendship!
If able, bring a sampling (just make one dish- it doesn't need to feed everyone) of your favorite recipe and then bring the recipe to share (~10 copies)!
The recipe can be ANYTHING (punch, chicken, dessert, side, etc.)!
You do not need to bring anything to come!
Call Jenn Phegley with any questions: 333.3306

Ramadan begins this Thursday (Sept. 13).

Ramadan begins this Thursday (Sept. 13).
What is "Ramadan"? According to Norman Geisler and Abdul Saleeb's book, Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross, "Followers of Muhammad commemorate his receiving of the Qur'an by fasting in the ninth lunar month of Ramadan. They are expected to refrain from eating food during the daylight hours for this entire month. However, they are allowed to eat from sunset to sunrise during this time." For more info, see the Wikipedia article on Ramadan.

Here is a very helpful post on Ramadan.....

Usually Christians superficially respond to this time of fasting by saying, "Thank you, Jesus that you purchased my redemption and I don't have to follow any weird traditions hoping to merit your favor." That is A PORTION of the healthy response to the start of ramadan, i think. I also should respond by asking myself:
How is my security in Jesus compelling me to make sacrifices that dwarf the insecure sacrifices that the followers of Muhammad are making now?
--Am I taking the passing on of the gospel to my children as seriously as the followers of Muhammad are with theirs?
Do I dismiss every inconvenient thought and chalk it up to my freedom in the gospel?

What a great day

1. at 3am Addcox baby born healthy
2. at 6:30am Tuesday men's group starts with 20 and a good meeting
3. at 9:30am women's group has nearly 30 in a strong 1st week meeting
4. now this tops it off.... my beloved Raiders signing JaMarcus!

mix in the hope of dinner with the whole family tonite... and excitement re: 6:15am group tomorrow with men i love and need

Su-weet!

Women's Group Gets a Strong Start

Almost 30 women and the same number of children gathered for a wonderfully effective first meeting today.

Ladies, if you couldn't be there today...feel free to join in next Tuesday.

Lily Claire Addcox

After 18 hours of labor, Anna & Stephen welcomed Lily at 3:19am today.

5 pounds and 11 ounces
18.25 inches

They are all doing very well and are very tired, and happy.

Unnumbered comforts to my soul
Thy tender care bestowed,
Before my infant heart conceived
From Whom those comforts flowed.

Men Kicked it Off Strong...

About 20 fellas met together at 6:30am in the Mkt St. Pub
Now, at 9:30 about 30+ women are expected at the Matthews' home for women's group

mañana, another opp for men who didn't hit the pub today.... 6:15am at church house

While feeble & fickle.....cling

Cling to the Lord Jesus in your feebleness, in your fickleness, in your nothingness;
and abidingly take him to be everything to you. --from Spurgeon's sermon, "Preparation for the Coming of the Lord." #2105. 1 John 2:28.

Jesus Sometimes Withdraws His Presence

Our glorious husband, the Lord Jesus, sometimes withdraws Himself from our spiritual experience, so that we have no refreshing sense of His love, no fresh communications of His consoling grace. Those who never feel His absence likely have never enjoyed His presence.

page 41 of Through the Looking Glass by Kris Lundgaard

A Prayer

“The dearest idol I have known, whate'er that idol be;

help me to tear it from thy throne and worship only thee.” --Wm. Cowper

The Gospel of Mark

Sunday September 16th I'll begin preaching through Mark's Gospel. The Gospel of Mark is one of the 3 "synoptic" gospels. Here's a pretty good and very brief explanation of what this means, from wikipedia:
In the Christian Bible, in the part known as the New Testament, the first four books are known as the gospels, while the first three of these, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, are so similar that they are sometimes referred to as the synoptic gospels (from Greek, συν, syn, together, and όπσις, opsis, seeing). These gospels often recount the same stories about Jesus, generally follow the same sequence and, often use the same or similar wording. The synoptic gospels are also often contrasted with the Gospel according to John.

Hand it over...

“The Christian way is different: harder and easier. Christ says ‘Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want you. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. I don’t want to drill the tooth, or crown it, or stop it, but to have it out. Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent, as well as the ones you think wicked—the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact I will give you Myself: My own will shall become yours.” --C S Lewis, Mere Christianity

Speech from Henry V

Here's the video on youtube
and the text at American Rhetoric

Ol' Willie Shakespeare nailed it when he wrote:

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

This day shall gentle his condition:

And gentlemen in England now a-bed

Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

Legalistic Christianity loves "how-to" lists. It offers five ways to form edifying friendships, six pointers for handling conflict, seven steps toward exercising loving leadership, and eight techniques for more effective parenting. --Dan Doriani, The God-Made Man

Bible Studies Launch This Week

Tuesday
Men's Study at Mkt Street Pub 6:30am (Led by Billy Crow & Larry Eubanks)
&

Women's Study Tuesday Mornings @ 9:30-11:00am
@ The home of Suzanne Matthews (MAP)
Study on the book, "Breaking The Idols of Your Heart" by Dan Allender
Led by: Lizette Crosson, Paige French, Tara Gallagher, & Sharon Stankunas


Wednesday
Men's Study at the church house.... 6:15am til 7:30 (led by Rob Pendley, Steve Omli, Kevin Phegley)

Women's Event Thursday Night

• September 13th: Thursday
  "Recipe Exchange Party"
  7:00-9:00pm
  @ the home of Jenn Phegley (Click here to find directions...)
  
• All women, college age and up, are welcome to come for fun, food, and fellowship!
  Bring a sampling (just make one dish- it doesn't need to feed everyone) of your favorite recipe and then bring the recipe to share (~10 copies)!
  The recipe can be ANYTHING (punch, chicken, dessert, side, etc.)!
  You do not need to bring anything to participate, though, if you would just like to come and fellowship with us!
  Call Jenn Phegley with any questions: 333.3306

Lunch after Church

Tomorrow (9/9/2007) looks like this:

9am Adult Sunday School Class (in Media Center) & Children's Kickoff Gathering (in Student Center)

9:50 Live Together (iced coffee served)

10:15 Worship Service in theater, includes Ministry Fair (information and opportunities to serve this Fall at CCC)

11:30 Lunch for all!

6pm Youth Group at Church House

Club 45 on September 16

Club 45... a great time for 4th & 5th graders to:

-- play games
-- hear teaching from the Bible
-- eat Cheese-its returns Sept 16th (the day after the Tenn. game) from 4:30 to 6pm

WHERE? Church House (Map)

• September 16

• October 21

• December 9

Jackie Ausband

Jackie Ausband, Bob's wife, passed from this world to the next today.... there will be a memorial service celebrating her life on Saturday Sept 22....

Usually when someone dies a song about death and life enters my mind.... and it is never the same song. With Jackie it was this old Wes King song... primarily for the chorus which says: "She's gone to be with Jesus." The song is about a woman being freed by death from a painful last few months... and fits what we're all feeling about Jackie today.

God knows she hurt
When she was with us
But now she hurts no more
Her pain has passed
----the whole song is here

“The excellency of Christ, and the love of Christ, more appear in his yielding himself to be crucified for us, than in any other of his acts, so that these things, considered together, above all things tend to draw forth on our part the exercises of humble love.”

- Jonathan Edwards, The Excellency of Christ

"Those are for future guests"

Sunday during our worship service I saw something that i have no memory of seeing before....

the bulk of the back row was empty and it dawned on me that this was the case b/c many of you stepped up and moved toward the front in order to free up space for future guests---- "Those seats are for our future guests!"

THANK YOU!

We had 195 people Sunday... and it was Labor Day weekend.... Let's continue to see the crowded theater as a positive thing and keep ever before us the vast difference it makes when you sit towards the front.

Starts Next Week

Women's Bible Study: Tuesday Mornings
&
Men's Bible Study:
2 opportunities at 2 venues:
Tuesday morning at Mkt St Pub D'town
Wed.Mornings at CHouse on prkr road

Hey mate, don't you have any co-ed stuff? For me and me spouse?
Yep! Hmmm.... worship services and bible classes each sunday morning; community groups during the week... come to think of it.... just about e'thing else we do as a church family is co-ed, isn't it?

Yesterday's Newton Quote

several asked about the John Newton letter i quoted y'day.... here is some of it and a link to all of it:

I think my last letter turned upon the apostle's thought, Galatians 5:I7. "Ye cannot do the things that ye would." In the parallel place, Romans 5:19, there is another clause subjoined, "The evil which I would not, that I do." This, added to the former, would complete the dark side of my experience.

Permit me to tell your Lordship a little part (for some things must not, cannot be told), not of what I have read, but of what I have felt, in illustration of this passage. I would not be the sport and prey of wild, vain, foolish, and worse imaginations; but this evil is present with me: my heart is like a highway, like a city without walls or gates. Nothing so false, so frivolous, so absurd, so impossible, or so horrid, but it can obtain access, and that at any time, or in any place: neither the study, the pulpit, or even the Lord's table, exempt me from their intrusion.

.......I see the baseness and absurdity of such a conduct as clearly as I see the light of the day. I do not affect to be thought ten feet high, and I know that a desire of being thought wise or good, is equally contrary to reason and truth. ....

The pride of others often offends me, and makes me studious to hide my own; because their good opinion of me depends much upon their not perceiving it. But the Lord knows how this dead fly taints and spoils my best services, and makes them no better than specious sins.

I embrace it as a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners; and it is the main pleasure and business of my life to set forth the necessity and all-sufficiency of the Mediator between God and man, and to make mention of his righteousness even of his only. But here, as in everything else, I find a vast difference between my judgment and my experience (i.e. "what i say i believe and what i actually live out"). I am invited to take the water of life freely, yet often discouraged, because I have nothing wherewith to pay for it.....though my disease is grievous, it is not desperate; I have a gracious and infallible Physician. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

You can read the entire letter here