Tomorrow (8.25.2007) starts our three-pronged attempt to grow together in the grace & knowledge of Christ.
To "do" church at Christ Community looks like this:
9am classes for all ages... This is Learning and we do it Together
9:50 hang-time & friendship development & greeting... this is Living and we do it together
did i mention there will be muffins from the Mill for the adults and bagels on the kids' table
10:15 worship service.... this is Loving God and we do it together
Mill muffins.... suweet!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Amazing Grace
"A church is a community of God's people who live into the imagination that they are,
by their very nature, God's missionary people living as a demonstration of what God plans to do in and for all of creation in Jesus Christ." --Alan Roxbourough
Y o u (the Church) are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that y o u may proclaim the excellencies of him who called y o u out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once y o u were not a people, but now y o u are God's people; once y o u had not received mercy, but now y o u have received mercy.
--from 1 Peter 2 (wherever you see y o u... think plural... Y'ALL!)
by their very nature, God's missionary people living as a demonstration of what God plans to do in and for all of creation in Jesus Christ." --Alan Roxbourough
Y o u (the Church) are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that y o u may proclaim the excellencies of him who called y o u out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once y o u were not a people, but now y o u are God's people; once y o u had not received mercy, but now y o u have received mercy.
--from 1 Peter 2 (wherever you see y o u... think plural... Y'ALL!)
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
great quotes found while researching for Friday Vision
“Walking with God is essentially a positive thing. The Bible does not point us toward constant introspection. Instead, it helps us to focus on the privileges of being in Christ and enjoying fellowship with God.” --Richard Lovelace
"The Gospel is the root of all true obedience to God (cf., Rom. 1:5; 16:26) and thus the reason why the Gospel must always be the central focus of the believer’s daily life." --Walter Marshall
"The Gospel is the root of all true obedience to God (cf., Rom. 1:5; 16:26) and thus the reason why the Gospel must always be the central focus of the believer’s daily life." --Walter Marshall
Free & Boundless Love of God Elevates
The free, boundless love of God, pouring itself into us, expands and elevates our whole being; and we serve Him, not in order to win His favour, but because we have already won it in simply believing His record concerning His Son. --Horatious Bonar
Psalm 139
-----it just doesn't get much better than Psalm 139..........
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it. ---read the whole psalm
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it. ---read the whole psalm
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
3 phases
We just ran through the Vision Night presentation to the elders today. I am very excited FOR YOU. God is at work in our midst in small and grand ways and it will be my privilege to play a part in helping tell you that story on Friday night.
Men's Groups--- Plan on 'em!
exact same material covered at both meetings........
Tuesday Mornings at Mkt Street Pub (Downtown) from 6:30-7:45am, starting Tuesday September 11th....
OR
Wednesday Mornings at Church House from 6:15-7:25, starting Wed.Sept 12th...
exact same material covered at both meetings
MORE INFO: Weekly Schedule and
ALSO, i want to throw the challenge out there... I've heard several mid 20's to early 30's guys say that they would be very interested in a 8pm-ish study at the church house. If you want to provide some l'ship... i would love to meet with you twice-monthly to coach you up on leading said group.
Tuesday Mornings at Mkt Street Pub (Downtown) from 6:30-7:45am, starting Tuesday September 11th....
OR
Wednesday Mornings at Church House from 6:15-7:25, starting Wed.Sept 12th...
exact same material covered at both meetings
MORE INFO: Weekly Schedule and
ALSO, i want to throw the challenge out there... I've heard several mid 20's to early 30's guys say that they would be very interested in a 8pm-ish study at the church house. If you want to provide some l'ship... i would love to meet with you twice-monthly to coach you up on leading said group.
Youth & Parents Party Sunday Night
Sunday night, August 26th at 4:30pm there is a Kickoff Party for Youth. The parents will be pulled inside for a 25 minute presentation from the volunteer YOUTH TEAM. (whole family is welcomed)
The event might look like this:
4:30pm arrive, kids swim, etc
4:30 til 5:15 Parents mtg w/ Youth Leaders; kids enjoy pool
5:30 Dinner
after dinner hang as long as you like, til 7:30... youth leaders available to answer questions
(more to follow on this)
questions? see youth page on church site
The event might look like this:
4:30pm arrive, kids swim, etc
4:30 til 5:15 Parents mtg w/ Youth Leaders; kids enjoy pool
5:30 Dinner
after dinner hang as long as you like, til 7:30... youth leaders available to answer questions
(more to follow on this)
questions? see youth page on church site
Monday, August 20, 2007
What's Up With 3 days of Prayer & Fasting
"Dad, I can't not eat for 3 days!!"
That was the response i got from one of my children when i asked, "What are you thinking of fasting from?"
So i offer these q and a:
Does 3 days of Prayer & Fasting mean I'm not supposed to eat anything for three days? Probably not
What does it mean?
Hopefully that you will temporarily abstain from
What are some reasons to fast?
I have heard fasting described as a "splash of water in the face"
Is there a sin that just isn't grievous to you?
Give me examples of what you expect some to do?
Someone who hits Starbucks daily will skip it FOR THIS PURPOSE on one or all 3 of the days.
Someone who eats cereal every night before bed will skip it FOR THIS PURPOSE on one or all 3 of the days.
Someone who watches TV every night will skip it FOR THIS PURPOSE on one or all 3 of the days.
Someone who jogs with their Ipod will run in silence FOR THIS PURPOSE on one or all 3 of the days.
You get the picture, I hope. Basically you are looking for ways to remind yourself... I don't want life as normal. I want to "shake myself" a little in order to ask God to thoroughly shake me for His glory.
God often uses fasting to awaken godly desires that have been dormant. God often uses fasting to bring an awareness of the heinousness of our sin. God often uses fasting to teach us more the depth of His love for us.
So..... that is one of the reasons we are looking at next week including 3 days of prayer & fasting.
That was the response i got from one of my children when i asked, "What are you thinking of fasting from?"
So i offer these q and a:
Does 3 days of Prayer & Fasting mean I'm not supposed to eat anything for three days? Probably not
What does it mean?
Hopefully that you will temporarily abstain from
What are some reasons to fast?
I have heard fasting described as a "splash of water in the face"
Is there a sin that just isn't grievous to you?
Give me examples of what you expect some to do?
Someone who hits Starbucks daily will skip it FOR THIS PURPOSE on one or all 3 of the days.
Someone who eats cereal every night before bed will skip it FOR THIS PURPOSE on one or all 3 of the days.
Someone who watches TV every night will skip it FOR THIS PURPOSE on one or all 3 of the days.
Someone who jogs with their Ipod will run in silence FOR THIS PURPOSE on one or all 3 of the days.
You get the picture, I hope. Basically you are looking for ways to remind yourself... I don't want life as normal. I want to "shake myself" a little in order to ask God to thoroughly shake me for His glory.
God often uses fasting to awaken godly desires that have been dormant. God often uses fasting to bring an awareness of the heinousness of our sin. God often uses fasting to teach us more the depth of His love for us.
So..... that is one of the reasons we are looking at next week including 3 days of prayer & fasting.
Service Day Saturday
from 8 til noon Saturday there is a great opportunity to:
-- make a difference
-- meet new folks
-- work with friends
Contact Christian Smith (352.514.8197) or Rob Hamersma (352-214-8655) for more info on how to serve Saturday....
christianrms AT hotmail DOT com
-- make a difference
-- meet new folks
-- work with friends
Contact Christian Smith (352.514.8197) or Rob Hamersma (352-214-8655) for more info on how to serve Saturday....
christianrms AT hotmail DOT com
Hey Dwight, I'm Rob
When dropping off my precious Olivia and mighty John Reid at Chiles Elementary this morning I had the opportunity to help someone.
Kim and I noticed that a little boy seemed to be wandering in an empty hallway and just starting to worry that he wasn't going to find his classroom. I asked him if he needed help and he said yes... then it was this:
me: "What is your name."
boy: Dwight Harris.
Me: "Dwight, I'm Rob and I'm going to help you find your class."
The sense of the relief on his face was priceless. I wonder what he felt.... "Someone cares." "I'm not gonna be lost much longer."
I walked away thinking & praying, "God, bless Dwight Harris. Secure that boy in your love. And give me grace to know that you are forever leaning down to me saying--Rob, I'm God and I'm going to help you."
Kim and I noticed that a little boy seemed to be wandering in an empty hallway and just starting to worry that he wasn't going to find his classroom. I asked him if he needed help and he said yes... then it was this:
me: "What is your name."
boy: Dwight Harris.
Me: "Dwight, I'm Rob and I'm going to help you find your class."
The sense of the relief on his face was priceless. I wonder what he felt.... "Someone cares." "I'm not gonna be lost much longer."
I walked away thinking & praying, "God, bless Dwight Harris. Secure that boy in your love. And give me grace to know that you are forever leaning down to me saying--Rob, I'm God and I'm going to help you."
Hospitality Reminder
Friends, remember that every Sunday we have guests who have never been with us before. Think about the last time you went somewhere for the 1st time. Does that make sense? Example: I have visited Shands Hospital more than I can count. Once when we took our son to the ER there, Kim was wandering around lost and I looked at her as if to say, "Come on, the front door is right this way." It struck me how different her experience was than mine because I feel comfortable at Shands.
Do you know your way around Oak Hall? Gotten used to the way things are? Then use that freedom to welcome new folks and to have an eye out for those who seem a bit lost.
Do you know your way around Oak Hall? Gotten used to the way things are? Then use that freedom to welcome new folks and to have an eye out for those who seem a bit lost.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Prayer Request
Anna Addcox asks that you pray for Jude Gilliam, age 2... and his family.
Jude is in desperate need of brain swelling to diminish. Jude, his parents and 3 siblings are in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Jude is in desperate need of brain swelling to diminish. Jude, his parents and 3 siblings are in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
God Has Written You a Letter
The breathtaking truth is that Holy Scripture in its entirety is the Word of God directed personally to everyone whom it reaches in order to set up, deepen and enrich a personal love relationship between the divine sender and the human recipient. --JI Packer
Joy is the spin-off of Bible exploring*
...the Christian tastes God in all his pleasures, and this increases them, whereas for other men pleasure brings with it a sense of hollowness which reduces it. Also, I maintain that every encounter between the sincere Christian and God’s Word, the law of thy mouth (Psalm 119:72), however harrowing or humbling its import, brings joy as its spin-off... --JI Packer
*the word explore takes us further into the way we should relate to Scripture than the familiar words read and study do. Exploring is not, of course, less than reading and studying, but it is more. You can read books mechanically, without interest, and study facts mechanically, without focus, but exploring territory is a process of search, thought and correlation that demands both interest and focus. Exploring Scripture is more than a routine for gathering data. It has to do with memorization, meditation and interrogation. In exploring you poke and dig and ask questions and make and test guesses and try to see how everything ties in with everything else. Exploration is exciting! --JI Packer
(FYI: This little book by Packer--TRUTH & POWER-- that has sat on my shelf for years has turned out to be absolutely golden in providing excellent thoughts on the role of Scripture in the life of a Christ-follower)
*the word explore takes us further into the way we should relate to Scripture than the familiar words read and study do. Exploring is not, of course, less than reading and studying, but it is more. You can read books mechanically, without interest, and study facts mechanically, without focus, but exploring territory is a process of search, thought and correlation that demands both interest and focus. Exploring Scripture is more than a routine for gathering data. It has to do with memorization, meditation and interrogation. In exploring you poke and dig and ask questions and make and test guesses and try to see how everything ties in with everything else. Exploration is exciting! --JI Packer
(FYI: This little book by Packer--TRUTH & POWER-- that has sat on my shelf for years has turned out to be absolutely golden in providing excellent thoughts on the role of Scripture in the life of a Christ-follower)
Youth Getaway is Gone
Pray for these as they head to a "Get the School Year started right" Overnight Getaway in Daytona...
Students: Maggie, Marty, Ella, Robbie, Dean, Andrew, Ben, Zachary, Trace, Dionna, PLUS ONE (11)
Leadership: Sid, Greg, Nathan, Erin (4)
Students: Maggie, Marty, Ella, Robbie, Dean, Andrew, Ben, Zachary, Trace, Dionna, PLUS ONE (11)
Leadership: Sid, Greg, Nathan, Erin (4)
Friday, August 17, 2007
Christ and the B.I.B.L.E.
The link between Christ and the Bible, is direct, organic and multiple. So it is only true to say that life and health and peace come from either if at once you add that they come from the one through the other — from Christ, that is, through the Scriptures or from the Scriptures through Christ.
For the Christian there is no Christ but the Christ of the Bible (specifically, of the New Testament teachers) and no understanding of the Bible but that which matches the expressed mind of Christ and his apostles (specifically, as they interpret the Old Testament and relate themselves to it).
For the Christian there is no Christ but the Christ of the Bible (specifically, of the New Testament teachers) and no understanding of the Bible but that which matches the expressed mind of Christ and his apostles (specifically, as they interpret the Old Testament and relate themselves to it).
As regards authority, it is impossible to give too much weight to the fact that Jesus, who was himself God speaking, would have consistently viewed the words of his Bible as God speaking and should have lived his life and fulfilled his vocation of teaching and suffering in direct and conscious obedience to what was written. Now, in effect, from his throne he tells all who would be his disciples that they must learn from him and follow his example at this point and submit to becoming disciples of the canonical Scriptures. His authority and the authority of the Scriptures upon us are one. What then should we do? We should look to the Holy Spirit, who inspired the biblical text and who authenticates it to regenerate hearts as God-given by sensitizing us to the impact of its divinity, to make clear to us not only what God said in and through the text to its original readers but also what he says to us via the same text here and now. We should ask for the Spirit's illumination, especially for our attempts at applicatory thinking. --JI Packer
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Love Picks You Up
The Apostle Paul sees love not so much as a set of guidelines that you pick up and do. Real love is a living active power that comes and picks you up and changes you.
We will never become loving only by trying hard. Paul implies that we’ll only become loving through meeting and encountering. Becoming a person of love is not a mechanical process. Something profound must happen to us. We must meet Love. We must have an ongoing encounter with the person of Jesus.
--(excerpted from the Redeemer curriculum on 1 Corinthians 13)
We will never become loving only by trying hard. Paul implies that we’ll only become loving through meeting and encountering. Becoming a person of love is not a mechanical process. Something profound must happen to us. We must meet Love. We must have an ongoing encounter with the person of Jesus.
--(excerpted from the Redeemer curriculum on 1 Corinthians 13)
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