You know that statement don't you? What makes someone think they have authority/privilege /permission to do something? Regarding Holy Communion... this 1st line of a prayer we'll pray is a tremendous encouragement that our hope and privilege is about Christ and His gospel, not us and our goodness:
WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, o merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
I always cheat
Started book 5 of Psalms last night at the dinner table.... invite you to "Finish Strong" with our Summer Psalm Reading journey...
so read Psalm 107 today, which is the first psalm of Book 5 .... what stands out in Psalm 107... people in need who cry out "LORD, HELP!" and God helps those who call on Him. That is the message of the Bible and can be the message of your day today, and mine.
so read Psalm 107 today, which is the first psalm of Book 5 .... what stands out in Psalm 107... people in need who cry out "LORD, HELP!" and God helps those who call on Him. That is the message of the Bible and can be the message of your day today, and mine.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The Grace of Self-Knowledge
"I have counseled people for many years and one of the things that has impressed me over and over again is how self-deluded people (including me) can be. It's amazing how hard it is to see ourselves with accuracy. It's been my experience over and over again that we see the other person with a fairly high degree of accuracy, but can't seem to see ourselves with the same precision." --Paul Tripp in yet ANOTHER meditation on Ps 51 that is fire
read the whole thing HERE
O God, make Christ Community a people who see their sin... and run to your cross... and move out to serve others with JOY, humility & love...
read the whole thing HERE
O God, make Christ Community a people who see their sin... and run to your cross... and move out to serve others with JOY, humility & love...
vbs / kids camp
Each night this week (Mon-Fri) we are holding KidsCamp/VBS at Oak Hall
a light Dinner is served at 5:30 and the program runs from 6-8
it has really been a great week so far--see pics below-- and I encourage everyone (kids or no kids) to stop by sometime to see what's happening... i doubt it would feel like wasted time... consider it
a light Dinner is served at 5:30 and the program runs from 6-8
it has really been a great week so far--see pics below-- and I encourage everyone (kids or no kids) to stop by sometime to see what's happening... i doubt it would feel like wasted time... consider it
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Holiness
"Woven into the warp and woof of the New Testament’s exposition of what it means for us to be holy is the great groundwork that the self-existent, thrice holy, triune God has — in Himself, by Himself and for Himself — committed Himself and all three Persons of His being to bringing about the holiness of His own people. This is the Father’s purpose, the Son’s purchase and the Spirit’s ministry.” --Sinclair Ferguson
Friday, July 20, 2007
Starting your day with IOUs
--below is by Tim Chester
In his book, When I Don’t Desire God, John Piper talks about how he starts the day with his ‘IOUs’ to God (read about it for yourself here). I’ve adapted them and added a pray. I’ve also added four affirmations about God, each with a prayer. I think most - maybe all - of our sinful behaviours and negative emotions arise when in practice we stop believing one of these truths. Earnestly praying through these pointers would be a great way to start each day.
In his book, When I Don’t Desire God, John Piper talks about how he starts the day with his ‘IOUs’ to God (read about it for yourself here). I’ve adapted them and added a pray. I’ve also added four affirmations about God, each with a prayer. I think most - maybe all - of our sinful behaviours and negative emotions arise when in practice we stop believing one of these truths. Earnestly praying through these pointers would be a great way to start each day.
- I – Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! (Psalm 119:36)
Lord God, may I desire you and your glory more than anything else today. - O – Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. (Psalm 119:18)
Lord God, may I see you and your glory in your word and in your world today. - U – Unite my heart to fear your name. (Psalm 86:11)
Lord God, may my whole heart desire you and your glory today. - S – Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. (Psalm 90:14)
Lord God, satisfy me with yourself and your glory today.
- God is good so I don’t need to look elsewhere for joy.
Lord God, may I delight in you today and not in empty things. - God is sovereign so I don’t need to be in control.
Lord God, may I trust in you today and not in myself. - God is great so I don’t need to fear other.
Lord God, may I fear you today and not other people. - God is gracious so I don’t need prove myself.
Lord God, may I find my identity in you today and not in myself.
What business will be done at the congregational meeting?
The selection of elders. That's it.
What about voting on borrowing money for the building? Nope. That is a later meeting, probably in August.
What about voting on borrowing money for the building? Nope. That is a later meeting, probably in August.
Selection of Elders
During my years of voting I have seen it done in 2 ways:
Way One
Vote for one guy or the other: Michael Dukakis OR George Bush
Way Two
Vote on whether the following should be in office:
Judge Johnson Yes No
Judge Smith Yes No
Judge Judy Yes No
At the end of the day, either dukakis OR bush will be in office...
At the end of the day, all 3 judges may be in office... or 2 may be, or 1, or none.
The selection of elders we'll do on Sunday is a "WAY 2" type of voting.
Way One
Vote for one guy or the other: Michael Dukakis OR George Bush
Way Two
Vote on whether the following should be in office:
Judge Johnson Yes No
Judge Smith Yes No
Judge Judy Yes No
At the end of the day, either dukakis OR bush will be in office...
At the end of the day, all 3 judges may be in office... or 2 may be, or 1, or none.
The selection of elders we'll do on Sunday is a "WAY 2" type of voting.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Today's Psalms are 92 & 93
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
to the music of the lute and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.
For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
to the music of the lute and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.
For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Psalm 91 and God's Protection
You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing.... ---taken from The Message translation
Frank Matthews will be preaching this Sunday on Psalm 91!
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing.... ---taken from The Message translation
Frank Matthews will be preaching this Sunday on Psalm 91!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Elders
After a brief search on google, finding nothing that seemed helpful... I offer this
Two Kinds of Elders, Ruling Elders (RE) & Teaching Elders (TE)
Similarities: They both have a vote on the elder board and are charged with overseeing the life of Christ Community Church
Differences:
--Ruling Elders are normal people (i.e. non-ministers) while Teaching Elders are Ministers
--Teaching Ministers are to officiate at the Lord's Supper and Baptisms; Ruling Elders are not
--TE's are members of North Florida Presbytery while RE's are members of Christ Community
Two Kinds of Elders, Ruling Elders (RE) & Teaching Elders (TE)
Similarities: They both have a vote on the elder board and are charged with overseeing the life of Christ Community Church
Differences:
--Ruling Elders are normal people (i.e. non-ministers) while Teaching Elders are Ministers
--Teaching Ministers are to officiate at the Lord's Supper and Baptisms; Ruling Elders are not
--TE's are members of North Florida Presbytery while RE's are members of Christ Community
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