Between the Ends: October 6, 2015

Posted on Nov 9, 2015 in Devotions |

Well, good day to you!

How well do you remember what happened in church on Sunday worship? Can you remember the message theme where you attended church yesterday? If not it might be helpful to jot down a few notes, because our worship on Sunday sets the tone for the week between our ends! In our case, we celebrated communion and asked ourselves some tough questions through the study of Philemon. It’s apparent that:

Philemon waked in grace and truth.
But would he be able to walk in forgiveness when presented with the runaway slave Onesimous- who by the way, may have been his own brother, forced into servitude because of financial ruin.
Forgiveness isn’t easy on our best day, but so much harder when it requires that we forgive someone close to us.
MISSIONARY CONFERENCE!

Why do we host missionary conferences? Is there a biblical rationale for it? When the Apostle Paul and his team returned home after many months on the road, the home church was motivated to encourage the great work of God that had been done. I challenge the people of Bethel to manifest the same enthusiasm.

AWANA:
I pledge allegiance to…
I pledge allegiance to the AWANA flag, which stands for the AWANA clubs, whose mission is to reach boys and girls with the Gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him”

What’s lacking these days in the development of our youth is the high call of character, a commitment to Jesus Christ and an allegiance to anything bigger than ourselves. Is it left to the military to be the sole offering of anything even resembling sacrifice for a bigger cause and a higher calling? It is for this reason that, AWANA matters!

TALKING TRUTH 101

Bible class: Mark’s Gospel:
The Bible class:
The next big thing has landed and it is the GOSPEL OF MARK. Grab your Bible, something to write with, and let’s give ourselves to learning about the life of Jesus, as seen through the eyes of John Mark. Dean Gilmer is our teacher.
Wednesday John Study:

We’re back in John’s gospel this Wednesday. Are you Looking for some thoughts to challenge your week from John 4:31 and beyond? Here’s four: Impact, attractiveness, action, and exposure.
Friday Men at Work:

We’re hiring- looking for hard working men! No experience necessary… We’ll train. And if you can’t join us in person, you can still get the book, read the selection, and join the conversation by tweeting me @vicarc1.

THIS WEEK FROM TOZER!  In praise of disbelief
THE PREMISE: ” FAITH NEVER MEANS GULLIBILITY. The man who believes everything is as far from God as the man who refuses to believe anything (pg.. 120).
+ Question? Are we discerning enough to examine our Christian life in detail? Just what do we believe?
Join us at the 6:30 am hour, Fridays, Cousins Restaurant, South Haven
Parting shots:  In charge?  Who’s pushing who??

Between the Ends: October 18, 2015

Posted on Nov 8, 2015 in Devotions |

KEEPING OUR FOCUS BETWEEN THE ENDS

Well, good day to you!  We all want the tools of our trade to work. Just today, I’m struggling with “issues” popping up with several email accounts I manage. Before I commit to using a product there is that moment of truth where I test it to see if it will actually work. I mentioned this on Sunday with regard to a member’s recent knee replacement– testing it to see if the hardware works! As with other things, only when we are convinced of something’s worth, do we have the confidence to take it out for a test drive. And so it is with the letter to the Hebrews. To be convinced of Christ’s ultimate worth meant that :
The readers must not return to their futile past ways
They cannot forsake the connection they have with Christ and one another
And, they must not stop loving Jesus…

And so it is with us… So as the Psalmist says, “taste the Lord, and see that He is good.” Psalms 34:8

MISSIONARY CONFERENCE!

We are hosting a missions conference on Sunday and you’re invited to participate by taking an interest in our missionaries, asking good questions at the afternoon Q&A, and maybe even using this time to sign up to remember a particular missionary family throughout the following year. And we’ll do our part by providing the dining room for us to share a potluck meal together. If you blink, you’ll miss it.

9:45 Combined SS class with the Byrums
11:00 Morning service with the Banks
12:45 pm: lunch on the grounds
1:30: Q&A with our missionaries
Want more missionary time? Join us for breakfast on Saturday at Big Boy at 9:00 am

AWANA: Part of my toolkit for growing up a family
I’ve been working on a new ad for our local newspapers that will get the word out about the value of our AWANA clubs. And that word should get out for, after all, in a world that needs a good dose of reality based wisdom and truth, AWANA dishes up plenty of both and adds much needed training in self discipline and character as well. My kids are all grown and on their own but we considered AWANA training as a valuable component in the overall education of our children- and you should too. Your kids all grown up as well? Then forward this email to someone who needs some help and you will do them a great service in the development of their family- and our community!

TALKING TRUTH 101

Bible class: Mark’s Gospel:
The Bible class:
The next big thing has landed and it is the GOSPEL OF MARK. Grab your Bible, something to write with, and let’s give ourselves to learning about the life of Jesus. Dean Gilmer is our teacher and is working hard to prepare lessons that challenge us… Let’s work hard by preparing well to listen and learn.
Wednesday John Study:

We’re back in John’s gospel this Wednesday. I have 4 phrases to give you something to chew on this week from John 4:46-54. They are: real need; real belief; real miracles; real faith. Have you prayed with anyone and for anyone lately at a prayer meeting? We have an opening for you. Join us and rock your world!
Friday Men at Work:
We’re hiring- looking for hard working men! No experience necessary… We’ll train. And if you can’t join us in person, you can still get the book, read the selection, and join the conversation by tweeting me @vicarc1.

THIS WEEK FROM TOZER! THANKFULNESS AS A MORAL THERAPEUTIC
THE PREMISE: ” NOW, as A CURE FOR THE SOUR FAULTFINDING ATTITUDE I RECOMMEND THE CULTIVATION OF THE HABIT OF THANKFULNESS. [Tozer, pg. 123]

THE QUESTION: Does thankfulness only work in November?
Join us at the 6:30 am hour, Fridays, Cousins Restaurant, South Haven

 


Between The Ends: October 22, 2015

Posted on Nov 8, 2015 in Devotions |

KEEPING OUR FOCUS BETWEEN THE ENDS

Well, good Thursday to you…  I thought I might take a different approach to the short time we have together. Why not share a preview about what you can expect this week, rather than what you already heard..We are currently in the midst of a trek through the NT for the purpose of gaining more insight into the bigger picture of the gospel and God’s kind intention toward the world. This week our stop in James and specifically, what the brother of Jesus may have learned that made him and his rather controversial book so valuable to the New testament. He has much to say about struggle, sin, and the outward expression of our faith. See you Sunday for the rest.

MISSIONARY CONFERENCE!
The MISSIONARY CONFERENCE! is now behind us and we are better believers for the time that we had to share with the Byrums and the Banks. Both couples did a great job in helping us better understand their worlds and giving us a great sense of the challenges and struggles they face. Please pray specifically for the Banks as they prepare for their future ministry in the states and seek that specific fit for their family and ministry.

AWANA: Part of my toolkit for growing up a family
I’ve been working on a number of disciplines to build more godliness and hunger for the presence and person of Christ into my own life. Over the years, these disciplines have proven valuable to me personally and to those who walk closest with me. These character norms are the same truths that we are seeking to lodge within the lives of our AWANA youth, beginning at the earliest levels. Do you have a plan? If not, why not stop by our AWANA club ministry on Sunday evenings at 5:00 and catch a glimpse, maybe a longer look at what it means to be a growing Christian. Adults are welcome in the Trek group. James Byers and I talk about some amazingly adult themes. Now, theres a new thing, AWANA for adults. Go figure.TALKING TRUTH 101
Bible class: Mark’s Gospel:
The Bible class:
The next big thing has landed and it is the GOSPEL OF MARK. Grab your Bible, something to write with, and let’s give ourselves to learning about the life of Jesus. Dean Gilmer is our teacher and is working hard to prepare lessons that challenge us… Let’s work hard by preparing well to listen and learn.

Wednesday John Study:
We’re back in John’s gospel this Wednesday. We began examining John 5 last evening and came away with some amazing insights. What should we think about a man who for 38 years laid useless before a “rumor” that could not help him, and when finally rid of his malady and now with the freedom to do almost anything, cares only about making sure the Pharisees “know” that it was Jesus who made him well– oh, wait a minute, on the Sabbath. And that aspects of this great injustice we’ll talk about next Wednesday.

Friday Men at Work:
We’re hiring- looking for hard working men! No experience necessary… We’ll train. And if you can’t join us in person, you can still get the book, read the selection, and join the conversation by tweeting me @vicarc1.

THIS WEEK FROM TOZER: Understanding Those Dry spells
THE PREMISE: ” Moments of great spiritual delight do not require much faith; if we never come down from the mount of blessing, we might easily come to trust in our own delights rather than the unshakeable character of God.”

THE QUESTION: Every one has dry spots in their life? What is your response?
Join us at the 6:30 am hour, Fridays, Cousins Restaurant, South Haven. By the way, we have the unique opportunity to bless our server, Kristen, who faithfully comes in early to make our morning better. Let’s make sure we honor that service an appropriate tip! MJC