Join us Sunday mornings this spring at Burns for a look at Peter’s epistles: Christian living in a broken world. Hope to see you there!

Here’s a suggestion: what one thing in your life is holding you back from serving Jesus? There may be several things—but what is the biggest problem?

We’re kind of funny people. I hate cleaning my office—just ask Leslie! The best way to get me to clean my office is to assign me a task I like less. Suddenly, cleaning the office just got a lot easier. Sometimes we don’t focus on what is really important.

If your car has a leaking transmission, burns oil, and doesn’t have brakes, you’d be a fool to spend your time and money waxing it and installing a new stereo, wouldn’t you? If your house has a broken window, you need to fix it before you worry about new hardwood floors.

Our lives are the same way: while there are several things in each of our lives that interfere with our relationship with Jesus, in all likelihood, one of those problems is more severe and urgent than the others. We need to tackle the big problem first.

So throw out your list of resolutions. Identify the one thing that is doing more harm to your soul than anything else: one repeated sin, one neglected virtue, one continued disobedience or doubt, one nagging fear—just one!—confess it to a trusted friend, bring it to Jesus, and make it the target of your full-on assault this year. When (not if!) you conquer—then you can find the next thing.

You and I know that we don’t know when Jesus was born. The Bible is oddly specific in the details it leaves for us regarding the birth of Jesus. We learn about the gifts that were brought, the location of his birth, the response to his birth—but we don’t learn the date or all other sorts of interesting information. I suspect there’s a divine reason for this: God wants us to focus on Jesus—not the things that surround him.

I am grateful that the Christmas season is the de facto time when people remember the birth of Jesus, because without it, they might not think about him at all.

I’m glad that when people think about the birth of Jesus, they think about giving.  After all, God does love a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), and “the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35).

I’m thrilled that when people tell the story of his virgin birth, they are reminded that as the angel told Mary, “nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37) Even the impossible is possible.

I’m encouraged by the charities that operate this time of the year to make sure that even in the darkest, coldest time of the year, the “least of these” are taken care of. (Matthew 25:40)

I’m glad to know that God is in the saving business, that He is here, and that he has a plan for me. I’m thrilled that today we can worship this God as a family. Aren’t you?

It struck me as a little bit funny. They knew I had spent some too much money with them, and they knew that the discount would likely help encourage me to spend more. The “silver” designation implies that there is a higher status (gold, platinum) that I could attain, if only I keep shopping with them!

It’s a brilliant marketing move that many companies use to try to manipulate us into spending more money. I’m not a big fan of manipulation—but I do have a question for you: if Jesus were evaluating your dedication to His name, how would he describe you?

Crowds of people are spectators. They are interested in finding out what Jesus has to offer, but they’re more content in standing on the sidelines and watching. Spectators will likely come in late and leave early. They might sing—a little—and they might even smile, too. We all begin as spectators who look at Christianity and try to evaluate its merit.

Some people are consumers. They’re interested in what Jesus has to offer, what the church has to offer, what the community has to offer, and whatever anyone has to offer! They are active—in a consuming role. They’ll drop their kids off at every church activity. They’ll eat at every fellowship meal. They’ll be at every party—and probably even early! But you can count on one thing: they won’t be staying after to clean up. They reap without sowing.

A few are investors. They’re interested in being like Jesus. They’re active in serving. Freely they have received, so freely they give of their time, talent, and treasure. They clean up the building and take out the trash. They invest in people with encouraging words and time in prayer. They invest in their faith by studying the Word. They invest in the community by volunteering and teaching. Their work is hard, but nobody enjoys greater satisfaction, joy, or rewards, than an investor.

Which are you? If you’re new here, it’s okay to be a spectator for a little while. Test the water as a consumer—for a little while. And when you see that Jesus is good and his word is true—invest your heart and your life in his cause. Don’t be satisfied to watch and consume. Invest!

serenity prayer
fresh coffee in the morning
dogs that snore
morning solitude
hospital corpsmen
satellites
paper plates
c-pap machines
GPS systems
sunsets hitting airplane vapors
church steeples
clocks
toilet paper
electricity
refrigerators
smell of vanilla
ICE- for tea and other drinks
windshield wipers
heated blankets for when I’m cold
sleeping bags
ice cream cones
rye grass in the fall and winter months
new construction of downtown Dickson
all things chocolate

warm pajamas
contentment
cars that do not break down
leftovers
memories
comfortable shoes
furnaces/AC’s
semi’s
recliners
when Christmas is over
internet
pizza
oreo double stuff cookies
technology
land lines/cell phones
fall leaves
road signs
laws
pen and paper
glasses
life flight
front porches
fire
50% off
razors
tums
clocks
bubble gum
smell of hot bread
vacuums
storm shelters
greeting cards
antibiotics
salt/pepper
ceiling fans
folding chairs/tables
pill boxes
stairs/escalators
key rings
tea bags
kerosene heater & lights
scissors
brillo pads
calendars
birthday cakes
buttons/zippers
chap stick
dental floss/tooth picks
scrap books
good smells
cameras
flu shots
magazines
matches
windmills
babies fingers and toes
rocks
long distance calling
slow cookers
bug spray
bird houses
911
bells
fire extinguishers
duct tape
Kleenex
a dog’s greeting when you come home
missionaries
people who understand you
favors
home-made communion bread
buffets
sleep/afternoon naps
dumpers/garbage men
warm sun through a window
sweet, gentle people
credit/debit cards
people who do their job
old friends/classmates
kites
paint
songs/music
to do lists
hot showers/long baths
deodorant/tooth paste
contracts
being able to type
printers
Dr. Pepper
Google
leaf blowers/lawn mowers
good cooks
tooth and hair brushes
informative people
humor
coupons
will power
“unanswered” prayers
hot air balloons
plane/trains and automobiles
good health
fleece jackets
people who spay and neuter pets
police dogs-K9′s
volunteers
free events and services
kindness of strangers
aquariums
flash lights
grills
popcorn
no traffic
talents
funeral homes
good luck and blessings
know value of work
sun glasses
bird feeders
school buses
surprises
family reunions
mattresses
doughnuts
lighthouses
water falls
fountains
spoon holders
tents/cabins
little red wagons
piano
good waiters/waitresses
mops
drive-in-movies
park benches
turntables
shoulder to cry on
old attics
sirens
scented candles
porch swing
curio cabinets
dreams
faucets
flower bouquets
gardens
locks
free shipping
Amazon.com
moving trucks
dryers/wash machines/dishwashers
napkins
walking canes
back seat drivers
handymen
mechanics
alarms
colored easter eggs
media rooms
stitches
sugar
swallowing
5 senses
suitcases
suckers
subways
string
WD40
stockrooms
blackboards
paved road/driveways
skies
strainers
berries
road signs
arm rest
singing
security alarms
siding/bricks
sidewalks
kites
bikes
life-guards
lawyers
inventions
irons
handbags
books
harvesting equipment
milk machines
snow banks
big serving trays
freedom
social security/Medicare
Marshmallows
shrimp boats
step stools/ladders
good governments
shoes/boots
tupperware
manure
soap powders
pine cones
coffee mugs
beaches
bushel baskets
old flour sacks
grandma’s apron
sound
perfume
Christmas lights/trees
insurance
frogs
timers
night lights
bales of hay
stamps
sink sprayers/stoppers
mail boxes
herbs
gazebos
white picket fences
hugs
DVR’s
sharp knives
hangers
ditches
wallets
tin cans
arm to lean on
trailers
church kitchens
basketballs/footballs/golf balls
hot water
hot apple pie/ice cream
sharing meals
smiles
lakes/rivers/creeks/oceans
fishing
ventless logs
being debt free
soft summer rain
financially secure
kindness of a stranger
educators
maps
batteries
oxygen
new car smell
canoeing
teddy bears
EMT/Paramedics
hayrides
Jesus was born in Bethlehem song/and the author
being an American
celebrations
jobs
sunrises/sunsets
water skies
pillows
stories
thousands of deer who don’t jump in front of you
ships/submarines/aircraft carriers
long walks/being able to walk
birthdays/anniversaries
steam engines
healthcare workers
a canopy of trees
horses running in a field/prancing
sucking helium
new air compressors that don’t explode
ambulances
good credit
affection
feelings of anticipation
bacteria
kisses
bridges
beautiful cobwebs with the morning dew
interchanges/interstates
fog
hammers/screw drivers
underwear
rear view mirror
umbrellas
weathermen
overstuffed chair
parks/park benches
mickey mouse
hearts
old tea pots
pretty dishes
staples/paper clips
nail clippers
patio tables
fire pits
weenie roasts
thoughts
cranberries
lightning/thunder
sports cars/convertibles
oil rigs
bird baths
northern lights

Certainly there is a time to speak and a time for silence. Wisdom is knowing which is which!

Alan Wolfelt wrote a book: The Handbook for Companioning the Mourner. He suggests that we take an attitude of companionship rather than feeling the need to offer counsel. Here are his principles for your consideration:

• Companioning is about honoring the spirit; it is not about focusing on the intellect.
• Companioning is about curiosity; it is not about expertise.
• Companioning is about learning from others; it is not about teaching them.
• Companioning is about walking alongside; it is not about leading.
• Companioning is about being still; it is not about frantic movement forward.
• Companioning is about discovering the gifts of sacred silence; it is not about filling every painful moment with words.
• Companioning is about listening with the heart; it is not about analyzing with the head.
• Companioning is about bearing witness to the struggles of others; it is not about directing those struggles.
• Companioning is about being present to another person’s pain; it is not about taking away the pain.
• Companioning is about respecting disorder and confusion; it is not about imposing order and logic.
• Companioning is about going to the wilderness of the soul with another human being; it is not about thinking you are responsible for finding the way out.

We say it often—because it’s true—sometimes the most important thing is just being there.

(See Richard Beck’s blog for a fuller discussion.)

Dear Sirs:

I am.

Sincerely yours,
G. K. Chesterton

I’m partial to Chesterton’s reply. It was probably the most helpful of the answers received that day. We can sit around and pontificate and try to solve all the world’s problems and list all the world’s woes, but ultimately, the only problem I can really deal with is mine.

It’s far easier to complain about what’s wrong with your spouse than to improve your share of your marriage. It’s easier to gripe about your kid’s teacher than it is to discipline your child enough so that he actually completes his homework. It’s more comfortable to count the sins of others and recall our own righteousness than it is to get our hands and hearts dirty in the business of cleaning our own lives.

Don’t take the easy way out. Be honest with yourself and with God. Jesus said, “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3)

“This is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.” (1 Peter 3:5-6)

Scripture repeatedly describes a woman of faith as someone who is unafraid. She has a quiet confidence that can only come from knowing that if God is for us, nobody can successfully stand against us (Romans 8:31).

There are plenty of frightening things in our world. There are the continuing economic troubles, the constant threat of war and terrorism, the increasing acceptance of everything except Christianity, bad news from doctors, disappointments from family…this world can be a scary place!

Christians get to look at things differently. The thinks that spook so many shouldn’t have a strong hold on us. We’re concerned for the economy, but we know that life is more than food and the body is more than clothing (Luke 12:23). We pray for peace, but we know that death is not the worst threat (Matthew 10:28) and that we all have an appointment with it anyway! (See Hebrews 9:27).

When Franklin D. Roosevelt said “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” – he was almost right. The only fear we have is a respect for God (Ecclesiastes 12:13) which is being replaced by perfected love (1 John 4:18). So let’s join the worthy woman of Proverbs 31 and share a good laugh at the fears of tomorrow!

1. Each of us will become a partner and soul mate offering unconditional love, understanding, and support. We will be best friends. (Genesis 2:18, 1 Peter 3:7-8, Ephesians 5:28-31, Proverbs 17:17, 18:24)
2. Neither of us will expect the other to meet all of our needs or take sole responsibility for our personal happiness. We will give each other space to breathe and have a life. (Philippians 2:12-13, Galatians 6:5-6)
3. We will leave our fathers and mothers and create a new, independent, special family unit. (Ephesians 5:31)
4. We will have one healthy fight or disagreement a week. Confrontation concerning our unmet personal needs will be believed and not dismissed. (2 Timothy 4:2, Ephesians 4:15, 2 Corinthians 7:8, Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 12:13-15)
5. We will take regular vacations and honeymoons throughout our marriage as we mend and enhance our intimacy. (Ecclesiastes 3, Deuteronomy 24:5)
6. We will use credit carefully as we become wise stewards of our finances. (Rom 13:8, Matt 25:16, 21)
7. My mate will be faithful and committed to me. (Exodus 20:14)
8. Either of us will be able to initiate marriage counseling, and the other will be willing to go. Our marriage will be constantly growing with individual and relational changes and improvements. (Proverbs 15:14, 16:20, 27:9, Philippians 1:9-10)
9. We will have regular, satisfying sexual interaction. (1 Corinthians 7:3-5)
10. We will enjoy a growing spiritual life together with prayer and Bible study. (James 1:5, Colossians 3:16, 4:2)

May God bless your marriage as glorious in his sight!

Lawrence was assigned to the kitchen. For the rest of his life his work consisted of cooking and cleaning. He was not a featured lectureship speaker; he authored no book. But for Lawrence, common business—the way we go about every day of our lives—is not mundane, routine, or unimportant. Instead, the common is where God is most interested in acting and showing his love.

“Nor is it needful that we should have great things to do,” Lawrence said, “we each can do little things for God. I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for love of him, and that done, if there is nothing else to call me, I prostrate myself fin worship before him, who has given me grace to work; afterwards I rise happier than a king. It is enough for me to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of God.”

Lawrence’s attitude of treating every moment of life as sacred to God attracted attention. He was investigated by Abbe de Beaufort, the aide of the cardinal in 1666. Four interviews were given, and those were recorded and copied in a simple book called The Practice of the Presence of God. It’s a neat read about learning to understand that God is always present.

Lawrence embodied the teaching of Colossians 3:23: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (NLT) May we learn the practice of the presence of God!

Do you remember where you were? How did you feel when you learned that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center? Do you remember how your heart sank when the second plane crashed, and it became evident that this was no accident, but an act of war?

On that day 3,000 men, women, and children died. It is estimated that almost 900 first responders lost their lives that day and in the days, weeks, and years that have followed because of their efforts to save others.

Do you remember the eerie silence of the rest of that day? The skies were empty. There were no planes traveling, no tell-tale contrails lining the sky.

Things have changed, haven’t they? Most folks never gave a second thought to being in a skyscraper until that day. Now it seems that we are conditioned to worry. Is the threat level orange or purple or pink or yellow or what? Flying is now a dignity-destroying ordeal and the economy still isn’t happy.

Despite all that, I think Alan Jackson got it right when he wrote that song – “Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us / and the greatest is love.” Christians rise above circumstances. We live boldly even in a world of terrorism. We love even when others hate. That’s the difference that changes the world even on days like September 11th.

It’s that time again — a New Sunday School quarter beginning on Sunday, September 11, 2011! Here’s our new class line-up. If you haven’t been a part of the Sunday School program, now’s a great time to jump back in!

Sunday Morning (9am):

“Encounters with Jesus in Mark” by James Hinkle. This class meets upstairs in the auditorium.

“The Sermon on the Mount” by Matthew Hiatt. This class meets downstairs in the media room.

Our young people are back to their school-year quarterly materials:

6-18 months: Kathy G in Room #6
18-36 months: Donna H in Room #0
3-5 years: Myra H in Room #5
K-2nd Grade: Pam K in Room #2
3rd-5th Grade: Harriett H & David J in Room #3
6-12th Grade: Marshall & Tammy S in Room #4

Wednesday Evenings (7pm)

1 and 2 Thessalonians will be taught by Glenn Buffington in the Auditorium

Spiritual Development 101 will be taught by Matthew Hiatt in the Media Room

John G will be coordinating the children’s classes on Wednesday nights

This fellowship meal will be a little different: in our Sunday morning service, we’re going to pay special attention to our young people as it is the last Sunday of the quarter — meaning it is promotion time! We’ve got a great line-up of teachers for the next quarter, and we want Sunday School to get off to a great start.

We’re going to recognize and pray for ALL of our young people, recognize our Sunday School teachers, award our perfect attenders, and get our kids ready to go to Bible Bowl the following Saturday.

To help make this day more special for our kids, we’re asking that you help us theme the fellowship meal for kids. Instead of fancy food, could you bring something that a 10 year old would be excited about? (That doesn’t mean grown-ups don’t get to eat, don’t worry!)

We’d love for you to plan to bring sandwiches, chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, jello, simple apples and carrots and that sort of thing. If you’re not sure what to bring — ask a kid! :)

I really hope we can use this Sunday to make sure our young people know how important they are to the future of the church. Bring your kids, grandkids, cousins, neighbors….and yourself. We’ll make it a GREAT Sunday!

Bartholomew and Goheen wrote a book called The Drama of Scripture. It sets out to help people see the Bible as one big story with many interwoven subplots and adventures. Here is how they lay out the scenes:

Scene 1: God creates his ideal world, and it is very good. (Genesis 1-2)
Scene 2: God’s creation launches rebellion; the world no longer experiences peace. (Genesis 3-11)
Scene 3: God uses Israel as an arm of redemption and blessing (Genesis 12-Malachi) (But Israel is a feeble arm indeed!)
Scene 4: God sends the New Adam to reclaim the kingdom. (Matthew-John)
Scene 5: God reunites humanity in the name of Jesus, and man is given the task of sharing the story of Good news and redemption (Acts-Revelation-Today!)
Scene 6: God commands the final return of the King. Rebellion is quelled and justice reigns eternally (Revelation)

What a story that is! It’s beautiful and engaging. The hero of the story isn’t you or me or Abraham or Paul or Joseph…it is God, the patient creator who loves his cantankerous creation despite their rebellion. I hope that you’ll look at this story and live your life to the fullest in your spot in God’s story.

Recently we’ve been looking at cars, and a funny thing happens. Once you start to research a particular model, you start noticing that they exist! Some of those cars aren’t just cars—they are specific cars. I don’t mean to be too dramatic—but your eyes are opened.

A similar thing happens when we study scripture. Sometimes words and phrases fly by us as we read and we get the gist of what’s happening but miss a lot. Then, something happens that causes us to notice a detail we missed before, and we start seeing the details all over the place. Even better, sometimes we read scripture and we begin to see all around us how it applies and guides us in the right way. It quits being a detail on a spec sheet and becomes a living and important thing!

Several stories in scripture capture these eye-opening moments. Mary was unaware that the gardener with whom she spoke was really Jesus until he uttered her name (John 20:22-18). Two men walked down the road towards Emmaus told a stranger of their disappointment that Jesus, a mighty prophet, had been killed. Once his identity was clear to them, they said, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us while he talked on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures? (Luke 24:32)

Keep your eyes open. You never know what you might miss if you don’t!

For those of you who are experienced gardeners, this is the normal and expected result. But for me – it’s a novel accomplishment!

Jesus is the picture on the seed packet of what God wants for humanity. He is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). He is our pattern to imitate (1 Corinthians 1:11). When he preaches, he is bringing vivid detail to that image for you and me.

When we are born again (John 3), that growth process begins. And with every day that passes, we mature and grow and become more like the image of Jesus. Our works do not save us, but they do show us how that growth and maturation process is going (see John 15).

My question for you is this: how do you look, compared to the ideal? I know that none of us have attained perfection (Philippians 3:12) – but are we getting closer? If I’ve been a Christian for a year, is my Christianity at least at a one-year-old level? If I’ve been a Christian 30 years, am I developed like a thirty-year-old Christian ought to?

Look at the pattern. Study Jesus and know what it is He wants you to be, and you will be richly blessed!

The overcomers in Ephesus, the loveless church, were promised to “eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (2:7).

The overcomers in Smyrna, the persecuted church, were told that they wouldn’t be hurt by the second death (2:11).

The overcomers in Pergamos, the compromising church, were told they would be given hidden manna to eat, a white stone, and a brand new name (2:17).

The overcomers in Thyatira, the corrupt church, were promised power over the nations (2:26).

The overcomers in Sardis, the dead church, would be given white garments and a name that wouldn’t be blotted out of the Father’s book of life (3:5).

The overcomers in Philadelphia, the faithful church, would receive a pillar in the temple of God and be given the New Name (3:12).

And finally, the overcomers in Laodicea, the lukewarm church, were promised that they would sit with Jesus on the throne (3:21).

Notice two things: first, the beauty of the promises to those who are faithful even in the face of death. Second, notice that Jesus fully expected that in every church and in any situation—even in the dead and loveless churches, we could overcome. I find great comfort in these words and hope that you will too. Let’s be overcomers together!

I’m glad to know that the research doesn’t tell the whole story. We have several in our number who came to Jesus well after 30. The research does tell me just how important it is that we reach the young people. Some have even documented that the influence you have on a child between the ages of 4 and 14 is so powerful that they have dubbed it the “4-14 period” and focused most of the church’s resources in that direction.

Timothy got his start thanks in part to the sincere faith of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5). From his childhood, he knew the scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15). Some translations even suggest that verse should be rendered “from infancy!”

I hope you’ll think seriously about how you minister to the young people around you. Do you make time for them? Jesus did—even when he was busy and his disciples didn’t want him to. “Let the little children come to me,” he said, “and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14) Are you intentional about showing them what Christian manhood and womanhood looks like?

Frederick Douglass said, “It is better to build strong children than repair broken men.” Sounds a lot like the wise man’s saying, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

These are the words to a hymn not sung often anymore – but they weigh on my heart as I think of the many here who are sick or hurting this week. This world is a lonely and lovely place. There is great beauty and goodness alongside great difficulty and pain. Our existence in this place and time is purposeful. God has something for us to do—but we eagerly anticipate a better day.

Heaven is best described as the place where God’s will reigns supreme in all things. It is the place where sin cannot exist—so neither sorrow nor death can survive there. It is the kingdom of eternal life and joy. It is the place where we come face to face with Christ, our savior. What a day that will be!

Abraham set out on a journey at the command of God. He didn’t know where he was going—except that God would show him. He didn’t know what dangers, setbacks, and heartaches he would face. The one thing he knew was the God who told him to go. That was enough for him. That’s enough for you and me.

“By faith, he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:9-10)

Keep looking for that city!

Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles.

In Genesis, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off.

The Hebrews made unleavened bread, which is bread without any ingredients.

Moses went to Mount Cyanide to get the ten commandments.

The seventh commandment is “thou shalt not admit adultery.”

Solomon had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

The epistles were the wives of the apostles.

These are fun examples of getting the story not quite right. Kids aren’t the only ones who can make mistakes, though. Grown-ups make them, too. A few weeks ago in Sunday School I told you that Joseph was sold for 30 pieces of silver. Scratch that, it was 20!

As we launch into our study of Revelation this quarter, I think we all need a reminder to look closely at the facts of scripture. It’s easy to jump into explaining what the Bible means—but if we don’t have a firm grasp of what it says, we’ll always miss out on its fullest meaning.

Let me encourage you to spend some time reading a familiar story this week—and see if it doesn’t straighten out your memory.

I suspect that if any of these men meet a modern computer programmer in heaven, it might not be pretty when they find out what took them years takes us seconds today. I won’t tell them, if you won’t!

On Friday night, June 24th, we’re going to have a special training class for using electronic Bible study tools. If you’ve got a laptop, bring it. This will be a hands-on session to learn how to use some free tools that can really help you get to know God’s word better. If you don’t have a laptop, we will try to pair you with someone who does so you can get some practice time, too.

Because space is limited and we want to make sure this time is as helpful as possible, if you plan on attending, we need you to fill out a registration sheet and give it to Matthew ASAP. That sheet will allow you to list any specific questions you may have to make sure we cover them in our class time.

I think it’s really exciting to live in the times that we do. We have so many tools and so many opportunities, and the all-powerful God we adore has never once lost his power to change lives. I hope that this opportunity will help you know His will better. See you then!

Camp is a special time. It’s a week of fun, games, Bible study, swimming, crafts, fellowship, sweat, and bugs. Some of those things I like better than others, but I wouldn’t trade the camp experience for anything.

The theme for camp this week is service. Jesus was a servant, and his service served as an example for you and me. Service isn’t always big or flashy. It’s not always going to another continent to do mission work or even lining up at the soup kitchen. Sometimes it is as simple as going out of your way to say hello to a visitor, to call someone who hasn’t been here in a while, or just to say an extra prayer for someone.

I look forward to watching the results of a week of study about service. I believe our young people will learn lessons they will share with us through their actions throughout the rest of the year. So say an extra prayer for a safe and productive week—and be thinking about how you will serve Jesus this week.

Here’s what to expect:

Sunday Auditorium: Stan Whitfield will be teaching a class on a New Testament text. The adults are going to study the same material as the young people who are preparing for Bible Bowl…and with any luck, we find out what that material is today!

Sunday Media Room: James Hinkle will be teaching a special class for our parents (or grandparents) downstairs. He’ll be using “Boundaries with Kids” by Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend as a study guide for this class. If you’re a parent, you won’t want to miss it.

Bible Bowl begins in earnest for our young people on the first Sunday of July—though it’s never too early to start studying. If you’re interested in checking out this great event, mark Saturday, September 10th on your calendar. We generally travel down together Friday evening, and we’d love for you to come encourage the young people and test yourself. If you have any questions, see Butch or me.

Summer time is a great opportunity to spend a little more time in God’s Word. Resolve to be like David, who said, “I will meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word!” (Psalm 119:15-16)

I suppose that statement is probably pretty obvious, but it is worth noting. There’s a group that has sponsored several billboards nationwide (even in Nashville) and print ads in popular magazines like Readers Digest. These ads have the tagline, “We can Know” – and they go on to explain that the rapture will happen on May 21 (yesterday) and that the world will be destroyed on October 21.

Don’t let groups like this worry you. Jesus himself had the same scriptures to read that they do, and he said pretty clearly that he didn’t know the day or the hour, according to Mark 13:32.

What we do know is that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them…” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3). We do know that we should always be ready. Paul said, “keep awake and be sober” (1 Thess. 5:6). We should always be prepared to meet God.
For those of us who are covered in the blood of Jesus, that day—whenever it may be—brings us nothing to fear or dread.

So, if you’re reading this—don’t worry. We’ll have one more person to add to the list of folks who claimed more knowledge than Jesus. If you’d like to see a list of these prophecies, check out http://bible.ca/pre-date-setters.htm. But more importantly than that list—make sure that you know that your name is in the Lamb’s book of life! God’s patience is meant to bring you an opportunity for salvation.

I hope you have a good week, and rest your confidence and trust in the power of Jesus!

Imagine what would happen if a spy broke into that city one night with good news, to explain that the leaders of the enemy surrounding them had been defeated, that surrender was eminent, if they could only last a few more days.

Can you imagine the difference that would make in the lives of the citizens of that city? Depression gives way to joy. Despair gives way to hope.

In many ways, this story is the story of Christian life. We are surrounded by forces of evil. It often seems like wrong is destined to win the day, but things are not as they seem. Jesus brings us the good news that he has destroyed death and taken away the sting of the grave. So even though for a moment we are surrounded by the enemy, his power is meaningless and our hope is sure. All we have to do is hang in there for a few more days…

Jesus said, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10). “Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope!” (Hebrews 3:6) So hang in there!

Life is the classroom where Christianity is taught. Jesus took advantage of his surroundings. When he healed a Centurion’s servant, he taught about how a true servant in the kingdom lives (Matthew 8:11-12). When the disciples were terrified at sea by a storm, he taught about the needless nature of fear (Mt. 8:26). He healed a paralyzed man, and used it to teach about his authority to forgive sins (Mt. 9:5-6). The Pharisees asked him for a sign, and Jesus elaborated on Jonah and Solomon’s signs (Mt. 12:39-45). There are plenty of other examples we could look at.

Each week we remember the death of Jesus. Simple bread and grape juice suddenly becomes a reminder of a broken and bloody body that was sacrificed for you and for me. It’s a moment that teaches us each week the depth of the Father’s love. It’s a time when we gather together around the same table at the same time. It teaches us about unity. It’s a time when no one has more or needs more than anyone else. The ground is level at the foot of the cross—and we’re reminded each time we partake.

Sometimes children watch us partake of the Lord’s Supper and don’t quite understand what’s going on. They want to know why the “grown-ups” get “snacks” and they don’t. Take an opportunity to begin to teach them, so that as they grow, they’ll understand the beauty of a relationship with Jesus.

Here’s a challenge for your week: keep a daily journal of teachable moments. At the end of the day, write down a chance that you saw (or one that you saw only in hindsight) to see and teach the good news of Jesus. You’ll be surprised just how many there are!

Roy Zuck wrote a book called Teaching as Jesus Taught and identified fifteen reasons that Jesus asked questions. Here is his list for your consideration:

1. To cause someone to recall facts
2. To promote conversation
3. To point out something that isn’t true
4. To get agreement
5. To push for an expression of faith
6. To prod for an opinion
7. To prove faith and commitment
8. To promote reflection and thinking
9. To persuade critics of error
10. To pull people up
11. To pour out emotions
12. To reveal motives
13. To prick the conscience
14. To pinpoint a topic
15. To press for the application of the truth

As we study the questions of Jesus, watch to see why Jesus asks what he does. Watch your heart to see how it needs to respond to the most important questions ever asked!

1. Back off on the Sabbath healings. Can’t you just do your good work on the other six days? It’d cause a whole lot less trouble. Don’t rock the boat.

2. Clean up your image. It’s hard to take you seriously if you’re going to go healing on the wrong day of the week, spitting and making mud, sticking your fingers in peoples’ ears, and playing in the sand! Don’t even get us started on that water-to-wine stuff!

3. Think about who you hang out with. Do you really want to be known as the friend of tax collectors, political wackos, prostitutes, lepers, and uneducated rednecks? What would your mother think?

4. Let go of some of your “out-there” teaching methods. You’re doing a lot of this story-telling stuff. Why don’t you just make your point and quote the verse? And why do you keep answer questions with questions? Can’t you just speak plainly?

5. Watch your tongue! It’s just not polite to go around calling people “broods of vipers” and “sons of hell.” Don’t be such a downer! Whenever we hang out, you keep going on and on with “Woe” this and “woe” that. That’s no way to win friends and influence people!

It’s not hard for me to imagine the Pharisees giving that advice. Aren’t you glad that Jesus wouldn’t have taken it? It is remarkable to consider the way that he spoke the truth in love. He was kind and direct. He was compassionate, but he was intolerant of wickedness in God’s name. He called things like they were—regardless of who liked it and who didn’t. Simply put, Jesus taught perfectly.

While you and I will never be the teacher that Jesus was, we can learn from him. Let’s imitate his compassion and his courage in our interactions.

If you were a Zambian, you would be 25 times more likely to have HIV than an average American. You would have 97% less money to your name—but you would have 3 times more babies to support in your family. The chances of you being unemployed are five times higher than they are here—even in these weird economic times. The unemployment rate has been hovering around 50% for the last several years. Of course, you might not live long enough to work if you were an average Zambian. Their children are 16 times more likely to die in infancy—and the average life expectancy is 38—forty years shorter than here in the States. I’d be well past my mid-life crisis there!

Consider this: I have just described average life in Zambia. There have been no earthquakes, tsunamis, or nuclear disasters there. They are not on the cusp of war. This is what life looks like when things are going well. Imagine the poverty if a disaster were to strike.

It is incredible to hear about the work being done in places like this. We received word via email from Jim that the work there is going well. People at the Mapepe Bible College are hungry to learn and grow. There are currently 66 students enrolled. In addition to their daily Bible studies, they are being taught agricultural techniques to help them support themselves. If you want to find out more about their work, you can visit http://zambiamissions.com to read newsletters, see videos, and look at pictures.

Can I encourage you to count your blessings today? We have it good—really good. Let’s thank God for his continued blessings and providential care. Let’s pray for those whose lives are made difficult by poverty of their surroundings. Let’s act to help those in need.

Remember Katrina? Some folks said that was because of the immorality common in New Orleans. Remember Haiti? One famous preacher on TV said that it was because the Haitians had made a pact with the devil. Now I’ve read that some have attributed the Japanese earthquake to cosmic “karma” because of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. One well-known group of protesters believes that the death of every American soldier is God’s righteous retribution for abortion and homosexuality.

It’s true that in days of the prophets of the Old Testament, calamity was directly resultant from man’s sin. Passages like Amos 3:6 make that point clear: “Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has done it?” Some point to this passage as justification for their claims today.

I’d suggest that we need to be a bit more cautious, and read the next two verses: “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken, who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:7-8).

When God caused a disaster as the punishment for sin in the Old Testament, there was always a specific warning and a chance for repentance and God would relent. Remember Jonah’s succinct message? “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4) This formula is common throughout the major and minor prophets.

Today, we have no such specific warning from God about specific consequences. The specific warnings about specific disasters were designed to lead specific people to a specific result—repentance and righteousness. Today we have only God’s general message for all people: “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this, he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)

I think we should steer away from making presumptuous claims about natural disasters. Sometimes unexplainable calamities are just that—unexplainable. What we should be doing is occupying ourselves with preaching God’s message of repentance and salvation wherever we can, and helping those whose lives are turned upside down by these events.

I love the “Wisdom Literature” of the Bible. That’s why I’m excited about our new Wednesday night offerings from Proverbs. Wisdom isn’t some theoretical head-knowledge; it is the art of being truly successful where it counts—with God. Wisdom guides the head and the heart. In its fullest sense, it belongs to God alone. Job said, “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open…With him are strength and sound wisdom” (Job 12:13-16).

Can I share a few nuggets of wisdom?

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” (Prov. 12:1)

“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” (12:11)

“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” (13:11)

“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.” (14:27)

Will you drink from Proverbs, God’s fountain of wisdom? See you Wednesday night!

We’re going to try something new for this quarter: the teens and all of the adults will meet together in the auditorium on Sunday mornings for an in-depth study of the life of Joseph. We will continue to have the regular children’s classes, taught by Kim Davis, Gayle Whitfield, Alicia Dulworth, Nicole Hill, Kathy Gabriel, and Brenda Wall. Information about their topics and locations is available on the bulletin board in the foyer.
On Wednesday nights, we will have two classes coming from the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. The auditorium class will be team-taught by Keith Oliver and Randy Fuqua. Leslie Hiatt will be leading a ladies class downstairs in the media room studying “Wisdom for Women.” Two classes for kids will be available as well.

I like it when we begin a new quarter. It is a chance to start fresh. There is excitement about a new topic and new teachers. If you didn’t come as much as you should have last quarter, you get a clean slate starting next Sunday. You haven’t missed anything yet! It is rewarding to see a study through from beginning to end and gain a better understanding of an entire book of the Bible or important topic.

Sunday School is an investment in your spiritual growth that is recession-proof. God’s word can make us competent for any good work (2 Timothy 3:17), prevent self-destruction (Hosea 4:6), and convict us as we need (Hebrews 4:12). I challenge you to commit to raising the bar in your Bible Study!

The purpose of the show was to see if the best and brightest researchers could put together a computer that could rival two of the brightest minds in the show’s history. Unfortunately for humankind, “Watson” wiped the floor with them, but it looked foolish in the process. Watson answered one question in the “U.S. Cities” category with Toronto, Canada. Whoopsie!

Computers are good at storing information, but they can’t “understand” anything. They can create associations between words, but they can’t know, feel, comprehend, or love. And even with the amazing capacity of computers, a report was made by the folks at Science magazine that indicates that the sum of all the world’s computing power might come close to that of one human brain.

Isn’t that something? It is amazing what can now be done with machines, but the sheer total of everything we’ve created on the planet doesn’t compare with one part of God’s creations?

The power of the mind is staggering, but the power of its Creator is more so. That’s why scripture so often urges us to guard our thinking. We are to think on good, honorable and praiseworthy things (Philippians 4:8). We “take every thought captive to obey Christ,” in the words of 2 Corinthians 10:5. The minds God gave us are powerful tools.

Here’s a simple encouragement: decide to use your mind for Jesus. Your thoughts are a gift that is uniquely yours, and it cannot be replaced by another—man or machine. God made you for a reason!

That’s exactly the story that describes the state of many Christians. Of all people who have ever lived, we have the most access to God’s word. There are more English translations of scripture than there are people who worship here! (There are more than 450 ones—just in English!) Despite the availability, some folks just don’t ever eat from this banquet table!

We have access to printed study materials. We have two opportunities to hear preaching each Sunday, and two additional classroom opportunities each week. There are gospel meetings, seminars, lectureships, and magazines—and I haven’t even mentioned the possibilities of the internet! There are free email studies, podcasts (that’s a nerd word for iPod broadcasts—a recording made available online at a regular schedule), research tools, and discussion groups surrounding almost any topic you’d like to study.

I say all this to say—don’t starve at a feast! Commit to taking advantage of some of these resources every week. Your doctor has to take “continuing education” courses. His work is only a matter of life and death. Our work is one of eternal significance. Re-commit yourself to being prepared for Sunday School. Attend a nearby seminar or meeting, and share what you learned with your family. A commitment to being built up in the knowledge and grace of Jesus will reward us richly and will build up this church!

We went to 44 doors. Forty of those are homes of people who are new to the community. Some had been here for several months, but commented that no other church had ever visited with them. Everyone seemed appreciative of a simple act of kindness. Four of the homes were those of recent visitors.

If we are going to be the church, we are going to busy ourselves with service and kindness. We will look for new and creative ways to find open doors for the gospel. We have purchased data on new movers for one year so we can evaluate the effectiveness of this ministry. We only have 9 more of these opportunities left, so let’s bathe each one in prayer. We pray that people will be receptive, and that God’s kingdom may increase with our planting and watering.

Want to help? We plan to make our next deliveries on the day of our next fellowship meal, February 27th. Let me, Butch, or Randy know if you’d like to deliver about five goodie bags. It will take about an hour and a half of your afternoon. If you’d like to bake goods, we may organize a “baking party” at the building on the Friday prior so we can have fun together while we prepare.

Thanks for the work each one of you does to spread the good news of Jesus!

PS: Don’t forget the nursing home service at 4:30 today!

On January 22, 1973, a panel of seven men who were not elected, who were appointed for life made a decision without vote or public discussion that legalized abortion in the United States. Since that time, 45 million children in our country have been killed thanks to Roe v Wade.

I suspect it will be interesting when we meet those babies in eternity. Perhaps some of them would have been great scientists who could have cured AIDS or the common cold. Others might have been school teachers or factory worker or farmers who would have upheld the fabric of our society. Maybe among their number was someone who could have been the Paul of the 21st century preaching repentance and revival wherever he went.

What can you and I do about this injustice?

1. Pray. Let’s plead for them at the Father’s throne. Let’s pray for wisdom for those who are considering this procedure. Let’s pray that the doctors will realize what they are doing, and that our lawmakers will consider the will of the True Lawgiver.

2. Provide. Let’s continue to support works like the Tennessee Children’s Home or Agape or any of our missions that provide counseling and care for young mothers. Let’s open our hearts and give—even provide homes for those who need it.

3. Prod. Thanks to the digital age, it’s a piece of cake to send a message to our elected officials. It doesn’t matter if they are in your party or not, or what their position is. You can email them or send them a letter explaining that abortion is a crime against the defenseless and that it needs to be stopped. A simple, polite note can go a long way to encouraging these men and women to make better decisions. We need not be a “silent majority.”

These three actions treat the symptoms of abortion. We must still treat theroot cause of the problem. We must spread the news about Jesus and tell people how following him is the only way to have value and beauty and truth and goodness. We will educate people to know that loving Jesus is better than sex, convenience, or money. When people’s hearts turn towards Jesus, anything can change.

I’m not that naïve; I understand that as long as the devil is in the world, there will be division. But this number is unacceptable. Too many people have given up on churches too easily. Too many people have abandoned the bedrock of unity—Scripture. Too many people have followed a preacher rather than the gospel. As a result, our testimony before the world is hindered. Our fellowship has been broken too easily.

Unity does not come easily. It requires effort and dedication to the words of Paul in Philippians 1:27-28: “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.”

The three-fold recipe is simple, but not always easy. We must stand firm in one spirit—God’s Holy One. We can’t act in ways that would grieve him (Ephesians 4:30) or quench him (1 Thessalonians 5:19). We must have one mind. We share goals and ambitions. We communicate with each other. We have the mind that is in Christ Jesus—one of humility and obedience (Philippians 2:5). Finally, we have to “strive” side by side.

We’ve made a lot of progress towards unity in this church, but our future success will come only if we heed the words of this scripture. Are you doing your part?

I learned something that day: I am not a big fan of raw oysters. It wasn’t so much the flavor that bothered me, but the texture. I don’t know any way to describe it except for the word “slime.” In food, consistency can make or break something. I think that’s true in all of life.

It’s not hard for us to stand and acknowledge that the Christ is king. What is difficult is to live that truth day after day after day. It isn’t that hard to be a Christian on Sunday mornings. Our consistency on Tuesday at four-thirty is what tells the whole story.
It’s the second Sunday of 2011. Many of you have started the year off with perfect attendance! Will you strive to maintain your commitment and your consistency throughout the next fifty weeks? Some of us are new Christians. Are we planning and working to build a faith that is built on the rock that will weather the storms of life? (See Matthew 7:24-27). Some of our number are experiencing the difficulty of failing health. Will you “finish well” even in times of physical difficulty?

Let’s work to encourage each other to be more consistent in 2011. Jesus says, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)

This short paragraph is a simple prayer written many centuries ago. These words serve to remind me that Christianity is an all-or-nothing proposition. Christianity is the lens through which Christians view the world—it affects our view of everything!

Here are a few examples:

Titus 1:5 “To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.” Christ defines our standards of right and wrong; Christ becomes our righteousness!

Colossians 3:22 “Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” Whether we are desk-jockeys, car salesmen, or construction gurus, we do not work for our foremen—our vocation is in the service of the son of God!

Matthew 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” Our security isn’t in governmental power, financial stability, or anything else tangible.

What a difference Jesus makes! He was given the name Immanuel—“God is with us.” May we never forget his presence in every aspect of our lives.

Our society has a strange fascination with the dead. On one hand, we almost fear them. Funeral homes are sterile, one-use buildings that we only visit for one purpose. Wakes are no longer held in living rooms, memorial services are rarely conducted at churches, and burials aren’t done in the church yard. We like to keep death at a distance—unless it’s Halloween.

All Saints Day or All Hallowed’s Day used to be a holiday in which people honored and remembered those who had died in the Lord. Some churches would have a sort dinner on the grounds—in the church cemetery—to symbolize the way they looked forward to continuing their fellowship in Heaven.

The fame of that day has long since been eclipsed by the day that precedes it—All Hallows Eve, or Halloween. Now that day is stripped of meaningful significance and gives the stage to monsters, demons, and of course, trick-or-treaters.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a Christian enjoying Halloween as a fun time to dress up, decorate, and eat candy. It’s fitting that a Christian be able to take death and demons “lightly”—in the sense that they give us nothing to fear. (“Where, O death, is your victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55). We “walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8) and darkness doesn’t scare us in the slightest. We can scoff at its vain attempts to intimidate us. We can certainly sin by focusing wrongly on sin, darkness, and death, and it would be inappropriate to give any sort of reverence to the Devil—but there’s nothing about trick-or-treating that’s damaging to the soul (except maybe gluttony!) Halloween can be a real teaching opportunity about the confidence we have as Christians.

However we celebrate any day, we should look for opportunities to be the bearers of God’s message of light. We should celebrate our victory over sin, death, and demons and rejoice in the one who delivered us into the light.

I don’t know about you, but that irritates me. If the person was speeding, they wouldn’t interfere with me. In fact, they would vanish on the road in front of me. If the person were driving slowly, I’d simply pass them and watch them vanish in my rear-view mirror. The real problem is the lack of consistency.

Nobody likes inconsistency—and that includes Jesus. He said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)

We could all stand to improve our consistency. We can be more consistent in our treatment of others (James 2:9), our standards of holiness (Titus 1:15), and our building up of God’s family (Hebrews 10:24). This week, let’s all work on making our lives more consistent with our calling. Let’s be more believable believers!

To the men who are considering volunteering, I urge you to bathe this decision in prayer, seek good council, and be willing to stand up and take this wonderful responsibility. The future of this church is in your hands.

To the men, women, and children who will be serving alongside these men, let me tell you that they need encouragement. Elijah had down days. Moses grew weary. Jesus wept. Our leaders are no different. They need your encouragement. A healthy church is full of encouragers. As important as knowledge is, love matters more. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up!” (1 Corinthians 8:1)

Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” William Arthur Ward said, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me, and I may be forced to love you!”

I really like this one: “Remember, man does not live on bread alone; sometimes he needs a little buttering up!”

We need to be encouragers. Today, encourage the next generation of this church’s leadership. In a few months, encourage them as they settle into the task of shepherding this flock. Your honest and loving words will make an eternal difference.

If you take the more conservative number and multiply it across a person’s average lifespan, you get somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 million words spoken! An average novel holds a measly .07 million words. By the end of your life, your daily speech accounts for the equivalent of writing 2,800 novels!

I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that all those words aren’t getting published. James says the tongue is restless, a dangerous evil (James 2). It’s like a serpent, waiting to strike. Based on these numbers, it has plenty of opportunities.

We should remember that what comes out of the mouth reveals what is inside the heart (Matthew 15:11). What would the novels of our lives reveal? Books of gossip, slander, anger, complaining, and hate? Or are our words “seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6) or are they just useless, idle chatter?

I’m not sure I’d like to see what the volumes of the words of my life would contain. I can’t do anything about the books I’ve already written, but I can improve the next chapter. Consider these words of Proverbs 10:8, “The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.”

Was Thursday, April 15th a taxing day for you? Millions of Americans dutifully filed through post offices and financial offices to complete at the last minute their obligation to Uncle Sam. I’m not sure that anybody would label April 15th as one of their favorite days of the year!

As frustrating as government waste, spending, and thus, taxation is to me, I have to remember that God has chosen to work through governments, and they “bear not the sword in vain!” (Romans 13:4). Christians are subjects of a different kingdom, citizens of heaven. What are we to do with this mess here on earth?

Christians should be good citizens. We should be good neighbors. We should be good employees and employers. We should stand for righteousness and cry out against injustice. We should give real help to the poor and hurting—dollars and sense. We should declare that there is good news in a “kingdom not of this world!”

At the same time, we remember Jesus’ words when we fill out our 1040s: give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, to God what is God’s. The second half of that phrase is vitally important: are we giving God his due? Uncle Sam will come find us if we shortchange him. God’s evaluation of our lives doesn’t come in the form of an audit with penalties. Do we worship him in spirit and truth? Do we serve him with enthusiasm? Do we build up his body, the church, at every opportunity? In the end, what we do for Caesar matters far less than what we do for God.

You know how the story ends—the runt of the litter, little David is selected to be the next king of Israel. By the power of God he is the conqueror of giants and kingdoms. Were it not for God’s heart-piercing gaze, Samuel would never have given him the time of day.

It’s easy to dismiss people as useless or worthless or less valuable—but this story serves as a cautionary tale. We can’t see inside the hearts of those around us. Only God can see the result of his plan.

Gideon was called as he was hiding in a winepress. Abraham was called in old age. David was anointed while the current king still sat on his throne. Jonah preached repentance after his time in the belly of a fish. I promise you that God can work in your life. Have you invited him in?

Frankly, these objections don’t matter. If Jesus rose from the dead, nothing else matters at all! If Jesus rose from the dead, he is every bit of who he says he is. He is Lord; he is the Messiah. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He’s the purchaser of grace, and he will be the judge of the world.

We need to latch on to this truth. The resurrection of Jesus changes everything. It reduces death to an empty threat. It provides eternal perspective to those who grieve. It shapes our ethics and our values. The cross becomes our identity, the empty tomb, our power.

I challenge you, this week, read the stories in the gospels of the resurrection of Jesus. Imagine what the disciples felt—fear, when Jesus was arrested; dread, when he was condemned; despair, when he gave up his spirit; and finally, uncontainable, uncontrollable, indescribable delight when they saw their Lord again. Let’s recapture their enthusiasm for our risen Lord!

Families aren’t built with Lego bricks or new sweaters. Most kisses do not begin (or end) with Kay Jewelers. A new Kia (that’s free if it snows) or Lexus with a ribbon is not a “life changer.”  Budweiser doesn’t make you happy, sexy, or smart. Moments that are truly priceless never show on the statement of your MasterCard.

Families are built with time, love, discipline, and commitment. You may express love with a gift this winter, but your daily actions convey the true feelings of your heart. Do you love your kids? Tell them every day! Do you appreciate your spouse? Make sure she knows in words and deeds, every day. Has a friend been there for you? Tell him what it meant to you. Are you grateful to God for the blessing of life? Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere!

Micah asked a great question that I’ll paraphrase: With what can I come before God? Can I thank him with 10,000 rivers of oil? Can I praise him with all of my possessions? Sure, but what God really wants is this: do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with him. (See Micah 6:6-8)

What Christmas gift do you bring to the one who gave his Son for you? The only gift fitting is your heart and your life. That’s how you show what really matters, this time of the year, or any time of the year.

I’ve heard a lot of confessions made at church over the years. Most of them go something like this: “I’ve not been the Christian I should be. I’ve struggled and let folks down. Please pray for me.” There’s nothing wrong with this confession, but it’s not really confessing much. There’s not a single Christian who couldn’t make that confession. None of us are always the Christians we should be. All of us struggle. Everyone fails somebody sometime—and we certainly all need prayer!

I suggest this week that you confess something—something real, something meaningful, to someone you know and love. I suggest you then confess to God.

In New York City a few years ago an art student created a project that sparked great public interest. It’s called Post Secret. People were given addressed post cards with a blank backside—and asked to share a secret that nobody else knew. The results have been incredible—so much that several books have now been published containing these revealed secrets. People have confessed almost everything: fears, dreams, hopes, abuses, crimes, and psychoses! People were thrilled at an opportunity to get something off their chests.

The thing that saddens me most about these books is that these confessions were made to no one. They were made to an uncaring public, to a book publisher. There is no support for the individual.  There is no relationship. There is no forgiveness.

That’s not how Christian confession works; it is an immensely personal experience. It is humbling and pride-crushing. It is a key element to salvation and it is necessary for Christian fellowship. See what passages like  Romans 10:9-10 and 1 John 1:9-10 can do, lived in your life this week.

• Church: noun. An assembly of Christians. Never used to describe a building, a location, or a set of beliefs; always used to describe the people. We want to be the church (the assembly) of Christ! (See Matthew 16:18, 18:17, Acts 11:22, Ephesians 5:23, et al)
• Bible: noun. The authoritative, inspired holy book for Christians. Its name means book – and it is a book of books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. It rests on the greatest evidence of any book of antiquity, and is the only book that is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.” (Hebrews 4:12) See also 2 Timothy 3:16.
• Worship: verb. To offer praise and demonstrate admiration for God. Comes from an ancient phrase meaning either to serve or to blow kisses. Worship is an act of love and humility that must be offered from a sincere heart in a way that honors the will of the worshipped one. Worship should belong to God alone. It can be done informally through action in our lives and formally as we pray, sing, give, study scripture, evangelize, encourage one another, or partake of the Lord’s Supper. Worship s a dominant activity of Heaven. See John 4:24, Mark 7:7, and Colossians 2:18.
• Baptize: verb. To immerse. In the Bible the term always refers to a complete envelopment, a burial. It is the transformational process in which a believer signifies a “death” to his old way of life and experiences forgiveness of sins and receives the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ promised comforter (Acts 2:38). It is undertaken by those who are willing to live in the grace of Jesus—those old enough to believe, repent, and confess. It is the process by which man comes into contact with the blood of Jesus, and thus—it saves us through him. See 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 8, and Romans 6:1-12.
• Hope: noun. Eager anticipation; desire and expectation. Hope is not wishy-washy; it is a solid anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:19). Christians have hope because we look forward to the return of Jesus, and we are certain that it will happen. Hope does not disappoint (Romans 5:5).
• Burns Church of Christ: You won’t find this exact phrase in your Bible, but we believe that you will find it described. It is an assembly of Christians who gather regularly to worship God and encourage each other. They trust the Bible as our sure guide to understanding Jesus and his desire for us. We are not perfect—anything but—but we are made right with God though the blood of Jesus—and that gives us hope. Join us this Sunday and find out more!