Connection Class News

2009-09-28T06:35:00.000-04:00

For October

04 - Schmidtner, Spencer, Lee

11 - Burris, Haire, Slaiughter

18 - Whitfield, White, Alspaugh

25 - Barringer, O'Hair, Gay

Refreshment List

2009-08-08T13:42:00.004-04:00

For September:

06 - Gay, Field, Alspaugh

13 - Huneycutt, Whitfield, Hinshaw

20 - Huntley, Rushian, Meisky

27 - Cumbee, Viers, Cranford

Much Needed Rest!

2009-08-02T11:43:00.002-04:00

Thank you guys for all of your kind words...and for your understanding while Julia and I take some time off this summer. We are getting our engines tuned back up and will be back in the race soon. In the meantime, if there is anything we can do for you, please let us know.

You Need Power

2009-05-27T18:49:00.002-04:00

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
05-27-2009

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

D.L. Moody was a shoe salesman until God moved him into a full-time preaching ministry, often in the streets of Chicago. There came a point in his journey with God that he realized he needed more in his life than what he was experiencing. "At the close of the Sabbath evening services I remember two holy women they would say to me, 'We have been praying for you.' I said, 'Why don't you pray for the people?' They answered, 'You need power.'

'I need power?' I said to myself. Why, I thought I had power. I had a large Sabbath school and the largest congregation in Chicago. I was in a sense satisfied. But then came these two godly women who prayed for me, and their earnest talk about "the anointing for special service" set me thinking. I asked them to come and talk with me, and we got down on our knees. They poured out their hearts, that I might receive the anointing of the Holy Ghost. And there came a great hunger into my soul. I knew not what it was. I began to cry as I never did before. The hunger increased. I really felt that I did no want to live any longer if I could not have this power for service. I kept on crying all the time that God would fill me with His Spirit. Well, one day, in the city of New York - Oh, what a day! I cannot describe it; I seldom refer to it; it is almost too sacred an experience to me. Paul had an experience that he never spoke for fourteen years. I can only say, God revealed Himself to me, and I had such an experience of His love that I had to ask Him to say His hand.

I went to preaching again. The sermons were no different; I did not present any new truths, and yet hundreds were converted. I would not be placed back where I was before that blessed experience if you would gave me all Glasgow.*

Noah's Building Plan

2009-04-27T05:40:00.002-04:00

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Monday, April 27 2009

"Noah did everything just as God commanded him" (Gen 6:22).

When God chooses to do something on the earth He uses a man or woman to accomplish it. It is a partnership that is very one sided. God got the worst part of the deal.

God got to a very bad place with the human race. He decided to start over. He was going wipe out the entire population and begin afresh. He chose one man to place His entire strategy around. Can you imagine that? God placed His entire plan around one man. Why? Because He could trust him. The Bible says Noah did everything just as God commanded him. He didn't argue with God. He didn't take short cuts. He listened and he obeyed.

Who was this man Noah? "Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God" (Gen 6:9-10). When it came time to execute God's plan, He chose Noah to build a big boat. However, Noah had no idea what a boat was or how to build one. So, God told him how to build it. He gave him the dimensions; the height, width, space requirements - everything he needed to complete the task.

God will instruct us in performing our work too. God is in partnership with us in our working life. He has given us the tools, the creativity, and the drive to accomplish what He placed us on earth to do. That partnership requires us to listen to our senior partner though because He knows the exact way our project is to be done. And when you follow His direction that project will be excellent in every way.

"Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: 'I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go'" (Isaiah 48:17).

Do you need God to show you how to succeed in your call? Ask for His wisdom and understanding. God says he will give it generously (James 1:5).

Live as Though You're Dead

2009-03-30T18:49:00.002-04:00

"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Rom 6:11-12).

"How will I know when I am going to come out of my adversity pit?" said the woman sitting across from me. "When it doesn't matter anymore," I replied. It brought back memories, when I also sat across from a mentor who said to me, "The only problem you have Os is you are not dead yet. You need a good funeral." He was talking about my carnal flesh life.

When Joseph was elevated to be ruler over the entire kingdom of Egypt after years of slavery and imprisonment, my guess is that it didn't really matter that much to him. He thought he was going to get out of prison years earlier when he successfully interpreted the cupbearers dream only to remain there two more years. "Why should this situation prove any different?" he must have thought to himself.

I believe Joseph had come to a place with God where he resigned himself to remain wherever God had chosen to keep him. He had become dead to his circumstances. It does not mean we can't have a longing for better days, but there is a Godly contentment that allows us to remain in any condition with a peace that passes all understanding.

The Bible says we are to live as though we are dead. This does not mean we do not have emotions or dreams. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them (Mark 14:34). That sounds like anxiety to me, yet we know Jesus never sinned. So, we can conclude that we can have concerns and emotions without crossing over into sin. God has given us His Spirit to allow us to operate inside the storms of life without sinning.

Place your faith today into the hands of the One who can calm any storm in life.

The Black Hole

2009-03-26T18:53:00.003-04:00

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

On February 20, 1962, at 9:47 A.M., the spacecraft Friendship 7 rose on a pillar of fire, piloted by lone astronaut John Glenn. Leaving the coast of Florida far behind, the space capsule orbited the earth three times, traveling 81,000 miles in less than four hours. As the craft began its descent from space, mission controllers in Houston received a warning signal. A sensor indicated that the capsule's heat shield was in danger of detaching. If the heat shield came loose during reentry, the capsule would burn like a meteor--and John Glenn would die.

Because radio waves cannot penetrate plasma, the spacecraft experienced a total communications blackout--what astronauts and mission controllers call a "black hole".

The minutes crawled by and the suspense mounted in the Houston control room. NASA engineers felt totally helpless. Finally, after five minutes of silence, mission controllers heard Glenn's voice crackling over the radio: "Friendship 7 to Houston?"

Shouts of joy shook the control room. John Glenn was coming home. Although neither Glenn nor the mission controllers knew it at the time, the heat shield was absolutely firm and reliable. The fears for John Glenn's safety during his black hole experience were unfounded.

If you've ever been through a major crisis, you probably know what a communications "black hole" feels like. While you are in the pit of adversity, you feel that your world is collapsing, that your life is out of control--and that God is silent. The silence of a black hole is deafening. You feel isolated and alone. You question God's love, His care for you, and even His existence.

But even when it seems that God is distant and silent, your "heat shield" is still there, firm and reliable. In your black hole experience, God is teaching you to go deeper into your relationship with Him. You may think that your life is out of control and burning like a meteor, but in reality God, your heat shield, still protects you from the fiery forces that surround you.

Procrastination - Attitude's Natural Assassin

2009-03-24T05:50:00.002-04:00

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step."
~Chinese Proverb

True...but that pesky first step can be a killer, can't it! I love Will Rogers' quote, "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." So many times we have great intentions. We're going to read a good book, write out our five year life plan, start a new business, lose weight. But for some reason, we can't quite get around to taking that first step.

We're all guilty of procrastinating. But here's the thing. Procrastinating when something is important, when it's something you know you should do, can drain your energy and you won't even know it.

"Procrastination is attitude's natural assassin. There's nothing so fatiguing as an uncompleted task."

This quote by William James is worth its weight in gold. There are times when I have difficulty setting aside blocks of time to write. I know I should be doing it. In fact, I even love doing it (once I get started), but...here we go...back to that pesky first step.

When I need a "nudge," I visualize just how good I'm going to feel about myself when I finish. I know I'll feel energized. I also know I'll feel proud that I did something I didn't want to do.

So make a point to find something that works for you when you need a nudge to get started.

What is your "Goliath"?

2009-03-09T18:56:00.005-04:00

King Saul thought Goliath was too big to fight - David thought he was too big to miss.

The University of Adversity

2009-03-04T06:15:00.002-05:00

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:12-13).

I've observed a principle: The pathway to leadership almost always takes us through the valley of adversity. We see this principle not only in the story of Joseph, who endured thirteen years of adversity, but also in the lives of many other leaders in both the Old and New Testament.

Moses was raised in the royal splendor of Pharaoh's household in Egypt, but he was forced to flee and spend 40 years in desert exile before God spoke from a burning bush and called him to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery. Joshua spent the years of his youth as a slave in Egypt and his middle-aged years wandering in the desert at Moses' side. He was well acquainted with adversity when God called him to lead Israel's armies in the conquest of Canaan. The prophet Daniel was thrown into a den of hungry lions before he could reach a place of power and influence in the Babylonian courts. And we see this same pattern played out in the lives of David, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea and other Old Testament leaders.

Turning to the New Testament, we see that even Jesus had to face adversity in the desert, suffering hunger, thirst, temptation and opposition from Satan. Only then could He begin His public ministry. The Lord's disciples had to endure the loss of their Master, the failure of their own faith and character, and the dark days of despair between the cross and the empty tomb before they could become the founding leaders of the Lord's church.

It's hard to find anyone in Christian history who became a great leader without earning an advanced degree at the "University of Adversity."

But Master

2009-02-25T06:13:00.001-05:00

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, February 25 2009

Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5).

Have you ever argued with God? One of the first sermons Jesus ever gave was from a boat. It was Simon Peter's boat. Jesus used a businessman's business to preach the Gospel. However, Peter had to first make his business available to the Master. When he did, something wonderful happened to his business.

You see, Peter's fishing business was in a slump. They had just fished all night and caught nothing. Nevertheless, Peter made his boat available to Jesus to use as He wished. Jesus used it to preach to the multitudes. After Jesus used Peter's boat for His purposes Jesus did something interesting for Peter. He blessed his business. However, Peter almost missed the blessing because he began to argue with Jesus. Peter was looking at the market conditions instead of the instruction of Jesus. Something inside of him made him reconsider Jesus' instruction. Jesus rewarded his obedience. "When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink?" (Luke 5:6-7).

We see a number of Kingdom principles we can apply in our work lives in this story. 1) We must be willing to let God use our work life for His purposes. 2) We must not look at circumstances and argue with Jesus when His instruction seems to contradict what we have seen or experienced already. 3) We must obey the Lord.

When we obey the Lord we might just see Jesus use us for His glory and bless our obedience.

God Needs Your Donkey

2009-02-20T05:42:00.002-05:00

God Has Need of Your Donkey
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Friday, February 20 2009

"Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them" (Matt 21:2-3).

In Bible times, donkeys were a primary means for distributing goods and services. They represented commerce in the scriptures. Jesus told the disciples He had need of someone's donkey to ride into Jerusalem, the religious and spiritual center of their society. It would become known as Jesus' triumphal entry.

My wife, Angie and I were attending a Christian business conference in Singapore. It was the night before I was to speak a second time when I was prompted to add a teaching segment on the above passage of scripture.

I am sure the disciples must have been uneasy with their master's request to untie a perfect stranger's donkey and take it. After all, He was asking them to take what was the equivalent to a man's "truck." And men love their trucks! Jesus was illustrating that He wanted to use that man's donkey, or that which represented their work, to bring glory to the Father.

The next morning Angie and I went to breakfast. While we were eating, a lady named Maggie joined us. Maggie was from Malaysia and was an intercessor for the conference. She fasted 40 days in preparation for the event. "So, Maggie, has the Lord spoken to you about this conference?" I said. "Oh yes," she said, very excitedly. On September 17 the Lord said that the Singapore business people needed to give their donkeys to the Lord." Angie and I looked at one another in amazement. God was confirming His Word to me from the night before.

That day the focus of our conference became the need for the Singapore business people to "give their donkeys" to the Lord.

Friend, have you ever dedicated your work life to the Lord? Today, why not commit your donkey to the Lord. He will use it to bring glory to Himself and fulfill your life more than you could ever imagine.

The Difference Between Winning and Losing

2009-02-20T05:26:00.002-05:00

“To get what you've never had, you must do what you've never done.”

Understanding this short quote can be the difference between winning or losing; between greatness or mediocrity. It captures the essence of discipline.

Don't Forget to Eat Your Frog!

2009-02-03T18:36:00.002-05:00

There's an old saying that says...

"If the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning is eat a live frog, then nothing worse can happen for the rest of the day!"

Brian Tracy says that your "frog" should be the most difficult item on your things to do list, the one you're most likely to procrastinate; because, if you eat that first, it'll give you energy and momentum for the rest of the day. But, if you don't...and let him sit there on the plate and stare at you while you do a hundred unimportant things, it can drain your energy and you won't even know it.

Something to think about.

But I'm Just a Bag Boy!

2009-01-31T08:38:00.003-05:00

"The greatest among you will be your servant" (Matt 23:11).

Ken Blanchard, the author of the One Minute Manager, once shared a story about what can happen when individuals in a company model servant leadership, no matter where they are on the totem pole.

A business consultant was training more than 3000 employees of a mid-western grocery chain to approach their jobs with a goal of creating a memory for their customers. She stated that "this is what will distinguish your store from all others."

Johnny was a 19-year old bag boy that had down-syndrome. His first response to the consultant's suggestion was "I'm just a 'bag boy.'" Nevertheless, he went home and shared what the consultant said with his mother. They began to ponder the consultant's words about how he could create a memory for his customers. Johnny had a habit of collecting inspirational thoughts that he would often read. He decided he would begin printing these sayings and place one in each of the bags of his customers. When customers came through the line he would place the sayings in their bag and say, "I've included some of my favorite sayings in your bag in hopes it will encourage you today. Thanks for shopping with us."

After just a few weeks, an amazing thing began to happen. One day the store manager noticed that all the customers were lined up at only one cashier station when there were other stations open. He began to panic, thinking the other stations were broken. After further investigation he found this was not the case. Actually, customers wanted to come through Johnny's line in order to get his saying of the day.

One woman came up to the manager and said, "I used to come to the store only once a week, but now I come everyday!" Johnny's example spread to other departments in the store. The florist began giving a flower to each florist customer. The meat department put Snoopy stickers on each meat order with a special greeting. This one act by a bag boy changed the entire climate of the store.*

How can you create a memory for someone in your workplace today? Jesus was all about creating memories.

From: TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman; Saturday, January 31 2009

It's a Super Party!

2009-01-26T14:53:00.005-05:00

Mark your calendars for a Super Duper (Super Bowl) party.

Where: The REFUGE

When: Sunday, Feb. 1 at 6:15 p.m (following Life U. and SHARE)

What: Pizza, hot wings, and drinks will be provided. Bring a favorite dessert or appetitizer (your family PLUS one!).

Admission: A can of soup or other canned goods to donate to Open Door Ministries.

Lydia - the First European Convert

2009-01-18T07:28:00.002-05:00

Here is what tradition teaches that Lydia looked like.

The Place of Lydia's Baptism

2009-01-18T07:23:00.002-05:00

Here is the spot where Paul baptized Lydia, the first European convert.

A Simple Fool's Prayer

2009-01-17T07:59:00.003-05:00

Lord, let me be a simple fool, not a hardened fool. Though I make many mistakes in life, I want to learn from those mistakes. I want to improve; to do what is right. As the Bible says, to be a "simple fool." Please never let me become a hardened fool who does not listen or learn from mistakes. I pray for your guidance, direction, and wisdom each and every day. Thank you for hearing me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A Goal-Oriented Spiritual Life

2009-01-02T12:09:00.004-05:00

Paul concludes his spiritual exhortation in 1 Corinthians 9 with a challenge to Christians to have a goal-oriented spiritual life (see verses 24-27). It is pretty evident that Paul is advocating a purposeful, goal-oriented spiritual life. He focuses on this quality of the athletes of the Ithsmian Games. He says this is the way he lives his life - doing the things calculated to win (disciplined training schedule; efficiency in effort)- but for different goals and for a different prize. And he directly calls on the Corinthian Christians (and us) to imitate him in this area.

Yet, like the Corinthians, many of us struggle in this area. Most of us have goals for other areas of our lives (economic; educational; family; recreational), but it is relatively rare to meet Christians who can articulate clear spiritual goals. Some even protest that it is unspiritual to be goal-oriented in your walk with Christ, as though the Spirit-led life is completely spontaneous. This is an important area which we need to explore in depth.

But is this an isolated passage that can be written off as a neurotic fit by Paul? When we survey the Bible on this subject, we find an amazing amount of material. We can distill this material into the following theses:

1. God is goal-oriented. (Jn. 5:17; Eph. 1:10)
2. Goal-orientation is part of being made in God's image. (Gen 2:15)
3. Eternal life will include goal-oriented activity. (Lk. 19:17)
4. Jesus and other biblical models were spiritually goal-oriented. (Lk. 13:32; Jn. 17:4; 1 Cor. 9:26,27; Phil. 3:13,14; 2 Tim. 4:7,8)
5. God exhorts all Christians to be spiritually goal-oriented. (1 Cor. 9:24,25; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; 1 Pet. 3:15; Heb. 10:24,25)

Thus, all Christians should have clear spiritual goals, and these goals should be the most important goals in our lives! This is a non-optional component of a spiritually healthy life. You can see from many of these passages that there is a close connection between spiritual goal-orientation and motivation and fulfillment in your Christian life. This is a big reason why so many Christians are unmotivated in their walks. If you want your relationship with God to be motivating, it has to be making progress, accomplishing something.

But how do I do this? I plan to teach this Sunday on the topic of Christian Goal Setting. Come and be with us as we explore this timely topic.

May It Be

2008-12-24T07:21:00.002-05:00

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her (Luke 1:38).

Have you ever had a boss come to you and give you an assignment which had rules never before used? Not only were the rules different, he was asking you to agree to them not knowing the outcome or impact it would have on your life. That must have been the way Mary, the mother of Jesus felt.

God was about to do something so extraordinary that it required a face to face meeting with the subject, Mary, and his key angel, Gabriel. What God was about to do was so foreign that it needed detailed explanation.

Mary had been handpicked to give birth to the Christ-child. Can you imagine!? However, in order to do so she was going to be pregnant while yet unmarried, something totally taboo in her culture. In fact, women were stoned to death if found to be fornicators. So, when Mary heard the assignment and responded by saying, "May it be," this tells us what a courageous woman of faith she must have been.

She did not understand the implications of what she was about to do. However, she placed her total trust in God and knew that if God chose her for such an assignment, she could trust the outcome to Him. She would even have to trust the explanation to Joseph, who was not going to understand. In fact, when he discovered Mary was pregnant, he immediately considered divorce proceedings.

However, when God saw Joseph's response, He sent an angel to explain the situation through a dream. I am sure the time between her telling him and his dream must have been difficult to explain. She did not know God was going to solve the problem. This is another example of her faith and courage. I would imagine most women might have responded to the angel like this, "I won?t do it unless you tell my husband!"

Do you have an assignment from God that seems impossible on the front end? Is God calling you to trust Him for the outcome? Take a lesson from Mary and release the outcome to God.

Rules of Thumb

2008-12-20T08:52:00.003-05:00

Here are a few "rules of thumb" to keep in mind:

1. If you ask a negative question, you will get a negative answer.
2. For every day you spend in the hospital, plan on one week to recuperate.
3. All putts break toward the water, even on greens that appear perfectly flat (because all greens are contoured for drainage).
4. You are wealthy enough to give some money to worthy causes when you can buy all the groceries you need.

One Solitary Life

2008-12-16T06:09:00.002-05:00

If you've never read "One Solitary Life" or it's been a while, click here to see an inspiring clip.

Trials and Pain

2008-12-15T06:05:00.002-05:00

"The devil, things and people being what they are, it is necessary for God to use the hammer, the file and the furnace in His holy work of preparing a saint for true sainthood. It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply". - A.W. Tozer

Santa Clause -vs- Jesus

2008-12-04T19:51:00.003-05:00

Santa Claus lives at the North Pole; Jesus is at the right hand of God.
Santa Claus rides in a sleigh; Jesus walks on water.
Santa Claus comes but once a year; Jesus is an ever present help.
Santa Claus fills your stockings with goodies; Jesus supplies all your needs.
Santa Claus comes down your chimney uninvited; Jesus comes into your heart only if invited.
Santa Claus lets you sit on his lap; Jesus lets you rest in His arms.
Santa Claus doesn’t know your name. He has to ask. Jesus knew your name before we did. He knows where we live, our history, our future, and how many hairs are on our heads.
You have to wait in line to see Santa Claus; Jesus is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa Claus has a bowl full of jelly; Jesus has a heart full of love.
All Santa Claus can offer is HO, HO, HO; Jesus offers Hope.
Santa Claus says, “You better not cry;” Jesus says, “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.”
Santa’s little helpers make toys; Jesus makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa Claus is a “jolly, old elf;” Jesus is the King of Kings.
Santa Claus may make you chuckle; Jesus gives you joy that is your strength.
Santa Claus puts gifts under your tree; Jesus became our gift and died on a tree.

Giving Thanks in Difficult Times

2008-11-27T09:33:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving comes at a difficult time this year. Our economy is imploding. Stocks are down and anxiety is up. Citigroup, one of the largest companies in the world, lost sixty percent of its value in one week. The American auto industry is closing plant after plant. The Big Three automakers are begging Congress for a bailout. Small businesses are shutting their doors left and right, and consumer confidence is dangerously low. In this atmosphere, it is easy to despair or bemoan our state, but, during this one day of the year specifically centered on giving thanks, we should take the opportunity to gain perspective on the important things in life and to be thankful for what we have.

Many Americans have lost their homes or their jobs. Many others are struggling to afford gas or groceries. These times are not easy for anyone, but we should not despair. Our lives are not defined by how much we own or where we live. Our worth is not dependent on our material possessions. Our relationship to God and to our fellow man is what really defines us. God, family, and community always remain, despite our financial difficulties. These are the things for which we should give thanks.

There is a temptation to worry obsessively about our financial plight. But this temptation betrays too great a reliance on self. God knows our needs and He cares for us. The Gospel of Luke assures us that God cares for the birds of the air, the lilies, and the grass of the field and that we are more valuable to Him than they (Luke 12). He assures us that he will provide for us if we will but seek his kingdom. In good times and bad, he exhorts us to place our confidence not in ourselves but in him. We, of course, have a duty to make wise, careful decisions, but we will not add "a single hour" to our lives by worrying. (Luke 12:25 NIV) We have better things to do with our energy. Worry helps no one and harms our souls.

It is hard to imagine now, but this economic downturn may ultimately be a boon to our society. Perhaps we will relearn the virtues of saving more than we spend, of denying ourselves material wants we can't afford, of spending more time with family, community, and church. For years, maybe decades, our holidays have been dominated by consumerism—epitomized by the "Black Friday" shopping extravaganza after Thanksgiving. Faith, family, and friends were often lost in the hustle and bustle of decorating, shopping, and holiday planning. Our goals and sense of worth are too often centered on material gain: we want to retire by 65, we want to buy a vacation house, we want to get a new TV, etc. We spend so much time trying to achieve these ends that we miss out on the more important things in life.

We are tempted to worry as our mutual funds and retirement accounts dwindle. Many people approaching retirement age are watching their savings disappear before their eyes. They will have to work many years longer than they originally planned in order to stay afloat. This is an incredibly difficult time for those who place all of their hopes in their retirement, waiting until 65 to "really live." But for those who keep life in perspective, the draining of retirement accounts and the shrinking of mutual funds is difficult but not debilitating. This crisis presents us with a choice: either focus on the difficult times and spend the next several years worried and depressed, or work hard, tighten our belts, and find joy in the truly important things in life.

The Apostle Paul instructs us, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:16-18 NIV) This admonition came from a man who suffered far more difficulties than most of us will likely ever face. A man of great influence who was held in high esteem, he was brought low and suffered persecution and imprisonment for his faith in Christ. Paul was a man who knew what it was to be in need and to have plenty; nevertheless, he declared that he had "learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Phil. 4:12 NIV) His secret? "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13 NIV)

Paul's secret can be our secret, too. Recognizing God's providence and his care for us will enable us to give thanks, even in difficult times.

Ken Connor, Copyright © 2008 Salem Web Network. All Rights Reserved.

A New Thing

2008-11-27T09:26:00.002-05:00

When God calls you into a new endeavor you will find that God will anoint you in areas you considered your weakest traits. God turns shepherds like Moses into leaders of nations. He turns farmers like Gideon into reformers. He turns impetuous and unstable personalities like Peter into leaders that can transform a culture and lead a movement.

Whenever God does a new thing in a life, those who knew them before notice the change. Quiet people become bold. Poor speakers learn to become great communicators. Those who were never leaders before become the new leaders. This is the way of God.

When God looks at an individual, He looks at their future, not their past. He is always looking at the person He has created you to become, not the person you are now. When Samuel anointed the young shepherd boy, David, to be the next king of Israel, it would be years before this would happen. However, God already knew who he was to become.

How does God view your life? What is the destiny He has chosen you to fulfill?

Consider This

2008-11-19T06:17:00.000-05:00

Too many people expect God to work through them when they don't even let Him work in them.

The Power of Focus

2008-11-18T05:57:00.002-05:00

"No stream or gas drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined." - Harry E. Fosdick

Obedience = Safety

2008-11-17T06:08:00.001-05:00

To be entirely safe from the devil's snares the man of God must be completely obedient to the Word of the Lord. The driver on the highway is safe, not when he reads the signs but when he obeys them. - A.W. Tozer

Thanksgiving Dinner Outreach

2008-11-11T05:49:00.003-05:00

PLEASE NOTE: If you are preparing food, do not use pork (i.e., ham, bacon, etc.) in anything you cook. Thanks.

Our connection class will be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner the evening of Nov. 15 in the fellowship
hall. Our invited guests are approximately 10-15 Iraqi families. Michael will speak about the history and meaning of Thanksgiving and the class will offer tips and training on various basic life skills that may be new or unfamiliar to the Iraqi families. We plan to take the youngsters to the Refuge to watch part of the HPCA Cougar basketball tournament.

If you can speak Arabic, or if you have a heart for people, or you just want to help, please contact Hap O'Hair at 669-4743 or by email at hapohair@crescentford.com.

Thanksgiving's Origins

2008-11-10T10:52:00.001-05:00

The Pilgrims left Plymouth, England, on September 6, 1620. Their destination? The New World. Although filled with uncertainty and peril, it offered both civil and religious liberty.

For over two months, the 102 passengers braved the harsh elements of a vast storm-tossed sea. Finally, with firm purpose and a reliance on Divine Providence, the cry of "Land!" was heard.

Arriving in Massachusetts in late November, the Pilgrims sought a suitable landing place. On December 11, just before disembarking at Plymouth Rock, they signed the "Mayflower Compact" - America's first document of civil government and the first to introduce self-government.

After a prayer service, the Pilgrims began building hasty shelters. However, unprepared for the starvation and sickness of a harsh New England winter, nearly half died before spring. Yet, persevering in prayer, and assisted by helpful Indians, they reaped a bountiful harvest the following summer.

The grateful Pilgrims then declared a three-day feast, starting on December 13, 1621, to thank God and to celebrate with their Indian friends. While this was not the first Thanksgiving in America (thanksgiving services were held in Virginia as early as 1607), it was America's first Thanksgiving Festival.

Pilgrim Edward Winslow described the Pilgrims' Thanksgiving in these words:

"Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor sent four men on fowling [bird hunting] so that we might, after a special manner, rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as... served the company almost a week... Many of the Indians [came] amongst us and... their greatest King, Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted; and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought... And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet BY THE GOODNESS OF GOD WE ARE... FAR FROM WANT."

In 1789, following a proclamation issued by President George Washington, America celebrated its first Day of Thanksgiving to God under its new constitution. That same year, the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which President Washington was a member, announced that the first Thursday in November would become its regular day for giving thanks, "unless another day be appointed by the civil authorities." Yet, despite these early national proclamations, official Thanksgiving observances usually occurred only at the State level.

Much of the credit for the adoption of a later ANNUAL national Thanksgiving Day may be attributed to Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale, the editor of Godey's Lady's Book. For thirty years, she promoted the idea of a national Thanksgiving Day, contacting President after President until President Abraham Lincoln responded in 1863 by setting aside the last Thursday of November as a national Day of Thanksgiving. Over the next seventy-five years, Presidents followed Lincoln's precedent, annually declaring a national Thanksgiving Day. Then, in 1941, Congress permanently established the fourth Thursday of each November as a national holiday.

Lincoln's original 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation came - spiritually speaking - at a pivotal point in his life. During the first week of July of that year, the Battle of Gettysburg occurred, resulting in the loss of some 60,000 American lives. Four months later in November, Lincoln delivered his famous "Gettsysburg Address." It was while Lincoln was walking among the thousands of graves there at Gettysburg that he committed his life to Christ. As he explained to a friend:

When I left Springfield [to assume the Presidency] I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ.

As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving each year, we hope they will retain the original gratefulness to God displayed by the Pilgrims and many other founding fathers , and remember that it is to those early and courageous Pilgrims that they owe not only the traditional Thanksgiving holiday but also the concepts of self-government, the "hard-work" ethic, self-reliant communities, and devout religious faith.

I'm not ready!

2008-11-08T07:55:00.003-05:00

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'" (2 Cor 12:9).

If there is one thing that is consistent throughout scripture, it is this: God calls people when they are not ready. God will never call you into service when you think you are ready. This is intentional on God's part.

And, you can be sure when God calls you, you will have similar responses as Saul did when he was called to be the first king, or Gideon, when he was called to take down the idols in his nation, or Moses, when he was called to deliver his people from Egypt.

Saul answered, "But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?" (1 Sam 9:21).
"But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family" (Judg 6:15).
But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Ex 3:11).

When God calls, you will most likely be in the most unlikely circumstances to receive that call. You will be in the midst of a crisis, you will lack resources, you will not have the skills you think you need. This too is the way of God.

God does this because He wants you to know your call is only based on His ability, not yours. When you think it is based on you, this is a false humility. And, it is unbelief and disobedience on your part.

Has God called you to something you have failed to do because you felt you were not ready? Repent before the Lord and let God accomplish great things through you.

Thanksgiving Dinner Outreach

2008-10-19T07:45:00.003-04:00

Our connection class will be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner the evening of Nov. 15 in the fellowship hall. Our invited guests are approximately 10-15 Iraqi families. Michael will speak about the history and meaning of Thanksgiving and the class will offer tips and training on various basic life skills that may be new or unfamiliar to the Iraqi families. We plan to take the youngsters to the Refuge to watch part of the HPCA Cougar basketball tournament.

If you can speak Arabic, or if you have a heart for people, or you just want to help, please contact Hap O'Hair at 669-4743 or by email at hapohair@crescentford.com.

Truth in the Inward Parts

2008-10-12T07:54:00.002-04:00

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Sunday, October 12 2008

"Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place" (Ps 51:6).

History reveals that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the Sherlock Holmes popular mystery series once played a practical joke on 12 respected and well-known men he knew. He sent out 12 telegrams with the same message on each: "Flee at once. All is discovered." Within 24 hours, they had all left the country!

Each of these men obviously had something to hide. Suddenly, though only in jest, the cover had been pulled away to reveal their true nature - and they fled. Such a lifestyle is not a legacy you want to leave behind.*

In 1923, the most powerful men of the day ruled the world of money:

Charles Schwab, president of the largest steel company in America.

Samuel Insull, president of the largest utility company.

Howard Hopson, president of the largest gas company.

Arthur Cutten, the great wheat speculator.

Richard Whitney, president of the New York Stock Exchange.

Albert Fall, Secretary of Interior in President Harding's cabinet.

Jesse Livermore, the great "bear" on Wall Street.

Ivan Krueger, head of the world's greatest monopoly.

Leon Fraser, president of the Bank of International Settlements.

These men were "movers and shakers," the kind many people envy and wish to be like. Yet something went terribly wrong with these men's lives. Twenty-five years later:

Charles Schwab, went bankrupt.

Samuel Insull, died in foreign land penniless and a fugitive from justice.

Howard Hopson was insane.

Arthur Cutten, was insolvent and died abroad.

Richard Whitney had just been released from Sing-Sing prison.

Albert Fall had just been pardoned from prison and died at home, broke.

Jesse Livermore committed suicide.

Ivan Krueger committed suicide.

Leon Fraser committed suicide.

Something went wrong during the process of their lives. It began in the inner man. Truth in the inner man is where the integrity battles are won or lost.

Pray that God allows you to live a life of integrity and honesty before the Lord.

Don't Forget the Party!

2008-09-28T07:44:00.003-04:00

Mark your calendars for Oct. 11 when we will be having a Sunday School Social at the Baptist Children's Home in Thomasville - RAIN OR SHINE! (In case of rain, we will have it in the Fellowship Hall at the church.) Date: October 11 Time: 5:30 p.m. Cost: $7.00 per family Bring: Side dish or Dessert Directions can be found by clicking here: Baptist Children's Home Directions

Adversity: Catalyst to a Call

2008-09-27T10:06:00.002-04:00

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
09-27-2008

"Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything" (Acts 9:8-9).

It's hard to find anyone in Christian history who became a great leader without earning an advanced degree in adversity.

To look at John Wesley (1703- 1791), you wouldn't have thought of him as a great Christian leader. He was just over five feet tall and skeletally thin. In his early years, he suffered greatly from feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and a morbid fear of death. Though he didn't understand the Christian gospel, he devoted himself to doing good works for the poor in an effort to earn his way to heaven. While in his early thirties, he sailed to America to do missionary work among the American Indians.

While crossing the Atlantic, Wesley's ship passed through a violent storm that broke the main mast off its base and nearly sank the ship. As the waves crashed over the ship, Wesley huddled in terror, knowing he didn't have peace with God. He survived the storm, and continued to struggle in his relationship with God for several more years.

Finally, back in London, he attended a meeting on Aldersgate Street, where he heard a preacher say that salvation comes by faith in Christ alone. At that point, he said, "I felt my heart strangely warmed."

Soon after that, Wesley began preaching the gospel. His fifty-two-year preaching ministry became the foundation of the modern evangelical movement. But it never would have happened if John Wesley had not been tossed on the stormy seas of adversity.

Adversity is often God's manure for spiritual callings.

It Only Takes One Person!

2008-09-23T05:26:00.001-04:00

Staying the Course
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, September 23 2008

"Then the angel of the LORD ordered Gad to tell David to go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. So David went up in obedience to the word that Gad had spoken in the name of the LORD" (1 Chron 21:18-19).

In 1857, an American businessman named Jeremiah Lanphier was sent out by his local church to begin a noon-day prayer meeting on Fulton Street, right around the corner from Wall Street in New York City. A simple prayer, a willing heart, and an act of obedience resulted in city transformation throughout the United States.

However, at that very first meeting, no one showed up in the first 35 minutes. But Jeremiah waited. Gradually, six people wandered into the room at 35 minutes past the hour. Six months later, 10,000 people were meeting for prayer throughout New York City. This led to one of the greatest spiritual renewals in the United State's history.

What would have happened if Lanphier had decided to abandon the idea after 30 minutes?

In a small, darkened room, in the back of one of New York City's lesser churches, a man prayed alone. His request of God was simple, but earth-shattering: "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" He was a man approaching midlife, without a wife or family, but he had financial means. He had made a decision to reject the "success syndrome" that drove the city's businessmen and bankers. God used this businessman to turn New York City's commercial empire on its head. He began a businessmen's prayer meeting on September 23, 1857.
The meetings began slowly, but within a few months 20 noonday meetings were convening daily throughout the city. Thousands met to pray because one man stepped out. This was an extraordinary move of God through one man.*

It only takes one man or woman who is willing to be obedient to be used by God to impact a workplace, city, or even an entire nation. Simple obedience can lead to things you cannot imagine. Are you willing to be used by God?

Prayer Time...

2008-09-18T05:43:00.001-04:00

Dear God, Are there any areas in my life that have not come under the lordship of Christ? Is there any lack of obedience that will prevent me from being used fully by you? God, please search me, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me. Please lead me in the way everlasting (based on Psalm 139:23-34). I praise you and lift you up, for you are God Almighty. In Jesus' name I thank You. Amen.

It's a Party

2008-09-15T10:05:00.007-04:00

Mark your calendars for Oct. 11 when we will be having a Sunday School Social at the Baptist Children's Home in Thomasville - RAIN OR SHINE! (In case of rain, we will have it in the Fellowship Hall at the church.)

Date: October 11
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $7.00 per family
Bring: Side dish or Dessert

Directions can be found by clicking here: Baptist Children's Home Directions

Look Up!

2008-09-06T09:41:00.003-04:00

THE BUZZARD:

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

THE BAT:
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble
Creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like flash!

THE BUMBLEBEE:
A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there
until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE:
In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up!

Sorrow looks back…Worry looks around…But faith looks up!

Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and trust in our Creator who loves us.

Memories About Mother

2008-08-26T08:44:00.003-04:00

"The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for 30 years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found." (Calvin Trillin)

Thoughts on the Subject of Death

2008-08-25T16:42:00.002-04:00

Every man must do two things alone: he must do his own believing and his own dying.

Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because dawn has come.

If you live wrong, you can't die right.

Death guarantees the sinner's penalty and the saint's promotion.

A will is a dead giveaway.

It's Time to Vote

2008-08-19T05:30:00.002-04:00

MSNBC has a poll on their website asking the following question: Should “In God We Trust” be removed from our US currency? Let’s make sure the media and others know that we want this to remain. http://www.msn bc.msn.com/id/10103521/

Roots and Fruit

2008-08-13T05:45:00.002-04:00

I don’t know much about gardening, but I do know this: If you want something to grow and produce fruit, you have to leave it in one spot long enough for it to put down roots.

It seems the principle would also apply to people. Won’t we be most fruitful if we’re allowed to establish “roots” somewhere?

Yet all around me, people are being torn up and replanted in some fashion. One couple I know recently went through a particularly difficult relocation. Another friend is struggling to process a series of unexpected career changes. I’ve experienced smaller upheavals caused by a change in living situations and my closest friend moving halfway across the country. I’d like to think that these sorts of uprootings are just part of the season of life my friends and I are in right now. But I’ve witnessed so many of them over the past several years that I’m beginning to suspect they’re the rule more than the exception.

So when my small group discussed Psalm 1 a couple weeks ago, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy for the fruitful tree “planted by streams of water” (v. 3). We could consistently bear fruit too, I thought, if we got to stay planted in one spot for a while.

And then it hit me what this verse, set within a psalm about meditating on God’s law, was saying: Our rootedness comes from being firmly established in God’s Word and our relationship with Him—not in our circumstances. It's a familiar truth, but it has been particularly meaningful to me as I navigate the various uprootings happening around me.

Specifically, I’ve been holding on to three realities:

God's in control. According to Acts 17:26-27, He has determined exactly where I and my friends will live and when. He has a purpose for bringing us to new cities, homes, and jobs.
He is committed to me. Although friends may move away and relationships change, God promises that He will never leave me nor forsake me (Heb. 13:5-6).
He knows what He’s doing. John 15:1-2 assures me that God is a wise gardener who desires for me to bear much fruit for His glory. So although I may not understand why He’s allowing changes and upheavals, I can trust that they are accomplishing His good purposes.

As I ground myself in these truths, the changes don't feel so unsettling. Rather, I know they are helping me grow deeper roots in God.

Are you experiencing uprootings? If so, I encourage you to ask God which truths from His Word He’d like you to sink yourself into. Then you’ll be able to bear fruit no matter what comes your way.

Dianne Bundt

Editor

DJ Online News

God Speaks through Circumstances

2008-08-12T05:55:00.002-04:00

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, August 12 2008

"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things" (Eccl 11:5).

God will often use circumstances in our lives to direct us in making and confirming decisions. I have often discovered this to be the case - but only after a situation has occurred. I later look back and see how God worked in the situation.

Years ago, I launched a magazine designed for Christians in the workplace and I was having lunch with a Christian leader named Larry who headed a ministry that helps men and women apply biblical principles to managing money.

During our lunch, I explained to Larry that I had noticed that there were many grassroots workplace ministries cropping up all over the country. I asked Larry if he was familiar with some of the groups since he had taught a course and wrote a book on operating a business on biblical principles. But he said he was not. He then asked, "It would be nice to know what all these groups are doing so we don't duplicate efforts. Do you think you could invite some of these groups for a roundtable discussion?" I told him I would and I proceeded to invite four main workplace ministries that I had worked with in the past.

Then something unexpected began to happen. I began to get requests from ministries all around the country that had heard about the gathering and they were asking if they could attend the roundtable. By the time the event actually took place, 54 people showed up representing 45 organizations from around the country! Unfortunately, Larry had a last minute conflict and was not able to attend, and he informed me that I would have to host the meeting myself. That was the birth of Marketplace Leaders, the ministry I now lead full time. I often joke that God tricked me into starting this ministry because He knows I never would have done that on my own at that time.

God often confirms His direction through circumstances. Be on alert that when God sets up situations that are out of your control - He may be giving you direction through these circumstances.

The Cost of Salvation

2008-08-11T05:56:00.002-04:00

All that salvation costs is what everyone can afford: one's self.

INSIGHT

Coming to the Lord costs a man nothing and, at the same time, costs him everything. The offer is free in that a man need not give anything in exchange for his salvation. "Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price" (v. 1). Yet receiving salvation costs man his life. He no longer has the freedom of self-determination. "Seek the Lord while He may be found . . . Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him" (vv. 6-7). All that it costs is what everyone can give: one's self.

PRAYER

Nothing can exceed the importance of the salvation that the Lord offers us in Christ, and for it, praise Him:
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. . .
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
(1 Chronicles 16: 34, 36).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak;
O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled;
But You, O Lord--how long? (Psalm 6:1-3).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust" (Psalm 91:1-2).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
-- Greater commitment to the Lord
-- The work of specific Christian ministries
-- Whatever else is on your heart

Close with this prayer of praise to the Lord:
"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever. Amen" (Revelation 7:12).

Isaiah 55

August 10

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Waiting on the Lord

2008-08-08T05:53:00.003-04:00

From the August 8 - Quiet Walk Daily Devotional

Isaiah 40

The Lord gives strength to those who wait on Him.

INSIGHT

God has given us the Christian family as a picture of the relationship between Him and His children. We are given earthly fathers, that we might more fully understand our heavenly Father. Just as an earthly father takes no delight in disciplining his children, so our heavenly Father takes no delight in disciplining His children. Hear the tenderness in these words: "Comfort, yes, comfort My people!" (v. 1). God tenderly loves us and takes no pleasure in our pain, although He desires our spiritual growth as a result.

PRAYER

Since the earthly family pictures the heavenly family, praise the Lord that He is your heavenly Father:
He is the Rock, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He (Deuteronomy 32:4).

"The Lord lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let God be exalted,
The Rock of my salvation! (2 Samuel 22:47).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
David's heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly" (2 Samuel 24:10).

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13).

Make your requests known to God, and include:
-- Greater wisdom for living life
-- Needs of your immediate family
-- Those you know who are suffering

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen (Jude 24-25).

When Someone Let's You Down

2008-08-02T08:02:00.002-04:00

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica" (2 Tim 4:9-10).

Adversity molded the apostle Paul into the greatest warrior for Christ the world has ever known. But there were times when adversity and disappointment took its toll on this rugged warrior. We can sense Paul's hurt and discouragement near the end of his second letter to Timothy:

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica... At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me... Do your best to get here before winter (4:9-11,14,16,21).

Do you hear the pain in those words? Twice he urges Timothy to come to him. Do you feel his anguish when he twice speaks of being deserted by his friends?

In most of his letters, Paul seems to have an invincible spirit. Yet he was a man who suffered, felt betrayed, and was at times very lonely. However, Paul chose to look at life from a heavenly perspective. That's why he could write:

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body (2 Cor. 4:8-10).

Paul had experienced a level of opposition and suffering that you and I can scarcely imagine. People said they would do things but did not follow through. He could not depend on certain people. Yet he was not crushed, and he refused to give in to despair. He viewed his life as a continual process of dying. His goal was to live in such a way that the life of Jesus would be revealed in his response to adversity.

Beware of placing too much expectation on others. Realize that people will let you down from time to time, but do not let that impact your faith. Trust God to work even through these disappointments.

Surprise, Surprise!

2008-07-16T19:47:00.002-04:00

A recent survey finds that many unchurched would come to church if invited. Thom Ranier writes:

"Over the past four years, I have been privileged to enter a world that I really did not know very well. It is the world of the unchurched. Now, like many Christians, I have interacted with the unchurched, worked with the unchurched, socialized with the unchurched, and witnessed to the unchurched. But I have been a Christian for more than 30 years. I really did not understand the hearts and the mind-sets of the unchurched until recently. For the past two years, my research team and I have been involved in extensive and intensive interaction with the unchurched. We have come with our computers and pre-planned questions, but many times we would just sit back and listen for hours." Read more...

Urgent Prayer Request

2008-07-16T19:40:00.001-04:00

Mutaz got a call from his family this morning that his mother - Miriam Owies - is in CCU at a hospital in Amman, Jordan. She was having chest pains. They have her stabilized now and will do a heart catheterization today with the expectation that they will probably have to do surgery soon. As you can imagine, this is very difficult for Mutaz being so far away. Please be in prayer for Mutaz and the family as they make decisions regarding Miriam's health and the best plan of treatment for her.

Thank you all for your support and prayers.

Mutaz and Jeanne

Update from the Angels

2008-07-14T21:26:00.004-04:00

Dear family and friends,

Angel’s here, have you wondered what’s happened to us? We have spent the last 5 months resettling into our new country. It was a difficult return with many unknowns for us as a family. The Father has guided us and been ever present during our struggles. Words cannot begin to describe the turmoil and lostness we felt as it became evident to us that we were not able to return to our home in Lb. Just at the time when we felt deep despair God made it evident to us, “bloom where your planted”, and our leadership allowed us to stay in the country where we landed upon our return.

God provided a home and schooling for the kids, who will be 11, 10, 6 and 5 by the end of summer. The kids are all adjusting very well and are very content. Oh, by the way baby #5 is on the way and due at the end of October! It’s a girl and we are all very excited!

Joel is teaching English as a second language and is enjoying it alot! Robin spends her days cooking and taking care of the precious ones God has blessed us with. It’s amazing that a new country and new friends isn’t what we would have chosen for ourselves, but it is becoming clearer that He knew it is what we needed. There is very good medical care here for the new babies arrival.

Our main prayer request now is Robin’s pregnancy. She is 24 weeks and has already been in the hospital once with premature contractions. Pray for God to surround her and this baby and for a full-term delivery!!

Hannah and Corrie are in summer camp at a local school. Their Arabic and culture are growing by leaps and bounds. Mercy has a little friend that lives above us that she spends her mornings with and Yusef’s best friends are all the living creatures he finds in our yard.

We will be writing again very soon and sharing more. Shame on us for taking so long. We value each of you and love you very much. Thank you for remembering us!

You can see some recent photos and post comments on our blog at: www.hisoikos.blogspot.com

Blessings and Love!

Joel and Robin Angel, Hannah, Corrie, Yusef, Mercy, Soon...Charity-Noor?

Update from the Miners

2008-07-14T21:21:00.004-04:00

Hope your summer is going well. We have flown through June and have some great posts in our blog.So, check out all the new articles: http://thaigrits.blogspot.com/

Renee and Zach are spending two weeks in July working with World Changers International. They along with 60 others from the US will be doing community projects and sharing with people in our community. Please remember them as they work and serve.

We would love to hear from you and find out what you are doing this summer.

Share the adventure,

Craig, Renee, Zach, Michael, and Nicholas

A Picture of Servant Leadership

2008-07-04T09:10:00.007-04:00

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Friday, July 04 2008

"Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matt 20:26-28).

A rider on horseback, many years ago, came upon a squad of soldiers who were trying to move a heavy piece of timber. A corporal stood by, giving lordly orders to "heave." But the piece of timber was a trifle too heavy for the squad. "Why don't you help them?" asked the quiet man on the horse, addressing the important corporal. "Me? Why, I'm a corporal sir!" Dismounting, the stranger carefully took his place with the soldiers. "Now, all together boys - heave!" he said. And the big piece of timber slid into place. The stranger mounted his horse and addressed the corporal. "The next time you have a piece of timber for your men to handle, corporal, send for the commander-in-chief."

The horseman was George Washington, the first American president. Whenever someone mentions your name does the word "servant" come to their mind? Jesus modeled servant-hood to twelve young men and changed the world. If you want to see others become servants you must model it yourself. George Washington was a great example of a Christian leader who was a great soldier and servant to those he led. No wonder God used this great servant to establish a new nation. Moses was also a great leader of men. The Bible says that Moses was the most humble man on earth. That is why God could use him to lead hundreds of thousands out of slavery into the Promised Land.

Pray that God makes you a great humble servant leader of others.

Car Wash

2008-07-01T18:05:00.005-04:00

Don't forget our upcoming neighborhood outreach. On Saturday, July 12 we will be washing cars for Christ! Grab a bucket, put on your shorts, and join us. For more information, contact Hap O'Hair.

Dead or Alive?

2008-06-26T06:00:00.006-04:00

I recently read an article at ChurchCentral.com in which Bill Easum, a church growth consultant, identified the signs of spiritually dead churches and those which are alive.

According to Easum, spiritually-dead churches:

Have lost their sense of mission to those who have not heard about Jesus Christ and do not pant after the Great Commission;
Exist primarily to provide fellowship for the "members of the club;"
Expect their pastors to focus primarily on ministering to the members' personal spiritual needs;
Design ministry to meet the needs of their members;
Have no idea about the needs of the "stranger outside the gates;"
Are focused more on the past than the future;
Often experience major forms of conflict;
And watch the bottom line of the financial statement more than the number of confessions of faith.

On the other hand, in a spiritually alive church:

The church turns outward in its focus.
Jesus, not the institution, will become the object of our affection.
The Great Commission will become our mandate, and we will measure everything we do by how many new converts we make rather than whether we have a black bottom line.
Membership in the Kingdom will replace membership in the church.
Pastors will cease being chaplains of pastoral care and will become modern-day apostles of Jesus Christ.
And those who try to control the church with an iron fist or intimidate the church at every turn of the road will be shown the door.

To read more, click here.

Disturbing!

2008-06-24T05:54:00.005-04:00

A prayer from Sir Francis Drake, the 16th century English sailor:

"Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves,
when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, when we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to shore.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly to venture on wider seas where storms will show Your mastery; where losing sight of land we shall find stars.

We ask You to push back the horizons of our hopes; we ask You to push in the future in strength, courage, hope, and love."

Making Decisions by Hearing God

2008-06-18T05:43:00.002-04:00

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, June 18 2008

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways" (Isaiah 55:8-9).

God speaks to his children in many varied ways. God has said that his ways are not our ways. If left to our reasoning, we will fail to fully walk in the full counsel of God, which leads to poor decisions.

Thus, our goal is to avoid being deceived and to develop a listening ear that hears the voice of God with confidence. Our goal is to have such intimacy with God that we can walk in the full blessing of our decisions and to be assured they are not based on our own reasoning alone. This does not mean that we do not use the intellectual and logical skills that He has equipped us with.

A.W. Tozer said that the man or woman who is wholly and joyously surrendered to Christ can't make a wrong choice - any choice will be the right one. J. Oswald Sanders explains his method of receiving guidance from God for decisions; "I try to gather all the information and all the facts that are involved in a decision, and then weigh them up and pray over them in the Lord's presence, and trust the Holy Spirit to sway my mind in the direction of God's will. And God generally guides by presenting reasons to my mind for acting in a certain way."

The apostle Paul said, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose (Philippians 2:13). God has equipped us with everything we need to make good decisions. Hearing His voice is the first step toward making right choices in life.

Do you have a decision to make? Submit that decision to the Lord, ask God for clarity. Ask Him to make the desires of your heart the same desires that He has for you in this matter. Await His perfect timing on the matter. Then you can be assured of making the right decisions.

Who is My Neighbor?

2008-06-16T06:31:00.003-04:00

During June and July, the pastor is encouraging each of us to use our home as a tool to be a good neighbor. Here are some suggestions as to how you can act "neighborly."

Green Street's Family Picnic (June 22, 3:30-5:30 p.m.)
Green Street's Night at the Ballpark (July 20, 5:00 p.m.)
Prayer walk your neighborhood.
Neighborhood Family Cookout.
Connection Class Fellowship.
Random Acts of Kindness to a Neighbor.

The Pastor would love to hear your story. Email and tell him your experiences of acting neighboring to pastorsoffice@greenstreet.org.

FORE!

2008-05-31T07:22:00.003-04:00

Starting this Thursday, June 5, there will be a weekly golf fellowship at River Landing@Sandy Ridge. Tee-off is at 5:30. The format changes from week-to-week, but it is a shotgun start. The cost is $12 and covers 9 holes of golf, cart rental, food, and drinks.

Are you Critical?

2008-05-27T05:27:00.008-04:00

Are you a critical person? Let me share a couple of quotes that I recently read:

Criticizing another's garden does not keep the weeds out of your own.
The person who is always finding fault seldom finds anything else.
No one can improve his work by tearing down the work of another.

Something to think about!

Family Picnic - June 22

2008-05-25T07:42:00.003-04:00

Mark your calendars for June 22! Green Street will be hosting a picnic at City Lake Park in Jamestown from 3:30 to 7:30. Be sure to invite friends from your neighborhood. This would be a great way to introduce those friends to your church and to Christ.

Mission Team News

2008-05-07T05:22:00.004-04:00

Hap O'Hair recently sent this out to those who are serving on our Connection Class Mission Team:

"Thank you for joining the Mission Team. We are glad that you feel led to join in this exciting and rewarding area of ministry. This area is unique in that it involves us reaching out to people outside of our GSBC family.

There are four areas of mission work that we will concentrate on: Emailing our GSBC missionary families, Local Missions, US Missions and Foreign Missions. Even though you may not be interested in traveling to another part of the US or to another part of the world, you are welcome to serve in an organizational capacity in any and all areas. We feel that anyone can contribute by Praying, Emailing, Giving and/or Going.

Our first goal is to get the Email Ministry operating so please let us know if any of you feel led to manage this area. This person(s) would manage the Missionary Email schedule and remind people of their commitment week. We plan to send a Missionary Email sign-up sheet around the class this Sunday (5/11) to give everyone in the class an opportunity to be involved with this area of our outreach.

We have several local, national and foreign opportunities and events on our radar that we will discuss with you. Also, please let us know if you have information about any upcoming mission opportunities. You can contact us at karen.ohair@amhaire.com or hapohair@crescentford.com or by phone at 885-3987.

Again, welcome and we will be in contact with you in the near future with additional information and opportunities to participate."

We're Moving on May 18!

2008-05-02T05:42:00.004-04:00

The church will be having Senior Day on Sunday, May 18. Due to this, we need to relocate our class to the Youth Room. Please make a note and if you see someone from the class wandering around lost, grab them and bring them with you.

Happy New Year

2008-05-02T05:17:00.005-04:00

Received this from our friends:

Happy New Year!! Sa-wa-dee-bi-mai! Welcome to the year 2552! Not what you expect to happen in April, ringing in the New Year. As we have learned from our experiences here the Thais really like to celebrate certain holidays in a big way. Songkran is the festival for the New Year which happens the second weekend in April each year. Our blog details all the fun we had splashing in the New Year. http://thaigrits.blogspot.com/

Oh by the way, 2552 is how many years it has been since the birth of Gautama Buddha. We really appreciate your support. We enjoy hearing from you and finding out what is going on with you.
Share the adventure,
Craig dcm@northstate.net
Renee dramaqueen4@northstate.net
Zac zac@thaigrits.com
Michael michael@thaigrits.com
Nicholas nicholas@thaigrits.com

Can a City Be Transformed?

2008-04-29T08:43:00.005-04:00

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2

by Os HillmanTuesday, April 29 2008

"All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord." (emphasis mine Acts 9:35).

Can an entire city be transformed for Jesus Christ? The book of Acts reveals that at least one city was. There are four key ingredients required among its Christian leaders to see a city transformed. These include prayer, humility, unity, and knowledge of God's ways.

Prayer

In every city in which transformation has taken place, believers have come together to pray for their city. Prayer changes the spiritual climate of a city. Some of the main areas of influence that must be the focus of our prayers include churches and businesses; the legal, political, educational and medical fields; and the media/entertainment industry. Workplace leaders must be strategically aligned with intercessors to impact their city.

Humility

God uses men and women who recognize that they need each other and who do not seek glory for their work. "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way" (Ps. 25:9). The workplace leaders that God is using today care little about being in the limelight.

Unity

Jesus said, "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:23). God calls each of us individually and corporately to represent Christ to the world, but our independence, pride and egos often prevent us from becoming unified in the purposes of Christ.

Knowledge of God's Ways

Sometimes leaders can move in presumption instead of in a faith that is rooted in knowledge of God's ways. Such was the case of David, who wanted to bring the Ark of the Covenant into the city of Jerusalem. He was zealous for God and celebrated as he brought the Ark into the city. However, the ark was being carried into the city on a cart instead of by priests on poles, as God required. When a man named Uzzah reached out to catch the Ark when the oxen stumbled, he was immediately struck dead by God. David was devastated. He lacked a knowledge of God's ways.

Do you want to see your city transformed? Make sure the three ingredients of prayer, unity and knowledge of God's ways exist in your leadership team.

"Walk for Life" Mission Project Update

2008-04-29T05:58:00.002-04:00

Gaye Foster reports that you guys committed $695.00 this past Sunday for the Pregnancy Care Center "Walk for Life" (our "first" mission project since launching our leadership teams). Way to go guys!

We will give you another opportunity to sign up this coming Sunday. Thanks again.

New Leadership Teams

2008-04-26T07:21:00.003-04:00

I trust that you were excited to learn last week about our new leadership teams and the many things we have planned over the next year. There are seven teams and each of you will have an opportunity to serve. The teams are: Care Group, Fellowship, Ministry Coordination, Outreach, Prayer, and Missions.

If you missed class last week, be sure to come this Sunday as we explain the teams again.

Luncheon & Fellowship is This Sunday!

2008-04-18T06:04:00.003-04:00

Don't Forget! Our Sunday School luncheon is this Sunday, April 20 immediately following Sunday School.

Beware of Unusual Circumstances

2008-04-18T05:59:00.002-04:00

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Friday, April 18 2008

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit?" (1 Cor 12:7-9).

Whenever something unusual happens in daily life, these are often signs that God is up to something. We must have a heightened sense of awareness of what God may want to do in these situations. My mentor once shared how he was upgraded on an airline unexpectedly. A woman sat down next to him who was very troubled. He began to quietly pray for the woman and God gave him supernatural insights that her problem related to the fact that she had not forgiven her mother in a family-related issue. He decided to politely share his insight. The woman was shocked. My mentor began to minister to her on the airplane and ultimately led her to Christ.

God is raising the spiritual bar for Christians who want to impact the world for Christ today. He wants to break through into people's lives supernaturally by giving them insights into the needs of people in order to bring them to Christ.

Jesus often spoke supernaturally into the lives of others based on the circumstance of the moment. He often spoke of their current condition in life and invited them to make a change.

As you go about your day, there are situations that we can find ourselves in that are open doors for bringing Christ into the circumstance. In fact, He is the one orchestrating the circumstance!

Next time an unusual situation develops, be aware that God may be creating such a circumstance to bring His glory into the situation.

Urgent Prayer Request

2008-04-09T07:48:00.004-04:00

Received this from Melissa Norman. Would you take time to pray now?

My brother Raymond was in a serious accident yesterday evening. He was hit by a car while on his bicycle in New York City where he lives with his wife Jen. So far they've determined he has two bleeds under his skull, a broken foot and two fractured ribs. They operated on one of the bleeds overnight and are watching the other one. He's currently in ICU but I don't know the name of the hospital yet and do not have many details right now. My mom and step-dad are on their way up to NYC right now.

Please also pray that this would be the event in Raymond's life that turns him back to Jesus. I spoke with Raymond a few months ago about his relationship with the Lord and although he was baptized as a young boy he told me he felt like he didn't understand what he was doing and didn't know now what he believed. He said he believes that he lives a good enough life that if there is a heaven he will probably go.

Please forward this to anyone who will pray.

Thank you so much.

Lunch & Fellowship in 2 weeks!

2008-04-06T10:36:00.000-04:00

Mark your calendars for April 20 when the Sunday School class will be having a covered-dish luncheon for the entire family immediately following Sunday School. We will be passing sign-up sheets for attendance, collecting the per family charge of $7.50 and having you sign-up for covered dishes, etc. over the next several weeks. Hope you can make it.

News from the Curlees

2008-04-05T06:58:00.002-04:00

Prayer Requests and Praises

Praise God for a wonderful trip to Thailand for our yearly meetings and a chance to reconnect with others.

Praise God for Easter and the ways we were able to share with others about Jesus' resurrection.

Pray for Keith as he prepares for his big language test.

Pray for our family as we have recently felt "under attack" by the enemy in different personal areas. Pray we will be close as a family and not lose focus.

Pray for our House of Blessing church as we change locations for a two month trial period. Pray more people will come to know Jesus through the members of our church.

This month's photo: This photo was taken of one of Levi's classmates. She and Levi are good buddies. She is very dressed up for kindergarten graduation pictures. This is quite a big deal in Taiwan. The students have two days of photos in four different outfits: normal clothes, cap and gown, and two "dress-ups". This girl chose a traditional Chinese chipao (dress). Levi chose a policeman outfit and a ninja outfit.

March/April 2008

Verse of the month: "Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you." II Thessalonians 3:18

Please join us in prayer for the people of Taiwan. Pray that the message of the Lord will spread rapidly among this precious population. Pray that the many strongholds of idol worship, ancestor worship, and fear will be replaced by joy and freedom of knowing the Lord and His love for them.

Yearly meetings in Thailand: In early February, we spent two weeks in Thailand for our yearly meetings. It was a great time of worship, learning, and fellowship with many friends we haven't seen since last year. Milly enjoyed her first year as a "youth." She was able to stay in a suite with other girls her age and enjoy a wonderful program. The boys really loved their classes, too. It was a real treat to be in the warm weather during an unusually cold winter in Taiwan.

House of Blessing Church: Our church has been growing lately! Through some new believers, others have been reached with the gospel, and some previous attendees have been coming again. We have decided to change locations to a larger facility (a middle school) for a two month trial period. We have also started monthly church family nights. Easter Sunday was very special service including singing, drama, lunch fellowship and an Easter egg hunt for the children. We had several first-time visitors, so please pray they will come again.

Language: Keith and Page are still in language school. Page has cut back quite a bit, but still wants to study through a few more books. Keith is preparing for his big language test for the next two months or so - he will have his test on June 10. Wade and Milly have requested to take Chinese tutoring this summer, so we may let them go to our school for one-on-one tutoring for a few weeks this summer.

English at Levi's school: Page has started teaching English on most Fridays at Levi's kindergarten. She rotates to each of the three kindergarten classes for 30 minute lessons. She is hoping to make it through the alphabet by the end of the school year. She also has given each student an English name (not easy to do with 81 students!) With each lesson she tries to plant a seed of the gospel that the students will hopefully carry with them. Please pray Jesus will use these simple phrases to touch their hearts.

Morrison news: Keith found out he will be a full-time math teacher next school year. He will be teaching five math classes. He very well may be teaching Milly in math! We are excited that he will finally be using his gifts in teaching on a consistent basis. The other big Morrison news is that the elementary and middle schools will be torn down this summer to make room for a brand new facility! Classrooms next year will be in trailers as a result

The past few months, several holidays have been celebrated. The following few paragraphs are descriptions of each of these:

Chinese New Year: February 7 marked Chinese New Year. For the Taiwanese this is the equivalent to our Christmas or Thanksgiving holiday where extended family comes together. This year the schools were closed for three weeks. This Is the "Year of the Mouse". Around this time, new clothing is worn, houses are thoroughly cleaned out (to sweep away bad luck and be able to receive good luck), and gifts are given. The most popular gift is a "hong bao" or red envelope containing money. Special foods are eaten during different meals around this important holiday. Religious activities include cleaning out and decorating the family's alter and idols.

Lantern Festival: About two weeks after Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival is celebrated. This time is always a full moon, and there are festivals all over the island. Many lanterns are made and displayed. This year thousands of Mickey Mouse lanterns were made for the kids in honor of the "Year of the Mouse". We had the opportunity to go as a family to one of the festivals. It was quite amazing.

Tomb Sweeping Day: April 5 (actually April 4 due to leap year) is Tomb Sweeping Day. During this day, the kids have a vacation from school, and many offices are closed. The day is set aside to honor ancestors at grave sites. People pray before their ancestors, clean their tombs, and offer food, drink, and paper-made items to them. It is a time for families to spend together on outings and often flying kites..

Curlee Kids Corner: The Curlee kids have had an exciting few months with the trip to Thailand, Hunter's birthday, and a week of spring break. The first photo above was taken of Hunter and Wade in Thailand. They had their faces painted to represent their teams for the children's program (notice they are on opposite teams). The middle photo was taken at the Nine Aboriginal Tribes amusement park during spring break. The kids are posing like totem poles. Other spring break outings we took were bike riding, science museum and visiting a huge department store. The last photo was taken of Hunter at his rock-climbing birthday party. He is eight now!

Thank you for remaining faithful to His work. We are glad that the Lord has partnered us with you to tell the people in Taiwan about Him. Thanks also for all the encouragement you have sent our way. We love to hear from you, so please email us at kpcurlee@pobox.com if you have a chance. Or you can visit our blog at www.kpcurlee.blogspot.com and leave a comment!

The Evangelical Founding Fathers

2008-03-25T13:07:00.003-04:00

Steven Waldman | posted 3/25/2008 08:42AM

Much attention has been paid to the idea that evangelical Christians are, politically, in motion. Only 29 percent of "Born Again" Christians now say they support Republicans, compared to 62 percent in 2004, according to Barna Research. Among those who participated in the Republican primaries, many went for John McCain, who once called certain Christian leaders "agents of intolerance." Large numbers of younger evangelicals are stressing issues like the environment and poverty, and, as Christianity Today readers know better than most, a new generation of evangelical leaders have emphasized different styles and modes of worship.

But while many Christians re-assess current alliances, practices and beliefs, one characteristic seems so far relatively unchanged: their sense of history. A recent Beliefnet survey found that more than 70 percent of conservative evangelicals believe the Constitution created a Christian state. Whether it's prayer in school or the Ten Commandments in a court house, many evangelicals still believe that being a good Christian means advocating for a stronger government role in promoting religion.

I'd like to respectfully suggest that the important dialogue ongoing within the evangelical community today would be enriched if it were to more boldly re-examine its historical roots, too. What it would find is that evangelicals of the founding era had very different attitudes toward the separation of church and state than many of their modern counterparts. In fact, we would not have religious freedom or separation of church and state without a key alliance between heroic evangelicals and James Madison and Thomas Jefferson.

For instance, in 1784, Virginia's leading politician, Patrick Henry, proposed taxing citizens to sustain and support churches. This was a liberal bill, as these things went. The proceeds of the "assessment" could benefit any church, not just the dominant church. But a young James Madison opposed the idea — which he called an "establishment" — on the grounds that it would, by entangling the state with the church, actually harm religion. Madison eventually won, in large part because of support from of Virginia's evangelical Baptists. Even though tax support was non-coercive and could directly benefit the Baptists, one Baptist petition stated that the measure "Departed from the Spirit of the Gospel and from the bill of Rights." Responding to the argument that the assessment would help battle the spread of heretical views like Deism, the petition declared that virtuous religions would win in a marketplace of faith: "Let their Doctrines be scriptural and their lives Holy, then shall Religion beam forth as the sun and Deism shall be put to open shame."

The Baptists further argued that Henry's approach ignored an important lesson of Christian history, that the greatest flowering of Christianity occurs without government support. During its first few hundred years, Christianity was oppressed and yet "the Excellent Purity of its Precepts and the unblamable behaviour of its Ministers made its way thro all opposition," one petition declared. After Constantine endorsed Christianity, persecution subsided but "how soon was the Church Over run with Error and Immorality." Another Baptist treatise projected how seemingly beneficial government support could lead to constraint: because money would be collected through the tax system, the "Sheriffs, County Courts and public Treasury are all to be employed in the management of money levied for the express purpose of supporting Teachers of the Christian Religion." In all, some 28 counties sent in petitions arguing that that the Gospel required rejection of the assessment.

This alliance between evangelicals and Madison and Jefferson reappeared at critical junctures. When Madison ran for Congress in the first elections, against the charismatic war hero James Monroe, it was the evangelical Baptists who rallied to him because his support for separation of church and state. It was the evangelicals who prodded Madison into proposing a Bill of Rights that guaranteed religious freedom and limited the government role with religion.

The most pungent illustration of the alliance rolled toward the White House on New Year's Day in 1802. Standing at the door of the new presidential mansion in Washington City, President Thomas Jefferson saw two horses pulling a dray carrying a 1,235-pound cheese with an inscription: "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God." The cheese was a gift from evangelical activist Rev. John Leland of western Massachusetts — a thank you for Jefferson's support of separation of church and state.

It is commonly assumed that Baptists supported separation of church and state to avoid persecution. That was certainly partly true. The Baptists of Virginia suffered under a wave of persecution around that time. But the evangelical passion for keeping church and state separate had theological roots, too. Christians were to render unto Caesar what was his — the religious and political spheres were meant, by Jesus, to be separate. Just as important, both the Baptists and the philosophers believed in the primacy of individual freedom. For Madison and Jefferson, individual liberty trumped the rights of kings or governments; for evangelicals, an individual's personal relationship with God was more important than church and clerical authority. Let's remember who will provide the final assessment of a life well-lived, John Leland wrote: "If government can answer for individuals at the day of judgment, let men be controlled by it in religious matters; otherwise, let men be free."

If alive today, 18th century evangelicals might well agree with the theological descendents that the nation needs more religion. But they would disagree that requires more state support or advocacy for religion. It was the evangelicals who worked with Madison to shape the true "founding faith," which was not Christianity or secularism. It was religious liberty — a revolutionary formula for promoting faith by leaving it alone.

Steven Waldman, Editor-in-Chief of Beliefnet.com, is the author of Founding Faith: Providence, Politics and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America, published by Random House.

Luncheon & Fellowship - April 20

2008-03-24T09:04:00.004-04:00

The Cost of Unbelief

2008-03-12T05:28:00.003-04:00

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, March 12 2008

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Heb 11:5-6).

How is your faith quotient? On a scale of 1 to 10 where would you rank yourself? Everyday, I marvel at the faith most of us exercise without even thinking about it.

We drive our cars 60-70 miles per hour with an oncoming car doing the same with only a white line and six to eight feet separating us. We place our faith that every car will not cross into our lane. We fly on airplanes that take us over oceans, trusting the pilots with our very lives. We ride on thrilling amusement rides that take us several stories into the air and travel fifty to seventy miles per hour down a winding slope. We trust the operators of that ride with our own mortality.

There is a great irony in the fact that we can place our faith in such things but cannot place our faith in the hands of our Creator. God got angry with one of his priests named Zechariah when he questioned his angelic messenger about his wife becoming pregnant with John the Baptist.

"Zechariah asked the angel, 'How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.' The angel answered, 'I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time'" (Luke 1:8-20).

Zechariah was struck mute because of his unbelief for nine months until the birth of John the Baptist. What consequence have you suffered from a lack of faith? Jesus is always looking for faith on the earth. Is there an area in your life where you have not been able to trust God? Why not repent of your unbelief and place your faith totally in His hands today.

The Comfort Zone: Stepping Out to do Extraordinary Things

2008-03-03T16:11:00.003-05:00

In light of Pastor Darryl's vision before the church, I thought this was a most timely and interesting article from Monday Morning Insight.

I love it when I hear of churches and organizations that are stepping out in faith to achieve things that most people would think were impossible. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve found numerous examples of people jumping way out of the ‘comfort zone’ to attempt huge things for the Kingdom. Here are just a couple that come to mind.

Liberty University recently announced an initiative to plant 500 new churches in the next five years. Imagine… 500 brand new churches, with fresh vitality and fresh vision for reaching a dying world!

In a totally different part of the country, Pastor John Bishop and Living Hope Church in Vancouver, WA recently announced plans to start six brand new campuses ON EASTER. That’s six brand new churches starting in just one Sunday! (Living Hope already maxes out SEVEN weekend services at their main campus). This God-sized vision will become a reality next month… and the result will be many people coming to faith!

What have you done that caused you to step out of your comfort zone lately? I love this quote from Perry Noble: “God couldn’t give a RIP about your comfort–He simply wants you to be obedient…and at times that means facing things head on that scare you and completely take you out of your comfort zone.”

Maybe God has given you a dream that scares you to death. Perhaps you’ve been staying in your comfort zone far too long. Maybe God doesn’t want you to start 500 churches in five years; or six new campuses in one day… but what DOES he want you to do?

Now that’s something to ponder!

The Results Are In!

2008-02-25T18:54:00.012-05:00

This past Sunday, you may recall that I took a survey of the class asking certain questions about sharing your faith. Here are the results:

Question #1 - I

have never shared my faith: 2%
have only occasionally shared my faith: 76%
am always looking for opportunities to share my faith: 22%

Question #2 - I have the most trouble sharing or am most fearful to share with:

family: 36%
friends: 14%
co-workers: 16%
total strangers: 34%

Question #3 - I have the least trouble sharing or am least fearful to share with:

family: 23%
friends: 22%
co-workers: 17%
total strangers: 38%

Question #4 - I believe sharing one's faith is:

optional: 10%
not optional: 83%
is for those with the gift of evangelism: 8%

Question #5 - I have personally:

never openly shared my faith: 8%
never led anyone to the Lord: 44%
led at least one person to the Lord: 48%

What can we take away from this? Here are some of my observations.

Not surprisingly, we have the most trouble sharing with family (36%), but we also seem to have as much trouble sharing with total strangers (34%).
On the other hand, I was somewhat surprised to see that sharing with family is the second easiest group (23%) behind total strangers (38%).
I was encouraged to see that a full 8 in 10 of you (83%) know that sharing your faith IS NOT optional.
I was also encouraged that 48% of you have led at least one person to the Lord - though that leaves 52% who have never led anyone to the Lord.
Finally, and here is what I think is the most telling statistic about why we are not doing a better job at leading others to the Lord - 3 in 4 of us (76%) only occasionally share our faith.

I wonder - do you think there might be a correlation between us not sharing our faith and not leading anyone to the Lord? But of course there is! It is my prayer and hope that when we finish our 4-week series on "Sharing Jesus Without Fear" that this is the one trend we can reverse.

A Helpful Tip!

2008-02-22T11:20:00.003-05:00

Every day, we are bombarded by the temporal value system and "advertising" of the world through the things we see, hear, and read.

Television... Radio... Email... Websites...

Because of these non-stop attempts to get into our wallets and take our attention off what really matters, it is EXTREMELY important that we renew our minds with the eternal value system of God's Word so that each day we regain focus on the important issues of who we are, why we are here, and where we are going.

A very helpful habit is reading affirmations from God's Word each night before going to sleep.

Yes! You Can Share Jesus (and) Without Fear!

2008-02-18T14:45:00.003-05:00

Starting this Sunday, we will be doing a 4 week series entitled "Share Jesus Without Fear". But is that possible? Absolutely! I was recently exposed to Bill Fay's teaching in a seminary class and I must say that it has impacted my life like few things have ever done so before. Why not make plans to be with us for the next four weeks as you too can discover how to positively, absolutely, AND successfully share your faith with friends, family, and associates. Hope to see you staring this Sunday.

Dobson endorses Huckabee

2008-02-08T19:51:00.001-05:00

Mike Huckabee has won the endorsement of one of the most high-profile evangelical leaders in the country.

James Dobson, who heads Focus on the Family, made the endorsement on the same day that Mitt Romney suspended his campaign. Dobson says he had been reluctant to make a primary endorsement, but in a statement says that Romney's decision "changed the political landscape."

Dobson's statement also reiterated his declaration on Super Tuesday that he could not in good conscience vote for John McCain, the frontrunner, because of concerns over the Arizona senator's conservative credentials. He says Huckabee's positions on social issues are "unwavering." Dobson concedes that Huckabee faces "an uphill struggle," but is the best "remaining choice for president."

Other leading evangelicals who have endorsed the former Arkansas governor include Jerry Falwell, Jr., Janet Folger, Dr. Don Wildmon, Tim and Beverly LaHaye, author Jerry Jenkins, publisher Stephen Strang, and three prominent Southern Baptist pastors: Jack Graham, Jerry Vines, and Jimmy Draper.

McCain has won more than 707 nominating delegates, more than half the 1,191 needed to win the nomination. Huckabee has 195.

BARNA: Born Again Voters No Longer Favor Republican Candidates

2008-02-04T06:38:00.001-05:00

One of the most reliable constituencies of the Republican Party in recent years has been born again Christians. Our latest national survey of likely voters, however, shows that the Republican Party has lost the allegiance of many born again voters. The November election is truly up for grabs - and if the election were held today, most born again voters would select the Democratic Party nominee for president, whoever that might be. The study also looks at the preferences of evangelicals, the role of "values voters," and people’s beliefs about whether Mormons are Christians.

>> read the full story

Eat a Hamburger and Give Some Hope!

2008-02-03T14:22:00.001-05:00

On Saturday, Feb. 16, Triad Ladder of HOPE will be holding a fundraiser at Fuddruckers on Wendover Avenue. Simply go to eat from 5:00-9:30 p.m. and a percentage of your total meal will be given to the ministry. Questions? Call Sandra Johnson at 883-2233 (ext. 207).

Little Things Make a Big Difference

2008-01-29T19:47:00.000-05:00

By Zig Ziglar

There's an old saying that "by the mile it's a trial, and by the inch it's a cinch." The reason the saying is old is because it's good, it's valid. If it were not, it would be dead and buried. For 24 years of my adult life, by choice I weighed well over 200 pounds. I say "by choice" because I have never "accidentally" eaten anything, so when I choose to eat too much, I have chosen to weigh too much. Every choice has an end result.

Twenty-two years ago I decided to do something about my weight and physical condition, so I got on an exercise and sensible eating program. Until then my idea of exercise was to fill the tub, take a bath, pull the plug and fight the current - and I know you'll agree that's not much of an exercise program! It took me 10 months to lose the 37 pounds I needed to lose. During that period of time I also wrote my first book, See You At The Top. It is 384 pages long and was the eighth best-selling hardback of the '80s.

Let's explore what I just said. Losing 37 pounds in 10 months meant that I lost an average of 1.9 ounces per day. Writing a 384-page book in 10 months meant that I wrote an average of 1 1/4 pages per day. You raise positive kids in a negative world, build a beautiful relationship with your mate, become a top-performing student, a world-class salesperson, or a top executive or educator not by a few mammoth leaps but by the daily, disciplined application of doing something every day to reach your objectives in life.

Buy that idea, take that approach, and I will SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

Zig Ziglar is a motivator and teacher. He is the author of 26 books and loved by millions of people world wide for his practical wisdom and his gift of hope. In this article he mentions his first book, See You At The Top.

Pro-Family Voter Guide Now Available

2008-01-22T17:55:00.000-05:00

Jeff Johnson - OneNewsNow.com - 1/22/2008 1:00:00 PM

Pastors and other Christian leaders have new resources to help their followers cast informed ballots in the presidential elections this year.

Each election year, Rev. Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State mails letters to churches warning them against any involvement with politics. Buddy Smith with the American Family Association -- a former pastor who received one of those letters -- says Lynn's method may be effective, but his motive is suspect. "We must commend him, to a certain degree, in that he is effective at intimidating some pastors from stepping forward in this arena, really pushing them into a corner of silence," says the AFA spokesman.

That may be about to change, thanks to a new website and a voter guide, both launched in cooperation with the American Family Association (AFA), the parent organization of American Family News. RepairingtheFoundations.com is a news resource for Christian leaders who want to address politics within the boundaries of the law.

"Pastors can find good information [on the website] about what they can and can't do with regard to politics in the church from a pastoral standpoint," says Smith.

In addition to political and legislative guides for pastors and churches, visitors can download a presidential voter guide provided by AFA and compiled by the Florida Family Policy Council. Smith explains that the American Family Association had been looking for a resource to help its supporters cast informed ballots.

"So we took it upon ourselves to go out and find a voter guide that we felt would address some of those key questions that Christians are asking about the presidential candidates on the Republican and on the Democratic side," he shares. "Our good friends at the Florida Family Policy Council -- who are associated with Focus on the Family as one of their state policy councils -- had already done some very good homework and research and produced a voter guide. And, so, they allowed us to take this guide.

"One of the real advantages of this particular voter guide is that it is foot-noted with some links where, online, our supporters can actually find some supporting evidence for the answers that we are providing for these candidates on these various issues," Smith explains, "such as the right-to-life issue, marriage, stem-cell research, gun control, taxes, Iraq withdrawal, and education."

The voter guide and other information is available at RepairingtheFoundations.com. Smith says his organization is sending the voter guide to its supporters prior to their state primary or caucus, encouraging them examine where the candidates stand on the critical issues. He also encourages church leaders to print out the guide and share with their fellow church members.

Please Do, and Please Don't

2008-01-21T18:32:00.000-05:00

Suggestions for encouraging widows.

Miriam Neff | posted 1/18/2008 08:24AM

Apart from the outreach of the church, there are many ways individuals can encourage widows on their journey. But it's often hard to know what to say, for fear of making things worse. So let me offer some "Please do" as well as some "Please do not" suggestions.

1. Please do stay connected. Do not assume we need "space" to grieve. There is already a huge hole in our universe.

2. Please do say you are sorry for our loss. Do not tell us you understand, unless you do from personally experiencing the loss of a spouse. We would rather you tell us you do not know what to say than tell us the story of losing your friend or even close relative. We may be able to listen to your story later, but not now.

3. Please call and ask specific questions, such as "Can we go for a walk together? May I run errands for you? Meet you for coffee?" Do not say, "Call me if you need anything."

4. Please refer to our husband's acts and words, both serious and humorous. We are so comforted by knowing our husband has not been forgotten.

5. Please invite us to anything. We may decline but will appreciate being asked. Do not assume we no longer want to participate in couples events.

6. Please accept that we are where we are. Marriages are brief, long, healthy, dysfunctional, intense, remote. Death comes suddenly or in tiny increments over years. Again, our experiences are so different, as are we. So are our journeys through grief. Do not assume we go through the grief process "by the book."

7. Do say, "I've been thinking of you" rather than make a conversation-only offer, such as "We'll call you, and we'll go out to dinner"—unless you can follow up. We'd love that, too.

No Sunday School!

2008-01-20T07:55:00.000-05:00

There will be no Sunday School this morning. We will be having the 10:45 church service only.

Short Term Mission Opportunity

2008-01-06T19:29:00.000-05:00

Ever thought about taking a missions trip but haven't gotten around to it? Plans are being made now for a short term mission trip to Brazil in May. There will be an informational meeting this coming Saturday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m. If you think you might wish to participate (either as a missionary going, a prayer partner for those who do go, or even a financial contributor), this meeting will equip you with everything you need to make a decision. Why not see how God might have you get involved in Brazil '08?

Attention Men!

2008-01-06T19:21:00.000-05:00

Men's Fraternity re-starts this Thursday, January 10 at 6:00 a.m. We meet in the Fellowship Hall. If you have already attended, you know how meaningful and relevant this time together has already been. If you have not yet attended, you can start this Thursday. Men - why not add to your New Year's resolutions (or make one in the first place) and join other guys just like you for a great time together? Questions? Email Robert Steele.

Connection '08

2008-01-06T19:16:00.000-05:00

Please plan to join us on Saturday, January 12 (this coming Saturday) as Pastor Darryl discusses our small group structure and outreach program. The sessions will be in the REFUGE. Continental breakfast will be from 8:30 - 9:00 and training will be from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. (sharp!). Childcare is availavble. Please R.S.V.P. to Meredith. I hope to see you this coming Saturday.

Finding Your Purpose

2008-01-05T09:05:00.000-05:00

You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something" (Psalm 139: 15). (Msg)

If you are going to discover how God wants to use your life and work, you must know why you were created. If you start trying to determine your purpose in life before understanding why you were created, you will inevitably get hung up on the things you do as the basis for fulfillment in your life, which will only lead to frustration and disappointment.

First and foremost, God created you to know Him and to have an intimate relationship with Him. In fact, God says that if a man is going to boast about anything in life, "boast about this: that he understands and knows me" (Jer. 9:24). Mankind's relationship with God was lost in the Garden when Adam and Eve sinned. Jesus' death on the cross, however, allows us to restore this relationship with God and to have an intimate fellowship with Him. The apostle Paul came to understand this when he said, "I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself" (Phil. 3:10, THE MESSAGE).

Establishing this relationship with God is vital to understanding your purpose. If you don't have this relationship with God, you will seek to fulfill your purpose out of wrong motives; such as fear, insecurity, pride, money, relationships, guilt, or unresolved anger. God's desire is for you to be motivated out of love for Him and to desire to worship Him in all that you do. As you develop your relationship with God, He will begin to reveal His purpose for your life. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord" (Jer. 29:11).

Today, ask God to help you discover your unique purpose.

(from Os Hillman's TGIF devotional)

Keeping up with the Minners

2008-01-03T15:22:00.001-05:00

If you would like to keep up with what's going on with the Minner family, be sure to visit their blog postings at thaigrits.blogspot.com. You can find all sorts of interesting pictures, stories, and posts. And as you think about it, be sure to keep them in your prayers.

New Year's Resolutions

2008-01-01T09:33:00.001-05:00

Are you one of the more than 100 million folks in America who has made New Year's resolutions? It seems like most, if not all, of us are drawn to this annual ritual...and yet it is reported that fewer than 1% of those who make resolutions achieve what they resolve. Perhaps the reason is that our "resolutions" are really no more than "wishes." As we think about 2008 and how it might be different, or better than 2007, let me invite you to consider these resolutions:

Resolve to spend more time with your family.
Resolve to do work that you truly enjoy doing.
Resolve to make a difference in your community.
Resolve to bring Jesus Christ glory and honor with your life.

The God of Time

2007-12-28T05:54:00.000-05:00

By Os Hillman

For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him (Eccl 8:6).

How we use our time is a good indicator of the god we choose to serve. There is a god whose name is "the urgent" that can rule our lives if we are not diligent. The wrong use of time can lead to misery. The right use of time can result in fulfillment.

"You need to take time to turn to God. Do not pray only when you have set aside time to do. The busier you are, the more you must practice turning to God. If you wait until the time is convenient, there is little doubt that you will end up spending little time with God. Try to come before God both in the morning and the evening. Pray during and between all your other jobs as much as you can. You cannot retire too much from the mindless chatter of the world. Learn to steal this time in little snatches, and you will find these moments the most precious part of your day" said Francois de Fenelon, a sixteenth century Christian leader.1

The amount of time we spend with anyone or any activity is a good indicator of the value we place on that person or activity. Time equates to money for some. For others it can be a cruel dictator. It is the physical evidence of what is at the center of our lives.

People can generally make time for what they choose to do; it is not really the lack of available time, but the will to set a priority for the time they have. Time can be the evidence that convicts our soul that our devotion has waned.

What does the evidence of time tell you about yourself? Today, give God the time needed to develop a relationship that is meaningful for both of you.

Staying in Touch

2007-12-27T06:32:00.001-05:00

There is an easy and simple way to stay in touch with what's happening in the Sunday School Class. How? Simply sign-up on Plaxo and join our Sunday School Class group. Sign-up is fast and free. PLUS - there are a lot of neat features that will allow you to keep your contact information with other folks current and continuously up-to-date. Starting in 2008, I plan to communicate important announcements and reminders through this medium. Why not do it now while it's fresh on your mind?

Caroling, Caroling Through the Snow!

2007-12-24T09:38:00.000-05:00

Well, not really...It didn't snow, but 19 of us went caroling in Linda Sowers neighborhood this past Saturday evening. What a great time! Linda put an unbelievable amount of time and effort in preparing for the carolers and in getting the special Christmas stockings ready to give to all of her neighbors (including a "Jesus" video for each home). Linda - we love your heart and the way you allowed Jesus to use you this Christmas Season to share the Good News! (What do you think God might do with that kind of love and heart for one's neighbors?)

I wonder...how are you reaching out to your neighbors to tell them about Jesus and show a little love in His name this Christmas Season?

Thanks from the Curlees

2007-12-22T09:15:00.001-05:00

Please let your SS class know how appreciative we are with the love offering that was taken up. We are really humbled that you guys would do this for us. We have been trying to save for our plane tickets back to the States this summer – so this money will probably go into that fund. Again, thank you and the class for your prayers and your giving. It means more than anyone can imagine.

Merry Christmas from the Minners

2007-12-21T12:54:00.000-05:00

Dear "Gay" Sunday School friends,

Craig and I send our heartfelt thanks for the offering you gave to us. This week has been very busy for us. Know that your gift is a blessing to us.

We have been very busy with Christmas celebrations here. Last week we were invited to a Thai neighborhood party that was put on by a local Thai church. They put these on as an effort to reach out to their community. They wanted us to do a play or something. As we have learned, the Thai (like most everyone) are long on ideas but short on planning ahead. We had been trying to plan something for a couple of months but never could get it to work out. Of course, one of the ladies called us and said, okay, we have it worked out, can you come tomorrow. And by the way, we want you to do a play or something and a craft. Also, like most Asian gatherings it started out for 15 - 20 people and grew to about 60 people. So, Penelope (remember me from the homeless program last year?) told the Christmas story with our house church as the nativity characters. It wasn't quite the same—it’s harder to stay in character when you have to stop after every line for the interpreter to translate.

Today, we had our office Christmas party. It was just like the Sunday School class party, almost. We ate outside. It was 90 degrees but very comfortable, sunny weather--we wore shorts, of course. We had tons of food—both Western and Thai. The usual Western menu--turkey, ham, rolls and lots of desserts. But, we also had a ton of Thai food—Kaoy Soi (pronounced cow soy), Basil Chicken, Curry Chicken, and Mango Sticky Rice.

Okay, so it wasn't exactly like your party but we did do the dirty Santa game. The hot items that were stolen a lot were a little different from yours--Velveeta cheese, dark chocolate m & m’s, and Celadon pottery. We can only get Velveeta cheese through packages from home here, so that gift did get stolen until it was locked. The other items that you would also find stolen around your circle were here too--Starbucks gift cards, Mexican restaurant gift certificates, and other coffee items.

Attached you will find some pictures. One is our family after the party in front of some lovely palm trees around our office. Our office party had about eighty people attending so we broke the dirty Santa into two smaller groups. One of the pictures is of Craig in the circle where he participated. The two Thai women work in our office—they are Rose and Aoy.

Thank you again for your wonderful gift. It will come in handy, especially for groceries for our three hungry boys.

We miss you—please email or call 698-4209.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-21T10:38:00.000-05:00

May your Christmas be filled with worshipful awe at the baby Jesus while you keep in mind that He came not just to be born in the manger, but to die on the cross for you and for me. Be sure to keep Christ in Christmas, but most especially make room for Him in your heart and home this wonderful season.

I have a very special Christmas message planned for this Sunday. Hope you can be there!

How to Become a Stress-free Shopper

2007-12-18T17:39:00.000-05:00

By Dave Ramsey

How many times have you gone into a store with the intention of only buying ONE particular item and you walked out with 5 bags full of everything else under the sun? Did you have a written list when you went in the store? Probably not. "But I had a list in my head," you say. Maybe so, but the final total was a lot larger than you expected, right?

If you're already dreading that exact scenario occurring again in the coming weeks, there's no need to stress. There's still time to prevent it! The following 3 steps will guide you toward being a smarter shopper this season (and throughout the year) and send you home with some money still in your wallet.

Get together a game plan.

It's pretty stupid to head out to the mall or any other store without a game plan. I'm talking a "game plan" as in a budget. Now, I'm not saying that you should carry around a 5-page printed budget as you shop. Just be smart BEFORE you go shopping, and doing so will help you be a smarter shopper.

Write down the specific amount of money you have available to spend on gifts this season. There is no magical dollar amount; it's going to be different for each individual and family. You have to think what's realistic for YOU. Know your limit and stick to it!

Make a list. Check it twice.

By having a list in your head (especially a Christmas gift list), you're just setting yourself up to spend more. Take the time to write down exactly who you want to buy for and exactly what you want to buy. Look over your list multiple times. Give it some serious consideration. By doing so, you will be armed and dangerous with your shopping list and allotted amount of money for each person, and all the extra shiny toys in the stores won't distract you as much.

Flash the cash.

Before you hit the stores, stop by the ATM. Withdraw the specific amount of cash you allotted yourself to spend on Christmas gifts. Now that you have cash in hand, you'll know when it runs out. You'll physically see your limit. When the cash is gone, STOP spending! Do not pull out the plastic!

When you pay with cash, don't be afraid to ask for a deal. Most people don't get deals when they're shopping because they either don't pay with cash or are too afraid to ask! What's the worst thing that could happen? They might say no. Big deal. At least you tried! Sometimes I like to go into stores and just flash a handful of cold, hard cash. The store employees sure do pay attention to me!

Whoever said you had to buy tons and tons of presents for people anyway?! Enjoying gifts and shopping is all fine and dandy, as long as you stay within your own personal financial boundaries. Make a point to not put gifts and pleasing others above more important things in your life - spending time with loved ones, being in control of your money, and getting out of debt.

Dave Ramsey has a nationally syndicated radio show and is the author of several financial planning books. For more information go to www.daveramsey.com.