Friday, October 29, 2010
Calender Reading
It is futile to wish for a long life, and then give so little care to living well. T. aKempis
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Christ Raised - The Symbol For Christianity
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures...I Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV
Suffering Growth
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
II Corinthians 1:1-11 NIV
Experiencing trials and suffering can help us grow and minister to others. For example, in 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 we read three good things that God can bring out of suffering. First, is that we can learn to comfort others.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (vv. 3-4).
Anyone who has gone through a heartbreak, a time of loneli¬ness, or a period of great pain and had been comforted by God is able to comfort those who go through a similar trial. There is a mutual understanding and a real compassion that allows one to better help and minister to someone during a dark and hard time in their life.
A second thing we learn is not to trust in ourselves but in God who can see us through our difficulties. In verses II Corinthians 1: 8-9 we read that the apostle Paul was "burdened beyond measure, above strength, ... that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead."
It seems that we are often inclined to try to go through life in our strength as long as we can, and often never learn the lesson of dependency on God until we are forced to-until we are taken beyond our ability to cope and learn that we need God's strength. In the midst of trials we learn that we can depend on God as we lean on him and go through the difficult times with His presence and strength.
Third, we can learn to give thanks in all things because of God's mercy and grace. In verse 11 Paul writes, "you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many." The apostle Paul thanked the Corinthian believers for praying for him when he was in such difficulty. In our trials and pain, we learn that we need God and we need others, and can be thankful when we experience how important they all are to our lives.
Taken From Max Anders
To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
II Corinthians 1:1-11 NIV
Experiencing trials and suffering can help us grow and minister to others. For example, in 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 we read three good things that God can bring out of suffering. First, is that we can learn to comfort others.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (vv. 3-4).
Anyone who has gone through a heartbreak, a time of loneli¬ness, or a period of great pain and had been comforted by God is able to comfort those who go through a similar trial. There is a mutual understanding and a real compassion that allows one to better help and minister to someone during a dark and hard time in their life.
A second thing we learn is not to trust in ourselves but in God who can see us through our difficulties. In verses II Corinthians 1: 8-9 we read that the apostle Paul was "burdened beyond measure, above strength, ... that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead."
It seems that we are often inclined to try to go through life in our strength as long as we can, and often never learn the lesson of dependency on God until we are forced to-until we are taken beyond our ability to cope and learn that we need God's strength. In the midst of trials we learn that we can depend on God as we lean on him and go through the difficult times with His presence and strength.
Third, we can learn to give thanks in all things because of God's mercy and grace. In verse 11 Paul writes, "you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many." The apostle Paul thanked the Corinthian believers for praying for him when he was in such difficulty. In our trials and pain, we learn that we need God and we need others, and can be thankful when we experience how important they all are to our lives.
Taken From Max Anders
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Some Leadership Thoughts
I met with a friend last week and we discussed numerous topics and went away encouraged as men and as leaders. Below is some of the discussion.The negative happens, the positive has to be created.
What is the next good thing coming around the corner?
Leaders create better tomorrows. - Bob Dale
Be aware and careful that your passion does not create a threatening environment, but instead a positive influence.
Determine your destination, chart the course, go there.
When processing clutter or feeling overwhelmed keep in mind and act on this - It is never as big on paper as it is your mind. Another words, write things out and think a little more clearly.
When sharing in person a difficult and very important thought with people in your organization it is fair, smart and helpful to write it out and read it to the group.
Leaders build morale and focus on mission, but you cannot do both at the same time. - Bob Dale
The Lord Is Near
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all...
Psalm 34:18-19
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all...
Psalm 34:18-19
Monday, October 18, 2010
Life And Leadership Adages
Heard and learned these years ago.
If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.
If we keep doing what we have done we will keep getting what we got.
Determine where you want to arrive, chart the course, and go there.
Change can happen.
Leaders create better tomorrows.
Today's choices determine our future and our history.
If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.
If we keep doing what we have done we will keep getting what we got.
Determine where you want to arrive, chart the course, and go there.
Change can happen.
Leaders create better tomorrows.
Today's choices determine our future and our history.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Financial Ministry Team Meeting
The HCC Financial Ministry Team and the Ministry Leadership Team members met together this morning for 3.5 hours so that we could look ahead, plan ahead and discuss what we want to see happen in people's lives as we seek to be good stewards of the financial gifts given to God via HCC. The individuals on these two teams are good thinkers, wise planners and seek to honor God as we see HCC lead people to become totally committed followers of Jesus Christ. We are off to a good start and look forward to completing the Financial Ministry Operation Plan for 2011 and mailing it to all HCC members and regular attenders for their prayers, input and approval as we move forward and seek to make disciples.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The Great Sub
The essence of sin is we human beings substituting ourselves for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for us. We ... put ourselves where only God deserves to be; God ... puts himself where we deserve to be. John Stott
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
12th Grade Prayer
God give me the strength and wisdom so I may help others who may need it. AmenJason Reed, A senior at WBHS.
Faith
Faith came singing into my room
and other guests took flight.
Grief, anxiety, fear and gloom,
Sped out into the night.
and other guests took flight.
Grief, anxiety, fear and gloom,
Sped out into the night.
The Christian Gospel
The Christian gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued and that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. It undermines both swaggering and sniveling. I cannot feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone. I do not think more of myself nor less of myself. Instead, I think of myself less.
The Reason For God, Timothy Keller
The Reason For God, Timothy Keller
Jesus Christ
Jesus is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is He the best of several ways; He is the only way. A.W. Tozer
Monday, October 11, 2010
Help One Another
A friend of mine took the picture below. He and I, and four others took a little hike to a summit and as we were hiking up we were assigned a rock to carry. The rock represented a burden. A personal burden, a family burden, and a ministry/work related burden. We walked in silence as we offered the burdens to God. Each of us had to carry every one's rock for part of the trek up the mountain. Upon reaching the top and looking out over a beautiful bluff we built the little altar to God, took the Lord's Supper and were encouraged to offer our concerns to God and help one another. I want to encourage you to offer your concerns to God and give and receive help. Do not go it alone. Take a moment. Give the worries on your mind and heart to God. Call someone this eve and give them an encouraging word. Be ready to receive help and give help.
Jesus
God appeared not with trumpets sounding and the hoofbeats of horses, not with great armies at His command, but in the person of Jesus who had nothing. When He was born, He was born in a borrowed manger - a feeding trough. When He rode into town in Jerusalem in fulfillment of Scripture, He rode on a borrowed donkey. And when He was buried, He was buried in a borrowed tomb. He was a true radical with His message for the poor. He kicked over the tables of the money changers in the Temple, signaling that the old system of sacrifice associated with the Temple was now out of business. He was not a white Anglo-Saxon, so commonly pictured in the West; He was an olive skinned Semite born in the Middle East - a man for all seasons, a suffering servant, not ashamed to call the despised His brothers and sisters, nor to bear the sins we keep secret.
The Faith, Charles Colson and Harold Ficket
The Faith, Charles Colson and Harold Ficket
Friday, October 08, 2010
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Quotes about The Bible
Another century and there will not be a Bible on earth! --Voltaire
Voltaire expected that within fifty years of his lifetime there would not be one Bible in the world. His house is now a distribution center for Bibles in many languages. --Corrie Ten Boom
Reading the Bible without meditating on it is like trying to eat without swallowing. --Anonymous
Voltaire expected that within fifty years of his lifetime there would not be one Bible in the world. His house is now a distribution center for Bibles in many languages. --Corrie Ten Boom
Reading the Bible without meditating on it is like trying to eat without swallowing. --Anonymous
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
The Word Of God
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
II Pete 1:20-21
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David...
Acts 4:25
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
II Pete 1:20-21
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David...
Acts 4:25
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Calendar Reading
A smile is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and an antidote for trouble.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Joy
JOY
Came across this while preparing the message for the Tailgate Party Worship Experience. This is GOOD STUFF. We are going to have some fun. Keyword JOY in http://www.biblegateway.com/
Put Your Heart Into It
So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. Nehemiah 4:6
..with all their heart. That is how we should approach our day and our work. It is no easy task, yet it can be done. Put your heart into it. We do not like people to do something for us at work in a half mannered way and we should not do things at work in a half mannered way. Put thought, effort, sweat, and heart into your work.
..with all their heart. That is how we should approach our day and our work. It is no easy task, yet it can be done. Put your heart into it. We do not like people to do something for us at work in a half mannered way and we should not do things at work in a half mannered way. Put thought, effort, sweat, and heart into your work.
Philippians 4:4-8 - Read It Everyday This Week
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
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Dave Ramsey on the Financial Situation in America Randy Forbes on the Bailout
