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

The Symbol For Christianity

Powerful - HOPE

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

The Symbol For Christianity

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.

God Is Near

God is our refuge and our strength; a very present help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

The Symbol For Christianity

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.

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

12th Grade Prayer

God give me the strength and wisdom so I may help others who may need it. Amen
Jason Reed, A senior at WBHS.

The Symbol For Christianity

Faith

Faith came singing into my room
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

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

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.

Joy in Psalms

Joy in Psalms

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

Be Still

Just For A Laugh

This Is The Symbol Of Christianity

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

The Bible Reads Me

I have read many a books, but the Bible reads me. Anonymous

SO TRUE. SO TRUE.

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

Calendar Reading

A smile is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and an antidote for trouble.

Reliabilbty Of The Bible

Textual Evidence For The Reliability Of The Bible

Brief Artcile With Links About The Bible

Psalm 119

For those who are a part of Horizon's Worship Experience. This is the chapter of the month.

Psalm 119

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.

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.

I Believe

Jesus.org

Jesus.org

Spy Rock - Was There On Monday

Spy Rock is a beautiful place in VA. The video above is from Nov. 2008 when I was there with a friend who introduced me to Spy Rock. I was there just this past Monday with some fellow pastors and we had a good time hiking and climbing in the rain. We hiked up a mountain at camp Crossroads on Tuesday and took the Lord's Supper while sitting on top of a bluff. It was awesome. I thank God for opportunities like I had on Monday and Tuesday. I thank God for peers who are good listeners, affirming, and who desire to see people follow Jesus Christ.

In God's Hand

My times are in thy hand:
O God, I wish them there;
My life, my friends, my soul,
I leave entirely in thy care.

Open Door

When one door closes, another opens, but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us. Alexander Graham Bell

Ephesians 3:14-21

A Prayer - Ephesians 1:15-20

15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Grace

It is by grace that you have been made right with God. It is by grace that you are to live in God.

Continue

7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

Worship In The Right Place

Most middle-class Americans tend to worship their work, to work at their play, and to play at their worship. As a result, their meanings and values are distorted. Their relationships disintegrate faster than they can keep them in repair, and their lifestyles resemble a cast of characters in search of a plot. Gordon Dahl

Prayer Thoughts

The great point is to never give up until the answer comes... The great fault of the children of God is, they do not continue in prayer...they do not persevere. If they desire anything for God's glory, they should pray until they get it. George Mueller

Very Very Important

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis

Ephesians 3:14-21 The Message

14-19 My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

20-21 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

Be Strong And Courageous

5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:5-9

Always Wanting More LOL

Delightful Thought - God Is Looking For You

So long as we imagine it is we who have to look for God, we must often lose heart. But it is the other way about - He (God) is looking for us. Simon Tugwell

Desire

"We are made in the image of God; we carry within us the desire for our true life of intimacy and adventure. To say we want less than that is to lie." John Eldredge

Identity

"Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion." Brennan Manning

Ephesians 3:14-20 NLT

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Happy Labor Day

In all labor there is profit, but mere talks leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23

Your Sign From God - Now Go

That You May Know

11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. I John 5:11-13

God's Will - Martina McBride

Soul Lifting

“When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:18-19

Good Book

How To Listen To God

Be Still And Know...

Beach Baptism Bash - Oh Yeah!

Horizon Community Church baptized 6 people at the beach yesterday. The Student Ministry took many adults and students to the beach following the 10:00 AM service and myself and many others joined them later in the day for a Baptism Bash at the beach. What a wonderful time. Prior to the baptism those being baptized, their parents, grandparents and some friends gathered around for introductions, celebration, encouragement and an example of how the baptism would happen when we stepped into the ocean. Waves coming and people being plunged. Good times. Parents baptizing their children, people celebrating, photos being taken and videos being made. It was a Holy partying time. God spoke. People all around us, even the surfers, paused, observed and listened. Those involved with Horizon encouraged each other, met knew people and worshipped God on the beach. May HCC continue to share the hope found in God through Jesus Christ with those all around us and world wide.

God's Will - Hope

Following God

The task Thy wisdom hath assigned
O let me cheerfully fulfil,
In all my works Thy presence find,
And prove Thy good and perfect will.

Thee may I set at my right hand,
Whose eyes my inmost substance see,
And labour on at Thy command,
And offer all my works to Thee.

Give me to bear Thy easy yoke,
And every moment watch and pray,
And still to things eternal look,
And hasten to Thy glorious day

Charles Wesley

God's Will Stated Clearly

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Following God's Will - Control

Abram - Follow God

Following God's Will

Listening To God - Following His Will

GO

Prayer For God's Guidance

“My Lord God I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that my desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

Thomas Merton

Hearing God - Online Article

Hearing God's Voice

God's Will Quote

"God guides us first through his Word, then through our heartfelt desires, then the wise counsel of others, and then our circumstances. At that point we must rely on our own sound judgment… . God gave each of us a brain, and he expects us to put it to good use."

Bruce K. Waltke, Finding the Will of God

The Voice Of God

And he ( Elijah) came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? I Kings 19:9-13

Act

"Do what you know you should do, and you will know what to do. God clarifies in the midst of obedience, not beforehand." Erwin McManus

The Call Of God And The Word Of God

Back From The Texas Trip

The Nethery's are back from our venture to TX. We had a really good time visiting with High School friends and their families, seeing and hanging out with relatives, driving almost 4000 miles, and staying the night in 10 different places. We lived out of the back of the van for most of the trip and became very good at loading and unloading the van. During our time to and from TX we had many naps, laughs, meals and discussions in the Toyo. While in the great state we had many naps, laughs, meals and discussions. Gracious friends and family allowed us to step into their lives and enjoy their homes and company. What a blessing. What a priveledge it was to visit with people who are loving, solid, caring individuals.

I thank my God every time I remember you. Phillipians 1:3

Blogging Vacation

I am taking a blog break until the week of August 8th. Please look at older post for words, pics and videos of encouragement.

It Is Well With My Soul

Stay At It

History does not teach fatalism. There are moments when the will of a handful of free men breaks through determinism and opens up new roads. ~ Charles de Gaulle

Question?

What does freedom mean to you and your family?

Freedom Speech Lines - LOL

Emancipation - Emily Dickinson

No rack can torture me,
My soul's at liberty
Behind this mortal bone
There knits a bolder one

You cannot prick with saw,
Nor rend with scymitar.
Two bodies therefore be;
Bind one, and one will flee.

The eagle of his nest
No easier divest
And gain the sky,
Than mayest thou,

Except thyself may be
Thine enemy;
Captivity is consciousness,
So's liberty.

TX - Anticipation - Planning

My family is traveling to TX to visit with family and friends in late July and early August. We chose the hottest time of the year so that we would want to come back to green VA. The itinerary is completed and anticipation is amping up as we visit with one another about the trip so we can make the most of the time visiting with friends and family. Anticipation is a spectacular part of life.

The Power Of One

“Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn.” John Wesley

Website Worth Browsing

Freedom In Christ

A Soilder's Creed

My 17 year old son recently pre-enlisted into the United States Army. I Found this creed looking through the family/parent information packet he received.

Drive By Praying

I received a voicemail earlier this week from a friend who was driving by the property of Horizon Community Church. His voicemail was very positive and he wanted me to now that he was praying for me and the church as he drove by - A Drive By Praying. He and I have been practicing this type of praying for years. It is simple yet it is a form of intercessory prayer. Praying for others, thinking about others, praying beyond yourself, recognizing that God really can do great things, greater than we ask or even can imagine. Drive By Praying is a great way to offer a short, focused and positive prayer for the sake of another and for the sake of God's Kingdom. It is also a way to encourage other people as they seek to share Jesus Christ with others.

Meet To Motivate

Don't have a meeting if you don't have a real reason to meet that will help people perform better as individuals and as a group. Meetings that don't do that undermine motivation. Motivating People

Freedom - The 4th Is Near

The Essential Church

No cookie-cutter formula exists. Each church reaches a unique
community. But we believe the four-phase essential model applies
to any church. Simplify—the church develops a clear structure
and process for making disciples. Deepen—the church provides
strong biblical teaching and preaching. Expect—the church has
an attitude that communicates to its members that they must be
committed to the local congregation. Multiply—the church has
an outward focus, driving to reach people for Christ and starting
new churches.

Loved In Spite - So True

"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction of being loved for yourself, or, more correctly, being loved in spite of yourself." - Victor Hugo

Majesty Of God

Majesty Of God

Psalm 25

Psalm 25

Oh You Bring - HU

OBX Sunset

Aware

No great man ever complains of want of opportuity. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Morning Prayer

Good morning God,

I love You. What are you up to today? I want to be a part of it. - Morning Prayer, Norman Grubb

Backyard Faith Sharing

Hold Me Now - HU

I Love To Tell The Story

1. I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
because I know 'tis true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else can do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

2. I love to tell the story;
more wonderful it seems
than all the golden fancies
of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story,
it did so much for me;
and that is just the reason
I tell it now to thee.
(Refrain)

3. I love to tell the story;
'tis pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it,
more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story,
for some have never heard
the message of salvation
from God's own holy Word.
(Refrain)

4. I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story
that I have loved so long.
(Refrain)

Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.