Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Community
While i've been thinking about spiritual friendship in the recent past... these lines from U2 seem to get at something very true about biblical fellowship.
Tough, you think you’ve got the stuff
You’re telling me and anyone
You’re hard enough
You don’t have to put up a fight
You don’t have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight
Tough, you think you’ve got the stuff
You’re telling me and anyone
You’re hard enough
You don’t have to put up a fight
You don’t have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Gathering for Women
tonite at Kelly MacGregor's... to hang out and create note cards & envelopes that are used to make a written contact from the church leadership a bit more unique...
372-5204
372-5204
Sunday, August 14, 2005
The Mark of the Christian - Francis Schaeffer
This is more a booklet than book. Truly perspective-altering.
Called together for a purpose
“Cotton Mather’s idea was to see clusters of believers who ‘would now and then spend half an hour together by themselves, in considering on that question, WHAT GOOD IS THERE TO BE DONE?’. His goal was that every believer be encouraged to develop an eye for human need, to see ‘who is any special adversity; and what shall be done to help “Our union with the Messiah and his desire to continue his earthly ministry by living his life through us are so strong that we may be said to share his three offices of leadership. We are priests as we pray for those near us and draw
them into the sphere of God’s mercy and blessing. We are prophets as we hold a biblicalstraightedge against whatever is crooked around us. And we are kings as we use whatever powers we have to straighten what is crooked, reshaping whatever falls within the scope of our responsibility until it reflects the order of heaven.” --Richard F. Lovelace, Renewal as a Way of Life, p. 168
19 Serving--Developing Mercy Ministries.pdf (application/pdf Object)
them into the sphere of God’s mercy and blessing. We are prophets as we hold a biblicalstraightedge against whatever is crooked around us. And we are kings as we use whatever powers we have to straighten what is crooked, reshaping whatever falls within the scope of our responsibility until it reflects the order of heaven.” --Richard F. Lovelace, Renewal as a Way of Life, p. 168
19 Serving--Developing Mercy Ministries.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Friday, August 12, 2005
enda da summa
Well, the end of the summer is here. Sunday should be a great day of seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Couple of reminders.
Parking... will be an issue for us for the next months. I want to strongly encourage those who are physically able to park AS FAR AWAY as possible. No martyrs, please. If you are older, handicapped, or with young children... park close... park in the round circle drive that goes around the fountain.
Our 9:00am Sunday School classes are still NOT HAPPENING. They will return, with a tan and a new attitude, on September 11.
I know some of you have special training classes this Sunday. THOSE are on and childcare will be provided.
10:00am worship in the theatre... your arrival in the room by 9:59 would be so wonderfully helpful. Sitting towards the front and middle would be the cherry on top.
Think on this:
You too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ
Parking... will be an issue for us for the next months. I want to strongly encourage those who are physically able to park AS FAR AWAY as possible. No martyrs, please. If you are older, handicapped, or with young children... park close... park in the round circle drive that goes around the fountain.
Our 9:00am Sunday School classes are still NOT HAPPENING. They will return, with a tan and a new attitude, on September 11.
I know some of you have special training classes this Sunday. THOSE are on and childcare will be provided.
10:00am worship in the theatre... your arrival in the room by 9:59 would be so wonderfully helpful. Sitting towards the front and middle would be the cherry on top.
Think on this:
You too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
These People
In my youth I was moving from city to city, going from school to school. I was given gatherings of people to study with, work with, play with--but it was fairly transient. And then it no longer was transient (when my education and preparation were done)---this was it. A congregation, improbably named the people of God. These people, for good or ill, but these people. --Eugene Peterson, on "Community" in the book Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
The 6 Defeaters
A couple of years ago several young professionals in Manhattan were gathered to create a list. A list that answers the question: What are the main reasons you are not a Christian? After much discussion and pruning, being led by a faithful Christian... they came up with these:
1. There cannot be one religion that is right and the others are wrong.
2. There is too much evil and suffering in the world.
3. Human choice is too sacred. If I yield to any authority outside myself, I feel like I have given up some of what makes me human. I must decide my own ethics.
4. The record of Christians. Crusades, inquisitions, racism, need i go on?
5. I cannot believe in and love a god who demands a blood sacrifice before he can accept me. Sounds like divine child abuse, doesn't it?
6. The bible. An individual or culture embracing the bible's teaching will be regressive. Especially in issues of Race, gender, and sexuality
Do any of these resonate with you? Have you heard similar from your friends, family, co-workers?
1. There cannot be one religion that is right and the others are wrong.
2. There is too much evil and suffering in the world.
3. Human choice is too sacred. If I yield to any authority outside myself, I feel like I have given up some of what makes me human. I must decide my own ethics.
4. The record of Christians. Crusades, inquisitions, racism, need i go on?
5. I cannot believe in and love a god who demands a blood sacrifice before he can accept me. Sounds like divine child abuse, doesn't it?
6. The bible. An individual or culture embracing the bible's teaching will be regressive. Especially in issues of Race, gender, and sexuality
Do any of these resonate with you? Have you heard similar from your friends, family, co-workers?
Monday, August 08, 2005
new community group launching sunday
A community group meeting in the SouthWest starts meeting this sunday evening. Billy & Lorall Crow live just off Archer Road and invite you to come Sunday. Call them with questions 495-3525
Upcoming Open House
Sunday August 21st, immediately after the worship service at Oak Hall... plan to drive to the new church property on Parker Road for an Open House. 8/21/2005
Saturday, August 06, 2005
10am tomorrow morning... Lord's Supper together
our 9am hour is still NOT HAPPENING... turn off the tv, read/pray/talk during this "extra" hour you have at home
Friday, August 05, 2005
Quiet Before the Storm
In the next couple of weeks tens of thousands of humans (mostly 18-23) will be coming to Gainesville.
I've been praying that God would make Christ Community and the entire Church of Gainesville would welcome them and seek to be a place of grace and truth during their time in our fair city. Join me.
On that note, ask yourself this question:
"What is stopping me from asking one of these students to join me and my family for lunch?"
If you aren't satisfied with your response, I'd suggest you walk up and issue an invitation. There should be plenty of opportunities beginning August 14.
I've been praying that God would make Christ Community and the entire Church of Gainesville would welcome them and seek to be a place of grace and truth during their time in our fair city. Join me.
On that note, ask yourself this question:
"What is stopping me from asking one of these students to join me and my family for lunch?"
If you aren't satisfied with your response, I'd suggest you walk up and issue an invitation. There should be plenty of opportunities beginning August 14.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Sunday
SUnday we'll look at what was happening to make Jesus be sorrowful, even to death.
Then we will eat and drink to celebrate what He accomplished. Please think on this.
ESV Bible Online: Passage: Mark 14:22-42: "�My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.� [2] 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him."
Then we will eat and drink to celebrate what He accomplished. Please think on this.
ESV Bible Online: Passage: Mark 14:22-42: "�My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.� [2] 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him."
Prayer
on this 1st wednesday of month... remember to pray for advance of God's Kingdom in and thru Christ Community
also
1. A minister on the staff of one of our churches in Jax (Jan Werson of Christ Church on St. Augustine Road) lost his 28 yr old daughter this week. She was tragically killed while jogging. Support the family in prayer please.
2. I speak at Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting on campus tonite. Partner with me by praying for God's Spirit to fill me.
3. Melissa Pope has arrived for the purpose of loving the Chinese people and teaching them English. PRay for her adjustment.
One more thing, if you (or someone you know), needs a free fridge, contact valerie payne
valpayne AT ufl DOT edu
Also, y'days quote was from Bono of U2.
also
1. A minister on the staff of one of our churches in Jax (Jan Werson of Christ Church on St. Augustine Road) lost his 28 yr old daughter this week. She was tragically killed while jogging. Support the family in prayer please.
2. I speak at Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting on campus tonite. Partner with me by praying for God's Spirit to fill me.
3. Melissa Pope has arrived for the purpose of loving the Chinese people and teaching them English. PRay for her adjustment.
One more thing, if you (or someone you know), needs a free fridge, contact valerie payne
valpayne AT ufl DOT edu
Also, y'days quote was from Bono of U2.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
40 points to the one who guesses correctly
Without googling this... who do you think might have said it?
"Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: He was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn't allow you that. He doesn't let you off that hook. Christ says, No. I'm not saying I'm a teacher, don't call me teacher. I'm not saying I'm a prophet. I'm saying: 'I'm the Messiah.' I'm saying: 'I am God incarnate.' . . . So what you're left with is either Christ was who He said He was—the Messiah—or a complete nutcase. . . . The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me that's farfetched."
"Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: He was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn't allow you that. He doesn't let you off that hook. Christ says, No. I'm not saying I'm a teacher, don't call me teacher. I'm not saying I'm a prophet. I'm saying: 'I'm the Messiah.' I'm saying: 'I am God incarnate.' . . . So what you're left with is either Christ was who He said He was—the Messiah—or a complete nutcase. . . . The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me that's farfetched."
Thoughtful Lecture
If you are a listener to online audio AND interested in faithfulness to God in serving in this "postmodern" day... I think you'd be strengthened by the lecture on this page:
Entitled
"July 12, 2005
Family Bible Conference
Dr. Richard Pratt
Postmodernism Seminar
(62:17)
"
Entitled
"July 12, 2005
Family Bible Conference
Dr. Richard Pratt
Postmodernism Seminar
(62:17)
"
A problem or an opportunity?
There will be no corporate gathering to pray tomorrow. We've been offering gatherings at Hope Church and church office but won't be tomorrow. Please consider carving out a few minutes, between sundown tonite and sundown Wednesday, to pray for the advance of the Kingdom of God in and through Christ Community Church.
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done...
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done...
Sunday We Eat
Institution of the Lord's Supper
22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the [1] covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
ESV Bible Online: Passage: mark 14:22-25
22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the [1] covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
ESV Bible Online: Passage: mark 14:22-25
Monday, August 01, 2005
Spurgeon was helpful this morning
This morning i took my copy of Spurgeon's Morning and Evening out on the back porch with my coffee. Here's what he said that helped me. Perhaps you will be strengthened by God thru Spurgeon as well.
"Downcast and troubled Christian, come and glean to-day in the broad field of promise. Here are abundance of precious promises, which exactly meet thy wants. Take this one: 'He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax.' Doth not that suit thy case? A reed, helpless, insignificant, and weak, a bruised reed, out of which no music can come; weaker than weakness itself; a reed, and that reed bruised, yet, he will not break thee; but on the contrary, will restore and strengthen thee. Thou art like the smoking flax: no light, no warmth, can come from thee; but he will not quench thee; he will blow with his sweet breath of mercy till he fans thee to a flame. Wouldst thou glean another ear? 'Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' What soft words! Thy heart is tender, and the Master knows it, and therefore he speaketh so gently to thee. Wilt thou not obey him, and come to him even now?" CHS
Rest of devotionala>:
"Downcast and troubled Christian, come and glean to-day in the broad field of promise. Here are abundance of precious promises, which exactly meet thy wants. Take this one: 'He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax.' Doth not that suit thy case? A reed, helpless, insignificant, and weak, a bruised reed, out of which no music can come; weaker than weakness itself; a reed, and that reed bruised, yet, he will not break thee; but on the contrary, will restore and strengthen thee. Thou art like the smoking flax: no light, no warmth, can come from thee; but he will not quench thee; he will blow with his sweet breath of mercy till he fans thee to a flame. Wouldst thou glean another ear? 'Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' What soft words! Thy heart is tender, and the Master knows it, and therefore he speaketh so gently to thee. Wilt thou not obey him, and come to him even now?" CHS
Rest of devotionala>:
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