9am classes
10am worship
baptism, membership vows, preaching on Acts 18 and
you'll hear a report from Sid and me on our Mexico trip... and we'll sing...
You said, "Ask and I’ll give the nations to you," Oh Lord
That’s the cry of my heart,
Distant shores and the islands will see,
Your light, as it rises on earth
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
leave it to God
“I know the words ‘leave it to God’ can be misunderstood, but they must stay for the moment. The sense in which a Christian leaves it to God is that he puts all his trust in Christ: trusts that Christ will somehow share with him the perfect human obedience which He carried out from His birth to His crucifixion: that Christ will make the man more like Himself, and in a sense, make good his deficiencies. If you like to put it that way, Christ offers something for nothing: He even offers everything for nothing. In a sense the whole Christian life consists in accepting that very remarkable offer. But the difficulty is to reach the point of recognizing that all we have done and can do is nothing. What we should have liked would be for God to count our good points and ignore our bad ones…if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already.” C S Lewis, Christian Behavior
catechism excerpt that is powerful--updated
The duties required in the first commandment are, the knowing and acknowledging of God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly, by thinking, meditating, remembering, highly esteeming, honoring, adoring, choosing, loving, desiring, fearing of him; believing him; trusting, hoping, delighting, rejoicing in him; being zealous for him; calling upon him, giving all praise and thanks, and yielding all obedience and submission to him with the whole man; being careful in all things to please him, and sorrowful when in anything he is offended; and walking humbly with him. --larger catechism
last night at dinner we thought through these words and offered answers to these questions:
1.) Which one of these things has God's Spirit empowered you to do lately
2.) Which one of these have you known none of lately?
After thinking about this amazing list and having God's Spirit humble you and drive you to the cross... this is what to keep in mind. Jesus perfectly obedied all 23-28 of these things ALL THE TIME. And that record of righteousness which He built for 30+ years... IS YOURS! Whenever you confess your sin, remember that the God deals with you according to the obedience of Jesus. He dealt with Jesus according to your failure. Praise His holy name!
last night at dinner we thought through these words and offered answers to these questions:
1.) Which one of these things has God's Spirit empowered you to do lately
2.) Which one of these have you known none of lately?
After thinking about this amazing list and having God's Spirit humble you and drive you to the cross... this is what to keep in mind. Jesus perfectly obedied all 23-28 of these things ALL THE TIME. And that record of righteousness which He built for 30+ years... IS YOURS! Whenever you confess your sin, remember that the God deals with you according to the obedience of Jesus. He dealt with Jesus according to your failure. Praise His holy name!
a day after valentines.... but good gospel stuff
--when i was in orlando at a training/renewal worshop, one of the presenters was a gifted lady from Atlanta... while reflecting on God's work in her marriage she said this:
I am most grateful that my husband keeps learning that no one can pursue, strongly lead and cherish me the way he can.
...that when I’m withdrawn and discouraged, his gentle wooing speaks volumes...when I’m masking deep hurt with anger, his strong, consistent pursuit melts me like nothing else
...when darkness has masked Jesus face, I have felt another strong hand leading me home
....and when it’s all said and done, and we are at The great marriage feast I will recognize the tastes and sounds and smells. The dance will be vaguely familiar. For hints of the realm unknown have drifted across the border land. And I have caught glimpses of what is yet to come. My husband has shown me the way.
--Sheri Thomas
I am most grateful that my husband keeps learning that no one can pursue, strongly lead and cherish me the way he can.
...that when I’m withdrawn and discouraged, his gentle wooing speaks volumes...when I’m masking deep hurt with anger, his strong, consistent pursuit melts me like nothing else
...when darkness has masked Jesus face, I have felt another strong hand leading me home
....and when it’s all said and done, and we are at The great marriage feast I will recognize the tastes and sounds and smells. The dance will be vaguely familiar. For hints of the realm unknown have drifted across the border land. And I have caught glimpses of what is yet to come. My husband has shown me the way.
--Sheri Thomas
Intro to Christ Community starts Feb 26
I'll be teaching on the basics of life in Christ Community. If you are:
--new or newer to CCC OR
--desiring membership OR
--more than 3 years removed from removed from the Intro seminar
... then i encourage you to join me for 6 sunday mornings at 9am. We'll discuss the the gospel, the church's future, the gospel, evangelism, the gospel, repentance, the gospel, community groups at CCC, membership, the gospel, the Oakland Raiders, mercy, the gospel... et al
If you are involved with Richard Horner's class, stay there! You can do Intro later.
--new or newer to CCC OR
--desiring membership OR
--more than 3 years removed from removed from the Intro seminar
... then i encourage you to join me for 6 sunday mornings at 9am. We'll discuss the the gospel, the church's future, the gospel, evangelism, the gospel, repentance, the gospel, community groups at CCC, membership, the gospel, the Oakland Raiders, mercy, the gospel... et al
If you are involved with Richard Horner's class, stay there! You can do Intro later.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Good & Concise Meditation on Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day is a good time to remember that we are called to love others more than ourselves, and to give ourselves in love through daily deeds of sacrificial service.
To think about these noble virtues is to be reminded of Jesus Christ, the lover of our souls. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
full text here
To think about these noble virtues is to be reminded of Jesus Christ, the lover of our souls. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
full text here
an old friend
not sure why... but sin has been on my mind and heart today... and i stumbled across this definition of sin from a writer who has helped/influenced me tremendously... so much that i call him an old friend... chew on this by(Richard Lovelace) ". . . the structure of sin in the human personality is far more complicated than the isolated acts and thoughts of deliberate disobedience commonly designated in the world. In its biblical definition, sin cannot be limited to isolated instances or patterns of wrongdoing; it is something much more akin to the psychological term complex: an organic network of compulsive attitudes, beliefs, and behavior deeply rooted in alienation from God. Sin originated in the darkening of the human mind and heart as man turned from the truth about God to embrace a lie about him and consequently a whole universe of lies about his creation. Sinful thoughts, words and deeds flow forth from this darkened heart automatically and compulsively, as water from a polluted fountain..."
ESV Bible Online: Passage: 1 John 3
ESV Bible Online: Passage: 1 John 3: "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears [1] we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. "
Monday, February 13, 2006
back at mi casa
sid gaitonde and i are back in gnv and you'll hear more in days to come... excellent trip, thank you for praying
Sunday, February 12, 2006
heading home tomorrow
hoping that you have had a wonderful day together... worshipping God and hearing of His great love through steve´s teaching on hell... then the chocolate event tonite...
sid and i continue to be encouraged by the beginnings of a movement we are seeing in northern mexico... it is hard for us to imagine why a group of people from america would be so strengthening to these small mexican churches... but tonite when it dawned on me that about 2 percent of their population is evangelical christian== the Christians here really are a minority...
sid and i will be talking with many of you about opportunities to visit here and play a role in encouraging the churches and learning about the glory of God as he builds his church in mexico.... we are scheduled to arrive home tomorrow evening
on of the churches is made up of young professionals and students and you can
see their website here
hasta luega
sid and i continue to be encouraged by the beginnings of a movement we are seeing in northern mexico... it is hard for us to imagine why a group of people from america would be so strengthening to these small mexican churches... but tonite when it dawned on me that about 2 percent of their population is evangelical christian== the Christians here really are a minority...
sid and i will be talking with many of you about opportunities to visit here and play a role in encouraging the churches and learning about the glory of God as he builds his church in mexico.... we are scheduled to arrive home tomorrow evening
on of the churches is made up of young professionals and students and you can
see their website here
hasta luega
Saturday, February 11, 2006
monterrey update from Sid
So far the trip to monterrey has been a spiritually strengthening experience for all the people on this trip. This being my first mission trip i am amazed at how our Lord has been moving in the life of our Mexican brethren and how passionately they are seeking for His glory.
The church planters who have established these churches are people of very modest resources who have had to combat many adversities to establish these churches, but it is just facinating to hear their stories and experience how our Father has provided for means to spread the gospel in the surrounding areas. Speaking with some of the members, it is very interesting to note that almost all of them are new beleivers who have some very compelling evidence of how the holy spirit is moving in their lives.
Being here has made us realize the tremendous opportunity and potential we have been provided by our Lord to help these churches to grow and develop and spread the Good News to people who have had no access to it so far.
The church planters who have established these churches are people of very modest resources who have had to combat many adversities to establish these churches, but it is just facinating to hear their stories and experience how our Father has provided for means to spread the gospel in the surrounding areas. Speaking with some of the members, it is very interesting to note that almost all of them are new beleivers who have some very compelling evidence of how the holy spirit is moving in their lives.
Being here has made us realize the tremendous opportunity and potential we have been provided by our Lord to help these churches to grow and develop and spread the Good News to people who have had no access to it so far.
Friday, February 10, 2006
hola from monterrey
sid and i had the privilege of having lunch with a pastor of a section of monterrey that is growing rapidly... 10 years ago the area had 300 families... today 1000
the church is called BETHEL and the pastor was overflowing with thanks for the americançs who come to encourage them... "you have no idea how much your coming encourages us to keep going strong" this from a lay pastor who has led 60 men to Christ in Bethel Church
tonite we´are meeting with 60 lay leaders from across the presbytery-district... we met them at Encounter with God Church... it was mainly made up of professionals and students... many of them spoke wonderful english, which was nice
thanks for praying... on saturday we are going to look at several potential sites for the next church plants
monterrey is city of 5 million which produces about half of mexico´s gnp
the church is called BETHEL and the pastor was overflowing with thanks for the americançs who come to encourage them... "you have no idea how much your coming encourages us to keep going strong" this from a lay pastor who has led 60 men to Christ in Bethel Church
tonite we´are meeting with 60 lay leaders from across the presbytery-district... we met them at Encounter with God Church... it was mainly made up of professionals and students... many of them spoke wonderful english, which was nice
thanks for praying... on saturday we are going to look at several potential sites for the next church plants
monterrey is city of 5 million which produces about half of mexico´s gnp
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Sunday Night
"Chocolate for Dinner" event ... don't forget. 6:00-8:00pm
Appetizers and Desserts will be served.
Entertainment and Games will be provided.
EVERYONE WELCOME!!
Need Childcare? Contact Lindzee Folgate @378.7608 for details.
6:00-8:00pm
(Map of 10826 Nw 18th Ct; Gainesville, FL 32606)
Appetizers and Desserts will be served.
Entertainment and Games will be provided.
EVERYONE WELCOME!!
Need Childcare? Contact Lindzee Folgate @378.7608 for details.
6:00-8:00pm
(Map of 10826 Nw 18th Ct; Gainesville, FL 32606)
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Current & Former Students at Work
Many of you know that while studying in Tanzania Sydney Schaef helped with an orphanage... here is the website she put together with a Christ Community former student, David Lipps
hananasif.org
hananasif.org
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Christian Study Center of Gainesville - "The Church and Cultural Discernment: Distinguishing Engagement from Captivity"
this looks good
"The Church and Cultural Discernment: Distinguishing Engagement from Captivity" March 3rd
"The Church and Cultural Discernment: Distinguishing Engagement from Captivity" March 3rd
Precious Lord Jesus,
Give me faith to behold . . .
my name engraved in Your hand,
my soul and body redeemed by Your blood,
my sinfulness covered by Your life of pure obedience.
May . . .
Your comforts cheer me in my sorrows,
Your strength sustain me in my trials,
Your blessings revive me in my weariness,
Your presence render me a fruitful tree of holiness,
Your promises establish me in peace and joy,
Your revivings kindle in me undying devotion.
Search my heart. Show me more of my
corruptions and helplessness, that I may . . .
flee to You,
cling to You,
rest in You,
as the beginning and end of my salvation.
May I never vex You by my indifference and
waywardness; or grieve You by my cold welcome.
Answer my prayers, O Lord, for Your great name's sake.
(a puritan prayer, from valley of vision)
Give me faith to behold . . .
my name engraved in Your hand,
my soul and body redeemed by Your blood,
my sinfulness covered by Your life of pure obedience.
May . . .
Your comforts cheer me in my sorrows,
Your strength sustain me in my trials,
Your blessings revive me in my weariness,
Your presence render me a fruitful tree of holiness,
Your promises establish me in peace and joy,
Your revivings kindle in me undying devotion.
Search my heart. Show me more of my
corruptions and helplessness, that I may . . .
flee to You,
cling to You,
rest in You,
as the beginning and end of my salvation.
May I never vex You by my indifference and
waywardness; or grieve You by my cold welcome.
Answer my prayers, O Lord, for Your great name's sake.
(a puritan prayer, from valley of vision)
Monday, February 06, 2006
Christians Concerned for the Community
This organization is having a meeting tonite to re-envision their purpose in Gainesville and has asked the local churches to have input.
Several from Christ Community are planning to make it. You can join them at Creekside Community Church on NW 39th Ave at 7pm
Several from Christ Community are planning to make it. You can join them at Creekside Community Church on NW 39th Ave at 7pm
Saturday, February 04, 2006
9am classes; 10am communion service
Jesus, I Come
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress into jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress into jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
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