Life is a “kick!”
We have just completed a study in Bible Fellowship of I Peter, and God gave us many words of comfort and encouragement through that great apostle, especially about suffering and about how to deal with all that life gives us on our journey. One of the great lessons we have discovered as we have studied this book is that our lives are all temporary; it is the way in which we conduct ourselves that ultimately brings honor to God. In other words, even when things are difficult, our eyes should always be looking forward, striving to see the lessons that are learned by trials.
I am reminded of a quote I heard recently that was attributed to Kay Yow, the former head coach of the North Carolina State women’s basketball team, who passed away this year after a battle with breast cancer. She said, “When life kicks you, let it kick you forward.” This is a rather amazing statement, especially coming from someone who was facing a life-threatening illness.
The idea is that life is going to punch us, smack us, and beat us up at times. As Peter reminded us, we are not to be surprised when those things happen. What we are responsible for is how we react to those beatings. Coach Yow offered a biblical principle, urging us to press forward, learning lessons from defeat, and trying our best to fall forward when we do fall.
Christian, be encouraged today to fight the good fight, even if your circumstances seem overwhelming! And when life knocks you down, don’t fall backward in defeat, but fall forward with your eye on the impending victory!
Can You Spare Any Change?
Change is one of those things that most of us associate with negativity. After all, isn’t it easy to keep things as they are? Why bother with all of the fuss and hard work that comes with doing things differently? Besides, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
I wonder what would happen if people applied that logic to every area of life. Most of us probably don’t remember, due to our age, but imagine how drastically different the world became at the advent of the automobile. I think it’s safe to say that most of us are far happier with a change that reduced horse-and-buggy use! Speaking of cars, who wasn’t a fan of air conditioning when it became a regular feature? Not too many complaints about that, either.
What about communication? Think anybody complains about the speed and convenience of, first telephones, then fax machines, and now computers? Probably not too many of us want to go back to the good ole days of smoke signals or hand delivered written notes.
How about some more modern changes? Anybody really complain about the seating expansions at Neyland Stadium? Or about that new-fangled Thompson-Boling arena with the fancy scoreboards and huge seating capacity? Nope.
When we think about it, we actually DO enjoy change. We adapt to it, we accept it, and ultimately find out that our lives are radically different as a result of it. Change can actually be a good thing!
Sometimes change in the church needs to happen. As Christians, we should always be focusing on what we need to do to reach our world for Christ. That means we always need to be staying up with or ahead of the “change” curve.
Just think how cool it will be one day to “teleport” our bodies on mission trips!
Getting Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
This year I am learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. I mean Jesus does not necessarily call me to comfort. He calls me to obedience. If God would lead his own son to the cross then where might God lead me? Maybe to the same place. Jesus said to be his disciple we had to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. Again no where does it mention comfort and safety. People said to me growing up that being in the center of God’s will is the safest place to be. When I read Paul’s writings and all of the things that happened to him I question that. Wasn’t Paul in the center of God’s will? So then is it the safest or just the right place to be! Wasn’t it uncomfortable for Abraham as he followed God not knowing his destination? Wasn’t it uncomfortable for Paul, for the disciples to follow Jesus? Wasn’t it uncomfortable for Jesus to die for us so that we might go free? So again I am learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. I want my life to glorify God and I want to live the rest of my days living open-handed to ALL people (Duet. 15:11). Love Loud, Risk Often, and Live Courageously!
GIVE GIFTS THAT KEEP GIVING
Scripture: Is. 32:17 (NKJV) The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING…
But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. JUST LISTENING.
2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION…
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER…
Funny pictures. Share articles, funny stories and funny greetings. Your gift will say: “I love you to laugh with you”.
4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE…
It can be a simple, “Thanks for the help” note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT…
A simple and sincere, “You look great in red,” You did a super job” or “That was a wonderful meal” can make someone’s day.
6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR…
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind to another person.
7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE…
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION…
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone; really it’s not that hard to say, “Hello” or “Thank You”
–Author Unknown–
A Moment in Time
The Greek language offers us many deep insights into specific word meanings, as it is a more colorful and descriptive language than English. That can sometimes limit our true grasp or understanding of words or phrases that we find in the Scriptures. Now, this doesn’t mean that we get the meaning wrong; it simply means that sometimes we miss the full dramatic impact of what the original text indicated. A great example of this is found in I Corinthians 15:52, a tremendous passage of hope for all believers.
Paul wrote that “in a MOMENT, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet,” we shall all be changed. He was writing, of course, about the time of the rapture, when the saints of God will be called home, whether we are dead or alive at the time. The Greek word that is translated as “moment” is atomos, which is a negative form of the word meaning “to cut.” What this literally meant to the ancient Greek mind was that something was “indivisible.”
Think about that just for a moment. God will call His children home in such a brief flash of time, and at any moment, so quickly that that exact moment will not even be able to be divided up into smaller chunks. Talk about nanoseconds! Paul goes on to give an illustration, describing such a rapid event as happening in the twinkling of an eye. In his day, things didn’t move as fast as they do for us, so this was likely one of the speediest things he could write to help his readers understand just how quickly the believers will be taken away.
The question is, when that MOMENT arrives, will you be among those who are called home? If not, don’t delay any longer! When it happens, there won’t be any small division of time for you to make a hurried decision, or to “jump on the bus.” It will happen faster than anybody will realize. Won’t you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior this MOMENT by asking Him to forgive you of your sins and to make you a new person? When that moment happens, you’ll spend eternity rejoicing in the fact that you did!
To My Friend Sam Griffin
To My Friend Sam Griffin,
I say my friend but in reality if you knew Sam he was your friend as well. I told him Monday that he never knew a stranger because Sam made sure that he took the time to talk to any and everyone. Lora, Sam’s caretaker jokingly said she would drop him off and sit in the car and wait because she knew he wanted to talk to everyone in the bank, church office, or the wherever he went. Sam always brought us donuts from Krispy Kreme when he would visit the church office. Sam Griffin was one of the godliest, nicest, and most generous men I have ever met. He was always smiling and he loved life! His goal in life was to be a witness for Jesus, who he no doubt knew as his Savior. Today at noon, Sam went to be with Jesus and to be re-united his wife whom he loved so much. Sam lived life and if you took the time to talk with him, he would share some of his life’s adventures with you. Sam was a great baseball player and shared with me once that he had the chance to play pro baseball but they did not offer him enough money. He went to work instead and made more money. Sam still had the original letter in the envelope. He would always jab with me how he pitched against Maryville College and beat them and I would fire back how I pitched against Carson Newman and beat them. Today my heart is sad and yet filled with joy. I will miss Sam and I will miss having lunch with him on Thursday along with Ray, Steve, and the others. Yet my heart is also joyous because Sam is home! Thank you Sam for blessing my life and thank you Sam for everything you have done for Chilhowee Hills. As a pastor I would say if we had more Sam Griffin’s then this world would be a better place. Then I stop and say I’m glad there was only one and I’m blessed to have known him.
Mark
Letter to the Church
Wow! What a wonderful Sunday! I am still pumped up about everything that God did and is still doing. Praise God for this wonderful church family! And thinking about last Sunday, even on a very hot afternoon, we had a great time at the 4th of July Cookout. I want offer a special thank you for those who worked so hard to organize, set up, cook, bring food & drinks, serve and clean up! We couldn’t do it without you! The bonds of fellowship increase when we take time to relax, serve and share together as a family. If you missed this one, please try to join in on the next event in the fall.
We are in the middle of the summer vacation season and fun is at the top of most agendas. Let’s have a blast, be safe and remember the Lord in all we do. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve you and grateful for our many blessings as a living, active church body. As gratitude to God is displayed in obedience to His word, one thing we need to do is take His word out into our community and the world. For the last several weeks 13 of us have gone into the community to meet new friends and to share the gospel with our neighbors. Last week we picked up almost 40 bags of garbage. This Wednesday night we are leaving the church at 6:20 to prayer walk the neighborhoods. Let’s continue to LOVE LOUD!
Many of you are aware that I will be away from you for just over a week, as Steve Loope and I go to minister in Leon, Nicaragua. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve in this capacity, as well as serving here. Steve and I also want to thank everyone who made this trip possible for both of us. We will be speaking and sharing the gospel with thousands of people. Please be in attendance as Pastor Mateo will definitely bless you this Sunday with a word from God.
In closing I want to say I love you and I love serving alongside you. God is doing amazing things here at CHBC and my prayer is that you listen and obey. As I said Sunday, lukewarm people call radical what Jesus expected his followers to do. We’re not looking for radical, just obedience. Please pray for Steve and I as we are gone and please pray for Carrie as she takes care of the 4 kids alone for a week. Share Christ this week and LOVE LOUD!
Mark
Are We Really Independent?
When the upstart young country that had, for so many years, been a colony of the British empire won its independence at the end of the eighteenth century, it was indeed a time of tremendous celebration. After all, those people who lived in the new land were now free from the tyranny and taxation of the English king. But what other freedoms were gained during those early days of our country?
* We won the freedom to give our lives during times of war to protect and preserve our independence for future generations.
* We earned the right to be independent of any support from the British, financially, militarily, or in any other way.
* We gained the responsibility of establishing a new form of government, with all of the corresponding difficulties and heartaches to match.
* We became free to expand our borders from sea to sea, sacrificing many lives in the process of exploring and settling the west.
* We won the potential to become the greatest nation in the world, which also meant being the leader in peace-keeping, human-rights, and sometimes fighting other countries’ battles.
* We became poised to be the largest target for those who hate our way of life, including capitalism, democracy, and religious freedom.
Obviously, gaining independence also meant gaining a very difficult path to travel. For 234 years, we have “enjoyed” our independence, at great cost. But honestly, would any of us have it any other way?
May God continue to bless this great country, and may America never forget the God who provides that blessing!
MERRY CHRISTMAS
May I be the first to wish all of the blog readers a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! Well I know what some of you are thinking, Pastor David’s lost it! But wait a minute, let me explain. What seems like a very short few months ago, well actually it was the week after Christmas 2009, I was making a quick stop at our local Dollar General Market. I don’t remember what I went in to purchase but as I walked down the aisle I saw the most unusual sight. On my right were the CHRISTMAS items that had been marked way down for clearance. Across the aisle was a whole shelf stocked with assorted VALENTINE’S DAY products ready to be picked up in Dec. for the rapidly approaching Feb. 14th.
I realize that since each year I am getting older and slowing down some but I have just realized that we are about to celebrate INDEPENDENCE DAY this Sunday July 4th at CHBC. (Six months of this year is over). Therefore I feel compelled to take the time to go back and say that I hope you each had a very happy NEW YEAR 2010, and experienced great parties on both Martin Luther King and George Washington’s birthdays. In my slothfulness I failed to tell you of the sorrow I experienced during GOOD FRIDAY but then also of the overwhelming joy that came at EASTER time. I failed to wish each mother a happy MOTHER’S DAY and each father a happy FATHER’S DAY.
May 28th is Wilma’s birthday so every year I seem to focus more on her and forget to thank many of you who take the whole weekend off to help us celebrate her birthday and then you call it a MEMORIAL DAY. Now we are going to celebrate this Sunday with INDEPENDENCE DAY but honestly with all the babies that have been born at CHBC between these past holidays you would think somebody would start a petition to change LABOR DAY from Sept. 6th to sometime earlier in the year. I recently heard that Pastor David & Eden Stewart are planning a musical at CHBC sometime after their baby girl’s first appearance. I also got wind that Ron & Michelle Corum, veterans as they are with four children already, were shooting toward having a VETERAN’S DAY baby but are now looking past HALLOWEEN and plan to start a petition to make THANKSGIVING DAY a “second” MOTHER’S DAY.
With all the activities going on this summer, and after looking at the clock on the computer, may I say MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and to all a good night?
VBS – Very Busy Schedule!
We are just finishing up another great year of Vacation Bible School at CHBC, and it has been a blast! Over 100 volunteers took part this year to help make Saddle Ridge Ranch a huge success! From the real-life barn in the Worship Center to the classes that were decorated to the nines, every single part of VBS was done with excellence. Add to that the multiple salvations that we have seen, and the huge offering the kids have taken to present to the Western Heights Baptist Center, and God truly has done some amazing things this week.
Please pray as we follow up on many who have made decisions or who have asked for more information about becoming a Christian. This is the single most important reason that our church invests so heavily every year in the incredible VBS outreach ministry: to see boys, girls, and students come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!
Thanks again for all who have served so well. And…..
a special thanks to Cowboy Andy and his horse Segbiscuit!!
See ya’ll next year!!