Monday's Mentions...10/22/12

I'm taking a brief hiatus from my Monday's Mention this week: enjoy a throwback...well, I use that term loosely...to a previous post:


http://rodneybooe.blogspot.com/2012/10/mondays-mentions10112

Friday Five...10/19/12

Here's your weekly dose of insight, helpful things, and a little bit of fun:

1. Favorite New Pixar Short - Partysaurus Rex



2. Favorite Reminder of the Hope We Have In Christ:



3.  Favorite Article for Dads: 3 Essentials to be an All Pro Dad

4. Favorite Marriage Proposal (Caution Guys...this one might make you cry.)



5. Favorite Fresh Prince Throwback:

Wednesday's Word...DOUBT (Part 2 of 2) - 10/17/12

This is the 2nd and final part of a series on doubt. For part one: CLICK HERE. 

Last week I said that everyone has doubts - everyone. The good news is that we don't have to feel guilty about it. We can embrace our doubt and allow it to lead to belief. 

So, how do we take all the doubts that we have and live from a position of faith? What do we do when doubts creep in on the big stuff, like God? When we doubt that God hears us when our lives are a mess, or our social life is non-existent, or temptation is stronger than its ever been? What do we do when we doubt that God is even paying attention or even care about our lives? What do we do when we doubt whether God is there at all?

Belief is comprised of one or both of the following two things: our knowledge and our experience. The strongest faith is formed when we use knowledge and experience together. When we combine what we know with what we experience, we can navigate through our doubt.

Right in the middle of the Bible, the book of Psalms overflows with the kind of emotion found in knowledge and belief. Many of the Psalms describe events in the life of King David. Psalm 13 doesn't have a specific story attached to it, but I think these words could have been written at almost any time. Check out David's words:

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” (Psalm 13:1-2 NIV).

Ever felt that way? For a "man after God's own heart," David sure sounds like he's dealing with some doubts! Thankfully, the Psalm doesn't end there. A few verses later he writes:

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13:5-6 NIV).

What? Is this even the same guy? How did he get from the point of having all of these questions to saying things like "I trust in your unfailing love?" 

This is key: David started with what he felt and ended with what he knew. He was honest with God in his frustration. He did this like a friend who just needed to be honest. Maybe he felt forgotten, but he knew his trust was in God.  

Check out more of the Psalms to see how the writers dealt with their feelings!

Here's how this plays out in our lives:

1. When you doubt, be honest about it. How has God shown up in your past? What is he doing currently in your life? What do you see God doing in the world around you?

Once we are able to see what God has done and is doing through both our experiences and our knowledge, we are better equipped to manage the doubt.

God is bigger than your doubts.

Monday's Mentions....10/15/12

It's Monday and it's time to give a shout out to those who are seeking to be "rooted in God's love." When we set out to create the "rooted in God's love" initiative, we wanted to set before you a clear, practical, and measurable plan for each of us (ourselves included) to grow to become who God created us to be.

The Psalmist wrote: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13 NIV84)

He designed us for great things to make His name great, to make His name known before all peoples all over the world. For some, becoming "rooted" means doing something that the world sees as "a big deal," but for others it may simply be an act of obedience in something that we are currently being disobedient.

So, today I am not "mentioning" a particular person, but instead asking you a question...where are you presently disobedient to God? Are you learning to be obedient in Study, Prayer, Stewardship, Discipleship, Community, and Service?

I was reminded in our small group last night that we all need people who we will allow to speak truth into our lives, no matter how painful. For many of us, this can be difficult to accept, but it is critical for each of us if we want to make it from where we are to where God wants us to go.

Our church staff and leadership hope that you are taking advantage of some of the many opportunities we are seeking to create as steps for you in your journey.

Wednesday nights, for adults, is Deeper Life. We hope to offer groups that will meet you where you are. So far this semester we have offered General Bible studies for you to grow as you understand the greater context of God's Word, Cliffs Notes: An overview of the Bible, and a one-night seminar about technology and how to help your family navigate the challenges of it.

This Wednesday we begin a new 4-week series called: Married People. During these four weeks we will delve into 4 Core Habits of Healthy Marriage. Can't make it on Wednesday night? Join us for the "encore" class that will meet in The Loft on Sunday mornings during the Sunday School hour. If you have questions, contact the church office. office@campbellsvillechristianchurch.com

Have a blessed week!

Friday Five...10/12/12

Here are 5 of my favorites for you this week:

1. Favorite Family Photo - Via Awkwardfamilyphotos.com

I think every family has one of these pictures...I'll be keeping mine to myself, however!

2. Favorite Parenting Article - Parenting Tweens Through Technology - Via www.orangeparents.org

3. Favorite Marriage Article - Men Need Stickers - via marriedpeople.org (part 2 of the article can be found here)

4. Favorite Video - High Five Etiquette

5. Favorite Thing as an Introvert...

  

Wednesday's Word...DOUBT (Part 1 of 2) - 10/10/12

Today starts a new 2-week series on Doubt. Let me know what you're thinking in the comments below:

You remember when you first began to doubt the existence of the tooth fairy? When you started considering the validity of a fairy who collected little children's teeth? The whole concept is creepy. She sneaks into your room while you're asleep and takes teeth. Ever wonder why we believe this in the first place? Ah...yes, the cash. As the whole fairy thing begins to unravel, the idea of a giant bunny that delivers eggs every spring or a man in a red suit...it all gets sticky. 

When it comes to doubt, the only thing we know for certain is that everyone has it. We often talk about people who doubt as less spiritual or weak. We associate certainty with strong leaders. What if I never doubted. What if I never questioned the existence of the tooth fairy? While I might be an interesting person to talk to, you certainly wouldn't take me seriously. Doubt isn't always a bad thing. It can actually be a very good thing or a very destructive thing.

The Bible tells the story of a man who mastered learning to live in faith while dealing with doubt. His name is Nicodemus, and he is one of the few people, apart from the disciples, who the Gospels record interacting with Jesus throughout the course of Jesus’ ministry. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, so he was kind of a big deal in the Jewish community. If you think about the synagogues as a kind of private school for that time, the Pharisees would be like the honor students—the ones with the high SAT scores and off-the-charts GPAs.

 . 

Nic and Jesus had an interesting dialog in John chapter 3:

Nic: “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God” (John 3:2 NIV).

Jesus: “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3 NIV).

At this point, Nic has to be confused. He was tracking with Jesus until this point. Here we begin to see his doubt:

Nic: “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” (John 3:4 NIV).

Somehow, it didn't seem to matter that his first encounter with Jesus left him with doubts. We know Nic continued to work through some things with his faith. The last time we hear from Nicodemus is in John 19, following Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus' disciples had all scattered in fear, the women were mourning and only two men remained to deal with the aftermath: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Nicodemus, an otherwise pretty important guy, took time off from a major Jewish holiday to come to the cross to prepare Jesus for His burial.

Somehow Nic managed to believe and to live in spite of his doubts. 

We have to figure out what we are going to do with the faith that we have. We don't know that Nicodemus ever got all of his questions answered. There's no book, chapter, and verse that says so. We have do determine what we are going to do with the doubt that we do have. 

Let us learn to embrace the doubt and allow it to lead us to belief.

Monday's Mentions...10/8/12

Yesterday was our Annual Fall Festival and it went great! A big thanks to Carla Williams for putting it all together and making a memorable day for the entire church family and community guests!

Upcoming Dates:
- This Wednesday, Oct. 10th - A special 1 night seminar, "Protecting Your Family in an Online World" in room 307 at 6:30 PM
- Date Night, Saturday, Oct. 13th 7-9 PM in the Family Life Center
- Small Groups resume next Sunday, Oct. 14th
- Married People Wednesday night classes start Oct. 17 in room 307
- Married People Sunday Morning classes start Oct. 21st in The Loft

Friday Five...10/5/12

Here are some things to brighten and inform your day:

1. Favorite Pictures: Colorful Portraits of the Saddest Impersonators You’ll Ever See

2. Favorite Marriage Article: 4 Commitments for Building a Successful Marriage - Michael Hyatt

3. Favorite "No Way This Is True!" Article: How Much the Tooth Fairy Gives in 2012 - USA Today

4. Favorite Advice for Dads - A Secret for Dads - Reggie Joiner (Be warned...this one got to me pretty bad) [And the follow-up here from his daughter]

5. Favorite Dad: I'd like to think I'm a pretty cool dad, but this guy's got me beat in the mechanical department:

Have a great weekend!

Don't Forget:

- Fall Festival Sunday from 4-7:00 PM

- Family Internet Safety Seminar this Wednesday at 6:30 PM on the 3rd Floor.

Wednesday's Word...Rhythm (Part 4 of 4)

This is part four of a four part series called Rhythm. If you haven't read them, you can click on part 1 / part 2 / part 3)


Rhythm...

God created people to be in relationship with each other. This is not an earth-shattering truth. We've looked at Eden and the rhythm that existed there. The Bible says that God made Eve because it was "not good for man to be alone." I think it was more than just about Adam wanting a pretty girl walking around naked. It's more than just the need to be able to make more humans. God made Eve because He knew that all people need relationship.

We weren't created for just any relationship. A tick can have a relationship with a dog. That's not the kind of relationship we need. We need rhythm with others. Right rhythm means that we need to be in right relationships. When our relationships are out of whack, our rhythm with those people is messed up and that spills over into our relationship with God (are you beginning to see how all of these--God, others, and self--are closely tied together?).

You can't say that you have a great relationship with God if you loathe someone at work. Hating people and having enemies are the opposite of having a right relationship with God. These two ways of living are incompatible. 

So, we find "nice" ways of handling this. We find "acceptable" levels of disdain. We avoid that person, talk about him or her when they're not around or vent to our close friends about how much we secretly really do "hate" them.

Jesus says, "you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'" (Matthew 5:21, NIV)

Jesus reached back into the Law (10 Commandments), to the ancestors of the people those laws were written to and says: "Y'all remember that one?" He's about to give a new interpretation of that law altogether!

“‘But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘”Raca,” [worthless] is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, “You fool!” will be in danger of the fire of hell’” (Matthew 5:22 NIV).

See what Jesus just did there? Jesus teaches that murder is bad, but that there are other ways to murder someone. If you hate that person...murder. If you've treated them wrong, if there is friction between you and someone else, then you have a big problem. He continues:

“If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24 NIV).

Does this seem radical to you? That means if you are coming to worship and you don't like that man or woman or have belittled this person or refuse to give grace to that person over there--you might as well not lift your hands and sing the songs. God basically says, "I'm not going to hear you out until you make that right!"

To Jesus, our relational, emotional, and spiritual lives are all connected--in the same way musical instruments come together to play a song.

When you are out of rhythm with others it affects more than just the two involved. A fight between you and your wife affects how you treat other people. (I think you know what I'm talking about.) Ultimately, though, it affects our relationship with God. Our relationships aren't just indicators of our relationship with God, they are mirrors of our relationship with ourselves. 

I think, then, that you can begin to see why rhythm is such a big deal to Jesus. It isn't just about the other person. It's about you and God. It's about you and you. It's about the rhythm of your life being interrupted. 

Side note: Some of us have been on the receiving end of being belittled and broken by someone else’s words. The things people have said or done to you, how they made you feel--that hurt is very real. Some of you feel it daily. I don’t want to discount that pain, but what those people said or did had nothing to do with who you are. They made you feel weak, but you’re not. The only way you could really be weak is to lash out at them, returning cruelty with cruelty. But to be strong, return kindness for cruelty. See beyond your own pain and see the pain of your “enemy.” 

Today, you might need to go to someone and plead for their forgiveness. Some of us might need to grant forgiveness. 

To be in rhythm with God, we have to be in rhythm with one another. This is how it is supposed to be. God wants you to be in rhythm with Him, getting in rhythm with those around us is a step towards that goal.

Monday's Mentions...10/1/12

Last night we had almost 80 people gather at Heavenly Haven Farm for a church-wide event. Everyone got to pick a pumpkin, go on a hayride, check out the animals at the petting zoo, and take a walk through nature. It's a beautiful place to witness all of God's majestic creation. What a great night!



Becoming "rooted" in Service:
While we may not have Wednesday night groups meeting this week, I want to take a minute and remind you of something you might not think too much about. Every Wednesday night from 5:50-6:20 we serve a family-friendly meal in the Family Life Center. Primarily, two people are responsible for that happening. Kim Mason and Cindy Beams voluntarily head that up each week. They give up their time to go shopping the day or two before, prepare food both at home and at the church on Wednesday afternoons, come in early and setup the food tables and get things all ready so that we can bring our families and have an enjoyable meal before going to our individual groups.

They are certainly aware of their gifts and using them in service to share Christ. Thank them for being "rooted" in service.