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Pastor's Update
CHRISTIAN OLYMPICS
I attended the Western Maine Christian Men’s Breakfast on a recent Saturday morning. The guest speaker, a local pastor, started out by quoting 1 Cor. 13:11 “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
He went on to speak about the need for Christian Men to act like grown men and put away immature thoughts and actions.
Mar 5, 2010 - 10:00:00 AM
Pastor's Update
FEARLESS FAITH
That's what we need today: Fearless Faith. Many today have what might be referred to as 'Conditional Faith"; that is, faith that works well under ideal circumstances. But when the pressure comes, watch out. What comes out of the mouth of the "conditional faith" believer will sound more like an unbeliever than a believer. We, in western culture are so spiritually soft because we have had it so easy. And when pressure does come, many go into hiding for protection.
Mar 12, 2010 - 10:00:00 AM
Pastor's Update
The Church, God, and Government
Romans Chapter 13
As we apply Romans chapter 13, to our politically-charged culture, there could be some pretty major push back as we consider this topic: "The Church, God, and Government." While many would say that God and government don't mix very well, I suggest that government can only be understood to the degree to which we understand God. And actually, according to what Jesus said in Matthew 22:21, we owe an allegiance to both God and to government: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s."
Feb 26, 2010 - 10:00:00 AM
Pastor's Update
What Will They Say About Us
Have you even thought about what will be said about you at your funeral?
I heard a humorous remark about what some hope people will say when they are walking by their casket. Someone said they hope they will say, "I think he's moving".
I also recall the poem The Dash written by Linda Ellis that illustrates the point.
Feb 19, 2010 - 10:00:00 AM
Pastor's Update
Valentine Believers
In two days it will be Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is about love and we have a wonderful description of love from 1
Corinthians 13:8-13:
"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will fail; where there are tongues, they will cease; where there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
Feb 12, 2010 - 10:00:00 AM
Pastor's Update
Preparing For Times of Uncertainty
- A godly life brings opposition.
- A godly life brings hard choices.
- A godly life requires that we know Who we believe in.
- A godly life brings blessings and peace.
We are living in very uncertain times.
We have a financial system that cannot seem to find its footing. Homes are being foreclosed on, retirement savings have been decimated, jobs are being lost by the thousands, and the cost of living continues to rise. We have a president that scares a lot of people. There are also societal changes. We live in a different society than we did ten years ago. Terrorism affects all of us now. Our country has always been a bastion of liberty. Liberty is freedom with responsibility.
One of the greatest things about our country has been that people understood and took their responsibilities seriously. We now live in a world that doesn’t view freedom as a liberty but as a license – a license to do whatever they want to do while answering to no one. Maintaining liberty in that environment is very difficult.
More than 150 years ago, French Historian Alexis De Tocqueville traveled America to discover why the American experiment was so successful. He noted, “America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” And he noted that “Liberty cannot be established without morality, or morality without faith.”
Feb 5, 2010 - 10:00:00 AM
Pastor's Update
Being Effective in 2010
Many remember the 1985 movie starring Michael J. Fox, who played the part of teenager Marty McFly, and, Christopher Lloyd, who starred as Dr. Emmit Brown, a weird scientist who invented a time machine placed inside a remodeled DeLorean. Produced by Stephen Spielberg, Back to the Future, won Oscars for best effects and best sound editing, but its greatest effect was how it affected our culture and way of thinking.
Jan 29, 2010 - 10:00:00 AM
Pastor's Update
God is Pro-life
[This article was published on Jan. 16, 2009]
Listen to the Psalmist in chapter 127:3 (NASB)
“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior, so are children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They shall not be ashamed, when they speak with their enemies in the gate.”
From the New Testament, listen to the words of Jesus. In Matthew 18:1-4 “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' And He called a little child and had him stand among them, and He said, 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'” Vs. 6 “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
Jan 22, 2010 - 10:00:00 AM
Pastor's Update
Moving Ahead in 2010
Joshua 1:1-2; 6-9
The scripture reading tells about a time when the children of Israel were off to a new start. Moses had led them for the previous 40 years; but now he was dead. In fact, all of the older generation had died off in the wilderness. Joshua and Caleb were the only old guys left.
For 40 long years, the marching orders for Moses had been: "Take another lap around Mt. Sinai." There was a reason for that, but at last, Joshua received new marching orders. The book of Joshua starts with a bang: "Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise and go …" Joshua 1:2. Now that is a way to start something new! The Message Version puts it like this: "Moses my servant is dead - so get going!"
Jan 15, 2010 - 10:00:00 AM
Pastor's Update
Lighting Up the World of Darkness
John 8:12
Making decisions in the dark can lead to some regrettable consequences. Back in the days before electricity, a tightfisted old farmer was taking his hired man to task for carrying a lighted lantern when he went to call on his best girl. “Why,” he exclaimed, “when I went a-courtin’ I never carried one of them things, I always went in the dark.” “Yes,” the hired man said, wryly, “and look at what you got!”
Some people change their ways when they see the light, others only when they feel the heat.
Jan 1, 2010 - 10:00:00 AM
