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Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Wednesday Worship Day of Praise
Daily Prayer Request Day of Praise
Please join us in stopping to pray EVERY DAY at 7:14 am and 7:14 pm and pray and act in accord with this command of God from
2 Chronicles 7:14 —
"...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Spread the word!
2 Chronicles 7:14 —
"...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Spread the word!
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Day of Praise
Dear friends, God is not far away.
Wed, 03/25/20, "Day of Praise"
2 Chronicles 32:8 - "'With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.' And the people took confidence from the words of Hezeki′ah king of Judah."
God alone can call us into being; without God doing it, we don't even exist. God alone can breathe into us the breath of life; without God doing it, we have a body which has no life. God alone can bring forth food from the earth, find us when we're lost, pay the penalty of our sin, defeat the power of sin, and more.
In today's Bible verse from 2 Chronicles 32:8, we hear one of the best kings ever, Hezeki′ah king of Judah, say, "With [those who try to harm us] is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles." And look at how all who believed him responded as we also see in 2 Chronicles 32:8 where God also tells us that "the people took confidence from the words of Hezeki′ah king of Judah." When people hear that God is not far away, when people hear that God is with us, that God is here to help us, then people are encouraged.
And isn't it true? When someone lives their life in a way that shows they clearly believe that God is with us, to do what he does and be who he is and be our help and our strength, then that person inspires us. And when someone calls us to live our life, believing that God is with us, to do what he does and be who he is and be our help and our strength, then that person inspires us.
Dear friends, God is not far away. Like Hezeki′ah, king of Judah, said long ago, "with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles."
Believe it, and be inspired to encourage others to trust that God is here for them too! For it's true!
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
Monday, March 23, 2020
Day of Praise
Here are two sure things: 1) People will talk to us if we will listen to them. 2) God will listen to us if we will talk to him.
Tues, 03/24/20, "Day of Praise"
Psalm 28:6 - "Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy."
It's the world in which we live.
Many people find it hard to praise God.
People who find it hard to praise God are people who are just flat out overwhelmed by difficulties in their personal life, usually, because of financial issues, marital issues, health issues, the needs of their parents, or problems with their kids. They can't see God to praise him for who he is because their issues are so big and just right up in their face.
So we listen.
To one another.
And we pray.
For one another.
And with one another.
To help one another to see that God is listening.
Even though it's hard to see beyond the many issues.
We listen to one another because God promises to send someone into our life who will listen to us. And it helps. It helps when someone listens to us. Because after listening to so many others in the day, we sometimes don't feel like praising God. Instead, we feel overwhelmed by all the people problems put in front of us. But when our special someone listens, it feels like God is listening. And when God listens to us, then our soul is watered, and we can't help but praise God for who he is and for the one he sent us.
To listen.
To us.
That's what God is talking about in today's Bible verse from Psalm 28:6 - "Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy."
That's what people are talking about when they say they feel closer to God after we listen to them and pray with them.
And that's what the people in front of you need today. It's why they'll talk to you. Because you'll listen. And it will make them feel closer to God.
Dear God, we praise you for listening to us. And we thank you for the people you send us who listen to us. And for the people who will pray with us. And pray for us. Help us, Lord, to be that person for others who listens to them and prays with them so that more people might praise you today for bending your ear to us all. Amen.
Psalm 28:6 - "Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy."
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
Day of Praise
Laughter and encouragement for you, I pray.
Mon, 03/23/20, "Day of Praise"
Psalm 126:2 - "Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.'"
Do y'all think the Almighty laughs? I was so close to finding out.
The second Sunday of the month is usually our 5 p.m. prayer and healing service, which Almighty God has used to bring physical, spiritual, and emotional healing to many. It's an amazing service for those who come.
After a few calming songs and corporate prayer, we grab a chair and invite people to sit in it. Everyone lays their hands on the person in the chair and prays for them. Getting more than 4 or 5 people around one person requires some creativity, and we always have more than 4 or 5.
I myself love this service and want others to have a great experience, so I'll assume one of the "creative" positions as we lay hands on the person in the chair. And, for those who don't know me, I not only love worship, but I also take worship very seriously. I mean, we're in the presence of the Holy God. So there's room to be real and smile and laugh but not to turn worship into Comedy Hour.
So this one night a while back, in all reverence, I creatively found a spot where I had to kneel down next to the person in the chair as we all gathered around. And then it happened. I started to cramp. Ya know, one of those wake-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night-with-a-calf-or-thigh-stuck-in-pain kind of cramps. And I'm thinking that I'm about to fall over in pain and be rolling all over the floor and be unable to breathe let alone speak, but everyone's going to think that this reverent-in-worship, believer-in-healing, Lutheran pastor has been slain in the spirit. So I'm picturing this imminent, comical, cramp scene in my head while we're all praying over the chair person. And, I'm serious y'all, God zaps me and tells me I've got to stop drinking so much Diet Coke.
And I'm just hoping that God has a sense of humor because I'm not feeling very reverent and spiritual through these three minutes. And all I can do is turn my heart to God and, in a way that only God could hear, I squeal, "Please, Lord!" And immediately, I was able to say as in today's verse, "The Lord has done great things," as the cramp immediately went away.
And not wanting to unnecessarily put God to the test, I did find a standing position when the next person sat in the chair.
So y'all, have a blessed Monday, believing that God loves you, walks with you, is working in his infinite wisdom to heal you in every way, and definitely heals all who believe in Jesus to be the Son of God in the most important way, namely, the healing of your heart through the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation to God. And don't forget, as is also in today's verse, to let your "mouth [be] filled with laughter, and [your] tongue with shouts of joy!"
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Sunday worship recording Day of Praise
Earlier today, several (less than 10 😀) church members gathered and worshiped, recorded it, and just now put it on the website and sent out the link in an email. Did you receive it and the phone call giving the heads up about it?
If you did not receive that call and email and you want to, what's your best phone number and email address?
Here's the link to worship on our website! You can click and worship as much as you want!
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56142f66e4b0aab360e892c2/t/5e767e29b0412f11a9efe406/1584823955461/Sunday3.22.20.mp3/original/Sunday3.22.20.mp3
If you did not receive that call and email and you want to, what's your best phone number and email address?
Here's the link to worship on our website! You can click and worship as much as you want!
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56142f66e4b0aab360e892c2/t/5e767e29b0412f11a9efe406/1584823955461/Sunday3.22.20.mp3/original/Sunday3.22.20.mp3
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Day of Praise
May God grant all of us to say something like St. Paul, something like "I have believed to the end because the Lord is good!"
Thur, 03/19/20, "Day of Praise"
2 Timothy 4:7-8 - "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."
I wish I could remember so I could give them credit. But decades ago, I heard or read how someone ended every class by asking people, "What are you taking with you?" It is a way to make people stop and think about what they learned so they can give an account when somebody says, "What did you learn and talk about in class?"
It is a good practice for the end of life too and not just the end of a class. In today's Bible verse, St. Paul is, in essence, answering the question, "What are you taking with you?" St. Paul not only gives an account for his own life, but he also encourages all of us to love the appearing of Jesus because it brings a great reward. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, what St. Paul means is that there is great blessing for those who love it when God shows up and does his thing, which sometimes sets our enemies straight, but sometimes sets us straight, which we may not be so excited about.
So, as Lent is a season for us to think deeply about some things that we may not want to think about, the question is set before us, as with Paul, at the end of this day that God has granted you, "What are you taking with you from the day?" And, at the end of the big Day, when Jesus appears to take you to your heavenly home, what will you say to the question, "What are you taking with you from the class of life?"
May God grant all of us to say something like St. Paul, something like "I have believed to the end because the Lord is good!"
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
Wednesday Worship Day of Praise
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Day of Praise
Good morning! With all that's going on, it totally escaped me that yesterday was St. Patrick's Day. As God grants it, each day, this life of faith goes on. And there are responsibilities to tend to. But life in every season and situation is so much better when we notice, acknowledge, and remember the God and the people, who surround us like a cloud, even as we with love surround them too.
Wed, 03/18/20, For St. Patrick's Day, "Day of Praise"
Hebrews 12:1 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."
Hunh! "So great a cloud." In today's tech world, the great cloud is where all your data gets stored safely.
But for those who hunger for peace and heaven and enduring life, the greatest cloud always was, is, and will be where people are witnessing to the greatness of God, which is perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ.
That's what St. Patrick did, always yearning to be an overflowing vessel to others by keeping his eyes on Jesus Christ as testified in his breastplate prayer, which has always meant so much to me and is as follows: Christ be with me, Christ within me. Christ behind me, Christ before me. Christ beside me, Christ to win me. Christ to comfort me and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me. Christ in quiet, Christ in danger. Christ in hearts of all that love me. Christ in mouth of friend or stranger.
Wow! Eyes on Jesus; eyes that then focus on spreading the love to others!
Each day, it is so easy for us to get caught up in the stuff that concerns us and needs to get done. And don't get me wrong, it is important for us to tend to our daily responsibilities, just like the man and woman had to tend to the garden way back before sin entered the world in order that the garden would bear fruit. However, if you remember, it was when the desire to be surrounded by a cloud of stuff became greater than the desire to be surrounded by a cloud of witnesses that things went wrong for the first man and woman.
Our dear friend, Tracy Hipps, Executive Director of Birmingham's Christian Service Mission, sent out an encouragement today for a couple important ways for us to get caught up in loving people more than stuff—
Tracy asked, "How we should serve during these days and weeks?"
And he offers these 2 priority suggestions:
A) Care for Seniors:
1. Call your seniors around your home and neighborhood. Call your seniors at your church. Give them kind words and time to talk. Pray with them on the phone.
2. Ask them what they need that you could go pick up for them or do for them. Be their CARE Driver for those essentials that they need.
3. Pick up a prescription for them as long as they let their provider know you are coming. Figure it out for your situation.
4. Make meals for them, and take it to them, and leave it on the porch. Tell them it is coming. Ask them what meal makes them happy.
5. Reach out to everyone you can that is a senior to bless them and share the love of the Lord with them.
B) Care for the POOR and underserved in our congregation and communities:
1. They will be hurting soon, so when you go to the grocery store, buy something for them and for their kids.
2. We middle class and upper class for the most part will get paid. Think of ways to help your neighbor in need. Pray for guidance to better serve your neighbors in need. Don't wait till it is too late.
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Serving one another in the strength of Christ's presence and the lead of Holy Spirit is a glory to Father God and a foretaste of Heaven where the One Living God has a room and place at the never-ending Feast prepared for all who trust, love and serve him, even as God in Christ faithfully serves us each day unto everlasting life!
So each day life goes on as God graciously grants it. And there are responsibilities to tend to. But life is so much better when we notice, acknowledge, and remember the Triune God and the people, who surround us like a cloud, even as we with Christ's love surround them too.
Thank you all! I sincerely praise God for you!
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Challenge and Day of Praise
Challenge 1 - memorize and encourage everyone you see with the hope-filled truth of Romans 15:13. You'll need it for challenge #2.
Challenge 2 - The God of Hope sent His Only Son into the world at just the right time in countless ways, including the fact that Roman Roads throughout the vast Roman Empire made the personal spread of the Gospel easier than it ever could have been before. I challenge you to see your computer email and your cell-phone texting ability and other social media as the modern-day Roman Roads! Let's use our modern Roman Roads to personally spread the Gospel of Hope that we possess through faith in Jesus Christ and that the world has always sorely needed but is being awakened to its need in this day and age because of the health concerns that are pervading our cities, our country, and every nation in this world!
Tues, 03/17/20, "Day of Praise"
Matthew 5:13 - [Jesus said] "You are the salt of the earth."
My mom tells me that, when I was three years old, I would say that I was "Fwee." Furthermore, when somebody told me that I was three, then I'd say, "I'm not three; I'm fweeeeeee." In other words, I actually could say the right pronunciation, but I had myself convinced that the wrong pronunciation was correct.
And so it is with us all. Jesus says that we are the salt of the earth, which means, in sum, that God made us to be difference-makers. But we have ourselves convinced that life is too much and too hard. We, in essence, say, "I'm not salt; I'm small." We might as well be saying, "I'm not three; I'm fweeee." Being made in God's image, in our heart of hearts, we actually know who we are; we're salt, like Jesus says; we're difference-makers and world-changers; but we have ourselves convinced that we're something else altogether, namely, small and insignificant.
But no matter how much I insisted I was fwee, the truth remained that I was three. And no matter how much we insist that we're small and insignificant, the truth remains that we're the salt of the earth, world-changers, difference-makers, made in the strength and power and image of Almighty God!
So use your modern-day Roman Roads (which are your phone texts and your computer email) today, believing and calling others to believe that God's word about you (and all who have received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord) is true. You are the salt of the earth! Get out there and encourage and give hope in Christ to (and therein change!!!) the world! Mmmm, let's go!
Praise God!
Challenge 2 - The God of Hope sent His Only Son into the world at just the right time in countless ways, including the fact that Roman Roads throughout the vast Roman Empire made the personal spread of the Gospel easier than it ever could have been before. I challenge you to see your computer email and your cell-phone texting ability and other social media as the modern-day Roman Roads! Let's use our modern Roman Roads to personally spread the Gospel of Hope that we possess through faith in Jesus Christ and that the world has always sorely needed but is being awakened to its need in this day and age because of the health concerns that are pervading our cities, our country, and every nation in this world!
Tues, 03/17/20, "Day of Praise"
Matthew 5:13 - [Jesus said] "You are the salt of the earth."
My mom tells me that, when I was three years old, I would say that I was "Fwee." Furthermore, when somebody told me that I was three, then I'd say, "I'm not three; I'm fweeeeeee." In other words, I actually could say the right pronunciation, but I had myself convinced that the wrong pronunciation was correct.
And so it is with us all. Jesus says that we are the salt of the earth, which means, in sum, that God made us to be difference-makers. But we have ourselves convinced that life is too much and too hard. We, in essence, say, "I'm not salt; I'm small." We might as well be saying, "I'm not three; I'm fweeee." Being made in God's image, in our heart of hearts, we actually know who we are; we're salt, like Jesus says; we're difference-makers and world-changers; but we have ourselves convinced that we're something else altogether, namely, small and insignificant.
But no matter how much I insisted I was fwee, the truth remained that I was three. And no matter how much we insist that we're small and insignificant, the truth remains that we're the salt of the earth, world-changers, difference-makers, made in the strength and power and image of Almighty God!
So use your modern-day Roman Roads (which are your phone texts and your computer email) today, believing and calling others to believe that God's word about you (and all who have received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord) is true. You are the salt of the earth! Get out there and encourage and give hope in Christ to (and therein change!!!) the world! Mmmm, let's go!
Praise God!
Monday, March 16, 2020
Day of Praise
Peace and fellowship with God is available!
Mon, 03/16/20, "Day of Praise"
Luke 18:13 - "But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'"
Long ago, the followers of Jesus asked Jesus how to pray. At one point, Jesus taught them what we call the Lord's Prayer. But in telling this story in Luke 18, Jesus also taught them and us how to pray: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"
These seven words have three key elements: 1) an humble acknowledgement that God is Almighty and to be feared, 2) an humble acknowledgement that we have rebelled/sinned against Almighty God, and 3) an humble plea for mercy, which is for Almighty God to not give us what we deserve, namely, to not give us what sin against God deserves, which is death.
Jesus goes on in that story and says that the man who prayed those seven words went away with his relationship with God made right. That reconciliation and restoration to God is what we all long for. In our heart of hearts, we all hunger to have fellowship with God, but we worry that God can't or won't have anything to do with us. Yet, in Jesus Christ and his cross, God has shown how eager he is to have fellowship with us; he is willing to pour out every ounce of energy and blood and life, showing he'd rather die for us than live without us.
This is good news, friends. God loves you. Turn your heart to him each day, remember his great love for you, and ask him for mercy. And when you do, just like the man Jesus described long ago, you too will walk in peace and fellowship with God!
"God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"
Praise God!
Mon, 03/16/20, "Day of Praise"
Luke 18:13 - "But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'"
Long ago, the followers of Jesus asked Jesus how to pray. At one point, Jesus taught them what we call the Lord's Prayer. But in telling this story in Luke 18, Jesus also taught them and us how to pray: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"
These seven words have three key elements: 1) an humble acknowledgement that God is Almighty and to be feared, 2) an humble acknowledgement that we have rebelled/sinned against Almighty God, and 3) an humble plea for mercy, which is for Almighty God to not give us what we deserve, namely, to not give us what sin against God deserves, which is death.
Jesus goes on in that story and says that the man who prayed those seven words went away with his relationship with God made right. That reconciliation and restoration to God is what we all long for. In our heart of hearts, we all hunger to have fellowship with God, but we worry that God can't or won't have anything to do with us. Yet, in Jesus Christ and his cross, God has shown how eager he is to have fellowship with us; he is willing to pour out every ounce of energy and blood and life, showing he'd rather die for us than live without us.
This is good news, friends. God loves you. Turn your heart to him each day, remember his great love for you, and ask him for mercy. And when you do, just like the man Jesus described long ago, you too will walk in peace and fellowship with God!
"God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"
Praise God!
Friday, March 13, 2020
Day of Praise
Sat, 03/14/20, "Day of Praise"
A quick Happy Baptism Birthday to our son, Caden DeGreen, and Happy Birthday to Bob Kasper!
"Saul answered, 'But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?'" - 1 Samuel 9:21
Have you ever felt small and unimportant?
When I was a kid, I was quite overweight. I liked sweets waaaaaay too much. (And I still do, which is why I've given up sweets for Lent for the last 37 years.) So when I was a kid, not everyone, but there were a number of students who were very good at pointing out my deficiencies. Almost everyone else joined in.
I felt small.
But God, as always, was good. Amongst my peers were a few kind and encouraging voices. A very few. But my brother, Ben, my younger sister, Cheryl, and a girl named Billie Sue Dickson, were very encouraging.
God helped me to hear their encouragements. I will always be grateful to God for them.
In today's verse, Saul felt small. But Samuel was a lone encouraging voice. And out of Samuel's encouragement, Saul came to see how God could take smallness and turn him into a man with a changed heart, a man on whom God's Spirit would come with power, a man who could prophesy God's Word, a man who could strongly remain silent in the face of his detractors, a man who could be an instrument of victory over the enemies of others who felt small.
One voice, speaking with an ear toward God, can change a person who feels small into a person who lives large to the glory of God.
God has given at least one voice to encourage you to live large to God's glory. Listen to them. Thank God for them.
And God has placed someone in your life so that you can encourage them to live large too.
Dear God, help us to see them and to speak. To your glory. Amen
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
A quick Happy Baptism Birthday to our son, Caden DeGreen, and Happy Birthday to Bob Kasper!
"Saul answered, 'But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?'" - 1 Samuel 9:21
Have you ever felt small and unimportant?
When I was a kid, I was quite overweight. I liked sweets waaaaaay too much. (And I still do, which is why I've given up sweets for Lent for the last 37 years.) So when I was a kid, not everyone, but there were a number of students who were very good at pointing out my deficiencies. Almost everyone else joined in.
I felt small.
But God, as always, was good. Amongst my peers were a few kind and encouraging voices. A very few. But my brother, Ben, my younger sister, Cheryl, and a girl named Billie Sue Dickson, were very encouraging.
God helped me to hear their encouragements. I will always be grateful to God for them.
In today's verse, Saul felt small. But Samuel was a lone encouraging voice. And out of Samuel's encouragement, Saul came to see how God could take smallness and turn him into a man with a changed heart, a man on whom God's Spirit would come with power, a man who could prophesy God's Word, a man who could strongly remain silent in the face of his detractors, a man who could be an instrument of victory over the enemies of others who felt small.
One voice, speaking with an ear toward God, can change a person who feels small into a person who lives large to the glory of God.
God has given at least one voice to encourage you to live large to God's glory. Listen to them. Thank God for them.
And God has placed someone in your life so that you can encourage them to live large too.
Dear God, help us to see them and to speak. To your glory. Amen
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
Day of Praise
Dear Lord, you made each of us in a unique and wonderful way. You bless us to be a blessing!
Fri, 03/13/20, "Day of Praise"
John 10:10 - "[Jesus said,] I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Here's a summary of what Jesus just did with what Jesus just said -- "Know yourself and get better at being you."
What is the one thing you're here to do? Do that well! And tell other people how you can bless their lives with that one thing that you're about.
That's what Jesus did. He knew himself and the one thing he was here to do. He did that well! And he told us how he can bless our lives with that one thing that he's about. Jesus said, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
So, are you a church? Help people to take their next step in knowing God personally through Jesus. It may be inviting someone to take the first step in knowing God personally, which is to put their faith in Jesus as their Savior. It may be inviting someone to take a further step in knowing God personally, which is to follow Jesus as their Lord, surrendering some area of life to the Lord where they themselves have previously held control. It may be equipping someone to be a Disciplemaker of Disciplemakers of Disciplemakers like Jesus sent the disciples to do in Matthew 28:18-20 and Paul then sent Timothy to do in 2 Timothy 2:2.
Are you a husband? Learn to be blessed and receive love from the greatest husband, which is both God to the bride of his people and also Jesus to the bride of his church, and then be blessed by giving that love to your wife.
Are you a student? A parent? A boss? An employee? Learn from God and his word how to be you and what it means to be you. Know yourself in the light of God's word, and do well the one thing you're here to do. You will bless the lives of many, which God made us eager to do!
Dear Lord, you made each of us in a unique and wonderful way. You bless us. Help us to know our own selves in the light of your word, which shapes and molds and prunes and matures us so we can be what you made us eager to be, namely, a blessing to others. We love you, Lord. Thank you for being our great and wonderful God, who daily shows us your perfect love in Jesus Christ and counsels us in sharing your love through Holy Spirit. In Jesus's name, Amen!
Praise God!
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Re: Day of Praise
From: Chris DeGreen <pastorchrisdegreen@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2020 11:14:26 PM
To: jaw0023@auburn.edu <jaw0023@auburn.edu>; abc@huttocamp.com <abc@huttocamp.com>; noon4130@bellsouth.net <noon4130@bellsouth.net>; ctdegreen.dopblog@blogger.com <ctdegreen.dopblog@blogger.com>; Mlremillard <mlremillard@hughes.net>; us10-8cc68d148e-2c7f2dcc98@inbound.mailchimp.com <us10-8cc68d148e-2c7f2dcc98@inbound.mailchimp.com>; chris.obrien@alumni.harvard.edu <chris.obrien@alumni.harvard.edu>; bwjohnson6150@gmail.com <bwjohnson6150@gmail.com>; pjasmin218@yahoo.com <pjasmin218@yahoo.com>; Mark.byers@deluxe.com <Mark.byers@deluxe.com>; genellehildred@yahoo.com <genellehildred@yahoo.com>; jerry.nichols1946@att.net <jerry.nichols1946@att.net>; Thercabham@gmail.com <Thercabham@gmail.com>; shawna.mcgriff@gmail.com <shawna.mcgriff@gmail.com>; Dawn Zac <dawn.talley25@gmail.com>; Debbie McAdory <mcadoryd@gmail.com>; Debbie Streets <Debbiestreets@yahoo.com>; Deborah Fick <dfick55@bellsouth.net>; Deborah Flint <dadubble@att.net>; Derrick Richter <michellepfleming68@gmail.com>; Gerry Bethany Roden <grbear85@hotmail.com>; Greg Carter <carterwerks@gmail.com>; James Rives <Jamesrobertrives95@gmail.com>; Jan Kneule <Jkneule@yahoo.com>; Jasmine Mike Lewis <emailfromusa@aol.com>; Jason Powell <jstyles66@gmail.com>; Jerry Christianson <jerry@4cbp.com>; Jerry Ellingson <ggfarmer@live.com>; Jessica Jonathan Sims <atomicbean30@gmail.com>; Jimmy S <jim0291@att.net>; Josh Dunlap <Joshd2721@gmail.com>; Joy ONeal <joy@theredbarnfoundation.org>; pier1122 <pier1122@bellsouth.net>; Al sherry Russell <alrussell@reagan.com>; Alisha Callins <a.callins@trapsoeal.org>; Angie Cerniglia <acerniglia76@gmail.com>; Aunt Sue Johnson <johnson772@bellsouth.net>; Bill Laurie Kinnebrew <billkinnebrew@me.com>; Bob Hains <rjohnhains@gmail.com>; Bob Poole <bob@worrellpoole.com>; Buddy Rutledge <william.rutledge@irs.gov>; Charles Streets <Chuckestreets@hotmail.com>; Corrine Elaine Eyer <lukisha.green@yahoo.com>; Danny Endress <dendress@att.net>; David Lyons <david.r.lyons@gmail.com>; Ms Concetta Ward <Msconcettaward@yahoo.com>; Priscilla Gray <priscillaleighgray@gmail.com>; Randy Sandra Barker <rbarker0926@gmail.com>; Rob Hood <frhoodjr@gmail.com>; Robin Moman <robinmoman5@gmail.com>; Ronda Waller <rondawaller@att.net>; Ruth Hudson <mruthhudson@gmail.com>; Sadie Email Messner <sadiehayes19@gmail.com>; Sandra Only Barker <sandrakbarker0918@gmail.com>; Susannah Doucet <susannah.doucet@gmail.com>; Wilma Sweeney <wsween4423@gmail.com>; bernie Minner <bern210minn@hotmail.com>; Julie Gibbs <jgg1165@hotmail.com>; Kathy Mason <kmason51@gmail.com>; Leta Osborn <LetaOsborn@ExpectCare.com>; Lynn Headley <lynnmhead@yahoo.com>; Marilyn Walsh <marilynwalsh7@cox.net>; Maureen Lynn <gardenbird50@aol.com>; Michael Randall <mtrandall@att.net>; Mike Anderson <bartbent49@gmail.com>; Mike Mooneyham <volfan247@gmail.com>; Mitch Messner <mitchellmessner@gmail.com>; Mom Martha green <marthagreenfhl@gmail.com>; Mabidner@crimson.ua.edu <Mabidner@crimson.ua.edu>; Dr Mike Jasmine Lewis <riverchaseendo@bellsouth.net>; Coretta.jackson@att.net <Coretta.jackson@att.net>; gheespann2@gmail.com <gheespann2@gmail.com>; Lyn Franks 253-2891 <lynfranks50@gmail.com>; jenglebert@charter.net <jenglebert@charter.net>; RMMaas@aol.com <RMMaas@aol.com>; mclemore8838@gmail.com <mclemore8838@gmail.com>; mtherrell714@gmail.com <mtherrell714@gmail.com>; coachmarkeverett@gmail.com <coachmarkeverett@gmail.com>; wes.talley@nm.com <wes.talley@nm.com>; jza0013@yahoo.com <jza0013@yahoo.com>; Missy Etheridge <metheridge@proassurance.com>
Subject: Day of Praise
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2020 11:14:26 PM
To: jaw0023@auburn.edu <jaw0023@auburn.edu>; abc@huttocamp.com <abc@huttocamp.com>; noon4130@bellsouth.net <noon4130@bellsouth.net>; ctdegreen.dopblog@blogger.com <ctdegreen.dopblog@blogger.com>; Mlremillard <mlremillard@hughes.net>; us10-8cc68d148e-2c7f2dcc98@inbound.mailchimp.com <us10-8cc68d148e-2c7f2dcc98@inbound.mailchimp.com>; chris.obrien@alumni.harvard.edu <chris.obrien@alumni.harvard.edu>; bwjohnson6150@gmail.com <bwjohnson6150@gmail.com>; pjasmin218@yahoo.com <pjasmin218@yahoo.com>; Mark.byers@deluxe.com <Mark.byers@deluxe.com>; genellehildred@yahoo.com <genellehildred@yahoo.com>; jerry.nichols1946@att.net <jerry.nichols1946@att.net>; Thercabham@gmail.com <Thercabham@gmail.com>; shawna.mcgriff@gmail.com <shawna.mcgriff@gmail.com>; Dawn Zac <dawn.talley25@gmail.com>; Debbie McAdory <mcadoryd@gmail.com>; Debbie Streets <Debbiestreets@yahoo.com>; Deborah Fick <dfick55@bellsouth.net>; Deborah Flint <dadubble@att.net>; Derrick Richter <michellepfleming68@gmail.com>; Gerry Bethany Roden <grbear85@hotmail.com>; Greg Carter <carterwerks@gmail.com>; James Rives <Jamesrobertrives95@gmail.com>; Jan Kneule <Jkneule@yahoo.com>; Jasmine Mike Lewis <emailfromusa@aol.com>; Jason Powell <jstyles66@gmail.com>; Jerry Christianson <jerry@4cbp.com>; Jerry Ellingson <ggfarmer@live.com>; Jessica Jonathan Sims <atomicbean30@gmail.com>; Jimmy S <jim0291@att.net>; Josh Dunlap <Joshd2721@gmail.com>; Joy ONeal <joy@theredbarnfoundation.org>; pier1122 <pier1122@bellsouth.net>; Al sherry Russell <alrussell@reagan.com>; Alisha Callins <a.callins@trapsoeal.org>; Angie Cerniglia <acerniglia76@gmail.com>; Aunt Sue Johnson <johnson772@bellsouth.net>; Bill Laurie Kinnebrew <billkinnebrew@me.com>; Bob Hains <rjohnhains@gmail.com>; Bob Poole <bob@worrellpoole.com>; Buddy Rutledge <william.rutledge@irs.gov>; Charles Streets <Chuckestreets@hotmail.com>; Corrine Elaine Eyer <lukisha.green@yahoo.com>; Danny Endress <dendress@att.net>; David Lyons <david.r.lyons@gmail.com>; Ms Concetta Ward <Msconcettaward@yahoo.com>; Priscilla Gray <priscillaleighgray@gmail.com>; Randy Sandra Barker <rbarker0926@gmail.com>; Rob Hood <frhoodjr@gmail.com>; Robin Moman <robinmoman5@gmail.com>; Ronda Waller <rondawaller@att.net>; Ruth Hudson <mruthhudson@gmail.com>; Sadie Email Messner <sadiehayes19@gmail.com>; Sandra Only Barker <sandrakbarker0918@gmail.com>; Susannah Doucet <susannah.doucet@gmail.com>; Wilma Sweeney <wsween4423@gmail.com>; bernie Minner <bern210minn@hotmail.com>; Julie Gibbs <jgg1165@hotmail.com>; Kathy Mason <kmason51@gmail.com>; Leta Osborn <LetaOsborn@ExpectCare.com>; Lynn Headley <lynnmhead@yahoo.com>; Marilyn Walsh <marilynwalsh7@cox.net>; Maureen Lynn <gardenbird50@aol.com>; Michael Randall <mtrandall@att.net>; Mike Anderson <bartbent49@gmail.com>; Mike Mooneyham <volfan247@gmail.com>; Mitch Messner <mitchellmessner@gmail.com>; Mom Martha green <marthagreenfhl@gmail.com>; Mabidner@crimson.ua.edu <Mabidner@crimson.ua.edu>; Dr Mike Jasmine Lewis <riverchaseendo@bellsouth.net>; Coretta.jackson@att.net <Coretta.jackson@att.net>; gheespann2@gmail.com <gheespann2@gmail.com>; Lyn Franks 253-2891 <lynfranks50@gmail.com>; jenglebert@charter.net <jenglebert@charter.net>; RMMaas@aol.com <RMMaas@aol.com>; mclemore8838@gmail.com <mclemore8838@gmail.com>; mtherrell714@gmail.com <mtherrell714@gmail.com>; coachmarkeverett@gmail.com <coachmarkeverett@gmail.com>; wes.talley@nm.com <wes.talley@nm.com>; jza0013@yahoo.com <jza0013@yahoo.com>; Missy Etheridge <metheridge@proassurance.com>
Subject: Day of Praise
Good day! None of us ever really knows, but we do know...
Thur, 03/12/20, "Day of Praise"
1 Kings 17:14 - [Elijah said to the widow,] "For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.'"
Have you ever wondered if you were going to run out? Ya know! Are you going to run out of patience? Or courage? Or money? Or food? Or strength?
I remember a time I thought I was going to run out of gas. My car dashboard meter said I had fifteen miles of gas for the eight miles I needed to go. In less than a mile, the meter said I had two miles of gas remaining. Do the math! Problem! And lots of praying, since part of the trip was getting my son to his high school football team workout at six a.m. on dark lonely roads. I thanked God when we didn't run out. I mean, who else would you thank when your fears of running out don't come true?
Have you ever wondered if you were going to run out? Of anything? Today's Bible story is about a widow and her son who were sure they and their provision were done. But God spoke through Elijah and told her "The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty." God's call was for her, and God's call is for us, to stop living as if our provision is done.
Because we think we're going to run out.
Ultimately, none of us knows if we'll have enough, but we do know the Lord who provides.
Sometimes I myself wonder if I'll have enough Day of Praise stories to keep this thing going.
And then, I'll step off an hospital elevator and someone asks, "Did you see anyone in a wheelchair down there?" I stop for a moment and say, "Is this a trick question? This is a hospital. It has lots of wheelchairs!" Now, that would be a good story to go with a Day of Praise.
And then, I'll bump into someone who tells me they went shooting chickens earlier that day. I ask 'em if indeed they'd killed any. They look at me funny and say they were taking pictures, shooting a camera, not a gun. Hey, how was I to know that people do photo-ops with chickens? Now, that would be a good story to go with a Day of Praise.
And then, one time, somebody else's huuuuuuuuge mistake erased a boat load of my work. Aaaaaaa, frustrated! I wanted to grab from my chocolate stash in my desk. But I had given up chocolate and sweets for Lent, so the Holy Spirit told me to reach for Christ instead. And that would be a good Day of Praise story too.
Oops! I just used my stash of Day of Praise stories.
Will I have something come to mind for tomorrow? Will I have enough?
Ya know, I don't know!
None of us ever really knows if we're going to run out of patience. Or courage. Or money. Or food. Or strength. Or stories, but we do know the Lord who provides!
Praise God!
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Day of Praise
Good day! None of us ever really knows, but we do know...
Thur, 03/12/20, "Day of Praise"
1 Kings 17:14 - [Elijah said to the widow,] "For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.'"
Have you ever wondered if you were going to run out? Ya know! Are you going to run out of patience? Or courage? Or money? Or food? Or strength?
I remember a time I thought I was going to run out of gas. My car dashboard meter said I had fifteen miles of gas for the eight miles I needed to go. In less than a mile, the meter said I had two miles of gas remaining. Do the math! Problem! And lots of praying, since part of the trip was getting my son to his high school football team workout at six a.m. on dark lonely roads. I thanked God when we didn't run out. I mean, who else would you thank when your fears of running out don't come true?
Have you ever wondered if you were going to run out? Of anything? Today's Bible story is about a widow and her son who were sure they and their provision were done. But God spoke through Elijah and told her "The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty." God's call was for her, and God's call is for us, to stop living as if our provision is done.
Because we think we're going to run out.
Ultimately, none of us knows if we'll have enough, but we do know the Lord who provides.
Sometimes I myself wonder if I'll have enough Day of Praise stories to keep this thing going.
And then, I'll step off an hospital elevator and someone asks, "Did you see anyone in a wheelchair down there?" I stop for a moment and say, "Is this a trick question? This is a hospital. It has lots of wheelchairs!" Now, that would be a good story to go with a Day of Praise.
And then, I'll bump into someone who tells me they went shooting chickens earlier that day. I ask 'em if indeed they'd killed any. They look at me funny and say they were taking pictures, shooting a camera, not a gun. Hey, how was I to know that people do photo-ops with chickens? Now, that would be a good story to go with a Day of Praise.
And then, one time, somebody else's huuuuuuuuge mistake erased a boat load of my work. Aaaaaaa, frustrated! I wanted to grab from my chocolate stash in my desk. But I had given up chocolate and sweets for Lent, so the Holy Spirit told me to reach for Christ instead. And that would be a good Day of Praise story too.
Oops! I just used my stash of Day of Praise stories.
Will I have something come to mind for tomorrow? Will I have enough?
Ya know, I don't know!
None of us ever really knows if we're going to run out of patience. Or courage. Or money. Or food. Or strength. Or stories, but we do know the Lord who provides!
Praise God!
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Invitation and Day of Praise
Greetings! I pray y'all can come to worship today, Wednesday, March 11, if you're in town, at our congregation, Christ the King Lutheran Church, at 11:45 a.m. (followed by 12:15 lunch) or 6:30 p.m. (preceded by 5:15 dinner) at 611 Riverchase Parkway West, Hoover, AL 35244. My wife, Amanda, (who also preached for me impromptu this past Sunday when I woke up sick) is the regularly scheduled Lenten Speaker for today on our Lenten Season theme "Growing in your daily walk with God through Christ" and, after the Bible, she'll also use our Lenten book, George Wehby's outstanding "The Lion Heart Warrior". Amanda's sermon today at both worship times will be a great encouragement in Christ just like Jesse Gomez's was last Wednesday. You can listen to Amanda's sermon from this past Sunday at https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56142f66e4b0aab360e892c2/t/5e650466ec7bc900e9a14783/1583678598124/3.8.2020.mp3/original/3.8.2020.mp3
Wed, 03/11/20, "Day of Praise"
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16
As Forrest Gump says, "That's all I have to say about that."
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16
As Forrest Gump says, "That's all I have to say about that."
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
Monday, March 9, 2020
Day of Praise
Hi, Friends! I pray you have a growing desire to walk daily with Christ with the goal of bearing more spiritual fruit, as God made us in his image to do.
Tues, 03/10/20, "Day of Praise"
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
There are all sorts of piles of dead clippings in front of houses and next to the road these days. It's pruning time. Tall grasses, flowering trees and bushes, they're all getting pruned back. You prune these things because you want them to bloom more fully, to bear more fruit. If you don't prune off the suckers, then the flowers and foliage and fruit will not be as colorful and rich and sweet.
Right now we're in the season of Lent. Lent is the season leading up to Easter, which is on April 12 this year, a few short weeks away. "Lent" is short for "lengthen". It's the season when the days are lengthening and things are starting to grow. But they don't grow as colorful and rich and sweet if they're not pruned. That's why many people have been doing a Lenten discipline since Ash Wednesday back on February 26. Lenten disciplines are when you take on something like praying daily or reading your Bible daily or serving at a mission each week. Lenten disciplines can also be giving up something like caffeine or coke or cigarettes or sweets or gossip. Whether you give up something or take on something or both, the purpose of a discipline is pruning, specifically pruning off the suckers from your life.
Suckers in our lives, as they do in plants, drain the flow of nutrients that are needed to produce colorful and rich and sweet fruit, like "the fruit of the Spirit [which] is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23) So the suckers need to be pruned. With disciplines. In the strength of Christ. In the power of Holy Spirit who changes us, heart and mind, from the inside out. So there can be more fruit. And less suckers. After all, who doesn't want more "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control"?
It's not too late. If you haven't already, ask God now to help you decide on your Lenten disciplines so the pruning can continue to Easter Sunday and beyond. The fruit will burst forth rich and lush and sweet.
Praise God!
Re: Day of Praise
From: Chris DeGreen <pastorchrisdegreen@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 8, 2020 9:33:17 PM
To: jza0013@yahoo.com <jza0013@yahoo.com>; genellehildred@yahoo.com <genellehildred@yahoo.com>; abc@huttocamp.com <abc@huttocamp.com>; noon4130@bellsouth.net <noon4130@bellsouth.net>; jerry.nichols1946@att.net <jerry.nichols1946@att.net>; pier1122@bellsouth.net <pier1122@bellsouth.net>; Mlremillard <mlremillard@hughes.net>; mtherrell714@gmail.com <mtherrell714@gmail.com>; Mabidner@crimson.ua.edu <Mabidner@crimson.ua.edu>; gheespann2@gmail.com <gheespann2@gmail.com>; us10-8cc68d148e-2c7f2dcc98@inbound.mailchimp.com <us10-8cc68d148e-2c7f2dcc98@inbound.mailchimp.com>; Mark.byers@deluxe.com <Mark.byers@deluxe.com>; Jason Powell <jstyles66@gmail.com>; Bob Poole <bob@worrellpoole.com>; chris.obrien@alumni.harvard.edu <chris.obrien@alumni.harvard.edu>; pjasmin218@yahoo.com <pjasmin218@yahoo.com>; Josh Dunlap <Joshd2721@gmail.com>; Priscilla Gray <priscillaleighgray@gmail.com>; Greg Carter <carterwerks@gmail.com>; James Rives <Jamesrobertrives95@gmail.com>; Jan Kneule <Jkneule@yahoo.com>; Jasmine Mike Lewis <emailfromusa@aol.com>; Jerry Christianson <jerry@4cbp.com>; Jerry Ellingson <ggfarmer@live.com>; Jessica Jonathan Sims <atomicbean30@gmail.com>; Jimmy S <jim0291@att.net>; Joy ONeal <joy@theredbarnfoundation.org>; Julie Gibbs <jgg1165@hotmail.com>; Kathy Mason <kmason51@gmail.com>; Leta Osborn <LetaOsborn@expectcare.com>; Lynn Headley <Lynnmhead@yahoo.com>; Marilyn Walsh <marilynwalsh7@cox.net>; Maureen Lynn <gardenbird50@aol.com>; Mike Anderson <bartbent49@gmail.com>; Mike Mooneyham <volfan247@gmail.com>; Mitch Messner <mitchellmessner@gmail.com>; bernie Minner <bern210minn@hotmail.com>; Al sherry Russell <alrussell@reagan.com>; Angie Cerniglia <acerniglia76@gmail.com>; Aunt Sue Johnson <johnson772@bellsouth.net>; Bill Laurie Kinnebrew <billkinnebrew@me.com>; Bob Hains <rjohnhains@gmail.com>; Buddy Rutledge <William.Rutledge@irs.gov>; Corrine Elaine Eyer <lukisha.green@yahoo.com>; David Lyons <david.r.lyons@gmail.com>; Dawn Zac <dawn.talley25@gmail.com>; Debbie McAdory <mcadoryd@gmail.com>; Deborah Fick <dfick55@bellsouth.net>; Deborah Flint <dadubble@att.net>; Derrick Richter <michellepfleming68@gmail.com>; Gerry Bethany Roden <grbear85@hotmail.com>; Randy Sandra Barker <rbarker0926@gmail.com>; Rob Hood <frhoodjr@gmail.com>; Ronda Waller <rondawaller@att.net>; Ruth Hudson <mruthhudson@gmail.com>; Sadie Email Messner <sadiehayes19@gmail.com>; Sandra Only Barker <sandrakbarker0918@gmail.com>; Susannah Doucet <susannah.doucet@gmail.com>; Wilma Sweeney <wsween4423@gmail.com>; Mom Martha green <marthagreenfhl@gmail.com>; Ms Concetta Ward <Msconcettaward@yahoo.com>; wes.talley@nm.com <wes.talley@nm.com>; RMMaas@aol.com <RMMaas@aol.com>; Dr Mike Jasmine Lewis <riverchaseendo@bellsouth.net>; Lyn Franks 253-2891 <lynfranks50@gmail.com>; jenglebert@charter.net <jenglebert@charter.net>; Coretta.jackson@att.net <Coretta.jackson@att.net>; coachmarkeverett@gmail.com <coachmarkeverett@gmail.com>; Danny Endress <dendress@att.net>; Wilma Sweeney <wsween4423@gmail.com>; Charles Streets <Chuckestreets@hotmail.com>; Debbie Streets <Debbiestreets@yahoo.com>; Shawna Pray Alex McGriff <shawna.mcgriff@gmail.com>; John Mclemore Holly Gareri <mclemore8838@gmail.com>; Michael Randall <mtrandall@att.net>; Calley Email: ctdegreen@gmail.com pw: psalm_46_5 DeGreen <ctdegreen.dopblog@blogger.com>; Alisha Callins <a.callins@trapsoeal.org>; Jamero Callins Alisha Jordan Jayley <Thercabham@gmail.com>; Robin Moman <robinmoman5@gmail.com>; David (0877) Josine Matthew Michelle WalterX <jaw0023@auburn.edu>; Brenda Mark and Brindlee and Megan Johnson <bwjohnson6150@gmail.com>
Subject: Day of Praise
Sent: Sunday, March 8, 2020 9:33:17 PM
To: jza0013@yahoo.com <jza0013@yahoo.com>; genellehildred@yahoo.com <genellehildred@yahoo.com>; abc@huttocamp.com <abc@huttocamp.com>; noon4130@bellsouth.net <noon4130@bellsouth.net>; jerry.nichols1946@att.net <jerry.nichols1946@att.net>; pier1122@bellsouth.net <pier1122@bellsouth.net>; Mlremillard <mlremillard@hughes.net>; mtherrell714@gmail.com <mtherrell714@gmail.com>; Mabidner@crimson.ua.edu <Mabidner@crimson.ua.edu>; gheespann2@gmail.com <gheespann2@gmail.com>; us10-8cc68d148e-2c7f2dcc98@inbound.mailchimp.com <us10-8cc68d148e-2c7f2dcc98@inbound.mailchimp.com>; Mark.byers@deluxe.com <Mark.byers@deluxe.com>; Jason Powell <jstyles66@gmail.com>; Bob Poole <bob@worrellpoole.com>; chris.obrien@alumni.harvard.edu <chris.obrien@alumni.harvard.edu>; pjasmin218@yahoo.com <pjasmin218@yahoo.com>; Josh Dunlap <Joshd2721@gmail.com>; Priscilla Gray <priscillaleighgray@gmail.com>; Greg Carter <carterwerks@gmail.com>; James Rives <Jamesrobertrives95@gmail.com>; Jan Kneule <Jkneule@yahoo.com>; Jasmine Mike Lewis <emailfromusa@aol.com>; Jerry Christianson <jerry@4cbp.com>; Jerry Ellingson <ggfarmer@live.com>; Jessica Jonathan Sims <atomicbean30@gmail.com>; Jimmy S <jim0291@att.net>; Joy ONeal <joy@theredbarnfoundation.org>; Julie Gibbs <jgg1165@hotmail.com>; Kathy Mason <kmason51@gmail.com>; Leta Osborn <LetaOsborn@expectcare.com>; Lynn Headley <Lynnmhead@yahoo.com>; Marilyn Walsh <marilynwalsh7@cox.net>; Maureen Lynn <gardenbird50@aol.com>; Mike Anderson <bartbent49@gmail.com>; Mike Mooneyham <volfan247@gmail.com>; Mitch Messner <mitchellmessner@gmail.com>; bernie Minner <bern210minn@hotmail.com>; Al sherry Russell <alrussell@reagan.com>; Angie Cerniglia <acerniglia76@gmail.com>; Aunt Sue Johnson <johnson772@bellsouth.net>; Bill Laurie Kinnebrew <billkinnebrew@me.com>; Bob Hains <rjohnhains@gmail.com>; Buddy Rutledge <William.Rutledge@irs.gov>; Corrine Elaine Eyer <lukisha.green@yahoo.com>; David Lyons <david.r.lyons@gmail.com>; Dawn Zac <dawn.talley25@gmail.com>; Debbie McAdory <mcadoryd@gmail.com>; Deborah Fick <dfick55@bellsouth.net>; Deborah Flint <dadubble@att.net>; Derrick Richter <michellepfleming68@gmail.com>; Gerry Bethany Roden <grbear85@hotmail.com>; Randy Sandra Barker <rbarker0926@gmail.com>; Rob Hood <frhoodjr@gmail.com>; Ronda Waller <rondawaller@att.net>; Ruth Hudson <mruthhudson@gmail.com>; Sadie Email Messner <sadiehayes19@gmail.com>; Sandra Only Barker <sandrakbarker0918@gmail.com>; Susannah Doucet <susannah.doucet@gmail.com>; Wilma Sweeney <wsween4423@gmail.com>; Mom Martha green <marthagreenfhl@gmail.com>; Ms Concetta Ward <Msconcettaward@yahoo.com>; wes.talley@nm.com <wes.talley@nm.com>; RMMaas@aol.com <RMMaas@aol.com>; Dr Mike Jasmine Lewis <riverchaseendo@bellsouth.net>; Lyn Franks 253-2891 <lynfranks50@gmail.com>; jenglebert@charter.net <jenglebert@charter.net>; Coretta.jackson@att.net <Coretta.jackson@att.net>; coachmarkeverett@gmail.com <coachmarkeverett@gmail.com>; Danny Endress <dendress@att.net>; Wilma Sweeney <wsween4423@gmail.com>; Charles Streets <Chuckestreets@hotmail.com>; Debbie Streets <Debbiestreets@yahoo.com>; Shawna Pray Alex McGriff <shawna.mcgriff@gmail.com>; John Mclemore Holly Gareri <mclemore8838@gmail.com>; Michael Randall <mtrandall@att.net>; Calley Email: ctdegreen@gmail.com pw: psalm_46_5 DeGreen <ctdegreen.dopblog@blogger.com>; Alisha Callins <a.callins@trapsoeal.org>; Jamero Callins Alisha Jordan Jayley <Thercabham@gmail.com>; Robin Moman <robinmoman5@gmail.com>; David (0877) Josine Matthew Michelle WalterX <jaw0023@auburn.edu>; Brenda Mark and Brindlee and Megan Johnson <bwjohnson6150@gmail.com>
Subject: Day of Praise
Mon, 03/09/20, "Day of Praise"
Genesis 16:13 - "So [Hagar] called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.'"
Do you ever feel invisible? Like no one knows you exist?
God knows. God knows you exist. God sees you.
In today's Bible verse, we hear of Hagar. Through no fault of her own, Hagar was a person, specifically Hagar was a woman, who was looked down upon by everyone. Nobody saw her, except when they needed to get something from her. She might as well have been invisible. She might as well not have existed. She felt worthless.
Until God sent her a messenger.
And told her He sees her.
Then everything changed for Hagar.
Maybe not, probably not, in how people dealt with her. But now that didn't matter. Because she was not invisible. God saw her. God knew she existed.
And so it is for you. God has sent you a messenger, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He has seen you. And your situation. And he has done something about your situation, so that, believing He still sees you, you will see Him.
So everything has changed for you. Maybe not, probably not, in how people deal with you. But now that doesn't matter. Because you're not invisible. God sees you. God knows you exist.
And, if you look, believing that it's true as God promises in Jesus Christ, then you will see God at work in your life by His Holy Spirit so that you can exclaim with Hagar, "You are the God who sees me, Truly here I have seen him who looks after me."
Praise God!
Genesis 16:13 - "So [Hagar] called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.'"
Do you ever feel invisible? Like no one knows you exist?
God knows. God knows you exist. God sees you.
In today's Bible verse, we hear of Hagar. Through no fault of her own, Hagar was a person, specifically Hagar was a woman, who was looked down upon by everyone. Nobody saw her, except when they needed to get something from her. She might as well have been invisible. She might as well not have existed. She felt worthless.
Until God sent her a messenger.
And told her He sees her.
Then everything changed for Hagar.
Maybe not, probably not, in how people dealt with her. But now that didn't matter. Because she was not invisible. God saw her. God knew she existed.
And so it is for you. God has sent you a messenger, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He has seen you. And your situation. And he has done something about your situation, so that, believing He still sees you, you will see Him.
So everything has changed for you. Maybe not, probably not, in how people deal with you. But now that doesn't matter. Because you're not invisible. God sees you. God knows you exist.
And, if you look, believing that it's true as God promises in Jesus Christ, then you will see God at work in your life by His Holy Spirit so that you can exclaim with Hagar, "You are the God who sees me, Truly here I have seen him who looks after me."
Praise God!
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Day of Praise
Mon, 03/09/20, "Day of Praise"
Genesis 16:13 - "So [Hagar] called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.'"
Do you ever feel invisible? Like no one knows you exist?
God knows. God knows you exist. God sees you.
In today's Bible verse, we hear of Hagar. Through no fault of her own, Hagar was a person, specifically Hagar was a woman, who was looked down upon by everyone. Nobody saw her, except when they needed to get something from her. She might as well have been invisible. She might as well not have existed. She felt worthless.
Until God sent her a messenger.
And told her He sees her.
Then everything changed for Hagar.
Maybe not, probably not, in how people dealt with her. But now that didn't matter. Because she was not invisible. God saw her. God knew she existed.
And so it is for you. God has sent you a messenger, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He has seen you. And your situation. And he has done something about your situation, so that, believing He still sees you, you will see Him.
So everything has changed for you. Maybe not, probably not, in how people deal with you. But now that doesn't matter. Because you're not invisible. God sees you. God knows you exist.
And, if you look, believing that it's true as God promises in Jesus Christ, then you will see God at work in your life by His Holy Spirit so that you can exclaim with Hagar, "You are the God who sees me, Truly here I have seen him who looks after me."
Praise God!
Genesis 16:13 - "So [Hagar] called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.'"
Do you ever feel invisible? Like no one knows you exist?
God knows. God knows you exist. God sees you.
In today's Bible verse, we hear of Hagar. Through no fault of her own, Hagar was a person, specifically Hagar was a woman, who was looked down upon by everyone. Nobody saw her, except when they needed to get something from her. She might as well have been invisible. She might as well not have existed. She felt worthless.
Until God sent her a messenger.
And told her He sees her.
Then everything changed for Hagar.
Maybe not, probably not, in how people dealt with her. But now that didn't matter. Because she was not invisible. God saw her. God knew she existed.
And so it is for you. God has sent you a messenger, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He has seen you. And your situation. And he has done something about your situation, so that, believing He still sees you, you will see Him.
So everything has changed for you. Maybe not, probably not, in how people deal with you. But now that doesn't matter. Because you're not invisible. God sees you. God knows you exist.
And, if you look, believing that it's true as God promises in Jesus Christ, then you will see God at work in your life by His Holy Spirit so that you can exclaim with Hagar, "You are the God who sees me, Truly here I have seen him who looks after me."
Praise God!
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Day of Praise
Fri, 03/06/20, "Day of Praise"
Isaiah 51:3 - "For the Lord comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song."
The work week can feel like a wilderness, leaving your soul in waste.
But in today's verse, God tells us of the renewal he will bring to Zion, that is the renewal God will bring to all people who would place their faith in Him.
Then, after resting up, after finding comfort and finding Eden Paradise where you were feeling drained, we are plainly commanded by God to go find some joy and gladness by going to give thanks and sing.
It's a rhythm, Friends. It's a rhythm. Work, rest, worship, renewal. Work, rest, worship, renewal. Work, rest, worship, renewal.
So today's the last day of the work week. Tomorrow you're resting up. So, Sunday? Well, let's be some place in worship. Ya know, for some renewal, joy, and gladness!
Love, y'all! Have a great day!
Praise God!
Isaiah 51:3 - "For the Lord comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song."
The work week can feel like a wilderness, leaving your soul in waste.
But in today's verse, God tells us of the renewal he will bring to Zion, that is the renewal God will bring to all people who would place their faith in Him.
Then, after resting up, after finding comfort and finding Eden Paradise where you were feeling drained, we are plainly commanded by God to go find some joy and gladness by going to give thanks and sing.
It's a rhythm, Friends. It's a rhythm. Work, rest, worship, renewal. Work, rest, worship, renewal. Work, rest, worship, renewal.
So today's the last day of the work week. Tomorrow you're resting up. So, Sunday? Well, let's be some place in worship. Ya know, for some renewal, joy, and gladness!
Love, y'all! Have a great day!
Praise God!
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Day of Praise
Hi, Friends! Good news! God sees into your heart and guides you on a path and at a pace that the Lord deems right for you!
Thur, 03/05/20, "Day of Praise"
1 Samuel 16:7 - "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"
You're going too slow!
That's what I thought about the big car in front of me that was poking along about thirty miles per hour in a 45 miles per hour zone. But starting to pass him, I then saw clearly that there was a slow and very small car in front of him. There were no hazard lights flashing on either car, but I just got the feeling that the big, slow, nice car was looking after the little, slower, not-as-nice car.
Has anyone ever told you that you were going too slow? Like me with the car in front of me, whoever's fussing at you is often not seeing the whole picture. Maybe you eat slow because you savor the flavor of every precious bite. Maybe you're grieving a loved one slower than others are comfortable with because you just are, and grief has no timeline. Maybe you talk slow so people can actually understand what you're saying. Maybe you teens have told a boyfriend or girlfriend to slow down because there are more important things in life like an education and a marriage ceremony before two people bare their souls and more to each other. Maybe your education or your career is unfolding more slowly than you had planned. Maybe you walk slow because you're deep-thinking like a man in my life.
But if you're feeling worn down by people telling you to speed up, be encouraged because today's Bible verse reminds us that God sees through what's on the outside and understands what's going on with your inside. Yes, God sees what's going on in your heart. In your thinking. With your worries. With your plans. With your pace. With your trust that steady and sure is better than fast and furious. Unlike me with that car in front of me, God can see past what's immediately in front of him. God sees into your heart and guides you on a path and at a pace that the Lord deems right for you.
Hang in there! You're doing just fine!
Praise God!
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Day of Praise
Hi, Friends! Let's love each other by praying that everyone has or is invited by us to an awesome church and then leans on that awesome church so that, just as God promises, none of us would stumble.
Wed, 03/04/20, "Day of Praise"
Psalm 119:165 - "Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble."
I love Twister!
Ya, know, Twister! That game from the '70's with the big spinner and the red-yellow-blue-green dotted mat, where everybody had to get a hand or foot on a colored dot and everybody would get all tangled up. The key to staying in the game was leaning on each other, but not knocking each other down.
Sometimes we play Twister in our worship. Kind of. At the Lord's Prayer, everybody is asked to grab hands so we can be family as we pray to "Our Father". It can be like Twister as you reach for one hand that's behind you and then another that's just a stretch-over-two-chairs-or-pews in front of you. The key to praying as God's connected family is leaning on each other, but not knocking each other down.
These are images for today's Bible verse from Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble." Life can get all Twister-like, having you reach in every direction, challenging your balance, and pushing you to stumble. But amongst God's wonderful laws is the law to "love your neighbor as yourself" which is in multiple books of the Bible. What God wants us to do when life becomes Twister-like is to love and lean on each other. When you lose a job, lean on each other. When you have a bad day, lean on each other. When you have a loved one who's dying, lean on each other.
God is here for us through each other. It's called the Body of Christ. It's called the Church. God is here for me and my family through our church. When we lean on God by leaning on our church, nothing can make us stumble.
Let's love each other by praying that everyone has or is invited by us to an awesome church and then leans on that awesome church so that, just as God promises, none of us would stumble.
Praise God!
Wed, 03/04/20, "Day of Praise"
Psalm 119:165 - "Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble."
I love Twister!
Ya, know, Twister! That game from the '70's with the big spinner and the red-yellow-blue-green dotted mat, where everybody had to get a hand or foot on a colored dot and everybody would get all tangled up. The key to staying in the game was leaning on each other, but not knocking each other down.
Sometimes we play Twister in our worship. Kind of. At the Lord's Prayer, everybody is asked to grab hands so we can be family as we pray to "Our Father". It can be like Twister as you reach for one hand that's behind you and then another that's just a stretch-over-two-chairs-or-pews in front of you. The key to praying as God's connected family is leaning on each other, but not knocking each other down.
These are images for today's Bible verse from Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble." Life can get all Twister-like, having you reach in every direction, challenging your balance, and pushing you to stumble. But amongst God's wonderful laws is the law to "love your neighbor as yourself" which is in multiple books of the Bible. What God wants us to do when life becomes Twister-like is to love and lean on each other. When you lose a job, lean on each other. When you have a bad day, lean on each other. When you have a loved one who's dying, lean on each other.
God is here for us through each other. It's called the Body of Christ. It's called the Church. God is here for me and my family through our church. When we lean on God by leaning on our church, nothing can make us stumble.
Let's love each other by praying that everyone has or is invited by us to an awesome church and then leans on that awesome church so that, just as God promises, none of us would stumble.
Praise God!
Monday, March 2, 2020
Day of Praise
Hi, Dear Friends! Jesus, who loves you, wants to live in you today and everyday because he not only wants to keep the ship of your life afloat, but he also wants to work through you by the power of Holy Spirit so you can minister to people around you.
Tues, 03/03/20, "Day of Praise"
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
In just over a month, Sunday, April 5, Palm Sunday, to be exact, we begin the Spirit-filling, mind-sharpening, heart-warming week called Holy Week, which is an 8-day, Sunday to Sunday journey with Jesus, recounting his path to the cross and beyond to his glorious resurrection. Our congregation offers 18 worship times that week with at least one opportunity to worship on each of the 8 days.
Why such an intensive focus and expenditure of time and energy?
Well, in Galatians 2:20, alone, there are two mentions of death, five mentions of life and living, and one mention of God's love in Jesus Christ. Here's how we might think about all this: Without the love story, it's just a sinking ship.
Without the love story, it's just a sinking ship. That's what's been said about the movie, "Titanic," and another movie "Pearl Harbor," and a real life fact, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Yes, Jesus died for us, but it's his love for us that takes his death for us and infuses it with power. He could have just died begrudgingly. But he didn't. He died on a cross from which he prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Without the love story, the cross of Jesus is just a "sinking ship," a descent into a cold dark grave. But it's out of the power of love that Jesus died for us, and it's out of the power of love that God raised him from the dead.
The sinking ships of death and darkness and despair and the depths of the grave are always overcome by love. Remember? "Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus!" (Romans 8:38-39)
And that Jesus, who loves you, wants to live in you today and everyday because he not only wants to keep the ship of your life afloat, but he also wants to work through you by the power of the Holy Spirit so you can minister to people around you. Many of their ships are sinking. But your love in Jesus Christ poured on them, along with your Holy-Spirit-powered prayers for them and your promise-claiming words to them will help to keep their lives afloat too.
Praise God!
Tues, 03/03/20, "Day of Praise"
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
In just over a month, Sunday, April 5, Palm Sunday, to be exact, we begin the Spirit-filling, mind-sharpening, heart-warming week called Holy Week, which is an 8-day, Sunday to Sunday journey with Jesus, recounting his path to the cross and beyond to his glorious resurrection. Our congregation offers 18 worship times that week with at least one opportunity to worship on each of the 8 days.
Why such an intensive focus and expenditure of time and energy?
Well, in Galatians 2:20, alone, there are two mentions of death, five mentions of life and living, and one mention of God's love in Jesus Christ. Here's how we might think about all this: Without the love story, it's just a sinking ship.
Without the love story, it's just a sinking ship. That's what's been said about the movie, "Titanic," and another movie "Pearl Harbor," and a real life fact, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Yes, Jesus died for us, but it's his love for us that takes his death for us and infuses it with power. He could have just died begrudgingly. But he didn't. He died on a cross from which he prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Without the love story, the cross of Jesus is just a "sinking ship," a descent into a cold dark grave. But it's out of the power of love that Jesus died for us, and it's out of the power of love that God raised him from the dead.
The sinking ships of death and darkness and despair and the depths of the grave are always overcome by love. Remember? "Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus!" (Romans 8:38-39)
And that Jesus, who loves you, wants to live in you today and everyday because he not only wants to keep the ship of your life afloat, but he also wants to work through you by the power of the Holy Spirit so you can minister to people around you. Many of their ships are sinking. But your love in Jesus Christ poured on them, along with your Holy-Spirit-powered prayers for them and your promise-claiming words to them will help to keep their lives afloat too.
Praise God!
Day of Praise
Good morning! God says that you are an amazing person. God fit you uniquely into your own, made-just-for-you, mold. Also, be interested in others and, in so doing, discover some other amazing Children of God too!
Mon, 03/02/20, "Day of Praise"
Psalm 139:14 - "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
When God, in His word, talks about having made us and many other things, the word "fear" is regularly a part of the equation. Very simply, the fact that "fear" and being "made" go hand in hand is a testimony that we, and all things, are made by the Almighty God. It follows, therefore, that there are things about us being made that are "wonderful," which means "beyond our understanding."
Like the precision.
The precision with which we and the universe are made is the proverbial "mind-boggling." There's this guy at our church. Whenever he folds a letter to go into an envelope, it takes a while. He makes a fold without creasing it. Then he pulls the envelope next to the fold and measures it up, making sure the letter's going to fit precisely. After all, he doesn't want the letter to spill out of the "sealed" envelope. Who knows what might happen to the letter?
It's the same, and so much more, with God fitting you precisely into the unique mold that God made for you. To be silly, can you imagine if all your intestines weren't folded precisely and they spilled out of the envelope, ya know, like intestines hanging out of your belly button. That wouldn't be pretty. Kinda awkward. And, like a letter spilling out of an envelope, who knows if you'd ever get where you were trying to go because of all the holdups? (Can't you see yourself running late into a meeting and saying, "Oh, I'm sorry, my small intestine got hung up on the parking meter"?)
But God made you with precision. In fact, God made you with Almighty Precision, like the whole universe, where the calculations are so narrow that there is like no room for error or the sun would burn the earth to a crisp and every one of the billions of billions of the stars of the heavens would be bouncing into each other like a big pinball machine that has way too many balls (say, more than one?) going at one time, or like a dirt-track smash-up derby in Kingsport, Tennessee where it's fun to watch until you start wondering what would happen if all those colliding cars got out of the boundaries that have been set for them, and then you realize that you'd need to run for your life.
But you don't.
You don't need to run for your life because the colliding cars have a boundary and because the colliding stars, well, they aren't colliding because they too were fearfully, wonderfully, and precisely made by the same God (make that, only God) who fearfully and wonderfully and precisely made you with almighty power and incomparable wisdom and unmatched care, like a guy at my church fitting a letter into an envelope.
In sum, you are an amazing person. God fit you uniquely into your own, made-just-for-you, mold.
Take some time today for you. Use the amazing tools, like Google and Bing and better yet the Bible, to learn about yourself. Discover and discern and deploy your God-given gifts. In the strength and wisdom and care of the Almighty, become master over your self-destructive "leanings" instead of letting them rule your life. (Leanings? Sure, we can talk more about that. When would you like to get together?)
Let's say it again, you are an amazing person. God fit you uniquely into your own, made-just-for-you, mold. So let's all join the inspired Psalmist, who in Psalm 139:14 says, "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
Praaaaaaaaise God!
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