Reflections: August 16-17, 2008

This week's "Reflection" by Dan Jepson, Director of High School Ministries

I’ve had a lot of contact with people in the last week that have expressed how worry affects their life. I’m reminded more and more that this is something that we are all faced with. I think there is comfort in sharing a struggle with other believers. By standing together, we’re more likely to have the strength to overcome.

What are practical ways that you can be held accountable in the next week? How about the next year? Is there anyone in your life that would be willing to stand with you so you can support each other in this area? How would that work itself out?

Reflections: August 9-10, 2008

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Youth

The idea of being reminded of things has really had me thinking lately. I don't know about you, but when I am reminded of something, or something is repeated to me, my natural response is not always to think of how valuable that truth or information could be for my life. Often times my thought is, "yeah, yeah, I know." As I have thought about this I have come to the conclusion that for me, this is very much a pride issue. To be confronted with truth means that I need to see how I measure up to that truth, and when I fall short it can cause something inside of me to rise up and be defensive, and part of that defense can be to tune out.

What are some ways that you remain open to the truths of God without letting your pride or the need to pretend like you have it all together cause you to close off? What are some things in your life that you use as reminders to examine your spiritual walk and relationship with God? I pray that each of us remains open to the truths of God in our lives and the variety of reminders that He has put in place. 

Reflections: August 2-3, 2008

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastor of Teaching & Worship

This week we looked at the temptation of Jesus. Just like our own daily lives Jesus had a choice to make: Do I say "yes" to God or do I say "no" to God? As I reflect on this a bit more, the time preparing for this message has renewed my need to find the appropriate scripture for the temptations that I face. It was clear that Jesus used scripture to win over temptation. So I need to be about finding the right scripture to combat the temptation I face frequently.

 

I had several people talk to me after the message asking how I knew so much about them. After I had a little fun joking around saying that God had spoken to me about them (He didn't really) I was reminded about the commonness of our temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13). If you have a few minutes, why don't you join our weekly blog reflecting on the sermon for this week. Maybe you could respond to the following question: What will I be doing differently this week after hearing the message from Matthew 4:1-11? 

 

God bless and have a great week. May your winning over temptation be frequent!

Reflections: July 26-27, 2008

This week's "Reflection" by Russ Parker, Pastor of Administration & Leadership Development

God has created each of us in his own image (Gen. 1:26). In each one of us, He's given us the desire to make a mark, to make a difference. He has hard-wired us this way, much like he's hard-wired us to hunger after Him. This weekend we took "how to be a super hero" lessons from one of God's greatest super heroes – Jonathan. We learned that if we're going to make a mark, it can't be about our ego and comfort. It will likely involve faith, action on our part, and ultimately trusting God with the results.

For many of us, God is speaking, stirring our hearts, directing us in the ways He wants us to make a mark. Whatever it is, post your post-it note and don't let it go. Don't put it off. Don't cover it over. Continue to ask God to reveal it and to grow it.

It would be an encouragement to us all if you would be so bold and
vulnerable as to share what God is stirring up in you.  If it's appropriate, click on the link below and bless us all with how God is working in your life.

Reflections: July 19-20, 2008

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastor of Teaching & Worship

What a weekend! In addition for hearing from Dr. Peter, 17 people were baptized this weekend, each one declaring his or her faith story in giving their life to Christ. What a glorious time!

 

Recently I read about a spiritual survey of 500 hundred churches across America involving 187,000 people. One of the important facets exposed in the survey was that nearly a third of people who were identified as Christ-centered, believed that there was more than one way to get to heaven. How important then was the message of the weekend from Ephesians 2:8-10.

 

We are saved by grace, not by our works. That is the clear message of these verses. I'd be curious to know how that message resonates with you. Here are some questions we can dialogue with on the blog below: What is the grace spoken of here? How goes this grace of God work? What does it look like in our lives? How do works fit into the scheme of things with grace? Does being saved by grace mean we have nothing to do when it comes to good works? How do we do good works without them becoming something we think earns our way with God? Let's talk.

 

This was a very timely message given the fact that Serve Day is this Saturday. By the way, I hope you've signed up.

Reflections: July 12-13, 2008

This week's "Reflection" by Fuz Rana, Ph.D., Vice President of Research & Apologetics, Reasons to Believe
This past weekend we took a look at the problem of evil and suggested that Genesis 1:2 and Deuteronomy 32:9-12 provide a clue to why God might allow pain, suffering, and evil. Based on these passages of Scripture, it seems to me that God creates out of chaos and then takes His creation (life, the Nation of Israel, the Church, and the Children of God) through hostile conditions, persecution, and hardships as a way to transform what is precious to Him with a greater good and higher purpose in mind. I find it deeply encouraging that throughout the difficulties, the Holy Spirit “broods” over His creation.
What hardships have you endured? How did the Holy Spirit comfort you in the midst of your trials? Looking back on those experiences, how do you think God used them to transform you?
I find Genesis 1:2 (and Deuteronomy 32:9-12) helpful as I wrestle with the problem of evil. What passages of Scripture encourage you through hardship and help you make sense of evil and suffering?
In my ministry, I find that the problem of evil is the number one reason why nonbelievers reject the Christian faith. Have you had a similar experience? How did you answer the charge that evil, pain, and suffering are incompatible with God’s existence?