This Weekend's Message: Chasing Your Tail?

Chasing Your Tail?
Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Have you ever seen a dog chasing its tail around and around? I heard about a guy whose dog chased its tail constantly. One day the neighbor came over and asked, "Where's that dog of yours that always chases its tail?" The man replied, "Well, he finally caught it, then fell over the embankment, and got hit by a car." Tragic, huh? The only thing sadder than a dog chasing its tail is a person chasing their tail.

Question: What are you chasing? Do you feel like your life is just going around and around? Have you ever caught the thing you were chasing, only to be disappointed, even hurt by it? Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon describes life under the sun in terms of people chasing their tails. This weekend we are going to cut to the chase and learn how to avoid chasing our tails in "The Game of Life."

Spoiler alert: We are going to look deep inside Solomon's word picture of "life under the sun" in order to discover four mirages that people tend to chase.

Looking Forward,
Pastor Jim Botts

Reflections: July 24, 2011

This weekend's "Reflection" by Russ Parker, Pastor of Administration

Live Like You Were Dyin’

Solomon’s message to us in response to the inevitability of a physical death is to embrace life. His message, though seemingly depressing, is a hopeful one for a number of reasons. We know God has us in His loving hands. We know that we have hope in Him. We have the ability – knowing that our death is one day coming – to live vicariously for Jesus. We can celebrate the good gifts our Creator has given to us. He mentions gifts of food, drink, friendships, celebrations, marital relationships, and an honest day’s work. It’s as if Solomon is saying, “Redeem the routines, make the ordinary extraordinary, seize the day, live like you were dyin’!” And do this because life is so short – just a blip on the screen, really – and its end can come at any moment.

Thankfully, we have a hope in Jesus and in the life He gives us today and in all eternity. But until then, may we live life to the fullest and allow that to be our worship to God.

This Weekend's Message: Live Like You Were Dyin'

Live Like You Were Dyin'
Ecclesiastes 9:1-12

Is it me or does it seem like the older you get the faster time goes? When I was a kid, the summer lasted forever. It was like an entire age in itself. Today, summer comes and goes and I barely have a chance to notice. The reality is our lives are short and death is inevitable. I know…super encouraging, huh? You’re thinking, 'Well, I’m not coming this Sunday to hear what that’s all about…'

Let me encourage you, even though Solomon is challenging us to consider the inevitable end of our life, he has a hopeful message. It’s a “carpe diem” message, which is Latin for “seize the day.” It’s the type of message that makes you want to give in to your kid’s wishes and read one more book at bedtime. It’s a message that will encourage you to gather with friends and family and say nice things about each other. It points to the reality that while we’re living, we have a responsibility to redeem the routines of our lives and through that worship God.

I hope to see you Sunday!

Russ Parker, Pastor of Administration

This Weekend's Message: Living Under Authority

Living Under Authority
Ecclesiastes 8:1-17

I can still remember just like it was yesterday one of my first encounters with an authority other than my parents. I was in junior high and it was during a P.E. class. I can’t remember what I did to deserve it, but I was told to bend over, grab my ankles, and get ready for a swat. When that swat came it hurt worse than anything I had ever felt before. I think it nearly knocked me over, but it was exactly what I needed to learn an important lesson about living under authority. I'm pretty sure they don't swat students anymore, but as I look back on that experience it was a good one that helped me learn to live under authority.

How are you with living under authority? Does it come easy, no problem? Or do you have a hard time submitting to those in authority over you? This week Solomon has some things for us to consider when it comes to living under authority, as well as dealing with the injustices in “The Game of Life.” Hope to see you this week.

By the way, don’t forget to go out to Chick-fil-A at The Colonies tonight and support our Kenya Team as you enjoy a dinner out!

Pastor Gary

This Weekend's Message: Walking the Line

Have you ever walked on a balance beam? Whether you have or not, I can tell you that it is one of the more stressful things in life. Even though the fall would not be great, there is still this anxiety that overwhelms you as you take steps across that skinny beam, fighting to keep your balance.

Many people, some even call themselves Christians, choose to live their lives on that beam in between truly following Christ and doing whatever they (and the world) feel like doing. Not only is this something that God has some pretty strong words about, it will also hold us back from the promise of life that those who commit themselves to Christ can experience. Instead of peace, there is the constant tension of keeping that balance. Instead of hope, there is anxiety knowing that living on the edge this way is not pleasing to God and not fulfilling for us. Yet so many people choose this kind of life.

Sometime before this weekend, read chapter 7 in Ecclesiastes and come ready to be challenged to get off the line and commit!

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

This Weekend's Message: Choosing the Way We Live

Choosing the Way We Live
Ecclesiastes 7:1-14
It is impossible to determine for sure, but most agree that we literally make thousands of choices everyday. These choices can range from the simple everyday things, like which can of tomato soup do I buy, to how I respond to that temptation that is right in front of me. Some choices are not life-changing, while others can affect our lives forever, but in either case it is true that the choices we make everyday, big or small, have a lasting impact on our lives. That makes it so very important to know how to make choices that bring us health and wholeness and happiness.
How do you go about making the thousands of choices you face everyday? Do you have some guidelines for success? Do you just “shoot from the hip?” How does your knowledge of the Bible come into play here? Do you ever ask other people for advice?
This week in our study of Ecclesiastes, Solomon gives us some answers to the question he left us with at the end of chapter 6: How can we live well during our few and passing days on this earth? This week we’ll learn six important choices we can make that will help us find success in life. 
I can’t wait! Hope to see you Sunday!
Gary Keith

This Weekend's Message: Enjoy-Engage-Entrust

A recent article was just published revealing the five best toys (play things) of all time.

1. A stick
2. Box
3. String
4. Cardboard Tube
5. Dirt

Remember when any one of these were all you needed to really enjoy yourself? When did life get so much more complicated? When did we lose the ability to be satisfied with anything less than the best, most modern, high tech stuff out there? Now don't get me wrong, I love all my iStuff just as much as anyone, but am I able to be content and enjoy anything less if that is what God has for me?

This weekend we are going to look at what Solomon calls a "sickening tragedy" in relation to a person's inability to enjoy the blessings of God.

So go read Ecclesiastes 6. You might even try reading it through a cardboard tube while sitting on a box in the dirt using a stick to help you keep your place and putting a string in your Bible to mark your spot until Sunday. :)

See ya Sunday!
Jeff

Reflections: June 19, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Satisfaction Sold Separately
Ecclesiastes 5:8-20
Sometimes it seems the way Christians talk about the Bible and money, you can feel like it is wrong to have lots of money. There can be this attitude that being wealthy and being a Christian is an oxymoron – that the two do not go together. This week as I looked at verse 19 of chapter five, Solomon seems to make it clear that being wealthy can be a good thing. In fact, he says people should enjoy their wealth. That caught me off guard a bit.
The problem with money comes when we make it our God, when we start pursuing it above anything else, or when we start devoting our entire life to getting more of it. Apart from that, being wealthy is a good thing. For the wealthy person who has the right perspective and uses that wealth to honor God, money can be a good thing. I guess what Solomon is saying is that it is not so much how much you have, but the focus of your life – is it God or money? What do you think? Can being wealthy be a good thing in the eyes of God?

This Weekend's Message: Satisfaction Sold Separately

Satisfaction Sold Separately

Ecclesiastes 5:8-20


The Game of Life – A big player for all of us in the game of life is money. We need it to live. We pursue it so that we can accumulate as much of it as possible. We think it brings security to our life. We think it will give us what we need to have a happy life. We never quite have enough of it. We take some of it and try to use it to get more of it. We spend it on the necessities of life. We spend it on things we really don’t need but want. We give some of it away. We fight over how to spend it with our spouses. We hurt others in the pursuit of it. We use it to accomplish good.


I could go on, but I think you get the idea that money is a BIG part of our lives. Solomon knew that as well and has some important cautions for us to consider as we think about money – because when it comes to money “Satisfaction is Sold Separately!”


Gary Keith

Reflections: June 12, 2011

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

It is so easy to make promises, yet often so hard to follow through. It can be so tempting to believe that we can make all sorts of outlandish promises to God, believing that somehow He does not know the true intent of our heart. Religiosity and rituals can often look like enough to convince God and others that our relationship with God is authentic, but the honesty of our heart reveals it is just a show. Our intentions may be good in the moment - especially moments of desperation - but I am challenged to consider what my rash promises reveal about my faith in God. If I feel I need to do something extreme so that God will do what I want Him to, what does that say about my trust that God is a good God and will do whatever is needed to bring about life and wholeness in a situation? My prayer for my life, and for yours, is that we would be slow to speak, quick to listen, and always open to inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives and situations, allowing Him to do the work necessary for us to find contentment in what we have, and see that He has an eternal plan that we get to have a part in.

This week, take some time to get quiet before God. Silence is difficult for most people, but God has proven over and over again to be faithful to reveal Himself top those who will wait on Him. He is the source of our strength. He is our eternal hope. He is the author of peace that goes beyond our understanding. He is the beginning and the end, and has invited us into a relationship with Him. Let’s do less talking, and more listening for His voice and guidance in our lives.

This Weekend's Message: Talk is Cheap

"God, if you will just _________, I promise I will ____________!" Ever made a statement like this? Have you ever promised God something with the hope of getting Him to work something for your favor? Can God be manipulated this way? And what if you can't/don't follow through with our promise? Does God just let it go?

This weekend we jump into chapter 5 of Ecclesiastes where we will look at the caution of Solomon about empty promises and meaningless vows to God. Take a few minutes and read Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, and begin considering what God wants to speak to us this weekend.

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

Reflections: June 5, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Which One is Better?
Ecclesiastes 4:1-16
In this passage after observing life “under the sun,” Solomon asked four “which one is better” questions. He looked at life and compared one issue with another and came to his conclusions about how to live. Probably the most familiar part of this chapter deals with the idea that two are better than one.
In case you’ve never heard this before, humans were not created to be alone. We are wired to be part of a community. What Solomon wanted to remind everyone was is that we are not made to live or work alone. This flies in the face of something we American’s are known for – individualism – but this is not how God wants us to live. So let me ask you, are you in community with other people? Do you have people in your life that can protect you and help you in your times of need? Do you have people in your life that can help you when you fall?
If not, what are your plans to solve this problem? What are you going to do to start being part of a community of people? Remember as we live our life two is better than one, and three is better yet!

This Weekend's Message: Which One is Better?

Which One is Better?
Ecclesiastes 4:1-16
Comparisons. Everybody I know makes comparisons. We are continually asking ourselves, “Which one is better?” Was it the movie or the book? Is it Michael Jordon or Lebron James? Is it a Ford or Chevy? Is it chicken or steak? Is it an iPhone or is it an Android phone? Which one is better?
This week in our series called “The Game of Life,” we see that Solomon makes comparisons as well. In four different areas he asks, “Which one is better?” Not only does Solomon ask the question, but based on his observations of life, he shares with us his opinion about which is better. This week we will look at these four observations of life “under the sun” and find out which one is better. Hope to see you this Sunday!
Gary Keith

This Weekend's Message: Game Time

If you have ever played "The Game of Life," you know there are all kinds of events that sneak up on you that you never saw coming. That spin of the wheel can bring prosperity or disaster. We may be okay with the outcome, or it may cause us to want to quit the game. But is the real game of life really determined by the random spinning of a universal wheel? How do we walk out our faith through seasons of pain, struggle, or even prosperity?

We are all familiar with the concept of "right place, right time" or "wrong place, wrong time," but as we look at Ecclesiastes chapter 3, we will see Solomon's perspective on the timing of all things under Heaven.

This week, read Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 and come ready to allow God to reveal His sense of timing to your heart. (You'll also find out why I hate crossword puzzles!)

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

Reflections: May 22, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Working Things Out
Ecclesiastes 2:12-26

In the “Game of Life,” work takes up about a third of our time. It’s probably the single largest time block of any thing we do in “The Game of Life.” With that in mind, how do you like the way you are spending 33% of your life? Are you one of those people who say, “Take this job and shove it?”
In our passage Solomon has just finished talking about how wisdom and work do not give meaning to life, and then suddenly changes his attitude in verses 24 and 25 when he said, “I realized that these pleasures (food, drink, and work) are from the hand of God." Solomon makes it very clear that when God is in the mix, it changes everything.
Here we are on a Monday morning and most of us are back at our jobs. So how does including God in the mix of our job experience make it different? Is this a new thought for you? Or have you figured out ways to “take this job and LOVE it” as you include God in the mix? What are some of the ways that including God in the mix helps give meaning to our work?

This Weekend's Message: Working Things Out

Working Things Out
Ecclesiastes 2:12-26
The financial and employment chaos of the last few years has caused scores of people to question what they really want out of life and work. What about you? What gives you value? Where are you looking to find fulfillment and meaning? What defines you? Is it about climbing the work ladder? Is it having the perfect job? Would you consider yourself a workaholic? If so, why is that? We have a need to work things out.
Solomon has been searching for life’s meaning, but believes everything is pointless. So far in our study he has looked for life’s meaning apart from God in wisdom and in pleasure, but he still thinks it is all meaningless. This Sunday we will see Solomon’s search continue as he looks for life’s meaning in work.
Gary Keith

This Weekend's Message: Jackpot!

Have you ever uttered the words, "If I had a million dollars..."? Have you ever seen something and thought, "If I had one of those, then..."? Rock stars, movie stars, business moguls, and lottery winners seem to have everything one would need to have happiness, contentment, and purpose in their life, yet how many times have we seen the opposite play out on Access Hollywood with reports of alcoholism, drug abuse, and marital issues?

Maybe it's just that no one has really tried to see if money, possessions, and all things under the sun can bring happiness. Well, this week we are going to take a look at a man who literally gave it his best shot and denied himself nothing. Read Ecclesiastes chapter 2 verses 1-11 and join us on Sunday to see the extent to which Solomon went to buy happiness, and how his motives may sound a bit similar to ours at times.

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

Reflections: May 8, 2011

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Empty-Handed Adventure
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
This week Solomon talked about his pursuit of wisdom. It was pretty interesting to see Solomon’s thoughts about wisdom especially in light of the time he chose to ask God for wisdom and God granted it to him. I think the most startling thing for me to consider this week was verse 18 when he says that the greater our wisdom the greater our grief and sorrow. That just didn’t add up to me. I would naturally think that the greater my wisdom the better handle I would have on all things concerning life, and that would make me happy or at least satisfied.
But Solomon has said just the opposite. He says the more we know the more sadness it brings to our lives. What do you think about that? What has been your experience? Is it true that the more we know the more sorrow we experience? Why is that?
Tell me how that has worked out for you – I’d love to get some more wisdom on this idea!

The Game of Life

By Gary Keith, Lead Pastor
One of the favorite board games I used to play with my kids when they were growing up was “The Game of Life.” Maybe you’ve played it as well. This game has been around for decades and the makers of “Life” continue to update the game to reflect the changes to our culture. Some of the things that never change though are the very basics of the game – like getting an education, deciding on a vocation, obtaining an annual salary, getting married, having kids, and trying to win by being the first to reach your mansion with the most money. It kind of sounds like real life, doesn’t it?

I remember the time in my life when I began asking how I should be pursuing these kinds of things as a Christian. How should I play the game of life? What kind of vocation should I go after? How many kids should we have? How much money do I need to live on? Where will I live and what kind of house will I have? I’m sure I’m not alone in asking these kinds of questions and I can’t help but believe that as a Christian, I would answer them differently than if I weren’t a Christian.
How should “The Game of Life” be played? That’s a good and important question. Starting May 1, we are going to look at the writings of a man who looked back on his life and reflected about what was meaningful and what was meaningless. 
We are going to study the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes and most people believe this book was written by Solomon, the son of David, King over Jerusalem. You will notice in verse one it says, “These are the words of the Teacher…” The Hebrew word there for Teacher is qoheleth. It’s the word for a man who addresses an assembly. The corresponding word in Greek is the word ekklesiatic, and that’s where the book of Ecclesiastes gets its name.
Some people think that Ecclesiastes is about the meaninglessness of human life, but this perspective is not quite right. Ecclesiastes is really about the meaninglessness of life without God. And because the writer never gives up his belief in God, his ultimate purpose is to show us how meaningful life can be when we see things from God’s perspective. His message is not that nothing matters, but that everything matters, and the more we study Ecclesiastes, the better we will understand why.
So as we start this journey through the book of Ecclesiastes, we will learn from the wisest and richest man who ever lived. I look forward to learning with you about God’s perspective on “The Game of Life.”

This Weekend's Message: Empty-Handed Adventure

Empty-Handed Adventure
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
This week we start learning about the details of Solomon’s journey of discovering the truth that apart from God, everything is meaningless. His first pursuit is wisdom. Solomon didn’t have to go to college to become wise and I would think that most of us believe that the pursuit of wisdom is a good thing. We would think pursuing wisdom brings success, just like going to college in the game of life can make you a winner of the game. But the teacher has some startling things to say about his pursuit of wisdom and it’s effects in our lives that will shake us up a bit. Week two of our journey in Ecclesiastes will help us to see what wisdom apart from God really looks like.
Gary Keith