Saturday, May 03, 2008

The Cleavers Don’t Live Here Anymore

Over the past several days many of the leading news stories have had to do with sexual infidelity—political favoritism—dashed dreams—and ruined lives. Just to remind you of a few of the headlines:

New York Governor Elliot Spitzer resigns as a result of involvement with high-priced D.C. call girls.

New York Lieutenant Governor David Patterson upon replacing Governor Spitzer confesses that both he and his wife have had affairs in the past. In addition he offers that he has used both marijuana and cocaine. His concern was that these indiscretions would be ferreted out by the media who were by this time in the proverbial feeding frenzy. So, he felt it best to confess and get these things out of the way so he could tend to the business of New York without the distraction of not knowing whether / when these matters might be revealed to the public.

Miley Cyrus, aka Hannah Montana, is being bombarded with criticism of what most feel are inappropriate and unnecessarily sensual photos—some with her father. This child is the star most admired by many of our little girls.

Barbara Walters admits to an affair with the late Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts.

Mindy McCready confesses to a 10 year affair with legendary baseball star Roger Clemens. Perhaps more significant than the length of the affair is the fact that it began when she was still a teenager. Some reports suggest that the personal relationship—if not the sexual involvement—began as when she was only 15.

Deborah Jane Palfrey, known as the D.C. Madam, committed suicide a day or two ago. That event did not occur, however, before, she revealed that she had a client list of 10,000 to 15,000 prominent people—and their phone numbers.

Already U.S. Senator David Vitter of Louisiana has been identified as one of those clients of her escort service.

Today the Cincinnati Enquirer has as its lead story the revelation that Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann has admitted to an affair with a staffer in the midst of accusations from other staffers of sexual harassment and allowing a hostile work environment to exist in the AG’s office. The day the news broke four of Mr. Dann’s staff either resigned or were fired.

Most of these events have occurred in the last few days. And they are only the highest profile cases to which our attention has been called.

DO WE GET THE IDEA THAT THE CLEAVERS DON’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE?

Sadly we live in such a sexually charged world that revelations like those mentioned don’t shock us like the once did. We have become so desensitized to infidelity and general sexual immorality that stories like these are no more than yawners to us.

Point is that while the secular press is writing and reporting on events like these, the church is strangely silent. The question I have is, “Should that be so?” Of course we know the answer to that.

Yet the answer is not to criticize and condemn those who are already broken and hurting. They already feel the sting of their error. Without question proclaiming forgiveness and restoration to all who come in repentance and faith is in order. That said, I have the haunting feeling that much of the heartache experienced as a result of activities like those being reported by our nation’s media might have been avoided all together if the church had been faithful in proclaiming God’s requirements for personal holiness—marital fidelity—the direction to flee fornication—etc.

We are looking at what Scripture teaches about those very things during our current series on the home. My prayer is that Building Duracell Marriages will provide some spiritual tools to you and yours that will help you experience life at its best in your home Those tools, hopefully, will help you avoid both the frustration that comes from an unsatisfying marriage and the devastation that comes from one that has failed.

Pray much for spiritual victory in the homes of our community—and for those in our Church in particular—and commit to be present for each of the Bible messages May 4-June 15.

See you this coming Lord’s Day with a word from the Word!!!!!!!

Brother Tim

Monday, March 31, 2008

Angels—God’s Secret Agents

Nearly 35 years ago Dr. Billy Graham wrote in the preface of Angels—God’s Secret Agents that as he began to prepare a sermon on angels that he was amazed that he could find practically nothing on angels in his library. He said, “Upon investigation I soon discovered that little had been written on the subject in this century. This seemed a strange and ominous omission. Bookstores and libraries have shelves of books on demons, the occult and the devil. Why was the devil getting so much more attention from writers than angels?”

The question that Dr. Graham asked years ago is still a legitimate one today. Further, it is entirely possible to sit in church for most of one’s life and never hear a Bible message on angels. Why is that? It would be unthinkable for us to neglect other subjects that are so prominent in the Bible. For example, angels are spoken of in 34 of the 66 books of the Bible. There are around 300 references in the Bible to angels. They play prominent roles in Jesus’ birth, temptation, resurrection, and ascension into heaven—yet the famine of good study material about them continues.

Over the next two or three weeks we will be looking at the fascinating subject of angels. I think you will be amazed to find what a strategically important ministry God designed them to perform in our lives. Don’t miss an opportunity be a part of this particular series of teaching messages during these exciting days in the life of FBC!!!!!!!

By the way for those who have an interest in a deeper more systematic study of angels there are some books that I would like to recommend.

Angel’s—God’s Secret Agents by Billy Graham would be a good place to begin. Hopefully you will find that it is still in print.

Angels—Elect & Evil by C. Fred Dickason would also be a good choice for most. It like Graham’s book was originally written about thirty-five years ago. Moody Press is its publisher.

Those Invisible Spirits Called Angels by Renald Showers would also be a nice addition to your library. Again, this one might be a bit hard to find as it is published by a ‘not so main line’ publisher The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc. in Bellmawr, NJ.

All The Angels In The Bible written by Herbert Lockyer and edited by his son Herbert Lockyer, Jr. should also be a part of the Bible student’s study material.

Blessings as you labor to discover what great things the Lord has done for you in the creation of angels for spiritual ministry to His beloved (Hebrews 1:13-14).

Friday, March 07, 2008

An Easter To Remember!

Thought you would be interested in knowing:
Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.

Based on the above, Easter can actually be one day earlier (March 22) but that is pretty rare.
Here's the interesting info. This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see. Only the most elderly (95 or older) of our population have seen it this early and none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here's the facts:

1) The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913, so if you're 95 or older you were
around for that.

2) The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!
So it really is An Easter To Remember--For A Number Of Reasons!!!

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Doomed To Succeed

During January we are looking at God’s Schematic for Success as it is revealed in His Word. I hope you are committed to having your family and friends present for each of these brutally practical messages from Proverbs.

It is interesting that many cringe when they hear “God wants you to be a success.” They immediately think about some TV evangelist with a tailored suit, patent leather shoes, and big hair hawking prayer cloths and his latest get-rich-quick how-to book.

The fact is, however, the Bible is very clear that Success is a part of God’s plan for His children. Consider, for example, Deuteronomy 29:9: “Therefore diligently observe the words of this covenant, in order that you may succeed in everything that you do.” (NRSV)

Or focus on Joshua 1:8: “And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation (The Bible) be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you will get where you are going; then you will succeed.” (Message)

If further convincing is necessary think about Psalmist’s words in Psalm 1. After encouraging the recipients of this marvelously inspired song to cherish God’s Word and keep it, he makes this promise in Psalm 1:3: “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.” (NIV)

Or how about 3 John 2? “We’re the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul.” (Message)

Obviously, there may be something some of us are missing here in our walk with the Lord. Those are the things we are talking about during the weeks of January-February 2008. I am hoping that you have already made the commitment to be present every Lord’s Day as your Church considers the Bible truth that God wants you to succeed. In fact, YOU ARE DOOMED TO SUCCEED if you follow the Manufacturer’s instructions. It would also be a wonderful time for you to invite family and friends to share in the good things our Heavenly Father is doing among His people at FBC.

Know how much I love you and that I can hardly wait to see you—with a word from the WORD!!!!!!!

Pastor Tim

Friday, December 21, 2007

Christmas Greetings

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. It is, in fact, my favorite ‘holiday’. That said, however, I understand that it isn’t so for everyone. In the last day or two I have spoken with people who are facing every imaginable kind of challenge. There are those who have lost loved ones. There are others who can’t pay their bills and still others who are facing pressing medical needs or who are experiencing serious difficulties in their homes.

It was into this kind of world Jesus came with the pronouncement, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). The interesting thing about this statement is that it was made in the very shadow of the cross. Talking about peace in the midst of pain and sorrow, how could it be? Still speaking to the disciples in John 16:33 our Lord says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” We would do well to note He continues to speak peace and says specifically that in the world we will have tribulation.

The point of both statements is that the kind of peace Jesus gives is not peace that comes from the absence of trouble; it is peace that is real and meaningful in the midst of trouble—the kind of peace we all need. And, don’t miss this—it is peace that is IN HIM!!!!!!! Outside Jesus Christ there is no real peace—only a temporary cessation of conflict. On the other hand in Him there is always peace—even in the midst of our battles.

My Christmas wish for you is that that peace—His Peace—will invade your world during these wonderful days we have set aside to celebrate God’s love for us; a love that is expressed finally and fully in His willingness to come alongside us in our earthly sojourn in the person of Jesus Christ.

In the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7),

Pastor Tim

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Exciting New Worship Format For This Fall

Things are moving at a dizzying speed at FBC. We continue to make good progress in the construction project at Mt. Zion; Ministries are ‘humming’ as we build toward the fall launch of the new church year; and we are planning some exciting new additions to our Sunday worship. Of course, there will continue to be heart-stirring worship music, the faithful teaching and preaching of life impacting Biblical truth, and the sweet fellowship of like minded followers of Jesus Christ—But where these things occur in our spiritual worship may be different than we have been accustomed to in the past.

In addition, we will be making the Lord’s Supper available to those who wish to participate on a weekly basis (this does not take the place of our quarterly observance of the Lord’s Supper)—offering the opportunity for prayer for those who are sick and have other special needs—and perhaps some other Christ honoring elements of worship as the need arises.

Having talked and prayed about the additions to our service and some other adjustments to our order of worship with a number of our leaders, we will be introducing the new format on Sunday September 9. No doubt it will take a while for us to make the necessary adjustments but we are up to it—and will be refreshed by it. It would be a pleasant surprise if everything works like a well oiled machine for the first month or so. But my guess is there will be some rough spots we will have to iron out. Of course, part of the thrill of doing new things is figuring out how to make them work to the joy of our people and the honor of the LORD.

Of course, you will be hearing more about the new worship elements and how they can potentially touch our lives. Also, if you have questions, I would enjoy the opportunity to respond to them. So, please don’t hesitate to ask or offer input as the process moves along.

Yours In His Service,

Pastor Tim

Monday, April 02, 2007

Earth's Gladdest Day

Luke 24:31-32 reveals that Cleopas, like many of us will do, spent a good part of Easter on the road. Returning to Emmaus from Jerusalem on Sunday afternoon, he was discouraged and unsure what the future held. Some were saying that his friend Jesus was alive, but the very fact that Cleopas was on his way home is evidence that he didn't believe that news--else he would have stayed in Jerusalem.

But as he traveled along, discourged and preoccupied with the loss of his friend, a stranger moved alongside him and began to talk to about Old Testament prophecy and how it was logical that the Messiah should die and be resurrected three days later.

David Jeremiah says in a devotional on this thought, "Old Testament prophecy presented the resurrection of Christ as both a physical reality and a theological necessity: sane, logical, wonderful, and real!"

As Cleopas arrived home, he invited this unidentified fellow-traveler to spend the evening and share a meal. The gospel writer records for us that when the guest broke the bread Cleopas' eyes were opened and he saw Him.

This Easter season remember as you get about the myriad of activities associated with what we have come to know as Holy Week--HE IS ALIVE!
And don't you be one bit surprised if He pulls alongside you during these wonderful days as you travel to be with family, gather for fellowship with friends, or sit a table laden with his blessings; because, after all, HE IS ALIVE! And He is looking to enlighten and encourage those whose hearts are tuned to Him!

Hallelujah, What A Savior.

Yours for a wonderful joy-filled Easter,

Pastor Tim