A New Years Goal

“But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you: to love the Lord your God and to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments and to cling to and unite with Him and to serve Him with all your heart and soul your very life”
Joshua 22:5

My goal in 2006 is to be a servant. How about you?

Lord, I Want to be a Servant (Words: John K. Green and George Pendergrass © 1994 Anthony K. Music)

Lord I want to be a servant
Giving all my praise to you
Giving all I have to please you Lord
My heart makes pure and true

Lord I want to be a servant
Bring me closer to your will
Father all I want is to serve you more
Make me worthy to serve you still

Prayer:
Words come slow
When it comes to expressing
My true feelings of humility
My heart's desire to serve
But Lord you've done so much for me through the cross
I just want to give my life, my love
And all my heart back to you
And under the shadow of the cross
Let me hide myself and all that would
Shout out your glory
And allow me to see you
To know who you really are
So that someone else
Can see you through me.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Order of Worship-January 1, 2006

Welcome/Announcements

1 Chronicles 29:10-13

2 We Praise Thee O God (Verses 1,2,5)
15 Step by Step
63 I Will Call Upon the Lord

Prayer

John 19:1-6

324 Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed (Verse 1,2,4)
Wonderful Merciful Savior

Communion
Contribution

683 I Am Mine No More

Dismiss 2x2

828 Instruments of Peace

Message-Evan Burdan

Invitation 924 Just As I Am (Verse 1,2,4)

Announcements

517 Heaven Came Down (Verse 1)

Closing Prayer

Prayer of Praise

Father, In the Mighty Name of Jesus….I enter into Your courts with praise to lift You up and Glorify Your Holy Name. I put on my garment of praise so that Your Name can be exalted High above all the earth. I praise You for being the Wonderful God that You are. You are truly worthy to be praised for all of Your works. Your works are wonderful, Dear Lord, more wonderful than the heart can conceive.

Hallelujah to the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords…Your Name is greatly to be praised throughout all the earth. I praise You for Your marvelous creation and it’s beauty. I praise You for the work You have done in my life…for even giving me life. My soul praises and magnifies You because I have salvation and am Your child. I praise You for Your undying mercy that is new every morning.

Lord for every mountain, You brought me over…I give You praise. For every trial You have seen me through…for this I give You praise. I give You Total Praise for Who You are…so Mighty…so Wonderful…So Precious…So Awesome. If I had a thousand tongues, they would not be enough to praise You. All night and day my soul cries out praises to Your Name.

You are Highly Praised and Exalted in my life because You are my life, and apart from You I am and can do nothing. It is said when praises go up, blessings come down…Lord I just want You to know if You never blessed me another time, I am already blessed because I have You in my life. I praise You in song. I will make a joyful noise unto You and Bless You. Lord, accept my humble praise as I bring the sacrifice into Your House. For all that You are to me Lord, I give You Total Praise.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

The Real Christmas Story

Luke 2

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The Greatest Christmas Gift

(Published in USD 420 Osage City Faculty-Staff Newsletter, December 2005)

I have already heard from several of our elementary students about gifts that they hope to get from Santa for Christmas (some lists are quite long). I have heard of a variety of items that even the big boys and girls hope they receive. High School students seem to be set on vehicles while for elementary students, it’s much simpler and less expensive items.

Do you remember what you wanted for Christmas growing up? As I was growing up as a Navy kid, we moved around about every two years or so. Dad was stationed on several ships that were deployed all over the world and many times Christmas was a very difficult time for my family because dad was gone.

Mom and the grandparents would try to give my brothers and me special gifts during Christmas to make up for that important missing member that was away during that very special time of year. But it just wasn’t the same as dad being home for Christmas.

One Christmas that I will never forget was one that we thought dad would be overseas, and away from the family, but come mid-December we got word that he would be home for the holidays.

That Christmas I didn’t care what I got because I felt like I had the best gift ever, dad was going to be home to celebrate with the family.

I often think about those special times and difficult times we experienced growing up and think about our students and the difficulties many experience around the holidays. A time of celebration for many seems to bring difficulty for several of our students as well as faculty and staff members.

This holiday period, I encourage you to reach out and be that special individual that might be able to touch the heart of a student or adult that needs to hear that they are special and appreciated.

Sometimes the greatest gift is not in materialism but in the giving of time, relationships and friendships that we are able to share with one another.

On behalf of Debbie, Brian, Craig and myself, we wish each faculty and staff member a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas Break

The last day of school for student's and teacher's before Christmas Break! Not sure who’s more excited the kids or the teachers? They will be very energetic today.

Remember how excited you were for Christmas Break to begin? We have several kids today that wish we could continue with school and not have Christmas Break at all. Their lives are so messed up and they are having to deal with so many family issues that Christmas is not the enjoyable time that it’s suppose to be.

This Christmas look around and see those less fortunate that need a kind work, a special smile or a hug of friendship.

You might just be what they need to make it through the holidays.

As Randall Frame has written, “Christmas does not deny sorrow its place in the world. But the message of Christmas is that joy is bigger than despair, that peace will outlast turmoil, that love has crushed all the evil, hatred, and pain the world at its worst can muster.”

A Prayer for a Friend

My heart is hurting today over a high school friend and teammate of mine that has made some bad decisions. It has cost him his marriage and currently his relationship with God.

Why do we allow ourselves to be overcome by the thought of a little excitement in our lives? Why do we want something that we know will hurt us in the long run? Why do we fall for the temptation and sin and know it’s wrong?

I am so appreciative that I have a Heavenly Father that watches over me. I am so blessed that I have a wife who loves me for who I am and accepts all my faults. I am so glad I have two boys that put up with a dad who often doesn’t understand how it is being young and growing up. I am thankful I have a church family who encourages me and prays for me on a daily basis.

Please pray for my friend Bill today. He needs God back in his life. He needs to remember his first love.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

I Love You, Lord

A remote mobile home gleams faintly in the crisp Autumn sunrise. Within that metal refuge in the high deserts of central Oregon, a young mother is having a quiet time with the Lord. Her toddler is still asleep. Her husband is a full time college student, and the couple is surviving on $400 per month. They have no home church, no friends nearby, and she does not drive. Even the expense of a long distance phone call might leave them without milk or bread in weeks to come.

Such is the backdrop of Laurie Klein's classic praise song, "I Love You, Lord", written in 1974.

"It was a very hopeless time, a very depressed time," she summarizes. "I felt the poverty of my own life keenly at that point, both emotionally and physically."

"That morning I was so empty," she says, recalling her time with the Lord. "I knew I didn't have anything to offer Him. I asked if He would like to hear me sing . . if He would just give me something He would be in the mood to hear."

Klein describes "I Love You, Lord", as a gift from God that emerged spontaneously: "I sang the first half and put the chords with it with no effort," she says.

I love You Lord and I lift my voice To worship You O my soul, rejoice!

Intrigued and moved by these words, she remembers thinking, "maybe I should write that down." She stopped long enough to get a pen. When she came back, the last two phrases came just as easily:

Take joy, my King in what you hear May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.

Laurie's husband, Bill, recognized the simple beauty of the song and encouraged her to play it for a local minister.

Since then, Bill Klein has lost count but estimates the song has been released on 60 or 70 recordings.

The Kleins, now parents of two grown daughters, live in Dearpark, Washington.

Now 47 years old, Laurie Klein is more driven by a thirst for intimacy with God than ever. God has placed the phrase, "prepare Me a place" on her heart as a personal theme for this year. "We're called to prepare room for Him," Laurie explains. The heart of a worshiper becomes evident as she speaks. "We must be prepared to meet Him no matter who we're talking to or what we're doing, whether we're worshiping in church or worshiping with all the tasks that make up our day."

That, she has come to understand, genuinely makes a "sweet, sweet sound" in God's ear.

A Worship Prayer

How do you prepare for worship? Many Sunday mornings rushing around, getting the kids up (trying to get them up), reading the paper, fixing breakfast, finding something to wear, getting the ice off the windshield then its off to Church we go. Is your mind set on what you are about to do? I appreciate so many, that pray for our worship services each Sunday. I appreciate the ministry of Mark Cox and Doris DeForest and several others who pray on a regular basis for our worship after Sunday morning class.

Individually we all need to be in prayer as we anticipate our visit with the King!

A Worship Prayer

Father, In the Name of Jesus….I come before you in a spirit of Worship. My mind and heart are fixed on you. I want to lift you up for not only the things you have done…but just for who you are. You are a Mighty God, an Awesome God…A God who is perfect in all of His ways and have never made a mistake.

I acknowledge Your Sovereignty, that you are Omnipotent, that you are Omniscient, and that you are Omnipresent. You are the Only God that I will worship…You are the only God that I will serve. You are the Creator of all things, and by You all things were created in Heaven and in Earth. All power in Heaven and Earth is in your Hands. Your Ways are True and Your Nature is Righteous. You are Holy in all of Your Ways, and Your Ways are Honorable.

You are High and Lifted up Lord, above all that I am…above every circumstance and situation that may try to exalt itself above You. I lift up Holy Hands to You Right Now in total surrender to Who you are in My Life. Lord let me ever be so mindful of Who you are lest I forget. Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain…to receive Power, and Riches, and Wisdom, and Strength, and Honor, and Glory, and Blessings. Worthy is the Lamb.

IN JESUS' NAME

AMEN

Seeking the Heart of God

One of my favorite passages of scripture is Jeremiah 29:11-14 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

May we understand that God just wants us to seek His heart. He wants us to prosper and live the path he has set before us. His plans for our lives are so much more than we could ever dream of, the Bible states that his thoughts are not our thoughts. As long as we seek his heart and live a life of worship towards him he will not let us fail. He brings back everything that was stolen and will raise you up to a new life and a new relationship with him. We must seek him with all of our hearts, then we will find him.

Live everyday with God's Love in your heart (a life of praise and worship) true love for him and for others, seeking his face and heart.

God Is

God is Lord Almighty,
Omnipotent King,
Lion of Judah,
Rock of Ages,
Prince of Peace,
King of Kings,
Lord of Lords,
Provider,
Protector, Paternal Leader,
Ruling Lord,
Reigning King of all the universe.
He is Father,
He is Helper,
He is Guardian,
He is God.He is the First and Last,
The Beginning and End.
He is the keeper of Creation,
The Creator of all He keeps.
He is the Architect of the universe,
The Manager of all times.
He is risen and brings Power,
He reigns and brings Peace,
He is the Wisdon of the wise,
He is the Power of the powerful,
He is the Ancient of days,
He is the Ruler of rulers,
He is the Leader of leaders,
He is the Overseer of the overcomers,
He is the Sovereign Lord of all that was,and is and is to come.
He is Light, Love, Longevity, and Lord.
He is Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, Mighty, Powerful, and Pure.
He is my Redeemer,
He is my Savior,
He is my Guide,
He is my Peace,
He is my Joy, He is my Comfort,
He Is My Lord.
He always was, He always is, He always will be...
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated,
Never Undone.
He was bruised and bought Healing,
He was pierced and eased Pain,
He was persecuted and bought Freedom,
He was dead and bought Life.
The world can't understand Him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him,
The leaders can't ignore Him,
The Pharisees Couldn't confuse Him,
The people couldn't hold Him,
The New Age can't replace Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him,
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
Talk shows can't explain Him away!
His ways are Right,
His word is Eternal,
His will is unchanging,
His burden is light.
He will never leave you.
He will never forsake you.
He will never mislead you.
He will never forget you.
He will never overlook you.
When you fall, He will lift you up.
When you fail, He will forgive.
When you're weak, He is strong.
When you're lost, He is the way.
When you're afraid, He is your courage.
When you stumble, He steadies you.
When you're hurt, He Heals you.
When you're broken, He mends you.
When you're blind, He leads you.
When you're hungry, He feeds you.
When you face trials, He is with you.
When you face persecution, He strengthens you.
When you face problems, He comforts you.
When you face loss, He provides for you.
When you face Death, He carries you Home!
He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and in every way.
He Is God.
He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!
God is in control,
I am on His side, and that means....
All Is Well With My Soul !!!

~~Author Unknown~~

Sunday Worship

Order of Worship
December 11, 2005


Welcome (Jerry Myers)

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

66 Doxology
67 For the Beauty of the Earth
68 Give Thanks

Prayer

Scripture: John 3:16-17

286 Wonderful Story of Love (Verse 1 Only)
287 There Is a Redeemer (Verse 1 and 2 Only)
288 Fairest Lord Jesus (Verse 1 Only)
382 Why Did My Savior Come to Earth (Verse 1 Only)

Video “His Grace Still Amazes Me”

Communion

781 Thank You, Lord

Contribution

2 by 2 Class Dismissed

779 I Love You Lord (Sing Twice)

Guest Speaker: Russel Bell

Invitation 791 On Bended Knee

Announcements

264 O Come, Let Us Adore Him

Closing Prayer

Hearing God

Do you know the first thing that happens after the seraph places the burning coal upon Isaiah's lips? He hears something. He hears God asking a question, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" This is not a coincidence. When we worship, we put ourselves in a position to hear the Lord's voice. As we are cleansed of all sinfulness, we are being prepared for wonderful works of service (Eph. 2:8-9). We become useful instruments in His hands to accomplish his kingdom agenda here on the earth. Worship let's us in on God's heartbeat. Worship fills us with His nature, His life, His ideas, and His plans. Worship empowers us to do great things because we've seen Him. We understand who He is and who we are. We are readied for a great commission because He has embraced us. This gives us the confidence and courage we need to then say, "Lord, here am I, send me!"

Looking forward to a great worship Sunday! Stay warm!

Blended Worship

Blended Worship
By Ron Man

Blended worship has as its goal the joining together of the people of God in all their diversity, under one roof and in one service, to glorify God through the offering up of corporate praise. The term "blended" speaks of the artful weaving together of varying musical styles and other elements into a seamless tapestry, which honors the Lord without alienating any particular group.

The strongest argument which can be marshaled in favor of blended worship (as opposed to offering different types of services, such as "traditional" and "contemporary," or only one specialized type) is a biblical and theological one. It relates to the very nature of the church: worship should rightly be blended because the body of Christ itself is blended (see I Corinthians 12).

By definition the church gathers into one living organism people from all different backgrounds and walks of life; in fact, unity within the kind of diversity seen in the church is in itself a testimony to the divine nature of the institution (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 4:1-6) -- for, while by nature "birds of a feather flock together," Christ's body invariably includes an unusual combination of quite disparate individuals, who have in common only their faith in and love for Christ.

But that is the whole point! In order for corporate worship (unarguably the most important thing the church does together) to accurately reflect the nature and the unity of the body, it must include the people of God in all of their diversity, unified in the worship by the common focus of that worship: the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of glory.

That Christ-centered focus is the key which allows us to transcend petty, man-centered squabbles over musical taste and preference. For if we are united in our commitment to the glorification of our Lord through our worship, we will be blessedly distracted from lesser things which might divide us. And it is in our corporate worship of all places, as the most purely God-directed activity of the church, that our unity should be most in evidence. It is a scandal that worship has too often engendered the most divisiveness among God's people (in what one writer has referred to as "worship wars")!

In fact, for true blended worship to really work, all of God's people must be willing to make concessions relative to their own personal preferences - no one will get just the kind of music he or she likes all the time, but that becomes an acceptable sacrifice in light of the common good. (But it is important that all are called upon to make stylistic concessions, not just one group.) And even beyond the worth of harmonious corporate worship, the process of making such concessions is in itself a spiritual exercise of inestimable value. It is well-pleasing to the Lord when we prefer one another in such a way (Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:3) and "consider one another as more important than ourselves."

So may we focus in our worship on the One who alone is worthy of our worship, and in so doing bring to expression the oneness which all we who have trusted in Christ genuinely share. May we seek to please the Lord with our worship, bringing our humble gifts of praise and esteeming as well as the gifts which others bring, to the end that He might be honored not only by our outward expressions but also by the attitudes of hearts (which are much more important to Him anyway!). May our worship reflect the unity within diversity which is the beauty of Christ's body, blending "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" (Ephesians 5:19) in a harmonious symphony of praise.

I Lift My Hands to Thank You!

Lamentations 3:40-42 “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven.........”

It’s a hard thing to get past, especially if you’ve been raised in the Church of Christ. You know what I’m talking about - raising your hands when you’re praising God. Is it because we’re still focusing on us and those around us, or has our praise truly left the building and ascended to the throne of God? I know there are several times when I am so appreciative of the love God who gave me through the sacrifice of His Son that I can’t deny just giving my heart but I want to give Him my entire being as I worship my Creator. Even though we don’t make it a practice of lifting hands in our worship, remember to lift your heart. Our hands should just be an extension of our heart. What a cleansing we receive when we confess our sins and He washes us and gives us the privilege of standing before Him. I stand in awe of all that is holy and righteous and I give Him my praise because nothing else matters. I love worship time. Private and corporate. A time to tell the busy world to stop so we can truly give our undivided attention to the one who gave the greatest gift that we could ever receive, Salvation!

ON BENDED KNEE

On bended knee I come
With a humble heart I come
Bowing down before Your holy throne
Lifting holy hands to You
As I pledge my love anew
I worship You in spirit I worship You in truth
Make my life a holy praise unto You

On bended knee I come
With a broken heart I come
Bowing down before Your holy throne
As I look upon Your face
Show Your mercy and Your grace
Change my life, oh Holy Spirit
Make it fresh and ever new
Make my life a holy sacrifice to You

On bended knee we come
With a humble heart we come
Bowing down before Your holy throne
Lifting holy hands to You
As we pledge our love anew
We worship You in spirit We worship You in truth
Make our lives a holy praise unto You
Make our lives a holy praise unto You
© 1988 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (ASCAP) (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)

Respect, Love and Unity

I appreciate the comments that were made at the Congregational Meeting on Sunday. The unity and the love that the Central Church has for one another is a blessing. Even though we might disagree on issues from time to time we still respect, love and appreciate each other.

The more we reach out to our community the more teaching and instruction in God’s Word is of the utmost importance. I know Jesus wants to see a vibrant, caring and evangelizing congregation that meets at the corner of College and Huntoon. With that mission of reaching out, we have seen a change in the make-up of the Central Church. We have many members that come from other religious backgrounds, as well as no religious backgrounds. God’s Word is touching souls and hearts every week.

Thank you Jerry, for reminding all of us at the Congregational Meeting that we need to be sensitive to all groups of people and their likes and dislikes of worship and music in worship.

Several of us “old-timers” grew up enjoying the hymns of the 1800’s and sang them with all our hearts. But our “Baby Boomers” and “Generation X” members of today love the new praise songs.

I prefer scripture and silence from time to time in worship as I reflect but understand when a brother or sister of mine enjoys praise medleys and more exuberant worship.Acceptance and understanding differences will be a must as we grow and expand God’s Kingdom here in Topeka. It’s an exciting opportunity to reach out to a world that is seeking answers to life’s difficult questions.

Stream in the Desert

Over the past 10 years God has stirred the hearts of thousands of Christians, calling them to Stream in the Desert a Worship weekend hosted by the Golf Course Road Church of Christ in Midland, Texas for spiritual renewal.

This has been a time for renewed hope, for healing, new discovery, and release.In addition to these highlights, many have experienced incredible worship with old songs, new songs, and new arrangements of contemporary songs, drama, video media, testimonials, tributes to our military, comfort to the hurting, prayer, wonderful fellowship and food, incredible children’s programs, and special offerings for those in leadership.

Stream will be hosted at the Golf Course Road Church of Christ building on February 10-12, 2006.

The speaker will be Terry Rush with Ken Young as worship leader.

Due to the limited space at the GCR building, registration will be limited to the first 2,000.

For more information: http://www.streaminthedesert.org/index.p

Preaching Minister

The Central Church of Christ in Topeka, Kansas is prayerfully seeking a full time pulpit minister. The Central Church is a congregation of approximately 300 members and is led by six elders, 8 deacons and has a full-time youth minister. The candidate we seek should have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Biblical Studies or Ministry. He will need to be highly outgoing and personable, and most importantly, possess a demonstrated focus and involvement in and for evangelism. He should seek excellence and creativity in sermons and the classroom setting. The candidate should be willing to serve as a team member with our current staff and leadership. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. If interested, please send letter of application and resume to Central Church of Christ, Attn: Search Committee, 1250 SW College Ave. Topeka, Kansas, 66604.

Why Worry!

Philippians 4:4-7

"Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life"

Holiday Depression and Stress

The holiday season is a time full of joy, cheer, parties, and family gatherings. However, for many people, it is a time of self-evaluation, loneliness, reflection on past failures, and anxiety about an uncertain future.

What Causes Holiday Blues? Many factors can cause the “holiday blues”: stress, fatigue, unrealistic expectations, over-commercialization, financial constraints, and the inability to be with one’s family and friends. The demands of shopping, parties, family reunions, and house guests also contribute to feelings of tension. People who do not become depressed may develop other stress responses, such as: headaches, over-eating, and difficulty sleeping. Even more people experience post-holiday let down after January 1. This can result from disappointments during the preceding months compounded with the excess fatigue and stress.

Keep expectations for the holiday season manageable. Try to set realistic goals for yourself. Pace yourself. Organize your time. Make a list and prioritize the important activities. Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Do not put entire focus on just one day (i.e., Thanksgiving Day) remember it is a season of holiday sentiment and activities can be spread out (time-wise) to lessen stress and increase enjoyment.

Remember the holiday season does not banish reasons for feeling sad or lonely; there is room for these feelings to be present, even if the person chooses not to express them.
Leave “yesteryear” in the past and look toward the future. Life brings changes. Each season is different and can be enjoyed in it’s own way. Don’t set yourself up in comparing today with the “good ol’ days.”

Do something for someone else. Try volunteering some time to help others.
Enjoy activities that are free, such as driving around to look at holiday decorations; going window shopping without buying; making a snowperson with children. .
Try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way.

Spend time with supportive and caring people. Reach out and make new friends or contact someone you have not heard from for awhile.

Save time for yourself! Recharge your batteries! Let others share responsibility of activities.

God can help you during this busy time. Place emphasis on God, Church and activities with your Christian friends. This can be a very satisfying and fulfilling time as you reach out to those that might need encouragement and a kind word.

Do I Really Have to Do It?

Ever dislike doing something that you know you have to do? Things like:

*taking out the trash
*driving the roads at 4:00 a.m. on a bad winter day to determine if we are going to have school
*cleaning the house
*washing dishes
*changing diapers
*disciplining your kids
*confronting a friend about a tough issue

I could go on and on.

There are many things we as Christians must do that we might not enjoy doing but God needs His children to do as His ambassadors on earth:

*visiting someone who has just lost a loved one. What do I say?
*visiting someone very ill in the hospital
*a late night phone call from someone that needs help
*confronting someone that is involved in sin

the list could go on and on…..

Many times I think that someone else will do it. I don’t have to. But then I picture Jesus. He had to do it. No one else could. He was the only one that could bear that cross for me. The sacrifice that Jesus gave was so great and what He asks of me is so small.


“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross”Philippians 2:8

Thank You, God, For a 100 Things

Thank you, God, for a hundred things-
For the flowers that bloom, for the birds that sing,
For the sun that shines,
And the rain that drops,
For ice cream and raisons and lollipops.

Thank you, God, for the gift of time-
For the clocks that tick, and the bells that chime,
For the days gone by,
And future cheers,
For seasons, and moments, for hours and years.

Thanks for the people who give life pizzazz-
For folks who play sports, those who act and play jazz,
For friends and for families,
For folks of all races,
For hands that give help and for bright smiling faces.

Thanks for the planet you give as our home-
For the sky with its clouds, for the oceans’ white foam,
For the creatures and critters,
The lakes, falls and fountains,
For hills and for valleys, for canyons and mountains.

Thank you, God, for the gift of your son-
For the love Jesus shared, for the battle He won,
Over death, for the promise
That He would be near
To lead and to guide and to hold us so dear.

Thank you, God, for a hundred things-
For autumn and pumpkins, for dragonfly wings,
For Thanksgiving dinners,
For seaside and shore,
For a hundred things, and a thousand things more.

A Thanksgiving Story

I grew up in a Navy family moving all over the United States. A usual stay was about a year or two years as we traveled coast to coast during the 60’s and 70’s. It was a great experience growing up. We lived in San Diego, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Louisville, and Baltimore. We visited about every state and major city seeing the history of our great country.

A Thanksgiving memory that I will always cherish was one that started off very sad. My dad was overseas on several ships during the Vietnam War. Growing up, my mom and brothers and I had to lean and depend upon the local church family for the encouragement that we needed for the many lonely months that he would be gone. One Thanksgiving in San Diego was a very sad, but special, Thanksgiving that I will never forget. My dad had been stationed on the U.S. Long Beach and was deployed for about a 12-month period. My dad, along with several military men of the congregation, was going to be gone for Thanksgiving. We were all very sad and depressed that our fathers would not be home to celebrate Thanksgiving. Since several of us were in the same situation, we decided to have one big congregational Thanksgiving Dinner where we would come and support each other. What a special time that was. There were over 100 people sitting down and feasting at a table and thanking God for the blessings of the past year. Thanking God for a Christian Family that can support each other in times of trial, heart aches, and sad occasions, but also a time for praise to a God that blessed a group of His people on a special Thanksgiving Day in 1973.

The “L” Street Church in San Diego was a very special Church. It still holds great memories of that special Thanksgiving during my childhood. But with all those great memories of “L” Street, the Central Church, I believe, still has the most loving, caring and encouraging individuals that God could ever place in one Body.

This Thanksgiving, as you sit around your table thanking God for the blessings of the past year, thank God specifically for the members of the Central Church. I am thankful for each one of you and the significant part you play in making the Central Church a Church that practices their ABC’s Daily!

May God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving Season!

A Paradox of Our Time

“A Paradox of Our Time”

“The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;
wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints;
we spend more, but have less;
we buy more; but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families;
more conveniences, but less time;
we have more degrees, but less sense;
more knowledge, but less judgment;
more experts, but less solutions;
more medicine, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values;
we talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often;
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life;
We’ve added years to life, not life to years.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor;
We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space;
We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul;
We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We have higher incomes, but lower morals;
We’ve become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men, and short character;
steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare;
more leisure, but less fun;
more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce;
of fancier houses, but broken homes.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom.


This Thanksgiving I encourage you to relect on the positive things in your life as you celebrate with family and friends. I am very thankful for Debbie, Brian and Craig. May God be praised this Thanksgiving!

You Were There

"You Were There"-- a new worship song that Avalon recorded (http://www.avalonlive.com/)-- is now on the new Zoe Worship CD that was released this October. The lyrics to this song are very powerful and meaningful. Remember He is always there!

"You Were There"

I wonder how it must have felt
When David stood to face Goliath on a hill
I imagine that he shook with all his might
Until You took his hand, and held on tight
'Cause You were there,
You were there
In the midst of danger's snare
You were there,
You were there always
You were there when the hardest fight
Seemed so out of reach
Oh, You were there,
You were always there
You were always there

So there he stood upon that hill
Abraham with knife in hand was poised to kill
But God in all his sovereignty had bigger plans
And just in time,
You brought a lamb
'Cause You were there,
You were there
In the midst of the unclear
You were there, you were there always
You were there when obedience
Seemed to not make sense
You were there,
You were always there
You were always there

So haven't I learned that my ways
Aren't as high as Yours are
And You alone keep the universe
From crumbling into dust
You are God and though we would
Not have understood
YouThere You were
Hanging blameless on a cross
You would rather die than leave us in the dark
Every moment, every planned coincidence
Just all makes sense
With Your last breath
You were there,
You were there
During darkest hour
You were there,
You were there always

You were the Victor and the King
You were the power in David's swing
You were the calm in Abraham
You are the God who understands
You are the strength when we have none
You are the living, Holy one

You were,
You are and You will always be the
Risen Lamb of God
You were,
You are and
You will always be the Risen Lamb of God

American Education Week

“The great melting-pot of America, the place where we are all made Americans of, is the public school, where men of every race, and of every origin, and of every station of life send their children, or ought to send their children, and where, being mixed together, they are all infused with the American spirit and developed into the American man and the American woman”

President Woodrow Wilson
1913

This past week we celebrated American Education Week. A week where we say thank you to those who work with our children on a daily basis and a week to reflect on those who have encouraged us along life's journey.

With the events that are taking place in our country, the education system is so much more vital than ever before, as we train our young people to explore deeper educational areas, to develop higher learning skills and to enhance their ability to process and analyze information in a variety of new ways. Our young people will be asked to move far past the knowledge base and really problem solve in a variety of technological means, more than we can fathom today.

An educator is so important as they teach, instruct, encourage and motivate kids on a daily basis. Our young people will be the leaders of tomorrow.

Ever Been Diappointed?

Disappointments in life are normal. The issue is how we dealproperly with disappointments and avoid growing disappointedwith life itself. When disappointments come, we should allow them to draw us closer to the God of all comfort. We should allow them to remind us that this world is not our home, and that one day, we will be with the Lord. That is true for all who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. But when disappointments in this life are not handled properly, were in danger of growing bitter towards God. We begin blaming God for what happens in our lives. God calls on us to take responsibility for our behavior. He calls upon us to repent and turn to Him in faith. When we fail to take personal responsibility for our actions, we must find someone else to blame. Once we begin blaming others, it is just a short step to blaming God.

Some of us have seen or experienced things in our lives that have produced a level of disappointment with God. He hasn't come through in the way we thought He should. Perhaps you came to Christ and found that circumstances didn't magically change. Life is still a struggle - maybe even more so. Maybe you have refused to become a Christian because you see in the world problems and disappointment that ought to be rectified if there really was a God. There are many who think they are atheists or agnostics, but in reality they are just disappointed with God.

Remember: People will disappoint you in life. You will disappoint others. You will even disappoint God at times!

(Proverb 3:5) "Trust in the LORD with all thy heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

How Do You Start Your Day?

When I wake up in the morning (before I hit the roads of Osage City with my running shoes), the first thing I do is pray for my bus drivers as they start the day. The precious cargo they carry each day is always on my mind as the day begins. Then I pray for the kids of my district. Father, help them get to school safely, and have a day where they are challenged academically to do their very best. Then I pray for my teachers and staff members. Give them the patience and understanding as they meet the challenges of the day. Then I pray for my building principals as they work in their respective buildings with so many challenges and responsibilities. Then I pray for the parents of my district. Help our parents be the role models that our children need to be successful in their studies and in their extra-curricular activities. Then I pray for my board members. I pray that they make the very best decisions in the best interest of the students. Then I pray for my patrons (the community). Support our schools and help us be the very best that we can be. Then, God help me as a leader. I can’t make it without You. You are the One that gives me the strength and wisdom to be what You want me to be. Help me and guide me in the decisions that I have to make today. Help me be a role model to all that I come in contact with. Help me with my frustrations and challenges. I need You each day!

How do you start your day?

A Strong Tower

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Philippians 2:9-11 ...God ... gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus' name is to us a source of strength, of safety. It is a strong tower. We should "run to it."

A Church that Prays, Fasts and Seeks the Lord

Jerry gave a powerful message yesterday morning encouraging the 295 souls present at the Central Church to pray, fast and come together as a body as we look forward to the future. God will provide just the right family to help us further His mission here in Topeka.

Continue to pray each day and fast at noon on Monday's as we seek the Lord's guidance and direction.

2 Chronicles 20 (New Living Translation)

After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar." (This was another name for En-gedi.) Jehoshaphat was alarmed by this news and sought the LORD for guidance. He also gave orders that everyone throughout Judah should observe a fast. So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the LORD.

Jehoshaphat stood before the people of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the LORD. He prayed, "O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 8Your people settled here and built this Temple for you. They said, `Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, disease, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.'

"And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help."

As all the men of Judah stood before the LORD with their little ones, wives, and children, 14the Spirit of the LORD came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph. He said, "Listen, King Jehoshaphat! Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out there tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!"

Then King Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the LORD. Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.

Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, "Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed." After consulting the leaders of the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang:
"Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!"

At the moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had finished off the army of Seir, they turned on each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, there were dead bodies lying on the ground for as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped. King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables--more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all! On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the LORD there.

It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.

A Church that Reaches Out

God plays a very active part in the lives of his children today. My family attended worship a couple of months ago in Oklahoma City and heard a modern day story of how God was working in a Christian community. When a family was at their lowest level, God worked through a church to be a blessing at the right moment in time.As I was listening to the story, I was thinking about Central and how God has worked through the Central Church to bless the lives of so many over the years.

The Family of God at Central has been a great blessing and continues to help and minister within the Central Family, as well as the Topeka Community and around the world in mission efforts in India, France, South Africa and other places.

What can I do this week to minister and allow God to work in the lives of people? God’s love and grace can help in so many difficult situations that we feel we can’t deal with and allow us to hand them over to the One that can. He can provide that calm and inner peace that we so desperately need.

During this time of transition, be in prayer for our congregation, members, leadership and those we are trying to reach out to and show them the grace that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

This is an exciting time in the life of the Central church. As we look forward and anticipate what God has in store for this family, continue to reach out and ask God to bless our efforts in advancing His kingdom here in Topeka!

Spiritual Gifts

Is there a difference between a spiritual gift and a talent? Is it important to recognize the difference? Will it help me discover my own spiritual gifts if I can distinguish between the two?

The answer to all three questions is yes. And recognizing the differences between talents and spiritual gifts can be one of the keys to finding those spiritual gifts God has given to you.

The Young Professional Class will begin a six-week study beginning Sunday on Spiritual Gifts. We will take a look at the gifts God has blessed us with and how to use these gifts to minister to the Central Church and to reach out to those outside of Christ.

Happy Anniversay Mom-Dad

On Sunday, November 6, my mom and dad celebrated their 45thwedding anniversary. I appreciate the love and support that they have displayed for each other over the past 45 years.

Speaking on behalf of my brothers, it has been a blessing to know that mom and dad were husband and wife for life. We never had to worry when we were growing up about divorce or separation. We knew that mom and dad were life-long partners because of the commitment that they made back in 1960.

What a great example they have been to Debbie and I, Mike and Doreen and Steve and Jan. My brothers and I appreciate your commitment to each other, as well as being granny and granddad to your 6 grandkids. You are great examples.

We appreciate and love you very much!

A Father Answers His Children's Cries

Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer." Psalm 61:1

The Father desires to meet the needs of His children. Because He is God and because He is our creator, we must trust Him and believe that He really does know what's best for us. This means that He is able to see and hear and know every intimate detail of our lives. This also means that when we think He is not with us, we are wrong. The problem is not with God but with us. His word tells us to draw near to Him in humility and He will draw near to us. He delights more in our presence than we could ever delight in His. We must allow the Holy Spirit to remind us of every time in our past when we believed God was not with us and then show us how He was really there all the time. He just wasn't doing things the way we thought He should! We need to find out what God desires for us (which is our best) and then cry out to Him! "...You do not have because you do not ask." (James 4:2)

Will Our Children Have Faith?

Back among the living after a week with the flu. Appreciated the prayers. My advice to everyone this winter, GET A FLU SHOT!

John Westerhof (Will Our Children Have Faith) has written a great deal about stages of faith development in children. Using very broad strokes, he has discerned four distinct stages.

The first, he calls experiential faith. That is faith gained from experience; interaction with other people of faith. Paul writes about his young companion Timothy, that his faith was nurtured by his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois. Infants being raised in Christian homes, have something of a relationship with God, in many ways, because it’s all they’ve ever known.A lifestyle of faith is all they have ever experienced, and the only people they have ever known as people of faith. The primary reason people in this stage believe what they believe is because it’s all they’ve ever believed.

The second stage is affiliative faith – growing through involvement in a faith community. It is sharing in the worship, ministry, decision-making, caring life of the faith community. Paul first encountered Timothy when he visited Lystra, where Timothy was highly regarded as a member of the community. Children whose parents include them in church-related activities have something of a relationship with God, in many ways, because all the people around them, all the people to whom they are connected have a relationship with God. The primary reason people in this stage believe what they believe is because they belong to a group of people who believe the same things.

The third stage of faith is inquisitive – a questioning phase usually occurs sometime early in adolescence for children raised in Christian homes. Paul took Timothy on one of his missionary journeys. Participating in Paul’s mission, asking questions and testing his gifts, Timothy’s faith was challenged and strengthened. This is the stage most Christian parents fear. In fact, some churches and families discourage this stage altogether. However, if this stage is not fully experienced by a young person, his or her faith will become stunted, or worse, aborted.

The fourth stage is owned faith – a developed faith that has been tested. At this stage a person’s faith is marked by a commitment to certain beliefs, attitudes and practices. In the Bible we see Timothy sent out to resolve problems in Corinth and then to Ephesus where he is a leader in the church. Until a faith is allowed to proceed through the inquisitive stage, until a faith is questioned, it will not be mature enough to be truly owned by an individual. At this stage, a person believes what they believe because their faith has withstood the crucible moments of life.As parents, the one thing we want more than anything is for our children to possess an “owned” faith. We want our kids to love God, serve God, enjoy God, trust God, partner with God – not because of who their mom and dad are or because they’re in a church where that’s expected. We want them to do these things because they’ve made the choice to do so from the core of their own soul.

If it is important to us that our children have a fully developing faith, we should understand the four stages of faith development and that they must pass through each of the first three in order to get to the fourth.These stages are not always neatly divided, and the boundaries are often fuzzy. But it will be helpful for those of us with children to be aware of which stage our child may be in so that we can keep an eye out for what may lie ahead.

Happy Birthday Mike

Happy 32nd Birthday to my little brother Mike today (6 foot 7 inches tall) at Lawrence High School. Mike is an English teacher who has influenced many students over the years in his love for literature. He also teaches Bible Classes at Southside and is a great husband and father. He also is close to completing his PHD in English at the University of Kansas. Hope you have a great day!

What's Really Important?

Ever have a week when you feel you have let someone down. I have felt that way all week. Mainly because of the busyness in my life with work responsibilities that I don’t have time for those that matter the most to me, my family and the Central family.

But most of all, the one I leave out when I am so busy and distracted with the challenges of life is God. The One who constantly keeps me close to his side and watches over me, I just push Him aside so I can do the things I want to do, the way I want to do them. I am a pretty selfish individual.

This Sunday in our Young Professional Class we are concluding our discussion on God’s Direction for Our Lives. We are focusing on the aspect if we make a wrong turn in life how do we get back in the right direction.

This week I need to get back in the right direction. I need to center my thoughts on God and my family not in the pursuit of trivial earthly things.

“Thank you Father for giving me the avenue to come back to you. Where I can run to your arms for the safety and encouragement that I need each day. Thank you for your love, grace, and forgiveness that I so often take for granted. Why do I not realize you have all the answers to all situations and true fulfillment in life. Help me realize that as I journey down the road of life. Help me keep my eyes fixed on You”

In Jesus Name,
AMEN

Hits Home

This was an article that I found this week that hit home on priorities. It made me think about what really is in important in life. Hope you enjoy it...........


Since when did God become an excuse? As I was praying on Thursday morning I realized that we use God to justify a lot of the silly things we do. We spend most of our time trying to earn money. We neglect rest, community, and sometimes family in order to get our money. Then we don’t just spend our money, we spend more than we have. We take out loans to buy houses that are bigger than we can afford, and cars that are nicer than we can afford. Then we’re trapped into paying for those things and we have to work harder, or longer hours, or try to get a better paying job. We spend even more time chasing after money. Then at the end of it all we say something So let me get this straight: I’ve neglected the things that I say are most important to me, the things that I believe are most important to God, in order to get something that “God gave me?” Somehow I doubt it. I wonder what life would be like if we didn’t buy the biggest house we could afford and instead bought the house we need. I wonder what it would be like if we weren’t so trapped by our debt that we have to live in fear of losing our jobs. I wonder what our churches would look like if we spent as much time seeking after God as we do chasing after money. I just can’t believe that God’s first priority is my happiness. I have to think that if there is going to be some miracle that it will be that the hungry mouths living on the street will be filled before I am given an H2. I hear phrases like, “I’m trusting God for a house.” Or, “We’re trusting God for our new church building.” But for some reason I rarely hear phrases such as, “I’m trusting God to give houses to the homeless.” Or, “I’m trusting God to feed the hungry.” Maybe it’s because we know that we’re, maybe it’s not a sin for someone to have a nice house. But why blame God for it? Let’s take responsibility for our situation. We have choices to make. Let’s make better choices. Let’s stop using God as an excuse. This health and wealth theology makes me sick sometimes.

A Prayer from Tommy Thompson

Sunday morning was a very moving worship service. Carl led us in worship and Tommy Thompson gave a prayer that was very heartfelt. Below, with his permission and several requests from others, is his prayer from Sunday morning………..


The Lord is my Light and my Salvation
Oh Lord! Our Father!
This is a sad moment here at Central.
In fact, since the announcement of Brother Jim’s impending departure,
It has been like a boat sailing without the wind.
Driving on “E”,
Or having a frog in your throat.
You ask the question: What will life be like without our shepherd?
Your main man, the Colonel? With him being a Colonel in the military I could readily sergeant for him.

First off, I would have it known that I was on his bandwagon from the beginning. The folks in Leavenworth might be saying: “Now you know just how we feel.” Jim, the preacher, has that special way about himself. A little piece of him goes a long way. Just visualize him squaring off with anyone of us. He would go that extra mile to attain the norm. Yes, he is one of us, and more. It has been so easy to like him, listen to him, follow him. Sad to say there is not another Jim in Big Lake. He will solely be missed.

Our congregation is relatively quiet and reserve, but I would hope that there would be many loud amen’s heard from around the auditorium in agreement to this message.

Now we must sing with our hearts such sweet sorrows—such sad departure.

May the grace and goodness of our God and Holy Spirit be with the DuBose’s as they move forward and carve out a new nitch in the great mountain of ‘presidents’ and outstanding folks in our lives.

In Jesus,

AMEN


Tommy T.
October 23, 2005Central Church of Christ

He Is Able to Deliver Thee

I am so glad we have a Deliver! Someone that can take us out of the filth and clean us up and make us a child of a King! These Ancient Words are still powerful today.......

Words & Music:
Wil­liam A. Og­den,
Ed­win O. Ex­cell (New York: 1887)


Tis the grandest theme through the ages rung;
Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue;
Tis the grandest theme that the world e’er sung,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

Refrain
He is able to deliver thee,
He is able to deliver thee;
Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

Tis the grandest theme in the earth or main;
Tis the grandest theme for a mortal strain;
Tis the grandest theme, tell the world again,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

Refrain

Tis the grandest theme, let the tidings roll
To the guilty heart, to the sinful soul;
Look to God in faith, He will make thee whole,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

What Do You Fear?

President Franklin Roosevelt assured people that "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

What do you Fear?

What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of rats? Are you afraid of worms? Are you afraid of heights? The premise of NBC's game show Fear Factor is that they take your fears and multiply them by 100! People who are afraid of rats get placed in a box and covered completely with rats. If you're afraid of heights, you'll cringe while watching contestants climb out of a car suspended a hundred feet in the air to pull out flags at the front and rear of the car. If you battle and defeat your fears you get $50,000!

"Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings"
Psalm 23:4-5

Early Morning Therapy

Have you ever been watched by someone so much that they can actually tell time when they see you? Every morning at 5:00 a.m., I hit the streets of Osage City for my early morning run. I can honestly say that I am the only NUT running at that time each day. But over the past several years many people actually have stated to me, “I appreciate it when you run by my house, because I know what time it is”. I never really thought about that. Each morning, I see the same cars turning on the same roads. I see the same police officer driving the same route flashing his lights three times as I wave to him. I see many neighbors getting their morning papers and waving or saying hi to me. But what really drives me crazy is DOGS; when it’s dark and you have a dog dart out that is ready to bite your leg off. I have had many experiences running Osage City. Dogs, skunks, badgers, rabbits, panthers, horses and cows….no bears yet. Oh My!

I use my morning run as therapy. It allows me time alone with my Heavenly Father. We talk about some very personal issues. I appreciate how He listens and how He helps me with the decisions that I will have to make for the day. I have asked Him for some strange things over the years, but guess what? He always listens. I believe He knows each morning when I begin my run that we are about to begin a conversation. I am thankful for the avenue of prayer that was made possible by Jesus Christ.

I encourage you to take time each day to begin a wonderful conversation with God. If you do start running, watch out for the dogs!

The Joy of the Redeemed

Ten years ago this verse was introduced to me in a very special way. It talks about the Joy of the Redeemed!

Isaiah 35

The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.

Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
"Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you."

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.

The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness.
The unclean will not journey on it;
it will be for those who walk in that Way;
wicked fools will not go about on it.
No lion will be there,
nor will any ferocious beast get up on it;
they will not be found there.

But only the redeemed will walk there,
and the ransomed of the LORD will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Awesome In This Place

A morning praise to our Father.................

Awesome In This Place
Dave Billingham

Lyrics:
As I come into Your presence
Past the gates of praise
Into Your sanctuary
Til we're standing face to face
I look upon Your countenance
I see the glory of Your Holy face
I can only bow down and say...

You are awesome in this place, Mighty God
You are awesome in this place, Abba Father
You are worthy of all praise
To You our lives we raise
You are awesome in this place, Mighty God

Life

There are things for us to cherish and enjoy every day of our lives. We may have to really look for those things sometimes, but it will add meaning in life, which will encourage and satisfy us.

Watch children at play...gaze up at the sky and watch the movement of God's clouds...watch the birds looking for their food.Gaze out your window and just look around at the beautiful scenery of God's handiwork...stand outside letting the breeze gently brush your face.Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea outside with music softly playing...watch the sun rising in the morning and setting in the evening.

Live you life each day as you would climb a mountain. Getting a occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind. Many beautiful scenes are to be observed from every direction. Climb life’s mountain slowly, steadily, enjoying each passing moment.

God's handiwork is all around us---not only in the form of foliage, animals, but in people. Take time to enjoy what God has done and is doing! You'll enjoy what you are doing a lot more. Take time to talk to God about what He has given you.

Slow down and enjoy the life God has given you. View it with thanksgiving in your heart. He did it all for you and me. He did not mean for us to go through life and not enjoy it. Appreciate the things God has given and done for you. Then give Him the praise and thanks He deserves.

People Need the Lord

People Need The Lord
Greg Nelson and Phill McHugh
1983 River Oaks Music

Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eye;
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where.
On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear;
Laughter hides the silent cries
Only Jesus hears.

People need the Lord,
People need the Lord;
At the end of broken dreams,
He's the open door.
People need the Lord,
People need the Lord;
When will we realize
People need the Lord.

We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong is right;
What could be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who's lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear;
They must hear the Words of Life
Only we can share.

People need the Lord,
People need the Lord;
At the end of broken dreams,
He's the open door.
People need the Lord,
People need the Lord;
When will we realize
That we must give our lives,
For people need the Lord.
People need the Lord.

Understanding Poverty

On Monday, USD 420 hosted an all-day workshop for 700 faculty and staff on Dr. Ruby Payne’s book “A Framework for Understanding Poverty”.

The central goal of the book is educating people about the differences that separate economic classes and then teaching them skills to bridge those gulfs. Framework is the method that delivers that message. Ruby's thesis for Framework is simple. Individuals accustomed to personal poverty think and act differently from people in the middle and upper economic classes. Most teachers today come from middle-class backgrounds. Economic class differences, in an educational setting, often make both teaching and learning challenging. Too often, teachers don't understand why a student from poverty is chronically acting out or is not grasping a concept even after repeated explanations. At the same time, the student doesn't understand what he/she is expected to produce and why. Ruby discusses at length the social cues or "hidden rules" that govern how we think and interact in society – and the significance of those rules in a classroom.

How about Church? What are we doing to tear down the walls that sometimes hinder the message of Jesus being preached to ALL people even those in poverty.

Larry James is a minister that works in the inner city in Dallas, Texas. At one time he was a pulpit minister at a large Texas Church but gave that up to minister to those in poverty and despair. He wrote the following poem about those he ministers and lives with on a daily basis:

I Know Poverty
Seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, speaking—
Daily it arrives in waves, torrents,
Contained, carried about in life,
Expressed a person at a time.
Watching weathered, limping people
Trudging about, through and on,
I think of troubled, wrestling, self-possessed Jacob,
Determined to receive some blessing,
hobbled by the experience.

Tears flow from lack—
A mysterious depth releases watery, salty relief—sweat, tears,
Loss, pain, need, laughter—
Always I’m undone by the laughter—
comedic relief.
Holding the children,
So often the products of a search for purpose,
lingering embrace,
Once here the only purpose becomes survival writ large,
So, love abounds as focus fades in a cruel, satisfying circle.

Young—too young—mothers and grandmothers,
Some too young themselves,
Many more far too old
For the demands of children absent daddies.
Blame doesn’t work—
nothing sticks with this hopeless paste!
Responsibility on the forward side
Seems a reasonable goal,
A key to understand, to investigate.

Smells can be fierce or noble,
Sickening or inviting, crushing or hopeful,
Depending on the soul of community—
Are we cooking or surviving?
I know poverty.
The impoverishment of soul,
of spirit,Of private, inner space,
Meant to be a meeting ground,
A host table for sacred conversation among people
Beyond caste and class and race—but it is gone.


For more information on Larry James:
http://www.larryjamesurbandaily.blogspot.com/
Central Dallas Ministries
P.O. Box 710385
Dallas, TX 75371-0385
Phone: 214-823-8710

Rejoice and be Joyful!

Ever have a bad day?
A bad week?
A bad month?
A bad............
I could go on and on.
But how about losing all you have.
All your personal possessions.

Many in the Gulf Coast states have lost everything as well as even some here in the Rossville and northeast Kansas counties last week during the floods.

It’s hard to rejoice when bad things are happening.
Hard to rejoice when you lost your job.
Hard to rejoice when the little ones are teething and you haven’t slept in several nights.
Hard to rejoice when your spouse says I’m leaving.
Hard to rejoice when you can’t pay the bills.
Hard to rejoice when your best friend dies of cancer.
Hard to rejoice when the pain you have is unbearable.

Even through the pain, suffering, and destruction of life there is still One to be thankful for and rejoice and praise continually!

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."
Habakkuk 3:17-18

TV or the Bible?

Tuesday night I had a rare evening at home without any school meetings or activities. I turned on the television to see what was on and a show called Rodney came on. The show is a comedy and has been on a couple of seasons. First time I had seen it. The show talked about church and hell. Rodney’s family had been attending church regularly but Rodney didn’t feel like attending. Well his wife and kids finally convinced him he should go. At the worship service Rodney heard some “fire and brimstone” preaching and decided he needed to make some drastic changes in his life. The bad thing about the show is it joked about the concept of heaven and hell. It showed a preacher that was more concerned about football than saving his congregations souls and at the end of the show Rodney and the preacher decide to sit down and have a beer together.

That show did nothing for the cause of Christianity. What it did was make people feel like church is just an option not a necessity. Typical Hollywood telling us what is right and wrong.

Looking at Matthew 7:15-23, we find Jesus stating:
“Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Television might show us what they think Christianity should be all about but the Bible gives the correct answers on how we should live a life that is pleasing to God.

Enjoy the Journey

Mike Cope, Minister of the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas, has some great blogs that he shares with his readers each day. This was a recent blog he posted that hit me "right up side the head". I often forget about the journey and only think about my destination......Enjoy the read!

At our home, we are Shel Silverstein fans. Here's one for today:

I went to find the pot of gold
That's waiting where the rainbow ends.
I searched and searched and searched and searched
And searched and searched, and then--
There it was, deep in the grass,
Under and old and twisty bough.I
t's mine, it's mine, it's mine at last. . . .
What do I search for now?

So often we think that there is some great destination that we're waiting for. We find ourselves "killing time" (a horrible phrase) just waiting for that destination. We forget that it's the journey itself that is full of life.

You can't wait for your kids to grow up so you can have a little peace and quiet. There is the joy of the journey.You can't wait for retirement so you can play golf. There is the joy of the journey.You can't wait for your church to "do things right" so you can be happy. There is the joy of the journey.You can't wait for American to get back to the good old days. There is the joy of the journey.

Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Lion, and the Scarecrow are headed to Oz. But the heart, the courage, and the brain they need come from the journey--not from the diminutive wizard behind the curtain.

Bilbo Baggins' walking song has it right:

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then?
I cannot say.

I have my eyes on an incredible destination. But the journey is filled with joy--even in the midst of pain. I don't want to miss that joy!What's out there on the road for you this day? Don't put off today waiting for Friday. Don't blow off this week waiting for next week or this month waiting for next month or this year waiting for next year. Too many people miss life waiting for something better.

Look out today and smile at THAT spouse, THOSE kids, THAT job, THOSE friends, THAT church, THOSE neighbors.

Reaching People Where They Are

In my professional life we have been in the process of examining learning styles of the new generation. As I have researched many educational systems and philosophies I keep coming up with several articles on generational differences in the church. The following article breaks down the groups that make up our society and church of today.

Reaching People Where They Are
by Roger Palms

If we believe that one method of presenting the Gospel is adequate for all listeners, we may miss out. Why? Because generations hear what we say in the context of their own culture. The Gospel doesn't change, but the way that people hear the Gospel does change.
The Holy Spirit knows the heart of each person in each generation. As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we can be alert to how the Holy Spirit is reaching out to people where they are and not treat people as though they are the same as we are.

The characteristics of the generational categories are not firmly fixed. People are individuals, and the generations are on a continuum. But as we reach out to people and seek to bear fruit for Christ, we need to be aware of the ways that different generations learn and the cultural influences that they have when they hear the Gospel. Who are these generations?

Millennials --- born 1982 or later

Some 72 million young people comprise this age group. Millennials are the second-largest segment of society.

They respect their parents more than their parents know. They listen to their grandparents more than their grandparents realize. They are savvy to advertising hype, eager to pursue meaningful relationships, interested in what worked in the past. Millennials long for stability.
Who are they? They are Generation Y, the net generation, the echo boom, the bridgers --those who are coming of age in the new millennium. And they are open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
They are curious about concepts of sin and redemption. They experience little residual Christianity in their culture. Many are absolutely certain of only one thing: there are no absolutes.

Many Millennials get their religion from the Internet. They combine Eastern philosophies and New Age leftovers, an eclectic gathering of this and that. Yet Jesus is attractive to them.
Show them who Jesus Christ is.

Busters --- born 1965-1982

Busters are the first of a totally postmodern generation. The 65 million in this age group have been called the X Generation, the Boomer shadow, the nowhere generation, the "shy me?" generation. They don't like those labels.

They long to be respected, to be listened to, to be appreciated. They want to be treated individually, not as a collection or a group. They were latchkey kids, many from divorced and blended families. They watched MTV with its constantly changing images. Feeling is more important than content, process than function.

They would like to fix things, especially the things they think that the generation before them has broken. They want marriages that last. Children are important to them. "How did you stay married?" they ask. "How did you find God?" "What's it like to have inner peace?" they want to know.

They are spiritual, but for many of them anything spiritual will do. They are into "faiths" more than faith. They are looking for something to give them meaning and hope.
Point them to the One who can give that to them.

Boomers --- born 1946-1964

Boomers --- 77 million strong --- have influenced everything around them.
Boomers went through the era of Vietnam War, campus unrest, the "hippie" movement, free speech, free love, the Jesus movement. But they also got caught up in the greedy `80s. They are known as much for being the "me" generation as they are for being the change-theworld-with-a-cause generation.

They want to know how Christianity works, primarily how it works "for me in my life." They want to know, "Will God help me with my finances, my divorce, my children?"

We can speak to that if we will come alongside and hear them. Many Boomers are coming to the point in life where they wonder, "Is this all there is? Isn't there something more?" Boomers are exploring church again, old truths again, hearing again the message that they pushed away when they first rebelled against their parents' generation.

Offer them solid Bible content that they can apply to their lives and discuss with their peers.

Builders --- born 1930-1945

Also called the silent generation, 33 million Builders are sometimes considered the nongeneration. They weren't of age during the Great Depression or during World War II, but they weren't part of the Vietnam War and campus unrest either. They are in-between.
They want certainty; they have a sense of responsibility and duty. They want their lives to count for something.

More resolved than the generations that have followed them, Builders formed their philosophies and convictions during their student years and didn't change too much afterward. But their hearts still have that inner restlessness that God put there.

We can quote the Bible to Builders; they respect it as God's Truth. Yet many may think that they have heard it all before and even may have tried Christianity once --- but what they may have tried was church and rules without having encountered the living Christ as Savior and Lord.

Show them what it means to be right with God by God's definition, to move past faith in faith to faith in Christ.

Seniors --- born 1929 or earlier

Of the 25 million people in this generation, many Seniors came of age during the Great Depression and fought in World War II. They are loyal, conservative, hardworking, patriotic. If they know about Christianity, it may be more denominational than biblical, more like a club to be joined just as they join civic or community organizations.

Seniors may be struggling with illness, with financial limitations, with worries about children and grandchildren, and with loneliness because they have fewer friends still living. They also may be filled with fear: fear for physical safety on the streets, fear of the future, fear of death.

Tell them about the One who takes away all fear. Tell them the Good News of God's peace and security and the certainty of salvation in heaven.Are we ready to change? Our day is similar to the days of the first century. When Cornelius, a Gentile, needed to hear the Gospel, God broke the Apostle Peter out of his old way of thinking so that he could become the evangelist that God wanted him to be. And Peter was big enough to change (Acts 10:1-48).

Generation Y Embraces Choice, Redefines Religion

The Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com

By Cheryl WetzsteinTHE WASHINGTON TIMESPublished April 12, 2005

Most young Americans strongly believe in having choices, an attitude that is likely to shape their identification with traditional religions, a study says.

"Generation Y," born between 1980 and 2000, is "bringing [media] industries to their knees" by embracing IPod, TiVo and other technologies that allow unprecedented consumer choice, said Roger Bennett, co-founder of Reboot, a Jewish group that is examining generational issues.

The big question is how traditional religions will respond to a new generation of Americans who value choice, informality and personal expression, he said.

It may mean the rise of "orthodoxy a la carte," where, as with IPods and music, young Americans take a "mix and match" approach to religion, said Bill Galston, a domestic policy adviser in the Clinton administration.

It also could mean an even deeper culture war, said Mr. Galston, as young Americans push their religious pluralism and a backlash emerges from other young Americans who don't want to lose traditional and religious moorings.

Reboot's study, "OMG! How Generation Y is Redefining Faith in the iPod Era," was released yesterday in a press conference at the Brookings Institution. The study is based on a survey last year of 1,385 persons ages 18 to 25.

To add depth, samples of black, Muslim, Jewish, Asian and Hispanic youths were included, said Anna Greenberg, vice president of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, a firm known for its work with liberal political groups.

The Reboot study drew on other research, including the General Social Survey and a Greenberg Quinlan Rosner study on "America's Evangelicals," for data on religious characteristics of older generations.

The Reboot study found that 23 percent of Generation Y, like Generation X, do not identify with a religious denomination or don't believe in God. This is more than twice the number of nonbelievers among baby boomers, or those born between 1946 and 1965, Ms. Greenberg noted. Generation X was born between 1966 and 1979.

Twenty-six percent of young Americans call themselves Protestants, but the survey showed that 14 percent of the generation belonged to "other" kinds of Christian churches.

Catholic identification was stable, with 20 percent of both Generation Y and Generation X choosing this faith. However, the number was down from 23 percent Catholic identification among baby boomers.

Generation Y members also were strongly religiously pluralistic -- only 7 percent said "all" their friends were of the same religion, and about 10 percent said they belonged to a non-Christian religion.

Previous studies of religion have indicated that young adulthood is often a time when religious interest drops. Federal data tracked by the Washington-based research group Child Trends shows that 12th-graders are less likely than eighth-graders to say that religion plays an important role in their lives. The trend is reflected in student attendance at weekly religious services.

Still, religious identity plays a significant role in the lives of Generation Y, Ms. Greenberg said yesterday. More than half said they regularly pray before meals, and a third or more said they talk about religion with friends, attend worship services and read religious materials every week.

The Reboot survey further found that Generation Y was "more liberal and progressive" than older generations, both in political leanings and on social issues such as homosexual "marriage" and immigration. Fifty-four percent of voters younger than 30 voted for Sen. John Kerry last year -- the only age group the Democratic presidential candidate carried, the study noted.

However, although many of these young Americans worry about getting good grades and finding work after school, their biggest concern is the solidly "moral" issue of nonmarital sex -- 35 percent of Generation Y members are "very worried" about "getting a sexually transmitted disease," the study noted.

Copyright © 2005 News World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved

Our Eyes Are Upon You

12 “O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

2 Chronicles 20:12

Jehoshaphat knew that the only way they could defeat the larger and stronger armies was to keep his eyes on the Lord. I need that direction and reminder each day. The only way to survive the enemy is to focus on the Deliverer!

Blessed Be the Name

One of my favorite hymns of the past "Blessed be the Name" was written By William Clark in the late 1800's. A powerful song of praise to the One that reigns above!

All praise to Him
Who reigns above
In majesty supreme,
Who gave His Son for man to die,
That He might man redeem!

Refrain
Blessèd be the Name!
Blessèd be the Name!
Blessèd be the Name of the Lord!
Blessèd be the Name!
Blessèd be the Name!
Blessèd be the Name of the Lord!

His Name above
all names shall stand,
Exalted more and more,
At God the Father’s own right hand,
Where angel hosts adore.

Refrain

Redeemer, Savior,
Friend of man
Once ruined by the fall,
Thou hast devised salvation’s plan,
For Thou hast died for all.

Refrain

His Name shall be
the Counselor,
The mighty Prince of Peace,
Of all earth’s kingdoms Conqueror,
Whose reign shall never cease.

Refrain

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood,
A neighborly day for a beauty.
Would you be mine?Could you be mine?...

I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.
So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine?Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?
Won't you please,
Won't you please?
Please won't you be my neighbor?

Fred Rogers wrote this song for his television show many years ago. It asks many important questions about being a neighbor. On Sunday we will have our annual Friend Day. The theme is Won't You Be My Neighbor? Be in prayer for this special day of worship as we reach out to our friends and neighbors. Our goal is 400 in worship.

A Friend Is...

A friend is...
One who sticks with you no matter what.
One who shares the burden of your heart and life.
One who shares the burdens of their own heart and life with you.
One who tells you the truth - even when you don’t want to hear it...because a real friend only desires your best.
One who laughs with you.
One who cries with you.
One who cheers you on in the race of life.
One who covers your backside in battle...while you cover theirs.
One who loves your family almost as much as you do.
One who continually points you to Jesus.
One who is not afraid to hug you.
One who lavishes love on you but is restrained with their flattering words.
One who desires to take off the masks and walk in intimacy.
One who covers you with respect and keeps secrets well.
One who takes over for you when trauma leaves you helpless.
One who ‘gets you’ and your vision and does not try to quench it.
One who helps you polish the pearls of your heart and never tramples upon them.
One who walks side by side through life, facing all the hurdles with you...holding your hand when you die.
One who is not ashamed of your past...and not ashamed to glorify God with you.
One who is proud to be seen with you.
One who comes to the rescue when rescue is required.
One that is always there with whatever you need...quiet understanding; joy; tears; understanding; faith...one who is ‘there’ like a warm fire on a cold winter’s night.

He Became One of Us

He Became One of Us
by Alan Smith

On February 15, 1921, there was a doctor who performed an appendectomy. The doctor performing the surgery was Dr. Evan Kane who over his 37-year medical career had performed nearly 4,000 appendectomies, so this surgery was not at all unusual except for two things.First of all, this was the first time that local anesthesia had ever been used in major surgery. Dr. Kane believed that local anesthesia was safer than putting a patient completely to sleep. Most of his colleagues agreed with him in principle, but they wanted to see first if it would actually work.So Dr. Kane searched for a volunteer, a patient who would be willing to undergo surgery while under local anesthesia. It wasn't easy to find one. Most people are squeamish at the thought of being awake during their own surgery. Others are fearful that the anesthesia might wear off too soon.Finally, though, Dr. Kane found a volunteer, and on Tuesday morning,February 15th, the operation began. The patient was prepped and wheeled into the operating room. A local anesthetic was applied. And as Dr. Kane had done thousands of times before, he cut open the tissues and removed the appendix. The patient had only minor discomfort and recovered quickly, dismissed two days later.Dr. Kane had proven his theory. Thanks to the willingness of a bravevolunteer, Dr. Kane demonstrated that local anesthesia was an alternative, even a preferred alternative.But I said there were two facts that made this surgery unusual. I've told you the first: the use of local anesthesia. The second unusual thing was the patient -- the patient was Dr. Kane. You see, in order to prove his point, Dr. Kane operated on himself. The doctor became a patient in order to convince the patients to trust the doctor.As unbelievable as that may seem, it is insignificant compared with what Jesus Christ did for us. The Great Physician voluntarily became one of us. He placed himself in our shoes. He left the glories of heaven to live on this earth as one of us -- to suffer our pains and feel our fears. Why? So that when you hurt, you will know that you have someone who understands -- your Great Physician -- and you will have confidence to go to him for healing."Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same....For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2:14a,18)

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, NC