National Day of Prayer

What are you planning to do for the National Day of Prayer?

This yearly event, which has roots as far back as the Continental Congress and its call to prayer in 1775, marshals all prayer warriors to intercede for our nation.

In 1863, President Lincoln called for a national day of "humiliation, prayer and fasting" and in 1952 a joint resolution by congress, signed by President Truman, made it an annual event. In 1988 President Reagan set the day at the first Thursday of each May, which is the day we will gather this week - on May 1st.

To see the events planned nationwide, and get info on the NDP, go to the National Prayer Committee's website at http://www.ndptf.org/.

A Thought for the Day

"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two imposter's just the same;... then you'll be a man, my son."

Kipling

Who was Jesus?

"Jesus was short on sermons, long on conversations; short on answers, long on questions, short on abstractions and propositions, long on stories and parables; short on telling you what to think, long on challenging you to think for yourself; short on condemning the irreligious, long on confronting the religious."

Brian McLaren

ACU Changes Policy

ACU Changes Alcohol Policy

April 13, 2008
ABILENE, Tex. (BNc)-

Abilene Christian University will no longer penalize students 21 and older who drink “responsibly” off campus. The amended policy will be presented in detail in the 2008-09 handbook. Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president for Student Life and dean of students, arrived at ACU in July, 2007, and began a comprehensive study of the university’s student conduct policies and procedures, including the debated alcohol policy, according to the student newspaper The Optimist. The present policy prohibits students of any age from drinking on or off campus. “We want to embrace a strong Biblical principle,” Thompson said. “While our intent is not to encourage drinking, it is important to acknowledge that it’s not the alcohol that’s the sin - it’s the drunkenness that’s the sin. And we can’t deal with challenging our students if we’re not having the conversation. If we really want to hold them accountable in this area, there’s risk in that.” In a report by the Abilene Reporter News, Thompson stated, “In addition to all the other things listed in Scripture — things that don’t glorify God or that don’t move you into his kingdom — drunkenness is mentioned,” he said. “The last thing I want to do is to turn this into a theological debate. Drunkenness is mentioned, and those things associated with it. It’s not alcohol in and of itself.” Thompson apparently believes that allowing drinking off campus will contribute to less drunkenness and greater responsibility among students. He said the policy change will open “a window of opportunity to address it and be authentic in our approach.” Thompson promised stricter enforcement and heavier sanctions against the rules of the new policy. “[If a] 21-, 31-, 50-year-old student is seen somewhere drinking within the legal means and not in drunkenness or destruction, how do I call myself to punish or sanction them for that? And how do I know that in the first place? We’re not going to catch all that. It’s impossible to have the staff and folks to follow students where ever they go,” Thompson said. “We’d say we will rather equip you for making moral, ethical Christian and legal decisions when we don’t see you.”

http://brotherhoodnews.com/2008/04/13/acu-changes-alcohol-policy/

Cherish God's Word

If you heard the sports news last week, you probably heard an interesting story out of the University of Florida.

The University of Florida won the NCAA Football Championship in 2006. The champions receive a Waterford Crystal Trophy that is shaped like a football. A very expensive and beautiful piece of artwork

Last week it was broken. It was on a coffee table in one of the coaches offices, the table was bumped, the crystal fell to the floor and broke.

What surprises me about this story is a trophy that is so valuable, and one that should be under glass was on a coffee table in a office. No protection to keep it safe.

At the University of Oklahoma, their NCAA Championship awards are under security glass with special lighting and security cameras. Something that valuable needs to be cherished and taken care of.

Something that Christians need to do is to cherish and take care of God’s Word. In today's society we need it more than ever.

The Bible is God’s revelation to mankind. For the Christian its our daily bread, our daily guide, it shows us how to deal with every situation that will arise during the day and during our lifetime. But what do we do with this special book? Many times we lay it on a coffee table and allow it to collect dust.

I encourage you to open this book, and share it with others and see what God has in store for our lives as we drink from his Holy Words.

Cousin Jethro from Arkansas

I needed a little humor today.......................

Be Used

"Today, even amongst Christians, there can be found much of that spirit that wants to give as little as possible to the Lord, and yet to get as much as possible from Him. The prevailing thought today is of being used, as though that were the one thing that mattered. That my little rubber band should be stretched to the very limit seems all important. But this is not the Lord's mind. The Lord wants us to be used, yes; but what He is after is that we pour all we have, ourselves, to Him, and if that be all, that is enough."

Watchman Nee

The Pope

The following is a blog from Jim White, Minister of the Southwest Church of Christ in Omaha, Nebraska.

I have been somewhat bemused by the visit of the pope to the United States. I don't even think that's probably the right word. Perhaps I can use a number of others to better describe my thoughts. Amazed. Amused. Glad. Confused. I could probably come up with a few more, but right now I'm at a loss.The pomp and circumstance that has happened. Limousines, helicopters, the popemobile; Holy Father, Reverend, Supreme Shepherd; Elaborate robes, miters, kissing of the hand, and on and on. I just heard a cardinal express their extreme loyalty to this man. I haven't heard the name Jesus very much. Mother Mary, yes. Our Savior. Some. But I really haven't heard Jesus' name. When you read Paul's epistles, over and over he invokes the name of Jesus. You get the impression he really does mean it when he expresses his devotion to Jesus. I don't know. I don't see Jesus coming to this earth in the midst of this publicity. I see Him walking down the streets of New York City, not in the elaborate cathedrals of the city. I see Him talking to the poor and downtrodden, not to world leaders and those in positions of power. Perhaps I'm wrong. But I don't think so. I see Him speaking from the heart, not from a book held in front of Him. I see Him among the common people, not those wearing the fancy robes. Where do I get this? How many times die He heal and tell the recipient not to tell anyone? His popularity wavered, not declined. There is an upside to this, though. How many are at least getting a glimpse, albeit a small one, of Christianity? How many are being called to repent? Only God knows the sincerity and the value of this. I'm just praying that the world will see Jesus as He is, not the pomp that is being placed before it. I hope your day is a good one.

Order of Worship

Order of Worship
Sunday, April 20, 2008

Welcome

Step By Step

These Are the Days of Elijah

Prayer:

Scripture: Ephesians 1:6-9

I Will Sing of My Redeemer

Lords Supper

Contribution

Children 2x2 Class

Break Thou the Bread of Life

Ancient Words

Message Evan Burdan

Invitation Restore My Soul

Announcements

Closing Prayer

Praise God

Early this morning I received word from my son Brian. His future bride (Allison) was in a car accident last night in Oklahoma City. She is fine just shaken up. Her car is totalled, but Allison and the other driver were not injured.

It's in moments like this that we stop and praise God. We remember that the gift of life is precious.

I think Brian summed it up best..."all I know is that God is so amazing and forgiving. He answers prayers so fast and without him I'd be so lost."

Me too son!

What Makes Worship Great!

What makes a Sunday Worship really special?

I had an e-mail from someone a couple of weeks ago asking me why are some Sunday’s really celebratory while some are like a trip to the dentist’s office?

I believe there are three things that can make our Sunday worship experience more fulfilling for the worshippers and more pleasing to God.

One is having the right spirit and attitude to worship. What do you do to prepare for the worship that you will be giving to God on Sunday morning? Do you prepare the night before? It’s a special time. Do you prepare and contemplate what you will be experiencing as a corporate body?

Many times we hurry out the door after oversleeping and maybe we have even had a fight with the kids on the way to church. It's tough to be in a worship mood if all these distractions are on your mind.

Second, have you prayed about the worship that you will be giving to God? Have you prayed for the leaders of our worship service? Have you prayed to God to take all the distractions away so you can really worship the Living God?

Third, do you take an active part in the service? Do you sing or do you complain they are too new or too old of hymns? Do you give God the praise that He deserves?

Remember worship begins with the right frame of mind and what you give determines what you receive.

What Do You Say

In a couple of hours I am to meet with a couple I’ve never met before. Their 18 year old son drove his car into the back of a parked flatbed and died at the scene two nights ago. He was a senior to graduate in a month. This family has no church, no preacher, etc. Mercifully, they do have dear friends who attend Memorial and we have been chosen to assist this family, school, and community by conducting the funeral services. So, young leaders, what does one say at this meeting?

First, I want you to know I’ve been blessed years ago by encountering such personal tragedy. Once again God is a “Yes” as I learned something ministers needed to know: how people feel in the center of stunning loss. Therefore, I pass what I regard as important factors along to you which I learned in the center of the pit.

1. The parents will hear of my desperate sympathy.
2. Their world has been destroyed.
3. Realize they can barely hear the simplest of words as their minds and hearts have taken a direct hit and they can barely function, let alone take in information.
4. Because you know they can’t hear, don’t expect response from many things you counsel. Some matters must be discussed, but don’t gage success of the meeting on your “connection” for a part of them is not in the meeting, although their bodies are.
5. I will share with them the day will come they will be okay. Right now they can’t envision such.

It will be important to share with them how life will go for the next few months:
They will look to see if it’s their son every time they see a car like his just to make sure theirs isn’t a dream.

Every holiday during the first year will make this death arise to its fullest pain again. The second year will begin to ease.

They will resent foolish bickering/complaining over nothing they overhear in checkout lanes and at work.

It will be important for them to not blame anyone or each other for this tragedy.

Finally, I will share with them the truth that God lost his son and the lights went out in His world for three days. But the third day carries hope.

The above can sound awfully sure about myself. To the contrary, it tears me up and breaks me open. I will fumble and sob and ache (I have in just writing this blog). God will say things to them I have not planned. Words will just come out of me….and you when you hit your hour to deal with such devastation. The main thing I want you to know, which they can’t understand at the moment, is God will work. Watch for God. He will work. He promises….II Cor. 1:18-20.

Terry Rush

Thought for the Day

"The righteous man carves his name upon the Rock. The wicked man writes his remembrance in the wind. The righteous man plows furrows of earth and sows and has a harvest here which shall never be fully reaped until he enters eternity.

But as for the wicked man, he plows the sea. And though there may seem to be a shining trail behind his keel, the waves pass over it and the place that knew him shall know him no more forever."

Charles Spurgeon

Lord, Prop us Up On Our Leaning Side

A great story that was sent to me....

Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon who always prayed, Lord, prop us up on our leanin' side. After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently. He answered, 'Well sir, you see, it's like this...I got an old barn out back. It's been there a long time, it's withstood a lot of weather, it's gone through a lot of storms, and it's stood for many years. It's still standing. But one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit. So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn't fall. Then I got to thinking about that and how much I was like that old barn. I've been around a long time.

I've withstood a lot of life's storms. I've withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I've withstood a lot of hard times, and I'm still standing too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leaning side, cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning, at times.

Sometime we get to leaning toward anger, leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward hatred, leaning toward cussing, leaning toward a lot of things that we shouldn't. So we need to pray, 'Lord, prop us up on our leaning side, so we will stand straight and tall again, to glorify the Lord.

Committed Christians at Central

I am amazed at the various ministries going on at Central. We have a great youth program, children’s program, MOPS, Ladies Bible Class, mission efforts and other visible ministries, but we have several that are not as visible that are reaching a variety of people in our congregation as well as community.

Committed Christians who love people and love the Lord who are reaching out to those that need a “cup of water” during a very thirsty period in their lives.

I am so impressed with Central and the care and love shown for people.

It is truly a place of rescue from the hard realities of the world.

May God continue to be glorified in all our efforts.

Good Luck Lady Vols

Good Luck Mom as you cheer on Tennessee tonight in the NCAA Championship Game!

Good Luck Kansas

Order of Worship

Welcome

60 He is Exalted
227 On Zion’s Glorious Summit

Prayer

Scripture: Romans 8:35-39

286 Wonderful Story of love (Verse 1 Only)
18 Faithful Love
386 He Loves Me (Verses 1 and 3)

Communion
Contribution

2x2 Class Dismissal

524 I Know Whom I Have Believed (Verses 1,2 and 4)

Message

Invitation 116 God Will Make A Way (Sing Twice)

Announcements

Closing Prayer

Thoughts on the book of Jude

As I was listening to Mike Wright on Wednesday evening teach our class on the book of Jude, I could not help from reading the last two verses of the book of Jude over and over.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.

Jude closes the letter with a famous doxology (a brief declaration of praise to God). Jude’s doxology reminds us of God’s care and of our destiny.

Jude’s message of warning and doom might have depressed and discouraged his readers. Perhaps they thought that with so much false teaching and immorality around, very few Christians would ever reach heaven. Here he reminds them that the answer lies only in the power of God. He is able to keep you, and you aren’t able to keep yourself.

As the song states….He is Able to Make Me What He Wants Me to Be!

The Lords Prayer

A very special prayer...........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR4PQ30VkBk

Thought for the Day

“To do the work carefully and well, with love and respect for the nature of my task and with due attention to its purpose, is to unite myself to God’s will in my work. In this way I become God’s instrument. God works through me.”

Thomas Merton

Women in Jesus Day

In the Gospel of John, women are key characters in the narrative. Jesus' mother initiates his public ministry (ch.2); Jesus reveals his true identity to a scandalous woman (ch. 4); Jesus stands up to the religious power-brokers who want justice over mercy (ch. 8); and Jesus tells Mary and Martha "I am the Resurrection and the Life," (ch. 11).

We should not be surprised that Mary Magdalene is tending the tomb (ch. 20). She does not equate an empty tomb with resurrection. Yet, she wants to remain near Jesus, because, he is "the Lord."

Jesus comes to her as a gardener. He speaks her name and she instantly knows who stands in her midst.

Unlike the men of power (Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians), and the men concerned with reputation (disciples)--the women in Jesus' day had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Perhaps, that kind of sociological "thing" happens today.

But those are the questions we usually avoid asking.

Josh Graves