Come Lord Jesus

I need you, yes I need you Lord Jesus,
I need you to be Lord of my life,
Without you there is really no purpose,
To all of this struggle and strife.

The answer is really quite simple,
Yes the answer is so plain to see,
I need more, so much more of you Jesus,
And I truly need much less of me.

I want to be led by your Spirit,
But sometimes my flesh controls me,
Please enter my heart, dear Lord Jesus,
Come, let your blood set me free.

Listen to my heart cry this day Lord,
Please open your ears to my plea,
Your word tells me that you are willing,
To come and reside reside within me.

Remind me each day, of this prayer Lord,
And All that you have done for me,
Please remind of that Hill called Golgotha,
and the day of your great victory.

W. Joe Ingram

New Songs, Old Songs

This blog discusses church musical changes that we still battle today on the newer praise songs and some of our traditional hymns. Some things never change…………..

A book about Cane Ridge (The Cane Ridge Bicentennial Sampler) I found that one of its early ministers, Robert W. Finley, got into trouble in the late 1700's (before he got to Cane Ridge) for introducing and using the hymns of Isaac Watts in worship. Other congregations were dividing over their use instead of singing the Psalms. In that period of revival, many were writing hymns in colloquial language using the New Testament rather than the Psalms. The most prolific writers were Charles Wesley and Isaac Watts. It seems that the Church of England in those days had a law that nothing but metrical Psalms from the King James Version of the Bible could be sung congretationally in their buildings. Many other churches also had this tradition, including the Puritans, who brought it to America. Martin Luther and his followers were the first to challenge this by introducing secular folk tunes. John Calvin, however opposed this and wrote, "Psalms alone should be sung in church, because they are the inspired Word of God and are therefore untainted by human error. "Evangelicals in the church of England (George Whitefield in particular) felt bound to keep the letter of the law, but avoided its spirit by using the new songs in their large open-air revival meetings. ( From Steve Turner's book Amazing Grace.)

We are indebted to Isaac Watts for such hymns as
"When I Survey the Wonderous Cross,"
"I'm Not Ashamed to Own My Lord,"
"Joy to the World,"
"We're Marching to Zion,"
and "Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed."

I am thankful for new worship songs such as “Lamb of God”, “As the Deer” and “I Stand In Awe”. I am thankful for the family at Central that recognizes the need of both contemporary and classic hymns in our worship as we try to connect with our culture of today as well as praise the God of the universe!

Sunday Worship

Watching our young men on Sunday lead us in worship made me realize how special Central really is. Our young men did a great job leading us in Worship to our Heavenly Father.

We hear of problems in the Church and young people not caring about the traditions and principles of our faith, I beg to differ. Our young people at Central are some of the best. Perfect? No. But us adults aren't either. I'm very appreciative of our young men and women who have decided to serve God and share their faith with those they come in contact with.

They you for being an example to us older folks as we strive to live a life for Jesus!

Happy Anniversary

25 years ago today at 2:00 p.m. at the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Church of Christ, Debrorah Faye Ellis became my wife. What a great day that was. It was 108 degrees outside and felt like 150 degrees in my white tux. It was so hot, when they threw rice at us, it started cooking when it hit the pavement.

I will never forget the first time I saw Debbie as she walked into the church auditorium in her mothers wedding dress. My eyes teared up because of her beauty.

Our good friend Kent Hall the Education Minister for the congregation married us on that hot summer day.

Many things rush through my mind as I look back on 25 years.......

But the one thing that I can truly say is that I did marry the most beautiful and wonderful woman in all the world. Thank you Debbie for being faithful, supportive, forgiving, loving, caring and a blessing as we walk side by side in our Christian relationship.

May God continue to richly bless our relationship!

P.S. You don't have to cook tonight....

A Family

“You’re no longer strangers or outsiders: You belong here… God is building a home. He’s using us all-irrespective of how we got here-in what he is building… He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, getting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together.”

Ephesians 2:19 The Message

Camp Week

Be in prayer this week for our MS/HS campers and sponsors. It will be a great week of study and sharing as our kids grow spiritually.

A Frustrated Jesus

Lately I have been very frustrated over certain things. I work daily on trying to be patient and content but lately I have really have been frustrated over items and people in my life. What I think should happen just doesn't happen. And I’m frustrated. It has caused me to lose sleep, not trust people, become irritable, and I'm constantly thinking, " what’s next?" Then I realize - you selfish individual. Who is the one being constantly blessed by God? Your frustrated? God should be the one frustrated with me. Not placing all this at His feet and trusting and having faith that He will make the very best out of it.

In Matthew 17 beginning with verse 14:

There’s a story of a frustrated Jesus.

“Jesus and the followers went back to the people. A man came to Jesus and bowed before him. The man said, "Lord, be kind to my son. He has epilepsy and is suffering very much. My son often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought my son to your followers, but they could not heal him." Jesus answered, "You people have no faith. Your lives are all wrong. How long must I stay with you? How long must I continue to be patient with you? Bring the boy here." Jesus gave a strong command to the demon inside the boy. Then the demon came out of the boy, and the boy was healed. Then the followers came to Jesus alone. They said, "We tried to force the demon out of the boy, but we could not. Why were we not able to make the demon go out?" Jesus answered, "You were not able to make the demon go out, because your faith is too small. I tell you the truth. If your faith is as big as a mustard seed, then you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there.' And it will move. All things will be possible for you."

Why had Jesus' closest followers not been able to heal the boy?

Matthew 17:19 says that it was because they did not have enough faith.

But why was that? Was it because of Jesus' absence? Was it because of the leaders' among the apostles being with Jesus? Was it because they simply lost faith in what Jesus had equipped them and empowered them to do?

What frustrates you?

Jesus is surely frustrated with our vain attempts to live for him and bless others with his grace. Just as Moses came down from his mountaintop experience with God and found frustration and faithlessness, Jesus does, too.

The message for us? Surely we must understand that we must have faith and when we do, Jesus can do great things through us.

But ... Jesus can and will do things without us if we choose not to follow and obey him. The issue is one of honoring and blessing him by having faith.

Frustration will occur at times. That’s being human. But Christians can take all that possible negative energy and turn it into great positive accomplishments for Jesus and for others.

Home Where I Belong

In 1978 our Broken Arrow Youth Group enjoyed singing this song as we anticipated a better life in a place that God has prepared for us. Through the difficult life situations its great to know that God has prepared a Home for us.....

Home Where I Belong
Words and music: Pat Terry © 1976 Word Music (ASCAP)

They say that Heaven's pretty
Living here is too
But if they said that I would have to choose between the two
I'd go home, goin' home
Where I belong

Sometimes when I'm dreamin'
It comes as no surprise
But if you look you'll see the homesick feelin' in my eyes
I'm goin' home, yes I am goin' home
Where I belong

Chorus:
While I'm here I'll serve Him gladly
And sing him all these songs
I'm here, but not for long

When I'm feelin' lonely
And when I'm feelin' blue
It's such a joy to know that I'm only passin' through
I'm headed home, goin' home
Where I belong

One day I'll be sleepin'
When death knocks on my door
And I'll awake to find that I'm not homesick anymore
Cause I'll be home, I'll be home
Where I belong

"Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:16

Worship

"At the root of god's revelation to His creation, worship is shown as the prerequisite for man's ability to receive and live within the high possibilities and rich benediction of God's plan"

Jack Hayford

Sunday Worship

Order of Worship
Sunday, July 16, 2006

Announcements

2 We Praise Thee, O God (Verses 1,2 and 5)
718 We Shall Assemble
71 As the Deer

Prayer

Wonderful, Merciful Savior
176 Lamb of God

Communion
Contribution

Dismiss 2x2

431 Break Thou the Bread of Life
Ancient Words

Message

Invitation

Announcements
Closing Prayer

True Worship

I read this blog entry the other day from a former worship leader who left a church because of changes that he did not agree with:

It was a strange final Sunday. I thought our worship time went quite well (although I'm probably not the most unbiased to judge it), but the unusual thing today was when the Elders presented the results of a survey done back in November and then told some new directions the church would be heading. I was personally quite surprised for how little support there really was for the three major changes; I expected a fair number of people to object to some of the changes, but I thought there'd be at least 2/3 or 3/4 clearly in favor of the change. My own opinion is that maybe the survey showed a need to wait a bit longer or do some study/teaching before moving ahead. However, what was announced was that the Church would be changing their name (dropping "Church of Christ"), adding instrumental music (perhaps as soon as next Sunday!), and expanding women's role as ministry leaders and in public assemblies. Though I'm praying for God's blessing on the Church and it's leaders, I'm left wondering a little about where they're headed. I think it will be a tough road, at least in the near future.

The article above is a sad one. When God’s Word is ignored on how New Testament worship should be conducted because individuals feel they prefer these items in their worship it deeply hurts the church.

Pray for the church worldwide. We are undergoing some great divisions and treading down roads that we haven’t gone down since the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Pray for the Central Church that we will be true to God’s Word in the complex changing culture of today.

Mission Trips

When I was 16 years old, our youth group from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma took our summer mission trip to Apple Valley, Minnesota. This was one of our mission points as a congregation.

We knocked doors, set up studies, encouraged the local congregation and heard five nights of excellent lessons from Walter Buchanan who was a visiting evangelist from Texas.

That was a special week in my life.

Many of us have memories of mission trips that we took that impacted our mission to reach out to a lost world.

I am thankful for our young people and sponsors who traveled to the New Orleans area to minter last week.

I know they were a blessing for a people searching for hope in a hard hit part of the country.

A Dreamer

A Dreamer

I have been a dreamer since day one. With that mindset, my main fault has been not being content with the present. I work on that daily!

What do I dream about?

I dream about the school district that I lead. I believe we can be the very best district in the state if we work harder than ever before reaching each and every student.

I dream about my family. What will Brian and Craig become in their vocational careers after college? Will they marry? Will they have children? Will they be leaders in their churches? Where will they move (I know Craig will be living in some large city)?

I dream about Debbie. Will she shoot a 90 on the golf course one day? Will her health improve with her new medication?

I dream about Central.

I dream about the family that meets at the corner of Huntoon and College. I dream about a family that reaches out to all economic classes, races and individuals. I dream about a family that is loving, forgiving, serving and unified. I dream about a church that is Bible-centered and spirit-led. I dream about a church that prays daily and lifts holy hands to God in thanksgiving for the blessings and situations that He has helped His family go through on a daily basis.

I dream about a church that is a light to a dark world.

I dream about a unified church in Topeka worshipping together, holding hands as brothers and sisters and praising the God that we love.

What do you dream about??

Faithful Love

Faithful Love

When you think of the last phrase of that song, 'For I've seen faithful love face to face, and Jesus is His name,' it calls to mind one of the most dramatic scenes of Jesus' death recorded in the gospel of Mark, chapter 15 verses 33-39:

At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah." One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

It says that the Roman centurion stood in front of Jesus and saw. What did he see? He saw the way Jesus died, the compassion Christ had for those who killed Him. Jesus' willingness to forgive humanity for this atrocity.

When we stand before the cross of Christ. . .when we meet at His communion table together each first day of the week, what do we see? I believe that we have a chance to see Jesus and his love. We have the chance to say, 'I've seen faithful love face to face, and Jesus is His name.'

A Report from the Teen Mission Trip

Angie Smith sent me this e-mail today that I wanted to share with the Central Family:

Well, what a wonderful day they had yesterday! They started a new home yesterday and it was that of an elderly couple. Scott said he was going to turn 84 soon and his wife had suffered a stroke and wasn't able to be left alone, therefore he was unable to do much work at their home. Natasha and some of the girls stayed with his wife while the rest of them went with him to their home and cleaned it out. He was very appreciative of what they had done, especially sitting with his wife so that he could go to the house. He is a catholic and told Scott that he couldn't get people from his own faith to come and help him and that we drove 17-18 hours down there and didn't know him from Adam and helped him more yesterday than anyone in his own faith would help! Our group has touched many lives this week and spread God all over and they have been touched as well! They were to start a new house this morning and will finish up this afternoon and then start getting things ready to head back to Kansas. Their goal is to leave around 5:00 in the morning and drive straight through, so keep them in your prayers!!

Do You Believe....

Have you ever heard about the guy who walked a tight rope across Niagara Falls? Many people watched him do it. To them he asked, "Do you believe I can walk a tight rope across the Falls?" They all replied, "Yes." They had already seen him do it. Then he pushed a wheel barrow on a tight rope across Niagara Falls. When he completed the feat, he asked the onlookers, "Do you believe I can walk a tight rope across the Falls pushing a wheel barrow?" To that they replied unanimously, "Yes." Because they saw him do that too. Finally, a buddy of the tight rope walker climbs into the wheel barrow and the tight rope walker pushes him across the Falls. Wow, what a daring feat! When they finished, the tight rope walker asked the crowd, "Do you believe I can walk a tight rope across the Falls pushing a wheel barrow with a person in it?" To that they exclaimed, "Yes!" For they were now believers in this guy's awesome abilities. Then he looked at the crowd and asked, "Who's next?"

Our faith is like that at times. We see God working in our lives but we don't act on opportunities and situations that God places right in front of us because of fear or maybe we don't actually trust that He will provide what's best for us in a particular situation.

Leadership

ON LEADERSHIP: “It is not enough for the ministers of the future to be moral people, well trained, eager to help their fellow humans, and able to respond creatively to the burning issues of this time. All of that is very valuable and important, but it is not the heart of Christian leadership. The central question is, are the leaders of the future truly men and women of God, people with an ardent desire to dwell in God’s presence, to listen to God’s voice, to look at God’s beauty, to touch God’s incarnate Word and to taste fully God’s infinite goodness?” (Henri Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus : Reflections on Christian Leadership )

July 4th Weekend

It has been a tradition for the past few years that on the 4th of July weekend the Carriger family meets at our home for fun, food and fireworks. Back in my college years, I was a pyro. I worked for a fireworks team that set off huge firework's shows in Wichita. A typical evening would be black powder from head to toe, a t-shirt with a million holes and loss of hearing. It was a rush!

Today I sit in a lawn chair as my youngest brother, Mike and oldest son, Brian tries to blow up the neighborhood.

What I enjoy is the family time. Time to sit and visit and talk about the past and future. I look forward to this weekend every year.

Be in prayer for our Central members at Family Camp in Estes Park. Keep our Mission Team in your prayers as they minister to the hurricane victims. Pray also for Brian and Russel Bell.

The End of A Fiscal Year

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

In my position dollar signs have danced through my head the past few weeks. The end of a fiscal year and the beginning of a new fiscal year. My stomach turns, my head aches and I lose sleep. Why? I worry if I am going to have enough $$$$ to end the year on a positive note, and then I'm worrying about the future of the school district.

God tells us not to worry. I will take care of you. Put your trust in me. Easy words, hard concept to put into practice.

Many examples in God's Word of individuals who did place their trust in Him and everything worked out.

The YP/College Class will be looking at one of those simple stories of faith and trust this Sunday. The story of Noah.

May God give us the faith of Noah as we struggle with our daily life responsibilities.

That's What It's All About

Saw this blog the other day couldn't resist sharing............

What if the hokey pokey
is what it's all about?

Saw this exact bumper sticker as we were driving home from the YMCA this morning-- It made me laugh, and I had to pass it along! And as a side note-- I just couldn't resist! There was a great loss recently in the entertainment world. Larry LaPrise, the Detroit native who wrote the song "Hokey Pokey," died last week at 83. It was especially difficult for the family to keep him in the casket. They'd put his left leg in and... well, you know the rest.

We Aren't Coming Back!

I love this response from Minister Patrick Mead. It’ll come in handy some day I’m sure.

A couple was furious with the church they attended. We had gone to see what happened to them after someone noticed they’d been gone from our worship assembly for some time.

“We aren’t coming back,” the husband said. “That is an unloving, cold church that claims to care about people but doesn’t.” I asked him on what basis he made that judgment and he replied, “We were gone four weeks from that church before anyone there even noticed. What kind of church doesn’t even notice something like that?”

I replied, “What kind of person are you, that you could be gone for four weeks and that no one in the church could tell?” They were shocked by this ‘attack’ so I pressed on. “What work suffered because you stopped your ministry? What mission work ground to a halt because you withdrew your funding, prayers and support? Could it be — just imagine with me a moment — could it be that you never really were a part of the church? Could that be why your departure was unnoticed?”

A Great Vacation

My arm is killing me. My best friend this past week has been ibuprofen.

Debbie and I played 175 holes of golf this past week on our annual golf vacation. We set our personal best with 63 holes on Tuesday.

The course at Berryville, Arkansas was in super condition. The individuals that own the course are great people. They really enjoyed watching us play (struggle) the three days we were there.

We appreciated having the course pretty much to ourselves all three days. Unbelievable not more people play this fantastic course.

I enjoy the beautiful Ozark mountain scenery and spending time with Debbie. She about killed me on the course and I about killed her bike riding at Lake Fayetteville last Sunday afternoon. The heat and humidity were high all week. It was a nice break to get rain on Thursday afternoon. The bad thing was that we were on the 5th hole when it began to pour. We were soaked but was about to finish up anyway and travel to Bentonville for the night.

One last golf outing at Nevada, Missouri on Friday, then a short trip home.

Vacations are great but as Dorothy says.....There's no place like home!

Order of Worship

“God Wants Us To Be A Serving Church”

Welcome

Scripture: John 13:3-17

63 I Will Call Upon the Lord
54 We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise (Twice)
559 The Joy of the Lord

Prayer

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

365 How Beautiful
366 By Christ Redeemed

Communion
Contribution

Dismiss 2x2 Students

635 Freely, Freely
694 Make Me A Servant (Verse 1 Only)
693 Give Me The Heart Of A Servant
694 Make Me A Servant (Verse 1 Only)

Message: “God Wants Us To Be A Serving Church” Evan Burdan

Invitation: 429 Oh To Be Like Thee (Verses 1 and 3)

Announcements

Closing Prayer

Vacation

It's time to take my wife on our annual summer golf trip this week to Berryville, Arkansas. I really sacrifice for a week and let her play golf for 5 days. Tough but I try to be a kind, sacrificing and considerate husband!

Craig and our high school students are at Camp Zenith this week. Be praying for them as they study and worship with hundreds of young people at Oklahoma Christian.

Who Goes to Church?

Members of the Church of Christ and Mormons came out on top in a Gallup analysis of worship attendance between 2002 and 2005, with Episcopalians near the bottom. Percentage of members who attended services weekly or almost weekly, by denomination or group: Church of Christ, 68; Mormon, 67; Pentecostal, 65; Southern Baptist, 60; non-denominational, 54; Catholic, 45; Methodist, 44; Presbyterian, 44; Lutheran, 43; Episcopal, 32; Jewish, 15. (HT: Ed Plowman)

Who Would You Invite for Dinner?

If you could invite two individuals from history to your house for dinner tonight who would you invite?

If you could invite two individuals from the Bible who would you invite?

Leave your answers on the comment section of the blog or e-mail your response to me. I need them for a project I'm working on.

Can Life Really Be That Bad?

In my position as a school superintendent, the one aspect of the job that I really struggle with is attending funerals of my students and former students. This past Monday, Debbie and I attended a very sad funeral service. One of our former students committed suicide.

As I was sitting their during the service, I felt numb. I felt what a waste. A young man that had his entire future in front of him decided life wasn’t worth living.

Can life really be that bad?

Direction-Correction

As a professional stock-car racer, Darrell Waltrip was once proud of his image as the guy folks loved to hate. When crowds booed, he’d just kick the dirt and smile. Then things began to change. He miraculously survived a Daytona 500 crash. He began going to church with his wife, Stevie. He and Stevie began to try to have a family. Stevie, however, suffered four miscarriages.

One day their minister came to visit. He asked, “Your car is sponsored by a beer company. Is that the image you want to portray to the millions of young people watching you each weekend?” Darrell had never thought about it. He had always loved watching kids admire his car, but the more he thought about it, he discovered that he did care about his image.

He thought, if Stevie and my prayers were answered for a child, what kind of dad would I be? He remembered his minister’s admonition to “walk the walk, not just talk the talk.” He didn’t know what to do to convince the car owner to change sponsors, but amazingly, an opportunity opened for him to sign a contract with a new racing team sponsored by a laundry detergent company.

After much thought and more prayer, he switched teams. Two years later, daughter Jessica was born. A few years later, daughter Sarah was born. Then in 1989, he won the Daytona 500.

In order to receive direction from God...you must be able to receive correction from God. Hebrews 12:5-6: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

God disciplines us in many ways. Sometimes to train or prepare us for his ways. Sometimes to punish us for unfaithfulness. The Children of Israel suffered for 40 years in the desert because of unfaithfulness. David was punished for his sin with Bathsheba.

Has God punished you?

Or has God used individuals, situations in your life to remind you of his love for you?

I know God uses individuals, situations and things in my life to help me refocus on Him.

We talked in our Sunday YP/College Class about faith. The sandbars that hold us down. Doubt, Anger, Frustration. A particular sin that we battle constantly with.

Sometimes I have a pity party for myself. Life is not fair. Why does God allow this to happen to me?

Because he loves us and he cares for us.

This life is short - Eternity is forever.

This past week, I stopped by my grandparents’ graves in El Dorado and Augusta. I said a prayer at my grandparents’ grave in Augusta. “Thank you Father for giving them to me, for only a short time, but because of their lives, I found You.”

God blesses us each day. He wants us to be part of Him.

We do this when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior.

Remember this week, in order to receive direction from God, you must be able to receive correction from God.

A Forgiving Church

Evan, thanks for the challenging message yesterday on A Forgiving Church.

A Forgiving Church is a necessity. What is forgiveness? Forgiveness of sins...... here's a good definition: "The act of divine grace by which, in virtue of the merits of Christ's atonement, appropriated by faith, God frees the sinner from the guilt and penalties of his sins. The Law is vindicated by the atonement of Christ, and the penalty of sin is paid. God offers free and full forgiveness to all (John 3:16), and such forgiveness is received by all who believe in Christ as their Mediator and Redeemer (Isaiah 1:18; 55:1–2; Acts 5:31; Romans 3:24, 28; 1 John 2:12).

Viewed from another angle, this act is called justification, not in the sense that the person justified is morally just, but just with respect to the Law and the Lawgiver, one who has received pardon is justified in the sense that he is declared innocent, being placed in a position of not having broken the Law and not deserving punishment.

Such forgiveness is granted believers as a free gift, not because of any merit of their own (Ephesians 2:8). The whole pattern is one of mercy, to which the sinner makes his appeal. This mercy provided a Redeemer who reconciled men to God (2 Corinthians 5:19)."

So what is a loving and forgiving Church? You see, God is the one who is love and He tells us what is true love. What a wonderful thing it is to love others. To be a peace with others. A person who truly loves cannot be easily hurt, will rarely ever get bitter and will not criticize others. They see the business of being forgiving as their privilege in Christ Jesus...as children of God.

May God help us to apply these godly principles in our lives and be loving Christians, and may we, here at Central, continue be a loving and forgiving Church.

What Is Faith

YP/College Class remember your assignment for Sunday....

What is Faith?

When it comes to living a life of faith how does it work, this thing called faith. What does it feel like? How does it act? What does it do? How do you know the difference between somebody who’s living a life of faith and someone who is not?

Gone For A Few Days

I am currently at a State Technology Conference in Wichita for the next 2 days. Be praying for Evan as he continues our series on Central......A Forgiving Church. See you Sunday!

Losing Our Young People (Part 2)

Another reason we are losing our young people in the Church from a Christian's perspective..........

"It is a normal growth process for young people to question the faith of their parents as they take responsibility for their own faith. The biggest danger to our youth is the rot within the church not the rot without. As young people try to find a faith of their own they see the failures of the people of their churches, the wishy washy belief systems, and the lack of passion and it is no wonder they don't want to buy into this faith. Worldview classes are one way to teach our youth but I think it is the generation of the parents that need to get it together. Give the youth something genuine to believe in and they will follow your lead. Knowing why and what you believe is the best way to lead the next generation into the Kingdom."

Do We Change to Meet Their Needs?

“Public schools must change. If we do not change to meet the needs of our customers, then they will go elsewhere. And, to continue to ignore this salient fact is short sighted and an extreme danger to the continuation of public education”

Jan Borelli
The School Administrator

I have been thinking about that quote that came across my desk last week. Public schools are changing immensely from the way we did school 20 years ago. We have started to emphasize the state curricular standards more and encourage students to take as much science and math as possible. We have examined different course schedules and looked at the senior year of high school and found ways to enhance the learning opportunities for seniors. We have gone to all-day kindergarten so all children can have educational opportunities that, in the past, they did not receive. We serve breakfast, lunch and after-school snacks in our after-school programs. Technology and problem-solving are key elements in classrooms across our district. School buildings have been turned into community learning centers.

How about Church?

What are we doing to meet the needs of our customers?

Are we meeting the needs of our young people today as future leaders in the church?

Across the United States, we are losing the majority of our young people when they leave and go off to college or to the work-world. Why?

I have a couple of thoughts after visiting and listening to young people.

First, the Church is not relevant to them. They don’t understand why they have to go to church if the adults don’t go. They don’t understand why their opinions are not given any validity.

Second, the Church is boring. Our young people are very bored of how we do church. Can you blame them? We live in a world where technology has taken us to new heights. Our kids have ipods, palms, laptops, dvd’s, cd’s, cell phones………and then we ask them to sit in an ancient worship service for a modern day world. Sometimes I have difficulty doing this.

So, what’s the answer?

Do we throw out worship?

We must meet the needs of our culture today by staying true to God’s Word. We must find ways to involve our young people more in the planning of worship where it does become relevant and interesting to them.

We need to show them why worship is important. By being adult examples. Being at services. Participating in services. Looking like we enjoy worship services.

Then we need to instill in them that worship is for God not us! Sometimes we do things in worship that might seem boring. But God doesn’t. God sees us as servants praising Him if our hearts are truly centered on Him.

The Churches of Christ are losing our young people. If we don’t act quickly, souls will be lost and our churches will sit empty.

A Faith That Goes The Distance

“Faith That Goes the Distance”
Young Professional/College Class Study
Begins Sunday, June 4 at 9:15 a.m.

Have you ever waken up from a dream that felt so real?

Have you ever received a wake-up call from God through a circumstance or situation that causes you to take inventory?

Sometimes the sound is deafening. Other times a still, small voice. But each time, God calls us to wake-up and evaluate our lives.

If you listen, you will hear God’s wake-up call…..to experience more of who he is, to delve deeper into the spiritual life, to take some risks, to surrender. He’s calling you to live extraordinarily by faith.

By listening to God’s wake-up call and renewing our faith, people with extraordinary lives reconnect with God’s purpose. We serve as Christ’s Ambassadors.

One way to grow in faith is to look at examples of people of faith.

If we want to live a life for God, if we want to discover the power of God moving in our lives, if we want a renewed passion for God, we must submit to Him and learn from those who have walked in faith before us.

We can’t change the past, but we can experience the adventure God has for us today.

The adventure begins Sunday, June 4.

A Busy Weekend

Beginning Sunday mornings, during the month of June, we will be looking at characteristics that we need to have as a Church as we begin the summer of 2006. Evan will be bringing us messages on unity, love, forgiveness and serving. Please plan on attending to hear what we all need to do to encourage and build each other up as a Body of Believers this summer at Central.

Tomorrow is a busy day! The Camp golf tournament will begin at 8:00 a.m. at Lake Shawnee. Several will be teeing it up as we support Tallgrass Christian Camp. Several from our congregation will be having a Teacher Workday as we prepare for our VBS and summer quarter. At 2:00 the big event has finally arrived as Rob and Sharon exchange wedding vows. Should be a great day!

Hope to see all of you in worship Sunday!

A Lighthouse

A Lighthouse

Growing up in California provided many great places to visit. One of my favorites was Point Loma.

On the western edge of Point Loma stood an old lighthouse and one of the most beautiful views in all the world of the vast Pacific Ocean and the California Gray Whales.

The old lighthouse still is one of my favorite locations to just sit look and soak in the beauty of God’s creation.

The old Point Loma Lighthouse stood watch over the entrance to San Diego Bay for 36 years. At dusk, on November 15, 1855, the light keeper climbed the winding stairs and lit the light for the first time. What seemed to be a good location 422 feet above sea level, however, had a serious flaw. Fog and low clouds often obscured the light. On March 23, 1891, the light was extinguished and the keeper moved to a new lighthouse location closer to the water at the tip of the Point.

That beautiful location had a flaw. It was so high the ships could not be protected from the rocks and cliffs. They had to relocate for the protection of those on the Pacific.

Many times we, as Christians, need to relocate and get closer to our God. Many times we are tempted by earthly beauty and fall for the traps of Satan and all we would have to do is simply walk away and draw closer to our Savior.

Sounds easy, buts it’s difficult at times.

Remember, the view might look pretty good from where you are, but your eternal soul could be in jeopardy if you are not obeying God’s commands.

"Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, Who inspires and perfects our faith." —Hebrews 12:2

Robert Andrews

Many of you have heard that Mark Andrews’ father, Robert, passed away on Saturday. We offer our condolences to Mark and Penny during this difficult time.

My family had the opportunity to know Robert and his wife, Eloise, when we attended the 15th Street Church of Christ in Ottawa for about 5 years.

Robert was an Elder and leader of the Ottawa Church.

Robert loved God and loved God’s Word. I often remember his quotation of scripture and his encouraging words to me in my efforts in ministry.

Robert will be missed greatly by the Ottawa Church. But God was ready to welcome him home after a long and productive life on this earth.

Robert will be remembered by me as one of those Giants of Faith in my life. He was a mentor, and such an encouragement, to my family when we moved to northeast Kansas.

The Lord Reigns

"The LORD reigns,
He is clothed with majesty;
The Lord has clothed and girded Himself with strength;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.
Thy throne is established from of old;
Thou art from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
The floods have lifted up their voice;
The floods have lifted up their pounding waves.
More than the sounds of many waters,
Than the mighty breakers of the sea,
The LORD on high is mighty.
Thy testimonies are fully confirmed;
Holiness befits Thy house,
O LORD, forever more.

Psalm 93

A Memorial Day Prayer

Memorial Day is a United States public holiday that takes place on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who died in military service for their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. Today, many Americans use Memorial Day weekend to also honor family members who have passed away.

A Memorial Day Prayer

Eternal God, Creator of years, of centuries,
Lord of whatever is beyond time,
Maker of all species and master of all history --
How shall we speak to you from our smallness and inconsequence?
Except that you have called us to worship you in spirit and in truth;
You have dignified us with loves and loyalties;
You have lifted us up with your lovingkindnesses.
Therefore we are bold to come before you without groveling (though we sometimes feel that low) and without fear (thought we are often anxious).
We sing with spirit and pray with courage because you have dignified us;
You have redeemed us from the aimlessness of things' going meaninglessly well.
God, lift the hearts of those for whom this holiday is not just diversion, but painful memory and continued deprivation.
Bless those whose dear ones have died needlessly, wastefully (as it seems) in accident or misadventure.
We remember with compassion those who have died serving their countries in the futility of combat.
There is none of us but must come to bereavement and separation, when all the answers we are offered fail the question death asks of each of us.
We believe that you will provide for us as others have been provided with the fulfillment of "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
In the Name of Jesus,
AMEN

The Last Day of School

Today is the last day of school for Osage City.

The kids are nuts right now!

I know the moms are getting excited just knowing the kids will be all theirs for the summer.

When you were younger, do you remember the last day of school? Thinking about summer vacation? Thinking about all the things you had planned to do. Swimming, sports, hiking, visiting relatives and family. When I was a kid, summer meant 12 hours a day outside with my friends playing baseball, football and basketball. We would get up early and stay outside until it was dark. We looked forward, with anticipation, being able to do that after school was out.

How about Christmas? Ever get so excited you couldn’t sleep because you were getting that gift you always wanted? I remember a special Christmas in Huntington Beach, California, in the early 70’s. My brother and I, along with our friends, knew we were getting new bicycles for Christmas. We couldn’t sleep. The excitement was too great. We decided to get up at 2:00 a.m. and see if those new shiny 10 speed bikes were out under the tree. Guess what? They were. My brother and I took those bikes, headed out the front door and met up with our friends at 2:00 in the morning and rode all over the neighborhood. The anticipation was so great. The excitement.

When you get older, anticipation, such as watching your kids or grandkids graduate, marry, get a job. Great excitement. But with all these exciting things that take place in our lives, the anticipation of living forever with our God needs to be at the center and forefront of our minds.

I get tired of the problems associated with living in this world. The older I get, I hurt more. Anyone else feel that way?

Disappointments are common.

I get frustrated dealing with people who are irrational and completely out of control on a daily basis.

The excitement that I used to get about this world and stuff has become tarnished. It doesn’t last. The exciting thing in a Christian’s life is thinking about Home. Thinking about Heaven.

Today, do you want satisfaction in your life? You can have the greatest satisfaction, excitement and security you could ever imagine by submitting to Jesus. Jesus endured what we deal with plus more than all of us will ever endure. He took all the sin of this world with him to the cross.

He can take your sins there too.

Relationships

Last night at our 8th Grade Promotion Exercises, six students were selected to read essays that they had written about what was special during middle school years.

The students did a great job describing what their three years meant to them individually.

The theme throughout their speeches touched on relationships. The best part of their middle school years centered on friendships built with fellow classmates and relationships that they had built with teachers.

How true that is with the lives that we live. The relationships that we build help us focus on the most important aspect of life: building friendships with others.

Christ was a great example of this. Everywhere he went he looked for people. He was the ultimate “people person”. He met the needs of others.

I know I need to do a better job looking for those that are hurting on a daily basis.

It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness and forget about the needs of others.

Give Him the Glory

Actor Kevin Bacon recounted when his 6-year-old son saw Footloose for the first time:

He said, "Hey, Dad, you know that thing in the movie where you swing from the rafters of that building? That's really cool, how did you do that?"

I said, "Well, I didn't do that part--it was a stunt man."

"What's a stunt man?" he asked.

"That's someone who dresses like me and does things I can't do."

"Oh," he replied and walked out of the room looking a little confused.

A little later he said, "Hey, Dad, you know that thing in the movie where you spin around on that gym bar and land on your feet?

How did you do that?"

I said, "Well, I didn't do that. It was a gymnastics double."

"What's a gymnastics double?" he asked.

"That's a guy who dresses in my clothes and does things I can't do." There was silence from my son, then he asked in a concerned voice, "Dad, what did you do?"

"I got all the glory," I replied.

That's the grace of God in our lives. Jesus took our sin upon Himself and did what we couldn't do. We have victory over sin and death because Jesus paid our debt in full!

Christian Family Services

I know we all enjoyed hearing Mark Barone from Christian Family Services yesterday morning. Appreciate so much his ministry in counseling and working with individuals and families in crisis situations.

Christian Family Services of the Midwest is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, family service organization governed and staffed by Christians who honor the sanctity of all human life. They exist to provide services to help people who struggle with personal crises and troubled relationships and to enhance the quality of family life. They have been serving the Kansas City metropolitan area since 1982.

As a result of the services, people find solutions to their problems and direction for their lives. Young women experiencing unplanned pregnancies receive emotional support and help in making critical plans affecting their children and themselves. Children are place in adoptive homes where they are loved and cherished. Individuals and families are strengthened through their counseling services. Christian Family Services is creating a world where every child is valued and no family is broken.

For more information contact:
Christian Family Services (CFS)
10500 Barkley, Ste. 216
Overland Park, KS 66212
Local - 913-383-3337
Toll Free (in Kansas) - 877-560-4428

More Love to Thee, o Christ

Elizabeth Prentiss, the wife of a minister, spent most of her adult life as an invalid, seldom knowing a day without constant pain throughout her body. Yet she was described by her friends as a bright-eyed, cheery woman with a keen sense of humor.

Elizabeth was always strong in her faith and she always encouraged others, until tragedy struck her family beyond what even she could bear.

Elizabeth and her husband lost two of their children. The loss of two of their children brought great sorrow to Elizabeth’s life. For weeks, no one could console her. In her diary she wrote of “empty hands, a worn-out, exhausted body, and a longing to flee from a world that has so many sharp experiences.”

During this period of grief, Elizabeth cried out to God, asking Him to minister to her broken spirit. It was at this time that Elizabeth’s pain brought something inspirational to all of us!

For many years, Christians have been encouraged as they sing the words penned by Elizabeth Prentiss in her deepest sorrow:

More love to Thee, O Christ,
more love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer
I make on bended knee;

This is my earnest plea:
More love, O Christ, to Thee…

Once earthly joy I craved,
sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek—
Give what is best;

This all my prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee…

Let sorrow do its work,
send grief and pain;
Sweet are Thy messengers,
sweet their refrain,

When they can sing with me,
More love, O Christ, to Thee…

Then shall my latest breath
whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry
my heart shall raise;

This still its prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee.

Elizabeth Prentiss…out of her pain and agony…wrote one of the most inspirational Christians songs in our songbook. Something good came from her tragedy.

Likewise, something good can come from our painful situations. For God promises in His word that He will work all things together for our good. Jesus' pain resulted in the redemption of mankind. Our pain can result in something positive as well.

Times About Up

Graduation. A time for change. For many, an exciting time to look back on accomplishments and honors. For some, missed opportunities. For some, no graduation and no positive look towards the future.

Time’s about up.

When I was a teacher, I would tell my senior history students that phrase many times during the last few weeks of school to remind them to get their semester projects turned in because time’s about up.

For the majority, students were well prepared and turned in everything looking forward to graduation day. But for a few, no hope, no aspirations, time was finally up.

Life is like that also. Time’s about up for all of us. I pray that we will use our time in a way to serve others and serve our God. Be in that relationship that you need to be in with your God, your spouse, your family, your business associates, your friends so you won't be disappointed on that special day.

A Safe Place

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it, and they are safe" (Proverbs 18:10).

Running the Race

Hours behind the runner in front of him, the last marathoner finally entered the Olympic stadium. By that time, the drama of the day's events was almost over and most of the spectators had gone home. This athlete's story, however, was still being played out.

Limping into the arena, the Tanzanian runner grimaced with every step, his knee bleeding and bandaged from an earlier fall. His ragged appearance immediately caught the attention of the remaining crowd, who cheered him on to the finish line.

Why did he stay in the race? What made him endure his injuries to the end? When asked these questions later, he replied, "My country did not send me 7,000 miles away to start the race. They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it."

Likewise, we as Christians are to finish the race of life. Although we will stumble and endure many hardships, we must get back on our feet and continue running the race. We must make it to the finish line so that we may receive the crown of life.

Sunday May 14 Order of Worship

Order of Worship
Sunday, May 14, 2006

Welcome

Psalm 29: 1-2, 4

202 Joyful, Joyful, we Adore Thee (Verse 1 and 4)
238 You Are the Song That I Sing
781 Thank You, Lord

Prayer

Oft We Come Together

Communion
Contribution

Dismiss 2x2

Light the Fire

Message

Invitation 790 Lord, Take Control (Sing Twice)

Announcements

Senior Recognition

Mothers Day Recognition

Closing Prayer

Mothers Day

Mom's have the toughest job's in all the world. They serve the needs of so many. Their lives are lives of service to others. They do without so the kids can have the very best. They iron shirts when they would rather rest from a long hard day working. They teach Bible classes and encourage others throughout their days. They support their husbands in their careers and encourage them when times are difficult. They sacrifice so much because of the love they have for their children!

Happy Mother's day to my mom and my children’s mother. You two are perfect examples of Good and Faithful Servants. Thank you for your greatest blessing, praying for your children!

MOTHER'S PRAYER

Lord, for my children I would pray
That they may seek Thee every day
Through life, with all its storms and stress
Its sorrows, grief and bitterness.
In disappointments fly to Thee
For comfort, strength and sympathy.
And never find a truer friend,
But love and serve Thee to the end.
That they may take Thee as their Guide,
To lead them all the way beside;
Their Counselor when troubled o'er
The many problems at youth's door.
If overwhelmed by dark despair,
Oh teach them how through faith and prayer
To crush this subtle devil's snare
And rest within Thy loving care.
For them no dizzy heights of fame I crave,
nor great and worldly gain,
In humble service let them aim
To spread the honor of Thy name.
That in this dark world may they shine
Their lives reflect Love Divine
Their object now their pleasure then,
Obedience to Thy will. Amen.

Author Unknown

A Bible School Drop-Out?

Why Kids Drop Out
2000 National Survey

1. Classes not interesting (47%).
2. Missed too many days could not catch-up (43%)
3. Spent time with people who were not interested in school (42%)
4. Too much freedom/not enough rules (38%)
5. Failing classes (35%)


When I read these survey results this past week in my office, I thought about why do members of the Church drop out of bible Class?

I came up with the following possible reasons:

1. Not relevant
2. Boring
3. Don’t like the people in my class
4. Don’t like the teacher
5. Have to get up to early


Could it be that we really don’t understand what God did for us? Could it be that we really don’t want to know Jesus like we should by getting into God’s Word and finding more and more information about the Savior of the Universe? Could it be that we really don’t understand what it means to serve, submit and be humble? It does mean that we understand all about self-centeredness, selfishness and pride.

Have you dropped out of Bible Class lately? Why don’t you come back this Sunday and enjoy the blessings God provides his people through study of his Word!

Now Choose Life

I have set before you life and death,
blessings and curses. Now choose life,
so that you and your children may live
and that you may love the LORD your God,
listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.
For the LORD is your life,

Deuteronomy 30:19-20
(New International Version)

Faith Stories

I need your help today. Please give me your stories of faith in the comment section today. Times when you experienced God working in your lives in extraordinary ways. This is for a class that I'm working on for the summer quarter called "Riding the Tides of Faith" for the Young Professional-College Class.

Teacher Appreciation Week

This is National Teacher Appreciation Week. I am thankful for the thousands of school teachers that challenge our students everyday across our great country.

Thank you for giving so much to make our kids successful young people.

Look what teachers were expected to do in 1915. Times have changed.

Rules for teachers in 1915

1. You will not marry during the term of your contract.
2. You are not to keep company with men.
3. You must be home between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless attending a school function.
4. You may not loiter downtown in ice cream stores.
5. You may not travel beyond city limits unless you have the permission of the chairman of the board.
6. You may not ride in a carriage or automobile with any man unless he is your father or brother.
7. You may not smoke cigarettes.
8. You may not dress in bright colors.
9. You may under no circumstances dye your hair.
10. You must wear at least two petticoats.
11. Your dresses must not be any shorter than two inches above the ankle.
12. To keep the school room neat and clean, you must:
* sweep the floor at least once a day.
* scrub the floor at least once a week with hot, soapy water.
* clean the blackboards at least once a day.
* start the fire at 7 a.m. so the room will be warm by 8 a.m.

Reading

It still amazes me how kids learn to read. Hard to explain. It amazes teachers also. I have been in education now for 21 years and it still brings smiles to my face when I hear a student in kindergarten reading their first words. It is a very special time.

But what I enjoy even better is hearing young kids in Bible Classes reading God's Word. There is no better book to read than the Bible with the exciting stories of Noah, Moses, David and Goliath, Peter, Paul, and Stephen. There is nothing better than a young person reading the story about the Creation, the 10 Commandments, The Fiery Furnace, The Birth of Christ and the Crucifixion.

We need to encourage our kids to read. But we need to encourage our kids to read the Greatest Story that was ever written, God's Word. A story about a Savior that loved us so much that He gave himself for us.

Time Together

One of my favorite places to go for relaxation is a small town in northwest Arkansas called Berryville. The town of about 3,000 is located 10 miles east of Eureka Springs and has become a special place for Debbie and I to go once a summer for some much needed rest and time together (golf).

Every marriage starts out the same by saying, “I do”. It takes commitment to keep that marriage going strong year after year after year. We felt early in our marriage that short 2-3 day trips where we could spend some quality time talking with each other and listening to each other was an important part of our life-long journey that we needed to make a successful relationship.

Have you ever spent 13+ hours on a golf course with someone in one day? Deb the avid golfer that she is, and me of course (the sacrificial husband just along for the ride) usually get out to Carroll County Country Club in Berryville at 7:00 a.m. and usually we are the last to leave around 8:30 in the evening. We of course, play golf but we talk about life. We talk about our joys and our struggles. We talk about the boys and their futures. We talk about the Church and our relationship with God. We even talk a little golf along the way. I enjoy that three days every year. Usually the weather is perfect, HOT, like I like it. Green grass and flowers. Beautiful Ozark mountain scenery and clean fresh air. Sometimes in the afternoon, we are the only ones on the course.

It’s a great time to enjoy the beautiful wife that God has blessed me with. I encourage every married couple to find someplace where you can go (doesn’t have to be expensive or very far away) and get away from all the distractions of life and enjoy the company of each other for a couple of days. We have grown in our marriage the past 24 years by escaping to a special place where we can enjoy the company of each other.

P.S. Deb: I am looking forward to our summer get-a-way this June!

Craig

As you can see, I have updated my web blog this past week thanks to my in-house technology expert (Craig). I have been wanting to update for a while but just couldn't find the time needed to do it.

Life is a busy "rat race" where we get so distracted from really whats important in life that we forget to appreciate family and friends. I appreciate Craig so much. He is so talented in so many areas of his life. I love to listen to him sing at Church. I really love to hear him sing along with Lavon and Josh. That's Heavenly Music!!

Craig have a good time at Pepperdine this week. Enjoy the lectureship and appreciate the teaching and worship you will experience with the 6,000 others that will be there.

I appreciate you very much!

Love,

DAD

New Deacons

Congratulations to our new Deacons that were installed yesterday morning:

Evan Burdan
Mike Farrar
Bryan Phillips
Steve Shatto
Scott Smith

Be in prayer for these men as well as our current Deacons as they begin their new ministry duties at Central

Worship: Always Special

Growing up in the Church of Christ has been a true blessing. Growing up in the Church of Christ and being able to worship with Christians all over the United States has been an even greater blessing.

I have attended worship services in hundreds of Churches of Christ in several states, coast to coast during my lifetime. I have attended churches with over 4,000 members as well as churches with 20 in attendance. I have worshiped in special settings with over 15,000 Christians in attendance. I have worshipped in the inner city as well as in small towns and country family churches. I have attended worship conferences, lectureships and even attended a Christian College for two years as well as taught at one where I experienced a daily worship service.

It still amazes me with all of the experiences that I have encountered, that Sunday morning worship for the most part looks the same in churches across the U.S.

This is what you usually experience: announcements, three songs and a prayer, a song, communion, contribution, a message, then a closing song and prayer. Not much difference across the country. Right?

I have seen changes the last few years in worship among Churches of Christ. Most, I feel, have been positive changes. Ones that have taken us out of our traditional comfort zones and made us focus more on why we are doing some of the things that we are called to do through scripture.

I am happy to see more scripture being emphasized. I am happy that we are emphasizing more praise and worship songs instead of the songs that tell stories that sometimes don't glorify the Father or aren't even scriptural words, but we sing them anyway because we have for years.

I am happy to see a more significant importance placed on the Lord's Supper. I am happy to see God's Word being preached boldly with grace being emphasized.

Many times, on Sunday as I worship, my mind thinks back to Acts 2 and the early church. Wonder what worship was like for them? I can't help but believe it was even more of a special time because they actually beheld the Son of God. You think their worship services were emotional? You don't think tears flowed and hands were raised to the Lord of Lord's?

I hope we never forget that powerful event. I hope we don't become so callous from the many years that have passed that we don't emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually see the sacrifice and feel the pain our Savior went through for us. Thank You Lord for the opportunity to worship YOU!.

Thank you for the cross Lord,
Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came
And gave amazing grace
Thank you for this love, Lord
Thank you for the nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace
Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious
High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
The Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb

Happy Secretaries Day Ruthann

Central is blessed to have so many special servants but the one that is the backbone of our congregation is Ruthann Souder. Yesterday was Secretaries Day. Ruthann not only serves as our secretary but she also is a prayer warrior, counselor, encourager and true servant.

Thank you Ruthann for the love you have for the Central Body and the love you have for God. It shines brightly everyday!
We love you.

A Special Woman

When I met her 28 years ago, I believe I was picking up her Volkswagen Bug with my friend Tim Walton and hiding it in the church parking lot after a devotional.

She has been a special person ever since.

I knew there was a reason why my dad retired from the Navy, and moved our family from San Diego to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. I thought I had gone to the end of the world! But it was because God had a special woman there that I would meet, fall in love with and begin a life time journey together.

Her birthday is today. She is more beautiful today then when we met in 1977. She constantly teaches me lessons about life; about ways we need to treat others, about generosity, thoughtfulness, contentment, her compassion towards others and her love for God.

Thank you dad for moving us away from “Gods Magnificent Beauty of San Diego” to give me the “Beauty of My Life”.

Happy Birthday Debbie! I Love you!

Your Life On Display

How would you like everyone to know everything about you? How much you make? Your entire personal life always in the limelight? Anything you say could be placed in a newspaper?

That's me. My entire life is on public display every minute of every day as a school superintendent. Each person in my community has an opinion of me. Good or bad.

A Christian's life is always on display also. God sees everything. Not just the community, but God Almighty himself. He also knows my heart. That’s what is troubling at times. He knows those thoughts of mine that sometimes I don't want anyone knowing about. He knows each mess I’ve made…………

I love the lyrics to the following song:

For All You've Done
By Clint Lagerberg

Oh cleanser of the mess I've made
Upon the hill our places trade
Stretched on a cross Your body crushed
By human hands You formed from dust

Chorus
How wonderful Your mercy is
How awesome are Your ways
I come, I come
To worship You
For all You've done

Oh cleanser of the mess I've made
Your boundless love for me portrayed
With patience for my learning curve
By holding back what I deserve

Chorus

Oh cleanser of the mess I've made
With everything at Your feet laid
I watch as all my cares erode
And from my soul these words explode

Chorus

Send Your Rain

Thank you for the rain today!

Send Your Rain(Kelly Carpenter)

Send Your rain oh Lord
Send Your rain oh Lord
Send Your rain to your people

Send Your rain oh Lord
Send Your rain oh Lord
Send Your rain bring Your Kingdom

Chorus:
Soften our hearts and pour out Your Spirit
Fill us anew, let Your rain come
Soften our hearts and pour out Your Spirit
Fill us anew, let Your rain come

May Your kingdom come
And Your will be done
On the earth as it is in heaven
May Your kingdom come
And Your will be done On the earth,
bring Your kingdom

Mentoring (Part 2)

The first martyr in the history of the Lord’s church was Stephen, a faithful preacher. The death of this faithful man is recorded more fully than the death of anyone else in the New Testament except that of Jesus.

Here is a man dying for the cause of Christ, dying by the hands of wicked men, but dying in grace and dying graciously for the glory of God. Why did Luke identify just one of Stephen's murderers?

Those who stoned Stephen "laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul." I wonder if Saul was the man who examined Stephen and had been baffled by his speech when he stood before the Sanhedrin (Acts 6:8-10)?

Here is the best part of the story of Stephen and Saul. Both of them are in glory now. One cannot help wondering how Saul felt when Stephen's smile met him at the throne! What a joyous meeting they must have had. Stephen and Saul embracing one another! But in Acts the two men are far apart. They had nothing in common. Stephen was about to die. Saul was holding the clothes of those who stoned him. Saul was proud and self-righteous. He was proud of his heritage, his learning, his works, his religious position, and his great reputation. Stephen was a broken, humbled sinner, saved by the grace of God, whose only hope was in Christ. Saul was wrapped up in himself. Stephen was wrapped up in Christ.

With all of these differences, I believe Stephen became a lasting impression on Saul. Stephen became a mentor of Saul’s even after his death. The cause of Christ, his church, his truth, and his glory were of greater value to Stephen than life itself. Stephen was gracious to the end, ever truthful, gentle, forgiving, and self-sacrificing. These were attributes and beliefs that Saul had, when he was converted, that became his life ministry.

Stephen had a significant influence on Saul (Paul) the rest of his life. We can be an influence as well. We can be a mentor to many individuals that we come in contact with each day. Our kids need positive role models. New Christians need teaching and training as well. Mentoring takes time and commitment. I appreciate the time and commitment that Stephen gave. He gave his life because he believed in the ultimate giver of life, Jesus!

Thanks Guys!

I am very fortunate to work with three extremely talented building administrators. They are good people. Honest. Sincere. Hard working (my favorite attribute, a 24-7 person). High morals. Ethical. Loves kids. Admits mistakes. Church going.

My three building principals are the best in the world. I wouldn’t trade any of them. We can go in a room and disagree and argue points back and forth but when we leave the room, we’re unified and respect and appreciate one another.

One item we enjoy discussing is religion. We all have different religious backgrounds but we all have two common bonds, we love God and we love people. We discuss on a weekly basis our worship services as well as our Bible class times, but many times we talk about the people we worship with.

I love the chance to talk about Central. The many gifted people that love serving God and others on a daily basis. I love describing the servant hearts and attitudes that make up the body. It's my prayer that everyone would have the special blessing that I have.

A great work environment where God can be discussed. If you ask any of my administrators, prayer is a must for all of us to get through the battles and struggles that we have on a daily basis. It sure doesn't hurt to pray for each other when we know a situation has to be taken care of that is very delicate and complex.

Prayer in school? Been going on since day one.

I am fortunate to work with good people who have a heart to minister to hurting kids and families on a regular basis.

The Unity Principle

"The union of Christians is the will of God, the prayer of Jesus, and the means of bringing the world to believe in Jesus, therefore it must be right. That man is then engaged in a righteous work, who labors to promote this union, by removing every obstacle to it; ... But the man who acts a contrary part must be wrong, and engaged in a work in opposition to the will of God, the prayer of Jesus, and the salvation of the world"

(Barton W. Stone, 1872)

Pure Was The Mind of Christ

I love the words to the old hymn that is one of my all time favorites, “Where He Leads I’ll Follow.” The words are powerful: “pure was the mind of Christ, sinless I see, He the great example is and pattern for me”. Every time I sing these words, “pure was the mind of Christ” I never really comprehend that His mind was pure. So often we struggle with the filth that comes into our hearts and minds from a world that is not pure or holy that we forget that our Savior did overcome, and with His help, guidance, and encouragement, we can overcome, live, grow and mature in Christ. He was the great example and pattern for me. Because of that, I want to give him my very best daily. I want to follow Jesus Every Day!

Unity is a Blessing

Ephesians 4:2-16
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

The Easter Story

The Story of Easter
As Told in the Gospel of Luke
Luke 23:50-24:53 (KJV)

And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counselor; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

And they remembered his words, and returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them.

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.
Amen.

Easter

Easter. A special day. A day of hope. A day of power. A day of resurrection. A day of life. A day of surprises. This Sunday our worship will center on Luke 23: 26-49. It was a day of surprises for those that were present when Jesus died.

Order of Worship for Easter Sunday, April 16
"A Day of Surprises"
Luke 23: 26-49

Welcome: Roger Hamm

Worship Leader: David Carriger

Doxology

Glorify Thy Name

Hosanna

Prayer of Praise: David Carriger

Introduction: Jerry Myers

Lamb of God

#1 Jesus Death was A Day of Surprises: Rex Allen

Nailed to the Cross

#2 Jesus Death Was A Day of Stupidity: Gary Souder

Ten Thousand Angels

#3 Jesus Death Was A Day of Salvation: Roger Hamm

Communion

Contribution

Closing Remarks/Invitation: Bill Carriger

Invitation Song: I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Announcements: Roger Hamm

He Arose

Closing Prayer: Roger Hamm

LTC

Off to Kansas City for another Leadership Training for Christ (LTC). Always enjoyable watching our young people display their talents in a variety of spiritual activities.

Be in prayer for our young people and sponsors as they travel to Kansas City.

Mentoring (Part 1)

Interviewing students at universities has been one of the benefits of my position as a school administrator. They are young, have fresh new ideas, energetic, they love kids, will work 18 hour days, and they love education. When I interview a prospective teacher candidate, they “pump” me up. They energize me. They encourage me. It shows me that there are still individuals in our society that wish to serve and work in helping educate the youth of America.

One of the trends the past five years in education is mentoring. Mentoring has always been a part of the work place. Mentoring individuals to become even better in business and the work place have often resulted in greater dividends and benefits for companies.

It has also benefited schools. When new teachers are placed with experienced teachers, positive results usually follow. New teachers are given vital survival skills as well as a vast array of knowledge about past experiences, which might have resulted in positive and negative teaching aspects in their classroom. Mentoring also makes the experienced teacher feel needed, revitalized and important. They are able to share their life’s successes with someone new entering the profession.

In the Church, mentoring is such an important aspect of the Christian life. I had some excellent mentors in my younger years. My mom was a great mentor of mine that encouraged me in my Christian life. My youth ministers and elders in the church that took us young people and taught us the importance of service and worship and living Godly lives.

Today I still have mentors. Those individuals that I call on a regular basis to dig deep into their knowledge that they have experienced over many decades of their Christian walk. I appreciate their encouragement but also appreciate their correction from to time as I grow in Gods Word.

Each of us need mentors. We need to be actively involved in the lives of each other. Encouraging and teaching thorough the experiences we have encountered.

Scripture is full of mentoring events and situations.
My next blog will describe some of those mentoring experiences.

Character Assassination

Ever been accused of something you didn’t do? Ever been called out for something that you know is completely untrue. We live in a world of character assassination today. Whatever people think or believe, it must be right. And what’s worse, decisions are made on this type of thinking all the time.

Jesus experienced the same type of situations and individual mindsets himself. He was accused, laughed at, tormented, spat upon, beat and finally crucified just because He was who He said He was. People didn’t want to believe that. They were looking for what they thought and believed in, not a simple carpenter born in a manger in Bethlehem who proclaimed He was the Son of God.

Character assassination hurts deep. It tears our hearts. Many times we just want to go away and forget the names or accusations. Many times we decide to fight and stand up for what the truth really is.

Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:44:
"But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you”.

Not easy to do, but you become better for it.

If you do pray for those that persecute you, you will be able to say what Paul said in Romans 5:3-5: And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Dear God:
Help me today to forgive those that wrong me. Help me not to accuse others, slander others and talk badly of anyone. I have enough problems and struggles of my own that I need not tear others down. I want to live for you. I want to be like your Son. Help me do that today.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.

Yes, Jesus Did Walk On the Water!

Jesus Could Have Walked on Ice, Scientist Says
Sara GoudarziLiveScience Staff WriterLiveScience.com
Tue Apr 4, 2006

Rare conditions could have conspired to create hard-to-see ice on the Sea of Galilee that a person could have walked on back when Jesus is said to have walked on water, a scientist said today.

The study, which examines a combination of favorable water and environmental conditions, proposes that Jesus could have walked on an isolated patch of floating ice on what is now known as Lake Kinneret in northern Israel.

Looking at temperature records of the Mediterranean Sea surface and using analytical ice and statistical models, scientists considered a small section of the cold freshwater surface of the lake. The area studied, about 10,000 square feet, was near salty springs that empty into it.
The results suggest temperatures dropped to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 degrees Celsius) during one of the two cold periods 2,500 –1,500 years ago for up to two days, the same decades during which Jesus lived.

With such conditions, a floating patch of ice could develop above the plumes resulting from the salty springs along the lake's western shore in Tabgha. Tabgha is the town where many archeological findings related to Jesus have been found.

"We simply explain that unique freezing processes probably happened in that region only a handful of times during the last 12,000 years," said Doron Nof, a Florida State University Professor of Oceanography. "We leave to others the question of whether or not our research explains the biblical account."

Nof figures that in the last 120 centuries, the odds of such conditions on the low latitude Lake Kinneret are most likely 1-in-1,000. But during the time period when Jesus lived, such “spring ice” may have formed once every 30 to 60 years.

Such floating ice in the unfrozen waters of the lake would be hard to spot, especially if rain had smoothed its surface.

"In today's climate, the chance of springs ice forming in northern Israel is effectively zero, or about once in more than 10,000 years," Nof said.

The findings are detailed in the April 2006 Journal of Paleolimnology.

Unbelievable!

Why do scientists have to theorize everything? Why don't they have faith in God's Word? Why didn't the Pharisees and Sadducees believe in the One that walked among them came from God Almighty? Why do we lack faith at times?

God Is In Control

A good friend of mine has experienced a very difficult week professionally. I have felt sorry for him. I hope I was able to cheer him up a little.

We all have those weeks where we ask "where is God when I need him?"

The answer is right beside us like He always is. The problem is the complexity of our daily endeavors which flaw our true vision of the One who can truly be the answer to our problems.

Twila Paris wrote a song called God Is In Control. Many times I think about the words of the chorus in my difficult daily struggles:

We believe that His children will not be forsaken
God is in control
We will choose to remember and never be shaken
There is no power above or beside Him, we know
God is in control, oh God is in control

Psalm 25

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
In you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.

No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

A Great Coach and Godly Man

If you have never met this man or heard him speak you have really missed out. I have been blessed to hear him speak on two occasions and met him once when I was a junior college basketball coach.

Here is an article about a very great and humble man.

TO AN ERA SO QUICKLY FORGOTTEN - TO OUR DETRIMENT

From a Rick Reilly Sports Illustrated Column

On the 21st of the month, the best man I know will do what he always does on the 21st of the month. He'll sit down and pen a love letter to his best girl. He'll say how much he misses her and loves her and can't wait to see her again. Then he'll fold it once, slide it in a little envelope and walk into his bedroom. He'll go to the stack of love letters sitting there on her pillow, untie the yellow ribbon, place the new one on top and tie the ribbon again. The stack will be 180 letters high then, because the 21st will be 15 years to the day since Nellie, his beloved wife of 53 years, died. In her memory, he sleeps only on his half of the bed, only on his pillow, only on top of the sheets, never between; with just the old bedspread they shared to keep him warm. There's never been a finer man in American sports than John Wooden, or a finer coach.

He won 10 NCAA basketball championships at UCLA, the last in 1975. Nobody has ever come within six of him. He won 88 straight games between January 30, 1971, and January 17, 1974. Nobody has come within 42 since.

So, sometimes, when the Basketball Madness gets to be too much-too many players trying to make Sports Center, too few players trying to make assists, too few coaches willing to be mentors, too many freshmen with out-of-wedlock kids, too few freshmen who will stay in school long enough to become men-I like to go see Coach Wooden. I visit him in his little condo in Encino, 20 minutes northwest of Los Angeles, and hear him say things like "Gracious sakes alive!" and tell stories about teaching "Lewis" the hook shot. Lewis Alcindor, that is ... who became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

There has never been another coach like Wooden, quiet as an April snow and square as a game of checkers; loyal to one woman, one school, one way; walking around campus in his sensible shoes and Jimmy Stewart morals.

He'd spend a half hour the first day of practice teaching his men how to put on a sock. "Wrinkles can lead to blisters," he'd warn. These huge players would sneak looks at one another and roll their eyes. Eventually, they'd do it right. "Good," he'd say. "And now for the other foot."

Of the 180 players who played for him, Wooden knows the whereabouts of 172. Of course, it's not hard when most of them call, checking on his health, secretly hoping to hear some of his simple life lessons so that they can write them on the lunch bags of their kids, who will roll their eyes.

"Discipline yourself, and others won't need to," Coach would say. "Never lie, never cheat, never steal," and "Earn the right to be proud and confident."

If you played for him, you played by his rules: Never score without acknowledging a teammate. One word of profanity and you're done for the day. Treat your opponent with respect. He believed in hopelessly out-of-date stuff that never did anything but win championships. No dribbling behind the back or through the legs."There's no need," he'd say.

No UCLA basketball number was retired under his watch. "What about the fellows who wore that number before? Didn't they contribute to the team? he'd say.

No long hair, no facial hair. "They take too long to dry, and you could catch cold leaving the gym," he'd say. That one drove his players bonkers. One day, All-America center Bill Walton showed up with a full beard.

"It's my right," he insisted. Wooden asked if he believed that strongly. Walton said he did. "That's good, Bill," Coach said. "I admire people who have strong beliefs and stick by them, I really do. We're going to miss you." Walton shaved it right then and there. Now Walton calls once a week to tell Coach he loves him.

It's always too soon when you have to leave the condo and go back out into the real world, where the rules are so much grayer and the teams so much worse. As Wooden shows you to the door, you take one last look around. The framed report cards of his great-grandkids, the boxes of jellybeans peeking out from under the favorite wooden chair, the dozens of pictures of Nellie.

He's in his 90's now. You think a little more hunched over than last time. Steps a little smaller. You hope it's not the last time you see him. He smiles.

"I'm not afraid to die," he says. "Death is my only chance to be with her again."

Problem is ... we still need him here.

"There is only one kind of a life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior. Until that is done, we are on an aimless course that runs in circles and goes nowhere. Material possessions, winning scores, and great reputations are meaningless in the eyes of the Lord, because He knows what we really are and that is all that matters."
John Wooden

CNN

Here is the discussion with Grace and Ruble Shelly on CNN:

GRACE: Is the Church of Christ a cult? Is it cult-like? Did that play into this murder in any way? With us, Dr. Ruble Shelly, professor of philosophy and religion at Rochester College. He`s a Church of Christ minister. He knows the Winkler family. Let`s take a look. Single leader, cult-like qualities, trying to isolate members, members happy and enthusiastic -- I don`t think that`s a bad thing -- experimental rather than logical, hide what they teach, say they`re the only true group. Dr. Shelly, response?

DR. RUBLE SHELLY, CHURCH OF CHRIST, PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY: It certainly doesn`t fit the criteria you just gave. We certainly have never created those charismatic personalities. We`re a network of independent, local churches. And your guests so far, I`m the only one who has to plead guilty to being a member of the Church of Christ. And Churches of Christ certainly are not cultic in any of that classic sense. We`re a conservative, religious group in the Christian tradition. You`d ask one of our members, and we`d say we jump right off the pages of the New Testament. Historically, we come out of what`s called the American Restoration movement, but the cultic label -- I can`t imagine anyone sticking that label.

GRACE: Dr. Shelly, what is the role of women in the Church of Christ?

SHELLY: Well, we believe that God created the human race male and female in his image and that Paul said there is no male or female in Christ. There are some male leadership options, in terms of elders of churches, and most preaching ministries that are reserved to males, but that`s not a cultic fact.

GRACE: Why? Why?

SHELLY: Well, that`s because of a biblical interpretation issue that Southern Baptists and many other groups share in common with Churches of Christ about male leadership in local churches. Churches of Christ are a conservative religious group.

GRACE: OK, wait, wait, wait. Dr. Shelly, no offense, by why, why only male leadership? Does anybody remember Mary Magdalene, ding ding?

SHELLY: Well, Mary Magdalene was not an apostle. All of the apostles were, in fact...

GRACE: Well, Judas was, and that certainly isn`t saying very much.

SHELLY: Well, we don`t want to quarrel with gender issues, with regard to salvation. And probably, I`m more broad-minded and a bit more liberal in terms of things that I would affirm that women have a right to do in church leadership than some of the people in our churches, but generally...

GRACE: OK. Dr. Shelly, let me move on, because I agree with you.

SHELLY: No, you asked the question as to where it came from.

GRACE: Yes, and I`d love an answer.

SHELLY: First, Timothy 2:11 and 2:12 talks about male leadership in churches. And that text has a great deal hung on it by religious conservatives to say that fathers in homes and elders in churches as male leadership, protective leadership, not abusive leadership.

GRACE: Dr. Shelly, do members of the Church of Christ church believe that that is the only way to heaven?

SHELLY: No. Churches of Christ began in an historical movement whose slogan was, "Christians only, not the only Christians"...(CROSSTALK)GRACE: No, no, no, wait, wait, wait, wait, don`t need a history lesson, as much as I appreciate it. We`re only an hour long. Do you believe that Jews and Muslims...

SHELLY: Well, you asked the question. The answer is no, because our slogan is...

GRACE: ... will also go to heaven?

SHELLY: Christians only, not the only Christians. We don`t believe we`re the only Christians or the only ones going to heaven. GRACE: OK, now, you know...

SHELLY: There may be individuals who do.

GRACE: You have got a great sense of career as a lawyer.

SHELLY: Churches of Christ are a loose network of independent churches. And I suspect you could find someone who believes most anything on your scale.

GRACE: Reverend, yes, no, do you believes that Jews or Muslims can go to heaven?

SHELLY: I believe that Jews and Muslims are to be shared the gospel of Christ. Now, that`s a much larger issue.

GRACE: Gotcha, OK. All right. I get it.

SHELLY: I do believe that Jesus is the only path to heaven, of course. Conservative Christians believe that.