The Hurting

This came from a friend......I can't tell you how tired I am of being sad. I'm afraid I'm not bearing all that well under the heavy weight of mourning. I fear I'm becoming the phone call you dread receiving or the party guest who constantly brings the room down. I want to have a different answer when people ask me how I'm doing, but a different answer would not be an honest one.

Hurting people everywhere. Even in the pews on Sunday.

Church Attendance

I just read a report that was released in 2006 by Reuters which states that members of the Churches of Christ have the highest rate of weekly church attendance among all religious groups in the United States of America. The rankings went as follows:

Church of Christ: 68 percent
Mormon: 67 percent
Pentecostal: 65 percent
Southern Baptist: 60 percent
Nondenominational Protestant: 54 percent
Catholic: 45 percent
Methodist: 44 percent
Presbyterian: 44 percent
Lutheran: 43 percent
Episcopal: 32 percent
Jewish: 15 percent

The Classics

I wish to make a confession. I love to be scared. I love roller coasters, I love haunted houses and I love the classic horror movies. This is the season for a good old classic this week. Here are some of the older classics I love to watch with a good chili dog, Frito's and a diet coke..............

My Top 5 Horror Classics

1. Halloween
2. Night of the Living Dead (Black and White Version)
3. Frankenstein
4. Dracula

5. The Creature From the Black Lagoon

November Sunday Morning Study

Young Professional-College Class
November Series
“30 Days to Live”

What if you learned you had just 30 days to live? How would your life be different? Is it possible to make the most of every day, right now? Join us for "30 Days to Live," as we examine life-changing situations. Once you hear what God’s Word says, you'll never look at life the same.

The Woodpecker Must Go

Technology in 1992

I was sitting in a district technology meeting last week and was thinking to myself how far we have come with technology since I began in Osage City 16 years ago.

I remember the day in 1992 when my computer teacher came to my office when I was the high school principal and told me about a new type of information source called the Internet. She thought it might be nice to have one dial up line for the high school. We would have a monthly charge of $150 just for the one computer. After listening to her proposal and checking out some of the information I decided to take the proposal to my superintendent. At first he said no and thought it was a fad, but a few days later allowed us to try it out for three months.

16 years later; 2 T-1 lines, wireless internet, 500 computers, laptops, Smart Boards, projectors, video, portable labs, palms, textbooks on line, classes on-line, clickers, and at least a $1,000,000 we have come along way.

How about church? Have we progressed as much as the school systems, business and society when it comes to reaching those outside of Christ using new technology and strategies? Or are we using the same old-fashioned ways that we always have in evangelism?

If we don’t make major changes we are not going to be able to accomplish what Christ expects of his church.

We are not living in a flannel graph society any longer.

Are You Thankful?

Dear Church Family:

With this being the beginning of the season of the year to which we pay special attention for being thankful, would you please consider the following question?"What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving season?"

If you could email me your answer by Wednesday of this week (10/24), your message will appear in our November Bulletin along with your name. I will be looking for 20-30 comments.

Please include your children by asking them for what they are thankful and their name will also appear along with their statement.

The November Central Bulletin in which this will appear will be mailed next week to most of the Central church family plus people who have lived here but have moved away and still want to stay connected with Central happenings.

Looking to hear from you by Wednesday.

Blessings / ra

David

“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’ -- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. “Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:3-7).

Have you noticed one of the major themes running through David’s writings? He paints a picture of utter trial and turmoil in his life, yet maintains an internal compass that always points to “true north.” Whereas most of us look for happiness based on external circumstances in our lives, David has discovered a deeper joy grounded in his inner self. Most of us strive for happiness that’s external and temporary. David teaches us to drive towards a place of deeper well-being, where we develop trust and hope in God that extends beyond our external realities.

Order of Worship

Order of Worship
Sunday, October 21, 2007

Welcome: Rex Allen

Worship Leader: David Carriger

451 Assurance Medley

452
453
454

Prayer:

Scripture: Matthew 26:26-29

365 How Beautiful

478 Nearer, Still Nearer


Lords Supper

Contribution

749 The Battle Belongs to the Lord

Message Evan Burdan

Invitation 790 Lord, Take Control


Announcements

459 Faith is the Victory


Closing Prayer

At the Cross

Alas! and did my Savior bleed

And did my Sov’reign die?

Would He devote that sacred head

For sinners such as I?

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—

And bathed in its own blood—

While the firm mark of wrath divine,

His soul in anguish stood.

Was it for crimes that I had done

He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide

And shut his glories in,

When Christ, the mighty Maker died,

For man the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face

While His dear cross appears,

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,

And melt my eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay

The debt of love I owe:

Here, Lord, I give myself away,

’Tis all that I can do.

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

Jesus, keep me near the cross,

There a precious fountain

Free to all, a healing stream

Flows from Calvary’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross,

Be my glory ever;

Till my raptured soul shall find

Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,

Love and mercy found me;

There the bright and morning star

Sheds its beams around me.

In the cross, in the cross,

Be my glory ever;

Till my raptured soul shall find

Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,

Bring its scenes before me;

Help me walk from day to day,

With its shadows o’er me.

In the cross, in the cross,

Be my glory ever;

Till my raptured soul shall find

Rest beyond the river.

Beneath The Cross of Jesus

Beneath the cross of Jesus

I fain would take my stand,

The shadow of a mighty Rock

Within a weary land;

A home within the wilderness,

A rest upon the way,

From the burning of the noontide heat,

And the burden of the day.



Upon the cross of Jesus

Mine eye at times can see

The very dying form of One

Who suffered there for me:

And from my stricken heart with tears

Two wonders I confess,

The wonders of redeeming love

And my own worthlessness.


I take, O cross, thy shadow

For my abiding-place:

I ask no other sunshine than

The sunshine of his face;

Content to let the world go by,

To know no gain nor loss;

My sinful self my only shame,

My glory, all the cross.

The Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.


Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.


See from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?


Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Friday Night Lights

For the past 21 years I have attended a Friday night football game in a small Kansas community. I have had great experiences and some not so good. Traveling to the games sometimes is difficult when you battle rain, ice and snow. There have been some great memories. Deescalating upset parents why their son didn't get to play is always a great Friday night experience as a school administrator.

As I think about those 200 football contests I think about many of the kids I have watched play on the field each Friday night. The hard work and dedication they gave to be the very best that they could so the team could have success.

This year Osage City is currently 6-0 and ranked in the top 10 in Class 3A. It has been enjoyable watching this group of senior boys develop their talents and surprise many of their opponents this year. Last week I saw a determination and a confidence that I had never seen before. A belief that we are “good” we can defeat anyone. It wasn’t a cocky attitude it was a confident and powerful belief that we can be successful. It paid off as they defeated Council Grove 42-7.

Confidence. Determination. A positive attitude. Those are keys in trying to be successful in life. Even as a Christian we need to believe that our God will supply every need that we have. That we are confident that He will see us through all the situations in life. And we are to be that positive light for this dark world. The Christian life sometimes is like a football game. Someone is always trying to defeat you and beat you down. We have a God that can help us and assure the utmost victory in life. Salvation.

You Raise Me Up

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Praising God

When you praise God, what are some of the common experiences or awareness that create the desire in you to praise God? When are you genuinely moved in your heart, your emotions, and your thoughts to declare praise to God? What specifically motivates you to do that?

Losing Weight

Ever feel determined? Want to do something that you know you can do, but it will take work and effort?

April 22 I decided I was going to lose some weight. I got on the scales and it told me it was time to shed about 15 pounds.

No more ice cream, dr. pepper or seconds at meals.

I was determined from that day to lose those pounds.

It was hard work but in less than three months I did it. Since then I have kept it off by staying busy and eating smarter.

Any time we change directions and make a major life change it is a difficult task. It takes work to not resort back to those things that are easy and sometimes “delicious in life” but we know they are not good for us.

Why do we give in and ignore what’s best for us?

Because the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak"

Friday Fun

I believe I found my new career after retiring from education.
Could this be a new bowl game? The Toilet Bowl?

Think About This Today

The prodigal son.

Great story.

I love it when someone opens my mind to a new idea about a story I have heard explained hundreds of times! I heard someone say the other day the story indicates that the prodigal did not actually repent--just says he came to his senses.

I have always heard that explained as repentance, but actually he just was looking at his options and chose the best one. He did return to his father, but does that indicate repentance?

Is repentance required for God to welcome us?

Hear, believe, repent, and be baptized was what I grew up understanding.

Does that hold true with this story?

I like new ideas and slants.... makes me think.

The other two parables in that chapter have the word repent in them, but this does not.

Does God's grace require repentance before it can be granted or does it cover us "no matter what?"

Otherwise what does?

He Gave Me A Song

H. Dennis Hogue

March 23, 1942 - September 30, 2007

My heart is a little empty this morning as I write this blog. I lost a mentor of mine this past Sunday morning who was one of my Heroes of Faith in my college and young professional years in Wichita. Dennis was a worship leader, teacher, elder and encourager who reminded people often about the grace and hope that could only be found in Christ.

Dennis taught me about church. The good side and not so good side of dealing with church issues and people problems. The most important thing Dennis taught me was the love for worship. When he led worship you could see his eyes crying out to His Father giving him the glory for being a great and powerful God. How fitting that Dennis would pass away on Sunday. The Lord's Day. A day set aside for worship.

Dennis you will be missed but not forgotten. You Gave Me A Song that I will never forget.

He's Near

Ever felt trampled down by the world?

I have been comforted by these words of Jesus: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

God reminds me...He's near.

The Beauty of Worship

Jonathan Wilson writes,

"The reason we can casually assert and agree that Israel's worship is word centered and image (beauty) rejecting is because these are the portions of the Old Testament we skip over because we find them boring.

The care, precision, and standards of excellence recorded in those passages make it clear that God cares about the beauty of our worship. Indeed, beauty here really represents a call to excellence in our worship of God.

But this excellence must be crefully developed from an understanding of worship as a practice that embodies the aim, goal of the church, constitutes a community, seeks internal goods, and extends our conception of what beauty means for the church.

In a world obsessed with distorted notions of beauty and a church whose members are often wounded by those notions, the church must not deny the importance of beauty but must transform the meaning of beauty by the practice of it's worship."

Music Changes (Continued)

As I look at the past 20 years and the changes in music that the church has experienced, I believe it has brought great renewal for many churches.

For the generation that we are currently trying to reach, music is a very important part of their lives and culture.

Look at their I-pods, mp3 players, CD players, home entertainment systems, and car sound systems. They spend thousands on music and they enjoy many varieties.

As church attendance took a decline around 1990, the major issue was a modern generation that could not relate with a historic church. They wanted more for themselves and their children.

With that brought many changes to the church. Family life centers (gymnasiums), outreach (church planting in small areas outside of church buildings), Children’s Ministers and eventually, worship styles (music).

I believe that Keith Lancaster, founder of Acappella, has made the largest impact on music and the church than any other single individual in the last 50 years. His love for music and his writing ability for new church music sparked an interest in new contemporary language music for a generation seeking that for themselves and their young families. Acappella traveled the country singing with power and emotion about what God can do in the lives of His people and it signaled a change in our worship assembly as well as preaching in the church.

Other song writers from the church, such as Ken Young (Faithful Love) and Brandon Scott Thomas (Zoe Ministries), have produced new music arrangements for churches to make our worship more meaningful and contemporary for today’s society.

With this new music has brought many challenges. Some older members have been “stretched” singing the new songs. Some members feel like we are abandoning our traditions and old sacred hymns. In some churches, there have been great division and splits because of the worship music. We must be careful to keep the unity of the spirit and also allow each of our groups within the body to be uplifted and encouraged. We do this by understanding the needs of others.

In New York City, the church, once a month, sings songs in Spanish so the Spanish members are encouraged. A church in Texas sings 4 new songs and 4 older hymns every service. In a Colorado church, they sing two youth songs every service for the younger people. Many churches are realizing the need to reach every group.

The church will continue to grow in its worship. Individuals will always have “likes and dislikes” in church music. But we need to focus our energy on the one we are worshipping. It’s easy for a song leader to take a book out 1 minute before service and pick 6 songs to lead. It takes work, time and prayer to design a service that will be uplifting to all in attendance and glorify our Heavenly Father.

A Prayer of Praise

In 1 Chronicles 29 we read of David’s life coming to an end. The great leader and follower of God is about to die.

In 1 Chronicles 29 we really see the heart of the "man after God’s own heart". In his final moments he decides to praise his Father for all that he has done for him and his people.

Prayer was such an important part of David’s life.

The one thing that really is evident about David’s walk with God is his prayer life. He didn’t always ask for things, stuff or forgiveness, he spent the majority of his life praising God for the blessings, praising God for being God Almighty.

The early Church was a Church that praised God in Acts 2.

The Psalms are full of prayers of praise, worship describing God as great, full of glory and splendor.

What a great example for us.

Not just in the closing moments of our life, on our deathbed but living a life each day centered on praising our Heavenly Father for the blessings he has given us.

What are you thankful for? What should you praise God for?

Family, Health, Job, Home.

How about life itself?

Being able to have a relationship with Jesus Christ because he took our sins to the cross?

I am selfish at times thinking I can make it on my own through this every day life. But then reality comes crashing down upon me. The only way I can make it in this world is to know I have a Father that knows my every need in this life but also supplies my spiritual needs as well.

City Life

Growing up I had the opportunity to live in some of the largest cities and metropolitan areas in America: Los Angeles, San Diego, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Louisville, and Chicago. I love the city. I enjoy the fast paced 24 hour life style something to do and see every moment of every day.

The one thing that really hit me on our trip to New York recently were the people. Great people. Felt safe the entire trip. But watching people (one of my favorite things to do) I noticed they never spoke to each other. Most individuals on the subway looked down at their feet and said absolutely nothing. When the train stops, out the door they went, and on to the next subway car or destination.

I felt like these people were very lonely and isolated.

Reaching out to people is easy. We do it daily at the store, at the office, on the street. Caring for people is difficult.

We have to take a genuine interest in people. Christ did.

Come Just As You Are

Jeff Childers and Frederick Aquino wrote, "The Lord came into the world as it is, no prior cleanup necessary. In fact, he seems eager to face the world's ugliness head on.....showing us a Creator whose strategy for rescuing us out of our pain begins with a gesture of humility: joining us in it. Church isn't when you give God your best. It's when you give God what you have where you are........no clean up necessary. We don't get ourselves right and then go to God. We give ourselves to God.....and He alone cleans us up and makes us right"

Come Just as You Are
Joseph Sabolick

Come just as you are.
Hear the Spirit's call.
Come just as you are.
Come and see,
come receive,
Come and live forever.

Life everlasting,
Strength for today.
Taste the living Water
And never thirst again.

Come just as you are.
Hear the Spirit's call.
Come just as you are.
Come.

Copyright © 1993 Maranatha Praise, Inc.

Music in Worship

I was having a conversation the other day with a group of people and the discussion turned to music in the Church today.

We have seen a significant change in the last 20 years with music in the Church of Christ.

Is it a trend or have we really made much needed changes in congregational worship in the Church of Christ?

Who has been the biggest influence on these changes?

Are these changes improving our worship to God?

More later............

New Worship Series

As a child of God, you can only offer God one thing that you possess that He does not... YOUR PRAISE! The human voice is capable of making wonderful music, and it can make all of Heaven rejoice if we lift our voices together in harmony and praise the God from whom all blessings flow.

This is the idea behind the new Praise & Harmony series by Keith Lancaster who started Acappella. A blending of voices in congregational style worship to the one true Lord of all. The music in this new series will take you to the throne in worship.

Awesome God is the first first release in the Praise & Harmony series. This CD highlights more than 200 vocalists who form the congregation for this outstanding collection of 25 worship songs. As an added bonus, Awesome God includes a vocalist training CD to help you learn your part (soprano, alto, tenor or bass) on each of these great songs. This set is a wonderful teaching tool for churches and singing groups, as well as an exceptional listening and worship experience. The second CD in the series was released just recently.

As part of the Praise & Harmony series, Keith Lancaster also teaches singing seminars with the aim of equipping churches to have great four-part harmony singing, to learn contemporary songs and to have a renewal of worship.

Keith will host a seminar at the Heartland Church of Christ in Kansas City on November 17-18.


For more information:

.http://www.theacappellacompany.com/praiseharmony.html

Praise and Harmony homepage

Rosh Hashanah

With Craig attending school in New York City and the millions of different ethnic and religious groups in the city I am interested in the religious holidays that other religious bodies celebrate.

Craig arrives home today for a four day visit because of Rosh Hashanah (All colleges are closed in New York City).

Rosh Hashanah is the first and second days of the first Jewish month of Tishrei. It marks the beginning of the Jewish new year. The celebration of this holiday is marked with solemnity, as it is the day on which the Jewish people believe the whole world is judged for the coming year. Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the world, as it was on this day that God created Man on the 6th day of creation. Every year, on this day, we proclaim God as our one and true King.

This year, Rosh Hashanah, begins on Wednesday evening, September 12 and continues through Sunday night, September 16.

Dog gets $12 Million

From Michael Vick killing dogs to Leona Helmsley leaving $12 million to her dog Trouble when she passed away last week we really need to look at our priorities as a people:

Helmsley's dog gets $12 million in will


Leona Helmsley's dog will continue to live an opulent life, and then be buried alongside her in a mausoleum. But two of Helmsley's grandchildren got nothing from the late luxury hotelier and real estate billionaire's estate.

Helmsley left her beloved white Maltese, named Trouble, a $12 million trust fund, according to her will, which was made public Tuesday in surrogate court.

She also left millions for her brother, Alvin Rosenthal, who was named to care for Trouble in her absence, as well as two of four grandchildren from her late son Jay Panzirer — so long as they visit their father's grave site once each calendar year.

Otherwise, she wrote, neither will get a penny of the $5 million she left for each.
Helmsley left nothing to two of Jay Panzirer's other children — Craig and Meegan Panzirer — for "reasons that are known to them," she wrote.

But no one made out better than Trouble, who once appeared in ads for the Helmsley Hotels, and lived up to her name by biting a housekeeper.

"I direct that when my dog, Trouble, dies, her remains shall be buried next to my remains in the Helmsley mausoleum," Helmsley wrote in her will.

The mausoleum, she ordered, must be "washed or steam-cleaned at least once a year." She left behind $3 million for the upkeep of her final resting place in Westchester County, where she is buried with her husband, Harry Helmsley.

She also left her chauffeur, Nicholas Celea, $100,000.

She ordered that cash from sales of the Helmsley's residences and belongings, reported to be worth billions, be sold and that the money be given to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

Her longtime spokesman, Howard Rubenstein, had no comment.

Helmsley died earlier this month at her Connecticut home. She became known as a symbol of 1980s greed and earned the nickname "the Queen of Mean" after her 1988 indictment and subsequent conviction for tax evasion. One employee had quoted her as snarling, "Only the little people pay taxes."

September 1975

My first trip to New York City was in September of 1975.

Great memories of a magnificent city.

Michael Vick

I am tired of hearing about the Michael Vick dog fighting case.

Yes it is terrible to hear of a major sports star betting on dog fighting, having dogs killed and then trying to cover it up. But the national media has been on this like a dog is on a fire hydrant.

We have serious issues in our society that need to be dealt with, but newspapers and television talk shows have had non-stop coverage about this situation from the beginning.

How about the thousands of people being killed every day in wars across the world?

How about the millions in poverty and homeless?

How about the abused children in our society?

How about the millions needing Jesus in their life?

Tolerating Pain In Leadership

One of the hardest lessons leaders face is understanding that they will from time to time upset people with the decisions that they make. We do not always get our way in family situations in the workplace and in the Church. Leaders must have broad shoulders and faith in God that they do whats best for the person the organization or the Church.

Tolerating Pain in Leadership
John Maxwell

There are many keys to being an effective leader.

In order to be an effective leader you have to be able to tolerate pain. Your own pain as well as the pain of others. Sometimes others will inflict pain upon you. You must absorb and carry it forward in order to lead. Sometimes you will be called upon to inflict pain on others for their own good or for the good of the organization you lead. If you don’t think leaders inflict pain, then go make a decision and see if anyone yelps. Sometimes you will inflict pain upon yourself when you inflict pain on others because you care so much about those whom you are leading.

Without a doubt, one of the hardest things to do as a leader is to watch people we love squirm with emotional pain because of a position we’ve taken. Most of us end up caving sooner or later and we sheepishly reverse our position or change our direction in order to dull the pain and keep the peace.

Research indicates that the reason most churches are struggling to move forward in any kind of discernible way is because their leadership is spending all their time and energy trying to avoid pain. They think the absence of pain is a sign of good leadership. Making sure no one gets hurt may be a win for a bank robber (Put your hands in the air and do what you’re told and no one gets hurt), but it’s a terrible way of judging how well we’re doing as leaders.

All pain avoidance does is delay the inevitable, which is . . .pain.

Leaders who try to avoid pain will someday be confronted with the worst pain of all, the awareness that the end result of their perpetual pain avoidance is the collapse of the organization they were supposed to be leading.

Are you called to lead? If so, and if you’re not ready to experience and tolerate some pain, then please say no to the call. Whatever organization you’re being called to lead will be better off without you in leadership. If you’re ready to deal with some pain, then step up and buckle in, because it’s gonna hurt.

Be Alert!

As Christians we are in a constant wrestling match. But our opponent is in the spiritual realm. His mandate is to "kill, steal and destroy" (John 10:10).

Scripture tells us to "be alert", "resist the enemy" (1Peter 5:8,9) be on your guard and "stand against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). So when problems strike ... know immediately who your opponent is ... know immediately he has schemes and plans in place that will at best steal from you and at worst destroy you and your effectiveness.

Any pervasive, downward spiral needs to be called what it is. Be alert to the red flags. Our human nature wants to defend and justify ourselves. God knows we are a selfish people. That is why He calls us to pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44) and to do good to those who spitefully use us (Luke 6:27). (The trademark of love, remember?) Only the "God strength" in our lives, His strength invited in at our point of weakness and frustration, can remedy this battle.

"Be alert and always keep on praying" (Ephesians 6:18) When prayer is no longer the oxygen of our spiritual soul or the heartbeat the Central Church, our defense is down. Praying for those who hurt us becomes something we don't even want to do. Neglect in prayer and in the spiritual training of the Word leaves us with open doors for the enemy to turn the wrestling match on one another.

The stealing and robbing is done long before we have even recognized the enemy was at the door. Knowing he is prowling the neighborhood (even the flock at Central) keeps us in a proactive state and able to recognize and withstand his tactics.

Godliness Contributes to Happiness

Associated Press Writers
Friday, August 24, 2007


Among America's young people, Godliness contributes to happiness.

An extensive survey by The Associated Press and MTV found that people aged 13 to 24 who describe themselves as very spiritual or religious tend to be happier than those who don't.

When it comes to spirituality, American young people also are remarkably tolerant — nearly 7 in 10 say that while they follow their own religious or spiritual beliefs, others might be true as well.
On the whole, the poll found religion is a vital part of the lives of many American young people, although with significant pockets that attach little or no importance to faith.

Forty-four percent say religion and spirituality is at least very important to them, 21 percent responded it is somewhat important, 20 percent say it plays a small part in their lives and 14 percent say it doesn't play any role.

Among races, African-Americans are most likely to describe religion as being the single most important thing in their lives. Females are slightly more religious than males, and the South is the most religious region, the survey said.

The poll's mission was to figure out what makes young people happy. And it appears religion helps.

Eighty percent of those who call religion or spirituality the most important thing in their lives say they're happy, while 60 percent of those who say faith isn't important to them consider themselves happy.

Accept One Another

A baby hippopotamus that survived the tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal facility in the port city of Mombassa. Officials said the hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him. "It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with being a 'mother'," ecologist Paula Kahumbu, who is in charge of Lafarge Park , told AFP. "After it was swept away and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized.

It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother. Fortunately, it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond. They swim, eat and sleep together," the ecologist added. "The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother. If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother," Kahumbu added."The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years," he explained.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." This is a real story that shows that our differences don't matter much when we need the comfort of another. We could all learn a lesson from these two creatures of God, "Look beyond the differences and find a way to walk the path together."

Order of Worship

Order of Worship
Sunday, September 2, 2007

Welcome

103 He Has Made Me Glad

577 We Bow Down

Jesus, You’re My Firm Foundation

Prayer

Scripture: John 3:14-17

350 When My Love To Christ Grows Weak

366 By Christ Redeemed

Lords Supper

Contribution

Dismiss 2x2

452 Standing on the Promises (Verse 1 and 4 Only)

Message Evan Burdan

Invitation 116 God Will Make A Way (Sing Twice)

Announcements

These Are the Days of Elijah

Closing Prayer

The Bread Has Been Broken

These are the lyrics to a great new song for worship:

The Bread Has Been Broken
Joe Beck, Wendy Wills

Come to the table and worship the Savior

Taste what forgiveness is for

His mercy will lead us, the grace of God feed us

Making us hungry for more

His body was given for you and for me

Look on the Cross and believe.

The Bread has been broken

Our eyes have been opened

Oh come, Lord, restore and renew

The Word has been spoken

So humble and broken

We do all in remembrance of You

The Bread has been broken

and all those who know Him

Believe without touching the scars

His death reconciled us,

we live sanctified to

Become what we already are

To Him who loves us and freed us to love

Be glory and honor and praise

All in remembrance of You

In remembrance His body was given for you and for me

Look on the cross and believe

The Bread has been broken

Our eyes have been opened

Oh come, Lord, restore and renew

The Word has been spoken

So humble and broken

We do all in remembrance of You

Oh, all in remembrance of You.

Oh, Jesus

©2005 Willow Branch Music (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management) Rick Cua Music (Admin. by Rick Cua Entertainment) Schparkenmusik (Admin. by Rick Cua Entertainment) Yada Yada Yada Music Hootie Hoo MuAll rights reserved. International copyright secured.CCLI song #4481160

Elders Meeting Minutes

Minutes-Elders Meeting, Central Church, Aug 29, 2007
David Carriger presiding.

We discussed our pulpit minister situation and agreed (again) thatwe are more than pleased with Evan and that if HE wishes to continue we arehappy with him in his current role. He has helped us in a very special wayand we are grateful. Also, many, many members have really "stepped up" inthe last months and met the myriad of needs a congregation our size has.This has been a tremendous encouragement to us.

We are pleased with the quick progress and energy of Nathan in theYouth Minister role. He has initiated a calendar with many good activitiesfor our youth and "hit the ground running."

We all agreed that VBS this year was very well-run and a greatbenefit to our young families and the whole congregation. We commend themany who were needed to make it a success.

Several confidential matters were discussed at length.

Closing prayer -Roger Hamm with mention of many hurting sheep andsick ones.

Respectfully submitted, Jerry Myers

Watch Out for Car Salesmen and Preachers

This story was sent to me recently:

Bob and I happened to show up for coffee at the same time every morning. He sold used cars. Along with other locals, we had enjoyed this routine for over a decade. Another of the dozen or so who gathered for the day's caffeine jump-start was Ken. He was a moody man in his late 40s. Everyone knew everyone and we regularly Howdy and How are ya'd one another. The coffee version of Cheers is duplicated across America as an important thread of society.One morning grouchy Ken announced for all to hear, as Bob I were perched to his far right at the end of the counter, There are two kinds of people I can't stand: car salesmen and preachers. Whoops! I may be slow, but I think I just got busted. I looked at Bob and whispered, That's the first time I've ever heard that. How about you?, and we both smiled. I had studied Ken for some time. I really liked the man, but he seemed to live on irritability's edge.

A few days later we were the only two in for coffee; Ken sitting in the center of the row along the counter and me at my usual residence at the end of the horseshoe. It occurred to me what was eating at him. His misery dangled from his sleeves. As I moved over beside him, he muttered some acknowledgement of my presence. I said, Ken, I know what's wrong with you. Oh, yeah? What? I've figured it out. You are afraid to die. There was slight pause and then, covering his face with both hands, Ken gushed into tears. He bawled like a baby.Ken poured out his heart informing me of severe heart abnormalities and, indeed, he was scared. We had a lengthy conversation as I assured him I understood. He simply needed someone to listen; whether it be a car salesman or a preacher.

Two weeks later a sixteen year old boy called my house. Are you Mr. Rush? inquired the young man. Yes. Well, I'm calling because my dad's name is Ken and he just died of a heart attack. The other day he came home from coffee and told my mom that if anything ever happened to him, he met this preacher at the coffee shop that he really liked and he wanted to do his funeral. Would you help us? I gladly assisted the family and officiated at Ken's funeral.

Each of us possesses embedded fears. Most revolve around impending death. Everyone needs someone to care. Advice may not be sought as much as a compassionate ear. We live in wonderful; yet, complex times. Ultimately, even the most boisterous against their perception of religion are afraid to die. Unfortunately, they've sawed off all the God-limbs. Ken wasn't mistaken. Car salesmen and preachers are an odd sort. But don't let us keep you from researching the authentic hope found in the man named Jesus. We men may mislead. He can be trusted.

How's Your Coffee Today?

A group of alumni, well established in their careers, decided to visit an esteemed university professor, now elderly and retired. During their visit conversation evolved into complaints about stress in their work and lives. The professor offered his guests coffee. The professor returned from the kitchen with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, and crystal. Some were plain looking and others were fancy. The professor urged the group to help themselves to the coffee. When all held a cup of coffee the professor observed, "Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups have been used while the plain and cheap ones remain.

While it is understandable for you to want only the best for yourselves, that demonstrates the source of your problems and stress." "Be assured," he continued, "that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases a fancy cup simply is more exclusive and may obscure what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not a cup. But you consciously went for the best cups... and then you began eyeing each other's cups." "Now consider this: Life is the coffee.
Your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools that hold and contain life. The type of cup one has does not define, nor change the quality of life a person lives. Some times, by concentrating primarily on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything." God brews the coffee, not the cups... Enjoy your coffee! Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Spend time with God over your coffee.

Leadership

Calvin Miller wrote in The Empowered Leader the following:

"Please remember that great leaders are not those who have worked their way up to personal confidence. Nor do they see themselves as God's ready achievers in this world. Spiritual leaders only appear to be giants to others. To themselves they are in desperate need of God."

Craig's New Home

These are pictures of Craig's new home in New York City.

Quote of the Day

Whether famous or common, the Spirit of God will work from the hearts of men and women who will trust Him over themselves.

Fishing Update

I have had a few ask me about my fishing escapades this summer. I picked up a new hobby around Father's Day when my boys gave me a fishing pole and gift certificate at Debbie's Bait Shop in Quenemo.

I wanted to catch catfish for our annual "4th of July Family Day" so I started the process this summer. Our neighbor had been providing us with catfish fillets but being the "strong male food provider who wants to do it all by himself" felt like I could provide the fish.

It has been an enjoyable and successful summer. I usually go out in late evenings once a week and maybe early Saturday morning before breakfast. I have caught several good size catfish and have really enjoyed the quiet, peaceful experience. My brother and niece also join me on Saturday mornings. After fishing we always head for Green Acres for breakfast.

I have read a lot about catfish and fishing this summer, but hate to admit it, I have my own way of doing things.

Many times we have that same mindset when it comes to those things God demands of us. We do what we want to do not what he tells us we must do. It's that selfishness and self-centeredness that we constantly battle.

Leaving Your Youngest Behind

We returned late last night (flight delay) after our trip to New York City to take Craig to FIT. We had a great time in New York City staying with Jeff and Santhi.

We enjoyed our time with Craig Saturday and Sunday before telling him goodbye late Sunday afternoon after Church. He is busy with orientation and getting acclimated with college life in a big city.

Tough to leave your youngest in the big city, but I know God will keep him safe and he will be a blessing to a city that needs a smile and a kind word.

More later.................

New York City

Please keep us in your prayers as we leave for New York City early tomorrow morning. Craig is very excited to start school at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan next week.

Mom and Dad are excited for him but nervous about leaving our "baby boy" in the Big Apple!

Remember our college kids and parents as they are traveling this weekend.

Back to School Prayer Night (Part 2)

The Back to School Prayer Night was well attended last night. Thanks to Scott and Angie for getting things organized and all those who participated.

These were my thoughts last night as I challenged our young people and Central Family:

At Central we have placed a high value on our children. We believe as a Church family we have a responsibility to pray for, teach and nurture our children, and to equip parents with the Christian principles to raise their children to become Christians themselves who can truly make a difference in their world.

That is very difficult in the world in which we live. Our kids are bombarded by all segments of society. It’s worse today than ever before.

Nine years ago, Evan had a dream for a Back to School Prayer Night for the Central Church. A time to pray for our young people, teachers and staff as they head back to school for the new year.

Since then we have come together as a Church family to pray for the new school year. To encourage our kids and teachers/staff and challenge them to live Godly lives in their schools.

God’s Word challenges us to do this.

I also want to challenge the Central Church this evening in 4 ways:

1. Pray for our kid’s daily
2. Support our kids throughout the year
3. Communicate with our kids and get to know them
4. Look for ways to reach out to our kids this year

This evening is really a moment of dedication, much like Hannah dedicating Samuel:
Samuel's Dedication - " 'After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord and he will live there always'. Hannah took the boy with her and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh . . . 'so now I have given him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.' And he worshiped the Lord there." (1 Samuel 1:22, 24, 28).

Jesus was dedicated to the Lord in Luke 2:
Jesus' Dedication - "When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took (Jesus) to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord." (Luke 2:22)

Dedicating children to the Lord is a beautiful act symbolic of the Lord taking the children in His arms. "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these . . . and He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them." (Mark 10:14 & 16)

That’s what we are going to do in just a few moments is to ask for God’s blessing and deliverance on our kids and our school staff for this new year.

Kids your responsibility this year is to shine your lights, be that positive influence for God. You can do that by showing Christ in all that you do.

In your talk, in your actions, in your dress.

Remember what you have learned this summer about transformation. Metamorphosis. Changing into a better person, a better friend, a better Christian. We want to be the very best that we can be in everything that we do. Because we represent Jesus Christ.

So this evening kids we are dedicating you to our Lord. As you take your Light to a dark world.

May God richly bless you and protect you this new school year.

Back to School Prayer Night

One of my favorite events of the year is our annual Back to School Prayer Night. A special evening where we as a Church Family pray for our kids, teachers and staff as they return to school this week.

I hope everyone can make it out to the Gage Park Shelter House this evening at 6:00 p.m. as we pray for a successful school year.

Minutes--Elders meeting, Central Church of Christ August 8, 2007 In attendance: Max and Prisca Dauner, Twig McBroom, Rex Allen, Roger Hamm, Jerry Myers, Gary Souder
Scripture: Colossians 1 Prayer: Rex Allen \ Most of our meeting was spent with an update and Missions report from Max and Prisca Dauner on their work in Marseilles, France. They are making great strides with YOUNG people! This is so rare in the culture and religious climate that is France in 2007. One principle they use constantly is to listen and learn before they try to evangelize. They have established a credible, authentic voice for Christian teaching, even among a number of Catholic priests.

They report their son Phillipe has been named asst Chaplain at a large hospital in Marseille. They stated, "we believe God takes a long-term view of things; we realize we may not live long enough to see the fruits of our work." They are making great strides in their neighborhood (Marseille has a population of 1.5 million) and among the Muslim population.

Prisca has written 200 songs for their chorus. This chorus has been a dynamic evangelism tool, with many first-time visitors attending to hear the performances.
Max and Prisca will become foster parents to two children (ages 17 and 10) when they return home. These childrens mother is dying of cancer. They reported on their financial situation and we will be discussing this more in the weeks to come.

They request their email address be given to the congregation as an efficient way to keep in touch. The email addresses are faxbymax.net and/or max.dauner@wanadoo.fr
Twig is settling in and is grateful for the household items some have donated. Remember to invite him to dinner and continue to ask "what do you need?"

Closing prayer--Roger Hamm Respectfully submitted, Jerry Myers

New York, New York

Craig this songs for you...............

New York, New York
(Ebb-Kander)

Start spreading the news
I'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it,
New York, New York

These vagabond shoes
Are longing to stray
And make a brand new start of it
New York, New York

I want to wake up in the city that never sleeps
To find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap
These little town blues
Are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In old New York

If I can make it there
I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you,
New York, New York.

I want to wake up in the city that never sleeps
To find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap
These little town blues
Are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In old New York

If I can make it there
I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you,
New York, New York.

Them

This came from Terry Rush the Senior Minister at Memorial Drive in Tulsa:

There are two kinds of sinners: both are ruined. One knows it while the other is clueless. Both, however, are wreckage in need of the blood of Jesus. Guilty, ruined, and broken are not at all what I expected to surface as of major importance in ministry. For my first few years my pulpit was more like a fox hole I used to separate me from "them". I would toss sermonic hand grenades at the guilty sort and duck as they returned heavy artillery fire throughout the remainder of the week. I knew one thing: I wasn't like "them".It was a shock to my system to realize I was, indeed, worse than "them". I was forced to park my high-horse at the rail and dismount. My judgment of "them" was not necessarily faulty. My assessment of myself was skewed. The church and I, the brotherhood and I, we were all in this quagmire together. Several things arose to importance when I encountered such a disappointing, yet necessary, discovery.
As Jesus left heaven to experience earth, I needed to leave my self-appointed perch to experience the truth about "us".

It dawned on me how desperate I was for His grace and mercy. In turn the flock was as needy to exchange the same with one another.

I began to notice the beauty of Jesus from this ugly pit. I had never noted his gentleness before.
The Word jumped out with redefined meaning.

I found myself ruined of any defense or explanation. If I am going to breathe in the church I must live; yet not I, but Jesus in me. My proud stance turned out to be a facade and it had been shattered.

Brokenness is what every young leader must experience. Otherwise, he'll live as a thorn to God's people always accusing, always surmising, always judging, always condemning; mistakenly stroking self as to assumed importance.

If you still find yourself believing the brotherhood would be stronger if it held values more like you, you are in the way of God's progress. If we are to be of anything good, it has to be because of the lively and effective rescue of Jesus and no other.

Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.
May "they" become "us" as "we" can do nothing apart from "Him".

Elders Meeting Minutes (August 1)

Central Church of Christ Elders meeting, Aug. 1, 2007 In attendance….Rex Allen, David Carriger, Roger Hamm, Jerry Myers, Gary Souder

Opening Prayer-Rex Allen

Scripture-David read several Psalms and was touched by the challenge of passing on faith to future generations….arent we all?

Nathan "Twig" McBroom has an apartment and will move in Thursday, July 31 and head out to camp to be with the kids…

We plan to acknowledge the support of Josh Yoho and LeAnn Valerius this Sunday AM

Back to School night Aug. 16 at Big Gage shelter house…

Carl Wheeler has done a super job of organizing Sunday night speakers; this was a reminder of the blessing of having so many talented ones who can fill in in a quality way

Pulpit Minister discussion…we have several interesting applicants, but we 5 are 150% satisfied with Evan and his sermons and the current situation and are NOT going to rush into just hiring someone to say we have a pulpit minister….we have one!!

We will compensate Steven McClelland for all his help this summer.

The Coffeyville Church was very grateful for our congregation generosity of 3265.00. We talked about our unintentional negligence in contacting members with sporadic attendance and pledge to do better. We drafted a statement and will have it read publicly Sunday AM and ask the congregation to forgive us.

Commendations to the Vitts and Goslin families and Richard McClellan from Northside for their diligence in the prison ministry….

We are enjoying the "sticky prayer notes" of our kids posted downstairs.

We all agreed Sunday night 5th Sunday singing was uplifting with praise to Him….


Discussion about "hurting sheep" and there are so many!


Closing Prayer-Gary Souder 10:30PM



Respectfully submitted, Jerry Myers

Change

Randy Harris a Bible Professor at Abilene Christian University recently spoke about reaching the lost and used Jesus as the example of how to reach out in a changing culture of today.

He wrote: First of all we must go where the lost are or in other words, Be There.
Second, be a good listener, really trying to understand others, Be Open.
Third, we have to keep re-understanding the Bible as it applies to changing culture, Be Relevant. And fourth, dare not let what the generations wants determine what our message will be, Be Faithful.

Today people are not much rejecting Jesus Christ as they are Christianity.

My earlier generation had most things worked out and every interpretation was “gospel.” Along came the Boomers and they shook it up. They were moderns. Reason was still powerful with them. Now we have an oncoming culture that plays down reason. I still believe the different cultures and generations have much to learn from each other.

But are there convictions that cannot change to court the oncoming generation? Did Jesus say anything that is not open to negotiation? Are there principles that if surrendered, we no longer have the good news? Is there anything that if we surrender it, we are not only surrendering “Christianity” but also Jesus Christ? Is there anything that if we stand for it may not attract unbelievers, but we must stand for them regardless of the consequences?

As we seriously search to show the relevance of the message of Jesus to any time or place remember that what a generation appears to be in youth may change as it matures.

There will always be all kinds of people in any given culture.

Drawing Closer to God?

Here's what my class said:

To fully rely on him and know that he knows best no matter what.

To feel and seek His presence, grace and love and His help in all matters.

Drawing closer to God means that you accept the wisdom of God. As humans we always want to feel "in control" of circumstances, when you draw closer you realize that drawing closer means surrendering one's human will.

To read and meditate on His word.

When your prayer to God is like He is sitting next to you. When you go to sleep and can almost
literally feel his arms cradling you and stroking your hair in contrast to saying a prayer before
eating or praying quickly before asking him to help you through a meeting you're walking into at that moment.

Focused on what you do while talking to God.

Drawing closer to God means letting go of fear and frustration of this tiny world and taking Him at His word that He will provide. It means waking everyday, and doing the best that can be done in an effort to see His will, follow His direction, and know that what seems a trial now may be what is necessary to be who He needs me to be in His future plans

To feel His arms around me holding me ever closer as a friend would hold and comfort me / cry with me / laugh with me / cherish time with me as I would with my family and friends. I love to see in my mind's eye a picture of Jesus as he laughs with and comforts people.

For me to draw closer to God on a daily basis I have to consciously think about the blessings he gives me daily. From protection to provision he is the one I have to acknowledge and be thankful for.

I'm grateful we can all take time to draw closer to Him and thank him for our inheritance he extends to each of us.

Welcome Nathan

Central would like to welcome our new youth minister Nathan (Twig) McBroom.

May God bless his work!

Church Phones

Church Phones

A man in Topeka , Kansas decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to San Francisco and started working east from there. Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and making notes. He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued with a sign, which read "Calls: $10,000 a minute." Seeking out the minister he asked about the phone and the sign.

The minister answered that this golden phone is, in fact, a direct line to heaven and if you pay the price you can talk directly to God. The man thanked the minister and continued on his way. As he continued to visit churches in Seattle , Dallas , St. Louis , Chicago , Milwaukee ,and around the United States , he found more phones, with the same sign, and the same answer from each minister.

Finally, he arrived in Oklahoma , upon entering a church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, behold - he saw the usual golden telephone. But THIS time,the sign read "Calls: 35 cents." Fascinated, he asked to talk to the minister, "Minister, I have been in cities all across the country and in each church I have found this golden telephone and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to God, but in the other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your sign reads only 35 cents a call. Why?"

The minister, smiling benignly, replied, "Son, you're in Oklahoma now...... It's a local call."

Ever Lose Something?

Last Tuesday evening after 56 holes of golf, Bubbas ribs and a walk around Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Debbie and I returned to our motel room. I began to clean my golf clubs and realized something just wasn’t right. I was missing a special golf club. My pitching wedge was gone. Life was over as I saw it. I couldn’t golf anymore this week without my wedge. What was I going to do?

Just then, I realized where it was. It was 12 miles away setting on the 9th green at Carroll County Country Club. I forgot to pick it up after pitching on to the green.

My heart started to race. I had Debbie try to call the clubhouse. No answer. They were closed. I decided to drive back to see if I could find it.

The drive seemed forever as I drove into Berryville. When I got there around 9:00 p.m. no cars were in the parking lot. I saw a woman coming out of the swimming pool area and asked her if she knew if anyone else was around, she said they had just left. I went out to the 9th green, no club. Then I decided to go around back to the first tee box….guess what I found? My pitching wedge.

Celebration!!!

Maybe I understand Luke 15 a little better after that incident. Something that was valuable to me was lost and I found it.

The widow who lost her coin, looked all over and celebrated after finding it. The sheep that wandered off and was located once again. The son that decided he could have a better life elsewhere and then found out maybe life at home wasn't bad after all. In all these situations celebration occurred. What was lost was found.

At Central we need to rejoice when brothers and sisters come home. We need to be diligent in searching for them and drawing them back to our Savior.

The Church

Growing up as a “Navy Brat” and moving every year to two years all across the United States I was able to see the Church in a variety of different ways. I saw a Church in California that was very informal. A Church that was by far the most evangelistic than any place I have been. Church didn’t take place in the regular building settings all the time. Some evenings we would meet at the park or on the beach and have services. We would have Monday night Bible Classes at a variety of locations around the city because of the drive many had to make. A vibrant bus ministry reaching across all ethnic backgrounds. The community that it created was one that I believe is described in Acts 2: 42-47.

42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Souls were being saved daily because of the encouragement and relationships being built from those small group studies. The Church grew not only in numbers but also spiritually.

Then the East Coast was our next stop. A very reserved and extremely fearful church. One that was not accepting to those needing a Savior. One that was more concerned with “getting it right” than reaching out to those that needed to hear God’s word. They were fearful of their own spirituality. Not strong enough in Bible knowledge to truly understand the Great Commission and responsibilities that we have being a Child of God.

Then the Mid-West. Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. My favorite area of the country. A Church that is truly trying to reach out and build relationships with people. A Church that wants to seek God in every aspect of their lives. A Church that practices First Century Christianity.

I have worshipped all over the country at large Churches of Christ with 2000 members to a small country Church with 50. I enjoy the bond that we have in Christ with my brothers and sisters. I didn’t agree with all their practices, procedures but knew their hearts were truly centered on Christ and his mission…to seek and save the lost.

At Central that is our main goal. We want to practice our ABC’s Daily. Accepting those that need a Savior (Romans 15). Building relationships with those inside the Church as well as building relationships with those outside the Church that need Jesus. Then we are committed to serve others in our daily lives. Jesus gave us the greatest example of a servant (Philippians 2).

Why Doesn't God Seem Fair?

One of the biggest questions, so many people face before surrendering to God, is the question, "Why doesn't God seem fair?"

I wonder how many of us know somebody, read about someone, saw someone on the news, or maybe you know someone who is generally not a very good person.

Murderers, abusers, cat lovers, all sorts of bad people out there. Now, you may say yeah, I know some people who are genuinely bad, and I'm not like that. I know that I'm not perfect, but how many of you would say, "That even if I'm not perfect, I generally try to be a good person. I'm generally a good person."

You just love it when life isn't fair. When bad people get what's coming to them. Bad things. And when good people get what's coming to them. Good things. But in case you haven't noticed, life doesn't always work out that way. Does it?

In Matthew 27, I see a good person who went through some bad, terrible things because of his love for me.

(More Later)

Back to Reality

We had a great vacation in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. We played golf for five days in three states. We didn't reach our record for one day play but we did play 56 holes one day and 54 another day.

My arms survived but are sore.

We were so far out in the wilderness at remote courses I was even without e-mail for two days on the trip. That was a first.

We worshipped last Sunday at the Park Plaza Church in Tulsa. It was great seeing Nathan McBroom our new Youth Minister at Central. He will be moving to Topeka on August 2.

Be praying for our campers this week as they attend Camp at Lake Perry.

Happy Anniversary

26 Years ago on July 25, 1981, Debbie and I were married at the Broken Arrow Church of Christ in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, by one of our best friends our Educational Minster at the Church Kent Hall who now lives in Nashville. It was a hot day! The temperature reached 108 degrees. When they threw rice at us it cooked on the pavement. It was a very special day with many great moments and memories. Debbie was simply beautiful! I looked pretty good in my white tails and tux, looked like the good Humor Ice Cream Man! Deb, thanks for putting up with me the past 26 years. Looking forward to the next 26.

Vacation

After the wedding I'm off with my best friend (Debbie) to celebrate our 26th Anniversary and enjoy a week of golf as well as eat at three of our favorite restaurants in the Mid-West: AQ Chicken (Springdale), the Catfish Wharf (Harrison) and Bubbas BBQ (Eureka Springs) in Arkansas.

Please pray that my arm will not fall off after five straight days of golf from sunrise to sunset.

Our goal is to average about 48 holes of golf each day.

I just can't forget the bio-freeze and Tylenol!

A Special Wedding

A special day tomorrow at the Central Church.

Kristen and Kevin's Wedding Day.

May God bless you and keep you, may his face shine upon both of you, as you begin your new life together with HIM.

Unity and Love

Many churches across the brotherhood today are reaching out and finding ways to minister to all types of people and in many innovative ways.

The success stories are numerous throughout the world of congregations that are reaching out and baptizing hundreds of people each year. God is blessing several congregations with growth and energy to do even more for the cause of Christ.

We should be celebrating and rejoicing with these congregations, but are we?

A few congregations see growth and success at some congregations and they tend to be afraid that a congregation is doing something not "Biblical" or they are classified as "Liberal" and then the rumors begin to fly.

Where is the unity and love found described in God's Word for our brothers and sisters?

I am thankful that we have Churches of Christ that are baptizing 200+ a year. I am thankful that we have preachers and leaders that are "thinking outside the box" on ways to minister to a new society. I am thankful that our new generation will do even more to hopefully build unity and love than we ever tried to do.

Our young people of today don't look at skin color. They don't look at a congregation if they are classified as "Conservative" or "Liberal". They don't look at the building or facilities that they worship in. They don't hold 100 year animosities from splits and disputes.

They are accepting, loving and forgiving.

Like I say in education....the kids are the easiest group to work with, its the parents that cause all the problems, concerns and headaches.

Maybe we can learn a few things from our new generation on building unity and love as a Church?

A Faith Lesson

God expands our horizons, pushes boundaries and forces us to live outside the box. God gives us the capacity to dream and develop visions for our lives. A vision operates like a compass helping direct our choices and decisions. Vision allows dreams to materialize and become reality. Developing a vision takes time, prayer, and wise counsel, but it makes a tremendous difference.

When we connect our vision with God’s vision, we accomplish so much more in life.

Abel reminds us of our Legacy.
Enoch inspired us to Faithwalk.
Noah challenged us to Obey.
Abraham’s life teaches us to follow God’s vision across boundaries.

A boundary is anything making a limit.

Abraham lived on the limit between the known and the unknown, the seen and the unseen. He learned that faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the Promised Land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God”
Hebrews 11:8-10

Losing 75%

I read a report this week which stated 75% of all Christian youth will renounce their faith or lose their faith in their first year after leaving home....college-bound or not. Wow!

The report went on to say that two of the reasons we are losing our young people are:
This generation sees little relevance between the church and real life.
The church lacks adventure.

Think about how much time and money Churches spend the first 17 years on our kids. Then what happens? Maybe we need to examine those earlier years and evaluate our spiritual instruction?

Any thoughts?

1 Samuel 8

1 Samuel 8

The Israelites wanted something?

They wanted a King.

The people wanted a King because they couldn’t depend on Samuel’s corrupt sons for guidance. Their request was painful to Samuel, although he knew there were problems within his family.

Samuel knew what a King would symbolize. A rejection of God as the true King.

So this was a serious request that would have eternal consequences.

When I read this passage last week, I was thinking about all those things I have placed in my life that prevents me from really serving the true King. Like the Children of Israel seeking their personal needs and wants we do the same.

The children of Israel were reminded continuously to keep God at the center of their lives. Exodus 20:3 (No other God’s before me).

We have been reminded to keep him number 1. But what happens? Selfishness and desires get in the way.

We would rather have the stuff, the status, things my way instead of his way.

Who do you want as king of your life? Is it the busyness and stuff of life or is where true happiness is found?

God can provide everything.

He can continuously bless us in ways that we can’t even start to describe.

Matthew 22:37 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind”

When we develop that kind of love God rules as king in our lives, our decisions and in our every day relationships.

Numbers

What a month of numbers. We had 7-7-07 last Saturday. A day of weddings and lovers luck. Today its Friday the 13th. A day the world says is unlucky.

Numbers are part of our lives. Some use them more than others in business and everyday situations.

The numbers that really concern me are the number of young people that are dropping out of the Church across the United States. The numbers are staggering.

Why is this happening?

Re-Energize

This is my busiest time of the year at work. Closing out a fiscal year. Building a new budget for the 2007-08 school year. Negotiations. Facility projects. Textbooks and supplies being ordered. Summer school. New board member orientation. New staff orientation.

Not enough time in the day to get everything accomplished.

I do have something to look forward to. That is what keeps me going. Vacation. Our annual golf trip to Arkansas. All day golf for four days. We get out on the course at 7:30 a.m. and usually come off the course around 6:00 p.m. We always try to top our previous record of holes per day (63 in 2006).

We need to have positive things to look forward too. That helps us get through the up's and down's of life.

We need spiritual retreats from time to time as well.

Jesus had to get away at times to refocus and re-energize his personal life as well as his ministry. What are you doing to re-energize your spiritual life?

Finding the Church Ahead of the World

During my term in the church some have noted that the church stays ten years behind the world. Much can be assumed as to the breadth of such a generality. It bugs ambitious leaders to believe we are directly tied to the Living Lord and constantly run a distant second. Erwin McManus wrote in An Unstoppable Force a most surprising comment. My goal is not to keep up with the changing world, but to be standing there waiting for it when it arrives. McManus continues that we need to be showing the world the way.His sentence inspired me to adventure into thinking how it might appear if the church were ahead of the world. And then......I began to wonder if, indeed, we are ahead of the world. I think we are. Here are ten items I see the kingdom already knows while the world lags behind:
To live, die to self.
To keep, give away.
To be strong, use your weaknesses.
To win, lose.
To perpetually preserve in memory, consume weekly (Lord's Supper).
To win an argument, don't argue.
To get a lot done, don't engage in a lot of things. Focus.
To be effectively active, be still and know He is God.
To lead well, care about the reject.
To care about the reject, remember if it weren't for His mercy you would still be one.
Maybe we aren't so far behind after all. What would you add to the list?

Terry Rush

Order of Worship
Sunday, July 8, 2009

Welcome

202 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee (Verse 1 and 4)
15 Step By Step
63 I Will Call Upon the Lord

Prayer

365 How Beautiful (Verse 1 and 2 Only, NO BRIDGE)
383 Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross (Verse 1,2 and 4)

Communion
Contribution

517 Heaven Came Down

Message

Invitation 635 Freely, Freely

Announcements

616 The Way of the Cross (Verse 1 and 3)

Closing Prayer

Contentment

"Realizing that true happiness does not depend on material conditions"

Contentment is the word of the month in the Capital Journal for July.

When all character qualities are Incorporated into our lives in balance, we are at our best. One character quality should not overshadow or ignore other qualities.

Practical suggestions to incorporate contentment into our lives:

• Be thankful for what you have


• Don't complain about what you don't have


• Don't always ask for "one more"


• Value people above things


• Want less and give more

Zoe Conference

October 4 – 6, 2007
“Overflow”

What would God’s kingdom look like if our individual journey into the heart of God was fully reflected in our assemblies resulting in a missional outpouring of Christ into our communities, our workplaces and our churches?

On the occasion of ZOE’s ten year anniversary, we reflected on the journey our conferences have taken from recognizing the celebrational elements of our Sunday morning assemblies, to connecting better with a post-modern world view and to understanding the missional centrality of our community of faith.

With the growth of ZOE’s spiritual formation ministry, we felt that a complete circle had been completed, but not adequately connected and integrated into our conference focus. Thus, in 2007 we want to fully connect and integrate the circle of worship: formational (inward), missional (outward) and celebrational (upward). Without creating three separate, but related streams, we desire to develop a worship experience that is interrelated, integrated and intentionally unified.

We want to become infected with the Spirit of Christ and become his contagious aroma in our world.

Please join us October 4 through 6, 2007 in Nashville for “Overflow”.

Among other resources, Brian McLaren will join us again. Brian’s own journey has mirrored the overflowing of God’s Spirit into post-modern relevance and worship. Mike Cope, Randy Harris, Jeff Walling and Dean Barham will also serve to keynote this intentional exploration of God’s desire for his people in our age. The newest recording of worship music, “Overflow” will be available in advance of our time together.

We look forward to seeing you in Nashville.

In Christ alone,

Larry W. Bridgesmith

4th of July

The 4th of July has become a very special holiday for our family the past few years. The Carriger Family has made it an annual occasion to get together as a family and enjoy trying to “blow up” the east side of Osage City. We smoke ribs, pork, fry up catfish, play games, fish and play golf. It’s a great family time.

I appreciate the founding Fathers of our democracy that gave their lives to allow us to live in a free country. A country that is blessed beyond all comprehension. A country that allows us to travel from border to border. A country that allows an individual to become whatever they wish to become. A country that I believe is the most beautiful country in all the word. A country that believes in freedom of expression, and guarantees all citizens special rights.

Most of all I appreciate the freedom to worship God. That is the best freedom we have as a nation.

Does God Loves Me?

The YP/College Class at Central has been looking at "Why" questions the last few weeks. One of the questions this past week was Why does God love me?

As we cry out from time to time: "does God love me," and suffer because we feel unable to know God's love, Jesus understands.

Jesus felt similar pain when He cried from the cross, "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46).

Jesus, who was sinless, went to the cross carrying the burden of our sins in obedience to the will of the Father. At that moment He felt the separation from His Father, God. As He cried out, "why have you forsaken me," maybe even Jesus felt as if God didn't love Him at that moment.

God longs for the relationship He created with us to have with Him (Genesis 2:7-8). He even provided the way, through the work of the cross, for us to be reconciled with Him and gave us the opportunity to make the choice.

Consider the following truths about God's love:

God is love and God loves you (2 Corinthians 13:11)
Nothing can separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:35, 38-39)
God loves you even while you are still a sinner (Ephesians 2:4-5)
God created you for His pleasure (Revelation 4:11)
God knew you before you were born, even as you were "knitted in your mother's womb" (Isaiah 43:7)
God gave His only Son so that you can live forever with Him (John 3:16)
God calls you His friend (John 15:15)
God disciplines those whom He loves (Hebrews 12:5-6)
God's sovereignty limits your crisis and gives meaning to your problems (Job 1:12; 2:6)
God comforts you in your troubles, not necessarily from your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:4)
God says in His word, "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11) The Lord is your helper (Hebrews 13:6).

Golf at Bay Hills

You can't see it but down on the left side of this hole is a large body of water......believe me I know!