Greetings. I wanted to let you know that the leader you have been praying for was finally able to get home on Saturday. However, he came back quite sick, and has been unable to come to give a report on all that happened. I thought he would come today, so I could give you more details, but that was not possible.
Please keep praying for all those affected. We had about 15 local fellowships which were either attacked or threatened, and we are dealing with many refugees, some of whom are injured and all of whom are traumatized. Though the situation is now quiet, the aftermath is continuing in terms of dealing with grief, missing family members, disrupted lives, loss of property, and deteriorated relationships with neighbors. Several of the core leaders of the fellowship are out trying to help reassure, comfort and support.
They need your prayers for wisdom in these difficult times.
Thank you for praying. God bless.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Urgent Prayer request from a missionary friend in Nigeria
Greetings. Though you haven't heard from me in some time, I'm still here and hard at work. This week there is a troubling situation in another part of this country between security forces and a radical religious group. (The problem is not in the area where I live, so don't worry about me.) But it is greatly affecting some of our fellowship groups of new believers. We are hearing reports from many quarters about severe persecution, up to and including death. The elders of the group are under great strain, as they try to deal with and counsel refugees, and in some cases travel into the areas where problems are occurring in order to try to help.
One leader came on Tues. to say that a new believer, one of three he led to the Lord on Friday, was attacked and murdered on Sunday night. This leader came to say he was going back to the area, which is at the center of the disturbance, in order to bury the deceased. I asked, "How can you even think of going? It's too dangerous." He said, "I can't do anything else. How can I leave immature new believers to deal with this on their own? God will be with me." The leader called last night to say he is now trapped in the area of the fighting, and terrible things are going on all around. Please pray urgently for this group, and many others who are in similar circumstance.
Thanks for your prayers. We really appreciate them. God bless.
One leader came on Tues. to say that a new believer, one of three he led to the Lord on Friday, was attacked and murdered on Sunday night. This leader came to say he was going back to the area, which is at the center of the disturbance, in order to bury the deceased. I asked, "How can you even think of going? It's too dangerous." He said, "I can't do anything else. How can I leave immature new believers to deal with this on their own? God will be with me." The leader called last night to say he is now trapped in the area of the fighting, and terrible things are going on all around. Please pray urgently for this group, and many others who are in similar circumstance.
Thanks for your prayers. We really appreciate them. God bless.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
"Do You Hear What I Hear?"
My friend, Steve Sellers, has once again shared a devotional that I needed to hear. I felt compelled to share this with you because it is such a powerful reminder that we are called to love others with open hearts and open ears!
"Do You Hear What I Hear?"
The beginning of our love for God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the salvation that accompanies that love, is listening. Our love for God begins when we listen to Him and His Word … and as we accept His Truth, Jesus Christ (“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1; KJV). I find it fascinating that Jesus’ original form is referred to as the Word. Referred to as something that is verbal, not physical. I also find it fascinating that God spoke time, the universe and every living thing into existence. Genesis does not tell us that God took His hands and created things. It states, “And God said, “Let there be light…”
If our love of God begins with listening, then shouldn’t our love for others also begin with listening? Doesn’t God lend us His ear, continually, through our prayers and supplications? Absolutely! And so, it is His work we do for our brothers and sisters when we learn to listen to them. That is probably why Paul quoted God’s command to the churches in Galatia: “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if instead of showing love among yourselves, you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another." (Galatians 5:13-14)
Too many times we, as Christians, feel like we must have something to offer others when they need to talk. We can easily forget that listening can be a far greater service than speaking. Many people are looking for a willing ear to listen to them … but many times they only find Christians who are too willing to talk over the other person.
If we no longer listen to our Christian brothers and sisters, then we will soon fail to listen to God. Truly … TRULY … listening to God requires much more dedication and commitment than listening to someone else. As listening is the beginning to our relationship with God, so is a lack of listening the beginning of our spiritual downfall. As we continue in our failing to listen, we end up with empty, pious words that do not carry truth or The Truth.
Those who cannot listen at length and with patience will talk past other people and not even realize it. Those who believe their time is better spent in talking, not listening, will never really have time for God or neighbor … just themselves and their own words.
Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24, NLT)
Recently, I read the following story and thought it was an excellent illustration about the need to listen.
“I overheard a conversation a few days ago at lunch which began when a woman noticed one of her co-workers looking downcast. She sat beside him at the lunch table and asked him if he wanted to discuss what was bothering him. He began to talk about the recent trouble he was having relating to his daughter, and it was obvious from his tone and his expression that this was a serious matter which was weighing heavily on him. He had barely begun to explain the essence of the problem when the young woman interrupted, exclaiming, "I know exactly what you mean! My daughter..." And just like that, the conversation shifted as she went on for several minutes describing her own situation. When she finally paused to take a bite of her meal, the man got up and walked away dejectedly. Without missing a beat, she turned to the next person at the table and continued talking about her daughter. I had a pretty strong reaction at the time. I remember thinking, "You don't care about his situation! You just wanted an excuse to start talking!"
It's easy to be critical of this woman, but realistically, this kind of thing goes on all the time. I have done it to my wife and she has done it to me. I have seen pastors do it on many occasions. Few of us are immune. We are rarely listening; usually, we are just waiting impatiently for our turn to talk. We nod and agree in all the right places, but really we are pondering the next thing we are about to say.
It's a shame that so many of us are guilty of this offense, and it speaks volumes about how most people really feel about themselves and those around them. If you struggle with this as much as I do, then it ought to be very humbling when you realize just how difficult and rare it is to have a conversation with someone during which you are far more interested in what they are saying than what you are about to say. It's hard to clear our mind, offer our undivided attention and just listen.
If we dig deeper, we will discover that our egocentric conversations are just one of many ways in which we fail to demonstrate love for each other. I could just as easily point to any of a long list of ways we fail to keep this commandment. I chose this one because it is so subtle and pervasive that for the most part, we've simply stopped noticing that we've stopped listening. I'm sure if you were to ask the woman at the lunch table, she wouldn't have any idea that she had done anything wrong.
The next time you're speaking to someone, especially if they are hurting, make an effort to erase any thoughts of yourself. Instead, give them one hundred percent of your attention. Make a commitment to ensuring that they are able to get their point across, and don't worry about yours. It seems like such a small thing, but it will make a huge difference in not only how you perceive people, but how they perceive you.
You see, loving your neighbor is not like loving your spouse. It may not be something you feel, but it is something that you do. It's the act of sacrificing your own needs and desires for the sake of someone else.
You can demonstrate that love in such a meaningful way by just listening.”
I Wish You Blessings for Open Hearts and Open Ears,
Steve
"Do You Hear What I Hear?"
The beginning of our love for God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the salvation that accompanies that love, is listening. Our love for God begins when we listen to Him and His Word … and as we accept His Truth, Jesus Christ (“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1; KJV). I find it fascinating that Jesus’ original form is referred to as the Word. Referred to as something that is verbal, not physical. I also find it fascinating that God spoke time, the universe and every living thing into existence. Genesis does not tell us that God took His hands and created things. It states, “And God said, “Let there be light…”
If our love of God begins with listening, then shouldn’t our love for others also begin with listening? Doesn’t God lend us His ear, continually, through our prayers and supplications? Absolutely! And so, it is His work we do for our brothers and sisters when we learn to listen to them. That is probably why Paul quoted God’s command to the churches in Galatia: “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if instead of showing love among yourselves, you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another." (Galatians 5:13-14)
Too many times we, as Christians, feel like we must have something to offer others when they need to talk. We can easily forget that listening can be a far greater service than speaking. Many people are looking for a willing ear to listen to them … but many times they only find Christians who are too willing to talk over the other person.
If we no longer listen to our Christian brothers and sisters, then we will soon fail to listen to God. Truly … TRULY … listening to God requires much more dedication and commitment than listening to someone else. As listening is the beginning to our relationship with God, so is a lack of listening the beginning of our spiritual downfall. As we continue in our failing to listen, we end up with empty, pious words that do not carry truth or The Truth.
Those who cannot listen at length and with patience will talk past other people and not even realize it. Those who believe their time is better spent in talking, not listening, will never really have time for God or neighbor … just themselves and their own words.
Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24, NLT)
Recently, I read the following story and thought it was an excellent illustration about the need to listen.
“I overheard a conversation a few days ago at lunch which began when a woman noticed one of her co-workers looking downcast. She sat beside him at the lunch table and asked him if he wanted to discuss what was bothering him. He began to talk about the recent trouble he was having relating to his daughter, and it was obvious from his tone and his expression that this was a serious matter which was weighing heavily on him. He had barely begun to explain the essence of the problem when the young woman interrupted, exclaiming, "I know exactly what you mean! My daughter..." And just like that, the conversation shifted as she went on for several minutes describing her own situation. When she finally paused to take a bite of her meal, the man got up and walked away dejectedly. Without missing a beat, she turned to the next person at the table and continued talking about her daughter. I had a pretty strong reaction at the time. I remember thinking, "You don't care about his situation! You just wanted an excuse to start talking!"
It's easy to be critical of this woman, but realistically, this kind of thing goes on all the time. I have done it to my wife and she has done it to me. I have seen pastors do it on many occasions. Few of us are immune. We are rarely listening; usually, we are just waiting impatiently for our turn to talk. We nod and agree in all the right places, but really we are pondering the next thing we are about to say.
It's a shame that so many of us are guilty of this offense, and it speaks volumes about how most people really feel about themselves and those around them. If you struggle with this as much as I do, then it ought to be very humbling when you realize just how difficult and rare it is to have a conversation with someone during which you are far more interested in what they are saying than what you are about to say. It's hard to clear our mind, offer our undivided attention and just listen.
If we dig deeper, we will discover that our egocentric conversations are just one of many ways in which we fail to demonstrate love for each other. I could just as easily point to any of a long list of ways we fail to keep this commandment. I chose this one because it is so subtle and pervasive that for the most part, we've simply stopped noticing that we've stopped listening. I'm sure if you were to ask the woman at the lunch table, she wouldn't have any idea that she had done anything wrong.
The next time you're speaking to someone, especially if they are hurting, make an effort to erase any thoughts of yourself. Instead, give them one hundred percent of your attention. Make a commitment to ensuring that they are able to get their point across, and don't worry about yours. It seems like such a small thing, but it will make a huge difference in not only how you perceive people, but how they perceive you.
You see, loving your neighbor is not like loving your spouse. It may not be something you feel, but it is something that you do. It's the act of sacrificing your own needs and desires for the sake of someone else.
You can demonstrate that love in such a meaningful way by just listening.”
I Wish You Blessings for Open Hearts and Open Ears,
Steve
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Vacation Bible School
It's that time of year again! Vacation Bible School begins on Sunday, June 14th, and runs through Thursday, June 18th. Classes are from 6:30-8:30 pm each evening. We are still accepting registrations in our office at (919)851-0112 or online at:
http://www.vacationbibleschool.com/swiftcreek
Come and join in the fun!!!
http://www.vacationbibleschool.com/swiftcreek
Come and join in the fun!!!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Golf Outing
Captain's Choice format to be held at Pine Burr Golf Course in Lillington on Monday, June 8th. Tee Time is 9 am. If interested, please contact the pastor or Don Lawrence by Sunday, June 7th. Golf fun and great fellowship!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Church Picnic
Please join us for our annual church family picnic on Wednesday, June 3, 2009. The fun starts at 6 pm, with good food and even better fellowship! We will gather at Montague Lake off of Penny Road. Call the church for more information (851-0112). Bring your bathing suit and your appetite!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Unity in the Body of Christ
My friend, Steve Sellers, recently posted another great devotional that I had to share with you:
Alright everybody, finish this stanza from a famous poem by just knowing the first line. (Now, don’t cheat.) Ready? Go!
Listen my children and you shall hear...
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Excellent! I suspect most of you were able to recall most of what follows.
Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the 18th of April in 75;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year.
Almost everyone remembers Paul Revere. He’s almost universally famous in our country. If it weren’t for him we would have never know that the British were coming either “one if by land” or “two if by sea.” We can almost see him walking through the towns yelling his proclamation. Ooops, that should be riding a train through the towns telling his …. Let me try again. We can almost see him riding the bus through the towns … Obviously, I am gravely mistaken. We all know Paul Revere road his horse through the towns. The horse is even mentioned in the 13th, and last, verse of the poem.
In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,
And the midnight message of Paul Revere.
So, what was the name of Revere’s horse? All horses are given names. Surely we recall this famous horse’s name. Well, no we don’t. That’s because the horse is not famous. It was Paul Revere who made the critical announcement … except that he needed a trusty steed from which to deliver the message.
The Gospel writer, Paul (not Revere), may have had a similar thought in mind when he was writing to the church at Corinth.
I Corinthians 12:21-27
“The eye cannot say to the hand, I don’t need you! And the head cannot say to the feet, I don't need you! On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
We tend to read this passage and focus on Paul’s explanation of spiritual gifts. But this chapter is much more about unity and fellowship than it is about spiritual gifts. We have, and need, unity and fellowship in spite of and because of, our individual differences. Those who are “hidden” from the community (the less honorable) need to be given special honor, for they are as much a part of the body of Christ as we are … maybe more so.
In fact, if we truly grasp what Paul is writing here, we should celebrate our differences! Our differences are evidence and example of God’s blessings on the church. Without our differences, we would be much less effective in our ministries. They are expressions of God's will for each of us, and for the Body, and as such deserve respect! We should seek to appreciate, respect, encourage and protect these God-ordained differences rather than being threatened by or fearful of them.
In my line of work we support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One lady we support also works at my office. She is forever ministering to me. You see, going to work can be difficult. Tough decisions have to be made. The people that work for me do not always welcome my presence with open arms. But Helen does. She always, and I mean always, has a smile on her face and a good word to say. She can motivate me when I am down. She can cheer me up when my day is difficult. She is truly a blessing to me. She also has the IQ of a 5th grader. Please don’t pity her. I don’t. She probably uses her gifts better than most of us do. She may be seen as less honorable by society, but she is quite honorable to me … and others.
The mentality of our world tends to be that the spoils belong to the strong. Far too many people prey on the weak, but the Lord wants us to pray for the weak. We should seek out the weak and help them become strong in the Lord. Someday He will ask us, “what have you done for the least of these?”
A number of biblical commentators believe that Paul, in this scripture, was making a literal reference to our own bodies. Think about the parts of your body that receive honor (a beautiful face, athletic legs, lovely skin tone and complexion, etc.). Now, think about the parts that receive little exposure and honor (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver). Losing my leg would be difficult, but losing my heart would be final.
Most of us have desensitized ourselves to everything and everyone outside of our own little world, but that's not functioning as a body. There should be a sense of pain and loss over the lack of unity and power in the body of Christ. As much as possible, we need to reach out to those members of the body of Christ outside of our own little comfortable groups.
Until you have lived the life of those given less honor, don’t let your pride and ignorance get in the way of given them more honor.
It’s really about creating and maintaining community, and Anthony D'Angelo once said, "Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community."
Blessings,
Steve
Alright everybody, finish this stanza from a famous poem by just knowing the first line. (Now, don’t cheat.) Ready? Go!
Listen my children and you shall hear...
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Excellent! I suspect most of you were able to recall most of what follows.
Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the 18th of April in 75;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year.
Almost everyone remembers Paul Revere. He’s almost universally famous in our country. If it weren’t for him we would have never know that the British were coming either “one if by land” or “two if by sea.” We can almost see him walking through the towns yelling his proclamation. Ooops, that should be riding a train through the towns telling his …. Let me try again. We can almost see him riding the bus through the towns … Obviously, I am gravely mistaken. We all know Paul Revere road his horse through the towns. The horse is even mentioned in the 13th, and last, verse of the poem.
In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,
And the midnight message of Paul Revere.
So, what was the name of Revere’s horse? All horses are given names. Surely we recall this famous horse’s name. Well, no we don’t. That’s because the horse is not famous. It was Paul Revere who made the critical announcement … except that he needed a trusty steed from which to deliver the message.
The Gospel writer, Paul (not Revere), may have had a similar thought in mind when he was writing to the church at Corinth.
I Corinthians 12:21-27
“The eye cannot say to the hand, I don’t need you! And the head cannot say to the feet, I don't need you! On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
We tend to read this passage and focus on Paul’s explanation of spiritual gifts. But this chapter is much more about unity and fellowship than it is about spiritual gifts. We have, and need, unity and fellowship in spite of and because of, our individual differences. Those who are “hidden” from the community (the less honorable) need to be given special honor, for they are as much a part of the body of Christ as we are … maybe more so.
In fact, if we truly grasp what Paul is writing here, we should celebrate our differences! Our differences are evidence and example of God’s blessings on the church. Without our differences, we would be much less effective in our ministries. They are expressions of God's will for each of us, and for the Body, and as such deserve respect! We should seek to appreciate, respect, encourage and protect these God-ordained differences rather than being threatened by or fearful of them.
In my line of work we support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One lady we support also works at my office. She is forever ministering to me. You see, going to work can be difficult. Tough decisions have to be made. The people that work for me do not always welcome my presence with open arms. But Helen does. She always, and I mean always, has a smile on her face and a good word to say. She can motivate me when I am down. She can cheer me up when my day is difficult. She is truly a blessing to me. She also has the IQ of a 5th grader. Please don’t pity her. I don’t. She probably uses her gifts better than most of us do. She may be seen as less honorable by society, but she is quite honorable to me … and others.
The mentality of our world tends to be that the spoils belong to the strong. Far too many people prey on the weak, but the Lord wants us to pray for the weak. We should seek out the weak and help them become strong in the Lord. Someday He will ask us, “what have you done for the least of these?”
A number of biblical commentators believe that Paul, in this scripture, was making a literal reference to our own bodies. Think about the parts of your body that receive honor (a beautiful face, athletic legs, lovely skin tone and complexion, etc.). Now, think about the parts that receive little exposure and honor (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver). Losing my leg would be difficult, but losing my heart would be final.
Most of us have desensitized ourselves to everything and everyone outside of our own little world, but that's not functioning as a body. There should be a sense of pain and loss over the lack of unity and power in the body of Christ. As much as possible, we need to reach out to those members of the body of Christ outside of our own little comfortable groups.
Until you have lived the life of those given less honor, don’t let your pride and ignorance get in the way of given them more honor.
It’s really about creating and maintaining community, and Anthony D'Angelo once said, "Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community."
Blessings,
Steve
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