Place your hope, joy and love in something that will be available whether you have everything you ever wanted or nothing at all. Nothing can give you that fulfillment except for faith in Jesus Christ.
Silas Nacita, a football player from Baylor University, who was homeless for three years. Slept on friends couches, in a park, and in a hotel lobby. He was interviewed for Sports Illustrated's article, "Young, Gifted and Homeless." (October 20, 2014 issue). His advice is spot on for all people of all ages no matter what kind of circumstances - good or bad- are being faced.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
The secret to a happy marriage
This quote has been attributed to Martin Luther. I don't know if the great reformer actually said this but the statement contains great truth: Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
CS Lewis on Christianity
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
What's so great about having to keep on praying?
Do not be distressed if you do not at once receive from God what you ask. He wishes to give you something better - to make you persevere in your prayer. For what is better than to enjoy the love of God and to be in communion with Him?
From the book, "Tell It Slant," by Eugene Peterson, page 132
From the book, "Tell It Slant," by Eugene Peterson, page 132
Monday, October 27, 2014
Couldn't do it without Dan and Steve
We are Life in Christ are blessed to have so many talented and gifted people who serve our church. Our children and youth ministry, our music ministry, our serving ministry (to name a few) produce much fruit because of the faithful service of folks who express their love for their Lord and Savior by serving others.
Among those who bless our church so richly are Dan and Steve.
Dan is the maestro of this website. He serves on our Board. He leads our IT committee. He plays a large role in our music ministry.
There are few people more talented than Dan. I don't think he even realizes how much he has blessed the ministry of our church (and me).
Steve is one of those quiet guys who often go unrecognized in the church. But he faithfully runs the sound nearly every Saturday evening and Sunday morning at church. We've had some trouble recruiting folks to help us with this important task. But Steve always shows up, always ready to help out.
It's risky singling out a couple of people who serve us so well at Life in Christ. I could use this blog space for the next several months, writing every day about folks who bless our church with their service.
It just seemed wise today to make sure that Dan and Steve know that we do not take their service for granted.
Who do you know in your church that are the "unsung" servants? Let them know how much they are appreciated. Sing their praises this week!
Saturday, October 25, 2014
If you could ask God one question?
What question would you ask God? There are many you could pose but there is only one really essential question. Come tomorrow and see if you know the one most important question to ask God. Hint: it's a question that Martin Luther would have asked. Sunday worship is held at 8 and 10:45 am with Christian LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) Hour set at 9:20 in the morning.
Or, if Saturday evening works better for you, check out our service today at 5 pm. Pastor Dave Darling will be preaching and Kevin Svec and his group will provide the music. Either way, we hope to see you this weekend at LICL!
Or, if Saturday evening works better for you, check out our service today at 5 pm. Pastor Dave Darling will be preaching and Kevin Svec and his group will provide the music. Either way, we hope to see you this weekend at LICL!
Friday, October 24, 2014
A trip down memory lane with Pistol Pete
Yesterday, on the Sports Illustrated website, I spent an enjoyable time reading about my second sports hero, "Pistol" Pete Maravich.
I say "second" because as a young baseball player I was all about Yankee great, Mickey Mantle.
It was in high school that Pistol Pete captivated me. His look, with the long hair and the floppy socks was just so cool and so much different than every other college or pro basketball player.
Think of all the great basketball players of the last 35 years or so - Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James. None of these guys can compare with Pistol Pete.
Maravich is college basketball's all time leading scorer. In three years he averaged almost 45 points a game (and this is without the three point line that basketball players enjoy today). Anytime Maravich crossed the half-court line, he was in shooting range. His ability to get off a shot at any place and at any angle on the court was amazing.
He was also maybe the greatest ball handler in the history of the game. His teammates had to be ready at all times on the court because Maravich could pass the ball behind his back, through his legs, or without looking at the one he was passing to - it was just amazing.
His pro career was mostly frustrating. He was saddled with expectations that no other player (with the exception of LeBron) had ever faced. His teams usually didn't win and Maravich usually received the blame. He was accused of hogging the ball, being selfish, only interested in scoring points and nothing else.
It was a sad day for me when Pistol Pete retired from the NBA.
Whenever his teams came to Phoenix I was sure to have a ticket to watch him play.
Once, when the New Orleans Jazz came to town, five of his teammates were hurt in an auto accident. The Jazz played with only seven players that night. Everyone thought the Suns would take down a short handed team.
Maravich played the entire game, scored 50 points (yes, that's 5-0, 50) and the Jazz beat the Suns. It was so exciting to see my hero play such a fantastic game.
After his retirement, word came that Maravich had become a Christian. He became quite vocal about trusting in Jesus for salvation and eternal life. Maravich would go anywhere and speak to anyone about the difference Jesus had made in his life.
In fact, Maravich had gone to Southern California in January 1988 to make an appearance on the "Focus on the Family" radio program. The host, Dr. James Dobson, had invited Maravich to join him and some others in a pick-up basketball game prior to going to the recording studio to tape the program. And to their surprise, Maravich said "yes" to the invitation.
They had just finished a game when Dobson asked Maravich, "How are you feeling?" Maravich responded, "I feel great!" Moment later, Maravich fell in a heap onto the floor. While one person performed CPR, another called 911 and the rest of the players began praying. Maravich never regained consciousness.
Oh, by the way, on the day that Maravich died, he was wearing a t-shirt. It said, "Looking unto Jesus" (from Hebrews, chapter 12). One day I expect to meet Maravich - in heaven. It's a wonderful thought - to be looking unto Jesus with Pistol Pete Maravich, worshipping "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
Thanks for the memories, Pistol Pete!
I say "second" because as a young baseball player I was all about Yankee great, Mickey Mantle.
It was in high school that Pistol Pete captivated me. His look, with the long hair and the floppy socks was just so cool and so much different than every other college or pro basketball player.
Think of all the great basketball players of the last 35 years or so - Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James. None of these guys can compare with Pistol Pete.
Maravich is college basketball's all time leading scorer. In three years he averaged almost 45 points a game (and this is without the three point line that basketball players enjoy today). Anytime Maravich crossed the half-court line, he was in shooting range. His ability to get off a shot at any place and at any angle on the court was amazing.
He was also maybe the greatest ball handler in the history of the game. His teammates had to be ready at all times on the court because Maravich could pass the ball behind his back, through his legs, or without looking at the one he was passing to - it was just amazing.
His pro career was mostly frustrating. He was saddled with expectations that no other player (with the exception of LeBron) had ever faced. His teams usually didn't win and Maravich usually received the blame. He was accused of hogging the ball, being selfish, only interested in scoring points and nothing else.
It was a sad day for me when Pistol Pete retired from the NBA.
Whenever his teams came to Phoenix I was sure to have a ticket to watch him play.
Once, when the New Orleans Jazz came to town, five of his teammates were hurt in an auto accident. The Jazz played with only seven players that night. Everyone thought the Suns would take down a short handed team.
Maravich played the entire game, scored 50 points (yes, that's 5-0, 50) and the Jazz beat the Suns. It was so exciting to see my hero play such a fantastic game.
After his retirement, word came that Maravich had become a Christian. He became quite vocal about trusting in Jesus for salvation and eternal life. Maravich would go anywhere and speak to anyone about the difference Jesus had made in his life.
In fact, Maravich had gone to Southern California in January 1988 to make an appearance on the "Focus on the Family" radio program. The host, Dr. James Dobson, had invited Maravich to join him and some others in a pick-up basketball game prior to going to the recording studio to tape the program. And to their surprise, Maravich said "yes" to the invitation.
They had just finished a game when Dobson asked Maravich, "How are you feeling?" Maravich responded, "I feel great!" Moment later, Maravich fell in a heap onto the floor. While one person performed CPR, another called 911 and the rest of the players began praying. Maravich never regained consciousness.
Oh, by the way, on the day that Maravich died, he was wearing a t-shirt. It said, "Looking unto Jesus" (from Hebrews, chapter 12). One day I expect to meet Maravich - in heaven. It's a wonderful thought - to be looking unto Jesus with Pistol Pete Maravich, worshipping "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
Thanks for the memories, Pistol Pete!
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