Good Words for a Thursday

"Never, ever, ever stop pursuing an intimate relationship with God, your spouse and your children."

Josh McDowell

A Man Called Peter

In my opinion, Peter Marshall, the Scottish-born Presbyterian pastor, who in 1947 became chaplain of the US Senate, was one of the finest preachers of the 20th century.  See the book, "A Man Called Peter" for examples of his inspiring and thought-provoking style.  He also wrote many wonderful and heart-felt prayers.  The following is a prayer of confession that you might want to use in your devotions this week.

O Lord, I come to You out of my great need.  You have pledged in Your Word that whoever comes to You shall not be cast away.

Lord, I confess before you that I have had longings and nudgings from You which I did not translate into action.

I have made decisions without consulting You, then blamed You when things went wrong.

I have said that I trusted You, yet have not turned my affairs over to You.

I have often sought the easy way, have consistently drawn back from the road that is hard.

Forgive me for all the intentions that were born and somehow never lived.

These, Lord Jesus, are sins, grievous in Your sight, grievous even in mine.  And now I claim Your promise to change me.  Do for me what I cannot do for myself.  Lead me into a new tomorrow with a new spirit.  Cleanse my heart, create within me new attitudes and new ideas, as only You can create them.

For these good gifts, I thank You Lord.  Amen.

Love Is...

Down through the ages, many people have tried to define "love."

"Love conquers all"  Virgil
"Love is the only gold"  Alfred Lord Tennyson
"Who loves believes the impossible"  Elizabeth Barrett Browning
"The first duty of love is to listen"  Paul Tillich
"Faults are thick where love is thin" An old English proverb
"Love is a great beautifier"  Louisa May Alcott

Then we we 1 Corinthians 13, what some Christians commonly call "the love chapter" of the Bible.  Since love seems to be indefinable, the Apostle Paul describes how love manifests itself.  When directed toward others - spouse, children, family, friends and strangers, love is forgiving and self-giving.  No doubt, as Paul was describing the fruits of love, he surely had Christ Jesus in mind.  Through faith in Jesus, you have been "caught up" in the love of Christ.  Read 1 Corinthians 13 today and then look for those with whom you can share Jesus' love this week!

Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk

The fellow looked me in the eye and said, "George, it's obvious that you can talk the talk.  But can you walk the walk?"  In the Gospel lesson for this Sunday, we discover a couple of boys who had trouble with the concept.  Maybe you do as well.  Join us for worship and learn more.  Services are at 8 am and 10:45 am.  Christian LIFE Hour at 9:20 am.  Hope to see you this Sunday at Life in Christ!

The Difference Between Darkness and Light

Darkness is not knowing God and, even worse, not realizing that you are living for Satan.  Darkness is confusion over goodness and evil; it is not really understanding that true goodness can only be inspired by God's grace.  Darkness is looking at death with a big question mark or, more honestly, in complete fear.  Light is the opposite.  A person who stands in the light of Jesus and His revelation of God the Father knows God, flees the devil, loves good, hates evil.  He know that he can face death, for in Christ he has already died and risen again, and that his death is but a continuation of the life he now has but far greater.

from "Gospel Motivation" by Robert J. Koester, Northwestern Publishing House, page 113.

I love Board Meetings!

Not many pastors are willing to make that statement.  But it is such a pleasure to work with our Board of Ministry Directors that I look forward to our monthly meetings.  We are blessed with an outstanding leader in Dan, our chairman and he, in turn, is blessed to work with a group of committed and faithful men and women who want to serve the Lord and His church.  Praise the Lord for the joy of working with folks who aren't pursuing their own agendas and instead want to do what's best for the Lord's church!

Luther Says!

"I will give myself as a part of Christ to my neighbor as Christ gave Himself for me."

From "On the Freedom of the Common Man."

To whom can you show the love of Jesus Christ today?