Lord of the Sabbath

Therefore the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Mark 2: 28).

     "Monday," according to one cynic, "in a christian country, is the day following . . . THE FOOTBALL GAME!"

     Tonight, right before the LSU football season opener, some of us will be attending our Sabbath Eve service and lifting our hands in worship to Jesus--King of kings and Lord of lords, while others will be getting the party ready in hopes of lifting hands signaling, TOUCHDOWN, LSU!

     A blue grass singer sharing her life's story said that where she grew up Elvis was king and Jesus was Lord.  Great line.  But, in all seriousness, we know the Great Throne is not a love seat accommodating two occupants.  Paths separate.  Choices have to be made.  Priorities have to be set.

     What rivalries challenge Jesus as your King of kings, and Lord of lords?  Each of us must fight these  "throne pretenders."  Sabbath Day, is ground zero in the battle.

Praying a blessed, Sabbatical life for you as you prioritize King Jesus as Lord of your Sabbath . . .

Tim

REMINDER:
Tonight will be our second Sabbath Eve worship event!  You don't want to miss what God has planned for you!  We will begin will a taco salad meal at 6 and worship at 7 for all ages.

Tomorrow morning (Sunday), we will have 3 Bible study opportunities for you to choose from.  All will begin at 10 AM.  If you prefer to be in a men only class, Grover Ranz will be leading you, and if your preference is a ladies only class, Pauletta Davis will be leading you.  Both of these groups will meet at Ruel & Pauletta Davis' house this week in separate areas.  If you prefer a co-ed class setting, Julie & I will be leading and hosting this class in our home.  Children are welcome at the co-ed class and activities will be provided.
I hope you will take advantage of one of these Bible study options.

Many are the Wonders

     "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done.  The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare (Ps. 40: 5).

     Praise the Lord for the wonder of our first Sabbath Eve experience this weekend.  Over 110 worshippers of all ages and from all walks of life, shared a fellowship meal and awesome celebration of worship.  My high expectations paled in comparison to the reality of what we witnessed.  Strangers met and later left feeling like a faith family.

     Smiley and Shirley Nehls and their cooking team prepared a great meal that fed double what was anticipated.  Garrett Ranz and Caroline Adams and the children's team ministered ably to over 15 kids.  And Julie and her worship team sounded as though they had been playing together for years.

     In short, it was a God thing--may He receive glory!

     A new day has dawned in Springhill . . . a new work is beginning . . . hope is inspiring faith. . .  you prayed and God has answered.

     We will continue to walk in step with His spirit.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

Tim

   

The Most Excellent Way

     Paul stresses unity in the church.  In 1 Corinthians 12-14 we have the famous discourse on how the Holy Spirit's gifts enable each church member to work out his unique calling into the life and ministry of the church, while acknowledging that the Lord is in control.
       
     "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men ( 12: 4-6).

     Paul speaks of the diversity of the church in areas of giftedness by saying that we don't all possess the same gifts:  "Are all apostles?  Are all prophets?  Are all teachers?  Do all work miracles?  Do all have the gifts of healing?  Do all speak in tongues?  Do all interpret?" (12: 29-30).

     But then Paul interrupts his teaching to pen a beautiful poem (I Cor. 13),  reminding us there is something we can all do.  Paul says this is the most excellent way to live.  Paul points that this characteristic insures unity with Christ and in the church.

     LOVE.

     The gifts of the Spirit must be exercised in light of the fruit of the Spirit.  Love is the first fruit by which the others (joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) grow.

     An attitude of love contributes more toward a church's success than does an aptitude for giftedness.

     God's blessings on your effort to the live the Sabbatical Life in following Christ's example to minister out of love,

Tim


Announcements

I'm so excited-- our first worship event will be this coming Saturday night at Trinity Worship Center.  We will begin with an Agape Meal at 6 pm, and then begin worship at 7 pm.  There will be a fun-themed worship time for children of all ages, that includes Bible study, music, and games!  You don't want to miss what God has in store for us!


       

Sing a new song

          "Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre.  Sing to Him a new
        song; play skillfully, and shout for joy" (Psalm 33: 2-3).

     I like old songs.

     Old songs have the power to evoke strong emotions and memories.  Just hearing a familiar song can mentally transport me back to childhood at Mt. Union Church with Mama Everett, or jar loose teen memories from high school, or early marriage moments with Julie, and Zach and Hannah in miniature form.

     Old songs remind us of what was.

     But Psalm 33 says that the Lord likes new songs!  He desires songwriters and singers who testify to what they are experiencing in worship today.  Worship is the practicing of the presence of God in our life--not what God has done, or what God will do, but what He is doing.  When we say we only like the old songs, we are revealing that the presence of God was once stronger than it is today--that for us His name is "I Was" not "I Am!"

     Are you yearning to sing a new song to the Lord?  Are you tired of status-quo religion?  Are you done with going through the motions of playing church?  Are you tired of testifying of God in the past-tense?

     God is graciously designing a new work among the ruins of ICHABOD--(meaning the "glory has departed").  You have the opportunity to be on the ground floor of a new work, a new house (OIKOS), making room for the old message of the Gospel to be sung with a new tune, harmonizing with the Creator of music (and life) itself.  A song that evokes true spirituality and not mere sentimentality.

     Thursday night at 6 pm we invite you to our house for a meal and specific instructions of how Sabbatical Life is progressing.  I have great news to share, and want you present to hear it!

     Praying a Sabbatical Life for you my brother and sister--a life that makes room for new songs that enable you to practice the presence of God on a daily basis . . .

Blessings,
Tim

DETAILS FOR THURSDAY NIGHT:
We are keeping the meal simple this week.  We will need sandwiches, chips & dips, cookies or brownies, and drinks.  If you are able to help, please call or text Julie at 318-272-9688 so we will know what all food we have coming that night.  We will begin eating promptly at 6 PM and begin our worship time at 6:30.  Please come as you are, even if a little late.  You can eat as we are beginning worship.  We will have Children's Bible study and activities at our home as well. Now that we are in school, we are striving for an 8 PM ending time.  Looking forward to an exciting time with our Faith family!

Opposition

     Today's reading from Ezra in our One Year Bible tells the story of the opposition to rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, after the Jews were authorized to return by King Cyrus.

     King Darius, later, confirmed the authorization of Cyrus and warned that anyone who interfered with the building was to suffer the consequences ( see Ezra chapter 6).

     God's work will always be opposed.  But woe to those oppose it.

     It is not only missionaries efforts to spread the Gospel in hostile Islamic or Communistic countries that are opposed by the Enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy . . . God's work is opposed in our own culture and country as well.  The days ahead will reveal intense opposition to our ministry, coming from places and people that may be surprising to you.

     Sadly,  a spirit of competition, rather than cooperation, exists in the church.  The first wave of opposition will not come from an apathetic, secular culture (they couldn't care less), but from church folks, who see new work as threatening to their carefully, worked out comfort zones.

     "A man's steps are directed by the Lord," (Prov. 20: 24a).  If we prayerfully and obediently walk in the Spirit we have assurance that we will triumph over the opposition of Satan.  Yes, there will be conflict--but we follow the One who has already won the victory for His followers.

     May you experience Sabbatical peace as you face criticism and opposition to following God's will--

     Blessings,
     Tim


Congratulations!  Tuesday, Aug. 13,  the Wild Goose will have a grand opening by our Chamber.  Come out and support this joyous occasion.  Remember, service tonight at the Carter Credit Union Community Center and Sunday afternoon at 4 pm at the Goose.  Thursday, Aug. 15 at 6 pm we will meet at our house.

Crocodile Arms

     The wide receiver broke open across the middle but failed to fully extend to catch the quarterback's off-target throw.  "Looks like he has a bad case of the crocodile arms," says the TV commentator, explaining that the receiver failed to fully stretch for the ball fearing that he would get hit by the strong safety.
   
     Reminds me of many churches.

     Too many churches are afraid of the "hit" they will take in stretching out to win the lost.  Their outreach efforts are limited by short, "crocodile arms" that fail to extend to reach those people unlike themselves.

     That's why the Kingdom demands new churches and ministries to reach those who live outside the comfort zone of the typical, traditional church.  It takes all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people.  Sadly, churches with the shortest arms are often the first to snap at efforts to begin new ways to reach outsiders with the Gospel that remains as relevant as ever to their needs.

     This Sunday morning a small group of us prayer walked and prayer drove through our neighborhoods.  Later,  during the 11 o'clock hour, I drove past most of the area churches and estimated   an attendance of maybe a thousand church attendees for an area of maybe 10,000 population (Springhill, Taylor, Cullen, and Sarepta area).  My suspicions were confirmed--less than 10 to 20% were in church this Sunday morning.  How many of this multitude would be welcomed in our near emptied church houses?

     Aren't you glad that Christ didn't grow crocodile arms when called upon to die on the cross.  During this transition of "Sabbatical Life" our prayers should focus on those who live within the reach of God's love but outside the reach of most churches.

     As we "Sabbatical Life" together, encourage one another to stretch to reach those Christ died for.

     Blessings,
     Tim

     Pray for us as we travel to spend time with family this week.  Wednesday evening at 6 pm, Mitch Stubblefield will lead a Bible study at the Carter Community Center (next door to the Wild Goose on main street).  Also, Sunday the Wild Goose will begin its first Sunday service at 4 pm.  On Thursday, Aug. 15, all are invited to our house.  Our first worship service at Trinity will be Saturday, Aug. 24th. Supper begins at 6Pm. Worship at 7.

   



   

Sabbath Eve Service

     Great news!  We are set to begin our Sabbath Eve worship services at Trinity Worship Center, Aug. 24, at 6 pm.  Pastor Tommy Brown has agreed to rent us the entire facility, enabling us to begin with a fellowship meal, worship in the sanctuary and children's activities in the gym.  We will continue to have weekly gatherings each Saturday night.

     These Sabbath Eve worship services and communion meals, along with a our small group Alpha Bible studies in homes, are at the heart of our vision for Sabbatical Life.  We believe God will direct our path toward the establishment of a new church if that is His will.

     Today's verses from the One Year Bible reading speaks a timely message to our task ahead:  "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 15: 5-6).

     If we simply and obediently follow Christ we will be united in purpose and direction.  We can't get lost if we know Who we are following!


Blessings on you as you chase the Wild Goose with endurance and encouragement towards a Sabbatical Life of peace and purpose--

Tim