True Peace

"We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way" (Isaiah 53: 6).

     When it comes to ministry, is it typically your way to "over" or "under" commit?

     Do you easily say "yes" to requests driven by a desire to please or to attain, or do you tend to say a quick "no" having learned to spare yourself the trouble?

     When it comes to ministry, there is a peace which "passes understanding," but also a complacency that passes as peace.  In other words, it is possible to find peace with God being affirmed that we are living our lives in obedience to His commands--we know our spiritual gifts, have evaluated our natural abilities and have answered His call to be a steward in His kingdom.  We are able to say "yes" to the very best that is offered, and "no" to the good things that are an enemy to the best.

      Complacency sneaks in undercover as peace.  Complacency makes ministry decisions based on what's in it for us.  We say "yes"only to things that further our personal agenda or "no" to opportunities that challenge our sloth or desire to be spared the trouble.  We are complacent in our rut and call it peace.

     The Bible is our compass and the Holy Spirit our guide to help us chart a life path between the illusionary heights of selfish ambition and the swamp of slothful complacency.  We must be quick to hear and know our Shepherd's voice and confidently respond to His command.  In making ministry decisions we must guard against the "push" of personal ambition and the "pull" of sloth and irresponsibility.  We must constantly seek with discernment the One who knows and shows His way for us to follow.

Blessings toward a Sabbatical surrender of wills to the One who knows best,

Pastor Tim

REMINDER:

Saturday night Sabbath Eve service...Taco Salad at 6 PM and worship at 7 PM.  This is a great opportunity to invite your unchurched friends and neighbors.

ALPHA studies are in full swing on Sunday mornings, but that doesn't mean you've missed it and can't still come and participate!  We have a class for everyone...even the children!  Coed and children meet at the home of Tim & Julie Everett at 10 AM. Women and men's only classes meet at the home of Ruel & Pauletta Davis at 10 AM.  Make sure you are availing yourselves to regular Bible study.  We are hearing some awesome testimonies of what God is doing through these ALPHA studies...you don't want to miss it!

Bridge Building

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this, not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast ( Eph. 2: 8-9).

     Our new ministry is intended to be inter-denominational.  Why inter-denominational and not non-denominational?

     In my mind, non-denominationalism has become something of a denomination in itself.  Certain things come to mind when someone says I go to a church that is Baptist, Methodist, or Non-Denominational.  Non-denominationalism testifies, I think rightly, of the evils of religious tribalism, but may deny some of the achievements that various denominations have contributed to the Kingdom.

     Inter-denominationalism speaks to the fact that no sect of churches has a monopoly on God's will, and chooses to celebrate the value of each (each that is orthodox, of course, and consistent with the essentials of Scripture).

     Non-D. may be thought of as a "fence" that separates itself from others, while inter-D. can be viewed as a "bridge" that identifies and connects and learns from the traditions of others.  We should study history in light of Scripture and learn to borrow from the best and discard the rest.

     Four recent Texas Aggie graduates are on a quest to ride mustang horses from the Mexican border to Canada in order to shoot a documentary that portrays the plight of the American mustangs.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it is still possible in America to travel 3,000 miles on public land void of fences.

     While fences must be built to separate ourselves from heresy and unbiblical models of doing church, it is imperative that we strive to connect with the very best that we can learn from others, and work together with them to obey God's commands and purposes.  The landscape of church life in America reveals far too many fences and not enough bridges.  May we extend the grace we receive from God toward others, and resist boasting of works as though we were the only one doing them.

     I dream of a congregation of members of various denominations that share a pew and a concern to reach the lost for Christ, and not to win "christians" to their particular denominational or non-denominational tradition.


Praying blessings for you as you seek a Sabbatical rest from striving to convert Christ followers to your brands be it Baptist, Charismatic, Methodist, Catholic, etc. and etc.,

Pastor Tim

Freedom

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free" (Galatians 5: 1).

     How can we, the church,  lead "philistines" to salvation in Christ without turning them into "pharisees?"

     Paul writes the letter of Galatians to warn of the tendency to use religion as an instrument to control and keep people in their place.  Paul's passion for freedom was grounded in his memory of living the Pharisaical life "BC" (before Christ).  He couldn't stomach the news that believers were cashing in their freedom in Christ for a false sense of security in conforming to the demands of the religionists. Paul did not want the Church's future to look like his past.   Paul the "freeman" had no use for Saul the "lawman," or for that matter, Christians demanding gentiles be circumcised to prove their worth to the church.  

     Believers must learn the Scriptures to counter the demands of a "Christ-less" religion.  Every church is cultic to the point it impedes or supersedes the example and teachings of Christ.  True worshippers of Christ will see through the efforts of those who use religion to manipulate and control.  The sad history of religion bears out the concern and warnings of Paul to the churches of Galatia.

May the Lord lead you into a sabbatical rest from the efforts of Satan to burden christians with demands that run counter to His Word--

Pastor Tim

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

We are so excited about the fish fry this Saturday night at 6 PM!  Make sure to give out those tickets to unchurched friends and neighbors to invite them to come be a part of what God is doing among us.  Jim, Ron, Smiley, Ruel, Grover, and Garrett promise to have plenty of delicious fish, fries, and trimmings for everyone...thanks guys!

Also, we need 4 more people to volunteer for dessert for Saturday night.  Be sure to let Julie or Pauletta know if you can bring something sweet.

Thanks again for the amazing way you all have worked together as a faith family to make Sabbatical Life the great success it is!  We have heard some powerful testimonies of how God is moving through this ministry, and it is such a blessing to be able to witness it first-hand!

Eluding "IT"

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you" (Psalm 56: 3).

     Remember as a child playing chase and trying to avoid being tagged by "IT"?  The only safe place from "IT" was a place called "base" where "IT" was not allowed.

     I heard from a quirky news report of some state that had outlawed the game of "tag, you're it."  I can't remember the reason it was banned, being distracted by the thought that in this state, some poor kid had just been tagged, and will now have to remain "IT" for the rest of his life!

     What is "IT" that scares you today?  As we age, we continue to run from "IT."  "IT" no longer is a best friend, with a goofy grin on her face, giggling while she chases . . ."IT" can be any number of things with any number of masks and names.  "IT" may even be a nameless, faceless dread that chases us in the day and haunts us through the night.  We fear that we will be tagged by this monster and become "IT'S" slave.

     The Bible gives us a full narrative of King David who knew what it was like to be chased by "IT."  But David also knew where his safe "base" was.

     Do you?


God's blessings as you flee to the Sabbatical Rest base, where "IT" can't pursue,

Tim

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

Sabbath Eve Service Saturday night....meal begins at 6 PM with red beans and sausage with rice, cornbread, and dessert.  Worship at 7 PM.  Garrett Ranz will be preaching in my absence.

After much anticipation, ALPHA studies begin this Sunday morning at 10 AM! Ladies only and Men only classes will be held at Ruel & Pauletta Davis' home and Co-eds will meet at our home.  There will also be children's Bible study and activities at our home.  Looking forward to this exciting time together!

Don't forget....we need volunteers for nursery during Sabbath Eve services on Saturday nights.  This is a very important, much-needed ministry.  If we get enough volunteers, we will only need to serve once every couple of months.  Please pray whether or not God would have you serve in this awesome ministry!

     

9/11

"Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy,  do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it"  (Isaiah 8: 12).

     Where were you on 9/11/2001?

     Today is the12th anniversary of the taking down of the twin towers--the "coming of age experience" of most Americans in realizing that radical Islam desired the end of western civilization.  America woke up to realize the threat of a "new" enemy.

      Zach and Hannah had just enrolled at Sarepta School and were staying with grandparents while Julie and I were finishing packing in Alexandria and preparing for our move.  It was a tough day to be separated from family and to be making a major transition in life.  We held to our faith and trusted that God was on His throne.

     Later we saw how our faith became sight in a very real way.

       Hannah had a man enter her 5th grade classroom on that same fateful day, to deliver a red New Testament with the date 9/11/2001 inscribed in the front.  The timing of this faithful Gideon and the gift of God's Word serves us still to know God is in control and remains vigilant in the watch-care of His own.

     Wars and rumors of wars of the past twelve years remind us that Islamic terrorism remains real.  But Isaiah, having witnessed the awesome presence of God enthroned in chapter 6, reminds us in chapter 8 not to fear what others fear and not to quake at every conspiracy theory we hear.  Isaiah testifies that when we have a holy, healthy, and reverent fear of God then we need not fear anything or anyone else.

Blessings as you pursue the Sabbatical Life experience and the comfort in knowing that peace is coming to the Middle East (and to your heart) when the Prince of Peace leaves His throne to call us to the new place He has prepared for His own . . .

Tim

Godly Sorrow

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death"  (2 Cor. 7:10).

     A. W. Tozer once said that if you want to be happy don't pray for discernment.  Assessment of "living east of Eden" causes one to sorrow over sin--cultural sins and one's own sin.  But while this may cause temporary unhappiness, discernment that leads to Christ creates permanent joy.  Let me explain:

     Paul reminds us of two very different kinds of sorrow--worldly and Godly.  The Apostle provides no prescription for earthly sorrow, but encourages us that Godly sorrow entails a process leading to a happy ending.  Godly sorrow leads to repentance (turning from sin to Christ), which then leads to salvation with no regrets.

    Complacency of sins leads to eternal condemnation while repentance that leads to salvation leads to eternal joy.  Thus the saying,  "God comforts the afflicted but afflicts the comfortable."  

     Every life outside of Christ can be summed up in three words: sin, sorrow and death.  Praise be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who breaks this cycle of violence with salvation that leaves no regret. Believers rejoice that Godly sorrow is but a pathway leading us through tough times toward a permanent place of peace and refuge.

     Praising the Prince of Peace as He guides you through the Valley of the Shadow toward the home He has prepared for you.  Don't forget to allow yourself Sabbatical rest stops along the way.

Tim


REMINDERS/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

     Looking forward to our Sabbath Eve service and meal this Saturday night (meal at 6 pm, worship at 7) at the Trinity Worship Center.  The menu this week is smoked chicken, potato salad, baked beans, rolls, and dessert. Special thanks to Rusty Hines for smoking the chicken for us and also to those of you who have been asked to provide desserts this week! I pray that God will bring a face to your mind in need of an invitation to attend.  Praise God for the lives that are already being impacted!

     We are in great need of volunteers for nursery service for those children who are too young for children's worship and too young to remain in worship (birth - 3 yrs). If we had 8-10 volunteers, that would mean only serving every 2 months or so.  This is a need that is vital to the success of our overall ministry.  Please be praying about this area of service and let Julie or Tim know if you are available for this wonderful ministry.  Debbie Aycock is our volunteer this week for nursery service....thank you, Debbie!

     Sunday week (that's southern slang for "not this Sunday but the next") we will begin 3 alpha study groups.  One for co-eds (being taught in our home), one for men and one for ladies (both of these locations are TBA).

     God is tremendously blessing this ministry financially!  Praise God for faithful tithers!  We are striving to be good stewards of the resources God is blessing us with.  Pauletta Davis has graciously taken on the position of treasurer for Sabbatical Life Ministry.  She has August's financial statement ready for any of you who would like to have a copy to see how we are doing financially and where the funds were spent this past month.  Please contact Pauletta if you would like to receive a copy. Remember, if you need to receive tax credit for your giving, make your checks payable to Wild Goose Outreach with a memo to Sabbatical Life.  If you do not need tax credit, you can make your checks payable directly to Sabbatical Life.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

     And lastly, we need weekly volunteers for set-up and clean-up.  If you are available to arrive a little early to help set-up tables and meal prep...or if you can stay a little later and help clean-up and put things back in order, please let Pauletta, Tim, or Julie know.  It has been such a blessing to see everyone pull together like a family to get things done for the Kingdom!