A Blueprint for Purity

Posted by Tim

Friday, July 30, 2010

This Sunday Jason Thacker, pastor of Country Bible Church, will be filling the pulpit for Pastor Tom. He will be preaching from Matthew 5:27-32 on "A Blueprint for Purity."

As you prepare for worship on Sunday take time to read through the following passages and prepare your heart to hear God's Word: Isaiah 40:12-15, 18, 21-23 and Psalm 96:1-13.

The Family in the Harried Household

Posted by Tim

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

In the message last Sunday, Pastor Tom mentioned a book that his family has read and re-read until it was tattered and torn. What is a Family by Edith Schaeffer is one of those little gems that helps you understand the deeper meaning that may be hidden in your harried household. For this week's faithnotes, we pull from an article written by Schaeffer. We hope it will give you encouragement in your household.

What is a family? It is a perpetual relay of truth! Watch the children as you organize a relay race, a running contest in which lines of children wait as one from each line runs a distance and returns to hand the baton to a team member. Back and forth they run and pass the baton. Relay RaceIf one drops it, there is a forfeit of returning to the starting place. What excitement is generated, as those finished (or waiting for their turn) watch to see how soon the baton will come back, groan when it is dropped, cheer when someone falls and skins a knee and then pops up bravely to run on again.  This is a relay race in which it matters whether one person gets there, because if the baton is not handed on, the next person can't start on his or her part of the course.

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Behold the Power of the Tongue

Posted by Tim

Friday, July 23, 2010

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." Proverbs 18:21

"For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect (mature) man, able to bridle the whole body as well" James 3:2. It's one of those stories my family will never tire of telling. I think we were prepared for a Burwell Frontier Days rodeo. We were definitely not expecting the Kentucky Derby! Let me explain...

My Dad was a lover of horses. His dream ride would be an Arabian gelding. But his station in life, his financial limitations, his lack of proper facilities, and a host of other realities prevented him from ever realizing that dream. However, that did not keep him from attempting to pass on to his children an appreciation for animals...especially for horses.

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Open the Door

Posted by Tim

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Proverbs 23:22-23

"Never overlook the smallest incident in life, for great doors pivot on tiny hinges." - Warren Wiersbe

As a parent, grandparent, Awana leader, neighbor, aunt, uncle...or let's just say adult...every interaction with a child is a teachable moment. Our time together Sunday was focused on four key areas in the lives of our children which deserve special focus. As you interact with children today, consider these points to guide your time with them.

Intellectual - The mind is key to the transformation of the child so we are called to help children develop the right focus intellectually. We're to teach them to be critical thinkers without being critical. They are to aspire to apply knowledge to life which leads to wisdom. And remember, they learn from you with every interaction, not just when you're formally teaching them.

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Lessons to be Caught at Home

Posted by Tim

Thursday, July 15, 2010

"Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding." Proverbs 23:22-23

Wisdom is only truly wisdom when wisdom is practiced and applied.

Key lessons which give guidance in the turbulent seas of living are lessons which are CAUGHT more than TAUGHT in the home!

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Parenting on Target

Posted by Tim

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Proverbs has much to say about being godly parents striving to raise godly children. It must be remembered that parenting is not for the faint of heart. The goal of Christian parenting is not simply to produce well-behaved children but to raise up wise and godly descendants. There are no shortcuts. Successful parenting will require diligence and immersion is seeking God's will and applying God's Word.

The Task? Training our children and our grandchildren for living well in God's world, in God's way, informed by God's Word. "Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the LORD and with men." 1 Samuel 2:26

The Target? The heart! It is not enough to parent for externals...we need to find what reaches the heart. "Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes delight in my ways." Proverbs 23:26

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Parenting on Target

Posted by Tim

Friday, July 9, 2010

"Give me your heart, my son..." Proverbs 23:26

"I pity the fool!"

Every child gifted to a home is from the very beginning a "fool." But no one wants to wake up one day to discover that they have raised a fool!

Solomon wrote, "A foolish son is destruction to his father..." Proverbs 19:13. The aching of one's heart to discover that he has raised a "fool" for a child is indescribable! Solomon knew from first-hand observation the incredible grief a parent endures when the children in one's home are head-strong, stubborn, self-willed, unteachable. His own brothers repeatedly broke the heart of their/his father.

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A Fresh Look at Faith and Freedom

Posted by Tim

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Our faith and freedom are very personal concepts to us. From our perspective in the United States, faith is focused on the Lord and His Son Jesus. Freedom is related to our country's way of life based on the tenants of democracy. Faith and freedom converged in our message this week as our country celebrated it's birthday. But we looked at faith and freedom from a different perspective, through the eyes of missionary Darryl Racey who has lived in the Middle East for many years.

The story of the original sin in Genesis 3 was the basis of our study as we took a fresh look at faith and freedom. It's a familiar story about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They ate the forbidden fruit, suddenly saw things they hadn't noticed before, and ultimately tried to hide from the Lord. As a result, they were sent from the Garden. They felt guilt, fear, shame, and ultimately were separated from the Lord as a result. But the Lord has provided freedom as this look at Genesis 3 illustrates.

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