REPOST - FATHERS

My father has been dead for 13 years now.  I have incredible admiration for my Dad so I’ve been pondering the question, “How much of my Dad do I have in me?”  Obviously I have genetic representation since he’s my biological Father.  I know I have his hands.  I wear the wedding band my Mom gave him on my right hand.  When I look at my hands I see my Dad’s hands.  And then I think of my Dad.  The ring and my hands are a reminder of the things I admired about my Dad.  My Dad was a kind and gentle man.  He was trustworthy.  He was a hard worker and good provider.  He was faithful to my Mom for all 60 years of their marriage.   He gave generously of his earnings to the Lord’s work and always was there to help family.    He called regularly on Saturday mornings to talk and pray with me for Sunday’s ministry.  

The characteristics of my Dad that are seen in me are there because of my desire to emulate them in my life.  I have a heavenly Father whose characteristics are also very known to me, His sacrificial love, His touch of compassion and kindness, His strength and wisdom, His grace and mercy.  I not only want friends of my Dad’s to say, “I see your Dad in you”, I also want to hear people say, “I see your heavenly Father in you.”

Are there qualities of God we admire?  Do we want to emulate them in our lives?  Can you see them?  Can you name them?  Can you live them?

REPOST - IS IT NECESSARY FOR A CHRISTIAN TO GO TO CHURCH?

A question was recently posted on Facebook.  “Is it necessary for a Christian to go to church?”  The intent behind the question wasn’t trying to determine if going to church is necessary for salvation or for securing it, because from a biblical perspective it certainly is not.  But the question’s importance is more this: “Should a Christian make church a necessity in their walk with Christ?”  The biblical answer to this one is “yes”.  

Assembling together as the body of Christ is a constant in the Scriptures.  In Acts we see that the early church gathered together for the apostles teaching, fellowship, communion and prayer.  We also read that worship was a high priority for the church.  Praising God for all He was and did marks the church throughout the ages.  

Yet because we realize our salvation isn’t tied to church attendance we can develop some sloppy habits regarding church.  We live at a time when we have mobility and enough disposable income to take trips and get away on a lot of weekends.  If we have kids, we find that school scheduled activities, especially sports, compete with Sunday mornings.  We have full social calendars that can make Sunday morning an attractive day to sleep in.  

We certainly don’t want to adopt attitudes of legalism or be judgmental, but we do well to remember the admonition of the writer of Hebrews in 10:25, “And let us not neglect our meeting together as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near.”

“Is it necessary for a Christian to go to church?”   Yes, if we are going to follow the example of the believers in Bible times and throughout history.  Yes, if we allow our church attendance to deepen our worship and love for God.  Yes, if we want to be built up into a deeper faith.  Yes, if we want to be used by God to encourage each other and pray for one another.  In fact to not be a part of our Sunday gathering impoverishes us and others that God intends us to bless.

So how do you view church on your scale of what’s important?  If you were to ask God, would He be happy with your view?

PRAYING FOR OUR NEW PASTOR

The teal colored prayer band I wear on my left wrist comes into my line of sight throughout the day.  I can easily ignore it, letting it become an ornament of intention, or I can pause and lift a prayer to the Lord that he will work through the Search Committee to lead them to the man He has appointed for us.  I want to stay committed to pray.

Mark Davis chairs our Search Committee.  Along with Joe Smith, Liz Rao, Amy Lane, Todd Kocher and Jerry Dendinger, they have worked hard and prayed hard.  They understand the responsibility assigned to them and truly value and depend on our prayers.  Below is an update from Mark.

The Pastoral Search Committee has completed the review of over 220 resumes over the past four months. Having completed the in depth analysis of twenty of these resumes, we have identified three candidates that we are planning to interview during the month of February.  At the conclusion of these interviews the Search Committee will once again update the congregation of Centerville Community Church. 

These are exciting days as we begin to prepare for a new lead pastor.  Please continue to pray for our Search Committee that God will give them wisdom and discernment as they prepare for and undertake these interviews.  May God give unity of spirit in the decisions made regarding the candidates.  February is a very important month.  Let’s continue in joyful and expectant prayer. 

I LOVE...

I. Love. Sundays.  

There is something about being in church with other believers in Jesus, singing praise to our Great and Grace giving God, celebrating the full salvation we have received so freely, and loving Him in corporate worship that fills my soul.  I love His Truth, incorporated into hymns and choruses, and read and taught from the Bible.  

Meeting together as the body of Christ was God’s idea.  I understand why.  It doesn’t matter if my life is being lived on the high notes of life, or down in the basement notes.  Whatever my circumstance, I find church the perfect place to be.  

Church time reminds me who God is, who I am, what I have in Him, that He is trustworthy, that He loves ME, and that He is always with me.  It reminds me of how worthy He is of praise, of my time and communion with Him.  It reminds me of the generosity of His grace and the life found in His truth.  

Being together with the body of Christ on Sundays is the best.  I love our fellowship times, our learning times, praying with and for each other, encouraging one another, and having our minds and hearts shaped by His ongoing work in us.  

It is the staple in my spiritual diet.  It is nutrition for the daily grind.  It gets the week started off right.

If you are a bit lax in your Sunday attendance at church, may I encourage you to renew the commitment?  The blessings that come from this good habit can’t really be found anywhere else.    

See you Sunday! 