Chris' Corner

Lamplighter 1.28.08

I would like to offer our prayers and support to Mrs. Doris Richardson and her family; we love you Mrs. Doris, and we are praying for you. What a great worship service yesterday morning led by our youth! It is truly wonderful to see God use their participation, willingness, and talent. Thank you for leading us to think about worship as a lifestyle and to Pastor Justin for helping us understand how we should look at our own homes and own lives. Likewise, the Psalmist was concerned and dedicated to this type of absolute surrender to God in Psalm 119. In verses 4-6, we find an earnest plea about God’s guidelines and laws for our lives. God has revealed His perfect love for us through His law, and He lived them out through His son Jesus. It is this law which is not minimized at all by Jesus but held in the highest regard and fulfilled by Christ. Since it is fulfilled, we need not worry about being judged by the law; we have the privilege of living out the law and testifying to others of God’s love and grace by willing submitting ourselves to His glorious precepts. These are not restrictions hindering us, but the path to a Christian’s “abundant life”. Our goal as the Psalmist notes is to obey “fully”, “consider all,” and live a lifestyle (steadfastly) which is always representing our Lord. God did not give us a law that represented half His holiness or half His love, nor did He give us a partial salvation. Instead, He gave all He is—100%. Because of this, we are called to live out 100% of God’s love and holiness.

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Lamplighter 1.21.08

Sunday’s worship and fellowship were once again a real blessing despite the cool, windy weather. I would like to once again thank Charles Ray and Mary Cowart for their past years of service and their continued service to our fellowship. Since I have been here, these folks have been faithful at every opportunity to worship, fellowship, and serve. I pray God continues to give you strength to serve Him. Psalm 119:1 helps us with the mission of serving God our whole lives by instructing us to be “blameless” meaning a person whom no one can blame, not necessarily “right all the time.” One seeking to be a blameless person is one living a life of continuing repentance. This Psalm also uses the language “to walk” which shows that steady, ongoing and progressing lifestyle. Verse 2 calls those who keep God statutes blessed. In order to keep what God has asked of us, we must know what it is He desires by studying closely His Word and committing ourselves to obedience. Verse 2 also tells us what kind of commitment this takes—“all their (your) heart.” We know what that says and means but are we committed to it? I was always taught that ALL meant ALL, and I think that is accurate; it means everything in our heart, everything we do. If we were to look at our lives as pie and remove all the pieces in it which were not God’s, would we have anything left? Would there be enough to share? Does God want the leftovers or does He want ALL?

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From the Lamplighter 1.14.08:

It was another glorious Lord’s Day of wonderful worship with so many who share their talents. As I examine the calendar and all that must be done each week, I look forward to our midweek services on Wednesdays. First the fellowship time at dinner and then the opportunity to serve and worship together in so many ways—the youth at Wednesday Night Live, the girls in GA’s, the boys in RA’s, and the little ones in Mission Friends and nursery. What a blessing to see so many each Wednesday take time with God and His people to make sure we are focused on Christ. In our prayer meeting and bible study, it is a blessing to hear of those who the Lord is healing and working through, and also a time of deep concern for those who have burdens. I am thankful to all who share needs and concerns and call out to God. In addition, I look forward as we study through Exodus together because so many folks have great insights and observations; I am thankful to each of you as we grow together. It seems the year started off like a rocket, and we are all back to into the normal flow of life—active and busy, maybe busier than ever. We must keep our minds and hearts focused on Christ taking every opportunity we have to put our faith into action. Lord, help us to be a people who others can follow…

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From the Lamplighter 1.7.08:

Thank you first of all to the Recreation Committee and the Robertson family for having us all out for New Year’s Eve. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and fun to bring in 2008. As we gathered for our first worship service of the New Year, I continue to be very thankful for the fellowship and spiritual growth in my Sunday School class and that of all our classes. What a great way to begin our corporate worship in an open atmosphere in which we can all invite others. We need to be active in promoting while faithful in attendance and prayer for our Sunday School; it is this small group atmosphere where many of us learn the best, develop relationships, and grow spiritually. We must also remember that Sunday School is a very favorable environment where many are won to Christ. I am thankful we have active classes ministering to a variety of people and needs. In the book of Exodus, the Jewish people, under the leadership of Moses, were given a new year and a new calendar and made into a new people; however, when they left Egypt they forgot very quickly the great things God had done for them. In their new year, they questioned God and lacked in faith. Pray with me that we remain faithful and dedicated not forgetting what the Lord has done for each of us. We must focus on Christ throughout this year—for in this year God can work through us so that someone we know or meet may have a new relationship to Christ and a truly new year.

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From the Lamplighter 12.31.07:

It is hard to believe another year has come and gone and it is already 2008. I truly enjoyed worshipping with everyone through the Lord’s Supper. It is wonderful to set aside time to reflect upon Christ through scripture reading, hymns, prayer and partaking in the symbolic ordinance of that final supper. I would like to express my appreciation once again for all those who had a part in the special services in November and December. The fellowship and the worship have been uplifting to me! I would also like to say a special thanks to those who are homebound or somewhat restricted in their travel for it is their ministry of prayer which is vitally important to New Hope; thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray for the church, the staff, each member and attendee and family members who are in need. What a pleasure to be part of a praying community, Thank You! It reminds me a story I read about a pastor who injured his back and could literally do nothing but lay flat on a hard surface with only a pillow. After a week of boredom, he was restless and mad at his condition when he resorted out of frustration to praying through the members at his church—those who were lost and those who were sick. Once his back was healed and he was able to return to the church field, he said he would sure miss that time praying… and there is the lesson… that we must make time to be close to God, make time for the foundation to our Christian walk which is prayer. I pray we are a people who pray by choice, as if it is all we can do!