Donald Miller made a post on his blog recently where he highlighted the type of questions that Americans typically ask about things in our world.  We are consumed with the question of “How”.

“How can I lose weight fast?”

“How can I make more money?”

“How can I manage to afford that bigger house?”

“How can I take on more debt, even if I haven’t paid for what I’ve already got?”

“How can I get my kids into Harvard?”

The question “How” tends to assume that I know what’s best for me, and I know what it is that I want.  It is a question of means, so that I can eliminate the gap between what I want and what I have.

Miller’s observation–with which I agree–is that the Bible can be a frustrating book for Americans to read, because the type [...]

Church camp is coming up soon!  July 25-30th are the dates for our annual week of fun and fellowship in Fall Creek Falls State Park.

If you need an application, you can download it here.

Applications and payment are due July 11, 2010.

Hope to see you there!

Mark

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in our annual Vacation Bible School.  There were lots of smiles and laughs every day.  I had the privilege of talking with the kids at the end of each evening, asking what they had learned, and based on the quantity and qualities of answers I received, I think the answer to my question was, “A lot!”

VBS would not be possible without all the wonderful volunteers who give up so much time and effort to make it great.  Saturday was lots of fun especially, with a petting zoo and pony rides.  And who could forget Crazy Uncle Jon’s songs every night?  I’m sure he’ll find his way back again.

As VBS director, I just wanted to express my deep appreciation for everyone who helped us out.  We’ll look [...]

Have you ever pondered the gravity of the words you pray?  Do you ever think about what a frightening statement it really is to say to God, “Make me a better person”?  Or “Help me to do your will in my life”?  Or “Help me to grow in my faith”?  Have you ever had any growing experience that didn’t involve hurting somewhere along the way?

Let’s not forget Daniel.  He was a good man.  If he were here, we would love for him to go to our church. Daniel prayed three times a day while looking out his window.  Then suddenly, prayer to anyone but King Darius was illegal.  But when government makes rules against righteousness, then Godly people have to break the law.  Do you realize that it was for praying that Daniel was thrown [...]

How comfortable are your feet right now?  When I ask this, do you suddenly become aware of them?  At any given moment, we can feel our feet, but if we’re not thinking about them, we don’t really notice how they feel.  Perhaps even as I say this, you suddenly pause and realize the need to adjust a sock or tighten a shoelace.  Your feet have always been there, haven’t they?  But just before you read this, you weren’t thinking about them.  Awareness is everything.

Once in chapel at the Harding Graduate School, a man got up to lead our prayer.  He was from Africa, and he could pray unlike anyone I’ve ever heard.  He spoke with a booming voice and a thick accent.  The first half of his prayer he spent simply acknowledging the majesty of [...]