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 [...]

There are two areas in which we are prepared to offer assistance:
First:
To anyone in the area who is needing help in light of the recent flooding, we have just received a truckload of items including food, clothing, and cleaning supplies that are free to whoever needs them.  On Saturday, May 8, from 9am to 2pm we will be set up to distribute these goods to anyone in need.
It would be our privilege to help you.  Please come and see us.

Second:
Saturday, May 8th, from 8am to 4pm we are offering free childcare for anyone with small children (12 and under).  Whether you need someone to watch your children while you clean your own house, or whether you are wanting to volunteer at someone else’s house, we are happy to keep your children safe and entertained [...]

Dr. Ed Gray from the Harding Graduate School gave us an informational and inspirational weekend.  Those 60 and over had a special Saturday morning session to emphasize the great value of seniors in the church.  Saturday evening was geared toward married couples.  On Sunday we got some good lessons about family and forgiveness.
Be sure to stop by our picture gallery in the members’ section for some photo highlights of the weekend.
Thanks to everyone who participated!
-Mark

Recently, Donna Louise Greenwell of Pitkin, LA was sentenced to fifteen months of imprisonment at hard labor. She was convicted of attempting to sell a five year-old boy and a four year-old girl to a couple in a neighboring town.
While the crime is bad enough, it was the fee she received that put this event on the news. For the two children Mrs. Greenwell was to have receied $175 and a cockatoo. That’s right — two children in exchange for a smart bird and a small amount of cash.
Before we file this news item, we should pause to reflect how often people trade very important things for little or nothing. A teenage girl trades in her virginity, reputation and self respect for a wild prom night. A talented businessman risks his job by viewing porn [...]

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 [...]

Dean Pierson was a struggling dairy farmer in Copake, NY who last Thursday reached his breaking point. He went to his barn, barricaded the door, systematically killed each of his 51 milk cows, and then turned his rifle on himself. A murder-suicide with a different twist.
We immediately ask ourselves the question, “Why?” What drives a person to take such drastic action. While few details have been published, one neighbor did say, “These are hard times to be a farmer.”
It is hard to look forward to anything, when our problems consume our “vision.” Hopelessness and despair come when we don’t see any way out of our bleak circumstances. Yet, it was for just such a reality that Jesus came. Peter writes in I Peter 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [...]

 
The destruction caused by the 7.0 earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti rises beyond what we are able to comprehend. Destroyed houses and suffering people are evident in every news report we watch. Thousands dead; hundreds of thousands homeless; a nation’s flickering efforts at economic growth snuffed out. It is not the first tragedy we have witnessed or experienced, but for this week it is the biggest.
Yet, it is imperative that we pause and look at tragedy in a different light. There is a positive side to the catastrophe in Haiti.
#1 — We are reminded of the compassion and generosity of people. Millions of dollars and hundreds of adoptive parents are rising to the occasion. Would they have without the crisis?
#2 — We observe unity borne of necessity. People from all backgrounds and nations with divergent policies [...]