Radford Worship Center

Is God taking too long?

2010-08-19T07:11:00.002-04:00

Have you ever felt like God’s plan for you, his prosperous plan, his plan of welfare and peace, just takes too long? Are you going to admit it? I have… Guess what? So did the Israelites! Yep! Way back in the book of Numbers.

So… God had lead Moses and the Israelites out of Egypt. They had been in the desert for awhile and were getting restless. God told them that he had a land for them, he picked it out. All God wanted was a little bit of faith demonstrated from the Israelites.

He asked Moses to send some men out to scout, explore the land. Now these scouts explored for 40 days. They came back and said the land flowed with milk and honey. They even brought back some of the fruit they had found growing. But…they said that the people there were strong and large. There was no way the Israelites could defeat them. Of course when everyone heard the reports, they grumbled and complained about where they were. Why had God brought them to the desert to die?

Have you ever grumbled and complained about what God brought you out of? Thought you would have done things differently? (because your way was working for you) Let fear keep you from doing what God had set up for you? Again, are you going to admit it?

Well, God’s way was questioned. There were two scouts, however, that tried to calm the people. They were Caleb and Joshua. They reported to the Israelites that “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them." (Numbers 14:8-9) The people then turned on the two brave scouts but God stepped in. He was not happy at all. He punished the Israelites by telling them that they would not get to enjoy the Promised Land. Their children would be allowed because they would be wandering the desert for 40 years. These people still didn’t get it. They tried to defeat the Amalekites and Canaanites without God. They were beaten.

Have you ever tried to get to your “Promised land” before you were ready? Prepared? Without God? Aren’t we stubborn?

Later in the book of Joshua, the Israelites have finally leaned on God. The last of the men from the slave days of Egypt had died and their children were about to enter Canaan, God’s land promised to be given to them. There was however, an obstacle… the Jordan River.

Joshua was leading the Israelites now. God gave him a pep talk. “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:5-9) And then God gave his instructions on how and what the people were to do to get across the Jordan. They didn’t have to build anything. They didn’t have to do anything except be ready-be prepared. God told them that when the Ark of God carried by the Levitical priests got near the water to be ready to follow it. God took care of the rest!!! He made the rushing water pile up. He made the ground dry so they could walk across. He did it because he knew the plan he had for them. The whole nation walked across the Jordan riverbed, didn’t get wet, didn’t get covered in mud, didn’t get stuck in the middle. They believed in God and his plan and walked across.

Now you and me- God’s plan is not messy. It is not hard. The Bible says , “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6) and “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” ( Romans 12:2)

God knows the plan better than we do. He designed it. We just have to be as faithful as he is and follow it.

-Susie Hickman

“Don’t Grow Weary . . . work with all your might.”

2010-08-17T23:15:00.002-04:00

I spoke recently with several different members of our church about all of the different ministries that our church offers and how so many of us are involved in one, if not several, of the ministries. I was in agreement with many of those who felt that our church is literally stretched to its capacity in volunteers, workers and helpers. Simply put, we are a church with a true heart to serve our God . . . and that is a good thing!

However, I think we all go through spells where we get tired. We get emotionally tired . . . we get physically tired . . . we even get mentally tired of doing what the Lord has called us to do. We have to become expert managers of our families and our time making sure we keep up with our kids’ soccer games, school events, after school events, hair appointments, car tune-ups, balancing the checkbook, paying the bills, work, meetings, mowing the lawn, cleaning the gutters, lessons, fixing breakfast, packing lunch, planning dinner, shopping, watching TV, keeping up with Facebook, cleaning the house, talking on the phone . . . and it goes on and on. LIFE goes on.

Are you getting tired? You know, that’s ok. But don’t quit!! Rest if you must, but don’t you ever quit!!

In Ecclesiastes 9:10, the Word says “Whatever presents itself for you to do, do it WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or skill in the grave where you are going.” Kind of an eye-opener, huh?

I coached soccer for many years and with each team, good or bad, young or old, boys or girls (or both), I always told them this: NO MATTER WHAT, LEAVE IT ALL ON THE FIELD. PLAY HARD AND DON’T EVER QUIT! WHEN THE CLOCK HITS :00 , THEN YOU CAN REST. No matter how much we were winning or losing, I told my players to give it everything they got. I also told them that one day, they would not be playing anymore and I wanted each of them to look back and say that they did everything they could for the team.

Let me encourage you today . . . give it everything you got! Are you tired, that’s ok! Rest if you must, but don’t you ever quit!! Whatever ministry you are called to, don’t let anyone or anything hold you back . . . do it to the best of your ability and do it with all your might. I look forward to the day when my heavenly father can look at me and say “Well done!!”

-Pastor Chris Blackburn

The Sword of the Spirit...

2010-08-13T08:52:00.003-04:00

If you know me very well, then you know that I love God’s Word and that I am very interested in matters concerning Israel. I would like to share with you an excerpt from “The Carmel Alert”, Out of Zion Ministries Newsletter. It is about both--- God’s Word & Israel. It’s a bit lengthy but I believe you’ll be blessed by it. Thanks for reading! - Connie Wolhford

Stefan's Comment: The Sword of the Spirit

Eph 6:11-12 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

We are in an ongoing battle every moment of our lives. In every decision that we make, we have a choice to obey God and bring Him glory, or to disobey Him and cause Him grief, regardless of anyone else knowing of this choice. Everything that we do echoes in the spiritual realm, every thought, every whim, every attitude and every word. As Shaul (Paul) wrote in the above verse, it is not against flesh and blood that we wrestle, but against principalities, powers and spiritual hosts. Out of all the armour of God stated in Eph 6, the Sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon that we have. All the others are defensive weapons that are designed to keep us from the fiery arrows that the enemy sends our way. The only weapon that we have to strike back at the enemy is the sword. There is a famous saying that I think we have all heard at one point or another in our lives: “The best defense is a strong offence”. Wars and battles are not won by being on the defensive, but by attacking, striking hard at the enemy and advancing forward until he either surrenders or withdraws.

It is for good reason that it is called the ‘Sword of the Spirit’ because it is a spiritual weapon and we must be in the Spirit in order to use it. Our sword is the living word of God that is “…powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb 4:12, NKJ). But in order for it to be affective, we must know how to use it and be skilled in handling it. How can a soldier go to war with a weapon that he does not know how to use? Just imagine a soldier throwing his M-4 rifle at the enemy instead of shooting at him with it – not very effective. Also think of a soldier who knows how to use his M-4, meaning he knows how to fire it, but it takes him forever to change a clip, or he only know how to fire standing up, but not squatting, sitting, kneeling or lying down. This is not how a trained, skilled soldier is to perform in battle. So we must know how to use our sword and be skilled in it.

A perfect example can be found in Matt 3:16 going into Matt 4. Yeshua (Jesus) goes through ‘Tironut’ or ‘Basic Training - Boot Camp’ in English. It is the first time that we see that the enemy tempted Yeshua. The first thing we see is that after He was baptized Yeshua was filled with the Spirit and was then moved by the Spirit into the desert. Notice the importance of being in the Spirit. Before His baptism Yeshua did not perform any miracles nor minister in anyway. We are only told that He grew in wisdom and stature before God and men. In the desert the enemy came to Yeshua in order to attack Him.

Notice the pattern in the temptations:
First, Satan attacks Yeshua (Jesus) in the weakness / vulnerability of His flesh. Yeshua was hungry after fasting for 40 days already and the enemy tries to get Him to turn stones into bread. Notice how Yeshua, being filled with the Spirit strikes the enemy with the Sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God) with much skill and precision. He knows exactly how to use His weapon to refute the attack of the enemy.
Secondly, the enemy tries to use the word to cause Yeshua to fall. The enemy is doing two things here - 1/ he is twisting and perverting the word of God from the truth that is in it and 2/ he is attacking the sovereignty of God the Father over Yeshua’s life. Again Yeshua knows how to strike skillfully with the truth of the word against the perversion of the word.
Thirdly, the enemy offers Yeshua a short cut and a cheap alternative of the real promise given by the Father (Psalm 110:1). Yeshua knows why He has come, He knows what is planned for Him and what He must do. Heb 12:2 “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (NKJ). Again Yeshua strikes the devil with the word of God and the enemy finally flees from Him just as is written in James 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (NKJ). Then the angels come and minister to Him both physically (food) and spiritually, I believe. What a perfect example of how we are to stand in the word and use it in the spirit to come against the enemy’s attacks, resisting (defending and counter-attacking) until he flees!

Another prime example is young King David when fighting against Goliath (read 1 Sam 17:45-50). David is skilled in his simple weapons – the slingshot and the shepherds staff, but not with all of Saul’s armour and weaponry. He goes out against Goliath with what he is skilled in. I believe that David was filled with and moved by the Spirit at that moment as it was not normal for him to do what he did in that situation. Goliath curses David and his God, the God of Israel. Goliath wishes to enslave Israel. His words are lofty and come against the word of God. David speaking prophetically with boldness declares to Goliath exactly what is about to happen to him and this soon comes to pass. There was a spirit working in Goliath that exalted itself against the knowledge of God and His truth that was cut down and destroyed by a brave freckly red head who knew God’s word, was skilled in it, was brave and saw beyond Goliath’s size, armour and battle experience to God’s promises, purposes and desires.

2 Cor 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” (NKJ)
The apostles were commanded by the Lord not to leave Jerusalem until they were filled with power from on high, until they were filled with the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is the living out the New Covenant. Only in the Spirit can we walk according to God’s commandments. Only in the Spirit are we in tune with our Master, our Abba (Father) to do His will, just as Yeshua was. Of course we will always fail and wrestle with our flesh, but still that is our goal and our vision.

In these days there are many spirits that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God concerning those who are the Lord’s and also the nation of Israel. Let us become more skilled in the Word. Let us proclaim the word over out lives and over the nation of Israel. The enemy will keep attacking because he knows that his time is short, but we have a weapon that is “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit…” to strike back with. Let us walk in the Spirit and make full use of our spiritual sword – the Word of God.

The Lord bless you as you bless Israel by standing in defense of her right to exist on the land given to the Jewish people by the God of Israel. Lets pray that Israel will turn back to their God. Do not be silent, but share this with your fellow Christians, share it with your pastors, and with anyone you have a chance to speak to. Lets also pray for that breakthrough to the Muslims, and please remember to pray for all of the soldiers in the IDF -they are defending and fighting for the Kingdom of God.

That time of year... again.

2010-08-11T08:55:00.001-04:00

It’s that time of year again…time for children to head back to school! Parents everywhere are buying book bags, notebooks, pencils, calculators, lunchboxes, sports equipment, etc. Many folks made a special trip out last weekend to take advantage of Virginia’s tax-free holiday for school supplies. Over the next few weeks, schools will be holding “open house” and parents and children will take time to meet teachers, view schedules, pay fees and make other necessary preparations for the upcoming school year. However, there is something our kids need that is more important than school supplies….they need to be filled with God’s Word and bathed in prayer each day as they enter their mission field…the classroom.

We have been teaching about “salt and light” in Kid’s Church for several weeks. The children are learning that we need to be salty: we need to have a distinct flavor that makes others thirsty for Jesus, and we shouldn’t just blend in with the world around us or be bland or conforming. As Christian parents, we need to encourage our children to be an example to others, walking in obedience to God and His Word. Proverbs 20:11 says “Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right”. We should also encourage our kids to be light in this dark world. No matter how young, children can share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others; in fact, they are often more quick to do this than adults. There are classrooms of children all across our city, state and country that are full of people that need to hear the Gospel message.

In the thirteen years my children have been in public school, I have prayed for them each day before they went to school. I have prayed for God’s protection over them both physically and spiritually, for God to help them to learn well, for both of them to be a good example and a witness to others, and many other things. At least 2, 340 prayers have gone up for them. I don’t say this to brag; I am not perfect, I know that they have not been perfect and all of their experiences have not been perfect. But I do believe that God has blessed their education and I pray each day that they will have an impact on someone’s life. As you prepare for school to start this year, add this to your “to-do” list: pray for your children every day, not only that God will protect them and help them to learn, but also that, as believers, they will be salt and light to the world around them.

-Pastor Tina Blackburn

My First Missions Trip

2010-07-30T08:45:00.001-04:00

This past week, I had the privilege to go with a group from our church to Mission, South Dakota to do a Vacation Bible School and other outreach ministry on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. To be honest, I was nervous about the experience because I had never done anything like this in my life. I knew going in that I would be pushed outside my comfort zone and that I would be asked to do things that I normally do not like to do. Still, I knew that the Lord had something planned for me that week and I simply obeyed.

The trip had its challenges in the beginning . . . bald tires, a gas pedal that would not work in my car, an air-conditioner that went out on a day when the temperature was over 100. All of it was a distraction from what the Lord was calling us to do. A strong brother in Christ spoke to me while I was getting my car worked on in Indiana, some 800 miles away from our destination that I should not worry, the Lord was in control. Of course, he was right.

Upon arrival, there was the distraction of trying to locate a Nissan dealer to get the piece I needed to make my car . Some 170 miles away in Pierre, South Dakota, we found one. Took two trips and nearly 6 hours of driving and time away from ministry work to get it repaired, but the Lord provided what we needed. As it turned out, I got to spend some quality time with another great friend in the Lord who was able to minister to me about some strong holds in my own life. So, as it turns out, God was in that too.

During the course of the week, we performed eight different outreach ministries at different locations on the Reservation. At one point, one of our blow up games got a massive hole in it. We tried the usual forms of repair . . . duct tape, followed by more amounts of duct tape. Eventually, we came to the conclusion that the game would not work. Yet another distraction that had the potential to limit what we could do to entice the children to come hear the message of the Lord.
Turns out, the Lord was in that too.

What happened was one of the many amazing things about this mission trip. The entire team would pull together to use the talents that the Lord has blessed us with. I learned the art of being 10 again and having balloon sword fights with as many as 8 or 9 kids at one time. Others used the art of taking pictures, or to face paint and make animal balloons, or one of many, many things that were done in just over an hour at each location. Turns out, most of the kids at these outreaches could have cared less about us having three blow up games or two. They just wanted our attention and our love . . . which is what God wanted us to give to them as well. Like I said, God was in that too.

There is much to share about this trip. Some 138 kids and adults were saved that week. Personally, my life was changed with each face and each interaction with everyone I met. We witnessed the beginnings of a miracle for the small church we performed the Vacation Bible School at. Those stories will be for another time and maybe another blog.

What I want to close with is this . . . don’t let the little distractions in your life cause you to miss out on what God has in store for you. There were a few times I would get frustrated or discouraged. When that happened, the Lord found ways to speak to my heart . . . through a brother in Christ who would encourage me or the smile of a child who just simply wanted me to watch them jump on a blow-up game. I rediscovered a peace of allowing God to be in control and trusting Him to take care of the little distractions.

-Pastor Chris Blackburn

The Ministry of Friendship...

2010-07-01T22:43:00.001-04:00

Often, as I read through scripture, I wonder, “When are we, the True Church, really going to start doing what God asks us to do?” Just take this passage for instance: Matthew 5:42, 46-47. Jesus says, “Give to Him who keeps on begging from you and do not turn away from him who would borrow [at interest] from you…For if you love only those who love you what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? And if you greet only your brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles (the heathen) do that?” Now often Christians will say, “Well, I give to my church and my church helps the poor. I even help with the programs of the church that give handouts to the needy.” But is that what Jesus meant: Help with a program or a particular ministry?

It definitely seems safer to help the poor through a program so that they never really know our names or where we live or whether or not we have children. It’s a very real risk to try to help a stranger by yourself as an individual, but I have seen often in many churches and many different ministry situations, that when we help through a program there is a constant “we” and “them” mentality. There are usually reports of people from the community (“them”) who “get saved” through the program, but rarely do those people then join up with that church and become faithful members. We seem to think that if we give people something for free then they will want to come back and be with us and find out why we would do such a thing. And we plan that when they do we will tell them that it is because of the love of Christ within us for them. But does a handout show Christ’s love effectively? In my experience, very few people because of what they have received from a church or ministry then desire to be with the people of that church or ministry at any future event that does not include a handout of some sort. My personal conclusion is that a handout by itself is not enough to show the love of Christ, we need to pair it with something else – loving friendship.

In 1 Thess. 2:7-8 Paul says, “But we behaved gently when we were among you, like a devoted mother nursing and cherishing her own children. So, being thus tenderly and affectionately desirous of you, we continued to share with you not only God’s good news (the Gospel) but also our own lives as well, for you had become so very dear to us.” Are we sharing our own lives as we give handouts? Are we tenderly and affectionately sharing God’s Good News, or are we just herding people through the line so that we can get everything handed out. It seems to me that often in our outreach ministries, we talk to those who come, we feed them, and we give them the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but do we, as individual servants in the body, really cross the line and make friends with people in the community that we are reaching out to, or are we just showing up to do our part? Perhaps this is why we have more converts than long-term disciples. We need to ask ourselves if we are really loving the people we say we are serving or are we just “doing ministry”? And if we’re not really loving people, then it’s no wonder that they are not coming back to participate in that love again; our handouts to them are no different than the handouts from the government.

Now this all sounds a little harsh and critical, but I am preaching to myself as much as to anyone else. I know I’m not good at loving strangers and I don’t have much desire to actually be involved in the lives of those whom I consider irresponsible. I simply do not relate well to people who don’t have the same values that I have and I’m sure that’s why God is showing me these things in scripture. It’s an area where I need to grow, but perhaps you need to grow in this area as well, so let’s continue.

If we look at the example of Jesus we can see that everything he did was personal. He did not see the crowds of people who came to him for healing and just wave his hand to heal everyone at once (even though it was certainly in his power to do so). Instead he healed each one individually. He gave them a personal experience of Himself because of His love for them. He taught and fed more than 5000 people at once, but he had those 12 disciples with whom He shared Himself daily.

The main instruction that Jesus leaves with the disciples, and with us as their spiritual descendants, is to make disciples and teach them everything that Christ has commanded us (Matt. 28:18-20). Teaching everything that Christ commanded is sure to take a long time. Again, loving friendships will be the most effective means of discipleship relationships (long-term, one-on-one or small group relationships). So why do we keep settling for hearing a salvation prayer from someone? Because it’s easier and because we can’t get them to come back for more, but if we really took the time to make friends with those we serve, and with others already in the body, then that love relationship would bring them back wanting to know more of Christ. I know we can’t all make friends with everyone who passes through a line to receive something, but we can each pray and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit while we are serving, so that God can lead us to the one or two people with whom He wants us to make friends. It we each make a couple friends and they are not just the people we randomly pick out, but instead those whom God chooses for us to invest in, then we can be sure that they will be the people whose hearts are ready for discipleship. It will most likely start out as uncomfortable and inconvenient, but God does amazing things even when He starts with nothing. Let’s trust ourselves to Him and let Him give us the love we need in order to care for and disciple others. Let’s cross the “we/them” line and pull more souls into a journey of true discipleship.

-Jenny Greene

2010-06-25T09:22:00.000-04:00

“My bretheren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith creates patience.”

James 1:2 is a familiar scripture. But recently it took on new light for me during a study of the beginning passages of the opening chapter of that particular epistle. James addresses his brothers and sisters in the Lord, which by association includes those in the present-day church. Simply put, James is writing to us.

He encourages us to “count” something or “chalk up” something, if you will. When my children were learning to count in school, the teacher would have them use tally marks; four vertical ones and a fifth diagonally over the rest would count as five. In a sense, James is encouraging us to chalk up with the proverbial spiritual tally marks those times when we get tested. More about that later.

To what are we to chalk up these trying experiences? To joy. We know that true joy comes when we are walking with Jesus according to his father’s word, the Bible. We also know that the joy of the Lord is our strength. So, it follows then that when we go through a trying experience, instead of expressing frustration we ought to chalk up these trying experience to strengthening or an exercise of our faith. That’s easier said than done, I know. But in a very real sense, we are getting a spiritual workout when we endure trials. Our faith muscles are being worked out and strengthened.

What sort of trials are we talking about? We all know about the big ones; a death in the family, a less than positive medical diagnosis, a difficult work environment. The list goes on. But faith tests even happen when we get caught driving behind that little old lady traveling eight miles an hour in a 45-mph zone. You’ve been there, right? Or how about when we are in a hurry and we line up in the 20 items or less express lane and the person in front of you has 21 items and the cashier calls for a price check on the third item. You’ve been there too, haven’t you? I heard an evangelist once call those experiences as “spiritual lice.”

When we’re going through these “little tests” of our faith they seem as enormous as the others I just mentioned. But what if we began viewing those times behind that little old lady and those times in the express lane as mini faith workouts? James 1:3 makes it very clear what will happen when we have that approach. Those tests, all tests, will help develop patience. We will become slow to speak, slow to anger and quick to listen, won’t we?

So, the next time you have to deal with an ignorant boss or have to change a flat tire on the way to your child’s concert or any other “spiritual lice,” take a deep breath, say a little prayer and relax. Realize that you’re getting a faith workout. It will all be over soon and you’ll be stronger for it.

-Ben Hanneman

A Life of Worship...

2010-06-12T19:37:00.002-04:00

Deut. 10.12 “Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,” 13 “and to keep the LORD’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?”

I think we should ask ourselves what sits on the throne of our heart. This time in which we live is indeed exciting. We are seeing the fulfillment of scripture before our very eyes. But, are we really seeking His kingdom first, though? Am I submitting my life to His purpose and plan? Am I really living a life of worship? I must say that I still struggle in areas of my life when it comes to submission to His plan. I still forget sometimes that it is His timing, His plan. I would seek sometimes to push things along, if you will, maybe before I am ready, out of step with His timing for my life.

I believe it can be traced back to our worship. A life of worship will place us in step with what He is doing, where He is taking us. Let me explain why. Our worship of Him is relational. A life of worship of the Father will mean we are in relationship with the Father. I love what Pastor Hal has preached about God's sovereignty and might. It is impossible for me to know God exhaustively, but we can know Him relationally. That is an amazing truth when you really think of it. I have a relationship with my wife and children. It is very hard to imagine that I could ever have an exhaustive knowledge of them in this life. Now imagine God and our finite understanding. Scripture even says that we see as through a mirror darkly…

Now imagine that I studied the “exhaustive” biography of Dana Farmer to gain knowledge of who she is, but never met her personally. I might know many things about her, but I would never know her the way I do having spent seven years in a relationship with her. Our worship is relational. A life of worship submits to the words of the Father, to the Son who is the Word made Flesh, to His Spirit- walks with Him. He has revealed His nature and character to us in His word, and sees us through every aspect (Philippians 1.6).

William Temple was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1942- 1944. This is how he describes worship:

It is submission of all our nature to God-

It is quickening of conscience by His holiness, nourishment of mind by His truth, purifying of imagination by his beauty, opening of the heart to his love, submission of will to His purpose. All of this gathered up in adoration is the greatest expression of which we are capable.

That is the way I want to worship Him.

-Chris Farmer

A Cheerful heart makes the face cheerful! (Proverbs 15:13)

2010-05-24T07:10:00.002-04:00

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands… nod your head…. shout hooray. If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it; If you're happy and you know it do all three! Remember this song? We may not sing the song out loud, however our faces surely show it.

Many a happy Spirit-filled Christian has been asked by others, “Why are you always so happy? As I have observed you, you don’t seem to get gloomy and downhearted. What is your secret?” What an opportunity this gives to testify to our joy in the Lord! The secret for some is to get their souls full of joy each day in their time alone with God. (You will fill me with joy in your presence. Psalm 16:11) They do this before they go about their day. They carry the blessing of the secret place into their day’s activities. The first great and primary business to which we ought to attend every day is to have our soul happy in the Lord.

A heart bubbling over with joy makes your life more attractive to the unsaved, is a powerful witness to Christ’s grace, and makes a more lasting impact on others than almost any other aspect of your Christian life. Measure your own life’s testimony by your joy. Ask yourself…. Is my spirit singing the song today?

- Elaine Wood

Let us encourage one another

2010-05-18T08:38:00.002-04:00

This past Saturday, Pastor Chris and I took a group of children from Kid’s Church on a “Kid’s Day Out”. We went to play putt-putt golf and then took the children out for ice cream. The thought of taking ten children, boys and girls ages 5-12, out on such an adventure was initially a little bit scary. But our prayer was that these children would develop friendships with one another and begin to feel a bond of Christian fellowship, even at that young age. I cannot express how wonderful each one of the children were; they were so well-behaved; even the children who typically do not interact with one another enjoyed playing with each other and seemed to have a wonderful time. Our prayer is that all of the children will be able to develop friendships with one another that will be nurtured into adulthood.

Relationships are very important to God and His Kingdom. Developing bonds of friendship with other Christians gives us strength and encouragement in our walk with the Lord. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us “We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things. We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.”

Spending time with and developing relationships with other believers is so important to the believer. Enjoying our free time is also important. As summer time approaches, we begin to make plans for all types of summer fun: vacations, trips to the lake, picnics, ball games, you name it. So many fun things, so little time! It is important to remember, however, to prioritize. God should always come first in our life. Jesus commanded us in Matthew 6:33 to seek God’s Kingdom first, to be concerned about His Kingdom and what has His approval. It is important to be in His house on Sunday morning. All those summer activities are just as fun on a Saturday or a Sunday afternoon. Being a part of the body of Christ and worshiping together with our brothers and sisters in Christ will help us to develop those friendships and give us that encouragement in the Lord that we need even more as the day of the Lord comes.

-Pastor Tina Blackburn

Divine Design...

2010-05-13T10:13:00.002-04:00

It’s been a real blessing to have a Dad as gifted with wood working as my Dad and over the years I’ve benefited greatly from his talent. Such as every pine wood derby, an event held by the boy scouts, the scout was to whittle away at a block of wood until it took the shape of a car, then race for all honor and glory at an annual race. My fellow competitors always assumed my car was some model we had simply bought and assembled, you could hear murmurs of “they bought that car” or some such rumor to discount my Dad’s gift. Though nearly every year, we came away with the best in show trophy, notice how I still say we, when in all realty I had very little to do with the whole process. The role I did play every year was picking out the style of car I wanted my Dad to construct, I did this by perusing one of the many encyclopedias of automobiles we had laying around the house.

Any craftsman prior to starting their craft has a picture of what it is they’re making. The design, which includes the intended function, is already in mind prior to the first stroke of the brush, or the first cut of the knife. So it is with God when He designed mankind and if we are to ever function properly we must understand what that purpose is. We get a good glimpse of this when we see the first commandment, (Mat 22:37,38) Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. God’s ultimate purpose for humanity was to be family to Him, He is not content with just causing the mandatory obedience that will ultimately occur. (Phil. 2:9-11) Instead His desire is we love Him in the same way He loves us. So He empowers us to love Him this way, (Rom 5:5) And hope does not make us ashamed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us. The result of loving Him in this way is we function as He intended, it is impossible to love Jesus and not love people.

(Joh 14:21) He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him. This is simple stating a fact, if you love me then the result is you will keep my commandments. The challenge for us, to insure we are properly working is to continually realign our lives and priorities to make the first commandment first in priority.

-Pastor Ted Farmer

Wisdom In An Age Of Drama...

2010-05-03T23:23:00.003-04:00

As is the case with many of us, I occasionally will take the time to watch a few of the reality shows on TV that focus on the day-to-day drama of people that we don’t know and really don’t care that much about. It seems that we can relate to their situations or to their storylines and that is what draws us in to the show. I have found that some shows will draw me in to the point where I want to watch from week to week to see how everything will turn out.

Unfortunately, the drama on these shows never really resolves itself. Nobody seems to really learn anything . . . nobody seems to have a real change of heart . . . and their lives never really have any significant change. Although it may seem that they have a personal “Ah Ha!!” moment at the end of each episode, the drama finds a new script, new characters and new plots each week. In reality, nothing really changes. Quite frankly, they are addicted to the drama of their lives. They profit by selling it to a public thirsty for more drama.

The real scary part of these latest reality TV shows is that there is a growing lust for more and more drama while nobody really learns anything from them other than to speak, think and act in an immature fashion despite their age or lot in life. This does have an impact on our society and our kids. It has an impact on Christians and non-Christians alike. Quietly, many of us want to be just like them.

In the Bible, the book of Proverbs speaks often about wisdom. Wisdom, quite frankly, is the opposite of drama. If we all made choices to live in a Christ-like manner in every life decision we made . . . in every word we spoke . . . in every thought we have . . . many of us could avoid and would choose to avoid the drama we develop in our own lives and, quite frankly, would turn away from the TV filled reality shows that distort the way we should interact with one another.

Proverbs 3:29-32 states “Do not plan to do something wrong to your neighbor while he is sitting with you and suspecting nothing. Do not quarrel with a person for no reason if he has not harmed you. Do not envy a violent person. Do not choose any of his ways. The devious person is disgusting to the Lord. The Lord’s intimate advice is with decent people.”

After reading that, I was convicted in my own heart about my own desire to watch many of the shows. If you find that you gain pleasure watching these shows or that you favor a particular character because of how they behave, take a moment and read . . . study if you will, Proverbs Chapters 1 -4 which talk about wisdom. God’s Wisdom is ours for the asking.

BTW, if you really want to take a bite out of most reality shows . . . go and read Proverbs chapter 5 on adultery . . . or chapter 6 which talks about avoiding disaster by the way you think and act . . . or chapter 7, which is even more advice on avoiding adultery . . . I’m just saying. It is time we start to look at the world around us and how we choose to interact with it.

-Pastor Chris Blackburn

Are you sure you are on the right path? Need guidance?

2010-04-15T08:49:00.002-04:00

Recently, I was looking at my daughter who entered her teenage years this past year and it made me think back on my own middle school years. It was a time of trying to figure out who you are and where you are going. No longer at the age that your parents are continually holding your hand, telling you what to wear and wiping your nose. It is a time of emotional ups and downs. Friends are changing; decisions that have to be made are becoming more difficult.

It was this time in my life where I started to search. If there is a God what does he want of me and what does he expect of me? Is he just someone I read about or does he truly know me? During this search I was blessed to get saved, got involved in a spiritually active church that helped me grow in Christ. I started to since that there was even more for me. God had a plan. Not only a plan but he sent his Spirit to help me! Let’s look at some scripture and see what it says about the Holy Spirit:

Who gives us the Spirit and who can receive it?

Luke 11:13 (NIV)If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Acts 2:38 (NIV) Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Why do I need the Spirit?

John 14:26 (NIV)But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 16:13 (NIV) But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

2 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV) He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Galatians 5:22-24 (NIV) 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control.

God gives us some instructions.

1 John 4:1 (NIV) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Through life’s ups and downs, as an adult or child we must know that our heavenly Father has sent us something to help us along the way and that is His Holy Spirit. I praise God for His Spirit that has been a counselor, life giver, truth teller, and has given me love, joy, peace, patients, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Even though sometimes we stumble these gifts are always waiting for me.

- Carolyn Hanneman

The Christian and Government

2010-04-09T12:38:00.002-04:00

As a publically-educated, American-born citizen, I have, for as long as I can remember, believed in the power of representative government: the power of the people. Over the course of 2009, and the many political changes that came with it, that belief has been shaken. The hope is still there, that it is and can be, a long-lasting form of government that gives enormous freedoms to this nation’s people, but my trust in representative government has taken a serious hit.

The Apostle Paul, as I’m sure you know, lived under Roman rule: a government that stood decidedly against Christianity in Paul’s time, and yet he writes the following in the first 2 verses of Romans 13:
"Everyone must submit to the governing authorites, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgement on themselves."

My rebellious American spirit says, “No way! Throw out the evil rulers by whatever means necessary. Remove the oppressors!” But is that the plan of God for the believer? If we look at the nation of Israel throughout the Old Testament, we see a repeated pattern: God’s people recognize their need of the One True God and follow Him intensely for a time and then gradually their dedication to Him and to His plan weakens as they are distracted by the world around them and the many idols that it offers. Over and over, this leads to a time when God allows their nation to be attacked by heathen nations often resulting in many years of captivity and slavery for God’s people. The pattern continues with God’s people, crying out to Him in repentance and begging for deliverance. God raises up a leader, delivers His people, and calls them back into close fellowship with Him. They vow to let God be their King once again.

My favorite of these stories are those that include an evil ruler who is shocked into acknowledging the One True God. King Artaxerxes gives Nehemiah and the numerous other captives permission to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and all the supplies needed to do so (Nehemiah 2ff). King Nebuchadnezzer made a decree that anyone who spoke against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego should be cut in pieces and their houses destroyed (Dan. 3:29). King Darius made a decree that all men must tremble and fear before the living and enduring God of Daniel who is a Savior and Deliverer (Dan. 6:26). And there are many others.

Jeremiah spoke the Word of the Lord to Israel when they were in captivity in Babylon: “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7). My personal resolve in regard to this subject is to replace all my complaining and griping about our current government with prayer to our great God for those who are in authority. My prayer for them and for our nation is that our leaders will be shocked into acknowledging the one true God and that believers will cry out to the Lord in repentance and with an unwavering desire to serve the Lord whole-heartedly.

- Jenny Greene

Two for One

2010-04-06T10:41:00.001-04:00

Our family decided it was time to invest in a good companion dog. Tim has always wanted a Newfoundland. He won me over to their gentle, loving, maternal nature despite their size, loads of thick hair, and endless drool. For months I prayed and scoured all known breeders and dog rescue resources. At last we found “Mollie,” the perfect dog at the perfect price. We signed an agreement stating that she would be kept indoors and if for any reason at anytime we could no longer keep her, she would be returned to the breeder. Images of grandeur raced through my mind. I imagined the girls playing in the sprinklers, their giant black dog tagging along. I anticipated relaxing sessions of stroking her beautiful shiny coat. I thanked God for pairing us with our perfect pet. He had answered my prayer.

With time we became aware of how influential her past was on her present. Mollie was rescued by the breeder when she was two. Her owner abandoned her leaving her tied to a tree. She was dirty and malnourished. The breeder cleaned her up, gave her proper care and provision. She turned out to be a beautiful dog and passed all AKC certification. She produced 3 litters in three years before retirement. During that time she received excellent care, a customized diet, and medical treatment. She was able to run outside with the other “big dogs.”

Here is the two for one. One- God answers prayers..it may not always be the way we want Him to. Mollie was never lead on a leash or kept inside of a house. She really is a good natured dog. She is however a product of her upbringing. Two- We are also the ultimate result of our upbringing. We were born with a sinful nature. Some of us are “good natured” or “well mannered.” It may be that we were taught and trained in a positive way. Others were left abandoned with no real example to follow. I am always inspired by those who are willing to surrender what they have been influenced by and give following Christ a chance.

We have certainly had our challenges with Mollie. More than once we questioned whether keeping her is worth the sacrifice. How loving our God is to accept us with our flaws and stench of past mistakes. Just as the breeder took Mollie in and met her every need, God searches us and reveals the broken and missing pieces. He tenderly binds our heart wounds and shows us there can be a better way of living.

Mollie gets into a lot of trouble. She will sniff out the tiniest fragment of a candy wrapper in the trash and empty the can to sneak a lick. Her sheer size and clumsiness knocks things over and spills anything within her path. She steels stuffed animals from the girls and creates poly-fill blizzards. But, we love her. We promised to care for her and meet her needs until her death. We must provide the kind of training and instruction she needs to be tolerable and house broken.

I try to remember how patient God is with me when I make a mess of things. Even as Christians we can really tear some things up, spill out some bad emotions, dig up something we buried a long time ago, and sometimes knock down our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we will allow him, God will work on us and in us. He will give us the training and care we need to be “Kingdom ready.”

We recently enrolled Mollie in a dog obedience course. The first obstacles we must overcome are her past and insecurity. She must learn that she can trust us. With time we can trust her more as well. Mollie the Newfy, and we as Christians will grow as we surrender our past and trust the one who cares for us most.

-Lora Ratcliff

Touching Heaven...

2010-03-29T08:36:00.001-04:00

It really goes without saying that working with children in any way, shape or form poses many different challenges. You want adventure? Don’t bother joining the Army. They’ll ship you overseas, make you wear green and make you eat awful food. (No offense to our military intended! It’s a noble and necessary calling, really!) But if you want adventure right here in your own back yard, help a kid. It is indeed a challenge and an adventure, but it’s worth every minute. Parents know this; parents who care, that is. Teachers know this; teachers worth their weight in post-it notes, that is. Daycare workers know this; daycare workers who have a passion for helping kids and seeing to their well-being, that is.

Approached in the correct way, with the proper attitude, these challenges can really result in some very rewarding experiences, most importantly for the child, but also for the parent, teacher and daycare worker. Seeing a kid’s face light up when you tell them they have the potential for great things is just one of those rewards. Watching a kid beam with joy when you tell them you’re going to call their parent, not because they’re in trouble but because you just want to brag on them is another. Having a kid smile to themselves when they know they’ve answered a question correctly just adds to the long list of rewards you get when you work with kids.

Perhaps the biggest reward in working with kids comes when you realize that you are doing what the words to a popular song say: “Touching heaven, changing earth.” Jesus told his disciples to “suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven.” He also told his followers that unless they became as little children they could not enter the kingdom of heaven. Kids of any age, even the ones who are indeed impossible to deal with or seemingly even reach are pieces of heaven. When you make a difference in the life of a child we touch heaven and change earth, even if it’s just for them, because then that child, hopefully and prayerfully, goes out and changes his earth.

Go touch heaven today. The piece of earth changed just may be yours!

-Ben Hanneman

The Jesus Storybook Bible

2010-03-25T08:21:00.001-04:00

Have you been looking for a great children’s Bible for that special kid in your life? It would make the perfect Easter gift to keep the focus on Jesus. I know what you’re thinking: “She must be working on commission.” No, I’m not. I just happen to love reading this Bible myself (my kids love it too) and want to share it with you. This wonderful Bible is "The Jesus Storybook Bible" written by Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by Jago. It contains 21 stories from the Old Testament and 23 stories from the New Testament. These stories are not written with verses, but every story points us to Jesus. In a gentle, yet passionate way, Sally Lloyd-Jones tells how mankind could never be good enough or wise enough or work hard enough to save itself. Each story shows the condition of the heart, the need for a savior, and God’s promise to rescue us through Jesus. Here is an excerpt from the first story in this exciting Bible.

“No, the Bible isn’t a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne - everything - to rescue the one he loves. It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life!” (page 17)

Jago uses brilliant illustrations to help tell these incredible stories. I appreciate his use color, texture, and emotion. I also like his representation of various cultures and ethnicities. If I could draw, I’d try to give you a taste of the beautiful illustrations by Jago. But, I cannot. You will have to pick up a copy for yourself to see his amazing artwork.

Check it out here: www.jesusstorybookbible.com

- Anna Spraker

Heart, soul, body

2010-03-18T08:55:00.002-04:00

I would like to share an illustration I once heard, and use myself sometimes when I preach.

Here is a story of a boy and a girl. The boy had a bag of marbles, the little girl a bag of candy.
In the course of a conversation it was decided that the boy would trade all the marbles for the girl’s entire bag of candy. The two made an agreement that they would each bring their respective objects of trade the following day. The boy went home thinking of all the wonderful candy he would be eating, of all the blessings and goodness, if you will (sugar is not substance, I know, but work with me, it is perhaps what we really receive when the intent of our heart is as this young boy’s and we deceive ourselves). At one point in the evening he went to look at his bag of marbles, remembering where he had gotten each one. He picked out the biggest, prettiest marble, keeping it for himself. The following morning he gave the bag of marbles in trade for the bag of candy as agreed upon (minus his favorite marble). That night he lay in bed thinking about the little girl, and a single thought crossed his mind. This thought began to bother him as he lay there, keeping him up, tormenting him, really. Had the little girl really given him all the candy?

It is this way with some of us. I think we sometimes go to bed at night wondering if God has really given us His all. It should cause us to examine. Am I expecting God’s best without a thought as to whether I have indeed given Him my best? He deserves my best. I deserved death. Have I truly given myself heart, body, and soul to Him and His plan for my life? Is that apparent in my daily life?

He is worthy of a life of worship.

- Chris Farmer

ANSWERING HIS PRAYER

2010-03-08T19:11:00.000-05:00

As Easter draws nearer, I start thinking about Jesus as the Suffering Servant: what He went through and why. When I examine my life I can’t help but ask myself, “is Jesus getting what He deserves? Am I really the answer to His prayer?”
John 17:22-23 "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”

When Jesus is praying these words He is hours away from being betrayed by Judas, arrested, mocked, beaten, and killed for a crime He didn’t commit. He knows all of this is coming and in the hours before it begins He is praying for … us, you, me. His thoughts are focused on making sure we will live for what He is about to die for.

The question is are we? We have been entrusted with the glorious Gospel of salvation. Is the reality of what Christ has done for us shining through our lives? Does the presence of the Lord rest upon us in such a way that others are drawn to Him? This is the prayer of my life. I want Jesus to receive everything He asks His Father for when I lay my life at His feet on the last

-John Spraker

What Would You Ask For?

2010-03-03T10:30:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday in Children’s Church, I asked our kids a question. “If God were to come to you right now and say that he would give you any one thing your heart desired, what would it be?” Of course, there were the safe answers such as God’s heart, eternal life and to go right on to heaven now. Some of the adults in the room stated they would like to have all the money in the world or to have all the financial debts removed. There were some other, more selfish answers such as a Lamborghini car, all the puppies in the world, a horse and the ability to have superpowers. After making a list of all the answers, I spent some time talking about the condition of our heart. You see, we can tell the condition of our heart when we find out what we are most focused on in life. The Bible clearly states that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. When given a quick opportunity to answer the question, the kids and adults in the room blurted out those things that were the most pressing in their hearts. It is not that any of these items are bad things to ask for, but we must ask ourselves . . . would God be pleased with our choice.

In I Kings, there is the story of Solomon. God appeared in a dream to Solomon one night and told him He would grant Solomon any one thing his heart desired. After giving it some thought, Solomon asked for wisdom. I Kings 3:4-15 is where the story begins. In verse 6 Solomon responded “You’ve shown great love to my father David, who was your servant. He lived in your presence with truth, righteousness, and commitment. And you continued to show him your great love by giving him a son to sit on his throne today. Lord, my God, although I’m young and inexperienced, you’ve made me king in place of my father David. I’m among your people whom you have chosen. They are too numerous to count or record. Give me a heart that listens so that I can judge your people and tell the difference between good and evil. After all, who can judge this great people of yours?”

Verse 10 says all we need to know about Solomon’s choice . . . “The Lord was pleased that Solomon asked for this. God replied “You’ve asked for this and not for a long life or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies. Instead, you have asked for understanding so that you can do what is right.” We can see from later scripture that Solomon was blessed indeed with wisdom. So much so that men came from all over the world to learn from him. On top of that, the Lord blessed him with a long life and with riches beyond compare.

Interesting thought though . . . where are all of those riches now? There is no mention in any museum of the great throne made of pure gold that Solomon had (which no doubt would be worth in the millions or possibly billions). There was so much silver in Solomon’s kingdom that it literally had no value. All of his household items were made of gold. Anyone know where those things are now? No doubt, these things have been lost in time and may never be recovered.

So, what can we learn from this story? Maybe we should each examine our heart a little more closely and ask ourselves what is it that our heart desires? Are we asking God for material goods that would possibly make our lives better in our own eyes (say, a new car, a new house, a better job) or are we really asking God for those things that would make us better servants to others in His kingdom? Material goods will not last. The Bible says we should store up our treasures in heaven and not on this earth. Stop worrying about what you have or what you would like to have. Instead, let’s ask God to give us what we really need to be effective servants in His kingdom.

-Pastor Chris Blackburn

God's Word, Our Destiny...

2010-02-26T07:41:00.002-05:00

Part 1. “My Plan for You -- Your Heart’s Desire”....continued

In my last post, months ago, I commented that through knowing and obeying God’s Word, we will find the way to the abundant life that Jesus spoke of in John 10:10b, when He said, “I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” The abundant life that Christ wants to give us is a life lived to its maximum. I want to “max out” my life here on earth. I want to fulfill my greatest potential and to have the greatest success in all aspects of life that is possible for me to have. I believe most of us really desire that kind of fulfilled life. But, I have to admit that I have often lived in mediocrity and have fallen short of my best, which is God’s best for me. Because of that, I am sure that I have missed out on blessings and accomplishments that God had planned for me. The following poem expresses these thoughts:

Beyond Myself

Beyond myself -- God's Word is true.

He teaches me my whole life through.

Though life brings trials, toils and snares,

Beyond myself, I cast my cares.

I say, "But human's all I am"

He says, "You're more than just a man."

I have excuses for my short comings.

He says, "With Me, you quit your slumming."

Mediocrity has been my ride.

"Just get by." has been my pride.

But Jesus said to come up higher.

My plan for you -- your heart's desire.

"But, Jesus, how can I do so?

I'm only human, that you know.

My weaknesses, my faults, my doubts!

Go figure, Lord, what I'm about!"

"Am I a man that I should lie?

My Word is Truth, so don't be shy.

I shed my blood that you could be

Beyond yourself and be set free!"

Connie Wohlford, June 22, 2000

I repent of not living my life to it’s fullest -- which, by the way, is to live God’s plan for me and not my own puny plan or even someone else’s plan for me. Speaking of which, that “someone else” includes Satan. He has a plan for me and for you as well, and it’s not good and it’s not abundant. His plan is for my destruction and for me to adversely affect all I can on my way down. And you can be certain that he has that same plan for you! But God...! (To be continued)

-Connie Wohlford

Praise report from Crossroads Ministry!

2010-02-22T13:08:00.001-05:00

It is always exciting when God opens doors for new ministry opportunities and last Friday we were able to experience that once again at Crossroads Ministry. Last week Charles Poff, superintendent of the Western Regional Jail in Salem gave the go ahead to officially hire us on as one of two chaplains within the facility. This will open doors to potentially minister to the more then 650 male and female inmates, as well as providing some necessary financial support for the ministry. It just further reinforces within me the heart of God for the population we minister to and of His faithful support toward those who trust Him.

(Php 4:19) But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

- Pastor Ted Farmer
Director, Crossroads Ministry

Being Content...

2010-02-08T21:54:00.002-05:00

A few days ago, I passed a billboard at a church near West Virginia that had posted “For The Person Who Is Praying For Snow, PLEASE STOP, God Has Heard You!”. I think this sign is funny, but it does reveal a little about each of us during this very difficult stretch of winter weather.

I think most of us have had our fill of snow this winter. We are all a little tired of shoveling snow and having to stay indoors being restricted to our homes because the roads are not safe to travel, especially in the evening hours. Parents are getting more impatient with each day as schools continue to announce that they are closed. We are bothered by long lines at the grocery store to buy milk, juice and bread . . . and are even more disturbed to find they have run out of these essential items. Snow shovels break, and then we discover the local hardware stores no longer have snow shovels in stock. As the frustration of winter and the severe weather continues to build, we even suffer from cabin fever. If you are like me, you are longing for spring days with sunny skies, moderate temperatures and a renewed spirit that usually comes with that season of the year.

However, we should examine ourselves during these kinds of trials. To some, this kind of weather may not seem like such an ordeal, but to others, it is the worst time of year. Are we struggling to be happy in these dreariest of days? Or, are we “content”? Paul wrote a letter to the people of Philippi giving them the secret to being content regardless of their circumstances. It is in this scripture that we can examine our own hearts and emotions during these hard winter months.

Philippians 4:11-13 says “I’m not saying this because I’m in any need. I’ve learned to be content in whatever situation I’m in. I know how to live in poverty or prosperity. No matter what the situation, I’ve learned the secret of how to live when I’m full or when I’m hungry, when I have too much or when I have too little. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

So, despite all of the limitations that 18-36” of snow can bring and the problems that come with all of the recent bad weather, ask yourself this question . . . am I content? If not, stop looking at the weather forecast for good news. Instead, open up The Word of God and read what He has done for you and what He promises to do for you! Pray and ask God to speak to your heart. Pray for those who are in need. If nothing else, look for ways to be an encouragement to others by giving them a quick call, write a letter or even offer to help shovel a driveway.

In the meantime, if YOU are the one praying for all of this snow . . . you can stop, He HAS HEARD YOU!!

In Him,

Pastor Chris Blackburn

REMEMBERING MRS. JEAN RATCLIFFE

2010-01-27T10:31:00.001-05:00

As most of you are probably aware, Mrs. Jean Ratcliffe went home to be with her Beloved Savior last Sunday. I read a statement recently that said, “No one can argue with a changed life.” When it comes to following God, no one can argue with the fruit that Jean’s life produced. She was a person of passionate prayer, worship, and study of the Word. I never observed an ounce of regret, bitterness, or pride in her life. She lived out the message of the Gospel as well as anyone I have ever known. Her integrity was spotless, her compassion genuine, her relationship with Jesus contagious. When she arrived on that other shore last Sunday, a resounding shout of joy was the first thing she heard; a cry of love that conveyed the passionate love of our Bridegroom King singing over His beloved child. As she opened her eyes, free from the pain and limitations of this life, the Savior gently took her hand in His and said, “Welcome home.”

The purpose of this blog is to encourage others to live a life of faithful obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. Let the life and memory of Jean Ratcliffe be a living epistle that propels you into an intimate relationship with Jesus.

-John Spraker

Homegoing of one of our Saints

2010-01-24T17:34:00.000-05:00

The RWC family deeply mourns the passing of one of our most beloved spiritual warriors. Sister Jean Ratcliffe went home to be with her Savior this afternoon. Our heart felt prayers go out to James and her family during this time.

What will I do when life is a roller coaster?

2010-01-22T08:08:00.000-05:00

When life seems to be a roller coaster and I feel like things are just not going the way I think they should, one story I usually look to is found in Genesis 37-50. A common story told to children of all ages. A story about a man named Joseph how he was sold into slavery by his own brothers, thrown into prison for something he did not do and later became ruler over Egypt. In this we see a man who could have easily believed that his God had forsaken him. Through every trial Joseph continues to find favor even in the most unfortunate places.

Are you on a roller coaster? How are you reacting to God? Praising Him or questioning Him?

Lets take time today to praise God for his work in us:

Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Deuteronomy 8:10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you

Psalm 100:1-5

1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations

Amen!

- Carolyn Hanneman

God’s Provision

2010-01-14T08:51:00.001-05:00

Throughout December, I talked with my two-year-old son about the Christmas story. We covered many topics related to the events surrounding the birth of Christ including God’s provision: Jesus needed a mommy and daddy on earth, so God gave Him Mary and Joseph. The Shepherds needed a Savior, so God sent angels to tell them that Jesus had been born and where to find Him. The Wise Men needed a King so God sent a star to show them the way to Jesus. Mary and Joseph needed a place for Jesus to be born and God gave them a barn. Did you catch that last part? Somehow it just doesn’t seem to fit with the rest. God certainly could have given them a palace or a mansion or at least their own humble home for the birth of Christ, but He didn’t. And yet the truth remains, that He did provide for them and the baby Jesus grew up healthy and whole despite the unsanitary conditions in which he was born.

What do we, as American Christians, expect when we ask God to provide for us. Are we asking for angels, a star, a barn, or something in between? Would we be satisfied with the barn? The American culture has many Biblical ideals we can be thankful for (freedom, generosity, the goal of equality for everyone, etc.), but there are of course many weaknesses as well. Over-indulgence, self-absorption, and greed are the relevant flaws for this particular discussion. Have we even considered breaking free from our culture as far as our standard of living goes? During the Christmas season, I heard so many people say things like, “Well, we probably spent too much, but…”; “Well, I splurged a little, but…”; “Well, I decided to buy something for myself after all that shopping…”; “I ate way too much, but it was just so good.” Our first thought when a problem arises is often, “What can I buy to fix this or make it easier?” How many times have we thought to ourselves, if it just had________, then I would feel good about ________.” (You fill in the blanks.) Why do we expect so much when most of the world has so little? How often do we just rest in the knowledge that God has provided for us richly and that He will always give us what we need?

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].” Any of us who grew up in the midst of American culture have probably been conformed to it without even trying, but we can break free so that our attitudes and expectations, wants and desires become that which is God’s perfect will for us rather than simply a reflection of the world around us. Together let’s renew our minds through the study of God’s Word and change our ideals so that we can be more like our Savior and Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

-Jenny Greene

The gifts and the Gift Giver...

2010-01-12T08:33:00.003-05:00

I am writing this blog entry wearing earplugs and shooting muffs. With the computer in the most traveled room in the house, it is hard to concentrate. The longer I tried to think of a grand theological thesis to make you say, “Man Tim is really able to hear God,” the harder it was to shut out all the goings on of the house. Yes, I was coming along with a great message on “responding to problems not reacting to them.” But the harder I tried to expand upon the topic the more difficult it became. Even now in one room a lonely keyboard is playing “Another day in Paradise”on a continues loop, in another room one girl is playing “run around the room like a crazy person” and the other is drying her hair. The only thing that would make it complete is if Mollie (our newfoundland dog) was nudging my arm wanting attention. Life has a way of bringing focus to our feeble minds. We strive so hard to express the greatness of God that we miss out on the little things that make it all real. Sometimes I put so much into making every word correct in one of these blogs that I make myself crazy. Maybe I need to run around the room a little?

We minister in a body of believers with many talents. Some you can see and others that only come out when no one is looking. Each gift is given so that we can minister to God and the body. From time to time we fall into the trap of seeking to please the body more than God. Whether it is purposeful or not. We all want to know that what we are doing is being appreciated. That we are making a difference, changing lives, or the way people think. Understand that if you are able to function in the gifting that God has given you, there is no need to strive to please any other man. The reality is that our actions have little to do with the gift and a lot to do with the giver of the gift.

Well the house is quiet now, yet I am still wearing the plugs and muffs. I guess it wasn't the noise and commotion that was causing my lack of concentration. Maybe I just needed to quiet my head a little. P.S. I was the one who turned off the keyboard.

- Tim Ratcliff

Keeping our Resolutions...

2010-01-04T09:04:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year! Have you made a New Year’s resolution? Many people have. Yet most of them will not fulfill the goal that they set during the first minutes of the new year because they are trying to succeed in their own strength. Human strength has its limits. We grow weary. We lower our standards. We give up. However, in Christ 2010 can be your best year yet. I pray that you will know more and more of Christ’s amazing love for you this year and that you will allow Him to lead you on the amazing journey of life. May the following verses be an encouragement to you.

“I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit--not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength--that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know--far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. “(Ephesians 3:16-20, The Message Bible)

-Anna Spraker

Embrace The Race: 2010 New Year’s Resolution!

2009-12-29T17:13:00.002-05:00

I have always enjoyed the week after Christmas. I love that the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holiday has come to a close and we can reflect on the year that has past and look ahead to the possibilities of the New Year. We think back on what might have been and on things that we want to change or improve upon when the New Year starts.

For many of us, we will make one or more New Year’s resolutions. For me, I have set new goals to lose weight and to get back into shape, to pay off debt and maybe a few others that I will simply keep to myself. The problem with making New Year’s resolutions is that we don’t really commit to them long term. We start off the year with a ton of enthusiasm, but as the year goes on we start to focus on our old routines, fall back into our comfortable habits or we have to deal with something completely unexpected. Let’s face it; New Year’s resolutions are hard to keep.

If you think about it, each year is a race. The race begins at exactly 12:00 midnight on January 1^st, runs for 365 complete days and the finish line is at 11:59:59 on December 31^st. A new race begins as an old race ends. We use that final week of the year to reflect on the past race and prepare for the next “race” coming up. This is a cycle that only ends when we leave this earth to be with God.

So, does the Bible say anything about New Year’s resolutions? Well, in a way, it does! Take out your Bible and read Hebrews 12:1-5.

Go ahead . . . I can wait.

Ok, I want to suggest we each consider a new type of resolution for 2010. How about we all commit to “Embrace The Race: 2010”. As you can see from the first verse, “we must get rid of the things that slow us down, especially sin that distracts us”. Instead of making time to reflect on the past, maybe it is time we each look in the mirror and see if our reflection is that of Jesus. If not, maybe we need to commit our lives to being more of a reflection of Jesus to the world around us and not focus on those things that really don’t matter in God’s bigger picture.

To be a reflection of Jesus, we do what verse 2 says “we must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith.” Starting now, we should took a hard look at our lives and see what we are focusing on and ask the tough question, am I really focused on what Jesus wants me to be focused on. That may mean we need to make small changes as to where we spend our time or maybe it will mean we need to change to way we think and act. That is hard to swallow sometimes, but we are reassured that it is done in love. Read verses 4 and 5 again.

“You struggle against sin, but your struggles haven’t killed you. You have forgotten the encouraging words that God speaks to you as his children: My child, pay attention when the Lord disciplines you. Don’t give up when he corrects you. The Lord disciplines everyone he loves. He severely disciplines everyone he accepts as his child.”

Our life is a race. Not just the race of 365 days, but an entire lifetime. It is because of this scripture that I am rethinking the New Year’s resolution and making a lifetime resolution to embrace the race . . . . to be more focused on Jesus everyday. I want to reflect Jesus when somebody who does not know him looks at me. I will love those who maybe don’t deserve it . . . I will forgive those because my heavenly Father forgave me . . . I will live a life that is pleasing to Him.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

- Pastor Chris Blackburn

Mercy, Faith, and Obedience

2009-12-24T09:47:00.001-05:00

Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:18-25

As we enter into this Christmas week, many times we find ourselves conflicted. It’s easy to get lost in all of the trappings of secular Christmas. We become engrossed in family, fellowship, food, and shopping. We look forward to the “events”. It’s not that these things are bad nor am I saying that we should not enjoy these things. But for the believer we cannot lose sight as to what Christmas is about.

For the believer it is about our Redeemer and Savior. This day is also about humanities future. Many people played an important role in one of the greatest events in Human History. The Angel of the Lord, the Virgin Mary, and wise men all played an important role in the birth of Christ. Yet Joseph, often forgotten, also played and important role.

We must never forget that much hinged on the conduct of Joseph.

Joseph finds himself in a very precarious position. The scriptures introduce Joseph in the middle of an un-welcomed nightmare. He was engaged to a young girl. He was in love and He was committed. He was working diligently to provide Mary with a home and means to support her. Then Mary reveals to Joseph that she is pregnant. Her explanation was impossible for anyone to believe.

Mary was facing a death sentence. They could take their pick on how to convict her. She could be stoned for adultery or stoned for blasphemy (saying that the pregnancy was Divine). Yet Joseph made a choice. He chose not to demand his justice. He chose to give mercy.

Proverbs 21:21 (GW) “Whoever pursues righteousness and mercy will find life, righteousness, and honor.”

We have all had a time in our life that we have needed mercy. Everyone reading this blog has sinned. All have made sinful decisions and have been exposed as human and imperfect. It is ironic that many people are prone in these times to cast stones. But it is in these times that mercy is needed.

I found over the years of ministry that people who have received great mercy from God are usually more freely to give it. Why? Probably empathy for the person exposed. Joseph chose the higher rode, he chose mercy. The result was pretty good. Mary was protected and the unborn child was protected.

Do you think that this merciful carpenter had an influence in raising such a merciful Savior?

Since we couldn't have church today...

2009-12-20T12:15:00.007-05:00

Well, we couldn't have church this morning so here is the Christmas Program from last week, since we couldn't see it this morning. The message of the true meaning of Christmas; Christ birth and the importance we must place on it rang throughout the program. The choir, actors, children, director, sound and lighting crew did a fantastic job. We now present:

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

For such a time...

2009-12-20T09:09:00.001-05:00

As many of you know, I am involved with a variety of ministries here at RWC, most having to do with young people. Because of this, I have had the opportunity to hear Pastors Chris, Tina, Mike, Ted, as well as Mr. John and Mr. Tim. I have learned from them and used from them for my lessons at Missionettes, ROCK Club, and Sunday mornings.

I would like to share one of the lessons I taught at the ROCK. We were studying the prayer of Jabez through a book I found called The Prayer of Jabez, Devotions for Kids, Living Big for God by Bruce Wilkinson.

Pastor Hal had been speaking on the end times and was getting almost wrapped up on Sundays. Someone at a social event commented that it was amazing, awesome, and an honor that God chose us to be here (this time, decade, century, era) for his plan to be fulfilled. Pastor Ted taught at Life Change.

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,”
says the Lord. “They are plans for good
and not for disaster, to give you a future
and a hope.”

These were words of encouragement to the people of Judah. They were slaves, prisoners in Babylon. God told them he had plans for success, a future of hope. Did I mention that they were slaves in a foreign country?! He told them to work hard for Babylon so it would be successful and then they would be better off.

How does that relate to us? God knows the plans he has for us. We are in the time, decade, century, era, that we are supposed to be. No sooner, no later.

1 Peter 1:20
God chose him (Jesus) for this purpose
long before the world began,
but now in these final days,
he was sent to the earth for all to see.

And he did this for you.
Even Jesus was planned. He had a time, decade, century, era that he was to come. He completed his job.
God has plans for success. He told us how it ends. We win!! We need to show up, follow the rules, play our best, and finish.

1 Peter 1:4-5
For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for you,
pure undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
And God, in his mighty power,
will protect you until you receive this salvation,
because you are trusting him.
It will be revealed on the last day for all to see.

- Susie Hickman

THE FATHER’S SACRIFICE, OUR GIFT

2009-12-14T08:46:00.000-05:00

Christmas time is here again. We have probably all been reminded that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” If not, consider yourself reminded. It can be a bit cliché to warn people not to get caught up in the commercial aspects of Christmas but cliché or not, it is important. Take a long honest moment and think about this one simple fact: God the Father had one Son and in an act of completely selfless love He sent Him to live among us. The Living Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He sent Jesus to live with the very people who killed Him.
I have a hard time fathoming this kind of love. I love my church family, my neighbors and friends, and I try to love the lost; however, I can’t imagine ever even considering sending one of my children to die for someone else. Think of the heart that our Heavenly Father displayed when Jesus was born. I have been meditating on the First Commandment (love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength). Fulfilling this command gets easier (maybe that’s not the right word). Finding the passion to love God this way becomes the desire of our heart when we understand that He loved us first.
This time of year is an excellent time to focus on the love God has for us. Spend some time thinking about the sacrifice our Father made, thank and praise Him for it. His sacrifice is our gift.

- John Spraker

Diligently Seek Him...

2009-12-10T22:34:00.000-05:00

I am definitely not the writer in our family. Although with two children in school, I have become somewhat of an editor. I love red pens and proofreader’s marks. I do like to read every chance I get. Some days that’s only the back of cereal box or a recipe with exception to being in the Word. But as I was searching for a box of Christmas cards that I know I stashed somewhere last year after a good clearance sale I came across this small book called One Incredible Moment. It’s a compilation of writings by Max Lucado “celebrating the majesty of the manger.” This is one of his writings that I think we can all relate to during this Christmas season:

Simeon [said], “Can I stay alive until I see him?”

The Magi [said], “Saddle up the camels. We aren’t stopping until we find him.”

The shepherds [said], “Let’s go … Let’s see…”

They wanted the Savior. They wanted to see Jesus.

They were earnest in their search. One translation renders Hebrews 11:6: “God … rewards those who earnestly seek him” (NIV).

Another reads, “God rewards those who search for him” (PHILLIPS).

And another: “God … rewards those who sincerely look for him” (TLB).

I like the King James translation: “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”.

Diligently-what a great word. Be diligent in your search. Be hungry in your quest, relentless in your pilgrimage. Let this (book) be but one of dozens you read about Jesus and this hour be but one of thousands in which you seek him. Step away from the puny pursuits of possessions and positions, and seek your king

Don’t be satisfied with angels. Don’t be content with stars in the sky. Seek him out as the shepherds did. Long for him as Simeon did. Worship him as the wise men did… Risk whatever it takes to see Christ.

God rewards those who seek him. Not those who seek doctrine or religion or systems or creeds. Many settle for the lesser passions, but reward goes to those who settle for nothing less than Jesus himself.

--Merry Christmas and may you be blessed for your diligence!
--Cindy Nelson

The Lonely Broken Reindeer...

2009-11-30T18:28:00.003-05:00

Only a few of you may know this, but my husband is really Clark W. Griswold. If you don’t know who that is, you should rent the DVD of National Lampoon’s ‘Christmas Vacation’. Or, better yet, save yourself the money and just drive by our house to experience it firsthand. Each year at Christmas time, Chris decorates the yard and house with thousands of twinkling lights and all the decorations he can fit onto every tree, bush, gutter, porch, fence and empty spot on the lawn. He really does an outstanding job of spreading Christmas cheer to the neighborhood.

As we were dragging out the decorations last night, out came the metal framed reindeer, you know, the kind wired with white lights whose heads move up and down? There were three reindeer lying on the sidewalk, their lights falling off the frames and tangled up, their heads disconnected from their bodies. Clark, I mean Chris, called from across the yard “Plug them in and see if they work and see if you can get their heads on!” Then I remembered that one unfortunate buck’s head had broken several years ago. I tried unsuccessfully to fix it, gave up, and let it flop to the ground. As he was watching, Chris called “Throw it away!”

For several years we have dragged this same broken reindeer from the basement, plugged him in, remembered his head was broken, and hollered at each other “throw him away!” He was repeatedly carried back to the basement to be thrown back on a lonely shelf in a dark corner, hoping that one day I would have the time and know how to fix that deer. A cheap lawn decoration, useless in its purpose, ignored in the hope that one day it could be salvaged. I cannot bring myself to throw it away. Maybe it’s just the pack-rat in me; I prefer to think it is a symbol of Christmas hope.

We do a lot of things to celebrate Christmas each year; we celebrate the birth of our Messiah, the One who saves us. I hope that broken reindeer can be fixed – but Jesus is THE hope of the entire world. He came to fix those who are broken, to save those that have been given up on. Those who are lonely have, in Him, a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Those who are not fulfilling their purpose in life can find their purpose in Him. To those who feel forgotten or neglected, He promised that He would never leave or forsake them. For those who live in darkness, Jesus can be their light; He is THE light of the world. That broken reindeer will probably still be sitting there on that lonely, dark shelf next Christmas, waiting to be salvaged and repaired. However, those who are broken, lonely, living in darkness, tangled up in sin can turn to Jesus today. We can rejoice during this Christmas season that our Messiah came to save us: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Thanksgiving: A Christian Perspective...

2009-11-25T21:25:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving
(Heb. tôdâ; Gk. eucharistia). A duty of which gratitude is the grace. This obligation of godliness is acknowledged by the universal sentiment of mankind; but as a Christian grace it has some blessed peculiarities. It is gratitude for all the benefits of divine Providence, especially for the general and personal gifts of redemption. The very term most in use shows this; it is charis, which is the grace of God in Christ, operating in the soul of the believer as a principle and going back to Him in gratitude: "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Cor. 9:15). The ethical gratitude of Christianity connects every good gift and every perfect gift with the gift of Christ. Moreover, it is a thanksgiving that in the Christian economy, and in it alone, redounds to God for all things: in everything give thanks. This characteristic flows from the former. The rejoicing that we have in the Lord, and the everlasting consolation we possess in Him, makes every possible variety of divine dispensation a token for good. The Christian privilege is to find reason for gratitude in all things: "for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thes. 5:18).

- Dr. Hal Adams
Senior Pastor

What are you Thankful for?

2009-11-24T00:18:00.006-05:00

As Thanksgiving approaches I find myself not thinking about the things I'm thankful for, as the holiday implies but thinking about all the things I've got to get done. Cooking, cleaning, cooking some more; crazy deadlines I've got because I can't balance everything I want to do with the amount of time I have to do them in. Is sleep really all that important? Don't get me wrong, I love this time of year: the cooking, the cleaning, the crazy deadlines, but when it starts to weigh me down (read consume my thoughts and give me that sinking feeling in my stomach) that is when I know I have problem. So tonight I am giving myself a good shake and making myself concentrate on what I'm thankful for:

A wonderful husband who is my best friend.
Family who are so understanding about my life.
Friends who know who and what I am and still like to hang out with me.
A little dog who I am crazy about.
A Church family who I dearly love.
And most importantly: A Heavenly Father who is crazy about me.

This is my list, what's yours? Let's hear from you RWC! What are you thankful for? Leave your list in the comments section and let me know, even if it is about your little dog.

-Allison Laster

A Work In Progress...

2009-11-20T10:56:00.004-05:00

For the past week I've has a nasty sore on the side of my tongue that has made it nearly impossible to talk. Yes, Ryan has been speechless. I know you don't believe me. Let just say Sammi and I are awesome at charades now. The pain was so bad my doctor actually prescribed me vicodin. It actually made me sick. Fun times X 2.

Anywhoo, I'm getting off topic. So I've been incapable of speech for the past 5-7 days. Guess what fell smack in the middle of those days...my birthday. Yeah. So since I haven't been able to spend much time enlightening those around me, I've had ample time to attempt enlightening myself. Moving on.

All that to set the stage. My wife is ridiculously incredible. I mean, she is really all that God ever intended a woman to be. She's great. That's had me thinking about God. About his goodness. And now we have hit the body of my thoughts... I've been in searing pain for 7 days...those seven days reaching out as far as they can in every direction from my birthday, grabbing every ounce of fun they can touch. I spent a lot of time mad at God. Seriously. On day 2 of my microcosmic Job experience, I receive my rejection from both grad schools I applied to.

Now, I believe in a God who is as concerned about the big stuff as he is about your athlete's foot. I think he is intimately concerned with everything in our lives. So why doesn't he do something about my suffering. I'm not saying he should end all my suffering. That's just not rational, right? But if he can heal (which I believe he can, I mean, how can he be a deity if he can't fix small problems like health? that's like a mechanic who is incapable of changing spark plugs. "You know, you'll appreciate the character you gain as a result of that misfire in cylinder 3. Trust me.")

So if all this is true, then where is he when I'm having the worst week of my life? He's in my wife. I have to tell you, I love Sammi so much it hurts. I don't know exactly what that phrase means, to be quite honest. I just know that it encapsulates what I feel. So sue me, I have ‘cliche’ tendencies. So I love my wife recklessly. I really do. But this past week has shown me exactly how wonderful she is. It's shown me how much she loves me and what she's willing to go through just to help me be happy.

If I didn't have big bumps in the road, and little bumps in the road, I would become so recklessly wrapped up in my own narcissism that I would never emerge. I would really and truly be Gollum, forever clasping the 'precious' of my own ego. It's those bumps that make me lose my grip on my precious, and as I chase it, attempting to clutch it once again, I bump into reality which is at once terrifying (how horrible I am) and beautiful (how gracious God is towards me).

I don't say this to give anyone a pat answer to suffering. I am not saying that you shouldn't get angry at God. I would never say that. You must express your emotions, or they will find a way to express themselves, no matter how violent the street they choose may be. But it is in the midst of expressing those emotions that you are given a choice: do circumstances dictate what you believe about life? or does what you believe about life resonate so strongly within you that it adjusts your perception of reality and anchors you in the midst of the terrifying parts of life?

Sometimes pain is used to bring good. I don't like that fact. But it doesn't change it from being true. My pain over the past week has shown me a lot of great things. i wouldn't want to relive the pain, but I also wouldn't want to give up what I've learned. This may be oversimplified. As a matter of fact, I know it is. And you have my apologies if at any point this has caused you pain. That was no my intention. Consider it a work in progress...just like all of us.

-Ryan Lytton

LifeChange: 5th Quarter and Lock-In

2009-11-09T16:23:00.000-05:00

This past Friday night (Nov.6th) over 100 teens and Jr. high students from Radford gathered at Radford Worship Center after the Radford/Giles football game for what we thought would be our last 5th Quarter of the football season. It was a great night. At midnight, the Jr. High students went home and the teenagers went to our youth sanctuary for a time of being ministered to by our Heavenly Father.

The worship band rocked as they always do and the kids responded to God in praise. The Word was preached and a great time of ministry followed. There were kids who accepted Christ and there were kids who needed the loving hand of the Father to reassure them that He loves them and has a future for them. It was a great privilege to pray and give out hugs to these precious young people.

After the service, we all headed back over for the basketball tourneys, rock band, pedicures, game room, food and the café. Luke Buzzard and Katie Osterbauer took teams of 5 kids each back over to the educational building for a very creative scavenger hunt designed by Luke. Every young person I talked to who participated in the scavenger hunt loved it and was glad they did it.

Once 5:30am came….we started getting them ready to head home at 6am. It had been a long night but the time was well spent. Everyone was pretty much asleep on their feet which always makes for an interesting time of taking kids home on the vans and bus.

After all of the cleanup at 7:30am and we were ready to head home. The great thing is that since Radford beat Giles, we get to have another 5th Quarter this Friday……oh what fun.

Thanks to all who volunteered, prayed or donated food for this great event.

- Pastor Mike
Pastor LifeChange Youth Ministries

Prayer Vigil for Mrs. Jean

2009-11-05T09:05:00.002-05:00

Don't forget we are having a Prayer Vigil for Jean this Friday November 6th at 6pm in the Main Sanctuary. If you haven't signed up for a time slot please contact the Church office today before 3pm. Let us come out to support and petition our Heavenly Father for our precious sister Jean.

Who Can I Trust? Who can I put Confidence in?

2009-11-05T08:58:00.000-05:00

These questions each of us have to consider. Is our trust and confidence in money, government, job, bank, family, CDs, money market or leaders?

Our Trust and Confidence must be in God and His Word!

Malachi 3:5
“For I am the Lord, I change not.”

Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and forever.”

Psalms 119:89
“Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in Heaven.”

Psalm 118:8,9
“It is better to Trust in the Lord then to put Confidence in man. It is better to Trust in the Lord then to put Confidence in princes (rulers or authority).”

Proverbs 3:26
“For the Lord shall be thy confidence and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”

Proverbs 14:26
“In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence and His children shall have a place of refuge.”

God and His Word are Trust and Life!
Thanks for continuing to read this blog…

Numbers 23:19
“God is not a man that He should lie; neither the son of man that He should repent. Hath He said and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken and shall He not make it good?”

Nahum 1:7
“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that Trust in Him.”

Jeremiah 17:7
“Blessed is the man that Trusts in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is.”

Proverbs 3:5,6
“Trust in the Lord with all then heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

Psalms 34:4
“O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that Trusts in Him.”

Hebrews 3:14
“For we are made partakers of Christ in we hold the beginning of out confidence stedfast unto the end.”

Trust means “to flee for protection, to confide in, have hope, make refuge”
Confidence means “trust and hope also assurance and security”

It is clear to me Who we can Trust and put our Confidence in.

Love in Christ,
Jean Ratcliffe

The Homosexual Agenda and the Divine Nature

2009-10-29T07:17:00.001-04:00

As I have made my contributions to the RWC blog, I have been attempting to tackle issues that may be political hot potatoes, but issues that are necessary for the church to confront. As our society moves towards normalizing gay marriage, we must understand the spiritual implications of such a move. I believe that many in the church are bothered by homosexuality because someone else told them it is a sin or they simply find such a lifestyle “unpleasant” to think about. However, in the study of scripture, we can find that the problem with homosexuality is that it is an attempt to replace the divine nature of God with the carnal nature of man. It is the penultimate form of rebellion against God. Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made so that they are without excuse.” This scripture, speaking of unrighteous and ungodly people, continues in verse 27 to say that those who engage in homosexual behavior will be handed over to a depraved mind. Verse 20 gives us more insight. Homosexuality is the rejection of God’s invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature. How do I know this? Romans 1:25 “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever, Amen.” Homosexuality is not just an “unpleasantry.” It is a rejection of the divine, in favor of that which has been created.

Romans continues to say in verses 26-27 “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” If you know someone who lives the homosexual lifestyle, pray for them. It is a deadly trap that is hard to escape, impossible without Christ.

But what is the ultimate reason for marriage to be between a man and a woman? How does Biblical marriage embrace the divine? Paul gives us the answer. Ephesians 5:31-32 “For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.” A godly marriage is not simply about the man and the wife. It is not about our happiness or only the love we have for one another. It is about the divine. Marriage is to primarily be an example of how Christ loves the church and church loves Christ. Homosexuality is a perversion in the physical that is a statement on the spiritual. Homosexual is a physical statement that the marriage of Christ and His church is perverse. This should never be. Christ sacrificed Himself for all of mankind and that is truly divine.

-Pastor Jason Greene

Monetary Responsibility

2009-10-23T09:31:00.004-04:00

Have you ever read this: “Woe to (alas) for you who are rich (abounding in material resources), for you already are receiving your consolation (the solace and sense of strengthening and cheer that come from prosperity) and have taken and enjoyed your comfort in full [having nothing left to be awarded you]. Woe to (alas for) you who are full now (completely filled, luxuriously gorged and satiated), for you shall hunger and suffer want! Woe to (alas for) you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep and wail.”? It’s in Luke 6:24-25. Jesus said it. Having traveled to one other country and studied many around the world, I know that compared to most of the world, almost all Americans fit into the “rich” category. Compared to some other U.S. citizens, I may not be rich, but the Bible is not written just to those in the USA. Not wanting to hear a, “Woe to you”, from Jesus, I began studying every scripture in God’s Word about material riches, wealth, etc. Here is a summary of what I have found:

+ Money gained honestly by doing something worthwhile is a blessing provided by God for our enjoyment. (1 Chronicles 29:12 and 1 Timothy 6:17-19)
+ Don’t let money tempt you to trust in your own wealth rather than in God or to shift your focus to it and away from God. (many scriptures throughout the Bible, too numerous to list)
+ Be content and satisfied even with nothing more than food and clothing. (1 Timothy 6:7-11)
+ Be self-sacrificing and spiritually mature by giving to the poor, doing good, being rich in good works, being generous of heart and ready to give to others. (1 Timothy 6:17-19, Mt. 19:21-24)
+ Do not glory in or be absorbed by the world and over use the riches, physical gratifications, temporal satisfactions, and earthly pleasures of this life. (Jeremiah 9:23, 1 Corinthians 7:31)
+ Be cautious because riches can choke and suffocate the Word so that it bears no fruit. (Matthew 13:22)

Finally, here’s a list of questions that I used to examine my own life in this area. Perhaps it will help the reader as well.

1. In what ways does God want me to enjoy what He has blessed me with?
2. In what ways do I trust too much in money rather than in God?
3. How can I show that I’m content with food and clothing?
4. Are there areas where I am absorbed by the pleasures of this world – physical gratifications and temporal satisfactions?
5. Are riches suffocating God’s Word in any area of my life and preventing me from bearing fruit?
6. How can I be more self-sacrificing, generous of heart and ready to give to the poor and share with others?

“The love of money is a root of all evils…but as for you, O man of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness of heart. Fight the good fight of the faith…” (1 Timothy 6:10-12).

-Jenny Greene

Crossing My Jordan!

2009-10-19T11:37:00.001-04:00

Have you ever been in a place were you knew that one decision would change the course of your entire life? One change would redirect your entire way you viewed yourself and others. Imagine for a second that you were with Joshua before crossing the Jordon. Behind you was the Exodus from Egypt, a place of slavery and struggle. Before you was the mighty river Jordon. Knowing that by crossing this river you would be placing yourself into the fight to claim the Promise Land. It was one thing to be brought out of Egypt; but it was another thing altogether to cross over the Jordan and thus become committed, without possibility of retreat, to the struggle against the powers of Canaan. The same is our struggle when we realize that the path we are on as Christians is not taking us closer to God. I like what J. Sidlow Baxter said, “.. that intense crisis of the soul in which we are forced to the supreme choice whether here shall be an utter once-for-all abandon of ourselves to the will of God, so that henceforth God is absolutely first in the soul’s love and life, or whether we shall take what seems to be the easier way, that is, of continuing in the Christian life, but with a reservation in our love to God. It is one thing to take Christ as Saviour from the guilt of our sin. It is another thing to make Him absolute Master of our will and life.”

Our struggle is the thought of letting go and moving forward. Leaving everything and everybody behind that is hindering the progression forward. There should be no turning back. It becomes a war of will. Will we allow our flesh and unrenewed mind to hold us back from receiving the fullness of God? Are we going to accept God's will with reckless abandon or are were going to be content with the simple relationship found just at the cross of Christ (The Exodus from Egypt)? There is so much more to be obtained in the true knowledge of Christ as Lord (Canaan). The key to receiving all that God has promised, our Promise Land, is to cross the Jordan that is between the Salvation relationship and the true servant relationship of Christ.

-Tim Ratcliff

For Wives and Mothers... An Encouragement

2009-10-16T20:21:00.002-04:00

This was put on my heart for wives and mothers to encourage them.

A Strong Woman versus a Woman of Strength

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape…

But a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape;

A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything…

But a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear;

A strong woman won’t let anybody get the best of her…

But a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone;

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids them in the future…

A woman of strength realizes that life’s mistakes can also be

God’s blessings and capitalizes on them;

A strong woman walks sore-footedly…

But a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls;

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face…

But a woman of strength wears grace;

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey…

But a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey

that she will become strong.

The Hidden Woman

A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life. She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother. She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference. At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated.

“Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?” she would ask herself.

It was during one of these moments of questioning she heard the still voice of her Heavenly Father speak to her heart. “You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be. Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. But I notice. Most of what you give is done without remuneration. But I am your reward.

“Your husband can not be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love. Your children are precious to Me … even more precious than they are to you. I entrusted them to your care so that you may raise them right for Me. What you invest in them is an offering to Me.

“You may never be in the public spotlight. But your obedience shines as a bright light for Me. Continue on. Remember that you are my servant. Keep on pleasing me.”

The High Calling

If God has called you to be truly like Jesus… He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility, and put on you demands of obedience that sometimes will not allow you to follow other Christians. In many ways He will seem to let other good people do things He won’t let you do.

Other Christians, even ministers, who seem very religious and useful, may push themselves, pull strings, and work schemes to carry out their plans, but you cannot do these things. And if you attempt them you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.

Others can brag about themselves, about their work, about their success, about their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing; and if you begin bragging, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

Others will be allowed to succeed in making great sums of money, or having a legacy left to them, or in having luxuries, but God may only supply you daily, because he wants you to have something far better than gold, - a helpless dependence on Him – that he may have the privilege of providing your needs daily out of the unseen treasury.

The Lord may let others be honored and keep you hidden in obscurity, because he wants to produce some choice, fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade.

God will let others be great and keep you small; he will let others do work for him, and get credit for it, but he will make you work and toil without anyone knowing how much you are doing. And then to make you more precious still, He will let others credit for the work which you have done; this will make your reward ten-times greater when Jesus comes.

The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch on you, with jealous love, and rebuke you for little words and feelings or for wasting time, which other Christians never seem distressed over.

So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign who has a right to do whatever He pleases with His own, and needs not to explain to you a thousand things which may puzzle your reason in His dealings with you.

God will take you at your word, and if you absolutely see yourself to be His slave. He will wrap you up in a jealous love, and let other people say and do many things that you cannot say or do.

Settle it forever, that you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit and that He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue, or chaining your hand back, or closing your eyes in ways that others are not disciplined.

Now, when you are so possessed with the living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of Heaven!

- Edith Osterbauer

Submit yourselves to God...

2009-10-13T10:35:00.001-04:00

Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee. – James 4:7

These days, not many of us like discussing or even pondering the word “submit” or closely-related words like “surrender.” The idea of surrendering often brings up old war movie images of being taken captive, held in a dank, dark prison cell against our will and fed week-old stale and moldy bread and brown water passed to us through a four by eight slot in a big iron door. Not a pleasant image by any stretch of anyone’s imagination.

In the natural, surrendering to someone does often mean we will be held captive in conditions not exactly designed for our pleasure. In the spiritual, only when we surrender to God will we experience true freedom. Freedom from what? How about from being held captive by the old nature of sin and the death penalty that accompanies any and all who are unrepentant and reject the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and savior of the world through his death, burial and resurrection. Not bad, eh?

Ironically, the actual word “surrender” is not found in any of the commonly used translations or paraphrases of the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. However, the idea of surrender or submission is plentiful throughout scripture, primarily in the New Testament. Jesus is our best example as he surrendered his will, his feelings, his desires, his life, to the purpose God had for him.

Elsewhere, we are commanded by several writers, most notably the Apostle Paul, to submit or “surrender” ourselves one to another, confessing our sins that we might be washed by the washing of the word of God. Wives are also strongly encouraged to surrender to their husbands. But it doesn’t stop there. Men have the more binding job of surrendering to Christ in the same way that he gave his life for the church.

The universal signal for surrender is the raising of both arms with palms turned outward. Interestingly enough, that is also a commonly used signal that someone is involved in worshipping or “surrendering” to God. It is only when we completely surrender to God that we experience true freedom. And perhaps the best part about surrendering to God is that he feeds us pretty well and doesn’t keep us locked up. “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed!” (John 8:36)

Give it a try. You’ll be blessed. I guarantee it.

-Ben Hanneman

Why We Need the Parental Rights Amendment...

2009-10-10T09:11:00.003-04:00

Are your God-given rights as a parent important to you? The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child completely undermines the idea of the right of the parent. Here is some information from parentalrights.org about the UN Treaty being considered by the US Senate and the President.

Eighty years ago the Supreme Court declared that “the child is not the mere creature of the
State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty,
to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.” Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510
(1925). Thirty years ago the Court continued this line of reasoning with the pronouncement
that the “primary role of the parents in the upbringing of their children is now established
beyond debate as an enduring American tradition.” Wisconsin v. Yoder, 406 U.S. 205 (1972).

Yet in 2000, when the State of Washington gave any person the ability to override a good
parent’s decision about visitation by simply claiming that it would be “best” for children to
allow the third-party to have visitation rights, in the Supreme Court’s Troxel v. Granville:

•
There were six separate opinions and none reached a five-vote majority.
•
Justice Thomas was the only justice to clearly state that parental rights.
receive the same high legal standard of protection as other fundamental rights.
•
Justice Scalia held that parents have no constitutionally protected rights whatsoever.

Support for a high-view of
parental rights has been
seriously undermined by
the current Court. As a
consequence, numerous
lower federal courts refuse
to treat parental rights as
deserving of protection as
a fundamental right.

At the same time, America
is poised to adopt the UN
Convention on the Rights
of the Child. President
Obama supports this treaty.
Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton has been a leading
advocate of this treaty for
over twenty years. Senator
Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has
“promised” that this treaty
will be ratified during this
term of Congress.

Why We Need the
Parental Rights Amendment

The proposed
PARENTAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
HJRes 42 / SJRes 16

Section 1.

The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing and education
of their children is a fundamental right.

Section 2.

Neither the United States nor any State shall infringe upon
this right without demonstrating that its governmental inter-
est as applied to the person is of the highest order and not
otherwise served.

Section 3.

No treaty may be adopted nor shall any source of interna-
tional law be employed to supersede, modify, interpret, or
apply to the rights guaranteed by this article.

If this treaty is ratified:

•
The laws of all 50 states on children and parents would be superseded by this international
law by virtue of a specific provision of the US Constitution which expressly declares
treaties to be supreme over state law. Virtually all law on children and parents is state law.
•
Good parents would no longer be entitled to the legal presumption that they act in the best
interests of their children. Instead, the government would have the authority to overrule all
parents on any decision concerning the child if the government believed it could make a
better decision.
•
Parents could no longer spank their children.
•
Children would have the legal right to choose their own religion. Parents would be
permitted only to give advice.
•
America would be under a binding legal obligation to massively increase its federal
spending on children’s programs.

The only kind of law that can override a treaty is the Constitution of the United States. State
laws or state constitutions cannot override treaties. There is no guarantee that federal statutes
could override treaties—moreover, we enter a binding legal promise to obey a treaty when we
ratify it. America should not promise to obey a treaty and then claim it is appropriate to obey
the treaty only when we want to. America of all nations must respect the rule of law.

There is only one possible solution for the eroding support for parental rights in the Supreme
Court that can also stop the encroachment of international law.

We need to place time-honored parental rights, as recognized by the Supreme Court for over
seventy years, into the explicit text of the Constitution.

We cannot wait until our rights are formally demolished. We must act now to stop interna-
tional law and protect these two key principles:

•
Fit parents should be allowed to direct the upbringing of their children.
•
American legislators, not international tribunals, should make the public
policy for America on families and children.

If you believe these two principles, become a supporter of parental rights:

Donate, volunteer, or join the e-mail network at

P.O. Box 1090 Purcellville, Virginia 20132
info@parentalrights.org – (540) 751-1200

Here I am

2009-10-05T08:46:00.000-04:00

Then [Jesus] said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
--Hebrews 10:9-10 (NIV)

What a wonderful verse of scripture… the Son of God saying to the Father “I’ve come to do your will”…
I realize that good biblical interpretation says that the “first” is the sacrificial system of burnt offerings that was replaced by the ultimate sacrifice of Christ; but look at the above in the following manner… In order to do His will (the 2nd part) we must deal with and set aside the 1st part (here I am). So often we stand in the way of the will of God. We just are not as interested in the 2nd as much as we are in the 1st part…

In the course of 25 years of ministry I know I have been in the way of what God has wanted to do. Like many of us I sometimes believe I can help God out. There used to be a very old cartoon when I was a kid (yes we had TV then) the super hero would sing “here I come to save the day…” many saints today have the same mentality… I’ll save the day we’ll do it my way; after all God gave me these incredible gifts and abilities. Thank God that Jesus had a different mentality; He never did things any other way than God’s way. Here I am I have come to do your will. We can only do His will when we make His will ours. When you’re doing His will your not interested in the limelight or the spotlight…it doesn’t matter what people think of you or don’t think of you…it only matters that you do the will of Him who sent you.
Blessings may your way become Yahweh

Dr.Dave

His joy is our strength…

2009-10-02T08:55:00.001-04:00

Psalm 37.23 says, “The steps of a good man are directed and established by the Lord, and He delights in His way.”

The powerful truth in this scripture is that He takes joy in each step we take in righteousness. The word good here actually equates to righteous. You will see if you look at the entirety of Psalm 37 stark contrasts and consequences in the character traits of righteousness and evil. He is righteous. It has always been His plan for our lives, to establish His character in our hearts- to build His kingdom in the hearts of men.

Nehemiah 8.10, “… do not be grieved for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

The joy of the Lord is my strength- He has established my steps in righteousness- He delights in each one. We cannot change Him to fit our fleshly ideal or concept. He is eternal- Holy, righteous. He is the same in eternity past, present, and future. We are the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. It is His path.

Psalm 16.11, “You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

-Chris Farmer

Does This Sound Familiar?

2009-09-21T09:44:00.003-04:00

Dana and her team walk on stage to begin the music, I get excited because I love music, I love to worship, and the worship team do an excellent job. I stand to my feet and listen as an exhortation is made about worshipping the One True God. The first notes begin to be played or sung and my heart begins to rise as I recognize the song. I love this song I think to myself and lift my voice in worship, trying to get lost in His presence. Whoever is receiving the offering for the day comes up and encourages us to give. I am ready, my check has been written, envelop filled out, my offering descends into the soft velvet bag and will hopefully be used by God and I’ll get blessed because I obediently gave it…

I could go on but you get the idea. We all have our own things going on in our heads when we arrive on Sunday mornings. Mostly our thoughts are good. We want to worship, we want to give, and we want the word. We honestly want God to move and be glorified in our midst.

The problem is subtle. It creeps into our mind practically unbeknownst to us. This worship service has become about me. I want to be fed. I want to receive from the Lord. It is certainly not wrong to feel this way, in fact, we are encouraged to hunger after God. However, Luke records an interesting teaching by Jesus:

Luke 17:7 "Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? (8) "But will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'?

The Master eats first. Who is the Master? Why Jesus, of course. The mindset of the believer coming into the service is so often centered on what they will get out of the service. Let me stress again that it is completely appropriate and critical that we do receive from the Lord in a worship service. The issue is etiquette. The Master is served first. Our worship and giving, our attitude in whatever we do shouldn’t be in what we expect or like, rather we should be focused on serving our Lord, pleasing Him. Once He has been served then we may eat.

-John Spraker
Rock Club Director

What are we supposed to do?

2009-09-15T09:08:00.001-04:00

It seems like the whole world has gone crazy. Everywhere we look there is evil going on it seems. There has never been a time such as this. We truly are heading toward the end of time as we know it. It is exciting and scary at the same time. We are not just to live for today—but for tomorrow as well. What do I mean by that? We should live like we are eternal now and live in a way that pleases God. When we have communion, do we leave the table and go out and betray our Lord by our lifestyle? What would Christ say about what we read, see, say, play, and do? Oh—it is just a game, a movie, a book or a habit. If it is against God’s word, it is against you and will harm you. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters; we will either love the one or hate the other (Matthew 6:24). How are you in your walk? Is Christ the focus of what you do each day or is He just to worship on Sundays? The priests in the Old Testament had to purify themselves from sin before entering the temple. This is not a bad idea for us. What would happen if each one of us asked God to convict us of the sin in our personal lives, cleanse us, and deliver us from every stronghold of the enemy? That would be so powerful! There is nothing stopping us from doing that—or is there? Have a blessed week in Christ.

- Pastor Connie Shinn

The Body of Christ...

2009-09-03T12:04:00.001-04:00

The summer has all but passed, the air is taking on the familiar feel of Fall and another great opportunity for ministry is in the books. Our annual Summer program at the New River Valley Detention center finished well, with over 15 salvations and an incredible opportunity to invest daily into the lives of incarcerated teens. We at Crossroads would like to thank all those who donated their time and resources to the cause of reaching these young people for Christ.

A question that is often asked of me and others who are involved in the same type of ministry is “Do you ever see any of the people you minister to on the outside?” or “Are you ever able to do any follow up?” and I have to confess this is one of the toughest aspects to this type of ministry. The people we minister to are from different localities, they often do not have a phone, and usually have no reliable transportation. So, to say that it is a challenge is an understatement and just when I might be tempted to be discouraged God reminds me we are only one small part of a whole body that God desires to use. There is a complete body to fulfill His purpose.

In the book of 1 Corinthians Paul writes;
(1Co 12:4) There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.

(1Co 12:5) There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served.

(1Co 12:6) There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person.

Because of the different parts of this body God is using at the Radford Worship Center, we are given the awesome opportunity to minister to people at their point of need. As a result, every month people we minister to on the inside (Jail or Detention Center) are ministered to through one of the ministries at the Radford Worship Center. What an awesome privilege it is to work with a church where I can refer someone who needs counseling or someone who needs food or medical assistance. We have parents whose kids attend the Rock Club and teens that are involved in LifeChange. What an awesome demonstration of His love! It is truly an honor to be a part of a ministry where, even in the depths of a Jail or a Detention Center, the practical love of Christ can be seen through the working of His Body.

-Pastor Ted Farmer
Director Crossroads Ministry

Jesus and the Healthcare Debate

2009-08-31T18:47:00.002-04:00

Everywhere in our country the healthcare debate continues to rage. I recently heard a commentator ask, rhetorically, “What would Jesus say?” As he continued, he stated that Jesus did not ask for health insurance cards, that He was not concerned with people paying Him for healing, and that He did not turn anyone away. As the political environment has changed in this country, it has become necessary for believers to address political subjects because we carry a banner of righteousness that must not be furled and put away for the sake of political correctness or avoiding offense. As to what Jesus would say, I do not know. I am not Him. However, I do know what His Word says. This radio commentator was “concerned” with the helpless, the sick and those who are unable to help themselves.

Immediately, my spirit rose up within me and I wanted to ask him, what about the unborn? Jesus usually looks past the whiners, the complainers, and those with an agenda to the truly helpless and those who are truly unable to help themselves. I do not know what Jesus would say, but I know from scripture, that while He loves me, He must be more concerned right now with the slaughter of innocents than with the structure of my health plan.

In Genesis 4:10, God, confronting Cain over the murder of Abel, tells him, “Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground.” God does not mention hearing Abel’s cries, but does say that He hears Abel’s blood crying out. Those of you who hurt over the abortions in this country, I assure you that God hears the cry of their blood and He is not ignoring it. We know that the blood of the innocent has God’s ear because Hebrews chapter twenty-four says that the blood of Christ cries even louder than that of Abel’s.

Leviticus 17:14 states, “the life of any creature is in its blood.” An embryo, a child in the womb, has a blood line. This goes beyond the physical. The fetal baby’s blood connection is spiritual as well as physical. The blood has a spiritual quality to it. That is why God hears the cries of the blood of the innocent.
What would Christ say in our current healthcare debate? Maybe He would look past the debaters. Maybe He would look past conservative and liberal. Maybe while the healthcare debate is important to Him (because it is important to his children) He would recoil at the notion of being dragged into the political facade.

Maybe He would address the innocent whose blood cries out to Him and say, “I alone created your inner being. I knitted you together inside your mother. Your bones were not hidden from me when you were being made in secret. Every day of your life was recorded in my book before one of them had taken place. How precious are my thoughts concerning you” (Paraphrased from Psalm 139).

-Pastor Jason Greene

On How to Study the Bible...

2009-08-27T22:57:00.003-04:00

Or, What You've Been Missing on Wednesday Nights...

Over the past few months I've been teaching a class on how to study the Bible. What follows is a summary of that class, in case you weren't able to make it.

First, here is a basic outline of steps for studying a passage:

Studying a passage:
I. Find a passage - find something that sticks out to you, whether it’s confusing or compelling. Try to focus on a few verses. Usually the size of a paragraph is about perfect. Normally, your Bible will indicate a paragraph break by the verse number being in bold text.
Example: 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (In this example verse 9 demonstrates a paragraph break by the number 9 being in bold text)
I. Forget everything you know about it (and everything related to it) - It’s important that we don’t just reinforce our beliefs, but rather allow the text to confront or confirm them. This is both the most difficult and most important part of the process. We are not studying the Bible to support our existing ideas, but to discover it's meaning (even if it contradicts our existing beliefs).
II. Read the text - focus on becoming familiar with it’s tone, only taking notes on what sticks out the most to you.
III. Read the text again - Take notes.
IV. Read the larger context - Take notes. By this I mean read the surrounding texts. Try to read the entire book, but in the event that it is too lengthy (Isaiah, Psalms, etc) read a few chapters ahead, and a few chapters after.
V. Read the text one more time – Now that you have a good idea of the passage, and it's context, you are better suited to determine which words and phrases are worthy of further research.
VI. Research Key Words and Phrases – using whatever resources at your disposal, study the aspects of the texts that you have determined to be relevant in step VI.

Here's a list of resources: All range from $18-25 a piece.
Dictionary of Paul and his Letters → Has entries pertaining to anything to do with Paul.
Bible Background Commentary → Has Cultural and Historical information sorted by Bible Reference

Finally, here's some advice about Bible study.
I. Study authors in scripture that have written multiple parts of the Bible.
1. Paul wrote everything from Romans to Philemon
2. Luke wrote both The Gospel of Luke and Acts
3. John wrote The Gospel of John, I-III John, and Revelation
It helps to study these authors, because it's easier to establish their vocabulary. By that I mean we can see how they use particular words in particular contexts. The additional material helps us better understand the author, and therefore better understand their intended meaning.

I. Study the New Testament.
II. - I am not saying the Old Testament isn't relevant. It is actually incredibly relevant. However, it's easy to be discouraged studying the Old Testament, because it is more foreign by nature, and therefore harder to understand than the New Testament. Once you gain some confidence in Bible study from the New Testament, move on to the Old Testament. Also, once you are more familiar to the Theology of the New Testament, you will have a better appreciation for the Old Testament.

-Ryan Lytton

What are you looking for?

2009-08-21T08:28:00.003-04:00

Little thought today is given to wisdom. Our world looks at outward beauty, fame, position and many other things.

In Job 28:12 “Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding live? No mortal knows where it is. It cannot be found in this world of the living…15 You cannot obtain it with solid gold or buy it for any amount of silver…20 “Where does wisdom come from? Where does understanding live? It is hidden from the eyes of every living being, hidden from the birds in the air. Decay and death say, ‘We’ve heard rumor about it.’ “God understands the way of it. He knows where it lives because he can see to the ends of the earth and observe everything under heaven…28 ‘The fear of the Lord is wisdom! To stay away from evil is understanding.’”

What are you searching for today; the things that will soon decay, silver, gold, or position? I challenge you today ask the Lord to help you to find His wisdom. Then find someone to share it with.

Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that finds wisdom.

James 1:5 If any lack wisdom let him ask.

James 3:17 Wisdom from above is pure

Praise God He shares His wisdom to us!

-Carolyn Hanneman

More of the Word...

2009-08-12T20:28:00.003-04:00

I have been teaching from the book of Mark chapters 1-3. Learning and receiving from my students is a blessing. We have been looking at Jesus' Authority (power, right, and privilege) in preaching, teaching, forgiving sins, healing diseases, casting out demonic spirits, and being Lord of the Sabbath.

Our Sunday is a day of worship, rest and refreshing. Or minds, emotions, and body need rest and refreshing. Our spirits and mind need renewal and instruction from the Word. Should we not submit to Jesus' authority in our lives?

1 Corinthians 6:19,20 says, "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

Romans 12:1,2 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed my the RENEWING of your MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God."

Yes, I LOVE the WORD!!!

Psalm 119:48 says, "My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I love; and I will meditate in Thy statutes."

Psalm 63:4 says, "Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy Name."

The Word is not boring!

Jesus said in John 6:63, "My Words are spirit and life..."

Thanks for reading.
I love you.

Are you submitted and committed to Jesus???

- Jean Ratcliffe
Adult Bible Teacher

Reliance on God vs. Relaince on conventional wisdom...

2009-08-10T12:36:00.001-04:00

I was driving home from work one day, and felt confident that God was asking me to buy a lottery ticket. I didn’t feel as though it was a command. It seemed more like a suggestion. Being ever curious, I pulled off at the next exit and purchased a $1 scratch ticket. To my surprise, I won $1. I marveled at the ‘chances’. While walking towards my car, I considered buying a second ticket. I walked back into the store and purchased one more $1 scratcher. This one yielded no financial gain. As I walked to my car, $1 poorer, I asked God why he suggested I pull off the road. He spoke to me clearly, “I wanted to remind you that I can and will provide for you when it is needed.”

My wife and I both recently took heavy pay cuts to move to Virginia. Most people assume that the cost of living difference is substantial enough to compensate for our lost wages. It isn’t. I suppose we were both left better jobs than we realized at the time. Conventional wisdom would dictate that we stay where the money is. Post-move, that same wisdom would declare our decision a mistake, a worthy candidate for regret. Conventional wisdom would then be wrong. We followed the voice of the Lord. He wanted us out here. Since we’ve been here, I’ve visited family I haven’t seen in 10 years. I’ve spent quality time with family that has since gone on to be with Jesus. Moving out here has been the correct decision for us.

I don’t say all this to defend our decisions to you, but rather to encourage you to loosen your reliance on conventional wisdom. Not everything that looks good is good. Not everything that looks bad is bad. God uses circumstances in our lives to bring about His will, whether it is a lottery ticket, or a cross-country move. He doesn’t always make sense to us, but it is always worth the investment.

-Ryan Lytton

What makes it all worthwhile...

2009-07-29T22:13:00.003-04:00

All the planning,
All the funding raising,
All the packing,
All the traveling...

All the balloons,
All the face paint,

All the playing,
All the praying,
All the waiting...

All worthwhile...

Thank you to all who gave so that we could help change lives.

Pastor Mike and Allison
Bobby and Susie Hickman
& The South Dakota Team

End Times Game Plan

2009-07-28T17:40:00.001-04:00

In light of the current spiritual climate, I have been pondering just what my game plan should be as a Christian living in the end times. In light of the current political climate, it’s not unwarranted to suppose that we will soon be faced with the same types of persecution that Christians in most other parts of the world are already facing. 1 Peter includes several very long and detailed passages about suffering for doing right and simply for being a Christian (3:13-17;4:1-2, 12-16, 19). And in between those passages are clear instructions about how to live (2:15; 3:11; 2:13-18; 2:1-12; 3:1-7; 3:8; 4:9-11; 5:2-3). Not surprisingly, the instructions are to keep doing what we’ve supposed to have been doing all along: be obedient to Christ, surrender to Him and live in unity with other believers. But what about those specific moments, that will inevitably come, when we will be forced to decide to either fight or turn the other cheek? Most of the Old Testament includes God’s people fighting for their land and their people and God helping them to win when they obey Him. But when Christ was being arrested, Peter tried to defend Him with the sword, and Christ forbade him. How will we know if it’s the moment to stand strong and defend ourselves, our family, and what is right, the moment to give ourselves and our families up as martyrs or the moment to flee and wait for further instructions from God?

I believe we can look at the lives of David and Paul for our answer. David lived a life full of conflict, one after the other, right up until the moment of his death. As I’m sure you remember, David fought successfully (with God’s help) against Goliath and many other Philistines (the enemies of God’s people in his time). But he also spent a good portion of his life running from the evil King Saul. How did he know when to fight and when to run? The answer in scripture is clear. When faced with each battle, David sought the face of the Lord to find out what God would have him do. Every time, God gave David instructions about whether or not to fight. If David was instructed to fight, God even told David what plan and strategy to use in light of the role that God Himself would play in the battle (1Samuel 16 - 2 Samuel). The same is true in Paul’s life. He left one town after another, and moved on to the next in obedience to the Holy Spirit. Because he was obedient, His ministry continued and many more were won to Christ or discipled as new believers. In Act 17:10, we find one such example: Paul fled to safety leaving Thessalonica secretly by night through the help of other believers . Yet before and after this event, Paul unswervingly shares the gospel despite constant beatings and nearly-successful attempts on his life (Acts 20:22-24) and we know that eventually Paul did become a martyr. The key here is that he didn’t try to figure out any situation for himself, but instead trusted the Lord, who sees the end from the beginning.

The deciding factor is the same as it has always been. Stick close to the Lord, stay in close communication with Him. Talk to Him and LISTEN to hear His voice clearly. So what is the best course of action for now? We must get practiced at hearing God’s voice and obeying immediately so that when we need His instructions in those critical suffering and persecution moments, we will know for sure that we have heard the voice of our Lord and therefore be confident in the actions that we take in obedience to Him.

-Jenny Greene

Just in Time for the Summer Heat...

2009-07-15T23:25:00.002-04:00

Healthy Frozen Treats

Do the hot summer days have you reaching into the freezer for ice cream more often than you probably should? Me too! Here are some healthier frozen treats to cool you off without the guilt afterwards.

1. Juice Pops – Fill popsicle molds with 100% juice. (If you use a juice that also contains vegetable juice, like one of the delicious flavors of V8 Fusion, you’ll even be getting some veggies in your family’s diet as well.) Place the filled popsicle molds in the freezer for a few hours. Carefully remove the handle from the mold and enjoy your delicious juice pop. If you do not have popsicle molds, you can use an ice tray. Fill the ice tray with juice; cover it with cling wrap; poke a popsicle stick through the cling wrap into the juice in each section of the ice tray. Place the filled ice tray in the freezer for a few hours. Remove the cling wrap from the ice tray. Twist the ice tray to loosen the juice pops. Enjoy!

2. Banana Pops – Peel a ripe banana; cut it in half. Place a popsicle stick or fork into the flat end of each banana half to be the handle. Place the banana halves in a freezer-safe container; place the container in the freezer for a few hours. Carefully remove a banana pop from the container. Enjoy!

3. Frozen Grapes – Remove grapes from their grapevine. Wash and thoroughly dry the grapes. Place the grapes in a freezer-safe container; place the container in the freezer for a few hours. You now have bite-sized sweet frozen treats! (If giving these to young children you should cut the grapes in halves or fourths before freezing them to reduce the choking hazard.)

4. Frozen Fruit – You can also just buy a bag of already frozen fruit and eat it still frozen as a treat.

5. Frozen Yogurt or Yogurt Pops – Buy refrigerated yogurt and place it in the freezer for a few hours. Eat it with a spoon as an alternative to ice cream or traditional frozen yogurt. You could also put this yogurt in an ice tray to make yogurt pops following the directions for juice pops above.

I hope you have found a few new ideas to try for healthier frozen treats this summer. Happy eating!

-Anna Spraker

Mixing Strands...

2009-07-15T07:15:00.001-04:00

“It is not good that man should be alone.”

This scripture in Genesis is about the merits of matrimony.

But this tremendous passage also reinforces man’s need for fellowship, not just with the fairer gender specifically, but with others in general.

Man was created for relationship. For physical health, one of our most basic needs is for acceptance and belonging.

We need fellowship for our spiritual health too. We draw strength from one another. Ever notice that the strongest rope is not made from just one strand? It’s made from three. That’s scriptural, by the way. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

When making a rope one of the final steps is dipping the three strands that have been twisted together into a chemical sealer. Over time those three strands mix with each other. Fibers from one strand begin to mesh with the others so that eventually it is difficult to tell where one strand ends and another begins. That’s a big part of where the rope gets its strength. Can it be any different with the people of God?

The strongest buildings are constructed using triangular supports. Again, three sides.

When we make a choice to fellowship on a regular basis we are intertwining our “strand” with other strands. The Holy Spirit then becomes the chemical sealer, if you will. And over times we begin to mesh with those believers around us and gain strength.

On the flip side, when we choose not to fellowship on a regular basis, or when we forsake the assembly, as the Bible indicates, we separate our strand from the rest of the rope. Not only does that make us vulnerable to the devil’s schemes as individuals, but it weakens the other strands as well. When that happens, our enemy – a liar and father of lies – moves in for an easier strike. When we choose to be alone or to separate ourselves from the rest of the body, we make ourselves easier prey to the influences of destructive forces.

At the risk of sounding too morbid, have you ever notice that soldiers are never tortured in large groups? That’s because basic human nature is to draw strength from others. A soldier, anyone really, can survive under adverse conditions much longer in a group than alone. The will to live is tremendous and is even stronger when we are in the company of other like-minded people.

So what does that mean for believers? Simply that church attendance and involvement is a not only a good idea, but in a very real sense fellowship and mixing our “strand” with the strands of fellow believers is a commandment of God.

-Ben Hanneman

More 4th of July Celebration...

2009-07-09T17:19:00.004-04:00

Radford Worship Center's Choir gave an outstanding presentation celebrating the Fourth of July this year. Lead by Dana Farmer the eleven member choir lead the congregation in Patriotic songs reminding us of the sacrifices made for our country and challenging us to cherish our hard won freedoms. The children as always are a highlight of any service they are in and this one was no exception. Let us take what the choir sung about and what the speakers spoke about and truly remember to cherish our freedoms and pray for our country.

4th of July... What does it take to truly be free?

2009-07-08T00:26:00.003-04:00

Here is a portion of Sunday's Fourth of July Service. Pastor Chris Blackburn gave a thought provoking message before the final song "God Bless the USA" and after several requests here is the text in it's entirety.

Land of the free and home of the brave . . . Is this nation really free or have the people become slaves? . . . Fallen into sin time and time again. . God shed His grace on thee, this nation used to see . . . That Jesus Christ, not our own desires, is what it takes to be free.

During this time of celebration we are called to reflect upon the true history of this country and how it was that we became a nation. We formed this nation based on Godly, Biblical principles that define the true meaning of freedom and we stood for what is right. We did not back down to tyrannical leaders and forms of government who desired to control us. We fought against unbelievable odds and triumphed because our faith as a nation in God and in ourselves was greater than the power of the opposition. We believed in a destiny that this nation, America, would be a shining example of freedom to the world and that through our example, God would be glorified. With that determination, we won our independence.

During the time America fought to win its independence, our leaders had a deep understanding of God’s plan and purpose for His people and for this country. They understood that God should come first. The Declaration of Independence stated that all men are created equally and they are endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. We know from the Bible that all men are equal when we read John 3:16 . . . “For God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”.

The first Presidential inaugural address given in 1789 by George Washington . . . our President opened with both his concerns and the burden of the responsibilities that lay before him as the first leader of this new nation. Following that opening paragraph, George Washington acknowledged God stating, “IT WOULD BE IMPROPER TO OMIT IN THIS FIRST OFFICIAL ACT MY FERVENT SUPPLICATIONS TO THAT ALMIGHTY BEING WHO RULES OVER THE UNIVERSE, WHO PRESIDES IN THE COUNCILS OF NATIONS, AND WHOSE PROVIDENTIAL AIDS CAN SUPPLY EVERY HUMAN NEED.” Washington would later state “NO PEOPLE CAN BE BOUND TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND ADORE THE INVISIBLE HAND WHICH CONDUCTS THE AFFAIRS OF MEN MORE THAN THOSE OF THE UNITED STATES.”
In that part of his speech, George Washington, our founding father, is reminding us that the people of the United States of America, more so than any other nation on earth, should acknowledge and adore that God is the provider, the protector, the author, foundation and finisher of our faith as a people and as a nation!

What has happened to us?

In the song just presented, the words should grip our conscious and provoke a repentant spirit within us . . . Generations lost, over time this land has strayed . . . From leading all the children in Your holy ways . . . Many only reach to You when there’s a need . . . But then it’s back to the world and on sin their spirits feed . . . What has this land become? What have the father’s done? . . . They’ve betrayed their role as leader and failed more than just one Son . . .

As Christians, we are called to be Christ’s example to the world . . . to the people of this nation . . . to the people of our neighborhoods . . . to our friends and to the loved ones in our home! Our national motto cries out “In God We Trust”, and it is mocked every time we go to the polls and we vote our pocketbooks instead of our Christian values. As a nation, we have become distracted by the parlor games that our media plays . . . red state vs. blue state . . . Republican vs. Democrat . . . Conservative vs. Liberal . . . right vs. left when it should be about what God’s Word says is right vs. wrong. We now define ourselves by what the media labels us as and we are choosing daily not to live the example that Jesus set for us. We no longer understand that the greatest commandment is to LOVE ONE ANOTHER as we love ourselves. Instead we are quick to judge, quick to condemn and demonstrate the same hate towards others as is being shown to us as Christians by a nation quickly turning its back on God.

In fact, we as Christians have submerged ourselves into the melting pot of this world. We now indulge ourselves daily with the pursuit of a life that puts Christ in the background as we chase worldly idols that we are convinced that we need more than Him. Our happiness is no longer based on our salvation through Christ’s work on the cross, but through the pursuit of those things that bring joy into the day. Our liberty now seems to be based on the size of our salary, our savings and our ability to live in a manner that is not dependent on God’s provision. It is obvious to those who take a sincere look at our nation, at our people . . . and at the man in the mirror, that we have turned our back on God. We no longer have a true understanding of His love, His mercy, and His grace for us. How hypocritical of us as individuals and as a nation to say one thing, but to live another.

So where do we go from here?

In II Chronicles 7:14, the Word states clearly “If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.” God is calling us to repentance . . . as individuals, as a community and as a nation. We must begin by taking a long, serious look at ourselves in the mirror of God’s unchanging Word and humble ourselves to the fact that we are all sinners, and fall short of the glory of God. We have no hope without the selfless work of Christ on the Cross. We must choose to give the most valuable asset that we have, our lives, back to God and walk in the life, liberty and freedom that only He can provide. Only then can real change come to our homes, to our communities and ultimately to our country that we take such pride in. A pride that is reflected in our final number today, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The USA”.

As we perform this final number, I ask that you take a moment to reflect on this nation . . . on our history . . . on our communities . . . but most importantly on your relationship with Jesus Christ and your Heavenly Father. It is not enough to be saved . . . but we must once again choose to be the Christ-like example to the world before it is too late. This world, this nation and our communities will eventually pass away, but God has promised us in His Word in Matthew 28:20 “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you and surely I am with you always, EVEN to the END of the age.”

- Pastor Chris Blackburn

I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag...

2009-07-02T13:16:00.003-04:00

Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day fill our summers with patriotic holidays. Each one represented by the colors of the Flag of the United States. Red standing for valor; white for purity and innocence; and blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Early patriots determined the colors and general design of the flag. From the beginning, the colors remained the same. The stars and stripes were debated but agreed upon eventually. In school we are taught that Betsy Ross sewed the first flag with the specifications of George Washington. Later, Congress passed laws to make flags exactly the same, to a particular scale, to hang a certain way, to never be thrown away, to be carried before any other flags, and so on. Since the flag has come to be the symbol of patriotism, Americans recite a pledge to it. It is an oath of loyalty to the United States of America. School children say it everyday and even the Senate and House of Representatives recite the pledge at the begining of their daily sessions.

The first pledge was written by Francis Bellamy. He was a Baptist minister, a children's magazine editor, and a socialist. He was a member of a committee for the 400th anniversary ceremony of Christopher Columbus. In the September 1892 issue of The Youth's Companion Magazine, Bellamy wrote:

"I pledge allegiance to my flag, and the Republic for which it stands: One Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all." That October 12th, children all over the country recited the pledge for the first time. Since the original, changes have been made and Congress adopted The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America. Today debates and lawsuits over the words in the pledge are common. So let's think about these words for a moment...

I pledge allegiance...I promise my loyalty
to the flag of the United States of America...to the symbol of my country
and to the Republic for which it stands...and the government that it represents
One Nation under God,...one country, with The God as the true ruler, overseer
Indivisible,...not separate states, together,
with liberty...with the freedom to speak, think, share, pray,
and justice...and fairness and equality
for all....for every single person.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: One Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

July 5th Radford Worship Center will be having a choir special to celebrate our God and our country. Please come join us!

- Susie Hickman

Peace Out...

2009-06-28T21:48:00.001-04:00

Mark 4:35 On that day, when evening came, He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side."
36 Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.
37 And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.
38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.
40 And He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
41 They became very much afraid and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"

This is the well known story of Jesus sleeping in the boat during a life-threatening storm. The disciples are afraid and wake Jesus up. It’s interesting to note that they don’t ask Him for help. They merely want Him to be terrified too. It is unnatural to sleep in a boat during a storm and this display by Jesus rattles the disciples just as much as the fierce storm. Where does He get off sleeping, being perfectly at peace, in all this chaos? Is He not living in the same world as His followers? No, actually He’s not. Jesus lives in the keen awareness that He is not of this world. His kingdom is in Heaven and there are no boat rocking storms in Heaven. There is only peace in His kingdom. That is His reality and these Scriptures show us that it can be our reality as well. God’s kingdom is superior to this one and as believers it is our job to make earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10). Jesus tells us the key to access this superior reality is faith. After He rebukes the storm He asks them about their faith. The implication being that if they would operate in faith, they too could’ve stilled the storm. According to the Lord we are able to move mountains by faith, why not calm a storm? So, why don’t we see more storms being placed under the authority of the Kingdom of God? I believe, at least in part, it is because the visible world around us is given more respect than the unseen kingdom of which we belong. Our hearts overflow with the reality we are submitted to. Jesus’ heart was filled with the peace of His Father’s world. That is why He could sleep when the natural world around Him was falling apart. That is why the disciples were falling apart; because their world was not at rest. Jesus releases peace and the storm is silenced. We release what fills our hearts. I don’t know about you but I would rather let the peace out.

-John Spraker
Director - Rock Club

Steppin Out at MK's

2009-06-28T21:34:00.003-04:00

Steppin Out went to MK's Gourmet Pizzeria near Claytor Lake. As you can see by the photos above everyone had a great time eating, talking and laughing. Thanks so much to all who made it out. Next month... TBA

Firearms Training Class

2009-06-27T22:30:00.004-04:00

Today, several of us from RWC went to a Firearms Training Class in Pulaski, VA. In short: We had a blast! Part classroom and part firing range, our instructor, Jeff Walke, definitley knows his stuff. From teaching us the Law to teaching and showing proper safety for firearms this man is truly a wealth of knowledge. Oh, and we learned that Edith (and a few others of us) is an incredible shot. There was even some talk of starting ladies shooting club. MMMMM.... Here are some shots from the day.

Our group talking while waiting for our paperwork.

Luke and Dr. Dave compare targets.

Laura on the range.

You go girl!

If anyone is interested in the class or would like more information please contact Tim Ratcliff.

On the Importance of Church Family...

2009-06-23T23:55:00.003-04:00

Hebrews 10:24-25 "We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things. We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming."

At the end of the school year as I was looking through what seemed to be an endless mountain of used workbooks, worksheets and notebook paper I ran across something that I found to be quite heartening. I say this not because my child is a great wordsmith or author (yet) but because of the person he chose to write about in the character essay he had been assigned.

Those of us with children in public school know the necessity of a refreshing moment after re-teaching something taught spiritually incorrect at school. I’m sure those that home school also have the need to be strengthened after spending countless hours devoted solely to the education of their children.

It is at this place in a Christian parent’s life that our church family becomes so encouraging. It is at this point of a child’s need that our church family is ever so willing to intercede, instruct and sometimes even intervene. And it is with a grateful heart that we parents call Radford Worship Center our home. Having said that, I would like to share this essay and in doing so I hope it is an encouragement to you because you are making a great impact.

Brother Tony
By: Jeremy Nelson

There is a nice elderly man at my church. His name is Brother Tony. He is a good citizen. He always shows great friendship and kindness. I will tell you why I picked Brother Tony.

Brother Tony is always there when you need him. He shows great friendship by this. When he sees you he gives you a great big hug.

Brother Tony always shows great citizenship. Our church takes up money to send to South Dakota. Brother Tony goes to South Dakota to take the Native Americans food. He always has a smile on his face.

Brother Tony shows kindness and love by praying for you. Brother Tony calls me “Buddy” because I think he can’t remember my name.

Brother Tony is spectacular. He shows citizenship, kindness and friendship. I think that Brother Tony is outstanding. Brother Tony is always on your side.

-Cindy Nelson

CAN YOU HEAR HIM?

2009-06-22T12:59:00.002-04:00

Have you ever had a conversation with someone that you loved and you just knew his or her mind was not on what you were saying? They just were not listening to a word you were saying. Later you may have mentioned the same thing to that person and they act as if they were hearing it for the first time. That can be a frustrating event for us, especially if we were pouring our heart out to that person and they did not listen.

It makes me wonder how many of us are really listening to what God is saying. Are you so caught up in yourself or your life that you do not stop to listen to God?
God is a daily, ever present help, who speaks to us by his Holy Spirit each and every day. The question is---are you listening? Are we hearing Him?

God has poured His heart out to us through His Word. Then His Word was made flesh and dwelled among us. Jesus poured His heart out for us by the blood He shed on the cross. Are we listening? Are we living what He says? Are we eager to hear the voice of God? Or do we save our times to hear from God for that time between 10:30 and 12:00 on Sundays?

It seems as if some want to hear from God, but only when they want something from God. Do you set your heart to listen for Him each day?

In these times it is more important than ever to be led by His Spirit. If you cannot hear or you do not listen—guess what? He will not lead you and the door is open for you to be defeated in your walk.
How do you begin to train yourself to hear when God speaks? Your relationship with God must be your number one priority. Loving God and His Word will lead you to seek Him. Jesus said His sheep know His voice. Do you know His voice?

-Pastor Connie Shinn
Pastoral Counselor
Living Free Christian Counselling

Head Knowledge vs. Heart Knowledge

2009-06-18T09:34:00.001-04:00

“Head Knowledge” it is what we hear and learn every Sunday, every Wednesday, every time the church doors are open. Good things to know; but seemingly not of much use, but of much purpose. It is easy to sit and listen to what the Pastor brings us every Sunday. Sit and nod our heads in agreement. Sit and say: “Amen” And then do nothing with it. It is very important what we hear, what we read. We need it. Maybe not that day or the next, but we need it. This head knowledge is important.

For it isn’t until the trials in our lives come upon us that we choose to take this head knowledge and apply it. Apply it in the way God has intended. It is during these trials, these dark and desperate times in our life that we choose to take what we have heard and learned and use it. It is in these times that the “head knowledge” becomes “heart knowledge”. When the written Word of God becomes the known and tangible Breath of God.

The word of God is a very active and motion filled entity. To hoard it, to keep it in an inactive state, to keep it only in our heads is to do this entity a great injustice. It is when we share it, when we put it to action, when we move it from our heads to our hearts we fulfill its very purpose. When this head knowledge becomes heart knowledge it is then that we fully start to understand this God Breathed Word. Let us not wait for those trials, those dark times to apply this head knowledge. Let us now apply what we are hearing, learning and reading to our lives and more importantly to the lives of others. So that this written Word of God can become the Tangible Breath of God not only to us but to those in desperate need of the Truth and the freedom that comes with it.

-Allison Laster

Do You Know Where Your Children Are?

2009-06-15T12:19:00.002-04:00

If you have children, you are probably old enough to remember the public service announcements that used to come on television every night that stated “It’s 10 P.M., do you know where your children are?” When I was younger and these ads would come on, I would snicker every time I heard them, thinking “What parent in their right mind doesn’t know where their children are?!” Of course, by the time I became a teenager myself, I proved that there is a need for that question! As parents, we realize that the later our children stay out, the more trouble they can get into: fewer public places to go, less adult supervision, it’s dark outside, etc. Amidst these dangers, the more important it is to know exactly where they are.
The question we need to ask ourselves as parents is “At this time, in this dangerous world, do you know where your children are?” Do you know where your children are spiritually? Merely going to Sunday School or attending church on Sundays or Wednesdays does not ensure that your children are where they need to be spiritually. Are you nurturing your child spiritually through prayer and Bible study? Do you discuss life lessons with your children from a Biblical point of view? Is Jesus Christ the priority in your home?
As parents, it is easy to become caught up in the cares of the world. We get swept up into things such as sports, friendships, fashion, video games, academics, dating, toys, music, movies, etc. Our children are tempted with all the latest gadgets and trends, and we often comply in order to help them “fit in”. So much time, energy and money is spent on worldly pursuits. But God’s Word tells us that we shouldn’t be conformed to the world. Jesus said we are to be the light of the world, reflecting His love and a Godly character to those who view us. We should teach our children to be light in the world, not a mirror image of the world. The world needs to see Jesus Christ as the priority in the lives of believers, including children.
Often worldly pursuits take priority over what is most important: the child’s spiritual growth. A friend of mine recently commented that she and her children had not been to church in a while because of their sports schedules. Her defense was “We can’t let their teams down!” But they were willing to neglect the one who died for them to secure their eternal life. Children learn priorities from their parents. Is Jesus Christ the priority in your home?
Deuteronomy 6:5 -7 tells us “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” We must be diligent in teaching our children about God, making God the priority in all of our everyday experiences. It’s not easy parenting children in the world in which we live. It’s not easy to be a kid in this world, either. But if you know where your child is, spiritually, you can help them to grow in the Lord and develop a strong foundation that will support and protect them throughout their lives.

-Pastor Tina Blackburn
Children's Pastor

Crossroads Summer Program Prepares to kick off in July

2009-06-11T08:47:00.003-04:00

There are so many ministries at the Radford Worship Center and I would like to take some time and let you know a little about one of them, Crossroads Ministry. Crossroads is dedicated to recognizing and meeting the needs of incarcerated youth, adults and their families. We currently are operating within four facilities, providing bible studies, life skills classes, counseling, weekly services and our summer program “Planning for Success on the Outside”.

Most Juvenile Detention Centers have limited funds for programs. As a result there was a hole in the summer schedule during regular school hours at the local juvenile detention center. So they asked if we could fill that hole - a time slot of roughly 8:30 to 3:00 five days a week. We saw this as an excellent opportunity to help these teens grow in Christ. With that began our first year of conducting the “Planning for Success” summer program. This is one of the most exciting opportunities we’ve been given at Crossroads.

The summer program is a unique blend of class room and hands on activities designed to equip the teens with some of the life skills necessary to become successful in life. The really cool thing about the program is the whole thing is centered on Jesus! We invite grounded adults from all walks of life and professions to come and invest in the teens. Last year we had a former home ec teacher do cooking classes, a banker teach on finances, physical therapists taught proper exercise techniques, pastor Mike taught on a biblical view of sex, other ministers came to invest their time with studies, and a former gang member from Atlanta came to share his testimony of how Christ changed his life.

It does not take being around the young people long to realize how much investment it takes with this population to see a real change in their life. In many cases you find yourself having to re-parent them. Last year there were many times that I was reminded of a scripture in 1 Corinthians 4:15 “You may have countless Christian guardians, but you don't have many spiritual fathers. I became your father in the Christian life by telling you the Good News about Christ Jesus.”

The awesome thing about the whole summer is we get to see these young people begin to really embrace a relationship with Jesus Christ. Last year we had many come to Christ, and actually had the opportunity to hold a baptism service in the New River.

We always have opportunities for qualified individuals to come and be a part of what God is doing. Feel free to contact me if you’re interested in what opportunities we have for this year’s summer program. This year we will begin on July 6th.

Pastor Ted Farmer
Director Crossroads Ministry
540-230-3720

RWC Church Picnic 2009

2009-06-09T23:44:00.005-04:00

Sunday we had our annual Church wide picnic down at Bissett Park. As you can tell from the photos there was a crowd of people and we had a blast. There aren't too many things that say Summer around here more than Kids, Church Lady Food, and Lots of Friends.

Creation? Or Evolution?

2009-06-08T21:07:00.002-04:00

As it becomes more difficult to be a believer in our country it becomes more imperative that we as believers know the truth and live the truth no matter how unpopular it is with the greater culture. The Evolution-Creation debate is one of these areas. Why; because the greater truth behind creationism is a foundation the Christian beliefs.

Contrary to the opinion of many believers creationism and evolution do not mix. They are contrary to one another. First creationism and evolution are not science, they are world views. They create a prism by which a person will view all other things in life, including science. Many evolutionary scientists would have you believe that they are unbiased in their research, but they come at the research with the bias of evolution, just as creation scientists will view science in a creation prism.

The reason a believer cannot examine science in the evolution world view is because it is contrary to scripture. Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death, spread to all men, because all sinned.” It was the sin of Adam that brought death into this world. It would be an incorrect assumption to believe by death and evolving man came to be, it was man that brought death to this world.

Lastly, the evolution world view is a danger to man, because it teaches that through death and mutation creation is improving. This is dangerous because man in the world today believes he has become enlightened and the enlightened man has no need for God. Evolutionary teaching is wrong because it is contrary to life in a fallen world. When we are born we begin to die. Sin is growing in this world; therefore death and rot are growing. The only enlightenment we need is creation. Psalm 139:13 “For thou didst form my inward parts; thou didst weave me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are thy works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.”

-Pastor Jason Greene

Dig In...

2009-06-04T09:02:00.001-04:00

I went to Texas Roadhouse the other day. As always, it was amazing. My wife ordered cheddar and bacon on her baked potato. This isn’t unusual, but for some reason it stuck out to me this time. It occurred to me that they could probably put cheddar and bacon on my steak. What a novel idea! I asked my waiter, and after chuckling to himself he told me he could probably facilitate my little experiment. So after a short wait I was presented with an 11oz Sirloin, cooked medium, topped with a thick slice of cheddar and sprinkled with chopped up bits of bacon. It was fantastic. As a matter of fact, just writing this makes me want to go back and experience this wonderful conglomeration all over again. I would assume reading this would provoke a similar feeling in you as well. And that is my point.

On a weekly basis, we are presented with a snapshot of wonderful insights regarding the Bible. These snapshots are not meant to sustain us, but rather they are meant to motivate us to experience the Bible for ourselves. However many of us (myself included) listen to teaching at our church and feel satisfied. We feel at ease, trusting that whoever presented us with their experiences has done their due diligence. We are comfortable relying on their experience in place of our own. If this response were consistent, it would respond to my story in the following manner:

“I like steak. I like hearing stories about steak. This story about steak was so good that I don’t think I’ll need to hear another one for quite some time. I don’t need to eat any steak for myself. I trust that this is an accurate representation of what it would be like if I ate steak, and I am satisfied with my knowledge of that hypothetical situation.”

I doubt many of us have this type of response to my story. Most of us are probably fantasizing about the next time we can get a good steak. That should be our response to good teaching or preaching. When we hear what God has shown someone from His word, we should salivate, eager for our next chance to dive into its pages for ourselves.

There is a table that is always set before us. The food on it is amazing, and sustaining. However, it is our choice. We can be satisfied with the experiences of those dining around us, or we can dig in for ourselves.

-Ryan Lytton

Being Content...

2009-06-01T10:16:00.001-04:00

For the past 2 months, the Royal Rangers and Missionettes have been promoting a “contest” with our kids on learning things that are foundational and key to our faith. The contest has not been a competition with each other, but rather with themselves. Our goal was to have these kids begin to search out scripture, to learn it (not just memorize) and then to apply it to their daily lives. We have seen a tremendous change in the lives of some of the boys and girls since this started because they have a new found thirst for the Truth. Those of us in leadership have challenged ourselves to learn the scriptures and to really think about their meaning and how they apply to our daily lives.

The one scripture that has stuck out to me has been Philippians 4: 11-13. “I’m not saying this because I’m in any need. I’ve learned to be content in whatever situation I’m in. I know how to live in poverty or prosperity. No matter what the situation, I’ve learned the secret to how to live when I’m full or when I’m hungry, when I have too much or when I have too little. I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.”

Many people just focus on the verse 13, which states we can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens us. This is very true, but many people use it as a motivational chant to get themselves fired up to accomplish tasks that pull them out of their comfort zone both physically and spiritually. It is used as a foundation to pull themselves out of “where I am” to “where I want to be”. It is used to motivate ourselves to do the very hard or the near impossible. When we succeed, the glory goes to Christ (most of the time) and when we do not, we begin to doubt our own faith, our own standing with Christ, or we doubt the scripture.

It is important that we read all three verses together so that we come to a complete understanding. The key to this is to be content with our situation. Not content with debt or being over weight or with living in sin, but to be content that God is in control. Christ gives us the strength to endure the trials and tribulations of this life. We must learn to be content, or at peace, with ourselves and our lives so that we can focus on the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us what we need to know and what changes we are to make in our daily lives. No matter where you are today, be thankful that you are serving a loving and merciful God. Be aware that His Word still is true today. Make time today to thank God for what you have and seek Him out for his plans and purpose for you.

Jeremiah 29:11 states “I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.”

Love for the Word...

2009-05-23T12:51:00.004-04:00

Greetings to you in the lovely name of Jesus Christ our Savior, Redeemer, Healer, Prince of Peace, Lord and Soon and Coming King!

I have been a born-again and Spirit-filled Christian for 37 years. I have been teaching God's Word for 34 years. I love the Word and the God of the Word! Serving God is an honor. Some of my favorite scriptures are these:

Ephesians 2:8,9
"For by Grace are ye saved through Faith and that not of yourselves; it is the Gift of God; not works, lest any man should boast."

Proverbs 3:5,6
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

Jeremiah 17:7
"Blessed is the man that Trusts in the Lord, and whose Hope the Lord is."

Come visit us! You will be welcome!

-Love in Jesus,
Jean Ratcliffe
Adult Sunday School/Wednesday Night Teacher

Love...

2009-05-14T12:39:00.001-04:00

Love.
What a powerful word!
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”.
Psalms 91:14 “He set his love upon me.”
John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man.”
1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love cast out fear: because fear has torment.”
God’s greatest commandment found in Matthew 22:37 Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. “
What is your heart set on? Is it on set on our own desires or on the things of God? Examine yourself. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning or when you have a free afternoon?
What are your passions? Do they derive from selfish motivations or do they come from a Godly nature?
Secondly, God mentions our soul. This is our inner most being. 1 Corinthians 22:19 “Set your soul to seek the Lord. “ That sounds like we have a choice. God does not desire robots. He wants us to turn to him for everything in our lives. An amazing phenomenon is that when we give ourselves to God he gives us back so much more. What he gives us far exceeds what we can offer within ourselves.
Often I believe that people hesitate to give God too much because they will loose themselves. That is such a trick from the Devil. We give God our limitations, sinful nature and filthy rags and then he give us royal robes along with gifts, talents, knowledge and wisdom.
Lastly Jesus mentions our mind the window to our heart and soul. This is the place where our knowledge and thoughts lays, where we process the information given to us during the day, where we make decisions, and future plans.
Through our mind we can let situations affect our heart and soul. What are we entertaining? Are we entertaining doubt, anger, lusts and those things that can harm us or are we entertaining God’s word and those things that are righteous? The very literature we read, the media we view, the conversations we have and our motivations can plant seeds that will harm us or prosper us.
Try to get a picture of what your heart, mind and soul look like today. Is it a reflection of the world or is it a reflection of Jesus? 1 John 2:15 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
Love is the gift that is offered to us first by God through his son Jesus so that we can then love others. The second part of the greatest commandment is Matthew 22:38 it says “ the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Let’s examine ourselves today what are we reflecting?
I John 4:18 “Love with a pure heart.”

- Carolyn Hanneman

JUST AS I AM...

2009-05-10T22:14:00.001-04:00

A couple of months back, I was asked to begin teaching a group of middle school kids from the Radford area as part of a ministry group our church does on Tuesday nights. The previous Pastor did a fantastic job week after week giving the kids a series of messages that pertained to the times and culture they currently live in. In my spirit, however, I felt a burden that we needed to teach these kids about the most simplistic, yet most wonderful part of our faith . . . Jesus Christ.

I went back to a time when, as a boy, I received Christ. I was maybe 6 or 7 (I really don’t remember), but I do remember what song was playing that night at church. A simple hymn called Just As I Am. The music was soft and inviting and the words were simple, yet compelled my heart to go forward toward the altar. I heard that song many times as a boy and each time I can remember feeling a need to draw closer to Him.

This song has a note of importance as to its origin. I found this on the internet in several places. The song was written by Miss Charlotte Elliott back in the 1800s:

“Miss Charlotte Elliott was visiting some friends in the West End of London, and there met the eminent minister, César Malan. While seated at supper, the minister said he hoped that she was a Christian. She took offense at this, and replied that she would rather not discuss that question. Dr. Malan said that he was sorry if had offended her, that he always liked to speak a word for his Master, and that he hoped that the young lady would some day become a worker for Christ. When they met again at the home of a mutual friend, three weeks later, Miss Elliott told the minister that ever since he had spoken to her she had been trying to find her Savior, and that she now wished him to tell her how to come to Christ. “Just come to him as you are,” Dr. Malan said. This she did, and went away rejoicing. Shortly afterward she wrote this hymn.”

A couple of weeks before my first lesson with these kids, I found in my dad’s collection of CDs one from a Mennonite Choir. One of the songs was “Just As I Am”. I listened to that CD several times on a business trip to Nashville. Once again, I found myself wanting to draw closer to Him. As I prayed, what was revealed to my spirit was both simple and beautiful. God was telling me to teach these kids to come to Him just as they are.

Today’s generation is bombarded with messages from their home, school and from society that are simply designed to pull them away from God and His standards set in the Bible. They feel that they are unworthy of love or acceptance by God because they are judged for the clothes they wear, the money they have (or lack), their social status or by sinful acts they have committed openly and behind closed doors. Once judgment has been passed by Christians and non-Christians alike, they don’t feel worthy. Much like the story of Charlotte Elliott, they take offense to anyone who genuinely cares for them and is concerned about their spiritual well being. How do we reach them?

When we speak to them about Christ’s love for them, read John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The world includes all of us . . . the good, the bad and the ugly. It includes you, me and all of those who walk the Earth. The key part of this scripture is WHOSOEVER believes in Him . . . any of us, no matter how far from God we are or how unworthy we look in the eyes of others, we can ask Jesus into our hearts. How do we come to Him? . . . Just as we are!

-Pastor Chris Blackburn
Children's Pastor

True Dependence...

2009-05-07T21:25:00.002-04:00

Dependence is a strange thing. As a baby I was totally dependent upon my parents. When I cried out, they knew exactly what I needed. Through my childhood, I never thought of what I was going to eat or wear, it was always provided before I asked. Even through my early adult life, I leaned upon my parents a lot. Relying on them came natural. As a baby I had no choice, but as I grew, I still felt like I needed them. Now I have children of my own that rely totally upon me. They may not have everything they want, but everything they need will be provided. As a father that is my job, I am their provider.

I have a heavenly Father who is just as eager to provide for me. Yet, a lot of times, I do not allow Him to. Even though He tells me in His word that He will provide all my needs according to His riches and glory, I still don't put my trust in Him. He promises to give me everything I need for life and godliness, yet I seek out my own way. Why is it so hard to become dependent upon a Holy God, to let go of what I think is best?

Let me tell you the story of a ninety year old patient of mine. She is legally blind, lives alone in a large farm house in the middle of Bland. She rarely has company that stays any length of time. Helplessly, she spends her time thinking or watching the dim figures on her television. On my last visit she told me of a time in her life that she wanted so desperately die. Sick and miserable, she cried out to God, “God, with you everything is possible and I am nothing without You.” Repeating this phrase aloud over and over in an empty room, she felt God. In her darkest moment she had the greatest revelation. God is everything, and she is nothing without Him. Simple, yet the last thing I would have thought to say. That is true dependence and trust. Just as a baby crying for his mother's embrace, she cried out to her heavenly Father. True Dependence! Simple Dependence.

-Tim Ratcliff

Living Stones

2009-05-04T23:13:00.002-04:00

In the New Testament, there are many references to the body of Christ. Peter, however, brings new insight into just how this body of believers should look and function by introducing a different analogy. In the book of 1st Peter, Chapter 2, beginning in verse 5, he calls us “living stones”. Every believer is to “come…and be built into a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ” (Amplified Bible). In this same chapter, Jesus Christ is referred to as a “Living Stone” and a “chief Cornerstone”(v. 5-6). Hegoes before us and shows us how to be what God wants us to be: Living Stones. And as always, Christ is not just an example, but also our foundation, the main Cornerstone (v. 7).

As stones, we stand beside one another to create one unified wall of the sanctuary that is the body of Christ, the body of believers. We are under, over, behind, in front of, and next to each other for protection and support. Other than Christ, our Cornerstone, no one stone is any more important than any of the other stones in the wall. Each has a role to play in creating that special, holy, spiritual place that we have when we come together for obedient and loving worship, service, and ministry (Eph. 2:5-7). It is a place that only exists among true believers who are all trusting only in Jesus Christ as Savior and living with Him daily as their Lord. In this spiritual place of unity, we see the life change and growth that come from each person presenting himself and herself to God as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1-2). One thing of particular interest in the 2nd chapter of 1stPeter is the dual role we have been given. Not only are we the stones that come together to create a building where sacrifices are offered to God, but we are also the priests who offer those sacrifices (v. 2 and 2 Cor. 5:17-18).

If you think generally about what a living stone or a wall of living stones might be like, there really is no earthly comparison, but thanks to the prevalence of computer animation in our culture, we can easily imagine it: the wall looks like a normal stone wall except that there are no mosses or weeds growing on or between the rocks. Being a living wall, the give and take between stones prevents the weeds (strife) that often come between normal dead (inanimate) stones and there is too much activity on and within each stone for moss and fungus (apathy, self-absorption) to get a foothold. If you watch from afar, you can see that the wall doesn’t stay in one place but moves as needed to gain more stones (believers). In this way, the wall is always growing because the number of stones is always increasing. Also, faces appear on each stone when it is that stone’s turn to take a lead role and then the faces disappear once that particular assignment has been fulfilled. In addition, the wall is fluid because the stones, in turn, move to the center of the sanctuary to either receive ministry from the other stones, or to minister to the other stones that are present. Everyone takes a turn in both roles (1 Cor. 12).

Taken altogether, this is a powerful image that should lead each of us to ask the following questions: Am I truly offering myself to God as a living sacrifice? Are there weeds that need to be pulled or moss that needs to be scrubbed off? Am I fulfilling the role that He has for me in the wall, the church, the world?

-Jenny Greene

Terence Rose this Sunday

2009-05-02T00:42:00.002-04:00

Just to let everyone know Pastor Terence Rose will be ministering in the 10:30 service on Sunday May 3rd. We can't wait to hear what the Lord is saying to our Church. Let everyone know.

Moanhood Or Motherhood?... Part 2

2009-05-02T00:36:00.002-04:00

Part 1
There are always two ways to look at things. Many times when I exercise I start thinking, “I feel awful. My legs are burning. I can hardly breath. I feel like stopping.” With every second I grow more tired and soon feel completely drained. The fact is everything I’m feeling is truth. However, when I “gird up my mind” I remember how good I’ll feel afterwards and that 30 minutes isn’t that long. “I’ve only got 15 more minutes to go. I’m breathing really well now, and hey, this is easy. I feel great. I’ll race anyone. I’m going to pick up my pace. Wow, look at me go!” There is as much truth in this second thought process and I injected myself with a bunch of energy and ended up with a full tank.

You may get up in the morning, sigh and drag yourself to the coffee pot confessing, “I was up with the baby for four solid hours last night. I can’t make it through today.” This may be true, but the other side of the story is that you had four good hours of sleep. We can feel just as good as we can feel bad.

Thinking negatively involves the “me” word. It makes one too introspective. If you are feeling depressed, go and do something for someone else. You’ll soon forget about your own problems.

The negative “so called” facts are not truth at all. They are the enemy’s poisonous darts. To contemplate them digs their venom deeper into your mind. The truth is: we are new creatures in Christ. We are to crucify the “flesh man” and live by the Spirit. The fruit of the Holy Spirit such as patience and long-suffering are now our new character traits. In Christ we can bear way more than the level the devil deceives us into thinking we can handle.

The second line of Proverbs 31:10 reads, “The heart of her husband trusts in her so that he has no lack of gain.” The New Living Translation reads, “She will greatly enrich his life.” How can we enrich our husbands when our own lives are anything but enriched? We can’t give from a drained pot. Often we feel empty and exhausted, not because of our tedious workload so much as the state of our mental reflections. How can a husband feel enriched if his wife is not contended and happy? How can a husband have “no need of gain” if his wife isn’t happy and contented? If we greet him at the door with a tired expression, a list of complaints, and quickly pass off all the children to him, his welcome home will not be very enriching. It may make him want to retreat! Home should be a solace from the worry and stress with which the world assails him. It should be a place of enriching, a gas station to fill his tank before venturing back into his world of business and stress. Our homes should be an oasis where our husband can take a cool drink of the water of peace, love and laughter. We should meet him at the door with a bright smile, a warm welcome, and with a cheery atmosphere pervading the home. If he asks how our day was, and we remember how Suzie cut off her little sister’s hair or how the baby spread the surprise in his diaper like peanut butter around the crib or I had a really rough day at work we might feel compelled to say it was a “bad day”. But wait a second! Look at it this way. There were no major accidents. We are all still alive and breathing. Suzie did really well at her reading lesson and Johnny picked some weeds from the garden and said I was a “beaubibul laby” you prayed and ministered to a co-worker. It was a lovely day. Come to think of it, it was a great day!

When the atmosphere of our home is filled with optimism, our husband and children will feel they can do anything. The Proverbs 31 woman “opens her mouth with wisdom and the law of kindness is on her tongue.” As hormonal creatures, we women can sometimes become so emotionally pent up that when our husbands come home we vomit our feelings all over them before they have a chance to take off their coats. We were made to be our husbands’ helpmeets. We were made to complete them and enrich their lives. God did not create man to be the woman’s emotional counselor or hormonal dartboard. The more we press into God and think on the word, the less we will be inclined to emotionally regurgitate. Spurting out a bunch of negative goo gah is not opening our mouths in wisdom. Nor is it kind. It is like serving our husbands a glass of gravel instead of giving them a refreshing drink of happiness.

Men are not emotional sorts and just don’t get the problem. My friend told me how she told her husband that she was feeling “out of sorts.” He replied, “Don’t feel out of sorts.” This reply was the right answer but not the one she wanted to hear. Men are wired differently so when our skies look gray we need to go to God first and then maybe call a close girlfriend in Christ who will lend a listening ear.

Proverbs 31 continues with its description of the able woman. “She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms… she extends her hand to the poor. Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy…strength and dignity are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come… she watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

A hardworking woman doesn’t have time to waste in negative contemplation. She has more important things pressing on her mind. If we are truly busy we won’t have time to stop and moan. I can’t picture Mother Theresa complaining about how tired she was or turning away another child.

I love the way the curtains draw on the “able” woman. “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” The Hebrew word for “praises” is “halal”. It means “to shine, to make a show, to boast, to rave, to glorify, to make renown. The root of this word has the idea of radiance.” Are we worthy of such acclamation?

Let us take on a spirit of rejoicing and do away with negative gloom. We will then be free to be ‘able’ women whose value is above jewels.
-Edith Osterbauer

Moanhood Or Motherhood? Part 1

2009-04-30T07:23:00.002-04:00

“Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above rubies.”Proverbs 31:10I am often drawn to this text as I pray for God to mold me into the woman He desires me to be, no matter how much against the stream of normalcy it seems. My Interlinear Bible, which is translated directly from the Hebrew, inspires me when I read, “Who can find an able woman? For her value is far above jewels.” The word “able” hit me with a giant thud. “Able” means to have power.

As mothers and wives we often spend wasted brain space mulling over just the opposite. Do these words sound familiar? “I can’t do it anymore!” “I don’t have the energy!” “I’m drained! I have nothing more to give.” “I’m too tired! I’m completely exhausted and wasted. I can’t do one more thing!” We talk ourselves out of any last vestige of energy, and by the power of our minds we feel even more tired than we really are! “Honey, not tonight! Actually I’ve got a headache. No, it’s a migraine.” “Oh, I just need some time for myself.” “I feel so used. Nobody appreciates what I do around here.” “I’ve got to get out. I’ve got cabin fever.” “I didn’t get a good sleep last night. Come to think of it, I never get a good sleep. It’s all making me old before my time. I found a new wrinkle this morning.”

Ugh! This is putting me in the doldrums just writing about it!

How can our husband value us more than jewels when our lives are one big complaint?

It is true that we talk ourselves into more than half of our problems. How can we be “able” women and how can our husbands and children truly value us above jewels when our lives are one big complaint? I believe the key to being “able” is more about being positive in Christ on the word than it is about all the talent and intellect we can possess.

How can we be positive mothers when we have made a career of being professional moaners?

Have we embraced moanhood instead of motherhood? Just as negativity is a habit, so is a positive and happy heart. The more we think on the good things, the more they become naturally part of our nature. The negative muscles become floppy, weak and slowly deteriorate when we don’t use them. Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on things that are pure and lovely. If we make a habit of thinking about the lovely things, in turn, our lives will be a lot lovelier.

We can become negative by worrying about the future. We may dwell today on all the work we have to do tomorrow or even in the months to come. Again, the wisdom of the Bible frees our minds and makes for a happy mother when it says, “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)

God is very interested in our thought-life and in the confessions of our lips. Here are just a few quotes:

“A merry heart does good like medicine.” (Proverbs 17:22)

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)

“Gird up the loins of your mind.” (1 Peter 1:13)

A positive mind set in Christ breathes life into our souls and bodies and gives us energy. Satan is too eager to plant seeds of negativity into our minds because he knows they are seeds of death and make us unable. Negativity is based upon fear, which chokes the very life out of its victims and renders them practically immobile. Negativity holds us captive in a prison of gloom. Being positive frees us to succeed and thrive. Some people see their negative outlook as being realistic. This is another trap of the enemy; a smoke screen to blind us to the truth that will set us free to really live and enjoy life.

To Be Continued...
-Edith Osterbauer

Where are you at with Jesus?

2009-04-27T07:45:00.000-04:00

Seems like a very simplistic question, doesn’t it? But in the days we live in, it’s a vital question; one that deserves our attention on a daily basis.
Why? Several reasons.
First, and most importantly, where we are at with Jesus determines whether we get into heaven according to John 3:16, perhaps the most famous and widely used of all scripture.
Second, no matter where we are with Jesus he always desires a deeper relationship with us.
We recently asked this question during a Bible study at the New River Valley Detention Home. As part of that message we looked at three Bible characters with different relationships with Jesus.
The first was the Roman centurion. He knew of Jesus. He’d heard of Jesus. Being in authority himself he knew and recognized, to a large degree, the authority that Jesus demonstrated through word and deed.
Yet, the centurion only came to Jesus when he had a need. In many respects he kept Jesus at a distance until he needed him.
Are you like the centurion?
Or perhaps you’re like Judas? Strange question? Well, consider this. Judas started out as one of Jesus’ closest friends. He was part of the inner circle, if you will, that surrounded Jesus.
But then, greed got in the way and it eventually led to his death at his own hand. Think about this. If Judas had truly repented and gone to Jesus after the fact, would he have been forgiven? For the answer to that we need only turn to scripture.
Are you like Judas? If so, Jesus is waiting. It’s never too late.
Or maybe you’re like John the beloved, the one who the scripture says leaned on the very heart of Jesus during his last supper with his inner circle.
John also was one of Jesus’ best friends, according to scripture. He knew everything about Jesus. He knew how he liked his fish. He knew the sandals he wore. He knew what pleased him. He also knew what made him sad. He knew all of that because of the time they spent together.
It was about relationship.
And because of that relationship that God poured out so many important words into John’s heart. Those words came out through his pen and we can read them in many portions of the New Testament.
Are you like John? Even if you are and everything appears wonderful, miraculous and perfect in your life Jesus still desires a deeper walk, a deeper relationship with you.
Where are you at with Jesus?

-Ben Hanneman

Take Care of Your Temple

2009-04-23T00:03:00.001-04:00

Let me just start by saying that I am not a fitness expert. I have never considered myself athletic. In fact, for most of my life I avoided any activities that even closely resembled a sport! Lots of us have tried exercising for the wrong reasons: to look like a superstar, to gain someone’s inappropriate attention, to reach an unrealistic goal weight, etc. However, God wants us to be fit and healthy because that is what is best for us, that is how He created our bodies to function. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) When God gives us a task to do, He wants us to have enough energy and strength to do it and do it well. I will not bore you with the ever-so-long list of the benefits of exercise that you’ve probably heard before. Let me just share my fitness journey with you and hopefully encourage you in an area where I have needed encouragement.

Three months after I gave birth to my first child, a friend who was also a new mom invited me to try out a weight training class at the Radford Recreation Center. To be honest, I had no idea what to expect or if I would actually stick with it. I was just tired of wearing the same old maternity clothes. It was a little intimidating at first. I did my fair share of tripping all over myself as I tried to learn the moves. There were days when I didn’t feel like going (Let’s face it, lying on the couch is definitely easier and there will always be something else on that to-do list!), but I made myself go anyway and was glad I did. I enjoyed building relationships with the other people in the class; was proud of myself for doing something healthy; and loved how relaxed I felt after I burned up all the stress from my day. I went to that class for over 5 years and have actually been teaching it for the past year.

You have to start with where you’re at right now. You can’t wait until you get into shape to go to the gym, or you may never get there. You have to experiment a little bit to figure out what type of exercise you enjoy (or can at least stand). You have to find what motivates you to stick with it. For me, I had to pay to take a class. Then I would make myself go (to get my money’s worth). Once I was there, I would try really hard and not give up during a tough exercise because all of the other people in the class were not giving up either (that’s the good kind of peer pressure). Believe it our not, hard work actually feels great! “But I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:27) Find what works for you and go for it! Take care of your temple!

-Anna Spraker

To serve or not to serve

2009-04-20T07:08:00.003-04:00

I blame my parents, but not like you might be thinking. Many blame their parents for anxieties and hang-ups…me I gladly blame them for serving. They worshiped God through a lifetime of serving others. They dragged, forced, demanded that their children be involved with serving others.

I remember our family being the first ones there and the last ones out; if there was something that had to be done the priest just had to ask; the answer was always “yes we can do that”. It didn’t matter what needed to be done we did it: nursing homes, mowing the church, painting, remodeling, and yes feeding people. My mother (Marge) often said her idea of heaven on earth would be to run a soup kitchen…constantly feeding people. We were taught early and often that the best way to serve God was to serve others. My dad would tell us boys that while we were mowing the cemetery that we were walking on the graves of saints and that it was an honor and privilege to take care of their grave sites. Plain and simple your life was meant to serve and to be a blessing to others.

The above serves as a backdrop for His Provision food ministry of which we are honored to be a part. His Provision food ministry does several things: 1st it meets the immediate physical needs of the people we serve. 2nd it provides service for the saints to do in a practical manner.

It is humbling to sit across the table with a family of 5 or a precious elderly saint on fixed income, the young mother with several children, the disabled - all in need, all looking for help. To me one of the real blessings is for those who help. Not all of the saints are called to preach but all are called to serve. His Provision provides a place where the saints can meet the physical needs of people in the community. Come and serve, you might be filling plastic bags with food, tearing down cardboard, running food to the cars that pull up, or maybe just holding hands with someone that needs comfort. Believe me we will find something for you to do.

Please join us this Thursday night at 5pm. Come and serve God by serving others

-Dr. David Osterbauer
Director His Provision Food Ministries

Seeking Glory

2009-04-15T08:47:00.003-04:00

Psalm 27.4, “(GW) I have asked one thing from the Lord. This I will seek: to remain in the Lord’s house all the days of my life in order to gaze at the Lord’s beauty and to search for an answer in His temple.” King David here belies a truth in his understanding that we should all heed. The one overriding purpose in our hearts should be the presence of our Lord: His Glory. His gift is indeed eternal life-to live in His presence for eternity indeed the purpose for which we were made. I remember a time earlier in my life when my quest for truth led down many paths of deception under the guise of religious truth. The truth is that the absence of real Truth in your life will lead you to believe anything and everything that comes your way. The very idea that we may discern right and wrong is based on the premise that the truth is established in our hearts (Especially, in a world where the “idea” of truth becomes ever more subjective). Our very ability to hear Him speaking to our hearts is directly related to His presence in our lives. The wonderful part is this- my search for truth has always been overshadowed by His everlasting, faithful and loving search for the very fellowship of my heart. His nature and character are planted in us at the time we receive Christ for the reason that we may seek Him and establish His kingdom in our hearts. So we find that in the seeking He has sought us all along. Luke 19.10, “(GW) Indeed the Son of Man has come to seek and to save people who are lost.”

Ravi Zacharias said something to which this nation should well listen and learn, and I close with it, “Where the Glory of God dwells, the voice of God is heard.”

II Corinthians 3.18, “(NASB) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”

Pastor Chris Farmer
A Minister of His Provision at
the Radford Worship Center

Want a Blessing? Be a Blessing!

2009-04-13T10:54:00.004-04:00

One look at the title and a person may think that I am going to talk about sowing and reaping. Well, not today.

The term blessing is thrown around in Christendom like it is the ultimate achievement. With that being said, many times I think believers are being put on a social scale within the church. A scale that does nothing more than feed their flesh and reveal immaturity. The bottom line is as a believer in Christ and having Him dwell in us is the ultimate blessing anyone can have. However, we must also realize that we have already been blessed.

Ephes. 1:3 (GW)
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through Christ, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing that heaven has to offer.

So, what is all the fuss about with Christians trying to get a blessing, they already have it. The focus for the believer must shift into another area. The Apostle Paul said in Acts 20:35 to remember the words of Christ. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This phrase is a dominical saying, meaning supreme authority. Therefore, there is no higher form of blessing than to give. This means the blessing isn’t in receiving or what is received, the blessing is in the participation of obedience revealing what Christ has done in our hearts.

- Pastor Mike Laster
Senior Associate Pastor
Pastor LifeChange Ministries

Images...

2009-04-09T11:08:00.003-04:00

From movies, music videos, magazines, and television, media is bombarding children with images they deem perfect. Children in turn are believing these deceptions and comparing themselves to them. They do not know of the surgeries, constant unhealthy diets, and even photo touch ups used to make these "superstars" look unblemished.

While studying this topic for Missionettes, I found these scriptures to try and combat the attack of these lies. Some are celebrating our differences and remind us of who created us.

So God created humans in His image. In the image of God He created them, male and female. (Gen. 1:27)

Each person has a special gift from God and these gifts vary from person to person. (1 Cor. 7:7)

You are
Light for the world. (Matt. 5:14)

Beauty doesn't come
From hairstyles, gold jewelry, or clothes. Rather, beauty is something internal that can't be destroyed. (1 Pet. 3:3-4)

I will give thanks to You because I have been amazingly and miraculously made. (Ps. 139:14)

God has
Made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do. (Eph. 2:10)

Do not be
Afraid,... I have called you by name and you are mine. (Is. 43:1)

God saw everything He had made and that is was good. (Gen. 1:31)

Even one star differs in splendor from another star. (1 Cor. 15:41b)

The Children's Ministry team at Radford Worship Center has agreed to help encourage our young ladies in this area by hosting a "SPA Day" for school age girls, kindergarten to sixth grade. We have not set a date other than after school is out for the summer. If there are any women that can style hair? Wash feet? Paint fingernails? Fix salads? How about lead aerobics? Encourage these young ladies? Read the Bible? Pray? Or maybe you have a special talent not mentioned that you want to share? Please contact Susie Hickman or Pastor Tina Blackburn.

- Susie Hickman
Missionette Director
A Ministry to Girls

CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS

2009-04-05T21:33:00.002-04:00

1Kings 18 tells of the prophet Elijah in a face-off with the prophets of Baal. Elijah confronts all of Israel and puts before them a choice. “How long will you try to have it both ways? If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal is God, follow him.” (1Kings 18:21 GW) Elijah proposes that he and the Baal prophets each get a bull,prepare it, set it on wood, but not on fire. They will call on the name of Baal and Elijah will call on the name of the Lord and whoever answers by fire is the true God.

This is a bold move by Elijah. He is putting his life on the line because if the Lord doesn’t answer by fire then he will most likely be killed. Elijah builds an altar, saturates it with water, and calls down fire from Heaven. God answers and His fire consumes the sacrifice, the wood, the water, and the dirt. Baal’s prophets get nothing from their god. Elijah has them killed at the Kishon River.

Why does God answer by fire? Is it because He sees that Elijah would be in big trouble if He doesn’t do something? Does God think to Himself, “What has Elijah gotten Me into now? I’d better go and bail him out (get it, bail like Baal… insert crickets chirping here).” God answers by fire because it is more than just Elijah’s name on the line, it is also His. Elijah steps out in faith that God honors His name and God does.

Go through your Bible and find every time that God’s people were up against impossible circumstances and see how God intervenes in a way that only He can do. God’s people will never be put to shame because He honors His name. Where is this kind of trust today? If it is out there I feel it is in short supply. Do we not firmly stand on the name of the Lord because like Israel in 1Kings 18 we are trying to have it both ways? Is one foot on the rock and the other on the sand? This Elijah kind of faith only operates in people who have forsaken everything to follow Him. These people know that the name of the Lord is all they need.

I am asking God to search my heart and reveal to me anything that shows I am trying to have it both ways. I don’t want to be half-hearted in my relationship with Him. I want the Lord Jesus Christ to by my all in all. He is worthy and His name is holy.

-John Spraker
Director Rock Club

See It Through...

2009-04-02T00:03:00.003-04:00

Acts 20:24 “But I don't place any value on my own life. I want to finish the race I'm running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus-the mission of testifying to the Good News of God's kindness.

Over the last year all eyes have been on America with the election and the economic crunch that we as a nation have found ourselves in. While politicians point fingers and the “world” worries themselves sick, the church should be focused on Christ with great joy in our hearts because those who talk often with the Lord know that He is coming soon for His bride (Revelation 4:1).

As Americans, we were worthy stewards of this nation with a willingness to see it through first and foremost with Jesus Christ, and then our ministries, marriages, families, jobs, mortgages, car payments, etc. Oh, but how far we have gone in the wrong direction since the first immigrants left everything behind to freely worship God. America now wants to give up on anything that poses as a challenge.

During Desert Storm I risked my life for this country in a war that I did not fully understand. I saw quite a few of my fellow soldiers, my friends, get injured or die because of landmines and yet I felt that what we were doing was the right thing. That was because I would look at the Kurdish children whose parents had been killed or the ones who had been abused and we were their protection. But then in July, 1991 we packed up and headed down the main road in Dahook, Iraq with dozens of those Kurdish children running after the convoy with tears rolling down their faces. I knew America did not see things through.

At that time I was saved but very immature in Christ and on that day my sadness encouraged me to ask a question within myself: what is true freedom? Of course there is no true freedom without Jesus Christ. John 8:34-46 says, “Jesus responded, ‘I assure you everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in the household forever. Therefore if the Son sets you free, you really will be free!’”

Of all the authors of the Old and New Testaments, Paul speaks most often about freedom. Christ, he says, brings freedom from sin, (Romans 6:18-22), and freedom from death, (Romans 7:24-25). Second Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Therefore anything that kills our spirit is not freedom and is not of the Lord. Freedom doesn’t come through a country, a flag or a president. Even though a citizen can choose certain paths for himself he is not necessarily free. Jesus Christ is our example of freedom! Thank God that He saw it through and by His blood afforded every man and woman the opportunity for true freedom.

In Luke 22:42 Jesus prays in the garden and says, “Father, if it is your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, your will must be done, not mine." In my opinion, that is one of the most powerful sentences ever spoken. Here is Jesus in the garden, praying, knowing what is about to take place and He is willing to see it through for not only our sake but for the perfect will of God! Oh how glorious it would be if the American people would say, “Not my will, Lord, but yours be done!” But generations of Godless men and women have abandoned the truth for many lies. The children have not learned to fear God, value relationships or live a life of virtue.

Everyone has an individual God given purpose in life. If we seek to find it, God is more than willing to reveal it by calling us to it. It is in that purpose where we find the most peace, joy and contentment because it is a place God chose specifically for each of us. It is in this place where, through faith and grace, we will be able to see it through.

-Blake Nelson

On Marriage...

2009-03-29T23:37:00.002-04:00

How is your marriage? Would you say you have a great one? Most people do not. We are in a time where busyness, among other things, is pulling couples apart. Many couples both work and are living independent of each other. They have areas of their lives that the other person is not involved in, does not know about, or does not even care about. We should not have secret lives that are hidden from our mates.

More than half of all marriages in America end in divorce. The truth of the matter is that we all benefit by being submissive to one another and we women are protected by our husbands by doing this. Honest!

Just because a person is married does not mean they are not tempted. Being tempted is not a sin, but giving in to it is a sin. Thus, there is a need for accountability between spouses. I Corinthians 7:5 tells that couples help protect one another from sexual temptation. Ephesians 5 tells of the love and order of a marriage.

When a husband and wife grow apart they become indifferent to one another, then the door is open for one of them to fall into temptation. I want to encourage couples to be accountable to one another and be transparent in sharing your lives with one another. Be visible about what you do. For example, if you have a blog, an email account, or anything like that, make it known to your spouse. Even offer your passwords so your mate is free to check it any time. If you are close to a member of the opposite sex, refrain from sharing details of your life that should be shared with your mate. Don’t allow or encourage another person to flirt with you, or share how their mate does not understand them. Run to your mate when you feel vulnerable to temptation. Be accountable to one another in love and see how your trust can grow. God wants you to be blessed with the one you are with. Having a marriage that has both hearts open to each other and God can give you a marriage that is abundantly blessed.

-Pastor Connie Shinn
Living Free Christian Counseling

God's Word: Our Destiny...

2009-03-25T22:20:00.005-04:00

GOD’S WORD: OUR DESTINY

Part 1. “My Plan for You -- Your Heart’s Desire”

--“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

--“Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against God.” Psalm 119:11

--“The Word of God is quick (living) and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Knowledge of the above scriptures, that many of us have known seemingly all of our lives, should be enough to compel us to faithfully and diligently read, study, know and live the Word of God. After all, this Word of God, your/my Bible, is the representation of Jesus that we can literally hold in our hands, press to our hearts and see with our earthly eyes.

But knowledge of these scripture passages, that we have just recalled, is obviously not enough. If it were, more believers would be spiritually mature and walking in great faith. If most Christians are familiar with these words and have even memorized them, but are still not hungry enough to be diligent to really study God’s Word, then what is the problem? What is lacking? I believe that part of the missing link is apathy toward God’s Word and lack of “revelation.” People need revelation knowledge -- revelation understanding -- of the fact that God’s precious, wonderful Word is life to our bones --- that it holds the keys to finding and living that abundant life that Jesus told us is there for us when He said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b

Most Christians are not living out abundant life. For example, this is evident in statistics that tell us that the present day rate of divorce is greater in the church than it is outside of the church. This just should not be! The abundant life that Christ wants to give us is a life lived to its maximum. I want to “max out” my life here on earth. Do you? I want to fulfill my greatest potential and to have the greatest success in all aspects of my life that is possible for me to have. Do you?

To be continued...

-Connie Wohlford

On Being Disciples...

2009-03-23T07:55:00.001-04:00

During the last few weeks in Kid’s Church we have been teaching about the twelve disciples. The twelve men that Jesus chose to help carry out His ministry on earth represented a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and personalities. They did not have minister’s credentials, they were not prophets, nor did they possess any special abilities or talents; they were ordinary men. However, there was one attribute they all had in common: their willingness to serve and obey Jesus Christ. In choosing the disciples, Jesus chose men who would follow Him and had a heart to do the will of the Father.

All believers are to be disciples, or followers, of Christ. Jesus also commanded us to go and make disciples of every nation …and teach them to obey everything He has commanded us (Matthew 28:19, 20). As His disciples, it is our job to fulfill our purpose in Him. It is God’s purpose for us to serve, obey and love Him in every aspect of our lives. As believers, this should be easy. We love Him because He first loved us (I John 4:19). God’s word tells us we will be blessed for our obedience (Deuteronomy 8:1). Jesus said that those who love Him will be obedient to Him and will be loved by Him (John 14:21). We serve to give honor and glory to God (I Peter 4:11). Many church-goers believe they are followers of Christ, but their actions, words, and attitudes do not reflect a life of service, obedience and love. Why, then, is it so difficult for people to be true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Jesus tells us in Luke 14:33 “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple”. Our love for God should surpass our wants and desires. When we focus on the cares of life around us, those things take priority in our life and consume our love, obedience and service. God should be the first priority in our lives always. Jesus clearly stated that we are not to worry about material things or our circumstances, but we are to seek His kingdom first and everything else will be taken care of (Matthew 6:33).

I love explaining the following concept to children in Kid’s Church. Children understand it much more clearly than adults, because they do not look for shades of gray. When a believer makes a conscious decision to sin, who are they serving? Jesus said that no man can serve two masters. Can you sin and serve God at the same time?

Sin easily entangles us, making it ever more difficult to live the life of obedience and service to which God has called us. Once we receive the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, we should die to sin. Sin is not our master; we become slaves to obedience, not to sin. (Romans 6:1-18). As we all know, even Jesus’ disciples fell short: Peter denied, Thomas doubted, Judas betrayed. But thank God for His mercy and grace! If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong (I John 1:9). Jesus said in John 8:31 “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”. In order to be a true disciple, we should always seek a life of obedience and reject even the smallest temptation to sin.

As followers of Christ, we should do all things in love. The world in which we live is consumed in bitter division, anger, hatred, dishonesty, greed, etc. But we are called to love and show that love to all. Love should be the primary motivation for all that we do; it is the love for our Savior that compels us to love, serve and minister to others. As Paul wrote in I Corinthians 13:1, 2 “but if I don’t have love, I am a loud gong or clashing cymbal. I may have the gift to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I don’t have love, I am nothing.” We must possess the love of Christ in our hearts and lives in order to be a true disciple. In our interactions with others, do we sound like a clashing symbol or gong? Or do your words and actions always convey love? When they do, people will know you are a disciple, one who truly loves and follows Jesus Christ. Jesus clearly tells us in John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”.

-Pastor Tina Blackburn
Children's Pastor

On Any Given Tuesday.... LifeChange

2009-03-19T20:25:00.019-04:00

Tuesday nights around the Radford Worship Center are never boring. LifeChange Youth Ministries takes over the campus to bring the Truth to teenagers in the NRV. The teens who come are treated to night of Food, Hanging Out, and a Service where Jesus is the Center of it all. At 5:30 the vans leave to pick up kids that have called saying they need a ride.

The night starts off with a bang as the doors open at 6:15 pm and the teens are able to eat, play basketball, hang out in the cafe, and play video games in the game room.

At 7:30 everyone heads over to the Sanctuary for service. They just keep coming...

and coming...

and coming...

Inside they are met by the Band and who start the service with Praise and Worship...

and get everyone ready for Pastor Mike and what he has for them.

These are our kids, our heart, come out and meet the ones that keep us going... on any given Tuesday.

This Sunday

2009-03-19T20:21:00.002-04:00

Just to let everyone know, Pastor Terence Rose will be speaking in the 10:30 am service this Sunday the 22nd. Make plans to be in the service to hear him.

The Church in Today's World...

2009-03-19T11:48:00.003-04:00

I reflect back to when I first received Christ and realized my need for Godly instruction and encouragement. At this time, I had no consciousness of the Scriptural importance of assembly with the saints as referred to in Hebrews. (Heb 10:25) “We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.” It all really came down to, as Pastor Mike made reference to several weeks ago, the importance of this new relationship I had with the Father and the passion I had to grow in knowledge, in faith, and in Godly character.

Today, many in church leadership are clamoring to cater to a world that simply does not see any relevance for the local church. Unfortunately, the main reason for this disdain is they simply cannot see any difference in conduct between those who attend church and those who do not. Paul makes this statement in 2 Corinthians the sixth chapter.

2 Cor. 6:3-4 (GW)
We don't give people any opportunity to find fault with how we serve. [4] Instead, our lives demonstrate that we are God's servants. We have endured many things: suffering, distress, anxiety,

2 Cor. 6:6-7 (GW)
{People can see} our purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit's presence {in our lives}, our sincere love, [7] truthfulness, and the presence of God's power. We demonstrate that we are God's servants

Paul is stating in this text that through the evidence of their Christian character, they left no doubt as to whom they belonged to and who they served.
A large number of Churches today are not promoting Christ likeness or encouraging Godliness. Instead, many churches are compromising the salvation message by softening the truth to make the world feel comfortable through a “culturally relevant” message. This culturally relevant message down plays and ignores the blood of Christ, mocks faithfulness as legalism and simple dogma. They are communicating that the world does not need to change. In the effort to identify with the world, many churches have lost their identity and mission as true disciples of Jesus Christ.

Instead of allowing God to build His church, they are trying to create an image that will attract the world. This is a complete contradiction to the Biblical model. This effort has resulted in many who do not know their true identity in Christ and how a child of God is to behave and as a result, the Church has forgotten her purpose in this current age.

The New Testament makes it clear that Christ is the head of the Church.

Col. 1:18 (NASB)
He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.

This leads us to ask the question; what exactly is God’s purpose for the Church?

I. The chief purpose for the Church’s existence is to glorify and worship God through an intimate relationship and can only be accomplished through the Holy Spirit revealing truth.

John 4:23 (GW)
Indeed, the time is coming, and it is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. The Father is looking for people like that to worship him.

II. The second purpose for the Church is to edify and build itself up. This happens as the saint’s minister to one another, edifying and increasing itself in love.

Ephes. 4:11-13 (GW)
He also gave apostles, prophets, missionaries, as well as pastors and teachers as gifts {to his church}. [12] Their purpose is to prepare God's people, to serve, and to build up the body of Christ. [13] This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God's Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard.

Ephes. 4:15-16 (GW)
Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head. [16] He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

III. The third purpose for the Church is to evangelize the sinner. The Church is to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom to the world.

Mark 16:15-16 (NASB)
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. [16] "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

Acts 1:8 (GW)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you. Then you will be my witnesses to testify about me in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Now more than ever it is imperative for the Church to champion the cause of God’s truth and stress the importance of relationship and Christian character to the Body of Christ.

- Pastor Ted Farmer