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I Have Come
Dr. Trey Turner
Sometimes Breathing is Hard…
I should be singing songs about being jolly (fa la la la la la la la la and stuff), how fun it must be to ride in a open sleigh with one horse pulling me and friends around (no personal experience to base this on…unless hayrides count), reindeer being mean to poor Rudolph and then all flying together to save Christmas with formerly exiled Rudolph in the lead (gotta love claymation cartoons), a snowman that comes to life with a magical hat, and so on. And I should be all into Joy to the World and Come all Ye Faithful. But honestly, I am just not there yet. We put the tree up right after Thanksgiving like always. I have watched all the Christmas “kid movies” with my kids and had a great time doing it. I have been to a few Christmas musicals and Christmas parties. All of the traditional up-to-Christmas Day things we do. And each of these, in the moment, were exactly what they were supposed to be and I am grateful.
But, I sit here five days before Christmas listening to the Jars of Clay song Work, instead of Christmas songs. I keep listening to the lines that say, “I have no fear of drowning, it’s the breathing that’s taking all this work…do you know what I mean when I say, ‘I don’t want to be alone’?” I find myself resonating with these words. In the last two weeks, I had a friend have to lose most of a leg, watched students and their extended family worry if their mom/wife/daughter/sister/friend was going to have to go through a liver transplant or just “surgery”, watched a decorated POW bury his wife/life of 57 years yesterday (she was my friend and truly loved my family…I will dance the penguin dance with my kids in memory of you, Elsie), watched my pastor and friend grieve with a very heavy heart over each of these as he walked through the pain with them (far more than me) and then have to bury his own cousin today, and then throw in a mix of my own personal, “daily life” frustrations. Stir them all together and my heart struggles to give a “Merry Christmas!” with much joy and integrity. I know many others (most others, if I think globally) have it so much worse than I do, but that is not enough right now to make me “buck up, camper.”
Instead of being drawn to the cheery Christmas songs (which are great when your heart is into them), I find myself drawn to the last lines of Away in a Manger.
Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there
Our youth group sang this to my friend who died last week. It has stuck with me since. As I struggle to “breathe”, these are the words I find my heart singing. At times I have found myself envying my friend Elsie, face to face with Jesus. She has reached where I long to be. She has gone “further up and further in” (must read all the Chronicles of Narnia to understand) and I find myself wanting to run with her. But…these feelings pass because I know I am here exactly where I am supposed to be. I have been given a wife to love, cherish, hope, and grow old with. Children to love and lead into godliness. Extended family to love and encourage and care for. Students to love, minister to and with, and watch go far beyond me (too many to list). Church family to love and journey with. Friends to be there for and call upon. Places near and far to take the Gospel to. And most importantly, a God, Savior, King, Lord, Father, and Friend who through the birth of His Son became Immanuel, God with us, and now calls me to walk with Him on a journey he has already mapped out for us. These are the thoughts that make it easier to “breathe”.
Statistically, I know my life has more advantages and blessings than most of the world. But, I get lost and overwhelmed in the immensity of statistics. On the other hand, relationships, with all their joy…and pain, give my breath meaning…life. My relationship with Jesus and how it overflows into all my other relationships give purpose to my breathing. And in the end, I am not alone…I am alive.
In Philippians 1:20-26, I think Paul writes some of what I feel.
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.”
If I could give you but one gift, like Paul, it is that your joy in Christ Jesus would overflow on account of me.
Merry Christmas…really…I mean it with all honesty and integrity. Joy to your World because Jesus came…All Ye Faithful…Come and worship…breathe…live.
Don’t Give Up
Dr. Trey Turner
Luke 18:1-8; Luke 17:20-37; John 14:14
John 16:24; Matthew 18:19-20; Isaiah 65:24
A New Way to Stay Informed
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By subscribing to the email group, you can participate in church discussions and stay up to date with the latest information at The Creek!
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Was it the Grinch? Stole the Announcement?
Dr. Trey Turner
Luke 1:26-45; John 7:1-6; Isaiah 40:1-5
Nextlink Christmas Pictures
Pictures from the Nextlink Christmas Party are now online!
My turn to blog or try the loaf…
It was brought to my attention that for some reason there is great need for my thoughts on a myriad of subjects on our site. Actually, I was told that if I didn’t write soon I would be in big trouble mister (yes, they do talk to me like this and make me sit at the kids table at Thanksgiving)…hence, I begin…the comic relief amidst the depth of Jason and Trey.
Do you ever read the Bible and come across words that make you do a double take because they just don’t seem to fit?
John 6:16-21
“16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.”
I read this and the word “immediately” just does not seem to fit. I mean take it out and they let Jesus in the boat and then they get where they are going. This would be fine and dandy and require no pondering. But, it says “immediately”. I want to know why. I mean did they just pop out of the water like a hover craft and fly on over? Did Jesus do a Dash from The Incredibles and kick his feet real fast? Were they in a dense fog and then just happen to come out of it and whammo they were there? I really am curious without an answer.
On a more serious note, I also wonder if in the midst of my storms (God-induced, Others-induced, or Self-induced…often the latter) if I am even able to see Jesus walking into them or am I even more self-absorbed than usual? Then, should I actually recognize him in my storm, would I let him in the boat, be afraid, or just keep trying to fix it myself? Does it take him speaking “I AM” into my storms before I finally stop trying so hard (the answer is most often yes)? And finally, once I have allowed him to be Lord over my storm, as he is and should be, what do I expect? Do I expect to immediately have my storm ended and to have arrived at my destination without having endured or even noticed the journey? I don’t know that Jesus typically works in our lives this way. I don’t really remember him doing this another time. Typically, it seems the journey is necessary for the intended growth. But often, I sure do wish I could arrive immediately out of the storm and move on to “easier” stuff.
I thank God for the storms. It was this particular storm that Peter walked on water and showed us all that it is possible to set our gaze so intently on Jesus that we can do what he did and more. Then in the next moment, focus on the storms around us and sink into the chaos, as we so often do. And then, cry out to Jesus and know that he answers…no warm fuzzies, no sparkling lights, no alleluia chorus, just a heavenly hand meeting us where we are, bringing us to where we are meant to be.
Just one more thought on this passage. As I looked at the same events in Matthew and Mark, they also used the word immediately, but in different ways. Jesus put them in the boat and sent them to the other side “immediately”. He spoke to them “immediately” in their terror. He reached his hand to catch Peter “immediately”. I wonder if Jesus’ “immediacy” in our storms comes when he knows we need it most; not so much when we wish it would come, so we can get through it quicker or even avoid it all together.
I hope that something in all this connects to you. I hope you will ask questions as you read God’s Word and seek Truth. I know I have friends that are in these storms and need to keep their focus on Jesus lest the chaos overwhelm them. Pray for the Gentry family as they are losing a treasured part of their family and ours. Pray for my friend Tim as he tries to bring his family back together against all odds.
If there are storms we can pray for you about, let us know. It would be our privilege.
And should you come by the office, make sure to try the loaf…mmmmmm
Islamic Faith Questions
I have some questions about practicing Qur’anic teachings. I am not an authority. I have only learned enough to ask some questions. I will leave the answers to those who have lived within its system. First, is it true that some later teachings of Muhammad supersede the earlier scriptures? This would include “And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out, for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter.” (surah 2:191) This is jihad. It was quoted in the Fatwa signed by 5 Islamic caliphates on February 23, 1998 and sent to all Muslims. There are differing opinions about what various verses mean and how they are used. Christians also struggle with scriptures and practice applications which differ from the way others apply them.
O ye who believe! Choose not My enemy and your enemy for allies. Do ye give them friendship when they disbelieve in that truth which hath come unto you, driving out the messenger and you because ye believe in Allah, your Lord ? If ye have come forth to strive in My way and seeking My good pleasure, (show them not friendship). Do ye show friendship unto them in secret, when I am Best Aware of what ye hide and what ye proclaim ? And whosoever doeth it among you, he verily hath strayed from the right way. (surah 60:1)
Ergun and Emir Caner, in their book Unveiling Islam say, “Muslims must not trust others who seek to harm the cause of Allah. The worst thing the enemies of Allah can do is persuade Muslims to ‘reject the Truth’. Therefore, the Muslim is called to hate the enemies of Islam in order to achieve more hope of Paradise. Nor may a Muslim covertly love people although seeming to hate them outwardly.” (Unveiling Islam, 35-36) This understanding puts Muslims everywhere in a position of being offensive toward Allah’s enemies. Meanwhile, surah 60:1 is understood by other Muslims as a statement about marriage. Part of their explanation of the verse is stated as, “Here the point is: what social relations are possible with the Unbelievers? A distinction is made between those who persecute you for your Faith and want to destroy you and your Faith, and those who have shown no such rancor. For the latter there is hope of mercy and forgiveness.”
Is Islam peace? George Bush and Tony Blair both insist that a good religion has been hijacked by extremists. The word Islam means submission. Salam means peace. It is related in cognate form to Shalom– the Jewish expression of peace. I believe the next several years will show which views will be most prominent in our world and in our country. I hope that Jews, Christians, and Muslims will be able to respectfully dialogue about their faith traditions.
Challenged
I have been challenged by the words I heard yesterday from Dr. Sarker and from the follow-up message our pastor gave last night. I think about what I have given up to be a follower of Jesus. I have given up a way of life that I might or might not have enjoyed. I changed schools. I changed vocational directions. I wonder, does a change in direction really constitute the sacrifice of something.
I think about what I have ‘given-up’ only for a few moments as the flood of thought enters my mind on what I have gained. I did not become a follower of Jesus because of what I might gain. But God has nonetheless seen fit to give me so much more than I deserve. Just look at my family. I have come so close to really messing things up in the past, and I am just so thankful that God has allowed me to keep my family. Just look at my church family. What a gift. There are other intagible things as well — peace in my heart, assurance of the future even in unsure times, the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit, an underlying joy to all of life, and the list could go on and on.
So then. . . the challenge. For all that God has done for me, why do I not share my faith with others? You’d know if I were sharing my faith with people because every once in a while there would be someone join my church because of my witness. It has been a good while since anyone became a Christian and joined my church because of my personal witness. This is not a very good testimony and it is quite a challenge. (I wonder if these thoughts have been echoing in anyone else’s heart. I have these thoughts because it makes me wonder if anyone is really sharing their faith. It seems as if someone were, then we would at least see a few adults coming to know Christ every so often.)
Challenges are good. And my response is urgent. God has recently let me have a relationship with a couple of men who will keep this message in front of me as I will be keeping this message in front of them.
Is my light shining. If so, how bright? Is so, who is seeing it? If so. . .
Understand My Muslim People (Second Service)
Dr. Abraham Sarker
You can also listen to [Dr. Sarker's message from the first service](http://www.creekfamily.org/sermons/2006/12/10/understand-my-muslim-people/).
Understand My Muslim People
Dr. Abraham Sarker
You can also listen to [Dr. Sarker's message from the second service](http://www.creekfamily.org/sermons/2006/12/10/understand-my-muslim-people-second-service/).
Three Years of Bible Study Fellowship Growth at CCBC
If you drive by the church on Wednesday mornings, you might
also ask, “What is going on there?” Cars fill the parking lot because so many women are coming to study the Bible. 140 participants from 63 different churches meet for study. Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) fills the rooms at Canyon Creek on Wednesdays corresponding to the school calendar. This semester they have been studying the letter Paul wrote to the Romans.
BSF website says:
What began as a desire of a small group of women to deepen
their faith through a weekly Bible study more than 50 years ago, is now an
international movement. While keeping its focus and commitment on teaching the
Bible, BSF has grown from a single living room to church meeting places around
the world. In all, there are nearly 1,000 BSF classes with 200,000 class
members in more than 30 nations across six continents! Nearly 800 of the
classes are held in the U.S. and Canyon Creek Baptist Church is very fortunate to host one of these classes.
BSF is an interdenominational Bible study that has been
meeting at CCBC for three years. If you would like to Join Bible Study
Fellowship introduction classes are held on the following dates: Jan. 10, Feb
7, March 7, April 4, May 2 & 9. Meeting time is 9:10 – 11:10 a.m.
Was it the Grinch? Stole the Spotlight?
Dr. Trey Turner
Psalm 46:10