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If only I could answer tough questions
Have you ever wondered where you could get good information about tough questions. Some people might be scared to ask questions, afraid they will get reasons not to believe. Here is a trustworthy site that, in the years I have used it, has always given me answers to tough questions. www.probe.org is a ministry connected to Kirby Anderson. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
Lifecamp Report
This past week eight kids and three adults took a journey to Highland Lakes to experience God full blast at camp! The kids had a great time enjoying the banana boats, the zip line, and recreation as well as learning about the choices of Jonah. We had opportunity to talk about Jonah’s choices and how he had to have a really big wake up call (a whale) because of his disobedience. We learned that even though storms come sometimes, we all still need to be obedient or we are in for a big wake up call.
Coming from a sponsors perspective, God definetly moved as we were able to get closer as a church group through our Bible studies and church group time. I was also very impressed with the kids understanding of the basics of Jonah and how excited they were to go deeper into the story. We also got to learn a lot from Nancy Burkes Worcester who shared her puppets with us and taught us about God’s love and the choices we have to make. We all also had a blast singing and dancing along to the worship music of Rob Biagi.
Please continue to pray that the kids who participated in this camp will continue to look to God for guidance with daily decisions. Thank you Canyon Creek for supporting our children’s ministry and getting excited about what God is doing in the lives of all our children.
~~ Kimberly
Next Step Toward Building
Let me give you a letter by Jon Mark Allen about the fall schedule which will take us closer toward building:
Last month we voted to move ahead with building a new children’s building. How very appropriate as we approach our 30 year anniversary as a church! To that end, we have enlisted the help of the United We Build a ministry of the BGCT. Ivan Potter and Jeremy Austin are consultants who will assist us through this process.
We have already created a Campaign Leadership Team, which is composed of Tom Buckner, Ken and Brenda Camp, Marcine Chambers, Robert Knepp, Mary Beth Morris, Julia Walker, Michelle Wolf, myself, with the pastor and staff. We have already met together and are excited about the events coming up in the next few months.
Please mark your calendars now for the Spiritual Preparation weekend on September 6-7. This time together will be for laying a spiritual foundation for the big plans ahead of us. Ivan Potter will talk about God’s plan for financing his work and practical advice for the Christian looking at money as an area of spiritual discipleship. Soon you will be hearing about a Prayer Vigil and for later in the fall, a church-wide Banquet to celebrate God’s great blessing of Canyon Creek.
I truly believe at the conclusion of this process we will have a better idea of God’s view on finances and we will have grown together in a significant way, both spiritually and in our commitment to Canyon Creek’s mission to make disciples. Please begin praying now about how God would have you participate in the next 30 years of ministry, especially in the raising of this new preschool and children’s facility.
Jon Mark Allen, United We Build Campaign Team Leader
Destroying a National Treasure
Recently, my family and I had the privilege of spending nine days in Washington, D.C. It was an amazing adventure. I saw so many things that I had only read and studied about in my history classes in school. I experienced history, art, tradition, national pride, family, and a whole lot of walking. As great as it all was, one of those experiences caused me great embarrassment.
After waiting in line for what seemed like forever, my wife, our moms, and our four children finally made it into the National Archives. We wanted to see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution among many other amazing documents from our history. Of course by “we”, I mean “I” pushed pretty hard to go there knowing full well my kids were not interested at all and I would cause my wife and our moms to have to endure their constant reminder of how boring it was and questions of how much longer. We finally get to the front of the line, along the way seeing a golden version of the Magna Carta…way cool. We get into three lines as we prepare to enter the dimly lit area. We are given a few rules, but one most important one. Under no circumstances at all, ever, in any way, shape, or form, are we to use flash photography. This is of course because light will hasten the deterioration of paper. No problem. I had my wife’s camera and had turned the flash off, but was now adjusting the camera to try to let more light in so I could get a better picture than a tan fuzzy image that I would have to later explain was the Declaration of Independence…I promise. So we make our way around the room looking at all kinds of other documents from our history. I take a few pictures of the Declaration of Independence…no luck…tan fuzzy. So as we come to the Constitution, I decide to just go back to the default setting. This was not big deal the picture would be darker but at least it would be focused. I zoomed in on the words “We the People…”…man what a cool picture this was going to be…then FLASH!!! AAUUGGHHH!!! What in the world happened…I was just trying to get a clearer picture? But in my haste to change the settings, I had forgotten to go back and turn off the flash. Everyone in the room probably had the same thought…IDIOT! I am thinking…”Want to get away?” (Southwest Airlines commercials). Immediately (as in can reach out and beat me with his baton kind of immediately) to my left was a security guard. He calmly but firmly asked me if that was my camera. I sheepishly replied, “yes.” He told me to turn it off…which I had already done almost immediately anyway like that would make it ok. I stood there in that moment as embarrassed as I have felt in a long time, and that is saying a lot for one who regularly finds ways to look stupid. What was I to do now? I just put the camera in my pocket and walked out trying not to make eye contact with anyone. I could not get out of that room fast enough. I had just hastened the destruction of a National Treasure. Good thing Nicholas Cage wasn’t around. It took me 15-20 minutes to get over how embarrassed and stupid I felt in that moment.
I knew the rules and was even trying to obey. The guard knew I didn’t do it on purpose. He knew I had just made a mistake, but man I just felt terrible. In thinking about this experience, I began to examine how I respond when I don’t obey God. He has given me clear rules and guidance in how to live the life that Jesus describes in John 10:10 as abundant, overflowing, beyond what I can imagine on my best imagining day. And unlike my unintentional rule breaking in the National Archives, I do it on purpose most often. Most of the time, I respond the same way though. I run away, but not out of embarrassment. Probably it is more just a lack of not wanting to deal with it. I really just want to get on with things when I should be totally embarrassed by the fact that I just selfishly rejected Jesus for my own plans and desires.
I don’t know about you, but I need less callousness and more brokenness, humbling, and embarrassment over my sin before God.
But then, as 1 John 1:9 reminds us, I need to move forward in grace and restoration and not wallow in my embarrassment as I did at the museum. Thanks Lord for the freedom You give through Christ.
How to love someone just a little different…
There is a great free resource if you always wanted to see the love language materials but just haven’t. Some sessions are online and some online handouts are there. Beyond that, the church library has Love Language books and video study materials available. I would expect that learning to love others better makes you more love-ly.
Biblical Budgeting?
According to Crown Financial… most people spend 10% more than they make. That puts us in a real bind. Click here to enter access a free spreadsheet to begin a family budgeting process.
The righteous scare me
I had one of those encounters any of us could have had. Mine just happened to be at the gym. A man who works out at the same time I do has become one of those acquaintances you just speak to periodically. I crossed the gym to go to my next machine and passed him, he quoted some verse of poetry appropriate to his exertion level… knowing no poetry apart from that which I read at funerals I came back with a verse of scripture. “The righteous are as bold as a lion.” (Pro. 28:1; NIV) To me that meant… keep it up, you are not as old as you feel. But this man reacted to all of his pent-up anger at the church. He said, “The righteous scare me.”
Well, if I try to defend the institutional religious I am going to put on a bit of a false front myself. Though I am a part of institutional Christianity, I remember that Jesus used some of his sharpest challenges to the religious. I am equally sickened when religious leaders use and enjoy political footsies. My friend in the gym was calling them righteous. The Old Testament and New Testament both speak of internal quality and standing with God as righteous. I hope for the opportunity to both agree with the man in the gym and nudge him toward a biblical look at the righteous.
Law of Liberty
Sermon morning sermon preached July 6, 2008 at Canyon Creek Baptist Church.
Scripture from James chapters 1-2.
Kids in the Flow at the Creek
What a great time we have had together this summer! We have seen everything from Dr. Pepper to tigers to sand art and it is no where near finished! I am looking forward to a great time at Austin Park and Pizza as well as fun with the girls at girls day out.
Worship Zone and FUNdamentals is also in full swing as we get into the month of July. In Worship Zone we will be discussing evangelism — why it is so important and how kids can evangelize daily. We will be making a tool to help them accomplish that. We are now to the point in FUNdamentals where we are looking at the choice Adam and Eve made and how it affected the world as we know it. It is great to see these kids learn and understand these concepts while having a blast through songs and art projects. Come join us on Wednesdays at 6:15pm and Sunday nights at 6:00pm!!!!
All of these events are not to just have fun and make Kimberly extra busy. Not at all! I am here to build relationships and fellowship with these kids this summer so that the bonds made this summer can continue throughout my years at Canyon Creek. I feel it vital and necessary for the children to be a priority in the life of this church, and throughout this summer we have come leaps and bounds to making that a reality. Kids are precious in God’s sight and in mine as well. I think it is important for them to build those relationships with their Christian peers who will be the ones with them through thick and thin. This summer is no where near finished, and I am joyfully looking forward to what God has planned for the rest of the summer and the school year.
I want to challenge the church body to pray for these kids this summer and that God will reveal Himself to them through every activity we do whether its a Bible Study or a fun drive in or trip to a museum! God has great things in store for the kids at the creek and I cannot wait to witness what he will do in their lives in the coming weeks and months.
July 2008 Overflow
The July edition of Overflow is now available online.
Preschool/Children’s Building Update
The Church Commits to the Building Process
On June 22, 2008, over 97% of CCBC voted to commit to the building process. This means that the church will now enter into a capital fund-raising program in the Fall. Also, the Building & Construction will now begin working toward securing architect drawings and building contractor.
The Church Confirms Plans
On June 1, 2008, CCBC voted with over 98% of the church accepting the site plan and preliminary plans as presented by the Future Planning Team
The Beginning Stages
Canyon Creek Baptist Church is excited to be entering into a transition phase for our church. In the near future, we hope to break ground on a new Preschool/Children’s facility that will further enhance our current ministries and open up new opportunities for growth and ministry.
Use the links below if you would like to see a copy of the preliminary plans, site plan, or initial information brochure.
Expanding the Creek (an information booklet)
Proposed Site Plan
First Floor — Preschool
Second Floor — Children
Four-Eyed Christians
For lack of a better metaphor right now… let me explain to you my vision (no pun intended, but still kinda funny…). It is crucial for Christians to acknowledge our time-pressured society. I do not want to make people feel guilty for not participating with everything the church does. Anyone can see that some people already feel guilty and back off from any further participation, dropping out. It becomes that much more important for Creeksters to be deliberate about their own participation level. 1. They must have a worship service they participate in. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another– and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25; NIV) People do not have to come to all of our worship services in order to be good church members, especially noting three other responsibilities of a Christian disciple. 2. They must participate in a small group for support and accountability. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42; NIV) 3. They must find a ministry service. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.” (Romans 12:6; NIV) 4. Develop and bring another person into faith and into maturity where they are doing these four things as well. “…So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people…” (Acts 11:26; NIV) Discipleship will be having an eye on each of these four areas.
In a Christianity Today article John R. W. Stott is quoted concerning the problem of the church having numerical growth but not corresponding growth in discipleship. Stott says, “God is not pleased.” May God find Canyon Creek faithful making disciples!
… this is your captain speaking…
These are words we are going to hear way too soon after our alarm goes off Friday morning. No doubt we will all be excited and adrenalin will pulsate through our bodies until we get to Morelia… or at least get to Houston. Church family, thank you for your prayers. We are praying for Pastor Danny and Pastor Abraham, they and their churches are making preparation so that we can have about 150 children at a local neighborhood site in the areas their churches have a vision of planting a new church. Can a church of about 30 people have the vision of planting a new church? Yes, and may God bless that vision with workers.
Sunday Morning, the last Sunday in June, those who gave, served, packed, brought or bought materials stood up with those who were going on the trip. It was encouraging to pray for the work of all those hands. So we pray that new churches are planted and that the team can see a number of nationals come to know Jesus Christ personally during the time we are in country July 4-11. Lord, bless this great city, Morelia! Amen!