Fall Creek Christian Church

"Whenever Jehudi finished reading three or four columns, the king took his knife and cut off that section of the scroll. He then threw it into the fire, section by section, until the whole scroll was burned up. Neither the king nor his officials showed any signs of fear or repentance at what they heard."  Jeremiah 36:23-24  We've all witnessed our own children or somebody else's child locked into a position of defiance. It may be a temper tantrum. It may be an ear piercing, "No!" aimed at the beleagured parent. It may be a poorly disguised, "I didn't hear you." However it comes, the message is clear ... "I have no desire to respond to what you're saying and you aren't going to make me." In a word ... defiance. The king in this story chose to go toe-to-toe with God. The prophet had issued the warnings. He then had them written down and the king arrogantly cut them up and threw them in the fire. The rest of the chapter revea...

"I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word ... You made me; you created me.  Now give me the sense to follow your commands ... I know, O Lord, that your decisions are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it."   Psalm 119:67, 73, 75 Apparently, moms and dads get smarter as children get older.  Our three oldest children, since heading off to college, have each had a similar conversation with us.  They told us how they now appreciate the rules and the subsequent discipline they received when they violated those rules growing up in our home.  The two still at home are not quite convinced yet that mom and dad have a clue, but someday... The Psalmist here reflects this same type of journey in his relationship with God.  One all those who wish to follow Jesus must walk.  Out of his deep love, God provides instruction and commands.  He also provides discipline when we "wander off."  The Psalmist conceded a...

“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'" - Luke 3:21-22 I've got a great dad, for whom, I am very thankful. I am reminded on a regular basis that not everyone has a great dad, but I do. My children are very gracious to me and assure me time and again that I'm a great dad too. I often times feel I fall woefully below the "great dad" threshold, but at the very least their comments give me something to live up to. In our verses today, we are privileged to hear the greatest Father of them all speaking to his child. It is so personal that we're tempted to leave to give them privacy. However, God the Father wanted us to hear and learn from him what a great dad gives their child. "You are my Son" - Belonging, Identity ...