Fall Creek Christian Church

"When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners." Romans 4:4-5 As a caddie at a private golf club, every dollar I received was a hard dollar. Carrying bags for 18 holes as a 12 year old was tough. Chasing carts and tracking 4 golf balls wasn't any easier. This happened only after I rode my bike down the train tracks for two miles and waited in the caddie shack for who knows how long just to get in line for golfers to request caddies. Between the attitudes and the disappointing tips, I chose to retire early. Many places in the Bible extol the value of hard work. However, here Paul very clearly communicates that the most valuable of all things, salvation, is a gift not a wage. We can earn many things and that's great, but heaven is not one of them. Nope, Jesus paid for our forgiveness. He purchased our pardo...

"But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:26-28 Serving is not natural. We are born crying and yelling for someone to serve us. Feed me. Change me. Bounce me. Hold me. Wash me. Eventually, as we get a little older, the me-centered life gets challenged. The idea that others also matter is one we have to be taught. I know a few people who really get it. Most of us however, don't. The consuming focus on me, myself, and I leave us very little margin to give of ourselves for others. Jesus was and is fully aware of our perpetual struggle with "me-ism". He pulled the disciples aside for some serious coaching. "Listen guys. All you've ever seen in this old world is people wanting to be served, to be first. You must walk a...

Inspired by the hymn: In the Garden... No one’s life is without trial, or without hard decisions.  God asked that the greatest sacrifice be made by His own son.  As we approach the storms of our life, it is crucial that we approach the throne of God and seek His wisdom and His will, not simply ask that our trials be removed. Jesus himself, as he prayed in Gethsemane, asked that His cup – this ultimate burden -be passed from Him. But He didn’t stop there. He immediately says “Not my will, but thine be done.” We are human. We don’t seek out hardships. But our focus must be on seeking God’s perfect will for our lives, more than asking for their removal. As Jesus spoke with God in the garden, He prepared His heart for the task asked of Him. It is not our perfection, but our pliable, willing hearts that He is asking for. - Erin Fulton