Fall Creek Christian Church

"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...

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. - 1 John 5:14-15 What is it that you want more than anything else? Money? Fame? Healthy family? New car? John tells us in this passage that the thing we could want more than anything else is God's will (what God wants). It is the first key to experiencing answers to all of the prayers that we have been praying. I wonder how much differently we would pray if we were seeking God's will 100% of the time. In the Lord's prayer that is quoted in Luke 11, Jesus shows us what is completely in line with God's will: Declaring that no one is like God. Asking God to bring heaven to earth. Together is the best way to pray. Ask for what you need, nothing more. Ask for God to forgive you of all that you've done, and don't forget to forgive ...

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this? ... When he had said this, Jesus called out in a loud voice, 'Lazarus come out!'  The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.  Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go.'"  John 11:25-26; 43-44 I've attended and officiated several funerals at this point in my life.  Naturally, the story of Lazarus' resurrection is a regular feature at such moments.  It is a powerful foreshadowing of what is going to happen when Jesus returns. Jesus makes it clear in this story that HE is the Author of life.  Death, tombs, stones, and grave clothes are no match for the one who is "the resurrection and the life."  Life is important to him.  We are important to him.  He desires for the t...

"Help me, O Lord my God; save me in accordance with your love.  Let them know that it is your hand, that you, O Lord, have done it."  Psalm 109:26-27 After recounting an amazing story of healing my friend was asked, "How did that happen?"  The answer was short and oh so sweet, "God."  The doctor who had told him that he only had months to live died years ago, while he continues to live an active life.  Truly remarkable. The writer of these verses would have smiled if he would have heard that story.  That's what he wanted.  He didn't just want to be saved.  He wanted to be saved in accordance to God's love and in such a way that it could only be explained by the hand of God.     Each of us in one way or another are seeking to be saved today.  Very few of us, however, are asking or looking for a God-sized moment.  We'll try to save ourselves or try to find someone else to bail us out and in so doing, we leave no room for God's lo...

"Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. 'Why are you being so kind to me?' she asked. 'I am only a foreigner.' 'Yes, I know,' Boaz replied. 'But I also know about the love and kindness you have shown your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully.'" Ruth 2:10-12   If your world is anything like mine, there are no shortages of options as to what to do and where to go.  Choices have to be made.  After all, we cannot do everything.  My wife and I have a "go to" question that helps us sort through the options.  Very simply, "What is the right thing to do?"  We try to set aside our wants, preferences and assumed limitations and seek God for the answer to the question.  We don't always get it right by any stretch o...

In doing some research on one of the songs we sing often in our Traditional service, I came across the following story behind the song, I Will Sing of My Redeemer. This is per­haps the last hymn Bliss wrote be­fore he died in a train wreck. He sur­vived the in­i­tial crash, but was killed try­ing (un­suc­cess­ful­ly) to res­cue his wife. The lyr­ics were found in his be­long­ings af­ter the ac­ci­dent. (taken from www.cyberhymnal.org ) Can you imagine surviving a train wreck, only to turn and see your love in danger? What choice would you have put to throw yourself in harms way to try and save them? It makes it even more meaningful when you take the time to read the lyrics that they found in his belongings after the crash. It is enough for all of us to cling to the cross a little tighter today. Praise God for sending Jesus to defeat death, once for all time. Here are the lyrics to the song: I will sing of my Redeemer, And His wondrous love to me. On the cruel cross He suff...