Fall Creek Christian Church

"Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near."  Hebrews 10:23-25 After a few dozen unsuccessful attempts to access our WiFi internet at home, I finally conceded defeat. Prior to launching the computer out the window, I used my phone-a-friend lifeline which paid off.  He let me know that the signal boxes have a reset button on the back that need to be pushed from time to time ensure connectivity. Sure enough, I pushed the little button and connection was reestablished and I, once again, had the world at my fingertips. Our verses for the day speak of connections far more significant in the overall construct of life.  The truth is life is hard. It pushes us towards i...

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."   I Corinthians 13:1-3 After reading these verses as a family, one family member said, "It's kind of like the number 0.  No matter what you multiply it with, it's still zero."  Hmm...  What a wonderful insight.  A life, no matter how impressive, that is void of love is a nothing life, a big zero. I don't know if Paul was a math guy, but he certainly presented this truth about love in a way that resembles the zero times anything is zero math axiom.  He chose some impressive multipliers to be sure -- special tongues, prophetic wisdom, mountain moving faith, and even gi...

"They (Nehemiah and the Jewish people's enemies) all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and to bring about confusion there.  But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves."  Nehemiah 4:8-9 On a regular basis, I find myself faced with the question, "Would you rather ________________ or would you __________________?"  Immediately, my mind begins to race to find a way to change the "or" into an "and".  For example, "I'd like the apple pie AND the ice cream.  Just put them on the same plate."  I understand that there are definitely either/or decisions in life.  Many times however, there are powerful, not to mention absolutely critical, "ands" that need to be pursued as well. Nehemiah thought so.  His first and most passionate response to life was prayer.  He cried out to God all the time.  Yet, time and time again we see the wonderful and necessary "and" in his j...

"Listen to my pleading, O Lord.  Be merciful and answer me!  My heart has heard you say, 'Come and talk with me.'  And my heart responds, 'Lord, I am coming."  Psalm 27:7-8 On a regular basis, I'll say to one of my kids, "Sit down for a second.  Let's chat."  After convincing them that they are not in trouble, I let them know that I just want to catch up.  I want to know what they're thinking about and what's been going on in their world.  It's too easy to dwell in the same house and yet live disconnected lives.  Touch points are necessary for understanding, care, and genuine love.   David, who wrote our verses for the day, apparently felt the same way.  He was crying out to God for connection.  How awesome was that to hear God respond to him with an invitation, "Come here David and let's have a chat."  The invitation had barely been issued and David says, "I'm coming Lord, I'm coming!" Be encoura...