Fall Creek Christian Church

"For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die."  Philippians 1:20  As I watched one of our brave military members receive their congressional medal of honor, I was completely mesmerized. The acts of heroism recited and recognized by those honoring them left me wanting to be a better person. My mind whirled imagining the scene they encountered and the decisions they made in the midst of it. It was inspiring to all to see such selflessness, courage, and sacrifice. Honor matters. In our verse for the day, we find honor prominently placed right next to Jesus. He embodied honor at every level in every circumstance he faced. What "medal" is he worthy of? His Father bestowed upon him the "name that is above every name." What about us? What could we possibly give Jesus that wou

"His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure."  Ephesians 1:5  I am a huge fan of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. What a fantastic idea!  If being too thin was my ailment, the cookie dough ice cream would be my daily medicine.  I treasure in the deepest parts of my heart fall walks in the woods with my sweetheart ... the cool air, the crunch of leaves under our feet.  Priceless.  The beauty of God's creation holds me spellbound ... thundering waterfalls, the brilliantly lit Milky Way, the melodic ocean waves, majestic mountains, and the energetic rivers that roll through the landscape. Pleasure.  We were made to enjoy this mystery called life.  Why? As it turns out, the One, in who's image we were created, also feels and experiences pleasure.  So, what makes his list?  Our Bible verse for the day reveals one of them - our adoption.  Jesus is the only beg

"I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians  2:20 I look forward to going home. My wife and kids are my favorite people on the planet. No matter how many crazy and unhappy events a day may hold, there's something about holding them in my arms that just tells my soul, "Everything's going to be okay." Being loved changes everything. In our verse for the day, Paul proclaimed this principle from a divine perspective. Jesus' love for us, as declared on the cross, creates a life of confident trust. He loves me so I'll surrender to his leadership. He loves me so I'll take my pain to him instead of blaming him for it. He loves me so I will believe, really believe what he says. He loves me so I matter. Being loved changes everything. Days of difficulty are upon us all or soon will be. Fear, anger, broken hearts, bitterness, depressi

"As God's partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God's kindness and then ignore it. For God says, 'At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.' Indeed, the 'right time' is now. Today is the day of salvation." II Cor. 6:1-2 I have received some pretty amazing gifts in my life. At the time of their arrival, my heart absolutely overflowed with joy and gratitude. These gifts represented the meeting of desperate needs or deep longings. They've come in all shapes and sizes with values so huge that no price tag could contain them. Sadly, however, not even the magnitude of these incredible gifts has kept my heart attentive to them over the long haul. Given Paul's plea in our verses today, it is clear that this problem is not unique to me nor our moment in history. Paul calls out this church for receiving the most marvelous of gifts, God's kindness, and then ignoring it. What?! God heard them. H

"When people boast about themselves, it doesn't count for much. But when the Lord commends someone, that's different!" II Cor.  10:18 A few weeks ago, during a men's softball game, I fell victim to the visions of granduer that sometimes plagues us middle aged men. A deep line drive provided me the opportunity to do my best Willie Mays over-the-shoulder catch impersonation. Well, let's just say there is a very good reason why he played major league baseball and I didn't. While looking over my shoulder to catch the ball, I failed to notice the chain link fence that was closing in on me at a high rate of speed. When I regained my senses, I was bleeding and bruised from head to toe. Worst of all, however, was the fact that I had dropped the ball when I hit the fence! My moment to boast of my "greatest catch ever" was lost. Not only could I not commend myself as a great softball outfielder, I actually succeeded in imprinting my below average athletici