Fall Creek Christian Church

" Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God.   God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.   He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act." Exodus 2:23-25   There are at least three career options that are simply not an option for me - being a musician, a comic or a dancer. One of the many reasons why would boil down to one word ... timing. I can sink "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" and turn "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" into an eclipse. Knock Knock jokes have no chance. Now, if they ever launch a show, "Dancing With Those Who Have No Clue", I'm all in. As they say, timing is everything. Our verses for the day provide some Biblical support for the idea of timing. After the Israelites had languished in slavery for centuries, God knew that the time for him t

"Here is another story Jesus told: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night while men slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat." Matthew 13:24-25   As the fog of my little nap began to lift, I looked around the classroom in great confusion. I dialed into the fact that I was at school, but the faces were unfamiliar. The giggling gave away the nuts and bolts of the situation ... During my little siesta, there was a passing period that left me in the wrong class at the wrong time. In this parable, Jesus spoke about some sleepers too. In his explanation later on in the chapter, he doesn't identify just exactly who they are. His only comment was that while they were asleep, the enemy had opportunity to wreak havoc. I don't believe Jesus was inferring that we ought to live in a perpetual state of insomnia. I do, however, believe it's quite consistent with other Biblical teaching that the failure to rem

"Some people brought to him (Jesus) a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, 'Take heart, son! Your sins are forgiven.' 'Blasphemy! This man talks like he is God!', some of the teachers of religious law said among themselves. Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, 'Why are you thinking such evil thoughts? Is it easier to say, 'You're sins are forgiven' or 'Get up and walk'? I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have authority on earth to forgive sins.' Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 'Stand up, take your mat and go on home, because you are healed!' And the man jumped up and went home."  Matthew 9:2-7    Growing up, it didn't take me long to figure out that my parents were in charge. No meant no. Yes meant yes. Expectations and consequences were clearly explained and consistently enforced. As a result, I default to respecting authority, appreciating it a

"But I say, 'don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too. ... You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust, too" Matthew  6:39 , 43-46   I recently encountered what I perceived as disrepectful behavior towards me. I like to think I have a pretty thick skin and can let things roll off fairly easily, but this situation sparked me. The flames of pride and ego were stoked. I'm more than a little embarrassed to admit it, but I've struggled with feeling like I don't care if I ever see that person again. Given that heart reality, it's no wonder that I would encounter this teaching of Jesus at this particular time. There are some tea