Fall Creek Christian Church

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:3-6 As my girls were making their way through the soccer ranks growing up, I noticed that many of the soccer clubs included the word, "United". It's a name that casts a vision for the members of that team. Teams experiencing unity are often times experiencing success. Teams where disunity is the culture rarely experience success.  It's no surprise that Paul would so emphatically press the charge of unity to this church. After all, Jesus himself said that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Paul lays out many of the key foundation stones upon which the unity of all Jesus followers is based. That's quite a list! If we focus our time and energy there, ...

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal rock." Isaiah 26:3-4 As my yet to know how to swim granddaughter tip toes to the edge of the pool, her mom says, "Jump sweetheart, I've got you!" She gleefully complies completely confident that mom does indeed "got her." It's a simple childlike trust in one who has proven to be faithful again and again. We do get concerned however, that her fearlessness may embolden her to jump when no one is present to catch her.  Isaiah, in our passage for the day, had a few passionate comments to make about trust. Trust and peace go together. Specifically, placing trust in the Lord will produce the wonderful fruit of peace. He is quick to add that this trust is produced in the life of a person who has their minds fixed on the Lord. He occupies their thoughts. He is continuously in view. He is ever stable....

"In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple ... 'My destruction is sealed, for I am a sinful man and I live among a sinful people and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.' Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, 'See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed and your sins are forgiven.'" Isaiah 6:1-7  As I pulled over to the side of the road having lost track of how fast I was going, my mind began to go through the catalog of possible things I could say in my defense. "I was headed to an important appointment." "I was just about to slow down to turn." "It's my 50th birthday. Can you show me a little mercy?" Of all the things I could have said, "I'm not guilty", was not one of them. Isa...

"Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless; it is chasing the wind."  Ecclesiastes 6:9  Many of us suffer from the "almost" malady. It normally flares up when we're exposed to "more." When we see people who have more money, nicer cars, bigger homes, better vacations, and styling clothes we think to ourselves, "Hmm ... I'm almost there, but not quite." Of course, "there" is a moving target which leaves us continuously stuck in "almost." Solomon was the guy who everyone else looked at concluded, "I'm not there yet." He did have everything. In the midst of having it all, he discovered that peace wasn't found in having it all, it was found in enjoying whatever you do have. Comparing ourselves inevitably leaves us envious. Enjoying ourselves and being thankful for that which God has provided us leaves us at peace, positioned...