Fall Creek Christian Church

"Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops." Proverbs 26:20 I've sat around what seems like a thousand campfires in my lifetime. Ever since I was a kid, the mesmerizing orange glow has held my complete attention. Singing, praying, laughing, telling stories, and making s'mores have been a regular feature around those fires. As time goes by, the fire dwindles and the air gets colder which leads to the inevitable request for another log.    The author of the Proverb for the day makes a significant observation for all of us to consider carefully. A campfire isn't the only thing that goes out when there's no more fuel. Fights need fuel too. Gossip, slander, harsh words and the like keep fights going. He uses a short but decisively clear word to embrace when it comes to battling each other -- STOP. Stop fueling the fight. Too many people, too many families face each other as if on battle lines. The ensuing estrangement and vi

"Later Johanan had a private conference with Gedaliah and volunteered to kill Ishmael secretly. 'Why should we let him come and murder you?' Johanan asked. 'What will happen then to the Judeans who have returned? Why should the few of us who are still left be scattered and lost?' But Gedaliah said to Johanan. 'I forbid you to do any such thing, for you are lying about Ishmael.' ... But in midautumn, Ishmael ...and his ten men suddenly drew their swords and killed Gedaliah ..." Jeremiah 40:15-41:3 On more occasions than I can count, I've searched in vain for any number of items around the house that I just knew "had to be here somewhere." I've emptied drawers, emptied closets, climbed into attics, and rummaged through the garage and shed with vigorous intensity only to unearth frustration. It's at this point where my wife asks, "What are you looking for?" I tell her. She says, "O, it's right here." Ask

  "The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions." I Timothy 1:5-6 As a teenager in the 80's, I watched puzzled as Mr. Miyagi kept having Daniel LaRusso put wax on his cars in the movie Karate Kid. "Wax on. Wax off." He then told him, "Paint the fence. Up. Down." It wasn't until after days of this that Daniel ran out of patience and demanded to know why he was doing all this work. It was then Mr. Miyagi revealed that he had actually been teaching him karate defense moves. Purpose. It's a big deal. We want to know the answer to the why question. Paul wanted to be sure he had clearly communicated that all important answer to Timothy. Specifically, "Why keep giving me all these instructions Paul?"

"Conduct yourselves with wisdom towards those who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so you will know how you should respond to each person." Colossians 4:5-6 Upon realizing that the process was not going to be as efficient as I originally thought, two paths were laid out in front of me. I could whine, fuss and complain or I could patiently wait with a smile on my face and communicate kindly to everyone involved. To God's glory, the latter option was most prominent. Remaining respectful and calm helped everyone and made it easy to be gracious to each other.        Paul, in his letter to this church, didn't want to sign off before telling them in no uncertain about how to behave when with people who don't share your beliefs. Wisely - so you don't miss any chance to let them know how awesome Jesus is. Graciously - so that when you speak you both preserve their dig

"O Jerusalem, I have posted watchman on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord. Give the Lord no rest until he completes his work, until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth." Isaiah 62:6-7 Having taken countless road trips with my family as well as in the course of ministry, one of the most welcome signs we saw while driving read "Rest Area." The mad dash to the restrooms, the opportunity to stretch our legs, or even share a picnic lunch were a welcome break from the endless asphalt paths. We've all experienced the refueling nature of rest firsthand.       It's very surprising and truthfully a little startling to hear Isaiah say, "Take no rest" and "give the Lord no rest." However, he wasn't telling us to drive passed all the rest areas. He was calling all who believe in the Lord to pray, as Paul would say centuries later, "without ceasing." Absolutel