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...

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice." Proverbs 31:8-9   High school passing periods are typically too short to have time to run to the bathroom and still get to class on time, but I went for it anyway. My timing, however, didn't take into consideration the poor freshman cornered in the bathroom by two bullies. I knew the kid and managed to talk the two of them out of whatever they were planning. They seemed satisfied with his terrified tear-filled eyes. The writer of today's verses saw helpless people too. He took exception to it and called for action. Simply observing injustice, cruelty, and evil was unacceptable. There is a moral obligation, even stronger, a divine obligation to speak up for those who have no voice. The next time you witness injustice ... The next time your blood boils over wrongs being done ... The next time your head ...

"O Lord, I am willing to call to you. Please hurry! Listen when I cry to you for help! Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering."  Psalm 141:1-2   I didn't wake up that morning saying to myself, "I think I'll wander off the hiking path alone and end up stuck and stranded on a rock ledge with nothing but boulders below", but that's exactly what I did. There were no good options available to me. Regardless of whether or not I could explain how I got there, the fact of the matter was I was there. So, I did what every other self-respecting young man would do, I yelled for help! Help did come. Not in the form of another person, but in the form of a strategically located sapling about an inch in diameter. It was just close enough and just strong enough to enable my escape. Apparently, I'm not the only one who has ever yelled for help. King David did, all the time. In our verses for the day, he was in trouble....

"No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6:8   I've never been accused of being the sharpest tool in the shed. I can identify pretty quickly all the people in the room who are a few IQ points above me. I'm okay with that. Everyone has their points of excellence. It may be the lack of letters after my name or just my personality, but either way, I prefer simple. Complicated leads to confusion and miscommunication. Simple leads to action, movement and progress. God, through his prophet Micah, chose to go with simple. The people of Israel had lost their way. They were under covenant to worship God alone, but instead they added countless idols and threw in a good measure of self seeking just to seriously muddy up the water. Simple was needed ... Do the right thing, care for others, and stay close and submitted to God.  I think this simplicity theme ...