Fall Creek Christian Church

"He replied, 'What is impossible for people is possible with God.'" Luke 18:27 As the conversation continued, I could tell the man was wanting to say something that he thought I wouldn't want to hear. I gently asked a few more probing questions and out it came. "I think the Bible has some good things to say and there probably is a God, but I don't buy into the magic stuff." He was put off by the miracles in the Bible. His analysis left him stuck at the doorstep of the impossible.  Jesus, in words and actions, exposed people to the impossible. The self-limited, self-reasoned and self-reliant life was and is far too small for a true engagement with God to occur. He challenged people to consider the impossible. The blind can receive sight. The deaf can receive hearing. People can walk on water. Thousands can be fed with a few loaves. The dead can be brought back to life.  God invites us into the impossible because that's where he is....

"The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night your knowledge is displayed. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out to all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." Psalm 19:1-4a  It was a holy moment, a moment set apart for me to marvel. I was alone, reflecting on the experiences of the week strolling slowly through the northern woods and then, "Wow!" I entered a clearing that was awash in brilliant moonlight. No flashlight necessary. The mesmerizing glow of moon reflected sunlight covered me and held me in awe and wonder. It was beautiful and I thanked God for the gift. David spent many days and nights outside. The awesome display of God's immensity in creation was a regular part of his experience and relationship with God. Knowing the Creator of all things is with you makes giants seem like ants. The pr...

  "This place was also called Mizpah, for Laban said, "May the Lord keep watch between us to make sure that we keep this treaty when we are out of each other's sight. I won't know about it if you are harsh to my daughters or if you take other wives, but God will see it."   Genesis 31:49-50  Several years ago, as I was driving away from the gas pump, I noticed the amount I paid for the gas and the amount on the pump were not the same. The attendant had undercharged me by five cents. I was already running late and "it was only five cents" so I kept driving. I was haunted that next week. I saw nickels everywhere - on the counter, in the car, on the dresser, in my dreams ... Ugh! Relief finally came when the next week, I went to that same station, slapped the nickel down on the counter and blurted out, "Here's your nickel!" Our verses today record part of a scene when two men, Jacob and Laban, enter into a treaty with each other. ...

"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them, and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." Matthew 6:19-21  Kids have a special way of getting to the heart of the matter. Many years ago, while driving through an extremely affluent neighborhood, my daughter asked her mom, "Is that somebody's house?" "Yes it is," her mother replied. She then followed up very quickly with another question, "Mom, are we poor?" "No honey," her mom answered. "We're rich in everything that really matters." I imagine Jesus smiling when he heard that conversation taking place. Jesus taught repeatedly to keep our eyes and attention on those things that are eternal - him, people, his word and his kingdom. Any God inspire...

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6 Electricity is one of the wonders of the modern age. I truly respect those who have the talent, training and expertise to maximize its potential. I know very little about it, except for maybe one axiom: Before working with electrical wires, be absolutely certain that the power to those wires is shut off. "Kinda sure" it's shut off leads to hair raising adventures ... so I've been told. Finding a constant in such an uncertain world is a rare jewel to be sure. Paul was excited to share one with his friends who lived in a city called Philippi. They were fellow Jesus followers just like Paul and he wanted them to know a profound certainty. Simply stated, what Jesus has started, he will finish. God is continuously working to transform us from the inside out. In other words, we're wo...

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights." Habakkuk 3:17-19 50 was a particularly distressing birthday. I determined to keep myself busy to not think about it. As I hurried to an appointment that morning, I neglected to pay attention to my speed. Unfortunately, an attentive state trooper did. After noting it was my birthday, he rightfully gave me my speed earned ticket. Even though the day started out rough, I decided to just be thankful I was around to have another birthday.    During Habakkuk's time as a prophet, the spiritual condition of God's people was in sad shape. He was bummed out b...

"Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don't concern myself with matters too great for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother's milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord -- now and always." Psalm 131:1-3 "Grow up!" I remember hearing this from my sister when I was a kid. A really annoying kid. I don't know what the motivation for me was to be annoying. I just was ... a loudmouth know-it-all, selfish person with plenty of mean words. My family really couldn't wait for me to grow up. The annoying stage had worn out its welcome. David painted a powerful picture of spiritual maturity is his short Psalm. The mature are not proud. They avoid the "I'm better than you" attitude. They've set aside their futile attempts to create little boxes for God. They don't fear his immensity, they embrace ...