Fall Creek Christian Church

"'How long has this been happening?' Jesus asked the boy's father. He replied,'Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.' 'What do you mean, If I can?' Jesus asked. 'Anything is possible if a person believes.' The father instantly cried out, 'I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!'"  Mark 9:21-23 I love hearing stories of people doing big things. Don't you? Specifically, regular people just like you and me who through means we cannot fully explain get to be a part of the impossible. The stories of our Congressional Medal of Honor winners are great examples. Mother Theresa and Billy Graham are two more. One life with lifetimes of impact. The father in our story today was struggling with the impossible. He had watched his son suffer terribly for years. With his back against the wall and tales of deliverance ac...

"With a shriek, he screamed, 'Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don't torture me!' For Jesus had already said to the spirit, 'Come out of the man, you evil spirit.' ... The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs ... A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. ... And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone." Mark 5:1-20 Some of us are one thing at a time type people. I'm the poster child. Getting focused is a challenge, but when I get there fire alarms and earthquakes are required to get my attention. Many times my wife has done jumping jacks in front of the TV to try to get my attention. Unfortunately, I typically don't handle the interference very well. I need to be a whole lot better at embracin...

"The Lord has given them special skills as jewelers, designers, weavers, and embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on fine linen cloth. They excel in all crafts needed for the work. Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other craftsmen whom the Lord has gifted with wisdom, skill, and intelligence will construct and furnish the tabernacle, just as the Lord has commanded." Exodus 35:35 - 36:1 The DIY gene made a detour when I was being put together. For example, the other day my dad spent over an hour trying to explain a single switch circuit to me. The jury is still out whether I truly understand it or not. We'll see. Now, I am willing to give most projects a go, but I typically need to call in some reinforcements if it moves beyond changing a light bulb.  The men and women in this story today had serious skills. They could design and build anything plus they had the ability to teach others how to do it too. The first thing that jumps out is the acknowledge...

"Know this: A homeowner who knew exactly when a burglar was coming would stay alert and not permit the house to broken into. You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected." Matthew 24:43-44 I really like frozen pizza. Granted, it's not the healthiest of fare, but ... I really like frozen pizza. I have noticed over the years, however, there is a real art to cooking it correctly. Too short and it's chewy. Too long and it's a charred cracker. You have to watch carefully to make sure you take it out when it's ready. Great attentiveness results in a delicious dining experience. Did I mention I really like frozen pizza?  Jesus was a big advocate of being ready. His concern was not food but faith. He was very clear in his teaching that the story of what is to come includes him returning in power. His followers not only needed to know that, but they also needed to be ready for it by living faithfully, obediently and lov...

"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. ...