The Meaning of Advent
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 I must admit that Advent, as observed by the church, has always been a bit of a mystery to me. I get counting down the days, and I love the idea of a chocolate calendar that helps me. But I was not raised in a church that celebrated Advent, and even though we have been at North Wake for 18 years, I have always viewed advent as a purely “high church” tradition and not something for personal growth. But
Thanksgiving
Today I went digging through some journals and searching for a number. 1,455. A magic number from many years ago. I had found myself in a sorrowful, difficult place. I mourned; I doubted; I denied. I knew 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." It sounded ridiculous. I dared God. “You say I can give thanks in all circumstances. Ok. Make me thankful. Prove to me that this is possible. Help me say thank you--even for this.” I opened a Word document, and I started counting the grace I
Money, Hope and Our Future
Read: I Timothy 6:3-19 There is an old proverb about wealth that goes like this: "Money is like a brick. With a brick, you can build hospitals or you can break windows. It all depends on what you do with it." For the past 40 years my father has helped families financially prepare for their future. Over the past year, I have been acquiring licenses and going through training so that I can be in a position to run his business if God takes him home unexpectedly. In my training, I have heard many stories of nameless clients who have amassed large amounts of money and how this financial gain either accelerated their
Resources About Domestic Abuse
In the book, “Is it My Fault” Justin Holcomb shares the following, “If a church has 400 members, 160 are adult women, 160 adult men, 20 were teenage boys, 20 were teenage girls. 40 of these women (teenage girls or adult women) would experience physical violence in their lifetime. 20 would be currently experiencing physical abuse. 80 are experiencing verbal and emotional abuse (some kind of humiliation and degradation from a spouse or boyfriend). 200 of those members would have witnessed abuse in their home or in their spouse’s home.” That is a very sobering statistic. Statistically, there is no
What Is Christian Joy?
"Christian Joy," they tell us, "is not happiness." It's not all about smiles. It's not primarily about the easy moments and the celebrations. As we complete our study of Philippians, we have an opportunity to learn about joy by looking at 12 sketches of joy drawn for us by Paul in this book. Twelve Sketches of Joy from Philippians Sketch 1 Joy is the feeling you have in knowing that God is working in your Christian friends to bring them to ultimate salvation. Even when these believers are out of your sight, you know that God is working in them,
Oppression Through the Eyes of the Outsider
This week’s topic in our service is Domestic Abuse. This is a topic that has been ignored or swept under the rug within the walls of the church for too long. It is also a topic that many have a hard time understanding. Trouble comes when we think, “Well I wouldn’t…” or “I could never….” or “There is no way I would let someone…” When we think or verbalize these statements, we are making assumptions about those that have found themselves in a devastating position. From the outside we are blaming the oppressed for not being strong enough or smart
THE MOST GENEROUS CHURCH AROUND
Read: Philippians 4:14-23 As Paul concludes his letter to the church in Philippi, he gives us a glimpse into the very heart of this church. Jesus said that where your treasure is, there your heart is also. Paul spends the last paragraph of his letter giving thanks to God for the generosity and heart of the Philippian church. Though they were not rich, they gave out of their poverty with joy. Poverty and joy. We don't necessarily see these two things as being related. If we were to pair an attribute with poverty, misery would seem to be a better fit, but that impulse reveals our serious misconception
The Power of Your Thoughts
Read: Philippians 4:8-14 What occupies your thoughts? What do you think about when you go to sleep or when you wake up? Apparently, what we think about has the power to not only affect the way we think, but also to change who we are! The power of positive thinking is being sold by everyone from Oprah to Zig Ziggler, and (as is often true) it seems that they have stumbled upon the great gift of grace God has given us without acknowledging the giver or understanding the purpose of the gift. God has much to say about what you do with your mind and what things you fill your mind
Rejoice Always?
Read: Philippians 4:2-7 "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." I LOVE this passage! I chose this passage as the text for one of my first Bible teaching experiences. When I was in high school, I was asked to lead an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meeting at a neighboring school. It was a small gathering of about 15 students, and I remember sitting in that circle and exploding in what was probably unintelligible chaos. I wanted to communicate the wonder and glory that had overwhelmed my soul just a year or two prior in hopes that they might experience it themselves and have the same response I had...joy! As
Mediation for Preparation – Oct 3rd
WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING? Written by Daniel Creswell Read: Philippians 3:17-4:1 What gets you out of bed in the morning? Maybe it's the smell of a fresh pot of coffee and bacon frying in the skillet? Maybe it's the hope of accomplishment, achievement or recognition at work? Maybe it's the idea that the students who sit under your teaching may one day change the world? Or maybe it's the chance to see your best friend on the school bus? If you are like me, all of those things had great appeal at one time (Honestly, the smell of coffee and bacon
