Our view of God

I went to another outstanding ISU (Illinois State Univ.) bible study last night.

Ted Witzig Jr. gave a very informative/convicting talk entitled "How Clearly Do You See God?". He pointed out how important it was for a Christian to have an accurate Biblical view of God. It was amazing how, through the course of his talk, he pointed out so many areas where a lot of people hold misconceptions about God. Most of us who are Christians probably think we've got a pretty good handle on how we think about God, but after you listen to the study I have a feeling you will come away amazed. We're commanded to worship God is Spirit and in Truth. This is a great study to learn truths about God's character and nature.

I think the best thing I can do is HIGHLY recommend you download the talk and listen to it yourself. There will also be a handout of the powerpoint slides he used. I'll get that to you as soon as I get them.

To download "Right Click" and "Save As" HERE
To download the slides "Right Click" and "Save As" HERE

If those links don't work, you can also download them from the ISU Y.G.'s Resource Page. Just scroll down to March 30th.

Counting it Joy

James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 3 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

So, do you? Do you count it all joy? Are you going through something now that's tough? The verse doesn't say to just "acknowledge deep down that it's for the better". It says to "count it ALL joy". Are you praising Him in your trial? Are you still bringing glory to His name?

Explanation of God

A lot of you have probably seen this before. It circulated as an email forward awhile back. It was attributed to an 8 year writing an essay for school, but I'm not sure I buy that. It has some pretty complex sentence structure for an 8 year old. Regardless of author, it's a good simple reminder.

EXPLANATION OF GOD:
"One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers."
"God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off."
"God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have."
"Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church.(I Love that part *grin*) Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K."
"His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important."
"You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time." "You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!
Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway. "If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids."
"But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.
And...that's why I believe in God."

Rob Costlow

I just recieved a cd in the mail that I ordered last week. If any of you guys like solo piano music, I would highly recommend Rob Costlow. Check out his site. It's got some samples of his music you can download and listen to. Good stuff.

Here's "L.A./Passing By":

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Comparison

We know, from 2 Corinthians 10:12, that it is not wise to compare ourselves to other people, but what about comparing ourselves to ourselves? When is the last time you thought about what you were like a year ago? Have you changed? Have you experienced spiritual growth? How will you think/act/talk differently today than you did on this day a year ago? Are there some things that you've felt conviction on and thought about changing but have never committed to the change through grace? Let us all put on the girdle of truth (honesty) today and examine our hearts through the eyes of our Lord. Then may you have the grace to enact change through the Spirit. If you have never let the Spirit into your heart click on the "Now Try God" link on my sidebar to find out how to begin.

Change my heart, O God
Make it ever true
Change my heart, O God
May I be like You

You are the potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray

Remember Your Leaders

Here’s another message from Bill Bright.  The founder of Campus Crusade for Christ.

Remember your leaders who first taught you the word of God (Hebrews 13:7, NLT).  


Dear friends:

Terry, a man in his early thirties, was the pastor of a thriving church in a small, mid-western community.

Although he treasures the ministry, Terry and his family passed through circumstances that made his pastoral responsibilities almost unbearable.

Terry's wife experienced her third miscarriage. Each baby's death seemed more unbearable than the last, and their hearts were broken.

A month after the miscarriage, Terry's grandfather died. On almost the same day, construction began on a new parsonage. Each of these situations brought its own stress, still there was no relief from church-related problems, and his congregation continued to call him day and night for prayer and counsel.

One night Terry sat alone in his office, tears welling in his eyes. "Lord," he prayed. "Help me! Right now I'm the one who needs ministry. Everyone wants my help, but I have nothing more to give."

Eventually, Terry's burden was lightened. But his dilemma reminds us that pastors need our support and love on a daily basis.

We forget that pastors are human too, with the same challenges and problems we all have. Plus, they have stresses others do not have. They are expected to be "perfect," and their families are expected to be perfect. They can and should be models of Christian behavior, but none of us is ever perfect.

Because of their ministry, pastors may also be under heavier spiritual attack than most Christians, especially if they are boldly proclaiming the saving power of Christ's blood and the power of the Holy Spirit. Satan hates that as it helps destroy his kingdom, and he often tries to counterattack. Paul says, "We are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12, NLT).

Let us love our pastors, pray for them, joyfully submit to their leadership, and encourage them.

"Remember your leaders who first taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do... Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit" (Hebrews 13:7,17, NLT).

Yours for helping to fulfill the Great Commission
each year until our Lord returns,

Bill Bright

College Weekend

Greetings Brothers and Sisters!
College Weekend this spring will be at Bluffton North Church on April 22nd and 23rd. The agenda is as follows:11:30-12:30 - registration
12:30-1:00 - congregational singing
1:00-2:30 - speakers 1 and 2
2:30-3:15 - speaker 3 (while sisters have their group discussion)
3:15-4:00 - speaker 4 (while brothers have their group discussion)
4:15-6:00 - supper
6:00-6:30 - program practice
6:30-6:45 - congregational singing
6:45-9:00 - evening program
*Be at Bluffton North at 11:30 for registration (no
lunch included, sorry)

*All brothers, sisters, and friends in College, out of
college, of college age, or are seniors in high school
are welcome!

*Please Stay overnight!

*The topic is SPIRITUAL WARFARE (I Corinthians 10:4)

*Come, be blessed, fellowship, and learn what God
wants to show you

Questions and feedback can be emailed to:
Joe Lehman (260-273-2715)
Zach Bertsch (260-273-1716)
Cassie Bertsch
Katy Longenberger

Trust

Update: I accepted their counter-offer, and we're meeting at 4:00pm to sign the papers! If everything goes smooth, I'll be a "condo-owner"! I'm excited. Thanks so much for all your prayers!
As some of my readers know, I've been looking at buying a home for the last 2-3 months. While it hasn't been the easiest, it's taught me some good lessons about vertical meekness(the belief that all God does with me is good and helps to further my sanctification). I've tried to approach this with the attitude of - I'll do my best to make a God honoring decision, and then I'll let the outcome in God's hands. Then we're called to praise God no matter what that outcome may be - knowing that if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ, it will ultimate further God's purpose in our lives.

That being said, I'm getting close to putting in an offer on a condo (probably this evening). I'd just like to request that my readers be prayerful for the situation. Pray that I'll use Godly wisdom in the decision, and that I will count the outcome as blessed no matter whether I get the home or not.

Thanks in advance for your prayers!