Embrace The Race: 2010 New Year’s Resolution!

I have always enjoyed the week after Christmas. I love that the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holiday has come to a close and we can reflect on the year that has past and look ahead to the possibilities of the New Year. We think back on what might have been and on things that we want to change or improve upon when the New Year starts.

For many of us, we will make one or more New Year’s resolutions. For me, I have set new goals to lose weight and to get back into shape, to pay off debt and maybe a few others that I will simply keep to myself. The problem with making New Year’s resolutions is that we don’t really commit to them long term. We start off the year with a ton of enthusiasm, but as the year goes on we start to focus on our old routines, fall back into our comfortable habits or we have to deal with something completely unexpected. Let’s face it; New Year’s resolutions are hard to keep.

If you think about it, each year is a race. The race begins at exactly 12:00 midnight on January 1^st, runs for 365 complete days and the finish line is at 11:59:59 on December 31^st. A new race begins as an old race ends. We use that final week of the year to reflect on the past race and prepare for the next “race” coming up. This is a cycle that only ends when we leave this earth to be with God.

So, does the Bible say anything about New Year’s resolutions? Well, in a way, it does! Take out your Bible and read Hebrews 12:1-5.

Go ahead . . . I can wait.

Ok, I want to suggest we each consider a new type of resolution for 2010. How about we all commit to “Embrace The Race: 2010”. As you can see from the first verse, “we must get rid of the things that slow us down, especially sin that distracts us”. Instead of making time to reflect on the past, maybe it is time we each look in the mirror and see if our reflection is that of Jesus. If not, maybe we need to commit our lives to being more of a reflection of Jesus to the world around us and not focus on those things that really don’t matter in God’s bigger picture.

To be a reflection of Jesus, we do what verse 2 says “we must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith.” Starting now, we should took a hard look at our lives and see what we are focusing on and ask the tough question, am I really focused on what Jesus wants me to be focused on. That may mean we need to make small changes as to where we spend our time or maybe it will mean we need to change to way we think and act. That is hard to swallow sometimes, but we are reassured that it is done in love. Read verses 4 and 5 again.

“You struggle against sin, but your struggles haven’t killed you. You have forgotten the encouraging words that God speaks to you as his children: My child, pay attention when the Lord disciplines you. Don’t give up when he corrects you. The Lord disciplines everyone he loves. He severely disciplines everyone he accepts as his child.”

Our life is a race. Not just the race of 365 days, but an entire lifetime. It is because of this scripture that I am rethinking the New Year’s resolution and making a lifetime resolution to embrace the race . . . . to be more focused on Jesus everyday. I want to reflect Jesus when somebody who does not know him looks at me. I will love those who maybe don’t deserve it . . . I will forgive those because my heavenly Father forgave me . . . I will live a life that is pleasing to Him.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

- Pastor Chris Blackburn

Mercy, Faith, and Obedience

Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:18-25

As we enter into this Christmas week, many times we find ourselves conflicted. It’s easy to get lost in all of the trappings of secular Christmas. We become engrossed in family, fellowship, food, and shopping. We look forward to the “events”. It’s not that these things are bad nor am I saying that we should not enjoy these things. But for the believer we cannot lose sight as to what Christmas is about.

For the believer it is about our Redeemer and Savior. This day is also about humanities future. Many people played an important role in one of the greatest events in Human History. The Angel of the Lord, the Virgin Mary, and wise men all played an important role in the birth of Christ. Yet Joseph, often forgotten, also played and important role.

We must never forget that much hinged on the conduct of Joseph.

Joseph finds himself in a very precarious position. The scriptures introduce Joseph in the middle of an un-welcomed nightmare. He was engaged to a young girl. He was in love and He was committed. He was working diligently to provide Mary with a home and means to support her. Then Mary reveals to Joseph that she is pregnant. Her explanation was impossible for anyone to believe.

Mary was facing a death sentence. They could take their pick on how to convict her. She could be stoned for adultery or stoned for blasphemy (saying that the pregnancy was Divine). Yet Joseph made a choice. He chose not to demand his justice. He chose to give mercy.

Proverbs 21:21 (GW) “Whoever pursues righteousness and mercy will find life, righteousness, and honor.”

We have all had a time in our life that we have needed mercy. Everyone reading this blog has sinned. All have made sinful decisions and have been exposed as human and imperfect. It is ironic that many people are prone in these times to cast stones. But it is in these times that mercy is needed.

I found over the years of ministry that people who have received great mercy from God are usually more freely to give it. Why? Probably empathy for the person exposed. Joseph chose the higher rode, he chose mercy. The result was pretty good. Mary was protected and the unborn child was protected.

Do you think that this merciful carpenter had an influence in raising such a merciful Savior?

Since we couldn't have church today...

Well, we couldn't have church this morning so here is the Christmas Program from last week, since we couldn't see it this morning. The message of the true meaning of Christmas; Christ birth and the importance we must place on it rang throughout the program. The choir, actors, children, director, sound and lighting crew did a fantastic job. We now present:

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

For such a time...

As many of you know, I am involved with a variety of ministries here at RWC, most having to do with young people. Because of this, I have had the opportunity to hear Pastors Chris, Tina, Mike, Ted, as well as Mr. John and Mr. Tim. I have learned from them and used from them for my lessons at Missionettes, ROCK Club, and Sunday mornings.

I would like to share one of the lessons I taught at the ROCK. We were studying the prayer of Jabez through a book I found called The Prayer of Jabez, Devotions for Kids, Living Big for God by Bruce Wilkinson.

Pastor Hal had been speaking on the end times and was getting almost wrapped up on Sundays. Someone at a social event commented that it was amazing, awesome, and an honor that God chose us to be here (this time, decade, century, era) for his plan to be fulfilled. Pastor Ted taught at Life Change.

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,”
says the Lord. “They are plans for good
and not for disaster, to give you a future
and a hope.”

These were words of encouragement to the people of Judah. They were slaves, prisoners in Babylon. God told them he had plans for success, a future of hope. Did I mention that they were slaves in a foreign country?! He told them to work hard for Babylon so it would be successful and then they would be better off.

How does that relate to us? God knows the plans he has for us. We are in the time, decade, century, era, that we are supposed to be. No sooner, no later.

1 Peter 1:20
God chose him (Jesus) for this purpose
long before the world began,
but now in these final days,
he was sent to the earth for all to see.

And he did this for you.
Even Jesus was planned. He had a time, decade, century, era that he was to come. He completed his job.
God has plans for success. He told us how it ends. We win!! We need to show up, follow the rules, play our best, and finish.

1 Peter 1:4-5
For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for you,
pure undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
And God, in his mighty power,
will protect you until you receive this salvation,
because you are trusting him.
It will be revealed on the last day for all to see.

- Susie Hickman

THE FATHER’S SACRIFICE, OUR GIFT

Christmas time is here again. We have probably all been reminded that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” If not, consider yourself reminded. It can be a bit cliché to warn people not to get caught up in the commercial aspects of Christmas but cliché or not, it is important. Take a long honest moment and think about this one simple fact: God the Father had one Son and in an act of completely selfless love He sent Him to live among us. The Living Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He sent Jesus to live with the very people who killed Him.
I have a hard time fathoming this kind of love. I love my church family, my neighbors and friends, and I try to love the lost; however, I can’t imagine ever even considering sending one of my children to die for someone else. Think of the heart that our Heavenly Father displayed when Jesus was born. I have been meditating on the First Commandment (love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength). Fulfilling this command gets easier (maybe that’s not the right word). Finding the passion to love God this way becomes the desire of our heart when we understand that He loved us first.
This time of year is an excellent time to focus on the love God has for us. Spend some time thinking about the sacrifice our Father made, thank and praise Him for it. His sacrifice is our gift.

- John Spraker

Diligently Seek Him...

I am definitely not the writer in our family. Although with two children in school, I have become somewhat of an editor. I love red pens and proofreader’s marks. I do like to read every chance I get. Some days that’s only the back of cereal box or a recipe with exception to being in the Word. But as I was searching for a box of Christmas cards that I know I stashed somewhere last year after a good clearance sale I came across this small book called One Incredible Moment. It’s a compilation of writings by Max Lucado “celebrating the majesty of the manger.” This is one of his writings that I think we can all relate to during this Christmas season:

Simeon [said], “Can I stay alive until I see him?”

The Magi [said], “Saddle up the camels. We aren’t stopping until we find him.”

The shepherds [said], “Let’s go … Let’s see…”

They wanted the Savior. They wanted to see Jesus.

They were earnest in their search. One translation renders Hebrews 11:6: “God … rewards those who earnestly seek him” (NIV).

Another reads, “God rewards those who search for him” (PHILLIPS).

And another: “God … rewards those who sincerely look for him” (TLB).

I like the King James translation: “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”.

Diligently-what a great word. Be diligent in your search. Be hungry in your quest, relentless in your pilgrimage. Let this (book) be but one of dozens you read about Jesus and this hour be but one of thousands in which you seek him. Step away from the puny pursuits of possessions and positions, and seek your king

Don’t be satisfied with angels. Don’t be content with stars in the sky. Seek him out as the shepherds did. Long for him as Simeon did. Worship him as the wise men did… Risk whatever it takes to see Christ.

God rewards those who seek him. Not those who seek doctrine or religion or systems or creeds. Many settle for the lesser passions, but reward goes to those who settle for nothing less than Jesus himself.

--Merry Christmas and may you be blessed for your diligence!
--Cindy Nelson

The Lonely Broken Reindeer...

Only a few of you may know this, but my husband is really Clark W. Griswold. If you don’t know who that is, you should rent the DVD of National Lampoon’s ‘Christmas Vacation’. Or, better yet, save yourself the money and just drive by our house to experience it firsthand. Each year at Christmas time, Chris decorates the yard and house with thousands of twinkling lights and all the decorations he can fit onto every tree, bush, gutter, porch, fence and empty spot on the lawn. He really does an outstanding job of spreading Christmas cheer to the neighborhood.

As we were dragging out the decorations last night, out came the metal framed reindeer, you know, the kind wired with white lights whose heads move up and down? There were three reindeer lying on the sidewalk, their lights falling off the frames and tangled up, their heads disconnected from their bodies. Clark, I mean Chris, called from across the yard “Plug them in and see if they work and see if you can get their heads on!” Then I remembered that one unfortunate buck’s head had broken several years ago. I tried unsuccessfully to fix it, gave up, and let it flop to the ground. As he was watching, Chris called “Throw it away!”

For several years we have dragged this same broken reindeer from the basement, plugged him in, remembered his head was broken, and hollered at each other “throw him away!” He was repeatedly carried back to the basement to be thrown back on a lonely shelf in a dark corner, hoping that one day I would have the time and know how to fix that deer. A cheap lawn decoration, useless in its purpose, ignored in the hope that one day it could be salvaged. I cannot bring myself to throw it away. Maybe it’s just the pack-rat in me; I prefer to think it is a symbol of Christmas hope.

We do a lot of things to celebrate Christmas each year; we celebrate the birth of our Messiah, the One who saves us. I hope that broken reindeer can be fixed – but Jesus is THE hope of the entire world. He came to fix those who are broken, to save those that have been given up on. Those who are lonely have, in Him, a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Those who are not fulfilling their purpose in life can find their purpose in Him. To those who feel forgotten or neglected, He promised that He would never leave or forsake them. For those who live in darkness, Jesus can be their light; He is THE light of the world. That broken reindeer will probably still be sitting there on that lonely, dark shelf next Christmas, waiting to be salvaged and repaired. However, those who are broken, lonely, living in darkness, tangled up in sin can turn to Jesus today. We can rejoice during this Christmas season that our Messiah came to save us: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Thanksgiving: A Christian Perspective...

Thanksgiving

(Heb. tôdâ; Gk. eucharistia). A duty of which gratitude is the grace. This obligation of godliness is acknowledged by the universal sentiment of mankind; but as a Christian grace it has some blessed peculiarities. It is gratitude for all the benefits of divine Providence, especially for the general and personal gifts of redemption. The very term most in use shows this; it is charis, which is the grace of God in Christ, operating in the soul of the believer as a principle and going back to Him in gratitude: "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Cor. 9:15). The ethical gratitude of Christianity connects every good gift and every perfect gift with the gift of Christ. Moreover, it is a thanksgiving that in the Christian economy, and in it alone, redounds to God for all things: in everything give thanks. This characteristic flows from the former. The rejoicing that we have in the Lord, and the everlasting consolation we possess in Him, makes every possible variety of divine dispensation a token for good. The Christian privilege is to find reason for gratitude in all things: "for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thes. 5:18).

- Dr. Hal Adams
Senior Pastor

What are you Thankful for?

As Thanksgiving approaches I find myself not thinking about the things I'm thankful for, as the holiday implies but thinking about all the things I've got to get done. Cooking, cleaning, cooking some more; crazy deadlines I've got because I can't balance everything I want to do with the amount of time I have to do them in. Is sleep really all that important? Don't get me wrong, I love this time of year: the cooking, the cleaning, the crazy deadlines, but when it starts to weigh me down (read consume my thoughts and give me that sinking feeling in my stomach) that is when I know I have problem. So tonight I am giving myself a good shake and making myself concentrate on what I'm thankful for:

A wonderful husband who is my best friend.
Family who are so understanding about my life.
Friends who know who and what I am and still like to hang out with me.
A little dog who I am crazy about.
A Church family who I dearly love.
And most importantly: A Heavenly Father who is crazy about me.

This is my list, what's yours? Let's hear from you RWC! What are you thankful for? Leave your list in the comments section and let me know, even if it is about your little dog.

-Allison Laster

A Work In Progress...

For the past week I've has a nasty sore on the side of my tongue that has made it nearly impossible to talk. Yes, Ryan has been speechless. I know you don't believe me. Let just say Sammi and I are awesome at charades now. The pain was so bad my doctor actually prescribed me vicodin. It actually made me sick. Fun times X 2.

Anywhoo, I'm getting off topic. So I've been incapable of speech for the past 5-7 days. Guess what fell smack in the middle of those days...my birthday. Yeah. So since I haven't been able to spend much time enlightening those around me, I've had ample time to attempt enlightening myself. Moving on.

All that to set the stage. My wife is ridiculously incredible. I mean, she is really all that God ever intended a woman to be. She's great. That's had me thinking about God. About his goodness. And now we have hit the body of my thoughts... I've been in searing pain for 7 days...those seven days reaching out as far as they can in every direction from my birthday, grabbing every ounce of fun they can touch. I spent a lot of time mad at God. Seriously. On day 2 of my microcosmic Job experience, I receive my rejection from both grad schools I applied to.

Now, I believe in a God who is as concerned about the big stuff as he is about your athlete's foot. I think he is intimately concerned with everything in our lives. So why doesn't he do something about my suffering. I'm not saying he should end all my suffering. That's just not rational, right? But if he can heal (which I believe he can, I mean, how can he be a deity if he can't fix small problems like health? that's like a mechanic who is incapable of changing spark plugs. "You know, you'll appreciate the character you gain as a result of that misfire in cylinder 3. Trust me.")

So if all this is true, then where is he when I'm having the worst week of my life? He's in my wife. I have to tell you, I love Sammi so much it hurts. I don't know exactly what that phrase means, to be quite honest. I just know that it encapsulates what I feel. So sue me, I have ‘cliche’ tendencies. So I love my wife recklessly. I really do. But this past week has shown me exactly how wonderful she is. It's shown me how much she loves me and what she's willing to go through just to help me be happy.

If I didn't have big bumps in the road, and little bumps in the road, I would become so recklessly wrapped up in my own narcissism that I would never emerge. I would really and truly be Gollum, forever clasping the 'precious' of my own ego. It's those bumps that make me lose my grip on my precious, and as I chase it, attempting to clutch it once again, I bump into reality which is at once terrifying (how horrible I am) and beautiful (how gracious God is towards me).

I don't say this to give anyone a pat answer to suffering. I am not saying that you shouldn't get angry at God. I would never say that. You must express your emotions, or they will find a way to express themselves, no matter how violent the street they choose may be. But it is in the midst of expressing those emotions that you are given a choice: do circumstances dictate what you believe about life? or does what you believe about life resonate so strongly within you that it adjusts your perception of reality and anchors you in the midst of the terrifying parts of life?

Sometimes pain is used to bring good. I don't like that fact. But it doesn't change it from being true. My pain over the past week has shown me a lot of great things. i wouldn't want to relive the pain, but I also wouldn't want to give up what I've learned. This may be oversimplified. As a matter of fact, I know it is. And you have my apologies if at any point this has caused you pain. That was no my intention. Consider it a work in progress...just like all of us.

-Ryan Lytton

LifeChange: 5th Quarter and Lock-In

This past Friday night (Nov.6th) over 100 teens and Jr. high students from Radford gathered at Radford Worship Center after the Radford/Giles football game for what we thought would be our last 5th Quarter of the football season. It was a great night. At midnight, the Jr. High students went home and the teenagers went to our youth sanctuary for a time of being ministered to by our Heavenly Father.

The worship band rocked as they always do and the kids responded to God in praise. The Word was preached and a great time of ministry followed. There were kids who accepted Christ and there were kids who needed the loving hand of the Father to reassure them that He loves them and has a future for them. It was a great privilege to pray and give out hugs to these precious young people.

After the service, we all headed back over for the basketball tourneys, rock band, pedicures, game room, food and the café. Luke Buzzard and Katie Osterbauer took teams of 5 kids each back over to the educational building for a very creative scavenger hunt designed by Luke. Every young person I talked to who participated in the scavenger hunt loved it and was glad they did it.

Once 5:30am came….we started getting them ready to head home at 6am. It had been a long night but the time was well spent. Everyone was pretty much asleep on their feet which always makes for an interesting time of taking kids home on the vans and bus.

After all of the cleanup at 7:30am and we were ready to head home. The great thing is that since Radford beat Giles, we get to have another 5th Quarter this Friday……oh what fun.

Thanks to all who volunteered, prayed or donated food for this great event.

- Pastor Mike
Pastor LifeChange Youth Ministries

Prayer Vigil for Mrs. Jean

Don't forget we are having a Prayer Vigil for Jean this Friday November 6th at 6pm in the Main Sanctuary. If you haven't signed up for a time slot please contact the Church office today before 3pm. Let us come out to support and petition our Heavenly Father for our precious sister Jean.

Who Can I Trust? Who can I put Confidence in?

These questions each of us have to consider. Is our trust and confidence in money, government, job, bank, family, CDs, money market or leaders?

Our Trust and Confidence must be in God and His Word!

Malachi 3:5
“For I am the Lord, I change not.”

Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and forever.”

Psalms 119:89
“Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in Heaven.”

Psalm 118:8,9
“It is better to Trust in the Lord then to put Confidence in man. It is better to Trust in the Lord then to put Confidence in princes (rulers or authority).”

Proverbs 3:26
“For the Lord shall be thy confidence and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”

Proverbs 14:26
“In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence and His children shall have a place of refuge.”

God and His Word are Trust and Life!
Thanks for continuing to read this blog…

Numbers 23:19
“God is not a man that He should lie; neither the son of man that He should repent. Hath He said and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken and shall He not make it good?”

Nahum 1:7
“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that Trust in Him.”

Jeremiah 17:7
“Blessed is the man that Trusts in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is.”

Proverbs 3:5,6
“Trust in the Lord with all then heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

Psalms 34:4
“O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that Trusts in Him.”

Hebrews 3:14
“For we are made partakers of Christ in we hold the beginning of out confidence stedfast unto the end.”

Trust means “to flee for protection, to confide in, have hope, make refuge”
Confidence means “trust and hope also assurance and security”

It is clear to me Who we can Trust and put our Confidence in.

Love in Christ,
Jean Ratcliffe

The Homosexual Agenda and the Divine Nature

As I have made my contributions to the RWC blog, I have been attempting to tackle issues that may be political hot potatoes, but issues that are necessary for the church to confront. As our society moves towards normalizing gay marriage, we must understand the spiritual implications of such a move. I believe that many in the church are bothered by homosexuality because someone else told them it is a sin or they simply find such a lifestyle “unpleasant” to think about. However, in the study of scripture, we can find that the problem with homosexuality is that it is an attempt to replace the divine nature of God with the carnal nature of man. It is the penultimate form of rebellion against God. Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made so that they are without excuse.” This scripture, speaking of unrighteous and ungodly people, continues in verse 27 to say that those who engage in homosexual behavior will be handed over to a depraved mind. Verse 20 gives us more insight. Homosexuality is the rejection of God’s invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature. How do I know this? Romans 1:25 “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever, Amen.” Homosexuality is not just an “unpleasantry.” It is a rejection of the divine, in favor of that which has been created.

Romans continues to say in verses 26-27 “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” If you know someone who lives the homosexual lifestyle, pray for them. It is a deadly trap that is hard to escape, impossible without Christ.

But what is the ultimate reason for marriage to be between a man and a woman? How does Biblical marriage embrace the divine? Paul gives us the answer. Ephesians 5:31-32 “For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.” A godly marriage is not simply about the man and the wife. It is not about our happiness or only the love we have for one another. It is about the divine. Marriage is to primarily be an example of how Christ loves the church and church loves Christ. Homosexuality is a perversion in the physical that is a statement on the spiritual. Homosexual is a physical statement that the marriage of Christ and His church is perverse. This should never be. Christ sacrificed Himself for all of mankind and that is truly divine.

-Pastor Jason Greene

Monetary Responsibility

Have you ever read this: “Woe to (alas) for you who are rich (abounding in material resources), for you already are receiving your consolation (the solace and sense of strengthening and cheer that come from prosperity) and have taken and enjoyed your comfort in full [having nothing left to be awarded you]. Woe to (alas for) you who are full now (completely filled, luxuriously gorged and satiated), for you shall hunger and suffer want! Woe to (alas for) you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep and wail.”? It’s in Luke 6:24-25. Jesus said it. Having traveled to one other country and studied many around the world, I know that compared to most of the world, almost all Americans fit into the “rich” category. Compared to some other U.S. citizens, I may not be rich, but the Bible is not written just to those in the USA. Not wanting to hear a, “Woe to you”, from Jesus, I began studying every scripture in God’s Word about material riches, wealth, etc. Here is a summary of what I have found:

+ Money gained honestly by doing something worthwhile is a blessing provided by God for our enjoyment. (1 Chronicles 29:12 and 1 Timothy 6:17-19)
+ Don’t let money tempt you to trust in your own wealth rather than in God or to shift your focus to it and away from God. (many scriptures throughout the Bible, too numerous to list)
+ Be content and satisfied even with nothing more than food and clothing. (1 Timothy 6:7-11)
+ Be self-sacrificing and spiritually mature by giving to the poor, doing good, being rich in good works, being generous of heart and ready to give to others. (1 Timothy 6:17-19, Mt. 19:21-24)
+ Do not glory in or be absorbed by the world and over use the riches, physical gratifications, temporal satisfactions, and earthly pleasures of this life. (Jeremiah 9:23, 1 Corinthians 7:31)
+ Be cautious because riches can choke and suffocate the Word so that it bears no fruit. (Matthew 13:22)

Finally, here’s a list of questions that I used to examine my own life in this area. Perhaps it will help the reader as well.

1. In what ways does God want me to enjoy what He has blessed me with?
2. In what ways do I trust too much in money rather than in God?
3. How can I show that I’m content with food and clothing?
4. Are there areas where I am absorbed by the pleasures of this world – physical gratifications and temporal satisfactions?
5. Are riches suffocating God’s Word in any area of my life and preventing me from bearing fruit?
6. How can I be more self-sacrificing, generous of heart and ready to give to the poor and share with others?

“The love of money is a root of all evils…but as for you, O man of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness of heart. Fight the good fight of the faith…” (1 Timothy 6:10-12).

-Jenny Greene

Crossing My Jordan!

Have you ever been in a place were you knew that one decision would change the course of your entire life? One change would redirect your entire way you viewed yourself and others. Imagine for a second that you were with Joshua before crossing the Jordon. Behind you was the Exodus from Egypt, a place of slavery and struggle. Before you was the mighty river Jordon. Knowing that by crossing this river you would be placing yourself into the fight to claim the Promise Land. It was one thing to be brought out of Egypt; but it was another thing altogether to cross over the Jordan and thus become committed, without possibility of retreat, to the struggle against the powers of Canaan. The same is our struggle when we realize that the path we are on as Christians is not taking us closer to God. I like what J. Sidlow Baxter said, “.. that intense crisis of the soul in which we are forced to the supreme choice whether here shall be an utter once-for-all abandon of ourselves to the will of God, so that henceforth God is absolutely first in the soul’s love and life, or whether we shall take what seems to be the easier way, that is, of continuing in the Christian life, but with a reservation in our love to God. It is one thing to take Christ as Saviour from the guilt of our sin. It is another thing to make Him absolute Master of our will and life.”

Our struggle is the thought of letting go and moving forward. Leaving everything and everybody behind that is hindering the progression forward. There should be no turning back. It becomes a war of will. Will we allow our flesh and unrenewed mind to hold us back from receiving the fullness of God? Are we going to accept God's will with reckless abandon or are were going to be content with the simple relationship found just at the cross of Christ (The Exodus from Egypt)? There is so much more to be obtained in the true knowledge of Christ as Lord (Canaan). The key to receiving all that God has promised, our Promise Land, is to cross the Jordan that is between the Salvation relationship and the true servant relationship of Christ.

-Tim Ratcliff

For Wives and Mothers... An Encouragement

This was put on my heart for wives and mothers to encourage them.

A Strong Woman versus a Woman of Strength

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape…

But a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape;

A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything…

But a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear;

A strong woman won’t let anybody get the best of her…

But a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone;

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids them in the future…

A woman of strength realizes that life’s mistakes can also be

God’s blessings and capitalizes on them;

A strong woman walks sore-footedly…

But a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls;

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face…

But a woman of strength wears grace;

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey…

But a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey

that she will become strong.

The Hidden Woman

A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life. She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother. She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference. At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated.

“Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?” she would ask herself.

It was during one of these moments of questioning she heard the still voice of her Heavenly Father speak to her heart. “You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be. Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. But I notice. Most of what you give is done without remuneration. But I am your reward.

“Your husband can not be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love. Your children are precious to Me … even more precious than they are to you. I entrusted them to your care so that you may raise them right for Me. What you invest in them is an offering to Me.

“You may never be in the public spotlight. But your obedience shines as a bright light for Me. Continue on. Remember that you are my servant. Keep on pleasing me.”

The High Calling

If God has called you to be truly like Jesus… He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility, and put on you demands of obedience that sometimes will not allow you to follow other Christians. In many ways He will seem to let other good people do things He won’t let you do.

Other Christians, even ministers, who seem very religious and useful, may push themselves, pull strings, and work schemes to carry out their plans, but you cannot do these things. And if you attempt them you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.

Others can brag about themselves, about their work, about their success, about their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing; and if you begin bragging, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

Others will be allowed to succeed in making great sums of money, or having a legacy left to them, or in having luxuries, but God may only supply you daily, because he wants you to have something far better than gold, - a helpless dependence on Him – that he may have the privilege of providing your needs daily out of the unseen treasury.

The Lord may let others be honored and keep you hidden in obscurity, because he wants to produce some choice, fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade.

God will let others be great and keep you small; he will let others do work for him, and get credit for it, but he will make you work and toil without anyone knowing how much you are doing. And then to make you more precious still, He will let others credit for the work which you have done; this will make your reward ten-times greater when Jesus comes.

The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch on you, with jealous love, and rebuke you for little words and feelings or for wasting time, which other Christians never seem distressed over.

So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign who has a right to do whatever He pleases with His own, and needs not to explain to you a thousand things which may puzzle your reason in His dealings with you.

God will take you at your word, and if you absolutely see yourself to be His slave. He will wrap you up in a jealous love, and let other people say and do many things that you cannot say or do.

Settle it forever, that you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit and that He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue, or chaining your hand back, or closing your eyes in ways that others are not disciplined.

Now, when you are so possessed with the living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of Heaven!

- Edith Osterbauer

Submit yourselves to God...

Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee. – James 4:7

These days, not many of us like discussing or even pondering the word “submit” or closely-related words like “surrender.” The idea of surrendering often brings up old war movie images of being taken captive, held in a dank, dark prison cell against our will and fed week-old stale and moldy bread and brown water passed to us through a four by eight slot in a big iron door. Not a pleasant image by any stretch of anyone’s imagination.

In the natural, surrendering to someone does often mean we will be held captive in conditions not exactly designed for our pleasure. In the spiritual, only when we surrender to God will we experience true freedom. Freedom from what? How about from being held captive by the old nature of sin and the death penalty that accompanies any and all who are unrepentant and reject the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and savior of the world through his death, burial and resurrection. Not bad, eh?

Ironically, the actual word “surrender” is not found in any of the commonly used translations or paraphrases of the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. However, the idea of surrender or submission is plentiful throughout scripture, primarily in the New Testament. Jesus is our best example as he surrendered his will, his feelings, his desires, his life, to the purpose God had for him.

Elsewhere, we are commanded by several writers, most notably the Apostle Paul, to submit or “surrender” ourselves one to another, confessing our sins that we might be washed by the washing of the word of God. Wives are also strongly encouraged to surrender to their husbands. But it doesn’t stop there. Men have the more binding job of surrendering to Christ in the same way that he gave his life for the church.

The universal signal for surrender is the raising of both arms with palms turned outward. Interestingly enough, that is also a commonly used signal that someone is involved in worshipping or “surrendering” to God. It is only when we completely surrender to God that we experience true freedom. And perhaps the best part about surrendering to God is that he feeds us pretty well and doesn’t keep us locked up. “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed!” (John 8:36)

Give it a try. You’ll be blessed. I guarantee it.

-Ben Hanneman

Why We Need the Parental Rights Amendment...

Are your God-given rights as a parent important to you? The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child completely undermines the idea of the right of the parent. Here is some information from parentalrights.org about the UN Treaty being considered by the US Senate and the President.


Eighty years ago the Supreme Court declared that “the child is not the mere creature of the
State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty,
to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.” Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510
(1925). Thirty years ago the Court continued this line of reasoning with the pronouncement
that the “primary role of the parents in the upbringing of their children is now established
beyond debate as an enduring American tradition.” Wisconsin v. Yoder, 406 U.S. 205 (1972).

Yet in 2000, when the State of Washington gave any person the ability to override a good
parent’s decision about visitation by simply claiming that it would be “best” for children to
allow the third-party to have visitation rights, in the Supreme Court’s Troxel v. Granville:

•
There were six separate opinions and none reached a five-vote majority.
•
Justice Thomas was the only justice to clearly state that parental rights.
receive the same high legal standard of protection as other fundamental rights.
•
Justice Scalia held that parents have no constitutionally protected rights whatsoever.

Support for a high-view of
parental rights has been
seriously undermined by
the current Court. As a
consequence, numerous
lower federal courts refuse
to treat parental rights as
deserving of protection as
a fundamental right.

At the same time, America
is poised to adopt the UN
Convention on the Rights
of the Child. President
Obama supports this treaty.
Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton has been a leading
advocate of this treaty for
over twenty years. Senator
Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has
“promised” that this treaty
will be ratified during this
term of Congress.

Why We Need the
Parental Rights Amendment

The proposed
PARENTAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
HJRes 42 / SJRes 16

Section 1.

The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing and education
of their children is a fundamental right.

Section 2.

Neither the United States nor any State shall infringe upon
this right without demonstrating that its governmental inter-
est as applied to the person is of the highest order and not
otherwise served.

Section 3.

No treaty may be adopted nor shall any source of interna-
tional law be employed to supersede, modify, interpret, or
apply to the rights guaranteed by this article.

If this treaty is ratified:

•
The laws of all 50 states on children and parents would be superseded by this international
law by virtue of a specific provision of the US Constitution which expressly declares
treaties to be supreme over state law. Virtually all law on children and parents is state law.
•
Good parents would no longer be entitled to the legal presumption that they act in the best
interests of their children. Instead, the government would have the authority to overrule all
parents on any decision concerning the child if the government believed it could make a
better decision.
•
Parents could no longer spank their children.
•
Children would have the legal right to choose their own religion. Parents would be
permitted only to give advice.
•
America would be under a binding legal obligation to massively increase its federal
spending on children’s programs.

The only kind of law that can override a treaty is the Constitution of the United States. State
laws or state constitutions cannot override treaties. There is no guarantee that federal statutes
could override treaties—moreover, we enter a binding legal promise to obey a treaty when we
ratify it. America should not promise to obey a treaty and then claim it is appropriate to obey
the treaty only when we want to. America of all nations must respect the rule of law.

There is only one possible solution for the eroding support for parental rights in the Supreme
Court that can also stop the encroachment of international law.

We need to place time-honored parental rights, as recognized by the Supreme Court for over
seventy years, into the explicit text of the Constitution.

We cannot wait until our rights are formally demolished. We must act now to stop interna-
tional law and protect these two key principles:

•
Fit parents should be allowed to direct the upbringing of their children.
•
American legislators, not international tribunals, should make the public
policy for America on families and children.

If you believe these two principles, become a supporter of parental rights:

Donate, volunteer, or join the e-mail network at

P.O. Box 1090 Purcellville, Virginia 20132
info@parentalrights.org – (540) 751-1200

Here I am

Then [Jesus] said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
--Hebrews 10:9-10 (NIV)

What a wonderful verse of scripture… the Son of God saying to the Father “I’ve come to do your will”…
I realize that good biblical interpretation says that the “first” is the sacrificial system of burnt offerings that was replaced by the ultimate sacrifice of Christ; but look at the above in the following manner… In order to do His will (the 2nd part) we must deal with and set aside the 1st part (here I am). So often we stand in the way of the will of God. We just are not as interested in the 2nd as much as we are in the 1st part…

In the course of 25 years of ministry I know I have been in the way of what God has wanted to do. Like many of us I sometimes believe I can help God out. There used to be a very old cartoon when I was a kid (yes we had TV then) the super hero would sing “here I come to save the day…” many saints today have the same mentality… I’ll save the day we’ll do it my way; after all God gave me these incredible gifts and abilities. Thank God that Jesus had a different mentality; He never did things any other way than God’s way. Here I am I have come to do your will. We can only do His will when we make His will ours. When you’re doing His will your not interested in the limelight or the spotlight…it doesn’t matter what people think of you or don’t think of you…it only matters that you do the will of Him who sent you.
Blessings may your way become Yahweh

Dr.Dave

His joy is our strength…

Psalm 37.23 says, “The steps of a good man are directed and established by the Lord, and He delights in His way.”

The powerful truth in this scripture is that He takes joy in each step we take in righteousness. The word good here actually equates to righteous. You will see if you look at the entirety of Psalm 37 stark contrasts and consequences in the character traits of righteousness and evil. He is righteous. It has always been His plan for our lives, to establish His character in our hearts- to build His kingdom in the hearts of men.

Nehemiah 8.10, “… do not be grieved for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

The joy of the Lord is my strength- He has established my steps in righteousness- He delights in each one. We cannot change Him to fit our fleshly ideal or concept. He is eternal- Holy, righteous. He is the same in eternity past, present, and future. We are the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. It is His path.

Psalm 16.11, “You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

-Chris Farmer

Does This Sound Familiar?

Dana and her team walk on stage to begin the music, I get excited because I love music, I love to worship, and the worship team do an excellent job. I stand to my feet and listen as an exhortation is made about worshipping the One True God. The first notes begin to be played or sung and my heart begins to rise as I recognize the song. I love this song I think to myself and lift my voice in worship, trying to get lost in His presence. Whoever is receiving the offering for the day comes up and encourages us to give. I am ready, my check has been written, envelop filled out, my offering descends into the soft velvet bag and will hopefully be used by God and I’ll get blessed because I obediently gave it…

I could go on but you get the idea. We all have our own things going on in our heads when we arrive on Sunday mornings. Mostly our thoughts are good. We want to worship, we want to give, and we want the word. We honestly want God to move and be glorified in our midst.

The problem is subtle. It creeps into our mind practically unbeknownst to us. This worship service has become about me. I want to be fed. I want to receive from the Lord. It is certainly not wrong to feel this way, in fact, we are encouraged to hunger after God. However, Luke records an interesting teaching by Jesus:

Luke 17:7 "Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? (8) "But will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'?

The Master eats first. Who is the Master? Why Jesus, of course. The mindset of the believer coming into the service is so often centered on what they will get out of the service. Let me stress again that it is completely appropriate and critical that we do receive from the Lord in a worship service. The issue is etiquette. The Master is served first. Our worship and giving, our attitude in whatever we do shouldn’t be in what we expect or like, rather we should be focused on serving our Lord, pleasing Him. Once He has been served then we may eat.

-John Spraker
Rock Club Director

What are we supposed to do?

It seems like the whole world has gone crazy. Everywhere we look there is evil going on it seems. There has never been a time such as this. We truly are heading toward the end of time as we know it. It is exciting and scary at the same time. We are not just to live for today—but for tomorrow as well. What do I mean by that? We should live like we are eternal now and live in a way that pleases God. When we have communion, do we leave the table and go out and betray our Lord by our lifestyle? What would Christ say about what we read, see, say, play, and do? Oh—it is just a game, a movie, a book or a habit. If it is against God’s word, it is against you and will harm you. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters; we will either love the one or hate the other (Matthew 6:24). How are you in your walk? Is Christ the focus of what you do each day or is He just to worship on Sundays? The priests in the Old Testament had to purify themselves from sin before entering the temple. This is not a bad idea for us. What would happen if each one of us asked God to convict us of the sin in our personal lives, cleanse us, and deliver us from every stronghold of the enemy? That would be so powerful! There is nothing stopping us from doing that—or is there? Have a blessed week in Christ.


- Pastor Connie Shinn

The Body of Christ...

The summer has all but passed, the air is taking on the familiar feel of Fall and another great opportunity for ministry is in the books. Our annual Summer program at the New River Valley Detention center finished well, with over 15 salvations and an incredible opportunity to invest daily into the lives of incarcerated teens. We at Crossroads would like to thank all those who donated their time and resources to the cause of reaching these young people for Christ.

A question that is often asked of me and others who are involved in the same type of ministry is “Do you ever see any of the people you minister to on the outside?” or “Are you ever able to do any follow up?” and I have to confess this is one of the toughest aspects to this type of ministry. The people we minister to are from different localities, they often do not have a phone, and usually have no reliable transportation. So, to say that it is a challenge is an understatement and just when I might be tempted to be discouraged God reminds me we are only one small part of a whole body that God desires to use. There is a complete body to fulfill His purpose.

In the book of 1 Corinthians Paul writes;
(1Co 12:4) There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.

(1Co 12:5) There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served.

(1Co 12:6) There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person.

Because of the different parts of this body God is using at the Radford Worship Center, we are given the awesome opportunity to minister to people at their point of need. As a result, every month people we minister to on the inside (Jail or Detention Center) are ministered to through one of the ministries at the Radford Worship Center. What an awesome privilege it is to work with a church where I can refer someone who needs counseling or someone who needs food or medical assistance. We have parents whose kids attend the Rock Club and teens that are involved in LifeChange. What an awesome demonstration of His love! It is truly an honor to be a part of a ministry where, even in the depths of a Jail or a Detention Center, the practical love of Christ can be seen through the working of His Body.

-Pastor Ted Farmer
Director Crossroads Ministry

Jesus and the Healthcare Debate

Everywhere in our country the healthcare debate continues to rage. I recently heard a commentator ask, rhetorically, “What would Jesus say?” As he continued, he stated that Jesus did not ask for health insurance cards, that He was not concerned with people paying Him for healing, and that He did not turn anyone away. As the political environment has changed in this country, it has become necessary for believers to address political subjects because we carry a banner of righteousness that must not be furled and put away for the sake of political correctness or avoiding offense. As to what Jesus would say, I do not know. I am not Him. However, I do know what His Word says. This radio commentator was “concerned” with the helpless, the sick and those who are unable to help themselves.

Immediately, my spirit rose up within me and I wanted to ask him, what about the unborn? Jesus usually looks past the whiners, the complainers, and those with an agenda to the truly helpless and those who are truly unable to help themselves. I do not know what Jesus would say, but I know from scripture, that while He loves me, He must be more concerned right now with the slaughter of innocents than with the structure of my health plan.

In Genesis 4:10, God, confronting Cain over the murder of Abel, tells him, “Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground.” God does not mention hearing Abel’s cries, but does say that He hears Abel’s blood crying out. Those of you who hurt over the abortions in this country, I assure you that God hears the cry of their blood and He is not ignoring it. We know that the blood of the innocent has God’s ear because Hebrews chapter twenty-four says that the blood of Christ cries even louder than that of Abel’s.

Leviticus 17:14 states, “the life of any creature is in its blood.” An embryo, a child in the womb, has a blood line. This goes beyond the physical. The fetal baby’s blood connection is spiritual as well as physical. The blood has a spiritual quality to it. That is why God hears the cries of the blood of the innocent.
What would Christ say in our current healthcare debate? Maybe He would look past the debaters. Maybe He would look past conservative and liberal. Maybe while the healthcare debate is important to Him (because it is important to his children) He would recoil at the notion of being dragged into the political facade.

Maybe He would address the innocent whose blood cries out to Him and say, “I alone created your inner being. I knitted you together inside your mother. Your bones were not hidden from me when you were being made in secret. Every day of your life was recorded in my book before one of them had taken place. How precious are my thoughts concerning you” (Paraphrased from Psalm 139).

-Pastor Jason Greene

On How to Study the Bible...

Or, What You've Been Missing on Wednesday Nights...

Over the past few months I've been teaching a class on how to study the Bible. What follows is a summary of that class, in case you weren't able to make it.

First, here is a basic outline of steps for studying a passage:

Studying a passage:
I. Find a passage - find something that sticks out to you, whether it’s confusing or compelling. Try to focus on a few verses. Usually the size of a paragraph is about perfect. Normally, your Bible will indicate a paragraph break by the verse number being in bold text.
Example: 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (In this example verse 9 demonstrates a paragraph break by the number 9 being in bold text)
I. Forget everything you know about it (and everything related to it) - It’s important that we don’t just reinforce our beliefs, but rather allow the text to confront or confirm them. This is both the most difficult and most important part of the process. We are not studying the Bible to support our existing ideas, but to discover it's meaning (even if it contradicts our existing beliefs).
II. Read the text - focus on becoming familiar with it’s tone, only taking notes on what sticks out the most to you.
III. Read the text again - Take notes.
IV. Read the larger context - Take notes. By this I mean read the surrounding texts. Try to read the entire book, but in the event that it is too lengthy (Isaiah, Psalms, etc) read a few chapters ahead, and a few chapters after.
V. Read the text one more time – Now that you have a good idea of the passage, and it's context, you are better suited to determine which words and phrases are worthy of further research.
VI. Research Key Words and Phrases – using whatever resources at your disposal, study the aspects of the texts that you have determined to be relevant in step VI.

Here's a list of resources: All range from $18-25 a piece.
Dictionary of Paul and his Letters → Has entries pertaining to anything to do with Paul.
Bible Background Commentary → Has Cultural and Historical information sorted by Bible Reference

Finally, here's some advice about Bible study.
I. Study authors in scripture that have written multiple parts of the Bible.
1. Paul wrote everything from Romans to Philemon
2. Luke wrote both The Gospel of Luke and Acts
3. John wrote The Gospel of John, I-III John, and Revelation
It helps to study these authors, because it's easier to establish their vocabulary. By that I mean we can see how they use particular words in particular contexts. The additional material helps us better understand the author, and therefore better understand their intended meaning.

I. Study the New Testament.
II. - I am not saying the Old Testament isn't relevant. It is actually incredibly relevant. However, it's easy to be discouraged studying the Old Testament, because it is more foreign by nature, and therefore harder to understand than the New Testament. Once you gain some confidence in Bible study from the New Testament, move on to the Old Testament. Also, once you are more familiar to the Theology of the New Testament, you will have a better appreciation for the Old Testament.

-Ryan Lytton

What are you looking for?

Little thought today is given to wisdom. Our world looks at outward beauty, fame, position and many other things.

In Job 28:12 “Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding live? No mortal knows where it is. It cannot be found in this world of the living…15 You cannot obtain it with solid gold or buy it for any amount of silver…20 “Where does wisdom come from? Where does understanding live? It is hidden from the eyes of every living being, hidden from the birds in the air. Decay and death say, ‘We’ve heard rumor about it.’ “God understands the way of it. He knows where it lives because he can see to the ends of the earth and observe everything under heaven…28 ‘The fear of the Lord is wisdom! To stay away from evil is understanding.’”

What are you searching for today; the things that will soon decay, silver, gold, or position? I challenge you today ask the Lord to help you to find His wisdom. Then find someone to share it with.

Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that finds wisdom.

James 1:5 If any lack wisdom let him ask.

James 3:17 Wisdom from above is pure

Praise God He shares His wisdom to us!


-Carolyn Hanneman

More of the Word...

I have been teaching from the book of Mark chapters 1-3. Learning and receiving from my students is a blessing. We have been looking at Jesus' Authority (power, right, and privilege) in preaching, teaching, forgiving sins, healing diseases, casting out demonic spirits, and being Lord of the Sabbath.

Our Sunday is a day of worship, rest and refreshing. Or minds, emotions, and body need rest and refreshing. Our spirits and mind need renewal and instruction from the Word. Should we not submit to Jesus' authority in our lives?

1 Corinthians 6:19,20 says, "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

Romans 12:1,2 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed my the RENEWING of your MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God."

Yes, I LOVE the WORD!!!

Psalm 119:48 says, "My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I love; and I will meditate in Thy statutes."

Psalm 63:4 says, "Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy Name."

The Word is not boring!

Jesus said in John 6:63, "My Words are spirit and life..."

Thanks for reading.
I love you.

Are you submitted and committed to Jesus???

- Jean Ratcliffe
Adult Bible Teacher

Reliance on God vs. Relaince on conventional wisdom...

I was driving home from work one day, and felt confident that God was asking me to buy a lottery ticket. I didn’t feel as though it was a command. It seemed more like a suggestion. Being ever curious, I pulled off at the next exit and purchased a $1 scratch ticket. To my surprise, I won $1. I marveled at the ‘chances’. While walking towards my car, I considered buying a second ticket. I walked back into the store and purchased one more $1 scratcher. This one yielded no financial gain. As I walked to my car, $1 poorer, I asked God why he suggested I pull off the road. He spoke to me clearly, “I wanted to remind you that I can and will provide for you when it is needed.”

My wife and I both recently took heavy pay cuts to move to Virginia. Most people assume that the cost of living difference is substantial enough to compensate for our lost wages. It isn’t. I suppose we were both left better jobs than we realized at the time. Conventional wisdom would dictate that we stay where the money is. Post-move, that same wisdom would declare our decision a mistake, a worthy candidate for regret. Conventional wisdom would then be wrong. We followed the voice of the Lord. He wanted us out here. Since we’ve been here, I’ve visited family I haven’t seen in 10 years. I’ve spent quality time with family that has since gone on to be with Jesus. Moving out here has been the correct decision for us.

I don’t say all this to defend our decisions to you, but rather to encourage you to loosen your reliance on conventional wisdom. Not everything that looks good is good. Not everything that looks bad is bad. God uses circumstances in our lives to bring about His will, whether it is a lottery ticket, or a cross-country move. He doesn’t always make sense to us, but it is always worth the investment.

-Ryan Lytton

What makes it all worthwhile...

All the planning,
All the funding raising,
All the packing,
All the traveling...



All the balloons,
All the face paint,



All the playing,
All the praying,
All the waiting...



All worthwhile...

Thank you to all who gave so that we could help change lives.

Pastor Mike and Allison
Bobby and Susie Hickman
& The South Dakota Team