Apr 2009
"Bring it to me."
Apr 27, 2009
As evening approached, he disciples came to him and said, This is remote places, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food." Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away, you give them something to eat." We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered. "Bring them here to me." he said. And he directed the people to sit down in the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave hem to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children."
-Matthew 14:15--21
There was a need and the disciples were faced with with what to do. Their plan was to send the people away but Jesus said "FEED THEM". Can you imagine their response as they talked among themselves, "With what?" How many times do we face the same tension as believers. God allows us to see a need and waits to see what our response will be. How many times do we respond just like the disciples, "Who me?" "With what?"
God has a way of taking us outside of our comfort zone to stretch us and deepen our faith. The Father invites us to outside what is comfortable, convienent, and even sometimes outside of what might be or what we think are our talents or even our experiences. God uses the tension of seeing a need and making a decision of using my gifts and talents to bring us to understand our dependentcy on the Father as well as deepen our faith in Him. How are you using your gifts and talents to encourage and equip believers as well as impact the lives of those who are not followers of Christ? All the Father asks of you is to be faithful in those resources you have and leave the rest up to Him.
-Sidney Brock
-Matthew 14:15--21
There was a need and the disciples were faced with with what to do. Their plan was to send the people away but Jesus said "FEED THEM". Can you imagine their response as they talked among themselves, "With what?" How many times do we face the same tension as believers. God allows us to see a need and waits to see what our response will be. How many times do we respond just like the disciples, "Who me?" "With what?"
God has a way of taking us outside of our comfort zone to stretch us and deepen our faith. The Father invites us to outside what is comfortable, convienent, and even sometimes outside of what might be or what we think are our talents or even our experiences. God uses the tension of seeing a need and making a decision of using my gifts and talents to bring us to understand our dependentcy on the Father as well as deepen our faith in Him. How are you using your gifts and talents to encourage and equip believers as well as impact the lives of those who are not followers of Christ? All the Father asks of you is to be faithful in those resources you have and leave the rest up to Him.
-Sidney Brock
Passion Week
Apr 07, 2009
What an awesome day Saturday at the Lady Lake Easter Egg Hunt! Thanks Karen and Crystal for your hard work! It was a huge success again. Go look at some pictures from the day.
Christmas and Easter are 2 times of year that seem to draw the attention of people. As our world searches for hope, it is at this time that people will most likely attend a church service looking for answers. Last Sunday, Christians celebrated what is called “Palm Sunday”, where we remember Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Scripture teaches us that later that week, Jesus would assemble with his disciples in an upper room to celebrate the Passover. At this meal, Jesus told his disciples of his impending death.
The hours after the supper were riddled with a flurry of activity which eventually led to the arrest of Jesus. He was brought before the religious leaders of the day ad put on trial... he was charged with blasphemy.
Jesus was blindfolded, spat on, and beaten, and it was not long after this encounter, that the religious leaders would take Jesus to Pilate. Pilate would precede over his trial and order his crucifixion.
Before his crucifixion, the soldiers put a purple robe on Jesus and made a crown of thorns and placed it on his head. They mocked Jesus and cried out “Hail to the king of the Jews.” He was beaten and led off to be crucified. The Bible goes on to tell us of those last moments as he hung on the cross--in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 and John 19.
The disciples and others had seen the Lord nailed to a cross and die a terrible death. It seemed that everything they had believed in was gone. Their hopes and expectations had been shattered and their dreams ended.
But two thousand years later, we know Jesus' death wasn’t the end of the story but only the beginning. The disciples would learn three days later that everything he had said was true. His resurrection was an event that would change our world!
Christmas and Easter are 2 times of year that seem to draw the attention of people. As our world searches for hope, it is at this time that people will most likely attend a church service looking for answers. Last Sunday, Christians celebrated what is called “Palm Sunday”, where we remember Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Scripture teaches us that later that week, Jesus would assemble with his disciples in an upper room to celebrate the Passover. At this meal, Jesus told his disciples of his impending death.
The hours after the supper were riddled with a flurry of activity which eventually led to the arrest of Jesus. He was brought before the religious leaders of the day ad put on trial... he was charged with blasphemy.
Jesus was blindfolded, spat on, and beaten, and it was not long after this encounter, that the religious leaders would take Jesus to Pilate. Pilate would precede over his trial and order his crucifixion.
Before his crucifixion, the soldiers put a purple robe on Jesus and made a crown of thorns and placed it on his head. They mocked Jesus and cried out “Hail to the king of the Jews.” He was beaten and led off to be crucified. The Bible goes on to tell us of those last moments as he hung on the cross--in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 and John 19.
The disciples and others had seen the Lord nailed to a cross and die a terrible death. It seemed that everything they had believed in was gone. Their hopes and expectations had been shattered and their dreams ended.
But two thousand years later, we know Jesus' death wasn’t the end of the story but only the beginning. The disciples would learn three days later that everything he had said was true. His resurrection was an event that would change our world!
Disciplines
Apr 02, 2009
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight, not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should not become disqualified.
-1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Near the beginning of the new year, Merideth and I made the decision to begin working towards a healthier lifestyle. A heavy workload and busy family schedules had taken their toll, and we knew that changes needed to be made. It was obvious that we had bought in to a routine characterized by a lack of sleep and eating on the run, as well as no hint of consistent exercise. Near the end of January, Merideth and I began implementing some much needed changes. She began meeting with a small group of ladies that also felt the need to work on a healthier lifestyle, and over the past 10-12 weeks, they have had a great time encouraging one another and holding each other accountable. They have shared recipes and used their weekly meetings to cook for one another, and some have even set up regular times to exercise together. The results are obvious, but they have not come without the implementation of certain disciplines.
In the meantime, I have had the opportunity to adjust my schedule and spend time working out with some guys each morning before the sun ever begins to rise. Just like the ladies, we have encouraged one another as well as provided an environment for healthier living, but in addition, we have spent quality time talking about the things of the Lord. Honestly, it has not always been easy to roll out of the bed, and walk around the house in the dark while getting dressed to go to the gym, but what began as a desire is developing into a joy. I really don't want to miss a morning these days. I love seeing the guys as well as knowing that I am making an investment in my future.
This morning, I ended up getting up a little later than usual, and as I rolled over and looked at the clock, I quickly rolled back over and convinced myself that missing one day wouldn't hurt. However, it didn't take long to realize that I needed to be there regardless of the amount of time I would be able to stay. I needed to be there... period. I needed to be there for the encouragement of the other guys but also for me.
The practice of a discipline creates an environment to produce the best results possible for a specific activity. Whereas the practice of spiritual disciplines says, “I am intentionally putting myself before God so He can transform me." The practice of spiritual disciplines says, “I want my life to be fertile ground in which God can bring growth and change.”
What spiritual disciplines do you presently practice? Silence? Solitude? Giving? Prayer? Bible study? Is your walk with the Lord characterized by a satisfaction with church attendance, or are you seeking to go deeper in your trust relationship with the Father? What is stopping you from taking the next step in laying the groundwork to experience the greatness of God?
-Sidney Brock
-1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Near the beginning of the new year, Merideth and I made the decision to begin working towards a healthier lifestyle. A heavy workload and busy family schedules had taken their toll, and we knew that changes needed to be made. It was obvious that we had bought in to a routine characterized by a lack of sleep and eating on the run, as well as no hint of consistent exercise. Near the end of January, Merideth and I began implementing some much needed changes. She began meeting with a small group of ladies that also felt the need to work on a healthier lifestyle, and over the past 10-12 weeks, they have had a great time encouraging one another and holding each other accountable. They have shared recipes and used their weekly meetings to cook for one another, and some have even set up regular times to exercise together. The results are obvious, but they have not come without the implementation of certain disciplines.
In the meantime, I have had the opportunity to adjust my schedule and spend time working out with some guys each morning before the sun ever begins to rise. Just like the ladies, we have encouraged one another as well as provided an environment for healthier living, but in addition, we have spent quality time talking about the things of the Lord. Honestly, it has not always been easy to roll out of the bed, and walk around the house in the dark while getting dressed to go to the gym, but what began as a desire is developing into a joy. I really don't want to miss a morning these days. I love seeing the guys as well as knowing that I am making an investment in my future.
This morning, I ended up getting up a little later than usual, and as I rolled over and looked at the clock, I quickly rolled back over and convinced myself that missing one day wouldn't hurt. However, it didn't take long to realize that I needed to be there regardless of the amount of time I would be able to stay. I needed to be there... period. I needed to be there for the encouragement of the other guys but also for me.
The practice of a discipline creates an environment to produce the best results possible for a specific activity. Whereas the practice of spiritual disciplines says, “I am intentionally putting myself before God so He can transform me." The practice of spiritual disciplines says, “I want my life to be fertile ground in which God can bring growth and change.”
What spiritual disciplines do you presently practice? Silence? Solitude? Giving? Prayer? Bible study? Is your walk with the Lord characterized by a satisfaction with church attendance, or are you seeking to go deeper in your trust relationship with the Father? What is stopping you from taking the next step in laying the groundwork to experience the greatness of God?
-Sidney Brock
RSS Feed