Celebrate Marriage!

Shelle and I celebrated our eleventh anniversary by attending "Celebrate Your Marriage" on Mackinac Island. Jay and Laura Laffoon have hosted this marriage event for a number of years and during that time thousands of couples have had the chance to rediscover laughter, romance, and just plain fun in their marriage. This was the first time Shelle and I attended this event and we both were reminded of how God really longs for couples to invest in each other and to discover the joy of oneness.

There is no better place than Mackinac Island for a couple day getaway. It is like stepping back into the 1800's with victorian homes and horse draw carriages everywhere. (Just watch where you step!!!)

When was the last time you and your spouse went on a date? Community Church has a great date night opportunity coming up this month. Its called "Dancing with Your Star." Join your spouse for an evening of dinner and some basic dance lessons from a local ballroom dance instructor. The date is Friday, October 24th and it kicks off at 6:30pm. The cost is $25.00.

Also, check out Jay and Laura Laffoon's ministry at http://www.celebrateyourmarriage.com/.

God the Almighty

By Tim Hall

Tim Hall is an elder on session at Community Church and one of the featured blog writers for Peak Reflections. Tim will be posting messages that help us think theologically about our faith.

2,600 years ago, King Nebuchadnezzar of ancient Babylon dominated the territory of present-day Iraq along with most of the Middle East. His fabulous wealth and power excited the envy of the ancient world. Yet at the peak of his glory, when no human force on earth could touch him, this mighty king lost his sanity. He spent seven years living as a wild animal in Babylon’s countryside, wandering naked and surviving on native grasses. After regaining his sanity, Nebuchadnezzar admitted that his own power was nothing in comparison to that of the Most High. God is unstoppable, the humbled king declared. He “does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth.” Even the most powerful ruler on earth could not hold back God’s hand or say to him: “what have you done?” (Daniel 4:34-35).

The Bible commonly expresses God’s unlimited power--his omnipotence--in terms of his ability to “do whatever pleases him” (Psalm 115:3). Powerful though Nebuchadnezzar was, he recognized limitations to his might. Even the United States, which wields weapons the ancient Babylonian king could not begin to imagine, cannot do whatever its leaders want. By contrast, God’s voice alone can make a whole nation “skip like a calf.” One word from the Almighty can “shake the desert. . . and strip forests bare” (Ps. 29:3-9). The God whose command brought galaxies and black holes into being laughs at the pretensions of contemporary nuclear powers. As with the rulers of the ancient world, he merely “blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff” (Isaiah 40:24). For humans who are so easily impressed with displays of force, God has an unlimited ability to astound them.

Yet God’s power is far more subtle, pervasive, and awesome than flashy displays of mere physical might. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul,” Jesus warned his disciples. “Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt.10:28). God can penetrate beneath our physical being to the spiritual essence of who we are--our life in its deepest, most elemental sense. As the good and holy creator of our lives God also holds the authority to intervene in them, as he did with Nebuchadnezzar. Bombs may kill the body, but the God who does as he pleases holds the power to reunite dead bodies with their souls, to restore them to life, and to decide the eternal destinies of those he has raised.

This was the power people saw in action when Jesus lived and taught in Palestine 2,000 years ago. His power forgave the sins of an adulteress (John 8:1-11). It gave sight to a beggar (John 9). It gave life to a widow’s son, to a ruler’s daughter, and to his good friend Lazarus (Luke 7:11-17, 8:40-56; John 11:1-44). His power tripped up those impressed only with political and military might. They refused to understand it, rejected it, and ultimately did their best to wipe it out. Yet that power remained deep and subtle enough to turn his enemies’ short-sighted treachery into the redemption of the entire world. “We preach Christ crucified,” declared the apostle Paul, “a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (I Cor. 1:23-24).

As Christians, we celebrate the triumph of the one “declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Jesus’ death and resurrection was the mightiest act of the one who does as he pleases--the deed that has changed everything. It has reconciled us wayward people with God. It has opened the way for us to receive his forgiveness and experience his love. It has given us hope that physical death is not the end, but the prelude to a glorious life with God forever. It has set in motion a process of restoration that will eventually put this broken world itself back together as God originally created it (Romans 8:18-21).

Would you like to make a comment about Tim's post? Click on Comment below.

Life is Full of Surprises!

Last weekend Shelle, Chloe, Hannah, Luke, and I all squeezed into our Chrysler Neon for a surprise roadtrip up north for 24 hours away together as a family. (Who knew three car seats could fit in the back of a Neon?) We told the girls we were going out to run some errands and just kept driving. Two hours later we ended up at hotel where the girls could swim--I had almost convinced the girls up to that point that we got lost after our first errand and that we would have to find a place to sleep in the woods overnight. However, when they figured out what was going on, they beamed with delight at the surprising turn of events.

Life is full of surprises. I have found that God loves to surprise us with his power. I think God delights in seeing our eyes light up when we discover that he was at work in our lives. Recently in a small group, I heard a series of stories from people who had experienced the surprising power of God. One person said that they had received a sum of money that exactly matched a financial need. Another mentioned that God simply revealed his presence in a new way that made faith take on a whole new meaning.

Not too long ago, in a different small group we were talking about the importance of Christian community for spiritual growth when I mentioned a long-time Christian friend who I had neglected to call for many months. Busyness had prevented me from staying connected with him and I made the comment that I would commit to calling him this week. Ten minutes later the phone rang as we were wrapping up our small group session, guess who it was? It was that friend. We all laughed out loud and someone said, "Brian, I think you had better take that call!" God wanted to make himself known that night and wanted to help me keep my promise.

God loves to surprise us with his power.

How has God surprised you with his power? Share a story by clicking on Comments below.

The Road Trip Begins!

About nine months ago, Scott and I were brainstorming in my office when we first discussed the possibility of shooting a small group curriculum in Washington D.C. Out of that conversation a team was formed and the development of "Finding God in DC" began. Hundreds of hours have been put into this curriculum from storyboarding video sessions and some basic previsualization shoots to creative writing and graphic design. It has been truly extraordinary to see a project move from idea to reality. This Sunday, the curriculum will be available for purchase. What I am most excited about is seeing people's lives being affected by knowing God better. What a great picture of the Church at work when a team of people with all kinds of different gifts and contributions come together to provide an opportunity for others to take new steps in their walk with God.

Just last night as the finishing touches were being put in the videos, I had the chance to watch them in one sitting. Scott, Caz, and I really had a great journey together through our nation's capital and together we uncovered a deeper understanding of God's divine nature. We can't wait until you take a look at it. You can pick up a DVD and Travel Guide this Sunday!!

Traveling on New Paths

It has been a year now that I have considered creating an online environment for Community Church attenders and friends to explore spiritual growth together. I have asked the question, "how could we provide a spiritual growth resource that would be easy to use for people with little or no time?"

These days schedules are unrelenting and the pace of life often gets in the way of cultivating our spiritual lives. Creativity with our time is key. This is the beauty of this spiritual life blog that can be a resource for you when you have a spare 20 minutes in between appointments. The purpose of this blog is to provide you with some resources that will help you explore a new area of the Christian life while you are on the go.

As this blog develops you will find articles, recommended books, small group questions, great ways to grow and connect at Community Church, discussion, and of course lots of random thoughts from me.

For a more indepth look at what you find at Peakreflections, I be glad to share more with you. Just click on he video on the right side of your screen.

I welcome your comments along the way as we develop this resource and travel together with Christ. Thanks for joining the journey.

A Breathtaking Moment with Jesus

What takes your breath away? That is the big question this summer at Community Church. During the beautiful days of July and August, the teaching team will explore unique aspects of the Christian faith that have the potential to take our breath away.

Yesterday, we kicked off the series by exploring one of Jesus' most dramatic miracles where 20,000 people were fed through the multiplication of a peasant boy's lunch. Jesus did an exponential work on those few meager loaves of bread to make a huge point. Jesus was the living bread who meets our need for spiritual nourishment. Jesus says,

"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35

We all have pretty detailed plans set out in our life to fulfill our physical hunger. If you are like me, you guard your daily rhythm of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If I miss breakfast, I am sure to throw a nutrigrain bar in the backpack. We have a plan for filling our empty stomachs each day.

Here is a question to consider, "what is your daily plan for meeting your spiritual hunger?" Do you have a plan? Here is a bigger question, "do you know the signs of when your spiritual food tank is running low?" What are the cues?

Well, next Sunday we are going to tackle one of Jesus' most scandulous statements as we look at the second half of John 6. Get a head start and read John 6:41-71. Think through this question, "Why do you think the Jewish leaders were so overwhelmed by what Jesus said?" Love to hear your comments and thoughts.

May God give you breathtaking moments this week.

Songs of Christmas Study

Songs of Christmas
The Best Gifts Come in Small Packages: Small Group Study

INTRODUCTION
Choose someone to read this introduction as you kick off your group session.

During the Christmas Season music fills the air. Bundled carolers sing old favorites as they stroll through town. Christmas CD’s come out with the holiday decorations. And Nat King Cole plays in the background of every department store. The songs of Christmas warm the heart and get us in the holiday mood. They also remind us of the amazing story of Christmas—a child born who would save the world. This December, Community Church pastors will remind us of this timeless message through some of our favorite Christmas songs. The following one-session small group study builds on this message series. As a group you will reflect together on the heart of the Christmas story by looking at the lyrics of a much-loved carol.

GETTING STARTED

Icebreaker Question
Go around the circle and share answers to this question:

What kind of Christmas music played in your house as a child or what kind of Christmas music do you like to listen to during the holidays?

The Christmas Story
Have someone in your group read Luke 2:1-7 aloud. Invite the group to close their eyes and imagine the scene as it is read. Then answer the following questions:

1. As you listened to the story of Christ’s birth, what mental pictures came to mind? What did you see? What did you hear? What did you smell?

2. This passage begins with Caesar issuing a decree from his throne in Rome and ends with a small baby laying in a feed trough in the small town of Bethlehem. The story moves from big to small, from strength to weakness, and from visible to hidden. Why do you think the story is told this way?

3. What does this passage tell us about the power of small things?

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
Excerpt from “Stories behind the best-loved Songs of Christmas” by Ace Collins

On December 24, 1865, Phillips Brooks was a half a world away from home and feeling like an older man than his thirty years. Already recognized as one of the most dynamic Christian voices in America, it was Brooks, only six years into his ministry, who had been called upon in May to give the funeral message over President Abraham Lincoln. That solemn honor, in tandem with leading the congregation of Philadelphia’s Holy Trinity Church through the bloody years of the Civil War, had taken its toll. Worn out and badly needing a spiritual rebirth, Brooks took a sabbatical and left the United States to tour the Middle East.

On Christmas Eve in Jerusalem, the American felt an urge to get away from the hundreds of other pilgrims who had journeyed to the Holy Land for the holidays. Although warned that he might encounter thieves, the preacher borrowed a horse and set across the desolate and unforgiving countryside. For many peaceful hours he was alone with his thoughts as he studied a land that had changed little since the days of Paul and Timothy. For the minister, December 24th was a wonderful time of prayer and reflection.

At dusk, a sudden sense of awe fell over Brooks. Under a clear sky, the first stars just beginning to emerge, he rode into the still tiny and remote village of Bethlehem. He recalled the story of the birth of his Savior, and by being present in the place in which Jesus was born, was able to add vivid detail to the familiar tale in Scriptures. The great speaker was all but speechless as he considered the heavenly King, born in such modest surroundings. There, on streets almost unchanged since biblical times, Brooks felt as if he were surrounded by the spirit of the first Christmas. He would later tell his family and friends that the experience was so overpowering that it would forever be “singing in my soul.”

One year later, Brooks described his experience in Bethlehem by writing a poem. The poem would become one of the greatest Christmas carols of all time. It would eventually be named “The Little Town of Bethlehem.”

Little Town of Bethlehem
Have someone in your group read aloud “Little Town of Bethlehem” or sing it together.

O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless
sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth,
the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the
Years are met in thee tonight.

How silently, how silently, the
wondrous gift is given
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heaven
No ear may hear this coming,
but in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive
him still, the dear Christ
enters in.

For Christ is born of Mary, and
gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels
keep their watch of wondering
love
O morning stars together,
proclaim the holy birth.
And praises sing to God the king,
and peace to men on earth.

O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in,
be born in us today
We hear the Christmas angels,
the great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us,
our lord Emmanuel.


DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Sometimes the best gifts in life come in small packages. The lyrics of this song remind us that God came to one of the smallest villages in Israel as a small baby. What did God communicate by coming to earth this way?



2. “How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given…” Jesus came into the world quietly as the world slept. Those who discovered this gift were listening and watching for it. During the Christmas season it can be easy to miss the true message of Christmas. What tends to get in the way of you experiencing the power of Christ’s birth during the holidays?



3. Share a Christmas event or tradition that you have participated in that has brought home the message of Christ’s birth for you.


4. Phillip Brooks the author of “Little Town of Bethlehem” wrote, “It is while you are patiently toiling at the little tasks of life that the meaning and shape of the great whole of life dawns on you.” What do you think Phillip means and have you known that to be true?


5. What do you hope to get out of the Christmas season this year? What small ways will you make this happen?

RESPONSE
Consider taking one of the following small action steps personally or as a small group to be reminded of gift of Jesus Christ this season.

1. Schedule a time as a small group to go caroling in one of your neighborhoods. Put on your winter hats and gloves. Grab some song sheets and spread the message of the baby born in a manger. End with hot chocolate and prayer for the neighbors you saw that night.

2. Take one night at home to turn off the television and the PS2. Bake some Christmas cookies and as you are eating the cookies read the Christmas story from Luke 2.

3. Commit to getting up 30 minutes early once a week to read the Christmas story from the Gospels and to thank God personally for his saving work in Christ.

PRAYER
Choose someone in your small group to pray for everyone to hear the voice of God this Christmas. Pray that God would do amazing things this Christmas thought the daily small things you do to give oneself to Christ.

What is a Small Group?

Life changes happens best in small groups! At Community Church we believe that community is the context for spiritual growth. Community Groups consist of 6-8 individuals or 5-6 couples that meet in homes for fellowship, bible study, and prayer. Currently over 500 people meet in homes throughout the Central Michigan area.