This past week we had an awesome week of Vacation Bible School. There were pirates, tickling with feathers, treasure maps, Bible buddies, boats, vast voyages, water games, yummy snacks, Chadder the Chipmunk, spiders, dramatic music, painted pillow cases and tons and tons of kids. Thanks to everyone who prayed and participated, and we're trusting God to water the seeds that were planted in kids' and families' lives.
You can click here to view some pictures from the week (you have to log in to view them) and make sure to check out the video below for one of the highlights from the week. The Pirates Scally and Wag vs. Captain Jana, the First Mate and Lola.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Down the Fathering Road
Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor
Cormac McCarthy's The Road is probably one of the top twenty books I've read in the past few years. It's a powerful story of a Father and his Son and their struggle for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. They have no names; they're known simply throughout their journey as "the man" and "the boy". We recently watched the movie adaptation and I was equally moved by the relationship of the Father to his Son as I was in the book. It's a powerful portrayal of a Father's love for his child and sacrificial devotion that looks to the interests of others. It's the kind of Dad that I want to be to my boys.
I was reminded of The Road this past Father's Day as I thought about my own Dad and my Grandfathers that I've had the honor to know over the years. My Dad has taught me about work. He's a hard-worker and that's an understatement! He's also a man that lives out James 1:27--he truly cares for those who have nothing and are unnoticed by the world. He's a good man and I'm proud to call him my Father.
My Grandfather on my Dad's side passed away many years ago, but one thing I remember about him is his deep booming laugh. It would shake the dishes and the table. I remember always wanting to be around him. He was kind and would always chuckle at my habit of running into another room when we were watching a basketball game together that was coming down to the wire. I couldn't take the tension!
My Grandfather on my Mother's side has taught me so much. He helped me learn how to drive a clutch smoothly and how to change my own oil. He showed me how to make sausage gravy and has let me borrow his truck countless times over the years! But most of all, he's modeled for me how a man is to love his family and his God.
As I walk down my own road as a Father I want to leave a legacy for my children. I know Rich Mullins once said, "If you have ambition to leave a legacy, you'll leave nothing but a legacy of ambition", but the legacy I'm talking about is one of faith. I want my boys to see my love for Christ reflected in everything I do. I want them to know that I love their mother faithfully. And I want them to know that I will always be their Dad. Hopefully, none of that will be lived out in a post-apocalyptic world like in The Road (!), but that's my heart's desire, and if you're a Dad I pray that it is yours as well.
Children/Communications Pastor
Cormac McCarthy's The Road is probably one of the top twenty books I've read in the past few years. It's a powerful story of a Father and his Son and their struggle for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. They have no names; they're known simply throughout their journey as "the man" and "the boy". We recently watched the movie adaptation and I was equally moved by the relationship of the Father to his Son as I was in the book. It's a powerful portrayal of a Father's love for his child and sacrificial devotion that looks to the interests of others. It's the kind of Dad that I want to be to my boys.
I was reminded of The Road this past Father's Day as I thought about my own Dad and my Grandfathers that I've had the honor to know over the years. My Dad has taught me about work. He's a hard-worker and that's an understatement! He's also a man that lives out James 1:27--he truly cares for those who have nothing and are unnoticed by the world. He's a good man and I'm proud to call him my Father.
My Grandfather on my Dad's side passed away many years ago, but one thing I remember about him is his deep booming laugh. It would shake the dishes and the table. I remember always wanting to be around him. He was kind and would always chuckle at my habit of running into another room when we were watching a basketball game together that was coming down to the wire. I couldn't take the tension!
My Grandfather on my Mother's side has taught me so much. He helped me learn how to drive a clutch smoothly and how to change my own oil. He showed me how to make sausage gravy and has let me borrow his truck countless times over the years! But most of all, he's modeled for me how a man is to love his family and his God.
As I walk down my own road as a Father I want to leave a legacy for my children. I know Rich Mullins once said, "If you have ambition to leave a legacy, you'll leave nothing but a legacy of ambition", but the legacy I'm talking about is one of faith. I want my boys to see my love for Christ reflected in everything I do. I want them to know that I love their mother faithfully. And I want them to know that I will always be their Dad. Hopefully, none of that will be lived out in a post-apocalyptic world like in The Road (!), but that's my heart's desire, and if you're a Dad I pray that it is yours as well.
Friday, June 18, 2010
How Are You Smelling Today?
Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor
We have three boys. We live in a small house. I'm thankful, so incredibly thankful, for a place to live, but our spaces are small and confined, yet adequate don't get me wrong. Two of our boys eat regular meals including beef, chicken, vegetables, fruit, etc. The other is a 4 month old baby who currently dines exclusively on milk. My wife grew up in a family of four girls. As you might imagine or have experienced, life with three boys is a little bit different. One of those differences is the smell.
Sometimes the smells in our house can be overwhelming I have to confess. And not in a good way. Not in a "those-brownies-smell-awesome-coming-out-of-the-oven" way. I apologize for writing on such an unsavory topic, but it's leading somewhere, I promise. With all of the diapers and a five year old and three year old who seem to compete on a day-to-day basis who can be the stinkiest we are frequently running the exhaust fans and burning candles.
Our three year old has an especially fine-tuned olfactory system. "What's that smell?" is one of his most common phrases, and the answer generally lies as a byproduct of his own digestive system.
Did you know the Bible addresses how we smell? I didn't. At least not until I read what Paul had to say in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17. Check this out:
But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ, and spreads through us in every place the scent of knowing Him. For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To some we are a scent of death leading to death, but to others, a scent of life leading to life. And who is competent for this? For we are not like the many who make a trade in God's message [for profit], but as those with sincerity, we speak in Christ, as from God and before God.
So, what are you smelling like today? Are you the fragrance of Christ to your brothers and sisters in Christ? Are we the sweet scent of grace? Or do we stink, to put it frankly? Does the way we conduct ourselves turn away those who desperately need the Gospel and hurt our brothers and sisters in Christ?
Paul is clear that this is a terrific responsibility, and that we're not to water down the Gospel, either in the way we live or the way that we speak. As one author put it, "We should be an aroma redolent with life."
How are you smelling today?
Children/Communications Pastor
We have three boys. We live in a small house. I'm thankful, so incredibly thankful, for a place to live, but our spaces are small and confined, yet adequate don't get me wrong. Two of our boys eat regular meals including beef, chicken, vegetables, fruit, etc. The other is a 4 month old baby who currently dines exclusively on milk. My wife grew up in a family of four girls. As you might imagine or have experienced, life with three boys is a little bit different. One of those differences is the smell.
Sometimes the smells in our house can be overwhelming I have to confess. And not in a good way. Not in a "those-brownies-smell-awesome-coming-out-of-the-oven" way. I apologize for writing on such an unsavory topic, but it's leading somewhere, I promise. With all of the diapers and a five year old and three year old who seem to compete on a day-to-day basis who can be the stinkiest we are frequently running the exhaust fans and burning candles.
Our three year old has an especially fine-tuned olfactory system. "What's that smell?" is one of his most common phrases, and the answer generally lies as a byproduct of his own digestive system.
Did you know the Bible addresses how we smell? I didn't. At least not until I read what Paul had to say in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17. Check this out:
But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ, and spreads through us in every place the scent of knowing Him. For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To some we are a scent of death leading to death, but to others, a scent of life leading to life. And who is competent for this? For we are not like the many who make a trade in God's message [for profit], but as those with sincerity, we speak in Christ, as from God and before God.
So, what are you smelling like today? Are you the fragrance of Christ to your brothers and sisters in Christ? Are we the sweet scent of grace? Or do we stink, to put it frankly? Does the way we conduct ourselves turn away those who desperately need the Gospel and hurt our brothers and sisters in Christ?
Paul is clear that this is a terrific responsibility, and that we're not to water down the Gospel, either in the way we live or the way that we speak. As one author put it, "We should be an aroma redolent with life."
How are you smelling today?
Monday, June 14, 2010
Rescue Is Coming
Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor
This past Sunday we finished up a study of the book of Malachi in the College Class. It was really a lot of fun to hang out with those guys and girls and it was quite a challenging book that brings the Old Testament to a close (or at least the English translations). But I have to admit the end of it is hard to swallow! Do you know what the last verse of the Old Testament is before there's four hundred years of silence between God and Israel? Here's a hint. It's not, "And the Lord will make your feet like eagles and give you strength and breathe his faithful love into your lungs." Here it is, in all of its solemn glory:
"Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse."
The last word of the Old Testament is the word "curse". It bothered the Masoretes so much that they repeated the next-to-last verse of Malachi after the last verse. The fellows who translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek (the Septuagint) reversed the last two verses of Malachi so that it ends with a blessing and not a curse.
I like happy endings. I like it when things work out and the bad guy gets what's coming to him. When he gets his "comeuppance". I need to see Justice!
But it's almost like God wanted the reality of man's sin, of the curse that had affected all of creation, to echo through the next four hundred years in their minds. So that they wouldn't forget it. So that when a Deliverer came they would be ready and recognize that they indeed needed to be delivered. For the kingdom of darkness to be invaded and for us to be delivered into the kingdom of light. A few verses earlier Malachi wrote of the Sun of Righteousness who would come and even though the Old Testament closes without the story being done; even though the curtain comes down while there's still plot left to play out; even though the lights come down and the good guys haven't won the day.....there's hope. Sunrise is on its way.
As David Crowder sings so poignantly, "Rescue is coming!" And the Rescuer was Jesus.
Children/Communications Pastor
This past Sunday we finished up a study of the book of Malachi in the College Class. It was really a lot of fun to hang out with those guys and girls and it was quite a challenging book that brings the Old Testament to a close (or at least the English translations). But I have to admit the end of it is hard to swallow! Do you know what the last verse of the Old Testament is before there's four hundred years of silence between God and Israel? Here's a hint. It's not, "And the Lord will make your feet like eagles and give you strength and breathe his faithful love into your lungs." Here it is, in all of its solemn glory:
"Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse."
The last word of the Old Testament is the word "curse". It bothered the Masoretes so much that they repeated the next-to-last verse of Malachi after the last verse. The fellows who translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek (the Septuagint) reversed the last two verses of Malachi so that it ends with a blessing and not a curse.
I like happy endings. I like it when things work out and the bad guy gets what's coming to him. When he gets his "comeuppance". I need to see Justice!
But it's almost like God wanted the reality of man's sin, of the curse that had affected all of creation, to echo through the next four hundred years in their minds. So that they wouldn't forget it. So that when a Deliverer came they would be ready and recognize that they indeed needed to be delivered. For the kingdom of darkness to be invaded and for us to be delivered into the kingdom of light. A few verses earlier Malachi wrote of the Sun of Righteousness who would come and even though the Old Testament closes without the story being done; even though the curtain comes down while there's still plot left to play out; even though the lights come down and the good guys haven't won the day.....there's hope. Sunrise is on its way.
As David Crowder sings so poignantly, "Rescue is coming!" And the Rescuer was Jesus.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Fiesta Latina Coming Soon!
I love Mexican food. Quesadillas, Enchiladas, Burritos, Nachos, Chalupas, Fajitas, I love it all. I used to spend a lot of time and deniros at La Rancherita and now we like to go to La Cosina or Tacos Mexicos as well. Kristi laughs at me because when we talk about the weekly menu at home I could eat tex-mex all week long and for lunch and probably breakfast. When we have taco salad there's nothing "salad" about what I do. I've got my chips, meat, cheese (Andrew Peterson has a great song about this), salsa and sour cream. That's just how I roll.
All that to say, I'm super excited to announce to you that we will be holding the first of two (!) Fiesta Latina Luncheons on Sunday, June 27 following the second worship service at ABC in the Fellowship Hall. You can pick up tickets before or after services the next few Sundays outside the Sanctuary or Fellowship Hall and all proceeds go to benefit our Mexico Mission Team this summer.
I promise you that you don't want to miss this lunch. It will be amazing and I will be there in food heaven. Hopefully we'll see you there enjoying it with us!
By the way, if you have questions shoot Alex an email. Adios amigos!
All that to say, I'm super excited to announce to you that we will be holding the first of two (!) Fiesta Latina Luncheons on Sunday, June 27 following the second worship service at ABC in the Fellowship Hall. You can pick up tickets before or after services the next few Sundays outside the Sanctuary or Fellowship Hall and all proceeds go to benefit our Mexico Mission Team this summer.
I promise you that you don't want to miss this lunch. It will be amazing and I will be there in food heaven. Hopefully we'll see you there enjoying it with us!
By the way, if you have questions shoot Alex an email. Adios amigos!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The Stumbling Stone
Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor
When we were living overseas my wife and I were blessed when my family came to visit with us for a few weeks. We had the opportunity to travel to the capital city and had a great time hanging out and seeing all the sights and eating some great food and laughing at each other. One night, we were walking back to our hotel, and all of a sudden my Mom tripped over a stone directly in front of me. The next few moments seemed to be happening in slow motion and I only wish I could convey to you in words what I can see in my mind's eye. She began to plummet forward, but somehow managed to keep putting a foot down just in time to break her fall over and over again. She was bent over like a skier and this went on for a good twenty yards until she finally regained her balance! You've got to understand that I know I shouldn't laugh at my Mother (especially because if she fell face first it could have been disastrous; just ask her about her trip around Lake Pine!), but we couldn't stop laughing. I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't even think to try and run behind and catch her I was so captivated by her grace and her coordination.
I'll be the first to point out though that if my foot had caught that stone and I had stumbled I would have splatted straight onto the concrete. The bigger they are, the harder they fall, right?
Did you know the Bible refers to Jesus as a stumbling stone? Paul, in the book of Romans wrote:
What should we say then? Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness--namely the righteousness that comes from faith. But Israel, pursuing the law for righteousness, has not achieved the law. Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written:
How was Jesus a stumbling stone? The Jews couldn't get over the simple truth that they couldn't earn their salvation. That it was impossible to keep the Law. That the blood of animals held no power to save. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, it is a gift of God and not by works. I think it trips me up too, sometimes. I feel like I have to do "things" so that God will love me and accept me, but that's just not true at all. It's because I have the righteousness of Christ that God accepts me and not because of anything I do or don't do.
Now, because of my love for Jesus my life should overflow with praise and with loving and helping others, but that's not what makes me right before God. It's the blood of Christ that covers me and makes me right!
So, when you're walking down the sidewalk watch out for those stones that might send you into a graceless free-fall! But more importantly, don't get tripped up thinking you can earn favor with God or make yourself acceptable to God. It's only those who believe on His Name who won't be put to shame, not those who can keep their balance while tripping.
Children/Communications Pastor
When we were living overseas my wife and I were blessed when my family came to visit with us for a few weeks. We had the opportunity to travel to the capital city and had a great time hanging out and seeing all the sights and eating some great food and laughing at each other. One night, we were walking back to our hotel, and all of a sudden my Mom tripped over a stone directly in front of me. The next few moments seemed to be happening in slow motion and I only wish I could convey to you in words what I can see in my mind's eye. She began to plummet forward, but somehow managed to keep putting a foot down just in time to break her fall over and over again. She was bent over like a skier and this went on for a good twenty yards until she finally regained her balance! You've got to understand that I know I shouldn't laugh at my Mother (especially because if she fell face first it could have been disastrous; just ask her about her trip around Lake Pine!), but we couldn't stop laughing. I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't even think to try and run behind and catch her I was so captivated by her grace and her coordination.
I'll be the first to point out though that if my foot had caught that stone and I had stumbled I would have splatted straight onto the concrete. The bigger they are, the harder they fall, right?
Did you know the Bible refers to Jesus as a stumbling stone? Paul, in the book of Romans wrote:
What should we say then? Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness--namely the righteousness that comes from faith. But Israel, pursuing the law for righteousness, has not achieved the law. Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written:
Look! I am putting a stone in Zion to stumble over!
and a rock to trip over,
yet the one who believes on Him will not be put to shame.
How was Jesus a stumbling stone? The Jews couldn't get over the simple truth that they couldn't earn their salvation. That it was impossible to keep the Law. That the blood of animals held no power to save. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, it is a gift of God and not by works. I think it trips me up too, sometimes. I feel like I have to do "things" so that God will love me and accept me, but that's just not true at all. It's because I have the righteousness of Christ that God accepts me and not because of anything I do or don't do.
Now, because of my love for Jesus my life should overflow with praise and with loving and helping others, but that's not what makes me right before God. It's the blood of Christ that covers me and makes me right!
So, when you're walking down the sidewalk watch out for those stones that might send you into a graceless free-fall! But more importantly, don't get tripped up thinking you can earn favor with God or make yourself acceptable to God. It's only those who believe on His Name who won't be put to shame, not those who can keep their balance while tripping.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
God Save The Foolish Kings
Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor
I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am for House of Heroes' new CD in July. Check out this video sneak peak:
Children/Communications Pastor
I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am for House of Heroes' new CD in July. Check out this video sneak peak:
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