Nathan Stam
Children/Commun. Pastor
Even when the rains fall
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water
These lyrics come from a song called “Washed by the Water” by Needtobreathe. They are a great band out of South Carolina and their album “The Heat” is definitely worth checking out! It’s one of my favorites from this past year.
Haven’t we all experienced the rain falling in our lives? Sometimes it can be a sprinkle, or come in intermittent bursts. And sometimes it can be a flat-out deluge. Sometimes the water can rise up so fast that it sweeps us away before we even know what’s happened. Before we know it we’ve been carried so far away from where we were and pounded against the rocks so many times that it’s hard to know the right direction to move, much less how it is we are supposed to get back.
Storms are hard. Real hard. But you know what? As followers of Christ we’ve already gotten wet.
The writer of Hebrews says that since, as believers, we’ve already been washed by the water, we can draw near to God. And we’re encouraged to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess (despite the winds that buffet us and the troubles that assail). Why?
Because he who promised is faithful.
He is faithful to carry our sorrows, our hurts and our tears. He is faithful to resurrect our dead and stony hearts. He is faithful to keep us until the end. And he’ll never let us go—even when the water starts rising.
And we are not of those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and obtain life. Apex Baptist Church, hold unswervingly to God. Don’t fear the storm. Be encouraged. He who promised is faithful.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Parenting Is Not For Cowards
Peter Dubbelman
Family Life/Administration Pastor
Insuring that our words as parents don't fall to the ground means so much when developing children. This is especially important in a child’s younger years. Therefore, in order to raise our kids with wisdom, in our hearts parents must mean what they say but not always say what they mean.
Naturally, a compatible lifestyle for parents will also go a long way; however, that’s not my point today. It's extremely important that parents let their yes be yes and their no be no. When we draw the line, it must be courageously maintained, like a middle linebacker on his own ONE YARD LINE. If our children learn at a young age that our words don't mean anything, why should they listen to us or anyone else in their teenage years?
Whether our children are old or young the key to keeping our stand is to take a position only in important matters—areas that will impact their lives. Whether your child has long hair or not will not be that impacting, but who they hangout with will! Whether your child plays soccer or baseball is not that important, but it is essential that they learn to respect authority, especially yours.
Family Life/Administration Pastor
Insuring that our words as parents don't fall to the ground means so much when developing children. This is especially important in a child’s younger years. Therefore, in order to raise our kids with wisdom, in our hearts parents must mean what they say but not always say what they mean.
Naturally, a compatible lifestyle for parents will also go a long way; however, that’s not my point today. It's extremely important that parents let their yes be yes and their no be no. When we draw the line, it must be courageously maintained, like a middle linebacker on his own ONE YARD LINE. If our children learn at a young age that our words don't mean anything, why should they listen to us or anyone else in their teenage years?
Whether our children are old or young the key to keeping our stand is to take a position only in important matters—areas that will impact their lives. Whether your child has long hair or not will not be that impacting, but who they hangout with will! Whether your child plays soccer or baseball is not that important, but it is essential that they learn to respect authority, especially yours.
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