Camp and Pepsi Machines

Michelle and I just dropped off our son Joseph for a week of camp. This will be the longest he has ever been away from home. I almost had to drag Michelle back to the car physically as we said our goodbyes. I am sure many of you can speak of how God worked in your life at a Christian camp. I surrendered my life to the Lord at camp. Many have come to the Lord at a Christian camp. Others have made decisions to serve the Lord in specific ways at a Christian camp. So, we are praying that God will work in our son's heart through His Word while at camp.

We also had a good time visiting various places in the Amish country near the camp. It was fascinating observing their simple way of life and their desire to avoid the trappings of modernity. But, no matter how hard they try, modernity in one way or another invades their lives. It was interesting to notice the clash and the contrast. For example, outside an old, quaint country store was a Pepsi machine. There was an attempt to cover up this obvious symbol of modernity by hiding it under a covering of wood lattice. All of this is an attempt to avoid the impact of the world. My wife said it reminded her of the many ways we try to avoid the world in superficial ways. We can change the outside, but we carry the world in our hearts wherever we go. We have our "wood lattices" of external religion, but it is a superficial covering that does not change the heart. But praise be to God who takes the world from our hearts through the new birth. By the gospel we are given new hearts! That's better than any kind of wood lattice we may construct.

Dan

Nevermore...

Don't forget it's not too late to buy tickets to join us at the Columbus Crew game on August 19! Come hear the CBC Worship Choir sing the national anthem! You can purchase tickets from the Crew website, or see Pastor Tim in case there's any extras available at the church.

A couple notes about the events of that day:

Choir members need to meet at 4:45 pm at Crew Stadium so they can sound check before the gates open to the public.

Kickoff is at 7:30 pm.

There will be no transportation provided from the church; we recommend carpooling, since parking at the stadium costs $7.00 per vehicle.

Also, the Crew staff has just announced that they will be hosting a special concert with Raven-Symone in the stadium at 6:00 that evening. Some of you might know Raven as the star of the Disney Channel show, "That's So Raven"...all of you probably remember her from her days playing Olivia on "The Cosby Show". Your game tickets will get you into the stadium to see this special pregame concert, so that will be an option for choir members and their families looking to pass the time between soundcheck (4:45 arrival) and kickoff (7:30).

*Disclaimer: I do not know anything about Raven's music or the appropriateness of it. I assume it to be secular but family-friendly because of the setting, but we are not actually recommending the concert to you as something worth attending until we know more about the content.*

The Greatest of These

It’s Monday – the start of a new week! Some highlights from the last week include:

Spending some time with my parents in Michigan…we had a great time with them…

Purchasing (with my birthday money) and then playing my new NCAA Football video game…I’m always Purdue…I don’t always win. It always makes me excited for football season though! If you like playing football on PlayStation, let me know and I’ll challenge you…this includes past competitors Steve Gerard, Randy Lisch, Adam Perks, Greg Fairbanks, and anyone else who enjoys that game I don’t know about yet!

Spending time with my lovely wife…a highlight of every week!

Sleeping in on my day off Friday…I think I finally caught up on my rest from traveling to Illinois and that state up north…

Hanging out and playing games at the Perks’ house on Saturday…good food, better company…Bill Masters and I won our share of games, but Carolyn and Nichol did get the better of us…a fact they continued to remind us about….thanks ladies…

Sharing a great day at church yesterday…I especially loved listening to you all sing in the morning…those songs are such a great reminder of our future hope in heaven and the reason we have it (the amazing, deep love of Christ). I also really appreciated Dan’s sermon; it challenged me to make sure I don’t leave God out of any of my decisions. Even if I say I love Christ, if I plan a day or an event or anything else in my life without thinking about Him, I’m living as a practical atheist. One of my good friends always says “Lord willing” about EVERYTHING he does… “I’ll be there tomorrow, Lord willing”…and Dan reminded us that this is the appropriate mindset to have. (James 4:15)

Enjoying a fabulous concert in the park last night after a great day at church. Ron, Betsy, Megan, Molly, and I went to the Summer Arts Festival to hear Larnelle Harris sing. I’ve grown up listening to his music, but I think this was the first time I had ever seen him live. The concert was amazing, and I especially enjoyed his newer music, some of which I had never heard. Larnelle sings a song entitled “The Greatest of These”, which is basically the entire chapter of I Corinthians 13 set to music. Definitely my favorite song of the night, and now that I own the CD, it will hopefully help me commit the words of that whole chapter to memory. There was a backup gospel choir for three of the songs…they did a good job “letting loose”…made me excited for the 06-07 choir year here at CBC! Molly also especially liked the title track of Larnelle’s new album, “I Want to Be a Star”. He uses a play on words to communicate this basic message: “I don’t want to be an idol, I just want to be a star in the sky, like the star of Bethlehem, testifying about Jesus.” It was great to see a few of you out at the park – I hope you also enjoyed the evening.

Don’t forget to drop me an e-mail…let me know that you’re reading the blog, as well as any comments or ideas for any of us to write about. “I want to know what Dan’s favorite food is.”… “I want to know why Sam doesn’t sing in the choir”…whatever it is…we want to write about what you want to read about!

Tim

Pastor Tim the World Traveler

Well, it’s been a few days since I’ve updated the blog, and I apologize…I’ve been all over the Midwest!

Molly and I spent Friday and Saturday in Chicago to celebrate my birthday. Some highlights were the five innings of a Cubs game we saw (before it rained…I mean poured), a great Broadway show, and a bunch of good food (ESPN Zone, Giordano’s pizza, the list goes on a lot longer than I care to confess!)

We made it home late Saturday night and had a great day at church on Sunday. I’ve especially enjoyed the special music these last few weeks (thanks Rahel and Chloe!) After the ice cream social (oh no, more good food!) we headed to Michigan for what I’m calling my “Christmas retreat”.

I’ve spent most of the last two days immersed in the sometimes tedious process of finding “just the right” Christmas musical drama for this winter. Some of the things I’m looking for:

1. A good story that will capture the interest of the audience…we want people that attend to identify with the characters and the situations they face

2. Music that is entertaining, challenging for the choir, and helps explain the story

3. A set that’s feasible for us to build/create

4. A musical that helps facilitate a presentation of the gospel message

Anyway, my job is to try and find a program that has all these things. Too often, I find one with good music and no story or script, or something that’s too boring, or something that’s too challenging. I’m still working on it though!

Since I’m writing about Christmas, I want to use this opportunity for the first of many sales pitches about this year’s musical! Please be praying about how you might want to be involved. Hopefully, the last couple productions have you excited and looking forward to this year’s show, and my goal is that the entire church body could be involved somehow in the program.

Maybe you want to help find costumes…sing in the choir…act in the drama…help build the set…bring snacks to the people who build the set…hand out flyers…there really is something for everyone to do, and my favorite part of this process is when someone from the church comes to me and says, “Pastor Tim, I don’t know what I can do to help, but I’m willing to get involved. What is there for me to do?” If you want to help, let me know…we’ll put you to work somehow! I love discovering "hidden talent"...just ask my mother-in-law. :) I'm sure she never dreamed she would be acting in a church program like last year's!

Start praying even now for unsaved friends you could invite to our program, and mark your calendars with the dates (they’re on the coming events web page already)!

Hope you’re having a great week in the Lord...see you Sunday!

Tim

Ode to How Life Has Changed

Since the last time I’ve written, there have been many changes in my life:

We sold our summer home in the paradise of downtown Springfield (that’s not really close to any summer vacation destination you could think of…besides the C.J. Brown Reservoir, which is neither vacation spot nor paradise)…

The Lord has provided us with a new family vehicle…

We survived yet another youth trip that included scary hills and even scarier turns (and that was just getting to the house in Gatlinburg)…

And yes Tim, our basement survived another episode of round-robin ping-pong. For those of you that don’t know, round-robin ping-pong is a highly physical sport that requires great skill and mastery with a paddle. After the contestant hits the ball, his task is to leave the paddle in a neat fashion for the next person in line while sprinting to the far side of the table to join its line. If the contestant is unable to return said volley, he/she receives the first of three strikes. Upon his/her third strike, the contestant is eliminated from the game, and thus the rotation continues until there are only two players left.

Once the game is down to the final two players (we started with around eight), the rules change immensely. Instead of running, the players must set the paddle down and spin a complete rotation, and then prepare themselves to hit the ball again. Not to cause rivalry among the genders, but it would appear the male population excels more readily than the female in this particular game…the finalists were usually Randy, Tim, or I…although Michelle Cave did make it to the final two in one episode. As you can imagine, many expressions of joy and sadness (see: loud screams) were experienced in this thrilling athletic competition.

Another change in my life will occur later this month, as I venture to Virginia flying solo (without Megan)…accompanied by seven teens. Our annual missions trip takes us back to camp in Dugspur, Virginia: we leave July 22 and return on the 29th. As you can imagine, being with this crowd by myself, I will need MUCH prayer! (for patience and sanity!) Pray also for Megan as she remains here (8 months pregnant). We appreciate it!

Sam

A Gloriously Full Sunday

It was a gloriously full Sunday for me this week. What a joy it was to baptize Dave Sunday morning and then to vote both Dave and Kelly into membership. What a testimony to the power of God's Word to change people's lives!

I am also praising the Lord for the encouraging responses I have been receiving over the last couple of messages. We have been in John chapter 6 and have been considering Jesus' teaching on the sovereign initiative of God in salvation. I just received an e-mail from someone in the church saying that they are starting to understand this doctrine much better now. These are truths that ought to fill our hearts with worship-fuel!

Yet I have also been witnessing the distinguishing nature of the truth. Others have told me that they just cannot not accept the doctrine of election. Others said they are still trying to work through it. I am encouraged in it all because Jesus experienced the same kind of reactions in John 6. Some complained (6:41), some argued (6:52), some abandoned Jesus all together (6:66). Yet there were those who came to Christ and worshiped (6:68-69). So, in it all we can be encouraged that when God's word is faithfully expounded, we can trust that God will do His work in the lives of those who hear.

Dan

Updates on my prayer requests

Just wanted to let you all know:

I got a card from Pastor Spencer, the senior pastor at my home church in Michigan, and he wanted me to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers over the last few months. He may not get to meet many of you individually, but he really appreciated that.

My family made it back safely from Germany Saturday night. Sounds like they had a great trip. My sister wrote about it a little if you're interested in more of the details.

We had a great time at Sam and Megan's house after church last night...played round-robin ping-pong...if you've never heard of that, it's a great game. Basically involves hitting the ping-pong ball and then handing your paddle to the next person and running toward the other end of the table. Hey, I know...we should make Sam write a blog about it! :)

Wednesday marks the beginning of my third year of ministry at Cornerstone. Where does the time go?

Friday marks the beginning of my twenty-fourth year on the planet. Where does the time go?

This morning marks another day with lots to do...so I will go! :)

Tim

T R U S T

When life doesn't make sense,
my God is a great God.

During a struggle with devastating illness,
my God is a great God.

When a burdensome home just won't sell, my God is a great God.

When a burdensome home finally sells,
my God is a great God.

When a new baby is born,
my God is a great God.

When a dear friend passes on,
my God is a great God.

When there's nowhere left to turn,
my God is a great God.

When my face hurts from smiling on a wonderful day,
my God is a great God.

When my face throbs from crying on an awful day,
my God is a great God.

When I think of our great country and freedoms,
my God is a great God.

When I think of other countries and their missiles,
my God is a great God.

When life doesn't make sense...
I trust my great God.

P.S.
Trust is a fragile thing...so hard to earn and so ridiculously easy to shatter. My great God, the only One who is completely trustworthy, deserves it from me. Always.

Tim

"Ah-ha, I get it!"

Have you ever had one of those "ah-ha, I get it!" moments? I had one not that long ago. For one reason or another I was reading or thinking about the classic Dr. Seuss book "Green Eggs and Ham", and it suddenly hit me what the moral of that little story is. Just because something is green does not necessarily mean it will taste bad. So eat your veggies; you might just like them! OK, maybe it was obvious to you (or maybe you are having an "ah-ha, I get it" moment right now). My youngest son Jonathan had one of these moments just this weekend. He realized why the 4th of July is called the 4th of July; because it is on the 4th of July (He must take after his father). Is there a moral to all of this? I don't know... or maybe I'll have another "Ah-ha, I get it!" moment over all of this in another twenty years or so.

Enjoy watching things blow up this 4th and may we always be thankful, not only for the political freedoms we enjoy, but also for the infinitely greater spiritual freedom we have in Christ.

Dan

Hebrews 10:25

What a great day yesterday in the Lord’s house! Some highlights for me...

Dan started his Sunday School class on evangelism, and reminded us to make sure that the focus is on Christ, not us, when we’re witnessing to others.

We had a great time of worship through song in the morning service, culminating with great statements like “Hallelujah, What a Savior” and “Worthy is the Lamb”.

We heard a great sermon on election and the sovereignty of God…what an amazingly merciful God we serve!

As we do every month, we took the time to come to the communion table and remember what Christ did for us on the cross. What a Savior!

In the evening, we were able to meet in small groups and discuss what’s going on in our lives, prayer requests, and John chapter 6.

And oh yeah, we got to celebrate the Messers’ new baby daughter with cake and punch…and I got to eat lots of leftover frosting!

Sundays are always busy days for me, but they’re also such special days...may we always take the time to reflect on our awesome God and what He’s done for us. What a privilege to freely gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ, as we praise the Lord together and study His Word!

Tim

P.S. A quick update on my family and the rest of the missions team/youth group from my home church: they made it to Germany safely, and are posting updates on a blog like this one. If you would like to learn more about what they're doing in Berlin (and can handle the misspellings and lack of punctuation present in high schoolers' typing :), visit their blog here.