Sam and I just returned from a mini one and a half day conference at Faith Baptist Church in Lafayette. As I have processed what I heard and experienced, I came away with at least one nugget of truth: a reminder about what we are to be doing in the church. The church is about seeing people change and we all need that changing. If you come to church thinking you are just fine the way you are, then you are coming to church for the wrong reason, whatever that reason is. This is what progressive sanctification is all about. None of us have "arrived" yet in the outworking of our salvation. We are all progressing (hopefully) as we live out our faith here and now.
Even the apostle Paul himself said, "Not that I have already obtained it [the "it" in context is Christ-likeness] or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:12) What a remarkable statement! Progressive sanctification in a nutshell! Our greatest desire and goal in life should be a continual striving at becoming who we already are in Christ Jesus and to help others do the same. This is what God is striving for. What great hope this ought to give us! The church is not for perfect people (practically speaking) but for progressing people. And God has graciously given us everything we need for this in His all sufficient Word, His Holy Spirit and His people, the church. So, let us all come this Sunday expecting to be changed and to be an instrument of change in some one else's life.
I know what you're thinking...I can practically hear you. "What good is a blog if you guys hardly ever write on it?" And you're right :) I officially apologize for all three pastors becoming blog slackers over the last couple months, and we'll do better. I hope. :)
What's going on with Tim and Molly lately? Let's see...
#1 We've been busy with basketball. In case you haven't heard this yet, Molly is the new varsity head coach for the girls' team at Northwestern High School. That somehow makes me the assistant coach...and gives us a lot of work to do as we start to think about next season.
#2 We attended the missions conference here at Cornerstone. Special thanks to everyone whose planning and time went into an excellent weekend!
#3 Since it's spring...and spring means baseball season...I've been watching the Cubs play on TV when I get a chance. Someday I'll get to watch them WIN occasionally, but that's another story...
#4 We've enjoyed having the Kellers back in the USA for a few weeks...they return to Sri Lanka on Sunday.
#5 I'm still working on a lot of little details for the Ball Brothers/Worship Choir concert next Sunday, May 6. I'm really hoping each of you is able to come -- this should be a great night of praise, worship, and music. I'm challenging the choir to memorize all of their songs...a worthy goal, but we'll see how that works out :)
#6 We're counting down the days until summer. (At least the weather's warmer now then it was a couple weeks ago...I was afraid we would regress into winter!) Molly and I are looking forward to June family vacations with the Earleys in Hilton Head and the Carys in Pigeon Forge. I'm also excited to attend the National Worship Leader Conference in Austin, TX this July.
#7 I've spent a good bit of time over the last few weeks working with Kim Hughes on our worship choir website. Kim does a great job with all the graphics and design, and you should check out the finished (at least for now) product at www.SpringfieldChristmas.com. Hopefully this site will be a great tool as you invite your friends to both the Spring Celebration concerts and Christmas musical dramas in the future.
Well, I think that's it for now. Check back soon for more updates from the pastors...and have a wonderful week!
Molly and I just returned Saturday from a week of rest and relaxation in sunny Florida! The weather there was wonderful...but I'll try not to rub it in too much. :) Here's some highlights of our spring break trip (in no particular order):
--hanging out with friends in Pompano Beach
--attending their church on Sunday morning
--eating at the Cheesecake Factory
--staying with my Grandma B. in Sebring
--having dinner with my Grandma and Grandpa C. before they headed back to Michigan
--touring the Kennedy Space Center
--seeing a real live alligator in the "wild"
--eating Giordanos pizza! --attending the Orlando Magic/Toronto Raptors NBA game
--eating my grandma' s cooking every day
--visiting with my mom's cousin Kim, who's a missionary to Lithuania (is that my second cousin?)
--presenting a solo piano concert on Good Friday at Maranatha Baptist
--did I mention Grandma's cooking? She makes the best cinnamon rolls ever :)
--getting home on time Saturday (if only our bags could say the same)
Speaking of getting home, we made it back in time for the Easter morning service here at CBC. Special thanks to the choir and soloists for all their work on a great morning of worship and music! What a wonderful occasion as we celebrated the resurrection of our Savior.
"He's alive! He's alive! He's alive and I'm forgiven; heaven's gates are open wide! He's alive!"
As part of this year's Most Wanted List campaign, we're hoping to invite 1,000 friends to attend our Christmas program, The Richest Family in Town, in the 1,000 hours before the first performance. You can find more information about our production at: SpringfieldChristmas.com
Sam and I just returned from a mini one and a half day conference at Faith Baptist Church in Lafayette. As I have processed what I heard and experienced, I came away with at least one nugget of truth: a reminder about what we are to be doing in the church. The church is about seeing people change and we all need that changing. If you come to church thinking you are just fine the way you are, then you are coming to church for the wrong reason, whatever that reason is. This is what progressive sanctification is all about. None of us have "arrived" yet in the outworking of our salvation. We are all progressing (hopefully) as we live out our faith here and now.
