Thursday, July 28, 2016

All in the Timing

One year in our elementary choir, at our annual concert, I had a starring role. In truth, "starring role" would be in the eye of the beholder, but as far as I was concerned, the entire production depended on me. At one point, in our big finale, I had been assigned the task of playing the triangle. For those of you who missed out on elementary choir, a triangle is a one note instrument shaped like, amazingly enough, a triangle. Basically, it is an instrument anyone can play. The only requirement is to hit the triangle at the correct time in the song.

I had carefully studied my performance. I knew exactly when my note was supposed to appear in the song. As the time approached, a readied myself, triangle and stick in hand. The time came, my triangle note rang out, and the audience went crazy. I think they were actually applauding the fact that the concert was finally over, but in my mind, it was my excellent one note performance that made the entire event a success.

It's all in the timing. Jesus explained a simple truth about timing when it comes to serving the Savior (John 12:35). Join us this week as we learn the time is now.

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Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Gold Medal

In just a few weeks, athletes will be attempting to live up to the Olympic motto: Citius - Altius - Fortius, usually translated as "Faster, Higher, Stronger." Of course, they will want to make sure they do the right part of the motto for the correct event. The strongest runner doesn't necessarily win; the highest jumper may not come in first in swimming, and the fastest long jumper may not leap the furthest. It is important to know how to win if you want the medal.

Jesus teaches a new way to look at winning in life (John 12:24-25). This week we will find out when losing is actually winning.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

How Do You See Jesus?

We've all seen the optical illusion. Some see a vase, while some see two faces. A few months ago, people argued whether a dress was blue or gold. Scientists explain this as a matter of how our brains perceive different things, like color and perspective.

John 12 records the reactions people had to Jesus. Some saw him as a sideshow; some saw him as a threat; some saw him as the Savior. What made the difference is essential for everyone to understand.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Perfume Lessons

My mother gave me a lesson in perfume. Technically, I taught myself the lesson, but she reinforced it. I wanted to surprise my mother by making her room smell nice. I knew she liked perfume, so I found all her perfume bottles and "scented" her entire bedroom. It smelled like the perfume aisle of Macy's, if they poured out all the perfume bottles at once. Upon discovering my gift, my mother explained to me that: 1) Perfume was too expensive to use all over a room; 2) I shouldn't be getting into her stuff without permission: and 3) My dad was not looking forward to all his business suits smelling like Channel No. 5.

Perfume has always been expensive, but it was a truly rare commodity in the New Testament day, which makes the gift recorded in John 12:1-8 even more amazing. Join us this Sunday when we learn what it means to understand God's great gift.

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Gardening

There's going to be a lot of gardening going on next week--well, actually, it's already started. The gardeners have been chosen, the fields are being cultivated, and The Master Gardener is overseeing the whole process.

You see, next week is our Vacation Bible School. Many wonderful people have agreed to help in MULTITUDES of ways....praying, preparing food, setting up, leading classes, and the list goes on. The fields are being cultivated, ready for the planting. It takes some dirt, some toil, and a lot of faith.

Some seeds may be planted for the first time...people who don't really know who Jesus is and how very much He loves them. Some were planted before and just need some more Son and some tender care to sprout further. And some may be peeking out, almost ready to bud and bloom. And one day, we pray....the harvest will come. The Master Gardener will look at what He has planted through us and smile, because all the efforts have come together and the Son will shine in radiant glory on His seed that has come bursting forth. And...as seeds are often carried and deposited elsewhere, the seeds that are planted with kids will be carried and deposited with their friends and family, so that they, too, can be a part of the harvest. It's going to be awesome!!