Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Our Blog is Moving!

The NHBC Blog is moving! Thanks for following us on Blogger these last years. We don't want you to miss a single post! Beginning this week, the NHBC Blog will be hosted at our own website, nationalheights.org.

To view our blog, go to the Home Page at www.nationalheights.org and scroll about 3/4 of the way down the page to the section titled "Our Latest Blogs." The most recent blogs will be featured here, and are only a click away.

Thanks for checking out our NHBC Blog!

See the blog for 11/30/17

See all of our recent blogs.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 2017



This Sunday begins our annual emphasis on international missions. You will hear from Jacob Franklin, our own missionary to East Asia, as he describes ways that God is at work around the world. Your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering help:
  • Young moms in Japan see through the example of IMB families how Jesus can change their home and life. 
  • Earthquake victims in Nepal experience the love of Christ through volunteers who hike for days to get to their village. 
  • Muslims in Russia who are moving into major cities and are open to learning about a personal relationship with Jesus. 
  • Refugees from North Africa hear the gospel and find real life for the first time. 
Come this Sunday and discover ways your can be involved in what God is doing around the world.

Learn more about international missions at www.imb.org/lmco

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Why Give Thanks?

Our mothers pounded it into our heads: always say "please" and "thank you." Does it really matter? Certainly, our world could use some manners. Civility is harder and harder to find.

But is thankfulness just about being polite? This week, we will dig into the prophet Zechariah's description of the importance of thankfulness (Zechariah 7:11-14). It's not just for the third Thursday of November.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, November 9, 2017

How It Works



Some 450 years before the first helicopter would take flight, Leonardo da Vinci was already designing how it might work. His "aerial screw" probably would not have worked had he actually built it - the weight necessary for such a machine would have been far too great for it's "wings" to have lifted it off the ground. Still, Leonardo had the right idea for how the concept would work.

Allowing our faith to work through our actions is a vital concept every believer needs to know, as the prophet Zechariah describes in this week's passage, Zechariah 7:8-10. Join us this week as we discover specific ways we can live out what we know in Christ.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, November 2, 2017

No Limit

When I was in seminary, I lived in the dormitory, but they did not have a cafeteria. We also were not allowed to have refrigerators or hotplates in our rooms. This limited our in-house food options to cereal with instant dry milk.

For an actual meal, we learned which nights different restaurants had all-you-can-eat options at a discount. Tuesday night was pizza at Mr. Gatti's. Thursdays was all-you-can-eat hot rolls at a local family diner. If nothing else was available, there was always Pancho's, a wonderful Mexican chain restaurant that provided flags at each table. If you ran out of food, simple run your table's flag up its little pole and another chimichanga would instantly appear, followed by an endless supply of sopapillas. It wasn't exactly health food, but at least the well never ran dry.

This week, we will unpack a passage of scripture which describes an offer with no limit. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).

You won't find a better offer than that.

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Recipe for Success

I like a good recipe, which is to say, I like a simple recipe. When the box says "remove packaging and heat in oven" that's my kind of recipe. Assuming I can determine the difference between the packaging and the actual meal, ten minutes and 350 degrees later, I have dinner.

The Bible gives straightforward instructions on how to transform your life. Join us this week as we look at the next step provided in Romans 10:9-10.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Know the Rules

According to the rule book of Major League Baseball:

Runners advance one base if a pitched ball "lodges in the umpire's or catcher's mask or paraphernalia." Rule 5.09(g)

If there are two strikes on the batter, and a runner steals home, and the pitch hits the runner in the strike zone, the batter is out. The run does not score if there are two outs; if there are less than two outs, it does. Rule 6.05(n)

Pitchers are allowed to switch their throwing arm in the middle of an at-bat, but only if they have injured the other one. If one does, they do not get an opportunity to warm up with the other arm. Rule 8.01(f)

(from http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2017/01/30/214771568/null)

Those are all significant rules, especially if a pitch gets stuck in the catcher's mask after hitting a runner stealing home because a lefty threw with his right arm.

Join us this week as we learn the most important rule of all in life:

Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Mirror Image

Mirrors have been around for awhile. The earliest mirror was probably the neighborhood pond dating back to prehistoric days. Eventually water gave way to polished stones, which moved aside for polished metals, which finally gave way to glass and finally glass coated with metal.

Apparently, we have been trying to fix our hair for a long time.

Paul took a look at his life and did not like what he saw. The more he learned about God's law, the more he realized how far he had departed from God's law.

This week we will look at Romans 7:24-25, where Paul describes how in the midst of his self reflection, Paul also discovered the answer - Jesus changes who we are.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Don't Ruin the Ending

For several years, the movie Titanic was the highest grossing film of all time, making more money than any other film, until James Cameron decided to make a movie about tall skinny blue people. Actually, adjusted for inflation, the movie earning the most at the box office is Gone with the Wind, earning more than $3.4 billion in 2017 dollars. That kind of money can make a lot of drapery dresses.

The interesting thing about both Titanic and Gone With The Wind is that you can't ruin the ending because everyone already knows how they turn out. The boat sinks and the South loses.

Knowing the ending can be a great thing, as Paul points out in Romans 6:23. This week, we learn another game changing reality, that in Christ, we know how life turns out.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Greater Than The Storm

We have faced an unusual number of natural disasters over the past few weeks. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, along with the horrific earthquake in Mexico remind us of the fragility and unpredictability of life. It is also a reminder of how desperately we need the One who is greater than the storm.

This week, we will continue in Mark 4, discovering that the God of the harvest is also the God who calms the wind and waves (Mark 4:35-41). Whatever storm you are facing, Jesus has the answer.

See you Sunday!

Help send relief to those facing the aftermath of recent natural disasters at NAMB Send Relief

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Fast Forward

I love time-lapse photography. These videos compress large amounts of time into a few seconds so that you can see things like a flower blooming or a tree growing that ordinarily happen so slowly we don't see the progress.



God's will can sometimes seem like that. Though we may not perceive it, God is always working. This Sunday we look at Mark 4:25-32 where Jesus uses two parables that teach an important truth: God always fulfills his purpose.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Did You Know

Did You Know Expo
Missions Celebration
Sunday, September 10

Don't miss this Sunday (Sept. 10) as we celebrate missions at NHBC. Both of our morning services will feature missions testimonies and a mission challenge from Jacob Franklin. Throughout the morning you will be able to view displays from mission opportunities such as Greene County Baptist Association, Lifebuilders Ministries, and Grand Oak Mission. The displays will also include information about World Vision, Extend Global, and Campers on Mission in addition to the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board and Missouri Baptist Convention.

Join us Sunday as we celebrate missions!

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Living the Dream

One year, for sixty-two minutes, I lived the dream. I was in show business. Not on the stage - way to many lines to memorize. Not in front of the camera - too much make up.

I was a spotlight operator.

I sat up in the balcony and illuminated the main actor with my spot (as they say in the biz). Without me, the stage would be a dark formless void. Without me the actors would be running into each other and falling over all the props. Without me, the show could not go on.

Light is important in more than just stage production. Light is essential to life. This is nowhere more true than in the light shining out from the gospel message of Jesus. This week, we will read the words of Christ where he calls for believers to turn up the wattage (Mark 4:21-23).

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Good Soil

A few weeks ago, the Prime Timers invited a representative from Wickman's Garden Center to come and share some secrets and hints about gardening. She gave a very interesting presentation about different plants for different kinds of gardens. She had advice for plants that were bug resistant and fertilizer that would make to keep the plants strong and healthy.

Good advice. Every gardener wants their flowers bright and tomatoes ripe. Jesus gives away the secret to good gardening and much more - good soil. Join us Sunday as we look at the conclusion to Jesus' Parable of the Sower in Mark 4:8.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Bucket of Rocks

We have a bucket of rocks on our back porch. They are rocks we gathered 19 years ago when we dug a trench to put in a new electrical line. They are still on our porch because I am not sure what to do with them now. I don't want to dump them back in the yard. So far, I haven't found anyone who has any use for them. So we still have a bucket of rocks.

Most people understand that, if you want to plant a garden, rocks and weeds are not your friends. Jesus used that simple reality to illustrate two important truths we should know about our own lives, truths we will discover together this week in Mark 4:5-7.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Everyone Loves a Story

Everyone loves a good story. Tonight, in millions of homes around the world, in hundreds of languages, children will put off bedtime with the simple request, "Read me a story." As our girls were growing up, this ritual was followed with another request, "Tell me a story." For the next few minutes, we would make up a story about a character of their choice, always ending with the same question and answer, "And what did they do next?" "They closed their eyes and went to sleep!"

Jesus was a master storyteller. He used what we often call "parables" as stories to illustrate important spiritual truths. Over the next few weeks, we are going to look at his Parable of the Sower (Mark 4), where Jesus used a familiar sight during his time - a farmer sowing his seed - to describe a spiritual truth people of every age need to know. Join us as we unpack this fascinating and important message.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Overfilled

We witnessed a very real truth last week. Gutters have a purpose, but when that purpose isn't followed, it can create a huge mess. Gutters are supposed to fill up with rain, but then MOVE it. If the water isn't moved out as it's supposed to, its purpose fails. Just being filled with water does no good.

Similarly, Christians are not just to be FILLED, but to let God's love and grace flow OUT of them. It's one of our purposes. Every day we have opportunities to share His grace, His love, His goodness and His message. God forgive us when we are useless gutters!

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Understand This

In Mark 3:29, Jesus makes a profound statement about a sin that will never be forgiven. This frightening reality is something we all need to understand. Join us this Sunday as we start a new series from the Gospel of Mark by unpacking what has often been called "The Unforgivable Sin."

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Big Ear

When I was in the fourth grade, my dad bought me a Big Ear for Christmas. Sold by Radio Shack, the Big Ear promised to allow you to hear sounds from hundreds of yards away: birds chirping, squirrels chattering, your big sister talking on the phone. The photo is of me in the fourth grade along with my teacher and a fellow student along with our rendition of a personal computer (the "Electro-Thinker") made out of a refrigerator box (circa 1970 Austin-American Statesman).



In reality, the Big Ear was a bit of a disappointment. The only birds I could hear were birds I could already hear, only with more static. The squirrels didn't seem to be chattering, and my sister never seemed to have any phone calls. Fortunately, we don't need a Big Ear to hear the God's message for our life. This week, we get to listen in to what Samuel heard God say, a message vital for his time and for ours (1 Samuel 3:1-18).

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Faithful

I always thought it would be great to work in an ice cream shop. That was until I talked with someone who worked in an ice cream shop. I was going on about how great it must be to be surrounded with all flavors of ice cream when they stopped me and said, "It's great at first, but after awhile, you get sick of it."

So it goes with the things of this world. They may seem great at first, but after awhile you get sick of it. There is a deep longing for something more substantial, something with meaning, something that gives your life purpose. Join us this Sunday as we learn what Samuel discovered to be the secret to finding meaning in life, to living a godly life in a godless world (1 Samuel 2:22-25).

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, July 13, 2017

The Importance of Godly Parents

"Parents are important." That obvious statement should be even more obvious. The influence of parents in our lives cannot be overestimated. Recognizing the significance, most seek to be the very best parent they can be. Fortunately, the Bible provides clear instruction and examples of how to be a godly parent. In 1 Samuel 2:18-19, Elkanah and Hannah provide a simple story with a powerful example. Join us this Sunday as we learn the significance of godly parenting.

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Prayer Warrior

The recent movie War Room told the story of a woman who sees her family transformed through the power of prayer. This Sunday, we look at the biblical account of Hannah's prayer (1 Samuel 2:6-10) and learn how the prayer of praise can revolutionize our life.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Monday, July 3, 2017

The Best Teacher there will ever be

Backpack Giveaway registration has begun at our church. Long gone are the days where you just needed two #2 pencils and a pad of paper. Today's list vary from grade to grade, and even from school to school. Sometimes, getting the list still doesn't solve your dilemma. "A package of markers"--which colors--broad or skinny--what SIZE package? Gum eraser, beveled eraser, pink eraser.... Composition and spiral notebooks in specific colors... Folders WITH pockets, WITHOUT pockets, with brads, three-hole punched folders....it just goes on and on. The tools of learning sure have changed.

Thankfully, learning from God has not. It requires only an open, humble heart and being willing to take time and really listen. Lots of tools can help--certainly reading and studying His word, sharing in small groups at church, accessing study helps, but most of all, just ASKING Him. He longs to show us more of Himself, and to lead us in the correct ways to protect us. Unlike worldly education, we are to be lifelong learners of Christ. No matter how long we live, we will not learn it all, but what a blessing to have so many riches right at our disposal. School should always be IN for Christians!

Thursday, June 29, 2017

How to Say Thank You

We've all been taught to say, "Thank you." That is the polite response when someone does something for you, to express gratitude. Sometimes, however, a "thank you" doesn't seem quite enough. Hallmark has made an industry out of helping us say a little extra "thank you" with a note or a card.

But even that seems a little short of what we should do to show our gratitude to God. He has done much for us - how should we respond? In 1 Samuel 1:24-28, Hannah provides a wonderful example of how to respond to God's blessings. Join us this Sunday as we learn how to answer an answered prayer.

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Where Did It Go?

Remember the Super Ball? It was a synthetic rubber ball that was made out of extremely elastic material causing it to bounce incredibly high. At its height, the toy company Wham-O was selling 170,000 units per day.

I bought one of them. It was as advertised - just like in the commercial, I could bounce it off of my driveway all the way over our house. Only one problem with that - with one bounce the ball disappeared over the roof. I never did find it. Whether it landed in the gutter, in the neighbors backyard, or is still traveling into outer space, I'll never know. All I knew was it was gone, along with the $1.50 I spent on it.

Sometimes, we may feel like our prayers do that. We pray, but nothing happens. At least that's what it seems like from our perspective. This Sunday, we will look at 1 Samuel 1:1-18 which describes the prayer of Hannah. For a time, Hannah probably wondered the same thing: "Does God really hear my prayer?" The answer she receives reveals the power of prayer every believer needs to understand.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Celebrate Dad

Join us this week as we celebrate our dads. We'll focus on what God did through a dad named Obed, and how God can use your life to do extraordinary things (Ruth 4:17).

See you Sunday!

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Did You Notice?

My wife often asks me, "Did you see that?" Usually, she asks me this particular question when there was something I was supposed to see. Assorted animals visiting our yard, moving signs in a neighbor's yard, or children running through any yard, all make the list of things I should have noticed, but didn't. So now I pay more attention. We had a squirrel on our porch last week. I'm pretty sure he was glad to be noticed. I know my wife was impressed.

This week, we will read the story of Boaz, a man who noticed, and was impressed by, the faith of Ruth. We will see how this simple event changed history (Ruth 2:11-12). In this passage, we can all learn how to be noticed, and perhaps even how to change history. See you Sunday!

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Looking back


While revisiting one of my journals, I decided this month I would just share some words that have spoken to me over the last several months. I hope they speak to your heart, too. 
  • Satan says "You are worthless." Jesus says, "You were worth Me." - Matt Brown
  • Acts 9:3 - "Why are you persecuting ME?" 9:6 - "I am Jesus, THE ONE YOU ARE PERSECUTING." If people reject our attempts to share the gospel, they are not persecuting/rejecting you, but their rejection is toward Christ. When we treat another in an unChristian-like manner, We are persecuting Jesus, their creator.
  • Matthew 26:41 - "Keep alert and pray," He asked the disciples then, and He asks us now. 
  • Philippians 1:2 - Peace in your hearts and peace in your lives are two separate things.
  • We find joy in knowing there's exactly enough time everyday to accomplish God's will. - (In)courage
  • (He did) Today is the day the Lord has made. (We should) rejoice and be glad in it. -- Psalm 118:24
  • "Whoever FOLLOWS me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." He goes first, He knows what's ahead, He is to be our guide. 

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Strong Family

We've all seen the headlines: "Mother Lifts Car Off of Trapped Child." GM is no match for adrenalin paired with a mother's love. So what makes a strong family? This week, we begin a new series entitled "Family Matters." From the books of Ruth and 1 Samuel, we will learn how to make every family strong.

See you Sunday!

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Thank You for Your Service

This weekend, we pay tribute to the men and women of our armed forces and acknowledge the sacrifice of so many to insure our freedom. Memorial Day is an important part of the fabric of our nation, and a reminder to all of us of the significance of a call to serve.

That should be nowhere more clear than in the church. This week, we will read the scripture's clear call, and plan for success, in the believer's life: a call to serve (1 Corinthians 16:15-18).

See you Sunday!

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Bullet Points

I'll admit it - when I'm reading an article, I often skim through the bulk of the writing until I reach the bullet points, that place where the author summarizes their main points. I figure, if they are going to tell me what I need to know in twenty-five words or less, why read the rest?

I'm guessing that's not exactly the reason why the author puts in the bullet points. They probably had some interesting things to say in the rest of the article. However, for those of us with short attention spans, bullet points are a blessing.

Paul provided some very important information to help the Corinthian church throughout his letters, but for those Corinthians with a short attention span, he provides a bullet list of five steps to a healthy church. We'll take a look this week in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.

See you Sunday!

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Hi Mom!

It is tattooed on arms, written on poster board, and whenever the camera pans through the stands at a ball game someone will inevitably say, "Hi Mom!" It's not hard to figure out why - our moms are tremendously significant in our lives for a number of reasons, more than most of us can count.

Join us this week as we give thanks for our moms and read about the influence of one mom described in 1 Corinthians 16:10-11.

See you this Sunday!

Monday, May 8, 2017

I wanna go home....and so do they

Recently I was at a conference in Georgia. While I was enjoying weather with no rain and temps mostly in the 80's, back home they were NOT enjoying monsoon rains and very cool temperatures. I emphasized when I watched the news or talked to people in Springfield; however, it wasn't until I began the trip home that it really affected me.

I could fly....nope, delays and cancellations were the norm. I could drive....nope, road closures and detours dotted the map. I could walk....SERIOUSLY??? I tried multiple possibilities....fly into another town close to home, fly a different route....always the answer was no. Eventually, I hit upon the right answer and was able to make it home.

Many people are trying to find their way 'home,' to fill the empty spot in their souls They, too, find nothing works...not money, popularity, drugs, alcohol, etc. Many don't even know who to ask for help. As Christians, we have found our way, and we are commanded to find ways to help others also find THE Way, through Jesus. And He is the ONLY Way. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6. God has a table set with a place just for them!


Thursday, May 4, 2017

Open Doors

We stopped to get gas in Arlington, Texas. The first gas station where we stopped was open, but did not have any gas. They were doing some construction that had forced them to shut down their gas pumps. The convenience store was open, but they had no fuel.

Realizing the car would not run on potato chips and beef jerky, we went down the road to the next station. The windows were dark, with iron bars covering not only the windows but the doors. From the road it not only looked closed for the day, it looked permanently shut down. On closer inspection, however, it actually was open - it just wasn't the best neighborhood. Not seeing another station close by, I stopped and filled the car - very quickly.

Paul was serving Christ in Ephesus, and having a terrible time. Everywhere he went he ran into opposition. Yet he writes the Corinthian believers about how excited he was to stay with the ministry in Ephesus, realizing that, despite the difficulty, God had opened a great door in the city (1 Corinthians 16:8-9). This week, join us as we learn how God opens doors even in difficult circumstances.

See you Sunday!

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

The Finish Line

Running long distance is a challenge. When I ran track, the biggest challenge for me was figuring out where to start and where to finish. When you are running on an oval track, to make the race fair, the different lanes have different starting positions so that everyone will end up running the same distance. To make things more confusing, because different events are held on the same track, there are several finish lines marked on the track. Knowing where to start and where to finish was essential to having any chance of winning the race.

Paul describes the start and the finish of ultimate victory in 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, concluding with the momentous statement "He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Join us this week as we discover that the start and the finish is found in Jesus.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, April 13, 2017

What You Lose

Recently, a Norman Rockwell original painting called "Lazybones" was recovered by the FBI. Stolen back in 1976, the painting was recovered when the man in possession of the painting saw an FBI report and realized it was stolen. The FBI returned the painting to the family of its original owner, Robert Grant, who bought the painting for $100. When it was stolen, the insurance company compensated Mr. Grant $15,000. The painting is now worth an estimated $1 million. Mr. Grant passed away several years ago, but his daughter said, "He would be thrilled right now and beyond elated to get it back, because it meant a lot to him and he really enjoyed it and loved it and was proud of it." Get back a $1 million painting that I bought for $100 - I'd be thrilled, too.

Sometimes we don't know what we've lost. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, in part, to remind Corinthian believers of the importance of the Resurrection of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:20-21, we discover what we would lose if the Resurrection was not true, and what we gain because it is. It's news worth celebrating this Easter.

See you Sunday!

Here this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Eyewitness News

With the development of taped (and then digital) video and satellite trucks, local news stations began calling themselves "Eyewitness News." The idea was that, as news happened, their reporters were there, taking video of the event, so that you could witness the crowning of the blue ribbon pie baking contest winner for yourself.

This week, Paul refers to eyewitnesses of the greatest event of all history, a reality that makes the Resurrection of Christ stand out from every other religious teaching (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Join us this week as we celebrate the reality of the Resurrection.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Monday, April 3, 2017

Developing

Some may remember Polaroid cameras. Snap a shot, the paper shoots out....and you wait. The image is there, but it has to develop to completion.

This example was used when discussing that an unborn child is immediately a person made in the image of God; however, not yet seen in entirety because he/she has to develop. Similarly, people all around us (including us) are in different stages of development in our Christian walks. We need to be compassionate, realizing that we ALL are being developed by our Creator. Just because we don't see the finished product, we know God will complete what He began (Philippians 1:6). None of us have arrived, we all are still working to be more like Him. We are all in this together and God intends for us to love each other as He loves us. Now THAT'S a beautiful picture. 

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Main Ingredient

Most recipes have that singular ingredient that is most important - without it, the recipe falls apart. Without chocolate chips, it's not chocolate chip cookies. Without bananas it's not banana bread. Without steak it's not steak.

Paul identifies a much more significant main ingredient, not just for dinner or dessert, but for our life. This week, in 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, we learn that without the Resurrection, we have no hope.

See you Sunday!

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Why

Every parent has heard it, the question "why." As in "Why do I have to clean my room?" or "Why do I have to be in by midnight?" or "Why do I have to take out the trash?" The easy answer is the all-time favorite parental go-to response of "Because I told you so." That would be enough, but there is obviously more to it than that. For one thing, if you don't clean your room and take out the trash, eventually the room becomes trash. For another thing, nothing positive ever happened to any teenager after midnight.

But ultimately, the answer is: We tell our children things they need to do because we love them. We want the very best for them, so we tell them what we believe will bring the very best into their lives. And absolutely nothing positive ever happened to any teenager after midnight.

Jesus calls us to obey his command. In John 15:15-16 where we will read this Sunday, Jesus gives us the reason why, a reason worth knowing.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Paint By Numbers

I used to love connect-the-dots drawings. Okay, I still love connect-the-dots drawings. And yes, I like to paint by number. It's the only way I can make art that will actually look like anything. When I took art class in middle school, my teacher told me I might want to try debate class. My play dough sculptures looked best right after the dough came out of the can. It was all downhill from there. So, for me, paint by numbers is the way to go.

The disciples were a diverse group ill suited to be evangelists, or at least it would seem that way. Fishermen, a political terrorist, and a tax collector? This did not look like the evangelistic A-team.

But Jesus had the answer. This week, we will see the pattern he established for his disciples (and us) that will change the world (John 15:12-14).

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Complete

The other day, I saw a great deal on an e-book - free. It looked like a great devotional book, full of insightful and uplifting ideas, and the price was right. So I downloaded it.

Except I didn't. When I began to read the book, I realized that I had received a promotional excerpt from the book. It was still insightful and uplifting, just incomplete. I could have the complete book for the discounted price of $9.99. Good thing it was discounted. If it was ten bucks, I wouldn't have bought it.

Typically, we want the complete edition, which is the idea of the promotion. The publishers hope the excerpt will whet your appetite enough to want the whole book and shell out a ten spot minus a penny.

Jesus doesn't just provide an excerpt of joy - he makes our joy complete. Find out how your joy can be complete this week as we study Jesus' promise in John 15:9-11.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Combine

My favorite piece of farm machinery is the combine. My grandfather's combine fascinated me. For one thing, it was huge, with tires that were twice as tall as I was. I watched him going through the fields with absolute amazement. The combine would harvest the corn sending it into a bin where it would shoot out into a trailer. Amazing. He could harvest an entire field in an afternoon.

In John 15:7-8, Jesus provides the secret to bearing fruit - trust and obey. This week, join us for Envision Commitment Sunday as we discover what God can do if we will trust and obey.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Good Fruit

I like good fruit. Oranges, bananas, peaches, apples - put me in the produce section and turn me loose! Growing good fruit, however, has never been my strong point. It tried to grow strawberries once. I managed to make one strawberry. If the world depended on me for fruit, we would all have to take very tiny bites.

In John 15:4-5, Jesus uses a vine to illustrate an important principle - we need him. This Sunday, find out how you can have a fruitful life.

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Thursday, February 16, 2017

Peace Talks

People have been talking about peace for about as long as there have been people. After Adam and Eve made a mess of things by getting thrown out of the garden, their boys started to squabble, leading to the first homicide. Things have gone downhill from there. The more we talk about peace, the more elusive it seems.

This makes Jesus' promise both audacious and profound:

John 14:27 (NIV84)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

This Sunday, find out how only Jesus can provide real, lasting peace.

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Thursday, February 9, 2017

Diagnosis

Our phone system went haywire a few weeks ago, annoying because we had just installed a new system. Our provider sent out a technician who immediately diagnosed the problem - our phones were incompatible with the new system. Fortunately, returning to our previous system was possible, so we have phones again.

It always helps to have someone who can diagnose the problem and knows the solution. This Sunday, we will see Jesus' diagnosis for life in John 14:15.

See you Sunday!

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Monday, February 6, 2017

Remember

Did I? I can't tell you how many times I have headed away from the house and then had the thought....did I unplug the curling iron? Why do I struggle with remembering whether or not I did it? It's because I use it day in and day out, and 99.9% of the time always remember to unplug it. But there's always the thought that one day I might forget, burn our house down, catch the neighbor's house on fire, and suddenly the houses on our side of the street are gone, and we are featured on the 6 o'clock news. And oh, by the way, no one in the neighborhood ever speaks to me again.

We do many of those things each day as just a part of our daily life. Do you actually remember putting the key in the ignition and starting your car, saying goodbye when you hung up the phone, or putting toothpaste on your toothbrush? Rarely. But it happens because it is part of living. It is just NORMAL.

We should live the Christian life in much the same way, not having to think, "Did I live for Jesus today? Did I seek to glorify Him by my thoughts, words and actions?" It should be a part of who we are and how we live each and every day. And it is vitally important.... forgetting not only endangers our spiritual walk, but that of others around us. God never forgets about us for a second, and we should follow His example in return, in all our ways, letting Him direct our paths.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Never Alone

When I was in elementary school, I was the last one to leave the house. My parents went to work, my sister caught the bus to her school, but I walked to my school located just two blocks from our home.

The school did not open to students until thirty minutes before school began, which meant I spent roughly fifteen minutes in my house alone. In those fifteen minutes, my mind conjured up every possible disaster that could occur, usually focusing on an escaped prisoner breaking into our home to kidnap any children waiting to go to school. I'm not sure why an escaped prisoner would choose my house, but in my third grade mind, it made perfect sense. Those fifteen minutes would seem like fifteen hours.

No one likes to be alone, especially in times of distress. Jesus knew that his disciples would face many difficult days. He also knew that they would not face them alone.

Neither do we. In Christ, we share the same promise found in John 14:16-18. This Sunday, discover the reality that even in your darkest moments you are not alone!

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Thursday, January 26, 2017

Definition


I was never very good at vocabulary tests. My teacher found so many words I did not know, I believed I should be getting foreign language credit for my English class. For some reason I struggled with remembering all the words and their meaning. My teacher suggested that I kept the definitions as simple as possible. I kept it really simple - I didn't know any of them.

In Philippians 3:10-11, Paul defines the Christian life. Join us this Sunday as we realize the high calling we all share in Jesus.

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Thursday, January 19, 2017

Treasure Hunt

NASA is planning to send a mission to an asteroid worth an estimated $10,000 quadrillion. That's $10,000 with fifteen more zeros. Scientists believe the asteroid, roughly the size of Massachusetts, is made completely of metal, perhaps formed from the core of a former planet that blew apart sometime in the past. The metal, primarily iron and nickel, is estimated to be worth this enormous fortune. Just one problem - we currently have no way to get the metal back to Earth. Details, details.....

Paul knew a thing or two about treasure. He came to understand the value of what he had in Christ, a truth that transformed his life, and will transform ours (Philippians 3:7-8).

Join us this Sunday for a treasure hunt like no other!

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Thursday, January 12, 2017

Happy



“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” - Abraham Lincoln

"The banjo is such a happy instrument--you can't play a sad song on the banjo - it always comes out so cheerful." - Steve Martin

"Because I'm happy." - Pharrell Williams, from the song Happy

"Don't worry; be happy." - Bobby McFerrin from the song of the same name

“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family . . . in another city.” - George Burns

Apparently, there are many opinions on where to find happiness, even on what happiness is. Fortunately, the Bible identifies where true joy is found in Philippians 3:1. Join us this Sunday to discover where you can find real happiness.

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Thursday, January 5, 2017

Christmas Continues

All the decorations are down, there's no more Christmas music, and the stores are full of Valentine and Easter merchandise. By all appearances, Christmas is over. But is it? No.

The Christmas season is over, according to the man-made calendar, but we can (and should) continue all year to rejoice in the fact of what we celebrate. There is STILL Joy to the world, scriptures tell us to rejoice in numerous verses, and we STILL need to go tell it on the (mountain). Let's remember that Emmanuel (meaning God is with us) is true not just in the Christmas season, but every second of every day, all year. What a wonderful truth.

Lemonade, Anyone?

We've all seen the poster - "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." The poster includes a drawing of a man being hit in the head with an avalanche of lemons, but lemonade is pouring out of his nose which is shaped like a faucet.

I get the message, but if it's alright with you, I'm not drinking that lemonade.

Paul's message in Philippians 2:17-18 fortunately makes more sense than turning the difficulties of life into nostril juice. Paul faced his share of challenges in life, but learned the secret of finding joy even in the midst of discouragement.


We can, too. Join us this Sunday to learn this vital truth (I promise, we won't serve lemonade).

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