"Among the ancient Greeks the runner that won the race was not the man who crossed the line in the shortest time, but the man who crossed it in the least time with his torch still burning.”

Let the LIGHT Shine… it’s dark in there and out there 

John 8:12 - “… I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

Matthew 5:14-16 -“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Already and NOT YET

1 John 3:2 -“Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”

“Probably nothing in the world arouses more false hope than the first four hours of a diet.”

RESOLVED to HOPE in GOD

“One of the problems we face is that too many Christians see Church as a once-a-week activity rather than a lifelong calling.”   M. Horton

Let the LIGHT Shine… it’s dark in there and out there 

Already and NOT YET

RESOLVED to HOPE in GOD

"We live in a changing world, but we need to be reminded that the important things have not changed, and the important things will not change if we keep our priorities in proper order.”   S. Truett Cathy

We are NOT the Shepherd

Enjoying the Shepherd’s Care

Leaving a Trail of Goodness & Mercy

"Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him."   Hudson Taylor

A Starting Point - How good has God been?  Unfailing LOVE, SALVATION from death forever, Life and breath and everything else.  Acts 17:24-25

"We speak to God in prayer and he speaks to us in the Bible. People ask me, 'Why pray if God is sovereign?'

I respond, 'Why pray if he isn't?'"   Michael Horton

A Starting Point - How good has God been?  Unfailing LOVE, SALVATION from death forever, Life and breath and everything else.  Acts 17:24-25

Ask until HE answers... Parents being asked Mom, Mom, Mom/Dad, Dad, Dad – A 10-Day Experiment

A Foundation for Daily Worship

"No one can live without delight, and that is why a man deprived of spiritual joy goes over to carnal pleasures."   Thomas Aquinas

Where are you standing?

What is your delight?

The Value of Single-mindedness

The Foundation for Daily Worship is NOT found in your practice of it. It is found in the PERSON that you worship! Connect to the PERSON!

"Let us also try to be like the man from heaven."  Goodspeed

Imperishable – WOW

Jesus – WOW - X a Centillion 10303 (a million is 105) or a Googolplexian, or infinity "00"

Abounding in the work...  "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen." 1 Corinthians 16:23-24

"The point of justification by faith is God's scandalous, crazy, and wonderful gift of love."   Peter Kreeft

I'm SORRY – Psalm 51:3-4; Galatians 1:10

Psalm 51:3-4  "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.  4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment."

Galatians 1:10 "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

It is THAT Simple

Luke 18:9-11  "He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 'Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. "'

Luke 18:12-14  "'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

"The point of justification by faith is God's scandalous, crazy, and wonderful gift of love."  Peter Kreeft

I'm SORRY – Psalm 51:3-4; Galatians 1:10

Simple IS Better

De PRIMO Momenti - All about Him

Colossians 1:28  "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ."

"We need to hear the Gospel every day, because we forget it every day."   Luther

Pursue Love

Build up the Church... TOGETHER

Ephesians 4:15-16  "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

"We need to hear the Gospel every day, because we forget it every day."   Luther

Pursue Love

Build up the Church... TOGETHER

"But all things should be done decently and in order."  1 Corinthians 14:40

"Working TOGETHER, empowered by God, to reach and transform people in our community, state, nation and world."

The Triune God

BETTER TOGETHER for the COMMON Good

"The Gospel enables people to be honest about their shortcomings and weaknesses because their trust lies not in their own traditions or moral performance but in Jesus Christ's perfect obedience on their behalf. This 'BETTER TOGETHER' idea is experienced through relationships that are committed to the simple truth that the whole is better than the parts alone."   PAB

What's YOUR role moving forward?

"The church is not meant to call men and women out of the world into a safe religious enclave, but to call them out in order to send them back as agents of God's kingship."  Lesslie Newbigin

Men and Women Together at THEIR Best

Everything in GOOD Order

Revealing the Glory of God to the World

"Let us carefully observe then, when we wish to use the sacraments as God has ordained, that they should be like ladders, for raising us on high. For we are heavy and cumbersome, held down by earthly things. Thus, because we are unable to fly high enough to draw near to God, he has ordained sacraments for us like ladders. If a man wishes to leap on high, he will break his neck in the attempt; but if he has steps, he is able to proceed with confidence. So also if we are to reach our God. Let's use the means which he has instituted for us, since he knows what is suitable for us."  Calvin

Distortions

Institution

Reformation

All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24