Search

Open Search
Author

berlinbeast

We are a family trying to follow God's will for our lives.

Time Lab in action

It’s VBS time at Joelton. After the first night of action many questions remain: Will the doc fix “the machine” to become an adult again? Will she successfully write a history paper on the hero of the world? Did the villain indeed just listen to classical music and will he try to cause havoc?

Come and see. Daily through Thursday (July 12th) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

0

Survival Plan

There is a growing movement in the country these past few years called “survivalists”. Participants emphasize storing food, guns and supplies to be able to survive a coming collapse of our country. It reminds me of the fear and hysteria in the weeks before “Y2K”. The apostle Peter, though, gave us a much better survival plan for Christians in 1 Peter 1:13-19:

1. Prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

2. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

3. Be holy in all you do.

4. If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth, knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

Joe

0

Vacation Bible School 2018 registration

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is coming soon to Joelton. It will be Sunday (July 8th) through Thursday (July 12th) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. daily.

In this day and age, it’s vital that we teach our children that the Bible is more than just a dusty book of stories. We need to show them God’s Word connects to every area of our lives and is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago.

Online registration is now closed.

 

0

Irony of Prayer

In schools…

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That’s no offense; it’s a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God’s name is prohibited by the state.

We’re allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They’ve outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the ‘unwed daddy,’ our Senior King.
It’s “inappropriate” to teach right from wrong,
We’re taught that such “judgments” do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

Its scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school’s a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen

Is all this not ironic?

Joe

0

Self-Identity

Who am I? Who are you? Who are we? The answer to this question is called your self-identity and our self-identity and is very important. I hope that our congregational self identity might be unified. How we see ourselves probably reflects our sense of unity. Our yearly goal and theme (Belong) surely is connected to our collective self identity. “We are one in the Spirit. We are one in the Lord. And we pray that our unity may one day be restored. And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

I would be interested in knowing how each one of us would answer the question, “How do you see yourself?” What would you answer if someone asked you, “Who are you?” Would you write your answer on an index card and put it in a box on my desk?

Joe

0

Three things

There are three things God has never seen:

1. A person that has not sinned

2. A sinner He does not love

3. A sinner He cannot save

Voice of condemnation awakens us as well: “You aren’t good enough” “You’ll never improve” “You failed – again”

These are the voices in our world. They are also the voices in our heads. Who is this morality patrolman who issues a citation at every stumble? Who reminds us of every mistake? Does he ever shut up? Satan never shuts up. The apostle John calls him the Accuser. In fact he makes a career out of accusing. Unlike the Holy Spirit, Satan’s condemnation brings no repentance or resolve, only regret. Christ offers unending intercession on your behalf. He trumps the devil’s guilt with words of grace that leaves Satan speechless.

“…the kindness of God is meant to lead us to repentance.” (Romans 2:4b). Let’s listen to God’s voice.

Joe

0

Forgiveness

Last Sunday, after the end of our assembly, a visitor asked me an interesting question: “Will God forgive me for killing a person?” I know the answer and when I answered “Yes”, I noticed the tears that began to flow from his eyes. It was as if he felt unworthy of forgiveness so he described how many times he stabbed the victim. When I explained that I was guilty of the crucifixion of the best man who ever lived, I sensed that he understood and promised that he would be back at the next church meeting. We have a great message to share with folks, don’t we? Our message is certainly good news called “the gospel”! Believe it, share it and thank God for it.

Joe

0

Feed the Flock 2018

Saturday, March 3rd, 2018. This is a night of fun and fellowship for the church at Joelton. The elders and deacons prepare and serve a meal (BBQ, White Beans, Cole Slaw, Buns, Desserts & Drinks) to the “flock”. The meal begins at 5 PM and is followed at 6 PM by a talent show by our members. Be thinking about your talent you might perform. Adults are encouraged to participate.

0

Following Jesus Isn’t for Wimps

By Reginald Smith, Tuesday, February 13, 2018 in TODAY

Scripture Reading — Luke 12:1-3

Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. — Luke 12:1

Jesus used an ordinary baking ingredient (yeast) to picture the power of sin in people’s lives. It was Passover, and thousands of Jews were traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate this great feast commemorating their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. As part of their preparation for this event, people removed all of the yeast from their homes (see Exodus 12:14-20).

Jesus knew how to use current events to make a point. With people paying so much attention to yeast, he pointed out that the sin of hypocrisy could be just as penetrating as yeast in bread, working its way to affect every inch of life.

In this way Jesus warned his disciples against being hypocrites in their service to God. Discipleship was and is serious business. There is no such thing as being “on the fringe” or neutral. We can easily find ourselves not living our real identity in the one true Savior.

True discipleship will involve suffering and self-denial. Choosing to do the will of God becomes more important than rejection or popularity. Discipleship means making people a priority rather than rituals and traditions. Loving your enemies pleases Jesus more than loving only your friends and family. Following Jesus means caring for the needy rather than giving priority to the rich, influential, and powerful. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and follow him if we would truly be his disciples. Can we do that?

Prayer

Dear Jesus, help us to truly be your disciples. Please take hypocrisy out of our lives so that we may follow your ways. Amen.

0

WordPress.com.

Up ↑