Seconds

Missions Monday

2012-03-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

One of my AHA! moments during a Mission ’s Trip

I think it was November of 2009 and we were building a baptistery in Lluidasvale , Jamaica and we were about two days away from finishing it when we were told an old man, Ivan, wanted to be baptized. He was not in good health and couldn’t walk. I was the one working on the baptistery. I hurried my work because I thought Ivan might die first. I finished tiling on Wednesday and on Thursday we set out to baptize him.

Since he couldn’t walk, we took a wheelbarrow down to his house, with about four men, put a carpet in it, and loaded Ivan into his Jamaican Taxi. We had to push him up a hill to where the church was and it was quite an effort.

During our evening program, we put Ivan on a metal folding chair and three or four of us lowered him into the pool and dunked him. He really needed that too. He was baptized and lifted out of the pool by all the men. He had a big smile on his face and said a grateful thank you. Ivan still lives on today.

-- Ken Meech

Missions Monday

2012-02-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

First Mission Trip to Bahamas

There were two van loads of us going and we were flying on Bahamas Air out of Orlando , FL. I drove and told those that wanted to go with me that I would be leaving 3.5 hours before we had to check in, having traveled a great deal I thought we would allow a margin of error in our travel time. The second van was going to leave in time to get there and immediately go to check in.

Upon arrival at the airport, I went to the Bahamas Air counter and stood before a Bahamian gate agent who was doing paperwork , he continued to do his paperwork for a few minutes then looked up at me and asked, Nassau Bahamas ? I said yes sir, he said No and went back to his paperwork. In another few minutes he looked up at me and asked again, Nassau , Bahamas ? I said yes sir and he again said No. After another minute he told me that the flight we were on to Nassau had been cancelled and that they were going to put us all on American Airlines flight that was leaving twenty minutes sooner than our original flight. Uh oh!

The seven of us who left early proceeded to check our bags and check in, frantically trying to call the second van and let them know that we were now leaving sooner than we had planned. It was going to be close either way. The initial seven of us proceeded to the boarding gate, watching for the remaining 7, thinking we could spur them on a little faster once they got inside the terminal. The boarding gate agent was sympathetic to our plight and literally held the plane to the very last minute waiting for the remaining folks. Those of us who were already there had in one decided that we were all going or none. It was none.

The remaining seven arrived as the plane was leaving the ramp. We gathered in a group and Prayed for help in getting to our destination and for safety and for us all to go together. After we had finished Praying the departure gate agent called me over and said I saw you folks Praying, give me about two minutes and I will have you all on the flight that leaves in fifteen minutes. He said I am a part time pastor and I know what you are doing. He said God Bless you, have a safe flight and a great trip.

John Hartley

Elder

Missions Committee Chairman

Devotion

2012-02-21T10:46:00.003-05:00

Hebrews 10:15-18: “The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: ¹⁶ "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." ¹⁷ Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." ¹⁸ And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.”

Not only did Jesus Christ come, but when He left He left a Helper and Counselor with us. This is the Holy Spirit. In this passage, the Holy Spirit “testifies to us” that all this (verses 1-14) has happened and it has happened for us. The key word in all this is “testify.” The Greek word is “marture,w” which means to bear witness, testify, be a witness; attest, affirm, confirm; speak well of, or approve. The Holy Spirit confirms in our hearts that everything about Jesus Christ is Truth. You could call this assurance of faith (John Wesley did). The Spirit lets us know that we are in a new / restored covenant relationship with God and that our lives (governed by Him) are a fulfillment of the Scriptures. God’s Will and desire are in us and we know them. The Christian should be governed by it. If all this is true… and it is… then the Christian person, filled with the Holy Spirit, is a forgiven creature. The forgiveness takes place and then the person moves back into a right relationship with God.

What does this mean for me and for you? This means that Christians must let the Holy Spirit do the governing of our lives. God has control. We do not. I must strive to live a spirit-filled life if I ever have any hope of being right with God. I will sin… but if I have cultivated a life of holiness then the getting up and the getting back will be easier.

Some disciplines of the Spirit-filled life:

(1) Prayer

(2) submissive to God’s Will

(3) service to neighbor in love

(4) Time with God otfen

(5) Faith

(6) attitude of worship

(7) Eyes open to share

(8) Kind spirit towards others

(9) continually giving thanks

Troy

Christian Education Minister

Sabbath

2012-02-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

What is okay to do on the Sabbath?

According to www.crazylaws.com, old laws that are still on the books…

In Alabama , it is against the law to play dominoes on Sunday.

In Alabama and Massachusetts , hunting is not allowed on Sunday.

In Little Rock , Arkansas it is illegal to walk one’s cow down Main Street after 1pm on Sunday.

In Colorado , Indiana , Maine , New Jersey , Pennsylvania , & Wisconsin car dealers may not sell cars on Sunday.

In Denver , Colorado it is illegal to drive a black car on Sundays.

In Florida , it is against the law for unmarried women to parachute on Sundays.

In Georgia , it is illegal to cut off a chicken’s head on Sunday.

In Massachusetts , it is illegal to deliver diapers on Sunday regardless of emergencies

In Minnesota , hamburgers may not be eaten on Sundays.

In New Hampshire , on Sundays citizens may not relieve themselves while looking up.

In Rhode Island , it is illegal to sell a toothbrush and toothpaste to the same person on a Sunday.

So, what is acceptable to do on Sundays? Is there a rule book about what one can do or not do? Can I go out to eat? Should I work? Can I work on the car or wash it and wax it? Can I mow the yard? What about watching sports? Can I do my hobby? Doing laundry and cleaning… is that okay? What about playing sports?

If we look at the Scriptures, it is certainly permissible to worship (Exodus 20:8). It certainly is permissible to do good (Matthew 12:12). What about the rest of it? What do you think?

Troy Borst

Christian Education Minister

The Definition of “Worship”

2012-02-02T14:51:00.000-05:00

Worship…what does it mean? Webster’s dictionary gives us a few ideas. It says to honor or respect, or an act of paying divine honors to God. Wikipedia says it's an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity. The term worship can also be used to mean idolize, as a woman worships her husband. The word is derived from an old English word worthscipe meaning worthiness, or to give “worth” to something.

Worship can be a lot of things to different people. I believe we need to look for our definition in God’s word. God warned us about idolatry. In Exodus 23:24-25 we read, “Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones to pieces. Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water.” We must put God first in our lives, and not allow anything or anyone else to come before Him.

If we love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, then we will LIVE a life of “WORSHIP.” Psalm 100:2 says, “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Now you can see why leading worship is my passion.

In His love & service,

David

Missions Memories

2012-01-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Some of my fondest memories from a short trim mission trip come from the several trips to Jamacia. One in particular occured about ten years ago. John, myself and several others, both adult and youth went to Jamaica Christain Mission in Downtown Kingston to assist with a summertime VBS program.

This was a true blessing to experience the open hunger for God's Word that the children displayed. The way they conducted themselves and the respect they had for not only thier elders but for each other was stunning.

There were about 50 or so children of varying ages. They would compete for who had the neatest room, memory verse, and assisting each other. But the most memorable thing of this whole experence would happen every evening right after supper. Everyone was assigned a table, after all had finished, each table would construct a verse from the Bible using any and all items on the table. The imagination and excitment generated within these young kids.....well, was at times overwhelming.

Yes, we strong, all knowing Americains were going to this second world country to teach them about Jesus because they needed to know something. OOPS!

Thank you Lord for teacing me that you are Greater! Amen.

Dale Hammond

Great References for Bible Study:

2012-01-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary: Completely Revised and Updated Edition (Hardcover)

by Ronald F. Youngblood (Editor)

IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament (Hardcover)

IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Hardcover)

New American Commentary Set

Published by Broadman & Holman

NIV Application Commentary Set

Published by Zondervan

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Paperback)

by Fee & Stuart

Websites:

http://www.mystudybible.com/

http://www.blueletterbible.org/

http://www.biblegateway.com/

http://www.biblestudytools.com/

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
1. Come Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of God's unchanging love.

2. Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

3. O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

So I am a contemporary worship kind of girl. I like modern praise and worship, but you can't deny the power of the words of some hymns. Whoever wrote Great is Thy Faithfulness or Holy, Holy, Holy or Victory in Jesus...man, those guys knew how to praise! So, yesterday driving to church when I heard a beautiful version of Come Thou Fount I was mesmerized.

The line that I couldn't get out of my head was "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love" Wow. Isn't that how we feel so much of the time? What is interesting is the deeper you get with God the more you feel the tendency to wander. When we first meet Christ and begin the process of becoming more like him everyday, it is easy to make a list of the things that we need to stop doing (maybe not so easy to actually stop). When we rid ourselves of obvious sin, He doesn't stop expecting us to change. That is when He gets into our business and asks us to really commit to being completely Christ-like. Even nominal Christians will stop drinking or using foul language or whatever. It is hard to transform or renew our minds...our thoughts and feelings... The 'prone to wander' feelings become as much sin as the act. Jesus says that adultery is committed when we lust and murder when we hate. What sin my thoughts have gotten me into! UGH!
But this hymn is so obviously about victory. When I heard the song on the radio (SpiritFM), I was so struck but the one line that I didn't get that at first. I had decided to share my thoughts on that one line so I looked up the lyrics to the rest of the song. They are profound. What an amazing prayer. "Tune my heart to sing Your grace." Can you imagine a heart filled with the grace of God? "Streams of mercy never ceasing call for songs of loudest praise." When you truly examine the mercy freely given without end...if you aren't praising, you don't get it (the big picture, not the mercy. He freely offers that to all of us - just one reason to praise). "Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood." The greatest display of our sweet Savior's love. "Let that grace now like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee." Grace is what allows us to be loved by a holy God. Isn't it amazing...truly awesome that He knows us intimately and still wants anything to do with us. He knows that we are prone to wander even though we love Him. What a God we serve!

My heart longs to be more faithful. My head knows I won't be. I love Him so much for loving me anyway.

Kelly

A Prayer for Grace

2012-01-19T14:24:00.000-05:00

Devotions of Bishop Lancelot Andrews

(1555-1626)

PRAYER FOR GRACE

O Lord, remit all my failings, shortcomings, falls, offences, trespasses, scandals, transgressions, debts, sins, faults, ignorances, iniquities, impieties, unrighteousnesses, pollutions.

The guilt of them,

Be gracious, pardon, remit, forgive, be propitious unto, spare, impute not, charge not, remember not

The stain,

Pass by, pass over, disregard, overlook, hide, wash away, blot out, cleanse

The hurt,

Remit, heal, remedy, take off, remove, away with, abolish, annul, disperse, annihilate, that they be not found, that they exist not.

Supply,

To faith, virtue

To virtue, knowledge

To knowledge, continence

To continence, patience

To patience, Godliness

To Godliness, brotherly love

And to brotherly love, charity.

That I forget not my cleansing from my former sins, but give diligence to make my calling and election sure through good works.

GOSPEL OF LUKE IN 2012

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Since we “Journeyed Through the Bible” in 2011, via our Sunday evening studies, it seems logical that we now get more fully involved in particular portions of the Bible. So we have designated 2012 the year that Troy and I will preach through the Gospel of Luke. Luke gives us tremendous insight to the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will follow Him as He chooses His closest followers, performs His greatest miracles, confronts the hypocrisy surrounding Him, makes the difficult decisions, obeys His Father, and shows His love and compassion to His creation. In just one year, we will get a great overview of Jesus’ leadership, and our expected ‘followship’ of Him. Bring your Bibles each week, as we unfold Luke’s ‘scrapbook’, filled with photos and information about Jesus Christ!

John Meisenbach

Senior Minister

The PERFECT Card

2012-01-13T15:01:00.000-05:00

I love the perfect card. Cards that feel like you actually could have been the maker/author because they perfectly say what you would or describe your relationship with someone. I love finding one for someone on their special day, and I love to receive a card that says just the right thing. Last year, I received 2 perfect cards. The sentimental make-you-cry card from my parents and the laugh-til-you-cry-cause-it-is-so-true card from ~ Troy, of course.
Sharing the "you're so great" card from my parents seems a little nauseating. BUT, I have to share Troy's card. It says this:

To My WIFE On Your BIRTHDAY

For putting up with all my moods...
And making me eat healthy foods
For trusting me with saws and drills (Despite your doubts about my skills...)
For tolerating all my quirks.
As well as friends who can be jerks
For rarely minding when I nap
Or take a thirty-minute...um...you know...
For letting me undo my shorts
As I drink beer while watching sports...
For getting deep inside my heart
And never fainting when I fart...
For bringing LOVE into my life...
I'm so glad that you're my wife!

LOVE YOU...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Romantic? Not really. True? Almost every word. He doesn't have any friends who are jerks or drink beer while watching sports (it is coke and Sci-fi) but those are the only things that made it obvious that he hadn't commissioned the card to be written for us...I seriously might have thought so otherwise. As I was reading, I would look up at him in disbelief because it is all dead on, and he just had that knowing grin.
The perfect card. I love it!!

Kelly

Books worth checking out…

2012-01-12T16:42:00.004-05:00

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

Francis Chan

David C. Cook / 2008 / Trade Paperback

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream

David Platt

Multnomah Publishers, Inc. / 2010 / Trade Paperback

God's Story, Your Story: When His Becomes Yours

Max Lucado

Zondervan / 2011 / Hardcover

The Transforming Power of the Gospel

Jerry Bridges

NavPress / 2012 / Hardcover

The Commands of Christ: What It Really Means to Follow Jesus

Tom Blackaby

B&H Books / 2012 / Trade Paperback

Muu Muu

2012-01-12T16:15:00.001-05:00

What in the world is a ‘muu muu’ you ask? First of all, you have to decide how to spell the words before the definition even comes into play. Options for the spelling:

Muu Muu

Muumuu

Mu’umu’u

Muu-muu

I will go with the separated American spelling of ‘muu muu’ in my thoughts. A muu muu is a loose fitting dress or gown of Hawaiian origin that hangs from the shoulder. Usually they have bright colors and have elaborate patterns. How do I give you a picture of such a garment? I have no idea. Picture the most hideous large piece of clothing you can think of… and then there is the muu muu.

How in the world does a ‘muu muu’ relate to Biblical things? A verse popped into my head that certainly highlights the muu muu. 1 Peter 3:3-5 says,“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.” There is no way possible that a woman wearing a muu muu could be accused of focusing on her ‘outward adornment.’ She had better be a cross between the Virigin Mary and Mother Teresa because there is no beauty that can shine through a muu muu. A woman wearing one takes these verses to heart and is not trying to tempt any man in any way. Her beauty is all on the inside because the muu muu’s hideous nature covers over all other aspects of her.

So ladies, if you want to apply Saint Peter’s words and you want to cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit, just put on a muu muu. Going on a date and want to help your brother not to stumble… wear a muu muu. You won’t get a second date, but you will have been elevated to a new spiritual level. Muu muus forever for the virtuous woman!

Troy

Christian Education Minister

Fear vs. Faith

2011-12-06T13:37:00.001-05:00

I have to admit I have a fear of car accidents. I can become preoccupied with thoughts of them. I picture being in one with my family often...the fear intensifies just before a trip. On any given Monday, I can spend hours worrying about Troy as he drives to and from Orlando to teach at Florida Christian College. I know that my fear is irrational and maybe borders obsessive. Beyond that, I believe it is sin. Luke 12:22 specifically tells us not to worry...and that is not the only place in Scripture we are commanded not to worry. In chapter 41 of Isaiah, he tells us three times not to fear. (My favorite is Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.") I want to not be afraid...but that is easier said than done. Maybe you have a fear like mine.
I have a beautiful, brave friend who has been teaching me about God since we were in college. We met when I went to a Bible study she led in her dorm room. We served together on the leadership team for InterVarsity at USF. She was my first real accountability partner and is one of my favorite people. God has blessed me by bringing us back together after moves, babies, mission trips and ministries. Our kids are becoming close friends now.

Jessica found out in October that she has melanoma. She had surgery soon after the diagnosis and all of the cancer was removed. (Praise God!) Due to the aggressive nature of melanoma, she will be in treatment for the forseeable future. She has her first drug infusion today as part of a research study at Moffitt that has proven effective in stage 4 patients. Talk about fear.
We had lunch not long ago, and I asked her how she and her husband, Jeremy, are doing...not the facebook status answer but how was she really doing. I have been thinking about her answer ever since. She honestly said that in the beginning neither of them were doing very well. Jeremy changed, though, after they told their four precious children. He became resolved, determined, faith-filled. She said he was patient with her as she struggled...for awhile. Then one day, he confronted her. Jeremy told her she was telling people that she trusted Jesus but that he did not see that reflected in her life. (Yikes! Back off, buddy!) She responded that she was trying to have faith and not think about the very real things that could be in her future. Jeremy told her that's not faith. Faith is trusting Jesus in every circumstance...it's thinking about those things that she feared like death but trusting Jesus would care for her kids or Jesus would sustain Jeremy if that happened. Faith is knowing He is good in all circumstances...not just the outcomes we want but also those we are afraid to consider. Jessica said it took her a few days of wrestling with God but now she can say she is not afraid. She trusts Jesus. She has peace about what He is doing or will do in her life. She has faith.
I want to have a faith that drives out fear. Knowing, understanding, believing in the goodness of Christ no matter what the circumstance...whether my worst fear happens or not, having a faith strong enough to trust Jesus. I am going to keep praying for safety while driving, but I chose to believe that Jesus good even if an accident should take place. He is faithful to drive out our fear if we surrender it to Him.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. - Psalm 34:4

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. - 1 John 4:18

Have a great week!
Kelly

Christmas is Coming!

2011-12-06T13:18:00.001-05:00

We had a blast on Sunday night celebrating Christmas as a church family!

Check out the Thirds tab for more pictures of a fun night!

Great song and video

2011-11-30T10:15:00.001-05:00

I Can Only Imagine

Hope you enjoy it!

David Booker

Worship Leader

ps. Don't forget!

Welcome to the Multi-Contributor Blog of NBCC!

2011-11-23T15:30:00.001-05:00

Multi (more-than-one)

Contributor (rye-tur)

Blog (online-diary-for-grown-ups)

We hope that this “Seconds” Blog will be something that becomes a normal part of your online life.

We know that the posts will be informative, encouraging, and worth your time.

We think that you will enjoy hearing the thoughts of the contributors. The writers will have thoughts on the sermon passage that week, things that are going on in their lives, or whatever is on their mind.

For example, I read Psalm 71:9 this past Sunday to begin the inside services. It was a verse that was important in John’s sermon. Psalm 71:9 says, “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” I know that the Psalm is a prayer/song in which the person is talking to God and asking Him to take care of him… especially in his older years. I cannot help but also think that this would be an appropriate thought for an older person to his or her children. I also happened to read 1 Timothy 5:4 this past week which says, “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.” What do those two passages have to do with each other? In my own mind it means we should take care of our families… this is putting our religion into practice. We take care of the young ones in our family and the older ones too. Just a thought I guess in a culture where sometimes the old and frail are put out of sight and out of mind. I have not yet faced that situation in my own life, but I hope when the time comes that I honor my parents by how I can and what my attitude towards them will be.

Have a great week!

Troy
Christian Education Minister