A Prayer for Grace

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

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

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…

 

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

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

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!

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!