What Does The Bible Have To Say About Baptism? Part 2

Christian baptism is one of two ordinances that Jesus instituted for the church. (The other being communion). Jesus’ last words to his disciples before ascending into heaven were, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” Matthew 28:19–20. These instructions specify that the church is responsible to teach Jesus’ word, make disciples, and baptize those believers.

The Bible is abundantly clear of what baptism is, who it is for, and what it accomplishes. In the Bible, only believers who had placed their faith in Christ were baptized - as a public testimony of their faith and desire to follow him. Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience after faith in Christ. It is a proclamation of faith in Christ, a statement of submission to Him, and identification with His death, burial, and resurrection.

With this in view, infant baptism is not a Biblical practice. An infant cannot place his or her faith in Christ. An infant cannot make a conscious decision to obey Christ. An infant cannot understand what water baptism symbolizes. The Bible does not record any infants being baptized. This is why we celebrate infant dedications on 5^th Sundays instead of infant baptisms.

If you or someone you know has not been baptized (the Greek word means immersed) as a believer I invite you to do so THIS WEEKEND at Celebration Community Church after one of our 5 worship services.

To Register go to the C3hays app and click on the "Connect" or RSVP tiles.

This is going to be a great day of celebrating being raised to new life in Christ.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

What Does The Bible Have To Say About Baptism? Part 1

It illustrates Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

“… Christ died for our sins … he was buried … and he rose again.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4)

“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.” (Colossians 2:12)

It illustrates your new life as a Christian.

“When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“By our baptism then, we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead … so that we may live a new life!” (Romans 6:4)

Baptism doesn’t make you a Christian. Only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring; it’s the outward sign of the commitment you have made in your heart.

Throughout the year, we gather as a church family to celebrate with people who have made a commitment to following Christ. The baptism service is actually a celebration; it’s a chance for the church to come together to celebrate what we’re all about: helping people discover and grow in their relationship with Christ.

Are you a Christ-follower who would like to be baptized THIS WEEKEND after one of our services? You can be baptized after our NEW SATURDAY Night service at 5pm OR Sunday after 8:30am, 10am or 11:30am.

To Register Go to the C3hays app and click on the "Connect" tile.

Tomorrow we will look at what the Bible has to say about WHO should be baptized.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Raised To Life

On Easter Sunday morning we sang a beautiful and powerful hymn by Bill and Gloria Gaither called "Because He Lives". The song truly captures the joy and power of Easter. The refrain proclaims, "Because he lives, I can face tomorrow; because he lives, all fear is gone; because I know he holds the future, and life is worth the living just because he lives."

These words declare the truth of the life-transforming power of Jesus' resurrection. The women who came early to the tomb on that first Easter morning were filled with fear when they discovered an empty tomb and came face to face with a messenger from God. They were the first witnesses to the awesome power of Christ being raised to the newness of life.

What does that mean for us today? How do we live a "Because He Lives" style of life? We can invite friends and co-workers to come to our new Saturday night service this Saturday at 5pm. We can offer words of forgiveness with a friend who has wronged us. We can offer a word of hope to one who is grieving. We can do an act of service for one who is in need. We can offer a word of welcome and encouragement to someone who is new or different.

Because of Christ's Easter triumph over sin and death, we can have the power and we can have the perspective that enables us to be living witnesses of the One who makes life worth living.

Christian Baptism is one of the most powerful forms of witnessing to the life changing power of God.

If you are a believer and have not yet made the choice on your own to be baptized I invite you to be raised to the newness of life this weekend following each of our 5 services Saturday 5pm, Sunday 8:30am, 10am & 11:30am.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Yesterday we nearly filled up FHSU's Beach-Schmidt Auditorium TWICE to celebrate the resurrection of our LORD. In addition there were 234 worshippers in our church in Colby who also experienced the joy of what God did for us in Jesus at Easter thru C³.

Thank you to all who prayed, invited friends and served to help make this day SO special. Special thanks to our Worship, Tech, Creative Arts and Hospitality teams lead by our faithful and committed C3 staff.

Special thanks to Josh Hunter for making the JESUS display, to the Haines family for providing the crosses and to Robin Wilson who provided EVERY child who came to C3 Hays with an Easter egg filled with candy and a dollar(many also received a stuffed bunny or bear).

Easter has come and gone… now what?

No other holiday except for Christmas is the subject of as much anticipation as Easter. But now that Resurrection Sunday is behind us and the distractions of spring and summer are right around the corner, it’s easy to mentally set the message of Easter aside until next spring. Jesus’ resurrection isn’t something to celebrate once a year and then forget about; it’s something that should influence and redeem our behavior every single day. How can we not let the joy of Easter fade?

I heard it said that many people will move on from Resurrection Sunday to a Mundane Monday, Terrible Tuesday, Whiny Wednesday, Throbbing headache Thursday, Frenzied Friday, Suck back a few cold ones Saturday, unaware of the significance of all they heard about the week before. People will continue to fight sin in their own strength, think the meaning of life lies somewhere outside God’s provision in Christ, and battle nagging fears and dread death. The elation of the resurrection will fade into the ho hum of our lives, making no discernible impact. As you pastor and want to challenge you and remind you that we know better and we are not going to let that happen.

I want to encourage you to Celebrate Easter everyday and take the message of Easter and the hope we have in Jesus with you wherever you go today and everyday this week. Then come back together with your church family as we LAUNCH OUR NEW SATURDAY SERVICE at 5pm or Sunday at 8:30AM, 10am and 11:30am.

We will be having baptisms after each service.(Register on your C3 app).

I am SO proud to be a fellow follower of the resurrected Jesus Christ and your pastor and partner in ministry,,

Kyle

Get Ready For Some Good News

There's a section in U.S. News & World Report that’s called "News You Can Use" which implies that there is a lot of news you can't use. That's true. We live in an information overload society. Electronic and social media bombard us with data throughout the day. But a lot of what's out I really don't need to know.

Here is the Good News we ALL need to know. Jesus Christ, God’s sinless Son died on a cross to take on our sinful nature. He was buried in a tomb and in three days rose from the dead defeating death. If we believe in Him, trust in Him and choose to follow Him, we can experience forgiveness of our sins, a supernatural power to help us live our lives and the promise of life everlasting.

For twenty years I have been saying, “Hi this is Kyle Ermoian of Celebration Community Church and I’ve got Good News for you!” The Good News is Jesus. The Good News is the Cross. The Good News is the Resurrection!

If you can, come join us on the campus of Fort Hays State University at 9am or 11am as we Celebrate Easter with the Hays community and our C3 family! There will be uplifting music, inspiring videos, a positive encouraging message and special stuff just for the kids.

My wife Debbie and I wish you and your family a very blessed Easter.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

the already-but-not-yet.

Friday was the worst day in the life of Jesus’ disciples. Life came crashing down at their feet. Their hero died an agonizing death in front of their eyes. That wasn’t supposed to happen. Jesus was supposed to ride into Jerusalem victorious, overthrow the brutal Roman Empire, and begin a new reign. The disciples expected triumph, but what happened on Friday must have felt like defeat. What about all the promises Jesus had made? Hadn’t he promised prosperity, better days to come, a place at the table, and all that?

More than that, though, they had just lost their trusted mentor and friend. The man who was shepherding them through their days and teaching them how to live was lying lifeless in an earthen tomb. They must have had so many questions for him that were left unanswered, things they thought they’d have more time to sort out with him. I wonder if they felt abandoned and adrift. There was no dull ache for the friend they’d lost; it must have throbbed with an intensity they didn’t know possible.

I can only imagine the disciples waking up Saturday feeling disoriented, lost, and alone. I bet some of them thought they’d had a crazy dream only to realize they were actually living out a nightmare. Where was the victory? What would become of them with their hero and mentor dead? Who would lead them and where would they even go? How could they go on without their dear friend? Jesus’ promises must have felt empty. I wonder if they questioned everything he’d ever taught them. And the day drug on. Morning turned into afternoon and then afternoon into evening.

At the same time, I wonder if they had a glimmer of hope. They knew it wasn’t supposed to end this way. Jesus had promised more, and while they didn’t know what the future looked like exactly, the disciples trusted Him to deliver. He had done so many amazing things and taught them so much after all. Maybe they heard that quiet voice whisper across their hearts, “There’s more. The story doesn’t end here.”

Many of us spend much of our lives feeling stuck in Saturday. Life is hard. Relationships, work, and money all seem to suck the life right out of us. The tragedy of Friday crashes in to our everyday lives all too often. We question, sometimes, where the redemption comes in. We live in limbo, the in-between, as I read Katie Rutledge in a blog once put it, “the already-but-not-yet.“

We are assured the story doesn’t end this way. “There is hope,” a voice whispers deep inside.

Your pastor and partner in the journey toward Easter,

Kyle

ITS NOT TOO LATE to invite a friend, relative, neighbor and co-worker.

It’s Friday…But Sunday’s Coming

Many of you have heard, or at least heard about, the sermon called, "It's Friday, but Sunday's Coming." It's taken from a story by sociologist Tony Campolo, about a sermon his preaching mentor delivered. It goes something like this...

"It's Friday. Jesus has been arrested in the garden where he is praying. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. The disciples have all abandoned their master. Peter denies that he knows the Lord.

But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked and ridiculed by the Roman soldiers.

But Sunday's coming."

And on it goes: "It's Friday. Jesus is in the tomb. Heaven is silent. Satan is laughing because he thinks he's won.

But Sunday's coming."

It was one of the best sermons I have heard. Now hear this:

For some of you, it feels like it has been Friday for a long time. You've lost loved ones, lost jobs, lost your health, lost the dream you held so dear. You've failed, and then failed again. I want you to remember this ... it's only Friday. Sunday's coming!

The angel said to the women on Easter morning: "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " Then they remembered his words. (Luke 24:5-8)

It may be Friday today, it may have felt like Friday for a long time -- but Sunday's coming.

And oh what a Sunday it is going to be at Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center as we celebrate the greatest event in human history, Christ’s resurrection!

Invite a friend, neighbor, co-worker and relative to join you on the Fort Hays Campus this Sunday at 9am or 11am.

Your pastor and partner in the journey toward Easter,

Kyle

Invite a friend, relative, neighbor and co-worker to “Come Celebrate Easter”.

A New Commandment Christ Gave Us

Today we recall in our hearts and minds the events that occurred on Thursday of what the church calls Holy Week, the last week in the life of our Lord. The disciples have gathered in an upper room to participate in what is called a Seder meal, one of the highlights of the Passover week. The Passover festival, of course, had been done for centuries before Jesus came on the scene. It commemorated that time when the Jews were in bondage in Egypt. Moses warned Pharaoh to let his people go, but Pharaoh hardened his heart. So God sent a death over the land of Egypt, but miraculously this death passed over the homes of the Jews. Thus, the season of Passover was given birth.

The meal itself was a symbolic one reminding the Jews of the sufferings of their forefathers and the power of God's deliverance. The foods that were eaten were symbols to remind the Jews of their captivity in Egypt. Apple sauce was eaten to remind them of brick mortar and the fact that they were forced to make bricks with no straw. A bitter herb is eaten to remind them of the bitterness of their captivity. It was this symbolic Seder Meal that the disciples were partaking of that night in the upper room.

It was at the conclusion of that meal that Jesus himself added two more symbols. He took a loaf and broke it and gave it to his disciples saying: Take eat, this is my body which is broken for you, do this in remembrance of me. Then he took a cup with wine. He drank from it and gave it to his disciples saying, "Drink ye all of this, for this is my blood which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sin."

Thus was born our tradition of taking the Lord's Supper, out of the experience of an ancient Jewish custom. It was at this meal that John recorded Jesus giving his disciples “a new commandment” that we love one another as Jesus had loved them. This is where we get the expression “Maundy Thursday” from the Latin “mandatum” for mandate or commandment.

Notice that Jesus says “Your love” not for me, not for God, but for other people is the proof that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus showed his disciples that you show love by serving, so he washed their feet like a servant would.

The thing that proves to the world that we are Christ’s followers is not our buildings, not our music, not our sermons, not our sacraments, but rather our love for one another.

Follow Christ’s command and show your love today by inviting someone to church with you This Sunday. Our goal is to fill Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center twice at 9am & 11am. The only way that this is going to happen is if you invite a friend, co-worker, relative and neighbor to come with you.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Invite a friend, relative, neighbor and co-worker to “Come Celebrate Easter”.

The Passion of the Christ

It was 12 years ago that the movie “The Passion of the Christ” reminded us in vivid imagery of what Jesus went through and why. God has shown His love for us--but at such a great cost. In the person of Jesus Christ, God became a member of the human family. He lived His whole life without sin. Then, though innocent Himself, He died a terrible death to make our salvation possible. Shining through the darkness that surrounded the hill at Calvary that fateful day was the wondrous brilliance of the love of God. Think for a moment about what Christ suffered, and remember that it was for you and me.

How do we respond? We are challenged by a team of writers of Our Daily Bread to:

Stand in awe as He agonizes before God the Father in Gethsemane until His sweat becomes like great drops of blood falling to the ground.

Follow in horror as He is arrested like a criminal, mutilated by a Roman whip, and tortured, mocked, and derided with a crown of thorns.

Weep for Him as He stumbles under the heavy wooden beam He is forced to carry to His place of execution.

Cringe in revulsion as hardened Roman soldiers pound spikes through His hands, drive nails through His feet, and roughly drop the beam into place.

Listen to Him as He hangs there on the cross, praying for His enemies, talking lovingly to His mother, and promising salvation to the criminal who repents.

Be still as you see the sky grow black at noon, and as you sit through the 3 hours of eerie midday darkness.

Listen to His cry of abandonment, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

Remember that on the cross, Jesus endured the agony of hell for you and me.

God was His Father. He had existed with Him from all eternity in a relationship closer than anything we could ever know. Yet the Father "made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:21). This week as we approach Good Friday, the day of Christ’s crucifixion, we will continue to look at the cross and remember the price Jesus paid for you and me.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Invite a friend, relative, neighbor and co-worker to “Come Celebrate Easter”.

Forever Four

Last weekend the KU Jayhawks advanced to the “Sweet Sixteen” of the NCAA Div. I tournament. Basketball aficionados call all this college basketball hoopla, “March Madness” or the “Road to the Final Four”.

At Celebration Community Church we have our own kind of March Madness as we encourage people to make up fill out another bracket called their
FOREVER F.O.U.R.

We are asking EVERYONE to pray about and then invite to church this Easter Sunday a:
Friend,
Occupational co-worker,
Unchurched neighbor,
Relative

In a recent national survey, 80% of Americans said they’d accept an invitation to attend an Easter church service if someone would simply invite them! People are waiting to be asked!

Let’s get some of our own March Madness going by inviting people you know to one of our two Easter Sunday Services at FHSU’s Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State University campus at 9am & 11 am .

The winners will be those we invite and the results will last forever!

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Invite a friend, relative, neighbor and co-worker to “Come Celebrate Easter”.

The Stones Will Cry Out

Hosanna, blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! ”Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out". Luke 19:38-40.

Yesterday at Celebration Community Church I talked about Jesus arrival into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. As Jesus rode into the city on a humble donkey he must have found immense delight in the praises and hosannas that he received along his route. Surely there was faith to be found in Israel during Passover week.

Some wouldn’t give it, though. “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out’”. Luke 19:39,40.

The Pharisees thought the crowd's shouts of praise were sacrilegious and blasphemous. They didn't see Jesus as Messiah and they didn’t want someone challenging their power and authority. They also they didn't want a revolt that would bring the Roman army down on them. So they asked Jesus to keep his people quiet. But Jesus said that even if the people were quiet, the stones would burst into cheers.

Chris Tomlin sings in the bridge of, “You and I Were Made To Worship “

“And even the rocks cry out and even the Heavens shout at the sound of His holy name, So let every voice sing out, and let every knee bow down, He's worthy of all our praise”

We don’t have to wave palm branches or shout out in praise, “Hosanna in the highest”. But like palm branches we can lay down our wills and surrender our hearts, giving to Christ the obedience, adoration, and service he deserves.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Invite a friend, relative, neighbor and co-worker to “Come Celebrate Easter”.

The devil was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

The devil is a liar. Listen to the following statements and answer if they are truth or lies.

"God doesn’t love me" – Truth or Lie? Lie of course, God’s word says:“I have loved you with an everlasting love..” Jer. 31:3

"I am insignificant”. Truth or Lie? Lie of course, God’s word says: "You are God’s Masterpiece created in Christ Jesus". Eph 3:10

"I will never get over this addiction". Truth or Lie? Lie of course, God’s word says: “You are an overcomer by the blood of the lamb by the words of my testimony”. Rev 12:11

"I’ve blown it and will never restore what has been lost". Truth or Lie? Lie of course, God’s word says: “God works all things together for good for those who love him.” Rom. 8:28

“I can’t go on anymore…" Truth or Lie ? Lie of course, God’s word says: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”. Phil. 4:13

Don’t let destructive thoughts distract you. Don’t let the lies of the Devil hold you hostage. Today at 8:30 and 10am I will be sharing how the lies of the devil are meant to steal, kill and destroy your life, faith and family.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Be sure to pick up a handful of Easter Door Hangers today after church and invite your friends, co-workers and neighbors to Easter services next Sunday.

There is an old Arab parable that says: “All sunshine and no rain makes a desert." If you never have any down times, dark times, gloomy times in your life you'll be dried up. You'll have no depth to yourself, no maturity. It takes both good times and bad times to build character and make a mature person. Life is a mixture of pain and pleasure, of victory and defeat, of success and failure, of mountain tops and valleys.

Jesus was very realistic about this when he said in John 16, "In the world you will have trouble." It's not a matter of if, it's when. It's going to happen. They are a normal part of life. Don't be surprised by it. You're going to have some difficulty, some disappointment, and some discouragement in life.

There will be some times of suffering, sorrow and sickness. There will be days peppered with frustration, failure and fatigue. You will experience contention, controversy and conflict.

Even in our darkest valleys, on our darkest days, be exposed to this light from God’s word. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

I know I can confidently face whatever...because I am not alone, God is with me.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Be sure to pick up a handful of Easter Door Hangers on Sunday to invite your friends, co-workers and neighbors to Easter services next Sunday.

DaVinci’s “The Last Supper”

Leonardo da Vinci painted the fresco "The Last Supper" in a church in Milan. A very interesting story is associated with this painting.

At the time that Leonardo da Vinci painted "The Last Supper," he was having a feud with a fellow painter. da Vinci had had a bitter argument with this man and despised him. When da Vinci painted the face of Judas Iscariot at the table with Jesus, he used the face of his enemy so that it would be present for ages as the man who betrayed Jesus. He took delight while painting this picture in knowing that others would actually notice the face of his enemy on Judas.

As he worked on the faces of the other disciples, he often tried to paint the face of Jesus, but couldn't make any progress. da Vinci felt frustrated and confused. In time he realized what was wrong. His hatred for the other painter was holding him back from finishing the face of Jesus. Only after making peace with his fellow painter and repainting the face of Judas was he able to paint the face of Jesus and complete his masterpiece.

One of the reasons we may have a hard time accepting the forgiveness of God is that we find it hard to forgive others. That's why Jesus said, "If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matt. 6:14,15). If you want your relationship with Jesus to be all that it should be, forgive your enemies and do all you can to demonstrate Christ's love to them.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

TONIGHT (FRIDAY) 7:05pm. Admission and Refreshments are FREE!

THIS SATURDAY. NEW TIME 8:30am

Two Types of People in the World

With today being St. Patrick’s Day we are reminded of the patron Saint of Ireland who in the 4th Century shared the good news of Jesus Christ to his homeland in the Emerald Isle. God is still calling missionaries today as he did 1600 years ago. This assignment is reaching out to you and me as our mission, and it is different from our ministry.  Your ministry is your service to believers in the Body of Christ, while your mission is your service to unbelievers outside of the church. This could be across an ocean like Haiti where we send out teams of missionaries each year, Baxter Springs Kansas where our or across the street.

Let me ask you a question. If you had a friend, relative, neighbor or co-worker with a fatal disease and you knew the cure, do you think it would be criminal to withhold that lifesaving information? Even worse would you keep secret the way to forgiveness, purpose, peace, and eternal life? Like Patrick shared the way, the truth and the life of Christ with his countrymen, you and I have the greatest news in the world and sharing it is the greatest kindness you can show to the people you know. Be a St. Patrick and be sure to invite someone to the Community Wide Easter Celebration at Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center on March 27th at 9am or 11am.

Your ¼ Irish Pastor and Partner in Ministry,

Kyle

P.S.
When my dear Irish mother Mary Lorraine Gaffney-Conley Ermoian was alive she used to say, “There are two types of people in this world. Those who are Irish…and those who wish they were”.

THIS FRIDAY 7:05pm. Admission and Refreshments are FREE!

THIS SATURDAY. NEW TIME 8:30am

Countdown 11 days to Easter

I heard the story of an old man dying of cancer whose daughter had asked the local pastor to come and pray with her father. The old man told the pastor that prayer was always difficult for him having never really known how to. The pastor suggested the old man place an empty chair next to his bed and in faith, see Jesus sitting on the chair, then just speak to Him and listen in the same way.

Two nights later the daughter called to tell the pastor that her dad had died that afternoon.

Did he seem to die in peace?” he asked. “Yes, she said but there was something strange, apparently just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on a chair beside the bed.

Developing intimacy cannot be achieved without an intentional relationship, in which we practice the art of tuning our ears to hear the Unseen One in the empty chair beside us.

Reflection: Reflect on the intimacy described in this story. Do you have a similar sense of Christ’s nearness when you pray? Perhaps you’d benefit from doing as He did. Others find a greater sense of intimacy experienced as they write out their prayers to God. This week, explore different ways of engaging God like this.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

THIS FRIDAY 7:05pm Admission and Refreshments are FREE!

THIS SATURDAY NEW TIME 8:30am

Countdown to Easter 12

John Ortberg writes that “researchers have found that it takes twenty times more the amount of amphetamine to kill a mouse living in solitude. But a group of mice will start hopping around and hyping each other up so much that a dosage twenty times smaller becomes lethal – so great is the effect of “the world” on mice. Also a mouse given no amphetamine at all will be dead within ten minutes of being placed in the midst of a group on the drug. In groups they go off like popcorn or fire crackers"(The Life You've Always Wanted, 91).

Solitude is not merely a therapeutic place. “Solitude is the furnace of transformation,” wrote Henri Nouwen in The Way of the Heart. “Without solitude we remain victims of our society and continue to be entangled in the illusions of the false self. It is the place of conversion, the place where the old self dies and the new self is born, the place where the emergence of the new man and the new woman occurs. I am a social creature but I also realize that when I am alone I am at my most available to God.

Reflection:
When was the last time you intentionally spent over an hour alone in solitude and silence for the purpose of detaching from the “amphetamines” of the world.

Look at your calendar over the next week. Look for a day that you could set aside one full hour when you can engage in solitude and silence. Call the church office and schedule a time to come up to C3 and use our Prayer Room which is open 24-7. It is a great place for getting away from the pressures of the world and finding the solitude that we desperately need if we are going to grow closer to God.

If we do not intentionally schedule time alone with God, it will likely never happen.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Countdown to Easter 13

Mark 6:31-32
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." ³² So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

In America we equate business to success. The more busy we are, the more productive we believe we are being. In fact, it becomes the standard greeting everywhere: “I am so busy.” Author Wayne Muller in his book Sabbath writes, “We say this to one another with no small degree of pride, as if our exhaustion were a trophy, our ability to withstand stress a mark of real character. The busier we are, the more important we seem to ourselves and, we imagine, to others. To be “busy” has become the model of a successful life.”

A causal reading of the Gospels clearly depicts how many people were constantly trying to get to Jesus. Several passages paint the picture of He and the disciples were so busy they didn’t even have time to eat (perhaps for days). Needless to say, Jesus was BUSY!

Think about how busy Jesus was, how many people were seeking an audience with Him, and yet the resilience He maintained to be alone with God.

If Jesus as the Son of God needed such times, how much more do we?

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

98.5 The TRUTH presents, the latest movie from the makers of “God’s Not Dead” “Do You Believe” plays at the Celebration THIS FRIDAY March 18 at 7:05 pm.

Admission and refreshments are free!

Countdown to Easter 14

The University of Northern Iowa once offered a general art course that included a most unusual exercise. The teacher brought to class a shopping bag filled with lemons and gave a lemon to each class member. The assignment was for the student to keep his lemon with him day and night--smelling, handling, examining it. Next class period, without warning, students were told to put their lemons back in the bag. Then each was asked to find his lemon. Surprisingly, most did so without difficulty.

The groundwork of intimacy with God is often established through
the daily disciplines we engage. Want to know God? Spend time with Him.

Reflection: When do you feel most intimate with Christ?

What can you do to cultivate this connection with Christ on a daily basis?

Like the lemon assignment given to the students what are some ways you can develop an awareness of Christ throughout your day?

As you gather to worship God today at church, do so with an attitude of expectation that you are going to encounter God in a personal way through singing praises, the study of God’s word through your pastor’s message  and fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Countdown to Easter 15

On average, American adults watch television 4–4.5 hours daily. That’s a total of 1,460 hours or 60 days out of each year (this does not include other media such as DVDs, Internet, etc 

On average, how many hours of television do you watch each day/week? 

Just before I sat down to write this blog I had just watched 3 hours of TV , an hour long drama and a basketball game. Oh how time flies. 

I know people who fast media consumption in their days leading up to Easter.   They limit the quantity of time spent watching television. This could be a daily viewing time limit, designated no-TV days, or perhaps choosing to unplug the television for a extended period of time altogether.  Many of us just have the TV on in the backround for company. Try eliminating that backround noise and start to be comfortable with quiet. I have attempted to cut out 2 hours of TV each day replacing it with Quiet Time & study. (It’s tough during March Madness) 

Remember, the message isn’t that television is inherently bad; rather we are looking for ways in which we can create space to meet with God and others. 

I’m not watching the tube again until…  5pm Saturday (the next KU game) 

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Please pray for our CrossCurrent Youth Mission trip to Baxtor Springs over Spring Break


DON'T FORGET!

Countdown to Easter 16

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

Jesus, of course, was well aware his presence and words were in demand. That is precisely why He traded an hour or two of sleep for time alone. For Jesus, solitude and quiet, reflection and prayer, were His lifeblood. This was not an isolated incident. It was the rule.

These times of solitude, absent of noise and activity was “the primary place of strength…” In those quiet hours, He cultivated the insight and wisdom that came from His Father. 

Reflection:
Why did Jesus place such a high priority on these times of solitude and silence?

Does solitude and silence have an expressed place in the rhythm of your life?

Action:
I am not suggesting that you get up two hours earlier tomorrow but maybe you could start with 15 minutes. If you live with others, get up before everyone else, turn off the t.v.. Maybe at lunch time you could find a quiet place and just listen for the still small voice of God.  

The goal isn’t necessarily to say anything to God, but simply to be with Him. 

This can often be a challenging exercise, especially if we are used to being surrounded by constant stimuli and noise. Nonetheless, this was one of the secrets to Jesus’ strength – time alone with God in silence. 

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Keep in your prayers C3’s High School Mission Trip March 11-17 to Baxter Springs, KS.  Nick Eiden and family and sponsors will spend spring break growing closer to God and making a difference in the lives of those in this economically depressed area!

Check out some of the kids who will be going. https://www.facebook.com/CrossCurrentC2/?fref=ts

Countdown to Easter 17

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

Jesus, of course, was well aware his presence and words were in demand. That is precisely why He traded an hour or two of sleep for time alone. For Jesus, solitude and quiet, reflection and prayer, were His lifeblood. This was not an isolated incident. It was the rule.

These times of solitude, absent of noise and activity was “the primary place of strength…” In those quiet hours, He cultivated the insight and wisdom that came from His Father. 

Reflection:
Why did Jesus place such a high priority on these times of solitude and silence?

Does solitude and silence have an expressed place in the rhythm of your life?

Action:
I am not suggesting that you get up two hours earlier tomorrow but maybe you could start with 15 minutes. If you live with others, get up before everyone else, turn off the t.v.. Maybe at lunch time you could find a quiet place and just listen for the still small voice of God.  

The goal isn’t necessarily to say anything to God, but simply to be with Him. 

This can often be a challenging exercise, especially if we are used to being surrounded by constant stimuli and noise. Nonetheless, this was one of the secrets to Jesus’ strength – time alone with God in silence. 

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Keep in your prayers C3’s High School Mission Trip March 11-17 to Baxter Springs, KS.  Nick Eiden and family and sponsors will spend spring break growing closer to God and making a difference in the lives of those in this economically depressed area!

Check out some of the kids who will be going. https://www.facebook.com/CrossCurrentC2/?fref=ts