Remembering

Jeanette and I had a great trip to Williamsburg this past weekend. In October we took several days off and spent some time touring the Historic Triangle area, Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown and while there we upgraded our entrance passes to last all year knowing we would be coming back. It is interesting to see how our world has changed, even the mindset of the people of that period versus our time period. It struck me odd that the actors or players in the different scenes did not fail to invoke God’s name and even His blessings on events. While amongst the crowds I could hear chuckles and phrases like “well you certainly can’t say that now-a-days” my how things change. We recently heard a series from our pastor on remembrance, remembering what God has done for us. I remember he said our past can keep us on track when we stray if we will just remember what God has done for us. Our trip this time was also to enjoy the company of many of my friends from the Virginia State Police who had retired and moved on to different stages in their lives. We had our usual memorial service to remember those of us whom had passed away during this past year and while listening to the Alumni Chaplain read from the 23rd Psalm I could see guys around me with tears swelling up in their eyes…the Holy Spirit was ministering and helping all of us remember what Jesus had done for us as he kept us safe during the many years we served. We prayed for those now serving, that they would be kept safe and would remember what good things God has done for them as well. It’s interesting to see when we get into those moments of remembrance that “political correctness” doesn’t seem to matter. Anyway, our time away was good and refreshing. This will help us as we approach the Christmas season…a time to remember what God did for us by sending His only Son to pay the penalty for our transgressions, yes, once again a time to remember. As we remember what He has done for us John 3: 16 comes to my mind…”for God so loved the world, He gave...” Lord, help us to always remember what you did for us…

The Turns in the Game of Life

Well the winter season is hitting us hard…snow a few days ago…8 inches here and now today it is forecasting icy and freezing rain. The Redskins lost another close game Sunday and yesterday we found out the place kicker Shaun Suisham was let go. Shawn attends out church and is a very nice man, so it was sad to hear the news. But, such is the game. We have lost a few close games this year and most feel we should have won each one…again, such is the nature of the game we call football. Speaking of the game…how about the game of life and the curves and hardballs it brings into our life. Lately things have been really busy “pastorally” trying to help people during this time of year. You hear hard luck stories about how life has thrown them a curve but every now and then one comes along that really touches not only your heart but your spirit as well. Our church did something a few weeks ago that was unusual…we gave everyone who entered our worship center a dollar bill. At least one of those dollars we will never get back as it has a rather neat story attached to it. When the “game of life” throws us a curve or a hardball we often turn back to God or turn and push into Him really hard, trying to hide or get comfort or maybe even asking if he is real. This man showed up in my office needing some guidenance, as the “game of life” had thrown him and his family a hardball and a curve at the same time. He related how he had lost his job and had used up all his savings and was broke. He came to church and instead of asking for money we gave some away. He got a dollar and heard God say I will take care of you…shortly his job back and as he shared this testimony with me I knew many would need to hear how God had taken care of him and be encouraged through his testimony. Here is a link to the sermon if you care to hear how Pastor used it in his message and how God used it to touch many that came that day. www.cfellowshipc.org then search for podcast. Then be prepared the Holy Spirit touched many people with just a short 2 minute testimony. The game of life does from time to time throw us curves and hardballs and how we deal with them determines the end result in more ways than we care to imagine. Don’t let the “game of life” get you down…turn and look into the face of God and He will always give you peace and answers.

A Walk in the Forrest

Well leaves have been raked and the grass cut for the last time this season. Recently my grandsons came to visit and Zakri the youngest and I took a walk along the path behind my home and in my subdivision…it is the “forest” according to little Zak. I took my camera along and took some pictures of him enjoying our walk with the dog and then he wanted to take some pictures. I told him to look around and tell me what you see…of course he said pretty quickly “just trees and leaves”. As we walked along I kept saying to him use your imagination and tell me what you see. It was pretty neat seeing how God suddenly opened his eyes and his mind to see other things…like the colors and the small water fall with leaves floating along and the beauty of the trees as they “let their leaves fall”. Some were falling on us as we walked. I was reminded of how God always brings out His glory even in death. Everything around us was dying and yet beauty was everywhere. I am attaching a couple of neat photos Zak took, using his imagination.

There is always something God has done for us if we will just pause and look. This past Thanksgiving was a time of fellowship (actually one of the core values of our church) with family, friends and with God. It is a time of remembering what He has done for us. One of our recent Sunday morning sermons was about being restored by God and a silent cardboard testimony was had…very impactful but again allowing us to see how God is able to snatch victory from apparent defeat and death…yes we serve a God who really cares and loves each of us. Ok, now back to my yard…now the leaves are gone I see that plants needs pruning…aah back to the reality of yard work…even in the mist of death…no beauty! Decorating for Christmas….it’s here already???

Observations

Recently I went to serve at Walter Reed Hospital with our local outreach efforts. It was amazing and very uplifting. My granddaughter turned 15 that day and went and served all day. She was fantastic and even took part in the “Strong Women” contest and actually won her heat. Even though she didn’t win overall she was, to me, the strongest person there…Seeing the wounded soldiers and their families was a real blessing. Hearing their stories made your heart warm. I served during the Vietnam era and it was entirely different than it is today and I am very happy to see the nation rally around the men and women who serve to protect our freedom. One of the ladies at church who does face painting mentioned to me that one of the soldiers brought his son and wanted his face painted but the little one didn’t. She just began to sing softly in his ear and he just became so calm and the face was painted, much to his delight later. The soldier thanked her and she said back to him, because of your sacrifice I can paint faces, it’s my privilege. He was overwhelmed and very thankful for the words and the thoughts about his service. It sometimes is just the little things that make a difference in others and gives great encouragement.
I my position as pastor I seem to be on the front lines of seeing what God is doing as He positions things in order to meet the needs of His children. Recently a dad who has three children lost his job and could not pay his electric bill. He was very sad that his children had to do homework by candle light and take cold showers…he told me he fasted and prayed for three days asking God to help him. During day two God had him call his church, which just happens to be CFC and he left a message on my phone asking if we could help. I was unable to call him back that day, but knew we didn’t have the funds in our benevolence account. I receive 3-4 calls each day asking for help but this one stuck in my mind and I couldn’t let it go. The next day when I checked our account we had money…strange???...so, I called him and he came in to explain his dilemma. I had just enough to help pay the electric bill and get his lights and heat turned back on…he told me that all night the night before he prayed and walked around his apartment complex asking God what to do…when the call came from me he knew God had answered his prayer and was faithful to him. Things like that not only build my faith but can you imagine what it does for him and for his three daughters. Its things like this that makes a long week worth all the effort (meager as it is) put into serving a wonderful God who cares for us in every way. I was blessed later in the week to receive a nice phone call from some close friends who had come back to the area to visit some family and they wanted to have some fellowship with Jeanette and me. It was a blessing to renew friendships and get caught up on things in our lives together. They said they miss us…but truthfully I think I missed them more…Ok, enough for now got to take out the trash and rake some leaves…ugh!

Serving

Today I was relaxing at home, something I have needed for a few weeks. Getting work done on our bathrooms. Trying to upgrade to newer fixtures and going from wallpaper to tile…wow. The work is slow but it is beginning to take shape and is now looking like a bath once again. This has brought the scripture to mind to we often ask God for…patience. From my perspective trying to see the work being done from the workers position has been “trying my patience” as the design I picked out required that almost every tile be cut…wow if I had just thought beforehand. This week at church we, as a staff, we put our words into action by serving at three different facilities we have been working with on our local outreach journey. I was serving with several other staff members at the Sterling Thrift Shop located next to the Regal Cinema. We straightened clothes, shoes, records…BTW, saw some “old” 8 track music tapes; made my mind wander back to my work as a narcotics officer with the state police. Dusty, the youth pastor, and I found some old golf clubs and started hitting a waffle ball around the facility…even swung the club and vacuumed some…that’s the truth, got caught on film - Anyway it was very uplifting to serve and do things small that meant a lot. We got thanked almost at every turn for doing, what we thought were small things but meant allot to the regular workers. We all were blessed, made things that we think are huge to us seem rather out of place. For instance, I had a couple in my office this week struggling with a minor conflict in their marriage but was big to them. As I spoke to them it became evident this was a little minor thing (to me) and when they left they like the workers at the thrift shop thanked me several times. God showed me neither had a relationship personally with His Son. I was able to get them to do some homework and prayed the Holy Spirit would accomplish His work; they needed a little vacuuming like the floor at the thrift shop. They also needed a little patience with one another. It does get quite interesting sometimes in my office…one of the ladies often reminds me that I have a front row seat to what God is doing in people’s lives. That very day after she had said that, I received a call of someone struggling with alcohol and was calling on God for help. I was able to get him connected, then a call for help paying their electric bill, then a drop in with a person struggling with his grown kids doing things not pleasing to God and wondering where he had gone wrong…yes, at times I do have a front row seat and I may just share a few of those experiences in future blogs…stay tuned…an if you need a little vacuuming then serve someone who needs a gentle touch…

Jewish Festival of Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement: Yom Kippur

OVERVIEW OF YOM KIPPUR

Yom Kippur means Day of Atonement according to the Bible. It is one of the Yamim Noraim (Hebrew, "Days of Awe"). The Yamim Noraim consists of Rosh Hashanah, which is the first two days of the Ten Days of Repentance, and Yom Kippur, which is the last of the ten days. In the Hebrew calendar Yom Kippur begins at nightfall starting the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri (which falls in September/October), and continues until the next nightfall.

HISTORY OF YOM KIPPUR

Yom Kippur is the Jewish day of repentance, considered to be the holiest and most solemn day of the year. Its central theme is atonement and reconciliation. Eating, drinking, bathing, cosmetics, wearing leather (including shoes), and conjugal relations are prohibited. Fasting - total abstention from all food and drink - begins a bit before sundown (called 'tosephet' Yom Kippur, the 'addition' of fasting a bit of the previous day is required by Jewish law), and ends after nightfall the following day.

Yom Kippur completes the penitential period of ten days ("the season of repentance and prayer") that begins with Rosh Hashanah (New Year's Day); for though prayerful humiliation be acceptable at all times, it is thought to be peculiarly potent at that time.

Penitent confession was a requisite for expiation through capital or corporal punishment. "The Day of Atonement absolves from sins against God, but not from sins against a fellow man unless the pardon of the offended person be secured." Hence the custom of terminating on the eve of the fast day all feuds and disputes. Even the souls of the dead are included in the community of those pardoned on the Day of Atonement. It is customary for children to have public mention made in the synagogue of their departed parents, and to make charitable gifts on behalf of their souls.

Yom Kippur is mentioned biblically in Leviticus 23: 26-32.
There is a tradition to wear white on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, though today you will find many only adhering to the tradition on Yom Kippur. The tradition stems from several concepts.

1. White signifies the color of mercy, and on Yom Kippur we pray for mercy.
2. The angels "wear white" figuratively, and on Yom Kippur the congregation of Israel fasts and prays like the angels.
3. White is the color of purity, and the Day of Atonement itself brings spiritual purification.

It is also a custom at the end of Yom Kippur to begin construction of the Sukkah immediately for the holiday of Sukkot / Sukkos, the Festival of Booths, which is another story all together. As Christians we have a rich heritage and God put these festivals in place to show, not only the Jews but us as Christians something special. I believe God does nothing without a reason and it will always point us to His Son…Jesus. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…come quickly Lord Jesus!

Rice & Beans

Pastor Kent has challenged us to identify with the people whom we will be helping in the months and years to come. They do not have much to eat and mostly eat rice mixed with some beans. So, we have been challenged to see how that feels, thus helping us understand just a little bit about how they live each day. It also is a challege for us to get closer to God, to gaze upone His face and maybe somehow see through His eyes the world around us. It is bringing me closer to the cross at calvary. Just this morning during my devotion time I listened to a sermon on Hope, from the Passion series by Louie Giglio. He also pointed me to the cross, the place where we find hope, where we come to realize that God loves us. Going through these few days and for the next three weeks God will ultimately bring us all to the cross, even the people of Nicargua, because that is the place we all must come...

Part 1 – The Jewish Tradition (Rosh Hashanah)

This starts the year 5770 on the Jewish calendar. At 5:02 PM, Jerusalem time this Friday, a candle is lit starting the weeklong festival. The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) was celebrated at the beginning of the month Tishri, the first month of the civil year. It was one of the seven days of holy convocation. Tishri is the seventh month of the Biblical calendar, and as such parallels the Sabbath as a special and holy time to seek God. The previous month of Elul is the time of preparation just as Friday is the Day of Preparation for Shabbat. This season is a time of reflection, contemplation, and putting things in order and getting right our relationship with God.

So, this Friday evening begins the celebration of the Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year) as it is traditionally called by the Jewish people.
On the day of the Feast of Trumpets (except when it coincides with a Sabbath) the blowing of the Shofar (ram's horn) is the high point of the service. Before the shofar is sounded, the Ba'al Tokea (the shofar blower) prepares himself for his task of blowing the shofar for the congregation and says: "I am prepared to fulfill God's commandment to blow the shofar, as it is prescribed in the Torah, a day of blowing unto you."

The sound of the shofar is broken, a series of staccato blasts. The broken sound is said to remind the people that they need to break their evil inclinations. The shape of the shofar is not straight like a trumpet. The end is curved and bent as a reminder to bend in respect to God.

The sound is meant to be a rousing call to repentance on the part of each individual. It is meant to awaken everyone to remember the Creator and forsake evil ways and return to God. The sound is also meant to inspire. It is a reminder that man should strive to break the impulses of his heart which are evil with the sinful cravings of the world.

The sounds have been established in detail by centuries of tradition. There are four different sounds associated with the service. These sounds are explained as follows:

Tekiah - A pure unbroken sound that calls man to search his heart, abandon his evil ways and seek forgiveness through repentance.

Shevarim - A broken, staccato, trembling sound. It typifies the sorrow that comes to a man when he realizes his wrong and desires to change his ways.

Teruah - A wave-like sound of alarm calling upon man to stand by the banner of God.

Tekia Gedolah - The prolonged, unbroken sound typifying a final invitation to sincere repentance and atonement.

TEN REASONS FOR THE RAM'S HORN

Saadiah Gaon, a leading rabbi and scholar of the ninth century says there are ten reasons the Creator, blessed is He, commanded us to blow the ram's horn on Rosh Hashannah.

1. The first is because Rosh Hashannah marks the beginning of creation, on which the Holy One, blessed is He, created the world and reigned over it. Kings do the same, who have trumpets and horns blown to let it be known and heard everywhere when the anniversary of the beginning of their reigns fall. So we, on Rosh Hashannah, accept the kingship of the Creator, blessed is He, Thus says David: "With trumpets and sound of cornet (shofar) make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King" (Ps. 98:6).

2. The second reason is that, since Rosh Hashannah is the first of the ten days of Teshuvah (repentance), the ram's horn is blown to announce their beginning, as though to warn: Let all who desire to turn in Teshuvah, turn now; and if you do not, you will have no reason to cry injustice. Kings do the same: first they warn the populace in their decree, and whoever violates the decrees after the warning complains unheeded.

3. The third reason is to remind of of our stand at the foot of Mount Sinai, as it is said: "And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long and waxed louder and louder..." (Ex. 19:19), in order that we may take upon ourselves that which our forefathers took upon themselves when they said, "we will do and be obedient" (Ex. 24:7).

4. The fourth reason is to remind us of the words of the prophets, which were compared to a ram's horn, as it is said: "Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head...But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul" (Ez. 33:45).

5. The fifth reason is to remind us of the destruction of the Temple and the battle alarms of the foe, as it is said: "...because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war" (Jer. 4:19). When we hear the sound of the ram's horn, we beseech God to rebuild the Temple.

6. The sixth reason is to remind us of the binding of Isaac, who offered himself to heaven. So we ought to be ready at all times to offer our lives for the sanctification of His Name. And may our remembrance rise before Him for our benefit.

7. The seventh reason is that when we hear the blowing of the ram's horn, we fear and tremble and bend our wills to the will of the Creator for such is the effect of the ram's horn which causes shaking and trembling, as it is written: "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city and the people not be afraid" (Amos 3:6).

8. The eight reason is to remind us of the great Day of Judgment, that we may all fear it, as it is said: "The great day of the Lord is near, it is near and hasteth greatly...a day of the trumpet and alarm..." (Zeph. 1:14-16).

9. The ninth reason is to remind us of the gathering of the dispersed of Israel, that we may passionately long for it, as it is said: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown; and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria" (Isaiah 27:13).

10. The tenth reason is to remind us of the revival of the dead, that we may believe in it, as it is said: "All ye inhabitants of the world, and ye dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye" (Isa. 18:3).

WISHING ONE ANOTHER A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Before leaving the synagogue on the night of Rosh Hashannah, it is customary to bless one another with the benediction, "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year." Then it is customary to go home joyfully and to keep away from all grief and sighing, so as not to give the Accuser an opening, for the Accuser's only place is where there is grief and sighing. One ought to trust in God, as it is written: "For the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh. 8:10).

Some of this information was taken from an article from a close Jewish friend living in Israel now with his family…keep him and them lifted in prayer…Dennis Karp family. Also from the info listed below.

So, I say to you "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year!”

"A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays" by Robin Scarleat and Linda Pierce was also used for this letter.

Great Ready for a Great Movement

Missions are coming to the forefront of many lives. As God moves toward the day of His Son’s second coming many people have the urgency to share the gospel with co-workers, friends and especially family members. The Gospels give account of Jesus calling His disciples and telling them to follow Him. They dropped whatever they were doing and answered the call. Pastor Kent shared a series of messages on fishing…teaching that God really loved us and has prepared a wonderful place…we call Heaven…for all of us who know His Son and have a personal relationship with Him. I encourage you to visit our web site, www.cfellowshipc.org and download his messages…they have caused quite a stir in our own church body. This series will encourage you to be bold in your witness. In the coming weeks you will hear, see and experience a call which God has placed on us as the leadership of the church. We all are excited about what God is going to do in our own lives and the family here at CFC. Be sure and attend and be prepared to be challenged beyond your wildest dreams or imagination. God is moving and stirring up His church…are you ready?

A Month Later...

Ok as I look back it has been exactly one month…It is not that I am short on words to say it’s just feeling comfortable enough to write them down…lazy. My grandbabies were over this weekend and one said she was just lazy…talking about keeping their rooms clean. Is laziness a sin??? I hope not because most of us suffer a little bit from it, from time to time. Since I last posted I have been to Chile to see our missionaries and explain our new direction and vision concerning missions. Our church leadership team is excited about the direction and look forward to seeing it come to pass. At one of the meeting this past month we devoted some time to discuss how we could lay out the challenge to our members. We committed to pray for several weeks and when we returned it was settled that we would challenge in five areas. Pastor Kent will be sharing during the next several weeks. I don’t want to “steal” his message but eating beans and rice sounds good…until you do it every day for _____ and you fill in the blanks. Feeling the way most of the world “has to eat” will be a real challenge to us as Americans. But God will show us all something very cool about His heart for the hurting. Check out the series he will be preaching at www.cfellowshipc.org I also attended a conference on The Truth Project and am very excited about the material. We will be offering it during our winter session of our Transformation University (TU). You can check it out at www.thetruthproject.org , view the long trailer and I believe it will excite you as well. I couldn’t wait for the winter session to begin so my daughter and son-in-law (the parents of my two beautiful grandbabies) are hosting a small group in their home. We are hopeful that God will use this material to really challenge our young people, thus helping them become more “grounded” in their faith. Pray for the project as a whole and for this small group in particular…more later…

Starting out on the new adventure

Blogging for me has taken some getting used to as my generation is still wanting that personal touch. Twittering and blogging seems non-personal. Last night I was watching an old TV program with my wife called “Touched by an Angel”. The program started out with the busyness of the lives, cell phones, gameboys, and now computers (the character using the cell phone was using an antique, even by my standards…made me laugh although it did remind me of the first one I had.) Tess, the head Angel if you recalled the program, made a comment that people are so removed from personal touch they lose touch with the things that matter. Sometimes they don’t know what to say when they actually are in each other’s presence. I chuckled as I had to agree. So I start out this journey of learning to “blog” and “twitter” and yes even “facebooking” in order to stay current and in contact with the “now” generation. I find myself going to those sites and just staring at the page not knowing what to do next so I leave or as on my facebook just look around at what others are doing. But today I am venturing out to the world of getting a new phone…I think they call it the IPHONE…they tell me it will actually tell me where I am…I can’t wait for that. Maybe it will tell me where God is…or, lead me too Him. Whatda think…nah.. I have heard it does have the whole bible you can download and have it ready at your finger tips anytime. I’ll be certainly looking for that feature. So here I go and as I go I will do my best to journal…no I think it’s called blogging, so you will be able to track my progress. Any encouragement you would like to give me along the way would be appreciated…pray for me…I am feeling “touched by an angle”….

Monthly Staff Meeting - July 2009

Every last Tuesday of the month we gather all of our staff together for lunch and to make sure we have communicated to them everything that needs to be distributed to our church body. Yesterday was such an event...only we played volleyball before eating and discussing a new program we are launching. Three teams among the staff competed and the winning team won movie tickets. Everyone had fun and as far as I am aware we came through the games without any serious injuries...PTL!!

Summer Celebration 2009

It's Monday morning and I am reflecting back on the week leading up to our 2nd summer celebration at Camp Highroad. Almost 1,000 people came (more than double 2008) and we baptized 239, 108 more than last years celebration. The week leading up to the event showed us first hand that Satan was not happy with what was about to happen. Many frustrating moments throughout the week, drove us more to our knees as we realized. Not sure how many people crossed over the line of faith these last three weeks leading up to the celebration but 8 crossed over in my office just this past week. PTL for His victory.

My devotions this morning from The Christians Secret to a Holy Life included, in part, some of the following. It was taken from a letter to a friend. I was also reading from John 14 and found that several verses (mainly 16, 21 & 23) enhanced my readings this morning. Enjoy…

Don’t be discouraged at any form of temptation which threatens you, but always look to Jesus, and ask Him to meet and overcome it by His own wisdom and power. I think I am learning more and more of what utter trust means. Having naturally some feeling of personal ability and good sense, it has always been a temptation for me to rely on these and to feel that I wouldn’t be likely to lose my balance whatever happened. But I have seen recently that even my natural abilities must be laid aside in this life of death to self, and that I must really and practically have all my resources in the Lord only.
I do not know whether I am making myself clear, but in my experience this has been very real. It has cost me something to lay aside my old dependence upon my own judgment and good sense, and to let myself be a helpless in the Lord’s hands. But it is unspeakably sweet when it is done. And I believe it is to me the opening up of a life of conscious union with my Lord such as I have never known before. I seem to have sunk into unfathomed depths of littleness and nothingness, and to have found the Lord there in a more real and actual consciousness than ever before.

I am almost finished with Joel’s Rosenberg’s book…Epic Center. I finished a book given to me by Betty Ringeisen entitled Sheep in Wolves Clothing by Valerie McIntyre. Anyone in Care Giving should read and take to heart the testimony of Valerie. Very well written and very informative. Blessings to you today…

Welcome To Pastor Fred's Corner

I am at present time setting up my blog with Crystal - a new adventure starts today!
Meet me on the corner tomorrow!