Scripture: James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. Thought for the Day: Many of you have seen the news story about the church in New Hartford, New York, where two boys were beaten during a “spiritual counseling session.” One of the boys has died
Scripture: Isaiah 57:18-19 I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will lead them and repay them with comfort, creating for their mourners the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord; and I will heal them. Thought for the Day: In these couple of verses, their ways are compared to The Way of God (vs. 14). Yet
Scripture: Psalm 62:1-2 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken. Thought for the Day: As I’ve said many times before, Anne Lamott is one of my favorite authors. One of her quotes that I recently discovered says: Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for
Scripture: Psalm 98:4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Thought for the Day: I’m excited! Now I don’t break forth in a joyous song like the old TV series Fame, which of course, included complete strangers knowing the choreography and perfect harmonies. With that said, I feel a song of praise in my heart as I
FROM: A Member of Cypress Creek Christian Church Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-4 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. Thought for the Day: God
~From a member of the Cypress Creek Community who chose to remain anonymous Just about everyone I know would like to be blessed. In the Bible, the full measure of blessing is both spiritual and material. Yes, it includes the sense that God is with us even when times are tough. Blessing also includes being a part of the great belongings of family, friends and the congregation. Supportive
Scripture: Romans 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Thought for the Day: Tullian Tchividjian is an interesting minister with a bit of a turbulent past. The grandson of Billy Graham, Tchividjian has faced great criticism after divorcing his wife. With that said, he wrote: The Gospel alone liberates you to live a life of scandalous generosity, unrestrained sacrifice,
Scripture: Psalm 16:5 (the Message) My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice! Thought for the Day: In a conversation he was having with Harry Potter, Albus Dumbledore said, “…we have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy.” The choice to follow God is not an easy one even though there are many who describe
Scripture: Mark 1:1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Thought for the Day: About ten years ago, Peter Gomes wrote a book entitled, The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What’s so Good about the Good News? I found the book challenging and insightful, but I was strangely drawn again and again to the subtitle of the book: “What’s so Good about the
Scripture: Luke 12:15 And Jesus said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Thought for the Day: The movie, Veggietale: Madame Blueberry, is a story of a distraught blueberry who is not content with what she has. She has pictures on her wall of all her neighbor’s stuff that she covets.