Nov 23
2023
Pastor's Note
Each year as we approach the Christmas season, I have the same idea for a churchwide project. And each year, I fail to follow through with it.
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Growing Gospel Seeds
This past year I've spent a good bit of time reflecting on 1 Corinthians 3:5-9. In these verses we are reminded that the growing of the seed of God's people is not up to any individual but God Himself. The rest of us have small parts to play, whether that be planting or watering the seed (or preparing the soil or fertilizing, to expand the metaphor). And, none of us can accomplish anything on our own.
Keep ReadingElder Update from September
The September elder meeting was held September 24. We always begin our meeting with song and prayer, followed by discussion and prayer for pastoral care of our members and regular attenders. Each of our members and regular attenders are placed in a pastoral care group under one of our elders. These groups may undergo change each year. Groupings for this year are complete.
Keep ReadingDie, Divide, Debate, Decide
On Sunday I made the (hopefully helpful) remark that not all doctrines and matters of theology are equally important. Some particular beliefs are crucial (pun intended) to what it means to be a Christian. Others are not. Understanding this is important, and helps us to maintain the unity the Lord demands of us, while avoiding unnecessary fights and divisions.
Keep ReadingPastoral Care Roster
If you are a member or regular attender of CBC, you should soon receive an email about being placed on one of our elders' "Pastoral Care Rosters." If you are newer you might ask, what is a “Pastoral Care Roster,” and how did I get placed on one? Allow me to explain!
Keep ReadingDesire for Approval
There are many aspects of fear and worry and anxiety - too much to cover in one sermon. One aspect we didn't cover in great detail in last Sunday's sermon was the fear of man, and desire for approval of others. This is a pervasive and pernicious fear, certainly affecting all of us at least to some degree. Consider how subtle and tricky this desire for the approval of others is, and how deceptively selfish it can be.
Keep ReadingAlways More to Learn
One of the reasons I love the study of Scripture and taking time to deeply pore over God's Word is that there is always more to learn and more to ponder. The most familiar passages may feature an angle we had never considered, and very often a new experience in life or new thought might bring fresh application out of an "old" text. Consider Matthew 28:19, a text very familiar to us all.
Keep ReadingNov 16
2023
Pastor's Note
I’ve told this story before, and I thought about including it again in Sunday’s sermon, but ended up cutting it for time.
Nov 9
2023
Pastor's Note
I was talking to a retired pastor in our church, and he told me the story of once listening to a pastor preach on submission.
Nov 2
2023
Pastor's Note
Scripture tells us the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Oct 26
2023
Pastor's Note
Last week I talked about the importance and value of Scripture memorization.
Oct 19
2023
Pastor's Note
I once sat in a class with Dr. Robert Smith Jr., an incredible preacher and professor of preaching at Beeson Divinity School.
Oct 12
2023
Pastor's Note
Like you, I have followed some of the news, and have been horrified by the brutal images and videos coming out of Israel.
Oct 5
2023
Pastor's Note
On Sunday I brought up one of my favorite principles of the New Testament letters – that moral imperatives are grounded in redemptive indicatives.
Sep 7
2023
Pastor's Note
Sometimes when studying theology you get to learn new fancy words. One of those fancy words is “theodicy.”