Christ the King Church

In many church services around the world, and for many on a daily basis, Christians pray together using the words that our Lord taught to His disciples (the Lord’s Prayer). It can be easy for us not to pay attention to the words or lose focus of the meaning of these words.

When we pray the words: “Give us this day our daily bread.” This is a decoration of our faith and trust in God. We are declaring that we trust God to provide for all our needs today. We trust Him enough to not demand or expect more than we need at this moment.

While we are declaring our trust in God we are also asking for what we need today. We are not asking for what we may need tomorrow. We are asking God to grant us what we need right now. Jesus encourages us not to worry about tomorrow, because today has enough worries. These needs can be emotional, relational, and financial. Each of us may come before Him with different needs.

Let’s approach these words with the intentions of our heart to proclaim His faithfulness day-by-day.

Peace,

David+

The following is from James Kiefer, a historian, concerning St. Valentine and the tradition of Valentine’s Day.  It is not my intention to take the wind out of anyone’s romantic sails.  Remembering and celebrating the romantic love we have for our spouse is a good practice—on 14 February and other dates.

Cynics may say this day is mostly about card, candy and gift makers making a dime.  And they would not be wrong.  However, it also serves as a reminder that we need to express our affection and appreciation for others.

Valentine by James Kiefer (as found on the Daily Office site: http://www.missionstclare.com)

Around this time of year, many persons ask:

“Who was St. Valentine, and what does he have to do with sending romantic cards and messages?”

St. Valentine is a martyr from before 312, commemorated on the 14th of February. Probably he was martyred on that date, but nothing else is known of him. (A Valentine, priest of Rome (in Italian; English here), and a Valentine, bishop of Ternia (Interamna), are both commemorated on 14 February, and now generally assumed to be the same person.)

In many parts of Europe, it was once said that birds began to pair off for the nesting season in mid-February. Since our forebears often spoke of a given day by naming a saint connected with it rather than by giving the month and the number of the day, we find them saying that birds choose their mates on St. Valentine’s Day. That is all. If a major earthquake took place on Columbus Day, it would probably be known to future generations as the Columbus Day earthquake, but it would be a mistake to try to connect it with Columbus.

There are several stories making the rounds that try to explain the connection between valentines and Valentine. Every one that I have heard sounds like an explanation made up after the fact, probably by a Victorian clergyman lecturing to children. There are other explanations attempting to connect it with various pagan festivals of the early spring. Again, I am not impressed. That young men should send romantic messages in the springtime both in 90 BCE and in 1990 AD does not require a conspiracy theory to explain it.

Afterthought: The chief authority for the statement that 14 February is the date when birds were thought to pair off is Chaucer, who writes of “Valentine’s day, when every fowl doth choose his mate.” However, it has been pointed out that in addition to the two obscure Valentines commemorated on 14 February, there is a still more obscure one associated with 2 May, and that Chaucer may have had this date in mind. Two arguments for supposing that he did: (1) May seems more likely than February for birds to start building nests–but I am no expert on birds of England; (2) King Richard II was formally betrothed to Anne of Bohemia on 3 May, and Chaucer may have intended a reference to the royal couple. He was a member of the Royal Court, and was often invited to recite his own poems before the King and Queen and others, and his poems contain at least one other indirect reference to the Royal Marriage. If we accept this theory, then we must suppose that, after all memory of the Martyr Valentine had died out in England, Chaucer’s statement was misunderstood as referring to the earlier date.

Jesus said:  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Jn 10: 27 (NKJV).  It is not enough to “hear” God or His Word.  The key is in following what He says.  Naaman (1 Kings 5: 1-14) did not like what he heard from Elisha.  Naaman expectations concerning a solution clouded his ability to hear what the man of God was saying.  His pride nearly prevented him from receiving what God had for him.

What are our expectations when we approach God in prayer?  How do these expectations impact our ability to hear and follow the voice of the Lord?

This was written for the prayer team at New Hope Anglican Church, Lacey, WA, by Fr. Joel Graves, the founding Rector.  At Christ the King, Yelm, WA and New Hope we stand in faith with people who are suffering and in need of healing.  We place our trust in God.  In encourage you to take the time to read this summary and the accompanying verses.  Blessings, David+

HOW HEALING PRAYER WORKS

God provides healing to people as a sign of his love (Psalms 30:2, Isaiah 53:5) and the existence of the Kingdom of God on earth (Matthew 12:28, Luke 10:9, 17:21), and his will for us impacts every prayer for healing (Matthew 6:10). We might see and feel the immediate need, but God sees the bigger picture and plan for all people and individual lives. We may or may not know his will, yet we are called to pray and lift up our needs. At times we can absolutely know that healing is required and will be effective; but at other times, we pray by faith knowing that it has a positive effect, whether complete healing takes place or not.

Prayer teams pray to God interceding for the needs of others. By the anointing of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:9, 28), anointing with oil (James 5:14), by two or more coming together (Matthew 18:19-20), by the laying on of hands (Matthew 19:13, Mark 6:5, 8:23, Luke 4:40, Acts 9:12, 17, 28:8) and by praying with the authority of Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:1, John 14:13-14, 16:23, Colossians 2:10), lives are changed.

Healing might take place immediately, but it is rare and considered to be a miracle when it does. Instead most healing takes longer but is just as effective (Mark 8:23-25). Severe illness and needs often respond to continuous and soaking prayer. Whether the person returns to the prayer team each week or finds other opportunities for prayer during the week, the healing continues and is effective. And complete healing can take place this way.

Even when healing is not God’s will, prayer gives many a sense of relief and less pain.

When we pray for healing, why doesn’t God heal completely or even miraculously? Why does God’s will seem elusive and unknowable sometimes? Why are some healed and not others?

Most of the time, we just can’t know. Is it something about us, personally, that hinders the healing – sin (Jeremiah 8:22, 30:12, John 5:14)? Are we meant to carry a “thorn in the flesh” because of God’s overall plan for our life – like with Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7)? Is Satan interfering with the process somehow – like the epileptic boy thrown into the fire by the demon (Matthew 17:8)? Is the person being prayed for skeptical and lack faith (Matthew 9:29, 13:58, 15:28, Mark 2:5, 5:34, 6:6)? Or the people praying doubt and lack faith (Matthew 17:16-20, 21:21-22)? Could it be that the person to be healed doesn’t really care about getting healed (John 5:6)? Or, are we meant to be healed at a later, specific time – like the man born blind (John 9:1-3)?

Sometimes a person with the gift of knowledge, also called the word of knowledge (1 Corinthians 14:6), or the gift of prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:5, 31, 39) or the gift of seeing (1 Chronicles 29:29) receives more detail through a word or message or picture from the Holy Spirit on what is going on. This information can be used to determine what is hindering healing or deliverance, or allow us to know whether the illness or problem is part of God’s will for that person and further prayer is meant for comfort and pain relief. In the absence of these revelatory gifts, we continue to pray by faith expecting results.

New Testament scholar and noted theologian N.T. Wright reflects on our view and a biblical view of “worship” as we (the Church) attempt to live out the Gospel in our times. This article should challenge us to think about and perhaps rethink what we do when we gather as followers of Christ.

http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Biblical_Worship.htm

Peace,

David+

There is no shortage of feeling bitter and “all torn up inside” following traumatic experiences. This Psalm of Asaph acknowledges how things can seem unfair—the bad guys seem to be doing ok, and I am all torn up inside.

It was when he went into God’s “sanctuary” (verse 17) that he understood the justice of God. This lead to bitterness in his own heart.

We do well to remember that we still belong to God even when we are wrapped up in our ignorance, foolishness or bitterness; even when we are all torn up inside. He is there. He is with us, holding our right hand, ready to guide us to a glorious destiny.  He loves us even when we may act in a way that in hindsight seems foolish. He is the strength of our heart.

Do we, as Asaph proclaimed, desire God more then anything on earth? Is there anything keeping us from drawing close to God, from entering into his sanctuary, from learning the truths that God reveled to Asaph?

Peace and Blessings,

David+

Readings for 1 January 2012, First Sunday after Christmas: Isaiah 61:10–62:3, Psalm 148, Galatians 4: 4-7, Luke 2: 22-40

Why discuss God as “My Father” on the first week of Christmas? Because: (1) it is at this time that we remember that God sent his own Son to redeem us and offer us adoption as His sons and daughters; (2) it was God’s Son, Jesus, who introduced us to the idea of God as “Abba! Father!”; (3) our society, here in the United States (I cannot speak for other modern societies) is hurting from the absence of fathers.

 The idea of fatherhood varies from culture to culture. Individuals within the same family may even have a different idea of what a makes up a good father.

 Some may have had wonderful fathers. Others may not have been so blessed. These ideas and concepts we gain from our culture and our own experience can greatly impact how we understand God as Father.

 In Paul’s letter to the members of “God’s family” (Gal 1:2 – NRSV) in Galatia, he spells out the path from slavery (spiritually speaking) to adoption. Not just freedom from slavery, but adoption into God’s family.

4. But when the fullness of the time came (when the time was right – NLT), God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, (NAS)

 Last Sunday we celebrated God’s plan in the right time manifested to the world, that is, the birth of Jesus to Mary. The next verse reveals the purpose of His coming…

 5. so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

 [Note: the Greek language uses the plural masculine much like our Latin languages. The male plural can be all inclusive—including both males and females. So the verse can be interpreted as “adoption as sons and daughters”.]

 God so loved the world that He sent His Son to redeem us; to deliver us from slavery to the elemental or basic principles, things, powers of this world (Gal 4: 3b). Yet God offers us more than freedom; more than emancipation. He offers us adoption!

 This is a gift that God enables us to receive. He does not force it upon us. Rather, the work of Christ makes it possible for us to receive this great gift.

 We are offered to become members of His family. Not a nephew or a cousin; not a foster child (in no way minimizing the value of foster parents); but, rather, He offers us to become His sons and daughters. Heirs of His name.

 I would love to hear of some long lost relative or another who made me their heir. In our humanness we like to think of being an heir as coming in to wealth, financial independence, prosperity and an avenue to have what we have always wanted.

 God is offering us something that goes far beyond our limited human understanding of being an heir. He is offering to be our Father. He is offering us His love, his protection, His promise that He will always provide what we need. Perhaps not all of what we want. As a good father, he will make sure we have what is best for us.

 Our kids often think they know what they “need” or cannot live without. As parents we want to give them more than their basic needs; but we seek to do so in a way that is good for their development and not creating what we often call “spoiled” attitudes. God knows our desires and needs, and what is best for us better than any parent.

 6. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

 It is the Spirit of God’s Son in our hearts that cries out to God, “Abba! Father!”. Without this work of the Spirit we would not be able to know God in this capacity.

Ἀββά is an Aramaic word (אבא) represented in Greek letters meaning: father. It can be translated, the father or my father. Aramaic was a common language and widely used in first century Palestine and in Jewish influenced communities.

The word is transliterated rather than translated. Transliterating a word is to represent a word from another language with your own alphabet. Whereas translating a word is to represent the meaning. Two examples of words in the Bible that we transliterate rather than translate from Greek are angel and deacon. A simple translation of those words would be messenger for angel and servant for deacon.

The word Abba denotes more intimacy than the formal word for father in Greek or Hebrew. Yet it also carries with it great respect. It is not a word a slave could use when speaking of the father of the family to which the slave belonged. It would be spoken by people of all ages when speaking to their father.

In scripture God is never addressed solely as “Abba”. This word always occurs with the Greek word for father, πατήρ (patēr). Abba, Father is found in two other Bible passages, Mark 14: 36 “He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” (NRSV); and Romans 8: 15 “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” (NRSV)

Jesus is the first on record to refer to God as Abba, Father. He did it while praying in Gethsemane shortly before His arrest and crucifixion. In doing so He established that God as father is more than a remote or abstract concept. He is personal and accessible.

Some say that the word Abba meas, “daddy”. Others would say that addressing God in such a manner is blasphemy. Both of these views may be extreme—especially the blasphemy claim.

Our own experiences, needs, desires and cultural influences impact how we understand the idea of father; and these things shape our understanding of the word Abba. Our idea of “daddy” may vastly differ.

Some see daddy as the one they can cajole or manipulate into giving them what they want. This attitude may not present itself in the extreme; but at any level it is lacking the respect represented in the words Abba, father. Others, even within our own borders, may have never experienced the positive affection we attribute to the word daddy–the healthy idea of the one who will show appropriate attention, affection and support no matter what the circumstance.

An example of a different understanding of affection and fatherhood is a Native American friend of mine who cannot recall ever receiving a hug from his father. He grew up in a Christian family and he knew that his father loved him. But most in his culture did not show love in a way that is familiar to many of us.

We must take care not to define words from two thousand years ago primarily from our culture and experience. From what we can understand from the first century languages, culture and use of the words in the Biblical text, the idea of “Abba! Father!” carries with it familiar and more intimate idea the father (pater) alone. It also carries a deep respect from the child to the one they are calling Abba. Perhaps a good translation would be “My Father!”

He provides what we, His children, need. We have different needs; or perhaps more accurately, different degrees of the same needs–. affection, attention, acceptance, assurance, discipline, direction and the list goes on. Whatever we need, our “Abba! Father!” will provide.

We, by the Spirit of His Son in us, can cry out to God, My Father. We are more than guest, more than extended family that may wear out their welcome; we are sons and daughters.

The Cornyn family of Fife, WA is an example of family that offers all of itself to others. They do more than open their doors to those in need. They have adopted over 70 kids from 14 countries over the last thirty years or so. Many of these kids have special needs. In an interview on Evening Magazine (a news program of channel 5 in Seattle – king5.com), Rocky Cornyn, one of their children, now an adult, who suffers from post polio syndrome report, “I probably would not be alive today if it were not for this family.”

Imagine a time and realm of “nobility”, where family names and lands meant access to resources and people. A time when being the son or daughter in the right family (that is with the right name) meant doors would open and things could be accomplished because you had the right name. Now imagine you are an orphan in that same context with none to care for you, no resources, no name to call upon. You are snatched off of the streets and forced into slavery. A nameless character that society does not care about and only wants for what it can get from you.

Now imagine that one with the most powerful name in this realm sends out messengers with the proclamation that the price of their freedom has been paid. Not only has it been paid, but that adoption is available to all who will receive his name. The slave masters kill the messengers and try to twist and distort the message. They use all sorts of trickery and deception to try and keep their controlled population in place. They even offer some liberties and in some cases what appears to be “freedom”. Anything to keep you from true freedom and sonship.

This, in a small way, illustrates what God is offering us. Freedom and adoption. He offers us all that we need, all that is good for us. He offers us His resources and His name. The creator of the universe, this all powerful and perfect being offers us relationship by way of His Son.

How does our own experience with our biological fathers affect how we relate to God as Abba, Father? What in our lives can get in the way of us accepting all that it is to be adopted by God?

The answers to these questions will vary. But no matter what we have experienced with our earthly fathers from good, to not so good to bad, God as Father is perfect in His love and intentions toward us.

In our society that is so longingly for a healthy “father” relationship, what can we do to make visible the love and strength of our heavenly Father to this generation? How can we communicate this healthy idea of Abba, Father to so many who have been hurt, abandoned, abused or neglected by their earthly fathers?

This year as we grow in our understanding of our heavenly Father, let us seek ways to communicate God’s offer of freedom and adoption to all who do not yet know Him as Abba, Father. Each of us has a unique ability to communicate this truth in a way that can reach different people. God will use our experiences (good or bad) and our culture to help us connect people to this truth. Each of us is vital, as each of us can reach out, connect with and understand people in different ways.

May the blessing of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you throughout 2012. Amen.

Fellow servants of our Lord!

Greetings and Happy New Year! This year we have an exciting opportunity to participate in the new and good things God is doing in our lives and in this community.

Much has already been accomplished toward the formation of this new community of believers in the Yelm area. God has blessed us with a beautiful church facility where we worship Him together. He has also blessed us with some phenomenally gifted and anointed song and worship leaders.

We are poised in the right position, in the center of God’s hand and will, to bring His healing and saving love and power to our families and our community. He is able to do much more then we can ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20, 21).

Please join us this Sunday, January 8, 5:30 PM at 206 3^rd St. SE, Yelm, WA for our first Launch Team meeting and training. It will last only an hour and a light supper will be served. Children are welcome.

Our next full worship service is on Sunday, January 15, 5:30PM (same location). Invite all you know to come and see and experience what God is doing.

These monthly services provide a great opportunity for your friends, neighbors and others to visit and experience the grace and love of God in ways they may not have experienced.

You all are in my prayers. Please prayerfully decide if you can join the “Launch Team” (more information on the Launch Team). If not so lead, please join us for worship on the 15^th of January.

Peace and Blessings, Fr. David Fell

Pastor

Christ the King Church

Have you ever watched a little kids soccer game? Everyone chases the ball up and down the field (that is if they are not chasing a butterfly  It does not matter much who is on who’s team. Just go for the ball and kick, kick, kick! Oh, just to have a chance to get your foot on the ball! It doesn’t matter if you kick it away from your teammate or even if you kick it out of bounce—as long as your foot kicked the ball.

This is an example of having the same goal: kick the ball and make a goal; but not working together to accomplish that goal. It is more important to the adorable little ones to kick the ball for themselves. They are caught up in the moment. This is expected and even acceptable for four and five year old budding soccer champions.

Yet if this continues as they get older the team will not perform well. Frustration rises, tempers flare and eventually people just stop playing.

On a team each has a role to play. Each has strengths and abilities. When we play to our strengths and help others do likewise we will have a chance and experiencing success. When we all do our own thing it leads to frustration and ultimately failure.

Too many of us have “quit” when it comes to working for God. Perhaps it is out of frustration from having our own teammates kick the ball out from under us. Perhaps we are disillusioned by the mistakes of others or those who appear to hog the ball. Sometimes we do more to discourage our own teammates the the apposing team.

Let us not let the mistakes or immaturity of other drive us from contributing to the team. We may have to demonstrate great patients with our teammates; and likely they will need to do the same for us.

God has so much for us to do and accomplish in this life—for His glory. As we lay aside our childish ways of doing things, we will increasingly experience the joy of unity and success.

Peace,

David+

For most people I know Christmas is a time of joy and celebration. Yet, let us be mindful of those who are experiencing sorrow or depression at this time of year. Some had a rough childhood, some lost loved ones at this time of year; other are grieving the absence of a friend or family member.

Those of us who can rejoice should do so; we should also consider, if the opportunity presents itself, to weep with those who weep (Romans 12: 15 – ESV).

Have a Blessed season of celebrating the first coming of the Messiah!

David+

Stuff happens! Sometimes we are at the center of the problem with the choices we have made. Others also make choices that can cause us problems and heartache.

Philosophers enjoy a good debate on the problem of evil. I admit this can be “fun” and it has its place. Nevertheless, regardless of the cause of these problems, they are part of our life. Jesus shared some thoughts on what we will face:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”John 16: 33 (NLT)

We “may” have peace in Christ. Here and now, regardless of what is happening too us or around us. This is a choice that we can make. We can abide, live, in Christ.

Simple? Perhaps. Easy? Not for me. Yet as I grow in faith I find that I more at peace—regardless of the difficult circumstances.

Jesus is clear that we “will” have trials and sorrows in this life. This is not “if you have tribulation”; it is “you will have many trials and sorrows”. In these trials and sorrows he tells us to “take heart”, that is, “take courage”–NASB. Why can we be courageous in the face of tribulation? Because He has overcome the world. Yes, this is a present reality. Yet is is clear that this has not been brought to completion; but it will be brought to completion at his second coming. In the mean time we can still find peace in Him.

We should not be shocked when difficulties come our way. Jesus assured of such things; but He also assured us that we can experience peace because He is with us and we are in Him and that He has indeed overcome the world.

Even while he was still experiencing difficulties St. Paul proclaims:  “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV

It is through this process of us following Christ that we spread the knowledge of him. This becomes even more evident when we face difficulties. The reality is that our trust provides unparallelled opportunities to grow when we experience trials and sorrows. As we trust him more and more and experience His peace and presence we bring glory to Him and this is as a fragrance to others that cannot be ignored.

Weather we have contributed to our difficult circumstances or not, Jesus is there for and with us. He will never leave us or forsake us. We can abide in Him and find peace—here and now. We can stand assured that “he who began this good work in you will bring it to completion.”

A final thought:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV)

Peace,

David+

The obvious answer is: Yes or at least, it should be. And I think that is our (Christians in general) aim and desire. Yet we get sidetracked and distracted by, well, ourselves.

The ideas of worship in Scripture go far beyond what comes to most of our minds when we hear the word mentioned in connection to our Sunday type gatherings. Nevertheless, our corporate gatherings are part of worship. It is this weekly gathering of God’s people to pray, sing, listen, learn and give, that we are exploring.

The answers to the question: “Why do we gather?” will be varied; but I suspect that they would be something like: to worship God. At least my answer would be something like this.

But lest get real: we want to feel good when we go to church. We want to get strengthened for the week to come. We want to find comfort. We want to learn how we can live a better, more prosperous and victorious life. OK, so we have needs—at least I do; and we want God to fill these needs. Is that so bad? No, it is not. We are at least looking in the right direction.

Our theology may say we are there to worship God, that we are there to Glorify His Name, etc.; but our actions are much more centered on ourselves and our needs. We are consistently looking to GET SOMETHING from the music, preaching or even in our giving.

This is not to say that we are there completely for ourselves. Like most things in life, it is more complicated then a simple this or that. We want to worship God in spirit and truth and we also want to feel good and do well in life. This latter is not evil or bad. It is not diabolical to want to benefit from a relationship—even from a (individual and corporate) relationship with God, the Creator of all and the author and perfecter of our faith.

Then, why discuss this topic at all? I guess if you think the Church is all it could or should be; or if you think that as an individual you have no corporate (group) responsibility, then there is no need to consider this topic.

Consider the words “church service”. The word service denote, well, service. Not so much being served; rather, doing the serving. I wonder which idea “serving” or “being served” permeates our motives as we attend our gatherings.

Perhaps it is not so much the “forms” used in worship as it is the heart and attitude applying those forms. This is not to say that the content and structure of a Christian worship service are unimportant. On the contrary, how and what we do in corporate worship stems from, is a reflection of and informs our beliefs and understanding about God. Nevertheless, any form, no matter how Biblical or theologically correct, does not guarantee our hearts will be in the right place.

Our post enlightenment thinking has evolved into a very ME centric phenomenon. It affects our worship, our understanding of Scripture, how we see others and how we see our relationship with God.

Even the beautiful song “Heart of Worship” is tainted by individualism. What do you mean? The song says, “It’s all about you, Jesus”. Yes it does. Yet it starts out with “I’m coming back to the heart of worship…and all about you…it’s all about you, Jesus.” It says “I” messed it up and now “I” am doing something about it. This is not a condemnation of the song. I like it. It is a good song. A song of repentance. A song reminding us that it is about Him. Yet it, like much of our thinking, throws us into the middle of it – even when we are trying to make it about him.

Much the same could be said about a lot of what is sung in our churches. I, me, my, permeates not just our music but much of the service (form) itself. However, this is not about the music. I love good music, old and new. It is about the true heart of worship. Whatever form of music we use.

God loves us! We are members of His family! Yes, we can and should have an individual relationship with God. Yet it (salvation history) is NOT about US—it does include us. Sunday worship is NOT about us—it should include us!

First, it is about God. It is about expressing our individual and corporate love, thanksgiving and praise. Not because we need to feel good or we want to somehow influence God on our behalf or receive something from Him; but because He is God. Second, it is about serving our brothers and sisters in our community of faith. Our presence, our voices, our participation (even if we just sit there) our reaching out in love, our giving or our time, talent and treasure, to God and our brothers and sisters are all part of being in His family. Third, it is about being equipped to share the love and power of God with our families, neighbors, coworkers and even our enemies.

It all includes us; but it is not about us. This is very much a matter of perspective and priorities.

I do not sit in condemnation of any congregation. Rather this is a challenge for us all to rethink our relationship with God and His people; to shift more of our attention to God, the Body of Christ, reaching out to the world and less on what God and His Body (the Church) can do for us.

Peace and Blessings,

David+