While traveling in Iran, writer Eric Bishop asked a villager about an earthen enclosure topped with dry thorns. The man said sheep stayed in the round space at night for safety. “What are the thorns for?” Bishop asked. “If a wolf tries to break in and attack the sheep,” the man replied, “he’ll knock against the thorns, and they’ll make a noise, and the shepherd will wake up and drive off the wolf.”

Pointing out the enclosure’s doorless entrance, Bishop asked why a wolf wouldn’t just enter there. Because, replied the villager, “that’s where the shepherd sleeps; the shepherd is the door.”

Suddenly Bishop understood why in John 10 Jesus calls himself first the door, or gate, for the sheep and then the Good Shepherd. Because Jesus is the shepherd, he’s also the door that keeps us, his sheep, safe within his care.

Samuel Stokes, a missionary who worked with lepers in India in the early 1900s, walked through the Punjab region with only a water bottle and a blanket. He depended wholly on the hospitality of the region’s residents.

In one village, Stokes received a particularly hostile reception. Village leaders sat in chairs in a circle, leaving Stokes sitting on the floor the entire evening. When he asked if he might teach them and nurse their sick, they hurled insults at him. Stokes offered no reply.

Finally, the men gave the missionary some stale bread crusts in a dirty bowl. Stokes thanked them and ate. This scene repeated itself for two days. But then on the third day, the top village official laid his turban at Stokes’ feet as a sign of respect. “We’d heard that Jesus’ disciples were commanded to love their enemies,” the man said, “and we decided to put you to the test.”

Having seen Jesus’ love in action through Stokes, the amazed villagers found him credible. They served him a rich feast and listened eagerly to his teachings.

“If I’ve learned anything about friendship, it’s to hang in, stay connected,” says journalist Jon Katz. “Don’t walk away, don’t be distracted, don’t be too busy or tired, don’t take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together.”

This applies to church life too. When we’re annoyed by some aspect of congregational life or caught in conflict with other members, it’s tempting to drift away to another church — or no church. Even when all is fine, we sometimes let church take a back seat. But our bonds with the family of God are “part of the glue that holds life and faith together.” For the sake of the benefits we gain and give, may we “hang in [and] stay connected” with our church family. May we not “walk away [or] be distracted, … be too busy or tired.” May we not take one another for granted but thank God for this “glue” — even when things get a bit sticky!

Little Flatrock Chrisitan Church’s

Annual Church Picnic

Sunday, September 16

Following Worship

 

Bring your family and friends and a filled basket of food to share.

Fried chicken, drinks, and table service provided

Games to follow!

Legendary Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden often inspired his team with stories. Here’s one that former players cite as a favorite:

As a college baseball player, Bowden had never hit a home run. Finally, he hit one down the right-field line, into the corner. He ran past first base and looked to the coach, who waved him on.

Bowden made it home and hit the plate, thrilled to have his homer. But as he was accepting his teammates’ congratulations, the opposing pitcher took the ball and threw to the first baseman. The umpire immediately called Bowden out because he’d neglected to touch the base.

Reflecting on the incident, Bowden said, “You have to take care of first base. If you don’t honor the Lord first, then it doesn’t matter what else you do.”

Similarly, we need to take care of first things first. Unless we honor the Lord in all we do, nothing else will matter.

When terrorists attacked the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, in September of 2013, a former British Royal Marine guided many people to safety. His identity was concealed for security purposes, but The Daily Mail later quoted a bystander: “What he did was so heroic. He was having coffee with friends when it happened. He went back in 12 times and saved 100 people. Imagine going back in when you knew what was going on inside.”

Imagine going into any place of danger or violence, knowing what’s happening — or what could happen: firefighters rushing into a burning house, a classmate stepping into a tense situation to end bullying, an adult boldly reporting suspected child abuse to authorities.

And God … taking on flesh and entering our world as Jesus, fully knowing “what was going on inside” and the violence to which he’d be exposed. Yet he went ahead and did this, all to rescue people — us! — from certain death.

In response to the question “Can I be a Christian without joining the church?” someone once said it’s as possible as being:

A student who will not go to school.
A soldier who will not join an army.
A citizen who does not pay taxes or vote.
A salesman with no customers.
An explorer with no base camp.
A seaman on a ship without a crew.
A businessman on a deserted island.
An author without readers.
A tuba player without an orchestra.
A parent without a family.
A football player without a team.
A politician who is a hermit.
A scientist who does not share his findings.
A bee without a hive.

We were meant to live in community.  We welcome you to be a part of ours.

 

God has a plan for every life in Christ Jesus. What a wondrous truth … and yet how reasonable. Shall the architect draw the plans for his stately palace? Shall the artist sketch the outlines of his masterpiece? Shall the shipbuilder lay down the lines for his colossal ship? And yet shall God have no plan for the soul which he brings into being and puts “in Christ Jesus”? Surely He has.

Yea, for every cloud that floats across the summer sky, for every blade of grass that points its tiny spear heavenward, God has a purpose and a plan. How much more then, for you who are His own in Christ Jesus, does God have a perfect life plan.

—James McConkey

July 9-13

6:00-8:30pm

Journey into an action-packed VBS!

Kids will discover how to Love, Believe, Trust, and Witness as they engage in God’s big story of redemption! Each day features activities and interactive lessons that turn storytelling into an unforgettable experience that points to Jesus who Saves.

Little Flatrock Christian Church invites all youth, pre-school through 6th grade, to join us each evening for stories, snacks, games, songs, and crafts.  Find out about our first action hero!

*We will be collecting items and monetary donations for the Rush County Food Pantry this year.*

Renowned actor Sidney Poitier once said, “I decided in my life that I would do nothing that did not reflect positively on my father’s life.” If you’re blessed with a dad you admire and respect, how would it affect your life to make such a decision? Would you be inspired to set sound priorities, live with integrity, be a positive role model to the young people you influence? For all of us — children of the only perfect Father — may our prayer and intent be:

God, while earthly fathers are a mix of strengths and flaws, you give yourself to us as our heavenly Father, wholly loving, kind and passionate about our best interests. May we, in turn, seek to reflect positively on you. May my life spread far and wide your love, kindness and passion for the best interests of all, and may others see you in me. Amen.