Bay City Baptist Church of Green Bay, WI

 

Ever been get caught by someone humming a tune, whistling a song or even singing to themselves when no one else was around? And the person who caught them asks, "what are you so happy about," or "you certainly must be having a good day?" And you are forced to stop and honestly say, "I really don't know why?" Life's been treating me pretty hard! As you reflect on your day or week you realize its share of problems, projects and pressures! And you know for certain the joy you're experiencing is anything but circumstantial. In other words, there is nothing going on around you that can take credit for this happiness!

Last night we hosted another Sunday Night Coffee for parents of teens. The evening included great food (thanks Gerard), a little humor (crazy Canucks), a little singing, and an ongoing study of 1 Corinthians 13.

You probably remember the recent flap over Northwest Airlines Flight 188. The plane was supposed to land in Minneapolis but overshot the airport by over 100 miles. It was carrying 144 passengers and was out of radio contact for 77 minutes.

And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time . . . (Jonah 3:1).

     As I sit here watching from my office window the year's first snow storm, I am awe-struck by the beauty of God's creation.  The change of the seasons, the variety of the flora and fauna, the fine details of the microscopic and the grandeur of the expanse of the universe, all testify of the greatness of our God!  It is said that no two snowflakes are exactly the same, which just in its self is a testimony to the creativity of the Creator (especially considering how many of those little critters fell just today!).

 

Ever walk through the woods on a cold winter's day and get snapped in the face by an unseen branch? Ouch! I find myself walking away from reading the epistle of 1^st John feeling the same way! What smacks me most is the solid and direct approach of John's treatment of brotherly love.

In my Bible reading recently I read a sobering verse. I’ve read it before but this time it looked a little different. Well...actually a lot different.

2Co 5:15  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

"Ye also helping together by prayer for us . . ." (2 Cor. 1:11).  No one has ever come to the end of their life and said, "I wish I had had not spent so much time in prayer."  If we are honest with ourselves, we will all admit that we need to pray more.  

I have begun reading through revelations in my personal bible reading. After just three chapters, the emphasis on the incredible character of Christ amazes me.

    In Acts chapter 2, we find a very interesting occurrence that develops when the church is being born:  "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship . . ." (Acts 2:42). From the very beginning, the early church realized and practiced the blessing of Christian fellowship.

Deuteronomy 6:7-9 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.