javabeans

Guatemala '08 - November

2008-11-05T18:50:00.001-05:00

We are about to go to Guatemala tomorrow. If you can pray for the ones going. There are always some types of challenges to face so be in prayer over our missionaries.

thank you

Promise Keepers Atlanta

2004-08-04T10:42:00.000-04:00

Alright, guys - we're heading to Atlanta for Promise Keepers this Friday & Saturday. Weather looks great - both days in the mid-80s. I'm looking forward to hearing thousands of men singing together, watching teenagers see something new and humble in their dads, listening to all the speakers, and just hanging out together. Pray as we go (and for those not going, pray harder!) that we'll be open to an UPRISING inside, and that meaningful change in us will bring about real transformation for the culture around us back home.

FYI - Weekend Plans

2004-07-21T23:26:00.000-04:00

CWO is going to be involved with service at Daughter of Zion Church in Eastover this weekend. There are services Friday night, Saturday and Sunday night. We'll be sharing and leading in worship and various seminars/conferences all weekend. Because of the time and coordinated effort needed, Thursday night services for 07/22 have been cancelled. Pastor Mike is leaving Callingpost messages, and we're looking forward to seeing everyone in Eastover as we worship together.

Reclaim America

2004-07-06T11:53:00.000-04:00

Pastor Mike is leading us in the month of July 2004 in a series of sermons and discussion and town-hall-like forums on Reclaiming America. As Christians, we can make a difference in our voting and our civic participation. Remembering that fact by looking back to the country's founding fathers is important, and engaging the political and social systems of our country as kingdom-minded people is a necessary part of being a Christian in USAmerica today. Join us each Sunday and Thursday - and be sure to pick up the fliers and print material in the lobby to read and educate our familes at home, too.

New Website Coming

2004-06-27T22:16:00.000-04:00

Hopefully we'll have the new & improved church website online: CWOCHURCH.com. I've still got to do some transfer control from the old server to the new one at GoDaddy.com - but we're saving big bucks on this right now, and I hope it'll be a little more sustainable, too. Also, perhaps we can incorporate the JavaBeans blog into the main page... hmmmm?

Meanwhile, there's also a new church email address: cwo.info@gmail.com. Change happens fast around here. Keep up.

Upcoming @ CWO - June & July

2004-06-20T00:49:00.000-04:00

Well, on the website front: the CWO website is down for repairs. I'm looking for a new and cheaper service provider, so if you've got any suggestions, feel free to email me. In the meantime, I'll post upcoming stuff here, trying to keep everyone up-to-date as to what's going on as we seek to follow Christ in this community together.

June 26 - eKIDS Extreme Outreach: The Children's Ministry and workers and kids will meet @ 10:30am at Hillandale Apartments

June 29 - LION'S HEART Women's Meeting: Special Meeting to discuss/plan details of FASHIONSHARE

July 4 - CAST THE NET: Evangelistic emphasis

July 5-9 - MYC QUEST: Youth Beach Retreat

July 17 - FASHIONSHARE

If there are other events/plans not listed, please let me know - thanks!

Rosewood project

2004-06-04T09:41:00.000-04:00

The State | 06/04/2004 | Rosewood project gets key grant

My wife sent me a link to an article at our local paper's website. It pertains to the property across Superior Street from our church, Columbia World Outreach.

"The master-planned community will be called Rosewood Hills. When complete, it will contain 187 housing units, including single-family homes, townhouses, senior apartments and apartments built over retail shops along Rosewood Drive. It also will include a branch of the county library and green space."

This is really cool for the community, and for our church. Now, where do I put in a bid for a coffeehouse with WiFi?

June Happenings

2004-06-03T18:23:00.000-04:00

06/05 - Building Godly Marriages Seminar, Part Two

06/06 - Cast The Net, featuring the film THE CLIMB

06/08 - Lion's Heart Women's Meeting

06/15 - Frontliners Men's Ministry, trip to Manning Correctional Inst

Post The Beatitudes

2004-05-24T15:45:00.000-04:00

The Beatitudes - Kurt Vonnegut

For some reason, the most vocal Christians among us never mention the Beatitudes. But, often with tears in their eyes, they demand that the Ten Commandments be posted in public buildings. And of course that?s Moses, not Jesus. I haven?t heard one of them demand that the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, be posted anywhere.

"Blessed are the merciful" in a courtroom? "Blessed are the peacemakers" in the Pentagon? Give me a break!

He's got a point - while we need to be quick to point out our common transgression of God's law, don't we also need to point to Jesus' description of kingdom-living in a way that encourages and challenges us, too.

Upcoming @ CWO

2004-05-21T16:51:00.000-04:00

Saturday, May 22 - eKIDS Extreme Kids Outreach - going to Hillandale Apartments to reach out and touch someone; games, worship, short sermon and lunch

Saturday, May 29 - Victor & Anabelle's Wedding

Sunday, May 30 - Leadership Meeting, immediately following Worship Service

Friday & Saturday, May 5 & 6 - Building Godly Marriages Seminar, Part Two - Make sure you're signed up by this Sunday, 05/23, $25/couple and $15/individual

Sunday, June 6 - "Cast The Net", showing the film THE CLIMB

2004-05-10T13:51:00.000-04:00

Well, Blogger has a new layout and some new toys - along with a few new templates. Just trying this out - let me know what you think about the layout, the comments, etc. I'll update it later, move some of our links over from the old template later.

thanks! - rick

2004-05-06T10:08:00.000-04:00

National Day of Prayer

Whatever side of the political, cultural, denominational divide you are on, today is a day to join together and pray for each other. In spite of whatever agenda might be behind anything, God's agenda is supreme and sovereign. Prayer is the first and best way we join in with Him.

2004-05-05T10:07:00.000-04:00

Ethics - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The great masquerade of evil muddles every concept of ethics. Evil appears in the form of light, as good works--even as an historical necessity--or as justice, and utterly confuses one who comes from the traditional world of ethical ideas. For the Christian who lives by the Bible, however, these forms of evil simply confirm its abysmal wickedness. Who is able to withstand this evil? Only he to whom the last measure is not his own reason, his principles, his freedom or even his conscience -- but rather his readiness to sacrifice all of these: only he who is called to deeds of obedience and responsibility in faith and single-minded communion with God; only he who will let his life become nothing, as answer to God's request or call.

Source: "Widerstand und Ergebung" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

2004-05-04T09:35:00.000-04:00

Pastor Mike @ Rick's FotoPage - 1J13 Images - Fotopages.com

Don't be scared. He doesn't bite. Much.

2004-05-03T15:07:00.000-04:00

ConcernedMembers.com

Who's making money off of this?!? While there might indeed be some shady dealings and underhanded stuff going on in the deacon boardrooms of our churches, to now profit (there's ad space, so somebody's making some $$$) from the angst and agitation of people who probably don't have a clue in the first place is on the immoral side of things. I might have problems with how some things are presented, with some new methods being introduced. But to feed the fire of disunity by promoting a website for bickering and namecalling - that's just wrong.

And hilarious. Read through some of the postings to the message boards... I'm still trying to figure out if it's satire or not.

2004-05-02T07:28:00.000-04:00

There is something to be said for going to church every week. No one else in the house is up right now. I'm making coffee, typing here, getting ready to make copies of the bulletin and get a new laptop loaded with the software that'll (prayerfully & hopefully) make our service run smoothly. And I'm really looking forward to going to church.

There are blog entries all over the 'osphere concerned with not going to church, it's ok to not do church, it's beneficial to do something different. I'm not writing against them - it's just that actualy going to church is usually given the short end of the cultural church stick. As long as you're seeking after "Christ in community", however that's defined for you right now, that's cool. For me, it's come to mean gathering together with my church family a few times each week. If anything, we might need to meet together more - able to encourage each other more, play together more, worship together more, grow together more.

2004-04-27T09:36:00.000-04:00

THE REAL THREAT TO MARRIAGE :: RELEVANT magazine

2004-04-07T15:32:00.000-04:00

This is just a reminder to anyone in Columbia who enjoys movies - or wants to know more about Jesus. We're going to be screening THE GOSPEL OF JOHN this Good Friday 04/09 @ 6:30pm on the CWO grounds. Please dress comfortably - we're going to be outside, literally showing it to the community and any passers-by.

What's good about the timing of this film's release is that it tells the whole story, providing alot of the background necessary to move into Mel Gibson's THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. While that movie deals almost exclusively with the last twelve hours on that last Friday (and the first few seconds the following Sunday - woo hoo), this one covers the entire Gospel of John, word for word.

Tell your friends and family. Shoot, bring your enemies if you can. Look forward to seeing everyone there.

2004-03-30T10:06:00.000-05:00

Crosswalk.com

2004-03-22T14:35:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - The coolest church in the world - Mar 22, 2004

Bet someone would turn around and ask me to turn up the heat in this sanctuary, too :)....

2004-03-20T23:13:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - New Testament translated into sign language - Mar 20, 2004

Really cool.

2004-03-16T10:56:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Four U.S. missionaries killed in Iraq - Mar 16, 2004

We don't know anything about persecution. Or "success" for that matter. These folks have given a piece of their lives to serving people who end up shooting at them. The people shooting those guns will one day drink pure water from the work being done by missionaries and others just looking to help.

When you look back on life, do you see your service to others, or do you see what you've collected for yourself? Which one will make a difference in the Kingdom?

2004-03-09T09:23:00.000-05:00

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Inboxer Rebellion (Petition to Ban Religious Broadcasting)

I got this in my email inbox today, asking me to e-sign a petition to make sure the FCC wouldn't take religious broadcasting off the air. It's a hoax. There is no such legislation. If anything, the popularity of God as a cultural and financial commodity at this point in our country would probably be enough to thwart any attempts to remove the gospel from broadcasting.

I see a twofold point here. One, we as Christians are so gullible sometimes, open to "persecution", real or perceived, and we're so quick to take up arms and fight with our fellow Christians to withstand the onslaught of injustice. Even though it's not real, this letter will make its way around the globe, and we'll end up fighting a non-existent enemy while the real threats go unnoticed and un-threatened by us.

Second, we tend to fight persecution, when Jesus spoke more about loving our enemies, walking an extra mile, turning our cheek, "forgive them because they don't know what they're doing". Why are we so quick to protect our rights, to take offense when we perceive (it's not real here) that we're being put upon?

2004-03-05T15:31:00.000-05:00

The Passion of Christ Blog: ENGLISH Archives

2004-02-22T19:44:00.000-05:00

A News Anchor's perspective on 'The Passion of the Christ'

2004-02-19T23:35:00.000-05:00

Your Wedding Webpage - The Knot

Victor & Anabelle's wedding page - show 'em some love.

2004-02-16T22:46:00.000-05:00

ABCNEWS.com : How Despairing Gibson Found 'The Passion'

Pray for Gibson - as this film comes to the fore of a culture, his theology will be challenged again and again. Pray that he will be awakened more and more to Christ, to the life of Jesus being lived out now, to the Kingdom of God being here now and not yet.

2004-02-12T12:35:00.000-05:00

MSNBC - Interview: 'You Want Me To Play Jesus?'

Another really good article/interview, this time with James Caviezel, who stars as Jesus in THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST - opening Wednesday, Feb. 25th.

2004-02-05T14:02:00.000-05:00

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
- Ephesians 2:4-7 NIV

Not only did Jesus die for our sins while we were sinners, He also saw fit to raise us up and seat us in heavenly places. Many of us might forgive, but we rarely forget to the point where that transgression won't effect our future dealing with that person. But very very few of us forgive on such a level where we now lift up the other person. Very very few forgive while being sinned against, before the other person even knows what's happened. Very very few of us ever reconcile and restore those broken relationships on that level, seeking to now bring "incomparable riches" upon the people who've done us wrong.

2004-02-04T16:57:00.000-05:00

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR FRIENDS :: RELEVANT magazine :: GOD.LIFE.PROGRESSIVE CULTURE.

Easily said. Hardly done.

2004-02-01T07:36:00.000-05:00

The MYC Youth are having a Super Bowl XXXVIII Party tonight @ Carlos & Sherry's house. Everyone's welcome - but if you're still pulling for the Cowboys, you might want to keep that to yourself!

2004-01-28T14:38:00.000-05:00

I received a sermon in my email inbox from John Piper @ desiringGod.org that deals with the question of making decisions as a church body, needing to take votes, needing 100% unanimity, etc. Sometimes when a decision is made, the congregation can feel left out, put out, or put upon - and our democratic egos get bruised because we not only disgree, but we were also not consulted, and now we don't really have a say in the matter. He is one of my favorite speakers; I love anyone who makes me stop and go hmmmmmm... and this case is no exception. There are changes coming at CWO, and if I'm really on board with what God's doing at the church, what am I to do if I don't agree with the decisions being made?

Piper shares an interesting thought in this paragraph: "I would go to Philippians 3. Here Paul would like for them to come to one mind (as he often pleads), but he does not envision an inability to continue working together until that unanimity happens. He says, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained” (3:14 -16). This strikes me as amazingly realistic. There are some people who are not yet persuaded. If they took a vote now, there would be differences. But Paul does not talk in either-or terms for the fellowship. He sees process and movement. There is no reason to think the whole church is paralyzed till the minority arrives at agreement. That can even happen after a vote that they disagreed on. "

I have always considered those lines to come from Paul-who-knew-better to those-who-didn't that "if you don't agree with me, fine - God can show you I'm right". I'd seen it with a certain amount of arrogance and cockiness, maybe a remnant of his Pharisee days; but also with a confidence that God was showing Him something important right now, take his word for it, ask God to show you the same thing. But the new twist I'm seeing is that Paul is more concerned about moving now in God's purposes, and allowing Him to move in the hearts of others without being held back now.

There's a thought in Brian McLaren's FINDING FAITH that fits here: If I don't agree with something that might in fact be right, I have the option of "jumping in" and feeling it out from the inside, rather than just poking holes from the outside about why I think it's wrong. That's a huge leap of faith for me most of the time, probably for most people. But if you trust your leaders, and trust God in leading them - then why shouldn't they be given the benefit of any of my doubts? Why can't I jump in and let God prove that it's wrong? More often than not, I find that my own understanding was limited and wrong, while the vision ahead of the pastor or other leader was in the direction of God's plans for us at the time.

Just thinking out loud. Real humility recognizes that God's got something going on, that He's undertaking it and we're just along for the ride, and that with the Spirit's discernment we can join in the effort and stop kicking against the goads.

2004-01-23T09:36:00.000-05:00

This has been... a week. Hasn't it? Even with my wife and kids getting a holiday Monday, we all feel run down and worn out from how long, how stress-filled, how absolutely nutty this week has been. "Challenging" is the first descriptive word that comes to mind; "convicting" is the second one. I've been watching people, reading some stuff, listening for God to speak - and I've been pricked: things need to change.

You've probably felt some of that, too. I know I'm not alone. I was moving garbage to the curbside this morning (I hope the pesky raccoon that ripped into our last trashbag and licked all the leftover bowls of chili from Tuesday night is running around the woods with a tummy ache and the runs today!!!), and I shouted good morning to our neighbor, Ray. We both agreed - short weeks just mean that five days worth of work has to be done in four. Same kind of week for him, probably for you, too.

So here we are at the threshold of another weekend. I'm looking forward to not having to do much of anything tomorrow - but I also know I'll be busy with something, anything that might need to be done. Groceries, chores, putting new light bulbs in, cleaning the playroom, shopping for someone's birthday present so our daughter can go to the skate party Sunday afternoon, basketball game tonight.

Life is full. It is abundantly full. And yet, I don't think this is necessarily what Jesus had in mind:"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).

We live an "abundant life" that is really stealing, killing and destroying us. Instead of resting in what Christ is actually promising here, we get over-busy, over-spent, over-stretched in our responsibilities, activities, even church things. That's not the "abundant life"; that's not "life to the full."

The challenge, the conviction for me this week - maybe for you, too - is to just be what God has called me to be: Christ-like. Difficult enough, but totally available in His grace, right? Anything else is graceless, because most of what I find myself involved in apart from that calling is full of my own will-power and determination, not His empowering and enabling grace.

Maybe it's just me.

2004-01-15T08:59:00.000-05:00

I'm getting ready for this weekend's second study on "humility" in our LifeTraining class Sunday morning. Where we talked about some of the benefits, blessings and promises attached to real humility last week, this week we're going to focus in on Pride - and how in the heck we think we don't have any. I'm going to write/teach from a first-person perspective as much as I can - it's the only perspective I've got, and I see enough of this in me to not really have to worry about anyone else's pride issues (Luke 6:41-42).

When I look for pride in me, these are some of the things I begin to notice:
* I think I know it all. Maybe I'm not that bold, but I usually think I've got The Answer to whatever question comes my way. If I don't have The Answer, I'm usually pretty sure that My Opinion is better than yours.
* I don't like talking with dogmatic people. If you're not open to discussion, I'm not usually open to listen. Why? Because my ideas are better than yours, and I'm kinda put off that you would think otherwise.
* In my humility, I know The Answer, but I also know (rather smugly) that you need to discover it for yourself. So I'll be quiet, appearing (even to myself) to be quite humble, but inwardly knowing you'll never get it... at least not as much as I get it.
* When I think about my own humility, I'm usually pretty proud if it. When I think about my pride, I usually get mad at God before realizing it's me.
* I think I know what's best, when it usually comes out that I didn't have a clue.

We don't have a clue most of the time, and yet our minds swell thinking that we have all The Answers. Pride is so quick to rise up and bite us in the rear, and as it's puffing us up, it's also sucking the life out of us.

I'll write more later this weekend. Any other thoughts out there? Anything's helpful in fleshing this out for me - getting it to the bible study is secondary to living it out in my own life.

2004-01-13T16:00:00.000-05:00

Road Kill from A night at The Movie! (The Passion)

This is a review from christian comedienne Chonda Pierce - really looking forward to the 02/25 release date.

2004-01-12T16:07:00.000-05:00

Look After One Another
Hermas

Listen to me now: stand together in peace. Look after one another, and show concern for another's needs. By eating too much, some of you have brought sickness on your bodies and ruined them, while the limbs of others, who have nothing to eat, waste away for lack of food. And you who have become old in spirit: you are already dying. Your soft living and constant doubts have brought you to this point. You are enervated by the affairs of daily life; you have fallen into lethargy; you are like old men who have given up hope of regaining strength and expect nothing but to fall asleep. But don't give up hope. Awake and repent, and you will all be quite new again.
[from the Daily Dig, 01/12/2004,
http://bruderhof.com/us/Subscribe.htm?source=DailyDig]
====

Ouch. Yes, I'm a big guy, and I've eaten my share, so the physical challenge is very real. But that next line, that we who've been in the faith for a long while have fallen into a trap of "soft living and constant doubts", paying closer attention to the "affairs of daily life". There is such a hope in this: "Awake and repent, and you will all be quite new again."

Who doesn't want new strength? new vision? new mercies every morning? Who doesn't want to throw away the old mindsets? the old worthless things? No matter how comfortable, the worthless things won't get us any closer to the goal of Christ formed in us. "Awake and repent" - we need to wake up and smell the coffee, repent and enjoy the newness that we've left behind.

How do I know this is speaking to me? I've asked myself: what determines the course of my days? And I answer: my daytimer, my kids' school schedules, basketball practice, tumbling class, bedtime routines, morning routines, half-hour commutes, etc etc etc. In the midst of all that, I look for time with God, and He's always there, much more faithful than me. But what if I lived there, in the kingdom, more constantly in His presence, and then tried to find time for this day's schedule from withing my time with Him - instead of the other way around?

2004-01-07T15:44:00.000-05:00

This was in my inbox just before the christmas holidays. I was struck by how spot on it was: we usually have thoughts of worship and praise and the grace of God, but they often do not translate into any real life-transformations:

12/17/03
When Theology Becomes Doxology
Jill Carattini

More than six hundred years ago, a young Italian laywoman brought to a dark world a quiet but reverberating voice. Catherine of Siena, as she is remembered, lived within a century marked by insecurity and fear, war and economic distress, terrifying disease, and corruption within the Church. Yet, her short life was one marked by a passion for the truth, intense care for humanity, and a fervent life of prayer. Administering care at the bedsides of plague victims, writing letters to feuding church leaders, she emphatically declared in word and deed, "The way has been made. It is the doctrine of Christ crucified. Whoever walks along this way… reaches the most perfect light." (Footnote 1: Mary O’Driscoll, Ed., Catherine of Siena (New City Press: Hype Park, NY, 1993), 13.) Not surprisingly, Catherine is best remembered as a compassionate intercessor, for she prayed with the same intensity with which she lived. "O eternal God… I have nothing to give except what you have given me, so take my heart and squeeze it out over the face of the Bride." (Footnote 2: Ibid, 11.) In the frailty of her own life, which was racked with great illness and sorrow, Catherine’s severe desire was that God would take her life as an offering, using her in whatever way to mend the vast brokenness all around her.

Reading through a book of her collected prayers and letters recently, I was struck by a phrase the editor used to describe Catherine of Siena in prayer. In her prayers, the editor notes, "her theology becomes doxology." The statement is certainly rich with thought. What Catherine believed to be true about God became in her prayers—and arguably in her life—an expression of praise to God.

But think about this. Shouldn’t all of our theology naturally lead us to doxology? That is, shouldn’t our understanding of God and of God's relation to the world naturally become expressions of praise to God?
====
Copyright(c) 2003
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM).
Reprinted with permission.
A Slice of Infinity is a ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries

2004-01-04T21:30:00.000-05:00

Happy 2004, y'all. We had a really good morning of worship and teaching this morning, with Pastor continuing his series on "HE IS ABLE." We looked a Melchizedek in Hebrews 7 - a High Priest for Abraham, above and beyond the Levitical priesthood installed later with Moses. Jesus is the High Priest now, perfect in every way, able to save completely all who come to the Father through Him.

Personally, I feel God calling me to a mediation on "humilty." And what I'm getting from my emphasis on humility partnered with "He is able" is the notion that where He is able, I'm not. There's nothing in me that's worth anything, nothing that's effective for any kingdom good, nothing that's sold-out holy apart from Christ. Maybe that's where we miss it, thinking that we actually bring something to this task. But there's nothing in me that started in me that will be of any use to God. I can say my "willingness" is useful, but even that attitude would have to be empowered by His grace. Again, nothing that comes from me will last.

Humility is seeing that and embracing that, on some level at least.

2003-12-23T10:07:00.000-05:00

It's Christmas time, in case you were wondering what all the hoopla was. This is the time of year when it's, mostly, politically correct to celebrate Jesus in the open cultural marketplace. That is, as long as we recognize other folks' belief systems and don't do anything exclusivistically to condemn the people looking at our nativity scenes. There are stories each night on the news of a needy family getting help to "make it a good christmas for the kids this year". And there are stories on TV of how christmas will be cancelled when Santa's taken out, or when all the toys run out and presents can't be delivered.

All that to say: we just don't get it.

I'm trying to get it, but I know I don't. I say that in all humility - I have no idea how far Jesus stooped to become "one of us". We talk about how lowly He became, as a baby in a stinky cave/stable. But even if He'd been born to Caesar, it would've been an infinitely huge drop from the thronerooms of Heaven. So I'm not stuck on "the Baby", as much as I want to simply dwell on Him, why He came, how He brought glory & honor to the Father, how He models that for us and graces us to do the same.

Merry Christmas.

2003-12-15T09:24:00.000-05:00

This was posted to the 1J13 Email list from Dawn, 12/12/03 - thoughts that make you think:

The other day, flipping radio stations in the car, I caught a line from a Christmas carol, I can't even place which one. But the bit I heard was "... in lonely exile here. The Son of God appear. Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel. Has come to ransom Israel."

The words, "In lonely exile here," have just gotten stuck in my mind. It's the thing that doesn't fit in to our mammoth December celebration. (Remember, mine started in November because I couldn't pack it all into my December.) Christmas is the biggest, most hyped holiday by far. We get two weeks out of school, it's ok to indulge - in food and beverage, entertainment, overspending. And we start closer and closer to the fourth of July every year. It's the mac-daddy of celebrations every year. And rightly so, because we were so desperately in need of a Savior to redeem us. And we definitely have cause to celebrate the resolution of that major crisis. (Breathe a heavy sigh of relief.)

But do you see what is happening? "I" had a need. "I" couldn't meet it. "I" finally got it. "I" am now safe. "I" can now celebrate my windfall. It's still so sadly about me.

What is Christmas from God's perspective? The beginning of a terrible experience of exile in a foreign and wicked land that culminates with the ultimate pain, suffering and death. Separation from the glory and splendor of Heaven (which is all he has known). Limitation to an earthly body, complete with all the limitations of a newborn, like not even being able to lift his own head.

It makes me want to spend more time on my knees, and less on the decorations this Christmas. It makes me want to fast and pray, not cook Christmas dinner. Love for my Lord is causing me to grieve this festive holiday season for His loss, His suffering, His exile rather than celebrate my own good fortune at His expense.

2003-12-08T14:22:00.000-05:00

Official Site: The Passion Of The Christ - A Mel Gibson Film - Official Movie Website - Icon Productions

2003-12-03T09:54:00.000-05:00

The State | 12/03/2003 | Houses, townhomes planned in Rosewood

These plans are in process for the land right across the street from CWO. Pray. Often.

2003-11-27T10:14:00.000-05:00

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
- Ephesians 1:15-16

What am I thankful for? This week, I'm more thankful than I've been in a long time for a long weekend. No kidding - it's been a long few months at work, at church and at home, and having a five-day break from work and church, spending that time at home for the most part - aaaaahh. It's wonderful.

When we think of being thankful, we of course think of family - my wife and children, my 'rents and in-laws, my brother and his wife, extended family and friends. We think of our church - Pastor and his extended family, good friends who've been ministering together for years, new faces getting excited about life in Christ. We think of our nation, where we hope to stand for truth, for peace and for Jesus in the midst of cultural intrusions. And we think of Jesus - thankful for salvation, for grace, for healing and comfort.

But what else are we thankful for? Real thanksgiving, I'm coming to find, is all-inclusive. I'm not really thankful unless I also appreciate troubles in my life. Storms and trials have popped up, tools of testing in my life; and I'm thankful that God sees fit to test me, sees fit to show me where I'm at in this journey. It's not about passing or failing. It's about moving forward, growing in Christ-likeness. I'm thankful that there's more to salvation than just being saved from hell. I'm grateful for having something to live for now, not just something to die for later.

Thanks for reading.

2003-11-22T11:15:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Shark attack victim says she won't give up surfing - Nov. 22, 2003

Hamilton said, "I can't change it. That was God's plan for my life and I'm going to go with it."

I don't know whether she's a christian or not, but I wish more christians had that mindset.

2003-11-17T16:42:00.000-05:00

MSN Entertainment - Movies: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Watch the trailer!!!

2003-11-04T14:10:00.000-05:00

Whew!!! I passed my mid-term in Bible College. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention in my last blog that I take a class in evangelism at my church's bible college. I was so excited to find out that I passed the test. I missed 3 of the 5 classes and wasn't able to really get a lot of notes from anyone, although the ones I did get were helpful.

For class last night, we headed to an area in town called 5-points (basically the college party central of Columbia) to witness. We had a great time to be able to be a "light" for the Kingdom. Pastor Rick, Pastor Jones and myself were sitting by the fountain in the center of 5-points when a couple came up to us for directions to the "coolest club" in town. Pastor Rick, in his suave voice, said, "We're actually telling people about Jesus." The reaction of the couple was classic. With a gasp of air and a "two-step" shuffle back, the man said, "Woah!!! Ring! Ring! Ring! That's are cue to leave." The woman was pretty buzzed up, but she wanted to indulge in a conversation about "self-spirituality" with us. She said that they believe that they are able to set God's standard (paraphrased) for "spirituality." She kept repeating to us that she was the "most spiritual" person we will ever meet.

The gentleman said to us that God will not judge him based what he has done wrong, but by what he does good. (that's trying to obtain righteousness through works...it will never happen) I asked him, "If you faced a judge, here on earth, that was trying you for murder, would he be just in letting you go free because you've been a good guy until you killed somebody?" "No, of course not," he said, "I killed somebody!" Then I said, "How will God, who is just, be able to let you into heaven by turning his back on his own requirements?" The reaction that followed is the norm, "Uumm, um." Our time was cut of when the woman was asking us to kiss her.

We prayed that the seed we sowed will be watered and harvested by more "laborers." Till then, we work for the Kingdom!!! :)

- Carlos

2003-10-17T09:54:00.000-04:00

God is merciful.

The Cubs lost.
The Red Sox lost.

We are in the last days. The Apocalypse is coming. But God is merciful.

2003-10-16T16:24:00.001-04:00

I'm on a really convicting chapter in ENJOYING GOD, the book I've been trying to finish this week. Reading at lunch this afternoon, SJ Hill puts something to words that we "know" but don't do very well. We'll never overcome sin by hating sin - the starting point is to be exceedingly satisfied with God. Everything else is counterfeit. I think he quoted John Piper: "Sin is what we do when we're no longer satisfied with God." Wow.

I haven't been like that, and I haven't helped anyone else in that area either. As "head of household" in my family, I'm constantly voting God out (sorry for the BB4 reference!). Or at least I'm putting Him up against something else and then we vote together. Whatever it is, my belief that "I love God" needs to be lived out in reality. Finances. Family. Time management. Work. Ministry.... Wow.

I'm encouraged by that, more than being guilted down in my conscience. I want to finish the book so my wife can take it with her on vacation next week. She's been reading Rick Warren's THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE; some of the practicalities in there are good, but this book has the basis for all that: love God more than anything else.

One more thing. He's wrapping up my current chapter with this thought: God wants us to succeed. He tests us for APPROVAL, not for FAILURE. He doesn't dwell on my defeats, only on my victories in Him as I seek to be like Him and satisfied in Him... Wow.

2003-10-16T16:24:00.000-04:00

2003-10-15T10:26:00.000-04:00

I'm not real big on email devotionals - most of them leave me thirsty for more. But I discovered this one, and today's really says something meaningful:

10/15/03
A Vivid and Separate Thing
Betsy Childs

Copyright (c) 2003 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM).
Reprinted with permission. A Slice of Infinity is a ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

It's not about NOT BEING bad and always AVOIDING temptation. Rather, it's about BEING good and PURSUING righteousness.

2003-10-06T08:53:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Woman opens fire at church, killing her mother, pastor and herself - Oct. 6, 2003

The thought that struck me as I read this article? "I wonder what was in his sermon notes?" The pastor had just finished teaching Sunday School - what had he taught? - and was preparing to worship and preach. And I wonder to myself: what would I want to teach in the moments before I die? What would I want my final sermon to be, my final discussion, my last email, my last blog post?

And how can I know if this is it?

2003-09-28T15:34:00.000-04:00

We finished up the month-long look at the Sermon on the Mount this morning. I've enjoyed it, getting to dig into a passage that most of us "know" fairly well and somehow bringing something new and challenging out of it. In wrapping up Matthew 6, I focused on keeping our eyes on the kingdom, storing our treasure in heaven, letting our eyes focus on the light of the kingdom, letting our worship and service be for God instead of Money. Then, with that focus, we will realize that there's no need to worry about our needs getting met, because we'll "see" God providing. And there's no need to worry about tomorrow, either, since right now probably has enough to keep us busy. If we make God & His righteousness our priority - keeping our treasure secure with Him, focusing on Him, serving/following Him - then "all these things will be added."

In Chapter 7, I made the transition from "don't worry about your needs today or your troubles tomorrow" into "how do you handle the past?" Jesus talked about passing judgment, how we can remove the plank of judgmentalism and actually be able to "judge" and help someone remove their plank of sin. Forgiveness is so huge - we can ask for it, seek it, and knock on its door, and God is faithful to give us what we've asked for. What if we were to give forgiveness so that we'd get it in return, pressed down, shaken together and running over? What if we were to ask the Father to "forgive them for they know not what they do", instead of pointing the finger at folks when they screw up?

Finally, Jesus wraps up the talk by saying to put these things into practice. Practice these things. Run drills and meditate on the goodness of God, the attributes of kingdom-life, the fundamentals of living as citizens of heaven who are ambassadors to this culture. Like I said, good stuff, and I really appreciated people listening and putting these things into practice in their lives, too.

2003-09-26T08:58:00.000-04:00

Got this in my inbox this morning (Daily Dig from Bruderhof):

The answer to that last question is of course "no" - and I agree that we have watered down the Gospel into something of a self-help mantra. How many people sitting in pews every Sunday are deceived into thinking they've got hell-fire insurance, when in reality they've only bought into a humanistic form of religion? We've bought into form over substance - doing the right things, looking the right way, having the right attitude, and never really dying to themselves and living to Christ.

God is mercifully patient with us (2 Peter 8-10, where Pastor Mike read last night; Romans 2:4), giving us plenty of time to turn this thing around and repent. But we're the blind leading the blind, and too many of us are falling into the pit (Matt 15:14). Darkness was allowed to stay - light didn't shine somewhere along the line, and we got used to the shadows.Would someone turn on the lights? Would someone be bold enough to play by the rules, to learn from the Master how to really live in the kingdom? There's no room for wishy-washy Christians any more. If it's going to be real, then we'll have to be real.

Practically, what does this mean? We need to BE more, not just DO more, or TRY more. Instead of thinking "I need to pray more" - just pray more. Instead of thinking "I need to study my Bible" - just do it. Instead of asking "why am I not sharing Jesus with folks?" - just talk Him up. For me, living it out is a whole lot more fruitful than thinking about it or having guilt over a lack of it. I want to BE a person who does those things - not someone trying to live up to a standard, but who's living life through the standard...

I'm through preaching now :)

2003-08-26T09:27:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Mount Paran North Church of God

This is where the Cleansing Streams Retreat has been moved for this fall. Closer to Atlanta, might shave some time off our drive. And we might be able to get some better deals on hotels. We've got nine people this time around - pray that all of us really *want* to follow through, and that we'll all go to the retreat and drop life's baggage at the throne.....

2003-08-24T07:36:00.000-04:00

Open Door Ministries Inc.

We are welcoming Neil Bush to CWO this morning. I'm looking forward to a "different" service - and praying that all of us gathered will be expectant, you know? I'll update this afternoon and share how things went.

2003-07-26T23:01:00.000-04:00

It's been awhile since anyone's updated this blog. But life goes on, doesn't it? In fact, it is most probably "life" that has kept us too busy to be concerned with documenting "life" - right? Not that it's a bad thing - not everyone grabs onto the blog concept as much as I'd like, and that's okay in the scheme of things. Relationships being what they are, I don't know that building them in virtual space is that much more connecting than the real life phone call or dinner invitation. A blog like this one can only be an extension of the relationships already developed, not a substitute or even a catalyst for them. I'll continue to post from time to time, and I'll add some code to check for visitors (I know you're out there). In the meantime, comment as you will, or as you won't - and add your two cents worth to the continuing heart/thought process.....

2003-06-29T18:46:00.000-04:00

We're a healing place for a hurting world. That's a part of the vision that God has planted in Pastor for CWO. But what about other things, other thoughts about what a church like ours is supposed to be...?

A restful place for a busy world
An accepting place for a judgmental world
A mourning place for a numb world
A joyful place for a depressed world
A meaningful place for a meaningless world
A worshipping place for a self-seeking world
A pursuing place for a rundown world
A peaceful place for a messy world
A messy place for a perfectionist world
An out-of-the-box place for a boxed-in world
A courageous place for a hopeless world

Just thinking.

2003-06-25T13:06:00.000-04:00

Mark your calendar - SERVANT EVANGELISM: Saturday July 5th - 10am-12noon, starting @ CWO Facilities, 523 Superior St.

We're going to CLEAN UP THE STREETS - walking up & down Rosewood Drive, picking up garbage on the sidewalks and side of the street, and handing out cards to those folks who stop to ask what we're doing and perhaps joining in!

Wear comfortable shoes and jeans/shorts, and wear a WHITE TSHIRT so that we stand out on what will prayerfully be a beautifully sunny Saturday!

For more infomation, email Pastor Mike or Rick, or leave a message on voice mail - 803.254.1600.

2003-06-25T10:57:00.000-04:00

Here's an update from Dawn on Pastor Mike's continuing progress. He's in for another round of procedures this morning, and will hopefully be driving home TOMORROW. The kids are up in Durham with them, so they're enjoying some family time already, and looking forward to being back in Columbia with the rest of us, too! - rick

Hi to all.....Mike is doing well. After the first 3 days, Mike's blood counts started to fall off - all the way to nothing. His white blood cell count showed up on his lab work as >0.1. That means that they could not detect any in his blood at all.

With the drop in blood counts came the nausea and vomiting. Days 4-8 we spent every hour day and night trying to get on top of the vomiting. We would go to the clinic every morning and they would pump him up with meds to get through to the next day. But we had to go back into the hospital every night betwen 11-2 to get more IV meds to get him through to the next morning. The vomiting was relentless. But after Day 8 we finally were able to keep it at bay.

The low blood counts last until your stem cells that were transplanted (day 0) engraft. That means they found their way back into your bone marrow, settled in, and began to grow and produce blood cells again. (That's what bone marrow does). This usually happens around day 10. The first thing you see coming up is the white cell count. Then the red follows and finally you make your own platelets and you see that count start creeping up too. Getting back to normal takes some time, but seeing them start going up is what everyone looks for. By day 9 Mike saw his white count go from >0.1 to 0.1. We thought that was the start of engraftment. By day 10, his white count was up to 5.3 (normal already) and he was already making his own platelets.

He got off some of the pain meds he was on, and we discovered that the little cough he had was really a severe cough with lots of wheezing and crackling, although his lungs sounded clear. Apparently the narcotic was relaxing the soft tissue of his bronchials enough to mask the cough a bit. They were talking on Friday about going home Monday or Tuesday, but the cough has set us back a bit. They want to do a CT scan, another pulmonary functon test, and test his mucous for viral infection. There are several possibilities of what it could be: viral, irritation caused by the preservative his stem cells were frozen in, damaged lung tissue caused by the chemo, the beginnings of pneumonia, or something called pneumanitis, which is also caused by chemo. Some are treatable, some are not, but he is not a classic case of any of them, so they want to use all these tests to try and figure it out. So now it looks like we will be here until Wed or Thursday.

Fatigue has set in. Mike is impatient with this. He's feeling good enough to be frustrated with the fact that he's not quite up to his usual pace - full tilt. He's anxious to put all this behind him and get back to life full steam ahead, but he's realizing that when they say you leave the clinic to go home for the recovery phase, they aren't overstating the situation. He doesn't understand why he's so tired, and I say, "I do. You've just had a transpant." All our information tells us that most transpant patients arent up to full time work until 6 months after transpant and it takes a full year to recover completely. Mike is going to have to learn to be patient with his body. It's doing all it can to catch back up to life. He has a brand new immune system now, and it takes a lot of energy to re-establish all that as well as rebuild normal amounts of blood cells from none at all only a week ago.

We miss the children enormously. They have had a ball in our absence. Uncle Wayne, Grandpa Bud and Nanna Carol, Carlos and Sherry, Anabelle, Candice, and now Titi Omi have filled in very well. They kids have been on a three week long vacation. But now that Mike's counts are back up, we are trying to get them up here to see us. Maybe they can stay the next few days with us, and we can all go home together.

Thank you for all your support and prayers, your help with our home and our children, everything everyone has done. We are indebted to you always for all your help.

Love,
Dawn

2003-06-14T19:53:00.000-04:00

This is a post from Pastor Mike, even though I signed in under Dawn's blogger id.

BMT Process: June 5 - 10 - As I reflect on all the chemotherapy I received back in Charleston, SC, I realized it was a pretty easy walk in comparison to the BMT process. The 6 days in the hospital were absolute torture to my body. Only God could keep a man sane on the other side of this experience. I was given a scripture by my mother from Mark 16:18 in which Jesus said, "They will pick up snakes with their hands; And when the drink deadly poison (chemo) it will not harm them at all. They will place thier hands on sick people and they will get well." Hallelujah, thank you, Jesus. The Lord has been speaking to me and I pray I will obey his voice. My spirit is willing, yet my flesh is weak.

Day 0 - June 11, 2003 - Transplant. This was a tough day; I felt very weak, but my stem cells were reinfused. Dawn called it a new birthday; my cells had been re-planted to start new life. I quickly realized the absolute necessity of being born again spiritually. I heard the words of Jesus again, "Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom." In the physical, I have not been good to my body. I have treated it unkindly, disrepectfully. The Holy Spirit has dealt with me at this time. I must treat this body as what it really is - the temple of God. Only He can and will give me the strength because it is his will in Christ Jesus to live a healthy, disciplined lifestyle, that I might honor him, spirit, soul, and body. My body must become a slave of righteousness! Getting back to the spiritual, there is no way to see the kingdom, to work for the kingdom, to do the will of the kingdom, unless there is a change - a reinfusion of life from dead works to serve the living God. One must pass from death into life. There is no other way. One cannot come on his own terms because there is nothing good within man. All his spiritual cells are poluted with sin. He cannot on his own merit gain holiness and the glory of God. He must come through the cross, where the blood of the Lamb is able to transfuse him from death to life. Glory be to God, for Jesus and His blood.

Day 1 - June 12, 2003 - Started out rough! I had a little better sleep, but awoke dizzy and nauseated. I feel as if there is simply no way to go on physically, and yet in my weakness, Jesus is strong. All flesh must be stricken - stripped and eradicated of its pride so there can be nothing to depend on or rely upon except God and God alone. The apostle Paul said it this way, "For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh." Flesh is good for nothing but to be consecrated and given over to the One who created it. I will offer up my body as a living sacrifice to the Lord. I pray rest tonight and strength for tomorrow. Day 2 is getting closer to the goal. Thank you, Jesus.

Day 2 - June 13, 2003 - Had a better day today. It began in the presence of the King as I worshipped before the throne. My physical strength is better today even though my blood work shows quite the opposite. My hemoglobin was low, my white blood cell count was very low, my platelet count almost gone, and yet probably the best day yet strength-wise. Only God could do something like this! He truly is great. He's still working miracles. Today, in my study of the scripture, I came across a verse in John 5:39 where Jesus said to the Jews when they were angry with him because he claimed to be God, "You diligently study the scriptures because by them you posess eternal life. These are the scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." So many are decieved and have an earthy believism about a God they have never come to. And even though they know the scripture and study them diligently, they still don't know Jesus. What a tragedy, a trama, a catastrophy to be deceived and not know it. By the end of the day, my body collapsed as a direct result of what my blood work really showed. Though all outward appearance I looked strong, I was really weak. Yes, God gave me supernatural strength, yet my point is what really is shall be revealed. And what is not shall be exposed. Jesus said, "You will recognize them by their fruit." He also said, "Hereby, we know that we know Him, if we keep his commandments. He that says he knows him and keeps not his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:3-4

Day 3 - June 14, 2003 - Began better than any other day so far. I didn't have any nausea and felt pretty good overall. When I arrived at the clinic, I soon realized that my blood counts were way down and I needed a blood transfusion. Two units of blood were given to me from someone I will never know. This is so selfless and self-giving. I feel very humbled to receive it. What a cost! Yes, it may not seem much, but that person had to leave their comfortable home or office, go give blood (life) so that someone else could have a chance at life. There was a sacrifice, there was love and thought, and ultimately, there was the shedding of blood through a needle. OH THE COST. He left his place of majesty, the God of the Universe, with all power and authority. He also left the comfort of thousands upon thousands of angels worshipping him. He was made lower than the angels, being found in human likeness. His purpose was also to give blood (Life) so that someone else could have a chance at Life. There was great sacrifice. There was shown great love and thought, and ultimately there was the shedding of blood through nails, not just because of love, but also for the forgiveness of sin. Oh what a savior He is.

2003-06-12T08:56:00.000-04:00

Update from Dawn, Wednesday evening 11:24pm -

We've been so busy that I havenot had time to write. Mike is feeling miserable, but they are saying that he is doing great. He was kicked out of the hospital on Tuesday. Today was Day 0 - transplant day. That means that the negative days prior to transplant are behind us, and tomorrow we get into positive days. Even that just sounds good to me. In the world of transplants, today is Mike's new birthday - a whole new life. So now, apparently Mike has now been born, born again, and then once again. His very smart baby cells will find their way back into his bone marrow and dig in thier heels and begin reproducing within 10-14 days. It's quite marvelous, what the human body is capable of.

He is fighting fatigue, nausea/vomiting, and has developed a cough today for which we had to go back to the hospital for a chest x-ray, which checked out ok. He has also had other digestive stuff - diarrea and mouth pain (which usually turns into mucousitis - one big cancer sore in your mouth and throat). He did not sleep at all last night, but now has a prescription to help with that.

Pray for sleep (for both of us!), the strength and the desire to endure these next 10-14 days of feeling yucky until his blood counts come back up, and for his body to do all the right things quickly. Pray also that he will be protected from infection and bleeding - which he is very suceptible to right now and could be life threatening....and hum happy birthday for us. We'll hear you.

Love,
Dawn

2003-06-09T08:39:00.000-04:00

Meditation for the week:

The first commandment was really brought to life yesterday morning in a new video we're watching on the Ten Commandments. The thought that we're to "have no other gods" makes sense when you consider that there are no other gods, and that the Lord has already led us to freedom, already made us free.

The second passage above was Pastor Danny's text yesterday. "Who are you to judge someone else's servant?" We judge too much in the disputable matters, without standing firm nearly enough on those matters that God is clear about. We might turn a blind eye to an affair in the congregation, but watch out if you walk in full of tattoos. We'll be meditating on these two passages this week, wondering where we might be seeking after other gods, and where we are judging others too harshly, or ourselves not harshly enough.

I also went to my brother Jeff's church and heard him preach on "The Perfect Church." Basic premise: we're already in the "perfect church" by being a part of the body of Christ, so now LIVE LIKE IT.

2003-06-08T00:47:00.000-04:00

Second UPDATE from Dawn on Pastor Mike's bone marrow transplant, Duke Medical Ctr:

Good evening,

Just a quick update tonight on Mike. He had a fantastic day yesterday. It was the day of rest between chemo doses. He walked over a mile on the ninth floor, ate well, and was able to rest well too. Today was another story. Another high dose chemo drug - this one took 4 hours to infuse. It made his blood pressure drop to 80/12, which scared me and left Mike feeling lousy. He then promtly got the shakes and chills. They could not give him meds for that until his BP was up. After about 45 minutes of constant shakes (exhausted and achy by then) his bp was respectable enough for some demoral to put his body at rest. Then came the vomitting and diarreah. Finally he spiked a fever of 102.5. When I left this evening, he was asking for prayer and was still burning up. He said through his tears, "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." The flesh is weak is an understatement!

I asked his nurse if he would have a good night or not, and she said it could go either way. It's been a grueling day for him, and my prayer is for a reprieve from the side effects and some much needed rest tonight. I am claiming the Psalm (for which I am too tired to look up the reference [Ps 127:2 - The Message]) that promises that He gives sleep to the ones he loves. Pray for endurance and focus. This is no easy task, and something Mike must do virtually alone. Even I fee helpless to ease the burden. Please help me pray him through to Tuesday when this wicked high dose chemo is over and he gets to leave the torture chamber.

May God grant us all a good night sleep tonight.

Love.
Dawn

2003-06-06T08:01:00.000-04:00

This is an email that Dawn sent last night on Pastor Mike's first days @ Duke Medical for the bone marrow transplant:

Hi all,

We have now been back up at Duke for 2 days. We are now here for the duration. Yesterday we got the green light after chest x-ray and EKG and lab work and a consult with doc. This morning we checked in at Admitting and Mike was tanking up on IV fluid by 10 am. Today he received the first of three high doses of chemo.

It was not much fun - Mike had some nausea and a bad headache. But his worst symptom was the restlessness - he couldn't be still. He said he wanted to climb out of his skin. The good news was that, even though it felt like forever!) it only took 2 hours for the drug to drip through his IV. After it finished they were more liberal with the meds to make him more comfortable. He then slept through the rest. That being a drastic drop in blood pressure (which they expect). They were able to bring it back up without using meds, just extra fluid. By 8 pm he was attempting to eat supper and was a little more alert, even though it was a very difficult day.

Tomorrow he gets to rest and then chemo #2 will be on Saturday. Pray that he is able to rest tonight. His spirits are up and his sights are set on the future - when this whole thing will be behind him.

Pray also for my father and stepmother, who are on kid duty back home. They have both been hit with some kind of stomach bug - diarreha and nausea. Carol even had to see the doctor today, and spent most of yesterday in bed. Just pray for healing all around! And that my children aren't too spoiled by the time we get home! It doesn't look good on that front.

A million thanks for all everyone is doing to get this big job done. It is humbling to be so loved. I am speechless in response.

Love,
Dawn

2003-06-02T10:19:00.000-04:00

Article - Facing The Challenge: We don't do God

"In a recent interview for Vanity Fair magazine, reporter David Margolick asked Prime Minister Tony Blair about his Christian faith. In a remarkable demonstration of the power of unelected media manipulators, chief spin-doctor Alistair Campbell interrupted the Prime Minister’s reply to say ‘I’m sorry, we don’t do God.’"

In our society and culture today (this article is based on events in Britain, but it could be in Washington, DC or any other city on this side of the pond), religion is becoming increasing irrelevant in the lives of people. This is a time for us as Christians to live life right and righteously in a way that shows in action and verbalizes in conversation just how relevant the relationship really is.....

2003-05-30T19:04:00.000-04:00

Pastor Mike is heading to Duke Medical Ctr next week for the month-long procedure of his bone marrow transplant. And whether he's bald or not - we're going to miss him and Dawn. Be in prayer for them and for the kids - alot of you are helping out by taking meals or watching kids, and the encouragement means alot to them, I know. But there's all kinds of other hassles, too. Mostly, they'll miss being together. Pray for the Comforter to comfort, for grace to be such an encouragement in their souls, and for such a love to grow in their midst that this time apart will build relationship within theit family.

I'm hoping Pastor and Dawn will BLOG more, too. If they do, be sure to interact in their comments sections, ok?

2003-05-15T11:23:00.000-04:00

Dying?

Today, I saw something that has brought such comfort and relief to me, that I thought I would Blog.
I was praying for my family to know Jesus, and in my thoughts a question was posed, "Maybe if you die, and at your funeral your family will get saved." " Will you give up your life for that?" "What greater sacrifice can you give, but your life?" I start thinking of this and questioning it and seeing the ends results of my death, and even fearing. Then I saw this prideful lie, and I realized that my life can't give life to anybody, and my death surely can't. It's not me, but Jesus, and the sacrifice has already been paid. The Seed has already died, and the Christ has already resurrected. I recognized the lie, and replaced it with Truth. Jesus came to give us LIfe. He is The seed that fell and died, The only Imperishable Seed. And Praise God, He didn't stay dead, but Lives. Now we too Live Forever with Him. My life Hidden in Christ will bring LIfe whether today or at my funeral. And Praise God even at that time, I too will not stay there long, because the first and last will be Faithful to see me Home forever.

2003-05-09T08:07:00.000-04:00

We're driving to Gainesville, GA, today for the spring Cleansing Streams regional retreat. I've been a few times before, and we're taking 18 people this time - biggest group we've had make it to the retreat. We've been meeting once a month or so since January, watching a video together and then "doing the homework" - a woorkbook and tapes/book. and it builds to this: a weekend away to deal with personal baggage and with God.

I'm not much into "deliverance ministry" - there are often too many things that are screwy and over-sensationalized, without alot of discipleship and real change. This set is different. By studying for four months, you get steeped in real freedom. Starting with Alignment - where you're challenged to walk by the Spirit, not by the soul (mind/will/emotions) or the body - and culminating this weekend as we deal finally with the particulars of pride, rejection, abuse, etc, there's a sense that this is real and transforming in our lives if we'll take the time to walk it out, and if we'll allow Christ to set us free.

I'll report back after the weekend.

2003-04-27T15:38:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Cappuccino friar beatified by pope - Apr. 27, 2003

Amen.

2003-04-20T19:50:00.000-04:00

Hi Folks!

What an encouraging service today! Connie and I have been sooooo encouraged the past year that we have been at CWO! One thing that has been very important to us is that week after week we have not only been encouraged, but we are challenged. Pastor Mike always brings us to a point of decision. Nothing is questionable in our hearts as we leave each service. Either we obey the Holy Spirit or we don't. (Obedience is better!) After being in the full-time ministry since 1985 it has been very challenging to lay it all aside for the past year (so far). But looking back, Connie and I can see God's hand in it. As a matter of fact, we can clearly see the work He has done (and still doing) in our hearts. God is preparing us all for the next level. It requires a deeper passion and commitment. He loves us so much that He will see that we are prepared - one way or the other!

I like what Pastor David said today. "If you keep on doing what you've always done, you will always have what you've always had." (Steve's paraphrase). I was really challenged today to do more! We can hope, pray, and confess more, but we also must do more. Once I heard Ron Luce say that if you don't know more scripture today than you did at this time last year, you're not growing in Christ. I am really challenged to press on to do more. I know the results will be the proof! Blessings!
Steve

2003-04-18T09:14:00.000-04:00

Time Changer

Pastor Danny recommended this film. I hadn't seen anything on it, but it looks like it's in limited release in select cities/theaters, possibly underwritten by local churches and associations. Looks like it would be thoughtful and through-provoking, though. It's playing here in town at the Columbiana Grande. If I get to see it this weekend, I'll post a review - maybe get Pastor Danny to throw out some props, too.

2003-04-05T15:37:00.000-05:00

Bible study method

Andrew Jones shares seven questions (taught to him by Thom Wolf) for a pretty deep/impromptu bible study session:
1. What word or phrase "shimmered" or stuck out?
2. What did you like best about the passage?
3. What did you like least?
4. What did you learn about God?
5. What did you not understand or find puzzling?
6. What do you think applies to people today?
7. If you were to choose a sentence or phrase to meditate on this week, which would it be? And why?

He gives John 15:1-8 as the passage a group used. Got any thoughts? Answers from that passage to some of these questions?

2003-03-29T09:47:00.000-05:00

I just finished an interesting book, and one of the characters detailed a "new" way of telling God's story. I might miss a few of the actual points from the novel, but these are the alliterations that are standing out to me right now.

Creation: God's imagination spins a world of beauty, love, power. This is the first thing outside of God - before that, there was nothing but God. So He sets into motion this system/universe that's ever growing, ever re-creating, ever changing and evolving and growing. As chapter one, this part of the story is still running, as man is placed into the story and allowed to create alongside the Creator.

Crisis: When man decides that he does not need God to find out what's real and what's not, the line of communication is severed. There's now a counterflow to the first two chapters, as all three continue to be played out in history. Man thinks he can get by without God; God knows man is dead by himself. This chapter is still being written, too.

Calling: Abraham and his family are called of God as an "anti-Crisis attack force," specifically outfitted for being counter to the counterflow of man's sin and selfishness. God says that He will bless His people to be a blessing, to bring real life and change back into the picture. Like the others, this chapter continues on, doesn't it?

Conversation/Cycles: God also begins to speak with His creation through 4Ps: poets, prophets, philosophers and priests. He speaks intermittently, with no rhyme or reason to His interaction or intervention. But this is the beginning of a counterflow to the counterflow - and it is still flowing today, as people follow God, and turn away, and follow Him anew, and...

Christ: God Himself enters into the story, telling of a revoutionary lifestyle of selflessness and other-serving-hearts. All of the major players are wrong. The Zealots don't need to fight. The Pharisees don't need to rely on legalism. The people don't have to feel forsaken by their God as a "chosen people." Jesus comes as a man who forgives sin, lifts burdens, heals hearts and bodies. And when He dies, and then returns from death, He cries that God's way is higher, more noble, more potent in righting the story we find ourselves in. "The real revolution emerges above or beyond all that - or maybe I should say ahead of all that" (p. 120 - anyone else see anything apostolic in that statement?).

Church: Basically, people join in God's lifestyle by following Christ and jumping into the collaboration for these continuing chapters. As life unfolds, the story is told in suffering, selflessness, humility and growing in Christ-likeness.

Consummation: In the end, God stands at the future beckoning us to Himself. Rather than all events pushing us into the future, I'm challenged to think of the passing of time as the past dropping away and the future somehow quickly filling the void. We're being drawn forward to the climax of it all, real unity and community in Christ. We will see ourselves - all of ourself, every nuance and thought and action - and we will see God in perfect judgment. The story continues to this point, and then establishes, perhaps an even greater and continuing beginning.

Whew - peace to you.

2003-03-23T07:02:00.000-05:00

Well, it's in the books - the First CWO Golf Tournament. We had lots of fun - and swung the clubs way too much. Our team lost - collectively could not putt, and consistently 50 yds short. The Thurber Brothers took Closest To The Pin (Marcus) and Longest Drive (Scott), and Pastor Mike's team won the event at 2-under. Here's a quick photo of Pastor Mike standing on the winner's stand above the 18th green (he's holding what's left of his 8-iron):

2003-03-20T10:06:00.000-05:00

Here's info for the LION'S HEART Women's Ministry's upcoming project:

Important Dates for Fashion Share
March 23
Deadline for Recruiting (Tech Support, Babysitters etc)

March 23
Clothes hangers available in office

March 30
Deadline to turn in Door Prizes Loot to Vicki Stilwell
* Peace – Anabelle Jr.
* Hope – Sherry
* Friendship – Dawn
* Patience – Jackie
* Love – Julie

April 1-13
Clothing Donations brought to church

April 15
Fashion Show Rehearsal 6:30 in sanctuary

April 20
Deadline for everything needed for Fashion Share to be at CWO
Ready to Go!

April 22
Fashion Show Rehearsal 6:30 in sanctuary

April 25
Fashion Show Rehearsal 6:30 in sanctuary

April 25
Kid’s Lunch assembly @ Judy Parga’s house
(PB&J Sandwiches, chips, box juice)
(Judy, Sherry, DeeDee)

April 26 - FashionShare!

2003-03-16T22:05:00.000-05:00

Alright, sports fans. First of all, I've invited a few of the guys to join in a March Madness Bracket at CBSSportsline. Also, next week is the first CWO Golf Tournament - time to test out what AJ has to say about golf on those videos, huh?

2003-03-15T14:14:00.000-05:00

:: BLIND - by Angela Wallace, @ RelevantMagazine.com

In this article, Wallace tells of seeing two blind men trying to lead each other, or find the door on a train together. She writes that "I get squeamish at considering such obvious parables." Don't we see the same thing - people all around us, in the church and on the outside, poking around because they can't see and can't understand what they're looking for, desperate to help each other but destined to fail because no one really sees what's going on?

May we open our eyes, Lord - and see You.

2003-03-14T17:51:00.000-05:00

Hi ya'll!

I'd like to ask you to pray for our upcoming trip to Guatemala scheduled for June 9th - 17th. Connie and I will be taking 11 other people with us! I will minister the Word while the team will minister in praise and worship, pantomime, human videos, drama, etc. I am soooo excited! This will be my 3rd trip to Guatemala. Also another CWO'er is going with us - Brother Juan Gonzalez! There's also a future trip to South America in the works! Again, thanks for your prayers! God bless!
Steve

2003-03-12T08:05:00.000-05:00

It's great to be a part of "Blog" "Javabeans"! Pastor Rick, when do you serve the Colombian Supremo?
Pastor Steve

2003-03-10T16:45:00.000-05:00

I just want to bless the Lord for teaching me when posting hit post and Publish on the right hand screen instead of pressing the Posts on the left, because if you do the latter you will delete your post.

Let the Blog begin AGAIN,

I want to share with yall some affirmations that I saw today. Yesterday during worship, I deeply felt a healing in Pastor Mike. This afternoon I was at the park with my sister-in-law Shannon(which we haven't really talked in over a month), and we were talking about the Lord. She asked about Pastor Mike. And then she told me how weird it was that she is praying for three people who have Lymphoma. Then she said that she knows Pastor Mike is healed, and she doesn't know why she doesn't get the same assurance of healing when she prays for the other two. She boldy told me that Pastor Mike is healed.

Then Shannon told me that she had read Pastor Rick's E-mail about Cammie. Shannon also has the same thing Cammie has. She was diagnosed in High-school after complaining about feeling like she could faint. Now she can feel the flutterings whenever she is stressed out, or when she has had too much Caffeine. Then she tells me that this morning she was babysitting her friends little girl while her friend was going to the doctor. Her friends report from the doctor Today, was what Cammie has. Anyway, Yesterday, I had never even heard of Cammie' s diagnosis, and today I know two others that have it.

now to Blog
I've been thinking of the differences between Fairness and Justice. I believe they are two completely different things, yet I believe we take offense because we may try to bring them together. I want to do some indepth study on this because I see so much Jealousy and Hatred that comes when things are not Fair. What's Fairness got to do with it. Joseph and His Brothers, Israel(apple of God's eyes), Cain and Able, Jacob and Esau, objects of mercy objects of wrath, Sarah and Hagar, John(who Jesus loved) and Peter, Pharoah, the blind man from birth, the workers who get paid the same, and -----------?
I want to look for some correlations with these and discover some attitudes of the heart.

love yall,
andrea

2003-03-05T12:12:00.000-05:00

The new eKIDS - Extreme Kids In Divine Service - starts this evening @ 6:30pm. Trace is looking forward to it, and I'm excited for him. I'll be at home with Cammi - Daddy-Man taking care of the Princess, I suppose. Wonder if she'll want to play Tiger Woods 2003 on the Gamecube? Naaah - probably not.

Also Upcoming:

* Sunday 03/09 6pm - Cleansing Streams Session #3 - WORDS

* Tuesday 03/11 - LION'S HEART Women's Ministry - Time/Place TBA (getting ready for FASHIONSHARE)

* Wednesday 03/12 6:30pm - first meeting for LIVING TO WIN. See Andre & Stephanie Samon for details, or pick up a CD-ROM from the table in the back of the sanctuary

* Saturday 03/22 8am - CWO Gold Tournament, Calhoun County Country Club - $35/golfer, Captain's Choice groupings according to handicap

Note: If you're interested in writing for the CWO Javabeans Blog, just let me know. Right now, the best way to interact is in the comments sections of the various posts. But I'm also on the lookout for journalers who can write and communicate what God's doing in our midst - peace out - rick

2003-02-25T15:08:00.000-05:00

Friendly reminder: This week is Casting The Net Sunday. Our service will be "shorter", geared more towards evangelism in the sense that we will tell the world that Jesus saves and that the Kingdom is at hand, and we'll be watching a film: ESCAPE FROM HELL.

Invite anyone and everyone. When Jesus told the disciples to cast their nets into deep water, the only fish caught would be ones who *wanted* to be caught. So if you're not inviting someone, either there's no one around you *wanting to get caught* - and that's quite possibly on your shoulders, living out Jesus in front of them every day - or you don't have a net - again, might be on your shoulders to strike up the conversation in deep water.

I look forward to seeing you, and your fishy friends, this weekend. - peace - rick

2003-02-18T22:23:00.000-05:00

I think the last few months have been this huge pothole that I hit that made me wake up. I was just on cruise control down the road of life until then. Now since Mike's cancer diagnosis and treatment, I am beginning to ask a lot of questions I never thought of before. A lot of things have been different.

We started hiring babysitters and doing stuff together for fun, because after all, our life was passing our marriage by. We started "weekend living" every night of the week. Enjoy every moment you can. You know, renting movies and eating homemade cookies. Until you start craving some balance in your life and missing wierd things like routine and discipline (and a few vegetables).

I'm thankful that God is there to lean on in the things I dont know. But I have also realized that there is a ton of stuff I don't know and I'm mad at God for it.

I want life to never be the same again since cancer entered it, and I just want things to go back to the way they were at the same time.

Why are the doctors telling Mike he will survive his cancer and telling my best friend's mother that she will die from hers? Who's life is God at work in? We're so quick to give God all the glory for one, but what about the other? Does God get the victory in Ms. Joyce's life too?

So many questions, just as many opportunities to trust and have faith. Is faith faking what you don't know until you talk yourself into it? Claiming healing when you're dying? Saying you have peace when you can't sleep? Saying you trust God in the face of your questions?

I don't ever want to go back to blindly going through life again, but at the same time, I 'd just like one week without the big stuff hanging over me. It would be so refreshing to just for one day only have to think about what I'm going to cook for supper.

I think I'm losing it. I'm learning that even when the treatment ends, cancer will always be a part of our lives. Continuous checks for relapse, always having to deal with it, never being able to put it behind you. I feel like I took a deep breath last October and have not been allowed to let it out, relieve the presssure,and let that isolated experience find its way into our past. Instead, I have learned that I will never be able to exhale this one, it will always be a part of our present, a stress that I am ready to give up but don't have the luxury of doing. Asking the tough questions is tiring, and not getting too many answers is making me weary.

Why am I making such a big deal out of cancer? We're all terminal after all, and thank God, because then we get to really start living. Maybe I'm way too satisfied with this life. Want to feel secure and safe, and in control, like I used to. But that is a lie/deception from the enemy. You never really are secure and in control. You just think you are. Maybe ignorance really is bliss. But the word says, "They perish for their lack of knowledge." So do I feed my spirit or the flesh?

I'm tired. This is mind-boggling. So, I guess I'll continue to say I have faith in the midst of my fears/qeustions/doubts and pray for answers to the tough questions or that they would just go away as mysteriously as they showed up.

I know this isn't a great debut on the blog, but it is kind of nice just to sit and type and get it out. Maybe I can be my more "put together" self next time.

2003-02-16T12:38:00.000-05:00

For those of you who were late to church this morning, you missed out - and it was something you probably needed. Now I don't throw that around flippantly - I hate it when people use that to make others feel bad; it feels manipulative most of the time. But today, I mean it - we all need the encouragement of watching first love, and, well, if you missed it, you missed it.

This morning, three young men were baptized: Jermaine, Coutrney and Michael - and there was such a spirit of encouragement in the building. It was refreshing, and I remembered back to my own dunking, and to seeing others light up as they made this public, symbolic confession before their friends and family. There's something physically spiritual about the whole thing - making real and tangible what you know is going on inside of this new brother in the Lord.

So be encouraged - even if you missed today's service, or if you were running a little late. Your salvation is full of encouragement for the Christian. Coming together, we encourage one another, and keep each other from stumbling... and I was reminded of that this morning.

2003-02-13T06:54:00.000-05:00

Upcoming @ CWO:

* This weekend 02/16 is the deadline for signing up to get the study guide for the BAIT OF SATAN video series, slated to start March 6th. John Bevere is good and fairly thorough in presenting material, and the guide - if it's anything like the one for UNDER COVER - will contain a transcript of his preaching. Very useful in following along and really digging into the material. Guides are $10, and the sign-up sheet is in the back of the sanctuary.

* KIDS Church changes format, day and time. Starting Wednesday March 5th @ 6:30pm: the new eKIDS, Extreme Kids In Divine Service.

* Living To Win, a new overall physical, mental & spiritual fitness group, will be cranking up soon: Friday 02/38 @ 6:30 for Orientation, and weekly meetings starting Wednesday 03/12..

* I've updated the CWO website - let me know if I've left anything off!

2003-02-12T14:53:00.000-05:00

I hope this blog flies. I mean, we have some talented people in our midst, with bright ideas and good comunication skills. For now, this outlet is a wonderful way to document what we're doing, how we're doing it, and what's happening in us and through us in the midst of it all. But in the meantime, it's hard to get motivated, you know?

I guess the addage if it's worth doing, it's worth doing well might come into play here. I'm not sure I've done a good job expressing the it's worth doing part. I think everyone would do it well, if convinced it was worth it. And that probably goes for alot of things in life: work, school, family life. If we could only be convinced that it was worth doing - not just something we plod through or tolerate in our existence, but something of real, longterm and transformational value - I would like to think I and alot of other folks would be more apt to do our best and give it a good effort.

So I'll be the cheerleader, trying to extol the benefits of a *free* outlet for our story. And while I don't envision this site being overtly evangelistic, I do think that our story is the greatest witness we have to God's faithfulness and the advancement of His kingdom in our midst.

2003-02-09T21:47:00.000-05:00

I am tired and feel like I am getting the flu so I was not all there mentally or physically at church this morning, and I would like to say that I heard a lot of what Pastor Mike said this morning in our service, but he pretty much lost me after he said "you cannot mock God"... At first, I wanted to say, "I do not mock my God, I am not that stupid..." but somehow that this just not true... I think I have missed His truth in my life so many times, that I have probably mocked Him more than I really want to admit. I still can't get the phrase out of my head. We were in Galatians 6 (Verses 7-8, and of course a lot of other places). I am going to have to think about these verses this week. I don't know when and where I have mocked my Lord, but it is something I need to pray about this week. I also need to focus on the places in my life that sow into the flesh.. I agree that too many times we hear a message and focus on which of our friends or family members that needed to hear it. Well I needed this morning's message, and I want to search this week for the ways the message this morning applied to me. (Well, really my lazy nature doesn't). Pray for my own quest this week.

2003-02-08T14:48:00.000-05:00

hey, i'd like to invite you to join quest devotion as we learn to rely on God. read to see how king asa faced consequences when he didn't rely on God. 2 Chronicles 16 ......peace

2003-02-08T06:47:00.000-05:00

This has been our "logo shot" since the beginning of CWO. I like the depths of the blues, and I think the ripples and the bounce are cool. Our vision of being "a healing place for a hurting world" (or un lugar curativo para un mundo herido in spanish) is captured a little in this pic, I think. Anyway, I'm trying to see if our church could participate in a team blog, where we write what's on our hearts, journal our church history, etc.

2003-02-07T15:59:00.000-05:00

Matthew's House - kind of a "model" for our own community blog.

2003-02-06T23:12:00.000-05:00

I think that the idea of having a "community journal" is very intriguing. Columbia World Outreach is about six years old (I think that's right), and this local body of believers has had such an impact on my own spiritual journey, that I'd love to "document" what's going on for each of us. I've got plenty of outlets, but to do something like this with a "team" of writers, and with the ability to add comments for anyone else, is really cool.

I'll probably start with an exercise in documenting our "history" - looking back at where we've been and what has shaped us. Would be helpful in envisioning what God's calling to become further down the road.

I look forward to everyone hopping onboard.

2003-02-06T00:23:00.000-05:00

Just starting... team blog... CWO... 1J13, 1 John 1:3... Rick, and others. That's the intention anyway...

peace in your followthrough....