Eastminster Presbyterian Church

Every year at this time we all start thinking about things that have happened, things we have done and how we can improve in the coming year.  This week millions will make resolutions for the coming year, promises to themselves or others for self improvement. This is not a bad thing in itself, but too often these resolutions address the body and mind but fail to address the heart and soul of the person. To be blunt, it might be a great goal to lose 30 pounds but that will be meaningless if you die unrepentant and without Christ. So as you begin to think about this new year, let’s start with our heart.

This year I have kind of flown by the seat of my pants as far as time management goes. This has affected sermon preparation, visitation, family activities and church activities. It has been said, ” If you don’t plan your time, someone else will for you,” so I resolve to plan better. 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (Eph 5:16 ESV) I want to make the best use of my time. To that end, I also resolve to better plan my mornings out. I plan to work both body and soul, with time spent in the gym for the physical body and the Word of God for the spiritual body.

These are just a few of the areas I am working on for 2012. Our elders will be meeting soon to discuss our goals for EPC in 2012. God has done some interesting things in and through us in 2011, now it is time to see what He is going to do in the coming year. Resolve to pray for our leaders, members and ministry. God has great plans in store for EPC, let us seek His guidance in the coming days.

How about you? What does God desire of you in 2012? What are areas you can work on in your own life? Maybe your goal will be to read through the Bible or to attend a new Bible Study or to lead our children in worship (Children’s Church). What ever your goal is, write it down, share it and then live it.

Here is a quick video about the Birth of Jesus.

This is a busy time of year for everyone. Here at Eastminster we are also very busy. The Choir has been hard at work preparing the Annual Christmas Cantata to be presented on December 18, 2011 in the Morning Worship. Our Annual Christmas Banquet is December 21, 2011 at 6:00 PM the cost is $4 per person. We are not about just entertaining ourselves and eating. Christmas is also a time to help and serve those in need.

We are collecting non-perishable food for Christmas Baskets to go to families in need. On December 2 we will be ringing bells for the Salvation Army at the Sam’s Club on Battlefield and December 10th we are scheduled to assist in the setting up of the Christmas Depot. We are also in the process of filling the Sock sock. This is our drive to collect socks and underwear for the men, women and children at the Union Mission. Last year we filled the Sock sock twice. I would love to see it filled 5 times this year. Let’s work to make a mark. On December 12, 2011 one of our small groups will be going to the mission to service dessert and lead in worship in both the men’s and women’s dorms.

How can you serve this Christmas season? What are the needs around your house and neighborhood? Join us as we seek to be a light of the gospel to our community.

This is not a condemnation of Mitt Romney, the politician. It is a refutation of the position that Mormonism is a Christian sect. Olsteen is totally wrong in his assesment of the faith of Mr. Romney. Mormonism is in NO WAY Christian. Check out THIS LINK from our friends at Reformation Theology.

ESV: Mark 13:4. “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”

We all seem to want to know the ending. We hear of a great new movie out and our first question of anyone who has seen it is, “How does it end?” Maybe it is a morbid curiosity, a casual interest or we are just wanting to prepare ourselves, but we feel we have to know the ending, often before we even begin. Jesus had again predicted  the destruction of the Temple which prompted the question from the Disciples. ESV: Mark 13:4. “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”

Jesus’ answer is interesting to say the least. He does not directly answer the Disciple’s question of when. Instead he warns them to open their eyes and watch out for deception and World happenings. He states that there will be wars and natural disasters but instead of signaling the end, as many want to think, they signal the beginning of the end.  He uses the phrase, “birth pangs,” false contractions. Any couple who have ever had a baby can sympathize with this phrase. The pain is real, the contractions tight, it feels like it is time but it is really just the body playing tricks on the mind. When the “birth pangs” get ready, things will get worse before they get better.

Jesus’ encouragement isn’t “Get ready, it is going to get bad.” No, his encouragement is, “When it gets bad, trust the Spirit.”  ESV: John 16:33. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” He is not as concerned that you know when as he is that you know Him! No matter when He returns, if you are not a child of God you will not see glory. His short answer the the Disciples? Don’t worry about when, just be ready now! Are you ready now? If the world ended this moment, would you spend eternity in God’s Kingdom? If you do not know for sure, contact me and let’s talk.

ESV: Mark Chapter 12

[38] And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces [39] and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, [40] who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.

[41] And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. [42] And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. [43] And he called his disciples to him and said to them, Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. [44] For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.

This passage is at the end of a chapter full of questions. While there is not a direct question asked in the passage, it begs a question. What are the pretenses or facades you deal with each day? The scribes and the rich all created the appearance of great religion and power through their dress, their actions, their prayers and their giving. None of us are immune from this potential. We are all attention seeking beings. We like being noticed. When attention to self supersedes that of our attention to Christ we have problems.

As we spoke about two weeks ago, we are to love the Lord with all of our being. If this is the manner by which we are pouring out our love for the Savior, it is impossible for us to seek our own glory. When we begin seeking our own glory, we should ask ourselves, “Where is my heart? It is not focused on God.”

This keep watch to find those times were you slip into attention seeking mode.

Welcome to my new blog page. Each week I will address issues related to the Church, the most recent sermon or Bible study or whatever is on my heart at the time. Feel free to join in.