Random Thoughts of Epic Proportion

In the deserts of my heart, may the healing fountains start; in the prison of my days, Lord, teach me how to praise.

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The test of observance of Christ's teachings is our consciousness of our failure to attain ideal perfection.

The degree to which we draw near this perfection cannot be seen; all we can see is the extent of our deviation.
             --- Leo Tolstoy

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It's not about how far we have come; it's about how far we have yet to go.  When we ask, "Are we there yet?" we aren't asking how far we have come, we're asking how much further we have to go.

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Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.
             -- C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

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The modern missionary, with his palm-leaf hat and his umbrella, has become a rather figure of fun.

He is chaffed among men of the world for the ease with which he can be eaten by cannibals and the narrow bigotry which makes him regard the cannibal culture as lower than his own.

Perhaps the best part of the joke is that the men of the world do not see the joke is against themselves.

It is rather ridiculous to ask a man just about to be boiled in a pot and eaten, at a purely religious feast, why he does not regard all religions as equally friendly and fraternal.
       -- From The Everlasting Man, by G. K. Chesterton

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From Demon Screwtape to his apprentice Wormwood.....

The search for a 'suitable' church makes the man a critic where the Enemy wants him to be a pupil....there is hardly any sermon, or any book, which may not be dangerous to us if it is received in this temper.
       -- From The Screwtape Letters, by C. S. Lewis

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You don't have a soul; you are a soul. You have a body.
     -- C. S. Lewis

The Best Proof of Love? Ed Bulkley

God reminds us that "better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses" (Proverbs 27:5,6).

A person who really cares about you will tell you the truth, even when it hurts.

And a wise Christian will accept correction. David wrote, "Let a righteous man strike me - it is a kindness; let him rebuke me - it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it" (Psalm 141:5).

In contrast, Solomon said that "a fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence" (Proverbs 15:5)

Accepting correction is a mark of a wise person. "Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool" (Proverbs 17:10).

Has a trusted friend been trying to tell you something you don't want to hear?

Are you turning your back on loved ones who have a proven record of their care for you?

As a Christian it is vital that you keep your ears and your heart open to the biblical admonitions of those those who love you.

  - From Only God Can Heal a Wounded Heart,
                      by Ed Bulkley

Being Kingdom-Minded - Sermon Notes for May 27 - Bro Mike

Memorial Day Weekend -

Text: Luke 10 (Good Samaritan Parable)

Great sermon - I listened on the radio because I will not feeling well enough to come in to services. To get the full sermon, just to go our website (fbc-bc.org) and click on sermons -

Sitting at home and listening has its issues - like, no powerpoint on the screen - but sometimes I think it is a little easier to focus when at home and "glued" to the radio. Anyway, I was touched with the ending of his pastoral prayer: "We dedicate this worship hour to You."

I'm not certain why that sentence had such an effect on me - it is simple...and yet maybe profoundly simple. I wonder how it would look if we, as an entire congregation, stood and said that sentence together - really meaning it,  "Father, we dedicate this whole hour to Your worship...music, reading, offering, prayer, message - all to You..."


The choir sang, "Jesus Paid it All," and I kept recalling those verses in Isaiah 55: "Come, all you who are thirsty; come to the waters; and you who  have no money, come by and eat!" And from Revelation 21: "To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life."

Yes, without cost...that is, cost to us...but not without the highest cost  to our Savior who "for the joy set before Him" paid the full price. Jesus Paid It ALL!

Anyway, the sermon was about being Kingdom-minded, and the introductory question was: Is there anything important outside your family and your agenda? Are we Kingdom-minded?

I.   People who are Kingdom-minded notice what God cares about
II.  People who are Kingdom-minded are not selfish with their time
III. People who are Kingdom-minded could be accused of being overboard, or fanatical

I.  Samaritans in the first century were detested by Jews, who did not bless, help, or even acknowledge Samaritans. Jewish midwives were not to even assist in the birth of Samaritans. Here Jesus was depicting Samaritans in a good light.

This would have greatly offended his audience. We see that easily in the answer of the legal expert, when Jesus asked him who the real neighbor was. He said, "The one who showed mercy." He couldn't even use the word "Samaritan."

People who are Kingdom-minded think things are important that are  firmly and obviously outside their own realm.

II. America is a land of self. People are in a hurry taking care of their own affairs and their own agenda. The priest was likely on his way to the temple to provide his services. There were hundreds of priests and they took turns serving. It was a coveted position. He didn't want to be delayed. And he should have known better than to travel that dangerous road to Jericho!

And if the man were dead, the priest would be defiled and couldn't serve anyway!

III. The poor around us. Many come to FBC for help. We don't give them lie-detector tests. Do they deserve help? Do they really need it? Are they "faking it"?

Americans are known for their work ethic - work hard, be independent, use your ingenuity, take care of yourself and your family...very deep in our national psyche and part of our national pride. Do we go out of our way to help people, even those who perhaps do not deserve it? (And how would we even know for sure?)

The homeless or vagrants living under the overpasses - are they for real? Are we wasting our time and money when we help them?
Are we going overboard?

Verse 37: Jesus said, "Go and do likewise."

Bro Mike urged us to think about being Kingdom-minded this week. Step out to obey God. Look for what He cares about. Live out what we believe.

Are we Kingdom-minded enough to know when God is prompting us to act?

These are just sketchy notes. Hear the whole sermon, if you missed it, or listen again. fbc-bc.org.

What is the silver bullet of therapy?

I know of nothing that is more therapeutically effective than forgiveness.

Are you looking for the "silver bullet" of counseling?

You need look no further.

Forgiveness is the "miracle drug" that can heal the heart of bitterness, anger, pain, hatred, violence, and other deep and abiding wounds.

Forgiveness is a foreign concept to many people. When we are hurt by someone, our natural response is to hurt that person in return.

Some people claim that getting even is biblical and point to Exodus 21:24, which speaks of "eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." If we look at the context of that passage, however, we see that Moses gave that law to limit vengeance, not to encourage it.

[Much harsher punishment for any crime, not matter how minor, was the norm in the ancient world. The "eye for an eye" seemed to be an admonition to "let the punishment fit the crime," a concept we today consider part of the "modern criminal system".]

According to the dictionary, forgive means "to excuse for a fault or offence; to pardon, to renounce anger and resentment against; to forgive is to grant pardon without harboring resentment."

Forgiveness is a vital part of our relationship with God. Indeed, unless God had forgiven us of our sin, we could never have a relationship with the Father.

That's why Paul reminds us, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32).

And in Colossians 3:13, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."



God warns us that He will not accept our worship when we refuse to forgive other people. Jesus said, "When  you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive  him so your Father in heaven will also forgive you." (Mark 11:25).

--From Only God Can Heal the Wounded Heart,
          by Ed Bulkley

Don't be so hard on yourself - Sarah Young

Don't be so hard on yourself.

I can bring good even out of your mistakes.

Your finite mind tends to look backward, longing to undo decisions you have come to regret.

This is a waste of time and energy, leading only to frustration.

Instead of floundering in the past, release your mistakes to Me. Look to Me in trust, anticipating that My infinite creativity can weave both good choices and bad into a lovely design.

Because you are human, you will continue to make mistakes.

Thinking that you should live an error-free life is symptomatic of pride.

Your failures can be a source of blessing, humbling you and giving you empathy for other people in their weaknesses.

Best of all, failure highlights your dependence on Me.

I am able to bring beauty out of the morass of your mistakes.

Trust Me, and watch to see what I will do.

But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD. 

I wait for God my Savior; 

my God will hear me.

Micah 7:7

And we know that in all things God works for the good

 of those who love Him, 

who have been called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

His Arms - Sarah Young

I am taking care of you.

Trust Me at all times.

Trust Me in al circumstances.

Trust Me with all your heart.

When you are weary and everything seems to be going wrong, you can still utter these four words:
"I trust You, Jesus."

By doing so, you release matters into My control and you fall back into the security of My everlasting arms.

Before you arise from your bed in the morning, I have already arranged for the events of your day.

Every day provides many opportunities for you to learn My ways and grow closer to Me.

Signs of My Presence brighten even the dullest day when you have eyes that really see.

Search for Me as for hidden treasure.

I will be found by you.

            -- From Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young


The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
                -- Deuteronomy 33:27

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
                -- Proverbs 3:5-6

You will seek Me and you will find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you.
                -- Jeremiah 29:13-14