MUSINGS

meeting

THIRD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 6:30 PM (except december)

 

INVOLVEMENT & reason

Chambers 10-18-23

Involvement in organizations such as the Greenbrier Pregnancy Center or WV for Life can be reduced to merely humanitarian services whose goals are to help alleviate human suffering.  While there are numerous biblical examples and exhortations for Christians to intervene in the sufferings of those around them and around the world, we must never lose sight of the primary reason for such interventions...namely, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to keep all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20).  We must be careful not to allow our humanitarian desires overshadow God’s primary intent...namely, God is “not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)  How easy it is to get sidetracked from the main thing to peripheral pursuits.  Many Christian ministries start out focused on the mandate Jesus gave us (Matthew 28:18-20) but over time, the organization becomes increasingly more focused on its humanitarian mission and organizational necessities  than the focus God wants us to have...namely, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, and the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38-39).  

Numerous examples of organizations that started out with Matthew 28:18-20 as their driving force but lost their initial reason for existence and became subservient to sustaining the organization...(e.g all of the Ivy League universities, Harvard, Yale, Princeton ff.)  This happens with local churches as well.  While organizational efforts are necessary to carry out the Great Commission, we must never lose sight of God’s primary purpose for the organization.  This commentary of John 21:17 is what our ministry organizations must keep before them:  “Identify yourself with My interests in other people,” not, “Identify Me with your interests in other people.”   My prayer for you and me this day is this:  Lord, keep us focused on Your primary objective as we seek to reach out to folks...namely, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)  Never let us lose the reason for why our ministry organization exists.  Amen

Walk with the King today and be a blessing.   

 Pastor Dean Brdlik

January 4, 2023

Another year full of God moments!

How do I know?  Because every moment is, in reality, a God moment.  I finally learned that I can trust God with my moments, no matter how they seem or how I feel.  

We all have "bad" moments and sometimes days unending.  God is there in those moments,  even when we don't "feel" Him.   Talk to Him, trust Him, He is your strength, your savior in the big middle of ALL of life.  

Carolyn

Been Thinking About Faith and Works

by: Carolyn Lehrke

05/13/2023

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Been thinking.....I have been reading a wonderful book by Gregory Boyle. He reminded me of the story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man …. You know, the one whose friends picked him up and brought him to Jesus only to find the place so incredibly crowded there was no way they could get in. That one.  The utterly amazing thing in this story is not that Jesus healed the man – that was normal for him.  Astonishing to the onlookers but so normal for Jesus. Lots of people appar...
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Shine His Light!

by: Carolyn Lehrke

04/24/2023

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Jesus Christ said (to his disciples) “You are the light of the world”.  {Matthew 5:14}

It sometimes seems as though we 'lights' do everything in our power to avoid darkness. We complain about it, rant and rail against it, and commiserate together about how dark it is and how judgement is surely coming upon the darkness.  Darkness will get its due.

“Those who live (walk) in darkness have seen a great light” {Isaiah 9:2}. Would that by any chance, be you?

Oh yes, I know, that g

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HYMNS, SONGS, SHORT CHORUSES

by: Carolyn Lehrke

03/17/2023

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Just some thoughts on an oft discussed topic in the community of church-goers:

Church-goers have, for some years, been very vocal about worship styles, worship teams, worship leaders and most of all, about the music referred to as “praise and worship” music.   Setting aside some of those very strong opinions, feelings, and arguments, let us consider the "argument" I just recently heard again:  “Today’s praise and worship" music speaks TO God while most of the old hymn...
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THOUGHTS / QUOTES GLEANED FROM H. Foote

by: Carolyn Lehrke

03/17/2023

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Garnered from 'Alone' by Horton Foote

I define my ministry by my gifts and talents. Jesus defines my ministry by what I can’t do.Bold faith is offensive to the stationary!I do not have the luxury of reducing my assignment to what I do well.Many become satisfied with knowledge and stop short of a divine encounter.We’ve been given the privilege to confront the impossible — it’s the nature of the Christian life.We need the faith of the unbeliever!Everything about us is designe...
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Thoughts on healing

by: Carolyn Lehrke

03/08/2023

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Thinking about healing…[This is not meant to be a theological discussion, an attempt to cover the topic or engender argument.  What follows are just personal thoughts.]

We pray for healing for ourselves and our loved ones because

• Sickness is inconvenient; it keeps us from going and doing what we want and Limits our pleasure.• Sickness is expensive with or without insurance and many literally cannot afford the best treatment, or any treatment beyond the ER.• Sickness is pai...
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hypocrisy Defined

by: Carolyn Lehrke

02/22/2023

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The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform.  It is pretense, dishonestly, and may be an indicator of moral depravity.

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Attitude Matters FAR MORE THAN YOU THINK!

by: Carolyn Lehrke

02/21/2023

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     It strikes me that the single most significant contribution anyone can make to life is contained in their attitude.  (And you thought I was going to say it is 'knowing Jesus Christ'.)  The greatest single contribution any of us can make in life is that of having and projecting a positive and caring attitude.     Why, you may ask, do I not say the single most significant contribution anyone can make in life is 'knowing Jesus Christ'?  Because many claim to know him and...
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A Fable of our time

by: Carolyn Lehrke

02/17/2023

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A Fable of  Another Kingdom      Once upon a time in a kingdom far away the people grew tired of their monarch and decided to get together and see if they could, by popular decree, cause the old king to step down.  According to the laws of their land if enough of the people were in agreement they could choose a new king. And so it was. It then seemed quite natural that several of the populace would desire to become the ruler of this faraway but very powerful kingdom. Since...
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Abortion - Child Sacrifice - Genocide

by: Carolyn Lehrke

02/16/2023

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      For most of us this is nothing short of demonic activity.  Others, still very pro-life, do not see the demonic, just the “unthinkable” murder of the preborn.  Either way, it is a senseless holocaust – genocide, mass murder.

      As pro-lifers, regardless of our religious persuasion, we have banded together to bring an end to this genocide, not just within the borders of our country, but worldwide. How, you might well ask, can this “putting an end to” be accomplished?

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The Parable of the Lamp

by: Carolyn Lehrke

02/08/2023

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A certain man received a most wonderful gift.  The gift, which was delivered unboxed and unwrapped, was a genuine Aladdin’s Lamp complete with genuine lamp spirit. Moreover, the spirit was prepared to grant all the man’s good and unselfish wishes.  The man was overcome with joy and for many months used his lamp, freely and spontaneously, to meet many of the pressing needs of his household and his community.  Consequently, the man and his beautiful lamp were a great source ...
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And hopefully remembered!

by: Carolyn Lehrke

02/05/2023

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Life is often much like a fishbowl.  We swim around with our "tribe" and have no clue who is watching.  We pride ourselves (sometimes) on our good works and consider our lives at least somewhat sacrificial.  Sacrifice and humility are very much alike in that if we notice OUR OWN, we probably need a do-over.  Don't make it about yourself.

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We are what we think, speak and do

by: Carolyn Lehrke

01/25/2023

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Violent Prayer?

by: Carolyn Lehrke

12/30/2022

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There are those pro-choice individuals, some of whom are crusaders, some politicians, some educated and some not so much.  Some just like carrying a banner for one liberal (and sometimes evil) cause or another.  Many of them (maybe even most) seem to have a mantra regarding prayer:  It “incites violence”.  EVEN SILENT PRAYER!  

 Well, I’m so glad that so many are so 'respectful' of prayer!   I reckon one must first believe in prayer before one can be afraid of prayer.  

 So,

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Who is afraid of the silent prayer?

by: Carolyn Lehrke

12/22/2022

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This is in reference to yesterday's post (Under Updates).  Just think about the silent prayers of one lone woman who stood quietly outside an abortion clinic.  Laws (in the UK) have been passed to stop "demonstrations" by pro-life individuals and groups within so many feet/meters of abortion facilities.  Such demonstrations include "prayer".  Apparently "Prayer" was never specified as to how one might be praying so that silent prayer is as offensive as audible prayer and i

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THE MAN ON THE MIDDLE CROSS

by: Allister Begg

12/11/2022

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With reference to the Book of Luke (Holy Bible), chapter 23, verses 42=43.  So simple, so profound.https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bpynNhVaI-c

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