This weekend's "Reflection" by Russ Parker, Pastor of Administration

Live Like You Were Dyin’

Solomon’s message to us in response to the inevitability of a physical death is to embrace life. His message, though seemingly depressing, is a hopeful one for a number of reasons. We know God has us in His loving hands. We know that we have hope in Him. We have the ability – knowing that our death is one day coming – to live vicariously for Jesus. We can celebrate the good gifts our Creator has given to us. He mentions gifts of food, drink, friendships, celebrations, marital relationships, and an honest day’s work. It’s as if Solomon is saying, “Redeem the routines, make the ordinary extraordinary, seize the day, live like you were dyin’!” And do this because life is so short – just a blip on the screen, really – and its end can come at any moment.

Thankfully, we have a hope in Jesus and in the life He gives us today and in all eternity. But until then, may we live life to the fullest and allow that to be our worship to God.

Live Like You Were Dyin'
Ecclesiastes 9:1-12

Is it me or does it seem like the older you get the faster time goes? When I was a kid, the summer lasted forever. It was like an entire age in itself. Today, summer comes and goes and I barely have a chance to notice. The reality is our lives are short and death is inevitable. I know…super encouraging, huh? You’re thinking, 'Well, I’m not coming this Sunday to hear what that’s all about…'

Let me encourage you, even though Solomon is challenging us to consider the inevitable end of our life, he has a hopeful message. It’s a “carpe diem” message, which is Latin for “seize the day.” It’s the type of message that makes you want to give in to your kid’s wishes and read one more book at bedtime. It’s a message that will encourage you to gather with friends and family and say nice things about each other. It points to the reality that while we’re living, we have a responsibility to redeem the routines of our lives and through that worship God.

I hope to see you Sunday!

Russ Parker, Pastor of Administration

Living Under Authority
Ecclesiastes 8:1-17

I can still remember just like it was yesterday one of my first encounters with an authority other than my parents. I was in junior high and it was during a P.E. class. I can’t remember what I did to deserve it, but I was told to bend over, grab my ankles, and get ready for a swat. When that swat came it hurt worse than anything I had ever felt before. I think it nearly knocked me over, but it was exactly what I needed to learn an important lesson about living under authority. I'm pretty sure they don't swat students anymore, but as I look back on that experience it was a good one that helped me learn to live under authority.

How are you with living under authority? Does it come easy, no problem? Or do you have a hard time submitting to those in authority over you? This week Solomon has some things for us to consider when it comes to living under authority, as well as dealing with the injustices in “The Game of Life.” Hope to see you this week.

By the way, don’t forget to go out to Chick-fil-A at The Colonies tonight and support our Kenya Team as you enjoy a dinner out!

Pastor Gary

Have you ever walked on a balance beam? Whether you have or not, I can tell you that it is one of the more stressful things in life. Even though the fall would not be great, there is still this anxiety that overwhelms you as you take steps across that skinny beam, fighting to keep your balance.

Many people, some even call themselves Christians, choose to live their lives on that beam in between truly following Christ and doing whatever they (and the world) feel like doing. Not only is this something that God has some pretty strong words about, it will also hold us back from the promise of life that those who commit themselves to Christ can experience. Instead of peace, there is the constant tension of keeping that balance. Instead of hope, there is anxiety knowing that living on the edge this way is not pleasing to God and not fulfilling for us. Yet so many people choose this kind of life.

Sometime before this weekend, read chapter 7 in Ecclesiastes and come ready to be challenged to get off the line and commit!

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

Choosing the Way We Live
Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

It is impossible to determine for sure, but most agree that we literally make thousands of choices everyday. These choices can range from the simple everyday things, like which can of tomato soup do I buy, to how I respond to that temptation that is right in front of me. Some choices are not life-changing, while others can affect our lives forever, but in either case it is true that the choices we make everyday, big or small, have a lasting impact on our lives. That makes it so very important to know how to make choices that bring us health and wholeness and happiness.

How do you go about making the thousands of choices you face everyday? Do you have some guidelines for success? Do you just “shoot from the hip?” How does your knowledge of the Bible come into play here? Do you ever ask other people for advice?

This week in our study of Ecclesiastes, Solomon gives us some answers to the question he left us with at the end of chapter 6: How can we live well during our few and passing days on this earth? This week we’ll learn six important choices we can make that will help us find success in life. 

I can’t wait! Hope to see you Sunday!

Gary Keith

A recent article was just published revealing the five best toys (play things) of all time.

1. A stick
2. Box
3. String
4. Cardboard Tube
5. Dirt

Remember when any one of these were all you needed to really enjoy yourself? When did life get so much more complicated? When did we lose the ability to be satisfied with anything less than the best, most modern, high tech stuff out there? Now don't get me wrong, I love all my iStuff just as much as anyone, but am I able to be content and enjoy anything less if that is what God has for me?

This weekend we are going to look at what Solomon calls a "sickening tragedy" in relation to a person's inability to enjoy the blessings of God.

So go read Ecclesiastes 6. You might even try reading it through a cardboard tube while sitting on a box in the dirt using a stick to help you keep your place and putting a string in your Bible to mark your spot until Sunday. :)

See ya Sunday! 

Jeff

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Satisfaction Sold Separately
Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

Sometimes it seems the way Christians talk about the Bible and money, you can feel like it is wrong to have lots of money. There can be this attitude that being wealthy and being a Christian is an oxymoron – that the two do not go together. This week as I looked at verse 19 of chapter five, Solomon seems to make it clear that being wealthy can be a good thing. In fact, he says people should enjoy their wealth. That caught me off guard a bit.

The problem with money comes when we make it our God, when we start pursuing it above anything else, or when we start devoting our entire life to getting more of it. Apart from that, being wealthy is a good thing. For the wealthy person who has the right perspective and uses that wealth to honor God, money can be a good thing. I guess what Solomon is saying is that it is not so much how much you have, but the focus of your life – is it God or money? What do you think? Can being wealthy be a good thing in the eyes of God?

Satisfaction Sold Separately
Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

The Game of Life – A big player for all of us in the game of life is money. We need it to live. We pursue it so that we can accumulate as much of it as possible. We think it brings security to our life. We think it will give us what we need to have a happy life. We never quite have enough of it. We take some of it and try to use it to get more of it. We spend it on the necessities of life. We spend it on things we really don’t need but want. We give some of it away. We fight over how to spend it with our spouses. We hurt others in the pursuit of it. We use it to accomplish good.

I could go on, but I think you get the idea that money is a BIG part of our lives. Solomon knew that as well and has some important cautions for us to consider as we think about money – because when it comes to money “Satisfaction is Sold Separately!”

Gary Keith

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship

It is so easy to make promises, yet often so hard to follow through. It can be so tempting to believe that we can make all sorts of outlandish promises to God, believing that somehow He does not know the true intent of our heart. Religiosity and rituals can often look like enough to convince God and others that our relationship with God is authentic, but the honesty of our heart reveals it is just a show. Our intentions may be good in the moment - especially moments of desperation - but I am challenged to consider what my rash promises reveal about my faith in God. If I feel I need to do something extreme so that God will do what I want Him to, what does that say about my trust that God is a good God and will do whatever is needed to bring about life and wholeness in a situation? My prayer for my life, and for yours, is that we would be slow to speak, quick to listen, and always open to inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives and situations, allowing Him to do the work necessary for us to find contentment in what we have, and see that He has an eternal plan that we get to have a part in.

This week, take some time to get quiet before God. Silence is difficult for most people, but God has proven over and over again to be faithful to reveal Himself top those who will wait on Him. He is the source of our strength. He is our eternal hope. He is the author of peace that goes beyond our understanding. He is the beginning and the end, and has invited us into a relationship with Him. Let’s do less talking, and more listening for His voice and guidance in our lives.

By Dale Palmer, Director of His Kids Children’s Ministries
(List compiled by our Facebook fans)

10. It answers the “I’m bored” problem.

9. Something to look forward to for five evenings.

8. Great music!

7. Hands-on, wild Bible adventures.

6. Make new friends/see old friends.

5. A new missions project to be involved in.

4. You too can be a star in our Spotlight Drama.

3. Enjoy the crazy and zaney adventures of Chadder.

2. Bamboo Blast Games.

1. You get to spend time learning about our Amazing God!

Don’t forget, parents, grandparents, and friends are invited to join us each evening at 8:30 p.m. when we have the Rowdy Wrap-Up – a daily celebration of God’s love!

Mark these dates on your calendar: Monday, June 27-Friday, July 1. The fun begins each evening at 6 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. There is no charge for VBS. Registration forms are available by calling the church office @ 981-4848, ext. 242 or you can register directly online at lbfchurch.com/vbs. Preregistration ends Friday, June 15. Registration will be taken each night of VBS as well to accommodate new friends.