Joy In Unity

by Mark Schumacher

We consider the United States Constitution to be the foundational document of our democracy. The fact that it exists is a great example of unity, teamwork and agreement on a key belief at that time in history—willingness to sacrifice and fight for freedom. Thirteen separate states sent 39 delegates to create this historic document in September 1787 and upon completion, the voters in those different states ratified our constitution in 1789. That this was accomplished is an amazing feat.

All people found common ground as they worked together through countless debates, discussions and compromises. In the end, the result was something from which all citizens benefited—including the many generations that followed. Writing to the Philippians, the apostle Paul wanted to stress the importance of spiritual unity and working together for the cause of Christ.

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (Philippians 2: 1-3)

As I think of the many ways we serve together here at CABC, we too experience that chance to come together for a greater purpose—thanking God for what He has done for each of us and honoring Him by allowing His will to be done through us. He has brought our many varied gifts together and through much prayer and the direction of the Holy Spirit, He will combine those gifts in ways that will benefit His kingdom. As we combine and share together the different passions, viewpoints, talents and perspectives our Body possesses, we can allow ourselves to be used for the purposes our Lord has ordained as most vital.

The writers, participants and creators of the United States Constitution experienced a time of coming together for a cause greater than themselves. In our time on this earth and at CABC during these days, we have the opportunity to share the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with those who need to know of his gift of everlasting life.

We recognize, at this Easter season, the incredible gift Jesus has given mankind through his love, sacrifice, suffering and resurrection. May we show our gratitude and honor Him by coming together, esteeming others better than ourselves, and laboring together for His kingdom work.

Dear Lord, help me to celebrate the gift of eternity with you by allowing you to direct my path. I thank you for my brothers and sisters here at CABC and I pray you will use us in ministry together—joyful ministry that will impact our local community and in the places where you will lead us. Amen.


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What’s In My Cup?

by Pat Bentzel
 

I love this analogy!

You are holding a cup of coffee when someone comes along and bumps into you or shakes your arm, making you spill your coffee everywhere.

Why did you spill the coffee?

“Because someone bumped into me!!!”

Wrong answer.

You spilled the coffee because there was coffee in your cup.

Had there been tea in the cup, you would have spilled tea.

Whatever is inside the cup is what will spill out.

Therefore, when life comes along and shakes you (which WILL happen), whatever is inside you will come out. It’s easy to fake it, until you get rattled.

So we have to ask ourselves… “what’s in my cup?”

When life gets tough, what spills over?

Joy, gratefulness, peace and humility?

Anger, bitterness, harsh words and reactions?

Life provides the cup, YOU choose how to fill it.

Today let’s work towards filling our cups with gratitude, forgiveness, joy, words of affirmation and kindness, gentleness and love for others.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)


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I Will Sing

by Joe Becker
 
Very early in the morning, when the women in His life found the stone but not the body of the Lord, there first was heard in a vision: “He is not here, for He has risen.” And more glory came, remembering His Word.

Then Peter’s heart, burning inside him, with the ‘sifting’ coinciding, ran to see what he could not yet understand. ‘Til Jesus broke bread with thanksgiving, they could not tell he was living. There the joy of every Gospel song began.

I will sing.

‘Twas later on, that very day, nearly seven miles away, two would share within the company of the Lord. He restored to them their vision. They saw who had been risen. And more glory came, remembering His Word.

Did not their hearts burn there inside them, when the Master walked beside them, whose Holy Face they could not recognize? Until He broke bread with thanksgiving, they could not see He was living. There the joy in that He opened up their eyes.

I will sing.

So now we also have today, where by grace we have been saved, through our faith unto the glory of the Lord. “Peace, be with you!” our commission. To tell all that He is risen. And more glory comes, remembering His Word.

Do not our hearts burn here inside us, while the Master walks beside us—as we wait to see His promises fulfilled? Until we break bread with thanksgiving, in the Kingdom of His living—where the life of every trusting heart is willed?

I will sing!


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Are You Prepared To Give An Account

by Laura Courtney

I thoroughly enjoy quotes. I have a special notebook dedicated to my favorites that I have heard or read through teachers and professors, friends and family, books and movies, songs and poems, scriptures and pastors, etc. & etc. There are two that have continued to come back to my mind over the years. Both are related to the same idea and yet are from two completely separate people, places and times.

The first is from a professor I had in college, Dr. Mary Ann Meiners. She would routinely start each class with a short devotional. One day she said, “When God takes our breath back, we will be accountable as to how we have lived with it.” (And yes this is an exact quote because I loved it instantly and of course wrote it down in my notes and later transferred to my quote journal.)

The second comes from Jeffrey Dahmer. “If a person doesn’t think that there is a God to be accountable to, then what’s the point of trying to modify your behavior to keep it within acceptable ranges…I have since come to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is truly God, and I believe that I, as well as everyone else, will be accountable to Him.” He stated this in a news interview, after having come to faith while in prison.

Both, in my mind, reflect this simple verse in scripture:

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12)

Genesis 2:7 states that God “breathed into [man’s] nostrils the breath of life, and [he] became a living
being.” Yet one day, when we ”all stand before God’s judgment seat” (Romans 14:10), we will have to give that breath back to him. And we will have to be prepared to give an account and accept responsibility for what we’ve done with that breath.

I won’t start a theological debate as to where Jeffrey Dahmer—having committed some of the worst crimes in history, yet finally proclaiming his faith and acceptance of Jesus as his Lord and Savior—is currently spending eternity. But I often think about this question: If a person like Jeffrey Dahmer can acknowledge and fully expect to be held accountable for the actions he committed in his life, am I ready to give an
account of what I’ve done?

Are you?

Heavenly Father, you breathed your own breath into us and gave us life.
Now please, dear Lord, help us not to waste it.


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Night to Shine

by Chris Thomas
 
For the past six years, Tim Tebow has hosted an event called Night to Shine. It is a “Prom” for special needs adults, both young and old. This prom is held in 70 countries and in over 300 churches. The genuine love and dedication Tim Tebow has for special needs people is beautiful. His mission is to help us all realize that the life of every person on this earth is valuable.
 
For the past couple of years, I’ve been following the Tim Tebow Foundation on Facebook and I was always so moved by the pure joy on the faces of the “Kings and Queens” of the prom that I pledged to one day be a part of that tremendous event.
 
Well, this year I did. My middle granddaughter, a friend of most of us, Nathan Renoll and I participated as “dates” for the prom guests. All I can say is WOW! You can see the photos and videos of these events on the TTF Facebook page, but nothing compares to seeing in person the love, compassion and care that the over 300 volunteers at our local event showed each and every one of the guests as they were heralded in on a red carpet and then participated in a variety of events throughout the evening. The entire night was covered in the showering of God’s love. Those of us who have volunteered at the CABC Down Syndrome Camp understand and appreciate the effect special needs people have on us all.
 
To see the smiles, the laughter, the dancing, the uninhibited expressions on each face is so humbling. I looked at each guest (over 100 showed up!) and felt a little sad for the lives they have to live, but realized that they are living good lives. They are happy, protected and alive! It was the simplest treats that brought them the most joy. Joy. That’s the best word to describe the evening. And that’s their mission to us—to show and remind us to seek and to hold on to the amazing joy in our lives.
 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

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Precious Memories

by Emma Turner 
 
I feel like I’ve been taking a ride on a roller coaster without leaving the couch. It is amazing how just sorting through old pictures and clippings can cause such emotional ups and downs. I really want to make a family scrapbook.
 
Ah-h-h, I love this picture of my dad sitting there under a big oak tree, looking so proudly at that huge pile of sweet, juicy watermelons he had grown. I can almost taste them now and feel the juice running down my arm. Here’s one of Jim at the age of 12, holding his baby sister. Jim always told me this picture was taken within days of his dad being killed in a car/train accident.
 
Rummaging again through the collection of snapshots of my life, I see the country church in which I grew up. My favorite spot was on the piano bench next to my mother as she played for services. At this church I trusted Christ as my Savior from sin at the age of eight and a number of years later walked down the aisle after church one Sunday morning to become Jim’s bride.
 
Memories cascade around me on the couch as I remember again the day each of our children was born and so quickly they grew up. How wonderfully the Lord blessed us those years in serving Him together as a family. Then, one by one, the children were gone, on with education, marriage, and serving Him elsewhere.
 
The same pictures that bring so many memories of happy years with family and friends also bring tears to my eyes. How can a full life of God’s abundant blessings bring so much sadness now? I feel like in looking at the pictures I relived my whole life, and so many people I have known and loved are no longer here. They have gone ahead of me. And then it hits me: the best is yet to come!
 
…eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
 
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (Psalm 17:15)
 
Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
 
This Lenten season I’m thankful for CABC, our pastors, staff, and church family, who model grace day after day to one another, the local community, and various ministry partners. As we celebrate God’s grace, may we be messengers and imitators of God’s grace. May we love, accept, and forgive others, just as God did for us.
 
“To accept grace is to accept the vow to give it.” Max Lucado

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