Knowing the Real will avoid falling for the fake

Experts in diamonds, money, antiques, and art are trained in how to know the real/authentic.  There may be endless ways that counterfeiters try to fake "the real thing."  In order to recognize the counterfeit, one must be trained and know the real.

2 Peter is a letter to the church about knowing the real God revealed in His Son, Jesus the Christ.  Essential knowledge to keep from being fooled by probable impostors and false teachings.

The end of 2 Peters says this:

2 Peter 3:17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The way we keep on our guard is keep grow in in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Know him well and those impostors will fall way short of the real and so will false religion/teachings of man.

Trail run at Clinton Nature Preserve in Douglas County

These are just a few picture from a new area at Clinton Nature Preserve that I ran through this afternoon.  I am really enjoying running here and discovering new wtrails and connectors.

This stream has a nice wooden bridge over it.

This little rabbit was noy scared of me at all.  If I he knew my taste for rabbit, he would not have been so still.

Looks like a bigfoot print to me.  One area was real boggy from all the recent rain.

This challenging section was more steep than the picture reveals.  I had a good time getting my thoughts together for tomorrow's message at Pleasant View.

Kids Pool Party

Having fun at the kids pool party.

Free from the Fear of Danger

A great benefit of listening to wisdom, is trading fear of danger for trust in the Lord.

Proverbs 1:3 "But whoever listens to me (wisdom) will live securely and be free from the fear of danger."

We do not live in a safe world. Dangers are everywhere: mean people, contaminated drinking water, infectious diseases, and natural disasters to name just a few.

With caution we carry around hand sanitizers, bottled water, concealed weapons, and healthy dose of caution (and maybe just a little paranoia).

Listening to wisdom, God's ways for life, produces freedom from the fear of danger.

Dangers still exist. But can you imagine being free from the fear of it?

The first step on the path of wisdom (breaking off point) is the fear/trust of God.

Proverbs 1:7 "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline."

Leave fear of danger and begin a life of trust/fear of the Lord. It will set you free.

Discussion and comments welcome.

Results of shared leadership responsibility

Following up on the Bible talk on Sunday, I would like to share 2 great benefits from Moses' following Jethro's advice. This applies to us as well.

By placing capable/high character people in charge of various levels of stewardship (10s, 50s, 100s, and 1000s) the following happens:

1. Leadership is a joy and not a strain.

See Ephesians 4:11-16 and 1 Timother 3:13.  Everybody does their part and share in the joy of teamwork.

    2. People are satisfied

When people are under capable leaders, they rejoice. See Proverbs 29:2. Also, clear organization helps people know who to go to for help, instruction, encourgament, complaints, suggestions.  In our local church some of the first places to reach out to are the following leaders: Sunday School teachers/group leaders, deacons, ministry directors in areas of music, children, preschool, and youth.  These folks are capable leaders with high character ready to help, teach, encourage, support, and lead.

Final night message (notes from Bryan)

>
> Truth
> Isaiah 6:1-8
>
> 1) Our God is incomprehensible glorious
>
> 2) Our sin is infinitely serious
> We are lost in our sin/separates us from God.
> Sin makes us slaves. Also, enemies to God.
> God send Christ to save us from sin.
> God keeps no record of your sins with Christ.
>
> 3) Our mission is indescribably urgent.
> Be Audacious!
> Surrender to God the mission of sharing the Word of God to others.
> We don't have time to waste it.
>
> Be bold about sharing Christ with others.
>
> Take my life Lord and use me in every way.

Block Party

Block party went great! Thanks for prayers.

Headed to block party

Pray for our students as we go to lead a block party for children and families at a RV PARK.

Afternoon Update

Parker George led the afternoon Bible study. He shared from Hebrews 11 about living by faith with courage. We also prayed for our block party that we will be leading tomorrow afternoon. Then the group went in a couple directions. I took Danny Evans, Jack Griffith, Daniel Quattlebaum, Nathin Wendlandt, and Britt Wheatherby. The rest of the crew hung out at the pool at the hotel. Eating at the Shrimp Basket for supper before heading to evening worship service. The group is doing great. Thank you for praying. Please continue.

Worship Celebration

Expecting a great day as we gather.

Beautiful Morning View

Praying for a great day for a students and leaders