Well, there isn’t one answer for that, but I think the one place that we would NOT go is where the very source of our fear is. We would tend to go in the opposite direction of the threat. But where did Peter go when he ran away? That’s right; he went to the Chief Priest’s house and was sitting outside next to the fire. Then when someone recognized him and the threat became even greater for him, did he run out of the compound and hide? No, he stayed in the compound.

Basically, Peter decided to just hang around the threat. Yes, he certainly let his fear get the best of him when it was ‘put up or shut up’ time, but at least he was still there. Where were the others?

The other thing to notice, I think, is when the two Marys went to the tomb and found it empty. What did the ‘young man’ in the tomb tell the Marys to do? “But go! Tell his disciples and Peter.”

Peter must have felt lower than a snake’s belly in a wagon rut after his disloyalty and Jesus’ death. But he was specifically singled out to be told about Jesus’ triumph over death, and assuming he heard about being singled out, it had to warm his heart and lift his spirit to know how much Jesus trusted him even on the field of his defeat.

Being sons and daughters of the Father through Jesus, isn’t it good to know that although we fail and we fail and we fail again, Jesus still loves and trusts us? We can use that knowledge to get back up when sin has knocked us down and get back into the fight with renewed resolve. Sin and Satan are going to knock us down … count on it … but the love of Jesus Christ has given us the power to get up … again and again.

Personally, I would love to hear about instances where each one of us were knocked down and yet claimed the power of our position in Jesus to get back up. Sharing these stories, whether large of small, with each other helps strengthen and encourage all of us.

off in the distance as i sit there and ponder

in the presents of God, so full of wonder

I think of the many people I know, lost on a journey with no place to go. 

I tell them about Abraham, Solomon and Moses

Noah and David and Joshus and Joseph.

To read of His power, His mercy and grace

in the book called the Bible, so often misplaced.

Do you know of salvation, do you know of the door?

Do you know of His Son who died for us all?

They scourged Him and beat Him and was nailed to the cross

The price He did pay for those who are lost

For the wages of sin can only be death, But God does for His children what truly is best.

Do you know that the blood that His body did shed, provides for new life when your own body’s dead?

Is your name written down in the book of the Lamb?

Can you see where it’s written in the  palm of His hand?

It may sound confusing, there’s no trick to my words,

Though life after death may sound so absurd

The life that I speak of, the gift of salvation,

Available to all, His entire creation.

So how can one, who has gossiped and lied,

and stolen and mocked and had so much pride,

who worshiped false idols and welcomed a fight,

who thought they were better with their power and might,

who hated and envied and cheated on others,

who betrayed and lost honor for father and mother

How then can one, who has done this and more,

deserve such a gift from the one who’s called Lord?

Can one truly be worthy?

What must one do?

tell me now, tell me, I beg of you.

The Lord is not willing that any should perish

The gift of new life, He wants you to cherish.

There’s nothing to buy,

no work to be done,

Everlasting life is a gift from the Son.

Just open your heart and receive Him as King

Repent of your sins and repent from within. 

Accept Him now for the price has been paid

For those to Him come will surly be saved.

Perry

Hi Perry,

I don’t have the email address for Daniel [Burbank] or I would have emailed him with this.    Sometimes the ‘teacher’ in me just refuses to be silent.   There was a point that I wanted to make last Sunday during class but we just ran out of time and Daniel was busy after class.   But I was still hoping to make the point.

When you listen to prayers and praises over a period of time, you see a pattern that is very common among us.   We pray for many things, for healing, for events to unfold as we’d like, for situations to be untangled, for growth, for deeper faith, etc.    But what about the praises?    Typically, we offer our praises when our prayers have been answered the way we wanted them to be answered.   It is rare that we offer praises for prayers that appear to be unanswered or answered with a ‘no’.

So hold that thought for a second.

We say again and again that Jesus already went through anything and everything that we have to go through so He knows what it’s like.   The one aspect of that which I almost never hear mentioned is that Jesus also endured prayer that appeared to be unanswered or answered with a ‘no’.   When He was in the garden before His capture, He prayed that if possible the cup might be taken from Him.    Yes, He continued on with the ‘Thy will not My will’ part which is certainly paramount in importance.   But I think we too often lose sight of the fact that Jesus asked for the cup to be lifted from Him and the Father’s answer was ‘no’ … and we have offered praises to the Father for centuries now because His answer was ‘no’ (since He knew His plan was necessary and better).

So the bottom line is that right here is our shining example that even when our prayers appear to be unanswered or not answered the way we want them to be, we need to offer praises to God for everything.  

The 21 year old son of my a friend of mine just died of brain cancer a few weeks ago.   Joe [name changed] was a Godly young man … he loved the Lord and he was involved in a number of kinds of service to the Lord … real service.   But he got a tumor a few years ago and battled and suffered for about 3 years, before losing the battle.   I and many, many others prayed for Him so many times; we prayed for healing, but it just didn’t happen.   It’s so hard for us to fathom.   It’s like the pain that Pastor David spoke of on Sunday morning [see sermon from 2/7/10]…. deep pain … and difficulty with understanding.   I am not a person who believes that God orchestrates every little thing that happens … some would say Joe had that tumor because God wanted him to …. I don’t believe that.   BUT   There had to be a reason why God chose not to remove it, even if I can’t see it and his family can’t see it and his church can’t see it.   God could have healed that tumor if He so chose, but He chose not to, despite hundreds of prayers.

At the funeral service, they chose to celebrate Joe’s life and to trust that God knows what He’s doing.   If God could say no to His son when He asked to be spared from what was to come because God knew it would be for the good of all who loved Him (Mark 14:36), then surely we can still offer our praises to God when He says no to us …. and we can REST in the assurance that although we may never understand it on this side of heaven, it will be used for good.  

Sorry that this grew to be a little lengthy … sometimes when I get started I have a little trouble curbing the words.   I struggled with whether to write this or not; sometimes things like this can appear to come from pride or a desire to be seen and heard.   Sometimes they do stem from those things.   I have prayed for God to remove any hint of pride from my words and from my heart.   I don’t know if He answered that one or not … I hope so.    But I just wanted to offer a little insight that probably didn’t come from me … I’m just another pile of filthy rags when I operate in my own power.  

Tom Haywood

Young Professionals       click here to ask about the party        class info

Singles With Children      click here to ask about the party        class info

Singles of All Ages           click here to ask aobut the party        class info

Remember to bring your favorite game to share with the group. We’ll have a variety to choose from so there will be something for everyone! And…bring a friend or three…ALL Singles are invited and welcome! See you there!

It’s not too late to sign up for the Chili Cook-Off! Let us know TODAY so we can be sure we have enough food for everyone. Call (919-435-6281) or email Stacy Rist (stayc4jc@yahoo.com) or Daphne Taylor (toglorygodnall@yahoo.com) or click here to sign up.

We also need other food items, such as tortilla chips, Fritos corn chips, shredded cheese, sour cream, other chili condiments are welcome! If you’d rather bring drinks or desserts, we are in need of both (especially drinks). If you are available to help with set up or clean up for this event, we’d appreciate the help! Just contact one of the ladies above to let us know what you are bringing and how you can help. Thanks!

• 8:00 am – Traditional Worship
• 9:00 am – Blended Worship
• 10:15 am – Contemporary Worship
• 11:30 am – Contemporary Worship

And, the Singles Ministry begins its 4th class:

• 9:00 am – Singles of All Ages (E-2), led by Perry Safron
• 10:15 am
  • Young Professionals (20-29) (D-3), led by Currie Tilley
  • Singles of All Ages (E-2), led by Daniel Burbank
  • Singles with Children (C-1), led by Sheldon Alexander

Where will you fit in?

Worship and Sunday School are the “dynamic duo” that helps us to fit in and thrive. With all of the excitement, be sure to pick your place and make it “home.” Need to find a class for a child, family member, or friend? Click here to see the list.

ALL SINGLES: Please join us for a Chili Cook-Off and Game Night at RCCC on Saturday, January 23, 2010 starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Judging begins at 5:45 p.m. with the winners announced at 6:00 p.m. There will be a winner in each of the following categories: Mild Chili, Spicy Chili, and Most Original Chili. To enter your chili, please sign up in one of the above categories by calling or emailing Daphne or Stacy (contact info below).

Remember to bring your favorite game to share with the group. We’ll have a variety to choose from so there will be something for everyone! And…bring a friend or three…ALL SINGLES are invited and welcome! See you there!

Be sure to sign up for the Chili Cook-Off by Wed. Jan. 20th. Call (919-435-6281) or email Stacy Rist (stayc4jc@yahoo.com) or Daphne Taylor to sign up. If you are available to help with set up or clean up for this event, we’d appreciate the help. Just contact one of the ladies above.

Sign up to go!

What are you doing on New Year’s Eve?

Why not spend a few hours sharing the gospel at the Triangle’s biggest party of the year?

Serving as volunteers for the First Night Raleigh, we’ll save the $12 admission fee and enjoy a meal together in downtown Raleigh. Afterward, we’ll head to Fayetteville Street and ask folks what new year’s resolution they pinned on the “RESOLUTION OAK TREE.” This will serve as our opportunity to share the greatest resolution of all:

“But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:13-14)

RSVP by noon on Tuesday, December 28th or you will have to pay the $12 admission fee in order to be admitted to the event.

Click here to RSVP

 SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31ST:

• 4:50-5:15 pm, Pray at RCCC. Google map
• 5:15-6 pm, Travel in car pools to downtown Raleigh
• 6-7 pm, Eat, Perry to check-in the group
• 7-9 pm, Serve as “Button Checker/Ushers”
• 9-11 pm, Share the gospel at the “Resolution Oak Tree”
• 11 pm – midnight, Fun (witnessing is still allowed!) listening to live music, watching “the acorn” drop, fireworks
• Midnight – 1:15 am, Travel back to RCCC

QUESTIONS?  Email or call Perry at (919) 417-1463

2 Timothy 4:7

The singles ministry has only reserved four tables so please see one of our hostesses for a ticket if you would like to sit with the singles group. Tickets are

Tea Time!

$3.00 each and are available from Tracy Schofield at 426-3166, Judy, Brenda McNeely at 906-6481 and Anita Safron at 417-0124. Please get your ticket soon to reserve your place. All money needs to be collected before November 28th. Also we encourage you to invite friends and co-workers – this is a great outreach opportunity! Please make sure to purchase tickets for your guests as well, to reserve their seat. We look forward to spending time together during this special evening!