Rooted In Christ

Though hidden from the human eye, roots are the most vital parts of every plant. Without strong and deep roots, a plant will eventually die. Spiritually, the implications are quite similar. When we neglect to deepen the roots of our faith – when we take for granted our relationship with the Lord, our faith becomes shallow and superficial. That’s why Paul says, “just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him…” (Colossians 2:6)

A story was told about a man who went to his doctor and said, “Doctor, my wife and I have been fighting so much because I am having such a hard time doing household chores.” When the doctor finished his examination, the man said, “Now, Doc, tell me in plain simple English what is wrong.” The doctor replied,” Well, in plain English, you’re just lazy.” After a long silence, the man said, “Now Doc, can you give me a sophisticated medical term for that so that I can tell my wife?”

You see, friends, just like this man, many of us makes excuses for our laziness in matters of our faith. We are too busy with our family and career. We don’t like the Pastor or person handling the Bible Study class. We are too sickly. And the list goes on and on.

When we are spiritually lazy, we fail to develop fundamental and basic disciplines that will help us get through this life. Worse, we pass on to our children and grandchildren, a very shallow and casual view of a Christianity that Christ Himself never taught.

The fact is that we don’t see the consequences of these things immediately. Life can actually go on smoothly and normally for some time. But when the storms of life start coming – when the waters begin rising and when the winds start pounding strong against us and our family, those who have neglected their faith are shaken, overwhelmed and uprooted.

(REV  BERNADETTE  AMISTOSO-MORALES)

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Church Camp 2011 – The Race of Life

Theme : The Race of Life

Date : August 27 ~ 30, 2011

Venue :  Permaisuri Resort, Port Dickson

Introduction to the LifeGame

LiFEgame is a creative simulation game of life that seeks to provide an environment for participants to discover God’s purposes for their lives in this world.

A “make-believe” world is set up in a camp or retreat environment where participants are given the opportunity to live out their whole lives however they wish. Starting at age 15, they begin to pursue their dream, get an education, find a job, buy their first car, purchase a house, get married, raise a family and climb the ladder of success. Every hour they will age 5 years, and they have to take care of their personal needs like food, clothing, health, etc. Like in real-life they may face health problems, accidents, fines or even death as a result. No one knows how long they will live. Some might die prematurely while others may retire at a ripe old age before they meet their creator in person.

LiFEgame is about living life and that’s where the reality of the real world sets in. Eventually, each participant question, “What’s the point of life?” and that is the whole point of the LiFEgame – an opportunity to discover God’s purpose of living.

The LiFEgame is designed to help participants to discover God’s purpose for living. Our speaker will preach a series of messages on “THE RACE OF LIFE” and will challenge the participants to:

… commit to Christ for SALVATION,
… commit to living a life after CHRIST-GIVEN PURPOSES,
… commit to being a MESSENGER OF Christ, and
… commit to serving Christ FULL TIME in ministry

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Glimpses of Permaisuri Resort


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Bethel Wind Symphony Performance

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About The Bethel University Wind Symphony

The Bethel University Wind Symphony comprises more than 60 wind, brass and percussion players. many of the instrumentalists are music majors; however, students from nearly all academic disciplines participate.

The Bethel University Wind Symphony has a long history of performance excellence and has been noted as one of the best private college or university bands int he Upper Midwest. The ensemble’s repertoire is selected from the finest traditional and contemporary wlrks for symphonic band and its inspirational program are noted for the variety, appealing to audiences of all ages.

The Bethel University Wind Symphony tours throughout the United States and abroad, giving performance for churches, schools and civic organizations.

Steven B. Thompson (Conductor)

Steven B. Thompson joined the Bethel University faculty in September 2002 as director of instrumental activities and professor of music. He received a bachelor of music education degree from the Wheaton College Conservatory, a master’s degree in trumpet performance from the Peabody Institute of  The John Hopkins University and a doctor of arts degree in instrumental conducting form the University of Northern Colorado. Prior to coming to Bethel University, Thompson taught in Minnesota and Connecticut public schools, as well as served ont he faculty at Waldorf College in Forrest City, Iowa. His bands have performed to great acclaim across the country and overseas.

Thompson has maintained an active performing schedule as a trumpeter int he Upper Midwest and the eastern United States. He has played with the Annapolis Symphony, the Greeley Philharmonic, the Mississippi Valley Chamber Orchestra, and the Rochester Symphony. he has appeared as a soloist with the Austin Symphony and the Clear Lake (Iowa) Municipal Band. He is sought after as a clinician, having served throughout Iowa and Minnesota, and as an adjudicator for numerous contest events.

View videos of Bethel University Wind Symphony here

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The Widow’s Mite (Mark 12: 41-44)

From the offering of this poor widow, we learn about a woman who understood the principle of giving. God doesn’t call us to give for the sake of giving. Giving is to be done as an act of obedience – “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

l.  Jesus saw (v. 41) “Jesus sat down…and watched (both the rich people and the poor widow)…” – He sees every part of our lives, including the intentions of our hearts. He cares about what we have given up for the sake of the Gospel and he cares about what we have not given up.

ll.  This lady was extremely poor (v. 42) “But a poor widow…” – This woman was only poor but also a widow. Her source of all revenue, her husband, had died; yet she gave sacrificially. If there was anyone who had an excuse not to give, it was this woman.

lll.  She gave everything (v. 44) “She put in everything …” – In spite of her poverty, this poor widow held nothing back. She gave all that she had – 2 copper coins. It would have made more sense if she had given one and kept the other for food.

This widow gave all she had to live on, in contrast to the way most of us handle our money. I believe God measures my giving, not by how much I give but by how much I have left.

(Source Unknown)

A STORY ABOUT SACRIFICIAL GIVING …

Hattie Wiatt, a little girl who lived in Philadelphia, came to a small Sunday School and asked to be taken in, but it was explained there was no room for her. In less than two years she fell ill, and died. No one guessed her strange secret until beneath her pillow was found a torn pocketbook with 57 cents in it, wrapped in a scrap of paper on which was written, “To help the little church bigger, so that more children can go to Sunday School.” For 2 years she had saved her money for the cause which was nearest her heart. The pastor told the incident to his congregation, and the people began making donations for the enlargement. The papers told it far and wide, and within 5 years those 57 cents and grown to be $250,000, and today in Philadelphia, can be seen a great church, the Baptist Temple, seating 3,300, a Temple College with accommodations for more than 1,400 students, a Temple Hospital, and a Temple Sunday School so large that all who wish may come and be blessed.                                  

(Source Unknown)

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Understanding The Book Of Revelation – Part 3

Understanding the book of Revelation - Part 3

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Global Day Of Prayer 2011

Location Map to PJEFC
(click map for large version)

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Parent’s Day

Parent’s Day
Each year we have a wonderful day
When we celebrate our birth
For twenty-four hours we seem to become
The most special person on earth.
But did you ever stop and wonder
How all this came to be
What is it that we celebrate?
And why do they honor me?
We have a day for mothers
And one for fathers too
But when we plan our birthday
We forget those special two
If there was a party when you were born
You were the last to arrive
So honor those who brought you
And just be glad that you’re alive
Remember who made it possible
When you plan your next big day
Think of those who gave you life
And call it “Parents’ Day.”

Keith Haugen
March 7, 1994

(Keith wrote “Parents’ Day” on his birthday in 1994, promoting an idea he had first suggested back in the 1950s–that we should celebrate Parents’ Day instead of our own birthday. Think about it on your next birthday; send a card and something special to your parents.)

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Blessed Mother’s Day

“Jesus said…”Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s”    (MARK 12: 17)

And how do we know what things belong to God? They have God’s image on them! We are to give to God the things stamped with God’s image — us! We are to give God ourselves — our whole selves — not just some part.

How is it with you? You may be inclined to give God your mind, but your heart is far from Him. Or you may give God your heart, but you are unwilling to learn from God in His Word. You may be willing to give God your muscle, but remain unwilling to bring your body to worship or fellowship or study with other Christians.

We cannot say that “this part belongs to God, so I will give it to God, but this area of my life is none of God’s business.” You and I, we are created in God’s image. We are to give Him our all, because we represent the very nature of God.

Everything we are and everything we have belongs to God. Everything we are and everything we have we are to give (back) to God. We are but mere managers or stewards of these gifts God has given to us.

Let’s imagine for a moment what that would look like if we gave our entire being to God. Our homes would not merely be a private place for ourselves where we rest from our day’s work, and where we eat and sleep. Our homes would be places of healing that welcome in weary travelers. They would be sanctuaries that offer comfort, peace, encouragement and acceptance to others.

Our families would not be only a bunch of people who share the same bathroom and fight over the remote control, but would be centers of worship, where godly values are shaped and molded, and where unconditional love, understanding and forgiveness are lived out.

Our possessions – cars, houses, businesses, and the countless toys we have would not be the things that give us our value. We would not try to keep up with the Jones’s. But rather we would use all our material assets to glorify God. The use of everything we own comes back to the image we have been given by the Creator Himself. We give ourselves to God because we are God’s. He has created us to worship Him and to reflect the radiance of His love, His compassion, His friendship.

As you go from here today I want to challenge you to think about the things in your life that God wants you to give back to Him. Render unto God that which belongs to God! Give Him your life – and let every moment of your life be an act of worship to His glory and honor.                                                                            (FREDERICK FUNK)

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