Surrendering the Secret

In recent months the media focus on Planned Parenthood and abortion has brought about protests, opinionated blog posts, and caused a heated political issue to become even more so.  But this Sunday our desire at ElmCreek Community Church is to sift through all the heat and get to the crux of the issue for the church of Christ today: the love of Christ to heal from the spiritual and emotional pain abortion leaves in it’s wake. 

The words of David Altrogge speak strongly to this in his article on desiringgod.org.

"We must stop looking the other way when it comes to abortion.  Yes, it's uncomfortable.  Yes, it's awkward.  Yes, people will get mad at us.  But until we start talking about abortion and what it is and who it affects, we will never see change. 

"Until we learn to love the women who choose abortion, and the men who encourage abortion, and the babies who lose their lives to abortion - until we learn to love them the way Jesus loved us, we will never see change. 

"The lives of women and children are at stake.  We cannot remain silent.  We must love with Christ's love, the love we have been shown.  We cannot look the other way."

This coming Sunday we will be having a special guest and special focus.  Karen O’Kane will be giving her testimony and speaking of the healing power of God to overcome the shame, regret, and pain caused by abortion.  Join me in praying for Karen as she speaks of the truth of God’s healing power and may we as His church not only be a place where sin is condemned but points to the power of God to heal through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Striving to know Christ and make Him known,

Pastor Mark

God does not condemn! God loves!

“A certain medieval monk announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on ‘The Love of God.’ As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lighted a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.”  (Source Unknown)

This week at ElmCreek Community Church we will be looking at what the Apostle John has to say about the love of God for the world.  Who is the world?  Why did God send Jesus to die upon a cross?  What happens to those who believe in Jesus as the Savior of the world?

Join us as we struggle together to understand this great love of God.  May we all be prayerfully prepared to hear the truth of the gospel message, the reality of our sinful world, and the love God has for that same world.

Striving to know Christ and make Him known,

Mark

J.C. Ryle: Our Love of Christ and Our Future Salvation

"The words which John Bunyan puts in the mouth of Mr. Standfast, as he stood in the river of death, are very beautiful.  He said, 'This river has been a terror to many; yes, the thoughts of it also have often frightened me.  But now methinks I stand easy: my foot is fixed upon that on which the feet of the priests that bear the ark stood while Israel went over Jordan.  The waters indeed are to the palate bitter, and to the stomach cold; yet the thoughts of what I am going to, and of the convoy that waits for me on the other side, lie as a glowing coal at my heart.  I see myself now at the end of my journey; my toilsome days are ended.  I am going to see that head which was crowned with thorns, and that face which was spit upon for me.  I have formerly lived by hearing and faith, but now I go where I shall live by sight, and be with Him in whose company I delight myself.  I have loved to hear my Lord spoken of; and wherever I have seen the print of His shoe in the earth, there I have coveted to set my foot, too.  His name has been to me a civet-box; yes, sweeter than all perfumes!
 His voice to me has been most sweet; and His countenance I have more desired than those who have desired the light of the sun!'  Happy are those who know something of this experience!  He that would be in tune for heaven must know something of love to Christ.  He that dies ignorant of that love had better never have been born."