Today, Good Friday

"Surely He has borne our griefs

And carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten by God, and afflicted.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;

We have turned, every one, to his own way;

And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

Isaiah 53:4-6

So often, in our zeal in planning and carrying out our Easter plans, we sometimes allow this day, Good Friday, to pass without pausing to contemplate and reflect the significance of what Christ did on this day 2000 years ago. We often focus on Resurrection Day, and we should, but with little heed to the days leading up to this miraculous, saving event.

"Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows..

Today, Good Friday, the day that our Lord was convicted, though no one could find anything to convict him of. He was the perfect, sinless Son of God. He, God's Own Son, stood in our place, on trial. Not once did He speak up to defend His innocence.

Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.

Today, Good Friday, the day the Roman soldiers beat and mocked Him, placing a crown of thorns on His head. He suffered the punishment that should have been ours.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;

Today, Good Friday, the day Christ was forced to carry His cross, the tool of His execution, the burden of our sins. The weight of which caused Him to stumble, requiring the assistance of a man named Simon.

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

Today, Good Friday, the day they nailed this innocent man, the Son of God, to a tree. Each strike of the hammer, forcing the nails deeper and deeper through his flesh, into the wood. Excruciating pain searing through Him with each strike. Each strike one step closer to victory over the enemy. Each strike heralding in a new covenant, giving mankind hope and eternal healing in the broken relationship with the Father.

All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;

Today, Good Friday, the day they placed Him on a cross between two men, men who were called 'thieves,' deserving of the punishment they received. So there hung our perfect, sinless Savior, flanked on either side by criminals. One repented the other didn't - representing the ultimate choice that each and every person must make when face to face with the power of the cross.

We have turned, every one, to his own way;

Today, Good Friday, the day that Jesus was surrounded by sinners as he hung there, dying. Those who loved and followed him watched in horror as He hung there, while those who hated Him mocked Him. How heartbreaking for His mother, Mary, to see Him upon that cross. How horrible it was for His followers to witness His sacrifice for the world, yet the world didn't know Him.

And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

Today, Good Friday, the day that Jesus died for our sins. The perfect, unblemished Son of God laying down His life so that we may have life. He completed the task the Father had given and was obedient to the end. His sacrifice is our salvation. Blessed is the Name of the LORD!

Today, Good Friday doesn't sound so good, unless you understand that...Sunday's coming! Hallelujah!

In His Love, Cathy

Taming the Tongue

Today, a dear friend of mine was hurt very deeply by a coworker. My friend was apparently the object of an UGLY remark by this person. The remark was in an email meant for someone else. However, it was accidentally sent to my friend. What's more, my friend had not done anything to this person, but only offered her friendship. The coworker didn't even know my friend well enough to make such a comment. What is grievious about this situation is that this coworker is supposedly a Christian! Additionally, it made my friend wonder who the intended recipient(s) were. This meant there were possibly others in agreement with this coworker's opinion of her. My friend began to wonder who was speaking malicious words against her that would cause a coworker she hardly knew to have this opinion of her.

My friend was hurt. She is a godly Christian woman, with a loving heart. She honors God with her life. She would never hurt anyone for any reason! She is always ready to help those in need. She's just such a giving, loving person. I hurt for my friend today, I cried for her, thinking that others had been so mean toward her. My friend bravely confronted the coworker who made the negative remark. To which the person profusely apologized and asked for forgiveness, from what I understand. However, the apology didn't alleviate my friend's pain, though she is one to graciously accept an apology. My dear friend suffered as the consequence of someone else's sin!

Yes, I know, TMI. And yes, I am publicly defending my friend. But there is a VERY IMPORTANT LESSON that we all need to be aware of. We need to TAME OUR TONGUES - resist the temptation to talk about others...at home, at work, in the community. In fact, we shouldn't even go there in our thoughts. "The crooked heart will not prosper;the lying tongue tumbles into trouble." Proverbs 17:20 There is no coincidence that the crooked heart and the lying tongue are coupled together in this verse. Christ said, But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' Matthew 15:17-19 So, whatever is on our heart, in our thoughts, will come tumbling out sooner or later. It will show just how 'clean' or 'unclean' we are on the inside. So, to guard your tongue starts with a guard over your heart...a heart in COMPLETE submission to Christ!

We must also avoid gossip and slanderous speech about others. Psalm 39:1-3 says “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.” Our words can crush others. "...a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." (Proverbs 15:4b) Our words can also damage the testimony we and other believers have for Christ. If I go around making negative remarks about others, then how can I be a valid witness for Jesus? If I gossip about another believer, I am also damaging that person's reputation AND THEIR TESTIMONY for CHRIST! If I spread malicious talk about a Christian brother or sister, I AM HURTING the VERY BODY OF JESUS CHRIST!

Think about it this way. A person who is healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally would never, EVER think of hurting themselves in any way. However, those who are struggling with unhealthy thoughts or emotions might entertain harmful thoughts and possibly act them out. This is akin to those who say and do things that harm others within the Body of Christ. For whatever reason, their spiritual health is such that they do no resist the urge to speak venemous poison about others in the Body. Sure, we're all prone to sin and to stick our big ole foot in our mouths from time to time. However, we should avoid saying anything that would harm others in any way!

So how can we put a guard on our tongues? By being spiritually fit. Personally, when I am the spiritually weak, I'm most prone to a lack of self-control. That is why it is so important to stay spiritually fit by seeking Christ wholeheartedly, spending time in His Word, and praying without ceasing. We should wholly submit ourselves and all areas of our lives to Christ daily, MOST ESPECIALLY OUR TONGUES!

I'm sure this coworker did not start out the day with the plan to hurt my friend. But look at what a lapse in tongue control has caused. Even small, insignificant caddy remarks are hurtful and wrong. The best advice I ever got was to pause. Pause before you speak. Consider the consequences. Pause before you react. Ask yourself if it will bring honor or dishonor to Christ. And, dadgummit, put some duct tape on that mouth if you can't control that tongue!

My dear friend was another casualty of the tongue! I'm sorry, friend! God loves you so much and I do too!

In His Love, Cathy

PCC Children's Ministry This Week, April 6 - 12

NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK!

Easter Volunteers Meeting This Wednesday, April 8

6:30 to 8

- Stuff goody bags for Easter Hunt.

-Overview of Sunday's Rotation Schedule for children's classes

- Review Lesson materials and craft project

- answer questions you might have

EASTER EGG HUNT & CHURCH COOKOUT

EGG HUNT @ 11:30 a.m. not 11:00 a.m.

Bring food to grill & Drinks for your family!

Easter SUNDAY for KIDS

Special Children's Message in ROCK SOLID kids church.

Invite every child you know!

In His Love, Cathy

Rock Solid: What Your Child Learned in Church Today (Sunday, April 5)

Main Point: I will show my faith by my actions!

Bible Lesson: Matthew Chapter 9 (Jesus heals a sick woman)

Memory Verse: But I say, "How can you have faith if you don't have good deeds. I will show you my faith by my good deeds." James 2:18b

Summary of Today's Lesson:
We're still in Medieval times, learning to be people of Noble Character. Today we learned what faith is. Faith is believing in that which is not seen. We discussed how we can't see the wind or the air, yet it exists. We looked at other things in life that we've never seen but we know exists - such as our hearts. We've never seen our own heart with our own eyes, yet we know we have one. We also talked about how we believe airplanes can fly, even though they are made out of metal, weigh thousands of pounds, and carry a lot of people. We believe because we have seen them in the air or have flown on them. However, a person who has never seen an airplane or know what one is, would be skeptical that something that large and heavy could ever fly. This is like us today. We did not see Christ when He walked on the earth, like the disciples did, however we are blessed for believing in Him though we did not see Him.

We also talked about how good works is the evidence of our faith. When Jesus walked the earth, He proved He was God's Son by His good works and miracles. (John 10:22-42) We should follow Jesus's example in doing good deeds. In fact, James says that good works is a natural product of our faith. If we say we have faith, then it should play itself out in our lives, not just in what we say but also in what we do.

TRAINING UP A CHILD HOMEWORK:
1. Read Matthew 9 to your child this week. Ask your child to look for the miracles Jesus performed in this chapter. Remind your child that though we can't perform miracles like Jesus, we can do good things for others. Emphasize that when we do good to others, we are living out our faith in Christ, AND - when we do good things 'for the least of these' we are also doing good toward Christ.
2. Have your child memorize James 2:18b and tell it to me next week for a prize.

NEXT WEEK - Special Easter Children's Message
Be sure to invite every child you know!


In His Love, Cathy

BERRYHILL MANOR OUTREACH

Saturday, April 4 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Meet at Berryhill Manor at 1:45 p.m.

In His Love, Cathy

The Principal's Office

Here's a great article for parents by Lysa TerKeurst.

http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/2009/04/principals-office.html

So often we tend to define ourselves and form our identities on our accomplishments, our children, our careers, our ministry, our marriages, our relationships, our position in life, our wealth, our possessions, our successes, and our failures. It's so natural for us to hang who we are on the tangible, the things we and others see. It's so easy to become puffed up with pride in our accomplishments, thinking we are better somehow than others because of these accomplisments. Conversely, we also tend to beat ourselves up over our failures and allow them to also define us, hindering us from experiencing the joy and peace that is found in Christ. However, this is not how God intended for us to be.

God loves each and every one of us with EXACTLY THE SAME LOVE. We are HIS workmanship, HIS child in Christ! Our identities shouldn't rest on the laurels or the failures of this world. Instead, our identities should rest in Him! We should define ourselves based on who He has created us to be. Our goal is to remain pliable to His perfect will, striving to live wholeheartedly as an instrument of His Hand. Even as parents, we should not beat ourselves up if our children are not perfect in every way. We should not seek our identities as parents based on our children's behavior, successes, or failures. Instead, we should define ourselves as parents on how we are responding to God's will in raising up our children. We should strive to be godly parents, seeking His guidance and wisdom, and relying on His strength every step of the way. We should be praying parents, on our knees daily petitioning for our children. No child is perfect, that's why God gave them parents - to teach them and help shape them into the people God wants them to be.

In His Love, Cathy