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Forward Look Journal

Winds of Refreshing Series Modified

I have decided to change the message for April 10th.  Here is the new chart.

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Journal Joy Notes

Help in seeking God – a testimony

Seeking God is rewarded

Ever since we have set our hearts on seeking God together, it seems that I have been supernaturally aided in my searching.  

1.      God has helped me to have the heart to seek Him.  I am learning that as we respond to God’s invitation, the Holy Spirit gives us greater thirst.   Yesterday, for example, I had plenty to do.   But I felt so hungry spiritually that I was almost compelled to spend more than double my normal devotional time in seeking God.   I praised God, then prayed for things I thought of.   When I was finished, God laid more things on my heart for intercession.   I was experiencing the levels of prayer I had just read about in David Yonggi Cho’s book. 

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.  Jn 6:44 NIV

2.      I keep running into more resources to encourage my search and help me to encourage others. Now, if I am thinking about something and run onto an article now and then, I can easily credit it to coincidence or just mental pre-occupation.   But I have worked on sermons for many years and know about how often one normally runs into things that are relevant without doing specific research.   In the last three weeks, such a high percentage of articles, devotionals, books I’m reading, DVD’s and music I’ve played have been directly helpful that it has amazed me.  To give one example–last night, I picked up a worship video that has been on my desk for months.   I thought it might be relevant to the sermon.   I discovered quickly that it was more relevant to last week’s sermon so I could have stopped watching and saved time.  But I kept watching for the personal inspiration just when I needed it.  It was awesome–a true worship generator.  I don’t think it added material for the message this week, but it sure helped fill the preacher’s heart. 

 And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Ch 28:9 NIV

 Stay tuned, I have a feeling this adventure is only begun!

 

 

 

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Forward Look Journal

Lenten & Easter Message Series Depends on the Wind

Very Windy

What comes to your mind when you think of wind? I think most of us have many associations as wind is a big part of our lives.  One association for me centers around a childhood memory.  My bedroom as a boy was on the West side of our house and the cold winter winds whistled in the window.   Here in Kirkville, I often think of my neighbor’s cheery wind chimes blowing in the breeze.   Sometimes I think of the warm southern breezes that bring warming temperatures and birds flying in from the south in the spring.  Today wind is in the news often as a power generation source.  March is the month most associated with wind. 

 

Exploring the Bible’s use of wind images will be exciting.

This year at Community Wesleyan during March and April, we plan to explore the Biblical imagery of wind.    Three of the most defining Biblical passages for understanding how the Bible uses the idea of wind to teach us are the creation story, the prophecy of Ezekiel over the dry bones and the event of Pentecost.  Because of Pentecost we cannot help but associate wind and God’s Spirit.   These three Bible passages will play a big part in this series.  

The planning so far