A Blog "Pick-me-up"

So...in case you're looking to waste a few minutes during your day...Or in case you happen to be checking out the blog during off-work hours. I've decided to do my part to offer the blog a comfortable "pick-me-up".

Here's the deal. I'm going to begin posting links to movie screenshots. If you think you know what movie the screenshot comes from. Post a comment. The first person to answer correctly gains 5 points. I'll keep a running tally as to the overall score...the first person to 100 points wins. What do you win? I'm not certain yet as I haven't picked out a prize...but a prize you shall receive :).

Here's the kicker. CCJ staff and their families are excluded from winning the prize. However, they can guess, rack up points, and frustrate others who are trying to be the ultimate victors!

Not all movies will be recent, not all will be well known. I'll do my best to post at different times during the day and a variety of genres. In closing, my decision of awarding points is final...confusing, vague or misleading screenshots are par for the course. Sticklers for the truth will need to start their own game ;).

Ready Kids? Let the games begin!

Make Your Weekend Plans (One in Christ)

If you haven't heard already, there's this One in Christ service coming up this weekend in Washington, Ind. If you want complete details of the service, go here (Ken Idleman, Tom Ellsworth, Narrow Path).

I'd also like to make a personal appeal to all of you that can ... please join us at this service. Beyond the fact that CCJ's band will be leading music worship there (more on that in a minute), this is a chance to be a part of something special with lots and lots (hopefully thousands) of Christians in one room, worshipping Jesus together as one. It's almost like a warm-up for the symphony in heaven, if you will, when vast multitudes of believers from all across the globe will bow before Christ as one in worship and confess that He is Lord for all eternity. I know it's going to be sunny and 80 degrees and the outdoors are calling and whatnot ... there's always something else to do I suppose. However, this will be a special day when Christians can put aside their differences (and boy do we love to fight over our differences sometimes), our regional divisions, etc. and truly be unified in glorifying Jesus together in song and in listening to the messages and taking communion together. It's at 4 p.m. in Washington at the high school gym, by the way. :-) Here's a map.

In addition to all of that, Narrow Path will be leading music worship and this is a great opportunity to come out and support us in our efforts to spread the message of Jesus through song to as many people as possible. We are humbled to be able to serve the people of CCJ and even more humbled that others want us to serve them. Plus, hey, you guys know the songs we'll be doing and we need loud singers to encourage others to sing loudly too. :-)

Help Wanted: Nursery & Kids Help

CCJ is in need of additional volunteers for the nursery and 3-year-old areas for Sunday mornings. If you can help out in either or both of those areas, please contact the chruch office at 481-2410 or email Charlotte, charlotte@ccjasper.com or Stephanie Ackinson, s.ackinson@insightbb.com

Help Wanted: Audio-Video Booth Workers

CCJ is large need of volunteers for the Audio-Video booth.

Jobs include running sound, video systems and camera operators. Many are often intimidated by these positions but you WILL be trained and not just thrown to the wolves, so to speak.

If you are interested in these types of things, have an ear for what sounds good/can distinguish instruments when listening to music or have an eye for a good shot or love working with other people, please contact Nicole Weisman (e-mail: dolphins@psci.net).

This is an awesome opportunity to help the people and visitors of CCJ.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (Post-Easter)

The Good:
- Easter Sunday at CCJ 2009: Jesus is alive! Record attendance of 1,005. The Gospel of Jesus proclaimed.
- Wrap-up of Men's Fraternity. Direction given, plans mapped out. Goals for life.
- The coming week: Dave Ramsey's Town Hall For Hope on Thursday at 8 p.m., One in Christ service in Washington, IN., on Sunday at 4 p.m.
- My smallest child turned 4 this week. Happy birthday, Gabrielle!
- Baseball season in full swing.
- Some nice weather on Friday.
- Getting things done.
- The Jesus Storybook Bible I get to read to my girls every night at bedtime. Also, the fact that Isabella says "Daddy, read the Bible to me" each night makes me smile quite a bit.
- Rolling around and wrestling with the girls last evening. I need to BURN these memories into my head.
- Narrow Path t-shirts came in. Black. Awesome design by Ryan Heathco. $10.


The Bad:
- Oldest child, Isabella, got bronchitis this week. Nasty cough forced her to miss second week in a row of Wednesday night King's Kids.
- Depression.
- Depravity.
- Layoffs, etc.
- My brother didn't get the FBI job he wanted so bad.
- The fact that we had the biggest Sunday ever and only four photos to show for it. (Anyone got more?)


The Ugly:
- My yard before I mowed last week.
- Our floors before we got our new carpet last week.
- Attitudes of people who think they know everything.

This day bespeaks..

"Be still and know that I am God."






Mary

Praise God

I remain uplifted from Sunday's service. Everything, everything about it shouted praise and of hope and the power of God. Darrel, with you're teaching you were "on" and the genuineness of your belief shone brightly, and the message of deliverance rang clear. Daniel, and everyone in Narrow Path, what and incredible and spirited set you played! Praise God! Christ is alive!

Mary F. (aka: fahrmar1)

Sunday's Comin'

Amen.

Freedom From Fear

Freedom from Fear
The below is quoted from a Grapevine article, author unidentified, January 1962.

In my own case, the foundation stone of freedom from fear is that of faith; a faith that, despite all worldly appearances to the contrary, causes me to believe that I live in a universe that makes sense. To me, this means a belief in a Creator who is all power, justice and love; a God who for me intends a purpose to grow, however little and haltingly, toward his own likeness and image. Before the coming of faith, I had lived as an alien in a cosmos that too often seemed both hostile and cruel. In it, there could be no inner security for me.

I remember as a child, and at darker times as an adult, being completely unable to comprehend how I could assume God's likeness and image, largely I believe because that until I developed a deep, personal faith and humbled myself before God, I could only imagine superficial things, not spiritual. Recovery has brought me that incredible gift. The ability to humble myself before God and to be grateful to do so. The world of the spiritual far surpasses any earthly riches. And if I realize that I am becoming fearful, I know it is because I have neglected my relationship with God, and I must immediately ask forgiveness and thank him for my life, exactly as it is.

Without Him, I am nothing.

A Picture of A Monkey ?????

Knock, Knock.....who's there?

Where is everybody? Spring Break? Working in the yard or garden?

Hoping the picture of my granddaughter (and yes, she is a monkey...and no, she doesn't look like me) will give you a smile ;) today.

Gospel Singing

Wow! :) If you didn't make it to tonights (Saturday) gospel singing, you missed a great time. Ken & I were raised on this kind of music. We had a good crowd and S.O.S. Ministries provided desserts and drinks after the concert. There were alot of visiters and plenty of opportunity to witness about God's wonderful work at CCJ. I'm sure everyone left more blessed than they came.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (The Return)

The Good:
-- The mercy and grace that was given to us through the death of Jesus on the cross.
-- A solid E chord through a half-stack.
-- "The Old Rugged Cross" (right in my wheelhouse).
-- Having resisted mowing thus far. (I never mow before April 1 regardless of what the yard looks like).
-- Family coming in (some from both sides at different times).
-- Finished painting the bathroom.
-- Shannon's grandfather doing good after being near death a month ago.
-- The verse the kids are supposed to learn this week.
-- Scoring Metallica tickets today.
-- New carpet next week.
-- Isabella's 6th birthday last week and Gabrielle's 4th the week after next.
-- "Our God is a God who saves!" & "Death has no sting, no final word" (See above video).

The Bad:
-- A "shocking" Sunday (a microphone with a loose connection and my lips do NOT mix).
-- Jobless numbers (and the fact that those numbers are people we do and don't know).
-- Depravity (mine and yours).
-- Busyness.

The Ugly:
-- My lawn (see one of the items in 'The Good').
-- The bathroom before the painting.
-- Broken string during 'Redemption.'