The WAW Team Post 5

I heard on the radio this morning that the newest version of the iPad has just been released-- I didn't catch whether it was version 3 or 4 but all I know is I am now that many versions behind. Even though I’ve been slow to take the plunge I know a day is coming when I will cave to the iPad craze. For now the thought of figuring out the newest technological trend keeps my fingers tightly fastened to the familiar keyboard of my lap top.

But what if you bought your first iPad today and were given the rare opportunity to sit down with the person who inspired and designed it and have him explain to you exactly how it works? He could show you all the things it were capable of doing, how to get the most effective use out of it and how it can really change your life for the better. What if he sweetened the deal even more and said he knew all about your specific needs and therefore could combine his expertise of the ipad and his knowledge of you and tailor it so precisely that your life could not help but be changed by it.

Would you be in?

Or would you prefer to muddle through the blinding encyclopedia of instructions all typed in 6 font Latin-like words and try to figure it out on your own?

When we jump into the Word of God and skip asking Him to be our teacher - to show us exactly what the Word means and how He wants us to apply it- we give up the highest, most privileged advantage to understand what He wants to communicate to us. Why would we not want the Author of the Word and the Creator of us to be the explainer of each:)

So always begin your study of the Word by asking Him to be your teacher! That’s my first tip for any of you who may be new at studying the Bible or those of you who may be like me and sometimes rush into things out of order.

My second tip has to do with keywords.

Keywords are important because they unlock main themes in a verse or passage. A key word will sometimes be repeated in a verse so if you see some repetition, take notice of it.

For example, check out this verse:

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV)

(BTW - this is the theme verse for the WAW Team - word at work in you.)

One of the key things that jumps out at me right away is the word "word" and the contrast between the word of men and the word of God.

A person’s word is often powerless and frequently fails.

But God’s Word....It is never powerless and never fails.

In fact when I looked up "word" in my keyword Bible I found that it is the same Greek word (logos) that John uses when he says "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

Gen. 1:3-31 tells us by His word God spoke the world into existence.

So this "Word" is powerful, active, life giving, life changing and when we accept it, 1 Thessalonians 2:13 goes on to tell us this active, powerful, life giving life force is at work in we who believe.

Isa. 44:23; 55:11 tells us God’s "word" has power to execute His will. It will not return to Him empty but accomplish that which He purposes.

Matt. 13:19 tells us the word bears fruit for God when planted in the good soil of receptive hearts.

And my Expositor's Bible Commentary said, "Once received, this Word of God becomes an active power operating continually in the believer's life. When it is at work in those "who believe," there is a change in behavior and constant fruitfulness."

Wow.  That’s a lot of good stuff that the Word can work in those of us who believe and will open ourselves to it.

If the Word can do all that within me I want to do my part to make sure I am reading it, praying it, meditating on it, memorizing it, studying it, sharing it and doing all I can to get my self in the right posture for the active Word of God to do the work that only it can execute in my life.

Because when the Word does its Work there is nothing quite like it and you will find yourself hungering for more and more.

How about you. How is the Word at Work in your life today?

Do What It Says / BCC Transportation Ministry

This is the second installment of our "Do What It Says" series (based on James 1:22). The purpose of this series is to highlight some different areas some of our ladies are serving in and also share some needs that are out there in hopes of making connections and opening doors for other ladies who are looking for a place to serve. To see the first post about "Do What It Says"  click  here .



Rebecca Kiel - BCC Transportation Ministry


Today I’d like to tell you about BCC's TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY and some needs that maybe God would invite some of you to help meet.  The pretty face in that picture is Rebecca Kiel and she is the one who God has used to start this ministry.  I asked her if she would explain it to us.



Rebecca, who is the transportation intended for?  For anyone in need of transportation to and from church; People of any age that either cannot drive, or do not own a vehicle. May additionally include homeless, nursing home residents, shut-ins...

What does a person need in order to help transport people?  All that is needed is a vehicle - can be big or small. Some wheel chair accessible vehicles are needed but not everyone is wheelchair bound. And a valid drivers liscense of course :)

When do you need people who can help transport others?  Any church service times, or even for things like LifeGroups, Women's or Men's Events, etc.

Where would drivers pick up passengers?   As we increase the members on the transportation team, we would like to aim for making pick-ups and drop-offs as convenient as possible to each transporter's home location. (Ex: Picking up someone near your own community, rather than putting a lot of miles on your vehicle for a pick-up across county... plus, gas is expensive!)

Can you share a little bit about how this simple act of service has benefitted others?  Fellowship and opportunities to connect with others and hear God's Word is a longing unfulfilled in the lives of many who simply have no transportation to church or other events and therefore are relinquished to being home, shelter or nursing home bound. Just giving someone a ride to church can mean so much.
For Example: Vellie Loftis, who is at the Brian Center, said this - "Thank you so much for bringing me to church... It was like breathing in oxygen again."

Vellie, like many others at local nursing homes, is from SC.

SC doesn't have Medicaid beds, and so many SC residents are forced to be placed out of state in NC facilities, out of touch with any family or friends, very isolated, and unable to make contact for themselves with new friends, church family, etc. (If you were to visit a standard nursing home in our county, you would likely find that most everyone you meet is from SC.)

EVERYONE that is on my list for the Brian Center for wanting to come to church is from SC, with the exception of a young man in maybe his early 20's who is from Jacksonville, NC - about 8 hours away. But they just need rides.

There is a gentleman that I met about 9 years ago (from SC also) that has never had opportunity to leave the Brian Center other than for a medical appointment, or for the yearly fishing trip, during the time that I have known him.He also has never had any visitors (family or friends) from his home in SC.

There are many more such cases, that I would like for our church body to "adopt" into our own church family. This begins with giving them the opportunity to be a part of our worship, fellowship, Life Groups, and other blessings of "breathing in oxygen again".

How can those who want to help get involved?  Just contact me (Rebecca) You can call, text or email.  (Trudy or BCC has my contact info)

Is there anything else we can do?  Please pray for these individuals and their needs, as well as for God's hand in orchestrating all of the details, according to His Awesome and Incredible Plans, and that He would draw the people that He chooses for this ministry. Thank you! :)

Would you also please pray for the following...

- WHEELCHAIRS donated/loaned (to deter back injuries resulting from picking up wheelchairs and putting in trunks, etc.)
- HANDICAP/WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE(S) - some individuals have a difficult time transferring, or are wheelchair-bound
- MEMBERS to be added to our ministry (Currently have 2 members)

And finally I'd like to leave you with some PRAISE REPORTS - Two wheelchairs have been donated thus far, and are now on hand at BCC for transporters! Praise God.

Is this an area that you could offer some help?  If so, I believe your efforts would bless you back ten fold.  And what a great day this would be (March 4th) to March forth and meet a need in Christ's name. To get more info contact either BCC or Trudy for Rebecca's contact information or look for Rebecca at church.

 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  James 1:22 



Come To The Table - WAW Team Post 4

To learn more info about the The WAW (Word at Work in you)Team and how to participate click here .

by Sheila Alewine

Each Sunday morning I arrive early to BCC (usually by 7:30 am), in anticipation of our Precept Bible Study.  I have always been a morning person, so getting there early to set up the room and make coffee before my sweet brothers and sisters arrive is really no chore for me.  I like to get there early enough so I have a few minutes of quiet; it's a good time to regroup my thoughts about what we studied the previous week and what we'll be discussing.  It's also a great time to invite God's presence into our class.

A thought occurred to me this week as I was setting up tables, and immediately I knew that it was to be the topic of this post.  My role as a Bible study "leader", "teacher" or "facilitator" (whatever label you want to put on me) is really just that ... to "set the table".  I have done the preparation; I've answered the questions, looked up the scripture, done some word studies, and invariably gone down a few rabbit trails of cross references, as my curiosity usually takes me.  And when the class assembles, I am ready to share what God might have spoken into my heart through the week.  But all in all, I just create the opportunity - if those attending did not also dig into God's Word on their own they wouldn't really benefit from all my study - they would just get a taste from the overflow.  And I would also miss the overflow of their study!

Have you ever found a new recipe, shopped for the ingredients, and prepared the dish, only to have your children (or husband J) sweetly decline what you prepared for them?  Come to find out, they've filled themselves up with Doritos and aren't interested!  We can cajole, and tempt, and even threaten, but if they are truly not hungry, (or maybe they just aren't willing to try something new) it won't do any good.  They simply won't partake. And the worst insult - when they turn down that dish you've spent so much effort to produce, and request instead the Kraft mac-n-cheese or "Dinosaur Chicken Tenders"!

I have to wonder, do I ever do that to God?  His Word is absolutely filled with delectable, interesting, tantalizing storehouses of wisdom and knowledge.  Yet am I satisfied with the out-of-the box?  A devotional...a fill-in-the-blank ...a great message from the pastor (all good things, but "pre-processed" for us).  I have found such incredible satisfaction in exploring God's Word for myself, making it the one thing I cannot live without.  As I eat and drink more and more from His Word, I find myself less and less enamored with this world.  The newspaper holds less interest for me.  Well-written fictional books might be an entertaining diversion now and then, and great Christian authors do have things to say that encourage me ... but my God has set before me a feast - why would I try to live this Christ-life on a snack?

I've learned, too, that ALL of God's Word is worth studying.  We just finished Zechariah - pure prophecy; and about a year ago, we tackled the book of Jeremiah (52 chapters of well...kind of depressing text!) You might say, "What in the world can I learn from flying scrolls and baskets and horses and dreams and visions?" But oh! How much we learned about the character of God. 

Here's a tip that is helpful no matter what book of the Bible you are in.  Keep a running list of all the things you observe in the text about God - who He is, how He acts, why He responds the way He does, what He loves or hates or expects of us, when He is moved to action.  Here are just a few of the things we learned about God from Zechariah.  Trudy would faint if I sent her the whole list to post! :) (Note from Trudy....No I wouldn't....I love the list and would gladly read it all...I'm learning lots just from reading it :) 

• God's Word always comes true.
• God is aware of what goes on in this world; He sends His angels to patrol the earth (cool thought!!)
• God answers our questions with grace and compassion
• God doesn't like humans interfering in His dealings with those who belong to Him.
• God has compassion for those who have suffered His discipline and correction.
• God is very protective and defensive over those who belong to Him.
• God defends those He has chosen; He rebukes satan our accuser
• God rewards our obedience with the privilege of serving Him
• God sends His Spirit to accomplish what He calls us to do
• God's eyes run to and fro through the whole earth - God sees! El Roi!
• God cannot be deceived by outward appearances of piety and spiritual disciplines - He knows what is in our heart.
• God has expectations of how we treat others - to be kind, compassionate and fair; He specifically instructs not to devise evil or oppress others; He hates lying.
• God gets jealous - wrathfully so - for those He loves and chooses.
• God turns curses into blessings, harm into good.
• God accomplishes what He purposes to do
• God restores out of His compassion
• God's Spirit of grace and supplication leads us to repentance
• God's supply of forgiveness is a fountain
• God will refine His people
• God will one day rule over all the earth as the recognized king-the ONLY king!

Does God ever speak something to your heart, and you're not quite sure you heard Him?  So He repeats it.  As I pondered the idea that God "sets the table" before us, and if that was what He really wanted me to put down on paper to share with you, I "happened" to ask Sue Gray to close our class in prayer.  And one of the first things that came out of her mouth was, "God, thank you that you invite us to come to the table."  She prayed in reference to the communion service we were getting ready to participate in, but God so confirmed in my heart that this is what Bible study is ... communion with Him.  And every day, He invites us to come and feast.  And sadly, so many days, we settle for a "snack".

The fact that you are following this blog is a good indication that Bible study is important to you, that you value His Word.  I encourage you, whatever method of Bible study you use, make it the one thing you simply cannot live without.  Let everything else go that our culture tells you is so important.  It's not worth the sacrifice.  Many people say to me, "I just don't have time for in-depth study."  Sisters, we don't have time NOT to study scripture! 

If we desire to be free in Christ, if we really want to experience His presence, His joy, His peace ... we must obsess ourselves ...saturate ourselves...with the Word of God.  It is truly the only thing that will nourish our spiritual life.  We simply cannot live without it.

Stop snacking.  A feast awaits you.  Come to the table!

I love you ladies.

Sheila

(Maybe some of you have not heard of the Precepts class that Sheila leads.  It meets Sunday mornings before 1st Worship and is an excellent place to learn how to delve more deepy into the Word. The next session begins April 1st and the study will be on the Gospel of John.  If you are interested talk to Sheila for more details)

Okay Waw Team....lets hear how the Word has been at work in you recently.  Click "comment(s)" and share away!

To see previous WAW Team postings click
WAW Team Post 1
WAW Team Post 2
WAW Team Post 3

James - Mercy Triumphs

The Beth Moore James Bible Study is in session.  Stop in Friday mornings at 9:30 or Tuesday Evenings at 6:15 and join in!

Hats Off to Charlie's Tire & Hat's On to Overdone Highlights

Something about the middle of winter begs for change? Anybody else ever feel that way?

I start flipping through real estate magazines in search of a new house (yeah right), vow to rid my cabinets of all the junk and rearrange furniture in as many rooms as possible.

Then I look in the mirror and even though there are plenty of things that could use some transforming, I select my hair as the candidate for alteration and implore my stylist to make me brand new. (To which she responds "I am a beautician not a magician")

So the other day I headed out the door to the salon in the pouring down rain. I work hard to collaborate my hair appointments with deluge-type days because there’s nothing like paying lots of money to have your hair fixed then stepping outside for the grand soaker.

On this particular occasion I not only  picked a day with copious amounts of rain but I had the added joy of a flat tire. Rainy days and flat tires are always nice to pair up if possible.

Apparently I drove all the way there without detecting an ounce of deflation, so when a lady came in the salon and announced that a white van had a flat tire she used some dramatic adjectives to express that the thing was so bone flat that it was surely un-drive able. I sensed she was probably thinking "and which of you idiots could manage to drive here without noticing something like that?" (Although she didn’t exactly say it.)

So, I confessed and preceded to do what any girl stuck with a flat tire would do. I got out my phone and starting dialing some numbers. (Never mind that I know how to change it myself...who really wants to do that?)

That’s when I thought of Charlie’s Tire. This place is always so good to me. I figured if I got my best begging voice on surely they’d rescue me.

And they did.

One of the things I love so much about Charlie’s Tire is they never even make you beg. I relayed my predicament and he said he’d be there shortly.

Awesome. I could knock two changes off at once, hair and tire, and not miss a beat for the rest of the day (Even though the latter was not exactly the kind of change I was looking for)

I hung up the phone and the hair dresser went to work putting a lot of odd tin foil looking strips in my hair pointing up in a zillion different directions and stuffed me under some heat blower thing to let it set.

Then it occurred to me. Did I really want Charlie’s Tire man showing up in the middle of this?

Too late.

Charlie’s Tire is not only awesome in their service, they are prompt.

And most of the time I love that about them.

On this day I wouldn’t have minded all that much if repair-guy could have taken a little bit longer to get there.

But there he was standing in the front door....searching.

About that time front desk lady yells over her shoulder, "Charlie’s Tire is here to see flat tire girl. I desperately wanted to crawl under the chair, but I pulled my alien head out from under the heat balloon thing and stepped up to the plate of humiliation.

Do you know that Charlie’s Tire guy stood there and looked me straight in the eye and discussed all the ins and outs about my tire predicament without ever even flinching? It’s like he totally didn’t see all the silver prods spiking out of my Medula style head?

No lie.

At one point I inched my head to the left and peeked in the mirror to make sure I really did look as weird as I thought I did.

I did.

But he might as well have been talking to the librarian about the encyclopedia selections.

Maybe that’s what James is talking about when he says 'my brothers do not show partiality' (James 2:1) To Charlie’s Tire guy’s credit, despite my unconventional appearance I felt absolutely no partiality expressed in my hour of need.  He went to work and fixed up my tire as if I were Cinderella and didn't bat an eye about having to do it outside in the pouring rain. That was some amazing service above and beyond the call.

So to wrap up this somewhat frivolous post (hope you don't mind the frivolty, sometimes its just needful to laugh at ourselves)...if winter is begging you to make a change...and if it happens to be your hair... and you don’t want it to be too dramatic...do not get distracted by a flat tire issue and loose track of the time and emerge with highlights three shades lighter than you intended.

But if a TIRE change is what you need...I highly recommend Charlie’s Tires. They are FABULOUS and there is nothing frivolous about that!

Thanks Charlie’s Tire!!!!!

How about Yall?  Have you been the recipient of such great service that you would love to toot somebody's horn?  Share away.....We could all use a good tip!
　
　
　
　
　
　

　
　
　

WAW Team (Word at Work in us) Post 3

by Tracey McMahan

On January 15th, Pastor Todd started us on a journey of 40 Days of Transformation. It’s been a journey of challenges, conviction, blessing, and change. I guess that pretty much sums up what transformation has looked like for me.

Day 18 found us reading Luke 10:25-28. This passage holds a particular word that has been at work in me.

And a lawyer stood up and put [Jesus] to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live."

Previously, when I’ve read these verses, I’ve continued on to the well-loved story of the good Samaritan. But on that day I couldn’t get past verse 28. It arrested me. It stopped me in my tracks. And it piqued my curiosity: "Do this and you will live."

What could Jesus have possibly meant when He used the word "live" in this way? Webster’s online dictionary offered 9 definitions for the word live. The first was very simplistic: to be alive. Surely Jesus meant more than merely "one who drew breath and had a heartbeat."

Definition number 8 was a bit more intriguing: to have a life rich in experience. I wondered, was that definition more in line with what Jesus meant?

The Amplified Bible read this way: "Do this and you will enjoy active, blessed, endless life in the kingdom of God." Ah, I was getting closer.

Digging a little deeper I discovered treasure buried in the original Greek word zao. In the context of this verse live means not only to have eternal life, but also to be admitted to the bliss and privileges of the Redeemer’s kingdom.

Putting it all together, I now read that if I will but love my great Lord and God with everything I’m about – my heart, my soul, my strength and my mind – and if I will extend this same depth of love to everyone around me, I will have a richness of life that is active, blessed and endless, eternal, blissful and privileged not only here on earth, but forever in the kingdom of my God and my Redeemer.

Now that’s a WAW, would you agree?

Do What It Says! (Kairos Prison Ministry)

For several months I have had an idea stirring around in my head to start a blog series called "Do What It Says." My plan was to spotlight some neat ladies in our community who do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive themselves...but rather do what it says. (James 1:22)

My hope is that by highlighting some different ways people are putting their faith in action others might be inspired to get involved too.  Maybe there are a lot of us out there who would like to get more involved but just don’t know who to connect with or what to do.

I hope this ongoing series called  "Do What it Says" opens up some ideas or some dialogue about how we can put our faith in action and what possibilites are available right here in our own community and beyond.  I know we have a lot of ladies out there quietly serving in some amazing capacities.  (I'm going to need yall's help to expose them) My guess is not one single one of them wants to be spotlighted but I hope many will agree to let me share their stories of how God has invited them to partner with Him.  I also hope that by the time I have exhausted all the possibitlites I am aware of that we will have had the chance to meet a wide variety of ladies serving in a wide range of ways.
　
Today I am super excited to tell you about Kairos Prison Ministry.

These gracious ladies have agreed to be my first in the series - brave of them - I will do my best not to butcher what they do too badly.

They are Pam (on your left) and Carol.

Beautiful, huh?  Wait till you hear what they do. You will realize the beauty on the inside is even greater than it is on the outside!

They are part of  "Kairos Prison Ministry" - a faith based ministry that addresses the spiritual needs of prisoners.  (Sheilah B. from BCC is also part of this ministry team)

Carol, Pam and Sheila train along with over 30 other women from various churches to serve in prisons.  One of the things they do is a 4 day weekend retreat twice a year (April and October) where inmates are invited to come and experience a setting unlike anything they have ever known.

The chaplain of the prison selects a certain number of inmates to attend this Kairos retreat which is held inside a correctional facility. There are many inmates who want to come but the number is limited to how many trained ministry volunteers they have to serve these ladies and how many have been financially sponsored.  So sadly, everyone who wants to come, cannot.

Can you imagine going from prison where life is raw & tough into a setting such as a Kairos retreat where ladies who love the Lord are there solely to love on you and serve you in Christ’s name?

Can you imagine the impact of that?

Here’s how Carol describes it.

"We go in as advocates of Christ. Christ calls us to servanthood and that is our focus. During our team training times we have asked Christ’s forgiveness for any area in our own lives that have centered on self and for His ability to go in a serve in a selfless sacrificial way. We ask for His help to be the loving people we need to be for the residents (inmates).

When the residents arrive to a Kairos retreat they are angry, tough and hard. If you can picture life in prison, it is too risky to be open and share what's going on in your life because there is always a fear that it will be used against you, not a time to break down walls of protection. Residents who come to us for 4 days will never hear criticism but only love, and see only love in action as they watch our team interact with each other. The peaceful, loving atmosphere at the retreat is something most of them have never experienced before. It is likely they have never experienced any love in their real families.

We take wonderful home-cooked meals into the prison and we all sit and eat together in family settings. Meals are prepared by volunteers at the church and brought in through security and inspections. This food is quite a change from what they get in the commissary.

We listen to teaching/talks about God’s forgiveness and break into small groups which stay together throughout the 4 days so they might open up and share concerns.  We pray for each other. We teach them how to do this and we go back once a month to facilitate the 'Prayer and Share' concept.  We see wonderful progress as residents share about "Kairos" in their lives.

As I said, we start with a bunch of residents who are angry, tough, and hard but we SEE God work and by Saturday night there are tears and joy when they realize that God forgives them.  Sunday is about what to do with this new knowledge of God.

At the end of the four days we see a dramatic change in the residents from Thursday when we first met them.  That is because Kairos is truly God’s ministry.  It is 40 years old, international, ecumenical, evangelical and time-proven.   The rate of those who return to prison after Kairos is dramatically lowered.


Wow...Talk about transformational...

 In Matthew 25:36 Jesus says,  "I was in prison and you came to visit Me" 

If you are feeling a tug to be a part of this ministry please find Carol, Pam, or Sheila and talk to them.  If you don't know any of these ladies let me know and I will connect you to one of them. I have purposely not put any personal contact info on this site but I will be glad to give it to you offline.

Or maybe you are interested in being a Matt 25:36 bridge by helping any of these 3 ladies who are already involved.  I asked Carol if I could post specific ways that we could help.  She replied with the following four ways:

• We need cookies - enough to give every resident, Kairos and non-Kairos each.  It is one way to give Agape love to all unconditionally.  There is specific information about that which we can provide. (I know we got some bakers out there - the next Kairos retreat is April)

• We need placemats for  36 ladies for 5 times a day (3 meals plus 2 snacks).   The residents love placemats with children’s handprints.   Most have children they cannot see and they go and put their hands over the placemat hands.  (okay that one just got to this mom's heart) A Bible verse or a short showing of love is wonderful too.  Please sign first name only and age.

• We need "green agape."  Each volunteer  agrees to cover the cost for at least one resident to attend ($150 ) which supplies food, books, materials etc.   If you would like to help financially you can do that in any amount.  No gift is too small.        

•  We need prayers.   There will be people praying around the clock during the days we are inside prison.  We need people who will agree to pray for 30 minutes at a time and we will have a way to sign-up in the near future.   Residents cannot believe that someone would give their time to pray for them.   Most have never been shown love.

Mercy, I don't know about you but I have been deeply touched just by hearing what these ladies do.  

Thank you Carol, Pam and Sheila! Your feet are beautiful!

How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"  Isaiah 52:7 (NKJV)