Dan McGuire and others are planning a short term mission trip to San Salvador this coming mid-March during spring break. They will most likely be teaching English classes, offering a soccer camp and visiting a children’s center. Plans need to be finalized by the end of the month. There will be informational meetings this Sunday, October 26th, after each service and at 5:45pm.  If you are interested in finding out more call Dan at 577-1607.

Coming up next weekend, we’ll be offering a refreshing and relaxing evening for you and your spouse at a mini-retreat called “Diamond in the Rough;" a Tribute to Marriage.  It’s on Saturday, November 1st, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.  and located at Zeke's (3329 West Lincoln Way).

I’m not going to give you my opinions about what our government should do.  Instead I want to focus on our own hearts.  How can we have a faith-filled and peace-filled life, even in the midst of very difficult times?  God has answers.

One of the best ways to have peace in a troubled world is to follow the adage:  Take one day at a time.  This expression comes from Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Don’t worry about tomorrow or any day in the future.  Why not?  Essentially, Jesus is saying that every day has enough trouble of its own, so why be anxious.  Just focus on today.

Over the past two months, this “one day at a time” theme has been the greatest lesson I’ve been learning.  My health issues (pain from a herniated disc in my lower back) have at times prompted me to be anxious:  “What if I am not better in two weeks or four weeks?  How much pain can I endure?  What about this or that?”  I could almost go insane from worry.  But the Lord keeps bringing Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 back to me:  “Brad, do not worry about tomorrow or the next day.  Focus on today.  Walk in faith today.  That is the most important thing you can do for Me today.”  This lesson has been unbelievably helpful, helping me to focus on the next few hours ahead of me with the goal of walking by faith.  I cannot know the future nor fix it, but I can walk by faith this next hour and the hour after it.  (This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan or dream for the future.)

One of main reasons we get anxious is because of fear.  We are afraid of the unknown and the future.  Read author Larry Burkett’s words on this:  “The opposite of fear is faith.  In Hebrews, faith is described as things that we hope for and things that we do not presently have (Hebrews 11:1).  It is God's plan that we have some needs in order that we can develop our faith in Him.  It is vital that we view these potential future financial needs as opportunities to exercise and develop our faith.  No Christian can truly serve God and live in fear of financial loss.  In Matthew 6:24, Christ was very specific when He said that we must make a choice.  We must either serve God or money.  We cannot serve both.  If we are fearful of our financial future, we are not trusting in God or in His provision…God has conquered all fear and holds the future in His hands.”

George Muller, a Christian leader in 19th century England, was a great man of faith who found himself constantly tested about finances as he cared for hundreds of orphans taken off the streets of Bristol, England.  In spite of this testing, he regularly walked by faith in complete peace because he had great faith.  Here’s what he had to say:

“All believers are called upon, in the simple confidence of faith, to cast all their burdens on God and to trust Him for everything.  They should not only make everything a subject of prayer, but expect answers to their petitions which they have asked according to His will and in the name of the Lord Jesus….Moment by moment, I depend on Him.  If I were left to myself, my faith would utterly fail.

“My faith is the same faith which is found in every believer.  It has been increasing little by little for the last twenty-six years.  Many times when I could have gone insane from worry, I was in peace because my soul believed the truth of that promise—“We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” (Romans 8:28). 

Don’t look to the latest media reports for your encouragement, lest your joy and peace go up and down as much as the stock market does!  And don’t place your hope in politicians to bring stability to your soul.  (Yet we should still pray for them per 1 Timothy 2:1-4 to lead our country towards godliness.)  Our government is not our savior.  A strong economy or large bank accounts are not our savior.  We have only one Savior and one Hope, and His name isn’t Uncle Sam!  Psalm 65:5-6 says, “By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas;  6 the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might…”  My greatest concern in our country is not our economy.  My greatest concern is the condition of our souls and the souls of our fellow Americans:  to be right with God and to walk in faith in Him.

Let me give you some specific and practical steps you should take to have peace and walk in faith:

I will close with this benediction from the Apostle Paul:  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”  (Romans 15:13)

Creation Speaker, Dr. Tommy Mitchell speaks during Stonebrook services, Sunday, October19th. For more information check out his bio here.

Sunday 10/19/2008

9am "Why Genesis Matters"

"Why Genesis Matters" explains why a literal acceptance of the book of Genesis from the pastor to the pew is foundational for the modern church to fulfill its missions of winning souls and raising up strong Christians.

10:45am "Did Anybody Hear a Big Bang?"

"Did Anybody Hear a Big Bang?" is primarily aimed at middle and high school audiences. This presentation deals with fossils, DNA, dating methods, the Big Bang, and other topics. The primary focus is the distinction between observational and historical science. The discussion helps to promote understanding of a sound scientific method by viewing the world around us from the perspective of a literal Genesis.

2pm A casual Q & A with scientists, science students and the skeptically minded

6pm "Why Can't a Day Mean a Day?"

"Why Can't a Day Mean a Day?" exposes the danger of inserting millions of years into the Bible. Millions of years require millions of compromises on the part of the Christian and the church, watering down the Gospel message and hindering the ability to provide answers to those seeking the truth they can trust.

7:30pm "Scientific Controversies: Stem Cells/ Cloning and the Big Bang"

"Scientific Controversies: Stem Cells/Cloning and the Big Bang" introduces two issues many would like to understand better. Christians need scientifically accurate and Biblically sound information to develop their opinions. The big bang taught so authoritatively in schools is in big trouble. Issues raised by stem cells and cloning are hot topics with enormous moral ramifications. Christians needs this information to avoid letting the popular media and educational system control their thinking.

Watch this video!

Come share in our annual all-church Picnic with extra reason, as Stonebrook Church celebrates 10 years of open doors.

4-7pm, located at the park near Stonebrook, Lloyd Kurtz.  Music to follow afterwards.

By last name, A-G bring side dishes; H-N bring salads; O-U bring fruit; and V-Z bring dessert.  Meat, drinks, and dinnerware provided!

Set your alarms or plan for coffee, Stonebrook's solo Summer service turns back into its regular two-services schedule; its first at 9am and the second at 10:45am.