An independent Baptist church.
Lively Stones
Lively Stones Class Activity
An activity that the whole family can enjoy.
Come out on October 22, at 10:30 am and spend some time together
as a family and fellowship with the class as well.
Big Horse Feed Corn Maze
33320 Temecula Parkway/Hwy 79 S.
Temecula, CA 92592
Saturday, October 22, 2011
10:30 am
Corn Maze and Three Activities: $13.00
Maze only: $9.00
Children under three are free!
We certainly don’t put the same amount of stock in names as we once did. There was a time when names were chosen specifically for their meaning. Anymore it seems like people simply write down the first word that comes to mind when they fill out their child’s birth certificate. At least I hope that no serious thought went into naming a child who is saddled with an appellation such as “Apple” or “Pilot Inspektor”. If we did base our decision on the meaning of the name there would be no little boys named “Calvin” (bald one”) and definitely no one would name a child “Kennedy” (ugly head). I certainly didn’t search the meaning of the names we’ve chosen for our sons. Instead of “Bryce” (son of rice), I would have named him “Kevin” (Handsome) and Henry would still be “Henry” (Ruler of the Home), but I would have added “Egbert” (formidably intelligent) as well.
The wonderful truth is that there is great meaning and significance in the name “Emmanuel”. Matthew 1:23 quotes the prophet Isaiah, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Earlier in verse 21 and later in verse 25, the Bible clearly indicates that this Emmanuel is Jesus Christ and that He would “save His people from their sins.” We know the meaning of Emmanuel, but often we forget the significance of that meaning.
GOD
First, this name declares the Deity of Christ. In this day and age many religious groups call into question the deity of Christ. Many claim He is nothing more than a man – a good man, but a man nonetheless. They will say He was a prophet and some may confess that He is indeed the Son of God, but only insomuch that He is a creation of God and not actually God, essentially stripping away His Godliness and thus the efficacy of His atoning work on the cross. We must realize that this name speaks of Who Jesus is. He is God. This verse clearly proclaims this truth. He is God and has all the power and might of God, but beyond that, it also magnifies what He became for us. Philippians 2:5-8 lays it out for us:
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
WITH
This word alludes to accompaniment. I have a limited background in music. It’s limited in that I have been the music director at Calvary Baptist Church for almost 10 years which encompasses my entire music background, save a song leading class I was forced to take in college. However, in that time I have learned a great deal about music and come to understand the importance of accompaniment. I do not sing well, but I do not sing at all without adequate accompaniment. Accompaniment serves two purposes (there may be more but for the sake of this illustration we will only deal with the two). First, it serves to support. It aids the singer in staying on the right note, in the right key and for those with my nondescript talents, it helps us sing the right song. Its purpose is to help the singer sing. Much like accompaniment, Christ helps the Christian live like a Christian. We cannot hope to do it apart from Him. Second, accompaniment enhances. Once a singer is comfortable with the notes, key and timing of a song, they can allow the accompaniment to aid in dynamics and help communicate the message of the song more clearly and beautifully. Christ has promised that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. If we are obedient and live by the principles of His Word (which He has promised to help us do), He will bless us and enhance our lives. John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
This word alludes to accompaniment. I have a limited background in music. It’s limited in that I have been the music director at Calvary Baptist Church for almost 10 years which encompasses my entire music background, save a song leading class I was forced to take in college. However, in that time I have learned a great deal about music and come to understand the importance of accompaniment. I do not sing well, but I do not sing at all without adequate accompaniment. Accompaniment serves two purposes (there may be more but for the sake of this illustration we will only deal with the two). First, it serves to support. It aids the singer in staying on the right note, in the right key and for those with my nondescript talents, it helps us sing the right song. Its purpose is to help the singer sing. Much like accompaniment, Christ helps the Christian live like a Christian. We cannot hope to do it apart from Him. Second, accompaniment enhances. Once a singer is comfortable with the notes, key and timing of a song, they can allow the accompaniment to aid in dynamics and help communicate the message of the song more clearly and beautifully. Christ has promised that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. If we are obedient and live by the principles of His Word (which He has promised to help us do), He will bless us and enhance our lives. John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
US
Lastly, this requires a reckoning. We must realize that “us” means us. We must stop reading the Bible like we listen to radio contests. Often radio stations have prizes and giveaways that you can win if you’re the ninth caller. We may hear what it says and even be tempted to call but we never really reckon that the you in “you could win” means us. We know that they are referring to somebody else because “we” never win. Conversely, when the Bible declare that “God is with US”, the “us” isn’t some nebulous group of people that we’ll never meet or know. When the Bible says “us”, it means you and me. We are “us”. We must begin to read the Bible in the way God intended for it to be read – a letter addressed to specific people. Just because it applies to everyone in general doesn’t mean that it’s not meant on a personal and intimate level as well.
Lastly, this requires a reckoning. We must realize that “us” means us. We must stop reading the Bible like we listen to radio contests. Often radio stations have prizes and giveaways that you can win if you’re the ninth caller. We may hear what it says and even be tempted to call but we never really reckon that the you in “you could win” means us. We know that they are referring to somebody else because “we” never win. Conversely, when the Bible declare that “God is with US”, the “us” isn’t some nebulous group of people that we’ll never meet or know. When the Bible says “us”, it means you and me. We are “us”. We must begin to read the Bible in the way God intended for it to be read – a letter addressed to specific people. Just because it applies to everyone in general doesn’t mean that it’s not meant on a personal and intimate level as well.
We know what the Bible says, but do we allow it to shape our thinking and way of life? Do we go about thinking that God, in fact, IS with us? This Christmas season let’s bear in mind these truths and allow them to shape the way we view it. You’ll find that the “true meaning of Christmas” (a thing for which the world is constantly searching) is not easily forgotten. You will have a very merry Christmas when you recognize that God is with you.
Merry Christmas!
Big Horse Feed Corn Maze
33320 Temecula Parkway/Hwy 79 S.
Temecula, CA 92592
Saturday, October 30, 2010
10:00 am
Corn Maze and Three Activities: $13.00
Maze only: $9.00
Children under three are free!
Reposted from McKenzie-visit-with-God.blogspot.com
1 Samuel 15:9 KJV
But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
Verse 22 says, “behold to obey is better than sacrifice.”
I doubt that Saul and the people really saved all that was good to give as sacrifices to the Lord.
It is a matter of human reasoning; these just seemed too good to destroy. No matter what was the Word of the Lord, God must not have meant to destroy these.
• Perhaps the prophet was a little too zealous.
• Perhaps Saul had misunderstood.
• What if the whole thing was just national zeal and religious fanaticism?
• What if God had not really spoken to Samuel at all?
This was good stuff. It surely should be saved.
Now here is the truth; God is better than all that is good in this world.
• No amount of worldly possession
• No degree of worldly success
Could ever equal favor and the blessing of fellowship with God.
But God is jealous. He will not share our devotion with all that is good in this world. We must have Him alone or not at all.
Pastor Marvin McKenzie
Bible Baptist Church
Puyallup, Washington
When: September 29, 2010-10:00 am-12:00 pm
Where: Sensory Time Center-41421 Date Street, Suite 101, Murrieta, Ca 92563
How Much: Adults, crawlers and first timers are free. It’s $3.00 from 10:00 am-1:00 pm.
Come on out for a chance to get the kids out of the house and let them play. Also, it’s a great opportunity to fellowship with other moms.
I Peter 2:4-5 “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
When we began preparing for our class, we wanted to give it a specific name so that it wouldn’t become a nebulous Bible class with no real identification other than the young adults. We wanted a name so that we could have a class identity and to build a fellowship and connection to one another through that identity. You may be thinking, “That’s all well and good but what’s a ‘Lively Stone’?”
We chose Lively Stone for a couple of reasons:
- It identifies us with Christ-
He is the Living Stone and we are the lively stones that are built up on Him. He is the true foundation by which we are compelled to guide the building of our lives. - It speaks of the need for growth and advancement-
All Christians are called lively stones, having been quickened in the Spirit and should be actively participating in holiness. - It declares our responsibilities as individuals and as families-
We are to build ourselves up a spiritual house and offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. In other words, we recognize that our bodies and lives are the dwelling place of the Spirit of God and we sacrifice our own will and desires by submitting ourselves to the Will of God. - It offers us great blessings when we fully surrender to God-
We will not be confounded. People in this world are willing to pay anything for clarity and peace; the very kind that Christ promises to those who believe on Him and follow His will. (I Peter 2:6)
Ultimately Christians are to be identified with Christ. The very name Christian means,”like Christ”. Our desire as Lively Stones is to strive to be more Christ like and help and encourage one another to do so as well.
For those in their 20′s and 30′s, the Lively Stones meet every Sunday morning at 10 AM in the Jr. Church assembly room. The purpose of the Lively Stones class is to help Christians navigate the transitions of life through the principles of and instruction in the Word of God with an emphasis on building up young families for the service of the Lord in His local church.
I have been eagerly anticipating this Sunday for almost three months now. I’ve been like a kid with a big present under the Christmas tree. I am so glad that the opening Sunday is finally here.
There is so much we want to do with this class. It will take a little bit of time to implement all of the ideas that we have. If I may, I would like to share a few of those things with you right here. This is by no means an extensive list-just a couple of the things that are rattling around in my head.
- A Weekly Class Prayer List- it’s important that we help bear each other’s burdens and one of the best ways to do that is to pray for each other on a regular basis.
- Mommy and Me Outings- All of you with small children understand the value of getting them out of the house, as well as the opportunity to carry on conversations with other adults.
- Family Fellowships- A chance to get to know other people in our class by hosting them in your home.
- Internet Access to the Class- We have already set up a Facebook page where we will post pictures of class activities as well as announcements concerning the class. We also will use this page on our church website to post announcements, special prayer requests and Sunday School materials so that even if you miss a class you can still keep up.
These are just a few of the items on our “To Do” list and it seems to grow every time I get a moment to stop and think. I welcome all suggestions for our class.
Also, if you want to stay up to date with all postings, you can get emails everytime we add a new item to the page. Simply scroll to and click on the “Alert Me” window at the bottom of the page and we will send you an update automatically.
It’s been said before that the more you put into something, the more you’ll get out of it. I believe that is especially true with church. If you come willing and ready to be a blessing, you will surely receive one. So don’t miss out on the first class and don’t miss any opportunities you have to fellowship and labor with us.
