Hi Everyone,
I can’t tell you what a blessing it was for me to share in Brandon Geister’s baptism last Sunday morning! It was just about one month ago that I had the opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan River. It was a great thrill for me, but no greater thrill than seeing a young guy like Brandon stand unshamedly before the world and declare his love and passion for our Savior. We’re excited to see how the Lord is working in your life Brandon!
Hi Everyone,
I wish you could have seen all of the bright, smiling faces that gathered at the church this morning just as the sun was coming up. Somewhere between 110-120 kids and their sponsors loaded the buses and vans and headed out to Kids Across America for a week that none of them will ever forget.
I want to ask you to pray for our kids and adults as they experience the wonders of camp this week. Throughout the years I’ve seen some truly remarkable things happen in the lives of those who have gone to Kids Across America. The most remarkable has been kids coming home with the hope of Jesus written upon their hearts. I can’t wait until they return with their stories to share with all of us. Have a great week.
Long before the showdown at the OK Corral there was a showdown of epic proportions in a land far away. The site was Mount Carmel, located on the Mediterranean coast of northern Israel, overlooking the modern-day city of Haifa. When the Israelites made their way into the Promised Land each tribe was allotted land. The tribe of Asher was given the area around what we know as Mount Carmel. (Joshua 19:26)
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This has been a week where I’ve scratched my head and wondered, “What in the world is going on in the Church? What are we thinking?” If I read Scripture right, then those of us who call ourselves “Christians” are to be “the salt of the earth and the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:13-14) That calling from God makes sense to me as I live in a tasteless and dark world.
After what I’ve been reading and hearing this week it seems to me that church buildings keep going up all across America, but the lights are off. We’ve got beautiful buildings, but no power. We’ve sold out to society. We are listening to what those in our society want rather than what God commands. Our mission statement is no longer the Great Commandment or the Great Commission but, “Do whatever it takes to be as attractive to the world as possible.”
Maybe you haven’t been reading the paper or listening to the news this week and you are wondering what I’m talking about. Well, let me give you a few samples, all of which have taken place this week.
First, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), on Monday of this week, voted at their National Assembly in Birmingham, AL to “receive” the recommendation for new language to describe the Trinity. Article from a newspaper writes,
The divine Trinity — “Father, Son and Holy Spirit” — could also be known as “Mother, Child and Womb” or “Rock, Redeemer, Friend” at some Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) services under an action Monday by the church’s national assembly.
“Mother, Child, and Womb?” Which verse in the Bible led to that decision? If that were not enough the leaders of the denomination then voted to allow congregations to hire homosexual clergy. The Presbyterians weren’t alone in this decision. The Associated Press reported on June 20th.
In Ohio, Episcopal delegates snubbed Anglican leaders’ request to temporarily stop electing gay bishops, a vote that could hasten a break with Anglicans worldwide. A few hours later, the Presbyterian Church USA, at a separate meeting in Alabama, approved a plan to let local congregations hire gay ministers even though it’s against church law.
The new presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Dr. Katherine Schori, gave her first sermon after being elected to such an important leadership position. What the title of her sermon? Can’t tell you. What Scripture did she use? It wasn’t reported. What was reported was one paragraph of her sermon. Here it is: “Mother Jesus gives birth to a new creation — and you and I are His children. If we’re going to keep on growing into Christ images for the world around us, we’re going to have to give up fear.”
“Mother Jesus?” What Bible is she reading? At the same time that I’ve heard these stories this week I’ve also heard about a huge church here in town that is considering doing away with baptism because it has become a “rite of initiation” more than anything else. Lord help us.
I believe with all of my heart that there has never been a better time for the Church in America. Each and every day I run into folks who are hurting, struggling, groping about in the dark. They’ve tried the thiigs offered by world, they’ve sought fulfillment in the things the world suggests will fill them up and make them happy, and they have found them empty. Absolutely empty! Why would we want to accomodate the world when Jesus said that He has come to give life and to give it in abundance? We need to stick to the Word of God. We don’t need to be creative in how to communicate the timeless truths of God’s Word. God’s Word is its own authority. It is “living and active” and able lead us like nothing else.
With all of the craziness going on in the Church in our day I want to urge you to stick to the Book. God’s Word, not some General Assembly or denominational body, is our final Word.
On this Father’s Day I have to tell you that in my mind there has never been a greater day to be a man seeking after the things of God than this day in which we live. You may wonder how I could say such a thing with all of the negative press that men have been getting over the past few years. That is a fair question and one that deserves our attention.
Men have been getting a lot of press during the past few years, much of it exposing our sin and expounding upon our shortcomings. We read how we have failed our wives and children, floundered in our pursuit of integrity and honor, and how we have fumbled around with no direction and no purpose in life. I don’t need to recite the detailed lists of ways in which we have failed – most of us, if we get honest with ourselves, are well aware of our foibles, failures, and the ways we have fallen.
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Thanks to all who joined us at the OKC Zoo on Saturday! We had around 21 people come to fellowship and to check out the zoo animals! We ate lunch together and had a wonderful time! Come join us for our next Family Fun Day!
Good Morning Guys,
After meeting with our men for Bible Study this morning I got to thinking about Father’s Day coming up this Sunday. Father’s Day is a special day when we give our dad’s all kinds of gifts that they don’t really need. How many neckties can a guy wear at once? How many more sleeves of golf balls do you really need? You may need a new power tool, but if the truth be known you will go to Home Depot and buy it yourself if you need it, right? Men, I want to invite you to invite your buddies, the men in your life, to join us this coming Sunday as we celebrate Father’s Day at BCC. I’ve got a gift for everyone who carves out a couple of hours on Sunday morning and chooses to come to church. I promise no ties, no Ipods, no chainsaws or weedeaters, and no gift certificates for a round of golf at your favorite course. I’ve got something much more valuable, something that will last much longer, and something that could radically change your life as a man.
This Sunday we are going to take a look at Psalm 1 in a lesson I like to refer to as “A Man’s Delight.” Men get excited about many different things these days. Some guys are pumped about the Mavs taking another shot at Shaq and the Miami Heat. Other guys are chomping at the bit for the fall football season to finally arrive. Some guys salivate at the thought of tinkering around with their cars or throwing a line in the water. These things are all good and fine, if they are kept in their proper place, but God is inviting us to find our joy in something far more meaningful.
I am praying for our church to be packed with guys this Sunday morning. I know there are some ladies and kiddos who are reading this note and I want to encourage you to pray like crazy that the men in your life–your husbands, dads, brothers, uncles, grandfathers, and buddies will join you in church this Sunday morning. I hope to see all of you then.
This morning I want to invite you to put on your walking shoes and join me as we head out of Caesarea, which is where we visited Cornelius last week, and make our way north of the Sea of Galilee to the city of Caesarea Philippi. The distance we will travel this morning is a little over 100 miles, but it will be well worth the journey so let’s head out. I’ll fill you in on a little history of the city before we get to our Scripture for this morning.
This week, 11 children from Britton Christian Church went to Friendship Camp in Guthrie, Oklahoma. With opportunities to learn about friendship, respect, patience and love, these campers returned full of excitement! They even got to spend a day at White Water Bay! The kids loved every minute of their week and they didn’t even mind their sunburns! Thanks to God for a safe and fun time at Friendship Camp! Thank you for your prayers!
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to ask you to keep Amanda Curtis and Anthony Warner in your prayers as they left this morning to join a group of kids from across the country for a two week mission with Higher Ground. HG is the leadership component of Kids Across America Summer Camp in Branson, MO. We have over 120 kids who will be going to KAA in just two weeks!
Amanda and Anthony, while they were campers at KAA, were recognized for their great leadership qualities and chosen to participate in the 3 year Higher Ground camp program. Both are in their second year and will be spending one week in Branson planning their mission to Dallas with other 2nd year HG kids from around the country. The second week of their mission will be spent in Dallas implementing the mission project in one of the communities. We are so proud of Amanda and Anthony and how the Lord is working in their lives. Please keep them in your prayers as they serve our King.
Vacation Bible School is coming July 24th-28th!
This Sunday, June 11th, register your child (ages 3 through 5th grade) for this year’s awesome and fun adventure!
This year’s VBS theme is “Trading Spaces,” where kids discover that Jesus makes a difference all across the globe!
Please make sure to register your child this Sunday in the Narthex before or after the services. Also, pick up a coloring sheet to enter your child in the VBS Color Contest to win a prize!
Come join us at the OKC Zoo! All BCC families are invited to join us this Saturday, June 10th from 9:00 am to Noon. Admission is $5.25 for ages 12 and older, $3.00 for children ages 3 to 11. Children under 3 are free!
Please call Kristin to Register by this Thursday, June 8th at 5:00 pm. Just make sure to bring your money with you to the Zoo!
On Saturday, meet at the Zoo Gates at 8:45 am and bring your sack lunch or buy your lunch from the food court. We’ll eat at 11:30 near the playground. We’ll provide drinks and dessert!
Can’t wait to see you there!
Dear Church Family,
We have several friends and family members who are serving our country in Iraq. We continue to pray for these courageous men and their families. I received a note from one of our men, Richard Sheffield, just this morning. I wanted to pass the note and pictures along to you and ask you to pray for Richard and his men. Pray also for Richard’s wife, Tashia, and his children and family who love him so much. God bless you.
In His Steps,
Mike
HEY PASTOR MIKE,
HOW IS EVERYTHING GOING?HERE ARE SOME PICS THAT I WAS ABLE TO TAKE WHILE BEING OVER HERE IN IRAQ. I AM IN CHARGE OF A CONVOY TEAM NOW, SO I MAKE SURE THAT WE RECOGNIZE WHO GOD IS, AND THAT HE IS THE ONE KEEPING US ALIVE OUT HERE. I THANK GOD THAT HE HAS GIVEN ME THE CHANCE TO SHOW WHO HE IS TO THE SOLDIERS AND OFFICERS OF MY UNIT. IT HAS REALLY BEEN A BLESSING MEETING THESE MEN, AND TALKING ABOUT THE GOD THAT I SERVE! IN ANOTHER PICTURE WE STAND ON THE STREETS OF IRAQ, IN THE MIDDLE OF WAR, AND I PRAY FOR MY BROTHERS. I REALLY ENJOY PRAYING WITH THEM EVERY TIME WE ARE ON A MISSION. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE CHURCH FAMILY. TALK TO YOU SOON!
Hi Everyone,
I tried to prepare you. I urged you to get in your seat early and hold on. I didn’t lead you astray did I? What an incredible morning we had at BCC! I couldn’t think of any better way to celebrate our 16th anniversary together than to get to baptize three folks, welcome John Erick Munneke into the fellowship of BCC, and congratulate 25 of our graduates! I am so grateful for how we continue to see God’s hand at work. Baptized this morning were Quanesha Cheadle, Trashananas, and Simone Graves. I’ve included a picture of these three wonderful ladies for you so that you can pray for them. I’ve also included a picture of our graduates so that you can pat them on the back and congratulate them the next time you see them. I also want to thank all of you for being with us and making it such a special day.
In His Steps,
Mike
Trashananas and Simone Graves
Last Sunday we were visiting the “Tri-Cities” area of Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Korazin on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. This week we are going to travel down to the Mediterranean Sea to a city called Caesarea. Caesarea is an ancient city that really began to take shape after the Persians had given the area from the city of Dor to Joppa to the Sidonians in the 5th century B.C. They gave the area on the coast to the Sidonians because the Sidonians had helped the Persians during the Persian invasion of Greece. The city wasn’t called Caesarea back in those days; it was called Strato’s Tower, named after the Sidonian King Abdashtart. The Sidonians used the port city as a way station for their merchant ships in their trading with Egypt until the city came under Jewish control after the conquests of the Hasmonean ruler, Alexander Jannaeus. Later, in 63 B.C., the city came under Roman rule when Pompey conquered it in 63 B.C.
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All BCC families are invited to join us on Saturday, June 10th from 9:00 am to Noon. Admission is $5.25 for 12 and older, $3.00 for children ages 3 to 11. Children under 3 are free!
Register this Sunday, June 4th in the Narthex or Gymnasium. Bring your money at this time in order to receive the reduced rates. If you can’t make it this Sunday, please call Kristin Wilsey at BCC to sign up!
On June 1oth, meet at the Zoo at 8:45 am and bring a sack lunch. We’ll provide drinks and dessert! Can’t wait to see you there!
