Archive for October, 2007
A Name Like No Other
Acts 4:12
Sunday, October 28th, 2007
In Memory of John Chandler
Thursday, October 25th, 2007
Dear Friends,
Throughout the years that I’ve been at BCC I have had the blessing of meeting and getting to know some very special people. A few short years ago I had the privilege of meeting John Chandler. He came to BCC from Corinth, Mississippi and he came for a specific reason: he was looking for a new start and he wanted to seek the Lord with all of his heart. I will never forget meeting John for the first time as his pastor, Brother Gary, drove him from Corinth to OKC where we met at Ted’s restaurant. John was bug-eyed. He didn’t know us and we didn’t know him, but he was told BCC would be a good place for him to get a fresh start.
It didn’t take John ten minutes to capture the hearts of everyone at BCC. He was a gentle giant. He was so willing to help with anything. He volunteered with the boys basketball and baseball team. He hung out with the Middle School and High School kids. He helped mow yards, stuff worship bulletins, and teach kids how to snow ski. He was so polite, kind, and gracious to everyone he met. He had a wonderful habit of calling you “Mr.” or “Miss.” so-and-so. He had a smile that lit up the room when he walked in. He loved kids and he loved the Lord. Wow! Is it any wonder that all of us love John so much!
Early this morning we received a phone call letting us know that someone had shot and killed John. I couldn’t believe what I heard. I didn’t want to believe what I had heard. It is true. John is now with the Lord and we all have a huge hole in our hearts. I’ve talked to so many people today, all of them are numb, all of them are hurting, and all of them love John so much.
As sad as I’ve been today, I am so grateful that the Lord has allowed me to know John. I’m a better person today because I knew John Chandler. If I would have never met and gotten to know John then I would not be feeling this great sorrow and empty feeling that has been gnawing at my gut all day. I’ll take the sorrow and empty feeling any day. Thanks Lord for allowing me to know one of Your special kids! Thanks Lord for giving us the assurance that this life is not all there is…heaven is John’s new home.
In His Steps,
Mike
Here Comes The Judge!
Monday, October 22nd, 2007
Hi Guys,
The High School Road Trip continued on Sunday night as we visited Judge Roger Stuart’s courtroom. Thanks Judge Stuart for allowing us to come into your courtroom on a Sunday evening!
Our Bible study was over Jesus’ parable of “The Sheep and the Goats” from Matthew 25:31-46. It was a powerful experience to watch the guy in need walk into the courtroom, point out the kids that stopped to help him, and then say, “I was in need and you stopped to see if you could help. Jesus said, ‘In as much as you’ve done it unto the least of these brothers of mine you have done it unto Me.’“ Boy, did I feel horrible when he pointed at me and said, “I was hungry and you passed right by me. I was in need of decent clothes and you looked at me like I was a bum. Jesus said, ‘In as much as you did not do it unto one of the least of these you did not do it unto Me.’“ What a great opportunity we’ve been given as we go to work or to school each day. I hope you will pray for the Lord to give you eyes to see those at your school who are “in need.” I also hope that we will also take the time to look closely so that we can see Jesus in the faces of those who are in need. Have a great week and I will see you next Sunday.
In His Steps,
Mike
Empty Thoughts and Darkened Hearts
Romans 1:21-23
Sunday, October 21st, 2007
As we continue our study of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome today we have to remember where we have been so far in our study. If you will remember, our last few studies have focused on our current situation, we are living life under the wrath of God. The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all of the godlessness and wickedness of people. Paul says that God is justified in pouring out His wrath because He has given us overwhelming evidence of His awesome power and divine nature. All of the evidence that God has provided in order for us to realize that there is a God who is both powerful beyond our wildest imagination, as well as divine, has been for naught because we have suppressed the truth that God has revealed to us. The evidence that He has provided for us is seen in what God has made. Look around you. Everything you can see is a gift from God’s hand. Look in the mirror, you may not like what you see, but you have to admit that you didn’t make yourself. Scripture says that God knit you together in your mother’s womb. He has given you life and He has sustained your life every moment that you have lived.
Middle School Mission Sunday
Thursday, October 18th, 2007
Hello everyone!!!!!
This past Sunday our middle school youth group visited Alterra Assisted Living Center. This was the first “Mission Sunday” for the group and it was truly amazing. The youth made arts and crafts with the residents of Alterra and then entertained them with a short dance. Six residents came out to be a part of this exciting mission, including Jewell Grigsby, who is a member of our church. As most of you know she spent most of her years teaching dance. When the music came on she jumped right up and led the kids in the ‘chicken dance’.
We will be visiting Alterra again on the 2ND Sudnay of November. The youth were a great blessing to the residents, and they are looking forward to the next visit. We want to invite you to join us each Sunday evening at 5PM for bible study and “Sixty minutes of FUN”.
Women of Faith
November 2-3
Thursday, October 18th, 2007
Ladies, you need a night out. You need a shot of inspiration. You need a flood of encouragement. You need to get together with other women from BCC, and across the city, to experience the 2007 Women of Faith Conference coming to the Ford Center on November 2-3. “The Amazing Freedom” conference promises to be the best Women of Faith conference yet. The line-up of speakers includes women like Luci Swindoll, Thelma Wells, Sandi Patti, and many others.
In addition to hearing inspirational speakers you will have the opportunity to get to know some new friends from BCC that you will get to spend time with at the conference. You will also have the opportunity to lift your voices and praise our glorious God with about 15,000 other women who have come to experience God’s “Amazing Freedom.” We will have a limited number of tickets available at church for the next two Sundays. Be sure to stop by the “Women of Faith” table on your way out of church to sign-up. Tickets are $65 each.
Our Kids are “HIS Kids”
Wednesday, October 17th, 2007
Hi Everyone,
At Britton Christian Church we are committed to helping kids catch a vision for their future. Part of this effort includes helping kids understand that they can graduate from high school and even go on to college. HIS Kids is one piece of this important commitment of ours. Just this semester we began The Middle School Learning Center for Middle School students who need academic help and a friend to encourage them in their school work. Along with these efforts we also have a program to help kids prepare for their ACT Test. All of these efforts are designed to bless the lives of kids who may not believe that they can graduate from high school and pursue their dream of becoming a doctor, fire fighter, or teacher. What a blessing it is to watch God work in all of these efforts.
I had the opportunity to spend some time yesterday with the kids from Britton Elementary School in the HIS Kids ministry. These are such awesome kids! Each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon the kids come to BCC to work with their mentors on their school work, to learn more about how much God loves them, and to be reminded that He has a plan for their life.
I am so grateful to Alyson Geister, Harriet Weirich, and their incredible group of volunteers who so freely give of their time to bless God’s kids. If you would like to serve as a mentor for one of the kids in HIS Kids or The Middle School Learning Center then contact me at Britton Christian Church.
In His Steps,
Mike
Start Your Engines!
Sunday, October 14th, 2007
Wow!
The high school group had an unbelievable time at Pole Position on Sunday afternoon. There sure was some smack being talked on the way to the track, but when it was all said and done and the dust settled the checkered flag went to Mike Curtis! He is a driving machine! The word on the street is that Mike has been contacted by Dale Jr. about joining his team in the upcoming year. We had such a great time and I am so grateful for all of the kids who came out to serve at the Indian Mission on Sunday morning before going to Pole Position. Have a great week and we will see you next Sunday!
In His Steps,
Mike
No Excuses!
Romans 1:18-21
Sunday, October 14th, 2007
We actually began the study of this section of Scripture last week by taking a look at the wrath of God. If you will remember God’s anger, or His wrath, is not like our anger. Our anger is oftentimes impulsive and explosive. God’s wrath is purposeful. God’s wrath is an expression of His love. God’s wrath is just. His wrath is being revealed from heaven against godlessness and wickedness. We learned last week that a holy God cannot stand by and approve or turn a blind eye towards godlessness and wickedness.
This week I want us to move further into our study of Romans 1 by recognizing that we have been given more than enough evidence of God’s existence. If we will pay attention to the evidence that God has placed before us then it should lead us to seek Him. God’s wrath is just because He has made His truth known to us. He has demonstrated His power and His divine nature to us through what has been made and yet we have turned away, we have suppressed the truth that is as plain as the nose on our face, and we have done this so that we can live however we want to live. Let’s take a look at our Scripture for today. Paul writes,
Big Day @ BCC
Saturday, October 13th, 2007Hi Everyone,
I wanted to give you the heads-up about all that is coming your way tomorrow morning at BCC. It’s going to be a BIG day!
* Our High School youth will meet at the church at 9:30am to fix sack lunches and prepare all of the food for the men and women at the Indian Mission in downtown OKC. After serving the meal and leading worship the youth will meet back at the church to eat lunch before heading out to Pole Position. Be sure to bring your parent’s permission slip, a copy of their driver’s license, and $15.
* Our Middle School youth will head to Alterra Nursing Home for their Mission Sunday. After serving the residents at the nursing home the kids and their sponsors will head out to Laser Tag for their Fun Sunday.
* During morning worship you will hear about an exciting upcoming opportunity for the women of our church to attend “Women of Faith.” What a great event this has been for our women!
* You will also hear about our alternative to Halloween, the “Fall Festival” which is coming up at the end of the month. There are opportunities for you to be a blessing by bringing candy, cooking baked goods, and serving a one hour shift on the night of the event.
* You will also hear about our annual “Friend Day” coming up on November 4. This is always a big day for us as all of us invite our friends who do not have a church home to share breakfast and worship with us. Our men will cook breakfast for everyone on November.
* Last of all, we will continue our study of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome as we study Romans 1:18-21. It’s going to be a great day.
In His Steps,
Mike
Mission/Fun Sunday
High School Ministry
Monday, October 8th, 2007
Hi Guys,
Man, was last Sunday night’s trip to the Car Wash fun! I’ve posted a few of the best shots from Sunday night. Thanks Jordan and Caitlin for being such great sports. We all loved your shampoo afros!
This Sunday be sure to be at the church gym at 9:30 am to make sandwiches and get ready for Mission Sunday at the Indian Mission downtown. Be sure to bring your permission slip signed by your parent and a copy of their driver’s license plus $15 for our afternoon trip to Pole Position–it’s going to be a blast!!
In His Steps,
Mike
God of Wrath? God of Love?
Romans 1:18
Sunday, October 7th, 2007
God is love. Yes He is. Those three little words, “God is love,” have come to mean something in our day that is far, far from the biblical understanding of God’s love. In our day “God’s love” has come to mean that God turns a blind eye to our sin, He pats us on the head and says, “It’s alright, don’t worry about it.” regardless of what we do, who we hurt, or how we view our sin or indiscretions. Our view of God has radically changed since the days of the apostles.
The followers of Jesus in the early Church had a theocentric worldview—God was the center of everything. They understood that God was the holy, righteous, Sovereign King of the Universe. As a result of their understanding of the character and nature of God they believed that all people needed to adjust their lives to God’s standards, adjust their lives to God’s purposes for their lives and the planet. They believed that all things that took place in one’s life or in the life of the larger community could be traced to God.