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 ^“I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siege-works against it. But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.”  Ecclesiastes 9:13-17

Zack Eswine shared his painfully powerful testimony intertwined with this passage at the Loving the Wayward Souls Conference. He was vulnerable and transparent in his desire to protect us from seeking after the things of the world. Here are some of his thoughts on how can we keep from, or turn from, being the wayward fool?

Note the repetition of the word, “great” in this passage.

What seems great to the proud king is worthless compared to the saving wisdom of the poor man.

The foolish king is large, fast, and famous. He is all about speed and emotions. But though the words of the wise are only heard in the quiet, they save the city.

Do we take the time to listen as Jesus reaches into our frenzied schedules and whispers to us to behold Him?

On the one hand, the foolish king brings war for the sake of conquering and he does not protect the people under his care. Meanwhile, the poor man delivers the people from the onslaught and remains unknown.

How do you see people? Too often it seems we see people simply as resources used to improve our reputation. Do we consider how to best love others when we tweet, take selfies, and post on Facebook?

Instead, let us turn our back from foolishness and turn toward wisdom.

• Remind yourself who our Deliverer is. Christ is not interested in our efficiency or advertising, but in our holiness. He does not bring about immediate relief, He is about the business of sanctification. He delivers in the quiet wisdom of His Father. He doesn’t consume His sheep but protects them as He shares His Presence.

• Are we willing to offer our presence to the people the Lord has placed in our lives? How do we comfort others? Do we cry, eat, laugh, and live ‘with’ them? These things take time and resources. They are not for the faint of heart or for those who live in a rush.

• Does it matter to you if you are ignored by people of power, influence, and wealth? The poor wise man was not called upon by the powerful king. Can you be overlooked in order to love others? To love someone, we must commit ourselves to do small things, things that are not noticed or appreciated, and we must do them repeatedly, for a long time.

• Our culture tells us that we must always be busy, be on the move, always a foot on the next rung up. What does God tell us? Are you willing to be bored in the place that God has you? Do you appreciate the beauty of where you are at right now? Adam longed for more than the Garden. You, too, are given a place to be, things to do, and people to love. These are the things that glorify God.

Mr. Eswine ended by reminding us, “Your great hope is not in being remembered. Your hope is found in knowing that the Lord remembers you.” This is the Lord Jesus who prayed for you, you are already desired by God. Your identity is established before you even walk out the door.

These notes were taken from Zach Eswine’s talk, “A Fool’s Story: From Simple-ism to Hope”. You can listen to this here. If you feel that you are in a season of foolishness, please let someone pray with you. Contact me if you would like some resources.

I am a conservative, a news junkie, a history fan, and, at the time that I was invited to join a Men’s Bible Study in September 2014, I was hungry to learn more about the Bible, Jesus, and God the Father. Not every man who attends a Men’s Bible Study at MCC is exactly like me; that’s part of what makes it unique. While we are all men in search of God, the similarities seem to end there. We each have different hobbies, careers, family situations, and life experiences.

However, those very differences strengthen the group. There is a sense of refuge that, as diverse as we are, we also share this walk. We may be in faith-hostile work environments or in-between jobs. We may be praying for study members’ or their family’s health, safe travels, and most important of all – salvation. In looking back over the past four years I can see the Lord has clearly answered many of these prayers and more.

Bible Study has more than fulfilled my expectations about learning from God’s word and walking in fellowship with other believers. Most importantly, though, the Lord’s word led me to discover what I am supposed to be doing with my life.  It was a revelation that I didn’t expect from a Bible Study.   

Over the past four years, the Bible Study I attend has studied Revelation, John, Romans, and four of the five books of the Pentateuch (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). These studies have made me appreciate the continuity of God’s Word across Old and New testaments, always pointing toward the inevitability of Christ.

Although I had read and studied parts of each of these books in years past, I am regularly surprised at how much more the Lord reveals to me by hearing the meaning and significance of the sections to others. Reading God’s Word with other men, hearing their insights and understanding, and discussing the scriptures as a group, provides me a whole new understanding of God’s Word.  

Ultimately, I have two great take-aways from my time in Bible Study.

First, we are called to share the gospel with as many people as we can. This is the imperative for what we do with our lives. We never have to fear speaking or sharing the gospel, as we are promised that the Holy Spirit is helping us find the right words.

Second, the Lord directs, repeatedly, to neither add nor take away from His Word in the Scripture. For me, this is a great help in discerning what others are saying or how they are interpreting the Bible.

Just go back to the original word and the Lord will help us understand it.  For me, His help has come in the form of Men’s Bible Study at MCC.

MCC has two Men’s Bible Studies beginning in September; Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and Christianity Explored (CE).  BSF will study of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.  CE examines “What is Christianity?” and seeks to answer deep questions Christians and non-believers have about the faith.

It's surprising where God places you isn’t it? I would have never imagined myself volunteering at a pregnancy center; I’ve never been pregnant and have no personal information to share with young couples experiencing pregnancy. But, I've been volunteering at the Care Net Pregnancy Center for four years and I know that God has placed me in the right position, to help serve people in need, in the best possible way for His glory.

Volunteering with Care Net is a constant reminder that God's plan is always good, even if it’s not what you originally planned for.

God has been doing some big things through Care Net in the first half of 2018 that I would like to share with you:

• The “Know Now Medical Mobile Unit” (MMU) has been in operation for a year and a half and we are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of clients whose original choice was termination or who were undecided when they arrived at their initial visit. The presence of the MMU near the surgical abortion facilities in Albuquerque is changing lives.  Women who once thought their only option was to terminate their pregnancy can now see an ultrasound and learn the truth about the baby they are carrying.  It has been a game changer! Very recently, two women at the end of their second trimester of pregnancy boarded the bus, had an ultrasound, and decided to give birth to their children. We thank God for these dramatic "turn-arounds."
• The Care Net medical services are expanding with the addition of a Certified Physician's Assistant. Her credentials allow us to provide prescriptions to treat two of the STI's for which we test and the Abortion Pill reversal medication. This opens up yet another opportunity to provide life-saving help to our clients.

• Care Net is now offering a Fatherhood Program. Instead of concentrating on just the mother of the unborn, we now offer counseling and important information for the fathers-to-be. It is becoming a vital piece of the Care Net ministry.  

Care Net is always looking for additional volunteers.  If you're like me, and wonder "What could I possibly do to help this ministry?" but your heart is compassionate about helping our youth with unplanned pregnancy, I encourage you to get involved!

Please contact me, JoAnn Tallant, or any other Care Net representative or call 505-880-8373. 

You can also get involved this Saturday, August 25^th at the Care Net Walk for Life Event. There are four locations in Albuquerque and the East Mountains. By attending the walk, you are affirming the sanctity of human life and supporting Care Net! Hope to see you there!

Too often we assume that church is supposed to be a “perfect” place full of “good” people. We feel like we would love it if our church was made up of 252 people who think and act like we do. The truth is, the less people are like us, the harder it is to love them. People are messy and carry the streak of sin; sadly enough, that includes you and me.

Blogger Tim Challies presented “a Heavenly Perspective of the Prodigal” using Luke 15 to illustrate the depth of our Savior’s love for His desperate people. Some realize they are desperate and others don’t, and maybe never will.  

As you read Mr. Challies’ description of the Parable of the Lost Sheep ask yourself: Does every sheep know that it needs a Shepherd?

Luke 15:4a - A Shepherd’s Anguish:  The Shepherd’s heart skips a beat. Something is wrong! One of his sheep is missing! This is a Good Shepherd who knows that His sheep is missing. It is the speckled one, the one with the bent ear. The Shepherd had cared for the mother, was there when the sheep was born, he has loved this sheep, provided for it as He watched it grow.  And now it’s missing! He worries because the Shepherd knows that sheep are not nature’s survivalists. They are absolutely dependent on the Shepherd.

Luke 15:4b - A Shepherd’s Quest: Sheep wander. Sheep are wolf-bait. It’s not a compliment to be called a sheep, and yet, it is the description of us in the world. The Shepherd does not leave sheep to be devoured, He cries out, “My flock will never be complete without this ONE!” The only measure of success is to find and rescue it.

Through all of this what does the sheep consider? Nothing. What does the Shepherd consider? Everything. He is the one who leads, loves, listens and searches until He finds that ONE sheep.

Luke 15:5-6 - A Shepherd’s Joy: What joy when He finds the sheep! He doesn’t rebuke or punish it. He is not disgusted by it and doesn’t say the sheep has to work its way back. He does not berate or hold a grudge. He doesn’t tell the sheep it made Him look bad. Instead, He is full of joy! God loves to seek, speak to, and save the lost.

Jesus is talking to us – the church! God saves sinners!

“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”  (Luke 15:7)

Note the contrast in Luke 15 – on one hand there are the tax collectors and sinners and on the other are the Pharisees. The tax collectors and sinners are the people who are seen as “bad”.  They know they are "bad" and they know that most people don’t want them around. But Jesus not only accepts their hospitality, He actually enjoys their company.

Then there are the Pharisees. By worldly standards, they are considered the “good” people. They make sure that everyone can see how "good" they are. They want you to know they are holy and obey rules with a flare. When the Pharisees see Jesus with the taxes collectors and sinners they think that He needs higher standards.

Even then, the “good” people didn’t want to spend time with the “bad” people because it might ruin their hard-earned reputation.  They want to protect their “goodness” at any cost.

Today, you and I have much the same choice to make: are we the sinners or the Pharisees?  Although the “titles” might be different, the premise is still the same. Do we worry that if we spend time with certain people, it might diminish our reputations? Who are the “sinners and tax collectors” in your church and community? Whose reputation are we afraid will tarnish our own?

Are you willing to spend time with those whom Christian culture deems unacceptable? Maybe you are nice to them on Sunday morning, but do you have them in your homes? Do you let them around your children?

We are so grateful that we have a Savior who extends grace to us. It should be our joy to help others out of the mess they have made. It is the very joy of angels!

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)

Do you make it your purpose to seek out sinners? If God cares so much for the lost, how can you ignore them?  Do you long for His sheep? Do you welcome them in your fold? Do you have confidence in the character of the Shepherd?

Consider your own “lostness”, fellow sheep. He sought us out and drew us to Himself. When we recognize how lost we are, offering grace to fellow lost sheep seems far less daunting.

Do you know a prodigal who has wandered from the fold?

It is not because of confidence in ourselves to reach out, but in the Good shepherd who loves to rescue!  

These notes were taken from Tim Challies’ talk, “The Parable of the Lost Sheep”. If you find that you are struggling with loving another in your church, please ask someone to help you. If you would like, you can contact me at mccn14@gmail.com for prayer, accountability, and resources. 

I am so grateful for the blessing of being invited to MOPS, being brave enough to go, and the ability to remember how God sees me….but this was not always the case…

“MOM: The toughest job you will ever love.” That was a cute little inscription on an embroidered cloth with sweet little flowers on it that my mother gave me when I found out that I was going to be a mommy for the first time. At the time, I knew motherhood was going to be hard and different than anything I had ever done in my life. I had no clue what I was about to go through or what the journey would look like. Being a mother helped me realize who I really am and that it was okay to need help sometimes.

I still remember the day I realized that motherhood was meant to be done as part of a community. Our new little family was out getting pizza (because I needed to get out of the house!) and we ran into a sweet friend from church. She saw our brand-new baby girl and smiled and then looked at me and said, “How are you doing?” I thought, “You should definitely give the standard ‘fine’ so as not to show that you are terrified and struggling.” But the truth was she already knew, she understood that I needed fellowship with other ladies, that I needed a place to ask questions, that I needed someone to tell me that I’m doing a great job, that God has equipped me to be a great mom, and that everything is going to be fine. She knew that I needed a place where I would be reminded that Jesus came to redeem all our mistakes, that His grace covers ALL, and that He chose me to be this sweet baby girl’s mama on purpose! That day she listened to my struggles and my joys and then she invited me to MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers. A place for all of this and so much more!

I’ll be honest, it was a little awkward at first. I didn’t realize how badly I needed to socialize and how far I had let myself go emotionally. I convinced myself, “I’m fine! When you become a mom this is just the way life is!”

Did I know that because I had been a mom before and other moms had told me that?! NO! I had no clue! When you are recovering or rehabilitating from anything it hurts to get back to “doing good.” But going MOPS helped me to see who I really am and that even though I was (and still am) an imperfect mess, God uses me for His glory and to lead my children in His ways.

I started to see myself the way that He sees me. I am His chosen treasure (Ephesians 1:7, 1 Peter 2:9), I am the daughter of The King (Galatians 3:26), transformed by Him for His glory (Romans 12:2), who has been given a gift to invest in her family (Proverbs 31:11-21), who does not have to worry about anything (Philippians 4:6-7) and who is a blessing to her family (Proverbs 31:28).

God reminds me every day that there is no greater value I can be given than that of being a wife and mother and now I get to share that same love and encouragement with other moms that come to MOPS!

If you are a mother of a little one, or know a mother of a little one, we hope that you will consider attending yourself or inviting someone to try Mountain Christian Church MOPS! It begins August 21st and meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 9:15 am – 11:30 am. At MOPS, our desire is to deepen relationships, encourage confidence as mothers, wives and women, and grow together spiritually. Contact Michelle Aigner at 263-0951 for more information.