Enjoying The Presence of God

An awareness of God can flow through our day the way blood circulates through the body, replenishing it with nutrients and oxygen. We pay attention to God, conscious that He may be speaking to us. His presence begins to permeate our lives--through thoughts, feelings, dreams, activities, and in-between moments. . . Prayer isn't a performance, but a "climbing up to the heart of God," as Martin Luther said. Enjoying God's presence places us squarely in God's lap, where He enjoys us: The Lord your God is with you. . .He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

Posted by Sue Sanders

Women On Bended Knee

Do you pray over your children to leave a lasting love? There are a group of women in Sumter who believe in the power of prayer, our goal as "Moms on Bended Knee" is to draw the hearts of the next generation closer to the heart of the father so that they change our world with His love. We want to intercede for the children of our community. Our legacy lies in the prayers which fill the bowls of heaven and the children's lives that are changed by His outpouring of those bowls. Come join us ever third thursday of the month at Sumter High at 4pm.

Ancient Words

The words spoken by Jesus Christ are unique, revolutionary, and powerful enough to "change" the hearts and lives of those who hear the word...."if any man has ears, let him hear." The letters of the Bible are old and dated. However, the words are preserved in the hearts of those who believe and have experienced a new way of living.

Listen to this song by Michael W. Smith: Ancient Words (click on the title to listen)


Ancient Words
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God's own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Words of life, words of hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home

Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart

Holy words of our faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of christ

Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart

What Am I Doing That Will Last?

Today I drove to Columbia, SC where I had part in the funeral of an old friend from my days of pastoring First Church of God in Columbia. Becky (the lady who passed away) left behind her husband, three children, and numerous grandchildren. They have rich memories of the days and the hours they have spent together as a family. I remember Becky as a faithful church member and as a person who was devoted to her family in every way. Becky provided daycare for our daugher when she was year old (now 28 years old), and what I remember is that Becky loved our Christi like she was one of her own. Becky will be missed greatly, but her influence will live on the the lives of those she has loved. What am I doing that will last after I'm gone from this earth?

Posted by Pastor Ron

How Does "The Church" Measure Success

It seems as if the organized modern church finds success in the same way that the modern business measures success: membership, customer satisfaction, numbers, buildings, budgets. The modern culture has inevitably creeped into the church. We must redefine the measure of success by the kingdom-minded disciple of Jesus produced by the Spirit rather than by our methodologies, numbers, strategies, or the cool and innovative things we are doing. We should be looking at what our practices produce in the called people of God as they are sent out on a mission to live as light and salt in their communities: social justice, caring for the need/hungry/poor, forgiving others, promoting peace.

Valentine's Day

My cousin Kathy shared some profound words about the celebration of Valentine's Day. She said that just as we put all of our effort and time into our significant others that day, let's rememeber who is LOVE. Let's make every day a day of love for our Savior. I'm guilty of not spending enough time nurturing my relationship with Christ. I will become highly upset if my husband walked in and neglected me as he went about his business; yet, I neglect Christ, who loves me more than any human being could ever profess to love me. I literally neglect HIM until Sunday morning, our standing date. Just pray for me as I desire to grow closer to Jesus. I know my name is written in the palm of His hand. I know He knows the number of hairs on my head. I know He died and rose again for me. No one in this world could offer that kind of LOVE.

Anonymous Post

If You Only Knew

As an avid reader, I stumble across a lot of blogs. Many of them are filled with angry and often offensive posts, which just represents much of the anger and emptiness out in the world. It is truly refreshing to read the posts of this Christian blog. The lyrics, poems, and messages are uplifting. Thank you. I’d like to post lyrics from the Randy Travis’ song, “If you only knew." I imagine my family members who have gone before me when I hear this beautiful song. It encourages me to remember that we are just journeying through this world, and it’s wonderful to know that there are blogs like this to help provide the insight and courage to keep traveling in the footsteps of Jesus. Here are the words:

If you only knew what lies awaiting
If you could only see what I can see
If you could only hear the music playing
The angels singing sweet victory
Oh, if you only knew, if you only knew,
How much He loves you.
If we only knew...

Posted by Gwyn

Justice, Equality, Martin Luther King, U2, and JESUS

On January 19, we remembered Dr. Martin Luther King and his vision of peace, justice, love, and unity. Dr. King was a man who indeed understood the message of Jesus Christ. I personally admire his life and his dream. I own a collection of his books/writings. Here is a favorite quote:

"Through violence you may murder a murderer,

but you can't murder murder

Through violence you may murder a liar,

but you can't establish truth.

Through violence you may murder a hater,

but you can't murder hate.

Darkness cannot put out darkness.

Only light can do that."

Watch King's "I have a dream" speech

The Irish band, U2, wrote a song about Martin Luther King called "In The Name of Love." This same song also has lyrical references to Jesus. You will not find U2's music in the Gospel section; however, if you read their lyrics, there is always a Christian message. I appreciate bands that present the gospel in a non-threatening, "non-preachy" way.
Click Here to read the lyrics. Click Here to listen to the song.

Bono, the lead singer of U2, wrote a book in 2006 entitled "On The Move." The overall message deals with the "laws of man" vs. "higher laws" of justice and equality. It's a call to put our faith into action, moving beyond staying at a distance from injustice. Here is a brief quote:

"God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house.
God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives. God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war. God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them."

To find out more about this book and how you can make a difference with issues related to poverty, hunger, and injustice, visit the website http://www.one.org/.

Pray With Humility

Pastor Ron's message, "Praying with Humility," presented a real challenge for us in 2009! Will we be pretenders--church people seemingly dressed for success--or the real deal, individuals being honest before our God? Pastor Ron's message focused on one of the many paradoxes in Scripture: If I want to be exalted, then I must humble myself. God resists the proud and exalts the humble. We His people like to put on our masks faking that we have it all together. But, as Pastor Ron said, "Pride and arrogance will keep us from the abundant life. We can't impress God." This Year, make me more like the tax collector, not the Pharisee. I don't want God to turn a deaf ear to my prayers. Yes, Pastor Ron, continue to humble yourself so that we the body of Christ can experience the overflowing river of God's presence in your life. Preach because what you have is real.

Posted by Sue Sanders

Pursuit of Excellence

Pastor Ron challenged us today to pursue excellence as individuals and as a church. Mediocrity and being lukewarm are not acceptable. We must rise above the ordinary, let go of anything that is hindering our striving for excellence, and discipline ourselves--making a plan and working that plan. His statement about "being bold enough to let go of lesser things so that we can go after what is best," challenges me to be intentional in my Christian pursuit of excellence. The disciplines you mention in the book "Finding Our Way Again" are a significant part of the plan and are a part of working out our own salvation.

Posted by Sue Sanders