I am not a very emotional person, but there is one song that makes me tear up every time I listen to it. It’s called “Thank you” by Ray Boltz. With the newly commissioned Sunday School teachers in mind, along with YWAM Missionary Chong Ho Won visiting NCFC after his trip to Iraq, I wanted to share this song as an encouragement to all those who serve so faithfully. The lyrics alone do not do justice so PLEASE listen to the song on YouTube!
I dreamed I went to heaven, and you were there with me.
We walked upon the streets of gold beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing; then someone called your name.
You turned and saw this young man, and he was smiling as he came.
And he said, "Friend, you may not know me now."
Then he said, "But wait. You used to teach my Sunday School when I was only eight."
"And every week you would say a prayer before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer, I asked Jesus in my heart."
Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave.
Then another man stood before you and said “remember the time
A missionary came to your church, and his pictures made you cry.”
"You didn't have much money, but you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave, and that's why I am here today”
Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave.
One by one they came far as the eye could see,
Each life somehow touched by your generosity;
Little things that you had done, sacrifices made
Unnoticed on the earth, in heaven now proclaimed.
And I know up in heaven you're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure there were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand, you stood before the Lord
He said, "My child, look around you, for great is your reward."
Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave.
You may not see the fruit of your labor on this side of eternity, but you are indeed making an eternal difference. One day you will meet the people whose lives were forever changed because of your sacrifice. Thank you for doing your part to build up the body of Christ! Thank you for giving to the Lord!
From Pastor Sara’s Heart
October 5, 2014
I am reading through the book of 1 Samuel for my personal devotional time these days. Unlike the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan ‘homework’ that I feel obligated to complete each day, I enjoy the freedom to be able to read and meditate upon as few or many verses at a time, waiting on God to ‘speak to me’ through His Word. In 1 Samuel Chapter 6, the Philistines, who had captured and kept the ark of the Lord for seven months, frantically try to send it back to the Israelite territory because God afflicted the Philistines everywhere the ark was moved to. After consulting with their priests, they get a new cart and hitch two cows that have recently calved and never been yoked. They put the ark of the Lord on the cart and send it on its way. If the cart reached the intended Israelite territory despite these ‘unqualified’ cows, they would know that it was not a coincidence but the hand of God that has caused the great disaster upon them.
The cows go straight up to the destination without turning to the right or to the left, but the Bible also records that they lowed all the way. This part really got to me. Because I am a mother, I could relate to these cows- how sad they must have been to have their calves stripped away from them. In addition, this was their first time being yoked and hitched to a cart. Indeed they suffered greatly both emotionally and physically. And for all the suffering these cows endured, I expected a happy ending for them. The Bible, however, does not say that the grateful Israelites freed the cows, allowing them to find their way back to their calves.
Not even close. The Israelites were so happy to get the ark of the Lord back that they chopped up the wood of the cart and sacrificed the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord! Instead of all the other available cows, two never-been yoked, nursing cows were taken away from their calves to be used by God, and what do they get for their sacrifice? They become a burnt offering! I was furious. What kind of justice is this, Lord?
As I sat there in my anger, God began to ‘speak to me,’ not in an audible voice, but by revealing His heart to me:
God: “Do you know what life is like for cows?”
Me : “Eat, poop, work, sleep, & repeat. They eventually get killed and eaten by people.”
God: “Then which is better – to be slaughtered to fill man’s stomach or to be offered as a
burnt offering to the Lord to renew the relationship between God and sinful man?
Me: “. . .”
God: “It wasn’t a sacrifice, but a privilege for those cows to be chosen by Me.”
God revealed to me that it was not about the cows, but about me. I felt enraged by the final destiny of the cows because I saw myself in them. In ministry I often feel like an unqualified cow hitched to a cart. But I am able to keep going, telling myself, “Hang in there. You will receive a great reward for all your sacrifices.” There is nothing wrong with this statement of faith except what we often consider a great reward, such as successful ministry, recognition from men, or financial security, may not be what God has in mind. God doesn’t want to give us just good things, but the very best according to His glorious riches and grace. “Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of being a burnt offering for you. May you be honored and glorified, not through what I do for you, but through how I trust you no matter what.”
From Pastor Sara’s Heart
August 10, 2014
Last year, when we were in Ecuador for missions, we visited an old Roman Catholic cathedral. It was several centuries old and one of the most beautiful buildings I’d ever been in. Huge open doorways at several entrances opened right into the heart of bustling city streets as parishioners quietly sat on ancient benches in quiet contemplation. And as I walked around the house of worship appreciating the architecture, beauty, and art, it was through these doors that I saw a sight that helped me understand my God a little more.
Sitting on the sidewalk a few feet from the open doors was a woman holding a listless boy. The child was too big to be held – perhaps 8 or so – but he was fast asleep. The woman wasn’t begging for money verbally, but her eyes spoke her desperate words well enough. I had obviously seen beggars before but for some reason, that woman with that child in that setting hit me very differently.
As soon as I saw her, thousands of thoughts rushed through my head. First, was the sympathy for her and her child’s place in life. Next was a thought to give her all the money I had, perhaps even going to an ATM to max out my withdrawals. Then came doubt – would the money even go to her or was this some gang-related scheme to prey on donors – was the child even hers? Then guilt – even if she only saw a fraction of the money and some gang does take all her donations, isn’t that worth it, to give her a little? And finally came despair.
God, where are you? This woman, your daughter, sits inches away from your “house” and she is dying. Literally, figuratively, spiritually, she is dying. Where are your angels to protect her? Where is your healing hand to touch her son? Where is the church, your body, to feed your sheep?
And it was at that moment that I understood the desperation for Jesus to return.
We live in a dark, cynical world. Outside the gated communities that we reside in, there is so much suffering in this world. You don’t have to be a pessimist to believe that there is more pain than not in the world. As a suburban, middle class church, this is a thought that’s “out of sight/out of mind” but nevertheless, the truth is the truth. For the majority of this world, life is extremely hard.
If this is all life is, if this is really all we have in this world, then yes, it’s depressing. Just as random as some say religion is depending on where you’re born, then we’re supposed to accept that one’s chance at a somewhat happy well-adjusted life is also based on where you’re born? In the words of the Princess Bride, inconceivable!
This Ash Wednesday we celebrate the beginning of the Lent Season which leads up to Easter, the greatest day in history. Because of what happened on this day, we as the Church, the body of Christ, can say there is hope in Jesus Christ; there will be an end to the pain and awfulness of today. We are not lying when we pick up a suffering child or victim, look them in the eye and say, “It will get better.” Jesus is the reason we have hope. For when he returns, all the tears, all the pain, all the heartache, suffering, shame, fear will be gone forever. And it was this hope that I held onto as my prayer of despair became a prayer of desperation. Jesus… please come back and save your people. Please come back and set us free.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
From Pastor David’s Heart
March 2, 2014
About a week ago I was waiting in a doctor’s office. Since my phone battery was running low, I decided to find something to read instead. On top of the pile of various magazines on the table was a children’s book titled Aesop’s Fables for Children. ‘What a refreshing idea!’ I thought and proceeded to flip through the pages. I ended up enjoying many stories that I grew up listening to. One of the stories in particular had left an indelible mark on me as a young girl, and I was thrilled to have the chance to be reminded of the lesson that story had taught me. It’s the story called “the Wind and the Sun.”
Here is the story as found on one internet site:
One day the Wind and the Sun were disputing which was the stronger. Suddenly they saw a traveler coming down the road, and the Sun said: "I see a way to decide our dispute. Whichever of us can cause that traveler to take off his cloak shall be regarded as the stronger. You begin." So the Sun retired behind a cloud, and the Wind began to blow as hard as it could upon the traveler. But the harder he blew the more closely did the traveler wrap his cloak round him, till at last the Wind had to give up in despair. Then the Sun came out and shone in all his glory upon the traveler, who soon found it too hot to walk with his cloak on.
The moral of the story: gentleness and kind persuasion win over force and harsh confrontation.
Of course, if you talk to my children, they will say, “there is no way our Mom got the moral of that story. She didn’t practice that principle on us as we were growing up!” I admit that many times I was too demanding on my children. I was quick to confront them about their mistakes as if they would be ruined for life if I did not correct them as their Mom. It is only through the grace of God that they turned out pretty normal! My children may not agree, but I am trying really hard these days. I pray I will become a gentler and kinder mother (and wife!) each day with the Holy Spirit working in me.
This story also made me think of the song, “Your kindness, Lord,… leads me to repentance…,” which comes from Romans 2:4. “Do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” Jesus doesn’t use guilt to get us to repent although He could. Instead He uses kindness! His kindness leads us to repentance, obedience, and a broken heart for Him.
Just as God draws us in with His kindness, the only way that we are going to reach the lost world around us is through kindness. Strong historical arguments, great theology, and powerful personal testimonies – they are all good ways to bring someone to Christ. But the best way to draw, attract, or introduce someone to Christ is through kindness, His kindness! I pray and encourage everyone to practice kindness toward others throughout the upcoming week. First it should begin amongst our family members and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Then it should be carried with us wherever we go as an ambassador for Christ. May we witness lives being transformed as we share His kindness!
From Pastor Sara’s Heart
June 9, 2013