An East Chicago Christmas.

rocking' in a chair, watchin' Christmas arrive on t.v.
Rin tin tin and Lassie
A ton of icicles on the green tree.

Concrete everywhere from the barber to the corner store
Apartments and houses, stairs up to a second floor?
Kids down the street galore.

Comin' home from school on a street of unknown danger.
Can't talk with a stranger.
Home for Christmas vacation with a lunch box showin' the Lone Ranger.

Tonight there'll be popcorn and fudge, counting gifts under the tree.
Wonderin' how many for me.
And fallin' asleep, watchin' Christmas arrive on t.v.

Same old, Same old

Ask someone how they are doing and the answer to your; "How's life?" question is; "Same old thing." When I say "Happy New Year" I truly desire you to have one.  The goal is not just to merely have another year but one that is bringing glory to God as we make an impact in the lives and events around us.

Living intentionally and focused in the name of Christ is to insure those around you will hear the good news of Jesus Christ and see the great love He has for those in your circle of life!

Feeling lonely during this time?  Make and be a friend. The body of Christ is to be a loving community.  Be a blessed addition to it. I have to be aware of a "what have you done for me lately?" attitude. Maybe no one shares your passion at church?  Start a ministry outside of the building of your own. (it only takes a spark).

Begin to read the Word for familiarity but most obvious for your heart/life transformation. Let's always pray and not give up.  Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.

It's time the Christian redeemed said so...We have a great message to share.  I often hear; "Give a sermon and use words when necessary." I get what they mean but there has to must be a balance of deeds and words to share the truth and love of the gospel.

We believers have to agree in this new year, it cannot be business as usual! We are to grow up walking in the Spirit. We can have a new answer other than; "Same old thing."

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, thinking and speaking on things above.

Walk in the Spirit

The Marshmallow Test

MercyMe - Even If (Official Lyric Video)

Step Up to the Plate

Bud hillerich wanted to help a player in a slump and made a bat for him. He came out of the slump and players including the Babe came to have one made. Soon Bud had a thriving business. Bud Hillerich took over his father's company in 1894, and the name "Louisville Slugger" was registered with the U.S. Patent Office. It all started because one person wanted to help one person. Now millions are helped to be better.  Be A PART of a great team!

Romans 12:9-12.
Philippians 2:1-4.
2 Corinthians 1: 3,4

The heart of Nehemiah.

Just a note:
Did you make those New Year resolutions, or goals?  New years or not; We've a few months left...It's always a good idea to stand back,  regroup, plan, then go for it.

That may include a plan for your vocation.  It could also mean a plan for the vacation!  Let's plan and go! With that said, it might be time to be still and discover the plan of God. 

See what's needed, get the vision, pray, plan, then catapult into God's action.  Now you're lookin' like Nehemiah of the bible!

Fruit Without The Root?

 It is a great thing when people of all ages desire to volunteer for a cause.  We all ooh and ahh over young love.  There is nothing like a new career or job we love, following a long (to long) period of unemployment.

 The sad thing is when the "Love" wears off and they ought to be glad to have me! or "What have you done for me lately?"  Even the Church goers that volunteer, soon join the rest of the culture and QUIT!

 Christians are to walk (live) in the Spirit.  The fruit of the Spirit here is: "Love."
We will soon grow weak, even selfishness will rise to the top.  Sadly pride takes over and in our selfie culture it becomes all about us.

We are told by the apostle Paul to look out, not only for our own interests, but also for the interests of others.  The way this is accomplished, is to have that true love of God.  Relationships are complicated, even messy and will take more than physical attraction.

 "Hey Jesus! What's the greatest commandment?"
 "That you shall Love the Lord your God, with all you heart, all of your mind and all your soul. The second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself."

 Jesus even stepped up the game, saying to love our enemies.  Sadly church folk can't get along with one another in the Church house.

 It is easy to love the lovable ones we know, but what about those not so lovable. Those that don't look like us, vote like us, or act like us.

Let me share a portion of the Bible I used in a sermon a couple of weeks ago;

 Romans 12: 9-15.

"9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient[a] in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given[b] to hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."

I have to discontinue working from emotion or my own power. We need the root of Jesus Christ to have the fruit of enduring LOVE.


GOD IS LOVE!
                                     Tim

We are in a Moral Revolution!

How's That Relationship Going?

  Many a person will seize the moment and boldly inform someone they L.O.V.E. them.  It is special  for those in love, whether those dating or married when they will in some way, reinforce, maintain and turn up the intensity of their emotion and commitment.

To some, the relationship means nothing.  The excitement, emotion and thrill is gone.  They will intentionally never give or receive a gesture of love on Valentine or any other day...  Soon a friend asks; "How's that relationship going?"   To hear the answer;  "It's gone."

Throughout the Bible and centuries, it has been the same for God's people. We "fall in and out" of Love with Him, often being unfaithful.

God told Hosea in the Bible to marry a woman that would be unfaithful.  The amazing thing is not that Hosea obeyed but that he did come to love her!  "How could a guy love someone who is continually unfaithful?  It seems impossible and crazy."  The correct question is;  "How could a Holy God, love and forgive a people that were always unfaithful to Him?"

Hosea's wife finally left and while he looked and looked for her (as God often looks for you and I), he found her. She had ended up at the slave table.  "Stop. Leave her alone!  That is my wife I shouldn't have to buy her but...How much does she cost?"   Oh God, is that what you did for me? While we were unfaithful and breaking your heart breaking our relationship. We ended up on the Devil's slave table and you paid a great price.

God says in Chapter two; "And it shall be in that day, That you will call me my Husband and no longer call me my master."   At the end of Hosea; "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely......."

**********************************************************************************

A man from the crowed yelled:  "Hey Jesus, What's the greatest commandment?"  "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all soul, with all your mind and with all your strength."

Let today be the day you decide to commit to following and loving Christ!  

Remember GOD IS LOVE!

"Take Out the Garbage!!"

It's  Garbage day!  Gather up all that is unusable and toss it.  Take what is undesirable and stinks up your daily life and discard it.

You have replaced these with something beneficial and new to enjoy.  Some items in the garbage might have even been at one time, good and useful, but now outdated.

The Apostle Paul wrote for us to : "Get rid of, mortify, be renewed, put on new clothes of righteousness."

Bring all of those negative or evil thoughts, attitudes, hurtful behaviors, and destructive addictions. Replace those with the new and fresh, that God is wanting to do in and through you!

Take that old garbage, and toss it.

Cochren & Co. - Church (Take Me Back) [Official Lyric Video]

Little Women

We pulled out the VHS of  "Little Women" Sunday and watched one more time.  What a family , Mom and sisters, and then of course they were complete when dad came home from the war. 

I would not have wanted to live during that age but because they lacked the modern conveniences they did not lack imagination.  Women of that day were serving under submission and taboo. Because of a few like Josephine and The author of the story; the plight of  women and people in general were improved and advanced because of their "gumption."  One out of the family was willing to break loose (sneakingly encouraged by her mothers affirmations). While the other would have been satisfied with the status quo.

So what's our problem.  We need more Josephine's..no we need you and I to step up and change a few paradigms as long as they are not contrary to God.   Lives will remain under siege by  the comments of "You'll never amount to anything", or "in this economy it's impossible."

Josephine's  face showed anger or sadness even disbelief when someone talked of "second class" women.  That kind of talk inspired her to be and do whatever she could, as in author a book.  What is your passion for 2020?

You can learn from the stories of and from many a man, but you can also learn a thing or two from "Little Women."     -Tim

for KING & COUNTRY - God Only Knows (Official Music Video)

Isaiah 61: 10,11

It's Spring and following a cold difficult Winter it is time to start over. When we see the daffodils and tulips rise and then bud, hope and joy also returns to a level of peace and calm.

Forest and gardens that once were dreary and dead now begin to sprout green beginnings on the way to a bright and colorful show of God's force and love.

God paints a spectacular mural from sunrise until evening shadows cast by rose bushes and cherry trees on green garden grass.

New life in Spring also demonstrates the new life in belief and faithfulness in Christ.  Jesus said; "You must be born again."  The Apostle Paul wrote that we were called to a lively hope.

Christian we can celebrate that we have been changed from death to life.  Isaiah 61 says that praise will spring forth like the earth has the buds shoot up and for all to enjoy!

Have a blessed Spring.

It is Finished-B. R. Lakin

Reconciled for a reason

             First Century Truths - 2 Corinthians - Pt 8 - Tim Flener         

The Whole Armor of God

Be Strong....The Apostle Paul is not saying to stop crying, or big boys/girls don't cry.  He is encouraging us to "Be strong, but in the Lord and in the power of His might."  You can look around and see we are not and cannot build utopia, Some are trying hard, but how's that working for you?  It all seems to be getting worse.

The Christian must not go into hiding or quit, in order to live in a comfort zone.  Yes, we will spend eternity with God, all the while hiding in the safety of our homes, computer or an undemanding church life,  full of self. That is living in defeat, not the victory, we are called to.

Therefore put on the whole armor of God! This is a Spiritual warfare and He said it was not by our power or might, but by His Spirit.
                                                         A Spiritual Combat Zone

Who is attacking us?  It is not flesh and blood but the ruler, authorities, powers and wicked Spiritual forces.
They fire the rockets and darts of; worry, doubt, fear, the list goes on. We must spend much time with the Sword of the Spirit (God's Word), in order to have true enemy recognition and stop wounding friendly forces!

Let's move forward in our circle of life that God has placed us in, sharing and showing the Gospel, armed with the mind of Christ.

1John 2:15-17,  James 1:12-17,  John 8:32-37,  2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Romans 10:9-15, 1 John 5:1-5.

                                       ****WE ARE TO PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD****

TRUTH
RIGHTEOUSNESS
GOSPEL OF PEACE
FAITH
SALVATION
WORD OF GOD
PRAYER

Be alert, watching as if we are on guard duty. Watching also for what God is going to do.  Then having done all to stand, stand.

Remember we are the Church/Army of God we need His relationship and also the unity of others. Remember the idea;  NO SOLDIER LEFT BEHIND.

Let us be a one another body of believers! Standing fast, strong in the power of His night.

EPHESIAN 6: 10-20.

 

MLK Chapel 2019 - Trip Lee