2008 Compilation MP3s
| Download MP3s of 2008′s congregational singing HERE. |  |
Aug
31
Aug
27
Wheelbarrows
The story is told of a missionary who was in Africa. He was disturbed over something he was seeing. The women walked around with heavy loads of wood piled on their backs. Their husbands on the other hand carried nothing more than a walking stick and walked several yards in front of them. It was considered an honor for the women to carry these loads for their husbands. Feeling sorry for them, the missionary saw a need for some wheelbarrows. So he sent an email back to the states asking for donations for 200 wheelbarrows to be shipped as soon as possible. The wheelbarrows arrived very promptly as people in the states felt this was a very worthwhile project. As they were uncrated, he showed the women how to load the wood in the wheelbarrows. He was very pleased with his efforts, feeling he had accomplished a great deal for the women of the village. A few weeks later, he returned to the village to find the wheelbarrows all parked in a neat row—unused. He asked, “Why aren’t you using them?” One woman explained, “Well you see, when we got the wheelbarrows loaded and all of that up on our backs, they were too heavy!”
This simple story suggests the way a lot of people have experienced religion. It holds out a promise to them of a fuller, richer life where all their problems will disappear. In reality, it just brings additional burdens—one more thing to do, one more thing to worry about. That is the way in fact, that the Pharisees saw religion—a list of rules to be kept, a pile of commands that they saw as their responsibility to enforce. Jesus rebuked the self-righteous Pharisees by saying; “You load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” (Luke 11:46). It is significant that when Jesus came into the world that he offered these Jewish people who were struggling under the burdens of their religion. The words he spoke still bring comfort to thousands upon thousands of people “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).
The question as you read this article is: do you find that religion is a burden for you, or have you discovered the “rest that Jesus intends his followers to know? As for me, I not only want to enjoy serving as a Christian today, I look forward to that day of eternal rest with my savior.
Prayer Thought: Help me daily to serve the Lord as I seek that eternal rest with Him
Aug
20
Wanting More
Let your imagination run for just a moment as you read this article. The characters are not real people or are they? The reality of the story though may be alarmingly true.
It is Sunday morning, and you have made your way to the church building. You nod at a few people and even shake hands with some. You make your way to “your pew” which is exactly one row in front of where Sam always sits. You smile at Sam and say “Good morning” when you come in. The lesson is over the final amen has been said and you get up to leave. As you do so, you turn to Sam and say with a smile, “See you next Sunday.” This same ritual has gone on for months-no years. However on the next Sunday morning you add a little conversation. After the “Good morning” you interject “Sam could you give me a hundred dollars?”
I think it is unfortunate that too many individuals treat the Lord in this manner. They have a Sunday morning relationship with Him and feel comfortable with that relationship. However when there is a need that comes in their lives, they desire much more from God. It would be interesting to be able to get into the minds of people and see just how many have that concept of God. I will have a relationship with him, but not a serious committed one until there is a need. Can we not fathom that Christ wants us to know him first of all as our Savior. “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” John 17:3. That relationship does not stop there. After we become his child (John 1:12), God desires an ongoing dialog with us and a growing knowledge of who He is and who we can be with His help. I am convinced more and more that most of us never become all we could be, because we never spend time getting to know our Father. He doesn’t want to be a Sunday-only acquaintance or someone we cry out to only when we’re desperate. God wants us to have a personal relationship with Him. He also wants us to grow in our desire to please Him by obeying Him. John penned these words to remind us of that fact; “We know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (I John 2:3). Let each of us always remember that God loves us and He wants you to know Him. He does answer desperation prayers. But before you start asking, make sure that you now Him personally. Remember that knowing about God may interest us, but knowing God will change us.
Prayer Thought: Help my relationship with the Lord to grow stronger each day
Aug
12
Beautiful Feet
Once again, I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to be with our missionaries in Colombia. The trip was a special blessing for several reasons. One of the reasons was that I did not travel alone. Elaine along with Pat and Catherine Agee traveled with me. Our experiences were wonderful are perception of the work that is being done was seen through four different sets of eyes. I can truly say all of us came back with many of the same thoughts.
The first thought that comes to mind is Cartagena, Colombia is HOT. A second thought we all shared was American restaurants are much more efficient than those in Cartagena. Once you settle down for a meal, you plan to stay there for a while. A third thought is that people will sell just about anything. Ask one of us about what all they were tempted to buy or not buy while they were there!
There were many reasons for going. You (Maple Hill) supports three men who are on teams in Colombia. All were present in Cartagena. The Cartatgena church was having their inaugural service. This team has been in Cartagena since April of 2008. They prayed and planned for 100 in attendance this past Sunday. The Lord blessed them with 150 in attendance. Daily the men on this team go out knocking on doors, studying with people. Doing surveys to find out who has no church background so they can offer to those people the “Good News” Their spirits are high, they are optimistic that God is going to bless them with a strong and spiritually healthy congregation. The worship service was at 4:00 in the afternoon. The singing was inspirational. The lesson on “Pleasing God” was well prepared and presented with conviction. Remembering the sacrifice of our savior was presented with care.
On Monday we left for an island off the coast of Colombia for a retreat for all the teams, their families and us gringos. It was a joy to participate in the seminar, the meetings, the devotions and prayer times. Gathered on that island were 11 Latin American evangelist. They taught us they shared their dreams and their commitment to carry out the work of the Lord. One of the young men who spoke told us that all he ever wanted to do was to preach! It was that spirit, that heart that we got to witness. We played with their children we held them, we sang together, we prayed together, we hugged each other, we cried together. Beautiful feet!! “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who say to Zion, Your God reigns.”
Prayer Thought: Daily remember by name, Samuel, Marvin and Desil.