Few find it...Will you?

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7: 13-14 (NIV)

The Perfect Life or Trun, the Kingdom is Near

Stan preached a sermon with this title Sunday before last. It has been one or the most requested and downloaded in recent times (All have been rich lately!).

Request a CD copy from the church office 785-3575, or download it if you missed it, or you’d like to give it another hearing. City Christian Fellowship - Sermons

Stan said that the perfect life is a journey – to a destination. If you find yourself going the wrong way or lost; “as soon as you turn” back toward your destination and resume your journey, you’re living the perfect life. In reality, and in the sight of our Father, who is the One who really counts.

“…John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

When the voice of John was silenced, Jesus himself took up the same message!

“When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee…From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Matt 3:1-3; Matt 4:12,17 (from New International Version)

Repent means “turn.” The Kingdom of Heaven was near then. It’s near now. Turn.

Realize it. Turn toward Jesus, and the direction of your dreams. Resume the journey – enjoy the journey. -=db=-

The Secret Place, do you have one?

Do you give? Do you pray? Do you fast?

Please consider the “secret places” as described in Matthew 6. Do you have a secret place?

Get one, now. Figure out how. Do it for your sake, and the sake of your wife and children. Do it for the pleasure of your God.

Just do it. Make a plan today. Stay mindful of that plan. Establish some new habits. Perhaps get rid of some.

The Lord help you as you act! -=db=-

"So when you give to the needy…your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. “
“…when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
“…when you fast… so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Matt 6:2a, 3-4; 6; 17-18 (NIV) (Bolding and underlining mine.)

Buffalo River Canoeing Photo DVD is Ready

Guys, the 2007 Buffalo Canoe Trip Photo DVD (for both TV and computer) is ready!

Pick yours up after church Sunday from Tyrel Koenes or Kristen Brock, up where Tyrel sits at the left front of our auditorium.

Price -- a donation of your choice to the youth ministry for Desperation!

Thanks for making it a great canoe trip and retreat! Thanks for your support of our youth!
--
Dwayne <><
CCF Men

The Man God Chooses

At our April 24th men's meeting, Tyrel Koenes, our youth pastor, spoke a challenging, insightful word. I'll give you some highlights here, but suggest you make a CD from the web or listen to his message.
City Christian Fellowship - Sermons
If you don't have that capability, ask and I'll make a copy for you.
He started out with "Salvation 101," "stating that we should live like believers!" In the early days of Christianity, people didn't ask if he or she was a believer. They would ask, "Is he/she an obedient one?" They equated being obedient with having an active, living faith in our Lord. This is a powerful truth communicated throughout the Word, in Jesus day, and to our day.

Tyrel communicated "Christ is the head of the church." "Men be heads -- leaders!" In your families, and in His church.

What kind of man does God choose? "God said he will not despise a broken and contrite heart."

Listen to the whole message! You'll be moved, encouraged and glad you did! Thank you Tyrel.

-=db=-

I was sent this message today by my wife. It convicted me about her need to have me Love her fears out. This made me think a lot and sure did make me ask if I really consider the needs of my wife, family, friends. I desire to do better!!

2007/05/11

Loving Out The Fear
by Jon Walker

All of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. (1 Peter 3:8 NLT)
God enables us to love the fear out of one another.
We drive fear from our families and friends by loving one another so supportively that every one feels safe inside the group (1 John 4:18). This safety allows us to bring our humanity into the open, including all our pain and joy, our ups and downs, our victories and defeats.
It means you give to others the same uncommon safety Christ gives you – to be real, to be sad, to be messed up and confused, yet to be loved.
God challenges us to create a Christ-community where we love like our lives depend upon it (1 Peter 1:22) and where we can each “live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)
We’re to weep as one and celebrate as one, caring for each other equally (1 Corinthians 12:25-26) as we comfort and confront, warm and warn, cherish and challenge within an atmosphere of supportive safety.
Loving the fear out of each other requires that we develop:
Tender hearts – We give support to each other because God gives us support, and we’re to encourage others with the encouragement we receive from him. (2 Corinthians 1:4) In the New Testament, the word ‘support’ can literally mean “to increase one another’s potential.” (Romans 14:19 NJB) We strengthen one another by extending love, instead of fostering fear, and we do that by offering relationships that are safe and sympathetic.
Humble minds –True humility focuses on the worth of others. We understand our value in Christ, and we understand that God shapes each of us for a unique purpose.
Godly eyes – Loving the fear out of our family and friends – in fact, loving the fear out of the world – means we see others for what they can be, not for what they appear to be now. Jesus called Peter a rock when the fisherman was still acting on impulse (Matt. 16:18), and God called Gideon a mighty man of courage when he was hiding from the enemy among piles of grain. (Judges 6:11-12) God calls us to encourage and affirm each other (1 Thessalonians 5:11), seeing those around us in terms of their purpose and mission in life.

So what?
· God enables us to love the fear out of one another. You can love the fear out of others, and you can allow the fear to be loved out of you.

· We exhibit tender hearts when we say to one another:

· It’s OK to have a bad day.

· It’s OK to be tired.

.It’s OK to admit your mistakes.

. It’s OK to say your marriage is failing.

· It’s OK to confess your addiction.

· It’s OK to share you’re scared.

· It’s OK to want a day away from your toddler.

· It’s OK to grieve this loss.

· It’s OK to doubt, to be confused, to cry.

· We exhibit humble minds when we say to one another:

· It’s OK to be happy you got a new car.
· It’s OK to celebrate that you got a huge raise.
· It’s OK to joyfully tell us you lost 17 pounds.
· It’s OK to say you won the sales competition.
· It’s OK to shout “Hallelujah!” because God’s presence in your life is so good.

It’s OK to tell us these things because we will be as happy for you as if these blessings had come to us, and we will join you in hearty celebration.

© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.
Jon Walker is a pastor-advocate living in Southern California and the former pastor of communications at Saddleback Church.

LAUGHTER IS LIKE A GOOD MEDICINE

A LITTLE BOY'S EXPLANTION OF GOD

I certainly don't think an adult could explain this more beautifully!

It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista, CA. He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to "explain God." I wonder if any of us could have done as well? [ .... and he had such an assignment, in California, and someone published it, I guess miracles do happen ! ... ]

EXPLANATION OF GOD:

"One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers." "God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off." "God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have." "Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church." "Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K." "His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important." "You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time." "You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God! Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway." "If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids." "But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases. And...that's why I believe in God." May God bless you! Have an awesome day!

Photo DVD available soon and THANKS

Greetings CCF Men!

The 2007 Buffalo Canoe Trip was great! The LORD gave us good water and excellent weather. The fellowship was great and the campfire was a spiritual highlight. May the Lord continue to work through what He said and did there.

Thanks for participating! There ended up being 53 of us all together! It’s amazing to see that many guys in such a fluid environment do what they’re asked to do and be where they’re supposed to be! You’re an awesome group!

Special thanks to Joe Carruth and Rick Small for planning and leading in key areas. Thanks to Daniel Weston and Austin Brents for a killer fire! Thanks to Alan for leading worship and to Fred, Stan, & Tyrel for sharing – Dennis Padilla too! Thanks to John & Joseph in the lead canoe; and to Ed and Zach in the trail canoe. Thanks to Ken Mason for river recovery (helping in crashes) and noon parking! Thanks to Bobby Burns & Fred Zavala for prayer and ministry covering, as well as shuttling our van. Thanks again to you all for cleaning up and every service that made the trip go so very, very smoothly!

Thanks to men who joined me in photography: Colby Morgan, Rick Small, Ken Mason, and Bill Stuckey! As a result of their fine efforts and sharing, we have a DVD available that really captures the spirit and flavor of the trip! We want everyone to have one!

To that end, we’ve asked the CCF youth to duplicate and distribute these. The men’s ministry wants to bless the youth ministry, so we’re buying the DVDs, and asking each man to make a donation to the youth’s “Desperation” fund when you get your photo DVD. That’s the fastest and surest way of getting these photos and videos in your hands, and it supports our youth! A win, win situation!

This DVD will play in your TV/DVD player or on your computer (if you have a DVD drive.) Besides videos with music and slideshows, all the individual photos are available to your computer for printing, screensavers, backgrounds, etc. [click My Computer, right click on DVD drive, choose Explore, then double click on folders until you find them.] You can also feel free to copy this DVD as you wish.

Thanks again for helping make 2007 a successful and special men’s fellowship. Blessings in the Matchless Name of our Lord and King, Jesus.

Dwayne Bell & the Men’s Ministry Leadership Team

CCF Men's Canoe Trip 2007

CCF Men Buffalo Canoe 2007

Click on Photo above to view more photos and download if you wish!

Prayer at CCF tonight

Tonight is the National Day of Prayer -
prayer meeting at the church. We are going to be praying for the city and the youth of the city. Everyone's invited so I would love for all to come. 6:30pm to about 8pm. Thanks!

Tyrel Koenes
theFuse
479-739-7817

National Day of Prayer - Please Pray

Today Is A National Day of Prayer

Thinking of this I reflected on the amazing prayers of Daniel 9 and Nehemiah 9. Men, please pray these prayers, in the same spirit with me today. Let’s humble ourselves before the LORD, and plea for His mercy and help. It’s important. It’s time. -=db=-

“ For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. "Now therefore, O our God, the great, mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship that has come upon us, upon our kings and leaders, upon our priests and prophets, upon our fathers and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today. In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong. Our kings, our leaders, our priests and our fathers did not follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the warnings you gave them. Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you or turn from their evil ways. "But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our forefathers so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces. Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.” Neh 9:30-37 (NIV)

"Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name." Daniel 9:17:19 (NIV)

http://www.ndptf.org/home/home.html

ZACH SPILMAN ON THE ROAD TOWARD ASIA !

Hey Friends,

Well, today is the last full day at home before we all leave for training in Colorado. Just to remind you, 24-7 is nearing an end, and we are about to leave on our end of the year missions trip. Eight teams will be going to various countries including: China, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Tibet (its a part of China), and the Phillipines. The team I'm on is going to fly into Hong Kong, then go to Myanmar, then go to Tibet, then return to China and fly back to the US.

As I'm about to leave, I'm nervous and a little stressed. I'm thinking about the long days of Missions Prep ahead, about having all the right gear, thinking about life after 24-7, and worrying about how cold Tibet will be! How silly of me, a man training to be a missionary being nervous about a Missions Trip!

Honestly though, I am also very excited. I'm emailing you all just to let you know I'll be out of town (and the US) from May 7th through June 4th. If you still want to contribute financially, you can send a check to New Life Church with 24-7 Missions (Zach Spilman) on the memo line, and if you want to pray for me, here are some things that would be awesome for you to pray for.

1. A strong team bond with my team
2. Energy when our bodies grow weary (including hiking through the Himalayas)
3. Favor with travel, weather, etc.
4. Favor with customs officials and police (may they never catch on to what we're doing!)
5. Safety from injury or illness (Pray Psalm 91 over us!)
6. Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit
7. Great fruit

After seeing what I saw in Mexico, and hearing about all the miracles from the other teams too, I'm expecting a Missions Trip that resembles the book of Acts. So you can pray for miracles too, because they are coming!

Well, that's it. I love you guys, and I just wanted to say that I appreciate you all and the love you've shown to me. I'm looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Zach