Thursday, January 17, 2013

Teaching a Child about what happens to their Sin

It's key to really grasping the Gospel.

We've sinned.  Those sins have to go away for us to be with God in heaven.

What happens in between?

It's a tough question, and one that many of us shy away from with little children.  I read this blog post the other day that tackled the subject...

As I saw she began to grasp that idea, I proceeded to describe our particular exchange. She gave me her dirty, torn napkin (a worthless item) in exchange for my coin (a valuable item). Once I saw she understood, I proceeded to equate her dirty napkin with our sin and my valuable coin with Christ’s righteousness. When Jesus died on the cross, He took our sin from us and bore it in our place. Then, our sin is “exchanged” for Jesus’ perfect life (life without sin). If we repent and believe in Jesus, this exchange takes place and God (Holy God) sees Jesus’ perfect life when He looks upon us. That is how we are able to stand before God as sinners.

It's a great read! For the whole thing, click here.

Taking Root,

Blake

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

What's Up Wednesday!

Everything has taken a hit this week as I've needed some time to shepherd my own family.  After a weekend in Gatlinburg for TCTC with our high school youth, I was in Indianapolis Monday for my mom's surgery, and then yesterday Tinley came down with the flu!  No fun, but we consider our trials pure joy for the sake of our growing faith in our healing and providing God! (James 1)

On the up side, the weekend in Gatlinburg was a ton of fun!  Great to spend time worshipping and praying with the teens!


Here's a quick look at what's going on with our youth...


  • FUEL is right at the beginning of a series on James.  Tonight is James 1:19-25.  Next week we jump into chapter 2.  I've challenged our youth to spend time in James with their quiet times over the next month or so.  As a parent, encourage this with questions, comments, proddings, etc.!
  • High School Sunday school is working through a leadership study on the book of Nehemiah.  Up this Sunday is chapter 4!
  • Sign-ups continue for the Junior High Believe trip on February 22-23.  The cost is $75.  Contact me with more questions.
  • We are near some small changes in our Junior High small groups on Sunday night that will improve the health of all groups.  Please Stay Tuned!
Taking Root,
Blake

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Anything in your mailbox from Jesus?

There is nothing more exciting than getting mail on your birthday; I'm convinced. It was just that image that I was struck with as I considered Oswald Chambers' thoughts on the difference between salvation and conversion. Check it out:

"The only sign that a man is saved is that he has received something from Jesus Christ. Our part as workers for God is to open men’s eyes that they may turn themselves from darkness to light; but that is not salvation, that is conversion—the effort of a roused human being. I do not think it is too sweeping to say that the majority of nominal Christians are of this order; their eyes are opened, but they have received nothing. Conversion is not regeneration."
-Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest"

Have you received anything from Christ?

Anything in your mailbox from Jesus?

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

What's Up Wednesday!

This week attempts to bring life back into some semblance of a routine!  Here's what's coming up tonight and this weekend at CCC.
I searched "fun photos" and this was the first one.  That is all.

  1. Believe Sign-Ups start Tonight! Our spring Junior High trip is coming up February 22-23.  The cost is $75 and the deadline to sign-up is January 23.  For more, check out this post.
  2. The Game of Life!  I'm excited through this new series in FUEL centered on the book of James.  Don't miss week 1:  Tough Times show True Faith.
  3. TCTC Info.  Our high school youth pull out for Gatlinburg this Friday at 1:30 pm.  Be praying for them, and if you're a parent with questions, call me!
  4. Root 2:52 Resumes Tonight!  Be here for the new series and the start of Root 2:52 this semester.
  5. No High School Small Groups or Praise Band Sunday, January 13.  We won't get back from Tennessee until Sunday afternoon.  As a result, these 2 things are cancelled for this week.
Taking Root,
Blake

Monday, January 7, 2013

This Weeks Wins!

What a great Sunday to start off 2013!


  • Exciting to see Joe & Kathy honored for 10 years of service here at CCC!  Their value goes far beyond their work; they are some of the best friends people could ask for!
  • It was neat to stand within 5 feet of anyone who went to Passion last week!  They seemed to glow with a new found energy.  I'm excited to see what Christ has inspired in their hearts and minds.
  • We welcome the McAninchs by transfer!  We're also really excited about the baptisms of Evan McAninch & Sophie McAnelly!  Join me in praying for them as they begin their walk with Christ.
Taking Root,
Blake

Friday, January 4, 2013

Linked Up

Stuff I just found to be good or intriguing in my reading across the web:

Watch "The Bible" Miniseries Trailer Mark Burnett is creating the Bible for TV.  The quality of clips I've seen brings goosebumps EVERY TIME.

Why I quit New Year’s Resolutions. (And what I’m doing instead.) Jon Acuff

Parents are memory-makers! Doug Fields

Choose to be Attracted to Your Wife (or Potential Wife) Michael McKinley

Without a dad… Ron Edmonson

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Say a Prayer... And Be Jealous All at the Same Time


The images above are a few shots snapped by friends of mine at the 2013 Passion Conference in Atlanta!

We have a group from CCC there and so I ask you to pray for them today as they sit under the teaching of God's Word and encounter the Spirit!

Oh..  And be jealous.  Pretty much every talented and big name Christian artist and speaker is there this weekend.  All of 'em.

Check out http://268generation.com/passion2013/ for more details and a LIVE STREAM!

Taking Root,
Blake

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

What's Up Wednesday!

Slowly we see things coming back into a rhythm as we start 2013!  Here's what you need to keep your eyes open for this week..
  • NO Activities tonight!  Regular Wednesday stuff starts back next week, January 9.
  • Small Groups Resume Sunday!  All details are the same.  Middle school girls at the Haley's, Middle school guys at the Turpin's, and High school rotating between the Cox's & Agathen's.  REMINDER:  Middle school and High school students will need to bring $15 to assist in the expense of their food for the semester.  They can bring this to their small group, the church office, or Blake.
  • BELIEVE Sign-ups.  Our annual trip to Junior High Believe is February 22-23!  We will head to Cincinnati for the weekend and enjoy an AWESOME weekend of worship and teaching.  The cost is $75 and the deadline to sign-up is Wednesday, January 23.  Unsure?  Check out this video!