Mark Beeson

Darkness Is Coming. Unless....

 

 

General William Booth (1829-1912), founder of the Salvation Army, said, "The chief danger of the 20th century will be religion without the Holy Spirit, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, and heaven without hell."

Darkness is ahead for everyone living without Christ. As surely as the Godless walk in darkness, so does every nation mocking God and every society choosing to let the sun go down on the love of Jesus.

Does this not concern you?

Do you believe honesty, integrity, kindness, goodness, loyalty and devotion will survive our nation's disdain for the Almighty? How can a people turn their backs on the Light and not end up in darkness?

Before the sun sets on our morality and the life-giving-values of God's commandments, we have a window of opportunity to bring our family, neighbors and friends to Christ - lest we surrender to the darkness and let it ruin us all.

 

1 John 1:5-6  -  This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.

This Is All About Jesus....

I participated in Saturday worship with the congregation gathered at our Granger campus. I'm sharing a few of the pictures I took during rehearsal.
 

Worship is all about Jesus.

I encourage you to bring a friend to one of our services.

I encourage you to bring Jesus to them, and bring them to Jesus.
 

"Every Denarius was minted with the words, 'King, Son of God' and 'High Priest.' Jesus (who actually was all three: King, Son of God and High Priest) said, 'You were minted in the image of God, so give Caesar what's minted in his image and give God what's minted in HIS. Give God all you are.'" - Dr. Bob Laurent

"Philippians 1:21 says: 'For me, to live equals Christ.' Christ doesn't just come along beside you. Christ lives in you and when you testify of HIS great love, Jesus speaks though you." - Dr. Bob Laurent
 

Quoting N.T. Wright, Dr. Bob said, "Following Jesus is the most political thing you'll ever do."
 

Dr. Bob offered some advice.

1. "Be engaged in the issues but don't be blindly ideological."
2. "Be engaged in the world through prayer."
3. "Put your ultimate hope in Jesus, not in Caesar."

2 Timothy 2:23-24  -  Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Adding Value

 

 

Go ahead and play this video as you read.

Seeing these musicians cooperate to produce such amazing results triggered a few thoughts in me. As if I was listening to a Coach, these admonitions poured into my mind. I typed them out before the nine minute video ended. Here's what came to me...

1. Learn your part. If you don’t know what’s going on - if you don’t grasp what you can do to add value and make a contribution - you’re likely to add nothing ... or confusion and noise. Get serious. Know your role and hone your skills so you can actually do what you know you should do.
    
2. Play your part. Others will play theirs … or they won’t. Either way, you can only do what you can do, and as you do, your example will encourage others to do the same.
    
3. Keep the beat. Stay with the others. Don’t rush ahead or lag behind. What good does it do to rush off without the others? How do you help by lagging behind? Pay attention and keep pace.
    
4. Life isn’t always exciting, nor is it unending, pedantic, predictable routine. Deliver what’s needed when it's needed. Read the moment and respond to it.
    
5. Finish well. Doesn’t it make sense to live well and die well? When you’re finished playing your part, someone ought to sit up and take notice that you played with such passion and skill. Someone should see that you added value and did your best. Someone, even if that “Someone” is God Almighty, ought to be able to say, “Wow. Well done.”

Your life on earth is short and no one can live your life for you. 

Get on with it.

 

Matthew 25:20-21  -  “The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’”
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

 

 

What Do You Really Want?

 

In recent moments of quiet reflection I've been wondering, "When one of our pastors steps to the platform to preach, what are we hoping for? What are we really wanting?"

Pastors are to preach and teach the fullness of God's Word ... but is that what we want? Do we hunger for the preaching of a clear text that is sharper than a sword and penetrates to the very division of soul and spirit? Do we hope to experience God's judgment on the thoughts and intentions of our hearts?

Is that what we really want? 

Or ... when Dr. Bob stands up this weekend to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, will we be expecting something less?
 

Hebrews 4:12-13  -   For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Ignorance Of God Is a Luxury You Can't Afford.

 

 

My friend Rob Wegner told me the book "Bruchko" was one of his favorites. No wonder. 

“Bruchko,” he said, “my body hurts.  I hurt everywhere.”  “Shh,” I said.  “You need to be quiet.  We want you to be well.  We want you to be strong.”  He shook his head, barely moving it.  “No, Bruchko.  I’m not well and I’m not strong.  I have closed my eyes.”  His eyes did close, and he slipped off.  I stayed near him.  Later he opened his eyes again.

“Bruchko, I heard a voice like the spirits that talk when they try to kill you.”  I nodded.  “But this voice called me by my secret name, by my real name.  No one alive knows my real name, but this spirit called me by my real name.  So I called to it and said, ‘Who are you?’ and it said, ‘I am Jesus, who has walked with you on the trail.’ . . . So I told Jesus that I hurt all over, from my head to my toes.  And Jesus said that he wants me to come home.”  His breath was coming with difficulty.

“Help me, brother!” he whispered, looking at me.  “Help me!”  Then he turned his eyes away.  “But you can’t,” he said.  “I’ve been embraced by death.  I’m leaving, Bruchko.  I’m leaving.  I can’t see.  There’s only pain.  God is here, and he wants to take me on the path we couldn’t ever find on our hunts, the path that goes beyond the horizon to his home.”  Then he smiled, and his face looked for a moment like the one I knew.  “Not alone,” he said.  “Not alone.  I won’t walk it by myself.  There’s a Friend who wants to take me.  And he knows my name, my real name.”

Then his body sagged.  He clutched my hand, and his fingers gradually went limp.  I set his hand down beside his body and walked out of the home.

- Bruce Olson, Bruchko (Orlando, 1995), pages 174-175.

 

1 Corinthians 15:32-34a  -  It's resurrection, resurrection, always resurrection, that undergirds what I do and say, the way I live. If there's no resurrection, "We eat, we drink, the next day we die," and that's all there is to it. But don't fool yourselves. Don't let yourselves be poisoned by this anti-resurrection loose talk. "Bad company ruins good manners." Think straight. Awaken to the holiness of life. No more playing fast and loose with resurrection facts. Ignorance of God is a luxury you can't afford in times like these.

Make No Little Plans

 

After one of the tours of The Granger Commons last week I was asked, "Why didn't we just put up a simple open space for an Atrium? What's the benefit of building something like this? Wouldn't a big ol' pole barn serve the same purpose?"

Good question. I understand why it's asked, but I've always believed excellence inspires people and lofty ideals carry us along paths of glory - paths we wouldn't otherwise choose. God's Kingdom calls for our commitment to a big plan - not so we can be saved, but because we are saved.

David Burnham, the American architect who developed the Master Plans for Chicago and downtown Washington D.C. seems to agree:

"Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans. Aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our (children) and (grandchildren) are giong to do things that would stagger us." 

My thanks to Ray Ortlund for the quote.

Proverbs 24:3-6a

 It takes wisdom to build a house, 
   and understanding to set it on a firm foundation;
It takes knowledge to furnish its rooms 
   with fine furniture and beautiful draperies.
It's better to be wise than strong;
   intelligence outranks muscle any day.
Strategic planning is the key.

A Light Has Dawned

 

At daybreak a great light broke through the canopy and swept across the forest floor. With only a few moments to enjoy the morning, I was sitting quietly when the penetrating light cut through the woods and shined on this little fawn.

The scene struck me and Matthew’s quote of Isaiah's text popped into my head:

"The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned."

Our world suffers a great darkness, but Jesus declares Himself to be “the light of the world” and promises those who follow HIM “will have the light of life.”

I’m counting on it.

Psalm 43:3  -  “Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.” 

Jesus, In The Real World

 

Dr. Bob took us to school this weekend. He's preaching the "Jesus In The Real World" series and I loved every aspect of our services.

• Trace Rorie helped us worship Jesus.
• Dr. Bob preached called us to "make the most important decision of our lives; make the decision to follow Jesus."

Go on-line to GCC and experience the service for yourself. 

One take-away for me...
Bob said, "Jesus came to the lowest point on planet earth, 1,355 feet below sea level, to be baptized. That's where God announced the arrival of HIS Son to John the Baptist. If you are at your lowest point, Jesus is there for you."   

Amazing.

 

Matthew 3:16-17  -  As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Spectacular

 

I peered over the hill this morning and saw these twin fawns. Their mother was near. They never wandered far from her as all three of them wandered off into the woods. 

It was a spectacular few moments of privilege and I thanked God for what HE showed me. I'm grateful for experiences like these and I will not take them for granted. I will not withhold my thanks, my praise or my gratitude. I will not.

 

Genesis 25:24  -  When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

Helping Others Who Are Helping Others As They're Helping Others

 

I woke up this morning praying for our students. We've got four dozen High Schoolers on a mission trip in Nicaragua, and I'm a little bummed that I couldn't go along. They've got fantastic leaders blessing them, watching over them and serving them as they serve the poor in Nicaragua.

I was thinking of some way I could bless the leaders who are blessing our GSM students when it occurred to me that I had enough time before our Saturday services, to pull out the mower and cut the grass at one of the GSM leader's homes. 

So that's what Sheila and I did. We loaded up the mower, and our trusty weed-whip, and dove into our morning project - blessing a leader who is blessing our GSM students as they bless the needy this week in Nicaragua.

It was hot and I was about half-finished when I rounded a turn and noticed someone standing on the sidewalk. 

It was Candi Riem, a member of GCC for the last several years, standing with her daughter Isabella (she calls her "Bell"), offering to help us work.

Amazing!

I'm not sure if Candi's heart of generosity was prompted by concern that her pastor looked like death-warmed-over (hey, I was hot), or if she was simply wanting to do what I wanted to do (help someone who is helping someone). Either way, I was moved by her kind offer and energized by her willingness to serve.

GCC is filled with people like Candi and Isabella. Maybe you're one of them. If so, you can help those serving your kids, your family and your community by offering to serve them...as they serve others.  That way, everyone is blessing everyone as they are blessing everyone, and an unstoppable movement of kindness and good deeds spins into motion. 

I want to be part of a church like that....and I am.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a  -  We ask you too, my brothers, to get to know those who work so hard among you. They are your spiritual leaders to keep you on the right path. Because of this high task of theirs, hold them in highest honour.

New Normal : Projects : Update

 

In the last few days more than a thousand people knelt down to write their prayers on the concrete floors of the expanded atrium, the floors of The Eatery (GCC's new restaurant) and the floors of Reads & Things (GCC's new resource center and bookstore). 

After the tours, we gave away 1,193 big cups of "Urban Swirl" frozen yogurt to more than 1300 people. (Just for the record: the overwhelming favorite was the "Cake Batter" flavor and the "Oreo Cookies" topping.)

 

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If you want to add your prayer to ours, attend one of GCC's weekend services at the Granger Campus (as we launch Dr. Bob's "Summer School") and we'll arrange for you to gain access to the expanded atrium after worship so you can kneel down and write your prayer on the floor.

Come.

We'll worship Jesus. We'll consecrate the new space. We'll clasp God's outstretched hand and serve HIM together.

 

2 Chronicles 30:7-9  -  Don't repeat the sins of your ancestors who turned their backs on God, the God of their ancestors who then brought them to ruin—you can see the ruins all around you. Don't be pigheaded as your ancestors were. Clasp God's outstretched hand. Come to his Temple of holy worship, consecrated for all time. Serve God, your God. You'll no longer be in danger of his hot anger. If you come back to God, your captive relatives and children will be treated compassionately and allowed to come home. Your God is gracious and kind and won't snub you—come back and he'll welcome you with open arms.

Vanessa's Prayer

 

Vanessa is due in October. She's a joy to her parents, a blessing to her son and an inspiration to her friends at GCC. She and her husband Ben came to pray over the new expanded atrium this evening.

She is practiced in prayer and she's been praying a lot lately.

Sheila and I have been praying with her, and as she wrote her prayer on the atrium floor tonight I prayed for her. I prayed for the child she carries. I prayed for her husband. I prayed for her family, and I prayed for her brother.

Some of you may remember her brother was suddently stricken down with a life-threatening illness. Days ago he suddenly and unexpectedly moved from health, vitality and strength to weakness and frailty. He slipped into a coma and days later miraculously awoke. 

Vanessa continues praying for her brother's recovery.

When she got up and walked away I photographed Vanessa's prayer. 

 

John 9:1-3  -  As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him."

The Morning Mist

 

Hosea 6:4-6

Your declarations of love last no longer 
   than morning mist and predawn dew.
That's why I use prophets to shake you to attention, 
   why my words cut you to the quick:
To wake you up to my judgment 
   blazing like light.
I'm after love that lasts, not more religion. 
   I want you to know God, not go to more prayer meetings.

Preparation Counts

 

This post is a celebration of the devotion and good work of hundreds who gave time, talent and treasure to prepare for our 4th of July services at the St. Joe County Fair.

It begins with a group shot of our ensemble of volunteers waiting for their turn to rehearse...and it goes on from there.  

 

I learned a simple truth several years ago.

• If I don't practice today, I know it.
• If I don't practice for several days, my teammates know it.
• If I don't practice for a long time, everyone knows it.

 

At times in my life I've had a vision, or a dream of what "could be," and "should be," but until I prepared myself for it there was no way I could experience it. I needed to grow to meet it. I needed to prepare to experience it.

 

               

After the 4th of July service at the St. Joe County Fair I heard some people talking about how "lucky we were to have such great music at GCC."

In my experience, "Luck" tends to favor those living in the place where preparation meets opportunity.  The quality of our music is more indicative of each artist's devotion to preparation and practice than good fortune.

 

2 Chronicles 35:10  -  Preparations were complete for the service of worship.

 

Oswald Chambers Won't Let Me Alone

 

My four granddaughters are filling my world with sound. All kinds of sound. Laughter, singing, giggles, squeals and shouts could account for the bulk of the noise, but however you describe it, I'm in a surround-sound cacophony....and I love it.

 

In the midst of the noise I locate my wife and daughters. They're busy - apparently doing the things that prompt my grand-kids to make such happy sounds. I watch in amazement as they gracefully move from one task to the next, one child to the next, one question to the next. They personify devotion and sacrifice. 

Oswald Chambers pops into my head. His challenging question, posed in his classic My Utmost for His Highest, intrudes on my "moment" of patriarchal contemplation and I ask myself the question he insists I ask: "Am I willing to spend and be spent; not seeking to be ministered unto, but to minister?"

I can't get his question out of my head.

• Will I joyfully serve when I've gone without sleep, without rest and feel inadequate to the task?
• Will I sacrifice for others when I have a little to give and my sacrifice will be great?
• Will I joyfully serve when I'm emotionally spent and financially strapped?
• Am I willing to minister to others or am I more interested in finding someone to minister to me?

 

2 Corinthians 5:14-15  -  For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

You Can Consecrate GCC's New Atrium

Last night we opened GCC's New Normal projects with tours, Urban Swirl yogurt and an opportunity for everyone to write their prayers of consecration on the floors of our expanded atrium.

People came prepared, having iPads and iPhones in hand with screens displaying their carefully worded prayers. Some wrote Bible verses. Some sat for a while and prayed.

It was a fantastic evening.

 

I lead each tour with an old-school megaphone. On the tour everyone sees GCC's Early Learning Center Natural Playground, the new restaurant, new resource center and expanded atrium. 

The tours last an hour. It's easy for families to participate in these memorable moments of consecration. 

Chris Whitmire, pictured here writing on the floor last night, is the Director of our Early Learning Center. She's amazing.

You can register for one of the four remaining tours here. 

There are only four tour opportunities remaining: this Sunday at 5:00 & 6:30, Wednesday at 6:30 and Thursday at 6:30. You must register to attend (otherwise, we might run out of Urban Swirl..and that could get ugly).

Children blessed with the opportunity to write their prayers on the floor will remember what they did for the rest of their days. If you have kids: register all of them, help them think about what they'll write on the floor and bring them with you!

 

 

We're Raising the BAR as we Activate the Campus at GCC. Our Summer Surge is making a fall launch of our New Normal projects possible, and we're doing it all with cash! No new debt. No loans. We're paying as we go.  If you'd like to join the Summer Surge, go here.

As we share Holy Communion in worship this weekend, I pray you'll lend your prayers to the consecration tours by registering for one of the four remaining opportunities.

 

1 Kings 8:64a  -  The king consecrated the middle of the court that was before the house of the Lord...

How The Pledge Impacted a Kid

 

I remember when I was a child in school and we stood at the beginning of each day beside our desks to pledge our allegiance to the American flag. We learned (if by no other means than daily repetition) the words to the pledge. Those words carried greater meaning with each recitation.

I remember seeing tears running down the cheeks of old veterans who declared their pledge of allegiance as they stood near me at school assemblies, church services and community events. I remember tears in their wives’ eyes too. Their sincerity marked me and I wondered what they had experienced across the years that elicited such emotion. The simple act of standing up and saying those familiar words stirred something deep inside them.

I remember the veterans who were moved by their pledge a few days ago when GCC met at the County Fair for a 4^th of July Service. I’ve heard story after story of its impact. Many told me they were touched by the service, stirred by the music, inspired by the veterans who stood to be honored and transfixed by God’s determination to transform this world. The story of a prodigal son who returns to his Father and pledges himself to his Father’s service moved thousands to consider their own devotion to our Heavenly Father.

Before your memories of July 4^th fade, I encourage you to consider what you’ve pledged yourself to be and do.

Think about it.

When it comes to duty, honor, integrity, loyalty, devotion, fidelity and a willingness to exchange your life for "mission success"…is there anything you’re so devoted to, that you would stand in public and say aloud, “I pledge my allegiance to” … what?  Anything?  Anything at all?

Are you adjusting your life to accept God’s invitation to join HIM in his work? Do you pledge your allegiance daily to the service of God?  Or are you simply trying to save your life: grabbing all you can, from whomever you can, for as long as you can?

Nobody can pledge your allegiance but you.
  The choice is yours.
     Choose wisely.

(...and if you've chosen to accept God's invitation and pledge yourself to the Jesus Way, you be glad to know you can receive Holy Communion at any of our services this weekend.)

 

Matthew 16:25-26  -  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

 

Admirable

Sometimes the best thing to do is celebrate your family. This post reflects that notion.

I've got great kids. I prayed for all of them today (as is my custom), and I prayed for their children too.

This picture features Angela and John with their two girls: Lydia (in John's arms) and Norah (who seems unable to take her eyes off her beautiful mother).

Sheila invested decades of her life to the high calling of motherhood and I thank God for every day she gets to enjoy the fruit of her labor. She is a remarkable woman, and worthy of praise.

Proverbs 31:30-31

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. 
   The woman to be admired and praised 
   is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves! 
   Festoon her life with praises!

 

Agricultural Anguish

 

The drought is bringing devastating loss to many of my friends. 

Farmers are losing a little more each day. Whether they're spraying for Aphids or pumping thousands of gallons of water to irrigate their crops, those giving their lives to grow food for the world are taking a beating. The costs continue as the drought reduces their payoff for a job well done. Some are already admitting they are "working for free." By the time they pay their expenses, they'll make zero profit from this year's harvest. It's a fight just to break even.

Would you work for a year for no profit? Would you labor all year for no gain? Pray for the farmers who do; America needs their success and depends on their perseverance through hard times. 

Pray for rain.

James 5:17-18  -  The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.

The Genius of GCC's Video Gurus

 

Father's Day from Granger Community Church on Vimeo.

 

I have no better reason to post this video than to share it with the world. It is fantastic art...and it's hilarious.

GCC's Video Team imagined, wrote and created this brilliant masterpiece of sheer video genius for our Father's Day weekend services a few weeks ago. 

In less than two minutes you can see why artistic creativity adds so much value to the church's impact. 

1 Kings 7:14a  -  Hiram was a real artist—he could do anything...

Make Music From Your Heart To The Lord

 

Some days I am weary, so tired I consider the prospect of moving from my bed as impossible, as if Everest looms before me and its unfeasible ascent is the agenda for my day. Some days, when I feel like that, I wonder, "Am I just getting old? How can it be that the Battle still rages? How can it be that I need to fight for every step of progress the church makes? Why does every step feel as if I'm walking through molasses?"

Some days I am weary.

So I wait on God.

When I wait, I'm able (as Paul told the Ephesians) to "make music from my heart to the Lord." I don't want to get out of bed. I don't even want to sit-up until I gain a bit of perspective. Then I can adjust my life to accept God's invitation to join again in HIS work...and experience God in the process.

It helps to remember I'm not the only one who tires. Every person in the service of the King needs some encouragement from time to time. Paul told the Thessalonians to "not grow weary of doing good." I imagine Timothy was bolstered by Paul's words: "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith."

I'm not the only one striving to press ahead. I'm not alone when I pray God will help me stay the course and run my race, even when fatigue threatens me.

I've learned to pause at the beginning of each new day just long enough to remember "the battle is the Lord's," As I wait, I'm encouraged. And as the Lord renews my strength; heaven's music fills my heart ... and I get up to follow Jesus.

I beg you; do not give up when waiting on God seems endless. God will help you.

Wait for the Lord.

Isaiah 40:30-31

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 

Old Barred Owl

 

Job 30:29  -  I howl with the jackals, I hoot with the owls.

4th of July Surprise

Look what flew in as the sun was setting on the 4th of July!

This is one of a family of four Barred Owls (Strix varia) and it's the first time Sheila and I have seen them all together. We knew a pair was nesting in the cavity of a tree in a woods nearby, but for weeks the mother stayed with the babies in the tree while their dad brought them food. Now that the babies are hunting (we saw them catch and eat two chipmunks) they're out and about...enjoying Independence Day.

Psalm 104:17a  -   Birds build their nests in those trees.

On this 4th of July...

I can't get Judge Miller's words out of my mind.

Maybe it's because of our recent celebration with the MIller's Vets Color Guard at our 4th of July Service. Maybe it's because I was able to speak again with Judge Miller himself. I'm not sure. I just know that on this 4th of July I am humbled and inspired by men and women who love and serve this great country. 

With tears in his eyes, reflecting on being a recipient of the Purple Heart, the judge said, "I am certain that the privilege of shedding my blood in defense of our great country was clearly my finest hour."

Duty. Honor. Valor.

My prayer on this 4th of July:  "Please God, give this nation more faith-filled citizens with hearts like that." 

1 Peter 2:13-17  -  Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.

Sowing and Reaping

 

The Biblical principle holds true, whether with individuals or nations.

There are consequences inherent in our choices. 

Though consequences may seem delayed, and it may feel like they're never going to get here, don't be deceived. No individual or nation is exempt.

Reaping is inevitable.

Repent and trust Jesus. In HIM lies salvation; with HIM resides our only hope.

Proverbs 22:8a  -  Whoever sows sin reaps weeds.

Our Nation's Heroes

Keeping to our longstanding tradition of honoring our veterans at GCC's 4th of July Services, we invited a Miller's Vets Color Guard to help us celebrate the freedom and independence of this great nation. It was an honor to worship beside our veterans.

You may recall Judge Miller (awarded a Purple Heart for his injuries received in combat) is in his 90's but his resolve to help homeless veterans in Michiana hasn't wavered one bit.

Miller's Vets was birthed in a moment he won't forget. He saw the picture of a homeless man in a coffin-like box on one of South Bend's streets. Reading The Tribune's description, Judge Miller learned that it was 18 degrees outside when the picture was taken. He thought, "That could be a vet." The offense of that notion prompted his strong reaction; the Judge told me he didn't have time to mess around, so he started Miller's Vets.

GCC has partnered with The Center for the Homeless, and Miller's Vets, on the 747 Project. Our plan involved the ongoing renovation of the building at 747 South Main Street in South Bend. We're determined to serve homeless vets, renewing their spirits and helping them get a fresh start in life.

My deepest appreciation goes to Judge Miller for a lifetime of contribution to his country and community.

He is worthy of honor.

 

I can explain the power and intensity of our 4th of July service at the Fair Grounds, but not with the judge's verbal dexterity. The judge is one of the most articulate people I know. He gave me permission to share portions of his erudite summation of our 4th of July Service.

He wrote:

I am convinced that I just watched, and participated in, one of the most evangelical, exhilarating and exciting ceremonies of my lifetime. It was indeed the most singular in its outreach, and its inclusive nature for 3,786 members and guests, from far and near was unmatched. …

Dr. Mark Beeson, the GCC Sr. minister, is indeed, one of a kind.  …  He gave a brief, but glowing, report on Miller's Vets, describing their function in the ceremony. Far too graciously, he also described my participation and proceeded to introduce me again to the 3,786 member audience by asking me stand and then asking the audience to stand, welcome and thank me. The enthusiasm clearly equaled the 80,000 fans at the Notre Dame-Navy game last fall upon my public receipt of the Father Corby Award. Admittedly, the cheers of the 80,000 could possibly have been louder, but if so, I could not detect it.

The vets smartly marched in from stage left under Luke's commands, accompanied by Rich and Bill playing "America the Beautiful." The producers had wired Luke and after the presentation and posting of the Colors, Luke led the audience in a loud, firm and impressive voice, in the Pledge of ALLEGIANCE. The detail then retired to the accompaniment of Rich and Bill playing "Amazing Grace." They received, and certainly deserved, a standing ovation.

I could not have been more proud. 

It is my great privilege to serve our community beside Judge Miller.
 

Psalm 45:3-4

Strap your sword to your side, warrior! 
      Accept praise! Accept due honor! 
      Ride majestically! Ride triumphantly! 
   Ride on the side of truth! 
      Ride for the righteous meek!