14 & 15 Nov: the Bible readings for this weekend are

Matt. 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, & John 20-21

From October 1 through this last Friday, we’ve read & watched as the gospel writers have chronicled from before Jesus’ birth through his last breath & burial.    

The final chapter of Matthew, Mark & Luke & the final 2 chapters of John is where we watch Jesus rise from death….up from a still heart, deflated lungs, & the 75 pounds of myrrh & aloe that Joseph & Nicodemus wrapped his lifeless body in.

“We believe that by his incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus Christ acted as our representative and substitute.  He did this so that in him we might become the righteousness of God: on the cross he canceled sin, propitiated God, and, by bearing the full penalty of our sins, reconciled to God all those who believe.  By his resurrection Christ Jesus was vindicated by his Father, broke the power of death and defeated Satan who once had power over it, and brought everlasting life to all his people; by his ascension he has been forever exalted as Lord and has prepared a place for us to be with him.  We believe that salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved.”*

I pray God would help us to read, reflect, re-read, recount, recite, recap & rejoice! in these chapters, like we did this Missions morning @ New Covenant, in the foundation of our faith & the fuel in which we reach out to others w/ – in love, in truth, in Christ alone, “Lift high the Cross, the love of Christ proclaim, Till all the world adore His sacred name.”

In our reading plan, we just spent that last 36 days reading the gospels & now move into the next 36 days of reading through the rest of the New Testament beginning tomorrow. It’s going to be an exciting time as we take these steps together J  This is just about the time I customarily fall off of new habits & routines…I pray we can support one another in fixing the priority of Scripture in our lives, living out as Jesus himself demonstrated when he was tempted by the devil, “It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  It’s also a nice natural transition for more to join in if you haven’t had an opportunity to until now.

Christ is risen!

*The Redemption of Christ:

http://thegospelcoalition.org/about/foundation-documents/confessional/

The Bible reading for yesterday and today is Matt. 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18-19 (wow!).

Well, the Sisters Together diner was wonderful!  We learned from the master chefs how to slice and dice onions, leeks, celery and butternut squash, peel and cook shrimp, prepare focaccia bread and artisan peasant bread in minutes, thicken and puree soups, and use an immersion blender. 

And then we tasted samples of Shrimp Chowder (Gina’s family recipe) and Dairy-Free Butternut Squash Soup, as well as the yummy breads.  For copies of these recipes (and more yummy ones), pick up Part 2 of the Sisters Together recipe book at the Welcome Table on Sunday.

After the lively cooking demonstration, we transitioned to more sobering talk about the tongue. 

Our panel  (pictured above) presented a very balanced discussion on the subject of ‘Anger, Stress & Ugly Words: Taming the Tongue’, ranging from practical pointers, to personal testimony, to the hope of the gospel amidst the awful realities of the untamed tongue.  We were challenged by insightful words, encouraged by the power of the gospel at work in our sisters’ lives, and warned of the hurt that the untamed tongue can bring.

We sang “May the Mind of Christ my Savior” as our closing prayer and benediction, reminding all of us that we are utterly dependent on our Lord and Master to control these powerful tongues, to bring healing and comfort where there has been deep hurt, and to transform polluted waters (our hearts) into streams of living waters. 

Our next gathering, which I neglected to mention last night, will be Thursday, January 29 at Clarinda James’ home and will feature both another cooking demonstration, and a discussion on ‘Beauty, Vanity and the Christian Woman’.  Hope to see you there!

The Bible reading for yesterday and today is Luke 22; John 13-17.

Yesterday, Lily and her friend decided to open a restaurant for dinnertime (using the tea cart found at the roadside)–this diner was complete with signs, menus and a cart laden with food.  The name of the restaurant?  I’m glad you asked, ‘Chicken Booth’.  Are you drooling, yet?

Okay, so the name wasn’t fabulous, but the idea?  I love it.  So, tomorrow our Sisters Together diner opens its doors for Soup and Bread at Barb Peterson’s home (check the e-news for directions).  The restaurant opens precisely at 7pm (though latecomers will be admitted) and will feature free, tantalizing samples of the foods being prepared in the kitchen (by master chefs Gina and Caroline), as well as a yummy dessert.

Seriously, I hope many of you will be able to join us–our sisters on the panel will address the sins of the tongue that stem from anger and stress, challenging all of us to grow more in the likeness of Jesus.  And, for those who are interested, I’ll have copies of Paul Tripp’s excellent book War on Words available for purchase. 

We’ve been reading Jesus’ final words to his disciples before he went to the cross, and he emphasizes unity again and again in his prayer in John 17.  For our lives to be knit together into one Body, that is, the Church, we must gather together, speak honestly with one another, challenge and pray for one another, and proclaim God’s goodness to one another. 

So, I hope you’ll join us tomorrow night–at the Sisters Together diner!

The Bible reading for today is Matt. 26; Mark 14.

Julie’s post for the weekend was a perfect summary of all the thoughts that have been running through my head as I’ve been following the readings these past few days–if you haven’t joined our Bible reading plan and are thinking now might be a good time, we’d love to have the network grow of ladies committed to reading through the Bible this year.  If you need a schedule, let me know in the comments section and I’ll e-mail you one.

Our Handiwork gathering Friday night was absolutely delightful!  If you’ve been hesitant to come because you’re not working on a project, follow Kathy’s example (and Charleen’s example the last time we met) and just come!  You won’t be disappointed, and likely, you’ll be put to work.  Jenny Jezek brought an armful of felt needing to be cut up for Sunday School, and soon, Kathy was wielding scissors (and asking things like, “Do you want numbers on the dry bones?”).

The scraps of felt piled up as the scissors did their work–many more hands could have joined in the fun :).

There was some knitting (two works completed, another started), some beautiful embroidery by Caroline, and some fabric selection for upcoming projects.

There was lots of laughter, good conversation ranging from theology, to missions, to the excitement of curbside finds.  And one of those finds, served up the goodies that fueled the creating for the evening–behold the tea cart (does anyone have any ideas for what to put on the bottom shelf?).

Hope you’re able to join us when we meet next.  And mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 1 at 7:30pm–I’m hosting a neighborhood Handmade Holiday Open House to showcase some of the creations of my neighbors and friends.  It would be a great opportunity to purchase some unique gift items that feature handiwork and to be inspired by the creations of others.

The Bible reading for today & tomorrow is Matthew 24 & 25.

The tone & topic of Jesus’ words have been getting pretty intense.  On the heels of Matthew 23 & the seven woes (wow!), we watch & listen to Jesus as he begins to map out & manage his disciples expectations of what is to come.  The ‘when’ to match Jesus’ ‘what’ is the big question mark which is hanging like a hook on these chapters, swinging back & forth with each iteration of Jesus urging his disciples to be alert, be on guard, be prepared, be good stewards of the resources he’s given us - employed in the biz of tangibly meeting the needs of those around us, & preaching the gospel to all the nations.

Borrowing from text notes b/c it’s drives plainly to the point, “Being ready for Christ’s coming involves more than playing it safe and doing little or nothing.  It demands the kind of service that produces results.”

A little internal gut check: if you had to rate your ‘readiness’ for Christ’s return on a scale from 0-10, how would you rate yourself?  How can we help each other & ourselves to heighten the awareness Jesus is calling us to?

May today & tomorrow’s passage provide good pause for us as we take inventory of what we’re spending our time & resources on & how kingdom-centric we are in our thoughts, our plans, our relationships.  I pray Christ would help us dial up that awareness, to absorb & store up his words in our hearts & continue to sanctify us into folks that are committed to aligning our lives with the kingdom of heaven.

The Bible reading for today is Matt. 23; Lk 20-21.

Our second ‘interview’ with the women of our church is with Caren Van Byssum–enjoy getting to know her a bit better today!

(1) How did you decide to make New Covenant your home?

Don and I had decided, after 16 years of marriage and attendance at the same church in Elmhurst, that we would be better able to serve and be more closely connected to a Christian community of believers in a church in Naperville where we had been living that whole time.  We were able to narrow our choices down by going on-line and then started attending those churches whose doctrine and world-view seemed best to match what we were able to discern from Scripture.  Upon hearing from Ann Davidson that College Church was doing a plant here, we visited there, found kindred spirits and faithful teaching.  We are grateful to God for leading us to our new church home and family of the faithful.

(2) What circumstances brought you to God and when did you give your life to Him?

As a result of a disfunctional marriage which ended in divorce when I was 31 years old, I became involved in AlAnon.  This program, along with AA, reminds us that we are powerless and can do nothing without our “Higher Power“.  Well, as a result of having been brought up with Lutheran training, I knew Who the Higher Power was.  I joined a Bible Study and began to learn anew of Jesus and His tender care for His people.  I started trusting in Him and as is always the case, He has never left me nor failed me since. 

(3) What are you involved with at New Covenant Church?

Currently, I serve 5 or 6 times a year in the Nursery, at the Welcome table on the fourth Sunday of the month and with the Mission Focus group.  Having had training and served in the capacity of a Stephen Minister for about 5 years in my previous church, I am seeking guidance and clarity as New Covenant grows as to what type of caring ministry might be developed.  (Ask me about Stephen Ministry some time and I’ll explain it in more depth.  Ask my kids, I’m not often at a loss for words.)

(4) What has challenged you the most this past year and how has God used New Covenant Church to mature you as a Christian?

I sometimes find it difficult to purpose myself to get out to Growth Group on Sunday evenings, but I am always rewarded with sweet fellowship and in-depth development of the Word.  I am most blessed by the faithful expository preaching of our Pastors at New Covenant.  I can never get enough of the Truth and encouragement God’s Word gives us as we open our hearts and minds to it.

(5)How can we pray for you and your family?

Don and I have 9 grown children and also 9 grandchildren.  Coming out of the disfunction of our previous lives, there is often tension, dissension, impatience and misunderstanding that have resulted in broken bonds. Pray that as the Lord works His saving grace into this family and as we experience forgiveness and restoration, we would all extend that same forgiveness and restoration to each other.

The scripture reading for today is Matt. 22; Mark 12 (yesterday’s was Mark 11; John 12).

There’s been a flurry of creation around the O’Donnell home as of late–from Lily’s ‘Clubhouse Plan’ (I’ll spare you a picture since its extremely similar in form to the Halloween schedule), to the ‘Baby Train’,

to Charlotte’s Duplos tower (the flu is no match for the desire to create),

to Simeon’s marble run (previously featured at Second Saturday).

I’ve been busy, too (not just cleaning up after their creations)–a couple birthday gifts for the girls’ friends,

some handmade Christmas outfits,

and, my favorite, a new crazy shower curtain!

As fulfilling as it is for me to create, my creations never take my breath away the way God’s handiwork does–have you been enjoying the flurry of creation taking place outside your window?  The leaves outside my window right now are truly breaktaking–strikingly beautiful and far superior to anything I’ll ever create. 

This Friday we gather again for Handiwork, our first-Friday-of-the-month gathering at our home for all women who desire to create (anything, really).  If you have the desire to create but lack the ’skills’, come to learn, watch and enjoy the inspiration that comes from watching others use their hands to create.

I hope to see you there (here. . .7:30pm).

The Bible reading for today is Luke 18:15-19:48.

My kids were ridiculously excited for Halloween this year.  Since its not my favorite holiday (if you can call it that), I tried to play up the harvest theme and play down the spooky theme.  Our front porch is a reflection of the ‘harvest’ theme–the beauty of God’s creation put together creatively.

Unfortunately, my low-key approach to Halloween did nothing to dissuade their enthusiastic waiting for the ‘big’ day.  Their waiting involved planning–to make it a special day, they drafted a schedule for the day. 

The schedule included such activities as ‘make some crafts’, ‘pumkin muffins at 7:25 or 7:30am’, rake leaves at 9 or 9:30am’, ‘look for nature at 9:45 or 10am’, ‘carve pumkins at 3pm’, ‘make pumkin seeds at 4:00′, ‘play for a little bit’, ‘do piano (p.s. for 15 minutes)’, ‘get candy bowl ready’.  This is just a sampling–pretty much the entire day was planned out with work to make the day special (and for the record, I do know how to spell pumpkin).

And the day was special–we didn’t finish half of what they planned, but their work paid off and they delighted in the fruits of their waiting and working.

The reason I mention all this is because of how our reading in Luke 19:11-26 reminded me of my children and their expectant planning–in the parable Jesus tells of a noblemen going to a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.  He entrusts 3 of his servants with ten minas each and commands them to ‘engage in business’ until his return.  When he returns, he commends and rewards the 2 that faithfully invested and worked with what they were given; but the third is condemned for his lack of action.  While waiting, he did nothing with the minas, had nothing to give, and is left with nothing.

Jesus’ message is clear–we have been entrusted with the gospel and there is gospel work and investing to do!  When King Jesus returns, what will He find from his servants?  Have we invested our money, our time, our words in gospel returns?  Are we taking action while we wait, planning how to best use what we have been given, looking to the certain reward for those who sow seeds for the kingdom?  

Let us not be caught like the last man, inactive, fearful, unfaithful, keeping our ‘faith’ in a handkerchief, but let us wait and work and plan like little children excited for the day of His return! 

1 Nov: the Bible reading for today is Matt. 20-21

Ladies, we are exactly 2/3 of the way (60 out of 89 chapters) through the gospels as we toggle between the synoptic accounts & John J It has been an exciting approach that I’ve never taken before & have found the comprehensiveness of it comforting in a sense that no nuance has been left unturned as we are getting the full view & account of Jesus’ life.  So if proportion recommends anything & the first 2/3 of the gospels have covered birth through 33 years, I’m eager to encounter the last 1/3 that we’re going to cover in the first half of November which focus on the last few weeks of Jesus’ life…the arrival to Jerusalem & his final public teachings, the last supper, his betrayal & arrest, his trial & crucifixion, a burial, an empty tomb!, our resurrected Savior & his ascension!!  What a blessing to have the gospels fresh & warming our minds & hearts as the air chills & we find ourselves w/ ample opportunity during & among the peripheral weeks of up & coming celebrations of Thanksgiving & Christmas, to ask good questions & be good listeners with those Christ is urging us to love & care for – in our own families, @ work, with the body of New Covenant, with the communities we live, Naperville & those we are supporting that extended such love to far-reaching continents, like the tip of South Africa which the Kuligin family, who joined us @ Community Chat this evening, is committed to serving.

Victor Kuligin shared 3 main points: First, God’s saving grace is spreading quickly in Africa.  Next, the resources & educational opportunities for believers & pastors to receive sound training are scarce.  Finally, his family is thrilled to be transitioning 14 hrs south of where they have previously been living & serving to join The Bible Institute of South Africa where Victor will contribute through teaching & training in Systematic Theology.  Victor mentioned John Stott as he spoke & I found this excerpt from the John Stott Ministries website that summarized the spirit of what Victor shared much more eloquently that I can type:

“If it is true (as Jesus said, quoting from Deuteronomy) that human beings live not on bread only but on God’s Word, it is equally true of churches. Churches live, grow and flourish by the Word of God, and languish and die without it. It has been observed that ‘the decadent eras and periods of the church’s history have always been those in which preaching has declined’. Conversely, whenever the Word of God is faithfully expounded and applied, congregations grow in both size and depth.”

Reading this made me smile.  I smiled first because I am so thankful that our pastors & our elders @ New Covenant are so committed & exceptionally gifted in preaching Christ from all the Scriptures.  I don’t know the right words, nor the effective combination of the ones I do, which might even come close to expressing the transformation that transpires as my ears collect their words, the Holy Spirit stamps them into my heart & I find the patterns of thoughts & motives exposed, challenged, & changing through the following week.  I have been thinking lately about my own languished state during many years of the last 12 since I’ve been following Christ where sound teaching was not present.  I can relate with Africans that may be in the position that Victor said many likely are in.  I am full of thanks for the extravagant gift that the preaching & community of New Covenant is to me & will begin to pray for the Kuligin’s as Victor & his family makes it possible for African pastors to faithfully expound & apply the Word of God to vibrant believers off the coasts of the South Atlantic & Indian Oceans.  May their congregations indeed grow in size, in depth, & in adoration of our Lord Jesus! 

Julie