Will You Be To Busy For God This Summer?

Will you be to busy for God this summer? Seriously, are your commitments for “fun-in-the-sun” this summer going to over-shadow the things of God. You know what; that’s a question for me as well! I would ask those prayer warriors out there to pray for me and my family in the traveling that we’ll be doing to make it a priority to let God into our weeks, days, and hours of fun. It is so vital that we don’t get “swamped” with things that God get’s bumped out of our way. You may ask, “How could I possibly bump God out of my way?” Do you normally meet with God’s people when on vacation? If not, do you take time for family devotions and communion? I have been guilty of this with my family… decreasing my priorities with God! Let’s call it for what it is; it’s a matter of priorities. I think if we’re honest with ourselves we’ll find that in this world of fast paced living that many times we put God on the back burner.

May we have an awesome, fun-filled, spirit-filled summer; one that glorifies God in every aspect of our life.

“God’s Chisel” – The Skit Guys

The Coolest People I’ve Ever Known!

The coolest people I’ve ever known are…

• those whose hearts are sold out to God
• those who give of themselves without thought of expense
• selfless beyond recognition
• using their talents for the Lord in their local church
• putting their trust in God for their future
• not concerned about negative thoughts or actions
• those who worship God only with Him in view only
• leading with integrity
• giving 110%

I am sure striving to be a “cool” person  How ’bout you?

-Aric

What’s It All About … or Who?

Performance: a musical, dramatic, or other entertainment presented before an audience.

Many times in the course of the church we shy away from the term performance because of the attention it gets from the secular (and Christian) media.  But I would like to direct our attention at this point to a different thought.  It is not about the “Performance” but rather “Who” our performance is for.  It is no secret that God appoint many gifted people in Bible times to “perform” for His glory, and the “performance” in Heaven is obviously grand and done with the best of excellence, however, it is not because of the performance itself but rather who the performance is done for.

Let me speak to the Worship & Creative Arts team of S.C.C.C.  Easter is approaching in just a few short days; we have a “performance” in place and ready.  Does this word rub you wrong?  I must admit that to a certain extent it does for me but generally speaking it is because of my past upbringing in the church where this word was basically taboo for church application.  Listen, if your heart and strength are in the right place performance is beautiful and powerful… ALL for the glory of God!  We perform for God; this is where our heart absolutely needs to be.  And, while we’re doing this, we need to remember that our secondary mandate is to encourage the church.  In your performance, connect with the church (and possibly in the Easter context the un-churched) in telling them the Good News!

I look forward to “performing” with each of you to the glory of God!

-Aric

Keep Going!

Hey everyone… Thinking that what you’re doing isn’t much and doesn’t amount to anything? Guess what… It will show to everyone around you! Myself and the rest of the team needs you to do your best and to realize that the gift you have and use is from God and not from you… And so your attitude needs to show the importance of your gift…KEEP GOING!

First Post on my BB

I’m slowly catching up to the rest of the world… Now blogging from my BlackBerry … Yes, I’m a geek.

Thought I’d Never See the Day …

S.C.C.C. Worship Ministry is now on “Twitter” … keep up with us!

http://twitter.com/scccworship

“Here He Comes to Save the Day”

[audio http://aricmarshall.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/12-how-great-thou-art.mp3]

O.k., so what if this is a Mighty Mouse quote… I’m o.k. with my age :)  This quote is appropriate for my post today.  Why?  I want to remind us that Jesus is the winner.  Jesus is the reason we still live!  Jesus is, plain and simple, the reason for everything.  Jesus has already taken Satan down, He has already saved us from the pit of hell, He has already seated us at the right hand of God… what more do we need to be victorious today?  Here is a great quote from Charles Spurgeon:

Inasmuch as Jesus has gone before us, things remain not as they would have been had He never passed that way. He has conquered every foe that obstructed the way. Cheer up now thou faint-hearted warrior. Not only has Christ travelled the road, but He has slain thine enemies. Dost thou dread sin? He has nailed it to His cross. Dost thou fear death? He has been the death of Death. Art thou afraid of hell? He has barred it against the advent of any of His children; they shall never see the gulf of perdition. Whatever foes may be before the Christian, they are all overcome. There are lions, but their teeth are broken; there are serpents, but their fangs are extracted; there are rivers, but they are bridged or fordable; there are flames, but we wear that matchless garment which renders us invulnerable to fire. The sword that has been forged against us is already blunted; the instruments of war which the enemy is preparing have already lost their point. God has taken away in the person of Christ all the power that anything can have to hurt us. Well then, the army may safely march on, and you may go joyously along your journey, for all your enemies are conquered beforehand. What shall you do but march on to take the prey? They are beaten, they are vanquished; all you have to do is to divide the spoil. You shall, it is true, often engage in combat; but your fight shall be with a vanquished foe. His head is broken; he may attempt to injure you, but his strength shall not be sufficient for his malicious design. Your victory shall be easy, and your treasure shall be beyond all count.

“Proclaim aloud the Saviour’s fame,
Who bears the Breaker’s wond’rous name;
Sweet name; and it becomes him well,
Who breaks down earth, sin, death, and hell.”

Let’s remember that Jesus is our hero; He will never let us down; He’s always on our side rooting for us; we have the heavenly realm cheering us on.  God has always wanted the best for us… the question is, do you believe it?  This will make the difference.

Aric

Dr. Seuss’ Worship

Remember Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham”? As I was reading a book called “Generations of Praise—The History of Worship” I read a section on where worship has taken place at over the years and where the best place to worship was. I’m pretty sure I’m speaking to the proverbial choir here but it seems obvious to me that the ‘place’ of meeting for worship is not nearly (if at all) as important as who we worship. Do you agree? Anyway, back to “Green Eggs and Ham”.  Here’s my rendition:

• Would you worship in a house? Would you worship with a mouse? Would you worship in a boat? Would there be on you a coat? Would you worship with a song? Would you worship playing ping-pong? Do you worship with guitars or driving a fast car? Would you worship with a hat? Would you allow, in church, a cat? Would you raise your hands toward God or would you stand simply in awe? Would you say that it’s too loud or just a piano be your sound? What does clapping do for you? Or would you sit down in your pew?

Church, worship from the time of the Old Testament to today has changed dramatically only in the tools we use. Our worship of God should never change because the focus is still the same: God! The tools we use and where we worship are up to us (understand that I’m not suggesting we forgo the meeting together each Lord’s day in one location as the Body of Christ). God calls us to simply worship Him wherever we might be.

By the way, I would not eat green eggs and ham!

-Aric

Tearfully Proud of S.C.C.C.

 The church world-wide is a fantastic topic of discussion but I want to focus on our congregation here at Santa Clara Church of Christ in this article.  I am so very proud of our church here!  I have been a part of this churches history for 44 years now and love this congregation with a passion that brings me to tears at times.  This past week I have seen Santa Clara shine so very bright in serving, caring, and selflessness to our own hurting and to the community around us.  From the time we heard of tragedy in our midst people showed up to be the “Church” at the hospital; caring, loving, crying, and praying.  I do realize that our boasting should be in the Lord as Ps. 34:2 & Cor. 10:17 talks about, however, I feel a need to at least mention how thankful I am for once again showing me that this church is alive and serving our family and the Kingdom of God!  Deacons; you men are an inspiration to me.  Worship team (audio, projection, video, and ‘up-fronters’); thank you for tirelessly using your gift.  Luke; thank you for being a huge help to me prior to the service.  Wes; thank you for your message of hope!  Ushers, greeters, kitchen help, parking attendants, all-around-helpers, and so many, many more of you.  I am proud to be a part of this family!  God bless you all as we continue to serve Christ and His Kingdom here at S.C.C.C. -Aric