Pastor's article
I recently saw an odd story about death, well not death but preparing for death,
well not really preparing...well I don’t know, but it caught my attention. In Accra, Ghana they are building “fantasy coffins.” Yes they are called “fantasy coffins.” Apparently these coffins are made not to just bury the person but to “embody” the persons life. These coffins are built to represent the person. Would you like to be buried in a big goldfish? Or maybe you are a Dr. and want to be buried in a syringe, or a boat lover who wants to be buried in a ship.
There is a story of a school administrator who had a model of his school made to
be buried in and it appears it took ten pallbearers to carry it! This began in this
community in Ghana, but seems to be spreading throughout Ghana. These coffins get even more bizarre, a peacock, a beer bottle, a chile pepper, a lion, a crab and of
course, a cell phone.
As I read this story, I could not help but think that’s a novelty but is that really how
I want to be remembered, by my coffin? When the Lord calls me home, I hope I am
remembered by more than how I am buried, but how my life was one in which others saw Christ.
The Bible talks a lot about death, the hope we have in eternal life, but it also says
a lot about living. Our life is a blessing from God, but we also have a great gift in
knowing we have an eternal destiny.
In John 14:1-3 it says;
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in
me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have
told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that
you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am
going.”
This is a very familiar passage, and one often used in funerals. Its importance is
that it points to the hope we have in Christ. Jesus here assures us that when we die
there is something more. In verse 3, Jesus says “I go and prepare a place for you.”
The Greek word for “place” is topos this is where we get our word for topographical, like in topographical maps. This is a real place, not like a figment of imagination but a real place.
As I read this story, I thought about how interesting it is that these people go to
so much effort to make their “final resting place” one they want. I am more excited to see the one that is not made by human hands but that God has built. Maybe some of us would like to have an unusual coffin, maybe not, but I can say they did do something we should do-consider where we want to be when we die. They considered a “fantasy coffin.” I rather not have a “fantasy” but rather the reality of heaven.
Today, put some effort into knowing where you will spend eternity. The Bible
makes it very clear that if we put our trust in Jesus we can KNOW where we will be
going, and if you aren’t sure, let’s make sure you do.
Some of you may wonder why I would write this article to the church, about
salvation, after all, aren’t we all saved? Well, I just want to make sure your salvation is sure, and not just a “fantasy.” See you Sunday!
In Christ,
Brother Alan
MUSIC MINISTER's article
As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, we’re reminded that season’s
change—but our God does not. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Through every shift in our lives, He remains a loving, merciful Father who is for us.
Just as autumn transforms the landscape, the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts. When we walk in His Spirit, we are made new—washed clean, renewed in purpose, and shaped to reflect the character of Jesus. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
—2 Corinthians 5:17
This is the kind of worship the Lord desires—not just songs and gatherings, but lives
surrendered to Him. Worship that shines in the dark places. Worship that mirrors Jesus in compassion, humility, and truth. Worship that says, “Here I am, Lord—use me.”
We’ve begun rehearsals for our Christmas cantata, Hope in a Manger, and it’s already
stirring hearts. This beautiful work includes eight powerful songs that celebrate the
HOPE we have in Jesus—our Savior, our Redeemer, our King.
Please pray for our choir as we commit to this cantata. Pray that God moves through
every note, every lyric, every heart. Our deepest prayer is that this offering reaches at least one lost soul—someone who needs to hear that God is for them, that He longs to dwell within them, transform their life, and see them blemish-free through the blood of Jesus.
Much Love,
Tyler
Children's Minister's article
Sundays are work days for me, Alan and Tyler so we find other times of the week to worship and study God's Word on our own. I have been blessed to attend the Wednesday morning ladies bible study here at FBC for a number of years. We recently finished a thorough study of Acts that combined the scripture with an inspection of the culture and history surrounding the places and times Luke describes as he, Paul and others travel and spread the gospel. It was so good!
This September we have started a new study by Kelly Minter called No Other Gods. We are leaving some of the history and facts behind and digging deeper into ourselves as we dig into God's word, often referencing those fickle Israelites as God calls them into covenant relationship with Himself. One of the first exercises Kelly has required of us during the early days of the study is to begin to identify the false gods in our own lives that we often place above our Father.
It would be easy to say that our relationship with God is so solid that we wouldn't dream of ever putting anything else above Him in our lives Kelly put it this way, "A professed god is who or what we say is our god; a functional god is who or what actually operates as our god." As Christian, I have professed God, Yahweh, Jesus Christ. That's who I honor, worship, and cling to. But when we start naming things that can become idols or functional gods, I'll bet you see yourself in the straying just as I did. Who of us has not put our trust in Money at one time or another? Are you one who trusts in Possessions and all you can accumulate? Are some of us placing our faith in our degrees or our status in jobs or society? Kinda stings, doesn't it?
Well, I'm going to be transparent here for a minute...I'm going to confess an idol of my own that God brought to my heart because I suspect it might be something many of you struggle with also. I sometimes worship at the statue of Comfort and Ease rather than listening to my Father's voice and following his prompting. I've bought the lie that I deserve to have an easy go of things, whether that be lazing around instead of keeping my house neat and clean or even avoiding things that make me uncomfortable like meeting new people or sharing the gospel.
Becoming a Christian does not guarantee us a primrose path. In fact, Jesus even said,
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
I am coming to realize that being a Christian today means getting out of my comfort zone and following Christ in the things that stretch me. It's not bowing to the idol of Ease and Comfort, but instead, it's listening and obeying the voice that tells me to put aside my own concerns and look to the needs of others.
Will you join me in putting that false god to death? How can you get out of your comfort zone today? Do you need to teach a Sunday School class? Do you need to lead a group? Do you need to share your faith with someone? Do you need to volunteer at Pumpkin Patch or Bethlehem? I'm urging you to pray, listen to his voice and his prompting and then obey. Let's not waste our time worshipping anything other than the One True God!
In Christ,
Marie Dittmar