A Hymn and a Reminder
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Back in November we began a season devoted to learning great hymns of the faith. Each month we’re highlighting a different hymn in corporate worship and working to learn it together by memory. The hymn for March is “And Can It Be?” by Charles Wesley.
Because we believe memorizing hymns helps us obey Scripture’s command to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16), we are encouraging everyone to sing these hymns with their families, Care Groups, and on their own. The process of memorization is a great way to rehearse these truths and store them up in our hearts.
Visit the Hymns: How Sweet the Sound page for lyrics and background on all the hymns we’re learning, and to learn about “And Can It Be?” in particular.
Also, please take a moment to read the note for parents that we posted here on the blog yesterday.
February 27 2009 at 10:40 am
Note For Parents About This Sunday
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Matt Maka will be preaching from Ephesians 5:3-14. Since the passage addresses sexual sins, we have made plans to offer 12:13 during both meetings. Students of middle school age will be released after the singing. When the service ends, they’ll be dismissed from 12:13 class to rejoin their parents in the Auditorium.
Parents, please use your own discretion about what’s best for your child(ren).
February 26 2009 at 4:07 pm
What I’ve Learned Since “I Kissed Dating Goodbye”
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A while back, I had high hopes to create a series of posts summarizing some messages I’ve done in the past few years on the topic of relationships. Unfortunately, because of working on my new book, I haven’t had time to go into the depth I was hoping to for this series. Hopefully I’ll get to do that in the future, but for now I wanted to post the links to the three messages for anyone who’s interested.
These messages all reflect, in one way or another, things that I’ve learned since I wrote the book I Kissed Dating Goodbye
The following are messages I preached here at Covenant Life out of a desire to clarify what I see as a wrong application of ideas I’ve written about. If you’ve attended Covenant Life for a few years, you’ve likely heard one or more of these, but I hope they’re helpful.
“Romance Revisited” is a message I did last summer at our church’s annual youth retreat. My main burden was to challenge teens to cultivate their own biblical convictions on the topic of dating and relationships, and to make the distinction between commands from God’s word and the wise application of biblical principles.
“Courtship Shmourtship” addresses some misconceptions people can have about courtship, and examines biblical principles that should inform our relationships. I speak to singles who are so concerned with “guarding each others heart” that they’re not talking to one another.
“Courtship is a Community Project” looks at how godly relationships can function in the context of the local church. It’s a challenge to the whole church to come alongside single men and women and provide support and encouragement as they pursue relationships.
The photo is of my friends Adam and Pami on the day they got engaged. Courtesy of the ultimate engagement/wedding photographer Kristen Leigh.
February 25 2009 at 2:40 pm
Website Gets Fresh Paint
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Noticed anything different around here lately? Last Friday, in the wee hours of the morning, our Web team launched a revamped home page for this website. I hope you’re enjoying and benefiting from the changes.
The main idea of the site refresh is to give users easier access to more information from the home page. So now, in addition to this blog, you’ll find “Events” and “News” tabs right on the home page. Check these tabs often for current info. You can also select from several recent blog posts, or choose from a longer list of options under “Recent Media.”
Some of the other changes have to do with bringing member features to the forefront. Now, if you’re logged in as a member, you’ll see a number of member options right at the top of the page. You can go straight to your member profile to make sure it’s current, or go to “Your Settings” where you can easily adjust your password as needed. You can also quickly get to your care group and ministry teams in the Member Photo Directory.
Incidentally, if you see anything that’s out of date or inaccurate in the way your or your family’s photos show up, or your ministry team information looks wrong, please use the “Report a Problem” form to notify our Web team. They love working hard to get this stuff right!
I’d like to thank our Web team, Ryan James, Aaron Simmons and Don Nalle in particular, for the fine work they’ve done to continue to refine the website. It’s a valuable resource for our church family and many guests and inquirers around the world. Thanks, team!
February 24 2009 at 2:55 pm
Grateful for Bob’s Message This Sunday
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Here’s an encouraging e-mail I received from a member who was affected by Bob’s message this Sunday. (Shared by permission. Name withheld.):
Hi Josh,
I want to communicate my gratefulness for your leadership and your “change in plans” this morning. I was truly blessed by Bob’s message today! It was one of those messages where I felt like God was speaking to me directly. I have been experiencing condemnation recently as a result of sin in my life. It’s been hard for me to run to the throne of God lately, feeling like I can’t approach a Holy God and that I don’t deserve to be in His presence. I am so grateful that the pastors at Covenant Life consistently bring us back to the Gospel! Bob’s third point, “Celebrate God’s Victory,” brought it home for me. I must consistently be reminded that Jesus is the only one that lived the perfect life that God requires, and because I am covered in His righteous blood, I can approach a Holy God!
This morning at home when I prayed, “God, humble me and do whatever is necessary to bring me into your presence,” I could not have imagined that He would meet me so specifically.
Bob, thank you for your faithfulness in preaching God’s word and so accurately communicating His heart!
I am grateful for this church!
February 23 2009 at 7:21 am
Psalm 24 : Application
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Yesterday Bob Kauflin preached powerfully on “Living Like a Psalmist.” From Psalm 24, Bob taught us to acknowledge God’s sovereignty, pursue God’s holiness, and celebrate God’s victory.
Audio of the message will be available shortly.
Here are pastor Don DeVries’ application questions to help you go deeper in applying the message this week, either in your personal times of devotion, or with your family or care group:
1. Bob lifted our eyes and hearts to see a God who is sovereign over all the earth. Nothing is outside of God’s rulership or ownership. Nothing thwarts his plans. How can this view of God encourage your faith and trust in the midst of your trials, disappointments, or challenges?
2. Bob reminded us that we are not standing in the Lord’s presence on our own merit. Our clean hands and pure heart are the fruit of God’s justifying and sanctifying work in us. Take time to reflect on and give thanks for what Christ has done for you in his life, death and resurrection.
3. Bob informed us that as Jesus was entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the priests may have been intoning, “Who is this King of glory?” Through his death and resurrection, Jesus revealed Himself as strong and mighty, the true King of glory who delivered us from the slavery of sin and death (see Hebrews 2:14-15). Take time this week to lift up your voice to celebrate God’s victory in Jesus.
4. In what circumstances must you keep your eyes and heart steadfastly fixed on your great Savior, your Redeemer, the King of glory?