Too True

Let’s face it. All of us gossip. Some manage to justify it with a straight face by convincing the eager listeners of the story’s veracity. Just as Satan salivates at the sight of idle hands, so he thirsts for the pitter-patter of idle chatter...

...It has fast become the forgotten sin despite its devastating ability to kill three people at once: the one gossiping; the one being gossiped about; and the one listening, soaking in every word like a sponge.

From "Gossip: The Sin that Keeps On Killing" by Thor Tolo. To read the entire article, click here.

Go Cats!

Today I went to my first Linfield football game--as a member of the Pep Band! Dustin and Eric suggested I could play along, and sure enough, the student director let an old guy like me jump in a play my sax. It's been about 21 years since I played in a band for a football game (yikes), but I think I did okay.

It was fun to see some of our New Hope college students participating in the football team, the cheerleading squad and the pep band. And it was also fun hanging out with the musicians. I hope to get to know them better at the next few home games.

As a football fan, I was a little dismayed that the pep band gets the crummiest seats in the stadium, down on the track at the 5-yard line. You can sort of see my view of the game below. Still, Linfield won 52-42 against some team from Texas, and it was fun to be there!

I think it's an important part of our Christian walk to "be there," out in the community and not always in our church bubble. And I sure hope I can be "salt and light" to folks in McMinnville who need His love, whether they're in a pep band, working at my kids' school or watching 6-year-old girls practice soccer.

The Audience of One

Today I read an article by Bob Kauflin about Why We Sing as believers. In the article he quotes from a fictional book by Oregon's own Randy Alcorn called "In Light of Eternity," and it really moved me. Here is Kauflin's excerpt from Alcorn's book:

... The army began to sing, perhaps hundreds of thousands, perhaps a million.

I added my voice to theirs and sang the unchained praises of the King....As we sang to the gathered throngs of [heaven], the sheer power of their voices, our voices, nearly bowled me over....Our voices broke into thirty-two distinct parts, and instinctively I knew which of them I was made to sing. "We sing for joy at the work of your hands...we stand in awe of you." It felt indescribably wonderful to be lost in something so much greater than myself.

There was no audience, I thought for a moment, for audience and orchestra and choir all blended into one great symphony, one grand cantata of rhapsodic melodies and powerful sustaining harmonies.

No, wait, there was an audience. An audience so vast and all-encompassing that for a moment I'd been no more aware of it than a fish is aware of water.

I looked at the great throne, and upon it sat the King...the Audience of One.

When we completed our song, the one on the throne stood and raised his great arms and clapped his scarred hands together in thunderous applause, shaking ground and sky, jarring every corner of the cosmos. His applause went on and on, unstopping and unstoppable.

And in that moment I knew, with unwavering clarity, that the King's approval was all that mattered -- and ever would.

Linfield College Faith Fair

I got a chance to represent New Hope Christian Fellowship today at Linfield's "Faith Fair," where churches could meet students looking for a church. To be honest, there weren't very many students who came by (the weather was a little chilly), but I did get to meet a few guys and girls who are looking to find a place to worship.

The most fun part for me was seeing a few of our own students who stopped by to say Hi (Ian, Meagan, Caitlin, Heidi, Laura, Anne...) And it was also fun getting to know a few of the other pastors and church representatives from places like Creekside, Church on the Hill, Adventure Christian, Valley Baptist and the Presbyterian Church.

I'm so glad we have a good number of college students at our church! I counted 27 young men and women last Sunday morning when we invited them up front to pray for their school year. We aim to be a church for all generations, and our students are one of those important and cherished parts of our fellowship. May we be a church that encourages them and inspires them to live their lives for God's glory!

Makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over!

Assurance

How can we feel assured that we are saved? Doubts about our salvation are normal for anyone who's been a believer for a while. For some, these times of doubt are just a natural part of the ebb and flow of the Christian walk. For others, these doubts need to act as a wake up call for self-examination--am I a true believer, or someone who just "prayed a prayer" years ago?

Fortunately, it is God's desire for us to feel assurance about our eternal standing, not to live our lives in fear and doubt. If you are in a time of questioning right now, here are links to a couple articles I just read today. They are really terrific, and I hope they can encourage you.

Helping People Have the Assurance of Salvation - John Piper

Recovering Assurance Through Faith - Albert Mohler

From the mission field

I sent out an email reminder to everyone about the Progressive Dinner on Friday morning, and Rebecca Hardin sent me this reply all the way from Indonesia!

As you can guess, one of the hard parts of serving the Lord overseas is that you miss out on the fellowship of your family and church back at home, so when you think of it, pray for Rebecca over on the other side of the world!

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted you to know I wish I was there to enjoy all the fellowship and yummy fixins....who knows maybe we can have something like this in Dec while I am back for a visit.

Just wanted you all to know how much I appreciate your prayers. I have to go to Singapore by myself for a couple of days regarding my work, so any and all extra prayers for me during this trip (Sept 13-14) is really appreciated.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful time of fellowship, fun and fantastic food. Thanks again for all the prayer support.

Rebecca Hardin

p.s. Here's a picture of two of my students I teach at Xin Zhong. How can you not fall in love with little brown angel faces like these????