Dear FCC Family & Friends,
“It still gives me the creeps to think that son-of-a-gun could do that.” These are the words of Danny Anderson, 53, of Prosser, Washington, who recently learned a painful lesson – beheaded rattlesnakes can be dangerous!
According to msnbc.com, Anderson cut the head off of a 5-foot rattler and left it under his pickup. According to Anderson, “When I reached down to pick up the head, it raised around and did a backflip almost, and bit my finger. I had to shake my hand real hard to get it to let loose.”
The venom caused immediate swelling of the tongue as it circulated throughout his body. Fortunately Anderson received quick and efficient medical treatment and will make a full recovery. According to Mike Livingstone, a wildlife biologist, he has never heard of anyone being bit by a decapitated snake before.
This nasty, yet news-worthy incident reminded me of the time a young Judean shepherd cut the head off a giant in the Elah Valley. Not only did faithful David utterly defeat his foe with God’s mighty power, he took that necessary unpleasant step to ensure Goliath never got up and fought again.
I believe that these stories are good reminders that the enemy doesn’t give up easily. Though the devil was crushed (Genesis 3:15) and humiliated at Calvary and the tomb, he is still striking with fatal resolve. Sadly, once we taste victory in Christ, we either fail to aggressively cut his head off in our lives; or sometimes just as deadly, fall into the trap of foolishly thinking that he has just given up and won’t strike again.
To live the abundant life Christ died to give us, we must take the necessary steps to safeguard our new redeemed lives. Though crushed, the devil is still striking. Though fatally wounded, he is luring the world into thinking he is benign. Though his eternal fate is documented, there’s still a lot of fight in him.
Friends, let me remind you that greater is He that is in you (Holy Spirit) than he that is in the world (devil). But let me also remind you, a snake is a snake! Be careful out there.
This Sunday I will be sharing a message entitled ‘Get Up!’ from John 5. Come worship the living Lord with us during an unforgettable morning!
In the Fight,
Steve
Friday, August 17, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Pastor's Perspective - Slow Down!
Dear FCC Family & Cherished Friends,
I have been greatly alarmed this summer by a disturbing and reoccuring news story happening across America - parents leaving their children in vehicles. Recently a man in Benecia forgot his small child was in the car and left him all day in the sweltering vehicle. The result was tragic and fatal. Last week in Arcade, New York a 5-month-old baby died after his mother forgot to drop him off at day care and left him in her hot car all day while she worked. This poor child was the 19th child to die in a hot car this summer according to Fox News.
Please join me in praying for these families. The guilt, associated with the grief of losing a child, must be an unimagineable nightmare.
Clearly the underlying culprits of this tragic trend are stress, fastlane living, lack of priority focus, and the distractions of modern technology - namely mobile phones. With so much to do and little time to do it, people have learned to accept and even embrace 'survival mode' as the societal norm. How many people do you see in any given day in Solano County trying to do too many things at once, all while talking to somebody on a phone? Perhaps I'm describing you. And guess who suffers? The kids do. Pathetically, the children of America have been reshuffled, misprioritized and forgotten - laid on the altar of ambition. Friends, we are so distracted by life, we're forgetting our greatest treasures from God - our kids!
These shocking headlines are evidential - we need to slow down. We need to trust God more. We must get still and get transparent and confess - "Lord, I'm overwhelmed. My priorities are doing a headstand, and as a result my family is suffering. Help!" Recently I challenged the church to stop being so dignified (ie. religious) and cry out. Get honest and real! He sees what you're doing and the warp speed in which you're doing it. Talk to Him! His promise is that if you'll make your relationship with Him the ultimate bend of your life, He'll take care of the stuff and details you're stressing over (Matthew 6:33). Friends, it's time to get back to basics - God and family.
In the midst of your daily stress, ask yourself, "Will this even matter in five years? Will I even remember it?" What we will remember is time we toiled needlessly, missing out on God and our family. Long forgotten are met deadlines; but never forgotten are missed-out times with our spouses and young ones.
I love you enough to challenge you to slow down. In all of your chasing, God is your answer. In this hot, high-speed vehicle we call 'life', your Father knows where you are, remembers you, and will never leave you behind.
This Sunday I'll be sharing practical real-life advice from 1 Kings 19 from the ministry of Elijah. Come hear about God's prescription for depression. Interested? I hope to see you there!
In the Fight
Steve
I have been greatly alarmed this summer by a disturbing and reoccuring news story happening across America - parents leaving their children in vehicles. Recently a man in Benecia forgot his small child was in the car and left him all day in the sweltering vehicle. The result was tragic and fatal. Last week in Arcade, New York a 5-month-old baby died after his mother forgot to drop him off at day care and left him in her hot car all day while she worked. This poor child was the 19th child to die in a hot car this summer according to Fox News.
Please join me in praying for these families. The guilt, associated with the grief of losing a child, must be an unimagineable nightmare.
Clearly the underlying culprits of this tragic trend are stress, fastlane living, lack of priority focus, and the distractions of modern technology - namely mobile phones. With so much to do and little time to do it, people have learned to accept and even embrace 'survival mode' as the societal norm. How many people do you see in any given day in Solano County trying to do too many things at once, all while talking to somebody on a phone? Perhaps I'm describing you. And guess who suffers? The kids do. Pathetically, the children of America have been reshuffled, misprioritized and forgotten - laid on the altar of ambition. Friends, we are so distracted by life, we're forgetting our greatest treasures from God - our kids!
These shocking headlines are evidential - we need to slow down. We need to trust God more. We must get still and get transparent and confess - "Lord, I'm overwhelmed. My priorities are doing a headstand, and as a result my family is suffering. Help!" Recently I challenged the church to stop being so dignified (ie. religious) and cry out. Get honest and real! He sees what you're doing and the warp speed in which you're doing it. Talk to Him! His promise is that if you'll make your relationship with Him the ultimate bend of your life, He'll take care of the stuff and details you're stressing over (Matthew 6:33). Friends, it's time to get back to basics - God and family.
In the midst of your daily stress, ask yourself, "Will this even matter in five years? Will I even remember it?" What we will remember is time we toiled needlessly, missing out on God and our family. Long forgotten are met deadlines; but never forgotten are missed-out times with our spouses and young ones.
I love you enough to challenge you to slow down. In all of your chasing, God is your answer. In this hot, high-speed vehicle we call 'life', your Father knows where you are, remembers you, and will never leave you behind.
This Sunday I'll be sharing practical real-life advice from 1 Kings 19 from the ministry of Elijah. Come hear about God's prescription for depression. Interested? I hope to see you there!
In the Fight
Steve
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Pastor's Perspective - Unbreakable
Dear FCC Family & Friends,
Like many of you I have been horrified by the disturbing unimaginable images being shown over the airwaves of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. A reliable span that stood for over thirty years broke apart during rush hour traffic last night, sending motorists to the Mississippi River below. Many stunned survived, however recovery efforts continue in this shocking event.
Living in the Bay area, bridges are a way of daily life for many in our FCC family. When we appraoch one, our thoughts are more concentrated on tolls than whether the thing will hold us up or not. We just assume that, "Hey, it's been relaible for many years. It's always gotten me from over here to over there." This news out of Minnesota might change that perception for awhile.
Let me share and identify a bridge I know personally that is absolutely unbreakable. The bridge I'm referring to is not an engineering feat of iron and concrete; but love, mercy and grace. The bridge that is unbreakable is Jesus Christ! He is the only God-endorsed connector that allows safe travel to God. Despite the claims of many such bridges, His blood-stained cross stands tall and reliable, grounded deeply in the bedrock of His unshakeable Word. It is safety high above the raging peril below. Yes, Jesus is the bridge - the only way from over here to over there.
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" - John 14:6
Friends, the bridge is ready and your toll has been paid. The rest is up to you.
This Sunday I will be sharing more from the prolific ministry of the prophet Elijah. Hope to see you there!
In the Fight,
Steve Kiefer
www.1stchristianchurch.org
Like many of you I have been horrified by the disturbing unimaginable images being shown over the airwaves of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. A reliable span that stood for over thirty years broke apart during rush hour traffic last night, sending motorists to the Mississippi River below. Many stunned survived, however recovery efforts continue in this shocking event.
Living in the Bay area, bridges are a way of daily life for many in our FCC family. When we appraoch one, our thoughts are more concentrated on tolls than whether the thing will hold us up or not. We just assume that, "Hey, it's been relaible for many years. It's always gotten me from over here to over there." This news out of Minnesota might change that perception for awhile.
Let me share and identify a bridge I know personally that is absolutely unbreakable. The bridge I'm referring to is not an engineering feat of iron and concrete; but love, mercy and grace. The bridge that is unbreakable is Jesus Christ! He is the only God-endorsed connector that allows safe travel to God. Despite the claims of many such bridges, His blood-stained cross stands tall and reliable, grounded deeply in the bedrock of His unshakeable Word. It is safety high above the raging peril below. Yes, Jesus is the bridge - the only way from over here to over there.
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" - John 14:6
Friends, the bridge is ready and your toll has been paid. The rest is up to you.
This Sunday I will be sharing more from the prolific ministry of the prophet Elijah. Hope to see you there!
In the Fight,
Steve Kiefer
www.1stchristianchurch.org
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