EChurch@Wartburg – 4.15.12

Welcome to Our Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg

Enhanced Rainbow by Barb Ver Sluis

 

Here is our order of worship

 

 

O most merciful Lord, grant me Your grace, that it may be with me, and labor with me, and persevere with me even to the end. 
Grant that I may always desire and will that which is most acceptable and most dear to You. 
Let Your will be mine, and my will ever follow Yours, and agree perfectly with it. 
Grant to me, above all things that can be desired, to rest in You, and in You to have my heart at peace. 
You are the true peace of the heart, You are its only rest; outside of You all things are hard and restless. 
In this very peace, that is, in You, the one Chiefest Eternal Good, I will sleep and rest. Amen.”

Thomas Aquinas(1225-1274) Classic Prayers link

 

 


A Reflection on Prayer

Master they say that when I seem
To be in speech with you,
Since you make no replies, it’s all a dream
  One talker aping two.

The are half right, but not as they imagine;
rather, I
Seek in myself the things I meant to say,
And lo! The well’s are dry.

Then, seeing me empty, you forsake
The listener’s role, and through
My dead lips breathe and into utterance wake
The thoughts I never knew.

And thus you neither need reply
Nor can; thus while we seem
Two talking, thou art One forever, and I
No dreamer, but thy dream.
– C.S. Lewis  Perfect Love Link

 

If you are new to EChurch, please click on this link for an explanation

Scripture Reading:  Luke 24:1-12 (Bible Gateway)

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?  He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”  And they remembered His words, and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.  Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles.  But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them.  But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.

 

 


 

A.W. Tozer Classic Prayer

O God, I have tasted Your goodness, and it has both satisfied me and mad me thirsty for more.
I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want You; 
I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Your glory, I pray, that so I may know You indeed.
Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, ‘Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.’ 
Then give me grace to rise and follow You up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long.

In Jesus name.
 Amen

A.W. Tozer Prayers and Creeds  link

 

Thank you for spending your precious time worshipping the Lord.

Comments

EChurch@Wartburg – 4.15.12 — 26 Comments


  1. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Thanks again, Dee, Deb. and Pastor Wade for another beautiful Sunday morning service! ….so very appreciated.


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    Victorious, you are welcome! Trust you were as encouraged in your daily walk with Christ as I through the word and the worship!


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    Wade,

    I always learn so much from your sermons! I have never considered the significance of the two angels or the symbolism of the linen and napkin. Even the discussion about the aloe and myrrh was fascinating!

    Thank you for delving into these aspects of scripture. I can hardly wait for your next message.


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    I have noticed a very significant focus in Pastor Wade’s previous sermons that I’ve been privileged to hear. It seems he always includes a reminder that dispels the notion of a believer’s self-perception of guilt and shame. He reminds us of our changed spiritual nature of righteousness and worthiness in approaching the Savior because of what He’s done.

    At the close of his sermons, a believer (me for certain) is left with a deep appreciation and gratitude for His love and mercy.

    Thank you, Pastor Wade, for faithfully conveying the spirit of “good news” of the NT rather than the heavy burden of the law of the OT!


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    I am amazed at what God has just done. I had a setback this week in regards to my old legalistic ways and not feeling good enough, again. Wade,you talked about that in your sermon. God was using you to speak to me once more. And once more, I do not have words to express my feelings. Thank you Father.


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    Hi everyone. I’m sorry I haven’t been around, my new job is INTENSE and I work about 65 hours a week. I’d like some prayer about my performance at work. You see, it’s commission based and basically, the fundamentals of it is door-to-door fundraising.

    1) Pray that God will give me the signups I need to progress adequately, and the wisdom and skills to turn ‘maybes’ into ‘yeses.’
    2) However, I don’t want to sacrifice my righteousness. My colleagues and bosses are OK with telling small lies to get signups, but I REALLY don’t want to do that. Likewise, I don’t want to be ‘pushing’ anyone to donate (we’re not supposed to anyway) but I do need to be assertive to try and make things go well. I don’t want to control, instead I aim to charm. Pray that God will help me develop a style which gets good results without dropping my scruples.
    3) I’m leaving for a road trip in about half an hour where I’ll be working a 70 hour week this week. Hard stuff. I need energy and stamina to maintain a positive attitude and do what I should do.

    Thank you all, see you next week. 🙂


  7. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Eagle,

    Check your email. 🙂

    I forgot to include the following in my email to you, so I’ll add it here because it might help others.

    In church today, my pastor preached a sermon called “Ugly Praise” based on Genesis 37:1-19. It seemed like an unusual topic, and then he began to explain.

    He said that Joseph was chosen by God, anointed, and favored by his earthly father and His Heavenly Father. Everything should have been great for him, but one day he found himself in a pit at the hands of his brothers.

    He said that sometimes we get into a pit, too. If we stay there, we’ll die. My pastor said don’t ever stop dreaming (like Joseph) no matter how deep our pit is.

    He explained about how Joseph got out of the pit and then said that God can turn things around in our lives as well.

    Then he recounted those who never stopped believing and trusting in God: Daniel, the three Hebrew children, Job, and even Jonah. From Genesis to Revelation we see God turning around circumstances in the lives of those who praised Him.

    My pastor said that the name Judah means “ugly old praise”, and he said this is what got Joseph out of the pit. I think he meant both literally and figuratively.

    He said our praise doesn’t have to be pretty. It comes from the heart, and this is what God hears. He said that it takes a lot to praise God when we’re in the fire (the storms of life). If we’re in a pit, we shouldn’t wait until we are out to praise God. We need to praise him in the midst of an awful situation – our praise may not be beautiful, but we still need to rejoice. God can use our ugly praise to get us out of a pit.

    Often circumstances are beyond our control, but we can choose how to respond to them. Then he explained that sometimes the pits we get into can be stepping stones to a greater faith in God.

    Here were my pastors recommendations for a more fulfilling life:

    (1) Free your heart from hatred – forgive.

    (2) Free your mind from worries.

    (3) Live simply and appreciate what you have.

    (4) Give more and expect less.

    (5) Love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.

    Well, that was what I learned from my pastor today. As soon as I got home from church I watched Wade’s message live. Now I’m watching The Passion of the Christ, which I haven’t seen since 2004 (bought the DVD on Friday). It’s been a thought-provoking Lord’s Day so far!


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    scooters mom and Victorious

    I am so glad that you are finding grace and freedom at EChurch. That was our prayer.


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    Anne
    I have already started praying and will continue to pray.


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    Anne,

    Thank you for sharing your prayer request with us. We will be definitely be praying for you!


  11. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Thank you so much, Pastor Wade, Deb, and Dee.

    Anne, I will pray for you.


  12. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Pastor Wade, I hope people are safe in Enid during this storm. I am praying for your community.


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    Thank you dee, deb, and wade. Now I shall contemplate looking into the eyes of our Savior.


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    Rene,

    Our family is safe. A small community west of us, Woodward, took a direct hit. A young father and his two young girls were killed. His son is in critical condition. Sad story. Thanks for your concern. This is the beginning of the tornado season. It could be a bad spring.


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    Victorious, Scooter’s Mom, and Vicki,

    Thanks for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed EChurch this week! Wanda (Deb) is doing a wonderful job putting these together with Dee! I can’t take any credit for it, but I am very grateful that our two North Carolina friends have a heart for this! Hope you all have a great week ahead!

    Wade


  16. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Deb – interesting points in that sermon.

    I’m curious, though, and maybe you can help me out here – am wondering about your pastor’s source for that translation of the name “Judah”? I have never seen anything suggesting that “old” and “ugly” are inferred, only praise.

    I don’t know Hebrew, but this sounds like something that someone made up (to me). Can’t quite put my finger on the why of it, but there it is.

    Thanks in advance for your help!


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    “He that puts his trust in the Lord, shall possess the land.”

    Howdee YaAll,

    Pastor Wade, 

       I am praying for the Woodward boy in critical condition.  (sadface) In fact, I will trust the Lord in prayer for the whole Woodward town. You & your work here, mean a lot. Thanx fer do’in dis here èchurch. I feel y’all’s prayers, & have for some time. You are girded with the Lords Armor, Brother…His holy place is yours to enter…Step Boldly!
    The high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, who’s name is Holy, dwells with you, (contrite and humble). It is He that will revive your heart and spirit!

    Blessings ta All…

    Ipr♥ay4U2

    S㋡py
    ___
    Hillsong – “Mighty to Save”
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-DNlvXPfU4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

    Hillsong – “Oceans Will Part”
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Uj_B0KNgU&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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    numo,

    I’ll do a little digging. I have tremendous respect for my pastor because he lost his son in a terrible accident. We attended the funeral. He is one of my heroes because despite his grief, he is an encouragement to his congregation.


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    Thanks, Sopy!


  20. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Deb – no rush whatsoever! And thanks. : )


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    Sophia,

    Thanks for sharing Erin’s story. Here are my favorite excerpts:

    “That night the Biblical counselor told me he wanted to check all my text messages to make sure I wasn’t talking to Brooks. Control- I think so!”

    “When Brooks and I decided not to go through their counseling, we were notified that we were no longer allowed to be part of the church. We had to leave the church right away and find a new community outside of Mars Hill. Since then, we have never been happier. Our relationship is happier and healthier than ever. I still feel scarred by Mars Hill and a lot of the people that attend there. I share my story because I want freedom for others at the church.”

    C-U-L-T-I-S-H doesn’t even begin to describe Mars Hill!


  22. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Sophia, Erin’s story is beyond belief. Thank you for providing a venue for people to share their experiences.


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    René,

    I watched the trailer. It looks fascinating. I’m glad people are speaking out about spiritual abuse. The more the better!


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    numo,

    After doing some research, I believe that “ugly praise” may be an incorrect interpretation of the meaning of Judah. Thank you so much for pointing this out.