Community Church Peak Reflections

Free Spirit

2009-05-05T22:44:00.005-04:00

By Tim HallTim Hall is an elder on session at Community Church and one of the featured blog writers for Peak Reflections. Tim’s messages help us think theologically about our faith.The Freedom of the SpiritThe last time I saw my friend Don, he was winking at me out the rear-view mirror of his Harley-Davidson as he headed north on Kansas Highway 7, waist-length blond hair whipping behind him—the

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

2009-04-23T12:52:00.002-04:00

By Eric TworekEric Tworek is a worship leader at Community Church and one of the featured blog writers for Peak Reflections. Eric encourages us to connect with God through praise and worship A few years ago, I was talking to a friend at church who had started a Christian-based Alcoholics Anonymous group. He told me the group started every meeting with prayer, praise, and worship. He explained

Jesus Calls Us to be Humble

2009-04-15T23:18:00.003-04:00

By Sue WroblewskiSue Wroblewski serves as the Director of Compassion Ministries for Community Church and as an assistant to Pastor Brian. She is a featured blog writer for Peak Reflections and helps open our eyes to God’s merciful, compassionate and loving heart.Just before Easter, my small group started a study on the book of Matthew. In Matthew, chapter 6, and Matthew chapter 7, a number of

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-04-11T00:00:00.001-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodWeekend April 11-12Ahab Wins Battle, Rejects Warning, Dies1 Kings 20-22SummaryIn this passage, God extends his grace to King Ahab three times. First, Ben-Hadad, the King of Samaria, raises a large army with 32 other kings against Israel. King Ahab, bows to their first demands and gave them his silver, gold, wives and children, but refuses their second demand to give up his

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-04-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodFriday, April 10 Test on Mount Carmel1 Kings 18-19 SummaryWhile Elijah was away, King Ahab is looking for him and Queen Jezebel, a Baal worshiper, is killing off the prophets of God. Then after three years of drought, God commands Elijah to go back to King Ahab to tell him that he would send rain. Elijah presented himself to the Ahab and told the king that he had abandoned

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-04-09T00:00:00.001-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodThursday, April 9 Elijah and the Widow1 Kings 17 Summary:At the beginning of this chapter Elijah, a prophet of God, proclaims the word of God to Ahab, the new king of Israel who “did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him.” Elijah tells Ahab that as God’s judgment on Israel, there will be no rain in the next couple years until he says so. Elijah then

The Fragrance of Christ

2009-04-08T13:20:00.002-04:00

By Barb TousleyBarb Tousley is a charter member of Community Church and one of the featured blog writers for Peak Reflections. Barb has a heart for discipleship and posts messages that help us cultivate spiritual maturity and intimacy with God. Have you ever noticed how a certain fragrance can trigger memories of a particular event or experience in your life? The sweet, warm fragrance of Easter

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-04-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodWednesday, April 8Bad Kings1 Kings 15-16Summary:The Scriptures record the evil deeds and sins of the kings of Israel after Jeroboam in Israel and Rehoboam in Judah. Only one king in these chapters did what was good in the eyes of God. Yet, none of the kings’ political or economic accomplishments are recorded in the Bible. I Kings was written to record how each king’s

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-04-07T00:00:00.001-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodTuesday, April 7 Prophets and Prophecy1 Kings 13-14 Summary:Today’s reading contrasts God with sinful humans. All of the people involved were expected to obey God and when they didn’t God provided consequences. A prophet from Judah comes to Bethel where Jeroboam was sacrificing to his idols and delivers God’s message of how a king from Judah will someday sacrifice the

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-04-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodMonday, April Division1 Kings 12After Solomon’s death, his son, Rehoboam, became king. It was Rehoboam’s job to unite the people who were split in their allegiance between him and Jeroboam who had earlier claimed kingship. Rehoboam’s first decision as king involved rejecting the wise counsel of the elders who said he should be the people’s servant by lowering taxes and

The Death of Death

2009-04-04T14:21:00.007-04:00

By Tim HallTim Hall is an elder on session at Community Church and is one of the featured blog writers for Peak Reflections. Tim’s messages help us think theologically about our faith.The poet John Milton introduces his readers to Death in his masterpiece Paradise Lost as Satan attempts to exit the gates of Hell on his way to tempt the first man and woman. A hideous, formless shadow blocks the

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-04-04T00:00:00.001-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodWeekendSolomon’s Pagan Wives1 Kings 9-11Summary:The Lord appears to Solomon and tells him that if Solomon does all God commands and observes the decrees and laws then God promises that there will always be a man on the throne of Israel. God warned him that if Solomon or his sons turned away then God would cut off Israel from the land. King Solomon grew extremely wealthy and

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-04-03T00:00:00.001-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodFriday, April 31 Kings 8Dedication of TempleSummary:At the completion of the temple, all of the elders of Israel came together and the priests took the ark of the Lord’s covenant to the inner sanctuary of the temple. When the priests came out of the inner sanctuary, a cloud filled the temple and the priests could not perform their service. King Solomon, during his prayer of

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-04-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodThursday April 21Kings 6-7Construction of the Temple and PalaceSummary:The temple took seven years to build. Chapters 6 and 7 detail the dimensions and materials used for the construction of the temple. Completed, the temple would be very large and be built with some of the best materials of the time. Chapter 7 mentions that Solomon’s palace took thirteen years to build and

EPIC: Daily Reading

2009-04-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodWednesday April 11 Kings 4-5 Solomon’s WisdomSummary:Solomon’s wisdom is put into action and his kingdom became safe and prosperous. His father, David, waged war against several enemies. Under Solomon, the kingdom was at peace and there was no longer any enemy. During David’s reign, God told him that his son and future king (Solomon) would build a temple for the Lord.

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-31T00:00:00.002-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodTuesday March 311 Kings 2-3Solomon RulesSummary:In 1 Kings 2, King David tells Solomon that he must obey God’s commandments. After King David dies, Solomon judges and punishes some prominent people that have acted against God’s will. One of these prominent people, is his brother Adonijah. Adonijah tried to marry one of Solomon’s wives, which was a play to try to take Solomon

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-30T00:00:00.001-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodMonday March 301 Kings 1David Makes Solomon KingSummary:King David was old and near death, when his son Adonijah held a feast and declared himself king (without David knowing it). King David had previously sworn to Bathsheba that her son Solomon would take the thrown so Bathshaba goes to David to let him know all of Israel is waiting to hear who will proceed him. King David

Not as the World Gives

2009-03-29T09:01:00.011-04:00

By Eric TworekEric Tworek is a worship leader at Community Church and one of the featured blog writers for Peak Reflections. Eric encourages us to connect with God through praise and worship. Earlier this month my wife, Deb, our daughter, Leah, and I traveled to Florida during Leah’s spring break. We stayed with my parents enjoying the pool, the beach, and fresh orange juice while sitting in the

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodWeekendDavid’s Kingdom Reestablished2 Samuel 20-24Summary: Sheba rebels against David so Joab and David’s army sets out to destroy him. They find him in the City of Abel Beth Maacah. To avoid having their city destroyed by Joab and his army they cut off Sheba’s head and peace was restored. (2 Samuel 21) There was a great feminine and David asked God what he could do to repay

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-27T00:00:00.002-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodFriday, March 27thAbsalom Defeated2 Samuel 18-19Summary:David sent thousands of troops out to fight. David wanted to march with his men but his commanders said that he was the only one that the enemies were after, so David stayed back at the gates of the city to wait while his men went to war. David instructed his commanders to “be gentle on the man Absalom for my sake” (2

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-26T00:00:00.001-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodThursday, March 26thAbsalom’s Rebellion2 Samuel 15-17Summary:Absalom gains favor of the people by answering to their complaints and undermining the power of King David. Absalom asks to become King of Hebron and his following of peoplebecomes larger. Absalom devises a plan to kill David. David flees to mount olive. Absalom sends twelve thousand men after David to try to kill

EPIC: Daily Reading

2009-03-25T00:00:00.002-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodWednesday, March 25David’s Problem Sons2 Samuel 13-14Summary: Amnon, son of David falls in love with his sister. Amnon devised a plan to have Tamar bring him food to get her alone. Amnon rapes his sister and his brother Absalom finds out, and out of anger kills him. Absalom avoiding retribution flees to the city of Gehsur. King David mourns for his son and still longs to be

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-24T13:20:00.002-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodTuesday, March 24thDavid and Bathsheba2 Samuel 10-12Summary:David tries to make a treaty with the Ammonites. King Hadadezer thought they were spies and degraded them by cutting half of their beards and cutting off their cloaks. David responds by defeating them in battle and making them subject to Israel. 2 Samuel 11 David uses his royal power to take another man’s wife for

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-23T00:00:00.002-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodMonday, March 23God’s Promise to David2 Samuel 7-9Summary:After defeating all of his enemies David pondered how blessed he has been and that he livesin a palace of Cedar and God lives in a tent. (2 Samuel 7:1-2) David wants to build God a temple to show is thanks. David’s servant Nathan receives a vision from God making promises to David that he will provide for his people

Love One Another!

2009-03-22T20:31:00.005-04:00

By Sue WroblewskiSue Wroblewski serves as the Director of Compassion Ministries for Community Church and as an assistant to Pastor Brian. She is a featured blog writer for Peak Reflections and helps open our eyes to God’s merciful, compassionate and loving heart.I noticed, in our last few daily “Epic” readings, we have been asked squarely: “Who do we turn to when we are struggling with fear or

EPIC: The Story of God

2009-03-21T00:00:00.001-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodWeekendMarch 21 & 22David Gains Power2 Samuel 1-6Summary:After Saul’s death David was made King of Judah, however there was a battle for power with Israel and the house of Saul. However, eventually those people were killed and David assumes power over Israel. He then conquered Jerusalem and called it “The City of David.” It was there that eventually he had the Ark of the

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-20T00:00:00.001-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodFriday, March 20Saul and the Medium1 Samuel 28-31SummaryAfter Saul’s death David was made King of Judah, however there was a battle for power with Israel and the house of Saul. However, eventually those people were killed and David assumes power over Israel. He then conquered Jerusalem and called it “The City of David.” It was there that eventually he had the Ark of the

EPIC: Daily Reading

2009-03-19T00:00:00.002-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodFriday, March 20Saul and the Medium1 Samuel 25-27SummaryDavid had lived among the Philistines for a while and gained their trust to the point that he was invited to fight with them against the Israelites. Saul was so afraid of the Philistines that he sought out a medium in private in order to speak with Samuel, who had died. Samuel informed Saul that his his original

EPIC: Daily Reading

2009-03-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodWednesday, March 18Saul Pursues David1 Samuel 21-24SummaryAfter David left, he bounced from town to town looking for help for him and his men. However, through the use of informants, Saul pursued David and killed many of those who helped David. David had to keep moving, but at every stop he asked God where he was to go and what he was to do. Through this dependence on God,

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-17T00:00:00.001-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodTuesday, March 17Saul's Jealousy 1 Samuel 18-20SummaryDavid quickly became famous and praised for his many military successes. Unfortunately for David this put his life in danger because of King Saul’s jealousy. Saul could see the LORD was with David, so he felt threatened that his throne was going to be taken and handed to David. However, David was able to evade the many

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-16T17:08:00.000-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodMonday, March 16David Anointed; Defeats Goliath1 Samuel 16-17Summary:After Saul’s kingship was rejected by God, the Lord sent Samuel to find and anoint the next king. To Samuel’s surprise, God had planned on choosing David, the hard working and youngest son of Jesse. From that day forward, Saul and David’s relationship began to develop through the time David spent serving

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodWeekendSaul’s Foolishness1 Samuel 12-15Summary:Samuel reminds Israel of all the great ways God has taken care of them in the past. He warns that if they persist in living a life apart from God that both they and their new king would fail. Saul jumps ahead of his instructions of how to proceed in his fight with the Philistines and Samuel rebukes him.Samuel continues to give

I Love Ruthie

2009-03-13T13:45:00.002-04:00

By Barb TousleyBarb Tousley is a charter member of Community Church and one of the featured blog writers for Peak Reflections. Barb has a heart for discipleship and posts messages that help us cultivate spiritual maturity and intimacy with God.“I Love Ruthie,” proclaims the title page of a children's picture book in the MPCC Library. After examining anew the many-faceted love story recounted in

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-13T00:00:00.001-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodFriday, March 13Samuel Anoints Saul1 Samuel 9-11SummaryA search for lost donkeys brings Samuel and Saul to their first meeting. God showed Samuel that Saul was to be the one appointed king. Samuel anointed him with oil and gave him instructions about how to get started. At first Saul had a hard time being convinced that God had chosen him and was reluctant to reveal to

EPIC: Daily Reading

2009-03-12T00:00:00.001-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodThursday, March 12Return of the Ark1 Samuel 6-8Summary: The Philistines returned the Ark to Israel. The people of Israel rejoiced yet many still failed to treat God with respect. During the following 20 years Samuel led a spiritual revival and the Israelites got rid of their idols and confessed their sins to God. Samuel begged for mercy on the people of Israel to protect

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-11T13:28:00.007-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodWednesday, March 11The Ark Captured 1 Samuel 3-5Summary: As a boy, Samuel hears God speak to him for the first time. From thistime on, Samuel is God’s messenger. As an adult, everyone in Israelrecognized that Samuel was a true prophet of God. The Ark of theCovenant was Israel’s most precious possession. A copy ofthe law was kept inside it. Its lid was the mercy seat, a

Wanted: Your Opinions

2009-03-10T16:35:00.002-04:00

Community Church is looking for opinionated people! We know you have thoughts and opinions about Community Church and the search committee is excited to hear from you. They want to know your thoughts on a variety of topics including worship, ministries, and the direction of the church. To help you share your thoughts a survey has been designed just for Community Church. This survey will help the

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-10T00:00:00.001-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodTuesday, March 10thSamuel's Birth1 Samuel 1-2Summary:Samuel would grow up to be Israel's last, greatest Judge. In his old age he will serve as advisor to Israel's first king, Saul, and anoint Israel's greatest king, David. Samuel's birth was an answer to prayer. Samuel's mother, Hannah, was childless for many years. Her childlessness cause her to be depressed and miserable.

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-09T16:27:00.003-04:00

EPIC: The Story of GodMonday, March 8thRuthRuth 1-4Summary:Up to this point we have seen impressive stories of God at work in the world. We have read impressive stories of God raising up seemingly larger than life godly leaders during times of moral and spiritual darkness. Very Impressive! So much that many of us feel "left out" of God's "big story."Then we turn the page and come upon the story

Repentance as a Way of Life

2009-03-09T13:10:00.008-04:00

By Tim HallTim Hall is an elder on session at Community Church and is one of the featured blog writers for Peak Reflections. Tim’s messages help us think theologically about our faith.A little more than a week ago, I stopped at Robaire’s and picked up a half-dozen paczkis to share with my colleagues in the office in honor of Fat Tuesday. Even a guy as Protestant as I am can appreciate this little

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

EPIC: The Story of GodWeekend March 7-8Micah and the LeviteJudges 17-21SummaryThis pair of strange and gory tales closes thebook of Judges with the people of God at thelowest point in their history to date. Eachfeatures a Levite, a person from the tribe ofLevi who was supposed to know and teachthe ways of God. Both are woefully ignorantof them. One violates God’s law byworshipping idols, the

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-06T00:00:00.001-05:00

EPIC: The Story of GodFriday, March 6SamsonJudges 13-16Summary:Samson's story is one of the most familiar of the Old Testament, a favorite Sunday school character. But if you think Jephthah was bad, pay attention as you read this story of a completely self-centered individual who uses his supernatural, God-given strength mainly to show off, get women, and satisfy personal grudges. To say the

Laughter the Doorway to the Heart

2009-03-05T21:00:00.000-05:00

by Brian LaMewIt has been a couple weeks now since Women's Comedy Night Out and the story is still being told. I was in a local restaurant this week and the manager commented that she attended comedy night out. As she was telling me the story, one of the waitresses came over and the manager said, "this guy is from the church that I was telling you about with the great comedy night. It is a great

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-05T00:00:00.001-05:00

EPIC: The Story of GodThursday March 5Abimelech’s Rebellion,JephthahJudges 9-12Summary:The stories of Abimelech’s rebellion and Jephthamark a steady downward cycle in the history ofIsrael under the Judges. Whereas earlierunfaithfulness brought oppression from outside,Abimelech’s rebellion sets the Israelites against eachother. Eventually Abimelech comes to a bad endfor the murder of his brothers,

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

EPIC: The Story of GodWednesday March 4GideonJudges 6-8SummaryGideon’s story reminds us, as it reminded theIsraelites of his own day, that God is the realpower behind any spiritual triumph in life.Gideon knew that his clan was “the weakestin Manasseh” and he “the least in hisfamily”—an unlikely hero indeed! But Godpicked him. The Spirit of the Lord cameupon Gideon, empowering him to lead aband of

EPIC Daily Reading

2009-03-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

EPIC: The Story of GodTuesday, March 3DeborahJudges 4-5Summary:The story of Deborah and Barak is one of the Old Testament accounts in which women take the leading, triumphant roles. Deborah is a prophetess—a spokeswoman for God—who commands Barak to muster and lead an army against their Canaanite oppressors. Barak, recognizing that God is with Deborah but failing to perceive that God is also

EPIC: Daily Reading

2009-03-02T21:14:00.005-05:00

EPIC: The Story of GodMonday, March 3rdOthneil and EhudJudges 1-3 Summary:The book of Judges traces the early history of Israel after Joshua and his generation were dead and gone. The early battles had been won, but there was still much work to do. Many battles remained ahead of God’s people. Many enemies remained among them, biding their time,waiting for the Israelites to drop their guard. The

Promised Land

2009-02-27T11:38:00.004-05:00

By Eric TworekEric Tworek is a worship leader at Community Church and one of the featured blog writers for Peak Reflections. Eric encourages us to connect with God through praise and worship.Ah, the Promised Land. It’s right there, just across the Jordan River. All we have to do is step in. The waters will part, we’ll walk across, and we will have arrived! Finally, after all that wandering in the

EPIC Daily Reading: Day Six

2009-02-27T00:00:00.003-05:00

EPIC: The Story of God's People BLOG Daily ReadingDay Six: Joshua’s FarewellJoshua 21-24Summary:Joshua is preparing to die. He is very old and has fulfilled his role as leader of the people. At the close of his chapter in God’s story, Joshua delivers a stirring speech to the people challenging them to remain true to the Lord. Borrowing the words of Moses from Deuteronomy Joshua says, “choose this

EPIC Daily Reading: Day 5

2009-02-26T00:00:00.001-05:00

EPIC: The Story of God's PeopleBLOG Daily ReadingDay Five: Division of the LandJoshua 17-20Summary:The division of the Promised Land continues in today’s reading. Joshua appoints a team of land surveyors to scout the entire land and write up a description of each territory including boundaries lines and physical features. What follows is an interesting account of these land reports and to which

EPIC Daily Reading: Day Four

2009-02-25T00:00:00.005-05:00

EPIC: The Story of GodBLOG Daily ReadingDay Four: Caleb’s LandJoshua 13-16Summary:At the beginning of chapter 13 we see that many years have passed and Joshua has grown old. In his long life as a warrior, Joshua has defeated many nations and has seen many battles. However, the battle is not over. There is still much land left to be taken. Joshua was not given the responsibility of finishing the

EPIC Daily Reading: Day 3

2009-02-24T00:01:00.001-05:00