Calvary Fellowship

“Do you love Me?”

Cathy Taylor — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:54:07 +0000

We often reminisce on the last conversations we had with our loved ones before they departed for the golden shore on the other side of eternity. What was weighing so heavily on their hearts that they had to talk about? What were the most important last words they shared with those closest to them? (more…)

Of Such Is the Kingdom of Heaven

Nancy Aguilar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:20:34 +0000

It was the last day of Calvary Fellowship’s Vacation Bible School, 2008. My class of four-year-old “Gentle Bunnies” listened intently (well, most of them!) as the story time teacher presented a flannel board account of the Good Samaritan.

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Watching God work

Cathy Herholdt — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:46:29 +0000

“As for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” Psalm 73:28

The other night I was doing the Bible study I made on the women’s retreat (great workshop by Elizabeth Griffin!) with my 10-year-old son Nic. I had been praying for God to minister to his heart about his temper (which is much like his mother’s) and was so grateful to see God’s answer. (more…)

Hope

Teresa Rinker — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:02:30 +0000

I was once driving along in my car and I pulled up behind a truck that had seen better days. It was the kind of truck that by its very appearance caused you to want to know the driver, you just know there is a story there.

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Hospitality – blessing or burden?

elizabethgriffin — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:16:28 +0000

In Romans 12:13 the Word tells us to “Practice hospitality.”

I have always been up for a good, wholesome party, so this is not a difficult command for me. My husband Jay and I like to host gatherings in our house – not only do we enjoy it, but we feel like the Lord gave us this particular home for this purpose among others. We live close to church on 2/3 of an acre and our backyard is an awesome place for kids to play, and though not large, our home accommodates a lot of people comfortably because of its floor plan. (more…)

The Will of God as a Way of Life

luannanderson — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:26:16 +0000

Giving this blog the same title as a well-written book may seem unusual, but stick with me; I’ll explain.

The book I’m referring to, The Will of God as a Way of Life by Whitworth College professor Jerry Sittser, is one that we’d all do well to read, talk about, and apply to our lives. (Or, as Eugene Peterson points out in the Forward, to read twice, the second time more slowly.) The book is not a new one (it was first published in 2000), rather, it’s more like a sturdy companion ready for rediscovery by readers ready for a challenge. Its premise? That seeking out the will of God for our lives is much simpler than we make it out to be. (more…)

Our Motivation for Giving pt. 2

Justin Thomas — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:46:58 +0000

17-Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

Just as we share in suffering, we also share in fruit. Paul says here that he is excited not for the gift itself but for the result of that gift. When the Philippians gave, he saw more than money; he saw ministry! (more…)

Our Motivation for Giving pt. 1

Justin Thomas — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:46:37 +0000

Due to serious abuse in the past (and present), giving has become a hot-topic issue in the church today. However, we cannot allow the misuse of men to destroy the intent of God. The argument has become “to give or not to give” but that was never the question, the question for Christians is not “if” we give but “why” we give. As is often the case, by clearing up our motive, the action we need to take will become clear as well. (more…)

Thinking of You

Nancy Aguilar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:35:28 +0000

Visiting Cannon Beach, Oregon, last week with my family, I walked out onto the shore and my feet sank into the warm, white sand. Words from Psalm 139:17–18 came to mind:

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,

They would outnumber the grains of sand…

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Language of the Heart

Nancy Aguilar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:26:32 +0000

My husband Ray and I recently took care of three little boys from church while their parents went out for dinner. With our two adult sons grown and on their own, we were blessed to spend time with these little ones. At one point during our evening together, the boys poured out a bin of Legos onto the carpet and I sat down with them, asking about the different Lego men, the weapons, the spaceships. The boys seemed preoccupied, searching quietly through the pile for their favorite characters while I continued my one-way conversation. (more…)