National Speaker in Our Backyard!

Sun, Sept 21 @

Paris Presbyterian Church

7:00PM

Come and hear a powerful testimony of conversion!

Warren Marcus is a Messianic Jewish Believer in Yeshua since October 1974. His fundamentals are based in loving God with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength and his neighbors as himself. He is the Director / Producer of the Sid Roth Show called "It's Supernatural", the #1 Christian TV series in the world. Marcus was the creator of the popular Children's cartoon Series "Superbook" and "The Flying House" both were the first Christian animation ever for CBN. 

He worked as Director / Producer of the 700 Club for a decade and started Pat Robertson's Christian Record label the had big time Christian Artists on it like Stephanie Boosahda, Roger Wiles and Cathie Taylor who were all pioneers of the Christian Music Industry. 

Marcus went on to be the first Christian Film maker, director, and produced some of Christian TV's biggest hits and cross-over films such as 'Don't Ask Me Ask God". He then went on to be the Producer of the Jerry Falwell 'Old Time Gospel Hour" and helped clean up PTL when it fell. He ran the Inspirational Christian TV Network for several years but his passion is teaching people how Christ was in every book of the Bible from Old Testament to the New Testament and teaching them how they can know that they know that Christ is the One True Messiah. 

Warren has become one of the most popular speakers in the Christian world and has seen great revival all over the world as he travels and ministers the Word of God. 

"To read without reflecting ...

... is like eating without digesting." Or so says Edmund Burke.

We tend to agree.

What good is it just to sit, turning page after page of "The Story" if there is not some intentional time set aside for thinking about, chewing on, marinating in the words on the page? What good is it to read and not reflect on the reading?

Once a week, we'll be posting "Chapter __: Reflections," usually short little pieces based on something from the chapter of the week. Perhaps it will be a story we never noticed before, or a connection we never made before, or a huge revelation we may be a bit embarrassed to admit we never saw before.

Often times, these reflections will be springboards into the upcoming week's sermon. It would be super-duper helpful to us for you to add your input to our reflections. If we ask a question, don't be afraid to answer. If we say something you disagree with, don't hesitate to tell us, while speaking the truth in LOVE, of course! ;-)  If it feels like we're talking directly to you, give thanks for the Holy Spirit and let us know!

These "Reflections" are meant to help you live into the words on the page, to help what you read once a week (or maybe once a day??) to seep into the way you live your life.

We want the 30 minutes you spend reading "The Story" to profoundly influence the other 1410 minutes of your day. (Yes, I googled that.)  

Words that Become Flesh

Usually, you hear about preachers waxing semi-eloquently about "the Word made flesh"...

In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. IN him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)

But Henri Nouwen flips that around and writes of "words that become flesh."

Words are important. Without them our actions lose meaning. And without meaning we cannot live. Words can offer perspective, insight, understanding and vision. Words can bring consolation, comfort, encouragement, and hope. Words can take away fear, isolation, shame, and guilt. Words can reconcile, unite, forgive, and heal. Words can bring peace and joy, inner freedom and deep gratitude. Words, in short, can carry love on their wings. A word of love can be one of the greatest acts of love. That is because when our words become flesh in our own lives and the lives of others, we can change the world. 

Jesus is the word made flesh. In him speaking and acting were one. (Bread for the Journey, June 22)

As we prepare to read through "The Story," we believe it's of utmost importance that our reading doesn't remain just that--simply reading the words assigned to us that day ... and then putting them aside until next time.

We want this adventure with "The Story" to be words made flesh for you--for what you are reading to affect the way you are living! We need WORDS and ACTIONS for faithful living and obedience to Christ. 

To help you with this, each Monday morning, a set of questions will be posted. These will be divided into three parts:

1. "Checking Your Comprehension" Are you REALLY paying attention as you read? Are you getting the gist of the content of the chapter? 
2. "Digging Deeper" This section will contain a couple of questions that go beyond content to really struggling with an idea or question or suggestion. More than just yes or no answers, these answers are meant to stretch your brain and your heart a bit. Here's where your flesh will become words. 
3. "Personal Action"  Here's where your words will become flesh. Each post includes a suggested action for you to take at some point that week.  

You are welcome to answer any of these questions in the comments under each post. (You are also welcome to post any QUESTIONS you may have!) In particular, we'd love to hear your thoughts on the "Digging Deeper" questions as well as if you attempt the "Personal Action" for the week. (Tina and Allison will be monitoring these comments and will respond as they are able.) 

And YOU are welcome to respond to someone else's comment if you would like. We do ask that because we want this to be a safe place to share our fears and questions (and perhaps even doubts), please be gentle with your words when you are addressing someone else. 

These posts will be identified by the title "Chapter ___: Questions." If you don't get to the post on Monday morning and can't find it, check the blog archive on the right hand sidebar of the blog. You should be able to find the post that you're looking for. (Also, each post will be tagged by "questions," "digging deeper," and "personal action" so you can search for it using the tags as well.) 

Happy reading!