Effectively staying healthy is, at least, on most people’s radar.  How people work towards effective health is a wide and varied prospect.  A few will go into a long-haul approach that changes their very lifestyle with diet and exercise.  Others, after polishing off the last bowl of some Jamocha Almond Fudge ice cream,  will be convicted by a late-night infomercial.  Have you seen the elastic stomach wrap that instantly takes 4 inches off your waist?  For a mere $19.95 you can grab a bottle of fat-absorbing pills that promise to be liposuction in capsule form.  Act now, and you’ll double your order for the same low, low price.  It’s that easy, and that fast… but not very effective.

What makes for an effective Super Bowl party this weekend?  An artichoke dip would be great, but takes way too long to make.  Cheetos are great and quick, but I’m sure the yellow dye #5 will only aid my receding hairline.  A gimongus flat panel, HD, LCD TV is a must for an effective gathering to watch Tom Brady hoist the Lombardi trophy once again.  Some will have tediously and wisely saved their pennies to pay cash for their media extravaganza.   Some will see the instant effectiveness of renting a large screen from a highly advertised Rent-A-Center store.  You get your TV quickly and at a mere weekly rate of $29.95.  You will, however, pay about $1.3 million when it’s all said and done.

Effectiveness is a funny thing… a moving, hard-to-hit target.  How effective are your prayers?  Have you seen some of the hokey prayer schemes on Christian TV?  Miracle water, oil, and cloths are a sure-fire, quick, and painless way to ensure effective and powerful prayers (and don’t forget to tuck in your love gift today).

James has much to say about REALLY praying effectively… especially when your back is against the wall.   James gives practical, real advice to pray powerfully.  Want to have effective prayers without the cheesy short-cuts most TV pastors suggest?

This Sunday we’re diving into James 5:13-15.  The Bible gives us some amazingly practical advice to help our prayer lives along.  The promises attached to James guidelines are equally stunning.

Do you need breakthrough?  Do you have a friend who needs prayer to actually work?  Come Sunday and let’s experience the living and active Word transforming lives.  I’m anxious to see you and teach.

Blessings,

(Two services begin Feb. 12^th!  Our 24/7 week of prayer starts on Sunday.  Click here to sign up.  THANKS!)

Upcoming Events

The Gathering – Prayer & Worship
February 8, 7pm

Attend One. Serve One – Two Services
February 12, 8:30am & 10:30am
Click here if you haven’t signed up to SERVE!

Community Group Kickoff – Come and get connected
February 26, 6:30pm

Cumberland 101 (2 day class) – Everything you need to know about Cumberland
March 2&3, 6:30pm & 9am

FIA – Faith in Action at Campbell High School
March 11, 8:30am

Weekly Giving 1/29/2012
$20,072.06

Weekly Need
$23,000.00

All we need is just a little patience
Mike Thurman – Youth Pastor
James 5: 7-12 

Discussion Questions:

Recently Sherry and I decided to check out Sandra Bullock’s new movie, “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.”  Sherry loves Sandra Bullock, so a date night with me AND Sandra scored definite points on my side of the love ledger.  We hurried to scarf down a quick supper, kissed the kids, hopped in the car, engaged a long line of ticketing at the theatre… and finally made it to our seats.  Then we waited.  We waited and waded through a litany of previews and popcorn commercials.  Turns out, a movie actually starts 20 minutes after the published start time.  Who knew?  We hurried up and waited.

This week, one of my good Indiana friends was waiting for his mother-in-law to die. A very rough and long battle with lung cancer made this a difficult few days.  The family was hurrying and scurrying to gather and plan a funeral, but they were strangely waiting for their loved one to die.  What an intriguing dichotomy.

The Bible is a big and consistent proponent of waiting.  In fact, for those who can figure the stuff of patience out, we’re promised renewal and strength.  Biblical waiting is almost always an idea of active waiting or waiting forwardly.  Some might think that a posture of waiting on Jesus might involve a packed suitcase, ceasing all human productivity, and sitting on an empty hill while merely looking to the skies for his return.  Is that how we’re supposed to wait… especially on Jesus’ return?

The exact opposite of such inactive thoughts is what Jesus and his brother James were advocates of.  Our waiting involves serving, giving, praying, growing, and active preparation. How’s your waiting going these days?

Know any good farmers?  Now there’s a great picture of Biblical waiting.  A seed is planted in the Spring, but until the Fall harvest, most farmers are quite active weeding, spraying, watering, and keeping the equipment in working order.

On Sunday, our slice of James (5:7-12) points to waiting.  Active waiting.  How would you score yourself on waiting… Biblical waiting?   Our gathering is at 10:15 on Sunday morning. HURRY UP and get there… and then wait for a great service to unfold.  I think it will all be worth the wait.    See you then…

Blessings!

p.s. – We still need a few volunteers to staff our upcoming two services.  Click here to sign up.

Don’t forget to grab a one-hour time slot for our 24/7 week of prayer starting Feb. 5^th.

Click here to see a 3-minute video with an overview of CCC’s 2011 financial picture.

Upcoming Events:

Jesus 101 (2 day class):  Find out what we believe
February 3, 6:30pm
February 4, 9:00am

The Gathering:  Prayer & Worship
February 8, 7:00pm

Attend One. Serve One.  Launching 2 service times
8:30 am & 10:30am
Sign up to serve by clicking here

Community Group Kickoff:  Get connected with a Community Group
February 26, 6:30pm

Cumberland 101 (2 day class):  Everything you need to know about Cumberland
March 2, 6:30pm
March 3, 9:00am

Weekly Giving for 1/22/2012
$16,752.41

Weekly Need
$23,000.00

“Fat Cats & Fat Wallets”

1.  What TV show or movie depicts a modern-day “fat cat” with a “fat wallet?”  In what ways is this person’s life soft?  What elements or things attached to someone’s life do you consider “luxurious?”  What stuff might make you soft?  What luxuries do you regularly enjoy?

2.  Read James 5:1-6.  Read it again from the Message translation.  What are words easily swallowed, and which ones make you and most others choke?  Why?  What have you learned from our 3-week trek through these six verses?

3.  What is the thinking behind the sounds of muttering, weeping & wailing, and a festal shout — attached to James 5:1-6?  Which sounds do you most relate to?  What would you tell someone who is most often heard muttering?  What would it take for CCC to be a church of a corporate festal shout when it comes to her finances?

4.  Have you figured out what your stuff (and it’s rust/corrosion) might be saying about you?  What have you decided to wrestle with (clothes, tools, shoes, money, media, discretionary spending, etc…) concerning your stuff and Jesus’ Kingdom?

5.  Read James 5:4-5.  Is there anything here for you to consider?  Are you guilty of anything here, or is this for other fat cats with fat wallets?  Why or why not?   Are you in any way uncomfortable with these strong words from James, and how does this make you feel … honestly?

6.  What is going on with James 5:6?  How do you explain this verse?  How might this verse be about Jesus?  Why is your perspective and theology on the person of Jesus important when it comes to your stuff and finances?  How much do you believe you’ve lost yourself, and your identity is in Christ?  Why might the answer to this BIG question determine direction of your stuff and finances?  How honest is your community group being with each other concerning this very hard topic?  What can you pray together? What can you do together?

A time machine.  The thought simmers within me this morning.  I want one.  I would go back to when Brooklynn was born.   I’d set the dial for September 21, 1993.  What a wonderful Fall day that was.  Life was extremely simple and wide-eyed as our first child came to invade our very humble, two-bedroom home at 804 W. Walnut Street in Washington, Indiana.

Brooklynn is 20 now, and speeding towards 21.  I don’t like it.  I don’t like it when boys are hanging out at the house and invading our dinner table.  I’m also struggling with my second-born’s early high school graduation and college considerations for the Fall.   I’d like to slow down… maybe even stop… all of this forward progress.

If I can’t go back in time, couldn’t I somehow just keep them in a blissful time warp?  Isn’t there enough science and technology to help a guy out?  Maybe the new iphone can hook me up.  I’m just feeling such strong resistance to change with my kids.  I’m wondering if this growth and maturation stuff has been completely overrated.  I like the way things are, and I’d rather just keep things frozen in time.  Is there a problem with this?

Sherry, my wife, works with special first-grade children at a local elementary school.  She tells me of kids who have such challenges they may never grow and mature beyond a certain level.  These kids may never be able to leave home.  I began to quickly count my blessings, and decide to go with the natural flow of my growing kids… as hard as it may be.

On February 12, CCC is going to two services.  Much will change for our Body.  I know there are natural fears and anxieties attached to change.  In fact, what’s not to like about how things currently are?  Why disrupt this?  Why change?  Some may like the way things are, and rather we just keep things frozen in such a blissful time.

Going back just a few short years, there were thoughts of closing the doors of Cumberland.  But God has given us increase, growth, purpose, salvation, and a burgeoning maturity.   With the blessings come responsibility.  While we do not want to build a CCC empire, we do want to make room for more people who need Jesus and want to change a struggling world.

I wonder if I set the time travel machine ahead 4-5 years… I wonder where my kids (and perhaps nasty, ugly, no-good son-in-laws) will be.  I wonder how God will move and bless in their lives.  There really is nothing within me that wants to hinder this.

Don’t you wonder where God may take CCC in 4-5 years as a result of going to two services this year?  Who will be saved?  What will be our exponential impact on the community?  How will Jesus drive our need for community even deeper?  I wonder how the messiness of more nasty, no-good, sinners coming to Jesus will affect us?  I can feel a sense of God prompting me to fight through my selfish tendencies in order to see His glory unfolded.  I hope we’ll all do this.

I trust you’re getting ready and excited for a new chapter in God’s history book at CCC.  He has faithfully prepared us for this good work.  Where will you fit in to all of this?  Have you signed up to volunteer and help make our two services happen?  If not, please click here.

For further preparation, we’re also calling the Body at CCC to a 24/7 week of prayer, Feb. 5-11.  Have you signed up for your special time with God?  You won’t want to miss this special, creative, powerful prayer labyrinth set up in our auditorium for you to meet with God and stand on holy ground.

See you on Sunday.  Bring a friend.  Come early for a good seat!  We’ll be finishing up our 3-week trek through James 5:1-6.  I’m anxious to tell you what I’ll be doing with my clothes rack!

Blessings,

Upcoming Events:

Newcomers Lunch
This Sunday!  12pm
Come share a meal with the staff and elders at Cumberland.

Jesus 101 (2 day class)
February 3, 6:30pm
February 4, 9:00am
Find out what we believe.

The Gathering
February 8, 7pm
Prayer & Worship

Attend One. Serve One.
February 12, 8:30am & 10:30am
If you haven’t signed up to serve, click here.

Community Group Kick-Off
February 26, 6:30pm
Come and get connected with a small group, or even start a new one!

Weekly Giving for 1/15/2012
$19,706.05

Weekly Need
$23,000.000

James 5:3 –
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

“Battling Flesh-Eating Financial Monsters”

1. How was your Christmas?  Give it a score on a scale of 1-10…  Why did you score it as such?  What stuff did you receive that was good and useful?  What stuff did you get that is destined for garage sale fodder?  What stuff did you get for Christmas 2010… can you remember?  How do you decide what stuff in your house is useful, necessary, or wasteful?

2.  Read James 5:1-6.  In what ways are these verse for you, and not so much?  Who is James really writing to here?  Do these verse convict or tick you off?  Explain.

3. If a poverty-stricken, third world person suddenly came to visit your house, what, if anything, would you be embarrassed for them to see?  What would be the testimony of your stuff?  Why is this a fair or unfair question.  In relation to James 5:3, is there any hoarding going on in your life?

4. Can you or your group list the top 10 reasons why anyone would hoard?  What do you think Alan should do with his closet full of shirts?  How clear or “gray” is the Bible on hoarding?  Can you find other verses to consider?

5. How might hoarding actually be a problem of eschatology?  Explain.  What is eschatology, and what is yours?  What is the testimony of your stuff in relation to your eschatology?

6. How does Job 1:21 and Matthew 6:20 go together?  What is God speaking to you about these two verses and living out your faith?  What will you do have a faith that doesn’t neglect James 5:3?  What practical ideas will your community group throw out to fight hoarding and live out a dynamic eschatology?

Do you recall having some of those same, imaginative, sleep-with-one-eye-open nights where the dark world of monsters in the closet or under your bed were threatening to come to life and end yours?  Now with a ten-year-old son, I often wonder if he’s laying in his bed just across the hallway… with eyes wide open and glued on the closet door that seemed to be closed just a few eerie moments before.  I usually roll over and sleep comfortably knowing my son will survive his monster battles just like I did.  After all, flesh-eating closet monsters are mythical, childish, make believe creatures that only ridiculous movies are made of, right?

Have you seen “Monsters, Inc.?”  Disney-Pixar scripted a movie that enabled closet monsters.  “Monsters, Inc.”  gave reasonable cause and authority to the possibility of a giant, clawed, furred hand coming out from underneath your bed once the lights went out.  Thank goodness the movie is animated.  Animation always calms my fears of potential reality (although I’m not sure why I fought a tear back during the new release of  “The Muppets”).

But 43 years later…   I’m convinced there’s another flesh-eating monster that lurks and grows in my closet.  In fact, On Sunday, I’ll be displaying my caged monster on stage for all to behold and deal with.  (I’m hoping this will not be another goat debacle.  sigh…)

As we gather on Sunday, we’ll be looking at ONE verse.  Just one, powerful, verse that warns of a flesh-eating monster.  If you dare (and the lights are all on), take a precursory look at James 5:3.  Yikes!  Better bring someone with you to church and sit close as we deal with this one!

We HAVE been given much, and while this does not necessarily signal blessings… it does indicate great responsibility with our stuff, resources, money, and treasures.  You willing to face the monster this Sunday… with me?  Let’s do this!

Someone said that a body of believers will experience great revival when prayer and giving has been transformed by the very hand of Jesus through the power of His living Word.  This is my prayer for you and our body at Cumberland.  I’m very excited and anxious to gather with you on Sunday.

Blessings,

p.s.  have you been able to sign up to help with our 2 services that start on FEBRUARY 12th!?   Click here

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Newcomer’s Lunch (January 22, 12pm)
Get to know us (RSVP required)

The Gathering (February 8, 7pm)
Prayer & Worship

Jesus 101 (February 3&4, 6:30pm & 9am)
Find out what we believe

Attend One. Serve One. (February 12, 8:30am & 10:30am)
Launching 2 service time.  Sign up to serve!

Community Group Kick-Off (February 26, 6:30pm)
Come and get connected

*Register for these events at The City

Weekly giving:
1/8/2012 - $15,098.42

Weekly need:
$23,000.00

James 5:1-2 –

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
“Rotten Money”

1.  What sounds do you hear from people when the “money thang” is going well?  What sounds do you hear from Christians when the subject of money is brought up?  Which sounds best describe you at this time?    How good or bad is it that we’re taking a look at money and finances early in a new year?  What sounds do you anticipate coming from CCC as a result?

2.  Read James 5:1-2.  How do you think weeping and wailing should sound like?   What do you think murmuring is?  What about a “festal shout?”    What is James’ Jewish perspective on money and giving… related to Jesus followers?  Who is James audience here?   Why would a rich person weep and wail?  What’s the real problem here?

3.  Can you explain Matthew 6:22-24?  What did Jesus mean by good eyes and bad eyes?  Where are you with this?  What is evidence that your eyes are good or bad?   How have you evaluated your life, finances, and giving in relation to the poor and needy?

4.  Why did Alan bring all his shirts out from his closet?  What was the point of this?  Do you see yourself as rich or poor?   In what ways have you allowed your wealth to rot and be eaten by moths?   What is eschatology, and how will your eschatology determine how you will proceed with your wealth or lack thereof?

5.  How much do you need to consider finances, money, and giving… and how much of this is for someone else you need to share with?  How do you do with your spending, giving, and budgeting?   If you need help, what will you do?  If someone around you needs help, how will you try to be a positive and encouraging voice?

6.  Is it possible for your community group to have a healthy, lively discussion about money and giving?  How will you deter murmuring?  How much weeping and wailing should you do first?  What would a “festal shout” sound like for your group?  What specific, practical, measurable new year’s resolutions can you and your group make as a result of this study?  How will you hold each other accountable throughout the year?  What should you pray together… out loud, and what will this sound like?

One of the huge displays touted adult entertainment.  Hmmm.  I fixated on the adult part.  I silently pontificated the “M for mature” commercial tag I often hear at the end of video game commercials.  If I really think about this and not dismiss these soul-searching thoughts, “adult” & “mature” are how we rationalize sex outside of marriage, horrific language, and unnecessary violence.

I have struggled and parented for 20 years to help my kids become mature adults.  Hmmm.

Jesus comes along and says we should be like the little kids.  Adult and mature resemble 5-year-olds playing Go fish and not caring who wins.  Adult and mature, in  Jesus’ upside down Kingdom, looks like children emitting joy and trust as they take turns on the giant slide at a playground.  Sometimes I wonder if I really have an enormous amount of deprogramming to do as to what is accepted and what is righteously upside down.

For Christmas, I received a new, highly fashionable, enviable, black pin-striped, long-sleeved, SHARP shirt from my mother-in-law.  I greased the familial skids and thanked her, and proceeded to hang the shirt in my closet next to 30 other shirts.  This unofficial count does not consider a few suits, several sweaters and a not-so-small array of colorful t-shirts I have collected.

I looked at my closet of shirts, and wondered where I would squeeze in my new one so lovingly given to me.  I callousedly noticed there were two other black, long-sleeved shirts already hanging there.  No worries.  I squeezed it in, and my recent gift disappeared in the sea of hanging cotton.  Cool.

Is it… cool… that is?  What would Jesus’ upside-down Kingdom think of this?  I think I know what is readily accepted in our culture (Have you seen the latest bedroom closet designs?).  How would Jesus view my closet?  THAT is what we’ll be wrestling with this Sunday, as we dive into a very unpopular text from James 5:1-2.

Think you’re mature and adult enough to can handle this?   Actually, I’m very excited to be back into James with you, and believe God has some extremely special challenges for us as individuals and as a Church.  PLEASE bring a friend.  Our Sunday gathering plans are quite intriguing and appropriately challenging for this new year.  Can’t wait to see you and your friends on Sunday!

Blessings!

- alan

and I won’t tell you which one, sent me this text at 8:25 pm on Christmas day: “I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. Oh, and by the way, Louise and I are getting married!”

I like how precise, concise, and what a surprise those words were. There was nothing nebulous or confusing about such a wonderful text. I wish my words, were, more succinct and less vague. Another staff person at CCC is known for asking for “Alan translation” from some of the other staffers. Ugh.

Isn’t it interesting how some of our church words remain tenuous. “Bless your heart” is a phrase that, I’m sure, started out great–but then morphed into trying to find something somewhat nice to say about someone you really don’t like and completely don’t understand. Bless their hearts!

“Bless you” is another classic axiom originating from well-intended God believers wishing to bestow or pray God’s positive hand into someone’s life. It’s just weird how such a potentially powerful expression has been reduced to a verbal recognition of a germ-infested sneeze. Crazy.

“I’ll pray for you” is such a powerful, healing, and hope-giving use of spiritual language. When was the last time you actually prayed for the person you said you would? Ugh. I’m totally busted on that one. I’m seriously considering flipping the church world upside down by changing “I’ll pray for you” to “I’ll pray for you NOW.”

And then there’s the infamous, “Lord Willing.” In certain southern and often culturally remote areas, the phrase becomes, “Lord willing and if the creek don’t rise.” What does this verbal gem mean? Usually and typically it means, “I’ve made my plans and would really appreciate God’s rubber stamp of YES!”

On Sunday, Lord willing, we’ll be taking a creative, New Year’s look at James 4:13-17. YES, WE ARE HAVING CHURCH! Lord willing, we’ll regain some lost ground attached to once-powerful words. Lord willing, we’ll walk away with some grit and resolve to face a new year. Lord willing, our gathering is going to be powerful and just what you need for January 1, 2012.

It’s gonna be good…trust me(and bless your heart)!

Blessings!

Upcoming Events

Register for events on The City!

Spend Less. Give More: DONATE NOW!
The Gathering: Wednesday, January 4th (7pm)
Financial Peace University: Monday, January 9th (7pm)
Newcomers Lunch: Sunday, January 22nd (12pm)
Jesus 101 (2 days): Friday, February 3rd (6:30pm) & Saturday, February 4th (9:00am)

Cumberland Giving

December 18th Offering: $19,956.04
Christmas Eve. & Day Offerings: $19,580.24
Weekly Need: $23,000

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Sunday Discussion Questions?

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