Stories to Lift the Spirit

A participant in our NDE class told this story.

When her mother died, the family found in her things a pendant they very much wanted to place on her for the funeral.

It would look good with the clothing they had selected.

But there was a problem. The gold chain was thin and delicate and all “knotted up.”

Several members of the family worked to get the kinks out, but no one succeeded.

They were disappointed, but finally gave up and went with something else.

When they returned from the funeral, there was the chain and pendant, laid out on the bed without a knot in it.

It was, of course, a word from their loved one. Her life continued. And she wanted her family to know that.

The body dies.

We do not.

Death is a transition.

Not an end.

That story was not a near-death experience, but it was fair game for the class, which is really about the reality of heaven and God and life beyond death.

Another member did share an NDE. She must have died momentarily with a brain aneurysm. At one point, she found herself up at the ceiling looking down on herself in the hospital bed.

She was later aware of Jesus at her bedside. He let her know she would survive. And said to her, “Tell your boys you love them.”

NDE class, 9:45 Sunday. Followed by breakfast.

Life is better than you think. Be encouraged.

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One week away:

A Night on Broadway.

Sat., Aug.10, 6:00 p.m.

We can promise you glorious music and a bit of food afterward.

Max’s Corner

NDE CLASS

Will we see the people we have loved and lost in heaven? Will they know us—and will we know them? What will they look like? And what will we look like? Will people of other faiths be there?

These are some of the questions to be raised in this week’s NDE class—9:45—followed by breakfast.

SPEAKING OF BREAKFAST

This is a “Winston Sunday”—meaning Winston will bring. (If you want to add something, feel free.)

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

Communion Sunday

Always a blessed day. Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of denomination or the state of their faith. It is the Lord’s Table. We all belong to him.

A nonbeliever wrote me to say that I pick and choose the teachings of Jesus to make him look kind and loving. No—I don’t have to do that.

Jesus is kind and loving.

Sermon Sunday: Demand Consistency

And we’ve been having some good singing.

I’m ready for more of it.

(Children—I think I am happiest when I am singing.)

Join me—in being excited about Sunday.

“I was glad when they said unto me—”

You know the rest.

Come! Let us worship.

God Bless—MB

The upcoming concert is in ONE week–Saturday, August 10, at 6:00 p.m. Shannon and Julian will take us out for A Night on Broadway. This will be an exciting concert. Do NOT miss it. (Light dinner after.)

God IS Love

After the news last Sunday around 2:00 p.m. I am filled with hope. I believe we will be okay.

Last Sunday was also a good day in church.

I hope I was clear in my sermon why we can be sure God did NOT kill Ananias and Sapphira. (Acts 1- 11)

It’s simple.

God loved them just as God loves you and me.

God is never unloving.

How do I know?

Jesus tells us so. God is “kind to the ungrateful and to the wicked.”

The father in the great parable loved the Prodigal Son just as much when the boy was away and in sin as when he returned home.

God’s love does not depend on our behavior.

It is unconditional.

This is one thing that astounds people who have NDEs. They are immersed in a love beyond words–all sins forgiven.

God—IS—love.” It’s as simple as that.

As much as I cherish the book of Acts, the Ananias and Sapphira story is wrong about God.

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Speaking of NDEs, the study is going well. And you can join us—Sunday mornings at 9:45.

Here is a place where you can share those deep experiences you think no one will believe.

The class is also a kind of grief therapy for those who have lost a loved one.

We live forever.

When the NDE study ends, we will move right into an ongoing study of my book about religious experiences, Discovering God.

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Our concerts resume in two weeks. Free. (We take an offering.) A Night on Broadway.

And join us for worship this Sunday at 11:00. (Or watch online.)

Max’s Corner

ALL SEEMED BLESSED

Everything last weekend seemed blessed—the service for Julie Maxwell—the new NDE study—and morning worship.

And that solo from Blake—”What a Wonderful World”. I haven’t listened online to it yet, but I plan to. Just about the loveliest thing I have ever heard.

Thanks to all who work so hard around here. The dinner after the memorial service was great. Thanks for Jason’s work on the slide show and livestream. Thanks to Mel for his work.

NDE Study

We had a roomful for the NDE study, with four visitors from outside the church. Sue Kelcey shared her encounter with Jesus during her NDE.

My sister (who is planning the sessions) says that this week the study will be on “The Great Reunion”—our encounter with loved ones during an NDE.

The class will begin with a question: “What do you want when you get to heaven?”

That’s at 9:45—over at 10:30 for breakfast.

Breakfast This Sunday

Veta is bringing this Sunday, but feel free to bring also—and help in the kitchen! With the big NDE class plus others, we are serving some 35 people each week.

Thanks for your help.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

This Sunday

Mary returns this Sunday—out last week to be with family in West Texas.

She will preach for us in a couple of weeks.

This Sunday I may have the nerve to tell you about an experience I once had with the Lord. If I do, the sermon will be called, God Said No.

God Bless—MB

The upcoming concert is in two weeks — Saturday, August 10, at 6:00 p.m. Shannon and Julian will take us out for A Night on Broadway. This will be an exciting concert. Do NOT miss it. (Light dinner after.)

“Did God Kill Ananias and Sapphira”—this Sunday

I asked the question last time:

“Did God kill Ananias and Sapphira?

I got several interesting answers—but I want more. Read the story in Acts 5:1-11. Send me an e-mail with your opinion.

Feel free to explain why you say “yes” or “no.”

I will read some of the e-mails in my sermon this Sunday (without giving your name.)

Truth is, the question is not hard to answer. And I will give you the definitive answer in my sermon this Sunday at 11:00.

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We have an interesting study of NDEs, just starting Sunday mornings, taught by my sister, Jackie.

I will chime in at times.

The class meets at 9:45 and will run for four Sundays.

Each week we will hear from someone who has had a near-death event.

Expect to be lifted and encouraged by this study.

And here is really good news: It is followed by breakfast!

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The 4-week NDE study will be followed by an extended study of my not-yet published book, Discovering God.

The book is continually changing as I work on it. It will be out by next Easter.

The study will be part of my closing work on the book.

Discovering God covers over 100 remarkable and moving encounters with God.

We will discover in this study that God’s love for us exceeds anything we could ever imagine.

And God is closer to us that most people believe.

So: study at 9:45 every Sunday morning.

And Sermon Sunday: Did God Kill Ananias and Sapphira? 11:00 and after.