Waxing on Fireproof

OK, so my wife has been talking about this movie for weeks now. "We should take a group from church...we need to promote it in our church...it is such a needed topic, marriage and staying together! Kirk Cameron is in it and you really like him!" And I was like yeah but there is one problem...I have not seen the movie! So today, Fireproof opened and we went and I can now say that you have GOT to see it.

I LOVED IT! Well done and desperately needed!! What a refreshing message to see in a movie!Contrary to the majority of marriages we see portrayed on TV and in movies, not ALL of them end up divorced and Fireproof is the story of success in marriage. YES!! And contrary to the cynical attitude towards the institution of marriage that is so common on TV and movies, Fireproof offers a portrayal of hope. Fireproof does not ignore the reality of struggle and temptation in marriage and it does not pretend that marriage is easy. What it does declare is that marriage is a covenant and that marriage is intended to last for life.

The truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is clearly and completely spoken in this movie and I applaud Sherwood Baptist Church of Albany, Georgia.

Scott Bowles of USA TODAY wrote:
"Alex and Stephen Kendrick are making serious Hollywood money by doing nothing Hollywood would do.
They don't pay their actors. Volunteers build the sets. Sunday school kids cater. And when production hits a snag, they don't ask for more money. They pray.
And they're getting the kind of return on their films that would make Spielberg envious. Their first theatrical release, 2006's Facing the Giants, about a struggling football coach, cost $100,000 and raked in $10 million in theaters."

For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Waxing on War Rumors

Russia is reportedly deploying warships to the Caribbean, North Korea is reportedly restarting its nuclear efforts and just this week Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spewed his typical rhetoric of hatred and destructive desires for Israel and America...in New York City!
And as I sit in my office contemplating such news that has become so commonplace, my thoughts of war and rumors of war are accentuated by the sound of a large caliber machine gun in the distance. I live across the river from a US Army Firing Range and tonight the army is apparently practicing with what sounds like a 50 caliber.
It is all quite surreal but yet it is real indeed. This reality led me to think about the conversation that Jesus had with His disciples about His Second Coming in Matthew 24...while He walked this earth the first time He talked about coming to this earth the second time and since everything else He said is true, it is safe to say that He is coming again. His disciples thought they were going to see both His first coming and second. They wanted to know what to look for so they could know when He was coming.
As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
No doubt the contractions have been going on for quite some time now so I am thinking the real labor pains could come anytime....
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Some of these pains are already being endured by believers in other parts of the world and in this country the hatred towards Christianity is growing more and more obvious. Lawlessness. Hatred. False prophets...endurance. Press on brothers and sisters...He is coming again!

Waxing on Fast Times

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.- Colossians 2:8 ESV

Scripture says to not be conformed to this world...that the wisdom of this world is folly...that the present form of this world is passing away...and Jesus said "My Kingdom is not of this world."

Becky and I went to "C28" today. If you have not been, check it out. It is at Short Pump Mall and it has some great Christian stuff. I know we have all had our fill of cheese but this place is really different...and the best part, it is much more than a store. As the workers show you the merchandise, they are preaching...the word is everywhere and I don't mean "Smile Jesus loves you!" I mean the WORD. Workers pray with you and make no apologies that they are there to not only sell clothing with a message, they are there to proclaim the truth!

Becky and I were up at Short Pump having some lunch and celebrating our 18th Wedding Anniversary! WOW! How the time has flown! I love my wife! She is awesome! These 18 years have been incredible. That is us on our wedding night...check that mullet...was my face that much thinner or was it just the hair? Becky just keeps getting better!

My wife was beautiful then and she is even more beautiful now, but the best thing is that she loves Jesus...for real!

Strength and dignity are her clothing,and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom,and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently,but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

(Proverbs 31:25-30)

Waxing on Western Moving Ike

Looks like Hurricane Ike will be well clear of the East Coast so I anticipate no interruption of our regular schedule this Sunday. Lord willing, CCF will be meeting at our regular place of worship, Matoaca Middle School West Campus.

Thanks again to all who came out this past Sunday to our "emergency" location. We were all reminded that God is not "in the box!" Thanks again to Bruce for letting all of us invade your store. See you all this Sunday at MMS West!

For directions and schedule go to the Community Christian Fellowship website: http://www.ccfnet1.org/

Waxing on Hannah (not Samuel's Mom)

Due to Tropical Storm Hannah, Chesterfield County Schools have closed all facilities for the upcoming weekend.

Therefore, this Sunday, September 7th, CCF will be holding regular worship service at Ellis Fashions and Fotos in Prince George.

We will be having 10:30 worship only. NO 9:00 Bible Study.

Childcare will be provided.Ellis Fashion and Fotos is located at:4004 Prince George Dr.Prince George, VA 23975 in the Food Lion Shopping Center

phone: 804-452-1231

Please bring a lawn chair or folding chair and join us as we seek the Lord together!

Ellis Fashions and Fotos is owned and operated by our Associate Pastor, Bruce Ellis. Thank you Pastor Bruce!!

Directions from the Colonial Heights/Southpark Mall area:

TakeTemple Ave towards Hopewell/Fort Lee/VA-144 E 3.4 mi Turn left at Oaklawn Blvd/VA-36 E 0.7 mi Turn right at Jefferson Park Rd 1.3 mi Turn left at Middle Rd 2.2 mi Turn right at Prince George Dr/VA-156-BR 492 f

questions: call the church office at 804-526-8260