THURSDAY THOUGHTS ARCHIVES


*MEMORY IS USUALLY A MORE POWERFUL REALITY...*	September 25, 2008	Top of Page
*"EIGHT IS ENOUGH" -- DO YOU REMEMBER THAT TV SIT-COM?*	September 18, 2008	Top of Page
*HERE'S NO WAY THE SHOT SHOULD HAVE GONE IN, BUT IT DID!*	September 11, 2008	Top of Page
*WE'VE BEEN ENJOYING SOME BEAUTIFUL WEATHER*	September 4, 2008	Top of Page
*WHY DOES ANYONE RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE?*	August 28, 2008	Top of Page
*HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING THE OLYMPICS?*	August 21, 2008	Top of Page
*I CHERISH RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE I HAVE KNOWN*	August 14, 2008	Top of Page
*EVERY TIME I TELL MY MANTA RAY STORY*	August 7, 2008	Top of Page
MANY YEARS AGO AN OLDER PASTOR ADVISED ME	July 31, 2008	Top of Page
*WHAT A JUXTAPOSITION OF THEMES!*	July 24, 2008	Top of Page
*DID YOU START THIS DAY WITH A SENSE OF JOYFUL ...*	July 17, 2008	Top of Page
*YOU DO KNOW IT'S A LOSING BATTLE, DON'T YOU?*	July 10, 2008	Top of Page
*THE MESSAGE LIGHT ON THE PHONE WAS FLASHING...*	July 3, 2008	Top of Page
*YOUR "RIDE" SAYS A LOT ABOUT WHO YOU ARE!*	June 19, 2008	Top of Page
*EVERY NOW AND THEN YOU READ OR HEAR SOMETHING*	June 12, 2008	Top of Page
HOW DO YOU BECOME A MIGHTY SERVANT OF THE LORD?	June 5, 2008	Top of Page
*I USUALLY DON'T "ADVERTISE" IN THIS SPACE*	May 29, 2008	Top of Page
"HOWEVER EARLY YOU GET UP, YOU CANNOT HASTEN..."	May 22, 2008	Top of Page
IF YOU WERE 14 YEARS OLD AND HAD TO PREDICT...	May 15, 2008	Top of Page
*I WONDER WHAT OUR PETS THINK ...*	May 8, 2008	Top of Page
IS THERE ANY JUSTICE IN THIS WORLD?	May 1, 2008	Top of Page
*"DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR PROBLEM IS?"*	April 24, 2008	Top of Page
*I HAVE BEEN ENJOYING "A TASTE OF HEAVEN" THIS WEEK!*	April 17, 2008	Top of Page
*HERE'S THE PROBLEM: GOD IS UNCONTROLLABLE!*	April 10, 2008	Top of Page
*EVERYBODY HAS A STORY TO TELL*	April 3, 2008	Top of Page
*HARD CHOICES...LIFE IS SURE FULL OF THEM!*	March 27, 2008	Top of Page
*WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?*	March 20, 2008	Top of Page
*DOESN'T IT SEEM LIKE WE BUILD OUR WHOLE LIVES ON..* .	February 21, 2008	Top of Page
*WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE, SWEET LOVE!*	February 14, 2008	Top of Page
*HE ROBBED ME OF MY BEST PLAYER!*	February 7, 2008	Top of Page
*"I'M IN IT TO WIN IT!"*	January 31, 2008	Top of Page
YOU NEVER KNOW HOW NINTH-GRADE BOYS...	January 24, 2008	Top of Page
HOW HARD IS IT FOR YOU TO SAY, "I'M SORRY?"	January 17, 2008	Top of Page
*"THAT'S WHAT SUCKS ME OUT OF THE SHEETS ..."*	January 10, 2007	Top of Page
*SO...DID YOU WATCH THE GAME?*	January 3, 2008	Top of Page


----- Original Message -- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 3:10 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *SO...DID YOU WATCH THE GAME? Surely you know what I'm talking about!* Last night's Fiesta Bowl victory by West Virginia University was one for the ages. Even for those who are not fans of the Mountaineers, that game had premium entertainment value for anyone who loves sports. The big plays just kept coming, one after another. Oklahoma was clearly a very good and powerful team, but West Virginia had an answer to everything. In the end, it was a decisive victory for our "lads" (as interim [now head!] coach Bill Stewart called them). If you saw the game, you must have some favorite moments. The fourth-down stop late in the first half was a "statement play" that let the Sooners know we were intent on winning. Owen Schmitt's 57 yard rumble to the end zone was priceless. When Tito Gonzalez scored on a 79 yard passing play, I think he was crying before he crossed the goal line...then the tears kept flowing on the sideline as teammates hugged him. Cameras showed him on the telephone, nearly overcome with emotion, and Mossie said, "He's probably talking to his mom!" (Actually, he was more likely talking to a coach upstairs, but I liked the thought.) What a victory! What a thrilling conclusion to a season that seemed to unravel in its waning days. In fact, that's what makes this win so sweet. This is a team that overcame unusual adversity to reach the pinnacle of success. Hopes were high at the start of the year. Some talked about a National Championship...until a mid-year loss to the University of South Florida. Despite that loss, the team stayed focused and built a new winning streak while other teams ranked above them stumbled. Going into the game with the University of Pittsburgh, WVU had climbed to #2 in the rankings. They were 28-point favorites over the Panthers, confident that they would play for the title after all. But they lost that game. I was there. With thousands of others, I watched in stunned silence. I didn't think it was possible. I felt so badly for those young men, who came so close to achieving something that is so rare in sports, and who lost in such miserable fashion. The worst was still to come. Days later, the head coach resigned to take the helm at the University of Michigan. To many of us, it was beyond unthinkable. Those of us born in this state prize loyalty to our own, and we felt betrayed by a native son. I'll be honest, I didn't see how this team could stay in the game with a powerhouse like Oklahoma. I expected a devastated, demoralized, disheartened "band of brothers" to show up in Arizona, and my hope was that they would at least avoid embarrassment by keeping the game close. They did much more than that! Somehow -- give "Coach Stu" and his staff a ton of credit -- this team refocused. From the opening kick, they played with passion, intensity and resolve. Today, no one really cares about the Pitt loss. No one is fretting over the head coach's departure. No one even seems to mind so much that we aren't in the title game. In fact, there are going to be plenty of pundits wondering what might have happened had the eventual winner faced the Mountaineer team that showed up in the desert last night. So is there a spiritual insight in the midst of all this? Well, there has to be -- these are, after all, the "Thursday Thoughts" of a pastor! Many applications come to mind, but I will share just one. Thinking about all that this team had to overcome...how perturbed and confused they had to be...how anxious and alarmed and even dismayed...then how elated and exuberant and overjoyed...I think of the Apostle's observation about our translation from this world to our eternal inheritance: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8.18, NIV). Not worth compaing! The instant that we are with Jesus, nothing we have endured here will matter any longer. All shame and disappointment and loss will evaporate and be gone as though it never existed at all. If the thrill of victory can so quickly and completely abolish the agony of defeat for these football players, imagine how great will be your joy, and how utterly you will forget the past, the moment you step into the eternal presence of your Savior and King! *THIS SUNDAY* our emphasis is on God's great mercy as we share together in the Lord's Supper. *In the Evening Praise Service* *we will resume our Lessons on Prayer.* Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE, WHEN MY JESUS I SHALL SEE! HIS GRACE! HIS FACE! O, THE JOY! Top of Page**

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:39 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *"THAT'S WHAT SUCKS ME OUT OF THE SHEETS IN THE MORNING!" Have you heard that expression?* Colorful, isn't it? I had never heard anyone say this, until one day in a meeting with our C&MA National Office team in Colorado Springs. Dr. Bob Fetherlin, our vice president for International Ministries, was talking about a new initiative to plant churches in a place that had been closed to us, and he was really animated by the prospects. With a big grin and bright eyes he declared, "That's what sucks me out of the sheets in the morning!" Is there something that "turns you on" to each new day, something that excites you and gives you a sense of purpose? Do you arise with the anticipation of God's good favor upon your life, confident that He is going to use you this day in ways that you could never have imagined? Does His hand reach down like a giant unseen vacuum to "suck you out of the sheets" and propel you into His world of service? No?! Well then, wouldn't you like to experience that kind of vision for living? Shouldn't you? Without a doubt, the expression is a bit overstated. I will freely admit that I do not leap out of bed with my feet running, thrilling with exuberance for every appointment and task that awaits. I need a slow start to the day. Many times, my first thought on awaking is, "I'm so tired. I just want to sleep another hour." Then again, the dog and the cat are needing attention, so I have to get up -- for them, if not for me -- and once I start moving, other things fall into place. Put the tea kettle on, gather my materials for my devotions -- Bible, journal, a couple devotional guides I'm reading -- share some quiet time with my Savior. I cherish the slow pace of my early morning regimen. Once the day "officially" begins, I am hounded and harried, rushing from one duty to the next, changing hats too many times to mention, and always ending the day with more things undone than things accomplished. If I were truly "sucked out of the sheets" and hurled into the busyness of the day, I fear I would soon be a total and blathering idiot...or moreso than I already am. Still, I will agree that what God has given me to do is truly satisfying. I am thankful to know that I am engaged in a work that is far bigger than me. I'm glad that what I do is far more important than simply bringing home a paycheck. When I am weary or frustrated or discouraged or fearful or anguished, I find joy in the reminder that God has graced my life with purpose, that I am laboring for Him and not merely for man, and that he "works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8.28, NIV). *"Oh, but you're a pastor. Of course you have a sense of purpose. Your whole life is about a higher calling."* Indeed, it is a privilege to be a pastor. It's fraught with heartache and stress and physical exhaustion and spiritual struggle...but it's God's work! I won't deny it. However, you are doing God's work, too. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are children of God. We have been joined to His family, and no matter how you earn your living, you are called to be about the Father's business. In the workplace, at home, through volunteer work in the church and community, etc., you are living out your call to be His witness. Maybe other things don't "suck you out of the sheets" in the morning, but serving Jesus should! Think of the privilege that is yours. You are one of His saints, a "called out" follower of God. He has made you holy, which means simply that you have been set apart as His. Maybe you don't think of yourself as holy because you don't have such a high opinion of your personal righteousness, but the truth is you have been chosen by God, separated from the world, and set apart for His use. You are holy! You are a vessel into which He pours Himself, an instrument which He wields in His hand. And if that doesn't get you pumped, I don't know what will! THIS SUNDAY *the Lord, Have Mercy* series continues. The Lord is calling for workers who will exercise mercy toward others. In the Evening Praise Service we continue the Cymbala series and Lessons on Prayer. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. LORD, I WANT TO DO YOUR BIDDING! SUCK ME OUT OF THE SHEETS AND SEND ME ON YOUR WAY! Top of Page**

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 9:30 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] HOW HARD IS IT FOR YOU TO SAY, "I'M SORRY?" Ever had to coax an apology out of a child? Picture the little fellow trying to say he is sorry for just having bitten or pinched or slugged his sibling. With a sullen look and obvious distaste, he might mumble, "Sorry," but you know he doesn't really mean it. Still, it's important to learn how to do something he's going to do again many times throughout his life! I met with a group of pastors recently. One man was distressed about a bad encounter with a church member that morning. In his rush to leave his office, he had been rather curt with this person. He said, "I didn't handle the matter very well and I'm going to have to go back to her and make it right." When our meeting ended, we had planned to share a late lunch, but this pastor begged off. "I need to take care of this matter from earlier this morning," he said. So he left us to go find that parishioner and do some damage repair. I'm sure it began with a heartfelt apology. Why is it so hard to admit a wrong, or that we have done something we should not have done? We often choose to rationalize our behavior. "I wouldn't have done what I did if you hadn't said what you said!" Well, of course. There is always provocation of some sort, I suppose. But that doesn't justify my unkindness. Too often we practice a "grown-up" version of the child's defense, "He hit me first!" Aside from what the other person did, the real reason we won't admit wrong is simple pride. We're just full of self. It's one of the most obvious manifestations of what the Bible identifies as the sin nature. To admit a wrong is humbling, to say the least, and such an admission places me at the feet of the person whom I have offended. It requires an abasement of self that goes against every prideful fiber in my being. And yet...when I have sinned, nothing is gained by covering it up, ignoring it, excusing it or finding "just cause" why I behaved as I did. The offense sits there and festers...sometimes for years!...ruining the fellowship I might have enjoyed. Moreover, the heart of God is grieved. Right after the Apostle Paul tells us that we should not allow any "unwholesome talk" to escape our lips, but should speak only that which builds up and benefits (Ephesians 4.29), he then says, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God...." (v.30). Do we forget this? When I cause injury to another, I grieve the Holy Spirit of God! God loves each of us, and is impartial in His love. He doesn't differentiate between us. In fact, he isn't willing that any one of us perish; He loves each of us indiscriminately, and Christ Jesus gave His life for all, not merely for some. John says, "...to all who received Him...He gave the right to become children of God...." (John 1.12). When I cause offense to another, I injure one whom God loves. I grieve the Holy Spirit! I should passionately desire to make amends as soon as possible. I should rush to apologize, expressing genuine sorrow for the wrong that I have done. This was certainly the heart of my pastor friend, who anguished all morning because he knew he had mishandled this matter with a member of his fellowship. As soon as our meeting was done, he could delay no longer. Lunch had to be foregone. He needed to make an apology. Oh, that we were always so diligent! Consider what Paul has written: "See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done" (II Corinthians 7.11) Yes! that's the attitude that pleases God. In the passage from Ephesians, Paul continues, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Eph. 4.32). How shameful it is to hold on to a grievance, and to compound its damage, just because I am convinced that the wrong another has done to me justifies my condemning spirit and the wrong that I return. Instead, I should say, "What I did was unkind and lacking in grace. It did not reflect the heart of my Savior, who only commended Himself to His heavenly Father when His tormentors hurled insults at Him. I must make amends. I must apologize, and I must do it now." *THIS SUNDAY* we will consider how the majesty of God relates to His mercy. *In the Evening Praise Service* we continue our lessons on prayer. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *THIS RULE TRANSFORMS MY LIVING: FORGIVE OTHERS JUST AS IN CHRIST GOD FORGAVE ME!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 12:03 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] YOU NEVER KNOW HOW NINTH-GRADE BOYS WILL AMUSE THEMSELVES! Besides playing table-top football and dreaming up ways to "prank" our least favorite teacher, our so-called "study hall" period was fertile ground for adolescent shenanigans. One day a classmate said that if I gripped my #2 lead pencil in my fist with my hand on the table and the pointed end of the pencil straight up, he could hit it with a book and drive the pencil all the way through the book. "No way," I thought. "That much force will just break the pencil." He insisted it could be done, and the conversation quickly morphed into a quasi-dare.... ...Which, of course, no ninth-grade boy with an ounce of self-respect is going to refuse, quasi or otherwise. A "sucker" was born that minute. I gripped my pencil tightly, put my arm on the table holding the implement straight up, and my friend picked up my thick algebra book and slammed it down on the point. The pencil went straight through and out the other side an inch or so. It also squeezed some flesh into the hole on the underside, which hurt mightily and bled a little, but I was too impressed with the demonstration to worry about the wound. Of course, I now had a hole through my algebra book. This did not distress me. Oh, it did occur that my parents would not find it amusing, if they happened to notice, so I filed a mental note to keep my algebra book out of their sight if possible. But algebra was definitely not my favorite subject, so the defacing of this particular text added something to the pleasure of the "physics lesson" we had just experienced. In fact, for the rest of the year, as I worked through that book, every time I turned a page with a hole right smack in the middle, it was as though an unalterable statement of protest had been made: Death to Algebra...Death to Algebra...Death to Algebra. My apologies...sort of...to anyone who is math proficient. I'm a word guy, not a numbers guy, and I despised algebra. School had always been fairly easy for me, including math, until I hit algebra in the ninth grade. In the tenth grade, I got along with geometry reasonably well, although we began our acquaintance on a bad footing since algebra had sent me forth with a new suspicion that the math sciences were secretly plotting my eventual and forever ruin and should therefore be avoided at all costs. Algebra seemed to demand a mental functionality that I did not possess and had no desire to acquire. It was a blight on my existence and to this day constitutes a year-long instance of academic dyspepsia from which I perhaps have yet to recover. Maybe I hated algebra so much for the simple reason that it made me feel "dumb." No matter how hard I worked, I just didn't "get it." My parents even found a tutor for me, a graduate student at WVU, and that was helpful. Though it pains me to admit it, I almost "liked" algebra during those weekly one-hour sessions. I definitely understood the concepts much better than in the classroom. But the rest of the time, algebra and I were locked in a "holy war" with no peace in sight. Years have passed. Algebra hasn't changed. Neither have I. I won't say I regret taking the course. My supreme difficulty taught me that I would not excel at everything, and would perform miserably in some. That's humbling, but I needed to know. At the same time, I learned that I did not have to be proficient in algebra to find a place of significance in this world. It turns out there is a need for people who are more nimble with words than with figures, and I've been able to do OK in disciplines that did not require high math proficiency. At that "study hall" table years ago, I guess I literally "drove a stake through" the heart of my algebra text. A year later, a tenth grade English course stirred an interest that led to my college major and a path that has emphasized letters more than numbers and is just what the Lord ordained. He really does have a plan and purpose for each of us, and He knows what He's doing. You are valued for who you are, and God has put in you all sorts of latent gifts and possibilities just waiting for expression unto His glory. *THIS SUNDAY* we learn that God's mercy is free and cannot be negotiated. *In the Evening Praise Service* we'll enjoy a missions report from Southeast Asia. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *I'M TRUSTING IN GOD TO GET ME TO HEAVEN...WHETHER OR NOT I CAN "DO THE MATH"!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 2:22 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *"I'M IN IT TO WIN IT!" HAVE YOU HEARD THAT EXPRESSION?* Athletes will say this, but so do politicians. When a candidate declares for office, there is often a desire to assert that this campaign is more than "window dressing," more than simply a platform from which to espouse certain principles or to gain influence and power. No, I want you to know, "I'm in it to win it!" We've heard a version of this from every one of the many candidates who declared for the presidency. Nevertheless, the field has winnowed down to just a few remaining "viable" candidates. Which is to say, of the many who entered the "presidential sweepstakes," only a few remain who actually have any chance of winning it. A candidate who is trailing in the polls will insist that he or she intends to stay in the race all the way to its end, no matter what the outcome of the next primary, and then, when they lose that vote, they're at the podium withdrawing from the race and casting support to another candidate. What happened? A big part of it, of course, is the practical reality that at some point a hopeless campaign simply can't be financed any further. You might have been "in it to win it" but if there is no longer any chance of winning it, it makes little sense to spend yourself deep into debt for a lost cause. Still, it seems a little artificial and inauthentic to hear someone insist that they are staying the course, in the race until the convention and the nominee is decided, only to have them opt out of the whole thing just days later. Where is the commitment now? But that's politics. We understand giving up on lost causes, cutting bait, jumping ship, et cetera, when it's plain that a political goal, particularly a victorious election, can't be attained. What bothers me is when this sentiment spills over into the real world of moral and ethical choices. Years ago, I counseled a couple whose marriage was on the rocks. He had been unfaithful, again. She said it was over; she wasn't taking him back. He expressed sorrow, begged forgiveness and insisted that he would do "whatever it takes, even if it means waiting the rest of my life," in order to win her back. I really believed there was hope to save this marriage if he followed through with his promise. She had been deeply injured, but I knew she still had the capacity to forgive, still wanted to put the pieces together, if he demonstrated that he was sincere. I knew she would do it for the sake of their child if not for herself, and so I encouraged him to do exactly what he said, and to be patient with her in the difficult healing that she needed to experience. She had to see that he truly meant everything he had said. About three weeks later he was in my office to tell me that it wasn't going to work, that she was never going to give him another chance, and that he was done. He had filed for divorce. He wanted out. I said, "But you told me you were committed to doing whatever it takes. You said you would wait for her even if it took the rest of your life." It didn't matter. He was done. "The rest of my life" didn't even make it one month! He wasn't "in it to win it." Jesus is looking for disciples who will go the distance. Near the end of an unusually laborious ministry, the Apostle Paul said to young Timothy, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (II Tim. 4.7). This is a man who was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked...you name it, Paul suffered it. He must have had a thousand days when it would have been far easier, in that moment, to give up, to say, "It's no use," to conclude that the hardship just wasn't worth it. But Paul was "in it to win it." He pressed on, straining for the prize that God had set before him in Christ, believing that the rewards of heaven exceed the disappointments and deprivations we suffer here (see Phil.3.13-14 and Rom. 8.18). It's worth it, my friend, both here and hereafter. I'm in it to win it! How about you? *THIS SUNDAY* we observe communion and study how desperately the Lord has loved us in His mercy. *There is No Evening Praise Service* due to the fellowship dinner and Annual Meeting following Morning Worship. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *I KNOW THAT YOU CAN PERSEVERE, BECAUSE GOD HAS PROMISED THAT HE WILL PRESERVE!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 11:17 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *HE ROBBED ME OF MY BEST PLAYER! I guess I shouldn't have been surprised* because Jamie Walthall was the son of an athlete who had a very fine college basketball career at West Virginia University, but it was a blow to our chances to win the championship in the 12-13 year old bracket. I was only a teen myself, a few years older than my players, and we were a rag-tag group. The city had an intramural basketball league and I had rounded up some fellows in the neighborhood who wanted to play. We tie-dyed some tee-shirts in crazy multi-colored designs and called ourselves the "Psychedelics." We were one of a very few independent entrants in the league. Most of the teams had sponsors like Wilson Chevrolet and Lovings Furniture and Horton Ford. The coach of the Morgantown Junior High team was the "sneaky Pete" who stole Jamie from me. He came to the first intramural league game, trolling for talent, and approached Jamie as soon as the contest was over to offer him a spot on the school team. The rules disallowed playing for both, so Jamie was gone. Now, if you have been in Morgantown long enough to even remember Morgantown Junior High or the businesses I named above, then you and I are both approaching the "older than dirt" classification. The radio advertisements for Lovings (no TV ads back in those days) located the store at "49 steps up Walnut from High," which I checked out once on one of my forays downtown to go to the library and "49 steps" seemed just about right, depending on the length of one's stride. Who needed GPS systems when you had directions as explicit as that?! We didn't have "middle schools" back then. The junior high schools were grades seven through nine, and MJHS was located at the corner of Spruce and Walnut, where the city police building and parking garage are found today. In fact, it's my understanding that the junior high was once the high school, before the present Morgantown High School facility was built. Those of you who remember that are talking some really old dirt now. Anyway...the teams with sponsors had great looking uniforms, so they also had lots of players. Most of them rode the pine all season, but at least they got to wear a spiffy uniform. I guess the big moment for the non-playing contingent was running out on the floor at the beginning to the game. I only had nine players, wearing cheap shirts in a kaleidoscope of colors, but at least everybody got to play. When I lost Jamie, I had eight players. Then the same coach robbed me of two more players! That left me with six, and my three most talented guys were now playing for the Junior High. To add to the "degree of difficulty," about halfway through the season, my center broke his right (dominant) arm and was in a cast. He played anyway and was big and strong enough to be a rebounding force even if he couldn't shoot. Every week I kept asking myself whether we had any chance at all against these other teams in their crisp, bright uniforms. And every week we kept winning. In fact, we went undefeated and won the league championship for our age bracket. Now I'm not going to claim divine providence for the fortunes of that team. We were certainly too ornery to expect God's favor in any way. However, I did learn something about how appearances deceive, and about how it isn't always the strong and mighty who win the battle, and about perseverance and effort and believing in yourself. And when the Bible tells me that God uses the weak and foolish, the lowly and despised (I Corinthians 1.26-31), I can believe that, too! If a scrappy and ill-coached team of misfits could go undefeated against all those teams in their impressive jerseys and shorts, then I am absolutely sure that my God can take a band of miscreants and malfeasants and turn them into warriors for the Kingdom. I'm just happy to be playing for His team! *THIS SUNDAY* we meet a person who in anguish cast himself upon the mercy of the Lord. *In the Evening Praise Service* *we resume our Lessons on Prayer* with the Jim Cymbala teaching series. For online sermons and other info, go to www.cmachurch.net. I AGREE WITH THE APOSTLE PAUL: THE ONLY BOASTING I WILL DO WILL BE OF THE LORD JESUS! Top of Page**

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 10:58 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE, SWEET LOVE!* It's a 60s tune, so I'm reaching back in time a little, but maybe you remember it. The original lyrics were by Hal David and the music was composed by Burt Bacharach. It was sung by Jackie DeShannon and reached #7 on the pop charts. In later years, it was recorded by more than 100 artists, including Burt Bacharach and the Posies, The Carpenters, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Dionne Warwick, and Wynonna Judd. It was even the theme song for a Coca-Cola commercial. What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of. What the world needs now is love, sweet love. No, not just for some but for everyone. Like most pop tunes, it's a bit shallow and a little sappy, but it expresses the longing of the human heart, and it accords with scripture. God knows our loneliness and isolation, and He sent His Son as the evidence of His love for us. Interestingly, the stanzas of this song are actually framed as a prayer: Lord, we don't need another mountain. There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb. There are oceans and rivers enough to cross, Enough to last 'til the end of time. Lord, we don't need another meadow. There are cornfields and wheat fields enough to grow. There are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine. Oh, listen Lord, if you want to know.... Now, in my opinion this has to be one of the most insipid pop songs ever written...except that there are so many other candidates for the title that I don't how anyone would ever settle on the "most" insipid. Can you explain these lyrics to me? And do we really need to tell the Lord anything about what the world needs now? ("Oh, listen Lord, if you want to know" -- I think He knows already.) Someone is probably going to say, "You just trashed my favorite song of all time! I can't believe you called it insipid!" Too which I can only answer, "Oops -- Sorry!" I will say this, like many pop tunes that are not very "deep" and are sometimes even nonsensical, this one does have a cadence and lilting melody that seem to linger in your mind. Anyway, I think of this song on Valentine's Day, a day which actually celebrates a saint. Many credit the origin of Valentine's Day to the martyring of a Roman believer who refused to recant his faith in Christ. He died on the 14th of February, 269 A.D., leaving a note for the jailer's daughter which was signed, "From Your Valentine." In 496 A.D. Pope Galasius designated 14 February as a day to honor Saint Valentine, a man who loved the Lord too much to deny faith in Him, and Valentine became known as the patron saint of lovers. Of still greater significance to me is that the story of God's love is plainly declared from the Garden to Golgotha, and is written in the crimson of my Savior's very blood. As I express my love to my sweetheart on this day -- which I delight in doing -- I also acknowledge that I love her because God first loved me, that all love springs from the root which is the divine image He has formed in us. As you share hearts and chocolates and flowers, perhaps fine jewelry and sumptuous dinners, do not forget how great is the love of God...and how privileged we are to share that love with those who are dearest to us. God's love truly is what the world needs now, and always. *THIS SUNDAY* we consider the "wait" that is in the prayer Lord, Have Mercy! In the Evening Praise Service *we continue our Lessons on Prayer. Go to* www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *EVERYONE NEEDS THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THERE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ALL THE WORLD!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 8:50 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *DOESN'T IT SEEM LIKE WE BUILD OUR WHOLE LIVES ON PRESUMPTION?* For example, it's more than a little presumptuous for me to title this weekly "e-pistle" the way I do. "Thursday Thoughts" assumes that I will have some...every week...on Thursday. Folks, believe me, there are plenty of times when the space between my ears is filled with "dead air" more than anything else! Moreover, it's presumptuous to suppose that my thoughts, on Thursday or any other day, are of any interest to anyone else. It's presumptuous to label the group list "My Friends in Christ." There are people on my group list whom I've never met. Perhaps you get this message every week and think to yourself, "Why does he call me his friend. He doesn't even know me!" Which reminds me to say something that I haven't said in a while: Please do not hesitate to tell me if you would like to be removed from this list. We all get way more e-mail than we need or want, and I certainly won't be offended if you ask me to delete your name. But with regard to "taking things for granted," it seems to me that some level of presumption is necessary or we could not continue functioning in any normal or productive fashion. For example, I take for granted that the sun will come up tomorrow. I take for granted that oxygen will fill my lungs when I draw a deep breath. I take for granted the peace and safety and freedoms that we enjoy in this cherished land of ours. I hope taking these things for granted doesn't mean I don't appreciate them, but at the same time, if I did not take them for granted I would live every day in a cowering fear, obsessing about things that should not concern me: "What if the sun doesn't come up tomorrow? What will I do? WHAT WILL I DO?!" On the other hand, such presumptuousness becomes a danger to me when it is the basis for self-assured pride. I'm reasonably safe in presuming that the sun will come up tomorrow. I'm much less safe to presume that I will rise up to greet the sun. The truth is, I live a very tenuous existence...apart from my relationship with the One who is eternal, all-powerful and all-wise. I am a frail creature of the dust, with the emphasis on "frail." When I presume to be strong, capable, wise and informed, I'm edging nearer that precipice that divides Pride and Fall. Let me hear again the word of the Lord: "Apart from me, you can do nothing" (John 15.5). On the other hand, it seems to me the Lord invites us to presume on Him. "Test me," He says. "See if I won't pour out more blessing than you can contain." Wow! It sounds like God even rewards a certain kind of presumption...and calls it "faith." I guess the real issue is, Where do I place my trust? If all my confidence is in the flesh, or in friends, or in any of the fraudulent promises of a failing creation, then I am doomed to disappointment. But when my trust is in the Lord.... When I look to Him and say, "You've never failed me yet, and here I am again, Lord, presuming on your grace, presuming on your patience, presuming on your authority.... Here I am, trusting you to deliver me...." When I do that, my Father smiles with pleasure. He delights in my "presumption." That's a presumption the Lord will honor. In fact, the sooner I start presuming on Him instead of so many other things, the sooner I will know the fullness of His good pleasure for me. After all, any other kind of presumption is idolatry anyway. *THIS SUNDAY* *the Lord, Have Mercy* series concludes with a window opened toward heaven and the final conclusion of God's perfect plan. In the Evening Praise Service we will conclude our Lessons on Prayer. Go to www.cmachurch.net for on-line sermons and other info. I LOVE TO COUNT MY BLESSINGS BECAUSE MY BLESSINGS REMIND ME THAT I CAN COUNT ON GOD! Top of Page**

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:04 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?* That question has been asked countless times...in various ways...through all the centuries of human existence. Furthermore, it's a question that provokes many other related inquiries: If God is good and all-powerful, why does He allow evil? Since God is sovereign over all, is He the source of evil as well as good? Is justice random, or do we get what we deserve? One thing's for sure, I can't resolve those questions in a one-page "Thursday Thought!" However, in this season when we recall the suffering and death of our Lord, it occurs to me that all the painful and disconcerting questions of the ages coalesce into one triumphant answer at the cross of Calvary. If ever there lived a "good man," Jesus is that man. If ever anyone did not deserve the fate that was assigned to Him, it is Jesus of Nazareth. If ever someone had a right to complain of injustice and unfairness, it is our Lord Jesus. He is "Exhibit A" for unspeakably bad things happening to a supremely good person! And yet.... With resolute purpose, Jesus made His way to Jerusalem, knowing that only cruelty and death awaited. On multiple occasions He warned His disciples that He would be abused and slain, preparing them for the awful outcome that must have been unimaginable to them. In the Garden of Gethsemane He wept before His Father, agonizing in prayer to the point of "sweating as it were great drops of blood." And all this was in advance of the actual trial and crucifixion! The worst was still to come. If we did not know "the rest of the story" we would have to ask, Isn't this senseless? Can there possibly be any purpose in this? Is it in any way necessary? We are fortunate that we have the panorama of history provided by the whole of Scripture. As we read the story, we learn about the pristine and unflawed good of Eden, and how that paradise was despoiled by Adam's sin. We meet a righteous God and cannot dispute His right to require holy worship from His creature. We acknowledge that our crimes against our Creator require a penalty, that the price is greater than any of us could pay, that only the offering of God's own Son could ever suffice to assuage our guilt. In fact, the more we reflect on the truths of God's Word, the more we realize that the death of Jesus was absolutely necessary, and was the only possible answer to our sin. Look what has come of His passion! Because He died, we are offered the gift of eternal life. Because Jesus suffered, we are granted the intimacy of a daily relationship with our loving Lord. Because He rose again, we experience victory over the grave and are assured of Heaven. Besides all that, there is this as well: If His suffering had such eternal significance and value, we may be confident that ours is not without meaning. My own experience has been that although I do not desire pain and loss and disappointment, the only real growth I have ever experienced has been accompanied by difficulty and struggle and hurt. Those times when I have questioned why a thing was happening, what its possible meaning might be, how it could ever produce anything of value...those times have invariably opened the door to depths of experience and treasures of wisdom that I would never have discovered had I not walked through "the valley of the shadow of death." God knows what He is doing, and He does all things well. *THIS SUNDAY* *is Resurrection Day!* Come celebrate with us! Sunrise Service at 7:00, Sunday School at 9:15 and our Easter Musical at 10:30. In the Evening Praise Service we will observe the ordinance of baptism. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. SORROWS AND DISAPPOINTMENT AND DEATH WERE CANCELED WHEN HE ROSE FROM THE TOMB! Top of Page**

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:20 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *HARD CHOICES...LIFE IS SURE FULL OF THEM!* Often the difficulty is one of choosing between two or more good options. Should I take the job that pays more or the one that will keep me closer to family and friends? Should I have the Cherry Cordial Supreme ice cream or the Double Fudge Moose Tracks? Should I accept my lottery winnings in a lump sum or in annual installments? Uh-oh! Better delete that last one! In other instances, none of the options are desirable, but some kind of action is necessary. When an employee has messed up so many times that termination is the only remaining choice, or when an acquaintance has told a lie that must be corrected, or when a child has misbehaved and has to be disciplined.... Few of us relish "confrontation." In fact, I don't think anyone has ever said to me, "I love confrontation. I really love putting a person in their place and telling them exactly what they need to do and when. I love having people angry at me and plotting their revenge. Confrontation just energizes me!" No, the truth is, most of us avoid confrontation like a plague. We don't like to be "out of sorts" with others, we don't wish to offend, we are uncomfortable when we believe that another person is upset with us. Plus, we just don't relish the heat of the exchange. Disagreements are generally unpleasant and we don't like unpleasantness. This is especially problematic in those instances when a decision needs to be made and we keep putting it off because hard choices are so very...well...hard! If possible, we will delay the inevitable, or we will avoid the duty entirely, allowing the matter to drift along interminably, willing to endure all manner of inner turmoil and, quite possibly, public stress and awkwardness rather than to "confront" the issue and/or the person. Let me remind you, however, that when the "hard" choice is also the "right" choice, it is always better and brighter on the other side of the decision. In fact, delaying the inevitable not only prolongs the agony of a dysfunctional situation, it also denies you the joy and reward of reaping the fruit of that hard choice. For years, my father refused to submit to treatment of his diabetes. He didn't want to start taking daily insulin shots. You know why? He was squeamish about needles! I think it all went back to his military service. He used to talk about the "eight-inch long, square hypodermic needle" that he insisted was used to give shots when he entered the Navy. Finally, after years of avoidance, dad started taking insulin, and then he told me, "Dave, I can't believe I was worried about the shots. The needle is so small I can barely feel it." He even gave himself the shots, without hesitation. And if he hadn't put it off so long, I'm sure the diabetes would not have ravaged his body so soon or to such an extent. Do the right thing, even when it's hard! In fact, the harder it is to do the right thing, expect an even greater blessing! The Lord said, "Ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls" (Jeremiah 6.16). If doing the right thing is corrective, and unpleasant, and painful, remember that the discipline which is difficult today will lead to a good outcome later on. In fact, it "produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12.11). Rest! Righteousness! Peace! Training! I can use all of that...and so can you. Don't avoid the hard choice. *THIS SUNDAY* we will continue studying those who said "I've Seen Jesus!" There Is No Evening Praise Service *because the Morning Worship will be followed by a covered dish dinner, then a Concert of Prayer* from about 12:45 to 2:15. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. LORD, EVEN WHEN IT'S HARD, HELP ME TO DO WHAT IS GOOD AND COURAGEOUS...FOR YOU! Top of Page**

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 3:36 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *EVERYBODY HAS A STORY TO TELL and I couldn't help but wonder about his.* I had an aisle seat on the small aircraft and he was slouched into the window seat. He wore a leather jacket and baggy jeans with a ballcap tight on his head, and he was intent on watching the workers who were milling about on the tarmac. He didn't acknowledge my arrival, but when I spoke a greeting to him he turned his head slightly and said hello. I sensed he didn't wish to be engaged in conversation. What caught my interest, though, was the fact that the right sleeve of his leather jacket sagged at about the elbow. This young man had lost half of his arm. Of course, you don't ask a perfect stranger to explain such things. I was on a longer flight once when the fellow across the aisle, entirely of his own initiative, began to tell me how he had lost his right leg from the knee down. He had a new prosthesis, of which he was quite proud, and he proceeded to take it off and show me all the range of motion of which it was capable. Everyone around was gawking. My young seatmate on this flight was not nearly so lugubrious, and I knew it would be effrontery on my part to press him for details about his loss. However, I couldn't help but wonder. He looked about the age of my youngest son, who has done a tour of duty in Iraq. Could this young man have lost his arm in war? Might it have been the result of a motorcycle accident? A work-related injury? Cancer or another disease? Was he born without this appendage? My curiosity was not a morbidly inappropriate one. The truth is, how he lost his arm is none of my business, but these things are of special interest to me as a pastor. I want to know, "How have you coped with this problem? Is your heart filled with bitterness and anger? Do you believe you are the victim of a horrible injustice? Is God to blame for your misfortune? Have you found any good in your loss? Has this experience presented opportunity to minister to others? Have you found joy in the midst of heartache and suffering?" There was no time to explore such issues. It's a short flight, Denver to Colorado Springs, only about 18 minutes in the air...about 40 minutes gate to gate. He was polite and didn't make me feel that I was a nuisance, but he said only what was necessary. I learned that he lives in Pueblo, and loves the beauty of the state. It was after dark and I said that I enjoy flying at night when you can see the brilliance of the city lights below, and he replied that his girlfriend wanted him to take some pictures of Colorado Springs as we landed. He had a disposable camera. On our descent, he rested the camera on the stump of his right arm and operated the shutter with his left hand. I think this is the first time it has ever occurred to me that I have not seen a camera designed for use by left-handed people...much less by people with only one hand. Another dimension to the story: "What is it like to live in a world that makes so few concessions to a person with a disability?" I knew he had a lot to teach me. I regretted that there was no time to develop his story. Does he know Jesus? Has he put his trust in the One who knows all about difficulties and disabilities, who loves broken people and who alone can make us whole? As we deboarded, he actually looked me in the eye with a shy smile, said goodbye and wished me a pleasant visit, and touched the bill of his ballcap with his left hand...almost like a salute. I wondered again, Could it have been a war injury? I think he appreciated that I had not asked him to explain a painful deficiency that was impossible to ignore. It really wasn't any of my business. It would have been horribly gauche to ask for information. But still...I wish I could have heard his story. Everybody has a story. Everybody is on a journey. Through joy and sorrow, pain and pleasure, grief and gain...God is calling us, calling us, calling us. He is enough for every need. He is the One who makes sense out of the nonsensical. It is in Him that our stories find meaning and a final resolution. When we sit at the throne...so many stories to tell. *THIS SUNDAY* we will consider the story of the two men on their way to Emmaus; it was Just a Little Walk. In the Evening Praise Service we will be privileged to hear John Young, missionary to Spain. For online sermons and other info, go to www.cmachurch.net . *I WANT TO BRING MY STORY INTO ALIGNMENT WITH CHRIST'S STORY...SO I CAN WALK WITH HIM!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 1:40 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *HERE'S THE PROBLEM: GOD IS UNCONTROLLABLE!* I mean, if we rightly understand the doctrine of divine sovereignty, we have to conclude that an all-powerful God can do whatever He chooses. He does not answer to us. He does not consult with us before "making up His mind." This means He is always doing something that I can't predict and that I fail to understand. Of course, a parent might observe, "I can say the same thing about my child!" However, you can have a "What were you thinking?" conversation with your son or daughter. Somehow, it doesn't seem appropriate to ask God, "Were you out of your mind?!" Moreover, if He is not only all-powerful but also all-wise and all-good, then we must concede that He sovereignly chooses to do what should be done and even must be done. That is, we have no ground for quarreling with Him because we cannot possibly argue that we know more than He does and that our way is better than His. This doesn't mean that we will never question what God is doing, or that we won't struggle with the "Why, Lord?" confusion of not understanding His ultimate and superior purposes. If you believe that you are the best-qualified applicant for a particular job and have prayed that the Lord would give you that position, it is discouraging and disconcerting to see the job given to another person who is, perhaps (at least in your opinion), so obviously NOT suited to the role. "Why, Lord?" If you are sure you have met your life-mate and no two people could possibly be so well-matched...and then that "perfect partner" dumps you for another...who is so obviously NOT suited for them...it isn't surprising that you might wonder what God is doing. "Why, Lord?" The confusion is exponentially greater when you begin to reflect on issues far bigger than your personal concerns. If God has all power, knows all things and is thoroughly good, how can He permit the horrible genocide of Nazism, or the "killing fields" of Cambodia, or the ethnic cleansing in Rwanda and other places, or the dreadful inhumanities still unfolding in the Sudan? If He is the Maker of all and the Ruler of all, why does He allow starvation, plagues, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions? After all, He has the power to restrain such forces. He's perfectly capable of putting food in the mouths of every hungry person. If he could cause water to gush from a rock and manna to cover the ground, don't we believe that he can feed the hungry? If He stood in a boat and calmed the winds and waves on the Sea of Galilee, can't He change a hurricane into a summer breeze? I suppose it's no wonder some people harbor anger and resentment toward God. The "Why, Lord?" becomes an indictment: "If you're really who you say you are, why am I suffering like this? Why aren't you answering my plea? Why are you putting your creatures through so much misery?" The conversation always comes full circle. It has to. God is sovereign and could command immediate answers to any or all of these concerns, but in His sovereignty He doesn't HAVE to if He doesn't WANT to...and He is not obligated to explain Himself to me! His ways and thoughts are not mine. They are, in fact, infinitely "higher" than mine. We are left with a choice between fatalism and faith. The fatalist will say, "I don't like what God is doing and I don't think it's fair and I can't make any sense of it, but God is God and I am not so I guess I just have to accept it and get on with life." The person of faith will say, "The ways of God are past understanding, but I trust Him to do what is right, for me and for the world He has made, and what I don't understand I will accept as part of a divine plan that is grander in scale than I can possibly fathom." This past Sunday I mentioned a hymn that is grounded in the response of faith: "This is my Father's world. O, let me ne'er forget, That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet." Amen! *THIS SUNDAY* we will review what it was like for the disciples when the Risen Jesus showed up behind their locked door! *In the Evening Praise Service* we begin a new series taking us deeper into the practical experience of developing an effective and rewarding prayer life. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *THE GOD I NEED IS WAY TOO BIG TO FIT INTO THE "BOX" OF MY VERY LIMITED UNDERSTANDING!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 5:52 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *I HAVE BEEN ENJOYING "A TASTE OF HEAVEN" THIS WEEK!* A few minutes ago I returned from our annual Central District & Prayer Conference. It was a glorious several days. The times of worship were uplifting, messages were insightful and challenging, the fellowship was wonderful, our times of prayer were very meaningful. Plus, we shared in the joy of ordaining nine pastors to Gospel ministry and "commissioning" a number of individuals from our District who are headed to various parts of the world to serve in Christ's Kingdom, and we concluded our time with a worshipful communion service. Perhaps you think this is only the sort of thing a pastor could enjoy, but I assure you, if you had been there you would have been as blessed as the rest of us. The Lord was present, in very tangible ways. Only a petrified tree stump would have failed to feel something in such a setting. However, the reason I mention the events of the week is because on the drive back I was reflecting on these experiences and thinking, "So many elements of a week like this really are 'a taste of Heaven' for those who anticipate the day when we will all gather around the throne of Jesus." To be eternally in the presence of the Eternal One will mean ceaseless praise, the unending blessing of His unlimited favor, the unadulterated joy of relishing the company of others who love Him just as we do, the incomparable delight of entering into so many culturally variant expressions of worship...on and on and on. There will never have been anything like it. But sometimes we are allowed just a taste. When I go to gatherings like our District conference or our biennial General Council (when representatives from Alliance churches gather from all over the globe) or other Christian conferences, I sense that God has allowed me, for just a moment, a glimpse of what Heaven will be. In fact, I have that experience from time to time in our regular services of worship, particularly on Communion Sundays, when our focus on the Lord Jesus is so sharp that it seems He has entered the room with us. There are even times of personal communion, quiet moments in God's Word or in prayer, when I am cognizant that I have "touched" Him in some special way...and Heaven is near. In fact, the more I think about it the more convinced I am that my experience of His presence is less a matter of whether God is near than it is of whether I am conscious of His nearness. He does not remove Himself from me. The problem is this: I am inclined to set up barriers, or to fail to remove the ones I know are there, and as a result, He stands at the door knocking, desiring to enter in (Revelation 3.20), while I am busy with other things and insensible to His entreaty. Talk to Him every day. Read the Bible. Look around you to see what He is doing. Dare to be His hands and feet in blessing to someone else. Don't be bashful; be bold! The truth is, you can enjoy "a touch of Heaven" every day as you walk with your Lord. Doesn't the Bible teach us that He is near? Paul told his listeners in Athens that God "is not far from each one of us" (Acts 17.27). He quoted a saying that must have been familiar to them: "For in him we live and move and have our being" (17.28). Every day you can "taste" some of Heaven's glories? Every day you can choose to walk with Jesus, your hand in His, and as you do that you will be astounded at what He will reveal to you in His Word, or where He allows you to intersect the need of some hurting person and minister the grace of our compassionate God. In each instance, you will discover there is a taste...just a taste, but very much the "real thing"... of the Heaven toward which we are moving. Here's a challenge: Ask God to give you a taste of His Heaven each day as you awaken in His presence. He'll do it if you dare to ask Him! *THIS SUNDAY* our review of the Lord's resurrection appearances considers the experience of "doubting" Thomas. *In the Evening Praise Service* we will continue our teaching on prayer as we review some of our favorite names of God. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *I'M HAPPY FOR THE "SHOWERS" OF BLESSINGS, BUT I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE DELUGE TO COME!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 2:26 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *"DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR PROBLEM IS?"* Sometimes that question is just a prelude to the announcement, "Well, I certainly do!" Then your "examiner" proceeds to give you a piece of his or her mind, outlining everything you're doing that's wrong and exactly what you should do to fix it. A right diagnosis is important of course. I just read an amusing story that illustrates this point perfectly. According to the report, several people noticed a young lady sitting in her car in the parking lot of a supermarket. Her eyes were glazed and she was holding the back of her head with both hands. A concerned onlooker decided to ask if she was okay, and the young lady answered that she had been shot in the back of the head and had been "holding her brains in" for more than an hour! Paramedics were called. The windows were up and doors locked, and she refused to move her hands, so they had to break into the car. When they examined her they discovered that she had a large wad of bread dough stuck to the back of her head. It turned out she had put her groceries in the back seat and the heat had caused a Pillsbury biscuit canister to explode, making a loud noise like a gunshot and "firing" a wad of dough that hit her in the back of the head. Stunned, she reached back to feel what had hit her and deduced that she had been shot and her brains were coming out. For more than an hour she had feared to move, until someone finally came to her aid. Thankfully, her self-diagnosis turned out to be wrong, and far more dire than was actually the case. I can relate. Several years ago I experienced a strange pain on top of my head, which over a few hours radiated down the left side, behind my ear and into my neck. It was quite uncomfortable and I mentioned it to Mossie. When it didn't improve, she asked if I wanted her to call the doctor. I said yes and she nearly passed out, because I have a reputation for avoiding medical attention. Mossie thought I must be dying. When I saw the doctor a couple hours later, he took one look and told me that I had a case of shingles. By this time, I had self-diagnosed several possibilities. Perhaps it was an infection that was running to my inner ear and brain. Maybe it was a brain tumor. Could I be having a stroke? All the options that occurred to me led to severe disability or death. I was ready for the worst. I wondered, Could this be my time?" Actually, I wasn't quite so melodramatic as all that, but I was worried. I had never experienced any sensation quite like that, and I feared it could be something really serious. And then...shingles? My first reaction was, "Isn't that an old person's affliction?" Then I reminded myself, "Well, you're not young anymore!" I guess shingles are more serious than a wad of dough on the back of the head, but I was treated and I endured and I'm no worse for the experience. The point is, the diagnosis makes all the difference. In both of the above examples, the self-diagnosis was more grave than was warranted. The opposite is also true sometimes: It is entirely possible to take the symptoms too lightly and to delay treatment or intervention until it is too late. The Bible warns us not to make light of our lostness. We like to say that we make mistakes, or have a few faults, or we excuse ourselves by observing than "nobody's perfect." The correct diagnosis is given by the Apostle Paul, who informs us that we are dead in our trespasses and sins! (See Ephesians 2.1) Wow! That's serious -- much more serious than can be explained away as a "mistake" or an insignificant lapse in judgment. "Dead" is about as serious as it gets, and the consensus is that when you're dead all hope is gone. There is good news: Our Lord's resurrection is victory over death, victory over sin for which death is the penalty, and victory that holds the promise of an eternal dwelling with the Lord. How happy I am for victory in Jesus! *THIS SUNDAY* we investigate how Jesus restored Peter to fellowship and service. *In the Evening Praise Service* we continue our study of prayer by asking which prayer posture is most preferred. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and more info. *LISTEN TO THE LORD'S DIAGNOSIS -- THAT'S THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN HAVE THE LORD'S CURE!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 12:57 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] IS THERE ANY JUSTICE IN THIS WORLD? Whether you're talking about the adjudication of a matter in the courtroom, or the resolution of a family conflict, or just getting the correct change when you pay your lunch tab, it really seems like very little works out "the way it should" in this life. You've seen the story about the Austrian fellow who kept his daughter locked in a windowless, basement cell for 24 years and fathered seven children by her. One died as an infant and was tossed in the garbage. Three of the remaining six had never seen sunlight. What a horrible tale. Then I read that he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail. Fifteen years! Does that seem right? He imprisons his daughter for 24 years, and his sentence is 15? He subjects her and her children, to whom he is both father and grandfather, to unspeakable horrors and his punishment is 15 years? Somehow, that does not equate to justice in my mind. Then again, what would justice be in this instance? The damage caused to his daughter and her children cannot be undone, cannot be compensated, cannot be rectified. What are we to do in such instances? Last year in our community, a lady failed to stop for a schoolbus and hit and killed a six-year-old child. I just heard that the driver has entered a plea of guilty to negligent homicide. This doesn't restore the child to life or to the parents, of course. Nothing can change what has happened. Perhaps the driver was on medication, or momentarily distracted. No doubt she has been racked by grief and remorse herself, wishing ten thousand times that she could go back to the few seconds before that fatal impact so she could do something differently and avoid such an awful outcome. What is justice in such an instance? In traffic the other day, a driver a few cars ahead of me was trying to cut across our lanes to enter a business. He was holding up traffic behind him, and the fellow on his bumper didn't like it...so he blew his horn. And blew...and blew. He laid on the horn and didn't let up, perhaps for 45 seconds. Eventually, a couple drivers ahead of me jockeyed their cars around enough that the "offending" driver could get through. Mr. Hornblower then sped off. Was his horn-blasting a reprimand or some sort of social punishment of the driver who had blocked his way? Was sounding his horn his idea of justice, a penalty imposed upon the impeding motorist? At lunch on Tuesday the waitress shorted me 57 cents when she brought my change back to the table. Some folks might reduce her tip to compensate (I didn't). Would that be justice? My choice was to let it go. I figured it wasn't worth a fuss. So is there now a fundamental imbalance in the world because I didn't pursue justice? Big things and little, the fact is we live in a fallen realm where it is impossible to achieve the justice that is desired. Our answers are incomplete and often unsatisfying. The only true and lasting justice must be found in a God who raises the dead, who heals the sick and brokenhearted, who forgives our trespasses and restores us to Himself. The human race can't find or mete out true justice, however hard we try. We're the ones who messed up God's perfect world by our sin! How foolish to think that a race of sinners can fix the ills that plague us. I'm certainly not advocating anarchy, and I have high regard for the law and for the justice system that serve to insure peace and order in our society. I cannot imagine what this world would be like otherwise! But the reason the system so often leaves us feeling empty and asking ourselves, "Is that all there is? Is that the best we can do?" is because true justice is a God-thing, not a man-thing. Go to Him for justice. Plead your case at His throne. He alone has the answers that endure. *THIS SUNDAY* *is Ascension Sunday, our Lord's last post-resurrection encounter with His gathered disciples.* *In the Evening Praise Service* we will be blessed by the ministry of Missionary David Constance. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *LORD, THIS WORLD IS A HARSH AND UNJUST PLACE -- THAT'S WHY I PLEAD MY CASE TO YOU!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 10:36 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *I WONDER WHAT OUR PETS THINK OF THE FRANTIC SCHEDULES WE KEEP?* Mossie posed this question to me a few days ago, although she didn't word it quite this way. When we run on the treadmill in our family room, we often let our big chocolate Labrador come in to join us. Otherwise, she sits at the sliding glass door looking hurt and confused, wondering why she has to sit outside when we are just on the other side of the glass. So, we will invite her in, and she will flop down on her cushion and remain there for the hour or more that one of us is running. Mossie asked me, "What do you suppose KoKo thinks when she sees us running on the treadmill? Does she wonder what it is we're chasing? Does she reflect on the fact that we never actually catch anything?" Who knows the thoughts of an animal? I'm not a "dog whisperer" or a pet psychologist, so I won't venture any guesses, although I am convinced that animals "reason" in some way about certain things, and if KoKo could speak, would she inquire into this and other strange behaviors her "humans" manifest? We run, run, run on the treadmill, never going anywhere, never catching anything. We never even bark at anything...but what is there to bark at if we aren't chasing something...anything? For that matter, every day we get in the car and leave the house. Hours later -- and she seems to know our schedule down to the minute -- we show up again. Where did we go? What did we do? Did it really matter? Usually, we come back the same way we left, with only a satchel or purse or whatever in hand. Sometimes we have groceries. Does KoKo conclude that only a few trips are actually productive? Perhaps she concludes that most days we are out there, somewhere, hunting and foraging, but only on some days do we find anything worth bringing back with us. To her, the most significant aspect of our coming and going might be the fact that when we leave, Mossie hands her a treat of some sort out the window of the car before we leave the driveway. Then we're gone, and KoKo waits patiently until we show up again...which she announces to the neighborhood by barking the news as she bounces joyfully around the car until we get out. Of course, what is really important is not whether KoKo understands the reason for my activity. Do I understand? Do I do what I do for a purpose, with a goal in view, in order to accomplish some worthwhile objective? She might wonder why I run on that treadmill, but I know it is essential to maintain good health. I don't always enjoy it, but I need to maintain the discipline of it. The work I do also has purpose. I leave the house each day not merely to put in my hours at a job so that I can draw a paycheck so that I can pay the bills and support a household. Providing for one's own needs and for others is worthy in and of itself, but we also need to know that what we do has some value to the larger community, and worth in the sight of God. This is why Paul admonishes us, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Colossians 3.23-24, NIV). Whether you are teaching children, mining coal, driving a truck, adjudicating a dispute, performing a surgery or digging a ditch you need to remember that when all is said and done, it is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Do your work with enthusiasm and to the glory of God, whether or not your pet understands. Never forget that your calling is to serve Jesus, and your job is just one of the "platforms" He has given you to proclaim Him. *THIS SUNDAY* is Pentecost Sunday and the last of a series of messages on encountering the Risen Christ. In the Evening Praise Service we return to the theme of prayer as we ask how to "put a wrap" on a prayer. How do we end a conversation with the Lord? Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *MY DOG ONLY KNOWS THAT I GO, GO, GO...BUT I WANT MY GOING TO BE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:39 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] IF YOU WERE 14 YEARS OLD AND HAD TO PREDICT what you would be doing in 40 years...or 20, or 10, or 5...how accurate would your guesses be? More than 40 years ago, as a 14-year-old in ninth grade, I wrote a paper on what I hoped to be as an adult. I wrote that I would be a psychologist. So I'm a pastor. I guess there are some similarities, but from childhood through adolescence I changed direction often. At a very early age I composed a poem (which my mother kept -- moms do this, you know): I want to be a preacher, or maybe just a teacher, to tell God's Holy Word, to those who haven't heard. I still think it wasn't that bad for such a little boy! Over the years that followed, however, the idea of being a "preacher" dissipated. I had the typical little fellow fantasies of being a cowboy...a fireman...a baseball player...a basketball STAR! I even went through a phase of wanting to be a super hero. In fact, I had my little brother convinced that I was Superboy, but that I couldn't take the risk of flying around the room or lifting the refrigerator over my head because someone might be looking in the window and my secret identity would be exposed. He bought it. In my teen years I found I enjoyed physical labor and I thought about starting my own house-painting business. In college I considered being a librarian or an English professor. Eventually, I ended up in law school. Lots of twists and turns. And besides what I wanted to "be" there were lots of things I "did." I had paper routes and mowed grass. I roofed houses and worked in a factory. I managed the interlibrary loan department on the university campus. I did office clerical work. I made a brief attempt at sales and was absolutely inept at that. Somewhere between age 5 or 6 and adulthood, I forsook any notion of being a pastor. Little did I know what God had in store. In my last semester of law school -- my last semester! -- I began to sense His call to serve Him and His Church. Of course, it seemed to me that I had just wasted three years. I thought it had to be the craziest idea anyone had ever had...which made me the craziest person who had ever lived. Later, I learned that many pastors were "something else" before they entered the ministry, and I'm not the first to leave the law to become a pastor. I wasn't as bizarre as I thought, or at least not for that reason. More than that, I learned something that has been a truism in my life ever since: It is the Lord who directs our steps. I might think I know where I am going, what I want to do with my life, but the One who made me also has the authority to order my days. As a matter of fact, that is precisely what He does. Every one of my days was ordained by God before any one of them came to be (Psalm 139.16). Incredible! We imagine that we have it all figured out and we purpose to do this or do that. "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Proverbs 16.9, NIV). It's so important, therefore, to get in step with God, to discern what He is saying and where He is leading and to do things His way. Again, Proverbs warns us, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (14.12, NIV). James speaks of those who boast about what they are going to do, the business they are going to carry on, the money they are going to make. He says, "You don't have a clue! Your life is a mist, here for a moment and then gone. You should say, 'If it's the Lord's will, we will do such and such.'" (see James 4.13-17). Walking by faith means waiting on the Lord. Waiting for Him to clarify His will; waiting for him to complete His purposes; waiting for the word that will direct your steps in the way you should go. And as we wait, we rejoice. We know that He makes no mistakes (I make plenty!) and He is never confused about where the path is taking us. You and I cannot predict the next 40 years -- we can't predict the next 4 minutes! -- but we can wait on the Lord, and waiting with trust and expectation is worship. *THIS SUNDAY* we begin a new series of messages on the work of the Holy Spirit: Is Jesus in You? In the Evening Praise Service we continue our study of prayer by reviewing the attitude we bring. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *THE MORE I REALIZE HOW LITTLE I KNOW, THE HAPPIER I AM THAT GOD IS IN CHARGE!* Top of Page



----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2008 2:21 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *“HOWEVER EARLY YOU GET UP, YOU CANNOT HASTEN THE DAWN.”* So goes a Spanish proverb. It’s a simple and indisputable observation, but it sure seems like we do our dead-level best to make the days longer than God intended. The point of the proverb is that God has prescribed there shall be 24 hours in a day and nothing you or I might do can possibly stretch those parameters. Our Sovereign God has established the orbit of the earth around the sun and like clockwork we keep the days...the hours...the minutes...the seconds that He has ordained. There is a wonderful order to it all, and the limits God sets are always for our benefit. Why, then, do we insist on living as though there are more than 24 hours in a day? Most people seem to preserve little or no “margin” in their lives. The consequences are deadly. We are perpetually exhausted, often impatient, chronically behind and hopelessly overloaded. Is this any way to live? It certainly isn’t the way our Savior lived. Have you ever noticed how He always seemed to have time to address the needs of others around him? He was (and is) the Lord of glory and King of creation…yet He never seemed to be in a hurry. I would imagine being God is a pretty big job! Still, the Lord Jesus was faithful to address all the problems that were brought to him. He maintained “space” in His life for the things that really mattered. Just rehearse the stories in your mind. Quickly you will discern the unhurried pace of His life. Note the many pauses, for the express purpose of ministry. There was the woman with the issue of blood, and diminutive Zacchaeus up a tree, and the man who was lowered through the roof...right into the midst of an evangelistic preaching service! The Lord had time for them all. Even in the awful agony of Golgotha, as the life ebbed out of Him and His blood flowed for the cleansing of all our sin, he paused -- the whole of humanity's crimes held in abeyance for a few moments longer! -- so that He could address the repentant thief and grant the assurance, "This day you will be with me in paradise." Do you suppose our busy-ness is a combination of trying to wrest control out of the hands of God while making ourselves feel more important and indispensable? How foolish! In the first place, the Bible makes it plain that God’s control over all creation is total. In the second place, why would we want it to be otherwise? The prophet tells us that clouds are the dust of God’s feet, He rebukes the sea and dries up rivers, mountains quake and rocks are shattered before Him, and the whole world trembles at His presence (see Nahum 1.3-8). Wow! None of that is true of me…or of you. Recently, I stood at the deli in the supermarket and the two people working behind the display cases totally ignored me. No one trembles at my presence. I can't get waited on for a half-pound of pastrami! Moreover, I can’t imagine how quickly things would get fouled up if God put me in charge…even for a moment or two. I’m thrilled to know that the all-wise and all-caring God is on His throne and ruling my world. I have confidence that He will do only what is best for me. The fact is, God alone is infinite, and in his infinite wisdom He has set finite boundaries for you and for me. We do well to honor those boundaries. He’s the Creator; we are the creatures. Let’s not try to flip that equation! If you are a “Type A” personality, driven to live on the edge and run at breakneck speed, learn how to “stop and smell the roses.” And just how do you do this? You do it by making some deliberate choices. Choose the longest line at the bank. Practice smiling. Listen to at least two people today without interrupting even once. Browse in a bookstore. Sit in an empty church sanctuary for a while. Instead of playing music as background for another activity, sit and listen with your eyes closed. Who knows? You just might find you like the "margined" life! *THIS SUNDAY* we continue a new series on the indwelling Lord Jesus. *In the Evening Praise Service* we will address the question of why we bother to pray at all. Is there a purpose in prayer? Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *REMEMBER: GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES—HE SAID 24 HOURS IS LONG ENOUGH FOR ONE DAY!* Top of Page



----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 9:15 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *I USUALLY DON'T "ADVERTISE" IN THIS SPACE but I'm going to make a brief exception.* If you are in Morgantown this weekend, I urge your attendance at the "Global Health Clinic" on Saturday, sponsored by our English-speaking congregation and hosted by our Chinese C&MA Church at 463 Madigan Ave. It will be a stimulating experience, starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending a little past noon. Believe me, you'll be glad you made the effort to come! Our presenters will be Drs. Woody and Charlotte Stemple, former missionaries to Vietnam and Malaysia, now serving as Directors of Missions Mobilization for the Central District of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. Woody and Char are engaging, good-humored, down to earth servants of Christ who never fail to warm a room with their personalities and by their love for Jesus and a lost world. You will be improved just by being in their presence! If you have any interest whatsoever in the topic of world missions -- and every follower of Jesus should be interested in missions -- this is a "mustn't miss" opportunity to learn from two people who are experts in their field. Why is this important enough for me to devote a Thursday Thoughts transmission to the topic? Well, I just happen to believe that God wants lost people found; He is distressed by the rebellion of His willful creatures, and He has a plan to redeem souls and restore them to Himself. He loves every person on the face of this planet, and it is appalling to think that we would hold on to the Good News of saving faith in Jesus Christ and not share it with the peoples of the earth. There are many wonderful church groups in the world, but I value the C&MA because it is a group that has emphasized the work of missions from its inception. In fact, that's all we were in the beginning: a missionary sending society. Long before the Alliance became a denomination in the pantheon of American religious organizations, we were a missions agency. Christians from a variety of church groups united to support the effort of the Alliance to send missionaries wherever the Gospel had not yet been proclaimed. The stories of heroism and sacrifice are humbling. Many of the early missionaries lost their lives in the endeavor, sometimes not lasting more than weeks or a few months. Yet more "signed on" for service, even when they knew it almost certainly meant deprivation and hardship, possibly even death. They did this because they felt an obligation to take the Gospel to those who had not heard, convinced that since there is no salvation apart from Christ, to ignore the lostness of far-off people would be reprehensible in the sight of God. Imagine having to stand before a righteous Sovereign someday, stammering to give an answer for why we allowed hordes of sinners to miss out even on the opportunity to hear about Jesus. Those earliest missionaries lived lives of incredible sacrifice. Today, we are described as the most self-absorbed generation that has ever existed. I think it's time to recover that attitude that characterized our Lord Christ. Paul tells us that Jesus, who was God in flesh, did not seize His equality with God as a privilege that exempted Him from sacrificial service. No, He elected to humble Himself, even to the point of dying on the cross. (See Philippians 2.5-11). What an example! Woody and Char will be with us on Sunday as well...in Sunday School (9:15 a.m.) and at both worship services (10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.). You'll really benefit from their ministries on Sunday, but Saturday is your chance to have some "face time" with these two marvelous servants of Christ. Once again: It starts at 8:30 a.m. with coffee and sign-in, we'll have some tasty snacks for you, and we will be done at 12:45 p.m. Just a half-day commitment, and you'll have a lifetime of blessing! Can't beat a deal like that! *THIS SUNDAY* *Dr. Charlotte Stemple will share with us "A Kingdom Perspective"* in the Morning Worship. In the Evening Praise Service the Stemples will help us understand how missionaries determine which cities are most in need of a Gospel witness. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. A WORLD THAT IS LOST NEEDS A WITNESS THAT LEADS TO JESUS! GIVE THEM GOOD NEWS! Top of Page**


----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 8:52 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] HOW DO YOU BECOME A MIGHTY SERVANT OF THE LORD? All my life, I have heard people speak of certain individuals as being mighty men or women of God. What does that mean? To be mighty means to be strong or courageous or forceful. Goliath was a mighty man, a giant whose very presence caused others to shrink in terror. As it turned out, however, little David was mighty as well. His physique was not so imposing, but when he went forth with that stone in his sling he claimed all the power and majesty of the Lord God of Israel, the Lord of hosts. Ever since Goliath fell with an earth-shaking thud, we have understood that there is a might that has nothing to do with the strength of our flesh, and which prevails over the strongest of worldly foes. The giant laughed at David, insulted that the Israelites would send a frail boy to do combat with a fearsome warrior like himself. Little did he know how grossly outmatched he was! He never stood a chance against God's anointed. I've been privileged to know some people that I would call mighty in the Lord. Why do I say that? These are people who are committed to prayer. They have learned to call upon the Lord, and to trust in Him. They are people who are faithful. They do not give up or give in when trial comes, even though they might have struggles with doubt and perplexity along the way. They are people who care more about knowing and doing God's will than they do about advancing themselves. They are people of "the Book" -- thoroughly devoted to the Word of God as the revelation of His will for His creatures. Those who are mighty in the Lord are marked by calm and repose even when others are all a-twitter about the winds of politics or the threat of economic collapse or whatever is the current crisis that seizes our attention. "The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27.1). Those who are mighty in the Lord have made knowing God such a priority that they are consumed by that quest. "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in his temple" (Psalm 27.4). Those who are mighty in the Lord are patient, trusting in the sovereignty of God and in His all-wise providence. "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27.14). There's something else I've noticed about mighty men and women of God: They have walked through some valleys. They have lived through some tough times. They have been disappointed, tasted failure, trusted and found themselves betrayed....you know the litany of sorrows that comprises a life lived fully. Despite this, people who are mighty in the Lord press on and commit their ways to Him. I find this to be a remarkable and essential truth: We must "earn" the right to be called mighty in the Lord. We must share in the fellowship of our Lord's sufferings. We must know something of pain. We must become, with Jesus, a man or woman of sorrows. How surprising that might is discovered through failure and defeat. "When I am weak, then I am strong" (II Corinthians 12.10). To be mighty in the Lord is to join the crowd of those whom Paul counseled: "...after you have done everything, to stand" (Ephesians 6.13). Friend, "be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power" (Ephesians 6.10). Put on the armor that God supplies and take your stand. When the day of evil comes, be the faithful warrior who proves the prevailing power of your conquering King! *THIS SUNDAY* we resume our series on the Holy Spirit. *In the Evening Praise Service* we will celebrate the ordinance of water baptism. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *THOUGH I AM FRAIL...AND INADEQUATE...AND OVERWHELMED...LORD, MAKE ME MIGHTY IN YOU!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:05 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *EVERY NOW AND THEN YOU READ OR HEAR SOMETHING and think, "Wait a minute...Is that right?"* I'm talking about the news item in the paper, or a passing comment in a conversation, or something overheard at a social gathering. The content gives you pause and you wonder, "Do I agree with that?" In a news magazine I learned that many schools are now having kids do "virtual dissection" of frogs in their science classes. In other words, instead of actually dissecting a real frog, they use computer-generated images. They still learn to manipulate a scalpel, and I'm sure the anatomy is "picture-perfect" (literally), but you don't have to deal with blood and secretions, odors and clean-up, etc., as you do with a corporeal amphibian. I can see the benefits. No actual frog lives are lost in the process. There is no shortage of virtual frogs. I'm sure the images are vivid, and since the software is standardized the teacher is assured that every student gets a quality introduction to the experience every time. But, then again.... In an era of overbearing political correctness, I wonder if part of the virtual dissection thing is another effort to avoid "violence" and to immunize our youth against any exposure to the harsh reality of death, and to the processes that convey us to that end. I still remember dissections in my junior high science class. We had already stuck pins in plenty of insects, and some of us had done frogs. For my big project, however, I had managed to procure a fetal pig from the University. This was one of those "a friend of a friend of a friend" sorts of things; my mother knew someone who knew someone who could get us a fetal pig. Pretty neat, don't you think? If you were in a pinch and really needed one in a hurry, how many of your friends could find you a fetal pig? I didn't think so. I carved on that creature with greater care than any Christmas ham ever experienced. In the process, I think my appreciation for all living things was immeasurably enhanced. It was a wonder to discover the similarities between a pig's musculature and internal organs and my own. When I had finished, I knew somehow that I would never regard life and death in quite the same way. I still have graphic mental images of that small creature on the display board, splayed open and labeled for viewing. It seemed almost irreverent to dispose of the carcass unceremoniously when the project was ended. We should have had a funeral. My experience has been that people who hunt have a greater respect for life, not lesser. You might suppose that shooting and field dressing an animal would devalue life, but it doesn't. Immersing yourself to the elbows in the warm blood and innards of a just-harvested buck seems almost to be a bonding experience for the hunter and the animal, an intimacy of relationship that is as old as the race of Adam itself. As a boy, I once assisted my uncle in choosing a chicken in the coop to be served for dinner. He captured it and I helped chop off the head, then I watched as my grandmother plucked and cleaned and dismembered it before frying it in all that grease that somehow didn't seem so bad for us back then. In a short span of time, that bird went from cackling in the backyard pen to becoming a succulent meal for our grateful family. I suspect I have a greater appreciation for the value of food because I witnessed the passage from clucking to plucking. So, is virtual dissection a good thing? If you can dissect a creature without taking a life, is it easier to accept the abortion of an infant in the womb -- a living, breathing baby that is never really "known" by those outside the womb? Is war more acceptable when it can be programmed on a screen and waged from a distance? Will a society that avoids first-hand "blood and guts" experiences find it easier to euthanize those who have disabilities, or have grown old, or simply drain too much of society's resources for one reason or another? I'm not sure. Maybe my concern is overstated, or unfounded. But I'm unsettled. Something tells me that it just isn't right to turn life and death into a "virtual" reality. After all, if it's virtual, it isn't real. Is it? *THIS SUNDAY* the series on the Holy Spirit continues with this assurance: He Makes No Mistakes. In the Evening Praise Service we finish our series on prayer with a discussion of the content of our prayers. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *THIS I KNOW -- A "VIRTUAL" SACRIFICE AT CALVARY COULD NOT HAVE ATONED FOR MY SINS!* Top of Page



----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:08 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *YOUR "RIDE" SAYS A LOT ABOUT WHO YOU ARE!* I'm talking about your choice of "wheels" -- how you get from place to place. Some are of a practical bent, concerned only with safe and economical transportation without regard for style or speed or comfort. Others prefer to "make a statement" with a flare of color and chrome or the muscular pulse of dual exhausts. Still others enjoy exotic "toys" that add a measure of thrill to the experience. The gleam and roar of a big motorcycle certainly turns my head, and recently I had the privilege of taking a flight in a friend's vintage Piper airplane. Wow! There are some great ways to move about! Even when satisfied with more pedestrian modes of transportation, we often allow ourselves to imagine something"better," something that seems out of reach but would be so exciting to experience. As a boy, I was infatuated with a beautiful Jaguar that sat in the showroom of a local car dealer. The Jaguar brand was the epitome of "arrival" and success. In those days, it was pronounced "jag-wire." In recent years the TV and radio ads have pronounced it "jahg-you-are" and the spokesperson has a resonant voice with a foreign accent, adding to the aura of sophistication and mystique. This particular dealer kept the Jaguar locked. You couldn't just walk up and open the door. The experience of sitting in that machine was, in essence, "by invitation only." But there were a few occasions when I had that privilege. My dad bought several used vehicles from "Lou," although nothing remotely in the class of a Jaguar. More often, it was a Fiat or a Datsun, and "previously owned" usually equated to "previously abused." If I remember correctly, dad had known Lou as a kid, so he must have felt he could make a reasonable deal with the man. Whenever dad was looking to trade a car, this dealership was one of the places we would visit, and when we did Lou would sometimes unlock the Jaguar and allow me to sit in the leather driver's seat, mesmerized by the instrumentation and the luxurious appointments. With my left hand on the steering wheel and the burnished wooden gearshift in my right palm, I could imagine the thrill of roaring up and down twisting mountain roads, tires straining to grip every curve, G-forces pushing me back in the seat. In that car, I would be in total and glorious control of every dimension of my domain. Of course, my dad had no conversation with Lou about the Jaguar. He was there to conduct a lesser transaction. When dad traded his Fiat 600-D, a little red box on wheels with the standard transmission gearshift on the steering column, he had just outfitted it with four new Michelins. The offer Lou made to dad was low, so dad asked if he could put the old tires back on the car and keep the new ones, which I suppose he intended to try to sell to someone else. Lou expostulated, "Marcus, I'm trading you for the tires!" In his mind, the Fiat wasn't worth the trouble. It certainly was no Jaguar. Funny how we are drawn to what seems unattainable. That can be a bad thing. Reaching for what has been forbidden can get us into a lot of trouble. Remember Adam and Eve? It's important to have right priorities and to be governed by holy appetites, not unholy ones. On the other hand, I'm glad there is something inside of me that says, "There's a better experience out there, an experience you haven't yet had but toward which you can aspire, something that is beyond all that you imagine." My journey with Jesus is like that. While I putter on in my little "Fiat" relationship with Him, grinding the gears as I negotiate the changing terrain, deep down inside I'm longing to "improve my ride," dreaming of a "Jaguar" relationship when I will be screaming down the highway at warp speed, harnessed to a driving engine of power that exceeds anything I've known before. And then...heaven someday. In heaven, I suppose even Jaguars are common and mundane. I can't wait for that! THIS SUNDAY our series on the Holy Spirit continues as we listen for His voice to call us into His service. In the Evening Praise Service *Pastor Andy Hawkins begins a great series on The Last Revelation of Christ.* Go to www.cmachuch.net for online sermons and other info. SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT, COMIN' FOR TO CARRY ME HOME! AND SUPERCHARGE THAT! Top of Page**

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 9:37 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *THE MESSAGE LIGHT ON THE PHONE WAS FLASHING* when I walked into the room and I was pretty sure I knew already what the message might be. I was staying in Room 225 of the Candlewood Suites in Colorado Springs. The committee that I chaired had met late into the evening, but two of our members, Mark and David, were delayed in transit and never made the meeting. I assumed one of them had called to let me know that they were finally on site and would be available when we reconvened the next day. The telephone had two lines and about eight function buttons. I pressed the one that said "Voice Messages" and waited for the prompts that would tell me how to retrieve my voice mail. Instead, I got an automated welcome to Enterprise Car Rental. Not what I expected. When I looked at the telephone I saw that the button next to "Voice Messages" was "Rental Car," so I concluded that I must have hit the wrong button by accident. I pressed the button for "Voice Messages" again. Once again, I got Enterprise Car Rental. Hmmm. Something wasn't right. I looked at the other buttons to see if there was one that said "Front Desk." Nope...but there was one that said "Guest Directory" and it had the little "?" sign by it to indicate help. I decided to try that one. This time a man answered. "Hello." I was relieved, and ready to tell my story. I explained that I was trying to retrieve my voice mail and that when I pressed the "Voice Messages" button I had twice accessed Enterprise Car Rental instead. There was a pause on the line, then the voice said, "And...this is Room 111." Wow! My phone was really confused! I laughed and apologized for the mistake since, of course, the fellow in Room 111 couldn't care less about my voice mail. But how to get to the front desk...short of walking down to the lobby? I decided to try "0" for "Operator." For all I knew, the next voice might be the person in Room 312 or someone ready to take my order at Little Caesar's, but I figured it was worth a shot. Hallelujah! The person that answered said, "Front desk. May I help you?" Once again, I explained my problem. He said, "I'm sorry, sir. Please hold the line while I connect you to the voice message center." Things are so much easier when you connect with the right person. Ummm...why is it taking so long? Perhaps the "voice message center" is located in India. Is everything being outsourced these days? I waited, and waited. Then the line went dead and I had a dial tone. Oh, no! Did I get cut off? Should I dial "0" again? Before I could decide, line 2 started ringing on my phone! So, I pressed the line 2 function button just in time to hear the automated voice say, "You have one new message. To play your message, please press 1." Sure, easy for you to say. Who knows what will happen when I press 1? Nevertheless, I did it. All this time, I was expecting that the message was from Mark or David. I expected a simple explanation: "So sorry. We had a weather delay in Dallas and couldn't make it in time. We'll see you first thing in the morning." But that's not what I heard. Instead, I heard a voice I did not recognize, a young lady who said: "Hi, Hon! Ohhhh, I miss you so much! I love you! I'm at Maria's -- call me at 247.XXXX. I love you! I love you!" This was followed by about 20 lip-smack kisses and then an enthusiastic, "Bye!" Clearly, the message was not for me. I wondered if I should hit "Guest Directory" to see if it was for the guy in Room 111. THIS SUNDAY *we begin a new series of messages addressing the Core Values* of the C&MA. The Evening Praise Service is very special this week! We will join a number of churches at Kingdom Evangelical Methodist in Westover as our choir and orchestra participates in the Patriotic Musical. Don't miss it! It's at 6:30 p.m. For online sermons and other info, go to www.cmachurch.net. LORD, I THANK YOU FOR LIFE'S LITTLE ABSURDITIES! THEY OFTEN BRING SMILES AND LAUGHTER! Top of Page**

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 10:22 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *YOU DO KNOW IT'S A LOSING BATTLE, DON'T YOU?* You diet and you exercise. You avoid carbohydrates and processed sugar and salt and polyunsaturated fats. But we all end up in the grave. It's depressing, isn't it? I read once that on average, that is to say, across the spectrum of the entire population, if we avoided all the bad stuff and made sure we ate only healthy foods, we would live three months longer. Three months! Now of course, that's an average and some people might add three years or more to their lifespan, but still.... My grandmother used to say, "If you can't eat the things you like, then life's not worth living." Amen! The whole time I'm running on the treadmill I'm getting older...by the minute! While I am denying myself the chocolate fudge and refraining from visiting Cold Stone Creamery, the days are ticking off. Moreover, I cannot turn back the calendar. I'm not getting younger. No matter what I do to take better care of myself, there really is no fountain of youth. What's gone is gone, never to return. See what I mean? It's depressing! We get older, like it or not. And guess what? If you get your cholesterol under control and every artery cleared of plaque, the outcome is the same: We all die! We will die, whether it is of a heart attack or of "natural causes." I doubt they will stand around my coffin and say, "Well, at least he died of natural causes." Who cares?! If I'm dead, I'm dead all the same. If I put myself in the grave because I ate too much Extreme Moose Tracks ice cream, they might just as well say, "At least he died happy." "He died doing what he loved to do." Am I missing something here? If the sick and the healthy end up in exactly the same state -- cold and lifeless and on display in a stylish casket -- why bother with the effort to "take care of myself?" In fact, isn't this exactly the lament of the preacher in Ecclesiastes? "All go to the same place; all come from the dust, and to dust all return" (Ecclesiastes 3.20). "This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all" (Ecclesiastes 9.3). So why bother? Well, despite everything I have said, the truth is I do believe it is important to care for one's body. Healthy habits might add little to the length of my days, but I know that I am improving the quality of whatever time God gives me on this earth. When I eat right and exercise I feel better and have more energy, I am more alert and productive, and I am less prone to disease and disability. Studies have shown that people who take care of their bodies stay active longer. Instead of a prolonged decline in health -- say, over a span of two or three or ten years -- they are likely to be active until perhaps the last few months or weeks of life. Instead of a long and discouraging slide down the mountain, you just one day go over the cliff! I guess that's worth something, right? And I find this is the chief value of personal discipline in the realm of health. Maintaining proper habits in diet and exercise really will improve my daily well-being. Likewise, spiritual disciplines help me stay focused -- on God and on His revealed will and on His specific purposes for me. When I neglect His Word and the habit of prayer my life becomes aimless. If I do not practice Godly stewardship I descend into self-indulgence. Every day I must renew my devotion to my Master and choose, once again, to "stay the course" in my relationship with Him. After all, as they say, if we are not going forward we are going backward. There really is no such thing as "staying put." Now, if I can just get myself out of this chair.... *THIS SUNDAY* *we consider the Core Value* of Prayer. In the Evening Praise Service Pastor Andy resumes the series on Christ's Last Disclosure of Himself. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. DISCIPLINE IS NOT ABOUT DOING IT ONCE -- IT'S ABOUT DOING IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN! Top of Page**

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 10:13 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *DID YOU START THIS DAY WITH A SENSE OF JOYFUL ANTICIPATION?* Or does it seem like your life is an endless drudgery -- toil and trouble, disappointment upon disappointment? I hope you have more of the former, little of the latter, but the truth is, it's not easy staying "up" when there are so many things pressing you down. I think I've written before about the first time we took our children to Washington, D.C. and to the Smithsonian Museums. Nathan was a little fellow, but he was so excited about visiting the Air & Space Museum. As we walked down the Washington Mall, I was holding his hand to make sure I didn't lose him in the crowd of people passing us by. I happened to look down and saw that he had his eyes tightly closed. "Nathan, why are your eyes closed?" Well, it turned out that he was so thrilled that he was going to see the Air & Space Museum that he did not want to "spoil" the moment. He wanted to wait until we actually arrived and then to open His eyes and behold the place in all its anticipated splendor, overwhelmed by its grandeur and mystery as the experience washed over him in wave upon wave of sensory stimulation. He probably wasn't thinking about it in quite those terms, but you get my point. Children often receive life's experiences that way. They are not as prone to despair as adults are. New adventures are welcomed with bravado and aplomb. They are more likely to engage challenges and to dare new things. In one of my devotional readings, the author observed how easy it is to get small children to volunteer. They don't even have to know what it is they are volunteering to do! If the teacher says, "I need a volunteer," 20 hands are likely to be raised. "Me! Me! Pick me!" Why is that? Part of it is trust. That child believes that the teacher will not ask him or her to do something unpleasant or dangerous. Moreover, if the task is difficult, the child expects that the teacher will give whatever assistance is required. The child does not expect to fail...because the teacher won't allow it. Besides all that, the child appreciates the sense of honor that is inherent in being chosen by the teacher. To be called upon to serve, whatever the capacity, is a privilege, not a drudgery, precisely because it is being done at the teacher's request. Oh, how delightful it is to be the "chosen" one! The child responds to the challenge because it is the teacher who has issued the call, and there is a strong desire to please the teacher. Jesus said we must become like little children if we are to have any hope of entering His Kingdom (Mark 10.15). How much we adults have to learn! Can't we see what an honor and privilege it is to have been chosen by the Lord? Don't we know that we can trust Him, that He will not lead us into danger (or temptation) that is overwhelming or destructive, that He will be there to help us succeed, whatever He asks of us? Aren't we thrilled just to know that we are answering His call, doing His will? I have taken my Father's hand today. I'm walking with Him by faith. There are things on my schedule that are routine and mundane...every day has its measure of drudgery, I suppose. But my Father has a purpose for me, and I delight just in doing His will. What a joy to be called upon by Him! What a thrill to think that He wants to use me, even if I don't yet know what it is that he expects of me! What an honor to be His child! Life is such a marvelous adventure when we are walking hand in hand with our Lord and Master! *THIS SUNDAY* *our focus is on missions -- Do You Still Believe?* -- and our speaker is Dr. Drew Hall. No Evening Praise Service this week -- Instead, the Morning Service is followed by a Fellowship Dinner and then a Concert of Prayer focused on the theme of missions. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. CLOSE YOUR EYES...TRUST THE LORD...TRY TO IMAGINE WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE NEXT! Top of Page**

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 9:32 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends iin Christ] *WHAT A JUXTAPOSITION OF THEMES!* It's Vacation Bible School week and we've got kids everywhere! However, on Tuesday a crowd was in the sanctuary to attend the memorial service of a nonagenarian, our well-loved and highly esteemed brother in Christ, Harry Hammack. After the service, we traveled to the cemetery, then returned for a fellowship meal that was staged in the youth lounge of the church. Think about it: The building is decorated throughout for VBS and in the evening the halls and rooms and parking lots resound with children's laughter and delighted squeals. VBS is the picture of life in all its immediacy and exuberance. Yet for a brief time on Tuesday we paused to remind ourselves of death and homegoing, a sober reflection that life is too-soon ended, even if we endure for 90 years. Harry would have loved the fact that his service was held the same week as VBS. He loved children. He had five of his own and God blessed him with 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Moreover, he was forever young at heart. He didn't speak the language of "quit" or "complaint," and he was still doing things late in life that a person much younger might not have attempted. For example, in his 80s Harry began working for a local department store, and this World War II veteran became their head janitor. He fell while on the job and was laid up for a while with a busted hip. At the memorial service, we laughed to think of an 82-year-old drawing unemployment, but for Harry it wasn't much of a surprise. Falling down became almost an avocation for him in the last years of his life. I recall once when he fell walking across his lawn to get his mail. I knew he had a cane and was supposed to be using it, so I asked him, "Harry, where was your cane when you fell?" He grinned at me and said, "Hanging on the kitchen doorknob." He stubbornly refused to make any more concessions to age than necessary. There is no doubt in my mind that Harry would have been delighted that the church was decorated for VBS on the day of his funeral. And he would have loved the irony that the after-service meal was held in the youth lounge. In fact, having been translated into the eternal presence of His Savior, I can assure you that Harry was feeling more youthful and invigorated than any of us can possibly imagine. What would Harry have to say to the children of VBS, many of whom have 80 or more years to go before they reach the age at which he died? I'm sure he could impart plenty of wisdom. He was a craftsman who was skilled with his hands and he could certainly teach others a great deal. Plus, he was an observer of life, and when someone has lived so long they have a lot of insight to share with those who are at the front end of the journey. Most of all, however, I am confident Harry would want to tell little ones to be sure and get to know Jesus and His Word, then walk in faithful obedience to the Lord for all of life, however long or short the span might be. Harry was a steadfast follower of Christ Jesus. He was not ashamed of his Savior, and he was certain of His Savior's love. I have no doubt that he has prayed faithfully for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, desiring that each come to a full and saving faith in the Lord and that each experience the rich blessing God imparts to those who are devoted to Him. Harry would want the same for each child in our VBS. In fact, I trust every one of these VBS kids has a praying parent or grandparent who is beseeching God's throne for great blessing upon that child. Just in case, would you pray such a prayer for these little ones? Would you ask God to make each child a faithful and capable and earnest servant of the Master, so that there will be new followers of Jesus to take the place of those, like Harry, who are being called home? THIS SUNDAY morning will be an incredible service of praise as several give testimonies and are baptized. In the Evening Praise Service *Pastor Andy resumes the series on Christ's last revelation of Himself as we hear the Lord's invitation, "Come!"* Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. LORD, GIVE ME THE JOY AND HUMILITY OF A CHILD...FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO YOU! Top of Page**

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008 10:12 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] MANY YEARS AGO AN OLDER PASTOR ADVISED ME to keep an "Encouragement" file for notes, cards and other expressions of gratitude or appreciation that people share. On days when the ministry became overwhelming or he found himself grieving his lot and despairing of hope, he would go to his file and be reminded of times when people had found him to be a helpful servant of the Lord. It lifted his spirits and renewed his resolve to "press on." Good idea! I started such a file, and each year I label a new folder. I now have quite a bit of material stored away. I must tell you, however, that I have seldom reviewed its contents. I'm not given to big mood swings and I tend to be an optimist even in difficult seasons, so I guess I haven't needed to use the file to "rescue" me from oppressive gloom or a sense of complete failure. Still, it has been a joy to know that the file is there. It's a tangible reminder that at least some good has been accomplished over the years of service to the Lord and to His people. Someday, perhaps in retirement, it will be a joy to sit down and take time to peruse the things that I have saved. The greatest joy will be how the words or images in that file bring back fond memories of people with whom I shared the journey of faith, people who are dear to me beyond words, whom I love in the Lord. I don't anticipate that I will be "satisfied" with myself in any particular way, as though I did something commendable and worthy of applause. Rather, the joy will be in knowing that God worked wondrously and I got to be an instrument in His hand, sharing with another of His children an experience that led to some profitable and God-glorifying conclusion. What an amazing privilege! There is something else about that file that has become of great significance to me. Sometimes I have been informed, in a most loving and gracious way, of my failures and shortcomings. I have saved those, too. Perhaps that seems strange to you. Why keep reminders of things one might wish to forget? I admit, when I started keeping an "Encouragement" file I did not plan on including such items. It just kind of evolved. Now understand this: I don't save the vicious and vitriolic. I've had those experiences as well, as every pastor will sooner or later. If he doesn't, he might not be doing his job! When someone deals with me in an unkind or abusive manner, or really intends to "do me in" in some way, I do not retain any of that. God blessed me years ago with a capacity to set such things aside and even to forget them. I cannot name anyone against whom I hold a grudge, and to be truthful I would be hard-pressed to come up with specifics about such instances because I have forgiven and the Lord has taken it away. My "forgetter" is better than my "rememberer!" Personal attacks are not worth hanging onto; best to let bygones be bygones. There have been other times, however, when I was appropriately admonished about something that I should have done and didn't, or didn't do as well as I should have. There have been times when I received correction about my attitude or spirit in a matter. Proverbs tells us that the wounds caused by a friend are precious. They are to be highly treasured. Such wounds profit us; sometimes it is a matter of excising something in us that is ugly and unseemly in God's sight. We should desire to be separated from such things. God disciplines us in love, as His dear children. Hebrews reminds us that discipline does not seem pleasant at the time. It's painful! Usually, it is unwelcome. But God disciplines for our profit, and the end result of His working in our hearts and lives is a harvest of righteousness and peace. How thankful I am for such discipline! How thankful I am that God uses fellow believers to announce His purposes to us, to effect the discipline that is needed and to bring about the changes in us that will be honoring to Him. So yes, I have saved those "encouragements" as well. When administered in a loving and open-hearted and Christ-exalting manner, such words have been of untold benefit and have led me to a deeper appreciation of my Savior's love. How is He showing His love to you today? THIS SUNDAY we resume the Core Values series, looking at our trust in God's Word. In the Evening Praise Service Pastor Andy continues the excellent instruction from Revelation 22.16-17. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *O LORD, SOFTEN MY HEART TO RECEIVE YOUR INSTRUCTION...AND YOUR LOVING CORRECTION!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 9:12 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *EVERY TIME I TELL MY MANTA RAY STORY* the kids and Mossie start rolling their eyes and laughing. They insist it has grown larger through the years, but I'm sure I haven't embellished the tale at all. And even if I have, keep in mind it has been about 13 years since I saw it. Maybe it has grown. In any case, I have always maintained that it was a monster of a creature, at least 40-50 feet from tip to tip of its "wings," languidly swimming back and forth beneath the pier that jutted out from the shore near the Outer Banks vacation rental where we were staying. What an awesome sighting! Others were on the pier, and to this day I wish I had taken names so that I could produce verification. No matter. I'm quite sure I judged the size correctly. Of course, I did check into this...just so I could show the family that I was right and that Manta Rays do indeed grow to such proportions. What I found was that the largest Manta Ray on record was 25 feet across and weighed approximately 5000 pounds. That's impressive...but not even close to the size of the one I saw! Why didn't I have my camera with me?! One thing you can count on: I'm not backing down on my story! So what if "my" Manta Ray hasn't made the record books yet?! He could be up to 60 feet by now! One day, mark my words, some Manta Ray will die of old age and wash up on shore somewhere and they will measure that fellow and it will be in all the papers: 100 feet across! At least, it should be in the National Enquirer or Star. Perhaps I'll be in my grave, but I expect an apology from my progeny, a chagrined admission that they should never have doubted me. If indeed I die before this confirmation comes, I want this to be the epitaph on my tombstone: That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. But seriously, folks, why do we gild the truth? Why do we cling to a falsehood and refuse to acknowledge plain evidence that contradicts everything we've been saying? Why do we try to "one-up" the stories that others tell? Someone might even e-mail me to say, "Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw a Manta Ray that was 57 feet across! I had it hooked on my fishing rod and it snapped the string like a rotten shoelace." You're right. I don't believe it. Mine is the biggest Manta Ray. So big it's not even on record. And still growing. Several times in his writings, the Apostle Paul introduced a subject by saying, "This is a trustworthy statement." In other words, you can bank on this, you can stake your life on it, it's valid and it's verifiable. That's what I like about God's Word. It can be trusted. God does not deceive. He doesn't dissemble and dissimulate. In fact, it was Paul who declared, "Let God be true, and every man a liar" (Romans 3.4). Do you know why the Apostle said that? Because he knew God and he knew men. He knew that God IS true -- always and entirely true -- and he knew that every man IS a liar. Our hearts are wicked and deceitful all the time and in every way. In fact, a few verses later in this same passage, Paul quotes the psalmist when he says, "There is no one righteous, not even one....there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit....all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...." (Romans 3.10, 12-13, 23). I am so thankful for the trustworthy Word of the Lord. And I am so thankful that He has given me the privilege of declaring HIS Word, not mine. You can count on everything God says. Listen to me and you get giant Manta Rays and who knows what else. *THIS SUNDAY* the Ecuador Team will report on their recent ministries in South America! *In the Evening Praise Service* Pastor Andy concludes his excellent series on The Last Revelation of Christ. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *I DON'T EVEN BELIEVE MYSELF SOME OF THE TIME, BUT I BELIEVE MY LORD ALL OF THE TIME!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 7:44 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *I CHERISH RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE I HAVE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME!* "Old" friends are to be treasured, because they have proven their loyalty and love. You know they won't forsake you. You have a quiet confidence that if you called on one of them in a pinch, they would be there just as soon as possible. By "old" friends, I don't necessarily mean old in the chronological sense. I have some friends who might bristle if I called them old! I'm talking about extended relationships that have moved out of the realm of mere acquaintance and into the category of confidant and counselor. Once a person becomes that to you, you hold them dear even when they are physically distant. Maybe you don't see them often, but they remain in that classification of "friend." They don't regress to the status of "acquaintance." I've been blessed with a number of these over the years. I had some great "pals" when I was young who are still precious in my memory. I think fondly of one of my comrades who had open heart surgery long before it become "routine" (but don't call it routine for anyone who actually has to face it!). I visited his home often over the years and he was just a very good buddy. Haven't seen him in a long time, but I think of him often. My best friend from college has lived in Brooklyn for several decades and we seldom see each other. Still, many life experiences remind me of him, and last summer when he was able to visit for several days it was as though we had never been apart. I will always be grateful for the spiritual influence that he had in my life when I was evaluating fundamental questions...like whether I even believed in the existence of God. I used to meet often with a caring prayer partner. He is no longer nearby, but we continue to pray for one another, and periodic updates to those prayer concerns help us to pray "intelligently" with regard to issues that are of immediate importance in our lives. In fact, I know that when an urgent prayer concern arises in my live, faithful companionship in earnest petition is as near as the email or telephone. Last week I received a request from a friend who was part of a former pastorate. She alerted me to a person from another country who might be worshipping with us here in Morgantown very soon, and she knew that our church will welcome this person with love and care. Her communication brought back a number of wonderful memories. In fact, our family tradition of lighting candles each day of Advent was introduced to us by this dear couple. Today, I conducted the funeral service of a marvelous lady who was part of my first church. She and her husband were so kind to Mossie and me, and to our very young children. Her daughters were excellent and faithful musicians in our church and served the Lord in other ways. Moreover, going back to that church for this service, including a meal at the church afterward, rekindled many wonderful thoughts and feelings, and we were able to renew our fellowship with several of these dear friends from the more distant past. Fiends. How precious is each one! And as I reflected today on the remarkable blessing of having made so many friends in the years that I have lived, I rejoiced as well in the knowledge that I have lots and lots of friends who are close by, whom I see regularly, who are making a difference in my life day by day by day. I praise God for my friends! I thank Him for providing to me those who by their care and compassion have improved my circumstances...and who have improved me. I'm not all I can be or should be...I'm still pressing on...but I'm a much better person than I would be otherwise...simply because I have been improved by the company I keep. I thank God for so many exceptional friends! *THIS SUNDAY* *the Core Values* series continues with a consideration of stewardship. In the Evening Praise Service Ed & Sue Crowell will share a missions perspective based on their recent travels in Asia. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. HAVING A GOOD FRIEND HELPS TO REMIND ME THAT JESUS IS THE BEST FRIEND OF ALL! Top of Page**

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:34 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING THE OLYMPICS? What a spectacle Beijing has put on!* And some of the performances have been deserving of the term "epic." One sportswriter, enthralled by the beauty of the opening ceremony and the undisguised joy of the Chinese people, made this observation: "It was a bad time for cynics, maybe the worst in history. You never saw so many faces so happy." That's quite a statement. Imagine a collective mood so buoyant, a set of circumstances so felicitous, that cynicism is simply not possible. Did we experience such a moment at those opening ceremonies? Perhaps for the millions of proud Chinese, it really was the worst time in history to be a cynic. Everything about these Beijing Olympics trumpets hope and prosperity for China, a new day for commerce and world influence. Then again, there have been other bad times for cynics. The day the Israelites marched through the Red Sea on dry ground...the day our Lord Jesus came forth from the tomb...the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit fell upon the waiting 120. And there is a Day still to come, when we shall gather at the feet of the One who is King of kings and Lord of lords. I assure you, THAT will be the worst day ever for cynics! Still, the 2008 Summer Olympics have surely lifted spirits in China and around the world. Even those who are not sports fans or enthusiasts seem to be caught up in the drama. Is there anyone on the planet who doesn't know about Michael Phelps and his 8 gold medals? The feat itself is incredible, but even moreso when you analyze what was required to make it happen. Think of the years of training, attaining one's physical peak right at the time when the games began. Imagine what it is like to win a medal in one race, then immediately begin to prepare for another event 30 minutes later. Consider that in the relays, the outcome depended not only on Phelps but on each of his teammates. Contemplate the chances of winning a race by one one-hundredth of a second. Along with the exceptional and at times unbelievable performances, I have enjoyed the obvious regard and respect most of the performers show to their fellow contestants. To see an athlete from one nation embracing a competitor from another nation really validates the place of athletic contests in world relationships. Everyone wants to win, but it is so gratifying to see winners encouraging those who did not finish well, and those who lost congratulating the victor. In one of my son's calls from Iraq, he commented on the reality that the Iraqi people are like us in the sense that they only want a peaceful and prosperous life. They are "ordinary" in the sense that any of us might be called ordinary. They share the fundamental likes and dislikes of the larger world. On a daily basis, they desire the same things: peace, provision, purpose. Oftentimes, governments betray these fundamental values...and subvert them by propagandizing a whole nation to think and act in hateful ways toward others. Governments assume political stances that are in opposition to other governments, and then incite their citizens to look upon others with disdain or even, in the case of terrorist countries, to cultivate murderous thoughts and plan horrific assaults. Because this is true, cynicism isn't quite dead. Maybe for a moment the Olympics have lifted our spirits and given us hope that nations can cooperate in better ways than has been the case in times past. Soon, however, the Olympics will conclude and we will be returned to a world that is dominated too much by avarice and pride and cruelty. I don't know about you, but my hope is not in the ultimate ascendancy of a "better" human nature. My hope is in the Lord, the coming Prince of Peace. *THIS SUNDAY* *the Core Values* series continues with a reminder of the lostness of humanity. In the Evening Praise Service two young ladies, Megan Boone and Amanda Lewis, will share a report of their summer missions projects. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. IN A WORLD OF TURMOIL AND UNCERTAINTY, I REJOICE TO KNOW THE ONE WHO IS UNCHANGING! Top of Page**

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 10:36 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *WHY DOES ANYONE RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE?!* It's often a thankless job, and no matter how diligent you are, you will displease a segment of your constituency. In fact, the locus of displeasure shifts from day to day or issue to issue. In one instance you might make a certain person or group of people very happy; a week later and with regard to another matter, the same person or group might be incensed by what you have done. It's got to be exasperating, so why does anyone do it? Some are power-hungry or like to be in control, and some are looking for prestige and influence. Maybe some offices are sought because they lead to material wealth...although many public servants are paid below the average for similar endeavors. No doubt some run for one office hoping it will be a stepping stone to something of greater significance...and greater power, influence and wealth. Still, I think many, and probably most, public officials serve because they have an altruistic motive that compels them to benefit the larger society. Like teachers and doctors and marriage counselors and nurses and so many others (including pastors!), they sense a "call" to such a role and hope to find personal fulfillment in the service of society. This is noble, and should be honored and welcomed by the populace. And yet...politicians are high on the list of those least trusted and most despised. Maybe that doesn't matter to the person who is only in it for self-advancement, but for the altruistic soul who entered politics as a way of serving humanity, how disappointing this must be. Much has been made of our president's low approval ratings. Imagine how hard it is to press on in service when the polls say that the vast majority of people have a very low regard for your leadership. Perhaps the only consolation for President Bush is knowing that another prominent group of politicians, our Congress of elected senators and representatives, has an even lower approval rating! Hebrews 13.17 instructs, "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." The primary application of this text is to spiritual leadership, not civil authority. Still, the principle embedded in this verse, that failure to submit to a leader makes the work a burden and not a joy and is therefore harmful to those who are subject to that leader, is a principle that applies to elected public officials as well. Paul observes in Romans 13.1, 2: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.... Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." We who follow Christ know about submission to authority. We can set an example for the unbelieving world. At a minimum, we should be "civil" in our response to civil authority. Unkind words, harsh and irrational judgments, criticisms that overreach or distort the known evidence, and assumptions of impure motives are inappropriate. At the same time, we must not be gullible innocents who simply "toe the line" and espouse the party rhetoric. We must "watch-dog" those in office because power inevitably insulates officials from certain larger realities and often leads them to think that the rules that apply to the rest of us do not apply to them...and the worst sorts of indiscretions and abuses arise out of such a climate. Those who serve the public answer to the public. But let's be sure we are filled with the Spirit of Christ. Our judgments must be charitable and generous, not censorious and punitive. We should manifest attitudes that are forgiving and longsuffering. Above all, we who believe that the truth sets us free should be very careful to ascertain what the truth really is before we leap to judgment. As an important election draws near, we will hear plenty of half-truths or things that purport to be true but are manufactured out of thin air. Let's be discerning and prayerful. Pray for wisdom as we cast our ballots. And pray faithfully for those who dare to offer themselves for public service. *THIS SUNDAY* we are challenged to "mobilize" for the completion of the Great Commission! *In the Evening Praise Service* we will take a closer look at the gift of prophecy. You might have this gift! Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *HOW COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL IS AN INSTRUMENT IN GOD'S HAND!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 12:06 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *WE'VE BEEN ENJOYING SOME BEAUTIFUL WEATHER* here in the great state of West Virginia. It's been a little on the warm side, but the sun has been shining and the humidity has been tolerable. This past weekend saw a lot of activity on Cheat Lake, with boats and jetskis dotting the water in every direction. On the drive to church Sunday morning I marveled at the clear blue sky and bright sunshine. It just seemed like one of those days when it isn't difficult at all to give praise to the Lord. I looked forward to the Morning Worship and the opportunity once again to join with others in praise of our Maker and Redeemer. At the same time, I couldn't help but think of the hundreds of thousands who were leaving their homes in New Orleans and the surrounding areas, anticipating another hurricane, fearing a recurrence of the destruction caused by Katrina just three years ago. I have been reading some of the stories and watching reports on the evening news. Many have never recovered from those earlier losses. Many saw their homes completely destroyed, and quite a few lost their loved ones. On Sunday morning, I couldn't help but think that the skies were not blue and the sun was not shining in that part of the world. At the very moment I was enjoying the good weather here and thinking how easy it is to praise the Lord on such a glorious day, others were dealing with that sick feeling we have when disaster is at the door...and probably asking how God could possibly allow them to go through such horror again. In last night's mid-week service of Bible study and prayer we were considering the admonition of Hebrews 13.15: "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name." Even in this, Lord? Even when ominous skies threaten impending doom? Even when we stand on the brink of horrible suffering and loss? Even when it seems all hope is gone? The Scripture says, "let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise." "Continually." In I Thessalonians 5.18 Paul admonishes us to "give thanks in all circumstances." When Job's wife urged him to curse God and die, Job replied, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2.10). People of faith should lift up praise to the Lord at all times and in all circumstances. Since we serve a loving God, and we know that He is working out His loving purposes all the time, there are no times or circumstances when praise should not be offered. Rather, we believe...in fact, we know...that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8.28). This past week our choir sang this theme, and the words of the anthem carried me to the song of the psalmist: "Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies" (Psalm 148.1-4). Even on the brightest of days and in the best of times, I know quite well that there will be seasons of sorrow and loss. Life is not uninterrupted bliss and felicity. This sin-sick world is too often characterized by heartache and pain. Still, I know the God who is in charge and I walk with the Savior who assured us that although there is tribulation in this world, He has overcome the world and will uphold those who are His. May I never forget that all my praise is offered, "Through Jesus." He sustains the world by His word, redeems me by His blood and invites me to ask anything in His name, so I praise God continually. Today, I place my hand in His. In sunshine and rain...whether the sky is radiant with sun or shrouded in gloom...my trust is in the Lord. I know who He is and I know He will not forsake me, therefore I rejoice and give Him praise. Praise the Lord! *THIS SUNDAY* *the Core Values* series concludes with a look at taking "faith-filled risks." In the Evening Praise Service we will sing "favorites" and review the C&MA Statement of Faith. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. LORD, HELP ME TO BE JOYFUL AND GRATEFUL...EVEN IN THE HARDEST OF TIMES! Top of Page**

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 3:31 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *THERE'S NO WAY THE SHOT SHOULD HAVE GONE IN, BUT IT DID!* It wasn't even a game of consequence. We were Jerry West wanna-bes (hey, we're talking centuries before anyone ever heard of Michael Jordan), playing on an outdoor dirt court by the old elementary school. The "basket" had no net, but the bare steel rim was intact and, as far as we could tell, a near enough approximation of the standard height of ten feet. As I drove the "lane" (there was no actual lane, because who paints dirt?), dribbling like mad and hustling to beat the defender to the goal, the ball took a weird bounce off the uneven surface and, on my next dribble, came down on my right knee just as I started to gather myself for a lunge into the air and a spectacular jump shot. In what must have been a divinely ordained event -- I cannot ascribe to the notion of blind fate -- the ball came off my knee, arced gracefully through the air, and swished through the net-less rim as pretty as anything that Jerry ever launched from outstretched fingertips. How do you take credit for a shot like that? By all rights, you can't. The outcome is too outrageous to assume intentionality, but the hubris of a 12-year-old on an outdoor basketball court knows no bounds, so I acted as though the entire sequence was planned and the old bounce-the-ball-off-the-knee-and-through-the rim was just another weapon in my startling arsenal of offensive options. Then again, how DO you explain the good that is unexplainable? We often hear people demand an answer for the evil that is in the world. There are a seemingly infinite array of questions that begin, "How can a good God allow...?" We wonder why there is suffering and loss and harm in this world. If God is just, why is there injustice? Interestingly, we don't seem to trouble ourselves to ask about the good. How does it "just happen" that I passed through an intersection two seconds before an 18-wheeler rolled through without regard to the red light? What are the "chances" of meeting a company executive at a Saturday outing in a distant city who knows the sibling of a person who knows a friend of mine in my hometown and -- Lo, and behold! -- introductions are made and a year later these two strangers are husband and wife? How likely is it that my cousin and her sister would walk into the woods behind their house on the first day of deer season, spot an eight-point buck in a clearing no more than 50 yards from the back porch, which she drops with one shot -- the first time she ever fired a gun at a live target -- while her sister jumped up and down, squealing, "There's one! Shoot it! Shoot it!" Some things...like a basketball bounced off a knee and through a basket...defy explanation. Since I don't believe in "accidents," I must acknowledge God's providence in such moments. Sometimes good things happen despite the absurdity of the circumstances, and all we can do is give praise. "Dear Lord, you must delight in demonstrating from time to time how utterly impossible it is for me to take credit for such implausible good." In fact, one of the reasons I want to be "in the game" is so that I can be where I need to be when God unleashes another of His miracles. Our Missions Conference is this week, and I suspect most of our missionaries are the sorts of people who are adventurous enough to want to "be there" when God does the improbable. We sometimes speak of a "missionary personality." Missionaries are a special breed. When tossed into strange surroundings, they have to adapt, have a patient faith, wait upon the Lord, innovate and improvise. They must be willing to say, "OK, Lord, surprise me! I have no idea how to get out of this fix, resolve this problem, unsnarl the tangled mess I've walked into. So I'm giving it to you. Show me your unexpected and unexplainable glory!" Isn't that the heart of walking by faith? "Show me your glory, Lord! Surprise me!" *THIS SUNDAY* we open a week of Missions Conference 2008 with three wonderful guests from distant places. *In the Evening Praise Service* we enjoy a Children's Missions Musical in addition to our guest speaker. Go to www.cmachurch.net for online sermons and other info. *LORD, YOUR MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING -- THRILL AND SURPRISE ME AGAIN TODAY!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 1:09 PM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *"EIGHT IS ENOUGH" -- DO YOU REMEMBER THAT TV SIT-COM?* It was the story of Tom and Joan Bradford and their eight children, and it chronicled all the challenges and hilarity of living with a large family. For the last eight years, I have enjoyed an almost weekly communication with a "large family" of those who read my Thursday Thoughts...but "Eight Is Enough." My friendly "e-pistles" are coming to an end, as all things do. Many on my group list already know that my time as senior pastor of the Morgantown C&MA Church will conclude at the end of this month. That means next week's edition of Thursday Thoughts will be my last. Some of you are hearing of this transition for the very first time, so here's a brief summary. For quite some time -- several years, in fact -- I have sensed God's leading in new directions, for me and for the church. I believe it is time for the church to experience new leadership, and I know that is going to be a healthy thing. I also have had an increasing personal burden to find a way to engage in ministry more directly to the many people who, for a variety of reasons, will never cross the threshold of a church. When the Pharisees demanded to know why our Lord spent time with sinners, He said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick" (Matthew 9.12). That word penetrated my heart and I began to pray about how to be in the midst of those who need the healing of the Gospel the most. I imagined what it might be like to be in a secular workplace, serving as a chaplain to employees and their families. There are hospital chaplains and military chaplains and chaplains in prison. Why not a corporate chaplain in the workplace? God opened doors, and I will be the Director of Employee Care for the Morgantown Energy Producing Company (MEPCO), a consortium of coal mines and related operations with over 400 employees and anticipated growth to more than 600 within two years. With extended families, this constitutes a sizeable "parish" comprised of many who do not have a church home but who are very much loved by the Lord. As "Chaplain David" I will have the opportunity to lead people into a relationship of faith and trust in Him. Believe me, letting go of the pastorate is hard. As these remaining days slip away, the enormity of the decision is not lost on me...and the difficulty of "walking away" is harder even than I dreamed. At the same time, I am genuinely excited and energized by this clear leading of the Lord to a ministry I could not have imagined having. Only God could put such a thing together. Of course, besides giving up the church, I am giving up my "second congregation" of Thursday Thoughts readers, which is a sizeable group. In October of 2000, this began as a way of staying in touch with my church family, attempting to speak a word of encouragement into their lives between Sundays. Now I have hundreds on my direct group mailing list, and many of you forward these emails to a number of others. There perhaps are thousands of people who share these weekly perambulations. I have received responses from all around the world. It's been fun, and I'll miss it. Somewhere down the road, I anticipate sending out a regular update to those who want to support my new ministry with their prayers. If you would like to be on that group list, let me know and I will keep a record of your name and email address. I don't know when that might start, and I don't know whether it will evolve into anything similar to Thursday Thoughts, and by the time I kick that into gear it's possible your email address will have changed...but it's an attempt, at least, to stay in touch if you so desire. Thank you for allowing me to share my sometimes disjointed thoughts for these past eight years! With these emails go my prayers as I trust God's grace and provision for each recipient. May He continue to fill your life with all of His favor! *THIS SUNDAY* *our annual Missions Conference* wraps up with Tom Becker (Russia) speaking in the morning. In the Evening Praise Service** we will meet at Jack Roberts Park on Madigan Ave. for the Closing Rally of Missions Conference. That service will be preceded by fun and festivities at 4:00 and food at 5:00. For online sermons and other info, go to www.cmachurch.net. *OUR BRAINS CAN THINK OF MANY THINGS -- HOW GOOD THAT GOD HAS THOUGHT OF US!* Top of Page

----- Original Message ----- From: David Goodin To: Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2008 10:53 AM Subject: Thursday Thoughts [A weekly "e-pistle" to My Friends in Christ] *MEMORY IS USUALLY A MORE POWERFUL REALITY than anything we experience in a given moment.* Have you noticed this? We tend to "gild" our memories, of course, retaining the best aspects of some treasured event and choosing to ignore the unpleasant. Sometimes we fixate on a memory, perhaps allowing a significant loss or injury or disappointment to govern our evaluation of present realities even years into the future. This past Sunday evening the Closing Rally of our Missions Conference was held, as has become our custom, on the grounds of Jack Roberts Park on Madigan Avenue, next to the Chinese C&MA Church. As a boy, I lived two blocks away. We arrived in Morgantown the summer before I entered fifth grade, and I attended school at First Ward Elementary, a massive two-story stone structure that stood right there on what is now a city park. Sunday evening, my car was parked on a portion of what was then the small black-topped parking lot of the school. Sitting in a folding chair on the grassy lawn, my memories of the schoolhouse were vivid. So many times, my neighborhood friends and I played whiffleball on that little parking lot, batting the ball against the side of the building. How high the ball hit determined whether you got a single, double or triple, and if you could put it on the top of the flat-roofed addition to the main school, it was a home run. A home run also meant someone had to climb the fire escape on the opposite side, shimmy over the parapet of the roof line and retrieve the ball. I have many other memories of that site, including memories of things that happened in the rooms of that building...rooms that are no longer there, but that are very much "there" in my mind. I visited the principal's office on a number of occasions...never a good thing...and there were quite a few other times when the teacher deemed a trip to the principal unnecessary and resolved my contrariness with a paddle right in the classroom and in the presence of my peers. Life was simpler then. The "board of education" was routinely employed, both as a punishment for a student's misbehavior and as a deterrent for anyone who was considering a similar malfeasance: My correction was a "Don't do what David did" moment for everyone else. The enduring power of memories is on my mind as I conclude nearly 19 years of pastoring this wonderful congregation. My mind and heart are filled with rich and treasured experiences. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the many friendships I have enjoyed, and for the countless ways that I and my wife and children have profited by being included in this worshipping family. The Apostle Paul often "thanked God" as he remembered his comrades in faith in the many places he had visited and served. He had wonderful memories. So do I, and I thank God for the precious people He has brought across my path...including the "congregation" that has shared Thursday Thoughts with me these past 8 years. Memories also provide a connection to eternity that present reality cannot give. When we remember a place or a person or an experience, volumes of material coalesce in that one encapsulated recollection. Sitting there on Sunday evening, I could "see" the school, but also the many associations that attach. Playing baseball so many evenings in the far corner of the property...camping out under the stars by the boulders on the upper side...wild rides on the merry-go-round that sat near the front entrance..."May Day" celebrations and the Bingo games on the second floor...beating the sixth-grade chess champ one day, totally by accident. All these memories flood the mind in one instant. Collectively, these memories define that place for me. The building is gone. The memory remains. And the memory is far more powerful than the building or the daily activity ever were. It's a taste of eternity. My pastorate in Morgantown comes to a close. The memories do not, and they will shape my living for all the years the Lord grants to me upon this earth...and I will take the memories with me into the Heaven He has prepared. Truly, I thank my God for every single one of you! *THIS SUNDAY* the church family has prepared a farewell for Mossie and me and I will share a message titled, We Are Led by the Lord. There Is No Evening Praise Service due to the Farewell Reception that follows Morning Worship. For online sermons and other info, go to www.cmachurch.net. GOD HAS MADE YOU AN INSTRUMENT OF GRACE UNTO ME...AND I WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL! Top of Page

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