08 Sep

wfelmlee Posted in Blog Posts One comment

Breaking Ground!

Here is an open letter which I wrote to our folks with a very exciting announcement. Hello All, Here is the email that I have been waiting to write. I have tried to maintain my enthusiasm about the building project for several reasons. Those reasons being a fear of personal let down, a fear of our church feeling that we had misread God’s direction and a fear of a lack of confidence in our church’s leadership had the project been stopped before this point. God has been good, gracious and shown Himself strong bringing us to this announcement, WE BREAK GROUND NEXT WEEK ON OUR ADDITION! The loan agreements, building contracts, insurance policies, memos of understanding, surveys, deed searches, building prints, etc. have all been signed and delivered. Charlie Dobson will begin this Thursday with the excavation. We still have many decisions and trials ahead for the next 6 months but Lord willing by late February we will be planning our ‘celebration Sunday of worship’ in our new sanctuary! It will be our plan to have very regular pictures of the progress of the building on our website so we can all be kept up to date. A lot of prayer, consideration, hard work and humility has gone into this project thus far and we have only just begun. Continue to pray and seek the unity of Christ. He has been so faithful to us and will continue to be as we submit to Him. But now we can get excited or at least I can get excited. Pray, pray, pray though. Many things can and will creep up in this project once shovel is put to dirt and hammer to nail. Regardless of what comes up, God has gone before us and has worked out all those details. SOLI DEO GLORIA!!!!!!! Pastor Guy

04 Sep

wfelmlee Posted in Blog Posts No comments

Steve and Cathy Voke

We were privileged to have Steve and Cathy Voke, two of our church’s missionaries, with us in August. They are about to return to their field of France and a brand new work in the southern part of the country. Please read their update letter which I have attached. Voke update letter Sept 2012 soli deo gloria

23 Aug

wfelmlee Posted in Blog Posts No comments

Nature’s praise!

Psalm 148:1–14 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord! It is truly amazing at times to live in the forest. Earlier this summer, God impressed upon me how blessed I was to live amongst His creation, His nature, His handiwork but not for the reason that you might think. One particular night at dusk, as we were bringing an end to our day and things were slowing, I could hear from my study window a flock of turkey as they put to roost, the short gobble and the putting of the birds as they settled into the pines behind the house. As darkness set in, the lone whippoorwill sung it’s distinct song and before I fell off to sleep, the hoot of a distant owl was heard. I thought, ‘thank you, Lord for such a place’. I awoke hours later to the fast chirping of the small songs birds setting up housekeeping for the season in the back woods, the cooing of the two doves that live right outside the bedroom window and the distant caw of the crows as they flew overhead. I had gone to sleep listening to the night sounds of birds of creation and awakened to the sound of energy and newness. Wow, once again thank You God for this place. There was a sense that the rest and peaceful moment was just for me, just for this time. But soon thereafter the above Psalm and God’s purpose in all that we experience by living in the forest came to a deeper meaning. God has created all for His glory not simply for my entertainment, rest or introspection. All nature declares His glory and all nature sings His praises. He allows us and intends for us to enjoy the very nature He has created but it isn’t for our ultimate end. He has declared that all nature will cry out in praise of Him. The song of the birds was in one sense their declaring His praises and I was simply given the privilege of witnessing that praise. His glory, His power and His worth is proclaimed by every facet of His creations. I recently came across this video of Louie Giglio explaining the above verse as only he can. He may take a little artistic liberty with his interpretation but it certainly makes the point that God has impressed upon me this summer. Enjoy the video and the next time you’re in the forest listen for creation to sing His praises. http://youtu.be/7zWKm-LZWm4 soli deo gloria

06 Aug

wfelmlee Posted in Blog Posts No comments

Be encouraged ministry worker

Have you ever found yourself discouraged in a God called ministry? I mean down and depressed because you have lost heart even though you are convinced that God has placed you in that ministry for such a time. God has opened doors and maybe even granted blessings and success. But discouragement still has set in because of pettiness of people, the lack of concern and commitment from others, or the feeling that you are the only one who truly cares about that ministry. You have a full life to juggle outside this ministry including family. The pressure of doing things well as unto the Lord takes it toll. Ever been there, youth worker, children’s ministry teacher, elder, deacon, fellowship or maintenance director? If you have been involved in Gospel ministry for any period of time the answer is a loud and hardy YES! It’s great to know that even the Apostle Paul grew weary and discouraged even when God Himself opened doors to ministry. 2 Cor 2:12-17 tells of this time in Paul’s ministry. Paul had lost heart to preach even though God had opened doors and blessed his ministry. A short blog doesn’t allow me to go into detail of all the issues which had Paul down but suffice to say that a loved church falling into apostasy, false accusations against him personally, a sickness near unto death, a dear friend that is missing in action and a riot which has threatened his life and ministry was more than enough for Paul to lose heart. But as we study these short 5 verses, we see Paul finding encouragement in the very ministry that caused his discouragement. He begins to think of all he had to be thankful for. ‘But thanks be to God‘…. what a place for us to begin our rode back to encouragement. Regardless of any results that we experience or the lack of such, Paul tells us to be thankful that God is leading us in a triumphal procession as fitting of a conquering hero of Roman times. God is leading us as triumphant troops of Christ’s army who is the conquering commander, as we cry behind him in procession, “Triumph, Triumph, Triumph”. Thanks be to God that we in ministry do not have to win all the skirmishes and struggles. Christ has assured the victory and we march as victorious. It’s interesting too that the successful results of our ministry are not counted as we might think. It’s not how many conversions, baptisms, church members or attenders that Paul gives thanks for. Success to Paul was that the Gospel message clearly pronounced was it’s own success whether people respond as he wanted or not. The message rises to the throne of Heaven as a sweet aroma to God Himself. People are converted and that glorifies God. Others hear the same Gospel message and yet reject it and are condemned to Hell. Either way God is glorified by the message presented. God is glorified in His grace and in His judgement. We are privileged to be the messenger of the Gospel message that always result in His glory. Paul was thankful that he had been chosen to be the messenger of the Good News. When we are discouraged we have to stop and ask ourselves, why was I chosen to fight this battle for God, why me to wear his armor, why me to march in this triumphal procession? I have no answer but thankful I become. Secondly, according to Paul we need to be thankful that the clear truth of the Word of God declared without adulteration brings Him glory. We do not water down the Gospel to make it palatable for people. The responsibility of preaching and teaching truth is our duty and privilege, the results of that teaching are God’s. Discouraged in truth ministry? Find encouragement in the very ministry that has caused the discouragement. soli deo gloria

25 Jul

cmeyer Posted in Blog Posts No comments

Visit our New VBS Page

Please visit out new VBS page, we look forward to seeing you and your children there! Click here to be directed to our new VBS Page!

19 Jul

wfelmlee Posted in Blog Posts No comments

Men of Sincerity

For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. – 2 Corinthians 2:17 ‘Men of sincerity’, how Paul referred to himself and his faithful friends within the ministry of the gospel of Christ. True men of ministry are sincere about their faith and in their proclamation of the entire gospel, the complete Word of God. They are not as those that are trying to make a quick sale at the market place, ‘peddling’ the message of God. They live and proclaim their message sincerely as if they stand before God, the Judge of all hearts, with open lives and open lips. It is what we want to ever be ascribing to as men at Center Hill. To that end, we will be starting a new ministry called “Men of Sincerity” at our church. It will be the expressed goal of this ministry to have sincere men lead our congregation in corporate prayer and to be the models of prayer to our families at CHCC. They will weekly lead us in biblical prayer during our time of morning worship. They will themselves prepare and carry the adoration, thanksgiving and requests of our people to the very throne of God each week in our services. It is the concern of our leadership at Center Hill that we as a people truly do not know how to pray. We don’t understand the significance and the life altering power of prayer. We, as a church, want to be a people marked by prayer, a people hungry for prayer, a people sustained by prayer. To the men of our church, I would ask that you seek God’s desire for your being a part of this leadership team, to become men of sincerity, speaking in Christ. soli deo gloria

17 Jun

wfelmlee Posted in Blog Posts 3 comments

Is the Cross in every Bible verse?

Recently, a well known Pastor made the following statement on Twitter, “The well-intentioned fad of finding the Cross in every verse is eisegesis. Even Jesus didn’t do that! Never force a theology.” In an effort to avoid bringing any unnecessary division to the body of Christ and in particular to our local body at Center Hill, the above Pastor will remain nameless. However, the statement which he made brings up a question which must be addressed. Does looking for the ‘cross’ of Christ in every verse of the Bible force the text of the verse to say something that it doesn’t or is this approach a necessary means for us to properly hear the Word of our Lord and it’s meaning? The issue and answer is simply this, which may have escaped the above Pastor, “Let the text speak”. And speak they will when we understand the purpose and foundation for which they were given. It is a dangerous road we travel when we use the Scriptures for any purpose other than what they are intended for. God has given us His ‘Word’ both incarnate, in the person of Jesus Christ, and through the written Word, the scriptures. They both proclaim that God’s redemptive story of rescuing humans from themselves and their hell bound race through life, was accomplished in the Person and the finished work of Jesus Christ, at the CROSS. The work of redemptive history continues, until ‘all the people of the earth praise Him’ (Psa 67:3). He is not yet finished with drawing all His people to Himself. With that said, redemptive history found it’s accomplishment in the cross of Christ. Jesus Himself, said of His own death on the cross, that His blood was the blood of the new covenant which was promised centuries before which provided for the ‘forgiveness of sins’, something the previous covenant did not. And forgiveness of sins is the one thing needed for redemption. If we begin to read the scriptures from any other perspective other than God’s story of redemption of a people in need of redeeming and that redemption having been finished completely in the person and work of Jesus Christ on the cross, we will begin to use it for purposes it was never intended. We will moralize or politicize the Word of God for our own agendas and may this never be. It is not a social, political, or even a moral gospel. It is the gospel, ‘good news’, of God that HE SAVES SINNERS and that through the cross of Christ. When that is found in our scripture passages, it is the power of God unto salvation and will transform lives and cultures. Never make more of the Scriptures and never make less of them. I decided to know nothing among you except Christ and Him CRUCIFIED. – Paul to the Corinthians. sola scriptura!

06 Jun

wfelmlee Posted in Blog Posts No comments

Father’s Day dinner and a movie

Center Hill will be honoring all men, fathers and sons, on Saturday June 23. We will be serving a great Italian meal including stuffed manicotti at the ‘grove’ and then showing the movie “Courageous’. This movie has it all for men; comedy, action, and a most important message. That message is that it is time for fathers to take responsibility for their families and become the godly leaders that we are called to be. It is one of the best films I have ever seen which encourages fathers to lead well their wives, sons and daughters. Join us for a great meal and great movie. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwC7FvQUw-Y&w=575] soli deo gloria

27 May

wfelmlee Posted in Blog Posts One comment

Wisdom and Unity!

Pray for wisdom and unity! This has been our cry for the past several months as Center Hill Community Church has neared our vote on her building expansion program. We have been in much prayer and consultation with builders, members, and like minded ministries as we have come to this time which will set the tone and direction for God’s ministry here in Jefferson County for years to come. Praise God, He has given us that unity thus far. I have been preaching a series of messages on unity in the church which has focused on Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. And Philippians 2:1-2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. I have been most impressed in this study that the Apostle Paul writes from the perspective that unity in the body of Christ is our NATURAL state and if we find ourselves at odds in the body, it is UNNATURAL, not our intended condition. So often before it seemed to me that unity was something that we had to attain. Not so. Just as we cannot boast in our own work of salvation, so the Holy Spirit has placed us into such close sweet communion with fellow believers making us heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, that it is natural for us be of one mind and purpose. It is true that we must work to maintain the unity of the body because of selfish desires of our individual hearts but the Holy Spirit has already done the work upon salvation in placing us in unity in the body of Christ which we call the church. We shouldn’t be surprised when we see a local body of believers so closely walking shoulder to shoulder that they are a billboard to a world filled with self interests and division, a billboard for the transforming power of the gospel of Christ. We shouldn’t be surprised but we are because that body of believers is a rare animal indeed in the modern church. My prayer for Center Hill is wisdom and unity! Won’t you pray for this ministry that we seek God’s glory, His honor, and Christ’s name to be lifted high. There is no greater purpose. We are to walk in a manner worthy of our calling and that calling is to the Gospel of Christ. The Good News that God Saves Sinners! Center Hill, let this be our motivation for all we do. soli deo gloria

11 May

wfelmlee Posted in Blog Posts 2 comments

Making much of God in marriage

I came across this video which is partially promoting a wonderful book, This Momentary Marriage, by John Piper but the true value of the video is found in the message of commitment to God’s glory in marriage. I know very little about this couple but what I have been able to read about them speaks volumes of their making much of God in their relationship together. Take time to watch it and then click the link to her blog. You will find, as I did, the need to pray for Ian and Larissa. Pray for their commitment to each other and mostly for their commitment to Christ. Pray for your own marriages and your own commitment to making much of God in your life. I am convinced once again that, in general, we understand very little of suffering, of frailty of life and relationships, and lifting Him high as I watched this. May this encourage each of us to consider this in all we do beginning with our marriages. soli deo gloria