THE CCJ BLOG

CCJ News for the Week

2012-01-26T08:05:00.000-05:00

SUNDAY: "BEWARE OF GOOD LIARS" SERMON SERIES CONCLUDES

8, 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. "Beware Of Good Liars" is a series of sermons in January examining popular false teachings that are contrary to the Bible. Now that we have learned "The Essentials," we need to learn to be more discerning in who and what we give our attention to. This week, we will wrap up the series with: "The Universalist."

SUNDAY: FOOD BANK SUNDAY
Bring in non-perishable food items to help our community food bank. As God has been merciful to us and given to us through Jesus, let us also be generous and merciful to others by giving joyfully.

SUNDAY: "RADICAL" IS COMING
Be sure to visit the RADICAL station in the lobby on Sunday to get your book if you haven't already (if we run out, there will be a list to sign so that we can get your book by next week). If you're confused by the whole thing, visit the station and take an information sheet or visit the RADICAL@CCJ site.

SUNDAY: FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY FREE PREVIEW

9:30 a.m. in an upstairs classroom. Register here or call 812-481-2410 to sign up. The preview is free, but the class — starting on Feb. 5 — costs $95 (scholarships avaialable).

SUNDAY: STUDY OF THE BOOK OF JAMES (ADULT DISCIPLESHIP CLASS)
6:30 p.m. CCJ will be studying the book of James, an intensely practical book of the Bible. Take advantage of this opportunity to grow in your walk with Jesus.

WEDNESDAY: THE WELL & THE SPRING WEDNESDAYS

6:30 p.m. The Well Wednesday (middle and high school) is in a series, "How To Survive A Zombie Attack" during a worship service (listen via the Media page or the app or podcast) and The Spring Wednesday (for children age 4 to fifth grade) will kick off winter/spring discipleship classes in earnest.

ONGOING: CONNECTION GROUP SIGN-UPS

A new round of Connection Groups are beginning. Sign up here.

WEEKLY CCJ E-NEWS

If you don't receive the weekly e-news, visit The CCJ E-News page to sign up and to see this week's CCJ E-News.

Runaway Slave (Titus 1:1)

2012-01-24T13:51:00.003-05:00

Below is a post from CCJ Youth Minister Ryan Heathco. You can contact Ryan via e-mail. You can hear sermons from The Well (CCJ Youth) at the Media page, the Sermon Archive or via the CCJ Podcast or The CCJ App.

Titus 1:1 (NLT)

“1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to[a] those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives.”

When my greatest American ancestor, Simon, came to the United States he was a bond-slave. I first learned of this as a child while vacationing in our nation’s capital. How interesting. I wonder what it would be like to owe a debt so great that I were enslaved to repay it? Perhaps that is why Lynn and I fear credit cards. Rumor has it, Simon’s master was unfair. As a result, Simon ran away and eventually changed his name from Heathcote to Heathco.

Paul refers to himself as a slave or a bond-slave (Greek: Doulos) on multiple occasions. How many times? I don’t know, but I’m betting twelve times or more. Prove me wrong. However, the point of this paragraph isn’t to establish an over/under wager for how many times Paul refers to himself as a slave or a bond-slave, but to ask why he refers to himself in this way so many times.

Paul was a slave because he was in debt. The debt was created by sin. According to the Apostle Paul, the only acceptable payment for sin is death. I don’t know about you, but I believe that is a steep price to pay. Although it is not as though my opinion matters. Because you and I are both unwilling and unable to repay this debt, Jesus took it upon himself to do so. This is why it is said, “Jesus died for my sin.” Jesus died so that my debt could be forgiven. Cool? Yes.

Paul refers to himself as a slave or a bond-slave because Jesus repaid what he could not afford. In the same way, for all those who believe and are baptized Jesus has done the same. In this manner we are all slaves or bond-slaves. Not that we are repaying God with good works, but that we owe him our lives. How often am I guilty of cheating God what I owe?

Perhaps I am no different than Simon, and I am a run away slave.

Malachi 3:8 (NLT)

8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.

Songs We Sing (01.22.2012)

2012-01-23T11:33:00.003-05:00

When we sing together, we are corporately singing the praises of our God. It's a participatory activity. "Songs We Sing" is an weekly effort to help us better learn the songs we are singing as well as to gather some small insight into what we are singing. If you'd like a copy of the songs listed, a link is provided (where available).

For the services of January 22, 2012, Narrow Path led music and we sang:

DAYS OF ELIJAH
Written by Robin Mark; 1996. Very Irish, this one. Lots of Old Testament imagery in this one that parallels with where we are today.

Buy "Days Of Elijah" by Robin Mark.

REDEMPTION HAS COME
Written by Michael Crockett and Daniel Ross, 2012. This is the first original song from At One (a CCJ band). It is based on Revelation 21 and the hope of all things being made new because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It's a celebratory anthem meant to be sung with hope.

No official recording exists. Watch the YouTube song teaching video.

IN CHRIST ALONE
Written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, 2001. This is a modern hymn (meaning, it's written in the classic hymn format) that has also become a modern classic in the church. It's the complete gospel in four verses and is a great, great song. We put it in drop D tuning and 'heavied' it up a bit.

Buy "In Christ Alone" by Stuart Townend.

THE DAY WILL COME
Written by Daniel Ross & Kurt Neighbors, 2011. This is our newest song. It was inspired by a reading of Revelation 21 and the thought that we needed a good song of hope in these hard times (a hope I'm reminded more and more of lately). It is also a hope we should all have for the culmination of God's kingdom when Jesus will "stand and make things right."

No recorded version yet exists (hopefully, we'll have one in 2012).
See Narrow Path play "The Day Will Come" in this YouTube video.

THE HAND THAT HOLDS THE WORLD
Written by Jason Ingram, Jon Neufeld, Matt Bronleewe, Tim Neufeld, 2006. Originally recorded by Starfield. "Join in the song that heaven sings." Did you know that you are participating with the angels when we sing this together?

Buy "The Hand That Holds The World" by Starfield.

Associate Minister Mark Messmore Departing CCJ

2012-01-22T13:12:00.004-05:00

CCJ Associate Minister Mark Messmore announced today that he is leaving CCJ to be the lead minister at Troy Christian Church in Troy, Ohio. His final Sunday at CCJ will be February 26, 2012.

Below is a letter Mark wrote and the text of the announcement he made this morning at CCJ.

MARK'S ANNOUNCEMENT:
Before we dismiss today I do have one final announcement that I need to make. There’s not really a good way to go about this — but it’s with a mixture of excitement and heartache that I come today to let you know that I have accepted a preaching ministry with a church in Troy, Ohio and will be leaving CCJ, with my last Sunday here being February 26.

To be certain, this was a decision that Kara and I came to after a great deal of discussion and prayer. And it certainly was not automatic. Because for the past five and a half years I’ve been privileged to serve right here. I showed up back in 2006 when CCJ’s building was still on Cathy Lane and I’ve been able to witness some amazing things. I’ve seen God work in so many ways and through so many lives it’s been incredible. But even though this decision has not been easy, Kara and I both have a great deal of excitement and peace about where God is leading us.

At this point I’m not going to go on and on about how wonderful the elders and staff are…and terrific you all are — I’ll save that for later. Instead I simply want to thank you for your continual support and encouragement over these five and a half years. And in just like God was here before I arrived…he’ll be here after I leave. And I truly believe with all my heart that greater things are yet to come — right here at CCJ.

MARK'S LETTER:
“It’s bittersweet.”

That’s been my most common response. I say that anytime someone asks me how I feel about the fact that I’ll be leaving CCJ at the end of February and joining the staff of Troy Christian Church in March as their new preaching minister. I use that word because thus far I’ve found no better words to succinctly describe it.

Because first off, it is certainly bitter. I mean…I’ve been at CCJ for five and a half years. From day one Darrel took me under his wing to help me learn what it means to lead a congregation. He allowed me to see his successes and failures…all while giving me permission to make my own. The elders have shown me continual encouragement and support; backing me up while granting me the freedom and means to minister — and, when the situation called for it, offering appropriate correction. As the staff has grown so has my list of friends and confidants; people I can rely on and learn from. The staff members here are incredibly talented and I have a great deal of respect for them all.

And I haven’t even yet talked about the people; the congregation that makes up CCJ — those who are our friends that have become our family. The people of CCJ who have opened their homes and lives to Kara, Ian and I. Who have accepted us as we are and welcomed us into their stories.

Leaving all that behind — our friends, our church, this little town which has been our home — the thought of that is a very emotional one indeed. And in short — it’s bitter to think about.

But the prospect of this move is also very exciting. To be certain, this job is an outstanding opportunity for our family. For starters my primary responsibility will be to preach and teach; the very things I’ve felt as though God has designed me and truly called me to do. Add to that this chance I have of leading a congregation, taking the lessons I’ve learned in my time at CCJ and incorporating them into working with other followers of Christ — all those thoughts are very sweet.

But I want to be clear that I’m not excited about just A new job, I’m excited about THIS new job. In all my time in Jasper I had not once applied to another place. Only a couple times have I had churches inquire about interest and in each case I easily turned them down because I simply knew that this is where God wanted us to be. And yet throughout the process of applying, interviewing and getting to know the leaders, staff and people of Troy Christian Church, Kara and I have had a tremendous amount of excitement and peace regarding this move. For the months that this process has ensued we have felt that this step was the next step God was calling us to make. Combine that with the opportunity to be much closer to both sides of our family and I can certainly say with anticipation that this move is sweet.

Yet in most instances I do not have time to elaborate; to praise God for the experiences of the past, the peace of the present and the excitement for the future. In most cases I do not have the time or the words to speak to his faithfulness. I don’t often have the chance to discuss how in both instances God was working there before us and He’ll be there after us. Most of the time I can’t talk about any of that.

So if you ask, pardon me in case I just respond, “It’s bittersweet.”

RADICAL@CCJ: Frequently Asked Questions

2012-01-18T09:02:00.001-05:00

Visit The RADICAL@CCJ site for all your RADICAL needs.

What is the Radical Campaign?
Radical is a 9-week church-wide focused campaign using the book “Radical” by Pastor David Platt as a spring board to learn what it really means to be a disciple (a committed, growing, follower) of Jesus Christ. All of our sermons will be focused on what it means to follow Jesus as He intended. Our hope is that in hearing the messages, worshiping together, reading the book and discussing it in our connection groups we will all be refocused, energized and inspired to be completely committed followers of Jesus Christ.

Should I read the chapter from the book before I come to worship each Sunday?
Yes, it would be best if you did. It will help you get the biggest impact from the study. Imagine how great it will be that you’re not just coming to worship expecting to be lectured but instead you have taken steps to prepare for worship in advance. Don’t worry, the Radical book will not take the place of your Bible. All of our messages will come from God’s Word’s, as usual, but will just cover the same topic as the book chapters.

Why is it important that my connection group be studying the same thing?
It’s about synergy and focus. Getting everyone focused on the same biblical truths is so valuable. You might be thinking that studying the same chapter of a book in every area of the church may get redundant. We promise you, though, it won’t. There is so much packed in every chapter that we hope when you come to weekend services you will get one perspective, your connection group will provide another perspective and so on.

What if I cannot afford the $10 donation for a book?
The last thing we want to do is make cost a factor in stalling your spiritual growth. We have provisions to take care of the $10 so just let us know and we can get you a book.

What is the Radical Experiment?
We will go into greater details as the series moves along but the basic idea is that at the end of the series we are going to ask you to seriously commit your life, for the next year, to some things. These commitments are not necessarily related to the church but commitments to God to do some things and live radically for Jesus.

Are there additional Radical resources available?
Yes, through our website we will be listing many of those as we go forward.

Help A CCJ Couple (Open House Baby Shower)

2012-01-18T07:46:00.000-05:00

Kira and Justin Patton are long-time CCJ members.

They are adopting two children from Africa and Kira is scheduled to give birth to a baby boy next month.

There is a baby shower set at CCJ on Sunday, January 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. This will be an open house.

Needed are items for a baby boy and children ages 1 and 3. They are in need of a lot of baby and toddler items.

Beware Of Good Liars: Why Is It Important?

2012-01-17T15:06:00.002-05:00

When we launched the sermon series, "Beware Of Good Liars," we expected some push back. CCJ is one of the most diverse (and I don't mean race alone) congregations in this area and with that diversity comes a wide variety of beliefs and philosophies.

This is a good thing and a bad thing.

It's good because it forces all of us to dig deeper and understand what we truly believe. Why do we believe this or that? Is it because mom and dad and grandma and granddad told us this was the way it is? The variety of thoughts forces dialogue and defense of beliefs that you often wouldn't have in other settings.

It's bad, however, because there are many here calling themselves followers of Jesus who believe things completely contrary to what Jesus said and what the Bible teaches.

We kicked off the series with "The Promiser" and "The Motivator" (click to listen). If you've watched TBN for very long, you've seen both of these many, many times. Promising health and wealth or telling you that your words are the seeds to your success (and all manner of Scripture twisted and turned to meet their message). We've refrained from naming names (except in one case of the very popular Joel Osteen) because for every name we could name, you may be listening to someone just like them and not understand that that particular person is teaching the same garbage.

The question may arise then, what's the big deal?

The big deal is that the teachers and "preachers" are NOT PREACHING THE GOSPEL. They may be using church words and making you feel good and, yes, even helping you in some way, but they are not preaching what God has commanded that we preach and teach. That, friends, is playing with fire and people's lives. It is no small thing.

What, then IS the Gospel?

Simply this: We are all sinners. We are all rebels against a good and perfect and HOLY God. Sin has separated us from God. But God, in His mercy and love toward us sent His Son, Jesus (God in flesh, the second member of the Trinity) to live the life on earth we could never live and to die the death we should have died. God then raised Jesus from the grave on the third day, defeating death (the power of sin over us), giving us the hope of eternal life with God.

THAT is the good news. HE is enough for us. Not our "best life now." Not "enjoying everyday life."

The above video sums up the point perfectly. Please watch. If you are pushing back mentally and emotionally against the teaching of this series, please ask GOD to search your heart and reveal (us searching our own hearts is foolish because our hearts are deceitful) to us where we are wrong or have believed lies.

Finally, we aren't preaching these words to knock people around, but because right theology (what you believe about God) is vital to your everyday life and how you live it. In short, we love you.

Songs We Sing (01.15.2012)

2012-01-16T09:48:00.003-05:00

When we sing together, we are corporately singing the praises of our God. It's a participatory activity. "Songs We Sing" is an weekly effort to help us better learn the songs we are singing as well as to gather some small insight into what we are singing. If you'd like a copy of the songs listed, a link is provided (where available).

For the services of January 15, 2012, At One led music and we sang:

THE SOLID ROCK
Written by (Lyrics) Edward Mote, 1834; (Music) William B. Bradbury, 1863. This is another great song about Christ being our only hope and the fact that when we stand before God, we can be clothed in only Jesus' righteousness.

Buy "The Solid Rock" by Charlie Hall.

REDEMPTION HAS COME
Written by Michael Crockett and Daniel Ross, 2012. This is the first original song from At One (a CCJ band). It is based on Revelation 21 and the hope of all things being made new because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It's a celebratory anthem meant to be sung with hope.

No official recording exists. Watch the YouTube song teaching video.

HOW DEEP THE FATHER'S LOVE FOR US
Written by Stuart Townend, 1995. This is a song that people often think is an old hymn but is, in fact, relatively new. It's a great song. "Why should I gain from His reward?/I cannot give an answer/But this I know with all my heart/His wounds have paid my ransom." True words. Stylistically, we do this one a bit differently (watch our version on YouTube).

Buy "How Deep The Father's Love For Us" by Stuart Townend.

BECAUSE HE LIVES
Written by Gloria Gaither & William J. Gaither, 1971. I had no idea this song was only 39 years old. This song is a great declaration of faith.

Buy "Because He Lives" by David Crowder Band.

ONLY HOPE
Written by Daniel Ross, 2010. The song is more or less taken from Ephesians 2, a great part of Scripture dedicated to explaining how we are dead in our sins but God's saving grace makes us alive. Verse one leads into a pre-chorus that is a question ("born of man and choosing sin/who will bring me to life?"). Verse two leads into the same pre-chorus but is now a statement ("set me free and now I can see/who will bing me to life.").

No recorded version exists (watch Narrow Path's version on YouTube).

Dust To Dust

2012-01-11T13:36:00.004-05:00

"By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." — Genesis 3:19

I read through the Bible for the first time in 2011. After taking a few days and just reading odds and ends, I decided it was time to start a new reading plan for the year. It's just a simple way for me to make sure I'm reading God's word each day.

This year, I'm doing a chronological plan thanks to Lifechurch.tv's YouVersion Bible iPhone app. I thought this would be a neat way to get God's story as it happened in chronological order. We'll see how it goes. Hopefully, I won't lose my nerve around Leviticus.

One of the things I noticed last year was that the Bible often hits on the shortness of our lives in the scope of eternity. Man's days are limited, no doubt. As I was reading Genesis 3 the other day, it struck me that because of sin, everything falls apart. Our bathroom needs to be remodeled pretty badly because it's old. And by old, I mean the house was built in 1948. Sixty-four years is old. Think about that. Sixty-four years in the span of God's eternity is *thatmuch* ... which is to say, it's like a snap of the fingers.

Have you ever seen the TV show "Life After People"? It's amazing to me the rate at which things decay if they are not maintained (and decay happens even with maintenance). It helps remind me that there is no hope in the created, there is only hope in the Creator.

Because, 100 years from now, you and I are likely just a name that's not well remembered. For example, our youth minister Ryan Heathco was talking to some students from The Well recently and he was talking to them about Chris Farley. Farley was a legend to my generation. These kids had never heard of him. See how fast the memory of you can fade?

All of our striving and efforts are for nothing if they are not for the eternal. So, work for the eternal, work to help advance God's kingdom. Give your time, talent, money and resources toward things that will last long after you are gone.

Learn CCJ's Newest Song: "Redemption Has Come"

2012-01-09T17:14:00.002-05:00

"Redemption Has Come" is the first original song from CCJ band At One. It was written by Michael Crockett and Daniel Ross. Follow along on the video for lyrics, learn the song and sing it loudly with us on Sunday.

Songs We Sing (01.08.2012)

2012-01-09T09:24:00.002-05:00

When we sing together, we are corporately singing the praises of our God. It's a participatory activity. "Songs We Sing" is an weekly effort to help us better learn the songs we are singing as well as to gather some small insight into what we are singing. If you'd like a copy of the songs listed, a link is provided (where available).

For the services of January 8, 2012, Narrow Path led music and we sang:

BEAUTIFUL ONE
Written by Tim Hughes; 2002. This is ultimately a song about how nothing on earth can compare to Jesus. NOTHING.

Buy "Beautiful One" by Tim Hughes.

AT THE CROSS
Words by Issac Watts, 1707. Chorus by Ralph Hudson in 1885. This song is also known as "Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed?" without the "at the cross, at the cross" chorus. You know how we sometimes sing an old hymn with a new chorus? There's nothing new under the sun, as this is a good example. There are some great lyrics to this song. I used to think the line "Would He devote that sacred head/For such a worm as I?" was a bit harsh but, as I've grown, I realize that I have nothing to offer God that is good and that, in the full light of His glory, I am no more than a worm. HOWEVER, there is "Amazing pity/Grace unknown/And love beyond degree ... at the cross."

Buy "At The Cross" by Justin Johnston.

THE HEART OF WORSHIP
Written by Matt Redman, 1999. This is a song of repentance reminding us that it's not about what we do or what we can offer, but only about Jesus.

Buy "The Heart Of Worship" by Matt Redman.

I'D RATHER HAVE JESUS
Written by George Beverly Shea, Rhea F. Miller, 1922. This is a good song to remind us that Jesus is above all, even riches of the world.

Buy "I'd Rather Have Jesus" by Alison Krauss and the Cox Family.

BLESSED BE YOUR NAME
Written by Beth Redman, Matt Redman, 2002. This song is never as upbeat as it sounds (to me, at least). It reminds me of the book of Job (where the title was taken from). No matter the circumstances of our life, God is in control. Blessed be His name.

Buy "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman.

Haiti January 2012 Mission Trip Updates

2012-01-04T21:39:00.004-05:00

CCJ'er Glenda McClean (who, coincidentally, is not pictured all that much because she is taking the photos) has been keeping us up to speed with the five-woman mission trip team from CCJ on her Facebook page with THIS photo album (I'm pretty sure anyone can view it whether you are on Facebook or not).

Continue to pray for the ladies (including my lovely wife :-) and their trip and that God would be glorified through the work they are doing and that God's kingdom would spread in Haiti.

Beware Of Good Liars

2012-01-04T11:04:00.002-05:00

Our "Beware Of Good Liars" sermon series begins this Sunday at CCJ. We will be looking at common misinterpretations and lies that many teach and preach. Discernment is vital for a growing Christian and, so, it's important to understand what the Bible does and does not say and it's important to be able to spot false teaching.

Sundays in January at 8, 9:30 and 11:15 a.m.

The Church (God Sends): Additional Resources

2012-01-03T08:45:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday, we discussed "The Church: God Sends" during our sermon series "The Essentials." Below are some additional online resources to help further your growth and understanding. These links, obviously, aren't exhaustive.

VIDEO:

AUDIO:
CCJ Sunday Sermon
"The Church: God Sends."

Songs We Sing (01.01.2012)

2012-01-01T15:40:00.002-05:00

When we sing together, we are corporately singing the praises of our God. It's a participatory activity. "Songs We Sing" is an weekly effort to help us better learn the songs we are singing as well as to gather some small insight into what we are singing. If you'd like a copy of the songs listed, a link is provided (where available).

For the services of January 1, 2012, Narrow Path led music and we sang:

LET GOD ARISE
Written by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash and Jesse Reeves, 2006. I love the line "Death has no sting/No final word/Our God is a god who saves."

Buy "Let God Arise" by Chris Tomlin.

AWESOME IS THE LORD MOST HIGH
Written by Cary Pierce, Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Jon Abel, 2006. This song appears on the Chris Tomlin album "See The Morning." As we talked about in a previous sermon, worship is a verb and, sometimes, requires action. This is an action song.

Buy "Awesome Is The Lord Most High" by Chris Tomlin.

MISSION'S FLAME
Written by Matt Redman, 2004. This is a song I wish I could write. Such great words. "We're going with a passion for Your name/Send us out." I often wonder about myself, just how much am I going with a true passion for His name?

Buy "Mission's Flame" by Matt Redman.

GOD OF THIS CITY
Written by Aaron Boyd, Andrew McCann, Ian Jordan, Peter Comfort, Peter Kernaghan, Richard Bleakley; 2006. With all that is happening and has happened at CCJ, this song always gives me hope that there are even greater things to come here. I believe (and certainly hope) that even after I'm long dead and gone, there will be even greater things happen here.

Buy "God Of This City" by Bluetree.

ENDURE
Written by Kurt Neighbors, Daniel Ross, Andrew Kieffner and Mike Weisensteiner; 2011. This song was inspired by Psalm 72 and II Timothy 2 and has lyrics that focus on the goodness and might of God and how we should live in light of that truth.

No recorded version yet exists (watch a teaching video on YouTube).

The Cross and Resurrection (God Saves): Additional Resources

2011-12-29T13:13:00.002-05:00

Last Sunday, we discussed "The Cross and Resurrection: God Saves" during our sermon series "The Essentials." Below are some additional online resources to help further your growth and understanding. These links, obviously, aren't exhaustive.

VIDEO:

AUDIO:
CCJ Sunday Sermon
"The Cross and Resurrection: God Saves."

Songs We Sing (12.25.2011)

2011-12-29T13:07:00.002-05:00

The Incarnation (God Comes): Additional Resources

2011-12-20T09:54:00.002-05:00

Last Sunday, we discussed "The Incarnation: God Comes" during our sermon series "The Essentials." Below are some additional online resources to help further your growth and understanding. These links, obviously, aren't exhaustive.

VIDEO:

AUDIO:
CCJ Sunday Sermon
"The Incarnation: God Comes."

Songs We Sing (12.18.2011)

2011-12-18T16:09:00.002-05:00

When we sing together, we are corporately singing the praises of our God. It's a participatory activity. "Songs We Sing" is an weekly effort to help us better learn the songs we are singing as well as to gather some small insight into what we are singing. If you'd like a copy of the songs listed, a link is provided (where available).

For the services of December 18, 2011, Narrow Path led music and we sang:

LIKE A LION
Written by Daniel Bashta, 2009. "My God's not dead/He's surely alive/And He's living on the inside/Roaring like a lion." This is an anthem and one not meant to be sung quietly, but instead with confidence and faith that God is mightier than all things.

Buy "Like A Lion" by Daniel Basta.

COME THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS
Written by Charles Wesley, 1745 and Rowland Prichard, 1830. A song of longing and expectation for God to free us from sin and bondage.

Buy "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" by Red Mountain Church.

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL
Written by John F. Wade, circa 1743. Isn't it cool that songs from 1743 are still relevant today? "Word of the Father/Now in flesh appearing/O come let us adore Him."

Buy "O Come All Ye Faithful" by Narrow Path.

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL
Author unknown (i.e. this one is VERY old - like 12th Century old). Our quasi-heavy metal version has become a favorite over the years. I remember, in 2005, we were scared to play it because of the style. Lyrically, this one is also about the longing and expectation of a Savior.

Buy "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" by Narrow Path.

JOY TO THE WORLD
Written by Isaac Watts, 1719. This song was written about the SECOND coming of Christ and inspired by Psalm 98.

Buy "Joy to the World" by Narrow Path.

The Kingdom (God Rules): Additional Resources

2011-12-13T09:33:00.003-05:00

Last Sunday, we discussed "The Kingdom: God Rules" during our sermon series "The Essentials." Below are some additional online resources to help further your growth and understanding. These links, obviously, aren't exhaustive.

VIDEO:

AUDIO:
CCJ Sunday Sermon
"The Kingdom: God Rules."

READ:
Jared Wilson's "Your Jesus Is Too Safe" (specifically the "Jesus The King" chapter)
Read a review from the previous version of The CCJ Blog.

Songs We Sing (12.11.2011)

2011-12-12T09:17:00.003-05:00

When we sing together, we are corporately singing the praises of our God. It's a participatory activity. "Songs We Sing" is an weekly effort to help us better learn the songs we are singing as well as to gather some small insight into what we are singing. If you'd like a copy of the songs listed, a link is provided (where available).

For the services of December 11, 2011, Narrow Path led music and we sang:

ALL BOW DOWN
Written by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash; 2004. We've amped up Tomlin's version quite a bit. The words, though, are what are important to this song. One day 'every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.'

Buy "All Bow Down" by Chris Tomlin here.

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
Traditional French carol translated by James Chadwick, 1862. "Gloria in Excelsis Deo!" is Latin for "Glory to God in the highest." God is above all and we should praise Him above all.

Buy "Angels We Have Heard On High" by Relient K here.

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?
Written by William C. Dix, 1865. Music: "Greensleeves," 16th Century English melody. This isn't just a traditional Christmas song that we include because it's that time of year. We sing "this is Christ the King ... Haste to bring him laud." Do we rush to bring him glory and praise?

Buy "What Child Is This?" by Third Day here.

THE DAY WILL COME
Written by Daniel Ross & Kurt Neighbors, 2011. This is our newest song. It was inspired by a reading of Revelation 21 and the thought that we needed a good song of hope in these hard times (a hope I'm reminded more and more of lately). It is also a hope we should all have for the culmination of God's kingdom when Jesus will "stand and make things right."

No recorded version yet exists (hopefully by early 2012).
See Narrow Path play "The Day Will Come" in this YouTube video.

O HOLY NIGHT
Words: Placide Cappeau, 1847; Translated from French to English by John S. Dwight; Music: Adolphe C. Adam. This is said to have been the first music ever broadcast over a radio. Narrow Path has pretty radically re-arranged this song and it has proved to be a CCJ favorite over the past few years. "In His name, all oppression shall cease." What oppresses you and I? In the name of Jesus, the sin that oppresses us and so easily entangles us shall utimately cease.

Buy "O Holy Night" by Narrow Path (a benefit version we did for the Haiti orphanage in 2010) here.

The Fall (God Judges): Additional Resources

2011-12-06T09:55:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday, we discussed "The Fall: God Judges" during our sermon series "The Essentials." Below are some additional online resources to help further your growth and understanding. These links, obviously, aren't exhaustive.

VIDEO:

AUDIO
CCJ Sunday Sermon
"The Fall: God Judges."

Songs We Sing (12.04.2011)

2011-12-05T09:43:00.002-05:00

When we sing together, we are corporately singing the praises of our God. It's a participatory activity. "Songs We Sing" is an weekly effort to help us better learn the songs we are singing as well as to gather some small insight into what we are singing. If you'd like a copy of the songs listed, a link is provided (where available).

For the services of December 4, 2011, Narrow Path led music and we sang:

HERE IS OUR KING
Written by David Crowder, 2005. God is a God of redemption and forgiveness. "Here is our God who's come, to bring us BACK to Him. He is the One, He is Jesus!"

Buy "Here Is Our King" by David Crowder Band here.

HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING
Written by Charles Wesley, 1739; Music by Felix Mendelssohn, 1840. The first verse is often the only one sung, but this song is rich in some of the other verses. "Second Adam from above/Reinstate us in Thy love." Jesus breaks the curse of the fall so we should sing "GLORY to the newborn king" when we celebrate Christ's birth.

Buy "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by Sojourn here.

NEVER ONCE
Written by Jason Ingram, Matt Redman and Tim Wanstall, 2011. This song is a great song of remembrance and reflection on what God has brought us through and to. Whether its a corporate reflection or an individual reflection, it's important for us to look back and see where, what and when God has brought us through.

Buy "Never Once" by Matt Redman here.

REDEMPTION
Written by John R. Cash, 1993. When I was 16 years old, I bought Johnny Cash's "American Recordings" album. It featured just Cash and his acoustic guitar. It is still, in my opinion, one of the great albums of his career (and a "desert island album" for me). On that album was this song, "Redemption," that I always wanted to sing at church. I/we've played it a few times at CCJ over the years but we've recently introduced it as a congregational song. Great words about the death of Jesus and the life He gives.

Buy "Redemption" by Johnny Cash here.
See Narrow Path play this song in this YouTube video.

LIKE A LION
Written by Daniel Bashta, 2009. "My God's not dead/He's surely alive/And He's living on the inside/Roaring like a lion." This is an anthem and one not meant to be sung quietly, but instead with confidence and faith that God is mightier than all things.

Buy "Like A Lion" by Daniel Basta.

Worship (God Transforms): Additional Resources

2011-11-29T14:45:00.003-05:00

Last Sunday, we discussed "Worship: God Transforms" during our sermon series "The Essentials." Below are some additional online resources to help further your growth and understanding. These links, obviously, aren't exhaustive.

VIDEO:

AUDIO
"Worship What Really Matters" (Bob Kauflin)
Listen.
CCJ Sunday Sermon
"Worship: God Transforms."

Songs We Sing (11.27.2011)

2011-11-28T09:46:00.003-05:00

When we sing together, we are corporately singing the praises of our God. It's a participatory activity. "Songs We Sing" is an weekly effort to help us better learn the songs we are singing as well as to gather some small insight into what we are singing. If you'd like a copy of the songs listed, a link is provided (where available).

For the services of November 27, 2011, Narrow Path led music and we sang:

O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING
Written by Charles Wesley, 1739. Music by Music: Carl Gläser, 1828. (Additional words by David Crowder, Jack Parker, 2007). This modern version is available on David Crowder Band's 2007 album "Remedy." I saw a Methodist Hymnal once and was surprised to find that it has many more verses than even we sing. It's a great song, lyrically.

Buy "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing" by David Crowder Band.

LIKE A LION
Written by Daniel Bashta, 2009. "My God's not dead/He's surely alive/And He's living on the inside/Roaring like a lion." This is an anthem and one not meant to be sung quietly, but instead with confidence and faith that God is mightier than all things.

Buy "Like A Lion" by Daniel Basta.

GIVE US CLEAN HANDS
Written by Charlie Hall, 2000. This is a good song of repentance and one that I need to pray more often.

Buy "Give Us Clean Hands" by Kutless.

DOXOLOGY (a.k.a. PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW)
Written by Thomas Ken, 1674. This is a song we ("all creatures here below") can sing with the angels ("ye heavenly hosts"). We end this song in agreement with what we have just sung ("amen").

Buy "Doxology" by David Crowder Band.

ONLY HOPE
Written by Daniel Ross, 2010. The song is more or less taken from Ephesians 2, a great part of Scripture dedicated to explaining how we are dead in our sins but God's saving grace makes us alive. Verse one leads into a pre-chorus that is a question ("born of man and choosing sin/who will bring me to life?"). Verse two leads into the same pre-chorus but is now a statement ("set me free and now I can see/who will bing me to life.").

No recorded version exists (watch it on YouTube).

Creation (God Makes): Additional Resources

2011-11-22T10:15:00.003-05:00

Last Sunday, we discussed "Creation: God Makes" during our sermon series "The Essentials." Below are some additional online resources to help further your growth and understanding. These links, obviously, aren't exhaustive.

VIDEO:

AUDIO
"What Should We Teach About Creation" (John Piper)
Download Audio.
CCJ Sunday Sermon
"Creation: God Makes."

Songs We Sing (11.20.2011)

2011-11-21T09:28:00.002-05:00

When we sing together, we are corporately singing the praises of our God. It's a participatory activity. "Songs We Sing" is an weekly effort to help us better learn the songs we are singing as well as to gather some small insight into what we are singing. If you'd like a copy of the songs listed, a link is provided (where available).

For the services of November 20, 2011, Narrow Path led music and we sang:

GOD OF WONDERS
Written by Marc Byrd, Steve Hindalong, 2000. A song that focuses us on the big-ness of God. He is above any other thing our hearts chase. "The universe declares Your majesty."

Buy "God Of Wonders" by Mac Powell & Danielle Young.

LIKE A LION
Written by Daniel Bashta, 2009. "My God's not dead/He's surely alive/And He's living on the inside/Roaring like a lion." This is an anthem and one not meant to be sung quietly, but instead with confidence and faith that God is mightier than all things.

Buy "Like A Lion" by Daniel Basta.

ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING
Written by Francis of Assisi, circa 1225 (i.e. this is REALLY old). Arrangement by David Crowder, 2002. This song really says it all. "Alleluia" (Praise be to God!). Everything praises Him.

Buy "All Creatures Of Our God And King" by David Crowder Band.

WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS
Written by Tim Hughes, 2004. I love songs about the sovereignty of God. He is in control and nothing surprises Him. Even the winds and waves aren't too much for him.

Buy "Whole World In His Hands" by Tim Hughes.

ENDURE
Written by Kurt Neighbors, Daniel Ross, Andrew Kieffner and Mike Weisensteiner; 2011. This song was inspired by Psalm 72 and II Timothy 2 and has lyrics that focus on the goodness and might of God and how we should live in light of that truth.

No recorded version yet exists (watch a teaching video on YouTube).

Friday Night: Narrow Path LIVE!

2011-11-16T15:35:00.002-05:00

One of CCJ's bands, Narrow Path, will be playing this Friday night (11.18.11) at Northeast Dubois Middle School in Dubois, Ind. Start time is 7 p.m. Any and all are invited.

The band will play many songs from their forthcoming debut album of original material as well as other favorites. Come out and sing, dance, jump and get otherwise crazy with the band. It's free!

Here's a map to the school.

The Bible (God Speaks): Additional Resources

2011-11-15T09:40:00.003-05:00

Last Sunday, we discussed "The Bible: God Speaks" during our sermon series "The Essentials." Below are some additional online resources to help further your growth and understanding. These links, obviously, aren't exhaustive.

Video from Mars Hill Church (Seattle, Wash.) sermon on the The Bible.

AUDIO
CCJ class "How We Got The Bible"
Part 1
Part 2

CCJ Sunday Sermon
"The Bible: God Speaks."

Songs We Sing (11.13.2011)

2011-11-14T13:23:00.002-05:00

When we sing together, we are corporately singing the praises of our God. It's a participatory activity. "Songs We Sing" is an weekly effort to help us better learn the songs we are singing as well as to gather some small insight into what we are singing. If you'd like a copy of the songs listed, a link is provided (where available).

For the services of November 13, 2011, At One led music and we sang:

HERE IS OUR KING
Written by David Crowder, 2005. God is a God of redemption and forgiveness. "Here is our God who's come, to bring us BACK to Him. He is the One, He is Jesus!"

Buy "Here Is Our King" by David Crowder Band.

THE HAND THAT HOLDS THE WORLD
Written by Jason Ingram, Jon Neufeld, Matt Bronleewe, Tim Neufeld, 2006. Originally recorded by Starfield. "Join in the song that heaven sings." Did you know that you are participating with the angels when we sing this together?

Buy "The Hand That Holds The World" by Starfield.

THE HEART OF WORSHIP
Written by Matt Redman, 1999. This is a song of repentance reminding us that it's not about what we do or what we can offer, but only about Jesus.

Buy "The Heart Of Worship" by Matt Redman.

MIGHTY TO SAVE
Written by Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan, 2006. I love the focus on singing for the glory of the risen king, Jesus. Only He is mighty enough to save us, there is none other.

Buy "Mighty To Save" by Hillsong United.

YOU LIFTED ME OUT
Written by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Louie Giglio, Matt Gilder and Matt Redman. This song appears on Chris Tomlin's album "Hello Love." Theme taken from Psalm 40. The bridge to this song is very powerful to me "Lost is where You found me/Shattered and frail but You love me still/Trouble may surround me my heart may fail/But You never will/You never will." I love the words "my heart may fail." In our society, we too often think our hearts will not lie to us. Unfortunately, this couldn't be further from the truth. That's why we must lean on the One who will NEVER fail.

Buy "You Lifted Me Out" by Chris Tomlin.

Song Teaching Video: "Like A Lion"

2011-11-09T10:26:00.002-05:00

CCJ Music and Communications Minister Daniel Ross demonstrates a new song for the CCJ church body, "Like A Lion," written by Daniel Bashta. Please use this video to learn the song so we can sing better together.

"Like A Lion"

VERSE 1:
Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold to see a revolution somehow

PRE-CHORUS:
Now I'm lost in Your freedom
Oh this world I'll overcome

CHORUS:
My God's not dead
He's surely alive
And He's living on the inside roaring like a lion
My God's not dead
He's surely alive
And He's living on the inside roaring like a lion

VERSE 2:
Let hope arise and make the darkness hide
My faith is dead I need a resurrection somehow

BRIDGE:
Let heaven roar and fire fall
Come shake the ground with the sound of revival
Let heaven roar and fire fall
Come shake the ground with the sound of revival

The legal formalities:
"LIKE A LION"
CCLI Song No. 5675274
© 2009 worshiptogether.com songs | sixsteps Music | Go Forth Sounds (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Written by Daniel Bashta
CCLI License No. 2226886

Trinity: Additional Resources

2011-11-08T09:06:00.008-05:00

Last Sunday, we discussed "Trinity: God Is" during our sermon series "The Essentials." Below are some additional online resources to help further your growth and understanding of who God is. These links, obviously, aren't exhaustive.

Video from Mars Hill Church (Seattle, Wash.) sermon on the Trinity.

AUDIO
Tim Keller on "How can Christianity be both monotheistic and Trinitarian?" (mp3)

CCJ's message "Trinity: God Is." (mp3)

Songs We Sing (11.06.2011)

2011-11-07T09:25:00.002-05:00

When we sing together, we are corporately singing the praises of our God. It's a participatory activity. "Songs We Sing" is an weekly effort to help us better learn the songs we are singing as well as to gather some small insight into what we are singing. If you'd like a copy of the songs listed, a link is provided (where available).

For the services of November 6, 2011, Narrow Path led music and we sang:

THIS IS OUR GOD
Written by Daniel Ross, Kurt Neighbors; 2009. Taken from Isaiah 25:6-9. I love it when CCJ gets into this song. We (the church universal) need more fist-pumping anthems, I think.

Buy "This Is Our God" by Narrow Path here.

HOW DEEP THE FATHER'S LOVE FOR US
Written by Stuart Townend, 1995. This is a song that people often think is an old hymn but is, in fact, relatively new. It's a great song. "Why should I gain from His reward?/I cannot give an answer/But this I know with all my heart/His wounds have paid my ransom." True words. Stylistically, we do this one a bit differently (watch our version on YouTube).

Buy "How Deep The Father's Love For Us" by Stuart Townend here.

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
Words written by Reginald Heber (1826) and music by John B. Dykes (1861). A great song proclaiming the glory and just plain bigness/holiness/grandeur, etc. of our God.

Buy "Holy, Holy, Holy" by Sufjan Stevens here.

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD
Written by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves, 2004. It's funny how a song that's less than a decade old can seem like it's a million years old. This is, without a doubt the most popular song sung in churches for about five years in a row now. In reality, it's a simple song of praise to our great God ("the name above all names/worthy of all praise").

Buy "How Great Is Our God" by Chris Tomlin here.

HOW GREAT THOU ART
Written by Stuart Wesley Keene Hine; 1953. It's hard to believe that this song is less than 60 years old. The third verse is particularly impactful. "And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing/Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in/That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing/He bled and died to take away my sin/Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee/How great thou art."

Buy "How Great Thou Art" by Carrie Underwood here.

Hello, I Am A Hypocrite (And So Are You)

2011-11-01T15:58:00.003-04:00

Reality TV 'star' Kim Kardashian and NBA player Kris Humphries are getting divorced after having been married for a whopping 72 days. The fact that I know this level of detail about these people's lives show the penetration useless pop culture has in our lives today. But that's another rant for another time.

After the 'news' broke of the divorce filing, I saw a tweet that sarcastically commented on gay marriage ruining the sanctity of marriage, but not this farce. I appreciate good sarcasm, but this tweeter has a fundamental misunderstanding of the Christian view of marriage and its sanctity.

You see, just because people don't live out the seriousness and holiness of marriage doesn't mean the "sanctity" of marriage is diminished. Marriage is still designed by God and is still a sacred thing, despite our inability to handle it with the proper care.

So, when someone mentions the divorce rate among heterosexuals as a reason why the "sanctity of marriage" can't be used as a defense against homosexual marriage, they are fundamentally missing the point.

It's the same whenever someone uses the excuse (and it is just that, an excuse) that they won't follow Jesus because there are too many hypocrites in the church. There absolutely are too many hypocrites in the church (and in the world, too).

I am a hypocrite. I've done things I am against. I've lived the exact opposite of what I've preached. I've lied. I've lusted. I've been greedy and angry and temperamental and vile and ... on and on.

That's what is so great about grace.

God's mercy covers my hypocritical-ness. God isn't pleased by it, but His mercy covers it and his Holy Spirit is sanctifying me to be less of a hypocrite.

Because of the death of Jesus on the cross for my sin, God sees me with Jesus' righteousness. So, now, this hypocrite can be made right with God.

That's amazing!

So, when someone says they don't like the church or want to follow Jesus because of hypocrites, they are looking at the sin and missing the savior (who is the point).

Songs We Sing (10.30.2011)

2011-10-31T09:12:00.003-04:00

When we sing together, we are corporately singing the praises of our God. It's a participatory activity. "Songs We Sing" is an weekly effort to help us better learn the songs we are singing as well as to gather some small insight into what we are singing. If you'd like a copy of the songs listed, a link is provided (where available).

For the services of October 30, 2011, Narrow Path led music and we sang:

WE ARE CALLED
Written by Daniel Ross, 2008. This song was written for our study of I Peter (preached in early 2009). This is a reminder of who we, as Christians, are in God's eyes ... even when we are facing persecution.

Buy "We Are Called" by Narrow Path.

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD
Written by Robert Lowry, 1876. I love the lyric "Nothing can for sin atone/Nothing but the blood of Jesus/Not of good that I have done/Nothing but the blood of Jesus." This is a song that helps us focus on Christ's work for us and helps us take our eyes off of our own work. Stylistically, there isn't a version I've found tht sounds like ours (a southern-rock/Queen-esque stomp).

Buy "Nothing But The Blood" by Page CXVI.

IN CHRIST ALONE
Written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, 2001. This is a modern hymn (meaning, it's written in the classic hymn format) that has also become a modern classic in the church. It's the complete gospel in four verses and is a great, great song. We put it in drop D tuning and 'heavied' it up a bit.

Buy "In Christ Alone" by Stuart Townend here.

THE SOLID ROCK
Written by (Lyrics) Edward Mote, 1834; (Music) William B. Bradbury, 1863. This is another great song about Christ being our only hope and the fact that when we stand before God, we can be clothed in only Jesus' righteousness.

Buy "The Solid Rock" by Charlie Hall here.

I SAW THE LIGHT
Written by Hank Williams (Sr.), 1948. The only Hank Williams song we sing at CCJ is this one. :-) It's a basic song about the joy of being saved by Christ.

Buy "I Saw The Light (Live)" by David Crowder Band here.

CCJ's Future: His Will Be Done

2011-10-27T17:48:00.009-04:00

I took a stroll through the empty room that will one day, hopefully, be filled with people praising Jesus together in spirit and truth. We will sing together, learn together and, most importantly, turn our hearts toward God's will together.

I was convicted earlier today that I haven't prayed for this building project like I should have been doing. Being on staff and in the middle of the whole deal has a way of dulling the spiritual aspect of this project.

Realistically, it will take a move of God to move forward on this building project and finish Phase Two (Worship Center A). Times are tight all over and CCJ is not exempt from the financial crunch. Because of that, the money is not there to move ahead on the completion of this phase.

However, if it is in God's will, realism and practicality will not stand in the way of the need being provided for. If it is in His will, He will provide for it in whatever way He decides.

That's something I, too often forget. This is in God's hands. May we seek His will and not ours. The point of this building is for the cause of the kingdom.

Take a few minutes to pray for CCJ and its leaders and pray that our will would be in line with God's will for this church in this time and place (and pray, that if moving forward is in His will, that He would provide in the way only He can for it to move forward).

Like Christ Loved The Church (or why I watch “Masterpiece Mystery” instead of the NFL or “The Walking Dead”)

2011-10-25T09:37:00.006-04:00

Sundays in the fall are an awesome time if you are a football fan. Every Sunday afternoon is filled with multiple games and, as if that wasn't enough, there is also a game on Sunday night and Monday night (and, later, Thursday nights). It's a special time of year that I grew up appreciating and still do, to a degree.

These days, however, Sundays are a work day for me ... a long work day. I get to CCJ close to 7 a.m. each Sunday and will not finish my work here until close to 5 or 6 p.m. Then my family comes back for Sunday night (when our new Connection Group is meeting). So far this season, I have seen zero complete football games. Some of that is because I'm a Tennessee Titans fan and their games aren't always shown here in Colts and Bears country, but some of that is also a conscious decision I've made to sacrifice for my wife.

Ephesians 5:25-33 says:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

What did Christ do for the church? He DIED for her. What does this passage command husbands to do? Read it again and soak that in. What does that mean, practically, in your household?

So, back to Sunday nights. I am gone almost all day on Sunday. My wife and kids don't see me and she has the children by herself all day. One thing my wife likes to do is watch "Masterpiece Mystery" on PBS. She loves Agatha Christie stories, Inspector Lewis and Miss Marple. The very fact that I know who those characters are should help you see where I'm going here.

So, she likes to watch a show my grandmother used to watch and is the polar opposite of football (or "The Walking Dead," which I also love to watch). She also likes to watch it with me. Just me being there with her. We don't have to talk or discuss the show, she just wants me there with her. So I do it. Now, the question is motivation.

Why do I do this? I don't do this as a way to pat myself on the head and say what a good boy I am.

I do this because Christ loved me and died for me and I am to die to myself for my wife. I am to love my wife the same way. So, my practical example is that I watch "Masterpiece Mystery" on most Sunday nights instead of football or "The Walking Dead."

Your example may not be close to that, but you surely have an example. I write this to give a practical example of what it looks like in my own household. I am not perfect, just go talk to my wife and kids.

Married men, pay attention to your wife. What do you need to sacrifice to love her the way Christ loved you? More often than not, it's time. You will probably need to give up something you love doing to be with her (even if you don't WANT to). I have far too often made that mistake (and still do, to be honest). But, Christ is sanctifying me and it's a work in progress.

Married women, pay attention to your husbands. What do you need to do to respect him (especially in front of other people)? Do you complain about the size of your house, for example? Did you know that is probably a way he feels disrespected, especially if you do that in front of others. Don't use this as an excuse to not "let" your husband watch football, that's not the point.

Here's the point.

Men, love your wives. Women, respect your husbands.

This means giving yourself away.

Just like Jesus did for you.

Songs We Sing (10.23.2011)

2011-10-24T09:18:00.003-04:00

When we sing together, we are corporately singing the praises of our God. It's a participatory activity. "Songs We Sing" is an weekly effort to help us better learn the songs we are singing as well as to gather some small insight into what we are singing. If you'd like a copy of the songs listed, a link is provided (where available).

For the services of October 23, 2011, Narrow Path led music and we sang:

ALL BOW DOWN
Written by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash; 2004. We've amped up Tomlin's version quite a bit. The words, though, are what are important to this song. One day 'every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.'

Buy "All Bow Down" by Chris Tomlin here.

DAYS OF ELIJAH
Written by Robin Mark; 1996. Very Irish, this one. Lots of Old Testament imagery in this one that parallels with where we are today.

Buy "Days Of Elijah" by Robin Mark here.

NEVER ONCE
Written by Jason Ingram, Matt Redman and Tim Wanstall, 2011. This song is a great song of remembrance and reflection on what God has brought us through and to. Whether its a corporate reflection or an individual reflection, it's important for us to look back and see where, what and when God has brought us through.

Buy "Never Once" by Matt Redman here.

KEEP ME (PSALM 35)
Written by Daniel Ross, 2009. I wrote this one when we were going through the book of Habakkuk in June 2009. It's not an inspiring, uplifting song, but rather a simple prayer from Psalm 35 that's full of questions, requests and a hope that God will keep us by his side.

No official recorded version available yet. (Narrow Path is aiming for an album of originals in 2012).

IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE
Written by Daniel Ross and Kurt Neighbors, 2008. Lyrics taken from Colossians 1:15-20 (read it in context). This is a song we wrote to help remind us that Jesus is truly King over everything, even our lives.

Buy "Image Of The Invisible" by Narrow Path here.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (New Edition)

2011-10-18T14:20:00.003-04:00

We used to do TG, TB & TU around here a bunch back in the day. Here's the return of that. What's been good in your life or in things you've seen lately? what's been bad? What's been downright ugly? Some are serious, many are not. So, share. Please.

THE GOOD:
- I've got a stack of books to read and they all look good.

- Narrow Path album recording is moving along. Slowly, but surely.

- I'm an uncle again (last week, my sister in Nashville had a baby girl).

- Seeing good growth in some people.

- The everyday realization of God's love for me through Jesus' death on the cross.

- New TV season (especially "Community" last week). What are you watching?

- Our new small group and getting to know new people.

- It's World Series time!

THE BAD:
- Knowing it will take me some time to read all these books.

- Frustration in my life and other's.

- Being nickeled and dimed to death.

- Bills, bills, bills and the high price of living.

- Knowing life could be taken at any second (see Dan Wheldon).

THE UGLY:

- The September collapse of the Atlanta Braves.

- Axl Rose's voice these days (yikes!).

- 85 degrees one day, 35 the next.

Songs We Sing (10.16.2011)

2011-10-17T09:06:00.005-04:00

When we sing together, we are corporately singing the praises of our God. It's a participatory activity. "Songs We Sing" is an weekly effort to help us better learn the songs we are singing as well as to gather some small insight into what we are singing. If you'd like a copy of the songs listed, a link is provided (where available).

For the services of October 16, 2011, At One led music and we sang:

HAPPY DAY
Written by Ben Cantelon, Tim Hughes, 2006. From Tim Hughes' album "Holding Nothing Back." I love the first verse of this song: "The greatest day in history/Death is beaten, You have rescued me/Sing it out, Jesus is alive!" Realizing what Christ has done for you should lead to worshipping, singing or responding in some way!

Buy Tim Hughes's version here.

COME THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING
Written by Robert Robinson, 1758. This is probably my favorite hymn. It's such a song of yearning, pleading with God to keep us in Him. "Jesus sought me when a stranger/Wandering from the fold of God/He to rescue me from danger/Interposed His precious blood."

Get Narrow Path's version here.

HOSANNA
Written by Brooke Fraser; 2006. The word "hosanna" is a Hebrew word that means "O save!" It is a simple cry for our salvation. I love the line in this song that says "break my heart for what breaks Yours."

Buy Christy Nockels's version here.

THE DAY WILL COME
Written by Daniel Ross & Kurt Neighbors, 2011. This is our newest song. It was inspired by a reading of Revelation 21 and the thought that we needed a good song of hope in these hard times (a hope I'm reminded more and more of lately).

No recorded version yet exists, but you can watch this YouTube video to hear Narrow Path play it.

LET GOD ARISE
Written by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash and Jesse Reeves, 2006. I love the line "Death has no sting/No final word/Our God is a god who saves."

Get Chris Tomlin's version here.

Songs We Sing (10.09.2011)

2011-10-10T09:04:00.002-04:00

Songs We Sing (10.02.2011)

2011-10-03T09:11:00.003-04:00

The Grace-Driven Marriage

2011-09-29T08:30:00.001-04:00

Seeing as we just wrapped up a series on marriage. I thought this post would be a good one to help highlight a few points for us. A successful marriage doesn't take a moral, therapeutic Deism approach, but rather a Christ-like attitude from both the man and woman. This is reprinted with permission from Jared Wilson's excellent blog, The Gospel-Driven Church (you should bookmark it and read it often).

STEPS TO GRACE-DRIVEN MARRIAGE

What I mean by a marriage that is grace-driven is a marriage in which one or both parties have been captured by the grace of God in the atoning work and resurrection of Jesus Christ and therefore seek to glorify God in Christ in Spiritual power through the daily "drudgery" of their marriage. The chief step to this reality is believing the gospel.

In Ephesians 5:21-25, Paul writes:

. . . submitting to one another out of reverence to Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her . . .

There is a snapshot of what a grace-driven marriage looks like. Its central theme is the Person of Jesus, and the dynamic of "mutual submission" to each other's needs is chiefly about reverence for him.

The wife shows reverence for Christ in her submission to her husband. Submission to his headship is an act of grace to him, reflective of the grace given to her by God. She can demonstrate this grace-driven submission in many ways, but here are three:

1. Respecting him verbally and publicly. Men are terrible mind-readers and context-clue-picker-uppers, not because they're stupid but just because of the way they're wired. They need to hear that they're respected, as well as shown. They need to be verbally encouraged, and even if a wife finds opportunities to publicly praise her husband difficult to come by, she can "settle" for not criticizing him in front of others or bringing disagreements/difficulties between the two of them into public conversations. This shames a husband and is a sabotage act of legalistic leverage, not grace.

2. Repenting of leveraging anything. This includes use of passive aggression, sexual intimacy as reward or withholding of same as punishment, "I told you so" when results meet your expectations but not his, tit for tat on anything. Women have long memories and great is their temptation to use them in winning arguments, wars of wills, etc. Don't do that. These are all reflections of the way Eve exploited Adam's passivity and usurped his headship to exert her own control. She was "quite deceived."

3. Defer on decisions. A wife who says or even merely thinks toward her husband, "I don't care what you say" has gone rogue. She may enjoy for the moment being free of her husband's authority, but she will not enjoy coming out from God's. It is sin to submit to sin, so never acquiesce to a husband's headship when takes you out from under Christ's, but remember: it's not submission if you agree with the decision. In matters that are not sin, but merely disagreement, advise, counsel, pray, encourage. But defer.

By all means, don't do any of these things if you don't want a confident, happy, encouraged husband. Some ladies like the milquetoast types. I hear the pasty British vampire thing is "in" right now.

Husbands, your call to grace in your marriage to your wife is deeper and more demanding. It is nothing less than self-crucifixion in "reverencing" your wife as you would reverence yourself. Her call is to submission; your call is to sacrifice. Here are three practical ways to love your wife as Christ loved the church.

1. Honor her by way of priority. Put her first. Above yourself, above your kids. Make her fulfillment the gauge of your success. Do not coast. There is no autopilot setting for husbanding. If you fail to take the initiative in loving and respecting -- verbally, actively, constantly -- you implicitly take responsibility for your marriage going over the cliff. Treat your wife as precious. She is not your employee. Do not exploit her submission, and do not abdicate your responsibility if she neglects hers. Do not grow weary in an effort to present her pure and spotless before the Lord. Passivity is masculinity at its most fallen.

2. Talk! Christ engaged the Church; he put skin on and communed with her. He dines with her, speaks with her, sings over her, delights in her. Open your mouth and talk to your wife. Ask her how she feels. Ask her what she needs/wants. Ask her what her dreams/struggles/fears/concerns/entertainments are. Be her friend.

3. Worship God. In all things, including the self-emptying in the obedience of the cross, the Son submitted to the Father. If your wife is pulling the spiritual weight in your family, repent and believe in the gospel. Then lead your family. Your authority comes from God's authority, so if you neglect his, you give up the grounds for expectation of submission to yours. Your wife longs in her heart to hear she is desired, approved, and accepted, so "evangelize" her often, and your children as well.

What Christians who claim to love the gospel should want is a marriage that makes as much of Jesus as possible.

Songs We Sing (09.25.2011)

2011-09-26T09:15:00.003-04:00

Songs We Sing (09.18.2011)

2011-09-19T09:36:00.002-04:00

Songs We Sing (09.11.2011)

2011-09-12T09:21:00.002-04:00

9/11 Reflection

2011-09-11T14:16:00.002-04:00

Today is the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. This morning at CCJ, we reflected on that day. Here's what I said. Note: Not all of these thoughts are original with me. I read a lot of things while preparing this brief reflection. No plagarism is intended.

Today is the tenth anniversary of one of the most defining moments in American history.

While Christians are citizens of God’s kingdom first, we are also in this world though not of it. No event has shaped the past decade as 9/11 did 10 years ago.

I’m sure most of you remember where you were on that day and what you were doing. I’m also sure that many of you wonder where God was during that day and during other times of tragedy and loss.

I believe God was there and in control.

The evil of 9/11, though not approved by God, can, has and will be used for good by our sovereign God.

While we don’t always understand His master plan, we can rest in the comfort of knowing that God is in control and, according to Romans 8:28, in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him and are called, according to His purpose.

But, the greatest news is ... the cross reminds us that God can bring the greatest good from the greatest evil.

No pain is senseless.

And we long, hope and believe God will one day defeat evil forever.

Songs We Sing (09.04.2011)

2011-09-04T17:21:00.002-04:00

Premarital, Newlywed & Seriously Dating Couples

2011-08-29T12:00:00.004-04:00

In response to questions about our Premarital Counseling Requirement for getting married by our CCJ staff & "connection group for Premarital, Newlywed and Seriously Dating Couples", below is some information about our date nights & the premarital curriculum we cover itself.

Our desire is for couples to learn & grow toward one another right in the beginning of their marriage and to seek God’s guidance and direction. Here is a glimpse of what this class/group to premarital couples, seriously dating couples and newlywed couples. "Q" = questions & "W" = worksheet. Please contact the CCJ office for more information and specifically Kara Messmore at kara@ccjasper.com.

Connection Group/Class
A compilation of curriculum from the following video series, websites, authors, concepts & premarital programs:
PREPARE TO LAST , iMarriage & Staying in Love, Boundaries in Marriage, MarriedLife Online, Love & Respect, Financial Peace University.

Marriage Expectations: session 1
iMarriage: Expectations by Andy Stanley
Q: Relationship Roles

Communication: session 2
Cultivating Communication: I should understand before I can expect to be understood.(this video is no longer available online – you will only be able to see this on Date Night DVDs or with the MarriedLife DVD curriculum)
My Response is my Responsibility by Emerson Eggerichs
(sorry about the fussiness but you will get the message)
Q: Four Ingredients for a Successful Exchange

Conflict Resolution: session 3
Boundaries in Marriage: “Resolving Conflicts: It's all in the Delivery” by Drs. Cloud & Townsend
(DVD segment provided on Date Night DVD)

Personalities: session 4
Q: Couple & Family Maps (closeness & flexibility)
Getting Along with In-Laws: Better.tv
In-Law Rules: Better.tv

Financial Management: session 5
‘Relating to Money’: Nerds & Free spirits Unite - Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey
(this is a video utilized in Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University only available through the FPU class)
‘Budgeting’: Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
W: Budgets

Sex & Intimacy: session 6
‘Feelin’ It’: Staying in Love by Andy Stanley
‘It’s Only Physical’ by Andy Stanley
Q: Affection & Intimacy

Secret of our Success: session 7
Q: Spiritual Unity

Goals & Dreams: session 8
W: Long-term & Short-term goals & dreams

Songs We Sing (08.28.2011)

2011-08-29T09:12:00.002-04:00

Video: Baptism Sunday 2011

2011-08-25T08:58:00.005-04:00

CCJ held its first-ever Baptism Sunday on August 14, 2011, during all three morning worship services. This video compilation features highlights of each baptism in video and still photography (from our CCJ Photo Team) along with music provided by one of CCJ's bands, At One (playing "All My Tears," written by Julie Miller). For more information, visit www.ccjasper.com.

If you can't see the above video, go to YouTube to see it.

The big IF

2011-08-24T11:53:00.000-04:00

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:1-4

Have you ever thought about the word “if”? That is a really small word with a big meaning. How many times after an accident could we say, “If only….” Or how many times when we see a good cause do we say, “If I had a million dollars I would …” There are dozens of more examples of the “ifs” in this life.

Paul here in his letter to the Philippians says, “If you have encouragement in Christ, If any consolation of love, if any fellowship, if etc….” You get the point. To me the meaning is plain; if we really have those things won’t we really have the same love and the same attitude of Christ? If we are not living those things out then maybe we are not truly experience Christ in our lives the way we should.

Songs We Sing (08.21.2011)

2011-08-22T09:34:00.002-04:00

Just For Fun: CCJ Fantasy Football

2011-08-15T17:43:00.001-04:00

It’s that time of year again. Time for the CCJ Fantasy Football league. It's strictly for fun and bragging rights. If you want to join the league, e-mail Kevin Freson (freezy@insightbb.com). Kevin will contact you with draft day information.

Songs We Sing (08.14.2011)

2011-08-15T09:46:00.002-04:00

Help Needed in Africa

2011-08-11T10:30:00.004-04:00

Gelila Bekele Call To Action from A Glimmer of Hope on Vimeo.

As you've probably seen on news reports, there is a severe famine going on in East Africa. More than 11 million people in the Horn of Africa lack food and water because of the worst drought in 60 years.

If you'd like to help financially, A Glimmer Of Hope is there to help.

If you can help, please do. If you can't, please pray.

CCJ's Position On Baptism

2011-08-10T15:46:00.003-04:00

Sunday is Baptism Sunday at CCJ. We thought this would be a good time to more clearly define what baptism is and isn't and why you should be baptized if you say you are a follower of Jesus. According to our understanding of the New Testament, here are our answers to several important questions regarding baptism:

Who should be baptized?
All those who are willing to repent of their sins and confess their belief in Christ should be baptized. (See Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38-39)

How should we be baptized?
The word for "baptism" in the New Testament is the Greek word baptizo, which means "to immerse in water." The New Testament says baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (See Romans 6:1-5). Baptism serves as a symbol of the burial of the old self and the resurrection of the believer's soul to walk in life with Christ. So, at CCJ, we baptize people by immersing them in water.

When should we be baptized?
A person should be baptized at the time he or she trusts in Christ. The Bible teaches we are saved by grace through faith (See Ephesians 2:8), but in the New Testament church, a person's baptism was always the first expression of faith, not separate from it. So, baptism was not just a symbol or a memorial of faith, but was intended to offer a means of union with Christ and a benchmark of transformation, marking the place and time a person made a commitment to Christ (See Romans 6:1-8). At CCJ, we are at- tempting to restore the original intent and practice of baptism. We ask a person to be baptized at the point that he/she is ready to make a commitment to Christ.

Why should we be baptized?
A person should be baptized to follow the example of Christ (See Matthew 3:13-17), to obey Christ's command (See Matthew 28:18-20), to accept forgiveness of sins (See Acts 2:38; 22:16), to receive the Holy Spirit (See Acts 2:38), to express trust in Christ (See Acts 8:12-13), and to testify to God's work in his or her life (See Romans 6:1-8; Galatians 3:27). Baptism also serves to cleanse a guilty conscience (See 1 Peter 3:21). The Holy Spirit prompts individuals to recognize their sin and guilt. The only method by which the human soul can be wiped clean of sin is through the blood of Jesus Christ (See Hebrews 9:27-10:7). This "washing away" of sin is most clearly symbolized in the act of baptism (See Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).

Since one of the biggest obstacles between God and man is human pride, baptism also offers a venue by which believers humble themselves before God and others and admit their need for Christ's redemption (See James 4:6). In addition, baptism meets a God- given human need for expression. Everyone needs an outlet for emotion, or an expression for an impression. Baptism is the outlet for an expression of faith in Christ. The act of baptism alone cannot save an individual. We are saved only through accepting Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Baptism demonstrates the believer's acceptance of Christ and is the point of time when the believer receives assurance of his or her faith. Those who were never baptized by immersion but were sprinkled for baptism as infants rest in God's merciful hands. We hope that Jesus will say to any person who has truly submitted to him but was not taught about immersion, "Your faith has saved you." How- ever we cannot speak on matters the Bible does not address. Someone who under- stands Christ's command to be baptized and refuses to obey should not consider him- self to have submitted to Christ.

Should a person ever be re-baptized?
Any person who has trusted in Jesus as the only Son of God and who has willingly been immersed into Christ may become a member of the Christian Church of Jasper whether the baptism occurred at CCJ or elsewhere. Re-baptism is encouraged for those who lack confidence in their initial baptism experience because they don't remember it, they were coerced, or their heart was not right with God at the time.

Anyone who has fallen into sin after having been baptized should repent and seek forgiveness, but re-baptism is not necessary (See Acts 8:13-24).

Must a person be baptized during a worship service?
No. Baptisms at other times are acceptable (See Acts 8:38; 16:33), but baptisms during worship services are encouraged at CCJ because they provide the opportunity to testify to your faith and show humility. Paul exhorts all believers to unite, for we are all of “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (See Ephesians 4:5). Regardless of our particular beliefs regarding the mode of baptism, it is important for all Christians to seek unity as representatives of Christ's body. We believe the source of unity is the truth of God's Word, and we pray that baptism will be a place of unity, not division, among believers (See John 17:17-21). To make a fresh commitment of your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This involves your need for both confession and repentance. As you rededicate your life, focus on God’s strength and not your own. Only God’s strength will keep you and sustain you. His Word will light your path. Your desire for rededication shows the desire of your heart — a closer personal relationship with Jesus. You will experience freedom from the constraining power of sin in your life.

Teaching A New Song: "Never Once"

2011-08-09T14:53:00.002-04:00

The next new song we will sing at CCJ is by Matt Redman and is called "Never Once." Watch the above video to learn the song. We will begin singing it on August 21 as we kick off a new sermon series called "Great Expectations."

Verse 1
Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we've come
Knowing that for ev'ry step You were with us

Verse 2
Kneeling on this battleground
Seeing just how much You've done
Knowing ev'ry victory was Your pow'r in us

Misc 1
(PRE-CHORUS)
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
(Yes our hearts can say)

Chorus 1
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful
God You are faithful
(You are faithful)
(God You are faithful)

Chorus 2
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once no we never walk alone

Chorus 3
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful
God You are faithful
Evermore we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we'll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful
God You are faithful

Misc 2
(ENDING)
You are faithful
God You are faithful
(REPEAT 3X)

CCLI Song No. 5997055
© 2011 Sony/ATV Timber Publishing | West Main Music | Windsor Hill Music | Thankyou Music | Said And Done Music | sixsteps Music | Chrysalis Music Limited (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC) | (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC) | (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) |
Jason Ingram | Matt Redman | Tim Wanstall
For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights Reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License No. 2226886

Help A Local Family

2011-08-09T11:51:00.003-04:00

The home of Celestine residents Angie and Greg Schepers was destroyed by a fire caused by a lightning strike early Sunday morning. The couple has three children. (Read the story here if you have a subscription to The Herald).

Jasper Engines will be placing boxes in the break rooms at the Jasper, Crawford and Willow plants for clothing donations. Sizing information is listed below. Monetary donations can be sent to Chip Morris in inside sales department at Jasper Engines.

ANGIE
Shoes: Size 11
Pants: 20-22
Shirts: XXL

GREG
Shoes: 10.5-11
Pants: 36x34
Shirts: L-XL

BRYCE (Age 13. Eighth grade)
Shoes: 8.5-9
Pants: 14 Slim
Shirts: Adult Small

DESIREE (Age 12. Seventh Grade)
Shoes: 9.5-10
Pants: 14
Shirts: Adult Medium

GRANT (Age 7. Second Grade)
Shoes: 4
Pants: 10
Shirts: 10-12

Songs We Sing (08.07.2011)

2011-08-08T09:59:00.002-04:00

Top 10 Reasons You Should Be At The Strassenfest

2011-08-03T11:26:00.001-04:00

It’s that time of year again. It’s hot and humid, some people on the parade route are on their hands and knees cutting grass with scissors and you are forgetting about that one street that is blocked off this week. Must be Strassenfest time in downtown Jasper.

Each year for the past few years, CCJ has been represented by Narrow Path playing music on the West Stage as well as The Well hosting a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning near the time of the 5K race. This year is no different.

You probably already know I want you there Saturday to sing along with us at 12:30 p.m., and you already know I want you to invite every person you’ve ever met. Additionally, you already know that buying some pancakes at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning will benefit CCJ’s teens. With that in mind, here are the top 10 reasons you should participate in CCJ’s portion of Strassenfest weekend.

10. The possibility of a flying guitar. Though this isn’t a guarantee, it did happen last year (and NP drummer Mike Weisensteiner didn’t miss a beat as NP guitarist Kurt Neighbor’s guitar smashed into the drum kit). Danger is always an attraction, right?

9. Because nothing is better than eating delicious pancakes while watching other people run and sweat.

8. Crowd sing-alongs. Last year, I ventured into the crowd and let a few of you sing a few bars of a song. Plus, it’s cool to just sing ‘oh-oh-oh’ with a bunch of other people, isn’t it?

7. Some of your friends or family may want to spend too much time in the beer garden on Friday night. You know what helps that? Getting up for pancakes on Saturday morning.

6. I have invited almost every other church in the area to come out so Christians from all over the region can sing together in praise to Jesus. This is about the kingdom of God, not just CCJ. If worship is the warm-up for the symphony in heaven, we might as well start rehearsing now, right?

5. Did you know that something as simple as buying pancakes helps CCJ’s teens do things like go on a mission trip or helps send a teen to a Christ in Youth (CIY) conference? It doesn’t do it all, but every little dollar certainly helps.

4. Did you know that our song “The Day Will Come” has a “November Rain” and ”Layla”-style coda at the end? We don’t include it when we sing together on Sundays, but we include it at gigs like these. You’ll need to hear it, because it’s epic.

3. If you don’t like to get pancakes at 8 a.m., you can get them all the way until 10:30 a.m. You can even pull up in your PJs if you’d like.

2. Narrow Path will be bringing on special guest Darren Wagner to do the song “Send Me” during the set. Where else can you hear everything from rockabilly country to hip-hop mixed with Jesus rock n’ roll in a span of two hours?

1. Seriously, both of these events are a great chance to not only hang out with other CCJ-ers but are also a chance to worship together at an event that you might not think would be a place to worship.

First, bring yourself. Second, invite other people. Third, pray that these efforts are used to magnify Jesus and that the Holy Spirit will use these things to draw hearts to God.

Songs We Sing (07.31.2011)

2011-08-01T09:45:00.002-04:00

Changes at The Spring (Sunday Mornings)

2011-07-26T15:19:00.003-04:00

BELOW IS A LETTER FROM CCJ CHILDREN'S MINISTER SHANNAN VOLTERS ON CHANGES COMING TO THE SPRING ON SUNDAY MORNINGS.

Hello Parents,

I am writing you to tell you of an exciting change for our 5-year-olds through fifth graders that will begin in September. Some of you may not be aware that in The Spring community is an important aspect of our ministry. Community is what helps children build lasting relationships between leaders and peers that will support them throughout their lives. The way we achieve this is with small groups. Small groups are about 10 minutes at the beginning of service and 15 minutes at the end where a group gets to talk about and do activities together to further enrich the lesson. As such, it is important to us that small groups be no larger than eight children to one adult. This allows every child to fully participate and speak during our small group times.

In order to make this a possibility, on September 4, we will begin consistent small groups at our 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. services. Here is what that means for your child:

1. On Sunday, August 21 at 3:00 p.m., we will have a small group sign-up. If you sign your child up, you are committing to bring your child consistently to their group. Groups will run from September to May. Every August we will have a new sign-up.

2. If you come and all the groups for your child’s age are full, they can be placed on a waiting list until a leader steps up for that age.

3. If your child is not in a small group they still have a place in the ministry. All children that are not in a small group, whether it is because they are on the waiting list or because you cannot commit to consistently bringing them, will go to large group for the entire time of the service.

If you have any questions about the process, please feel free to contact me at the number below. I want you to feel comfortable with the decision you make for your child. Again, there is a place for every child in our ministry, we will not turn anyone away, but you must commit if you want your child in a small group.

Thank you for taking the time read through this, and again, call or e-mail me with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Shannan Volters
Children’s Minister
812.481.2410
SHANNAN@ccjasper.com

Songs We Sing (07.24.2011)

2011-07-25T09:16:00.002-04:00

Will CCJ Senior Minister Darrel Land Be The Faster Pastor?

2011-07-19T12:03:00.002-04:00

CCJ Senior Minister Darrel Land will be competing in a 'Faster Pastor' race Saturday, July 23, at the Salem Motor Speedway. Come out and watch Darrel compete with 8 other drivers from Kentuckiana.

The cost is $12 and for every ticket sold through CCJ, the church gets $5. Gates open on at 3:30 p.m. with qualifications at 5:30 and the first race scheduled for 7 p.m. Get your ticket by contacting CCJ (481-2410).

Songs We Sing (07.17.2011)

2011-07-18T09:12:00.002-04:00

Songs We Sing (07.10.2011)

2011-07-11T08:35:00.002-04:00

Songs We Sing (07.03.2011)

2011-07-04T09:37:00.001-04:00

The First-Ever CCJ Cookbook Needs Your Help

2011-06-28T16:32:00.004-04:00

Do you have that favorite recipe everyone wants? If so, then we need you.

The S.O.S. (CCJ's seniors) ladies will be publishing the first-ever CCJ Cookbook soon. The cookbook will contain recipes of all types of foods from appetizers, beverages and main dishes to soups and nuts. You may submit as many recipes as you like.

Over the next few weeks there will be a recipe submittal form at the Information Center. Take and submit as many recipes you like. You may return all completed recipe submittal forms to the basket at the Information Center.

If you have any questions or need information concerning this project: Contact Judy Land (812-630-4528), Bonnie Kuester (812-482-6986), Lois Mason (812-536-3490), Mary Carius (812-631-2258) or Shirley Borden (812-389-2240).

Songs We Sing (06.26.2011)

2011-06-27T09:12:00.002-04:00

Help Needed: Feed Our VBS Leaders

2011-06-21T14:21:00.003-04:00

Being a VBS leader requires sacrifice for the five days of VBS. One simple thing we can do is to feed our leaders so they can be here for VBS without worrying about dinner each night. So, we need help feeding our VBS leaders each evening of VBS (July 11-15).

Please contact Shannan Volters by July 4 and note what you are interested in providing.

JULY 11
17 One-pound bags of Chicken Nuggets
25 Boxes of Kraft Mac and Cheese
3 Boxes of butter or margarine
10 Pounds of grapes
4 48 oz. jars of applesauce

JULY 12
8 Four-pound jars of spaghetti sauce (Prego Traditional or Ragu Old World)
15 Pounds of spaghetti noodles
15 Boxes of Texas Toast
8 24 oz. bags of salad
6 32 oz. Walmart ranch dressing

JULY 13
150 Personal-size Frito bags
25 pounds of hamburger meat
5 heads of lettuce
10 lbs. of tomatoes
10 lbs. of shredded cheese
10 lbs. of carrots

JULY 14
13 26.5 oz. sloppy joes (Manwich cans)
25 lbs. of hamburger
150 hamburger buns
15 bags of chips

JULY 15
15 packages of hot dogs (10 per pack)
20 bags of hot dog buns (8 per pack)
10 bags of chips

Songs We Sing (06.19.2011)

2011-06-20T09:10:00.002-04:00

Lincoln Brewster Live in Washington, Ind.

2011-06-19T12:10:00.000-04:00

Friends of CCJ, Antioch Christian Church in Washington, IN., are hosting a concert on June 23 featuring popular Christian artist Lincoln Brewster at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at a variety of locations but we want CCJ'ers and other local residents to be aware that tickets are available here at CCJ (see Daniel Ross to get yours). $15 for regular tickets and $25 for VIP tickets (including a Q&A session with Lincoln Brewster).

A limited number are available at CCJ, so get yours now.

You can also visit acclife.org for more details.

Songs We Sing (06.12.2011)

2011-06-13T09:37:00.002-04:00

Songs We Sing (06.05.2011)

2011-06-06T09:35:00.002-04:00

Songs We Sing (05.29.2011)

2011-05-29T16:26:00.002-04:00

Songs We Sing (05.22.2011)

2011-05-23T09:04:00.002-04:00

Special Offering May 22

2011-05-19T06:12:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, May 22 — the day after CCJ turns 11 years old — during the 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. services, CCJ will be taking a huge next step forward in the next phase of our building project.

Phase Two of CCJ's "More Than Walls" building expansion is a 1,000-seat-plus worship center. In order to move forward with this phase of the project, we need $1 million to responsibly move forward (financially). We're not doing a fancy giving campaign and bringing in someone from the outside. We're not rolling out the thermometer. We're simply and straight-forwardly telling you we need $1 million to move forward on the completion of the worship center.

On Sunday, May 22, we will be having a special offering dedicated to getting the ball rolling on this goal. Please prayerfully consider what you can give above and beyond your regular giving toward this tool designed to help CCJ further its mission of loving God, loving people and changing the world through Jesus.

We're not asking for equal gifts but equal sacrifice.

On May 22, we need you to give this gift ABOVE AND BEYOND both your regular giving AS WELL AS your regular commitment to the More Than Walls building fund.

If you are a guest at CCJ, we don't ask that you give. You are our guest. This is for those who call CCJ home and have committed to the mission and vision of CCJ.

Songs We Sing (05.15.2011)

2011-05-16T09:20:00.002-04:00

More Than Walls Update: 05.12.2011

2011-05-12T10:31:00.000-04:00

This Sunday, we will begin using a new exit drive on the northwest side of our new parking lot. This drive will go in between our main building and the outside building (on CCJ property north of the main building). You will drive over a sidewalk with this exit so, please, continue on the drive (as indicated by the arrows) from the main parking lot and over the sidewalk to exit the CCJ campus. This exit is a one-lane gravel drive designed to eliminate some congestion during Sunday morning worship times. Thanks.

Read more here.

Songs We Sing (05.08.2011)

2011-05-09T09:23:00.002-04:00

Why We Sing The Way We Do

2011-05-04T13:53:00.003-04:00

The following is reprinted from this week's CCJ E-News in an edited form and placed here as a reference point.

Romans 12:4-5 says, “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” There is diversity in the body of Christ.

One way we can celebrate that diversity is with our music and the songs we sing together to glorify Jesus as a body. You see, I believe the lyrics and truth are the most important part of the songs, but, the medium matters, too.

Our music is different, without a doubt. Some of you love it, some of you don’t but tolerate it as best you can because you love what God is doing through CCJ, and that’s cool, too. I also know that some of you hate it, I’m not naive. However, for the next few paragraphs, please bear with me as I attempt to explain why we sing like we sing at CCJ.

First, we are attempting to speak the musical language of the culture — the culture consisting of a lot of people that don’t know Jesus as savior and lord. I often say that if I was going to be a missionary to Mexico, I’d better learn to speak Spanish. The same is true here. We are missionaries for Jesus to our region and, as a musician and a leader, I should probably be able to speak the musical language of our region. Of course, everyone has different tastes but, for the most part, our region speaks the language of classic rock with a taste of country thrown in (if you don’t believe me, do a quick scan on your radio dial and see what format dominates). You probably heard Skynyrd or Zeppelin at least once, didn’t you? I’m not saying other styles of music are wrong, those styles just don’t speak to our larger population — again, consisting of a lot of people that don’t know Jesus as savior and lord — in a language they understand. We’re not always going to sound that way and, as the culture changes, hopefully, so will our musical style. Narrow Path drummer Mike Weisensteiner and I often say that we don’t want to become grumpy old men sitting around complaining, ‘can’t they play "God of Wonders" just once?’ Principles don’t change but methods must.

Second, we strive to be masculine-focused in every way possible at CCJ (from colors we use in graphics to interior design). Research has positively shown that when a father is bringing his family to church, the family almost always stays active in church (give or take some exceptions) for the long term (kids, too). However, when the mother is forced into being what God has not called her to be (the spiritual leader of the home), kids — especially boys — won’t stay for the long haul (again, give or take some exceptions). Far too often, women have had to pick up the slack of a man’s failing — it started in the garden, so it’s nothing new — and, because of that, women have historically been the focus of the church because, well, they were doing all the work of the church. However, at CCJ, we really believe in the biblical principle that the man is called to be the spiritual leader of his home. Because of that, we want to speak a language that a man can relate to. Musically, this means we don’t do a lot of ‘prom songs to Jesus’ (you know the kind, where you can replace ‘Jesus’ with ‘Bobby’ and it not change the meaning of the song one bit). Stylistically, we try to keep the sound masculine as well. Of course, we are a diverse body so there are times and places for softer sounds and varied sounds, but, overall, we are unapologetically trying to reach men and our music reflects masculinity.

Third, we are seeking to express our praise to God in a form that’s from our church body and not simply passively importing the culture of another culture as our expression of worship. This means that we may sing more original songs, written for the edification of the CCJ body, rather than just picking the latest Top Ten Christian songs on the iTunes charts. Our time of music worship is just that, worship of our Creator, and not just a time to rock out to a band doing the latest Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin or Hillsong songs. Those artists have served both CCJ the larger church body well in many instances, please don’t misunderstand me. However, they don’t breathe, live, serve and worship here in this particular context and can’t possibly know what may need to be sung, in a certain way, in this church body, for God’s greatest glory at CCJ. That’s why we write a lot of original songs, for the edification of the CCJ body. I’m not saying we are on par, musically or with our song-writing, with anybody, but we are serving here and seeking to serve the CCJ body in the best way possible. Also, musically, passively importing another musical culture often leads to a watered-down style that, while more broadly palatable, also dilutes the power of the medium of music.

Fourth, we want our time of singing to be a participatory activity. We are warming up for eternity when we will sing, a lot (according to Revelation). Not everyone likes to sing, granted, but everybody can participate. We are worshipping together, as one, for the glory of Jesus, our king. Make a joyful noise, make a loud noise, cheer like you would if Peyton Manning threw a Super Bowl-winning touchdown with no time left on the clock. Because, in reality, what Jesus has done for us is so much greater than any earthly victory or achievement. If you are His, He has saved you from God’s wrath and made you pure before God. Seriously, think about that for a moment ... . What kind of response does that provoke from your soul? Does it make you want to shout? Does it make you want to celebrate? Does it stir your heart to some sort of response? When we sing together, we are celebrating God’s salvation along with the angels in heaven. So, when we next meet, will you sing like the saved? It’s not a passive activity (you watching us), but rather an activity we are participating in together.

There are other reasons for why we sing like we do, but I’ll leave it at that for now.

Free CCJ Music: 'Live On Good Friday'

2011-05-04T12:53:00.002-04:00

NARROW PATH'S ‘LIVE ON GOOD FRIDAY’ IS NOW AVAILABLE!
Get it for free or a tip on NoiseTrade >>

This 3-song collection was recorded live at the Christian Church of Jasper on Good Friday 2011 (April 22). This release includes three of the five songs played that evening (the other two are copyrighted works and, as such, not free for us to give away).

Tracklisting & Credits:
1.) "And Still" (Written by Daniel Ross & Kurt Neighbors, © 2010 Ross/Neighbors)
2.) "Near The Cross" (Written by Fanny Jane Crosby, William Howard Doane, Public Domain, Arranged by Narrow Path)
3.) "The Old Rugged Cross" (Written by George Bennard, Public Domain, Arranged by Narrow Path)

Additional Credits:
- © 2011 Narrow Path
- Vocals: Daniel Ross, Chealsey Patton, Kurt Neighbors
- Rhythm Guitars: Daniel Ross, Kurt Neighbors
- Lead Guitars: Daniel Ross
- Bass: Andrew Kieffner
- Drums: Mike Weisensteiner
- Keyboard & Piano: Angie Stewart
- Lead Vocals on “Near The Cross”: Chealsey Patton
- Additional Vocals on “And Still”: Kurt Neighbors
- Engineered, Mixed and Produced by Kurt Neighbors
- Recorded live at the Christian Church of Jasper (Jasper, Indiana) on April 22, 2011.
- Special thanks to James Emmons for recording and equipment assistance.

Teaching A New Song: "Endure"

2011-05-04T09:33:00.003-04:00

This video is my second attempt at trying to teach CCJ'ers a new song before we actually play it during services. Hopefully, several of you will be able to know the song a little bit so that, when we sing it, it will have participants that aren't on the stage.

The teaching video is for a song Kurt Neighbors, Andrew Kieffner and Mike Weisensteiner and I wrote called "Endure." It is inspired by Psalm 72 and II Timothy 2 and has lyrics that focus on the goodness and might of God and how we should live in light of that truth.

Below are the lyrics so that you can follow along as you watch/listen to the song.

"Endure"
Written by Daniel Ross/Kurt Neighbors/Andrew Kieffner/Mike Weisensteiner
© 2011 Daniel Ross/Kurt Neighbors/Andrew Kieffner/Mike Weisensteiner

Verse 1:
He makes the waters flow from dust
He brings the mountains to the ground
He took us out from the clutch of death
He lifted up what once was down
He will deliver those who cry
Showing mercy for the poor
Setting free the beaten down
He is the one whose name endures ... so

Chorus:
We will not run
We will not hide
We’ll call on You
We will endure
We will not run
We will not hide
We’ll call on You
We will endure
We will endure

Verse 2:
He’s always been and will always be
Long may He live, praise be His name
The sky above, the ground below
Let all creation shout His fame
Dying with Him we live again
He is the hope that is secure
No other name will we serve
The only one whose love endures
So ...

Yeah, the bridge is easy enough ... just close your eyes and sing it loud, "ooooohhhhhhhhhhh!" :-)

Songs We Sing (05.01.2011)

2011-05-01T17:06:00.002-04:00

Songs We Sing (04.22 & 24.2011)

2011-04-26T10:03:00.002-04:00

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, as a small service to CCJ'ers and the general population, I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of April 22, 2011, (Good Friday) Narrow Path led and we sang:

And Still
Written by Daniel Ross, Kurt Neighbors; 2010. I (Daniel) was trying to write a song specifically for Good Friday (after last year's service). I had an idea for a feel/chord progression and it turned out that a friend of mine had sent me a song he wrote years ago with a similar progression (Em > Bm > G > F#) - and , FYI, he declined any songwriting credit for this song - so I went with it since I felt it was a good song. This song is taken directly from Psalm 22, which is one of the passages Jesus quoted from the cross. Hopefully, we'll get a good live recording of this soon. This song will also be on Narrow Path's upcoming album.

The Dark Hills
Written by Josh Brown, Joe Pangallo, Chris Pangallo, Zach Simms, Billy Falcon, Rose Falcon; 2010. Originally recorded by the band Day Of Fire, we included this one for our Good Friday services to draw a parallel between our suffering and Christ's suffering on the cross and to celebrate the fact that He took that suffering for us. Interesting tidbit: Billy Falcon, one of the co-writers is the Billy Falcon of early 90s fame (he sang "Power Windows") and he co-wrote a bunch of songs on the last Bon Jovi album, "The Circle."

Near The Cross
Written by Fanny Crosby and W. Howard Doane, 1869. Get a version by Ricky Skaggs and The Whites here. NP singer Chealsey Patton did a knock-out job leading this one on Friday. A great hymn of prayer.

How Deep The Father's Love For Us
Written by Stuart Townend, 1995. Get a version by Skillet here. This is a song that people often think is an old hymn but is, in fact, relatively new. It's a great song.

The Old Rugged Cross
Written by George Bennard, 1913. Get a version by country singer Brad Paisley here. We should sing this one more often.

For the services of April 24, 2011, (Easter Sunday) Narrow Path led and we sang:

Christ Arose (aka "Low In The Grave He Lay")
Written by Robert Lowry; 1874. This is the first time we've done this song since a sunrise service in the early 2000s (at the old Cathy Lane building). We ramped it up a bit. Get a choral version by Choir Of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church here.

All My Tears
Written by Julie Miller, 1993. Get Jars of Clay's version here. This is a favorite of CCJ'ers (from comments I get). We almost never did this one though. We were getting ready to introduce a new song at the end of 2008/early 2009 and we just couldn't get it together as a band. Mike (Narrow Path drummer) suggested we do "that 'All My Tears' song" that I had put on a mix CD of new songs for the band. Even drummers have good ideas sometimes. ;-)

The Day Will Come
Written by Daniel Ross & Kurt Neighbors, 2011. This is our newest song. It was inspired by a reading of Revelation 21 and the thought that we needed a good song of hope in these hard times (a hope I'm reminded more and more of lately). No recorded version yet exists, but you can watch this YouTube video to hear and see us playing it on March 6.

In Christ Alone
Written by Keith Getty, Stuart Townend, 2001. Here's a reworked version by Bethany Dillon & Matt Hammitt. This has some awesome words. It's the complete gospel put to music.

Happy Day
Written by Ben Cantelon, Tim Hughes, 2006. From Tim Hughes' album "Holding Nothing Back." (Buy the mp3). I love the first verse of this song: "The greatest day in history/Death is beaten, You have rescued me/Sing it out, Jesus is alive!" Realizing what Christ has done for you should lead to worshipping, singing or responding in some way!

Big Weekend

2011-04-21T12:11:00.003-04:00

This Sunday at CCJ:

— EASTER: "He Lives! It's A Really Big Deal." 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. at CCJ. Seriously, it's that plain and simple. There is no bigger deal in the history of this earth than Jesus rising from the dead. It's not just a time to eat ham or search for eggs or tell some silly story to kids about a rabbit that lays eggs. THIS. IS. THE. BIGGEST. DEAL. EVER!
Remember: The Spring Children's Worship service will be happening at all three services this Sunday.

— FOOD BANK SUNDAY: On the last Sunday of each month, CCJ collects non-perishable food items for our community food bank. This is a very simple way for us to show the love of Jesus to those who are in need in our area. When you go grocery shopping today or tomorrow for Easter food, grab several additional items for the food bank.

— AND DON'T FORGET ...
Good Friday services at 6 and 8 p.m. During these services, we will reflect on Jesus' death for our sins on the cross. It was a brutal way to die for you and me, but it shows God's reckless love toward us.

Songs We Sing (04.17.2011)

2011-04-18T09:54:00.002-04:00

First Floor of Building Expansion Opening Sunday

2011-04-14T10:45:00.000-04:00

Watch the video to see how to come in and where to go.

SUNDAY IS OPENING DAY FOR:
- The new children's area.
- The new nursery.
- The new parking lot.
- The new lobby and entrance.

ALSO:
- An 8 a.m. service nursery will begin.

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR CHILDREN'S AREA:
Our new children's area is one day closer to opening. Before we open, we need a few things. Below is a list of new or gently used things we need. You can help by donating any of the items on the list. Please bring them to the current children's area or see CCJ Children's Minister Shannan Volters.

THE LIST:

General Use
Picture Frames: any kind, any size
Rugs/Carpet Squares
King Size Flat Sheets

Nursery/Toddler
Gliders
Nursery-age toys (i.e. rattles, etc.)
Walk and Rides
Shape Sorters
V-Tech Toys
Leap Frog Toys
Ring Stackers
Spin Tops
Fisher-Price Toys
Crib Sheets
Baby Blankets
Little People Sets (farm, doll house, sets of people)
Little People Vehicle Sets (bus, airplane, van)

Preschool
Little Tikes cars
Play Furniture (i.e. picnic tables, chairs, etc.)
Red Wagons
Tricycles
Preschool Slides
Little Tyke Basketball Hoops
Building Blocks
V-Tech Toys
Leap Frog Toys
Fisher-Price Toys

Elementary
Mancala
Jenga
Board Games (Chutes and Ladders, Candyland, Memory, Yahtzee, Guess Who, Connect Four, etc.)
Lincoln Logs, Legos (or other building-type items)
Decks of Cards/Card Games (Uno, Phase 10, Go Fish, Crazy 8s, etc.)
Bop-It
Remote Control Cars

Two Videos From Sunday

2011-04-11T16:14:00.001-04:00

Watch a tour of the new, first-floor area.

Watch Mark's piece filmed at a pig farm.

Songs We Sing (04.10.2011)

2011-04-11T09:07:00.002-04:00

Community Need

2011-04-06T11:21:00.000-04:00

A need in the community: Jill “Hall” Ernst Benefit Dinner. Sunday, April 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Moose Lodge 1175. Sander's BBQ Pork Dinners will be $8 per plate (dine-in or carry out). Also available will be burgers, a bake sale, a raffle and a quilt raffle. Tickets are available at Holiday Foods and GAB (also available that day).

Songs We Sing (04.03.2011)

2011-04-04T09:13:00.002-04:00

Songs We Sing (03.27.2011)

2011-03-28T09:18:00.003-04:00

More Than Walls Update: 03.24.2011

2011-03-24T15:45:00.000-04:00

Didn't get the More Than Walls building update in your e-mail? Click here to read it.

Contact Charlotte (charlotte@ccjasper.com) to get your e-mail added to the E-News list.

Update Your Information

2011-03-24T10:53:00.002-04:00

Did you get an e-mail (or more than one) from CCJ regarding your information in the church's database?

If not and you are a regular CCJ'er, please contact Charlotte in the office so that she can get you updated.

E-mail her at charlotte@ccjasper.com or call (812) 481-2410.

This is especially important if you have children who attend or will attend The Spring (CCJ's Children's Ministry).

Songs We Sing (03.20.2011)

2011-03-21T09:05:00.003-04:00

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, as a small service to CCJ'ers and the general population, I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of March 20, 2011, Narrow Path led and we sang:

At The Cross
Words by Issac Watts, 1707. Chorus by Ralph Hudson in 1885. This song is also known as "Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed?" without the "at the cross, at the cross" chorus. You know how we sometimes sing an old hymn with a new chorus? There's nothing new under the sun, as this is a good example. There are some great lyrics to this song. I used to think the line "Would He devote that sacred head/For such a worm as I?" was a bit harsh but, as I've grown, I realize that I have nothing to offer God that is good and that, in the full light of His glory, I am no more than a worm. HOWEVER, there is "Amazing pity/Grace unknown/And love beyond degree ... at the cross." Get a bluegrass version by John Jones here.

Raise Up The Crown (All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name)
Words written by Edward Perronet (somewhere between 1779 and 1786) and music written by Oliver Holden (1793). Additional chorus written by Chris Tomlin, 2004. "Ye chosen seed of Israel's race/Ye ransomed from the fall/Hail Him who saves you by His grace/And crown Him Lord of all." How great is that? Chris Tomlin's version is available on the album "Passion: Hymns, Ancient and Modern." Get his version here.

Just As I Am
Written by Charlotte Elliot, 1835, William B. Bradbury (Music), 1849. This is a song of understanding. Understanding that we have nothing to bring to God (i.e. 'our righteousness is like filthy rags'). "Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me." Here is a nice re-worked version of the song (with new verses) by Nichole Nordeman (it's not the original version, except in parts, but it's a really good song).

The Day Will Come
Written by Daniel Ross & Kurt Neighbors, 2011. This is our newest song. It was inspired by a reading of Revelation 21 and the thought that we needed a good song of hope in these hard times (a hope I'm reminded more and more of lately). No recorded version yet exists, but you can watch this YouTube video to hear and see us playing it on March 6. We'll play it again on April 3 to help you learn it.

Broken Things
Written by Daniel Ross, 2010. The words of the song are about redemption, how God makes all things new, specifically messed up people such as myself. No recorded version yet exists. I have many people tell me this is "the Johnny Cash song." I guess the influence is very obvious.

The Road: Are You Humble or Prideful?

2011-03-17T16:30:00.004-04:00

During Sunday's sermon, Mark gave a list of ways to tell if you are humble or prideful. Here they are once more. For every question that matches you, give yourself one point.

1. Do you long for a lot of attention?
2. When someone else succeeds, do you get jealous?
3. Do you always have to win?
4. Do you have a pattern of lying?
5. Do you have a hard time acknowledging you were wrong?
6. Do you have a lot of conflicts with other people?
7. Do you cut in line at the store, airport, freeway, etc?
8. Do you get upset when people do not honor your achievements?
9. Do you tend more toward an attitude of entitlement or thankfulness?
10. Do you honestly feel that you are basically a good person and superior to others?

1 to 10 points: You're proud.
0 points: You're very proud

Songs We Sing (03.13.2011)

2011-03-14T09:22:00.003-04:00

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, as a small service to CCJ'ers and the general population out there, I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of March 13, 2011, Narrow Path led and we sang:

Nothing But The Blood
Written by Robert Lowry, 1876. A great song to remind us that we can't earn our way to God, we need a rescuer. Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Get the slightly re-worked version by Jars of Clay (with The Blind Boys Of Alabama) here.

In Christ Alone
Written by Keith Getty, Stuart Townend, 2001. Here's a reworked version by Bethany Dillon & Matt Hammitt. This has some awesome words. It's the complete gospel put to music.

Give Us Clean Hands
Written by Charlie Hall, 2000. Get a version by the band Kutless here. This is a good song of repentance and one that I need to pray more often.

The Day Will Come
Written by Daniel Ross & Kurt Neighbors, 2011. This is our newest song. It was inspired by a reading of Revelation 21 and the thought that we needed a good song of hope in these hard times (a hope I'm reminded more and more of lately). No recorded version yet exists, but you can watch this YouTube video to hear and see us playing it on March 6. We'll play it again this week, take a week off and then play it again to help you learn it.

I Saw The Light
Written by Hank Williams Sr., 1948 (with additional verses by David Crowder, 2005). From Wikipedia: "I Saw the Light" is a 1948 Gospel song written and first performed by Hank Williams, not to be confused with the hit song by Todd Rundgren or the #1 country hit by Wynonna Judd. With poetic lyrics, such as "I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin/I wouldn't let my dear Savior in," the song was written about Williams' religious convictions despite his alcoholic vices. Though the song was not a commercial success upon its first release, it has become one of the songs most closely tied to Williams' career. Since its release, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Crystal Gayle for her album "Someday" (1995), Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Acuff (1948), Bobby Bare (1966), Merle Haggard (1971), Etta James (2001), Bill Monroe (1958), Jerry Reed, Willie Nelson (1979), The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1972), Earl Scruggs (1972), Hank Williams, Jr. (1969), The The (1995), Johnny Cash (In a Columbo episode), and David Crowder Band (2005)". A version by the David Crowder Band is on their live album "Remedy Club Tour Edition." Buy a mp3 here.

Help Needed: Best 8 Days

2011-03-14T09:07:00.000-04:00

WHO: Best 8 Days is a retreat organized by CCJ'ers Dan and Karen Smith.

WHAT: Best 8 Days Bake Sale at Walmart on Saturday, March 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHY: Funds from the Best 8 Days Bake Sale will help students attend Best 8 Days by providing scholarship money. It will also help pay for travel expenses to Colorado (eight vehicles went across the country last year).

HELP: Best 8 Days needs volunteers to help support this effort by baking cookies, brownies, breads, etc. Please contact Karen Smith at 317-902-7698 for details. Come by to say hello and pick up some goodies.

For more information on the Best 8 Days ministry, see the website.