**PONDER**
By Tom Stein
I don’t know why, but I have been pondering the difference between praise and encouragement.
Praise is focused on you. Praise says, “You are great. You are a great athlete. You are a great musician. You are a great parent. You ought to really be proud!”
Is this all wrong? Not necessarily. There are great athletes, great musicians, and great fathers.
But mere praise can feed the monster of pride. We are tempted to think we are great in some way, because we are good in some way.
Yet the Bible teaches that every good and perfect gift is from God. If I do something that is worthy of praise, my boast should be in the Lord.
So I wonder if we ought to minor in praise and major in encouragement.
Encouragement says, “God is using your athletic gifts. God is using your musical gifts. God is using your parenting gifts.”
Do you see the difference? Encouragement gives the praise to God, and gives courage to the servant of God.
Have you encouraged anyone today?
**WOMEN’S NIGHT OUT - THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 7-9:30 PM**
This is an evening of fellowship for all women, high school and older. If you are new to CPC, you are especially welcome.
The evening will include refreshments, group games, and devotions. Bring a favorite snack and/or drink, and a friend or neighbor!
**GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE - FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 7 PM**
This is a special service of worship, crafted to honor the Lord who died for us, and to quicken our hearts in our devotion to him.
**PRAY**
+ For the persecuted church: Pray for 21 house church leaders in China, who were recently sentenced to 1-3 year terms in labor camps for being “evil cult” members.
+ For Will Bumbalough, who continues to serve in Iraq.
+ For Dawson Miller and family, as they seek to plant a new PCA church in Illinois, near St. Louis.
**INTERESTING...**
Does Easter seem early this year? It is. A reliable source writes that...
* Easter is on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox (March 20).
* This is the second-earliest day that Easter can be. (It can be no earlier than March 22.)
* Most people alive have never seen an earlier Easter, and none of us will ever see an earlier Easter again.
* The last March 23 Easter was in 1913, and the next March 23 Easter will be in 2228.
* The last March 22 Easter was in 1818, and the next March 22 Easter will be in 2285.
Of course, when we are with the Lord, the dates won’t matter. The joy will be endless!
**THIS SUNDAY’S SERMON TEXT: MATTHEW 26:57-68**