CPC THIS WEEK
JUNE 16, 2010
THE E-NEWSLETTER OF CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
**ME, WORRY?**
By Tom Stein
In his book, “Respectable Sins,” Jerry Bridges speaks straight to the heart about our worry and anxiety:
“Suppose someone you love were to say to you, ‘I don’t trust you. I don’t believe you love me and will care for me.’ What an affront that would be to you! Yet that is what we are saying to God by our anxiety.”
Hard words, but true words. As well, authors Tedd and Margie Tripp remind us that we are all trusting in something or someone. To use Jerry Bridges’ analogy - we are saying to God, “I do not trust you. But I trust ______.”
We all struggle with this issue. We face it to a greater or lesser degree, we have it more or less in different seasons of life, and we express it differently.
So what do we do? Simply: we pray.
In Philippians 4, Paul calls his readers to rejoice. He knows rejoicing and worry are strange bedfellows, so he calls them away from being anxious about anything. Caring, yes. Anxious, no.
Instead, he writes, “By prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Pray!
You should pray over the issue that is leading to worry and anxiety. Yet there is a particular way to do it: pray with the words of the Bible. Pray the promises. Pray the encouragements. Pray the gospel truths that secure you in God’s embrace.
This is why meditation and memorization are so valuable. When we immerse ourselves in God’s truth, we become saturated with truths that quiet much of our anxiety and worry.
What is next? Paul writes, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Peace is always not the fruit of problems solved and troubles handled. We do not always understand what is happening, or ever know what will happen. But in the grip of God’s grace through prayer, we can possess peace that is greater than our understanding of the present or knowledge of the future.
It is mysterious, but it is real. As we pray, God’s Spirit drives out the turmoil, so that peace may flow and flourish.
Me, worry? Too often. Me, pray? Always.
UPCOMING OPEN HOUSES
June 19, Sarah Bumbalough & Rachel Walden - 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Bumbaloughs’
NEXT WEEK - VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
No matter who you are, you are a VIP for this ministry:
* V - Volunteer to help.
* I - Invite kids to attend.
* P - Pray for God’s Spirit to work during this time.
JULY 3 - CPC GARAGE SALE
Please bring your donations to the garage during office hours.
Questions? Contact Jane Bumbalough (935-7880)
PLEASE ALSO PRAY FOR THESE SUMMER EVENTS:
* Washington Mission Trip - July 10-17
* Youth Camp - July 18-24
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THIS WEEK’S FRIENDLY REMINDER
If you are making a financial contribution to the church during a time other than the Sunday morning worship service, please give the money directly to Beth Allen, either in person or by sending it to her home:
1300 Heinbaugh Road, Richmond, 47374
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
JUNE 19 - MIKIE MUNN
JUNE 22 - ISAAC COOK, T.R. MUNN
THIS SUNDAY’S SERMON TEXT: PSALM 19
THIS MONTH’S VERSES TO MEMORIZE: PSALM 19