Every week, I would like to share with you a round up of links to articles and videos that have resonated with me in some particular way. It is important that you realize that I am not endorsing everything in these articles, videos, or sites but I share them with you as a way for you to see what has engaged my thinking and caught my attention online through the week. Some of the links are related to current events, some are related to current realities facing the church, some are just cool and random facts that you may or may not have known.

 -Pastor Chris Lenhart

Link Roundup 10-15-19

Current Read: "The Practice of Piety" by Lewis Bayley

October Memory Verses: John 20:30-31 (click here to download the October verses as a phone background graphic)


Links

  • Recent Stories of Victory From Africa
    Africa is shining. Recently a Kenyan runner broke a world record in the marathon running sub 2 hours, the Nobel Prize was just awarded to an Ethiopian, cures for Ebola are being invented, and soon, “a slight majority of all children in the world will be African, in spite of the inherent dangers of childbearing on a continent with the least access to safe delivery care.” Check out the work of God in the continent of Africa!

  • So You Want to be a Missionary?
    There are both theological and practical reasons for sharing your calling with your local church body.

  • How do I Follow God's Will in the Face of Two Good Options?
    Pastor John Piper opens up, with candor and transparency from his own life, about how to make good, yet difficult, decisions.

  • The Strength of Silence
    Have you found time for silence recently? Is it important? What does the Bible teach about the necessity of silent moments?

  • What Did the Cross Achieve?
    J.I. Packer unpacks the logic of the Penal Substitutionary Atonement of Christ. Give yourself plenty of time for this long, insightful read.

  • Cultivating Thankfulness
    This incredible little article just scratches the surface on the countless reasons we have for being thankful. Cultivating thankfulness is so important as we seek to live counter-culturally in an ‘entitlement’ oriented world.

  • An Underrated Key for a Fruitful Christian Life: A Rooted Life in a Place
    God calls some of us to go, and some of us to stay. In both, there is fruit, there is ministry, and there are abundant blessings to be found. For some the fear of ‘staying’ is as real as the fear of ‘going’ is for others. If God is calling you to stay, take root and bear fruit right where he has placed you.

  • [Podcast] How the Gospel Confronts the Secular--and the Religious
    Listen to this interview with Phil Ryken. What is the gospel? And, how does the gospel confront both the secular non-believing world and the religious non-believing world?

  • The Day the Water Obeyed the Will of its Maker
    “…water is what it is and functions the way it does because that is the will of the self-existent, eternal, all-powerful Creator who made it and ordained that the laws of physics and chemical reactions be such as they are.”

  • He Got High and Broke into a Church. Months Later, He was Baptized There.
    An amazing testimony of salvation and redemption from a man who did $100,000 in damage to a Baptist church in Arkansas.

  • Fantastic Fall Foliage...and Where to Find It
    This beautiful article from the Washington Post is full of animations and illustrations showing where to find the most beautiful fall foliage.



10-8-19 Links



10-1-19 Links



9-17-19 Links



9-10-19 Links




It is important that you realize that I am not endorsing everything in these articles, videos, or sites but I share them with you as a way for you to see what has engaged my thinking and caught my attention online through the week. Some of the links are related to current events, some are related to current realities facing the church, some are just cool and random facts that you may or may not have known.

 -Pastor Chris Lenhart

Discipleship Toolbox

Spiritual Growth

Our desire is to develop fully devoted followers of Christ who make disciples. In light of that vision, we are very passionate about helping every person who attends CMBC to take their next step. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, there is always another step to take towards being fully devoted in your following of Christ. There is no one prescription for spiritual growth because everyone is different. But there are some basic areas to consider. It is our desire that each person intentionally participates with God and others in this transforming process. We invite you to consider what’s offered at CMBC and how that may be used by God to mature you in the faith.


Daily Bible Reading

We believe that reading God's Word, the Bible, daily is vitally important and absolutely necessary for spiritual growth. There are many different devotionals and guides for helping you read and apply the Bible, and we encourage you to find something that works for you. Here are a few suggestions:


Preparing for Baptism

Baptism is important, but it is not salvation. Baptism should be among the first steps of a new believer’s walk in obedience to the Lord. This booklet will help you more thoroughly understand baptism.


Steps to Membership

What is church membership? Although “official membership” is not found in Scripture, the idea of being a regular, integral part of a church fellowship is indicated throughout the Bible. It is not an option. It is mandatory for the kind of healthy spiritual life God intends. (1 Cor. 12:27)

 

Here are some ways to get integrated into the fellowship at CMBC.

  • Attend the “Exploring CMBC” class. This 4-week class is normally offered once a year during the ABF hour (9:45-10:45) on Sunday mornings and is for those desiring to know more about CMBC or intending to join. These classes are required for membership.
  • Click here to download and read the “Becoming a Member” booklet. If you wish to become a member and have completed the “Exploring CMBC” membership class, fill out the form at the back of the booklet and turn in to the church office.

The Story

The Bible is the story of God’s love for you. A love that goes beyond what we as humans can fathom. And because it is a story about the relationship between God and humans, it is sometimes painful. But there are times when hope is evident and God’s love is victorious.


 

The purpose of the story is to introduce us to Jesus Christ and his victory over sin and death. The story is complete in one verse which many of us know – John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

 

But there’s more to the story. Listen and allow The Story to change your heart and life...thestoryfilm.com