HERE IS LOVE

Here is love, vast as the ocean
Lovingkindness as the flood
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom
Shed for us His precious blood
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten
Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days
These beautiful words were penned over a hundred years ago during the amazing Welsh revival that saw over a hundred thousand people give their hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ in one year’s time.  What a tremendous move of God that must have been in a nation as small as Wales!  In fact, it would be hard to believe, except that Scripture gives account of 3,000 people coming to belief in Jesus Christ during the world’s first “outdoor evangelistic meeting” led by none other than the Apostle Peter.  It is always God’s fervent desire for spiritual blinders to fall away and for the lost to find a home in Him.

On the mount of crucifixion
Fountains opened deep and wide
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast a gracious tide
Grace and love, like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above
And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love

I encourage you to take a listen to this beautiful hymn.  As you do, present the names of those in your life that need to know this amazing truth—the floodgates of God’s mercy are flowing just for them.

You can read the story of the Welsh revival HERE. 

Podcast

Did you miss yesterday’s message?  Do you need to hear it one more time?  You can find Pastor Mindy’s message, “God’s Covenant Love for Families” on the church web site.  Click HERE to listen.  MESSAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

Links

If Pastor Mindy’s message made you want to position your family to cooperate with what God is doing in you, you may want to get a hold of the book Relentless Generational Blessings, by Arthur Burk.

As promised in yesterday’s message, here are a few ideas for you husbands (and maybe a few wives!) who need some help knowing what to get your spouse for Valentine’s Day!

• The old stand-by (Flowers)
• Try buying a marriage resource like a book or video and promising to go through it with your honey.  You can find some great ones at Focus on the Family by clicking HERE. 
• Consider purchasing a photo session with a great photographer for some updated couple shots.  Then, pay to have her hair and nails done before the session.  She may need a new outfit, too!
• Fill up a notebook COMPLETELY with all the reasons you love her!
• If none of these sound good, and you decide to strike out on your own—just make sure you follow the romantic gift rule—don’t give her anything that has a plug!

On the Radar

“Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage” class coming to EFC Sunday, Feb. 21 and Sunday, Feb. 28, at 6 pm both evenings.  Make sure all the married couples you care about know they are invited!

Revelation Bible study this Tuesday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm in my office.  Everyone is welcome to join in, just bring your Bible and a lunch box.  Keep up with the progress at The Watchman’s Gaze.

Lifegroups continue this Wednesday, along with our mid-week age-based ministries.  For more info, log on to the Emmanuel Fellowship Church website.

Our Nursery is taking applications for a consistent Sunday morning Nursery Worker.  If you or anyone you know are interested in filling this position, please contact the church office at 325-236-9200.

Family Connection

Parents, be sure to check out the Worldchangers website.  We align our Bible curriculum from the nursery all the way up to our youth.  Access the Family Connection page on the website to bring you children’s Bible lesson home to the kitchen table. 

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday, for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

1. “We Cry Out” Jesus Culture version
2. “Your Love Is Everything” Jesus Culture version
3. “Your Favorite One” by Misty Edwards
4. “Here Is Love” Brian Johnson version

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, February 14, 2010, we will continue our sermon series “Here is Love,” by taking a close look at the marriage relationship.

POSITIONED FOR IMPACT!

As many of you know, Emmanuel Fellowship has been praying for God to send us someone who will pastor our youth with energy and vision. We are so thankful He has answered this prayer!

It is my great joy to (re)welcome Loran and Tiffany Rule, the first youth pastors at Emmanuel Fellowship, back to Sweetwater as our pastors of youth, grades 6-12!

The Rules served here as youth pastors during the church’s early stages, under the leadership of Pastor Yancy Smith. They love Jesus and love youth, and we are looking forward to the life and creativity they will bring to EFC!

Loran also works as a flight paramedic, and Tiffany is a full-time stay at home mom to their two young sons, Jayden and Evan.  Tiffany is the daughter of Randy and Rhonda Wilks, founding members of EFC.

The addition of the Rules to the ministry team of EFC positions our congregation to provide vibrant ministry to families from the Nursery to Kid’s Church through the senior year of high school.  We desire to walk along side parents through every stage of family development to help establish a solid spiritual foundation in the lives of their children.

I invite you to connect with Pastor Loran on Facebook, and discover his vision for Youth Ministry in Sweetwater.

Podcast

Did you miss yesterday’s message?  Do you need to hear it one more time?  You can find Pastor Eric’s message, “SEND” on the church web site.  Click HERE to listen.

Links

Did you enjoy Max Lucado’s story of the candles in the closet.  Click the link to share it with your friends.

Click to discover more about the passion for missions of the Moravian church.

On the Radar

Membership Dessert is tonight!  Come let us feed you yummy treats as we share with you the vision of our church body.  Click to discover more about connecting with the ministry of our church in Sweetwater, Texas.

Our Lifegroups will be convening at the church for a NIGHT OF WORSHIP this Wednesday, February 3^, at 7 pm.  Make sure you don’t miss this refreshing night of being in His presence.

Revelation Bible study this Tuesday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm in my office.  Everyone is welcome to join in, just bring your Bible and a lunch box.  Keep up with the progress at The Watchman’s Gaze.

Our Nursery is taking applications for a consistent Sunday morning Nursery Worker.  If you or anyone you know are interested in filling this position, please contact the church office at 325-236-9200.

Family Connection

Parents, be sure to check out the Worldchangers website.  We align our Bible curriculum from the nursery all the way up to our youth.  Access the Family Connection page on the website to bring you children’s Bible lesson home to the kitchen table. 

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday, for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

1. “I Asked You for Life” Kim Walker version
2. “I Have Found a Love” Kim Walker version
3. “Here I Am to Worship” by Tim Hughes
4. “How Marvelous” Chris Tomlin version

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, February 7, 2010, we will begin a new sermon series “Here is Love.”  This series will explore the connection of faith and love in the covenant relationship of the family.

IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO

“If I had known I was going to live here so long, I would have planted better trees.”

It was just an off handed comment from a friend in the middle of a conversation, but it stuck in my head, or possibly my heart, and made a lasting impression. 

Planting a tree requires vision.  Planting an expensive tree requires vision and faith.  When you plant a tree, you make an investment into the future.  You plant in hopes of the shade it will provide, the fruit it will bear, or, if you have great vision, the tire swing your grandchildren will swing from some day.

The key to planting a tree is the start it gets in the early years.  You condition the soil to give the roots room to take hold.  You keep it watered and fertilized.  And, those of you here in West Texas know full well, you hold that newly planted tree in place with guide wires.  Those guide wires protect the young tree from the wind and provide a steady and consistent pressure that trains the tree in the direction it should grow.

In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon uses the analogy of a young tree as a picture of how to raise our children.  Every praying parent is familiar with those wise words.

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”  –Proverbs 22:6

This little proverb has given parents much hope over the years, but it has also been a source of frustration for those dealing with a child in rebellion, as many a mom and dad have questioned the future of their child.

Much like the planting of a tree, the raising of a child requires vision, faith, hard work, and strong guide wires.  But, understanding the truth of those guide wires is the key to the promise of the Proverb.

In which direction are we to train the child?  “In the way he should go.”

The responsibility of a parent is not to attempt to pour their child into a mold of what they want their child to become.  We have been called by God to discover the gifts and desires He has placed in our children and create an atmosphere that will allow them to grow in that direction.  We are to provide the kind of nurturing environment that will empower our children to follow their hearts in the grace of God.

I believe this promise and principle applies to the training we do in every area of our life.  At home, when wives are training their husbands, remember the direction of their hearts in the process of “domesticating” them.  At work, when we are training employees, do not let the personality of your workers get lost in the pursuit of productivity.  In the mirror, when you are giving yourself the pep talk about the person you want to become, remember to listen to your heart, to listen to your body, as you train yourself in the direction God has designed you to go.

Determine today to live your life with a vision for the future.  Plant trees that will last.  Invest in those you love in a way that doesn’t just provide convenience for the moment, but in a way that will bear fruit in the days and years to come.

Podcast

Did you miss yesterday’s message?  Do you need to hear it one more time?  You can find yesterday’s message from Pastor Eric von Atzigen on the church web site.  Click to listen.

Links

We are so excited to announce the return of Loran and Tiffany Rule, back to Sweetwater and to EFC!  Visit the website to learn more about this awesome couple who will be ministering to our youth in Sweetwater.

On the Radar

Make plans to join in the after church Fellowship Meal this Sunday, January 31.  It’ll be a great day of fun and family time.  More info (and even recipes!) at www.efcsweetwater.com. Click the FELLOWSHIP MEAL icon.

Looking to find a church in Sweetwater, Texas?  We invite you to discover the joy and friendship of a Lifegroup this week.

Revelation Bible study this Tuesday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm in my office.  Everyone is welcome to join in, just bring your Bible and a lunch box.  Keep up with the progress at The Watchman’s Gaze.

A Membership Dessert is just around the corner for those of you who are new to EFC, or are interested in joining.  Come let us feed you yummy treats as we share with you the vision of this Spirit-filled church in Sweetwater!

Family Connection

Parents, be sure to check out the Worldchangers website.  We align our Bible curriculum from the nursery all the way up to our youth.  Access the Family Connection page on the website to bring you children’s Bible lesson home to the kitchen table. 

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday, for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

1. “Beautiful One” by Tim Hughes
2. “I Adore You” Chris Quilala version
3. “A Little Longer” by Jenn Johnson
4. “Your Love Never Fails” Chris Quilala version

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, January 31, 2010, is the last Sunday in January, a time we set aside for the annual State of the Church Address.  We look forward to sharing a report from 2009 and looking ahead to 2010 as a congregation.  We will conclude our Vision 2010 series with a look at the mission of the church to “Send.”  Make plans to stay for the fellowship meal after church and get to know our new Youth Pastors, Loran and Tiffany Rule.

THE MENDING OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR

Yesterday was a special moment for our congregation.  Our attendance was at its highest level ever, and the presence of the Lord was strong and wonderful.  As we worshipped together and as I shared on learning to give and receive mending, I was aware that God was doing a great mending among us.  I believe He was mending the broken places in each of us individually and mending us together as a people of faith and love.

It is a great joy and privilege to pastor such a wonderful congregation in which the lost are being found and the broken healed.  May the mending continue both in and through each of you.

Today, in light of our message on mending, and in honor of a national hero, I invite you to pause and consider the life and ministry of one of the greatest menders in the history of our nation.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the thread that took the fragmented pieces of our nation and dramatically moved us in the direction of mending and healing.

Our Lord Jesus taught us:

“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.  Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” — Matthew 9:16-17 (NIV)

The life and teachings of Dr. King sought to not only patch the glaring injustices of his day, but to renew the fabric of our culture, to renew the wineskin of America, so that the message God gave him to preach would not be poured on the ground and lost.

I invite you to pause today and consider the love and sacrifice of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Consider the life of a man who had the courage to face the realities of his day, and the faith to change them. 

As you remember Dr. King today, I invite you to do so according to his own words:

“I’d like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I’d like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King, Jr. tried to love somebody.

I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison. And I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.

Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major. Say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Podcast

Did you miss yesterday’s message?  Do you need to hear it one more time?  You can find Pastor Eric’s message, “Mend” on the church web site.  Click HERE to listen.

Links

Discover more about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at:

The King Center

MLK Online

On the Radar

Ladies, are you ready for a Girls’ Night?  If so, meet us in the EFC parking lot this Friday evening by 5:30 pm!  We will travel to Clyde, Texas, to hear special speaker Tammy Maltby speak on “The Miracle of Hospitality.”  This will be a great evening, so be prepared to be blessed!  If you are planning to attend, please email Mindy at mindychelle@aol.com to let her know so we can make sure we have a seat for you!

FountainGate Fellowship will host an evening of worship with Keith and Sanna Luker, Sunday, January 24, at 7:00 p.m.  If you need to spend an evening in worship and intercession, this will be a great venue to do so!

Log on to www.efcsweetwater.com for more info to make plans to connect with a Lifegroup this week.

Our youth will be attending the Julian Drive concert here in Sweetwater on Thursday, January 21^st.  Log on to www.efcyouth.com for more info!

Revelation Bible study this Tuesday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm in my office.  Everyone is welcome to join in, just bring your Bible and a lunch box.  Keep up with the progress at The Watchman’s Gaze.

Our church will be helping the Ministerial Alliance serve the needy of our community during the month of February.  We will need a coordinator for this outreach, a driver who can pick up groceries in Abilene with a flatbed trailer, a team of volunteers to help sack groceries for two hours on Tuesday, February 16th, and a few more to help distribute the groceries to those in need on Thursday, February 18th.  If you are interested in being a part of this service project, please log on to the church website at www.efcsweetwater.com and click the SERVE icon.

Make plans to join in the after church Fellowship Meal Sunday, January 31.  It’ll be a great day of fun and family time.  More info (and even recipes!) at www.efcsweetwater.com. Click the FELLOWSHIP MEAL icon.

Thanks to Curtis Ward for sharing some information with us yesterday about the upcoming Encounter the Cross Retreat!  If you were interested in attending an Encounter, log on to the church website at www.efcsweetwater.com and click on the “encounter” link!

Family Connection

Parents, be sure to check out the Worldchangers website.  We align our Bible curriculum from the nursery all the way up to our youth.  Access the Family Connection page on the website to bring you children’s Bible lesson home to the kitchen table. 

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday, for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

1. “Dancing Generation” by Matt Redmand
2. “I’ve Found a Love” Jenn Johnson version
3. “Dwelling Places” by Miriam Webster
4. “You Won’t Relent” by Misty Edwards

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, January 24, 2010, we continue our Vision 2010 series with an exploration of what it means to be a church that “Trains.”

POSITIVELY GROUNDED

The frigid temperatures have wreaked havoc on the battery of my little ’91 Accord.  I was recently greeted with the familiar clicking sound that told me there wasn’t enough juice to get the engine to turn over.

No problem.  Right?  I’ve got a set of jumper cables.

Now, being the positive person that I am, imagine what would happen if I were to only attach the positive cable to my battery when I go to jump it off.  All that positive energy wouldn’t have any way to transfer into my battery to get me moving again.

And this is where the life lesson is learned.  The positive cable needs the negative cable (I prefer to call it the ground cable) to complete the circuit. 

How many times do we try to hook ourselves to only the positive cables of life, just to discover it’s not giving us the juice we need to get going?  The key is, just like my Accord, we must also be grounded in order for our batteries to operate.

We can’t run away from the negative elements of life.  We can’t despise those things that keep our feet on the ground because it is the realities of life that allow the positive cable to do its thing.  Just as a kite needs a string holding it to the ground to allow it to soar to incredible heights, the grace of God is best experienced in a grounded life.

The challenge of an over-positive, Pollyanna perspective is it can lead us to pretend problems don’t exist, or to ignore the very negative situations that must be dealt with.  We must come to understand faith is not a crutch by which we ignore reality; rather, faith is the ladder allowing us to access a greater reality and see it positively impact the world in which we live.

The facts that surround us are subject to change.  Faith is based on the unchanging truth of God’s Word.  My checkbook ledger changes every day, my health report changes, but the truth of God does not change.  And God’s unchanging truth has the power to change my current circumstances.

So, my friends, plug into that positive power supply, keep your feet on the ground, and watch the grace of God do amazing things in your life today!

Podcast

There is no podcast for the January 10, 2010 message.  Sorry, it was a “had to be there” kind of message.

Family Connection

Parents, be sure to check out the Worldchangers website.  We align our Bible curriculum from the nursery all the way up to our youth.  Access the Family Connection page on the website to bring you children’s Bible lesson home to the kitchen table. 

Links

I began yesterday’s message by humorously browsing through my vehicle road side emergency kit, but being stuck in a real emergency isn’t too humorous at the time.  Does your family have a plan to handle the unexpected events of life?  Here are a few links for emergency preparedness.

• www.ready.gov – lays out a three day emergency supply list.
• http://www.fema.gov/areyouready – gives an in depth guide to citizen preparedness.
• Click HERE for a link to road side preparedness for ladies. 
• Click HERE for a link to home fire preparedness. 

A crisis is only a crisis when we are not prepared for it.  If we prepare ourselves, then a crisis becomes merely a situation.  I’d rather make it through a situation than a crisis!  My personal plan of action, and one I recommend to friends is to keep FOOD on hand for a week (don’t let your pantry get empty); keep some CASH on hand (invest in a fire safe box); and keep GAS in your car (don’t let it get below half a tank).

On the Radar

Lifegroups, RAMP, and worldchangers all start up again for the Spring Semester this Wednesday evening!  Log on to www.efcsweetwater.com for more info and make plans to join us this week!

Our youth will be attending the Julian Drive concert here in Sweetwater on Thursday, January 21^st.  Log on to www.efcyouth.com for more info!

Revelation Bible study this Tuesday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm in my office.  Everyone is welcome to join in, just bring your Bible and a lunch box.  Keep up with the progress at The Watchman’s Gaze.

Our church will be helping the Ministerial Alliance serve the needy of our community during the month of February.  We will need a coordinator for this outreach, a driver who can pick up groceries in Abilene with a flatbed trailer, a team of volunteers to help sack groceries for two hours on Tuesday, February 16th, and a few more to help distribute the groceries to those in need on Thursday, February 18th.  If you are interested in being a part of this service project, please log on to the Emmanuel Fellowship Church website and click the SERVE icon.

Make plans to join in the after church Fellowship Meal Sunday, January 31.  It’ll be a great day of fun and family time.  More info (and even recipes!) by logging on to one of the most delicious churches in Sweetwater, Texas and clicking the FELLOWSHIP MEAL icon.

Discover more about Sweetwater, Texas!

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday, for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

1. “Grace Like Rain” by Todd Agnew
2. “Your Glory” by Mindy von Atzigen
3. “Your Love is Like” by Rick Pino
4. “Mighty to Save” by Matt Redmand

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, January 17, 2010, we will get back on track with our Vision 2010 sermon series and take a deeper exploration of a church that “Mends.”

LOVE

Love is likely the most written, sung, and talked about topic on the face of the planet.  So, preaching a sermon about love leaves a pastor feeling dangerously redundant.

But, this most written, sung, and talked about topic is also dangerously misunderstood and requires preaching and teaching to bring clarification and motivation to those who would dare to love.

If you missed yesterday’s message, I strongly encourage you to take 35 minutes and consider the challenges put forth in the message simply titled “Love.”

Podcast

Click here to listen to “Love.”

Links

We have a review of The Review posted.  Check out the stats from 2009.  (Spaghetti?  Where did that come from?)

Ron Smith has submitted a great recipe for Stone Soup.  See if you can cook some up!

On the Radar

Revelation Bible study this Tuesday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm in my office.  Everyone is welcome to join in, just bring your Bible and a lunch box.  Keep up with the progress at The Watchman’s Gaze.

Our church will be helping the Ministerial Alliance serve the needy of our community during the month of February.  We will need a coordinator for this outreach, a driver who can pick up groceries in Abilene with a flatbed trailer, a team of volunteers to help sack groceries for two hours on Tuesday, February 16th, and a few more to help distribute the groceries to those in need on Thursday, February 18th.  If you are interested in being a part of this service project, please log on to the church website at www.efcsweetwater.com and click the SERVE icon.

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday, for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

1. “O Taste and See” by Brian and Jenn Johnson
2. “I Have Found” by Kim Walker
3. “I Love Your Presence” by Anthony Skinner
4. “Awesome God” by Rich Mullins

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, January 10, 2010, we will continue exploring our mission statement by learning what it means to Mend.

TOP POSTS OF 2009 (A Review of the Review)

1. 100 NAMES OF JESUS (365 Hits)
2. 66 PICTURES OF JESUS (339 Hits)
3. KITCHEN TABLE DISCIPLESHIP (291 Hits)
4. WILL MY PET BE IN HEAVEN? (or my Harley?) (204 Hits)
5. APOSTOLIC PRAYERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT (170 Hits)
6. TEXTING THE 10 COMMANDMENTS (144 Hits)
7. HEALING AT THE POOL (132 Hits)
8. THE STORY OF ONESIMUS (126 Hits)
9. JOHN 9:1-5 - WORD STUDY (117 Hits)

Other intersting 2009 stats:

• Posts – 66 (Sounds very Biblical!)
• Comments – 142 (Thanks for all your input!)
• Categories – 28
• Tags – 324
• Incoming Links – 21 (Thanks Beauty of the Bible for all the link love!)
• Top Search Term – Spaghetti at 244 hits (Very peculiar.)
• Clicks – www.efcsweetwater.com at 198 and www.beautyofthebible.com at 54
• First Post – The Paradox of Generosity and the Backward Kingdom of God on April 27, 2009
• Busiest Day – October 12, 2009 with 138 hits – A double release day of EMBRACE ETERNITY and WILL MY PET BE IN HEAVEN (or my Harley?)
• Total Hits in 2009 – 7,260

Looking forward to a great 2010!

Grace and peace to all,

Pastor Eric

STONE SOUP – THE RECIPE

Pots of Stone Soup are springing up all over the Big County.  From the local fish and chicken eatery to schools and home kitchens, friends and family are cooking up the adventure!

Here is a recipe for Stone Soup submitted by a dear friend, Ron Smith. 

 Ingredients

•  Any pot that is handy
•  Enough water to fill pot
•  A fire starter and extra kindling (just in case)
•  One special stone
•  A variety of special soup ingredients, from common to totally unique (These may be gathered from a variety of sources and locations. Don’t turn down anything without very good reason.)

 Directions

• Start a fire in a convenient, or sometimes in an inconvenient, location. Simply starting the fire is the important initial action.
• Place pot on fire.
• Let water begin to simmer. (If absolutely necessary, let pot come to a boil.)
• Gently place one special stone in heated water. (Sometimes tossing the stone vigorously in the pot works even better.)
• Gradually add additional ingredients. Don’t fret too much over what order or in what quantity they go in originally. Just make sure there are many ingredients.
• Stir pot frequently. Don’t get lazy here just because the aroma, taste, and texture are already good. Stirring often is an absolute must for a successful dish.
• Taste test occasionally, making sure all ingredients are included in their uniquely agreeable proportions.
• Garnish with a healthy dose of love and serve continuously until all are filled.
• Move to a new location and start recipe again.

You can discover more of Ron Smith’s writings at www.freshfocus.wordpress.com.

STONE SOUP

The story is told of a French soldier returning to his home after the Napoleonic wars.  Weary and alone, he steadily traveled, passing through village after village seeking shelter and the hospitality of his countrymen.

He was saddened to find the devastation of war had broken the spirit of the villagers.  High taxes, poor crops, and uncertainty had stolen their sense of love, trust, and community.  And so our lonely soldier traveled, trying to make his way home, and trying to make these war torn villages more like home as he went.

His luggage was peculiar.  He didn’t carry the rifle that had helped him survive the hard fought battles he had seen.  He didn’t carry a knapsack full of clothing.  Not much could be found in his old wagon, but a large metal pot and a special box with something priceless inside.

One day, he wondered into a village in the region of Lyon and made his way to the town square which housed the local well.  His presence was met by the slamming of doors, the closing of shutters, and mothers calling their children in early from their playing.  The soldier simply whistled and walked on. 

Upon arriving at the well, he filled his metal pot with water, placed it on an old fire pit in the town square, and lit a nice fire underneath.

A miserly old man passed by and scoffed at the soldier.  “Don’t know why you’re stopping here,” he said, “And definitely no need for a cooking fire.  There ain’t a bite to eat in the whole region.  You’ll starve like the rest of us if you stay too long.”

“Oh, I’ve everything I need right here,” the soldier replied.  “In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with the rest of you.”

With that, he opened the box and pulled out a velvet bag and from the bag he removed one small stone and plopped it in the water.  The soldier leaned over the pot, breathed in the aroma with a satisfactory groan, and gave the pot a stir.

Well, it didn’t take long for the entire village to hear word of a stranger cooking up something odd in the center of town.  Many of the villagers began to make their way toward the square, while many others began to peer out of now unshuttered windows.

As the soldier gave the broth a taste and licked his lips in anticipation of a scrumptious meal, hunger began to overtake the villager’s skepticism.

“Ah,” the soldier said to himself rather loudly, “I do like a tasty stone soup.  Of course, some flour would sure thicken up the broth.  It’s hard to beat a thick and rich stone soup.”

It wasn’t long before a villager returned with a cup of flour and offered it to be added to the pot.

“Excellent,” cried the soldier, “You know I once had stone soup with minced spices and a bit of garlic.  It was fit for a king.”

No sooner had he spoken the words than two housewives appeared with garlic and spices to add to the simmering pot of deliciousness.  And with that, the soldier gave one more sniff of the pot, yawned quite loudly and decided to go and rest under a tree while the stone soup gently cooked.

It was all the villagers could do to resist stealing a spoonful of soup smelling so wonderful with the fresh garlic and spices wafting in the air.  As the soldier slept a farmer made his way to the pot with some carrots he had hidden away in his cellar.  He was followed by a boy who had been sent with an onion.  Not long after that, the local butcher came bustling into the crowd with a sausage he decided could be spared for such a grand event as stone soup.

As the soup bubbled and the list of ingredients grew, the soldier rested until dinner time when he promptly jumped up, rushed over to examine the soup, and determined it to be the taste of perfection, if only it had a pinch of salt.

Moments later containers of salt came at the boiling pot from four different directions.  It was all the soldier could do to keep the soup from being ruined by over zealous salters.

That evening, an entire village of once broken and disconnected people enjoyed a mighty feast on the lawn of the town square.  They laughed and danced and remembered the old times with such fondness that, for the first time in a long time, they had a pleasant hope about tomorrow.

You can only imagine the offers that were made to purchase that magical stone from the soldier, but he refused to sell, and on the next day he loaded up and traveled on. 

Steadily making his way home from the war, he went, making war torn villages more like home along the way.

It can be quickly seen that Stone Soup is a metaphor for life, leadership, and generosity.  As you contemplate the impact of that metaphor on your vision for a new year, I encourage you to ponder three truths revealed in the story.

1. As a child of God, you are a soldier traveling through a war-torn land on your way home.
2. You have been commissioned to make this ravaged earth look more like home.
3. Every pot of soup you start, you do for His glory.

Grace and peace and a Happy New Year to you all!

Podcast

Check back soon for this week’s Stone Soup podcast.

Links

Check out the church website for additional information about life at EFC.

Parents — don’t forget to head over to the WorldChangers page to access ways to connect Kid’s Church to your kitchen table.

On the Radar – Church Holiday Schedule

• Wednesday, December 30 – No Church Activities
• Thursday, December 31 – New Year’s Night of Worship — and talent show!  Email me at efcsweetwater@aol.com to sign up.

Revelation Bible study is taking a Holiday break.  We will resume our eschatological exploration Tuesday, January 5, 2010.

The Drum Circle will be getting back on rhythm in 2010.  Drop me an email if you are interested in learning to play hand drums.

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, January 3, is the first Sunday of the New Year — and the decade.  We look forward to a great start to this year and a great morning of worship with you!

THE DIVINE EXCHANGE

• Jesus was punished that we might be forgiven.
• Jesus was wounded that we might be healed.
• Jesus was made sin with our sinfulness that we might become righteous with His righteousness.
• Jesus died our death that we might share His life.
• Jesus became poor with our poverty that we might become rich with His riches.
• Jesus bore our shame that we might share His glory.
• Jesus endured our rejection that we might have His acceptance as children of God.
• Jesus became a curse that we might receive a blessing.

Isaiah 61

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

² to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

⁴ They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

⁵ Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

⁶ And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.

⁷ Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.

⁸ “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them.

⁹ Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

¹⁰ I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

¹¹ For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

Podcast

Podcast unavailable for 12/20/09.

Links

We hope to have a video of our amazing Children’s Christmas Pageant up soon.  Thanks a million to everyone who helped make the pageant such a wonderful celebration of the birth of our King.  Check back soon for the video link.

Discover more about Emmanuel Fellowship Church of Sweetwater.  Click the link to access our website.

Parents — don’t forget to head over to the WorldChangers page to access ways to connect Kid’s Church to your kitchen table.

On the Radar – Church Holiday Schedule

• Wednesday, December 23 – No Church Activities
• Sunday, December 27 – Last Sunday of 2009
• Wednesday, December 30 – No Church Activities
• Thursday, December 31 – New Year’s Night of Worship — and talent show!  Email me at efcsweetwater@aol.com to sign up.

Revelation Bible study is taking a Holiday break.  We will resume our eschatological exploration Tuesday, January 5, 2010.

The Drum Circle will be getting back on rhythm in 2010.  Drop me an email if you are interested in learning to play hand drums.

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, December 27, is the last Sunday of the year — and the decade.  We look forward to ending the year with a wonderful time of worship and a special message as Pastor Eric shares with us the miracle of “Stone Soup.”