Effectiveness seems like a value most everyone aspires to, but how you get there is a whole other matter.

Effectively staying healthy is, at least, on most people’s radar.  How people work towards effective health is a wide and varied prospect.  A few will go into a long-haul approach that changes their very lifestyle with diet and exercise.  Others, after polishing off the last bowl of some Jamocha Almond Fudge ice cream,  will be convicted by a late-night infomercial.  Have you seen the elastic stomach wrap that instantly takes 4 inches off your waist?  For a mere $19.95 you can grab a bottle of fat-absorbing pills that promise to be liposuction in capsule form.  Act now, and you’ll double your order for the same low, low price.  It’s that easy, and that fast… but not very effective.

What makes for an effective Super Bowl party this weekend?  An artichoke dip would be great, but takes way too long to make.  Cheetos are great and quick, but I’m sure the yellow dye #5 will only aid my receding hairline.  A gimongus flat panel, HD, LCD TV is a must for an effective gathering to watch Tom Brady hoist the Lombardi trophy once again.  Some will have tediously and wisely saved their pennies to pay cash for their media extravaganza.   Some will see the instant effectiveness of renting a large screen from a highly advertised Rent-A-Center store.  You get your TV quickly and at a mere weekly rate of $29.95.  You will, however, pay about $1.3 million when it’s all said and done.

Effectiveness is a funny thing… a moving, hard-to-hit target.  How effective are your prayers?  Have you seen some of the hokey prayer schemes on Christian TV?  Miracle water, oil, and cloths are a sure-fire, quick, and painless way to ensure effective and powerful prayers (and don’t forget to tuck in your love gift today).

James has much to say about REALLY praying effectively… especially when your back is against the wall.   James gives practical, real advice to pray powerfully.  Want to have effective prayers without the cheesy short-cuts most TV pastors suggest?

This Sunday we’re diving into James 5:13-15.  The Bible gives us some amazingly practical advice to help our prayer lives along.  The promises attached to James guidelines are equally stunning.

Do you need breakthrough?  Do you have a friend who needs prayer to actually work?  Come Sunday and let’s experience the living and active Word transforming lives.  I’m anxious to see you and teach.

Blessings,

(Two services begin Feb. 12^th!  Our 24/7 week of prayer starts on Sunday.  Click here to sign up.  THANKS!)

Upcoming Events

The Gathering – Prayer & Worship
February 8, 7pm

Attend One. Serve One – Two Services
February 12, 8:30am & 10:30am
Click here if you haven’t signed up to SERVE!

Community Group Kickoff – Come and get connected
February 26, 6:30pm

Cumberland 101 (2 day class) – Everything you need to know about Cumberland
March 2&3, 6:30pm & 9am

FIA – Faith in Action at Campbell High School
March 11, 8:30am

Weekly Giving 1/29/2012
$20,072.06

Weekly Need
$23,000.00

Hurry up… and wait.  When was the last time you did that?

Recently Sherry and I decided to check out Sandra Bullock’s new movie, “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.”  Sherry loves Sandra Bullock, so a date night with me AND Sandra scored definite points on my side of the love ledger.  We hurried to scarf down a quick supper, kissed the kids, hopped in the car, engaged a long line of ticketing at the theatre… and finally made it to our seats.  Then we waited.  We waited and waded through a litany of previews and popcorn commercials.  Turns out, a movie actually starts 20 minutes after the published start time.  Who knew?  We hurried up and waited.

This week, one of my good Indiana friends was waiting for his mother-in-law to die. A very rough and long battle with lung cancer made this a difficult few days.  The family was hurrying and scurrying to gather and plan a funeral, but they were strangely waiting for their loved one to die.  What an intriguing dichotomy.

The Bible is a big and consistent proponent of waiting.  In fact, for those who can figure the stuff of patience out, we’re promised renewal and strength.  Biblical waiting is almost always an idea of active waiting or waiting forwardly.  Some might think that a posture of waiting on Jesus might involve a packed suitcase, ceasing all human productivity, and sitting on an empty hill while merely looking to the skies for his return.  Is that how we’re supposed to wait… especially on Jesus’ return?

The exact opposite of such inactive thoughts is what Jesus and his brother James were advocates of.  Our waiting involves serving, giving, praying, growing, and active preparation. How’s your waiting going these days?

Know any good farmers?  Now there’s a great picture of Biblical waiting.  A seed is planted in the Spring, but until the Fall harvest, most farmers are quite active weeding, spraying, watering, and keeping the equipment in working order.

On Sunday, our slice of James (5:7-12) points to waiting.  Active waiting.  How would you score yourself on waiting… Biblical waiting?   Our gathering is at 10:15 on Sunday morning. HURRY UP and get there… and then wait for a great service to unfold.  I think it will all be worth the wait.    See you then…

Blessings!

p.s. – We still need a few volunteers to staff our upcoming two services.  Click here to sign up.

Don’t forget to grab a one-hour time slot for our 24/7 week of prayer starting Feb. 5^th.

Click here to see a 3-minute video with an overview of CCC’s 2011 financial picture.

Upcoming Events:

Jesus 101 (2 day class):  Find out what we believe
February 3, 6:30pm
February 4, 9:00am

The Gathering:  Prayer & Worship
February 8, 7:00pm

Attend One. Serve One.  Launching 2 service times
8:30 am & 10:30am
Sign up to serve by clicking here

Community Group Kickoff:  Get connected with a Community Group
February 26, 6:30pm

Cumberland 101 (2 day class):  Everything you need to know about Cumberland
March 2, 6:30pm
March 3, 9:00am

Weekly Giving for 1/22/2012
$16,752.41

Weekly Need
$23,000.00