The Torn Veil

This Sunday I will be sharing part 4 of the five part series entitled: "The Cross History's Supreme Moment" as we look at the forth of five miracles that occurred when Jesus died. Each of these were designed to speak in a language that the people involved in the event would understand. We must go behind the scenes into the culture, history and Old Testament text in order to uncover the power of the messages God delivered to mark the significance of the sacrifice of His Son.

Feel free to join us at Bible Center Church this Sunday at 9:00 or 10:45, or on the radio AM 580 WCHS @9:30 a.m. or online at www.WaggonerMedia.com

Blessings,
Jesse Waggoner

What a Week

What a week! There certainly could be no more momentous week than the one which stretched from the Sunday Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding on a donkey to the following Sunday when He left the tomb. It was the week that completed the mission of redemption. It was the week that sealed the fate of Satan and those that follow Him. It was the week that secured the destiny of all those who in faith follow Jesus.

This week I want to invite you to walk along with Jesus through that last week. Take some time to, either alone or with your family read through the accounts of this week in the Gospels. Then join us for the events we have planned to help focus our attention and stir our worship on the God who poured out His love upon us. Tonight we have our annual Easter musical presentation featuring our Sanctuary Choir. We will have a special service on Thursday night with communion as we remember the last supper; a Good Friday service will take us to the cross; a contemporary service will prepare us for the dawn of resurrection week. The capstone will be our three services next Sunday as we worship our risen Lord.

Make plans to be moved by this week-long journey and be sure to invite someone to come along with you.

Easter = Outreach

I have seen signs that the seasons are changing the last few days. There has been a little more sunshine, the temperatures are warmer and the trees are beginning to bud; all great things in my book. Churches also have seasons and the time just before Easter is harvest time. Even those who would only be slightly inclined to attend church seem to be more open at Easter time. We usually have our highest attendance of the year on Easter Sunday. Church growth experts call it “The Easter Surge.” Whatever you call it, we should all be alert to the opportunities to do some outreach. We at Bible Center will be sure to be ready to welcome our guests and make sure the Gospel is clearly presented.

As you leave services on Sunday you will be given two Easter invitation cards that list all of our upcoming activities as well as give a special invitation to our celebrations of the resurrection of our Lord. Please pass these on with a friendly encouragement to join us. If you would like more than two, please stop by the Information Desk and get some extras.

We also are providing three electronic ways to share the same invitation. If you are a subscriber to CONNECT, you will receive one via e-mail; and please forward this e-mail on to anyone you like. If you are not a subscriber, just send an e-mail to info@biblecenterchurch.com and we will send you one. If you are on Facebook, just visit the Bible Center page (www.facebook.com/BibleCenter) and “Share” the invitation on your profile. If you are a Twitter user, you can “Retweet” the invitation as well (www.Twitter.com/BibleCenter).

Let’s see what God can do through all of us in these next two weeks.

Earthquake

Theologians and biblical scholars love to argue many things and one of them is: when is a miracle a miracle? Some things are clearly miracles, such as Jesus walking on water, turning water into wine, etc. But what about an answered prayer- was that a coincidence or God’s use of ordinary means to accomplish His purpose through providence? I am not sure that most of us strive for that level of exactness; we are content to give God credit for an extraordinary intervention, even through the use of ordinary devices. In our study today, we will look at the earthquake that occurred as Jesus died. Earthquakes happen frequently; in fact, on the day I write this (3/10) the USGS has recorded 31 earthquakes in the world with a magnitude of 2.5 or greater. It is only when they are massive or in populated areas that we hear about it, such as the recent ones in Haiti and Chile.

But sometimes God so times the circumstance and the moment of the “ordinary” that there is no doubt that He is making a statement. Often the statement may be unclear, but in the context of the cross it is. The shaking of the earth was to show that His power is supreme and after a three hour absence during the darkness, He was back and in control!

In your ordinary moments, be alert that God is at work doing extraordinary things. You also are invited to join us for part 2 of "The Cross: History's Supreme Moment" this Sunday at Bible Center Church or online at WaggonerMedia.com

Blessings,
Jesse

The Cross: History's Supreme Moment

I thought you may like a little preview of my coming series of messages...We go to great lengths to mark a special day. We eat cakes, tie up balloon, decorate homes, send cards, sing songs, and a hundred other things. Sometimes the lengths we go to seem extreme. I remember one wedding at Bible Center where the wedding party left our parking lot not in a car pulling cans, but by helicopter!

There was one day like no other on God’s calendar, and He went to great lengths to “mark” this day as no other. For the next five Sunday’s we will be looking at the miracles that occurred on the day Jesus died. Each of these five supernatural events were designed to be a marker that this was the day that was at the intersection between time and eternity, between the need of sinful man and the love of Holy God. As we study these we will also find that each miracle was carefully chosen to send us a particular symbolic message as to the spiritual reality that was unfolding on Calvary. So let’s enjoy the journey back to the cross where we will find that it is the supreme moment in history!

So you are invited to partipate at Bible Center at either 9:00 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. or online at www.WaggonerMedia.com

Blessings...

The Sandwich Generation

Are you part of the “Sandwich Generation?” Nearly 25% of Americans are –no, I don’t mean those who frequent Subway or live to create culinary masterpieces on bread. The phrase “Sandwich Generation” is of recent origin; in fact Merriam-Webster officially added the term to its dictionary in July 2006. The Sandwich Generation is a generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children. Due to the extension of our life expectancy and the phenomenon of “delayed adulthood,” more and more of us are faced with being sandwiched between caring for those above and below us. There are variations on this theme-there are:

The Traditional Sandwich: those sandwiched between aging parents who need care and/or help and their own children.

The Club Sandwich: those in their 50s or 60s sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren, OR those in their 30s and 40s, with young children, aging parents and grandparents.

The Open Faced Sandwich: anyone else involved in elderly care.

If you find yourself in this stage of life or if you sometime may, let me assure you that caring for children and parents has been part of God’s plan for as long as there have been families. I have recently read again the story of Joseph as found in Genesis, I noted particularly in chapters 45-50 you find some great examples of parenting from the side of the child caring for an aging father – in this case Jacob. It also shows the attitude of the parent to his adult children, in this case Joseph and his brothers. I could summarize it in two words: Care and Cooperation. These are the essential attitudes on both sides of parenting. They are ones I want to work on and invite you to do the same. Until next time…

One Daily Question - Website

The One Daily Question Website is now open for visitors. As you perhaps know one daily question has been running on Facebook and Twitter since January but the questions are now available to those surfing the web. So feel free to point your friends to www.OneDailyQuestion.com

Here is an excerpt from the website with a little explaination:

"One Daily Question delivers One Daily Question to you via Twitter, The Web or Facebook. Let the power of a question lead you to a better understanding of yourself and others in your life, or just have some fun. The easy way to interact is to visit the Facebook Fanpage, where you can leave your answers and interact with others who enjoy One Daily Question. The easy way to have the question delivered to you is via Twitter or you can check back to this website. So use today's question to stir up some conversation around your office, dinner table or during your commute. So enjoy today's question and learn something about yourself and others @ www.OneDailyQuestion.com"

"The Fear of Man" Video

From the message entitled "The Fear of Man" from Isa. 51

"The Missed Cross Video"

Here is a video clip from the message entitled: "The Missed Cross"

Voice of the Valley - 2-14-2010

Second interview in as many weeks on Ric Cochran's radio show - voice of the valley talking about the upcoming Dennis Lee performance at Bible Center. Listen below

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Real Love

I love asking questions; recently I asked this question online via www.OneDailyQuestion.com: What is the perfect Valentine gift? I was somewhat surprised at the responses both online and in person. Most folks did not mention the usual gifts- very little talk of cards, flowers, candy, jewelry, etc. Instead it was a gift selected to match the person or dinner out or some time together. In our overly commercialized world, we can understand retailers pushing romantic trinkets our way but when it comes to love, the best gift we can give is ourselves. We sometimes fall prey to the thinking that we can substitute “things” for time. We must spend time adding value to others and nurturing relationships.

So on this Valentine’s Day, which is devoted to love, it would be a good time to devote some time and personal attention to those we are to love. So even if you have a box of candy ready or a nicely wrapped present to be delivered, don’t forget to deliver yourself. After all ,when God wanted to display his love to us He didn’t send a card, He sent His son.

Happy Valentine's Day,
Jesse

One Daily Question - Radio Interview

I enjoyed the opportunity to be on Ric Cochran's Voice of the Valley Radio Show on Sunday. We talked about social networking in general and my new project - One Daily Question in particular. For someone who wanted to be in radio when he grew up, it is always fun to be in the studio. If you want listen to it, use the link below.

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Where did you last see a cross? Was it a piece of jewelry? Embroidered into a Bible cover? Engraved on some furniture? Adorning the top of church? Or used to mark a grave? The cross has become THE symbol of our faith and for good reason. Without the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we have no hope. Paul referenced the cross this way:

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)

I have come to believe that God really wants us to remember the events surrounding and the significance of the cross. One way He helps us remember is through a regular observance of communion. In picture form we once again show the death of our Savior. He has done so much to help us remember, so let's fully engage our hearts and minds and allow our thoughts to reconnect to the cross.

One Daily Question

As person who seeks to be a good communicator I have learned the value of asking a good question. I have been blessed with a number of friends who ask me outstanding questions and I am the better for them.

I am pleased to announce that I have started, first on Twitter and now Facebook, asking a daily question that I trust will help you stop and think, generate good conversation or just bring a smile. I hope those of you who see the question in your Twitter feed or in your Facebook news feed will appreciate the questions and will feel free to share them with others. I won't clutter your online world - just one question a day, some serious, some just for fun. Respond, submit your own questions or complain - all is welcome and encouraged.


Will you let me know what you think? (there is another question)


Blessings
Jesse Waggoner

One Daily Question on FACEBOOK

One Daily Question on TWITTER

One Daily Question on WaggonerMedia.com

Marriage Protection

When it comes to weddings I usually have the "best seat in the house." Getting to officiate at a wedding is one of the fun things a pastor gets to do and it does offer a wonderful perspective on the proceedings. For one thing, no one blocks your view; you get to really see the reactions of the bride and groom and you have no trouble hearing the vows being said (you also can't be late since they can't start without you!). One of my favorite moments is when the bride first makes her appearance; I usually glance at the grooms face and watch the "wow" expression when he first glimpses his bride in her wedding day glory.

There are more sobering moments in a wedding, especially when I say the part about..."until death do us part." This fixes in my mind the preciousness of marriage and its permanence. There are very few other things in life to which we make a life-long, sacred vow. Not every marriage makes it until death do us part, but that is certainly God's greatest ideal for every marriage and this is what we, as ministry, are committed to helping our couples accomplish. The best thing that you can do to work toward a permanent marriage is focus on your and your spouse’s spiritual development. From our growing commitment to Christ comes a growing commitment to marriage. Please pray for couples and families as we continue today to see what God has to say about the family this Sunday at Bible Center or you can catch up on the "Family Survival Kit series" at WaggonerMedia.com

Father's Love Letter

Don't miss this video - it may change your life!



Copyright 1999-2005
www.FathersLoveLetter.com

$122 will protect your family

According to the website www.quakekare.com you can purchase a family survival kit for five people for only $122.00. The kit includes: “the most effective emergency supplies for emergency preparedness including the emergency food, water, lighting, radio, first-aid, sanitation, and shelter supplies to prepare for all disasters. This deluxe kit also contains a Solar / Hand-Crank Powered Flashlight, Radio, Flashing LED Siren & Mobile Phone Charger with a universal adapter - just plug in your cell phone car charger to charge your phone using the hand-crank / Dynamo Power Generator.” And in design of creative ingenuity all of this comes packed in a large plastic pail with a hinged lid that can serve as portable toilet.

I don’t know if you have such a kit, or if you have any emergency supplies set aside for an emergency but there are those threats that come that even Quake Kare kit can’t cover. For these we need to have God’s direction, advice and involvement. I want you to plan to join us on Sunday as we continue our study called "Family Survival Kit" and if you need to catch up on the series you can find audio/video and notes from the series on the WaggonerMedia.com website. As we continue to study God's Word, will you join me in being thankful for the resource He gives to protect us spiritually?

The King Comes to Charleston

Recently the news media took note of what would have been Elvis Presley's 75th birthday. Also more than 30 years after the event, a previously unknown recording of Elvis' 5th and final concert in Charleston has surfaced. The concert was the 8:30 show on July 24, 1976. Toward the end of concert (you can hear the final portion here) Elvis remarks to his West Virginia fans...

"you are really a fantastic audience here... anytime you want us back here, just let us know and we will be glad to come back, until we meet you, adios."

But we now know the rest of the story, Elvis did not return to Charleston and 13 months later at the age of 42 the mega-star from Memphis was dead. Presley's last Charleston stop is interesting for other reasons, three days later Elvis's long-time girlfriend, Linda Thompson, who more than anyone kept Elvis's drug habit is check, would leave him. And in a bit of hind-sight irony the last song before the quote above was, "Ain't it Funny How Time Slips Away."

I only tell this to make this simple point - we have no promise of tomorrow. Or as James puts it...

"Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." (James 4:13-15)

Our times are in the hands of God, and it is for Him we are to live. And since our journey through this life is amazingly brief make every moment count. A final note from recording above - it ends with the now famous announcement that "Elvis has left the building." What will be left when you take your bow and make your exit?

The first law of influence

I am sharing my teaching material from my Wed. night class "The Art of Biblical Leadership" on this video podcast

Here is a a sample....

Some New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep

It is no secret that most New Year resolutions are not kept, and by this point in the new year is when most start to crumble. So to help you out here is a short list of resolutions you can keep:

1. I am going to eat more and exercise less
2. I am going to watch more TV
3. I am going to spend less time listening and more time talking
4. I am going to max out my credit card
5. I will share my opinions without worrying about facts
6. I will always assume I am right
7. I will always assume you are wrong

So what do you think? OK, I wrote those hoping you would smile, but also to prove a point. To do the right thing we must be intentional and we must apply discipline and hard work. This is true in the spiritual realm. In order to grow in Christ and influence our families for Christ, we must "roll up our sleeves and get to work." We can begin that by giving ourselves over to the study of the Word of God. I am ready, are you?