Five Reasons Why You Do Not Want to Miss Tedd Tripp this Weekend!

CCC is hosting the Tedd Tripp conference, Instructing A Child's Heart, this weekend.  Last night I was thinking about all the reasons I am going and wanted to share five with you:

1. God gives gifted teachers to the church to teach the church (Eph. 4:11). Therefore, we should avail ourselves to gifted teachers, particularly those who address specific issues like parenting.
2. We are told to seek wisdom (Prov. 2:2); to ignore it is foolishness.
3. God calls us to disciple and mentor (Mat 28:18-20) others. Here is an opportunity to gain helpful resources as you seek to disciple and mentor others.
4. I believe God has brought Tedd Tripp to Homer because he has something to offer us. If God brought him here why would you miss out on a blessing God has for you?
5. All of us are imperfect parents and desperately need help parenting! You will find much needed help at this conference.    

Registration starts Friday at 6:30 pm and runs until 9:15 pm; Saturday sessions start at 9:00 am and runs until 12:30 pm. Children's programs are available for nursery to ten years old.   

Encouragement to Struggling Churches

The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. (Rev 2:1 ESV)

Just prior to his rebuke and correction Jesus is pictured as holding the seven churches in his right hand and walking among them. What encouragement! Jesus holding the churches in his right hand points to the church's security being found in Christ and not ultimately themselves (Jn 10:29). Though these churches are sinful, even dabbling in idolatry, their eternal safety and destiny is determined by God not themselves. This must temper how we understand 3:16, 'I will spit you out of my mouth.' Jesus also is pictured as walking among the sinful and struggling churches as God did with Adam and Eve in the garden. Even in the midst of struggle with sin and idolatry, Jesus is still intimately involved and having fellowship with these churches. He is comforting them and clarifying their standing with him before he corrects them. They need not be perfect to walk with Jesus because of his work on the cross. That is the basis of their relationship to him, not their present failings.