Email of 12/11/08 - After the Fall

I have determined I won't let a little rain deter me from riding my bike for my daily commute. The rain we had last week was no exception... I braved the wet and cold. Clouds lifted during the day and for my ride home the roads were nearly dry. I hit the Greenbelt at my normal pace, trying to make it home as quickly as I could. All seemed perfect until in a split second, I fell! With no warning I hit the ground hard, my left shoulder smashing into the ground, my helmet hitting hard, a sharp pain in my hip, sliding to a wet, mucky stop. I hit a patch of wet leaves and mud that flowed over the wooden walkway under Capitol Blvd. Very thankful for bike helmets, I collected myself and took inventory of my bones. With nothing but bruises, I picked up my bike and rode on.

I didn't think I was riding carelessly. I was oblivious to the danger I had allowed myself to get into. However, there were warning signs. I had ridden on the walkway that morning and saw the leaves. I knew it had rained most of the day. I did not realize how slick wet leaves can be... until I fell... until I felt the punishment of my carelessness.

I pondered over this all week... was God trying to teach me something? A spark of spiritual knowledge struck me a few days ago. I fell. I didn't see it coming. I thought I was a good, experienced cyclist, but I was ignoring the warning signs, blind to danger, not watching for slick spots. Do you see yourself as a spiritual insider? You have been into this Christianity thing for a long time... you are experienced and strong. Don't become blind to the warnings of God, don't quench the Spirit's promptings, don't turn a deaf ear to friends that warn, and don't ignore history.

Paul pleads for us to not forget our history. 1 Corinthians 10 is all about that. Even the people God led through a visible cloud by day and fire by night - the ones who ate manna in the desert - drank miraculous water from a rock - even these people fell to temptation, and fell hard. They are examples to us. The problem is, many of us find it hard to heed warnings from others. But you are smart. You are humble enough... I know you can do it. I know because the scripture tells me you can, right there in 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it."

So, my thought is this: you can stand up under anything. You can stand because God gives you this ability. Part of this ability is given through examples and warnings. Your status in the church or your spiritual experience has no impact on this ability - it rests on your ability to trust God and humble yourself to heed the warnings God gives you. If you can't heed the warning signs - get ready to hit the ground hard; a fall is inevitable. Learn from those who have gone before you - slow down and watch for slick spots. And, if you happen to be biking under the Capitol Blvd. bridge on a rainy day, take it slow.
- Monty Moreland
Thursday Lunch @ The Center
Free Lunch! 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Norma Kindall (who works at BSU's College of Engineering) and her friend Becky have prepared Chicken Pot Pie!

This is the last lunch this semester. We will start again in the Spring semester.


Registration is open
Registration is open for Spring semester classes at The Center. Check the web site (click here) for details and the registration form.
Classes offered are:

* Acts
* The Story of the New Testament
* Genesis and Exodus
* Spiritual Formation

This is a great opportunity, so don't miss out!

Email of December 4, 2008 - Communication

We have several new ways to keep in touch with what is going on around The Center.

The newest two are our Facebook Group and a Myspace Page. Thanks to Lisa Webb for helping out with putting these together and updating information.

We also will continue sending this email and archiving it here at blogspot, linked from the main web site.

A lot has happened this semester. There are many pictures posted on Facebook. Check them out and join the group!

As the semester wraps up, we will have free lunch today and next Thursday. We are putting together the list of volunteer cooks for next semester... please let me know if you feel God nudging you to support this or any other part of what God is doing at The Center.

- Monty Moreland

Thursday Lunch @ The Center
Free Lunch! 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
The ladies from ElDorado Church of Christ are cooking again. There is always plenty of great food!

Registration is open
Registration is open for Spring semester classes at The Center. Check the web site (click here) for details and the registration form.
Classes offered are:

* Acts
* The Story of the New Testament
* Genesis and Exodus
* Spiritual Formation

This is a great opportunity, so don't miss out!