Don't Settle For Less!

A few years ago in the San Francisco school system, a principal called in three teachers and told them that because of their superb teaching ability and his recognition of their being three of the elite teachers in the district, they would be given 90 students with very high IQs, who would be allowed to learn at their own pace to see how far they could advance.

At the end of the year, those 90 students had achieved scores that were 20 to 30 percent higher than any of the other students in the entire San Francisco area. The principal called the three teachers in, saying he had a confession to make. He told them that they actually did not have 90 of the most intellectually gifted students after all. In fact, academically their students were average students, picked at random. The teachers (of course) immediately concluded that it must have been their exceptional teaching skills that helped the students excel. Again the principal made a confession: the teachers weren’t actually any better than their peers, their names were simply the first three chosen out of a hat.

So what happened here? First, the teachers were convinced that they were exceptional, and then they were convinced that their students were too. Then these “convinced” individuals were given a path to follow.

This not only works with positive influence, but also with the negative. Everyday, Americans are told who they are, who others around them are, and where “this” is all headed. In fact, if I hear one more commercial start with “In times like these…”, or “In these tough economic times”, I’m going to scream.

I remember seeing an old Candid Camera episode when I was young. The show’s creator, Allan Funt, had two people sitting in a doctor’s waiting room with nothing on but their underwear, reading magazines. When other people walked in for their doctor’s appointments, they walked through the door, saw these people, stopped for a moment, and then every one of them took off their clothes, sat down and started reading magazines, too.

This is exactly the kind of “blindly following” behavior that has started to cripple many people in this country.

I have always thought that of all of the things that hold us back — fear, lack of confidence, having a small expectation of the world — all these have a sort of arrogance to them. It is an idea that the person experiencing the emotion is absolutely sure that their emotion is accurate. They are sure that the label they put on the world, another person, or themselves is accurate. So many parents get upset about the label teachers put on their kids, but many have done the same to their children and even to themselves and “know” that they are right.

Start fresh with your children and with yourself. Think about the labels that are being placed on you and rip those labels off. Decide that you are going to be a healthy person and someone who adds life to everyone you meet, everywhere you go.

"Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith." Galatians 6:10

Don’t let some stupid commercial convince you that things are worse than they are. Don’t let the media hype over Swine Flu convince you that it is anything other than the flu. And don’t let either yourself or your kids settle for being anything less than the perfect creation of God that you are.

Just Ask Me!

I had lunch with Eddie Cox on Thursday, and we talked about a lot of things concerning his vision for Marathon, and the fact that we are, once again, on the verge of reaching another level with our ministry. Marathon is continuing to grow, but it is the relational connections that are being formed that are really making the difference.

You see, attracting a crowd to your church is fine, but it can not be an end in itself. The goal is to help that crowd become a church of growing believers who are worshipping, serving, and connecting in life-changing relationships. Our ability to help people make these relational connections will directly affect our ability to continue to grow a healthy church.

The trick is to avoid letting the methods get in the way of the purpose.

For instance, for several decades Sunday school was nearly universal in American churches. In its prime, more people actually attended Sunday school than their church’s morning worship services. Why? Because, it was where people connected; felt loved and accepted, and shared their lives. Then, over the years, the method replaced the purpose. In many churches Sunday school became just a time for Bible study, which is certainly a worthy endeavor, but not very conducive to the original purpose. Once they became classrooms, and were no longer engaging people in meaningful relationships, pastors and other leaders began to look for other methods to accomplish the purpose.

As a result, there was a huge shift to small groups, or home groups (we now call them Life Groups at Marathon). Where the people could meet together in the relaxed atmosphere of each other’s homes, which was certainly more appropriate than most class rooms to forming relationships. Some churches added small groups as an alternative to their Sunday school program. Others replaced Sunday school all together.

The thing that we have to always keep in mind is that the small group is just the method, and not the goal. The Bible doesn’t tell us that we are to get people together in small groups, it tells us that we are to teach people how to relate, how to grow in authenticity with others, how to help each other through the tough stuff in life.

Small groups have the potential to change lives, but it is only potential. They do not guarantee relationships, but rather offer an environment where those relationships might start, and to experience true Biblical community.

So, let’s talk…

Are you a member of a small group?

Does your small group foster lasting relationships?

What other ways are you working to build those close relationships with those around you?

Want some help? Just ask me!

Robert

The TXT series

The 'TXT series' has been a fantastic series the past few weeks. We as Christians get in such a routine in our daily walk. We need to constantly remind ourselves what we should and need to be doing. God wants us in His Word. He wants us to grow closer to Him. Have you read anything in the Bible lately? Why not? Do it now!

This past Sunday, Robert stepped all over toes and even mine. We as servants of the Lord should take the time to ask people to church. Not everyone is comfortable to walk someone to the Lord but just get them to church. Marathon is created to do this for you. You want the people you know to be in Heaven. Are we only giving them the other option? Have you invited someone to church for this coming Sunday? Why not? We are only here for a short period and think of all the people that do not know God yet. God has placed these people in your life for a reason. Who just popped in your mind? That is who you need to ask.

James 4:17 says, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."

James 1:22 says, "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!"

Opportunity to Help Out with Upcoming Youth Mission Trip

The mission trip for the youth is around the corner. They are going again to Inner City Memphis, TN. They will be gone the last week of July. This is an awesome time for several of Marathon youth to reach out to others less fortunate and share the Word of God. A life changing experience for the youth and for the children and adults they will reach!


This year I asked Bryan Holder is there any way the Sunday Service Teams and Life Groups could be a part of the trip without even going. The answer was yes! Until July 19th, I will be collecting socks (for ages K3 – 4th graders), children’s belts, cases of bottle water, or Wal-mart gift cards. The children are in need of uniforms and the gift cards will help Holder and the youth to be able to go to the local Wal-mart and purchase khaki shorts and collar shirts since we don’t know sizes needed right now. If you would like to participate, please bring any of the items to volunteer central in the next few weeks.

YOU Are Why They Come Back!

When you think about it, church leaders, in their ongoing efforts to find new and better ways to carry out the great commission, have made many parts of Sunday morning obsolete. Churches are now streaming their services on line, on television, and on radio with the goal in mind of reaching more, but many times, with the unintended effect of the isolation of the worshipper. And, I'm certainly not saying that we should stop those efforts. In many cases they are extremely effective in getting "seekers" to pay closer attention, and as you know, that's a large part of what we do at Marathon.

With all of the “outside the church” choices in worship today, I sometimes wonder why people keep coming through the doors. You can go online and selectively choose any sermon that you are in the mood to hear, by practically any type speaker; and this variety of sermons and speakers is not only matched, but exceeded by the variety of worship music available at your fingertips 24/7. In fact, statistics show that in many cases the younger, more tech savvy worshipper has stopped coming in favor of the “online variety and experience”.

So why do people keep coming? Why do they get up, leave the computer behind and come to Marathon?

It is because Marathon offers a component of the worship experience that can never be obtained through an online praise service, message, or chat room discussions – the fellowship of the Spirit through human touch. In other words; Marathon offers YOU!

As I told my Life Group last Sunday, the reason for our shared fellowship – what draws us together, and gives us a sense of comfort among each other – is our shared Spirit. Among believers, the Spirit of Christ which dwells in all of us calls out, and is mutually answered. Comfort can be, and is found in God through the deepening of our personal relationship with Him. However, God made us to need the contact of others, and it is only through that contact that we will ever fully develop ourselves.

Worship is more than just experiencing God on our own. It is also experiencing God through others who we come in contact with, and who also have the indwelling of His Spirit.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

As I have said many times before, YOU are the reason that people come back! YOU are the ones who provide the "seekers" who come through the doors at Marathon with that all important link to the Spirit.

Without this continued contact, the relationship suffers, loneliness flourishes, and joy is dampened. Through this continued contact, loneliness is dampened, the relationship flourishes, and joy abounds!

Thank you, again... for everything!

Robert

Did you know?

So, did you know that He loves lilies? It is a well-known and much overlooked fact of His life - as known and overlooked as the lilies that He loves. And it's a puzzling fact, too. Why lilies? Why especially lilies?

Maybe He loves lilies for being white, the way many people love roses for being red. Maybe it's because of the brilliant green of their long, slender stalks or the glorious, deeper green of their leaves. Maybe He loves them because their blooms look like trumpets and their leaves resemble swords. It could simply be their simplicity, it might be their commonness. It may be because of all of that and it just as easily might be because of none of that at all.

In the Sermon on the Mount - a sermon that predated the birth of Christianity, a sermon so profound and timeless that it would endure throughout the history of Christianity and would (in fact) shape and distinguish the character of everything Christian - Jesus pointed to lilies as examples of a splendor superior to that of Solomon's. He considered them to be better dressed than kings - lilies, that is (and a lily is one of the most naked flowers known to us.) He did not apparently blush or stutter when He commanded His followers to consider them. He gave that command with the same authority that He gave the command to "let your light so shine" and the command to "turn the other cheek." It is an astonishing command - maybe given because lilies are astonishing flowers or maybe given because Jesus was an astonishing man.

After all, He has a certain fondness for sparrows and does not consider their care and feeding beneath the dignity of God - though God's care and dignity (Jesus would assert) is beyond the comprehension of men. It was God's Spirit that led Him into the wilderness where He fasted and spent forty days (Mark tells us) "with the wild animals." It is easy, considering this attitude about lilies and sparrows, to imagine (and yes, this is imagination and certainly not revelation) that He spent that time romping with those creatures, not cowering from them and thus in His person, partially fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy about a "peaceable Kingdom of the Branch."

And... If this were the entire picture of Christ, the world could easily write Him off as a nature lover - perhaps a forerunner of Greenpeace. But this is where the lover of lilies throws us a curve - for you see, He loves men. It was to the end that they might be saved that He came. This man who looked at flowers and loved them, also looked at an arrogant young human and loved him. He who romped forty days with the wild animals, spent and worked three years with yet a more savage and brutal species - man. He who rejoiced in God's providence for sparrows miraculously fed a crowd of 5,000 people on one occasion and 3,000 on another. His attention and affection was not won by the attractive and the beautiful - His glance and His love made things and people attractive and beautiful. The touch of His hand would give sight to the blind and from the hem of His garment flowed healing.

And even if someone would (and why should they) doubt the accounts of His miracles, I can testify myself I had never seen a lily until He showed me one. I had never heard a sparrow until His voice unplugged my ears. I had never known love until I met Him... and He is love.

So, all those things He did that we call "miracles" became believable to us because Christ, who performed them, operated out of love - and love (His love at least) has a height and depth and breadth and length that reaches beyond the dimensions of mere reason. And while reasons may be found within His love, no reason would be able to contain His love. It is possible that He loves lilies because He is love and that He feeds sparrows for the same reason. It is possible that the evidence of His divinity lies in that love - that in light of love, miracles seem sort of unremarkable. If God can love me, the rest will follow. And Jesus Christ is, for me, the evidence of God's unreasonable and unsolicited attentiveness, His unearned favor, His incomprehensible love.

So, did you know that He loves lilies?

Saying Thanks to Deployed Troops

On May 17th and 24th we will have a table set up in the atrium to give everyone an opportunity to write a thank you card to a deployed troop. The cards will mostly go to Iraq and Afgan. Please take the time to write a quick note. Stationary and cards will be provided. Marathon will also handle mailing out the cards. Every day troops should be remember for the sacrifice they provide for our freedom. They are fighting not only for my freedom, but my children's freedom.

Troy Gill sent me an email today that I wanted to share. Too good not to share!Please read below.

The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.. 'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan


After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached
the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time..

As I reached for my wallet, I
overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch.. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base ' His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or
chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied,
wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be
part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars. Soon after I returned to my seat, I
saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, 'I want to shake your hand.'

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness
I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers..

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars! Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their
safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals.

It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one
point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to ' America for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'

Made by the Book

The Bible is a very great book. It is the written witness to God's revelation of Himself in His Word: Jesus Christ. And, if you like, you can make a great deal of it.

You can speculate about it: This will make you a philosopher and people will think you are deep and very smart.

You can adulate it: This will make you its number one fan. You can display your very fine collection of its various versions all over your house.

You can attack it: This will make you a skeptic and people will admire your honest, blind determination to live in your grim, faithless little world.

You can adapt it: This will make you a popular scholar or author. You, too, can be the icing on a cake.

You can systematize it: This will make you a theologian and people will quote you and regard those quotes as some sort of authority.

You can criticize it: This will make you a scholar - and those who are not put off by your egg-headedness will confer on you M.A.'s and D.D.'s.

You can theorize about it: This will make you an expert in biblical slants on contemporary issues like political science, psychology, church growth, economics, sex, and marriage.

You can ponder it: This will make you a mystic and people will turn to you for spiritual advice (and from you when then get it).

You can practice it: This will make you a model citizen - a fair, generous, and righteous (if somewhat uptight) person.

Of course, what we make of the Bible will never be as great a thing as what the Bible will - if we let it - make of us. For that which is born of the flesh - our human understanding and handlings - is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit - God's revelation of Himself and the power of that revelation to enliven us - is spirit. The will of man will not ultimately prevail against the will of God. It is the will of God that we should know Him as He has revealed Himself and that will has not only survived the arrogant attacks of scientific and "enlightened" men, it has (even more miraculously) thrived in spite of our best intended, though sadly misguided, attempts at "rightly dividing" that seamless robe of revelation.

So, let us press on with no faith in our own understanding and nothing but faith in the Truth that is too great to be diminished by our feeble minds and too great not to transform us. Salvation comes from God, not from our cleverness. The Bible is a very great book. Let us submit to it so God may do the great work of making us into a great people.

Prayer Requests 4-26-09

Prayer is such a wonderful thing. Isn't it awesome we get the opportunity to pray for others?

Prayer Requests from this past Sunday:
Taylor (21 year old) Cancer
Brown Family
Abbey has been sick
Scotty - drug addition

Also we have received a prayer request from last night. Cameron Mann (Wren High School Student) injured in a car accident. He is in ICU at Greenville Memorial. His parents are Johnny and Cyndi Durham that use to attend Marathon Church. He needs our prayers right now.

Prayer is the best thing.

Have a wonderful week and I will see you Sunday.

Exit Plan, Baptism, Praise Night

The past few weeks God has been moving enormously at Marathon Church. For it to come out of several staffs' mouths that the past weekend was one of the best experiences at Marathon so far is awesome. Words can't even explain what is going on and the feeling of God's presence here at Marathon.

Eddie's messages lately have been unreal. I don't see how anyone sitting in church this past Sunday could refuse to accept God. We are going to exit this world and what a blessing to have a choice Heaven or Hell. I choose HEAVEN! It made me think of people in my life that I don't even know their choice. There are so many we won't see in Heaven. I have work to do and so do you. Another thing Pastor Eddie said Easter that has stuck in my head is when he talked about tombstones and how there is an entering date and an exiting date. Then there is the dash. We are in the dash right now. I can only think over and over "am I doing everything I should be doing for God in my dash?" As Christians we are representing God in the actions we do each day.

Last thing, BAPTISM was WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!! Along with praise night! I hate it if any of you missed it. Baptism was a celebration! I mean a celebration!!

Have a wonderful week! See you Sunday!

Get Ready for this Coming Sunday!!!

Get ready for this coming Sunday!!!

65 people have signed up so far to get baptized this Sunday. WOW!!! AND I know that will not be the final number. We will have so much to praise at Praise Night! I love Praise Nights and this one is going to be UNREAL!!! God is so awesome that I don't see how anyone can try to describe how much. People are seeing God through the volunteers each week. Keep shining for the Lord!!!!

Have a wonderful week!!! Remember to keep staff in your prayers!!!

THANK YOU!

Thank you, everyone for all that you did Saturday night, and Sunday morning to make the Easter Services so incredible.

I saw the power of God’s Love move on the thousands of people who came through those doors. I saw darkness break against The Light. I heard the quiet desperation of some lives drowned out in the laughter of celebration. In short: Today, I saw death destroyed by Life.

Easter burst upon the world as it does each year. People were surprised by the assault of God’s Love. Lives were changed. Hope returned. Joy remains. Everything erupted with redemption.

Easter has come, again! REJOICE!

Prayer Requests from 4-5-09

The past few weeks have been an awesome experience for me. I know this coming weekend is going to be fantastic. God has his hands all in the preparations for Easter services. I know we are praying for 6000 people but the salvations are so much more important that we are praying for. Just think and remember you will have a huge part in it. It is amazing how God can use someone like me to help with His kingdom. What a wonderful privilege!!!!

Prayer Request from 4-5-09:
Ken King - Eyes
Angie Morgan - Brown family, Angie's own job
Troy Gill - his grandmother
Richard and Jeri Hill - Job Situation
Ben Hill - Motorcycle Safety
Jim and Teresa Demioa - Cancer in lungs
Ori Allimassey - Seizures

Please also to remember to lift up the many people that will be attending this weekend. I am praying for God to bubble over us where everyone can see Him in the volunteers. Please also remember to lift Pastor Eddie up. Thank you so much for what each of you do.

Your Sister in Christ,
Crystal Riggins

Easter Celebration

I spent a few hours outside yesterday morning. The weather was beautiful, and I got in the first bit of yard work for the year. The snow that we had a month ago, the recent rain, and the high winds yesterday had wreaked havoc on the trees around our house. There was a ton of dead limbs lying around my yard. It took about an hour to pick all of the limbs up and carry (sometimes drag) them to the pile near the road where they will be picked up sometime next week.

I couldn’t help but think of all of the storms that have hit my life lately, and the debris that has been left lying around for my Father to pick up. The great thing about it is that it was all dead weight, extra baggage, dead limbs that I shouldn’t have been carrying around in the first place. God used the storms to clean me up, and I am thankful.

As we enter the final week before Easter, our thoughts should turn more and more to the cross and what was done for us all there. God sacrificed Himself for us, and even though there is no possible way that we could ever thank Him enough, we must do what little we can to show our gratitude for the sacrifice that He made on Good Friday.

The wonderful thing is that Friday was not the end, because when Easter Sunday arrived we where given our reason to rejoice in His resurrection.

I encourage all of you participate in the services on Saturday night, and Sunday morning, not just to show your gratitude for His sacrifice, but to rejoice in celebration of His resurrection.

Big things are happening. Lives will forever be changed. You will miss many blessings if you’re not a part of what God is about to do at Marathon.

See you there.

Robert

Just a Thought

Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” Genesis 15: 5


As I was driving home the other night there was a beautiful moon lighting my way. I thought about driving home as a teenager in my small town, and how I was so happy then because, well, I was a teenager - what was there to worry about?

It was still the same bright, beautiful moon up there last night that I loved back then.

You know, sometimes we think everything is changing – that everything has changed, but the same moon is up there again tonight, along with very the same stars that Abraham saw. They're all up there. And the same God that put them there and made them shine, He's still there, too.

I don't know what life has for you. I don't know what life has for me. But I know this; I know that God is good. I know that God does not lie. And I know that God has given us the gift of our lives. I can’t tell you the best way for you to honor that gift, but I can encourage you to Love one another. Forgive one another. Work as unto God. Let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts. Make it your ambition to Give. Obey. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

I think your Father will be pleased.

Prayer Requests received March 22nd

Hi guys and gals. Hope you all are having a wonderful week. Work has been busy so far. Something to ponder this week: 'God is a verb'. I read that in the book "The Shack". I am really enjoying the book. It is a little different but I have received a lot from it. Check it out if you have not yet.

Prayer Requests from March 22nd (Please lift them up):
Debbie Lancaster - Brain Surgery (4/15)
Melissa Kennedy's father-in-law had a car accident
18 yr old death in car accident - not sure of name
Vicky - Health issues
Family of Carl Owen - died unexpectedly last Tuesday
Jim and Teresa Demaio - Lung Cancer
Steve Hill - Needs a job, restoration of relationship with daughters
Scott Key - for his son Nick which is considering marriage.
Troy Gill - for broken life - that God will move him to a higher level.
Shawn - needs a job, her daughter to come to church for Easter
Vicky - Brother Robert and friend Bob
Renee Dempsey - safe travel to West Virginia this week.

Thank you for all you do and have a wonderful week. Don't forget to sign up for Easter Services in Volunteer Central. We are expecting a huge crowd. Let's let the visitors see God in us.

Love, Crystal

Prayer Requests from 3-15-09

Several prayer requests from Sunday. Please take the time to say a little prayer for them.

Michael - unspoken
Cathy - daughter sick
Abbey - Debbie Lancaster (neighbor) Has a brain tumor. Surgery scheduled for 4-15.
Darlene - Nephew (medical issues)
Richard - Jim and Theresa Danaio
John Knorr - Praise Business Is Good
Ethan Kennedy - medical
Vicky - Health issues

Something Eddie said Sunday that I loved how he worded it. Jesus didn't die for a religion, but a relationship.

Have a wonderful week and don't forget to let me know which Easter services you will be serving in.

The question is 'Why'?

The question is ‘Why’?

Pastor Eddie’s message yesterday was right on the money. I was sitting there nodding yes to him. I know people around me thought something probably was wrong with my neck. I wanted to yell ‘You go Eddie!’

My question is ‘Why’? Why do we do what we do? The answer is God. Why do we run a camera on Sunday? God! Why do we get up early on Sunday morning? God! Why do we change baby diapers of someone else’s child? God! Why do say hello to people? God! Why do we take the time out to be in Life groups? God! Why do we participate in Bible Studies? God! Why do attend church? God! Why do we volunteer? God! From the beginning to end and everything in between should be about God. Reaching people, growing in our own relationship with Christ, being an example for nonbelievers and believers are a few of the in between. The list goes on and on. If you doubt an action, then don’t do it. If you feel God would not approve, don’t do it.

We as Christians are the light for others. We are the fire. If you feel someone may put your fire out, get away from them. Gather your candles and I will be glad to share my flame. We need to be on FIRE for GOD! Let people see it. Let people feel it. You may be their only hope. Invite people to church, invite people to serve, invite people to learn! Be the person God wants us each to be.

If you have a chance to serve, do it. If you have a chance to go to a life group, go. If you a chance to ask some one to help. Ask them. God places things in front of you for a reason. Don’t close that door or window.

If you have one of the ‘Jesus Is’ shirts, look into the mirror with it on. Jesus is YOU! Jesus is ME! Jesus is in us and needs to be seen!

Easter is coming. I need volunteers on fire to serve that weekend. Are you one of them? Get out of your box. Try something new. If you usually greet, try to usher. If you usually work the kiosk, help the café. Let’s show the fire at Easter. Let’s show the people how much we love God and love our church. Please sign up at volunteer central if you can serve that weekend. I need you to show the fire, God needs you to show his fire! If you want to do all five then do that.

Crystal Riggins

The Way We Were

Inspired by Eddie's singing of the Barbara Streisand hit this morning, I offer a few thoughts on "The Way We Were".

Before we had stifled the cross into a symbol, before we had softened Grace into a sentiment, before we had systematized the power and mystery of God's written revelation of Himself into a set of dogmas, we were the children that we must become again.

When we were those wee kids (you remember, don't you?) every stable was sacred because it was in a stable that Christ was born, and every star was an angel of God's presence because He had told Abraham to see in them the number of blessings to come. Every tree had hands to clap and mountains had voices, pebbles could penetrate the helmets on the heads of giants, sins were shameful and Love was irrepressible.

And we prayed powerful, profound prayers - prayers so direct and wonderfully indiscreet that we blush now when we remember them - the prayers and the faith that lifted them up to God in those heights where we used to meet Him - heights that we now view drearily, dizzily, and doubtfully.

We used to pray: "Into my hear, into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today, come in to stay, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus..." and we can't grasp it much more now than we could then, only it didn't stop us from praying. When we were little, we gave ourselves over to faith. Now we are big, and too heavy to rise above our own understanding.

When we were kids we sang for the joy of singing, we colored and cut and pasted for the fun of doing it. We ran for the love of running and laughed and got scared and saw the world as a real place full of real dangers and real beauty and real rights and wrongs.

And if the cross is more than a symbol (and it is), and if Grace is more than a sentiment (and, thank God, it is), if Jesus Christ is really God's revelation of Himself and not the product of human imagination (and He is), then we will become the children we once were and must become again.

Stables will be temples, stars will be guarantees, "the trees of the fields will clap their hands and the mountains and the hills will break forth in singing..." We will pray and run and work and give ourselves over to faith. And God will be our Father and His Kingdom will be our home, for we will again be those children that we once were, and "of such is the Kingdom of Heaven..."

Be God's Kids,
Robert

Sunday 3-8-09

Awesome job yesterday!!!! We had a secret visitor to see how everything was going and got great news on how friendly and on their game the volunteers were! GREAT JOB! Sammy did a wonderful job during his message.


Prayer Requests from Sunday 3/8/09:

Please remember Barry and Nancy White's family. They had a terrible motorcycle wreck on Saturday. Nancy died on impact, and Barry was air-lifted to the hospital in Augusta, and is in critical condition. He has broken ribs, internal injuries, and swelling on his brain. He is in a drug induced coma. Please be praying for him, and their family. Barry's brother, Alan and his wife Miranda, are also in our system. Miranda's mom is Nesha Debose, a Marathon member who passed away a few weeks ago.

Marcie Belcher had a prayer request for her friend Sommer Langer and her baby that was born on Friday with an undeveloped heart. They are taking the baby today (Monday) to MUSC (Charleston) for surgery.

Praise report that Ken King is back from his eye surgery.

Please remember all the people without work right now. We received a huge stack of cards from Sunday service of people looking for jobs. We prayed over them this morning. Please also remember to lift up the business owners of our church.

I have heard often that it will get worse before it gets better. I have to remember to place everything in God's hands and I pray you do too.

Have a wonderful week and thank you for all you do.

Love,
Crystal

Leading Together

Something I read yesterday that I wanted to share:

Leading Together
Larry Shallenberger

"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity...From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work" (Ephesians 4:11-13a, 16).

Consider the different spiritual gifts that God places under the hood of the leaders of the church. God doesn't honor one "silver bullet" style of leadership. God didn't intend these leaders to go off into their own corner of the church and do their own thing. Verse 16 paints a picture of the unity that a diverse team of leaders can enjoy. Some leaders provide muscle. Some provide bone. Some supply the ligaments and tendons. All weave themselves together and grow in love until only one things is visible—Jesus.

I can't accomplish that type of beauty all by myself. In all my years of serving, I will never be able to transform my department into the Body of Christ—not by myself. Neither can you.

We desperately need to operate in teams if we ever want the product of our energy to be Jesus. The good people that God has surrounded you with weren't placed there to be extensions of you. And for that they are thankful.

You might very well be the point person. But you aren't the only leader in your ministry. God gives leadership to churches and ministries in sets of two or more. Do you remember when Elijah had his emotional meltdown on Mount Horeb and told God that he was the only one doing the Lord's work. Somehow he'd forgotten his conversation with Obadiah where 100 of God's prophets had been protected. That's 101 leaders (counting Obadiah) with whom Elijah could do ministry. When God ended Elijah's retreat at Camp Prozac, he instructed Elijah to create a mentoring team with Elisha.

God is not so cruel to make you do ministry alone.

All Staff Meeting Today

Today we had a Marathon All Staff Meeting. Kip made some good points that I would like to share. He had us think about why we do what we do on a daily basis. In a normal person's life 95% of what we do can be replaced by someone else but what is the 5% that we do that cannot be replaced by someone else? What is it that you do that no one else can do? Good question... You would want to say your job but honestly someone could do it. My answer was "be the mom that I am to my children". Now that probably got you thinking. "Be the husband to your wife", "or wife to your husband", "parent to your children", etc... What about no one else could have the relationship you have with Christ but yourself? How is your relationship with the Lord? Have you taken time for Him?

Another good point Kip said which it just came out with out him thinking, is we are all like Heart Surgeons. We each are there on Sunday to help change people's hearts.

So my challenge to you this weekend is to think about what you are doing and why you do what you do. You are making a difference in people. Let God shine through you and let's work together to change hearts.

For The Race,
Crystal

Recap from Sunday 2-15-09

Prayer Requests for This Week:
Robert Fortner's son Kirkland double ear infections
Now Robert is sick so keep him in your prayers
Ken King - received clean bill of health from cardiologist, eye surgery rescheduled for 2/27
Melissa Kennedy's friend just found out she has breast cancer
Brad Williams’ close friend Jeff Smoak, has a daughter, Macayla Smoak, that has a rare disease known as Batten's. She is 7 years old. He has put together a website, www.smoaksignals.com, regarding this.
Also Brad has a prayer request for Shawnee Boyle. Her website is http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/shawneeboyle. She has a large mass on her brain.

Always remember Eddie in your prayers

I will not be here this coming Sunday the 22nd. Robert will be holding down the fort so please see him if you need anything.

Have a wonderful week and weekend!
Love,
Crystal

A Thank You For My Teachers

A lot of times we look at people in the Bible and we think that they're so different from us. But when we look at the things we all share in common, we find it's very profound. The fact is that people are people regardless of the time or place in which they find themselves. When we dig down beneath those temporal issues, this is what we find - that God Loved them, and that He Loves us. To me, there is nothing more riveting.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom and we were created to fear God, it's not a fear like a fear of the dark. It's more like a fear of the Grand Canyon, the awe inspired by standing on the top of Table Rock when the wind is blowing. Every Sunday morning, as I go around and speak to all of you and try to find out more about what is going on in your lives, I find myself marveling at God’s perfect plan. It is a small moment of awe that overcomes me each week.

Whether you realize it or not, God uses you every week to teach me things that I need to know, and I am grateful that you are willing to be The Teacher’s assistants (even if you were unaware that was what you were doing).

Sometimes my lessons are immediately obvious: Sometimes, due to my stubbornness, they take some time to sink in. Regardless, a lesson is there for me each and every week, and you are the ones who show me the way.

Thanks Guys!

Robert

Prayer Requests

Hi guys,

We didn't get a chance to post the prayer requests from Sunday. Would anyone like to add some? If so, comment...

Thanks,

Robert

Forgetting, Serving, and Growing

It was great to see all of you this morning. I want you to know how much you are appreciated. Quite simply, Marathon would not work without your dedication and service.

Brad Williams and I were talking the other night about how we tend to live our lives in a self-centered fashion. I told him that sometimes when I stop to think about it, I realize that I've been living as if life were a book all about me, and everyone else is just smaller characters in the book that were written in to give it more color.

People who become self-centered lose contact with the outside world. They spend all of their time and energy worrying about bills, friends, work, or even play. If we were to take the time to stop all of that, we could see that it's a big world out there - and it reflects the character of God.

The wonderful thing about service at Marathon, is that it allows us to forget about those things once in a while, and allow ourselves to become involved in the lives of people who have equally bad situations, to our own. To open up, look outside of our tiny little worlds, and let other people matter.

When we take a bigger view of things, God will give us more of His Grace and Love to share with others. We'll find ourselves responding to their needs; we'll find ourselves angered by injustice to others, and perhaps we'll even be moved enough to do something about it.

Self esteem is overrated. Christ never asked us to esteem ourselves. I think that if Christ were asked, He might say that it would be a wonderful thing if we forgot ourselves.

Christianity isn't about being self-sacrificing - it's about being self-forgetting. Forget yourself once in a while, and open your eyes. Focus on this big, beautiful world God has made. As you walk around, learn to identify some of the plants that you pass. At night, learn to identify every constellation in the sky. Get to know birds by their feathers, flight patterns and songs. Introduce yourself to your neighbors, or the lady you're in line with at Bi-Lo. It really is a big world out there - and it really does reflect the character of God. Let go of yourself - and God will show you a whole new world.

Be God's!

Robert

Prayer Requests for week of 1-25

Thank you for volunteering at Marathon.

Eddie made a good point changing things up Sunday and making us take the time to really worship God. Do you ever just sit in church wondering what the next song will be, or actually wondering what you will have for lunch? I think it happens to all of us. My brain wonders did the ushers count? Did everyone get greeted? Did we run out of donuts? We all have somewhere we wonder off to. Church is a time for us to take time for the Lord. In everything we do on Sunday should be for God. If it is greeting, ushering, information, or preparing coffee, it is for God. You should give it all you have as if the Lord is standing right beside you. How would you prepare God's coffee, how would you greet God? We would give it all. God is with us on Sunday, just let Him work through you. It will make a difference for yourself and for many others.

Prayer Requests from Sunday:
Dewey's dad has an infection now.
Pam McCormick's mom
Penny Evan's eye
Abbey Turner's dad - health issue
Vicki Gill is sick
Emily DeRoberts aunt at GMH
Renee Dempsey's unspoken
Karen Craven's unspoken

Have a wonderful week and I will see you Sunday!

For His Work,
Crystal Riggins

Hi wonderful volunteers!

I am a little disappointed that we did not receive snow. I love snow! It is so peaceful.

Invite Cards will be handed out this Sunday for the February series. Welcome team does a great job getting these out.

New Prayer Requests and Prayer Requests Updates
Dewey's dad has been from CCU to ICU. This is a praise.
Shawn's dog is doing much better and she has a job interview this week.
Kim James(greeter and volunteer central) is having some health issues. Had tonsils removed yesterday.

Prayer works!

See you Sunday. Have a great week!

Ongoing Repairs

I woke up on Saturday morning to frozen water pipes, and knew that my agenda had been set for the day. If you have read my blog for awhile you’ll know that any home repair project usually takes me all day, not due to the difficulty of the job at hand, but due to the lack of expertise in the hands doing the job. Still, I occasionally attempt to make repairs, and sometimes even improvements.

Our house is not a mansion; it’s more like me - sort of small to medium, with more of a sturdy build than any graceful elegance, and with a definite mind of its own. Like me it is resistant to change; even openly hostile to my ideas of what it ought to be. But slowly, surely, and occasionally even patiently I am enlightening it, changing its self-concept, convincing it that it is not an ugly, old house - it is a great space that I would like to inhabit and be on friendly terms with - a space full of promise and beauty and order and life.

I suspect that it wants to cooperate, but it's hard to trust in your builder, so I must be patient. Whoever it was that shaped this place before we came along did so with some pretty big nails, deep cuts, hard hammers and rough saws. And sometimes in the heat of the toil of my labor I give in to fits of selfish rage - frustration more over my lack of skill than over the house’s lack of progress.

Still, I am strangely moved by the place and I proclaim the gospel to it softly. I say, "I know how it hurts to be torn up. I am often choked on the litter left by my own remodeling. I know what it's like to settle into the despair of believing that you are wasted space. I have felt the blows of heavy hammers that nailed me to a sense of uselessness. I have been shaped by some pretty careless workers who came to the task of making me and lacked the craftsmanship or artistry to do so. Even worse, much of the damage and decay that I suffer from was self inflicted. I know the pain of wanting to be changed and yet being distrustful of changes, of wanting to be worked on, but being suspicious of the intentions of the Worker. But here is some good news:

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6

Now THAT is good news. However messy we may be now, however confusing and scary it appears, however endless the task may seem, we will some day be glorious, beautiful, and alive!

There is much tearing out to do - a lot to give up. No thin coat of new paint, no shallow, petty piety will do. It's not good enough to cover up imperfection, it must be corrected. Art, beauty, function - these things take time. They may indeed take until the end of the age. But we are not wasted space, we are temples of a Being greater than ourselves, temples being built to be inhabited and brought to Life.

Though we may not understand the process, our Builder does. We are being made by a Master Carpenter. We are His workmanship and the place where He lives, and we can never give up, because He certainly never will.

Paul Cox Newsletter Jan 09

PAUL’ S AMAZING RACE
The story of one man’s journey to Africa and beyond for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

The Gospel beyond the preaching, teaching, and healing

Hey everyone! I know it has been awhile since I sent out a newsletter but for the longest time I struggled with how best to explain what I’m doing so that everyone will see and believe that I’m still doing His will. I know from my own experience and from people I’ve talked to that unless you’ve been in the missions field, most people see missions as all preaching, teaching and healing. Well I’m here to tell you that it’s so much more than the basics. It’s also about building relationships and discipling the next generation to go fulfill their calling.

Of all the jobs I’ve been asked to perform in the past month, the job of diplomat (building relationships) is probably the easiest and yet most difficult for me. In the past month I’ve been to two funerals and have had a third within our local workers. Building relationships is a 24/7 task and yet you never know if you’re making a difference till you see the fruit you bear. We might not ever see results of our commitments till we go Home but that shouldn’t keep you from spreading His love on earth. No day is immune from this calling and our Christmas day started at 6 am when we ferried a local church to another village to spread His love. Then we met with the headmen and elders of the village closest to the base. Afterward we ate lunch at a neighbors house and saw a play on the birth of Christ. We left from there to pick up the same church from where we dropped them. Our day ended at 10 pm when we finally got back to the base.

So being a missionary isn’t all about the salvations, it’s also about what you do in between. Since the beginning of the year I’ve had a few people come to me and say how much they appreciate my being here and how much it means to them all that I do. It is very humbling when a headman comes to you and tells you that he’s glad you’re here. Fruit produced.

Creating a haven for missionaries and weary travelers

At our Rapid 14 base, we provide a base camp for Overland Missionaries to prepare for and recover from trips to the African bush. The trips are planned out and if you come thru Overland Missions everything is provided. From the gear to the food and vehicles. You will also get a an experienced team leader and assistant to look after you. Before that happens though someone needs to prepare the way. The buildings and land must be prepared and maintained. The vehicles and equipment needs to be maintained and readied for each trip. That someone is me and my team of local workers and fellow missionaries. In the time since I’ve gotten back from Malawi I’ve worn many hats: plumber, electrician, mechanic, gardener, accountant, construction supervisor, and, like I said earlier, diplomat. It is amazing how God has prepared me for this time and how He is preparing me now for what’s to come next.

We also provide free camping for people and groups traveling thru Zambia. Most are traveling overland to see Africa and some come as missionaries. It has been such a blessing to me to meet everyone who has come thru. Most who come thru are Christians and the ones who aren’t get to see Christ’s love in action.

Even though it’s free most end up leaving a small donation as a way of saying that they support what we are doing. I really look forward to who the Lord will bring down the road next and into our lives.

That’s just a small sample of what has been happening in my life. It is my prayer that this newsletter reaches you happy and blessed. I want to thank everyone who has partnered with me in the past. I just received word that my two year work permit was approved and as such I’ll be able to stay in Zambia and continue serving Christ in whatever capacity He asks of me. As of November 10th (which is also the Marine Corps’ birthday), I’m officially on staff with Overland Missions. When I came on staff they gave me a financial goal of $1500/mth, part of which goes to base fees and part will go to a savings fund for unexpected and expected expenses. If you feel the Lord leading you to partner with me and would like more information you can contact me at paul@overlandmissions.com, or you can just make a donation
thru Marathon Church, just specify that it’s for Paul Cox.

Thank you and God bless.
Paul S. Cox

Contact Info:
Marathon Church, ATTN: Sherry Anthony
315 Roe Rd., Greenville, SC 29611 or 220-0632, ext. 232

Prayer Requests from Sunday 1-11

Sunday was a great day. I came out of the service with a lot from Eddie's message. Sometimes life gets so busy that even I forget how much God loves me (little ol' me). I loved Eddie's point #3 that stated "When I realize that God accepts me through Christ, I am no longer living for His approval but from His approval". A lot of times we try and try to meet people's approval with in a job, personal relationships, etc. but we already have the approval that we need FROM God if we have a relationship with Him. He loves us for who we are.

Right now times are hard for many people even people that attend Marathon. I received several prayer requests yesterday that would like to be shared where more people can lift them up.

1. Jobs - we have several volunteers without work right now.
2. Dewey (8:30 usher) - his dad is in the hospital
3. Cathy Ward (welcome team and 10 am greeter leader) - sick
4. Jason Griffin's cousin and wife lost their newborn baby. (Jason - Welcome team)
5. Shawn Cormier's dog and work situation (Shawn - 10 am greeter and 11:30 greeter leader)

Thank you for all you do. Marathon volunteers are wonderful!!!

Have a fantastic week!

Keep RUNning,
Crystal Riggins

Equipped To Serve?

I was asked on Sunday if I thought a certain person was "equipped to serve". The only answer I can give is: "Are they willing to serve?"

Think about this:

God did not give Joseph any special information about how to get from being the son of a nomad in Palestine to being Pharaoh's right hand man in Egypt.

What He did give Joseph was eleven jealous brothers, the attention of a very loose and vengeful woman, the ability to do the service of interpreting dreams and managing other people's affairs and the grace to do that faithfully wherever he was.

So the question is never "Are you equipped to serve". The question is always simply, "Are you willing to serve?"

Be God's!

Robert

Volunteers

Robert and I are real excited about beginning to keep a blog to help with communication among the Sunday morning teams. If at any time you wish for a prayer request to be shared, please email me directly at crystalriggins@marathonlive.org and I will get it on the blog.
Thank you for all you do. You are wonderful faithful servants of the Lord. I treasure knowing each of you.

Have a wonderful week!
For His Work,
Crystal Riggins

Welcome To Volunteer Central

Welcome everyone, to our new Volunteer Central page!

Crystal and I will be using this forum to communicate with all of the volunteers. As it develops, we hope to add devotional and inspirational posts, as well as announcements, special stories and prayer requests.

You will also be able to add comments of your own, simply by clicking on the comments link at the bottom of each post.

Be sure to sign up as a "Follower" of this blog over in the right side margin, and you will be notified each time something is posted.

See you on Sunday, and until then...

Be God's!

Robert