Month: May 2020

Sunday Ministry 5. 31. 2020

Sunday Ministry May 31, 2020

You are welcome to tap here, www.christianlifechapel.org and listen to today’s prerecorded sermon GOING FORWARD, Mark 3:7-35, at your convenience.

7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. 9 And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, 10 for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. 11 And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.

13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. 16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

20 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” 23 And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. 27 But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.

28 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30 for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

31 And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” 33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO JESUS? Are you like the crowds with a ‘fix me too’ expectation? Are you like the religious ‘officials’ with a most critical spirit because their authority and way of life was challenged? Are you like the disciples now being given the privilege ‘apostles’ learning obedience? Or, like the demos who clearly knew who Jesus was but were silenced (obeyed Jesus) because the followers of Jesus still did not get fully who he was?

‘THERE IS NO OTHER NAME’

Hymn with Lyrics 7:20No Other Name [Official Lyric Video] – Hillsong Worship

 
youtube.png

No Other Name [Official Lyric Video] – Hillsong Worship

Great news – we will have installed this coming week at the Chapel, by Comcast, our own powerful internet/dedicated WIFI. Meaning, the programming we receive through the internet will be beautiful and our ability to broadcast from the Chapel (via ZOOM or otherwise) will be vibrant and influential. Thank you again for your funding.

 

Pastor Mike Brubaker, DMin

860-537-3914

Christian Life Chapel Website
Christian Life Chapel
PO Box 91
392 South Main Street
Colchester, CT 06415

Tonight’s ministry, welcome

Wednesday Ministry May 27, 2020

All across America the early news this morning is: “We are ready to open!” After almost ten years, we are ready to put two men back in space from the USA, SpaceX NASA! I’m there! I’m watching.

One joy I have these summer-like days is to visit with you face-to-face on your front porch, rear deck, lawn or at the Chapel. Please let me know when you are available or just stop by. I know how busy folks are getting.

This evening join us at Church or on Zoom at 7:00 pm. The Bible study is about the Kingdom of God, the main topic of Jesus’ preaching and the Apostles teaching, plus Praise and Prayer. A study guide is attached. I promise you that in the next week or two (popular request) we will dedicate our Wednesday evening to all praise over the good and positive things we have learned of God in our experience with COVID 19; “What I learned about my God is…”

Tonight’s Zoom info:

Topic: Praise and Prayer Tonight

Time: May 27, 2020 07:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting, Click here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84742230099

Meeting ID: 847 4223 0099

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,84742230099#

Land Line Dial

+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 847 4223 0099

 

Pastor Mike Brubaker, DMin

860-537-3914

Christian Life Chapel
PO Box 91
392 South Main Street
Colchester, CT 06415

Sunday Ministry May 24, 2020

Sunday Ministry May 24, 2020

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

You are welcome to tap here, www.christianlifechapel.org and listen to today’s prerecorded sermon

GOING FORWARD, Mark 2:13-3:6

Wednesday Evening Praise and Prayer is scheduled for 7:00 pm both at the church and for those who join us on ZOOM. A separate email/video will be sent out to all of you Wednesday noon assisting you in making the connection.

ZOOM CLOUD!?! Linda and I bought a zoom internet platform and added cloud storage space (not the one over your head). We would like to presently share it with the church. For the first time this past Friday, I recorded video/audio, the same sermon posted on our church website, sermon GOING FORWARD, Mark 2:13-3:6. Click on the link below at your convenience and you are viewing today’s sermon… enter the password below when prompted.

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/opJaJJXI8mlLYaPT6lqAWYEaPan1aaa8gCYcqKIKn0_AUE5T8Rmn52YQS0B0SbBs

Password: 2b+5?&*t

The Church office will be closed on Monday in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday. Enjoy this beautiful Lord’s Day today. God bless you.

By now, you have heard the news of the homegoing of evangelist and apologist, Ravi Zacharias. His daughter reports that just a couple of months before his cancer diagnosis, he recited a stanza from a hymn written more than 300 years ago by Richard Baxter, a pastor who served nearly 20 years in the small town of Kidderminster, England. Here are the words of that hymn. Read slowly and savor each word!

“Lord, it belongs not to my care, whether I die or live;

To love and serve Thee is my share, and this Thy grace must give.

If life be long, I will be glad, that I may long obey;

If short, yet why should I be sad, to welcome endless day?

Christ leads me through no darker rooms, than He went through before;

He that unto God’s kingdom comes, must enter by this door.

Come Lord, when grace hath made me meet, Thy blessed face to see;

For if Thy work on earth be sweet, what will thy glory be!

Then I shall end my sad complaints, and weary sinful days,

And join with the triumphant saint, that sing my Savior’s praise.

My knowledge of that life is small, the eye of faith is dim;

But ‘tis enough that Christ knows all, and I shall be with Him.”

Pastor Mike Brubaker, DMin

860-537-3914

Christian Life Chapel
PO Box 91
392 South Main Street
Colchester, CT 06415

Friday Connection 5. 22. 2020

Nothing

The human condition and experience are a captivating study. A trained counselor listens for certain code words to determine whether someone is in distress for whatever reason. Heavy use of words like ‘never’ ‘always’ ‘nothing’ and certain others are markers of their condition. We have passed through such a time.

My preparation for this coming Sunday’s message, GOING FORWARD Series, the Gospel of Mark 2:13 – 3:6 led me to the chilling human condition or experience when NOTHING that could ever have been done, would have been good enough for lots of people. Jesus could have healed all diseases in the world and lined each of their pockets with a million dollars and under their excessive scrutiny, they would not be satisfied.

What were the four offenses? Jesus ate lunch with people they disliked; Jesus did not fast on the same schedule or at the right places as they planned; Jesus fresh-picked food (allowed by law) out of a field instead of eating dried food at home; Jesus healed a man with a withered hand – to make matters worse – in a synagogue – on the Sabbath. All astonishing ‘crimes.’

Scrutiny is good, necessary. However, for those in distress excessive scrutiny leads to dark places. The script gets flipped. Bad becomes good and good becomes bad. This is why I thought it comforting to search the Scriptures (taken from the ESV), finally, and see how our perfect God wants us to understand the word, ‘nothing,’ as he uses it, and be blessed! This is my last Connections/Blog. We now have growing opportunities to meet face-to-face at church and out to reestablish those connections we enjoy and are dependent upon. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 39:5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah 6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

Ecclesiastes 1:9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.

Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Luke 12:2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Panic is passing, the Power of God is permanent!

Seth and Kaitlyn Sanford have a new baby girl, Olivia Renee, 7 lbs, 15 ounces, their third daughter. Mother and Olivia and Dad are doing great! Congratulatons. Natalie and Lauren, enjoy your baby sister.

Linda B, her sister Donna, is now in cancer remission. Good News. Thank you for praying.

Here is a gift to you from our brothers and sisters in Christ meeting together in Hawaii, USA The Hawaii Blessing

 
youtube.png

The Hawaii Blessing

A gift from the Churches of Hawai‘i, The Hawai‘i Blessing was recorded during the first week of May 2020 by wors…

Pastor Mike Brubaker, DMin

860-537-3914

Christian Life Chapel
PO Box 91
392 South Main Street
Colchester, CT 06415

Thursday Connection 5. 21. 2020

Invigorated

I am again blessed by our church family as we began to meet physically and simultaneously through zoom; (1) I love the new tool and tools coming for our church ministry toolbox for outreach (2) I love the way you care for and pray for each other and respect others as we go through the effort of opening up. Thank you. Thank you. Well done.

A quick review from last evening; “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” Matthew 28:20

This PROMISE of Jesus is remarkable, a promise that will be good in:

Every age like your lifetime, your world, your generation, or your perspective

Every circumstance like your good times and challenging times and future experiences

Every response like the way you handled things or how others handled things

Every eventuality like whatever our health and prosperity or tragedy and loss

True invigoration coming from the conclusion of our age: Revelation 21

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel’s measurement. The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Seth and Kaitlyn Sanford are expecting the birth of their third daughter, today, in PA. They appreciate your prayers.

Millie’s son-in-law David will have rescheduled cancer surgery tomorrow, Friday. They appreciate your prayers.

Pastor Art Langdon has an eightieth birthday coming in a few days, Saturday, May 23, to be exact. In lieu of a group hug and loud singing, how about a card or email greeting? Happy Birthday Art! P O Box 317 Colchester, CT 06415 cclangdon@aol.com

Praying together for the best and preparing for the rest

Pastor Mike Brubaker, DMin

860-537-3914

Christian Life Chapel Website
Christian Life Chapel
PO Box 91
392 South Main Street
Colchester, CT 06415

Wednesday Connection 5. 20. 2020

Facing threats

Several years ago, churches large and small faced very real threats of violence and death across our country. Many churches responded with preventive measures of vigilance and have reduced the threat numbers exponentially. We agree that violence cannot be eliminated 100%. But we can be prepared. Christian Life Chapel has been exemplary by engaging a church Safety Committee. You are the best. Each committee member has been faithful and respected for your care and watch over us. Thank you, many times, over.

Now we have faced another threat. This time of sickness and death. Thankfully, quarantine minimized the risks. Experts agree these risks will not be 100% eliminated. But we can mitigate our physical world and follow a plan that would accommodate a good number of folks. I’m looking forward to this plan enabling Christian Life Chapel to grow in strength and numbers. We will do well.

As we have opened up our facility please be assured our church is cleaned, ventilation is superb, physical spacing is yours, antiseptics, gloves, and masks have been provided by volunteers for those who wish to join us on Wednesday evenings going forward for Praise and Prayer. We are overstocked on toilet paper and paper towels. Prayer and Praise restarts tonight at 7:00 pm.

Respectfully, for those who wish to stay home, we are making available to all of us the ZOOM platform to use. We can be praying and praising together. Your invitation to Zoom will follow this email with instructions given. I would be equally thankful if your choice is home zooming or maybe someday away on vacation.

Zoom Video/Audio attendees sign in at 6:50 pm tonight

Physical church begins at 7:00 pm tonight

If you have never done Zoom before call me 860-537-3914 today to make sure you are set up. You may need to download the zoom app. You may use your cell phone or your laptop.

Your Elder team decided to no longer use the Join.me platform and phone numbers you had for the last eight weeks. We beg your patience in this easy transition. Zoom will enable us to expand future ministry not just for Wednesday, but for possible Sunday broadcasting as well as outreach in the Fall through weekday support groups and to shut-ins. There are many more possibilities. Exciting plans are being discussed in all these aspects to grow our church. All to have a greater impact fulfilling the Great Commission. Together, praying and trusting God through another unknown. Thank you for your support.

Tuesday Connection 5. 19. 2020

Thank you is never enough

Your interest and suggestions coming out of these daily email blogs are most appreciated. Leading a church fellowship from a distance has been an adventure to say the least. Why?

Distance does not minimize God. Distance magnifies God.

Do you remember Gene Krantz from Apollo 13? Here’s the short movie clip to review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tid44iy6Rjs

What Eugene said is our motivation: “Failure is not an option.” (Sometimes God uses Isaiah chapter 40. Sometimes He uses a donkey talking. Sometimes He uses Gene Krantz).

So we need to just keep pitching. Leave the balls and strikes to God. We just keep throwing. God is not measuring us by the response of others to us. He’s measuring us byour response to others. To keep trying. To be focused. To show up repeatedly in the power of the Holy Spirit, as Cru founder Bill Bright used to say, and “leave the results to God.” We go forward as a team by faith and not by sight. We graciously do the best we can taking God’s presence with us in every circumstance, with every response, through every eventuality, into every age… because distance magnifies God!

“…and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

O, back to Isaiah 40!

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?

Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.

To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains. He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot; he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move. Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?

It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Monday Connection 5.18. 2020

Opening Up

I am blessed that in the past eight weeks many church friends have connected weekly with us through conference calls to engage what the writer of Hebrews recommends, “Not neglecting to meet together.” We are all encouraged to be connected in other ways as well. Well done church.

We are starting our transition to return to physical church! Beginning this week on Wednesday May 20th at 7:00 PM, our Praise and Prayer Time will be held simultaneously both at the church and through a Zoom meeting. We have a clean facility. We have a great ventilation system. We have lots of room to spread out. Hand sanitizer, and gloves are available in good supply. The wearing of face coverings is recommended for the comfort and the safety of all who desire to attend in person.

For those who prefer to attend remotely, a recurring Zoom meeting has been scheduled to start every Wednesday at 6:45 PM. The connection information will be provided by email to you Wednesday morning. If you are unsure how to use Zoom, please let us know at least 30 minutes before the start time so that we can assure you are set up, and ready to connect. We wish to honor the Lord in his service, to use any means to provide our ministry to you.

Other announcements regarding other activities like holding Sunday church services are forthcoming.

Our community is beginning to bustle. I am humbled and grateful that countless folks in addition to First Responders and Medical Workers have continued their dedicated work of assisting us to shelter in place. Garbage continued to be picked up. Stores stayed open to provide food and supplies nd plants. Farmers, packers, and planters are doing their life-giving work. Truck drivers and airlines are shipping all those products we ordered weekly on-line. Exhausted and often unnoticed delivery guys continue to put our packages on our front door step.

Our cable and communications people kept us connected. Electric stayed on. Major construction continued in town preparing our community’s progress. Mail comes six days a week. Doctors and Nurses are available 24X7. Almost all our restaurants stayed open for our pick up or their delivery to our homes. Haircuts… my wife did a wonderful job for me last week on our back deck. Town employees continued to work in planning and providing necessary services. Many are working hard in the critical Town budgeting process. Our school teachers have found creative ways to stay connected with their students beyond zoom. Parents are homeschooling. That’s a big one. Teachers helping parents, parents helping parents.

Manufacturing barely slowed. Thinking of all the folks in our town working at Pratt and Electric Boat. Manufacturing increased for others making essential products. Our great military kept vigilant and we are protected. Landscapers kept our lawns beautiful. Walking and riding trails remain accessible and enjoyed. Walked dogs and children playing outside keep our neighborhoods alive. The challenge of working from home by many has not been easy. We are grateful.

Those working the insurance sector sent out distribution checks and processed claims. State workers kept improving our road systems. State and Federal workers worked overtime doing the best they could to keep us together and healthy. Police are working hard keeping us safe and our speed down. Clergy continue their God-given ministry full-time. Counselors are slammed with new clients in their healing work toward those with emotional and mental needs. Financial counselors appear to be working with very little rest.

I could double the list of these we appreciate so much while we sheltered in place. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am indebted to each one. Your work, often at great risk will assist us greatly as well in ‘opening up.’

WE MUST ECHO TOO OUR LOVE AND SUPPORT TO THOSE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WHO WILL NEED TO STAY QUARANTINED FOR VARIOUS HEALTH OR AGE REASONS. SOME ARE AWAITING ELECTIVE SURGERIES. IT MUST BE UNIMAGINEABLEY HARD. WE MUST NOT PLACE OUR EXPECTATIONS ON THEM. I GRIEVE EVERYDAY FOR MY OWN MOTHER, 86, IN AN OUT-OF-STATE NURSING HOME WHERE UNIMAGINABLE POLICIES EXPECTED COVID PATIENTS TO BE PLACED BACK INTO THEIR FACILITY. SHE WILL REMAIN IN “SOLITARY CONFINEMENT” (HER WORDS) A LONG TIME.

Join me in prayer for each of these who are confined and not always by their own choice. Pray for their safety and deliverance also. I do every day.

As you ‘open up,’ enjoy this video: Blooms in Action

Go to http://www.christianlifechapel.org/listen-read/ to read any CONNECTION Blogs you may have previously missed. How are you? Reply to this email with your testimony and prayer request. Please send all church offerings to: CLC, PO Box 91, Colchester, CT 06415. Thank you for your investment in the Kingdom of God.

 

Pastor Mike Brubaker, DMin

860-537-3914

Christian Life Chapel Website
Christian Life Chapel
PO Box 91
392 South Main Street
Colchester, CT 06415

SUNDAY Connection 5.17. 2020

Welcome Church

And when he (Jesus) returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,“Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” Mark 2:1-12

My message today is based on the text above, go to www.christianlifechapel.org and listen to today’s prerecorded sermon GOING FORWARD – Mark 2:1-12 (5.17.2020) at your convenience.

Linda found this beautiful song video and I am glad to share it with you. “You will never walk alone,” https://youtu.be/6gpoJNv5dlQ

From Missionaries SETH and KAITLYN SANFORD who write:

“Hey, friends! Thank you all so much for faithfully going before God on our behalf. We’re so thankful for each one of you. We just wanted to let you know that Kaitlyn will be getting induced Next Wednesday (May 20th). Kaitlyn and Baby girl #3 are doing well. Natalie and Lauren are very pleased that they will be getting a baby sister. It’s especially exciting that she will be a ‘real’ baby … a little bit different than the ‘pretend’ babies and stuffed animals that they usually take care of. Love you guys!”

Go to http://www.christianlifechapel.org/listen-read/ to read any CONNECTION Blogs you may have previously missed. How are you? Reply to this email with your testimony and prayer request. Please send all church offerings to: CLC, PO Box 91, Colchester, CT 06415. Thank you for your investment in the Kingdom of God

 

Pastor Mike Brubaker, DMin

860-537-3914

Christian Life Chapel Website
Christian Life Chapel
PO Box 91
392 South Main Street
Colchester, CT 06415

Saturday Connection 5.16. 2020

Out of the boat and onto the playing field

I was disappointed. It was Friday. The evening before an influential person in town told me street side that the goal posts to opening up our economy and getting our community back should be moved so far out I feared that only the eye of a satellite could find them. Safety and his fear of death mattered. A zero risks present.

The scenario we are entering for some is distant from where the goal posts were placed in late-March. Life is full of moving goal posts. Unlike life, there are rules in sports thankfully which prohibit tampering with goal posts, right down to their meticulous placement and dimensions. The following friend would have made a great football player because he loved goal posts, the kind which are eternally unmoveable.

Peter, first a fisherman, turned follower of Jesus, turned Apostle, my mentor wrote this: “since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God ” 1 Peter 1:16-21 ESV.

All these words from the one who saw the transfigured body of our Lord. That event is recorded in Matthew 17; “…Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”

Peter saw no moving goal posts in his commanding role as Ambassador for this glorified Christ Jesus. Peter reminds me of and defines my calling to be a Christian apologist. (Maybe not on the same level as Ravi Zacharias though). Peter prohibits tampering with goal posts. Right down to their meticulous placement and dimensions when it comes to his relationship with Jesus Christ. He knows exactly who Jesus is. Here is the impact of a never shifting Gospel. Peter experienced clear fruitful Christian living because his faith and hope were fully in God. A zero risks future.

This ‘Christ in me’ Christian life is a privilege and a joy because there are no moving goal posts! What was true yesterday is true today and will be true tomorrow. Amen? I Peter 3:15-16 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

Again, imagine this ordinary fisherman, Peter, describing what it means to be a good apologist. It would have been more expected from men like Paul or Apollos or even Luke, who make such a strong case for the Jesus of history. But for an ordinary man from the workaday world to become the inspiration for Christian apologetics tells us so much about the God whom we serve.

“In your hearts revere Christ as Lord,” Peter says—the spiritual depth of the apologist; “always be prepared to give an answer”—the preparation of the heart and mind of the apologist; “to everyone who asks”—the breadth necessary for the apologist; “do this with gentleness and respect”—the demeanor of the apologist; “so that those who speak maliciously . . . may be ashamed of their slander”—the character of the apologist honoring goal posts steadfastly planted for him and by him.

Our goal posts? We have plenty of space to social distance here at the Chapel. I will make an announcement this coming Sunday – Monday in regards to returning the goal posts with our church programming.

Preemie, Gideon, is fighting for his life. Gideon’s brain bleeds are more and they are worse, some much worse. We are praying with this family through this rising suffering.

Go to http://www.christianlifechapel.org/listen-read/ to read any CONNECTION Blogs you may have previously missed. How are you? Reply to this email with your testimony and prayer request. Please send all church offerings to: CLC, PO Box 91, Colchester, CT 06415. Thank you for your investment in the Kingdom of God.

 

Pastor Mike Brubaker, DMin

860-537-3914

Christian Life Chapel Website
Christian Life Chapel
PO Box 91
392 South Main Street
Colchester, CT 06415

1 2 3