Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.
What a beautiful passage of scripture including truths about God, a call for how we walk with Him, and a challenge to continue the growth of others. We use this in family ministry as a key passage shaping our approach to leading both parents and children/students. But whether you are a parent, soon to be a parent, or simply a parent to the body of Christ this should challenge us all.

I'm reading one of the resouces for the sermon series in September and I was struck by the following quote: "In every action we take, we are doing one of two things: we are either helping to create a hell on earth or helping to bring down a foretaste of heaven. We are either contributing to the broken condition of the world or participating with God in transforming the world to reflect his righteousness. We are either advancing the rule of Satan or establishing the reign of God." As I ponder the truth of Chuck Colson's words in his book How Know Shall We Live?, I am convicted about how easy it is to be so non-reflective that I can forget the enormous challenge/responsibility it is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. A careless word, an unguarded glance, or a lazy response can do damage to my witness as a disciple. But even worse, such carelessness can actually advance the rule of Satan! Thankfully, grace is in abundance and God's purpose in conviction is for my benefit and the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
I am truly humbled that God has called me to be about the advancement of his Kingdom. As this day unfolds, how can I be more thoughtful and aware of my ministry in God's Kingdom? How can I be more effective? How can you? It starts with the realization that if I just do what comes naturally, I will be an impediment. May God fill me with such an intense awareness of his presence that I won't settle for just going through the motions. And may he do the same for you.

We live in a time of great discontent and even greater problems. People are dissatisfied with the way things are going and strident voices are heard from all corners of our society. There is the problem of poverty, homelessness, rising healthcare costs, the shrinking dollar, unempolyment and underemployment, global warming (or climate change?), the persistence of war and threat of new conflicts, pollution, crime and substance abuse, the disintegration of the family and the reinterpretation of what even makes a family. We live in a time of great change, greater discontent, and even a greater level of cynicism. Is there any hope?.
One of the many reasons for both the cynicism and discontent is that "modernity has played out its destructive logical consequences. All the ideologies, all the utopian promises that have marked [the 20th century] have proven bankrupt." (How Then Shall We Live, p. xi). Since the promises have proven to be nothing more than an empty dream, many believe that there is no hope. We were told that if we could ever get to the point where every person could simply do as he/she chose, personal freedom would lead to an enlightened people. This didn't happen. Instead it has led to "the loss of community and civility, to kids shooting kids in schoolyoards, to citizens huddling in gated communities for protection. We have discovered that we cannot live with the chaos that inevitably results from choice divorced from morality." (ibid, p. xi).
We are living on the cusp of a monumental shift in the western world. For many people, this shift is depressing because they can only see a future with further disintegration and hopelessness. But there is another option.
Jesus created a community of faith that has a purpose. The word that has been translated "church in the English Bible is ekklesia. This word is the Greek words kaleo (to call), with the prefix ek (out). Thus, the word means "the called out ones." However, the English word "church" does not come from ekklesia but from the word kuriakon, which means "dedicated to the Lord." This word was commonly used to refer to a holy place or temple. By the time of Jerome's translation of the New Testament from Greek to Latin, it was customary to use a derivative of kuriakon to translate ekklesia. Therefore, the word church is a poor translation of the word ekklesia since it implies a sacred building, or temple. A more accurate translation would be "assembly" because the term ekklesia was used to refer to a group of people who had been called out to a meeting. It was also used as a synonym for the word synagogue, which also means to "come together," i.e. a gathering. "Body of Christ" Since believers have been united with Christ through spiritual baptism, they are sometimes corporately referred to as the body of Christ. (Rom. l2:4-5; 1 Cor. l2:11,13,l8,27; Col. l:l8; Eph. 5:30) The idea seems to be that the group of Christians in the world constitute the physical representation of Christ on earth. It is also a metaphor which demonstrates the interdependence of members in the church, while at the same time demonstrating their diversity from one another." (Rom. 12:4; 1 Cor. 12:14-17) - (See more at: http://www.xenos.org/classes/um1-1a.htm#sthash.vjCUNDUK.dpuf)
What is the "called-out" purpose of the ekklesia? We are to bear witness, by word and deed, of the saving Grace of Jesus. We are emissaries sent from God to signal to our hurting world that there is another way, a better way. It is easy to get disillusioned and even cynical ourselves. It is easy to think of Church as an escape from the world, a place to gather once a week to get recharged in order to last another week. But it is so much more than that. Indeed the ekklesia is the hope of the world. There is a reality that is often hidden among the clutter and chaos of a dying world. That reality is the Kingdom of God. In each of Jesus' followers exists a bit of heaven. We are called to give hope where there is only despair, life where there is only death.
There is no greater calling to be a follower of Jesus and to testify to His love. It is sad to see when we (as the ekklesia) settle for less. May God be glorified by the way we shine forth His love and the Heavenly Kingdom which is to come, right into the darkness of discontent.

Yesterday (Sunday) our congregation asked God to bless and protect our students and teachers.  Today is the first day of school and we have many young people and teachers returning after summer vacation.  We ask you to pause with whatever you are doing and ask God's blessings on these wonderful people.  COTHA is blessed to have these people as part of our congregation.  ​

I
love vacations. I just returned from vacation and feel re-energized and ready
to tackle life again. How is it that vacations bring out the best in people and
why don’t we take them more often?
 For many people vacations mean the absence of
thoughts about bills, chores, expectations and obligations. Most of us tend to
be our best on vacations and be in the most positive state of mind. How is it
that vacations do that to us? Is it because there is nothing to worry about? Does
worrying actually ever solve anything? So yes, vacations are very good at
making us feel positive, or putting us in a positive state of being.
Vacations naturally seem to bring us closer to our loved ones. Vacations
help us appreciate our relationships and the people we have in our lives. They
can help us express love, kindness and compassion. Kids and parents get closer.
Spouses tend to get closer and we are just plain nicer to even the strangers
around us.
 In the daily rat race, it is not uncommon for many of us to actually
lose ourselves. We forget what really makes us happy and fulfilled. We often
neglect our needs.  The result is usually
a sense of bitterness and negativity about life.
 As we enter again into the hustle and bustle of fall, let us remember to
keep positive in our lives. Let us also not forget to get away somewhere on a
regular basis. No matter how close or far you go, it is guaranteed to
transform you in many positive ways.
​

I had an unusal experience a couple of days ago when I decided it was a good thing to look up a couple of old friends that I had lost contact with over the years.  It was unusual because it was unexpected.  I thought it would be fun to see what these people were doing and with the advent of social media it was not that difficult.  Instead of feeling joyful, I felt a strange sense of sadness.  I am not sure why I felt this but I thought it would be worth examining.  Now that several days have past, I have a vague understanding of what was going on inside of me.
I  once considered these couple of people friends.  Not just casual friends, but close ones.  Now as I looked at what they were doing and had been doing the last several years, I wondered why we lost contact.  Were they not really close friends?  Or did time and distance dim a relationship we once had? As I continue to reflect, it hit me that relationships are really the "stuff" of life.  Relationships are what makes life vibrant and alive.  Do I put the kind of time into continuing old friendships and starting new ones that will bring that kind of vibrancy into my life?  Do you?

Thoughts based on John 2:1-11 The Wedding at Cana
by Trish Thompson, Ministry Pastor of Groups
The first miracle, changing water to wine,  teaches three important lessons about change.   
The first point is that
change can be positive.  This miracle is the start of Jesus' ministry.  He was an invited guest at a
wedding feast and His mother is asking Him to help at a crucial point in the
party.  Jesus wasn’t planning to reveal any
supernatural abilities; He was here with friends for a feast.  He says in verse
4 “My hour has not come.”  The change in plans was beneficial.  The disciples began to believe in Him (verse 11).  Although the text doesn't state it, the servants witnessing the miracle must have been astonished as well.  Change can be good!
 Second point, even when we
try to do everything right we sometimes fall short.  The family spent countless days preparing for this special feast.  Despite all the plans for perfect party, a major faux pas occurred.  They ran out of wine before the evening is
over.  The intervention of Jesus resulted in an
amazing memory for the guests.  Humans fell short; Jesus was
necessary to change the course of the event.  
Final point, what Jesus can
give us is better than anything we can do alone.  The wine planned and prepared by the family may have been good, but the wine created
by Jesus was superior (verse
10).  The change occurred
very subtly, with minimal effort on His part.  Mary requested Jesus to correct the issue; Jesus asked the servants to fill water jars.  Servants told to bring glass to bride's father.   Neither Jesus nor Mary had
any authority over the servants.  A
simple request was made.  The result was awesome and better than the family prepared.
When the Holy Spirit takes up residence in you; you are transformed or changed into a new being.  The change may be difficult.  However, the rewards of opening your heart to God's change is amazing and awesome!

I had the privilege of celebrating and preaching in this historic church in Kandy, established in 1843. The church sits right next to the most sacred/highest Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka,which is called the Dalada Maligawa.  This church is situated in the hill country, while we went to the most  northern part Sunday before. 
Our worship experience at St. Paul's was very different.  It was very traditional,  marbec setting with chanting, pipe organ and choir.  I had to mount the pulpit to preach.  My friend, Bishop Kumara and his wife sat in the congregation and worshipped with us.  It is amazing to receive invitations and
opportunities to share the message and the words of Jesus.  

This week Wednesday through Friday I'll be doing the clergy spouse/lay workers conference with about 70 -100 people.  I ask for your prayers for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to fall upon us all and in all we do, we may bring glory to HIS name!  Love and blessings to all.  We miss you.

God bless!
Desmond.

By Paula Willbrant
It’s unbelievable to me that 2 years ago today my mom went to heaven to live with Jesus for eternity. On one hand it seems like just yesterday and on the other is seems like 50 years have passed!  Reflecting back on that time, I realize just how VERY IMPORTANT my church family is to me. I know that God has given me strength and comfort in my sorrow and for that I am so thankful.  I can’t even imagine what it would be like to go through a loss of a family member or friend and not have the support of a church family. The staff at COTHA was like brothers and sisters to me offering love, friendship and a much needed shoulder to cry on!  We are like family here…. Doing life and loving on one another. Currently the sermon series is about “Parenting.”
As I listen to Darrel sharing the various types of parenting, I think back on how my parents raised my brother and me. I am SO thankful for all their love, support and guidance. I suppose it’s easy to think of them as angels now that they are gone. But truly, I think they were angels.