Greg's Bloghttp://www.churchatrockcreek.comMon, 06 Sep 2010 08:21:24 GMTTHE NARROW WAYhttp://www.churchatrockcreek.com/the-narrow-wayWed, 21 Apr 2010 15:12:46 GMTGreg KirkseyI am greatly troubled by alterations made to the gospel message by modern preachers. A steady diet of messages from some of today's most popular preachers would lead one to believe that a true follower of God will not encounter any difficulties during their life. It is easy to understand why such a message is so popular. Who among us wouldn't want to insure ourselves good health and wealth? 

There are two primary problems with this message. First and foremost it just isn't true. This is not the message Jesus delivered. Second, if a person believes this message as soon as problems come (and they will) then their faith becomes weak at the very moment they most need it to be strong. 

Jesus spoke of a 'narrow way' in the Sermon on the Mount. "...the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." (Matthew 7:14) That was certainly the case for Jesus Himself. His road took Him to a painful death on a cross. 

Jesus could have chosen an easier route for Himself, but it would have been at the cost of our redemption. He wasn't willing to pay that price, are you? Things may get tough for us here on earth, but that does't mean God has abandoned us or does not love us anymore. It is during those moments of pain I have found God most available and sufficient for me. 





]]>http://www.churchatrockcreek.com/the-narrow-wayCALL GOD BY NAMEhttp://www.churchatrockcreek.com/call-god-by-nameTue, 02 Feb 2010 13:53:55 GMTGreg KirkseyIn the recent blockbuster movie The Blind Side we are reminded of how nicknames can be stigmas which hurt. (By the way if you have not seen the movie I highly recommend it.) The movie is based on a true story about a poor black kid named Michael Oher who grew up in one of the projects of Mississippi. Michael was an incredibly large young man and thus was always called BIG Mike. When the woman who would eventually help Michael get out of the projects asked him what was something he would like her to know about him he said, "I don't like to be called 'Big Mike'. No harm had been intended but the nickname and made him feel more like an object than a person. 

In the Old Testament God is given many names, actually they are more like titles than names.  No harm is intended. In fact most of the names given God in the Bible are quite impressive and complimentary. However titles and nicknames can be very impersonal. They can make a person, even God, seem more like an object than someone real. God's name in the Hebrew is Yahweh. This is how King David referred to God because he had a personal relationship with God. Perhaps that is why God said of David, "He is a man after my own heart." 

The name Yahweh comes from the root word meaning 'to exist' or 'to be present' and is translated in Exodus 3 as I AM. That is who God is. He is I AM, the ever present, I want to help you God. Because a number of you have asked, and it has meant so much to me, I have included the poem I mentioned Sunday in today's blog. 

When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I WAS. When you live in the future with its problems and fears it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I WILL BE. When you live in this moment it is not hard. I am here. My name is I AM! 

]]>http://www.churchatrockcreek.com/call-god-by-nameA TIME FOR CHANGEhttp://www.churchatrockcreek.com/a-time-for-changeWed, 30 Dec 2009 15:19:01 GMTGreg KirkseyEvery 365 days we change calendars as a new year rolls around. Although it usually takes us several days, if not weeks, to stop writing last year's date on all our correspondence, we some how think we can make other more important changes instantaneously with the mere arrival of another year and a new calendar.

Almost everyone I know make some New Year's resolutions. Most of these seem to deal with decisions regarding our health. For instance many will decide to eat less, exercise more (you ought to see my gym in January), or stop smoking. All of these are good decisions but they require more than just a simple desire if they are going to produce any lasting change. Commitment is the key to success in any endeavour.

As you consider resolutions this year I want to encourage you to think about another side of your health issues. Ask yourself how healthy are my relationships. Look back on last year and evaluate what you did right and what you did wrong. Because my relationships are the greatest source of my joy and my pain I want to make them a priority. T.D. Jakes warns us that 'if you are becoming increasingly dependent upon anything other than God to create a sense of wholeness in your life, then you are abusing yoru relationships." Clinging to people is far different from loving them. It is taking and not giving. Love is giving. God is love. God proved His love not by His need of us, but by His giving to us....."For God so loved He GAVE His only Son....."

Consider a resolution that prompts you to be a giver not a taker in the most significant relationships of your life in 2010.

 

 

]]>http://www.churchatrockcreek.com/a-time-for-changeTimes, not God, are Changinghttp://www.churchatrockcreek.com/times-not-god-are-changingTue, 24 Nov 2009 15:25:52 GMTGreg KirkseyIt seems everywhere I go these days people are lamenting the difficulties we are facing in America.. I confess I have on more than one occasion chimed in with my own two cents worth of despair and critical comments. I guess that is why the words I found this morning in Isaiah 8 spoke so directly to me. Although they were originally penned by a prophet facing his own national problems eight centuries before Jesus was born they might as well have been an email directly from God to my inbox this morning.

          "The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone          else does. He said, "don't call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don't live in dread of what frightens them. Make the Lord of Heaven's Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble, He will keep you safe."" - Isaiah 8: 11-13 (NLT)

The times may be changing, and the culture around us eroding, but God never changes. I plan on heeding God's advice in this text to 'not think like everyone else'......and to 'make the Lord holy' in my life. I encourage you to do the same. It will not only please the Lord but I believe it will make you feel better yourself.

 

]]>http://www.churchatrockcreek.com/times-not-god-are-changingChanging Seasonshttp://www.churchatrockcreek.com/changing-seasonsTue, 17 Nov 2009 15:39:22 GMTGreg Kirksey

Yesterday was one of those rare days when I was in the office all day. I didn't leave for lunch. I didn't have any appointments away from the church so I never went outside until after dark when I was getting ready to leave for the day. WOW! Shock....winter had arrived while I was working away in my office. Normally I keep up with the weather forcast, but this one slipped right up on me. I was not prepared for the cold temperatures and strong north winds.Nevertheless I was invigorated by the change in temperatures. One of the reasons I love Arkansas is because we actually have four seasons here. I don't think I would want to live in a place where there was no noticeable change in the seasons of the year.

Actually the Bible has a lot to say about seasons. I was shocked when I looked at how many times the word appears in the Bible. For most of us a season is a period of time that is characterized by weather conditions, but in the Bible a season is a period of time that may indicate favorable or nonfavorable circumstances. They are what I call the transitions of life and I have found that it is the transitions of life as we move from one period of time to the next that can often trip us up. Paul told Timothy, "Be prepared in season and out of season." He is warnign Timothy to always be ready no matter what the circumstances are. Don't let the changing seasons of life trip you up. Although some seasons are unpleasant I have found that generally changing seasons of life turn out to be a good thing if we respond in the right way.

]]>http://www.churchatrockcreek.com/changing-seasonsSharing the Journeyhttp://www.churchatrockcreek.com/sharing-the-journeyMon, 09 Nov 2009 20:24:25 GMTGreg KirkseyI just retruned from south Arkansas where I spent all of last week bow hunting with some old friends. This has become an annual excursion that dates all the way back to 1979. I moved to Camden in the fall of that year after graduating from seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. I became the pastor of a small church with a big heart and a lot of good people. Some of my best memories can be traced back to those days in Camden where I first met these guys who have now been my hunting buddies for the past  thirty years. 

 One day last week I had already arrived back at camp along with a couple of the other guys when one of our friends returned from his morning hunt. As soon as he arrived he was immediately asked what he had seen that morning, and my friend began to share his experience with all of us.As he told his story it struck me that a large part of the hunt for us was no longer whether we kill a deer, but it was simply sharing our experience with one another.  I admit I kind of zoned out as the morning hunt was relived for my friends because God was speaking to me at that moment. It dawned on me why I no longer care that much about gun hunting. My dad was my hunting partner and when he went to be with the Lord ten years ago I no longer had anyone with whom to share my experience.

The Bible teaches us that we were built for relationships.God Himself longs to fellowship with us and share in our experiences. Mark 3:14 says, "[Jesus] appointed twelve - designating them apostles - that they might be with Him."

Life is simply not very enjoyable alone. My deer hunting buddies and I are getting older.We have slowed down some over the years but our appreciation for one another and the value of our friendship has incredibly increased. I challenge you to treasure your friends and the relationships you have built over the course of your life. They, along with God, are what make the journey worth it.

Grace to you,

Greg

 

 

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