The long walk on a small campus.

 Joshua 6:1-16

When I was a student working on my undergraduate degree, I was required to fulfill math requirements.  As a person that has fought math all his life, college math was no different as I studied and still got less than stellar grades.

As I walked across campus after studying most of the night for my math final, my head was overflowing with what I had studied. Previous exam attempts had shown poor results and I was truly afraid of not getting a passing grade on the final.

As I walked I did the only thing that I knew how to do, which was go to the Father in powerful and serious prayer. As I walked the long sidewalk on campus, I prayed in a circle around the quad and told God the following: “God you have called me to be a minister and you have called me to be here, I beseech you to intervene in this exam, supply me with the needed knowledge to be successful “.

After my walk and this prayer, I felt the power and grace of the Holy Spirit come over me and give me the authority to do the following. I walked directly to the professors office and advised him that the knowledge was in my head right now at this very moment, and could he give me the exam now, and not make me wait. I told Dr. Jenson that my head was leaking and I needed the exam right now, with this he smiled at me and placed the exam in an envelope. He had me take the exam to the campus proctor for immediate test taking.

As I sat down and took the exam I felt the knowledge leak from my head and into the pen as it marked the exam. Upon completion of the exam, I left the proctors office with a peace that flowed like a river, and passed the test and the class.

Brothers and Sisters I encourage you to walk and pray large serious prayers  before God, the God of all love and power wants to answer prayers and is not afraid of powerful prayers. Make your circle and pray your prayers before the Lord this very day.

The receiver of answered prayer

Pastor Tim

Can You Go Home Again?

John 14:2

 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you^?

Hello from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, where I am currently attending Alumni Spring Renewal. As I write this article, I sit in the seminary chapel preparing for morning worship. As I sit here in contemplation of the day’s activities, the phrase “You can’t go home again comes to mind”  As I sit here this morning as one who is worshipping, there is a sense of filling in the fact that I am free to just worship and be filled with the word of God.

As I sit here, I contemplate the six years that I spent on this campus and in this chapel preparing for ministry. The last year I have had three homes, Seminary, Moline Illinois, and for the last ten months Benton Kentucky. I find myself carefully thinking about where to call home, and where to tell people where home is when asked.

As we enter our first week after Easter, the promise has been fulfilled and the empty tomb celebrates and promises the fact that with Jesus Christ we have come home, and through his promised fulfilled the home is eternal.  As we contemplate this week after Easter and as we go into the future, let us not worry about where we call our earthly home.

Next time somebody asks you where home is, tell them this: “I live with Jesus Christ with all of my heart, all of my soul and with my entire mind”. Living with Jesus is a home where furniture never needs moved and the mortgage never needs paid. Jesus Christ has paid our eternal mortgage and we have been given an eternal address with him.

So as I sit hear preparing for worship and I hear the piano being played and the hand bells being practiced, I have the knowledge and the promise that you can go home again and my home resides in the loving and promise fulfilled arms of Jesus Christ.

Home Is Where Jesus Resides.

Pastor Tim Polley

Reverend Timothy Polley is the Senior Minster at First Christian Church in Benton Kentucky and a 2011 graduate of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque Iowa.

Lent Day Forty

Good morning, Brothers and Sisters: Today ends the forty days of our journey through Lent together, and I would like to thank everyone that has read my blog. The journey through Lent has taken us to several topics, as well as several emotions. As we gather together this Easter, know that you and I have both been made anew. And every Sunday since the resurrection has become the day of Sabbath for all Christians. When we gather to worship every Sunday, it is called the "Lord's Day", because our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rose on this glorious day. 

The Resurrection of Christ Jesus, is what truly unites we that call ourselves Christians, and every day that we take a breath on this earth we are called to bear witness to this fact. We all know that Easter is not a one day gathering, a one-day celebration, but Easter is to be lived out daily and truly remembered anytime when we gather to worship God. The Gospel of John 8:51 tells us that those that worship Christ and keeps his word, will never see death, and John 14:15 tells us that if we love Jesus, we will keep his commandments. 

Many have asked me the following question: "Preacher why do I have to go to church to worship, can't I worship by myself anywhere?"  And my answer is the following: "Christ has called all of us into personal relationship, thus we can we with him at any time and any place." But worship is also about community, in the fact that as God wants to be in relationship with us, he also wants us to be in community and family with like-minded people." "This worship community that gathers on the first day of the week (Sabbath) to worship God, but to also strengthen one another and encourage one another to do the ministry that God calls each of us to do." 

Beloved, my prayer for you this day is that you embrace your church community, your church family. Share Sabbath together, strengthen and embolden one another to do the work that Christ asks us to do. As you worship the Risen Lord in community and wonder if you are being fed spiritually, maybe that is when God is telling you to do some feeding in that community. Church community is not looking for the next big thing, and being fed spiritually is not by being entertained in worship. Church community is about the love that Christ has given us for one another, and the fact that we are called to journey together and not individually. 

All My Love and Shalom.

Happy Easter. "He has risen. He has risen indeed"

Pastor Tim.

Lent Day Thirty Nine

NOTE: Today's blog content contains graphic images and video links of Christ's crucifixion. If viewing with children, please explain to them of what is occurring and view with them.

Day Thirty Nine-Welcome Happy Morning

Brothers and Sisters, as I sit in the office writing this blog the sun is shining and the weather man is predicting a beautiful Easter weekend. Last night in our Maundy Thursday service, we witnessed Christ's betrayal and since this occurrence he has been arrested, beaten, crucified and died and has been placed in the tomb. As I look at the beautiful sunshine this morning, I find my emotions split as I should be happy with the beautiful day. Instead I'm in mourning as I think about the beating that Jesus took for me, and in the fact that he died for "ME" and "YOU". 

Even though this day is a day of pain for all of Christianity, it is also a day of assured peace within ourselves as we await for three day's when the promise of Christ will be fulfilled Easter morning. The sun that shines this morning can still be viewed in happiness in the fact that the horrible events of the cross are not the end, but only the beginning. We that know the promise of Christ, understand that God the Father will vindicate, God the Son. As we look positively to the sun, we look positively to the SON in the fact that his prophecies can be trusted.  This beautiful day that is also a day of pain and mourning for us, is also a day of salvation in the fact that through Christ on the cross, he has reconciled us with God. 

The story of the child born to Mary (A Form of Joshua, Meaning Savior)  and Emmanuel (God With Us), has truly come to the point in the fact that the baby of Bethlehem, now the man of Nazareth has redeemed you and me. Beloved! As you view the sun this day, and as you hear the birds chirping outside, thank God this very day for sacrificing his Son. Know and celebrate that we will see very soon that death will be swallowed up in "Victory".

Day Thirty Nine Scripture Reading

Romans 6:23

John 15:13

Matthew 27:46

Matthew 26:38,39

Philippians 2:7,8

John 15:11

Matthew 12:38-40

John 14:9

Matthew 1:21

Matthew 1:23

John 17:3

1 Corinthians 15:20, 54, 56, 57

A Sinner Redeemed By The Blood Of Christ

Pastor Tim.

See video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqI-4jopYIM

Lent Day Thirty Eight

Day Thirty Eight - Why?

As we go through our lives, many of us have seen friendships come and go. We ask ourselves, "why did the relationship wither on the vine, I loved them, what happened"? One of my personal traits is taking friendships to heart and developing a closeness that hurts me when that friendship grows dust upon it and fades into the past with no future. I often wonder if friendships should always begin with ground rules, or an agreement of expectations?

As we go into day thirty eight of Lent and as many of us attend a Maundy Thursday service tonight, we ask ourselves the question: "Why did this have to happen, why did Jesus have to go to the cross"? Brothers and Sisters, we must go back to the beginning when God created us and understand that God created us for relationship. God loves us so much that he desires relationship with everyone of us, from the youngest to the oldest. God came to us in human form as his Son Jesus Christ to continue that relationship and friendship, that could only be built in his living with us and being one of us. Jesus came to us as human and divine to establish the relationship that God so desires, and Jesus came to bring his Father's word to each and everyone of us.

As we gather tonight and witness the Last Supper in the Upper Room in which Jesus will be betrayed, we will soon see the path that leads Jesus to the cross. "Why did Jesus have to die on the cross"? Jesus went to his death on the cross to take upon the sins of the world, your sins and my sins. Only by taking our place and paying our debt, is our eternal relationship with God sealed. This promise fulfilled was through Christ death for us as atonement for our sins, and our eternal relationship will come to fulfillment three days later when the tomb is found empty.

Friends, some relationships come and go and my prayer is that you cherish them while you have them. But my main prayer for you this day is that you cherish the relationship that will never go away that was fulfilled on the cross, by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We invite you to experience the Upper Room tonight as we gather at FCC Benton at 7:00 PM. Our address is 2515 South Main Street in Benton Kentucky.

Happy to be your friend and brother in Christ.

Pastor Tim

Day Thirty Nine Scriptures

Galatians 3:10,11

Genesis 3:17

Matthew 20:28

1 Timothy 2:6

Corinthians 6:20

John 4:10

John 14:6

Please watch this Maundy Thursday video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8KVGMsP2w8&feature=rated

Lent Day Thirty Seven

Day Thirty Seven -The Cross

Ever since I was a child I remember my mother calling me a worrier, because at every step in life I would be worrying two steps ahead of my path. Growing up I found this sense of worry to accompany me and at times get in the way or even block the path of my steps. Yes I'm sure there were times in my life when worry saved me from making mistakes, but I'm also sure that this same worry made some real life opportunities vanish into the abyss of the unknown. After years of experience speaking with mentors and councilors, and my family, it comes to light that I am not the only one to carry the burden of worry. 

As we go through this day thirty seven of Lent, let us ask ourselves: "Did Jesus worry on his way to the cross"? If anyone had the burden of worry it should have been Jesus, as he had been falsely accused, arrested, beaten, tried and was on his way to be crucified, not for his sins, but for the sins of the "WORLD". Brothers and Sisters, the cross is the true sign that he accepted all of this, plus our total rebellion against God.

As we approach the ending of Lent and the approaching of Easter, let us all look to the cross as a place where Jesus placed all these worries and fears before his Father for our forgiveness. Life is not easy and will always be filled with worries and obstacles. That's why we have our church families and counseling professionals to talk to. But most importantly we have the foot of the cross to deliver our fears and worries to, and we can thank, praise and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for taking on the sins of the world. 

This Easter and always, the Cross of Christ is there for you and I, as we walk through days of worry and frustration, but remember that the Cross of Christ is also there to embrace you in celebration when God blesses us with happy occasions. As we approach the cross, love God in the fact that the Cross of Jesus leads to his Resurrection and our promised eternity with him forever.

Dumping his worries at the foot of the cross

Pastor Tim.

Day Thirty Seven Bible Reading

Matthew 27: 27-31

Luke 22: 67-71

Matthew 1:23

2 Corinthians 5:21

Romans 3:23

Romans 6:23

Psalm 42: 1-3

Matthew 5:44

Matthew 5: 23,24

Matthew 6:14

Two arms open wide
Two sinners on each side
Two eyes tearing
One heart grieving
One grandiose plan
One innocent man
Nailed was He
To a tree
He suffered and bled
So we would no longer be dead
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords were just two of the names given to Him by many who believed that He was!
For the true Son of God, the Christ came to deliver us all and He showed us the love that He did and still does!
He died for us for God did allow
Oh how grateful we all are now
All this Love He now leaves us
For this blessed hope in Jesus
To abide in His ways for sure
To believe in faith that’s pure
To sacrifice His Life for all
Was the greatest gift of all
On this very truth and fact
Only with faith can you act
Faith in Him as Holy Lord
With the Bible as your sword
His death on the cross is a key
For every man’s life in eternity
He gave so much and healed all
His work on the cross was a call
A call to each and everyone here
To see the love he had so dear
Love one another as also He,
Loved all of us, you and me!
Which way should we all go
He set an example to show
We need to yell and shout
So now we must go out
To tell the whole earth
Of our Savior’s worth
And the joy of Him
Does not grow dim
Only one chance
So take a stance
Come to know
His Sorrow
Don’t cease
Seek peace
God Bless
Pray yes!
I do warn
Be born
Again
Amen


~ Mike Flipp ~ 
3/23/05

Lent Day Thirty-Six

Day Thirty-six: The Women at the Tomb

A few years ago while in a seminary class, I took the defense of a female in the bible, and the professor stated that I was a feminist.  I must say that as a Christian I am proud to be labeled a feminist, in the fact that women were well represented and well placed in scripture. As a local church pastor I see the strength of our ladies in church and the "fact" that if a ministry is successful, a woman has had a strong involvement in it. Scripture presents many occurrences of women in regards to strength and  the worship of God's kingdom.

1. When Jesus was taken from the cross, the women followed him.
2. After this they returned to the city and prepared spices and ointments.
3. Women were the first to discover that Christ was not in the tomb.
4. Women were the first to see the risen Lord.
5. Mary being selected to give birth to the Messiah.
6. The woman at the well.
7. The faith of the woman that requested Jesus to heal her daughter.
8. The woman with the two coins.
9. The woman that anointed Jesus prior to his crucifixion

In the time of Christ, the women were treated as second class citizens, but it was these second class citizens that never abandoned Jesus and whom God chose Jesus to come to first after his resurrection.  Today this blog speaks to my brothers in Christ in the hopes that they will follow the lead that women have taken in faith, hope, and promise of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The Feminist

Pastor Tim.

My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Day Thirty-six scriptures:

Luke 23:55

Luke 23::56

Matthew 28:9, 10

Luke: 1:46-55

John 4: 7-43

Matthew 15:28

Mark 12: 41-44

Matthew 26: 12,13

Romans 16:2

Galatians 3:28