Merry What??

(Pastor Dave’s Holiday Rant – Read On, You Might Be Surprised)

OK…It irritates me that in our politically correct society we end up with retailers, who will make the bulk of their annual revenue in the next four weeks, avoiding the use of the word Christmas in their advertising and in-store propaganda. I would like to be greeted at Walmart by a smiling employee saying, “Merry Christmas.” I would like the cashier, who I have just received a receipt that eclipses my height to say more than, “Happy Holidays.” I would like to see advertising from the many stores who will spend billions over the Thanksgiving weekend to get you to step into their store that reminds people of what this holiday is really about, the greatest gift ever give, Jesus.

However, there’s a really good reason why I won’t hear and see these Christmas sentiments this year. It’s not really about being politically correct. It’s not really about corporations and advertisers being anti-Christmas. It’s not because the greeter at the Walmart entrance has been warned about possibly losing his job because he could offend someone who is not a Christian. Would you like to know what this real reason for all of this is?

People don’t believe in Jesus.

I know, mind-blowing isn’t it. People don’t believe in Jesus. If the reason for the season is the birth of Jesus, and people don’t believe in Jesus, then for them it is little more than another holiday, albeit the biggest holiday of the year.

Now, here’s the rub for me. Christian organizations are rallying to the cause of the word Christmas. Buttons, banners, bumper stickers, billboards, and boycotts are showing up everywhere to try and push companies into focusing their ads and store displays on the word Christmas. If a retailer doesn’t use the word Christmas in their ads, with their employee greetings, throughout their store then they are to be shunned.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a committed Christ follower. I believe that Jesus Christ and His miraculous birth are what this time of year is all about. If there is not one card that comes in the mail, one present under my tree, one meal with friends and family I will still be content with knowing Jesus Christ is my greatest gift. My concern is that we are spending a lot of time trying to get people to say Christmas and have forgotten to invest ourselves in sharing the Christ of Christmas with them. We want the greeter at the door to wish us a Merry Christmas, but walk by without any concern for whether or not she knows the Lord Jesus Christ personally. The waiter at the Olive Garden may not have a clue who Jesus is, but he better tell me Merry Christmas as I sign my credit card slip or I will cut his tip.

Here’s what I would suggest. Let’s stop making our focus whether or not the retail industry and its millions of employees with give a passing nod to the word Christ in saying Christmas and start instead focusing on whether or not we have done our part in sharing with them the miraculous and life changing person of Christ. For some, you might be bold enough to talk about Jesus right there on the spot with the. For others maybe a tract or a card will be your way of sharing. Regardless of what your method is, I encourage you to commit to it.

Oh, and one more thing. When you are out and about during the Christmas season set a higher standard. When someone runs into you with a cart overflowing with bargains because they were racing to grab that last premium item off the shelf, respond in such a way that they will be left shaking their head and muttering to themselves about how strange you are because you didn’t do what one might normally do, but you responded as Christ would. Be Christian at Christmas.

Oh….and have a Merry Christmas

Dave “Big D” Bentley

dabent1988@yahoo.com

A Nice Piece of Jewelery

"So I'll Cherish the Old Rugged Cross"

It was a really nice necklace. The cross dangling from the necklace was white and attracted attention. It could have been a sign of faith. It might have been an indication of a life changed by a relationship with God. It could have been a symbol of something different in contrast to the people of the current culture.

Or it could simply be a different piece of jewelery cast about the neck of a pop superstar. Unfortunately, the later is the case as the necklace dangled from Madonna's neck while she squirmed, danced, and sang. I am pretty sure that the necklace meant little more to her than any other bobble she could have worn.

My question for you this week is this - what does it mean to you? The cross....what does it mean? What impact has the cross had in your life personally? Is it something that you put up and take down...put on and take off...display for some and hide from others? Let me share with you what the cross means to me.

The Cross Reminds me of my Guilt

Were it not for my sin...my guilt there would have been no need for the cross. I suppose that if I was unaware of my need for the cross because of my guilt I could see it as little more than a nice piece of jewelry. But I know my guilt. I know the depth of the fall in my life. I know that I could blame no one else for my circumstance. I needed the cross. I need the cross. One of my favorite hymns says it this way:

"I've wandered far away from God, but now I'm coming home.

The paths fo sin too long I've trod, now I'm coming home."

Possibly you wonder why someone would want to be reminded of their guilt, let me explain. It's not that I want to remember all I've done wrong and all the pain and sorrow my actions have caused. What I'm reminded of is the depth of my guilt in relation to the depth of God's Love. Because...

The Cross Reminds me of Christ's Precious Price

While we were living in West Virginia we really fell on some difficult financial times. We were struggling to make it week to week. Buy groceries for our little family of four was hard, and the cost was great, but we had to eat. I remember one day getting ready to check out at the grocery store with our basket of groceries when our friend and deacon, Cliff Tolosa, approached me in the line. He and his son got in line in front of me and began unloading my buggy. The explanation he gave, "The Lord told them they needed to buy these groceries." They paid the price for me, and I have never forgotten their kindness.

My guilt, my sin, required someone to step up and pay the price. Romans 6.23 tells me that the price for my sin is death. If no one stepped into the gap for me then I would be required to pay that price myself. The depth of God's love and the wonder of His compassion is shown in that even in the midst of my rebellion and sin He sent Jesus Christ to the cross on my behalf. (Romans 5.8)

First Peter reminds us of the precious price paid for our redemption. And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. [1 Peter 1.17-19 NASB]

The Cross Reminds me of My Eternal Destiny

The cross is like a dividing post on the pathway of my life. There was a time when I was on the approaching side of the cross. In that place I was lost and without hope. I was walking a pathway of death and destruction.

In His love God brought me to the cross. When I realized my need for salvation God was there to grant it to me. Now I live on the eternal side of the cross where I walk with the Lord everyday and I look forward to eternal life in heaven. I can look back to the time when I trusted Jesus Christ and remember that in that moment my life was forever changed.

The Cross Reminds me of My Opportunity and Responsibility

Finally, the cross, whether I'm wearing it on a chain on my neck. in a patch on my shirt, or I'm bowing before it in worship and adoration, reminds me of the opportunity and responsibility that God has left in my hands. I have the privilege of sharing the love of Jesus with people who don't know Him. Years ago God used a song in my life to grip my heart, the words are like this:

"Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim 'til all the world adore His sacred Name"

Lifting the cross indicates that we need to live a life that displays Jesus for the world around us.

The Cross is More than an Accessory

For Madonna and countless others the cross around their neck is an accessory. For me the cross is the symbol of the most important aspect of my life.

Years ago a patrolman walking a beat in a big city noticed a young lad seated and crying on the curb ourside a candy store. When he asked he learned that the little boy had moved to town just a short while ago and was lost. He didn't know his address, phone number, or any information that would have been helpful. The officer began listing nearby landmarks to see if any of them sparked the child's memory. The school...the park...the library...the firehouse...but the child didn't have any idea where any of those places were. He was about to give in and bring the child to the police station when he spied the steeple of the church. He asked the young boy if he lived near the church and the boy's eyes got wide with excitement. "Yes!" he exclaimed, "I live near the big cross. If you can get me to the cross then I'll be home!"

That's the unheard cry of every person on the planet. For them to find their way home they need to be brought to the cross.

Lift High The Cross!

Blessings,

Pastor Dave

Pastor Dave's AWANA Openning Night Report - PHEW!

Pastor Dave's Opening Night Report from AWANA
"PHEW!!!"
What an incredibly busy, yet undeniably rewarding week this has been. I just put the finishing touches on the message for Sunday - back to the Cracks in the Sidewalk series - and the powerpoint is in the capable hands of Arrall. I have only got to finish the bulletin (unless there is someone out there interested in taking that little task over--call me.) It's a real feeling of accomplishment as I look back on the past few days, and I'm kinda basking a little right now in the warmth (btw it's 55 degrees outside for you folks in Florida) of the Lord.

PASTOR DAVE'S AWANA REPORT -
THE GREAT ADVENTURE
Last night we had an incredible openning night for AWANA. Many kids came, several for the first time. We had a total of about 63 here. I say about because it's incredibly hard to count children, but we had at least that many, and probably more. In addition we had several new volunteers working with us. I believe the Wednesday night move is going to be a good move. God has given me a vision of more than 150 kids in AWANA before the end of this year...He hasn't given me a vision of how, just that if we are faithful in sharing His Word with these kids and their families we will reach beyond our wildest dreams. It's fitting that our theme this year is "THE GREAT ADVENTURE" because that's what this year will be. We will be stretched and challenged in ways we never dreamed, and we will see things happen that we cannot explain other than to confess that God is doing God-sized things here.

WELCOME ABOARD AND WELCOME BACK
Welcome to our new workers: Arrall Austin, Dianne Crystal, Rick and Priscilla Williams, Tammy Farmer, Al and Diane Dube, Teresa Vanacor, and Brian Morris. Welcome back: Pat Kilburn, Pat Kilburn (that's not a typo), Heather Aldridge (soon to be Kilburn), Phylis Condon, Michele Davis, John Yaffee and Kim Meyer, and ofcourse Dave and Andie Bentley. In addition we must not forget that Terri is leading the cubbies on Sunday night and she's a real key to the success and effectiveness of the AWANA ministry. (BTW - if you are available she could really use some help in her club too.)

I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE
Some highlights from the night - I wish I had a video of these things.

-Tammy and Michele were eating with the kids when they realized that all the kids in the fellowship hall were part of the 24/7 youth ministry. Their eyes and faces showed a total amazement and I will never forget their expressions. Ask them to tell you what they thought at that precise moment. I laugh even as I write this...oh the joy!

-Rick Williams, a new member to the team, is driving one of the busses for us. (Thank God!!!) He was a little nervous at the beginning of the evening, but did excellent. Mike Steiner, my youth assistant on the bus last year was an asset to him in delivering the kids home last night. I can't tell you how much I appreciate Rick--and Big Pat last year--in their willingness to drive because it would be so much more difficult with just one bus running.

-Phylis is leading the Sparks part of AWANAs without any help and could really use some. She had eight young children in there last night I believe and needs people to come and just help the kids as they learn their Bible verses. Last night a new member in her class, Serenity, said the first part of John 3.16 to me. I can't express how much that moment means to me.

-Dianne Crystal and Priscilla Williams, two more of our new team members, put together a great Mexican feast for us. I don't think anyone really knew how many hungry kids God was going to send our way, but thank God He prepared and provided through the willingness of these ladies.

PRAY ABOUT THESE THINGS
It really was a great night, and things went incredbly smoothly for a first night. I would ask you to join us in praying for the following:

-More Workers to come and help. Andie can help plug you in where you are most needed and best fit. (Let me say that there were several workers who would normally be here last night that were not able to be with us, and we are really looking forward to their return.)

-There are so many needs represented in the children who are part of this. We are so blessed to be able to see the hand of God at work in their lives and in their family lives. I hope that you will join me in praying for God to work in special ways in the lives of the kids and their families.

-There are some specific things that we need as part of this minsitry and the overall ministry of PVBC. The following list is for your prayers and if possible you might be able to help us in providing something on the list.
A new (or in good condition) photo copier
Paper, Toner, and basic Supplies (Andie can help you know what we need)
Two or three people to take on the responsibility of overseeing clean-up and shut down at the end of the night. (This is a little selfish because I would like to get home with Andie before 10 if possible.)
An AWANA secretary to help keep records and assist us in the organizational aspects of the club.
Electricity in the Youth Building. (This is critically important)
Lights outside the building and around the property
There are more things, but let's start with this. The rest may show up later in a "Wish List."

OTHER CHURCHES ARE INVOLVED AS WELL
The primary purpose of AWANA is to help boys and girls come to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus. We may have some of them become part of our church, and that is wonderful, but our focus is a kingdom focus. Children from other churches attend every week and I hope carry the message home with them and into their churches as well. We have invited, and continue to invite, children and adults from other churches to participate in AWANA.

One Last Thing for your Prayers and Support...
As part of AWANA we are actually part of a world-wide organization. In our area we have a wonderful missionary team, Jeff and Melanie Davis. I've had the opportunity to meet them a couple of times. We are blessed to have them. They assist in forming AWANA ministries in churches throughout Maine, New Hamshire, and Vermont. Just last week I received word that, as with so many things, their finances have really taken a hit. I hope that as one of the many AWANA clubs benefiting from their ministry we might be able to find a way to help them with a gift in the next month or so. For sure I want us to pray for them. I'm hoping to invite them down later this year so they can see what's happening in Springfield--I think they'll be blown away.

In Closing...A Tribute to the Most Important Person in My Life
I want to take just a moment to brag on my wife, please bear with me. I have watched her work herself silly getting ready for AWANAs...in part because I've been working along with her. She puts forth this kind of effort because she's dedicated and driven to seeing children know the Lord. There have been several nights in the past few weeks where it has been after midnight before she would drag herself to bed, and a couple of nights it was almost that late before she left the church building.
I'm not saying this just so I can wave my pompoms as her cheerleader--though I'm proud to do that. I'm telling you this because I want to say publicly--here on the internet where millions can read it--that I am so proud of her and the effort she puts forth. She rarely gets any thanks from me for all that she does as a partner in ministry, but I know that the primary reason that last night went as smoothly as it did was because of the work that she put in over the past weeks leading up.
There's a song that says, "When God made you He must have been thinking about me." No doubt, in His sovereignty God saw the numerous gaps in my life and form fitted Andie to be the perfect companion for me. I am proud and honored to be Andie's husband, and I am grateful that she is my wife.

Blessings,
Pastor Dave

"Cracks in the Sidewalk"
Discovering the things that might trip us up
and learning how God's Grace helps us up.

www.pv-bc.org
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Life Transitions

LIFE TRANSITIONS



It's hard to believe where I am today. I don't mean where I am physically located on 09/09/09, but where I am in the course of my life. At age 42 I'm faced with one of the big transitions in life. I'm officially "middle-aged." I'm facing the trials that people my age face. The "empty nest" as the kids move on with their lives. The aches and pains that remind me of my ever increasing limitations. The strain I put my eyes through because I'm too stubborn to go to the eye doctor for glasses.




Maybe I'm putting too much thought into this. But, as I walked this morning and looked at the leaves changing on the trees around the house I began to really contemplate the changes taking place in my life. I think that I can understand a little bit better why some men seem to "twist off" and start racing around in sports cars and chasing after women twenty years younger than they are. I can see how this transition point in life could bring an overwhelming sense of disatisfaction and loss into a fella's life.

Life offers us many transition points.

• First day of School
• Changing grades
• Starting that First Job
• Getting that Driver's License
• Your First Date
• Graduation Day
• Wedding Day
• Birth of your first child
• Your child's first day of school

And so the cycle goes. You watch your child going through all those transition points as they grow and remember with joy, and perhaps some saddness, those moments in your life. There are major transitions and minor transitions, but all of them carry with them the risk of hurt and the potential for reward. Each threshold of change in the course of life challenges us and calls us onward, and we are faced with the temptation--particularly at the transition point where I find myself today--to run back to earlier days and flee the reality of where we find ourself. Hence the sports cars and younger women.

The past few weeks I have been scanning photographs from my younger years into my computer. That's been a bitter-sweet experience. I love looking at the pictures of Andie and me during our dating and early married years. (You can find most of these pictures on my FACEBOOK page) At the same time it seems like I just blinked and woosh time zipped past. These transitions of life don't often come with grace and gentleness...instead it's like the unexpected shove that throws you into the lake. And there you are, stepping through the portal into another life stage. So, the choice is to embrace it...or try in vain to live in denial of it.

The other day I was heading to pick up my best friend and life partner, who after twenty one years of marriage and twenty four years together still gets my heart racing. On the way there I noticed a jet black mint Corvette for sale on the side of the road...I slowed down for a moment to give it the once over...then I just drove on past. I had better things awaiting me.

Your Fellow Traveler on Life's Journey - DB

Let the Blames Begin

Let the Blames Begin
Pastor Dave Bentley

Several years ago I read an article in NEW MAN magazine under the heading “Good Spousekeeping” that dealt with the issue of blame. It identified blame as sort of a marital perk. If something is not working right in our lives we have someone we can blame it on. For example consider the following:

I go to the doctor and he is concerned about my weight. He scolds me because we have had the same conversation for years now. He tells me once again that I’m over-weight, and if I don’t do something about it I will die because of it. However, I have my response ready. My wife is a great cook, and I love to eat her cooking. Therefore, she is to blame for my obesity and poor health. The doctor is not amused nor swayed by my reasoning in blaming my wife for my circumstance. In fact he gets a little testy and rest of the exam he is increasingly “harsh” with the poking and prodding. To comfort myself I stop off at the ice cream store on the way home. Now my weight is the doctor’s fault as well.

See the circular logic of the blame game.

The Blame Game has been around from the beginning of time. Waaaaay back in the garden there was plenty of blame to go around. Adam blamed Eve…and indirectly blamed God. Eve blamed the serpent. You could literally say that every person on the planet was trying to pass the buck…who cares that there were only two persons on the planet. Point is, blame came naturally to them, and it still comes naturally to us today.

Think for just a moment about the people who often get our blame for things gone awry.
· Our Boss
· Our Employees
· Our Neighbors
· Our Kids
· Our Parents
· Our Spouse
· The Devil
· God

There’s still plenty of blame to go around. However, what has blame ever solved. It didn’t solve anything in the garden, and it doesn’t solve anything now. I assure you that my wife has many things that she could pin the blame on me for. However, in grace, mercy, and love, she chooses instead to grant me forgiveness. I probably could come up with one or two things that I could pin the blame on Andie for, but again I would rather choose to let “love cover a multitude of sins.” [1 Peter 4.8]

Fact is, pointing the finger really accomplishes diddley squat. Consider these effects of blame:
· Blame never affirms, it assaults.
· Blame never solves, it complicates.
· Blame never unites, it separates.
· Blame never forgives, it rejects.
· Blame never forgets, it remembers.
· Blame never builds, it destroys.

Let's admit it -- not until we stop blaming will we start enjoying health and happiness again! Stop the finger pointing in marriage and get back to hand holding. Do not forget you are on the same team. Instead of blaming start forgiving. Chances are you share in the blame anyway.

I hope that you find this information helpful.

But, if not, don’t blame me.

-DB

Fear Factor

I was almost a fraidy cat once, but I chickened out.



Fear.

"You have nothing to fear but fear itself."
- President Franklin D. Roosevelt

According to Dr. Sydney B. Simon in an article on the Effects of Fear -

• Fear is the great paralyzer. It will keep you from making positive changes in your life and thus retard your recovery from depression. Recognize your fears and resolve to overcome them. This is an area in which I believe a therapist can be very helpful.
• Fear persuades you to set easier goals and do less than your are capable of.
• Fear triggers internal defense systems and fools you into thinking that you have perfectly good reasons not to change.
• Fear, especially fear of failure or disappointment, reduces the number of available alternatives or keeps you from pursuing them.
• Fear, particularly fear of making mistakes, causes indecisiveness and confusion. It stops you from knowing what you really want.
• Fear warps your perception of your life and what you can do to make it better.
• Fear keeps you from asking for help when you need it.
• Fear keeps you from asserting yourself and persuades you to settle for what you must settle for instead of going after what you want.
• To calm your fears, you develop unhealthy habits and behavior problems.
• Fear often makes you give up just one step short of your goal.
• Fear keeps you from taking risks.
  Sidney B. Simon, “Getting Unstuck: Breaking Through Your Barriers To Change,” 1988

Fear can keep us captive in emotional, spiritual, and physical prisons.

Why does fear, which seems like such a small thing, carry such a debilitating power over us? In the past few weeks I've surveyed people and gotten a number of enlightening responses concerning the powerful effect fear has had in their lives, as well as some of their remedies in handling fear. Perhaps some of the best advice that I have received on this is that we need to stop placing so much stock in what we feel and put more emphasis on where our faith is. Our senses don't tell us the whole story. Consider this from Scripture:

2 Kings 6:8-18
8 When the king of Aram was waging war against Israel, he conferred with his servants, “My camp will be at such and such a place.” 9 But the man of God sent [word] to the king of Israel: “Be careful passing by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.” 10 Consequently, the king of Israel sent [word] to the place the man of God had told him about. The man of God repeatedly warned the king, so the king would be on his guard. 11 The king of Aram was enraged because of this matter, and he called his servants and demanded of them, “Tell me, which one of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 One of his servants said, “No one, my lord the king. Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in your bedroom.” 13 So the king said, “Go and see where he is, so I can send [men] to capture him.” When he was told, “Elisha is in Dothan,” 14 he sent horses, chariots, and a massive army there. They went by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” 16 Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the Lord opened the servant’s eyes. He looked and saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 When the Arameans came against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Please strike this nation with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, according to Elisha’s word.

The servants eyes (feelings/senses) told him that they were in trouble. But the reality of faith in One Greater shows us that even when it looks hopeless it is not.

So, the answer to fear is not our feelings but our faith. When the disciples were terrified by the stormy sea the Lord asked, "where is your faith." When the prophet was cowering in a cave ready to give it all up the problem was he was overcome by his feelings and had turned away from his faith.

One of those catchy slogans that appears on church signs and in bulletins sometimes tells us that "If God Calls you To It God will Get you Through it." The fact is that if God calls you to it...He is WITH YOU through it. That's what he told Joshua. Take a look at Joshua chapter 1 and see the number of times the Lord tells him not to fear. Why? Because He would be with him through it all.

Until the Next Time
Be Blessed,
Pastor Dave

Current Events from Ancient History

I Had a Thought This Morning in my Quiet Time

This morning as I was reading from Joshua I heard God speaking into my life. It occurred to me a few moments later the irony of what was happening.

How many of us seeking information for current events would consult a document written thousands of years prior. Yet, that's what was happening in my life this morning. Words from millenia ago were speaking to my life today. Who can accomplish this but God. What an amazing blessings we have been given, and how often we take for granted the wonder of God's Word.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

So, break the seal and read God's Word today...listen to what God says to you.