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Jenna (Esther's roommate visiting for Thanksgiving) is going to Costa Rico for a semester, living with a host family. She says she is going to try and speak Spanish exclusively… a way of life. It seems in this church and community, in the past few years, an incredible number of people have been diagnosed with diabetes. It is no secret that there is one incredibly powerful way for diabetic people to live healthy: medications yes, but perhaps more important – to completely change the way you eat as a way of life… Today we focus on your spiritual health, transforming an unhealthy way of life, a life of sin, abuse, for a life focused on Christ. Becoming a Christian is not merely a matter of accepting the truth of Christ, and then going on with a new found knowledge. Christianity is a way of life, something completely new. I know what your thinking… me change? When Cows Fly… (encore of the Cow, see photos in Rom. 6:1-8 sermon).
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"An unusual discovery took place in the jungle so Guam in 1972. A Japanese soldier was discovered that had been in hiding since the end of WWII, hidden for 28 years… When American forces captured the island in the 1944 Battle of Guam, Yokoi went into hiding with two other soldiers. Later the three separated, but they visited each other until about 1964, when Yokoi found his two friends dead, apparently of starvation. The last eight years he lived entirely alone. Yokoi survived by hunting, primarily at night. He used native plants to make clothes, bedding, and storage implements, which he carefully hid in his cave, "On the evening of January 24, 1972, Yokoi was discovered in the jungle. He was found by two local men who were checking their shrimp traps. For twenty-eight years, he hid in an underground jungle cave, fearing to come out of hiding even after finding leaflets declaring that World War II had ended, believing them to be mere allied propaganda. Few have struggled with loneliness, fear, and self for as long as twenty-eight years" -- Wikepedia Can a person change? Can you change? Can you become a different person and transform to become a person of peace, a satisfied person, a child of God that knows the peace of Jesus. I know what some of you are thinking: not in a million years will some people change. Some of you don’t believe you will ever be able to find peace and happiness. You are thinking, “Change?” impossible. When Cows Fly! I’m here to tell you, God can change your life. That’s what Rom. 6 is all about. (show my flying cow. When Bianca turned 18, this was my birthday present to her ….click any photo to enlarge.)      (Show story book and picture of Samson from my own mother's childhood.) I love Judges 16:22. I cannot make my own hair grow, only God can. It’s not about the hair. Samson’s hair is a personal symbol for him, like the cross is a symbol, a symbol represents a deeper reality. There is always a glimmer of hope. Along the way mistakes will be made, sinful decisions, self decisions, but you can end well. Samson hair kept growing. A glimmer of hope. Samson paid a price for his own arrogance. Last week’s message, he suffered mutilation, deportation, imprisonment, and humiliation of being worked like and animal, but his hair began to grow. I read once that you are never more than three feet away from a spider. When you read the Bible, there are some intense verses, stories of sin and failure, but I would bet you are never more than a dozen verses away from a glimmer of hope, a reason to be optimistic. Make that a lifestyle, no matter how discouraged, uncertain, bad decisions, keep your eyes peeled, look for God, signs of God’s grace is never far away. Samson’s hair began to grow (Amen!) God will always give you one more chance, the God of grace, look for the signs, they are all around you. Samson has made mistake after mistake after mistake, going down to Philistia, falling in love with Philistine women without even knowing a thing about them. Yet he is listed in Heb 11… |
 
Carl Crouse, Pastor
At SACC we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Every Sunday the worship service includes a message from the Bible. My words are an attempt to understand and apply the Bible to our daily living. I post weekly sermons and other biblical messages on this page. May you find meaning and hope as you read through each message and seek to hear God's voice. Leave a comment to ask questions or inspire others with your insights. Categories
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