Click, Clack

(Part 2 of “ROLLER COASTERS” Series)

The click, clack, clack continued as my husband and I rode up the hill on the wooden roller coaster; it sounded like the ride would either break down or that we wouldn’t make it up the track, but we survived. I found out later that the clanging we heard was from a protection mechanism that is called anti-rollback dogs. These devices keep the train secure and from rolling backward. How ironic….the sound that made us uncomfortable and scared was actually for our benefit. This reminds me of how the Israelites responded to God’s voice. Exodus 20:18-21 (NASB) says, “And all the people were watching and hearing the thunder and the lightning flashes, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it all, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but do not have God speak to us, or we will die!” However, Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you so that you will not sin.” So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.”

Unusual Doesn’t Mean Bad I can only imagine how the Israelites felt when they experienced something different than what they were accustomed to. The power and glory that God was displaying could make anyone afraid. However, Moses wasn’t afraid; he drew near to God, but the Israelites pulled away from God. The Israelites are in good company; how many of us miss out on the opportunity to not only hear God more clearly and more often but also to have a closer relationship with God, because it’s not what we are familiar with, although we see that it’s in the bible. At that moment when God is speaking and drawing us to him, we can be attentive and ask him to have his way with us, or we can reject what he is doing and saying. The best choice is found in Luke 8:18 (NLT). Jesus states, “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”

PRAY THIS PRAYER:

“Lord, like the four living creatures in the bible, I proclaim Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! Father, thank you for the opportunity to be your child and to develop an intimate relationship with you. Forgive me when I have avoided going to the next level spiritually or I wasn’t on board when you tried to reveal another dimension of who you are. I pray I will always have ears to hear what the Spirit has to say.” In Jesus’ name, I pray - Amen.” flects our acknowledging or denying him. So, how do our lives stack up?

Danyale Patterson would love to hear from you! Contact her at www.danyale.com to share a testimony, send a prayer request, or book her to speak.

Obviously, if we deny Christ’s divinity, virgin birth, death, and resurrection, we are denying Jesus Christ. For the less obvious examples, let’s use the “…might be a redneck” model. We might be denying Christ if we nervously refuse to give our religious preference. We might be denying Christ if we keep silent when someone is in need of prayer. We might be denying Christ if we spend more time in political debate than prayer. We might be denying Christ if we can make it to

Walmart but not church. We might be denying Christ, if we can get our kids to every practice and event but not to youth church meetings. We might be denying Christ if we see people as anything other than made in God’s image. We might be denying Christ if we can name our favorite team’s starting lineup but not the Beatitudes. We might be denying Christ if we pay hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to see our favorite singer on stage, but do not tithe. We might be denying Christ if we adopt the kindness and understanding found in so many government and religious meetings.

Just to be clear; Matthew’s Gospel tells us that Christ doubles down on this idea in chapter 10: 32, where it is written, “Everyone therefore who acknowledges Me before others, I also will acknowledge before My Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies Me before others, I also will deny before My Father in heaven.” (NRSV)

So… the choice is ours; choose wisely.

And may God bless you!

Shady Grove to host concert August 13

Shady Grove Baptist Church, 3240 Tryon Courthouse Rd., Cherryville, asks folks to come join them for a concert with Debra Perry and Jaidyn’s Call on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 10 a.m. A Love Offering will be received then. For more information call (704) 435-9605.

Anthony Grove Baptist Church 100 Anthony Grove Road Crouse, NC 704-435-6001

Bess Chapel United Methodist Church 6073 Flay Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-7969

Bethlehem United Methodist Church 6753 NC 182 Highway Cherryville, NC 704-435-1608

Blessed Hope Baptist Church 3357 Fallston-Waco Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-8530

Body of Christ Fellowship Center 405 S. Cherokee Street Cherryville, NC www.bodyofchrist7.com

Calvary Way Holiness Church 1017 Second Street Cherryville, NC Pastor Clifton Morgan Cherryville Church of God 810 East Main Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-2275

Cherryville Missionary Methodist Church 318 W. Ballard Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6934

Emmanuel Baptist Church 1155 Marys Grove Church Rd Cherryville, NC 704-435-5764

Fairview Baptist Church 415 South Mountain Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-4299

First Baptist Church 301 East 1st Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-3796

First Church of the Nazarene 301 North Elm Street Cherryville, NC 828-838-2428

First Presbyterian Church 107 West Academy Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6064

First United Methodist Church 601 N. Pink St. Cherryville, NC 704-435-6732

First Wesleyan Church 800 North Pink Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6069

Free Saints Chapel Church 813 Self Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-0949

Gospel Way Baptist Church 3904 Tryon Courthouse Rd. Cherryville, NC 866-356-3219

Legacy Church 805 Self Street Cherryville, NC 704-457-9615

Living Word Ministries 306 East Academy Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-3213

Marys Grove United Methodist Church 1223 Marys Grove Church Rd Cherryville, NC 704-435-5544

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church 235 A.W. Black Street Waco, NC 704-435-8842

Mt. Zion Baptist Church 112 Mt. Zion Church Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-9636

North Brook Baptist Church 7421 Flay Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-4471

Oak Grove AME Zion Church 542 Flint Hill Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-3687

Oak Grove Baptist Church 219 Tot Dellinger Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-3053

Revival Tabernacle 1104 Delview Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-4073

Rudisill Chapel AME Zion Church 417 South Mountain Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-5621

Second Baptist Church 201 Houser Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-9657

Shady Grove Baptist Church 3240 Tryon Courthouse Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-9605

St. John’s Lutheran Church 310 West Church Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-9264

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 1203 St. Mark’s Church Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-5941

Victory Life Assembly of God 1655 Shelby Highway Cherryville, NC 704-435-5539 Waco Baptist