On March 7th and 14th, CRF will not be holding its morning service at the Bill Harris Dealership like we normally do. We will have a combined service at the Savanah Presbyterian Church, located approximately10 minutes north of Ashland on State Route 250 North (the church is located on the left hand side of the road as you pass through Savannah).
Rev. Timmons will be speaking at both the worship service (11:00 am) and adult Sunday School (9:45 am).
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Our Lamentable View of God
O God, you are the God of all grace. One who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin. Yet, you will by no means clear the guilty, this we know. For this reason we confess our sin.
We know that we have not regarded you as we ought. Our thoughts of you have been few and corrupt. And even when our minds turn to contemplate the divine, we never fail to corrupt the splendor of your being.
We beg your forgiveness, O God, for we know that we have refashioned you and cast you in another light; one that does not reflect what you have revealed yourself to be. We know that we have grievously misrepresented you. To be sure we have held wicked and unworthy thoughts of you. Instead of being big, we have made you small. Though you are infinite in being and glory, we have limited you.
In all, we have created a god in our own image and of our own liking; one that we can handle and we can have mastery over.
But now, O God, help us cast aside our false notions and let us find forgiveness with you. Overlook our evil caricatures and let your Spirit reform our perverted thoughts. Give us grace to know you and to adore that for which we naturally have an aversion.
Above all, let your glory reign over us and purity dwell in us. For this we ask in the strong Name of Jesus, Amen.
We know that we have not regarded you as we ought. Our thoughts of you have been few and corrupt. And even when our minds turn to contemplate the divine, we never fail to corrupt the splendor of your being.
We beg your forgiveness, O God, for we know that we have refashioned you and cast you in another light; one that does not reflect what you have revealed yourself to be. We know that we have grievously misrepresented you. To be sure we have held wicked and unworthy thoughts of you. Instead of being big, we have made you small. Though you are infinite in being and glory, we have limited you.
In all, we have created a god in our own image and of our own liking; one that we can handle and we can have mastery over.
But now, O God, help us cast aside our false notions and let us find forgiveness with you. Overlook our evil caricatures and let your Spirit reform our perverted thoughts. Give us grace to know you and to adore that for which we naturally have an aversion.
Above all, let your glory reign over us and purity dwell in us. For this we ask in the strong Name of Jesus, Amen.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Energies Exhausted in Worship
God,
We come to worship you. And we pray that all that might hinder us from doing so might be cast off. Let the restraints of sin be removed, and the distractions of worldly cares be quieted. May it be that our minds turn solely to you and your glory. Moreover, we pray that all our energies might be exhausted in this holy hour. For our souls glory in your Lordship and rejoice in your tender care.
Yet, even as our mental and physical powers are drained, may we yet be revived—renewed in the Spirit of our God.
Father, may it be that we find our Sabbath rest in the work of worship. May our spiritual labors today bring forth a harvest of righteousness. That as we drink the spiritual milk of your word we would see our souls invigorated anew.
Lord, we pray that not one moment of this hour would be wasted. For we long to gain new life, new knowledge, new reasons to adore you.
So Father, as we draw near the temple on high, we ask that you might spread your wings over us. Shelter us in your divine care, and spread your redeeming love upon us. For we ask it in the Name of our dear Redeemer and Friend, Jesus Christ. Amen.
We come to worship you. And we pray that all that might hinder us from doing so might be cast off. Let the restraints of sin be removed, and the distractions of worldly cares be quieted. May it be that our minds turn solely to you and your glory. Moreover, we pray that all our energies might be exhausted in this holy hour. For our souls glory in your Lordship and rejoice in your tender care.
Yet, even as our mental and physical powers are drained, may we yet be revived—renewed in the Spirit of our God.
Father, may it be that we find our Sabbath rest in the work of worship. May our spiritual labors today bring forth a harvest of righteousness. That as we drink the spiritual milk of your word we would see our souls invigorated anew.
Lord, we pray that not one moment of this hour would be wasted. For we long to gain new life, new knowledge, new reasons to adore you.
So Father, as we draw near the temple on high, we ask that you might spread your wings over us. Shelter us in your divine care, and spread your redeeming love upon us. For we ask it in the Name of our dear Redeemer and Friend, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Great Whiners
Almighty King and precious Redeemer,
Your hand has been outstretched to do us good. Yet we have not been obedient to your word. We have not returned kindness for the favor you have shown us, or warmed to the way of the Lord.
Like the Israelites of old, we have grumbled against you. Like them we have become experts in complaining. For we have grieved your all wise providence and expressed contempt when you made our bellies full.
Have you not given us what we did not deserve? Yet we said it was not enough. Then, when you allotted us an even greater portion of the good things in life, we gave you no thanks, nor honored the Source of our blessing.
Father, our ways have been the ways of sinners. And we confess before you that we ought to be stripped of all that we have.
But we pray that one thing would not be taken away from us, and that is your grace and mercy. Let your unfailing love be ours, and let it be ours in abundance. And should you you take away all our possessions, we pray that you would take our sin away with it.
Should you grant that we continue with these gifts, we pray that they would not become a curse to us or used against us in any way. Rather we pray, with ever such boldness, that you would give us one thing more: that is, that you would give us a spirit by which we may enjoy and use these gifts properly. That we would have a heart that looks to you, rather to what you have bestowed.
Lord, in all these things we look to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we hold fast to his mediation. For there and there alone do we find our courage to come to you even now. And we pray that the wounds of our great High Priest would intercede for us even now before you.
For we ask this in His strong Name.
Your hand has been outstretched to do us good. Yet we have not been obedient to your word. We have not returned kindness for the favor you have shown us, or warmed to the way of the Lord.
Like the Israelites of old, we have grumbled against you. Like them we have become experts in complaining. For we have grieved your all wise providence and expressed contempt when you made our bellies full.
Have you not given us what we did not deserve? Yet we said it was not enough. Then, when you allotted us an even greater portion of the good things in life, we gave you no thanks, nor honored the Source of our blessing.
Father, our ways have been the ways of sinners. And we confess before you that we ought to be stripped of all that we have.
But we pray that one thing would not be taken away from us, and that is your grace and mercy. Let your unfailing love be ours, and let it be ours in abundance. And should you you take away all our possessions, we pray that you would take our sin away with it.
Should you grant that we continue with these gifts, we pray that they would not become a curse to us or used against us in any way. Rather we pray, with ever such boldness, that you would give us one thing more: that is, that you would give us a spirit by which we may enjoy and use these gifts properly. That we would have a heart that looks to you, rather to what you have bestowed.
Lord, in all these things we look to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we hold fast to his mediation. For there and there alone do we find our courage to come to you even now. And we pray that the wounds of our great High Priest would intercede for us even now before you.
For we ask this in His strong Name.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
God be Praised for Giving Us Seats of Honor
We extol you, O Lord of the Universe, and praise your infinite name. You spoke an all things were made. You commanded, and it was done. How admirable is your work, O Lord. How great is your power.
We cast ourselves before you, we who are nothing before you. We despise what we are and we despise what we have become. We are soiled and not fit to sit upon the doorsteps of heaven. For the depths of our unworthiness we can never plumb, the extent of our sins we can never measure.
But you bow down to us and look upon us with great delight. You condescend to us and lift our heads. You shower us with gifts of life and bestow upon us nothing but steadfast love. You open the door of your dwelling and you invite us to come and take seats of honor.
O most sweet and merciful God, your hospitality only increases the praises that you are due. The welcome you give us exceeds what we deserve.
So let now our hearts be put in a right frame, may they evoke the reverence that only angels can rightly give.
We cast ourselves before you, we who are nothing before you. We despise what we are and we despise what we have become. We are soiled and not fit to sit upon the doorsteps of heaven. For the depths of our unworthiness we can never plumb, the extent of our sins we can never measure.
But you bow down to us and look upon us with great delight. You condescend to us and lift our heads. You shower us with gifts of life and bestow upon us nothing but steadfast love. You open the door of your dwelling and you invite us to come and take seats of honor.
O most sweet and merciful God, your hospitality only increases the praises that you are due. The welcome you give us exceeds what we deserve.
So let now our hearts be put in a right frame, may they evoke the reverence that only angels can rightly give.
Confessing the Sin of an Irreligious Mind
Why do you regard such worms, O God? Why do you offer yourself to wretches like us who are ever so profane?
Lord, you are of such infinite glory, but we are vile and filled with all sort so error. With our mouths we spew forth blasphemies; with our eyes look contemptibly upon your children; with our feet we run into evil. Our hearts are bereft of praise and our thanksgiving is withheld from you who deserve eternity’s worship.
Does this not reveal the temperature of our hearts? Is not our inward man as colder than this frigid winter’s day?
Father, we confess that our lives are bent on evil and we have not given you the honor that you deserve. And we pray that you might pardon our irreligious nature and forgive us for seeking anything and everything but you.
Give us each this day a personal revival. Warm us by your grace and kindle a new zeal within us. Give us the assurance of your divine love and let us be cleansed of our sin. For this we ask in Jesus’ strong name.
Lord, you are of such infinite glory, but we are vile and filled with all sort so error. With our mouths we spew forth blasphemies; with our eyes look contemptibly upon your children; with our feet we run into evil. Our hearts are bereft of praise and our thanksgiving is withheld from you who deserve eternity’s worship.
Does this not reveal the temperature of our hearts? Is not our inward man as colder than this frigid winter’s day?
Father, we confess that our lives are bent on evil and we have not given you the honor that you deserve. And we pray that you might pardon our irreligious nature and forgive us for seeking anything and everything but you.
Give us each this day a personal revival. Warm us by your grace and kindle a new zeal within us. Give us the assurance of your divine love and let us be cleansed of our sin. For this we ask in Jesus’ strong name.
To Feed Ravenously at the Table of Our Lord
Behold, I come to you, Lord, that I may prosper by Your gift and be delighted at Your holy banquet, which you, O God, in Your sweetness have prepared for Your poor. Behold, all that I can or ought to desire is in You. You are my salvation and my redemption, my hope and strength, my honor and glory.
Here at this table we gather in order to be fattened by your outstretched hand. And we pray that you would now feed us with this heavenly food. We come to this table with great joy and eager expectation, for we know that this is the only food that will really sustain our bodies, for its nutrients are spiritual in nature and its enrichment profits our souls.
Let us feed upon our Lord Jesus to the satisfaction of our inner cravings. Let us indulge ourselves in your mercy and ravenously partake of the love which is in Christ our Mediator. God, here at this table, make us voracious gluttons who devour you grace greedily. And when we arise from this great feast, let us be ever so filled with spiritual joy and fattened by the good tidings that only Your Spirit can impart.
Here at this table we gather in order to be fattened by your outstretched hand. And we pray that you would now feed us with this heavenly food. We come to this table with great joy and eager expectation, for we know that this is the only food that will really sustain our bodies, for its nutrients are spiritual in nature and its enrichment profits our souls.
Let us feed upon our Lord Jesus to the satisfaction of our inner cravings. Let us indulge ourselves in your mercy and ravenously partake of the love which is in Christ our Mediator. God, here at this table, make us voracious gluttons who devour you grace greedily. And when we arise from this great feast, let us be ever so filled with spiritual joy and fattened by the good tidings that only Your Spirit can impart.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Breaking Free of Our Earthy Orientation
Almighty God,
We long for a taste of you this morning. A sip of your holy presence. For we are earthy creatures, people who are fixated on earthly things. Our minds cannot be drawn upward because our fascinations are too much involved with earthly things. But if you reveal yourself we shall see that which is more delightful. When you show yourself to be more desirous our current infatuations will lose their luster. Our souls will find that you are more lovely and more satisfying.
Pull back the shades that hang over our eyes and give us a glimpse of your splendor. Let us inwardly see that nothing in this vast creation can compare to you and all should be counted as nothing for you.
Lord, our souls long for more than what we have. Our fixation on transitory things has left us thirsting. Yet we cannot ascend higher than our hearts will let us. So let your grace come to us this morning. Like the rising of the sun at dawn come to us, and may we see that there is something more glorious and much more worthy of our affection.
We long for a taste of you this morning. A sip of your holy presence. For we are earthy creatures, people who are fixated on earthly things. Our minds cannot be drawn upward because our fascinations are too much involved with earthly things. But if you reveal yourself we shall see that which is more delightful. When you show yourself to be more desirous our current infatuations will lose their luster. Our souls will find that you are more lovely and more satisfying.
Pull back the shades that hang over our eyes and give us a glimpse of your splendor. Let us inwardly see that nothing in this vast creation can compare to you and all should be counted as nothing for you.
Lord, our souls long for more than what we have. Our fixation on transitory things has left us thirsting. Yet we cannot ascend higher than our hearts will let us. So let your grace come to us this morning. Like the rising of the sun at dawn come to us, and may we see that there is something more glorious and much more worthy of our affection.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Your Word Endures
The grass may whither and the flower may fade, but your word will never pass away. Not one jot or tittle will be erased or abolished. They are more firm than the mountains. They shall persist from age to age because you O God endure forever, and your faithfulness persists from generation to generation.
We gather today to hear that word. In it our hearts delight. We long for it as for food, even more than bread for the body. It is more precious than rubies and more desirable than abundant riches. It is our wealth. It is our health. Your voice is our hearts content.
So we ask that you might fill these walls with the echo of your Spirit. May it be that when we leave this place we may say, “The Lord has been in our midst. He has spoken directly to us.” God, we pray that we may have the same reaction as those souls who after speaking with Jesus said, “Did our hearts not burn within us?” May we feel that stirring in our own souls.
Give us O God, a taste of your goodness and be filled with your love. Grant us the privilege today to sit at your feet and be fed with the meat of your word.
We gather today to hear that word. In it our hearts delight. We long for it as for food, even more than bread for the body. It is more precious than rubies and more desirable than abundant riches. It is our wealth. It is our health. Your voice is our hearts content.
So we ask that you might fill these walls with the echo of your Spirit. May it be that when we leave this place we may say, “The Lord has been in our midst. He has spoken directly to us.” God, we pray that we may have the same reaction as those souls who after speaking with Jesus said, “Did our hearts not burn within us?” May we feel that stirring in our own souls.
Give us O God, a taste of your goodness and be filled with your love. Grant us the privilege today to sit at your feet and be fed with the meat of your word.
Loveless
Grant us your grace, O most merciful Lord, that it may be well with us. We are loveless people, and our hearts are cold. Does not our lack of obedience prove our hearts do not yearn for you. Our failures only evidence how low our desire for you is.
This is our failure God. Not so much that we have broken your commands in so many ways, but that our hearts have not sought you or clung to you. We have not placed you at the foremost object of our affection.
But we pray O God that you would forgive our deadness and cure the numbness of our hearts. Fill our hearts with your Spirit and breath your love into us, that we might be resurrected with love.
Lord, let your will be ours and let us always follow you. We pray that you might become our chief desire and our highest priority. May serving you be our delight and walking in your ways be no longer laborious, but the sweetest thing to us.
God, so much do we have to confess, but the source of it all is our lovelessness. We do pray that all might be pardoned and that Christ’s sacrifice might be sufficient to cover it. Moreover we pray that we might be bound by your grace to hold on to you and cherish you.
This is our failure God. Not so much that we have broken your commands in so many ways, but that our hearts have not sought you or clung to you. We have not placed you at the foremost object of our affection.
But we pray O God that you would forgive our deadness and cure the numbness of our hearts. Fill our hearts with your Spirit and breath your love into us, that we might be resurrected with love.
Lord, let your will be ours and let us always follow you. We pray that you might become our chief desire and our highest priority. May serving you be our delight and walking in your ways be no longer laborious, but the sweetest thing to us.
God, so much do we have to confess, but the source of it all is our lovelessness. We do pray that all might be pardoned and that Christ’s sacrifice might be sufficient to cover it. Moreover we pray that we might be bound by your grace to hold on to you and cherish you.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Prayer for Paralytic Souls
Cause us to rise up this morning, O God.
We do not have it in and of ourselves to rise from our beds, let alone attain to the level of spirituality that this service of worship requires. Without you we are dead. Without you we can do nothing. So we pray now that you would descend upon us and stir up our hearts. Awaken our souls by your grace. Make our spirits to be lively and ready to dance in your presence.
Give us grace that we might repent. Make us attentive so that we might grow. Above all, let our lips be loosed that we might praise you. May our ears be opened that we might hear you. And let us glorify and enjoy you as you would have us.
We do not have it in and of ourselves to rise from our beds, let alone attain to the level of spirituality that this service of worship requires. Without you we are dead. Without you we can do nothing. So we pray now that you would descend upon us and stir up our hearts. Awaken our souls by your grace. Make our spirits to be lively and ready to dance in your presence.
Give us grace that we might repent. Make us attentive so that we might grow. Above all, let our lips be loosed that we might praise you. May our ears be opened that we might hear you. And let us glorify and enjoy you as you would have us.
Brought To Our Knees
We bow low, O God, for we are sinners in need of your grace. We feel it at every level. When we look into your law, it speaks to us. It tells us we are condemned before you. Our consciences are continually pricked by your Spirit and the conviction of guilt weighs heavily upon us day after day. Were that enough, the devil whispers in our ear and reminds us of our many sins. He accuses us unrelentingly and terrorizes us with our offenses.
We are brought to our knees before you. We come to you with nothing but our weakness and wretchedness, and we beg you for your mercy and grace. There is no other place that we can run. Only to Jesus do we fly.
For He is our only hope. Our only consolation is the promise of salvation and the cross of our dear Lord. We thank you that you sent him to die in our place, and we pray that you would continue your good work within us. Continue to deliver us from our sins. Let not only the books be cleared, but save us from ongoing sin. Cause the corruptions that still entangle us be crucified with Christ and let new obedience blossom in its place.
We pray that we might become the righteousness of God and that good works might characterize our lives. We pray that our love would increase and our holiness would abound to the glory of your name. May it be that we receive a hearty portion of your grace so that we might live upright lives before you.
We are brought to our knees before you. We come to you with nothing but our weakness and wretchedness, and we beg you for your mercy and grace. There is no other place that we can run. Only to Jesus do we fly.
For He is our only hope. Our only consolation is the promise of salvation and the cross of our dear Lord. We thank you that you sent him to die in our place, and we pray that you would continue your good work within us. Continue to deliver us from our sins. Let not only the books be cleared, but save us from ongoing sin. Cause the corruptions that still entangle us be crucified with Christ and let new obedience blossom in its place.
We pray that we might become the righteousness of God and that good works might characterize our lives. We pray that our love would increase and our holiness would abound to the glory of your name. May it be that we receive a hearty portion of your grace so that we might live upright lives before you.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
God on High
You are the great one, O God. Worthy are you to receive our praises. You ruleth on High with a mighty arm, ready to save. Your eye watches your congregation. You guard them with love and strength. You disperse your enemies and bring them down to the dust. But those who look to you are safe. They live and do not die. They awake to the morning’s light and take joy in the work of their hands.
We adore you today because you have been our God. We gather together to unite our hearts in praise. And we ask that you would give us the grace to worship you in spirit and truth. Let us mimic the angels as they fall before you. Let us offer the sacrifices of reverence and contrition.
We are your servants O God, and we call upon your name. Let your glory now be exalted and your being manifested among us.
We adore you today because you have been our God. We gather together to unite our hearts in praise. And we ask that you would give us the grace to worship you in spirit and truth. Let us mimic the angels as they fall before you. Let us offer the sacrifices of reverence and contrition.
We are your servants O God, and we call upon your name. Let your glory now be exalted and your being manifested among us.
A Prayer for the Grace of Devotion
Today's confession of sin comes from Thomas a Kempis' work, The Imitation of Christ.
O Lord, my God,
You are all my good. And who am I that I should dare to speak to you? I am your poorest and meanest servant, a vile worm, much more poor and contemptible than I know or dare to say. Yet remember me, Lord, because I am nothing, I have nothing, and can do nothing.
You alone are good, just and holy. You can do all things, you give all things you fill all things: only the sinner do you leave empty-handed. Remember your tender mercies and fill my heart with your grace, you who will not allow your works to be in vain.
How can I bear this life of misery unless you comfort me with your mercy and grace? Do not turn your face from me. Do not delay your visitation. Do not withdraw your consolation, lest in your sight my sould become as desert land.
Teach me, Lord, to do your will. Teach me to live worthily and humbly in your sight, for you are my wisdom who know me truly, and who knew me even before the world was made and before I was born into it.
O Lord, my God,
You are all my good. And who am I that I should dare to speak to you? I am your poorest and meanest servant, a vile worm, much more poor and contemptible than I know or dare to say. Yet remember me, Lord, because I am nothing, I have nothing, and can do nothing.
You alone are good, just and holy. You can do all things, you give all things you fill all things: only the sinner do you leave empty-handed. Remember your tender mercies and fill my heart with your grace, you who will not allow your works to be in vain.
How can I bear this life of misery unless you comfort me with your mercy and grace? Do not turn your face from me. Do not delay your visitation. Do not withdraw your consolation, lest in your sight my sould become as desert land.
Teach me, Lord, to do your will. Teach me to live worthily and humbly in your sight, for you are my wisdom who know me truly, and who knew me even before the world was made and before I was born into it.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Draw Us In
Draw us in, O God. Draw us into the holy place. The place where you dwell. The place where our souls find rest, peace, and renewal. We want to come to the place where most men would not dare to venture, for fear of death. For there we find our life and our heart’s longing.
Draw us away from this world, away from sin, and away from the grasp of the devil. May we taste of your sweetness today. May we be exposed to the radiation of holiness. May we be intoxicated with your love. And may our souls be stirred up to serve you again.
We desire something different this morning, something otherworldly, something divine. We don’t want a formalistic religion. We want something experiential. We want to abide by your rituals, but we do not want to be ritualistic. But that will only occur if you reveal yourself to us here. Our hearts will only be stirred if you come to us and touch our hearts.
So extend your hand now. Let your Spirit pick us up into rapturous dreams so that we can see your face.
Draw us away from this world, away from sin, and away from the grasp of the devil. May we taste of your sweetness today. May we be exposed to the radiation of holiness. May we be intoxicated with your love. And may our souls be stirred up to serve you again.
We desire something different this morning, something otherworldly, something divine. We don’t want a formalistic religion. We want something experiential. We want to abide by your rituals, but we do not want to be ritualistic. But that will only occur if you reveal yourself to us here. Our hearts will only be stirred if you come to us and touch our hearts.
So extend your hand now. Let your Spirit pick us up into rapturous dreams so that we can see your face.
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