A CTK Network Church
  CTK Nampa
  • Home
  • About Us
    • CTK Staff
    • Times & Locations
    • Who We Are
    • Our Beliefs
    • Giving
  • Children & Youth
    • Children's Classes
    • Youth and Young Adults
  • Message Archive
  • Groups
    • Connect Groups
  • Contact Us

I Run...

2/26/2018

0 Comments

 
by Dave Palmer

I remember growing up at 23309 Locust Way in Bothell, Washington. We lived on 10 acres with a large trout filled stream that ran right through our property. Every late summer into fall, thousands of salmon would swim up stream and spawn...Chinook (king), Sockeye, Coho and Steelhead. It was mesmerizing and I looked forward to it each year. Our front yard was a very large grass area approximately 1.5 acres, with a holly tree, weeping willow, apple trees, bing cherry and one majestic, towering old fir. The trunk and lower branches were something you see in an old growth forest. You could stand two to three people together on one side and not see them. Behind the the house we had an enormous old glass and brick green house that contained lemon, bird of paradise, cactus of varying types, and other tropical plants all heated by a boiler and old pipes through the winter. There was also a very large old wood shed that had a band driven mill saw. The blade was as tall as I was and although it was scary looking…when my dad and mom weren’t around I would push the large green button on the wall and watch it spin a frightening speed, with the sound of a jet engine. Woods behind us stretched to the other 8 acres. Woods filled with ferns, stinging nettle, huckleberry, horsetail, skunk cabbage, Oregon grape, salal, maple, fir, hemlock and cedar. There were old stumps and logs with moss and mysterious holes that led to a menagerie of what I imagined to be an underground city of all types of animals and mysterious creatures. My imagination ran wild…and I was free to explore and experience it all.
  
And I ran…

I ran everywhere in those days…I ran to the pond on the other side of our stream where fish would go up the fish ladder to spawn. I ran to the small creek that fed the pond to catch minnows. I ran with our three dogs in the vast front yard. I ran through the woods chasing and being chased by friends, laughing and yelling till the light faded and we would slowly make our way home, making promises for tomorrows adventures.

I ran to build my first fort in those woods…and my second, third and fourth. I ran to the edge of the stream when the spring thaw would hit, and the water would swell its banks threatening to over take the stand of bamboo by its shores. I ran to the top of our 1/4 mile driveway to get the paper for my dad each night as darkness approached. It was a challenge…he would say “go!…I’ll time you”. In the fading light, the fear of the unseen monsters and bogey men would spur me on to run as if I had wings on my feet. Up the drive to large mailbox and back again bursting through the door heaving and panting but with a sense of pride at hearing my new best time.  I ran and I watched and listened. I ran and I learned.    

I ran because I didn’t want to miss anything. Everything was interesting to me, everything mattered, everything was important. There was so much to take in and the time slipped by so quickly it seemed. There were new fishing holes that needed to be fished, new trails to forge in those woods, new hills to climb and new adventures to be had. 

I ran and I enjoyed life and all of His creation…unknowing that He was watching me. Unaware that He loved me then, and had plans for another race I was to run later in life.

That time will always remain treasured in my heart, idyllic, a time capsule of childhood that contains so many stories and experiences that my heart swells every time I think of it. And I am sorry for those, including my own children, who never had that experience growing up. A treasure trove of memories. Running.  

Running to keep up with life the bursting around me. Running to catch a glimpse of something new and wondrous. Running to feel the cool breeze on my face and the hope of tomorrow. Running to beat my best time.  

I run.  ​
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
--Hebrews. 12:1   
0 Comments

The Fight for Joy

2/20/2018

0 Comments

 
by Sherry Amick

I have known many remarkable Christians over the years. Doug and I talk most often in this regard of a dear lady whom we knew during our earlier years of marriage. This lady had physical ailments that would discourage the hardiest of souls, yet she always wore a beautiful smile and was always ready to serve. We never heard her complain. Not once! To us, she was the epitome of joy. 

​As time goes by, I realize more and more that joy is not situational, or in other words, dependent on happy circumstances. Some of you have already figured that out, but while I know that in my head, it is hard for me to always put into practice. Achieving a joyful lifestyle seems elusive. Clearly, I am not moving closer to my goal of a joyful lifestyle while allowing attitudes of complaint, ingratitude, and fear to rule my life.

What practices should replace my negative tendencies? The book of Philippians offers some great insight on this. Philippians 2:14-16:
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain
I see in this passage an exhortation to not only focus on the Word of life, but to cherish it. Scripture keeps our eyes on Jesus, the only one who perfectly epitomizes joy.
Notice the attitudes of prayerful courage and thankfulness in Philippians 4:6-7 and 11-13:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
​
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
The following are a few suggestions to help when your joy is tested. They have helped me as I continue my fight for joy.
  • Become active in a home group. We need the encouragement of coming together in numbers small enough that everyone has opportunity to participate. Some sacrifice of your time and your hospitality is required, but the benefits of community outweigh any sacrifice.  Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
  • Find time every day to worship Him. Some musical friends in our home group suggested that they find joy in praising Him with their music every day. Pray, share your faith, study, serve, sing, or play a musical instrument. This is a great daily reminder of how blessed we are to know Jesus and to be His fellow heir.
  • Foster in yourself an attitude of gratitude. I read a book a few years ago (Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts) that suggests keeping an ongoing journal of things, people, events, etc. that make you feel thankful. Has the Lord saved you from making a bad decision? Do you look forward to that first sip of coffee each morning? Are you thankful for the hard working attitude of your spouse? Write down those gifts, big or small, and go back to re-read them! We have much to thank Him for!
  • Keep a prayer journal, but make sure to go back and update His answers to your prayers. Reading those answers will increase your trust in His care for you.
  • Read Philippians. It is Paul’s letter on the joy of Christianity. Paul had some tough days to say the least, but his focus was on his joy and thankfulness in Jesus and his encouragement in his fellow Christ followers.
  • Be aware of what is going through your mind, and focus on the good. “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5b An old minister friend once said that bad thoughts are like birds. “They can fly over your head, but you don’t have to let them make a nest in your hair.” Philippians 4:8-9 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

How will you fight for joy today?
0 Comments

Testimony

2/12/2018

1 Comment

 
by Chip Johnson

​I can remember hearing that word at an early age. As I was passing time in “big church” as a kid, my ears would perk up when I heard that someone was going to share their testimony. It was always a story. These stories followed a formula: a terrible sin or sickness in the past...hitting rock bottom...nowhere to turn but God...deliverance and victory. As I’ve grown up, I am beginning to see I’ve misunderstood what a testimony actually is.  The focus of the drug-addict-turned-preacher story was on ultimate victory over sin. The problem for me was that my own story was filled with a lack of resolution and few victories. I assumed, as many do, that my faith simply wasn’t strong enough to experience victory over sin or circumstance. 

Recently, I’ve come to realize my mistake. My testimony is not that I have survived sin or suffering, it is about how I survived. Not too long ago, my friend Dave Browning died of a brain tumor. He did not experience victory over cancer. This week, I met with a new friend  who survived cancer. It was a long and grueling process, but he came out the other side victorious and happy to be alive. The thing is, both these guys have the same testimony! One is alive and one died and yet their God-story is the same. Both men lived out the same message in the midst of their suffering: whatever happens, this story ends well. Both men maintained a sense of humor and were able to love on the very people who were there to care for them. Both men held tightly to the Father and were surrounded by people who shared their faith. While having no control of their circumstances, staring death in the face, they rode it out with Jesus.

I can get behind this kind of testimony! I seldom feel like I have control of my life. I do, however, have the ability to leverage my story in the midst of my circumstances--suffering or not. I can grab hold of my Father and trust him to sit with me. I can let people into my pain and uncertainty. I can embrace my lack of control and look to Jesus to guide me through to the other side--whatever that may be. What is your story...your testimony?
1 Comment

Recipients of Grace

2/5/2018

0 Comments

 
by Jonathan Michalski

​In one of our recent weekly talks with the High School students of CTK the topic of bullying was brought up. The students began to cite examples of times they had witnessed or had been victims of the various torments of these bullies. In an instant I felt my anger inside rising. It was a combination of feeling incredibly defensive for these kids and flashbacks of myself as a teenager ruthlessly pursued by some of these very same types. I found myself remarking on how happy I was as an adult to see some of these bullies get what was coming to them. In that moment one of the students piped up. He made the observation that whenever he saw bullies his heart went out to them because they were usually hurt people hurting others. I was flabbergasted! With one remark this kid displayed such an understanding of grace that it made me feel sheepish for my haste to rejoice in the demise of these perceived enemies. I was so caught up in my personal demands for justice and vindication that I had completely lost sight of the fact that even these “guilty ones” were recipients of the grace and restoration of Christ. I was reminded of one of my favorite stories of Jesus found in John 8:7-11. The religious leaders bring a woman that they find guilty of sin in an effort to trap Jesus.
“They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.
When all the others were focused on justice and punishment of this rule-breaker; Jesus turns His gaze to the broken and breathed restoration. My prayer is that I would never be so quick to gather the stones of my own indignant anger against those whom Jesus is restoring and those who are in need of His grace. We are all in need of that same grace.
0 Comments

    Archives

    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013

    Authors

    All
    Alexa Sterner
    Brett Wolfe
    Chip Johnson
    Dave Palmer
    Dave Underwood
    Doug Amick
    Doug & Sherry Amick
    Doug Smith
    Frank Wyant
    Jami Wolfe
    Janie Archuleta
    Jenn Johnson
    Jonathan Michalski
    Josh Snodgrass
    Kathy Deal
    Kelly White
    Lee Leafgren
    Linda Sant
    Lisa Underwood
    Marsha Stauffer
    Melody Paris
    Mike Larimer
    Misti Sanders
    Nancy Yarbrough
    Patti Snodgrass
    Rick Snodgrass
    Sara White
    Sherry Amick
    Shon Sanders
    Tami Sims
    Trina Riley

    RSS Feed

Get Social
Picture
Picture
Picture
Network Info
​A CTK NETWORK CHURCH
CTK.NET
Service Location
Nampa Christian High School
11920 West Flamingo Ave
​Nampa, ID 83651


​Service Time
 Sundays at 10am
​
​
Service Options
You can watch the service
Live on FB every Sunday at 10am
or 
watch past sermons on
​our YouTube Channel


Office Location
984 Corporate Lane, Ste 202
Nampa, ID 83651


Office Hours 
​
Monday 10am-4pm
Tuesday 10am-4pm
Wednesday 10am-4pm
Thursday 10am-4pm
​

Contact Us
208-565-6324
office@ctknampa.org

Giving 
Click here to give to CTK