A Desire to Rebuild

Franconia Baptist Church has a long history in the Northern Virginia area. We believe that God wants to use this church to accomplish great things in the future. In order to do this we need to go through a period of rebuilding. We gather each week to seek God's direction and blessing for this ministry. Together we are praying that God would raise up men and woman who will consider investing in the future of this church. Would you please pray about the possibility of participating in the development of this valuable ministry? Your skills, experience, and encouragement are greatly needed.

If you have any questions please email me at: aaron@franconiabaptist.org

In Christ,
Aaron

Why is it so hard to wait on God?

My life is full of so many situations where I was so excited that I beat God to the punch. It's only with a little hindsight that I find out that God may have had something better in store for me. The thing was I did not want to wait.

In working our way through the book of Nehemiah, I have found a new hero. Here is a godly man who was willing to patiently pray and fast waiting on God. Yet at the right time he brought an audacious request the king. What a combination, Nehemiah was bold and courageous, but also patient and humble.

I pray that God would grow in me the kind of discerning spirit that knows when to wait on the Lord and when to go with God.

- Aaron

We often think that we know better...

This morning I was reading through the last part of Mark chapter one, which tells the story of Jesus healing a leper. Leprosy was little understood and greatly feared in biblical times. This man was not only suffering from a painful skin disease, but also the extraordinary intolerance and social stigma against those with leprosy.

The Bible says that Jesus was so moved with compassion at this simple and humble request that he healed the man. So why does this newly healed man blatently ignore the one simple request that Jesus had for him ("see that you say nothing to anyone")?

I think that it is because we generally think that we know better than God what is good for God. In his excitement this man is so ready for everyone else to know what happened that he rationalizes his response. On the surface Jesus's request may seem a little confusing even to you and me. Yet that was His desire.

When God makes clear His desires for our life, it is not our place to alter the marching orders simply because we think we know a better route.

Having the Faith to Wait

I am sure that the world is full of people who patiently wait on God. God bless you. I am not one of those people. My wife, my family and friends all know that patience is that elusive virtue that continually escapes me. In fact I usually find myself very impatient about developing patience, go figure.

In preparing this evenings Bible study on Nehemiah I encountered a man who exhibited true patience. In Nehemiah chapter one he is greatly moved by the situation of his people in Jerusalem. So much so that Nehemiah goes to God to plead for His help and yet Nehemiah patiently waits on God. The beginning of chapter two is nearly four months after Nehemiah made his heartfelt prayer to God.

This kind of patience is merely faith by another name. May we all learn from Nehemiah's example.

Coffee with Jesus

This morning as I am sitting in my neighborhood Panera working through a few details of our new series on the Life of Christ. My friends and I often come to a Panera or Starbucks to sit and engage in conversations about the impossible questions of the universe. While reading through the Gospel of Mark this morning, I realized that I had begun a converation with Jesus. All of my questions about Mark came out in a dialogue with Jesus. Without planning it this way, I had invited Jesus to coffee with me. I think I'll do it again soon.

Remembering September 11, 2001

I'll never forget that morning. I was running late to work at AOL. My radio was tuned to the local NPR station who was saying something about a small plane hitting one of the World Trade Center towers in New York. It wasn't long after that when the plane hit the Pentagon building. Carrie's school was only a few miles from the Pentagon and I was in a panic because the cell phone systems were so jammed that I couldn't get through to her.

Seven years later and it doesn't make any more sense than it did that morning. Sometimes history helps to provide enough perspective to understand how God works through evil. Other times we simply have to accept that this fallen world will continue to suffer from the effects of sin until the return of Jesus.

As I reflect on these things this morning, I am motivated to pray that Christ will return quickly.

The Life of Christ

This Sunday we will begin a new series on the life of Christ. We will be working through selected passages in the book of Mark. The teaching will include historical information about ancient Israel as well as a look of the theology of Jesus. There is rich application in this material for our daily lives. Come join us and learn more about our Savior.

-Aaron

Sunday Night - Praise & Worship

Several friends have told us that they would be interested in having a Sunday evening praise & worship service. A few of us are going to get together tonight to play through the song books. If you are interested in something like this, please let me know what you would like to see included in this kind of service and what time would be best to start.