Dear Friends,
Happy Mother’s Day one day removed. I hope someone spoiled you yesterday. We are so thankful for our mothers and all they have taught us. May God bless each and every mother, not only on Mother’s Day, but every day of your lives! (We had 89 adults and 47 children in worship Sunday).

If you want to change the world, join us for one of the projects this Friday or Saturday!
For more information, please call Amy Mercer at 584-2133 or email at amy@westernhillsep.org

With so many voices speaking advice for life today, how do we know which ones to follow?
Join us as we consider the wisdom God’s voice has for everyday life! Our last sermon will be on Communication.

Devotion: Pr. 22:6
Train children in the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Raising children is no easy task. Most if not all parents have wished for a manual that came with our little ones (or not so little ones). The following is no manual, but it is a simple way to remember practical tips to help raise our children.
TRAIN
Time- Make the investment. Our child will never regret the time we spend with them.
Repetition- It takes 7 to 14 times hearing an idea for someone to internalize it. Our children need to hear us say God loves them, Jesus forgives them, we love them, we are proud of them, we are called to serve the poor and needy, etc. When we think we are tired of saying it, say it one more time!
Acceptance- Listen, Listen, Listen! Listen with our whole self. Listen for their voice and life without judgments. Then, offer help and advice with grace and truth.
Intentional- Put it on the calendar and insert it into everyday life. Make a point to share about God and His ways at any time and any place using words and actions to teach. Possible times include: Dinner, drives, after a movie or show, while shopping, on vacation, bed time, while playing a game, etc. Parents have the most influence on their children, so make it happen.
Never Ending- We will never stop being parents! It is never too early and never too late!

In His Grace,
Bill Case

Dear Friends,
Wow! What a weekend we had. Thank you to everyone who made Ridgefest a great event. And praise God for all of His great wisdom we are gleaning from Proverbs! (We had 286 people at Ridgefest; 83 adults and 42 children in worship Sunday).

If you weren’t able to help us Fill the Trailer, please participate in the National Association of Letter Carriers “Stamp out Hunger” food drive this Saturday, May 12th. All the food will go to West Texas Foodbank, the same distribution center we supported through Ridgefest. This is another great way to think of others before ourselves!

With so many voices speaking advice for life today, how do we know which ones to follow?
Join us as we consider the wisdom God’s voice has for everyday life! This week we will focus on children for Mother’s Day.

Devotion: 6:6-11
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
11 and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man.

Most people would love to get something for nothing! However, I don’t believe there is any way around hard work when it comes to life and carrier. The generations before mine all seem to understand hard work and earning what they have. Unfortunately, I belong to a generation that doesn’t always understand this. They understand, promote, and do hard work. We want everything now and we want it because we are breathing. I am not fully sure where this entitlement mentality has come from, but I have some ideas (I won’t get into them now).

I will never forget one of my first mission experiences in Juarez, when a man twice my age outworked me. He was amazing, and I realized I was “soft”. To see a nearly 70 year old man churn concrete by hand hour after hour is pretty awe inspiring and humbling. I learned more from him about a good days work than I ever have from a book and, I have been striving to practice this in my life and ministry ever since. I have no doubt that if we as believers were to practice the above scripture, our careers would be better for it. I also believe that we glorify our God when we work hard. And one of the greatest benefits from hard work is the opportunity to give and share more with others! So, let’s get up and work so that we can give something to someone else in the love of Christ.

In His Grace,
Bill Case

Dear Friends,
I love the fact that God’s word is practical for our everyday lives! This is no more evident than in our study of Proverbs. The wisdom in this book is powerful when applied. I pray each of us are taking steps to practice what we are learning. (We had 77 adults and 43 children in worship Sunday).

Invite all your friends and neighbors, and bring food to Fill the Trailer!!!

With so many voices speaking advice for life today, how do we know which ones to follow?
Join us as we consider the wisdom God’s voice has for everyday life! This week is Career and Direction.

Devotion: Matthew 6:19-21, 24
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Does money have our heart? Do things rule our lives? What are our treasures? Where does our heart dwell? Our culture spends millions of dollars to shape our hearts desires. The advertising agencies of our western world study us. They want to know us and to present products from life insurance to smart phones in ways that call to the deepest parts of who we are. It is so easy to get caught up in the voice of this world that wants us chained to material things and money. All this “stuff” could be gone tomorrow. Look around the room you are in. All of it could be gone tomorrow. Then, what will you be left with? Hopefully more than you could dream possible!
I know my weakness is electronic gadgets. I have to create boundaries and find a sane person (my wife) to help me remain focused. I know what is good for us, what is beneficial for our family and for my life, but it is so tempting! It takes help, guidance, and the practice of good behaviors to shift not only my understanding, but also my lifestyle. If we find ourselves chained to the material, to the credit card debt, to the savings account, may we stop and consider that God loves us no matter what we have! May we remember that God desires to have our full trust! May we remember that God longs to be at the center of our hearts desires, and that He truly is the only One who can fill our deepest needs!

In His Grace,
Bill Case

Dear Friends,
It was wonderful to be back in worship with everyone yesterday! Wendy and I had a wonderful anniversary trip and thank you for the opportunity to go. Thank you also to Troy Hughes, who did such a wonderful job bringing the Word to us all! (We had 86 adults and 57 children in worship Sunday).

With so many voices speaking advice for life today, how do we know which ones to follow?
Join us as we consider the wisdom God’s voice has for everyday life! This week: Finances.

Don’t forget to sign up to help, invite all your friends and neighbors, and bring canned goods to “Fill the Truck”!!!

Devotion: John 13:34-35
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Many have heard the Golden Rule, “Love others as you love yourself.” However, as Jesus faced leaving his disciples through his death and resurrection, he challenged and encouraged them with the verse listed above. “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” We focused on God’s guidance for relationships this past Sunday, and this is the ultimate expression of His voice. If we are to love one another as Christ loves us, what does that look like? Here are a few attributes of Christ’s love for us: Unconditional, Selfless, Sacrificial, Careful, Compassionate, Powerful, Non-Judgmental, Truthful, Safe, Encouraging, Challenging, Passionate, and Complete. If we lived our lives toward others with these as our core values, how would our relationships look different? What changes do we need to make? What behaviors will stay the same, and which ones will change? I pray all these values will shape our relationships with friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors, really with anyone with whom we come into contact!

In His Grace,
Bill Case

Dear Friends,
As we move through this Holy Week, let us keep our eyes on the cross where our Master and King paid the ultimate price for our LIFE! Praise God and Amen. (We had 95 adults and 48 children in worship Sunday).

No single event in human history has changed more lives around the world. He was despised and rejected for the brokenness of ALL humanity. One act by one man for ALL!
Whether you are a long time follower or just curious about the death of Jesus Christ, join us for a series that will explore the last 24 Hours of Jesus Life on earth.

Devotion: Romans 5:6-11
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” There is not greater statement of why God and Jesus purposefully went through the pain, agony, suffering, and humiliation of the cross. No one, and I mean NO ONE, loves us more than God. In His death, He forgives our missing the mark (both intentional and unintentional), saves us from wrath, and invites us back to himself. He WANTS us to be in relationship with Him again. This is the message of The Gospel, of Christianity. God loves and died for the unlovable, the least, the last, and the lost. He loves and died for us! So be it!

With so many voices speaking advice for life today, how do we know which ones to follow?
Join us as we consider the wisdom God’s voice has for everyday life!

In His Grace,
Bill Case

Dear Friends,
How powerful is the love of God for all humanity! No matter how broken, hurt, defeated, stubborn, and evil we may be, God shows his love for us in Christ Jesus! No greater love is this. (We had 89 adults and 46 children in worship Sunday).

No single event in human history has changed more lives around the world. He was despised and rejected for the brokenness of ALL humanity. One act by one man for ALL!
Whether you are a long time follower or just curious about the death of Jesus Christ, join us for a series that will explore the last 24 Hours of Jesus Life on earth.

Devotion: Mark 15:22-23
22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.

After beating him to the brink of death, those with charge over him bring him to The Place of the Skull, a place of death. There he will face and excruciating time of pain and the inability to breath. Someone offered him wine mixed with myrrh, an elixir that would dull the pain. Do you remember the last time someone offered myrrh to Jesus? It was at his birth, from the wise men who came seeking a king. Then it may have been an odd gift, here it makes perfect sense. Yet, Jesus does not take it. One reason could be that he had promised not to drink of the cup until he was with his disciples in The Kingdom. Another reason could be that we wanted to be fully conscious of the pain, knowing that God would help him through. He never backed down from the cup of his punishment, humiliation, and death once he placed his life into God’s hands. He did it because we betray, deny, doubt, show indifference to, mock, pain, and even cause his death. Read Romans 5:6-11. He did it because he loves us! Read John 3:16. Oh, what wondrous love is this!

In His Grace,
Bill Case

Dear Friends,
I hope everyone had a great Spring Break! What a powerful experience of God’s love and grace worship was yesterday. I pray the freedom Christ gives us as he took our guilt upon himself brings us courage, hope, and love this week. (We had 83 adults and 33 children in worship Sunday).

No single event in human history has changed more lives around the world. He was despised and rejected for the brokenness of ALL humanity. One act by one man for ALL!
Whether you are a long time follower or just curious about the death of Jesus Christ, join us for a series that will explore the last 24 Hours of Jesus Life on earth.

Join us for our Family Kite Event this Saturday! Bring a friend and have some fun!

Devotion: Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12
4Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

This is a portion of the vision of Isaiah’s “Suffering Servant.” Take time to read it all and be quiet before God. Listen for God. Then, consider these questions.

*How do these words give meaning to the suffering of Jesus Christ?
*What do these words mean to you?
*How do you explain the connection between Jesus conviction and suffering and the world’s salvation?
*What does Jesus’ conviction of guilt and his suffering mean to you?

If you desire, please share your responses on the blog

In His Grace,
Bill Case

Dear Friends,
I hope for those who are able to take time off, that you are enjoying the Spring Break. For those who are, please take time to have fun for those of us who are working this week! (We had 91 adults and 32 children in worship Sunday).

No single event in human history has changed more lives around the world. He was despised and rejected for the brokenness of ALL humanity. One act by one man for ALL!
Whether you are a long time follower or just curious about the death of Jesus Christ, join us for a series that will explore the last 24 Hours of Jesus Life on earth.

Join us for our Family Kite Event on March 24. Bring a friend and have some fun!

Devotion: Read John 14:53-72
53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest…

What about the High priest, chief priests, elders, and teachers of the law?
We may know that these people were afraid. Each could have been afraid for different reasons. None of us know for sure. However, we do know that this fear drove them to hatred of Jesus. As this fear grew to hatred, as this group of people met in the dark hours of the early morning, why didn’t someone speak up for what was right? There had to be someone in those 71 people who knew or felt, even in the slightest sense, that what they were doing was wrong. Have we ever allowed fear overpower our understanding of what is right? Have we ever allowed fear to move to hatred? Have we ever stayed silent when we knew what was happening was wrong? If we have, then we know a little about what it was like to be with this people in the wee hours of the morning!

What about Peter?
Peter was brave to be in the courtyard! He took a risk to try and be around Jesus at this time. However, when the heat was turned up he denied Jesus three times. Jesus had predicted it and now Peter, probably after trying to get himself ready for the moment, was living the denial Jesus had warned him about. The end of this passage says that Peter broke down and wept after the rooster crowed three times. Have you ever been where Peter is in this story? Gearing yourself up to do better, to stand your ground, to share your faith just to find yourself not being able to follow through on what you know you should do? Have you ever come to the realization that you have let God and others down? Have you ever longed to know the forgiveness of another, of God? If you have, then you know a little of how Peter must have felt that morning.

Take time to be silent before God and allow Him to work in you what he has drawn you to in this passage. I pray it will come to life and speak to you today!

In His Grace,
Bill Case

Hello all! Just a reminder and correction, the time change will happen tonight. Please move your clocks forward one hour. We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow for worship!

Dear Friends,
It was great to see you all on Sunday. I know that I am being challenged and encouraged as we spend our Lent with Jesus and his last 24 Hours of earthly life. I pray you are experiencing the same. (We had 75 adults and 38 children in worship Sunday).

No single event in human history has changed more lives around the world. He was despised and rejected for the brokenness of ALL humanity. One act by one man for ALL!
Whether you are a long time follower or just curious about the death of Jesus Christ, join us for a series that will explore the last 24 Hours of Jesus Life on earth.

Reminder: Daylight savings time will happen Sunday morning March 18th. We will set our clocks forward one hour.

Devotion: Read Matthew 26:31-56
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

As we watch in during Jesus prayer at Gethsemane, a challenge and an encouragement come to my heart. First, the challenge. For all who follow God and desire to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, a day will come when God asks us to do something that we may not want to do. It may be as simple as inviting someone to church, or it could be giving up our lifestyle in order to reach people in another world. This call will be one of personal sacrifice and we have the opportunity to follow Christ and say, “not my will, but yours be done.” Is God calling us to something greater, to something uncomfortable, to something beyond what we believe we can do? Will we take the challenge and trust God like Jesus did?

Now second, for the encouragement. Jesus had asked his friends to stay awake and pray with him – to keep watch. He was calling them to be prepared for the temptations that would come sooner than they realized. He was looking for someone to agonize with him, to be there for him, to help him in his time of need. Yet, the disciples slept. It would be easy for us to hear in Jesus voice a since of anger or frustration as he said, “Could you not keep watch?” However, can you hear his voice of understanding and grace as he says, “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak?” Jesus understands us more than we know. He understands our limitations and our struggles. I believe that we need to hear his grace in order to take his challenge. May we allow him to speak both into our lives as we move ever forward to Easter!

In His Grace,
Bill Case