Posts by Bart Box

CFC, COVID-19, and Coming Together Again Words from the Lord while we wait on word from the governor Yesterday, April 28th, Governor Ivey issued new guidance for the state of Alabama, effective Thursday, April 30th, at 5 pm. Regarding churches, nothing much has changed in the short term. The same limited capacity restrictions remain in force for non-work groups, includin...

A pastoral reflection "gathering" for worship when the church is scattered....

Well, what began as a discussion in the spring of 2017 is now a reality in the closing weeks of 2018. We plan to have our first service there this Sunday, December 16th. God has been kind in His provision and guidance throughout, and to Him belongs all the glory. All of it. As we prepare for our first Sunday there, here are a few reminders and important pieces of informa...

Several weeks ago, we looked at the greetings in Romans 16. Here is a sampling of the text:I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae.(v. 1)Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.(v. 3)Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.(v. 6)Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has wor...

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) So, here we are, almostin the season of Advent, a time of the year during which we reflect on and celebrate the coming of the Lord. Infinitely more important than going into our new building was God's coming into ou...

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.(Romans 1:8)I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus(1 Corinthians 1:4)I thank my God in all my remembrance of you(Philippians 1:3)I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, ...

As you probably know, the phrase, "If you build it, they will come," is drawn from the movieField of Dreams. In the film, Ray Kinsella (played by Kevin Costner) wanted to meet baseball player Shoeless Joe Jackson, a star outfielder for the 1919 Chicago White Sox. In response to a vision, Costner's character built a baseball diamond in an Iowa cornfield and, sure enough, Sh...

It was not one of my finer moments. When I was kid, we had a lemon tree. I have no idea why we had oneit wasn't like we drank lots of lemonade or anythingbut we had a lemon tree. The only problem with the lemon tree was that it made no lemons. As in, none. Ever. The only things that lemon tree ever produced were leaves and thorns. And that's why I was so shocked when I cam...

I hate change. Leslie will tell you that I rarely cry, but she'll also tell you that I'm a mess on moving days. I have cried every time that we have moved homesfrom Tuscaloosa to New Orleans to Arley to Chelsea to Homewood. It doesn't matter to me if the move is a good oneexciting, full of potential, something I've desired. I struggle with moving. But I think I know why (...

Good morning, church! I hope this note finds you doing well and enjoying the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. As you know, the time for our transition from Rosewood Hall to Green Springs is drawing near! How near? Well, that's impossible to say with certainty, although we are hopeful that we can spend all or part of the Christmas season in the new space. There are certain t...

Over the last few weeks, our nation has experienced again very sad and very significant division regarding race. Here a just a few thoughts that should guide us in days like these: We should be engaged politically, but not like the world practices politics. The most political thing we can say as Christians is this: "Jesus is our King." Think about Acts 17:6-7: ...

Sermon: "How the Mighty Have Fallen" The preaching passage: 2 Samuel 11:1-37 These books trace the rise of kingship in Israel, beginning with Saul and transitioning to Israel's greatest king, David. The story is fraught with ups and downs for the nation, as well as spectacular displays of righteousness and spectacular forays into sin by the kings themselves. All along,...

We're moving! Not too far, but we're moving! After searching more than a year for a new worship space, we're excited to announce that Christ Fellowship Church will begin worshiping, Lord willing, at Rosewood Hall in Homewood on January 26th, 2014. Let me give you a few details, walk you through the benefits of the move, and leave you with a pastoral word on this event in...