Articles

• NOT A FAN
• Pilot
• I'm with Him
• Same 'Old Tricks'
• What time is it?
• Grandmother's Face
• Rooster Crows
• Combine Harvesting
• BCC Missions

On September 16, 2008 the NPR talk show had a bashful 19 year old on the program (as the reporter described her--a wavy haired blond girl in a pink T-shirt).  She was there to describe how, when Hurricane Ike came to Galveston, she and her dad had to move their boats  to a safer location.  On the eve before Hurricane Ike she piloted the boat for 12 hours through the night.  Jullian Williams talked about how nerve racking it was to pilot the big 70 foot deep sea fishing boat, “it had been a long time since I had piloted a boat in that rough a water . . .”  She concluded the sentence with, “ . . .but my Dad was ¼ of a mile ahead of me talking to me on the radio and telling me I was doing fine.”

As I listened to that broadcast I thought, “What a Dad and what a daughter!” Applying what I heard from Jullian on the radio that day, I ask “Is that not the relationship we share with our Heavenly Father?”  As we pilot through this life in treacherous waters,  He is there soothing our fears, calming our anxiety, telling us we’re doing fine. 

Psalm 94:19, “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.”

Remember whether it be divorce, cancer, financial ruin, or just plain everyday difficulty, God really is just a prayer away.

Creighton Beatty
September 16th, 2008

I'm with Him
01 August, 2008

When I was 17 years of age I went on Hunter Airfield in Savannah Georgia. My dad was a lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force in the area of communication. On this occasion he took me out to look over the operation. Everyone looked at me. I went to the latrine and as I went I would look in the rooms along the way. Men would look up from their desk at me as I passed and I felt they were thinking “what are you doing in here?” I would, for the most part stay close to my dad and say, “I’m with Him”.

Years later while preaching a Revival in Hampton, VA I got to go on Langley Field on the NASA portion. A Gentleman from that congregation worked there and showed us around from the cafeteria to the computer room. We even saw in these massive building 2 large spheres where pilots go and electronically have “dog fights” in a jet simulator. We went through some areas that if our Christian friend were not with us there was no way we would have been aloud to see the things we saw that day. If anyone would have said anything to us, questioning our reason for being there, believe you me, I was prepared to say, “I’m with Him”.

One day you and I will die and leave this old world. Then we will face Almighty God, the creator of the Universe. There we will have a guide Jesus Christ and I’m going to stick to him like a hand in glove. When we face the Judge of heaven and earth, all we’ll need to say is, “I’m with Him”.

My whata difference a relationship with Christ makes. Turn your life over to Him today and then you may say, “I’m with Him”.

Creighton Beatty

Same 'Old Tricks'
08 April, 2008

Same ‘Old Tricks’

We must remember that in ministry we can’t live by the "same 'ol tricks" idea.

Meaning: we can’t do ministry like we always have. We learn a certain way and think... "I’ve got this down pat", "I've been there and done that", so we apply old ways to new situations.

Many times it just isn’t going to work.

It applies to me. I've been in ordained ministry for 29 years this November and I believe that if anyone can come into a new situation and try to apply "old tricks" or traditional wisdom it isn't going to work, if God is trying to get your attention, let Him have His way. Isn't that the key? Letting Him have His way?

Moses was told to strike the rock to bring water to the Israelite Nation. He did and it did. What a glorious miracle resulted. The next time he needed to bring refreshment to the people, God said, "speak to the rock" and it was as if Moses said, "I've got the trick in the bag, I’ve been there and done that, I’ll just strike the rock." Bad decision.

I appreciate what Bob Russell said in his book, "When God builds a church". It's principles and methods may not work in your neck of the woods the way they did in Bob’s ministry but the principles he shares in his book, he says, will work anywhere.

But understand this, when God wants to work He may choose to work in a different way, method, mode, principle, whatever. It is totally up to Him. I know you know that. But as a reminder, what project are you working on? What area of ministry are you trying to move in? What great faith venture are you praying for God to bless you with? Humble yourself, back up, back off, and pray for God to take over. Wait on the Lord to move in your ministry. Easier said than done.

The other day, my son Chad, wrote me an email and quoted the text of Zachariah 4:6. "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts." One of my favorite text.

If you think (never in an arrogant way) that I've got the resume, the experience, the know how, the principle, the method, I’ve got this down pat, then watch out!

Let me save you a lot of time. Pray.

Seek God, ask Him to move in your ministry, let Him surprise you. He will, even if it’s just to teach you patience.

It is by His Spirit says the LORD.

Creighton Beatty April 8, 2008

What time is it?
31 August, 2007

John 17:1 “Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come: glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You….” Jesus spends these last hours with His disciples explaining deeper truths with them, telling them what must be done, and that “everything’s going to be all right.”

Several other text in John’s gospel talk about this “hour”. John 7:30, “So they were seeking to seize Him; and no man laid his hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.”

John 12:23 records for us these words, “and the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” Vs. 27 continues, “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.’”

Jesus did not run from His hour. What does this mean? He knew his mission, game plan, purpose. Though a Roman crucifix was a horrible execution to endure and die from He was not backing down. Praise God He didn’t. Through His faithfulness we have Life! Eternal Life.

Hebrews 12:2 says, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the thrown of God.” As horrible as this torture was our bible tells us that he did this with JOY.

He wanted you and me to spend all of time and eternity with Him. To make this a reality He had to shed His blood and die. He could see the end result, the “mission completed”, He looked ahead and saw us worshiping, praising, loving, adoring Him, being faithful to His teachings, Loving one another, making decisions that would honor Him and bring Him glory and was willing to endure for our sakes this excruciating, painful death.

What about our hour? I don’t mean to say that everything is mapped out as some believe. That God has mapped out each traffic light that would ever stop you, or every bug that would hit your car windshield was sent by and ordained by God to hit the windshield but I am saying, that we as men and women are called upon in life to step up to the plate and swing the bat. Will you knock a home run? Will it be a third base hit? I don’t know and you don’t either…. But when our time comes “do not fail to step up to the plate and swing!” It’s your turn to step up to the plate when you have loved ones who are sick, a marriage that needs repairing, a friend who’s heart needs mending. One day your “hour” may even come through ‘persecution’ as did for Christ and the Apostles. But remember Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, (18) while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Paul also encourages us in that same book, same chapter 8th verse, “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;” When it’s our hour, when our hour has come, do not despair, keep your eyes on Jesus and “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Be faithful in your hour, Be men, carry yourself in such a way that it will amaze believer and unbeliever a like. May God Be Our Strength, and may we bring Him honor and Glory!

Creighton
August 31st, 2007

Grandmother's Face
01 March, 2007

I guess I shouldn't have done it, but I did. I was in my office at the house one Saturday afternoon and I happened to look up at my picture of my Grand mother, Grandmother Beatty. It was her 90th birthday party and I had knelt down beside her and someone snapped that shot. I had it enlarged and framed. I say I shouldn't have done it because I had one of those “touchy feely” moments and I left my desk to get closer. I looked real intent on her face and hair. I retrieved my reading glasses to get a better look, a detailed look. I studied her eyes, her mouth, nose, her skin her hair. I shouldn't have done it because it was then that I began to remember her death. July 1998. Then the thought came “Oh my goodness, it's been nine years.” thinking over what I've missed and the years gone by began to, well let's say, work on me. To stop this longing, hurting whatever you want to call it I said to myself, “wait a minute it's not about the past and missing her it's about the great reunion we're going to have one day soon.” Whew! I felt better instantly. Instantly – because it's true. It's the hope of the gospel that we'll see our loved ones again. There is nothing wrong with reminiscing the past, thinking on good memories of loved ones that have gone on but don't “morn as those who have no hope” it's not about the past, it is about a glorious future we have.

Focus on the positive, the hopeful, the future. Look to the heavens my friends and there you will see in your mind the face of Jesus. Study Him, look intently into His face. Study His heart, His glory, His character, His passion and long to be with Him.

Creighton

Rooster Crows
01 February, 2007

I was out early with a cup of coffee walking to a neighbors house one day recently. We had met the day before and he had asked for a business card. He said, “put it in my mail box” so I was on the way back that early morn when I heard it. A rooster was crowing. It brought a peace and a laughter. I guess it was because in the midst of suburbia, a little down-home filtered through and it made me glad. You know what I mean…in the midst of traffic, rows and rows of housing there is this farm animal crowing and bringing memories of “yesteryear”, childhood, country living. It was a feel good moment. But it also reminded me of a not-so-feel good moment. The time in the bible when Peter denied the Lord three times on the night before Jesus died on the cross. Jesus told Peter that he would deny him three times before the cock crowed in the morning. “Shoot fire” it did and “By cracky” he did.

Friends, that was a tough time in Peters life and it would be in ours as well. My question in closing is… “does the rooster crow bring back good memories for you or are you dealing with some denial issues in your walk with the Lord?”

Cock-a-doodle-do,
Creighton

Combine Harvesting
01 January, 2007

Roger Richardson a farmer in Eden, Maryland shared with me once years ago, that as they harvest the crops with combines they start on the outside and circle round and round until they are forming a tight circle in the middle of the field. The field of crops gets smaller and smaller. But something else is happening. All of the critters like rabbits for example are running to the center the whole time, until they are forced out by the combines. Hawks and Eagles are flying over head as this process is happening. Why? Because when the rabbits run the eagles swoop down and have them for lunch. On such a day an eagle had already captured his prey and was feasting. Many rabbits ran by the eagle while he ate but he’s not even interested. He is ‘feasting’. Not so with man. Man can go to a buffet bar and in the name of “all you can eat” gorge himself to obesity. Now, this is not a lesson on obesity. It’s a lesson on greed and selfishness, and a lack of self control. Even the animals only eat what they need. Man will devour anything and everything that he sees if he doesn’t control it! It maybe food, money, alcohol, drugs, extra-marital sex, recreation, work, or possessions, whatever. Man has a way of wanting more and more until it kills him or in other words “what he consumes, consumes him.”

Let’s seek after the “things” of God. Christians should seek after God and desire to feed on spiritual things.

Jesus himself said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

In the Old Testament when the children of Israel were in the wilderness when God sent the manna, food from heaven, and they were instructed to only take enough for the day. If they gathered in more, a lack of trust, the manna would spoil and rot on them by the next day. Only gather in what you need.

Be careful of what you consume. Feast on the Living Word of God and experience a contentment and filling from above.

Because of Calvary,
Creighton

BCC Missions
01 January, 2006

The following is a list of Missions that Burlington Christian Church supports:

Beacon House USA-PC & Heather Cline
Website: www.beaconhouseghana.org
Beacon House operates a home for high risk and often times, abandoned children in East Legon, Accra, West Africa.  They typically serve approximately 35 children between the ages of 0-15 years.  They use a network of individuals who, through their work, become aware of children that have lost their parents and have no immediate family to take them.  They strive to educate each child according to their individual need; however, the majority of the children attend class on site.  Various Christian home school curricula are used.   The children have daily Bible lessons, devotions, and prayer and attend a local church near the present orphanage location.  Several of the nearby villages have allowed the missionaries to speak to them as a result of seeing the results of love and caring and the difference it has made in these children’s lives.

Craig and Lindsey Beatty
Craig is teaching Bible classes only at the Puerto Rico Christian School.  The 5th graders are learning about Old Testament men and women of faith.  The 8th graders are learning the gospels and then Judges (as part of learning leadership).  He teaches 10th graders an overview of the New Testament and 12th graders are taught about marriage/family, financial responsibility and preparing for college courses from a Christian perspective.  Craig preaches every other Sunday at Toa Baja Christian Church.  He also mentors and counsels students, takes high school boys camping and hiking several times per month as they grow closer to God in the wilderness.  Lindsay teaches 3rd grade including Bible classes.  She did the school’s first ever Book Fair raising $1800 for a school library that is currently empty.  She prepares all the food for church each Sunday and Wednesday night Bible study as well as for all the students and families coming to their house weekly.  Lindsay is also a mentor to other teachers in the school both educationally and spiritually.

Envision (New Church Planters)
Website: www.envision.cc
This organization assists in planting new churches in NC.   So far they have worked with Catalyst Church in Greensboro, the Community Christian Church in Boone, City Church in Winston-Salem, and Varsity Church in Chapel Hill.  Right now a church planter is on site in Hickory to launch a church there this year

Campus Christian Fellowship (CCF) @ Appalachian State
Website: www.asuccf.com
This campus ministry is one of the largest with 50-100 students.  They have study groups led by students and trained by staff.  They baptized 3 students in October.  Over Christmas, 7 students and 4 staff members travelled to South Africa on a Mission trip.

Campus Christian Fellowship (CCF)
Website: www.campuschristianfellowship.org
CCF is a ministry to college students on the campuses of UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC Wilmington, NC State and East Carolina University.  Each school has its own campus minister.

International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES)
Website: www.ides.org
The mission is effectively showing people nationwide and worldwide that we care about them.  This is done by meeting needs through disaster needs, medical needs, and in developmental projects such as providing clean water, drilling wells, providing building materials, business training, agricultural education, helping meet hunger needs.   They do this by working through our missionaries and churches of the Christian Church/Churches of Christ which provides the opportunity to share the gospel along with physical aid.   This year they sent 60K meals to Haiti with the help of folks at Park Springs Camp.

Mid-Atlantic Christian University (MACU)
Website: www.macuniversity.edu
This university, located in Elizabeth City, NC is continuing to make an impact for Christ.  Students take on the exciting work of preaching, teaching, counseling, leading youth, directing non-profits, and serving on the mission fields.  It has impacted us in a very positive way as our own minister hails from there.  The graduates are in 44 states and 18 foreign countries.  They have two foreign “Sister Schools”; one in India and one in Thailand.

Park Springs Christian Center
Website: www.parksprings.org
This is our Christian Church/Church of Christ camp for young people in Providence NC near Yanceyville.  They also provide retreats for, ladies, men, ministers, and seniors and deeper life.   They started a new program last year call Mission Zoe.  It involves recruiting high school and college age students for intensive training, serving and studying during a 6 week session.  Ten young people participated last year and Mid Atlantic Christian University and Johnson University provide staff as well as scholarships to folks who complete the program and want to further their education at those schools.  There were 19 baptisms that took place at the camp with a total of 33 baptisms including those who went back to their home church to be baptized.  The camp hosted 661 campers and helped raise $13,876 for IDES to pack/feed 60,000 meals that went to Haiti.

Loaves & Fishes             
Website: www.loavesandfishes.us
This outreach organization helps provide food for the elderly, disabled, homeless, handicapped, working poor and those in temporary emergency situations in Alamance County.  It operates with volunteers and has locations in Burlington, Graham, and Mebane.  We assist with food donations and our monetary gifts.  Volunteers are needed.

Allied Churches of Alamance County   
Website: www.alliedchurches.org
This is a local community outreach to the homeless and jobless.  They provide shelter and operate the Good Shepherd kitchen to provide meals to large number of people each week day.  This year they sheltered more than 600 men, women and children.  They served more than 33,000 meals and hundreds more people sought assistance and resources at Allied Resource Day Center.  Thanks to a grant from the City of Burlington bathrooms have been renovated and the HVAC systems are updated, Fire doors were installed, and a new roof was installed in January 2012.  They also expanded the number of shelter beds from 67-105 and installed a much needed refrigerator for the kitchen.  Now more than ever give generously, volunteer often, and pray fervently for this mission.