Shooting our wounded

My dear friends, are we guilty of shooting our wounded?

The church is an army, we are soldiers in that army, and we fight a horrific foe (Satan and his demons).

The battle is intense.  Satan wants to completely destroy us  - and our church.

I read this week where in Operation Desert Storm, more American Soldiers were killed by "friendly fire" than by the enemy.

I’ve often heard a similar statement made about the church.

"The church is the only army that shoots it’s own wounded."

That’s a troubling statement, but I’ve seen it proved true far too many times.

We fire at one another with criticism, gossip and slander.  We walk down the hallway, now paying attention to those around us – while the walking wounded, wounded by depressions, anxiety and fear, walk by.

We live in our own little world, our own little platoon, not caring about the other soldiers in the army.

Your life in Christian is not just about your own personal battles with the enemy.  We are to support one another, encourage one another, and "bandage up" one another in this battle.

If we are to be effective for the Lord, the local church must become a place of safety.

Did you know that your home is the most dangerous place you can be?

More accidents happen in the home than any other place. The air is more polluted and there are more potential hazards in your home than anywhere else.

Somehow this just doesn’t seem right. Your home should be a place where you are safe.

Likewise, the church should be a place of refuge and safety for the Christian.

Why not look around you this Sunday, go beyond the four or five people you talk to each week, and minister to the hurting.

Just a thought for a Thursday.

Is God enough?

Is God enough?

It seems like that question has been haunting me lately.

Is God enough?

We know that God is more than enough to meet our spiritual, directional, emotional and physical needs.

We are people of faith.

We know that.

But what if our need aren't met - is God enough?  And what if our needs are met - is God enough?

God comes and speaks to Abraham in Genesis 15.  The context is that Abram is looking around at his enemies who have surrounded him and felt dejected that he hadn't made any progress.

And God tells him two things:  I am your shield, and I am your reward.

I that single verse (Genesis 15:1), God has given us the secret to the greatest blessing any of us (as followers of Christ) can ever receive. 

The Lord is telling Abram, "Go ahead and look at all those armies surrounding you.  Nobody can touch you because I am your protector.  Entrust your future into my hands."

He is our shield.

But he is also our reward.

God promises Abram a son.  And he says to Abram here, "You will have your son, and he will be a joy to you - but I will be the One who fulfills your deepest needs."

God knows all about human nature.

He knew that Abraham would have a great measure of joy when he got his son.

Abraham could then say, "God did it!  He promised this to me, and He kept his Word."

Yet God also knew that Abraham would not be totally fulfilled when the child came.  (Sometimes when we get what we want - we either want more or find out that it doesn't completely fulfill us).

God knew that Abraham would still have an inner hunger, a restlessness, an inexplicable need that no earthly thing could fulfill.

We do that don't we? 

"If only I could get this".  "Or go on that vacation". 

"Or have this person in my life."  "Or have this person out of my life."

"Then I would be happy."

"It will make my life wonderful and end all my problems."

No it won't.  Only God himself can fully satisfy our deepest need.

Is God enough for you?

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

The bear and God's presence

Years ago, there was a movie that was simply titled (in English - the movie was French), "The Bear."

 

There wasn't much dialogue - just the life of a bear and its family.

 

Right near the end there's a beautiful scene. 

 

The bear cub is attacked by a mountain lion, and he's been backed up against a stream. 

 

The lion claws at the little bear's snout. The bear tries to bite the lion's paw and keeps making this high-pitched roar. 

 

Then suddenly the lion takes off. 

 

The little cub is on its hind legs making a huge victorious roar. 

 

Then the cameras swing round and you see the real reason why the lion fled. There's a 1500 pound bear standing behind the cub. 

 

What a beautiful picture of what it's like to trust in the Lord. 

 

He's right there with us, helping us even when we don't realize it.

 

That's my word of encouragement to you today - it might not seem like God is there - but He is - in ways that we might not understand until we reach heaven.

 

 

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend

Many thanks to those who came out last Saturday to help move some mulch on the church grounds.

I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day off to come and help us!

A special thanks to Amanda Boon, Leisa McNamara and Debbie Flattery!

Hot weather has finally arrived - you've got to like summer.

Several families were gone from our Sunday morning services yesterday - summer vacations are in full swing!

Excellent presentation by missionary Alan Pettinger yesterday.  I understand that he was a "hit" with the teenagers in the youth group bible class - sharing stories of being a missionary in South Africa.

My prayer is that teenagers will be called into full time missions service by having contact with the missionaries that come through our church.

God is still calling people to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in other countries!

What a blessing it was to me to see men standing around the altar in both services - lead by the Holy Spirit to commit their lives to being the spiritual leaders in the home that God has called them to be!

May God help all of us as Christian men - to step it up and lead our homes, spiritually!

Enough of being spiritual wimps!

Remember:  People do what people see.  Much more is caught than taught. 

As a parent - your kids are watching you - and please know this:  you are much more of a spiritual influence and motivator on them than any activity that they might do in the church.

It is great to memorize the word - but we must also live the word as well.

Had a great staff meeting today.  Am thankful for our entire pastoral staff.

Okay, I have to admit that I am pulling for the San Antonio Spurs to win the NBA championship.  The play with style and class.

The sun has just about set for our White Sox.

Love you all......

all we can do is love

Sometimes we are in a situation where all we can do is to love someone - that we love.

 

They make decisions that we don't agree with - or choices that are harmful to them - or experience circumstances or situations that are beyond their control.

 

And - there is nothing we can do.

 

All we can do is love.

 

That is hard for all of us.  We want to reach out and "make things right".  We want to turn the situation (or person) around for the good.

 

But in life we  will find ourselves without the ability or opportunity to do that - many times over.

 

All we can do is love.

 

As a 17-year-old Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham, was involved in a car accident. Speeding carelessly down a windy mountain road, Anne smashed into her neighbor, Mrs. Pickering.

 

Anne was too afraid to tell her father about the accident, so for the rest of the day she kept avoiding him. When she finally came home, she tried to tiptoe around her dad, but there he was, standing in the kitchen.

 

Anne tells what happened next (from her book, Wounded by God's people):

"I paused for what seemed a very long moment frozen in time. Then I ran to him and threw my arms around his neck …. I told him about my wreck—how I'd driven too fast and smashed into the neighbor's car. I told him it wasn't her fault; it was all mine. As I wept on his shoulder, he said four things to me:

• "Anne, I knew all along about your wreck. Mrs. Pickering came straight up the mountain and told me—and I was just waiting for you to come and tell me yourself."
• "I love you."
• "We can fix the car."
• "You are going to be a better driver because of this."

Anne says, "Sooner or later, all of us are involved in some kind of wreck—it may be your own fault or someone else's. When the damage is your fault, there's a good chance you'll be confronted by the flashing blue lights of the morality police. But my father gave me a deeper understanding of what it means to experience the loving, forgiving embrace of my heavenly Father."

 

Sometimes, all we can do is love - and maybe, just maybe, that might be enough.

 

Just a thought for a Thursday.

 

The world is a mess

Have you ever wondered why the world is in such a mess?

That's what we will be looking at this evening in our bible study (Romans 5:12-20).

You pick up the International section of the paper and read of terrorism and war and genocide.

You read the national section and you find political payoffs (especially here in Chicago) and lies and scams and churches set on fire.

If you go through the local section,  you are going to find rapes and abuse and murder and arson.

If you go through the business section, you will find scandals, fraud, and graft embezzlement.

If you even go through the sports section, you are going to find drug use, illegal gambling and adultery.

And especially, if you go through the entertainment section, you will find scandals and sins - to many to even mention.

Evil exists.  But why?  Why is the world a mess?

Paul shares that the world is a mess because of sin, and sin came into this world through the first man, Adam (who was a real person).

Paul writes in Romans 5:12, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned."

The "one man" is Adam.

Adam's sin didn't just mess up his life, it has messed up the life of everyone since.

Why Adam and not Eve?

The Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:13,14 that Eve was deceived, but Adam made a conscious choice to sin. 

So, because of Adam's sin, sin is present.  The penalty of sin is death.  And sin is pervasive.

What are the results of Adam's sin?

Natural disasters and deformities in our world.

Physical decay and death (our chest begins to drop into our drawers)

Emotional distress and disappointment.

Relational distance and discord.

Spiritual discontentment and darkness.

How do I deal with sin?

Receive God's grace.  Receive Jesus.

Paul writes in Romans 5:17, "Through the sin of one man (that's Adam), death begin to rule, but now how much greater is the results of what was done by one other man, Jesus Christ?"

Receive God's grace daily.  I sin daily.  Therefore I must receive God's grace daily.

Why not pray something like this?  "Father, I thank you for your grace.  I want to be a part of the solution and not the problem of the world being a mess.  Help me Oh God, to accept, live and walk in your grace and forgiveness.  In your name, Amen."

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

revolving doors

Sometimes I feel that I as I go through life, that I am walking through a revolving door.

It seems like I am going around in circles.

I forget to get off the "merry go round".

Here's what I know today:  the purpose of a revolving door is to take you somewhere - but you and I must choose to go forward.

We must choose to continue our journey.

The revolving door is only there to facilitate our journey - it is not an end in itself.

Have you ever seen a small child in a revolving door? 

They love to go round and round.

But we adults know that going round and round is not the point - we need to get off and go on.

God has a purpose and a plan for your life. 

Perhaps he is speaking to you today to move on - get going - continue your journey.  Stop taking delight in the routine and ruts of your life. 

Be bold.  Be willing to risk.  Break out of that habit.  Leave behind that bondage.

Shatter the mold.  Dream Big.  Set new goals. 

And let me leave you with this:  A revolving door has to be pushed by those within it.  When we stop pushing, it will stop turning - but not until.

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

It is absolutely wonderful to have Charlie and Heather with us as our new youth pastors.

I am grateful for a couple that are "on the ball" and sharp - knowing what ministry is all about!

I believe in my spirit that they have come to us for "such a time as this."

Heard reports of several of the older teenagers praying for other boys at Pow-Wow this past weekend.  I am thrilled that ministry took place - and continues to do so.

Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks for their win - pushing them into the Stanley Cup finals.

I've not taken the time to learn the rules of hockey - but enjoy watching the game.

Summer is now in full swing - I encourage all of us to be faithful to God and His church!

I am glad God does not take a vacation.

We do - and rightly so.  But God does not.

I am thankful that we can come to God any time, any where.

He will never leave us or forsake us!

We continue two work toward our goals - God show us the way!

I don't know why things in life happen as they do - but I do know God and I know He can be trusted.

We can't control life - or the things that happen to us - we can only go to God and ask him to help us be strong in the midst of the storms that come our way.

We are either entering a crisis, dealing with a crisis or leaving a crisis.

It hardly ever stops.

"God, we need you"!

Praying and writing

Is your prayer life boring?

Are you in a rut and routine in prayer?

Or do you not like praying because you say the same thing over and over again?

Let me give you a very, very practical solution to breaking out of that rut:  Write out your prayers as you think them.

In other words - journal.  Get a notebook (or anything like that) and write out your prayers while you are praying them.

The greatest example of this is in the Bible itself - the book of Psalms. 

In Psalms, David starts with a question.  For example:  "God, how come my enemies are prospering when I'm trying to live for you and I'm not making it?"

And then he waits and writes down God's answer.

Psalms is basically David journaling his thoughts to God.

That will keep you focused. 

Your mind won't wander as your pray.

That will allow you to remember what you have said to God and what God has said to you.

That will allow you to test a word that God might give you.  An impression.

And who knows?  You just might end up writing a book and having it become a bestseller!  :)

Just a thought for a Thursday.

God and grudges

One thing I know:  I am glad that God doesn't hold grudges.

We tend to hold grudges like a pet cat that we are holding.  We stroke the grudge.  We feed the grudge.  We hold it up high for everyone to see.

We love to hear the grudge "purr". 

People around us will remark as to the size of our "grudge" (cat).  How is continues to grow and grow.

I am glad that God doesn't hold grudges.

This evening, in our bible study we will study Romans 5:9-11. 

Paul writes in verse 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."

In other words, if God sent His Son to die on the cross for us while we were his enemies, how much more will he do for us, now that we are his friends?

Good stuff.

A man died and was transported to the pearly gates. 

He was met by an angel who said, “All you have to do is perform one task correctly and you’ll be granted entrance into heaven.  It’s really pretty easy.  All you have to do is spell ‘love.’”

The man sighed in relief and quickly answered: “L-O-V-E.”   The angel then asked the man if he could watch the gate for a few minutes because he had a couple errands to run. 

The man immediately agreed.  As he awaited the angel’s return, he saw another man walk up the pearly gates.  He recognized him as someone he couldn’t stand when he was alive.  In fact, he had incredible conflict with him for many years. 

Seeing who was manning the gates, the man became noticeably anxious.  The gatekeeper said, “Don’t worry, all you have to do is perform one task correctly and you’ll get in.”  The man breathed a sigh of relief and said, “What do I have to do?”  To which his enemy said, “Spell ‘chrysanthemum.’”

Aren’t you glad that there’s no human gatekeeper to God’s kingdom?  Flawed people cannot judge whether someone makes it or not.  The task that needs to be performed has already been completed by Christ. 

It’s through His blood that we have entrance.  We are justified by Jesus through faith, and we’re saved from wrath because we’ve been declared righteous.

I am sooooo glad that God doesn't hold grudges.

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Football and church

We desire non-churched people to come to our church.  We desire to be culturally relevant and doctrinally pure.

Here a great question:

What if we translated some of our "church talk" into common every day ordinary language so that the average Chicago Bears fan would understand?

That would help the average "Chicago Bears, non-churched visitor" wade through all of our God-talk and feel comfortable.

For example (let me give you the football term and than apply it to the church):

Blocking - Talking endlessly to the pastor at the church door and keeping everyone else form exiting.

Draw play - What restless children do during a long sermon.

End around:  Diaper-changing time in the nursery.

End zone:  The pews.

Draft choice:  The decision to sit close to an air-conditioning vent - and then complain it is too cold.

Extra point - What you receive when you tell me that my sermon was too short.

Face mask:  Smiling and saying everything is fine when it isn't.

Forward motion:  The invitation at the end of the service.

Illegal use of hands:  Clapping at an inappropriate point in the service.

Delay of game:  Someone who always walks in late.

Offsides:  A person who won't look at the pastor as he preaches. 

Interference:  A person who stands in the foyer and gossips.

Illegal motion:  Leaving before the benediction.

In the pocket:  Where some church attendees keep God's tithe.

Passing game:  The maneuver required of late-comers when the person sitting at the end of the pew won't slide to the middle. 

Quarterback:  What tight-wads want after putting fifty cents in the offering.

Running backs:  Those who make repeated trips to the rest room.

Anyway....just some thoughts so that people might feel comfortable in our services.  :)

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

Great meeting with Stephanie and Eric this past Saturday morning.

I enjoyed talking about the vision of our church - and Christian music.

We are blessed in 2013 with a ton of wonderful Christian tunes to sing.

As you know, I really like the Christian song, "Revelation".

It is so important in worship to recognize the holiness of God.

Stone Church is a place to belong.  Grow.  Serve.

I really enjoyed Rob Rienow's teaching yesterday on the family.  Biblically based.  Great stuff.

Many responded around the altar for prayer for their kids and families.

"Training up a child" take place first in the home - and then in the church.

We all are to have a part.

What kind of legacy are you leaving as a parent?

Whenever our family members make choices we don't understand - their future is in God's hands.

God will make a way when there seems to be no way.

Good to have Jan back from vacation.

Thanks to Debbie Smith for picking up the slack last week.

We are excited about Charlie and Heather being in town as of tomorrow evening!

They are going to "fit in" well with our church family!

I would ask that you remember to bring a gift card and a note of encouragement for Charlie and Heather, this Sunday, June 9th.

Why not bring a friend to one of our church services this Sunday?

I used to think I wanted to have "At least I tried" on my tombstone - now I want, "dream big or go home."

God, Paul writes in Ephesians 3:20, God do far more than we can think or imagine.

And I can dream some big things for God - but He wants to double that, triple that - amazing!

Let's continue to believe and walk by faith.

I don't know why things happen as they do - but I do know God - and I know that God can be trusted.

Love you all.....

What's the big deal about the church?

I shared last Sunday that the second conviction we must have in our lives (It is all about God is the first) is that the church will last forever (in order to build a lasting legacy).

Nothing else on this planet will last forever - expect for the Church.

And....of our course, the church is not a building.......the church is people.

You and I, servants of Christ, those who walk with God.

So what is the big deal about the church (outside of the above comments)?

Well, here's what I know.

The church is the only institution dealing with the ultimate issues - death, judgment, relationships, purpose, priorities, meaning in life.  heaven and hell.

The church provides perspective that gives dignity to this world.  We live in a world where people love things and use people.  The church is a place where people are loved and things are used to advance God's kingdom.

The church provides a moral and ethical compass in the midst of culture that works and plays within the boundaries of relativism.  We stand upon the absolutes of the Word of God.

The church is the only place to find true community, healing, compassion and love.  Why?  Because we really care about people - not because of their status or money but because we are a family - the family of God.

The church provides a format (and motivation) for lasting, unselfish, essential and courageous ministry to others on this planet. 

Those are just some of the reasons why the church is a big deal.

We need the church - and the church needs you!

See you Sunday!

God's love

We sometimes have a difficult time understanding God's love for us.  Mainly because we connect it with and equate it with our own human understanding of God.

We think that love is a feeling. 

An emotion.  We are always searching for that feeling.  We talk about "falling in love" and "falling out of love" which basically means we either feel emotion or we don't feel emotion toward someone.

Or, we can think that love is uncontrollable. 

"I just can't help myself if I fall in love".

But love is most certainly more than a feeling - and it is controllable - in other words, it is a choice.  I can choose to love or not.

Do you know that daily, God chooses to love you? 

Did you know that God is never in a bad mood?

Did you know that God never has a "bad hair day"?

Did you know that God is not moody?

God's love for us is constant, unconditional, sacrificial.

Paul tells us in Romans 5:6-8 (which we will study this evening), "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless (we can't change our basic nature on our own), Christ died for the ungodly (not just the godly) (those who had no desire to change).  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:   While we were still sinners (or those who miss the mark - in other words, those who just don't get it), Christ died for us."

Powerful words.

Two questions:

1.  Who would you die for?
2.  Who would die for you?

Our human love has its limits, but thankfully, the love of God does not!

Karl Barth, the great German theologian, was asked one time the question, "What is Thermos profound thought that you know, Dr. Barth?"

He answered, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

Now then, a challenge - let's make this practical.

Let God's love prompt you to love Jesus more.

Let God's love change your life.

Let God's love in you propel you to demonstrate His sacrificial love for others.

Who is God calling you to love, today?

Who is God bringing to your mind right now?

Don't wait for that person to "clean up their act" or until "forgiveness is asked for."

God didn't wait for you to worship him before He took the first step.

Jesus said, "Love others, as I have loved you."

Just some thoughts for a Wednesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

Had a wonderful time with my family over the weekend.

Christie, Andrew and Georgia and Kinley were with us - as well as Becky and my mom and dad.

Great time hanging out together, eating and playing games.

Took my dad to a White Sox game last night - lots of fun.

Sox lost - Cubs won.

Ate a Bobek's brat at the game - man those things are good.

Three new families visited us this past Sunday morning (in the first service).

I am grateful that people are beginning to find us in Orland Park!

I love to meet new guests who are checking us out!

Thanks to Stephanie Zwartz for leading in worship Sunday - wonderful job!

Truly we felt the presence of the Lord.

I encourage everyone to be faithful this summer to God and to His church.

We need you - and you need the church!

Just love it when my granddaughters come and sit on my lap as we watch a cartoon.

Portillo's has great milkshakes and malts.

It's been a long time since I had a chocolate malt.

Thankful for all the men and women who have given their lives so that we might live in freedom.

God is good - all the time!

Love you all......

Cynicism or joy

Either way - it is a choice.

Cynicism or joy.

Cynics seek the negative side of everything - wherever they go.

They always point to the possibility of danger, impure motives, and hidden agendas in the life of others. 

They can find a problem in every solution.

They sneer at enthusiasm, they ridicule those who are spiritually on fire for God, and they despise, I mean especially despise someone who exhibits charismatic behavior (in the sense of having an out-going personality).

Only here's the deal:  If you would ask them if they were a cynic, they would respond by saying, "no, I am not - I am a realist who sees reality for what it truly is - and I am not deceived by the "escapist emotions" of others (to use a phrase from Henri Nouwen).

Here's what I know:  negativism always breeds more negativism.

Contrast that with a person who consistently chooses to live in joy.

They don't deny the darkness, but they choose not to live in it.

Rather than whining, they worship.

Rather than speaking ill of others (or talking about others at all), they speak of the things of God.

As Henri Nouwen writes, "they claim that the light that shines in the darkness can be trusted more than the darkness itself and that a little bit of light can dispel a lot of darkness."

Rather than looking at the dark side of people (continually), they really believe that there are people who heal each other's wounds, forgive each other's offenses, share their possessions and enjoy the spirit of community. 

Here's what I also know:  positivism always breeds more positivism - and I love to hang around positive people.

Now then, here is the challenge.  Every moment of every day, you and I have the chance to choose between cynicism and joy.

Every thought I have can be cynical or joyful.

Every word I speak can be cynical or joyful.

Every action I take can be cynical or joyful.

What are you today?  A cynic?  Or a person full of God's joy?

It is your choice.

Just a thought for a Thursday.

choosing to have joy

Here's what I know today:

Joy is a choice.

I choose to walk in joy.

There is such a temptation to walk by my feelings - to put my faith and hope in how I feel at any given moment - especially in the midst of trials.

However, I can't let my feeling tell me how to live.  Instead, I am to tell (if not command) my feelings to obey God - in the midst of difficult circumstances. 

I make the choice to rejoice and find joy in the junk of my life.

Pain is inevitable but misery is optional.

You and I can't avoid pain - but we can avoid joy.

God has given us such immense freedom that he will allow us to be as miserable as we want to be . 

So many are caught up in the "as soon as".

"As soon as I get well, I will do something for God."

"As soon as my kids are out of the house, I will have some devotional time with God."

"As soon as this problem is solved - I will really worship God."

As soon as, as soon as, as soon as.

Life will never be free from "as soon as'".

Why not worship today - and leave the whining to others?

To give you something practical - as you are driving around, I encourage you to recite the phrase "Praise the Lord" five times in a row - and get a little louder and more exuberant each time you say it (the person in the car next to you might think you are weird - but that's okay).

In fact, try it right now as you are reading this (each time a little bit louder).

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Truly his name is great - and greatly to be praised.

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Being all that we can be

One of the slogans that the army used to use was that they were there to help people, "be all that they can be."

To reach their potential.

God wants you and I to "be all that we can be".

And like an army sergeant, God will inspect us from time to time.

He will check us out - to see if we are "battle ready" in the warfare that we fight against Satan and his demons.

And....to check us out - God will often use problems as a test.

Deuteronomy 8:2 tells us, "The Lord led you all the way in the desert these forty years to test you in order to know what was in your heart."

Testing.  Examination.  Problems. 

Those are not fun words.

Some days I feel like Mark Twain who said, "for me a change of trouble is as good as a vacation!"

God let the children of Israel wander around in the desert for 40 years and He gave them seven different tests and every single test they failed.  So God said, "Okay, one more lap around the desert!"

The Israelites spent 40  years dying in the desert while God was testing them and they failed every test.

Here's what I know:  problems reveal our character.  They reveal what is inside of us.

When you and I get under pressure (because our problems can seem to be overwhelming) it reveals how strong our faith in Christ is.

It reveals our strength of character.

Anybody can serve God and be happy during good times.

So maybe, just maybe, instead of asking, "why is this happening to me," we should be asking, "Lord, what are you trying to teach me."

I want to be ready for battle - how about you?  I want to "pass inspection," how about you?

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

I really enjoyed meeting new people at our church yesterday!

Met some older guests and some younger ones as well.

May The Lord continue to lead people to us!

I am also thankful for a group of people who understand and respect communion!

Thanks to our worship team - they are doing a great job of leading us in worship!

Grateful to the Lord for 7 new members that we welcomed into our church yesterday.

Sitting in District Council - attending a business meeting.

So glad to have Debbie back from attending our youngest granddaughter's dedication.

Encourage all of us to come to this Sunday!  We will be having a great service!

God is a good God - all the time!

My responsibility is to continue to do God's will - God's responsibility is to move as He sees fit!

I've been thinking a lot about the favor of God.  Why God moves some places and passes by others.

Lord, I would ask for your favor upon us!  We crave your favor!

Love you all

God is not like me

God is not like me.

Whew.  I said it.

And I am ecstatic that He is not.

Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us, "The Lord says, 'My thoughts are not like your thoughts.  Your ways are not like my ways.  Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than  your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts'" 

Here's what I know:  God's schedule is different from mine.

If you know me at all - you know that I typically need and want things now.  Not tomorrow.  Today.

I can be very impatient (although to my credit - I am becoming more patient as I get older).

Waiting is not really a big part of my DNA.

And yet God specializes in making us wait.

We continually find ourselves in the "waiting room" of life. 

However, there is a qualifier here:  God puts us in situations where we wait - but he wants us to wait with the hope that something is about to happen.

Trust is probably a good word to throw in here.

He wants us to wait - but trusting in him.

Please know this:  that while we wait - God is doing something in us.  The process is what He is interested in - far more than the end result.

Secondly, God sees things differently than we do.  Where we see problems and disappointment, God sees opportunities.

When we go to God with a problem, expecting him to solve it, he will tell us to take another look.

And usually what we will see is that the problem (or opportunity) is there to help us become more like Jesus. 

Finally, God loves differently than we do.

God's love is perfect.  Flawless.  He never stops loving us no matter what we do.

This is huge:  God loves me the way I wish I could love others. 

God says, essentially, "there are no deal breakers with me."

God is not like me - and (if I can say it this way) I am thankful that He is not like you.

Just a thought for a Thursday.

Having direct and effective access

In our study of Romans, this evening we will look at Romans 5:1,2.

Paul writes, "Therefore (or because of everything he has written in the first four chapters),  since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." 

Because we are connected to God through faith, we now have the privilege of coming into God's presence day and night.  24/7.

Incredible!

Because of what Jesus did for me, I have direct access to him!

Let's suppose I went to Washington D.C. and showed up outside the White House and asked to see the President.

When the guards asked who I am, suppose I say, "Just tell the President that George is here to see him."

You and I both know that my visit with the president is not going to happen.  I'm not a personal friend or a family member.  I don't have an appointment.

But suppose one of the President's daughters needed some lunch money.  She could just walk in and say, "Dad, I need some money for lunch."  And he would give her the money.  No one would say anything.

Paul writes, that you and I have that kind of direct access to the Father.  When we come to Jesus Christ, we are admitted into the very presence of God himself!

Yet, this access is not only direct it is also effective.

This truth is taught by Ephesians 3:12. It emphasizes that through faith in Christ “we have boldness and access with confidence.” Confidence in what? Obviously that he will hear us and answer our prayers according to his wise and perfect will.

We can pray wrongly, of course, and we often do. But when we pray according to the wise will of God, we can be confident that he will both hear us and answer our prayers.

My favorite story in this respect is about Martin Luther and his good friend and assistant Frederick Myconius.

One day Myconius became sick and was expected to die within a short time.

On his bed he wrote a loving farewell note to Luther; but when Luther received it he sat down instantly and wrote this reply:

“I command you in the name of God to live, because I still have need of you in the work of reforming the church. . . . The Lord will never let me hear that you are dead, but will permit you to survive me. For this I am praying. This is my will, and may my will be done, because I seek only to glorify the name of God.”

The words seem shocking to us, because we live in less fervent times. But Luther’s prayer was clearly of God and therefore effective. For, although Myconius had already lost the ability to speak when Luther’s letter came, in a short time he revived, and he lived six more years, surviving Luther by two months.

Can we be bold in prayer, as Luther was?

Know this - you can come to God directly today - and with confidence!

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Storms and rainbows

Rainbows are cool.

Beautiful.  Colorful.

In the Bible, they are symbolic of the moving of God in our lives.

Whenever you read of a rainbow in the Scriptures, I encourage you to pause and realize the tremendous significance they have - not only for the person in the passage - but for you and I today.

Three men in the Bible saw significant rainbows.

Noah saw the rainbow after the storm – just as God’s people see it today (We will look at this on Sunday).

Ezekiel saw the rainbow in the middle of a storm when he had this incredible vision of the wheels and the throne.  He saw living creatures and each one had four faces.  One was like a man, one like a lion, one like an ox, and one like an eagle – the same faces that John saw in Revelation 4:6,7.

Finally, the apostle John saw the rainbow before the storm of judgment broke loose in Revelation 4:3.

In fact, John saw a complete rainbow around the throne of God!

What’s the lesson for us?  In the storms of life, always look for the rainbow of God’s covenant promise. 

You may see the rainbow before the storm like John.

You may see the rainbow in the midst of a storm like Ezekiel.

You may see the rainbow after the storm like Noah.

But you can always see the rainbow of God’s promise if you look by faith.

My thought of the day?  Why not pause and focus not on the storm you are walking through - but on the promise of God's help, peace and security in the midst of that storm. 

God has a rainbow of promise for you today.

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

Being the loving husband that I am - I took Debbie to a White Sox game last Friday evening for Mother's Day.  :) :)

(The punch line is that Debbie doesn't care for baseball).

It was 39 degrees.

Yet, we still had a great time.

The White Sox lost.

They are bad.

Did manage to pound down a brat with sauerkraut.  Man, those things are good.

Had a great meeting with our adult bible teachers this past Saturday morning.  What a wonderful group of quality, godly people.  We are working on coming up with a system of discipleship, connecting all of the classes together.

Kind of like spokes on a wheel.  Connected to the hub - the purpose and the process of discipleship.

Many, many thanks to Debbie for speaking yesterday.  Her presentation was truly anointed!

I appreciated her down to earth, common sense, funny sermon.  Many shared how much it meant to them - and ministered to them.

Truly, God knows our name!

We love you Debbie!

Watched a little bit of Sergio Garcia chocking on the 17th hole yesterday at the player's championship.  Some can handle pressure - others can't.

It was almost like watching the movie Tin Cup.

Looking forward to the warmer weather this week.

Met several newer people this past Sunday. 

We are working hard at assimilating those who are visiting us.

Busy, busy, busy - but it is a good busy. 

Love you all!

George

God is strong

As most of our congregation know, I go to Charter Fitness six days a week.

I walk the treadmill for 40 minutes.  2 miles.

But there is a part of the gym that I dare not trod.  It is the section where the free weights are.

The guys (and gals) that are there - scare me to death.

Huge muscles.  Arms bigger than my thighs.

The floor to that area is cover with a black rubbery substance.  I joke with the guys lifting the weights that I don't dare to walk on it.

(BTW, the guys and gals working out on the weights are some of the nicest people I've ever met).

These people are strong.

Even the women working out in that area are stronger than me - and could beat me up.

Here's what I know:  while I am weak - my God is strong.

I need to focus in on that.  I need to realize that in the midst of my weakness, my God is strong - and that the more I focus on God's strength and power, the more I find I have the courage to do and to say the things that God wants me to.

Throughout the Bible, God is presented as strong.  Powerful.

Who wants to serve a timid God?  Who wants to serve a God that gets run over?

In our study in the book of Genesis, we saw that God created the heavens and the earth - and if he did that - and he did, that what can't he do?

Psalms 115:3 says it very succinctly:  "Our God is in the heavens.  He does all that he pleases."

God does whatever he wants, and when he wants to.

J. Vernon McGee once said, "This is God's universe, and God does things his way.  You may have a better way, but you don't have a universe."

That is perfect.

In other words, "When you get a universe, you do it your way.  But for now, this is God's universe.  And no one holds back his hand."

God is strong.

And because of his strength - I can be strong.  God tells Joshua, "Be strong and courageous.  be strong and courageous."  Over and over again, God says, "Be strong and courageous."

Strength and courage should be a part of our spiritual DNA.  It should typify us, characterize us, define us.

We should not be afraid.

Don't be afraid this day, my friends.  Your God is strong.  And He lives in you.

Just a thought for a Thursday.

Faith, moms and Abraham

Being that Sunday is Mother's Day, it is very appropriate that we will look at Abraham and Sarah this evening in our bible study (Romans 4:18-25).

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest woman in the world to give birth was Ruth Alice Kistler - who gave birth to a daughter at the age of 57.

There comes a time in every woman's life where she can no longer bear children.  It is a normal and natural passage of life that marks a transition form one phase of life to another.

That is what makes the story of Sarah so remarkable.

Sarah is a woman who gives birth at the age of 90 and get this:  her husband is 100 years old.

Dr. Luke writes in Luke 18:27, "What is impossible with me is possible with God."

Here's what I know:  Our God is a God who can make the impossible possible.

When Abraham heard the news he laughed (at the promise of God for a child - at his age).  Sarah also laughed.  (What's ironic is that when the baby was born they named him Isaac - which means "laughter").

They wrestled with the promise of God - but at the end of the day - both of them had faith that God would do what he promised.

I want to leave you with this.  Something practical.

Where did Abraham and Sarah find the faith to believe?  Romans 4:20 tells us that Abraham was "strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God."

Abraham found the will and emotion to believe by resting in God.  By trusting in God.  And that in turn gave God glory.  Abraham and Sarah glorified God by letting God be God!

Why not let God be God today!

In what area do you need to trust God?

Is there something that you've given up on, that just seems dead?

I would suggest that you trust that God can bring life out of that which is lifeless.  A dead marriage.  A ruptured relationship.  A financial situation.  A health crisis.

Give it to God right now and let Him "give life to the dead and call things that are not as though they were." (Romans 4:17)

Why not trust more - and let God move?

Just a thought for a Wednesday

Condemnation and conviction

When we sin, God doesn't condemn us - but we does convict us.

Well, God will send the conviction of his Holy Spirit – the conviction of the Holy Spirit which will woo them back into the faith. 

He always responds with grace.

Paul writes in Romans 8:1, “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Jesus Christ.”

Do you belong to Jesus today?

When you sin, when you have a bad day like Noah, the Holy Spirit will convict you and never, ever condemn you.

There is NO condemnation.  No.

That word "No" is the strongest possible negative in the Greek language.

It means, “no, no..Never…never...not in a million years.

There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.

There is a difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the condemnation of the enemy.

Paul writes in Second Corinthians 7:10, “Godly sorrow (conviction) leads to repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow (condemnation) brings death.”

The conviction of the Holy Spirit makes us painfully aware of our sinfulness and our failures, but even as it does we are motivated to confess our sins and try again.

We hear ourselves saying, “I know I’ve failed, but I will do better next time.”

Condemnation, on the other hand, makes us feel like giving up.  It tells us that we will never be any different that God is sick of our repeated failure.

That God is ready to wash His hands of us.  It drives us into hiding away from God.

The conviction of the Holy Spirit is always very specific when He convicts us of sin.  He puts his finger on it – identifies it – so we can deal with it and bring it to God and get rid of it.

Condemnation is vague, general, it leaves us feeling guilty, unworthy but not really sure why.

It does not identify a particular sin, lest we deal with it and be delivered.

In fact, the only time condemnation is specific is when it condemns us of sins we’ve already confessed.

God forgives our sins, He is done with them; he never brings them up to us again, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”  Psalms 103:12

As you come to God in repentance - God will never, ever reject you.

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

 

 

 

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

What a privilege it was to introduce our new youth pastor, Charlie Bassett, to our church!

Charlie has been an "immediate hit" with all of our kids and church family.

Please be praying with them as they make the transition from Florida to Chicago!

It will be a busy summer for them - moving into the area, youth camps, planning for the fall, etc.

Thank you to everyone who came and helped us move some mulch into the children's playground area this past Saturday!

We really appreciated your time! 

I know that Saturday's are busy for everyone - I am grateful for folks who serve in this capacity.

I trust that you are finding our series in Genesis to be spiritually profitable.  I know that I take a great deal of personal satisfaction in preparing the messages.

The whole "verse by verse" thing in teaching, gets me into the Word as much as anybody else!

I would ask that you consider inviting your friends to one of our services this coming Sunday morning. 

It is going to be a wonderful Mother's Day, as Debbie will be speaking and we will be recognizing and praying for moms.

The White Sox and Cubs continue their downward pilgrimage in the baseball standings.

The positive side of it is that we don't have to worry about spending money on playoff tickets.

Derek Rose needs to play in the series against the Miami Heat.  No doubt.

Thought of the day:  Just because something is a sin - and I, as a follower of Christ tell someone what the Bible says about the sin - doesn't mean that I hate them.  In fact, it is just the opposite - it means that I love them enough to tell them the truth.  In love.

Love you all....George

Don't quit

Here's something I know:

When you are walking through a trial - don't quit.

Don't get discouraged or frustrated and quit before the test is complete.

Don't bail and don't run away.

God has allowed that trial for a purpose - and that purpose is ultimately to grow closer to Him.

So even though the test is hard, don't lay down your pencil, walk up to the teacher, hand her your paper and leave the room.

Pastor James writes in James 1:4, "Let endurance have its perfect result".

In other words, if you and I don't complete the test (trial) that is before us, we will stunt the growth process God has built into our trial.

I read today of a little boy who saw a cocoon wiggling on the side of a tree.  He knew it was a butterfly struggling to emerge, and that when it came out it would be beautiful.

The boy watched the struggle for a while because he wanted to see the butterfly come out and fly away, but he grew impatient as time passed.

So the little boy decided to help the butterfly, which he figured had to be exhausted by now.  He broke the cocoon open, but the butterfly inside was unable to fly because its wings were not strong enough.

What the boy didn't know was that the battle to shed the cocoon is necessary to develop and strengthen the butterfly's wings.

The butterfly he "helped" was grounded because the boy let it out too soon.

So - have patience!  Don't quit!

You may not like your trial (test), and that is very, very natural.  There is nothing wrong with wrestling with a trial emotionally.  Emotions will come.  We all get discouraged from time to time.

But don't cut the trial short by running away.

Now then, a key point to remember:  God has His hand on both the clock and the thermostat of your trial.  The "how long" and the "how intense" the trial will be.

And....I am grateful for that.

Just a thought for a Thursday.

Taking ownership

I had a great conversation last night (for about an hour and a half) with David Dewes and Russ Bettenhausen concerning, "assimilating new people into our church".

It's a great topic - one that I think about constantly.

We are seeing a new influx of people coming to our church and checking us out.  I am really excited and jazzed about that.

Here's the question:

How can we get them to "stick"?

How can we lead people to it becoming "your church" to "my church"?

As "our" church becomes "their" church, they will assimilate into our church family.

Nelson Searcy writes about the "Three R's of retention".

Return, relationships and responsibility.

When new guests walk through the door for the first time, our initial goal is to earn return visits from them.

When they do return, our goal evolves to relationship.  We desire to place people in a setting that encourages and builds relationships.  Small groups are perfect for this.

After creating friendships, we our focus comes from relationships to responsibility.

You see, I will become responsible over something that I "own", something that I care about.

If you have ever rented a car, you know the feeling of a lack of ownership.  I mean - you treat the car right, but if it becomes dirty, "oh well", it is not my car.  I am not responsible for it.

However, if you own the car, you want to take care of it the best you can.  You change the oil.  You get the car washed.

Responsibility is always the catalyst that moves people from regular attendance to membership. 

It does not matter how well I preach or how passionate our worship team is - if our newcomers do not find relationship and take on responsibility within our church, they will not stay long.

How does that play out practically?

Talk to newer people in the hallways and foyer of our church.  Break out of the mold of always talking to the same people every Sunday.

Invite newer people out for dinner.  Take them out after a Sunday service.  (Debbie and I do this on a consistent basis).

Encourage them to return.  Share positive events and happenings of our church.

Invite someone to your small group.  Let them meet others who might have similar likes and dislikes.

Follow up with a phone call or an email.

I guess what I am saying is that we each, everyone of us, must take personal responsibility of leading people from return to relationship to responsibility.

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Key choices in life

I must admit that there are times in my life where I get discouraged.

When I do, I know that I can rely upon the Holy Spirit go give me encouragement.  To strengthen me.  I know that there are people around me who will lift me up, if not by their words, then by their mere positive presence.

However, many times, it comes down to simply this:  A choice that I make.

Life is full of choices, some of them "big" and some of them "small".

When I begin to lose my joy, when I being to feel down, it all comes down to a choice to move on, keep going and let God have His way.

Author Carol Kent, in her book, "A New Kind of Normal," writes this:

When despair tries to take me under....I choose life.

When I wonder what God could possibly be thinking....I choose trust.

When I desperately want relief from unrelenting reality....I choose perseverance.

When I feel oppressed by my disappointment and sorrow....I choose gratitude.

When I want to keep my feelings to myself....I choose vulnerability.

When nothing goes according to my plan...I choose relinquishment.

When I want to point a finger...I choose forgiveness.

When I want to give up....I choose purposeful action.

My word to you today?  Don't give up!  Keep on going!

God has a plan and a purpose for your life!

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

I can't tell you how grateful I am to the Lord at the number of people who raised their hand in the second service - signifying that they wanted to start or (restart) a relationship with Christ.

Our worship continues to be lead by the Holy Spirit - anointed by God.

While we plan, while we work, while we plant seed and water, only God can bring in the harvest.

Father, may we see the fruition of our work!

May you show us your favor!

Debbie and I attended a life group leader's luncheon yesterday after the second service.

What a feast we had!  David Dewes brought children and ribs - "fall off the bone ribs."

Some of the best I have ever had!

Many thanks to David and Rick Maldener for leading this endeavor!

If you are attending a life group - try one out!

Life groups are a wonderful way of connecting your non-churched friend to Christ - and to Stone Church!  While they may not come (initially) to a Sunday morning service - they will probably consider going to a home for a time of food and fellowship.

We continue to receive testimonies of people reconnecting or connecting to Christ in our life groups!

Small groups are a venue where a person can relax, be themselves, worship God and share personal needs.

My privilege to dedicate three kids, "unto the Lord" yesterday.  I appreciate the responsibility that parents feel in doing this.

Symbolic acts have meaning as a person comes with the right motivation of heart and spirit.

Derek Rose needs to step up and play for the Chicago Bulls.  Now is the time.

Love you all......

A life of trivial pursuit

Is your life a game of "trivial pursuit"?

Are you satisfied with the mundane?   The trivialities of life?

Can I give you a thought today?

We, as a culture, are amusing ourselves to death. 

But it is not just our culture.  We, as the people who have professed Jesus as Savior and Lord have also allowed our lives to become filled with the trivial.

Trivial conversations.

Trivial fights.

Trivial agendas.

Trivial reading.

Trivial praying.

Trivial views of God.

I am guilty of that and so are you.

It reminds me of a Seinfeld episode.  A show about nothing.  Dialogue about nothing.

Our culture is filled with people facebooking (yes it is now a verb) and tweeting what they had for dinner and what kind of hair day they are having.

Now there is nothing inherently wrong with that  (please don't misunderstand me) - it's just that it is replacing the important things of life.

God has not called us to live a trivial life. 

Our life in God is meant to be a great adventure with Him.  Knowing him, pursuing Him, living passionately for God and with God - caught up with God' mission for the world.

Discussing the important things of life.

That should seize us, compel us and burn within us so trivial stuff still exists, but it gets a much lower level of importance on our agendas.

Just a thought for a Thursday.

Which eye are you looking through?

One of the axioms of life is that we see what we want to see - and hear what we want to hear.

We can hear - but not really listen.

And we can see - but not really comprehend.

Many times the negativity and sin of this world remains oblivious to us - not because we aren't aware of what is going around us - but because we choose not to see and comprehend - and then do something about it.

My dear friends, how long can we "turn a blind eye" to the sins of this world?

How long can we "turn a blind eye" to the sins of the church?

How long can we "turn a blind eye" to our own sins?

How long can we keep blaming and pointing fingers at others without approaching the fact that perhaps we are "turning a blind eye" to our own faults and failures?

The phrase "turn a blind eye," means to ignore undesirable information.  It means to live in denial.

It means to have Pollyanna view of life - that things are great and will only get better.

That's not to say that I am to become a negative person, not at all.  But it is to say that I can be realistically positive - and not turn a blind eye to the evil of this world.

I can turn a blind eye to what is going on in my family.

I can turn a blind eye to what is going on at my job.

I can turn a blind eye to what is going on in my church.

Where did the saying, "turning a blind eye" come from?

The saying comes from a 19th century British naval battle.

Kevin Miller writes:

"On April 2, 1801, during the Battle of Copenhagen, the British fleet was attacking the combined navies of Denmark and Norway.

Three British ships ran aground, so the admiral, Hyde Parker, decide that the fire of battle was "too hot for Nelson to oppose."  So Parker sent an order, thorough signal flags, that the younger admiral Horatio Nelson should "Discontinue Action" and withdraw.

When Nelson heard his own signalman relay the order, the pretended not to hear him.

Mesmerized by the thrill of battle, Nelson had no intention of obeying the order.  He turned to his captain and said, "This day may be the last for us at any moment," even as a Danish cannonball struck his ship's mainmast, scattering splinter all around him.  This was typical of Nelson's stubborn and aggressive approach to war.

In fact, he'd already lost sight in his right yes in a previous battle.  So when he pressed again to respond to Parker's order, Nelson told his flag captain Thomas Foley, "You know, Foley, I only have one eye - I have the right to be blind sometimes," and then Nelson held up his telescope to his right eye and said, "I really do not see the signal!"

Sometimes we are like that.  With one good eye and one blind eye, when an order comes through from God, we hold up the telescope to the blind eye - and we ignore the leading of the Holy Spirit.

We ignore the evil around us.

I, as a pastor and teacher, have the biblical, God-given responsibility to encourage and lift up the "saints of God", but also to remind us of the fact that we can't ignore our sins and failures.

I have been called to confront - but to confront in love.

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

intimidation

Throughout my years of ministry, I have met (and continue to meet) people who have either tried to intimidate me (in church life) or have intimidated me.

I remember a 4 foot 10 inch woman in a previous church that we pastored that scared me to death.

Intimidation has nothing to do with how large or small someone is, or how young or how old.   (Read the story of how the mighty prophet Elijah was threatened by the woman Jezebel.)

It has everything to do with a spirit that can overtake someone - a spirit of fear and intimidation that they use either intentionally or unintentionally.

Some of the characteristics of someone who walks in this spirit are:  Pride.  Presumption.  Pushiness.  Inability to admit wrong.  Insubordination.  Rebellion.  Sowing seeds of discord.  Hate.  Distortion.  Using people to accomplish their agenda.  Withholding information.  Withholding names.  Sequestering information (they seem to know everything about everyone).  Criticizes everyone.  Ignores people.  Spiritualizes everything.  Vengeful.  Uses the element of surprise.  Blindsides.  Gift giving (making you feel you are obligated to them)

The dictionary defines intimidation as:  to render timid; to inspire fear; to discourage; or, suppress by threatening.

Being that part of the culture in Chicago is a culture of fear and intimidation, that can easily roll over into the church.

How does intimidation come about?

Through word curses.  Word curses are something spoken over you by someone.  A parent can speak word curses over their children.  "You'll never amount to anything."  "You're no good."  "I wish you had never been born."

An employee can speak word curses over his boss or co-workers.  "They are a jerk."  "They don't know what to do."

A church member can speak word curses over the leadership of the church.  "A lot of people are saying."  "No one likes you."  "You are doing a crummy job."

On and on it goes.

Through your own perception of yourself.

You think if not say, "I'm no good."  "I am a crummy excuse for a Christian."  "I'm no good at my job."  "Everyone hates me."

Through being threatened. 

Here's what I know on this point.  When I give in to the threats and intimidating statements and actions of those around me - I surrender my God-given authority.

I lose the ability to use my spiritual giftings.  They will like dormant or even be taken away.  If I give in to fear and intimidation, God will send someone else to do what He is calling to be done.

I encourage you today:  don't give in to the spirit of fear and intimidation!

Know who you are in Jesus Christ!

Stop all negative self-talk.

Know that if God loves you and if you love  you - what does it matter what other people think?

Stop measuring  your God-given talents and abilities with others.  Someone will always be better or worse at something than you are. 

Pray in the Spirit.

Pray.

Worship God.

Read the Word.

Live in the Word.

Hang around positive people.

Keep the ultimate goal in mind.

Realize, that at the end of the day, your reward is in heaven.

Stay strong, my friends. 

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

I love the seasons - winter, spring, summer and fall.

I am really ready for spring and summer (a.k.a. sunshine).

Great spirit of worship in our services yesterday.

Many, many thanks to our wonderful worship team and Amanda!

Each week, I come expecting God to do great things!

Do you come each week expecting?  Or do you come each week evaluating?

It is a challenging question.

God always meets us at the level of our expectations.

Both the White Sox and the Cubs are in for a long, long summer.

I encourage you to bring someone to our Sunday morning services this Sunday.

I like the fact that our church is so friendly.

We continue to pray for a further moving of God's Spirit.

God, please send renewal and revival our way!

Thankful for a wonderful deacon board this year.  Great group of men.  Great team of men.

This Wednesday is administrative assistant's day.  We say a big "thank you" to Debbie Smith and Jan Winkler in our church office!  They are dedicated, faithful and are doing a great job!

Reminder:  please read through the book of Genesis during our week by week study.

Every person you meet is not all bad or all good.  We are all a mixture of good and bad.  Times when we are really, really locked in spiritually with God - and times when it seems like we are a spiritual mess.

In short, we are all messy.

I am thankful for God's grace and patience with me in the midst of my "messiness" - how about you?

Love you all.....

Finding your niche and being the best you can be

Last week, when Dr. Bob Rhoden was with us for a leadership retreat, he made a statement that really stuck out to me.

He said (and I paraphrase) that not everyone can be a 8 or a 9 or a 10 in leadership (or in anything they do in life).

He said, "if God created you as a 6, be the best 6 you can be."  "If you are a 7 (in anything in life) be the best 7 you can be."

The key is to find what you can do, your niche, and do it to the best of your ability.

At this stage of life, I know what I can and cannot do.  So, I tell myself, "why not focus in - not on what I can't do - but on what I can do."  And then grow in that area.  And excel in that area, whether it be a job, a hobby or a ministry in the church.

That is not to say I don't try certain things or "fill in the gaps" when there is a need. 

For instance, not all of us have the gift of evangelism, but we can still share our faith.

Not all of us have the gift of service, but we can still do acts of service.

Not all of us have the gift of music, but we can lift our voices in song to God.

However, I encourage you to become comfortable with what you can do - and relax about what you can't do.

Click on this video of a boy who is trying to find his niche in baseball.

http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7I5l/values-com-baseball-optimism-song-by-kool-and-the-gang.

 

Many times our failures in one area lead us to excellence in another.

 

I remember leaving the game of baseball as a junior high kid (after being hit by a fastball as a batter) and picking up a round, orange ball and playing basketball for hours on end, playing in high school and college.

 

Here's that I leave you with:  Let your failures (what you can't do) turn into a positive by leading you into successes (or what you can do).

 

Just a thought for a Thursday.