Snow White.
At the beginning of the story of Snow White, a queen wishes for a daughter as "white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as that wood of the window frame."
Soon after, the queen indeed gives birth to a baby girl with skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ebony. They name her "Snow White", and not long after, the queen dies.
After a year has passed, the King takes a new wife, who is beautiful but also unutterably wicked and vain.
The new queen possesses a Magic Mirror which she asks every morning: "Magic mirror in my hand, who is the fairest in the land?"
And the story goes on.
In one sense, the Word of God is that mirror.
The Word of God reveals who we really are, not on the outside, but on the inside. Our character. Our spirituality. Who we are in Christ.
Pastor James writes this in James 1:23-25:
"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says I like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does."
What is the purpose of a mirror? To evaluate ourselves. We look in a mirror to asses the damage from the night before.
Then we do something about it.
Let me ask you this question: what good is a mirror if we don't do anything about what we see?
A mirror reflects what we're like on the outside. God's Word reflects what we're like on the inside.
Hebrews says, "God's word detects the thoughts, intents, motives and desires of the heart."
So we are to, as James writes, we are to "look intently into the perfect law that gives freedom."
The word "look" there (in the Greek) means to research what you are looking at. To investigate what you are reading.
To not only glance at the mirror (the word of God) but to gaze at the mirror (the Word of God).
Here are some questions that I encourage you to ask as you read God's Word on a daily basis.
Is there a sin toe confess?
Is there a promise to claim?
Is there an attitude to change?
Is there a command to obey?
Is there an example to follow?
Is there a prayer to pray?
Is there an error to avoid?
Is there a truth to believe?
Is there something to thank God for?
That's how you look intently at the word of God. It is the mirror to the soul.
Just a thought for a Thursday.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Great grace
Let me share with you a thought that I found today in studying Romans 5:20,21 (our passage for this evening in "Pure Worship").
Paul writes in Romans 5:20, 21 "The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
The law does not restrain sin (the commands in the Old Testament). The law increases our desire to sin.
When someone sees a sign, "wet paint - do not touch", our first inclination is to walk up to the thing that is painted and touch it to see if it is truly "wet paint."
That's what the law does.
"The law was added," Paul writes, and the word "added" has a negative connotation. In other words when God gave the law, it was "added to be secondary and not primary in our walk with Hi."
The law as given not to make us sinners, but to show us how sinful we are before a holy God.
The law is like a mirror that you hold up to see what you look like.
Paul writes in Romans 7:7, "Indeed, I would not have known what sin was except through the Law."
Yet, here is the supreme thought that I would like to share with you today.
Paul writes in verse 20, "But where sin increased, grace increased all the more."
When Paul says, "but where sin increased," the word increase uses a prefix that means addition.
When Paul writes, "grace increased all the more," the word increase uses a prefix that means multiplication.
The thought of the day: Where sins are added one by one, grace is multiplied a thousand times over.
Sin abounds and adds up but grace super-abounds and expands exponentially.
Let me share with you this story as I close this blog:
"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.
Paul writes in Romans 5:20, 21 "The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
The law does not restrain sin (the commands in the Old Testament). The law increases our desire to sin.
When someone sees a sign, "wet paint - do not touch", our first inclination is to walk up to the thing that is painted and touch it to see if it is truly "wet paint."
That's what the law does.
"The law was added," Paul writes, and the word "added" has a negative connotation. In other words when God gave the law, it was "added to be secondary and not primary in our walk with Hi."
The law as given not to make us sinners, but to show us how sinful we are before a holy God.
The law is like a mirror that you hold up to see what you look like.
Paul writes in Romans 7:7, "Indeed, I would not have known what sin was except through the Law."
Yet, here is the supreme thought that I would like to share with you today.
Paul writes in verse 20, "But where sin increased, grace increased all the more."
When Paul says, "but where sin increased," the word increase uses a prefix that means addition.
When Paul writes, "grace increased all the more," the word increase uses a prefix that means multiplication.
The thought of the day: Where sins are added one by one, grace is multiplied a thousand times over.
Sin abounds and adds up but grace super-abounds and expands exponentially.
Let me share with you this story as I close this blog:
"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:
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."
I like what Corrie Ten Boom once said, "There is no pit so deep that the love of God is not deeper still."
Just a thought for a Wednesday.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
God's choices and my response
Sometimes, as followers of Christ, we can act like rebellious two year olds.
"I don't want to do that!"
"Why do I have to do this"?
"Why can't I do that?"
"No."
I was reading today of an umpire named Babe Pinelli who once
called the great baseball player Babe Ruth out on strikes.
When the crowd booed with sharp disapproval at
the call, the legendary Ruth turned to the umpire with disdain and said,
"There’s 40,000 people here who know that the last pitch was ball, tomato
head."
Suspecting that the umpire would
erupt with anger, the coaches and players braced themselves for Ruth’s
ejection.
However, the cool headed Pinelli replied, "Maybe so, Babe, but
mine is the only opinion that counts."
We need to rely on God’s sovereign choices for us regardless of whether they seem popular or not at the moment.
And maybe, just maybe, when God sometimes says in response to our objections to His will for our lives by saying, "Because I told you so," we need to listen - and obey.
Just a thought for a Tuesday.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Thoughts from the weekend
Thoughts from the weekend:
After any given Sunday, I am thankful for what God has done.
However, there are some Sundays that are especially meaningful.
Yesterday was one of those Sundays.
There was a wonderful sense of God's presence.
New people attended.
One woman sent a report of accepting Christ.
It was wonderful to see the people of God praying for one another.
Several couples married 15 years or less signed up for the "young couples" life group.
I am thrilled. I am praising God.
We had a great time at the men's golf outing!
Many thanks to Bob Konrath and Hal Kaufman for putting the outing together!
Lots of prizes handed out.
It was fun to hang out with the guys.
Augie Insalaco can hit the golf ball a ton.
Went to John Schwider's 60th birthday party.
I shared with John, "my only daily comfort is that you will always be older than me." :)
Happy 60th John!
Last evening, Debbie and I attended the Nigerian life group summer barbecue.
It was a beautiful evening, wonderful time of fellowship and great food!
We love the Nigerians who are coming to our church!
I am sensing a real moving of God in our midst!
Praying for all of our young people going to college this week. You will be missed!
Don't forget this Saturday evening, August 24th at 6:00 P.M. Worship. Presentation of the Word. Topic is the Holy Spirit - Dr. Robert Menzies. Child Care provided.
Love you all!
After any given Sunday, I am thankful for what God has done.
However, there are some Sundays that are especially meaningful.
Yesterday was one of those Sundays.
There was a wonderful sense of God's presence.
New people attended.
One woman sent a report of accepting Christ.
It was wonderful to see the people of God praying for one another.
Several couples married 15 years or less signed up for the "young couples" life group.
I am thrilled. I am praising God.
We had a great time at the men's golf outing!
Many thanks to Bob Konrath and Hal Kaufman for putting the outing together!
Lots of prizes handed out.
It was fun to hang out with the guys.
Augie Insalaco can hit the golf ball a ton.
Went to John Schwider's 60th birthday party.
I shared with John, "my only daily comfort is that you will always be older than me." :)
Happy 60th John!
Last evening, Debbie and I attended the Nigerian life group summer barbecue.
It was a beautiful evening, wonderful time of fellowship and great food!
We love the Nigerians who are coming to our church!
I am sensing a real moving of God in our midst!
Praying for all of our young people going to college this week. You will be missed!
Don't forget this Saturday evening, August 24th at 6:00 P.M. Worship. Presentation of the Word. Topic is the Holy Spirit - Dr. Robert Menzies. Child Care provided.
Love you all!
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Projecting an image of God
Let me ask you this question:
What kind of God do you worship?
The God of the Bible?
Or the God of your own making?
It can be called "projectionism".
It is projecting upon God a view of His character and His being that are more like us as human beings than we would like to think.
It is where we can only view God from the place of some major influence in our lives. Like a mean Father, or a teacher whom you could never please, or a friend who runs out on you during a time of need, that kind of God is a God who is always there to put us down, pointing at us with a finger of disgust.
Blaise Pascal once wrote, "God made man in his own image and man returned the compliment."
Brennan Manning writes, "The mechanism of projection is a process of unwittingly ascribing to God our own attitudes and feelings as an unconscious defense of our own inadequacy or guilt."
Now, I am not a psychologist nor I am I the son of a psychologist, but I do know this: As children, our view of God can be strongly influenced by the way we have been parented.
From his or her parents, a child learns of a God who strongly disproves of disobedience - for example - hitting a sibling or telling lies.
Then the child goes to school and finds that his teachers share those same concerns, furthering their project upon God of these attitudes.
And finally, when the child goes to church, he finds out that God is obsessed with what he can't do - rather than in what he can do (in most churches).
James Burtchaell writes, "After he (they) emerges from his youth altogether he discovers - sometimes with resentment - that God has been used as a sanction for all those who were responsible for his discipline. When he used to cavort a bit mischievously at home, his mother might reach the end of her patience and persuasiveness and threaten, "When your daddy comes home, he'll take care of you." But if Mommy and Daddy are both at their wits' end, there is always the eternal spanking to which they can do allude. God is thus unwittingly associated with fear."
So what is the result of this type of God? Self-hatred. Unhealthy guilt. Perfectionism upon ourselves and others in the church. Legalism. Bondage. A lack of joy.
My God is a God of forgiveness and love and restoration. My God is a God who is always there, ready to put his arms around me and encourage me on.
While he is a holy God (I put that in there as almost a disclaimer for those of us who are rightly concerned about holiness), at the end of the day, God is far more loving and forgiving than we give him credit for.
God is more than ready and willing to forgive you than you are to forgive yourself.
So don't project your view of God from your mom or your Uncle Billy who were mean, or a dad whom you could never please.
Let God be God - and let Him have control of your life.
Just a thought for a Thursday.
What kind of God do you worship?
The God of the Bible?
Or the God of your own making?
It can be called "projectionism".
It is projecting upon God a view of His character and His being that are more like us as human beings than we would like to think.
It is where we can only view God from the place of some major influence in our lives. Like a mean Father, or a teacher whom you could never please, or a friend who runs out on you during a time of need, that kind of God is a God who is always there to put us down, pointing at us with a finger of disgust.
Blaise Pascal once wrote, "God made man in his own image and man returned the compliment."
Brennan Manning writes, "The mechanism of projection is a process of unwittingly ascribing to God our own attitudes and feelings as an unconscious defense of our own inadequacy or guilt."
Now, I am not a psychologist nor I am I the son of a psychologist, but I do know this: As children, our view of God can be strongly influenced by the way we have been parented.
From his or her parents, a child learns of a God who strongly disproves of disobedience - for example - hitting a sibling or telling lies.
Then the child goes to school and finds that his teachers share those same concerns, furthering their project upon God of these attitudes.
And finally, when the child goes to church, he finds out that God is obsessed with what he can't do - rather than in what he can do (in most churches).
James Burtchaell writes, "After he (they) emerges from his youth altogether he discovers - sometimes with resentment - that God has been used as a sanction for all those who were responsible for his discipline. When he used to cavort a bit mischievously at home, his mother might reach the end of her patience and persuasiveness and threaten, "When your daddy comes home, he'll take care of you." But if Mommy and Daddy are both at their wits' end, there is always the eternal spanking to which they can do allude. God is thus unwittingly associated with fear."
So what is the result of this type of God? Self-hatred. Unhealthy guilt. Perfectionism upon ourselves and others in the church. Legalism. Bondage. A lack of joy.
My God is a God of forgiveness and love and restoration. My God is a God who is always there, ready to put his arms around me and encourage me on.
While he is a holy God (I put that in there as almost a disclaimer for those of us who are rightly concerned about holiness), at the end of the day, God is far more loving and forgiving than we give him credit for.
God is more than ready and willing to forgive you than you are to forgive yourself.
So don't project your view of God from your mom or your Uncle Billy who were mean, or a dad whom you could never please.
Let God be God - and let Him have control of your life.
Just a thought for a Thursday.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
The power of spontaneous unity
I have always found it very, very interesting to note that on the night that Jesus was arrested, he prayed in John 17:20-23:
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that they world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that your gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
Incredible things happened as we come together in complete, total and even (or especially) spontaneous unity.
Reaching out to those in need.
Stopping to pray with someone.
Inviting a guest (to our church) out to lunch on a Sunday afternoon.
Giving someone else the benefit of the doubt.
Forgiving others.
Letting someone else have their own way.
Here's what I know: everyone has a unique instrument in the body of Christ, and a unique sound, but together, playing together, working together, ministering together, loving one another, it makes a beautiful Rhapsody.
An example of this is the video of a little girl, who stops to give money to a street performer and unwittingly begins an outdoor concert that brings joy to the life of others (the song is the hymn, "Joyful, Joyful, we adore thee."
I encourage you to click on this video:
http://god-bless-you.org/stunning-flash-mob-concert/#IOscqOBHcVAUFfAu.01
May God help us to walk in unity!
Love you all.
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that they world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that your gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
Incredible things happened as we come together in complete, total and even (or especially) spontaneous unity.
Reaching out to those in need.
Stopping to pray with someone.
Inviting a guest (to our church) out to lunch on a Sunday afternoon.
Giving someone else the benefit of the doubt.
Forgiving others.
Letting someone else have their own way.
Here's what I know: everyone has a unique instrument in the body of Christ, and a unique sound, but together, playing together, working together, ministering together, loving one another, it makes a beautiful Rhapsody.
An example of this is the video of a little girl, who stops to give money to a street performer and unwittingly begins an outdoor concert that brings joy to the life of others (the song is the hymn, "Joyful, Joyful, we adore thee."
I encourage you to click on this video:
http://god-bless-you.org/stunning-flash-mob-concert/#IOscqOBHcVAUFfAu.01
May God help us to walk in unity!
Love you all.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Is the Antichrist alive today?
We are living in the end times.
The next great prophetic event will be the rapture of the church of Jesus Christ.
I believe that the rapture is going to take place sooner rather than later in our lives.
In fact, I believe that Jesus will come within my lifetime. As my father believes this and his father before him believed it.
We are to constantly be on the watch for the return of Christ.
The rapture will be followed by a seven year period of tribulation - in which the last half will consist of the Antichrist ruling the world politically, economically and religiously.
The entire world will give him allegiance or suffer persecution and death.
Do I believe that THE Antichrist is alive today?
Well, no one knows for sure. In fact, ultimately, the Antichrist will not be revealed until after you and I as followers of Christ are ruptured to be with the Lord.
However, the domino's are all falling in a row for that one world leader to step up.
At no time have we seen the world advance in a global way as we have the last twenty five years.
We've seen the end of the cold war in 1989.
The rise of the Islamic faith.
The speed of travel from one continent to another.
Incredible advances in communications (world news programs, computers, the Internet and satellites bring instant communication).
Modern weapons of mass destruction.
Modern surveillance technology (we've seen that from our own government - the NSA - the past couple of months).
The interlocking of world markets, currencies, stock markets and economies.
Terrorism and the rise of rogue states.
Global problems such as starvation, pollution and climatic instability (hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis).
We are truly living in a global world that is shrinking before our eyes - a world that is ripe for a one world leader to step in.
The Antichrist will be an "in place of" Christ. He will be the counterfeit Christ, the substitute Christ, the mock Christ, the pseudo Christ - in short - an imitation Christ.
We don't know for certain who He is - but we can say for certain that the Spirit of the Antichrist is alive and well today!
A spirit of wickedness, evil, greed, manipulation and control.
So, follow my reasoning:
I believe the next great event in prophecy will be the rapture of the church.
I believe that the rapture will take place within my lifetime on this planet.
If that is so, then the Antichrist is alive today, being prepared by the enemy to step up and take control.
At the same time, we don't need to worry about that!
As Christians, we aren't looking for the Antichrist, we are looking for Jesus Christ!
Marantha, even so, come Lord Jesus!
The next great prophetic event will be the rapture of the church of Jesus Christ.
I believe that the rapture is going to take place sooner rather than later in our lives.
In fact, I believe that Jesus will come within my lifetime. As my father believes this and his father before him believed it.
We are to constantly be on the watch for the return of Christ.
The rapture will be followed by a seven year period of tribulation - in which the last half will consist of the Antichrist ruling the world politically, economically and religiously.
The entire world will give him allegiance or suffer persecution and death.
Do I believe that THE Antichrist is alive today?
Well, no one knows for sure. In fact, ultimately, the Antichrist will not be revealed until after you and I as followers of Christ are ruptured to be with the Lord.
However, the domino's are all falling in a row for that one world leader to step up.
At no time have we seen the world advance in a global way as we have the last twenty five years.
We've seen the end of the cold war in 1989.
The rise of the Islamic faith.
The speed of travel from one continent to another.
Incredible advances in communications (world news programs, computers, the Internet and satellites bring instant communication).
Modern weapons of mass destruction.
Modern surveillance technology (we've seen that from our own government - the NSA - the past couple of months).
The interlocking of world markets, currencies, stock markets and economies.
Terrorism and the rise of rogue states.
Global problems such as starvation, pollution and climatic instability (hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis).
We are truly living in a global world that is shrinking before our eyes - a world that is ripe for a one world leader to step in.
The Antichrist will be an "in place of" Christ. He will be the counterfeit Christ, the substitute Christ, the mock Christ, the pseudo Christ - in short - an imitation Christ.
We don't know for certain who He is - but we can say for certain that the Spirit of the Antichrist is alive and well today!
A spirit of wickedness, evil, greed, manipulation and control.
So, follow my reasoning:
I believe the next great event in prophecy will be the rapture of the church.
I believe that the rapture will take place within my lifetime on this planet.
If that is so, then the Antichrist is alive today, being prepared by the enemy to step up and take control.
At the same time, we don't need to worry about that!
As Christians, we aren't looking for the Antichrist, we are looking for Jesus Christ!
Marantha, even so, come Lord Jesus!
Monday, August 12, 2013
Thoughts from the weekend
Thoughts from the weekend:
I don't know about you - but I am excited about Jesus.
I am thrilled about what is happening in our church.
I am "so looking forward" to the fall, beginning in September.
God is up to something great!
One of the events I want to share with you is that we are rebooting "Pure Worship" on Wednesday evenings (beginning August 21st) at 7:00 P.M.
You will enjoy the experience of worship, a devotion and praying for the needs of our church.
But here's what we are also doing: We are beginning a church wide prayer meeting, beginning at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday nights!
I have felt an urging in my spirit lately that we gather together as a people of God to pray.
We encourage you to come at the timing of your choosing for the prayer time - and then join us for "Pure Worship"!
Once again - it was great to see newer people in our services yesterday, folks who are returning for the fourth and fifth time!
I would also ask that you pursue the tables set up in the foyer this coming Sunday - announcing life groups, adult bible studies, and other ministries of the church.
Repentance is a message that we all need from time to time.
Gets us back to our moral and spiritual foundations.
We are never to "spiritual" to repent.
Can't wait for football to start in a few weeks!
Debbie and I saw our grandchildren this weekend (and Christie and Andrew - their mom and dad).
Applause to their parents for being such great parents to my granddaughters!
Love you all.......
I don't know about you - but I am excited about Jesus.
I am thrilled about what is happening in our church.
I am "so looking forward" to the fall, beginning in September.
God is up to something great!
One of the events I want to share with you is that we are rebooting "Pure Worship" on Wednesday evenings (beginning August 21st) at 7:00 P.M.
You will enjoy the experience of worship, a devotion and praying for the needs of our church.
But here's what we are also doing: We are beginning a church wide prayer meeting, beginning at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday nights!
I have felt an urging in my spirit lately that we gather together as a people of God to pray.
We encourage you to come at the timing of your choosing for the prayer time - and then join us for "Pure Worship"!
Once again - it was great to see newer people in our services yesterday, folks who are returning for the fourth and fifth time!
I would also ask that you pursue the tables set up in the foyer this coming Sunday - announcing life groups, adult bible studies, and other ministries of the church.
Repentance is a message that we all need from time to time.
Gets us back to our moral and spiritual foundations.
We are never to "spiritual" to repent.
Can't wait for football to start in a few weeks!
Debbie and I saw our grandchildren this weekend (and Christie and Andrew - their mom and dad).
Applause to their parents for being such great parents to my granddaughters!
Love you all.......
Thursday, August 08, 2013
Cancer and church life
"You have cancer," are some of the most horrific words that anyone can say to a person.
Friends have told me that when they hear those words, hundreds of negative thoughts go through their minds.
It is one of the most debilitating diseases of our day.
Cancer is made up of cells that don't want to go with the program.
They aren't connecting with the vision or mission of the body.
They have their own agenda.
Now, this would be just fine - if they would leave your body.
The problem with cancer is that these deviant cells still want to hang out in you. They don't want to go anywhere. They poison everything around them. They want to be independent - and as a result they destroy the good cells in the body - and eventually kill a person if that person is not treated.
Cancer cells still want blood, they still want to eat, and they still want oxygen because they want to grow.
But what makes them even more horrific is that they not only want to grow, they want to spread and metastasize their negativity.
So, in other words, they want to siphon off the body, but the don't want to contribute to it. And if they do contribute, their negativity destroys any positive work that they might do.
Four minus five equals a negative one kind of thing.
And ultimately, unless addressed radically, the whole body is in trouble, because they will kill the body.
In church life, people like this want the sermons, they want the songs, they want the ministry to them, they want events for their children, they want counseling for their problems, but they don't want to be a part of the body's direction and goals.
They just want to hang out in the body. And complain. And criticize. And gossip. And cause division.
My encouragement to you today is to become a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.
Just a thought for a Thursday.
Friends have told me that when they hear those words, hundreds of negative thoughts go through their minds.
It is one of the most debilitating diseases of our day.
Cancer is made up of cells that don't want to go with the program.
They aren't connecting with the vision or mission of the body.
They have their own agenda.
Now, this would be just fine - if they would leave your body.
The problem with cancer is that these deviant cells still want to hang out in you. They don't want to go anywhere. They poison everything around them. They want to be independent - and as a result they destroy the good cells in the body - and eventually kill a person if that person is not treated.
Cancer cells still want blood, they still want to eat, and they still want oxygen because they want to grow.
But what makes them even more horrific is that they not only want to grow, they want to spread and metastasize their negativity.
So, in other words, they want to siphon off the body, but the don't want to contribute to it. And if they do contribute, their negativity destroys any positive work that they might do.
Four minus five equals a negative one kind of thing.
And ultimately, unless addressed radically, the whole body is in trouble, because they will kill the body.
In church life, people like this want the sermons, they want the songs, they want the ministry to them, they want events for their children, they want counseling for their problems, but they don't want to be a part of the body's direction and goals.
They just want to hang out in the body. And complain. And criticize. And gossip. And cause division.
My encouragement to you today is to become a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.
Just a thought for a Thursday.
Wednesday, August 07, 2013
Present peace
One of the things that I struggle with is the ability to have presence peace.
Contentment.
It is within my DNA to always keep on pressing on, reaching new goals, obtaining more for the Kingdom of God.
In my walk with Christ, I am in a continual state of learning how to experience God's peace in the present.
To rejoice and be glad for what I have - and what God is now giving me.
Here's what I know - and trust will minister to you today:
In our troubled situations, Jesus breathes calm.
In a raging storm, Jesus said to his guys, "Peace, be still!" (Mark 4:39.
In the worst of storms, Jesus is there to give us emotional peace.
Madame Guyon once said poetically:
To me remains no place nor time;
My country is in every clime;
I can be calm and free from care
On any shore, since God is there.
Today, know, without a shadow of a doubt, that God is there, gives me present peace.
In our troubled situations, Jesus breathes unity.
Paul writes in Romans 5:1, "We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
What unity are we talking about? Unity with the Father. Unity with the Holy Spirit. We are "knit as one" with Jesus Christ. In Jesus we "have an anchor" that securely positions us permanently in a safe harbor.
To know that I am united with God himself, gives me present peace.
In our troubled situations, Jesus breathes reconciliation.
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:14, "He Himself is our peace, who has made both one...."
I say this a lot: With Jesus in me and Jesus in you, Jesus isn't going to argue with Jesus. The God of Peace can reconcile us to anyone with whom we have experienced relational challenges.
We vastly underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to bring healing in broken relationships.
To know that God can heal broken relationships, gives me present peace.
May God give you His peace today.
Just a thought for a Wednesday.
Contentment.
It is within my DNA to always keep on pressing on, reaching new goals, obtaining more for the Kingdom of God.
In my walk with Christ, I am in a continual state of learning how to experience God's peace in the present.
To rejoice and be glad for what I have - and what God is now giving me.
Here's what I know - and trust will minister to you today:
In our troubled situations, Jesus breathes calm.
In a raging storm, Jesus said to his guys, "Peace, be still!" (Mark 4:39.
In the worst of storms, Jesus is there to give us emotional peace.
Madame Guyon once said poetically:
To me remains no place nor time;
My country is in every clime;
I can be calm and free from care
On any shore, since God is there.
Today, know, without a shadow of a doubt, that God is there, gives me present peace.
In our troubled situations, Jesus breathes unity.
Paul writes in Romans 5:1, "We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
What unity are we talking about? Unity with the Father. Unity with the Holy Spirit. We are "knit as one" with Jesus Christ. In Jesus we "have an anchor" that securely positions us permanently in a safe harbor.
To know that I am united with God himself, gives me present peace.
In our troubled situations, Jesus breathes reconciliation.
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:14, "He Himself is our peace, who has made both one...."
I say this a lot: With Jesus in me and Jesus in you, Jesus isn't going to argue with Jesus. The God of Peace can reconcile us to anyone with whom we have experienced relational challenges.
We vastly underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to bring healing in broken relationships.
To know that God can heal broken relationships, gives me present peace.
May God give you His peace today.
Just a thought for a Wednesday.
Tuesday, August 06, 2013
Being a winner
Everyone loves a winner.
I know I do.
God wants you to be a winner in Him!
Here's what I desire to share with you today: Becoming a winner in the faith is a process. Accepting Christ is instantaneous. It takes time and discipline to become a mature and powerful believer.
Let me give you some positive principles to becoming a winner:
Focus on God. Center your thoughts on God and His Word. It is one thing to cleanse your mind of negative and evil thoughts, it is another to replace those thoughts with an attitude of the godly. If you are around me for any length of time you will hear me say, "if you take something away, you replace it with something else." Replace negativism with positivism.
Pray. Have conversations with God on a moment by moment basis. Schedule an appointment each day with God as well. Ask, and then thank God for the answers.
Read the Word. Take notes. Don't miss a single day. Feed on the positive promises of God.
Hang around godly people. People who are on fire for God. Be selective about who you are friends with. Friends will either add to or take way from you being a winner. Ask yourself, "will this friendship bring me closer to Jesus?" You are who you hang around.
Have a teachable spirit. Let every moment of your life be a teachable moment, especially when God is trying to speak to you.
Have a winner's mindset. Get your focus off the negative and start thinking about the opportunities that God is giving you. Speak creatively. Positively. Think good things about yourself and others. Stop complaining! When Satan plants the "seed" of a bad thought in your mind, immediately resist it.
Exercise your authority. Say: "Satan, I bind you and resist your ungodly suggestions. I am a child of God walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. I cast your thought back to you. I am a new creation in Jesus!" And then thank God out loud for good thoughts. Godly thoughts.
Do you want to be a winner today?
Take charge of your life and put yourself in the hands of God.
Just a thought for a Tuesday.
I know I do.
God wants you to be a winner in Him!
Here's what I desire to share with you today: Becoming a winner in the faith is a process. Accepting Christ is instantaneous. It takes time and discipline to become a mature and powerful believer.
Let me give you some positive principles to becoming a winner:
Focus on God. Center your thoughts on God and His Word. It is one thing to cleanse your mind of negative and evil thoughts, it is another to replace those thoughts with an attitude of the godly. If you are around me for any length of time you will hear me say, "if you take something away, you replace it with something else." Replace negativism with positivism.
Pray. Have conversations with God on a moment by moment basis. Schedule an appointment each day with God as well. Ask, and then thank God for the answers.
Read the Word. Take notes. Don't miss a single day. Feed on the positive promises of God.
Hang around godly people. People who are on fire for God. Be selective about who you are friends with. Friends will either add to or take way from you being a winner. Ask yourself, "will this friendship bring me closer to Jesus?" You are who you hang around.
Have a teachable spirit. Let every moment of your life be a teachable moment, especially when God is trying to speak to you.
Have a winner's mindset. Get your focus off the negative and start thinking about the opportunities that God is giving you. Speak creatively. Positively. Think good things about yourself and others. Stop complaining! When Satan plants the "seed" of a bad thought in your mind, immediately resist it.
Exercise your authority. Say: "Satan, I bind you and resist your ungodly suggestions. I am a child of God walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. I cast your thought back to you. I am a new creation in Jesus!" And then thank God out loud for good thoughts. Godly thoughts.
Do you want to be a winner today?
Take charge of your life and put yourself in the hands of God.
Just a thought for a Tuesday.
Monday, August 05, 2013
Thoughts from the weekend
Thoughts from the weekend:
I don't know about you, but Debbie and I have been enjoying the cool evenings the past few days.
It has been so nice as we have been taking a walk about the same time in the evening.
Beautiful.
One of the many reasons why we love living in Chicago!
Had a great birthday last Friday.
Many, many thanks to all who called, emailed are sent a card of congratulations!
I appreciate your love!
57 years old!
In some ways, I feel like I am just "coming into my own" concerning ministry.
It is one of those things that we say, "If I knew then what I knew now," kind of thing.
I hope you noticed the two T.V. in the foyer yesterday. These have been placed there in order for our church family to listen to and take note of the important announcements of events in our church (BTW, the TV's were donated).
Our philosophy is that we have two primary goals for our Sunday morning worship experience: To emphasize the Word and to emphasize our Worship.
We desire to do everything we can to promote and facilitate the teaching of God's Word and our Worship before an almighty God.
It was interesting yesterday. "Tons" of people gone on vacation - however - we had "lots" of visitors!
People coming and people going on vacation.
It is that time of year.
Great staff meeting today.
I am thankful for a great staff - one of the best I have ever ministered with.
I can sense it - and I pray that you do to - that God is going to do a GREAT THING this fall!
Please put these two events on your personal calendars:
Saturday evening, August 24, 2013, at 6:00 P.M. - Holy Spirit Revival service. Worship and a teaching from Dr. Bob Menzies, the foremost Assemblies of God theologian on the subject of the Holy Spirit.
Sunday, September 1, 2013. One service at 10:30 A.M. Church picnic to follow. Teen Challenge will be with us that day in ministry.
Love you all!
I don't know about you, but Debbie and I have been enjoying the cool evenings the past few days.
It has been so nice as we have been taking a walk about the same time in the evening.
Beautiful.
One of the many reasons why we love living in Chicago!
Had a great birthday last Friday.
Many, many thanks to all who called, emailed are sent a card of congratulations!
I appreciate your love!
57 years old!
In some ways, I feel like I am just "coming into my own" concerning ministry.
It is one of those things that we say, "If I knew then what I knew now," kind of thing.
I hope you noticed the two T.V. in the foyer yesterday. These have been placed there in order for our church family to listen to and take note of the important announcements of events in our church (BTW, the TV's were donated).
Our philosophy is that we have two primary goals for our Sunday morning worship experience: To emphasize the Word and to emphasize our Worship.
We desire to do everything we can to promote and facilitate the teaching of God's Word and our Worship before an almighty God.
It was interesting yesterday. "Tons" of people gone on vacation - however - we had "lots" of visitors!
People coming and people going on vacation.
It is that time of year.
Great staff meeting today.
I am thankful for a great staff - one of the best I have ever ministered with.
I can sense it - and I pray that you do to - that God is going to do a GREAT THING this fall!
Please put these two events on your personal calendars:
Saturday evening, August 24, 2013, at 6:00 P.M. - Holy Spirit Revival service. Worship and a teaching from Dr. Bob Menzies, the foremost Assemblies of God theologian on the subject of the Holy Spirit.
Sunday, September 1, 2013. One service at 10:30 A.M. Church picnic to follow. Teen Challenge will be with us that day in ministry.
Love you all!
Thursday, August 01, 2013
Power and machinery
The early Church had little machinery, but they had power.
Jesus said in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Methods are needed.
Administration is needed.
Vision is needed.
Mission is needed.
Purpose statements are needed.
But nothing can or should replace the fact that we need the power of the Holy Spirit (Some people read and study and know the church constitution more than they study the Bible).
One pastor writes, "A young woman, a member of my church, worked in a large umbrella factory (in Philadelphia), at that time considered the largest umbrella factory in the world.
She said to me one say, in a discouraged manner, "Pastor, I'll have to hunt another job."
"What's the matter?" I asked her, "Have they discharged you?"
"No, they haven't discharged me."
"Well, hasn't your factory enough orders to keep going all the time?"
"No, not that at all. They have more orders than they can fill; but they haven't enough electricity to keep all the machines going at once, and my machine has to lie idle part of the week, and I lose so much time and pay. The trouble with the factory is, they have more machinery than power."
Great stuff.
My dear friends, let's not forget that we need the "gas of the Holy Spirit" to run the "car of the church".
A car without gas won't go anywhere.
Why not reinvest yourself in giving more of your energy to receiving God's power - and let God take care of the rest?
Just a thought for a Thursday.
Jesus said in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Methods are needed.
Administration is needed.
Vision is needed.
Mission is needed.
Purpose statements are needed.
But nothing can or should replace the fact that we need the power of the Holy Spirit (Some people read and study and know the church constitution more than they study the Bible).
One pastor writes, "A young woman, a member of my church, worked in a large umbrella factory (in Philadelphia), at that time considered the largest umbrella factory in the world.
She said to me one say, in a discouraged manner, "Pastor, I'll have to hunt another job."
"What's the matter?" I asked her, "Have they discharged you?"
"No, they haven't discharged me."
"Well, hasn't your factory enough orders to keep going all the time?"
"No, not that at all. They have more orders than they can fill; but they haven't enough electricity to keep all the machines going at once, and my machine has to lie idle part of the week, and I lose so much time and pay. The trouble with the factory is, they have more machinery than power."
Great stuff.
My dear friends, let's not forget that we need the "gas of the Holy Spirit" to run the "car of the church".
A car without gas won't go anywhere.
Why not reinvest yourself in giving more of your energy to receiving God's power - and let God take care of the rest?
Just a thought for a Thursday.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
You are not "just" a volunteer!
Some Christians think that God kind of hangs out in the universe somewhere listening to some really good worship music and dialogues about the faith.
But the Bible teaches that God is at work in our lives 24/7 (He never sleeps) - all over the world - and is filling us as His followers with the appointing and the power of His Holy Spirit.
That filling has a purpose - to prompt and propel us to have an influence in the world that we live in.
It is as if God has work gloves on and He calls us to roll up our sleeves and join him in His kingdom work with our talents, our money, our time and our passions.
God's desire is that His mission becomes our mission.
His purpose becomes our purpose.
Do you feel that in your life - as much as I do in my life?
I desire to lay my head on my pillow each evening thinking that I have done everything I could (on any given day) to team up with God to change the southwest side of Chicago.
God has created you to be a world changer.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing like serving Jesus Christ.
Here's what I know: As I serve Christ in ministry - I am ministered to - and as I am ministered to - I am changed!
Whether you are teaching a child how to pray - or guiding someone toward the faith - or helping a husband and a wife reconcile - or serving a meal to a homeless person - or producing an audiotape that puts the Christian message in somebody's hand - serving God not only helps others, it changes you!
As you know, I really like sports.
It is fun to watch a game.
But it is even more fun to play the game.
In the same way, it is wonderful to watch someone minister - but there is nothing like being a participant.
There is nothing like experiencing the joy and the pleasure of ministering for God.
I never, ever feel guilty in asking someone to minister in and outside our church.
Because I know that people who let God lead them to a place of ministry service find an incredible sense of satisfaction and joy.
So, I encourage you today - to find a place of ministry in our church.
Take baby steps of praying about what God wants you to do. Experiment with a place of ministry.
You might feel scared or think that you have too little to offer, but have faith by taking that first step!
And listen, you are not "just" a volunteer!
You are a servant of God in ministry for the King!
Our church could not exist without the hundreds of hours given each month by our fired up volunteers.
There is not enough money in the world to pay for all of the good deeds that desperately need to be done in the name of God in our church and in Chicago.
Without the ministry work hours of volunteers, countless wounds would not be mended, mouths would not be fed, grieving people would not be comforted, broken marriage would not be put back together, lonely people would not be embraced and children would not be nurtured.
We need you!
You might say, "what do I have to offer"?
More than you probably think.
You have giftings and talents that you were born with - passions that inspire you. You, perhaps have the blessing of an education. You have skills that you've learned at home or at work.
You have life experiences that have matured you. You have pain that has developed you.
Those are powerful tools that God has given each one of us so that we might give out to others.
Our culture says, "Indulge yourself, fulfill your desires, satisfy your appetites, pursue pleasure, it's all about you."
Principle: The true way to satisfaction and fulfillment in life is through servanthood.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."
Just a thought for a Wednesday.
But the Bible teaches that God is at work in our lives 24/7 (He never sleeps) - all over the world - and is filling us as His followers with the appointing and the power of His Holy Spirit.
That filling has a purpose - to prompt and propel us to have an influence in the world that we live in.
It is as if God has work gloves on and He calls us to roll up our sleeves and join him in His kingdom work with our talents, our money, our time and our passions.
God's desire is that His mission becomes our mission.
His purpose becomes our purpose.
Do you feel that in your life - as much as I do in my life?
I desire to lay my head on my pillow each evening thinking that I have done everything I could (on any given day) to team up with God to change the southwest side of Chicago.
God has created you to be a world changer.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing like serving Jesus Christ.
Here's what I know: As I serve Christ in ministry - I am ministered to - and as I am ministered to - I am changed!
Whether you are teaching a child how to pray - or guiding someone toward the faith - or helping a husband and a wife reconcile - or serving a meal to a homeless person - or producing an audiotape that puts the Christian message in somebody's hand - serving God not only helps others, it changes you!
As you know, I really like sports.
It is fun to watch a game.
But it is even more fun to play the game.
In the same way, it is wonderful to watch someone minister - but there is nothing like being a participant.
There is nothing like experiencing the joy and the pleasure of ministering for God.
I never, ever feel guilty in asking someone to minister in and outside our church.
Because I know that people who let God lead them to a place of ministry service find an incredible sense of satisfaction and joy.
So, I encourage you today - to find a place of ministry in our church.
Take baby steps of praying about what God wants you to do. Experiment with a place of ministry.
You might feel scared or think that you have too little to offer, but have faith by taking that first step!
And listen, you are not "just" a volunteer!
You are a servant of God in ministry for the King!
Our church could not exist without the hundreds of hours given each month by our fired up volunteers.
There is not enough money in the world to pay for all of the good deeds that desperately need to be done in the name of God in our church and in Chicago.
Without the ministry work hours of volunteers, countless wounds would not be mended, mouths would not be fed, grieving people would not be comforted, broken marriage would not be put back together, lonely people would not be embraced and children would not be nurtured.
We need you!
You might say, "what do I have to offer"?
More than you probably think.
You have giftings and talents that you were born with - passions that inspire you. You, perhaps have the blessing of an education. You have skills that you've learned at home or at work.
You have life experiences that have matured you. You have pain that has developed you.
Those are powerful tools that God has given each one of us so that we might give out to others.
Our culture says, "Indulge yourself, fulfill your desires, satisfy your appetites, pursue pleasure, it's all about you."
Principle: The true way to satisfaction and fulfillment in life is through servanthood.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."
Just a thought for a Wednesday.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
A taste for something else
Most people hate dieting.
I mean despise it.
It is not fun.
So, as a result, most people are miserable as they diet.
It is difficult to not eat what you want and like to eat.
It is difficult to watch others eat what you would normally eat (and like to eat).
So here is what happens: people who diet, spend all of their energy in focusing in on what they CAN'T eat and not on what they CAN eat.
And as a result, they become so irritable and frustrated with the food they have to eat that they can't lose weight, and eventually end of giving up the diet.
Why is that? Because they do not have a taste for the food they need to eat in order to reach their goal. They are only focused on what they can't eat and not on what they can eat.
What's the solution? Can a taste for those things that are good for you to eat.
If you do that, you will naturally eat the right things and get the benefit of eating in a healthy way.
Spiritual application:
If you desire to lose the weight of the world in your life, focus on the good things of the Lord, rather than the bad things of this culture we live in.
Allow the Holy Spirit to change your "tastes."
Begin to develop a craving for the things of the Spirit, God's Word, spiritual conversations with friends, time spend in prayer.
Paul writes in Philippians 4:8, "....whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."
Here's what I know: you and I can't force holiness and godliness in our lives. It can only be accomplished through the Holy Spirit changing us and our cravings and tastes as well.
David prayed in Psalms 63:1, "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water."
Are you thirsty for God?
Are you hungry for God?
Or the things of this world?
Just a thought for a Tuesday.
I mean despise it.
It is not fun.
So, as a result, most people are miserable as they diet.
It is difficult to not eat what you want and like to eat.
It is difficult to watch others eat what you would normally eat (and like to eat).
So here is what happens: people who diet, spend all of their energy in focusing in on what they CAN'T eat and not on what they CAN eat.
And as a result, they become so irritable and frustrated with the food they have to eat that they can't lose weight, and eventually end of giving up the diet.
Why is that? Because they do not have a taste for the food they need to eat in order to reach their goal. They are only focused on what they can't eat and not on what they can eat.
What's the solution? Can a taste for those things that are good for you to eat.
If you do that, you will naturally eat the right things and get the benefit of eating in a healthy way.
Spiritual application:
If you desire to lose the weight of the world in your life, focus on the good things of the Lord, rather than the bad things of this culture we live in.
Allow the Holy Spirit to change your "tastes."
Begin to develop a craving for the things of the Spirit, God's Word, spiritual conversations with friends, time spend in prayer.
Paul writes in Philippians 4:8, "....whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."
Here's what I know: you and I can't force holiness and godliness in our lives. It can only be accomplished through the Holy Spirit changing us and our cravings and tastes as well.
David prayed in Psalms 63:1, "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water."
Are you thirsty for God?
Are you hungry for God?
Or the things of this world?
Just a thought for a Tuesday.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Thoughts from the weekend
Thoughts from the weekend:
Last Saturday morning, I had an excellent meeting with Howie Hansen and Leo Firanek concerning a men's life group for men over 40.
Here are some of the particulars. We will be meeting at Howie's home, 7:00 P.M. once a month, starting on Tuesday, September 17, 2013.
Men, I would ask that you consider putting this on your calendars, and invite others to come as well!
Our desire is to use this as a tool (for the men from our church) to invite their non-churched friends to come to a setting where they feel comfortable.
Great having our daughter, Becky, with us over the weekend.
Lots of first time guests in the second service yesterday.
I love meeting new people.
I love to experience the excitement that new folks bring to our church.
In both services, I enjoyed (was blessed by) the expressions of worship from our church family.
We are all called upon to take ownership of our worship.
God desires your worship. Your love for Him.
No one else can worship for you.
Thanks to our worship team for a great job of ministry yesterday. Way to go Pastor Amanda!
We are all responsible for the information that we receive concerning God's Word and our walk with Him.
Perhaps you have heard hundreds, if not thousands of sermons in your lifetime. You are responsible for the implementation of those sermons (thoughts, principles).
Jesus said in Luke 12:48, "To whom much is given, much is required."
For most of our church family, the issue is not more knowledge, but more implementation of what we already know.
I am very, very, excited about the fall for our church.
So many great events, plans. Let's all continue to pray for a continuing move of the Holy Spirit!
We need you!
You need the church!
Love you all.......
Last Saturday morning, I had an excellent meeting with Howie Hansen and Leo Firanek concerning a men's life group for men over 40.
Here are some of the particulars. We will be meeting at Howie's home, 7:00 P.M. once a month, starting on Tuesday, September 17, 2013.
Men, I would ask that you consider putting this on your calendars, and invite others to come as well!
Our desire is to use this as a tool (for the men from our church) to invite their non-churched friends to come to a setting where they feel comfortable.
Great having our daughter, Becky, with us over the weekend.
Lots of first time guests in the second service yesterday.
I love meeting new people.
I love to experience the excitement that new folks bring to our church.
In both services, I enjoyed (was blessed by) the expressions of worship from our church family.
We are all called upon to take ownership of our worship.
God desires your worship. Your love for Him.
No one else can worship for you.
Thanks to our worship team for a great job of ministry yesterday. Way to go Pastor Amanda!
We are all responsible for the information that we receive concerning God's Word and our walk with Him.
Perhaps you have heard hundreds, if not thousands of sermons in your lifetime. You are responsible for the implementation of those sermons (thoughts, principles).
Jesus said in Luke 12:48, "To whom much is given, much is required."
For most of our church family, the issue is not more knowledge, but more implementation of what we already know.
I am very, very, excited about the fall for our church.
So many great events, plans. Let's all continue to pray for a continuing move of the Holy Spirit!
We need you!
You need the church!
Love you all.......
Thursday, July 25, 2013
One way windows and worship
Here's what I know:
Sometimes people, in any given congregation, think that there is a one-way window that is between the platform and the chairs or pews.
That they can see the people on the stage, but that the people on the stage can't see them.
Coming in late. Choosing not to worship. Bored with worship. Not participating.
OR:
Coming on time. Choosing to worship. Excited about worship. Participating.
Please know this: You are not invisible as you sit or stand out in the audience!
Those of us who minister from the platform do see you!
And we see and know who worships God and who doesn't.
But here is what I also know:
More importantly, God sees your worship!
And God wants you to know that he is concerned about your worship.
Not somebody else's worship. God is concerned about your worship. He longs to hear YOUR words of love, the expressions of YOUR heart, the groanings of YOUR sighs.
God's heart is drawn to you.
Individually.
You might say if not think, "God has all the other people in the congregation today who are worshipping, he doesn't need my worship."
But God is not satisfied unless YOU are pouring out your love to him.
Don't expect someone else to do your worshipping for you.
And when you do, your perspective begins to change.
There is a renewal of your mind and a renewal of your perspective until you begin to be lifted up in y our spirit above all the burdens and trials of your life.
If worship does anything, it lifts us up. It lifts us up above all of the stuff of life.
It is so easy for us to walk into the sanctuary, the chapel, and when we walk in there, to be so consumed mentally with our jobs and our kids and our bills and everything else.
It is so easy to walk in and let all of those other thoughts begin to have command of our mind.
But as you and I focus on God - and fall on our faces before God, he lifts us up.
Peter tells us in I Peter 5:5,6, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."
As we begin to let go of our pride and bow down before God in worship, he begins to lift us up above those jobs and those bills and those heartaches and those broken relationships.
And all of a sudden, we begin to say, God is El Shaddai," or "God is all powerful," "God is Lord over my relationships, my fiances, my job, my health."
I encourage you today to take ownership of your worship - and know that God is watching - with outstretched arms of love.
Just a thought for a Thursday.
Sometimes people, in any given congregation, think that there is a one-way window that is between the platform and the chairs or pews.
That they can see the people on the stage, but that the people on the stage can't see them.
Coming in late. Choosing not to worship. Bored with worship. Not participating.
OR:
Coming on time. Choosing to worship. Excited about worship. Participating.
Please know this: You are not invisible as you sit or stand out in the audience!
Those of us who minister from the platform do see you!
And we see and know who worships God and who doesn't.
But here is what I also know:
More importantly, God sees your worship!
And God wants you to know that he is concerned about your worship.
Not somebody else's worship. God is concerned about your worship. He longs to hear YOUR words of love, the expressions of YOUR heart, the groanings of YOUR sighs.
God's heart is drawn to you.
Individually.
You might say if not think, "God has all the other people in the congregation today who are worshipping, he doesn't need my worship."
But God is not satisfied unless YOU are pouring out your love to him.
Don't expect someone else to do your worshipping for you.
And when you do, your perspective begins to change.
There is a renewal of your mind and a renewal of your perspective until you begin to be lifted up in y our spirit above all the burdens and trials of your life.
If worship does anything, it lifts us up. It lifts us up above all of the stuff of life.
It is so easy for us to walk into the sanctuary, the chapel, and when we walk in there, to be so consumed mentally with our jobs and our kids and our bills and everything else.
It is so easy to walk in and let all of those other thoughts begin to have command of our mind.
But as you and I focus on God - and fall on our faces before God, he lifts us up.
Peter tells us in I Peter 5:5,6, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."
As we begin to let go of our pride and bow down before God in worship, he begins to lift us up above those jobs and those bills and those heartaches and those broken relationships.
And all of a sudden, we begin to say, God is El Shaddai," or "God is all powerful," "God is Lord over my relationships, my fiances, my job, my health."
I encourage you today to take ownership of your worship - and know that God is watching - with outstretched arms of love.
Just a thought for a Thursday.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Trust and temptation
Here's what I know:
I trust you - but I don't trust the tempter.
Author and minister Bob Russell writes:
"When I was a teenager, my mother had a rule: don't ever bring your girlfriend to our house when no one is here. And I'd always say, "Mom, why? Don't you trust me?"
(That can be a tool your kids can use to try to deflect what they are doing or going to do).
Pastor Russell writes, "She always had the same answer. "No. That's too much temptation." She did not say, "It looks bad to other people. I don't trust her; I do trust you." She said, "No, that's too much temptation."
Finally he writes, "I would act like I was really hurt. My own mother doesn't trust me. That's terrible. I'd walk away and deep inside I would think, My mother's pretty sharp. she knows what I'm thinking. My mother believe in the sin nature - that it needed to be restrained more than my self-esteem needed to be boosted. Otherwise, maybe I wouldn't be here today."
So with those around you, let them know that you do trust them - but you don't trust the enemy of our souls who is out to destroy us.
Just a thought for a Wednesday.
I trust you - but I don't trust the tempter.
Author and minister Bob Russell writes:
"When I was a teenager, my mother had a rule: don't ever bring your girlfriend to our house when no one is here. And I'd always say, "Mom, why? Don't you trust me?"
(That can be a tool your kids can use to try to deflect what they are doing or going to do).
Pastor Russell writes, "She always had the same answer. "No. That's too much temptation." She did not say, "It looks bad to other people. I don't trust her; I do trust you." She said, "No, that's too much temptation."
Finally he writes, "I would act like I was really hurt. My own mother doesn't trust me. That's terrible. I'd walk away and deep inside I would think, My mother's pretty sharp. she knows what I'm thinking. My mother believe in the sin nature - that it needed to be restrained more than my self-esteem needed to be boosted. Otherwise, maybe I wouldn't be here today."
So with those around you, let them know that you do trust them - but you don't trust the enemy of our souls who is out to destroy us.
Just a thought for a Wednesday.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
The advice you didn't ask for
Everyone once in a while, someone will approach me and give me their advice (opinion) on an aspect of church life.
Some of the time it is helpful, other times it goes in "one ear and out the other", other times still, it is some form of negativism that it difficult to hear.
(I was sharing with someone today that the first six months in our new church facility I almost emotionally drowned from the unsolicited advice that came as to our new building - and how to use it. It was a horrible season of my ministry life).
So, how do you deal with unsolicited advice?
I was reading about an article in the Wall Street Journal that summarized a series of studies which proved what many people may know from experience - that giving advice isn't always helpful, in any sphere of life.
Let's take marriage as an example. Researchers at the University of Iowa conducted a series of six studies that tracked 100 couples for the first seven years of their marriage.
They conclude that both husbands and wives felt lower marital satisfaction when they were given too much advice from a spouse, as opposed to too little (some would call that nagging).
The researchers focused on a fundamental biblical principle: serve your spouse, or put the needs of your spouse ahead of your needs.
Their conclusions?
Let me give them to you in bullet points (on how to give unsolicited advice):
- Make sure the person your are giving advice too (spouse, co-worker, boss, pastor) actually wants your help. You do this by asking a simple question. "Would you like some ideas on that?"
- Stop and listen. Some times listening is even more effective than giving advice.
- Tell a story instead of giving a principle. I learned that from a friend of mine about 10 years ago. We would be in a situation at the church, and instead of telling us "what to do" he would tell a story from his own life or a story that he had heard - with the punch line being exactly what we needed to hear.
Now then, how do you handle "unsolicited advice"?
- Be gracious.
- Respond with a "thank you," to acknowledge the thought.
- Share that they have "given you a lot to think about".
- Tell them that at the time, you weren't looking for advice. This allows for the possibility that down the road you may want advice. Then explain what would be helpful to you.
The key phrase? Here's one that I use: "you may be right." That way you aren't committing yourself to their thought - either positively or negatively.
Just some thoughts for a Tuesday.
Some of the time it is helpful, other times it goes in "one ear and out the other", other times still, it is some form of negativism that it difficult to hear.
(I was sharing with someone today that the first six months in our new church facility I almost emotionally drowned from the unsolicited advice that came as to our new building - and how to use it. It was a horrible season of my ministry life).
So, how do you deal with unsolicited advice?
I was reading about an article in the Wall Street Journal that summarized a series of studies which proved what many people may know from experience - that giving advice isn't always helpful, in any sphere of life.
Let's take marriage as an example. Researchers at the University of Iowa conducted a series of six studies that tracked 100 couples for the first seven years of their marriage.
They conclude that both husbands and wives felt lower marital satisfaction when they were given too much advice from a spouse, as opposed to too little (some would call that nagging).
The researchers focused on a fundamental biblical principle: serve your spouse, or put the needs of your spouse ahead of your needs.
Their conclusions?
Let me give them to you in bullet points (on how to give unsolicited advice):
- Make sure the person your are giving advice too (spouse, co-worker, boss, pastor) actually wants your help. You do this by asking a simple question. "Would you like some ideas on that?"
- Stop and listen. Some times listening is even more effective than giving advice.
- Tell a story instead of giving a principle. I learned that from a friend of mine about 10 years ago. We would be in a situation at the church, and instead of telling us "what to do" he would tell a story from his own life or a story that he had heard - with the punch line being exactly what we needed to hear.
Now then, how do you handle "unsolicited advice"?
- Be gracious.
- Respond with a "thank you," to acknowledge the thought.
- Share that they have "given you a lot to think about".
- Tell them that at the time, you weren't looking for advice. This allows for the possibility that down the road you may want advice. Then explain what would be helpful to you.
The key phrase? Here's one that I use: "you may be right." That way you aren't committing yourself to their thought - either positively or negatively.
Just some thoughts for a Tuesday.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Thoughts from the weekend
Thoughts from the weekend:
Many, many thanks to our staff for their hard work and time in ministry while I was away.
I understand that both Charlie and Aldin preached effectively and well! Thank you to you both!
It is nice to know that the "pulpit" is in capable hands while I am gone!
Looking forward to a great fall - lots of wonderful events coming up!
I want you to know, Stone Church family, how much we love and appreciate you!
Lots going on in the world - much to pray about. Truly we are living in the end times - Maranatha - even so, come Lord Jesus!
I encourage you to be in prayer with me for the fall - Holy Spirit come to us in a powerful way!
Change our hearts, Lord!
I love Jesus, how about you?
Many, many thanks to our staff for their hard work and time in ministry while I was away.
I understand that both Charlie and Aldin preached effectively and well! Thank you to you both!
It is nice to know that the "pulpit" is in capable hands while I am gone!
Looking forward to a great fall - lots of wonderful events coming up!
I want you to know, Stone Church family, how much we love and appreciate you!
Lots going on in the world - much to pray about. Truly we are living in the end times - Maranatha - even so, come Lord Jesus!
I encourage you to be in prayer with me for the fall - Holy Spirit come to us in a powerful way!
Change our hearts, Lord!
I love Jesus, how about you?
Wednesday, July 03, 2013
Signs you need to leave the church you are attending
I found something yesterday that was so true that I had to share with it with you.
Have you ever thought about leaving the church you are attending?
Probably.
Many do.
Some go from church to church to church, seeking the perfect church.
BTW, when you find the perfect church, you will have to go somewhere else - because no one is perfect and you will bring your imperfections into that perfect situation!
Anyway, Pastor Nathan Rouse has written the following (Note: It is written "tongue in cheek". In other words, it is a sad, but true and humorous commentary on the reasons why people leave a church).
Pastor Rouse writes:
"There are a ton of reasons you should pick up and walk away from your commitment to your church family. I’ve narrowed it down to the top 5. Be on the lookout for these signs….If you see them get out!
Have you ever thought about leaving the church you are attending?
Probably.
Many do.
Some go from church to church to church, seeking the perfect church.
BTW, when you find the perfect church, you will have to go somewhere else - because no one is perfect and you will bring your imperfections into that perfect situation!
Anyway, Pastor Nathan Rouse has written the following (Note: It is written "tongue in cheek". In other words, it is a sad, but true and humorous commentary on the reasons why people leave a church).
Pastor Rouse writes:
"There are a ton of reasons you should pick up and walk away from your commitment to your church family. I’ve narrowed it down to the top 5. Be on the lookout for these signs….If you see them get out!
1. Someone offended you. At any point that you feel your feelings are hurt you should
leave. Make sure you look for the subtle signs that people don’t like you:
someone walking by and not saying “hi”, not being invited along with a group,
not being thanked for something you did, a point in a sermon that made you feel
uncomfortable, someone doesn’t notice that you weren’t at church because of the
other hundreds of people in the room. If you’re offended it must be a good
enough reason to leave. Go with that emotion.
2. You don’t “feel” like you’re being fed. This is really important. You need to
purposely forget that your pastor is moving a large group of people from across
a wide spectrum in their faith experience to maturity. Make an effort to avoid
other discipleship opportunities like Life Groups and classes. It’s completely
understandable that you would blame your pastor for your lack of discipline in
feeding yourself the Word during the week. Make it a point to have a view that
it’s really all about you instead of investing in helping others around you
grow.
3. Your Son or Daughter isn’t happy there. In today’s child centered world this makes
sense to leave your church if you’re child says they don’t want to go. What’s
great about this one is it gives you an opportunity to model for your kids what
you should do when something is not done your way: leave. Besides your child
must know best….I mean they are the child. Whatever you do don’t teach them to
adapt, appreciate the differences in others or model ongoing faithfulness. Get
out before they plant roots.
4. Your area of passion is not being promoted enough. If the leadership team at your church doesn’t
promote your area of involvement you should find the nearest exit sign. It’s
obvious that the reason the pastor is refusing to do this is because he doesn’t
like you and not because he has a million other important plates that need to
be spun. Here is your chance to read sign #1 and be offended.
5. You made a mistake and a leader brings accountability. When you committed to follow the pastoral leaders
of your church you certainly didn’t mean you wanted them to help you grow by
holding you accountable. Who needs to submit? Not you! Don’t be sharpened by
the experience or walk through restoration. Why should you when there’s another
church down the street that doesn’t know anything about your issues and will
welcome you with open arms.
(Important Note: If
you decide to hit the door because of these valid reasons, make sure you share
your reasons with as many people as possible.
Question: What’s better
than leaving your church?
Answer: Taking People
with you!)"
Just some thoughts for a Wednesday.
Tuesday, July 02, 2013
Preparing for God to move
We are praying for a move of God - but are we prepared for that move?
Are you, yourself, preparing for God's move? Are you actively preparing yourself and our church for what He wants to do?
Or are you relying on others?
Are you relying on others to pray - to promote - to plan - and to prepare?
What if the catalyst for the next great move of God at Stone Church was entirely dependent upon you?
It is a challenge for you today:
Get your hands dirty, get down in the trenches, fight the way for God's Kingdom to come rushing in.
I encourage you to find your place so that when the wind of God's Holy Spirit blows again, you will be operating and flowing in the Spirit, right were He needs you to be.
You may have dreams and vision (for yourself and/or for our church) of the future, and that's good, but I would suggest that NOW is the time to aggressively pursue the call of God on your life.
You can't learn to play the piano or ski or anything else without beginning, practicing, taking lessons, and trying. So what if you fail! Try again!
It doesn't matter how old you are - nor how young. Learn. Grow. Plan. Volunteer. Dream big and pursue those dreams
Separate yourself from those who are only dreaming about doing something - and then do it!
Get out of the rut you are in. Get up out of the dullness of your life and purse with strength what God has given you to do.
I sense that you are dissatisfied with the direction your life is going. Well, then, Let me encourage you that God's got something better for you, but YOU have to chase it down.
Be aggressive with the Spirit of God and begin declaring that you will not just "wait and see" how things turn out, but that you will do it.
Anyway, just a thought for a Tuesday.
Are you, yourself, preparing for God's move? Are you actively preparing yourself and our church for what He wants to do?
Or are you relying on others?
Are you relying on others to pray - to promote - to plan - and to prepare?
What if the catalyst for the next great move of God at Stone Church was entirely dependent upon you?
It is a challenge for you today:
Get your hands dirty, get down in the trenches, fight the way for God's Kingdom to come rushing in.
I encourage you to find your place so that when the wind of God's Holy Spirit blows again, you will be operating and flowing in the Spirit, right were He needs you to be.
You may have dreams and vision (for yourself and/or for our church) of the future, and that's good, but I would suggest that NOW is the time to aggressively pursue the call of God on your life.
You can't learn to play the piano or ski or anything else without beginning, practicing, taking lessons, and trying. So what if you fail! Try again!
It doesn't matter how old you are - nor how young. Learn. Grow. Plan. Volunteer. Dream big and pursue those dreams
Separate yourself from those who are only dreaming about doing something - and then do it!
Get out of the rut you are in. Get up out of the dullness of your life and purse with strength what God has given you to do.
I sense that you are dissatisfied with the direction your life is going. Well, then, Let me encourage you that God's got something better for you, but YOU have to chase it down.
Be aggressive with the Spirit of God and begin declaring that you will not just "wait and see" how things turn out, but that you will do it.
Anyway, just a thought for a Tuesday.
Monday, July 01, 2013
Thoughts from the weekend
Thoughts from the weekend
We are so blessed to have Charlie and Heather with us at Stone Church as our youth pastors!
They have already shown us that they are hard workers - pro-active - and self-motivated!
Thank you Lord for your faithfulness to your people!
Scheduled most of our guest speakers for 2014 - some powerful, anointed preachers are coming to share!
Had a wonderful time at Brendon and Wendy's home - having dinner on Saturday evening. Delicious food, wonderful time of fellowship! Thank you Brendon and Wendy!
Many, many thanks to our choir that sang so beautifully yesterday. Uplifting. Encouraging. Powerful. Perfect songs to help us usher in a week where we celebrate the birthday of our nation.
Great job, Pastor Amanda!
It was a blessing to me (and by the word, "blessing" I mean an encouragement, a spiritual sense of satisfaction as a pastoral shepherd) to see the people of God in worship in both services yesterday - as we lifted our voices to God - asking Him to "give us faith," for the impossible.
God wants to blow through the "8 foot ceilings" of our lives!
Let's not put God in a box. Let's dream big!
Thanks for your faithfulness in giving - especially during the summer time.
Looking forward to sharing this Sunday - Genesis 16 - "What to do when you are in a season of waiting upon God."
None of us is very patient - yet patience is a virtue that can only be ultimately achieved through the presence of God's Holy Spirit in our lives.
My desire is that we continue to seek after a powerful expression of God's presence.
Come Holy Spirit - we need you!
We are so blessed to have Charlie and Heather with us at Stone Church as our youth pastors!
They have already shown us that they are hard workers - pro-active - and self-motivated!
Thank you Lord for your faithfulness to your people!
Scheduled most of our guest speakers for 2014 - some powerful, anointed preachers are coming to share!
Had a wonderful time at Brendon and Wendy's home - having dinner on Saturday evening. Delicious food, wonderful time of fellowship! Thank you Brendon and Wendy!
Many, many thanks to our choir that sang so beautifully yesterday. Uplifting. Encouraging. Powerful. Perfect songs to help us usher in a week where we celebrate the birthday of our nation.
Great job, Pastor Amanda!
It was a blessing to me (and by the word, "blessing" I mean an encouragement, a spiritual sense of satisfaction as a pastoral shepherd) to see the people of God in worship in both services yesterday - as we lifted our voices to God - asking Him to "give us faith," for the impossible.
God wants to blow through the "8 foot ceilings" of our lives!
Let's not put God in a box. Let's dream big!
Thanks for your faithfulness in giving - especially during the summer time.
Looking forward to sharing this Sunday - Genesis 16 - "What to do when you are in a season of waiting upon God."
None of us is very patient - yet patience is a virtue that can only be ultimately achieved through the presence of God's Holy Spirit in our lives.
My desire is that we continue to seek after a powerful expression of God's presence.
Come Holy Spirit - we need you!
Thursday, June 20, 2013
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 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?
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
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.
Monday, June 17, 2013
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......
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......
Thursday, June 13, 2013
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.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
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.
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.
Monday, June 10, 2013
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"!
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"!
Thursday, June 06, 2013
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
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.
I am sooooo glad that God doesn't hold grudges.
Just a thought for a Wednesday.
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.
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
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. :)
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. :)
Monday, June 03, 2013
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.....
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.....
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