I was thinking this morning about a phrase that I heard our guest, Roy Brewer use last Sunday. In referring to the body of Christ he said, "We 'traffic' in unlived truth. We too often speak about things we don't actually follow."
Youch!
I find it almost humorous that someone who is not a Christian will read that statement and think to themselves, "All Christians are hypocrites." If this is our behavior they're right. People outside the church have preconceptions and expectations about what it means to be a Christian regardless of what they know about God or the Bible. The great question is, who is setting the example for these perceptions? We are. Christians at times get caught up in our traditions instead of the reality of Scripture to determine what a real live believer is supposed to be. It is like we haven't read the Scripture either. The truth is, sometimes this perception IS reality.
Gordon Maxwell was a missionary to India. While attempting to find someone to teach him the language, a Hindu teacher said of the missionary, "No man can live with you and not become a Christian." Now there's a perception that we want to be a reality...
The Bible says, "...without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14b, NIV). Without this kind of example, non-believers won't have a chance of seeing the Lord either. Our part in holiness can be described as a long obedience in the same direction of knowing Jesus Christ. It means knowing the Bible, walking with the Spirit and drawing near to God in consistent conversation with Him. Sound mystical to some of us? That's why we call it the FAITH Journey!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
On Slaughtering Cattle
I've just returned from a leadership meeting for our state denomination. As I reflect I realize that it was one of those surprising events that takes place in one's life. You know what I'm talking about; those days when "the heavens part and the angels sing!" Our organization needs deep change and our talks the last few days have now turned into action.
I was shocked by the complete lack of pretense and the over-reaching effort to do the right thing no matter how hard it was.
Doing the right thing is often the hard thing. There is an old phrase, "It takes a long time to turn the Queen Mary around." That is so true of organizations like denominations. It can also be true of the local church...and our personal lives. What gets things moving is asking the hard questions and expecting the hard answers, no matter how much pain is involved. Most of the population hates this kind of process. The truth be told, most of the population won't ask the questions in the first place. The great struggle is that some way, some how we get invested in what we've been doing the same way for so long. Instead of recognizing "how" we did things in the past, we turn those "how's" into religious icons that will never see the scrap pile. Man-made traditions suddenly come from "some place in the Bible." It kind of reminds me of the sacred cows who actually walk the streets of many Asian cities as part of the Hindu religion. They are 'sacred' and therefore not to be bothered or slaughtered, even though there are people on those same streets who are dying of hunger. Sometimes those very organizations, churches and personal lives that we love so much are dying for change.
We all need to slaughter some cattle every now and then.
The Bible says in Philippians 1:6, ...being confident of this, that he [God] who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (NIV). Did you notice from that passage that God isn't finished with you and I yet? That's why we need to ask the hard questions, so that we can get real and allow God to do what He needs to do in our lives.
So, what holds you back from being all that God has created you to be? If you'll look, that's where you'll find a corral...
I was shocked by the complete lack of pretense and the over-reaching effort to do the right thing no matter how hard it was.
Doing the right thing is often the hard thing. There is an old phrase, "It takes a long time to turn the Queen Mary around." That is so true of organizations like denominations. It can also be true of the local church...and our personal lives. What gets things moving is asking the hard questions and expecting the hard answers, no matter how much pain is involved. Most of the population hates this kind of process. The truth be told, most of the population won't ask the questions in the first place. The great struggle is that some way, some how we get invested in what we've been doing the same way for so long. Instead of recognizing "how" we did things in the past, we turn those "how's" into religious icons that will never see the scrap pile. Man-made traditions suddenly come from "some place in the Bible." It kind of reminds me of the sacred cows who actually walk the streets of many Asian cities as part of the Hindu religion. They are 'sacred' and therefore not to be bothered or slaughtered, even though there are people on those same streets who are dying of hunger. Sometimes those very organizations, churches and personal lives that we love so much are dying for change.
We all need to slaughter some cattle every now and then.
The Bible says in Philippians 1:6, ...being confident of this, that he [God] who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (NIV). Did you notice from that passage that God isn't finished with you and I yet? That's why we need to ask the hard questions, so that we can get real and allow God to do what He needs to do in our lives.
So, what holds you back from being all that God has created you to be? If you'll look, that's where you'll find a corral...
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Children's Ministry
This morning I'm writing from a vacation home in Sun River. I'm here meeting in a leadership setting with other pastors and wives from across the state on behalf of our denomination. In a "get to know each other" session last night, Tami and I heard the various stories of how people came to know Jesus Christ as Savior. About half of those present did so as children.
I'm among them.
I was raised in a Christian home. My parents, Stan and Bev Johnson love Jesus Christ and consistently positioned their three children to be in church to hear the greatest news ever told. I made numerous "decisions" to follow Christ during Sunday School as a youngster, but I remember that the defining moment for me was when I was seven. I was at my first week of summer camp ever at Mirror Lake Bible Camp in Federal Way, Washington. I was joking last night that I was a "hold out," waiting until the last night to respond to the message!
I remember that the evangelist's name was Shirley Babbashof. I don't know if that is how you spell her last name -- I just remember that she told the story of Pilgrim's Progress that week, the classic allegorical story by John Bunyan. By the end of the week she had us on the edge of our seats with her gift of weaving a story so elementary-aged children could understand, deftly using her flannel board with great effectiveness. When the altar call was given, we stormed to the front of the chapel. I remember the profound conversion I had, sensing the weight of the sin of my life fall away. Yes, I had sin in my life when I was seven. So did you. I remember crying my eyes out, and that I left that place that night with a great sense of freedom.
In the years that followed, I wasn't perfect and still am not. But amazingly that profound experience continues to carry me through until today. The pastors and their wives in the room last night who were fortunate enough to come to Christ as children missed a good portion of the pain that comes from a life outside of relationship with the living God. Oh that we all would be so fortunate!
I'm thinking about the children in our church, and how vitally important that ministry is! My kids will remember their teachers, the children's church classes and the fun. But most of all they will remember a foundation being laid that will help them follow God all the days of their lives. Children's ministry is vitally important, and so are the people who impact these precious young lives.
I'm among them.
I was raised in a Christian home. My parents, Stan and Bev Johnson love Jesus Christ and consistently positioned their three children to be in church to hear the greatest news ever told. I made numerous "decisions" to follow Christ during Sunday School as a youngster, but I remember that the defining moment for me was when I was seven. I was at my first week of summer camp ever at Mirror Lake Bible Camp in Federal Way, Washington. I was joking last night that I was a "hold out," waiting until the last night to respond to the message!
I remember that the evangelist's name was Shirley Babbashof. I don't know if that is how you spell her last name -- I just remember that she told the story of Pilgrim's Progress that week, the classic allegorical story by John Bunyan. By the end of the week she had us on the edge of our seats with her gift of weaving a story so elementary-aged children could understand, deftly using her flannel board with great effectiveness. When the altar call was given, we stormed to the front of the chapel. I remember the profound conversion I had, sensing the weight of the sin of my life fall away. Yes, I had sin in my life when I was seven. So did you. I remember crying my eyes out, and that I left that place that night with a great sense of freedom.
In the years that followed, I wasn't perfect and still am not. But amazingly that profound experience continues to carry me through until today. The pastors and their wives in the room last night who were fortunate enough to come to Christ as children missed a good portion of the pain that comes from a life outside of relationship with the living God. Oh that we all would be so fortunate!
I'm thinking about the children in our church, and how vitally important that ministry is! My kids will remember their teachers, the children's church classes and the fun. But most of all they will remember a foundation being laid that will help them follow God all the days of their lives. Children's ministry is vitally important, and so are the people who impact these precious young lives.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Seriously
We've just finished our meetings with Roy Brewer over the weekend. I very much enjoyed his Saturday session with our men's gathering on the subject of humor being a medicine (see Proverbs 17:22 among many others). He made one of the best quotes I've heard in a while. Here it is: "Too many take themselves too seriously and God not seriously enough." I get it completely.
Sometimes we can get ours emotions wound up so tightly that we can't see anyone but ourselves. That's when we are grumpy, lash out at others and are just plain ugly people because we have no perspective. If all I see is "me," then I will never see God or His beauty in others. If we take ourselves less seriously and God more seriously, then I will begin seeing others as God sees them.
After church on Sunday at the potluck I was talking with a new Christian who was describing the beginnings of their faith journey. It was so refreshing because this person was moving from having been judgmental of others to praying for others. I told them that their next step was to begin seeing completely past what people were wearing/their occupation/their "whatever" that in the natural this new Christian would have rejected in their past. Christ puts a love in our hearts in such a way that we can see people how He sees them. Christ loves everyone. When we learn this principle, we will be driven to pray for others out of compassion, and not because we have any tinge of being judgmental.
The faith journey is an adventure. In fact, that statement is also the sub-heading of this blog. When we shrink back and take ourselves too seriously and God not seriously enough, the adventure comes to a stand still. You can become judgmental about everything. You complain about way too many things.
I've noticed the past week that the Blue Jays are in town. They are magnificent looking birds, a little on the large size in comparison to robins and swallows. They come in proudly, robbing the tree outside of my office window of its' plums, and move about in a dominating way. Yes they are beautiful. But they are also killers. These are the kind of birds that rob the nests of other species, killing and eating their young. People consumed with themselves do the same thing. They may even come into the church looking good, but their focus is so small that they eventually kill the spirit of others. How sad...and wicked.
Sometimes we can get ours emotions wound up so tightly that we can't see anyone but ourselves. That's when we are grumpy, lash out at others and are just plain ugly people because we have no perspective. If all I see is "me," then I will never see God or His beauty in others. If we take ourselves less seriously and God more seriously, then I will begin seeing others as God sees them.
After church on Sunday at the potluck I was talking with a new Christian who was describing the beginnings of their faith journey. It was so refreshing because this person was moving from having been judgmental of others to praying for others. I told them that their next step was to begin seeing completely past what people were wearing/their occupation/their "whatever" that in the natural this new Christian would have rejected in their past. Christ puts a love in our hearts in such a way that we can see people how He sees them. Christ loves everyone. When we learn this principle, we will be driven to pray for others out of compassion, and not because we have any tinge of being judgmental.
The faith journey is an adventure. In fact, that statement is also the sub-heading of this blog. When we shrink back and take ourselves too seriously and God not seriously enough, the adventure comes to a stand still. You can become judgmental about everything. You complain about way too many things.
I've noticed the past week that the Blue Jays are in town. They are magnificent looking birds, a little on the large size in comparison to robins and swallows. They come in proudly, robbing the tree outside of my office window of its' plums, and move about in a dominating way. Yes they are beautiful. But they are also killers. These are the kind of birds that rob the nests of other species, killing and eating their young. People consumed with themselves do the same thing. They may even come into the church looking good, but their focus is so small that they eventually kill the spirit of others. How sad...and wicked.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Integrity and Respect
I was watching the Today Show this morning on NBC after my workout. On it they had an author of children's books. Apparently the man wrote books for young adults but is now branching back into children's literature. Interviewer Matt Lauer made an excellent point that while the books speak about current issues and problems that children face, that the endings of this man's books were by-in-large happy ones. Lauer's point was that not all of our childhood problems and issues have happy endings.
As we've been looking at the issue of healing on Sunday mornings, it dawns on me that for the Christian each one has a happy ending. Vance Allen spoke during the message last Sunday about how he has struggled with a life-controlling illness and the journey he's been on to trust God and understand that He is still bigger than this thing. Unless God heals him, Vance will die with his malady. But in heaven he will receive the ultimate healing.
Life isn't fair. We don't always get what we believe we deserve. We get short-sheeted, short-changed, short-"whatever-erd!" Sometimes what we believe we deserve doesn't reflect reality either. The now notorious ex-football player O.J. Simpson understands this fact firsthand. He and some friends recently decided to unlawfully enter a hotel room in Las Vegas to retrieve items that he believed belonged to him. He might even be right. But he will pay the price for how he went about trying to get the items back.
A hard principle to embrace in the midst of difficulty is that of integrity. Regardless of what we are confronted by, we have the great need to keep ourselves in check so we can make the right moves. Wrong moves lead to confinement or reduction of privileges. Right moves lead to the respect of others.
As we've been looking at the issue of healing on Sunday mornings, it dawns on me that for the Christian each one has a happy ending. Vance Allen spoke during the message last Sunday about how he has struggled with a life-controlling illness and the journey he's been on to trust God and understand that He is still bigger than this thing. Unless God heals him, Vance will die with his malady. But in heaven he will receive the ultimate healing.
Life isn't fair. We don't always get what we believe we deserve. We get short-sheeted, short-changed, short-"whatever-erd!" Sometimes what we believe we deserve doesn't reflect reality either. The now notorious ex-football player O.J. Simpson understands this fact firsthand. He and some friends recently decided to unlawfully enter a hotel room in Las Vegas to retrieve items that he believed belonged to him. He might even be right. But he will pay the price for how he went about trying to get the items back.
A hard principle to embrace in the midst of difficulty is that of integrity. Regardless of what we are confronted by, we have the great need to keep ourselves in check so we can make the right moves. Wrong moves lead to confinement or reduction of privileges. Right moves lead to the respect of others.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
This Weekend's Meetings
I've received the confirmation of details from Roy Brewer for our conference this weekend at Faith. It is going to be a tremendous time! The gender meetings for Saturday at 10 AM are set, the rooms are set and the refreshments are coming. Your middle school and high school students are invited to attend.
Sunday's meetings at 9:30 AM (Session 1) and 10:30 AM (Session 2) are set and the worship team is coming.
Only two other's that we need to be sure are coming...you and the presence of God!
Pray now for our meetings this weekend, that they would be heart-felt, powerful and life-changing. Plan now to be there for this important time in this season of our congregation!
Sunday's meetings at 9:30 AM (Session 1) and 10:30 AM (Session 2) are set and the worship team is coming.
Only two other's that we need to be sure are coming...you and the presence of God!
Pray now for our meetings this weekend, that they would be heart-felt, powerful and life-changing. Plan now to be there for this important time in this season of our congregation!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Out for a Run
My gym partner Jeff took me out for a run today. It consisted of lots of short bursts intermingled with even shorter periods of looking for a wall to lean against. I'm completely wiped out after this morning!
We used the elliptical machines for about 20 minutes and then moved over and played two games on the racquetball court. That's where he took me for a run. The good players generally stay in one spot and hit the ball; the bad players run all over the place trying to hit the ball. As it turns out, I was the latter, and was none too successful at it either!
I really like racquetball. The problem is, it doesn't like me very much right now. I haven't played for a long time and Jeff has been taking it easy on me. I'm still running. The best score I've yet to post in a single game is 5. I think it was due to the fact that he slipped out of the court for a couple points that game to get a drink of water. I didn't even notice. I'm so used to talking to myself on these gym days (Monday through Friday!) that I didn't even realize he had slipped away.
Okay, so I'm exaggerating...except for the running part. But I need this.
There are a lot of things in life that we don't enjoy doing. I'm not enjoying being at the gym because my body keeps saying "no" and "please stop!" But I press on because I know that it is helping me live longer. Besides, Jeff is there and being a guy myself I refuse to give up that easily. I don't care if he whips me every time we play; it only matters right now that I'm playing. And by the way -- I'm quite a ways off before I can even get close to being competitive with him.
The closest thing in Scripture that I can think of that correlates to the misery I feel on the elliptical machine, racquetball court or in the weight room is found in James. You know the passage. It says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4 NIV).
That's me right now in regard to my physical body.
Working out has a lot of spiritual parallels. One that isn't Biblical is the mis-interpretation of where the Apostle Paul talks about "buffeting" his body (2 Corinthians 12:7). Somehow all these years I thought he was talking about a buffet, the kind of place you eat at... Then again, I notice in the passage that it was a messenger of Satan who put him in that position. I guess that it is safe for me to presume right now that buffets are of the devil. This may be one of my least favorite interpretations of all. I love buffets.
The bottom line? Be careful what you love because you will soon become like it.
We used the elliptical machines for about 20 minutes and then moved over and played two games on the racquetball court. That's where he took me for a run. The good players generally stay in one spot and hit the ball; the bad players run all over the place trying to hit the ball. As it turns out, I was the latter, and was none too successful at it either!
I really like racquetball. The problem is, it doesn't like me very much right now. I haven't played for a long time and Jeff has been taking it easy on me. I'm still running. The best score I've yet to post in a single game is 5. I think it was due to the fact that he slipped out of the court for a couple points that game to get a drink of water. I didn't even notice. I'm so used to talking to myself on these gym days (Monday through Friday!) that I didn't even realize he had slipped away.
Okay, so I'm exaggerating...except for the running part. But I need this.
There are a lot of things in life that we don't enjoy doing. I'm not enjoying being at the gym because my body keeps saying "no" and "please stop!" But I press on because I know that it is helping me live longer. Besides, Jeff is there and being a guy myself I refuse to give up that easily. I don't care if he whips me every time we play; it only matters right now that I'm playing. And by the way -- I'm quite a ways off before I can even get close to being competitive with him.
The closest thing in Scripture that I can think of that correlates to the misery I feel on the elliptical machine, racquetball court or in the weight room is found in James. You know the passage. It says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4 NIV).
That's me right now in regard to my physical body.
Working out has a lot of spiritual parallels. One that isn't Biblical is the mis-interpretation of where the Apostle Paul talks about "buffeting" his body (2 Corinthians 12:7). Somehow all these years I thought he was talking about a buffet, the kind of place you eat at... Then again, I notice in the passage that it was a messenger of Satan who put him in that position. I guess that it is safe for me to presume right now that buffets are of the devil. This may be one of my least favorite interpretations of all. I love buffets.
The bottom line? Be careful what you love because you will soon become like it.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Download Time
I heard something incredibly humorous yesterday. I was speaking with Carol Donadio about what her topic would be at this Saturday's women's meeting (as part of our conference on the Holy Spirit). What caught my attention was that she said that she had received a "download" from God. People used to say that they'd "heard from heaven," or "heard from God," or that "God had spoken to their heart about ___________." It made me howl! Even though the terminology changes, people can still receive direction from heaven!
I was writing this summer while on sabbatical how prayer is hard work. Sometimes we can go weeks and months and not sense a breakthrough. While we can't trust our feelings and talking to God is a normal part of the Christian life, we don't always get "downloads" (I'm really liking that phrase!). I wrote one day that there are seasons in my life that I'm better at writing programs to help get people to pray than praying myself. Isn't that how you feel sometimes? When we go through those dry spells prayer becomes, well, laborious. You may find this a little hard to believe but the first month of my time away from the congregation this summer I had one of those seasons where I felt like I was playing racquetball against the ceiling. Praying? Yes. Hearing from God's heart? Nope, nada and zero.
Boy did I HAVE PLANS for my time away. After the first month I felt like I probably would be better served if I just went back to the office. Things did begin to "move" after that. But it wasn't until about week seven that I began to settle down enough to look back over my time and journal to see the big picture. It was at that point that the usual happened; I realized that God's plans were much bigger than my own. Sometimes those episodes when God seems silent actually roars louder than Niagara Falls. I experienced several life-giving insights and course corrections. It was an awesome "download."
Churches and people go through seasons. We are definitely in a remarkable period right now. It has been marvelous to see so many at the altar on Sunday, being prayed for to receive healing, help, provision, whatever - you fill in the blank. Even greater has been the Lord's touch in so many individual lives and the testimonies that we are starting to have flow into the office.
When we have a cloud-burst here on the high desert, I can look out of my office window and see the water come off of the building where two roofs come together. The water can actually shoot strait out from the hip of the roof, creating a severe divot 12 feet away into the middle of the little courtyard off of the North entrance. From my vantage point I'm almost underneath the waterfall. Of course it makes a pretty good sound. Perhaps that is what we are experiencing right now, a small deluge of some kind. I guess I'm looking forward to hearing the roar of Niagara...out loud. I'm thinking that this will probably require a little more openness on all of our part for more "download" time.
I was writing this summer while on sabbatical how prayer is hard work. Sometimes we can go weeks and months and not sense a breakthrough. While we can't trust our feelings and talking to God is a normal part of the Christian life, we don't always get "downloads" (I'm really liking that phrase!). I wrote one day that there are seasons in my life that I'm better at writing programs to help get people to pray than praying myself. Isn't that how you feel sometimes? When we go through those dry spells prayer becomes, well, laborious. You may find this a little hard to believe but the first month of my time away from the congregation this summer I had one of those seasons where I felt like I was playing racquetball against the ceiling. Praying? Yes. Hearing from God's heart? Nope, nada and zero.
Boy did I HAVE PLANS for my time away. After the first month I felt like I probably would be better served if I just went back to the office. Things did begin to "move" after that. But it wasn't until about week seven that I began to settle down enough to look back over my time and journal to see the big picture. It was at that point that the usual happened; I realized that God's plans were much bigger than my own. Sometimes those episodes when God seems silent actually roars louder than Niagara Falls. I experienced several life-giving insights and course corrections. It was an awesome "download."
Churches and people go through seasons. We are definitely in a remarkable period right now. It has been marvelous to see so many at the altar on Sunday, being prayed for to receive healing, help, provision, whatever - you fill in the blank. Even greater has been the Lord's touch in so many individual lives and the testimonies that we are starting to have flow into the office.
When we have a cloud-burst here on the high desert, I can look out of my office window and see the water come off of the building where two roofs come together. The water can actually shoot strait out from the hip of the roof, creating a severe divot 12 feet away into the middle of the little courtyard off of the North entrance. From my vantage point I'm almost underneath the waterfall. Of course it makes a pretty good sound. Perhaps that is what we are experiencing right now, a small deluge of some kind. I guess I'm looking forward to hearing the roar of Niagara...out loud. I'm thinking that this will probably require a little more openness on all of our part for more "download" time.
Conference on the Holy Spirit
I'm looking forward today to this weekend!
We're having a special day on Saturday morning with separate meetings for our men and women. Our own Carol Donadio will be speaking to our ladies and special guest Roy Brewer will be with the guys. The next day we'll have two sessions on Sunday morning, part 1 & 2 on our weekend Holy Spirit emphasis. This is going to be a great time that you won't want to miss!
We're having a special day on Saturday morning with separate meetings for our men and women. Our own Carol Donadio will be speaking to our ladies and special guest Roy Brewer will be with the guys. The next day we'll have two sessions on Sunday morning, part 1 & 2 on our weekend Holy Spirit emphasis. This is going to be a great time that you won't want to miss!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
What 'House' Doesn't Know About Healing, Part 2
It was a great day at Faith this morning for our worship service!
We highlighted our Faith Journey Groups which are key part of our strategy to help people in our community find fulfilling friendships. Several of the groups are meeting again for the first time tonight, after a short summer hiatus.
For the message we were back in our series titled, "What 'House' Doesn't Know About Healing" (Yes, THAT 'House." We're using the television series as the cynical worldview backdrop that we're combating). In it Becky Sellers and Vance Allen shared their experiences in the area of healing. We also spent some time looking at what the Bible says about the contrasting positions that God wants to heal us, but also using our suffering to mature us.
I'm tired tonight, feeling like I've been through a football game. I'm becoming "an old football player" now, and correlate every ache and pain to that activity I once loved so much. So, when I preach I try to "leave it all out on the field." That's right, I give it everything I've got. The gospel of Jesus Christ IS that important. But I must admit that the drain is mostly mental and emotional. In other words I didn't sprain any joints (with the exception of perhaps my brain!).
The truth is, I think we have such awesome people at Faith that they deserve the best that I can give them of God's directives to me and through me. That comment may sound a little egotistical, but this is the responsibility that I've been given and I don't take it lightly. I want everyone to hear less of me and more of Christ in the message and in our services. That's why preaching can be so exhausting. I'm really revved up today though. We had a marvelous prayer service at the conclusion and many people were genuinely touched. If you were one of those people, please write down what happened to you and send it to me - e-mail, snail mail, or just respond to this blog. We've been collecting these things over the past couple of weeks. The stories are nothing short of miraculous and marvelous!
By the way - last Thursday's game from the previous blog? Zach didn't get hurt and threw for three touchdowns in the first half. Yes I'm proud! Kyle's games begin this week. I'll go through the same trepidation as with the older boy. For Kyle the seventh grader, this is the year that the kids really start hitting hard. Lord help Kyle stay healthy...and help me not worry so much!
We highlighted our Faith Journey Groups which are key part of our strategy to help people in our community find fulfilling friendships. Several of the groups are meeting again for the first time tonight, after a short summer hiatus.
For the message we were back in our series titled, "What 'House' Doesn't Know About Healing" (Yes, THAT 'House." We're using the television series as the cynical worldview backdrop that we're combating). In it Becky Sellers and Vance Allen shared their experiences in the area of healing. We also spent some time looking at what the Bible says about the contrasting positions that God wants to heal us, but also using our suffering to mature us.
I'm tired tonight, feeling like I've been through a football game. I'm becoming "an old football player" now, and correlate every ache and pain to that activity I once loved so much. So, when I preach I try to "leave it all out on the field." That's right, I give it everything I've got. The gospel of Jesus Christ IS that important. But I must admit that the drain is mostly mental and emotional. In other words I didn't sprain any joints (with the exception of perhaps my brain!).
The truth is, I think we have such awesome people at Faith that they deserve the best that I can give them of God's directives to me and through me. That comment may sound a little egotistical, but this is the responsibility that I've been given and I don't take it lightly. I want everyone to hear less of me and more of Christ in the message and in our services. That's why preaching can be so exhausting. I'm really revved up today though. We had a marvelous prayer service at the conclusion and many people were genuinely touched. If you were one of those people, please write down what happened to you and send it to me - e-mail, snail mail, or just respond to this blog. We've been collecting these things over the past couple of weeks. The stories are nothing short of miraculous and marvelous!
By the way - last Thursday's game from the previous blog? Zach didn't get hurt and threw for three touchdowns in the first half. Yes I'm proud! Kyle's games begin this week. I'll go through the same trepidation as with the older boy. For Kyle the seventh grader, this is the year that the kids really start hitting hard. Lord help Kyle stay healthy...and help me not worry so much!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Watching My Son Play Quarterback
I'm winding down to the last day of my work week in the office. In a little while I'll be heading over to my son's football game. He plays quarterback on the Junior Varsity.
Watching your son play quarterback is quite nerve racking because he is the one handling the ball most of the time. It can get a little painful with other parents around you in stands, especially when your kid throws an interception or fumbles the ball in a critical situation. Today is no exception. They are facing a team that they know very little about who will travel five hours to play us (our varsity will make the road trip "away" tomorrow).
Zach is pretty good. Last year he threw 25 touchdowns as a freshman and accumulated over 2100 yards in the air. Am I proud? You'd better believe I'm proud! Am I nervous? Yup. I don't want him to get hurt or make a mistake, but I know that those are things that I can't control.
I have a few friends who said they would be there at today's game. They want to see our boy play. I hope he plays well. I believe in him, but understand that football is a game of variables. Last year, even with the great statistics I remember that at times nothing came easy. There were games where Zach and the offense just couldn't get anything going, and then suddenly he would find someone open for a big gain or touchdown. I remember other days where he was unstoppable, throwing five touchdowns before being moved out of quarterback in the last quarter. I remember that it seemed like the heavens parted and the angels sang!
I hope he plays well.
Lord, HELP HIM PLAY WELL!
I sound like a parent don't I? Now perhaps I should sound like a fellow sojourner on the Faith Journey that so many of us are on. People watching my son play reminds me of how God watches us play at the game of life. We hit life at all different angles with varying levels of success. Sometimes it is a struggle and other times it comes soooooo much easier. We all like those times as opposed to the former. But I'm glad for the struggle because it makes us better if we'll respond to it by trusting God.
And then I think of the human element. People are watching us, seeing how we will respond to adversity. What we do in the midst of difficulty or times of rejoicing communicates volumes about who God is to others. I need to consistently ask myself, "Lord, what am I saying about You with my life?"
When the game is over this afternoon, Zach will get in the truck with me and we'll go over how it went. Some days I need to put my arm around him, both verbally and figuratively; other days we will 'whoop it up' all the way home and through the rest of the night. I guess the point is, some days God's arm is around me and other days all of heaven rejoices with me. We need both.
Watching your son play quarterback is quite nerve racking because he is the one handling the ball most of the time. It can get a little painful with other parents around you in stands, especially when your kid throws an interception or fumbles the ball in a critical situation. Today is no exception. They are facing a team that they know very little about who will travel five hours to play us (our varsity will make the road trip "away" tomorrow).
Zach is pretty good. Last year he threw 25 touchdowns as a freshman and accumulated over 2100 yards in the air. Am I proud? You'd better believe I'm proud! Am I nervous? Yup. I don't want him to get hurt or make a mistake, but I know that those are things that I can't control.
I have a few friends who said they would be there at today's game. They want to see our boy play. I hope he plays well. I believe in him, but understand that football is a game of variables. Last year, even with the great statistics I remember that at times nothing came easy. There were games where Zach and the offense just couldn't get anything going, and then suddenly he would find someone open for a big gain or touchdown. I remember other days where he was unstoppable, throwing five touchdowns before being moved out of quarterback in the last quarter. I remember that it seemed like the heavens parted and the angels sang!
I hope he plays well.
Lord, HELP HIM PLAY WELL!
I sound like a parent don't I? Now perhaps I should sound like a fellow sojourner on the Faith Journey that so many of us are on. People watching my son play reminds me of how God watches us play at the game of life. We hit life at all different angles with varying levels of success. Sometimes it is a struggle and other times it comes soooooo much easier. We all like those times as opposed to the former. But I'm glad for the struggle because it makes us better if we'll respond to it by trusting God.
And then I think of the human element. People are watching us, seeing how we will respond to adversity. What we do in the midst of difficulty or times of rejoicing communicates volumes about who God is to others. I need to consistently ask myself, "Lord, what am I saying about You with my life?"
When the game is over this afternoon, Zach will get in the truck with me and we'll go over how it went. Some days I need to put my arm around him, both verbally and figuratively; other days we will 'whoop it up' all the way home and through the rest of the night. I guess the point is, some days God's arm is around me and other days all of heaven rejoices with me. We need both.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Building Faith
Okay, I'm in a cycle for Sunday. I'm focused, I'm getting the tools together and am about to plug into the most important aspect of preparation for the service -- I'm gonna pray.
I am praying for physical, spiritual and emotional healings in the lives or our people who will "be in the house" on Sunday. I'm incredibly excited about this weekend because I understand that there is nothing too hard for God. I was sharing last weekend about how I was grateful that God takes care of my "boo boo's." You know, sniffles, stomach issues, sore neck, etc. But I also know that God can raise people from the dead. Same God, same power, but the key is, what are we believing for?
I love this passage of Scripture because it builds faith: John 14:12-14 - 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. NIV
Jesus is speaking here and defines our potential. He says that we will do greater things than what He has done while on Earth because now He is with the Father. What a great promise! This is one place where we should not shy away and be under achievers! Let's go for it and believe for what is impossible for man because God is on the job!
I am praying for physical, spiritual and emotional healings in the lives or our people who will "be in the house" on Sunday. I'm incredibly excited about this weekend because I understand that there is nothing too hard for God. I was sharing last weekend about how I was grateful that God takes care of my "boo boo's." You know, sniffles, stomach issues, sore neck, etc. But I also know that God can raise people from the dead. Same God, same power, but the key is, what are we believing for?
I love this passage of Scripture because it builds faith: John 14:12-14 - 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. NIV
Jesus is speaking here and defines our potential. He says that we will do greater things than what He has done while on Earth because now He is with the Father. What a great promise! This is one place where we should not shy away and be under achievers! Let's go for it and believe for what is impossible for man because God is on the job!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Being Threatened by an Eight-Year-Old
I am overjoyed. Elated. Shout out loud "crazy happy." Wahooooo!
I won my first Fantasy Football game last night! I'm so excited! I went head-to-head with...an eight-year-old!
I think that's why I'm so excited. I didn't want to be outwitted by someone of "lesser experience."
My opponent is the son of our youth pastor. The truth is, his dad helped him pick his team. But that doesn't matter now because it's my head on the line. Lose to an eight-year-old, that JUST CAN'T HAPPEN!
But then again, it probably will. I've come to realize that I've placed my trust in a bunch of fellows just out of college, plying their trade with fallible and breakable human bodies. If my key players don't come through each week, I'm toast. And having my team fall flat on its face in three weeks means that the eight-year-old will whip me!
The irony is, I think it's all quite funny! There are men and women all across this country who are placing their trust in these athletes. Some folks take this whole thing way too seriously, as if their lives depended on the outcome of their fantasy football season. I on the other hand, though am having a great time, hope that my own sons beat me somewhere along the way. Will I give an inch and put up a team that is not worthy to play on a given weekend? No way. These guys are going to get my best shot. But will I rejoice in my sons and this little eight-year-old beating me? Yup. I want to hear the trash talking. I want their confidence to grow. I want them to be competitive. And I want them to succeed. I'm just not going to make it easy.
To those who live and die on what a bunch of 20 somethings do over the weekend, I pray that you'll get a life. Placing our trust in the temporary (i.e., football careers) doesn't have a long life span. Consider placing your trust in the eternal. God isn't fallible, nor is He breakable. Where we place our trust determines the things that really matter to us. I will never remember who won what fantasy football game in 2007. I'll only remember doing this stuff with my boys.
I won my first Fantasy Football game last night! I'm so excited! I went head-to-head with...an eight-year-old!
I think that's why I'm so excited. I didn't want to be outwitted by someone of "lesser experience."
My opponent is the son of our youth pastor. The truth is, his dad helped him pick his team. But that doesn't matter now because it's my head on the line. Lose to an eight-year-old, that JUST CAN'T HAPPEN!
But then again, it probably will. I've come to realize that I've placed my trust in a bunch of fellows just out of college, plying their trade with fallible and breakable human bodies. If my key players don't come through each week, I'm toast. And having my team fall flat on its face in three weeks means that the eight-year-old will whip me!
The irony is, I think it's all quite funny! There are men and women all across this country who are placing their trust in these athletes. Some folks take this whole thing way too seriously, as if their lives depended on the outcome of their fantasy football season. I on the other hand, though am having a great time, hope that my own sons beat me somewhere along the way. Will I give an inch and put up a team that is not worthy to play on a given weekend? No way. These guys are going to get my best shot. But will I rejoice in my sons and this little eight-year-old beating me? Yup. I want to hear the trash talking. I want their confidence to grow. I want them to be competitive. And I want them to succeed. I'm just not going to make it easy.
To those who live and die on what a bunch of 20 somethings do over the weekend, I pray that you'll get a life. Placing our trust in the temporary (i.e., football careers) doesn't have a long life span. Consider placing your trust in the eternal. God isn't fallible, nor is He breakable. Where we place our trust determines the things that really matter to us. I will never remember who won what fantasy football game in 2007. I'll only remember doing this stuff with my boys.
Hitting the Side of a Barn
I've just returned from a meeting with area pastors and their church staffs. We saw a teaching DVD by Andy Stanley who pastors a large church in Atlanta. Following some discussion I briefly shared some of my notes from a leadership conference I attended last month. The Stanley material was nothing short of outstanding, answering the common question of responding to "right and wrong" based on "being wise." It was simply excellent.
One of the older retired ministers in the room challenged the rest of us to make sure we have the fire of God in our bellies, that we would teach and preach the Word with passion, having heard from God. He is right on. I followed up with the aforementioned sharing from the conference titled, "Carpe Digital: Communicating Creatively." The main thrust of the conference that I attended was that we should redeem all methods available to present Christ. One of these areas I shared about what the use of blogs like this one. What was interseting is that the retired minister's content and my content were a study of two contrasting worlds.
We need a demonstration of power in our lives as Christians. Yes, it means that we should expect signs and wonders to follow our lives. But we also need the structure of being purpose driven so we know what we are aiming at.
I recall the old story that many of us have heard over and over again (so one more time won't hurt). A man came upon a boy shooting arrows into the side of a barn. The barn had several arrows already stuck into it. What was incredible is that each one had hit a bulls-eye. "Wow," said the man to the body, "You're some kind of shot!" To which the boy replied, "Watch this." The boy aimed at the side of the building and hit it. He was exceedingly proud of himself. But the man noted in his mind that the boy had completely missed any of the bulls-eyes on the side of the building. The boy proudly walked up to observe his expert marksmanship; after all, he had hit the barn! And then just as proudly, he took a red marker of our his pocket and drew a bulls-eye around the head of the arrow...
What are you aiming at? Are you on target, or just drawing bulls-eyes around the mediocrities of a random life? And just think how much better it would be if you hit God's target for your life, and empowered you to do so...
One of the older retired ministers in the room challenged the rest of us to make sure we have the fire of God in our bellies, that we would teach and preach the Word with passion, having heard from God. He is right on. I followed up with the aforementioned sharing from the conference titled, "Carpe Digital: Communicating Creatively." The main thrust of the conference that I attended was that we should redeem all methods available to present Christ. One of these areas I shared about what the use of blogs like this one. What was interseting is that the retired minister's content and my content were a study of two contrasting worlds.
We need a demonstration of power in our lives as Christians. Yes, it means that we should expect signs and wonders to follow our lives. But we also need the structure of being purpose driven so we know what we are aiming at.
I recall the old story that many of us have heard over and over again (so one more time won't hurt). A man came upon a boy shooting arrows into the side of a barn. The barn had several arrows already stuck into it. What was incredible is that each one had hit a bulls-eye. "Wow," said the man to the body, "You're some kind of shot!" To which the boy replied, "Watch this." The boy aimed at the side of the building and hit it. He was exceedingly proud of himself. But the man noted in his mind that the boy had completely missed any of the bulls-eyes on the side of the building. The boy proudly walked up to observe his expert marksmanship; after all, he had hit the barn! And then just as proudly, he took a red marker of our his pocket and drew a bulls-eye around the head of the arrow...
What are you aiming at? Are you on target, or just drawing bulls-eyes around the mediocrities of a random life? And just think how much better it would be if you hit God's target for your life, and empowered you to do so...
Monday, September 10, 2007
John Adams Must Be Mortified
I committed a cardinal error yesterday during my Sunday message. I didn't have all of my facts correct. What is humorous is that after I made the error a couple minutes later I realized what I'd done. But that story I had told was "long gone" and I was off on another point in the message (I'm thinking that many of you didn't realize that a pastor sometimes multitasks during his message!). The mistake I made was saying Thomas Jefferson was the second President of the United States, when he in fact was the third. John Adams must be mortified.
Have you ever done that before, been in a conversation with someone, walked away and realized you said something that was elementally ridiculous? Sadly, I can recall many times...
Someone reminded me this morning while on the elliptical machine that our words and actions do matter (I can multitask on that instrument of toil too - as long as it isn't anything more than listening). If you're a public speaker, having your facts be right is extremely important, maintaining your credibility. But in everyday life the words that we use can build up or tear down. Why some people believe it is their God-given purpose to shred others boggles my mind and hurts my heart. Frankly, sometimes my heart IS the target. The mouth can be used for worshipping God, and also for evil (Psalm 36:3). Oh yes, evil. We can count many ways that evil flies out of our mouths (i.e. gossip, slander, lying...you get the picture!). Matthew 12:34 reminds us that out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. My thought? We need to check what's in our hearts before we have a spill.
Have you ever done that before, been in a conversation with someone, walked away and realized you said something that was elementally ridiculous? Sadly, I can recall many times...
Someone reminded me this morning while on the elliptical machine that our words and actions do matter (I can multitask on that instrument of toil too - as long as it isn't anything more than listening). If you're a public speaker, having your facts be right is extremely important, maintaining your credibility. But in everyday life the words that we use can build up or tear down. Why some people believe it is their God-given purpose to shred others boggles my mind and hurts my heart. Frankly, sometimes my heart IS the target. The mouth can be used for worshipping God, and also for evil (Psalm 36:3). Oh yes, evil. We can count many ways that evil flies out of our mouths (i.e. gossip, slander, lying...you get the picture!). Matthew 12:34 reminds us that out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. My thought? We need to check what's in our hearts before we have a spill.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
I Hate that Guy
I hate that guy. We were supposed to meet this morning at 7:30 AM, but he called the house at 7, looking for me. He was already at the athletic club, and was starting his workout without me. However, I really didn't care that much because this morning was to be my first workout at the club in over three years. Needless to say, I wasn't looking forward to it.
So I arrived and there he was, already having worked up a "slather" on the elliptical machine. Slather is a really nice, descriptive term. It describes the by-products that the body produces through its pores, which when mixed with three years of cologne residue, underarm deodorant and numerous hair gels, creates a runny-pasty-white-sorta-don't-taste-this-cause-it-will-kill-you concoction. About halfway through my first time on this particular elliptical machine I realized that I was tasting this Kool Aid. My disgust was complete.
After the timer went off on the machine and I realized that I was exceedingly light headed and was only able to walk like a primate from somewhere in the dark reaches of Africa (okay, my knuckles were dragging), we went upstairs where we lifted weights. I laid down on the bench press and nearly passed out. After taking a break and getting some air, we did a few more exercises which led to a feeble attempt by my accountability partner to put a positive spin on our workout. It didn't work. I still didn't want to be there and hated him even more.
Accountability is vitally important in a variety of areas of our lives. For me this is incredibly true of exercise. About three years ago I met almost daily during the wee hours of the morning with Pastor Dick Stein. I didn't want to be there, and neither did he - at least at first. We showed up because we knew the other guy was going to be there. The laugher was when we would arrive at work on those rare days when neither of us made it to the workout. The conversation would start out with, "I missed you this morning." Please note that whoever said it first would make it sound like they were there and you weren't. After about a thirty second "eyeball" session where reality was discerned, we would with great humor get on one another for missing.
So now I have a new gym partner to hold me accountable, to keep me on track. I'm a large man now, and this is something I simply "get to do." It is already hard work. I can feel what I did this morning, all over my body. But I also know that better days are ahead. I know too that this guy is going to help save me from an early grave. I'm reminded this morning that accountability in our Christian life can save me from death and the grave. Sure we're all appointed one day to die, but I plan on living forever with Christ and all those who know Him as Savior. But while we're here on earth we are to be good stewards over all that God has given us, including our BODY, soul and spirit. As I reflect on this morning's painful new beginning in my life, I can say with all honesty, I love that guy.
So I arrived and there he was, already having worked up a "slather" on the elliptical machine. Slather is a really nice, descriptive term. It describes the by-products that the body produces through its pores, which when mixed with three years of cologne residue, underarm deodorant and numerous hair gels, creates a runny-pasty-white-sorta-don't-taste-this-cause-it-will-kill-you concoction. About halfway through my first time on this particular elliptical machine I realized that I was tasting this Kool Aid. My disgust was complete.
After the timer went off on the machine and I realized that I was exceedingly light headed and was only able to walk like a primate from somewhere in the dark reaches of Africa (okay, my knuckles were dragging), we went upstairs where we lifted weights. I laid down on the bench press and nearly passed out. After taking a break and getting some air, we did a few more exercises which led to a feeble attempt by my accountability partner to put a positive spin on our workout. It didn't work. I still didn't want to be there and hated him even more.
Accountability is vitally important in a variety of areas of our lives. For me this is incredibly true of exercise. About three years ago I met almost daily during the wee hours of the morning with Pastor Dick Stein. I didn't want to be there, and neither did he - at least at first. We showed up because we knew the other guy was going to be there. The laugher was when we would arrive at work on those rare days when neither of us made it to the workout. The conversation would start out with, "I missed you this morning." Please note that whoever said it first would make it sound like they were there and you weren't. After about a thirty second "eyeball" session where reality was discerned, we would with great humor get on one another for missing.
So now I have a new gym partner to hold me accountable, to keep me on track. I'm a large man now, and this is something I simply "get to do." It is already hard work. I can feel what I did this morning, all over my body. But I also know that better days are ahead. I know too that this guy is going to help save me from an early grave. I'm reminded this morning that accountability in our Christian life can save me from death and the grave. Sure we're all appointed one day to die, but I plan on living forever with Christ and all those who know Him as Savior. But while we're here on earth we are to be good stewards over all that God has given us, including our BODY, soul and spirit. As I reflect on this morning's painful new beginning in my life, I can say with all honesty, I love that guy.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
"Smugness" and Other Realities
I'm having kind of strange day as little things are hitting me in some funny ways. I'm studying for Sunday's message and using some materials I have in my office. In one book I became caught up in the endorsements. That is the page where people who are generally more well-known than the author of the book write a short passage on how "wonderful and extraordinary the book you're about to read" is. (I wonder how many times the author of the book even knows the people who are writing the endorsements. If you look at the books by the endorsers, more often than not you'll find they have the same publisher!)
I was looking specifically at Jack Deere's book, "Surprised by the Power of the Spirit." Written by the former professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, the book follows Deere's journey from being a devout cessationist to believing that God can and does heal today. (Generally, a cessationist is one who does not believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today, and died out with the death of the John, the writer of the gospel, the epistles and Revelation.) What caught me off guard was the endorsement of Gordon Fee. Fee is one of the world's leading authorities on John, and is one of those brilliant fellows who sits around writing commentaries and having profound thoughts. Fee is also a Pentecostal, from the denomination I serve ( I know, one of the rare really smart guys!). He writes this on the inside cover:
"Here is a timely book, which should cause a degree of (good) discomfort to Pentecostals and cessationists alike, calling the former out of their smugness and Spirit-talk that is all too often without experienced reality, and to the latter to recognize that their case is predicated almost altogether on their experience -- or lack thereof -- of Spirit life..."
Ouch! His comment about Pentecostals being smug and talking a good talk without the reality of the experience behind those New Testament words we love so much is right on the mark. Deere himself in his book talks about a life where everything was tied up in a neat basket of a form of Christianity that denies the power of God (see 2 Timothy 3:5). I know what he is talking about. The danger of a busy life is that we get so focused on the temporal things going on around us that we get caught up in this kind of spiritual trap. Sunday becomes the only lifeline for our spiritual life, and even then we have no expectation that the power of God is available to us, right now. I'm glad for the reality of God's power for healing when I need it. But as I examine the Scripture, I need that power available when I don't need it. The expectancy that God can do something great at any moment must always be near.
I believe God heals. So do many of you who are reading this. So, when was the last time we experienced that reality? When was the last time we experienced the reality of our "smug Spirit-talk?" Oweeeeee!
I was looking specifically at Jack Deere's book, "Surprised by the Power of the Spirit." Written by the former professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, the book follows Deere's journey from being a devout cessationist to believing that God can and does heal today. (Generally, a cessationist is one who does not believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today, and died out with the death of the John, the writer of the gospel, the epistles and Revelation.) What caught me off guard was the endorsement of Gordon Fee. Fee is one of the world's leading authorities on John, and is one of those brilliant fellows who sits around writing commentaries and having profound thoughts. Fee is also a Pentecostal, from the denomination I serve ( I know, one of the rare really smart guys!). He writes this on the inside cover:
"Here is a timely book, which should cause a degree of (good) discomfort to Pentecostals and cessationists alike, calling the former out of their smugness and Spirit-talk that is all too often without experienced reality, and to the latter to recognize that their case is predicated almost altogether on their experience -- or lack thereof -- of Spirit life..."
Ouch! His comment about Pentecostals being smug and talking a good talk without the reality of the experience behind those New Testament words we love so much is right on the mark. Deere himself in his book talks about a life where everything was tied up in a neat basket of a form of Christianity that denies the power of God (see 2 Timothy 3:5). I know what he is talking about. The danger of a busy life is that we get so focused on the temporal things going on around us that we get caught up in this kind of spiritual trap. Sunday becomes the only lifeline for our spiritual life, and even then we have no expectation that the power of God is available to us, right now. I'm glad for the reality of God's power for healing when I need it. But as I examine the Scripture, I need that power available when I don't need it. The expectancy that God can do something great at any moment must always be near.
I believe God heals. So do many of you who are reading this. So, when was the last time we experienced that reality? When was the last time we experienced the reality of our "smug Spirit-talk?" Oweeeeee!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Thoughts on Healing
I'm looking forward to this Sunday!
I've been looking at and thinking about the issue of healing a great deal for a couple of months now. This weekend we begin a month-long emphasis on the power of God flowing through us to see people be healed. As I look around our congregation, we need this manifestation gift of the Spirit active among us! I'm reminded of a couple of miracles that have taken place over the past few weeks. Becky Sellers' surgery for an Achilles tendon repair being cancelled on the operating table was awesome. So was Evie Allison's brain aneurysm disappearing. God does great work! I pray He does even more.
Sometimes when thinking about this issue of divine healing I wonder if my faith is great enough. It's a question that all of us ask. Jesus said that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed we can move mountains (Matthew 13:31). There are times when thinking about faith that believes for the impossible that I equate it to an internal "switch." Some of us need our "believing switch" turned on!
This Sunday we'll look at the issue of healing as a whole; the following week we'll look at the issue of our faith and what happens when God doesn't do what we want Him to do. I'm looking forward to this time of growing together. BTW - we will be praying at the conclusion of our services for healings to take place. Come ready to receive!
I've been looking at and thinking about the issue of healing a great deal for a couple of months now. This weekend we begin a month-long emphasis on the power of God flowing through us to see people be healed. As I look around our congregation, we need this manifestation gift of the Spirit active among us! I'm reminded of a couple of miracles that have taken place over the past few weeks. Becky Sellers' surgery for an Achilles tendon repair being cancelled on the operating table was awesome. So was Evie Allison's brain aneurysm disappearing. God does great work! I pray He does even more.
Sometimes when thinking about this issue of divine healing I wonder if my faith is great enough. It's a question that all of us ask. Jesus said that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed we can move mountains (Matthew 13:31). There are times when thinking about faith that believes for the impossible that I equate it to an internal "switch." Some of us need our "believing switch" turned on!
This Sunday we'll look at the issue of healing as a whole; the following week we'll look at the issue of our faith and what happens when God doesn't do what we want Him to do. I'm looking forward to this time of growing together. BTW - we will be praying at the conclusion of our services for healings to take place. Come ready to receive!
Monday, September 3, 2007
The Night Before the Fall Ritual
What a night. It didn't register until a few moments ago, but my kids will be back in school tomorrow. The humor is, with football and WEB, it seems like my kids have already started the new scholastic year.
We had some friends over tonight for a barbecue. As usual, the gas ran out before dinner started on the grill, so the mad dash was made to the service station. However, we made an excellent choice on who we invited. They brought salmon that the guy actually caught himself in Alaska, and his own clam dip - which is to die for!
As we were sitting out on the deck under the large tapestry umbrella, our two youngest engaged the adult conversation. Wow, these guys are growing up. It scares me how quick their minds are working, and how you can see in their eyes, dreams that are now beginning to formulate. In the morning, they will be part of the Fall Ritual, the mass migration back to the school house. There they will learn skills that it takes to function in the future world. I hope and pray that the values that they've learned at home will frame and filter what they are hearing and reading. I pray that what others have to say about them will be up-lifting, building them up. And for those who wish to tear our kids down in an attempt convince them they are something that they are not, I pray that our kids will feel sorry for the one who uses their mouth to bring such destruction. It must be a lousy existence to be someone whose only quality skill is tearing down others.
We had some friends over tonight for a barbecue. As usual, the gas ran out before dinner started on the grill, so the mad dash was made to the service station. However, we made an excellent choice on who we invited. They brought salmon that the guy actually caught himself in Alaska, and his own clam dip - which is to die for!
As we were sitting out on the deck under the large tapestry umbrella, our two youngest engaged the adult conversation. Wow, these guys are growing up. It scares me how quick their minds are working, and how you can see in their eyes, dreams that are now beginning to formulate. In the morning, they will be part of the Fall Ritual, the mass migration back to the school house. There they will learn skills that it takes to function in the future world. I hope and pray that the values that they've learned at home will frame and filter what they are hearing and reading. I pray that what others have to say about them will be up-lifting, building them up. And for those who wish to tear our kids down in an attempt convince them they are something that they are not, I pray that our kids will feel sorry for the one who uses their mouth to bring such destruction. It must be a lousy existence to be someone whose only quality skill is tearing down others.
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