Next Missions Trip

Here's a quick note for our gang at Faith. We've officially scheduled our next adult missions trip to Mexico for January 31 - February 7, 2009. Please mark this date on your calendar and plan now to go. We're likely looking at some increase in the cost this year due to a needed change in philosophy (doing more for Jesus!) so start saving now!

Having My Lips Done

I was watching the Today Show this morning with my wife. On the program they had some actors from a former hit television show from a couple decades ago (they've been having these reunions of cast members, recalling the good 'ol days). With humor, it was noticeable that some of the people had their 'lips done' (botox-ville or plastic - I dunno, I'm not a connoisseur).

At prayer today with some other local pastors, a passage was shared that broadsided me a bit. It comes from the Book of Zephaniah (I know, not exactly the one we turn to first in the Bible), the minor prophet whom God used mightily to speak to His people. After a discussion from heaven concerning God's thoughts (mostly not good) about Jerusalem, we see this caveat about restoration:

"Then will I purify the lips of the peoples,
that all of them may call on the name of the Lord
and serve him shoulder to shoulder.

Zephaniah 3:9 NIV

Wow.

Basically what is being said is, when God's people pull it together He will purify their lips. They will call out to God with purity and His people will serve Him together.

The tongue is an unwieldy weapon. It can crush and lift up, destroy and bring victory. As a pastor, I sure like the 'lift up' and 'victory' part...

When God does a work among His people they come together in unity. There is no back-biting, no gossip, no garbage. The whole discussion from James' Epistle about the tongue is an anomaly. And in unity they serve God together. What an incredible picture of the bride of Christ, the Church prepared for the coming bridegroom, Jesus Christ!

In devotions today I read a somewhat humorous passage from Proverbs that gives perspective to this discussion:

"Too much talk leads to sin.
Be sensible and keep your mouth shut."

Proverbs 10:19 New Living Translation

Too true...

There was a perspective by one of the commentators I read about this passage that caught my attention. Writing in the mid-1800's Albert Barnes noted that this purifying of the lips may also refer to the day of Pentecost when the disciples were baptized in the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues.

Hmmmmm.

My advise? Have your lips done...by Jesus.

Clutter

I'm sitting in what I affectionately call 'The Quiet Place.' I'm getting ready for Sunday. No phone and limited human access is what guys like me need to hear from God.

It's soooooo necessary.

I spent about 15 minutes when I arrived here this morning, cleaning this little place up. There is touch-up painting to be done and a large book shelf yet to be constructed, along with two cabinets that need to be stained. There's clutter EVERYWHERE.

I guess I need quiet AND order!

I'll set a date and get these things done so it looks more like a study and less like a storage room. My thought this morning is how often our spiritual hearts look like cluttered storage rooms instead of like what they were actually meant for - the dwelling place of God?

I think it's time to take out the trash...

We've been 'jumping the hoops' of our series at Faith titled, "The Biggest Winner." It's been about having a healthy body, soul and spirit. In my study one of the areas that I've learned in a new way is how our spirit never sleeps. The spirit is that place within us where our relationship with God happens. The Holy Spirit is always speaking to us; are we always listening? The answer to that one is, "No." However, I'm so glad that God continually says, "Yes" to us about relationship with Him. Listen for His voice. It may even come through a dream at night. If you're having 'God-thoughts,' write them down and pass them through the Scripture (God thoughts are NEVER contrary to Scripture) and then through the grid of someone who understands these things. I believe that you'll find that God has been longing for you and I to hear Him! May I suggest to you that sometimes we all have too much clutter in the way to hear what He is saying?

So, I'm taking out the trash. How 'bout you?

Annual Meeting

Thanks to everyone who stayed after service last Sunday for our Annual Church Business meeting!

Congratulations to Steve Landers and Kevin Stamback who were elected to the church board. These guys are going to do a great job for us! What is even more satisfying is having a much larger group of excellently qualified people who could have done an equally good job. The selection process was that much sweeter this time. I also wish to thank Mike Sellers and Jim Thompson for their faithfulness to God and Faith these past three years. Well done guys!

We are so blessed with many talented people whom God has given us!

Chotard Memorial Service

The memorial service for our friend at Faith, Joe Chotard is tomorrow (Saturday) at 10:30 AM. The service will be held in the sanctuary at Faith and will feature an opportunity to tell your favorite story about this choice servant of God. I know the family would appreciate your attendance.

Technical Difficulties

Just a few years ago I would have never suspected that the simple ability to be able to have Internet and e-mail access matters to me. The last few days I've been at a conference in Seattle and was without Internet or time to find a signal. Hence, the gap in my blogging. But what I find significant is what things are becoming more important to me these days. I'm thinking that the reason for this frustration is because of what matters to me most. My relationships with my family and friends matter more than ever. I'm also 'more excited than ever' (an honest assessment and not a cliche) about pursuing the reality of Christ's presence. I'm working on Sunday's message today, looking at the whole issue of the work of the Spirit in our everyday lives. Relationships matter...which makes the Internet matter! And that scares me.

Back Again

Hi Everyone,

I'm just getting back from vacation today. We had a great week in Mexico with a bunch of friends from Faith and several family members from out of state. It was warm and sunny, which is why a person goes to places like that during the winter!

It is funny how much you miss being home for church. I missed a Sunday due to vacation. I really missed being at Faith to worship with such a great group of people! We arrived home Saturday night about 11 PM. Yesterday on my way to the platform I tripped and actually had to grasp the pulpit with two hands while leading the congregation in prayer. The problem? The ship we were on for a week was still moving between my ears!

I have a few stories to share, so stay tuned.

That Guy

This morning it was my privilege to participate in a short, private family graveside service for Joe Chotard. It was so nice to talk about the qualities of what makes a Christian man and realize that Joe was that guy.

The world would be a much better place if more of us were that guy...

I'm in a hurry right now. I'm feeling the pressure of some assignments I need to finish this week and meetings that I need to attend. I don't know why it is but these past couple of months have been pretty hectic. It's a little strange but this blog may be the least stressful time of my day. I've come to the realization that I've used it to focus on a specific thing that I enjoy doing. It's allowed me to escape the stress of the day for a few moments of pure sanity...and sarcasm. I know that sarcasm isn't exactly the nectar of the gods, nor does it necessarily produce the best attitude. But it helps me to keep perspective on life and to corral the stress.

It also facilitates a dry sense of humor...

As I look out my office window today, I'm thinking about the pace of life and how I'm living it. Joe Chotard helps me ask the question again and again if, "I'm that guy?"

I think we've all heard the axiom, "The hurrier I go the behinder I get." I'm thinking that probably applies to our Christian character as well.

Are you that guy?

My Son Came Back for Me

On Martin Luther King Day a couple weeks ago my oldest son along with one of his friends and I borrowed some quads. We rode into the snowy hills near the Newberry Crater. A quad is a motorcycle with four small, cleated tires. To be more exact, the boys rode the quads, and I drove a heavier quad-type of vehicle with a small enclosed cab and a short box-bed for farm work on the back.

It was a beautiful day! We rode up a long trail for about an hour, following the snow mobile tracks. According to the odometer in my vehicle, we were ten miles in when the trail we were following suddenly broke into a clearing with the snow mobile tracks going in all different directions. We stopped and I promptly got my machine's back tires stuck as I tried to turn around.

That was when we discovered that the snow mobiles had been running on top of three to four feet of snow...

We got my vehicle out of the side of the trail when one of the boys promptly drove it about 20 feet into another 'stuck' position. In a moment of horror I watched all four tires simultaneously sink to the frame.

Oops...

The three of us worked for nearly an hour trying to get the heavy machine up on the trail, but to no avail. So I stayed with the machine (because it was new and I was responsible for it) and sent the boys back to get help.

I dug for a while longer. I had another pair of shoes along with my boots, so I used my boots under the tires to try and get traction. All that did was bury my boots three to four feet under the vehicle in the snow. So I sat in the cab of the machine and waited. And waited.

It was starting to get dark. After an hour and a half of waiting, I thought about whether or not my son would find the trail, especially after dark. I started thinking about building a snow cave. I thought about how long I could run the motor before it ran out of fuel to keep warm.

I began to get pretty nervous.

I sipped some hot chocolate that I had brought. I thought about trying to walk out, but knew that I would probably loose my toes to frostbite during the hike. It was about 10 degrees when we left on the adventure. I knew when the sun went down the temperature would dip well below zero.

I began quoting Scripture...lots of Scripture! I did the things between my ears that I hoped would take my mind captive, not allowing me to plunge into any kind of panic mode. And then at two hours I heard the sound.

My son had returned...with help.

Wow. Did my day just get better or what? I was so relieved...

My friend whom we borrowed the vehicles from told me that he would have spared no expense and sought every resource to get me out of my predicament, even in the middle of the night.

I believed him.

This whole episode reminds me of a much greater truth (besides getting suck in the mountains and being prepared for it). It does not matter how difficult our lives are. It does not matter that we're struggling, or being overrun with despair. It doesn't matter where we are financially. What does matter is that the Son knows where we are and one day soon He is coming to take us home! (Acts 1:10-11)

Come Lord Jesus Come!

Wow, will that be a great day or what?

Chotard Memorial Service Postponed

Hi Friends,

Joe Chotard's memorial service has been postponed to Saturday, February 23rd, due to his wife Glenva's health concerns. The memorial service will begin at 10:30 AM. The family appreciates our prayers and understanding as Glenva recovers from her second stress related heart attack. At present, she continues to improve at a slow pace. I'm pleased to report that this afternoon she left the hospital and went home!

For those who would like to visit, please contact the home first to see whether Glenva can receive visitors. Please do not drop by.

Blessings,

Pastor Mike