Inspirational Messages
You and I live in amazing times. We have seen more changes in our lifetime than in the passage of all time up until the 20th Century. As of now, it shows no signs of slowing down, so hold on to your hats! One of the most recent innovations is the e-reader. I took the plunge and got a Kindle for Christmas this year. After the frustration of waiting several hours for Amazon's database to catch up to all the new Kindle registrations, I finally got on board!!
The Apostle Paul encourages generosity, writing, "But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving." (2 Corinthians 8:7) Generosity is giving to others with a thankful heart for all that God has given to us. It is giving the love of Jesus and of ourselves in service to others in the name and service of our Lord.
One of the categories of the famed Academy Rewards is that of Best Supporting Actor. This is the actress or actor who, in the opinion of the Academy, was the most outstanding actor in a supporting, not starring, role in the movies for the year. In football the most valuable player is not always the star quarterback or wide receiver. It is sometimes a lineman who made it possible for the quarterback to get the passes off that won the game. He's the one with the mud on his jersey and the pain in his shoulder.
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 3:12-14)
This time of year is customary for many people to make resolutions for the new year. Sometimes my list bears a striking resemblance to the one from last year...but you probably do much better!
As I recall, those were my shocked words the other evening when I returned home. The television was on and Cyndi was watching a movie on the Hallmark Channel. She appreciates their usually wholesome programming and she was enjoying the show, but it was November 14th and they were running a Christmas movie. A Christmas movie!?! Already!?! "You cannot be serious!"
This is certainly the one time of the year when you think of joy. "Joy to the world, the Lord has come..." This phrase so early in what we euphemistically call the Christmas Season (which really doesn't even begin until Christmas morning), of course seems to have nothing whatsoever to do with Christ's coming, but rather, I suspect our going. Going shopping that is. "Joy to the world, the sales have come, let's all begin to shop" may, indeed, be what we really hear in our heart.
Shortly before the Thanksgiving holiday, two brothers, Nathan and John, stopped by the church building to spend time in prayer and reading the Bible in the chapel. I had the privilege of meeting them and talking with them for several hours. Nathan and John were on a walking journey from the Michigan area of Traverse City to Logan, Ohio southeast of Columbus. What would lead two young men to walk such a great distance on foot? They were led by God. In what might seem quite strange to us was quite normal to them. During their times of prayer they both heard from the Lord that they needed to walk the distance and talk with people along the way to encourage them in their faith. Nathan and John were on a great journey where each day was different than the one before. When they woke up each morning they didn't have any idea what the day would hold for them or who God would place in their path. They were on a journey of faith and trust.
Working alongside our Children's Ministry Director, Carolyn Miller, has been a blessing. Children's ministry has changed how I perceive kids and people in general.
I must admit that I really love the Christmas season. All of the beautifully decorated Christmas trees, glowing candles in the windows, the smell of fresh baked holiday cookies and the sound of Christmas carolers make the season so cheerful. Yet, why do we celebrate this holiday? For us in the Church, it's a no brainer. Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus! Yet for those who live outside of the Christian fellowship, the answer is a bit more puzzling.
New salesmen are often cautioned about the dangers of early big success. A super-size sale the first few days may set up the salesman to be lazy, always hoping for another big sale to keep things going.
The truth is, selling is a very difficult profession. It's an art that must be developed through diligent study and persistent practice.
At First Protestant Church our Prayer Leadership Team is always looking for ways to deepen and strengthen the prayer life of our individual members, as well as the corporate prayer life of our congregation. A spiritually healthy Christian needs a steady and balanced daily "prayer diet." For this to take place, one must be mindful of God's wil, and earnestly seek and pray for God's will for our lives.
If there is one thing that perhaps a large majority of Americans share it might be weight…too much of it. I’ve come to conclusion that the easiest way to learn what we are most concerned about is simply to look at media advertising.
Just the other day, I was talking to Frankie about what he wanted to dress like for the upcoming Fall Festival. I was startled and taken a little back by my 4-year old's response. I had visions of him dressing like one of my favorite football players (in black and gold), maybe a rescue worker (fireman or policeman), or even a cowboy. But his response was "like someone who goes to church."
My wife and I recently went to Hawn State Park for our annual wedding anniversary hike. It was supposed to be a cool day with only a slight chance of a spot shower.
We left the house under partly cloudy skies, but by the time we arrived at the park those skies were producing a steady rain. We had lunch in the car hoping to wait out the predicted spotty showers. The sky never cleared. About halfway through lunch I realized our rain ponchos were nice and dry in the basement at home.
August and September seem to be the hottest months around Southwest Florida. Two summers ago, August of 2009, seemed particularly hot to me. I began to wonder if I belonged in Florida for the long haul. On the other hand, my wife loves the heat and it never seems to bother her. Yet, I seem to have a better tolerance for the cold than I do for heat. The hot weather tends to sap the energy out of me and it becomes hard to motivate myself to do yard work or any outside activities, other than swimming.
The Ten Commandments are now long gone from the courthouse in Montgomery, Alabama, and there seems to be little reason to believe that any biblical quotations will survive the test of law in other government buildings or public lands in our country. Many, and not just those who are Christians, are considerably upset to see them go. They remind us of a higher moral and ethical calling than that which has been instituted by man.
As I write this article, it's August 23rd, the day before Lynne and I take Amy to Malone University to begin her four years of college life. We took Amy there a week ago for some job training, but she came back home the next day. Tomorrow, is it, it's the final day our little daughter being with us pretty much everyday for her life. Taking Ryan to college two years ago was made easier because Amy was still at home, but now it's her turn. I find myself staring at her picture on my desk and my eyes fill with tears. I'm going to miss her daily presence in my life, in our lives, and my heart aches.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock somewhere, you’ve probably seen this viral YouTube video of the news report this past year about the wedding in Maryland where the groom interrrupted his wedding ceremony to update his Facebook status from “single” to “married” to let all of his online friends and family that know that he was officially hitched…
Love me tender, love me sweet, never let me go. You have made my life complete, and I love you so.
Love me tender, love me true, all my dreams fulfilled. For my darlin' I love you and I always will.
Love me tender, love me long, take me to your heart. For it's there that I belong, and we'll never part.
Love me tender, love me dear, tell me you are mine. I'll be yours through all the years, till the end of time.
When at last my dreams come true Darling this I know Happiness will follow you Everywhere you go. (Words by Vera Matson and Elvis Presley)
Two years ago before our team traveled to Guatemala, I had gone out specifically to purchase an inexpensive watch. I wanted one that would be water resistant and lightweight, and would not grieve me too greatly should anything happen to it. I found one. Sears had a digital watch with a coth band that suited my purposes, so I forked over the twenty bucks and walked happily out of the store.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” is an old expression that often has a lot of truth to it. But then there are promises that sound too good to be true that are true…at least on the surface. In this latter group everything promised is received, however, it’s usually in the rest of the story that the bugaboo lays.
Time always seems to be of the greatest essence in our lives, and, as the Steve Miller Band put it, "Time keeps on slippin', slippin, slippin, into the future." We are constantly looking at the clock, looking for the next appointment, looking at our schedules, being here and there at certain times, hearing some say, "I can't wait until tomorrow..." or "I can't waitn 'til this is over", or "it seemes that time stood still..." Ah, now this is what we all wish would happen, isn't it? For time to stand still would mean that we could do things and never have to be rushed, or put out with other issues that come pressing our way, but could enjoy things for the moment.
The Psalms were Israel's praise and worship book. The Psalms focused upon appropriating the "presence of God" in their daily lives. So many of the Psalms encourage us to reflect upon the importance of praising and worshipping God. Obviously God desires and expects the praises of His people. But why? It's because praise is the clearest and most direct means by which you and I declare our dependence on God.
"How do I do this?" "How can I get there from here?" "How can we ever achieve peace in the world?" "How can God hear me when there are so many talking to Him at the same time? How, how, how! I don't have to tell you there are an awful lot of "how" questions asked every day.
I remember driving one time with the radio on. The announcer said that the skies were "mostly cloudy." Now at the very moment the guy was saying that, I was looking out the windows of my car through sunglasses at the bright, clear and sunny sky around me! In other words, what I was seeing didn't match with what the guy on the radio was telling me.
“The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.’” (Jonah1.1-2)
One could almost hear Jonah thinking, “Nineveh? Why, they’re a cruel, pagan people, an enemy of Israel. Besides, there’s still lots of preaching to be done in my own country with my own people.”
On July 4th we celebrated Independence Day... a federal holiday commemorating our nation's independence from Great Britain... our freedom was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave". Every human heart and soul longs for "freedom".
Rev. Pete Sapp, pastor of Trinity Reformed Church, an EA affiliate congregation in East Brady, PA, posted an insightful message based on Genesis 42:1-17 (from a series of messages on Joseph) on Youtube. Watch it here.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,"
Not just to the flag, but for all it represents, including the freedom to live and worship without fear of governmental interference or oppression.
A few days ago I sat down and watched a portion of the kid's movie "Tangled" with Sam and Joanna. It was a typical fun movie with entertaining and humorous characters in a plot that battled good and evil. One of the characters, Rapunzel, represented the pure and good, and she said something that has stuck with me. In one of the first conversations with the other protagonist she said, "When I promise something, I never, ever, break that promise...ever!" And throughout the movie we discover that she was telling the truth. Her character and integrity held firm throughout the entire movie. She never broke a promise. Why does that seem surprising? Why does that shock us?
"For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-dsicipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
Vic and Joan Waters live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in northern California. Television reception is poor, and for various reasons, neither cable or satellite dish is available. A man named Paul had developed a good business installing television antennae in the tops of trees in order to increase the quality of reception.
Mr. and Mrs. Waters were leaving for a two-week vacation, and Paul had agreed to install a TV antenna in a tall pine tree about two hundred feet from their house during their absence.
"In the light of day, I'm constantly encouraging people to trust God, no matter what. But when night sets in, I stare at the ceiling, feeling alone, afraid to trust God completely. If I can be truly honest, I am often overwhelmed with worry."
- Craig Groeschel
I wonder when it is going to rain? It seems the ground is getting dry. Now, I know that might show you when you see me asking the question, "When is it going to rain? The interrogative leaves us to wonder what I am speaking of, so I will share with you.
"There's a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to PLANT and a time to pluck up what was PLANTED!" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-3)
As a youngster I spent a lot of time on the farm. My sister and brother-in-law were dairy farmers. One of my fondest memories was springtime and the planting season. Plowing...disking...planting will always be special memories for me. (As long as I didn't have to do it for a living... (Ha).)
"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed." Mark 1:35 (ESV)
Jesus' ministry was just beginning. He had spent the Sabbath ministering to the people in Capernaum. He had delivered a man with an unclean spirit in the Synagogue. He left the synagogue for Peter's house where He healed Peter's mother-in-law. Then, that evening the town gathered at the door of Peter's house, and Jesus healed many who were sick. After such a long busy day, I would have probably wanted to sleep in the next morning and rest.
In the autobiographical book, Just As I Am, by evangelist Billy Graham, Graham confesses to one of the most hurting and embarrassing moments in his life. He had been away from his family for an evangelistic crusade in Los Angeles for several weeks. During the last week of the crusade, some relatives, a husband and wife, came up from New Mexico to be with him. He noticed a child in the woman's arms and asked, "Who's baby is this?" It was Graham's own child whom he's not seen in many weeks. He had not recognized his own daughter!
We began April this year in the wake of the Japanese tsunami and the continued uncertainties in Libya and the Middle East. We ended April this year with the commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter. Christian and non-Christian alike may ask the question, "What difference does the death and resurrection make in a world filled with current tragedies and future doubts?" This is a legitimate question and I do not believe it is necessary for us as followers of Christ to shy away from it.
The world searches for power in greater strength.
God demonstrates that greater power is found only in weakness.
The world searches for life through abundance.
God promises His abundant grace for greater life.
The world searches for satisfaction in more things.
God offers satisfaction only in Himself.
The world searches for significance in personal potential.
God confirms that significance is never found apart from Him.
"How can a young man clease his way? By taking heed according to Thy word." (Psalm 119:9)
The weather has been so beautiful the past several days that many of us have been inspired to start our Spring house cleaning. It is amazing how much "stuff" piles up in just a short time. Not only is this true in our homes but it is equally true in our spiritual lives. Spiritual house cleaning pleases God and brings a blessing into our lives.
The season of Lent with its culmination of Easter Sunday has passed, and for many of us it allows us to breathe a sigh of quiet relief. It isn't just the rush of the busy days. We can live with that; it happens often enough. But the hardest part of the Lenten season is the constant reminder of the mission of Jesus Christ - to complete the task of providing for salvation of his chosen followers. Why is that so hard?
Rev. Jim Barnes, National Minister of the Evangelical Association delivered the keynote message entitled, "Not Ashamed to Say that Jesus Is the Only Way" at the EA's 2011 MidWest Regional Gathering at St. Luke's Church, Decatur IN on April 2, 2011. Watch that keynote message here.
Just yesterday, one of our members left the church building, looked to his right, and noticed that a dozen or so daffodils were in bloom. The two of us stood at the entrance of the church for several minutes enjoying their fragrance. The spring flowers were in the ground and it seemed for months there was nothing going on. However, God was preparing these flowers to "spring" to life and announce that winter was over and warm days are just around the corner.
It's always hard to come up with something new and different to say about Easter. What can I say that you haven't heard dozens of times before? I agonized over this quandary for days! Then one day, driving home from church, I found myself singing an old favorite hymn. You might know it as well:
"Hear my voice when I cal, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says to you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, LORD, I will seek." Psalm 27:7-8 (NIV)
As we begin this new season of Lent, we are called to a time of personal reflection and examination. After Jesus was baptized by John, He was immediately led by the Spirit into the desert. He fasted 40 days while in solitude. He denied His body nourishment while surviving on spiritual food from the Father, (Matthew 4). It reminds me of Moses on the mountain with God, where he also did not eat or drink (Exodus 24:18).
The joy of the Lord is present, both in this world and the next. That's the underlying impression I have rested upon over the past month, a month in which three of our home bound members died and in which I conducted a funeral for a person not part of our congregation. With each person, the joy of the Lord was experienced and celebrated for a lengthy time of illness was over, and each believer was blessed with a heavenly body as they were birthed in the glory of life everlasting. Adapted from one of the funeral meditations, I offer these thoughts for life in both this world and the next.
Many of us know those words, "My God is so big..." We either learned them as children or we have kids of our own, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren who loudly recite them after attending Sunday School or Vacation Bible School.
"My God is so big... so strong and so mighty... there's nothing that He cannot do!"
Rev. David Peterson, pastor of Salem Church, Darmstadt, IN, shares a sermon for Transfiguration Sunday entitled "A Glimpse of Glory" based on 2 Peter 1:16-18. Watch the YouTube video of the message here.
Every life leads a trail back to someone or something.
I don't think it is in any boy scout survival guide, but somewhere in the midst of my childhod I heard tell of people wondering through the forest who left a trail of bread crumbs to find their way home (Hansel and Gretal?). Just like that story, I think our lives leave a trail back to the source, or throne of our lives.
These are trying days, days of tribulation and distress, of violence and uncertainty. The people of the world are in great turmoil, the very ground quakes, and the economies of nations continue to fail. What do we do and where do we turn?
We need the courage to tremble.
"Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in time of testing they fall away." (Luke 8:13, NIV)
The Scripture passage I have chosen for this month's newsletter article is one that I believe is very prevalent in our world today, because God has breathed life into His Word (2 Timothy 3:16) making it living and vital to us.
As we enter into March, we enter into a season on the church calendar known as Lent. A time of self-reflection and a period of time to work on improving your relationship with our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. For many it is a time to "give something up" but I'm going to challenge you with something different this year: instead of subtracting - why not replace (add)?
Dear friends, I would like to share a recent life experience with you about home repair and remodeling. Over the past few years Sara and I have always talked about the possibility of removing a portion of the wall between the kitchen and dining room. We always would laugh off the idea because the project seemed too large and difficult since it included rerouting plumbing, electricity and duct work. I did not nor would not embark upon such a hard and overwhelming project.
February 14th is Valentine's Day! I guess you could say that it is "Hallmark Day" - cards...candy...nice sayings and thoughts galore -- right? I wish "relationships" were that easily made and carried out...but... it's just not that easy is it? Godly marriages and homes are built upon more than a few nice things or thoughts. There's a major "COST" involved...it doesn't just happen. God gives us some "building blocks" for Godly marriages and homes. They're found in Ephesians 4:32. Look at them with me...won't you.
In Proverbs we find this gem: "As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." (Proverbs 27:19) The writer, most likely Solomon, reminds readers of something that at first appears to be obvious, but often goes neglected: we need to perform regular maintenance on the attitudes of our hearts. It is true that what others discern about our character is what is played out from the depths of the heart.
The Apostle Paul encourages generosity, writing,"But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving." (II Corinthians 8:7) Generosity is giving to others with a thankful heart for all that God has given to us. It is giving the love of Jesus and of ourselves in service to others in the name and service of our Lord.
Thinking of February, I always think that it is a month to concentrate on love, not that love is not important the other months of the year, but with things like Valentine's Day it serves as a reminder of the subject of love. Remember those valentines that you got in elementary school that contained words like, "I love you, Do you love me? Then be my valentine!" When you remember things like that you get a warm fuzzy feeling about the days gone by when life just seemed to be so good.
"In the future when your children ask you, 'what do these stones mean?' tell them..." (Joshua 4:6)
As people get older in our society, we tend to treat them as if they are less valuable. They can be the butt of jokes, target for scams, and just neglected in general. It is unbiblical to take people who have walked the earth for decades - when they have accumulated the most wisdom and experience - and put them off to the side like they have nothing to contribute.
When it is snowing, you might as well paint a ceiling. Well, maybe not, but that was what I did a couple of weeks back as we were experiencing yet another snow storm.
According to a Gallup poll taken this year, “54 percent of Americans say religion is ‘very important’ in their lives, down slightly from the past two decades. Meanwhile, the percentage of Americans who say religion is ‘not very important’ continues to edge upward and is currently at 20 percent…Today, 61 percent report church or synagogue membership…the lowest in Gallup’s history of asking the question since 1937.” (Nathan Black, christianpost.com)
"I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth" (3 John 4). These words were originally written by John to his friend Gaius. Gaius apparently was a faithful brother in Christ and this must have been a wonderful greeting to hear from the great apostle.
David, in Psalm 16, speaks of the Lord being our "portion". The word he uses refers to something seperated from the rest to be set aside for a particular use. The Israelite tribes received their "portion" of the Promised Land under Joshua. The choice part of the sacrificial animal was allotted to the priests and Levites.
As you read this, the ink on the last chapter of 2010 has dried, and fresh ink for the first chapter of 2011 is being written. I am not talking about pen and paper. I am talking about living and life. For the ink is the choices you have made, and their consequences, and the chapters are the record of your life.
It's 2011. As a teenager I calculated how old I would be in the year 2000. I remember thinking, "That's really old!" Now it's 2011 and let's just say I'm just a bit older; aren't we all?
In Christ is found the meaning of life. He alone is a sufficient focal point for our lives. As soon as we make something else the focal point we loose it because by demanding too much of it we destroy it.
It states in Hebrews 12:2-3: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down an the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (NIV)
The celebration of the end of one year and the beginning of another is the perfect time to focus on the very real need all Christians have to leave the past behind and press on to the future. A time to focus on forgiving the failures of the past and focusing on the hopes and dreams that God's put in the heart of every believer.
When the seasons of Advent and Christmas come around in the life of the church, most of us immediately turn our attention to the scripture passages that describe the birth of Christ. As we read the Gospel accounts of the miraculous concemption and virgin birth of our Lord, I often find myself drawn to one of the lesser known characters who played and important but often forgotten role in God's plan to send the Messiah - namely, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist.
Who will love me for me,
Not for what I have done or
What I'll become?"
- J. J. Heller
That question from J. J. Heller's song - who will love me for me - is a question we rarely talk about, but deep down it is a question all of us consider. Love is such an essential part of who we are. It doesn't matter if you are a 20 something tough guy, a 5 year old girl, a middle-aged wife, or a 90 year old man; we all need love.
I worked as an assistant store manager for a chain of catalog showroom stores in Northeast Ohio. This group of retail stores was locally owned. Not long after I started my employment there, I was advised to be "on the lookout," as the man who founded the store and owned the entire chain would be dropping by for a visit.
John 3:16 gives us the true message of Christmas. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
One of my favorite things about the Advent and Christmas season are all of the Christmas lights. There is a great joy surrounding wonderful displays of light and color that transform the cold dark night into warm bright light. My kids love the lights and after driving through the Festival of Lights they ask (or damand), "Again daddy, again!"
If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out, then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the filed will bear their fruit. (Leviticus 26:3,4)
One of the many things I love about New England is the seasons. Sure, I love the Autumn better than the Summer and the Spring more than Winter but with each passing season comes the expectation and excitement of the new one just around the corner. The change in seasons offes us the opportunity to view the world from a different perspective. It is the same world yet it appears different, changed and new.
A nativity scene was erected in a church yard. During the night some folks came across a curious sight...
Jesus was the MASTER TEACHER - "Rabbi - we know that you're a teacher come from God...!" (John 3:2) Jesus often taught in "parables" - simple earthly stories told to illustrate profound spiritual truths and principles. He would use recent events...familiar customs or incidents from everyday life...and often used nature to illustrate the truth or principle He was teaching. Jesus told some 38 parables in His earthly ministry.
"Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us'." (Matthew 1:23)
Every year we see the same thing. Christmas advertising seems to begin earlier and earlier. Hallmark unveils their new collectible Christmas ornaments in July. Merchants and advertisers tease us with Christmas displays and shopping ideas before school even starts. Halloween costumes hang alongside Christmas wreaths. We seem to skip right over November and Thanksgiving in our rush into Christmas.
One of my boyhood hobbies was building models, especially model airplanes. Every time I would get a new model plane, the first that I would see in the box was the instructions, but like a lot of young boys, I didn't think I needed to follow them. You see, in my mind, I knew exactly how to put the model airplane together. Not until I had glued a few pieces together, did I realize that I had skipped an important step, like putting the pilot into the cockpit!
Grace and Peace. As I sit at my desk and reflect on my 1st letter to you as your pastor my mind keeps wandering to Psalm 100. King David records these following words:
"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."
"I found myself struggling to connect church to the practices of my daily life. For the first time in my life I was not excited about going to church. My faith in Jesus and his kingdom agenda was strong. But... church was troubling me." - Todd Hunter
At one point in my life I agreed with the above quote from Todd Hunter. I still put my trust in Jesus, but I wasn't interested in going to church.
"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." Acts 2:41
If you were in church on September 12, you joined with me in the joy of baptizing a very young child. It is a blessing to have a family join together to commit verbally to the raising of a child in the ways of faith. This is a lifelong process, and the child is commanded to confirm those vows made on her bahalf when she grows old enough to understand faith.
At the Mission Feast last Sunday there was some conversation about a pumpkin shortage (I think our pie bakers may be causing it!) and it reminded me of an interesting analogy that was making the rounds on the internet a while back. The origional source is unknown to me and it is not an exact quote, but I'm sure you'll see the point.
"Being a Christian is Like Being a Pumpkin"
When did love become unmoving? When did love become unconsuming?
Love is one of the most powerful human emotions. The band, Sidewalk Prophets, pose the two questions above to make us think. Intentionally, the musicians ask the wrong questions. They want us to reply, "Wait a minute! Love is supposed to be moving. Love is to be consuming!"
Today I am thinking of the word, Hope. Hope is a powerful force. It enables us to overcome great obstacles. It's absolutely essential to the life God wants us to live. It's the fuel our hearts run on. It's the single biggest difference between those who persevere and those who give up.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, I would like to share a little bit with you of what God has been placing on my heart this summer. This began back with the senior high mission trip to Indianapolis early in the summer. During one of the evening services that week, we were asked to write down or draw on a large wall mural something we have wasted. Some drew money, some drew pictures of hands or gifts, but by far most people drew a clock (in some form or another) to symbolize wasted time. As I stood there looking at the mural, I too realized that my biggest waste was time. However, for me, God was striking a deeper chord in my life than he had before. In my waste of time, I was wasting souls.
"...whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39b)
At one time, all of us were on a road that was not satisfying and was not leading us to a place any person would desire. We were on a dead end road - that ended in death. But someone introduced us to Jesus. We experinced forgiveness that we did not deserve, a love we could not earn, and peace so great we find it hard to describe.
With the recent celebration of July 4th, there is a word that has been sticking in my mind. It is a word that I've definitely known for a long time and spoken many times, but never really connected with until this point. That word is "freedom." Freedom is an amazing word! Especially when it comes to the kind of freedom that Jesus has made possible for all people.
As Christians we are to be God lovers and fruit bearers.
In John 15 Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” John 15.1-2
The year was 1858. The young United States of America was being torn into two opposite directions. There were those who supported slavery and those who were opposed to it. The nation was in turmoil as it daily debated whether the use of slaves should be permitted.
In this day and age we are conditioned to think in terms of instant gratification. We are the generation of fast food and text messaging; we hate to wait for anything. Think about the last time you had to wait for something to arrive by 'snail mail,' or stand in line at the checkout counter.
With Summer fast approaching, many people will be planning vacations and other periods of "rest" in their lives. While most of us usually take vacations with the intention of getting away for a little relaxation, what we often forget is that true rest begins in the heart.
Rev. Jim Barnes, National Minister of the Evangelical Association of Reformed & Congregational Christian Churches, presented the keynote message during afternoon worship at the EA's Mid-West Regional Gathering held at First Reformed Church, Bluffton, IN, April 24, 2010. Watch the video footage of that keynote address here.
The Mid-West Regional Gathering of the Evangelical Association featured powerful worship that lifted the soul. Hightlights from the worship times at the Regional Gathering held at First Reformed Church, Bluffton, IN on April 24, 2010 included drama ministry from OnceDeadTwiceBorn from Bethel-St. Paul Church, Louisville, KY along with special music by musicians from First Reformed Church, Bluffton, IN and Cross Community Church, Berne, IN.
Rev
. Bob Russell, retired senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY was the keynote speaker at the Evangelical Association's Mid-West Regional Gathering held at First Reformed Church, Bluffton, IN on April 24, 2010. Here is his keynote message from the opening worship service.
For some reason I'm always wanting to know why things are the way the are. I've always been like that. I'm not satisfied to just know that an engine runs on gasoline and gets me around places fine and dandy. My mind is constantly wondering how things like that work. How does the gasoline power the engine? And what part does the piston play in the whole process? And where does oil fit into the equation?
I finally called it quits on using electronic forms of time management. I’m going back to the trusty paper planner.
For years I used a planner especially for pastors put out by Christian Ministry Resources. It’s perfect for what I do. It has a full year of monthly planning calendars as well as 52 weeks of weekly planning calendars. It has special resources for pastors, including the church calendar and lectionary readings.
I thought using electronic calendars (on my cell phone synced with my laptop) would be a step up. Was I ever wrong.
[I am not certain if this story is true, but even if it is not, it speaks of the challenge of sharing effectively and simply what we believe.]
Edith Burns was a delightful woman who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was also the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite pastient was Edith Burns - and for good reason as you will soon learn.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." - 1 Peter 1:3, NRSV
What is your favorite Easter tradition? Decorating your house with Easter bunnies and chicks? Spending an evening dyeing and decorating Easter eggs? Creating candy and gift filled Easter baskets for family and friends? Filling your home with the scent of Easter lilies, daffodils and tulips? All of these are fun activities that celebrate the advent of springtime and the cultural holiday of Easter.
"That’s me in the corner. That’s me in the spotlight, losing my religion…” – R.E.M.
You know, I’ve always been puzzled about what Michael Stipe intended when he wrote that hit song for R.E.M. back in 1991. Yet, the older I get the more I find that I can relate to it’s title. You see, I’ve been “losing my religion.”
"And (Jesus) said to all, 'if anyone would come after me, let him deny homself and take up his cross daily and follow me." - Luke 9:23
An Lent [concludes] this month, we need to recall that Jesus offers us many things. He offers us guidance, comfort, and eternal life. However, above all, He offers us the opportunity to be His disciples. He says that being His dsiciple invloves self-denial, taking up our cross and following Him. This was a very important teaching to Jesus. When He commissioned His disciples and sent them out on their first mission, part of His instructions to them was to take up their cross (Matthew 10:1-7,34-38). It was a message He would repeat over and over again (see Matthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:34-37; Like 14:25-27; 17:33 and John 12:25-26).
"As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me..." John 9:4a
Welcome to "Pastor's Ponderings!" In each upcoming newsletter, I'd like to share thoughts I have been mulling over. I encourage you to chew over these thoughts and let me know what you think.
We are praying for revival at St. Paul’s.
The leaders of St. Paul’s are now fasting and praying for 40 days, seeking God and asking Him to send revival upon us. The congregation will be asked to fast and pray for 21 days, beginning March 14, to seek God and ask for revival. But fasting and prayer will accomplish little unless we come to the place of brokenness in our lives, when we say, “Lord, I have not measured up to Your standard of love; I have not lived a holy life; but I am willing to change. Please, Lord, change me.”
At a recent committee meeting, the opening devotions focused on the simple thought of "To Listen." Some of the thoughts shared included, "Listen to God. Listen to all. Refuse to interrupt, just listen. There is a reason God gave us two ears and one mouth, we need to listen more than we talk." At least that's what I was able to write down as the person shared. As I heard these statements I was once again amazed at how God always knows what we need to hear.
I don't have a long drive to work, but as I drive I like to listen to music. It lifts me up and creates a more worshipful atmosphere as I start my day. Often the words are just background, even as I sing along mindlessly (being very watchful and cautious in my driving, however!). On other occassions, a lyric or two leaps out and gets my attention. This happened just the other day, when I knew the day would hold the potential of many distractions.
A young woman looked at me quizzically. "I've seen a lot of people with those marks on their forehead today," she asked. "Is it some kind of sorority hazing thing?"
Christian History magazine has a nice piece on the history of Ash Wednesday. My own personal take on Ash Wednesday (and the church year in general) is that such practices are helpful when filled with meaning. It’s the lack of understanding and personal appropriation that leads to dead ritual.
Back in the late afternoon of January 12th, the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince was rocked, swayed and pummeled by a massive 7.0 earthquake. The earthquake destroyed most of the city leaving the survivors in rubble trying to find the rest of their families, fighting for food, and sleeping in city parks. The reports and images coming out of Haiti are graphic, tragic, and unbelievable. There are the stories of miracles like the little boy who was rescued alive after 8 days in the rubble. There are stories of utter pain as children lost parents and parents lost children.
February has just one holiday since Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays were combined. And that special day devoted to love - Valentine's Day. So men, don't forget to do something romantic for your sweetie, because she deserves it... and she probably already has something special for you.
New Year's resolutions... these words strike fear into the hearts of almost all of us as we find ourselves now approaching the first week or two of 2010. Late in 2009, as we looked back on the previous year, we often found that we hadn't accomplished all that we had intended to do. So we looked ahead to a fresh start in the coming year, and boldly made proclamations that "This year things will be different!"
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!
- Paul, to the church in Philippi (Philippians 2:5-8)
There is an old Peanuts cartoon strip in which one of the little girls is sharing her philosophy of Christmas and she says, "Christmas is a time for kindness and joy and a time when we forgive each other." In the next frame, Charlie Brown responds and says, "Why just at Christmas? Why can't we be kind and forgiving all through the year?" The girl looks at Charlie Brown and says, "What are you, some kind of religious fanatic?"
I’ve got a confession to make. I celebrate Hanukkah…and I’m not Jewish! For some reason, I’ve always been fascinated with this biblical holiday. Maybe it’s because Jesus celebrated it himself. (See John 10:22-23) Maybe it’s because I find that Hanukkah helps prepare me for a deeper celebration of Christmas. In fact, I’d like to be bold enough to suggest that if more Christians celebrated Hanukkah then perhaps we’d have an easier time keeping Christ in Christmas during the holiday season this year!
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. - Romans 8:22-25 (NIV)
Unless you have been hiding under a rock somewhere, you have certainly noticed that "Merry Christmas" has in many cases been supplanted with the innocuous "Happy Holidays." The logic is we don't want to offend anyone who may have different religious beliefs...or no beliefs at all.
Sleepless nights and tired Days.
“It’s your turn to get up with her.”
Unexpected expenses and drained bank accounts.
“We needed what?!”
Screaming fits and an anticipated evening of peaceful respite lost.
“She’s ready to eat again?”
A growing pile of laundry and wearied bodies.
“But we just changed her diaper!”
The birth of a child changes everything.
With November comes the beginning of the holiday season—Thanksgiving meals, Advent candles, Christmas decorating and shopping—really a fun time of the year.
As we begin this holiday season let’s determine not to miss the deeper, richer, fuller meaning. Let’s not let the season pass without entering into ALL that it means.
The month of November ends with the national holiday of Thanksgiving. It was originally celebrated as a religious observance to give thanks to God for his bountiful blessings. The first Thanksgiving is traditionally traced back to the Plymouth Plantation in 1621 when the Pilgrims gathered to give thanks to God for bringing them through a harsh winter and providing a plentiful harvest. From Preisdent Washington to President Lincoln, various presidents, off and on, declared a day of thanksgiving. From Lincoln on, every president declared a special day of thanksgiving until 1941 when Congress declared the fourth Thursday of November as the national day of Thanksgiving. Over the years, Thanksgiving has passed from being a religious observance of thanksgiving to God to a secular holiday of overeating.
Autumn, with the changing of colors and the changing of weather, with the harvest of crops and the decorations of pumpkins and cornstalks, autumn is a wonderful time of the year. For some reason autumn causes my thoughts to always return to my boyhood years. As I drive down the road and see the colorful trees I am transported back to the school play ground where I enjoyed games of football, tag and kickball. I am reminded of my grandmother's house where we gathered for a full weekend of Thanksgiving with family and friends.
Bright flashing lights and colors, mesmerizing music, and animated characters captivated me when I saw a video game for the first time as a child, and I was hooked.
"She keeps repeating it over and over again. we've been back to this shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this," the woman told the volunteer at the animal shelter.
"What is it she keeps asking for?" she asked.
"Puppy size!"
As we approach the month of November we look toward the completion of our year-long journey through the Bible. I am so proud of those of you who stuck with us along the way. Some of the passages were somewhat tedious and maybe we can't remember everything we read. Recently the following story was forwarded to me.
It is the story of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way that he could.
Over a recent past weekend, our family traveled to Ravenna, Ohio, for my grandmother's 90th birthday party. Grandma moved into an assisted living community this year, and so our family took over the recreation area for a few hours on Saturday afternoon. Grandma was embarrassed at all the attention, but she was thankful fro all of the years to watch her family grow and mature. Grandma has 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. At one point Grandma looked around and said, "How'd we get so big?"
I am very excited that a few weeks ago, a whole host of folks signed up to "practice the presence of God" for a hundred days. That's right up until Christmas Eve. Now, if you haven't been able to be with us in body, you can still join us in spirit. It is making a refreshing difference in our lives.
You have seen them on TV, in movies, and I know a number of you have even been confronted by them. They look like machines designed for torture and in the beginning they feel like they are serving that very purpose. I’m talking about those machines you meet in health spas and fitness centers. When advertised they are always used by people with glorious bodies that bare little resemblance to our bodies, at least my body.
A very close ministerial colleague of mine told me of a time recently when he was with some friends on a leisure outing, and somehow they felt compelled to bring their newborn baby with them! You would have thought the Queen of England was in their midst. My friend related to me how the baby was never in want for someone to hold or to talk to her. The baby was rocked, sung to and played with all evening. She was held close and loved on; folks walked her around, introducing her to the world, and others protected her while she slept. That certainly was one loved-on baby!
It's really very simple. As Christians we are to be God-lovers and fruit-bearers. That's all. The application, however, the living out of those words seems easier said than done.
Have you noticed? Our world is shrinking! The world used to seem so huge. People who lived in far away lands seemed, well, far away! But not anymore! With cable news, cell phones, the internet, YouTube, email and Facebook, our world is shrinking right before our eyes. There’s a lot of truth to that old Disney song, “It’s A Small World After All.” Today we can interact and stay connected with people all over the world in real time.
I had one of those Mondays this week. It started with a trip to the dentist's office. One of my fillings was about to pop out, so I had to see him about it. Even though I have a great dentist, I never enjoy receiving shots of Novocain. Even though I don't feel it, the sound of the drill grinding at my tooth makes me wince.
Worship at the EA's 2009 National Convocation in Louisville, Kentucky was simply amazing. Built around Convocation's theme, "To Whom Shall We Go?" worship times helped usher attendees to a closer reliance on Jesus. Experience the power of worship at Convocation again through these segments of YouTube video filmed during evening worship on Saturday, September 19, 2009...
Rev. Bill Miller, President of the Evangelical Association's Board of Directors presented the keynote message during Sunday morning worship at the EA's 2009 National Convocation in Louisville, Kentucky on September 20, 2009. His message was entitled, "Mother, Uncle, Father" based on John 6:60-71.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and to not let them be afraid." (John14:27, NRSV)
Someone once said that if you speak to the pain in people's lives, you will never lack for an audience. How true that is! Much of the pain in our lives is do to our troubled hearts, our lack of peace. Peace is something we all crave, isn't it?
Growing up I always treasured the month of August. I remember the days of getting up earlier and staying up later in hopes to get the most out of the final month of summer vacation. Each day was special and precious to me as I hoped to make lasting memories and tried to ward off the eventual school year. Each August as a kid, I would spend one day at an amusement park riding large roller coasters. We now enter into the month of August. It's time to get on the roller coaster.
“If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is” is an old expression that carries a lot of truth to it. But then there are promises that sound to good to be true that are true…at least on the surface. In this latter group everything promised is received, however, it’s in the first that the real bugaboo lies.
This past month we saw the death of several very famous people. We call them celebrities. Some were very respected and some were simply pop-culture icons. The rich and famous were present at their public funerals; and in their comments, we would hear, "he or she was religious" or "he or she was very spiritual." There are many people today who are "religious." They attend church and do religious things but do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. What is the difference between being simply "religious" and truly knowing Jesus?
The heart of a servant... How precious the heart is to God. The person with the true servant's heart will always be trying to find ways to serve: their friends and neighbors, their church, those in need, their God. As servants of Jesus Christ, we are expected to take what God has invested in us and invest into the lives of others.
"And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18)
These instructions to the Early Church in Ephesus apply to us today. Just as if Paul penned these words on a Hallmark card, wrote your name on the envelope and had it delivered to your door and placed into your hand, so, to, is the letter to the Ephesians written to you.
"Mere change is not growth. Growth is the synthesis of change and continuity, and where there is no continuity there is no growth." - C.S. Lewis
I think I've gained some new insight into God's amazing love. I know He loves us, and wants the best for us - He wants us to be in an eternal faithful obedient relationship with Him in glory everlasting. I know that in the process of maturing, after giving us life, God sets us free - to make choices of our own in living on earth. And I believe God watches over us, wanting us to make appropriate choices, giving advice along the way - through His Word, through His presence, through His Son. Yet, He allows us to make those choices - we set the course of our life by the choices and decisions we make.
I don’t know about you, but I like to watch commercials on TV. Most people I know flip channels as soon as a commercial comes on. I don’t. I find commercials interesting…even amusing at times. How else would you discover the drying power of Sham-wow, the cleaning power of Tide, or that eating Taco Bell helps you “think outside the bun.”
I don’t have to tell you of the tremendous number of so called “reality” shows there are on television this year. Actually, there are probably more than I even know, and you can believe that there are more coming. If you add these to the game shows, which are in a sense also reality shows, the number boggles the mind.
Michael Jackson has died. What an extraordinary, yet, extraordinarily tragic life. From what I've read and heard over the years, Michael Jackson was a generous, sensitive, incredibly talented person who was surrounded by the opulence of his own success but a person who was ever dissatisfied. He was man on a mission, a mission to remake his life.
Great expectations. No, I'm not thinking about the book. I'm thinking about the concept, the idea. Very few of us have gone too long without having had a "great expectation" of some sort.
I am the resurrection and the life. (John 11:28)
"He is dead. Our hope is destroyed." Jesus' friends sat in the dark room, remembering His words and His works, especially His last day, that sad Friday.
"When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him along with the criminals - one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:33-34)
Those words... I can't get them out of my head. Those words... they haunt me. They confuse me. They awaken me. They make my heart pound. They give me life! They are the words of ultimate love. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
The tornado that hit Oklahoma February 10th had the audacity to hit our daughter's home in Edmond. They were not home at the time, so they were safe, and all of their animals survived, and as she said, "The rest of the stuff is just that - 'stuff.'"
What I found interesting was my attitude toward the storm. Although I knew that there was damage around the state I was only appropiately concerned for the safety of the people involved. But when I heard my daughter and her family were involved I was suddely angry that a storm would dare harm my family! And on my birthday! Now we had to cancel the party!
At the end of this month (25 February is Ash Wednesday), we will enter the season of Lent once again.
This is a time to prepare to meet Jesus on the cross, to consider His deep love for us, and to think of how we should respond with our lives.
One of the benefits is that this program is sparking discussion. Individuals are asking questions, and Sunday school classes find themselves caught up in discussion for part of their class time. Any time we are prompted to talk about and ask questions about God's Word we ought to celebrate!
This story from the internet is apparently true:
“On Lake Isabella, east of Bakersfield, California, some folks, new to boating, were having problems. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't get their brand new 22 ft. boat going. It was very sluggish in almost every maneuver, no matter how much power was applied. After about an hour of trying to make it go, they putted to a nearby marina, thinking someone there could tell them what was wrong.
One of the favorite Christmas hymns has a refrain that goes like this:
O come, let us adore Him! O come, let us adore Him!
O come, let us adore Him – Christ, the Lord!
That's a great refrain, not only for the Advent/Christmas season, but for every season of the year and every season of our lives.
"When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him... and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under..." - Matthew 2:3, 16
From a purely political perspective, Herod's response to off the baby Jesus makes perfect sense. He knew, and the power brokers in Jerusalem knew, what all this potentially meant. If the Christ was among them, then the social and political world of Palestine would change and change might bring about personally undesirable results.
After coming off of an intense week of Vacation Bible School, I found myself asking the age-old question, "is doing this really worth all of the hassle?" And you may be surprised to find out that this year the answer was "no." But before you start trying to expel the demons out of your pastoral brother, let me explain myself. Let me tell you about our V.B.S. so that you can judge for yourself.
Then the king ordered...some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians...They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. – Daniel 1:3-5 NIV
A gentleman walked past a clockmaker’s store every day on his way to work. He would study the stately grandfather clock in the window for some time before continuing on his way. One day the clockmaker, who had noticed this man standing outside his shop window each morning, ventured out to strike up a conversation. “This one is a real beauty, isn’t it?” the clockmaker asked, pointing to the clock on display.
Every Sunday morning our church has, as I'm sure most churches do, a Sunday School. We also have studies going as additional opportunities for not only learning God's word, but, and perhaps more importantly, learning how to apply what we have learned to our daily Christian living.
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men. - Luke 15:18b-19
The prodigal son was at home with his father for years. He knew his father’s love since his earliest memories. How could anyone walk away from such warmth and caring?
Luke 15:14 - "... and he began to be in need."
The parable of the prodigal has spoken mountains as of late, studying it for breakfast, studying it for prayer. It hasn’t moved any mountains for me though, not any I can see anyway.
Or has it?
Every read has produced a new treasure, a new nuance, a new angle and I wonder if Jesus intended it to do so. I wonder if he intended to speak mountains. I wonder if he intended the parable to move mountains.
I greet you in the most excellent name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for it is in His name that I accomplish much and would boast of His love for each and every one of us.
The reality of Christmas in the New Year has become the cost of "Christmas after."
Sadly, "Christmas after" often has a greater impact on us than does Jesus’ actual birth.
Concerned with what he saw as a spiritual deterioration in churches, D. L. Moody convened a special convocation. The messages he delivered during the convocation were the substance of his book, Secret Power. The book begins…