Wow! The weather here is so hot and humid -- almost a 30 degree jump from last week! Yesterday in church it was hot! When it gets that hot it becomes so hard to focus.
Isn't it amazing the things that can distract us? We let the heat rob us of effectively worshipping the Lord. This would almost seem like whinning and complaining . . . good thing I'm just writing in my blog! It's not really complaining when it's in your blog -- a little known blogging fact!
Recently I have been reading about Exodus, not the band, but the journey of God's people out Egypt toward the promised land. These folks were absolutely incredible, and had brought whinning to a whole new level -- by their standards I'm still an amatuer! Instead of celebrating what God was doing for them, they chose to focus on what He was not doing.
Two sundays ago we handed out bracelets to place on your wrist. The thought is to wear it for 21 days on the same wrist without complaining. If you complain you have to switch it to the other wrist and start all over again. The reason for the 21 days is that it takes that long to make something a habit. i'm still working on day two!
So what do you need to stop whinning about? What can you do to focus on what God has done for you? If you need to -- get a bracelet.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
On Being Reminded
Our family practice is to gather each morning, Monday through Friday, at 7 am for family devotions - a time where we read a portion of scripture, ask some questions, and take some time to pray with and for each other.
This morning was no different. Our story for today came from 2 Chronicles 20, a portion of the Old Testament that chronicles the story of God leading His people Israel. In the story there is a king by the name of Jehoshaphat. He was a strong king who loved God and encouraged his people to serve God also.
One day Jehoshaphat realizes that three other armies had joined together to take him and his army out. Because of this threat the people of Israel came together to seek the Lord. They fasted and prayed looking to God for the answer. God answered them and spoke to them through a guy named Jahaziel - where did they come up with these names? Any ways -- the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jazz.
The first thing Jehoshaphat did was praise God for the victory that was coming later. Then a choir was formed to march before the army and sing. Can you picture this large army marching onto the field of battle led by a choir. Imagine if you will a scene from "Braveheart" and the warriors are led by a choir -- not the macho image that you would think strike terror.
God fought the battle for Israel that day. As they march and are led by people singing the praises of God, God confuses the armies and they ambush one another and destroy each other. When Israel confronts their enemies, they have been uterly destroyed, and for the next three days they take spoils, and on the fourth they bless God and return home with great joy.
I am reminded this morning that when the enemy looms large, it is a good thing to pray and seek God's guidance. I am reminded that God still speaks to His people through His Spirit. I am reminded that we need to live and act in faith. I am reminded that God is the one who will fight for us. I am reminded that praise is a wonderful weapon. I am reminded that the victory and spoils are ours. I am reminded to worship and celebrate the victories.
What threat or battle are you facing today? Are you going to spend some time praying and seeking God's wisdom and direction? Are you going to live as a victor by faith before the fact? Will you spend time today praising God? What enemy is He going to defeat for you today?
I needed to be reminded today, maybe you did too.
This morning was no different. Our story for today came from 2 Chronicles 20, a portion of the Old Testament that chronicles the story of God leading His people Israel. In the story there is a king by the name of Jehoshaphat. He was a strong king who loved God and encouraged his people to serve God also.
One day Jehoshaphat realizes that three other armies had joined together to take him and his army out. Because of this threat the people of Israel came together to seek the Lord. They fasted and prayed looking to God for the answer. God answered them and spoke to them through a guy named Jahaziel - where did they come up with these names? Any ways -- the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jazz.
The first thing Jehoshaphat did was praise God for the victory that was coming later. Then a choir was formed to march before the army and sing. Can you picture this large army marching onto the field of battle led by a choir. Imagine if you will a scene from "Braveheart" and the warriors are led by a choir -- not the macho image that you would think strike terror.
God fought the battle for Israel that day. As they march and are led by people singing the praises of God, God confuses the armies and they ambush one another and destroy each other. When Israel confronts their enemies, they have been uterly destroyed, and for the next three days they take spoils, and on the fourth they bless God and return home with great joy.
I am reminded this morning that when the enemy looms large, it is a good thing to pray and seek God's guidance. I am reminded that God still speaks to His people through His Spirit. I am reminded that we need to live and act in faith. I am reminded that God is the one who will fight for us. I am reminded that praise is a wonderful weapon. I am reminded that the victory and spoils are ours. I am reminded to worship and celebrate the victories.
What threat or battle are you facing today? Are you going to spend some time praying and seeking God's wisdom and direction? Are you going to live as a victor by faith before the fact? Will you spend time today praising God? What enemy is He going to defeat for you today?
I needed to be reminded today, maybe you did too.
Slacking!
"I was busy and I just couldn't find the time" That's my story and I'm sticking to it! The last time I posted to my blog was almost a month ago. Time certainly does fly, and it's easy to become distracted.
One of our core values at RFMC is this thing called honesty -- which is sometimes very hard to deal with -- and if I am completely honest, I do know why I haven't written. I would like to confess that so much has been going on with me and my world that I not sure I even know how to communicate in any effective way all the wonderful and miraculous things God is doing, and that would be true, but it is not the whole truth.
The whole truth is that I would rather rest and relax than write. Writing is a difficult task for this very verbal person, and to sit and write is not something I enjoy. So rather than take the hard road, I have opted for the easier road. I've been slacking!
Well this morning it changes, and I will once again try to hone my writing skills and share with others this wonderful journey that God has blessed me with.
What difficult thing are you avoiding? What step or steps can you take today to put forth just a little extra effort?
Relax. You can start right after that cup of coffee, but start!
One of our core values at RFMC is this thing called honesty -- which is sometimes very hard to deal with -- and if I am completely honest, I do know why I haven't written. I would like to confess that so much has been going on with me and my world that I not sure I even know how to communicate in any effective way all the wonderful and miraculous things God is doing, and that would be true, but it is not the whole truth.
The whole truth is that I would rather rest and relax than write. Writing is a difficult task for this very verbal person, and to sit and write is not something I enjoy. So rather than take the hard road, I have opted for the easier road. I've been slacking!
Well this morning it changes, and I will once again try to hone my writing skills and share with others this wonderful journey that God has blessed me with.
What difficult thing are you avoiding? What step or steps can you take today to put forth just a little extra effort?
Relax. You can start right after that cup of coffee, but start!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Of Language and Registry
Going out for breakfast is always an adventure; yesterday was no exception. Linda and I went to one of my favorite places - Knead the Dough. For reasons of God's design I have the gift of going somewhere and attracting people.
One of the people that was snared in this net was a gentleman whom we first made contact with two years ago while Christmas caroling in the neighborhood. He and his family had just moved here and we were the first people to stop at his new home and make them feel a part of a larger community. My guest is a band teacher at a school in Buffalo.
In the course of our conversation he shared that much of his wife's family are latino and speak mostly spainish. We shared with him that during the summer we had several Mexican migrants who came to worship and that we had someone in the church who would translate my messages into espanol. The extent of my spainish is non-existent. I don't know the language, and when I do hear it spoken, I feel left out and confused, which quickly turns to frustration and me just shutting it out.
In the hispanic community there are some unique language and cultural issues. First generation immigrants hispanics are mostly spainsih speaking only and maintain the traditions of the previous country. Second generation hispanics, for the most part desire to be assimilated into American culture, and their primary language is english and in a lot of cases they have rejected the tradition and language of their parents country. Third generation hispanics seem to have an identity crisis. They try to rediscover their roots, but reject both of the previous generations cultures and have developed their own language - spanglish - a combination of both languages which is deeply rooted in a slang. This this generation is no longer interested in assimilation, but is about latino pride and domination.
My friend shared with me that he attended a seminar where the speaker presented the concept of slang, informal, and formal registries. He noted that all of us sitting at the table could easily switch from our formal registry, using proper grammar and syntax, and yet also be able to use slang and informal registry - knowing when it was appropriate to use which and be able to effectively move between them. It seems that in this current generation of texting and instant messages, there is the inability to grasp the formal registry and therefore has prohibited this generation in its ability to communicate effectively.
As I have been thinking about this - there is a point here - the Scripture occured to me...
In 2nd Corinthians it reads:
14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things,
Before Christ we are only able to understand and hear one language. When we came into contact with Spirit-filled people we weren't able to understand. Only as the Holy Spirit opened our eyes and hearts to the things of the Spirit were we able to know and understand this language. Knowing this language of the Spirit also puts in the unique place of being able to understand both worlds and become bi-lingual so to speak.
Are you able to discern the things of the Spirit? Are you able to speak from your spiritual registry and communicate to others? Who today will you "speak their language" with so that they might hear words of life transforming Hope and Good News?
I now believe I'm bi-lingual - who knew?! LOL
One of the people that was snared in this net was a gentleman whom we first made contact with two years ago while Christmas caroling in the neighborhood. He and his family had just moved here and we were the first people to stop at his new home and make them feel a part of a larger community. My guest is a band teacher at a school in Buffalo.
In the course of our conversation he shared that much of his wife's family are latino and speak mostly spainish. We shared with him that during the summer we had several Mexican migrants who came to worship and that we had someone in the church who would translate my messages into espanol. The extent of my spainish is non-existent. I don't know the language, and when I do hear it spoken, I feel left out and confused, which quickly turns to frustration and me just shutting it out.
In the hispanic community there are some unique language and cultural issues. First generation immigrants hispanics are mostly spainsih speaking only and maintain the traditions of the previous country. Second generation hispanics, for the most part desire to be assimilated into American culture, and their primary language is english and in a lot of cases they have rejected the tradition and language of their parents country. Third generation hispanics seem to have an identity crisis. They try to rediscover their roots, but reject both of the previous generations cultures and have developed their own language - spanglish - a combination of both languages which is deeply rooted in a slang. This this generation is no longer interested in assimilation, but is about latino pride and domination.
My friend shared with me that he attended a seminar where the speaker presented the concept of slang, informal, and formal registries. He noted that all of us sitting at the table could easily switch from our formal registry, using proper grammar and syntax, and yet also be able to use slang and informal registry - knowing when it was appropriate to use which and be able to effectively move between them. It seems that in this current generation of texting and instant messages, there is the inability to grasp the formal registry and therefore has prohibited this generation in its ability to communicate effectively.
As I have been thinking about this - there is a point here - the Scripture occured to me...
In 2nd Corinthians it reads:
14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things,
Before Christ we are only able to understand and hear one language. When we came into contact with Spirit-filled people we weren't able to understand. Only as the Holy Spirit opened our eyes and hearts to the things of the Spirit were we able to know and understand this language. Knowing this language of the Spirit also puts in the unique place of being able to understand both worlds and become bi-lingual so to speak.
Are you able to discern the things of the Spirit? Are you able to speak from your spiritual registry and communicate to others? Who today will you "speak their language" with so that they might hear words of life transforming Hope and Good News?
I now believe I'm bi-lingual - who knew?! LOL
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Samaria Is My World
In Jesus' instructions to His disciples, and to the church, He said: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
In a recent article by Tim Stafford, he writes, "Christians often act like they live in Jerusalem". That statement caught my attention. What does he mean Jerusalem? And the more I thought about it, I think he means we are expecting everyone in our world to think, act, and live, as if they are Christians. The fact is we often are expecting non-believers to act like believers.
The reality is that we live in Babylon - we are aleins and strangers; isn't that what the Word says? So why are we surprised when we see a movie that offends our values? Babylonian movies reflect Babylonian values.
The more I thought about it though, I no longer think we live in Babylon -- we live in Samaria. Babylon is far from Jerusalem, and what you believe or how you worship is of little significance as long as you keep the peace and contribute to civic life. Remember Daniel and the boys? They were fine until they were thought to undermine the government and got caught up in the politics of the day.
Samaria is different from Babylon. In Samaria the people knew a lot about the religion of Jerusalem, and they had a definite bias against it. They knew each other and the fued between them was being fueled from both sides -- each thinking they were right and the other wrong.
More and more I am convinced that we don't have unchurched people around us -- people from Babylon. People whom are just dying to hear the good news and will immediately respond to this message of hope. You and I, however, live in Samaria, a land that is full of cynics and skeptics. The people in our land are not ignorant of the church, in fact they are very aware of it, and they have had some contact with it, and it has most likely been bad. The people you and I work and play with each day, are people who look at the church and see only its hypocracy.
How do we share our faith with cynics and skeptics? By being authentic and real people of faith, who live their lives transparently before a world looking for the authentic. This type of witness is not going to be accomplished with a chic track or the four spirutal laws. An authentic witness must be lived out day by day, moment by moment. An authentic witness may take years to substantiate. We are trying to overcome the broken bond of trust.
What are you going to do today that will show the people of Samaria that live around you that the grace of God is real and can transform their lives? Is there an area of your life where you need to build greater integrity, that you might live authentically?
In a recent article by Tim Stafford, he writes, "Christians often act like they live in Jerusalem". That statement caught my attention. What does he mean Jerusalem? And the more I thought about it, I think he means we are expecting everyone in our world to think, act, and live, as if they are Christians. The fact is we often are expecting non-believers to act like believers.
The reality is that we live in Babylon - we are aleins and strangers; isn't that what the Word says? So why are we surprised when we see a movie that offends our values? Babylonian movies reflect Babylonian values.
The more I thought about it though, I no longer think we live in Babylon -- we live in Samaria. Babylon is far from Jerusalem, and what you believe or how you worship is of little significance as long as you keep the peace and contribute to civic life. Remember Daniel and the boys? They were fine until they were thought to undermine the government and got caught up in the politics of the day.
Samaria is different from Babylon. In Samaria the people knew a lot about the religion of Jerusalem, and they had a definite bias against it. They knew each other and the fued between them was being fueled from both sides -- each thinking they were right and the other wrong.
More and more I am convinced that we don't have unchurched people around us -- people from Babylon. People whom are just dying to hear the good news and will immediately respond to this message of hope. You and I, however, live in Samaria, a land that is full of cynics and skeptics. The people in our land are not ignorant of the church, in fact they are very aware of it, and they have had some contact with it, and it has most likely been bad. The people you and I work and play with each day, are people who look at the church and see only its hypocracy.
How do we share our faith with cynics and skeptics? By being authentic and real people of faith, who live their lives transparently before a world looking for the authentic. This type of witness is not going to be accomplished with a chic track or the four spirutal laws. An authentic witness must be lived out day by day, moment by moment. An authentic witness may take years to substantiate. We are trying to overcome the broken bond of trust.
What are you going to do today that will show the people of Samaria that live around you that the grace of God is real and can transform their lives? Is there an area of your life where you need to build greater integrity, that you might live authentically?
It's Head, Heart, Feet!
For a long time there has been a dynamic at play in the Christian world. There are those Christians who believe that it is imperative to have a cognitive recognition of our faith. They would say it is about the head, and they would disparage other brothers and sisters in Christ who respond to the Gospel call with their hearts. These heart Christians believed that to engage the mind was to somehow minimize the experience of their faith.
In the middle of this debate, there are some who have ventured to believe that it is both - head and heart. Neither head nor heart need be checked at the door as we take the next steps in our journey of faith. To deny either is to somehow minimize the Faith.
Lately I have come to realize that I am a 3-D Christian. I am of the mindset that it is head and heart, but that they only have relevance and authenticity, when coupled with feet! If all i am is head, or heart, but have not feet, I am nothing. Our Christian faith is not something that is only thought about and dialogued, nor is it something that just gives us warm fuzzies and emotional highs. Head and heart only have true perspective when we put feet to our Christian experience and walk our talk.
How can you today put feet to your Christian experience and realize a 3-D faith?
In the middle of this debate, there are some who have ventured to believe that it is both - head and heart. Neither head nor heart need be checked at the door as we take the next steps in our journey of faith. To deny either is to somehow minimize the Faith.
Lately I have come to realize that I am a 3-D Christian. I am of the mindset that it is head and heart, but that they only have relevance and authenticity, when coupled with feet! If all i am is head, or heart, but have not feet, I am nothing. Our Christian faith is not something that is only thought about and dialogued, nor is it something that just gives us warm fuzzies and emotional highs. Head and heart only have true perspective when we put feet to our Christian experience and walk our talk.
How can you today put feet to your Christian experience and realize a 3-D faith?
Monday, February 11, 2008
God Still Answrs Prayer
A gentleman in our church recently rented an apartment to a woman who was in need. He not only rented to her, but he and his wife have reached out to her in the name of Jesus. The woman has a sister whose 1 year old baby girl was to have serious surgery. The church prayed.
Korina came through the surgery well - an answer to prayer. A couple days later she developed a fever. The church prayed. The fever left her. On Friday concern rose that the baby was gaining weight from fluid build up and had as of yet not been able to do either bodily function.
Sunday morning word came that if she did not pee or poop soon (they set a deadline of 6 pm Sunday night) a radical surgery would have to be performed to rectify this issue. The church prayed.
Last night I received a call that informed me at 5:55 pm she began to pee and poop.
And the church celebrates! God still answers prayer!
Tomorrow is an all-church all-day of fasting and prayer for our church. Join me in praying for those who need God's touch and transformation in their lives. Our new prayer chapel will be open and ready for you to come and spend sometime in the Presence of God.
And the church prayed!
Korina came through the surgery well - an answer to prayer. A couple days later she developed a fever. The church prayed. The fever left her. On Friday concern rose that the baby was gaining weight from fluid build up and had as of yet not been able to do either bodily function.
Sunday morning word came that if she did not pee or poop soon (they set a deadline of 6 pm Sunday night) a radical surgery would have to be performed to rectify this issue. The church prayed.
Last night I received a call that informed me at 5:55 pm she began to pee and poop.
And the church celebrates! God still answers prayer!
Tomorrow is an all-church all-day of fasting and prayer for our church. Join me in praying for those who need God's touch and transformation in their lives. Our new prayer chapel will be open and ready for you to come and spend sometime in the Presence of God.
And the church prayed!
One Life Can Make A Difference!
Increasingly each day we are overwhelmed and feel like our world is spinning out of control and we are powerless to change a thing -- ever feel that way?
Yesterday, Dennis came to me and told me he had something he would like to share with me. Dennis works for a collection agency and manages a particular office. The agency is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, and has offices around the world.
Dennis shared that he is often frustrated by the fact that he many times is required to work on Sundays and is prohibited from attending worship. Being frustrated, this past week when his boss visited he informed his boss that he felt the company was putting money before God and that he (Dennis) felt it was wrong and was no longer gong to require the emplyees in his branch to come in on Sundays before 2:00 pm, and that way give each employee in his office the chance to worship.
Later that afternoon Dennis' boss came back to him and informed him that after thinking about it, he agreed, that Dennis was right. He told Dennis that from that moment on everyone in the company would have the opportunity on Sunday AM to attend their place of worship -- all 6,000 employees!
One person, speaking up and taking a stand, can make a difference.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
Yesterday, Dennis came to me and told me he had something he would like to share with me. Dennis works for a collection agency and manages a particular office. The agency is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, and has offices around the world.
Dennis shared that he is often frustrated by the fact that he many times is required to work on Sundays and is prohibited from attending worship. Being frustrated, this past week when his boss visited he informed his boss that he felt the company was putting money before God and that he (Dennis) felt it was wrong and was no longer gong to require the emplyees in his branch to come in on Sundays before 2:00 pm, and that way give each employee in his office the chance to worship.
Later that afternoon Dennis' boss came back to him and informed him that after thinking about it, he agreed, that Dennis was right. He told Dennis that from that moment on everyone in the company would have the opportunity on Sunday AM to attend their place of worship -- all 6,000 employees!
One person, speaking up and taking a stand, can make a difference.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
All Inclusive
Today as i was reading my email, I opened the daily one I receive from a woman in our church who sends out a Scripture verse each and every day. Today this is our verse:
Acts 2; 21
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Everyone - it's a pretty inclusive word! As I have sat here this am meditating on this verse, this word continues to strike me. Who is everyone? Dumb question I know, but the question stands. Does this include the person who was rude to me? The businessman who took advantage of me? The man who raped a 12 year old? The man who has snubed his nose and finger in the face of God and everyone else for 50 years?
You betcha! Because of this verse I take heart each and every morning, because I am also everyone! My wife is everyone! You are everyone.
The condition of this verse is "calls on his name". Seems easy enough, and yet we have sometimes such a hard time humbling ourselves and seeking God's help.
Today is a good day to seek him -- in fact, every day is a good day to seek him!
Acts 2; 21
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Everyone - it's a pretty inclusive word! As I have sat here this am meditating on this verse, this word continues to strike me. Who is everyone? Dumb question I know, but the question stands. Does this include the person who was rude to me? The businessman who took advantage of me? The man who raped a 12 year old? The man who has snubed his nose and finger in the face of God and everyone else for 50 years?
You betcha! Because of this verse I take heart each and every morning, because I am also everyone! My wife is everyone! You are everyone.
The condition of this verse is "calls on his name". Seems easy enough, and yet we have sometimes such a hard time humbling ourselves and seeking God's help.
Today is a good day to seek him -- in fact, every day is a good day to seek him!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Community
On Sunday, February 3, I boarded a plane and traveled to Orlando, Florida, where I had the opportunity to attend Asbury Seminary Minister's Conference. In the past this conference was held on their Kentucky campus and I had the opportunity to stay with friends while attending the conference. Those who know me are aware that I am a person who enjoys being around people.
While in Orlando I stayed at a hotel 15 minutes from the campus. I had a suite all to myself! Now while that seems like a great deal, I was reminded of a very important truth -- we were meant to live in community. Though I was in one of the largest cities, and while I was surrounded by others, I longed for those who knew me.
This morning I am sitting in front of the fire, it is gently snowing, and the kids are arguing in their rooms -- what sweet music! Sharing life together is one of the greatest joys there are. Truly we are better together!
While in Orlando I stayed at a hotel 15 minutes from the campus. I had a suite all to myself! Now while that seems like a great deal, I was reminded of a very important truth -- we were meant to live in community. Though I was in one of the largest cities, and while I was surrounded by others, I longed for those who knew me.
This morning I am sitting in front of the fire, it is gently snowing, and the kids are arguing in their rooms -- what sweet music! Sharing life together is one of the greatest joys there are. Truly we are better together!
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