BirdingPastor

Faith

2009-05-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

Pastor Tom Kyle used to talk about the "speck of belief" - think he nailed it.

* Jesus said, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you."

* The father brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus. "If you can help us....", he began - Jesus challenged his "if" - "Lord I believe, help my unbelief!" And Jesus did.

What do you have facing you next? How much faith do you need for the first step?

Maybe just a little....

The "HER Principle" (Sunday Sermon)

2009-05-08T09:21:00.000-07:00

God gave the Jewish people ten fundamental commands, the fifth (or bridge commandment between relationship with God and relationship with others) was “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)

Jesus reemphasized this command on at least two occasions, “For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.” (Matthew 15:4)

Paul applied it directly to the church in Ephesians 6:2, “Honor your father and mother” – “which is the first commandment with a promise….”

When God speaks, His followers need to listen. When He repeats Himself, we need to sit up, take notice, and obey. What was He saying to them, and is He saying to us? I see the ‘HER Principle” in scripture:

Honor Mom

Let’s talk about honor for a moment. The Hebrew root means “heavy”; the word is often used for giving God glory; it means to esteem, respect, reverence. When we honor our parents we are lifting them up to their rightful place, giving them the glory they deserve.

Note that the command does not say to “honor the honorable”. Honor is not a judgment call, does not require our evaluation of the worth of our parents. God gave a certain woman the role of mother in our lives, and we should honor her for it. It’s similar to the biblical command to respect our husbands, whether they’re respectable or not; and to honor and obey governmental authorities, whether we agree with them or not. Sometimes such honor and respect can actually begin to change the one being honored (repeat). Think about it, God does this with us; first declaring us righteous, then working out this declaration in our lives, molding and changing us.

Note that the command is much more important than we would think, being a key to successful living. Initially this may have meant that the Jews could stay in the Promised Land if they honored their parents; then it came to mean that children who honor parents will be blessed. The reverse was also true, it shocks us to realize that, under the OT law, gross disobedience to, cursing or attacking of one’s parents carried the death penalty. God holds the office of parent in very high esteem – perhaps because there we learn how to honor Him.

Encourage Mom

Proverbs 31 is a key passage for godly women to meditate upon. Verses 28 & 29 state, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’”

It’s significant that encouragement here comes from the husband. We hold such a key to our wives’ hearts, and to their motherly ministry. Our discouragement can bring such chains, our encouragement can help set them free, becoming the women that God intended.

Encouragement is commanded or ‘encouraged’ 59 times in scripture – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit each have a ministry of encouragement to God’s people – preaching ministries are to include encouragement – Romans 1:12 states we are mutually encouraged by each others’ faith – Romans 15:4 reminds us that the encouragement of the scriptures brings hope – Hebrews 3:13 states, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” This is such a vital tool in our relationship toolbox; husbands and children, don’t let it sit in there and gather dust.

Reward Mom

Proverbs 31:31 concludes, “Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

We reward our children for being good. We reward athletes and teams for success. We reward excellence in the workplace with promotions. But, for some reason, we talk about not needing rewards in the church or in our relationships. Interestingly, God doesn’t see things this way.

28 times in the New Testament God talks about rewards. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1) Mark reminds us, “I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.” Paul states, “because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.” And one of the last verses in the Bible, "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” If rewards are so critical to Christian service that God mentions it 28 times, doesn’t it make sense that we should reward each other, particularly mothers who tend to have so much on their plate yet labor in obscurity?

Let’s get very practical and personal here. This week I emailed a number of our mothers, asking for their input on how to honor, encourage and reward them. Here are some of their responses in conclusion:

“words of encouragement can do wonders – that’s a great supper – it’s so nice to have clean clothes to wear – wow, it smells great in here….” “Do something for me, carry in groceries, put the shoes away, clear the table….”

“Simply a thanks for all you do…”

“…appreciation expressed TO us, by actions and words!!’

“To have my husband tell my son (while I am standing there), ‘You have such a great mother.’” “…Daddy dates without the kids.”

“I’m delighted to hear anything nice, but I’d happily settle for no complaining.”

“I love what my husband helps with cooking supper, giving the kids baths, waking up with the little ones during the night (so I can get my sleep).”

“A handwritten note about what I mean to them or a special time we had together…could be on toilet paper.” “A picnic that I don’t have to plan or pack for.” “Time in a bathroom uninterrupted….” “Watch a movie of my own choosing…can be anything other than animated, scary, gory, wartime or involving a purple dinosaur, Spanish speaking girl or a big yellow bird.”

So use the HER principle with your moms and wives! It’s not copyrighted, won’t cost you anything, except your love and time.

Let’s pray.

Changing Others (from Peacemaker Ministries)

2009-05-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

Is There Someone You're Trying To Change?

Whenever you are trying to show someone his fault, remember that there are limits to what you can accomplish. You can raise concerns, suggest solutions, and encourage reasonable thinking, but you cannot force change. God may use you as a spokesperson to bring certain issues to the attention of another person, but only God can penetrate the other person's heart and bring about repentance. Paul clearly describes this division of labor in 2 Timothy 2:24-26: "And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will" (emphasis added).

Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflictby Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 182.

Food for Thought

Is there someone you're trying to change? Here's some biblical counsel: Stop! You may want to take a moment to write these words down on a note card and tape it to your mirror so that you see it every morning:

MY JOB: To speak the truth in love

GOD'S JOB: To change people

Our sense of what's "workable" or "practical" may be our biggest enemy in biblical peacemaking. God doesn't call us to be peacemakers in a given situation because it "works" (though often it does--even in ways we can never imagine); God calls us to be peacemakers so that people can see Christ in us. So next time you're in a conflict and in thinking about peacemaking you find yourself tempted to say, "Well, that'll never work in this case!", remember the difference between God's job description and your own.

PeaceMeal is a publication of Peacemaker® Ministries. Copyright 2009. Reprinted with permission. To sign up for this free weekly email publication, go to the Peacemaker Ministries website at www.Peacemaker.net.

When Good Becomes Evil

2009-05-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

Grieving is a natural, God-given part of life. The release of emotion enables us to begin to move forward in life without a loved one.

99% of the time, avoiding grief is the wrong reaction. Once in a while, it's necessary.

2 Samuel 15-19 (which we will be discussing in class on Sunday morning) relates a tragic story: King David's son, Absalom, leads a coup to take over Israel while his father is still living. He is fully intent on killing his father and men to accomplish this.

Naturally, but reluctantly, David sends his army out to meet Absalom's army. His orders to "be gentle with the young man Absalom" are heard by the entire army.

David's army is successful, and the commander (Joab) kills Absalom. David's grief is so overwhelming that his army sneaks back into town, rather than arriving triumphantly - he could lose his kingdom by the next morning if he continues to grieve. Joab throws ice water on his soul (see 2 Samuel 19:5-7) to get David back where he belongs, leading his men.

This is probably an example of the law of the greater good - sometimes that which is normally good becomes evil if a greater good is lost. Life requires so much wisdom!

Parenting Myths (Sunday's Sermon)

2009-04-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

The earth is flat. Mankind did not land on the moon. The Jews did not suffer and die in concentration camps during World War II. Aliens have visited our world on numerous occasions, and much of the evidence is concealed in Area 51. The Illuminati is a secret society that has been in existence for hundreds of years, and want to take over the world.

Although some may believe that one or more of these are true – and may even belong to an organization like the Flat Earth Society – most of us would recognize these statements as myths or urban legends. We might be tempted to laugh at people that do believe these. Yet – as we discovered last summer in our MythBuster series – we all tend to believe a few myths – and today I’d like to examine a few about parenting.

My Children are Basically Good

- The Bible calls children a blessing and reward from the Lord, wonderfully made, a source of joy, recipients of God’s kingdom. Newborn babies (perhaps after a bit of clean up) are cute and cuddly. Their first smiles melt our hearts, their first laughs reach deep into our souls. Each developmental step brings joy. Their sincerity, their wholeheartedness, their curiosity, much of our experience with them may cause us to view them as basically good. Scripture would disagree.

- Romans 3:23 reminds us. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Romans 3:10, “There is no one righteous, not even one”. Ecclesiastes 7:20 is very clear, “There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.”

- We might contend that these verses are talking about adults. However, David shocks us in Psalm 51:5, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” Romans 7 & 8 remind us that each of us are born with a sinful nature, one that we cannot overcome without Jesus Christ.

- So what are the practical applications of this truth? Do I need to treat my children as filthy, rotten sinners, unworthy of anything except punishment and condemnation? Of course not. But we do need to follow God the Father’s example of parenting us, showing us love, blessing us, training us, but also disciplining us so that we follow Him more closely. And we need to be very careful of parenting or teaching programs that start with the “man is basically good” foundation, which are often long on kindness but short on practical discipline. Many of us were raised under such a philosophy, and struggle to accept God’s truth or work in our lives, living under the deception that we are good, that all we need is a break or some education, all evidence to the contrary.

My Children Don’t Require Much Discipline

- Some of our children are compliant. Some of us, due to our personalities or past experiences, hate the idea of disciplining our children. The world teaches us that spanking, stern words, allowing children to suffer the consequences of their actions and/or depriving children of something they like are all examples of child abuse, or at least poor parenting. We see images of child abuse or hear about children that are taken away from their parents. Put these factors together, and we tend to hold off.

- And our children suffer for it.

- The most perfect child in the universe was Jesus Christ. He did not have a sin nature, and did not sin. Yet Hebrews 2:10 tells us that God the Father worked with His Son while here on earth, bringing Him to perfection through suffering.

- Hebrews 12 teaches us that God disciplines all His children, just as we should ours. Proverbs 13:24 is very blunt: “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” Proverbs 23:14 reminds us that discipline saves a child’s soul from death. Need I continue?

- So, discipline your children. Utilize a variety of methods that are in accordance with His word (I don’t recommend thumb screws or screaming at the top of your lungs!). Keep it private (as God often does with us, see Matthew 18), keep it loving, avoid selfish anger or motivations whenever possible. But discipline!

I Need to Be Totally Involved in My Children’s Lives

- I wish to publicly thank H. Norman Wright for sharing this in his book, “The Power of a Parent’s Words.” His point is that some parents over-involve themselves in their children’s lives, making them the center of attention every day, living their lives out through them, burning themselves out. He suggests that we may believe this myth if we:

** Insist that our child eat everything on his plate
** Restrict our child from some activities because we’re afraid they might get hurt
** Dress our child, tie his shoes, do other things from him/her that they are capable of doing themselves
** Continue to remind our child or teen to wear warm clothes on a cold day
** Regularly do homework for the child
** Give child no household responsibilities
** Walk an older child to school every day
** Have our lives dominated by external, child-centered activities
** Don’t allow others to care for or baby-sit the child
** Only allow our teens to spend time with friends we select from them
** Always pick up after the child, including his room

- I tell you, one or two of these got my attention – and I’m not sure they’re all true. The list certainly is not scripture, but it does make us think.

- Proper balance is found in a passage we studied a few weeks back, Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Love God passionately first (not make idols of our children), keep His word on our hearts. Teach our children about Him and His word as we’re on our way (not necessarily theirs) – as we sit together at home, as we walk on the road, as we get up and go to bed. This doesn’t mean we can’t have special activities for them, rather, that our lives cannot be dominated by 7x24 parenting, running ourselves (and them) into the ground.

I Need to Protect My Children from Bad Circumstances

- I want to be very careful here. This myth contains much truth. We do need to protect our children from people who would harm and exploit them, from circumstances that they are too young to understand or too weak to handle. We’re probably all agreed here.

- But we can become overprotective, particularly with older children and teens. One of the ways to learn is to suffer the consequences of a bad decision. As we noted earlier, God taught His Son through difficult circumstances & suffering. Sometimes we hold a child back from going to a funeral, but do they need to learn about death? Sometimes we keep children away from sickness and suffering, but will they then avoid suffering family and friends when they get older? Sometimes we’re scared to let them go on a missions trip, will they then learn to avoid adventures of faith later in life? Sometimes we bail a teenager or young adult child out of self-caused financial problems, will they then learn to depend on bailouts (corporate or otherwise) later in life? Such questions require wisdom, and don’t have 100% answers. James 1:5 reminds us that, if we lack wisdom, we can ask God and He will supply it. Sometimes God is teaching our children through difficult circumstances, and we’re standing in His way.

I Am Totally Responsible for My Child

- Here’s a myth that many parents believe, frankly, it’s almost instinctive. We tend to internally believe – although it sounds a bit strong or absurd when we state it aloud – that a child’s success or failure depends entirely on our parenting.

- The myth is reinforced by our viewpoint that Proverbs 22:6, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” – is a divine guarantee – we do our job, and all our children will turn out.

- Let me ask a few questions. What happened to a child’s freedom of will? What happened to adult children’s choices as they move away from home? What happened to the sin nature that each of us has? What happened to the viewpoint that Proverbs 22:6 may be a general principle, rather than a universal promise? What happened to God the Father’s (the perfect parent, if there ever was one) parenting of Adam and Eve, and the whole human race in general?

- There is a part of this myth that is true: if we parent poorly, our children certainly can be impacted. If we have sinned against our children, particularly over a significant period of time, we need to deal with it by confession and repentance, to God and to them. If they are still home, we need to change directions in our parenting approaches, moving away from selfishness and pride.

- But then we need to move through the guilt, through the frustration, through the self-condemnation into the freedom and peace that God gives. We need to realize that our children also have responsibility, and need to be interacted with accordingly.

Don’t take my word for it, examine scripture, discover how God wants you to parent. Don’t just believe what you were taught, or what you picked up along the way. Allow myths to fall by the wayside. Proactively parent. Let’s pray.

Questions

2009-04-21T14:13:00.001-07:00

As I was studying for Sunday's sermon & discipleship class, wandered off a bit. Read about a number of Christian singer's divorces, and Ray Boltz's coming out about his homosexuality.

This led me to wonder, should we listen to songs sung by those who have experienced significant moral failures? Does it matter whether they recorded them before or after the failure? Does it matter whether they've publicly repented or not? What do you think?

This is not necessarily a modern question, for example, "It is Well with My Soul" has a later negative story as well.

Thanks.

Disabled and Loved

2009-04-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

There is an exquisite story in 2 Samuel 9.

David, probably thinking of his past strong friendship with King Saul’s son, Jonathan, wonders aloud whether any of Saul’s relatives remain that he could show kindness to. Through one of Saul’s former servants, he learns about Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, crippled in both feet. He calls Mephibosheth in, return’s Saul’s lands to him, and invites him to partake at the royal table like any of the king’s sons. Mephibosheth is overwhelmed.

This story succeeds at many levels:

David’s compassion towards a former enemy’s family (standard policy at this point was to eliminate all potential rivals to the throne, not bless them)

David’s compassion towards the disabled. No matter how many policies and regulations are set up, no matter how “enlightened” a culture becomes, disabled/disadvantaged people are often treated poorly or ignored.

Mephibosheth’s humility, but acceptance of the royal gifts. Please read the passage for more details.

Parallels to the Christian experience. We are all sinners, all disabled by our sin, all enemies of God before salvation; God not only saves us from our sin and situation but also blesses us abundantly and invites us to the table as one of His children, His royal princes. Totally undeserved grace needing to be totally accepted.

Have a great week reveling in His goodness!

Thanks

2009-04-13T07:02:00.001-07:00

I simply want to give thanks to the Lord and to all who were involved in Easter Sunday preparations and service. It was an outstanding time of worship unto the Lord.

(And 451 in attendance - perhaps our largest number ever - didn't hurt either!)

Rights

2009-04-01T15:01:00.000-07:00

I seriously wonder if we have "rights" - and if we do - whether we should stand up for them.

Jesus certainly didn't emphasize his rights on the way to the cross. The Sermon on the Mount consistently teaches us that we will be presumed upon (Matthew 5:30) and persecuted (5:10), without any mention of defending ourselves. I Corinthians 6 talks about lawsuits among brothers and sisters in Christ, verse seven is very plain: "The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated." And Romans 12 urges us not to take revenge, that such justice is God's business.

We certainly have God's promises, and He has given us an incredible standing/position in Christ Jesus. We are certainly to defend others, particularly the poor & oppressed. But stand for our own personal rights? I'm very doubtful (imho).

Creation?

2009-03-30T11:33:00.000-07:00

Why did God create:

* Chocolate
* Ardvaarks
* Star-nosed moles
* Bombardier beetles
* The Grand Canyon
* Six million colors
* Diverse people with all our foibles?

Parenting, "Mission Possible"

2009-03-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

Sunday's Parenting Message:

Remember the Mission Impossible movies and old TV shows? The world would be threatened by a major crisis, an IMF team would be assembled, and our hero would receive his mission briefing through some technological marvel, like talking sunglasses. Of course, it was always important to get rid of that technical marvel before it self-destructed.

Today’s passage was part of Israel’s mission briefing. Moses was preparing them to attack and occupy Canaan, building God’s kingdom in the Holy Land. Successful, long term occupation required training their children well, on of the focuses of this passage.

Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9

There are few guarantees in our parenting. However – in this age with so much conflicting Christian and non-Christian parenting information & advice available – perhaps we need to hear this mission briefing again. Perhaps we need to hear and heed its simplicity. Perhaps we need to know that parenting is “Mission Possible”.

Hear

You are the bus driver. At the first stop four people are picked up, one with a Twins hat. At the second stop 15 people are picked up, three are wearing Vikings hats, and 12 are dropped off as it starts to rain. At the third stop two people are picked up, one wearing a Green Bay Packers hat – he gets booed – just as the snow starts. At the fourth stop the Packers fan is kicked off into a snowbank. At the final stop everyone else is let off to watch the game. Key question: how old is the bus driver?

Hearing, listening is like that. We do not retain everything we hear. We probably shouldn’t, our brains would fill up very quickly. We need to sort through information, only retaining what is important. Problem is, our listening filter has been impacted by sin, selfishness, and boredom, and we miss what we need to hear.

God’s word requires acute, intense listening. James 1:22-25 (on screen) is very poignant here. We must look intently into the mirror of His words, learn about ourselves, then act upon it to truly retain it. If you walked into your bathroom this morning, noted carefully that your hair, teeth and beard needed to be taken care of, then walked away and drove to church – you’d be embarrassed. Action is required.

If we expect our children to hear us, we must hear our Parent, our Father. Moses called his people to hear this entire presentation, but his first priority was for them to hear about God. He was their God, He’d entered into covenant relationship with them. He was one – which doesn’t hit us initially as significant – but was very significant to a fledgling, God-following culture that was surrounded, no buried in multiple gods and idolatrous cultures. Each country, in some cases each city they would travel to had a different god or whole pantheon of gods. Some of them were very appealing, such as gods who blessed crops or fertility. Frankly, our culture today is filled with a variety of idols, some “gods” and some not, and we need to hear, remember and swear allegiance to the one true God.

Love

Then, as followers of the one God, as parents, we are to love Him.

At one level this passage is very disturbing. We are commanded to love God; and not just superficially, but with our whole beings. We could easily become offended here. How can God command us to love Him? Where is the free will, the choice in that? Isn’t love an act of the will?

But let’s think a little deeper here. God commands us to love our spouses, and that seems reasonable. God commands us to love our children, and that seems reasonable. We command our children to love each other, and that’s reasonable. Historically, many cultures had parents pick out spouses for their children, then command them to love each other, and it often worked.

Commands do not limit choices, they clarify them. We either obey and love God, or we don’t. And He holds up the difficult standard of “complete self” love so that we realize that lukewarm, occasional love is really not love at all.

There was an interesting parenting study done. It revealed that most young adults who follow Jesus either come from non-Christian homes where they were converted to Christ in their teenage years, or they come from homes where mom and dad’s love for Jesus permeated their lives. Very few young adult believers came from homes where there was an indifferent, apathetic commitment to Christ. As Jesus said in Revelation, He wants us either hot or cold. He can work with either. He doesn’t work with lukewarm.

Want your children to follow God? Listen to Him intently, and love Him wholly. They’ll catch on.

Know

Parents often complain that they don’t know enough about God and His commands to teach their children well. Occasionally this may be true. You might not yet be a Christian – or you might be a new Christian – or perhaps you have a learning disability. To you I would say, start with what you hear here on Sundays. That’s all Moses was asking the Jews to do in Deuteronomy 6.

However - if you’ve been a Christian for a while and still don’t feel you know enough – I would ask you to check your heart. Are you listening intently? Are you lukewarm, apathetic, not really interested in God and His word (be honest)? Have you fallen into religious habits that hamper your relationship with God? If so, today would be a good day to repent, to confess your heart attitudes to the Lord, seek His forgiveness, and allow Him to start you fresh, give you a “do over”. It’s what He’s good at.

Do note that these commands are to be heart knowledge, not just head knowledge. God’s word takes time to filter from head down to the heart, taking thought, emotion, wrestling, and application.

Share

We’re near the end of the message and haven’t talked about parenting methods. This was very intentional. It reflects the passage. Parenting is less about methods and more about parents’ hearts. If our hearts hear, love and know God, then methods will follow.

The two methods discussed here are repeat, and illustrate.

Repeat – use every natural, relational opportunity that comes along. When you stop together, talk about God and His word. When you walk together, do the same. Hearts are often open at the beginning and end of the day. Use those opportunities.

Note that these opportunities are intentional, but not overly structured. If God and His word are on your heart, you will want to share during appropriate opportunities. Do so, intentionally. This doesn’t preclude devotional times – they can work as well – but if you’re struggling with establishing family devotions, start with what’s commanded – then see if more is required.

That’s the audio, there’s also the visual. In the Jewish culture phylacteries and mezuzahs worked well – tying them on the hands and putting them on the gates – in our culture there are multiple opportunities to illustrate God and His word through sight. Pictures, scripture verses, computer graphics, videos, figures, etc. – the opportunities are endless. In our home the visual that most grabs my attention is a stylized cup and dish that signifies the Lord’s Supper – which reminds me of His death for us – hardly ever fails to stir me.

Parenting. Mission Impossible, or Mission Possible? While remembering that there are few guarantees, and that our children will sometimes exercise their wills in the wrong direction, we can become better parents by following this simple approach. Hear God’s word deeply. Love Him wholly. Know Him and His word at the heart level. Then share – utilize the natural, relational, frequent opportunities that come along – both serendipitously and intentionally. Let’s pray.

Faith Christian School Article

2009-03-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

Best Kept Secret

Take 169 north to Milaca, head west on 23. Don’t miss the 160th Avenue exit (they recently paved the road). Drive past the agricultural fields, you’ll be surprised to find a schoolhouse and gymnasium on your left.

Enter through the door with the “visitor register at the office” sign. The office is just to your left, say “hi” to Chris at the front desk. Meet Kay, the administrator.

You have entered Faith Christian School, perhaps the best kept academic secret in the area.

You’ll be surprised to learn that:

* The school serves K4 through 12th grade
* The student to teacher ratio is often under ten to one
* The students typically score higher than the state average on their ACT’s – even through every student takes the ACT (unlike public schools)
* On a recent sampling of 180 sub-tests, only three were under the 50% mark
* Despite the small size of the school (80-120 students), they regularly field successful basketball, volleyball and soccer teams
* Their students are active in community service, including recently sandbagging over in the Fargo flood area
* Parents manage the school through an elected board, administrator and volunteer service
* Students are , on the main, polite, courteous, respectful – but also curious and creative
* Students come from Milaca, Princeton, Zimmerman, Foley and surrounding areas – buses are available from Milaca and Princeton.

Interested? Contact the school at 320-294-5501 or administrator@FCSSaints.com

Rest

2009-03-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

“By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing, so on the seventh day He rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done.” Genesis 2:2-3

“Six days shall you labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, not you animals, nor the alien within your gates.” Exodus 20:8-10

“Be still, and know that I am God….” Psalm 46:10

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God, for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.” Hebrews 4:9-10

We have been working our way through marriage and family principles on Sunday morning. Family relationships are complex activities – requiring application of a number of truths to remain healthy – but if I was only allowed to address one, it would be this: Rest.

Endless activity needs to be exposed for what it is: addictive sin. God built us to rest. Relationships require rest. Knowing God requires rest. Working well requires rest and renewal. Our bodies break down, our marriages break down, our kids break down, and we think adding one more activity might solve the situation….

Stop!

Build in margin before it’s too late. Remember our marriage principle: you can change yourself, but only influence others. Start with yourself. Delete an activity (or three). Provide an example to your family. Talk to them about slowing down. Allow change to happen slowly.

God speaks in the stillness (I Kings 19:11-12), but can rarely reach the harried and hasty.

Blessings!

Pastor Al

Prayer

2009-03-19T08:43:00.000-07:00

Would appreciate prayer as I head down to Madison & spend time with family the next few days (for traveling, good opportunities to relate, connect with those I should in a short time, etc.).

Interesting that God knows exactly what will happen - in the next few days and throughout history - yet still asks us to pray - and He responds. Bit of a mystery, there.

Birds and Ministry

2009-03-18T08:06:00.000-07:00

(From a thread on a birding listserv, discussing "nemesis birds", ones birders have never seen)

Painted Bunting

Have honestly only had two shots at them (they are unusual in Minnesota, we might have one annually) - once in Corkscrew Swamp during a business trip - and the other is a bit of a story:

Had a business trip scheduled to Savannah, GA in mid-September. Discovered a local guide (through Birdchat), hired her for a full day birding in the area, including chasing Painted Buntings (despite loss of colorful plumage by then).

Two days before leaving, planes crashed into strategic buildings. The meeting was - eventually - cancelled. The horror, the loss of life, the long term implications made my small loss (initially, a trip and a bird; eventually, the loss of my business as the economy reeled) totally insignificant.
Yet, for me, 9/11 and Painted Buntings are inseparably, symbolically connected.

As are Painted Buntings and my move into full time ministry (transitioned from bivocational to ministry only).

And still, I have never seen one.

Easter

2009-03-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

Resurrection

It had happened before

Son of an infertile marriage
Son of a poor widow
Daughter of a distressed ruler
Brother of despairing sisters

It would happen again

Hardworking widow
Snoozing window-dweller

But not like this
Not submerged in scorn and sin
Not guarded by the empire
Not so very alone

Author of life, dead
Creator of earth, buried
Lover of hope, hapless

Scene over

But …early one morning
Couple of guards
Couple of women
Couple of disciples
Couple of angels

And one very risen
Savior

Toxic Marriages

2009-03-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

Sermon notes for Sunday:

Toxic Marriages & Relationships

PCB’s, or Polychlorinated Biphenyls, were used in the manufacturing of electrical utility equipment, coolants, lubricants, additives, coatings, fluids, sealants, adhesives, paints and other essentials for an industrial nation like the United States. Over time we discovered that they were serious water and soil pollutants that caused cancer and other health problems, and they’ve been banned in the United States since the 1970’s.

Although they still linger in the environment, there are a number of methods to deal with them – incineration, ultrasound, irradiation, release of microbes, chemical processes and others. The methods are often expensive; but then, so is cancer.

And nature can be reclaimed. One of my personal favorite wildlife areas – and a leading birding and hiking spot in Wisconsin – is Nine Springs, an urban wildlife refuge that was once a wastewater area filled with PCB’s. There are environmental success stories that overcome our ability to ignorantly or knowingly poison our environment – as there are success stories of toxic marriages & relationships recovering.

Toxic marriages are relationships that have been poisoned by one or both partners. Today I want to take a biblical and practical look at some of these toxins, then suggest some approaches to help cope with them and remediate – even save – our marriages. These thoughts should also be helpful in other important, close relationships.

Toxins

Toxic Communication

- Manipulating & Controlling

We have God-given needs. As sinners, we often take selfish approaches to fulfill those needs. And, seated across from us, is the perfect person to meet those needs. But they fail to realize the high importance of meeting our needs, because they also struggle with their needs and selfishness. Problems arise. So we learn to manipulate & control our spouse, or at least attempt to.

This manipulation and control may be very subtle, or very obvious. Genesis 3:1-5 shows the first manipulative conversation; Satan got Eve to do what he wanted done. Judges 16 highlights how Delilah used sensuality and controlling words to bring Samson down (read verses 4-22). Some of this may sound familiar. Don’t just blame Delilah here, Samson was using her for his own needs as well.

We become expert in using tone of voice, words, guilt and other approaches to manipulate our spouse. Shame on us! Christ has set them free – they have willing entered the marriage relationship to love, cherish, respect us – and we use them. We need to turn from this!

- Verbal Attacks
Life is frustrating. Frustration leads bitterness, anger, even rage. We feel we must unload on somebody. There they are, sitting near us at the breakfast table. Kaboom!

They may not even have been the source of frustration, but something they said, something they did, some way they looked at us touched the top of the seething caldron, and out it came. Then this one event becomes a pattern. Gradually we wear the spouse – and ourselves – down until our marriage is in the same need of remediation that the wastewater plant/natural area was that I described. Proverbs 27:15-16 describes this colorfully. Colossians 3:19 warns husbands to avoid the trap of harshness, of angry verbal attacks.

- Silent Treatment

This practice may start out honorably. We may choose to not respond hastily or angrily to our spouse. Over time, however, we discover that silence can be as powerful as words. Silence works. The spouse may break down and meet our needs – or he/she might leave us alone – or they may become frustrated as well, giving our anger a perverse pleasure.

Silence in scripture is often a positive – as a spiritual discipline to seek God – as a good response to another’s attack (like Jesus with those who wanted to crucify Him) – but in marriage, it should be used sparingly. Rather, as Ephesians 4:15 encourages, we must speak the truth in love to each other. Not just the truth. Not just love. But both.

Abuse

- Verbal Abuse

This is virtually the same as the verbal attacks we just discussed. I just want us to be aware that sustained, prolonged verbal attacks become abuse, and we injure our spouse in very similar ways, sometimes even more deeply, than physical abuse.

- Physical Abuse

God hates inappropriate violence. Read Genesis 6:11-13 and Malachi 2:14-16. He judged the world through the Genesis flood because they had become so violent in their sinfulness. And, in the classic passage about how much God hates divorce, we see that He hates marital violence as well. If you hit your spouse, either through loss of emotional control or to get them to bend to your wishes, you and your marriage have serious issues with strong legal, relational and religious overtones. A time of confession, repentance, and counseling is absolutely necessary – and perhaps a determined time of separation.

- Sexual Abuse

This area is a bit different. Sexual abuse often occurred in a person’s childhood or teenage years, and causes relational difficulties in the marriage. Sometimes there was premarital rape. If you or your spouse was sexually abused before marriage, please allow me to recommend the book, “Desperate Marriages” by Gary Chapman (same guy who wrote “The Five Love Languages”), and I would recommend Christian counseling as well.

Infidelity

- Physical Adultery

We are bombarded with sexual images in our culture, and there’s no sign of decrease. Television and Internet shows often depict the joys of extra-marital affairs, of discovering someone who meets your needs outside the marriage. Then you meet that someone – and, as depicted in the excellent movie “Fireproof” – you gradually give yourself away.

Stop! That’s a dead end. It’s a spiritual killer. God devotes whole chapters in Proverbs to the destruction that will come, and he warns us in I Corinthians 6 and elsewhere that it will have eternal ramifications. We sin against Him, against our spouse, and against ourselves. Don’t!

- Spiritual Adultery

We also can give ourselves away to relationships, causes, hobbies and addictions that drain the life out of our marriage. Let’s briefly consider them.

Addictions

We may bring work home too often. We may enjoy television too much. We may spend too much time with our hobbies. We might involve ourselves in too many community activities and causes. If we take a good thing and go after it too hard – to the detriment of our marriage – a course correction may be necessary.

But other addictions are killers, pure toxins. Alcohol, drugs, sexual addictions like pornography all fit this category. Galatians 5:19-21 address all three of these (“witchcraft” actually contains the root word for “pharmacy”, and implies drug usage). We must put each of these aside for the life of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-26.

Approaches

Whew, this has been intense; and perhaps a bit long. But we haven’t yet discussed potential solutions. Here are three recommendations:

Avoid the Exit Ramp

Divorce is rarely a good option. We read that God hates it in Malachi 2 earlier. Jesus tells us in Matthew 19 that we are not to separate the marriage God has brought together. I Corinthians 7 tells us not to separate. Toxic marriages are meant to be remediated, worked on, not deserted. Health and beauty can come. An interesting study was done a few years back, showing that 2/3 of unhappy married adults who stayed in their marriages were happy five years later; while just 24% of those who divorced or separated were happy five years later. We could say much more here; something to think about.

ROCK the Marriage

This is a reminder from last week’s message. Take responsibility for your part in the marriage (which may include confession/repentance, and seeking counseling). Overlook the small things that may mess up your marriage renewal efforts. Confront when necessary, but gently, in love. Kiss, make up, normalize the relationship whenever possible.

Pray, for this is God’s Work

And, finally but most importantly, pray. Marriage change may seem to predominately your work, but ultimately, it’s God’s. Personal development, influencing our spouse, changing our marriages depends upon the moving of His Spirit in our lives.

Let’s pray.

Weather

2009-03-10T08:26:00.001-07:00

Does anyone know the degree of weather forecasting accuracy?

Many years ago the Director of Statistics at Oscar Mayer told me it was in the low 50's percentage wise, just about the same as a coin flip.

We have had so many different forecasts about this (now beginning) storm, that I am at a bit of a loss on how to use the information from a planning perspective. Cancel meetings? Go ahead and cause driving problems? Ignore it?

Tomorrow, with Youth and Awana, should be even more of a joy.

Gotta love March.

I'm glad God is in control, for we certainly aren't.

Marriage & Relationship Reminder

2009-03-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder from Sunday: ROCK your marriage!

R - (take) Responsibility

O - Overlook

C - Confront

K - Kiss (forgive, return to normalcy)

Tough Logical Argument

2009-02-27T09:18:00.000-08:00

Is anything too hard for the Lord? No.

Does He know your or my current difficult circumstance? Yes.

Could He change the circumstance if He wished to? Yes.

Does God love us & others? Yes.

Therefore our current circumstances - no matter how difficult - are being used by God for our and/or others' good.

Think Job. Think Hebrews 12. Think Jesus.

Now I need to go back and apply this to myself!:)

Marriage Foundations

2009-02-26T11:18:00.000-08:00

Sunday's Message:

A business man's wife was depressed. She began to mope around, sad, lifeless--no light in her eyes--no spring in her step. It became so bad that this "man of the world" did what any sophisticated person would do, he made an appointment with the psychiatrist. On the appointed day, they went to the psychiatrist's office, sat down with him and began to talk. It wasn't long before the wise doctor realized what the problem was. So, without saying a word, he simply stood, walked over in front of the woman's chair, signaled her to stand, took her by the hands, looked at her in the eyes for a long time, then gathered her into his arms and gave her a big, warm hug. You could see the change come over the woman. Her face softened, her eyes lit up, she immediately relaxed. Her whole face glowed. Stepping back, the doctor said to the husband, "See, that's all she needs." With that, the man said, "Okay, I'll bring her in Tuesdays and Thursdays each week, but I have to play golf on the other afternoons."

Marriage is like that! There are times that marriages seem like a union of two people who just don’t “get it”. We start with high hopes, full of expectations from a variety of sources, some good, some not so good, some just silly. We hope the other person will fulfill us, make us happy, make life easier. Then, some time between six and eighteen months in, we realize that life is not easier, but harder, as two selves bump into each other, each wanting their own way, each challenged by the others’ attitudes and actions.

Over the next two months I want to examine a variety of scriptures on marriage – as well as family – to help us move away from our often self centered expectations and very mixed cultural influences – allowing God to speak into our marriages and families. Today we’ll look at foundational truths, and over the next eight weeks consider problem-solving, toxic marriages, creative singleness, contemporary gender issues, parenting future adults and family in community. Let’s start!

Foundational Truth #1, God Created Marriage (Genesis 2:18-25)

- God declared all of creation either “good” or “very good”. Here we have the first “not good” – before mankind sinned – man was not designed to be alone. This is a bit startling, all of perfect creation surrounds him, he experiences perfect fellowship with God, yet he was alone. He needed someone of his own kind to come alongside.

- God declared that man needed a “suitable helper”. Two truths arise from this: 1) God custom developed woman and man for each other, before their sin they were a perfect match. Think of a dog sled team, the importance of matching just the right dog in the just the right position. 2) Man needed help, woman provided it. Please remove all the negative connotations here, help comes from equal peers all the time. Just think how excellent our culture would be if selfless help was foundational!

- Animals could not provide the fullness of companionship that humans needed. There is certainly a joy that comes from relationships with animals, but they’re not peers – they cannot communicate to the depth needed – they cannot be total soulmates.

- Note how much man contributed to the process, he, well, slept. God did all the planning, all the work, all the giving (sounds like salvation and much else of life). Married men, look over at your wife as Adam did, realize God prepared her for you. Realize that she is made out of the same stuff you are. Realize you are one flesh. As John Piper states, “God gave away the first bride.”

- Don’t miss what used to be called the “leave and cleave principle”. Leaving one’s family for your spouse is foundational. Family is important, but so is the right mix of independence to get your own fledgling family off the ground. And remember who has become your primary earthly consideration – not your parents, not your brothers and sisters, not your friends – but your spouse. Period.

- “The man and his wife were both naked, and felt no shame.” Nakedness worked because both were trustworthy, there was no shame, guilt or negative commentary. Something to think about there!

- Perhaps the most important point here is that God created marriage. Society did not create marriage, marriage did not evolve, we don’t come up with best ideas about marriage (or getting rid of it) – it’s God’s idea, God’s work – and we need to live accordingly.

Foundational Truth #2, God Calls to Marriage (I Corinthians 7:17)

This passage is about marriage, sexuality, singleness, the mix of believers and unbelievers, separation & divorce – God lays out this foundational truth – stay where you’re called.

The “staying” is important – and we’ll discuss it in depth during a later message - but I’d like you to reflect on the calling piece today. God calls people to marriage. He actively works in people’s lives to bring them together. In a sense, he carries Genesis two forward into the present day. Once again, look at your spouse. Chances are great that God brought you together, He called you to marriage (as He calls to salvation, and ministry, and other important life stages).

We can resist the calling, as in the movie, “Serendipity”. Sara and Jonathan meet in New York City during the Christmas season while shopping for their lovers. Both want the same pair of gloves, Jonathan gallantly allows her to buy them, she takes him out for ice cream. They spend the evening talking, develop an incredible connection, but they’re already dating others. He asks for her number, she writes it on a gum wrapper, it blows away. She tells him that she’ll write it in a book and sell it to a used bookstore. He writes his number on a five dollar bill, she spends it. If they find the items again, it’ll mean they should get together. Years later, both are engaged, Jonathan is on the verge of marriage, even though they have never forgotten each other. Ironically, his fiancé buys and gives him the copy of the used book, while Sara locates the five dollar bill – and, of course, they end up together. A bit schmaltzy, perhaps, but how many strings did God pull to bring the two of you together? Deb was raised in St. Petersburg, FL, I in Madison, WI, what are the chances we would both go to Moody Bible Institute? In God’s economy, 100%, after all, He’s called us together.

But don’t hear me wrongly. God does not call everyone to marriage. Some are called to singleness, as other parts of the passage clearly state. Be very careful about pressuring others to marry – or giving into such pressure.

Foundational Truth #3, God Empowers Marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33)

- This is, perhaps, the key passage on marriage. We’ll be back here again. But I want you to think about the four empowering keys God gives us here: submission, headship, love and respect.

- Submission has become a dirty word in our culture. Don’t let it be such in your marriage or thinking. It’s a foundational to scriptural relationships - we’re commanded to submit to our religious leaders, to our governmental leaders, children are to submit to their parents, everyone in the body of Christ is to submit to each other (verse before) – submission enables Christian relationships to happen. God has elevated submission, obedience, mutual servant attitudes beyond the world’s comprehension. Done well, in an atmosphere of servant headship, love and respect, submission is beautiful, God-honoring, relationship-preserving.

- And husbands are to be the head, lead their homes. But note the kind of headship, note Christ’s example: it’s headship that saves, that loves, that develops and purifies those being led. This is not domination or degradation, as some have taught and many more have lived. This is servant headship. So, guys, get out and lead – lead with a servant’s attitude - nothing is worse than a leader who won’t lead.

- And husbands are to love. They are to have their wives’ best interests in mind. They are at least to love them as well as they love themselves (which is very powerful love indeed). Men, be aware that this does not come easily, our selves, our careers, our outside interests, sometimes it seems like everything gets in the way of loving our wives. It’s work, but it’s work with a purpose, work with a goal, work that makes relationship happen, that makes her happy (no, joyous).

- And wives are to respect. Wives, you’ll look in vain through this and other passages, hoping that you don’t have to respect this man that is so different from you, so error-prone, so “unrespectable”. This is a command, not an earned status. Just as, frankly, you are to be loved, men are not to wait for you to become loveable.

Reading

2009-02-23T09:33:00.000-08:00

Reading

As believers, we know that spending time in God’s word produces life change. But other books can also impact our lives:

Before I became a Christian, I read “The Arm of the Starfish” by Madeleine L’Engle, It awoke in me a desire for the supernatural, a desire to encounter God, that I don’t remember having before that time. I recommend her books, particularly “A Wrinkle in Time” (Newberry Award Winner) for children and teenagers, and the “Crosswicks Journals” for adults (four books).

I worked a year between high school and college, and was wondering what to do with my life. “Knowing God” by J. I. Packer convinced me that knowing God intimately should be a life goal, and that heading to Moody Bible Institute was an important step in that journey. “Knowledge of the Holy” by A. W. Tozer also pointed me in the same direction.

As I was contemplating the move up here to Princeton Free Church, “The Mitford Series”, books by Jan Karon, ignited a desire to pastor in a more rural area.

Other impactful books that I would recommend:

“Windows of the Soul” by Ken Gire. He captures a number of the ways God interacts with and surprises us. You’ll recognize some of his illustrations from my sermons.

“What’s So Amazing About Grace” by Philip Yancey. This book fleshes out God’s grace to the unlovely in vivid ways; his chapters on a prostitute and a homosexual are worth the price of the book.

“Systematic Theology” by Wayne Grudem. This book has been tremendously helpful as I’ve thought through my beliefs for the upcoming ordination (transfer) council. It’s huge, not necessarily easy reading; if that puts you off, try the summary book, “Christian Beliefs” by Wayne and his son.

“Color Outside the Lines” by Howard Hendricks, and, “A Whack on the Side of the Head” by Roger Von Oech, both excellent books on creativity.

The staff is currently reading “Blue Like Jazz” by Donald Miller, an interesting (sometimes bone-jarring) story of a contemporary person’s journey towards faith.

May the Lord change your lives through a variety of avenues, including reading!

Economic Recovery Article

2009-02-18T12:29:00.000-08:00

An apparently solid, sane economic recovery article can be found at

www.finance.yahoo.com/news/How-To-Tell-The-Economy-usnews-14351762.html

It's suggesting that our unemployment rate will go up another 1.5 points - and that the stimulus package will not have noticeable impact until 2010-2011 - but that economic confidence might begin to recover by the second half of this year.

Worshipping & Pleasing God Through Sharing With Others

2009-02-18T08:53:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 13:15-16 states, Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

There are at least three types of worship present here - verbal, hands-on action, and sharing/giving.

I'd like to consider the last one, sharing/giving, for just a minute. Our financial/resource sacrifices - whether given during a structured offering time on a Sunday morning or spontaneously to someone in need on a Wednesday afteroon - is worship, and is pleasing to God.

Earlier in the chapter the author instructs us to keep our lives free from the love of money, because God will never leave nor forsake us. This truth frees us up to share with and give to others. God will take care of us, so we can freely share with others. However, if we worry, love or hoard our resources, than we are bound by them, reluctant to share, displeasing God.

Something for me personally to chew on.

Time for Intercessory Prayer

2009-02-12T14:46:00.000-08:00

Members, attendees and friends of our church are currently experiencing:

* Unemployment, loss of business, lack of financial support, loss of homes

* Grief (five funerals in the last six weeks)

* Psychological & emotional struggles

* Spiritual warfare

* Marital struggles

* Illnesses & injuries (whole families down with flu & other sicknesses, needs for surgery, chronic issues)

* Faith issues, from doubts to considering salvation.

Time to pray! (Perhaps also time to join a small group, we need to experience God working through each other.)

Sorry for the lack of posts, life has been intense the last two weeks.

Keep Going

2009-01-28T07:22:00.000-08:00

An email from Peacemaker Ministries this morning caught my attention. Matthew 18:15 tells us to go to our brothers when they offend us. The Greek tense of "go" implies continual action.

In other words, keep going.

Our initial temptation is not to go at all, just try to work through it ourselves. We may then work up the courage to go once, but if the discussion doesn't proceed well, console ourselves with the fact that we tried.

This seems to take reconciliation to a whole new level. Ouch!

Poverty in Spirit

2009-01-27T09:25:00.000-08:00

A lady from our church recommended this message from John Piper - it is exceptional! I have downloaded it in full (with permission).

Blessed Are The Poor in Spirit Who Mourn

Matthew 5:3-4
Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are those who mourn,for they shall be comforted.

Back in 1978 I spoke in Aspen, Colorado, to a gathering of Inter-Varsity students and people off the street. At the end of my talk one of the students asked a very common question. He said, "Isn't Christianity a crutch for people who can't make it on their own?"
My answer was very simple. I said, "Yes." Period.

What's Bad About a Crutch?
I can't remember how the conversation went from there. So let me just pick it up here. My return question would be, "Why is the thought that Christianity is a crutch considered to be a valid criticism of Christianity?" People don't usually look at a crutch and say, "That's bad. It's just a crutch." People don't in general think that crutches are bad things. Why does a crutch become a bad thing when it's Christianity?

I think the answer that most critics would give is this: if Christianity is a crutch, then it's only good for cripples. But we don't like to see ourselves as cripples. And so it is offensive to our self-sufficiency to label Christianity as a crutch.

But Jesus said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:17). In other words, the only people who will ever come to get what Jesus has to give are sick people, people who know that they are spiritually and morally and very often physically crippled.

Everybody Has a Creed
Everybody has a creed. All people believe in something and shape their lives around it. Even agnostics believe very strongly that you ought not believe anything very strongly (which is why it is so hard to be a consistent agnostic). We all have a creed that we live by, whether we can articulate it or not.

What is the creed behind the conviction that if Christianity is a crutch, it is undesirable and unworthy of acceptance? I think the answer is this: the creed behind this criticism of Christianity is the confidence that we are not cripples, and that real joy and fulfillment in life are to be found in the pursuit of self-reliance, self-confidence, self-determination, and self-esteem.
Any Messiah who comes along and proposes to replace self-reliance with childlike God-reliance, and self-confidence with submissive God-confidence, and self-determination with sovereign grace, and self-esteem with magnificent mercy for the unworthy—that Messiah is going to be a threat to the religion of self-admiration. That religion has dominated the world ever since Adam and Eve fell in love with the image of their own independent potential when they it saw reflected back to them in the eye of the serpent: "You will not die; you will be like God."

The Creed of Self-Reliance
Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American poet and philosopher who died about 100 years ago, wrote a famous essay called "Self-Reliance." It captured the spirit of the age, and the spirit of our age.
Trust thyself, every heart vibrates to that iron string. Discontent is the want of self-reliance. It is infirmity of will.

Ah-ha! Now we see the creed behind the criticism of Christianity as a crutch. The real infirmity of the world, according to Emerson, is lack of self-reliance. And so, to his dismay, along comes Christ, not with a cure for the disease, but a crutch! Christ is a stumbling block and an offense to Emerson and to all the Terry Cole-Whittaker's of our day—yes, and even to us—because it takes the disease that we hate most, namely, helplessness, and instead of curing it, makes it the doorway to heaven.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Saints in Scripture Who Were Poor in Spirit
What does this mean? What does it mean to be poor in spirit? To find out let's look at some great men of God in Scripture.

Abraham
In dealing with the Lord about Sodom and Gomorrah, he said, "Behold, I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes" (Genesis 18:27).

Jacob
When Jacob returned to the promised land after spending 20 years in exile, he wrestled with God in prayer and said, "I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness which thou hast shown to thy servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan; and now I have become two companies" (Genesis 32:10).

Moses
When God came to him with a mission to lead his people out of Israel, he said, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt? . . . Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either heretofore or since thou hast spoken to thy servant; but I am slow of speech and of tongue" (Exodus 3:11; 4:10).

The reason God got angry at Moses is not because of his humble assessment of his own abilities, but of his lack of faith in God's ability. God responded and said to Moses, "Who made man's mouth? Who makes him dumb, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak" (Exodus 4:11-12).

The Answer to the Paralysis of Low Self-Esteem
What is the biblical solution when a person is paralyzed by a sense of guilt or unworthiness or uselessness? I believe with all my heart that the solution is not self-esteem. God did not say to Moses, "Stop putting yourself down. You are somebody. You are eloquent." That is not the biblical way. What God said was, "Stop looking at your own unworthiness and uselessness and look at me. I made the mouth. I will be with you. I will help you. I will teach you what to say. Look to me and live!"

The biblical answer to the paralysis of low self-esteem is not high self-esteem; it is sovereign grace. You can test whether you agree with this by whether you can gladly repeat the words of Isaiah 41:13, "Fear not, you worm Jacob . . . I will help you, says the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel." In other words, God's way of freeing and mobilizing people who see themselves as worms is not to tell them that they are beautiful butterflies but rather to say, "I will help you. I am your redeemer . . . Go to Egypt now, and I will be with you."

William Carey's Secret
William Carey did not have high self esteem. He castigated himself again and again for his sin. When the fire of 1812 destroyed dozens of his precious manuscripts, he didn't blame the devil. He said, "How unsearchable are the ways of God!" And then he accused himself of too much self-congratulation in his labors, and said, "The Lord has smitten us, he had a right to do so, and we deserve his corrections."

When he had outlived four of his comrades in mission, he wrote back to Andrew Fuller, "I know not why so fruitless a tree is preserved; but the Lord is too wise to err." When he died in 1834 in Serampore, a simple tablet was put on his grave with the words he requested. And when you hear these I want you to ask, What was William Carey's secret? How could he persevere for 40 years over all obstacles—as a homely man, suffering from recurrent fever, limping for years from an injury in 1817, and yet putting the entire Bible into six languages and parts of it into 29 other languages—what was the secret of this man's usefulness and productivity for the kingdom? The tablet on his grave reads,

WILLIAM CAREY
Born August 17the, 1761Died June 9the, 1834A wretched, poor, and helpless worm,On Thy kind arms I fall.

The secret for William Carey was not self esteem. He was poor in spirit to the very end. "A wretched, poor, and helpless worm," he calls himself, knowing very well his sin and failures.
His secret was in the last line of his epitaph: "On Thy kind arms I fall." This was his secret in dying and this was his secret in living. He cast himself, poor, helpless, despicable on the kind arms of God. For he knew the promise of Jesus: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for to them belong the merciful and mighty arms of the King of kings.

More Saints from Scripture Who Were Poor in Spirit
My prayer is that all of us at Bethlehem will find the secret of productivity and usefulness and happiness NOT in the pleasures of self esteem, but in the power of sovereign grace. "Fear not you worm Jacob . . . I will help you, says the Lord."

David
"The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise" (Psalm 51:17). Everyone agrees that this is the spirit that pleases God after you are taken in adultery and murder. But what about the times when you are doing good?
When the collection for the temple was being taken, David prayed, "Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from thee, and of thy own have we given thee" (1 Chronicles 29:14).

In other words, even when David and his people were performing an act of virtue, David did not yield to the impulses of self-esteem. Instead he was carried away by the impulses of sovereign grace: "Who are we that we should be able thus to offer willingly! To God be the esteem, to God! and not to us, even in our virtue.

Solomon
"O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in" (1 Kings 3:7).

Job
"I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees thee; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6).

Isaiah
"Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" (Isaiah 6:5).
So we learn from Job and Isaiah that one source of lowliness is to see God in his power and holiness.

John the Baptist
"I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie . . . He must increase, I must decrease" (John 1:27; 3:30). Could this be why Jesus said, "Among those born of women, none is greater than John" (Luke 7:28)? "If anyone would be first he must be last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:35).

The Tax Collector
Jesus told a parable of a Pharisee and a tax collector who went up the Temple to pray. Concerning the tax collector he said, "But the tax collector, standing far off, he would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you this man went down to his house justified" (Luke 18:13-14). Which is just another way of saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit."

The Centurion
"When [Jesus] was not far off from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, 'Lord do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.' . . . When Jesus heard this, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude, 'I tell you, not ever in Israel have I found such faith'" (Luke 7:6-9).

The Canaanite Woman
When Jesus at first refused her request for help, since she was not a Jew, she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." To which Jesus responds, "O woman, great is your faith!"

So we learn from the centurion and the Canaanite woman that poverty of spirit is right at the very heart of what true faith is.

Peter
When he saw the power of Jesus on the Lake of Gennesaret, "Simon Peter fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord'" (Luke 5:8).

Paul
"I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh" (Roman 7:18).
"We have this treasure in earthen vessels to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us" (2 Corinthians 4:7).

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

"I am the foremost of sinners; but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life" (1 Timothy 1:15-16).

What Then Is Poverty of Spirit?
It is a sense of powerlessness in ourselves.
It is a sense of spiritual bankruptcy and helplessness before God.
It is a sense of moral uncleanness before God.
It is a sense of personal unworthiness before God.
It is a sense that if there is to be any life or joy or usefulness, it will have to be all of God and all of grace.
The reason I say it is a SENSE of powerlessness and a SENSE of bankruptcy and a SENSE of uncleanness and a SENSE of unworthiness, is that, objectively speaking, everybody is poor in spirit. Everybody, whether they sense it or not, is powerless without God and bankrupt and helpless and unclean and unworthy before God. But not everybody is "blessed."

Who Is Blessed?
When Jesus says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit," he does not mean everybody. He means those who feel it. That is why it is so appropriate to take the first and second beatitudes together. "Blessed are those who mourn," clarifies the subjective side of being poor in spirit.

Blessed are the poor in spirit who mourn. Blessed are the people who feel keenly their inadequacies and their guilt and their failures and their helplessness and their unworthiness and their emptiness—who don't try to hide these things under a cloak of self-sufficiency, but who are honest about them and grieved and driven to the grace of God.

Blessed are you! because you are going to be comforted. Fear not, you worm, Jacob! Fear not, Moses, Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6-8), Isaiah, Peter! For I will be with you, I will help you, I will strengthen you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Yours is the very kingdom of God. Amen.

© Desiring God

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By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

Wrong Worship Question?

2009-01-26T09:19:00.001-08:00

During our recent service time survey, some respondents used the opportunity to tell the elders and staff what kind of worship music they preferred (traditional or contemporary, to utilize stereotypical terms).

I wonder if such sharing reflects that we may be asking the wrong question.

We ask (consciously or subconsciously), "What kind of music touches me?" I would submit that we are not the receivers, not the customers, rather, God is. So perhaps the question should be, "What kind of music touches God?"

Can such a question be answered? I would submit that it can, biblically. Consider that God gave His followers a "hymn book" (the psalms) that has lasted 3,000 years - then combine that with nine different passages (including twice in heaven) where He encourages us to sing & write new songs - note the softer & louder instruments used in His word - and it seems that there is room for both.

The music, of course, must be biblical and truthful (traditional and contemporary both can struggle there). The songs should reflect our emotional and physical experience with Him in this world (again, see the Psalms). The songs should connect man and God.

And, with the generational differences and preferences that can occur in a church (I count at least five in ours), I believe that the worship music should reflect a stylistic broadness, while impacting the majority a significant portion of the time.

My thoughts on a cold day.

The Blame Game

2009-01-23T08:57:00.000-08:00

(Princeton Union Eagle Article)

While reading about the fall of man in Genesis chapter three, I was struck by the “Blame Game”, Adam & Eve’s attempt to deflect culpability and deny responsibility.

God confronted Adam, his response was to blame his wife and God: “The woman you put here with me – she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

God confronted Eve, her response was to blame Satan: “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

God doesn’t play the “Blame Game”, so He punished Satan, the woman and the man. However, he also began His work of grace in their lives as well (read the passage for further details).

Nothing’s changed.

Our deep-seated and nearly automatic reaction when confronted is to deflect and deny. We are not responsible, rather, it’s our parents’ fault – our spouse’s – our children’s – our school’s – our employer’s – our government’s – or even God’s.

But God will not play. He knows that this game leads to our eventual ruin. If we don’t accept responsibility, if we will not seek forgiveness, we will become less than we should be, defined by our problems, missing God’s abundant life. We will seek escape rather than resolution. We will become mired in shallow relationships, rather than moving through conflict to truly deep fellowship. If we avoid truth, we will end up self-deceived (while others will not be deceived).

Don’t run, stand, and listen! Allow God to show you who you really are, including all the weaknesses and sins, then allow Him to change you into the best you can become – through Jesus’ death, through faith, through God’s forgiveness and renewal.

May you have a great weekend!

Renewal

2009-01-21T11:27:00.000-08:00

Renewal (Message to Nursing Home Residents later this afternoon)

Sometimes we are forced to agree with Samuel Butler, “Life is one long process of getting tired.” The apostle Paul has a bit of a different perspective in the book of 2 Corinthians, chapter four, verses 16-18: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

We Need to Focus on God’s Internal Work

- Our culture focuses so much on the external. Watch an hour of TV, see how many commercials emphasize beautiful bodies, cosmetics, fashions, hair restoration, anti-aging techniques, etc. We’re obsessed with the physical!

- God doesn’t want us to go there; and, as we get older, the techniques work less and less anyway. He wants us to be internally changed, inwardly renewed, focused on the development of our spirit, heart, mind. When we become Christians, we are recreated, made new. Romans 12:2 reminds us that we need to avoid conforming to the world’s values, but be renewed in our minds. God’s word renews us, prayer renews us, thinking through those things that are “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy” renews us.

We Need to Focus on God’s Eternal Work

- By nature, we are such worriers. We worry about our health – about how we look or what people will think of us – about where our money will come from - about success – we worry about family relationships – if it has any importance at all, we will worry about it. And that worry brings us down, affects our mindset, affects our health.

- Now we’re older. We can look back at things that we once worried about, and wonder why we worried. Our worry didn’t change the situation. God got us through. Time changes our perspective.

- Paul suffered through years of persecution and poor health, yet he called these “light and momentary”. He wasn’t diminishing the severity of the problems, rather, he was taking the long view, God’s view, knowing that his “now” problems would diminish in the light of eternity. If you are a believer, your “now” problems (as well as past) will diminish as you take God’s viewpoint – realizing that these problems will pass, and that they will be used by Him in the accomplishment of His will anyway.

We Need to Focus on God’s Invisible Work

- Our eyes have been called “the windows of our soul”. What we see greatly affects us. Think about the beauty of a flower, of Sherburne Refuge, of the Grand Canyon. Think about how you react to this room, your room, your environment. Think about how your inner person relates to a tragedy on TV – say, the recent airplane crash, or wartime pictures. We react to what we see.

- Our soul also has spiritual, invisible eyes. Our faith, our imaginations can visualize God at work. We can believe His promises to us, and sometimes catch Him in action. So often He works behind the scenes, so quietly, yet if we watch carefully, a pattern emerges, a pattern that shows His hand in our and others’ lives. In addition, there is a whole heavenly component that He shares in scripture – we need to apply our faith/imagination eyes to that as well. The invisible is at least as important – and often more important – than the visible.

- So, we need renewal. If we take the appropriate steps with our internal lives – if we focus on the eternal and invisible – we will experience that renewal, even as we are outwardly wasting away. We need not lose heart!

Christian Environmental Ethics

2009-01-20T08:02:00.000-08:00

I posted this recently on a birding forum. The specific issue was baiting an unusual owl for photography purposes - using a mouse to draw it close to the road, where it could be hit by passing vehicles.

Allow me to share a bit of a different perspective on this issue.

Those of you who know me (or those who read email addresses) know my vocation: I am an evangelical pastor (please do not translate that into "raging fundamentalist", the stereotype doesn't fit well) & former businessman. I came late to birding (mid-30's) and even later to environmental/nature care contemplation (late 40's), so be aware that this is all still "under development". I am currently teaching environmental ethics & concerns as part of an overall course, while learning on the fly.

Personally I find a solid foundation for such discussions and action in the Judaeo-Christian, biblical concept of stewardship. The concept includes ruling/management and service/care - for those of you who are interested, I can provide some references & sources. Unfortunately, the concept has also taken serious hits through historical Western cultural abuses on one side and significant treatises on the other (such as White's in 1967).

Enough background for the moment. Should we bait birds for photography (or pish during certain seasons, or play tapes to attract rare species, or harvest natural products when impact is inevitable, or a hundred other significant issues) is impacted by our underlying beliefs, our knowledge and experience, and by our motivations/desires. These are often in conflict with each other. For me - and for many thoughtful Christians who have been reexamining the issue for the last 20 years (see www.creationcare.org) - the concept of stewardship, of managing/serving/caring - when combined with knowledge & experience - while checking our motivations (eg, Sparky's selfishness thoughts, well expressed) - helps me to make decisions in the field.

Those decisions have not always been correct. Sometimes I have stepped over a boundary I should not have, through selfishness or ignorance or peer pressure. Forgiveness (on a variety of levels) and personal growth are essential.

So, would I have baited the Northern Hawk Owl for photography purposes? Probably not. As I internalize the event, I perceive that the possibilities for personal hastiness, selfishness and ignorance - ignorance of the true impact of my behavior on the bird (which I'd seen on Saturday as well) and its kind - cause enough questions for me to hold off. However, I would also be willing to listen to the North Dakota photographer's rationale (which we haven't heard), to see if my understanding is incorrect.

My perspective, which is perhaps a bit different in our increasingly secular culture.

Christian Abortion

2009-01-15T13:51:00.000-08:00

How many believers get abortions? According to one study, one in five abortions in the United States is gotten by an evangelical or born again Christian.

That's 260,000 "Christian abortions" each year.

Astounding.

A few of these might believe that scriptures support abortion. But the rest? Have we as American believers become so ignorant - or so hard - or cave in so easily to the world's pressure - or so driven by our emotions - that we make choices like this?

Please believe this is not an attack on women (men are 1/2 or more of this equation as well), nor on those who are suffering from the guilt of past abortions.

Rather, it's a cry for strong discipleship, a cry to follow the Lord no matter what our circumstances are or emotions say, a cry to live truth before Him and the watching world.

Would Love Your Feedback

2009-01-13T12:27:00.000-08:00

Would love to hear from a number of you on this general, but intriguing question:

Does what we do determine who we are?

Small Groups

2009-01-13T08:49:00.000-08:00

From the notes for our small group organizational meeting this evening:

Small Groups

Community “means being Christ to one another, sharing the fullness of His life with everyone we meet. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it this way, ‘It means, first, that a Christian needs others because of Jesus Christ. It means, second, that a Christian comes to others only through Jesus Christ. It means, third, that in Jesus Christ we have been chosen from eternity, accepted in time, and united for eternity.” (Building a Church of Small Groups, Donahue and Robinson)

While Christianity started with significant numbers in the temple, it quickly realized the need for smaller groups: “They broke bread together in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46 & 47) Historical sources show that the home/smaller gathering model was primary in the early church.

American churches historically have been smaller organizations, and often met for times of fellowship, both within their buildings and in homes. However, two dynamics have impacted this:

Christian families have grown increasingly busy and isolated
Christian churches have grown beyond the size where people know each other well.

Princeton Free Church is no exception. We average 230-250 on Sunday mornings, and serve 400+ total with Wednesday’s youth/children’s ministries and the Sunday “irregular regulars” (those who would identify PEFC as their church, but come less than twice per month). We are too big to know each other well. Our Sunday Schools are designed for training & discipleship, not fellowship. Our ministries and councils meet to serve. Our events are either irregular or attract too many to fellowship deeply.

We have attempted to launch small groups movements over the last five years with limited success. In 2004 we trained 15 leaders, but only produced two groups, both of which have disbanded. During 2005-2006 we launched a Sunday evening ministry (message & groups), it started with 45-50 in attendance, declined to 15 by the end of the (school) year. During 2008 we attempted to launch an elder-based small groups ministry, which died as elders (and their spouses) realized how busy they already were.

We also face the additional challenge of living in a “commuter community”, people tend to have less time in the evenings for meetings or activities.

But we need the fellowship! We need the accountability! Newer people need to connect with our members and regular attendees! We need the dynamics that only tend to occur in groups.

The picture is not entirely dismal. There are active women’s and men’s small groups. The youth group is committed to small groups. There are a few “mixed” groups that have existed for years. But we simply do not have enough groups to meet the church’s needs.

Wash Your Feet?

2008-12-29T14:28:00.000-08:00

While looking over Communion passages for Sunday, reread John 13:1-17. Just before they celebrated the first Lord's Supper together, Jesus washed his disciples' feet.

By doing so, He challenged their ambitions. They had demonstrated - on a number of unfortunate occasions - the desire for public prominence, the desire to be #1, the desire to be served rather than to serve.

In the culture of that time, a servant was responsible to wash guests' feet after a dusty walk. If a servant was not available, others could perform the duty. However, no one would expect the most important person present to do it.

But Jesus loved them - He was confident in His identity and authority - and He wanted to teach them kingdom principles. So...He washed 24 dirty, dusty feet. He left them an example of service that changed their lives - and resonates to this very day.

I have been part of three foot washing events. The first was a failure - elders at the small church I was preaching at gave attendees an opportunity to wash each others' feet - only the chief elder and I participated. The second was a resounding success - church leaders washed hundreds of members' feet - a pivotal event in that church's life. The third caught me off guard - Pastor Tom Kyle washed my feet in a public demonstration of humility in ministry.

What if we held a foot washing service (say, as part of Communion some time)? Would you come? Would you participate? Your answers (internal or external, silent or written) may be a window into your soul.

Something to think about.

America in Prophecy?

2008-12-24T13:31:00.000-08:00

Is America anywhere in God's word?

Not that I can see (unless we are the Babylon of Revelation 18).

So, should crisis situations in the United States make us think that Jesus might return shortly?

Probably not.

Actually - if I understand scripture correctly - we should live each day in the light of His imminent return - while realizing that we cannot "cram" each national or international crisis into prophecy.

Just my thoughts.

Doing Business With God

2008-12-23T14:58:00.001-08:00

We enjoy comedy, humor, laughter, fun. God made us this way. I often picture God smiling at His children, especially His very young children. Scripture tells us that His joy is our strength.

But sometimes God wants to do serious business with us. We'll be looking at one of the serious scriptures Sunday, Hebrews 6:1-12:

"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."

The most sobering words are in the second paragraph. God tells us that there will be people who appear to be Christians, who make professions of faith, who have been enlightened, tasted and shared, who will fall away (at some point) and never come back. Any of us could, potentially, fall into this category. How careful we must be to avoid "churchianity", avoid going through the motions, avoid making all the right noises, only to discover we never really had a relationship with Jesus, never really made an impact for Him, never bore any fruit. How tragic!

Yet the warning comes with a blessing as well. The writer was convinced that his readers were real followers of Jesus, that God would honor their commitment and work for Him. I have the same confidence in our church as well. However, as we near the end of the year, let me seriously counsel you as scripture does, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?"

When God Speaks

2008-12-22T07:47:00.001-08:00

How do you react when God speaks to you?

Doubt? Righteous people doubt all the time. Zechariah doubted when an angel told him about the birth of his son (John the Baptist) – he and his wife were too old to have children! Mary had at least a sliver of doubt when the angel told her about her son (Jesus) who would save the world from its sins – after all, she’d never even been with a man.

Fear? Mary was greatly troubled by the angel’s visit, Gabriel told her not to be afraid. The shepherds dropped in fear as God’s glory shown around them, but the angel encouraged them, sharing good news of great joy. Isaiah collapsed in fear as God made himself evident in the temple, John the apostle was so terrified by Jesus and His words in Revelation that he “feel at his feet as though dead”.

Questioning? The Magi (wise men) came to Jerusalem, asking questions about the one born King of the Jews. The disciples were filled with questions as Jesus taught them. Nicodemus, the preeminent teacher in Israel, was filled with questions during his visit.

Two thoughts from these scriptural observations:

Reactions are just that, reactions, our first line of defense when the unexpected impacts us. God does not seem as concerned about our initial reaction (other than to calm us) as He is our long term response. Zechariah doubted initially, but praised God for his son and God’s work among His people. Mary eventually accepted the angel’s promises, praised God and brought Jesus into the world (despite public and private reaction). The shepherds went to Bethlehem, saw Jesus and believed. The Magi found Jesus and worshipped.

God has not changed (James 1:17 & others). He still speaks today. Perhaps He speaks less spectacularly than at Jesus’ birth, but He still speaks to us through His word, His Son, other people, creation and other means. Don’t worry about your initial reaction – doubt, fear, questioning are all natural, God frankly expects such – but move through that reaction to faith, to hearing and obeying Him as He speaks.

Accepting Help

2008-12-16T07:32:00.000-08:00

From dwightclough.com (posted with permission, personal friend & past co-worker):

"For those struggling financially ... It is more blessed to give than to receive. I genuinely believe that. If you are a child of God, deep in your heart I know you do too. But let me show you the other side of the coin. It is more educational to receive. Here's what I mean. Accept help. Most of us hate to humble ourselves, to admit that our best efforts weren't good enough, that we tried and failed, that we are now in need. But understand this: All of us are needy. In one way or another, every single person is incomplete alone. By accepting help graciously when we need it, and offering help generously when we can, we acknowledge the truth God spoke in Genesis, when He said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” I understand the application to marriage, but it goes beyond that. We need each other. "

Naive?

2008-12-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I come across as naive.

Sometimes it's true, I missed a clue or reality that others pick up on (witness the recent surprise birthday party, I missed a number of clues!). At other times, I'm being intentionally "naive", particularly about people's futures.

You see, I deeply desire people to change, to come to know the Lord, or grow much more deeply in their walk with him. I believe that God changes people (who allow Him to change them). I believe that people can be much better than they currently are.

This runs cross-grain with the belief that people are just a sum total of their experiences, that they will continue to make the same mistakes in the future that they've made in the past. Often this is true. But sometimes it isn't. And it's the "sometimes" I'm looking toward and working for.

Today I wrote a jail inmate that I've known for a few years, someone who has bounced in and out of jails over the last few years. I honestly believe that he can change (more accurately, that God can change him). I will treat him as one that can change. This may make me appear naive, but so what - if he changes, then bring on the naivete!

Is Barack Obama the AntiChrist?

2008-12-08T07:33:00.000-08:00

There has been speculation that our president-elect may be the AntiChrist. One of the best (biblical & rational) discussions of the questions is found on the following website:

www.gotquestions.org/Printer/Barack-Obama-antichrist-PF.html

Please allow me to encourage you not to give into speculation - believers have been "prophesying" who the AntiChrist was since the days of Nero - while Paul encourages us "Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed...." (2 Thessalonians 2:3) God will show us when it is time.

Thanks!

Christianity & Conservation

2008-12-04T13:16:00.001-08:00

How involved should Christians be in environmental/conservation efforts?

God has great joy in His creation (Genesis 1:31, Job 39-41 & other passages). We have been given the stewardship over nature (Genesis 1:26). Nature waits eagerly for God's children to be revealed (Romans 8:19). Our earth is showing significant signs of wear. Sounds like we should be active.

On the other hand, earth's burgeoning population needs to be fed & clothed, which requires resource utilization & clearing of land. Energy resources need to be tapped (and alternatives developed). Nations need to be allowed to develop their economies.

Complicating the issue, conservative American Christians tend to affiliate with the Republican party (not known for its environmental sensitivity), while environmentally savvy people tend to affiliate with the Democrats.

And this summary barely touches the issues (for example, global warming concerns may or may not be true).

We will be covering this in our "Creation Changes Everything" class that starts this Sunday. If you're not already signed up for a class, feel free to come.

Thanks!

Scripture, Devotionals & Commentaries

2008-12-02T11:48:00.000-08:00

I'm not particularly picky about the appearance of my Bible - in fact, just purchased a new (well, actually used, new to me) one after 15 years of hard service - Psalms was falling out.

This new Bible is called a "Couple's Devotional Bible", which had the virtue of being $8.98 at Books Revisited in St. Cloud. Every couple of pages has a devotional, which I generally glance at when I'm reading or studying scripture.

If you ever have any doubt about the fact that God inspired the Bible, compare scripture with the devotionals & commentaries about it. Our writings fall so far short of His (sometimes pathetically)! Please allow me to encourage you to not settle for substitutes - devotionals and commentaries have their place - but only after we've looked at the Word for ourselves.

Teach Us to Number Our Days Aright (50 Again)

2008-11-24T13:09:00.000-08:00

* 18,262 days of life

* ~12,700 days as a believer

* 9942 days married to Deb

* 1819 days of ministry at Princeton Free.

What a testimony to God's grace & mercy (and Deb's/the church's patience)!

As the old benediction states, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow...."

Are You a Teacher?

2008-11-21T10:11:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 5:11-14 is a very interesting passage:

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

Over my years in ministry, I’ve heard any number of people say, “I’m not a teacher” – generally in response to my attempts to recruit them:) Perhaps they’re saying that they don’t have the spiritual gift of teaching, which could certainly be correct. Perhaps they’re saying that being up front scares them to death, which is understandable. Perhaps they’re saying that they’re not spiritually mature enough, which could certainly be the case.

However, this passage is quite clear – as we spiritually mature – we ought to become teachers. We are not to just be at the receiving part of the faith, but are to become “senders” as well.

Listen to the inspired author’s frustration here. He wanted to teach the readers deeper truths of the faith – but they had remained spiritually immature by not living what they’d been taught – so they needed “milk” (basic truths) all over again. Choosing immaturity hurt their walk with the Lord, and kept them from reaching out to others (and teaching) as they should.

Don’t hear me (or the author of Hebrews) wrongly here – he is not saying that each spiritually mature believer has great oratorical skills, or can be a superstar up front. Rather, he is saying that each godly man and woman can communicate spiritual truths to others, and the body will grow accordingly (see Ephesians 4: 15-16). “Teaching” need not be formal – it can be the right word in the right situation – it can be investing yourself in another’s life to help them grow – it can be training someone spiritually by doing ministry with them.

Frankly, we need to face facts – our lives teach anyway – people generally know we’re believers and watch us – we might as well be living for the Lord and impacting them positively!

And some of you could teach a Sunday School class or facilitate a small group – don’t let fear or false humility stop you – I’ll be happy to come alongside and help.

(More of you are leaders than you think as well…but that’s probably a subject for another article.)

Blessings!

Pastor Al

Fall Pastoral Report

2008-11-20T09:02:00.001-08:00

Some of you may not be in attendance at the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, so here is my pastoral report for that day:

Currently preaching through Hebrews (believe congregation needed to be in a strong book study after a couple of topical series) – will mix in Advent and New Years message if/as the Spirit leads.

Winter Adult Sunday School classes have been set up, options include “Wild at Heart”, “Creation Changes Everything”, a fundamentals/membership class, “The Reformers” and “Walking in God’s Promises” (life of Sarah). Please sign up over this next week for the class of your choice. On the other hand, our small group initiative is proceeding very slowly.

Fall attendance is averaging 247, year is in the mid-230’s (slow summer, averaged 199). However, as we look over Sunday morning attendance, Awana, Youth, Women’s Bible Study and other ministries I find we are impacting 350+ adults and children. So why do only 2/3 of all those involved at Princeton Free come on any given Sunday morning? Thoughts:

- Some of these numbers reflect “community kids” – some believers, some not – who are only touched by us on Wednesdays. Transitioning them from unbelief to belief, and from “the crowd” to “the congregation”, is one of our greatest challenges.

- Some of these reflect youth and children from other churches who lack a strong youth or children’s ministry program. If these are coming from evangelical churches, we should not be recruiting them.

- These numbers reflect a great many people who only come 1-2 Sundays per month. Some have family commitments that take them away the other Sundays (such as children’s sports programs). Some are relatively new or inexperienced believers who don’t have or see the value of consistent attendance that leads to discipleship growth. Some base their decisions on how they feel on Sunday morning or on how their week went. This reflects a significant culture change, and is an area that needs thought, prayer and proclamation, particularly in light of Hebrews 10:25 and on-going discipleship needs.

The second draft of the ordination paper is nearly complete. Process from here is a second reading/review – recruiting and scheduling of the ordination council – probable recommendation to the Board of Ministerial Standing of the EFCA for affirmation or denial. Chad is also actively working on his ordination process.

Dave Redding has been commissioned by the elders to build and oversee an Outreach Committee. Initiatives by that committee will include BabyCare (an outreach to single mothers in the area) and PROJECT, an outreach led by Terry Harvey to provide house repair and related help to congregational attendees and related who need assistance. They are also examining other outreaches as well.

I heartily commend to you the work done by the elders and councils on the budget. The 3+% reduction (note most current budget), while both maintaining and adding to our sphere of ministry, represents significant thought and work. I particularly want to state my appreciation to the Missions Council for adding Michael Lundell - a new, younger missionary with connections to Princeton and our Awana program – we need to face the fact that our missionary force is aging and retiring. In addition, I think the elders are exercising good judgment by recommending moderate salary increases for the staff (except for me, I requested a personal one year freeze) – this is a staff that the congregation has graded out as consistently a 4.5 or better out of 5 on our 360 degree annual review process - lot of good work being done! I imagine you will have a spirited but positive budget discussion today.

Lord willing, we will be holding a Winter Ministry Seminar here for our cluster of churches (Zimmerman north to Malmo) in February. Look for more information on that in the near future.

Thank you for the opportunity to be your pastor. I love being here!

50

2008-11-19T09:01:00.001-08:00

Next Monday I will be 50. I've encouraged the congregation to take time to examine their lives, perhaps this would be a good opportunity to personally do so:

* I'm probably 2/3 done with my time here on earth (Schirmacher males tend to pass by 75). Psalm 90 tells us to number our days, and I need to use those that remain well, for Him. There have been plenty of wasted days in the past, these need to be minimized in my future.

* 50 is not 25, or 30. I have some physical limitations, and more are coming. It will be interesting to mix passion/drive and realistic expectations.

* 50 could be the end. There is no guarantee of another day. I spent part of yesterday with a 56 year old who is probably terminal (unless God heals him), and there is much to learn from his acceptance of his situation before the Lord.

* 50 is a blessing. I'm more settled with myself, with my strengths and weaknesses, with what God does through me, then probably at any other time of my life. Praise Him for His peace, His faithful care over all these years.

* Lord willing, I have 15-20 more years of ministry in front of me - and I dare not blow it through stupid sin or a midlife crisis. Studies show that middle-aged men in ministry are very vulnerable to temptation, and I need to be careful - by His strength and Spirit filling.

* 50 will be OK, because God is already there before me.

Blessings!

Tough Question

2008-11-18T10:57:00.000-08:00

How do you know when God is at work?

Are Small Groups Important?

2008-11-13T14:40:00.000-08:00

We'll be talking about this for a little while on Sunday, but it's an important enough concept to communicate multiple times & ways:

* We need a stronger small group movement in our church *

This church does well as a large group, in worship/sharing/preaching/basic discipleship. On the other end of the spectrum, there are many excellent one-on-one relationships & friendships within the body - overall, we're a pretty friendly, caring group (there are always exceptions:)).

But mention small groups, and we run the other direction. We agree it's a good idea, then look at our schedules, our commuting and family activities, our overall busy-ness and the question arises, "Where do I fit it in?"

Perhaps that's the wrong question. Perhap's we should be asking questions like, "Are there important aspects of my Christian walk that I'm missing by not being in a group?", and "How does not being in a small group hurt others in the congregation", and "What does God want"? Or,

Can we really experience and share the encouragement, the accountability, the sharing, the discussion about God & His word in quite the same way in any other environment? Can the connections we make with others help keep us connected with God?

I leave you with these questions. We're working on another approach, please pray for us.

Falling Away (Truth in Reverse)

2008-11-12T08:36:00.000-08:00

Studying Hebrews 3 for this week's message, found it interesting to look at the truths from the passage in reverse:

How to Fall Away

* Don't Think About Jesus
* Ignore Past Examples
* Never Examine Yourself
* Never Accept Encouragement
* Allow Unbelief to Grow

Prayer Requests

2008-11-10T10:43:00.000-08:00

One of our new attendees this afternoon asked about my prayer requests. I appreciate his interest, wanted also to share requests with those who follow this blog:

1) For Holy Spirit leading and wisdom as I study and preach on the book of Hebrews

2) That my family would corporately and individually follow the Lord - the boys in Madison, Bekah at college, Nate in high school - and, of course, Deb as she works at the bank and ministers at home and the church

3) That I would have the Lord's wisdom in leading the church, both in short term operations and "fire-fighting" and long term vision/planning - and that I would both empower the body (Ephesians 4:11-16) and manage my own load (Galatians 6) well

4) That the Lord would continue to bring new families & individuals to the church - both unsaved and saved.

Thanks to each of you who pray; feel free to drop me a note if you wish.

Politics/Voting #2

2008-11-06T12:56:00.000-08:00

From John Piper (used with permission):

Let Christians Vote As Though They Were Not Voting
By John Piper October 22, 2008

Voting is like marrying and crying and laughing and buying. We should do it, but only as if we were not doing it. That’s because “the present form of this world is passing away” and, in God’s eyes, “the time has grown very short.” Here’s the way Paul puts it:
The appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)
Let’s take these one at a time and compare them to voting.

1. “Let those who have wives live as though they had none.”
This doesn’t mean move out of the house, don’t have sex, and don’t call her Honey. Earlier in this chapter Paul says, “The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights” (1 Corinthians 7:3). He also says to love her the way Christ loved the church, leading and providing and protecting (Ephesians 5:25-30). It means this: Marriage is momentary. It’s over at death, and there is no marriage in the resurrection. Wives and husbands are second priorities, not first. Christ is first. Marriage is for making much of him.
It means: If she is exquisitely desirable, beware of desiring her more than Christ. And if she is deeply disappointing, beware of being hurt too much. This is temporary—only a brief lifetime. Then comes the never-disappointing life which is life indeed.
So it is with voting. We should do it. But only as if we were not doing it. Its outcomes do not give us the greatest joy when they go our way, and they do not demoralize us when they don’t. Political life is for making much of Christ whether the world falls apart or holds together.

2. “Let those who mourn [do so] as though they were not mourning.”
Christians mourn with real, deep, painful mourning, especially over losses—loss of those we love, loss of health, loss of a dream. These losses hurt. We cry when we are hurt. But we cry as though not crying. We mourn knowing we have not lost something so valuable we cannot rejoice in our mourning. Our losses do not incapacitate us. They do not blind us to the possibility of a fruitful future serving Christ. The Lord gives and takes away. But he remains blessed. And we remain hopeful in our mourning.
So it is with voting. There are losses. We mourn. But not as those who have no hope. We vote and we lose, or we vote and we win. In either case, we win or lose as if we were not winning or losing. Our expectations and frustrations are modest. The best this world can offer is short and small. The worst it can offer has been predicted in the book of Revelation. And no vote will hold it back. In the short run, Christians lose (Revelation 13:7). In the long run, we win (Revelation 21:4).

3. “Let those who rejoice [do so] as though they were not rejoicing.”
Christians rejoice in health (James 5:13) and in sickness (James 1:2). There are a thousand good and perfect things that come down from God that call forth the feeling of happiness. Beautiful weather. Good friends who want to spend time with us. Delicious food and someone to share it with. A successful plan. A person helped by our efforts.
But none of these good and beautiful things can satisfy our soul. Even the best cannot replace what we were made for, namely, the full experience of the risen Christ (John 17:24). Even fellowship with him here is not the final and best gift. There is more of him to have after we die (Philippians 1:21-23)—and even more after the resurrection. The best experiences here are foretastes. The best sights of glory are through a mirror dimly. The joy that rises from these previews does not and should not rise to the level of the hope of glory. These pleasures will one day be as though they were not. So we rejoice remembering this joy is a foretaste, and will be replaced by a vastly better joy.
So it is with voting. There are joys. The very act of voting is a joyful statement that we are not under a tyrant. And there may be happy victories. But the best government we get is a foreshadowing. Peace and justice are approximated now. They will be perfect when Christ comes. So our joy is modest. Our triumphs are short-lived—and shot through with imperfection. So we vote as though not voting.

4. “Let those who buy [do so] as though they had no goods.”
Let Christians keep on buying while this age lasts. Christianity is not withdrawal from business. We are involved, but as though not involved. Business simply does not have the weight in our hearts that it has for many. All our getting and all our having in this world is getting and having things that are not ultimately important. Our car, our house, our books, our computers, our heirlooms—we possess them with a loose grip. If they are taken away, we say that in a sense we did not have them. We are not here to possess. We are here to lay up treasures in heaven.
This world matters. But it is not ultimate. It is the stage for living in such a way to show that this world is not our God, but that Christ is our God. It is the stage for using the world to show that Christ is more precious than the world.
So it is with voting. We do not withdraw. We are involved—but as if not involved. Politics does not have ultimate weight for us. It is one more stage for acting out the truth that Christ, and not politics, is supreme.

5. “Let those who deal with the world [do so] as though they had no dealings with it.”
Christians should deal with the world. This world is here to be used. Dealt with. There is no avoiding it. Not to deal with it is to deal with it that way. Not to weed your garden is to cultivate a weedy garden. Not to wear a coat in Minnesota is to freeze—to deal with the cold that way. Not to stop when the light is red is to spend your money on fines or hospital bills and deal with the world that way. We must deal with the world.
But as we deal with it, we don’t give it our fullest attention. We don’t ascribe to the world the greatest status. There are unseen things that are vastly more precious than the world. We use the world without offering it our whole soul. We may work with all our might when dealing with the world, but the full passions of our heart will be attached to something higher—Godward purposes. We use the world, but not as an end in itself. It is a means. We deal with the world in order to make much of Christ.
So it is with voting. We deal with the system. We deal with the news. We deal with the candidates. We deal with the issues. But we deal with it all as if not dealing with it. It does not have our fullest attention. It is not the great thing in our lives. Christ is. And Christ will be ruling over his people with perfect supremacy no matter who is elected and no matter what government stands or falls. So we vote as though not voting.
By all means vote. But remember: “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).
Voting with you, as though not voting,
Pastor John

Political Thoughts & Feelings

2008-11-05T07:14:00.000-08:00

I find that I am not completely discouraged by the election results last night:

* I'm encouraged that America could finally elect a black president. Prejudice, so rooted & insidious in our culture, took a bit of a hit.

* I'm encouraged that we have an opportunity to get back to the main things - loving God, loving others, ministry & service - elections drain much of believer's focus and energy.

* I'm encouraged that our witness will probably stand out over the next four years. Sometimes the gospel makes the greatest inroads when strongly contrasted with the current culture.

Of course, I realize there could be tough times ahead. Remember, tough times test and strengthen our faith, our dependency on the Lord.

Drifting Away

2008-11-04T12:45:00.001-08:00

A number of years ago an evangelist (believe it was Billy Sunday) declared that backsliding from our faith was rarely a blowout, but more of a slow leak. Today I was studying Hebrews 2 for Sunday, and noted verse one:

"We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."

There's the danger - a slow drifting away from the Lord and His word - bit by bit we lose the poignancy of our relationship with and ministry for Him - find that we care less - find an emptiness inside.

So where are you on the drift-ometer? What will you do about it?

Praise God!

2008-11-04T09:41:00.001-08:00

I would just like to praise God for His answers to prayer recently:

* A lost boy was found

* A trashed relationship was restored

* An unbeliever came to know Christ

* Strength to keep going was given.

Thank you, Lord!

Slavery or Freedom

2008-10-28T13:12:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow's message at Faith Christian School's chapel:

In the Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln wrote: "That on the 1st day of January, A.D. 1863, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.” (Restate in 2000’s English.)

Declaring them free was only the beginning of the process, practical action was required. The Union soldiers daily freed thousands of blacks free as they swept across the south in 1865.

Yet, if you walked down many of the southern US roads in 1870, you would still see many slaves working in the fields. They hadn’t heard about their freedom, hadn’t acted upon it, or were still being oppressed by their masters.

Christians in 2008 struggle with their freedom as well.

Jesus said in John 8: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

We read in Galatians 5: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

If you are a believer in Jesus, you have been set free. Yet we often don’t act like it.

Two things threaten us: law, and sin.

The Book of Galatians was primarily written to combat the first problem. Paul had preached in Galatia, many had come to Christ, they were living free lives by faith, but then Paul left. Other teachers snuck in, teaching them that they had to obey Jewish laws, had to follow certain rules to be good Christians. The rules sounded good, made sense, but as they gradually gave into them, they became chained, stopped living by the Spirit, started living by the flesh again with all of its accompanying problems. This legalism led to all sorts of problems, including attacking others who didn’t believe as they did. Love fled.

Paul had some strong words for them (Galatians 5:2-10): “Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.”
There are serious implications to living legalistically, trying to earn our righteousness through rules and regulations. Our relationship with Christ will break down. We will have to obey more and more laws, eventually we’ll break down under the load. And we will judge others who are attempting to live in God’s freedom. What a mess.

However, living in our freedom can lead to another problem. As an old expression stated: “Liberty, without love, becomes licentiousness.” This means that we can use our freedom to sin against God and each other. Paul addressed this in the same chapter of Galatians (5:13-16): “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

Sin also enslaves us, even though we were saved from it. Many of you may know of obvious examples – a former student from here who no longer lives for the Lord – a Christian relative with a drug or alcohol problem – a friend struggling with sexual issues. These are the obvious, but less obvious are “just as addictive sins” as gossip, envy, jealousy, anger and others.

So what’s the answer? I believe there are three embedded in the verses we’ve read:

1) You have been set free. Believe it. Expect to act like it. Expect that this wonderful proclamation – not from Lincoln, but from Jesus – will change your life. We often kill truth simply by not believing it. We believe our experience, believe what others tell us, believe what our ever changing emotions want us to feel – rather than believing Jesus. Learn to reckon – God says it, I believe it, and that settles it.

2) Live in love. Serve one another in love. This is key. If we would just ask ourselves, “is this loving” before acting – if we would just listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting in our hearts before reacting – we would live in the joy of His freedom. This is even true in structured environments with significant rules like a Christian school. You may think a rule is stupid, and that your freedom is hampered by obeying it – but there is joy in following a rule if it loves a brother or sister in Christ.

3) Finally, live by the Holy Spirit. Train yourself to listen to His promptings in your heart. Slow down often enough – at least once daily – to hear His voice through God’s word, through prayer, through the inner workings of your soul.

My conclusion: you are free - believe it - live like it - experience your freedom by living in love through the Spirit. Prayer.

Is God Cool, or What?

2008-10-27T14:59:00.001-07:00

Yesterday evening we were invited out to watch "Fireproof" with a family from church. I went, more because of our relationship with that family than any deep interest in the movie.

Today a woman came into the office who had seen the movie and related to the issues. Chad, the woman and I spent an hour together, and together we probably referred to the movie 10+ times during our discussion.

Before she left, she accepted Christ as Savior.

The Holy Spirit, through the movie (and other situations/relationships in her life), had done the work beforehand - we just saw the fruit.

To put it in the vernacular, is God cool, or what?

Criticizing

2008-10-22T11:01:00.000-07:00

Sharing Criticism:

"When you need to show others their fault, do not talk down to them as though you are faultless and they are inferior to you. Instead, talk with them as though you are standing side-by-side at the foot of the cross. Acknowledge your present, ongoing need for the Savior. Admit ways that you have wrestled with the same or other sins or weaknesses, and give hope by describing how God has forgiven you and is currently working in you to help you change ... When people sense this kind of humility and common bond, they will less inclined to react to correction with pride and defensiveness."

Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 172

Used with permission

Family First ?

2008-10-22T07:20:00.001-07:00

An Open Question

“Of course, family comes first.”

Heads nodded all around. Of course family comes first. This is a given.

But is it?

Family is certainly a high priority in our hearts. We love our spouses, our children, our grandchildren, and (most of :)) our extended family. We have and will continue to sacrifice for their well being.

Family is certainly a high priority in our Christian culture. Stores are full of books on raising young children, raising teens, parenting adult children, loving our spouses, grandparenting successfully, and other important issues. Tapes & DVDs abound. Talk shows address family situations. Listen to two Christian mothers communicate: family is huge.

Family is certainly a high priority in scripture. Much of the book of Proverbs, Deuteronomy 6, Ephesians 5 & 6 and other passages speak to the importance of “doing family” well.

But is family first? What does Jesus say?

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

“Another disciple said to Him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:21-22)

“ Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." (Mark 8:31-35)

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes, even his own wife – he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26) (Certainly hyperbole – overstatement – for effect, but what is Jesus’ message?)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

So this is the open question: does family come first in God’s kingdom? I await your feedback.

Boundaries

2008-10-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10

“…be prepared in season and out of season…” 2 Timothy 4:2

During last Sunday’s message I shared a story from our family’s St. Cloud trip. We were downtown during homecoming, students lined the streets, and we had a brief errand before heading to the mall on the other side of town. A young woman approached us, somewhat impaired if not inebriated, wanting a ride. After initial hesitation, we gave her a ride to her apartment while listening to a most unique monologue that featured many repeated questions about where we went to school, about Bekah’s and Nathan’s relationship (including a comparison with her “dorky” brother that she loved), and pronouncements of “that’s a win-win” on every answer.

I’ve been examining my thoughts and feelings about this, and wonder:

Why was I surprised to be asked for a ride?

Why was I hesitant to help?

Why did her unusual conversation catch me off guard?

I was surprised because, in our culture, people have stopped asking for help from strangers except in emergency or highly structured situations. Strangers are risky. And, in the rare instances like this when they do ask, one wonders if they’re trying to take advantage or might be dangerous.

I was hesitant because I was focused on our errands and family time together, rather than being open to whatever God brought along. Theoretically I know that serving Him means being “prepared in season and out of season” but, selfishly, I was not ready for anything but the expected. Shame on me!

Chances are she was not a believer – and she had obviously been drinking (I’m glad Nathan didn’t light a match in the back seat) – so of course her conversation was going to be less inhibited, more unique than normal.

Hindsight may always be 20/20, but this has made me more resolved to be open, even prepared, for the unique opportunities God brings along – not to erect boundaries where He has none – and more ready to share the gospel in situations like this.

Perseverance (upcoming Sunday message)

2008-10-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

The American collective memory of the Great Depression (1929 to at least 1939, probably longer) has greatly diminished. We may remember a story or two told by grandparents, we heard bits & pieces during school, and there have been recent reminders as our economy has struggled. We scarcely remember:

- Stock market crash of 87% over three years, including loss of money five times the Federal budget in one week
- 15-25% unemployment
- Manufacturing production decrease of 45% from 1929 to 1932
- Homebuilding dropping 80% during the same time frame
- 5,000+ banks closing
- 80% of all income earners drop off the tax rolls completely
- Price of wheat declining nearly $2.00 per bushel to $.25
- Storms creating the Great Plains Dust Bowl, grasshoppers devouring all vegetation in their path, brutal temperatures, numerous (illegal) abortions & suicides as people lost hope.

Perhaps a short story from one family will help illustrate this: “My dad, Bob Holland, was born at the height of the depression, in 1933. His dad was a printer in the midwest. After years of poor harvests coupled with the dismal economy, my grandfather could no longer support a family of five when there was just no printing work left in his small town. The Hollands loaded up whatever they could pack, and set off in a Ford Model T to find work. At some point during the journey, the car broke down, literally in the middle of no where. The family picked what they could carry out of the car and began walking - never to see their car or their belongings again. They came upon a farm worked by a Native American family. The Hollands were allowed to sleep in the barn with the animals in the hay, milk the cow and pick vegetables from the garden. Leaving his wife, infant son and two daughters, my grandfather continued his walk for work. During his absence, my grandmother cleaned laundry in a huge iron pot over an open fire. When some long-forgotten illness restricted her ability to walk, she dragged herself through the garden on her elbows to gather food for her children. In those days, telephone were few and far between across the Great Plains, and months elapsed with no word or money from my grandfather. The coming winter was a serious concern as they considered the threat of living in the unheated barn. As fall approached, the story continues that my grandfather returned in a borrowed car. He had walked, hitchhiked and ridden the rails until he secured a job, saving every penny to finally rent a place for his family.”

Today many of the media and economic “prophets” are anticipating another depression, or at least a severe recession. They couild be right, they might be wrong. Their words produce discomfort, anxiety, fear. What can be done? Will economic bailout programs solve the situation, or make it worse (we still haven’t solved that question looking back at the Great Depression!)?

Frankly, Americans Christians face a number of national situations outside of our individual abilities to solve - abortion, breakdown of the family, crime rates that have filled our prisons, a post-Christian culture that often views us as irrelevant, a philosophy of science & life (evolution) that seeks to exclude our faith, natural resource problems – I won’t even try to name every difficulty. Tough times will come. Some will impact us, our family, our friends. What can we do? We are urged to vote our values, which is good (although I would urge you not to put intense hopes in any one candidate or party); we are urged to pray, which is better; let me urge you another way today: we can persevere.

What is perseverance? Dictionary definitions include: doggedness, persistent determination, steady and continued action or belief over a long period and despite difficulties or setbacks.

Following Jesus, living a life of discipleship, requires perseverance. As Eugene Peterson puts it, we need “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction”. Let’s see what the Scriptures have to say.

Perseverance is key to character development (Romans 5:1-5, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:1-6)

- Romans 5 teaches us that God has saved us, now He wants to develop us. To do so, He allows and/or causes suffering and trials, which produce perseverance (if we’ll cooperate with the process), developing our character and hope. Our natural hope in circumstances, resources and people is gradually replaced by hope based in Him and His promises alone.

- James 1 teaches us that tough circumstances test our faith. If we allow perseverance to finish its work, we will become mature and complete, not lacking anything we need for our faith walk.

- Hebrews 12 assures that it’s best to treat tough times as discipline, as God training and correcting us, as a father does his children. An attitude of perseverance is key here, because we can walk away.

Perseverance is key to effectiveness and rewards (Luke 8: 8& 15, Hebrews 10:35-39)

- Remember the Sower & Seed parable? Remember the last seed that fell on good soil? Luke 8 refers to this – if we hear God’s word, retain it in our heart, and persevere in obeying it, we will eventually see a crop. There are no shortcuts to effective ministry for the Lord, we must persevere through tough times and failures (our own and others’). Also, we must not forget that difficult times separated the fruitful groups from the non-fruitful (and perhaps believers from unbelievers).

- Tough times can rattle our confidence. The writer in Hebrews 10 encourages us not to lose our confidence, rather, persevere in doing good so that His promised rewards will come. After all, Christ could return at any time – or He will bring us home through death – we only have to hang on a little longer (from His perspective, for us it may feel a lot longer). I love the note at the end of the passage: we are not those who shrink back, those who are true believers will persevere.

Perseverance is key to keeping our and others’ faith (I Timothy 4:16)

- We often think that a loss of faith comes through worldly influences and situations. We wring our hands over our grown and not-so-grown children, wanting to save them from people and teaching that could lead them astray. But these are secondary causes. I would submit to you that many more “faith failures” are due to a lack of diligence on the person’s part, that instead of watching their faith and life closely, instead of persevering, they began to drift away – and something else will fill that hole.

- Paul is careful to remind Timothy, and us through him, that our lack of perseverance can certainly affect others. Personally I find this very sobering.

Perseverance is key to making it through tough times

- I had an opportunity to read a number of people’s Great Depression stories this week. Almost invariably attitude was the key to their survival, their flourishing in difficult circumstances. I hear the same thing as I talk with a number of you. An attitude of “God is faithful, He will bring me through this, I can hang on” works so much better than complaining – finding fault with others – worrying – fear – anger – and all the other human responses we’re tempted with.

- Persevere. Don’t hear me wrongly, I’m not saying “grin and bear it”, or “shut up and handle it”, but commit to following the Lord through your difficult circumstances, commit to allowing Him all the space He needs to develop your character, commit to following His calling and will for you all the way to fruitfulness, commit to keeping your faith and walk with the Lord fresh. Persevere.

- 2 Thessalonians 3:5 states this blessing, “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” May it be so for you.

Confidence

2008-10-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed how confidence waxes and wanes?

It's so easy to base our confidence on accomplishments or acclamation (at least for me). One can leave the office with a good feeling if projects were completed and/or people were helped - and struggle mightily when projects fail or criticism comes.

I need to continually remind myself that my confidence is in the Lord, not myself - that worth is not based on ability to work effectively - that confidence should never be based on feedback, positive or negative (I'm rarely as good or bad as either, anyway).

By the way, please allow me to say e-publicly how much I appreciate the gifts for pastoral appreciation month - and the applause for the staff on Sunday.

Blessings!

Lincoln Still Speaks

2008-09-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

Perhaps Abraham Lincoln's words from his second inaugural address also apply to our current political situation:

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle...to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and all nations."

Mushrooms

2008-09-26T07:56:00.001-07:00

While walking in Pioneer Park this morning, noted a mushroom (or related fungus)on the side of a trail that was at least eight inches across. Imagine the time that went into its development! Imagine how large it could become if left alone (not likely)!

The mushroom reminded me of growth in our lives. On the negative side, we are often tempted to allow small sins or fears to grow in our lives - then one day we have a huge problem. On the positive side, God plants seeds in our lives (see Matthew 13 for an example) that often grow into surprising virtues, character qualities and actions.

Have a great weekend!

Marriage Message (for those who want a sneak peek)

2008-09-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

There is an incredible amount of confusion in our culture about marriage. We hear voices saying that the institution itself is passing away – that living together is a better option – that gender should not be an issue in marriage – that divorce is simply the termination of a contract between two individuals who no longer want to stay together – that an occasional extra-marital affair can actually be good for marriage – not to mention all the internal issues like child raising, joint career development, sexual fulfillment, and numerous others.

Of course, I have all the answers and will be happy to share them with you this morning:)

What’s important is to hear God’s voice above the other voices, including our own. Last week we concluded that if we are going to follow Jesus, we must listen intently to His word, and obey. Scripture has much to say about marriage, let’s look at five areas this morning.

Marriage is not for Everyone

- We forget this teaching, to our shame. Read I Corinthians 7:1-2, 8-9, 32-35.
- God has called some to singleness. Single believers can devote themselves more fully to the Lord, and this pleases Him. We need to honor the singles among us who have served the Lord passionately – as well as the widows and widowers who made this choice after their spouse’s death.
- But for most this is not an option, and Paul is frank – it’s better to marry than to burn.

Marriage is a Life Long Commitment

- We admire long term commitment. George Blanda played quarterback and kicker for 26 years, longer than anyone in the NFL. Ella Fitzgerald sang for 57 years. Jessica Tandy acted for 69 years. Strom Thurmond served his country politically for 72 years, including eight terms in the senate. Liu Yung-Yang and Yang Wan were married for a little over 86 years, while Bill & Claudia Ritchie of Kentucky only made it 83.
- Yet only 60-70% of American marriages will make it to “death do us part”. First marriages that end in divorce only statistically last eight years, second marriages only seven. Only 33% of American marriages make it to their 25th anniversary, 20% to their 35th (these statistics do include deaths).
- What does God say? Matthew 19:1-9, I Corinthians 7:10-11, Malachi 2:16. Seems pretty clear that marriage is a life long commitment, with divorce reserved for only the most extreme situations (adultery being the clearest scripturally).
- Before moving on, I want to be abundantly clear about something. If you have been divorced in the past – which a number of you have - that does not make you a second class citizen of the kingdom or unwelcome here. Rather, understand that what God’s word says is for your present, and for your future. Close the trap door, remove the divorce option from your “now” and your future, work at your marriage. If there are past relational sins that need to be taken care of – with your current or past spouse – take care of them, and move forward.

Marriage is for Spiritual Equals

- Many have lost this concept. Marriage is for two believers to enter into, or two unbelievers. Don’t mix believers and unbelievers, it rarely works.
- The Old Testament is full of this concept – Solomon’s pagan wives led to his downfall – revivals under Ezra & Nehemiah both emphasized spiritually pure marriages – many spiritual or governmental leaders in the OT crashed and burned because their spouse didn’t follow God.
- Read I Corinthians 7:39 & 2 Corinthians 6:14. This is very clear – if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, marry a follower of Jesus Christ. It’s easy to deceive ourselves into believing we will convert our spouses (happens sometimes) – or that we will be able work out a good spiritual arrangement – ask those who have gone through it for their input.
- Again, this is not a second class citizen concept. If you are married to an unbeliever, deal with any past sin involved and move on. And please don’t divorce your unbelieving spouse, I Corinthians 7:12-16 is quite clear that you shouldn’t.

Marriage Requires Submission, Love & Respect

- Read Ephesians 5:21-33. There are multiple sermons in this passage alone.
- We are to submit to each other, and wives particularly to their husbands (command is repeated in five separate passages, and exemplified elsewhere). The submission concept is used with governmental & spiritual authorities, servants to masters, demons to Jesus, of the church to Jesus, children to their parents, and younger men to older, among others. We are all in submission relationships. It’s not an oppressive word, our culture has only made it such. It’s an obedience word, and in my personal opinion is only invalidated when we are asked to do something outside of God’s revealed will.
- Husbands are to love their wives – I Corinthians 13 defines this as patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, doesn’t keep record of wrongs – it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. The companion passage in Colossians commands husbands to love their wives and not be harsh with them – which captures the concept well.
- And wives are to respect their husbands. This is more key than we think – men are easily brought down inside and outside their marriage when their wives don’t respect them. And it’s not a conditional command, we can’t say, “well, I would respect him if he was respectable” – in fact, one can make a case that respecting him helps make him respectable.

Marriage is a Symbol of a Greater Reality

- Paul says an astonishing thing here in verse 32 of Ephesians 5 – he’s actually thinking of Christ and the church. The husband-wife relationship is symbolic of an eternal relationship the church has with Jesus Christ – complete with our engagement here and a wedding feast in heaven.
- The two most profound truths that arise out of this is that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church – self-sacrificially – and that the church is to live in purity (found in 2 Corinthians 11:2).

So, what have we learned or been reminded of? Marriage is not for everyone, singleness is at least as good, and often a better, option. Marriage involves a life long commitment, divorce is not to be an option except in extreme situations (like adultery, and I’ve seen adulterous couples come back together and make it work). Marriage is for spiritual equals, believers with believers, unbelievers with unbelievers. Marriage requires heavy and continuous doses of submission, love and respect – a concept that probably needs more development in a different message. And, finally, our marriages are a life time picture of an eternal truth – we will live in intimate relationship with Christ forever.

How Intimate?

2008-09-23T13:05:00.000-07:00

Would appreciate feedback on this question:

How intimately is Jesus involved with Princeton Free Church? Can you sense His presence or involvement with us?

Thanks!

Worship

2008-09-23T09:04:00.000-07:00

As human beings, we often want our words to have a single meaning. If our spouse serves hamburgers for supper, we may expect a burger with lettuce, tomato and ketchup on a hamburger bun – so the following would all be surprises:

Hamburger patty on a plate with raw onions
Turkey burger with mustard and pickles
Steak burger with steak sauce and fried onions
Rare hamburger steak on a plate (as in parts of Europe).
Ground beef in pita bread.

Yet each would be a burger, even though we aren’t used to thinking of them as such.

Worship is very much the same, but much more complicated.

Looking at the Hebrew, Greek and English concepts, worship can mean:

Service in a religious building

Devotion, love, honor for God

A posture of submission, acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty (bending the knee or bowing down in reverential fear)

Sacrifice (in New Testament, often self-sacrifice in service to others)

Raising hands to God

Singing, including accompanied by instrumentation

Celebration, make a show

To address in a loud tone

To dance or jump for joy (this is not a comprehensive list).

Unfortunately, we often boil worship down to music, and each of us has a favorite style based on our experience (I’ve identified at least five favorite styles in our congregation alone, and there certainly could be more).

Let me encourage you to think biblically about worship, which includes thinking broadly – much more broadly than a particular approach or style. Let’s worship Him together!

Sacred & Sent

2008-09-17T14:13:00.001-07:00

These two verses are right next to each other in John 17, Jesus' prayer for His followers:

"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."

Sanctify means to make sacred or holy. If you think about the sacred or holy objects in the world, we tend to hide them away from public view, or put them under glass, or somehow protect them. Jesus is asking His Father to do exactly the opposite: make His followers sacred through your truth, then send them out into the world.

In other words, God has made His followers special through truth & holiness - but then we are to be "totally out there", not worrying about our self-protection, reaching those who are not yet followers of His. God protects His people (see the preceding verse, John 17:15), but not by taking them out of the world.

You and I are sacred and sent - do we act so?

How Long in Hell?

2008-09-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

Many in & around our congregation are going through very difficult times. After one conversation, this question came to mind:

* How long are we to stay in hell for heaven's purposes?

This question was quickly followed by a response (not sure if it was the Lord or not, but I'm suspicious):

* For as long as the Lord will stay with you there.

Guess that means we can make it through today. And the one that follows.

Revised Lord's Prayer

2008-09-08T13:29:00.000-07:00

How often are our prayers more like this:

My ship come in,
My will be done....

Then "your kingdom come,
Your will be done...."

Following Jesus, Union Eagle Article

2008-09-04T15:45:00.001-07:00

Following Jesus

Jesus stood by the Sea of Galilee, teaching the crowds that were following Him. Acoustics were difficult, so He borrowed a boat, asking a local fisherman (Peter) to put out a little ways from shore. This enabled Him to sit down and share stories about God more easily & thoroughly with the people.

Jesus finished His presentation, turned to Peter, telling him to put out into the deep water for a catch. Peter respected this teacher – but He was certainly no fisherman – so explained that they’d worked all night and caught nothing. Jesus just looked at Peter, so he decided to humor his teacher. After all, what was one more cast before bed?

The fish exploded into the net. Peter and his brother could not haul them all in, to they signaled a second boat for help. Both boats were so filled that they began to sink.

Peter, typically, overreacted. “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man”. Jesus assured him that everything would be OK, but a career change was in order: now was the time to fish for men.

Matthew worked the tax booth diligently. Locals needed to file by him at some point during their week; he would remind them of their financial commitment, loudly if necessary. Matthew worked for the Romans, took excessive taxes from rich and poor alike; he was a despised man.

Except by Jesus. He ambled by the booth, looked into Matthew’s eyes, invited him along for a lifetime. The decision didn’t take long – riches with a poor reputation or poverty with a chance for significance – he took the poverty.

He also threw one whale of a party and invited his prior cronies: tax collectors and local sinners. The local leadership was outraged, Jesus was delighted. These were the people who needed Him. He was here for them.

John the Baptist was working the crowd, preaching, teaching, baptizing, arguing with the religious leaders. His ministry had tremendous impact. People were streaming in to hear him, to repent, to seek the Lord’s face for forgiveness. Then Jesus walked by.

John knew that he was not here for his own sake – not to build his own ministry or reputation - rather, to proclaim the one who was to come, Jesus. He pointed Him out to the crowds; then, the next day, specifically pointed Him out to two of His disciples. Look, there He is, follow Him – and they did.

John’s reaction: “He must become greater; I must become less.”

Did your Jesus completely change your life direction? Did He rejoice to reach out to you, and to others very much like and unlike you? Is He so important to you that you are willing to take a lesser role to share Him with others?

He did, and does – and I will - and that has made all the difference.

What Would You Fight Over?

2008-09-02T14:39:00.000-07:00

I received an email this afternoon from a person who was upset about eternal security - he disagreed with another's viewpoint that one could lose their salvation.

I can understand his frustration, this does seem to be a key issue - and that debate has raged for over 500 years. It's important, but I'm not sure I would fight over it. There are more similarities to the two sides than one would initially think - and they can meet over how one should reach out to someone who has made a profession of faith, but does not follow the Lord over an extended period of time (deal with them as an unbeliever first).

What would I fight over, stand up for, even die for? I would "fight" for Christ's person and work - particularly for salvation by faith. I would fight for our freedom to worship - not necessarily in a church building or formal way - but together with other believers, even "underground". I would fight for scripture being inspired by God, inerrant. I would fight for our "right" to share our faith - or I would at least go ahead and share anyway. Many of the Evangelical Free doctrines are basic enough to "fight" for.

I doubt that I would fight for one particular position on the Lord's coming.

How about you?

Discipleship

2008-08-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

"We teach what we believe, but we reproduce what we are."

Scary statement from Conformed to His Image by Kenneth Boa - sounds like my "are" needs to catch up with my beliefs.

A Very Different Perspective on Worship

2008-08-26T12:37:00.001-07:00

From Eugene Peterson's "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction" (book about discipleship):

"An excellent way to test people's values is to observe what we do when we don't have to do anything, how we spend our leisure time, how we spend our extra money. Even in a time when church attendance is not considered to be on the upswing in the United States, the numbers are impressive. There are more people at worship on any given Sunday, for instance, than are at all the football games or on the golf links or fishing or taking walks in the woods. Worship is the single most popular act in this land."

Now there's a different perspective....

Prayer

2008-08-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

Have been studying prayer for adult Sunday School, ran across this quote in Leith Anderson's book, "Praying to the God You Can Trust":

"Some Christians mistakenly think that the Bible's call for faith means believing God will answer a prayer precisely as it is requested. Faith isn't faith in an answer. It isn't faith in prayer. It is faith in God."

We need to be aware that God answers prayers as He sees fit - not on the basis of how much "faith" we can work up in the answer we want.

By the way, this little book has been excellent so far, particularly the section on how God answers contradictory prayers.

Sunday Sermon on Joy

2008-08-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

Posting my sermon notes for the upcoming Sunday so that you can review them - there's a lot in here, easy to miss something or forget.

Life is Hard, Then You Die – Not!

Product packaging warning – this is an intense, packed with scripture & thoughts, but joyful message.

Life is Hard

How many of you remember the children’s book, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”? He wakes up with gum in his hair, doesn’t get a prize in his cereal (unlike his two brothers), his teacher doesn’t like his drawing of an invisible castle, he loses his yo-yo, there is no dessert in his lunch, the dentist tells him he has a cavity, there is kissing on TV and he has to wear his hated railroad train pajamas. His conclusion – he wants to move to Australia!

“Life is hard. Then you die. Then they throw dirt in your face. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens in that order.” David Gerrold

Or the 1993 song (I don’t claim this is all truth, but it is a reflection of this life philosophy):

LIFE IS HARD (THEN YOU DIE)
Charlie turned to Sam and said I hate to burst your bubble
But you ain't the only one in this world who's seen trouble
You been going on 'bout how your life is in a rut
Well good buddy I sure hate to disappoint you but

Life is hard then you die
It don't matter how you carve up that old existential pie
It ain't always cherry filling' in between the crust and sky
Life is hard then you die

He said Sam don't get me wrong it's not that I ain't sympathetic
But you don't gotta go on like your life is so pathetic
In between the tears you got to find a way to laugh
You've already lost more than some folks will ever have

Life is hard then you die
And though I'll admit there's prob'ly more to it than meetsthe eye
It'll take a better man than me to try and tell you why
Life is hard then you die

Philosophers, theologians, folksingers and bums
All got their own slant on what inevitably comes
I think God's a jazz man and eternity's a riff
And every day above the ground's a pure and precious gift

Life is hard then you die
In the blinking of a cosmic eye
There'll be tears for all those who deny
Life is hard then you die

Sam said Charlie thank you for those words of consolation
You've been like a beacon in my fog of desperation
Just when I was thinking that at least things couldn't be
Any worse than they are right now you've reminded me...

Life is hard then you die
It don't matter how you carve up that old existential pie
It ain't always cherry filling' in between the crust and sky
Life is hard then you die
© 1993 Flying Stone Music

Life is hard, as Solomon attests in Ecclesiastes (book about man’s best wisdom):

- “Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” (1:2)
- “All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again.” (1:8-9)
- “What a heavy burden God has laid on men! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” (1:13b-14)
- “Man’s fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath, man has no advantage over the animal! Everything is meaningless!”
- Happy little book!

Jesus concurs, “In this world you will have trouble.” However, He then says, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

But….

Psalm 23 captures the tension between our troubles & our joys well:

- Read verses 1-6
- David faces the evil, the valley of the shadow of death, the enemies
- But he rejoices in his relationship with the Lord (shepherd)
- He rejoices in God’s activity in his life (leading, guiding, restoring, correcting, preparing, anointing
- His conclusion? “Surely goodness and love (not necessarily happy circumstances) will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

We Shall Have Joy

There are 242 references in scripture to joy, 156 to rejoicing, 38 to laughing. Joy is part of the package of the Christian life. Romans 14 states that the kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace and joy. One of the fruits of the Spirit is joy. I Thessalonians 5:16 states we can be joyful always.

There is the joy of circumstances. Numerous times in scripture followers of God are encouraged to be joyful at their holiday feasts and special occasions, whether it’s the Old Testament Passover or the joy of Christ’s birth (Luke 2:10) and resurrection (Matthew 28:8). Scripture speaks of the joy of success, of a good harvest, of rebuilding the house of God, of winning a battle and many others. There is the joy that came from winning the two softball championships this week! There is the joy of hearing about the Brazil Team’s blessings. We often draw a distinction between happiness and joy, but I don’t find this distinction in scripture. As mature believers, we need to realize this joy is temporary, but nevertheless it is a gift from God.

There is the joy of seeing God at work. God called creation very good, and “the morning stars sang together, and all the angels shouted for joy” (Job 38:7). The parting of the Red Sea led to dancing, Jehoshaphat’s “no shots fired” victory was a source of national joy, Jesus experienced full joy over God’s work through His disciples (Luke 10:21), a whole city in Samaria experienced joy over God’s work there (Acts 8:8). Little down in the mouth? Depressed? Remind yourself – as the psalms often do during trials – about what God has done.

There is the joy of salvation. David prays, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12) Isaiah writes, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” (12:3) The Philippian jailer experienced great joy when he came to the Lord (Acts 16:34). Think for a moment – you were an enemy of God, a rebel, a sinner. You had no hope. Jesus died on the cross not only for the world but for you, to take away the guilt and penalty of your sins. You have been set free. What’s not to rejoice about?

There is the joy of on-going relationship with the Lord. “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11) “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” (Psalm 90:14) “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight.” (Jeremiah 15:16) This includes our obedience, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love…I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:10-11, selected)

There is even the joy of adversity. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus could endure the cross because of the joy of its impact, particularly on believers. James tells us we can consider trials to be pure joy because of the impact they will have on our lives. ‘Life is hard” can actually be a source of joy.

Let me conclude with Steven Curtis Chapman’s son, “More to This Life”:

Today I watched in silence as people passed me by,
And I strained to see if there wassomething hidden in their eyes;
But they all looked at me as if to say
Life just goes on.

The old familiar story told in different ways,
Make the most of your own journeyfrom the cradle to the grave;
Dream your dreams tomorrow because today
Life must go on.

CHORUS

But there's more to this life than living and dying,
More than just trying to make it through the day;
More to this life, more than these eyes alone can see,
And there's more than this life alone can be.

Tonight he lies in silence staring into space,
And looks for ways to make tomorrow better than today,
But in the morning light it looks the same;
Life just goes on.

He takes care of his family, he takes care of his work,
And every Sunday morning he takes his place at the church;
And somehow he still feels a need to search,

But life just goes on.

CHORUS

So where do we start to find every part
Of what makes this life complete;
If we turn our eyes to Jesus we'll find
Life's true beginning is there atthe cross where He died.
He died to bring us . . . (more to this life, part of which is joy)

Second Reflection on the Funeral

2008-08-15T12:30:00.001-07:00

I was approached today by a person who attended yesterday's funeral. They remarked on what a difficult audience this must have been to preach to (tavern customers, etc.).

On one level I understood the person's comment - it certainly wasn't a typical church audience - who didn't respond in classic "churchy" ways.

On another level I deeply disagreed. This wasn't a difficult audience at all. In fact, it's the exact audience one hopes for - most not knowing the Lord, but potentially open to hearing about Him through grief's door.

Frankly I would love to see more of this type of audience at PEFC - people who have not yet started their journey of faith - people like our neighbors, friends, co-workers, acquaintances.

Of course, wishing won't bring them here....

Community

2008-08-15T12:13:00.000-07:00

Men & women desperately desire community.

This was evident yesterday at a funeral I preached at. The lady who passed away worked for a tavern in the cities - many of the attendees were customers or employees of that tavern - frankly, she was deeply loved by them.

They showed this love practically through financial (and other) gifts while she struggled with cancer - through participating in a home makeover that "blessed her socks off" - by donating the food for the funeral dinner - by grieving together with the family.

Sort of sounds like church, doesn't it - particularly when the church is loving each other and the community as it (we) should.

On one hand, I often see members and attendees of our church doing the exact same thing for others - and my heart sings when this happens. On other occasions, people live out on the fringes of the church, don't feel as connected, and sometimes aren't ministered to in their needs.

This is one of the reasons we are emphasizing small groups this fall. We need community. We need the friendship/fellowship, the accountability, the mutual prayer, the sharing of the word, sharing of like & dislike interests - the connecting.

Let me encourage each of you to sign up for a small group this fall, to "test drive" community.

Have a great weekend.

Self Protection

2008-08-13T07:42:00.000-07:00

In Karen Mains excellent "Tales of the Kingdom" (I highly recommend both the book and the series for children and adults - the stories are good, the illustrations exceptional), Scarboy always covers the scar on his face with his hand when he's with other people - even if they are working together. Obviously this hurts his ability to help, until he is encouraged to use two hands when sawing wood - and it feels so good.

Metaphorically, I wonder how many of us have at least one spiritual hand covering our scars, our weaknesses, our problems - and how this hinders our walk with and ministry for the Lord.

This Sunday's Myth Busters message is, "I Have to Protect Myself - Not!" Hope to see you there.

Discipleship

2008-08-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

Are we disciples of Jesus Christ?

The word for disciple in the original Greek of the New Testament means "follower", implies a personal attachment to a teacher, allowing the teacher to exercise formative power in the follower's life. It implied commitment and obedience.

Christ said that his followers would:

* Deny themselves, take up their crosses, follow Him (Luke 9:23-25)
* Put Jesus before self, family and possessions (Luke 14:25-35)
* Be committed to His teachings (John 8:31)
* Be committed to personal and world evangelism (Matthew 28:18-20)
* Love others as Christ loves them (John 13:34-35)
* Abide in Christ in relationship, obedience and impact (John 15)

(Adapted from Bill Hull's, "The Disciple Making Pastor")

So, are we disciples of Jesus Christ, or simply American church attendees? This is a tough question that I need to ask myself first.

(We will be addressing this topic from the pulpit in September.)

Faith, Understanding or God?

2008-08-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

Today (August 1st) our church celebrated a 90 year old’s birthday with a church open house, and mourned an infant’s passing at a graveside service. Life can be so backwards.

The death of a child – and other “backwards” trials of life – can leave us spiritually gasping for breath. We feel the wrongness of such an event on at least two levels: general day to day expectations, and deep inside where the sense of fairness/justice/rightness resides.

Children are conceived to be born, born to live, live to have rich and full experiences of life. Any interference, vertically or horizontally, deeply tests our souls.

Some would encourage us to have faith – and such is correct, as far as it goes. But faith is like the tubing leading from an oxygen machine to the mask of a patient – essential, but what is needed is the oxygen! So faith connects us to what is essential – or, more correctly, who is essential – God. We certainly need faith, but we need Him, His words, His truth, His presence to bring us through those gut-wrenching, horrific experiences that life brings.

We must be cautious in another way. Sometimes what we think is faith is actually analysis. If we can simply figure out the situation, see what the benefits are, see the “why”, then our souls can rest more easily. This is not faith, it’s understanding – and it’s potentially dangerous (see Proverbs 3:5-6) – because our souls cannot feed on understanding over the long term – and there’s always the good possibility that our analysis is wrong! There’s certainly nothing wrong with asking (or crying out, for that matter) “why” – Job and the Psalms are full of such questions – but the asking is, ultimately, another way of finding God.

So, seek to understand – have faith – but remember both are vehicles to experiencing God’s presence, comfort and truth – not answers in and of themselves.

(We also experienced a birth in the last 24 hours, a source of joy!)

Prayer

2008-07-31T13:35:00.000-07:00

Prayer is always important - sometimes it's crucial. Now is a crucial time.

I keep a running prayer sheet of congregational needs, usually runs about a page. Today it's two and a half type pages, which is the highest it's ever been.

We have numerous cancer and other serious medical situations (10+) - a miscarriage and a birth - a short term missionary team to pray for - addiction situations - unemployment - needs for salvation - serious financial problems - marital situations - struggles with worry - serious spiritual issues - and many other needs.

Obviously this is not the format for specifics. Many of you are aware of a few of these situations. Will you covenant with me to pray for them at least daily? We need the Lord's touch.

(The elders and staff would also appreciate your prayer as we reach out to some of these needs.)

I'm confident He will answer, in His time, in His way, both inside and outside our expectations. He is good, and His mercy endures forever.

Blogs Helpful?

2008-07-25T11:04:00.000-07:00

Are these blogs helpful to anyone out there? Are they facilitating communication?

Occasionally someone comments or mentions they read one - and I am happy to continue writing about what's on my heart, particularly as it impacts God's kingdom - but also want to use time wisely.

It's raining relatively hard currently - but the sun is also out - reminds me that we often want life to be like that - multiple blessings at once!

Have a great weekend.

Speaking Into Our Lives

2008-07-23T10:08:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had anyone speak into your life?

At 16 a visitor to our church thanked me for holding the door open for his family by saying, "It's better to be a doorman at the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of iniquity", a quote from the psalms. This statement stuck with me, teaching me the importance of serving in even the smallest ways.

In my 20s' someone compared me to Mr. Spock (highly controlled, nearly emotionless alien from original Star Trek series) - this personal image wrongly stuck with me into my 30's.

In my late 30's I fell away from the Lord and His ministry through pride, but two pastors from Door Creek Church in Madison, WI spoke into my life, assuring me that He would use me again - and so He has.

I have a plaque in my office from the staff and elders of the this church - each wrote words of specific encouragement - this still speaks to me.

Isn't this what the Lord does in our lives? He looks at us and the messes we've made, then calls us His chosen children - saints - beloved (and numerous other strong names) - He promises us that He will never cease working in our lives - He tells us He will never leave us - and, somehow, we change and grow, becoming what He has spoken.

So, have others spoken into your life? Have you heard His voice speaking into you?

Fall Changes at Church

2008-07-18T11:33:00.000-07:00

We have some interesting changes coming up this fall at Princeton Evangelical Free Church.

There will be a renewed emphasis on small groups, led by elder couples (and others). Some of these groups will be general & open to everyone, others will have specific "audiences". Emphasis will be on fellowship/friendship, study of the word, prayer and care.

In addition our Sunday Morning Adult Bible Fellowships will become more like Sunday School classes, with topics and teachers changing quarterly. Topics could include: "Experiencing God", "Jesus & the Marketplace", "Parenting", "Growing in the Basics", "Spiritual Formation", "Peacemaking" and others.

Lord willing, this should provide the balance between discipleship and relationship that our church needs.

Would appreciate each of your prayers. As the Lord leads, let me know if you want to become involved as well. Have a great weekend!

Biblical Sexuality & Freedom

2008-07-15T12:43:00.001-07:00

Have been studying biblical sexuality for the Family Matters class on Sunday.

One of the interesting contrasts is the incredible amount of sexual freedom in marriage (read Song of Solomon) - and the total lack of sexual freedom outside of marriage.

God is very clear that He set up sexuality for both procreation and recreation - His descriptions in the Song are quite graphic, even provocative - but when we take sex outside of marriage, we offend Him, hurt others and eventually destroy ourselves.

Much like life! Our freedom operates best within obedience (Galatians 5:13), an interesting paradox.

Summer Church Attendance

2008-07-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

I welcome each of your feedback on this.

Our attendance drops 20% or so during the summer. It's not the numbers that are important, rather the implication that up to 20% of our body each week misses out on regular teaching, fellowship, prayer and other vital aspects of being the family of God together.

Some people vanish for almost the whole summer. Others are gone a few weeks. Some take a weekend or two.

On one hand I fully appreciate and understand the need for family vacations and events. On the other hand I think about scripture like:

* Hebrews 10:25, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

* Acts 2:42, 44, 46, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer...All the believers were together...Every day they continued to meet together...."

Do our needs for each other - for support & service, for relationship, for prayer, for meeting with God corporately - take the summer off?

Please allow me to encourage you - join with us this summer as we seek Him together.

Beauty

2008-07-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

Have begun expanding my "naturalist" skills outside of birds. Purchased field guides to learn about & identify butterflies and dragonflies - figured I'd stay with the fliers for a year or so:)

This week have been observing and attempting to identify butterflies - and am amazed at the sometimes splashy, sometimes subtle beauty God has given them. He must be very fond of color, of shading, of contrast, of beauty in general. Think about it - He could have created everything in gray scale and made it work - but He works with at least 6 million differentiable colors in His creation.

How have you seen His penchant for beauty?

Have a great weekend.

Confession

2008-07-02T11:57:00.000-07:00

* "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9

* "When anyone is guilty in any of these ways, he must confess in what way he has sinned." Leviticus 5:5

* "They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshipping the Lord their God." Nehemiah 9:3

* "Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord" - and you forgave the guilt of my sin." Psalm 32:5

* "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14

Christians (unfortunately) sin. God has provided relational forgiveness through confession to Him. Yet we so often neglect this, presuming that He will hear and answer our prayers anyway - that He will draw near us in intimate relationship. Or we offer a general confession that doesn't address the real issues.

Think how well this approach would work in our close earthly relationships. No apology, no intimacy.

The tax collector encourages me. He was a real sinner with real guilt & real shame - and received real forgiveness.

Let me encourage you - confess your sins to the Lord - experience His forgiveness, His renewing of your spirit, His intimacy with you.

See you Sunday!

Heaven

2008-06-26T15:05:00.000-07:00

How great will heaven be?

If you think how fantastic some of our earthly experiences are:

* Marriage at its best
* Beauty of nature - fall trees, Scarlet Tanagers & Indigo Buntings, waterfalls, Grand Canyon, morning mists, blue ice along Mille Lacs Lake & thousands of other experiences
* Captivating book or movie
* Newborn child
* Soul-satisfying conversation

And that these are all part of a fallen creation, probably just a foretaste of our future....

(Best of all, much closer relationship with the Creator of all this.)

Enjoy the dream.

Writing A Book

2008-06-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

Recently an old dream has begun to resurface - writing a book.

This can't be a right now dream, since I'm actively working on my 'transfer of ordination' paper - but that process should be complete by the end of the year.

The $64.00 question is, what kind of a book should I write - and its corollary question, what kind needs to be written?

(Of course, the most important question is what does God want me to do? Not all dreams come from Him.)

Should this be a Christian novel - or a novel that could reach those who are not Christians - or a book of poetry (wrote poetry many years ago, but few buy these any more) - or a historical work - or theological - or birding (such as a book on Christian birding) - or...? What do you think? Would love feedback on this. Please feel free to post a comment or email me (pastoral@princetonfreechurch.net).

Family Values

2008-06-18T09:45:00.000-07:00

Where do our family values come from?

Do they come from our prior family experiences - the society around us - scripture - media - or....?

This is one of the fundamental questions we will be addressing during our first Family Matters class this summer (small and large group format). We meet at 8:45 AM in the youth room. Please join us!

Refuge

2008-06-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

Studying Psalm 71 this afternoon for the Elim Chapel message tomorrow. Scattered thoughts from the passage:

* God is our refuge. The truth here is not that He provides us a place to hide, to be renewed - rather, that He Himself is that refuge.

* He is our refuge from birth. Our children have gotten it right - they come out trusting - only learning mistrust as they grow older.

* God's refuge does not mean we will not experience trouble - "Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter" - rather, that we have someone/where to go when we do. The psalmist admitted that God had a role in his troubles, but also knew that God's role would include refuge and restoration.

* God's refuge is for the young and the old: "From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb"; and "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God...."

* Just a personal thought. How tempting it is to trust in other refuges! Investments, insurance, government, family relationships, friendships, career development/job security, our own abilities and/or wisdom....all will, at one point or another, fail. He won't.

Blessings!

2008-06-12T13:10:00.001-07:00

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling the disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others….” (Mark 12:41-43)

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need….All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. There were no needy persons among them…” (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32, 44)

“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.” (2 Corinthians 8:2-4)

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

Sacrificial giving. Sensitive giving. Joyful. Voluntary. Cheerful. Confident.

During this time of rising gas/lifestyle costs, lower offerings, reduced ministry expenses and impending missions/youth trips, I could be anxious (and sometimes have been). I could plead for increased giving – which would be helpful. I could teach a structured giving approach (like 10% tithing or similar) – which works and often leads to blessing.

Instead, I want to focus on our attitudes: our sensitivity to others’ needs, our joy, our willingness, our confident cheerfulness. God is as much honored by our attitudes as by our actions. One flows into the other.

So as you consider the church needs, focus on attitude, then allow God to lead you accordingly. I have confidence in Him – and you, as His people (this is a great church!) – during this time.

Prayer

2008-06-04T14:26:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I was walking in the old sanctuary, praying through the church requests from the last few weeks. After finishing, noticed that many of the requests were neither personal nor for the direct nuclear family - rather, for external family, friends, missionaries and the like.

Only six of the 24 were directly personal, 11 of the 24 for the immediate family.

This concerns me a bit.

Not that we shouldn't pray for relatives & friends, nor share those requests with others. Certainly we should.

Rather, we should be able to share personal requests - if not with the whole congregation, at least with the staff & elders.

This list is from the past couple of months - are we truly to believe that our congregation only averages one personal request worth sharing weekly? Or is it more likely that we are shy about sharing - concerned with how others will view us - concerned that the information could be used against us - concerned about vulnerability and transparency in general?

In addition, 18 of the 24 requests were for health issues. Again, it is important to pray about health issues. But do we not have spiritual, emotional, relational and other issues that need prayer?

Perhaps sharing personal requests across the congregation - or even with our leadership - is a bit intimidating. But please, allow me to encourage you to share personal requests with those you can trust, or feel free to call/email me with them. "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

And I will try to do the same.

Levels

2008-05-29T07:45:00.001-07:00

As all churches do on occasion, we are currently struggling financially.

There are a number of potential causes - the construction downturn has cause layoffs and/or lack of hours - gas costs have risen enough to impact our commuters - other non-fixed costs (like food) have risen - frankly, it's been hard to nail down exactly what's happening.

But perhaps we're forgetting the spiritual component. God speaks to us in a number of ways, and one is blessing, or lack thereof.

Perhaps this is a time for reevaluation of church and personal priorities. Perhaps there is sin in the congregation that needs to be repented of. Perhaps He is getting our attention to move us in different directions.

Will you pray with me as we seek the Lord about this?

Blessings!

2008-05-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

My apologies for lack of May blogs - have been alternately very busy or on vacation - here are a few thoughts:

Last Wednesday (May 14th) Nathan and I birded Big Stone and Lac Qui Parle Counties in western Minnesota. We enjoyed an excellent day together, tallying 132 species, many of which are unusual in central MN.

At one stop we saw/heard three rare species (which is a bit like drawing to an inside straight or winning the lottery). We had seen one of those species in the same location (Big Stone Refuge) the year before, and had taken flak from other Minnesota birders after reporting it. They didn’t believe we had seen it, because they had never done so, or because it was statistically unusual. Last year’s experience initially caused us to hesitate reporting it again – but we finally screwed up our courage and did so.

Sharing the bird(s) would allow others an opportunity to view them as well – even if some doubted.

I wonder if we sometimes hesitate to share our God experiences for the same reason.

God usually works behind the scenes, sovereignly massaging circumstances and guiding people in “normal” ways. Once in a while, however, He breaks through in our lives, startling us, touching us directly, miraculously, unusually. We want to share these experiences with others (believers or unbelievers), but then fear they might verbally abuse or look down on us.

Sometimes we even hesitate to share our greatest God experience of all – the miracle of salvation – with those who need it most, fearing their disdain.

Yet, if we don’t share, others may not experience what (and Who) we have. Others’ faith may not grow. Others may not come to salvation. Isn’t it worth the risk?

NFL Draft Reflection

2008-04-28T13:23:00.000-07:00

As a football fan (Green Bay Packers - lived 42 years in the state), I listened to some of the reports about this last weekend's draft. One fact surprised me.

The Chicago Bears did not draft a quarterback.

Not in 2008. Not in 2007. Not in 2006. 28 draft choices without a quarterback.

This would not be surprising if a quarterback was not important. However, one can make a case that he's the most important player on the team.

This would not be surprising if their current quarterback was excellent. However, he's been wildly inconsistent.

This would not be surprising if they had a young backup in the wings who was on the verge of excellence. However, this doesn't appear to be true.

(While waiting for my background baseball game this afternoon to come on, I heard some Chicago radio personalities defending the lack of a drafted quarterback. Perhaps blindness is contagious.)

But aren't we all tempted to be like this? We may have a glaring weakness, apparent to any impartial observer, yet we refuse to take action or make changes. Those close to us may never say a word, afraid to hurt us.

The Chicago Bears need someone they respect to speak truth to them. And so do we.

2008-04-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

There are 60+ teens wandering around the church this afternoon, waiting to head off for district conference.

The noise level is a bit high, the wandering about a bit unruly, the overall chaos perhaps a bit intense for adult tastes - and it's all good.

In my mind's (faith's?) eye, I can see God smiling down upon them - as they connect with each other and with their leaders - as they listen to speakers and consider life-changing information - as they meet & transparently debrief after sessions.

God's at work. And I rejoice.

2008-04-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

Birding (or, as some still call it, "birdwatching") is a reflection of life - 90% logical, 10% bizarre.

This year's migration is a great example. Late winter weather slowed down migration, so many birds throughout April have been 7-10 days late in arrival.

But not all - single Gray Catbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Brown Thrasher and few others - have arrived early in Mille Lacs County - some as much as three weeks.

Much of life is structured and predictable - projects are planned & executed, meetings reach anticipated results, discussions with family go well - but then the 10% happens - and a deer runs into your car, or the IRS disagrees with your tax return, or people respond positively to a poor sermon....

And it's in the 10% that God becomes more obvious. Certainly He is present for all 100%, but we miss Him in the routine.

If the 10% didn't occur, perhaps we would miss Him completely.