A thought to remember!

"The will of God will never take you, where the Grace of God will not protect you." --- Unknown

Getting Real with God

I think many people going through life, experience times when things seem somewhat disconnected. Just look around and you will see people close to you who have felt the pain of disconnected relationships and even shattered dreams. The fear of being hurt causes many people to withdraw and even build some walls to protect themselves. Yet those same walls can become a rigid fortress unless we allow God to dismantle the pain and heal our brokenness.

As we read the Scriptures we see that the Bible is essentially a book about relationships. In fact as we read we begin to see that God is intimately concerned and involved with people. God walked with Enoch. God met with Abraham. God encountered Isaac. God spoke with Moses. God counseled with Joshua. God enjoyed fellowship with David. Funny thing is these were imperfect people, yet God sought them out and together they fellowshipped. It was not through some rote memorization or systematic theory but God revealed Himself through the context of real relationships. He responds and communicates with individuals like you and me who have real needs, real concerns, real questions and real dreams. Yes God not only listens to us but He responds to us, if we only allow Him too. God chooses to meet you where you are, where you live, in your reality, and in your world. The question is we prepared to answer the door when He knocks? We need to ask ourselves how real are we with God?

Seeing through God’s Eyes!

Has your heart ever been broken by the pain and horror of the sinful actions of others? How did you feel when those actions seemingly go unpunished? We have a choice of how to respond to people and circumstances. However many times our emotions are triggered and through a spider web of experiences we find ourselves struggling to make decisions. Imagine how you would respond to the abusive spouse, the foul mouthed teenager, the disrespectful neighbor, the taunting gang member, the corrupt politician. Certainly each one can rub us the wrong way at times. We may even become angry with them, avoid them, or perhaps try to change them?

The truth is when we try to change people's behavior; we have lost the authority to proclaim God's love to them. Consider how God feels about the lost. It is His love they are scorning. He wants to bring them into a restored relationship with Himself and has invited us to be a part of the process. We must fully experience His forgiveness so that we can model His love. This love should compel us to reach out to others, having the heart of the Father and the mind of Christ!

Overcoming the Tempest!

AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS, THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP, WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND, BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING, HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.

IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE. WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK.

'A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST ' HE BEGAN.

'WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE. THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.'

THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN, LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY.

THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY, 'GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE. HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION.

THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT. THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY THE TORRENT OF WAVES.

AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!' HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND. BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT. HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.

BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH. 'THE FATHER,' HE CONTINUED, 'KNEW HIS SON WOULD STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND. ' !

HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.'

WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM. THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL.

WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE. 'THAT WAS A NICE STORY,' POLITELY STATED ONE OF THEM, 'BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.'

'WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE,' THE OLD MAN REPLIED, GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS AND SAID, 'IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT?

BUT, I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.

YOU SEE...

I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND.

Mobilizing the Priesthood!

If the Church is to make an impact on our world then it must mobilize the priesthood of all believers. As leaders we must equip others with the resources they need to confidently share the Gospel without hesitation. When words are spoken with power but lack the tenderness of compassion they fail to express the genuine love of the Father. When balanced properly our words will plant seeds that reap a greater harvest than the sweat of our brow ever could.

The Lord Needs Men

The Lord Needs Men

Who cannot be bought;

Whose word is their bond;

Who put character above wealth;

Who possess character above wealth:

Who possess opinions and a will;

Who are larger than their vocations;

Who do not hesitate to take chances;

Who will not lose their individuality in a crowd;

Who will be honest in small things as in great things;

Who will make no compromise with wrong;

Whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires;

Who will not say they do it "because everyone else does it;"

Who are true to their friends through good report and evil report, in adversity and as well as prosperity;

Who do not believe shrewdness, cunning, and hard headedness are their best qualities for winning success;

Who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth, even when it is unpopular;

Who can say "NO" with emphasis even though the rest of the world says "Yes".

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him...." (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Seasons of Change

Sitting silently listening to the whispering wind and the subtle rustle of the leaves, I reflect on the times and how they are indeed changing. As we enter into the fall season and approach the all important day when we will select a new leader to become President of the United States. We hear the rumors and campaign promises that seem glorious but have little substance. The candidates have promised change in Washington, but they forget the maxim that change is inevitable!

The important thing to remember is what changes are important and necessary to restore faith in America. There are times when God's Spirit stirs us to seasons of intense prayer. The extent of our spiritual victories is directly proportionate to the intensity of our prayer and our ability to trust in God's faithfulness. God wants to see if we are content with the minimum or if we are willing to stretch our faith, so that we can receive life more abundantly. We must ask ourselves are we content with our institutional survival or are we willing to dare to thrive in a worldwide revival?