Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Acts 28 QT


My Quiet Time this morning had me reading in Acts 28. Paul, Paul, Paul...poor guy, he has been beaten, left for dead...what's one more shipwreck before he has the showdown at Rome. ---but this morning as I read, it wasn't so much about Paul, and his "cruise ship" trip to Rome (albeit as a prisoner). God is awesome. He showed that He cared about the people of Malta. God crashed and trashed this ship, so these people (many were sick)could be healed, and most importantly could hear the Gospel truth and come to Christ. ---the ship...God provided another ship, and Paul ultimately landed in Rome with all the other passengers. They all survived the shipwreck even though many could not swim.
*The thing that you and I think are the main thing today, may merely have us in the neighborhood of what God's real main thing is. Look for the opportunity to be part of the healing and saving of people around you today. God isn't in love with ships, cars, planes; but He does love people.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Church being the church


What happens when the church "is" the church? Today we logged at least 12 LT man hours helping out in the community. A single mom needed help in a move...some guys gave of their time (a.k.a. showed the love of Christ). Another damsel in distress needed a large tree removed and a couple of our men stepped up. The opportunity to share the gospel arose, and we did. But the point of all this is not to boast; because we certainly have nothing to boast about, but the LORD. The point is as we go and show the love of Christ even in deed, we are sharing the Gospel. So, go, get out there and just be the church and light up this dark world. Let's lift up the name of Jesus by being the "good guys."

Monday, July 26, 2010

Some thoughts

I'm just taking time out to say thanks. I have been blessed beyond measure. God saved me at a young age and has protected me these many years. But tonight hit a new high . A friend invited me over to try out a new burger which was great. My son -in-law stopped by to hang out and chill. Teresa and I enjoyed that. That was just some highlights. A couple of young moms have stepped up there game at church and are making me proud. Good day.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Sunday Reflection

Spirited day! Mets some new folks, heard great stories from Mission Toledo team. Challenged by Jared. Can Sandra W. juggle...'cuz it seems like she can do everything else. Will be praying for Mark, Kim, Camber and Cooper as they go on mission in Panama. Topping it off... I met someone that said they had hated me for a few years. this person had run into a member of our church, who told them they ought to check with me because the reason they were mad didn't sound like me. PTL! It's always good to check your sources against someone's character. The LORD did a great work... a relationship has been salvaged. I pray for my friend, because...wow three years of hating has to impact a brother or sister. ---Getting back on our knees in prayer is the big message God is pouring on us. We've got several new prayer groups meeting. Recommendation: find one and get in it.
*Do something different this week> God bless.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Hang Out or Work Out


I listened over a year ago on sport-talk radio about how a sportscaster ran into Kobe Bryant at dinner on a Saturday (in the off season). He asked if he wanted to go hang out. Kobe told him no, because he still had to go work out. This guy was so committed to winning that he was disciplined even in the offseason. He couldn't even have a "cheat night" where he didn't work out.---I bring this up, because I was reading where all-star basketball guard Chris Paul tweeted something similar yesterday. It went something like" gotta get my work out in, so I can be the best." What if we were so disciplined as followers of Jesus? What if we were hardcore consistent in our prayer life? What if we were hardcore in studying the Scriptures in a way that we know God more clearly, and grow spiritually? What if we were not content to sit on the bench of Christian service and watch others serve?---Oh, I know everyone that reads my blog is not an NBA fan, but Kobe's team won the NBA championship...he played pretty much the last half of the year with a broken finger on his shooting hand. He had his eye on the prize, and wasn't going to make an excuse.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Your Church in Your City

This is your church. Get involved. I am thankful for several people who have recently gotten more involved. We need you to carry on the ministry that God has put us here for. I don't know about you, but I look toward what I want to see this church look like when our kids and grandkids grow up. I want it to be a hub for the community. Please begin by weeping and praying for our city. Seriously. Take the time to weep and pray for our city. ---Let God break your heart for the injustices and junk that is going on even the idolatry. ---Then serve as God leads.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

On Mission

Being on mission is part of life for the follower (disciple) of Jesus. This morning 14 of our folks left for Toledo on mission to a Muslim community. Also one of our folks left for Uganda on mission this morning. Meanwhile A* has a few more months in Africa, while T* serves in Orlando for the summer. ---Pray for these and serve as you go. Thanks to those that have ministered to the baby mama's and families during the birthing process. Blessing to those still working on an engine project. That's just some stuff... much is going on under the radar. Jesus' name is elevated when His peeps do this acts of love in His name.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Idiot

I was thinking about "idiots." My definition of idiot is just people doing really stupid things over and over again. I'm an extremely patient person, but my patience wears thin on idiots. Some of the things people do makes we want to see the reinstitution of flogging in public as punishment. ---Then I think of all the stupid things that I've done over and over again; and become increasingly aware of how awesome God's mercy and grace are. ---So this morning, I pray that one more idiot will turn it all over to God and be reconciled; and enjoy the abundant life that Christ spoke of. There is hope for the idiot(s)...like us. If you are "in Christ" it wasn't so long ago that you were out of sorts...the enemy of God.---Here's to hoping someone comes not to their senses, but to Jesus today!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Too Much Elephant to Eat


I just came to the realization that I will not make it through all of Paul's letters (in my sermons)by the end of the year (even though I left Romans out). Ephesians is coming soon, and I am stoked. There is no way I can do that in the four weeks I had previously planned. It's going to be awesome to see how the Trinity plays a role in the blueprint of the church. Dealing with the subject of predestination will be loads of fun. Challenging us to be God-walkers will be a great opportunity. My favorite will probably be dealing with the consequences of grace. Did you know that there are consequences surrounding the grace of God? Lots more to come...

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Run For It


So my dog is a 90lb, 70something year old, chocolate lab. A few months ago, he evidently got sick, and we thought he was going to die. He could barely walk and was shaking and had a dazed look on his face. He made it through that...oh did I mention he has a cataract? Anyway, you get me. He's old. He shouldn't stray from the porch much less the house. But I promise you, if I were to leave the gate open, he would turn into a 14 year old pup and run like the wind. Yet, his food, water and support system is in our backyard. I am his master. But he still will go his own way. I would love to be able to let him come into the front yard unleashed and just hang out. --- Those who are "in Christ" are new creations. We are no longer slaves to sin. We are free to run. But do we sin to show of how awesome and capable God's grace is? Of course not! God has left us unleashed. Unfortunately, we often do leave the yard, and find trouble down the road. ---What if God is proving a point through our lives to the heavenly forces? What if God is saying to them: "Watch my boy, he could run, but he won't because he loves me." ---His (God's) intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.[Eph.3:10] Through the church, the body of Christ (which includes each individual believer)God is revealing that His eternal purpose is found in Jesus Christ.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Be the Church

A guy praying for the salvation of a friend. Gets another guy to join him in prayer. 24 hours later God delivers the man to the guy's doorstep where he can share Jesus.
A single dad is in need for a ride for outpatient surgery and for someone to babysit his daughter. A woman takes him to the hospital, his daughter home with her, goes back and picks him up, and calls another to help out as needed.
A person is home from major surgery, and person after person takes meals to help out the family.
A family needing a little love and care are invited over for dinner, giving way to "famly" time to meet the needs of others.
A couple goes to the Food Bank to give of their time, but tells no one about it; because that's how they roll.
Individuals giving of their time on a regular basis helping out the pregnancy resource center.
A small group help clean up the yard of an elderly person for free.
A small group goes to the Nursing Home bringing good cheer in song and just showing love by giving of time.
A couple of guys give of time doing some mechanic work for the mechanically-challenged.
A man goes and helps people frequently with major appliance fixes.
A college graduate gives two years of her life helping get God's story into the language of people that don't have it.
---I could go on and on, and I might.
*This is just the church being the church.

Temptation of Jesus

Big Picture from Mt.4:1-11
There will be those times of intense, maybe even "unfair" temptation that we go through. In times such as these, perhaps trials is the better word. They are intense, because the enemy won't take "no" for an answer. He knows our buttons and pushes persistently, While he can't force us to believe his lies; he can harass and rattle us; hence checking the foundation of our faith. Will we stand? Also, these special times or seasons of temptation/trials can seem "unfair" because we've already said "no" to these temptations. Yet, satan takes us farther than we wanted to go and we are tempted to things that we normally would not do. In fact, Jesus was all by himself and he particularly could have said "Who will turning this stone into bread hurt? Who will know? Who would blame me? Who would even care?" (Any of those thoughts sound familiar?) He also could have justifed in his mind the other two temptations, except for the part aboaut falling down and worshiping satan. Yet, isn't that what temptation is really all about?----turning our back on God, believing the liar, and hence granting him worship?
In all of this, Jesus means of defense was quoting Scripture at Satan.
---Know God's Word to be empowered. Beleive God's Word to win.
---Know that trials can come intensely and even unfairly (David was a man after God's own heart!)
In the end (v.11) Jesus stood firm. Satan left. Angels came and attended to Jesus.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Nesting


Well, it's getting that time. A couple of soon to be mommies are nesting. How do I know? They are cleaning out rooms in their house and bringing junk...urr...stuff (just kidding, chill out) to the office.

They will know you are mine

Yesterday we had a meeting with our Ministry Outreach team. We are trying to be Jesus' hands and feet to the community; because we believe we need to minister to the felt need of the community before we can fix their real need. It was a pretty long meeting, but I think we got a lot done. We want to be more intentional, and make the name of Jesus famous by our lifestyle of giving hope through service. In the meantime God was so kind to point out to me that we are doing some of this already. ---Just yesterday, a couple of our guys were helping another put an engine in a car. One of our ladies, took a person to the hospital for outpatient surgery, baby-sat, and went and picked the person up from the hospital.---That is love. "They will know you are my disciples, because of your love for one another."--Jesus

Third Try

Mt.4:10
After the third and final temptation on this go around (there would be more), Jesus told satan to go away (beat it, get lost!). Then he quoted Scripture one more time. NOte: Jesus did not use his "God-powers", he simply quoted Bible at satan. The Word of God is a powerful double-edged sword. It is a weapon to be used against satan. This is why memorization is so important. This is why the enemy tempts us to be lazy in hiding God's Word in our hearts. The Scriptures are plain: God is the only object of worship. Worship and service go hand-in-hand.---Hide God's Word in your heart and be armed for battle! The showdown is coming.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Awareness Day


There seems to be a special day for almost any occasion. Let me suggest another: "Awareness Day." This isn't a day where we have to buy lunch or stuff for someone else. It's actually a day of reset. It is a day that we (as followers of Christ) check ourselves. We, who have been raised to life in Christ Jesus, are to set our minds on things above. (see Col.3) A true Christian should be growing in his/her affection for Christ. Periodically, we need to hit the pause button and check our affection for Christ. Do I love Him? Yes, of course, we say yes. But do we show that in how we live our lives? Here's a test (of like, not love but it works). If ice cream and spinach were put before a child to eat, how would we know which one they liked? ---no rocket science there---Would our love for Jesus be as easy to see?
Aight! So you are tracking with me now. On Awareness Day check to see if you are doing the things that stir your affection for Christ. Answer this question: When I am __________ I really feel closer to Jesus. Whatever ______ is, do that! It may be hanging out with a certain believer and talking with them about the LORD. It may be just reading the Scriptures slowly and meditating upon them in a quiet place. It may be listening to music. Here's the deal, on Awareness Day ask yourself what does it for me, and then make sure you are doing that which stirs up your love and affection for Jesus. The good thing about Awareness Day is you set it yourself as often as you like. So how are you and Jesus? What do you need to get back to?

Monday, July 5, 2010

Gather Around


It doesn't take much to gain a gathering. We US Americans will gather around the grill, the football field, the baseball diamond, the movie theater, the shopping mall, etc. We will get together. On occasion there is passion mixed up in our gatherings and together we accomplish much for a person or a cause. ---And then sometimes our gatherings are based on some kind of celebration like the 4th of July. We get immersed in the trimmings of the gathering and completely forget why we do this gathering. Some people were willing to die for what they believed to be true and righteous. Their perseverance has allotted us freedoms and peace that no other country truly experiences. A moment of silence... a time of quiet meditation...a time of prayer would be justified. But what does that do? Really? How about we live up to the standard of truth and righteousness that was worth dying for?---Likewise, my fellow believers how can we just say shallow prayers, and give lipservice to God on Sundays? How about we live for Him who died for us and was raised again?

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Raisin Yungins from the NotSoPerfect Dad


Blessed. That is what I am. The old guys at church used to give my kids peppermint candies after church. They stared in amazement that my kids would sit in the second row from the front and not make a peep. At the time, I didn't think much about it. But that time has passed, and I'm not sure if kids today can make it in the second row from the back a whole Sunday morning service. ---Why am I putting myself out here in crazy talk? Well, maybe it will help some young parents. People do ask me all the time, how we raised such good kids. I'm sure what they mean is "well-behaved" kids. None of us are righteous. ---I'm going to keep this simple, because I think it is. Besides having the #1 Mother year in and year out (and that ain't no bologna, Teresa has been an awesome mom to our kids); the next thing would be plain ole discipline from the very beginning. We didn't have to beat our kids or lock them in a closet...heck, we parented before "time-out" was even around. However, we would spank or put them in the corner when necessary. We would not yell at them (absolute no-no! Once you start that you can't stop. A wise man once told me "If you are yelling you are losing.") The key was we started at the beginning. When you tap a child on the hand at the earliest stages that means you don't have to whooop (chill out spelling queen, I meant three o's for effect)them hard when they get older. Earlier is better! Later, Beware! Are you getting me? If you wait too long, you can't whip them hard enough. That is my theory, and I'm sticking to it. Don't take their crap! You are the parent. What you say goes!---I hope this helps. Let me reiterate, I'm only sharing because I've been asked many times. ---In the mean time, there is plenty of time for my kids to screw up...but they are adults now. Here's to hoping they stay true to their God!---Lastly, just to blow my theory to smithoreenes; maybe we just had really, really, really good kids and we had nothing to do with it.---That is a distinct possibility...but all four? Ok, to God be the glory. (my kids: if you are reading this...please wait a few more years to screw up...a couple of people might read this.)