To Know Him & Make Him Known!

We are reading thru the New Testament, a chapter a day, and I gotta tell ya…I just love Paul. In his writings several things become apparent: his burden for the souls of the recipients of his letters (or for that matter of all people); his dedication to the cause of Christ (at any cost); his fervent desire to spread the gospel (in your face!); and his ability to address both doctrinal & personal issues with tact (at least most of the time). I long to be like Paul. Fact is, I am much more like Peter…now to have many of Peter’s traits would be a tremendous honor…but I’ve mastered his least desirable traits: stumbling along like a bull in a china shop with my foot in my mouth, focused on what I want or think is right instead of what God wants. The good news is that I know it’s not about me or my abilities; it’s about Christ and his love for me and for you. You see it’s true; Christ’s power IS made perfect in my weaknesses (2 Cor 12:9). So as I journey thru this life, trying my hardest to grow in my relatinship with Christ, becoming more like Jesus, often times looking less and less like him, it’s good to know that God has given me wonderful examples (like Paul & Peter) to spur me on…'cause that’s all I really want to do: help others to know Jesus.

God Still Moves!

What a weekend! On Saturday we had a Back to School Luau, and over 40 students showed up along with the Spirit of God! On Sunday, in addition to our morning service, we had a baptism at a local pond and the church along with the Spirit of God showed up! Then we returned to the church for a Singspiration service and guess what…the Spirit of God moved! There is really nothing quite like what happens when the church (the people) find themselves on the same page, not only with each other but also with God. And while the Spirit has been moving in our midst for a few weeks now, it takes our surrender to feel it. Last night, because of the inspiring music, the heartfelt testimonies and praise, and the prompting of the Spirit, another person has asked to be baptized and join the church. Reminded me very much of Acts 2:43-47, which I will summarize: “Day after day they met together, broke bread, and shared happily and freely while praising God, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.” Now, while we will get pictures on the website soon and recall what a blessing it was to experience this past weekend, God calls us to move forward…to focus on our future…to what lies ahead. And while we may not know the details of that future, I do know it includes two things: sharing Jesus with others and glorifying God. And when we do those two things, God still moves.

Watch This!

Here’s something that has been around for awhile, and true or not it’s worth the few minutes to watch it and the hours it will cause you to re-examine your witness for Jesus Christ. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piuoGb-Nhfw

What's Next?

Okay, I am trying to get back on track (ever heard that before!?) again (no, really). Last week was a busy one…we said goodbye to a patriarch of the church; Hannah left for college; I locked horns with the copy machine; school started for Anna & Bella; Jill was gone three nights… then to top it off, the church office was remodeled. Wow! While it was a mess, it was well worth the trouble! If my surrounding has anything to do with my productivity or wisdom…hang on! Unfortunately, I doubt if there is any correlation between the two. One thing that does affect our productivity (as a Christian) is attitude. I am not much into texting, IM, Facebook or Twitter...I simply prefer other methods of communication. However, with two daughters in college (away from home) and working with youth I have learned that it is up to me (not them) to adapt and use whatever methods they prefer if I am going to be relevant to them. If I don’t, guess who gets left behind! The same principle applies to church. If a church will not adapt and use communication methods that those outside the church recognize and use, guess who gets left behind. This has absolutely nothing to do with our message...it's our methods. Music is probably the hot button of all times (and there are many more), but how many unchurched (or churched people for that matter) turn on the radio so they can listen to organ music? You may prefer it, and that is okay, but know that it is not a 'holy instrument!' As I understand history, at first the church resisted the organ & piano because they were the instruments of choice in saloons and brothels...now we want to fight when someone doesn't want to use them! Too many churches have become irrelevant to their communities and they wonder why. Christ died for the sins of all the world for all of time…seems like such an important message ought to be presented with relevance. Meanwhile, Jill's installed a webcam on the home computer so she can make video calls and see her girls…what’s next?

Stop It!

So as we are reading thru Romans, we’ve hit a snag…anyone surprised? We really didn’t get very far either! Romans 2:1 in the NRSV starts off, “Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are (you gotta hate it when Paul says that!), when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another, you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.” Now, that language seems to me to be both plain and an accurate translation from the Greek. So, what’s going on? Are you perfect? So why do we judge others? I made the statement, and I stand by it: Some church folks are some of the most judgmental people I have ever met! HELLO! Did you judgmental church people ever read Romans 2:1? Forget the rest of the letter or even the book…this is all we really need to know. Unless you want to condemn yourself, do not judge others…period. This is not holding someone accountable. This is not looking for fruit in their lives. This is not even encouraging someone to a higher standard. This is judging someone when we do not know the facts…this is holding someone to a standard that we ourselves will not agree to…this is condemning someone for something we see as less than righteous. Someone stated it well…we have become the Old Testament nation of Israel whom we condemn because they have turned from God...except we don’t even realize it. Yeah, I know you're thinking this is for everyone else in the church, but here’s something you might want to remember: “There but by the grace of God go I.”

Gail Bennett: 1924-2009

Today we said goodbye to a patriarch of Beulah UMC. Gail Bennett was a fundamental person in the life and work of Beulah UMC for many, many years. As I write this, I fully realize he was not the person responsible for the church, nor for our faith here at Beulah…he simply did what he understood as the call of Christ on his life for the Kingdom. Just by doing that, he made a tremendous impact on the Church, on the community of Sumner, and on the lives of countless people in the surrounding area. So I am wondering, who will fill that void...who will be the next Gail Bennett at Beulah, or in your church? Who is that person who desires nothing more than to do the will of God…so much so, that many lives will be changed for the Kingdom? We need them…Beulah needs that person and the world needs those persons, desperately. And wouldn’t it be something like a miracle…a burning bush incident...if 6, or 10, or 20, or 50 people felt convicted to be that person, at the same time, in the same church! The Church might actually shake the foundations of this world instead of our world shaking the foundations of the Church. What about you? There are people who need you to focus solely on the will of God in your life…for their sake.

Can You Handle It On Your Own?

One of Satan’s favorite strategies…and one of his most effective…is to whisper, “Don’t call, don’t ask, don’t depend on God to do great things. You’ll get along just fine on your own.” And to Satan’s credit, we swallow the bait! The truth of the matter is that the devil is not terribly frightened by our human efforts and credentials. But he knows his kingdom will be shaken to its foundation when we lift our hearts to God. God desires our praise, but the only way fresh praise and honor will come from our lips is if we keep coming to Him in times of need and difficulty. That’s then God will show himself strong on our behalf, and that’s when we will know God has responded on our behalf. Aren’t we all prone to be a little cocky, thinking we can handle life on our own? But just let trouble surface, even the smallest of troubles, and how quickly we sense our inadequacies. Trouble can be one of God’s great servants because it reminds you and I just how much we continually need the Lord. Charles Spurgeon once said, “The best style of prayer is that which cannot be called anything else but a cry.” Have you cried out to the Lord today?