Have a great week and keep your eyes on Jesus!
WHAT SAY YOU?
Well, what a day it has turned out to be. I was going to write a follow up blog to yesterday's sermon but things change (See Amy Nelson's blog from Sunday if you want a synopsis). However, last night the president announced to the world that a military operation had taken place in Pakistan and that a group of Navy Seals took out Osama Bin Laden. After nearly 10 years, American intelligence finally tracked down the ellusive terrorist who was the mastermind of the killing of thousands throughout the world over a period of many years.
Now, the Clint Eastwood side of me wants to jump up and down and scream, "Serve you right, you *******". After all, he caused so much heartache and pain. How can we ever forget 9/11? The crashing of planes into the pentagon in D.C., into the towers in New York City, and the downed plane in Pennsylvania killing all aboard. A horrific day! The images will forever be in our minds. No wonder people are euphoric on this day - "USA! USA! USA! People singing the national anthem, saying the pledge of allegiance, cheers and chants by the military and civilians alike. Celebration at Times Square, Ground Zero, the White House, and cities throughout the land. It feels good. Victory, jubilation, we got him!! Yes, revenge feels good. It's as if everyone wanted to pull the trigger because of what Bin Laden had done.
In the president's speech he said "justice is done". On the one hand, I definitely agree, for justice has to do with the principle of moral rightness, that which is fair with regards to actions and attitudes. So, justice has been served in the sense that the actions are justified in response to the horrific acts masterminded and supported by Bin Laden. The world is a better place with him removed.
Yet we must be careful. As much as I am the first one to want to grab the six-shooter in response to senseless acts like those of Bin Laden, I acknowledge that justice is governed by the one who is truly just, that being God Himself. Scripture reminds us that "vengeance is mine" says the Lord. And moral actions and attitudes are are not determined by me, nor by a small group, or even an individual nation. They are determined by God who alone is good, who alone is just, who alone is fair, whose "ways are not our ways nor his thoughts our thoughts". So we must be careful not to become too prideful or think that our strength and our might has the last word when it comes to justice.
With all that being said, I am thrilled by the news. I am so thankful for those who trained and were willing to give of their lives to see that the mission would succeed. I am thankful that we never gave up in the pursuit of bringing Bin Laden to justice. And for those who loved ones were killed because of terror, I pray that in some way they experience comfort. And although I have not been a big President Obama fan, I give him kudos for giving the green light to the Navy Seals to take out Bin Laden. A quite risky decision but the right one.
Keep praying for peace to the One who is the prince of peace. As we do so, may God bless America!
Well, here we go, back to the blog now that Lent is over. I'll try and keep up - no promises. Yesterday was Easter and wow, what a great day! We began with a sunrise service in the park located just west of the church. The youth led the service and did a great job and acted out a skit that focused on what it means to truly follow Jesus. The service was followed by a breakfast in the fellowship hall. The room was beautifully decorated. A wonderful spread of muffins, rolls, oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, and yes, even a chocolate fountain for the fruit. And of course, coffee, milk, and juice. Awesome!
The worship services were a great time of celebration. We kicked off the JAM service with a jacked up rendition of Christ the Lord is Risen Today led by the praise band- sweet! The place was packed and God was definitely in the house. You could just feel the Spirit. The same held true for the service in the sanctuary. The great hymns of resurrection, the large gathering of men and women, boys and girls, the music of the choir, the word preached and the challenge given, and the celebration of the resurrected Lord that sent us into the world - what an awesome day!!
Easter Sunday is as good as it gets. As I mentioned to someone the other day, you think a rabbit hiding eggs is a big deal?? Try rising from the dead!! Now that's something to shout about. That's why I chose the above picture - Jesus with his head thrown back and you can just hear him laughing, "You thought death could keep me down? You thought a tomb could hold me? You thought a stone could keep me in the grave?? Have you forgotten who I AM??"
The resurrection laughs at sin, at death, at bondage, at despair.......... The resurrection defeats them all. Jesus is all about victory!! He is the One who gives us the victory. He is the one who gives us the joy that we can throw our heads back and laugh at all that attempts to bring us down. Here's the deal. There is nothing that can defeat us because of Jesus, because of faith in Him. DO WE BELIEVE IT?
It is my prayer that for whomever might be reading this, that you will not just talk about how wonderful Easter Sunday was, but live out how wonderful Jesus is - yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is the one who brings you salvation, joy, forgiveness, hope, and peace. And he is the one who brings you victory. Believe it! Live it out! And join Jesus, the originator of LOL - "laughing out loud" as we proclaim the victory over sin and death!
Believe it or not, the season of Lent begins this coming Wednesday and for many traditions, including mine, we will begin with an Ash Wednesday service. Now when I was growing up, the church I attended said little about Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Holy Friday, or even the word "lent". Maybe it was "too Catholic' or something. Or maybe there was a fear to be honest about reflecting upon sin and our human mortality. I don't know for sure.
If you really think about it, most people shy away from talking about sin, repentance, human limitations, and the fact that death is crouching at our door. We'd rather live in a world of denial, pretending all is okay and that it will be better tomorrow. But lent reminds us that we do live in a world of limitations, that we do live in a world infected by this thing we call sin, that we will not live forever. In fact we are here today, gone tomorrow.
One thing I appreciate about the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter is the opportunity to take a personal inventory - to look honestly at my own shortcomings (plenty of them), to reflect upon my relationship with God and others, and to honestly ask if I truly am prepared to die at a moment's notice. In our culture it is too easy to look at others faults, to blame others for our struggles, our problems, to sit on the pity pot crying about things that the rest of the world would beg to have or be a part of (food, clothing, work, school, church, etc). No, lent forces me to look at myself and see what I have allowed to get in the way of my relationship with God as well as what has hindered my relationships with others. And yes, that word is "sin".
The above picture references Psalm 51, a Psalm of confession, more specifically King David's confession before God regarding his sin with Bathsheba. I plan to read it daily during lent. I encourage you to do the same. It will do your heart good for it will enable you to focus on the One who can cleanse you and renew you as you move towards the celebration of Easter. I also encourage you to attend the special services that are offered in your local church. For you Mulvanites, we will hold a special Ash Wednesday service on the 9th at 7:00 in the sanctuary. In order to truly come to grips with the movement of the Lenten season, the participation in this service and the Holy Week services will help you prepare for the great celebration of the resurrection on Easter Sunday. To miss these services so often leaves a void, much like getting a gift but only opening it part way.
So join me in taking some time to reflect upon your spiritual condition this Lenten season. Read Psalm 51 daily. And turn your eyes from self to Jesus and his journey to the cross. For it is because of that cross that your sins have been forgiven. Lent is here and yes, Easter's comin'.
Actually, I like Mondays. It's my day off (or at least is supposed to be). You know how that goes. If you want to drive someone crazy just say, "Wow, only ___ days til Monday!" Try it and see for yourself. Anyways, a few thoughts as I find myself "Just Wondering".
Well, the Green Bay Packers pulled it off. They defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in yesterday's big game by the score of 31-25. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay quarterback) was the MVP and you can be sure that he will make a few bucks in endorsements in the coming months. Jordy Nelson, wide receiver from KSU had a great game (even thought he dropped a few passes). And Ben Roethlisberger will have to wait another year to get that third ring as a Steeler QB.
I was glad to see the Packers win, mainly because I'm a Jordy Nelson fan. -farm kid from Kansas who makes it big - I like that! I also was pulling for Rodgers who has had to live in the shadow of Brett Favre for many years. Now maybe that monkey can find another back to make its home. And to see the Packers win such a big game in the midst of all the injuries, you got to give it to them. Congrats!!
I mentioned in church that the winner would probably be the team that took advantage of the opportunites that would present themselves and was I right or what? 3 turnovers translated to 21 points - enough said! Good game though. Lot's of fun!
EXCEPT for the national anthem, the half-time show, and some of the commercials!! Come on Christina - get the words right! There is no prize for how many syllables you can pack into one word or how long you can make the song last. Yikes!! She made the dogs in Dallas howl! And talk about howling - what in the world was that 30 minutes of stuff that was defined as a half-time show? Black-eyed peas?? I get the name, for it was indeed a "black eye" for the super bowl. Maybe they are in good in concert, but yesterday it was awful!! (Yes, my opinion) - we can agree to disagree but according to all the talk on the tube, most agree with me. And last but not least, the commercials. Some were funny - the monkeys, the Dorito chips, the beaver. But do we have to keep stooping to all the sexual innuendos in these ads? Come on - if you have a good product, advertise it and maybe I'll buy it. I don't need the "skin" to entice me. Besides, skin wrinkles!!
Okay, enough for now! JUST some thoughts and comments. The game was great, hard fought and close. That's the way it should be. Until next year....................................................................
Okay, I am often skeptical about those who have had "near death experiences" or have a story about "light on the other side" or some other description of heaven. However, after being encouraged (many times) by a few members of the church I sat down after lunch today and read the book Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo. As I turned the pages I found myself thinking, "Yes, this is the real deal". It's not just a bunch of warm fuzzies or a bunch of wishful thinking focusing on some cosmic ray of light floating around somewhere. No, it was about heaven, Jesus, the love of God, indescribable colors, the "BIG" throne, the Holy Spirit who shoots down power, new bodies, no darkness, the reality that the devil still is messing with us, and the fact that Jesus wins - all told by a young boy who experienced these and more.
Burpo is a Wesleyan pastor in Nebraska who tells the story of his 4 year old son Colton, who found himself in the operating room facing emergency surgery as it related to a burst appendix. With the doctors offering no real hope for Colton, God chose to work in miraculous ways. First, Colton baffles the doctors and medical staff with his recovery. (Result of a praying church) Second, he baffles his parents with matter of fact stories of his encounter in heaven, spending time with Jesus, the people he saw, the colors he described, the throne, etc. Third, he confronts our heady theological approach to all that is supernatural as it relates to God. "Jesus really loves the children" Colton noted, and it is with a child like faith that I invite you to take a few hours to read this book. It will bless you and give you shot in the arm regarding the greatness of what yet lies ahead for those who place their faith in Jesus.
Yep, the real deal. Check it out!
Jerry Boden strumming for Jesus! 
Worship! Both expressive and reverent!!
What a great day we had as a church body at Camp Horizon this past weekend. God blessed us with His presence as we sang, prayed, studied, discussed, ate, and had fellowship together. What a blessing! It is always a joy to get together with other believers and just take some time to be in God's presence. Our time together wasn't about church business, committee meetings, structure, politics, or polity. No, it was a time to grow in our intimacy with God. In fact, that was the theme for the day.
Thank you to the 36 folks who took time out your busy schedule to come and spend some time with the Lord and with His body of believers. God truly honored that time and based upon the response, you were "renewed", "blessed", and "challenged" to grow in your faith. Many of you mentioned how you had slipped in your spending "quiet time" with the Lord and how this retreat encouraged and energized you to be disciplined in that area of your walk with the Lord. I echo that.
For those of you who were able to attend, I pray that you will continue to be intentional in your desire to draw closer to God. For those of you who were unable to attend, I pray the same for you, that you will "draw near to God, for He will draw near to you." (James 4:8)
Have a great week!!
PR
Keep the faith friends!
As I looked at the snow that had fallen, it was so beautiful, so fresh, so clean, so white. The dry brown ugly grass had been covered by the fresh blanket of snow and the lawn took on a new appearance. In the same way, we take on a new appearance, even more than that, a new life when God forgives and cleanses us of our sin. In fact, he blots out that sin, never to be remembered or held against us. I don't know about you, but that's good news!
But a word of warning, even though we are "washed, whiter than snow", it doesn't take long for us to get complacent and apathetic. Take a look around. The snow is now dirty and grimy looking. It's been driven on and pushed to the side and scooped away. If we're not careful, we who are cleaned up can pretty soon fall back into our old ways and also look like dirty tromped on snow.
Like David, it would behoove us to pray that God would create in us a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. And as we pray, let us also commit ourselves to remaining pure and clean before God. Then, just like the snow that is in the picture above, we will be a beautiful representaton of God's cleansing work in our lives.
By the time a person gets to the end of the book, Platt challenges you to a one year experiment: 1) Making a commitment to pray for the entire world (he offers methods to do so), 2) Making a commitment to read through the entire Word (all of Scripture) 3) Sacrificing money for specific purposes (caring for the poor, the less fortunate, the sick and needy, etc.) 4) Making a commitment to spend time in another context (cross cultural, a place you've never been before (and not necessarily a safe place), 5) Making a commitment to multiply community - realizing the gobal purpose of Christ was never intended to be accomplished by individuals but by the church (not the building, programs, etc.)
I'm looking to take this challenge, not necessarily Platt's challenge, but the challenge of the gospel and what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. It's time to get serious about the gospel - for our sake and for the sake of others. What say you??
It's been a great year but I'm glad it's behind me. Now for what lies ahead. I love the verse in Isaiah that says, "God is doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it?" I'm excited for what God has in store for me and my family and for the church that I serve. There are some people who are stepping out on faith regarding their future. You will hear about that in the months to come. There are others who are afraid to take the step of faith needed to help them understand what God seeks to do in their lives. If that is you, don't wait to find out "God's will for your life". That often is an excuse to hold back and not act upon what God is doing right now. Seek to discern what he desires for you TODAY. Then act upon it. Fasten your seatbelts. The ride into the new year is about to begin!
I would sure like to be where this guy is (see above picture). Beautiful sunset, out by himself, away from all the hustle and bustle, just taking in God's creation. Ah yes, a little time of reflection. But since I'm here and not there, I'll just have to take a moment or two to reflect upon a few thoughts that are bouncing arounnd my head on this day. Feel free to respond with your own thoughts if you so desire.
Sorry folks. I've been buried this week so no words of wisdom or much of anything else. However, going hunting with my son on Friday so maybe I'll get inspired for the next blog. Beware, Bambi's daddy!!