Sunday, August 28, 2011

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Mission - Annette Smart is in Mexico working with people. More than a Bandage helps villages with self-sustainable projects.

This week a group from church heads for Honduras to help construct a school and do some medical work. Cindy and I will be on this team led by Marty Kanne and Jeanne Mathiesen.
Next weekend another group will be doing work at Wilderness Camp in Lawson.

This is your church in action. Even if you are not able to go on a trip you may still participate. The best way to share in this work - pray.

When Ezra was leading exiles from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem he did the following: "I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions." (Ezra 8:21)

Whenever we have a group going out (there will be another group going to Mozambique later in Sept.) many of us need to be the prayer support. You are urged to pray.

The story in Ezra includes the fact that they were taking along roughly the equivalent of a year's wages for around 500,000! They did not ask for soldiers to protect them. They trusted in God. What a way to live! What a way to serve! What a way to engage in the mission of Christ!

We had a great day today. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Reflections From Sunday Evening

I have no idea where to start!

I could note many insights, encouragements, lessons, ideas, challenges, affirmations, instructions -- just from the messages shared by Leonard Sweet.

Three on the cross - one good and two bad and one that became good -- Let the children come!
The greatest song ever sung (Ps. 22).

Thanks to Len for sharing and leaving a part of himself with us.

I could mention the children whose "promotion" we celebrated today - along with teachers, helpers and others. What a blessing to see all the children today (did any of you take pictures you would be willing to share?).

I could mention the music. Choirs, praise team, Nancy and Walter - wow.

We could celebrate five people uniting with our church today.

Captain Nudge was pretty cool!

I'll leave you with this - We are making it part of our Christ-following lifestyle to nudge others to awaken to the God who is already there - working actively and redemptively in the world and in the lives of people. As one and then another discovers our way to nudge others toward Christ we transform our church into a "nudge" church. In the days and years ahead this looks like people discovering a personal relationship with Jesus Christ week in and week out. It means people discovering where God is at work in their life. It means a continual rejoicing as we experience what Jesus is doing in our lives and church each day.

It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Reflections From Sunday Evening

We had a great moment in worship today at 9:30. Anne Bartholow is moving her ministry area from children to senior adults. We had a reception to recognize her 14 years of working with our children. It was a joy to present Anne at the service this morning. 14 years - influencing 3500 children through Sunday School - who knows how many children and young people through vacation Bible school - the list goes on an on. Then the congregation stood in joyful recognition.
It was a highlight moment.
There are exciting days ahead as we move forward in mission and ministry.
Remember our NUDGE series - be on watch for "signs of divine activity" this week. Also go and "awaken one another to the God who is already there."
Next weekned we will have Dr. Leonard Sweet (the author of the book, Nudge) share in our worship services. Don't miss it.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
steve

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Dow

Two days ago the market went down over 600. Yesterday it went up over 400. Today it drops over 500.
Panic
Fear
Loss
Hopelessness
Helplessness
Worry
Anxiety
I'll never retire
My hope was vested in my portfolio
Ooops. That might be a mistake. What I am about to say is much easier said than done. But it is true.
"My source is God."
My source is God - not the stock market
My source is God - not my job
My source is God - not my savings, salary or investments
My source is God - not my position
My source is God - not my status
My source is God
"The world and its desires is passing away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." (I John 2:17)
My source is God.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Reflections From Sunday Evening

The wind blew my blog away yesterday evening! So here goes again - highlights.

We welcomed our new youth director, Chad Cooper, and his family, Kristin and 4-yr.-old Kieran.

We introduced our new sermon series - NUDGE. (more about that in a moment.)

I was back after being out for July.

The wind blew lots of limbs out of trees - we'll get it cleaned up - somehow - someday.

The youth hosted a welcome gathering for Chad and family. Nice crowd.

It was a good day.

Now back to NUDGE - This month we will talk about evangelism - from a Wesleyan perspective - grounded in prevenient grace (the work of the Holy Spirit that guarantees every man, woman, boy and girl the opportunity to respond to Jesus Christ.) - This is the grace of God that goes before us. In other words, God is at work in our lives long before we give God a thought.

Here are two big ideas for the month. First, "scan the environment for signs of divine activity."

Secondly, "awaken one another to the God who is already there."

The ideas are drawn from the book, Nudge, by Leonard Sweet (copies should be available this weekend). Dr. Sweet will preach here on the weeked of Aug. 20-21.

In the meantime start thinking of ways you may be able to encourage and affirm others in faith. Nudge one another to awaken to the God who is already there - alive and well and at work in the world and in the lives of people.

That's it.

It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Debt?

It appears the debt ceiling crisis has been averted - votes still must be taken. But most are not overjoyed with the situation. Some ask for a "Christian response" to the issue. That seems to me to be a difficult proposition.

It is not easy to put these sorts of secular issues in a "Christian," or religious, context.
For instance, Moses and the Law of the Old Covenant basically disallowed charging interest. There goes our current economic system. So unless we change everything it is practically impossible to develop a truly "Christian response" to the debt crisis.

Islam is even more stringent in condemning the charging of interest. So traditionally religious life has looked at economic concerns much differently than our current system.

Jesus never gave us a full message on debt and finances. He did say "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." (Mark 12:17 TNIV)

That puts the conversation in a little different view. Jesus did not give us instructions on how to debate and manipulate the issue for our own personal gain or to fit our political ideologies. He put things in practical terms. So here are a couple of practical things we might prayerfull consider.

Remember God's compassion. The Bible continually reveals a compassionate God, especially toward the poor. We hear the call to care for those unable to care for themselves. Biblically this referred to "widows and orphans." In their culture these were noted for where they found themselves in the social setting and the scriptures admonished God's people to be very intentional about showing compassion toward them and caring for their needs. One question we could ask is "who are our widows and orphans" that we are called to show compassion for?

At the same time the Bible gives the following rule. "Anyone who is unwilling to work shall not eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:10.) From teachings like this have developed the "Protestant work ethic." To be consisent with this message we would esteem the diligent. So look for ways to maintain integrity for those at upper income levels and never forget those at lower levels.

A member of our church offers this philosophy. Work hard, live conservatively and give generously.

So ... care for those in need and appreciate the industrious.

Maintain integrity of the individual while working for the good of the whole.

Personally I do not think all debt must be avoided. We should leverage debt. Not everyone has everything! We need access to funds for things that are needed. But be wise. Debt should be a tool and not a master.

Bottom line for us -- Spend within your means.

Hopefully we will find ways to increase revenue - some say tax more - others create more wealth. Either way we seek to increase available resources. We also are watching how our leaders will work together to help bring spending in line with available resources.

It is a very complex matter. Join me in praying that our elected leaders find the way to provide what is needed to be a great nation.

I would further encourage you to identify your personal opinions and then seek to better understand other positions. It takes understanding and respect for one another to meet the challenges of complex issues.