Twas the week of Christmas

Twas the week of Christmas and all through the church

our souls were all eager, on our chairs we did perch.

 

We gathered to worship, as we do every week,

to talk about blessings and His presence to seek.

 

We sang all the songs we were expected to sing,

and heard from the Bible 'bout peace and such things.

 

We put on our smiles, wore nice attire,

and said kind words to others designed to inspire.

 

When to our surprise, who should appear

but the Christ that we worship, "What's He doing here?"

 

We were really quite shocked, it's a very new thing,

it's not on the schedule to talk with the King.

 

But He had our attention, so after his greeting,

He lovely asked us, "What's the point of this meeting?"

 

"We gathered to celebrate the day You were born."

But as soon as we said it His spirit was torn.

 

"I don't need a season, a day, or a week. 

You too often ignore the treasure I seek."

 

"I hunger for souls that are wounded and torn,

so I can repair them.  What's why I was born."

 

"But You are too busy being proper and neat

to hear from my heart or sit at my feet."

 

"You fret about gifts and other such stuff

as if my love and grace are never enough."

 

"The message you know is not for a few,

  it's for those who don't know me - but do know you."

 

"You want to honor my life and be like me?

Do it all year and let everyone see."

 

Then He was gone as quick as He came

and all of us knew we just weren't the same.

 

Christmas had meaning, even more than before

since Christ interrupted and walked in the door.

 

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Dave

 

 

Sticky Growth Decisions Continue

Last week I was thinking about the New Year – I still am.  I'm thinking about what God is calling me to.  I'm thinking about what's going to be different.  I'm thinking about how I am growing in my walk with God.  Problem: sometimes I make decisions that don't stick.  Sometimes important steps aren't continued. 

 

Last week was the first three points on making a resolve that sticks.

1.  Remember the spiritual part of my life includes all of my life.  I need to quit dividing the secular and the spiritual.

2.  I need to start seeking God for what He is calling me to for the next year. Listen – then do. (listendo pronounced lis–ten'-doh)

3.  I need to take steps of growth in faith, but I need to be realistic.  Too many growth steps are never taken because stepping across the Grand Canyon in one step is not a good idea.

 

This week's call to sticky decisions.

 

4. Take someone with you on the journey.  Share your growth steps with someone and let them help you take the step.  We've gone too far down the road of "it's personal" and "it's just between me and God."  Having help in growing is part of giving a decision glue.

 

5. Don't forget about God's grace!  I think sometimes we give up on growth because we sell God's grace short.  "I've messed up already, so never mind."  Grace isn't just about forgiveness, it's also about advancing.  He won't give you one shot and then you're done.  Include a coat of God's "grace glue" to your decision and stick it to your soul. 

 

6. I may need to pick up a decision that I dropped yesterday.  There are times to forget it and move on, and there are times to finish what was left undone.  Sometimes God can't give me victory for today until He and I have conquered yesterday's gremlins.  Get God's guidance, pick it up and grow to the next level.  That's one of the glue recipes.

 

7. The vague and undefined growth steps make it impossible to leave a real mark.  God will lead me to specific and measurable steps. "I'm going to be a better person" is not a very sticky step.  "I'm going to forgive ________ for _________" - that's sticky!  I'm going to study __________" - sticky!  "In 2010 I am going to schedule weekly dates with God" - sticky!

 

Seven points for all of us to dwell on as we all start a new year.  God is leading us to take steps of growth in our walk with him.  May our decisions stick and His will be more important than ours.

 

Planning on Sticky Growth,

 

Pastor Dave 

Looking for Sticky Growth

This would be a good time for us to think about how to celebrate the Christ of Christmas.  But, to be honest, my mind has been focused more on the Christ of the New Year.

 

Every New Year we evaluate the previous year and look ahead to the twelve months that are filled with new potential.  Now is the time to think in advance and start to plan.  What is going to make 2010 a year of growth?

 

1.  Remember everything impacts your spiritual walk… (or is it your spiritual walk impacts everything?).  New Year changes aren't about changing how I spend my money; they are about stewardship of what God has given me.  New Year changes aren't about getting in shape; they are about honoring God with our bodies.  New Year changes aren't about being nice to people that are mean; they are about giving the grace that God has given me.  New Year changes aren't about going to church more often or reading your Bible more; they are about taking steps of intimacy with God, God's people, and God's Word.  It's spiritual.

 

I need to be sure that every adjustment I intend to make in 2010 is one that I have evaluated in light of the spiritual realm.  That gives them more glue.

 

2.  Start asking now!  This is a great time to be talking to the Lord about what His power and love longs to do in my life as I start a new calendar.  What area of growth has God been working in the soil of my spirit?  What desire has He planted?  Think about it, if I want to get deeper in the Word – was that my idea?  God has been planting hungers for intimacy in our hearts waiting for us to tend to that hunger.  What is the hunger God is giving you for the New Year?

 

 I need to hear from the Lord what He longs to do in my life.  If I know it's from Him it gives change more glue.

 

3.  Walk the tightrope of realism and faith.  Be realistic about the steps you are thinking about taking.  If you haven't been in the Bible this year but next year you plan to read it through once a week you may not be being realistic (which is a trick of the enemy often – to exaggerate God's call so it leads more to discouragement than it does to fruitfulness).    On the other hand I can make such shallow plans for the New Year that it does not require supernatural cooperation.  I need to let God lead me to changes that require faith and dependence.

 

This is a time to take steps that require the power of God!  That power gives growth glue.

(to be continued)

 

Looking for Sticky Growth, 

Pastor Dave     

My Letter From the Ocean of Fullness

 

Dear God-

My last letter to you was from the Island of Mediocrity.  Thank you for your invitation to swim in fullness instead of wasting away on an island that is so far from your desire for me.

To be honest, I found your offer a little too good to be true.  On the island we learned how to "earn your grace" and you have asked me to swim in unconditional love.  I have found that my senses are alive and I'm hungry to experience what you have for me. 

I like floating in the calm waters of forgiveness and crashing into the waves of revival.  It seemed to take forever for me to know I am cleansed of the dust of the island, and sometimes I'm tempted to return, but this has done something new to my soul that I would not trade. 

I do have a question for you - It appears that I experience some of the same storms I did on the island.  I thought you would keep me from those.  I thought if I swam in your waters I would never have to feel the sting of loss, the pain of failure, or the hurricanes of disappointment.  Does fullness have to include periods of hunger and even fear?

There are times that the depth of the ocean is wonderfully overwhelming and the current of your love is more than I can take, but there are times when fullness seems like too much to ask of me.  Sometimes I'm even afraid of drowning.

But, I won't go back.  Lord of my soul, I proclaim to you that I have answered the call to abandon all that I have learned to be safe and secure so that I can embrace the risk of faith.  I will not let my feet touch the soil of compromise again!  I have stood on those sands for too long!  I am committed to be tossed by the wind of your Spirit and I refuse to drink anything other than the Living Water you have called me to! 

I may have questions.  I may have to weather storms.  I may feel the risk is too much and I may even dream of the land that would destroy me – but I will continue to be what you are making me to be!  I won't go back!

God, I can't help but think about the others who are living on the Island of Mediocrity.  Many of them I care so much about.  Would it be ok if I invited them to join me?  Would you let them taste the fullness you have given me?  It seems a huge task, but somehow I think that is part of why you wanted me to swim in these waters – so I could invite others to join us.  More of us should be swimming and less standing.  Thanks for the opportunity.

In Over My Head,

Dave

My Letter From the Island of Mediocrity

Dear God,

I know you told me not to go, but I have spent some time in this interesting land of Mediocrity. 

 

First, when I got here I noticed how crowded it was.  This is a very popular spot.  And everyone knows that popularity is a good indicator of value.  When something is not good for you it's not popular – right?

 

It was interesting to learn how few rules there are here.  For example, I can pray as much as I want.  It's not against the rules to talk to You, they just don't get involved in the whole faith and passion thing.  It is also recommended that I only talk to you about something twice.  After two times it is best to assume it's not going to happen and to quit praying about it.

 

Reading the Bible is not very popular here.  They find it better to talk about what makes sense, seems logical, or is most accepted.  We all are able to come to our own conclusions about You.  This is much less work and far more palatable to my spirit.  I can adjust my view of You based on how I feel this way rather than getting stuck on adjusting my behavior or attitudes on anything as old fashioned as an absolute truth.

 

I was able to find a church to attend.  I went to the one where I like the most people and has the best tasting coffee.  I'm there almost every week (excluding long weekends, the weeks the weather is really bad or really good, the ones when I am too tired, or ones when the date is an odd number).

 

We don't like to talk about what we believe here, faith is a personal matter.  I know that doesn't line up with the whole "great commission thing."  But that way we don't have to worry about possibly offending anyone or working through what we believe.

 

Toleration is better than forgiveness here, relationships stay comfortably shallow, and I can complain about everything as long as I promise not to get involved.

 

I have lost someone who could have been a close friend, but he kept talking about listening to and following the Holy Spirit, a topic that is frowned on here.  He was transferred somewhere else and his membership was revoked. 

 

Well, that's all for now, there's a big hammock sale I have to get to, my old one wore out.

 

Love Being Bored,

 

Al M. Ostalive 

Silly Turned Serious

I love to laugh.  I like being silly.  I enjoy clean comedy and have been known to get a kick out of some pretty goofy things.  But, I start this day thinking about some issues that aren't funny.

 

1. The depth of pain that is in the news isn't funny.  I've watched with you the stammering coverage of Fort Hood as news commentators expound on what they have few details of.  Some families started this day with the pain of random death being forced into their world. 

 

2. A sleeping church isn't funny.  We have been given the truth and been effective at ignoring the eternal result of that truth until it is often little more than a creed we believe in, not a life that we live.

 

3. A selfish "Christian" isn't funny.  Sometimes I am quick to judge things solely based on my opinion or how it affects me.  I forget to think of the Kingdom of God first.

 

4. An unread Bible isn't funny.  God's letter to us is also part of His revelation of Himself to us.  When God gives me a tool to know Him and I've got more excuses than Craftsmen has tools – it's not right.

 

5.  When I'm too busy being "me" to be part of healing someone else it's not funny.  Healed souls are to be about being used by the Healer of their souls to help heal other's souls.  If I'm too busy to invite someone to coffee or share a prayer burden with them God is grieved.

 

6.  Trying to be something I'm not isn't funny.  Too many times Halloween masks are an expression of what I've attempted to do every other day of the year – pretend.  We're afraid to be honest with each other sometimes and as a result we get used to the plastic shell that covers our soul.

 

7. Refusing God isn't funny.  I find myself asking what God has wanted to do in me, in the church I attend, and in the community we are called to reach.  I wonder how many times I have been guilty of not listening to God, not going when His heart was to send me, and not lifting my voice when His heart was to speak through me.

 

So, today I think serious thoughts.  We could all identify things that we think are funny.  I just found myself thinking a different direction today.  Maybe it's a good day for a little sober judgment.

 

Prayerfully,

 

Pastor Dave

Flu Lessons

 

• When someone has the flu and you tell them you've never felt better and are glad you got the flu shot, that's not good.  There is an alternate universe where that information is helpful and interesting – this is not it.

 

• The human nasal cavity is capable of containing four times a person's body weight of… nasal cavity stuff. 

 

• The nose knows that the rule is to be plugged when within 3 feet of Kleenex and flow like a broken dam when Kleenex is out of reach.

 

• The body stores sneezes in the sneeze bin until there are five.  Then it releases them in as short amount of time as possible.  This, scientifically, is what causes the aches during the flu – your sneeze bin has been overloaded. 

 

• When other family members are sick I'm not, and I try to cheer them up, I'm being kind.  When I'm sick and my daughter and wife aren't and they try to cheer me up, they are being unkind.  I can't figure this one out but it seems to be universal.

 

• Reading or watching a movie is nothing but a waste of time when you are sick.  Flu turns the retention cells of the brain to morph into little slippery rocks.  The person who made up the phrase, "In one ear and out the other," had just gotten over the flu.

 

• The volume of the phone ringer is designed to increase with your level of headache.  The bigger the headache the louder the ring.

 

• Cough syrup with codeine is your friend and is best with a bright colored straw, Twinkies, raw carrots, and hot dogs.

 

God does not take a vacation when I feel yucky.  The truth of the good news through Jesus Christ doesn't become a rumor when I have a coughing fit.  The presence of the Spirit of God doesn't take my physical temperature to decide where to live( oooh there's a sermon in there about your soul's temperature!).  The Word of God isn't as weak or weaker when I am - ever.  The next life doesn't evaporate when this one seems to be less fun.

 

God is not dependant on me, I am dependant on Him.  My level of dependence shouldn't fluctuate anymore than His level of supply does. I need Him at all times, during all moods, within all activities.  I confess to you I am a weak, ill-equipped, a sheep that doesn't know enough to come in out of the rain.  He is my strength, my training, and my Shepherd that knows best. 

 

Wishing My Life Story With God Didn't Include the Flu This Week,

 

Pastor Dave

 

 

PS – happy birthday Mommy!

PSS – In case you didn't hear we are not doing trunk-r-treat this year.

PSSS – Even if it's just my wife and daughter and I we are going to worship God together on Sunday!  We're done being sick, if you are – join us!

Just one sentence

My thought this week is one sentence.  A handful of words for the church that sometimes refuses to be what God designed for them to be.  One thought for those of us who are "comfortable" in our faith and "controlled" in our worship.  I have written and deleted many paragraphs attempting to expound on and apply the sentence below.  I will let it stand alone and ask you to invite the Holy Spirit to build on it in your life.

 

"The most dangerous prison is the one I mistake for a living room."

 

Listening,

Pastor Dave

 

 

 

 

Stages

Sometimes we read parts of the Bible and think, "Why's that there?"

I looked at a verse in Numbers that may have been moved into the "?" category. Numbers 33:1 starts the chapter by saying, " Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt…." What follows is the list of their travel itinerary. They left there and camped here, they left there and camped here, they left – you get the point. The KOA's of the Israelites are not words spiritual revivals are made of.

But, this morning I'm thinking about the "stages in the journey" of my spiritual growth, the growth of others in the church, and even the growth of the Midland Free Methodist Church as a whole.

I've grown. I can reflect back and see many stages, some of which make me grin, and some of which aren't logged in my memory pages with fondness. But they have all invested in who I am on this day. I'm thinking about the "stage" I am at right now and what God is calling me to right now. I have a new burden that has grown in my spirit that has changed some life patterns for me. I'm different than I was. I went from "there" to "here."

I know some people in our church could fill a book with outlining their stages. My mind is taking turns thinking of some who have been on journey with God for a long time and some who are just starting their journey. Both groups have a loving God who has protected them and brought them to a place where God became more than a distant Being to believe in that is in the cosmos somewhere to a personal and relational Lord. Some haven't crossed a line of faith yet, but the life stages are bringing them closer. Many of you have gone from "there" to "here."

We are at a new stage as a local church. We have been camped somewhere and God is calling us to pack up and move to a new depth in our ministry. Not because where we have been is wrong, but because there is an eternal destination we are headed to that requires we stay active and obedient. It's time to move on from "there" to "here".

As I pack my things for the journey, I am aware of a few points (please don't take the analogy to literal – I'm not packing for a personal move to another place and we're not moving the church building to the Florida Keys).

1. We must be on the move for spiritual growth. With each growth step we are being transformed into what God has designed for us to be. And with each step there should be a growing sense of anticipation. Spiritual growth requires active willingness. As a church we are willing to do whatever needs to be done to know we are camping in the center of God's will.

2. Spiritual growth will continue to result in numerical growth. That is never to be the focus or the motive, but if God is moving in my life there will be impact in my relationships. The Kingdom of God is to include numerical growth too. To say that is not spiritual is to accuse God of error. He wants more people to know Him and has chosen the people who already know Him to be the vehicles of that knowledge. If we're doing our job – the church should grow in numbers.

3. We need to plan for both spiritual growth and numerical growth. The first is always the primary and the second a reality of the first. Any kind of growth is not easy, but it is woven into the DNA of the Kingdom of God.

We're making plans. We're pushing some boundaries. We're hungry for what is right. Know this – planning for both kinds of growth will involve change (many people hate this), faith (many people hide from this), and participation (many people refuse this). Change + Faith + Participation = Growth. There's an equation you'll hear more about.

May this stage of the journey of our church be one that honors the previous stages, celebrates the current stages, and savors the leading of God to the next stage.

Thrilled to be Part of the MFMC Story,
Pastor Dave

Using the Right Tools

I have a freezer in the garage that is locked – and has no key.  The key used to be on the handle at the end of a chain.  The chain is there, the key is not.  It's good to know that what is in there is safe; I just don't remember what is in there. 

The freezer still works fine, I can hear it running.  I know that whatever is inside is frozen solid and not rotting.  I'm just not sure what it is that is frozen.

I really don't know how long the key has been missing because I don't remember the last time I put something in or took something out of the freezer.  For us the freezer in the garage is where we put things we probably won't use but don't want to spoil.  It's a way to ignore something without wasting it.

If worse comes to worse I do have two axes, a pry bar, a circular saw, some gasoline, and a match.  I know I can get inside (and would have fun doing so).  I'm just not sure those tools are what I should use.

Using the right tools at the right time would be a good way to go at this.  A cutting torch would work, but the key would work better and do less damage to the garage. 

Are we using the right and effective tools in our walk with God?

Are we using the right and effective tools in our marriage?

Are we using the right and effective tools in our witness?

Today I'm thinking about the tools God has given for growth and obedience.  I'm thinking about the many tools that are missing and as a result our walk with God is sometimes weak, our marriage and relationships are sometimes toxic, and our witness is sometimes ruined.

Before we destroy anything perhaps it would be wise to quit blaming, put the hacksaw away, and ask God to show us the keys to growth again.

FOR SALE:

Used freezer.  Half full of something.  Slight burn and dent marks on the door.

WANTED:

The wisdom to use the right tools with growth in God, unity in marriage, and consistency in witness.

 

Pastor Dave    

couldn’t care less

Have you ever used the phrase, "I couldn't care less?"  I have.  Sometimes I even put some flare to the words.  Not long ago we were watching a TV program and I got up to leave the room.  As I stood up to go I said something along the lines of, "I'm going to look for something that I care less about than this program."  The obvious application is that I cared so little for the program that my "I-care-o-meter" couldn't go any lower.

Some people feel that way about sports.  Who's in what place and who kicked or hit what really doesn't matter to them.  For others it's the news.  The fact that the polls say whatever they are saying doesn't even register to them.  Some even feel that way about God or His church.  To them the thoughts of God are equal to thoughts of Mary Poppin's left shoe.

This morning I was thinking about the things I really don't care about (which the simple fact that I was thinking about it means it would be possible for me to care less… now that I think about it that negates the previous two paragraphs).  It hit me that Jesus could say that about me.  "David Kessler, I couldn't care less about him."

Before you get angry and start writing me an e-mail.  Let me finish.

It's not possible for Jesus to care less for someone.  His care-o-meter registers high enough to die for and it's impossible for it to dip.  Sin doesn't cause Jesus to care less.  Doubt doesn't cause His meter to drop.  My past doesn't affect it in the least.  What someone else thinks of me doesn't cause His level of care to increase or decrease.  He can't care less - He just can't.  It's a nature thing.

The problem is we assume that His care about us and for us rises and falls like an outdoor thermometer level in a Michigan Fall. But it doesn't.  When Jesus says, "I couldn't care less," it's not because the care level has dropped to the bottom and it can go no lower.  It's because His love is perfect and part of His nature and it's not possible for my errors to change His nature (it would be a good idea to read the sentence again).  My failures don't reduce His love for me or His desire to continue to mold me into His image.

So, embrace the truth this weekend that Jesus couldn't care less about you and what you're going through right now – and that's a good thing!

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Cared For,

Pastor Dave

Refreshing

Philemon 1:7 "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints."

 

This morning I read this verse and wondered, "How do you do that?"

 

Perhaps when I put an ice cube down my daughter's back I am being a helper in her spiritual journey.  It's refreshing isn't it?

 

Maybe it's deeper, like giving someone a compliment, "That dress is a lot prettier than the one you wore last week."

 

Refreshing may have something to do with telling a good joke when a friend is having a hard day.  "I know you just lost your job, but did you hear the one about the blonde who…."

 

Most of you are hoping that I don't go out of my way to "refresh" you.

 

This week we put a new message on the sign out front that was the result of God whispering in my ear.  I really asked Him what He wanted to say to that one person who was going to drive by our church this week.  My mind was headed a completely different direction when the Lord whispered to me, "They were wrong – you do have value." 

 

I had the picture in my mind of the person who has been told all their life that they are a failure, or something is their fault – when it isn't.  Everything they do has this cloud of a core lie about their worth.  The pictures kept coming as I sat in my office of students, parents, grandparents, employees, spouses, people who don't want to be single anymore, people who have given up on God, and people who have made THAT mistake one more time.

 

John said that Satan is the father of lies, he speaks the language of lies very fluently (John 8:44).  So how do I refresh someone in and out of the church?  Speak truth into their lives.  Imagine a wave of refreshing that saturates souls with truth of God.  Imagine a cleansing of the lies that we live about our appearance, our value, our past, our future, and our relationships.

Imagine being the person who views truth as an opportunity to refresh someone who is dragging.  Some people are quite adept at using "truth" as a weapon to build themselves up and tear down someone else.  But, God's truth will have the end result of refreshing a person's soul and pointing them to God.

 

This weekend will you bring a refreshing word of the Lord into someone and carefully deposit it in the place of the lie they are living?  It would bring me "great joy and encouragement" as a pastor to hear of a choir of God's people refreshing each other, and those they come in contact with, with a word of grace and hope.  Let's refresh a heart today!  No ice cubes required.

 

Ready to Speak,

 

Pastor Dave

the most significant day

This normal day was about to be the most significant day of his life. He sat in front of the TV, remote in hand – his favorite place to be. He was bouncing between two news programs comparing their coverage of the same mediocre stories. It was kind of fun to see how vastly different the two could look at the same event. Sometimes they even covered completely different stories revealing what each station deemed newsworthy. Both of them were revealing their world view assuming everyone else agreed with them. He remembered thinking, "Nowhere else in the universe could you witness two people unpacking the same story with such little unity."

It happened suddenly. There was no time for shock. The room seemed to get smaller and the TV got bigger. Darkness filled the room that made the illumination of the visual electronic entertainment box take an overwhelming dominance.

The screen went black with a thin red line running horizontally across the center of the screen. On the top half the picture slowly faded from black to the most brilliant purple he had ever seen. The bottom half continued to fade until it reached a dull fog that could only be described as colorless.

Then words began to scroll across the top. They crawled slow enough to read, but fast enough that it required an almost sub-conscience reading. The top words came on the screen first, the bottom seemed to follow, almost responding to the top.

"You are loved," was the first line on the top. "You are tolerated," was the print on the bottom.

Top, "I believe in you." Bottom, "You're not worth believing in."

Top, "I want to cleanse you." Bottom, "You're a pervert."

Top, "We can work together." Bottom, "Your mistakes will last forever."

As he watched and read in silence he found himself wanting to believe the top. As soon as he realized that the red line fell downward making the top half bigger than the bottom. The words continued.

Top, "You are my child." Bottom, "Orphan."

Top, "Let me fill you." Bottom, "You have enough strength."

He found himself engaging with top words and sometimes not even noticing the bottom. The red line slid down more.

Top, "I have a wonderful gift for you."

Bottom, "You are worthles…"

Top, "Let me give you eternity."

Bottom, "Life is hopele…"

Top, "You are wonderfully made."

Bottom, "You have no val…"

Soon he stopped looking at the bottom and was allowing the top lines to feed him like a hungry bird would be fed by its mother. It was a great hour. Learning about what was true and what was a lie. He realized how many times he had believed the lies about his life story. It was time to let the truth rewrite how he lived his life story.

That day he understood that the truth isn't there to contradict the lie. The lie was there to contradict the truth. The truth was first and it was stronger. That changed how he viewed the conflicting voices in his soul about himself, and even others. Soon the weakest was the smallest and easiest to ignore.

There was somewhere else in the universe that stories didn't match, his life. And it was time to live the one that was true and ignore the one that wasn't.

This normal day was the most significant day of his life. This was the day he started letting God tell his life story.

May It Be So In Your Life,

Pastor Dave

Remembering...

9/11. This morning on the news there have been multiple stories about the attack on America eight years ago. As I was getting ready for the day listening to some of the dialog I heard a phrase that instantly captured my mind and heart; "Remembering brings unity."

I thought about watching the news with horror eight years ago and the unity that was instantly birthed in the midst of division. Emergency services from across the nation responded instinctively. People set aside what made them different and focused on what united them – tragedy. Who to blame was not on the plate yet, survival was. I remember how unity was born out of emergency.

This morning I'm wondering, "Why is remembering important to unity?"

Thoughts:

1. Remembering brings unity because it elevates what we have in common. The attack eight years ago wasn't about a race of people, or a church denomination . They didn't care about how much money people made or what their favorite food was. It was an attack against an identity, one we all shared.

2. Remembering brings unity because it results in investment. Even if it meant the highest investment of a life people ran to the need of other people. American's gave. People prayed. People engaged.

3. Remembering brings unity because it exposes the trivial. When the issue is life and death debates over opinions and tastes evaporate. The tragic event didn't bring political arguments until later. For a moment priorities were instantly adjusted.

4. Remembering brings unity because it gives us hope. Lessons were learned and changes made. If the first thought was "how can we help," the one soon after that was, "how can we be sure this doesn't happen tomorrow?" We quickly thought about being survivors and facing a new day.

Today we remember an event eight years ago. Sunday night we will remember one that happened two thousand years ago. Think about when Christians receive communion and look over the four points above again.

Luke 22:19 "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'"

Pastor Eric's sermon Sunday spoke of the importance of remembering. We had some great conversations throughout the week as he was preparing. He told me about God calling his people to "live" in Ezekiel. We discussed what it looks like to live the life that God intends for us. One conclusion He came to was it looks like "a life of remembering." You need to check out the podcast if you weren't at church on the 6^th, it'll be posted soon.

This Sunday the 13^th at 6:00 p.m. we will gather to remember. The service is not about songs, or preaching – it's about remembering. Today I remember the work of men bent on our destruction, Sunday night I remember a Man broken for my salvation. The men didn't succeed – the Man did.

Thoughtfully,

Pastor Dave

As If My Life Depended On It

When does unproductive quiet lethargy morph into potentially constructive passion? How do you keep potentially constructive passion from morphing into consistently destructive rage?

I’m watching the political fever of the nation rise, remembering that an infection causes a fever to rise. Right now we have multiple “political doctors” pointing the finger of blame to identify what (or who) the infection is. As of yet the result is not healing or restorative. In many cases lethargy has morphed into passion and in many cases passion is now morphing into rage.

I wonder, what is the role of the Christ-follower right now? Many in the church are filled with passion (if not rage) over their views politically. Yet we are too often stuck in lethargy when it comes to worship and serving God. I will argue health care while I ignore my soul or the souls of those around me.

Lethargy in my God relationship and rage in my political views is the breeding ground for sinful attitudes and actions.

Please don’t misunderstand – I have views about the role and size of Government, taxes, abortion, health care, marriage, war, czars, and terrorists. I will engage as a citizen of this Nation to participate in the discussion… but my passion for politics needs to be fed through my passion for God. That protects it from growing into dangerous rage.

Too often we don’t allow ourselves to go though the hard work of making my world view submit to my God view. We treat them as if they can be detached from one another. As if I can be lethargic with my walk with God and passionate with my political views and somehow avoid disobedient rage -I cannot. One of them must trump the other. God is bigger than politics.

This is time for the church to be passionate about the right things. I need to be passionate enough about my life with Christ that I am willing to lay that life down or even face mockery as I live it. My passion isn’t to be what I want as a “Christian” for the Nation, it’s what Christ wants for the Church and people within the Nations.

So, to answer the beginning questions: When does unproductive quiet lethargy morph into potentially constructive passion? How do you keep potentially constructive passion from morphing into consistently destructive rage?

First question: when I engage my soul as if my life depended on it.

Second question: Be passionate about your God relationship first! Let that passion feed the other passions and we will live Christ to the rage filled world around us.

Listening to the Alarm Go Off to Wake the Church Up,

Pastor Dave

It's almost a new season...

Dear Fellow Travelers,

Summer is almost done. School is about to start. Leaves are starting to look a lighter shade of green. The landscaping projects I was going to do this summer have been slated in my mind for next summer. Summer is almost over.

We started this summer with a call for this to be the "Best Summer Ever." The heart for that wasn't that you would get a raise, that your problems would evaporate, or even that vacations would go great. The issue is spiritual growth. The season we have come through was a focused call to grow closer to Christ. Let's do a quick review.

"I have heard the call and answered it. Whatever else this summer holds it will hold growth in the Lord! I commit to active steps that will deepen my walk with the Lord and prepare me for the fruit he longs to grow through my life."

1. "I am going to WORSHIP on purpose!" Did you? Or was worship limited to what you did on Sunday morning, and then only when you liked the song selection. Worship is an act of your will to proclaim who God is and how much you need him. Did you grow in that?

2. "I am going to focus on the WORD!" How much time did you spend in God's Word? It is impossible to grow closer to Christ and ignore the Bible at the same time. How's your focus?

3. "I am going to embrace a summer PRAYER burden!" Have you let God give you a heart for someone or something? Not just so that you feel fuzzy feelings, but so that you talk to God passionately about it. Do you have a prayer burden?

4. "I am going to ask God for the IMPOSSIBLE!" To many times we ask God for what we can do ourselves, and then give Him some credit or blame. What's the God thing in your life?

5. "I am going to swim in the deep end of the GENEROUS pool!" Generosity is when I give knowing it is in obedience and faith with the result of God's blessing on my spirit. How ya doing?

6. "I am going to risk a new RELATIONSHIP!" We have really enjoyed a time of growth as a church. There are many faces that you see on Sunday that you probably don't know. Have you invited anyone to your house? Have you asked anyone to get a cup of coffee and get to know them? Have you done anything to be relational and take a risk?

7. "I am going to start each day with a new GOD word!" This is such an easy habit to develop. "God, today I long to live in and be aware of your mercy." Everyday could have a handle of God woven through it. How'd you do?

8. "I am going to do a 7 day a week GROWTH plan!" Every day that breath is given to me is a day for growing in Him – not just Sunday. What's your daily plan to include Him?

9. "I am going to watch for OPEN doors!" "Lord, give me the eyes to see the work that you have done to give me the opportunity to obey." Have you been looking?

10. "I am going to 'sprinklerize' my GROWTH steps!" How'd you do at giving away the joy of the Lord this summer?

If we keep doing what we've been doing without growing in the Lord we dishonor Him. If you and I go from season to season without a plan to grow – we won't. If tools for growth remain in the shed unused my soul will weaken, and blame rests on my own hands.

It's almost a new season – how about a new commitment to thank God for the work He has done and the work He will do.

Living For A Reason,

Pastor Dave

resolution #777.847683022c

resolution #777.847683022c

TITLE: REVIVAL

SUBMITTED BY: A Follower of Christ

 

WHEREAS, the Creator God has all power and has established the only way for those created in His image to know Him; and

 

WHEREAS, said Creator God has made the way of knowing Him clear through a detailed and accurate account written and compiled in the form of what is known as The Bible; and

 

WHEREAS, the Son of the Creator God was willing and even eager to be obedient to every desire and command of His Father to the point of giving the complete sacrifice of His very own life so that all transgressions and sins would be forgotten by the Creator God as a result of faith and repentance; and

 

WHEREAS, the Spirit is available to cleanse, fill, anoint, empower, convict, comfort, and restore every human that is present on the globe created by the Creator God; and 

 

WHEREAS, those who have personal and intimate knowledge of the Creator God, the Son, and the Spirit have been give the designation of Christians (in honor of the Son of God); and

 

WHEREAS, said Christians have individually been brought into the collective community known as "the Church" which by definition means they are "called out" from the world and "called to" participate in the advancement of the Kingdom of God; and

 

WHEREAS, those who have been labeled the "the Church" have largely neglected their call and command by the Creator God and instead have used their energy to engage in: whining, political maneuvering and manipulation, fights with each other over what is of no consequence to the Creator God, demands that their opinions and traditions be elevated over the requirements of God, a selfish use of "their" money, and a disrespectful treatment of those who are co-members of the Kingdom; and

 

WHEREAS, there is a remarkable absence of the presence of the miraculous on a regular and consistent basis causing the church to reduce the doctrines of: salvation, sanctification, holiness, calling, healing, wholeness, and evangelism to a level that is pleasing and acceptable to them but not to the Author of those doctrines; and

 

WHEREAS, those not in the church have sometimes been accurate in their assessment of the community of believers as being hypocritical, judgmental, and distant; and

 

WHEREAS, there is apparently more than what we are currently living that would be known through: passionate and consistent reading of the Bible, honest and desperate prayer, realignment of all priorities, true brokenness over the lost and a profound hunger for a move of the Spirit of God; therefore be it

 

RESOLVED, that all Christians immediately return to loving God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that all Christians purely love the very next person they come across with the love they are given by Christ in a truly supernatural way to a supernatural degree; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that forgiveness and relational restoration happens; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that fear of radical Christ-centered, Spirit filled living and worship be eradicated from the behavior of believers; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that spiritual growth be elevated over uniformity and each person be valued where they are at while given the tools and encouragement to advance from that point; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that excuses be stifled and wholeness, healing, and joy be the prevalent atmospheres of our gatherings; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that Christians passionately repent, powerfully obey, and faithfully pray until they are confident and others aware that THE KING HAS BEEN GIVEN HIS PLACE AS LORD THAT THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CLAIM AS THIERS SO THAT HIS WILL AND PLAN IS THE ONLY OPTION FOR THEIR BEHAVIOR SO THAT HIS STRENGTH IS IN THEIR ARMS AND LEGS, HIS COMPASSION IN THEIR HEARTS, HIS KINGDOM THEIR PRIORITY, AND HIS RENEWING GRACE IS OVERFLOWING FROM THEIR LIVES; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that the above noted resolutions be expected as the norm effective immediately. 

 

 

Just an Idea,

 

Pastor Dave

Anniversary thoughts...

Today is the 27^th anniversary of our marriage.  This would be a great opportunity for me to say sappy things about marriage and how Leah is my favorite person in the world, but I'll keep that for private conversations.  Frankly – that stuff is none of your business! J

Here are a few things I'm aware of on my anniversary:

1.  Cake walks are for school carnivals.

Marriage isn't a breeze.  Relational lightweights should run before they say, "I do".  There's work involved, and sometimes there are storms that seem to have ruining marriage as their sole purpose.  No - it's not always easy, but two people invested in growing can walk through the hurricane together. 

 

2. Grace Grace Grace Grace Grace.

Only people who need grace should give grace.  Those who have no need for grace are not required to give it.  But for most of us, we need it and should be willing to give it… often.  Somehow the "golden rule" turns to tinfoil in a marriage sometimes.  Harsh answers and angry responses that demean my mate are not acceptable. 

(needed statement that may make some people really mad) -

God hates divorce – God doesn't hate divorced people.  When a spouse has broken the marriage covenant people have had to make some really hard decisions.  It is not our place to judge them, condemn them, or use a Bible verse as a weapon against them.  Our role is to bring healing through living the example of wholeness and holiness.  Rather than us screaming about divorce let's build an atmosphere where people can see what a godly marriage looks like without lowering our call to holiness. 

 

3.  Parents need to show the right stuff.

Parents, you are teaching your children (and others who come in contact with you) how to be a husband and a wife.  What lessons are you teaching?

 

4.  Sex is not supposed to be selfish.

Umm, awkward moment.  What was designed to be an intimate expression of love, commitment, and servanthood has been downgraded to a divisive manipulation of someone's spirit and body.  Either sex is a taboo necessity to endure or it is a free-for-all moment of selfishness.  Extremes are little more than sin – either way.  My sex life motto: "Honoring to God and Pleasing to Both."  Inside that fence there is a lot of room to smile! 

 

5.  God is more than a mode of transportation.

God sometimes becomes an emergency ride from "point A" to "point B" in marriage.  He's on our priority list when it fits the crisis, but when we get tired or not in the mood we bail and walk on our own.  Marriage is a perfect laboratory of relational experiments that God is to be given complete access to.  He is part of every failed experiment and part of every success.  

 

6.  Trying is better than not trying.

For crying out loud keep trying to grow together.  Keep trying.  When you're done trying – try some more.  When a spouse quits trying to grow it is a plan – it's just a really goofy one.

 

7.  I'm one stupid move away from flushing what is valuable.

Leah and I have a strong, exclusive, growing, fun, and not flawless marriage.  We have learned how to make deposits in each other's love and trust bank.  One withdrawal could be devastating.  We are not above messing up ministry, family, and friendships.  Humility is a good thing to keep me dependant on the Lord and open with my wife.  I don't want to dishonor God or violate my wife, but a healthy awareness of how close I am to messing everything up in my life also helps keep me on the "straight and narrow."

 

8.  "Christian marriages" are different than "married Christians"  

Two "Christians" can come together with an agenda and a selfish bent and the result is not a "Christian marriage."  The call is for unity.  My marriage is to be a picture of the relationship between Christ and the Church not a polar bear and a seal!

 

9.  Cherished people don't shoot you in the back.

Yah, that kind of speaks for itself doesn't it?  We need to re-learn how to cherish each other constantly.

 

10.  You don't always have to have 10 points.

Guess I'm done now. 

 

Married people don't stop growing.  Single people never settle!

Happy in this life, ready for the next,

Pastor Dave

Enter Praying

There are times that preparing for a sermon is kind of a breeze. It’s as if the Spirit of God directs your preparation and floods with more content then could possibly be given in the amount of time we have.

Then there are times that… well… aren’t like that.

This is an honest call to those who read these words, no matter what church you attend, to pray for your pastor.

Two prayers to pray before this Sunday –

For Your Pastor -

“Lord, God would You bring a new anointing to my pastor’s spirit. He really needs anointing for discernment to know what is to be taught and what is to be skipped. He needs anointing to overcome emotions that try to stand in the way of truth being proclaimed. He needs anointing to know what matters and what doesn’t. He needs anointing to not be distracted from the words You are placing in his heart.

Protect him from temptation. Give him the strength to say “no” loud when that is Your will, and the power of a supernatural “yes” to whatever builds your Kingdom.

Give my pastor the wisdom to keep a strong marriage and holy relationships. May he know the full joy of having You guard his thoughts and actions.

Help him worship this Sunday. It’s hard to worship in freedom while worrying about what people are thinking. May Your Spirit give him the ability this Sunday to be free without the worry - cause he can’t do both.

Lord, help him be excited about the chance to meet with the Body of Christ again, help him form the right words for us. This Sunday use him to start revival!”

For Yourself –

“Lord, God would You bring a new anointing to my spirit. I really need anointing for discernment to know what is to be received and what to ignore. I need anointing to overcome emotions that try to stand in the way of truth being received. I need anointing to know what matters and what doesn’t. I need anointing to not be distracted from the words You have for me.

Protect me from temptation. Give me the strength to say “no” loud when that is Your will, and the power of a supernatural “yes” to whatever builds your Kingdom.

Give me the wisdom to keep [a strong marriage and] holy relationships. May I know the full joy of having You guard my thoughts and actions.

Help me worship. It’s hard to worship in freedom while worrying about what people are thinking. May Your Spirit give me the ability this Sunday to be free without the worry - cause I can’t do both.

Lord, help me be excited about the chance to meet with the Body of Christ again, help me hear the right words. This Sunday use me to start revival!”

Let’s make a deal – I’ll pray for you and you pray for me.

If you’re not in the habit of prayer, take a few moments and read the ones above.

If your prayer life is kind of weak, take a few moments and read the ones above.

If you’ve been praying – thank you.

We’re entering a unique season as a church and nation this fall. Let’s enter it praying!

Co-laborer,

Pastor Dave

Growth

There is a small tree in our backyard that has grown little, if any, in the past ten years.  It lives a perpetual state of eclipse because of the bigger trees that surround it.

 

If a child doesn't grow, parents take that child to the doctor to find out what's wrong.

 

When someone opens a business they do so counting on the fact that demand will cause growth.

 

Investors that can't bring growth are soon left with the sting of inflation shrinking an asset quicker than interest can add to it.

 

Matthew chapter 25 tells the story (parable) of an owner that entrusted "talents" with some employees with the assumed task of growing them.  If you remember the story two people did grow what was given to them and one didn't.  The one who didn't was toast!

 

Growth was the expectation.  If you read the text the point of the story was that the "kingdom of heaven" would come at a time that would not be announced in advance – so, be ready.  It's not about money, it's about the expectation of God for his people.

 

Readiness was the expectation and growth was the expectation. 

 

A tree that isn't growing is an oversized weed.  A child that doesn't grow is a medical dilemma.  A business that doesn't grow is an unbearable weight.  An investment that doesn't grow is a liability.  A Christian that doesn't grow is a….

 

God has wired things so that they would grow - including our souls.  Stagnation is as dangerous to the Christian as lack of sun is to a tree.  The problem is the tree can't move - we can.

 

"Lord, how do you want to grow me?  Are you growing me through situations that require more faith, people that require more patience, or insights into your nature that require more application.  Lord, how do you want to grow me?    

 

Here's the thing Lord, I've been stuck for a while and need a time of growing up in you.  My maturity is frozen.  My worship is predicable.  My prayer is cold.  My journey is murky. 

 

So Lord, either help me cut down the trees that are in the way or uproot me and replant me.  May I know the invigorating rays of the Son until the cells in my spirit are bursting with nutrients.  May my roots grow deep enough to weather any storm and my branches reach high enough applaud You with all that I am."

 

Growth is an expectation.

 

Not Satisfied with Staying the Same,

Pastor Dave

 

Singing in the Rain

This has been Family camp week.  Right now it's Thursday afternoon and I sit in the camper listening to the rain hit the camper… again.  Normally I would take this opportunity to complain and talk about legislation that would make camping illegal.  Normally I would dream of being in the room of a Holiday Inn sitting in a hot tub, or on my couch at home thinking about doing some of the Wii Fit exercises while I ate popcorn.  But, I'm not feeling normal.

So, rather than complain I'd like to share with you how blessed I am.

My wife is my hero and my favorite person on earth.  I'm proud of my kids and how God is growing them.  My daughter-in-law is a great wife for my son and a great mom for our active and adorable grandkids. I minister in a growing church that I am proud to call my family.  We have a ministry staff that I respect and trust as coworkers and friends.  I have parents that I am proud of and thankful for the heritage they provide. I live in a city that I like.  My car starts.  I'm in a camper not a tent listening to the rain.  Ya, I've got a lot to be thankful for.

Even more than all that – I am loved by God.

Sometimes I get too busy to remember and return God's love, but it is there for me.  The Psalmist in the 35th Psalm is proclaiming his need for God's protection from his enemies.  Toward the beginning he tells God what he needs to hear from him.  He needs God's protection, but he also needs God's voice.  What did he want to hear?
"Say to my Soul, 'I am your salvation.'"

He just needed God to say, "I'm here and I'll rescue you," I can hear that better when I'm not complaining.  I can hear God proclaim who He is and what He is doing when He doesn't have to speak over whining.  

I am most thankful that God would sit with me in a camper with rain attacking the outside and whisper in the ear of my soul, "I am your salvation."

Then I can whisper back to Him, "thank-you."

"Singing in the Rain,"

Pastor Dave

Dead Zones

What are my dead zones?
 
My cell phone will rarely work inside the church office.  If I stand outside the signal is fine, but when I go inside a block building signal bars disappear quicker than the last M&M.  When I am in some places reception is poor at best.  Needless to say this is annoying for the person who is trying to contact me and may have heard me say "Hello" and nothing else.
 
This morning I'm wondering if I have dead zones with the Lord.  Do I have places that my spirit resides or visits that make it impossible for Him to speak to me?
 
I walk in the office of fear and He tries to call me to boldness, but I can't seem to hear what is spoken to my soul.
 
I shop in the aisles of compromise and there are so many voices coming over the intercom that my God signal is broken.
 
I hang out in the hills of bitterness and the signal is weak enough that I am unable to hear the call to healing and wholeness.
 
I get inside the elevator of choices and push the button that takes me to the basement where I know God's voice will not be, but habit holds me tightly to the place where I know about God – even if I refuse to listen to Him.
 
The problem isn't a faulty design or a weak signal, the problem is that I spend so much time in the places where I know ignoring God's voice will be the result.
 
For this to be the Greatest Summer Ever in my spiritual life I must hear from the Lord.  I must refuse to be places where I know the "reception is bad."  You were designed to hear from your Creator – listen.
 
What's God telling you?
 
Avoiding Dead Zones,
 
Pastor Dave

I asked. He pointed. I learned.

This week I asked Jesus a question.  It's one that I have asked him before – you probably have too.  He answered my question without saying a word.  He just pointed.  
 
He didn't point to all the work that went into a Vacation Bible School, all the sets (that were great), crafts (that were very cool), games (that looked like they were a blast).  He didn't point to the high attendance each night (which was a blessing), or the snacks that were provided (I heard they were both fun and good).  He didn't make sure I looked at the gigantic number of volunteers it took to pull this week off (each of which I am proud of and very grateful, Scott and Emma had a super team!)
 
I asked him my question again and he pointed to the child that hurried to catch up to a team leader so he could hold his team leader's hand as they walked from one station to the next.
 
He pointed to worship that was with abandon and sincere energy.
 
He pointed to open ears that eagerly drank in the message of the Bible that was given in various forms.
 
He pointed to children who didn't complain when things weren't as planned or on schedule.
 
He pointed to adults and young adults not expecting children to act like them – but taking the role of living the energy and enthusiasm of a child.
 
He pointed to laugher over the silly things, because it's fun to laugh.
 
He pointed to celebration when children placed their faith in Him.
 
He pointed to building friendships and people overlooking differences.
 
He pointed to freedom wrapped inside a little body that was sometimes clumsy, a little rowdy, and overflowing with potential.
 
I asked Jesus again what he meant when he said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)

I asked him what he meant when he said, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." (Mark 9:37)

I asked him what he meant when he said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Luke 18:17)

I asked.  He pointed.  I learned.
 
Proud of the Church I Attend, the Servanthood I've Seen, and the Savior I Serve –
 
Pastor Dave
 

Thinking...

I have watched, with many, the coverage on the news of the death of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.  Many people are mourning the passing of someone they never knew personally and yet impacted their world.

 

Today I am thinking about the millions of girls that hate themselves because they don't view themselves as "beautiful," today I think of the millions of young people who dream of little else than being rich and famous.

 

I never dated Farrah (in high school I claimed I did… but I really didn't.  She asked me once but I was too busy [lie]) and I never worked on a project with Michael, but I don't honor them as icons of looks and fame.  Talent, generosity, beauty, personality, achievements and money will not change either of their eternal destinies. 

 

Today my heart breaks because we Christians get caught in the waves of someone else's popularity and find ourselves trapped in hype and clichés.  I wonder if it would be a good time to think not about the music or the appearance, but the soul.  Both of them have one thing in common with you and I – we will stand in the same spot before God.  Today I think about what is eternal.   

 

In my spirit I found myself standing with a crowd of people.  We all were human enough to get envious of each other and normal enough to idolize what doesn't last.  Jesus walked in the center of the group and asked us two questions we could not answer.  He asked us, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul (Mark 8:36-37)?  

 

Thankful for Today, Trusting In Forever,

 

Pastor Dave