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