Some of the Stuff I Read This Year

Story, by Steven James.  

This is my daughter’s book that she will probably never get back.  A very creative and poetic look at the Biblical account of life.  I really liked his writing style.

“Some people picture God as a doddering grandpappy in heaven.  But in truth, he’s more like an impassioned young lover swinging his bride across the dance floor.  Jesus didn’t arrive on earth to debate theology but to propose marriage.  In a very real spiritual sense, God is courting us.” 

The Relationship Principles of Jesus, by Tom Holladay.  

The point of this book is healthy relationships.  The book is based on 6 relationship principles.  It is a 40 day look at the foundation of relationships.  Would be a good book for a small group to travel through together.

“You can’t command an emotion, but you can command and action.  When Jesus says, ‘I command you to love one another,’ he’s not saying ‘Feel this way’; he’s saying, ‘Act this way.’  Act with love toward another person.”

Follow, by Floyd McClung.  

I read three books that really cut pretty deep.  I don’t recommend you read them together, it’s a little overwhelming.  Follow, and Richards Stearns, the Hole in our Gospel, and David Platt, Radical.  All great books with a lot of challenge as to how we view and live life in America.  All of them have a lot of great quotes I could share, but consider this from Follow:

“Those who are considering becoming, or are already committed to being fully devoted followers of Jesus must count the cost of putting Him first in their lives.  That doesn’t mean renouncing who He created you to be, but renouncing the false beliefs and behaviors that have kept you from being all He created you to be.” 

Called to be Holy, by John N. Oswalt.  

This is a reading meal that requires putting your thinking cap on.  Oswalt is a theologian that comes from the perspective that I closely align with.  This is a great understanding of a Biblical view of holiness.

“When God calls his people to be holy as he is holy, he is not merely asking them to live lives exclusively dedicated to him.  Neither is he asking them to be especially religious.  Rather, he is calling them to share his unique character, one that will alter how they approach every aspect of their lives.” 

The Necessity of Prayer, by EM Bounds. 

I got hold of a classic collection by EM Bounds on prayer that has 8 of his books in one volume.  I’m reading one at a time over a the period of the next couple years.  Some of my favorite reads are classics.  They were written before the publisher and audience dictated how something was said.  It wasn’t about selling a book, it was about saying the truth.

“Prayer is an essential phase of spiritual habit, but it ceases to be prayer when carried on by habit alone.  It is depth and intensity of spiritual desire that give intensity and depth to prayer.” 

“The early Methodists had no heating apparatus in their churches.  They said that the flame in the pew and the fire in the pulpit must be sufficient to keep them warm.”

The Dekker trilogy, Black, Red, White, is my fiction reading that was a total blast!

Every married couple should read Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. This is a must read!

Ravi Zacharias, Has Christianity Failed You?  I liked a lot. 

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Spy, by Eric Metaxas was very interesting if you’re into history during the Hitler regime.

If you like to look at church issues I liked, Rethinking Church by James Emery.  Ignite, by Nelson Searcy has some good ideas in it.

The Three Hardest Words, by Leonard Sweet was good also.  I’m sure I’m going to read a lot more of his stuff.  He is leading the Doctoral program I will start later in 2012.

One Conversation at a Time, by Michael Henderson is great on telling your God story.

They all must be closed and put on a shelf with the others that I read.  Each book is of value only to the degree that is leads me to the truth of the Bible and brings me to a place of growth.  

Looking forward to a new year of learning!

Pastor Dave

Christter

In my reading the book of Mark I just noticed that on Christmas day I will be on the 16th chapter.  I will start Christmas day with the account of the resurrection.

I'm finding that interesting to think through.  The account of the birth and the account of the empty tomb are not so far apart. The traditional songs and decorations are different and we celebrate them in different ways, but they are both about life.

God brought life on both Christmas and Easter.

Christmas is the cry of an infant and Easter is the cry of a warrior.  Christmas is the humble beginning and Easter is the dazzling restart.  Christmas is about being human and Easter is about being divine.  The days are different and yet they are inextricably linked.  We can celebrate the birth of Christ because of the resurrection.

I won't mess with years of tradition or the liturgical calendar, but I wonder what would happen if we combined days.  What if we celebrated "Christter?"

If the day represented both the birth and resurrection of Christ would we still have to buy each other presents and wear our best clothes?  Would we still sit on the red guy's lap and hunt for plastic eggs filled with candy?

If we were starting a new holy day (holiday) to celebrate the life and re-life of Christ how would it be different from the two days we have now?  I wonder, what would the songs be like?   How would we decorate?  What foods would be appropriate? What would be the traditions that would be born that would be passed through the generations?  What would Christter be like?  Would we say, "Happy Christter" or "Merry Christter" or "Hapry Christter?"

Maybe rather than start a new day we could include an awareness in both.  The Christ we celebrate on Christmas defeated the power of death, and the resurrected Christ we celebrate on Easter came to earth as a human.

At our church this year we will celebrate Christmas Sunday by baptizing people.  Celebrating life in Christ.  Maybe this year it really is Christter!

May God bless you with a new revelation of Himself to your heart as we celebrate Christ, and may He bless you with the passion to continue the celebration on the 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 1st, 2nd…

Celebrating,

Pastor Dave

 

Sometimes maybe simple is better

According to the Global Language Monitor the English language has 1,013,913 words… or will have by 1.1.2012.  A new word is created every 98 minutes. That's so wowazing! (1,013,914)

Having more words hasn't lessened confusion or strengthened communication.  Has it?

Too many words can mess up an apology.  Have you ever had someone start an apology that seemed to ring true and then shot the heart of it full of so many holes with the word "but" that it was empty?

Too many words can mess up everything.  I know… I'm a preacher.  I have a Master's degree in making faith complicated.  I once went to a seminar where the speaker took 90 minutes to explain why sermons should be 20 minutes.

It's not easy to know when to stop making a point.  The need to be understood propels us into the world of unnecessary verbiage.  It's as if additional words will make the issue more important. (That was 34 words to say "we talk too much")

Sometimes maybe simple is better.

"I love you."

"I believe in you."

"I'm sorry."

"Thank you."

"I miss you."

Maybe even, "I'm disappointed."

So…

May God bless you with a week of growing anticipation as each day brings you closer to celebrating His Son's birth.

Or…

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Dave

 

Close

When you think "you've got it" and someone tells you you're "close to getting it," how would that impact you?

In the 12th chapter of Mark a religious hot shot asked Jesus which of God's commands were the most important.  Jesus answered with the call to love God and love others.  The dialog continued as the hot shot agreed to the extent of saying that living those two commands were more important than offerings and sacrifices. (Mark 12:28-34)

Then Jesus said it.  We don't know how the religious guy responded.  It's kind of hard to confidently discern what the reaction was when Jesus told him - he wasn't far from the kingdom of  God!

Ever had someone tell you you're almost there where you're convinced you're already there?  Why didn't Jesus go into detail on what he needed to do to get there?  What was it that was remaining that kept him "close" rather than "there?"

I have a hunch it was heart.  This man knew what needed to be done to fully embrace the kingdom but, according to Jesus just a few verses later (38-40), he may have been caught in the pride of his "rightness."  His clothes made him.  How people greeted him with respect made him.  Where he sat in meetings and meals made him.  How proud he was of himself made him.

He knew what was most important and yet continued to value what was less important over what was most important.  He was close.

One day I asked Jesus what was most important about Christmas.  He told me it was worshipping him.  I agree with him.  I told him worshipping him was more important than all the trappings of this secular/religious celebration.  I told him I agreed with him as I hurried off to buy something, decorate something, meet someone, wrap something, eat something….

As I was leaving I think he said something about being "close to Christmas."  But that's silly, I know what Christmas is all about. "He's the reason for the season."

Sometimes I know what is most important, but my heart values what is less important over what is most important.

Close,

Pastor Dave

 

December

It happened again.  December.  I'm thinking of 10 ways to live through December.

10. Don't be within 5 miles of the Birch Run outlet mall until 1.4.12.

9. When cooking, dip everything in chocolate.  It's a little known fact that there were 4 wise men - the 4th brought Joseph and Mary chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate covered peanut butter balls.  It's a tradition.

8. Don't buy your wife a new generator for Christmas - unless she asks for one… in which case be very careful, it may be a trap to see if you know what she really wants.

7.  Don't buy your husband a new ab-roller for Christmas - unless he asks for one… in which case be very careful, it may to be trap you see if you're ok with him not having rock abs.

6. Don't get all offended when someone says "happy holidays."  If they don't understand  the importance of baptism, communion, or Easter to Christians they don't understand the importance of the birth either. (note - living Christ-like is more important than saying "Christmas")

5. Never try to beat a grandma to a reduced sale item.

4. Only snuggle up to a cozy fire in the living room if you have a fireplace.

3. Cancel one of your parties, events, meetings, trips, gatherings, and errands and enjoy a quiet moment with God.

2. Give something to someone without them knowing who it's from.

1. Reflect on the grace of God that knows no limit.  Stand in faith in God in ways that has no exceptions.  Worship the love of God that drove Him to give His Son for you.  Swim in the warm pools of gratitude because His power is not attached to our calendar.

Living Through December,
Pastor Dave

Wondering

Do you ever wonder the same thing I wonder?

If perspicuous means "clear" or "easy to understand" why don't we teach the word in kindergarden?

Why do we make the union of "gh" result in a "f" sound in cough, but no sound in "though?" Why isn't "thouf" a word?

If the speed limit is 70 why would we make cars and motorcycles that can easily more than double that, then write a ticket for doing what the vehicle was designed to do?

There's another one! Why are "write" and "right" pronounced the same?  Following their example shouldn't "canoe" and "candle" be pronounced the same?  They both have some of the same letters!

Note: my questions are facetious (yes, I used spell check since that word is an example of my point) and I am not hoping for an answer to the above questions.

Here's where I'm going - "Christian."

I wonder about that word.  I wonder about what that looks like as compared to what it means.  I wonder why one Christ would change the world forever and a bunch of the followers (literally "little-Christ") would work so hard at being like the world that He changed.

I wonder why prayer is so hard for us to make personal and intimate.

I wonder why the Bible is something that we would avoid.

I wonder how we lost the focus that Christ had - the Kingdom of God.  We are working so hard on improving our kingdom that we don't have time or energy for His.

I wonder how we got the reputation that you're not welcome in church unless you have the right clothes or are free from the wrong habits.

I wonder about why we have taught people that following Jesus is easy and "sacrifice" is what you do to advance a runner in baseball.

I wonder why God loves me.  I wonder how I am going to respond to that love today... even if it's not really perspicuous.

Wondering,

Pastor Dave

I Was Shocked

#1  I was shocked at how rotten it was.  As soon as I saw it I made a decision that something must be done right a way.

In my home office the windows have "window quilts," an insulated material that unrolls over the window forming a pretty tight seal.  I couldn't tell you the last time I pulled the quilt up and looked out the small window behind my chair.

When I heard wind I thought maybe I should.  I was shocked.  The window is falling apart.  I had no idea.  I just never checked.

Please don't feel the need to drop me a line about condensation accumulating over time and the need to let more air get to the window.  The thing is, I just didn't have the need to open that window or look through it.  So it stayed covered.  Because it was covered I really didn't think about it.

#2  I was shocked at how rotten it was.  As soon as I saw it I made a decision that something must be done right a way.

There's a place in my attitudes that I have sealed quite tightly.  I really don't need to deal with it because it's not obvious.  In fact I never let it show.  It hides behind the fabric of religion so effectively that it remains unseen.

In my quiet times I can hear it, but nothing really needs to be done because it's hidden.  If it's hidden and no one knows about it - it's unimportant.

Please don't feel the need to drop me a line and tell me how I should have known better.  I know that rotten attitudes spread and soon the soul is unable to keep the effects of storms or the cold out.  It's covered so I just didn't think about it.

#1  I have replacement windows on order and a contractor to install them.  We'll start with the upstairs this year because it's quite expensive.  It turns out there's a problem with more than one of the old windows.  As we go to a new winter season I'm looking forward to having better windows.

#2  There are replacement attitudes available and I have a Contractor to install them.  It's no easy task to replace attitudes. The Contractor I work with is equally licensed for both demolition and installation.  Turns out He found more than one attitude that needs replacement.  As we go to a new season of growth I'm looking forward to more protection from the elements and a greater level of warmth.  It's a very expensive job, but the Contractor told me He would cover the cost.

It's going to be a warmer winter.

Pastor Dave

 

Former Ding Dong

I finished a reading a book last night, closed it, thought about it, skimmed back through the pages, and proceeded to log it on my reading list. I then realized - I am a ding dong.

As I scrolled through the list of books I’ve read this year I was astounded at the titles I don’t even remember reading.  Most of them I have underlined so I can go back and find quotes I can’t remember, but I was struck by the fact that the content of some of them made no difference.   After I thought about that I went to the “to be read stack” to get the next book to read!

So, I came to the conclusion - I am a ding dong.

Imagine spending time reading so many books and not allowing them to impact me (be careful, you’re being set up). It’s as if I read because it was the right thing to do (you know where I’m going?).   I liked the title, the topic, the author, or it was recommended to me, so I read it. I read them because I can and I enjoy doing it… little impact (hang on).

Here’s the issue, the problem wasn’t the books. I’ve come to the conclusion I am too often a distracted reader (wait for it).  My eyes run over the words like a greased steam-roller while my mind is on the edge thinking on unrelated issues.

Who would repeatedly go through the motions without the heart engaged? (here it is)

Then I thought about my worship, encounters with God that have little impact because of my distraction.   I hurry through time with God like a greased steam-roller while my mind wanders to things… stuff… more interesting?!

Then I thought about the Bible.  Do I read that with hunger?

I thought about my faith.  Distracted?

I wonder why I don’t consider distraction a sin?  I wonder how many diamonds of truth I am missing because my undisciplined mind is busy counting grains of sand?   I wonder if that’s why the author of Hebrews told me to “fix [my] eyes?” (12:2)

I’m going to go back through the books I’ve read this year and spend some time with what was underlined.

I’m going to ignore distraction during my moments with the Lord.

How ‘bout that - I learned from books I didn’t think I learned anything from.

Former Ding Dong,

Pastor Dave

What If...

"CUT!  That's not right.  We've gone over the lines.  We've gone over the placement.  We've gone over the facial expressions.  You're doing it all wrong.  We will all stand here till moss grows on our shoes doing it over and over until you get it right.  Do it again!"

What if God were a crabby temperamental director?

"No, No, No!  That's not repentance!  Do it again."

"Stop! I told you that you can't work here unless you forgive them."

"For the one millionth time it's 'love your enemies' and 'hate the world' you keep doing it backwards."

What if God kept making us redo the scene of showing grace to someone else until it was convincing.

What if He interrupted worship and proclaimed, "You're doing it wrong!  You keep complaining about (or worshipping) song selection, volume, and personal taste.  You don't even have me in mind while you're doing it.  Start over!"

"You're ad-libbing things that I would never write in the script.  Do it again!"

What if God sat by, in one of those high cloth chairs with the word "Yahweh" monogrammed in gold on the back, with a bull horn yelling out directions and clarifications of the scenes of our lives.  "Kessler - wake up! The waitress in this scene needs you to pay attention to her, she's at the end of her rope… Action!"

"David, pay close attention to this scene.  You're alone.  You're discouraged.  You wonder if there is any point.  You're going to enter a place of profound fear.  But faith is still going to be stronger than temptation… Action!"

"Kessler, this scene requires you being honest.  Quit hiding behind stuff and excuses.  I can't deal with these egos!  There are other people that could do this better.  I knew I should have contacted Matt Damon for your roll!  You're fired!

What if God really was involved in all the scenes of my life?  What if he really did observe everything?  What if the script is given to me by God's Holy Spirit?  What if he really were the director in my story?  Not crabby or temperamental.  Not wishing I was like other actors.  Not barking out cold commands.  But - directing.  Directing a real story of events that grow me and His Kingdom at the same time.  What if I really am supposed to listen for His direction and follow His script?

What if…

Action!

Pastor Dave

What Should a Pastor Say to His Church Today

According to one person the world is going to end today.  I've done a bunch of research into the person and the theology he holds.  There's not much we agree on.  But, my heart aches a little today.

The skeptics of faith are ready to add another failed prediction to the basket of reasons to question the Bible.

Comedians will have new material.

Jaded Christians will have a person to point at, distance themselves from, and join in the mocking so as not to appear as one of "them."

Gullible Christians will wonder why God didn't come through… again.

I've thought about what I should say to my church and friends.  Should I give my views on the predictions and the theology behind them?  Should I detail why I disagree with Harold Camping?  Should I quote Bible verses to further discredit someone who claims to have God's calendar figured out?  Should I try to stick up for God because some are making a mockery of His plan?  Should I not even bring it up since many may not even know what I'm talking about?

What should a pastor say to his church today?

My conclusion - very little.

I don't have a lot to say.

Serve Jesus today.  Don't get caught in debates.  Don't malign someone you don't know.  Don't err on the side of arrogance or pride.  Pray for people a lot.  Read the Bible.  Withhold rudeness.  Help someone smile.  Look for an opportunity to share the love of Christ.  Be generous.  Encourage.  Fill the life roles that you have with the faith of someone who loves God with all they are.  Spend this day as if it were your last day.  Serve Jesus today.

And if he gives us another one - do it again.
And if he gives us another one - do it again.
And if he gives us another one - do it again.
And if he gives us another one - do it again.
And if he gives us another one - do it again.
And if he gives us another one - do it again.
And if he gives us another one - do it again.
And if he gives us another one - do it again.
And if he gives us another one - do it again… etc.

Until Then,

Pastor Dave

Files

Page One:
I have a file that I put manuals and users guides in. Probably most of us do. They are labeled; dishwasher, refrigerator, furnace, washer, dryer, television, grill, miscellaneous house stuff, and others. The truth is I never look at the manual after it's put in the file. The files are the black hole of information that I couldn't use if I wanted to. If I need the electrical schematic of my oven I could get it - but I don't know how to read it anyway. I just keep it.

What is interesting to me is when I hold on to manuals of something that I don't have anymore. If I have the desire to read about the Sears dishwasher we had two dishwashers ago I could. You never know when useless information will be valuable (never).

The other day I cleaned out my files. What I don't own anymore I don't need to know how to maintain.

Page Two:
I have a file that I put mistakes and sins in. Probably most of us do. They are labeled; husband, father, employee, boss, student, Christian. The truth is I always go back to them to review what I have asked God to forget. The files are the black hole of information that I can't do anything about. If I need to dwell on that time I lost my temper I can pull it out and carefully remember everything about that event in exaggerated form - but I don't know how to undo it. I just keep it.

What is interesting to me is when I hold on to mistakes and sins that I don't have anymore. If I want to dwell on something that I've given to Christ two million times I can. You never know when old information about a forgiven sin will be healthy (never).

The other day Jesus offered to help me clean the files of what He had already erased the print from. He told me that what I don't own anymore I don't need to maintain.

Page Three:
Clean files are a good idea.

Thankful,

Pastor Dave

Three things I know about being lost. ‘Cause I’ve been there.

1.  Awareness of limitation
I don’t know everything or how to get everywhere.  I am limited in my knowledge.

2. Increase of passion
When I am not where I should be my intensity increases and that usually increases the weight of my foot on the gas pedal (which people with lights on the top of their car are not fond of).  Getting where I belong is less of a leisurely drive and more of an emotionally engaged search.

3. Focused vision on the destination
When I am lost I become very focused on the confidence of knowing where I am going.  My eyes are eager to find signs and landmarks that will point me to the right place.  I long for the completion.

Three things to know about being lost in the love of God.
1. Awareness of limitation
I can’t work hard enough or be good enough to cause love to happen.  I am very limited and must be aware of where the Source is unending.

2. Increase of passion
I am most passionate in my desire to respond and be with God when I am most aware of the love that He is and has.  There is a sense of eagerness in my spirit when I know I am surrounded by love.

3. Focused vision on the destination
When I am lost in the love of God my spirit is very focused on the God of love.  I know where I am going.  My decisions and actions are different.  I am on journey and I know it.

I’m thinking this morning about the two ways of being lost, one of them is miserable and the other is healing.  Two different types of being lost, one reveals my humanity and the other teaches me about spirituality.

I intend to get lost today - guess which one I hunger for.

Getting Lost,

Pastor Dave

Songs

I never know what's going to be on my mind first thing in the morning, often it's a song.

This morning it was a kid's song from years ago, "So Noah, he built him/He built him an arky, arky/Noah, he built him/He built him an arky, arky/Built it out of gopher barky, barky/Children of the Lord"   

I don't know why I remember a lot of the words to Tennessee Ernie Fords, Kiss Me Big. Often it's a song I hear bouncing around in my mind (there's a story behind that we need not unpack). 

I love it when a song we sang in church gets stuck in my mind. The hymn Salvation's Song is one of my favorites right now, "So with every breath that I am given/I will sing salvation's song/And I'll join the chorus of creation/Giving praise to Christ alone/Singing glory, honor…" 

Waking up to "Giving praise to Christ alone" is better than "Kiss me baby till my eyes pop out." 

I wonder what God sings? I'm sure it's not a hymn from 2010, 1975, 1840, or 1532. God has his own list of songs that He sings over the people He has redeemed.I'm guessing His songs aren't sappy. His songs would be about a love that would pay a huge price and be strong enough to break the power of death. His songs would be in minor keys and have intense rhythms. A song that God sings would be about His grace that is beyond exact duplication. A God song would somehow be about both Himself and those created in His image, about how He makes all the difference and can defeat any enemy that stands in my way.  

Imagine hearing a song that God was singing with all of heaven. I can't grasp what that would sound like in my feeble imagination. I can't find any human expression of music and velcro it to God assuming they match. But, I can imagine it happing even if I can't imagine the sound. I can live in the poetic expression of its reality even if I can't feel the vibrations of it in my ear. I can be free because of the song of love and victory that God sings.  

I can sit with the Psalmist and listen with my faith...
 
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7)
 
Maybe I'm taking it out of context. Maybe the Psalmist is hearing the songs of deliverance that the people are singing because of God's protection. Maybe you can't handle the thought of God singing. Zephaniah could -
 
Zephaniah 3.17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
 
We think of God being the Audience of our worship. Have you ever thought about being the audience of His concert? Listen well today.


Surrounded,
 
Pastor Dave

Who do people say that we are?

"The wrong question for the church is, How many people are present.  The right question is What are these people like?"

Quoted from Rethinking Church, James White

Jesus asked his followers the question, "Who do people say that I am?" (Mark 8:27)

Jesus was asking a deeper question than I will ask.  He always does. 

This was not an insecure poll to find out what Jerusalem's TMZ was saying about him.  He really didn't ask the question for his insight.  Jesus was dusting the junk off the spirits of the disciples that had been placed there by people who didn't know who He was. 

Who do people say that we are?  The answer for Jesus involved the sins of the world.  The answer for us - not so much.

But, it's not an insignificant question, Who do people say that we are?

Your name is a copout answer.  "People say I'm Dave."

Church people should "be" something.  They should be able to be described.  They should be able to have characteristics that are identifiable and attachable to the One they serve.  

It may surprise you, but I'm not looking for the word "holy" here.  "Everyone in that church is holy."

If we don't have people in the church who are not "holy" yet, we are not being obedient to the call of the One who makes us holy.  

What are we like?  

I'm somewhat fond of the thought of changing.  If we aren't being changed we aren't getting to the point of our need.  I want to be a church of changers, a church of growers.  People who are being transformed from whatever we were to whatever He called us to.

Everyone, even people who haven't crossed the faith line yet, can be changing so they are closer to Christ.  That's what happens when you gather where Jesus shows up - you change.

Growing,

Pastor Dave

Why I'm Smiling

This morning I read Psalm 31 and a word picture has made me grin… almost laugh.

 

This Psalm of David may have been written while on the run from a jealous King Saul.  In the fifth verse is the famous last line that Jesus breathed from the cross, "Into your hands I commit my spirit."  The result for Jesus was reentrance into the eternal presence of the Father.  The result for David was trusting that God would protect his life.

 

A few verses later in the Psalm David sang these words, "You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place." 

 

That's the line.  "Set my feet in a spacious place."  It could read "a big room."   

 

Imagine being surrounded.  I was a young man sledding down a hill in the woods when a bunch of dogs surrounded me.  There were four or five of them and were snarling and barking at me as I stood frozen.  Thinking back, I think they were each 400 pound dogs with teeth the size of meat cleavers, but my mind may have grown reality.

 

I do remember fear.  I remember feeling surrounded.  I remember knowing I couldn't out run them up the hill.  I remember standing outside and feeling like I was in their cell.

 

They left. I slowly thawed out and went home looking around at how big the space was around me.  When I wasn't in the cell of dogs the woods were huge!  I walked through the field where the neighborhood played baseball - it was a gigantic, vast, wallless stadium.  My feet were in a spacious place because they weren't in the cell of angry dogs.

 

So, this morning I grin, almost laugh with joy.  I have been released from the hand of the enemy who longs to bind and constrict me.  I have been delivered from the foot shackles of bondage and the enclosing walls of sin.

 

I have room to run and investigate all I can see of God.  There is ample space for me to stretch within the covenant of His love.  I am not frozen in fear of what the enemy has, my feet have been set in a spacious place - God's love and grace.

 

Don't tell my wife, but the picture I have in my mind is the closing scene of the 32 hour long movie The Sound of Music.  You know, the family running on the top of mountains over looking the rest of the earth.  It's a spacious place.  Guilt isn't roomy.  Sin isn't freeing.  The enemy of my soul doesn't give me room to run.  But... "You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place."

 

"The hills are alive with the sound of music"

 "la la la la" 

 

Pastor Dave 

Flexed Muscles

Someone flexed their muscles and took down some buildings.

Someone else flexes their muscles and builds a new building.

Flexed muscles make a speech on how to fix the nation and others flex their muscles in disagreement.

Nations flex. Unions flex. Bosses flex. Athletes flex. Spouses flex. I flex.

Everyone attempts to show how much power they have. Then a river rises and reveals how little we all really have. A virus shows up and exposes hidden weakness. A limitation is found and strength can’t be seen anymore.

I’m struck this morning with the arrogance of humanity and the frailty of humanity. It’s all over the news. “Terrorists will not defeat us!” “Fire displaces 100,000 people.”

In 30 second soundbites we proclaim how powerful and resilient we are, and how limited and helpless.

The Psalmist knew about flexing. He watched it. He was in awe.

Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Believers, let’s let God do the flexing.

In awe,

Pastor Dave Tweet

Supernatural

I'm reading a book by G. Campbell Morgan that was written in the early 1900's. This morning I found myself camping on these words, "Supernatural is an awkward word; it will become obsolete when we have more light. If we could climb to the height where God dwells, things we call supernatural would be perfectly natural…."

That made me think about the moment when I will step from this side of eternity to the other. It made me think about God. I made me think of how little we know in the midst of our "understanding."

I've known peace during moments of turmoil. If the elements of my situation were to have been put in a life blender and mixed together the flavor, texture, and taste would not have been peace. But… I had it. It was somehow supernatural.

I've known strength during times of weakness. There have been times my physical, spiritual, emotional tank was like three day old leftover Thanksgiving turkey - dry. I had nothing to give. And yet, at just the right time something (Someone) filled the reserves of my soul and the miracle of perseverance happened. It was somehow supernatural.

I've known confidence during seasons of brokenness. When my spirit was fractured by outside sources and I questioned everything about me. When I searched for value in me and what I've done and came up empty. When I didn't find hope. Somehow I was reminded Whose child I am. When I remembered God's love for me brokenness was revealed as temporary, and a deep, foundational, mountain-like confidence erupted and grew. It was somehow supernatural.

Peace. Strength. Confidence. When I taste them here it's supernatural. It's an interruption of the normal. That taste is a finger of an eternal God leaving a print inside a limited universe. But….

There will be a day when I will swim in what I now know as a drop. There will a day when what is a miracle will be life. Not a humdrum "normal" that is bored with abundance, but an awe filled celebration of the Father's full provision of what I long for now. When I walk into a land whose calendar has one page on it labeled "forever" what is supernatural now will become natural.

Until then - I'm am His.

In faith,

Pastor Dave

Sent

I sit in a coffee shop this morning thinking about the fact that school is about to start.

 

When I shake the trees of my mind to see what memories fall to the ground I find that it is quite a mixed bag.

 

I remember my first crush.  Not what she looked like or her name or anything about her.  I just remember having a crush on someone in grade school.

 

I remember my favorite teachers and the ones who parachuted down from Mars in time for the first day of school and remained on our planet for the whole school year.  I know they were from another planet because entry into our atmosphere burned the expression of their face in a constant frown, and God told me that they were required to leave their personality on Mars when they left.

 

I remember the different levels of humanity that Jr. and Sr. High divided people into.

 

I mourn over the things I said that should not have been said.

 

I thank God for the times He protected me and guided me.

 

I grin over the pranks that….

 

I'm thinking about the schools in our area that are about to start.  I'm praying that this year would be different.

 

I'm thinking about the number of teachers who have faith in Christ that live life in front of students and praying that the Author of truth would show up in the topic they teach.

 

I'm thinking about the number of students that find their way into Bible believing churches every weekend and then enter the sea of potential compromise each weekday.

 

I'm thinking this year we need to get involved as a church.  We need to send them to school in the name and power of Christ.  Not so they would be a Bible thumping- annoying-arguing-religious walking billboard, but that they would be Jesus.

 

I am excited about the role we are going to fill this year as a church - senders.  Watch for information on the September 7th event.  Students and teachers need to be there with the people who believe in prayer and witness the miracle of God's call.

 

Excited to Send,

 

Pastor Dave

 

Fear and Discouragement

First:

Last Sunday the Word spoke to us on the topic of fear and discouragement.  To be honest, I'm still learning how to apply the words the Lord gave me.

 

Fear freezes me so that I don't step out in obedience.

Fear freezes me so that I don't reach out for intimacy.

Fear freezes me so that I don't speak out against injustice.

Fear freezes me so that I don't look for divine appointments.

 

Discouragement holds me so that I don't care about what I am missing.

Discouragement holds me so that I don't believe life could be different.

Discouragement holds me so that I don't let go of pervious failures.

Discouragement holds me so that I don't taste freedom of spirit.

(there's a new outline for a new sermon)

 

I can be frozen by fear and held by discouragement.

 

Second:

This morning I started reading Jeremiah (I have a hunch I'm going to be there a long time).  I found myself camping on 1:12 "I am watching over My word to perform it."

 

Our God didn't speak to fill the universe with words.  He didn't give us the Word as a historical diary.  I am stuck this morning that the Bible gives me a heads up on the modus operandi of God.  He behaves in line with His word.   God speaks and stays involved to complete His word (sorry agnostics).

 

Third:

This is the connection between the first and the second.  My fear and discouragement don't fit in a faith walk with a holy God that is performing His word.  In fact - fear and discouragement bring a disconnect in my life between myself and the God who is actively performing His will.

 

The truth of the second point liberates me to let go of the lie of the first point.  In other words, we don't conquer fear and discouragement alone or with positive thinking.  Victory is found in being close to the God who is doing His word!  God's "doing" what He said directly releases me from the grip of fear and discouragement!

 

The second point renders the first ineffective.

 

Living the Second,

 

Pastor Dave

 

bumper-car state of mind

This morning I'm thinking about confusion.  That bumper-car state of mind.  The one where you can't go outside the oval, you never get anywhere valuable, there is no discernible goal, and your pushed most by what you couldn't see coming.  It's road rage in your brain.

 

Do you ever know that kind of thought life?  There are so many thoughts that are pushing each other around that it's almost impossible to find a safe place.

 

Bumper car thought life; waiting for the music to stop and the cars to lose their power so the exit can be found.

 

I'm there sometimes... today.

 

Here's my bumper car-less plan.

 

1. I'm going to be honest with God about what's going on.  I've got a hunch he knows, but somehow it's healthy to admit what he knows so we can work together on it.

       Luke 5.22  Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?

 

2. I'm going to declare my trust in God for this day.  I trust in his love that it is stronger than my thoughts.  I trust in his grace that it will help me with the stupid ones.  I trust in his guidance for the ones that demand a choice.  I trust God with the dark ones that have "I don't care" written on them.  "God, I trust you with me!"

       Isaiah 26.3  You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

 

3. I'm going to ask for help.  "Lord, the eyes of my mind are darting around and somehow I need to focus on what matters to both of us.  Will you help me know what to ignore?  Will you help me know what is wasted time to think on?  Will you reveal the dangerous?"

       Psalm 119.37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

 

4. I'm going to use the filter he gave me.  I get to pour the contents of my mind through a filter.  It's like the guy at the bumper car ride that lets the people in - only so many, right age, right height.  God has given me the guide for my thought life.

       Philippians 4.8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is    right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

 

5. I'm going to start now.

 

Applying,

 

Pastor Dave

Here’s a thought

Events don't have to dictate my thought life.

 

When events drive my thought life I am subject to dramatic change within moments.  In fact, a 30 second news clip could own me for days, a word from my boss could change the direction of life, the accident could claim my mind when the random is promoted over the eternal.  Events should not be given that power.

 

To be sure, all events are not to be trivialized as if they don't matter.  But, nor should they be promoted so that they can claim authority over the atmosphere of my mind.

 

Suggestions:

1. Look at the rut your mind has been in and trace that rut back to the event that started to dig the rut.

 

2. Invite God to be part of the event so that you can hear his heart again.

 

3. Let him show you truth that may have be overlooked or ignored.

 

4. Start digging a new rut based on that truth.

 

5. Be sure the journey takes you to the presence of Christ.  If it doesn't, it's the wrong rut.

 

 

Colossians 3.1-2

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

 

 

Digging,

 

Pastor Dave

 

A Reminder

2Peter 1.12-14

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

 

Peter is reminding his readers to live in a Christ-like manner.  The first line of these verses really got me thinking.  What would I remind the church of?  What would I feel the urge to ask us to hold on to tightly with the grip of our souls?

 

If I felt the urgency of remaining time shrinking what would be priority words?  I can't pick a Bible verse because the Bible didn't tell me which one to pick.

 

The "great command?"  The "great "commission?"  The last words of Jesus?  The words when he was in the most turmoil?  The words that Matthew records as the sermon of Jesus?  What about when Jesus said, "Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken from her?"

 

Too many options and too much weakening of the Word to make it a slogan or a cliche.

 

So, I'm thinking what would I remind you of?  What would I remind me of?

 

On this day I would remind you to know Jesus and to live Jesus.  In a way that's what it's all about for me.

 

"So I will always remind you to know Jesus and live Jesus, even though you know that already and are learning to do that.  I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as God gives me breath."

 

Get rid of the excuses.  Know and live what you know about Jesus.

 

A reminder,

 

Pastor Dave

 

Ordination

Tonight Pastor Eric will receive ordination as an Elder in the Free Methodist Church.  He will become Reverend Eric Wing.  The halo is getting finishing touches now.

 

In honor of his call, work, and accomplishment, and in light of the series we are working through on our thought life, I thought I'd let you in on something.  Tonight God will do something in Eric's mind that He already has done in mine years ago and in Pastor Scott's last year.

 

When you are ordained God builds a steel wall around your mind that is impenetrable!  You have reached a height that is so lofty that it automatically results in a supernatural thought life.  We don't even have to try!

 

This Holy Spirit covered mind never deals with temptation anymore, never has the weight of discouragement, and never lets insecurity anywhere near it!

 

God does this thing for an ordinand that makes it so ungodly thoughts don't even try to come near our minds - there's no use!  We have flawless minds that are feeding our always healthy emotions.  And we never exaggerate to make a point!

 

Reality - I would ask for your prayers for your pastoral team.  Pray for:

1. Protection against pride and discouragement.  Both stand in the way of the Holy Spirit's work.

 

2. Clarity of thought.  Each of us need to grow in hearing from the Lord clearly.  That requires discernment to know what is a voice from God and what is not.

 

3. Humble boldness.  When the word is clear it still needs to be acted on.  It's hard to learn to care more about what God says than what others say... for all of us.

 

4. __________________

 

Take a moment through this week and talk to God about your Pastor's thought life.  Then risk finding someone so that you can pray for each other's thought life.  Let's pray for each other through the summer!

 

Needy,

 

Pastor Dave

 

Thought Life

I've missed the last couple of weeks of "Friday Thoughts."  To be honest, I was going to take the summer off.  But, it doesn't seem the right thing to do right now.

 

Throughout the summer I'm going to continue to think and write in the area of our current sermon series, "Brain on a Leash."  I'd like to keep us focused on our thought life... I'd like to keep me focused on my thought life.

 

Why?

 

1. God knit me together with a thought life so that I could be more aware of him.

This is a tool God has given me that is so easily unused or misused, but it is a gift of God.

 

2. There's gold in them thar' hills.

I think my thought life is an untapped arena of richness, strength, and God's grace.  I want to learn how to tap into them and more.

 

3.  My design is hidden under the stuff.

What if a clear awareness of who I am made to be is buried under the thoughts that don't belong?

 

So, this summer I'm going to continue to call us to growth in this area.  Even when the sermon series is done, I'd like to keep digging.  And, I'd like to hear from you.  How's the battle?  What works, what doesn't?

 

Fellow Servant,

 

Pastor Dave

 

Favorites?

People ask, "what's your favorite scripture?"  I've even heard people talk about a "life verse."  A verse that goes beyond being a favorite to be one that guides your life, impacts your decisions, and in a way defines you.

 

I read Colossians the 3rd chapter this morning.  As I was reading and underlining and thinking about key words I found myself thinking about the "favorite verse" issue.  Here's my conclusion on the best verses in the Bible.

 

The one God is teaching me about right now is my new favorite and is the best.

 

I just finished Ezra a few days ago.  That was my favorite last week.  I will finish Colossians tomorrow and then go to John.  Next week John will be my favorite.

 

Right now, it's Colossians 3.  It tells me what to seek (verse 1), where to set my mind (2), what to put to death (5), what to get rid of (8), not to lie (9), what the new life is doing (10), how to "clothe" my soul (12), bear with others (13), forgive (13), and to wear love (14).

 

But he wasn't done.

 

There are a multitude of things that I "let happen"  through the day.  Listen to the two things Paul told to church to let happen: "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" and "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."

 

After a list of things that I must actively do Paul tells me that there are a couple of things to let Someone else do. I need to let the peace of Christ and the word of Christ invade me.  Let it happen.

 

Based on that I must assume that the peace of Christ and word of Christ are waiting to do that.  Today.

 

Letting Christ be Christ in my life is how I am able to be what I am called to be.

 

"Lord, I will live the new life you call me to and I will surrender, letting you do what you long to do."

 

Today Colossians 3 is my favorite - can't wait until tomorrow.

 

Pastor Dave