This morning I thought about God

I thought this morning about God.

 

That isn't a strange thing and most would expect that a pastor does that all the time.  But, this morning really I thought about God.

 

Devastation through storms and earthquakes seem to fight for the right to the top news slots.  When one storm gets the top billing another comes and takes the headlines.

 

Prince William is getting (has gotten) married.  The world takes a deep breath and holds it until we can see what people are wearing and who was invited... except the people who just lost everything in a tornado or flood.

 

Gas prices.  Ya, no comment.

 

There are so many people dealing with huge life issues right now.

 

This morning I thought about God.  I entered the room of my soul and sat down to say, "Hi, I need you.  There's too many issues and I feel so out of control."

 

He smiled and said he knew.

 

He was sitting at the table of my imagination writing in his journal.  He set his pen down and looked to my eyes and saw the weight that was behind them.

 

We talked about this weekend and the sermon and the service.  We talked about the emergency that is called living.  We talked about my expectations.  He said he cared about all of it.

 

This morning I thought about God.  Before the day started and I walked from the table of fellowship in my mind I glanced at his journal to see if I could see was what on his mind.

He'd written, "This morning I thought about Dave."

 

I woke to think of God only to find that he was already thinking of me.  He knew about the headlines.  He knew about my concerns.  He knew about... about all of it.

 

Just so you know, I saw a page there with your name on it too.

 

Looking Forward to Sunday,

 

Pastor Dave

 

Good Friday

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

 

John 3:16, 17

 

Questions

I have lots of questions about next week.

 

1.  I wonder about which complaint to have ready, "It's too hot" or "it's too cold."

 

2.  We're going to have short times of communion on Good Friday night.  I wonder how many people will come?

 

3.  With gas prices going up, should I buy stock in Harley Davidson (by getting a bike)?

 

4.  Will this Easter be our highest attended service ever?

 

5.  Ham?

 

6.  How many eggs is my wife going to hide for the kids? And, how many peanut butter eggs am I going to steal from my grandchildren?

 

7.  New tie or old?

 

So many questions.  So little value.  It's interesting how most of our questions have everything to do with what doesn't really matter.

 

New questions.

 

1.  Will I hear from God next week as I learn more about how to worship Him?

 

2.  It is possible that I will reach that new place of deeper surrender?

 

3. When I take communion will my heart be hungry?

 

4. On Easter Sunday will I let the truth of a risen Savior call me to new levels of obedience?

 

5. When I leave Sunday will I be different because the Holy Spirit showed up and filled me?

 

6.  How do I get myself ready for the miracle of God's presence?

 

7.  Will I make time to talk to God through the week - asking for Him to reap a harvest of souls in churches across our community on Sunday?

 

So many questions.  Such important answers.  It's interesting how my life questions change as my focus does.  If my priority is God's will the answers I seek will require God's hand.

 

Will you join me in praying for this Easter.  Will you let God cause this week to be a week of passion as we prepare to celebrate the Christ event?  Will you be part of the miracle?

 

 

Pastor Dave

 

A Few Requests Before Easter

“Lord, it’s getting closer. I can feel the vibrations under my feet. The Sunday when we will gather to celebration the risen Christ is almost here.

I have a few requests for me and the faith family I worship with.

Help us to start early. Celebration of the risen Christ is not reserved for a spot on our calendar. We forget that sometimes. But, will You remind us to live your grace and power before we even get to that day of remembrance.

Help us to find that person. You’ve been working on the heart of a person that needs us to kindly ask them to join us in our journey of faith. You’ve done the ground work and given us the call to join You in the task. Give us the wisdom to follow Your finger as You point them out to us.

Help us loosen our grip. Sometimes we hold so tightly to what keeps us from You. Sometimes we reduce the potentially miraculous to nostalgic emotions. We really need to look higher and dream bigger.

Help us ready our hearts. Preparation is often postponed, because of our patterns and schedules, until it is turned into panic. What should be a faithful growing expectation of You is morphed into hurried half-hearted wishes that our life would be better. We need to take the time to let You ready us for what You long to do.

That’s my prayer, Lord, for my friends and I. That’s the direction my faith is pointed. That’s my hope for the Easter season... and beyond. That’s the prayer while I feel vibrations under my feet.



Love,
Your Friend,
Dave,
Amen.

Easter Preparation

missing the point:

easter my friend
i'm looking forward to seeing you again
spring makes me happy
family makes me smile

you're one of my favorite holidays
on your day the songs are upbeat
they make me happy
i'm glad you're coming close

it's good to talk about life
it's encouraging and gives me hope
i'm glad your story is happy
i hope it doesn't rain

you visit us every year
i don't have to plan - you just happen
i like days that make me happy
i think i'll wear my blue suit

 

getting the point:

easter my friend
every year you make me change
a little more like him
death didn't have the last word

you're not just about laughter
you remind me to live power
i can say no to sin like him
stones are made to move

i'm sure it's hard to be reduced
you're not about eggs or arrogance
you have a bigger meaning like him
i need to be reminded

i'm glad you're almost here
i need to start over
i need to stand tall like him
maybe I'll be freed from a grave too