We just finished up with our Wednesday night prophecy series. It was different to say the least. I think I made it clear that I love prophecy, but there is so much that is based on other peoples' opinions that I don't see myself as a great teacher on it. Not to mention the fact that most people who are really into it listen and read opinions of people who spend their lives trying to explain what they think. I'd rather focus my teaching on things that are concrete. Not to say prophecy (and teaching it) isn't important, because it is, but it is easy to spend too much time focused on the future to make a difference in the present.
I wanted to end my series with a warning, but we ran out of time. As I grew up, I heard the same statements that we are hearing today regarding the imminent end of the world. It is necessary to keep Christ's return at the front of our minds. The problem is that it can also steal one's joy if they focus too much on it. Christ wants us to look for His coming, but He also wants us to appreciate the life we have here in Him. We can enjoy all the goodness around us, His wonderful Creation, time with our loved ones, and the only chance we will have to serve Him in a dark world. The problem with focusing on the "doom and gloom" is that we forget that He saved us so our joy may be full. I've already posted about the problems older pastor's have faced due to failure to plan for retirement because the Lord would come back before they reached that point. It is important that people have HOPE. Hope in a future with Christ, and hope that He will bless them on Earth. I personally can't wait to see my kids grow up. I want to see what they do with their lives. I trust that God will use them in some mighty way, if they will stay close to Him. We need enjoy what God has given us now, and not steal that hope from the next generation. Yes, we should pay attention to how bad things are and how close the return of Christ must be getting. We also need to pay attention to how much God blesses us everyday on Earth, and enjoy the time we have here without focusing only on the negative. I personally just have hope that Westley will be potty trained before Christ comes back, because I don't think there are diapers in Heaven.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Heaven
We finished up talking about Heaven this week. I know I can't wait. In all honesty, I am sick and tired of some of the problems of this world. You know how it feels when a struggle is taken away (not just defeated, but completely removed suddenly)? I think I may be floating around Heaven for a while just because of the lightened load. Everyday we are faced with things that just bog us down. Christ tells us to cast our burdens on Him, and we try to, but sometimes we just can't let go. In Heaven, Christ will TAKE them away. No casting necessary.
One of the other things that came up in my studies was being together with ALL the saints. I can't wait to be reunited with some of my friends over the years who are spread all over the world. I may never see them again on Earth, but in Heaven we will have plenty of time to catch up. I have family all over the country that will be great to not be separated from anymore in Heaven. Like I've decided I want on my gravestone, "Party At My Place!" See you there! (See John 14:1-6 for the directions)
One of the other things that came up in my studies was being together with ALL the saints. I can't wait to be reunited with some of my friends over the years who are spread all over the world. I may never see them again on Earth, but in Heaven we will have plenty of time to catch up. I have family all over the country that will be great to not be separated from anymore in Heaven. Like I've decided I want on my gravestone, "Party At My Place!" See you there! (See John 14:1-6 for the directions)
Friday, February 18, 2011
Rollin
This week has been a roller coaster. Had good services Sunday, plus got to see old friends. Most of you know we have been burdened with our house not selling. We got a call on Wednesday telling us what we needed to get in order to sell the house. An hour later we received an offer for much more than we needed. As excited as we were, the next morning started with a call telling us the heat was out at the house and the pipes were frozen. On my way there, I got in touch with several friends, and many were able to help me out with saving the house. Not happy about the $650 or so the day cost me, but very happy the house was not destroyed. More of that perspective stuff. The day got better when we found out there was another offer coming in on the house, and their might be a bit of bidding to go on. I spoke Wednesday on patience from the book of James. It is easy for us to look back at the prophets and Job and see the blessing, but they didn't get the blessing until they endured the hardship with patience and perseverance. I know I need patience, I just don't like having to learn it!
Oh, and I forgot to mention I left my sweet wife sick in bed with two kids while I was gone all day. She puts up with a lot, but she married me.
Oh, and I forgot to mention I left my sweet wife sick in bed with two kids while I was gone all day. She puts up with a lot, but she married me.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
There's No Optimism and There's Snow Optimism
Outlook has a lot to do with life. I could spend all day explaining the background for this, but to shorten things I'll say this... I had to drive the truck which is horrible in snow out to Word Of Life yesterday to help take some teens out there, Jess can't drive it because the seat doesn't move so I left her the car.
We arrived early, the teens had to wait a little while before they could check in. I figured I'd head back early to beat the night and snow storm that was hitting home. I left and headed back earlier than I had planned. I got past Speculator just in time to hit a whiteout and lots of ice on Rt. 8. The truck was not doing great, and I was doing 25-30 mph instead of 55. The truck lost traction going up a hill and promptly shot across the road into a snow bank. I tried backing up in 4x4, but that was definitely not happening. I forgot to mention I had left my coat and gloves at the church, so I was really prepared for a cold night in the mountains outside the truck. Of coarse there was no cell coverage, so I got out of the passenger side of the truck (the driver's door was barricaded in snow) and began to walk up the hill. After a while a pick-up came by and I waved them down, they were not fully with it, but were willing to drive me to where I could call AAA. After about 15 miles, I realized that people didn't believe cellphones were necessary up in the mountains. As we passed one of the other wrecks along the side of the road, we stopped and asked a wrecker if he did AAA, he did and offered to take me to town (another 15 miles in the wrong direction). Along the way, we passed another wrecker going back up 8, and I transferred over to his truck. After about 30 minutes, we were back at my truck, which had been plowed over during my 2 hour trek. He was able to pull it right out after sliding down the hill trying to stop, and I followed him to Remsen where I could phone AAA and get on with my day. I was cold.
I called Jess, who was obviously worried because I was 2 hours late, and finished my trip home. Looking back I realized how wonderful of a day I had experienced. Had we not left the church so early, our caravan full of teens would have been hit by the storm I ran into. Had I not headed back so early, I would have not met the guys in the truck that gave me the ride (I only saw one other vehicle during the next hour). Had they not picked me up, I would have missed the wrecker (it was just finished with loading up from the accident and heading back). Had they not worked with AAA I would have been poor. Had I been going over about 25 mph, the truck would have been in the forest, not the snow bank (making a tow much more difficult). Needless to say, though it was rough, God continually took care of everything. The youth were there on time, my toes have regained feeling, and I didn't have to sleep in the Blazer (forcing Carl to preach on Sunday morning :-) ). Sure, I could be a pessimist and look at all that went wrong, but it is much more productive to appreciate God's help and protection throughout the entire day. Perspective is more valuable in life than happiness.
We arrived early, the teens had to wait a little while before they could check in. I figured I'd head back early to beat the night and snow storm that was hitting home. I left and headed back earlier than I had planned. I got past Speculator just in time to hit a whiteout and lots of ice on Rt. 8. The truck was not doing great, and I was doing 25-30 mph instead of 55. The truck lost traction going up a hill and promptly shot across the road into a snow bank. I tried backing up in 4x4, but that was definitely not happening. I forgot to mention I had left my coat and gloves at the church, so I was really prepared for a cold night in the mountains outside the truck. Of coarse there was no cell coverage, so I got out of the passenger side of the truck (the driver's door was barricaded in snow) and began to walk up the hill. After a while a pick-up came by and I waved them down, they were not fully with it, but were willing to drive me to where I could call AAA. After about 15 miles, I realized that people didn't believe cellphones were necessary up in the mountains. As we passed one of the other wrecks along the side of the road, we stopped and asked a wrecker if he did AAA, he did and offered to take me to town (another 15 miles in the wrong direction). Along the way, we passed another wrecker going back up 8, and I transferred over to his truck. After about 30 minutes, we were back at my truck, which had been plowed over during my 2 hour trek. He was able to pull it right out after sliding down the hill trying to stop, and I followed him to Remsen where I could phone AAA and get on with my day. I was cold.
I called Jess, who was obviously worried because I was 2 hours late, and finished my trip home. Looking back I realized how wonderful of a day I had experienced. Had we not left the church so early, our caravan full of teens would have been hit by the storm I ran into. Had I not headed back so early, I would have not met the guys in the truck that gave me the ride (I only saw one other vehicle during the next hour). Had they not picked me up, I would have missed the wrecker (it was just finished with loading up from the accident and heading back). Had they not worked with AAA I would have been poor. Had I been going over about 25 mph, the truck would have been in the forest, not the snow bank (making a tow much more difficult). Needless to say, though it was rough, God continually took care of everything. The youth were there on time, my toes have regained feeling, and I didn't have to sleep in the Blazer (forcing Carl to preach on Sunday morning :-) ). Sure, I could be a pessimist and look at all that went wrong, but it is much more productive to appreciate God's help and protection throughout the entire day. Perspective is more valuable in life than happiness.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Aged wisdom
I spent most of my day with our local director of missions. One thing I've learned as I've grown older is that I should pay more attention to the wisdom of those who are still older than me. There is so much we can glean by simply listening and learning. I often wish I could have spent time really talking to my grandfather. He passed away when I was around 12 or so. I didn't know how much I could have learned from him until I was in my twenties. Luckily, there are still plenty of people who have experienced so much more than me. It would be idiotic of me now to not take advantage of the wealth of knowledge they possess. Why should I have to learn from the same mistakes that others learned from long ago? Maybe humility grows along with wisdom as we grow older. Maybe I just keep realizing how much wisdom I really lack. Hopefully that is the key to gaining wisdom, simply realizing you lack it in the first place.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Updates coming!
I am determined to update this more often now. I actually even have internet at home, so I am without excuse. Things are going well for us. We are moved in, most of the boxes are unpacked, I even have my desk in my office! Jayden lost his first tooth, he was pretty excited because he has been waiting for a couple years now to lose one. JW is as crazy as ever, but he is really starting to grow up. We definitely miss all of our friends back around Schenectady, but we don't miss their weather. We have already begun forming some relationships here that are growing. I can honestly say we fell in love with our people here immediately. They aren't perfect, but neither are we. In fact, much of them are probably more perfect than us, but they will catch up.
One of the things I am determined to do is to continue to focus on my own spiritual maturity. The responsibility of being called "Pastor" is humbling and frightening. I don't see how anyone could possibly ever even try to take on this responsibility without constantly being before God on their knees. I know many are still wondering how they can help us. I want to personally begin by asking for prayer. As for what to pray, I digress (just for you Ian) to allowing someone else to speak for me...Paul.
Ephesians 6:19
19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
One of the things I am determined to do is to continue to focus on my own spiritual maturity. The responsibility of being called "Pastor" is humbling and frightening. I don't see how anyone could possibly ever even try to take on this responsibility without constantly being before God on their knees. I know many are still wondering how they can help us. I want to personally begin by asking for prayer. As for what to pray, I digress (just for you Ian) to allowing someone else to speak for me...Paul.
Ephesians 6:19
19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
Monday, April 5, 2010
Spiritual Growth
It has been a VERY long time since I have posted. It's hard to keep up with when I am already writing so much for my classes. I also don't like posting unless I have something to say. Seeing as we just celebrated Easter, perhaps more than ever the person of Christ is on my mind. I have been digging more into what it means to be Christlike. The obvious answers are to be a moral person who prays and reads the Word, but He was much more than that. I recently dealt with the WWJD craze on a Wednesday night, stating that we can't do what He would do if we aren't living the way He lived. His life was one of discipline and attention to the spiritual things that surround this world. He focused on spending quality time with His Father, He took times of solitude to honestly reflect on what His purpose was, He fasted, He humbled Himself to serve others, He developed deep relationships with men who He had a special bond with, and above all, He lived a life of worship.
Obviously, we can never be as Jesus was (God), but we can mimic Him as much as possible with our lives. If we do that, than we won't have to ask WWJD, because it will be our natural reaction. Recently I heard that most new converts drop out of church after about four years. There are all sorts of reasons for this to be true, but I have to think maybe it is just because they never grow. You can only be a baby for so long. The lack of spiritual maturity in the Body of Christ may be the reason for the fall out. John 15:1-8 is a passage where Christ refers to Himself as the vine, with the believers being the branches. Parts of this passage are used for many illustrations. I encourage you to read it thinking about what it actually means to "abide in Christ". If we abide in Him we will bear fruit, we will get what we desire, and we will be known as His disciples. I have set my life's goal to becoming a better imitator of Christ. There is no higher calling.
Obviously, we can never be as Jesus was (God), but we can mimic Him as much as possible with our lives. If we do that, than we won't have to ask WWJD, because it will be our natural reaction. Recently I heard that most new converts drop out of church after about four years. There are all sorts of reasons for this to be true, but I have to think maybe it is just because they never grow. You can only be a baby for so long. The lack of spiritual maturity in the Body of Christ may be the reason for the fall out. John 15:1-8 is a passage where Christ refers to Himself as the vine, with the believers being the branches. Parts of this passage are used for many illustrations. I encourage you to read it thinking about what it actually means to "abide in Christ". If we abide in Him we will bear fruit, we will get what we desire, and we will be known as His disciples. I have set my life's goal to becoming a better imitator of Christ. There is no higher calling.
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