I have a few important announcements.
1. We are taking our 50+ group to the Camp Meeting at the Lake of the Ozarks in May. Check the poster in the foyer of the church for info. If you have parents over 50, consider sending them to the camp meeting as a Mother's Day or Father's Day gift.
2. The newsletter is coming out next week. Keep your eyes peeled for it.
3. We are having our water baptismal service on April 15th at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Washington. Don't miss this celebration!
4. Celebration Sunday is April 1st at the Elk's Lodge. Service is at 10 a.m. and lunch for everyone follows. The RSVP for this event is in the bulletin.
Have a blessed day!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
It Takes A While
Yesterday in our family devotions we read the story of Gideon's son, Abimelech. Abimemech was the son of Gideon's concubine. Gideon had several wives and 70 other sons. Gideon's numerous wives caused his family a great deal of trouble. Abimelech murdered all but one of his step-brothers and set himself up as a kind of king in his region.
The one brother that escaped the murder claimed that the town that he overtook would one day overtake him. Three years later the people of the area rebelled and there was a fight. In the fight Abimemech was killed when a woman in a tower dropped a stone on his head. The commentary from Judges 9 says, "Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father in killing his seventy brothers. 57 Also God returned all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their heads, and the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal came upon them." NIV
What caught my attention was the three year period between the murder of the 69 brothers and the resulting death that was foretold in the curse of the escaping brother. Notice that "God repaid" the wickedness. I think that we often allow our own history to have as much memory as the 24 hour news cycle. We have lost the ability to understand the links between our own actions and consequences that follow. Because we can not make the connection, we can not see God's hand of warning of direction in our lives. We are too short sighted. Here are two thoughts.
First, what if getting the blessings of God takes a while. What if serving him for a month is not long enough for us to grow through out trouble and see the resulting blessing on the other side. What if your miracle takes three years? Will you stick it out with God, or give up just before the miracle arrives.
Second, what if God has forgiven you, but you are still struggling with the consequences of your previous life? I have seen many people pull the faith ejection seat when they face the consequences of their past. Don't pull that escape cord! Hang on and see how the Lord brings you through. Even if it takes a while, be faithful and stick with the Lord. He will see you through.
Remember, God is eternal. He does not see time like you and I see time. He has a different idea of what a long time really is.
The one brother that escaped the murder claimed that the town that he overtook would one day overtake him. Three years later the people of the area rebelled and there was a fight. In the fight Abimemech was killed when a woman in a tower dropped a stone on his head. The commentary from Judges 9 says, "Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father in killing his seventy brothers. 57 Also God returned all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their heads, and the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal came upon them." NIV
What caught my attention was the three year period between the murder of the 69 brothers and the resulting death that was foretold in the curse of the escaping brother. Notice that "God repaid" the wickedness. I think that we often allow our own history to have as much memory as the 24 hour news cycle. We have lost the ability to understand the links between our own actions and consequences that follow. Because we can not make the connection, we can not see God's hand of warning of direction in our lives. We are too short sighted. Here are two thoughts.
First, what if getting the blessings of God takes a while. What if serving him for a month is not long enough for us to grow through out trouble and see the resulting blessing on the other side. What if your miracle takes three years? Will you stick it out with God, or give up just before the miracle arrives.
Second, what if God has forgiven you, but you are still struggling with the consequences of your previous life? I have seen many people pull the faith ejection seat when they face the consequences of their past. Don't pull that escape cord! Hang on and see how the Lord brings you through. Even if it takes a while, be faithful and stick with the Lord. He will see you through.
Remember, God is eternal. He does not see time like you and I see time. He has a different idea of what a long time really is.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Good Men
I am so proud of the group of men from our church who traveled to Branson, Missouri last week to help with tornado cleanup. The guys were extremely caring with people and had great manners at all times. We were able to really help a number of people.
In the future we will be a little more prepared. This was our second disaster response trip and we are learning on each trip how to do a better job. Also, on this trip it happened to be all men. We are not limited to taking men only.
I am just really proud of our people and the work they have done. Way to go!
In the future we will be a little more prepared. This was our second disaster response trip and we are learning on each trip how to do a better job. Also, on this trip it happened to be all men. We are not limited to taking men only.
I am just really proud of our people and the work they have done. Way to go!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Perspectives on Age #1
Joshua 13:1 says, "When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the Lord said to him, "You are very old..."
Everybody wants to miraculously hear from God. Christians often seek with passion the experience of hearing from God. Often we wrongly seek his voice for the thrill of hearing him, rather than his voice to know his person and purpose. But, imagine that you are faithfully following the Lord and doing his will. You have been praying and seeking God and his word to you is, "You are very old..." God had more to say to Joshua, but those first few words that introduce the rest of the message would have stopped me in my tracks.
Why don't Christian's have testimonies more often that seem like reality checks? Is it that we only hear what we want to hear? I often think people imagine some things that they think are thoughts from God. Can we be honest and open enough in hearing from God that he can even tell us the bad news?
Finally, this little interchange between God and Joshua teaches me a lesson. I am God's little child always. However, God is practical enough to walk a man with child-like faith through the process of getting old. He helps us mature in many ways while protecting a Father to child relationship. I don't ever want to grow out of God, like kids grow out of clothes, I want to grow up in God.
Everybody wants to miraculously hear from God. Christians often seek with passion the experience of hearing from God. Often we wrongly seek his voice for the thrill of hearing him, rather than his voice to know his person and purpose. But, imagine that you are faithfully following the Lord and doing his will. You have been praying and seeking God and his word to you is, "You are very old..." God had more to say to Joshua, but those first few words that introduce the rest of the message would have stopped me in my tracks.
Why don't Christian's have testimonies more often that seem like reality checks? Is it that we only hear what we want to hear? I often think people imagine some things that they think are thoughts from God. Can we be honest and open enough in hearing from God that he can even tell us the bad news?
Finally, this little interchange between God and Joshua teaches me a lesson. I am God's little child always. However, God is practical enough to walk a man with child-like faith through the process of getting old. He helps us mature in many ways while protecting a Father to child relationship. I don't ever want to grow out of God, like kids grow out of clothes, I want to grow up in God.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Feeling Pumped by God's Word!
This morning I am studying for my future sermon series out of the book of Matthew. I am so blown away by the detail and organization of God's word! I can't wait to preach the next three sermon series that are coming from Matthew. This will be great, because God's word is great!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Day Off Blessings
The last two weeks were very busy and I missed my days off. Though I werestled with a sinus infection and flu, there was no time to take off. So, with the kids out of school, I finished the calls and visits that I needed to make on Monday by 11:00 a.m. and took the family hiking. Just getting out of town and outdoors was spiritual renewal! We found a great bluff to climb that overlooks the Missouri River bottom. We hiked just over two miles. When we got home i started the grill. No phone, no texting, no social media, just God and family.
Thursday was a snow day, Monday was a short sleve hiking day, last night was a thunder storm with hail, today it is freezing. Only in Missouri.
Thursday was a snow day, Monday was a short sleve hiking day, last night was a thunder storm with hail, today it is freezing. Only in Missouri.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
26 Degree Graveside
Today I did a graveside service at Jefferson Barracks for a vetran. It needed to be very short because it was so cold and snowy. I started with a Scripture of comfort about salvation, shared this message, then closed in prayer. I think that the Lord gave me a message for the day. Here it is.
Today we stand in a hall of warriors. There are many stories of bravery behind most of these stones that will never be told to human ears.
Standing in this hall of warriors I bring you a thought from the Scriptures.
2 Samuel 23:20-23
20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab’s best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.
Today we stand like Benaiah in a hall of heroes.
We face the pit of the grave
We face the lion of loss.
We face them in snowy circumstances.
Who was the help of Benaiah, the great warrior? It was his God, who is also my God, Jehovah who sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. In this time of sudden loss, I encourage you to turn to him. He is the God who strengthens the hands and hearts of warriors.
Today we stand in a hall of warriors. There are many stories of bravery behind most of these stones that will never be told to human ears.
Standing in this hall of warriors I bring you a thought from the Scriptures.
2 Samuel 23:20-23
20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab’s best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.
Today we stand like Benaiah in a hall of heroes.
We face the pit of the grave
We face the lion of loss.
We face them in snowy circumstances.
Who was the help of Benaiah, the great warrior? It was his God, who is also my God, Jehovah who sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. In this time of sudden loss, I encourage you to turn to him. He is the God who strengthens the hands and hearts of warriors.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
"I Will Rebuke the Devourer"
"I Will Rebuke the Devourer..." is the promise of Malachi 3:11 for those who tithe. The NIV says he, "...will prevent pests..." but either way it refers to God's protection of your field and your work.
My work is being a pastor. My field is the congregation. As a faithful tither I am challenged today to trust God to prevent pests in my field and keep my harvest of souls healthy in their relationship with Jesus Christ. I am trusting God to defend the church I lead from the pests and devourers of gossip, bad doctrine, sickness, discord and other pests that keep the family of God from health and an abundant harvest of souls who love Jesus. Our children, our teens, our college students and our new believers are the developing harvest in my field. The mature saints, Elders, Staff, and Small Group leaders are the workers in the field helping to raise up that harvest.
Stand on the promise for a tither. He said he will do it!
My work is being a pastor. My field is the congregation. As a faithful tither I am challenged today to trust God to prevent pests in my field and keep my harvest of souls healthy in their relationship with Jesus Christ. I am trusting God to defend the church I lead from the pests and devourers of gossip, bad doctrine, sickness, discord and other pests that keep the family of God from health and an abundant harvest of souls who love Jesus. Our children, our teens, our college students and our new believers are the developing harvest in my field. The mature saints, Elders, Staff, and Small Group leaders are the workers in the field helping to raise up that harvest.
Stand on the promise for a tither. He said he will do it!
A Neat Story
Did you know that Colonel Sanders of KFC was Christian? Here is a cool story with some encouraging conclusions from his story. This was sent to me from one of our church members.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Daniel Students
I want some Daniel students in our church. This week I am reading the book of Daniel in my devotions. This is how we are introduced to Daniel.
"...bring in some Israelites...young men without physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve..." Daniel 1:3-4
We are out to reach every student we can with the gospel of Jesus. Then, we must equip them to become the most excellent people that they can possibly be. This week I am focused on making our student ministries to youth and children more equipped to produce Daniel students.
My challenge to you is that you help Pastor John, Dylan, and me fight this fight. Fight for the youth ministry at our church. Push it to be excellent. Join in the work of making it excellent. I want students ministries to be fun, but fun is not the mark of success in ministry. It is only a very basic starting point. Building people who are excellent in Christian character, knowledge of God, and seriously striving to build their talents for service are the marks of excellence. We may not be perfect, but we can be excellent! We have young men and women with the raw materials to be Daniel students. Now we need to fight for their potential to be excellent.
"...bring in some Israelites...young men without physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve..." Daniel 1:3-4
We are out to reach every student we can with the gospel of Jesus. Then, we must equip them to become the most excellent people that they can possibly be. This week I am focused on making our student ministries to youth and children more equipped to produce Daniel students.
My challenge to you is that you help Pastor John, Dylan, and me fight this fight. Fight for the youth ministry at our church. Push it to be excellent. Join in the work of making it excellent. I want students ministries to be fun, but fun is not the mark of success in ministry. It is only a very basic starting point. Building people who are excellent in Christian character, knowledge of God, and seriously striving to build their talents for service are the marks of excellence. We may not be perfect, but we can be excellent! We have young men and women with the raw materials to be Daniel students. Now we need to fight for their potential to be excellent.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
New Year's Day
I have a special message planned for New Year's Day, 2012. I know that many people may not be at church on Sunday because Saturday is traditionally a late night. But there are some people who have made up their minds not to make Sunday church optional and for the committed and faithful I have a message. I am excited about this Sunday!
By the way, there will not be coffee ministry this Sunday due to some of our food supply vendors being closed for the holiday.
By the way, there will not be coffee ministry this Sunday due to some of our food supply vendors being closed for the holiday.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Christmas by John
This week I have been struck by the Christmas story in the gospel of John. Mark only mentions a little of John the Baptist ministry. Matthew gives a genealogy back to Abraham to introduce Jesus. Luke gives a genealogy back to Adam and a full description of John the Baptists birth. John however, goes even further back!
For a lot of people, the idea of Jesus being born as a baby means the same as it does for us at our birth. At conception we began to exist and at birth we emerged onto the scene of this world. But for Jesus, his conception by the Holy Spirit and his birth that followed, this was not his beginning. John says that the Son of God was present at the creation of the world and that the world was not created without his involvement!
Jesus existed long before the creation of the heavens and the earth. Jesus was not created by the Father or the Holy Spirit. The Son of God was not created in Mary's womb, but he has existed eternally. The Bible even says that the decision to have the Son of God enter the creation and die for the sins of mankind was made before the creation of the earth.
When we think about the Christmas story (the nativity or advent) in John, we are reminded of how great and powerful a treasure was encased in that tiny helpless baby in Bethlehem's manger. The eternal, all powerful, ever living, Son of God, set aside his glory and became one of us, his creation, to save us.
For a lot of people, the idea of Jesus being born as a baby means the same as it does for us at our birth. At conception we began to exist and at birth we emerged onto the scene of this world. But for Jesus, his conception by the Holy Spirit and his birth that followed, this was not his beginning. John says that the Son of God was present at the creation of the world and that the world was not created without his involvement!
Jesus existed long before the creation of the heavens and the earth. Jesus was not created by the Father or the Holy Spirit. The Son of God was not created in Mary's womb, but he has existed eternally. The Bible even says that the decision to have the Son of God enter the creation and die for the sins of mankind was made before the creation of the earth.
When we think about the Christmas story (the nativity or advent) in John, we are reminded of how great and powerful a treasure was encased in that tiny helpless baby in Bethlehem's manger. The eternal, all powerful, ever living, Son of God, set aside his glory and became one of us, his creation, to save us.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Christmas Celebrations!
We will be celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve starting at 5:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. It will be a short service for the whole family.
On Christmas Day we have a special treat! An opportunity to worship in our Sunday services on Christmas day. We will have regular service times at 8:30 and 10:15. I will also be striving to keep the services short so that people can get to family gatherings on Christmas Day.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Short Busy Week
This week is going to be very short and busy. I took a personal day Monday to be with my brother Steve and his wife Mindy. Today I am taking my wife to an appointment in St. Louis that may require me to drive home so I have to take more time off to take good care of her.
The busy side of work is that our church secretary is off recovering from an outpatient procedure and Steph, the Pastor's Secretary may be out the rest of Tuesday. Pastor John is working on the Christmas Food baskets. I am working on the bulletin, and the new church management software that we started last week. I also need to make several trips to some stores. Our answering machine died last week, and we are out of church supplies in several areas. Usually we have other staff that make these purchases.
It will be a week of running!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Love from God
It is now 9:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. As I drove into work at 7:45 today, I was thinking about how much God loves each individual person. No matter how much you struggle with kowing God and how much you wrestle with temptation, God loves you!
Often people fall into the trap of feeling worthless. It can come from the words of people who tear us down. It can come from our own judgement of ourselves. We may also feel wothless when the devil discourages us by pointing out all our failures. When you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves you, you gain confidence, security, and a feeling of worth that can not be taken away from you.
Today my desire is that you know, not just have a feeling, but really know, that God loves you!
Often people fall into the trap of feeling worthless. It can come from the words of people who tear us down. It can come from our own judgement of ourselves. We may also feel wothless when the devil discourages us by pointing out all our failures. When you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves you, you gain confidence, security, and a feeling of worth that can not be taken away from you.
Today my desire is that you know, not just have a feeling, but really know, that God loves you!
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