Hello Again!
Last week I shared with you the importance of reflecting the image of Christ wherever we go. When we walk faitfully with God and reflect His nature and presence, we are able to effectively show the world what God looks like. Well, this past weekend, I was reminded what the church looks like.
If you grew up in the church and learned the traditional Sunday school songs like I did, you may very well remember the song "We Are the Church". The lyrics go something like, "The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is the people...". When we think about these words, it makes sense. However, often times, we get bogged down into thinking that the church is the building, the programs, the budget, and committee meetings. We know it is deeper than that, but we focus so much on those things, that it is easy for us to forget the people.
I was reminded this weekend of what the church looks like when 15-20 churches in Fremont County and over 450 volunteers came together to help our neighbors through Sharefest. When 1500-2000 people gathered together at Veteran's Park for our Celebration worship service on Sunday night, I thought to myself, "This is what heaven on earth looks like." This is what Jesus prayed for in John 17 when He prayed that His followers would be one.
Sharefest spoke to the depths of our collective spirit and I hope that it reminded all of us what the church looks like. It is active. It is helping. It is serving. It is praying. It is working for the good of all. It is restoring. It is reaching out and digging deep. Church is a verb. It is what we are supposed to be, not a place to go.
I pray that we do not get comfortable in being the Church, by just doing church on Sunday mornings. I pray that we may be reminded when we make decisions about our buildings, our programs, our budgets, and our ministries, that the Church is not the culmination of these things. It is the people, and everything we do is for people - that they may catch-a-glimpse of Jesus in their lives and come to know Him.
What does the church look like? I know it is diverse and it may look different from one place to the next. What I do know is that I caught a glimpse this weekend of what it should look like every day!
Creator God, You create opportunities for me to be the Church with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Give me the wisdom to see those opportunities in the ways I serve You and my neighbors. Give me Your heart to see their needs and the gifts to meet those needs. Create in me a deep desire to BE Your Church. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Take Care & God Bless,
Pastor Don
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
What Does God Look Like?
Shalom!
I was reminded earlier today of a funny story I have heard before. I want to share it with you:
A kindergarten teacher was walking around observing her classroom of children while they were drawing pictures. As she got to one girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher paused and said, "But nobody knows what God looks like." Without looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."
None of us can acurately describe what God really looks like. Does He have a long, flowing beard, white hair, and a wise face that looks like it is 75 years old? Is He light with no actual body shape at all? Is He like the wind - having no shape or appearance, but more of a feeling? You know He's been there because you saw the effect of His presence around you. Much of our ideas of what God looks like comes from childhood stories, Bibles with pictures in them, and cultural influences. We have a need to see God in human form as someone we can feel, touch, and hear.
God knows this need within. To show us what He looks like, Jesus came to be with us. It is through Jesus that we see God. While Jesus is God, it is less about His physical appearance than it is about His character, His essence, His being. God looks like grace, love, mercy, justice, joy, compassion, peace, hope, gentleness. He looks like strength, courage, security, and steadfastness.
Jesus embodied these values, exuded these values, and lived these values. Jesus calls us to do the same. It is God's plan that we "be conformed to the likeness of his Son" (Romans 8:29). Even in this life we "are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Paul told the church in Ephesus that our goal is "attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).
Over these next two weeks, we are going to have the opportunity to share with our community what God looks like. This weekend is Sharefest where over 300 volunteers from 14 different churches will be coming together to help our neighbors who are in dire need. While we will be doing various jobs like yard work, plumbing, repairs, rock work, etc. - the real work of the weekend will be intentionally entering into relationships with those in our community and showing them what the love of God looks like.
Next weekend, FUMC will be taking part in our annual Blossom Outreach by transforming our parking lot into a safe haven for children and families to enjoy being together and giving them a place to watch the parade. Free activities for kids are just ways in which we can reach-out and demonstrate our love for our neighbor and community and how that love generates from our relationship with God.
What does God look like? Jesus. You and Me when we stay connected to Him and follow Him with our lives.
Dear Jesus, I want to keep trying to be like You. I want to show the world what You look like. Give me courage to reflect Your true nature in all I do and say. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
Take Care & God Bless,
Pastor Don
I was reminded earlier today of a funny story I have heard before. I want to share it with you:
A kindergarten teacher was walking around observing her classroom of children while they were drawing pictures. As she got to one girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher paused and said, "But nobody knows what God looks like." Without looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."
None of us can acurately describe what God really looks like. Does He have a long, flowing beard, white hair, and a wise face that looks like it is 75 years old? Is He light with no actual body shape at all? Is He like the wind - having no shape or appearance, but more of a feeling? You know He's been there because you saw the effect of His presence around you. Much of our ideas of what God looks like comes from childhood stories, Bibles with pictures in them, and cultural influences. We have a need to see God in human form as someone we can feel, touch, and hear.
God knows this need within. To show us what He looks like, Jesus came to be with us. It is through Jesus that we see God. While Jesus is God, it is less about His physical appearance than it is about His character, His essence, His being. God looks like grace, love, mercy, justice, joy, compassion, peace, hope, gentleness. He looks like strength, courage, security, and steadfastness.
Jesus embodied these values, exuded these values, and lived these values. Jesus calls us to do the same. It is God's plan that we "be conformed to the likeness of his Son" (Romans 8:29). Even in this life we "are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Paul told the church in Ephesus that our goal is "attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).
Over these next two weeks, we are going to have the opportunity to share with our community what God looks like. This weekend is Sharefest where over 300 volunteers from 14 different churches will be coming together to help our neighbors who are in dire need. While we will be doing various jobs like yard work, plumbing, repairs, rock work, etc. - the real work of the weekend will be intentionally entering into relationships with those in our community and showing them what the love of God looks like.
Next weekend, FUMC will be taking part in our annual Blossom Outreach by transforming our parking lot into a safe haven for children and families to enjoy being together and giving them a place to watch the parade. Free activities for kids are just ways in which we can reach-out and demonstrate our love for our neighbor and community and how that love generates from our relationship with God.
What does God look like? Jesus. You and Me when we stay connected to Him and follow Him with our lives.
Dear Jesus, I want to keep trying to be like You. I want to show the world what You look like. Give me courage to reflect Your true nature in all I do and say. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
Take Care & God Bless,
Pastor Don
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Be An Encourager
Good evening!
I don't know if you have one of these or not, but I have a small flip calendar that sits on my side of the sink in our bathroom at home. It has different sayings that are meant to encourage fathers to be a positive presence in the lives of their families. Every morning I flip to the appropriate day, read the quote, and reflect on it for a moment or two. To be honest, I don't think too much about it outside of those moments in the morning. However, a few days ago, one of the quotes was from Hebrews 10:24 and it has stuck with me all week.
The Scripture passage says, "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works" (New Living Translation). I have read this passage many times. I have used it in sermons and devotions, but never has it stuck with me as it has this week. It has caused me to reflect on the nature of our life together as Christian people and to pay attention to the Lord's desire for us to encourage one another to show the realness of the love that is in our hearts by having tangible results that witness to Christ in our lives.
In this day and age, we hear a great deal of discouraging words and we may even be the recipient of discouragement at work, church, home, etc. But, we are called to be encouragers, ones who comfort, challenge, urge one another on in Christian hope and love. We all know what a discourager looks like - critical, judgmental, limited in their thinking, lack of investment, and just a drag to be around.
I'd like to reflect on what it looks like to be an encourager:
1. An Encourager sees the Possibilities - they see what God can do through others. They see the reality of the circumstances, but they are not limited to the evidence that is before them. For an example, check out Numbers 13 and Caleb the great encourager!
2. An Encourager gets Involved - Chuck Swindoll once said, "How many people stop because so few say 'Go!'?" An Encourager is willing to get his hands dirty. She is willing to take that leap of faith. An Encourager supports those around him and is willing to get involved, not sit on the sidelines and complain.
3. An Encourager Builds People Through Words - These words build up, rather than destroy. Check out Ephesians 4:29 or listen to the words of William Arthur Ward: "Flatter me and I may not believe you; Criticize me and I may not like you; Ignore me and I may not forgive you; Encourage me and I will not forget you."
4. An Encourager Prays for Others - Helping and encouraging someone means praying for them. In other words, building them up by lifting them up.
5. An Encourager is an Example- When we encourage others, we show them an example of Christ and lead them to Him. An Encourager isn't all words, but a whole lot of action.
Be an Encourager. Be one that sees hope and life in each person you meet. Be one that embraces hope and life in every situation. Be one that lives the hope and life of the One who encourages us on in the faith. Can you imagine if we all strived to be encouragers? Oh, the difference we could make!
God of Living Hope, forgive me for the ways my attitudes, my words, and my actions have discouraged and kept others from seeing You. May Your grace abound in my life so that I may become one that builds up instead of tears down and one that motivates others in actions of love and good deeds. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.
Take Care & God Bless,
Pastor Don
I don't know if you have one of these or not, but I have a small flip calendar that sits on my side of the sink in our bathroom at home. It has different sayings that are meant to encourage fathers to be a positive presence in the lives of their families. Every morning I flip to the appropriate day, read the quote, and reflect on it for a moment or two. To be honest, I don't think too much about it outside of those moments in the morning. However, a few days ago, one of the quotes was from Hebrews 10:24 and it has stuck with me all week.
The Scripture passage says, "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works" (New Living Translation). I have read this passage many times. I have used it in sermons and devotions, but never has it stuck with me as it has this week. It has caused me to reflect on the nature of our life together as Christian people and to pay attention to the Lord's desire for us to encourage one another to show the realness of the love that is in our hearts by having tangible results that witness to Christ in our lives.
In this day and age, we hear a great deal of discouraging words and we may even be the recipient of discouragement at work, church, home, etc. But, we are called to be encouragers, ones who comfort, challenge, urge one another on in Christian hope and love. We all know what a discourager looks like - critical, judgmental, limited in their thinking, lack of investment, and just a drag to be around.
I'd like to reflect on what it looks like to be an encourager:
1. An Encourager sees the Possibilities - they see what God can do through others. They see the reality of the circumstances, but they are not limited to the evidence that is before them. For an example, check out Numbers 13 and Caleb the great encourager!
2. An Encourager gets Involved - Chuck Swindoll once said, "How many people stop because so few say 'Go!'?" An Encourager is willing to get his hands dirty. She is willing to take that leap of faith. An Encourager supports those around him and is willing to get involved, not sit on the sidelines and complain.
3. An Encourager Builds People Through Words - These words build up, rather than destroy. Check out Ephesians 4:29 or listen to the words of William Arthur Ward: "Flatter me and I may not believe you; Criticize me and I may not like you; Ignore me and I may not forgive you; Encourage me and I will not forget you."
4. An Encourager Prays for Others - Helping and encouraging someone means praying for them. In other words, building them up by lifting them up.
5. An Encourager is an Example- When we encourage others, we show them an example of Christ and lead them to Him. An Encourager isn't all words, but a whole lot of action.
Be an Encourager. Be one that sees hope and life in each person you meet. Be one that embraces hope and life in every situation. Be one that lives the hope and life of the One who encourages us on in the faith. Can you imagine if we all strived to be encouragers? Oh, the difference we could make!
God of Living Hope, forgive me for the ways my attitudes, my words, and my actions have discouraged and kept others from seeing You. May Your grace abound in my life so that I may become one that builds up instead of tears down and one that motivates others in actions of love and good deeds. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.
Take Care & God Bless,
Pastor Don
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Easter People
He Is Risen!
Easter Sunday has come and gone but our Lord is still risen and the power He brings to our lives can have a life-changing, life-transforming effect when we are willing to fully embrace it. I pray that the awe and power of Easter has not been lost on you this week and that you are able to discover new ways to celebrate our risen Lord!
Yesterday, I was at a Ministerial Alliance meeting when one of the pastors was talking about an experience he had while sitting at a local coffee shop. He overheard some people (mid 50s -mid 60s) talking about spiritual matters. They were talking about how they had made the conscious decision to stop going to church. How after 50 years of attending church, they decided it wasn't important. They talked excitedly about how this decision has lifted a burden off of them and they feel more free than they have in a long time!
While at first we may be shocked by such a comment, if we are honest about it are we really surprised? Granted, we don't know the fullness of their stories. We don't know if there were bad church experiences. We don't know if they had some theological differences or spiritual staleness that had crept into their lives. We don't know the "rest of the story".
What we do know is that they no longer saw church as important. They no longer experienced the benefit of church in their lives. They no longer viewed the church as a vibrant community that could make a difference in their lives - let alone anyone else's life.
This view of church has been growing over the last decade, and growing rapidly. The church, and the people within it, are viewed as out of touch with the world. While Jesus said that those who follow Him will be persecuted, He did not say that we should stop interacting with the world and trying to understand their issues with the church or the Christian faith. He did not say that we should hole ourselves up in our sanctuaries and our buildings and focus on each other. In order to be persecuted, you have to be interacting with the world. In order to be persecuted for the faith, you have to be sharing the faith.
The coffee shop conversation should lead us, as the Christian church, to ask ourselves what image of Christ we are reflecting. Is the life of the church cultivating an excitement for following Jesus? How is the church relevant to our changing culture? Are we sharing our faith in a way that brings life to those around us?
As Easter people, we are called out from beyond our tombs. We are called not only to experience the life Christ has given, but to help others rise out of the darkness of their lives into a new glory and life with our Lord. As Easter people, we are being challenged to rise up and share the greatest story ever lived! Maybe then the coffee-house conversation will be more about being free from the burdens of this life because of the life that Christ offers and how that new life is found in His church.
Wouldn't that be great?
Precious Lord, we know that there is darkness that surrounds us. We know that we can become complacent with our way of life - whether it is with You or without You. And, when we do, the darkness creeps in. Remind us again and again, however many times you need to, that we are Easter people. Continue, O Lord, to provide us with Your power and to live the life that You have given us so that all may experience the joy of living with You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Easter Sunday has come and gone but our Lord is still risen and the power He brings to our lives can have a life-changing, life-transforming effect when we are willing to fully embrace it. I pray that the awe and power of Easter has not been lost on you this week and that you are able to discover new ways to celebrate our risen Lord!
Yesterday, I was at a Ministerial Alliance meeting when one of the pastors was talking about an experience he had while sitting at a local coffee shop. He overheard some people (mid 50s -mid 60s) talking about spiritual matters. They were talking about how they had made the conscious decision to stop going to church. How after 50 years of attending church, they decided it wasn't important. They talked excitedly about how this decision has lifted a burden off of them and they feel more free than they have in a long time!
While at first we may be shocked by such a comment, if we are honest about it are we really surprised? Granted, we don't know the fullness of their stories. We don't know if there were bad church experiences. We don't know if they had some theological differences or spiritual staleness that had crept into their lives. We don't know the "rest of the story".
What we do know is that they no longer saw church as important. They no longer experienced the benefit of church in their lives. They no longer viewed the church as a vibrant community that could make a difference in their lives - let alone anyone else's life.
This view of church has been growing over the last decade, and growing rapidly. The church, and the people within it, are viewed as out of touch with the world. While Jesus said that those who follow Him will be persecuted, He did not say that we should stop interacting with the world and trying to understand their issues with the church or the Christian faith. He did not say that we should hole ourselves up in our sanctuaries and our buildings and focus on each other. In order to be persecuted, you have to be interacting with the world. In order to be persecuted for the faith, you have to be sharing the faith.
The coffee shop conversation should lead us, as the Christian church, to ask ourselves what image of Christ we are reflecting. Is the life of the church cultivating an excitement for following Jesus? How is the church relevant to our changing culture? Are we sharing our faith in a way that brings life to those around us?
As Easter people, we are called out from beyond our tombs. We are called not only to experience the life Christ has given, but to help others rise out of the darkness of their lives into a new glory and life with our Lord. As Easter people, we are being challenged to rise up and share the greatest story ever lived! Maybe then the coffee-house conversation will be more about being free from the burdens of this life because of the life that Christ offers and how that new life is found in His church.
Wouldn't that be great?
Precious Lord, we know that there is darkness that surrounds us. We know that we can become complacent with our way of life - whether it is with You or without You. And, when we do, the darkness creeps in. Remind us again and again, however many times you need to, that we are Easter people. Continue, O Lord, to provide us with Your power and to live the life that You have given us so that all may experience the joy of living with You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
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