Good morning!
I cannot believe that a week from today I will be coming out of my tryptophanic coma and still desiring the best leftovers of the year - turkey, mashed potatoes/gravy, green bean casserole, and potato cheese casserole...not to mention a piece of pumpkin pie for dessert! Ohhhh, I can't wait!
It is common that we think about Thanksgiving at this time of the year. Some of you may be preparing food right now. Some may be getting things ready for company or getting ready to travel. As a culture, we are getting ready for the beginning of the holiday chaos, er, I mean, season. We are preparing for the rush to pick up in our lives.
In the midst of this rush and push over the next five weeks, we often forget about a special time of the Christian year. This Sunday, November 21st, marks the end of the church liturgical year. Advent is the beginning of the church year and it begins on November 28th. There is a special name for this upcoming Sunday and it is called Christ the King Sunday. It is a time that encourages us to stop and reflect on the reign of Christ in our lives throughout the year. It is important to do this before we return to the humble manger from which Jesus was introduced to the world.
When I was a Youth Pastor in Fort Collins, CO, there was a song that became the youth group song and it was called, "King Jesus Is All". One of our youth would play the guitar and I would lead the singing in my best gospel singing voice (hey, I tried!). The song went like this:
King Jesus is all (King Jesus is all)
My all in all (My all in all)
I know He'll answer (I know He'll answer)
Me when I call (Me when I call)
Walkin' by His side (Walkin' by His side)
I'm satisfied (I'm satisfied)
King Jesus is all (King Jesus is all)
My all in all (My all in all)
Well.....
I went up to meet the Lord (oh yeah!)
I got down on my knees
I said my very first prayer (Amen!)
You know the Holy Ghost met me there (Ah, Ah, Ah)
I stepped on the Rock, the Rock was sound
Oooh, the love of God came a tumblin' down
The reason I know that He saved my soul
Is I dug down deep and I found pure gold!
He is all....
The song and the memory still bring a smile to my face. Before we jump into the holiday rush. Before we bake the turkey and pies. Before we doze off from full bellies and hours of football. Before we wake up early for Black Friday shopping. Let's remember Christ the King. Let's remember how the power of His life, His love, His grace, and His resurrection has touched our lives this year and made a difference in our hearts and in the hearts of those around us. Let's remember that He is our all in all. By remembering these things, the humble manger from which our King came to be with us will have deeper meaning this year. Thanks be to God!!!
"Almighty God, from whom the King of my life has come, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for the life He brings and for the difference He has made in my life. As we end this part of the Christian year and begin the next, I want Jesus to continue to reign in my life and I want Him to be my all in all. In His holy name I pray. Amen."
Friday, November 19, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
CPR
Happy Wednesday!
Over the past week, there has been much to be thankful for in my family and I don't think I have ever been as proud a parent as I am right now.
First, my daughter Haleigh got second place in her age category in the school district's scary story contest. After receiving the reward, she read her story to the audience using great tone, clarity, and inflection. She even got her picture on the front page of the newspaper! To say the least, I was a proud papa and it was great to see her get encouragment from her teachers and judges in something that she is passionate about...writing!
Secondly, I had the privilege of watching my son get a Student of the Month award yesterday and enjoyed listening to the teacher's comments...not just about his academic achievements, but, more importantly, his character and his work ethic. I am proud of the young man he is becoming and how his life is making a broader impact in the classroom and in his friends' lives. I hope the words he heard were a great strength and encouragement to his spirit. Again, I was a proud papa.
Lastly, I have had the honor of receiving some encouraging words from some of you and some good friends that came out of the blue. Whenever I receive a card or an email of encouragement I save it in a special file for those days when I am discouraged and feeling down. Somehow those words of encouragement lift my spirit.
I know you know what I am talking about. We all like to receive words of encouragement and support. We get enough of the negative in our lives. I haven't always been good at encouraging people. I tend to be tunnel visioned sometimes. But, over time I have learned the power of encouraging words.
Recently, I received an email from Karen Rogers who is our Acts29 editor for the church and she said, "Thanks for the CPR (Christ-centered Postivie Remarks)." I really liked the acronym she used and have reflected on it since. It is true how encouragement and words of love and support can resuscitate our lives and breathe new breath into our spirits.
November is the month of Thanksgiving and gratitude. It is the month of remembering those things that can bring our dying spirits back to life and give us strength to continue the journey. Also, tomorrow is Veterans Day - a day to be thankful for all of the men and women who have made incredible sacrifices to ensure the freedoms we enjoy today. If there is a veteran, active duty or reserve service man or woman in your life, make sure you reach out to them and offer them words of encouragement and support.
Offer words of encouragement to those around you this month. Get in the habit of offering Christ-center Positive Remarks that will lift them up from their burdens and breathe new life into their souls. May we remember the words from 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, "May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in his special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say." Christ will give us the words, the compassion, and grace (especially for those we don't feel like encouraging) - all we have to do is be the vessel for God to provide a little CPR to the world!
"Holy God! You are a God of love, strength, and encouragement. Thank you for offering me words of support through the people in my lives. Take my life, my words, and my actions and use them to bring life to those around me through the power of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I pray in His holy name. Amen."
Over the past week, there has been much to be thankful for in my family and I don't think I have ever been as proud a parent as I am right now.
First, my daughter Haleigh got second place in her age category in the school district's scary story contest. After receiving the reward, she read her story to the audience using great tone, clarity, and inflection. She even got her picture on the front page of the newspaper! To say the least, I was a proud papa and it was great to see her get encouragment from her teachers and judges in something that she is passionate about...writing!
Secondly, I had the privilege of watching my son get a Student of the Month award yesterday and enjoyed listening to the teacher's comments...not just about his academic achievements, but, more importantly, his character and his work ethic. I am proud of the young man he is becoming and how his life is making a broader impact in the classroom and in his friends' lives. I hope the words he heard were a great strength and encouragement to his spirit. Again, I was a proud papa.
Lastly, I have had the honor of receiving some encouraging words from some of you and some good friends that came out of the blue. Whenever I receive a card or an email of encouragement I save it in a special file for those days when I am discouraged and feeling down. Somehow those words of encouragement lift my spirit.
I know you know what I am talking about. We all like to receive words of encouragement and support. We get enough of the negative in our lives. I haven't always been good at encouraging people. I tend to be tunnel visioned sometimes. But, over time I have learned the power of encouraging words.
Recently, I received an email from Karen Rogers who is our Acts29 editor for the church and she said, "Thanks for the CPR (Christ-centered Postivie Remarks)." I really liked the acronym she used and have reflected on it since. It is true how encouragement and words of love and support can resuscitate our lives and breathe new breath into our spirits.
November is the month of Thanksgiving and gratitude. It is the month of remembering those things that can bring our dying spirits back to life and give us strength to continue the journey. Also, tomorrow is Veterans Day - a day to be thankful for all of the men and women who have made incredible sacrifices to ensure the freedoms we enjoy today. If there is a veteran, active duty or reserve service man or woman in your life, make sure you reach out to them and offer them words of encouragement and support.
Offer words of encouragement to those around you this month. Get in the habit of offering Christ-center Positive Remarks that will lift them up from their burdens and breathe new life into their souls. May we remember the words from 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, "May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in his special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say." Christ will give us the words, the compassion, and grace (especially for those we don't feel like encouraging) - all we have to do is be the vessel for God to provide a little CPR to the world!
"Holy God! You are a God of love, strength, and encouragement. Thank you for offering me words of support through the people in my lives. Take my life, my words, and my actions and use them to bring life to those around me through the power of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I pray in His holy name. Amen."
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Hold on or Let Go?
Good evening!
I pray all is well in your life and spirit today. As many who read this blog already know our church family is grieving the loss of a friend this week. Ben Gregor, husband of our Children and Family Ministries Coordinator, Joyce Gregor, who was called home by the Lord early Monday morning. We will gather on Saturday to celebrate his life and the impact he has had in our lives. We will also gather in support of our friend, Joyce, to offer encouragement and love during this very difficult time.
There are other things our church is grieving too. Our youth are grieving the resignation of our Youth Director, Liz Anciaux. Maybe you are grieving a loss in your life as well - the loss of a job, a broken relationship, a strained marriage, a question about your identity or purpose, a loss of faith and hope. Whatever it may be - grief can overwhelm our spirits and the struggle in our lives can create new struggles all their own.
If you are struggling and grieving in any way today, I would like to share a poem with you that I shared with our staff during our meeting this week. While the pain of the grief and the struggle may continue, may this poem offer some insight into what God is calling you to do in the midst of your struggle/grief. Is He calling you to "hold on" or is He calling you to "let go"?
The poem is titled, "A New Way of Struggling" by Susan W.N. Ruach:
"To struggle used to be
To grab with both hands
and shake
and twist
and turn
and push
and shove and not give in
But wrest an answer from it all
As Jacob did a blessing.
But there is another way
To struggle with an issue, a question -
Simply to jump
off
into the abyss
and find ourselves
floating
falling
tumbling
being led
slowly and gently
but surely
to the answers God has for us -
to watch the answers unfold
before our eyes and still
to be a part of the unfolding.
But, oh! the trust
necessary for this new way!
Not to be always reaching out
For the old hand-holds."
"Gracious, unwavering, God. In the midst of my struggle and the pain of my grief, give me the strength and trust that I need to let go. Allow me to experience the journey, even when it appears out of control. Allow me to live into the mystery of this journey with You. I want to trust You as I let go and hold only on to You. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen."
I pray all is well in your life and spirit today. As many who read this blog already know our church family is grieving the loss of a friend this week. Ben Gregor, husband of our Children and Family Ministries Coordinator, Joyce Gregor, who was called home by the Lord early Monday morning. We will gather on Saturday to celebrate his life and the impact he has had in our lives. We will also gather in support of our friend, Joyce, to offer encouragement and love during this very difficult time.
There are other things our church is grieving too. Our youth are grieving the resignation of our Youth Director, Liz Anciaux. Maybe you are grieving a loss in your life as well - the loss of a job, a broken relationship, a strained marriage, a question about your identity or purpose, a loss of faith and hope. Whatever it may be - grief can overwhelm our spirits and the struggle in our lives can create new struggles all their own.
If you are struggling and grieving in any way today, I would like to share a poem with you that I shared with our staff during our meeting this week. While the pain of the grief and the struggle may continue, may this poem offer some insight into what God is calling you to do in the midst of your struggle/grief. Is He calling you to "hold on" or is He calling you to "let go"?
The poem is titled, "A New Way of Struggling" by Susan W.N. Ruach:
"To struggle used to be
To grab with both hands
and shake
and twist
and turn
and push
and shove and not give in
But wrest an answer from it all
As Jacob did a blessing.
But there is another way
To struggle with an issue, a question -
Simply to jump
off
into the abyss
and find ourselves
floating
falling
tumbling
being led
slowly and gently
but surely
to the answers God has for us -
to watch the answers unfold
before our eyes and still
to be a part of the unfolding.
But, oh! the trust
necessary for this new way!
Not to be always reaching out
For the old hand-holds."
"Gracious, unwavering, God. In the midst of my struggle and the pain of my grief, give me the strength and trust that I need to let go. Allow me to experience the journey, even when it appears out of control. Allow me to live into the mystery of this journey with You. I want to trust You as I let go and hold only on to You. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen."
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