Bird's Eye View

Remain in Me

2011-12-01T09:43:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

This Christmas is taking on a whole new meaning for me this year. I mentioned it in my message on Sunday that I always approach Christmas and this holy season with the best of intentions. I want to give more of myself. I desire to experience hope, peace, joy, and love on a deeper level. But I find that I get swept up in the current of the manic activity this season has to offer in our world. This Christmas things will be different and I refuse to wait until next year!

In order for this season to remain holy, for that matter, our lives to remain holy, we need to be intertwined with the presence of our holy God. Usually, I use the word "connected". But that word does not seem to go as deep as I'd like. If I am connected to something, I can become easily disconnected. However, if I am intertwined with something or someone, it is hard to unravel.

In my morning devotion today, I was reminded of the Scripture of John 15 when Jesus kept saying, "Remain in me...". This is more than being connected...it is living and breathing in Jesus. It means that He wants me to be so intertwined with Him that His will becomes my will...His way of loving becomes my way of loving...His way of living becomes my way of living. I encourage you to read the entire chapter and go deeper with Jesus and His timeless truth.

In that devotion, a quote from Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity was shared. The quote speaks of the work the Lord is doing in my life this Christmas. "Remain in Me, not for a few moments, a few hours which must pass away, but remain, permanently, habitually, Remain in Me, pray in Me, adore in Me, love in Me, suffer in Me, work and act in Me. Remain in Me so that you may be able to encounter anyone or anything; penetrate further still into these depths. This is truly the solitude into which God wants to allure the soul that He may speak to it, as the prophet sang."

Allow this Christmas season to be God's call to bring you back into a deep relationship with Him. Allow this season to remind you of the perfect gift that comes in the form of a little baby - not the one you buy on the shelf. Allow this season to inspire you to remain in Jesus...not only this season but throughout the year.

Gracious God, Loving Lord, thank You for Your presence with me as I make my journey to the manger this Christmas season. Forgive me for what I have made of this season...for connecting and disconnecting with You as I do the lights on my Christmas tree. Thank You for calling me back to You and wanting to live deeply with me. My heart's desire is to remain in You. Give me the will to go deeper and the strength to endure. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Thanksgiving Quotes

2011-11-22T21:26:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I would share some quotes that honor this season of giving thanks.

"Would you know who is the greatest saint in the world: It is not he who prays most or fasts most, it is not he who gives most alms or is most eminent for temperance, chastity, or justice; but it is he who is always thankful to God, who wills everything that God wills, who receives everything as an instance of God's goodness and has a heart always ready to praise God for it." William Law

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice." Meister Eckhart

"We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts. How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things?" Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in hurt and resentment. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint. I can choose to be grateful when I am criticized, even when my heart still responds in bitterness. I can choose to
speak about goodness and beauty, even when my inner eye still looks for someone to accuse or something to call ugly." Henri Nouwen

"If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled." Charles
Haddon Spurgeon

"When we were children, we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?" G.K. Chesterton

"What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?"

Thank you God for being You. Thank you for the blessings, great and small, in my life and for the love with which you have surrounded me through Your presence and the presence of those who love me. Thank you for even the difficult times that shape me and remind me of my need for You. May my heart give thanks to you with every breath I take. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Fearful or Fearless?

2011-11-16T18:29:00.000-08:00

Good evening,

I wanted to take a moment to share with all of you the story of Gideon in Judges 6 and 7. It keeps coming to me in certain moments in my life over the past few weeks and it is having a profound impact my outlook on life and ministry. If you are not familiar with the story of Gideon, let me briefly share with you. Gideon was a timid man who was called by God to save Israel from their idol worship and from the Midianites. Gideon was not sure how God wanted to use him, but he was a man of faith and he wanted to be sure that God was leading him. God assured Gideon that he was the man for the job.

To make a long story short (and I encourage you to read the story), when Gideon was to come up against the Midianites he had an army of over 32,000 men. A rather formidable army. But God saw fear in the men of the army and God told Gideon to get rid of the men who were afraid. Gideon told those who were afraid to go home, so 22,000 men left...too afraid to fight. Fear defined their legacy.

God told Gideon that his army was still too big so Gideon looked for the men who were focused and carried themselves with a sense of purpose. The other men he told to go home...that was 10,000 men. This left Gideon with an army of only 300 men to fight the Midianite army! What would you say the odds of them being victorious would be? Isn't it like God to defy the odds and use what seems like scarce resources to bring about incredible victory? 300 men was enough!

When I am faced with fearful moments in my life, the Lord keeps bringing me back to this story. To live into God's purpose for my life, I cannot allow fear to lead me. Fear of conflict. Fear of what others may think. Fear of change. Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of my own emotions. Fear of the unknown. Fear of...(place your fear here). When I choose fear, God cannot use me. Remember, God does not give us the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7).

Through the battles of my life, God desires for me to be like Gideon. To be fearless in my trust in Him. To be purposeful and focused in His mission for my life. To be watchful and willing to be led by His Spirit. I can either choose my fear and let it define my life and my relationship to God. Or, I can choose a fearless faith...willing to walk into the mysteries and battles of life knowing that my God will use my faith to bring about victory.

Are you led by fear? Is your church led by fear? Is your organization led by fear? If it is...go home. Get right with God. Then, when you're ready, join the battle and experience the victory you can find only in Him!

Mighty God, forgive me for my fearful ways and for being a barrier to your purpose in my life. Give me a spirit of courage, strength, and determination as I fight every day for Your truth, Your justice, Your love, and Your healing to be experienced in this world. I want to be a fearless faith follower! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,
Pastor Don

Veteran's Day Reflection

2011-11-10T21:26:00.000-08:00

On this day in which we honor our veterans, I would like to offer some brief reflections and share two links to some videos that stirred my soul.

It is an understatement to say that I am extremely grateful for the men and women who have served our country through the armed forces. Their willingness to give their lives for the protection of freedom throughout the world and to stand for the dignity and rights of all people is inspiring. I do not ever want to take for granted the full sacrifice of many in giving their lives for the sake of others (John 15:13), nor do I want to take for granted the other sacrifices many have given: limbs, eyesight, separation from those they love, emotional and mental health, mental capacity from traumatic brain injuries, mobility, personal peace, and the list goes on and on. Only those who have gone through the traumas and horrors of war fully understand the sacrifices that have been and are being made. May God's grace and restorative power be in your lives.

I also want to honor those who have served our country during times of peace. While war was not raging, they trained and showed the willingness and ability to make the sacrifice. I am grateful for the time they took to train others to be about the work of a military officer, soldier, and seaman. They have modeled strength, courage, honor, and discipline and through their example have trained up those who protect us and others throughout the world today.

I would like to honor three men in my life that have served or are serving our country honorably:

Arthur Merle Bird: My grandfather who served in the Army during WWII. He was present at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He died when I was in Jr. High, but I remember his silent strength and his love for me.

Donald Merle Bird: My father who served in the United States Air Force. He is a retired Lt. Colonel and he continues to serve as a civilian professor of chemistry at the Air Force Academy. He became an officer at the end of the Vietnam War, but did not tour. Most of his service was during the Cold War. He is the most honorable man I know. He lives with incredible integrity and he serves his God, his family, and his country with pride. Thank you Dad for modeling for me a love for God, country, and family.

Christopher Ronald Bird: My little brother who is currently a Sergeant in the United States Army. He has finished two tours in Iraq and is currently training to be deployed to Afghanistan in February of 2012. His courage and boldness inspire me. His willingness to serve his country in a time of war creates a well of pride within me. So proud of you Chris and I pray daily for your physical, spiritual, and emotional protection.

This time of year evokes many emotions. But, it also evokes many questions. The first video below reminds us that some gave all and we should honor their sacrifice. The second video speaks of the results of war and the war at home. As I reflect on those who serve and on the ways they go about fighting for the cause of freedom and protection throughout our world, I wonder if I approach my life with the same urgency and passion to fight for the principles worth fighting for here at home.

Am I willing to go to battle for the injustices throughout our land? Am I willing sacrifice my time and "reputation" to stand up for those who have no voice or for those the world would rather ignore? What am I really fighting for?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRGd0wI2tm8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1wPphW5CoA&feature=related

Thank you Lord Jesus for the men and women who put their lives on the line for others. Thank you for theri example of sacrifice, honor, and service. Almighty God, be my strength in the midst of strife, conflict, and fearful circumstances. Give me boldness and courage to stand for that which is right in Your eyes. Keep my heart focused on You and may Your character be instilled within me. Forgive me for asking you to fight the wars I have waged and for asking You to be on my side. I want to be on Your side, O God, and fight against the evil, injustice, and oppression that is an affront to You. You, O God, are my refuge and my strength. You, O God, are a shield about me. May the life I live and principles I fight for be acceptable to You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Don

Who Is Your Nest For?

2011-10-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

I pray all is well and that you have been able to experience the fullness of God's love and grace in your life today and throughout this week! I would like to share with you a devotion that I have reflected on for a couple of weeks now. It is from Practicing Extravagent Generosity: Daily Readings on the Grace of Giving by Robert Schnase.

The notions of building nests is often used as a metaphor to describe people successfully providing for their own comforts. If someone arrives at a career position of some ease and security, friends say, "You've built yourself quite a nest for yourself here!"...The words nest often connotes shelter, coziness, homelike, comfortable.

In actual fact, the nests which birds build are not for the birds who build them, but for their young, for the next generation, for the future of the species. The hours of carrying straw, sticks, and mud; the days of defensive watchfulness; and the weeks of endless feeding are all for the benefit of the new ones, the young, the future.

Now consider "nests" we build in our churches. The buildings, the programs, ministries, job descriptions, and services we build - are they for our own comfort and coziness? Or are they to further the faith and provide for future generations? Does our giving serve us and our needs or serve God by serving the mission of the church to reach new people? Vibrant, fruitful congregations focus as much energy, prayer, and planning on those who are outside the congregation as they do on those who are already active in the congregation.

When I think about the nests I build, I realize that many of those nests are for me. I wonder how God is calling me to use the nests that I've built in my life for others? Am I ready to put in the time, the effort, the hard work, and probably with no recognition for it, to ensure that God uses all of me to reach people for Christ? Am I ready? Am I willing?

Are you?

Precious Lord, You provide all I need. The nests I have built, I've been able to build because of Your provision and blessing. Remind me again and again that the nests of my life come from Your hand. May I be generous in the way I share all of myself and all that I have so that others may experience the fullness of Your love and grace in their lives. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My Rights

2011-10-13T13:13:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon!

I just came back to the office after having led a celebration of life service for a man in our community. At the reception I sat at a table with two other gentlemen who began talking about the issues around water rights in their communities. I must confess that I am rather ignorant on the subject, so I sat there trying my best to look like I had an inkling of what they were talking about. I did learn a few things, but, let's face it, most of it went right over my head. What impacted me most, was not the details of the conversation as much as the tone.

The deeper into the conversation they got, the more their tone changed. They went from spewing factual information to passionately defending their position. Not that they were yelling or arguing, but I could sense the emotions that ran deep on the topic (they were bringing up things that happened 15-20 years ago). I know that some of the great legal battles and issues in our country are around water and who has the right to use it. It pits friends against friends and communities against communities. It is a very divisive issue in our country.

My first thought focused on water itself. As people of faith, we believe that God created the heavens and the earth and EVERYTHING in it. Most of the earth is covered with water. The atmosphere is made up of the elements of water. Water is all around us. And, we fight over it?
Really?

True to our human nature, we want to be sure that there is always enough for ourselves. While there may be abundance, we fear that somewhere down the line we will not have enough. Or, we may be experiencing scarcity, therefore our fear causes us to hoard and hold on to more. We draw boundaries. Make laws. Tell people what they can use and what they can't. We have arguments and lawsuits about "rights" and "ownership" of what God created and freely supplies. I begin to wonder if this was really God's intent when he created us to take care of His world.

When we fight about our "rights" around property and things, we have lost our focus. As people of faith, if we believe that God is a God of abundance and provision, then why do we limit God and the ways he desires to pour out His blessings? Imagine if we did not worry about who possessed what and fought about what was rightfully ours and we started generously sharing what God offers. We share when we have "enough", we share in our "scarcity", we share in our abundance...we share.

Generous living looks beyond myself and my rights. It begins to view the world in a different light. The right that God has given me is the right to share His blessings on my life and allow others to experience it for themselves. The right God has given me is to love generously and without limit. It is not about my rights, but about the righteous God living through me.

Righteous God, full of love, mercy, and strength, give me a generous heart. Break my selfish spirit and my greedy desires, and form within me Your generous spirit. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

What Do You Love?

2011-10-06T11:08:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon!

Last Sunday, I invited all of the worshippers in attendance who consider FUMC Canon City their home to write on an index card what they love about being a part of this family of faith. My reason for doing this is because we, as a people, are being engulfed by everything people believe is wrong about the world, government, corporations, churches, families...must I go on? The complaining and the griping and the negativity is starting to take over our lives and, unfortunately, it leaks into our churches and the holy, set apart life, we are called to live together. While there may be things in our personal, communal, and religious lives we do not agree with or understand, the colicky nature of our culture is not the way we are called to respond.

The Scriptures abound in the importance of building each other up and seeing each other with the eyes and heart of God. To be the Body that God created us to be, I believe we need to be about the work of seeing where God is working and pointing out how God is showing up in the midst of our journeys. The Scriptures tell us that those who follow Christ are to show a new way of being community with one another. We build each other up, not tear each other down...not only within the Body, but outside of the Body as well.

For further personal study on this read these passages:
Romans 15:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:19-25

I believe God calls us to be generous with our encouragement and in building up the Body so that we are most effective in the work of Christ in this world. In light of our need, and quite honestly our thirst, for encouragement, allow me to share with you what people love about our church.

I love this church and the ministers. I receive a good message every week. It has brought be closer to the Lord.

"This has been my church for 35+ years. We have many friends here...great singing by Bernie Topash - that music makes me feel like God was in our midst - such a blessing."

The people of our church are a giving people.

"Fellowship with like-minded Christians."

The love of Christ and His Word.

"The relationship we have with this church family."

The sermons, to see my church family, to bring my children to Sunday school and youth group.

"Coming together to learn and live in the presence of God. The peace that comes in the fellowship and sermon as we focus back to God."

Denny and Lois when they harmonize. Ivan, Amanda, and Emily.

"The love of the believer of Jesus Christ that is shown to us."

It gives me strength for the week ahead.

"The people...that I am accepted where I am and for who I am."

Friendliness (we got a lot of these responses)

"I like that we as a church are growing as Christians and growing as a family."

The church excites me with the fellowship of believers that surround me - and just not Sundays alone but all week long. The Spirit of the Lord is in this place.

"I am continually guided to the Bible and a personal relationship with Jesus through the pastors' messages, music, and fellowship."

Singing and Worship and Music

"The people here are all from many different backgrounds both socially and spiritually which makes them welcoming to all. It is easy to find a niche."

Everything

Those are only 1/2 of the responses we've received so far. Doesn't it feel great to focus on what God is doing in our midst? The words that come out of our mouths and the thoughts we have in our hearts and minds come out of that which we love. When we speak encouraging words, we demonstrate a love for God and other people. What do you love? How are you going to communicate that love this week?

Holy God, You are the Great Encourager and I am grateful for the encouragement you offer me and for loving me with Your heart of mercy and grace. Forgive me for my complaints and my grumblings. Forgive me for not seeing in others and in Your Body, what You see. Give me an encouraging heart and a grateful spirit so that You can use me for the building up of Your Kingdom here on earth. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

The Church

2011-09-22T10:19:00.001-07:00

Good morning!

God is alive and moving all around us. My hope everyday is that I see where He is and that I am wise enough to be where He's working. My prayer lately has been that I would have the spiritual eyes to see the movement and activity of God all around me and that I would be obedient enough to immerse myself in God's presence and be used by Him.

Last week, at an Executive Council meeting (our leadership team), one of our team members shared a devotion with us from her Max Lucado Bible titled "The Church". The devotion has stirred my spirit and given me a glimpse into how God is trying to move in the church. I would like to share it with you:

When those who are called to fish don't fish, they fight. When energy intended to be used outside is used inside, the result is explosive. Instead of casting nets, we cast stones. Instead of extending helping hands, we point accusing fingers. Instead of being fishers of the lost, we become critics of the saved. Rather than helping the hurting, we hurt the helpers.

The result? Church Scrooges. "Bah humbug" spirituality. Beady eyes searching for warts on others while ignoring the wart on the nose below. Crooked fingers that bypass strengths and point out weaknesses.

Split churches. Poor testimonies. Broken hearts. Legalistic wars.

And, sadly, poor go unfed, confused go uncounseled, and lost go unreached.

When those who are called to fish don't fish, they fight. But note the other side of this fish tale: When those who are called to fish, fish - they flourish!

Nothing handles a case of gripes like an afternoon service project. Nothing restores perspective better than a visit to a hospital ward. Nothing unites soldiers better than a common task.

Leave soldiers inside the barracks with no time on the front line and see what happens to their attitude. The soldiers will invent things to complain about. Bunks will be too hard. Food will be too cold. Leadership will be too tough. The company will be too stale. Yet place those same soldiers in the trench and let them duck a few bullets, and what was a boring barracks will seem like a haven. The beds will feel great. The food will be almost ideal. The leadership will be courageous. The company will be exciting.

When those who are called to fish, fish - they flourish.

Friends, let's move out and work on the front lines together. That is where God is and He calls us to work alongside Him and to fight with Him to be sure that His grace, love, mercy, and justice are expressed to a world that hears and experiences the complete opposite every day. When we fish together - we will flourish!

Gracious God who goes before me, give me ears to hear your daily call upon my life to fish with You. Your love made real in my life is meant to be made real in others' lives too. Forgive me when I've wanted to hoard it all to myself. Forgive me when I have focused on what others weren't doing, instead of what You are doing. Give me a reel and a line and if you need to use me as bait to bring in the lost...I'm willing. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Beware...Could Be Habit Forming!

2011-09-15T20:37:00.000-07:00

Hello Again!

It has been over seven weeks since my last blog as I have returned to the vibrancy of ministry after my renewal leave. I appreciate the gift that was offered to me this summer from the worshipping congregation at First United Methodist Church in Canon City, CO. The main reason for my leave this summer was to take some intentional time to reconnect with my family and to re-engage in life disciplines that I had ignored for some time. There were three things that I set out to accomplish:

1) Strengthen my private prayer life by listening and being with God on a daily basis
2) Personally engage in God's Word on a daily basis (different from doing this professionally)
3) Engage in a regular exercise routine and focus on my physcial health

I quickly learned how hard it was going to be to get out of old habits and live into new and healthy habits in my life. I realized that I was so entrenched within my old routines that I really had no idea where to start. I then came across a statement that John Wesley (Father of Methodism) said in a letter to John Trembath (a young minister who was a poor preacher). Wesley said, "O begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercises. You may acquire the taste which you have not: What is tedious at first, will afterwards be pleasant. Whether you like it or no, read and pray daily. It is for your life: there is no other way...Do justice to your own soul: give it time and means to grow. Do not starve yourself any longer (Vol. 12; p. 254).

What great insight and advice provided to me early in my time of renewal! I believe it is good insight for all of us today. After reading Wesley's advice, I took every day one step at a time. Every day I prayed to be open to the opportunities God placed before me. It was hard to get going and create a new rhythm of life, but it was worth it!

1) Now I do a lot more listening to God and a lot less talking, cherishing the moments during my day in which I can be still with my Lord.

2) I now approach my studying of God's Word so that I am open to what God is trying to tell me FIRST. It is then, and only then, that I am able to help communicate the power of God's message to others.

3) I lost 7 pounds while I was on leave and the physical exercise provided more energy, a clearer mind, and I don't breathe as hard when I bend over to tie my shoes! Progress for sure!!!

As we start a new school year and get back into the rhythm of our lives, this is a great time to start or revisit those healthy habits that you've been wanting to get back into. Take it one step at a time. It may be difficult at first, but as you continue and take it one day at a time, beware...your new way of life could be habit forming!

God of renewal and restoration, thank you for the rest You offer. Thank you for the opportunities You provide to return to habits that give life to my soul and to those You have placed around me. Give me Your strength, O God, to take each day as it comes. When discouragement creeps in, remind me of Your belief in me and give me a vision of being the person You want me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Renew

2011-07-19T23:35:00.000-07:00

Good evening,

As many of you are aware, I am getting ready to go on a short 6-week renewal leave and will be out of the office from July 25th to September 5th. On this leave I will spend some important time with my family, take a vacation, and reconnect with spiritual disciplines that have become neglected over time, and enter into a silent retreat. The dictionary says the word renew "implies a restoration of what had become faded." There are times in our lives where the habits that are most life-giving (daily devotions, Scripture reading, prayer, etc.) become faded and we need to retreat in order to renew.

In my devotion for today, from the book When You Pray by Rueben P. Job, I read these affirming words as I get ready to enter my time of renewal:

Returning from the mission up on which Jesus had sent them, the disciples were filled with a success story that would make anyone proud and pleased. They poured out their story to Jesus and while he recognized their elation he also recognized their exhaustion and said, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). We have all experienced the emotional, physical, and spiritual exhaustion that follows an intense giving of ourselves to a cause greater than we are. Left unattended this exhaustion can be extremely debilitating. So Jesus immediately took the disciples on a retreat. Their boat trip to the place of solitude was a necessary, healing, and life-giving move on the part of Jesus. But once there the compassion of Jesus led him to respond to the needs of the gathered crowd and for the moment to forget the weariness that he and his disciples were carrying. And once again he was teaching and healing as he asked the disciples to give the crowd something to eat.

Prayer, compassion, and the needs of the world are always woven into any faithful life of discipleship. If we are wise we will weave them into a beautiful way of living that brings healing and hope to the world and fulfillment, joy, and peace to ourselves. At this point a word of caution is in order. Jesus had the wisdom to know when time apart was essential and when it was wise to once again engage in ministry. He was clear about resources and about limits. Once again, this is where we as followers must seek and follow the leading and direction that God seeks to bestow.

As I take time to renew, I pray that you find time to renew as well. That you see opportunities in your day as moments in which God is calling you to come by His side and find rest and renewal in Him. I look forward to sharing with you again in 6 weeks.

God of restoration and life, renew my spirit. Renew my mind. Make smooth the path before me so that I may not stumble and fall. Come by my side, O God, that I may find rest and renewal in You. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

What Can I Do For You?

2011-07-06T15:57:00.000-07:00

Good evening family and friends,

I would like to share with you the lyrics to a Bob Dylan song, What Can I Do For You? that was shared with us in our staff meeting yesterday by our Financial Secretary, Glenna Huskey. I have been reflecting on the words to the song all day, and will continue to do so for the rest of the week. In our consumeristic society, we often ask "what's in it for me?". This spirit of selfishness has made its way into the Body of Christ. We ask that question when we worship. We ask it when we financially support the church. We ask it when we offer our time in service. Maybe we don't ask it outright, but if things don't go our way, or we run into a spiritual snag, the question has a way of creeping into our hearts.

Jesus never modeled the "what's in it for me?" lifestyle. He invited us into a relationship that honors humility, silences selfishness, and celebrates servanthood. He invited us to live into the question, "what can I do for you?"

Reflect on these words and ask, "God, what can I do for you?" "Neighbor, what can I do for you?" "Friend, what can I do for you?"

What Can I Do For You? by Bob Dylan from the album Saved:

You have given everything to me
What can I do for you ?
You have given me eyes to see
What can I do for You?
Pulled me out of a bondage and You made me renewed inside
Filled up a hunger that had always been denied
Opened up a door no man can shut and You opened it up so wide
And You've chosen me to be among the few
What can I do for You?
You have laid down Your life for me
What can I do for You?
You have explained every mystery
What can I do for You?
Soon a man is born, you know the sparks begin to fly
He gets wise in his own eyes and he's made to believe a lie
Who could deliver him from the death he's bound to die?
Well, You've done it all and there's no more anyone can pretend to do
What can I do for You?
You have given all there is to giveWhat can I give for You?
You have given me life to liveHow can I live for You?
I know all about poison, I know all about fiery darts
I don't care how rough the road is, show me where it starts
Whatever pleases You, tell it to my heart
Well, I don't deserve it but I sure did make it through
What can I do for You?

Loving Lord, forgive me for my selfish ways and seeking out ways to quench my own desires. Create in me a heart that is less focused on me, and more focused on You. Renew my sight to see the plight of those around me. Give me a clear purpose for serving those who do not know what You have done for them. Help me live into the question, "What can I do for You?" In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

Butt Down, Glove Down, Hand Ready

2011-07-01T10:08:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

As I write this I am still overjoyed at the fact that my son and his baseball team, which I coach, ended their 6 game losing streak and won last night! I am still celebrating because the team finally put everything together to have a complete win. All year I have been preaching fundamentals and the importance of fundamentals in practice and in the game. There were times I became frustrated because I didn't think they were listening to a thing I said.

A couple of practices ago, I decided to change my approach to coaching (by the way this is my first time to ever coach baseball). I went into practice with the goal of making sure that when each player left, they were tired and worn out from working hard, while at the same time they were better at their skills than when they came into practice. It seems to be paying off! Not because of me, but because the boys have responded to it and put in the hard work.

One of the fundamental skills that was getting us in trouble in the games was fielding ground balls. No matter how many times we went through it and no matter how many times I talked about it, they couldn't remember the three rules: butt down, glove down, hand ready. At our last practice we did a drill they won't forget and we finally saw fruits of it last night. These young boys learned a life lesson - hard work pays off and the pain is worth the reward!

I liken this to our faith, too. It can be easy for us to forget about our fundamentals. The preacher (aka coach) gets up every Sunday to remind us, but it either goes in one ear and out the other, or it rattles around with all of the other advice we've been getting from people, books, magazine articles, and tv personalities. We get so bogged down with daily living that we forget to be living daily for Christ. It's not enough for someone to keep preaching it to us or reading it on a blog somewhere...there comes a time when we have to do it! When we pay attention to live out the fundamentals of our faith, we are able to see fruits from the practice of our faith (James 2).

Keeping with the baseball analogy:

Butt Down: Stay grounded in the Word of God. Get involved in a Bible study or a LIFE group (small group) that is Scripturally focused. Take part in daily devotions that open up God's Word for your life. Worship regularly and fellowship often with other Christians.

Glove Down: Make sure your heart is in the right place to receive God's love into your own life that you may continue to grow in His love and grace. Work toward living a life of prayer as everything you say, do, and think is like an ongoing conversation with God. You cannot give love that you haven't fully received.

Hand Ready: Make sure that your spirit is ready to take hold of the love and grace you have received, so that you can gracefully share it with others as your life delivers the truth of the faith you embrace.

The last part that I didn't mention that is a given in baseball, but it bears repeating...keep your eye on the ball. In other words, stay focused on Christ (Matthew 6:33). If you don't, you'll miss whatever He is trying to send your way.

All of this takes hard work. It takes practice. But as I tell my players, we practice how we play. When we step into the game of life everyday, we can experience victory because we have committed ourselves to living the faith and we don't forget those three simple rules: butt down, glove down, hand ready.

Precious Lord, I have forgotten the fundamentals of my faith. I have forgotten to stay grounded in You. I have failed to be ready to receive Your love for me and Your word for my life. I have failed to deliver Your love in a way that honors You. Forgive me. In the midst of my own errors in life, You still give me new opportunities and You have not given up on me. Thank You Lord! Give me strength to practice what I preach. Give me courage to live my life for You. Help me to see the fruits of my labor as You work through me in the game of life. Remind me daily to not forget the fundamentals of my faith and give me a heart to see the victory that comes through You. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

I Need Water!

2011-06-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Summer!

It is a hot one today and like many hot days I like to take off my shoes, relax in a comfortable chair, and take in the rays of sun - as they shine through my window! I am not one for HOT weather. I get grumpy and can be quite miserable to be around if I get overheated. Therefore, I like to sit in a nice cool house, office, etc. and enjoy the beauty that the sunshine brings.

There are times, however, that I have to go outside. I have to mow the lawn. I have to get into a hot car. I have to go to the baseball diamond to coach baseball (that part is fun!). There are many other reasons of course, but when I know that I am going to be in the hot sun for a long time or that I will be working under the constant barrage of those heavenly heat waves, I make sure I have a nice cold drink with me. It is that cold drink that keeps me from going over the edge and offers me refreshment and nourishment when I need it most.

God does the same for us, too, doesn't He? He is that cold, refreshing drink when we need it most. He is that presence that keeps us from going over the edge of that cliff when we decide to keep Him close when our lives are getting heated and our spirits are weary. Not everyone understands that we have a God that will "satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (Isaiah 58:11). People don't know because they don't really give God a try. When people ask me how I get through the heat of life I tell them about God and I encourage them to give God a try as well. Even the psalmist says in Psalm 34:8, "Taste and see that the Lord is good."

Just give the Lord a shot. Experience Him for yourself. It's kind of like when Morpheus told Neo in The Matrix, "No one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."

This is a good reminder for all of us - no matter where we are in our faith journey. Everyday we need to take steps and experience God a little more. When we drink from the living waters every day our spirits are refreshed, the eyes of our souls are awakened, and the lives we live bring life and health to the places we enter and the relationships we build.

When we drink the living water that God provides, we will thirst no more (John 4:10-15). Whatever heat you may be experiencing in your life, remember to keep God at your side and drench yourself in the life-giving water He provides. Go ahead, give it a shot...taste, drink, and see that the Lord is good!

Instead of my normal closing prayer, I invite you to watch this video clip of the song Come to the Water by Matt Maher. May it be your prayer this week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJJVrZKqKNE&feature=related

Take Care & God Bless,

Don

Sounds of Summer

2011-06-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

Hello!

In our crazy and chaotic world where we are running to and fro, always with something to do, every now and then, I NEED silence! When I get in the car, I turn off the radio. When I am at home, I try to sit in silence. There is something about silence that is life-giving for me. My mind, spirit, and body become renewed. I am able to sort out my thoughts, or allow my thoughts to go wherever the Spirit leads. Sometimes, I don't have any thoughts at all. I can honestly say I was thinking of nothing. :)

There is something else that silence adds to my life and that is the ability to really listen to what is most important. Let me give you an example. While at home this week, I was at that place where I needed silence. The problem is that my kids are out of school now and silence is not necessarily in their vocabulary. Luckily for me, the kids were outside playing and I was able to get in some silent moments. What I discovered was a world that I had neglected and had forgotten about.

In the silent moments I was able to truly listen, and fully enjoy, the sounds of summer. I listened to the screams and screeches of children playing outside. I heard the chirps of the robin on fence in the backyard. I even enjoyed the buzzing of the bee by my ear. In that "silent" moment, I was blessed with the voice of God bringing joy through the laughter of children and singing notes of encouragement through a song bird. After this brief, yet simply profound experience, I wanted more.

I became intentional about hearing God this week through the sounds of summer. I find joy in the sound of a ball being struck by a bat or the snap of leather as a ball hits the mit. A reminder to stay young and make sure I take time to play. My spirit sings at night with the crickets that chirp outside my window, or the ones who have found shelter in my garage. A reminder that God is with me, even in the darkest nights. I find comfort in the sound of the breeze rustling the trees or the movement of swift water as it makes it way down the Arkansas River. A reminder of God's gentle power in my life. I love the sound of silence, too. A reminder that God's still small voice continues to whisper to the depths of my soul..."be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) and "this is the Way, walk in it" (Isaiah 30:21).

I know the summer can be filled with a great many things to do. How about taking some time to listen to the sounds of summer? What is God trying to communicate to you?

Holy God, thank You for the seasons of life. Thank You for the moments You give me to listen to Your voice. Forgive me for allowing my life to become noisy and chaotic, shutting out Your voice. I want to listen for You - so keep my spirit still and quiet. Open my ears to hear the many ways You speak to me and help me not take anything for granted. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Enough Said

2011-06-03T09:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday!

I know it is a happy day for my kids as they celebrate the first day of summer vacation. My son still wasn't awake when I left just before 9:00 this morning.

Lately it has been bothering me how much talking we do as a culture. As a man who has only 15,000 words at his disposal on a daily basis (from what the scientists say), I have to use them carefully and wisely! We have to discuss...at length...EVERYTHING.

We need to discuss how many calories are good for a healthy diet, or the reasons for our current weather patterns across the country, or whether taxes should be higher or lower or whether spending should increase or decrease (that is a personal and national debate - from the Bird House to the White House). We have to talk about what a celebrity wore, or didn't wear, at a highfalutin event. We talk about why the Rockies are playing poorly or we talk about the end of the world (if the Rockies don't make the playoffs it will feel that way for me). It seems there is always big talk around who should have won on Survivor, The Biggest Loser, or American Idol.

I'm not saying that these things are not note-worthy or discussion-worthy. They are if they interest you. And, some of the topics really don't make a difference in our lives. They are just fun to talk about and debate. However, when I look at the things that do matter in our lives like government, spirituality, church, personal relationships, etc., we can talk things to death and nothing ever seems to get done. We talk about change, but we don't really change (we just rearrange the chairs on the deck). We talk about reprioritizing our lives, yet we find it difficult to actually do it. We talk about transformation, but we don't fully partner with God to experience it.

Maybe I'm over-reacting, but it feels that we do a lot of talking and we struggle with doing what is really good, right, and true for our lives, for each other, and for God's created world. Don't get me wrong, talking things out and allowing for open discussion is important, but it seems we get stuck in the rut of just talking. Eventually, a decision has to be made and we have to get to the "doing" part of our lives.

There is a common saying that says, "Less is more." So, instead of talking this blog to death, maybe I should say one more thing. When life gets confusing and complicated, it is something I tell myself often and it gets me refocused and back on track...

JESUS

Enough said.

Gracious God, help me to communicate the power and truth of Your Son Jesus as simply and as genuinely as I can...and use words if I have to. In His holy name I pray. Amen.

Get Used To It!

2011-05-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful week it has been!

Yesterday was my 39th birthday. I usually don't make too much of a fuss about my birthday. I'm not one to seek out much attention and I don't feel too comfortable with all of the fanfare that usually accompanies such days. While I love doing it for others, it's never really been something that I felt I needed.

However, I was showered this year with so much love, good wishes, and compliments from loved ones that I experienced a greater blessing than I have in years past (at least in recent memory). This is not to say that my family has snubbed me in past birthday celebrations, or that there has failed to be a party of some sort or another. But, with the help of technology (facebook) and being surrounded by a loving family and great friends, my experience left me feeling extremely blessed for the life God has given me and the ability to share it with such wonderful people.

Too often we take our relationships for granted. In times of celebration (birthdays, weddings, baptisms, graduations, etc.), when we gather with our family and friends, we are reminded of how valuable those relationships are and how much joy they bring to our lives. We are reminded of the good those relationships inject into our lives and the love that keeps us going from day-to-day. This week, I was reminded of how many people care and how many people God has placed in my life that have influenced me and formed me.

With all of that said, I received an email this week that I have to share with you. I pray that it brings a smile and joy to your life today and throughout this week. (Thank you Renee Kindell for sending it to me!)

"A mother was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbour if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he wouldn't notice her. The neighbor said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.

The next school day, the neighbour and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week. As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy 's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week.

Finally she said to Timmy , 'Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?' Timmy nonchalantly replied, 'Yeah, I know who she is.' The little girl said, 'Well, who is she?' 'That's just Shirley Goodnest ,' Timmy replied, 'and her daughter Marcy.' 'Shirley Goodnest? Who is she and why is she following us?' 'Well,' Timmy explained, 'every night my Mum makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!'"

Are you used to God's goodness and mercy following you? How much different would your life be if you" got used to" God being with you on your journey through life? What a great example for living - with the knowledge of God's grace and goodness surrounding every step we take! May the goodness and mercy of our God follow you in the form of family and friends all the days of your life. Enjoy the journey and just get used to it!

Loving God, may I never tire of Your blessings and may I never take for granted the goodness and mercy You bring into my life. If I forget, O God, remind me of those who love me and surround me with those who bring Your joy! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Summer Vacation Christians

2011-05-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon!

Recently, I had picked-up my daughter from school and we were driving home when I said, rather excitedly, "Only 10 1/2 days left of school!" Of course, I anticipated the "normal" response of "Oh, I can't wait!" or "I wish it was over now!" When I was her age (10 yrs. old), that was my response. When I was 21 and in college, that was my response. When I was 25 and in seminary, that was my response!!! I don't think I have ever had a different response. But, I should have learned a long time ago to expect the unexpected from my daughter. Her first response came in a sound that sprung forth from the depths of her soul. It was deep...almost gutteral...with hints of a high pitched whine. I didn't know if she was getting ready to explode with excitement or stroke out in despair!

After her initial response she said, "Noooooo! I don't want school to be over!" I have to honest, I thought my child was losing it and I started to wonder if my wife had eaten some weird food when she was pregnant that created this odd behavior. (and no, I don't always blame my wife for genetic oddities) I asked her why she wasn't excited for school to be out and she said she likes school, she likes learning, and she likes being around her friends. After my shock wore off, I must say that I am awfully proud that my daughter responded the way she did. Why wouldn't a parent be excited that his/her child loves to learn and loves doing it with her friends?

In reflection, God did not create us to turn off our brains and disengage from the lessons He is trying to teach us. God did not create us to be isolated in our learning and growing. Yet, for so many Christians, we stop growing and we stop doing it together. When we accept Christ or we've done "our time" in the church, we become summer vacation Christians...excited for the time when we can sit back, relax, and tell ourselves we've learned all we need to learn and we've done what we needed to do. At least for our children, they have to go back to school. But, it can be so easy, as Christians, to take a permanent summer vacation.

I want the excitment my daughter has for learning and growing. I don't want to be content with what I already know (or think I know for that matter). I want my faith, my religion, my life to experience the excitement of wondering, "What is God going to teach me next?" While taking the time to relax is good and important for a balanced life...I'd like to find time to relax with my God and allow Him to reveal to me deeper understandings of who He is and how He is working in my life and in the lives of those around me. And, you know what? Like my daughter understands, God grows me by working through other Christians in my life. I need the Body of Christ. You and I cannot grow on our own - neither apart from each other and nor apart from God.

As it says in The Message translation of 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, "Who do you think Paul is, anyway? Or Apollos, for that matter? Servants, both of us—servants who waited on you as you gradually learned to entrust your lives to our mutual Master. We each carried out our servant assignment. I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. It's not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God's field in which we are working."

As summer is quickly approaching, resist the temptation to become a summer vacation Christian. Pray that God would help you become a year-round Christian. One who is excited about the life lessons you learn (good and bad) and one who thirsts for the powerful presence of God in your life. Pray that God would offer you boldness and courage to seek out other Christians with whom you can grow. Pray that God, through Jesus Christ, would renew your mind and conform your heart and life to the likeness of our Lord.

Holy God, thank You for loving me and reminding me that there is more to my life than what I have come to know. Forgive me of my lazy spirit and renew within me a heart that is on fire for you. Help me to joyfully accept the lessons You are teaching and to humbly submit to Your molding of my heart. I desire to live my life for You. Grow me and make me into the person You know I can be. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

In Our Father's Image

2011-05-04T14:28:00.001-07:00

Today is the National Day of Prayer and it couldn't have come at a better time, in my opinion. Just four days ago our nation erupted in jubilation over the news that a mass murderer had been hunted down and killed. Justice was served...at least our view of justice this side of heaven. I heard the news after I came home from a wonderful choir concert at our church. Talk about a downer! My first reaction was one of relief that this man could no longer hurt people of all different genders, ages, races, and creeds. My next reaction was in response to the scenes I saw on television of people congregating in the streets to actually celebrate the news.

This form of celebration did not sit right with me and it still doesn't. While I understand the raw human emotion of celebrating that justice had been enacted on this man and the collective sigh of relief that more suffering would not come from his hand, I was reminded of the scenes I saw of people celebrating in the streets at the news of 9/11. I thought to myself, have we stooped that low? Have we become what we say we hate?

My Christian response was not one of joy, but one of sadness. Sadness for the reminder of all who have died under his hand. Sadness of the evil that has spread because of his teachings. Sadness that, as far as we know, he never knew of the powerful grace and love that our God has for him. Sadness that our world could rejoice when another life is taken. Are these the consequences of war and of another person's actions? Yes. Do we need to delight in them? No.

All around facebook the Scripture that keeps coming out from Christian brothers and sisters is from Ezekiel 33:11, "As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live." On this 5th day of May, the National Day of Prayer, that is what I am going to be praying for.

In closing, allow me to share an old devotion that I came across this week that I think speaks to the Christian response for the world today:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:43-45

Max Lucado, in his book The Applause of Heaven, writes about a big, muscle-bound man named Daniel who was swindled by his own brother. He vowed that if he ever saw him again, he would break his neck. A few months later, Daniel became a Christian. Even so, he couldn't forgive his brother. One day, the inevitable encounter took place on a busy avenue. This is how Daniel described what happened:

I saw him, but he didn't see me. I felt my fists clench and my face get hot. My initial impulse was to grab him around the throat and choke the life out of him. But as I looked into his face, my anger began to melt. For as I saw him, I saw the image of my father. I saw my father's eyes. I saw my father's look. I saw my father's expression. And as I saw my father in his face, my enemy once again became my brother.

The brother found himself wrapped in those big arms—but in a hug. The two stood in the middle of the river of people and wept. Daniel's words bear repeating: "When I saw the image of my father in his face, my enemy became my brother."

What do we see when we look at someone who wrongs us or makes our life difficult? Do thoughts of revenge or retribution cloud our view … or can we see the image of our father, our Heavenly Father, in these people? May the Holy Spirit empower us to see our Father’s image in everyone we encounter.

Whether that be in a man who is responsible for the killing of many, the coworker we don't get along with, the family member we've grown estranged from, or the person who looks back at us in the mirror everyday. Let's spend our time celebrating the face of God revealed to us in each other!

Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for giving me the great gift of forgiveness. Enable me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. Give me the vision to see beyond what is in front of me, to see what is inside of every one of your children...You. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

Easter Happened!

2011-04-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

As a pastor, the Monday after Easter is a time of recovery for me. Resurrection Sunday is filled with high energy, excitement, stress, and incredible spiritual investment that often leaves me tired and exhausted. I need the Monday after Easter to allow my physical body to recuperate. It is an exciting time of the year, but there is a let down when it is all over.

I wonder if that is the challenge for other Christians as well. Through Lent we prepare our lives and our spirits to receive the power of the resurrection. Through Lent we repent of our sins and we invite God to restore us to a new relationship with Him. Easter is a celebration of this new life that only Jesus Christ can bring! But, when the day of celebration is over, there is a let down in spirit and focus and intentional living. The power of Easter comes in the way we live our lives after the resurrection, not just on Easter Sunday!

Luke 24:35-48 gives us a glimpse into the challenge that faced the disciples after the resurrection. They had met Jesus on the road to Emmaus. They actually saw the risen Christ!!! As they spoke of the Emmaus experience, Jesus came to them again. Remember, they had already seen Christ, yet they were frightened upon seeing Him again. They thought He was a ghost. Jesus challenged the doubts in their hearts and showed them His hands and feet again and proved His bodily resurrection when He ate some food they gave Him.

These disciples had witnessed the resurrection of Jesus first hand and still had doubts. They still had an Easter let down and did not fully understand and embrace what the resurrection meant for their lives. Then, Jesus opened their hearts and their understanding that they may come to know the Scriptures. After doing so, Jesus reminds them that they were witnesses to the life and purpose of Jesus.

Being a witness held certain responsibilities...to testify and continue to witness to the fact that Jesus was to suffer, rise from the dead, call others to repentance and remission of sins, and to share it with all nations. There is no let down to Easter. Easter gears us up, lifts us up, and strengthens us to share the good news of Jesus' life and message! It restores in us hope and courage to live our lives in such a way that we proclaim the power of Jesus' resurrection.

We can walk away from Easter with renewed peace, joy, hope and a firm sense of mission, which can affect our entire outlook on life. We become purpose-driven to win our world for Christ. Our whole image, how we appear and talk, our outlook and reaction to life will all be different and when people ask what's happened to us, we can answer: "Easter happened, that's what!"

Holy God, in the days after Easter, reveal Yourself to me. Embolden me to live my life with the power of resurrection flowing through my heart and manifesting itself in the way I serve You. May my life be a testimony, a witness, to the way You have raised my life to live in a hope, peace, and grace that is beyond compare. In the name of Jesus, the risen Christ! Amen.

At Jesus' Feet

2011-04-19T21:27:00.000-07:00

Hello Holy Week journeyers,

I hope this week is truly set apart from any other week you take part in the rest of the year. This week is one of those special weeks that provide us the opportunity to get back on track and be reminded of the importance of our faith in Jesus and the transformation He can truly make in our lives. I know how difficult our day in and day out journeys can be. Our bodies get tired and our feet get achy and worn. Our spirit becomes weary and we try to find a place to rest. This Holy Week we are reminded of where we can lay our burdens down and how the journey before us can be renewed and restored with hope and vitality.

My morning devotion from the book Experiencing God Day-By-Day, shared the following:

Mary seemed drawn to the feet of Jesus. It is not surprising that of all those who followed Jesus, Mary was the one to anoint His feet. The disciples would have their opportunity to show the same love, but pride would prevent them (John 13:12-13). Marth, too, was prone toward acts of service, but she had developed a different kind of relationship with Jesus than Mary had. While Martha had labored on Jesus' behalf in the kitchen, Mary had joyfully sat at Jesus' feet and listened to Him teach (Luke 10:38-42). Because Mary had come to know and love Jesus in this way, she was ready to humble herself and offer this poignant expression of love to Him. Such depth and sincerity of love comes only through spending time in close fellowship with Jesus.

The way we express our love for Jesus depends on the kind of relationship we have developed with Him. Our love for Him will not grow unless we spend time with him, listen to his voice, and experience His love for us. If we find that our love for Jesus has waned or that we struggle to serve Him, it is a clear sign that we must take time to sit at His feet. We may have been involved in Christian activity on His behalf and yet neglected our relationship with him. After we have spent time in intimate fellowship with our Lord, and after we have heard His voice and received His love, we will be prepared to serve Him, even laying down our life for Him if that is what He asks.

If your journey in life has taken you on a different path, set this Holy Week apart from any other by sitting at the feet of your Lord. Listen to His words for you. Receive His grace. Get back on track by walking in His footsteps.

Allow this week to call you back to the central message of your faith. May this week help you out of your ruts and lead you back into vibrant, life-giving practices that strengthen and embolden your faith. Sit at the feet of Jesus. Sit at the foot of the cross. Sit by the stone of an occupied tomb....and wait.

Dear Lord, I want to sit at Your feet, listen for Your voice, and be led by Your hand. I want this week to be set apart for You so that the rest of my week will be made holy by my fellowship with You. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

Who am I?

2011-04-06T22:24:00.000-07:00

At the end of a day, have you ever looked upon the events of that day and noticed that there was a common theme? That the most memorable moments of your day could be boiled down to one common idea or experience? Well, today was one of those days for me.

In this season of Lent we have been on a very intentional journey with Jesus to the cross. One of the main questions I have challenged you to ask yourself in this journey is, "Who is Jesus?" Your answer to this question is critical to the life you will experience...not just in the heavenly realm upon your departure from this earth, but even in the worldly realm as you live and breathe within the context of relationships and community.

Does Jesus bring power into your life as the Son of God? Does He liberate you from the oppressive power of sin, discouragement, and hopelessness as your Messiah and Savior? Does this Jesus have the power to overcome the darkness in your life as the Light of your world? How we answer these questions is important if we are to become faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

However, that leads me to another important question that has been nagging at me today. While I believe Jesus to be the Son of God and the Savior of the world, I am left pondering, "Who am I?" In relation to Jesus and my belief in Him, "Who am I?" I understand that the answer to this question is very complex. I am a child of God. I am a son, a brother, a husband, a father, an uncle, a grandson, a friend, a pastor, etc. But, this is not where I am going. The totality of who we are is a complex layering of different roles, labels, and experiences. I want to know who I am with Jesus in my life.

Today reminded me that Christians (of which I am one) and the Church (of which I am a part) have lost their identity. We have lost our way. We have wandered from our center. The focus of our faith is more on ourselves than it is on the One who came, lived, died, rose, and will come back again...Jesus. I don't believe this has been intentional, but it has become the reality in many areas of our lives. We have forgotten what it means to be disciples of Jesus Christ. We have forgotten that being a disciple is costly - we are asked to give up our lives, to allow Jesus to lead, to live in deep faithful community with others in which there is accountability, and to live lives that make a profound impact within the neighborhoods in which we live and work.

Instead, we want cheap discipleship. We want worship they way we like it. We want programs that interest us and at times that are most convenient. We want others to do the work of God because we have over-scheduled our lives and can't seem to find ways to fit God into it. We are okay with relegating the work of faith to those who have the time or are paid to do it...thinking that we can be carried into the joys of heaven on the backs of others. We don't want to make any major changes to our lives. We'd like to fit God in where it is convenient, instead of fitting our lives into God's plan.

I believe most people in the church want to live in and experience the power of Jesus in their lives. Most want the Holy Spirit to reside on their shoulders and never leave them. Most want to catch a glimpse of God moving in their lives and know of the full, deep love of Christ. We want to experience the realization of God's promises being fulfilled in our lives. But...there is always a but...we struggle with putting in the work that will help us experience that kind of life. We struggle with our own identity.

For the faithfulness of Christ to be fully experienced in our lives, we need to come back to a faithful understanding of who we are in relation to Jesus. Not just knowing who He is, but allowing who He is to define who we are. We need to change our focus and get it off ourselves and put it back on our Lord. My friend, Bob Kaylor, said in a recent blog, "The only way to change is through the transforming power of Christ. You want to make disciples? You have to be one first."

Are you willing to recommit your life to being a disciple? To getting back to the basics of studying the Scriptures, living in accountable relationships with other Christians, of walking closely behind Jesus, and allowing God to use YOU to change your part of the world? If we, as the church, want to see a world transformed, we must first experience that transformation. We won't be able to do that if we don't know who Jesus is and if we aren't willing to be who Jesus wants us to be...faithful, growing, and transformed disciples of Christ.

Lord Jesus, I have lost my focus...turn my eyes back on You. I have desired cheap discipleship...give me a heart to live a life of sacrifice for You. I want my faith to be easy...remind me that Your way is through the narrow gate. I desire the benefits without the cost...remind me again of what You did for me on the cross. Create in me a new heart that desires true transformation and a willingness to be a disciple that honors You. Remove from me any distractions of the heart, mind, and soul so that my walk with You may bring forth fruit in my life and through my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Fools for Christ

2011-04-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

Good morning! Today, it feels like God is playing an April Fools joke on us because there is no way that we are in the month of April already! We are already a quarter of the way through 2011 and heading into a new season of Spring and Opening Day for Major League Baseball in the Rockies! A great time of year, for sure, but it doesn't seem possible how quickly time has flown.

April Fool's Day is a fun day and sometimes the tomfoolery starts early. Earlier this week, I found a naked Barbie Doll in my work bag...obviously something my 12 year-old son thought was funny. Of course, I got a laugh out of it and I'm now planning where I can hide it in response to my surprise earlier in the week (this is an ongoing occurrence in our family). Last night, my daughter told us that she wanted to play an April Fool's joke on her brother by having us wake her up after Ethan fell asleep so that she could place his hand in a glass of warm water! We all know what is "supposed" to happen. She was finding joy in the fact that her brother would be made a fool of if the experiment was successful. What kind of delinquent children am I raising?

Of course, all of this is in fun. But, on this 1st day of April, I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 4:10 where Paul says, "We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!" Paul was challenging the Christians in the church in Corinth. They had become complacent in their faith, their leadership, and their understanding of what it meant to be Christ in their world. These words from Paul were sarcastic in tone, and challenging in meaning.

Being fools for Christ means that what we believe, what we do, how we live will often be seen as foolish in the eyes of the world and even within the context of societal norms. When you follow Christ, your decisions, the love your share, the way you forgive, the jokes you laugh at, the priorities you set in your life, the words you write on Facebook, your blog, or your tweets, are different and not what others may expect. In some peoples' eyes, it may even appear foolish.

In his book, Holy Sweat, Tim Hansel tells the story of Clarence Jordan. He was a man of unusual abilities and commitment. He had two Ph.D.s, one in agriculture and the other in Greek and Hebrew. He was so gifted he could have chosen to do anything he wanted. He chose to serve the poor. In the 1940s, he founded a farm in Americus, Georgia, and called it Koinonia Farm. It was a community for poor whites and poor blacks.

As you might guess, the idea did not go over well in the Deep South of the 1940s. The town people tried everything to stop Clarence. They tried boycotting him, and slashing the workers’ tires when they came to town. Over and over, for fourteen years, they tried to stop him. Finally, in 1954, the Ku Klux Klan had enough of Clarence Jordan, so they decided to get rid of him once and for all. They came one night with guns and torches and set fire to every building on Koinonia Farm but Clarence’s home, which they riddled with bullets. They chased off all the families but one black family that refused to leave. Clarence recognized the voices of the Klansmen, some of who were church people. One Klansman was a local newspaper reporter.

The next day, the reporter came out to see what remained of the farm. The rubble was smoldering, but he found Clarence in the field, hoeing and planting. “I heard the awful news,” he called to Clarence, “and I came out to do a story on the tragedy of your farm closing.” Clarence just kept on hoeing and planting. The reporter kept poking trying to get this quietly determined man to get angry. Instead of packing, Clarence was planting. Finally, the reporter said in a haughty voice, “Well, Dr. Jordan, you got two of them Ph.D.s and you've got fourteen years into this farm, and there’s nothing left of it at all. Just how successful do you think you've been?” Clarence stopped hoeing, turned toward the reporter with his penetrating blue eyes, and said quietly but firmly, “About as successful as the cross. Sir, I don’t think you understand us. What we are about is not success but faithfulness. We’re staying. Good day.” Beginning that day, Clarence and his companions rebuilt Koinonia and the farm is going strong today.

On this April Fool's Day in which we do foolish things to make others look foolish and take delight in it, may be recommit our lives and our faith to be fools for Christ. To act, live, and be foolish in the eyes of the world so that we may be found faithful in the eyes of Christ.

Holy God, You are set apart. You are full of grace. Your ways are not the ways of the world. I admit that I have often looked foolish in Your eyes, God, so that I may be found worthy in the eyes of the world. Help me to get right my priorities and seek Your ways for my life - even if I may be deemed foolish by those around me. I desire to be faithful to You, and You alone. Thank you for reminding me that if I am going to be a fool for anything, it is best to be a fool for You. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

Afraid of the Light?

2011-03-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring Break!

Recently, in a morning devotion I read of a time back when electricity was first being introduced to a little Scottish village, almost everybody in a particular church switched from the propane lanterns to electricity just as soon as it could be hooked up. However, the oldest couple in the congregation couldn't get their electricity because they were waiting for the poles to go up and the wire to be strung. So they continued to use their propane lanterns.

The day finally came when the electricity was brought into their home. Everyone came for the festive event. Teh old man waited for it to get extra dark; then he told his wife to go turn on the switch. When she did, the light filled the room, and everyone rejoiced. The old man grinned from ear to ear, picked up a propane lamp and said, "It sure makes lighting my lamps easier." And with that he lit a lamp, and his wife turned off the electricity.

We can be like that sometimes, can't we? We can't see the light for need to hang on to the darkness in our lives. Christ sheds His holy light into the dark recesses of our hearts and lives and sometimes we decide we'd rather keep those places hidden. We decide that we only want the light of Christ to shine in the selective sections of our soul. Are there areas of your life where you are more afraid of the light than you are of the dark?

The Bible tells us that we cannot hide from God (Jeremiah 23:24) and that even the darkness is as light to Him (Psalm 139:11-12). As Christians, we do not hold onto the darkness of our lives and live in the darkness...as that is not faithful to the calling of our Lord. John 3:19-21 says, "...the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." Even 1Thessalonians 5:5 says, "For you are children of the light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness."

Whatever darkness you continue to hold onto...whatever darkness you continue to live in...allow the light to overcome it and light your path to experience the light of life (John 8:12). No need to be afraid of the light anymore...it will disperse and consume any darkness in your life!

Lord of Light, thank You for lighting my path. Forgive me for living in darkness and not allowing You access to the deepest, darkest parts of my life. I am grateful for Your light and the power it has to scatter the darkness and bring warmth to my soul. I want to be a child of the light and not be afraid of what the light may reveal. I want to bask in the Light of Your love and grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Joy is Strength

2011-03-17T22:46:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

I hope and pray that you have experienced the powerful presence of God in your lives this week. This has been a long week! On Wednesday I thought it was Friday - wishful thinking I guess! As you know from a previous post, our church family has experienced the death of two wonderful friends in the last week. That alone is enough to make a normal week, long and draining. Grief has a way of taking away some of the vitality of life for a while. On top of the grief, my heart has been burdened by many who are struggling with physical needs (some immediate, some ongoing), emotional crises, and spiritual challenges. Place on top of all of that the "normal" duties of a "typical" week, and the weight and burdens can easily bring one to his knees (from exhaustion and in prayer!).

As I anticipate the coming weekend and that benefits of a short Spring Break vacation, I continue to be reminded of some words that were spoken at the celebration of life service for Verle Pomeroy. Pastor Denny mentioned a time that Verle invited him over to his house. Knowing that life had been challenging the family for a while, Verle had Denny over to watch a funny video saying that sometimes you just have to laugh in the tough times. Oh the joy for life that Verle possessed, even in the midst of struggles and tribulations. And the gift that joy brought to the depths of Denny's life.

It reminds me of a 3rd century man who was anticipating death. Feeling a need to communicate his heart to a friend he said, "It's a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people are the Christians...and I am one of them." (Today in the World, June, 1988, p.18)

Living in the joy of every day moments and situations does not mean we have to be happy about our moment or situation. Happiness is an emotion, while joy is a state of the soul. Happiness is short-lived, while joy is everlasting. Happiness is conditional, while joy is given unconditionally.

In Psalm 94:19 it says, "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." I praise God in all things, but I give a little extra shout of joy for seeing me through a week like the one we just experienced. The joy that Christ brings makes the tough weeks, the unbearable burdens, and the deep despairs a lighter load to carry. The consolation of the Lord truly brings joy to my soul!

Whatever you may be going through right now, you don't have to like it and it may burden your soul in a number of different ways. But, when you allow the joy of the Lord to take hold of your heart and guide your spirit, those burdens are lifted and the anxieties lessened. The joy of the Lord can truly be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10)!

God of joy, thank You for the strength You offer and the burdens You lift. Thank you for the joy that only You can provide. Forgive me for holding on to my anxieties, my sorrows, and my troubles. Help me to realize that my grip on these things only keeps me from experiencing the joy You desire for me. I want to live in Your joy even when I don't like my circumstances. Remind me that I can discover Your joy in every situation. Open my heart, my mind, and my soul to receive it...again. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A Time to Mourn

2011-03-10T23:06:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,

This past week, from Saturday until today, has been a rollercoaster ride of emotion. On two occasions our church family has received sad news as two saints in our church have been called home by God. Genevieve Brower (March 5th) and Verle Pomeroy (March 9th) turned in this earthly life, for an eternal home made by the hands of our Creator. Both have been pillars of faith and strength in our church for many years. They lived long lives and their wisdom was often sought and their presence desired when we would gather together. They will surely be missed, as they were loved and we felt the love the emmanated from their souls.

Both Genevieve and Verle were simply faithful. This brings joy in times like these, as we are confident of the fact that they are "dwelling in the house of the Lord, forever." I'm sure the Lord took one look at both of them and said, "Well done good and faithful servant. Well done!" We can take solace and comfort in knowing that Genevieve and Verle are experiencing the fulfillment of the promises they clinged to in this life. Their bodies are restored and their spirits renewed. We find joy in knowing they are with the Lord.

Yet, at the same time, we grieve. We are saddened by their absence. We mourn our human loss. We are brought to tears at the mention of their name or the sharing of a memory or when we hear a song that reminds us of them. We expect to see them in the places and situations they frequented. When they don't arrive, we are saddened. We have to learn how to go on living in this life without them.

As Christian people we live in the tension between joy and sorrow, strength and weakness, and restoration and brokenness. We come to God in these moments, and we hold on to the promises He has given. How do we handle this tension? Do we focus only on the joy because we believe that a good Christian would respond that way? Do we allow ourselves to slide deep into despair, forgetting to turn our eyes toward eternity? How do we grieve as Christian people?

Grieving like a Christian does not mean we do not grieve. It means we grieve without despair. We crawl into our Father's lap and lay our tear-stained cheeks on His shoulder, and trust that what He ordains is always right, will always work out well in the end, and that all our losses will one day be restored to us. It is running to Him and asking, "Tell me the story of what You have done and what You will do to destroy this enemy." It is going to Him and asking for the strength and comfort we need, to face the new reality of our temporary, mortal-lives-- a reality without someone we have grown to love, without someone we are used to having as a part of our lives and perhaps mistakenly assumed would always be there. It is knowing that although there is loss, all is not lost.

God does not tell us we will not have sorrows. He tells us that He will be our comfort in sorrow. He does not tell us we will not have tears. He tells us He will be there with us to wipe our tears away. He does not tell us there will not be times to mourn. He tells us that on the other side of that mourning is the promise of joy indescribable. (www.dory.typepad.com)

As we walk this path of sorrow together, may we also experience the joy that comes with having been loved by and being able to love Genevieve and Verle. May we experience the restoration of our souls as God strengthens us and reawakens us to His Spirit which embraces us. Yes, this is a time to mourn, but thanks be to God that on the other side of that mourning is the promise of an indescribable joy and a peace that passes all understanding.

Comforting, holy, God, I place myself in Your hands...I put myself in Your lap, and I ask that You hold me and those dear to me close to Your heart as we mourn. Turn my mourning into joy as I remember the ones I love who have gone home to be with You. Walk with me in the tension of these moments and the contemplations of the mysteries of life and death. Remind me that You are my God and I can find refuge in You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Heal or Hurt

2011-03-03T09:52:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends!

It has been a couple of weeks since I've last posted. I'm glad to be back and sharing with you again. Over the last few weeks I have watched with great interest how our human race responds to conflict situations. Conflict is all around us and it takes many forms. Conflict manifests itself in curtly spoken words to a spouse, child, or co-worker. It manifests itself in gossip and slander. It manifests itself in screaming matches or accusations in front of a tv camera. It manifests itself in protests, picket lines, and walking out on the job. The worst manifestation of conflict comes when words and actions incite violence against our fellow human beings. Other forms of conflict are more subtle as they exists within our own thoughts and emotions. We struggle spiritually with the issues that bombard us in life. We struggle emotionally to hold it all together - or at least find a healthy way to express our raw emotions. We struggle mentally - trying to make sense of senseless situations. While most people hate conflict, it is something we live with every single day.

If we are to handle conflict in our lives as the world has modeled it for us, we will quickly find ourselves caught up in the powerful currents of anger, hatred, and the demonization of those who disagree with us. With all of the images and reports on the television screen and in the newspaper (and we tend to choose the newspapers and television stations that usually support our position and perspective), it is easy for us to get swept away by the raw emotions and dangerous reactivity of the issues in front of us.

Within our personal lives it is just as easy. When we disagree with someone or a decision that has been made that affects us, we seek out those that agree with our position and before we know it, we have an army of people on our side. The more we have on our side, the more emboldened we are to confront the person or issue with which we disagree.

For any of us who have experienced conflict in these ways, when we are honest with ourselves, we know that this approach to resolving conflict often has painful and destructive consequences. People get hurt. Relationships are broken and destroyed. Our souls are darkened with anger, bitterness, and shattered spirits.

When are we going to learn that there is a better way to handle the conflicts that plague us? When are we going to be willing to walk in the way that leads to healing instead of hurt? How many more times must we experience the pain and anguish of going against each other, before we submit to the way of walking together?

The Bible is very clear on how we are to handle our conflicts. We are to first look at ourselves and acknowledge what we bring to the conflict (Matthew 7:3-5). We are to look at each other with eyes of love and grace (Hebrews 10:24). When we have a disagreement we are to bring it to one another and sit down at the table and talk about it together (Matthew 5:23-25, Matthew 18:15-17). In the midst of the conflict make sure you speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Most problems and conflicts we face become worse because we do not invest our time in bringing reconciliation and healing. Instead we focus our time on things that make the conflict worse.

John Maxwell lists 12 ways to constructively manage conflict and 12 ways to destructively manage conflict. I'd like to share them with you...with the constructive management style first and the destructive style after: 1. Agree on a time and place to talk it out or Catch the other person off guard. 2. Assertively, honestly express your feelings or Passively suppress your feelings. 3. Focus on the problem, not the person or Personalize the disagreement. 4. Select a neutral referee or Get your friends to referee. 5. Develop a positive, mature attitude or Be negative and vindictive. 6. Search for a solution or Find someone to blame. 7. Focus on specifics or Generalize and exaggerate. 8. Be open and available or Be silent and superior. 9. Affirm your responsibility or Blame someone else. 10. When problems arise, work them out or When problems arise, walk out. 11. Listen, wait and learn or Presume, assume and dominate. 12. Forgive and forget or Stubbornly demand guarantees.

One way leads to healing, the other to hurt. Which approach do you believe God desires of you?

Loving, reconciling, God. I have handled myself poorly in the midst of conflict. I have fought for my right to be heard. I have unfairly labeled and condemned those I am supposed to love. I have fought for my way, instead of Your way. Forgive me. Create in me a heart that values love over hate; mercy over bitterness; gentleness over power; Your way over mine. Give me strength in the midst of the conflicts around me and the opportunities to be an instrument of Your healing and Your grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Way of the King

2011-02-17T21:32:00.000-08:00

A powerful story was told in the 4th century by Athanasius, one of the most important theologians in Eastern Orthodoxy of his time, that I would like to share with you.

Once upon a time there was a good and kind king who had a great kingdom with many cities. In one distant city, some people took advantage of the freedom the king gave them and started doing evil. They profited by their evil and began to fear that the king would interfere and throw them in jail. Eventually these rebels seethed with hatred for the king. They convinced the city that everyone would be better off without the king, and the city declared its independence from the kingdom.

But soon, with everyone doing whatever they wanted, disorder reigned in the city. There was violence, hatred, lying, oppression, murder, rape, slavery, and fear. The king thought: What should I do? If I take my army and conquer the city by force, the people will fight against me, and I'll have to kill so many of them, and the rest will only submit through fear and intimidation, which will make them hate me and all I stand for even more. How does that help them - to be either dead or imprisoned or secretly seething with rage? But if I leave them alone, they'll destroy each other, and it breaks my heart to think of the pain they're causing and experiencing.

So the king did something very surprising. He took off his robes and dressed in the rags of a homeless wanderer. Incognito, he entered the city and began living in a vacant lot near a garbage dump. He took up a trade - fixing broken pottery and furniture. Whenever people came to him, his kindness and goodness and fairness and respect were so striking that they would linger just to be in his presence. They would tell him their fears and questions, and ask his advice. He told them that the rebels had fooled them, and that the true king had a better way to live, which he exemplified and taught. One by one, then two by two, and then by the hundreds, people began to have confidence in him and live in his way.

Their influence spread to others, and the movement grew and grew until the whole city regretted its rebellion and wanted to return to the kingdom again. But, ashamed of their horrible mistake, they were afraid to approach the king, believing he would certainly destroy them for their rebellion. But the king-in-disguise told them the good news: he was himself the king, and he loved them. He held nothing against them, and he welcomed them back into his kingdom, having accomplished by a gentle, subtle presence what never could have been accomplished through brute force.

God came into this world through Jesus Christ to show that there is a better way, to share with us the heart of God, to empower us to be the embodiment of Christ's love and grace in this world. Through Jesus, we discover not only personal salvation, but the salvation of the world of which we are a part. The more we learn from Jesus "the ways of the king", the more we can influence others in His ways, too.

Teach me Your ways, O God, and forgive me of my rebellious spirit. Forgive me for the times I have decided to live my life independent of You. Forgive my waywardness and take away the things, thoughts, and lifestyles that distract me from walking with You. Thank You for Your grace. Help me to commit my time to listening to You and hearing Your voice as you speak to my spirit, "This is the way...walk in it." In Jesus' holy name. Amen.

Radical Christianity

2011-02-10T16:51:00.000-08:00

Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ!

In world news over the past two weeks, the world has watched as the protesters in Egypt have taken to the streets to demand a change in their government and to take a stand for the country they desire to see in the future. What that is going to look like and how everything will unfold is unknown to any of us. I will not get political about this issue in this setting, partly because even the brightest of politicians on all sides really have no idea how the situation in Egypt will all play out. At this point, everything is conjecture.

In the midst of all of the turmoil, there are some that are afraid that the uprisings will be a window of opportunity for radical religious groups to take over the government. While all of that remains to be seen, last week the world got a peek at the good that a radical religious group could do in such challenging situations.

A picture was taken by a photojournalist that depicted a radical group of Christians forming a human wall to protect Muslims as they prayed. Here is that picture:

I got this picture from:
http://www.myweku.com/2011/02/photo-of-the-week-christians-protecting-muslims-during-their-prayers-in-egypt/

Without getting into all of the theological differences between Christians and Muslims, I believe that this picture depicts the kind of Christianity we are called to live by Jesus. Our opinions of other faiths or other people should not keep us from extending the love and grace that Jesus Christ has extended to us.

Our current culture has a negative stereotype of radicalism. Don't get me wrong, some of the negativism is warranted as radicals have a way of creating havoc, fear, and disharmony in a multitude of different ways. The radical lives we are called to live have an opposite affect on the world around us.

The word radical is defined in three ways.

1. Departing markedly from the usual or customary; extreme

2. Favoring or effecting fundamental or revolutionary changes in current practices, conditions, or institutions

3. Arising from or going to a root or source; basic

The first two definitions are the ones we normally think of when we hear the word "radical". We think of extremists and those who seek to change the world in which we live. But, how often do we define "radical" with the third definition?

When we think of what it means to be radical Christians, it is important that we understand that in which our faith is rooted...Christ. We remember the basics of the faith we possess. We remember that our faith grows from a relationship with our Creator.

"Jesus preached love amidst hatred; unity amidst divisiveness; faith amidst the legalistic religious leaders of His day...wholeness amidst the brokenhearted; freedom amidst those held in yokes of bondage...Jesus spoke truth to power, and we, as Christians, are to do no less!" (Rev. Jerry Maneker)

I pray for the kind of faith found in those Egyptian Christians. A faith that reflects the radical nature of the One I serve. A faith that is willing to sacrifice for those who disagree with me. A faith that honors the dignity of each human being. A faith that is willing to step out in radical love because Jesus did the same for me.

This kind of radical Christianity is extreme and life changing. It's the only way this world can be radically changed and transformed for the better.

Radical God, Your love is extreme and Your grace is revolutionary. Forgive me when I have made my faith about me and what I believe, instead of about You and what You want to do in me. Give me strength to radically live my life for You...to stay rooted in Your Son, Jesus, and to stand for the Truth for which He died for me. I want to be a radical Christian that makes an eternal difference in this world for You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Theology of Bad Weather

2011-02-03T17:08:00.000-08:00

Hello!

What a wacky week of weather we have had this week! A good amount of snow and more than enough teeth-chattering COLD! As many of you know, I love this stuff. I even love the bitter cold. I love driving in it too!

As I was driving around town this week, I had a revelation I'd like to share. It happened as I drove behind a line of cars going about 25 mph and keeping the appropriate distance so as not to slide into one another. Personally, I have the tendency to drive faster than normal when the weather is good. But, when the weather turns nasty, I do a complete turn-around and I become the safe driver I was trained to be.

I realized as I was driving that one of the reasons I love this weather is because it forces me to slow down. It reminds me of how to safely navigate the streets of the city. I remember my training and the fundamentals that lead to safe driving because I have to fall back on that knowledge to safely go from one place to another.

I began to wonder if the "cold fronts" and "bad weather" I experience in my emotional and spiritual life cause me to slow down and safely navigate the potentially treacherous turns that confront me?

Sometimes I react to the bad weather moments I face. Rushing to find a solution, slipping and sliding around on the icy landscape of diffcult decisions and sometimes carelessly running into obstacles in front of me. Sometimes I forget that to safely navigate these difficult conditions all I have to do is slow down, give myself some space, and stay focused on my next step.

The times that I have most successfully navigated the stormy conditions I've faced, have been those times when I have not feared the bad weather and I have gone back to how I was trained up in the Christian faith. We will all face cold fronts and bad weather in our lives. The question is, will we fear those extreme conditions and carelessly navigate the dangerous roads, or will we slow down, make space, and stay focused on the One who will get us through the storm?

The bad weather can be good when we allow it to strengthen our faith and remind us how to safely navigate the streets and alleys of life (James 1:2-4).

Almighty God, thank you for the bad weather of life. Allow it to remind me to slow down, make space for You, and stay focused on Your purpose for my life. Protect me in my journey through the treacherous conditions and safely navigate every turn of my life. May these conditions strengthen my faith in You and my love for You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Waiting on God

2011-01-28T08:56:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

I hope you are able to sense the powerful love that the God of the universe has for you today - and every day!

Are you a paitent person? Are you able to wait more than 30 seconds for a web page to pop up or a text to be returned? Do you get frustrated when it has taken someone an hour to return an email or even a phone call? Do you take joy in the journey or the result?

For those of you who know me, patience is not my strong suit, although I must say I am getting better at it. God continues to smoothe out that rough edge in my life...but, I wish He'd hurry up and do it!

As I have journeyed with God and waited upon Him, I have become more and more aware that God wants me to find joy in the journey more than finding joy in the results of my life. Often, for me, impatience engulfs me when I am not getting the results I desire. I forget that the journey has joy in it as well and, if I forget that, the results are not as sweet in the end. While I may enjoy achieving goals and getting results, it is the journey that defines how great the results end up being. It is in the journey that God teaches us our greatest lessons.

From Merton's Palace of Nowhere by James Finley, Finley writes, "Merton once told me to quit trying so hard in prayer. He said: 'How does an apple ripen? It just sits in the sun.' A small green apple cannot ripen in one night by tightening all its muscles, squinting its eyes and tightening its jaw in order to find itself the next morning miraculously large, red, ripe, and juicy beside its small green counterparts. Like the birth of a baby or the opening of a rose, the birth of true self takes place in God's time. We must wait for God, we must be awake; we must trust in his hidden action within us."

Our impatience oftens propels us to want to be more than what we are outside of God's timing...or wanting others to be more than what they are outside of God's timing. As Isaiah 40:31 shares with us, "Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Don't try to get somewhere in life faster than God needs you to. He needs you here and now and He desires to use you here and now. He will offer you the strength you need. He will reveal to you the purpose of your life today. Enjoy the journey...wait on God...the result will be a better, truer, you.

Holy God, thank you for patiently loving me, especially when I try to get ahead of You. When I get impatient God and I want more from my life, slow me down and open my eyes to the incredible blessings you want me to experience today. Take away my bent towards impatience and keep my awake as I wait for You and trust what You are doing in my life. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

HOPE

2011-01-13T15:08:00.000-08:00

Hello,

I pray that you have been able to experience the power of God's presence in your life this week.

As some of you may know, I am a news junkie. I like watching the news, listening to talk radio, and getting the latest updates on what is going on in the world around me. Unfortunately, this past week hasn't been a good week to be a news junkie. Every time I turn on the news I hear the story of the shooting tragedy in Tuscon that took 6 lives and wounded 14 others (one of them congresswoman Gabby Giffords). Not only do I hear the story again, but the images from that day flood the television screen...along with the image of the little nine year old girl who was killed. Seeing those images over and over again tends to have a negative effect after a while. I know I can turn off the news, and I often do, but the images seem to linger in my mind.

Locally, the past two weeks have created tragic images of their own. With the tragic death of Sammi Gaunt, a high school Senior, and the drowning death of a local 2 year old boy in the Arkansas River, images of tragedy and pain have been our constant companions recently. Mix all of this with the violence and unrest around the world, to which our news stations seem to flock, these images must have an unhealthy affect on our souls and our spirits.

I don't know aobut you but sometimes I shut off the television, stop reading the newspaper, and shut myself off from the world. No news is better than the news that's out there. This doesn't last too long and, unfortunately, I find myself being bombarded once again by the images and stories that communicate the darkest and most difficult realities of our humanity.

So, I'd like to offer the image above that pulls me out of the duldrums of life and removes the negative images in my mind. It is an image that, to me, is life-giving, hope-filled, and true. What does this image say to you?

(image received from www.schoolofabraham.com/pencilindex.htm and drawn by Jean Keaton)

Gracious God, I pray for our world that is full of tragedy and strife. I pray that our world does not become desensitized to the grave realities of our existence, but instead is able to put their trust and hope in You. As You have come to us in the image of Your Son, may I reflect His image in my own life and may Your life-giving Hope fill the darkest parts of my soul and the darkest corners of the world. In Your Holy Name I pray. Amen.

Social Networking

2011-01-06T11:44:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

I pray that you and your family have been able to welcome 2011 with open arms and with anticipation of all that God will reveal to you this year!

Like many of you, I have made some promises to myself for the New Year. I would like to get into better shape (my "round" isn't fully proportional yet), I would like to become more disciplined in my spiritual life, and I made a promise to join Facebook.

Suffice it to say, I achieved 1/3 of my goals for the year when I joined the Facebook family 3 days ago. Many of my family and friends were surprised to see me finally get on board with the cultural wave that has crashed down on our society. I have been very reluctant to join Facebook in the past and I vowed to never join it. But, in the true wisdom of the Bee Gee's, "never say never again."

I am intrigued by the cultural phenomenon that Facebook has become. It has been deemed the ultimate social networking site. At the end of 2010, Facebook heralded 400 million users that spans worldwide. As a matter of fact, 70% of Facebook users are outside of the United States. The statistics are staggering when you think of how Facebook has exploded in just 6 years. If you want to view some of the statistics follow this link: http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/facebook-statistics-facts-figures-for-2010/.

Facebook's mission is, "Giving people the power to share and make the world more open and connected." Obviously, their mission is being accomplished so much so that Goldman Sachs just invested $500 million in the company. Estimates of Facebook's worth range from $10-$50 Billion. Of course, it's not just about the money, it's about the people using the site as a way of connecting to those with whom they have lost connection in their lives. It is a way to stay up-to-date in our busy and chaotic world.

I have always been intrigued by culture's response to the newest idea and fad. Facebook seems that it is becoming one of the primary ways that people stay connected and in relationship with one another. Facebook has met a need in a world that often feels disconnected, even though we are the most connected generation in history.

As I reflect on the success of Facebook and experience for myself the opportunities it provides to the world, I cannot help but reflect on the church as well. No offense to Mark Zuckerberg and his cronies over at Facebook, but, in my opinion, they are NOT the ultimate social networking site. The Christian church bodes some 2 billion followers worldwide - 5 times that of Facebook. The Christian church was established to connect people to each other and help people connect to Jesus Christ and the divine presence of God in their lives.

While Facebook has begun to transform our society (only time will tell how much), the Church has been doing it for years! Granted, there are times that we don't do it as well as we should, but we have been given a way to not only connect ourselves with others, but to help others get connected as well.

The caution I would provide to all Facebook users (which is why I resisted for so long) is to not subsitute your Facebook time for real face time with those you love and those who are part of your spiritual family. It can be easy in our crazy lives to think we are "connecting" through the virtual world and let that become our only reality. True connection, in my opinion, comes in the face-to-face, heart-to-heart, sit down at the table together, real world that Christ modeled for us. Facebook can offer us opportunities and provide us chances to catch-up, but it cannot provide us with the real thing.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT) states: "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."

We are to meet together. If we happen to comment on someone's wall from time to time or "like" their status, that is fine. But let's not let it keep us from meeting with each other at the coffee shop, the book store, the dinner table, or the worship center. Let's not let it keep us from entering into real, authentic, loving relationships with one another. Let's not forget that the ultimate social networking site was created almost 2000 years ago and it has proven to be the best way to connect and be in relationship with each other and with our God!

I know that it is not always as convenient as getting online for a few minutes and typing a few words...it takes more investment and more time. But, I think many of us understand that building and maintaining a relationship takes time and effort. Which social networking site will you invest more of your time in this year?

"Creator God, You have created me for relationship with others and with You. Forgive me if I have lost my connection with You in my pursuit of the newest idea and cultural fad. Forgive me if I have lost my true connection with those I love. Remind me that I am more than a picture on a screen and a status on a wall - I am Your child, made for relationship with all You have created. Help me to recommit my life to making face time with You and with those who love me and encourage me on my faith journey. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen."

Are You Ready?

2010-12-16T16:10:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

I have heard it over and over again. The voicing of the question continues to mount, becoming increasingly loud and progressively annoying. I hear it in my mind, out on the streets, in the church, and everywhere else you can think of. I'm afraid the question won't go away - at least in the next week or so. I'm sure you have heard it too. "Are you ready for Christmas?"

A good question, depending on how you interpret it. On the one hand, and probably the most popular interpretation, the question is asking if I have all of my Christmas shopping done. If I interpret the question that way, anxiety builds and I am reminded of my ineptness toward buying gifts and the actual pain it brings to my life. Not that I have anything against buying gifts, or receiving them for that matter. It is not something I am good at and it takes a lot of brain and will power to go Christmas shopping. As far as the brain power goes, I need to be careful not to use too much, lest I lose it all (ask my wife).

The least popular interpretation, and one in which I am inclined to espouse, is asking me if I am ready for Christ and the true message He wants to bring to me this season. Am I ready for God to come into the darkness of my life and transform those areas I have neglected this year? Am I ready to embrace the reality of God's love for me and for others? Am I willing to live out of that love? Am I able to lay aside my rigid understandings of God, and embrace the fact that He came to me and to us in a way that was least expected? Am I willing to open myself up to the reality that the baby Jesus came to shine the light of truth into the deepest crevices of my darkened soul?

I guess when it's interpreted that way, the question has much deeper meaning. It also make me more uncomfortable. I have been asking myself these questions and I pray that I can honestly say yes to every one of them. Remember, Jesus' birth is the beginning of the good news story. There is so much more to this birth than giving presents and accepting the gift of the baby Jesus. God is asking me, and maybe you hear Him asking you, "Are you ready to go deeper with me? Are you ready for Christmas?"

"Heavenly Father, thank you for this season of preparation. Prepare me to fully receive the gift You have for me this Christmas. Help me to be ready to go deeper with you and to fully receive the abundant life and light that Jesus brings. In His holy name I pray. Amen."

SEE the Child

2010-12-09T16:31:00.000-08:00

Good evening!

Last Saturday, we had our annual charge conference (an organizational part of the institutional United Methodist Church). This year, we shared our conference with two other churches in the area. It was wonderful to hear how God was moving in and through other United Methodist churches. Before the meeting started, the secretary from Community UMC in Westcliffe saw me, gave me a big hug, and handed me her latest entry into their church newsletter. She wanted to share with me a part of her journey since I last saw her.

As a pastor, I get handed many things and I get asked to read more articles, emails, and books that I can keep up with. I have to admit, there are times that my pile gets so big, I do not read everything. I can't if I want to stay sane. However, I am able to get to most of them and, luckily for me, this one was a short one.

The bulk of the article talked about an experience her daughter had with her two children, but what struck me most was the quote she shared at the end of her article. She said:

"Philips Brooks, whose UMC carol #230, "O Little Town of Bethlehem," routinely rolls off our tongue tips each Yuletide, once penned something less well known: 'He who helps a child helps humanity with an immediateness which no other help given to human creature in any other age of human life can possibly give again.' Wow. Is Brooks enjoining us to SEE in every child a Christ Child? Then to ACT accordingly - not frenetically spend and consume - in ALL Seasons? Seems to me. How about you?"

As we prepare our hearts for the new life that the Christ child brings, it is important to ask ourselves as well, "Do I receive every child as I hope to receive the Christ child this season? Do I SEE the children around me? Do I SEE that God created them - the unborn, the infant, the toddler, the terrible threes, the child, the tween and the teen?" Then ask yourself, "Do I act and treat them in ways that honor their Creator?"

It has been said that you know the spiritual state of a person, a community, and a nation by the way they treat their children. May we welcome the children among us with the joy and open arms that we hope to receive the Christ child this season. May we SEE their needs and ACT in ways that love them and honor who they are, just as God sees our needs and acted by coming to us in the form of an infant child.

"Gracious God. Thank you for the gift of Your Son. As we receive Him, remind us that we must also receive all of your children. As you came to us as a child dependent upon His mother and father, we come to You...dependent upon Your grace and love. Give us eyes to see the Christ child all around us and give us the strength and courage to act out Your love, not only this season, but in all seasons of our lives. In Your Name we pray. Amen."

An Advent Prayer

2010-12-01T20:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Advent!

As we enter into this holy time of year, my prayer for all of us is that we are able to experience the sacredness and joy of this season without getting wrapped up in the chaos.

In my preparations for the second Sunday in Advent, I came across a prayer that has challenged me over the last couple of days. I would like to share it with you.

"O Lord our God, wehre a rainbow bends in the midst of thunder, or a flower blooms in the midst of sand, you are there. Where a dream persists in the midst of conflict, or a protest arises in the midst of calm, you are there. Where a candle glows in the midst of winter, or a river thaws in the midst of spring, you are there. Where a cradle rocks in the midst of suffering, or a hand is held in the midst of pain, you are there. Where a prayer ascends in the midst of cursing, or passion flares in the midst of uncaring, you are there.

O God, you are in our midst. and because you are here, you tell us, "Do not fear; let not your hands grow weak." But we are not so easily comforted; we are not so quickly inspired. You surround us, but we cannot see your face, we cannot hear your voice, we cannot feel your embrace. How can we trust you? How can we have courage? How can our hands be strong?

We confess this, Lord: We would rather trust ourselves. We would rather venerate our past - our pride in family lines, honored traditions, historic institutions. We would rather glorify our future - our opportunity for posterity, prosperity, and popularity. When we implore, "What shall we do?" we do not ask one of your locust-eating, leather-girdled prophets, who would summon us to the wilderness and demand that we change our ways! Instead, we ask the keepers of our law, the caretakers of our culture, and the custodians of our religion, for we know that their answers will be pleasing to the taste. Their answers shall become our answers, dripping like honey from our tongues but falling like vinegar on your ears.

O Lord, how merciful you are for not forsaking us! You send us messenger after messenger, only to be mocked, and word after word, only to be despised. Now your greatest messenger is about to be born, a messenger who not only will speak and do your word, but embody it. Do you know what you do? We can smile at a baby, but shall we not scorn the man? We can shelter the child, like a hen gathering her chicks under her wings, but shall we shelter the Christ, or hide in the upper room?

O God, you send this child into our midst to make your presence among us tangible, visible, touchable. But will the child make you understandable, acceptable to the stoners and killers of prophets, to us who so easily become afraid, whose weak hands so quickly seek to crucify? Can truth really walk safely among the deceitful; or justice, among the vengeful; or love, among the hateful; or grace, among the spiteful?

Help us trust you, Lord. We cannot comprehend this thing that is about to happen, this baby who will be our savior. We have learned well how we can be custodians of law, guardians of culture, and champions of religion; we do not know how - or if - we can be disciples of such a one as this. Prepare us for the bearer of the gospel, O God, lest we receive the good news as bad news, and turn our backs.

Be with us, Lord, as you send him to us. The thunder rumbles: Lead us to the bending rainbow. The sands creep: Lead us to the blooming flower. The winter blows: Lead us to the glowing candle. The spring breaks: Lead us to the thawing river.

The suffering one comes: Lead us to the rocking cradle!"

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

King Jesus Is All

2010-11-19T08:40:00.000-08:00

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."

CPR

2010-11-10T10:29:00.001-08:00

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."

Hold on or Let Go?

2010-11-04T17:11:00.000-07:00

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."

The Gospel of Boo!

2010-10-27T14:37:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon!

Can you believe that October is about to come to an end? Just the other day, I heard a commercial on tv that had Christmas music in the background! It got me excited about the Thanksgiving/Advent/Christmas season, while at the same time the anxiety rose a decibel or two.

Before we get to our November/December holiday season we still have to get through the one coming up at the end of October - HALLOWEEN. Honestly, I've never gotten much into the "Halloween Spirit". I know that many really get into, decorating their houses and their bodies from themes that are light and funny to themes that are dark and gruesome. Since scary movies give me nightmares and make me regress into childlike behavior (a lot of shaking, crying, and other things I'd rather not speak of), Halloween has always given me an eery feeling.

This year, however, I have decided to face my fears! I have decided to approach this season on our calendar in a much different way. Many Christians have a negative reaction to Halloween. They feel it is an evil time and a time when demonic forces are at work. While it may feel that way, I think it is important to remember that the existence of Halloween is a Christian phenomenon.

So that I don't bore you to death with the details, just consider the fact that Halloween was created by Christians as a way to combat the pagan holidays and harvest festivals that were going on around them. The observance of All Saints Day (November 1st) actually began at sunset the night before (Oct. 31st). Later, All Souls Day was added on November 2nd. By 1500, All Saints Day and All Souls Day evolved into Hallow Time (October 31-November 2nd), with most of the celebrations occuring the night before All Hallows Day...known as All Hallows Eve. It wasn't long before this time was referred to as Hallowe'en.

With a little history out of the way, what does this mean for us today? Well, one of the common phrases during our modern-day Halloween festivities is the excitement of scaring or shocking people by yelling, "Boo!" I want to suggest to all Christians that we shock people this Halloween with the Gospel of Boo.

Halloween is one of the only times in the year where strangers come and knock at our door. Granted, they are wanting a hand-out of candy, but in our very isolated culture, we should celebrate the fact that they are standing before us and see it as an opportunity to shock each stranger by handing out GOOD NEWS!

On the dark night of Halloween, let's not hide the light of Christ under a bushel, let's share it with everyone we have the joy of meeting. Here is my Halloween Challenge...

Share a principle the gospel or a Scripture passage with each trick-or-treater this year. Attach it to each piece of candy, or hand it out with your candy as a little slip of paper. Or, share a Scripture passage like, "Taste and see that the Lord is good!" - Psalm 34:8. Also, give generously the candy to each child or whatever you are handing out this year. Use this opportunity to share the Gospel of Boo! Not scaring people into seeing Jesus, but shocking them by shedding light in the midst of darkness.

Who's up for the challenge?

"Thank you Lord for being the Light in our lives and in our world. As we celebrate Halloween, remind us that you have called us to be the light of the world and that you can use us in simple ways to share the good news of Your Presence and Your Son. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen."

God Won!

2010-10-14T21:45:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

Like many around the world, I was struck by the miracle that revealed itself this week when the 33 Chilean miners were successfully rescued from being buried alive in a mine for 69-70 days. What a moment of complete and utter joy. The world rejoiced as each miner made his way to the surface and into the arms of his family, friends, and rescuers.

I was particularly struck by an interview with one of the miners that was rescued (I believe he was the third one). He sat with his family, special dark glasses still covering his eyes, and he said (I am paraphrasing here), "There were two men down there with me. One was God and one was the Devil. God won!"

What a testimony to the physical and spiritual battles that must have taken place over 2000 feet into the earth! In a devotion I read this morning it said, "The draw of the flesh and the Devil's plans are a lot stronger than we'd like to think. In a moment of weakness, such as is possible for all of us, we can end up doing something we never thought we would. Only the power of God, through prayer, can make the difference." It was obvious the impact the power of faith had on the survival of these miners and on the family, friends, and country that kept vigil all those days.

There is no place that the presence and grace of God cannot reach. You may feel today that you are far from the reach of God, but you aren't! You may feel that you are buried under the rubble of life and that there is no way out, but there is! Whatever battles you are going through, when you stay focused on God through prayer, study, and worship, He always wins out!

In 1 Corinthians 15:57 it says, "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Hold on to this TRUTH and do not let it go. It may take some time to come out of the darkness, but the darkness will not prevail.

"God of light, fill the darkness within me. God of life, lift me from the tombs in which I find myself buried. God of strength, lift the burdens from my life and the rubble that weighs heavy on my soul. Take the victory over my life, don't let the Devil's grip pull me away from You. Lift me up and free me so that I can tell the world, 'My God always wins!' In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen."

Abundantly Clear

2010-10-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

Yesterday was my Dad's 62nd birthday. His birthday had a deeper impact on me than any of the previous birthdays I spent with him have had. I know why - it is because almost three months ago we easily could have lost him to the serious heart attack that he suffered. I am thankful and grateful that I was able to call my Dad on another birthday, hear his voice, and tell him I love him. The gift is more precious this time because of the profound reality that it was almost taken away.

When I reflect back on that journey with my family, I am reminded of what is most important in life. It has become abundantly clear that it is not the things I possess or the positions I hold. It is the simple things of faith, relationships, and being able to call someone and say, "I love you". It is abundantly clear that Jesus calls us to live an abundant life with Him. That does not mean that we pursue the abundance of things, but the abundance of LIFE He offers. Whatever emptiness and whatever voids are in our lives, they can and will be filled by the abundance of Christ's presence living in us.

In John 7:38-39 (The Message) Jesus says, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says."

Have you ever stood by a powerful river and watched the current? I have many times. A big river carries enormous power and force—and Christ understood this when He chose this analogy. God’s Spirit flows like a river, and it produces mightily in the lives of those who have it. It radiates out of one who has it and brings love, faith, joy and peace from its Source—God.

This Spirit will help you meet challenges, defeat enemies, conquer fear and reflect cheerfulness. It will bring wisdom, knowledge and understanding. It will drive anger, bitterness and anxiety away. It will replace discouragement with energy and hope. It will bring zeal to accomplish and remove confusion and indifference. It will take shattered dreams and shriveled feelings, and expand them to new horizons—and bring an expectation of success. It will take stress and turn it into productivity and fulfilling accomplishment.

In James 1:17, God says that He gives every good and perfect gift. People cannot offer or bring to you the truly good things of life, but God can—and He says that He will if you come to Him and ask for help when you are in “time of need.” His answers are satisfying, and His strength is real—life-changing.

I am saddened when I see so many who are completely empty— so utterly devoid of joy, happiness and abundance. Many try drugs, fall into immoral lifestyles, pursue the wrong kind of entertainment, commit crimes, and otherwise get into trouble, simply because they are bored. They have no idea that their lives can be filled with purpose. This lack of understanding is so unnecessary, so far from what God intended for every human being.

From Isaiah 55:1-2 we hear these words (NIV), "Come, all who are thirsty, Come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare."

It has become abundantly clear to me that we can come to God, receive the blessing and power that comes from His waters, and experience the abundance of life. God has made it abundantly clear what brings life to our souls and what brings joy to our lives. Maybe it's time to start listening and discovering for ourselves that His promise is true!

"God of Living Water, bring nourishment to my spirit and soul. Forgive me for looking to other things to fill the voids within my life. Destroy the idols I have erected, and become the One for Whom I live. May Your waters of joy, strength, and abundance overflow in my life. May my cup runneth over as I live in the abundance You offer. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen."

Good 'Ole Copper Top

2010-09-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I pray all is well with you this week and that you have experienced the powerful presence of our Mighty God moving in your life.

Earlier this week I was having an email conversation between some men in the church and one of them metioned that he was trying to get a slang term to catch on in reference to our church. He said, "I'll see you around the copper-top." We then had some other email exchanges. I responded with, "You can't top the copper top" because we worship "The One the Lasts" (of course referring to some duracell slogans).

Then another email came across saying, ""copper top, you'll always be, home sweeeet home to meeee. Good ole' copper top, copper top u-m-C, copper top u-m-C". I had to laugh at the exchange, but I was also encouraged by the love for our church community and the desire to reflect on our church in new and exciting ways.

It got me to thinking about FUMC and in what ways the rest of the Body perceives the ministries and in what ways the ministries of our church have touched your life. So, I would like to hear from all of you about why you love our church body and in what ways the ministries have touched your life. Next week I will post all of your responses. I hope that this will be an encouragement to the church as we continue to journey together and minister in the places that God is showing up in our community!

You can write your comment below in the comment section of this blog, or you can email me at donbird@canonumc.org. It can be one word, a short paragraph, or a short story. Or, you can stop by the copper top and share your story with me in person. I look forward to your comments as we strive to be the best copper-top UMC, home sweet home to you and me.

"Precious Lord, You have created the church for our benefit. Thank you for leading us as we support, love, and equip each other. Thank you for the opportunities to encourage each other along the challenging path of life. Thank you for revealing Yourself to us in the midst of our fellowship together. Help us to not take the church for granted. Help us to not take You for granted. May our fellowship and our relationships with one another honor and glorify You. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen."

Balancing Act

2010-09-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon!

This morning, as I was driving to the church, I heard an interview with Ted Cunningham on Q102.7. Ted is a pastor that co-wrote a book with Dr. Gary Smalley called "Great Parents, Lousy Lovers". I was drawn into what Ted was sharing about parenting in today's world. He was speaking straight to me about the struggles of having our kids involved in every activity under the sun and not losing that connection with your spouse.

In the interview, Ted talked about the Sabbath and how the commandment of keeping the Sabbath holy (Exodus 20:8-12) is the one commandment that the Lord elaborated on the most. It must mean He is serious about this commandment. God realized that if we are left to the craziness and busyness of our world, we will surely out-run our souls. Remember, at the time God wasn't talking to the Information Age of the 21st century. Yet, He knew the tendency of our human nature to not take time to slow down, rest, and become renewed and restored.

Pastor Ted mentioned that we do not do a good job of keeping the 4th commandment and that has now negatively impacted the lives of our children and it has impacted our marriages. Ted spoke of the importance of keeping the sabbath as a family. Making it a priority. Teaching our children how to make it a priority in their lives as well.

I know this is a balancing act and it appears impossible. But, I also believe, that many of us are instinctively aware of this need to slow down. We have been duped into believing that our adult lives have to be busy and that they have to revolve around keeping our children busy. God's command is counter-cultural. To Him it's not a balancing act (how much can I put on my plate and balance at one time). To Him it is the way it works. It is the way that helps us maintain our sanity and our health and our relationships.

One of the main victims of this busy-way-of-life is marriage. Husbands and wives are so busy driving the mini-van taxi, they don't take time for themselves. We don't realize that the greatest gift we can give our children is that of a strong, healthy, loving, vibrant marriage. A marriage that is centered on God and a marriage that loves each other as Christ loves us. It is not a marriage that is centered on the children, where everything revolves around them. It is not a marriage that makes decisions based on keeping the kids happy. It is a marriage based on loving each other and following God together.

When I think back to my childhood, yes I remember vacation to Hawaii and the soccer games and piano lessons and road trips, etc. But, what I CHERISH are the family devotion times before bed, worshipping with my family in church, and reading the Christmas story on Christmas day with my Grandpa. It was the spiritual nurturing that has kept me going. It is the spiritual upbringing that has become my Rock. Not all of that other stuff.

If you would like to read more about this book, you can go to: http://greatparentslousyloversthebook.com I know that am going to be getting myself a copy.

So, if you are living the balancing act and trying to figure out how to balance your life, your kids' lives, your marriage, your work, your faith - you don't have to look too far for the answer. God tells us to put one foot in front of the other, sit down on that balance beam of life, and regularly spend a day with Him.

"O God, my Rock and my Redeemer, there are times I feel like I'm about to tip over from all of the things I feel I have to do. I get off-balance and when I do, I see you as something else I need to deal with. Forgive me. Take Your hand and bring me back to the balance I seek. Remind me again and again of Your commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. Remove from me any temptation that will distract me from You. I seek the balance only You can bring to my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."

Round 12

2010-09-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon!

I am going to sound like a broken record in what I am sharing this week, but you'll understand when you here of our ongoing saga...

The mouse is baaaaack!

You may remember a few months back in my blog, "It's On!", the story of the mouse that we couldn't catch in our garage. Since that time, we had caught two mice in the garage. I thought that would be the end of the story. Unfortunately, a couple of weeks back I noticed a quick movement out of the corner of my eye by one of the bathrooms in our home (the kids' bathroom, no less). Wouldn't you know, a mouse was running rampant, but this time it is in our house!

We laid some more traps and got some of those pulsating deterrents you plug into your wall sockets and we didn't see the mouse again for a couple of weeks. Until yesterday. It was back and I am tired of it messing with my mind!

It is one thing that the mouse was out in our garage, it is a whole other story now that the mouse is in our house.

I was reflecting on this situation again this morning. Who would have known that a tiny rodent would bring so much spiritual reflection to my life? Is God trying to tell me something? I shutter at the thought.

I think about my own life and how sin enters my life. I think about those things that tempt me and in their own subtle ways remind me that they are around. At first, these temptations stay out in the garage of my life. Every now and then they appear. I focus on them and then try to get rid of them. However, if I don't completely take care of the temptation and those things that cause me to stumble, eventually they move in to the home of my heart. They run around unnoticed, nibbling and hiding in the deep recesses of my heart. Now, when I am at home and comfortable, they come peering at me, inviting me to turn my attention, my energy, towards them.

After chasing it around a bit, I realize that I need to get rid of this temptation, this stumbling block that has taken up residence in my life. I set out traps to try and kill it. I tempt the tempter and try to chase it out of my heart home, but still, I struggle.

How do you get rid of these temptations and stumbling blocks in life? I want to, but once I think it's gone, there it is staring back at me again. It's like going round after round in a boxing match, with no end in site. I'm tired, but I won't give up. It's Round 12 and if I don't get a knock out, I may get leveled myself.

The Apostle Paul speaks of this very struggle we all have. Listen to what he says in Romans 7:14-25 (The Message translation):

"I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.

But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?

The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different."

May those last two verses give you hope, as it gives me hope. That in this life of contradictions, the answer is always JESUS CHRIST!

"Gracious God. Forgive me for opening myself up to allowing sin to take up residence in my life. Forgive me for enjoying it. Take away any sense of guilt and make right my life which I give to You. I want to serve You. I want to worship You. I want to live my life fully for You. Remind me that it is not my job to take away the temptation. It is my job to allow you to defeat it and remove it from my life. I am willing. This round is Yours. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."

Another Breakthrough

2010-09-09T14:52:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon!

Today I read from Luke 14:15-24 (I encourage you to read it) and it talked about the Kingdom of God. Actually, there are over 100 references to the Kingdom of God in the gospels...which means it was a pretty important topic for Jesus. Therefore, it should be an important part of our conversation as well. The story talks about how the Jesus is ready to invite all of us to the banquet table to experience the Kingdom of God (God's full presence around us), yet many make excuses or are distracted by other things this world has to offer.

Recently, I read about Gary Kildall. In 1973 he wrote the first popular operating system for personal computers, named CP/M. The story goes that IBM approached Kildall in 1980 about developing the operating system for IBM PCs. But Kildall snubbed IBM officials at a crucial meeting. Instead, Kildall chose to fly his new airplane.

IBM executives were frustrated with Kildall and instead turned to Bill Gates, founder of a small software company called Microsoft, and his operating system named MS-DOS. Fourteen yearss later Bill Gates was worth more than 8 billion dollars.

Kildall, who has since passed away, was not aware of what was right in front of him and how big the market would become for operating systems. In a similar way, we don't often realize how big God's Kingdom really is and when God comes calling with the offer of a lifetime, we tend to find other things to do.

Personally, I don't want to miss out on the Kingdom of God. I'm not just talking about Heaven here. I'm talking about seeing God at work around me and within me. The Kingdom of God is breaking through all around us in small acts of mercy, in words of kindness and compassion, in standing up for injustices, in speaking for those who are on the margins of society, in standing for the truth that comes through Jesus Christ, in a child's innocent look, and a baby's cry. The Kingdom of God is HUGE and I don't want to miss it.

Let me leave you with a thought that I was left with in a clergy gathering earlier today. It is a question I will ask myself everyday - "Where have I seen the Kingdom of God break through today? This week? How did I block it from breaking through?"

Imagine how our perspective of life and faith would change if we were always on the look out for the Kingdom of God - I think we would recognize just how BIG our God is and how BIG the opportunity is to live for Him.

No more excuses.

"Almighty God, thank You for breaking through the mire and mess of my world, to show me a glimpse of You every day. Forgive me when I have been a barrier to Your Kingdom being made a reality here on earth. Forgive my excuses and my desire to do other things that take me away from You. I don't want to make excuses anymore. I want to see You and Your greatness every day of my life. If You can use me God - I am Yours. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen."

A Quick Thought

2010-09-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends and Family,

I pray all is well with you.

I have a quick thought for you today that has guided my prayers and my thoughts today. It was my devotion today and it comes from "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas a Kempis. Read the words...read them again...let them sink in...reflect on their meaning and say, "God, speak."

"The life of a good religious person should shine in all virtue and be inwardly as it appears outwardly. And it should be the much more inward, for Almighty God beholds the heart and we should always honor and reverence him as if we were always in his bodily presence, and appear before him as angels, clean and pure, shining with all virtue.

We ought every day to renew our purpose in God, and to stir our hearts to fervor and devotion, as though it were the first day of our conversion. And we ought daily to pray and say: Help me, my Lord Jesus, that I may persevere in good purpose and in your holy service unto my death, and that I may now today perfectly begin, for I have done nothing in time past."

God speak...

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Say Awe

2010-08-25T14:10:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon!

What a beautiful day God has created for us to enjoy today. The sun is shining, my family is healthy, and my spirit is good.

Have you ever had one of those days where it just seems nothing could go wrong? Your spirit just smiles through the day? Well, today is one of those days and I am going to enjoy it because I know that these days don't last forever. Maybe that is why they are so special. I want to drink in the feeling, absorb the moment into my soul, so that when my days aren't going as well I can be reminded of this time.

I sometimes wonder why we experience these ethereal moments in life. I wonder, "why today?". But, my spirit responds in a way that reminds me to allow myself to be in awe of the moment and to be in awe of God.

As I think through my day, it is nothing different than any other day. I got up. Went to the bank. Went to the grocery store. Went to work. Lunch plans were changed. Had an unscheduled meeting. Did some paperwork. Now I'm writing this blog. Nothing different - on the outside.

Internally though, it's like I've been living in a sense of awe all day. Awe of what God has done, is doing, and will do.

In awe that our puppy didn't have an accident last night - Praise the Lord!
In awe that my son is doing well after oral surgery - Praise the Lord!
In awe that our friend mows our lawn for us (because I'm lazy) - Praise the Lord!
In awe of God's provision - Praise the Lord!
In awe that I have a family that loves me, in spite of me - Praise the Lord!
In awe that God has called someone like me to tell people about Him - Praise the Lord!
In awe of God's creation and how His Son continues to shine in my life - Praise the Lord!
In awe of how God is working in another man's life (thanks for sharing your story with me Darryl) - Praise the Lord!
In awe that the little squirrel made it to the other side of the road, even after being knicked by a car - Praise the Lord for His protection!
In awe that God has blessed me with so many friends that I got to reconnect with while on vacation last week - Praise the Lord!
In awe of the staff I work with and their dedication to our Lord - Praise the Lord!
In awe of GRACE, LOVE, and HOPE that comes from our AWEsome God!

Whether you are struggling today, or going through the humdrum of life, or you are having a good day - take some time to say "Awe" and take in the wonders of our incredible Creator.

"Most awesome God, thank You for all that You have blessed me with - great and small. Thank You that I do not have to walk through this life alone. Even when all have seemed to abandon me, You are with me. When all seems lost, You remind me of the victory You had over death. When I am weak, You make me strong again. I am in awe of You - my Mighty Savior, my Dependable Deliverer, my AWEsome God! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Dogged Faith

2010-08-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon!

Have you ever done something you didn't want to do? Yesterday, I did. You see, for a while now, my two kids have been annoyingly consistent in voicing their desire to get a new dog. Our beloved Charlee died almost one year ago. Over the last couple of months, the kids have felt a need to get another dog to be a companion to our other dog, Radar. I had many reasons for not wanting to get another dog, but I won't go into those here. Suffice it to say, I was able to effectively deflect the barrages of "Dad, please!" What I didn't know is that my children were created with an innate ability to effectively practice the ambush tactic, known to be effective in warfare. Between you and me, I think they got if from their mother (she was in on the whole thing!) : )

Anyway, while I was away at a staff retreat on Monday, the plan went into action. My wife thought it would be a good idea to take my children to the Humane Society..."just to look". Yeah, right. They knew what they were doing, they had done it before (when we got Charlee). I should have known. My love for my family blinded me. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. The ambush was in full operation!

Without going into all of the details, we got the dog they fell in love with. A cute, 11-week old, Old English Sheepdog/Australian Shepherd mix. She is almost pure white. Since my children actually paid for her, they got the naming rights and named her...are you ready for this...Snowball. Original.

I must confess, she is a cute little dog and reminds all of us of some of the qualities that Charlee had. She is a little odd in her looks. One eye has a black patch around it while the other eye has pink around it. She looks like a little misfit. But, her story was heart-wrenching as well. In her 11 weeks of life, we are her 4th-5th family. She has been moved from one home to another. She is a bit timid and appeared at first to be depressed. Can't say I blame her. Lost, with no one place to call home. A misfit dog, not able to find a place that would accept her and help her fit in.

In the middle of the night, I remembered one of the reasons why I didn't want another dog, especially a puppy. She would wimper and cry. My son and I would take her out to the back yard so that she could go to the bathroom. One time it was for real, the other time was just a ruse. It takes a lot of time and investment to welcome someone new into the home. Thanks to the dogged determination of my children (pun intended), we now are a two dog family. Pray for me.

I liken this experience to the church. In many ways we want to keep the family as it is. It is comfortable that way. We know what we can depend on. We can get to know the people. Once we are a part of the family, it takes less investment on our part to keep it all going.

Then, all of a sudden, some misfit comes in with a history, a past, and even a present that makes us uncomfortable. They have been wandering from one place to the next, lost in their lives, with no place to call home. They have baggage. Their theology isn't sound. Their language isn't Christian. Their clothing isn't clean. Their body is a walking collage of different pictures and piercings. Their music isn't holy. They wear a hat in the sanctuary. They think they can even drink coffee while they worship. They don't know the rules. They don't know the way "it should be".

Maybe if we saw them outside of the church, it would be different. We'd be able to not engage them. We could walk right by them. Or, we could have a quick conversation, and go on our merry way...leaving them to their wanderings and us to our righteousness.

If they are in the church, we may feel a spiritual obligation to engage them - even if we don't want to. "Maybe another church would be a better fit?" we ask ourselves.

Maybe you don't think these things, but today more than ever, the Church needs to remember that there are billions of people lost and wandering. They are looking for a place to call home. If we are always focused on what it takes to be a member of the family of God (right doctrine, proper style of worship, keeping tradition for tradition's sake, going to meetings, etc.) then the homeless wanderer will never be able to fit in - because he/she is looking for a home, not an institution.

It takes time and investment when we welcome a new person to the family of God. It takes our patience. It takes walking with them at odd times and in uncomfortable places. It takes a willingness to see the world from their perspective. It takes an authentic love for them as God's children and the willingness to create opportunities for them to see Jesus and have a transforming experience with Him. It takes dogged faith in God to provide us the boldness, courage, and direction in reaching out. That faith is unrelenting and it will not rest until the mission is accomplished - making disciples in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord!

Are you willing to invest the time in those who are wandering and lost? Or, is it enough for you to pat them on the head, love on them a little, and send them on their way?

One will build the Kingdom. The other will be its demise.

"Almighty God, forgive me for my biases and prejudices of those who do not know You. Forgive me that my thoughts, my words, and my actions have not made it possible for wandering souls to find a pathway to You. Allow my life to reflect the fullness of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Give me a dogged faith to pursue the wandering soul and love him as you love him and serve her as you serve her. I want to invest my life and my faith in You, so that others may find a home in Your Body, the Church. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

A New Chapter

2010-08-05T22:40:00.000-07:00

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I pray that you have been able to experience the power of Christ in your life this week.

This week I have had the wonderful pleasure to delight in one of my daughter's accomplishments. My daughter is 9 years old and she loves to read and write. She has a very creative side to her. In late January of this year, some 6 1/2 months ago, she decided that she wanted to write a book. A lofty goal and one that, quite honestly, I thought was too lofty. My daughter has the habit of starting many things and not finishing them.

As with most goals, she started off strong and with great gusto. She would write a paragraph or two and have to read it aloud to the family. We encouraged her and recognized some latent talent that was starting to come out. After a while, she wasn't picking up the computer as often and the writing of the book was put on the shelf, so to speak. At least, that is what I thought.

From time to time, my daughter would start the project back up and focus on her book. Over the last month she has been really determined until earlier this week she looked up from the computer and said, "My book is done!" I was excited for her and proud of her, as she accomplished a very large goal.

When you think of a 9 year old writing a book, you may think, as I did, that the "book" would be only a few pages long. After printing it out today, her book is 39 pages (roughly)! Not only that, she has a "book cover" with pictures and title, along with 9 chapters, each with their own title. It is really impressive! I printed out the pages and formatted it in book form for her and when I brought it home she shouted, with giddiness in her voice, "My first published book!" How can you not smile?

So, to make it really official, I would like to be the first person to quote from my daughter's book, "Fighters: Newcomer", from the 6th chapter titled "The Grouping". (by the way, this book is about a pack of dogs as they establish their pack and the other packs they encounter) "'Snowfight, do you promise to train as hard as you can, and protect the pack even at the cost of your life?' Samuel asked. Snowfight replied firmly, 'Yes, I do.'" Samuel then asks another dog named Wolfmix, "'do you promise to train your apprentice to be a noble fighter and a dog I can trust?'...'Yes sir, I promise.'"

If that little snippet doesn't impress you, I don't know what will! If you'd like to read the book, I'd be happy to get you a copy. Let me know! I think Birdhouse Publishing has just been established : )

This is a great story, and even more fun to tell, but why did I share that particular quote? Why did it catch my eye?

Recently, the leadership of our church has been talking about what it is going to take to reach a generation of people that we struggle to reach. The question the wise leader above asks, can be a question for us as we strive to fully live behind our mission and vision. Do we promise to train hard (read our Bibles, pray hard, love well, meet together on a regular basis) and are we willing to protect the truth of the gospel, even at the cost of our lives? (we sacrifice our time, we sacrifice our agendas, we sacrifice our power and position, and yes, even sacrifice our lives)

Do we promise to train and equip others to become trustworthy disciples of Jesus Christ...no matter the cost? Are these promises we can make to God in order to keep the church pack strong and healthy?

I wonder, sometimes, if we know what it really takes to provide ministry that will impact our current and future generations. I am not saying that we compromise the message or water it down - the gospel does not change. Our approach to ministry changes. Our worship changes. Our communication changes. Our perspective changes. It is not that we are trying to write a completely different book. We are just needing to start a new chapter.

Are we up for it? These are things we need to explore...together. I look forward to the journey. If you have insights of what the church can do to reach the new generations of people, comment on this blog or email me - donbird@canonumc.org. I'd love to hear from you!

Precious Lord, we seek Your guidance and direction as we strive to tell others about your love and grace in new and exciting ways. We know that you have called us to protect the integrity of the church while at the same time making it relevant for the world we live in. Give us courage to see with Your eyes, love with Your heart, and proclaim with Your voice. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Do You Have the Time?

2010-07-26T20:17:00.000-07:00

Can you believe how time has flown this summer? I look back to my kids' last day of school and I cannot believe that we are now making arrangements for school shopping and that the new school year starts in 33 days. Our time this summer has been filled with conferences, vacation, and a multitude of wonderful ministry events here at the church.

I'm sure if you were to ask me a few times this summer if I had time to do something, I would have answered "No!" (rather emphatically) It seems that when I am in the midst of a busy time in my life, I feel I don't have the time to do anything else or add anything else to my plate. I am a person that needs my down time and my alone time and when I don't get it, I can quickly become overwhelmed.

As I reflect on this quick summer months, and in conjunction with my message in worship on Sunday, I realize that I have the same amount of time every day to do whatever it is that I need to get done. But, there are times that I don't manage myself very well when it comes to the time in my life.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr, the author of "Life's Little Instruction Book", said, "Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Louis Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein."

It isn't that we don't have the time, it is what we do with the time that we have that can either make a difference in the world around us or create chaos in the world within us. So, as we quickly approach another school season and as I look at my calendar getting full by the minute, I hear God asking me to take another look at my time and decide how I am going to use it the best. Will I use it by running frivolously from one appointment and event to another, or will I invest it in making a difference in this world for the sake of Jesus Christ?

Do you have the time?

Creator of all time, You have blessed me with this life and with the gift of time. I want to walk so close to You that I see the opportunities You place within my path and I take the time to experience my time in a new way. I want the time I have been given on this earth to make a difference for the sake of Your Son, my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Days of Our Lives

2010-07-15T15:50:00.001-07:00

Greetings!

It has been another amazing week at FUMC! Our Children and Family Ministry team has done an outstanding job with Vacation Bible School. We have 69 children enrolled and 72 active volunteers! I now understand the deep emotion of Paul when he said to the church in Corinth "Every time I think of you—and I think of you often!—I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, given by Jesus. There's no end to what has happened in you—it's beyond speech, beyond knowledge. The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives." (1 Corinthians 1:4-6, The Message)

That is the exact emotion that springs up in my heart when I think about YOU and the ministry you are called to provide in our community! Praise be to the Lord!

Lately, we have been talking a great deal about God's call on our lives to serve Him with our gifts and talents. Our church continues to respond in amazing ways. If you are still on the fence about whether you have the time or the gifts to serve, may the reflection below be a challenge and an encouragement to you today.

There is a story of an old mountaineer and his wife. They were sitting in front of the fireplace one evening just whiling away the time. After a long silence, the wife said: “Jed, I think it’s raining. Go outside and check, will ya?” The old mountaineer continued to gaze into the fire for a second, sighed, then said, “Aw Ma, why don’t we just call in the dog and see if he’s wet.”

Sounds like one of my responses. There are times that we have a tendency to get lazy, don’t we? We want to do only what we need to and that transfers over, quite frequently, to our spiritual lives. At least I know it has for me. I have to pray that God helps me overcome my desire to be lazy in my physical life because it tends to easily influence my spiritual life as well.

I am reminded of John Wesley, the Father of Methodism. He traveled 250,000 miles on horseback, averaging twenty miles a day for forty years. He preached 4,000 sermons, produced 400 books, and learned ten languages. At age 83, he was annoyed that he could not write more than fifteen hours a day without hurting his eyes. At age 86, he felt ashamed he could not preach more than twice a day. He complained in his diary that there was an increasing tendency to lie in bed until 5:30 in the morning.

In comparison to John Wesley, my life is rather calm. It is not that we need to add more to our lives and get as busy as we can. The blessing comes with how we spend our lives. Do we spend it on ourselves or in service to God? There is much to do for the Kingdom today — none of us should be bored! Let’s get up and do something for God today, and tomorrow, and throughout every season God’s blesses us with. There’s so much work to be done!! Will you join me?

God, You and You only have created every aspect of my life. You alone know the days of my life. Protect me from apathy and laziness. Challenge me to use my days and the time you grant me for Your purposes and for the building up of Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Simply Incredible

2010-07-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends and Family,

What a week it has been, personally and professionally. As I type this blog, the church is a buzz with 100 people from Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming as our church is hosting The School of Christian Mission. The staff has been fantastic meeting to the needs of our guests. Servants have offered their time to greet all of our guests and help them find rooms in the church where their workshops are taking place. Some have put together copies of packets needed at the workshops, while others helped us make paper fans on the spur of the moment (it is HOT here!).

Even while all of this is going on, we have servants coming in and out of the church getting everything ready for Vacation Bible School starting on Sunday. I am extremely proud of our church for its willingness to take on such big projects in the name of our really big God. It fills my heart with joy to see the church serving and living out of its purpose. Praise be to God!

Now onto the personal side of my week. As many of you know, my dad had a major heart attack on Sunday after church. I got the news that he was being transported by ambulance when we were at the LIFE Group celebration. My family quickly got up to leave and, as we were leaving, I could hear Pastor Emily start a prayer for my dad. In that moment, I felt the love and support of this church and it took away any anxiety about what was to come. I was reminded in that simple act that my dad was in the arms of his Creator and there was no better place for him to be (whatever the outcome).

We got to the hospital emergency room and didn't know where to go. I had stopped by the security desk and I was so impressed with the man behind the glass. He knew who my father was and my sister (who was there with my mom) and he walked with us to the elevators and told us where we could find my family. His gentle, kind, and compassionate spirit put us at ease and I thanked God for putting that man in our path on Sunday. We entered the waiting room just as the doctor was coming out and he told us that he was amazed how my dad handled the heart attack. He told us that this was one of those attacks where you typically see the person clutch their chest and fall over dead.

To make a long story short, my dad exceeded all expectations. He was released from the hospital after two days and there is no major damage to his heart. He had a stint put in the artery that was 100% blocked, but other than that he is doing very well. The doctors kept saying how they were amazed and how there was no real explanation for it. However, I know the explanation - GOD'S GRACE and the prayers of His people.

I share these stories with you because this week has reminded me and solidified my belief that we are all ministers and called to God's work. Without the gifts and willingness of the servants who have filled our church this week, FUMC would not be able to host our Conference event or provide an opportunity for children to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ through VBS. Without the gifts of prayer and faithfulness, our family would not have felt the comfort and peace in our drive to Colorado Springs. Without the gift of compassion from a security officer, we would not have experienced the extended hand of God in our time of need at the hospital.

These all seem like simple acts - but they make incredible impact when we choose to allow God to use us and when we are willing to serve Him with our lives. Thank you for serving our Lord and making an impact on my life and the life of my family.

Gracious God and Loving Savior, by Your hand we are comforted. By Your Word we are put at ease. By Your love we are filled with strength. By the willing lives of those around us, You are made real in our lives. Thank you for those people in my life that love You, grow with You, and serve You. Remind me of the seeds they have sown in me when You call me to be Your hands, feet, and voice in this world. I thank you, Lord for being simply incredible! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

What do you do with the lemons?

2010-07-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon!

I pray all is well. I am finally back from vacation and we appreciate the prayers while we were gone. We had a wonderful time as a family, but it is always good to be home. However, I am struggling a bit getting back into a "normal" routine. When you have 11 days off, new habits start to form. It's all good, though!

I don't know how many of you enjoy comedy, but I really enjoy listening to and watching comedians perform their craft. I find it such a wonderful gift that God has created in these individuals to bring laughter and joy to the people around them. I especially enjoy improvisational comedy and am in awe of those who do it so brilliantly.

One of the things that makes for a good comic (in my view) is the ability to surprise you by looking at a situation or event differently. To do this, the delivery has to be perfect, but when done with perfection, it can have you rolling on the floor. As I was surfing the internet this week in search of something else, I came across the beginning of a well known phrase. See if you can finish it for me: "When life gives you lemons..."

I am sure that many of you finished the phrase with, "...make lemonade". I did the same. But, on this particular occasion, I was suprised by the comedic ending that was in front of me. The whole phrase said this: "When life gives you lemons, give them away and drink a Dr. Pepper!" I loved it! It had me laughing! Not only because it mentions Dr. Pepper as the ONLY soft drink that can effectively take away the sourness of life, but because I didn't expect it and it had me thinking of that phrase in a different way.

After laughing and making sure I printed out the quote to put on the wall in my office, I got to thinking of its deeper significance. I thought about the lemons in my life. The annoyances. The distractions. The sins. The open wounds. The scars. I wondered, "What do you do with the lemons?"

The old adage of "making lemonade" is still good advice. Take the difficult situations of life and difficult experiences and turn them into something good...something that honors God. We are reminded in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

But sometimes I think that the lemons in my life are too sour, too rotten to turn into lemonade. I think there isn't enough sugar in the world to make that lemonade taste good. What do I do with those kinds of lemons?

Luke 5:37-38 tells us, "And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins." 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a NEW creation, the old has GONE, and the new has COME!" (emphasis added)

There are times in which I need to discard completely the sour lemons in my life in order to experience the newness Christ wants to see in me. The new life cannot live with the old one, nor the old with the new. As the new adage says, I need to get rid of the lemons and "taste and see that the Lord is good!" (Psalm 34:8)

So, do you have some lemons in your life? If so, you may be wondering what to do with them. You may be able to make them into lemonade, or you may have to discard them completely. But, one thing I know for sure, when you give them to God you won't have to worry about them any more!

Precious Lord, there are lemons in my life. I have been sour in my attitude, my thinking, my speaking, and my living. I have wounds that will not heal and a heart that tends to be acidic at times. Save me from the lemons in my life. Take them from me and create within me a new heart, a new mind, and a new life. Restore me and reconcile me to Your will and purpose so that I may share the sweetness of living life with You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord

2010-06-22T23:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings in the joy and grace of our Lord!

I pray that you are all having a wonderful summer so far. My family is getting ready to go on vacation this week, so this is my last post for the month. I will be back at it again when I return to the office on July 6th.

As we get ready for our vacation, I am coming to realize that I need a vacation from the work that it takes to get out of town for a little while. I try to get ahead in my work at the church so that I don't have too much waiting for me upon my return. Mandy likes to make sure the house is really clean for our housesitter and so that we have a clean house when we get back. I need to make sure that the car is in good working order, that certain bills are paid before we leave, that our itinerary is set, and that we are able to pack "light" for our trip.

There is so much work to be done, I am taking a couple days off before we leave to try to accomplish everything and to try to unwind before I leave for vacation. Whether that is realistic or not, time will tell, but that is the plan.

It is amazing the preparations we need to make for the journeys we take. As I spend the next couple of days getting ready to leave for a week, the thought crosses my mind, "Am I this intentional with my spiritual journey?" "Do I put as much thought into being sure that I am prepared for my daily walk with God?"

Preparation is important to a vital Christian life. We are encouraged in 1 Peter 3:15 to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have." Like a good athlete or musician, if I am not practicing the basics of my faith, then I am not preparing myself for those times when my faith will be challenged and those times when others may ask where my faith is grounded.

If I am not praying, reading my Bible, going to church, being involved in worship and outreach, and giving myself fully to God, I will find that I am not adequately prepared for the detours, u-turns, and dead ends that creep into my life. When those obstacles get in my way I quickly become discouraged and it is hard to make my way out of the maze I find myself in.

However, when I make the conscious effort to actively engage God and His activity in my life, when I commit myself to practicing my faith and staying in love with God, I find that when those obstacles get in my way, I am prepared and I have the ability to overcome and find my way back to the One who is always willing to guide and lead me on my life journey. Besides that, I feel better equipped to share in whom my faith is grounded and in whom my hope is found - because I have a daily experience with Jesus in my life.

While I need to be prepared for my vacation, more importantly I need to be prepared for the most important journey of my life - my spiritual journey! What preparations do you need to make?

God of Life, You are my guide and my helper. Thank you for Your Son is the cornerstone of my faith. Thank you for walking with me and preparing me for the challenges that life brings. Reveal to me the areas of my life that are not fully grounded in Your grace. Destroy the obstacles that keep me from living my life with You and prepare within me a heart that is grounded in You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Unashamed

2010-06-15T14:57:00.001-07:00

Blessings to you and yours on this beautiful day!

In just a few hours I will be leaving for Annual Conference and gathering with about900 clergy and lay people from Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming to share in our unity as United Methodist Christians, but to also discern the future path of the Church. As many of you know, I am not a "political" person and I do not enjoy the political nature that these conferences tend to possess. I do enjoy seeing colleagues I have developed friendships with and I do enjoy doing work that I feel is helping to build the Kingdom of God. I often get lost in the discussion of the issues and become quickly frustrated with how complex we have made our faith. But, even in the midst of all of this, I know that God is moving and leading. My prayer is that we, as a unified body of United Methodists, will hear that call and be bold witnesses to the faith we possess.

With that said, I was reminded of The Fellowship of the Unashamed poem that was in an email devotional I receive from my friend, Pat Castle. As I go to Annual Conference this year, this is my prayer for myself and for all of those who gather in Denver over the next four days.

"The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is in God's hands. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, the bare minimum, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, frivolous living, selfish giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, applause, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, the best, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith. I lean on Christ's presence. I love with patience, live by prayer, and labor with the power of God's grace. My face is set. My gait is fast, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up or slow up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and spoken up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give until I drop, speak out until all know, and work until He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no difficulty recognizing me." (author unknown)

Powerful and Almighty God, by Your Spirit and Truth, I have the power to make a difference in this world for You. Give me Your words and Your heart as I journey the roads this world offers. Remove from me any compromising Spirit that takes me away from You and create within me a heart that is rooted in the foundation of Your great love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

It's ON!

2010-06-10T13:54:00.000-07:00

May you experience God's joyful presence in your life today!

Over the last couple of months we've had a visitor come and go at our house quite frequently. But now, it seems, this visitor is here to stay. About three months ago I was in our garage minding my own business when I was surprised to see and hear movement in the area by our trash can. Being the type of person that doesn't like surprises from unknown and unwanted varmints, I was startled and quickly went inside without any further investigation. Call me a sissy all you want, but visions of Caddyshack come to my mind and I'd rather not put myself in the position of removing an animal from my face!

I could have sworn the animal was only there for the night and by the sound it was making I had envisioned it to be a large animal. Come to find out, the culprit is a cute little mouse with a voracious appetite for dog food. Every now and then we would catch a glimpse of Speedy Gonzales as he scurried from one part of the garage to another. The other day I caught him back in the dog food and this time he was more bold as he paused for a moment, looked at me, as if to say, "catch me if you can!"

I had found some mousetraps that didn't require one to look at the dead mouse, but they never seemed to work. Finally, my wife got frustrated that her "man" lacked the necessary hunting skills that would take care of the problem. So, she decided to go to the store and get some real mousetraps. She loaded them up with everything a mouse could desire...and we waited.

The next morning I went out to the garage expecting to see a mouse, 1/2 dead, writhing in pain which would require me to finish the act (something I did NOT want to do). Instead, I saw the two mousetraps sitting there, trap ready to be sprung. Only this time all of the bait was gone! Speedy was at it again. I envisioned him running around our garage yelling, "Andale! Andale! Aribba! Aribba! I'm the fastest mouse in all of Colorado!"

The last three nights we have gone through the same routine. We put more bait out only to find that this rascally rodent (say that with an Elmer Fudd accent) steals the bait again...never springing the trap. Yesterday Mandy said to me as she made the discovery, "It's ON!"

While this story has yet to meet its final conclusion, I wonder if there is a faith lesson in all of this? As I think about my own faith journey I have a vision of how I want my life and my relationship with Jesus and my family, friends, etc. to be. I also know that when I take stock of my life and look in the mirror I notice the things I thought I offered to God have been snatched back up again. I also tend to notice that the things that brought me joy have been removed from my life - either by my own choices or situations that are beyond my control.

When I come to these times, I realize that I have often lost the boldness of faith in my life. When I come to this realization, there is a part of me that looks at those traps in my life and I say, "It's ON!"

"We are in a relentless, violent spiritual battle against an enemy who doesn't want us to fulfill our calling, either individually or corporately. The obstacles and opposition that come against us take numerous forms—frontal attacks against our faith, adverse circumstances in our lives, "friendly fire" from other Christians, subtle erosion of our understanding of truth, distractions from sensing God's presence, and more. Most Christians go through long seasons of feeling extreme pressure from life's trials. Our struggles can be intense. Whether we have been persecuted like Christians in a hostile culture or not, Peter's words to the persecuted still ring true for us." (adapted from A Walk Thru the Life of Peter: Growing Bold Faith)

The 1st and 2nd books of Peter offer us some wonderful words of encouragement, strength, and hope. They offer us warnings and caution against the lies and deceptions that can steal away our vibrant faith in Jesus and lead us down a path that takes us away from God. If you get a chance, read these two letters in the New Testament of your Bible. May the words inspire within you a boldness of faith and encouragment to continue in the way of God.

"A Christian focused on his or her true identity and on God's truth will be indestructible - maybe not as the world defines "indestructible," but certainly as God defines it. In a crisis, whatever form it takes, there's no truth more reassuring than that."

When we face the struggles and challenges of daily living, let's live with bold faith in Jesus Christ. Let's look at the world dead in the eye and say, "It's ON!" As we avoid those traps in life that try to keep us from our freedom in Christ, may we say with boldness, "Andale! Andale! Arriba! Arriba!, " meaning "Go on! Go on! Up! Up!"

Faithful, Almighty, God, give me strength when I am weak. Instill deep within me a bold spirit that is able to look the struggles and challenges of life in the eye and keep moving forward. Give me a faith that doesn't back down, but always looks up! Give me a spirit of strength and not of fear. Help me endure and never give up! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Images of Life

2010-06-01T22:11:00.000-07:00

Hello!

May God's peace surround you and bring strength to your soul this week!

I wanted to share an experience with all of you that I had this evening with my son, Ethan. We gathered at Merlino's Belvedere for the McKinley Elementary 5th grade graduation dinner. It was a wonderful event that truly honored the kids and their growth into budding teenagers. The meal was good, as well as the fellowship. Parents watched as the children got awards and were presented with certificates of their completion of their elementary education. The Student Council thanked their teachers and gave their gift to the school. All of these events during the evening were nice, but none prepared me for the thoughts that would flood my mind as the kids were presented with their 20 minute slide show.

As I watched the pictures flash in and out on the screen, my mind went back to when many of these kids were in 1st grade (when we came to Canon). It wasn't only my own son that I had watched grow up, it was everyone else's child as well. I've watched as the bonds between these kids got stronger. I remembered birthday parties, baseball games, pool parties, field days, and holiday parties in the classroom. I remembered how some would come up and give me hugs, whereas now they give a quick wave, a quirky smile, and some knucks if I'm lucky.

I was reminded of how quickly the time flies. I've always known that our kids grow up fast, but tonight was a searing reminder of just how fast that time slips through our fingers. I remember when Ethan was born I wrote an article in our church newsletter giving him back to God - knowing that I am blessed to have Ethan as my son as long as God allows. I remember thinking, and still do, that my kids are safest in the arms of their Creator than they will ever be in mine. I remember thinking that I didn't want to take the gift of who they are for granted. Yet, over time, I did. Until tonight.

So the pictures flashed and I caught glimpses of my son with his friends. I heard them all laughing when pictures came on the screen (they all sat together) and I thanked God that He blessed Ethan with such a wonderful class of young people. I prayed for them as the images danced across the screen. I know that Middle School is coming and I know the challenges they will face. I prayed that this night may be a night that they remember the innocence and joy of life as it should be. I prayed that the bonds they have made over the last 5 years may be strengthened, even through the changes that life will bring. I prayed that their future teachers would be as invested in their lives as the teachers they have been blessed with at McKinley - ones who not only cared about their education but also about developing their character as one of the kids said tonight.

Yes, my son is growing up and life will bring some new experiences. There will be other pictures to be taken, experiences to be had, and stories to be told. I pray that when he looks back on his life - the images that come to his mind will bring a smile to his face and remind him that God has had him in the palm of His hand the entire time.

Almighty God, thank you for the time I have on this earth with those I love. Thank you for the gift they are to me. Forgive me for taking them for granted. Be with those I love and continue to faithfully walk by their side. May Your joy be complete in them and may they know the fullness of Your presence in their lives. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Go Deeper

2010-05-27T15:54:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

I pray you have been able to experience the peace of Christ this week, no matter what curveballs life threw at you!

This week, my spirit has been overly burdened with the pains and burdens of many in my life and in the life of our church and community. So many are hurting or have gone through experiences that literally bring us to our knees - either from exhaustion, prayer, or both. As I gathered with some colleagues today to celebrate the retirement of one of them, the one who is retiring mentioned that they found out yesterday that her husband's cancer was back. My heart dropped. Here was a couple, excited about the experiences retirement held for them, only to be beaten down by the news that retirement was going to hold a whole other experience. One they are very familiar with and would rather keep at bay.

You may be in a place right now where it is all you can do to hold on. What does our faith have to say about these life burdens that we all experience?

I will draw my comments from an article written by Francis MacNutt titled Spiritual Dryness: A Call to Go Deeper as found at www.christianhealingmin.org. The article was given to me within the last few months and it has some good wisdom to share for the burdensome times and difficult challenges in our lives.

When we go through difficulties and trials, it can be easy for us to get discouraged and lose our focus. MacNutt proposes that during these times we need to understand what is really happening..."God is calling us to come deeper into His life. The problem is that just when we are about to move forward in faith, we feel like we are going backward, so we quit." He goes on to say, "He wants us to seek Him and love Him for Himself alone and not just what He can give us."

Often times, we seek God to deliver us from pain, tribulation, and difficulty. We seek God because of what God can give us, not because of who God is and the relationship that God wants to have in our lives. In times of trial, it is important to turn from our self-motivations and seek the fullness of God. The important thing for us to remember is that, "so long as we continue to hold on and continue to be obedient to those things God calls us to do, we are still on the right path." It's in these times that we have not lost God, or God hasn't lost us, but we are going into a deeper understanding of God and His purpose for our lives.

MacNutt offers some practical advice when going through trials:
1. Remember that most of our initial religious breakthroughs are accompanied by great joy - or at least comfort. If we know "that great joy alternates with times of desolation, we will be able to endure the process of purgation (God stripping us of our self) until we become more like Jesus."
2. In time this (the trial) usually fades
3. Be careful to not judge our relationship with God by our good feelings, because we could see our trials as backsliding instead of an opportunity to go deeper.
4. Resist the human tendency to slack off in your prayer life or to try and recapture the early honeymoon stage with God by wandering around to churches that feed your emotional needs and desire for control.
5. Look for what God is doing and what is really happening: "that God is letting us be stripped of self-seeking so that we may seek and find Him alone. We have been using God to achieve pleasurable feelings or selfish goals (even seeking healing can become a somewhat selfish quest) instead of seeking God for Himself.
6. Find a spiritual director that can reassure you and help you discern what God is trying to accomplish in your life.
7. Hold steady and move beyond your feelings and "what the world defines as success, that we will grow to full maturity in Christ."

In what ways is God calling you to go deeper with Him? Do you see your trials, difficulties, and burdens as opportunities to discover more about your Creator and Lord?

Gracious, steadfast, God. Thank you for Your faithfulness in the midst of my trials. Forgive me for my unfaithfulness and my desire to have You meet my every whim and desire. Strip me of all selfishness so that I can see the path You have laid out for me to walk. Strip me of an ego that feels I can do it on my own. Fill me with Your presence. Fill me with Your strength. Fill me with Your peace and patience as I journey into a deeper relationship with You. Open my eyes to the beauty of Your presence even in the midst of my own mess. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

God of Second Chances

2010-05-14T12:05:00.001-07:00

Happy Thursday Everyone!

I pray that all is well with you and that you have been able to experience the power of God's spirit in your life in new ways this week.

Recently, I received an email with the following link, http://www.godtube.com/featured/video/god-second-chances-w-danny/all. This is a great video that had me smiling and praising God for the wonderful holy moments He blesses us with. I must admit, my eyes were a bit moistened at the end. If you were to walk into my office, I would have told you it was my allergies (a man thing!). This video is moving and powerful.

To be for-warned, it can be difficult to hear the video at times because it is done outside and it is windy on this particular day. In the video a homeless man, Danny, starts singing with a gentleman who is making a video for one of his songs called God of Second Chances. The homeless man has a very heavy accent, but most of what he is saying at different parts throughout the video is this: "One God, One Creator, One Father...O the Holy Ghost is moving like a magnet...Jehovah remember me when I go down on my knees to pray...Hallelujah is the highest praise!"

It is a touching moment that reminds me that whatever our circumstances in life, we can still give praise to our God and sing hallelujah because of His continued presence and movement within our lives.

The video also reminded me that we do serve a God of second chances (and third, and fourth, and so on down the line). We serve a merciful, loving, and forgiving God who remembers us and journeys with us when we fall down on our knees before Him. Without that mercy and deep love, I know that I would be lost in the abyss of my own life, my own failures, and my own inadequacies.

Since I serve a God of second chances, maybe I should be more willing to offer those same chances to those around me. Maybe I should also demonstrate the mercy, love, and forgiveness that has been showered upon me. In doing so, maybe I'll experience God in a new and deeper way. What do you think?

O God of second chances, I praise you and thank you for your mercy and grace. I thank you for taking me from the miry clay of my life and molding me into the person I am today. I know, God, that there is still much work to be done on my soul, my heart, my life. I place myself into Your hands every chance I get. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

I've Been Waiting My Whole Life

2010-05-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday!

I hope and pray that God has revealed Himself to you in a special way this week and that you have experienced an extra dose of His joy and peace.

This week I had a conversation with my daughter, Haleigh, that made me laugh. I was sharing with her that she was going to be getting her 4th grade Bible from the church this Sunday during worship. You see, it is our tradition to give a special Bible to all children who are entering the 4th grade. It celebrates their continued growth and it encourages them to stay connected to God's story in our lives.

When I shared with her the news, I was not prepared for her reaction. She said, "Yeah! I can't wait! I've been waiting my whole life for that, Daddy!"

In all honesty, I figured I'd get a response more down the alley of a quick, "OK", or maybe even no response at all. But, much to my chagrin, she found joy in the news that she was going to be receiving her Bible. It is a moment she has been anticipating and looking forward to.

Because of Haleigh's response, I will approach the giving out of the Bibles in a different way. Sometimes things become ritualistic over time and we forget how holy and set apart these moments can be in our lives. When I hand out the Bibles this Sunday, the moment will be a holy moment - a moment in which God is alive, working, and speaking to those precious children that will be receiving His word.

Haleigh's response also got me to thinking about how we receive God's Word in our lives. Do we look forward to God speaking to us? Do we acknowledge His presence in the words we read and the pages we turn? When you read God's Word, is it a holy moment?

I know I run the risk of offending some, and it is not my intent, but I think Christians today have lost the joy and excitement of God's Word in their lives. I think it has become a ritual we do in the mornings, or in our weekly studies, or in worship. We have failed to enter into the holy moments God offers when we enter into His story. We have become lazy in our approach to Scripture, thinking that all we have to do is read the words and we've completed our spiritual duty for the day or week. We have lost the joy of anticipating what God is going to say to us through His Holy Word.

How do we get that joy back? Maybe we listen and learn from a 9-year-old girl. Maybe we take stock of how we have treated God's word, approached God's word, listened to God's word - we repent and we ask for a new heart. A heart that desires to see life spring from the words we read. A heart that desires to embrace the hope that is not bound by the covers of the Bible. A life that approaches God and His word with the sense that we've been waiting our whole lives for what He is going to share with us.

Gracious God, help me to experience holy moments with You. Grant me a heart that joyously receives Your Word for me and a life that embraces the change You want to see in me. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

What Lies Ahead?

2010-05-05T22:13:00.000-07:00

Hello!

There is a television program that my son, Ethan, likes to watch. When I have time, I like to watch it with him. It is the new series on the History channel called America: The Story of Us. You see, Ethan has always been a history buff. He knows more about history than I do, I think. He soaks it in and it facinates him. I remember that we took a family vacation out East a few years ago and we went to Gettysburg. An awesome experience and one that I would recommend to anyone - whether you are a history buff or not. Ethan gave our tour guide a run for his money - asking almost every question imaginable. We even have pictures of him walking with our tour guide ahead of the rest of us - engrossed in passionate conversation.

Anyway, we were watching the program that was on this week (we had it recorded) and they were talking about the move West and how the American spirit was formed by the rugged individualism of those who dared to risk it all to make a new life for themselve and their family. The American spirit of independence, the pioneering spirit that leads us to find a way when there seems to be no way, was an identifying mark of the American individual and family. The show talked about the willingness of our ancestors to travel into the unknown, so that a new land could be conquered and a new life made.

I wonder if we, as Americans, Christians, and human beings, have lost some of that willingness to journey into the unknown in our lives and blaze new paths for those that will come after us? It seems that we live in more fear of the unknown now-a-days, than we do with a willingness to embrace it. I'm not saying it is easy to embrace the mystery of our lives and the mystery of what tomorrow may bring. In all honesty, it can be downright scary.

But, as people of faith, we realize and understand that we don't have to have it all figured out, because our faith and our trust is in the One that has it all under control.

I believe there is something deep in all of us that wants to know what lies ahead. But, somewhere along the journey of life, that desire is wrought with fear of what lies ahead verses the excitement of what tomorrow may bring. For instance, when we are young, we dream of what lies ahead (our imaginations can run wild with excitement). When we grow older, we become anxious of what tomorrow will bring (our imaginations run wild again!).

Today, you may be wondering what lies ahead in your future. You may be struggling with fear and discouragement. You may be weighted down by the burden of things you see as limitations or walls you cannot overcome. You may be fearful of what you cannot yet see.

When we search and seek answers for what the future may hold, we can often times focus on our fear and on what lies ahead, instead of focusing on what is right before us and we don't even recognize it...Jesus...the One in whom our future is secure.

It is in Jesus that our ultimate needs will be met. It is in Jesus that we are offered life everlasting. No matter what may be around the corner, or where our life may take us, we can be confident and secure in knowing that Christ is with us the entire way. And even if that is all we know, we will feel more secure in what lies ahead and approach the unknown with a willingness to embrace the mysteries of life as we journey into unknown territory and conquer new lands in our lives.

What lies ahead? With Jesus...Security of life with Him.

God of yesterday, today, and forever, give me courage to face the future unafraid as I put my trust in You. Guide me through the mystery of life and lead me through the unknown territory with a spirit of strength and hope. Help me to conquer new lands in my life, secure in the knowledge that You are with me the entire way. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

What Does the Church Look Like?

2010-04-28T22:12:00.000-07:00

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

What Does God Look Like?

2010-04-21T21:38:00.000-07:00

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

Be An Encourager

2010-04-15T21:37:00.000-07:00

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

Easter People

2010-04-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

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.

Disciple or Executioner?

2010-03-31T15:18:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon!

I pray your Holy week has been a time in which you have intentionally walked with Jesus and a time in which you will stop going through the motions of faith and deepen your relationship with Him.

In my journey this week, I found this quote from Henri Nouwen:

Passion is a kind of waiting - waiting for what other people are going to do. Jesus went to Jerusalem to announce the good news to the people of that city. And Jesus knew that he was going to put a choice before them: Will you be my disciple, or will you be my executioner? There is no middle ground here. Jesus went to Jerusalem to put people in a situation where they had to say "Yes" or "No." That is the great drama of Jesus' passion: he had to wait upon how people were going to respond. How would they come? To betray him or to follow him? In a way, his agony is not simply the agony of approaching death. It is also the agony of having to wait.

I hate waiting. Therefore, I understand the agony of what waiting can bring. But, usually, my waiting consists of waiting in line, or waiting for my kids to do their chores, or waiting for the car in front of me to move when the light turns green. But, waiting to see how those you love will respond to you? WOW - that kind of waiting is even agonizing to think about and endure.

As we journey with Jesus to the cross this week will we sing "Hosanna!" or "Crucify Him!"? Will we make Jesus wait to see how we will respond to the grace He has given us? What part of the crowd will you be a part of? We have to make a choice - either we align ourselves with Jesus or against Him. Is there really any in-between?

Will you follow Jesus to the death? Or, will you lead Him to His death? Will you abandon the world to follow Him? Or will you deny Him to maintain your comfort and security?

Something to ponder this Holy Week.

Precious Lord, forgive me when I have been luke-warm in my faith. Forgive me for standing against You in my words, my actions, my thoughts, and my decisions. Forgive me for making You wait on me. But, thank You for Your patience. I want to stand with You, but I need Your strength and courage. I want to serve You till my own death, so that I can be with You in the life to come. Help me realize that my own comfort and security in the things of this world is just an illusion. It will all pass away. But, Your peace, Your love, and Your grace will remain. Guide me and lead me to be a disciple that honors You with every step. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Hearing God's Voice

2010-03-24T16:25:00.000-07:00

Blessings to you and yours during this season of Lent!

Yesterday I had the privilege of talking with my younger brother, Chris, on the phone as he was calling from Iraq. It took a while to be able to talk with him because he was calling through an internet connection and we could never seem to get a good connection between us. We finally got connected, but throughout our 35 minute conversation, it was difficult to make out what he was trying to tell me.

Throughout our conversation, I had to continually tell him to speak up and let him know that I didn't understand what he had just said. Without all the starts and stops, our conversation could have lasted only 20 minutes, but it was prolonged because of the bad connection. I found myself, in the midst of talking with him, that I was focusing intently upon each word he was saying in hopes that if I even caught a few of them, I'd be able to piece together his overall message to me.

I sat at my desk, with the volume on my phone all the way up, and my other hand plugging my ear so that I didn't have any distractions. Even with the increased focus and the intent on getting as many words as possible, there were times I had no idea what Chris was trying to tell me. He bailed me out a few times when he said, "You know what I'm talking about?" I would answer with a "yes" because I didn't want him to have to go over all of it again (sorry Chris).

When I hung up with Chris, it felt good to be able to hear his voice, even though I didn't know exactly what he was saying all of the time. The joy I had was more in being able to hear his voice verses understanding the content of the conversation.

As I reflected on that call yesterday, I realized that my prayer life should often be the same way. There are so many times I pray to God. I pray for family, friends, and myself. I pray for specific situations and I seek His guidance. But, there have been many times when I am trying to listen for Him that He doesn't come through too clearly. Has this ever happened to you?

When I don't hear Him very well, I then get really focused. I become intent on listening for Him. When I do, there are times I hear Him clearly and then, just as quickly, His voice fades out. There are times I don't understand everything He is trying to tell me and I feel as if the conversation (the prayer) is a lost cause.

Yesterday reminded me of the joy I can still find in just hearing God's voice. I may not be able to understand it all of the time (He did say in Isaiah 55:8, "My thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways...") and He may cut in and out - but I was still blessed to hear Him. To find joy in knowing He was there. To know that I mean something to Him because He answered my call.

This thought was affirmed this morning when I was reading my devotion from LIFE Group Devotions. They had a quote in there from Terri Mifek that said, "We wonder how we can make space for the wise and compassionate voice of Christ in the midst of so much noise pollution. The truth is we have to cooperate with the little opportunities we are given each day to slow down, become quiet and notice how the Holy One is speaking to us."

When I don't think I can hear God in my life, I need to slow down and become more intentional about the ways in which I can make space for Him to speak to me. I need to focus more of my energies on recognizing Him and noticing Him. I also need to be willing to find joy in the fact that when He speaks to me, I don't have to understand it, I can just rest in the peace of knowing I heard His voice.

Holy God, when the noise in my life keeps me from hearing Your voice, speak to my heart and guide my actions to slow down and listen for You. When I desire to know the mystery of You and it is not revealed in my time, bring comfort to my heart and remind me that just hearing Your voice is all the comfort I need. Help me, O God, to hear Your voice and give my life to listening for You in the little opportunities You provide. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Who Has a Hold of You?

2010-03-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon!

Have you ever had one of those weeks in which you felt like everything went wrong? Where the burdens of the week seem to override the blessings? Where the stress was so massive that you felt like you were going to break under the pressure?

I've had weeks like that and this one was getting pretty close to the brink, until I heard a great message from Rev. Bob Kippley from Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church at our Lenten Lunch and Learn yesterday. He was talking about the abundance of God's grace and how that grace extends to every part of our lives. I offered my "amen" and my head nodded as he shared the truth and mystery of Christ's grace.

But, then, God got my attention. Bob talked about the times in his life when he was tempted and when the burdens of life felt overwhelming and he said that in those times he had to ask himself, "Am I grasping God, or is God grasping me?"

What a moment of clarity for me as I thought about the many ways I try to hold onto God and make my will, His will...my ways, His ways...my thoughts, His thoughts...my heart, His heart. I try to make God in my image, instead of the other way around. When I feel that I am falling or failing, I quickly try to grab a hold of anything I can get my hands on and hold on tight, in fear of falling even farther.

In these times of struggle and strife, Bob reminded me that I need to change my perspective. I don't need to try to grasp God, I need to allow God to grasp me. That I may be able to be open to His will, His ways, His thoughts, and His heart. That I may find peace in knowing that God has a hold of me and when I allow myself to rest in His arms and in His presence, God will never let go.

What has a hold of you today? Who has a hold of you? Are you grasping God, or is God grasping you?

Please pray this pray from William Barclay in Prayers for the Christian Year:

"O God, our Father, we know that the issues of life and death are in your hands, and we know that you are loving us with an everlasting love. If it is your will, grant to us to live in happiness and in peace.

In all our undertakings,
Grant us prosperity and good success.
In all our friendships,
Grant us to find our friends faithful and true.
In all bodily things,
Make us fit and healthy,
Able for the work of the day.
In all the things of the mind,
Make us calm and serene,
Free from anxiety and worry.
In material things,
Save us from poverty and from want.
In spiritual things,
Save us from doubt and distrust.
Grant us
In our work satisfaction;
In our study true wisdom;
In our pleasure gladness;
In our love loyalty.

And if misfortune does come to us, grant that any trial may only bring us closer to one another and closer to you; and grant that nothing may shake our certainty that you work all things together for good, and that a Father's hand will never cause his child a needless tear. Hear this our prayer; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Tangible Faith

2010-03-11T14:44:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon everyone!

I am just getting back from three days in Colorado Springs where I had the honor and privilege of meeting with and affirming the ministries of men and women who have felt God's call to ministry on their lives. It is a joy to witness the fruits of their ministry and to experience the passion they have to minister to and with God's people. My service on the Board of Ordained Ministry provides me with the wonderful opportunity to witness God's hand and movment in other people's lives...so much so that they desire to give their whole lives in service to Him.

As I left this afternoon for my drive home, I was thinking about my experiences and I was reminded that God's call is the same for all of us...that we give our lives, our hearts, our jobs, in service to Him. That is the distinct mark of a Christian - when our faith is able to be manifested in ways that bring love to our world. While the call to professional ministry is one thing, the call to the ministry of service is another. When we give our lives to Christ, we are saying, "every part of my life will be given in service to you, Jesus!"

During this time of Lent - I have been reminded of the areas of my life where I have been more a consumer of God than a servant. Lent provides me (and us) with the opportunity to take a deep look at my life and to seek God's restorative grace upon those areas where I have gone astray. This season of Lent has reminded me that my faith needs to be seen...it needs to be heard...it needs to be felt...it needs to be alive.

Some of you may know who Roman Emperor Julian was in the 4th century. He was the nephew of the first Christian Emperor of Rome, Constantine. Julian was raised in the Christian faith, however, when he became Emperor, he rejected the Christian faith. This rejection, however, did not keep him from noticing the difference between Christians (whom he called Atheists) and the pagan culture he embraced.

Emperor Julian said, "Atheism (Christianity) has been specially advanced through the loving service rendered to strangers, and through their care for the burial of the dead. It is a scandal that there is not one single Jew who is a beggar, and that the godless Galileans care not only for their own poor but for ours as well; while those who belong to us look in vain for the help that we should render them."

This is the reputation that we, as Christians, should vow to return to. My hope would be that any person could sniff out the good news of Jesus on me and on the church, whether we open our mouths or not. The early church was marked by how they tangibly cared for people and it didn't seem to matter whether they played on the same team or not.

During Lent, the question that plagues me is this: "Is my faith tangible? Does it smell like a sweet offering to God? Does it taste rich and good? Does it listen and hear the cries of the voiceless? Does it touch the lives of others with the hand and heart of Jesus?"

I hope so...and even when I fail, I keep trying.

Living God, thank you for the blessing of this day. Thank you for living with us in Jesus and for living in me today. Give me courage, wisdom, and strength to live for You, so that my faith may be a tangible, life-giving, grace-filled, wonder-full, witness of my faith in You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Humble Pie

2010-03-04T22:40:00.000-08:00

Good morning everyone!

Have you ever had one of those weeks where every day seemed like a Monday? Not that Mondays are bad, just hectic. Or, in the words of Cyndi Lauper, "it's just another manic Monday". There are a lot of exciting things going on and in the midst of the busyness it has become easy to lose my Lenten focus. It is important to our spiritual growth and health to intentionally take the necessary time to focus on my relationship with Christ and to listen for His direction in my life. Oh how I need that direction when my life is manic and hectic from time to time!

After having some time to settle down, I was reading a Lenten devotional that talked about humility. From the article Proud to Be Humble, it mentioned, "the call for humility is a call for simple realism...Humility is an honest and objective relfection of our real relationship to God. The fact is that we are all dependent. All that we have comes from God - our lives, our salvation, our hope, our Christ. God has given all; nothing is our own...Humility is a simple, objective recognition of the reality of God."

It is hard to be humble when we think and believe that everything revolves around us. When we believe that our opinion is more valid than another's. When we strive for our own recognition at work, at home, or at school. When our beliefs alienate those around us. When we think we have the right to sneak into the express checkout lane in a crowded grocery store with more than ten items...because our time is more precious than someone else's. When we get involved in the rumor-mill because it somehow makes us feel more important (we want them to know how much we know or we feel we deserve to know everyone else's business).

We all struggle with humility and we are all challenged with moving away from the me-centered life to the God-centered life. But, that is what Lent is all about. It is about righting the ship. Getting ourselves balanced again. Centering our lives back on God. God calls us to live humble lives that recognize our real dependence upon Him for everything. If we can gain that perspective, we begin to see others, the world, the church, and our lives as God sees it. Just seeing those things in that perspective will keep us humble for sure!

Take a moment to check out Luke 14:7-24. On the surface it may not seem like a parable about humility, but look deeper. If God is the host at the banquet of our lives then we have two options. We are either the snotty-nosed guests who turn down the invitation, or we are the motley crew that the servants dragged in from the streets. We are either like the self-righteous Pharisee who patted himself on the back, or we are like the humble tax collector who knew he needed mercy. The point is that nobody swaggers into the kingdom of God. The only ones who show up around the banquet table are those who know they have no business being there.

We are invited and welcomed to this banquet of life by an extraordinarily extravagant God who brings us in, not because we are all that good, but because God is. (Living With the Mind of Christ)

I have found that the deeper I go with Christ the more humble pie I eat. I am reminded time and time again that it is not about me. It is not about my opinions (don't say that!), my preferences, my position in life...it is about God's position in my life. Is He before me or is it the other way around?

What changes need to be made in your life in order for you to live with mindset of humility? In this season of Lent (and beyond), what steps will you take to make these changes? What about the church? How can our lack of humility be a barrier to growing relationships with each other and sharing the Good News?

Jesus is sharing with us a piece of humble pie at the banquet table of life. Let's eat it and fill up on it, so that our lives reflect the true, humble nature of our Lord!

Jesus, You have led the way for me and modeled for me true humility. Grant me Your mercy that I may be able to humbly walk with You as You go before me as my guide and my friend. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Jesus Stayed

2010-02-25T13:37:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

I pray all of you are doing well and that all of you have been intentional about your Lenten journey this year. It is in this time of Lent that we break down the ego, the pride, the barriers, that have kept us from experiencing the fullness of Christ in our lives. We take the time to shed the sins that have kept us from growing into mature Christians and seek the redeeming power of Christ's grace in the newness He brings.

I would like to share with you a story from Malcolm Muggeridge's book Something Beautiful for God that has been challenging me this week as I journey with Jesus.

I ran away and stayed away; Mother Teresa moved in and stayed. That was the difference. She, a nun, rather slightly built, with a few rupees in her pocket; not particularly clever, or particularly gifted in the arts of persuasion. Just with this Christian love shining about her; in her heart and on her lips. Just prepared to follow her Lord, and in accordance with his instructions regard every derelict left to die in the streets as him; to hear in the cry of every abandoned child, even in the tiny squeak of the discarded fetus, the cry of the Bethlehem child; to recognize in every leper's stumps the hands which once touched sightless eyes and made them see, rested on distracted heads and made them calm, brought back health to sick flesh and twisted limbs. As for my expatiations on Bengal's wretched social conditions - I regret to say that I doubt whether, in any divine accounting, they will equal one single quizzical half smile bestowed by Mother Teresa on a street urchin who happened to catch her eye.

As I shared this with the staff of the church this week, Pastor Emily pointed out the part at the begining which said, "she stayed". I have been thinking about that act all week. How, in the midst of the mire and muck, the nastiness, the death, the disease, the condemnation - she stayed.

My high spiritual opinion of myself would lead me to think that I would stay, too. But then again, I have trouble staying with people that talk bad about me or people I don't agree with. I struggle with staying with people who have a bad attitude or those who can only find something to complain about. I have trouble staying true to my own promises - to myself and to God. What makes me think, that in all of that human suffering, I would stay?

Here is what I know - Jesus stayed. He came in the midst of human suffering and misguided souls and He stayed. He stayed when the crowds turned against Him and tried to throw Him off a cliff. He stayed when the religious leaders tried to discredit Him. He stayed when His own friend plotted against Him. He stayed when the authorities came to arrest Him. He stayed when they nailed Him to the cross. He stayed. And, He is with us today.

I pray, that as I continue to grow in Christ, He will give me a heart that stays - even when every other fiber of my being wants to leave. That is love that comes from God...when we are willing to stay, even in the midst of suffering because we realize Jesus stayed and continues to be with us.

Loving God, thank you for coming into my life and taking up residence in my heart. Forgive me for running away from time to time. Create within me a heart that stays even when my reaction is to leave. I want my life to honor you, Jesus by loving how You loved and living how You lived. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

Climate Change

2010-02-18T11:04:00.000-08:00

Hello!

This month I haven't been as consistent in my weekly blog. I apologize. Last week I was at a conference in Phoenix, Arizona that shared with us the shifting culture we live in and it challenged church leaders to discover new ways to be in ministry with our changing culture. It was a good conference that offered a great deal of food for thought.

As I processed everything I learned at the conference, I realized that climate change is alive and well in the church. We hear alot about climate change in our media, the government, and some scientific institutions. I am not hear to argue for or against, because, quite frankly, my main concern is the obvious climate change that is happening within the church itself. We all know that "church" as we have come to know it is changing. Some see it as a threat to the gospel. Others welcome the changes with open arms. While most people are trying to figure out how the changes are going to affect them.

We all know that we live in a culture that has become increasingly selfish, me-motivated, and highly relativistic. These characteristics have worked their way into the church and to combat these challenges, the church is having to change the way in which we are in ministry with one another...the way we are the church together.

The younger generations (I am included in that) are becoming increasingly skeptical about the institution of church. It has become a political system more than a spiritual one. It has looked out for itself and its own survival more than it has looked out for "the least of these" among us. It has focused more on being right (theologicall, doctrinally, etc.) than it has on being right (righteousness) with God. To be honest, the church has lost its right to be an authority in the lives of those it has been called to serve. The church has lost its way on many fronts.

I have mentioned before, that for decades the church has slowly but surely abdicated its authority and responsibilities to government and other social and civic institutions. We have turned turtle and gone inside of ourselves. As a result, we are growing generations of Christians who are biblically illiterate and spiritually bankrupt. We have grown members, not disciples.

This is not just my opinion, but the research and statistics prove it to be true. As a result, the church's climate has changed and a new generation is rising up and saying, "We need to change the climate again. We need to get back to being the church, putting our faith into action, making Jesus real through the relationships we build. The church can once again be a transforming power in our lives and in our communities, but we are going to have to change the climate." And, that is not always easy.

Here is what I suggest. Yesterday, was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of our Lenten season. Often times, and rightly so, our focus during Lent is on our individual relationship with Jesus Christ. We confess our sins and seek our Lord's forgiveness. Some of us give something up that has been keeping us down. We substitute that with something that will bring growth and health to our lives (exercising, reading Scripture, strengthening our prayer life, becoming more vulnerable in our relationships, etc.). These 40 days of Lent lead us to resurrection...to newness...where the old is gone and passed away and the new life is lived!

Maybe we should also focus ourselves as a church. Maybe we should also honestly assess our ability to be holy and spiritually healthy. Maybe we should confess the ways we have turned people away and seen ourselves as "to big to fail". Maybe we should journey together toward resurrection, newness, and LIFE! Instead of being afraid of the climate change in the church, we ask God to direct us and lead us to new ways of reaching people and building relationships for the sake of our Savior. Maybe we embrace the change and thank God for using us broken vessels to carry the living water of hope in Him.

What do you think? Are we too entrenched in the old way that we won't allow God to make us new? Or, are we broken enough, empty enough, open enough, for God to restore us to new things?

Almighty God, forgive us when the lives we lead bring recognition to ourselves and do not point to your greatness and mercy. Forgive our arrogance and our piousness. Restore us and make us new again. Restore our relationships with each other. Strengthen our relationship with you. Help us to see this world with new eyes and serve this world with renewed purpose so that Your Body may be what you originally created it to be. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.

Scattered Thoughts

2010-02-03T09:49:00.001-08:00

Hello!

Sorry I missed last week. Life got the best of me and I didn't have a chance to check-in.

Life is going well this week as I am preparing to go to a Sharefest luncheon for the pastors in Fremont County to tell them about a great opportunity for the Body of Christ to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus! I know God will work in a mighty way to bring the Body of Christ together and begin His transformative work among us.

With everything on my plate, my mind is a bit scattered so I wanted to share just a couple of things that have kept me going over the last couple of weeks.

The first is a quote I received from a LIFE group devotion that I am a member of. It is not only funny, but profound:

"Live your life so that when you wake up in the morning and your feet hit the floor, the devil says, 'Oh crud, they're up!'"

Another one is something I received from Jan Blue as she was responding to one of my blogs about Significance. This quote comes from The Bible in One Year: "Here's the key to significance: fulfilling our unique, God-given, eternal purpose. In this life, we do not labor to leave a physical legacy or waste our days pursuing pleasure. Instead, we help those in need, influence our culture, and reach out to the lost. And when a believer enters the heavenly place Jesus has prepared, he or she keeps on working for Him."

May these words work their way into your heart and mind, as Christ continues His wonderful work in you.

Precious Lord, even when my mind is scattered, You are there to remind me of Your presence n my life in very simple ways. May I be open to Your movement in my life and to the glimpses of Your holy presence that you show me throughout my scattered day. In Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Get the Heart Started

2010-01-20T17:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Thursday!

This past week has been quite the ride with my Dad's hospitalization over the weekend, trying to get the Haiti health kits put together and shipped, and all of the other ministry expectations that come along. In it all, I have been humbly reminded of our humanness, our sameness, and what brings us together. I have been reminded of the importance of our relationships.

Sounds kind of funny, huh? That I needed to be reminded of the importance of being in relationship? It's not that I had forgotten, it is just that it had been glazed over in the hustle and bustle of daily living. The depth of our relationships to one another and to Christ is life-sustaining in the difficult times.

When I got the news about my dad late last week, my job was to keep all of the family informed. A big task when I was the only one in Colorado at the time and we have a big family! When word got out to my church family, the love, care and support was overwhelming. When word got out to my larger church family (the Conference), I felt the depth of our connection again. While nobody could do anything to "help", per se, it was the feeling of not being alone and experiencing the strength of the prayers that made it more bearable. It brought hope and peace.

When I think about our sisters and brothers in Haiti and seeing the response around the world, my prayer is that it will create a deep connection with the plight of the Haitians and that our connection with them as God's created people will help us realize that we are all in this life together. Maybe our "help" (offering humanitarian aid, prayers, health kits, money and other resources) will be used to create bridges of understanding and bridges that build relationships, not just buildings and infrastructures. It is those relationships and those connections to something deeper than ourselves that will bring hope and peace back to that land and even back to our own.

It all starts with the heart and our willingness to live from the center of our hearts as we walk hand-in-hand with each other.

In what ways is God reminding you that your heart needs to be started again? Is there a relationship that needs tending? A relationship that needs to begin? Is there a deeper connection that needs to happen with God? Has your heart stopped? If so, allow God to help it get started again.

Loving Lord, You are the heartbeat of our world and I want you to be the heartbeat of my life. Start my heart again that, through it, I may love more abundantly, connect more deeply, serve more passionately, and live more freely! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Rollercoaster of Life

2010-01-13T13:20:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon everyone,

The last 24 hours have been interesting. Yesterday was my son's 11th birthday. We celebrated as a family, but my wife was sick with a migraine so she was not able to go to the movie with us last night. A bummer, but Ethan had fun. When we got home, I turned on the news to hear the story of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Since our church has supported missions to Haiti through Climbing for Christ, there was a deeper sense of concern and compassion for the Haitian people. I have remained updated on the progress of the villages our missionaries have served through the Climbing for Christ website (www.climbingforchrist.org). I continue to pray for them constantly, as well as Miguel Guante, as he ministers to the people and villages in Haiti.

If I remember correctly, in the movie Parenthood, the grandma refers to life as a roller coaster - up and down, up and down, up and down. Sometimes the movement makes us sick or we become ill just thinking about it. But, it is a reality. It is our lives. Filled with the joys that are associated with birth and emptied by the loss of lives. Up and down, up and down.

This morning, as I dropped off my kids at school, I was at the stop sign and noticed something on the ground that reminded me of a life event that happened to me while on a mission trip in London. While the actual life event isn't important, I was reminded in that moment of the power certain things have to help us remember things we may have forgotten.

God knows the power memories can have in our lives. Sometimes they are good memories, sometimes they are bad. Some may be tragic and others may have us at the top of the world. Our memories may be up or down. But, they are important when we are able to see how God is working within them.

In Joshua 4 of the Holy Scriptures, Joshua provided a means by which Israel could remember that God had acted on their behalf. They laid cairns (pronounced care-ins) or memorial stones and every time they looked at these stones they were reminded of God's activity in their lives and encouraged to remain faithful to Him. These cairns would be a place of solace and hope as they rode the rollercoaster of life.

What are the cairns we surround ourselves with today that remind us of God's activity in our lives? What are the visual experiences we have that tell us, with all certainty, that God is with us when we are celebrating the joys of life or experiencing the sorrows of death?

We decorate our homes and our bodies with crosses, ichthuses, Bibles, doves, angels, peace signs, etc. But, what if we saw worship as a cairn in our lives? When we worship together, we are reminded again and again of God's activity and presence among us. We are reminded that our Lord is with us and that His grace abounds in our lives. We are reminded that whether we are chugging up the hill, or at the zenith of life, or quickly descending into the valley, God is faithful!

When we come together as the Body of Christ to worship our Lord, we remember who God is, what He has done for us, and how He journeys with us. When we worship we are encouraged to remain faithful to Him and we find solace and hope as we ride the rollercoaster of life. But, to be reminded, we need to visit this cairn of worship on a regular basis. Let's continue to remember how God remains active in our lives and how God continues to desire a full relationship with us. One powerful way we can do this, is through our worship together.

Gracious, loving, God, I want to thank You for being with me through the ups and downs of my life. Remind me again and again of your faithfulness and help me to worship You in the midst of whatever life brings. In Jesus' holy name. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Successfully Significant

2010-01-07T15:31:00.000-08:00

Good evening!

This week has been quite a journey for me. Many who know me know that I am always thinking. Thinking about the church. Thinking about new ways to reach people. Thinking about the next item on my to-do list. Thinking about God and how He has been active in my life or what He is trying to tell me (sometimes He sounds like the character in the Peanuts cartoons - you know the one that sounds like, "Wha, Wha, Whaaaa"...does that ring a bell?). Thinking about how I am or am not being a good Dad, a good husband, a good pastor, a good leader, a good Christian, a good man. I can do so much thinking that I'm not really "good" for anything. My mind gets so full of things I'm thinking about that I lose my focus and my purpose. Does this ever happen to you? Maybe I'm alone in this, but I'd like to think I'm not.

Thinking can be good. We are told in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." It all depends on what we are thinking about. Not that thinking on ways to reach people is bad or thinking about God's purpose is wrong. Thinking on these things can bring excellence to ministry and bring praise to our Lord. But, if I am only thinking on the how and not the why - then I get bogged down and the Lord gets drowned out.

In ministry and in life we think about the HOW alot! How-to books are popular. How-to build your own deck...and save money! How-to build a strong a marraige. How-to get your kids to listen to you. How-to get your parents to listen to you. How-to do your taxes. How-to grow your church. We read these books as if they have all of the answers to our success in life and faith.

I guess that is the problem with thinking about the HOW too much. When we think about the HOW, we are thinking about HOW to be successful. We are thinking about what we can do to boost our confidence, shed those pounds, and inspire the masses. When we are able to accomplish these things, we feel victorious and successful in our lives, our marriages, our ministries. But, we forget Someone very important in the process. And, when we do, our success is usually short-lived and empty.

I am not indicting the "How-to" industry. Many of the books have some great ways to be successful in life. But, is success the crown of life?

As I mentioned, this week has been a journey as I struggle with my own thoughts about success and then I read in the book The Intentional Church by Randy Pope that we should be striving, not for success, but for significance. When we strive for success - we do it for ourselves. When we strive for significance, we do it for our Lord.

I realized this week, as I thought about all the things I needed to do, that when I pursue success, I run the risk of leaving significance behind. This point was driven home this week when I called a clergy-friend of mine to work out some details for an event (that I want to be successful of course). I asked him how he was doing and he said, "Crappy." I inquired. He said that an infant in their church had just died. This precious child was no more than 3 months old. It was a miracle baby. Born at 26 weeks. Many health complications. Finally home from the hospital, the child choked on the milk he had drank just moments before. He died sleeping next to his mother.

I prayed with my friend as he was reeling from the pain of such a tragic death. I realized in that moment that we are called to significance, not success. We can be successful without being signficant, but when we pursue significance, we will always find success.

A significant person invests himself/herself into the lives of others. A significant church invests itself in walking with all people in the joys and pains of life. A significant life focuses on why we invest ourselves in such ways. Because our Lord has done the same for us. Had Jesus been successful, He would have been the King of Israel and ruler of a people. But, instead, His life was significant and meaningful, so He became the King of Kings and Savior to All.

It has been a journey this week...it will continue...as I to strive toward becoming successfully signifcant instead of significantly successful. I'd love to hear from you on how you balance this in your life.

Dear Jesus, walk with me. I want to invest my life in the lives of others in such a way that they are able to experience Your significance in their lives. Forgive me when I strive for earthly rewards and achievements. Remind me of the eternal reward that waits for me in Heaven and the present reward of Your saving grace! Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Don

Happy New Day!

2009-12-30T16:25:00.001-08:00

Christmas is all over. The baby Jesus has come. We've opened up our presents. We've started taking down the decorations. After the New Year, life will start returning back to normal...whatever that means!

Pretty soon we will be making our New Year Resolutions and in a few months lamenting that we couldn't keep our promises to ourselves this year. I often wonder why I can't follow thru on my promises to myself, to God, to my family. I wonder why I get distracted so much from my original focus and I get off track so easily.

This year, I'm not going to make a New Year resolution. Not because I don't want to disappoint myself again. Although, if I'm honest, there is probably a little inkling of that in my spirit. But, mainly because I have come to learn that growth in my life doesn't happen as much from the big promises I make, as it does with the little promises I make. You know, those every day promises that I am going to choose life over death. That I will celebrate abundance over scarcity. That I will choose love over hatred, grace over resentment, wisdom over folly, courage over fear, joy over sorrow, compassion over anger, patience over impatience. You see where I'm going.

These aren't big promises to make - these are every day promises. Promises I have to make to myself and God before I get up in the morning and with every step I take throughout my day.

We read in Philippians 2:12, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling...". I have heard the explanation that we can "only work out a salvation that God has already worked in." In other words, Paul was telling the Philippians that they ought to conduct themselves in a manner that was worthy of the gospel of Christ (Phlippians 1:27).

Since we have been saved, our lives should bear the fruit. Without getting into too much theological mumbo jumbo, we are called to take each day as a New Day, working out our own deliverance from the things that keep us from conducting ourselves in a way that honors our Savior Jesus Christ.

So, instead of a Happy New Year, I'd like to say to each of you, "Happy New Day" - keep trying, keep pressing on, keep putting one step in front of the other as you move closer to God and Jesus. Keep it up! Don't stop! With each new step you take, you will experience the newness that Christ brings.

Loving Jesus. Walk with me in each step that I take. May your heart, your mind, your eyes, your ears, your voice, be in me. When I misstep, forgive me and gently guide me on the path that leads to You. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

We've Got Company!

2009-12-16T11:24:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon!

It is 9 days until Christmas and I still have 90% of my shopping to do! This is typical for me as my wife and I tend to wait until the last minute to get the perfect gift. There are other things "to do" of course to prepare for Christmas. I have had to plan 3 weeks ahead at the church so that I wouldn't have too much to do over the holidays. There have been school concerts and family get-togethers to get ready for as well. Needless to say, this time of the year is a time of preparation.

For some of you that time of preparation comes in preparing for company over the holidays. I remember when I was a kid how crazy our house would become when we were expecting company (whether for a day or a week, it didn't matter). All six kids had chores to do and when those chores were done we had other chores. The house was neat and tidy (and with 6 kids that takes some work!). We had to be on our best behavior. The preparation itself was so stressful it was sometimes too much to bear.

We can see this time of the year the same way as we prepare for company this Advent season. It can be stressful, almost overwhelming, as we prepare for the coming of Christ. But, let's not look at the outer preparations we need to make. What about the spiritual preparations we need to make for Jesus to truly come into our lives? Are we inviting Him for the next few weeks to stay a while, reside with us for a season, maybe even have some laughs with Him, commune with Him, until we send Him on His way, knowing that He will come for another visit next year?

Or, will we truly prepare our hearts and our lives to invite Him to live with us? Pastor Emily Earnshaw in her Advent devotion for yesterday said, "This year, as you prepare for Christmas, don't just prepare a path to be able to get through, create space in your life for the coming of Christ. If company comes, clear a path so they can see the house, but if someone is coming to live with you, you empty the room and dust the closet shelves. The whole world changes when a new resident is expected. What do you need to do to prepare for Christ to live with you?"

This year, may we not see Jesus as just company coming...because company eventually ends up leaving. Let's prepare for Jesus coming to live with us. Let's make room in our lives for Him to truly reside, transform, and make new our lives this season and into 2010.

Gracious God, help me make room for Jesus this season. Help me to empty myself of all selfishness and fill me with His spirit of humility and grace to welcome Him fully into my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

What a Character

2009-12-09T15:08:00.000-08:00

Good evening!

I pray that all of you are able to connect with the power of God's presence in your lives this week as we get closer to Christmas and the New Year.

This week, our staff had our BIG staff meeting where all of the staff (part-time to full-time) come together. Our BIG staff meetings happen once a month and we have a word for the month. Our word for this month is: CHARACTER. Not necessarily the word you'd think you would find during the Christmas season. You might expect words such as: light, hope, peace, love, joy, Jesus. But, character?

Let's be honest, this time of the year we can find it a whole lot easier to be "Christian". We find it easier to be giving. We find it more fulfilling to be joyful as we whistle Christmas carols and old time Christmas songs through the halls of our work and homes. We enjoy decorating our homes to express the depths of our Christmas cheer. We like the idea of God coming into our world through a sweet, little baby. Yea, this Christian thing ain't too bad this time of the year.

But, what about the other times of the year. What about when the decorations are down, the presents are all un-wrapped, and the credit card bills start coming in? What about when others around us aren't as joyful or excited for the season (whether they are Christian or not)? It is easier to show our Christian character when things are going well. It is easier to worship our nice, gentle, sweet God when everyone else is more open to it. It is easier to give gifts when we believe there is a "reason" to do so. But, when things are just going along and life is ho-hum, or when things become challenging and difficult and maybe even downright nasty, does our Christian character come through then?

Jesus came into this world in a sweet and wonderful way. But, He came into a broken world. A messy world. A nasty world. And even in the midst of that world, He stayed true to His purpose among us. His godly character was revealed no matter the circumstances of life.

I got to thinking about my own Christian character in difficult times, when I came across the following article from Adrian Rogers called How God Develops Christian Character. It is a little long, but I'd like to share it with you:

And not only so, but we glory in the tribulations also: knowing that tribulation workety patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope. - Romans 5:3-4

When you receive Christ as your personal Savior, God begins to work in you. Nobody is born fully grown, so God has to build your Christian character.

The Bible says in Philippians 1:6, "...He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it..." When you are saved, God simply begins a good work in you. You are not a finished product. God will build Christian character, but first you must receive Christ. Some people try to develop character, but they have no foundation. And that foundation is Jesus Christ.

How does God build Christian character?

Pressure
God will allow pressures to come. The word tribulation literally means "pressure." It is a word that was used to describe crushing grapes in a vat for wine or crushing olives for oil. God wants the oil of gladness and the wine of joy in your character. He wants that which will sustain and give strength, but the only way that God will get it out of you is to press it out. Is something bad happening to you right now? Are you having trouble? Are you feeling pressure? These are not obstacles; they are opportunities! They are things that God has engineered to build character into your life.

You're going to have tribulation whether you're a Christian or not, but a child of God sees what happens and can "glory in tribulations."

Patience
The Bible teaches that God wants to work a character quality in your heart known as patience. The word patient here is not one of passivity. Actually the word means "endurance or constancy." What are some reactions when trouble come?
* Some may try to escape with a plane ticket, a pill, a bottle, a needle, or even a gun
* Others may even get cynical and shake their fist in the face of God
* Some may recognize that God wants to teach endurance and it is His way of building Christian character.

How do you respond? One of the greatest marks of your faith and your confidence in the Almighty is your endurance, your perseverance, and your constancy when trouble comes.

Purity
The word experience is translated in many Bibles as character and it has to do wtih the idea of purity. This word was used to speak of gold that had been put in the fire and refined until it was pure. It speaks of a character that has gone through the experience of tribulation and perseverance. And through them, God begins to burn out the dross.

Many of us don't want that, but I want God to continue to work in my heart and my life until He burns out that dross. They say that a refiner of silver or gold knows when the gold is pure when he can see his own face reflected in it. Our Lord wants to see His character reflected in us.

Have you grown in your Christian life when you were faced with trouble, heartache, pressure, pain, misunderstanding, or bewilderment? Did you grow when you had nowhere to go but to God, and you had to keep searching your heart and saying, "Oh God, what's wrong? God what are you trying to tell me? What are you trying to teach me? What do you want me to confess?" God uses those difficulties to produce growth in us.

Persuasion
We call this hope. Hope doesn't mean "to wish or desire." It mean, "a rock-ribbed assurance based on the Word of God and the character of God." When we go through pressures, tribulations, and afflictions and we come out the other side, we have learned that God is faithful. God saw us through and my friend - that is hope.

I want you to know that Jesus Christ is hope. Hebrews 6:19 speaks of hope when it says, "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast..." Let the storms rage, the waves buffet us, and the wind blow - for my Anchor holds.

If you don't have hope, you don't have anything. Faith believes, but hope expects. A person who lives by confidence in God alone and looks to God alone has Christian character.

Father God, continue to develop within me Your character. Forgive me of the ways in which I have tried to escape the pain and difficulty of this life. Thank you for reminding me that as I turn to You, You will do a mighty work within me and You, O God, will refine and make pure my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Take It All In

2009-12-03T16:43:00.001-08:00

Good evening everyone!

It has been a couple of weeks since my last post and I pray that you had Thanksgiving celebrations that were filled with the joy of family and the wonder and awe of God's presence in your midst.

My son Ethan likes to watch ESPN when he wakes up in the morning (I love watching him grow up!). Two days ago they were running a special piece on a 7th grade boy named Jake. I came into the room in the middle of the segment. Apparently, Jake had to have one of his eyes removed due to a cancerous tumor earlier in life and he was now facing the realization that his other eye would have to be removed, rendering him blind for the rest of his life.

One of Jake's wishes was to be able to spend some time with his favorite college football team, the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans. They showed clips of Jake at practice over a period of time and visiting with some of his favorite players. They showed him giving the pep talk before a game and cheering on his favorite team. They had interviews with players on how much of an inspiration Jake was to them. The USC football team took this 13 year old boy under their wing and treated him as one of their own.

It was a touching story, but what touched me the most was the interview just days before his surgery. I watched as this courageous young man told the interviewer, and the millions of us watching, that all he wanted to do was "to take it all in". He wanted to take in the faces and mannerisms, not only of his favorite players and team, but more importantly he wanted to take in his dad, his mom, and his sister. He said that he wanted to be able to have their image in his head every time he heard their voice after his surgery. This young man knew he was going to be blind and he wanted to take everything in so that he would never forget.

Before his surgery, Jake broke down in tears. But the Jake that came out of surgery was still as strong as the days and weeks before. He was okay with what had happened. He even said that during one USC practice he heard a bone-crunching hit and that it was cooler to hear it than it was to see it! What a perspective from such a young man!

I got to thinking about Jake, and Christmas, and Jesus and I think there are some parallels to their stories. During Christmas we celebrate the fact that God came into our world in the child, teenager, and man of Jesus so that we could "take it all in". So that we could see, with our own eyes, what it meant to be in a perfect relationship with our Creator. Christmas is a time in which we confess our own spiritual blindedness and in this season of "seeing", we take in all of who Jesus was and is in our lives and in our world.

We take it all in so that when we cannot see Him, we will still know His voice when He speaks and know His touch when we near Him. We take it all in, so that in those times when He feels farthest away, we can close our eyes and have the comfort in knowing He is still beside us.

During this Christmas season...take it all in. Take in the traditions. Take in the many opportunities to be with family and friends. Take in the kettle-ringers and the Christmas music. Take in the crisp winter air. Take in the Star. Take in the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph. Take in their journey of heartache, pain, and rejection. Take in their experience of God. Take in the thought that God loves you so much that He was willing to come to your own messy, smelly stable to be with you. Take it all in. Take in JESUS.

What does His birth mean to you? How does His life affect your own? Have you been taking all of Him in, or just the parts you're comfortable with? Friends, take all of Jesus this Christmas!

Loving God, forgive me for letting a part of You into my life. Forgive me for showing a part of you to the world. Redeem me. Transform me. Make me whole again this Christmas so that ALL of You will come into my heart and my life. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Invest in Goodness

2009-11-18T16:31:00.000-08:00

Hello!

As we approach Thanksgiving it is common for us to reflect more on our lives and on our faith. I know the holidays cause me to pause and think about my life and the fruits of it. Am I living a life that is full of gratitude? Do I strive to live a humble life, putting the interests of others before my own (Philippians 2)? Do I recognize every day the depths that God went to (becoming man) to have a relationship with me? Would I do the same for Him? Is my life planted in the good soil to produce good fruits, or are their some sour apples in my soul?

Some may think I am a bit too serious when it comes to my faith and my own introspection. On some levels they may be right. But, I cannot help but reflect on these things and on the way my Christian walk manifests itself in me. In my personal faith pursuits, I came across this quote below. It has me thinking even deeper now. Maybe it will do the same for you.

"Christianity is not a voice in the wilderness, but a life in the world. It is not an idea in the air but feet on the ground going God's way. It is not an exotic to be kept under glass, but a hardy plant to bear twelve months of fruits in all kinds of weather. Fidelity to duty is its root and branch. Nothing we can say to the Lord, no calling Him by great or dear names, can take the place of the plain doing of His will. We may cry out about the beauty of eating bread with Him in His kingdom, but it is wasted breath and a rootless hope unless we plow and plant in His kingdom here and now. To remember Him at His table and to forget Him at ours, is to have invested in bad securities. There is no substitute for plain, every-day goodness." - Maltbie Davenport (Mattie D) Babcock, Short Biography

I strive to invest in the goodness of our God and Savior. That is where my true security lies. In that goodness, my treasure is found. I pray that I will continue to invest - not for the return I will get, but for the return others will experience because of Christ living IN me and THROUGH me.

Gracious God, I am grateful for how far you were willing to go to be in a relationship with me. I thank you for your goodness and I pray that Your goodness will live in me in such a way that others may say, "taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8)

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Let Freedom Ring

2009-11-12T08:16:00.000-08:00

This week our nation celebrates and remembers the veterans of our military service. We recognize the sacrifices they have made and continue to make on our behalf and on behalf of countless others who live in tyranny and oppression.

I grew up in an Air Force family and was raised with a deep respect for God and country. Every time I hear the Star Spangled Banner I get goosebumps and pride wells up from deep inside. My grandfather served in the Army and in WWII. My father is a retired Lt. Colonel in the Air Force and still teaches at the Air Force Academy. I have a brother that is active duty Army and has served one 15-month tour in Iraq and will be leaving again very soon.

While I have not experienced any type of deployment, I do understand the waves of emotions (from pride to worry/fear) that can overwhelm family members who have loved ones in violent areas of our world. Whenever I hear of a soldier who has died, I am reminded of how fragile life is and how my own family stands on the threshold of such news when my brother is deployed. I thank God for these men and women who willingly put themselves in harms-way to let freedom ring.

Our world also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the falling of the Berlin Wall on Monday. On November 9, 1989, our world experienced the destruction of a wall that had kept freedom out and had silenced the voices of those contained within its stone-cold barriers. I grew up in the Cold War era, always aware of the Berlin Wall. It seemed so solid, so impenetrable, so eternal. I never thought I'd see the day when that wall would come down. As a 17 year-old youth, that moment had a deep impact on me, as it reminded me of the preciousness of freedom and also its delicate nature.

Freedom in the world is a fragile thing. It can be granted and taken away before you know it. One day you are able to move freely, talk freely, worship freely, and make your own choices freely, and the next day a wall can be built that limits your freedom and liberty and you find that you are fighting for your right to survive as a free person. Freedom in the world is not a certainty. Men and women valiantly and courageously fight for it, some giving their life for it. For that, they deserve our respect, our honor, and our rememberance.

As a Christian, I understand the fragility of freedom in our world, while fully understanding the true freedom that comes from our Savior. In John 8 beginning in verse 31 "Jesus said...'If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

God's freedom refers to the spiritual freedom we have in His Kingdom, not to the physical or earthly freedoms of the world. Walking with Jesus, we may experience rejection, persecution, alienation, even death, but such struggles do not infringe on the freedom we enjoy in Christ! Galatians 5:1 says, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."

Friends, whether we are able to experience the freedoms of this world or not, we can give all praise and glory for the true freedom that exists in Christ and the promise that our souls and our spirits do not have to live in a yoke of bondage. May we never forget that true freedom does not exist apart from Christ. May we, like the veterans we celebrate this week, fully commit our lives to telling others about the freedom that is found in Christ. May we risk our reputations, our emotions, our relationships, our treasures, and our lives so that others may live in true freedom. LET FREEDOM RING!

God of grace and mercy, You have created me with freedom...freedom to choose life over death...freedom to choose love over hatred...freedom to choose joy over despair and hope over fear...freedom to choose You. Guide me with Your wisdom to choose wisely with the freedom You have so graciously given that through my life Your freedom may ring!

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Increasing Our Chances

2009-11-05T14:18:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon!

Another beautiful day in Canon City, Colorado. You would never know that we are in November with the temperatures in the mid-70s, people wearing shorts and driving around with their windows down. It truly is beautiful weather and we can give the glory to our Creator for offering us this blessing today.

I want to share another blessing that happened two nights ago. My wife and I took our kids out for a celebration dinner at El Caporal to celebrate their good reports from our parent-teacher conferences.

As we were eating dinner my daughter was talking to us about how some of the girls in her class are boy crazy. She said that she looks at them and says, "What are you thinking? We're kids and we don't need to be doing that stuff. We're kids and we're supposed to party and have fun because when you get older you don't get too many chances to do that!"

My wife and I about died. I am making the assumption that I am at the age where I don't get much of a chance to party and have fun. What can I say, these semi-old bones and this withered spirit are running out of the fun chances life has to offer!!!

It did make me think, however, of the importance of demonstrating the joy and fun in life with my children. If they think that growing up is full of seriousness, pain, discouragement, stress, etc. - then growing up and, eventually, adulthood will lose it's joy and excitement as well. No doubt, there is more that we deal with as adults, but I wonder how much different our lives would be if we dealt with it from the perspective of a child.

When that stressor comes into our lives, or that situation at work, or that gutteral reaction to things going on around us, we say, "Hey, we don't need to get worried and bogged down by that stuff! We're God's children and we're supposed to experience His joy and revel in the strength and peace only He offers! If we don't, our spirits grow old and worn and we lose our chances at joy!"

I wonder what impact that would have on my life? On the life of my family? On the relationships God blesses me with?

In this Thanksgiving month, we are reminded that there is so much to be thankful for. Living with a grateful heart will open up a whole new world to us and it may even help us to come to Jesus with the spirit and awe of a child.

In the words of George Herbert, "Thou who hast given so much to me, give me one more thing - a grateful heart!" May that be our prayer...no matter what happens around us. With a grateful heart, our own spirits and the lives of those around us, will be able to see that there is joy to be experienced in this world and in the God we choose to serve! Maybe that will increase our chances at having some fun with this life!

O God, give us grateful hearts, that our lives may be full of thanksgiving and joy. Give us eyes to see your blessings, great and small, and may our spirits be lifted by Your presence with us. In Jesus' holy name. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Busted Smiles

2009-10-29T11:36:00.000-07:00

Greetings Friends,

I pray you are all doing spiritually well, even if the circumstances of your lives have been difficult (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4).

There was a boy who was reprimanded for laughing out loud during school (ever happen to you?). The boy responded to the teacher by saying, "Teacher, I didn't mean to. I was smiling, and the smile busted."

Have you ever experienced such joy, humor, laughter in your life that you just couldn't contain it? I know I have. I believe all of us have at one time or another. We laugh until we cry. We let loose and experience the joy of life and we don't want it to stop. We smile so much and laugh so hard that our faces hurt. There is a reason why they say that laughter is the best medecine. It is a cleansing of the soul - a releasing of pent up frustration, anger, and negativity. It lightens our lives and frees our souls.

So many times in life, we lose that joy. We are like the teacher telling the boy to stop laughing. Or like the little girl who looked at her grandmother and asked her how she felt. The grandmother said that she felt fine. The little girl then asked, "Well, if you feel good, why don't you tell your face?"

Take it from someone who has been there lately...it can be easy to lose our joy. We forget to tell ourselves that there is reason to be joy-full in our living. We forget because we focus on the wrong things. We focus on the economy, the political fights in our country, the gossip that surrounds us in the workplace, etc. etc. etc. We focus on our scarcity instead of our abundance. We focus on what isn't being done for us (no job, less money, kids not obeying, spouse not meeting our needs), instead of what has been done for us! Jesus went to the cross, in obedience to God, and died for us so that we may be able to experience the fullness of life and joy with Him!

I know that there are things in this world that concern us - and quite frankly they should. We are not to be apathetic towards injustices and wrongs that are being done. However, if our energies are focused on everything that is wrong, we forget what is right and what has been done to set us and the world right with God.

Friends, if you are struggling with joy, you've lost your focus, just like I had. And all it takes is to turn around and see that God is right there, with open hands and an open heart, to offer you the joy that you've been missing. Today, I choose joy! I choose to let my smile bust! How about you?

God of love and joy, fill me today with a joy that is beyond understanding, so that when I confront the struggles and challenges before me, I can do so with the fullness of your Spirit within me. In Jesus' holy name. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don

Home Alone

2009-10-22T18:54:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the first time your parents let you stay home alone when you were a kid? I don't quite remember the first time I stayed home alone, but I do remember the first time my parents took my three younger siblings out of town for the weekend and my older sister and I were able to stay at home by ourselves.

We thought we were all grown up. We understood the rules (Mom and Dad made sure we understood the rules if you know what I mean). We knew what was expected of us. What we didn't expect, however, was that our first night at home, the police ended up at our house!

Before your imagination runs wild with crazy parties and out-of-control teens, let me explain. You see, my sister's best friend from Kansas was coming into town that night. So, Lisa and I got in the car and I drove us to the airport to pick up Shelly. When we got home, I pulled into the garage as the girls were still engaged in conversation (actually, I don't think they ever took a breath the whole trip home). I was ready to let them go off and reconnect. I couldn't wait to have a thought to myself. Listening to that banter had been driving me crazy!

As we walked into the house, I was carrying the bags. We only got about 7 feet into the doorway when I sensed something was wrong. I had turned on the light and, almost in slow motion, I noted that the sliding glass door was open, the curtain was moving with the breeze. I looked to my left and noticed our VCR was gone. I looked to the right and noticed that my dad's computer was missing. I determined rather quickly we either had been robbed or were in the process of being robbed.

I told the girls to be quiet. They didn't listen at first until I pointed out to my sister that someone had been or was in the house. Like teenage girls do, they freaked out. We dropped the bags, got back in the car, and drove about 10 blocks to the nearest grocery store to call the police. Why we didn't go to a next door neighbor, I will never know.

To make a long story short, the police showed up, did a walk-thru of the house, and showed us where the robber had broken in. They fingerprinted the window and made sure we were doing okay. As the police were there, the phone rang. Wouldn't you know, it was my parents. They asked me how we were doing. I said, "Well, the cops are here." My mom thought I was joking. I assured her I wasn't. The police got on the phone with my parents and assured them we would be okay. They went on their way and my sister and I were never left home alone again.

I thought of that story when I read an email devotion this week from Rich Reich of life-group devotions. He quoted Kristin Armstrong who said, "Just as parents arriving home from a vacation do not want to find their teenager hosting a raging party, Jesus doesn't want to return to a disrespectful mess either. How will he feel if he comes back to collect his beloved people, the ones he gave his life for, only to discover that we have let our families and churches fall apart, made idols of money and worldly success, and allowed sin to pollute us? Like the parents of the teenager, I imagine he will not be amused."

Luke 12:37 reads, "Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant upon his arrival." As Rich shared his story, I was reminded of my own. But, I am reminded every day of how my spiritual home (my body, my mind, my spirit) is doing. Am I being vigilant in my prayer life, my study of His word, my practice of my faith, my love for all His children? Is my house in need of repair? When Jesus comes, will He be pleased to see how I have taken care of myself and His body? How am I, how are we, being vigilant in being His hands and feet in this world?

It is something I have to ask myself everyday.

Gracious God, help me to be vigilant in my faith. Remind me everyday of your deep love for me, so that I may be vigilant in sharing it with others. In Jesus's holy name. Amen.

Let There Be Light

2009-10-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

I pray this finds all of you living into your God-given potential and purpose and that you have experienced the warmth of our Lord's embrace this week.

Last night, after returning home from the church, I walked into one of the rooms in our house where a candle was lit. It was just one of those small candles sitting on a counter, flickering a small flame of light into the midst of the darkness.

A little background on me. I am one of those people who has a pet peeve about lights. To conserve energy, I am always going around the house turning off lights that have been left on after someone has left the room. If there is natural light streaming into the room, I am less likely to turn on a light. I get a kick out of people that automatically turn lights on when they enter a room, whether they need to or not! It doesn't make much sense to me.

In light of this information, I was delighted to see the candle lit. Had it not been, the room would have been pitch black and I would have had to flip the switch. Since there was candlelight, I didn't have to use electricity to do what I needed to do. As I remained in the room, I stopped what I was doing to take in the atmosphere.

I know that there are many people that enjoy the ambience of a candlelit room. For me, it brings a sense of calm and peace. I enjoyed watching how the light danced along the walls and ceiling of the room. I delighted in the spiritual experience as well.

I was reminded again that no matter how thick the darkness in the rooms of our lives, a small, singular light can break through it all. No need for a floodlight or a spotlight to break through the darkness. We only need a single flame.

We all experience darkness in our lives. We often hear it referred to as "the dark night of the soul". The darkness can envelope us at any time. It can come in the form of depression, a lost job, increasing stressors at home or work, an argument, growing feelings of bitterness and resentment, a busy schedule, a loss of purpose, an accident, a physical struggle, or emotional or spiritual pain. The darkness becomes an enemy to our spiritual well-being and health. We almost become comfortable in it and we forget that there is a light ready to shine into the darkness if we are willing to let it. This is how the enemy wins.

In the midst of whatever darkness you are experiencing, remember that there is a light wanting to shine and dance into your life. In Micah 7:8 it says, "Do not gloat over me my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light." May that be our confidence as well!

When we allow Him, even a small part of Him, into the dark areas of our lives, the darkness scatters and we begin to see the ways He is dancing through our lives...even in the midst of the darkest night. Because when the Light comes into our lives, the darkness is not dark to Him. His nature does not consist of any darkness...only light (reference to Psalm 139:11-12). Hold on to the Light...let it shine in the darkest area of your life and watch it dance. Watch it bring peace and calm. Experience the joy that the Light offers. Let it guide you and let it direct your paths. (Psalm 119:105).

Loving God, may your light shine in our darkness. Scatter the darkness that reigns in our hearts and our world. May your light overcome the depths of our despair, confusion, doubt, and fear. May your light dance in our hearts and burn brightly in our lives. We pray in the name of your Son, Jesus, the Light of the world. Amen.

God's Push

2009-10-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

May you experience the power and joy of walking with our Lord today!

Allow me to share with you a powerful revelation that God placed before me today. A couple of weeks ago I shared with you in my sermon All You Really Need that I have been in a spiritual funk lately and, that in the midst of that time, God shared with me to keep holding on in the midst of the storm and to turn my focus back on Jesus. It's in times of great distress that Jesus is coming to us (sometimes in unexpected ways) to calm the storms in our lives. As I have clung to the boat of my life, spiritually tossed to and fro, I have tried my best to look for Jesus and see Him in the midst of chaotic times.

Friends, I am happy to share with you that Jesus came walking upon the waters of my life today! He has placed Himself in the midst of this broken vessel. He has calmed the waters. He has restored my soul!!!!!!!!

I went to a leadership event at the Vineyard church for lunch today and as I was listening to the speaker (who was Pastor Cory Sondrol's sister), God answered some questions and affirmed some decisions I have made, or am in the process of making. That was all nice and good...but then God really brought me to my knees. He got me good.

We watched a video from a book by David McNally, Even Eagles Need a Push. The book isn't even out yet, but there was a part of the video that spoke to me where I was at. The quote said, "Why does the thrill of soaring have to start with the fear of falling?"

I thought to myself, "That's it! That is where I am right now! I know that God is pushing me towards the edge, but I'm afraid of falling." Then God spoke, "Those who hope in Me will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31). What I failed to remember is that when we are pushed to the edge spiritually, personally, emotionally, professionally, relationally, God is there. While we fall we may experience our stomachs in our throats, but we won't stay there. In the midst of the falling, God has created it within us (just as He created it within the eagle) to spread our wings...trust in Him...and His Spirit will surround us and help us experience the thrill of soaring.

I got to thinking that so many times in my life I have just huddled at the edge, looking over and being too fearful to make the jump. In doing so, I am unfaithful. I display a lack of trust in God. I stay in my fear and I rob myself of the thrill of flying with our Lord.

Are you huddled at the edge? Are you afraid of what the journey may hold? Are you feeling God nudge you to a new place in your life? If you are - take the jump. Go over the edge. The fall doesn't last long - but the soaring will open up a whole new world with the Lord at your side.

Let's stop letting the fear of falling keep us from experiencing the thrill of soaring with Him. May God break through our huddled masses, nudge us over the edge, and lift us up on the strength of His wings. It is then that we soar and become ALIVE again!

Heavenly Father, I have been huddled in fear far too long, afraid of what the future holds. Afraid of exploring new territory in my life. Afraid of falling and the pain it may bring. Help me to trust in You today. Give me a gentle nudge so that I can experience what it's like to soar with You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Squirrely Faith

2009-09-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

In the midst of your busy week and busy schedule, I pray that you have been able to find rest and peace in our Lord's presence this week. If you have - Praise be to the Lord! If you haven't - I encourage you to find that time and not put it off any longer.

In life I am always amused about the many ways in which God teaches us some very simple, yet profound, life lessons. I try to commit myself every day to being open to the multitude of ways God is speaking in my life. Sometimes it is my children who are God's vessels. Sometimes it is my wife. Sometimes it is my church family. Sometimes it is a thought or reflection. Sometimes it is God's Word. Sometimes it is something I hear on the radio. And, sometimes, it is God's very own creation.

I would like to speak to the latter. As I was driving through a neighborhood in Canon today, I noticed a little squirrel that was waiting along the side of the road trying to decide when to make the journey to the other side (I could make a joke here, but I will refrain from the temptation). The squirrel had a big nut in his mouth and I was immediately reminded of one of my Dad's sayings, "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then." Again, I digress.

As I slowly made my way toward the squirrel, he thought it in his best interest to go for it. He held onto his treasure tightly and darted across the road. Watching this, I slowed my vehicle down, not wanting to bring injury to one of God's creatures. As I slowed, I intently watched the antics of my squirrely friend as he danced in the road.

When he started his journey, he did so with gusto and good intentions. He put all of his energy into making it across the road. But then, only a few feet from safety, he stopped. I believe it is because he sensed he was in peril due to this bucket of bolts approaching him. In the midst of his fear, he became indecisive. He darted back from where he came. He stopped. He changed directions and pointed himself toward his original destination. Then, he stopped again. He went back toward the side of the road from which he came, but he didn't get all the way there. He just sat in the road as I approached. He made me go around him.

I watched him in my rear view mirror as he went back to his original starting place. He probably took a few deep breaths. Gave himself another pep talk and mustered up the strength to make the journey once again. But, wouldn't you know it, another obstacle came barreling towards him.

I don't know how the journey turned out for my fuzzy friend. I saw the break lights of the truck heading towards him and I tell myself that he made it to the other side safely. Whether he did or not, only God knows. However, I immediately wondered if that is how God sees me as I journey through life. Maybe God looks upon me and my squirrely faith.

I gather my strength to make it across the seemingly perilous paths of life. I pray. I give myself a pep talk and I go for it. As I journey forward, somehow I lose my focus on where I am heading. I see the possible dangers in front of me, I freeze in fear, and figure it is best to go back to where I started. For all I know, I may be close to my goal...close to the realization of my dream...close to the end of my struggle...close to the promised land...close to safety...yet, I freeze in fear, doubt, and confusion and find myself right back where I started. Except this time...I am more tired, weary, and exhausted.

It reminds me of so many stories in the Bible of how our journey starts off with great intentions, with power and strength and courage. But, how quickly we lose it because our journey loses focus. I am reminded of the Israelites on their 40-year journey to the Promised Land and how they wanted to go back to Egypt (at least they knew what slavery was like...the unknown was too much for them.) - Numbers 14.

Why do you think there are many Scriptures that remind us to keep our focus on God, to persevere, and continue on in the faith? Don't take my word for it, check these stories out for yourself - Matthew 6:33, 2 Peter 1:5-8, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 3:14, 1 Timothy 6:12, Hebrews 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 9:23-27, Philippians 3: 12-14. These are just to name a few.

Whatever road of life you are trying to cross today - keep your focus. Don't turn back. In the midst of the journey you will find God. In the midst of the dangers, you will find safety. In the midst of your weariness, you will find strength. For all you know - you may almost be there!

Take Care & God Bless,

Don