Choose Life

Choose Life

Among the cheery greetings of the season, and fights over what they should sound like, are souls that hurt and are discouraged. Feelings of loss and loneliness can discolor the red and green lights that shine in the malls and glitter in front of houses. This season Pastor Greg preached on why suicide should not be the answer. Also, if it was for a loved one of yours, how there is still hope in the loss. 

In the picture above Greg says "God is with us." Even when all is hopeless, to choose life. The picture below shows that God sent us His son and reveals to us a reason for hope, He pours His love down from above. We may feel lost in the grief, or fear, and it is hard to see it right at that time, but be assured it is there. God sends us His Son, and sends His love. Don't give up. Don't end it. Seek God, because "God is with us." He is with YOU.

If someone you know has already chosen this path Greg gives us hope. When anyone faces  judgement we can know that God is a just God. He will take everything into consideration. He will look at what the law is. Did we break the law? Did we know it was a law? Did we understand it was wrong? Then if we have given our control and submission to Jesus in life, at the time of that surrender He took all sins, past and future. At judgement He will stand with us and say, "This one is mine. Forgiven and made righteous through my sacrifice. Allow him to enter into our Love."  

Measuring a Church

How Do You Measure The Success of a Church?

Instead if giving you the sermon sketch, a summary of Todd Spieker's sermon, and adding my own interpretation of the topic, you can watch the sermon for yourselves. Several of you have asked for this recording of my son's sermon at the 20th anniversary of Living Hope Covenant Church, so I have placed it on Youtube. The first video is of the whole sermon (http://youtu.be/8engOoStrbM), but it was taken from the back of the church and harder to see Todd's expressions and movements. So, I have added closer, shorter clip that came from my cell phone (http://youtu.be/JXEu_1R9dsA). 

Press On

Philippians

Chained and imprisoned Paul spoke of freedom and pressing on. At this years women's retreat Pastor Win Houwen spoke on this topic. Starting in the first chapter of Philippians Win paints a picture of Paul chained to his guard, surrounded by the stones walls of his cell. Here Paul pours out his love and loneliness for his friends in Philippi in his letter to them. He sends them instructions and tools to press on in their striving to please God. He tells them to hope in God, have confidence in His will and to press on. For from God will come peace, love and grace. They in turn had their world turned upside down. In their weakness they could stand firm, sorrow turned to joy, fear to courage, discouragement to to hope and loneliness to loved.

In the second chapter we learn that the next step is to press in together. Paul places the words to a spiritual hymn in his letter. We know that he would often sing in his prison cell. Look closely to the prison guard and you will see him rolling his eyes. It must have driven him crazy. Paul continues to teach, and encourage in his letter. Do everything without grumbling or complaining so they may shine like stars!

Before we can press on we need to press out. Press out all the laws, rules, and rituals that many of us try to replace the grace of  God with. Rules about circumcision, tatoos, rock music, how we dress. Rituals of how long we pray, mouthing the Lords pray with no meaning, how much we give or don't give. Whatever it is that we decide God is requiring of us to be one of His. Or how about saying bad words? Paul apparently did not have any qualms about this. He tells of all the good reasons he should be allowed entry by how "good" he is. A Roman citizen, a Jew, studied in the scriptures, and honored. But he counts it all scoobalon. The Bible now says "rubbish" but the original word is scoobalon. This word is the same as our sh** word. You know crap! Love God and your neighbor, this is what God requires of us. But even in this we are covered with the unending river of His grace. Win used the illustration of a car going down the road leaving all that behind us. She used a Barbie car as an object lesson. I have drawn Paul riding in the Barbie car, now labeled for Christ. Out the back of his car he leaves behind scoobalon!

Press on. Fight the good fight and run the race. Finally, Paul lets his friends know after they've been encouraged. instructed, and given a fresh word that they must, and can, press forward. He wanted them to think peaceful, pure and true thoughts. The organ of thoughts to the Jews was not the brain but the heart. He asks them to stand firm in joy and in Christ Jesus. He sends greetings to two faithful but arguing women. He speaks of not dwelling in worry, not making it they're way of being but to be anxious for nothing. Worry, is okay, just don't make it who you are. 

Win described the word "gentleness" as being like a war horse. Powerful, muscular and strong but gentle enough to ride on and do our bidding. Notice the guard now has changed his expression to one of interest and hope. Many of the guards were influenced by Paul to come to know Jesus. 

So, that is what we learned at camp. :-) Don't you wish you could have come? 

Everybody Matters

Everybody Matters

If you REALLY want to obey the scriptures, then love your neighbor as yourself. If you wish to receive mercy without judgement, then show your mercy. That's right, giving someone mercy instead of your judgement is loving your neighbor.

Tall, short, wide, skinny, any color, belief, opinion, or condition is loved by God. All are shown His mercy and so should we. As I listened to this sermon I tried to draw as many kinds of people as time allowed. Do you see yourself here? Pastor Greg taught us that EVERYBODY matters to God.

Sometimes I am saddened by what I see on Facebook. The battle of opinions do not always sound like love.  How can we soften the rhetoric  and show mercy to those that we disagree with? Can we show love and acts of merciful words toward Obama, Bush,  abortion, undocumented aliens, police, races, sexual orientation, guns, budgets, public schools and home schooling parents? Sure. it's okay to have an opinion, but when have we stopped listening to the other side, discussing, and debating, instead of name calling and over the top hateful words?

And that is my sermon for the week. :-)

Zacchaeus The Tax Collector

Zacchaeus The Tax Collector

Okay, we've all heard the story. A short guy climbs a tree to see Jesus. But Pat Dorbin, who spoke to our church a few weeks ago, brought out the underlining meaning of the event. Jesus came to meet with Zacchaeus, one on one. He sought the little Z out, to meet him on a very personal level.  

I don't think Zacchaeus ever expected to get to talk to Jesus. Much less having Jesus declare he was coming to his house that day. I know it sounds like Jesus invited himself over for dinner, but Pat explained that at that time, in that culture, coming to someone's house was a tremendous honor for the host. It meant acceptance, a stamp of approval. No wonder the religious leaders dropped their jaws and stuttered out their condemnation. Tax collectors were not well thought of. They had a reputation of over charging on taxes and keeping the extra for themselves. Then for Jesus to have dinner at the man's house was outrageous. Sort of like Rush Limbaugh taking Hillary Clinton  out to lunch and announcing his backing for her presidency. Or Obama doing a commercial for Fox News.  

The tax collector was also astonished. He was so moved he declared he would give half his money to the poor, and anyone he had cheated he would give them four times the amount back. Now that is repentance! Jesus thought so, too.

Pat reminded us that God has a habit of meeting his creations one on one. He seeks us out. We see it all through the Bible. Moses and the burning bush. Mathew and Peter's call by Jesus. Not to mention Paul's visit from Jesus after he rose again. 

You are not just one of the crowd to God. He is seeking you, on a personal, one-on-one search and rescue. If you know Him rejoice in this. If you haven't yet had this amazing encounter, He is personally waiting to meet  . . . with YOU. 

Cut to the Heart

Cut to the Heart

"What do we do?" the people cried.

My son Todd, now Pastor Todd, preached this sermon on the Pentecost when we visited his church at the beginning of the summer. Peter and the disciples were in Jerusalem, and the Holy Spirit came down on them. They began to speak in tongues. Fire appeared on their heads. Peter began to preach to the amazed crowd. 

He knew what they would understand the most. He spoke right from the scriptures. "What was spoken about in Joel is happening, right now!" They understood immediately, and the words did not simply go in one ear and out the other. They cut to the heart. The words spoke of a new way. They tore down the old. But the power of the Holy Spirit gentled their hearts, softened their resolve to the law. Peter went on to remind them that it was they that crucified Jesus. These word cut again deep and brought them to tears. They shouted, "What do we do?" Peter answered with a mighty cry, "Repent. Turn, turn from your wicked ways." And they did! They listened, they repented, and told others of Christ. That was the beginning of the Christian church. 

This topic makes me think of an older generation of Christians that do not want to listen to the younger ones coming along. The ones that are trying to remind us we need to take a look at where the church has been taken these last years. Have many in the church become slaves to laws that make it impossible for the lost to find Jesus? Other churches have walled themselves in. Afraid of a secular world. Or have become complacent on how they represent Christ. Do some of us need to soften our hearts, listen, and repent? Even though it may hurt to change we need to evaluate where we have focused our energies. Is it politics? Ranting about Hollywood? Or seeking out the tender places of peoples hearts and lives that need God's healing. Then rolling up our sleeves, and jumping in with both feet to fight for, not against, the ones that need us most.

GIVE

GIVE

What practical advise the Bible can give. At times I am amazed. Here Paul does not say, "Give to God." He says here are practical ways to do so. Such as don't wait for when the need to give money arrives. Then reach in your pocket to give the change that has been left over. Set some aside ahead of time. Make sure you have a supply to give. He asks us to give to the gospel and give the gospel. In other words, give resources to help get the gospel out there, and also do the work yourselves. Giving time and talent, caring and  listening, being aware of those around you that need your help, that need to hear the gospel.

Honor Leaders

It is all too easy to complain, and discourage those we have chosen to give us direction. Sitting on the bleachers it can be tempting to yell at the umpire and second guess his choice. We can let our feelings be heard, but then trust that God is leading through these servants of God. Yes, not our servants, God's.

Above are two different versions of the same picture. They show the many hands of the church working together to create the beauty of the Gospel.

Peace in the Storm

Peace in the Storm

This sermon sketch probably says it without my added words. This is from the 1 Corinthians series that Pastor Greg preached on. What should you do when your life is filled with worry, confusions, and fear, like a bird caught in the perfect storm? Cover yourself with the word of God, fill your nest with prayer, wait, and trust. When things are going well the peace is easy, worry doesn't strike, and things seem clear and direct. How would we know how strong God's peace can be unless it is tested in the storms?

This week I have been plagued with worry over a particular situation. Confusion and fear can slash through the skies on what seems like a cloudless day. cutting into your stomach like a lightening strike. Washing my mind in prayer held me up for a time. White knuckling my trust got me through the nights, until about 1:00 or 2:00 am. The peace would come, I'd drop my guard for a fraction of a second, and the floods of "what if's" would deluge down. 

I went to my weekly job of taking care of three especially, wonderful children. With their winning smiles they convinced me to come to the storage room so they could listen to Adventures and Odyssey and work on their Legos. Somehow having me there with them was important. So, they set up a cushy office chair by the raw wood shelves, and I sat down with my cup of coffee, feet up on the plastic Lego box. I glanced to one side and saw a piece of paper, with printing on it, taped to the shelf. I recognized my own handwriting. It was a verse I had once printed out for the kids with green marker, sometime last year. It read: In an acceptable and favorable time I have heard and answered you; and I will preserve you. This first sentence of the verse was all that I needed at the moment. Thanks, God, for planning ahead to build my faith. And the word of God finished my covering in the storm.

You ain't Nothing Without Love

1 Corinthians 13

Love is patient - homeless, welfare recipients, stop lights 

                    Love is kind, - Treat all foreigners as native born. Love them as yourselves.(Leviticus)

                                        It does not envy, - Why can't I have. . . be like  . . . do that, too???

                                                     It does not boast, - I am sooo busy, I can't tell you how many committees, church functions, worship rehearsals, Bible Studies, choirs, programs blah, blah, blah....................blah, blah I am involved in..

                                              it is not proud - oh, and I never miss a Sunday at church. My kids are all honor students, home schooled of course, and I never use wheat or sugar.

                     It does not dishonor others, - Why don't they just get a job, like me? 

                                                                     Not self-seeking. -  Why should my insurance have to up?

                              Not easily angered - %&**#@?//#

                                                       no record of wrongs - BLANK

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the TRUTH. (yay!)

                                       always PROTECTS,

                                                              TRUSTS,

                                                                        HOPES,

                                                                                  PERSEVERES!!!

Oh, by the way . . . it NEVER fails. 

                                                                

                        

Body of the Church

1 Corinthians 12

Have you ever stubbed your toe? Such a small piece of our bodies, yet it can demand the attention of every other part when it's injured. This chapter in Corinthians helps us understand the importance of each member of the body in the church. Reading the scripture itself tells the message best and needs little help from me.

However, this sketch is my interpretation of the body of my little church, Living Hope Covenant Church. Each limb and digit using the Spirit of God to hold together and do ministry. I could say I made her a woman because the church is called the bride of Christ. But really I liked having the long hair to work with.  Her skin color, eyes and hair color, even the size and proportion of feet and hands, show that she is made up of a diverse group. She is most useful when every limb is in working order and no part is swollen beyond its proper proportioned size. It can be crippling when a hand decides to leave us, or a thumb wants control a foot. But we pull together and allow God to recreate a missing part or to crack us into alignment like a divine chiropractor. 

Hmmm, did I go too far? Well, I hope this helped you see this chapter in a more visual way. God Bless.

Give Me My Rights!

1 Corinthians 9

Many Christian Americans have decided that we are in a fight for our rights. Our freedom of religion, of speech, our right not to be offended, to be able to have our say, as often as we can, about how the rest of the world should behave. Paul on the other hand took a different tact. He gave up his rights to Jesus. He would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the gospel. Paul would be a slave to people. He would become weak to share with the weak, He never demanded his rights in order to preach. Paul walked up beside those he disagreed with to become like, or equal, with them, in order to relate the gospel. Not to become "holier than thou" as the saying goes. 

Think of all the hot spot, touchy subjects that separates people. Can we approach these areas with more love and less hostility? Can we make sure our own ideology is in line with how Jesus taught us and not what we might think should be fair? 

What if instead of fighting against the "secular world" we fought for them. Maybe the fight isn't a matter of us being treated as we think we deserve, but fighting to love, listen, and pray for broken people and the starving hearts we touch everyday. We don't like being pushed around. I get that. But if someone tries to steal a wallet instead of brandishing a gun, doesn't God want us to give them our ipad, too? I think so. I've seen posts on Facebook to "like" if we want prayer or the ten commandments back in public schools. I would rather have the Christians back in public school. Christians, not demanding they be allowed to talk their religion, but to be courageously living their Christianity. With as much love and sacrifice as God will allow them to make.

If there is a war to be fought maybe it is with our own selves as we strive to be more humble, more willing to sacrifice our pride, and to risk being vulnerable in  world that needs Jesus, not our opinions.

Idols, Angels and Demons

1 Corinthians 8

Have you ever met anyone so enthralled with angels, or so frightened of demons, that they take up attention from God himself? I have. This chapter in 1 Corinthians declares who our God is. Nothing, and no one, should be above His name in our lives. Paul speaks of stone idols and foreign gods, but anything that takes us from true loyalty or takes focus off of God  is an idol.

Angels are messengers, helpers, and warriors. I can see the attraction in placing our attention here. Who wouldn't want to see, or hear from an angel? Decorating with, communing to, or being obsessed with hearing stories of mysterious visitors are quit the rage these days. But be warned that they are NOT God. Make no mistake. .

Demons and the devil can play a sneakier role in our Christian walk. They can also become an obsession. No, I'm not talking about backward masking, or dungeons and dragon games. I am talking about giving Satan more credit than he is due. Finding, and fearing demons in every nook and cranny takes away our power in Christ. I used to get afraid just walking past a psychic reading place. Were demons lurking ready to pounce on me? But then I heard someone who knew of such things say, the demons are afraid of us!! We hold the power of Christ. They are so glad when we run in fear. What a trophy for them when we spend time fighting over what is demonic and what is just music, while we allow children to die without clean water, woman abused and beaten, and babies starve in their mother's arms.

"And yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things come.and whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, from whom all things came, and through whom we live." 

Back Story

1 Corinthians 7

Back story! Continuing in 1 Corinthians the back story is that the reason for Paul writing the letter is to answer questions that this church had sent to Paul. Paul believed that Christ's return was eminent. Each of the their queries were answered in the light of this. 

If you are single, stay single, Jesus is coming soon. Stay married, a slave, single, whatever station you find yourself in, changing now would make things harder in the coming age. However, Paul does say if freedom for a slave is available don't pass it up.  

Ambassadors for Christ

                                                     Ambassadors for Christ
As Christians we hold a high calling. Ambassadors for Christ. How serious do we take this commendation? Jesus calls us to minister to hearts and reach into lives that need His touch. Ones who have not heard, not understood, or failed to grasp their need for God. He has given us tools and each can be used at different times or all at once. These tools are prayer, our words, our love, and actions. But it's not us that creates this event. Our friend's heart is still in Jesus hands. He calls, He woos, it is Jesus that pours out love that cannot be matched.

This sermon was given by the superintendent of our Midwest Covenant Conference, last year. I just noticed that it was from 1 Corinthians but couldn't place where in Corinthians. So, I placed it here, in the middle of this series on Corinthians. I hope it inspires you for just the right moment.

   

1 Corinthians 6

                                               

                                                                   1 Corinthians 6
Why not let yourself be wronged or cheated?

Wow, what a concept. In America we're taught to fight for our rights. We can get angry when another Christian believes differently from us. I don't mean the core of the gospel. I mean those things beyond our salvation that trip us up and cause arguments on Facebook and blogs. There are people who print huge websites just to degrade another's ministry. What i they spent that same amount of time reaching out to those that need God? I can only imagine the revivals that could take place.

What about when someone has used and cheated you? Now you must forgive them? Yep. Paul asks us to care more about our brothers and sisters than whether we are right.

The second half of the chapter is Paul telling the Corinthians that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Your body owned by God. We need to protect the place where God dwells. In this part of the sketch I placed a young girl shielding herself from the things that would defile her body, the  place where God lives.

Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart

One heart for God, leads another to Jesus. That one leads another. Pastors to congregations, parents to children, children to friends, and even children to parents. Along the line some become leaders with a target on their back. 

Have you seen the sites that blast today's leaders in Christ? If a person is in any way public about their views, someone will have an opinion about them. And believe me, those things can be quite a stretch. One is credited to maintain that heaven is closed to Jews. Another person is called unattractive and embarrassing. Really? Others are declared mystics, or preaching doctrines of demons. These quotes are about well established, sincere, and trust worthy ministers. Even Billy Graham has had his share of quotes taken out of context, and his name smeared.

How about in your own church? How do you treat your leaders? If they don't agree with you on an area like music, finances, or structure do you rant to others? Or worse yet, not go to them to discuss it, but leave for another place of imperfection? 

How can churches grow if we keep flipping through the revolving doors in a never ending search for perfection? 

There have been times when I have been misjudged, accused, and mistreated outrageously by a church body. One resulted in a young teen losing her life. But I did not leave that church. They were my family. My commitment ruled over my need to be right. 

One time my Dad fought his church leaders to have some apartments on the church property refurbished and rented out. Making this a place of low rent for those in need and helping the finances of our little church. The meetings were held, the discussions heart felt as each side plead their case. My Dad held his own, but in the end the vote did not go his way. 

At the very next meeting they called for volunteers to help demo the property. Everyone was astonished when my Dad raised his hand to lead the project. I asked him later, why? He said, "I said my peace. They voted it down. It's my job to support whatever is decided."    

Paul tells the Corinthians not to make rash judgement about people, but wait until Jesus comes. He will bring light into the situation. Only God knows the motive of the heart. If anyone judged Paul, though he knew he was not without mistakes, he would take God's judgement, not others. 

But be encouraged, leaders! God knows you hearts. And after all, what really matters what the Father says about you! Amen?

Boast in the Lord

                                                              Boast in the Lord\
Colorado Springs, the new Corinth?. How are we like the people in Corinth? "The Jews demand signs and the Greeks look for wisdom" Pastor Greg compared these two cities in a sermon a few weeks back. We have our universities and people of knowledge in this modern day, too. So, do we change our message to please these minds?

Paul says he preached Christ crucified. God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.

The Jews did not want to hear of Christ. a stumbling block to their religious teachings. They were stuck on doing things to be righteous. Who are these in our Colorado Springs? Greg did not bring this out in his sermon but it makes me think of many who also look for signs to ratify others as Christians. A place I have been as well. We look for those who make the check list of politics. Abortion, guns, gay marriage, evolution, undocumented aliens, tattoos, gaming, America and everything Republican are opinions. (The list goes on) These do not preach Christ and Him crucified. Maybe to reach out we need to be more like Paul.

"Therefore, as it is written, the one who boasts boast in the Lord."