Dear Worshipers,
These are uncomfortable words for all of us. We realize that we have to extend ourselves a little to do it. There is risk involved.
The image that comes to mind for me is reaching out to something that is just beyond your grasp, like the top shelf where the cookie jar is. Imagine the thought process of a child, "I can probably reach it if I climb on the chair then onto the counter." Sure, the thought may cross the child's mind that he could be hurt, but it is quickly dismissed. There is risk involved, but the payoff makes the risk worth taking.
I am certainly glad Jesus was willing to do that. To take the "risk" of reaching out to me. He was willing to suffer reproach and loss, rejection and death for me. Do you REALLY want "to be like Jesus"? Is that really your "desire"?
To be honest, there really was no risk for our Lord. He knew that He would finish the task entrusted to Him by His Father. He knew He would provide reconciliation for me back to God.
Ultimately, there is really no risk for us either. Let me explain why. In doing so maybe I can take some of the fear of reaching out away from your soul.
Remember that He said "When I am lifted up I will draw all men to myself…" John 12:32 Your reaching is really about reaching your arms up as you "lift" Jesus. You do not have to carry the weight of that person you are "reaching out" to; all you need to do is lift up Jesus. And that is not so hard, after all He is already ascended. So, ultimately your reaching is more of a pointing toward for the purpose of drawing attention to Jesus than a grasping for the purpose of holding or moving the person(s) in question.
Easter is less than three weeks away. How will you seize this opportunity? How will you reach out in this season?
There are a lot of symbols that represent this season, but for rne one of the most prevalent, and often least understood, is the egg, showing new life. Once again this year we are employing this symbol and redeeming it in the minds of people who will see our impact cards. They are located all around the church for the purpose of outreach, a.k.a. "reaching out"
Make this Easter season a new beginning for you. Take a card, write a note, and stick it in the mail, or better yet, reach out to someone and hand it to them. That may be all that is required of you for them to have a real NEW BEGINNING this Easter. Let us reach out with the love and life of Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
My Best for His Glory
Dear Worshipers,
Does that describe your life? Can you honestly say that you pour out the very best of who and what you are that God may be glorified and His kingdom expanded in the hearts of others? That is the call that has echoed down through the ages. The call we must hear and open our hearts to everyday. That is the call we will issue when we share our upcoming musical, My Utmost for His Highest.
This musical is based on the exceptional devotional book by Oswald Chambers being the same title. Since August of last year I have been asking you to use that little devotional in your quiet times that we may slowly allow the Holy Spirit to bring into focus this idea of giving our entire lives for the glory of God. That is the “whole life” worship that is the driving vision of God’s call on my life, and this musical gives us a tremendous opportunity to share that.
It is also a wonderful culmination to the sermon series Pastor David has been preaching these last five months or so, To Be Like Jesus. Becoming like Jesus is one way of defining the process of being our best for God’s glory. When conformed to the image of His Son, we are our best. When transformed into the likeness of Jesus, we do everything for God’s glory. I am tremendously excited about the potential response to this message through music on May 7.
I am also very excited about taking this message “on the road”, literally. I recently read that “worship in the sanctuary must become evangelism in the streets”. Enjoying God in the comfort of our padded pews is only a part of our expression of worship. It must grow feet and go somewhere. Taking it outside the walls will hopefully be reinforced when we drive all the way to Martinsburg to share it with Harvest Community Church, our Alliance church plant in the eastern panhandle on May 21st. Two months from today we will put feet on the message and make ourselves a blessing to this church which is less than two years old.
If you have been reading My Utmost, keep it up. I know it has been a rewarding experience. If you have not yet been reading My Utmost, I am asking you to start today. You can click on this link to start right now, http://www.myutmost.org/. I also have a few copies remaining in the choir room. Even if you are not planning on being involved with the production of the musical, be reading with us that you may be prepared for what the Lord will say to you when we share it here on May 7th in the morning service.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Does that describe your life? Can you honestly say that you pour out the very best of who and what you are that God may be glorified and His kingdom expanded in the hearts of others? That is the call that has echoed down through the ages. The call we must hear and open our hearts to everyday. That is the call we will issue when we share our upcoming musical, My Utmost for His Highest.
This musical is based on the exceptional devotional book by Oswald Chambers being the same title. Since August of last year I have been asking you to use that little devotional in your quiet times that we may slowly allow the Holy Spirit to bring into focus this idea of giving our entire lives for the glory of God. That is the “whole life” worship that is the driving vision of God’s call on my life, and this musical gives us a tremendous opportunity to share that.
It is also a wonderful culmination to the sermon series Pastor David has been preaching these last five months or so, To Be Like Jesus. Becoming like Jesus is one way of defining the process of being our best for God’s glory. When conformed to the image of His Son, we are our best. When transformed into the likeness of Jesus, we do everything for God’s glory. I am tremendously excited about the potential response to this message through music on May 7.
I am also very excited about taking this message “on the road”, literally. I recently read that “worship in the sanctuary must become evangelism in the streets”. Enjoying God in the comfort of our padded pews is only a part of our expression of worship. It must grow feet and go somewhere. Taking it outside the walls will hopefully be reinforced when we drive all the way to Martinsburg to share it with Harvest Community Church, our Alliance church plant in the eastern panhandle on May 21st. Two months from today we will put feet on the message and make ourselves a blessing to this church which is less than two years old.
If you have been reading My Utmost, keep it up. I know it has been a rewarding experience. If you have not yet been reading My Utmost, I am asking you to start today. You can click on this link to start right now, http://www.myutmost.org/. I also have a few copies remaining in the choir room. Even if you are not planning on being involved with the production of the musical, be reading with us that you may be prepared for what the Lord will say to you when we share it here on May 7th in the morning service.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Trusting God’s Heart
Dear Worshipers,
Many in our body are reeling at the news of two different deaths over the weekend. One, and older man, who lost his life in a tragic accident. The other a little boy, with a heart defect who did not make it through reparative surgery. One, totally unexpected. The other, not surprising, but no less painful. Both reminders that this life is short.
My heart aches today as I continue to pray for these two families as they deal with the loss of someone they love. My pastoral heart is searching the horizon for what God is saying in each of these circumstances to the families, and their friends. As I prayed with a dear friend at the close of the call that informed me of the little boys death, the Lord reminded me of a song text written by Cynthia Clawson.
Trust His Heart
All things work for our goodThough sometimes we can't see
how they could.Struggles that break our hearts in twoSometimes blind us to the truth.Our Father knows what's best for us;His ways are not our own.So, when your pathway grows dim,And you just can't see Him,Remember He's still on the throne.
God is too wise to be mistaken.God is too good to be unkind.So when you don't understand,when you don't see His plan,When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart.
He sees the Master plan.He holds the future in His hands.So don't live as those
who have no hope.All our hope is found in Him.We walk in present knowledge,But He sees the first and the last.And like a tapestry,
He's weaving you and meTo someday be just like Him.
God is too wise to be mistaken.God is too good to be unkind.So when you don't understand,When you don't see His plan,When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart.
It was the chorus in particular that the Lord used to minister peace to me. The same peace that I continue to pray for these families. The same peace I hope you will join me to pray over them as well.
I also hope that this trust is one you know. We can rest in the Father’s plan, knowing that he is always working together for the good of those who love Him. Ultimately, He is more concerned about becoming more like Jesus than anything else. I trust that is exactly what has happened to the two whose deaths we now mourn.
Thank you for praying.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Many in our body are reeling at the news of two different deaths over the weekend. One, and older man, who lost his life in a tragic accident. The other a little boy, with a heart defect who did not make it through reparative surgery. One, totally unexpected. The other, not surprising, but no less painful. Both reminders that this life is short.
My heart aches today as I continue to pray for these two families as they deal with the loss of someone they love. My pastoral heart is searching the horizon for what God is saying in each of these circumstances to the families, and their friends. As I prayed with a dear friend at the close of the call that informed me of the little boys death, the Lord reminded me of a song text written by Cynthia Clawson.
Trust His Heart
All things work for our goodThough sometimes we can't see
how they could.Struggles that break our hearts in twoSometimes blind us to the truth.Our Father knows what's best for us;His ways are not our own.So, when your pathway grows dim,And you just can't see Him,Remember He's still on the throne.
God is too wise to be mistaken.God is too good to be unkind.So when you don't understand,when you don't see His plan,When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart.
He sees the Master plan.He holds the future in His hands.So don't live as those
who have no hope.All our hope is found in Him.We walk in present knowledge,But He sees the first and the last.And like a tapestry,
He's weaving you and meTo someday be just like Him.
God is too wise to be mistaken.God is too good to be unkind.So when you don't understand,When you don't see His plan,When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart.
It was the chorus in particular that the Lord used to minister peace to me. The same peace that I continue to pray for these families. The same peace I hope you will join me to pray over them as well.
I also hope that this trust is one you know. We can rest in the Father’s plan, knowing that he is always working together for the good of those who love Him. Ultimately, He is more concerned about becoming more like Jesus than anything else. I trust that is exactly what has happened to the two whose deaths we now mourn.
Thank you for praying.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
InterCessors
Dear Worshipers,
I sent out the first communication to the InterCessors last week. I have been saying for some time that I was going to ask some of you for a prayer commitment and I did indeed ask in early February. A few of you responded and received this letter below last week.
There are probably many different reasons why others of you did not respond. Not everyone should say yes to this ministry of prayer It is a significant commitment. I want those who say yes to take it seriously. But in the event that you just needed more information or prodding, I have included my letter to this group below.
God has already begun to answer the prayers of the Inner Circle [see below for description]. Maybe you want to be a part of something that is experiencing the moving of God. Consider the following and let me know if I should add you to the list. May God lead us each into the processes that will conform us to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Dear InterCessors,
Thank you for answering the call to prayer. For a long time the leadership of the Alliance have said that prayer must be our first work. This ministry, a broad group of people praying collectively for the worship life of our church, will ensure that we keep the main thing the main thing. I believe we can move mountains. I believe Jesus gave us great authority that we too often fail to exercise. Thank you for being willing to “get in shape”, or rather to assist the worship life of our church to do so, through your prayers.
First let me tell you that I have a group of six men that I have recruited to gather around me in prayer. I am calling them the Inner Circle. The commitment I have asked them to keep is this. To spend 2006 doing this.
Praying everyday through a monthly prayer card (3-5 minutes)
Waiting on the Lord following this to hear His voice (1-2 minutes)
Praying once a week, on your assigned day, for an extended period, to include weekly updates (15 minutes)
Praying once a week with a partner in person or on the phone (5 minutes) [7 men plus me equals 4 teams of 2]
A quarterly “prayer encounter” lasting about 45 minutes
We are developing phase four in the month of March, having started in earnest in January.
This is the commitment I would like to ask you to make. I am calling the InterCessors to spend 2006 as follows.
Praying everyday through a monthly prayer card (3-5 minutes)
Waiting on the Lord following this to hear His voice (1-2 minutes)
Praying on Sunday morning for the worship experience of the church gathered.
Praying the rest of the week for the worship experience of the work dispersed.
Eventually I would like to add a fifth phase, possibly in the fall once the team is a little larger
Praying once a month during the service with other members of the team for God to reveal Himself and His people to respond.
Below you will find the set or requests for March. Let us begin together and allow the Lord to lead us as we go. I expect He will say things to you as you wait that will need to be shared with me. Do not hesitate. I believe the Lord will say things to me through you. Bless me and the Lord by sharing them.
March:
For the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that we may know God better as a church [Ephesians 1:17]
For our responses in the Sunday AM service to reflect the majesty and glory of God’s name [Psalm 8:1]
For our responses the rest of the week to bring other to a place of worship [Matthew 5:16]
For the details of the Easter services to begin to come together.
For the close of Pastor David’s series “To Be Like Jesus” to have that effect on each of us
Thank you for your willingness to serve. I welcome your comments.
Thank you for considering this ministry opportunity.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
I sent out the first communication to the InterCessors last week. I have been saying for some time that I was going to ask some of you for a prayer commitment and I did indeed ask in early February. A few of you responded and received this letter below last week.
There are probably many different reasons why others of you did not respond. Not everyone should say yes to this ministry of prayer It is a significant commitment. I want those who say yes to take it seriously. But in the event that you just needed more information or prodding, I have included my letter to this group below.
God has already begun to answer the prayers of the Inner Circle [see below for description]. Maybe you want to be a part of something that is experiencing the moving of God. Consider the following and let me know if I should add you to the list. May God lead us each into the processes that will conform us to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Dear InterCessors,
Thank you for answering the call to prayer. For a long time the leadership of the Alliance have said that prayer must be our first work. This ministry, a broad group of people praying collectively for the worship life of our church, will ensure that we keep the main thing the main thing. I believe we can move mountains. I believe Jesus gave us great authority that we too often fail to exercise. Thank you for being willing to “get in shape”, or rather to assist the worship life of our church to do so, through your prayers.
First let me tell you that I have a group of six men that I have recruited to gather around me in prayer. I am calling them the Inner Circle. The commitment I have asked them to keep is this. To spend 2006 doing this.
Praying everyday through a monthly prayer card (3-5 minutes)
Waiting on the Lord following this to hear His voice (1-2 minutes)
Praying once a week, on your assigned day, for an extended period, to include weekly updates (15 minutes)
Praying once a week with a partner in person or on the phone (5 minutes) [7 men plus me equals 4 teams of 2]
A quarterly “prayer encounter” lasting about 45 minutes
We are developing phase four in the month of March, having started in earnest in January.
This is the commitment I would like to ask you to make. I am calling the InterCessors to spend 2006 as follows.
Praying everyday through a monthly prayer card (3-5 minutes)
Waiting on the Lord following this to hear His voice (1-2 minutes)
Praying on Sunday morning for the worship experience of the church gathered.
Praying the rest of the week for the worship experience of the work dispersed.
Eventually I would like to add a fifth phase, possibly in the fall once the team is a little larger
Praying once a month during the service with other members of the team for God to reveal Himself and His people to respond.
Below you will find the set or requests for March. Let us begin together and allow the Lord to lead us as we go. I expect He will say things to you as you wait that will need to be shared with me. Do not hesitate. I believe the Lord will say things to me through you. Bless me and the Lord by sharing them.
March:
For the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that we may know God better as a church [Ephesians 1:17]
For our responses in the Sunday AM service to reflect the majesty and glory of God’s name [Psalm 8:1]
For our responses the rest of the week to bring other to a place of worship [Matthew 5:16]
For the details of the Easter services to begin to come together.
For the close of Pastor David’s series “To Be Like Jesus” to have that effect on each of us
Thank you for your willingness to serve. I welcome your comments.
Thank you for considering this ministry opportunity.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
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