Exposed, Thankfully

Sunday morning retuning: As we tuned our thankful hearts for a week when we who are supposed to be thankful really turn it on, we were challenged to not take God’s grace for granted.  We have to make sense out of suffering, and this is not always as easy thing to do.  You can find some resources for the journey here, including sermon-based questions to dig deeper.

If you're like me, and in some ways I figure you are, you have been thinking about being thankful.  As I reflected on the reading we shared Sunday I found some good encouragement.  The video we watched Sunday in our services served to provoke some thankfulness I was not anticipating.

We Give You Thanks

The first thing that struck me about the video was the simple reminder that our thankfulness has an object, God.  We are not just thankful aimlessly.  Our thanksgiving is directed to the Source of all for which we are thankful.  We are indeed giving thanks to someone, and that someone is God Himself.

Then as I watched it I was struck by the powerful reminder that I should not only be thankful for the “good” things, but the “not-so-good” things as well.  Sure, I can give thanks for my lovely wife Sarah, my handsome boys Samuel, Isaac, Josiah and Aiden, health, friends, and so much more.  But am I equally willing to give thanks for the struggles and the trials, the heartache and the pain, all which God wants to use to point me back to?  After all that is what we read in I Thessalonians 5:18 where it says to give thanks in all circumstances.

I really like words so I appreciated the way the video used them so carefully to cultivate a thankful heart.  There was one phrase in particular that really caught my attention.  Around 1:28-32 into the video they use the word baring in the phrases, “the baring of our weakness/shame”.  I thought it was a typo and should have been bearing, but am glad I read the comment to the side where they explained the usage.  And I quote, “the script says, "...the pain and joy of Your revealing light, the baring of our weakness..." We definitely meant "baring" as in exposing or revealing, not "bearing" as in carrying.“  I had never heard that word before to my knowledge and I love it!

I mean, I do not necessarily like my weakness and shame revealed to me, and certainly do not like it when it is revealed to others, but I am thankful for the reality that my gracious God allows those moments to cultivate humility in me, as long as I am willing to go there with Him.  And I do want to go there, because I want to be more like Jesus, though I know that process will be painful.  Have mercy on me Lord, especially when you do this revealing/baring work in my life.

And help me to be thankful we it comes, believing You have a higher purpose than the revealing.  You want to draw me to Yourself.  I know this is true, so once again, I am thankful.

Jesus help me to be thankful for all the work You do in me.  The encouraging through a million acts of mercy, and the discipling through Your baring acts of grace.  When I am exposed, make me thankful.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

How’s Your Connection?

Sunday morning retuning: Be prepared for judgment!  That was the Big Idea from Sunday.  Jesus was challenging the crowd to get ready, and Pastor Myron reminded us of the urgency to do so.  So, what’s the forecast look like for your future, and better yet, how are you helping others prepare for what you see coming?

If we have any hope of being ready for judgment we have to hear from Jesus, and not just once, but on an on-going basis.  Jesus is more than fire insurance, He is our guide.  We talk a lot about staying one step behind Jesus, but that implies we can see and hear Him.  So, how is your connection to Jesus?

As Pastor Myron began his sermon Sunday, he apologized for the quality of the sound of his voice because we were having issues with an entire range of the sound coming through the system.  We were in the process of dealing with some connectivity issues with our sound system and a part of the potential problem surfaced in the midst of that proactivity.  In short, those issues were creating noise in the system that was effecting clarity.  Here is what I am talking about.

It occurred to me while I was reflecting on this that there are probably times when the same thing happens in our connection with Jesus.  It is not like we can not hear him at all, but there is other noise that has been introduced which reduces the clarity of what He is saying.  We can still hear Him, it just makes understanding a little more difficult.

It trying to deal with potential issues, another one was created.  The well-intentioned and well-informed effort actually made things worse, though only for a while.  We prayed about the issue, asking for insight in how to deal with, and after the service we were able to resolve it.  The system now sounds clearer than it has in years.  Most of the noise is gone.

As Jesus shows us a problem with our connection and we wade in to deal with it, sometimes things worse before they get better.  But if we keep listening to Him, asking for HIs help, they will get better.  The noise eventually clears away and we can hear more clearly than ever.  But be warned, sometimes this can take a long time, as long as Jesus needs to clear up whatever the root issue was, if we are willing.

So, how’s your connection?  If there seems to be some noise, ask Jesus for insight in how to clear it up.  If it seems to get worse initially, press in closer still, and trust that He will guide you.

Jesus help me to strengthen the connection to You.  Whatever I need to do, whatever I need to address, give me the courage to do it.  I will follow You.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

What Do You Need to Push Off?

Sunday morning retuning: We were challenged to be on fire for Jesus, but at the same time were warned of some of the potential consequences.  One of these is that people may push you away.  Pastor Myron reminded us that it cost Jesus everything to rescue us, and it will cost us everything to follow Him!

I was drafting this before last nights snowfall, so I am going to stick with it even though all the leaves I still have to rake on either still on trees or covered by snow.  What I was really trying to do for myself and for you is to encourage you to see God’s hand, His fingerprints, all around you.  I saw that this morning as snow glistened off leaves still hanging on trees.

As I was raking leaves on Saturday and supervising my small manual labor crew, my four boys, to assist me, I found myself asking the question, "What's the point of all this?"  All these leaves falling to have to be raked up.  As soon as you rake them there are more.  If you wait until they are all down the job is so difficult!

I pondered, maybe it is like the kernel of wheat Jesus referred to John 12:24, that remains a single seed until falls to the ground and dies.  But that principle is not at work here because leaves do not produce new trees.  Jesus referred to fig leaves in Matthew 24:32 dropping off as a sign that a different season was coming, and that this change signaled an even greater one.  This seemed more on the right track, but did not yet satisfy my soul.  So I went looking for the reasons leaves fall off trees and I found a this article.  As you read it, I want to encourage you to listen for the voice of God and watch for His hand.

Why Leaves Really Fall Off Trees

Though this is a great scientific explanation of why leaves fall, or get pushed off the branches by trees, there were a few points where the description fails to see the finger of our God, the Designer of the whole process.  Here is the big picture that began to come into focus for me, part of the way I understand God speaking to me is in everyday things like this.  In this instance it occurred to me that God designed these trees from the beginning to do this, and what a beautiful picture of the different seasons on life, and the usefulness of certain things God provides.

Let me give you an example from our lives.  Our youngest has outgrown almost every vestige of baby things; bibs, high chairs, teethers and the like.  One great thing that was useful but no longer necessary was diapers, and the amazing invention that made their disposal simpler, the Diaper Genie.  We used it everyday, many times a day for years in our home, but we do not have one anymore.  Why?  Because we do not need it and keeping a used up diaper disposal tool just does not make sense, especially if it has not been emptied.

You may have never used a diaper genie, but here is the point...Are there things that have been useful in your life for a season but holding on to them no longer proves beneficial and actually could lead to decay and possibly even death?  I think that is the lesson of the leaves.  They proved very beneficial for the trees they served as kitchen staff supplying food in there season.  Keeping them puts the tree at risk for probable death.  

What do you need to let go of so that you do not jeopardize your health and life in your next season, even if it gives every indication it may be a dormant one?  Push it away and prepare for what God has next for you!

Jesus help me to push things away that once served a useful purpose but now pose a threat to my continued health and growth.  Help me to have the faith that You will provide what I need in the next season of my journey with You, as I stay one step behind You.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

What Do You See?

Sunday morning retuning: Are you ready to see Jesus breaking through the clouds?  We laughed at Pastor Paul recounting his boyhood fear of being left behind if the rapture occurred and he was not ready.  But truly it is no laughing matter.  We need to be ready, for Jesus’ return, and to give a reason for the hope we have it Him and it!!

Last week Aiden was learning about leaves at school.  He found a leaf from one of our bushes at the front of our house and was pointing out the veins.  He asked me, "Dad, do you see the veins in the leaves?"  Of course I told him I could.  I was thrilled as He told me some other things that he had observed about this leaf after a quick examination of it.

It had been too long since I stopped and considered the marvel of creation revealed in the intricacies of a leaf.  I was taken back by the design and beauty, even as I pondered having to rakes thousands of them in the coming weeks.  God was reminding me through Aiden what a wonder life is, even in some of it’s simplest and most fleeting expressions.

He then proceeded to flip the leaf over and share more observations with me...

He marveled at how different the color of the leaf was on the other side. "The other side is green, but this side is purple and red."  I was reminded how exciting learning something new or even gaining a fresh perspective on something can be.

I was reflecting on this a few days later and pondered the difference between what we see and what God sees.  You have heard the analogy of a tapestry.  We see the backside with all the knots and loose pieces of string, while God sees the other side, the finished project in all it’s glory.

It reminded me of the 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. “

This caused me to think of a word I have heard recently, backstory.  It is basically the story that led up to the present one.  For our purposes, your backstory is the series of events you have come through to get to today.  When you look at or consider your backstory, what is there?  All of us have some dilemmas and delights, some trials and triumphs.  They shape us into what we are, for better or worse, as we surrender to God’s influence through them...or not.

And so I ask you, “What do you see?” When you look at your life, what do you see?  What does the backstory look like for you.  A tragedy, a thriller, a musical, a comedy, a divine romance, et al. or maybe elements of each and much more.  But let me remind you that your perspective is limited, and God is not finished with you yet.

You can only see one side of the leaf at best, and not even that clearly.  You can certainly not see the beautiful tapestry God is weaving of all the circumstances He has brought you through.  Your story is not complete, and it could take a dramatic and merciful twist at any moment, as the Author and Finisher of our faith wills. Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus, give us eyes to see all that we need to see and faith to trust you for what we can not.  We place all our hope in You, the One who has started a good “story” in us, and will be faithful to complete it.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy