The [Blank] is Strong with This One

Sunday morning retuning:  I wonder how many were moved along in the continuum of the effectiveness of short-term missions Sunday? Pastor AJ and the others who shared did a great job of building a great case for such trips.  Have you ever been?  You are asking God if He wants you to go in reason to AJ’s dare to go within the next year?

I really enjoy the Star Wars movies. All the cool characters, the great music, and the science fiction of it all.  So I was intrigued when I saw this shirt.

It it very “Star Wars-esque” with the whole, long, long ago, in galaxy far, far away look to it.  But really what intrigued me was the saying.  And I have to admit the intrigue stemmed more from the word sarcasm than the style of the shirt.  The reason for this is that sarcasm is something with which I struggle.  See the shirt was mine, a gift from my mom nonetheless.

Before we go any further I want you to know that my sarcasm is not something I am proud of today, though I used to be.  Using my wit to communicate what was on my mind, with little regard to the feelings of others, was something at one point that I did not mind marking my life. But that is no longer the case.

I would like to say that I am not nearly as sarcastic as I once was, but my family may not see it so.  Obviously, my own mom bought the shirt for me so she still sees me as sarcastic.  Here is where the real rub lies, between the natural and the supernatural.  In my spirit, I do not want to be known for this anymore, but in my flesh, I have no problem with it at all.

When I first saw the shirt, I thought I would just not wear it.  Then I started to think of how I do not want to be marked by this natural tendency, but by a supernatural/spiritual one.  The sarcasm may be strong with me, but I want to keep it in check by a more powerful force in me, the Holy Spirit.

This struggle makes me think of Matthew 26:41, the latter part in particular, “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”  It is difficult for me to resist the temptation of being sarcastic, making cutting remarks with my mouth.  There I said it.  And all my family said, “Amen!”  But I do not want to be known as a person who made excuses for or dismissed the weakness of my flesh, rather by the power of the Spirit in me controlling those natural inclinations.

You see you may have a force in you that would be your undoing as well, undermining your witness, especially to those who know you best.  You do not have to allow that force to mark your life.  Allow a stronger One to keep it in check.  You see, sarcasm may be strong in this one, but I pray the Spirit is stronger still.  What is your [BLANK]?  Fill it in, and submit it to God.

I put the shirt on the other day and Sarah, having not seen it before then, asked me about it and was surprised that I was willing to wear it.  Though I know there are those who in some way where such a shirt as a badge of honor, I wear it to remind me of who I can be at my worst, and how careful I must be to keep from being known by that.

Jesus, I am weak but You are strong.  May my life not be marked by my natural, fleshly tendencies, but rather by the power of Your Spirit in me.    In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Declare His Praises

Sunday morning retuning:  We have heard some great challenges regarding serving our world these last five weeks.  But we have to be doers of the word not hearers only.  As we thought about Justice Sunday, what stirred in you?  Compassion, Hope4Africa, Remember Nhu...So what is the next step for you?  

So maybe you have heard, we have a new CD coming out in a few weeks.  If you are at our release party Saturday night you can get an advance copy.  And this is just one of the reasons you will want to attend the party.

In addition to your FREE CD, we will enjoy a meal together on the front lawn of the church, there will be some lawn games to play, a couple bouncy houses for the little ones, a great concert featuring the twelve songs on the project, halftime entertainment, and prizes.  I really hope you will come out and hear our two bands as they share this music and practice the very message of the work at the same time: Declare His Praises.

The subtitle of the work describes it a little further, “An Invitation to Join the Noise”.  This declaring thing is not only for the musically inclined you see.  Oh no.  1 Peter 2:9b gives a very clear command.  “Declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  And just in case you are wondering who this command is given to, you need look no further than the first part of the verse, God’s people.  So the  invitation is for you.  Will you come join the noise Saturday night, and beyond?

Let me take just a moment and describe how God led us to this point.  Last year we recorded Show Us Your Glory.  I was still anticipating releasing that to the church when our staff was at District Conference and heard our Superintendent speak about being God’s special possession.  I was basking in the afterglow of this project that focused our cry very intently on more of God’s glory in our services and lives.  It was a very vertical focus.  It was what we needed.  And then I heard this challenge to go horizontal.  Declaring God’s praises to those who have ears to hear.  I knew right then that this was to be the focus of this latest project.

Over the months I listened to a lot of different songs.  Some came through North-Mar people, others I sought out, and still others I felt like I stumbled across.  I probably had over 50 on my list at some point and began to prayerfully move things up and down the list to find 12 that would “make the cut”.  I am excited about the horizontal dimension that many of these songs carry, and the way they will help us balance the vertical nature of last years list.

But that is only part of it.  This project is meant to be a tool to assist our worship, which by the way has both vertical and horizontal aspect to it,  That means that people need to sing them.  That means they need to know them.  And how will they know them if they have never heard them.  And how will they hear them if no one ever tells them they can.  Will you please tell someone they can...and then bring them with you Saturday to enjoy the party, and they will also hear a clear invitation to join the noise as we Declare His Praises!  

Jesus, we want to declare you praises with confidence and strength.  We also want to gently welcome others to join us.  Help us maintain this balance Lord.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Running In, Then Out Again?

Sunday morning retuning:  Slow pitches.  Pastor Myron revisited this concept on Sunday, complete with a bat in hand.  If you missed it, check out #servingourworld on Twitter to see a few pics I posted, and some other comments that were made.  He was obviously ready to swing!  Are you?  For more on digging deeper look here.

I run, but I would not call myself a runner.  I have spoken to some of them, and they are just a different breed than me.  I do think it is excellent exercise and try to get 3-4 runs in each week.

On one run last week I headed down a well-worn path of mine.  Depending on the distance of the day, I occasionally run down to 422 then head toward downtown Warren.  This usually takes me across Willard Avenue, where the school  we are partnering with is located, which is also adjacent to Trumbull Homes.  I had Myron’s words echoing in my ears about serving our world more this time than ever before.  I began to pray as I ran.  The words echoed louder and louder until I reached my halfway point.

Somewhere along the way, I realized that many times I have run into this neighborhood that has seen better days, and then turned around and ran back out.  I prayed wondering if the Lord would want to use me here, or elsewhere, to make a difference, not just journey through.

Though I do not usually stop, even though I always want to, I did this time.  I continued to pray, eventually even praying out loud as cars drove by, some of whose drivers were probably wondering about my mental stability.  I just happened to be across from a building that at least at some point in the past housed a church.  I began praying for the things that could once be found there, according to the sign.

I prayed that though this area is known for unions, it would someday be known for unity.  Though manufacturing has shaped its history, its future would be shaped by the manufacturing of disciples who make disciples.  I prayed for greater things yet to come in this city and this valley.

That sounds good, but what I am supposed to do about it?  I am still seeking the answer to that, but I believe it will come in His time.  Are you willing to ask how you can be more involved with #servingourworld?  Let’s do this, as the Spirit fills and leads.

Jesus, we do not want to run out ahead of you, but we do not want to just run in and out of neighborhoods and lives of the people who live there either.  Please show us how we can make a difference for Your glory and the good of those we long to see You.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy