Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Make Your Home In Us

Sunday morning retuning: As we continue our journey through Advent, this season where we anticipate God’s appearing, we were challenged to consider if we have entered the narrow way.  Many have lately. Let’s keep asking for more. You can find some resources for this powerful journey here, including sermon-based questions to dig deeper.


"You choose to make Your home in us.”  We have been singing this line lately from the new Paul Baloche song This Is Love.  I really like the way that summarizes the true meaning of Christmas, the coming of the Glorious Impossible.  I also like the fact that it helps us to focus on the fact that God chose us.  He comes to us.  He initiates.


“Praise, O praise Him, praise the the glory of this lavished grace so full.  Lift your souls now to receive the Glorious Impossible.”  That was the key line to the message the choir and orchestra shared last Sunday.  To our knowledge there were at least 11 souls who decided to receive that lavish grace by lifting their souls to Christ for forgiveness and acceptance.  


But what about you?  Is the presence of Christ in your life making a difference in you? I had a situation occur recently that had me asking that very question.  I treated someone close to me in a manner unbecoming of a Christ follower.  I have had to ask their forgiveness.  Then I had to figure out how to make certain that does not happen again.
What will make the difference?  Christ in me, but not just in me, making Himself at home.  


BUt what does that mean exactly?  As I reflected on that I thought about a game my boys like to play.  It’s called Minecraft.  Ask anyone under 25 and they will know what you are talking about.  The premise is pretty simple, but came become complex, like the Christian life.  You mine or simply collect raw materials and then craft them into more complicated things.  An example would be chopping down trees to form the materials for a home, much like this one. 


My boys have shown me some amazingly complex things that others have built in the game.  They have even built some pretty cool underground structures themselves.  So I got to thinking, I wonder if anyone has tried to build a nativity, or represent Jesus.  Yep, they sure have.




So what’s the point in all this.  Simply this.  Jesus wants to come and make His home in us.  Which I think implies that He wants to take the raw material of our lives, and making something ever better of them.  I think He wants to show HIs glory in us.  We hold this treasure in jars of clay, showing God’s power in us.  2 Corinthians 4:7


Jesus wants to make His home in us.  Not leave us as we were when He moved in, but showing His presence in us.  Let Him have HIs way in you, and you might not find your furniture moved around, but He will likely encourage you to make some other changes which will be more difficult, but certainly well worth the effort they require, as you welcome Jesus to show Himself as not only your Savior, but also your Lord.


Jesus help me to welcome You everyday to make Your home in me.  Make the changes You need to make to build me into the person You want me to become for Your glory to be most wonderfully revealed.  In Jesus name.  Amen.
In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Wednesday, December 04, 2013

Savoring

Sunday morning retuning: As we begin our journey through Advent, this season where we anticipate God’s appearing, we were challenged to ask the question, “Can His Kingdom power be seen in my life?”  Jesus appeared to apply Kingdom power to our lives, so welcome it!  You can find some resources for this powerful journey here, including sermon-based questions to dig deeper.


The season of Advent began in earnest this past Sunday, but the preparations at our house had begun a few days before that.  The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, and sometime even while we are still digesting the turkey feast, we begin to adorn our home for the season.  I love many parts of this activity, but probably my least enjoyable is dealing with the Christmas lights, especially the ones that probably need replaced, but I try to stretch another season out of.



While struggling with a particularly difficult string  of blue icicle lights on Saturday, I caught myself asking if all the hassle was worth it.  I quickly caught myself, and attempted to bolster my waning enthusiasm with the reality that light is such an important part of this season because it reminds us that in the longest, darkest of nights, God sent His Light into the world.  I really do love this season.  Thank You, Lord, for all we have to celebrate.


Sharing those thoughts on Sunday morning heightened my awareness of how easy it is to lose sight of the real reason we celebrate.  How easy it is to get caught up in the trappings that are only meant to help us represent and symbolize what drives the celebration.  And this is not only true of Christmas.


I have a couple of pretty vivid images in my mind from Sunday, but they have nothing to due with your typical thoughts of Christmas celebrations.  No, instead they both center around another celebration, Communion.  And they both caught me off guard.


The first was when Pastor Myron asked us to lift in unison the small, acrylic cups we were holding containing the juice representing the blood of Christ shed for us.  It was a beautiful, humble and worshipful moment seeing those hands raised, honoring Jesus for His sacrifice.  Imagine little cups in each of the hands below and you can begin to get the idea, though I wish I could have snapped a quick picture.



The second, from only moments later, was more intimate and even more surprising.  After we drank together, I dutifully put my cup in the little holder in the pew and looked over to see my eight-year old sipping the juice, savoring each drop.  He was innocently, quietly and slowly enjoying it.  It was as if the Lord asked me, “When was the last time you enjoyed my sacrifice for you like this, this much?”  I wondered if I ever really have.  


I was 19 when I first took Communion, so way past the tender age of my son.  The years that have passed, and all the knowledge of Scripture I have acquired, have taken me to a very deep and serious appreciation for the cup.  But I hope I have not lost some of the simple wonder and pleasure of partaking along the way.


There is a great lyric I learned several years ago titled, “Where is the Child?”  Though the title might lead you to think it is some quest for some child out there, though it is centered around the Babe in the Manger, it really begs the question, “Where is He in me?”  One line asks, “Where is the joy of that tiny Boy, and where’s the laughter and glee?  I’ve wandered afar from that holy star of the Child of Galilee.”


What might we learn if we look closely at the Christmas child, and any other children He brings into our lives today.  Remember, the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.  Matthew 19:14  I leave you today with that question from above, and these thoughts…


Jesus help me to savor the gift of Your life.  I so easily become distracted, enjoying any number of lessor gifts.  This Advent season, and all year long, keep me from becoming callous to Your presence.
In Christ,


Pastor Timothy

Thursday, November 28, 2013

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.


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

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

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

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

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.




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

Tuesday, November 05, 2013

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

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Next Step

Sunday morning retuning: After some stories from the Dominican Republic from our guest Rick Romano, Pastor Myron issued a strong challenge, “What is your next step?”  The question was not is there a next step for each of us, but WHAT it is.  Maybe you made a commitment Sunday, or maybe you are still listening to where Jesus wants to lead you to take that next step.  I pray for you who are reading this that you will allow the Spirit to give you the courage to take it, wherever He leads!
So can you answer that question?  “What is your next step?”  Honestly, as we are following Jesus, we should be, in some measure constantly asking Him where it should be.  Sometimes He leads us to march in a particular direction and we can see a significant part of the journey before us.  Sometimes not.  Even still, we should keep asking where to put our foot next as we...




I once heard that word from Matthew 28:19 could more accurately be translated, “As you are going…”  That really resonated in my spirit.  As I am going, wherever I happen to follow, I need to be about God’s business.  This speaks of the constant motion and change that I believe must characterize the normal Christian life.  On that note, let me change directions.

What is our next step as we move forward together one step behind Jesus in our Sunday morning Engage services?  There has been an obvious stirring over the last month and a half as many have commented on the moving of the Spirit of God.  I am tempted to want to contribute this feeling to any number of single factors, or the cumulative effect of them, but I am trying to guard my heart. We are following Jesus, and I am really enjoying where He has us on Sunday mornings, but as is my penchant I am asking the question, “What’s next?”

I do not ask for the sake of novelty.  I do not ask because I am afraid we will lose this feeling.  I do not ask because I am concerned how people will react if this collective sense of God’s presence changes.  I ask because I want to follow Jesus by loving Him well and helping His people do the same.




We have used this image in the past to help us visualize the idea of following Jesus.  I like it in part because it pictures Jesus on the move.  I think our tendency is to say, “Jesus, this place is nice could we just stay here with you awhile.”  And though I think there are times He graciously says “Yes.  Let’s stop and rest and enjoy each others company.” I think there are also times when Jesus would gently urge us, "I know this place is nice but we are headed to a better place. Come with me. “

Though we know this is true ultimately with the place He's preparing for us in heaven, I wonder if we are equally willing to accept the fact that there are better places with Him here on earth than we have currently experienced. Of course not all of those are geographical references either.
Where we are on Sunday mornings right now is a really nice place.  But what if Jesus is gently saying to us, "I have a better place just down the road. Will you come with me?"  Are we willing to keep moving with Jesus, or do we like the place we are right now too much?  I really like where we are, but I want more.  I have enjoyed the last six weeks or so, but I want more of the Spirit, more Jesus, more of His glory.  Don't you? Then let's take the next step.
Jesus keep me on the move. As we are moving, help us to continue to take others  with us, that  your kingdom may grow in our hearts and through our lives every day in every way as we take each step, always one behind you.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy


Tuesday, October 08, 2013

Fall Fruit

Sunday morning retuning: Good challenge Sunday from the Scripture as we each endeavor to walk in the light, love and Spirit of our God.  Are you keeping these things in the closet, or letting them out for all the world to see?




This is my favorite time of year!  Falling leaves, football, and fruit.  Yes, fruit!  (This could be a photo from where I grew up!)

I was standing in a pumpkin patch recently thinking about how much I love this season.  As is often the case with me, as I reflected I wondered why that is.  I love how the seasons remind us of the cycle of life, birth, growth, decline, and death, and the even bigger cycle this yearly journey points us to.

I thought what it would be like to be in the Autumn of life, since I feel like I am in the summer still, but can see the fall approaching with ever increasing speed.  I wondered if I could still be fruitful as the wind turns cold and most things are beginning to die.  I tried to think of what fruit comes in this season, and suddenly standing there in the midst of 500 or so pumpkins it occurred to me.  Yes, I am a little dense sometimes…


Of course there is fruit to be enjoyed even in this late season of the cycle of life!  And big fruit at that!!

Later as I was trying to recall what scripture might say about this I was reminded of a verse I learned early in my walk with Jesus, and came across again recently.  I meaning has become more rich to me over the years and even has increased meaning in this season when we have been praying “Show Us Your Glory!”  Hosea 10:12 says,

Sow righteousness for yourselves,
    reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
    for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes
    and showers his righteousness on you.

We must sow righteousness and we will reap love.  But did you see that next line.  We must break up our unplowed ground.  What fallow ground is there in your soul?  Ask the Spirit to show you where you may have become hard, then ask Him to break it up.

I learned the other day that a week after you plant a pumpkin seed the leaves will break through the earth.  A week!  But we must break up the ground and sow if we have any hope of reaping.  What fruit might you bear next week if you are willing to the work this week?

Jesus, we are seeking You, Your glory and Your power.  We will break up our unplowed ground, and plant seeds, all the while waiting on You to shower Your righteousness on us.   Do it Lord, in Jesus name.  Amen.


In Christ,

Pastor Timothy