This week we continue our journey with the third week of the Truth Project. This Sunday on our Worldview Tour, we’ll be talking about anthropology, the nature of man.
That may sound boring at first. “Anthropology?? I don’t know if I want to go to CLC on Sunday or not!”
It’s not boring when you find out who God made you to be according to Gen. 1:26; 2:7. One of the primary truths that come from these verses is the fact that man is the product of God’s creative power and not the result of random evolution. Man did not evolve from a single-celled organism over the space of millions of years; he is the special creation of God.
All the other animals were spoken into existence by the Word of God. Man, however, was formed by God out of the dust of the earth and God breathed life into the nostrils of man.
The fact that God singled man out for special care in the creation lets us know that there is a vast difference between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Quotes on Preaching
No man preaches his sermon well to others if he does not first preach it to his own heart. —John Owen
Some ministers would make good martyrs: they are so dry they burn well. —Charles Spurgeon
A sermon is no sermon in which I can't hear the heartbeat. —Henry Longfellow
If you preach to hurting hearts, you will never want for a congregation; there is one in every pew. —Joseph Parker
Each time you go into the pulpit, go as if it were your first time, and your best time, and your last time. —Vance Havner
The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not "What a lovely sermon", but "I will do something!" —Saint Frances de Sales
My grand point in preaching is to break the hard heart and to heal the broken one. —John F. Newton
Some ministers would make good martyrs: they are so dry they burn well. —Charles Spurgeon
A sermon is no sermon in which I can't hear the heartbeat. —Henry Longfellow
If you preach to hurting hearts, you will never want for a congregation; there is one in every pew. —Joseph Parker
Each time you go into the pulpit, go as if it were your first time, and your best time, and your last time. —Vance Havner
The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not "What a lovely sermon", but "I will do something!" —Saint Frances de Sales
My grand point in preaching is to break the hard heart and to heal the broken one. —John F. Newton
Monday, January 26, 2009
In Need of an Upgrade?
Here’s a joke for you: A man applies for a job. His prospective employer asks about his previous work. The man says, “I was a dog catcher in a small Texas town, but they had to let me go when the position was eliminated.”
The employer asks, “Was it eliminated because of funding cuts?”
The man says, “No. It was eliminated because I caught the dog.”
Have you ever felt like that dog catcher — that you have outlasted your usefulness and are no longer necessary? It’s been known to happen. One way we sometimes deal with it is simply to let the dog back out on the street and chase it some more. We may not accomplish much in the long run, but at least we keep busy. There is, however, a better way.
In the Old Testament there’s a story of a Babylonian slave named Nehemiah. Nehemiah had a big dream: he wanted to rebuild the walls of the city of Jerusalem. Against all odds, he accomplished his goal. What next? Tear down the walls and build them again? Instead, Nehemiah moved to a new level. He developed a new dream, bigger and more ambitious than the first: reuniting the people of Israel.
This is what he wrote: At that time the city was large and spacious, but the population was small. And only a few houses were scattered throughout the city. So my God gave me the idea to call together all the leaders of the city, along with the ordinary citizens, for registration. (Nehemiah 7:4-5)
Instead of questioning his own usefulness, Nehemiah upgraded his goals in life; he made the transition from building walls to building people.
If your life has become a circle of letting the dog out so you can catch it again…of tearing down walls so you can rebuild them…it may be time to upgrade your goals. God gave Nehemiah an idea of what to do next.
He has an idea for you, too.
The employer asks, “Was it eliminated because of funding cuts?”
The man says, “No. It was eliminated because I caught the dog.”
Have you ever felt like that dog catcher — that you have outlasted your usefulness and are no longer necessary? It’s been known to happen. One way we sometimes deal with it is simply to let the dog back out on the street and chase it some more. We may not accomplish much in the long run, but at least we keep busy. There is, however, a better way.
In the Old Testament there’s a story of a Babylonian slave named Nehemiah. Nehemiah had a big dream: he wanted to rebuild the walls of the city of Jerusalem. Against all odds, he accomplished his goal. What next? Tear down the walls and build them again? Instead, Nehemiah moved to a new level. He developed a new dream, bigger and more ambitious than the first: reuniting the people of Israel.
This is what he wrote: At that time the city was large and spacious, but the population was small. And only a few houses were scattered throughout the city. So my God gave me the idea to call together all the leaders of the city, along with the ordinary citizens, for registration. (Nehemiah 7:4-5)
Instead of questioning his own usefulness, Nehemiah upgraded his goals in life; he made the transition from building walls to building people.
If your life has become a circle of letting the dog out so you can catch it again…of tearing down walls so you can rebuild them…it may be time to upgrade your goals. God gave Nehemiah an idea of what to do next.
He has an idea for you, too.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Attitude toward government
In case you have been somewhere else this week -- such as visiting another planet -- history was made last Tuesday when our nation inaugurated our first African American President. This was the most celebrated inauguration ever, and also the most watched. Regular programming was pre-empted so that the proceedings could be broadcast to a nationwide audience. It was this way in countries around the globe.
Frankly, it doesn’t matter to me one bit which candidate you supported. It’s no longer an issue. Barack Obama is our President. There’s a new administration in leadership. The question is, how should we respond? What should be our attitude toward our nation’s highest official? What should be our attitude toward the government? What should be our attitude toward politics in general?
1. Pray for those in leadership.
In his first letter to Timothy, Paul wrote ...(v. 1-2) I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
I can say this with certainty: Our president needs your prayers. He needs you to stand in the gap on his behalf, to speak his name before the throne of grace, to wrestle with the principalities and powers that seek to destroy all that is good. Our president needs your prayers. And, bluntly, the more wrong you think he is, the harder you need to pray for him ... that God will give him the wisdom to run the country as well you could.
2. When you talk politics, speak with honor and respect.
Somewhere we have gotten the idea that if we disagree with the things a political candidate stands for, it’s OK to demonize them.
During the next four years, President Obama will make decisions, at one time or another, that every American disagrees with. Not all at once, but at various times over the course of the next four years. He will be criticized from all sides. Some of that criticism may be deserved; much of it probably won’t be deserved.
It is our responsibility as followers of Jesus Christ to respond with honor and respect to the dignity of his office, and to the position in which God has placed him. It’s why Paul said, "Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Along these lines Peter wrote: "Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." (1 Peter 2:17)
God wants us to honor those in authority. We don’t have to agree with them, but we do have to honor them. The best way to do that is to speak about them with respect.
Frankly, it doesn’t matter to me one bit which candidate you supported. It’s no longer an issue. Barack Obama is our President. There’s a new administration in leadership. The question is, how should we respond? What should be our attitude toward our nation’s highest official? What should be our attitude toward the government? What should be our attitude toward politics in general?
1. Pray for those in leadership.
In his first letter to Timothy, Paul wrote ...(v. 1-2) I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
I can say this with certainty: Our president needs your prayers. He needs you to stand in the gap on his behalf, to speak his name before the throne of grace, to wrestle with the principalities and powers that seek to destroy all that is good. Our president needs your prayers. And, bluntly, the more wrong you think he is, the harder you need to pray for him ... that God will give him the wisdom to run the country as well you could.
2. When you talk politics, speak with honor and respect.
Somewhere we have gotten the idea that if we disagree with the things a political candidate stands for, it’s OK to demonize them.
During the next four years, President Obama will make decisions, at one time or another, that every American disagrees with. Not all at once, but at various times over the course of the next four years. He will be criticized from all sides. Some of that criticism may be deserved; much of it probably won’t be deserved.
It is our responsibility as followers of Jesus Christ to respond with honor and respect to the dignity of his office, and to the position in which God has placed him. It’s why Paul said, "Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Along these lines Peter wrote: "Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." (1 Peter 2:17)
God wants us to honor those in authority. We don’t have to agree with them, but we do have to honor them. The best way to do that is to speak about them with respect.
Thinking Biblically
Tomorrow at CLC we continue our journey with the second week of the Truth Project. We will look at Colossians 2:8 "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."
The church in Colosse faced a particular form of strange doctrine. It was a mixture of Greek philosophy (an early version of Gnosticism) and Jewish legalism. Today we face numerous forms of unusual teaching. Some of that teaching is even within the church. On one hand there is the teaching of liberalism. On the other hand there is the teaching of legalism.
Perhaps the biggest threat we face comes from the most popular spiritual philosophy in our culture today. It is what is known as New Age teaching. It may be the most dangerous teaching we are facing. It is subtle and popular.
The New Age movement is a loose confederation of networks which share a common philosophical foundation. The New Age movement is a strange mixture of science and Eastern mysticism with a liberal splash of the occult. An emphasis on the idea that "all is one" or that everything that exists composes one essential reality can be found as a common belief. God is seen as an impersonal consciousness and power.
For those of us who hold a Biblical worldview, it should be obvious that we should be concerned, and for very good reason. What we are dealing with is not a rigid cult of mindless robots who are totally dependent on their despotic leader to map out every move.
We are dealing with a philosophy which is in vogue in our culture, and which is being propagated in our public and private schools, colleges, universities, arts, cinema, television, music and government. Rather than being the salvation of our society, it is a subtle cancer for Christianity and culture, one that moves us away from the center of our faith, Jesus Christ our Lord and God, and cause us to doubt the moral center of revealed truth, the Bible.
Hope you can join us tomorrow as we outline a way of thinking about our relationship with God that is different than anything the world teaches, or any other religion teaches, or any other pseudo-spiritual guru teaches. In contrast to what "worldly philosophies" teach, Colossians boldly states that everything we need we have in Christ!
The church in Colosse faced a particular form of strange doctrine. It was a mixture of Greek philosophy (an early version of Gnosticism) and Jewish legalism. Today we face numerous forms of unusual teaching. Some of that teaching is even within the church. On one hand there is the teaching of liberalism. On the other hand there is the teaching of legalism.
Perhaps the biggest threat we face comes from the most popular spiritual philosophy in our culture today. It is what is known as New Age teaching. It may be the most dangerous teaching we are facing. It is subtle and popular.
The New Age movement is a loose confederation of networks which share a common philosophical foundation. The New Age movement is a strange mixture of science and Eastern mysticism with a liberal splash of the occult. An emphasis on the idea that "all is one" or that everything that exists composes one essential reality can be found as a common belief. God is seen as an impersonal consciousness and power.
For those of us who hold a Biblical worldview, it should be obvious that we should be concerned, and for very good reason. What we are dealing with is not a rigid cult of mindless robots who are totally dependent on their despotic leader to map out every move.
We are dealing with a philosophy which is in vogue in our culture, and which is being propagated in our public and private schools, colleges, universities, arts, cinema, television, music and government. Rather than being the salvation of our society, it is a subtle cancer for Christianity and culture, one that moves us away from the center of our faith, Jesus Christ our Lord and God, and cause us to doubt the moral center of revealed truth, the Bible.
Hope you can join us tomorrow as we outline a way of thinking about our relationship with God that is different than anything the world teaches, or any other religion teaches, or any other pseudo-spiritual guru teaches. In contrast to what "worldly philosophies" teach, Colossians boldly states that everything we need we have in Christ!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
President Obama
Yesterday while driving I had a chance to catch some conservative talk radio ... and one particular host was especially pessimistic about the next four years. He said, "As a patriot, as an American, as a conservative, and as a Christian, I'm against everything in Obama's licentious left-wing agenda." Then he said that he hopes that our new President fails miserably.
Sadly, his words echo what I have heard from a number of evangelicals in the last few months -- though it's usually not expressed quite so explicitly.
It reminds me of how some church members act when a pastor they didn't want got called or appointed/voted in to their church. Maybe it's his age or his accent or his theology, but some decide they're not going to like the new guy no matter what. It's happened to just about all of us, I would imagine.
Since most of us are fairly conservative in our political persuasions it's easy to become less than enthusiastic about the recent change in leadership. However, I encourage you to put your "lack of enthusiasm" on hold.
Let's give our new President the same fair chance we would want others to give us.
Sadly, his words echo what I have heard from a number of evangelicals in the last few months -- though it's usually not expressed quite so explicitly.
It reminds me of how some church members act when a pastor they didn't want got called or appointed/voted in to their church. Maybe it's his age or his accent or his theology, but some decide they're not going to like the new guy no matter what. It's happened to just about all of us, I would imagine.
Since most of us are fairly conservative in our political persuasions it's easy to become less than enthusiastic about the recent change in leadership. However, I encourage you to put your "lack of enthusiasm" on hold.
Let's give our new President the same fair chance we would want others to give us.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
NIV, KJV, NASB, NLT?
I have a habit of bouncing from translation to translation in my messages. For the most part, I use the New International Version, the New Living Translation, and the New American Standard. Sometimes I use the "old" Revised Standard Version.
Some have asked me, "Why switch? Why not use the same one every week?" It's a good question. I know many pastors who always preach from the same version. In my case, since I use a number of different translations in my personal study, I tend to use a number of translations in my sermons. (Not as many as Rick Warren, though. He wins the prize. Purpose Driven Life cites 15 different versions.)
I encourage people to examine different translations of the text. Though the NIV and NASV, for example, are both accurate, sometimes the way a word or phrase was rendered in one translation will resonate more with what God is saying to you through the text this time through.
As Rick Warren points out, the Bible was originally written using more than 11,000 Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic words, but the average English translation uses about 6,000 words. He says, "Obviously, nuances and shades of meaning can be missed, so it is always helpful to compare translations." (Purpose Driven Life, page 325)
The primary objective is to instill in people the habit of digging into the Word, studying it, meditating upon it, and, ultimately, incorporating its teaching into our daily lives.
Looking at each passage from as many angles (i.e. translations) as possible helps us accomplish this.
Some have asked me, "Why switch? Why not use the same one every week?" It's a good question. I know many pastors who always preach from the same version. In my case, since I use a number of different translations in my personal study, I tend to use a number of translations in my sermons. (Not as many as Rick Warren, though. He wins the prize. Purpose Driven Life cites 15 different versions.)
I encourage people to examine different translations of the text. Though the NIV and NASV, for example, are both accurate, sometimes the way a word or phrase was rendered in one translation will resonate more with what God is saying to you through the text this time through.
As Rick Warren points out, the Bible was originally written using more than 11,000 Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic words, but the average English translation uses about 6,000 words. He says, "Obviously, nuances and shades of meaning can be missed, so it is always helpful to compare translations." (Purpose Driven Life, page 325)
The primary objective is to instill in people the habit of digging into the Word, studying it, meditating upon it, and, ultimately, incorporating its teaching into our daily lives.
Looking at each passage from as many angles (i.e. translations) as possible helps us accomplish this.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
MLK Quote
Mark Batterson posted the following quote on his blog in honor of MLK day. I liked it so much I thought I'd share it with you!
Martin Luther King Jr. once said: "If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry.
He should sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven will pause to say, 'There lived a great street sweeper who did his job well'."
Martin Luther King Jr. once said: "If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry.
He should sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven will pause to say, 'There lived a great street sweeper who did his job well'."
Expect More From God!
Do you know why God sent his Son into the world? Paul tells us. He says...
Titus 2:14 says, [Jesus Christ] gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
He came to forgive us, to save us, and to change us. It’s not just that he says, "I will forgive you for being a sinful person." He says, "I will change you into a better person. I will shape you and conform you into the image of my Son. I will help you become like him."
This is what God wants for you, and he paid a tremendous price. He is absolutely committed to helping you become holy. He’s not standing away at a distance saying, "Get better. I’m waiting." He’s saying, "I’m here to help you." You can call on him and he will be there for you. King David wrote, "The Lord is near all who call on him." (Psalm 145:18)
I want you to understand how much God wants this for you. He wants you to be more holy more than you want it. He has more patience with the process than you have. He gives you more mercy than you will ever deserve. And he believes in you more than you can possibly believe in yourself.
When I say "expect more from God," here’s what I’m saying:
You can expect God to purify you. He will bring situations into your life and he will bring people into your life that he can use to teach you how to be more like him. You don’t have to say, "I will always be this way." You can say, "God has the power to change me. He wants to change and he will change me."
You can also expect God to be patient with you. He’s not going to give up you, so you don’t have to give up on yourself. He will pour out his mercy as many times as you need it; he will give you another chance as many times as it takes.
You can also expect God to empower you. When he saved you, he gave you a new nature and he gave you the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." (Acts 1:8) That power is available when you need it. When you call on him, he will help you.
You can expect these things from God. It’s his promise. That means that it’s a lot easier to practice self-control when you know you’re not in this alone, you don’t have to do life in your own strength, you’ve got the power of God on your side.
Titus 2:14 says, [Jesus Christ] gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
He came to forgive us, to save us, and to change us. It’s not just that he says, "I will forgive you for being a sinful person." He says, "I will change you into a better person. I will shape you and conform you into the image of my Son. I will help you become like him."
This is what God wants for you, and he paid a tremendous price. He is absolutely committed to helping you become holy. He’s not standing away at a distance saying, "Get better. I’m waiting." He’s saying, "I’m here to help you." You can call on him and he will be there for you. King David wrote, "The Lord is near all who call on him." (Psalm 145:18)
I want you to understand how much God wants this for you. He wants you to be more holy more than you want it. He has more patience with the process than you have. He gives you more mercy than you will ever deserve. And he believes in you more than you can possibly believe in yourself.
When I say "expect more from God," here’s what I’m saying:
You can expect God to purify you. He will bring situations into your life and he will bring people into your life that he can use to teach you how to be more like him. You don’t have to say, "I will always be this way." You can say, "God has the power to change me. He wants to change and he will change me."
You can also expect God to be patient with you. He’s not going to give up you, so you don’t have to give up on yourself. He will pour out his mercy as many times as you need it; he will give you another chance as many times as it takes.
You can also expect God to empower you. When he saved you, he gave you a new nature and he gave you the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." (Acts 1:8) That power is available when you need it. When you call on him, he will help you.
You can expect these things from God. It’s his promise. That means that it’s a lot easier to practice self-control when you know you’re not in this alone, you don’t have to do life in your own strength, you’ve got the power of God on your side.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Gimme Five!
When Jack Canfield was trying to get Chicken Soup for the Soul off the ground, he asked a number of best-selling authors and publishing experts how he should go about it. He received more advice than he could possibly act on -- he was overwhelmed him with possibilities and he had no idea where to start.
Then a man name Ron Scolastico told him, "If you would go to a very large tree and take five swings at it with a very sharp ax, eventually, no matter how large the tree, it would have to come down."
Out of this advice Canfield developed what he called The Rule of Five: every day he did five specific things that moved him toward the goal of getting Chicken Soup on the best seller list. He might do five radio interviews or send out five review copies or call five bookstores, and on and on.
Eventually the ax felled the tree; two years after the book came out, it made the New York Times best seller list, where it stayed for many months.
Where can you apply the rule of five in your life? Can you make a five-minute phone call of encouragement to one of your leaders every day? Or send five 'thank-you' emails each morning? Or read five pages of a book each day? Or review five memory verses?
As you survey the areas of your life that present the greatest opportunities for growth, think about how you can apply Canfield's Rule of Five. How can you take five strong swings at the tree day after day?
Solomon said, "He who works his land will have abundant food." (Proverbs 12:11) The rule of five is a great way to start working your land.
Then a man name Ron Scolastico told him, "If you would go to a very large tree and take five swings at it with a very sharp ax, eventually, no matter how large the tree, it would have to come down."
Out of this advice Canfield developed what he called The Rule of Five: every day he did five specific things that moved him toward the goal of getting Chicken Soup on the best seller list. He might do five radio interviews or send out five review copies or call five bookstores, and on and on.
Eventually the ax felled the tree; two years after the book came out, it made the New York Times best seller list, where it stayed for many months.
Where can you apply the rule of five in your life? Can you make a five-minute phone call of encouragement to one of your leaders every day? Or send five 'thank-you' emails each morning? Or read five pages of a book each day? Or review five memory verses?
As you survey the areas of your life that present the greatest opportunities for growth, think about how you can apply Canfield's Rule of Five. How can you take five strong swings at the tree day after day?
Solomon said, "He who works his land will have abundant food." (Proverbs 12:11) The rule of five is a great way to start working your land.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Words of Forgiveness
"I think if God forgives us, we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise it is almost like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than him." C.S. Lewis
"We forgive to the extent that we love." La Rochefoucauld
"It is in pardoning that we are pardoned." St. Francis of Assisi
"If I do not forgive everyone, I shall be untrue to myself." Albert Schweitzer
"Lead us not into the temptation of believing that we have truly forgiven, while rancor lingers." Katherine Zell
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
"We forgive to the extent that we love." La Rochefoucauld
"It is in pardoning that we are pardoned." St. Francis of Assisi
"If I do not forgive everyone, I shall be untrue to myself." Albert Schweitzer
"Lead us not into the temptation of believing that we have truly forgiven, while rancor lingers." Katherine Zell
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
Monday, January 12, 2009
Ant Lessons
We tend to remember where we were and what we were doing on days of special significance. For example, most of us remember where we were when we heard that Elvis had died (or John Lennon or John Kennedy, depending on your age).
For pastors, most of us remember where we were and what we were doing the day we learned that the IRS considers us "self-employed." I remember the day well. I stared at the guy and said, "Are you crazy? Is the IRS crazy? 'Self-employed' implies that you are your own boss. Nothing could be further from the truth!" At the time, I had about one hundred bosses, who had one hundred different ideas about what I should be doing each day!
We're all accountable, in one way or another, to someone else for the job that we do. Solomon tells us there is a lesson we can learn from the ant. He doesn't have anyone looking over his shoulder, no Committee or Senior Pastor watching his every step, yet he gets done what needs to be done.
Why? Because the ant, by nature, doesn't allow himself to get sidetracked; he has a firm grip on what is most important in an ant's life. He gathers his food and stores his food and makes certain he can feed himself and his little ant family. He knows the most important thing to do, and he does it.
We could learn from the ant. Regardless of how many people are looking over our shoulder, we're accountable to God for own actions, and it is up to each one of us to do what is most important.
What is most important? For an ant, it's easy to define: Gathering/Storing Food. For us, it's not always as clear cut. If you search your heart, and if you search the will of God, you can know what is most important for you to do today. Chances are, you already know.
So learn from the ant. Ignore whoever may be looking over shoulder, and focus on priority one.
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise. It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-8)
For pastors, most of us remember where we were and what we were doing the day we learned that the IRS considers us "self-employed." I remember the day well. I stared at the guy and said, "Are you crazy? Is the IRS crazy? 'Self-employed' implies that you are your own boss. Nothing could be further from the truth!" At the time, I had about one hundred bosses, who had one hundred different ideas about what I should be doing each day!
We're all accountable, in one way or another, to someone else for the job that we do. Solomon tells us there is a lesson we can learn from the ant. He doesn't have anyone looking over his shoulder, no Committee or Senior Pastor watching his every step, yet he gets done what needs to be done.
Why? Because the ant, by nature, doesn't allow himself to get sidetracked; he has a firm grip on what is most important in an ant's life. He gathers his food and stores his food and makes certain he can feed himself and his little ant family. He knows the most important thing to do, and he does it.
We could learn from the ant. Regardless of how many people are looking over our shoulder, we're accountable to God for own actions, and it is up to each one of us to do what is most important.
What is most important? For an ant, it's easy to define: Gathering/Storing Food. For us, it's not always as clear cut. If you search your heart, and if you search the will of God, you can know what is most important for you to do today. Chances are, you already know.
So learn from the ant. Ignore whoever may be looking over shoulder, and focus on priority one.
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise. It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-8)
Friday, January 9, 2009
Having Faith!
Hosea 6:3 says, "Let us press on to know the Lord" (NAS). That’s always a good word, but it seems like a message from heaven for this moment in the history of Christian Life Center. This year we begin our 19th year of ministry in Bensalem.
From a tiny beginning in 1990, Christian Life Center has experienced God’s faithfulness across the years. Even though we have been in existence for 19 years, we have not arrived and our journey is not yet ended! We are not 19 years old, but 19 years young with much ground left to conquer for God and His kingdom.
This is no time to retire, no time to give up, and certainly no time to bask in past successes. No, this is a time for us to move forward by faith. As a matter of, “Forward by Faith” is our theme for 2009, because that which is before us is greater than that which is behind us!
This Sunday we’ll talk about what it means to have faith by defining it with six different statements that are derived from the 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews. Join us as we prepare to go forward by faith into 2009!
From a tiny beginning in 1990, Christian Life Center has experienced God’s faithfulness across the years. Even though we have been in existence for 19 years, we have not arrived and our journey is not yet ended! We are not 19 years old, but 19 years young with much ground left to conquer for God and His kingdom.
This is no time to retire, no time to give up, and certainly no time to bask in past successes. No, this is a time for us to move forward by faith. As a matter of, “Forward by Faith” is our theme for 2009, because that which is before us is greater than that which is behind us!
This Sunday we’ll talk about what it means to have faith by defining it with six different statements that are derived from the 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews. Join us as we prepare to go forward by faith into 2009!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Prayer/Fasting
Our theme for 2009 at Christian Life Center is Forward by Faith! Sunday we'll see what it means to have faith in our 21st century world. At the same time we're beginning our 21 day fast as we start the New Year.
Jesus teaches that a life of faith requires both prayer and fasting. Prayer grasps the power of heaven, fasting loosens the hold on earthy pleasure.
Jesus himself fasted to get strength to resist the devil. Abstinence from food, or moderation in taking it, helps to focus on communication with God.
Let's remember that abstinence, moderation, and self-denial are a help to the spiritual life. To willingly sacrifice our own pleasure or enjoyment will help to focus our minds more fully on God and His priorities. The very practice needed in overcoming our own desires will give us strength to take hold of God in prayer.
Prayer is not easy work. For the real practice of prayer—taking hold of God and having communion and fellowship with him—it is necessary that our selfish desires be sacrificed.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. (Galatians 5:24 NLT)
Jesus teaches that a life of faith requires both prayer and fasting. Prayer grasps the power of heaven, fasting loosens the hold on earthy pleasure.
Jesus himself fasted to get strength to resist the devil. Abstinence from food, or moderation in taking it, helps to focus on communication with God.
Let's remember that abstinence, moderation, and self-denial are a help to the spiritual life. To willingly sacrifice our own pleasure or enjoyment will help to focus our minds more fully on God and His priorities. The very practice needed in overcoming our own desires will give us strength to take hold of God in prayer.
Prayer is not easy work. For the real practice of prayer—taking hold of God and having communion and fellowship with him—it is necessary that our selfish desires be sacrificed.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. (Galatians 5:24 NLT)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Second Chances!
Ok, so this is a football post...nothing wrong with that except it's not about the Eagles! It's about what Kerry Collins of the Tennessee Titans can teach us about second chances.
It's been good to see the Titans having such a good season -- and especially good to see the contribution that Collins has been able to make. He's having his best year -- this after having been considered a has-been more than once in his 14 NFL seasons.
Collins has had his share of setbacks, and they were all self-inflicted. He has struggled with a bad attitude, poor on-field performance, off-field controversies, alcohol addiction, getting benched and bouncing around from team to team. There have been some good moments in his career (he played in a Super Bowl), but he has never quite lived up to expectations as a top draft pick in 1995.
Until this year. At the age when many players have retired, Collins is leading Tennessee through a remarkable season. Kerry Collins could have called it quits a couple of years ago. Had he done so, he would have been remembered primarily for the blunders. But he decided to stay, even though it meant, most likely, finishing his career as a backup player. Maybe he thought a small contribution to a team was better than nothing at all.
Then, unexpectedly, a new opportunity presented itself in 2008. This time he was ready.
There's a lesson to be learned in his story: It's never too late to change the course of your life. Your past may be marked with missed opportunities and unfulfilled expectations, but the past doesn't equal the future, and it doesn't have to define the present. As long as you stay in the game, you can change your course at any time.
It reminds of the verse in Jonah: "Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time." (Jonah 3:2)
Regardless of how your story has played out up to this point, God is ready to reveal his Word to you again. He wants to send you back onto the playing field, wants to give you a chance to capture the potential that has been there all along.
Forget the disappointments of yesterday. They don't determine who you have to be today or tomorrow. It's not too late to have your best season ever -- keep yourself in a position for a second chance!
It's been good to see the Titans having such a good season -- and especially good to see the contribution that Collins has been able to make. He's having his best year -- this after having been considered a has-been more than once in his 14 NFL seasons.
Collins has had his share of setbacks, and they were all self-inflicted. He has struggled with a bad attitude, poor on-field performance, off-field controversies, alcohol addiction, getting benched and bouncing around from team to team. There have been some good moments in his career (he played in a Super Bowl), but he has never quite lived up to expectations as a top draft pick in 1995.
Until this year. At the age when many players have retired, Collins is leading Tennessee through a remarkable season. Kerry Collins could have called it quits a couple of years ago. Had he done so, he would have been remembered primarily for the blunders. But he decided to stay, even though it meant, most likely, finishing his career as a backup player. Maybe he thought a small contribution to a team was better than nothing at all.
Then, unexpectedly, a new opportunity presented itself in 2008. This time he was ready.
There's a lesson to be learned in his story: It's never too late to change the course of your life. Your past may be marked with missed opportunities and unfulfilled expectations, but the past doesn't equal the future, and it doesn't have to define the present. As long as you stay in the game, you can change your course at any time.
It reminds of the verse in Jonah: "Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time." (Jonah 3:2)
Regardless of how your story has played out up to this point, God is ready to reveal his Word to you again. He wants to send you back onto the playing field, wants to give you a chance to capture the potential that has been there all along.
Forget the disappointments of yesterday. They don't determine who you have to be today or tomorrow. It's not too late to have your best season ever -- keep yourself in a position for a second chance!
Friday, January 2, 2009
A New You For A New Year!
We all have attitudes and habits and thoughts and ways of reacting and responding to things that “are out of date.” They were habits and attitudes that were appropriate in the past but they will be ineffective in 2009.
Your happiness in this New Year is determined to a large degree by your willingness to change, your willingness to be changed by God.
If we don’t change and if we don’t grow we just tend to perpetuate the same old problems over and over. We go into each New Year with the same old hang ups, the same problems, the same responses to life, making the same mistakes and we never grow.
Some people are constantly changing. They’re changing their jobs, they’re changing their homes, and they’re changing their friends, even changing their spouses. But they never think of changing themselves.
As you go forward into 2009 you’ll be facing a lot of new situations. Specifically you’ll face new problems, you’ll face new pressures, and you’ll face new possibilities. And each of these will require a new response, a new attitude, a new adjustment, and a new action.
So this Sunday, the first of the New Year, we’ll focus on Luke 5:36-39 and talk about “A New You For A New Year” and discover what’s required to face 2009!
Your happiness in this New Year is determined to a large degree by your willingness to change, your willingness to be changed by God.
If we don’t change and if we don’t grow we just tend to perpetuate the same old problems over and over. We go into each New Year with the same old hang ups, the same problems, the same responses to life, making the same mistakes and we never grow.
Some people are constantly changing. They’re changing their jobs, they’re changing their homes, and they’re changing their friends, even changing their spouses. But they never think of changing themselves.
As you go forward into 2009 you’ll be facing a lot of new situations. Specifically you’ll face new problems, you’ll face new pressures, and you’ll face new possibilities. And each of these will require a new response, a new attitude, a new adjustment, and a new action.
So this Sunday, the first of the New Year, we’ll focus on Luke 5:36-39 and talk about “A New You For A New Year” and discover what’s required to face 2009!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year - Goals for '09!
Happy New Year! It’s amazing how quickly this day comes. Doesn’t it seem only a couple of months ago we welcomed 2008? I guess it’s true what they say: the older you get the faster time flies by!
As I blogged a couple of days ago I’ve been reviewing and reflecting on 2008 and 2009. 2008 was a year of transition for me; both personally and publicly. In some ways it was one of the hardest years of my life, and in other ways it was the greatest.
Nevertheless, looking to 2009 I’m excited about the potential of what is to come! That which is before us is greater than that which is behind us!
As I’ve pondered over the days ahead I’ve written out several goals I’m aiming for in 2009. I’m a little gun-shy to put all this out in public, but feel it’s therapeutic to make them known publicly. Below are some of the things I’ve designated as goals in my life for 2009. There are a few others that are more personal and private; only God and I know about those.
Hopefully, these motivate you do establish your own list.
GOALS FOR ‘09
1. Read at least 40 books this year…from fiction to non-fiction
2. Read the Bible in chronological order completely
3. Maintain my weight under 200lbs…this one is gonna kill me…I’m too much of a “foodie”
4. Run a Half Marathon…this one is gonna kill me…see above!
5. Lead CLC to 2,000+ in attendance…we were there once and we can get there again!
6. Improve as a Leader/Coach… for my kids, my staff, and other leaders/pastors I serve
7. Do a 40 day Daniel Fast…this one is gonna kill me…you get the picture!
8. Start initial work on a Doctoral Degree
9. Do a personal retreat at a monastery
10. Take a vacation with my entire family…the older my kids get the harder this is.
11. Live with vision…ask God to enlarge my view of things so I can see the possibilities of his work in my life.
12. Husband my wife…my goal is to help Marvina see the beginnings of the fulfillment of God's 'word' on her life.
As I blogged a couple of days ago I’ve been reviewing and reflecting on 2008 and 2009. 2008 was a year of transition for me; both personally and publicly. In some ways it was one of the hardest years of my life, and in other ways it was the greatest.
Nevertheless, looking to 2009 I’m excited about the potential of what is to come! That which is before us is greater than that which is behind us!
As I’ve pondered over the days ahead I’ve written out several goals I’m aiming for in 2009. I’m a little gun-shy to put all this out in public, but feel it’s therapeutic to make them known publicly. Below are some of the things I’ve designated as goals in my life for 2009. There are a few others that are more personal and private; only God and I know about those.
Hopefully, these motivate you do establish your own list.
GOALS FOR ‘09
1. Read at least 40 books this year…from fiction to non-fiction
2. Read the Bible in chronological order completely
3. Maintain my weight under 200lbs…this one is gonna kill me…I’m too much of a “foodie”
4. Run a Half Marathon…this one is gonna kill me…see above!
5. Lead CLC to 2,000+ in attendance…we were there once and we can get there again!
6. Improve as a Leader/Coach… for my kids, my staff, and other leaders/pastors I serve
7. Do a 40 day Daniel Fast…this one is gonna kill me…you get the picture!
8. Start initial work on a Doctoral Degree
9. Do a personal retreat at a monastery
10. Take a vacation with my entire family…the older my kids get the harder this is.
11. Live with vision…ask God to enlarge my view of things so I can see the possibilities of his work in my life.
12. Husband my wife…my goal is to help Marvina see the beginnings of the fulfillment of God's 'word' on her life.
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