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Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

Complacency Is a Cancer

Posted in Church, Community, Formation, Hope on October 2, 2012| 4 Comments »

As I sat down this morning for part of my time alone with God, I decided to use a practice I turn to frequently – prayerful reading (lectio divina).  I turned on my computer and opened my online Bible.  There for me to read on the front page was the verse of the day.  I would normally have clicked passed this to a passage to start my time with God, but for some reason, I felt a nudge to stay with this verse.

Proverbs 29:25, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in God is kept safe.”

We are entering a journey in the life of our church family here at 1st B and on the outset, it seems too big and illusive to really get our heads around.  We are at the very cusp of what will be a new era in our church.

As I pray about God’s leadership in this endeavor, I often find myself doubting.  Thoughts flood my mind like: “What if we miss it?” or ‘What if we fail?” or even “What will other people think?”  I guess at the root of all the anxiety is that last one – what will people think.  If we attempt something big and fail, what will others in the community think?

The writer of Proverbs warns us that fearing what others might think is an immobilizing trap; a trap I believe  leads to complacency.  We throw up our hands before we even start and say, “It can’t be done – its just too big.”

I have said this before but the fact of the matter is complacency is the cancer that is killing the church.

The cure for this cancer is trust.  While the writer of Proverbs gives us this warning about fear, he also encourages us by reminding us that those who trust God walk in God’s protection.

Whatever you are facing today that seems too big – don’t fear.  Simply trust.  God has a plan and that plan includes protecting you.

Live boldly today!

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Encourage the Encourager

Posted in Community, Hope on September 18, 2012| 2 Comments »

Have you ever been around someone who just makes you feel good? Maybe they listen to your frustrations with a smile.  Or maybe they offer a kind word when you are stressed or down.  I have the blessing of having several people in my life who go out of their way to encourage and support those they meet.

I think all of us, if we stop and think about it, can think of someone who is an encourager.  What would your life be like without that person around?

Take a minute to stop and pray for that person (or those persons) right now.  Ask God to bless them and lift them up.

Now, take another minute to reach out to them and encourage them today.

Encourage the encourager.

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Get Back To Church

Posted in Church, Community on September 12, 2012| Leave a Comment »

This coming Sunday is National Back To Church Sunday.  It is a day set aside for folks who have never tried church.  The hope is that if a person would just try it, he or she would see the importance.

It is also a day to reach out to those folks who grew up going to church and have fallen away.

The reality is, it is a day to remind those of us who are in church regularly that we have a calling to reach out to those who need hope.  Yes, we show funny videos and we mail out cards and we expend all this effort to make it a big day; but nothing happens without our church folks getting out and inviting people to come.  Without that, it is just going to be a Sunday like all the others.

So this week, pray about what God might lead you to do in your own community.  If you aren’t tied to a church – find one.  Scripture is clear that the body of Christ should be in unity and should not stop coming together.  If you are looking for the perfect church . . . I don’t think you will ever find it – and I know for a fact, you won’t find it at 1st B here in Littlefield.

But what you will find at most churches – particularly ours – is a group of genuine folks who are learning to love God and trying to love others.  If you are around Littlefield, Texas, at 10:30 on Sunday, come check it out.

But, if you are already a part of a church – get involved there.  God calls each of us to a particular place of service.  Yours is at your church.  Plug in and make a difference.

Be blessed today!

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One Little Candle

Posted in Community, Formation, Hope, Missions on September 6, 2012| Leave a Comment »

 

There are some candles in my study.  Every once in a while, I will be in a more contemplative mood and I’ll light the candles and turn off the overhead light just to create a different environment in which to focus.

Have you ever noticed what happens if you light a candle in a lighted room?  The effect is minimal.  I mean, you notice the candle but as far as it making a difference in the environment, you really can’t see much change.  But, when you turn off the lights, now all of the sudden, even one little candle is a game changer.  It creates much more light than you noticed before.  In fact, while the light may not be as bright, it still illuminates the whole room.

In a very dark world lacking hope and peace and joy – we are called to be that candle.  When we gather our little light in church, we are surrounded by a lot of other lights so the effects, while important, are minimal.  But, when we take our little light into the dark world, we can make a huge difference.

Be that light in someone else’s life today.

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Revisiting the First Day of School Prayer

Posted in Community, Family, Formation on August 27, 2012| 2 Comments »

Over the last month, the post that has received the most views has been this one.  I wrote it on the first day of school last year and, given the recent interest in the post, I thought I would revisit the topic – particularly since today is the first day of school for my kids for the 2012 – 2013 school year.

The school years are so important in the lives of our kids.  They mature and grow, not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well.  When you think about the amount of time they spend in school compared to the time you have with them at home, it becomes even more obvious just how important it is to pray for them and for their teachers and school administrators.

So here is what I would like you to do this morning.  The following is a guided prayer.  This concept may be a bit foreign to some (it certainly was to me when I first encountered it several years ago), but it can be very effective and meaningful.  Simply follow along and pray as you feel led.

Spend a couple of minutes clearing your mind and focusing on the magnificence of God.

Pray that your children will enjoy their day.  Pray that they will be receptive to what God has for them this year.  That they will connect well with their teachers and that they will make at least one new friend who will help them stay the course in their followship of Jesus.

Pray for the teachers.  Pray that God will give them a sincere passion to make a positive impact in the lives of their students.  Pray that God will give them wisdom as to how to help each student.  And pray that God will give them the tools and the strength to use those tools to teach our kids.

Pray for the school administrators – all those folks who work to make our schools a safe and effective place of learning and growing.  Pray for their wisdom and passion.  Ask God to bless them today.

Ask God to use you to make a difference in the lives of your kids and in the schools in which they attend.

Father, I thank you for my kids.  They are growing up too fast.  I remember when I used to have to do everything for them and now, it seems, they can do it all themselves.  God, I ask you to be there for them when I can’t.  Protect them and keep their feet on the right path.  Put people in their lives today to direct them and teach them.  Grow them into the people you created them to be for your purposes, and help me to be the parent I need to be for my kids for your glory.  Amen

Be blessed today!

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Only You Can Be You

Posted in Community, Formation, Hope on August 23, 2012| Leave a Comment »

All of us have a story to tell.  The intricate weaving of the experiences of our lives come together to make a beautiful tapestry.  Each individual experience might seem insignificant by itself, but when pieced together with all the others, the tapestry takes on a picture that is unique to you.

God has created you to be you and there is no other you – never has been, never will be!

All the things you have done, people you have known and experiences you have had make you the person you are today.  And in the midst of all of it – God has been at work all along the way.

You are of ultimate importance to God and you were created to reflect God’s love and life.  God has brought you to today with a story to tell that will make all the difference in the eternity of the people to whom you tell it.

So tell your story – what has God done in your life to bring you to this day?

Be a blessing today!

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We Need Each Other

Posted in Church, Community, Formation on August 20, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Last Friday, our community celebrated together.  One of the streets downtown was closed off, tents were set up and food was served.  People were everywhere.  It was a wonderful experience complete with a strong sense of community.

The occasion?  The beginning of football season.  Our school mascot is the wildcat.  So the event was appropriately titled, “Meet the Wildcats.”

Now there is a lot I could say about the over-emphasis on sports in our community – I mean, we don’t get together and celebrate the band students or the high academic achievements of our students – not that these things aren’t celebrated, but we don’t close a street and make it a community event.

I could talk about that but that is not what is on my heart today.  The point I want to make is how wonderful it was to experience that sense of community.  People were friendly and encouraging.  We enjoyed good food and had a great time just being together as a town.  It was moving.

As I have reflected on that day, I have been reminded that God created us for community.  We are wired for relationships – both with God and with one another.  And the best place to grow our relationships is in a safe and welcoming place filled with honest and transparent people who want the same things.

The only place I know of that fits that description is church.  I am not saying the church is filled with perfect, saintly people who have it all together.  In fact, it is somewhat the opposite.  The church should be a place filled with people who are willing to be transparent and let others know they aren’t perfect and they don’t have it all together.

If we had it all together with no problems and no needs, then why would we even need church?

The thing is, we all need community and the reality is we all need church.  As long as people remain imperfect, there will always be a need for church.  And no one will attain perfection in this life.

All that to say, we all need relationships – we were created that way.  We all need community.  And the best place to find it is at church.

If you aren’t involved in a church, find one in your area and get plugged in.  Just give it a try – what have you got to lose?

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Being God’s Kingdom

Posted in Church, Community, Formation, Hope on July 30, 2012| Leave a Comment »

How would you describe the Kingdom God?

Is it a place far away that we look to for hope?  A place we go when we die?

That is certainly part of it.

But what if Jesus had more in mind when he talked about the Kingdom of God?

What if Jesus envisioned the Kingdom of God here – on earth – today?

Scripture teaches us that the Kingdom of God is already here.  Jesus brought it to earth.

So how would you describe it today?  Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is like (he always did that – teaching in parables) yeast that when it is mixed into flour makes something beautiful – wonderful bread.

What a powerful image.  Yeast causes dough to rise.  A little yeast affects a lot of flour.  It makes it lighter and without it, bread would not be bread.

That is a picture of the Kingdom of God here on earth.  One Jesus follower affecting the lives of many others – making their lives better, maybe even lightening their load.

As believers, we are all part of God’s Kingdom.  Will you do your part to impact those around you today for the better?

Go be yeast today!

Go be God’s Kingdom!

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It’s Personal

Posted in Community, Hope on July 24, 2012| Leave a Comment »

If you have watched the news lately, things seem pretty bleak.  From the insanity of the shooting in Aurora, Colorado, to the drought in the south.  Gas prices continue to soar.  We face all kinds of difficulties these days.  If you let it, the news will begin to convince you that the world is falling apart.

The sad truth is this – it is.

But the answer is not to throw up our hands and fall apart with it.  As believers, we have hope.  God created the earth and all that is in it.  God is still in the redeeming business.

The answer is not for us simply to sit on our couches in front of our televisions and complain.

The answer is deeper and very personal.  If the world around is going to change for the better, it has to start with me and with you.

The book of Joel, in the Old Testament, describes a time in the history of Israel when things were pretty dark.  Joel gave these words of instruction:

Rend your heart
    and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love

If we are to see change, we have to turn back to God and look to God for direction and hope.  This isn’t just an outward expression of repentance.  It has to be very personal – a matter of the heart.

We need to turn back to God, who is gracious and full of compassion.  We need to ask God to open our eyes to how we can make a difference.

We need pray, “God, we need you in this hour.  We need your touch.  We need your guidance.  We need your strength.  We need your hope.  Please reclaim our culture and start with me!”

Is that your prayer today?

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Where Do You Rub Elbows?

Posted in Community, Hope, Missions on July 10, 2012| Leave a Comment »

One my readings today came from the Gospel of Matthew.  It is a story of Jesus healing a man who could not speak.  While this is a moving story of Jesus’ compassion and healing power, what caught my attention even more was what was relayed after the telling of the healing account.

Here is what Matthew says in chapter 9 verses 35 and 36:

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus was among the people and when he saw the crowds he realized they were lost – like sheep wandering around aimlessly without a shepherd.  He had compassion on them and caused his disciples to take notice of just how much work there was to do to show God’s love and hope to all the people.

I would say that the need for God’s hope and love is just as real today.  The problem is, we tend to insulate ourselves from it.  We associate where we are comfortable.  We don’t venture too far off the safe path.  We don’t concern ourselves with the needs of others – not because we are bad people – but because we just don’t see it – or we choose not to see it.

I believe God has called us as followers in The Way to be salt and light to a tasteless and dark world.  But what good is a light if it is not carried into the darkness?

I challenge you today to venture out just a bit into the darkness.  Rub elbows just a little with those who don’t normally fit into your crowd.  And see what God might do – maybe not in the lives of those you meet but rather in your own heart.

Be a blessing today.

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