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Archive for the ‘Formation’ Category

Walk In the Light

Posted in Community, Formation, Hope, Uncategorized on September 13, 2016| Leave a Comment »

What happens in the shadows?

In scripture, we see light and dark used to describe the contrast between good and evil.  What happens in the dark is evil but what happens in the light is good.Sunrise Over Littlefield

Haven’t we seen this to be true in life?  It is easier to carry out evil in the shadows.  But in the light of day, what we do is visible for all to see.

The author of 1 John encourages us to walk in the light in chapter one of his letter:

5 God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

As followers in The Way, walk in the light today.

May the light of Jesus Christ so shine through you today that it brings hope to all you encounter!

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God Is Worthy

Posted in Community, Formation, Hope, Uncategorized on September 7, 2016| Leave a Comment »

When is the last time you considered God?  Maybe that is an odd question or at least an odd way to ask.  This week we will start a new series entitled Created to Worship.  Worship is reverence offered out of extreme respect.  The etymology of the word worship shows us that it comes from the old English word, worthship and carries the meaning of acknowledging worth.

When we take time to reflect, as I mentioned yesterday (you can see that post here), and we truly reflect on God and who he is, we are moved to offer extreme respect and reverence.  When we come face to face with the reality of who God is we are moved to recognize God’s worthiness.heart-and-cross-2

This Sunday we will begin this series with thoughts on God.  But you don’t have to wait until Sunday to think about God.  Start today – start now.

Take time to reflect on God’s majesty.  Spend time considering God’s mystery.  Focus on God’s compassion and grace.

Acknowledge God’s worth today by offering yourself as a living sacrifice out of extravagant respect!

 

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Take Time to Reflect

Posted in Formation, Hope, Leadership, Uncategorized on September 6, 2016| 1 Comment »

I recently read the words of a long-time pastor who has left the ministry.  There are many factors that contributed to his decision to escape – some of which will most likely be the subject of future posts.

But something he said about his life outside of vocational ministry has stuck with me.  I believe it has continued to occupy space in my thoughts because I can relate to what he said.  He made the statement that now that he is no longer involved in vocational ministry, he now has time to reflect.

Worship BWMy initial reaction to his words was one of surprise.  The role of the vocational pastor, I smugly thought to myself, is to lead a congregation by spending time daily seeking God’s guidance and reflecting on what God is doing and saying.  But even as I write these words here, I feel hypocrisy’s hot breath on my neck.  I wish I could say that I live up to the role I just outlined two sentences ago.  But the truth is; there is always something to occupy my thoughts.  There are pressures both self-imposed and imposed by others that drive my actions and thoughts much of the time.

It would be possible to go through an entire week or even month without spending any time at all truly reflecting on God and his provisions and plan.  But lest this post be seen as a fragile attempt to gain sympathy – let me turn the tables.

How about you?

Do you spend time reflecting on God’s activity in your life?  Do you read his word and spend time actually thinking about what it says?   Or do we read God’s word, and then check it off our To Do list and move on to bigger and better things?

Our world, particularly in America, is driven by the illusion that busyness is good for business.  But when do we take time to think – to reflect?  How often do we miss God’s best for us because we aren’t listening or only half-listening to his words?

Take time to reflect today!

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Life Without Risk

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope, Uncategorized on August 25, 2016| 1 Comment »

Playing it safe rarely wins the prize.  But it’s easier to play it safe.  Risk is . . . well, its risky.  We like comfort and security and once we find it, we don’t want to risk it.

But God did not create us to live lives of comfort.  We can have security in our relationship with God, but our worldly security is not really a concern for God.  Paul said, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  In other words, when our priority is pleasing God and living our lives to fulfill his desire for us, then there really isn’t a risk.

God wants to do immeasurably more than you can imagine in and through you today.  Will you let him?

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You Are Worth It

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope, Uncategorized on August 24, 2016| Leave a Comment »

I have challenged our deacon body in their daily reading to read through 1 and 2 Peter over the next month. Today’s reading is 1 Peter 1:13-25. As I read this passage this morning, even though I have read it in the past, something spoke to me more clearly than ever before.

The author of this little letter reminded us of the value we hold in God’s eyes.

So often, we buy into the lie that we are not worth much. Some have heard from parents or others, “You will never amount to anything.” Hateful people have called us “losers.” At certain times in our lives, circumstances have left us feeling like no one cares.

Allow this passage from 1 Peter to speak truth into your life today :

18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

You are worth more than all the gold and silver in the world. You are worth the very breath and blood of the son of God. The Father paid your ransom with the life of his one and only son!

Stop buying into the lie that your life doesn’t count. You are worth everything to God – not because of anything you have done but because he loves you.

And that is all that really matters!

Live into that love today.

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Step Out

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational, Uncategorized on August 22, 2016| Leave a Comment »

I wonder if Peter really expected Jesus to call him out of the boat?

In Matthew 14 we read a story of Jesus walking on the water.  His disciples were in a boat and while it was still dark, Jesus went out to meet them – walking on top of the water.  I tend to picture the scene by thinking Jesus would have been content to keep on walking, but the disciples saw him and got scared.  Since it was still dark – and of course since there was a man standing on top of the water – they assumed he was a ghost.

Walking On WaterBut Peter finally recognized Jesus.  Still a little unsure of himself he said, “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come out on the water.”  That makes sense.  Peter is trying to make sure that he is right – that this really is Jesus.  But I am not sure he expected Jesus to say, “Come.”

Have you ever done that?  Have you ever asked God to clarify his calling?  “God, if this is what you want me to do, show me a sign.”  Has that statement, or something similar, ever been part of your prayer?

Peter wanted proof that Jesus was really standing there before him but I am not sure he expected Jesus to say, “come on in, the water is fine.”

Here’s the thing.  Jesus really is with us – walking with us.  And Jesus really does call us to do things that may seem impossible to us.  But just like Peter, as long as we trust him fully and keep our eyes on him only, he will do amazing things through us.

How is Jesus calling you today?

Answer that call and step out.

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Loved By God

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope, Uncategorized on August 15, 2016| 1 Comment »

My reading this morning was out of Isaiah 43.  In this poetic discourse from the prophet, he reminded Israel – and us – that we are important to God.  He spoke God’s words, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”

Isaiah reminds us that God knows us personally – he calls us by name.  And he cares about us.  He not only knows our needs, he actually cares about them.  Isaiah goes on to say, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;  when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Heart and CrossGod promises to be with us through all that life hurls our way – why?  Isaiah records the words of God saying, “Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you.”

Let these words sink in for a moment.

Whatever Monday has brought your way – remember – God has promised to see you through it.  If you are wondering why God would be with you or how God could possibly care for a person like you, remember – God offers his redemption and salvation to each of us because we are precious to him – he loves you.

Live as one loved by God today!

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Present and Awake

Posted in Church, Community, Formation, Grace, Uncategorized on August 10, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Sunday GatheringGod is with us each and every day.  Jesus’ promise is dependable – he will never leave us nor forsake us.  But so often, we live our lives unaware.  We pass through our days marking time but oblivious to God’s presence and interaction in our lives.

But every once in a while, we get a glimpse.  In a moment of clarity, we come face to face with the creator and we find ourselves overwhelmed with God’s grace and grandeur.

For me, this past Sunday morning was that way (and I was not alone in that experience).  Every Sunday is special.  The gathering of God’s people to worship and just enjoy being together is always a blessing.  But Sunday was different for many.  God’s spirit was moving in the hearts of our family and it was obvious.

As I headed to lunch, I prayed, thanking God for reaching into my life and for moving in the hearts of so many.  As I prayed and reflected on the morning, I asked – “Why can’t church be like that every week?”  I have continued to reflect on that question.  What I keep coming back to is sensitivity.  We don’t manipulate God, so it is not anything we can do to duplicate the experience.

But if we truly believe that Jesus never leaves us.  And if we accept the reality that where two or three are gathered together to honor God, God is in their midst, then we must acknowledge that God is always present when we gather.  If that is the case, then the issue is not God’s presence but rather our awareness.  We need to remember today that God is always present and at work, we just need to wake up and be more sensitive to what he is doing.

I pray that God’s presence will be just as visible this coming Sunday in our church.

But why wait until Sunday?

God, wake us to your presence and love this day – in this moment!

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Baptism At the Beach With Family

Posted in Community, Formation, Grace, Uncategorized on August 3, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Sunday was an amazing day in the life of our church.  We started the day with worship – thinking about the privilege of prayer.  We also celebrated with four different families as decisions were made to plug into what God is doing here in our midst and become members of our church.

Screen Shot 2016-08-03 at 9.33.33 AMThen we gathered out on the island in the afternoon to celebrate baptism.  We celebrated with 16 people who had made commitments to follow Jesus and were baptized in the surf on that evening.  It was a glorious time of testimony.  Many of our church family gathered to celebrate and of course, the regular beach goers were there too.

As I have reflected on the day, I have been reminded of the importance of sharing our faith openly.  Our world has become more hostile toward those who live their faith openly, but if our faith is real, it should show in the way we live.  That is hard to do when we try and go it alone.

But when we do it in community – together as family – we can lean on one another as we live out loud.

Seek only God’s approval, lean on other believers and live out loud today!

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Press On!

Posted in Community, Formation, Grace, Hope, Uncategorized on July 28, 2016| Leave a Comment »

I have mentioned the Town and Country Restaurant before.  This morning I arrived early to my breakfast gathering with some of the deacons in our church.  I meet with our deacons of the week each Thursday morning at the T & C just to share a meal and a little bit of life with them.  This morning as I read a little scripture and reflected, my eyes wandered around the restaurant.  

I was close enough to an older gentlemen to overhear a phone conversation he was having.  I intentionally did not eavesdrop but it was easy to determine that someone he is close to had made an emergency trip to the hospital last night.

When he got off the phone, I witnessed his waitress stop by the table and based on her facial expression, I could tell he was relaying the story to her.  In just a few moments, I watched the hostess come and sit with the man for several minutes.Sharing Coffee

As I observed all this, last night’s Bible study content from Mark 3 began to make its way through my mind.  Jesus called the twelve with specific intentions.  The point we talked about last night is that God calls each of us for specific reasons – some to minister in business, some to lead companies in a Godly manner, some to serve the sick in the name of Jesus, some to minister in churches – but all are called.

I watched that truth lived out right in front of me.  The early shift hostess of the restaurant did not have to make her way to the older gentleman’s table.  But she did.  She sat with compassion and listened to his story.  Patrons entered the door and seated themselves because she was not there to seat them.  But what she was doing was more important.  God used her to offer comfort to someone she hardly knew.

The verse of the day today on Biblegateway.com is Philippians 3:14. But if you back up and include the two verses just before, it says this:

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

We may not have it all figured out – we may not have “arrived,” but we must press on to what God called us to.  I love the picture that Paul creates for us when he said, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

If you have allowed Jesus to take hold of you, you need to understand, he has done so for a reason.  Define that reason and press on to take hold of it!

That is what the hostess did this morning.  We can too!

Be a blessing today.

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