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Archive for the ‘Formation’ Category

Beautiful Things

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope on November 2, 2011| Leave a Comment »

As I drove to work yesterday, I followed my typical route and routine.  I listened to my devotional podcast and reflected on the scripture that was read.  As I reflected on the topic of the day, I began to see myself as I truly am in light of God – not usually a pleasant exercise.  I saw myself as a selfish person, bent on pleasing my own desires.  I began to pray for God to make me more holy and more like Jesus – to make me a useful vessel for Kingdom service.

I wrestled with that all day yesterday.

This morning, as I made my commute, I followed the same routine.  Then, after my devotion time, I switched over to listening to Gungor (a fairly new Christian group).   The title of the song that caught my attention as I listened was Beautiful Things.  As I listened to the lyrics, God used the chorus to speak to my soul.  The lyrics of the chorus say, “You makes beautiful things, you makes beautiful things out of dust.  You makes beautiful things, you makes beautiful things out of us.”

This truth washed over me and I remembered the feelings of yesterday.  I was reminded that even in the midst of being a sinful person, God can make something beautiful out of me.

Let me encourage you today – – no matter what you are going through or how bad you may think you are, God has the power to make something beautiful out of you.

Be blessed today!

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Meeting Jesus for Dinner

Posted in Formation on October 31, 2011| Leave a Comment »

I started a new book on the plane last Saturday that has kept my imagination going.  It’s a short little book that was recommended to me by a friend.  The title of the book is, Dinner With a Perfect Stranger.

The main character of the book receives an invitation to dinner with Jesus at a local restaurant.

I won’t ruin it for you in case you want to read it for yourself, but it has caused me to wonder about some things.

1.  How would I react if I opened the mail this afternoon and found an invitation to have dinner with Jesus?

2.  How would I react if I attended such a meeting?

3.  What would I ask him if I was literally sitting across the table from him?

And then the most crucial question of all – why should my sitting across the table from him be any different than the way I approach him now?

How would you react to meeting Jesus, literally face to face?

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Light Came Into the Darkness

Posted in Formation, Hope on October 25, 2011| Leave a Comment »

As I said yesterday, this past Sunday we talked about the importance of God’s living and relevant word.  As part of that sermon, I challenged our people to spend a minimum of 10 minutes, three different days this week reading the Gospel of John.  So yesterday, I spend some time in the John chapter 1.

As I read about the Word becoming flesh, I was reminded that when Jesus came to earth, he came as a light in a dark world.  But not everyone recognized or acknowledged that light.

Verses 11-13 tell us that not all received him, but to those who did (and do) and to those who believed in his name, Jesus gave them the right to become children of God.

Think about that a minute.  Because I have received Jesus and I believe he is who he said he was, I am now a child of God!  God is my Father!  Not in the sense of a physical birth or natural decent but born of God.

I don’t know about you but when I stop and think about that, I am humbled and excited.

What about you?  Have you received Jesus – do you believe he is who he said he was?

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The Truth and Relevance of God’s Word

Posted in Formation, Leadership on October 24, 2011| 1 Comment »

Yesterday in our worship service, we talked about the importance of God’s word.

Think about those two words used together – God’s word.  The very words of God.  2 Timothy 3:16 says that scripture is God-breathed.  The image is the same as that given in Genesis 2 when God breathed life into the first man.  God breathed insight and understanding into those authors all those years ago.  Their eyes were opened to see God’s desire and God’s truth.  The word was true and relevant.  It was given to the world for instruction and conviction – to train people to be all that God desired.

But what about today?  Is God’s word still true and relevant?  Nothing has changed to make the word less true today as it was when the ink was drying on the parchment.  But what about it’s relevance?

I ran across an article last week from Jim Dennison that reminded me of a seminary professor we both sat under at Southwestern Seminary years ago.  Yandall Woodfin taught theology and the philosophy of religion.  He wrote a book entitled, With All Your Mind.  In that book he made the statement that human nature does not change.  Think about that for a second.  Throughout the history of the world, things have been in continuous change and growth.  But one thing has never changed – human nature.  People are still basically self-centered and sinful.

Because of that fact, God’s word is just as relevant today as it was the day it was written.

God’s word is alive – it is relevant – it is true – and it is written so that we might know how to live as God created us to live.

So how much time do we spend with it?

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Practicing My Showing Mercy Sermon

Posted in Formation, Grace on October 18, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Ever heard the phrase, “Practice what you preach”?  Last week I had to do that.  On Sunday the 9th I preached on loving mercy from Micah 6:8.  I reminded our folks that one of the things God expects is for us to show mercy just as God has been merciful to us.

Last Friday, Kristi and I were set to work on the house.  I rented a concrete saw in Levelland and we headed to the house.  I went straight to work cutting some brick with the saw – rentals are done on an hourly basis and I wanted to get the work done quickly so that I could get the saw back to the rental center and not spend any more money than I had to.  I started the work and made it about 3 feet before the switch went out on the saw.  I called the rental company and all they could say was, “sorry, I guess bring it back but we don’t have another one.”  I was frustrated but there was nothing anyone could do so I loaded it back up in the car and made the 25 mile drive back to the center.

I began to call around different places in Lubbock to see if I could find one there.  On my second call I found one!  And what made it even better, it was the same price as the one I was returning but instead of being a four hour rental, it was for a whole 24 hours!  Wow, this was going to be much better.

We drove to Lubbock and walked into the rental department.  I told the young man what I needed and he said, “Oh yes, I talked to you on the phone earlier – that saw is right down this aisle.”  We headed down the aisle toward the saws and he stopped and turned to me and asked what to me is one of the most insane questions I have heard in  a long time.

“Are you going to need a blade for the saw?”

Am I going to need a blade?!  My reaction was one of shock and disbelief.  What I wanted to say was, “Nope, I am simply going to drag the saw back and forth across the concrete until I wear a hole in the floor!”

Well, long story short, to get a saw for 24 hours that actually comes with a blade is double the cost of the quote on the phone.  At that point, I was beyond frustrated.  That was a little tid-bit of information that I would have liked to have known prior to making the 30 mile drive to Lubbock.  I am not sure it would have changed my plans because I had to have the saw, but none the less, not a surprise that I wanted.

But then I remembered – love mercy!

Obviously, I am not over my bitterness even today but I am smiling about it and thinking to myself, I need to be careful what I preach.

What about you – have any stories to share about having to show mercy?

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Who Do You Belong To?

Posted in Formation, Hope on October 13, 2011| 1 Comment »

Who do you belong to?  Last night we had our normal Wednesday night activities which includes a meal at 5:30.  We serve the meal in our gym area and as I entered the gym, there were kids everywhere – many I knew but even more that I had never seen before.  As I was trying to meet as many as I could, I would ask their names and then, so that I could try to make connections in my mind, my next question was, “Who are your parents?”  Another way I have asked that question is, “Who do belong to?”

This morning, I wonder – – who do you belong to?

If you are a believer, if you have made a decision to follow Jesus, then you are a child of God!  You belong to the Creator of the universe!

Regardless of what you might be facing today – remember – you are a child of the King!

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James the Traveling Teacher

Posted in Formation on October 12, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Yesterday, I told you about James.  He is a man I had the blessing of visiting with on Monday afternoon.  We actually shared a ride to Levelland and as we did, I got to hear some of his story.  As I listened, there were a couple of things I noticed about him.  He was very perceptive in his outlook.  He understood the human condition better than most people with whom I come in contact.  That makes sense I suppose because of his choice in how he is living his life.  He walks everywhere he goes and he spends time along the way, talking to people.

We talked about his family and the jobs he has had since returning from Vietnam and serving in the Marine Corp.  As we talked, he talked politics and social reform but then I noticed a change in his demeanor and even in his voice.  He removed his cap and he began to talk about his faith.  He wanted me to know that he was not some mis-guided “bum” but rather a man of faith who had fallen on hard times and was doing the best he can to survive.  I was moved by his passion.

I dropped him at the motel, handed him a little money to get a meal later on and I headed home.  But as I drove away, I began to think about my encounter with James.  As I have processed our time together I have come away with two things (so far).

1.  Part of the reason James has such a good grasp on life is that his way of life moves at a much slower pace than mine.  He walks everywhere he goes.  He began this latest journey in Nebraska and has walked for nearly a month to get here.  When one spends that kind of time moving through different parts of the country, there are a lot of things that can be learned.  James had the grasp on reality because he took time to process what he saw and heard along the journey.  I could learn a lot from him in this area.

2.  The other reminder that I gleaned from James is that regardless of what is taken away from me and the lengths that I might be forced to go in order to survive, my faith can never be taken from me.

Just some things James the traveling teacher has taught me.

Be blessed today!

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My Story of James

Posted in Community, Formation on October 11, 2011| Leave a Comment »

James came to see me yesterday.  I had never met James but I was notified that he was here to see me.  I went and escorted him to my office.   He was a worn looking fellow – but clean.  He had tired blue eyes that caught my attention as he sat down in one of the chairs in my office.  I took the chair next to him as he began to tell of his day’s journey.

He had been walking for close to a month, starting in Nebraska and now ending up here.  He was on his way to a community about 2 hours south of here and so he just wanted a place to stay and a hot meal.  I told him that we had already helped two different gentlemen last week and I did not have the funds to put him up for the night but I would make a call to see what I could do.  I called a fellow pastor in town and he agreed to put James up in a local motel for the night.  As I returned to my conversation with James, I began to relate to him the location of the motel and how it would be easy then to get on to Lubbock from that location.  His eyes got big and he said, “Oh, no.  I don’t go through big cities.  It would not be a good idea to try and walk through a big town.”

I then asked how he planned to get to Snyder if he did not go through Lubbock (one of the highways that intersects Littlefield goes through Lubbock and straight on to Snyder).  He told me he was planning on traveling down Highway 385 and then cut across to Snyder – which would take him right through Levelland (where I am still living).  So at that point, I could not see putting him up here and then having him walk to Levelland when I would be driving to Levelland in another 45 minutes.  So I called a connection I still have there and got him a room in Levelland.

He made himself at home in my office while I finished up a few things and then we headed out.  As we drove, I asked him to tell me his story.  As I listened, I learned some things about this man and his life.

Check back tomorrow and I will tell you what I learned.

But for today, think about this:  As James told me his story, I realized that he was being written into mine.

As the story of your life unfolds, who is it that God is writing into your story?

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Stop and Take It All In

Posted in Community, Formation, Hope on October 4, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Sometimes we need to stop and thank God for the beauty of creation.  This morning I got to the office a little early, so I did the unusual (which is not that unusual for me).  I took my coffee and climbed up on the roof of the church to see the sun come up.

A little extreme?  Maybe.  But I have found it inspiring not only to see God’s creation from that vantage point but also to see the community to which God has called me from that vantage point as well.

I wanted to share this sight with you from this morning.  God is good!  Stop today and take in what God has created and pause to give thanks!

Be blessed today!

 

 

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When God Seems Distant

Posted in Formation, Hope on October 3, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Have you ever felt God was distant – that your prayers seem to get no farther than the ceiling?  Maybe you feel that way today.

Here are some things to remember at such times:

  1. It is not uncommon to feel this way
  2. God is not distant – God may be silent but never distant
  3. Typically when we feel God is distant it is because we have moved – not God.  We have taken our focus off of our relationship with God and turned it to something or someone else

We must never forget that God promised to be with us always – Deuteronomy 31:6 says,   Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

The thing we must always keep at the forefront of our minds is that God is always with us and God is completely trustworthy.  Jesus, on the cross felt abandoned.  God could not look on what was going on and for a moment, Jesus felt completely alone.  But he endured that loneliness because he understood the ultimate goal.

The result?  An empty tomb!

God can be trusted and God never leaves us.  Regardless of God’s silence, hold on to this promise today!

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