You're watching your favorite television show. Its getting to what should be the best part of the show. You are on the edge of your seat. "This is going to be good", you think to yourself. Then, suddenly, the show shuts off and you hear these words, "We interrupt your regular scheduled program for this special announcement." Chances are the special announcement is more important than the ending of your show, but you don't care. You want to see what happened while your still in the moment, but the interruption has a different message for you to hear.
If it were only TV shows that got interrupted in life that would be good, but its not. Best laid plans get interrupted...schedules get interrupted...dreams get interrupted...relationships get interrupted...interruptions are a part of life. And quite frankly, they are not a part of life I appreciate.
Just today, I had everything planned out. I would get to the office and I would get through my to-do-list and then...wam, bam...interruption...not of people but of circumstances and before I know it half the day is gone and not even half of my to-do-list is done.
And about that time Jon Gibson chimes in and says something completely ridiculous like, "Maybe God had other plans for your day." "You know what Jon, you can just keep your little spiritual opinions to yourself...I just want to me mad at having life interrupt me"...that's what I wanted to say...but God would not let me because I knew Jon was right. Why did this interruption bother me so much? Do I get so caught up in what I need to do that I miss what God wants to do? If it is true for TV then I am sure it is all the more true for God...if the special announcement that interrupts the TV show is more important than the ending of the show then isn't that all the more reason to watch for God in the interruptions of life?
So, today, I heeded the word of Pastor Jon. I looked around and guess what...He was right. God did have other plans. The plans I had fell through but his plans for me to build relationship with two folks in the midst of those failed plans were more important.
It made me think of Hebrews 13: 2, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels with out knowing it."
What if what I see as an interruption, God sees as just the angel I needed most. May God help me and you not to miss seeing him even in the interruptions.
Got any God-sighting stories? Have you seen God in the midst of an interruption? Send them my way...I'd love to hear from you!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
"Look Forward"
This evening Anna, my three year old, was riding her "big girl" bike. With helmet on and her blond curls blowing in the wind, she was having so much fun. She would speed ahead of me and laugh at the thought that I could not keep up. She could not resist the temptation to look back to see how far she had out paced me. She'd look back, see how far ahead she was and grin from ear to ear.
The only problem was that every time she looked back she almost wrecked. In fact, at one point I thought for sure she was going to wipe out..."Whoa" she exclaimed as she struggled to regain control. I found myself blurting out these words of advice, "Anna, you can't look back. You have to keep looking forward all the time. If you look back your going to fall."
No sooner had those words left my mouth than something inside of me said, "That's good advice for you to remember too, Chad." And, right there on the sidewalk, walking behind my baby girl as she rode her bike, I had a God sighting. "If you look back, you're going to fall" was the message God was giving me loud and clear as I remembered the words from the Bible in Philippians 3:13-14, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Brothers and sisters in Christ, don't look back or you'll fall! We have to keep looking forward.
Look back at what could have, would have, should have and you'll fall flat on your face and miss what is.
Look back at your mistakes, poor choices, sins and regrets and you'll get tripped up in guilt and shame that Jesus' death broke and the freedom your confession made yours.
Look back at your old life before Christ and self-indulgence and self-centeredness will show you its appeal with out reminding you of its lies and down you'll go.
Look back and second guess the commitments you know God has called you to make and ever so gradually you will find yourself falling away from what matters most.
No, don't look back! Keep your eyes looking forward! Not only will it keep you from falling, but it will let you see God going before you at every turn.
Got any God-sighting stories of your own? I would love to hear them!
The only problem was that every time she looked back she almost wrecked. In fact, at one point I thought for sure she was going to wipe out..."Whoa" she exclaimed as she struggled to regain control. I found myself blurting out these words of advice, "Anna, you can't look back. You have to keep looking forward all the time. If you look back your going to fall."
No sooner had those words left my mouth than something inside of me said, "That's good advice for you to remember too, Chad." And, right there on the sidewalk, walking behind my baby girl as she rode her bike, I had a God sighting. "If you look back, you're going to fall" was the message God was giving me loud and clear as I remembered the words from the Bible in Philippians 3:13-14, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Brothers and sisters in Christ, don't look back or you'll fall! We have to keep looking forward.
Look back at what could have, would have, should have and you'll fall flat on your face and miss what is.
Look back at your mistakes, poor choices, sins and regrets and you'll get tripped up in guilt and shame that Jesus' death broke and the freedom your confession made yours.
Look back at your old life before Christ and self-indulgence and self-centeredness will show you its appeal with out reminding you of its lies and down you'll go.
Look back and second guess the commitments you know God has called you to make and ever so gradually you will find yourself falling away from what matters most.
No, don't look back! Keep your eyes looking forward! Not only will it keep you from falling, but it will let you see God going before you at every turn.
Got any God-sighting stories of your own? I would love to hear them!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
"God Sighting"
I thought I’d share my Random Thoughts early this week.
This past Sunday the book of Ruth challenged us to watch for God. So, today, with my wrist band as a reminder, I kept my eyes open. Guess what?! I saw God.
My God sighting occurred around 6:30 PM tonight. A week ago our prayer chain started praying for 200 kids at VBS. This was a big request considering last year the most we had by the third night was 156 kids. Guess how many kids we had last night…this year’s first night? We had 198 kids! I not only saw God in that number, but in the eyes, smiles, dancing, running of the children. I saw him through the loving action of those in our church family who served.
I specifically saw God working in a little boy in the Bible story time. He, in complete sincerity said, “I heard God is dead.” I looked him in the eye, smiled and said, “He was, but he came back to life. He is alive right now.” He said, “But I can’t see him. Where is he?” I said, “God is like the wind. You can’t see him, but you can see what he moves…what he affects.” His eyes brightened up. He smiled…it was if he was relieved…”Oh” He said. He got it…he received it…God is alive and God is with him. It was as though for the first time, this boy who someone invited learned that God really was alive, well, and with him.
That is why we do this every year…that is why we go all out…because a child is worth it. It would be worth it for one and it is worth it for 198. Kids don’t have to grow up not knowing and living in God’s love, hope and peace. God is giving us a great opportunity and responsibility this week.
However, 198 on the first night means we will have more the next night and that means in order to be effective we need one more adult or teen helper in every class. You do not have to teach or come up with any thing. All you would have to do is be there and help the class teacher and other helpers get the class to each of their activities...and…most important…smile, get to know the child’s name and show them by your presence that there is another adult who says they are worth their time…to be honest some of the kids need that like you would not believe…just being there has the potential of being life-changing to some of the boys and girls God has sent us.
On my way home, I prayed, “God, how can we handle this many kids. “ He said, “That’s what you prayed for.” I said, “I know but now what?” Then I was reminded of Bible example after example where the point comes through loud and clear that God has already given us everything we need. God would not have sent us 198 kids if he did not want us to share the love of Jesus with them. And he would not have sent them if he did not know we could effectively do that.
So, what do you say? We need at least 10 people for the next 4 nights. Just 10 people out of our 450 person church. Will you help? If so, please do not email me. Email Robin directly. Thank you so much for those who will. Thank you so much for those who can’t but will pray hard for this week’s VBS. You are an amazing church! Robin’s email is: rwientge@cinci.rr.com
So, that is my God sighting story for day one of our journey. I would love to hear your stories these next 5 weeks. Feel free to email me with any small or big God sighting!
This past Sunday the book of Ruth challenged us to watch for God. So, today, with my wrist band as a reminder, I kept my eyes open. Guess what?! I saw God.
My God sighting occurred around 6:30 PM tonight. A week ago our prayer chain started praying for 200 kids at VBS. This was a big request considering last year the most we had by the third night was 156 kids. Guess how many kids we had last night…this year’s first night? We had 198 kids! I not only saw God in that number, but in the eyes, smiles, dancing, running of the children. I saw him through the loving action of those in our church family who served.
I specifically saw God working in a little boy in the Bible story time. He, in complete sincerity said, “I heard God is dead.” I looked him in the eye, smiled and said, “He was, but he came back to life. He is alive right now.” He said, “But I can’t see him. Where is he?” I said, “God is like the wind. You can’t see him, but you can see what he moves…what he affects.” His eyes brightened up. He smiled…it was if he was relieved…”Oh” He said. He got it…he received it…God is alive and God is with him. It was as though for the first time, this boy who someone invited learned that God really was alive, well, and with him.
That is why we do this every year…that is why we go all out…because a child is worth it. It would be worth it for one and it is worth it for 198. Kids don’t have to grow up not knowing and living in God’s love, hope and peace. God is giving us a great opportunity and responsibility this week.
However, 198 on the first night means we will have more the next night and that means in order to be effective we need one more adult or teen helper in every class. You do not have to teach or come up with any thing. All you would have to do is be there and help the class teacher and other helpers get the class to each of their activities...and…most important…smile, get to know the child’s name and show them by your presence that there is another adult who says they are worth their time…to be honest some of the kids need that like you would not believe…just being there has the potential of being life-changing to some of the boys and girls God has sent us.
On my way home, I prayed, “God, how can we handle this many kids. “ He said, “That’s what you prayed for.” I said, “I know but now what?” Then I was reminded of Bible example after example where the point comes through loud and clear that God has already given us everything we need. God would not have sent us 198 kids if he did not want us to share the love of Jesus with them. And he would not have sent them if he did not know we could effectively do that.
So, what do you say? We need at least 10 people for the next 4 nights. Just 10 people out of our 450 person church. Will you help? If so, please do not email me. Email Robin directly. Thank you so much for those who will. Thank you so much for those who can’t but will pray hard for this week’s VBS. You are an amazing church! Robin’s email is: rwientge@cinci.rr.com
So, that is my God sighting story for day one of our journey. I would love to hear your stories these next 5 weeks. Feel free to email me with any small or big God sighting!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
"Thinking About What We Don't Have to Think About"
The story comes from Cano, Peru, not many years ago: "Terrorists had killed their pastor the night before. His body was on the floor with some candles around it. Terrorists had also burned the church and seventeen houses--all belonging to Christians. The people had no more church, no more pastor, no more houses. Yet, they continued to gather together fearlessly, about thirty of them. They stood in the muddy street to have their song service." ("Jesus Freaks", 1999, Albury
publishing)
This Sunday, we will worship at the pool with out a second thought. Every Sunday, we gather for worship at Living Hope with no fear of being punished for our faith. However, every day brothers and sisters in Christ around the world will not only suffer but die simply because they follow Jesus. Their stories do not receive mainstream media coverage. Their deaths do not invoke world-wide outrage. No army is sent to ensure their religious freedom or their right to live. And yet...they worship, they believe, they love, and they live for Jesus even if it means they will die for Jesus.
Isn't it interesting that those who risk everything to worship in secret find it easier to be free in Christ than so many of us who live in a free nation? How could a people be asked to give their all--their lives--for their faith and find it easier to give it up for Christ and we who have it all find it so hard to give up anything for Christ?
Many people have died for us to have our religious freedom. Perhaps the best way we can celebrate the freedom they won and others now preserve this Independence Day is for we Followers of Jesus to ask, "I live in a free nation, so what is it going to take for me to have half the courage and commitment of those don't live in a free nation?"
publishing)
This Sunday, we will worship at the pool with out a second thought. Every Sunday, we gather for worship at Living Hope with no fear of being punished for our faith. However, every day brothers and sisters in Christ around the world will not only suffer but die simply because they follow Jesus. Their stories do not receive mainstream media coverage. Their deaths do not invoke world-wide outrage. No army is sent to ensure their religious freedom or their right to live. And yet...they worship, they believe, they love, and they live for Jesus even if it means they will die for Jesus.
Isn't it interesting that those who risk everything to worship in secret find it easier to be free in Christ than so many of us who live in a free nation? How could a people be asked to give their all--their lives--for their faith and find it easier to give it up for Christ and we who have it all find it so hard to give up anything for Christ?
Many people have died for us to have our religious freedom. Perhaps the best way we can celebrate the freedom they won and others now preserve this Independence Day is for we Followers of Jesus to ask, "I live in a free nation, so what is it going to take for me to have half the courage and commitment of those don't live in a free nation?"
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
"Sometimes God is Crazy"
For my personal Bible reading time, I have been reading Hosea. Hosea was a prophet during a time when God's people had lost focus of everything that mattered in life and death. They were increasingly becoming self-absorbed, treating others as objects and pushing relationship with God farther and farther to the unimportant margins of their lives. The situation was desperate and God was willing to take extreme measures. He told a preacher named Hosea to marry a well-know prostitute named Gomer.
Think about that a man of the cloth marrying a prostitute..not a used-to-be- prostitute, but a presently-is-prostitute! Do you think Hosea felt comfortable with that? Do you that he did not have some friends and family say, "Are you out of your mind?"
It was no small request, but Hosea did it. He married the prostitute and had children with her. Why? Because God had a point to make and he knew it would take something drastic to get his people's attention. So, he had Hosea the preacher marry Gomer prostitute to help his people see that they had been unfaithful. They had been acting like a whore, sleeping with false gods and marrying the culture's way of self-indulgence. Through Hosea and Gomer the people would receive a message that they could not miss.
I read that story and I thought, "What if God had asked me to do that? When we started Living Hope, I was single? Would I have been willing to marry a prostitute to help others know God's love?" That would be crazy!
You know what? Sometimes God is crazy! So crazy is he for his creation to live in a life-changing, loving, healing, freeing relationship with him now and forever that he is not above having preachers marry prostitutes and asking his own son to die for the sins of others. God is crazy in love with you and he will do what ever it takes to get you and me to recognize that.
Once I recognize and receive God's love for me, he then expects...commands me to do whatever it takes to help others I know come to know Him. He has not asked me or you to marry a prostitute, but he does ask us to do some crazy things at times. Crazy things like giving God credit even though it would be easier to say, "I was lucky." Telling a hurting co-worker that you will pray for him or her instead of just telling him or her that you are sorry for their struggle. Going out of your way to help someone in need before they even ask. God is crazy and he will ask us to be crazy too, when it comes to doing whatever it takes to help people know him.
For instance, what if God said cancel Sunday morning services and have church at the pool! That would be crazy! I know...so let's do it and see what God can do when his people are willing to try something crazy!
Pray with me for our church at the pool on Sunday, July 5, 7:30 PM at the Miamisburg pool. I have 7 people I am inviting. I do not know if they will come or not, but I will only find out if I invite them. And what if...as crazy as this seems...what if they do come and what if...as crazy as this sounds...A pool is where he or she finds just how crazy in love God is with them...then I would say, "Crazy is worth it!"
Think about that a man of the cloth marrying a prostitute..not a used-to-be- prostitute, but a presently-is-prostitute! Do you think Hosea felt comfortable with that? Do you that he did not have some friends and family say, "Are you out of your mind?"
It was no small request, but Hosea did it. He married the prostitute and had children with her. Why? Because God had a point to make and he knew it would take something drastic to get his people's attention. So, he had Hosea the preacher marry Gomer prostitute to help his people see that they had been unfaithful. They had been acting like a whore, sleeping with false gods and marrying the culture's way of self-indulgence. Through Hosea and Gomer the people would receive a message that they could not miss.
I read that story and I thought, "What if God had asked me to do that? When we started Living Hope, I was single? Would I have been willing to marry a prostitute to help others know God's love?" That would be crazy!
You know what? Sometimes God is crazy! So crazy is he for his creation to live in a life-changing, loving, healing, freeing relationship with him now and forever that he is not above having preachers marry prostitutes and asking his own son to die for the sins of others. God is crazy in love with you and he will do what ever it takes to get you and me to recognize that.
Once I recognize and receive God's love for me, he then expects...commands me to do whatever it takes to help others I know come to know Him. He has not asked me or you to marry a prostitute, but he does ask us to do some crazy things at times. Crazy things like giving God credit even though it would be easier to say, "I was lucky." Telling a hurting co-worker that you will pray for him or her instead of just telling him or her that you are sorry for their struggle. Going out of your way to help someone in need before they even ask. God is crazy and he will ask us to be crazy too, when it comes to doing whatever it takes to help people know him.
For instance, what if God said cancel Sunday morning services and have church at the pool! That would be crazy! I know...so let's do it and see what God can do when his people are willing to try something crazy!
Pray with me for our church at the pool on Sunday, July 5, 7:30 PM at the Miamisburg pool. I have 7 people I am inviting. I do not know if they will come or not, but I will only find out if I invite them. And what if...as crazy as this seems...what if they do come and what if...as crazy as this sounds...A pool is where he or she finds just how crazy in love God is with them...then I would say, "Crazy is worth it!"
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
"Fix"
My drive to work each day is always a good time for me to listen. Today the cool, refreshing breeze pouring in my open windows seemed to help me to be better prepared to listen than usual. If it is OK, I think I will share with you what I heard on this morning's drive...
The thought popped in my mind that I have what some would call a "Melancholy personality." Among other positive and negative traits about such a personality, is that I tend to be more naturally prone to discouragement. Once that thought about myself came to mind, I prayed, "God, why do I have to be so prone to discouragement? Why does it have to be such a fight on some days?" Then I was just quiet and drove on...no reply seemed to come and finding myself uncomfortable with the silence, I flipped on the radio. I did not pay any attention to the music, but continued to think about this personality defect. Suddenly, one phrase of one verse of the Bible came to mind...loud and clear it came..."Fix your eyes on Jesus."
I recalled the context of those words. They come from Hebrews 12. The book of Hebrews was written to a church on the verge of being overcome by discouragement. They were tired of the persecution and the never ending threat of being jailed, humiliated, beaten, having property confiscated and even being killed for their faith. They were to the point where they were seriously starting to wonder whether or not perseverance was possible, let alone worth it.
To this discouraged church the writer of Hebrews replies with a call to courageous faith. In Hebrews 12 (after having reminded them of the heroes of their faith in chapter 11) he calls them to "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy Set before him endured the cross and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Why am I so prone to discouragement? May be it has less to do with my personality as it does with where I fix my eyes. There are a lot of things we can fix our eyes on that will give us reason to lose heart.
Fix your eyes on one's circumstances and often you will find reason to be discouraged. Fix your eyes on other people and they will let you down. Fix your eyes on yourself and...well...no good comes of that. Fix your eyes on your problems and you'll certainly be depressed. Fix your eyes on your past and you may very well become oppressed. Fix your eyes on anything else and eventually discouragement will step up and introduce itself.
But Hebrews 12 steps up and says, "Let us"...that's an invitation and an invitation requires a choice...will I or will I not? It's up to me and its up to you...will we "let"? Let what? "Fix our eyes"...to fix is to set, to stare, to allow all our focus to be...will I let my eyes be fixed on what? Jesus...no vague, ambiguous, Sunday school picture of Jesus, but will I fix my eyes on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of my faith? In what way is Jesus the author and perfecter? The next line fills in the details..."Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men..." Let us fix our yes on Jesus on the cross...he's bleeding, he's hurting, he's struggling for every breath, he's dying, he's dead, he in the tomb, he's fighting all of hell, he's moving, he's doing the impossible, he's breathing, he's living, he's rising, he's reigning...consider him!
"Fix your eyes on Jesus" is my breath prayer today. By God's grace, all day long, I will periodically breathe this prayer and do what it says. As I do, what should I expect? The promise of this verse is what I expect..."so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Any body feel weary? Any body losing heart? "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus..."
The thought popped in my mind that I have what some would call a "Melancholy personality." Among other positive and negative traits about such a personality, is that I tend to be more naturally prone to discouragement. Once that thought about myself came to mind, I prayed, "God, why do I have to be so prone to discouragement? Why does it have to be such a fight on some days?" Then I was just quiet and drove on...no reply seemed to come and finding myself uncomfortable with the silence, I flipped on the radio. I did not pay any attention to the music, but continued to think about this personality defect. Suddenly, one phrase of one verse of the Bible came to mind...loud and clear it came..."Fix your eyes on Jesus."
I recalled the context of those words. They come from Hebrews 12. The book of Hebrews was written to a church on the verge of being overcome by discouragement. They were tired of the persecution and the never ending threat of being jailed, humiliated, beaten, having property confiscated and even being killed for their faith. They were to the point where they were seriously starting to wonder whether or not perseverance was possible, let alone worth it.
To this discouraged church the writer of Hebrews replies with a call to courageous faith. In Hebrews 12 (after having reminded them of the heroes of their faith in chapter 11) he calls them to "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy Set before him endured the cross and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Why am I so prone to discouragement? May be it has less to do with my personality as it does with where I fix my eyes. There are a lot of things we can fix our eyes on that will give us reason to lose heart.
Fix your eyes on one's circumstances and often you will find reason to be discouraged. Fix your eyes on other people and they will let you down. Fix your eyes on yourself and...well...no good comes of that. Fix your eyes on your problems and you'll certainly be depressed. Fix your eyes on your past and you may very well become oppressed. Fix your eyes on anything else and eventually discouragement will step up and introduce itself.
But Hebrews 12 steps up and says, "Let us"...that's an invitation and an invitation requires a choice...will I or will I not? It's up to me and its up to you...will we "let"? Let what? "Fix our eyes"...to fix is to set, to stare, to allow all our focus to be...will I let my eyes be fixed on what? Jesus...no vague, ambiguous, Sunday school picture of Jesus, but will I fix my eyes on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of my faith? In what way is Jesus the author and perfecter? The next line fills in the details..."Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men..." Let us fix our yes on Jesus on the cross...he's bleeding, he's hurting, he's struggling for every breath, he's dying, he's dead, he in the tomb, he's fighting all of hell, he's moving, he's doing the impossible, he's breathing, he's living, he's rising, he's reigning...consider him!
"Fix your eyes on Jesus" is my breath prayer today. By God's grace, all day long, I will periodically breathe this prayer and do what it says. As I do, what should I expect? The promise of this verse is what I expect..."so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Any body feel weary? Any body losing heart? "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus..."
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
"What would they do for 3?"
Jesus said, "Count on it--there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over 99 good people in no need of rescue" Luke 15:7.
This past Sunday three people made decisions for Christ...this past church year (our church year runs from June-May each year) 86 people entered into a personal relationship with Christ. If all of heaven stops to rejoice over one, think how much wilder the party gets for more!
Everything we do and are inside the church building and outside its walls is about seeing people be found by Jesus and then celebrating like crazy when it happens! Every once in a while I need to be reminded of that. And this past Sunday did just that. Thank you to all of you who dedicated your children and were baptized. God used you and I am still celebrating with you!
This past Sunday three people made decisions for Christ...this past church year (our church year runs from June-May each year) 86 people entered into a personal relationship with Christ. If all of heaven stops to rejoice over one, think how much wilder the party gets for more!
Everything we do and are inside the church building and outside its walls is about seeing people be found by Jesus and then celebrating like crazy when it happens! Every once in a while I need to be reminded of that. And this past Sunday did just that. Thank you to all of you who dedicated your children and were baptized. God used you and I am still celebrating with you!
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