My high school history teacher use to start most every day by saying, "Life is hard and then you die." (Yeah, he was a really upbeat and positive guy...but his message stuck.) I do not know anyone who is living in reality that would not agree that life is hard. The news media acknowledges this reality every day and we all shake our heads and agree, "Yes, life is hard."
However, there is something about life being hard that it seems the majority are not willing to accept as reality. Call it ignorance or out right denial, but I am willing to argue that the majority of the world has not accepted that while it is true that life is hard, our choices make my life harder or less hard.
For instance, the economy is hard right now on most all of us. But that reality does not remove the choice we have to be wise or foolish with our money. Making a choice to not live within your means is a bad choice that will make life all the harder and no one should be expected to rescue you from living that way. Learn to live according to what you earn, even if you wish it were more, and you will make a good choice that helps ease the burden of a bad economy and does not try to put the burden of your poor choice on someone else.
The same is true in our relationships. Relationships are hard work. But a poor choice of talking at each other and not hearing one another, only makes it more difficult. The choice to quit trying to win an argument and to start trying to bring resolution to a relationship is a choice that simply makes life easier.
The same is true for our health. We are all guaranteed that disease or injury will get us all. However, that does not mean we have to be stupid about it. The choice to take care of this body, which the Bible calls God's temple, only makes life easier. (Now, that is one hits me square between the eyes).
It is also true of what we think and speak. Life is hard enough, with out us making the choice to consume our minds in negative thinking and our mouths in speaking death. The Bible says we live what we think and what we speak gives power to God or Satan in our lives. So, make the choice to think on whatever is good as Philippians admonishes and speak life and guess what...you are making a choice to not make a hard life even harder.
These words I have written may sting, but the reality is God gave us a choice as an act of love. He could have removed our choice, set everything in stone and said, "Now live what I give and you have no choice about it." But our Father loved us so much that he limited himself by giving us free choice. Then he showed us all the more love by showing us the way to make choices that lead to life and blessing rather than curses and death. Choosing God's way does not mean life will cease to be hard, but it does mean that it will free us to have a good, whole, free, even joyful life in the midst of the hard. But, again, even that requires a choice. And it is no simple one. It requires nothing less than all.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Acknowledge the Lord in ALL your ways and he will make your paths straight." Do you believe that? If you do, then you will make the choice to acknowledge him; that is put him first in ALL--your relationships, finances, health, past, present, future, etc. Then, even when life gets hard, at least your path will be straight for matter what you will know that be it easy or hard, your path is leading you straight to the arms of God and his best.
One way to acknowledge God in all is to make the choice to do the small things you can to bring the presence of Christ to others every day. What is one small thing you can do in that way today? Life is hard, but it does not mean we can't make it a little easier on someone else in the name of Christ.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
"Bo-ba"
"Bo-bah"--pronounced: bow-bah is one of our 2 year old's favorite words. Bo-ba is Seth's word. He made it up some time ago. While we do not know how he came up with this word, we know exactly what the word expresses for him. Bo-ba is his joy-word. It is the word he uses when no words he knows can express the excitement he is feeling. For instance, when Ma maw knocks on the door he lets out a, "Hey there ma maw...bo-bah" or when we announce that we are getting ice cream he may let out a loud bo-ba. He often takes off running or leaping in enthusiasm as he shouts, "Bo-ba; bo-ba."
For many people, the upcoming holidays are bo-ba thieves. The stores start playing Christmas music and you start going to a dark place. You associate Thanksgiving and Christmas with stress, family arguments, unmet expectations, the loss of a loved one and a whole slew of negative emotions. O, yes, the holidays can be a major trigger for all kinds of negative emotions, can't they be?
That is one of the reasons we have begun looking at a Christmas passage in the Bible from Isaiah 9 so soon in the season. It is my prayer that rather than be blindsided by the holidays, you will experience the presence of Christ this Christmas by bringing his presence to others.
Last week, we accepted the challenge to seize any small or big opportunity God will give us to bring his light of love into someone Else's' darkness. In fact, I have an opportunity for you right now. Lori Fearn a member of Living Hope was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer. Lori is young and her children are in high school and college. The only option for Lori is a liver transplant. What if we flooded Lori's email box with emails of care and prayer? Even if you don't know her, you can express your concern as a brother or sister in Christ. Would you send a email to lorifearn@yahoo.com ?
Make this Thanksgiving and Christmas less about putting presents under a tree and more about small and big acts of bringing God's presence to this Christmas and I won't be surprised at all, if some Sunday this season you spontaneously shout out a loud and strong, "BO-BA, BO-BAH." At least that is what I am praying and believing for you!
For many people, the upcoming holidays are bo-ba thieves. The stores start playing Christmas music and you start going to a dark place. You associate Thanksgiving and Christmas with stress, family arguments, unmet expectations, the loss of a loved one and a whole slew of negative emotions. O, yes, the holidays can be a major trigger for all kinds of negative emotions, can't they be?
That is one of the reasons we have begun looking at a Christmas passage in the Bible from Isaiah 9 so soon in the season. It is my prayer that rather than be blindsided by the holidays, you will experience the presence of Christ this Christmas by bringing his presence to others.
Last week, we accepted the challenge to seize any small or big opportunity God will give us to bring his light of love into someone Else's' darkness. In fact, I have an opportunity for you right now. Lori Fearn a member of Living Hope was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer. Lori is young and her children are in high school and college. The only option for Lori is a liver transplant. What if we flooded Lori's email box with emails of care and prayer? Even if you don't know her, you can express your concern as a brother or sister in Christ. Would you send a email to lorifearn@yahoo.com ?
Make this Thanksgiving and Christmas less about putting presents under a tree and more about small and big acts of bringing God's presence to this Christmas and I won't be surprised at all, if some Sunday this season you spontaneously shout out a loud and strong, "BO-BA, BO-BAH." At least that is what I am praying and believing for you!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"Cheering or Booing?"
Here we sit the day after elections...Certainly some in our church family are cheering and some are booing. (By the way, that is one of the things I love about Living Hope--we make a big deal of Jesus not politics!) And someone will want to ask if I am cheering or booing over the election results? Over the years people have wanted to pin me down...get me to openly show my allegiance to one party or the other...Some assume the reason I don't is because of fear of loosing tax exempt status for the church. The truth of the matter is, I do not reveal my political passion because I have very little.
You see, 29 years ago, my American Citizenship took a far back seat to my citizenship in the Kingdom of God. The longer I follow my King, Jesus Christ, the less I cheer or boo over election results. Its not that I don't care. I do care..I vote at every election...I have my my personal opinions, but I do not believe the hope of America or any nation, for that matter, rests in any political party or candidate. My hope, our hope, the world's hope is in Jesus Christ alone. And, as much as it will disappoint both sides of the aisle, Jesus refuses to give his support to any political party.
Jesus made it very clear in his life, teachings, death and resurrection that he did not come to be made king by any political party, but to be made KING of every person, every where. In John 6 Jesus fed the multitudes and the people loved it. They thought for sure, having that kind of power, Jesus would be the new king of Israel. But John 6:15 says, "Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again into the hills by himself." The people wanted a political Messiah, but Jesus would have nothing to do with it then. Why would we think Jesus would have anything to do with it now? I guess, the reason we want to get Jesus to choose political sides is because it would be easier to have him be king of a nation than to allow him to be KING of our lives. John 6 (I encourage you to read the whole chapter) goes on to reveal a conversation in which Jesus tells the people who wanted him to be king that he had come not to give them what they wanted politically that would merely satisfy for the moment, but to give them BREAD to eat that would make them never hunger again. The response of the people was that many of them stopped following Jesus that day. They wanted a king, not a KING.
I am not saying to not care about or to not be involved in the political process. But what I am saying is that we let Jesus put things in perspective for us whatever our political preference. Jesus came to be the Savior of the world and at the end of the day he will do that regardless of who is or is not in office. And if Jesus was interested in saving the world and not winning an election, it makes me wonder if that ought to tell we the Church, about where our priority ought to be?
You see, 29 years ago, my American Citizenship took a far back seat to my citizenship in the Kingdom of God. The longer I follow my King, Jesus Christ, the less I cheer or boo over election results. Its not that I don't care. I do care..I vote at every election...I have my my personal opinions, but I do not believe the hope of America or any nation, for that matter, rests in any political party or candidate. My hope, our hope, the world's hope is in Jesus Christ alone. And, as much as it will disappoint both sides of the aisle, Jesus refuses to give his support to any political party.
Jesus made it very clear in his life, teachings, death and resurrection that he did not come to be made king by any political party, but to be made KING of every person, every where. In John 6 Jesus fed the multitudes and the people loved it. They thought for sure, having that kind of power, Jesus would be the new king of Israel. But John 6:15 says, "Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again into the hills by himself." The people wanted a political Messiah, but Jesus would have nothing to do with it then. Why would we think Jesus would have anything to do with it now? I guess, the reason we want to get Jesus to choose political sides is because it would be easier to have him be king of a nation than to allow him to be KING of our lives. John 6 (I encourage you to read the whole chapter) goes on to reveal a conversation in which Jesus tells the people who wanted him to be king that he had come not to give them what they wanted politically that would merely satisfy for the moment, but to give them BREAD to eat that would make them never hunger again. The response of the people was that many of them stopped following Jesus that day. They wanted a king, not a KING.
I am not saying to not care about or to not be involved in the political process. But what I am saying is that we let Jesus put things in perspective for us whatever our political preference. Jesus came to be the Savior of the world and at the end of the day he will do that regardless of who is or is not in office. And if Jesus was interested in saving the world and not winning an election, it makes me wonder if that ought to tell we the Church, about where our priority ought to be?
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
"To Be or Not to Be?"
We live in an amazing time of of technology!
Technology allows us to be with one another without needing to be near one another. There is great advantage in this. For instance, our children are able to "Skype" with their grandparents who live 3 1/2 hours away. I have friends, who are missionaries, who are able to easily stay in touch with family and friends through email. I pray with a soldier in Afghanistan through Face book. We live in amazing day of technology that allows us to be with one another without being near one another.
However (You could tell a "however" was coming, couldn't you?)...However, while this technology enables us to be with folks we cannot be physically near, our technology can also become a tool of enabling that excuses absence of physical presence from those with whom we are geographically near enough to be present.
It is possible to use technology as an excuse to not be physically present. For example, when I was growing up, my dad's job had him travel a lot. However, he paid close attention to my and my brother's schedule. I never remember him not being physically present at those games and events that meant the world to us. Today, we have the technology to excuse our physical presence even if we could physically be there. Rather than paying attention to the important events of one another's lives, we can simply have someone give us a live video feed from their phone and we can watch the little league game or the kids choir concert from our desk while we work. Rather than visit a friend who is struggling, technology can give us an excuse to send a quick email. Rather than listen to the joy in the voice of a loved one celebrating, we can click a "like" button on Face book and quickly be on with our day.
Don't miss hear me..I am not saying to not use technology...I am using it right now...what I am saying is, like anything else technology can enable us to connect or it can enable us to excuse ourselves from taking the time to truly BE with others. Yes, "to be or not be?" That is the question in this day of technology.
Will I BE at my child's game or will I watch it on-line later? Will I talk to my spouse or shoot off an email? Will I pick up the phone and ask a hurting friend how she is doing or tag her in FB about Farmville? Will I enter into being real, transformed, connected and poured out in a community of faith or watch TBN on TV or Living Hope sermons on-line? Will I take my eyes off the screens of technology and look in the eyes of another to see the image of God in the "least of these"?
You know, that is why we make such a big deal about this Sunday. Because we cannot find a substitute or make up for not BEING here to celebrate the crucial spiritual steps that are taken in baptism and child dedication. We are not just a church service on Sunday, we are the Body of Christ. I know some come here each week simply to warm a seat, sing a song and hear a sermon, but I also know that the many more of you are here because you truly are participating in helping us BE a church that is real, transformed, connected and poured out! I want to thank you! I also want to encourage you. You may not feel like you are doing much watching people being baptized, but Romans 12 says this is what the Body is about, "Rejoicing with one another when one rejoices!" This Sunday, you re going to be doing that. Please pray for those being baptized...Satan tends to really attack people before they take this step. Please cheer...if thousands can cheer over an over-paid jock scoring a touch down, how much more should the people of God rejoice over God's saving grace?! Don't hold back! Be obnoxious in your praise! It is going to be a great day! What God will do in you and through you this Sunday is nothing that can be captured with even the best of our technology.
BE present with God and others, because one day we will happily or despairingly realize that all that really mattered in this life is all that will matter in eternal life and that is BEING with God and Being with others. Isn't that what Jesus said the greatest commandment was, "Love God and love others"? And how can we love without Being with God and with others. "To be or not to be?" Don't make it a question....just BE...Be the Church...Be a friend...Be a parent...Be husband/wife...Be with...Be for...Be in...Be at...BE!
Technology allows us to be with one another without needing to be near one another. There is great advantage in this. For instance, our children are able to "Skype" with their grandparents who live 3 1/2 hours away. I have friends, who are missionaries, who are able to easily stay in touch with family and friends through email. I pray with a soldier in Afghanistan through Face book. We live in amazing day of technology that allows us to be with one another without being near one another.
However (You could tell a "however" was coming, couldn't you?)...However, while this technology enables us to be with folks we cannot be physically near, our technology can also become a tool of enabling that excuses absence of physical presence from those with whom we are geographically near enough to be present.
It is possible to use technology as an excuse to not be physically present. For example, when I was growing up, my dad's job had him travel a lot. However, he paid close attention to my and my brother's schedule. I never remember him not being physically present at those games and events that meant the world to us. Today, we have the technology to excuse our physical presence even if we could physically be there. Rather than paying attention to the important events of one another's lives, we can simply have someone give us a live video feed from their phone and we can watch the little league game or the kids choir concert from our desk while we work. Rather than visit a friend who is struggling, technology can give us an excuse to send a quick email. Rather than listen to the joy in the voice of a loved one celebrating, we can click a "like" button on Face book and quickly be on with our day.
Don't miss hear me..I am not saying to not use technology...I am using it right now...what I am saying is, like anything else technology can enable us to connect or it can enable us to excuse ourselves from taking the time to truly BE with others. Yes, "to be or not be?" That is the question in this day of technology.
Will I BE at my child's game or will I watch it on-line later? Will I talk to my spouse or shoot off an email? Will I pick up the phone and ask a hurting friend how she is doing or tag her in FB about Farmville? Will I enter into being real, transformed, connected and poured out in a community of faith or watch TBN on TV or Living Hope sermons on-line? Will I take my eyes off the screens of technology and look in the eyes of another to see the image of God in the "least of these"?
You know, that is why we make such a big deal about this Sunday. Because we cannot find a substitute or make up for not BEING here to celebrate the crucial spiritual steps that are taken in baptism and child dedication. We are not just a church service on Sunday, we are the Body of Christ. I know some come here each week simply to warm a seat, sing a song and hear a sermon, but I also know that the many more of you are here because you truly are participating in helping us BE a church that is real, transformed, connected and poured out! I want to thank you! I also want to encourage you. You may not feel like you are doing much watching people being baptized, but Romans 12 says this is what the Body is about, "Rejoicing with one another when one rejoices!" This Sunday, you re going to be doing that. Please pray for those being baptized...Satan tends to really attack people before they take this step. Please cheer...if thousands can cheer over an over-paid jock scoring a touch down, how much more should the people of God rejoice over God's saving grace?! Don't hold back! Be obnoxious in your praise! It is going to be a great day! What God will do in you and through you this Sunday is nothing that can be captured with even the best of our technology.
BE present with God and others, because one day we will happily or despairingly realize that all that really mattered in this life is all that will matter in eternal life and that is BEING with God and Being with others. Isn't that what Jesus said the greatest commandment was, "Love God and love others"? And how can we love without Being with God and with others. "To be or not to be?" Don't make it a question....just BE...Be the Church...Be a friend...Be a parent...Be husband/wife...Be with...Be for...Be in...Be at...BE!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
"Won't You be My Neighbor?"
Stephen and Debbie Gilliland hosted a block party in their neighborhood for "Don't go to church, Be the Church" weekend. Over 50 of their neighbors, children to Seniors, came to their house to eat and meet. A few of their neighbors that came, up to that day, they had only seen in passing. That night they did not just learn their neighbor's names, they laid a foundation of friendship that they are continuing to build upon.
The Gillilands shared how this has opened the door for them to share about their faith in Christ and their church family. The reason they are sharing is because their neighbor's are asking. Then, last Saturday evening their was a knock on the door. Three little girls, sisters, were standing in the cold when Stephen opened the door. The girls said, "Grandpa Steve, can we have a cup of milk?" The mother was too embarrassed to make the request, but the girls were not. Stephen had just bought a fresh gallon that day. He gave it all to the girls. All of this because they opened their home and said come on in.
How can we love our neighbor as Jesus commands, if we do not even know our neighbors? I will be the first to admit, I am quite comfortable not knowing my neighbors, but from the day we moved in three years ago, God challenged us that loving our neighbors requires us to get to know them. So, Kimberly and I have seized every opportunity possible to get to know our neighbors. What we have discovered is we truly do love our neighbors. We have great neighbors. Of course, you wonder if they think the same of you. Then this month we received an invitation from two different neighbors to come to their homes.
My point is, this: God does not have you in your neighborhood, country home, apartment complex or condo so you can keep to yourself and escape the world. He has you there to be the Church where you live. You are there to make Christ's love tangible. The question is are you?
If not, it does not take a lot. A simple wandering across the street and knocking on the door is a great start. Making sure your light is on to hand out candy on Halloween is an even easier opportunity--your neighbor's will actually come to you. Just do something to love your neighbor and then don't be surprised when you are the one God uses to fill a child's cup with milk and a families hearts with hope.
The Gillilands shared how this has opened the door for them to share about their faith in Christ and their church family. The reason they are sharing is because their neighbor's are asking. Then, last Saturday evening their was a knock on the door. Three little girls, sisters, were standing in the cold when Stephen opened the door. The girls said, "Grandpa Steve, can we have a cup of milk?" The mother was too embarrassed to make the request, but the girls were not. Stephen had just bought a fresh gallon that day. He gave it all to the girls. All of this because they opened their home and said come on in.
How can we love our neighbor as Jesus commands, if we do not even know our neighbors? I will be the first to admit, I am quite comfortable not knowing my neighbors, but from the day we moved in three years ago, God challenged us that loving our neighbors requires us to get to know them. So, Kimberly and I have seized every opportunity possible to get to know our neighbors. What we have discovered is we truly do love our neighbors. We have great neighbors. Of course, you wonder if they think the same of you. Then this month we received an invitation from two different neighbors to come to their homes.
My point is, this: God does not have you in your neighborhood, country home, apartment complex or condo so you can keep to yourself and escape the world. He has you there to be the Church where you live. You are there to make Christ's love tangible. The question is are you?
If not, it does not take a lot. A simple wandering across the street and knocking on the door is a great start. Making sure your light is on to hand out candy on Halloween is an even easier opportunity--your neighbor's will actually come to you. Just do something to love your neighbor and then don't be surprised when you are the one God uses to fill a child's cup with milk and a families hearts with hope.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
"Everything I touch I mess up"
It seems that everything I do this week, I mess up. I have sent people the wrong letters. I confused a meeting with the wrong date. I thought I was helping a situation and found out I was just messing things up. Everything I touch I seem to mess up this week. I am not looking for pity. I can wallow it that all by myself. This week in a very real way, I have been reminded of how weak I am. This week, in a fresh and real way I have been reminded of how prone I am to error.
So, what shall be my response? In days past I would relentlessly beat myself up. In some sick way, I really believed that if I punished myself long enough, then some how that would make up for my mistakes. But that is the old and Jesus has and is continually making me new "by the renewing of my mind." Even today he has reminded me that "in my weakness, his power is made perfect." Even now he reminds me that, "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Even now I am reminded that "apart from Christ I can do nothing" but "I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength." Jesus even looks me in the eye through his Word and says, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
The old Chad would have wallowed in pity and then beaten himself up for days, making me of no use to God or anyone, but I just want to give credit to Jesus' healing truth. I stand on who Christ is and what he has done and not on who I am or what I can do. Hallelujah!
Thank you for listening and if you are struggling today, I pray that even now you will be lifted up!
So, what shall be my response? In days past I would relentlessly beat myself up. In some sick way, I really believed that if I punished myself long enough, then some how that would make up for my mistakes. But that is the old and Jesus has and is continually making me new "by the renewing of my mind." Even today he has reminded me that "in my weakness, his power is made perfect." Even now he reminds me that, "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Even now I am reminded that "apart from Christ I can do nothing" but "I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength." Jesus even looks me in the eye through his Word and says, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
The old Chad would have wallowed in pity and then beaten himself up for days, making me of no use to God or anyone, but I just want to give credit to Jesus' healing truth. I stand on who Christ is and what he has done and not on who I am or what I can do. Hallelujah!
Thank you for listening and if you are struggling today, I pray that even now you will be lifted up!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
"A Jogger's Invitation"
This story was shared with me from this past Sunday.
A first time guest joined us for worship. Someone asked her how she found Living Hope. She replied, "A jogger told me about you." She went on to explain,"I was driving around town looking for a church. I saw a jogger. I pulled over and asked him if he knew of a good church for me to visit. The jogger told me to check out the church two doors down at Mcewen. He told me that the church was 'good people and they do a lot to help others.' So, I came in for a visit."
Living Hope Church, thank you for BEING the church! I hope you receive this as encouragement and affirmation that stepping out to be poured out is making a difference. Even a jogger who does not attend Living Hope, but lives in the community, sees something of God in you. Praise God! Praise God!
See you this weekend for our "Don't Go to Church, Be the Church!"
A first time guest joined us for worship. Someone asked her how she found Living Hope. She replied, "A jogger told me about you." She went on to explain,"I was driving around town looking for a church. I saw a jogger. I pulled over and asked him if he knew of a good church for me to visit. The jogger told me to check out the church two doors down at Mcewen. He told me that the church was 'good people and they do a lot to help others.' So, I came in for a visit."
Living Hope Church, thank you for BEING the church! I hope you receive this as encouragement and affirmation that stepping out to be poured out is making a difference. Even a jogger who does not attend Living Hope, but lives in the community, sees something of God in you. Praise God! Praise God!
See you this weekend for our "Don't Go to Church, Be the Church!"
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