The Timing

God consistently teaches me lessons that I must be very careful to listen for. Specifically, I love that I am a pastor. I enjoy people for the most part and I like the variety that this job (if you can even call it that) allows me to partake in regularly. On any given day I can, prepare for a sermon, prepare for a lesson, discuss business on the phone or at meetings, counsel with people, do some good old fashioned manual labor in the building, or be out and about running needed errands. Everything that I do actually matters and I can tell that it matters.
When you love something so much and you have so much invested in it and God has been showing up more regularly, then it is difficult when suddenly your hands are tied. Due to the passing of a friend, I am leaving all this weekend for Denver. I love to go there and it will be fun, but it came at a time when there is so very much going on with the church family. I feel bad about having to leave and then it occurred to me that this is exactly what God wants. The church must and has to function while I am gone, or I have missed the boat. So many people can step up and stretch from their experiences while I am away.
I am becoming more and more excited because I realize that the pressure of worrying about how everything will go is now off me, because it is HIS bride in the first place. How glorious it is that God will still show up whether I am there or not. Instead, I can go and be with my friend, his family, and help out. That is my work for the Kingdom this weekend. Meanwhile, Bethel Community will keep on keeping on because God is alive in our Church.

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Saying Goodbye

This morning Crest Cummings passed away. From every angle I saw, he was an incredible husband, father, worker, and pastor. He was a man that I respected and getting to know his son on a close level, I have even more respect for him because his son is awesome. The only thing left now is to pray for the family and allow God to use the situation to bring a greater glory.
I am truly at a loss for words and have no idea how to communicate my feelings. My mind simply goes back to the story of Lazarus. Martha was comforted by Jesus because she knew that her brother would be resurrected on the other side. Jesus took it one step further and brought back her brother a mere four days after his death. Somehow, someway that story gives me comfort, because I know that Crest is resurrected on the other side. He wasn't healed and able to continue living on this earth as I had prayed, but instead he is glorified in a radiance that I have not yet experienced. May the intimacy with Christ that we should all strive for each day be realized fully for Crest this very day. He and His Father are one and in this I rejoice. What a glorious hope we have, even when the pain of the day seems to be too much. Praise the Lord, for He is good and his full revelation has been shown to Crest this day. Amen.

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Complacency

This last Sunday the message was on complacency. We looked at the glorious relationship that King David had with the Lord and how his complacency led to making some very foolish decisions and ultimately committing adultery and murdering. Pretty bad for somebody that is "a man after God's own heart." It shows us just how pathetic we are without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to transform our lives.
I believe that David's repentence for his sin after he was confronted is one of the most beautiful examples of what is right in this world. When God comes knocking at our door, a wonderful thing will take place if we choose to open it. The thing we must understand is that we need to open the door even if we don't feel like revealing what is inside us.
There is nothing sadder than seeing a believer choose to ignore the knocks of God. I completely understand that areas of guilt and shame will explode and cause issues, but seriously, why keep the door shut when the creator of the universe is giving us the option to make things right again. I am so torn up inside because I see the unwillingness of people to release that which is evil in their lives and it hurts deeply, because I know for a fact where that road leads.
On the other hand, their are those people who bring incredibly joy to me because they choose to open the door and let the light shine on areas of darkness in their lives. It reminds me of the power of Christ to make all things new.
David cried out after his sin was made known: "Create in me a clean heart; renew a right spirit within me." Let that line be our prayer when we don't have the courage to step from the shadows.

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Events of a Believer

Sometimes it is good to get away and enjoy the company of fellow believers and the perspective of different speakers. Do we get away often enough to hear different ideas and see how God is moving in different places? Many times we get in the same rut of hearing the same minister all the time. It is of great importance to have someone to who you have a reference point. At some point though, we should seek to expand our horizons.
So, this week I am at a conference to get different perspectives. I am sure it will be a blessed time. Take the opportunity to look at things in Scripture you may some times avoid because of unfamiliarity. Experience other churches from time to time to get perspective. Most of all, have fun learning. May the Spirit of God guide you in your passion to know HIM more.

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Busy with Purpose

There is the certain type of busy that stresses people out and makes one think that this is not a pace that can be kept up with. People are always telling me how incredibly busy they are, but the question I pose is whether it is the right kind of busy or the wrong kind of busy.
The right kind of busy is the type in which one is busy with things that fulfill God's divine purpose for his or her life. In other words, it is busy-ness that is concerned with God's Kingdom. There is something so incredibly satisfying when one is extremely busy serving the Lord and His creation. There is this exhaustion when the person hits the pillow, but it is exhaustion with deep satisfaction. There is nothing wrong with this sort of being busy. (Just make sure you don't get burned out and do something foolish; learn to take breaks).
When I volunteer at the youth camp each summer, I am up at approximately 6 each morning and don't go to sleep until about Midnight that night. All day is spent running errands, overseeing children and teenagers, teaching, maybe preaching, manual labor, and lots of stimulating and fulfilling conversation. I go to sleep at night exhausted, but I am absolutely in paradise. This same sensation has happened when I have gone on mission trips or served in the community all day. It is fantastic!
Think about it this way... Before the fall of mankind, Adam worked in the garden. He worked! He served! It was work with purpose and it was enjoyable. I argue that the abundant life Christ has given to us very much points to this principle. We are to be about our Father's business, and boy is his business good! So get busy doing His business and go to sleep tired and satisfied.
On a practical note, I would encourage you to log what it is you do during a normal day or normal week. You may find that you aren't as busy with the right things as you thought you were. Observe how much time you sit in front of the television or computer and if you give up some of this, then perhaps you will find more time to relax and be busy with the good things!

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Good Friday

Psalm 22
1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Why are You so far from helping Me,
And from the words of My groaning?
2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear;
And in the night season, and am not silent.

3 But You are holy,
Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
4 Our fathers trusted in You;
They trusted, and You delivered them.
5 They cried to You, and were delivered;
They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.

6 But I am a worm, and no man;
A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
7 All those who see Me ridicule Me;
They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8 “He trusted[b] in the LORD, let Him rescue Him;
Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”

9 But You are He who took Me out of the womb;
You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts.
10 I was cast upon You from birth.
From My mother’s womb
You have been My God.
11 Be not far from Me,
For trouble is near;
For there is none to help.

12 Many bulls have surrounded Me;
Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me.
13 They gape at Me with their mouths,
Like a raging and roaring lion.

14 I am poured out like water,
And all My bones are out of joint;
My heart is like wax;
It has melted within Me.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
And My tongue clings to My jaws;
You have brought Me to the dust of death.

16 For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced[c] My hands and My feet;
17 I can count all My bones.
They look and stare at Me.
18 They divide My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.

19 But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me;
O My Strength, hasten to help Me!
20 Deliver Me from the sword,
My precious life from the power of the dog.
21 Save Me from the lion’s mouth
And from the horns of the wild oxen!

You have answered Me.

22 I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.
23 You who fear the LORD, praise Him!
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
Nor has He hidden His face from Him;
But when He cried to Him, He heard.

25 My praise shall be of You in the great assembly;
I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.
26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
Those who seek Him will praise the LORD.
Let your heart live forever!

27 All the ends of the world
Shall remember and turn to the LORD,
And all the families of the nations
Shall worship before You.[d]
28 For the kingdom is the LORD’s,
And He rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous of the earth
Shall eat and worship;
All those who go down to the dust
Shall bow before Him,
Even he who cannot keep himself alive.

30 A posterity shall serve Him.
It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation,
31 They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born,
That He has done this.

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Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is a holy day that many churches fail to recognize. It focuses on the washing of the disciples feet by Jesus, the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal by Judas. I choose today to focus on the washing of the disciples feet.
The humility that Jesus showed by lowering himself to the place of a servant is absolutely magnificent. Here we have "God in the Flesh" washing the dirty feet of his followers. Oh how we need more servant leaders in our midst today! People anger at their politicians, bosses, and pastors because it appears the leader cares to be served more than to serve. Let us all learn to serve in humility! If the Creator of the Universe can do it, then so can we!

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Holy Week: Monday

It is extremely Biblical to take the opportunity to celebrate in extraordinary ways holidays (Holy-days). The Lord laid out the importance of celebration with the various feasts. During Sukkot, people celebrate the time when the Hebrew people lived in tents for forty years in the wilderness. So, during this time, many people set up their own tents, or booths, in the backyard and remember this time. During Passover, the time when the Angel of Death came through Egypt and spared the firstborn of those who had lamb's blood on the door frame. Today, an entire meal tells the story of Passover. Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement), the people's sins were atoned for through the ritual sacrifices offered at the Tabernacle. Today, people fast and pray and rejoice that God has mercy on them. Sukkot, Passover, and Yom Kippur are three of the major celebrations laid out for the Jews in Scripture. The symbolism found in each of these holy days is obviously Jesus Christ from the Christian perspective.
In many ways, Easter is a culmination of all holidays and special days. Specifically, many churches have services throughout the week depicting many different elements of the entire Holy Week. We celebrate Palm Sunday as Jesus entered Jerusalem. We celebrate Maundy Thursday which depicts the Last Supper. We celebrate Good Friday as Jesus hung upon the cross. Finally, on Sunday we celebrate the glorious resurrection!
Choose to consecrate yourself this week, or set yourself apart during this time. Make this week not about you! Rather choose to do things out of the ordinary that truly set this week apart from other weeks. Spend extra time reading the Scriptures, pray in a way that is not so focused on yourself, spend time listening only to music that gives glory to God, shut the television off, fast some meals (praying during those times), and if you have an ox in the ditch then deal with it, but if not, put off some things until next week. Don't miss this opportunity and involve your friends and family if appropriate!

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The Greatness of Humility

There is something so wonderful about meeting another individual who is truly humble. Humility is simply understanding the role one plays in any given situation. For instance, I am good at preaching. I am not awesome; that is obvious from the lack of people drawn to hear what I say. At the same time, I really don't think I'm bad. It seems that my words have helped to inspire others. However, I am keenly aware that the message is fantastic and life-changing when the Holy Spirit is moving in a mighty way. When this happens, a cruddy message ends up becoming one the best ever. When the Spirit does not move, then even my best messages don't completely get through. Thus, I work hard to improve in my limited human abilities and pray that God's Spirit moves more often.
If people could learn humility in every area of their lives, then life would be better. A person who is good at something won't get a big head and take credit for themselves. At the same time, the person won't have a false sense that they have nothing to do with what is taking place, because God very much enjoys using people. Therefore, acknowledge where you are strong, where you are weak, and understand that absolutely nothing is possible without God's allowance.

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