I have story to tell you about this boy. Something special is happening in this boy's life. He was involved in our children's sports program, Upward this past year. In Upward he received a Bible.
This boy came to Vacation Bible School. I taught the Bible study one night for he and his fellow fourth graders. He made an impression on me. He was very attentive, bright eyed and interested in what we talked about. He even made a comment about a particular Bible verse which, though I really can't repeat here, showed me he was getting the point of the verse. This boy doesn't know how to do "church talk."
This same boy came to Summer Music Camp and during the Bible study time there, he made a realization. The stories we were talking about at SMC were, as he termed it, "in that book I got from Upward." He asked his teacher to write down the scripture reference where each day's story was in "his book." Each night he would go home and read it for himself.
On the last day of SMC, he did not get written down where that day's story came from so he found his Bible teacher before the performance to make sure he would be able to read it that night. This boy is very interested in the Bible though he does not yet know all our terms.
Sunday, this boy and several of his family members came to church for the first time to a worship service.
We don't always get to see how God is working in a boy or in a girl or in their family, but He is making it clear in the life of this boy. Slowly, step by step, God is leading this boy to understand His love. Slowly, step by step, God is using a whole church's efforts to impact this boy. Would you keep this boy in your prayers? Will you keep on being the kind of church that God can use to reach this boy and others like him?
for the journey...
Tim
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Monday, June 23, 2014
What the Church Can Learn from the Spurs
I admit that I am a Spurs fan. I know that some of you are not - I still love you and especially pray for you. But allow me to share something I have been thinking about since the NBA Finals in a post today about five things that the church can learn from the five time champs.
1. Team work always trumps individual effort. The Spurs beat the team of the "best player on the planet" by not having a single super star. They played as a team. We need to remember that in the church in a day of "superstars" and "celebrities" even in the church.
2. Selflessness always defeats selfishness. The Spurs won by individuals giving up things for the sake of the team - the extra pass to the man who had the better shot. The church functions best when it serves, when individuals give of themselves for the betterment of the whole. In a spiritual sense, who do you need to pass the ball to?
3. We work best together when we get over ourselves. Spurs' coach Greg Popovich said that one secret to the team's success is that they are a group of guys who have "gotten over themselves." We only function as the body of Christ when we "get over ourselves." If you have no idea what that means, then it is something that urgently needs to happen in you. Have a little talk with Jesus.
4. Diversity can bring strength. The Spurs are a diverse group from different backgrounds, ethnicities, languages and nations, yet they have found a way to use their differences as strengths not dividers. The church in heaven is made up of those from every tribe and every tongue and every nation. The church on earth today needs to know that we do not all have to look alike, talk alike or think alike to be like the church in heaven. That will bring strength.
5. The accomplishments of youth are celebrated. When it was announced that Kawhi Leonard, one of the youngest players on the team, had won the Most Valuable Player award and not one of the veteran stars, the older, more accomplished players did not just politely applaud, they became like little boys in their affirmation. Slapping, laughing, shoving, head rubbing and shouting their approval on their young team mate. If we are to have a future, we must encourage and celebrate the accomplishments of those younger, even if it means we older ones don't get something we have "earned."
Someday all that the Spurs have done, as enjoyable as it is now, will pass away. What we do as a church lasts for eternity. Let's play as a team. Let's get everyone in the game. Let's follow our coach.
for the journey...
Tim
1. Team work always trumps individual effort. The Spurs beat the team of the "best player on the planet" by not having a single super star. They played as a team. We need to remember that in the church in a day of "superstars" and "celebrities" even in the church.
2. Selflessness always defeats selfishness. The Spurs won by individuals giving up things for the sake of the team - the extra pass to the man who had the better shot. The church functions best when it serves, when individuals give of themselves for the betterment of the whole. In a spiritual sense, who do you need to pass the ball to?
3. We work best together when we get over ourselves. Spurs' coach Greg Popovich said that one secret to the team's success is that they are a group of guys who have "gotten over themselves." We only function as the body of Christ when we "get over ourselves." If you have no idea what that means, then it is something that urgently needs to happen in you. Have a little talk with Jesus.
4. Diversity can bring strength. The Spurs are a diverse group from different backgrounds, ethnicities, languages and nations, yet they have found a way to use their differences as strengths not dividers. The church in heaven is made up of those from every tribe and every tongue and every nation. The church on earth today needs to know that we do not all have to look alike, talk alike or think alike to be like the church in heaven. That will bring strength.
5. The accomplishments of youth are celebrated. When it was announced that Kawhi Leonard, one of the youngest players on the team, had won the Most Valuable Player award and not one of the veteran stars, the older, more accomplished players did not just politely applaud, they became like little boys in their affirmation. Slapping, laughing, shoving, head rubbing and shouting their approval on their young team mate. If we are to have a future, we must encourage and celebrate the accomplishments of those younger, even if it means we older ones don't get something we have "earned."
Someday all that the Spurs have done, as enjoyable as it is now, will pass away. What we do as a church lasts for eternity. Let's play as a team. Let's get everyone in the game. Let's follow our coach.
for the journey...
Tim
Friday, October 11, 2013
Aspens
Fresh from some time in the autumn glory of Colorado, here are seven things I have learned about Aspen trees:
-They grow up in groves sharing a common root system.
-Aspens only grow at high altitudes.
-Because they grow up from roots, they are the first trees back after a forest fire.
-Even though they grow back quicker they allow other trees to grow up among them.
-Aspen root systems keep on regenerating new shoots even if the the older trees die.
-Aspen bark on the south side of the tree will leave a white residue on you if you rub up agains it.
-Aspen trees are a thing of beauty, especially in the fall.
Now why would I tell you all this? Well I like aspen trees, obviously, but there are some things that we as a church should seek to immulate.
-Christians grow best in "groves" where we share a common "root system" - the church.
-The church can only grow in a place of right "altitude" - a climate of righteousness.
-The church is equipped to survive the disasters that come and grow back stronger after them.
-The church should enable others to grow back after the "fires" of life.
-When you rub up against Christians, it should rub off on you.
-The church should be a thing of beauty in the world - in any season.
I'm glad to be a part of a church that is a lot like an aspen grove. Let's keep growing into what we were created to be and into what God is making us.
for the journey...
Tim
-They grow up in groves sharing a common root system.
-Aspens only grow at high altitudes.
-Because they grow up from roots, they are the first trees back after a forest fire.
-Even though they grow back quicker they allow other trees to grow up among them.
-Aspen root systems keep on regenerating new shoots even if the the older trees die.
-Aspen bark on the south side of the tree will leave a white residue on you if you rub up agains it.
-Aspen trees are a thing of beauty, especially in the fall.
Now why would I tell you all this? Well I like aspen trees, obviously, but there are some things that we as a church should seek to immulate.
-Christians grow best in "groves" where we share a common "root system" - the church.
-The church can only grow in a place of right "altitude" - a climate of righteousness.
-The church is equipped to survive the disasters that come and grow back stronger after them.
-The church should enable others to grow back after the "fires" of life.
-When you rub up against Christians, it should rub off on you.
-The church should be a thing of beauty in the world - in any season.
I'm glad to be a part of a church that is a lot like an aspen grove. Let's keep growing into what we were created to be and into what God is making us.
for the journey...
Tim
Friday, September 7, 2012
Mad at Church
I sat in my car outside their home wishing to do anything but what I had to do right then, go into the home and talk to a family that had gotten hurt at church. A message had not been delivered, a key event in that family's life had gone unrecognized and unaddressed now they were upset, feelings were hurt. I could not blame them, it had happened but neither could I take on the burden of blame because I had not been involved in any of the problems. Things had happened before I even came to be their pastor but I was the one they wanted to talk to about why they were leaving the church.
I went in and things were pleasant but tense. I listened to their story. I recognized and acknowledged that what they were saying was correct. All the things they talked about had happened and they should not have. I told them I understood their anger. They responded that they were "not angry but hurt."
I recognized my self in those words, I had said them too at times in my life. Now hearing them said to me made me realize something about myself. If I am hurt, I am most likely angry but I do not like to characterize it that way. I did learn a lesson that night about that phrase and about myself. If I am hurt, I need to admit my anger and deal with it, not deny it.
After their story was done, I acknowledged that what they were saying was factual. There were no excuses or explanations to be given. I could see how they could feel that way. Then I asked them to forgive the church. There was a long pause. After a while, the sentiment was expressed that they were not holding a grudge but that what had happened was "too much" for them to come back to church. They wanted me to know they were going somewhere else. I thanked them, prayed with them and left feeling like I had done about all I could do. I appreciated their desire to be upfront with me and tell me why they were leaving. That was the right thing to do.
I have to admit there are times that I too have been hurt at church. There are times that I too felt like there was "too much" that had happened for me to stay but I did not have the option of leaving. I was the pastor. Now, I am so glad that I did not have the path to leave so easily, because I have had to stay, God has taught me so much about myself and my anger but also about His power to reconcile faulty, imperfect people to one another in His church. Do you have a hurt in your life that causes it to be "too much" to stay? Have you ever been mad at church? Mad at the church? Come on be honest.
There are two clear times in the gospels that Jesus, the perfect son of God, acted in anger. Interestingly enough, both incidents were in church - or I should say one in the synagogue and one in the temple. We are going to look at those this Sunday and try to understand the phrase, "be angry and sin not" in Ephesians 4:26 and beyond. I have much to learn about all this. Chances are you do too. Don't let something be "too much" for us to learn about it this week.
For the journey...
Tim
I went in and things were pleasant but tense. I listened to their story. I recognized and acknowledged that what they were saying was correct. All the things they talked about had happened and they should not have. I told them I understood their anger. They responded that they were "not angry but hurt."
I recognized my self in those words, I had said them too at times in my life. Now hearing them said to me made me realize something about myself. If I am hurt, I am most likely angry but I do not like to characterize it that way. I did learn a lesson that night about that phrase and about myself. If I am hurt, I need to admit my anger and deal with it, not deny it.
After their story was done, I acknowledged that what they were saying was factual. There were no excuses or explanations to be given. I could see how they could feel that way. Then I asked them to forgive the church. There was a long pause. After a while, the sentiment was expressed that they were not holding a grudge but that what had happened was "too much" for them to come back to church. They wanted me to know they were going somewhere else. I thanked them, prayed with them and left feeling like I had done about all I could do. I appreciated their desire to be upfront with me and tell me why they were leaving. That was the right thing to do.
I have to admit there are times that I too have been hurt at church. There are times that I too felt like there was "too much" that had happened for me to stay but I did not have the option of leaving. I was the pastor. Now, I am so glad that I did not have the path to leave so easily, because I have had to stay, God has taught me so much about myself and my anger but also about His power to reconcile faulty, imperfect people to one another in His church. Do you have a hurt in your life that causes it to be "too much" to stay? Have you ever been mad at church? Mad at the church? Come on be honest.
There are two clear times in the gospels that Jesus, the perfect son of God, acted in anger. Interestingly enough, both incidents were in church - or I should say one in the synagogue and one in the temple. We are going to look at those this Sunday and try to understand the phrase, "be angry and sin not" in Ephesians 4:26 and beyond. I have much to learn about all this. Chances are you do too. Don't let something be "too much" for us to learn about it this week.
For the journey...
Tim
Friday, October 28, 2011
The Worship of Dogs
We have a beagle and a dauchsund. Every morning when they come out of their crates they must have a personal time with each of their humans. It seems to be like a canine "quiet time" with their masters. If either Judith or I are behind a closed door they will lay at the door and whine until they get that "one on one time." I wish I had their same enthusiasm every day to spend early morning time with my master, but they also exhibit some traits I don't want to copy.
When I say "one on one time" well, it is hardly that. They are really after a good petting but they cannot be content with just getting one, they each have to try to push the other out of what they see as the prime petting zone. If one is getting a belly rub the other will lay down to get one too. Then after a few moments it appears to one or the other of them that the belly rub is really being done better by the other hand at the place where the other dog is so one dog will try to displace the other. They take turns doing this, never seeming content with what they have because it always appears that someone else is getting a better deal.
It is much like this when we come home at the end of the day. They will be there at the door waiting for us to speak to them and pet them. We do, but the same thing happens, just like in the morning, that other dog is getting a better deal. So it often happens that this time that they have come to see us ends up being a time they cannot take their eyes off each other. Soon they end up in a wrestling match at our feet. We give up the petting and walk away and often they continue the puppy pushing and shoving for a while after we are gone.
I wonder if we ever seem like that to God when we come to worship Him? We have this desire to be with our master and to hear from Him and know His love but our eyes drift from Him to that person we have a difference with and we get caught up in watching them. What are they saying? What kind of attention are they getting? Are they going to act in a way that offends us again? We just have to watch to see if they are. Are they going to say or doing something new about which I can find offense? We dare not take our eyes of them. Are they getting a better deal than what they deserve? Are they getting some of the things that I deserve?
And in those moments, we lose touch with our master and miss what He has for us. I wonder if sometimes He just walks away and we are so caught up in our pushing and shoving that we don't even realize He is no longer there? Can we really come "together" and meet with God? Paul gives us a good look at that in Ephesians 4:1-6. I hope you will read that before Sunday and then meet with me as we come to worship God - together. And by the way, don't expect or look for anyone else to receive a belly rub.
For the journey...
Tim
When I say "one on one time" well, it is hardly that. They are really after a good petting but they cannot be content with just getting one, they each have to try to push the other out of what they see as the prime petting zone. If one is getting a belly rub the other will lay down to get one too. Then after a few moments it appears to one or the other of them that the belly rub is really being done better by the other hand at the place where the other dog is so one dog will try to displace the other. They take turns doing this, never seeming content with what they have because it always appears that someone else is getting a better deal.
It is much like this when we come home at the end of the day. They will be there at the door waiting for us to speak to them and pet them. We do, but the same thing happens, just like in the morning, that other dog is getting a better deal. So it often happens that this time that they have come to see us ends up being a time they cannot take their eyes off each other. Soon they end up in a wrestling match at our feet. We give up the petting and walk away and often they continue the puppy pushing and shoving for a while after we are gone.
I wonder if we ever seem like that to God when we come to worship Him? We have this desire to be with our master and to hear from Him and know His love but our eyes drift from Him to that person we have a difference with and we get caught up in watching them. What are they saying? What kind of attention are they getting? Are they going to act in a way that offends us again? We just have to watch to see if they are. Are they going to say or doing something new about which I can find offense? We dare not take our eyes of them. Are they getting a better deal than what they deserve? Are they getting some of the things that I deserve?
And in those moments, we lose touch with our master and miss what He has for us. I wonder if sometimes He just walks away and we are so caught up in our pushing and shoving that we don't even realize He is no longer there? Can we really come "together" and meet with God? Paul gives us a good look at that in Ephesians 4:1-6. I hope you will read that before Sunday and then meet with me as we come to worship God - together. And by the way, don't expect or look for anyone else to receive a belly rub.
For the journey...
Tim
Friday, October 14, 2011
Who are My Brothers?
The story intrigues me. While Jesus was speaking to a crowd he was told that his mother and brothers were waiting to speak to him outside (Matthew 12:46-50). Why had they come? Why were they waiting to speak in private? Had they come to talk to him about some family matter? Had they come to convince him to come home and come back to his rightful place as the head of the family and family business as the first born son? Had they come to talk some sense into his head about this "son of man" stuff?
We have no record of them following him as disciples until after the resurrection. Can you imagine how hard it was on them to be the mother or brother of Jesus? What did the neighbors say? What did they say in their family? Jesus never said he would bring peace to a family if anything, he said there could be conflict in families because of him. Matthew 10:34-36 "Do not suppose I have come to bring peace..."
Is that what was happening? A family was about to deal with conflict? Is that why they came that day? When Jesus spoke the words of Matthew 10, was he speaking autobiographically? What we do know for sure is that Jesus wanted to bring a new dynamic to the family and he wants each of us who follow him to know a deep, real, family bond with him. I must confess that I have not fully grasped that. Jesus wants me to know him as a brother. He wants me to have a family connection with him and with all who follow him. "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:50.
It is easier to accept that family connection with Jesus than to make that family connection with everyone else who follows him but that is our charge if we follow Jesus. There is an old saying that you get to pick your friends but you don't get to pick your family. I think that is what Jesus is saying. I need to work on that today. We will all have a chance to work on it Sunday.
For the journey...
Tim
We have no record of them following him as disciples until after the resurrection. Can you imagine how hard it was on them to be the mother or brother of Jesus? What did the neighbors say? What did they say in their family? Jesus never said he would bring peace to a family if anything, he said there could be conflict in families because of him. Matthew 10:34-36 "Do not suppose I have come to bring peace..."
Is that what was happening? A family was about to deal with conflict? Is that why they came that day? When Jesus spoke the words of Matthew 10, was he speaking autobiographically? What we do know for sure is that Jesus wanted to bring a new dynamic to the family and he wants each of us who follow him to know a deep, real, family bond with him. I must confess that I have not fully grasped that. Jesus wants me to know him as a brother. He wants me to have a family connection with him and with all who follow him. "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:50.
It is easier to accept that family connection with Jesus than to make that family connection with everyone else who follows him but that is our charge if we follow Jesus. There is an old saying that you get to pick your friends but you don't get to pick your family. I think that is what Jesus is saying. I need to work on that today. We will all have a chance to work on it Sunday.
For the journey...
Tim
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