"What's The Point?" or "Will You Be My Neighbor?"

I remember growing up and watching Mr. Rogers neighborhood. It seemed like a magical place where everyone knew and liked each other. A place where everyone cared and helped each other whenever there was a need. What a great place to live, I often thought.

The problem began when I grew up and the real world began to take shape. There were some in the neighborhood who were friendly for sure, but never had i seen the friendship and love I saw in the neighborhood of Fred Rogers.

Then I read the Scriptures and see the commands of God of how we are to treat each other and especially how we are to treat those who live among us and have yet have tasted the goodness of God's Grace!

However, we, in the church, have treated our neighbors as if they are our opponents or enemies who are out to try and harm us in every way imaginable. Or we seek them out in order to build up the church or reach a goal instead of loving them into kingdom of God and investing our lives into them because of love.

Let us look upon those who live among no longer with a suspicious eye or cautious acceptance. But rather, let us open up our arms and hearts and embrace them as people who God loves and as a result we love as well!

"Do I Know Them?" or "Can't We All Just Get Along?"

I remember when I first bought my Jeep. There was a strange thing which happened as I drove around. Random people began to wave at me as if I knew them. It took me a while then I realized the people who were wave at me, were all driving a Jeep as well! Since then I have discovered the Jeep culture of fellowship and comradeship which exist in the Jeep community. Those of us who drive Jeeps understand it is more than just a vehicle which gets us from one place to another. There is a feeling which only Jeep owners understand and that feeling binds us together.

In the church today, there is seems to be a disjointing of brotherhood and fellowship. The church is so busy worrying about what everyone else is doing or what they are wearing or other meaningless pursuits. As Brothers and Sisters in Christ, there is a bond which no one could ever possibly understand. That bond is forged in Blood and Grace. Those of us who have experienced the salvation which only came through the sacrifice of One who had no need or want, should seek to bind ourselves together.

However, we are too busy in worldly pursuits of envy, greed, and worst of all, pride. Humility is a trait so often talked about and so seldom seen in the church today. Too many of us act as if we have got it all figured out and thus impose upon others the constraints of legalistic demands which have, at best, slim Biblical foundation.

How we should long for the day when the church shows the world today what true fellowship looks and feels like. Let come, Lord and let come now!

"A Messy Relationship" or "Intimacy with God"

If there is one word which would describe my prayer life, it would be messy. I know, as a Pastor, my description ought to inspire and convey a sense of desire to reach out to God more and more. I wish I could, but the reality of it is my prayer life is so messy and fraught with contradiction. There are times when they are so full of faith and confidence. Then there are times when I hardly know what to even say. These times I come to God and wonder whether or not He even wants to listen to me when I have failed Him over and over. But the amazing thing is, He always is there to hear me, no matter what. That's what a Father does.

Prayer is one of the most important things we can do as followers of Jesus. It helps to keep us connected to a God who who wants to spend time with us and help us. In the past couple days, we have two amazing healings take place simply because God's People took time and asked Him to do it. But what about the times when God says no. What do we do then? If you are like me, then comes the pouting and the sulking and the questioning and sometimes the anger. But God is so patient with us, He is still there waiting for us to simply trust that He has the Best in mind.

What are you waiting for God to do? Our you willing for it not to be done in order to see God's best? (Even it is painful in the process?) Trust and Obey for there is no other way to happy in Jesus, than to Trust and Obey! Great Hymn, Great Truth!

"Being On Mission" or "What? You Want Me To Go?"

The first part of the prayer from the previous post was, Missions will no longer be a Faceless idea, but rather we interact directly with reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

For too long we have regulated the idea of missions to those people who have a special "call" to leave everything behind and reach the world for Jesus. We have been deceived in thinking missions is for the "Super Christian" but not normal people like me. Yet, there is no way we can read the Word of God and come to this understanding. Missions is an incredible privilege for those of us who are believers in Jesus Christ.

I have, the last several years, been trying to reconcile the words of Scripture and the actions of the churches, who believe they are doing missions because they send money to a big fund, or who happen to mention Missionaries in their prayers a couple times of year. The more I read the Scriptures, the more I come to understand the Great Commission's first word is to "Go", not send, not help others to "Go", but rather to "Go" ourselves. Helping others and sending money is great, but not to the exclusion of "Going" ourselves.

Your mission may not be to Africa, Russia, or China. But what about work, school, family, or down the street? We can not be true to the Great Commission and sit in comfort at home occupying our time with frivolousness. It is time for us to "Go"!

"Prayers for the Church" or "God, Are you sure?"

2 weeks ago I preached a sermon based on an experience I had in my office. I was getting ready for my normal sermon for Sunday Morning, when I felt VERY compelled to begin to pray for the church here at Spottsville. As I began to pray, words began to flow out of my mouth I had no idea where they were coming from. So, as the Holy Spirit was praying for this church I began to write down the prayer. I took it upstairs and showed it to Steph and all she could say was that it was from God.

Sunday Morning, I preached this prayer, not knowing what the reaction would be, or even caring. I just knew this is what God wanted them and me to hear. The reaction so far has been incredible. Lives are getting back in touch with God. The church is excited once again about our direction and I really believe this is just the beginning as God begins to answer what is really, His own prayer for us.

Here is the prayer I prayed and in the next weeks I will begin to expand on each point.

Missions will no longer be a Faceless idea, but rather we interact directly with reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Prayer will no longer be a religious exercise but rather it becomes an intimate experience with a God who desperately wants to meet with us.

Fellowship will no longer be a place of criticism and judgment but rather a place of forgiveness and grace.

Our Community will no longer be a separate place of ministry and life, but rather it will be an extension of our campus.

God’s Word will no longer be a nice book of suggested ways of living, but rather it will be the basis of all we do personal and corporately.

The Calendar will no longer be a predictable tradition of ineffective activity, but rather will be filled with opportunities for changed lives and expanded ministry.

Our Sunday School will no longer be just another Service Time which people feel obligated to attend, but rather be an intensive time where we grow more in Christ and with each other.

We will no longer be an exclusive group doing independent ministry, but rather seek to partner with more churches to reach our community, county, state, and world for Jesus Christ.

"Missing Out" or "Picture? Yeah, Right!"

We were in Washington D.C. last week and while we were touring one of the Smithsonian Museums, I came across a fascinating exchange between a mother and a teenage son. They were at one of the many "photo op" places in the museum and there were 3 kids standing there in crazy poses waiting for their picture to be taken. Then I overheard Mom call over to their teenage son and say, "Hey, jump in, I want a family picture." To which the son sarcastically replied, "Don't see it happening!", refusing to get in the picture and looking around to who (Girls????) might be watching.

I thought to myself, what a wasted opportunity! Now everyone knows I love a good "photo op". (Just look at my albums) The reason I love them because it is a reminder of where I have been, what I have done, and the lessons I have learned. Being ADD, a lot of times I can be very forgetful of places and people I have encountered. So, these pics are reminders for me so I won't forget. I need them and want them to remind me of good times and bad. Of joys and struggles. Of rain and sun! Or else I would have the tendency to only remember they bad, struggles, and rain. Not all pictures are flattering, and not all are what they appear to be. But that's O.K. They serve the purpose we need for them.

So document the past and the present. Post them on Facebook and on your computer. Show them off and watch the eyes roll. It's O.K. You have them for you and that if what's important! It doesn't matter what others will think. Jump in and strike a pose. Who cares whose watching!!! After all, this is for you!!

"Misery Can Be Adventure" or "Take Heart"

Last week we decided to go to a movie at the Drive-In Theater. We figured that there would be no better way to watch a drive in movie than in the Jeep. We had the top down, the doors off and headed out. As we were driving, we looked up and saw the dark, looming clouds hovering over us promising rain at the next possible moment. We explained to the girls that we may get rained on and it would be cold and maybe a little miserable but on this adventure the end would be worth it. Kisha, then, looked up at us with a big grin on her face and said, "Well, misery can be adventure too."

How right she is!!!!! It is during the dark looming clouds which hover over our loves that we forget to see the adventure in it. Adventure is all about the uncertainty and unsteadiness of the trip. What better trip is there than life itself? One of the only real promises we can be sure of in this life is that there would be suffering in this world. But Jesus tells us to take heart, be courageous, don't worry because He will give us peace and the knowledge that He has already overcome the world.

So, go driving in the rain with the top down and enjoy the adventure!!!!