We certainly do live in a culture and society where we talk the talk of being like Jesus, don't we? I mean we say it over and over....."To be the heart, hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus......To do what He did, to love like He loves" But how can we truly talk like that and state that we want to be like Jesus when we are so lukewarm in our spiritual journey? How can we really be committed to Christ and skip church for any and all reasons, slander and gossip and act so selfish and childish, and walk through this life acting like this is all there is? I believe the spiritual formation of the American church is in dire need of repair. We walk into the church and are fed so well. We receive instructions for life and eternity and walk out of the door an hour later as if we had earplugs in our ears. I can't imagine how Jesus must have felt to have to speak the words we read in Revelation 3:15,16. "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!(NLT). May this video start a fire in your bones that cannot be put out. May all who read this and watch this video become so aware of Christ's love for us and our indebtedness to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Broken Plate
Good morning! My heart has been touched quite regularly lately on the issue of tough love and feeling the need to stop enabling wrong behaviors. I have been praying and seeking God in this matter. I have asked, "God, I can't do this on my own. It seems so huge of a decision. What if I make a mistake? What if I'm being too harsh? What if I'm not being harsh enough and actually contributing to the problem? What if......." Yeah, you get the idea. I have been a mess lately with these thoughts. Then this morning I read a few lines from a book. It is entitled, "On the Anvil" by Max Lucado. Here are the lines that spoke to me:
The Day My Plate Was Broken......It was past midnight in Dalton, Georgia, as I stood in a dimly lit phone booth making a call to my folks. My first summer job away from home wasn't planning out as it was supposed to.
The work was hard. My two best friends had quit and gone back to Texas, and I was bunking in the Salvation Army until I could find an apartment. For a big, tough nineteen-year old, I sure felt small.. The voices of my mom and dad had never sounded so sweet. And although I tried to hide it, my loneliness was obvious. I had promised my parents that if they'd let me go, I'd stick it out for the whole summer. But now those three months looked like eternity.
As I explained my plight, I could tell my mom wanted me to come home. But just as she said, "Why don't you come.......," my dad, who was on the extension, interrupted her. "We'd love for you to come back, but we've already broken your plate." (That was west Texas talk for "We love you, Max, but it's time to grow up.")
It takes a wise father to know when to push his son out of the nest. It's painful, but it has to be done. I'll always be thankful that my dad gave me wings and then made me use them.........
The Day My Plate Was Broken......It was past midnight in Dalton, Georgia, as I stood in a dimly lit phone booth making a call to my folks. My first summer job away from home wasn't planning out as it was supposed to.
The work was hard. My two best friends had quit and gone back to Texas, and I was bunking in the Salvation Army until I could find an apartment. For a big, tough nineteen-year old, I sure felt small.. The voices of my mom and dad had never sounded so sweet. And although I tried to hide it, my loneliness was obvious. I had promised my parents that if they'd let me go, I'd stick it out for the whole summer. But now those three months looked like eternity.
As I explained my plight, I could tell my mom wanted me to come home. But just as she said, "Why don't you come.......," my dad, who was on the extension, interrupted her. "We'd love for you to come back, but we've already broken your plate." (That was west Texas talk for "We love you, Max, but it's time to grow up.")
It takes a wise father to know when to push his son out of the nest. It's painful, but it has to be done. I'll always be thankful that my dad gave me wings and then made me use them.........
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Give us clean hands
As I sit here in my office this morning, I look outside and see the rain just pouring down. It is coming down in buckets......almost. Anyway, as I watch this rain coming down from the sky I envision God telling us we need a cleansing. I pleaded with God to examine my heart this morning and to reveal to me of anything that is in need of purification or washing. I began to pray for God to renew within me a pure heart....a clean heart. It made me think of this song, "Give us clean hands". Let us be a generation that truly seeks your face....Oh God of Jacob. So, let it rain. Purify my heart today, Lord. Wash me and make me clean. May this be your prayer this morning too.
Friday, April 24, 2009
It has been a long time....I'm sorry
Time sure did not slow down any lately, did it? I write this from a coffee shop in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. I just finished with my ordination requirements that I have been pursuing for.......well, in reality since 1994. Actively pursuing since 2007. I am praying to be ordained this June in Rapid City, SD. I feel a huge relief in my life. I can read a book because I want to, not because some professor is telling me I have to. I can take my "day off" to work in my garden or trip trees on my acreage instead of spending every waking moment on school work that isn't being spent on sermon work or visiting folks and the daily tasks of a pastor. Don't get me wrong. I am not complaining. I am a blessed man and it has all been worth it. I am just ready to take a fresh breath of air and relax for a few minutes. God is good----All the time! And all the time, God is good! Today reminds me of a verse that I used when we first planted our church, "Quarry Rock".....Zechariah 4:10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin...... When I started this journey to be ordained, it seemed insurmountable. God just kept prompting me. My wonderful wife kept encouraging me. I am blessed and I pray for blessings to be yours today as you live for Christ who makes all things possible!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
It's not about you?
Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."
Rick Warren wrote the book, "Purpose Driven Life". And the opening line was this: "It's not about you." That is perhaps one of the most memorized lines in modern literature. I must confess, I have quoted it. I have stated it. Do I believe it? Yes and no. I do not question Rick Warren because in the context of this book, it is very pertinent and accurate. There are those who are overly needy and seem to think it is all about them. "serve me. Pay attention to me. Take care of me. I want....I need..." From that aspect, this statement is very fitting and I love it. that is how I have used it. When someone says something like what I mentioned above, I have to say something like, "Pal....get over yourself. It is not about you."
With that being said, it brings me to say this: I am in the little town of Frankfort, Indiana this week. I am here taking a couple classes. What I have come to do is to learn and complete an academic requirement. But God had something else in mind this week also. God knew that my tank was running low and therefore God set this week aside for me as a time of "tank filling", spiritual renewal and re-charging my battery. What is God telling me? He's telling me, "Milt....in a way, it is about you because if you are empty you have nothing to offer others."
Jesus tells us that all the commands in the Bible can be captured in two commands; Love God with everything you have and love your neighbor as yourself. Let's look at that last part. Love your neighbor as yourself. We are to love others the very way we love ourselves. How much do you love and care for yourself? Think on that. God calls us to take care of ourselves...to value and nourish our bodies and our souls. So, don't feel bad when you take some time for yourself. Don't feel guilty when you prioritize your day so that you have your "God" time first...your devotional time....your prayer time....your spiritual journaling time before you make time for anyone else. God calls us to set priorities and boundaries. A good friend and fellow pastor says often, "We are like batteries. A battery cannot put out what it does not have." Fill yourself with God's Word and His love and His power. Watch how He will take that and bless it to allow you to be the light he wants you to be. God bless you. God is good.
Rick Warren wrote the book, "Purpose Driven Life". And the opening line was this: "It's not about you." That is perhaps one of the most memorized lines in modern literature. I must confess, I have quoted it. I have stated it. Do I believe it? Yes and no. I do not question Rick Warren because in the context of this book, it is very pertinent and accurate. There are those who are overly needy and seem to think it is all about them. "serve me. Pay attention to me. Take care of me. I want....I need..." From that aspect, this statement is very fitting and I love it. that is how I have used it. When someone says something like what I mentioned above, I have to say something like, "Pal....get over yourself. It is not about you."
With that being said, it brings me to say this: I am in the little town of Frankfort, Indiana this week. I am here taking a couple classes. What I have come to do is to learn and complete an academic requirement. But God had something else in mind this week also. God knew that my tank was running low and therefore God set this week aside for me as a time of "tank filling", spiritual renewal and re-charging my battery. What is God telling me? He's telling me, "Milt....in a way, it is about you because if you are empty you have nothing to offer others."
Jesus tells us that all the commands in the Bible can be captured in two commands; Love God with everything you have and love your neighbor as yourself. Let's look at that last part. Love your neighbor as yourself. We are to love others the very way we love ourselves. How much do you love and care for yourself? Think on that. God calls us to take care of ourselves...to value and nourish our bodies and our souls. So, don't feel bad when you take some time for yourself. Don't feel guilty when you prioritize your day so that you have your "God" time first...your devotional time....your prayer time....your spiritual journaling time before you make time for anyone else. God calls us to set priorities and boundaries. A good friend and fellow pastor says often, "We are like batteries. A battery cannot put out what it does not have." Fill yourself with God's Word and His love and His power. Watch how He will take that and bless it to allow you to be the light he wants you to be. God bless you. God is good.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
What's so amazing about Grace?
What is so amazing about grace? Grace is a story. It begins with the great gaping chasm that stretched between creator God and his created humanity. That chasm was the work of man and the heartbreak of God. Grace is that our holy, infinite God was not pleased to be separated from his people. So, he reached down and healed the gaping wound. He healed it with the very blood of his own Son.
Then humanity was, again, invited to walk towards God and hide in His embrace. So, grace is also an invitation. It is an invitation out of loneliness and struggle. It is an invitation to draw near to the One who loves us most.
Psalm 27:7-8 Hear me as I pray, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming."
Have you heard God say to you, "Come and talk with me"? Today, be still and listen. There is an invitation waiting for you. Will you respond like David? David said: "And my heart responds, 'Lord, I am coming'."
To worship God is to walk towards him, to walk with Him. He is not asking for perfection, only nearness. To worship God is to turn our eyes towards the author of grace and the lover of our very souls.
Hebrews 10:22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
Then humanity was, again, invited to walk towards God and hide in His embrace. So, grace is also an invitation. It is an invitation out of loneliness and struggle. It is an invitation to draw near to the One who loves us most.
Psalm 27:7-8 Hear me as I pray, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming."
Have you heard God say to you, "Come and talk with me"? Today, be still and listen. There is an invitation waiting for you. Will you respond like David? David said: "And my heart responds, 'Lord, I am coming'."
To worship God is to walk towards him, to walk with Him. He is not asking for perfection, only nearness. To worship God is to turn our eyes towards the author of grace and the lover of our very souls.
Hebrews 10:22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Jesus gives us confidence
Hebrews 10:19-22 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
In the temple in Jerusalem, only a priest could enter the most Holy Place, and only on the Day of Atonement, when he made the annual offering for sins. But when Jesus died, the temple curtain was torn in two. The wall between us and God was shattered.
Because of Jesus, anytime we have need, without ritual or special dispensation, we can come into the presence of God. We can come boldly, with confidence that we will be received by the Father who adopted us through His Son's blood. Because of the relationship with God we have through Jesus, we can approach Him with a free, untroubled heart.
May that give you comfort, confidence, and a bold conviction that you are very special in God's eyes.
In the temple in Jerusalem, only a priest could enter the most Holy Place, and only on the Day of Atonement, when he made the annual offering for sins. But when Jesus died, the temple curtain was torn in two. The wall between us and God was shattered.
Because of Jesus, anytime we have need, without ritual or special dispensation, we can come into the presence of God. We can come boldly, with confidence that we will be received by the Father who adopted us through His Son's blood. Because of the relationship with God we have through Jesus, we can approach Him with a free, untroubled heart.
May that give you comfort, confidence, and a bold conviction that you are very special in God's eyes.
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