This morning I had an exchange with a friend who is going above and beyond to help someone who needs the help. This above and beyond involves taking off work to do so.
After my friend lined up the materials needed, I was able to use Community of Joy's Renewing Joy Fund resources to purchase the materials. I texted my friend and told him "thank you" and his response was "you are welcome, but what did I do?"
I texted him and said, "you are faithfully serving Christ Jesus". He texted back and said, that I shouldn't give him too much credit. And I responded that it wasn't him I was giving credit to... it was Christ in and through him. That's what happens when we follow Jesus... he works in and through us so that we serve him by serving others!
In fact, I would say that evidence of being a follower of Jesus is when we serve Christ by serving others!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Blessed so that...
We are blessed so that we can bless others! We say that all the time at Community of Joy and strive to live that too!
Today, I stopped by Pinehurst Elementary School - the neighborhood school for whom we are their faith based partners and for whom we try to find ways to bless every year. One of those ways is through giving school supplies each year so that they can give to students in need. One of the Vice Principals saw me come in and came over to enthusiastically thank me and us for being a blessing. He was apologetic that we didn't get the publicity in the paper or on TV for the donations. I told him that is okay... we don't do what we do for publicity... we do it to honor Jesus... to share his love... to be a blessing to others because we have been blessed!
What a jolly it is to be a blessing to others!
Today, I stopped by Pinehurst Elementary School - the neighborhood school for whom we are their faith based partners and for whom we try to find ways to bless every year. One of those ways is through giving school supplies each year so that they can give to students in need. One of the Vice Principals saw me come in and came over to enthusiastically thank me and us for being a blessing. He was apologetic that we didn't get the publicity in the paper or on TV for the donations. I told him that is okay... we don't do what we do for publicity... we do it to honor Jesus... to share his love... to be a blessing to others because we have been blessed!
What a jolly it is to be a blessing to others!
Another First Day...
Today is the first day of school for both of my girls. Caroline starts her junior year at Bridgewater College and Emma begins her senior year at Wicomico High School, though she only has one class there and the rest of her classes are at Wor-Wic Community College. When Emma gets to her first day of college, she will be a sophmore!
It is also another first for Emma, as today we take her first college tour... we will be touring Salisbury University!
I am proud of both of my girls! They have become wonderful young ladies!
One neat thing - as a Pastor, you always wonder what living in a fish bowl will do to your children and their connection to the church. This past weekend, we had the opportunity to watch Caroline interact as a committed participant in her "new" church while at college and it was gratifying. Both Emma and Caroline have a deep love for Jesus and his church and that makes us quite happy!
It is also another first for Emma, as today we take her first college tour... we will be touring Salisbury University!
I am proud of both of my girls! They have become wonderful young ladies!
One neat thing - as a Pastor, you always wonder what living in a fish bowl will do to your children and their connection to the church. This past weekend, we had the opportunity to watch Caroline interact as a committed participant in her "new" church while at college and it was gratifying. Both Emma and Caroline have a deep love for Jesus and his church and that makes us quite happy!
Since they are in different states today, this is the closest I can get to a "first day of school picture"... it was taken Sunday after church!
Emma's First Day of her Senior Year pic!
Monday, August 27, 2012
A Week Away...
Just finished a week of vacation. It is so good to get a break from the grind of pastoral ministry! After 22 years of ministry, I am feeling the weight of the weekly grind and a week away is very helpful.
The week for me was filled with a variety of things. For 4 days, I stripped wallpaper, readied walls and painted. The entryway and hallway were the subjects of my work. Not the most fun places to paint as it has baseboard, chair rail, crown moulding, and 8 doorway frames to paint. I also painted the front door. I am pleased with the results and may yet paint the 5 doors that are still plain wood.
Then we headed to VA for a couple of days to help Caroline get moved into her College apartment. That was lots of fun and good to see her settled in for her junior year at Bridgewater College.
The highlight of the week was being able to participate in worship at the Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren yesterday where our neice was baptized. As a pastor I am tied to being present at Community of Joy every Sunday except 5 a year. And I find that we sometimes have to miss family events because we are unable to be present when they are on Sunday and a distance from where we live now. Fortunately for us the baptism was the same week as Caroline's move in so we were able to attend!
The week for me was filled with a variety of things. For 4 days, I stripped wallpaper, readied walls and painted. The entryway and hallway were the subjects of my work. Not the most fun places to paint as it has baseboard, chair rail, crown moulding, and 8 doorway frames to paint. I also painted the front door. I am pleased with the results and may yet paint the 5 doors that are still plain wood.
Then we headed to VA for a couple of days to help Caroline get moved into her College apartment. That was lots of fun and good to see her settled in for her junior year at Bridgewater College.
The highlight of the week was being able to participate in worship at the Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren yesterday where our neice was baptized. As a pastor I am tied to being present at Community of Joy every Sunday except 5 a year. And I find that we sometimes have to miss family events because we are unable to be present when they are on Sunday and a distance from where we live now. Fortunately for us the baptism was the same week as Caroline's move in so we were able to attend!
Friday, August 17, 2012
A boldness of faith...
One of my favorited Bible verses is 1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. "
Yesterday I was doing some visiting and one of the people I visited in the nursing home was telling me a neat story! It really encouraged my spirit to hear it.
Seems that the church that was to come in to the home last Sunday to lead a worship time, was unable to come at the last minute. A soloist came and was beside himself when he learned that he was the only one and had an hour to fill. As soon as Rita heard the concern in the musicians voice, she spoke up and asked if he would like her to lead a testimony time and he said that would be great. So, Rita began telling about a profound experience of God that she had earlier in life and that touched off a whole sequence of stories that others were willing to share. Before long the time was filled and God was glorified.
What touched me was the boldness of faith that Rita exhibited and the response that it engendered from others.
What would you have done in a similar situation?
Even more touching was the other opportunities that Rita was telling me about that she has seen for sharing Jesus' love in the nursing home that is now her home. That too encouraged me! I call that making the most of whatever circumstance you find yourself in!
Love it when God's people take steps of faith!
Yesterday I was doing some visiting and one of the people I visited in the nursing home was telling me a neat story! It really encouraged my spirit to hear it.
Seems that the church that was to come in to the home last Sunday to lead a worship time, was unable to come at the last minute. A soloist came and was beside himself when he learned that he was the only one and had an hour to fill. As soon as Rita heard the concern in the musicians voice, she spoke up and asked if he would like her to lead a testimony time and he said that would be great. So, Rita began telling about a profound experience of God that she had earlier in life and that touched off a whole sequence of stories that others were willing to share. Before long the time was filled and God was glorified.
What touched me was the boldness of faith that Rita exhibited and the response that it engendered from others.
What would you have done in a similar situation?
Even more touching was the other opportunities that Rita was telling me about that she has seen for sharing Jesus' love in the nursing home that is now her home. That too encouraged me! I call that making the most of whatever circumstance you find yourself in!
Love it when God's people take steps of faith!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Great times...
Caroline has been home this week (or I should say at the beach) and it has been great to see her a couple of times!! Enjoyed spending some time with her on Sunday as she met us in worship, we went to lunch and then spent the afternoon and eveing toghether. On Sunday night we listened to her friend sing at an outdoor bar just off the boardwalk in OC... the french fries were good too as was the Khors Bros. icecream!
Last night she came home to our house to spend some time with me, since I don't do the beach! And it was nice to sit around a table in our garage with my daughter number 1 and 3 and enjoy catching up over some great crabs!
Looking forward to seeing her again on Friday night at OC and then in a week when we help her move back into Bridgewater College for her Junior year! WOW the time flies!
I am very much enjoying this phase where we get to see her spread her wings and fly on her own, yet at times come back to the nest and share her stories. So proud of her and all that she is accomplishing in her life!
Monday, August 13, 2012
The Reality is EVERYONE NEEDS A GARDENER!
Jesus is a master at telling stories that make a huge impact. In three short verses in Luke 13:6-9 Jesus tells a powerful story.... a man plants a fruit tree and for 3 years expectantly looks for fruit from it... but there is none, so the man instructs his gardener to cut it down since it is only taking up space. The gardener pleads for another year for the tree and commits to paying special attention to is and fertilizing it.... At the end of the year, he tells the man if it has fruit great and if not, then cut it down. However, Jesus doesn't tell us what happens.
Everyone needs a gardener! In the world we live in grace doesn't come naturally! We are quick to write people off, to get rid of people, to say "they are just taking up space." But when we write people off, when we treat them as if they are just taking up space, we and they harden our hearts and shut down the possibility of the effects of Jesus' grace in their lives.
Everyone needs a gardener! Who will pay special attention to us and encourage us to pay special attention to other people.
Jesus doesn't complete his story because cutting the tree down is NOT our task. It is God's! Our task is to pay special attention... to extend grace NOT judgement! God will judge.
Yet extending grace is not easy! Especially with some people! But it becomes easier if we will resign from the role of judge and allow God to have that one. If we focus our attention on paying special attention - extending grace - the same grace we want to have extended in our lives, we will be doing what the gardener invites us to do!
Everyone needs a gardener, to remind us of the need to extend grace to people and leave the judging to God!
Everyone needs a gardener! In the world we live in grace doesn't come naturally! We are quick to write people off, to get rid of people, to say "they are just taking up space." But when we write people off, when we treat them as if they are just taking up space, we and they harden our hearts and shut down the possibility of the effects of Jesus' grace in their lives.
Everyone needs a gardener! Who will pay special attention to us and encourage us to pay special attention to other people.
Jesus doesn't complete his story because cutting the tree down is NOT our task. It is God's! Our task is to pay special attention... to extend grace NOT judgement! God will judge.
Yet extending grace is not easy! Especially with some people! But it becomes easier if we will resign from the role of judge and allow God to have that one. If we focus our attention on paying special attention - extending grace - the same grace we want to have extended in our lives, we will be doing what the gardener invites us to do!
Everyone needs a gardener, to remind us of the need to extend grace to people and leave the judging to God!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
The Beauty of God's Creation on Display - INSIDE!
If you are looking for something neat to do this weekend... come to the Ward Museum today or tomorrow and see the Art in Nature Photo contest. There are several hundred photos of nature taken all over the country but most are local... all on display in the galleries. Some phenominal photos!
I don't know how the judges will decide! Though I did find two that I think are best of show quality! They just stand heads above the rest.
Here is a link if you want more info. (in the photo on the top of this web page, you will notice two prints of the sunrising over the Assawoman Bay that I entered in last years contest - one is the same as the header of my blog.)
I don't know how the judges will decide! Though I did find two that I think are best of show quality! They just stand heads above the rest.
Here is a link if you want more info. (in the photo on the top of this web page, you will notice two prints of the sunrising over the Assawoman Bay that I entered in last years contest - one is the same as the header of my blog.)
Thursday, August 9, 2012
A Thoughtful Response
We live in a very polarized world and that polarization has come into the church and has impacted the way we do mission. In fact, in some ways, I fear we have lost sight of the mission of Jesus altogether.
Last week, one of my Facebook friends, who is also a pastor in Colorado posted a question on his Facebook Status and invited healthy dialoge. He then promised his response on Wednesday. That response came late last night, just under the deadline. I think it is a very helpful response for us to ponder. So, I am doing something that I have rarely done on my blog (providing a link to my friend's blog).
The question was this... "Would Jesus bake a cake for a gay wedding?" I think my friend says a lot of helpful things in his blog post that we need to consider as followers of Jesus who are called to Love God and Love our neighbor.
Last week, one of my Facebook friends, who is also a pastor in Colorado posted a question on his Facebook Status and invited healthy dialoge. He then promised his response on Wednesday. That response came late last night, just under the deadline. I think it is a very helpful response for us to ponder. So, I am doing something that I have rarely done on my blog (providing a link to my friend's blog).
The question was this... "Would Jesus bake a cake for a gay wedding?" I think my friend says a lot of helpful things in his blog post that we need to consider as followers of Jesus who are called to Love God and Love our neighbor.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Focused on What Matters....
I've enjoyed watching the Olympics this year! Especially enjoy watching the gymnists compete... and seeing the focus that it takes to do well! When they loose focus, they don't do as well!
I have also been enjoying watching a flock of gold finches that are focused on enjoying the sunflowers in my garden. If they weren't focused on what matters, they wouldn't do well either.
The same is true for us! We must stay focused! As a follower of Jesus, there is no substitute for regular reading and reflecting on the Bible! When I remain focused on that, my life goes so much better.
Have you read your Bible today? And if you have, did you take time to reflect on what you read and what impact that can have on your life?
I have also been enjoying watching a flock of gold finches that are focused on enjoying the sunflowers in my garden. If they weren't focused on what matters, they wouldn't do well either.
The same is true for us! We must stay focused! As a follower of Jesus, there is no substitute for regular reading and reflecting on the Bible! When I remain focused on that, my life goes so much better.
Have you read your Bible today? And if you have, did you take time to reflect on what you read and what impact that can have on your life?
Monday, August 6, 2012
To Eat or Kiss or Love?
Been thinking alot about this most recent outbreak of "Christians" against the world especially as it relates to issues in our society. I am not sure that our actions do much to help the cause of Jesus! In fact, I think our actions do more harm than good!
Jesus never called us to eat at Chic-fila or not eat there. And he didn't call us to kiss there either! What he did call us to do was to love as he loves.
This song by Casting Crowns has touched my soul deeply and I think speaks to so many of the issues that face us as followers of Jesus.
Jesus Friend of sinners we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus friend of sinners the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided
Oh Jesus friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours
Yeah...
Jesus friend of sinners the one who's writing in the sand
Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves
Let the memory of Your mercy bring your people to their knees
No one knows what we're for only against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did
Oh Jesus friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours
You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me a grateful leper at Your feet
'Cause You are good, You are good And Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
Somehow, we have to get serious about Jesus' call to love others, even our enemies! Drawing lines in the sand and throwing rocks doesn't get us anywhere positive!
Jesus never called us to eat at Chic-fila or not eat there. And he didn't call us to kiss there either! What he did call us to do was to love as he loves.
This song by Casting Crowns has touched my soul deeply and I think speaks to so many of the issues that face us as followers of Jesus.
Jesus Friend of sinners we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus friend of sinners the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided
Oh Jesus friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours
Yeah...
Jesus friend of sinners the one who's writing in the sand
Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves
Let the memory of Your mercy bring your people to their knees
No one knows what we're for only against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did
Oh Jesus friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours
You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me a grateful leper at Your feet
'Cause You are good, You are good And Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
Somehow, we have to get serious about Jesus' call to love others, even our enemies! Drawing lines in the sand and throwing rocks doesn't get us anywhere positive!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
