Sunday morning false gods

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

Holy and mighty God…

~You are worthy of all our praise.
~You are worthy of all our worship.
~You are worthy of all our life…
…for you saved us wretched sinners through the life, death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Through faith in Jesus we receive forgiveness and everlasting life.

Oh God…you are so worthy!

Yet when Sunday morning arrives where are your people?  I know exactly where they are.  They are in worship…but not necessarily in a church building.  Many people are out worshiping other gods.  They are out obeying the gods of this world that say to them “Come to me and I will give you all that you need“.  Too many people think that what they truly need is provided by this world, but in the end they are left with empty promises and false hope.

Oh God…please stir their hearts to know you better.  Please stir in the hearts of your children knowledge of you and a faith to come and worship YOU.  Please stir up a revival in this community and in your Church.

~Please don’t let Satan draw your children away.
~Please don’t let Satan draw your people to worship false gods.
~Please don’t let Satan get the last word.

Oh God…I think of all you have done for me and it pains me that people choose to follow that which will not save them.  It pains me that more people don’t have a relationship with you.  It pains me that people will choose to worship a false god this morning and think they are still following you.

Loving God…I pray that my worship this morning is pleasing in your sight.  I pray that my whole heart is devoted to you.  I pray that the words I say may go forth through the Holy Spirit to create, build and maintain faith in your children.  Loving God…I also pray for those not in worship.  I pray that they may see their false gods for what they truly are and come running back to you.

Oh God…you are SO worthy and I thank and praise you.  Thank you for hearing my prayer.

In Jesus Christ I pray…Amen.

edh-|—

Cleaning house

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

I am not quite sure what has gotten into me but I have been on an incredible cleaning binge recently…and it feels great 🙂

My office used to be a complete and utter sty:
–Papers all over the floor
–Unfiled books stacked on a work space area.
–Files filled with old, old, old stuff that will never, ever, ever be used again.
–Stuff littering my office that has disguised itself as decorations.

For about 7 1/2 years I have been working in a space like that…but no more.

Over the course of yesterday and this morning I have been periodically putting stuff away, throwing stuff out and organizing…in between times of lesson planning and sermon prep.  It has provided a break from ministry tasks but it also has been fairly enlightening (besides the fact that I am now realizing I am experiencing some troubles locating certain items).

The enlightening part is this: I am amazed at how we hold on to stuff…sometimes for no real reason other than; “I might need it sometime“.  We also place a lot of sentimental value on innate objects.  “So and so gave that to me”, “I bought that when we vacationed in…”,  “I found that rock and it looked pretty”.  Not that we shouldn’t cherish gifts we get from people but seriously…there is a line…somewhere.  At what point is enough, enough?  What should we hold on to and what should we let go?

Now…

…I swivel around in my office chair and I see a wide open space…and I like it 🙂  I find myself trying to decide what words to type here to describe what this feels like.  I can feel a difference.  Some words that are coming to mind are:
–Free
–Relaxing
–Peaceful
–Content
–Energizing

Am I just weird or does this make sense to people?  Well …actually…I hope this does makes sense because…

[Watch out – here comes the pastor in me that is always looking for a ministry illustration in everyday life events and things]

…this is a similar feeling I get when I hear someone proclaim to me, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that my sins are forgiven.  In some similar ways we have a tendency to hold on to sins in our lives but for different reasons:
–God can’t possibly forgive that.
–I am too embarrassed to even say it.
–I am beyond hope so why even try.
–I haven’t cleaned up my act enough to step before God.
…and you get the point.

We hoard those undesirable sins…all the while they are choking us and draining us of all hope.  They crowd all the free space in our heart and we begin to feel closed in.  The only way to be free is to boldly and confidently come before God and, through faith in Jesus Christ, confess those sins.  When you do God will gladly say to you:

“My child…I love you.  You’re sins are forgiven.”

And there you go….you’re free.  How do I know this?

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
(Psalm 103:11-12)

Wow…that is awesome.  Those sins are gone.  Forgotten.  They are history.  Never to be remembered by God.  So therefore (and I don’t know about you) but  when I think about that steadfast love I feel:
–Free
–Relaxed
–Peaceful
–Content
–Energized
–(and allow me to add) Thankful

My friends…join me in cleaning house, each and everyday and enjoy this awesome God of ours through Jesus Christ our Risen Savior and Lord.

Blessings to you 🙂

edh -|—

A bunch of words

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

I have a bunch of words written on a page right now…ready to be preached this morning.  I carefully reflected on the scripture text this week and prayed for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  And I believe from the bottom of my heart that these are the “right” words.
I believe that these words are more than just something to fill space.
I believe that those words are exactly what God wants me to say this morning.
I also believe that God will somehow use those words for His glory.

I don’t know how, but God will find a way to use those words.  God always does.  I guess that is why I never tire of writing sermons and preaching them.  Sure…it may be a lot of work sometimes during a particularly busy week when I am under a lot of stress, but in the end, God get’s His way.  He always does even if I don’t see or comprehend what way God got.

But this morning I find myself distracted by a pastoral care concern that is striking close to home.  My heart is breaking for this couple and I can’t seem to think of the right words to say.
I am racking my brain…but nothing.
I am searching my heart…but nothing.
I won’t see this couple this morning in worship but I can’t stop thinking about them.  I guess partly because since I am a pastor in the family I am guessing someone will eventually ask me; “why?”  And…as I consider that potential question I am at a loss for words as my heart continues to break for them.

O God…what do I say? What are the right words?

I ask that question each and every week.  I also ask that question whenever I call on someone.  So I guess I need to do what I do each and every week ~ turn everything over to the power of God through the Holy Spirit; trusting in God’s work through Jesus Christ my Lord.  I need to fall back into His loving arms and trust that the right words will spew forth from my mouth this morning…and when I see this couple again.  For if I focus on my brain; my knowledge, I will no doubt mess things up.

O God…what do I say? What are the right words?

So there you go.  A bunch of words on a page and a bunch of words running around in my brain; all waiting to do something.  I pray that God takes the right words and does something amazing; all to God’s glory.

Use my words, O God, that people my come to praise you!

edh -|—

The “little things”

/ The Pastor

Loving and gracious God…I give you thanks for those “little things” that we too often take for granted.  Those things that are all so common…right there in front of our face…those important “little things” that we forget to thank you for:

Water
Air
Coffee
The sound of the furnace running on a chilly day
A warm bed to sleep in
Clothes
Quiet moments
My Christmas cactus
Chocolate milk
A comfortable couch

You have blessed me, God.  You have provided for me in countless ways.  You have been gracious to this man who too often sets his mind on the “things of man” rather than on the “things of God”.

I am not worthy.

And so I add to the list that one “thing” that is not so little; the one thing that saves me from condemnation; the one thing that is the ultimate expression of your love…

Your Son, Jesus Christ.  

Thank you!  Thank you! Thank you!  You are most worthy to be praised.  Help me to not forget the “little things” and to always remember that “big thing”; the cross.

Thank you for listening to me ramble.  I look forward to what you have in store for me today. Amen!


edh -|—

The things of God

/ The Pastor

The “assigned” Gospel text for Sunday is from Mark 8 where Jesus foretells his death; Peter rebukes Jesus; and then Jesus in turn rebukes Peter: “Get behind me Satan, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God but on the things of man.”

This “things of God” verses the “things of man” has got me thinking this week.

I started the week reflecting on Psalm 119:1-16 where it says:

Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.
3 They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me. 

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O Lord;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

I have been soaking these verses in every chance I get this week.  When some down time presents itself to me I open my Bible to read and reflect.  I listen and then read again.  I ponder and wonder if I am indeed setting my mind on the “things of God” rather than on the “things of man”.  Do I mediate on God’s precepts? Do I take joy in learning God’s righteousness decrees?

You see ~ The “things of man” doesn’t encourage you to open your Bible during some down time.  The “things of man” doesn’t encourage you to just sit and listen, as a friend of mine so aptly wrote on his blog recently.  The “things of man” doesn’t tell you that God’s way is best.  And so I am encouraged:

I feel good about myself.
I feel justified that I am doing what I should be doing.
I feel like I am on the right path.

But then I also realize that I have my moments (actually…many moments) when I am setting my mind on the “things of man”.  In a lot of ways Peter and I are kindred spirits.

I want what I think is best without consulting God.
I want to find peace and contentment in the things of this world.
I want to rush in with MY agenda.

So then I feel discouraged that maybe I truly don’t have in mind the “things of God” 😦

But then in Romans Paul reminds us that this battle is never ending.  We are always going to be frustrated by the battle between the desire to set our mind on the “things of God” verses the “things of man”.  We are always go to be tempted to take the easy/pleasurable way over the productive/God-honoring way.  The battle is going to rage on and never calm down until that day when Jesus returns to take us home and redeem the pitiful state we find ourselves in.

So in the mean time, take every moment you can to immerse yourself in the Word.  Find quiet moments to listen to God. Remember to shut up and listen once in a while.  And don’t lose hope.  When you falter; when you revert to your “default” setting of the “things of man” remember the Good News ~ forgiveness through faith in Christ ~ and then update your settings to the “things of God”.

Praise be to you, O Lord; 
teach me your decrees. 
13 With my lips I recount 
all the laws that come from your mouth. 
14 I rejoice in following your statutes 
as one rejoices in great riches. 
15 I meditate on your precepts 
and consider your ways. 
16 I delight in your decrees; 
I will not neglect your word.

“Things of God”…CHECK 🙂
[At least for now]

Praise be to you O God!  Even though I falter and take you for granted, you don’t leave me orphaned.  Even though I often revert to the “things on man” you don’t cast me aside to fend for myself.  O God – I want to strive after your righteousness decrees.  Help me to keep my internal settings on the “things of God” that I may grow closer and closer to you.  Through Jesus Christ I pray…Amen.

edh -|—

Guard your way

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

If you haven’t spent time with Psalm 119 let me urge you to do so.  I know it is a long one (176 verses).  I know there is much to take in, but it is well worth the time.  Take it in sections (there are 22 stanzas of 8 verses each).  Meditate on a stanza at a time and then move on as the Spirit leads you.

I never cease to be amazed at how the Holy Spirit leads me to various places in Scripture.  I know it is not a random thing; that God has a plan.  All I can say is: Wow!
and
Praise be to God!

Verse 1 sets the tone:
“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!”

Now — before anyone thinks I am saying MY way is blameless, let me say this:
I AM FAR FROM BLAMELESS…
…but I am trying to walk in the law of the Lord.  I am trying to seek the Lord with all my heart.  I am trying to learn His precepts.  I am trying to store up His Word in my heart.

MY way is not blameless, but GOD’S way is blameless.  And that is the way I am seeking.

But I also know that in all my efforts to walk in the way of the Lord I will fall down.  I will fail.  I will let God down.  I don’t want to, but I know it will happen.  After all I am sinful (but that’s still no excuse).

What a wretched person I am…

…but through Jesus Christ, God is merciful.  Praise be to God!

So I continue my journey.  I continue my walk with God.  I continue my exploration of God’s Word. I continue to seek GOD’S way and ask God to keep me from the temptation of following MY way.

Why?

Verse 9 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your (God’s) word.”

YOUR way will never be pure through your efforts.  Your way is only pure by guarding it through God’s Word.  So…

Seek the Lord.
Mediate on his precepts.
Guard your way that you may be pure and that God may be glorified in your life.

With your whole heart seek God; wander not from his commandments. [paraphrase of verse 10]

May God bless your day as you walk with Him 🙂

edh -|—

Holy community moments

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

Last night (Sun, Feb 26) brothers and sisters in Christ from Jackson gathered together to pray.

Back in January we had a special prayer service for a family mourning the tragic death of their 20-year-old son.  A lot of people showed up and it was a powerful moment.  Following the prayer time a few of us were talking and wondered:

“Why do we need to wait for a tragedy in order to gather to pray?”

So yadda, yadda, yadda…

…we decided to hold a community prayer service every month on the 4th Sunday.  The location is to rotate among the churches.  Last night we were at Salem.

The agenda is nothing more than to just pray.  I set up circles of chairs in the fellowship hall.  I lite candles in the sanctuary in case people wanted a quiet place for private prayer.  I began our time with scripture and off we went.

That was 7pm.

By the time I looked at the clock again it was nearly 8pm.  Wow…how time flies when brothers and sisters in Christ unite in prayer.  And it didn’t even seem that long.  Our little circle prayed about a variety of things and people.  No rhyme or reason, but then again that is how it should be…pray however the Spirit moves you.

It was great!

But what really meant a lot to me was to see and hear people’s hearts.  We poured ourselves out.  We weren’t afraid to speak.  We weren’t concerned about “proper format”.  What I heard was people talking to God as one would speak to a close friend.

Very intimate time.
Very powerful.
Very moving.

Afterwards we just visited.  We drank coffee.  People caught up with one another.  More holy moments 🙂

The only things that bothers me about this is this:
Why didn’t we start doing this a long time ago?

Let us pray…

edh -|—

GREAT news!

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

WOW!

“The kingdom of God is near.  Repent and believe the Good News!”

That is awesome.  Good News?  Heck…that’s GREAT news.  The kingdom of God  is near ~ not just in timing, but proximity.

Have you ever just stopped to ponder that reality?
Have you ever taken any time whatsoever to think about that promise?
Have you ever pondered what this means for you?

This is GREAT news.  Through Jesus Christ the kingdom of God is near; it’s HERE.  It is closer to you than you are to yourself ~ and through faith in Jesus Christ it is your hope for the future as well; victory over death and life everlasting.

GREAT news!

Use the Sabbath Day today to rest and to reflect on this promise.  Open your Bible and dive into Scripture.  Read and soak in what God has for you.  Love and enjoy this GREAT news of Jesus Christ died and risen FOR YOU.

Mediate
Pray
Worship
Give thanks

“The kingdom of God is near.  Repent and believe the Good News!”

edh -|—

Lenten discipline – Prayer journal

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

It has been placed on my heart recently to do some reflecting on various spiritual disciplines throughout Lent.  One of the reasons is my recent rebelliousness of not giving something up for Lent.  I have found that when I give something up for Lent that it doesn’t help me focus on God more but rather it distracts me.  Instead of focusing on God I find myself focusing on how much I miss the thing I have given up.

So I am changing the rules.  Instead of giving something up for Lent I am taking something on.

And when I say that I mean taking on a spiritual discipline such as:
Bible reading
Prayer
Journaling
Mediation
Worship
Fasting
Study
Serving
Etc…

Something I have started doing recently is keeping a prayer/study journal.
On the left is my Bible.  The book on right is a leather bound journal for taking notes during scripture reading and meditation.  The white paper in the middle is my prayer list that I update often.  All of this is contained in a canvas Bible cover with storage compartments for writing utensils and other items.  This is super easy to carry around with me and use as needed.  If a prayer request comes my way I make sure I immediately write down the name, date and circumstances…and also make sure I follow up.  I do this through personal visits, Facebook messages, email or phone calls.

I have found that this discipline has drawn me closer to God and closer to others as I work through this prayer list.  Something else I am starting is praying through the church membership list; a couple names/families at a time.

But this is not just a Lenten discipline…this is something I plan to maintain after Lent is done.   You see…the old Lenten rules said that when Easter arrived you could STOP giving up what you gave up and begin indulging in what you had deprived yourself of for 40 days (not counting Sundays).  The NEW rules encourage you to continue what you began.

Don’t give it up after Lent…keep it up.  Let it become a daily ritual for fostering and nurturing your relationship with God.

So there you go…the NEW rules:
Don’t give up but take on and continue.  Pretty straight forward.

So…who’s in?

And…

What are you going to take on?

edh -|—

Ready…set…go…

/ The Pastor

It’s Ash Wednesday!

Lent is here!

Bring on the craziness 🙂

Today I kicked off Lent by enjoying the Holy Spirit work through me to finish off the sermon for tonight.  I went to bed last night with writers block.  Woke up this morning hoping and praying that the sermon would finish itself.  Went to my office and BEHOLD…

…enter the Holy Spirit.

Now the sermon is done.  Praise be to God.  I can hardly wait to preach it tonight.

For my next Lenten activity…
I made some ashes for tonight.  I always look forward to doing this.  I just wish I hadn’t inhaled so much ash smoke.  I am still coughing it up. [Mental note ~ wear a mask next year]

Anyway…I am one of those purists who take the Palm branches from Palm Sunday the previous year, burn them to ash and then mix in some olive oil.

Presto!

Ashes for worship tonight 🙂

Now it is off to release time…then confirmation…then Lenten small group…then Lenten supper…then Ash Wednesday worship…then…at some point…bed.

Lent is here!

Ready…set…go!

edh -|—