"The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" - Psalm 27:1
As believers in Christ, the Holy Spirit lives inside each of us. That same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead! This Easter, may we recognize again the power that it took to raise a man 3-days dead from the grave... how massive that power must be... and this it lives inside each of us. How could we not be bubbling out the light of God? How could we not love our neighbors? How could be be in fear? Why should be be afraid?
Because we are human.
But may we also be reminded that what is impossible for us, is possible with God. Allow God's power to reign in our lives.... let's tap into that power, die to ourself, and LIVE LARGE. Easter blessings to you all.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Love & Rejection
Our small group is working through a video series by Beth Moore called "Living Beyond Yourself" which focuses on the fruit of the spirit. This past week, the topic was Love. I found it interesting that the focus of the week's study, however, was on rejection. For about 40 of the 60 minutes, she talked about rejection. She discussed three pictures of rejection from the different definitions from the original Greek and Hebrew: 1) To disapprove or refuce, 2) Vacant, and 3) To be spit out. She discussed the wounds of rejection and how we typically look to repair the rejection in one of two erroneous ways: 1) To get back what was rejected or 2) To seek revenge.
As we moved past the realities of our rejection, we studied how the Lord receives us regardless of whoever rejects us, but we tend to focus more on the rejection of others than the acceptance of Christ. Through accepting God's acceptance, we start the process of divine healing. I Peter 2:4-10 talks directly about how we are rejected by men, but chosen by God; that we are precious to him. We often lose sign of the two main sources of divine healing the SOVEREIGNTY of God and the SUPREMACY of God.
As each of us struggles from the wounds of rejection, may we each grab firmly to the truth that Jesus offers us "True" love and that "True love never fails (I Corinthians 13:8)." God's love for us will never fail us and the love that we offer others in the name of Christ will never drop away or fall. The "greatest of these is love" and that comes from the ability to allow God's love to fill the vacancy of rejection that many of us carry.
Although different, I felt God connecting some dots for me this week between this and the Sunday service where Pastor Bill spoke on a life of peace. He many clear that peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God. Like the fruit of the Spirit and like love, our peace is dependent on our ability to allow the presence of God to pervade our hearts. Life in the Spirit is about battling for our heart.... let's fight the battle and actively guard our hearts for it is the well-spring of life.
May the Lord bless you with His Love that overcomes rejection. Have a great week!
As we moved past the realities of our rejection, we studied how the Lord receives us regardless of whoever rejects us, but we tend to focus more on the rejection of others than the acceptance of Christ. Through accepting God's acceptance, we start the process of divine healing. I Peter 2:4-10 talks directly about how we are rejected by men, but chosen by God; that we are precious to him. We often lose sign of the two main sources of divine healing the SOVEREIGNTY of God and the SUPREMACY of God.
As each of us struggles from the wounds of rejection, may we each grab firmly to the truth that Jesus offers us "True" love and that "True love never fails (I Corinthians 13:8)." God's love for us will never fail us and the love that we offer others in the name of Christ will never drop away or fall. The "greatest of these is love" and that comes from the ability to allow God's love to fill the vacancy of rejection that many of us carry.
Although different, I felt God connecting some dots for me this week between this and the Sunday service where Pastor Bill spoke on a life of peace. He many clear that peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God. Like the fruit of the Spirit and like love, our peace is dependent on our ability to allow the presence of God to pervade our hearts. Life in the Spirit is about battling for our heart.... let's fight the battle and actively guard our hearts for it is the well-spring of life.
May the Lord bless you with His Love that overcomes rejection. Have a great week!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Men's Retreat
Wow, what a fantastic weekend of being challenged to live with Reckless Abandon to the things of God and to live life in Reckless Obedience to the one who makes life possible. After each large group worship & teaching we would break into small groups. These groups were pre-arranged by Roby and the first few comments after getting into the groups were things like, "What was Roby on when he made this group?" or "What, did Roby think we needed a baby-sitter?". But after, I know I was so grateful that I had time to get to know these guys, their hearts, and their passion on a level I probably never would have been able to without being locked in a room together for hours at a time. My experience with Mr. Johnson, Mr. Pasch, Mr. Zortman, Mr. Fritchie, and Mr. McFarlane was life-changing. As I shared with the large group on Saturday night, I was inspired by these men... inspired to take me own passion for lost people to an even greater level; inspirted to let my past by part of my story but my present & future be my testimony - that my testimony is what it is today, but my final testimony will be how I choose to live my future. If you know these guys and see them around, thank them again as they have helped me in ways they will never fully appreciate.
I was then excited to be able to return late Saturday night and re-join my family and be at New Hope for an incredible time of worship led by our interim worship director Caitlyn. What a fabulous weekend of inspiration, worship, and greater death of myself to the heart of God. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness, victory, and power!
I was then excited to be able to return late Saturday night and re-join my family and be at New Hope for an incredible time of worship led by our interim worship director Caitlyn. What a fabulous weekend of inspiration, worship, and greater death of myself to the heart of God. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness, victory, and power!
Monday, February 18, 2008
OK, fine... Dentist
About a week ago I fainted at the dentist office... OK, fine, there it is. I made the mistake of telling a couple of people and now I'm getting sent pictures of needles & dental work. Thank you for your support.
Last week I took my son to get two wisdom teeth pulled. When the first novicaine (sp?) shots were given to him (with the 80" needle), I felt a little light headed. After they were done with that round, I went to the lobby to sit down and had some water. OK, things were cool... I went back in while he waited for the novicaine to settle in.
When doc came back, he said he would do more shots and then wait a bit until starting the tooth removal. He gave the shots and that part went fine; but then, unexpectedly, he started digging the teeth out. Oh, oh.... trouble in river city. I start sweating big time and let them know I gotta go sit down... so I start walking down the hallway to the lobby and the world starts closing in on me. In my mind I'm saying, "10 more steps.... 9 more steps... 8 more steps" -- and I made it to the chairs! Praise God I didn't faint!
Then the receptionist & the hygenist come out to help me (now I'm really embarassed!). They throw a cold towel on the back of my neck - that's better. Then they say, "you are sweating right through your shirt." OK, now that's lovely! True, but not exactly what I'm looking to hear at that point. I tip my head back to enjoy the towel on the back of my neck... and then I'm out. I think it was just a brief time, but I came to when a cold towel was put on my forehead. Then I was fine. It was like throwing up -- you just do it and then you are fine.
It was a very humbling experience. My 11 year old is getting two teeth "extracated" and dear-old-dad can't even stay on his feet. Well, it's good to be humbled from time to time I guess... and it's fun to have stories. I'm not looking forward to my next visit to the dentist; before I went out the second time the dentist told me only two people had fainted - and both were women. Again, confidence & joy!
Oh well... just a fun story that maybe someday will preach.
Last week I took my son to get two wisdom teeth pulled. When the first novicaine (sp?) shots were given to him (with the 80" needle), I felt a little light headed. After they were done with that round, I went to the lobby to sit down and had some water. OK, things were cool... I went back in while he waited for the novicaine to settle in.
When doc came back, he said he would do more shots and then wait a bit until starting the tooth removal. He gave the shots and that part went fine; but then, unexpectedly, he started digging the teeth out. Oh, oh.... trouble in river city. I start sweating big time and let them know I gotta go sit down... so I start walking down the hallway to the lobby and the world starts closing in on me. In my mind I'm saying, "10 more steps.... 9 more steps... 8 more steps" -- and I made it to the chairs! Praise God I didn't faint!
Then the receptionist & the hygenist come out to help me (now I'm really embarassed!). They throw a cold towel on the back of my neck - that's better. Then they say, "you are sweating right through your shirt." OK, now that's lovely! True, but not exactly what I'm looking to hear at that point. I tip my head back to enjoy the towel on the back of my neck... and then I'm out. I think it was just a brief time, but I came to when a cold towel was put on my forehead. Then I was fine. It was like throwing up -- you just do it and then you are fine.
It was a very humbling experience. My 11 year old is getting two teeth "extracated" and dear-old-dad can't even stay on his feet. Well, it's good to be humbled from time to time I guess... and it's fun to have stories. I'm not looking forward to my next visit to the dentist; before I went out the second time the dentist told me only two people had fainted - and both were women. Again, confidence & joy!
Oh well... just a fun story that maybe someday will preach.
Monday, February 4, 2008
White as snow
Prior to today's snowfall, I had been thinking about how the snowpiles around town and our house had become pretty ugly. You know what I mean... snow gets plowed a few times and the piles turn dirty. But then the new snow came today and whitened everything up again.
My thoughts moved to my heart and my need for constant snow to make me clean. As we confess our junk, ask God for forgiveness, and commit to turning from our ways, we are forgiven and our sins become as far as the East is from the West and are sent to the ocean floor. The blood of Christ becomes the snow in our lives, making us white as snow... glorious grace! But our repentance can give way to the pressures of life and the wiles of an enemy that prowls around like a roaring lion. Like Paul, we find two laws at work within us - the law that wants to do good and the law that does evil. Over time, our sinful nature, leads to our snowpiles becoming dirtied once again. Praise God for fresh snow.
My thoughts moved to my heart and my need for constant snow to make me clean. As we confess our junk, ask God for forgiveness, and commit to turning from our ways, we are forgiven and our sins become as far as the East is from the West and are sent to the ocean floor. The blood of Christ becomes the snow in our lives, making us white as snow... glorious grace! But our repentance can give way to the pressures of life and the wiles of an enemy that prowls around like a roaring lion. Like Paul, we find two laws at work within us - the law that wants to do good and the law that does evil. Over time, our sinful nature, leads to our snowpiles becoming dirtied once again. Praise God for fresh snow.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Financial Freedom
Over the past four years, we have been teaching through a series on Financial Freedom. This is such a difficult subject to talk about in church because the knock on church is that "they are always asking for our money." Let me take this opportunity to be clear... I believe that Jesus taught a lot about giving; about how finances are tied so closely to our heart. I believe that Jesus commanded his followers (us) in how to treat finances; how to make monetary decisions; what to do with those in need; how to be generous.
When the church instructs on giving, it is not to somehow manipulate people into giving for the sake of the church. When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He said to "make disciples of all nations" but He also said to "teach them to obey everything I have commanded you to." The church has the responsibility to teach what Jesus taught -- including finances. When the church teaches on financies, it is out of a heart of being obedient to Jesus teaching to His disciples.
If anyone decided to give financially to New Hope, our desire is that they be motivated by Jesus instructions, God's principles, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. There should not be compulsion from man -- only instruction on what Jesus had to say.
As funds are received, the church (like each of us individually) carries the responsibility to steward its resources well. New Hope has a purpose, "To honor God by making passionate follwers of Jesus Christ through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit." Everything the church does must move individuals toward that purpose... hardened hearts become softened, hopeless find hope, prisoners be set free, doubters become seekers, seekers become followers, and followers become passionate. Whether New Hope received $10,000/year or $10,000,000/year, the responsibility and commitment of the leadership is to pray, seek the leading of the Holy Spirit, and make decisions that can best advance that purpose.
Our job as individuals: read the Bible, listend to Jesus teaching, be obedient to God's instructions, and lean into the Holy Spirit on what we should give and where we should give it.
Our job as a church: pass on the teaching of Jesus and steward whatever resources come in based on the purpose of the church, Biblical instruction, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
When the church instructs on giving, it is not to somehow manipulate people into giving for the sake of the church. When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He said to "make disciples of all nations" but He also said to "teach them to obey everything I have commanded you to." The church has the responsibility to teach what Jesus taught -- including finances. When the church teaches on financies, it is out of a heart of being obedient to Jesus teaching to His disciples.
If anyone decided to give financially to New Hope, our desire is that they be motivated by Jesus instructions, God's principles, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. There should not be compulsion from man -- only instruction on what Jesus had to say.
As funds are received, the church (like each of us individually) carries the responsibility to steward its resources well. New Hope has a purpose, "To honor God by making passionate follwers of Jesus Christ through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit." Everything the church does must move individuals toward that purpose... hardened hearts become softened, hopeless find hope, prisoners be set free, doubters become seekers, seekers become followers, and followers become passionate. Whether New Hope received $10,000/year or $10,000,000/year, the responsibility and commitment of the leadership is to pray, seek the leading of the Holy Spirit, and make decisions that can best advance that purpose.
Our job as individuals: read the Bible, listend to Jesus teaching, be obedient to God's instructions, and lean into the Holy Spirit on what we should give and where we should give it.
Our job as a church: pass on the teaching of Jesus and steward whatever resources come in based on the purpose of the church, Biblical instruction, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Monday, January 14, 2008
HIV/AIDS
There are several area pastors that are interested in joining forces together to make a significant impact in the battle against HIV/AIDS. Some churches have already taken some steps while others are waiting for the right opportunity. My desire is to see the churches lead a community-wide effort; to see Isanti County as an expanded community partner with a region in an area affected by HIV/AIDS to help turn the tide of poverty and lack of education which are underpinnings of the AIDS issue. To that end there I have attended a seminar at Bethel University attended by pastors from First Baptist and River of Life as well as other lay leaders from the area; this led to a discussion and presentation by World Vision at the ministerial meeting last week; this led to another one-on-one meeting with a lay leader from Cambridge Lutheran (who is already taken leadership on this issue). Over the next few months, my desire is that church leaders will meet to articulate a unified vision for what this could look like and then, over time, gain momentum by getting other community leaders on board ultimately resulting in the creation, announcement, and execution of a transformational impact program in the area of HIV/AIDS. Jesus calls us to care for the widows and orphans. The widows & orphans created by the greatest global medical crisis in history is absolutely staggering. Jesus calls us to the utter ends of the world to share the gospel. If you have a passion around this issue, I would love to hear from you as we start to move forward on this. May the Lord bless you in great & mighty ways. Your servant.... Steve
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