What a great weekend! Between the four services, there were.....but wait. Figures might blow you away. They did when we heard of the sheer staggering number of people who were baptised over the weekend.
It would be easy to try to take credit for us or the church, but it was really God at work. No two baptisms were the same, and no two stories were alike.
There was the 13 year-old girl who's father told her it was stupid to be baptised. She came anyway and was baptised.
There was the man who had been incarcerated and accepted Christ into his life in jail, only to return to his old friends and habits upon release. Realizing he needed to change while "on the outside," he recommitted his life to Christ with his public baptism.
Then there was the 86 year old woman in a wheelchair who decided she wanted to declare her faith publically - with her grandson. Her family, and the entire crowd, cheered like fans who had just found out their team was headed to the World Series.
Broken marriages restored. Addictions battled. Friends that discovered their faith together, baptised together. Friends that came to witness another friend baptised, deciding to be baptised also.
Account after account, each one unique. All of those who have been touched by Christ; a miracle, each one, in their own right.
While I was inside the Worship Center, I bumped into a woman who I recognized from last year's indoor baptism. "Remember me?" she yelled over the band. "I sure do!" I yelled back. "Look at me! I can walk!"
It was an easy memory to bring back. The woman could barely make it down the aisle while leaning on her walker. She worked really hard, determined to get up and back down the stairs into the pool, then repeated the climbs to return to her walker without assistance.
"I am so happy to see this! What God is doing! I want God to do for them what he did for me! All of them!"
Don't let the number get to you. It's just a whole bunch of believers gathered in the same place. All watching in amazement, praising God for the lost, found.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
G220: Free from worry
Last week, "G220" was posted with Galatians 2:20 quoted (NLT). In case you missed it, here it is.
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ.[a] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Did you catch the second sentence? We don't normally associate this verse with one "on worry," do we? Many are familiar with Matthew 6:25, where Jesus tells us not to worry about everyday life; that our lives are so much more than what we wear or eat or drink; that God, who loves us so much, cares for us and provides. Matthew 10:19 - Don't worry about the speck in your neighbor's eye when you have a log in your own. Mark 13:11: Jesus tells the disciples not to worry about what they're supposed to say when they're at trial; the Holy Spirit will do the talking for them.
Who can forget John 14:27? "27I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." The last part is widely known as "Let not your heart be troubled."
Another favorite is Philipians 4:6-7, where Paul offers his encouragement: "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
We are told by Paul (who had a personal encounter with Jesus, by the way) that if we bring our worries to God, we will experience peace, beyond our understanding.
So, what about G220?
I think this verse speaks to our identity. Christ gave up his life and our old selves were crucified with him. Paul is telling us we have nothing to worry about - Christ beat death; death: the "worst" thing that could happen to us human, mortal beings. Jesus beat it. He beat death.
So while we're living here, in our earthly bodies, we can trust God who loves us and cares for and about us; Christ who loves us and gave himself for us to beat death.
Meditate on these verses - God's promises are there for us not to just read, but to take into our hearts.
What do you fear?
What prayer will you pray, putting the worry or fear into God's hands?
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ.[a] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Did you catch the second sentence? We don't normally associate this verse with one "on worry," do we? Many are familiar with Matthew 6:25, where Jesus tells us not to worry about everyday life; that our lives are so much more than what we wear or eat or drink; that God, who loves us so much, cares for us and provides. Matthew 10:19 - Don't worry about the speck in your neighbor's eye when you have a log in your own. Mark 13:11: Jesus tells the disciples not to worry about what they're supposed to say when they're at trial; the Holy Spirit will do the talking for them.
Who can forget John 14:27? "27I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." The last part is widely known as "Let not your heart be troubled."
Another favorite is Philipians 4:6-7, where Paul offers his encouragement: "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
We are told by Paul (who had a personal encounter with Jesus, by the way) that if we bring our worries to God, we will experience peace, beyond our understanding.
So, what about G220?
I think this verse speaks to our identity. Christ gave up his life and our old selves were crucified with him. Paul is telling us we have nothing to worry about - Christ beat death; death: the "worst" thing that could happen to us human, mortal beings. Jesus beat it. He beat death.
So while we're living here, in our earthly bodies, we can trust God who loves us and cares for and about us; Christ who loves us and gave himself for us to beat death.
Meditate on these verses - God's promises are there for us not to just read, but to take into our hearts.
What do you fear?
What prayer will you pray, putting the worry or fear into God's hands?
Monday, February 4, 2013
G220
Do you ever have a hard time remembering whether a verse is in Ephesians, Colossians, Corinthians, or Galatians? Hebrews, or even first and second Peter or John?
I thought back to my high school days when we had a class called "ReCaRE," focusing on study, test-taking, note taking, and reading skills, including ways to create nmonics and acronyms to recall certain things. (Sorry, I don't remember what ReCaRE stood for, but it was an amazing semester-long class that raised everyone's grades at least one letter - and I still use some of the strategies to this day, unlike chemistry).
So what's "G220?" I had to come up with a way to remember the difference between Galatians, Ephesians, etc. G220 ("G' two-twenty) helped me remember my favorite verse that I think is as impactful as John 3:16. Galatians 2:20 says, "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Wow. Have you ever heard Casting Crowns "East to West?" The greatest lyrics in the entire song say, "one scarred hand in the other," referring to Jesus holding one's hand, also scarred as his is. Actually, it's difficult to pick just one phrase that's "the best" in that song, as God's love goes on as far as the east is from the west as the Psalmist tells us in Psalm 103:
The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.
Through our faith in Jesus Christ, our sins are cast away from us, we are blameless. Our old self was crucified. He lives in those of us who believe in him, have turned from our sinful ways, and ask for his forgiveness. What an amazing gift.
I think I'll take more time to read G220 and Psalm 103 - instead of reading it, I want to absorb it; make it part of me; meditate on it; grow closer to Him.
Will you join me?
I thought back to my high school days when we had a class called "ReCaRE," focusing on study, test-taking, note taking, and reading skills, including ways to create nmonics and acronyms to recall certain things. (Sorry, I don't remember what ReCaRE stood for, but it was an amazing semester-long class that raised everyone's grades at least one letter - and I still use some of the strategies to this day, unlike chemistry).
So what's "G220?" I had to come up with a way to remember the difference between Galatians, Ephesians, etc. G220 ("G' two-twenty) helped me remember my favorite verse that I think is as impactful as John 3:16. Galatians 2:20 says, "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Wow. Have you ever heard Casting Crowns "East to West?" The greatest lyrics in the entire song say, "one scarred hand in the other," referring to Jesus holding one's hand, also scarred as his is. Actually, it's difficult to pick just one phrase that's "the best" in that song, as God's love goes on as far as the east is from the west as the Psalmist tells us in Psalm 103:
The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.
Through our faith in Jesus Christ, our sins are cast away from us, we are blameless. Our old self was crucified. He lives in those of us who believe in him, have turned from our sinful ways, and ask for his forgiveness. What an amazing gift.
I think I'll take more time to read G220 and Psalm 103 - instead of reading it, I want to absorb it; make it part of me; meditate on it; grow closer to Him.
Will you join me?
Friday, February 1, 2013
A Frozen Update plus a bonus "Best of..."
Well, I jumped back in to school last week! Lots of writing, reading, and introspection and very rewarding. I'm taking a bit of time off blogging for now, but please, by all means, poke around on the site.
Some have asked what the purpose is of blogging. Mostly, the posts are somewhat of my own journal that I'm posting, hoping that someone will benefit from the thoughts. I've never been to seminary, so my theology might be off. Nonetheless, I believe that God speaks when we're quiet, reading his Word, prayerfully considering what he's saying, and applying it obediently.
Here's another edition of "The Best of 2012: 13 Seconds."
God bless!
13 Seconds
I looked at my watch -- only ten minutes to go until my first final exam for a 2-year effort to earn my certification in safety management. Plenty of time to clear out some email.
The post on the Facebook webpage simply read, "Saw an obit for John C____ this morning." My heart sunk as I tried processing the news.
John has a unique last name -- there's no mistaking it. The age, 48 years, fit. John was a good friend to many and, most importantly, a great husband and father.
The conversation in my head volleyed conflicting thoughts. "Keep it together for the exam." "Maybe it's not him. How could it not be?" You know the first reactions after this kind of news goes from shock to denial." "He was so young." "Need more information." "Why did we lose touch? Too busy, I guess. Put off plans to get together." "Regrets."
I found my self praying, "Please God, let it not be true," as if John would be resurrected. "Denial. Shock. Keep it together here. Besides, I'm in West Virginia. There's nothing to do until I get home." "What about Jeanne and the boys?"
"What would I say at John's funeral?" I asked. "Two sentences," I answered my self.
"John had the guts to invite me to church in 1990 and I accepted Christ into my heart that day. My life changed that day, and it's been great ever since."
In the next 13 seconds, I realized I'm not ready -- He helped me change my life and I'd need to live for him.
I'm not ready to go - there's so much to do to serve God, to serve others. I'm going to Nicaragua. I want to go as much as I need to. I'm too young. Kimberly and I just found each other. My daughters are too young to lose their dad. A moment of truth came over me, realizing that the certification, the busy-ness, the 60 hour work week (for me) got in the way of my service to my family and my neighbors.
My mom still lives in the home I grew up in. "Maybe Mom will know something." As the phone rang, in only seconds, I recalled all the times John stopped by Mom's house periodically after my dad died (suddenly at 51). When Mom answered, she said her heart sunk when she saw the obituary.
Before we were done, we realized something just wasn't right, so Mom said she'd get more info and call me back. Time to go in to the exam.
After purging a few tears and collecting my thoughts, Mom emailed me after checking the funeral home website. I wasn't the John C_____ we know. Thank God. Wait; A young man with a family, my age, young kids, wife; no longer with us. One whose family is experiencing a deep loss.
I thought hard after the exam. "How will I respond to this after it grabbed my attention? Will I live up to my concerns and promises to live for others? What will I do about not being "ready?" I prayed, "God, don't ever leave me out of Your great plans, even if my part is to have caused others to come to you after I leave my life here behind. In the mean time, use me to your fullest extent for your glory."
I can't wait to see my wife, daughters, and our dog, Elvis - Wrap my arms around them and tell them I love them and they mean more to me than anything in the world.
John, if you're reading this, your simple invitation outside of your comfort zone has impacted my life tremendously. You affected my thoughts today, causing me to recall what's important in life.
Although we don't stay in touch, I love you, brother. Thank you. Thank you.
Some have asked what the purpose is of blogging. Mostly, the posts are somewhat of my own journal that I'm posting, hoping that someone will benefit from the thoughts. I've never been to seminary, so my theology might be off. Nonetheless, I believe that God speaks when we're quiet, reading his Word, prayerfully considering what he's saying, and applying it obediently.
Here's another edition of "The Best of 2012: 13 Seconds."
God bless!
13 Seconds
I looked at my watch -- only ten minutes to go until my first final exam for a 2-year effort to earn my certification in safety management. Plenty of time to clear out some email.
The post on the Facebook webpage simply read, "Saw an obit for John C____ this morning." My heart sunk as I tried processing the news.
John has a unique last name -- there's no mistaking it. The age, 48 years, fit. John was a good friend to many and, most importantly, a great husband and father.
The conversation in my head volleyed conflicting thoughts. "Keep it together for the exam." "Maybe it's not him. How could it not be?" You know the first reactions after this kind of news goes from shock to denial." "He was so young." "Need more information." "Why did we lose touch? Too busy, I guess. Put off plans to get together." "Regrets."
I found my self praying, "Please God, let it not be true," as if John would be resurrected. "Denial. Shock. Keep it together here. Besides, I'm in West Virginia. There's nothing to do until I get home." "What about Jeanne and the boys?"
"What would I say at John's funeral?" I asked. "Two sentences," I answered my self.
"John had the guts to invite me to church in 1990 and I accepted Christ into my heart that day. My life changed that day, and it's been great ever since."
In the next 13 seconds, I realized I'm not ready -- He helped me change my life and I'd need to live for him.
I'm not ready to go - there's so much to do to serve God, to serve others. I'm going to Nicaragua. I want to go as much as I need to. I'm too young. Kimberly and I just found each other. My daughters are too young to lose their dad. A moment of truth came over me, realizing that the certification, the busy-ness, the 60 hour work week (for me) got in the way of my service to my family and my neighbors.
My mom still lives in the home I grew up in. "Maybe Mom will know something." As the phone rang, in only seconds, I recalled all the times John stopped by Mom's house periodically after my dad died (suddenly at 51). When Mom answered, she said her heart sunk when she saw the obituary.
Before we were done, we realized something just wasn't right, so Mom said she'd get more info and call me back. Time to go in to the exam.
After purging a few tears and collecting my thoughts, Mom emailed me after checking the funeral home website. I wasn't the John C_____ we know. Thank God. Wait; A young man with a family, my age, young kids, wife; no longer with us. One whose family is experiencing a deep loss.
I thought hard after the exam. "How will I respond to this after it grabbed my attention? Will I live up to my concerns and promises to live for others? What will I do about not being "ready?" I prayed, "God, don't ever leave me out of Your great plans, even if my part is to have caused others to come to you after I leave my life here behind. In the mean time, use me to your fullest extent for your glory."
I can't wait to see my wife, daughters, and our dog, Elvis - Wrap my arms around them and tell them I love them and they mean more to me than anything in the world.
John, if you're reading this, your simple invitation outside of your comfort zone has impacted my life tremendously. You affected my thoughts today, causing me to recall what's important in life.
Although we don't stay in touch, I love you, brother. Thank you. Thank you.
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