Hey out there!!
I just wanted to let everyone that we will be having our Back to School Kick-off next week on Wednesday, August 27th at 6 p.m. at the church.
We will be having supper: haystacks and brownie sundaes.
Then we are going to do some praise and worship led by a couple of our very own fish.
Finally our evening will be capped off by a guest speaker named Jonathan McKee from California. He is a former youth pastor who now develops materials for youth leaders and speaks to youth all over the country. He is supposed to be really funny.
We are really excited about this fun evening we have planned. Please invite everyone you can think of to get fired up for the year!!!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Weirdos? We don't want no stinking weirdos!
The first half of James chapter 2 is especially relevant to us in our culture today. There is a large degree of prejudice (read snobbery) among all kinds of people. I think about when I used to teach and used to see all of the cliques around the school. There were the jocks and their obvious sidekicks, who mostly wore sweats to school. Then there were the "fashionista" types who rarely had a hair out of place, let alone a piece of clothing that they wore that was over 2 months old. Then there were the "goths", and the punks, and the geeks and back to my day "The Marlboro Men"--they were the ones who hung around the back door of the school in their leather jackets and smoking like so many chimneys. Then it seemed like there was the group who didn't really belong to anyone, and who weren't socially confident enough to find one another so that they could band together and have their own group.
I'm pretty sure we could all look at the list and find ourselves in one of the above groups. And we could also identify the other groups we could operate easily in and the groups we wouldn't be caught dead with. I'm pretty sure you can look around the other students who attend our youth programs, be it Sunday nights, Sunday school, Small groups or the corporate worship at church, and identify their clique, even within the church. And the adults are no different.
Therein lies the problem.
What does God's word say about our penchant for forming and joining cliques and judging people based on those cliques? We don't have to go any further than James Chapter 2 verse 1: "My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. " In a nutshell, James is explaining the practical meaning behind the commandment Jesus said was second only to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength": You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Think about the times we look at a brother or sister in Christ with that critical eye: ooh, he must be weird, he raises his hands when he sings, or look at her, I don't think she showered today, or oh my gosh I wouldn't ever wear clothes like that, or doesn't he ever shower, or the catchall--they're just different from me. Throughout the first 13 verses of Chapter 2 James is explaining that anytime we view fellow Christians with the idea of only associating ourselves with those who are like us or those who will make us feel comfortable or look good, we are in violation of Jesus 2nd most important assignment.
Verse 9-10 are great food for thought:
We can be doing great things for God: our quiet time, serving in the church, witnessing to our friends, honoring our father and mother, but if we don't see our Christian brothers and sisters on the same level as we see the other members of our clique, we are still sinning against God.
How about you? Do you look around yourself at church and just love the fact that God loves all kinds of people, including you, with all your failures, and shortcomings, and weird hair? What do you say we make a commitment to do as Jesus asked and "Love our neighbors as ourselves" even if they're not the kind of people we would normally hang around with?
I'm pretty sure we could all look at the list and find ourselves in one of the above groups. And we could also identify the other groups we could operate easily in and the groups we wouldn't be caught dead with. I'm pretty sure you can look around the other students who attend our youth programs, be it Sunday nights, Sunday school, Small groups or the corporate worship at church, and identify their clique, even within the church. And the adults are no different.
Therein lies the problem.
What does God's word say about our penchant for forming and joining cliques and judging people based on those cliques? We don't have to go any further than James Chapter 2 verse 1: "My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. " In a nutshell, James is explaining the practical meaning behind the commandment Jesus said was second only to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength": You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Think about the times we look at a brother or sister in Christ with that critical eye: ooh, he must be weird, he raises his hands when he sings, or look at her, I don't think she showered today, or oh my gosh I wouldn't ever wear clothes like that, or doesn't he ever shower, or the catchall--they're just different from me. Throughout the first 13 verses of Chapter 2 James is explaining that anytime we view fellow Christians with the idea of only associating ourselves with those who are like us or those who will make us feel comfortable or look good, we are in violation of Jesus 2nd most important assignment.
Verse 9-10 are great food for thought:
But if you show partiality, you are
committing sin and are convicted by
the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps
the whole law and yet stumbles
in one point, he has become guilty of all.
We can be doing great things for God: our quiet time, serving in the church, witnessing to our friends, honoring our father and mother, but if we don't see our Christian brothers and sisters on the same level as we see the other members of our clique, we are still sinning against God.
How about you? Do you look around yourself at church and just love the fact that God loves all kinds of people, including you, with all your failures, and shortcomings, and weird hair? What do you say we make a commitment to do as Jesus asked and "Love our neighbors as ourselves" even if they're not the kind of people we would normally hang around with?
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Hills Alive
Hi Everyone--(Does anyone even read this thing?)
Anyway, Ted just wanted me to post the information about the Hills Alive 2008 Trip.
Hills Alive will be on July 19th and 20th, in Rapid City, South Dakota. We will live at 9 a.m. from the church on Saturday the 19th. We'll attend the concert that afternoon and evening and stay at the Super 8 and go to the water slides the next day. On Sunday evening we will go back to the concert and return to MC about 3 a.m. Monday morning. You can have all this fun for the bargain basement price of $60 which includes meals, rooms and the water slide.
Packing list--Comfortable clothes, swim suits (one piece) towels, sun screen, bug spray, sun glasses, blankets or lawn chairs for the concert, Bible, toiletries.
I heard a rumor that the girls are objecting to wearing a one piece swim suit. It's a little crazy to let that one thing be the sticking point to not go. If it's that big of a deal, you can hang out at the water slides in your clothes and watch everyone else having all the fun. It would be a great time if you guys would just allow yourselves to hang out with your uncool leaders and try a little!!
There is room for 36 students so please let Ted know you are coming...232-3656 or 951-1482.
Anyway, Ted just wanted me to post the information about the Hills Alive 2008 Trip.
Hills Alive will be on July 19th and 20th, in Rapid City, South Dakota. We will live at 9 a.m. from the church on Saturday the 19th. We'll attend the concert that afternoon and evening and stay at the Super 8 and go to the water slides the next day. On Sunday evening we will go back to the concert and return to MC about 3 a.m. Monday morning. You can have all this fun for the bargain basement price of $60 which includes meals, rooms and the water slide.
Packing list--Comfortable clothes, swim suits (one piece) towels, sun screen, bug spray, sun glasses, blankets or lawn chairs for the concert, Bible, toiletries.
I heard a rumor that the girls are objecting to wearing a one piece swim suit. It's a little crazy to let that one thing be the sticking point to not go. If it's that big of a deal, you can hang out at the water slides in your clothes and watch everyone else having all the fun. It would be a great time if you guys would just allow yourselves to hang out with your uncool leaders and try a little!!
There is room for 36 students so please let Ted know you are coming...232-3656 or 951-1482.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Listening to it or Living it?
The second portion of chapter one begins to deal with some pretty convicting issues. But James, like most good communicators, remembers to encourage us before he gives us the constructive information. Verses 17-18 reasserts the goodness of God, and the fact that He never changes. Lucky for us! In a society where everything and everyone seems to change in the blink of an eye, our God is constant. James also reminds us that God chose us to be His children as "the first fruits". This refers to the Passover Feast when the Jews brought just a sample of the greater harvest. This signifies that we are a part of the harvest, but when we are obedient and walking in God's will, we will bring about an even more bountiful harvest to God's glory.
Then comes the harder part: being quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. I'm sure you guys have heard that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason: more listening, less talking. Another thing to remember, the more we talk, the more responsibility we have because there are more words to be responsible for. Verse 26 goes even further to say that if we claim to be Christians, but we have no control over our tongue (which is an indication of what's going on in our heart) our religion is worthless.
So what's been coming out of your mouth lately?
In verse 22, James boils down the essence of the Christian life: we are to be doers of the Word, not just hearers. We can sit in church, go to youth group, participate in small groups, tune in the Christian radio station and get all the information in the world. But if that information we get about the Bible and our Christian faith, doesn't bring about a change in our behavior, thoughts, and our walk with the Lord, we are at best ineffective, at worst not even genuine.
Let's look at a practical example. Let's say you decide you're going to be a football player. So you say, "Hey I'm a football player." And you proceed to go to practice, sit on the sidelines, listen to every word your coach says. You buy Tony Dungy's book on football. You watch the NFL network every chance you get. But when it comes time to put on the pads and helmet and go on the field to play, you simply don't do it. Yeah, you want to look good and appear to be a football player, especially around the jocks, but you don't want to put any effort into the role. Now what kind of a football player would you be? Could you really even be considered a football player at all?
Another part of this passage that is really practical is verses 23-24. "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of a person he was."
Now really. How many of you get up in the morning, look in the mirror, turn around and never give another thought to how you look all day? In our appearance driven society, that rarely happens. If we get up and see our hair is a mess, our makeup is all over our faces, and the plaque is built up on our teeth, we typically do something about it. Even you guys at least throw a hat on your head.
But spiritually, do we make the same effort? I like the idea of scripture being like a mirror. A mirror reflects an exact image of whatever looks into it. That's some of the reason we find every excuse to stay away from our Bible reading: we don't always like what we see in the reflection of God's word. We are sinners, and nothing shouts out our lack of Christ likeness like the Bible. So instead of seeing that reflection and trying to do something about it to make it more like Christ, we shut the book and go about our merry way. Wouldn't it be great to spend more and more time in The Word and watch our reflection become more and more like Christ and less and less like the sinners we are? Verse 17 refers to God as "the father of lights." The Bible reflects His image back on us as we spend more and more time with Him in his letter to us. Then we can take His light and shine it on the lost, dark world around us.
Chapter one finishes by telling us what religion is acceptable as pure and faultless: visiting widows and orphans in their distress (being focused on others who are less fortunate instead of on ourselves) and keeping ourselves "unstained" by the world.
It's kind of a big assignment, but it definitely makes me think about how much time I spend thinking about myself and what I want, rather than those who are less fortunate and alone.
It also makes me think about how influenced I am by the world. It doesn't take much to make a stain... one blade of grass, one drop of ink, one drip of oil... How much has the world stained you?
Then comes the harder part: being quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. I'm sure you guys have heard that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason: more listening, less talking. Another thing to remember, the more we talk, the more responsibility we have because there are more words to be responsible for. Verse 26 goes even further to say that if we claim to be Christians, but we have no control over our tongue (which is an indication of what's going on in our heart) our religion is worthless.
So what's been coming out of your mouth lately?
In verse 22, James boils down the essence of the Christian life: we are to be doers of the Word, not just hearers. We can sit in church, go to youth group, participate in small groups, tune in the Christian radio station and get all the information in the world. But if that information we get about the Bible and our Christian faith, doesn't bring about a change in our behavior, thoughts, and our walk with the Lord, we are at best ineffective, at worst not even genuine.
Let's look at a practical example. Let's say you decide you're going to be a football player. So you say, "Hey I'm a football player." And you proceed to go to practice, sit on the sidelines, listen to every word your coach says. You buy Tony Dungy's book on football. You watch the NFL network every chance you get. But when it comes time to put on the pads and helmet and go on the field to play, you simply don't do it. Yeah, you want to look good and appear to be a football player, especially around the jocks, but you don't want to put any effort into the role. Now what kind of a football player would you be? Could you really even be considered a football player at all?
Another part of this passage that is really practical is verses 23-24. "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of a person he was."
Now really. How many of you get up in the morning, look in the mirror, turn around and never give another thought to how you look all day? In our appearance driven society, that rarely happens. If we get up and see our hair is a mess, our makeup is all over our faces, and the plaque is built up on our teeth, we typically do something about it. Even you guys at least throw a hat on your head.
But spiritually, do we make the same effort? I like the idea of scripture being like a mirror. A mirror reflects an exact image of whatever looks into it. That's some of the reason we find every excuse to stay away from our Bible reading: we don't always like what we see in the reflection of God's word. We are sinners, and nothing shouts out our lack of Christ likeness like the Bible. So instead of seeing that reflection and trying to do something about it to make it more like Christ, we shut the book and go about our merry way. Wouldn't it be great to spend more and more time in The Word and watch our reflection become more and more like Christ and less and less like the sinners we are? Verse 17 refers to God as "the father of lights." The Bible reflects His image back on us as we spend more and more time with Him in his letter to us. Then we can take His light and shine it on the lost, dark world around us.
Chapter one finishes by telling us what religion is acceptable as pure and faultless: visiting widows and orphans in their distress (being focused on others who are less fortunate instead of on ourselves) and keeping ourselves "unstained" by the world.
It's kind of a big assignment, but it definitely makes me think about how much time I spend thinking about myself and what I want, rather than those who are less fortunate and alone.
It also makes me think about how influenced I am by the world. It doesn't take much to make a stain... one blade of grass, one drop of ink, one drip of oil... How much has the world stained you?
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Hi everyone--Sorry I have been a little slow on updating the blog the last two weeks. I've been running around taking kids to dance, doing Bible study, and best of all attending my high school reunion in Malta. Fun time!
Anyway, I'm working on the next part of the first chapter of James. While you're waiting, go back and read through it again and then focus specifically on verses 17-27. Who knew it was going to take so long to get through one chapter. I guess that just means that there is good stuff in there. By the way, if you have any questions on the text of the chapter, be sure to post your own comment and we can discuss it from there! Here's a link to an online Bible with the passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:17-27&version=51
Anyway, I'm working on the next part of the first chapter of James. While you're waiting, go back and read through it again and then focus specifically on verses 17-27. Who knew it was going to take so long to get through one chapter. I guess that just means that there is good stuff in there. By the way, if you have any questions on the text of the chapter, be sure to post your own comment and we can discuss it from there! Here's a link to an online Bible with the passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:17-27&version=51
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Smiling Into the Wind
James 1:2 says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance..."
We talked about why testing and trials are necessary: to help us develop a stronger and more effective faith. That sounds great right?
But how in the world are we to be joyful in the face of difficulty? I don't think James is asking us to be giddy and laughing through difficult times. But he is asking us to keep our eyes on the big picture, and to look beyond the trial to the person we will become on the other end.
There are certain truths we need to have as a strong foundation as Christians. One is that God is good...all the time. It is part of his nature. And because we know that, we know that any kind of trial He allows in our life is for our good. Romans 8:28 is scriptural proof: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
The other promise we have in scripture is that God is with us...That too is part of his nature. In fact one of God's names "Emmanuel" means "God with us." In my own experience, the time of testing and trial is when God really makes it obvious that He is with us. When I was dealing with my cancer diagnosis and treatment, I felt God's hand in such an obvious way that it made the whole awful experience seem pretty bearable. And because of that experience, I came out the other side feeling more of God's love than I ever had before in all 30-some years of being a Christian.
James continues in chapter one talking about wisdom. Verses 5-8 say, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should as God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is double-minded, unstable in all he does." If you're struggling with "why me" when you have a difficult test to pass, ask God. He can give you all the wisdom and discernment you need.
More good news about trials and testing can be found in verse 12 of James 1. "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." Some of the good we receive from testing we see in this life in a deeper walk with God, but even more encouraging is that we receive an eternal reward when we persevere under trial and remain faithful in spite of it: we will receive the crown of life that we can lay at God's feet when we get to heaven.
In summary:
Trials and difficulties will happen for one purpose: to help us grow in our faith. The benefits of trials are a deeper faith and wisdom for life's upcoming experiences. When we focus on our growth and change through trials and the more Christ-like we are becoming, we can face those tests with a different perspective. We can also focus on the eternal reward we will be receiving. We can then smile as the wind tries to blow us over, all the while our roots are digging in deeper and deeper in the knowledge of and faith in God.
Some food for thought:
1) If you are going through a difficulty right now, have you asked God for wisdom so that you can learn what you're supposed to learn through it?
2) If you have recently survived a difficulty, what have you learned about God and your relationship with Him through it?
3) How much of an eternal perspective do you have? How often do you remember that God will reward us in eternity for our faithfulness here on earth?
P.S. If you happen to stop through here and read the blog, please post a note. It's a great motivator for me if I know someone, anyone is reading this. Thanks Nikki for your feedback!
We talked about why testing and trials are necessary: to help us develop a stronger and more effective faith. That sounds great right?
But how in the world are we to be joyful in the face of difficulty? I don't think James is asking us to be giddy and laughing through difficult times. But he is asking us to keep our eyes on the big picture, and to look beyond the trial to the person we will become on the other end.
There are certain truths we need to have as a strong foundation as Christians. One is that God is good...all the time. It is part of his nature. And because we know that, we know that any kind of trial He allows in our life is for our good. Romans 8:28 is scriptural proof: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
The other promise we have in scripture is that God is with us...That too is part of his nature. In fact one of God's names "Emmanuel" means "God with us." In my own experience, the time of testing and trial is when God really makes it obvious that He is with us. When I was dealing with my cancer diagnosis and treatment, I felt God's hand in such an obvious way that it made the whole awful experience seem pretty bearable. And because of that experience, I came out the other side feeling more of God's love than I ever had before in all 30-some years of being a Christian.
James continues in chapter one talking about wisdom. Verses 5-8 say, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should as God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is double-minded, unstable in all he does." If you're struggling with "why me" when you have a difficult test to pass, ask God. He can give you all the wisdom and discernment you need.
More good news about trials and testing can be found in verse 12 of James 1. "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." Some of the good we receive from testing we see in this life in a deeper walk with God, but even more encouraging is that we receive an eternal reward when we persevere under trial and remain faithful in spite of it: we will receive the crown of life that we can lay at God's feet when we get to heaven.
In summary:
Trials and difficulties will happen for one purpose: to help us grow in our faith. The benefits of trials are a deeper faith and wisdom for life's upcoming experiences. When we focus on our growth and change through trials and the more Christ-like we are becoming, we can face those tests with a different perspective. We can also focus on the eternal reward we will be receiving. We can then smile as the wind tries to blow us over, all the while our roots are digging in deeper and deeper in the knowledge of and faith in God.
Some food for thought:
1) If you are going through a difficulty right now, have you asked God for wisdom so that you can learn what you're supposed to learn through it?
2) If you have recently survived a difficulty, what have you learned about God and your relationship with Him through it?
3) How much of an eternal perspective do you have? How often do you remember that God will reward us in eternity for our faithfulness here on earth?
P.S. If you happen to stop through here and read the blog, please post a note. It's a great motivator for me if I know someone, anyone is reading this. Thanks Nikki for your feedback!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Developing Strong Roots
I spent the evening last night planting and transplanting things in my flower gardens. (Exciting, I know...). It occurred to me though, that there's a reason there are so many plant and farming analogies in the Bible.... Plants are a really good example of how we humans are (excluding, of course, the facts that they are green, consume carbon dioxide, and have no brain or will of their own).
Anyway, one of the things that plants have to do, in order to grow and flourish, is endure a little ill-treatment. For example, when you first transplant a plant like a petunia, the best thing to do is squeeze off the blossoms. Yes, they are colorful and your beds and pots don't look nearly so pretty with just the greenery, but if the plants have the opportunity to focus on developing their root system, they will be able to produce more and healthier flowers down the road. The same is true of a plant like a tomato plant. I have had the best results if the plants have to endure the beating of a wind and some pruning of blossoms.
As I look out the window at my big bed where I did a lot of transplanting, the new plants look a little droopy and uncomfortable. However, there are also some plants that were put in that bed last year and they are perky, growing and looking for an opportunity to display their color.
What in the world, you may ask, does that have to do with the book of James?
Read this introduction to the book I found in The Daily Walk Bible:
The "why" part is a little easier to understand.
Just like a plant, we will be more effective plants if our "root system" is well-established. Verses 3 and 4 say that we know "testing of our faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." After so much testing and trials, we will be able to handle anything that comes our way in Christ-like fashion. That's our end goal: to be like Christ. We won't reach that point here on earth, but we are in the process of becoming more like Christ as we live out our lives. Trials (like transplanting, pruning, and the elements) help us to develop a stronger faith (root system) so that we can produce Christ-like fruit (flowers).
We'll talk more about the "how" part next time.
Here are a couple of questions for thought and hopefully online discussion:
1) Is joy in the face of trials a form of denial?
2) How do difficulties test our faith?
3) Examine your life. Is God "pruning" you in a specific area? What are some examples of problems in your life that may be tests of faith?
To log in, go to the top right hand side of the page and click "sign in". Then you will be asked for your email address and to create a password. Then you should be set to go ahead and contribute to the blog!
Have a great day!
Anyway, one of the things that plants have to do, in order to grow and flourish, is endure a little ill-treatment. For example, when you first transplant a plant like a petunia, the best thing to do is squeeze off the blossoms. Yes, they are colorful and your beds and pots don't look nearly so pretty with just the greenery, but if the plants have the opportunity to focus on developing their root system, they will be able to produce more and healthier flowers down the road. The same is true of a plant like a tomato plant. I have had the best results if the plants have to endure the beating of a wind and some pruning of blossoms.
As I look out the window at my big bed where I did a lot of transplanting, the new plants look a little droopy and uncomfortable. However, there are also some plants that were put in that bed last year and they are perky, growing and looking for an opportunity to display their color.
What in the world, you may ask, does that have to do with the book of James?
Read this introduction to the book I found in The Daily Walk Bible:
James recognizes there can be a dangerous false conclusion from the simple equation "salvation=faith + nothing." One may conclude, "As long as I have faith, it doesn't matter how I act." But James responds with ringing clarity that a faith that produces no change in attitude is really no faith at all. Partiality, neglect of the poor, quarreling, a bitter tongue, a proud attitude--all are inconsistent with the royal law of love that Christ proclaimed.In James 1:1-12, the text talks about the fact that we as believers will have trouble that comes our way, and that we are to "consider it all joy". The questions we ask are How? and Why?
The "why" part is a little easier to understand.
Just like a plant, we will be more effective plants if our "root system" is well-established. Verses 3 and 4 say that we know "testing of our faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." After so much testing and trials, we will be able to handle anything that comes our way in Christ-like fashion. That's our end goal: to be like Christ. We won't reach that point here on earth, but we are in the process of becoming more like Christ as we live out our lives. Trials (like transplanting, pruning, and the elements) help us to develop a stronger faith (root system) so that we can produce Christ-like fruit (flowers).
We'll talk more about the "how" part next time.
Here are a couple of questions for thought and hopefully online discussion:
1) Is joy in the face of trials a form of denial?
2) How do difficulties test our faith?
3) Examine your life. Is God "pruning" you in a specific area? What are some examples of problems in your life that may be tests of faith?
To log in, go to the top right hand side of the page and click "sign in". Then you will be asked for your email address and to create a password. Then you should be set to go ahead and contribute to the blog!
Have a great day!
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