Well, it's all over now except for the tears and champaign. Election day has come and gone and some people are crying while others are toasting each other and on the top of the world.
As a Christian minister, I certainly had very strong opinions about a number of issues and candidates. Last night was not a good night for me. However, as I reflect on this beautiful new day God has given us, (it's sunny and supposed to be in the mid-seventies today), as I think about the history of people of faith, and I consider God's sovereignty, my heart is not downcast.
Back on September 11, 2001, the church I was attending choose (providentially I believe) to sing with these lyrics:
Some trust in chariots
We trust in the name of the Lord our God
Some trust in horses
We trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Why is it that we so often want to place our faith in kings, governments and weapons? God is in charge! In the Old Testament, people of faith were warned over and over again not to trust in kings, not to trust in alliances, not to trust in their own strength.
We may believe that we've come a long way since those "old" days. Yet, trusting in our own strength, in our own power, in our own abilities is a continual tempation.
Whether we like the results or not, we can take comfort in knowing that it is God's hand which rules our world - the same God who died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected on Easter morning.
Praise the Lord, we CAN trust in the name of the Lord our God!
Pastor John
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
World Champions after 24 years
For Missouri baseball fans, Friday, October 27th, 2006 was a very good night. After waiting for 24 years, the Saint Louis Cardinals won the World Series.
I was thinking about this today. How many years of disappointment was there? How many times did the Cardinals "almost" make it. But year after year, they just couldn't quite finish the deal.
Did the Cardinals give up? Did they say, "It's never going to happen. We're never going to win. We should just quit." No! They continued going to practice. They continued looking for better strategies and better players. They continued going out on the field and doing their best.
I believe we can take some lessons from the sports professionals. Don't give up. Keep looking for better strategies. Keep going out on the practice field. Don't give up on the game.
God has called you to be on his team. To become a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have joined his team - don't give up. Remember that most of the prophets waited a lot longer than 24 years to see the results of their faith.
But the follower of Christ, who keeps going, is promised victory over the world as well. You too can be a world champion.
Pastor John
I was thinking about this today. How many years of disappointment was there? How many times did the Cardinals "almost" make it. But year after year, they just couldn't quite finish the deal.
Did the Cardinals give up? Did they say, "It's never going to happen. We're never going to win. We should just quit." No! They continued going to practice. They continued looking for better strategies and better players. They continued going out on the field and doing their best.
I believe we can take some lessons from the sports professionals. Don't give up. Keep looking for better strategies. Keep going out on the practice field. Don't give up on the game.
God has called you to be on his team. To become a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have joined his team - don't give up. Remember that most of the prophets waited a lot longer than 24 years to see the results of their faith.
But the follower of Christ, who keeps going, is promised victory over the world as well. You too can be a world champion.
Pastor John
Friday, October 27, 2006
In the cross of Christ I glory
I just read in the news that a college long associated with the Anglican Church, William and Mary, moved to remove the cross from their chapel. They wanted to make it more open to people of other faiths.
The administrator sent out an email to the staff explaining, "In order to make the Wren Chapel less of a faith-specific space, and to make it more welcoming to students, faculty, staff and visitors of all faiths, the cross has been removed from the altar area."
Many people around the world would agree. The cross needs to be removed. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Cor. 1:18.
"We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." 1 Cor 1:24-25.
Why does the world want the cross removed? Why is this such an issue around the country? There are two reasons.
First, many people don't understand the power of the cross. By the cross, that is Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, we have access to heaven. We can be saved! But if you don't understand your need for forgiveness and that we have this wonderful free gift from God, the cross looks like a bunch of foolishness.
The second reason the world wants the cross removed is that it's offensive. The cross tells us that we can't be saved by our own goodness or our own effort. We can never be good enough.
But if you understand the message of the cross, you understand that why Christians love the cross. As Paul says, to those who are being saved - it is the power and the wisdom of God.
I pray that we will never be so concerned about other opinions that we ignore the God's opinion. For the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of man and the weakness of God is greater then the strength of man.
God bless you
Pastor John
The administrator sent out an email to the staff explaining, "In order to make the Wren Chapel less of a faith-specific space, and to make it more welcoming to students, faculty, staff and visitors of all faiths, the cross has been removed from the altar area."
Many people around the world would agree. The cross needs to be removed. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Cor. 1:18.
"We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." 1 Cor 1:24-25.
Why does the world want the cross removed? Why is this such an issue around the country? There are two reasons.
First, many people don't understand the power of the cross. By the cross, that is Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, we have access to heaven. We can be saved! But if you don't understand your need for forgiveness and that we have this wonderful free gift from God, the cross looks like a bunch of foolishness.
The second reason the world wants the cross removed is that it's offensive. The cross tells us that we can't be saved by our own goodness or our own effort. We can never be good enough.
But if you understand the message of the cross, you understand that why Christians love the cross. As Paul says, to those who are being saved - it is the power and the wisdom of God.
I pray that we will never be so concerned about other opinions that we ignore the God's opinion. For the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of man and the weakness of God is greater then the strength of man.
God bless you
Pastor John
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Do you have enough faith?
Without faith it is impossible to please God. That's what the book of Hebrews tells us. But is all faith the same? Is God always pleased if we have faith? I believe the answer to that is NO. Sometimes you hear people extolling the vitues of faith - if you just have enough faith - everything will be OK. It reminds me of the friends of Job. In the Old Testament, Job, a righteous man suffered a series of great catastrophes. His friends came to comfort him and then proceeded to tell him that God always rewards the righteous and punishes the sinful. Therefore, Job must have committed somee great sin. (With friends like these ...)
Today, there are groups around promising great things to Christians. If you just have enough faith, you will be blessed in your finances, blessed in your health, blessed in your relationships. You will be like the legendary Midas. Everything you touch will turn to gold.
I came across an article today in WorldNetDaily that touches on this issue.
Evangelist drowns trying to walk on water
Pastor reportedly told congregation he could repeat miracle of Jesus
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
An evangelist who tried replicating Jesus' miracle of walking on water has reportedly drowned off the western coast of Africa. Pastor Franck Kabele, 35, told his congregation he could repeat the biblical miracle, and he attempted it from a beach in Gabon's capital of Libreville.
"He told churchgoers he'd had a revelation that if he had enough faith, he could walk on water like Jesus," an eyewitness told the Glasgow Daily Record.
"He took his congregation to the beach saying he would walk across the Komo estuary, which takes 20 minutes by boat. He walked into the water, which soon passed over his head and he never came back."
If you have enough faith - can you do it? "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That's what the apostle Paul wrote. So, why aren't Christians flying up in the sky, turning water into wine, raising the dead, healing everyone in the hospital, and feeding cities with 5 loaves and 2 fish?
Is it just because we don't have faith or is it something more?
The Bible does not teach faith in faith. It doesn't teach that you can do everything if you just have enough faith. It does raise the importance of faith but it centers that faith upon the Lord Jesus Christ and His plans for your life. He doesn't promise his followers that they will experience the American dream if they just have enough faith. He called his disciples to hardship. He said we should take up our cross and follow him.
And so we follow. Not the American dream, but the dream that one day, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. And we pray - Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is done in heaven.
God Bless you
Pastor John
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Interest Only Loans
In the last few years, many people have refinanced their homes using something called interest only loans. This is when you pay nothing on the amount you owe, you just pay interest. If you do this for thirty years, you'll still owe the same amount as when you started.
People do this hoping that their income will go up and they can later pay on the amount they borrowed, or that the value of their home will increase enough so they can sell the house and make a profit. They also hope that the interest rates do not go up because that will raise their payments.
I read an article recently about the wave of finacial problems many interest only borrowers may face in the future. If the market goes down, if the raise doesn't arrive, if the interest rates go up - there's all kinds of potential for disaster.
It got me started thinking about our faith. There are many people in our society and even in our church which are opting for interest only religion. That is, you just dabble around the edges - you never really invest in your faith.
While this kind of religion may seem to provide for you while times are good - it's a dangerous faith. As long as you live, as long as the economics of life don't slam you, as long as your family is all right - you may get along. This religion will provide the frosting on the cake - respectability, meaning, fellowship, purpose. But what happens when the bottom drops out? What happens when the bill comes due? Then you find that house you've been living in, your house of faith doesn't really belong to you.
Jesus warned once about building a house on a sandy foundation instead of a rock. Jesus is the rock of our faith - let's make sure we're anchore in him.
Pastor John
People do this hoping that their income will go up and they can later pay on the amount they borrowed, or that the value of their home will increase enough so they can sell the house and make a profit. They also hope that the interest rates do not go up because that will raise their payments.
I read an article recently about the wave of finacial problems many interest only borrowers may face in the future. If the market goes down, if the raise doesn't arrive, if the interest rates go up - there's all kinds of potential for disaster.
It got me started thinking about our faith. There are many people in our society and even in our church which are opting for interest only religion. That is, you just dabble around the edges - you never really invest in your faith.
While this kind of religion may seem to provide for you while times are good - it's a dangerous faith. As long as you live, as long as the economics of life don't slam you, as long as your family is all right - you may get along. This religion will provide the frosting on the cake - respectability, meaning, fellowship, purpose. But what happens when the bottom drops out? What happens when the bill comes due? Then you find that house you've been living in, your house of faith doesn't really belong to you.
Jesus warned once about building a house on a sandy foundation instead of a rock. Jesus is the rock of our faith - let's make sure we're anchore in him.
Pastor John
Friday, May 26, 2006
Wasted Effort
This morning I stood out by a tree that had a branch cut off. As I stood there I noticed how the tree was still sending water and sap to the cutoff branch. The tree was doing it's best to nourish something that was no longer there. Wasted effort!
It's not only trees who behave illogically. We human beings have a tremendous habit of focusing our efforts on that which can't be changed, or trying to regrow something that's died. We struggle against the inevitable. We pour out our strength on fruitless activities.
Ephesians 5:16 tells us to be "making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
We can't be doing that if we use our time, energy, talents, and money on old dead branches.
Jesus said in John 15:1-2 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
Are you trying to resusitate a branch that Jesus has pruned?
Grace & Peace
Rev. John
It's not only trees who behave illogically. We human beings have a tremendous habit of focusing our efforts on that which can't be changed, or trying to regrow something that's died. We struggle against the inevitable. We pour out our strength on fruitless activities.
Ephesians 5:16 tells us to be "making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
We can't be doing that if we use our time, energy, talents, and money on old dead branches.
Jesus said in John 15:1-2 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
Are you trying to resusitate a branch that Jesus has pruned?
Grace & Peace
Rev. John
Monday, May 15, 2006
Rising Waters
Last week the rains came and came and came. It seemed like they would never end. And even as I write this, the clouds look full of water - just waiting to dump it down on us again.
By the middle of last week, the ground water had risen so much that we had a problem in our church. Our neighbor to the west (the gas station) leaked gas into the ground and we are downhill from them. Whenever the water rises far enough, we get the gentle aroma of gasoline coming in through our ductwork.
Fortunately, through the use of pumps and blowers and fans and open doors, our sanctuary was suitable for worship by Sunday morning.
As long as the water is low, you'd never know there was a problem. The problem sits below the surface - waiting until the conditions are right. And then you have it - a big stink!
How often does this describe our lives? On the surface, we have a lush lawn growing and flowers are growing. But underneath, there lies a problem. Maybe it's anger, or lust, or gambling, or despair. Whatever it is, we are usually successful in hiding it. And then one day the rains fall, and the waters rise, and our stinking problem is out in the open for everyone to see.
In Matthew 15:19 Jesus said, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander."
There's only one solution for a situation like this. It's not to plant more grass seed and fertilizer in our lives. We need to turn these issues over to Jesus and let Him clean us from the inside out. He's the only one who can fix our hidden problems and He's waiting on us to call on Him.
God bless you
Pastor John
By the middle of last week, the ground water had risen so much that we had a problem in our church. Our neighbor to the west (the gas station) leaked gas into the ground and we are downhill from them. Whenever the water rises far enough, we get the gentle aroma of gasoline coming in through our ductwork.
Fortunately, through the use of pumps and blowers and fans and open doors, our sanctuary was suitable for worship by Sunday morning.
As long as the water is low, you'd never know there was a problem. The problem sits below the surface - waiting until the conditions are right. And then you have it - a big stink!
How often does this describe our lives? On the surface, we have a lush lawn growing and flowers are growing. But underneath, there lies a problem. Maybe it's anger, or lust, or gambling, or despair. Whatever it is, we are usually successful in hiding it. And then one day the rains fall, and the waters rise, and our stinking problem is out in the open for everyone to see.
In Matthew 15:19 Jesus said, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander."
There's only one solution for a situation like this. It's not to plant more grass seed and fertilizer in our lives. We need to turn these issues over to Jesus and let Him clean us from the inside out. He's the only one who can fix our hidden problems and He's waiting on us to call on Him.
God bless you
Pastor John
Monday, April 03, 2006
How big is this family?
I debated a lot about what to post this month on the preacher's ponderings. There are so many things to consider, a lot of times I end up writing nothing. Maybe the key to that is be more like my wife and write often!
Last month I heard something pretty disturbing. During an ordination service, the preacher in charge began talking about being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. (I only wish I had written it down immediately or tape recorded it.)
As he continued congratulating and encouraging this newly ordained young man, he assured him that he was not alone and would never be alone, he was now part of the great family of faith.
The speaker than began explaining that this faith was not just those in our church but included many others. He listed several groups and denominations as being part of this great family. And then he said it included Jews and Muslims!
Ok, as a Christian, we may debate and argue about the salvation of the Jews. I know many sincere, Bible believing Christians who stuggle and debate this issue. But, what about other religions. Is Jesus Christ the only way to salvation? The speaker indicated that Muslims were part of the family of faith as well. He stopped there but I suppose he could have continued with Pagans, Wicans, Hindus, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and New Agers.
I am not saying that you have to be a Christian to be a nice person or a good neighbor. But the Bible is clear - Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me."
I was reading recently how a Presbyterian church in Austin, Texas had just received into membership a man who was an avowed atheist. Is he also included in the family of faith?
The Christian faith is offensive to many people because it believes Jesus was telling the truth when he said he was the only way to heaven. He even indicated that the WAY was narrow and that many would miss it.
As we approach Easter, it's important to strive to enter in the narrow way, the way of faith in Christ and not just trust that the family is infinately expandable.
Pastor John
Last month I heard something pretty disturbing. During an ordination service, the preacher in charge began talking about being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. (I only wish I had written it down immediately or tape recorded it.)
As he continued congratulating and encouraging this newly ordained young man, he assured him that he was not alone and would never be alone, he was now part of the great family of faith.
The speaker than began explaining that this faith was not just those in our church but included many others. He listed several groups and denominations as being part of this great family. And then he said it included Jews and Muslims!
Ok, as a Christian, we may debate and argue about the salvation of the Jews. I know many sincere, Bible believing Christians who stuggle and debate this issue. But, what about other religions. Is Jesus Christ the only way to salvation? The speaker indicated that Muslims were part of the family of faith as well. He stopped there but I suppose he could have continued with Pagans, Wicans, Hindus, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and New Agers.
I am not saying that you have to be a Christian to be a nice person or a good neighbor. But the Bible is clear - Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me."
I was reading recently how a Presbyterian church in Austin, Texas had just received into membership a man who was an avowed atheist. Is he also included in the family of faith?
The Christian faith is offensive to many people because it believes Jesus was telling the truth when he said he was the only way to heaven. He even indicated that the WAY was narrow and that many would miss it.
As we approach Easter, it's important to strive to enter in the narrow way, the way of faith in Christ and not just trust that the family is infinately expandable.
Pastor John
Monday, March 06, 2006
Despising Small Things
10 "Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. (4:10)
These are the words form the book of Zechariah, undoubtedly one of your favorite books in the Bible. You didn’t know it existed? No, I’m not playing one of my jokes on you. Zechariah is one of the minor prophets and is the next to the last book in the Old Testament.
This is one of my favorite Bible verses. It’s written about the new Temple being built after the people returned from exile. Many people throughout the land were disappointed. The temple wasn’t going to be as grand and glorious and Soloman’s Temple. They had started on the temple and faced opposition. They got discouraged and wanted to give up.
And then the word came from the prophet. “Don’t despise the day of small things.” “Don’t give up and think that just because you have little strength or little ability you should give up.” “Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.”
Getting out the plumb line would mean that work had resumed. It would mean that rebuilding the Temple was going forward.
With a small church, maybe I’m especially fond of verses like this. It’s easy to look at churches with attendance in the thousands and budgets in the millions and think, “What can we do? We’re just a little church.” But God has different ideas than we do. He looks not at our inabilities but at His abilities. He has given us many great and precious promises. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” “Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty.”
Moses’ rod was used to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. David conquered Goliath with a small sling shot. Jesus fed 5000 with just a few loaves and fishes. Samson slew 1000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass.
What can we do? We’ve started new Sunday School classes to reach people we’ve been missing. We’re starting a new women’s group to make new opportunites for women who can’t attend Saturday mornings. Our coffee fellowship has had anywhere from 3 people attend upto 19 one day. We’re supporting outreach through Crosslines food ministry. We’ve added a Sunday night service. There are new people getting involved, making friends, growing in the faith, discovering the Lord.
Will we ever have 1000 or 10,000 in worship? Who knows! But I do know that our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than all that we can think or imagine! There’s a world out there that God loves and we have the opportunity to partner with Him. Praise the Lord.
Pastor John
These are the words form the book of Zechariah, undoubtedly one of your favorite books in the Bible. You didn’t know it existed? No, I’m not playing one of my jokes on you. Zechariah is one of the minor prophets and is the next to the last book in the Old Testament.
This is one of my favorite Bible verses. It’s written about the new Temple being built after the people returned from exile. Many people throughout the land were disappointed. The temple wasn’t going to be as grand and glorious and Soloman’s Temple. They had started on the temple and faced opposition. They got discouraged and wanted to give up.
And then the word came from the prophet. “Don’t despise the day of small things.” “Don’t give up and think that just because you have little strength or little ability you should give up.” “Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.”
Getting out the plumb line would mean that work had resumed. It would mean that rebuilding the Temple was going forward.
With a small church, maybe I’m especially fond of verses like this. It’s easy to look at churches with attendance in the thousands and budgets in the millions and think, “What can we do? We’re just a little church.” But God has different ideas than we do. He looks not at our inabilities but at His abilities. He has given us many great and precious promises. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” “Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty.”
Moses’ rod was used to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. David conquered Goliath with a small sling shot. Jesus fed 5000 with just a few loaves and fishes. Samson slew 1000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass.
What can we do? We’ve started new Sunday School classes to reach people we’ve been missing. We’re starting a new women’s group to make new opportunites for women who can’t attend Saturday mornings. Our coffee fellowship has had anywhere from 3 people attend upto 19 one day. We’re supporting outreach through Crosslines food ministry. We’ve added a Sunday night service. There are new people getting involved, making friends, growing in the faith, discovering the Lord.
Will we ever have 1000 or 10,000 in worship? Who knows! But I do know that our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than all that we can think or imagine! There’s a world out there that God loves and we have the opportunity to partner with Him. Praise the Lord.
Pastor John
Thursday, February 02, 2006
The Perfect Wife
A couple of nights ago, Peggy found a doll on the parking lot outside my car. She picked it up we took it home. It's a little blonde doll called the Perfect Wife.
This doll has several different sayings. These are supposedly the words every husband wants to hear.
This doll has several different sayings. These are supposedly the words every husband wants to hear.
- "Are you sure you want me to wash this shirt - you've only worn it a couple of days?"
- "It's ok honey, I forgot our anniversary too."
- "Don't worry, I'll take out the trash - I could use the exercise!"
- "You don't need to stop and ask directions - maybe you'll find a shortcut!"
- "A reversible drill - I'ts just what I wanted!"
- "You don't need a glass - just drink right from the carton!"
I've taken it to work to share with my friends and get their opinions about it. Needless to say, the men find it much more humorous than the women.
As I thought about this, it occured to me that the primary message of this doll is that "You don't need to change or improve. Repentance and growth are unnecessary. Stay the way you are."
It's true that most of us do not want to hear our spouse list all of our faults and failings. We aren't real thrilled when someone comes with a clipboard and a list to diagnose what's wrong with our thoughts, attitudes and actions.
But the message - don't change, don't grow, don't improve, don't repent is not the message of Jesus Christ. "I'm OK - You're OK" is the message Satan speaks. The message of Christianity is that we're sinners in need of a savior.
And as Christians we are called to grow more like Christ and be changed into His likeness. Jesus saves us where ever we are - but he doesn't save us to let us stay there!
2 Peter 3:18 says, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
It's great to be loved unconditionally. But real love will never be satisfied with letting us spend our life digging in the dirt when there are stars to reach.
Pastor John
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