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
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
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
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