Luke 9:27 "I tell you the truth, some people standing here will see the kingdom of God before they die".
Have you seen the kingdom of God, or have you been too busy to notice it? The world would have us put on blinders that keep us from seeing the awesome reality of our God. I have seen glimpses of the Kingdom. Sometimes its a glimpse through a child's smile, or in the prayer of a friend. Sometimes I get a glimpse of the kingdom in watching people come together to help out another, or just in holy conversation.
The point is, the kingdom is here and is coming. God provides us many opportunities to see and be apart of the kingdom. So look around you and notice the kingdom of God.
Amen
Pastor Kent
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Children of God
Job 22:27 "You will pray to him and he will hear you."
On Mondays, I make rounds at the local nursing home. My final stop on the rounds is the Alzheimer's unit. All to often the conversation with the residents is broken thoughts and imagined stories. Many of these people came from fruitful full lives, and now you see shadows of former selves.
I was honored with an invitation to share in lunch at this unit. The head nurse asked me to pray. The thing I found was that many of the residents stopped what they were doing or saying when they heard it was time to pray. A few of them even said AMEN with me.
I was blessed to see that God is still acting in these peoples lives. Even though their minds are wondering some distant place, God is still walking with them. They still feel God's presence, even if they don't know where they are.
It also showed me that you never know what the future may hold, but that when you call upon God, he will hear you.
God's blessings to you
Pastor Kent
Friday, October 26, 2007
God vs. the world
Psalms 2:2 "The kings of the earth stand up and the rulers take counsel together: against the Lord and against his Anointed.
The interesting thing about this verse is it was written 3000 +/- years ago. David is the reputed author, (and I do not doubt that).
The world today seems to have so many rulers and kings ready to stand against God. These are the same people God created, and his creation is in rebellion. My question is why? Why do so many people seem to hate, or at best disregard God?
In exploring world religions, I have found on thing in common with all religions and uncommon in Christianity. That word is control. Every non-Christian and non-Judaic religion is based on power and keeping someone under control. Whether it is the caste system of the Hindu or the extremism of Islam, it boils down to an issue of control over the populace.
Christianity is different. Christ sees in us all an image of creation. This is the image we are made in. Man, Woman and Child are all equally precious in his sight. Where others would kill, Christ calls for us to heal. Where others call for doing harm, Christ calls for giving hope. Where others seek revenge, Christ calls us to forgive. This call to love is frightening and threatening to those in power.
But what is even more threatening is the idea of selflessness. Christians are called to love our neighbor, and to meet the needs of others before we see to the needs of our self. We are called to be servants. Christ washed feet, and we are to do likewise. I hazard the thought that no other founder of the world religions would give their life for people they did not know, but Christ did. (Yes and he does know them.)
We are called to love, and through this love, no matter how many times the kings and rulers take counsel, God's love will always be triumphant.
God's Love to you
Pastor Kent
The interesting thing about this verse is it was written 3000 +/- years ago. David is the reputed author, (and I do not doubt that).
The world today seems to have so many rulers and kings ready to stand against God. These are the same people God created, and his creation is in rebellion. My question is why? Why do so many people seem to hate, or at best disregard God?
In exploring world religions, I have found on thing in common with all religions and uncommon in Christianity. That word is control. Every non-Christian and non-Judaic religion is based on power and keeping someone under control. Whether it is the caste system of the Hindu or the extremism of Islam, it boils down to an issue of control over the populace.
Christianity is different. Christ sees in us all an image of creation. This is the image we are made in. Man, Woman and Child are all equally precious in his sight. Where others would kill, Christ calls for us to heal. Where others call for doing harm, Christ calls for giving hope. Where others seek revenge, Christ calls us to forgive. This call to love is frightening and threatening to those in power.
But what is even more threatening is the idea of selflessness. Christians are called to love our neighbor, and to meet the needs of others before we see to the needs of our self. We are called to be servants. Christ washed feet, and we are to do likewise. I hazard the thought that no other founder of the world religions would give their life for people they did not know, but Christ did. (Yes and he does know them.)
We are called to love, and through this love, no matter how many times the kings and rulers take counsel, God's love will always be triumphant.
God's Love to you
Pastor Kent
Thursday, October 25, 2007
opportunity
Luke 18:9-14
I just finished reading the parpable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, and I realized that the Pharisee failed in a way we may not have considered. The Pharisee had an opportunity to share the love of God with the tax collector.
I wonder how often we miss those opportunities. How many times have we praised God for not letting us be like that person who is living on the street, or the person who is in trouble?
We are called to make disciples, and preach the good news to all nations. We are called to love God and show that love by loving our neighbor.
My prayer is that God will remove the blinders from our eyes and help us to recognize all the opportunities that God gives us to share his love with our brothers and sisters around the world.
Yes, we are blessed, but through that blessing we are called to be a blessing.
Prayer:
Lord, open our eyes, to see the needs, open our hearts to hear the cries, open our hearts to lead us to lift up, heal, feed, clothe, and help all those in need. Let our lives be the proof of your love in this world. AMEN
Just a note, those of your who are members of the Doniphan UMC are welcome to make comments and such about the service or ideas that will improve our worship and service.
thanks
Pastor Kent
I just finished reading the parpable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, and I realized that the Pharisee failed in a way we may not have considered. The Pharisee had an opportunity to share the love of God with the tax collector.
I wonder how often we miss those opportunities. How many times have we praised God for not letting us be like that person who is living on the street, or the person who is in trouble?
We are called to make disciples, and preach the good news to all nations. We are called to love God and show that love by loving our neighbor.
My prayer is that God will remove the blinders from our eyes and help us to recognize all the opportunities that God gives us to share his love with our brothers and sisters around the world.
Yes, we are blessed, but through that blessing we are called to be a blessing.
Prayer:
Lord, open our eyes, to see the needs, open our hearts to hear the cries, open our hearts to lead us to lift up, heal, feed, clothe, and help all those in need. Let our lives be the proof of your love in this world. AMEN
Just a note, those of your who are members of the Doniphan UMC are welcome to make comments and such about the service or ideas that will improve our worship and service.
thanks
Pastor Kent
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
A new day:
Have you ever had a problem with your self-esteem. It seems we listen to people and they are quick to tell us our problems. I find my self complimenting my children on a game well played and then in the same breath saying "But you could have..." In my own experience, I was hurt to hear the conditional compliment and yet I do the same thing with my children.
But regardless of what people say I am reminded of a scripture passage in Genesis "So God created human beings in His image, in the image of God, He created them male and female" (Genesis 1:27 NCV).
As a created being in God's image, we are made in the likeness of God, and thus our image is blessed. Sometimes it is hard to see that blessedness when we feel so low. God continues to tell us that he loves us. We are of such great worth that He is willing to die for us.
Low self-esteem will keep lifting its ugly head throughout our life, but God is always there to remind us how precious and beautiful we truly are. We just need to listen.
Have a good and Godly Day.
Pastor Kent
But regardless of what people say I am reminded of a scripture passage in Genesis "So God created human beings in His image, in the image of God, He created them male and female" (Genesis 1:27 NCV).
As a created being in God's image, we are made in the likeness of God, and thus our image is blessed. Sometimes it is hard to see that blessedness when we feel so low. God continues to tell us that he loves us. We are of such great worth that He is willing to die for us.
Low self-esteem will keep lifting its ugly head throughout our life, but God is always there to remind us how precious and beautiful we truly are. We just need to listen.
Have a good and Godly Day.
Pastor Kent
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
1st time
Here goes! This blog is not going to be about me, but about getting the word of God out to others. Many of the opinions expressed on this blog will be mine and they will be prayerfully applied. For those of you that read this, feedback is welcome, I hope that God can work through me so that this will be an edifying and blessed sight.
Each day we have a choice as to whom we will serve, Joshua presented and ultimatum to the Hebrews and then stated that no matter what, he and his family will serve the Lord. (see Joshua 24:15). We all have that same choice, and it is a daily choice. Prayer, bible study, holy conversation, doing good deeds, all show whom you serve. Choose and choose wisely for the choice you make today, will affect your eternity.
Each day we have a choice as to whom we will serve, Joshua presented and ultimatum to the Hebrews and then stated that no matter what, he and his family will serve the Lord. (see Joshua 24:15). We all have that same choice, and it is a daily choice. Prayer, bible study, holy conversation, doing good deeds, all show whom you serve. Choose and choose wisely for the choice you make today, will affect your eternity.
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