Pk’s Corner November 2011
2 Corinthians 2:4 “For out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart I wrote you with many tears…”.
This past week I was challenged, and I bring that challenge to you. The question is; What breaks your heart? My answer came as not a surprise but a confirmation as to why I am a minister.
As I look out over the congregation on Sunday mornings, I see empty seats. As I drive home after the service I see children playing, restaurants full, and the stadiums filled to over flowing with sports fans waiting for the kickoff. My heart is broken.
You see, the empty pews are not about numbers on our rolls, nor are they about the amount of money the church has received in the collection. What grieves me is that an empty pew represents a person that may die in their sin.
As a church we are called to go and make Disciples of Christ, but our churches are getting emptier and emptier over the years. The older folks are dying off and the younger folks seem to be attracted to worldly pursuits. Our economic times dictate working on the Sabbath just to keep food on the table.
People are dying, not knowing about a loving caring Christ that can give them eternal life. The empty pew grieves me, and troubles my heart, for there is a person out there that has not heard of Christ. The empty pew means a lost person is still lost. Someone out there will spend eternity in hell because that pew is empty.
The Holy Spirit saves, let’s get that straight, but the church provides a safe loving place so people can develop and grow that relationship with Christ. But if they are not there, how can they know.
And how can they come unless we bring them, invite them, love them enough to open our hearts and doors to them.
So the question I have for you, is your heart broken enough to point a soul to Christ? Who is truly responsible for those who die in their sin, simply because they haven’t heard? Why haven’t they heard? Why haven’t you told them?
As Christians we are all responsible for our brothers and sisters eternity. Will you let God call the lost through you, or are you satisfied with the extra space in the pew?
Amen
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
God's Memo
Pk’s Corner October 2011
Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”. (KJV)
We live in a time of “Biblical Illiteracy”. What this means is that so many so-called “Christians” have yet to read the word of God. Sunday Schools don’t seem to be requiring memorization of verses and people seem to insist that the Bible is irrelevant to today’s culture.
Obviously, if you believe it is irrelevant, then you have not read or studied the bible. It is amazing to me the quotes I hear that are attributed to the bible, when in reality they came from Ben Franklin, or even Carl Sagan. How many times do we quote the bible, and really have no clue if that quote is really in there?
The Bible is the love letter from God. In its pages are biographies, and adventure. You will find romance and intrigue, philosophy and law, health and well being. It can give you a diet plan and a life plan. It can tell you what is coming and share with you what has been. It can change your life, but only if you read and study it. The Psalmist knew how important those words are.
When was the last time you took a bible to church? When was the last time you even opened the covers to see what was there? When did you attend a class that helped you to learn more about the bible? Bible study is a fundamental element of spiritual and church growth.
If you are not already, join a bible study, or start one. Read, dig, enjoy and hide those words in your heart. The last thing you want to hear on Judgment day is God saying “Didn’t you get my memo?”
Amen
Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”. (KJV)
We live in a time of “Biblical Illiteracy”. What this means is that so many so-called “Christians” have yet to read the word of God. Sunday Schools don’t seem to be requiring memorization of verses and people seem to insist that the Bible is irrelevant to today’s culture.
Obviously, if you believe it is irrelevant, then you have not read or studied the bible. It is amazing to me the quotes I hear that are attributed to the bible, when in reality they came from Ben Franklin, or even Carl Sagan. How many times do we quote the bible, and really have no clue if that quote is really in there?
The Bible is the love letter from God. In its pages are biographies, and adventure. You will find romance and intrigue, philosophy and law, health and well being. It can give you a diet plan and a life plan. It can tell you what is coming and share with you what has been. It can change your life, but only if you read and study it. The Psalmist knew how important those words are.
When was the last time you took a bible to church? When was the last time you even opened the covers to see what was there? When did you attend a class that helped you to learn more about the bible? Bible study is a fundamental element of spiritual and church growth.
If you are not already, join a bible study, or start one. Read, dig, enjoy and hide those words in your heart. The last thing you want to hear on Judgment day is God saying “Didn’t you get my memo?”
Amen
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Romans and Christians
PK’s Corner September 2011
Psalm 105:4 “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.
This past weekend, our youth group participated in an annual event that we host called “Romans and Christians”. In this game, we find a large field and set up a light. The object for the youth is to find the light, and then go and bring others to the light. The trick is to avoid the “Romans”: these are the adult leaders with flashlights. If caught, the Christians (youth) must go to prison where they must share their faith story and convert the guard to Christianity in order to leave. Each year the attendance has increased and this year we hosted 79 youths.
The kids will tell you how fun and exciting it was to run in the dark and avoid getting caught, but I think the most important thing was the jail time. Here, the youth have an opportunity to share what they believe and why. In seeking the light, they find reason for following the light of the world.
What about you, how often do you seek the Light? How often do you take time to share your faith journey? Or do you?
Sometimes we forget that the Light is actually seeking us, wanting to bring us out of the darkness. Have you heard the call, have you seen the Light? If not, take time to know the Light of the world, and if so, then share that story with someone, for the Light is seeking them also.
Amen
Psalm 105:4 “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.
This past weekend, our youth group participated in an annual event that we host called “Romans and Christians”. In this game, we find a large field and set up a light. The object for the youth is to find the light, and then go and bring others to the light. The trick is to avoid the “Romans”: these are the adult leaders with flashlights. If caught, the Christians (youth) must go to prison where they must share their faith story and convert the guard to Christianity in order to leave. Each year the attendance has increased and this year we hosted 79 youths.
The kids will tell you how fun and exciting it was to run in the dark and avoid getting caught, but I think the most important thing was the jail time. Here, the youth have an opportunity to share what they believe and why. In seeking the light, they find reason for following the light of the world.
What about you, how often do you seek the Light? How often do you take time to share your faith journey? Or do you?
Sometimes we forget that the Light is actually seeking us, wanting to bring us out of the darkness. Have you heard the call, have you seen the Light? If not, take time to know the Light of the world, and if so, then share that story with someone, for the Light is seeking them also.
Amen
Thursday, July 28, 2011
The Prime Directive
Pk’s Corner August 2011
The Prime Directive:
Deuteronomy 6: 4 “Hear of Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength”.(NLT)
In the Sci-fi programs “Star Trek” there is one thing that binds all the story lines together, and that is the “Prime Directive”. The prime directive dictates that the travelers cannot and will not interfere with a developing civilization, in any way. Thank goodness we have a different prime directive.
Our prime directive is to whole heartedly love God. We are called to make God the center of our universe, not just an afterthought. Notice that the scripture does not say “You will love the Lord your God with only the upper part of your heart”. No, we are called to love God with every fiber of our being, to put our all into love and worship of this God who only gave us the best
This prime directive was reiterated when Christ was asked “What is the greatest commandment”. The point is, we are supposed to be focused on God all of the time, not just some of the time. Even in church we must remember the reason we are there, and that is to bring honor and glory to God. We cannot allow ourselves to get bogged down by worldly ideas of success, nor let the world convince us that God is just “out there”. We need and must have a God centered life in ourselves and our church.
Now, you are given the prime directive. When you read the scripture, instead of Israel, put in your name. You see, God has called you to love God all the time with everything you have. The really cool thing is that God has already started loving you with everything God has. We must love God, because it is the only way to truly know what love is all about.
Listen up world, you must Love God with everything you have and are. Amen
The Prime Directive:
Deuteronomy 6: 4 “Hear of Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength”.(NLT)
In the Sci-fi programs “Star Trek” there is one thing that binds all the story lines together, and that is the “Prime Directive”. The prime directive dictates that the travelers cannot and will not interfere with a developing civilization, in any way. Thank goodness we have a different prime directive.
Our prime directive is to whole heartedly love God. We are called to make God the center of our universe, not just an afterthought. Notice that the scripture does not say “You will love the Lord your God with only the upper part of your heart”. No, we are called to love God with every fiber of our being, to put our all into love and worship of this God who only gave us the best
This prime directive was reiterated when Christ was asked “What is the greatest commandment”. The point is, we are supposed to be focused on God all of the time, not just some of the time. Even in church we must remember the reason we are there, and that is to bring honor and glory to God. We cannot allow ourselves to get bogged down by worldly ideas of success, nor let the world convince us that God is just “out there”. We need and must have a God centered life in ourselves and our church.
Now, you are given the prime directive. When you read the scripture, instead of Israel, put in your name. You see, God has called you to love God all the time with everything you have. The really cool thing is that God has already started loving you with everything God has. We must love God, because it is the only way to truly know what love is all about.
Listen up world, you must Love God with everything you have and are. Amen
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Pray
Pray
Acts 1: 14a “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer…”
Prayer according to Webster is the act of addressing a divinity or earnest request. We as believers in the Way know that prayer is talking with God. Prayer is the conversation that heals, assures and leads us in our lives, and yet we tend to overlook this vital part of our spiritual lives.
We belong to a God who wants to be part of our lives. God didn’t create us and then say “Go away, you bother me”. God is truly interested in us and desires relationship, and the key to any relationship is COMMUNICATION.
Jesus taught us to pray, and practiced it every day. We too are called to lift up prayers to God. In my own life, if there is no prayer, life gets skewed. Prayer is what keeps the way straight and the eye focused on the Kingdom of God.
As members and friends of Doniphan UMC, I urge everyone to lift up prayers, for the church, for the community of faith, for one another. But don’t just talk, listen and hear what God has to say. Make time everyday to be alone with God, if necessary write it in your schedule. Prayer is truly the engine of faith. Prayer can bring peace, and change to your lives, it can bring strength and triumph, and it will bring you closer to God.
If you don’t believe me, believe the Bible, and if you haven’t started, get on your knees and just talk with God. You see, God answers knee mail.
Amen
Acts 1: 14a “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer…”
Prayer according to Webster is the act of addressing a divinity or earnest request. We as believers in the Way know that prayer is talking with God. Prayer is the conversation that heals, assures and leads us in our lives, and yet we tend to overlook this vital part of our spiritual lives.
We belong to a God who wants to be part of our lives. God didn’t create us and then say “Go away, you bother me”. God is truly interested in us and desires relationship, and the key to any relationship is COMMUNICATION.
Jesus taught us to pray, and practiced it every day. We too are called to lift up prayers to God. In my own life, if there is no prayer, life gets skewed. Prayer is what keeps the way straight and the eye focused on the Kingdom of God.
As members and friends of Doniphan UMC, I urge everyone to lift up prayers, for the church, for the community of faith, for one another. But don’t just talk, listen and hear what God has to say. Make time everyday to be alone with God, if necessary write it in your schedule. Prayer is truly the engine of faith. Prayer can bring peace, and change to your lives, it can bring strength and triumph, and it will bring you closer to God.
If you don’t believe me, believe the Bible, and if you haven’t started, get on your knees and just talk with God. You see, God answers knee mail.
Amen
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Petra
Matthew 16:18
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. (NRSV)
Simon, was renamed and called Peter. This is a rendition of the Greek word for “Rock” or Petra. I find it interesting that Jesus states that this rock, on which the church is built will be so strong that the gates of Hades will not prevail.
Think about what Jesus is saying. The gates of Hades implies that Hades is static, not moving, that it is truly a dead place, a place of stagnation. It has gates and thus it cannot move, nor be moved, but must stay where it is. Hades will not improve or live. It isn’t meant to improve, but just rot. Anything that stays in one place too long tends to rot and wither, and thus you have a vision of Hades, eternal rot and death within the walls.
But the church is built on a rock. In ancient times, rocks were the projectiles of choice used to break down city walls. With the Church being built on the Rock, we are called to break down walls of stagnation and death, to roll through hate and oppression. The church is supposed to be a movement to help people know Christ, not a fortress to keep people out.
This call, and the Great Commission reminds us that we are called to move. The Church is a place of dynamic work, not stagnating death and we, who are on the rock, are called to knock down those gates, for they cannot and will not prevail.
The Church in Christ is what Rocks the world.
Amen
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. (NRSV)
Simon, was renamed and called Peter. This is a rendition of the Greek word for “Rock” or Petra. I find it interesting that Jesus states that this rock, on which the church is built will be so strong that the gates of Hades will not prevail.
Think about what Jesus is saying. The gates of Hades implies that Hades is static, not moving, that it is truly a dead place, a place of stagnation. It has gates and thus it cannot move, nor be moved, but must stay where it is. Hades will not improve or live. It isn’t meant to improve, but just rot. Anything that stays in one place too long tends to rot and wither, and thus you have a vision of Hades, eternal rot and death within the walls.
But the church is built on a rock. In ancient times, rocks were the projectiles of choice used to break down city walls. With the Church being built on the Rock, we are called to break down walls of stagnation and death, to roll through hate and oppression. The church is supposed to be a movement to help people know Christ, not a fortress to keep people out.
This call, and the Great Commission reminds us that we are called to move. The Church is a place of dynamic work, not stagnating death and we, who are on the rock, are called to knock down those gates, for they cannot and will not prevail.
The Church in Christ is what Rocks the world.
Amen
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Hope, Patience, Prayer
Romans 12:12 (Contemporary English Version)
12Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.
I once listened to a motivational tape by Zig Ziglar. One of the comments that he made was ,”if you have hope in the future then you have power in the present”. This is a truth that is often overlooked by the church and feared by a sinful world. For you see, hope allows us to see that our current situation is temporary. We can be patient in time of trouble because we have hope in a future hapiness.
In Christ, we are given hope through a bloody cross and an empty tomb. Our God ended our fear of death, and for the world, that is the only fear it can truly hold over us. Hope is what let us see the end of death and the beginning of true life. Hope is what allows us to continue on, even in the face of the impossible.
But hope cannot do it all alone, it also takes something else. Communication with the giver of hope is essential in feeling hope in our lives. Prayer is that communication with God that strengthens us and assures us that we can make it through troubling times. Jesus taught us to pray, and showed us that talking with the Father is absolutely essential in our walk of faith. If we do not talk with God, then we tend to listen to the world and its message of death.
Prayer is the key to life, because through prayer, we know hope, and with hope is the power to be patient in times of trouble. What this country needs, and what we need is deliberate, focused, purposeful time with the Master, in essence prayer.
Amen
12Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.
I once listened to a motivational tape by Zig Ziglar. One of the comments that he made was ,”if you have hope in the future then you have power in the present”. This is a truth that is often overlooked by the church and feared by a sinful world. For you see, hope allows us to see that our current situation is temporary. We can be patient in time of trouble because we have hope in a future hapiness.
In Christ, we are given hope through a bloody cross and an empty tomb. Our God ended our fear of death, and for the world, that is the only fear it can truly hold over us. Hope is what let us see the end of death and the beginning of true life. Hope is what allows us to continue on, even in the face of the impossible.
But hope cannot do it all alone, it also takes something else. Communication with the giver of hope is essential in feeling hope in our lives. Prayer is that communication with God that strengthens us and assures us that we can make it through troubling times. Jesus taught us to pray, and showed us that talking with the Father is absolutely essential in our walk of faith. If we do not talk with God, then we tend to listen to the world and its message of death.
Prayer is the key to life, because through prayer, we know hope, and with hope is the power to be patient in times of trouble. What this country needs, and what we need is deliberate, focused, purposeful time with the Master, in essence prayer.
Amen
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