December 30, 2009

You may be looking for a New Year's resolution to make. Good for you. We all need something new and different. So here's something for you to consider - let's all take a trip through the New Testament using a plan created by NavPress.

It's called 5x5x5. Easy enough to remember. Five days a week for 5 minutes a day, you and I read a chapter of the New Testament and then pick one of the 5 reflection tools (listed below) for getting deeper into God's Word. And then you get two days off for good behavior! It might even be a good study for home groups.

January 1st we begin with Mark chapter one. The entire year's reading can be found on our website or at the NavPress website.

Anyway, Gigi and I hope and pray for you a Blessed New Year, knowing that God will guide all of us and keep us for His glory.

5 x 5 x 5 Bible Reading Plan
Below are 5 different ways to dig deeper each day and encourage meditation. We recommend trying a single idea for a week to find what works best for you. Remember to keep a pen and paper ready to capture God’s insights.

Underline or highlight key words or phrases in the Bible passage. Use a pen or highlighter to mark new discoveries from the text. Periodically review your markings to see what God is teaching you.

Put it into your own words. Read the passage or verse slowly and then rewrite each phrase or sentence using your own words.

Ask and answer some questions. Questions unlock new discoveries and meanings. Ask questions about the passage using these words: who, what, why, when, where, or how. Jot down some thoughts on how you would answer these questions.

Capture the big idea. God’s Word communicates big ideas. Periodically ask, What’s the big idea in this sentence, paragraph, or chapter?

Personalize the meaning. When God speaks to us through the Scriptures, we must respond. A helpful habit is personalizing the Bible through application. Ask, How could my life be different today as I respond to what I’m reading?

Yours in Christ,
George

I found this great prayer for the end of the year, written by Puritans a long time ago and found in a book called The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions.

O LORD,
Length of days does not profit me
except the days are passed in thy presence,
in thy service, to thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides,
sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from thee,
but may rely on thy Spirit to supply every thought,
speak in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire to show forth thy praise;
testify thy love,
advance thy kingdom.
I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with thee, O Father as my harbour,
thee, O Son, at my helm,
thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to thy calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.
Give me thy grace to sanctify me,
thy comforts to cheer,
thy wisdom to teach,
thy right hand to guide,
thy counsel to instruct,
thy law to judge,
thy presence to stabilize.
May thy fear be my awe,
thy triumphs my joy.

The World In Solemn Stillness Lays

There are two things I like about snow - only two things. When my children were very young and we lived near Buffalo, I enjoyed snow – its depth, the cold, the shoveling, snowball fights ... Now there are only two things – or did I say that already?

One is the reminder from the Old Testament that though our sins be as scarlet red, they will be white as snow (Isaiah 1:18); though our lives are stained red from our sin they shall be as white as snow. I love that. God does that in our lives. King David, after messing up his life, confesses to God and says that if God will forgive him he will be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7).

When it snows and you look out on the world, all the dirt is covered up. The great thing about our Father in heaven is that our sins are not just covered up but they are done away with. They are gone. Remembered by God no more. Removed from us as far as the east is from the west. This is a new day.

Secondly, when snow blankets the earth it is so quiet. On Saturday night and into Sunday morning, the world came to a standstill – at least out here on eastern Long Island. It was quiet, still, peaceful. I like that. The snow reminds me that God says, Be still and know that I am God. Stop what you’re doing for a little while and remember what your life means to me.

This Christmas Eve might be a good time for such a reflection. On Christmas Eve we will celebrate the coming of Christ into the world. We will (hopefully) pause for a while. I hope you will join us or worship wherever you find yourself. The sermon for our church is entitled A Down-To-Earth Savior (read Philippians 2, Isaiah 53) . . . . great music lined up to praise God and reflect on the meaning of the night.

Yours in Christ,
George

December 16, 2009

So I was visiting a church member in the hospital when I recognized the man in the next bed. I asked him if he would like me to pray for him. "No, I can take care of myself, thank you," was his reply.

I’m not exactly sure what he meant because his presence in a hospital bed was evidence that, in one respect at least, he could not take care of himself. He needed the medical profession. Perhaps he was referring to his soul. And it caused me to wonder how many other people think the same way. I suspect many don’t want to think they need God to love them, guide them, and forgive them. It takes an astute spirit to realize that one is a sinner in need of saving (forgiving). We deceive ourselves in thinking we are not sinners, fully able to turn our backs on the God who wants nothing more than to share his love with us; a love manifested completely in Jesus.

Let’s face it. None of us can take care of ourselves. As children we depended upon our parents; as adults we depend on the government, our jobs, social institutions, and eventually, funeral directors. One of the greatest promises in Scripture may be found in 1 Peter 5:7. The disciple, in the midst of life’s difficulties, writes, Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you.

Wherever you are. Whoever you are. Let God forgive you. Invite him into your life – your whole life. That man in the hospital was entrusting his life to the medical profession. How much more do we need to entrust our lives to the God who created us?

Yours in Christ,
George

Friday (!)

I've been on enough airplane rides to know the rules of safety: exit strategy, staying in my seat, use of floatation devices, etc. But the rule I like best is what to do when there is a dramatic drop in cabin air pressure. In that event, air masks will drop in front of your face. And, if you are with a child, you are to put your mask on first. Why? Of course you know why - so you can then have the wherewithal to help your child.

Sort of like taking care of yourself first so that you can care for others. Being good to yourself first so that you can be good to others. I think it's quite a Godly idea. How can you love until you first know how much you are loved? How can you forgive until you realize that God has forgiven you?

In John 13:34 Jesus tells us to love one another as he has loved us. This Christmas season I want to make a suggestion that may seem selfish. Be good to yourself. Enjoy being you. Soak up the Father's love. Remember that Christ came for you. Let God whisper in your ear, You are my beloved child. I am so happy with you!

And hey - don't forget the person in the seat next to you.

Yours in Christ,
George

December 9, 2009

Those of you who live in the Mattituck area have probably encountered the new 20 mph speed zone at the high school. One friend, who noticed it too late, contributed $300 to the town.

Do you know how slow 20 mph is? It’s hard to imagine... until you hit the zone and creep along, with traffic closing in on you from behind. But I must tell you . . . I love it, absolutely love it, and not even for all the good safety reasons (although I am all for safety). I have discovered here, and in the village of Southold, that going past a school can be a most restful experience.

I don’t know about you but I am one wound up guy most of the time, going from one task to another at about 100 mph. But the new blinking lights and signs (along with thoughts of what I'd rather do with my $300) certainly help. In fact I find myself really wanting to get to the school zone so I can sloooooww down.

We all need to slow down some. Well, most of us anyhow. I am reminded of the Psalm, I think 46, where the Lord says, Be still and know that I am God. Stop and consider God. Think about God. Trust in God. We are so busy sometimes that our life has a "life" of its own and by the end of the day we’re exhausted. Take time to be quiet.

I have to tell you, lately my prayer time with God has taken on such new meaning. It is a time of rest in Him; just being still and letting my mind and heart slow down; just being with God without having to say a whole lot. It is so refreshing. It’s like a God Zone where I have to slow down.

Forget the long lists you have to pray. Just be with God. Take a break. Go for a walk with God. Read a good book with God. And even if you don’t call it prayer, well, just be still and acknowledge that God is the God of your life.

Yours in Christ,
George

December 2, 2009

I learned a valuable lesson a couple of weeks ago. When my mom’s neighbor moved, he left his wood chipper for her. Now, can’t you just see my mom outside in overalls, goggles, and work gloves, loading branches into the machine? I decided to take it – maybe grind up my leaves. The wood chipper sat for a month in my shed until last week when I rolled it out onto the lawn. I thought I’d see if I could just get it started - I'd change the oil later. I put a little gas in the empty tank, gave a pull and it started right up. I put in some leaves and watched them being ground into dust when all of a sudden I saw smoke. And the engine stopped. Uh oh. What could be wrong?

Those of you more mechanically minded than I know what the problem was. No oil. Engine seized up. Another of my magnificent mechanical debacles (I’m hoping someone reading this can give me some advice . . . )

No matter how good the engine or how much gas it has, it will not run without a little oil. A little oil was all it needed.

Just a little oil. Like a little kindness, a little love, a little encouragement – that’s all it takes to keep the "human machine" running smoothly. You’d be surprised how such little but vital effort keeps a relationship from seizing up.

Here’s hoping that I learned something about that The Day The Wood Chipper Died.

Yours in Christ,

George

My Book Has Arrived

GRACE IN THE WILDERNESS:
Daily Readings From Twenty-Five Years of Sermons

It is our gift to the MPC church family from Gigi and me in gratitude for the faithfulness and love of this body of Christ. Cover artwork is an original painting by Bob Mueller, created especially for Grace in the Wilderness. Books are available (one per family) from the church office. Extra books are available for $12.

November 25, 2009

God’s love endures forever. Or as The Message paraphrase says it, God’s love never quits. I love that. What a great reason for thankfulness.

Last night I watched an episode of "Glee". Don’t ask me why. Anyway, a high school student gets pregnant. The story comes out at dinner. The mother is silent and the father is livid, asking her how she could do this to him and her mother when they have loved her all these years. She cries and pleads to be held and loved by her ‘daddy’. She tells him how badly she needs him. He walks past her and tells her to leave his home. At that point I thought, what a jerk. His daughter’s not a rebel - just a confused child carrying her own child and now she loses her father.

I’m sure that this TV story has been lived out more times than I can imagine. So – please, no matter who you are or what you have ever done, or where you are at this moment, please know that your Father, God, will never stop loving you. His love will never quit. Nothing can cause him to stop loving you. He is a lover and a forgiver. He is a mender of broken hearts and broken lives. All you need do is look at the life of Jesus and you’ll see everything you ever need to know about your Father.

The moment you cry, Daddy, I need you, the Kingdom of God is yours!

So give thanks to God, as Psalm 136 says over and over again. His love never quits. Right there is the greatest reason for Thanksgiving. Enjoy your turkey, but most of all, enjoy the Father’s love for you.

Yours in Christ,

George

November 18, 2009

So I was talking with someone the other day about this idea of reconciliation (from Matthew 5). Jesus tells us to do all we can to have reconciliation with another. Paul writes that as far as it is possible with you, be at peace with everyone. This person I'm talking with says, "That doesn't sound very satisfying." He was right. According to what most of us have learned from the world, it's not.

But then there is a "Kingdom satisfaction" in all of this. Yeah, that's right. You can actually "feel" satisfied in aligning yourself with the will of God. Jesus said, love yourself to find yourself. This attempt at reconciliation is just that - finding a self within you that is more pleasing than the egotistical self.

It's almost hedonistic, but we can get pleasure, delight, and satisfaction from doing what Jesus has instructed us to do. After all, who knows better our desire for fulfillment than Christ? Who had that same satisfaction with his Father?

The words of Jesus are the sayings of the wisest man who ever lived, and they come with a promise - those who "do" them will know the power and joy of real life - eternal life that starts now.

In the words of an old TV star: You can take that to the bank.

Yours in Christ,
George

A medical procedure. . . .

Yesterday while I was having lunch I turned on CNN for some up-to-date news...and I watch an interview between the news anchor and a journalist....seems the anchorwoman was asking some pointed questions about why religious people are having any say in the health care debate regarding abortion...it is, the anchor said, a medical procedure and so should be off-limits for church people who should respect church - state separation. Is this lady living in a cave somewhere, knocked unconcious by years of moral relativism?

So I wait for the guy's answer to her and all he says is Well, the church and religious leaders having always made their voice heard in society and in politics. Here's a guy living in the cave next door. Hello.......neither one of them mentioned that it might bother some people that this 'medical procedure' is killing a human being, an unborn life or, if you prefer, a live fetus. Come on, people! You may not agree as TV media folks but please at least acknowledge that this is not a 'medical procedure'. This is the issue over the value of a human life, made in the image of God, that is being 'aborted' - 'teminated' - killed. This is not having your appendix removed.

God help us all, including this writer, for cheapening human life. May God help us all to do/say something on behalf of the children.

Healthcare for the Unborn Children

So I'm reading a NY Times op-ed piece (November 12) about "Trading Womens' Rights for Political Power". Seems the authors are upset that the administration and Democrats voted to keep the ban on using federal dollars for abortion. Their conclusion? Millions of women will become victims of their folly.

OK, so it may be naive but I'd like to know where is the concern for healthcare for the unborn children? Are they relegated to the status of "insignificant tissue" to be disposed of by someone's "choice"? Who will speak for the children? Is their life so cheap as to be some kind of political football? Regardless of my own political preferences, I thank God for those who speak for the voiceless, even if their reasoning may be in some respects "political".

I personally know some who have made difficult choices. Our God is merciful and forgiving. But our God came to give all of us the choice of a more abundant life. How can we presume to take that choice away from the most helpless?

The authors of the Times article write, The party chose a course that risks the well-being of millions of women for generations to come. You can probably guess my next question ...

November 11, 2009

I get to watch people worship on Sunday mornings. I have a special vantage point. I see the ones dozing off (or maybe in serious prayer), people fidgeting in their seats, others raising their hands in praise. Some people bring their coffee or water. Many dress casually while some are quite dressed up. I see the occasional head nod in agreement with the preacher and I see some looking at their watches as the "holy hour" is supposed to come to a conclusion.

There are a lot of styles and methods of worship. And a lot of different theologies, as evidenced by the several denominations. But - and here's the point of today's message as may be found in John 4. Jesus is talking with a Samaritan woman and there seems to be disagreement over the best place to worship. Jesus finally says:  It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage the "inner you" in pursuit of the truth. The Father is looking for those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. [from The Message paraphrase]

There it is. That's what matters most when you and I show up on Sunday mornings - or whenever you worship. Not that other things don't matter some. But this is what matters most. God yearns for that kind of relationship. Read The Shack if you need to understand this more fully.
Yours in Christ,
George

Today is Veteran’s Day, the day our nation has set aside to recognize our veterans and the sacrifice they have made for us. May God be with them and their families.

Our new website is up and running . . . simply go to http://www.mattpres.com/ and you’ll find everything you need . . . sermons, information, the calendar, even a link to this blog.

Monday (!)

Yesterday I was waist deep in leaves. My neighbot lent me his leaf blower... probably so my leaves wouldn't blow all over his lawn. It's an amazing tool. One-hundred and sixty mph wind created to blow leaves into a 4 foot high pile. But after 2 hours the leaves were in the woods.

I would love for no more leaves to fall but they do. Seems they will not be stopped. Fall will not be stopped.

Our lives go through seasons, too. And while autumn is beautiful to behold, it signals the coming onset of winter and the dormancy of life. Fall and Winter seem to be nature's preparation for new life, new beginnings. So it is with us and the seasons of our lives. Seasons as necessary as the seasons in nature. God is Lord of both. And through the seasons God has purpose in his creation, particularly in you and me.

Right now some folks are in the autumn of their lives when God shall give rest to their souls and life everlasting to their spirits. Some are in the autumn of their lives as their situation seems lifeless. But let us not despair. God is at work in his creation. Like the farmers around here know so well. God is the author of life. Those who live and believe in me, says Jesus, will [in actuality] never die (John 11).
George

November 4, 2009

We had a great concert at the church a couple of weeks ago. The singer, Marsha King, related some of the tragic stories of her own family's life as she sang songs of hope and praise. She said something interesting: "It's not always about us." She spoke of God's goodness and personal love for each of us, but said there are events in our lives that, while personally tragic, reveal a plan by which God does an incredible work in the lives of other people through us.

I thought of the story of Joseph in the Bible and how miserably he was treated, yet through that very treatment helped to save the nation of Israel. I thought of Jesus dying, the worst imaginable suffering for the very Son of God, and yet through it came the salvation of the world.

Gigi and I have both had experiences in our lives where we have been personally hurt, and yet we trust that God has a plan, a perfect plan that will not be thwarted. But it's not always about us. It's mainly about God's glory, and the more we trust in God's plan, the more able we are to live this life in confidence that all things really do work out for the good for those who love God.

I left the concert that night with some new perspectives for my own life (even though it is not always about me). If you have the chance to hear Marsha King or invite her to your church . . . you will be glad you did. Her web address is http://www.marshaking.com/.

Oh, I am excited to report that our new webmaster, Gigi, says we will be up and running very soon. I will get the web address out there to you and there will be a link to blog that contains the Wednesday email . . . stay tuned.
Yours in Christ,
George

October 28, 2009

So I'm part of a study called Experiencing God. If you ever have the chance to study it - take it! It's about knowing and doing God's will. Our group is up to the part about knowing God by experience. See, while God has his purposes and plans that we sometimes don't understand, it seems that God has personal experiences with each of us as he did so often in the Bible. You can read the book of Revelation and try to get the Big Picture. But I prefer the stories of people like Joseph, Zaccheus, Martha and Mary, the blind man - to show the direct personal experience God has with each one of us. I believe it is possible for all of us to experience God in such a way to know that God is real and, even more, that he loves us and that we can know his plans for us are ultimately good.

So I came across the following exercise in this week's study: Describe an event through which you know you experienced God at work in your life. It's a great exercise for all of us. I'd like to suggest that you write one of your experiences and let us publish it in this year's Advent Devotion. Just write it out as you think of it and we'll edit as necessary (without changing your ideas).

What a great way to let others be encouraged in their own faith walk with God. So go ahead, while it is fresh on your mind, and send it to the church (mattpres@optonline.net). Your story is part of the Sacred Story God is weaving through history. Thanks in advance for sharing.

Yours in Christ,
George