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
11.25.2009
11.18.2009
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
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
11.17.2009
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.
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.
11.13.2009
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 ...
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 ...
11.11.2009
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.
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.
11.09.2009
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
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
11.08.2009
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
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
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