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.