Life

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...." Ecclesiastes 3:1

It's been a long week.

Saw a doctor today...the verdict for my knee is a small tear in the meniscus - probably been that way for 20 years now. It appears I will continue to live with it as is.

Highlight of the day was booking a trip for Susie and I to Australia and New Zealand next June. It will be our thirtieth anniversary present for each other. A year late.

And then the need to be in continuing to be in prayer for a friend whose husband passed away yesterday. She's had a rough year or so.

Many mixed emotions we have in this thing called life. And God is in all of them.

Believe

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” - John 6:29

Isolated by itself, this is a fascinating sentence. When looking at the context, it is an answer to a questioned posed by some followers. The question was this: “What must we do to do the works God requires?” (John 6:28)

And the answer: “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” Had the question been posed to the likes of, well, me, I might have started a long list of great things that could be done in the name of Christ. There are many things that our community needs; I live in such a disadvantaged area.

I’m guessing that that the Sea of Galilee had its needy areas also. Yet Jesus' answer is…spot on. Because it gets down to the number one priority. Believing in the One God has sent. That is what is most important. Then let the rest flow from there. And...it will.

Are you doing the works that God requires? I pray you are.

Joy

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11

Yesterday I preached on joy. It is interesting. In the Bible (NIV) joy is mentioned 218 times. Happiness six times, and the word happy 24 times. There is a huge difference between joy and happiness. Jesus offers joy. The world offers happiness.

I tried to explain it this way:

Happiness is an emotion that is based on something that has externally happened for us. For instance. If my Dodgers (who completed a massive trade on Saturday) go on to win the western division and go deep into the playoffs I will be happy. But that happiness is based on what has happened outside of me. And you know what, it will be temporary. For in not too long spring training will be back upon us and we’ll be fussing and wondering about how the team will be in 2013.

Joy, on the other hand, relates more to a permanent situation. It is steady. For instance, just the thought of going to PNC park, enjoying the people, relishing the ambiance, and maybe seeing some good baseball being played by…whoever. Maybe even the Pirates. Now that is joy.

Friends, as believers and trusters in Christ, we have an unlimited source of joy through Jesus Christ. We shouldn't be as concerned about happiness which is dependent on outward circumstances. We should have joy in the Lord based on an internal constant - our relationship with Him. That is the joy that Jesus spoke about often; it’s a joy that God’s word speaks about often.

And I’d still be OK with the Dodgers if they go on and win the western division. But I’m counting on having joy….

Have Mercy

Friday, August 24, 2012

“I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.”  Psalm 116:2

Yesterday was rough.  I don’t know if I blew out my left knee, but let’s just say it left me immobile for a good part of the day. This morning it feels much better. I can’t get in to see the orthopedist for a week. Let’s just say that I won’t cancel the appointment no matter how that surgically repaired left knee feels in the coming week.  There’s something wrong with it. Again.  Although I’m thankful for the really good five and a half years Dr. Nelson gave to me with that knee.  And I’m still irritated that the good doctor moved to Maine.

My knee represents in many ways, the human condition.  We’re always blowing something out, and then calling for help.  The Psalmist was not different.  He cries for mercy; his cries get answered.  More often than not, I’m guessing his need for mercy was self-inflicted. My cries for mercy (with my knee) stem from a sledding accident 20 years ago in Wrightwood, California.  The sled I was on went out of control, and in my infinite wisdom I steered it into a snow bank to bring it to a stop.  Unfortunately, that snow bank turned to be a snow covered rock. And…  For twenty years now I have, at times, cried for mercy.

Which leads me to think…to whom do my cries first go to?  Certainly, wisdom requires that I see a doctor.  But my spirit knows that my cry should also go to the Lord; shame on me if that was not my first thought…as I sat in my chair almost unable to move my leg for a while yesterday.

Where do your cries go to first?  Maybe we all need a little reality adjustment.  Maybe we need to admit where our injuries come from.  But more than that, we need to first allow the Lord to hear our voices. He does hear us. And let us call on him as long as we live. And through it all, he will have mercy….

Have a great weekend friends!

The Mountain

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” - Romans 8:32

Every time I start thinking to myself, “God can’t,” I get reminded God did. If God so willingly gave his son in our place – then what is there that God won’t do? Sometimes I find myself putting limits on God. My limits. In doing so, I make God small; and make him (by default) something that takes a smaller part of my life.

I have seen God do huge things in and around my life. I have. I was reminded of a huge miracle by a patient in the hospital yesterday that I had the privilege of visiting and sharing with. Yet there are times…when I tend to put limits on God; times that God seems quiet. Only to discover, to my chagrin, that it is I that has been quiet; God has been there all along doing what he does best; saving, loving, guiding.

I don’t know what obstacles lay in your way of climbing a (figurative) mountain today. But if you think that God isn’t with you on your climb…you're going to not reach the peak; or worse yet, you might climb the wrong mountain. If you are feeling alone – are again consider Paul’s words. If God was willing to send Jesus to the cross – for you…for me; don’t think for a minute that he’s not willing to walk with you up that mountain.

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” All things. For sure.

God bless you,

Pastor Chris 

Completion

(From July 10, 2012)

"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

All I can say is I'm glad he'll carry it to completion. I don't feel like I could carry a cup of water today. The good news is that it does not depend on me. And I shall rely completely on the one who began the good work.

Cool

(From July 11, 2012)

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." Jeremiah 32:17

Cool.

Grace Rules

(From July 18, 2012)

"I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws." Psalm 119:7.

Of course, my 'upright heart' is really just based on my faith in Christ. My heart, on a human level, fails far too often. I know his law is written on my heart, but still too often I want to go another direction. I am getting older, and getting better. Some day I'll get there... Until then, all I can say is that I'm doing better than deserve.... Grace rules....

Fear?

(From July 19, 2012)

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

So often, we feel it's all up to us. If only I did things different, or if only I had done more, if only I had known better, if only.... (you fill in the blank). We can live a long life of "if onlys" this way. The truth is is that it is not all up to us; we do our best, with the knowledge and wisdom we have, and trust that our God will strengthen, help, and uphold our efforts. And if we fail, er, and when we fail, we can still trust that God will work all things out for the good of those who love him. And if we sin, er, when we sin, we can trust in God's unfailing, unearned grace.

So then, what again is there to fear?