There’s a wonderful story about Jimmy Durante, one of the great entertainers of a generation ago. He was asked to be a part of a show for World War II veterans. He told them his schedule was very busy and he could afford only a few minutes, but if they wouldn’t mind his doing one short monologue and immediately leaving for his next appointment, he would come. Of course, the show’s director agreed happily.But when Jimmy got on stage, something interesting happened. He went through the short monologue and then stayed. The applause grew louder and louder and he kept staying. Pretty soon, he had been on fifteen, twenty, then thirty minutes. Finally he took a last bow and left the stage. Backstage someone stopped him and said, “I thought you had to go after a few minutes. What happened?”Jimmy answered, “I did have to go, but I can show you the reason I stayed. You can see for yourself if you’ll look down on the front row.” In the front row were two men, each of whom had lost an arm in the war. One had lost his right arm and the other had lost his left. Together, they were able to clap, and that’s exactly what they were doing, loudly and cheerfully.
If we would work together in our churches, we would be able to accomplish so much for the body of Christ. Will you be a team player?
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Monday, March 13, 2006
TEAM
How many of you have ever been part of a team? Now, how many of you have ever been on a team that was great … a team that performed really well? Okay … now how many of you have ever been on a team that really stunk. I mean, it just reeked … you couldn’t win unless the other team just didn’t show up.You know … the same kinds of things can happen right here at the church. We are a team. And unless every single person pulls his or her weight, the team suffers. So, as we keep moving toward the Finish Line, we need to learn about the importance of Being Part of a Good Team.
Friends, relationships are vitally important in the life of the church. In fact, the church was created to be a community of interdependent people. Romans 12:5 tells us … 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
And many of us are familiar with Proverbs 27:17… 17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
In the summer of 2002, nine miners were trapped for three days in a water-filled mine shaft in Quecreek, Pennsylvania. After their amazing rescue, the miners said that they “decided early on they were either going to live or die as a group.” The 55 degree water threatened to kill them slowly by hypothermia. According to a news report, they came up with a plan: “When one would get cold, the other eight would huddle around the person and warm that person, and when another person got cold, the favor was returned.” “Everybody had strong moments,” miner Harry B. Mayhugh told reporters after being released from the hospital. “But any certain time maybe one guy got down, and then the rest pulled together. And then that guy would get back up, and maybe someone else would feel a little weaker, but it was a team effort. That’s the only way it could have been.” In a special worship service that took place a couple days later, ten helmets were placed on the altar at a church, representing the nine miners and God. They faced incredibly hostile conditions together—and they all came out alive together. (Adapted from “Teamwork Helped Miners Survive Underground,” CNN.com (7-28-02) and www.preachingtoday.com).
What a great illustration of the body of Christ! God created you to be in fellowship with one another. God has called us to, and expects us to, work together as a team. How are you doing on your part? Are you faithful in giving? Do you have a ministry? Do you reach out to the people around you, or are you still too caught up in your self? Let me challenge you today, get in the race! We need every single member of this team to be active, faithful, and effective.
Friends, relationships are vitally important in the life of the church. In fact, the church was created to be a community of interdependent people. Romans 12:5 tells us … 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
And many of us are familiar with Proverbs 27:17… 17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
In the summer of 2002, nine miners were trapped for three days in a water-filled mine shaft in Quecreek, Pennsylvania. After their amazing rescue, the miners said that they “decided early on they were either going to live or die as a group.” The 55 degree water threatened to kill them slowly by hypothermia. According to a news report, they came up with a plan: “When one would get cold, the other eight would huddle around the person and warm that person, and when another person got cold, the favor was returned.” “Everybody had strong moments,” miner Harry B. Mayhugh told reporters after being released from the hospital. “But any certain time maybe one guy got down, and then the rest pulled together. And then that guy would get back up, and maybe someone else would feel a little weaker, but it was a team effort. That’s the only way it could have been.” In a special worship service that took place a couple days later, ten helmets were placed on the altar at a church, representing the nine miners and God. They faced incredibly hostile conditions together—and they all came out alive together. (Adapted from “Teamwork Helped Miners Survive Underground,” CNN.com (7-28-02) and www.preachingtoday.com).
What a great illustration of the body of Christ! God created you to be in fellowship with one another. God has called us to, and expects us to, work together as a team. How are you doing on your part? Are you faithful in giving? Do you have a ministry? Do you reach out to the people around you, or are you still too caught up in your self? Let me challenge you today, get in the race! We need every single member of this team to be active, faithful, and effective.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Finish the Race
Philippians 3:13 (NIV) 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Paul says there is one thing that he is focused on and that is to press on toward the goal to win the prize. That one thing actually has two parts.
First Paul says, “Forgetting what is behind”
I find in my aging process that forgetting what is behind is getting easier and easier. …
Our past can become the biggest obstacle to our future.
Failure, sin… For Paul, his past consisted of being a murderer. Do you think that Satan every tried to discourage Paul by reminding him of his past?
Second, Paul says, “Straining toward what is ahead”. It’s not a leisure walk in the park. You can feel the intensity in the words that Paul chose. “Straining”. It’s an all out effort. A battle filled with moments when we think, “It would be easier to quit.
I'd like to take your mind back to October 20, 1968. I invite you to come with me to the Mexico City, Olympic Stadium. The time, 7.00 P.M. The closing ceremonies had just been completed. The spectators and athletes, still warm from the euphoria of the celebration, were gathering their belongings to leave the stadium. Then the announcer asked them to remain in their seats. Down the boulevard came the whine of police sirens. From their vantage point, many in the stadium could see motorcycles with their flashing blue lights, encircling someone making his way toward the stadium. Whoever it was, he was moving slowly. Everyone remained seated to see the last chapter of the Olympics take place. By the time the police escort got to the stadium, the public address announcer said that a final marathoner would be making his way into the arena and around the track to the finish line. Confusion was evident among the crowd. The last marathoner had come in hours ago. The medals had already been awarded. What had taken this man so long? But the first sign of the runner making his way out of the tunnel and onto the track told the whole story. John Stephen Akhwari from Tanzania, covered with blood, hobbled into the light. He had taken a horrible fall early in the race, whacked his head, damaged his knee, and endured a trampling before he could get back on his feet. And there he was, over 40 kilometers later, stumbling his way to the finish line. The response of the crowd was so overwhelming, it was almost frightening. They encouraged Akhwari through the last few meters of his race with a thundering ovation that far exceeded the one given the man who, hours earlier, had come in first. When Akhwari crossed the finish line, he collapsed into the arms of the medical personnel who immediately whisked him off to the hospital. The next day, Akhwari appeared before sports journalists to field their questions about his extraordinary feat. The first question was the one any of us would have asked, "Why, after sustaining the kinds of injuries you did, would you ever get up and proceed to the finish line, when there was no way you could possibly place in the race?" John Stephen Akhwari said this: "My country did not send me over 7,000 miles to start a race. They sent me over 7,000 miles to finish one."
I personally started that race on a summer night when I was 10. That’s when I invited Jesus into my heart. I do not know when I will cross the finish line, but I am determined to do just that. I fix my eyes on Jesus, my savior, best friend, encourager, coach, Lord.
FINISH THE RACE!
Paul says there is one thing that he is focused on and that is to press on toward the goal to win the prize. That one thing actually has two parts.
First Paul says, “Forgetting what is behind”
I find in my aging process that forgetting what is behind is getting easier and easier. …
Our past can become the biggest obstacle to our future.
Failure, sin… For Paul, his past consisted of being a murderer. Do you think that Satan every tried to discourage Paul by reminding him of his past?
Second, Paul says, “Straining toward what is ahead”. It’s not a leisure walk in the park. You can feel the intensity in the words that Paul chose. “Straining”. It’s an all out effort. A battle filled with moments when we think, “It would be easier to quit.
I'd like to take your mind back to October 20, 1968. I invite you to come with me to the Mexico City, Olympic Stadium. The time, 7.00 P.M. The closing ceremonies had just been completed. The spectators and athletes, still warm from the euphoria of the celebration, were gathering their belongings to leave the stadium. Then the announcer asked them to remain in their seats. Down the boulevard came the whine of police sirens. From their vantage point, many in the stadium could see motorcycles with their flashing blue lights, encircling someone making his way toward the stadium. Whoever it was, he was moving slowly. Everyone remained seated to see the last chapter of the Olympics take place. By the time the police escort got to the stadium, the public address announcer said that a final marathoner would be making his way into the arena and around the track to the finish line. Confusion was evident among the crowd. The last marathoner had come in hours ago. The medals had already been awarded. What had taken this man so long? But the first sign of the runner making his way out of the tunnel and onto the track told the whole story. John Stephen Akhwari from Tanzania, covered with blood, hobbled into the light. He had taken a horrible fall early in the race, whacked his head, damaged his knee, and endured a trampling before he could get back on his feet. And there he was, over 40 kilometers later, stumbling his way to the finish line. The response of the crowd was so overwhelming, it was almost frightening. They encouraged Akhwari through the last few meters of his race with a thundering ovation that far exceeded the one given the man who, hours earlier, had come in first. When Akhwari crossed the finish line, he collapsed into the arms of the medical personnel who immediately whisked him off to the hospital. The next day, Akhwari appeared before sports journalists to field their questions about his extraordinary feat. The first question was the one any of us would have asked, "Why, after sustaining the kinds of injuries you did, would you ever get up and proceed to the finish line, when there was no way you could possibly place in the race?" John Stephen Akhwari said this: "My country did not send me over 7,000 miles to start a race. They sent me over 7,000 miles to finish one."
I personally started that race on a summer night when I was 10. That’s when I invited Jesus into my heart. I do not know when I will cross the finish line, but I am determined to do just that. I fix my eyes on Jesus, my savior, best friend, encourager, coach, Lord.
FINISH THE RACE!
Monday, February 20, 2006
Purpose For Life
Many of you are familiar with Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life". The church I pastor has really enjoyed learning more about the 5 key purposes for every follower of Christ.
Worship
Rick Warren says, “Worship is far more than praising, singing, and praying to God. Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God, loving him, and giving ourselves to be used for his purposes.”
The Bible says that we are to “Use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.” Romans 6:13b NLT
Fellowship
Loving other believers
“Following Christ is not just a matter of believing, it also includes belonging and learning to love the family of God.” – Rick Warren
Although we will stand before God by ourselves, in the Christian life we are never meant to fly solo. We need one another.
John 13:34-35 (NIV) 34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Discipleship
Discipleship is simply defined as “becoming like Christ”.
Once we are born into the family, it’s time to grow, to mature.
How do we know what Christ is like?
1. Bible Study
2. Prayer
3. Attend a Bible preaching church
4. Mentor (coach).
Part of discipleship is having a mentor (coach).
Most great athletes have a successful coach.
Even Michael Jordan, at the pinnacle of his career, was not above the need for a coach.
I can’t think of any athlete who has been successful without a coach.
I love to sit behind the boys basketball team and listen to the coach as he gives them direction during the time outs. He is intense about getting his team on the same page, running the plays that he feels will work best for the team.
Find someone who loves the Lord, has great wisdom and would take the time to invest in your life.
Ministry
ACTIVE INVOLVMENT
Can you imagine somebody having a dream to win the gold medal in speed skating and yet never getting on the ice to skate, or skiing and never going down the hill? The life of an athlete is about active involvement. So is the life of a Christian.
Use your gift.
1 Corinthians 7:7 (NIV) 7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
1 Timothy 4:14 (NIV) 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV) 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Be faithful with the talents that God has given you.
Excel in your strength
Evangelism
God’s love for people is not to be a secret.
When I was a kid I would often be the one to organize the neighborhood games. I would go to one house and ask the kids if they wanted to play, then we would go to the next, and then all of us would move on to the next house. The more that joined us the better our games were.
Let's be excited about inviting others to give their life to Jesus. The more in heaven the better.
Worship
Rick Warren says, “Worship is far more than praising, singing, and praying to God. Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God, loving him, and giving ourselves to be used for his purposes.”
The Bible says that we are to “Use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.” Romans 6:13b NLT
Fellowship
Loving other believers
“Following Christ is not just a matter of believing, it also includes belonging and learning to love the family of God.” – Rick Warren
Although we will stand before God by ourselves, in the Christian life we are never meant to fly solo. We need one another.
John 13:34-35 (NIV) 34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Discipleship
Discipleship is simply defined as “becoming like Christ”.
Once we are born into the family, it’s time to grow, to mature.
How do we know what Christ is like?
1. Bible Study
2. Prayer
3. Attend a Bible preaching church
4. Mentor (coach).
Part of discipleship is having a mentor (coach).
Most great athletes have a successful coach.
Even Michael Jordan, at the pinnacle of his career, was not above the need for a coach.
I can’t think of any athlete who has been successful without a coach.
I love to sit behind the boys basketball team and listen to the coach as he gives them direction during the time outs. He is intense about getting his team on the same page, running the plays that he feels will work best for the team.
Find someone who loves the Lord, has great wisdom and would take the time to invest in your life.
Ministry
ACTIVE INVOLVMENT
Can you imagine somebody having a dream to win the gold medal in speed skating and yet never getting on the ice to skate, or skiing and never going down the hill? The life of an athlete is about active involvement. So is the life of a Christian.
Use your gift.
1 Corinthians 7:7 (NIV) 7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
1 Timothy 4:14 (NIV) 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV) 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Be faithful with the talents that God has given you.
Excel in your strength
Evangelism
God’s love for people is not to be a secret.
When I was a kid I would often be the one to organize the neighborhood games. I would go to one house and ask the kids if they wanted to play, then we would go to the next, and then all of us would move on to the next house. The more that joined us the better our games were.
Let's be excited about inviting others to give their life to Jesus. The more in heaven the better.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Wild Game Dinner
For the past 4 years, men and boys have enjoyed having a wild game dinner at our church. This year the dinner will take place on March 21st. I can hardly wait. Eating squirrel, elk, bear, venison, walleye, pheasant and who knows what else, is a treat for the tongue!
I usually tease our church that I drive the countryside the week of the dinner in search of road kill. The longer it’s been on the road the better. It really gets tenderized.
Another reason I enjoy this night is because half of the men that come are not from our church. In fact, many of them do not attend church anywhere. This is not a “churchy” service. We try and have our fellowship hall decorated in such a way that gives you the outdoors feel. We give away prizes and have somebody share about hunting or fishing and a testimony of how Jesus has changed their life.
I believe the church needs to do more to reach men. At least the church I pastor. The following statistics from “Church For Men” (www.churchformen.com) sounds an alarm that must wake us up to do whatever we can to reach men.
The typical U.S. Congregation draws an adult crowd that’s 61% female, 39% male. This gender gap shows up in all age categories.
This Sunday almost 25 percent of married, churchgoing women will worship without their husbands.
As many as 90 percent of the boys who are being raised in church will abandon it by their 20th birthday. Many of these boys will never return.
The last statistic breaks my heart. We can’t afford to loose our boys.
At the end of the article from “Church for Men” they asked 4 questions.
What is it about modern Christianity that is driving men away?
Jesus was a magnet to men, but our churches repel them. What’s changed?
Why do rival faiths inspire male allegiance, while ours breeds male indifference?
What can we do about it?
As I challenge myself, I also challenge you to think about change. Not for the sake of change, but for the sake of being effective in reaching and keeping boys and men for Christ.
Monday, January 30, 2006
911
On Saturday morning my oldest daughter came up from her bedroom and was complaining that she had a headache. I too was experiencing the same thing, along with dizziness (more than the usual). An hour later my youngest daughter came upstairs stating that she did not feel good. All of the sudden she's running to the bathroom to throw up. I thought,"What's going on?Are we all getting the flu"?Later , I called the kids to come up for lunch. My wife was at a ladies seminar and my oldest son had spent the night at a friends. I was the cook and I had prepared a great meal, frozen pizza! When my oldest daughter came up from the basement she looked exhausted. She sat down at the kitchen counter and rested her head. As I turned to get something I heard a loud bang. I turned around and found her on the floor. She had passed out. As I approached her, I knew that something was terribly wrong. Her eyes started to roll up into her head and she began to convulse. "Dear God", I thought, "What's going on?" Suddenly she went totally limp. She was not responsive. I thought she was dying. I ran to get the phone and dialed 911. After a couple of rings they answered and I began to explain my situation. A few moments later my daughter began to open her eyes. She stood up and asked, "What happened"? I told 911 to never mind the ambulance, I was bring her into the hospital myself.
As we frantically prepared to go, my youngest daughter came up from the basement crying and saying that she did not feel good. My three kids and I drove to the hospital. Half way there it dawns on me. I think we have carbon monoxide poisoning.
After blood work on all four of us, they confirmed my suspicions. All four of us had carbon monoxide poisoning.
God has certainly reminded me of several things through this.
1. People matter most.
I could have cared less about my possessions, status or successes, what mattered most was my family. I have always been a hugger, now more than ever. I realize how fast life can change. I had a wake up call to the things that matter most.
2. We must be ready to die.
We never know when that time may come. Some people say, "I have time" or "I'll decide later". The Bible says, "Now is the time of salvation". If you haven't given your life to Jesus, now would be a great time. I'm thankful that my entire family was ready.
3. He is my protector.
Psalms 138:7 (NIV) 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.
4. Have a good, working carbon monoxide detector.
A digital one the reads the parts per million and that says "nighthawk" on the package is the best according what I've been told.
As we frantically prepared to go, my youngest daughter came up from the basement crying and saying that she did not feel good. My three kids and I drove to the hospital. Half way there it dawns on me. I think we have carbon monoxide poisoning.
After blood work on all four of us, they confirmed my suspicions. All four of us had carbon monoxide poisoning.
God has certainly reminded me of several things through this.
1. People matter most.
I could have cared less about my possessions, status or successes, what mattered most was my family. I have always been a hugger, now more than ever. I realize how fast life can change. I had a wake up call to the things that matter most.
2. We must be ready to die.
We never know when that time may come. Some people say, "I have time" or "I'll decide later". The Bible says, "Now is the time of salvation". If you haven't given your life to Jesus, now would be a great time. I'm thankful that my entire family was ready.
3. He is my protector.
Psalms 138:7 (NIV) 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.
4. Have a good, working carbon monoxide detector.
A digital one the reads the parts per million and that says "nighthawk" on the package is the best according what I've been told.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Renewed Strength
This morning in my time of prayer the Lord put a verse in my heart. I know the things that I'm about to share were for me, but perhaps it will encourage you.
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Have you ever had a day, week, maybe a life :>) where you felt absolutely exhausted. Sometimes I have so many things on my plate, that I feel I have nothing left to give.
I remember a professor I had in college that had a reputation; A reputation for falling asleep. One day I sat in his office visiting with him and he fell asleep. "Wow" I thought, "am I that boring"? He did this to others also so I didn't take it personally. In fact he had a sign on his desk that read, "I'm not asleep, I'm just thinking with my eyes closed".
Whenever I'm overly tired, it always leads to irritability. I get cranky and short with those I love the most.
The Holy Spirit told me this morning that the reason I get so exhausted is because I am not waiting in the Lord's presence like I need to. What happens to me when I am not in close communication with the Lord is that I start to take on things that He never intended for me to do. I start living out my agenda instead of His.
What also takes place is that my battery drains. If I don't spend adequate time in the presence of the Lord my battery isn't recharged. When I stay in the Word, pray and worship the Lord, I am refreshed. I feel like I can mount up with wings as eagles; like I can run, and not be weary; like I can walk, and not faint.
Let me share a few other verses that remind us of God's strength in our life.
Exodus 15:2 (NIV) 2 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV) 10 Nehemiah said, "... Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Right now would be a great time to turn off the computer and take some time to be with Jesus.
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Have you ever had a day, week, maybe a life :>) where you felt absolutely exhausted. Sometimes I have so many things on my plate, that I feel I have nothing left to give.
I remember a professor I had in college that had a reputation; A reputation for falling asleep. One day I sat in his office visiting with him and he fell asleep. "Wow" I thought, "am I that boring"? He did this to others also so I didn't take it personally. In fact he had a sign on his desk that read, "I'm not asleep, I'm just thinking with my eyes closed".
Whenever I'm overly tired, it always leads to irritability. I get cranky and short with those I love the most.
The Holy Spirit told me this morning that the reason I get so exhausted is because I am not waiting in the Lord's presence like I need to. What happens to me when I am not in close communication with the Lord is that I start to take on things that He never intended for me to do. I start living out my agenda instead of His.
What also takes place is that my battery drains. If I don't spend adequate time in the presence of the Lord my battery isn't recharged. When I stay in the Word, pray and worship the Lord, I am refreshed. I feel like I can mount up with wings as eagles; like I can run, and not be weary; like I can walk, and not faint.
Let me share a few other verses that remind us of God's strength in our life.
Exodus 15:2 (NIV) 2 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV) 10 Nehemiah said, "... Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Right now would be a great time to turn off the computer and take some time to be with Jesus.
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