Our last sermon GOSPEL WITH A FACE was the last in this series. The series intended to put a face on contemporary Christianity which is purported to be "watered down" and perhaps therefore, ineffective in keeping one "out of the weeds" and on a path of Bible-centered spiritual renewal. "Our Enslaved Free Will" explored the "law of my mind" working against the human nature of flesh and heart in relation to God's Sovereignty. Historically, the concept of "free will" evolved from the Greek "Thelema" (longings or feeling for what I want), early theologies translating to "Autoexousia" (you can choose but you are responsible for it) and then transitioning to Latin "liberatum arbitrium" (free will, a Stoic notion). Augustine then saw this as really not being free but addicted (Hence, his Confessions) or "liberatum arbitrium captivatum" or "Captive Free Will" requiring post provident grace which seems to be the same idea the Apostle Paul was saying.
Take a breath here. Now we launch into the WANT-TO CALCULATOR (a form of deceit) which is controlled by the CHOOSER BOX, which is totally free. The WTC is pictured as a heart balanced on the scale of justice and features a key-hole which is last week's sermon, The HOLY IMPOSITION where God shoves his Spirit into the key hole, an act of Godly love. Therefore, our WTC's are not free but harnessed to our human nature, our ENSLAVED FREE WILL. The point is: current theology tends to waterdown christianity and treat it as a spectator sport or "practice" satisfying the heart while placing the Holy Spirit in a vase on the wall. Like Job, we must repent of our "righteousness" in order to be restored, an important point to consider as we decide next week what to do under our economic circumstances as a church.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
LMCC and JOB
There is an interesting parallel between the current circumstances of our church and the story of Job. Our church is rooted in Rockland Community Church which began as a "pioneer" church in the valley across I-70 from our present location. From a church on the wagon trail up Mount Vernon canyon the present day Rockland Community Church was built. Our current church resulted from a split which sent us to the Nature Center as Mountain Christian Fellowship and then as Lookout Mountain Community Church in a new location. That building was sold to build the new church we presently occupy. In this process we grew from a few pews to a mega-church but like Job, we lost it all and are now struggling again with just a few in the pews.
Job had it all in his day.The story of Job, you may recall, begain with God and Satan agreeing to test Job under dire circumstances. Job remained faithful as some of us but God did not answer his pleas. One day, Elihu, the son of Barakel, the buzite, approached Job's three friends and rebuked them saying, "I have kept my mouth shut and watched what is happening to Job and now I am angry and going to speak. You did not refute Job in his distress". And to Job Elihu said, "Job, I am angry with you. Quit trying to justify yourself, juustify God!" God had not spoken to Job throughout this entire episode and as Elihu continued speaking to Job, Job repented from his pleas which had been "I've been a good boy, God, why are you doing this to me?" It is interesting to note that when the dialogue of Elihu ended, the next chapter begins, "And God said to Job....". Job quit thinking about himself and centered on God and he was restored.
As we begin "deliberations" about last week's Olah service, may we remember our church and the story of Job as we struggle with the ragged edges of creative cooperation and July 17's congregational meeting where our church will reach another milestone or perish with a circumstancial mill stone. Job kept the faith but he had to repent to be restored.
R. Jones
Job had it all in his day.The story of Job, you may recall, begain with God and Satan agreeing to test Job under dire circumstances. Job remained faithful as some of us but God did not answer his pleas. One day, Elihu, the son of Barakel, the buzite, approached Job's three friends and rebuked them saying, "I have kept my mouth shut and watched what is happening to Job and now I am angry and going to speak. You did not refute Job in his distress". And to Job Elihu said, "Job, I am angry with you. Quit trying to justify yourself, juustify God!" God had not spoken to Job throughout this entire episode and as Elihu continued speaking to Job, Job repented from his pleas which had been "I've been a good boy, God, why are you doing this to me?" It is interesting to note that when the dialogue of Elihu ended, the next chapter begins, "And God said to Job....". Job quit thinking about himself and centered on God and he was restored.
As we begin "deliberations" about last week's Olah service, may we remember our church and the story of Job as we struggle with the ragged edges of creative cooperation and July 17's congregational meeting where our church will reach another milestone or perish with a circumstancial mill stone. Job kept the faith but he had to repent to be restored.
R. Jones
Monday, July 4, 2011
Olah-Oh My Gosh!
July 4, 2011
I didn't want to go to church Saturday night because I'd had a glass of wine. I told Kathy it would be just my luck to have the pastor come up and smell it on my breath. (Which he may have) I told her if I could just make it through to communion, not stumble or anything on the way up there, I'd be covered since because, of course, I'm taking the wine and bread so wine on my breath would be expected. What was to happen however, at the "Olah" service (this is the service where you offer yourself as a burnt offering to God, lay all your burdens at the foot of the Cross and find hope and peace as a result) created a giant hang-up for me.
The "Banquet Hall" had changed and there were tables and chairs instead of rows of chairs. We chose a table near where we usually sit and there happened to be a table of people next to us with a bottle of wine on the table. We thought, perhaps, they were just finishing up before the service but no, the wine and cheese indulging continued, right on to communion!
Now, there are many ragged edges to creative cooperation. In renewing my Spiritual life, I have studied and meditated, attempted to clarify my values and then, make a commitment. My personal commitment is to establish a relationship between God and myself. Period. I have strived to develop a balanced focus based on an inside-out, character-based and principle-centered foundation. I simply have a personal relationship with God, no matter how many times I get out in the weeds. At the Olah service, with my sense of values challenged, I must stand and make a statement. I don't believe "we" should be behaving completely opposite of what this worship service represents. To eat and drink in the presence of Almighty God is wrong! It also is a lust of the flesh which interferes with our developing the mind of Christ. Therefore, since this is my church, I'm going to strive to follow the principles of "think win-win, seek first to understand and then be understood in an effort to creatively cooperate with those who now, to me, seem out in the weeds.
Our church is in dire straits. Like Job, who had it all, we are about to lose it. Like Elihu, who rebuked Job and began by saying, "I have kept my mouth shut. However, I am now angry and must speak. Job, quit justifying yourself, justify God!"
My wife and I have raised our children in this church. We are not going to leave, we have decided to make a stand, like Elihu. As Pastor Bill said, "whatever happens to this church is God's will" but for me and my house, "we will serve the Lord".
Ron Jones
I didn't want to go to church Saturday night because I'd had a glass of wine. I told Kathy it would be just my luck to have the pastor come up and smell it on my breath. (Which he may have) I told her if I could just make it through to communion, not stumble or anything on the way up there, I'd be covered since because, of course, I'm taking the wine and bread so wine on my breath would be expected. What was to happen however, at the "Olah" service (this is the service where you offer yourself as a burnt offering to God, lay all your burdens at the foot of the Cross and find hope and peace as a result) created a giant hang-up for me.
The "Banquet Hall" had changed and there were tables and chairs instead of rows of chairs. We chose a table near where we usually sit and there happened to be a table of people next to us with a bottle of wine on the table. We thought, perhaps, they were just finishing up before the service but no, the wine and cheese indulging continued, right on to communion!
Now, there are many ragged edges to creative cooperation. In renewing my Spiritual life, I have studied and meditated, attempted to clarify my values and then, make a commitment. My personal commitment is to establish a relationship between God and myself. Period. I have strived to develop a balanced focus based on an inside-out, character-based and principle-centered foundation. I simply have a personal relationship with God, no matter how many times I get out in the weeds. At the Olah service, with my sense of values challenged, I must stand and make a statement. I don't believe "we" should be behaving completely opposite of what this worship service represents. To eat and drink in the presence of Almighty God is wrong! It also is a lust of the flesh which interferes with our developing the mind of Christ. Therefore, since this is my church, I'm going to strive to follow the principles of "think win-win, seek first to understand and then be understood in an effort to creatively cooperate with those who now, to me, seem out in the weeds.
Our church is in dire straits. Like Job, who had it all, we are about to lose it. Like Elihu, who rebuked Job and began by saying, "I have kept my mouth shut. However, I am now angry and must speak. Job, quit justifying yourself, justify God!"
My wife and I have raised our children in this church. We are not going to leave, we have decided to make a stand, like Elihu. As Pastor Bill said, "whatever happens to this church is God's will" but for me and my house, "we will serve the Lord".
Ron Jones
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
A large weekend at LMCC
March 19-20: Japan struggling, UN resolution 1973 and Libya, the largest moon in 19 years and Pastor Bill is away presenting a paper to the Society of Biblical Literature in New Jersey. Back at LMCC alot was going on! If one believes in the principle that "what binds us together, is greater than what drives us apart" and if we truly believe that working together, we can accomplish something meaningful, then what went on during this rather large weekend at Lookout gives us rather miraculous hope. We acknowledged our couple going to Nigeria to facilitate the "Crutches for Christ" program; the "Baldericks" appeared with shaven heads supporting Childhood Lukemia fundraising; our son Tim arrived in Thailand for missionary work with Burma and Adam continued the series on "Song of Songs" focusing on the image of marriage as analogous to God the King pursuing us to make us His own. To demonstrate, Adam invited two couples to testify about where God showed up in their marriages to not only persevere but meet the challenge of the future with great hope. Sunday morning, the Hill Toppers reviewed "Just Like Us" a book on four Mexican girls growing up in Denver, two here "legally" and two who were not. John Moyer did a masterful job of leading us through a heart-wenching but real story which challenges us all. Then on to the Underground. Kyle had invited the Hill Toppers to engage with the Jr. High group in yes, the Underground! So after the sermon, we had a most fantastic experience, which not only gives us hope but proves that creatively working together, we can accomplish something very meaningful if the Holy Spirit empowers us.
These stories are so important, several of them will be subjects of subsequent posts. We may then, more clearly understand the power of the Holy Spirit in the testimony of our everyday lives and challenges. May God continue to bless our journey together.
These stories are so important, several of them will be subjects of subsequent posts. We may then, more clearly understand the power of the Holy Spirit in the testimony of our everyday lives and challenges. May God continue to bless our journey together.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Hilltopper Book Club
Sunday, January 23rd, we met to review how James I empowers us to "Presevering Joy". Pastor Bill, in his earlier sermon, focused on the first word of the Chapter, "Consider it pure joy,...." He stated that "consider" means rational thinking. Rational "thinking" is the subject of the book under review: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Steven Covey. I had to admit, I began to study this book fifteen years ago after failure after failure and did so in order to become a "highly effective person". It was a full five years later that my eyes happened to focu on the subtitle on the front cover: "Powerful lessons in personal change". Now, wait a minute, I didn't need to change, I just wanted to become highly effective. It took me another five years to understand why I needed to change.
The single, simple idea I wished to convey in the review was that James and Covey are speaking of the same thing: James, in Christian theological terms and Covey in terms of rational thinking. This simple idea is NONE, Not One Negative Experience! It is based on nothing, the same thing James states "Count it pure joy my brethren, when ye face trials of many kinds, for the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverence finish her work, leaving you mature and complete, lacking NOTHING". (KJV)
As products of conditioned reaction, it is natural for us to react to the circumstances of life. However, the first habit of one's "daily, private victory" is to BE "proactive". Note Shakespeare poundered five hundred years ago, "To be or not to be, that is the question." So now, proactivity, not reactivity, is the path to take to becoming "effective, useful and peaceful", the central theme of The Seven Habits. Rationally, the first three habits address one's private victory over natural tendencies of avoiding negatives: Not One Negative Experience. We remember past sermons that once we step through the door into the Kingdom, we are immediately confronted with a choice as Pastor Bill pointed out: the road to epithumia (lust of the flesh) or the upper road to the mind of Christ. It is up to us and it is not an easy decision to make. The question is how do we become pro-active instead of re-active? Rationally, we can step back and look at our emotions, how we "feel" about something. If we can learn to subordinate "feeling" to principle, epithumia to the mind of Christ, our first step is to "center, focus and concentrate" on "nothing". In short, practice visualizing nothing, including feelings, and we have a clear choice between right and wrong. If we keep going back to Christ to refill our emptiness, we soon will experience True None, a place where not one, experience is negative, and this is the mind of Christ, where we have lain down all our idols at the foot of the Cross.
To conclude: Covey uses a metaphor to prepare for our "daily, public, victory. He states before we try to relate to others, make certain we don't make withdrawals from their "emotional bank account". This would be, of course, a negative. We should always be aware, if to not be positive, at least be neutral. Again, think of Not One Negative Experience for others and after many stumbling attempts, we will find sure footing on the upper road.
RTJ
The single, simple idea I wished to convey in the review was that James and Covey are speaking of the same thing: James, in Christian theological terms and Covey in terms of rational thinking. This simple idea is NONE, Not One Negative Experience! It is based on nothing, the same thing James states "Count it pure joy my brethren, when ye face trials of many kinds, for the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverence finish her work, leaving you mature and complete, lacking NOTHING". (KJV)
As products of conditioned reaction, it is natural for us to react to the circumstances of life. However, the first habit of one's "daily, private victory" is to BE "proactive". Note Shakespeare poundered five hundred years ago, "To be or not to be, that is the question." So now, proactivity, not reactivity, is the path to take to becoming "effective, useful and peaceful", the central theme of The Seven Habits. Rationally, the first three habits address one's private victory over natural tendencies of avoiding negatives: Not One Negative Experience. We remember past sermons that once we step through the door into the Kingdom, we are immediately confronted with a choice as Pastor Bill pointed out: the road to epithumia (lust of the flesh) or the upper road to the mind of Christ. It is up to us and it is not an easy decision to make. The question is how do we become pro-active instead of re-active? Rationally, we can step back and look at our emotions, how we "feel" about something. If we can learn to subordinate "feeling" to principle, epithumia to the mind of Christ, our first step is to "center, focus and concentrate" on "nothing". In short, practice visualizing nothing, including feelings, and we have a clear choice between right and wrong. If we keep going back to Christ to refill our emptiness, we soon will experience True None, a place where not one, experience is negative, and this is the mind of Christ, where we have lain down all our idols at the foot of the Cross.
To conclude: Covey uses a metaphor to prepare for our "daily, public, victory. He states before we try to relate to others, make certain we don't make withdrawals from their "emotional bank account". This would be, of course, a negative. We should always be aware, if to not be positive, at least be neutral. Again, think of Not One Negative Experience for others and after many stumbling attempts, we will find sure footing on the upper road.
RTJ
Can reconciliation lead to Revival?
We are called to reconciliation. Even in the midst of, yes, even because of turmoil and disruption, the soul seeking Christ, may suddenly find himself face to face with the Father, the beginning of the true revival of his soul. So it was on the morning of 1/11/11. In the storm, I'd gone to where God had beckoned. They called it THE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FIELD TRIP and I was worried no one would come. So I went directly to the school and there in the mounting snow I first glimpsed vehicles in the parking lot. Now, I must admit that at times in the past, I was not exactly enthralled with our music program, what some would call "Contemporary Christian". However, upon parking and heading into the building, I could begin to hear the sounds of Kerry, whipping up the troops as if to bring down the walls of Jericho. Inside, I felt an unbelieveable sense of graditude and pride, as I was blown away with triumphant sounds of Christan soldiers!
Back at the church, where I then went to see if any had lost their way, it was quiet. Very quiet. Deathly quiet, as the snowflakes produced an uneasy feeling of "stopping by woods on a snowy evening". Soon, however, Adam arrived, bringing flyers to show the way. Other soon arrived to help and feeling the circumstances in the hands of God, I returned to the church, where Kerry and the others were leaving the stage and a new worship director appeared, Cristina Taddonio. She led the same songs, but the delivery took me back to my youth and as we sang, I felt a certain reconciliation. The sermon was on "Persevering Joy" and Pastor Bill brought a message which spoke of Winter, and the desert, a place my own son now found himself in and I had to cry quietly for him. Adam had given the children a lesson on "Cupology" quite appropriate as he spoke of Noah and how we must pour ourselves out and then be refilled by the Lord. If I was a child, I don't think I'd ever forget that morning on the mountain where the snow and "rain" drenched us a little from Adam's cup. (Pastor Bill had said earlier that we all need a little baptism once in a while).
Two weeks later, I arrived at church early Sunday morning and looked around in the quiet sanctuary. There was a piano there and I asked Jeannie if I could play. My rendition, with quiet, humble feeling of "How Great Thou Art", ""The Love of God and "There's Something About That Name" revived again that old feeling of years ago when we sang "What a Friend We Have In Jesus" and "Just As I Am". While I was playing, a member of the band arrived to set up and after "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there is something about that name" he remarked, "That was my favorite song when I was young". About that time Kerry arrived and unlike the evening before at the Olah' service, he was wearing his hair as usual, wild and free-flowing. Last night, I didn't recognize him as he mounted the platform. His hair was pulled back and his face was quite different. I didn't realize it was Kerry until the service was half over and later I pondered how John the Baptist came out of the wild, the rough hewn mountain man who ate locusts and honey and thundered "Make Ye the Way for the Lord"!!!
As Pastor Bill would say, "Oh my gosh!" Now, as I got up to leave, Kerry said to go ahead and play but after another song or two, I went over to him and told him about the evening before when I didn't recognize him. As I looked at his strong features, the quietness of his manner as in his prayers and told him I didn't have words to describe how,...how,...majestic he looked, something took a firm grip of my heart, I could feel the joy welling up inside me..., for there was "something about that face" that resulted in my feeling a great revival was at hand,... and it was there, ... all the time! Yes, the disruption had produced reconciliation and REVIVAL! Praise God!
RTJ
Back at the church, where I then went to see if any had lost their way, it was quiet. Very quiet. Deathly quiet, as the snowflakes produced an uneasy feeling of "stopping by woods on a snowy evening". Soon, however, Adam arrived, bringing flyers to show the way. Other soon arrived to help and feeling the circumstances in the hands of God, I returned to the church, where Kerry and the others were leaving the stage and a new worship director appeared, Cristina Taddonio. She led the same songs, but the delivery took me back to my youth and as we sang, I felt a certain reconciliation. The sermon was on "Persevering Joy" and Pastor Bill brought a message which spoke of Winter, and the desert, a place my own son now found himself in and I had to cry quietly for him. Adam had given the children a lesson on "Cupology" quite appropriate as he spoke of Noah and how we must pour ourselves out and then be refilled by the Lord. If I was a child, I don't think I'd ever forget that morning on the mountain where the snow and "rain" drenched us a little from Adam's cup. (Pastor Bill had said earlier that we all need a little baptism once in a while).
Two weeks later, I arrived at church early Sunday morning and looked around in the quiet sanctuary. There was a piano there and I asked Jeannie if I could play. My rendition, with quiet, humble feeling of "How Great Thou Art", ""The Love of God and "There's Something About That Name" revived again that old feeling of years ago when we sang "What a Friend We Have In Jesus" and "Just As I Am". While I was playing, a member of the band arrived to set up and after "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there is something about that name" he remarked, "That was my favorite song when I was young". About that time Kerry arrived and unlike the evening before at the Olah' service, he was wearing his hair as usual, wild and free-flowing. Last night, I didn't recognize him as he mounted the platform. His hair was pulled back and his face was quite different. I didn't realize it was Kerry until the service was half over and later I pondered how John the Baptist came out of the wild, the rough hewn mountain man who ate locusts and honey and thundered "Make Ye the Way for the Lord"!!!
As Pastor Bill would say, "Oh my gosh!" Now, as I got up to leave, Kerry said to go ahead and play but after another song or two, I went over to him and told him about the evening before when I didn't recognize him. As I looked at his strong features, the quietness of his manner as in his prayers and told him I didn't have words to describe how,...how,...majestic he looked, something took a firm grip of my heart, I could feel the joy welling up inside me..., for there was "something about that face" that resulted in my feeling a great revival was at hand,... and it was there, ... all the time! Yes, the disruption had produced reconciliation and REVIVAL! Praise God!
RTJ
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Brian Newman on Isaiah 60
After reviewing the plight of the Jews last week, we now focus on God's glory in Isaiah 60 which to us, is overwhelming. A brilliant sermon based first on Brian's personal experience and his "dreams" and then exploring Isaiah's words about God's dream, where we explore, 1) what it is, 2) who this dream is for and 3) how it's attained. The service begins as Kerry sets the atmosphere for our study with "Fairest Lord Jesus" and sums it up at the end of the service by observing that our ultimate goal is to have "no barriers between me and Christ".
Sermon notes: Brian had two dreams: Based on his experience living in New York's jewish culture, he had permission to hate Arabs; the second was "they will get theirs some day". Then 9/11 came along and validated his belief, this icon, came true! Then in December, 1980, John Lennon died and this event "really resonated" with Brian. Lennon believed the complete opposite of Brian and his hating. Imagine, there is no heaven, Lennon's utopia is still not true. Now, there here is a conflict seeking resolution, a sense of vengence vs. "peace", where everyone gets along.
Isaiah 60 presents a different dream, represented by the Hebrew word "Kabod": God's overwhelming glory. There are not human words to describe God and heaven. We, live in our rational minds, but not so with God. "My glory will come upon you and you will worship me". Now, the dwelling of God is with people. God's #1 priority is "being" with people.
Then, "lift up your eyes and look about you". (What the Jews saw were "Arabs" -Kadar) but "nations will come", all- will be in heaven. Isaiah 60 is God's dream.
Finally, who is this dream for? The nature of God is diversity. (note here Pastor's Bill's comments two weeks ago, " we are here to reconcile" .) If God's nature is diversity, how does this dream come true?
The answer is that Jesus empties Himself, so we can have life. Therefore, our mission becomes "Don't put your light under a bushel ", let no barrier exist between you and Christ (the idols) and, as James reminds us, "Count this joy", PERSEVERING JOY!
Sermon notes: Brian had two dreams: Based on his experience living in New York's jewish culture, he had permission to hate Arabs; the second was "they will get theirs some day". Then 9/11 came along and validated his belief, this icon, came true! Then in December, 1980, John Lennon died and this event "really resonated" with Brian. Lennon believed the complete opposite of Brian and his hating. Imagine, there is no heaven, Lennon's utopia is still not true. Now, there here is a conflict seeking resolution, a sense of vengence vs. "peace", where everyone gets along.
Isaiah 60 presents a different dream, represented by the Hebrew word "Kabod": God's overwhelming glory. There are not human words to describe God and heaven. We, live in our rational minds, but not so with God. "My glory will come upon you and you will worship me". Now, the dwelling of God is with people. God's #1 priority is "being" with people.
Then, "lift up your eyes and look about you". (What the Jews saw were "Arabs" -Kadar) but "nations will come", all- will be in heaven. Isaiah 60 is God's dream.
Finally, who is this dream for? The nature of God is diversity. (note here Pastor's Bill's comments two weeks ago, " we are here to reconcile" .) If God's nature is diversity, how does this dream come true?
The answer is that Jesus empties Himself, so we can have life. Therefore, our mission becomes "Don't put your light under a bushel ", let no barrier exist between you and Christ (the idols) and, as James reminds us, "Count this joy", PERSEVERING JOY!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Reflections on "Persevering Joy"
From memory, state the second Commandment:
Search the soul if unable to do so; persevering joy can be attained only by "giving up one's idols".
Pastor Bill has led LMCC on an amazing journey over this past year. The theme, demonstrated by many different experiences in church life, resounds the message: "Therefore, give up your idols!" (note, it may take a lifetime to understand what they are.)
Now, if one wishes to take a "next step", memorize the second commandment so that one may fulfill the first commandment. One should not waste time on the other eight (please don't quote this out of context), as the first two are the spiritual foundation, sequentially necessary to begin experiencing "true joy" while persevering over the others. May God continue to bless you!
RJ
Search the soul if unable to do so; persevering joy can be attained only by "giving up one's idols".
Pastor Bill has led LMCC on an amazing journey over this past year. The theme, demonstrated by many different experiences in church life, resounds the message: "Therefore, give up your idols!" (note, it may take a lifetime to understand what they are.)
Now, if one wishes to take a "next step", memorize the second commandment so that one may fulfill the first commandment. One should not waste time on the other eight (please don't quote this out of context), as the first two are the spiritual foundation, sequentially necessary to begin experiencing "true joy" while persevering over the others. May God continue to bless you!
RJ
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Ralston Elementary
Today is 1/11/11. Ten days ago, our church flooded. Our service Sunday was held at Ralston Elementary School and it was one of "perserving joy"! It was a time to "begin...again". The short sermon was: Christ died for our sins, our punishment has been paid, so get on with glorifying God by reconciling ourselves and the world to Him. James reminds his brethren that we should rationally THINK in responding to the testing of our faith and "realize" these experiences worketh perseverance! Hence, the title of the sermon, "Persevering Joy", an ideal place to begin for those of us in the desert or those of us that are "all wet".
The long sermon began in the snow at our deserted church building, reminding us of our roots, when Rev. Lyle Schossow held the first service at our pioneer church in the valley. He stood on the front step and wondered if anyone would come. There have been many trials and temptations since then, and now, we begin, again, which, incidentally, is an American institution.
We now take "the next step", individually and corporately, lead by an experienced, committed team. In a week or so, we will have the opportunity to participate in a new, inspiring way. To prepare, pause and think about James I and also about your dreams and your story as you begin 2011. You will have a unique opportunity which begins simply by writing down answers to two questions: 1) What are your dreams? and 2) What is your story? Our goal is "persevering joy"! Your answers may reveal whether you are choosing to just react to life or that you realize you're standing in the gap and can proactively,...become. Should you trust enough to share your story, prepare for a miraculous 2011!
RJ
The long sermon began in the snow at our deserted church building, reminding us of our roots, when Rev. Lyle Schossow held the first service at our pioneer church in the valley. He stood on the front step and wondered if anyone would come. There have been many trials and temptations since then, and now, we begin, again, which, incidentally, is an American institution.
We now take "the next step", individually and corporately, lead by an experienced, committed team. In a week or so, we will have the opportunity to participate in a new, inspiring way. To prepare, pause and think about James I and also about your dreams and your story as you begin 2011. You will have a unique opportunity which begins simply by writing down answers to two questions: 1) What are your dreams? and 2) What is your story? Our goal is "persevering joy"! Your answers may reveal whether you are choosing to just react to life or that you realize you're standing in the gap and can proactively,...become. Should you trust enough to share your story, prepare for a miraculous 2011!
RJ
Sunday, January 2, 2011
1/1/11: Time to begin,...again
"Everybody needs a little baptism once in a while" Pastor Bill
"Sounds like there are some good things going on there" Fuller seminary graduate student Tim J.
"God is always at work around you" Henry Blackaby
"Count it pure joy, my brethren, when you face trials of many kinds, for the testing of your faith worketh perseverance." James 1:1 Pastor Bill adds, "Therefore, give up your idols!"
Yes, it's 1/1/11, a sign of the time to begin...again!
RJ
"Sounds like there are some good things going on there" Fuller seminary graduate student Tim J.
"God is always at work around you" Henry Blackaby
"Count it pure joy, my brethren, when you face trials of many kinds, for the testing of your faith worketh perseverance." James 1:1 Pastor Bill adds, "Therefore, give up your idols!"
Yes, it's 1/1/11, a sign of the time to begin...again!
RJ
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