Missing the Point

It’s easy to miss the point.

Sometimes, especially when I’m tired, I have a hard time focusing.  For example, there have been many nights when the book I am attempting to read becomes nothing more than a blur of words scattered on a page.  Other times I’ll be sitting in front of the television for an entire show, and when it finishes I wouldn’t be able to tell you what the episode was about.  These are trivial things, and so it’s not always that big of a deal.

But how many times have I done this during corporate worship or personal prayer and bible study?  How often have I been so consumed with the getting through the busyness of a season that I’ve missed the whole point?

If this sounds like you, then you are not alone.  You and I both need to slow down this Easter and commit to bringing our best worship and praise to the King who gave His life for us.

I have been using these two great bible reading plans to help me focus on The Story of Easter and Christ’s Words During Passion Week.  Simply click either of these (or both!) titles to be taken to an online bible resource.

Bless You this Easter!

Dave

A “Real Man”

Being a father of two very young, very impressionable and I would have to say very cute little girls I have been reflecting lately about what it means to be a “man."  At the moment, I’m the only man in our house excluding Seamus our Wheaton Terrier so I’m sure you can appreciate why I’m becoming increasingly concerned about getting this more right than wrong.  Where do you go for an accurate picture of a “man?”

Well, I started by thinking about the men who have been in my life up to this point and those presently.  I then considered men that history and our present day culture would hold out as examples (see my favourite lately - the Old Spice Guy).  Finally, I allowed myself the freedom to create my own image of a “real man.”  More often than not I found myself being disappointed and this process left me with more questions than answers so I turned to the only place I know that gives me clarity on the issues I face each day – God’s Word.

I had studied 1st Timothy 3, Titus 1, and Galatians 5 before but more as an exercise than with a real desire for answers.  As I read these passages of Scripture and mediated on them I rediscovered a picture of a “real man.”  And I found my heart yearning to be that man.  I have so far to go...but at least I have a better sense of where I should be going. Thankfully the Holy Spirit wants me to be a “real man” even more than I do in my best moments.  I need Him to.

Can you relate?  What are your thoughts on this?

Pastor Gary

When does the day begin...at sunrise or sunset?

Here's an interesting thought to consider: in the Bible, a day doesn't begin at sunrise--it begins with sunset. (read more about it in Eugene Peterson's book "Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity.").

What this means is that we begin our day resting (i.e. at night) and then we arise to join him in what he's already been doing all night long! Neat!

Maybe this is a good reason to schedule prayer and meditation in the morning so as to reinforce the biblical notion of time and find out what God has been doing and how we can join him in it! 

For what it's worth...

Not Like New....Completely NEW!

Anyone who knows me well knows that I think my BlackBerry is the best thing since sliced bread.  In case you're wondering what a BlackBerry is, simply click HERE to find out.  For those of you who couldn't be bothered to click that link, I will quickly tell you here: A BlackBerry is a Canadian made Smart Phone.  Basically, it is like a computer, telephone, day planner, gaming system, music and video player crammed into a piece of plastic small enough to fit in your pocket.

With my BlackBerry I keep in contact with others through the use of the internet, email, text messages and phones calls.  I also keep all of my day plans scheduled into my calendar and keep  notes (even sermon notes!) and reminders to myself using the different programs.  I have access to all of these things and even more at just the click of a button or two.

Early last week an operating system upgrade became available.  This upgrade promised to make my BlackBerry faster, more intuitive, easier to get around and more personalized.  I downloaded this new software and it did not disappoint.  It's like I now have a new BlackBerry.  Sure, it still looks the same on the outside, but it now operates like a totally different piece of technology.

Source: http://benweeks.tumblr.com/page/5

This week I was reading through Paul's second letter to the Corinthians.  In the fifth chapter he writes, 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away;

behold, the new has come.  (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

When we accept Christ and experience his love and mercy and his grace and forgiveness, and declare him as our Saviour, we become new creatures.  Note that Paul doesn't say that we become "like new creatures" but we become a NEW creation. Our physical appearance doesn't change, but the way we operate changes completely because we are now under the power of the Holy Spirit.

 Have you experienced this spiritual upgrade?  I'd love to hear your story about when you humbled yourself and accepted Christ and became a new creation in Him.  Will you share with us in the comment section below?

Bless ya!

Dave

Is it the destination or the journey that matters?

Amy and I have been inspired by Pastor Tom's recent sermon series in Joshua to begin reading the Biblical account of Israel's journey out of Egypt toward the Promised Land from the beginning (see Exodus).  Many interesting themes have emerged but last night we found ourselves wondering why God didn't do the whole thing differently.  Could He not have fast tracked the experience?  Could He not have just arranged to have Israel walk out of Egypt hand in hand with their tormentors?  Could He not have prevented Israel from traveling into areas without food or water or where they would face war?  It seems so...but He didn't.

Why?

We noticed that within the actual narrative we are provided with an answer.  While speaking to Moses at Mount Sinai God instructs him to say to Israel:

"'You yourselves (Israel) have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.  Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'" (Ex. 19:3-6)

Here's the big idea.  God led Israel in these ways up until this point (and subsequently) in order to fashion them into people that would reflect the character and glory of God Himself.

Could it be then that God  is actually more concerned about my journey, your journey, our journey as a local church with Him - then our actual destination so long as in the end we are closer to being like Him?

If so, perhaps this should affect the things we worry about, divide over, even pursue...

What do you think?

Pastor Gary

God's Will...and Waiting!

One of the most important tasks for a child of God is knowing their Father's will. My son and I talked (actually, e-mailed) about the topic this week. It's a deep topic with many nuances to consider. But it seems one of the biggest hurdles for most human beings to overcome in knowing God's will is patience. As it regards God's will, waiting may be as vital as knowing!

Moses is a great study in how to wait in order to know God's will. For instance, he needed to know God's will regarding a sticky situation in Leviticus 24:10-12. Read that passage yourself and pay close attention to the phrase "until the will of the Lord should be clear to them" (ESV).  In another instance Moses needed to know God's will and told the people to "give me some time" (Numbers 9:8, The Message). All through the Bible we find that waiting is the proper action when unsure of what to do.


Of course, waiting is only an option when God hasn't already made clear what he wants! Don't forget that "the secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law" (Deut 29:29, NIV).  Most of God's will has already been revealed--we must choose to do it! 

Food for thought...

People Watching

As I write this I am sipping on a cup of Breakfast Blend coffee from Timothy’s World Coffee at Fairview Mall.  They have a few chairs and tables set up in a patio style right in the middle of the main level floor.  Without really listening it is easy to hear the conversations of many people.  People everywhere, whether they are walking by or seated at a nearby table, are engaged in conversation.  Actually, as I more actively pay attention to my surroundings I have noticed that only one other man aside from myself is not speaking to anyone.   

Now, as I really pay attention (though not eavesdropping) I hear people speaking in all sorts of languages.  Most are speaking in English, many are speaking in some other colourful and beautiful language.  Though I am being careful not to hear the content of these numerous conversations, it is plain to see that everyone has plenty to say.  All of the words and bursts of laughter and shouts that express the emotions felt by all of these people have come together to create a beautiful ambiance.

Imagine what it would be like if all of these voices were praises to God.

Imagine what it would be like if all of these people had experienced the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Imagine what it would be like if everyone was told and accepted by faith the Good News of Jesus Christ.

It sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?  Though I loved the sound of languages and expressed emotions, it hurts me that many of these people have likely never had the Gospel shared with them.

If you are a true follower of Jesus then it is your responsibility to be sharing about your faith in the true risen Saviour.  Jesus clearly instructs his followers when he speaks at the end of the Gospel of Matthew: 

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

How closely have you been following Christ’s call for his followers?

I’m prayin’ for ya,

Dave