Tomorrow, City on a Hill Church and many other people in our community are kicking off a 21-day fast.
While, fasting itself is not a magical ritual that brings any special recognition from God (see 1 Cor 8:8), fasting combined with prayer and giving (ref the context of Matthew 6), brings supernatural power to the believer. TheCall was an event of 12 hours of fasting, prayer and worship at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on November 1, 2008. The event focused on revival for America, but specifically focused on the preservation of the Biblical definition of marriage. Three days later, California passed Proposition 8 (bill that cemented the Biblical definition of marriage) to the surprise of most every American and certainly most ever Californian. Coincidence? or God-incidence?
What could happen in Culpeper if people fasted for 21-days with a focus of community revival and unity?
Remember, there are many different kinds of fasting and fasting is not always just from food, but from other "time hogs" that distract our attention from God.
Will you join us in dedicating January 1-21 to God's plan for Culpeper? If you do, please comment so I can be praying for you during this time.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 40
Love is a Covenant
Is your marriage a covenant or a contract? The authors of The Love Dare Book put it this way:
Seeing marriage as a contract is like saying to your spouse, "I take you for me and we'll see if this works out." But realizing it as a covenant changes it to say, "I give myself to you and commit to this marriage for life."
While the two words are used interchangably alot of times, they do mean and consist of different things. In the context of marriage, they are worlds apart.
Is your marriage a covenant or a contract? The authors of The Love Dare Book put it this way:
Seeing marriage as a contract is like saying to your spouse, "I take you for me and we'll see if this works out." But realizing it as a covenant changes it to say, "I give myself to you and commit to this marriage for life."
While the two words are used interchangably alot of times, they do mean and consist of different things. In the context of marriage, they are worlds apart.
Monday, December 29, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 39
Love Endures
Love never fails 1 Corinthians 13:8
When it appears as though all is lost in your relationship with your spouse, love dares to endure. It dares to never quit or ever give up finding hope.
Your spouse may have betrayed you, but your love must endure. When Peter denied Jesus just hours after he swore he would never leave him, God's love never failed.
Marriages fail all the time in our world. Your mate may give up one day and walk away never to return. But don't let your marriage end because you gave up or you stopped loving.
Love never fails.
Love never fails 1 Corinthians 13:8
When it appears as though all is lost in your relationship with your spouse, love dares to endure. It dares to never quit or ever give up finding hope.
Your spouse may have betrayed you, but your love must endure. When Peter denied Jesus just hours after he swore he would never leave him, God's love never failed.
Marriages fail all the time in our world. Your mate may give up one day and walk away never to return. But don't let your marriage end because you gave up or you stopped loving.
Love never fails.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Skins Season Over
Well, my beloved Redskins wrapped up their 08 NFL season with a loss tonight. Great things weren't expected coming into the season, but their 6-2 start gave many in the Redskins Nation hope. Finishing the season with a 2-6 record gave us all heartburn.
Should be quite interesting to see what happens over the offseason and next year.
At least the Cowboys lost today...
Should be quite interesting to see what happens over the offseason and next year.
At least the Cowboys lost today...
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 39
Love Fulfills Dreams
God's gift to us in His Son Jesus Christ was extravagant. God could have devised any plan He wanted, but chose extravagance to pour His love and grace on us.
When was the last time you showed extravagance to your spouse? Was it yesterday at Christmas? Did you give your spouse that one thing he/she has been talking about since the beginning of the year? Or has your response always been, "We can't afford it." Those are easy words to say.
However extravagance always costs. It always demands sacrifice. Extravagant love doesn't always demand a financial cost, however. Perhaps the thing your mate most desires is your undivided attention, your uninterrupted love, your respect in front of the children or your extended patience.
Dream with your spouse about what the Lord wants for you and your family. Dream big! Dream with God-sized dreams! Begin submitting yourself to God's desires for your spouse. You may just find that you can provide that extravagant gift your spouse has been wanting after all.
God's gift to us in His Son Jesus Christ was extravagant. God could have devised any plan He wanted, but chose extravagance to pour His love and grace on us.
When was the last time you showed extravagance to your spouse? Was it yesterday at Christmas? Did you give your spouse that one thing he/she has been talking about since the beginning of the year? Or has your response always been, "We can't afford it." Those are easy words to say.
However extravagance always costs. It always demands sacrifice. Extravagant love doesn't always demand a financial cost, however. Perhaps the thing your mate most desires is your undivided attention, your uninterrupted love, your respect in front of the children or your extended patience.
Dream with your spouse about what the Lord wants for you and your family. Dream big! Dream with God-sized dreams! Begin submitting yourself to God's desires for your spouse. You may just find that you can provide that extravagant gift your spouse has been wanting after all.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Coming Into the Light
http://www.starexponent.com/cse/news/local/article/coming_into_the_light/26832/
By Allison Brophy ChampionPublished: December 24, 2008
After three months living on the streets of Culpeper, Paul, a Norfolk native and Navy veteran, got used to surviving on five hours sleep.
“It wasn’t that bad actually. It was summer time. And once you get into the pattern of not getting eight hours sleep, it’s easy for you,” said the astonishingly upbeat 23-year-old, interviewed last week in a local coffee shop.
Some nights, he slept in a car. Other nights the park was his home or he’d wait outside the Laundromat until they opened back up early mornings.
“I would get up maybe 6 or 7 when the sun came out and go look for a job,” Paul said, talking quietly, sometimes unable to remember exact details of his homelessness. “Time kind of flies by fast. The winter time was actually the time I needed help.”
Someone must have been listening because little did he know, help was on the way.
A friend in need
The week before Thanksgiving, as temperatures dipped, the Culpeper Ministerial Association rallied quickly to launch the county’s first-ever overnight church shelter program. Every week since, various churches have opened their doors and hearts to provide a warm place to sleep and a hot meal for people in need, like Paul.
He heard about it from a passing acquaintance, someone in a situation similar to his, and for the past week or so, Paul has made the church his home.
“It’s been wonderful actually. People have been nice, open arms, real courteous,” he said. “I can’t even really describe how it’s changed my life.”
Besides shelter, Paul gained a mentor in the church leader helping to host the program the week he came to stay.
The Rev. G.W. Dameron, pastor at City on a Hill Church, saw something special in Paul.
“From the first evening that I met him, I wanted to hear his story and he was very open and honest about everything he’s been struggling with, his childhood,” said Dameron, who moved to Culpeper from California with his wife and three daughters in June to open the nondenominational church on Sperryville Pike.
“I look at Paul and I see the potential. There is so much potential there.”
He doesn’t want to be in the situation he’s in, Dameron said, and is looking to turn his life around. All Paul needed was a helping hand, he added.
“This is a guy who’s got his whole life ahead of him. Sometimes every one of us finds ourselves in a situation where just need a little bit of help. We need to be rescued and if the church isn’t going to be the place where that can happen then we are not being the church the way God has called us to be.”
For Paul, it was a long road to rescue.
Difficult childhoodGrowing up in Norfolk in a broken home, he found little stability. Along with numerous siblings, Paul bounced around from foster home to foster home, dropping out of high school in the ninth grade.
“My mom was a drug addict, still is,” he said. “I don’t think she’s even surviving by herself so I know she can’t take care of me or provide shelter for me.”
At age 18, Paul earned his GED and joined the Navy, serving three years working on planes and helicopters on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier.
He even saw time in Iraq in 2003, though Paul downplayed the service — maybe because his younger brother is still over there serving in the Army.
“I didn’t see any live fire, but I did see them drop a bomb,” he said of his six months overseas.
Paul decided not to re-enlist after three years; instead, he married a woman from Culpeper he met vacationing at the beach. She was older, he said, and eventually convinced him to move here in 2005 with the promise of better job opportunities.
Homeless for the first timeThey got a small apartment, but it was not easy making it, especially on minimum wage; for his first job in Culpeper, he made pizzas. For a while, Paul worked construction during the height of the building boom, “And we made it pretty good for a while.”
Things really started looking up when Paul secured a decent job making $15 an hour at a local factory. He worked there for more than a year before getting laid off, absorbing a major pay cut as he returned to fast-food employment.
The financial pressure eventually took its toll on his marriage, and things began to fall apart, Paul said. He lost his place last October, but was able to stay with a friend and former co-worker for about six months.
But then the house his friend was renting got sold and he moved back north.
“We all went our separate ways,” Paul said, and he was homeless, officially, for the first time in his life.
He didn’t let it get him down though, saying he’s not a depressed person or the kind who wallows away their sorrows in a bottle. And being from the city, Paul was used to walking and could get around that way for work or on the town’s trolleys.
“I just make things work,” he said, adding, “I know people in worse situations. I feel myself to be blessed actually. I just keep focused on my goals.”
Those goals, however, did not include a one-month stint in the county jail, where Paul found himself recently after violating a protective order associated with his marriage. At least he didn’t have to sleep outside.
When Paul got out a couple weeks ago, the church shelter program was up and running.
Here, he found hope for the first time in a long time.
Brighter daysThese days, with the help of Pastor Dameron, Paul is working toward a brighter future. He plans to enroll in the commercial driver’s license course offered at the George Washington Carver trade academy on U.S. 15 and is taking steps toward steady employment at a big-box store.
“Hopefully one day I want to drive trucks and open my own trucking business. I want to see the world outside of Virginia,” he said. “And be with my family, my brother, when he comes back from Iraq.”
Paul is even considering picking up a second trade, heavy equipment operator, at Carver so that he’ll always have something viable to fall back on and be less susceptible to layoffs.
And he’ll spend Christmas with the Dameron family, something about which Paul is very excited and appreciative.
“It’s really phenomenal what he does for people, opening up his house giving me a place to come for Christmas. I haven’t had a family Christmas dinner in so long I can’t remember.”
Pastor Dameron said it’s the least he could do. God has blessed his family tremendously, he said, and so who is he to hoard it all for himself?
God is doing “amazing things” in Culpeper, the pastor went on, “groundbreaking things that the community has never seen,” like the church shelter program.
“In history of Culpeper, they’ve never seen Episcopalians, Lutherans, Baptists, nondenominational, Methodists coming together to serve together and be the body of Christ. That’s never happened and it’s happening right now.”
There are lessons to be learned all along the way. What we can learn from someone like Paul, Dameron said, is not to take things for granted, especially in these unstable times.
“It can be taken from you in a second. As much as we plan, as much as we think everything’s going to be hunky dory, things change overnight. That’s the world we live in.”
To care for the homeless is to care for Jesus, who was also homeless, Dameron said, traveling around Israel preaching the word and performing miracles.
At night, friends and followers sheltered him.
“The Word says, ‘When you do these kinds of things for others, you are doing them for me.’ That’s powerful when you begin to think of how profound that is,” he said.
Champion can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 101 or abrophy@starexponent.com
By Allison Brophy ChampionPublished: December 24, 2008
After three months living on the streets of Culpeper, Paul, a Norfolk native and Navy veteran, got used to surviving on five hours sleep.
“It wasn’t that bad actually. It was summer time. And once you get into the pattern of not getting eight hours sleep, it’s easy for you,” said the astonishingly upbeat 23-year-old, interviewed last week in a local coffee shop.
Some nights, he slept in a car. Other nights the park was his home or he’d wait outside the Laundromat until they opened back up early mornings.
“I would get up maybe 6 or 7 when the sun came out and go look for a job,” Paul said, talking quietly, sometimes unable to remember exact details of his homelessness. “Time kind of flies by fast. The winter time was actually the time I needed help.”
Someone must have been listening because little did he know, help was on the way.
A friend in need
The week before Thanksgiving, as temperatures dipped, the Culpeper Ministerial Association rallied quickly to launch the county’s first-ever overnight church shelter program. Every week since, various churches have opened their doors and hearts to provide a warm place to sleep and a hot meal for people in need, like Paul.
He heard about it from a passing acquaintance, someone in a situation similar to his, and for the past week or so, Paul has made the church his home.
“It’s been wonderful actually. People have been nice, open arms, real courteous,” he said. “I can’t even really describe how it’s changed my life.”
Besides shelter, Paul gained a mentor in the church leader helping to host the program the week he came to stay.
The Rev. G.W. Dameron, pastor at City on a Hill Church, saw something special in Paul.
“From the first evening that I met him, I wanted to hear his story and he was very open and honest about everything he’s been struggling with, his childhood,” said Dameron, who moved to Culpeper from California with his wife and three daughters in June to open the nondenominational church on Sperryville Pike.
“I look at Paul and I see the potential. There is so much potential there.”
He doesn’t want to be in the situation he’s in, Dameron said, and is looking to turn his life around. All Paul needed was a helping hand, he added.
“This is a guy who’s got his whole life ahead of him. Sometimes every one of us finds ourselves in a situation where just need a little bit of help. We need to be rescued and if the church isn’t going to be the place where that can happen then we are not being the church the way God has called us to be.”
For Paul, it was a long road to rescue.
Difficult childhoodGrowing up in Norfolk in a broken home, he found little stability. Along with numerous siblings, Paul bounced around from foster home to foster home, dropping out of high school in the ninth grade.
“My mom was a drug addict, still is,” he said. “I don’t think she’s even surviving by herself so I know she can’t take care of me or provide shelter for me.”
At age 18, Paul earned his GED and joined the Navy, serving three years working on planes and helicopters on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier.
He even saw time in Iraq in 2003, though Paul downplayed the service — maybe because his younger brother is still over there serving in the Army.
“I didn’t see any live fire, but I did see them drop a bomb,” he said of his six months overseas.
Paul decided not to re-enlist after three years; instead, he married a woman from Culpeper he met vacationing at the beach. She was older, he said, and eventually convinced him to move here in 2005 with the promise of better job opportunities.
Homeless for the first timeThey got a small apartment, but it was not easy making it, especially on minimum wage; for his first job in Culpeper, he made pizzas. For a while, Paul worked construction during the height of the building boom, “And we made it pretty good for a while.”
Things really started looking up when Paul secured a decent job making $15 an hour at a local factory. He worked there for more than a year before getting laid off, absorbing a major pay cut as he returned to fast-food employment.
The financial pressure eventually took its toll on his marriage, and things began to fall apart, Paul said. He lost his place last October, but was able to stay with a friend and former co-worker for about six months.
But then the house his friend was renting got sold and he moved back north.
“We all went our separate ways,” Paul said, and he was homeless, officially, for the first time in his life.
He didn’t let it get him down though, saying he’s not a depressed person or the kind who wallows away their sorrows in a bottle. And being from the city, Paul was used to walking and could get around that way for work or on the town’s trolleys.
“I just make things work,” he said, adding, “I know people in worse situations. I feel myself to be blessed actually. I just keep focused on my goals.”
Those goals, however, did not include a one-month stint in the county jail, where Paul found himself recently after violating a protective order associated with his marriage. At least he didn’t have to sleep outside.
When Paul got out a couple weeks ago, the church shelter program was up and running.
Here, he found hope for the first time in a long time.
Brighter daysThese days, with the help of Pastor Dameron, Paul is working toward a brighter future. He plans to enroll in the commercial driver’s license course offered at the George Washington Carver trade academy on U.S. 15 and is taking steps toward steady employment at a big-box store.
“Hopefully one day I want to drive trucks and open my own trucking business. I want to see the world outside of Virginia,” he said. “And be with my family, my brother, when he comes back from Iraq.”
Paul is even considering picking up a second trade, heavy equipment operator, at Carver so that he’ll always have something viable to fall back on and be less susceptible to layoffs.
And he’ll spend Christmas with the Dameron family, something about which Paul is very excited and appreciative.
“It’s really phenomenal what he does for people, opening up his house giving me a place to come for Christmas. I haven’t had a family Christmas dinner in so long I can’t remember.”
Pastor Dameron said it’s the least he could do. God has blessed his family tremendously, he said, and so who is he to hoard it all for himself?
God is doing “amazing things” in Culpeper, the pastor went on, “groundbreaking things that the community has never seen,” like the church shelter program.
“In history of Culpeper, they’ve never seen Episcopalians, Lutherans, Baptists, nondenominational, Methodists coming together to serve together and be the body of Christ. That’s never happened and it’s happening right now.”
There are lessons to be learned all along the way. What we can learn from someone like Paul, Dameron said, is not to take things for granted, especially in these unstable times.
“It can be taken from you in a second. As much as we plan, as much as we think everything’s going to be hunky dory, things change overnight. That’s the world we live in.”
To care for the homeless is to care for Jesus, who was also homeless, Dameron said, traveling around Israel preaching the word and performing miracles.
At night, friends and followers sheltered him.
“The Word says, ‘When you do these kinds of things for others, you are doing them for me.’ That’s powerful when you begin to think of how profound that is,” he said.
Champion can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 101 or abrophy@starexponent.com
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas!
Had a great Christmas Eve service tonight. Finished wrapping presents and everything's under the tree.
Have a Merry Christmas all!!!
Have a Merry Christmas all!!!
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 37
Love Agrees In Prayer
When God gave you your spouse, He also gave you a gift: a prayer partner. Sometimes the most important solution to a problem is right under our noses, but we don't even realize it. One of the most important steps in resolving marital issues is praying with our spouses. It improves the marriage relationship in practically every aspect, including hightening sexual intimacy.
Jesu talked about agreeing in prayer. The word Jesus used gives the wonderful word picture of two different musical notes being played together to create a harmonious sound. When a man and wife come together in prayer agreeing that their own responses and solutions to the problems within their marriage aren't working and divine help is needed, that's a harmonious melody to God's ears.
When God gave you your spouse, He also gave you a gift: a prayer partner. Sometimes the most important solution to a problem is right under our noses, but we don't even realize it. One of the most important steps in resolving marital issues is praying with our spouses. It improves the marriage relationship in practically every aspect, including hightening sexual intimacy.
Jesu talked about agreeing in prayer. The word Jesus used gives the wonderful word picture of two different musical notes being played together to create a harmonious sound. When a man and wife come together in prayer agreeing that their own responses and solutions to the problems within their marriage aren't working and divine help is needed, that's a harmonious melody to God's ears.
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Shack
I mentioned previously that I'm reading The Shack. This book is a profoundly impacting book. So much so, I wanted to share it with my wife. Last night I began reading it aloud to Carrie, so we could share it together.
I can't say that I was ready for Chapter 11. At times, I was forced to stop reading as I simply couldn't continue. Carrie and I wept together as we read and considered the message that was being shared. I'm glad I wasn't in a public place as that may have been a little strange trying to explain to someone else.
Don't worry, I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it yet. But I strongly urge you to read this book if you haven't. Don't get distracted by trying to dissect the theology, but allow the bigger message to hit you between the eyes as it has done to me.
I can't say that I was ready for Chapter 11. At times, I was forced to stop reading as I simply couldn't continue. Carrie and I wept together as we read and considered the message that was being shared. I'm glad I wasn't in a public place as that may have been a little strange trying to explain to someone else.
Don't worry, I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it yet. But I strongly urge you to read this book if you haven't. Don't get distracted by trying to dissect the theology, but allow the bigger message to hit you between the eyes as it has done to me.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 36
Love is God's Word
God inspired forty different men to write 66 books over thousands of years so that we could have some definitive insight into His will for us and His plan for us. God has a plan for you and me. He has a plan for our finances. He has a plan for our marriage. He has a plan for how we work. It's all found in His Word!
We can't know His plan and we can't grow in His plan unless we know His Word. We need to be in it. Read at least just a small passage every day. We need to stay under it. Commit to being in church or a Bible study where someone is helping you understand it. We need to live it. Apply the Truth of Scripture in your life and make the principles real in your daily walk.
God inspired forty different men to write 66 books over thousands of years so that we could have some definitive insight into His will for us and His plan for us. God has a plan for you and me. He has a plan for our finances. He has a plan for our marriage. He has a plan for how we work. It's all found in His Word!
We can't know His plan and we can't grow in His plan unless we know His Word. We need to be in it. Read at least just a small passage every day. We need to stay under it. Commit to being in church or a Bible study where someone is helping you understand it. We need to live it. Apply the Truth of Scripture in your life and make the principles real in your daily walk.
What's In A Name?
Have you ever considered what your favorite name for God is? I'm in the middle of reading The Shack - I know, I know, just a little late getting started on that one - and the book uses some very interesting names for the different persons of the Trinity. In the story, God call Himself Elousia which means "Creator God Who is truly real" and the Holy Spirit calls Himself Sarayu which means "common wind".
I'm not sure I've ever considered what my favorite name for God is. There are certainly a lot from which to choose. I guess El Shaddai has always been striking to me since it refers to His sufficiency for me. Of course, depending on what I may be experiencing in life, my favorite name may change.
Comment with your favorite name for God.
I'm not sure I've ever considered what my favorite name for God is. There are certainly a lot from which to choose. I guess El Shaddai has always been striking to me since it refers to His sufficiency for me. Of course, depending on what I may be experiencing in life, my favorite name may change.
Comment with your favorite name for God.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 35
Love is Accountable
One of the incredible things about some types of trees is the network of their roots. The mighty sequoias are some of the most famous living organisms to visit and see. Our eyes gaze on what we see before us, but what's beneath the surface is the most important thing. These large trees survive the elements for years because of their interlocking network of roots with the trees surrounding them.
One of the key elements to a successful marriage is being connected to other Christians. We need mentors and like-minded accountability partners. When a couple faces difficulties alone, they're at a significant disadvantage. However, when a couple can rely on solid, Biblically-based counseling and encouragement, the chances of surviving through those tough times are exponentially increased.
Find an older couple who are Christ-centered and who are willing to invest in your lives as marriage mentors. Find at least one other couple who are similar in age who can stand shoulder to shoulder with you through life's situations. Having these kinds of relationships will ensure that your marriage has a strong network so that you can brave the elements for years to come.
One of the incredible things about some types of trees is the network of their roots. The mighty sequoias are some of the most famous living organisms to visit and see. Our eyes gaze on what we see before us, but what's beneath the surface is the most important thing. These large trees survive the elements for years because of their interlocking network of roots with the trees surrounding them.
One of the key elements to a successful marriage is being connected to other Christians. We need mentors and like-minded accountability partners. When a couple faces difficulties alone, they're at a significant disadvantage. However, when a couple can rely on solid, Biblically-based counseling and encouragement, the chances of surviving through those tough times are exponentially increased.
Find an older couple who are Christ-centered and who are willing to invest in your lives as marriage mentors. Find at least one other couple who are similar in age who can stand shoulder to shoulder with you through life's situations. Having these kinds of relationships will ensure that your marriage has a strong network so that you can brave the elements for years to come.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Momentum
I spent a lot of time today with a young man who has been a guest at the Homeless Shelter in Culpeper. He's a guy who had a wife, job and a life that could be characterized as successful in some's opinion. Through a series of bad decisions, he lost his wife, job and home. For the last couple of weeks, he's been walking around with nothing but the clothes on his back.
When I first met him, something inside me jumped as I recognized the potential that this guy has. He's the kind of person who God just itches to use, and I'm glad I can look at him through "God lenses". In the last several days, I've invested into his life and created some momentum.
I explained to him today how momentum is a powerful, but mostly overlooked concept. When we have momentum (especially after things have been going sour), it seems that a certain confidence carries us to new heights - kind of like the momentum of a rollercoaster going down a steep hill can carry it all the way back up to the peak of the next hill. The other neat thing about momentum is that momentum creates momentum. In other words, all we need is a little shove in the right direction in order to start building up steam. The more momentum we have, the more momentum we build. It's something you can learn in a physics classrooom. The trick is to keep the momentum going. Once it starts to slow, then physics tells us that we're bound to eventually come to a full stop unless we find a way to create some new momentum.
I'm praying that the little bit of momentum God is creating through me will continue to build in this young man's life. Isn't it awesome to think that I could be writing about this guy next year at about this time - all about how he's one of those who are serving the homeless and ministering to them through his testimony? He could be the one God would use to create momentum in someone else's life!
When I first met him, something inside me jumped as I recognized the potential that this guy has. He's the kind of person who God just itches to use, and I'm glad I can look at him through "God lenses". In the last several days, I've invested into his life and created some momentum.
I explained to him today how momentum is a powerful, but mostly overlooked concept. When we have momentum (especially after things have been going sour), it seems that a certain confidence carries us to new heights - kind of like the momentum of a rollercoaster going down a steep hill can carry it all the way back up to the peak of the next hill. The other neat thing about momentum is that momentum creates momentum. In other words, all we need is a little shove in the right direction in order to start building up steam. The more momentum we have, the more momentum we build. It's something you can learn in a physics classrooom. The trick is to keep the momentum going. Once it starts to slow, then physics tells us that we're bound to eventually come to a full stop unless we find a way to create some new momentum.
I'm praying that the little bit of momentum God is creating through me will continue to build in this young man's life. Isn't it awesome to think that I could be writing about this guy next year at about this time - all about how he's one of those who are serving the homeless and ministering to them through his testimony? He could be the one God would use to create momentum in someone else's life!
The Church of Culpeper
God's stirring in Culpeper is becoming more and more powerful. I truly feel like I'm in a vortex of the Holy Spirit's revival of hearts and hands in our community.
This morning, the Culpeper Ministerial Association had its monthly meeting. Once again, it was standing room only. Brad Hales of Reformation Lutheran shared a devotional from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 that reminded us all about the significance and power of what God is doing in Culpeper. After hearing Brad, I was ready to go conquer the world. The Lord really got me pumped up hearing His Word through Brad.
We heard a report from Chad Whaley of New Salem Baptist about the Homeless Care Ministry. I absolutely loved Chad's boldness. He told everyone, "If you don't participate in this ministry, you're not obeying God!" Wow! What an incredible challenge!! Some may be offended by Chad's forthrightness, but his words were the absolute truth straight from God's Word. I wasn't able to stick around after the meeting, but Chad reported that Culpeper Methodist is providing volunteers next week using Alum Springs Baptist Church. Hallelujah!
Afterward, I met with Pastor John Slaubaugh from River of Joy Church in Culpeper. River of Joy is a small church plant that needs a facility to use for its weekend worship service. Boy, does that sound familiar. That was us only a few months ago. Without hesitiation, I knew the Lord wanted me to open our doors to them. So, beginning in January, River of Joy will be using our facility for a Sunday (12 noon) service. I know it's a blessing for them, and I'm certain it will be a blessing to us as well!
This is the Body!!!
This morning, the Culpeper Ministerial Association had its monthly meeting. Once again, it was standing room only. Brad Hales of Reformation Lutheran shared a devotional from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 that reminded us all about the significance and power of what God is doing in Culpeper. After hearing Brad, I was ready to go conquer the world. The Lord really got me pumped up hearing His Word through Brad.
We heard a report from Chad Whaley of New Salem Baptist about the Homeless Care Ministry. I absolutely loved Chad's boldness. He told everyone, "If you don't participate in this ministry, you're not obeying God!" Wow! What an incredible challenge!! Some may be offended by Chad's forthrightness, but his words were the absolute truth straight from God's Word. I wasn't able to stick around after the meeting, but Chad reported that Culpeper Methodist is providing volunteers next week using Alum Springs Baptist Church. Hallelujah!
Afterward, I met with Pastor John Slaubaugh from River of Joy Church in Culpeper. River of Joy is a small church plant that needs a facility to use for its weekend worship service. Boy, does that sound familiar. That was us only a few months ago. Without hesitiation, I knew the Lord wanted me to open our doors to them. So, beginning in January, River of Joy will be using our facility for a Sunday (12 noon) service. I know it's a blessing for them, and I'm certain it will be a blessing to us as well!
This is the Body!!!
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 34
Love Celebrates Godliness
When was the last time you celebrated some specific occasion or accomplishment with your spouse? What was the cause of celebration?
While it's certainly appropriate to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays and job promotions, when was the last time you celebrated a simple victory in Godliness? Has your husband done something lately like lead your family in prayer or devotion? Has your wife done something like forgive your neighbors when their dog made a mess of her garden? These are occasions to celebrate!
Paul wrote to his flock, "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring." (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)
As a pastor is proud of his flock for being obedient and demonstrating Godliness, so a spouse should celebrate those same victories with his/her mate.
When was the last time you celebrated some specific occasion or accomplishment with your spouse? What was the cause of celebration?
While it's certainly appropriate to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays and job promotions, when was the last time you celebrated a simple victory in Godliness? Has your husband done something lately like lead your family in prayer or devotion? Has your wife done something like forgive your neighbors when their dog made a mess of her garden? These are occasions to celebrate!
Paul wrote to his flock, "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring." (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)
As a pastor is proud of his flock for being obedient and demonstrating Godliness, so a spouse should celebrate those same victories with his/her mate.
A Different Way
This Christmas season, I'm being challenged with the concept of a different way. My family and I are used to doing Christmas a certain way. Personally, I'm used to preparing myself for the celebration of the holiday in a certain way. Beause of a variety of different reasons, God is getting me out of my comfort zone and the Advent is being spent in a different way.
I wonder if we shouldn't all be challenged to a different way this year. Some of us get so comfortable buying gifts for those same people who we really don't have much of a relationship with, sending cards to those people who we haven't written since last Christmas and surviving through the holiday season only to find ourselves so exhausted from the vacation that we need another few days just to recover.
Is God calling you to a different way this Christmas season?
I wonder if we shouldn't all be challenged to a different way this year. Some of us get so comfortable buying gifts for those same people who we really don't have much of a relationship with, sending cards to those people who we haven't written since last Christmas and surviving through the holiday season only to find ourselves so exhausted from the vacation that we need another few days just to recover.
Is God calling you to a different way this Christmas season?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Christmas Program
Heading to Abby Rae's Christmas Program tonight at her school. As a dad, I look forward to these things more than anything else in the year practically. Once all 3 of my girls get into school, how will I possibly stop from exploding with excitement?
Transition
Just about every Thursday or Friday, I go through this process of wrapping up the week and transitioning myself in preparation for the weekend. It's both an emotional and spiritual response to what's happened and what's about to happen. Not sure if every pastor goes through this, but I know alot do.
A busy week can get really bogged down with a great deal of details and distractions. It can also be full of many, wonderful opportunities for ministry. Every pastor knows, of course, there's something special about the weekend worship service that affords the opportunity of uninterrupted worship and teaching. While doing church is not our primary focus at City on a Hill Church, there is an appropriate amount of emphasis placed on our worship service since it's a Biblical mandate to come together as a Body.
This week has been full of awesome opportunities for ministry with the Homeless Ministry. Our church family has poured love on these folks, and I'm so grateful to God for bringing us to Culpeper. I know as we finish up our Fireproof Series this weekend, God has great things in store for us. We'll discuss how God has a better plan for love than we do. God's plan for love within marriage and any kind of relationship is better than anything we can come up with ourselves or try to do in our own power. The plan starts with God and must include God.
I'm looking forward to this weekend. How about you?
A busy week can get really bogged down with a great deal of details and distractions. It can also be full of many, wonderful opportunities for ministry. Every pastor knows, of course, there's something special about the weekend worship service that affords the opportunity of uninterrupted worship and teaching. While doing church is not our primary focus at City on a Hill Church, there is an appropriate amount of emphasis placed on our worship service since it's a Biblical mandate to come together as a Body.
This week has been full of awesome opportunities for ministry with the Homeless Ministry. Our church family has poured love on these folks, and I'm so grateful to God for bringing us to Culpeper. I know as we finish up our Fireproof Series this weekend, God has great things in store for us. We'll discuss how God has a better plan for love than we do. God's plan for love within marriage and any kind of relationship is better than anything we can come up with ourselves or try to do in our own power. The plan starts with God and must include God.
I'm looking forward to this weekend. How about you?
The Love Dare - Day 33
Love Completes Each Other
The infamous line from Jerry McGuire, "You complete me." has been used over and over again to emulate the romantic relationship between man and woman. The concept didn't get introduced by the movie, however. It was introduced by God Almighty.
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
If two lie down together, they keep warm, but how how can one be warm alone? (Ecclesiastes 4:11)
There are all kinds of euphimisms out there that indicate the Truth of Scripture in this regard:
"She complements him."
"They're a match made in heaven."
"They're a perfect match!"
"Opposites attract."
"I'm attracted to her."
In the beginning, God created Eve to be Adam's partner. "It is not good for the man to be alone," said the Lord God. We are made to have connection with one another, male and female relationships. It's God's design!
While we have differences, of course, those differences are meant to balance the unity of marriage. We shouldn't always expect to agree on everything, but we should prayerfully consider the opinion of the other always without dismissing it. Give the right of his/her voice to be heard and realize that no marriage can survive on one person's decisions alone.
The infamous line from Jerry McGuire, "You complete me." has been used over and over again to emulate the romantic relationship between man and woman. The concept didn't get introduced by the movie, however. It was introduced by God Almighty.
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
If two lie down together, they keep warm, but how how can one be warm alone? (Ecclesiastes 4:11)
There are all kinds of euphimisms out there that indicate the Truth of Scripture in this regard:
"She complements him."
"They're a match made in heaven."
"They're a perfect match!"
"Opposites attract."
"I'm attracted to her."
In the beginning, God created Eve to be Adam's partner. "It is not good for the man to be alone," said the Lord God. We are made to have connection with one another, male and female relationships. It's God's design!
While we have differences, of course, those differences are meant to balance the unity of marriage. We shouldn't always expect to agree on everything, but we should prayerfully consider the opinion of the other always without dismissing it. Give the right of his/her voice to be heard and realize that no marriage can survive on one person's decisions alone.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 32
Love Meets Sexual Needs
Something we hear so often from people is, "The Bible was written thousands of years ago. It's not relevant!" Of course, I would beg to differ. In fact, the Bible is so relevant that it even gives helpful instructions on how to have a great sex life!
Besides when not to have sex and who not to have sex with, God gives some pretty incredible insight into enriching your marriage with a healthy level of intimacy. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write to the Corinthian Church, "The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the hsuband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will tempt you because of your lack of self-control." (1 Cor 7:4-5)
Within marriage, there is a temptation to use sexual intimacy as a tool of manipulation. Once married, you are called to meet your spouse's needs in every way. Of course, that doesn't mean to submit to abuse.
Perhaps your mate wants sexual intimacy more frequently than you desire it. Perhaps you're holding out because of issues with which you're dealing, like tiredness, distractions or the old headache that always seems to pop up around bedtime. Just as every person was created uniquely by God, each of us have different sex drives. As partners in marriage, your responsibility is to find somewhere in the middle and agree to it.
Choose to communicate openly and freely about the sexual relationship you have with your spouse. Discuss your needs and desires. Communicate in a loving way with meeting each other's needs as the objective.
Something we hear so often from people is, "The Bible was written thousands of years ago. It's not relevant!" Of course, I would beg to differ. In fact, the Bible is so relevant that it even gives helpful instructions on how to have a great sex life!
Besides when not to have sex and who not to have sex with, God gives some pretty incredible insight into enriching your marriage with a healthy level of intimacy. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write to the Corinthian Church, "The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the hsuband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will tempt you because of your lack of self-control." (1 Cor 7:4-5)
Within marriage, there is a temptation to use sexual intimacy as a tool of manipulation. Once married, you are called to meet your spouse's needs in every way. Of course, that doesn't mean to submit to abuse.
Perhaps your mate wants sexual intimacy more frequently than you desire it. Perhaps you're holding out because of issues with which you're dealing, like tiredness, distractions or the old headache that always seems to pop up around bedtime. Just as every person was created uniquely by God, each of us have different sex drives. As partners in marriage, your responsibility is to find somewhere in the middle and agree to it.
Choose to communicate openly and freely about the sexual relationship you have with your spouse. Discuss your needs and desires. Communicate in a loving way with meeting each other's needs as the objective.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 31
Love and Marriage
A man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
Everyone's heard the "leave and cleave" principle of marriage, but few are practicing it. How often does your spouse's family become the center of tension?
"Leaving" can be a difficult task for some people. It can be difficult for the newly married person if he/she has been used to relying on the parents to meet his/her needs. It can be difficult for the parents to allow the newly married person to "leave" if there are issues related to co-dependency or the empty nest.
The unity component to marriage is part of God's design. Unity cannot occur, however, if one mate is constantly reverting back to his/her family for support - emotional, material or otherwise. When marriage occurs, you are making a covenant with your spouse to make the next step in your life and unite with him/her in every sense of the word.
If you've continued to turn to your parents for a need to be met, make a commitment to your spouse today to begin turning to him/her to meet that need. Make a commitment to experience unity within your marriage.
A man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
Everyone's heard the "leave and cleave" principle of marriage, but few are practicing it. How often does your spouse's family become the center of tension?
"Leaving" can be a difficult task for some people. It can be difficult for the newly married person if he/she has been used to relying on the parents to meet his/her needs. It can be difficult for the parents to allow the newly married person to "leave" if there are issues related to co-dependency or the empty nest.
The unity component to marriage is part of God's design. Unity cannot occur, however, if one mate is constantly reverting back to his/her family for support - emotional, material or otherwise. When marriage occurs, you are making a covenant with your spouse to make the next step in your life and unite with him/her in every sense of the word.
If you've continued to turn to your parents for a need to be met, make a commitment to your spouse today to begin turning to him/her to meet that need. Make a commitment to experience unity within your marriage.
Last Night - Part 2
We've had a great group of people from City on a Hill Church show up the last two nights to serve the Homeless Care Ministry. As I looked around, I saw some cooking, some serving, some sharing and others cleaning. With the energy that was exerted, I understand how it seems like, "I don't feel like I really did anything." But what little effort you seemed like you exerted, made a world of difference to those whom you served. When the Spirit of God is inspiring and empowering you, serving in ministry becomes much easier. Nothing is impossible with God!
I can't tell you how proud I am to be your pastor!!
I can't tell you how proud I am to be your pastor!!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Last Night
City on a Hill Church is overseeing the homeless care ministry this week using St. Stephen's Episcopal Church as the host facility. The kitchen in that church is incredible. Many chefs would dream to have something like that!
We had 11 guests with us last night. With several volunteers, we prepared some fried chicken, cole slaw, mashed potatoes and biscuits. We had some great background music performed by the Hughes family. Nice touch!
As "lights out" approached, a few young people from our community came to the church to hang out in the youth area. What a pleasant surprise! It was really great spending a few hours talking with some young folks about their passions, God's plan for their lives and answering some Bible questions. For me, all I have to do is spend some quality time like that with young people who are sold out for the Lord to invigorate my passion. We could all use a few hours of just listening and being inspired by the fire that burns in the hearts of our young people in Culpeper to remind us of what surrender looks like.
We had 11 guests with us last night. With several volunteers, we prepared some fried chicken, cole slaw, mashed potatoes and biscuits. We had some great background music performed by the Hughes family. Nice touch!
As "lights out" approached, a few young people from our community came to the church to hang out in the youth area. What a pleasant surprise! It was really great spending a few hours talking with some young folks about their passions, God's plan for their lives and answering some Bible questions. For me, all I have to do is spend some quality time like that with young people who are sold out for the Lord to invigorate my passion. We could all use a few hours of just listening and being inspired by the fire that burns in the hearts of our young people in Culpeper to remind us of what surrender looks like.
Friday, December 5, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 30
Love Brings Unity
Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. John 17:11
Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one, yet distinct. They are equal and indivisible, yet have different functionalities. We see the Trinity described in the Creation account and in the baptism of Jesus. They are in perfect unity.
God allows us to experience an aspect of this perfect unity in marriage. In marriage, two individuals are brought together in a spiritual union of "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24) that no man should ever seperate (Mark 10:9).
Do you encounter things in your marriage that try to (or perhaps even results in) divide you from your spouse? What if you began to approach your relationship with your mate with a deliberate purpose of defending the unity of your marriage?
Men, determine that the preservation of your oneness with your wife was worth every sacrifice and expression of love you could make.
Women, make it your mission to do everything possible to promote togetherness of heart with your husband.
What if every threat to your unity was treated as a poison, a cancer, an enemy to be eliminated by love, humility and selflessness? Loving, serving and honoring one another are the keys to preserve the unity of any marriage.
Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. John 17:11
Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one, yet distinct. They are equal and indivisible, yet have different functionalities. We see the Trinity described in the Creation account and in the baptism of Jesus. They are in perfect unity.
God allows us to experience an aspect of this perfect unity in marriage. In marriage, two individuals are brought together in a spiritual union of "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24) that no man should ever seperate (Mark 10:9).
Do you encounter things in your marriage that try to (or perhaps even results in) divide you from your spouse? What if you began to approach your relationship with your mate with a deliberate purpose of defending the unity of your marriage?
Men, determine that the preservation of your oneness with your wife was worth every sacrifice and expression of love you could make.
Women, make it your mission to do everything possible to promote togetherness of heart with your husband.
What if every threat to your unity was treated as a poison, a cancer, an enemy to be eliminated by love, humility and selflessness? Loving, serving and honoring one another are the keys to preserve the unity of any marriage.
Thoughts
Just some thoughts that are on my mind today...
-Is today the day that the Dameron clan hunts for a Christmas tree?
-Gotta wrap up my sermon and let it percolate.
-Churches around Culpeper will discuss "no room at the inn" this Christmas season, yet won't open their facilities to house homeless people over night. What's wrong with this picture?
-Christmas decorations for the church are sitting in my car. Need to do something about that...
-What other food do I need for next week's ministry to the homeless? Need to set up the menu and take inventory.
-Is today the day that the Dameron clan hunts for a Christmas tree?
-Gotta wrap up my sermon and let it percolate.
-Churches around Culpeper will discuss "no room at the inn" this Christmas season, yet won't open their facilities to house homeless people over night. What's wrong with this picture?
-Christmas decorations for the church are sitting in my car. Need to do something about that...
-What other food do I need for next week's ministry to the homeless? Need to set up the menu and take inventory.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Forgiveness
This Saturday evening at City on a Hill Church, we're talking about forgiveness - specifically in the context of marriage, but the concept certainly stretches across all kinds of relationships. Forgiveness is the underlying message of the Bible. It's what is offered to us over and over and over again when we least deserve it through God's grace. It's why Jesus died on the cross. It's what bridges the gap between God and man so that an eternal relationship may be experienced.
If you're struggling with forgiving someone in your life, I would like to invite you to join us this Saturday evening @ 6pm. Where there is forgiveness, there is freedom. Experience the life God meant for you to have!
If you're struggling with forgiving someone in your life, I would like to invite you to join us this Saturday evening @ 6pm. Where there is forgiveness, there is freedom. Experience the life God meant for you to have!
The Love Dare - Day 29
Love's Motivation
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not me..." Ephesians 6:7 NIV
Sometimes we find ourselves loving out of duty or out of the desire to have favorable conditions. This kind of love will never last. It's temporary, conditional and selfish.
Our love we have for one another, particularly our spouse, needs to be motivated by the love we have for Christ Himself. If we don't love Christ with all that we are, we can never love someone else with Christ's love.
When your spouse isn't very loveable, just remember that God has called you to love no matter what. When you don't feel as though you have any love to offer, choose to allow God to love through you. He is your source and supply. When you love like this, no longer are the imperfections of your mate dictating the level of love experienced within your home, instead the all-powerful, all-loving Almighty God is the eternal spring to which you go for replenishing love within your marriage.
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not me..." Ephesians 6:7 NIV
Sometimes we find ourselves loving out of duty or out of the desire to have favorable conditions. This kind of love will never last. It's temporary, conditional and selfish.
Our love we have for one another, particularly our spouse, needs to be motivated by the love we have for Christ Himself. If we don't love Christ with all that we are, we can never love someone else with Christ's love.
When your spouse isn't very loveable, just remember that God has called you to love no matter what. When you don't feel as though you have any love to offer, choose to allow God to love through you. He is your source and supply. When you love like this, no longer are the imperfections of your mate dictating the level of love experienced within your home, instead the all-powerful, all-loving Almighty God is the eternal spring to which you go for replenishing love within your marriage.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
CCS Chapel Service
I had a wonderful privilege this morning to go with Abby Rae (my oldest daughter) to school today. She attends Culpeper Christian School. Every Wednesday, the school hosts a chapel service where a message is shared with the students to plant Biblical Truth in their lives.
This morning, I was asked to share the message. I had a great time sharing the message of Ephesians 2:10 to the students through a parable of a boy named George who was challenged over and over again to "fit in" with the trends in his culture. The parable found George submitting to peer pressure to balance cucumbers, bananas and eggs on his forehead while trying to walk. Needless to say, George's life became a real mess, literally! Balancing food on our foreheads sure sounds silly, but, if we're honest, some of the things we do to "fit in" are just as silly.
The moral of the story is that God created us all uniquely just as we are so that we can fulfill our own unique purposes and plans that God ordained just for us long ago. When we change to "fit in" we're abandoning God's plans for us and denying the value of the masterpiece He created in us.
This morning, I was asked to share the message. I had a great time sharing the message of Ephesians 2:10 to the students through a parable of a boy named George who was challenged over and over again to "fit in" with the trends in his culture. The parable found George submitting to peer pressure to balance cucumbers, bananas and eggs on his forehead while trying to walk. Needless to say, George's life became a real mess, literally! Balancing food on our foreheads sure sounds silly, but, if we're honest, some of the things we do to "fit in" are just as silly.
The moral of the story is that God created us all uniquely just as we are so that we can fulfill our own unique purposes and plans that God ordained just for us long ago. When we change to "fit in" we're abandoning God's plans for us and denying the value of the masterpiece He created in us.
The Love Dare - Day 28
Lave Makes Sacrifices
At City on a Hill Church, an emphasis is placed on meeting the needs of the community. We teach and find ways to serve others sacrificially when there are needs. This kind of sacrificial love isn't just reserved for the community, however. It's also intended for the home and family in which we live.
Jesus said, "For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me" (Matthew 25:35-36).
These verses are so often applied to the needs in our community, but should also be applied to our spouse. The authors of The Love Dare suggest these applications for consideration:
Is he hungry - needing you sexually, even when you don't feel like it?
Is she thirsty - craving the time and attention you seem able to give to everyone else?
Does he feel like a stranger - insecure in his work, needing home to be a refuge and sanctuary?
Is she naked - frightened or ashamed, desperate for the warm covering of your loving affirmation?
Is he feeling sick - physically tired and needing you to help guard him from interruptions?
Does she feel in prison - fearful and depressed, needing some safety and intervention?
It's easy to recognize the hardships in your own life. How good of a job do you do recognizing and doing something about the hardships in your mate's life before they become overwhelming to your spouse?
At City on a Hill Church, an emphasis is placed on meeting the needs of the community. We teach and find ways to serve others sacrificially when there are needs. This kind of sacrificial love isn't just reserved for the community, however. It's also intended for the home and family in which we live.
Jesus said, "For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me" (Matthew 25:35-36).
These verses are so often applied to the needs in our community, but should also be applied to our spouse. The authors of The Love Dare suggest these applications for consideration:
Is he hungry - needing you sexually, even when you don't feel like it?
Is she thirsty - craving the time and attention you seem able to give to everyone else?
Does he feel like a stranger - insecure in his work, needing home to be a refuge and sanctuary?
Is she naked - frightened or ashamed, desperate for the warm covering of your loving affirmation?
Is he feeling sick - physically tired and needing you to help guard him from interruptions?
Does she feel in prison - fearful and depressed, needing some safety and intervention?
It's easy to recognize the hardships in your own life. How good of a job do you do recognizing and doing something about the hardships in your mate's life before they become overwhelming to your spouse?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 27
Love Encourages
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up... encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone." 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14
Everyone has expectations. It's natural. However, unrealistic expectations on your spouse can be discouraging and damaging. When we choose to encourage our mate instead of be disappointed by our unrealistic expectations, our marriage can experience significant improvement.
What kind of demands are you putting our your wife/husband? Are they realistic? Do you expect your spouse to always be on time, understand all of your needs, clean up after dinner? If so, prepare yourself for a lifetime of disappointment. Your mate is human, forgetful and even thoughtless at times.
Instead of putting your spouse on the defensive and pushing him/her into rebellion, try kind words of encouragement. Instead of discouraging and frustrating your mate with selfish demands, try loving them for who they are instead of what they do.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up... encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone." 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14
Everyone has expectations. It's natural. However, unrealistic expectations on your spouse can be discouraging and damaging. When we choose to encourage our mate instead of be disappointed by our unrealistic expectations, our marriage can experience significant improvement.
What kind of demands are you putting our your wife/husband? Are they realistic? Do you expect your spouse to always be on time, understand all of your needs, clean up after dinner? If so, prepare yourself for a lifetime of disappointment. Your mate is human, forgetful and even thoughtless at times.
Instead of putting your spouse on the defensive and pushing him/her into rebellion, try kind words of encouragement. Instead of discouraging and frustrating your mate with selfish demands, try loving them for who they are instead of what they do.
Jesus Wrecked Me
I stumbled across this article which led me to Brandt Russo's myspace page. Let me first start by saying that I'm not necessarily endorsing the articles' website or Russo himself. I'm not familiar enough with either of them at this point, but both stirred a reaction within me that deserves some time and thought.
So often, we drill into God's Word and disect the complexities until we're saturated and overwhelemed with theological intricacies. It's actually quite easy to to lose the forest through the trees when studying the Bible. However, I believe Jesus' message, for the most part, was quite simple. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind... Love your neighbor as yourself." While these are pretty simple concepts, they are not nearly as simple to live.
I think Brandt Russo is on to something. In his article, Brandt exclaimes that "Jesus wrecked me, and six months later, I'm still trying to pick up all the pieces." Wow! What a statement!
My good friend Randy Peck walked away from his comfortable lifestyle as an anesthesiologist. He took an entire year off seeking the Lord's will for his life, and he's been serving God in ministry ever since. Brandt Russo walked away from his nice-paying job to dumpster dive with the homeless and needy, ministering to them. Both Randy and Brandt are people whose lives got wrecked by the power of Jesus Christ and they will never be the same again!
Are you on course for a head-on collision with the Almighty Savior? Are you ready for your world to be shaken at its very core? These are questions that demand answers. Not everyone's vocation changes as a result. Not everyone's residence changes. That's not the point. The point is total surrender to Christ for His will in your life.
So often, we drill into God's Word and disect the complexities until we're saturated and overwhelemed with theological intricacies. It's actually quite easy to to lose the forest through the trees when studying the Bible. However, I believe Jesus' message, for the most part, was quite simple. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind... Love your neighbor as yourself." While these are pretty simple concepts, they are not nearly as simple to live.
I think Brandt Russo is on to something. In his article, Brandt exclaimes that "Jesus wrecked me, and six months later, I'm still trying to pick up all the pieces." Wow! What a statement!
My good friend Randy Peck walked away from his comfortable lifestyle as an anesthesiologist. He took an entire year off seeking the Lord's will for his life, and he's been serving God in ministry ever since. Brandt Russo walked away from his nice-paying job to dumpster dive with the homeless and needy, ministering to them. Both Randy and Brandt are people whose lives got wrecked by the power of Jesus Christ and they will never be the same again!
Are you on course for a head-on collision with the Almighty Savior? Are you ready for your world to be shaken at its very core? These are questions that demand answers. Not everyone's vocation changes as a result. Not everyone's residence changes. That's not the point. The point is total surrender to Christ for His will in your life.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thanksgiving
Last week was full of wonder, awe and thanksgiving for me. I took some much needed time for myself and family while watching God move in powerful ways in our community and in City on a Hill Church.
As I was studying Thanksgiving in my devotional time last week, I remembered something from Philippians 4:6. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
The transliterated word Paul uses for "thanksgiving" is eucharistia. Sound familiar? This is the word from which we get eucharist: a common word seen in the Church today that is synonymous with communion.
So, when we receive communion, we're celebrating thanksgiving! The concept of "thanksgiving" has within itself a call to remember the blessings from the past in order to look forward to the future with hope.
As we take the bread and wine (juice) in communion, we remember the blessings of Christ's sacrifice so that we can proclaim victory and hope in the future we have with Him in our lives. Thanksgiving shouldn't be a weekly or monthly idea though. It should be daily. Remembering Christ's love and how He has moved powerfully in our past can help us bring our petitions and requests to God with confidence in His willingness to bless over and over again.
As I was studying Thanksgiving in my devotional time last week, I remembered something from Philippians 4:6. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
The transliterated word Paul uses for "thanksgiving" is eucharistia. Sound familiar? This is the word from which we get eucharist: a common word seen in the Church today that is synonymous with communion.
So, when we receive communion, we're celebrating thanksgiving! The concept of "thanksgiving" has within itself a call to remember the blessings from the past in order to look forward to the future with hope.
As we take the bread and wine (juice) in communion, we remember the blessings of Christ's sacrifice so that we can proclaim victory and hope in the future we have with Him in our lives. Thanksgiving shouldn't be a weekly or monthly idea though. It should be daily. Remembering Christ's love and how He has moved powerfully in our past can help us bring our petitions and requests to God with confidence in His willingness to bless over and over again.
The Love Dare - Day 26
Love is Responsible
Confession and asking for forgiveness is one of those areas in relationships that is particularly difficult. However, it's one of the most necessary elements of a relationship for authenticity and sincerity. Pride and ego can be the biggest obstacles in accepting the responsibility that one needs in a love relationship.
When a person accepts responsibility in a relationship, there are no more excuses. The circumstances don't matter nearly as much as the other person's needs. We must be willing to admit our short-comings and be responsible enough to correct them.
Humility before God and your spouse are the keys to a healthy marriage. Admit when you've fallen short and ask for forgiveness - first from God, then from your mate.
God's Word says He is quick to forgive and that His mercies are new every morning. Your spouse's willingness to forgive may not be as quick and easy. Allow God to work in your mate's heart and realize your responsibility is fulfilled when you confessed and repented.
Confession and asking for forgiveness is one of those areas in relationships that is particularly difficult. However, it's one of the most necessary elements of a relationship for authenticity and sincerity. Pride and ego can be the biggest obstacles in accepting the responsibility that one needs in a love relationship.
When a person accepts responsibility in a relationship, there are no more excuses. The circumstances don't matter nearly as much as the other person's needs. We must be willing to admit our short-comings and be responsible enough to correct them.
Humility before God and your spouse are the keys to a healthy marriage. Admit when you've fallen short and ask for forgiveness - first from God, then from your mate.
God's Word says He is quick to forgive and that His mercies are new every morning. Your spouse's willingness to forgive may not be as quick and easy. Allow God to work in your mate's heart and realize your responsibility is fulfilled when you confessed and repented.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Homeless Care Ministry
This morning, I went to a meeting at the Culpeper Health and Human Services office. This meeting was to discuss the effort that's being made to care for the homeless in our community during the winter months. Several town departments, civic organizations and pastors and layleaders from a number of different churches were in attendance.
This is a total God thing! Churches across denominations are coming together in unity to do God's bidding in Culpeper - not a service, not a one-time outreach, but an actual day-in and day-out ministry that will last for months and have significant impact on our community. How awesome is that!!
Homelessness is usually thought of with respect to people with addictions, criminal behavior and/or emotional problems. However, in today's economy, we have families living in their cars and on the street because of bankruptcy, foreclosure or unemployment. Homelessness isn't restricted to skin color, place of birth or social standing anymore.
In this initiative, a different church is overseeing the ministry for a week at a time for about 20 weeks through the colder months. City on a Hill Church will be responsible for volunteers Dec 7-13 as St. Stephen's Episcopal Church opens its doors to host the ministry that week.
We still need a lot more churches to participate in this ministry. We need facilities and we need helping hands. As the Body steps up and steps out, God will bless our community! Let's be bold! Let's be His hands and feet and show God's love in this practical and relevant way!
This is a total God thing! Churches across denominations are coming together in unity to do God's bidding in Culpeper - not a service, not a one-time outreach, but an actual day-in and day-out ministry that will last for months and have significant impact on our community. How awesome is that!!
Homelessness is usually thought of with respect to people with addictions, criminal behavior and/or emotional problems. However, in today's economy, we have families living in their cars and on the street because of bankruptcy, foreclosure or unemployment. Homelessness isn't restricted to skin color, place of birth or social standing anymore.
In this initiative, a different church is overseeing the ministry for a week at a time for about 20 weeks through the colder months. City on a Hill Church will be responsible for volunteers Dec 7-13 as St. Stephen's Episcopal Church opens its doors to host the ministry that week.
We still need a lot more churches to participate in this ministry. We need facilities and we need helping hands. As the Body steps up and steps out, God will bless our community! Let's be bold! Let's be His hands and feet and show God's love in this practical and relevant way!
Friday, November 21, 2008
This Weekend
God's going to do incredible things this weekend! I just know it!!
Tomorrow morning, City on a Hill Church is giving our community some love. We'll be washing the exterior windows on downtown businesses and offices. Just a chance to show God's love in a practical way!
We'll meet @ 10am on the corner of Main and Davis Streets. Bring your kids, too! We'll have ours.
Tomorrow night, we'll be continuing our Fireproof Your Marriage series with a message entitled, "Love for a Lifetime". I had a blast preparing this message, and I know the Lord is going to bless our time together tomorrow night. Join us please at 6pm at 405 Sperryville Pike in Culpeper.
Tomorrow morning, City on a Hill Church is giving our community some love. We'll be washing the exterior windows on downtown businesses and offices. Just a chance to show God's love in a practical way!
We'll meet @ 10am on the corner of Main and Davis Streets. Bring your kids, too! We'll have ours.
Tomorrow night, we'll be continuing our Fireproof Your Marriage series with a message entitled, "Love for a Lifetime". I had a blast preparing this message, and I know the Lord is going to bless our time together tomorrow night. Join us please at 6pm at 405 Sperryville Pike in Culpeper.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Passionaries
I recently read an article that was a great reminder for pastors and leaders of the Church. The article gave some instruction on how to motivate people to act on their God-given passions. Those who follow and use their passions as their driving force to impact their community are called "passionaries".
We're all passionaries, for God has given us all gifts to use through the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit. God has called every one of us who are a part of the Body to impact our community for the glory of Christ.
What's your passion? How can God use that to change people's lives? Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear what God is leading you to do.
We're all passionaries, for God has given us all gifts to use through the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit. God has called every one of us who are a part of the Body to impact our community for the glory of Christ.
What's your passion? How can God use that to change people's lives? Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear what God is leading you to do.
The Love Dare - Day 25
Love Forgives
Jesus once told a story of an unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35). In this parable, Jesus tells us of a master who forgave his servant an unimaginable debt. However, after having received his freedom, the servant did something unthinkable. He went to all of those who owed him smaller debts and demanded immediate payment. Upon hearing of this, the master turned the servant over to the jailors to be tortured until the debt was paid.
This parable reminds us of the unimaginable debt that has been forgiven on our behalf through Jesus Christ. Who are we to then turn around and approach our spouse and others with a lack of forgiveness? Will we enslave those who have wronged us in a prison inside of our own hearts? The problem is that we, ourselves, become enslaved along with them because of our bitterness and lack of forgiveness. Jesus remains, though, offering the key to freedom.
Our problem stems from a lack of understanding what forgiveness is. Forgiving someone doesn't absolve them of their sin. Forgiving merely releases them from our own selfish punishment to God's divine justice. The burden that we carry around is lifted from our lives like a weight.
What we must understand is that our lack of forgiveness is nothing more than our desire for revenge. We want the situation to be made right. We want restitution! However, God's Word tells us, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." (Romans 12:19)
While we may rightfully deserve restitution, we must be deliberate in trusting God's faithfulness and justice in our own lives. Our idea of restitution and revenge are perverted and sinful in nature. We could never repay someone with an equal punishment for what has been done to us. We will always want to punish unequally. That is our own sinful nature.
If your spouse has sinned against you, you must forgive him/her if you want to have any hope for a successful marriage. Give your spouse over to God. Release him/her from your self-made prison, and, in turn, experience freedom yourself. Know that as you walk in forgiveness, God will honor your obedience.
Jesus once told a story of an unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35). In this parable, Jesus tells us of a master who forgave his servant an unimaginable debt. However, after having received his freedom, the servant did something unthinkable. He went to all of those who owed him smaller debts and demanded immediate payment. Upon hearing of this, the master turned the servant over to the jailors to be tortured until the debt was paid.
This parable reminds us of the unimaginable debt that has been forgiven on our behalf through Jesus Christ. Who are we to then turn around and approach our spouse and others with a lack of forgiveness? Will we enslave those who have wronged us in a prison inside of our own hearts? The problem is that we, ourselves, become enslaved along with them because of our bitterness and lack of forgiveness. Jesus remains, though, offering the key to freedom.
Our problem stems from a lack of understanding what forgiveness is. Forgiving someone doesn't absolve them of their sin. Forgiving merely releases them from our own selfish punishment to God's divine justice. The burden that we carry around is lifted from our lives like a weight.
What we must understand is that our lack of forgiveness is nothing more than our desire for revenge. We want the situation to be made right. We want restitution! However, God's Word tells us, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." (Romans 12:19)
While we may rightfully deserve restitution, we must be deliberate in trusting God's faithfulness and justice in our own lives. Our idea of restitution and revenge are perverted and sinful in nature. We could never repay someone with an equal punishment for what has been done to us. We will always want to punish unequally. That is our own sinful nature.
If your spouse has sinned against you, you must forgive him/her if you want to have any hope for a successful marriage. Give your spouse over to God. Release him/her from your self-made prison, and, in turn, experience freedom yourself. Know that as you walk in forgiveness, God will honor your obedience.
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 24
Love vs. Lust
Remember the old U2 song, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"? One of my favorites from my old college days. While I enjoy the song, this principle in life is a dangerous one to have.
Are we looking for what God has to offer us or what the world has to offer us? "His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust" (2 Peter 1:3-4).
If we find ourselves desiring more something that is material or some idea or fantasy that brings "happiness" outside of God's will, the warning light on the dashboard of our heart should be shining. "Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). The authors of The Love Dare remind us that "lust is the best this world has to offer, but love offers you the best life in the world."
Today's Dare is to identify every object of lust in our lives and remove it today! Single out every life you've swallowed in pursuing forbidden pleasure and reject it. We cannot allow lust to exist in any secret closet of our lives. It must be removed from our lives and replaced with the promises of God. Allow His will to become the desires of your heart.
Remember the old U2 song, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"? One of my favorites from my old college days. While I enjoy the song, this principle in life is a dangerous one to have.
Are we looking for what God has to offer us or what the world has to offer us? "His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust" (2 Peter 1:3-4).
If we find ourselves desiring more something that is material or some idea or fantasy that brings "happiness" outside of God's will, the warning light on the dashboard of our heart should be shining. "Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). The authors of The Love Dare remind us that "lust is the best this world has to offer, but love offers you the best life in the world."
Today's Dare is to identify every object of lust in our lives and remove it today! Single out every life you've swallowed in pursuing forbidden pleasure and reject it. We cannot allow lust to exist in any secret closet of our lives. It must be removed from our lives and replaced with the promises of God. Allow His will to become the desires of your heart.
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 23
Love Always Protects
Wives and husbands need to work together proactively to protect their marriages from all kinds of things, including the following:
Harmful Influences-
There are habits that are toxic to your marriage. Examples include consistent absence from the home or relational disconnection.
Unhealthy Relationship-
We all need to have appropriate boundaries established with people in our lives. We can't expect non-Christians to impart Biblical wisdom into our lives. We need to have boundaries established with those people who like to share unGodly counsel into our lives. If you've never read Boundaries, I would highly encourage you to do so. This book will equip you with some valuable wisdom with regard to relationships.
Shame-
Have you heard a person speak unfavorably about their spouse? We're all vunerable with insecurities and inferiorities. Let's protect our mate from inappropriate shame.
Parasites-
Watching out for things that suck the life out of our marriage is very important. Usually parasites come in the form of addictions.
Wives, please understand your role as protector of your marriage. Guard your marriage from fantasies and unreasonable expectations that derive from novels, magazines and other forms of entertainment. Be familiar with the instruction and wisdom found in Proverbs 31.
Husbands, please understand your role as the one responsible before God for guarding the gate and standing your ground against anything that would threaten your wife or marriage. Be familiar with the warning about being proactive that Jesus gives us found in Matthew 24:43.
Wives and husbands need to work together proactively to protect their marriages from all kinds of things, including the following:
Harmful Influences-
There are habits that are toxic to your marriage. Examples include consistent absence from the home or relational disconnection.
Unhealthy Relationship-
We all need to have appropriate boundaries established with people in our lives. We can't expect non-Christians to impart Biblical wisdom into our lives. We need to have boundaries established with those people who like to share unGodly counsel into our lives. If you've never read Boundaries, I would highly encourage you to do so. This book will equip you with some valuable wisdom with regard to relationships.
Shame-
Have you heard a person speak unfavorably about their spouse? We're all vunerable with insecurities and inferiorities. Let's protect our mate from inappropriate shame.
Parasites-
Watching out for things that suck the life out of our marriage is very important. Usually parasites come in the form of addictions.
Wives, please understand your role as protector of your marriage. Guard your marriage from fantasies and unreasonable expectations that derive from novels, magazines and other forms of entertainment. Be familiar with the instruction and wisdom found in Proverbs 31.
Husbands, please understand your role as the one responsible before God for guarding the gate and standing your ground against anything that would threaten your wife or marriage. Be familiar with the warning about being proactive that Jesus gives us found in Matthew 24:43.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Busy Day
Been catching up on administrative work for my consulting job today. Had lunch with Randy Corbin of the Christian & Missionary Alliance and their new Culpeper pastor Brian Spruill. Great guys, and I pray that the Lord will envigorate Alliance Bible Church in Culpeper to build His Kingdom. Working on my sermon for this weekend. Looking forward to sharing about God's love as the foundation for our love in marriage.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 22
Love is Faithful
God's message to us in His Word has an ever-enduring theme throughout: love. We were created to experience God's love and we were created to share God's love. So, what happens when the love we want to share is rejected?
The book of Hosea is a wonderful true story that illustrates God's faithful love for us in the midst of our rebellion and rejection of Him and His love. If you've never read the book, I would encourage you to read it. It has special application to those who have offered love in marriage only to be rejected.
"Anyone can love someone who loves you back," Jesus said. "Even sinners do that!"
"Love your enemies," God instructs us. Who would have thought that our spouse could ever become our enemy? Certainly you didn't dream of that when you stood at the alter on your wedding day. But it happens all too often in our culture.
This is when we begin to understand the true depth of how Christ loves us. When we turn our back on Him, He's still there loving us, ready to forgive us. We can offer undeserved love to our spouse because that's what God does for us.
While the feeling of love for your spouse may have come upon you like a wave of emotion one day long ago, today is the day that you must choose and purpose to love your mate. Love your spouse in a way that reflects your gratefulness to God for loving you.
God's message to us in His Word has an ever-enduring theme throughout: love. We were created to experience God's love and we were created to share God's love. So, what happens when the love we want to share is rejected?
The book of Hosea is a wonderful true story that illustrates God's faithful love for us in the midst of our rebellion and rejection of Him and His love. If you've never read the book, I would encourage you to read it. It has special application to those who have offered love in marriage only to be rejected.
"Anyone can love someone who loves you back," Jesus said. "Even sinners do that!"
"Love your enemies," God instructs us. Who would have thought that our spouse could ever become our enemy? Certainly you didn't dream of that when you stood at the alter on your wedding day. But it happens all too often in our culture.
This is when we begin to understand the true depth of how Christ loves us. When we turn our back on Him, He's still there loving us, ready to forgive us. We can offer undeserved love to our spouse because that's what God does for us.
While the feeling of love for your spouse may have come upon you like a wave of emotion one day long ago, today is the day that you must choose and purpose to love your mate. Love your spouse in a way that reflects your gratefulness to God for loving you.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Trojan Horses
The excerpt below is from one of the blogs I read consistently (Pastor Mark Batterson's Evotional). Mark wrote In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase - two must reads for any and every Christian wanting to experience everything God has for him/her.
Really enjoying being at The Sticks. Love my pastor tribe! I talked out of Matthew 10:5-16. That passage is my philosophy of ministry. I also think of it as the First Commission. It's the final locker room talk Jesus gave his disciples before their first mission.I talked about Trojan horses, purple cows, and broken windows.
Remember the Greek legend? Queen Helen was kidnapped. And it took a Trojan Horse to get past the defenses of Troy.
Churches need to discover the Trojan Horses that will help them get past people's natural defense mechanisms and reach their community. I think servant evangelism is a Trojan Horse. So is our coffeehouse. So is technology. We have more and more people coming to NCC who watch our webcast for months before visiting in person. It's a Trojan Horse. People can watch in the comfort of their own home. In their underwear no less. And defense mechanisms are down!
Pastor Wes Shortridge of Liberty Community Church in Bealeton and I had talked abotu going to The Sticks conference, but he's busy taking classes and I'm just too busy with other stuff. Anyways...
Love the idea of Trojan Horse. Servant Evangelism is a huge part of the vision for City on a Hill Church. In fact, this Saturday morning we'll be out washing windows of our downtown local businesses. We're so stoked to serve our community and even more amped to see what God does in the hearts of those we serve over time.
We're using technology already. I know of one gal who read my blog for weeks before coming to one of our services. I'm looking forward to getting sermons up on our website via podcast or webcast.
Coffeehouses? Hmmm... Been down that road in SoCal. Worked on a project called theFishbowl with a buddy of mine. Lots of work and difficult to be effective if you don't know what you're doing and if you don't have the capital. Not sure that one's in our future, but I'm learning to never say, "Never."
Really enjoying being at The Sticks. Love my pastor tribe! I talked out of Matthew 10:5-16. That passage is my philosophy of ministry. I also think of it as the First Commission. It's the final locker room talk Jesus gave his disciples before their first mission.I talked about Trojan horses, purple cows, and broken windows.
Remember the Greek legend? Queen Helen was kidnapped. And it took a Trojan Horse to get past the defenses of Troy.
Churches need to discover the Trojan Horses that will help them get past people's natural defense mechanisms and reach their community. I think servant evangelism is a Trojan Horse. So is our coffeehouse. So is technology. We have more and more people coming to NCC who watch our webcast for months before visiting in person. It's a Trojan Horse. People can watch in the comfort of their own home. In their underwear no less. And defense mechanisms are down!
Pastor Wes Shortridge of Liberty Community Church in Bealeton and I had talked abotu going to The Sticks conference, but he's busy taking classes and I'm just too busy with other stuff. Anyways...
Love the idea of Trojan Horse. Servant Evangelism is a huge part of the vision for City on a Hill Church. In fact, this Saturday morning we'll be out washing windows of our downtown local businesses. We're so stoked to serve our community and even more amped to see what God does in the hearts of those we serve over time.
We're using technology already. I know of one gal who read my blog for weeks before coming to one of our services. I'm looking forward to getting sermons up on our website via podcast or webcast.
Coffeehouses? Hmmm... Been down that road in SoCal. Worked on a project called theFishbowl with a buddy of mine. Lots of work and difficult to be effective if you don't know what you're doing and if you don't have the capital. Not sure that one's in our future, but I'm learning to never say, "Never."
The Love Dare - Day 21
Love is Satisfied in God
So often we see people try to find peace, joy and contentment in material things, money and, yes, even relationships. I can remember a time in my life – before I knew Jesus – when I tried to find satisfaction in relationships with the opposite sex. The fact is that the kind of satisfaction I was looking for I could only find in God, Himself.
No matter how wonderful our spouse may be, he/she will never live up to all of our expectations. People always disappoint! True love and a successful marriage involve putting appropriate expectations on our spouse and offering forgiveness when he/she doesn’t meet them. True love and a successful marriage involve not just allowing, but expecting, God to do the things that our spouse cannot. Deliberately begin trusting Him more and more with your life, marriage and family.
One way we can learn to trust Him more is by understanding Him more – His love for us and His desire to give us our heart’s desires. Spend time with God each and every day. Take at least ten minutes to read His Word. Spend at least a few minutes in prayer with Him, and make sure it’s a dialogue, not just a monologue. Journaling in a notebook or through a blog site like this one helps us see more effectively how God is moving in our lives. Having a consistent devotional life that includes these things I just mentioned can and will change your relationship with God in ways you wouldn’t believe!
So often we see people try to find peace, joy and contentment in material things, money and, yes, even relationships. I can remember a time in my life – before I knew Jesus – when I tried to find satisfaction in relationships with the opposite sex. The fact is that the kind of satisfaction I was looking for I could only find in God, Himself.
No matter how wonderful our spouse may be, he/she will never live up to all of our expectations. People always disappoint! True love and a successful marriage involve putting appropriate expectations on our spouse and offering forgiveness when he/she doesn’t meet them. True love and a successful marriage involve not just allowing, but expecting, God to do the things that our spouse cannot. Deliberately begin trusting Him more and more with your life, marriage and family.
One way we can learn to trust Him more is by understanding Him more – His love for us and His desire to give us our heart’s desires. Spend time with God each and every day. Take at least ten minutes to read His Word. Spend at least a few minutes in prayer with Him, and make sure it’s a dialogue, not just a monologue. Journaling in a notebook or through a blog site like this one helps us see more effectively how God is moving in our lives. Having a consistent devotional life that includes these things I just mentioned can and will change your relationship with God in ways you wouldn’t believe!
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 20
Love is Jesus Christ
We're half-way through The Love Dare. Twenty more days to go? Are noticing a difference yet in your marriage? More importantly, are you noticing a difference yet in yourself and your attitude and behavior towards your spouse?
There's absolutely no way a significant change in the love towards your spouse can take place without recognizing from where that love comes. You can try anything and everything, but efforts made merely by your feeble attempts to do this on your own will fall short.
The same is true in our relationship with God. Nothing we could ever do could earn our way to heaven. "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me" (Psalm 51:5). "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment" (Isaiah 64:6).
Without Jesus Christ, we will never fully understand or possibly earn the love that we're supposed to have and can have in our marriage. The love we seek can only be received from God Himself and, consequently, shared, with our mate. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we outght to lay down our lives for our brothers... This is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us" (1 John 3:16, 23). "The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1 John 4:8).
God loves us in spite of our imperfections. He chose us to die for even though we turn away sometimes. In our marriage, we must chose to love even when we're not loved in return. Dare to take God at His Word. Dare to be used as His intrument of love in your marriage.
We're half-way through The Love Dare. Twenty more days to go? Are noticing a difference yet in your marriage? More importantly, are you noticing a difference yet in yourself and your attitude and behavior towards your spouse?
There's absolutely no way a significant change in the love towards your spouse can take place without recognizing from where that love comes. You can try anything and everything, but efforts made merely by your feeble attempts to do this on your own will fall short.
The same is true in our relationship with God. Nothing we could ever do could earn our way to heaven. "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me" (Psalm 51:5). "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment" (Isaiah 64:6).
Without Jesus Christ, we will never fully understand or possibly earn the love that we're supposed to have and can have in our marriage. The love we seek can only be received from God Himself and, consequently, shared, with our mate. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we outght to lay down our lives for our brothers... This is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us" (1 John 3:16, 23). "The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1 John 4:8).
God loves us in spite of our imperfections. He chose us to die for even though we turn away sometimes. In our marriage, we must chose to love even when we're not loved in return. Dare to take God at His Word. Dare to be used as His intrument of love in your marriage.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
New Faces
It has been wonderful to see so many new faces at City on a Hill Church these last two weeks. Since the Lord first put the idea of sharing the Fireproof message, I have been praying for our community to have a desire to strengthen its marriages. When the Impact Cards were mailed to over 900 homes in our community promoting this series, I prayed that each card would be received with open hearts and minds, and I prayed that those families who need strengthening would have a burden to seek help from the Church. When the article was written in the local newspaper recently, I prayed that the article would be read by those who need fresh encouragement in their relationship with God the most. When we hosted our first service in our new facility last weekend, I prayed that God would lead people who travel up and down Sperryville Pike every day and who see our banners hanging in front of our building to investigate what it would look like to experience Him at City on a Hill Church.
I strongly believe that the Lord has answered all of those prayers. Yes, I know there are many families who need strengthening who haven't visited us. Yes, I know many of the Impact Cards were tossed without even being read. And, yes, I know that the article went unseen by many who need God more than ever in their lives and our banners are considered as spam to so many who are bombarded by marketing every day.
What's important to remember in this season of COAHC is that we're gathering momentum. Momentum is one of the most underrated components to the Church today, I believe. In physics, we're taught that momentum can make an object with little mass have more impact than an object with greater mass and less momentum. Momentum is important to get behind! Join me in praying for God's wisdom and discernment as we get behind this Spirit-led momentum and pray for this momentum to have impact in not just the lives of those at COAHC, but more importantly, the lives outside of the Church in Culpeper. Souls saved and lives transformed are the fruit we want to see!
I'm so excited about what God is doing right now in the midst of the lives of those who have visited us these last two weeks. In talking with people, I have heard stories of how God is moving. I can discern the fresh move of the Spirit in body language and expressions. It's a stimulating time to be a pastor in Culpeper. I thank God that He called my family and I here to be a part of what He's doing in Culpeper and be used as His instrument in the lives of those with whom we share this community.
I strongly believe that the Lord has answered all of those prayers. Yes, I know there are many families who need strengthening who haven't visited us. Yes, I know many of the Impact Cards were tossed without even being read. And, yes, I know that the article went unseen by many who need God more than ever in their lives and our banners are considered as spam to so many who are bombarded by marketing every day.
What's important to remember in this season of COAHC is that we're gathering momentum. Momentum is one of the most underrated components to the Church today, I believe. In physics, we're taught that momentum can make an object with little mass have more impact than an object with greater mass and less momentum. Momentum is important to get behind! Join me in praying for God's wisdom and discernment as we get behind this Spirit-led momentum and pray for this momentum to have impact in not just the lives of those at COAHC, but more importantly, the lives outside of the Church in Culpeper. Souls saved and lives transformed are the fruit we want to see!
I'm so excited about what God is doing right now in the midst of the lives of those who have visited us these last two weeks. In talking with people, I have heard stories of how God is moving. I can discern the fresh move of the Spirit in body language and expressions. It's a stimulating time to be a pastor in Culpeper. I thank God that He called my family and I here to be a part of what He's doing in Culpeper and be used as His instrument in the lives of those with whom we share this community.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 19
Love Is Impossible
No matter how hard we try, we'll never be able to love our spouse with the kind of love that God wants us to. True, pure agape (unconditional) love is impossible if we only look to ourselves as the source of that love. Every single one of us are imperfect and will always fall short in our attempts to love our mate with agape love all the time. It's something that only God can do for us and through us.
Jesus said, "Apart from me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5) God's Word also tells us that He "is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us." (Ephesians 3:20)
In order for us to love the way God wants us to, we must have the Spirit of God living within us loving through us. If you've never invited Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior, today is the day you'll want to make that invitation a reality in your life. Acknowledge your failures in life (sin) and accept Jesus Christ's sacrifice as payment for those sins. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and life as your Lord and Savior. I promise you'll never regret that decision for the rest of your life!
No matter how hard we try, we'll never be able to love our spouse with the kind of love that God wants us to. True, pure agape (unconditional) love is impossible if we only look to ourselves as the source of that love. Every single one of us are imperfect and will always fall short in our attempts to love our mate with agape love all the time. It's something that only God can do for us and through us.
Jesus said, "Apart from me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5) God's Word also tells us that He "is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us." (Ephesians 3:20)
In order for us to love the way God wants us to, we must have the Spirit of God living within us loving through us. If you've never invited Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior, today is the day you'll want to make that invitation a reality in your life. Acknowledge your failures in life (sin) and accept Jesus Christ's sacrifice as payment for those sins. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and life as your Lord and Savior. I promise you'll never regret that decision for the rest of your life!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Tomorrow's Outreach Postponed
We are postponing our outreach scheduled for tomorrow morning. Due to the projection of rain in the morning, we'll plan on washing some downtown windows next weekend. Keep an eye on our website for updates.
Fireproof Your Marriage
Tomorrow, we will start our Fireproof Your Marriage series at City on a Hill Church. This is a 6-week series that will equip married couples and singles with knowledge, information and, most importantly, Biblical wisdom that will enable marriages to survive difficult times. The series is based on the newly released movie Fireproof starring Kirk Cameron. This movie was made by the same folks who brought you Facing the Giants, one of my all-time faves!
Studies have proven that the number one reason for divorce in America is finances. In the current economic situation we find our country in, can you imagine the difficulties our families are facing right now? Perhaps you can because you are staring dead-on at your own marriage problems due to foreclosure, unemployment or a shortage of cash. I want to encourage everyone reading this blog to please invest in your marriage over the next six weeks by attending COAHC's Saturday evening service @ 6pm. Even if you show up for the next 6 weeks and never return, that's okay!
If you're single, you'll find this series helpful for when you do find a marriage partner. This series has something for everyone!
Studies have proven that the number one reason for divorce in America is finances. In the current economic situation we find our country in, can you imagine the difficulties our families are facing right now? Perhaps you can because you are staring dead-on at your own marriage problems due to foreclosure, unemployment or a shortage of cash. I want to encourage everyone reading this blog to please invest in your marriage over the next six weeks by attending COAHC's Saturday evening service @ 6pm. Even if you show up for the next 6 weeks and never return, that's okay!
If you're single, you'll find this series helpful for when you do find a marriage partner. This series has something for everyone!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Expectations - Part 2
Seems like I wasn't the only person thinking about expectations last night and this morning. As I sat in NYC-La Guardia airport this afternoon waiting for my flight home, CNN showed a piece on the mounting expectations the world has for Obama. Just more confirmation we need to pray for him...
Expectations
As the election results are sinking in over the last 24 hours, I've been praying for Obama. One of the things that the Lord spoke to me last night was that the expectations for Obama are huge from people around the world. This morning, there is an article on foxnews.com about that very thing.
Can you imagine waking up one morning and realizing that there are people and national leaders all over the world who expect something specific from you? Can you imagine waking up one morning and realizing that your attention is the most sought after than anyone else's on the entire globe? I don't care who you are. Anyone would feel a little uneasy if not intimidated or overwhelmed about those expectations at first.
As I considered the expectations that the world has for Obama, God again revealed to me that there are no greater expectations that anyone has than the expectations He has for Obama. God created Obama and equipped him with special giftings for a specific purpose in this season of his life. God has an expectation that Obama would pursue God's purpose and will in his life. How can anyone's expectations be more important than God's?!
Please join me in praying that Obama would have a heart to pursue God's expectations and that God's expectations would be met in the life of Obama during the next four years. Obama has made history in becoming the first African-American president. I thank God for how our country has overcome prejudice and racism. Regardless of Obama's politics, it is appropriate to celebrate this election if not for that reason alone. Obama has a chance to make history again in his policies and decisions. Let's be united in covering him in prayer!
Can you imagine waking up one morning and realizing that there are people and national leaders all over the world who expect something specific from you? Can you imagine waking up one morning and realizing that your attention is the most sought after than anyone else's on the entire globe? I don't care who you are. Anyone would feel a little uneasy if not intimidated or overwhelmed about those expectations at first.
As I considered the expectations that the world has for Obama, God again revealed to me that there are no greater expectations that anyone has than the expectations He has for Obama. God created Obama and equipped him with special giftings for a specific purpose in this season of his life. God has an expectation that Obama would pursue God's purpose and will in his life. How can anyone's expectations be more important than God's?!
Please join me in praying that Obama would have a heart to pursue God's expectations and that God's expectations would be met in the life of Obama during the next four years. Obama has made history in becoming the first African-American president. I thank God for how our country has overcome prejudice and racism. Regardless of Obama's politics, it is appropriate to celebrate this election if not for that reason alone. Obama has a chance to make history again in his policies and decisions. Let's be united in covering him in prayer!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 18
Love Seeks to Understand
"We've been together for a long time. I think I know you by now."
"I just don't understand you!"
Have you ever said either one of those things to your mate? Probably so. The thing is that there is some truth in both of those statements for every one of us who are married.
Do you remember when you were dating your spouse and you were trying to get to know him/her? If you were like me, you wanted to know as much as you could. Just because the wedding occurs doesn't mean the pursuit of understanding your spouse should stop, though.
We all need to continue to seek to understand and know our mate. There are levels of understanding that can take a lifetime to reach. This knowledge will help in all kinds of situations, especially the tough circumstances that every marriage experiences. God's Word tells us "Good understanding wins favor." (Proverbs 13:15)
To gain back some intimacy in marriage, we can make a commitment to know our spouse. To do that, we need to remember a few suggestions by the authors of The Love Dare:
Ask Questions. Be genuine and assertive in trying to know and understand your spouse on the deepest levels of their personality and behaviors.
Listen. When your mate is speaking, take the time to not just hear what he/she is saying, but listen to what he/she is saying. Stop thinking about what you want to say, and really listen to the words that are being spoken to you.
Ask God for Discernment. God is our Creator and He's the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. Ask God for wisdom and discernment in understanding your mate.
"We've been together for a long time. I think I know you by now."
"I just don't understand you!"
Have you ever said either one of those things to your mate? Probably so. The thing is that there is some truth in both of those statements for every one of us who are married.
Do you remember when you were dating your spouse and you were trying to get to know him/her? If you were like me, you wanted to know as much as you could. Just because the wedding occurs doesn't mean the pursuit of understanding your spouse should stop, though.
We all need to continue to seek to understand and know our mate. There are levels of understanding that can take a lifetime to reach. This knowledge will help in all kinds of situations, especially the tough circumstances that every marriage experiences. God's Word tells us "Good understanding wins favor." (Proverbs 13:15)
To gain back some intimacy in marriage, we can make a commitment to know our spouse. To do that, we need to remember a few suggestions by the authors of The Love Dare:
Ask Questions. Be genuine and assertive in trying to know and understand your spouse on the deepest levels of their personality and behaviors.
Listen. When your mate is speaking, take the time to not just hear what he/she is saying, but listen to what he/she is saying. Stop thinking about what you want to say, and really listen to the words that are being spoken to you.
Ask God for Discernment. God is our Creator and He's the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. Ask God for wisdom and discernment in understanding your mate.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Make a Point - VOTE!
Make sure your voice is heard today. Please take time to vote. Here's a decent article in the Culpeper Star Exponent this morning for some criteria to help us vote our values.
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 17
Love promotes intimacy
If you've never read Safe People and Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend, I highly recommend you do. These books can change your life with regard to the relationships you choose to have with others and how you handle yourself within relationships. The premise of the books is that some people are safe and others are not and we all need to set boundaries within our relationships that are specific to that particular relationship in order to preserve our safety and emotional health. For example, safe people don't make you feel stupid for expressing your opinion. Safe people don't make you feel afraid to be yourself. The boundary for a safe person in your life is a lot more free and close than one with someone who is not safe.
Marriage is a wonderful relationship to have, but within every marriage, there is baggage. When a person marries someone, each partner brings his/her baggage of emotional insecurities quirks into the relationship. It's that sacred relationship that is meant to be where two people become more intimate than in any other relationship. In Genesis 2:25, Adam and Eve are described as "naked" and "not ashamed". Our emotional and physical intimacy with our spouse should be described similarly within our marriage.
The authors of The Love Dare remind us that "Your mate should not feel pressured to be perfect in order to receive your approval. They should not walk on eggshells in the very place where they outght to feel the most comfortable in their bare feet... Loving (your mate) well should be your life's work."
Marriage brings a commitment and responsibility to play a role in healing and repairing in a loving way. It also brings a commitment and responsibility to simply accept someone's else faults with gentleness and meekness. The quality of your marriage relationship will, in large part, be graded on how you handle these two commitments and responsibilities.
If you struggle in these areas, start the process of change within yourself and begin to rebuild the trust and intimacy that should exist within the confines of your marriage. Remember, God's Word tells us, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). Be a safe person to your mate.
If you've never read Safe People and Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend, I highly recommend you do. These books can change your life with regard to the relationships you choose to have with others and how you handle yourself within relationships. The premise of the books is that some people are safe and others are not and we all need to set boundaries within our relationships that are specific to that particular relationship in order to preserve our safety and emotional health. For example, safe people don't make you feel stupid for expressing your opinion. Safe people don't make you feel afraid to be yourself. The boundary for a safe person in your life is a lot more free and close than one with someone who is not safe.
Marriage is a wonderful relationship to have, but within every marriage, there is baggage. When a person marries someone, each partner brings his/her baggage of emotional insecurities quirks into the relationship. It's that sacred relationship that is meant to be where two people become more intimate than in any other relationship. In Genesis 2:25, Adam and Eve are described as "naked" and "not ashamed". Our emotional and physical intimacy with our spouse should be described similarly within our marriage.
The authors of The Love Dare remind us that "Your mate should not feel pressured to be perfect in order to receive your approval. They should not walk on eggshells in the very place where they outght to feel the most comfortable in their bare feet... Loving (your mate) well should be your life's work."
Marriage brings a commitment and responsibility to play a role in healing and repairing in a loving way. It also brings a commitment and responsibility to simply accept someone's else faults with gentleness and meekness. The quality of your marriage relationship will, in large part, be graded on how you handle these two commitments and responsibilities.
If you struggle in these areas, start the process of change within yourself and begin to rebuild the trust and intimacy that should exist within the confines of your marriage. Remember, God's Word tells us, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). Be a safe person to your mate.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Harvest Festival Fun Tonight
Don't forget to bring your kids to Lake Pelham Drive in Lakeview subdivision tonight @ 6pm. Movies, candy, Holy Ghost Hayride, Moon Bounce, Fun, Fun and more Fun!!!
Look forward to seeing you there!
Look forward to seeing you there!
Where Death Once Was, Life Will Be Given
This weekend, the Lord is blessing City on a Hill Church with a facility that will serve as our permanent facility for our office, sanctuary and classrooms. We've moved into a building located at 405 Sperryville Pike that is currently used as a retail store and offices for AT&T Wireless. This building was once owned and used as a funeral home many years ago. On the ground floor, there is a beautiful sanctuary space. I'll be finishing up some the details in preparing our space for its inaugural service on Saturday evening.
Since launching in August, we've hosted services in three different places. I didn't really want to jump around that much, but circumstances dictated those moves. I couldn't be happier about our new facility and its potential to impact our community.
I would like to invite you to join us tomorrow evening as we host our service at 6pm. We'll be led with live worship, have a stimulating message topic and the kids will be having fun in their classroom. We'll also receive communion since it's the first weekend of the month.
Since launching in August, we've hosted services in three different places. I didn't really want to jump around that much, but circumstances dictated those moves. I couldn't be happier about our new facility and its potential to impact our community.
I would like to invite you to join us tomorrow evening as we host our service at 6pm. We'll be led with live worship, have a stimulating message topic and the kids will be having fun in their classroom. We'll also receive communion since it's the first weekend of the month.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 16
Love Intercedes
So often, we want to change our spouse. We know him/her better than anyone else, and we want to change the faults that lie within his/her personality and behavior. Has your nagging born the fruit you want? What we have to realize is that we're never going to change our mate - no matter how hard we try! Only God changes people.
Prayer is the most effective way to change situations and people because we're letting God do His thing. Taking The Love Dare seriously, the person who will first be changed is you! Like a farmer, you shouldn't focus on the seed itself, but ensure that the environment in which the seed is planted has the most potential for that seed's growth. Like a farmer, you can't affect the seed itself, instead nurture the soil and depend on God's providence and sovereignty for the results.
When was the last time you prayed for your mate? When was the last time you turned your complaints into prayers? If your spouse doesn't know the Lord, that's where your prayers need to start. Then move towards what your mate needs: his heart, her attitude, truth, forgiveness and a breakthrough in your marriage.
So often, we want to change our spouse. We know him/her better than anyone else, and we want to change the faults that lie within his/her personality and behavior. Has your nagging born the fruit you want? What we have to realize is that we're never going to change our mate - no matter how hard we try! Only God changes people.
Prayer is the most effective way to change situations and people because we're letting God do His thing. Taking The Love Dare seriously, the person who will first be changed is you! Like a farmer, you shouldn't focus on the seed itself, but ensure that the environment in which the seed is planted has the most potential for that seed's growth. Like a farmer, you can't affect the seed itself, instead nurture the soil and depend on God's providence and sovereignty for the results.
When was the last time you prayed for your mate? When was the last time you turned your complaints into prayers? If your spouse doesn't know the Lord, that's where your prayers need to start. Then move towards what your mate needs: his heart, her attitude, truth, forgiveness and a breakthrough in your marriage.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 15
Again, I apologize for missing the last few days. Let's keep this rolling, though. It's good stuff!
Love is Honorable
The authors of The Love Dare really hit on something that is difficult within many marriages in our culture today: honor. 1 Peter 3:17 instructs us to "live with your wives in an understanding way... and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life." This instruction is not just for husbands towards their wives, but for any man or woman towards their spouse. It's reciprocal.
What does it mean to honor someone? I immediately think of someone of royalty or the Scripture that instructs us to honor our parents. But when we honor our mate, its the little things that go a long way. When your pouse wants to talk, do you put aside the magazine or newspaper? Do you turn off the TV? Do you take what your spouse says seriously? Is your language clean, courteous and polite?
Honoring your spouse also contains within it the concept of recognizing that he/she is holy. We often hear a marriage as being described as holy matrimony. The authors of The Love Dare write, "This means no other person in the whole world is supposed to enjoy this level of commitment and endearment from you." I can't help but think that many men and women in our community are sharing this level of commitment and endearment to other things and people like jobs, hobbies and friends.
"How can I honor my spouse when he/she doesn't honor me?" you may ask. It may be difficult, but we are called to honor our mate no matter what - even when it's rejected. We must make the decision to stand and say, "With all your failures, sins, mistakes, and faults - past and present - I still choose to love and honor you." This is what leading your heart into true love looks like.
Love is Honorable
The authors of The Love Dare really hit on something that is difficult within many marriages in our culture today: honor. 1 Peter 3:17 instructs us to "live with your wives in an understanding way... and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life." This instruction is not just for husbands towards their wives, but for any man or woman towards their spouse. It's reciprocal.
What does it mean to honor someone? I immediately think of someone of royalty or the Scripture that instructs us to honor our parents. But when we honor our mate, its the little things that go a long way. When your pouse wants to talk, do you put aside the magazine or newspaper? Do you turn off the TV? Do you take what your spouse says seriously? Is your language clean, courteous and polite?
Honoring your spouse also contains within it the concept of recognizing that he/she is holy. We often hear a marriage as being described as holy matrimony. The authors of The Love Dare write, "This means no other person in the whole world is supposed to enjoy this level of commitment and endearment from you." I can't help but think that many men and women in our community are sharing this level of commitment and endearment to other things and people like jobs, hobbies and friends.
"How can I honor my spouse when he/she doesn't honor me?" you may ask. It may be difficult, but we are called to honor our mate no matter what - even when it's rejected. We must make the decision to stand and say, "With all your failures, sins, mistakes, and faults - past and present - I still choose to love and honor you." This is what leading your heart into true love looks like.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
God's Moving & Using COAHC
I apologize for not blogging these last few days. God has been on the move, and my attention has been diverted to other things. I'll continue our Love Dare tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, City on a Hill Church has been given some wonderful opportunities to impact our community. Last Saturday, the local newspaper published an article about us. You can read it here. I'll take a moment to address the obvious miscommunication regarding being "seeker sensitive". Every church that is interested in reaching its community is seeker sensitive to varying degrees. City on a Hill Church has a heart and passion for reaching and impacting Culpeper, especially those who don't currently know the Lord.
On Saturday morning, we gave out nearly $100 in postage stamps to our community. One lady asked me, "Why are you doing this?" I responded, "To show God's love in a practical way." She said as she took the stamps from me, "I'll take practical!" Most everyone in our community needs practical help and relevant ministry in these trying times. That's what Jesus did! He met the practical needs (feeding, healing, etc.) of those He encountered.
This Friday, we're partnering with New Salem Baptist Church for some Harvest Festival fun!
Next Tuesday (Nov 4) @ 6:30pm, we're hosting Rick Heeren to lead the community in a discussion about transforming Culpeper into a unified, reconciled community that is centered in Christ. Everyone is invited to this event, but we need you to RSVP to info(at)cityonahillculpeper(dot)org.
Lastly, we're hosting our first service at our new, permanent facility this weekend located at 405 Sperryville Pike.
Check out our website as its been updated to be a little more user friendly and have more content that is relevant to how we're reaching our community!
Meanwhile, City on a Hill Church has been given some wonderful opportunities to impact our community. Last Saturday, the local newspaper published an article about us. You can read it here. I'll take a moment to address the obvious miscommunication regarding being "seeker sensitive". Every church that is interested in reaching its community is seeker sensitive to varying degrees. City on a Hill Church has a heart and passion for reaching and impacting Culpeper, especially those who don't currently know the Lord.
On Saturday morning, we gave out nearly $100 in postage stamps to our community. One lady asked me, "Why are you doing this?" I responded, "To show God's love in a practical way." She said as she took the stamps from me, "I'll take practical!" Most everyone in our community needs practical help and relevant ministry in these trying times. That's what Jesus did! He met the practical needs (feeding, healing, etc.) of those He encountered.
This Friday, we're partnering with New Salem Baptist Church for some Harvest Festival fun!
Next Tuesday (Nov 4) @ 6:30pm, we're hosting Rick Heeren to lead the community in a discussion about transforming Culpeper into a unified, reconciled community that is centered in Christ. Everyone is invited to this event, but we need you to RSVP to info(at)cityonahillculpeper(dot)org.
Lastly, we're hosting our first service at our new, permanent facility this weekend located at 405 Sperryville Pike.
Check out our website as its been updated to be a little more user friendly and have more content that is relevant to how we're reaching our community!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 14
Love Takes Delight
The current theme in this book is that our feelings can't run our lives. We must lead our emotions with decisions and deliberation. If we allow our feelings to determine how strong our marriage relationship is, we're doomed!
The dare today is to lead your heart to delight in your mate. Enjoy your spouse through companionship and conversation! You delighted in your spouse when you first married. Recapture that emotion by leading your heart in that direction.
My wife recently took this dare. She accepted an invitation of mine to join me in going to see the Washington Redskins play last weekend. My wife isn't much of a football fan and she definitely isn't the type to yell loudly at exciting plays. But she made the decision to spend time with me and delight in me in an experience that wasn't exactly her cup of tea - just so we could be together.
We had a blast, though! It was so good to spend time with her in the car driving to and from the stadium. Towards the end of the game, she was even standing up and clapping her hands while I was shouting so loudly that I lost my voice!
The point is that she decided to delight in me. She endured one of my favorite pasttimes in order to spend time with me and share an experience with me. Our relationship was strengthened because not only did she choose me, but her choice resulted in a wonderful day!
I appreciate her decision, and I look forward to the opportunity when I can choose to delight in her for a day's event of her desire.
The current theme in this book is that our feelings can't run our lives. We must lead our emotions with decisions and deliberation. If we allow our feelings to determine how strong our marriage relationship is, we're doomed!
The dare today is to lead your heart to delight in your mate. Enjoy your spouse through companionship and conversation! You delighted in your spouse when you first married. Recapture that emotion by leading your heart in that direction.
My wife recently took this dare. She accepted an invitation of mine to join me in going to see the Washington Redskins play last weekend. My wife isn't much of a football fan and she definitely isn't the type to yell loudly at exciting plays. But she made the decision to spend time with me and delight in me in an experience that wasn't exactly her cup of tea - just so we could be together.
We had a blast, though! It was so good to spend time with her in the car driving to and from the stadium. Towards the end of the game, she was even standing up and clapping her hands while I was shouting so loudly that I lost my voice!
The point is that she decided to delight in me. She endured one of my favorite pasttimes in order to spend time with me and share an experience with me. Our relationship was strengthened because not only did she choose me, but her choice resulted in a wonderful day!
I appreciate her decision, and I look forward to the opportunity when I can choose to delight in her for a day's event of her desire.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 13
Love Fights Fair
Conflict is a part of this fallen world. And because we're all imperfect and self-centered, our marriage will have conflict. It's not if, but when. So, the question really becomes, "How do I manage conflict within my marriage so that it's not destructive?"
The authors of The Love Dare have come up with some very helpful suggestions. In essence, all of us need to come up with rules of engagement that are healthy and restrains the potential for hurt. These rules include "we" boundaries and "me" boundaries.
Some "we" boundaries that are helpful include:
1) We will never mention divorce.
2) We will not bring up old, unrelated items from the past.
3) We will never fight in public or in front of our children.
4) We will call a "time out" if conflict escalates to a damaging level.
5) We will never touch one another in a harmful way.
6) We will never go to bed angry with one another.
7) Failure is not an option. Whatever it takes, we will work this out.
Some "me" boundaries include:
1) I will listen first before speaking.
2) I will deal with my own issues before pointing the finger.
3) I will speak gently and keep my voice down.
Turn conflict into something good for a change. Instead of fighting one another, fight for your marriage!
Conflict is a part of this fallen world. And because we're all imperfect and self-centered, our marriage will have conflict. It's not if, but when. So, the question really becomes, "How do I manage conflict within my marriage so that it's not destructive?"
The authors of The Love Dare have come up with some very helpful suggestions. In essence, all of us need to come up with rules of engagement that are healthy and restrains the potential for hurt. These rules include "we" boundaries and "me" boundaries.
Some "we" boundaries that are helpful include:
1) We will never mention divorce.
2) We will not bring up old, unrelated items from the past.
3) We will never fight in public or in front of our children.
4) We will call a "time out" if conflict escalates to a damaging level.
5) We will never touch one another in a harmful way.
6) We will never go to bed angry with one another.
7) Failure is not an option. Whatever it takes, we will work this out.
Some "me" boundaries include:
1) I will listen first before speaking.
2) I will deal with my own issues before pointing the finger.
3) I will speak gently and keep my voice down.
Turn conflict into something good for a change. Instead of fighting one another, fight for your marriage!
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 12
Love Let's the Other Win
So often we find ourselves in arguments with our spouse about issues that don't really make much difference in the big picture - where to go for dinner, where to vacation, what color to paint the bedroom. Other decisions are more important - homeschooling vs. public schools, how to discipline your children, how many children you have...
When it comes to making decisions within the family, some men may try to use Ephesians 5:22-23 as the tool by which to get his way with everything. The problem with using Scripture to win an argument is forgetting that God's Word tells us to "Submit to one another out of reverence to Christ." (Ephesians 5:21) and "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4).
Jesus is the model in this attitude. He submitted His will to God's will. He was willing to lay down His Divinity for flesh, his life for torture and death. Each of us should be willing to sacrifice our desires for our mate.
When was the last time you said, "Let's do what you would like to this time."? Be careful not to have the attitude, "Whatever! I really don't care!" Instead, be deliberate to show your mate that you care more about him/her than you do about winning an argument. Just as importantly, don't sulk about not winning afterwards and don't keep track of how many times you've given in compared to your spouse. Love doesn't keep count.
Be willing. Be submissive. Be deliberate about it. Be joyful about it!
So often we find ourselves in arguments with our spouse about issues that don't really make much difference in the big picture - where to go for dinner, where to vacation, what color to paint the bedroom. Other decisions are more important - homeschooling vs. public schools, how to discipline your children, how many children you have...
When it comes to making decisions within the family, some men may try to use Ephesians 5:22-23 as the tool by which to get his way with everything. The problem with using Scripture to win an argument is forgetting that God's Word tells us to "Submit to one another out of reverence to Christ." (Ephesians 5:21) and "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4).
Jesus is the model in this attitude. He submitted His will to God's will. He was willing to lay down His Divinity for flesh, his life for torture and death. Each of us should be willing to sacrifice our desires for our mate.
When was the last time you said, "Let's do what you would like to this time."? Be careful not to have the attitude, "Whatever! I really don't care!" Instead, be deliberate to show your mate that you care more about him/her than you do about winning an argument. Just as importantly, don't sulk about not winning afterwards and don't keep track of how many times you've given in compared to your spouse. Love doesn't keep count.
Be willing. Be submissive. Be deliberate about it. Be joyful about it!
Friday, October 17, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 11
Sorry I missed yesterday. It was one of those days....
Love Cherishes
The Bibles explains that when two people get married, they become one (Genesis 2:23-24). Something divinely supernatural happens when two people join together in matrimony. What happens to one affects both. There's no getting around that! We've all experienced it in one way or another.
If I act unkindly to my wife, it not only affects her, but both of us suffer as a result of my actions toward her. When a man and woman get divorced, a part of their body, their very existence, is ripped from them. The Bible instructs men to love their wives as their own bodies (Ephesians 5:28). Unless you're football lineman Trevor Wifre from Mesa State College, not many men would voluntarily separate a part of their body. I wonder if he'll look at his future wife as he did his pinky finger: "If she's broken and stands in the way of my happiness and goals, then I'll simply remove her from my life." I hope not!
The authors of The Love Dare remind us, "When you look at your mate, you're looking at a part of you. So treat her well. Speak highly of him. Nourish and cherish the love of your life." This weekend find a way to show your spouse just how much you cherish him/her.
Love Cherishes
The Bibles explains that when two people get married, they become one (Genesis 2:23-24). Something divinely supernatural happens when two people join together in matrimony. What happens to one affects both. There's no getting around that! We've all experienced it in one way or another.
If I act unkindly to my wife, it not only affects her, but both of us suffer as a result of my actions toward her. When a man and woman get divorced, a part of their body, their very existence, is ripped from them. The Bible instructs men to love their wives as their own bodies (Ephesians 5:28). Unless you're football lineman Trevor Wifre from Mesa State College, not many men would voluntarily separate a part of their body. I wonder if he'll look at his future wife as he did his pinky finger: "If she's broken and stands in the way of my happiness and goals, then I'll simply remove her from my life." I hope not!
The authors of The Love Dare remind us, "When you look at your mate, you're looking at a part of you. So treat her well. Speak highly of him. Nourish and cherish the love of your life." This weekend find a way to show your spouse just how much you cherish him/her.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 10
Love is Unconditional
Whenever athletes are coached, one of the most important things they practice are the fundamentals. Attention to the basics is one of the most important things in almost any endeavor. This is true when it comes to marriage. The fundamental foundation of marriage is love. If we don't know how to love, then our marriage will not become all that God intended it to be.
The love we're called to have in our marriage is not a love based on friendship and it's not a love based on sexual passion. It's a love that is based on the same kind of love that God offers to us. The Bible tells us that we love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19).
Too often a person's love for his/her mate is based on what the person does, who he/she is or how he/she looks. Love within the context of marriage needs to be more profound than that because people's behaviors change and their looks change over the years. Each one of us needs to decide that we will love our spouse unconditionally because that is what God has called us to do. What's more, God demonstrates that same kind of love toward us. This is our chance to be like God!
Some of us may struggle with this because we haven't allowed ourselves to experience this kind of love from God. We haven't truly understood how deep God's love is for us. We must get back to the basics. We must not only understand but also experience God's forgiving, graceful, unconditional love. When we get that fundamental down, then we can move on to the next thing: sharing that same kind of love with our spouse.
Whenever athletes are coached, one of the most important things they practice are the fundamentals. Attention to the basics is one of the most important things in almost any endeavor. This is true when it comes to marriage. The fundamental foundation of marriage is love. If we don't know how to love, then our marriage will not become all that God intended it to be.
The love we're called to have in our marriage is not a love based on friendship and it's not a love based on sexual passion. It's a love that is based on the same kind of love that God offers to us. The Bible tells us that we love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19).
Too often a person's love for his/her mate is based on what the person does, who he/she is or how he/she looks. Love within the context of marriage needs to be more profound than that because people's behaviors change and their looks change over the years. Each one of us needs to decide that we will love our spouse unconditionally because that is what God has called us to do. What's more, God demonstrates that same kind of love toward us. This is our chance to be like God!
Some of us may struggle with this because we haven't allowed ourselves to experience this kind of love from God. We haven't truly understood how deep God's love is for us. We must get back to the basics. We must not only understand but also experience God's forgiving, graceful, unconditional love. When we get that fundamental down, then we can move on to the next thing: sharing that same kind of love with our spouse.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 9
Love Makes Good Impressions
To this point, The Love Dare has instructed us in ways we can make deliberate decisions to improve our love relationship with our spouse. We've learned how to be encouraging, kind, selfless and humble. Today, we need to remind ourselves not to take our mate for granted by the way we speak to him/her.
Jesus said, "Whatever is in your heart determines what you say." (Luke 6:45 NLT) When we say hello to our spouse, is our greeting forced? Is it so short that it takes little to no energy? Do we move on without taking the time to hear the response?
The Apostle Paul takes time to greet a number of different people in his letters to the different churches. He tells us to greet your brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. Jesus reminds us that it's easy to greet our friends nicely, but that we're also called to greet our enemies in a kind way.
Take the time in your busy day to greet your spouse that demonstrates deep, affectionate love. Remember that your love is seen in your body language and heard in the tone of your voice and the words you choose. Add some enthusiasm to your greeting. Let your spouse know you're glad to see him/her or happy to speak to him/her. Don't rush. Be patient and considerate when listening to the response. Chances are that you will learn something important with regard to how your mate is feeling in how he/she responds.
A sincere smile coupled with enthusaistic and loving words can do wonders for just about anyone!
To this point, The Love Dare has instructed us in ways we can make deliberate decisions to improve our love relationship with our spouse. We've learned how to be encouraging, kind, selfless and humble. Today, we need to remind ourselves not to take our mate for granted by the way we speak to him/her.
Jesus said, "Whatever is in your heart determines what you say." (Luke 6:45 NLT) When we say hello to our spouse, is our greeting forced? Is it so short that it takes little to no energy? Do we move on without taking the time to hear the response?
The Apostle Paul takes time to greet a number of different people in his letters to the different churches. He tells us to greet your brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. Jesus reminds us that it's easy to greet our friends nicely, but that we're also called to greet our enemies in a kind way.
Take the time in your busy day to greet your spouse that demonstrates deep, affectionate love. Remember that your love is seen in your body language and heard in the tone of your voice and the words you choose. Add some enthusiasm to your greeting. Let your spouse know you're glad to see him/her or happy to speak to him/her. Don't rush. Be patient and considerate when listening to the response. Chances are that you will learn something important with regard to how your mate is feeling in how he/she responds.
A sincere smile coupled with enthusaistic and loving words can do wonders for just about anyone!
Monday, October 13, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 8
Love is not jealous
I've seen too often a wife become jealous over her husband's career success as she stay home with young children. I've also seen a man get jealous over his wife's popularity among the neighborhood. She's receiving invitations to all sorts of social events while he's stuck at home working on landscaping. The authors of The Love Dare write, "It (love) leads you to celebrate the successes of your spouse rather than resenting them."
As a former athlete and former coach, I know firsthand the importance of encouragement - what I call "cheerleading". I want to be my wife's biggest cheerleader. I also hope that she'll be mine. As cheerleaders, we can help pick our mate up when he/she is discouraged after a tough day. We can help remind how wonderful the positive attributes are in our spouse. Those few, brief words offered can really make a huge difference!
When love overshadows jealousy in a marriage, suspicion and resentment disappear. Make a commitment to start cheering for your mate today!
I've seen too often a wife become jealous over her husband's career success as she stay home with young children. I've also seen a man get jealous over his wife's popularity among the neighborhood. She's receiving invitations to all sorts of social events while he's stuck at home working on landscaping. The authors of The Love Dare write, "It (love) leads you to celebrate the successes of your spouse rather than resenting them."
As a former athlete and former coach, I know firsthand the importance of encouragement - what I call "cheerleading". I want to be my wife's biggest cheerleader. I also hope that she'll be mine. As cheerleaders, we can help pick our mate up when he/she is discouraged after a tough day. We can help remind how wonderful the positive attributes are in our spouse. Those few, brief words offered can really make a huge difference!
When love overshadows jealousy in a marriage, suspicion and resentment disappear. Make a commitment to start cheering for your mate today!
Weekend Fun
Had a great weekend celebrating Abby Rae's 6th birthday. We had a little party on Sunday afternoon with some of her friends from the neighborhood and school. It's hard to believe it's been 6 years already. Before she went to bed last night, I told her what a blessing she is to me and how proud I was of her. I think parents should always take the time to speak encouraging words into children's lives. You can never do that enough!
I'll post again later today with the Love Dare - Day 8.
I'll post again later today with the Love Dare - Day 8.
Friday, October 10, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 7
No one's perfect. We've all heard that and probably said it at least once or twice in our lifetimes. It's easy to say when "the finger" is pointed at us. How quick, though, are we to recall this truth when we're the one pointing "the finger" at our mate?
When we're under stress, it's so much easier to find fault in others while we're quick to dismiss our own sin. We forget all the wonderful attributes about our spouse that drew us into the relationship with him/her. Remember the characteristics that made you want to marry your mate? Remember the compliments you paid one another when you were courting or during the early years of your marriage?
All of those compliments have been stored away in the memories of our mind, but it seems much easier to draw on the comments of depreciation. As we recall those comments of depreciation, we rehearse our response. Before we know it, we've created an argument in our own mind. We have stored ammunition for the next big fight. The biggest problem with this is that bitterness takes root in our marriage, and we can easily fall out of love if we dwell in this place too long.
As the dare has challenged us in previous days, we must choose to leave the depreciative comments behind and focus on the finer things about our mate. It's a conscience decision that we must all make each and every day - especially during times of stress in our marriage.
Sometime today, pick a positive attribute about your spouse and that him/her for having this characteristic.
When we're under stress, it's so much easier to find fault in others while we're quick to dismiss our own sin. We forget all the wonderful attributes about our spouse that drew us into the relationship with him/her. Remember the characteristics that made you want to marry your mate? Remember the compliments you paid one another when you were courting or during the early years of your marriage?
All of those compliments have been stored away in the memories of our mind, but it seems much easier to draw on the comments of depreciation. As we recall those comments of depreciation, we rehearse our response. Before we know it, we've created an argument in our own mind. We have stored ammunition for the next big fight. The biggest problem with this is that bitterness takes root in our marriage, and we can easily fall out of love if we dwell in this place too long.
As the dare has challenged us in previous days, we must choose to leave the depreciative comments behind and focus on the finer things about our mate. It's a conscience decision that we must all make each and every day - especially during times of stress in our marriage.
Sometime today, pick a positive attribute about your spouse and that him/her for having this characteristic.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 6
Love is not irritable
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. Proverbs 16:32
It's times like these that we all seem a little more irritable than normal. The economy has us under a great deal more pressure. What's happening with our retirement funds? Will we still be able to retire when we planned? Will we be able to afford to pay all of our bills this month? Is the bank going to finally send us the foreclosure notice we've been hoping to delay?
It seems like just one more little thing is going to send us over the deep end. What's going to be the final straw?
The authors of The Love Dare remind us that there are at least two key contributors to irritability: stress and selfishness. The Bible reminds us that there are ways we can overcome stress and selfishness. We don't have to surrender to the consequences of these tactics that the enemy of our souls uses in our lives.
Firstly, being deliberate about setting aside some time for worship and rest is a Biblical mandate for every one of us. It's called the Sabbath - one day a week when we give our calendars and agendas to the Lord for refreshment and refocus. Prioritizing God's will for your life above every other thing can do wonders for stress!
Every sin can be traced back to some form of selfishness or greed. Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of selflessness, and He is our model in behavior and attitude. Set your mind on others and their needs. Your heart will follow, and soon your actions will demonstrate the love that God has for the other people in your world. As you go through your workday, look on your colleagues with the eyes of God instead of your own. See them as God sees them. As you look at your family, determine how God wants to meet their needs and then submit yourself to be used by God as His instrument in their lives.
There's an old saying that goes something like this: "Christians are a lot like tea bags. You don't know how strong they are until they're in hot water." In other words, our Christian witness is only as strong as our ability to walk in obedience and represent Christ's attitude when times are tough. The closer we get to God, the more we know Him and the more we're able to reflect Him in good times and bad. Commit to spending more time with God in the days ahead. You won't regret it!
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. Proverbs 16:32
It's times like these that we all seem a little more irritable than normal. The economy has us under a great deal more pressure. What's happening with our retirement funds? Will we still be able to retire when we planned? Will we be able to afford to pay all of our bills this month? Is the bank going to finally send us the foreclosure notice we've been hoping to delay?
It seems like just one more little thing is going to send us over the deep end. What's going to be the final straw?
The authors of The Love Dare remind us that there are at least two key contributors to irritability: stress and selfishness. The Bible reminds us that there are ways we can overcome stress and selfishness. We don't have to surrender to the consequences of these tactics that the enemy of our souls uses in our lives.
Firstly, being deliberate about setting aside some time for worship and rest is a Biblical mandate for every one of us. It's called the Sabbath - one day a week when we give our calendars and agendas to the Lord for refreshment and refocus. Prioritizing God's will for your life above every other thing can do wonders for stress!
Every sin can be traced back to some form of selfishness or greed. Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of selflessness, and He is our model in behavior and attitude. Set your mind on others and their needs. Your heart will follow, and soon your actions will demonstrate the love that God has for the other people in your world. As you go through your workday, look on your colleagues with the eyes of God instead of your own. See them as God sees them. As you look at your family, determine how God wants to meet their needs and then submit yourself to be used by God as His instrument in their lives.
There's an old saying that goes something like this: "Christians are a lot like tea bags. You don't know how strong they are until they're in hot water." In other words, our Christian witness is only as strong as our ability to walk in obedience and represent Christ's attitude when times are tough. The closer we get to God, the more we know Him and the more we're able to reflect Him in good times and bad. Commit to spending more time with God in the days ahead. You won't regret it!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 5
Love is ... not rude! 1 Corinthians 13:5
Do you remember when you were dating your spouse? Do you remember how you were on your best behavior in order to make a good impression? As we settle into a marriage relationship, it's easy to feel as though it's not as important to make a good impression anymore. Men can do all sorts of crass things in front of their wives. Women can become quarrelsome and nagging.
While it is important for us to be authentic and transparent with our mates, it is just as important to be courteous and extend the same kinds of manners to our spouses as we would to strangers. "Why can't I just be myself?" you may ask. You should be yourself; but if "being yourself" includes being rude, then your behavior needs to change. Rudeness is never acceptable within any kind of Christian relationship, let alone a Christian marriage.
Do you remember when you were dating your spouse? Do you remember how you were on your best behavior in order to make a good impression? As we settle into a marriage relationship, it's easy to feel as though it's not as important to make a good impression anymore. Men can do all sorts of crass things in front of their wives. Women can become quarrelsome and nagging.
While it is important for us to be authentic and transparent with our mates, it is just as important to be courteous and extend the same kinds of manners to our spouses as we would to strangers. "Why can't I just be myself?" you may ask. You should be yourself; but if "being yourself" includes being rude, then your behavior needs to change. Rudeness is never acceptable within any kind of Christian relationship, let alone a Christian marriage.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 4
God created men and women very differently. We're wired with different purposes and functionality, so it's no wonder that we have difficulty communicating sometimes.
Guys say exactly what they mean and mean what they say. Gals sometimes leave some gaps and allow their fellas to listen for what is implied. This isn't always done maliciously, it's just an exampe of how we communicate differently.
Do you remember when you could say of your spouse, "I can't stop thinking about you." For some of us, that was a long time ago. However, thinking is a key to a successful love relationship.
When you think about the other person, you're allowing your intellect to initiate your emotions. What you think about a person or situation determines how you feel about it. Your thoughts will ultimately determine what you do when you're around that person, too!
If we think about our spouse, then there's less chance of confusion and miscommunication. The authors of The Love Dare write, "A husband should listen to his wife and learn to be considerate of her unspoken messages. A wife should learn to communicate truthfully and not say one thing while meaning another." To accomplish this, we must be thinking deliberately and intentionally about the welfare of our mate.
Guys say exactly what they mean and mean what they say. Gals sometimes leave some gaps and allow their fellas to listen for what is implied. This isn't always done maliciously, it's just an exampe of how we communicate differently.
Do you remember when you could say of your spouse, "I can't stop thinking about you." For some of us, that was a long time ago. However, thinking is a key to a successful love relationship.
When you think about the other person, you're allowing your intellect to initiate your emotions. What you think about a person or situation determines how you feel about it. Your thoughts will ultimately determine what you do when you're around that person, too!
If we think about our spouse, then there's less chance of confusion and miscommunication. The authors of The Love Dare write, "A husband should listen to his wife and learn to be considerate of her unspoken messages. A wife should learn to communicate truthfully and not say one thing while meaning another." To accomplish this, we must be thinking deliberately and intentionally about the welfare of our mate.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 3
Love does not seek its own. 1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV
In other words, love isn't selfish. In our culture, it's difficult not to get caught up in my own world and not expect everyone around me to be as concerned about "me" as I am, right? Even though I think I'm entitled to have as much happiness as possible, sometimes someone else's happiness should come before mine. Belive it or not, my desires just aren't as important as I think they are.
Ever since we were toddlers, we've been throwing fits when we don't get what we want. As adults, our "fits" don't look the same, though. As adults, our fits are much more sophisticated. They are demonstrated in the form of "the silent treatment", heavy sighs, slamming doors and manipulation. Isn't it interesting how we can be so forgiving of ourselves while having such high expectations for our mates?
It's critically important to the health of a marriage for each person to be deliberate about putting the other person's needs above your own. The authors of The Love Dare write, "The truth is, when you relinquish your rights for the sake of your mate, you get a chance to lose yourself to the greater purpose of marriage." We try to lose ourselves all the time with fantasy, alcohol, drugs, housework, our kids and our work. Why not try losing yourself in selflessness?
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 NIV
In other words, love isn't selfish. In our culture, it's difficult not to get caught up in my own world and not expect everyone around me to be as concerned about "me" as I am, right? Even though I think I'm entitled to have as much happiness as possible, sometimes someone else's happiness should come before mine. Belive it or not, my desires just aren't as important as I think they are.
Ever since we were toddlers, we've been throwing fits when we don't get what we want. As adults, our "fits" don't look the same, though. As adults, our fits are much more sophisticated. They are demonstrated in the form of "the silent treatment", heavy sighs, slamming doors and manipulation. Isn't it interesting how we can be so forgiving of ourselves while having such high expectations for our mates?
It's critically important to the health of a marriage for each person to be deliberate about putting the other person's needs above your own. The authors of The Love Dare write, "The truth is, when you relinquish your rights for the sake of your mate, you get a chance to lose yourself to the greater purpose of marriage." We try to lose ourselves all the time with fantasy, alcohol, drugs, housework, our kids and our work. Why not try losing yourself in selflessness?
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 NIV
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Coach of the Week
Had a wonderful date night with my wife last night. It had been too long since our last one! Looking forward to getting that routine going again...
In other news, Coach Jim Zorn of the Washington Redskins did something that hadn't been done since the early 1970's - a rookie Skins coach beat the Cowboys in Dallas. What a game! Zorn was honored this week by being named the NFL Coach of the Week.
Let's hear it!
Hip Hip Hurray!
Hip Hip Hurray!
Hip Hip Hurray!
In other news, Coach Jim Zorn of the Washington Redskins did something that hadn't been done since the early 1970's - a rookie Skins coach beat the Cowboys in Dallas. What a game! Zorn was honored this week by being named the NFL Coach of the Week.
Let's hear it!
Hip Hip Hurray!
Hip Hip Hurray!
Hip Hip Hurray!
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Love Dare - Day 2
Love is Kind
Kindness and love go hand-in-hand. You can't find one without the other. Most friendships, and especially marriage relationships, begin with kindness as the attraction towards one another. Do you remember the kindness you and your spouse showed one another when you were courting?
While patience is reactive in nature, kindness is proactive in nature. "Kindness creates a blessing," writes the authors of The Love Dare. "Kindness makes you likeable." When was the last time you did something "sweet" for your spouse?
You can find kindness as an instruction for us throughout the Bible. In Ephesians 4:32, Paul writes that we are "to be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Proverbs 3:3-4 instructs us "Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find factor and good repute in the sight of God and man."
Kindness is lived out in being gentle with your spouse, ceasing harsh words. Kindness is manifested in helpfulness, meeting the needs of the moment without concern for rights or reward. Kindness is a willingness to be flexible and agreeable. Finally, kindness initiates love without waiting for it first.
This weekend at City on a Hill Church, we're continuing our series on the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, and we'll be discussing kindness and goodness. These are similar words and concepts in both the English language as well as the original Greek in which Galatians was written. The word used to describe Christ's yoke in Matthew 11:30 is the same Paul uses in Galatians 5 to describe the fruit of the Spirit. It does not chafe. Love is goodness that is at both strong and kind.
Kindness and love go hand-in-hand. You can't find one without the other. Most friendships, and especially marriage relationships, begin with kindness as the attraction towards one another. Do you remember the kindness you and your spouse showed one another when you were courting?
While patience is reactive in nature, kindness is proactive in nature. "Kindness creates a blessing," writes the authors of The Love Dare. "Kindness makes you likeable." When was the last time you did something "sweet" for your spouse?
You can find kindness as an instruction for us throughout the Bible. In Ephesians 4:32, Paul writes that we are "to be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Proverbs 3:3-4 instructs us "Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find factor and good repute in the sight of God and man."
Kindness is lived out in being gentle with your spouse, ceasing harsh words. Kindness is manifested in helpfulness, meeting the needs of the moment without concern for rights or reward. Kindness is a willingness to be flexible and agreeable. Finally, kindness initiates love without waiting for it first.
This weekend at City on a Hill Church, we're continuing our series on the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, and we'll be discussing kindness and goodness. These are similar words and concepts in both the English language as well as the original Greek in which Galatians was written. The word used to describe Christ's yoke in Matthew 11:30 is the same Paul uses in Galatians 5 to describe the fruit of the Spirit. It does not chafe. Love is goodness that is at both strong and kind.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)