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.
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