Sometimes when we worship, we're looking for a feeling. Was the lighting right? Was the volume right? Did the band sing songs that I liked? Let's remember that when we worship, it's not about us. It's about Him. This is an amazing video to remind us of our focus.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Money Trees, Plaques, and Windows
We visited a new church last night. It was a mixture of mostly traditional with a bit of contemporary mixed in. I was thankful that the pastor wasn't wearing a suit and tie and that the people were dressed modestly, yet casual.
There were stained glass windows in the auditorium. They weren't even outside windows. They were there for decoration with a light behind them. I guess these were just for looks. At the bottom of each window was someone's name. The names were actually a part of the window and not on a plaque.
Churches are full of these kinds of things - money trees, bricks, stained glass windows, plaques - all with names of recognition for good deeds. I want to remind us of Jesus said. This is from Matthew 6:1-4.
There were stained glass windows in the auditorium. They weren't even outside windows. They were there for decoration with a light behind them. I guess these were just for looks. At the bottom of each window was someone's name. The names were actually a part of the window and not on a plaque.
Churches are full of these kinds of things - money trees, bricks, stained glass windows, plaques - all with names of recognition for good deeds. I want to remind us of Jesus said. This is from Matthew 6:1-4.
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Let's be careful not to get caught up in praise and recognition for the things we've done. It is easy to get wrapped up into these things.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
A Little Humor for You
A little girl asked her mother, "How did the human race appear?"
The mother answered, "God made Adam and Eve and they had children and so was all mankind made."
Two days later the girl asked her father the same question.
The father answered, "Many ages ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved."
The confused girl returned to her mother and said, "Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they developed from monkeys?"
The mother answered, "Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his."
The mother answered, "God made Adam and Eve and they had children and so was all mankind made."
Two days later the girl asked her father the same question.
The father answered, "Many ages ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved."
The confused girl returned to her mother and said, "Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they developed from monkeys?"
The mother answered, "Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his."
Psalm 23 for the Work Place
Someone sent this to me in an email.
The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without
murmuring and complaining.
He reminds me that He is my source and not my job.
He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions that I might honor Him in all that I do. Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I still will not stop--- for He is with me!
His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through.
He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.
He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go.
His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus check His retirement plan beats any 401k there is!
When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that, I BLESS HIS NAME!!!!!!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Cultivate Joy
Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:2
Serve one another through love. Galatians 5:13b
Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. I Peter 4:10
You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy. Psalm 116:11a
Light dawns for the righteous, gladness for the upright in heart. Psalm 97:11
Serve one another through love. Galatians 5:13b
Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. I Peter 4:10
You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy. Psalm 116:11a
Light dawns for the righteous, gladness for the upright in heart. Psalm 97:11
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thoughts for Today
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Philippians 1:27 (NIV)
Philippians 1:27 (NIV)
Monday, April 28, 2008
My Testimony
It is a blessing to have been raised by Christian parents that strived to follow the Lord. I can never remember not going to church. Of course, going to church doesn’t make you a Christian, but because of my upbringing I became aware of my need for salvation at a very early age.
I was six years old when I realized that I needed to make a commitment to Christ. I remember asking my mom exactly what I needed to do to be saved. She told me to pray and ask Jesus into my heart. I guess that’s the simplest way to explain it to a six-year-old child.
I was never a child that got into too much trouble. I can remember at four years old thinking about the consequences for my actions and my future and what I would tell my children someday. It’s kind of funny to think about that now.
Over the years I have recommitted my life to Christ many times. Now that I look back upon my younger years, I realize that many of my recommitments were out of fear, guilt, or a feeling of God not being close. I was raised in a legalistic church and it seemed as though many times the pastors and/or evangelists would use manipulation and guilt to have large altar calls.
At the young age of 12, I started to become involved in music ministries of the church. It started with playing the piano for the children’s choir, then the adult choir, and finally as assistant pianist.
I married at the young age of 19. We were so young and immature. Within 2 years of being married, my husband accepted the call into the ministry. It was almost mind boggling to think that God could choose us for His good. I tried to wrap my mind around the idea that God chose us out of all the millions of people in the world. Now I realize that we’re all called and that we’re all equally important; we’re just given different jobs for His plan.
Moving away from my hometown and my parents was really hard for me, but it was also good. It helped me to become more independent and to formulate my own belief of who God is. I was finally able to take God out of the box, so to speak, and realize that I did not have to live in constant condemnation. All of my trials and journeys have taken me into a deeper relationship with God. I’m not chasing a feeling; I’m chasing a relationship with my Father. I don’t serve Him out of fear or guilt, but because I love Him and all that He has done for me.
Shortly after my husband accepted his call from God, we began serving in youth ministry. Just three years later, God called us to sell half our possessions and move to Bible college. We became more involved in ministries there and branched out into serving in children’s church and an inner-city ministry for teens. Over the last six years, my husband and I have been involved continuously in youth ministry. We want to do what we can to reach teenagers. We want to show them that God loves them and that there are people in this world that love them. We want to show them how much better our lives are for choosing to serve Him.
I’m not a person that has a dynamic story of how God brought them out of the pits of hell and from a life of drugs and alcohol to save them. Nevertheless, I was just as lost as all those people until I found my Savior. Living for God was the best decision I ever made. I have such peace and joy in serving Him. I know that no matter what happens in my life that God will be there for me. My husband and I have been married for over 13 years and I have seen God’s hand upon our lives. It is amazing to look back now and see all the ways that He has directed us.
What is your testimony? If you'd like, leave a link to it below in the comments.
I was six years old when I realized that I needed to make a commitment to Christ. I remember asking my mom exactly what I needed to do to be saved. She told me to pray and ask Jesus into my heart. I guess that’s the simplest way to explain it to a six-year-old child.
I was never a child that got into too much trouble. I can remember at four years old thinking about the consequences for my actions and my future and what I would tell my children someday. It’s kind of funny to think about that now.
Over the years I have recommitted my life to Christ many times. Now that I look back upon my younger years, I realize that many of my recommitments were out of fear, guilt, or a feeling of God not being close. I was raised in a legalistic church and it seemed as though many times the pastors and/or evangelists would use manipulation and guilt to have large altar calls.
At the young age of 12, I started to become involved in music ministries of the church. It started with playing the piano for the children’s choir, then the adult choir, and finally as assistant pianist.
I married at the young age of 19. We were so young and immature. Within 2 years of being married, my husband accepted the call into the ministry. It was almost mind boggling to think that God could choose us for His good. I tried to wrap my mind around the idea that God chose us out of all the millions of people in the world. Now I realize that we’re all called and that we’re all equally important; we’re just given different jobs for His plan.
Moving away from my hometown and my parents was really hard for me, but it was also good. It helped me to become more independent and to formulate my own belief of who God is. I was finally able to take God out of the box, so to speak, and realize that I did not have to live in constant condemnation. All of my trials and journeys have taken me into a deeper relationship with God. I’m not chasing a feeling; I’m chasing a relationship with my Father. I don’t serve Him out of fear or guilt, but because I love Him and all that He has done for me.
Shortly after my husband accepted his call from God, we began serving in youth ministry. Just three years later, God called us to sell half our possessions and move to Bible college. We became more involved in ministries there and branched out into serving in children’s church and an inner-city ministry for teens. Over the last six years, my husband and I have been involved continuously in youth ministry. We want to do what we can to reach teenagers. We want to show them that God loves them and that there are people in this world that love them. We want to show them how much better our lives are for choosing to serve Him.
I’m not a person that has a dynamic story of how God brought them out of the pits of hell and from a life of drugs and alcohol to save them. Nevertheless, I was just as lost as all those people until I found my Savior. Living for God was the best decision I ever made. I have such peace and joy in serving Him. I know that no matter what happens in my life that God will be there for me. My husband and I have been married for over 13 years and I have seen God’s hand upon our lives. It is amazing to look back now and see all the ways that He has directed us.
What is your testimony? If you'd like, leave a link to it below in the comments.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
My Life Lately
Life has just been a bit crazy lately. We're going through a lot of changes and just praying about what God wants us to do. There could be a possible move in our near future. We're busy working on our house in case we need to sell it.
I haven't been so desperate in my attempts to know Him. Life gets in the way our relationship with Him. He's always waiting for us. I don't mean that I've lost my passion for God. I love Him so much. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm tired, I have a lot of things going on, and there isn't much thought for life-changing, thought provoking growth.
I have been praying and having some talks with God about my faith. I don't mean my faith and belief that Jesus is the Son of God, Christianity, or that kind of faith. I mean that God and I have been through a lot together. He has seen me through a lot of different things and I know He's always there. I have great faith that everything will be alright.
I haven't been so desperate in my attempts to know Him. Life gets in the way our relationship with Him. He's always waiting for us. I don't mean that I've lost my passion for God. I love Him so much. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm tired, I have a lot of things going on, and there isn't much thought for life-changing, thought provoking growth.
I have been praying and having some talks with God about my faith. I don't mean my faith and belief that Jesus is the Son of God, Christianity, or that kind of faith. I mean that God and I have been through a lot together. He has seen me through a lot of different things and I know He's always there. I have great faith that everything will be alright.
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