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Tuesday, 27 January 2009
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Think on these things....
Moving in general can sure change your focus. Moving out of the comfortable or the norm has a way of making people feel uneasy or uptight. For the past 2 weeks we have met in a new building and it is safe to say that this move has done just the opposite. Instead of making people uneasy or uncomfortable it seems as though there is new energy and life.
It's fun to see God put into practice what we are being taught. Last week we talked about cooperation and this week being right focused or not looking for the negative in something or someone but rather focusing "on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." Over the last two weeks it seems that we have worked more in harmony then ever before and our conversations have focused on the blessing of a new meeting place and how good God is, which leads to the next verse.
"Do that, and God who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies." I know that for a few weeks prior to the move there was discussion about sound and the challenges a new meeting place would be for Worship, maybe its just my untrained ear but worship has never sounded better and we seem to be reaching new level of worship.
God has a lot in store for us this year. We just need to keep our focus.
Tuesday, 06 January 2009
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Our Needs vs. Our View
My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19 KJV)On Sunday this verse was broken down and then we were asked to keep our needs in one window and then God in another window. We were reminded to keep our eyes focused on the window with God in it and by doing that our needs will fall in line with what God wants for us according to His riches. A timely message coming off of the Christmas season when for both big and little kids we think our needs can only be filled by our own work with little regard for God or his desires for our life.Prior to this being said we were reminded that there are consequences to our actions, and if pondering both concepts I found the two were tied together very neatly and appropriately even if Rev. Anderson didn't say so.When we lose our focus on the right window and then try to fulfill all our needs according to our desires and demands there are consequences. I can remember years ago buying a car that I thought deep down I needed. Without any hesitation I bought the car and when my ex-wife walked into the house she was surprised to see the car in the driveway. Over the next year we dealt with the consequences of my impulsive purchase. Within one weekend both of our cars were in very serious car accidents, no one was hurt but the damage was severe. So severe that we had to sell the better of the cars and keep the car that I bought.For me I learned that I need to be wise with the money, and make sure that the want I have is a need in which God supplies the resources. For two weeks now our focus is being sharpened and pinpointed on what God desires. Without the right focus a pilgrimage can be very difficult and frustrating.
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
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A pilgrimage
We are on a pilgrimage to worship Jesus.
A pilgrimage or journey is always a fun thing. I can remember growing up and taking journeys into new areas and being amazed at what I found along the way. No matter where I would go I always seemed to find something new and exciting. When you start out on a journey or pilgrimage you have to be ready for finding new things along the way and be open to those things changing and shaping who you are after the pilgrimage. Remember the pilgrims, they set out for the New World in order to find religious freedom and a place to educate their children free of Dutch influence, they weren’t expecting the toils and trouble they had along the way and they didn’t expect the difficulties they had for the first few months in the New World. However, their pilgrimage taught them a lot, a new way of thinking and being open to new ideas and concepts.
The pilgrims came from a well established enviornment and an established way of living. However, in the New World they were faced with many challenges, that is until Squanto came along. He showed the pilgrims how to tap the maple tree for the syrup, how to plant corn and which plants were safe to eat and those that had medicinal qualities. Squanto taught them how to survive and at the same time the pilgrims were willing and open to something new and different.
Our pilgrimage in 2009 is one in which we want to worship Jesus. Just like the word “pilgrimage” the word “worship” has many meanings. For me I hope that this pilgrimage teaches us a deeper more intimate worship of Jesus on Sundays at Festival. But just like the pilgrims were open to Squanto teaching them, we have to be open to God teaching us something new and different. We have to be willing to open our hearts to something we have never experienced before.
It doesn’t matter about the building we are in, the music that is played or the songs that are sang, it’s a heart attitude and I am sure over the next year we will discover what that is for each one of us. But the ultimate prize or discovery is developing a new way of worshipping Jesus. Our pilgrimage begins…..
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
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God Cares About You
Monday morning I dropped off my daughter and son after they attended our annual Festival Christmas dinner and program. I never really know if they pay attention when Chuck talks but I figure if they are present maybe one day they will pick something up that is meaningful to them. After dropping her off I had the chance to see that not only was she paying attention she retained a snippet of what was said and was sharing that with everyone she came into contact with.
After arriving at her mom’s job she proceeded to make up signs that said “God cares about you.” She told my ex-wife that she learned at church that God cares about you.
After leaving and driving to work I got to thinking about the simple phrase “God cares about you”, versus “God loves you” a phrase that is thrown around pretty easily and is common. But the more I thought about it the more I liked the idea of being cared for then loved. When I think about someone caring about me I think about them loving me and being concerned, but when I think about someone loving me it just seems a bit one dimensional. Maybe it’s because we toss out “loving” things and people very easily. We love food, love our car and love to be with friends but how does that involve caring? However when she heard on Sunday evening and repeated on Monday morning that God cares about you, there was no way I could argue that caring is more then loving.
Since going back over what was said Sunday night I find that I am really blessed by a God who cares about me. I know that he is concerned about everything in my day to day life. God cares about my bills, my job, my food and my family. I am blessed because the God of the universe cares about me. He cares about me as much as he cares about the family in Africa or the current economic condition. That means a lot and helps me to realize if God cares that much about me then I should be more concerned about the other cares of God.
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
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Why Reunion?
Why are you here?
Ok, Jess and I have been at Reunion for a year now. As we have shared with so many of you the reason we knew Reunion was right for us was because of all of you. The moment we came to Reunion we were welcomed by so many people and felt like we were at home with family. So I want to know why you come to Reunion or for that matter why do you keep coming back. Tell us, tell the world, why you attend Reunion. You can either leave a comment or post a blog entry. If you want to post a response just e-mail it to me.
Michael
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