Boy, this chapter is full of interesting events in Jesus' life. I have always wondered what people said about the four guys who dug a hole in someone else's roof to get their friend to Jesus. Sure we say what amazing faith they had and people were probably distracted by the paralytic walking around, but when Jesus left that person's house it still had a hole in the roof. Did they fix it or offer any help getting it repaired?
Then we have people looking down on Jesus for eating with "sinners and tax collectors." Those were people a good religious person should not be with. Then Jesus says one of my personal favorite lines (he has a lot of them I know) "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." The church should not be a place where we show off how healthy we are, but a place for those who are sick to be cared for and restored to health.
As a pastor with much of my time dedicated to caring for my congregation, who I see as mostly healthy people, at least they have a relationship with God, I wish I had more time to be with the sick. I wish I had more time to be with people who do not have a relationship with God in order to draw them into that relationship. But I also hope I help prepare my congregation to be the people to go to the sick and help them.
Well, that is probably enough on Mark chapter 2. Hope you will continue to build your faith with me through this Gospel and comment with your questions and insights, so we can learn from each other.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
High Hopes
Yesterday we began our Lenten Season of Radical Renovation. We talked about committing to build on the faith foundation we have. The challenge I gave was to read through the Gospels of Mark and John during the 40 days of Lent. If each person took five minutes a day during Lent to read one chapter they would be through those two Gospels in 37 days. This would mean during Lent each person would have read through the life and teaching of Jesus twice.
And when we read God's Word, especially the life of Jesus, we see the example of the life we are called to live. I believe that God's Word is so powerful if we read it and take it in we will be changed. We will see the areas of our lives that we are living God's way, but we will also see the areas of our lives that God needs to renovate.
I always have high hopes that everyone will give five miniutes a day for building their faith, but I also know that realistically there will be few who are willing to do this. I get frustrated when people are so willing to go to great lengths to be sure there is time for a tv show, a sporting event, or a hobby, and then they can't take five minutes to interact with a God who loves them. (If you can tell me how to fix this let me know.) Sorry for the pity party, but I just hope anyone who reads this will be willing to give five minutes a day to the Lord to know him more and to live a life that will reflect Christ to others.
During Lent I am going to blog more often, at least twice a week, with Mondays to reflect on Sunday's message, but another time in the week to reflect on the reading from Mark and John. If you read with me and have questions or comments along the way comment me and I will respond with my thoughts to your questions or insights.
MISSION: Read one chapter a day during Lent starting with Mark's Gospel and then moving on to John's Gospel. Second mission: invite someone else to join you in this and keep each other accountable.
And when we read God's Word, especially the life of Jesus, we see the example of the life we are called to live. I believe that God's Word is so powerful if we read it and take it in we will be changed. We will see the areas of our lives that we are living God's way, but we will also see the areas of our lives that God needs to renovate.
I always have high hopes that everyone will give five miniutes a day for building their faith, but I also know that realistically there will be few who are willing to do this. I get frustrated when people are so willing to go to great lengths to be sure there is time for a tv show, a sporting event, or a hobby, and then they can't take five minutes to interact with a God who loves them. (If you can tell me how to fix this let me know.) Sorry for the pity party, but I just hope anyone who reads this will be willing to give five minutes a day to the Lord to know him more and to live a life that will reflect Christ to others.
During Lent I am going to blog more often, at least twice a week, with Mondays to reflect on Sunday's message, but another time in the week to reflect on the reading from Mark and John. If you read with me and have questions or comments along the way comment me and I will respond with my thoughts to your questions or insights.
MISSION: Read one chapter a day during Lent starting with Mark's Gospel and then moving on to John's Gospel. Second mission: invite someone else to join you in this and keep each other accountable.
Monday, February 4, 2008
What's in a Name?
Yesterday I delivered a difficult meesage when I called on our congregation to consider changing our church name. It was difficult because I know there will be people who do not want this change, but it really is a sensible change considering there is another church in town with the same name. It also is something I have wrestled with God about, but he has told me a name change is what we need to do. If we keep our name the same we will continue to have confusion in the community between our churches and if we change it there could be a short period of misunderstandings, but in the long run it will have many positives.
I was thinking back to my own name change. (This information may not be used to tease or otherwise poke fun of me.) When I was younger I was Jamie. A cute name for a little kid, but when I became a man I didn't want that little kid name. It also didn't hurt that we had two other Jamie's in our grade and they were both girls. So in ninth grade I decided to go with James. And I have really enjoyed that name since. I surprisingly do not meet a lot of James', many go by Jim, which I do not plan on doing. Looking back, my name change was not that big of a deal, but to me it felt like I became the person I was supposed to be.
A name change can be difficult at first when you are helping others to remember your new name, but eventually people make the connection. When the connection is made they do not forget everything that happened with the previous name, your history is still there, but now it connects to this new name.
I believe God wants to give this congregation their own new name. A name that will communicate who we are as we help this community SEE Christ. And maybe this is a transformation God has been planning for this congregation from the beginning.
MISSION: 1)Pray for our congregation's decision. 2) Talk with someone from the church about your thoughts and feelings about a name change. Also feel free to comment me any name suggestions.
I was thinking back to my own name change. (This information may not be used to tease or otherwise poke fun of me.) When I was younger I was Jamie. A cute name for a little kid, but when I became a man I didn't want that little kid name. It also didn't hurt that we had two other Jamie's in our grade and they were both girls. So in ninth grade I decided to go with James. And I have really enjoyed that name since. I surprisingly do not meet a lot of James', many go by Jim, which I do not plan on doing. Looking back, my name change was not that big of a deal, but to me it felt like I became the person I was supposed to be.
A name change can be difficult at first when you are helping others to remember your new name, but eventually people make the connection. When the connection is made they do not forget everything that happened with the previous name, your history is still there, but now it connects to this new name.
I believe God wants to give this congregation their own new name. A name that will communicate who we are as we help this community SEE Christ. And maybe this is a transformation God has been planning for this congregation from the beginning.
MISSION: 1)Pray for our congregation's decision. 2) Talk with someone from the church about your thoughts and feelings about a name change. Also feel free to comment me any name suggestions.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Get Directions
We have finished our first month of understanding our new vision statement: To be a church where you can SEE Christ. I thought I would consult the "expert" on purpose statements, Rick Warren. In the opening of his "The Purpose Driven Life" book he says, "If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose." Rick points us to the fact that to really live the kind of life we were meant to live we need to start by asking God for directions.
I look back over my life and know that when I started to ask God for directions in my life I have done more than I ever thought possible. I was never considered a leader at anything growing up. I was very much a follower and did not want to be center stage for anything. Once I started my relationship with God he has guided me to the front many times to lead. Now I lead a whole congregation into exciting ministry for the Lord. God has brought me a long way because I have focused on finding his purpose. Finding your purpose can change many things in your life.
Having a clear purpose for our church can also change many things. Rick lists several benefits of a clear church vision in his book "The Purpose Driven Church." He says a clear purpose builds morale, reduces frustration, allows concentration, attracts cooperation and assists evaluation. If we truly follow this vision statement it can be our guide in ministry as we discern where this vision leads and where it does not lead. A question that should become common for us is "Does this ministry, small group, service fulfill our vision to show Christ?"
This vision will call us to be leaders in our community. When we serve, experience and embrace Christ we will be leading others to know him. Let's step forward and step up to this calling.
MISSION: What does this vision statement mean in your life? What do you need to build on and what do you need to let go? Share with someone or comment to me where you see this vision taking our congregation.
I look back over my life and know that when I started to ask God for directions in my life I have done more than I ever thought possible. I was never considered a leader at anything growing up. I was very much a follower and did not want to be center stage for anything. Once I started my relationship with God he has guided me to the front many times to lead. Now I lead a whole congregation into exciting ministry for the Lord. God has brought me a long way because I have focused on finding his purpose. Finding your purpose can change many things in your life.
Having a clear purpose for our church can also change many things. Rick lists several benefits of a clear church vision in his book "The Purpose Driven Church." He says a clear purpose builds morale, reduces frustration, allows concentration, attracts cooperation and assists evaluation. If we truly follow this vision statement it can be our guide in ministry as we discern where this vision leads and where it does not lead. A question that should become common for us is "Does this ministry, small group, service fulfill our vision to show Christ?"
This vision will call us to be leaders in our community. When we serve, experience and embrace Christ we will be leading others to know him. Let's step forward and step up to this calling.
MISSION: What does this vision statement mean in your life? What do you need to build on and what do you need to let go? Share with someone or comment to me where you see this vision taking our congregation.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Feel It
The second core value in our new church vision statement is to be a church where you can experience God. We want to be a church that does not just read about God or talk about God, but that we experience God.
I was thinking back to my favorite experience of feeling God's presence. I was in college, down at Iowa Wesleyan, when one night I began to feel overwhelmed. I had too much to do and too little time to do it. I wasn't able to go to sleep that night as I stared at the ceiling worrying about everything. I could not get my mind to stop thinking about how to solve all of my problems. Then all of a sudden the Spirit of God spoke to my heart. The Spirit asked me two questions: How is your worrying going to solve anything? and Don't you trust me?
After I was asked those two questions I began to laugh out loud. I could not stop laughing for several minutes because the joy of the Lord had filled me. (I did not have a roommate at the time, which was good because he would have thought I was crazy.) I knew I trusted God with my life and so I just laughed at how foolish I was to be worrying. I knew God would take care of everything and I would find my way through the mess with his help. I laughed myself to sleep that night.
I can't remember now what the concerns were that filled me with worry and apparently nothing too devastating happen from that situation, but I do remember the feeling of God's voice calling me to trust him and allow him to work in my life.
I hope no matter the worries and troubles you face that you can experience the calm assurance of God's voice reminding you if you trust him, he will see you through.
MISSION: Remember your favorite experience with God and share it with someone close to you.
I was thinking back to my favorite experience of feeling God's presence. I was in college, down at Iowa Wesleyan, when one night I began to feel overwhelmed. I had too much to do and too little time to do it. I wasn't able to go to sleep that night as I stared at the ceiling worrying about everything. I could not get my mind to stop thinking about how to solve all of my problems. Then all of a sudden the Spirit of God spoke to my heart. The Spirit asked me two questions: How is your worrying going to solve anything? and Don't you trust me?
After I was asked those two questions I began to laugh out loud. I could not stop laughing for several minutes because the joy of the Lord had filled me. (I did not have a roommate at the time, which was good because he would have thought I was crazy.) I knew I trusted God with my life and so I just laughed at how foolish I was to be worrying. I knew God would take care of everything and I would find my way through the mess with his help. I laughed myself to sleep that night.
I can't remember now what the concerns were that filled me with worry and apparently nothing too devastating happen from that situation, but I do remember the feeling of God's voice calling me to trust him and allow him to work in my life.
I hope no matter the worries and troubles you face that you can experience the calm assurance of God's voice reminding you if you trust him, he will see you through.
MISSION: Remember your favorite experience with God and share it with someone close to you.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Snow Angel
We are focusing on the service part of our new vision statement of being a church where you can SEE Christ. We show Christ to the world through our service. Sometimes we forget that one of our main callings as Christians is to be a servant.
I was reminded of a person who serves me and my family, we call him our Snow Angel. There has been many times this past year at our new home that we have had a snowfall and our sidewalk and driveway were cleared before I got to doing it (often before I got out of bed). Someone had come through with their snowblower. It didn't take long to figure out who it was because I just followed the snowblown trail back to the person's house about a block away.
This servant has blessed me very much because I only have a shovel to clear the snow and my drive is 4 times the size it was at our old house. It has been a major blessing especially on Sunday mornings when it has snowed and I don't want to get up earlier than I already do to shovel and then lead two services.
But I also thought about the other blessings of this service, specifically the time I was given. By having my walk and driveway clear of snow I was saved 30 minutes to an hour depending on the snow. That time is a real gift I hope I can use for God's kingdom because it was given to me as an act of service.
I encourage each of you to think about the gifts you have been given by servants. Thank God for the people that serve you, and be sure to thank them personally as well.
MISSION: Find a place to offer at least 5 hours a month in service to others. If you service area is only a few hours a month then spend the other time praying for that ministry.
I was reminded of a person who serves me and my family, we call him our Snow Angel. There has been many times this past year at our new home that we have had a snowfall and our sidewalk and driveway were cleared before I got to doing it (often before I got out of bed). Someone had come through with their snowblower. It didn't take long to figure out who it was because I just followed the snowblown trail back to the person's house about a block away.
This servant has blessed me very much because I only have a shovel to clear the snow and my drive is 4 times the size it was at our old house. It has been a major blessing especially on Sunday mornings when it has snowed and I don't want to get up earlier than I already do to shovel and then lead two services.
But I also thought about the other blessings of this service, specifically the time I was given. By having my walk and driveway clear of snow I was saved 30 minutes to an hour depending on the snow. That time is a real gift I hope I can use for God's kingdom because it was given to me as an act of service.
I encourage each of you to think about the gifts you have been given by servants. Thank God for the people that serve you, and be sure to thank them personally as well.
MISSION: Find a place to offer at least 5 hours a month in service to others. If you service area is only a few hours a month then spend the other time praying for that ministry.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Represent
Our new vision statement for our church is to be a church where you can SEE Christ. A main focus of this is to help others see Christ in our actions and words. In a sense, we represent Christ to the world.
I was thinking about this last night and thought about the difficulties some people have living up to expectations. Some people feel there are certain expectations placed on them and it feels like extra pressure to live up to those expectations. I was thinking specifically of pastors' kids. I am not a pastor's kid, so I don't know what that is like, but my children of course are. They are too young now, but I worry they will feel undue pressure to live up to being children of a pastor.
And then I realized how this applies to our lives as Christians. If God is our Father, then we need to remember we do represent him. Does this mean we all have that extra pressure in our lives? Honestly, I feel the pressure actually comes from not representing God well. The pressures I feel are to live life the world's way and not God's way. Living God's way is more of a relief that deflats pressure then a life that builds pressure. Try it. When you make decisions and live after God's example see if it doesn't relieve some of the pressures of life.
MISSION THIS WEEK: Pray about ways that you have misrepresented God in 2007 and ask for forgiveness. Then pray for guideness to represent God well in 2008, so others can see Christ in you.
I was thinking about this last night and thought about the difficulties some people have living up to expectations. Some people feel there are certain expectations placed on them and it feels like extra pressure to live up to those expectations. I was thinking specifically of pastors' kids. I am not a pastor's kid, so I don't know what that is like, but my children of course are. They are too young now, but I worry they will feel undue pressure to live up to being children of a pastor.
And then I realized how this applies to our lives as Christians. If God is our Father, then we need to remember we do represent him. Does this mean we all have that extra pressure in our lives? Honestly, I feel the pressure actually comes from not representing God well. The pressures I feel are to live life the world's way and not God's way. Living God's way is more of a relief that deflats pressure then a life that builds pressure. Try it. When you make decisions and live after God's example see if it doesn't relieve some of the pressures of life.
MISSION THIS WEEK: Pray about ways that you have misrepresented God in 2007 and ask for forgiveness. Then pray for guideness to represent God well in 2008, so others can see Christ in you.
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