Dr. Seuss Wisdom

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

Dr. Seuss

Loving Your Community

Most churches want to be outward focused and show the love of Jesus in practical ways to their community.  Stephen Viars' new book, "Loving Your Community," is the handbook every pastor should have in his library and every outreach team should read and study.

This is not only a book of theory; Viars has been a pastor for 30 years and has put into practice every thing the book touches on.  

Viars' sets the stage for the book by offering the Biblical foundation for doing community outreach ministry.  It is summed up in three phrases: Loving in the name of Christ; Meeting Your community's pressing needs; Caring for the welfare of your Community.

What are some of the strengths of your church.  Do you have a facility that could serve as a gathering place for the needy? Chapter five - Accessible Facilities - describes how your church can be a blessing to others.  One great idea - create a date-night babysitting service.

Chapter eight - Outreach Events - describes how Passion Plays and Living Nativities are things that can be done, no matter the size of your church.  Such outreach events offer something special for the community to enjoy while witnessing the love of Jesus too.

Let this book help your church identify ways your community can be served and then get to it.  "Loving Your Community" can be your guide.

Book provided for review by Baker Books

Remembering my friend, Renee

My friend, Renee, passed away on Saturday morning after a long illness.  She will be missed by her husband and daughter, many family members and hundreds of friends like me.

She was a member of my first congregation.  Renee faithfully worshipped the Lord and served His people.  She transformed our Sunday school and VBS programs.  Excellence is what Renee always strived for.

Some people have this indefinable quality called, for lack of a better descriptive word, "it."  Renee had "it."  You couldn't help but be drawn to her.  I will always remember her warm personality, her beautiful smile and her love for the people around her. People just wanted to be with her. Her leadership skills were unmatched.  I doubt you could have had a better friend.

Thanks to Facebook I was able to keep up a little bit with her life.  It was a life well lived.  Even when she became ill, you just had the sense that Renee would shake it off and resume doing all the things she loved.  Even when it appeared the end was near, I had this feeling that God would act and heal her.  And God did.

God brought an end to her suffering by calling Renee to His side.  Now, she rests, but only for awhile.

In the Third Article of the Apostles' Creed, we confess that we believe in "the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting."  Those words give us great hope, especially when we mourn Renee.

We wait for the Last Day, the day when Jesus will come again - in power and with great glory - to pronounce final judgement of the living and the dead.  

Those who confessed Christ Jesus as the only Savior of the world will receive the gift of eternal life.  We will also be gifted with new, spiritual bodies,  The aches and pains, the illnesses and suffering of this life will never visit us again.  We will know God.  We will know one another.  Offering praise and giving glory to God will be our everlasting joy.

Renee will be missed -- but only for a little while.  Jesus is coming soon.  And when he does, believers will gather around His throne to offer an endless chorus of praise.  Renee should be easy to spot.  Look for the woman with the beautiful smile.  She'll be looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of her faith, the Savior of her soul.  

Come, Lord Jesus.   

God always remembers you. Always.

Some in our church are having a very difficult time right now.  Several are suffering from serious illnesses.  Others are mourning deeply the loss of loved ones.  And others are dealing with discouragement and depression.  Life can be so hard.

Michael W. Newman's book, "Hope When Your Heart Breaks," was one of the best and most helpful books I've recently read.  The words below offered some real comfort and hope for me one day when I needed it.  If you are struggling or if you know someone who is going through a hard time in their life, maybe Newman's words will bless you:

God always remembers you.  Always.  And He is always present, always close.  If you can't locate Him in your loss, His comforting presence can be found in His Word.  If you can't see Him as you suffer sadness, His promised presence prevails in you through your Baptism.  If you feel He is too far away when your heart is broken, He steps into your life over and over again in His holy Meal, inviting you to "take and eat, take and drink," His body and blood for your strength and forgiveness.

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God's "Yes" to you

     

Earlier this week I read a story about President Thomas Jefferson and some friends who went on a horseback ride.  Their scenic trip was interrupted when they came to a river with a fast moving current.  The swollen river had washed away a bridge which left each rider with the challenge of fording the river on horseback.  Several riders plunged into the dangerous waters, fighting for their lives against the rapid currents.  One of the riders was afraid and asked President Jefferson if he would ferry him across the river.  Jefferson immediately agreed to do so.  Jefferson expertly navigated the choppy waters and the two of them made it to the other side.

     When the fellow slid off Jefferson's horse, a number of the other riders quickly asked, "Why of all people did you select the President to ask this favor of?"  The fellow replied, "When I looked I saw on your faces the answer, 'no.'  But when I looked on his face, I saw the answer, 'yes.'  He had a 'yes' face."

     Romans 8:1 is God's "yes" to you.  Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Through Jesus Christ we have been set free from the guilt of sin and the power of death.  That which would have brought about God's eternal condemnation has been removed by the Lord's sacrificial death and resurrection.  In Christ there is forgiveness and new life.  Live each day in the forgiving gaze of God the Father who says "yes" to you for the sake of His Son, your Savior! 

Does your church offer help, hope and a home?

Have you ever wondered what it is that draws people to a church?

According to church consultant and author, Ken Callahan, "In this post modern age we live in, people are looking for three things in a church: help, hope and home."

People who decide to attend a church do so because they believe it is a place where they might receive help in a time of need and, also, because they believe they can be of help when someone else suffers trial or difficulty.

People are attracted to a church where there seems a spirit of hope.  They hear the message of hope in preaching and teaching of the Word of God.  The writer to the Hebrews described hope as "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."  People cannot live without hope; Jesus' forgiveness and salvation gives hope to the discouraged and hopeless.

People look for a church where they can build relationships. People want to love and to be loved.  We want to develop relationships with people who care for us and for whom we care.  This gives us the feeling that church is home.

It's believe that what people want in a church is a modern new building, lots of programs for adults and kids, a slick, hip preacher and a band that can rock the house, so to speak.  And that is exactly what some people really want in their church.  

But when a person is hurting, feeling lost, or longing for relationships, your church can give such people what they really want and need - help, hope and home, all in the name of Jesus Christ! 

Fearfully and wonderfully made

For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:13-14

Join us tomorrow at Life in Christ for Life Sunday - 8, 9:30 and 11 am.  Find out more at licl.org