Do you know your personal mission statement?

As I worked my way through Acts I was reminded of a time-management seminar I once attended.  I thought I would learn some ways to be more organized and effective.  I thought I would leave with some tools that I could use to better order my time at work.

Instead, the first thing our leader did was to have each of us write our personal mission statement.  He explained that until a person has a sense of who they are and what they have been called to do and be, time can never really be effectively utilized.  "Time is the most important commodity that anyone has," the leader said.  "But you'll never manage your time wisely until you have defined how and where you are to spend your time."

It strikes me that the Apostles did not need a time-management seminar to put down their personal mission statement.  Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, they knew exactly how and where they were to invest their time.  Chapter five, verse 42 says it all: Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Christ's followers received their marching orders at Bethany from the Savior Himself - Go and make disciples of all nations.  Fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit, they witnessed to the truth of Jesus' resurrection and salvation to whomever - unbelieving Pharisees and the curious citizens of Jerusalem.  Later on, when severe persecution came upon them, Christ's disciples continued to speak boldly the good news that had changed their lives.  Stephen's testimony in chapters six and seven is amazing and powerful.

With God's help, may we be as focused on our mission as were the first disciples of the Lord.  We've got good news to share!

And the Lord added to their numbers daily

I've been reading through the book of Acts the past couple of weeks and I was struck by the fact that Luke states his purpose for writing right at the beginning.  But you will receive power, says Jesus, when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will receive my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Did Luke have good news to report? Acts is full of good news:

So the Word of God spread.  The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.  Acts 8:7

Then the church...enjoyed a time of peace.  It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers.... Acts 12:24

But the Word of God continued to increase and spread.  Acts 16:5

In this way the Word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.  Acts 19:20

Luke tells a powerful and exciting story of how the church grew through the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God.  The church grew despite of terrible persecution from the enemies of the cross; it grew by bringing Jews and Gentiles together to share a common faith in Christ; it grew in ever-widening circles, just as the Lord had taught.

It is even fair to say that the book of Acts is still being written today.  The Holy Spirit is strengthening the Church through Word and sacraments.  We have the great privilege of being witnesses who can tell the story of how Christ saved us through the Gospel of forgiveness and life.  May the Holy Spirit encourage us to tell the good news of Jesus to our communities and world!  

Saturday humor

Three young boys were walking home and arguing over whose father was the greatest.  The first boy said, "My dad is the greatest because he is president of the town bank."  The second boy stated, "That is pretty good but my daddy owns two grocery stores in town."  The third boy exclaimed, "That's nothing! My dad's a preacher and he owns hell!  He came home last night and told my mom that the Church Council gave it to him!"

You did good, God!

My dear, sweet wife and I have become big fans of the Hallmark Channel series, "When Calls the Heart."  The series is somewhat based on the books of Janette Oke and focuses on a school teacher and the community she lives in which is located in the northern Canadian frontier. 

I had read that the tv series deviated quite a bit from Oke's books so I decided to take a look for myself.  I just finished reading the first novel and it was one of those "can't put it down" kind of books.

Oke is a wonderful, descriptive writer who transports you into the school teacher, Elizabeth's life.  Elizabeth is sent to the middle of nowhere to teach a community of children.  This "city girl" is determined to adapt to her new lifestyle.  She learns not to fear coyotes or give the mice the upper hand in her home.  Elizabeth also falls in love - with the children she teaches and a certain Mountie where love is truly at first sight.

One of the boys Elizabeth teaches is named Andy.  He is cheerful and well loved by his class.  But he is sickly and suffers from a brain tumor.  The children and community raise the money needs so that Andy can undergo surgery but the young lad does not survive.  

Later, the community comes together for a Memorial Service for Andy.  As they walk out to the cemetery, Elizabeth is overcome with emotion.  And this is how Oke describes what Elizabeth is feeling:

I cried then, the great sobs shaking my whole body.  I remembered the last time that I had wept, and how the little boy in my embrace had reached up awkwardly, and yet tenderly, to brush away my tears.  "You did good, teacher," he had whispered.  And now that small boy had passed beyond - so young to journey on alone.  But then I remembered that he hadn't traveled alone - not one step of the way, for as soon as the loving hands released him here, another Hand had reached out to gently take him.  I tried to visualize him entering that new Land, the excitement and eagerness shining forth on his face, the cheers raising from the shrill little voice.  There would be no pain twisting his face now, no need to hold his head and rock back and forth.  Joy and happiness would surround him.  I could almost hear his words as he looked at the glories of heaven and gave the Father his jubilant ovation - "You did good, God; You did real good!"

I loved her reference to Psalm 23:4 and her description of how God makes all things new for those who enter His kingdom.  Andy would no longer struggle or suffer with his health.  Instead, he would have all eternity to marvel at the goodness of a loving God who keeps His promise that all who believe in Jesus will not perish but have eternal life.  And that is our hope too.

Thou shalt not kill!

Sunday starts in a couple of weeks at Life in Christ.  As I was going through some old files I came across this humorous story.  It goes like this...

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.  After explaining the commandment to "honor thy father and thy mother," she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"  Without missing a beat, one little boy answered, "Thou shalt not kill!"

Join us for Sunday school beginning August 22 at 9:30 am at Life in Christ!

Taking a stroll at Abbey Road

On August 8, 1969, the Beatles took a break from recording to shoot the cover photo for their new album.  That album became Abbey Road, the best selling Beatles album in the USA.  But, as you can see, the Beatles are not the only ones having their picture taken at the famous cross walk.

Sherri and I were there on a Saturday just having finished up a walking tour of Beatles sites.  A young lady who was spending the summer studying in London was kind enough to take our picture.  Notice that I'm not wearing shoes, a la Paul McCartney.

Good news for a Friday!

It was the question of the rich young ruler of Matthew, chapter 19.  It's the question many people ask today, in the post-modern, post-Christian world of ours: "What good thing must I do to be saved?"

The apostle Paul's answer is not what most people expect.  Paul writes to the Ephesians that our salvation is not a matter of do but done.  Take a good look at Ephesians 2:8-9.  Note that we are saved by...

Grace along through

Faith alone in 

Jesus Christ alone without any

Works of our own

Even the good works we might do in order to try and impress God are not our own.  Paul writes that God prepared those good works in advance for us to do.  Such works flow from a heart filled with gratitude for God's free gift of salvation in Christ Jesus.

This is good news! Eternity is not dependent on heeding the advice from the latest self-help guru or doing an extreme makeover upon yourself so that you meet the expectations of our post-Christian world.  Trust Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation.  He offers His gifts without strings attached.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.  Good news indeed!