What are your "alternatives"?

This past few weeks, in the entry way to The Ecumenical Church, there have been some tables set up.  At those tables have been some very important people... no, not Senators or Congress persons.  These are people who actually view their jobs as important, and useful!  The folks who stand at those tables have been there to help you and I understand and participate in some of the mission of The Ecumenical Church.

You see, a church is only as effective as it's ability to reach beyond it's own doors and walls. A church that only thinks as works to serve itself is a self centered Church.  And, like self centered people, self centered Churches aren't of much use to God.  God want us, if we claim to be followers of Jesus, to move beyond thinking of ourselves and our personal agendas.  God wants us to come to Him so that we might be given His agenda.  That is very hard for most of us.  We are steeped in traditions of pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps and told that the way to succeed is by looking out for "number one".  This is only true is by "number one" we mean God!
 
These folks who sit at the tables in our Narthex... They are there to encourage and help us move beyond the usual Christmas time attitude of consumerism.  They are there to encourage and help us with "alternative giving".  This is something that we should remember throughout the year and not just at Christmas.  Alternative Giving is rather than buying all the toys and "stuff" that is advertized on TV, look at the idea of giving gifts that don't rust, fade or break.  Did you know that for a pretty minimal cost you can help a family in Latin America buy a cow, or a family in India a water buffalo?  Rabbits in Mexico can help a family start a business that will feed them for years to come and chickens for a family provides eggs to sell and eat.  When we begin to think outside of ourselves we begin to think like Jesus.  The Apostle Paul said it this way in Philippians;  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! ⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,  in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2: 3-11


As you go about your Christmas shopping... think "alternative".  In doing this you will be thinking about eternity. 

May you have the greatest Christmas of your life!
Peace and Joy in Jesus,
Pastor Bill

Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound...

One of the most recognized songs in the English language is "Amazing Grace".  It resonates in each of us because of our deep, personal, sense of need.  It isn't just cultural, it is human.  Part of the human condition is the condition of a basic understanding of our inability to measure up to a standard of right and wrong.  Every culture and every religion in the world has some means to remove guilt. Unfortunately, most involve some form of bodily mutilation and pain.  We have in us a deep sense of a debt that needs to be paid.  One of the things, some would say the biggest thing, about Christianity is that it is the only religion and culture that offers free grace as the means of removing guilt.  The price is there, but Jesus takes the pain and the penalty upon himself for us.  That is the scandal of grace... we can't deserve it, we can't earn it, we can't some how repay it.  It is a debt beyond our capabilities.
Because of songs like "Amazing Grace" most of us have an inkling of what that grace might mean for us... still all of us only scratch the surface of what that grace means.  Today I was thinking about grace and the extravagance of God's grace.  The idea that God not only offers it... He dumps it upon us in quantities that are unimaginable.  As Ephesians 1 says we have "the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished upon us with all wisdom and understanding."  God gives us grace beyond our understanding!  Truly Amazing Grace.
A question... Do I extend that grace to others?  It is all good and fine that God loves me so extravagantly, but do I extend that to others in the amount that I receive?  OUCH!!  I must confess that I love singing about God's Amazing Grace, but when it comes to changing the words of the song just a little, to singing about me giving grace... me forgiving others, even if I have the right to not forgive... OUCH!! again.  I have no right to hang onto the very things God so lavishly graces.  The grace that is so sweet a sound in my ears becomes a jackhammer to my soul if I hoard God's love with out sharing it.  The sweet sound that saved a wretch like me saves a wretch like you.  The grace that removes my sin, removes yours.  The grace that is the cure for my spiritual blindness is the same grace that will teach your heart to sing.  Let's not hoard the gift we have been given so freely.  Let's see if we can't out give God's generosity.  God wants to see each of us extending His offer of free, unlimited grace to everyone... especially to our enemies. 
Amazing Grace how sweet the the sound that saved a wretch like me,
I have been forgiven much so now I must forgive seven times seventy.
There is no sight as beautiful to see,
as the grace I though Jesus extend to thee.
Grace and Peace
Pastor Bill (enjoying the Northwest but missing you all in Pueblo West)

Rest is Best!

Watchman Nee wrote... "Whereas God worked six days and then enjoyed his sabbath rest, Adam began his life with the sabbath; for God works before He rests, while man must first enter into God's rest, and then alone can he work.  Moreover it was because God's work of creation was truly complete that  Adam's life could begin with rest.  And here is the Gospel: that God has gone one stage further and has completed also the work of redemption, and that we need do nothing whatever to merit it, but can enter by faith directly into the values of His finished work."

I find that to be an intriguing  thought... that Adam was created on the sixth day means that his actual first day was God's seventh or sabbath... Life for us begins with rest!  I can get so caught up in the anxiety and rush of life that I forget what is most important... entering God's rest, or as the Psalms and book of Hebrews puts it... "today if you hear His voice don't harden your hearts... enter His rest".  God created us for rest, not work.  God created us to be complete in everything He provides.  He provides the righteousness I need to enter heaven.  He provides all the material things I need until I get to heaven. 

That really is the message of the Gospel, isn't it?  "Come you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest."  is the way Jesus put it.  When he told the fishermen by the sea to "come follow me"... I think that it was a call to rest in Him.

I hope you find rest, today and tomorrow.
Joy in Jesus
Pastor Bill

Are you learning to speak?

I am reading a Dietrich Bonhoeffer book... Psalm: the Prayer Book of the Bible.  For those of you who may not know, Bonhoeffer was a German pastor martyred by Hitler in WWII.  He is a very powerful writer.  Anyway, I came upon the following and it really made me think:
"The child learns to speak because his father speaks to him.  He learns the speech of his father.  So we learn to speak to God because God has spoken to us and speaks to us.  By means of the speech of the Father in heaven his children learn to speak with him.  Repeating God's own words after him, we begin to pray to him.  We ought to speak to God and he wants to hear us, not in the false and confused speech of our heart, but in the clear and pure speech which God has spoken to us in Jesus Christ."

I was really taken by this idea.  We only know how to speak to God because God has first spoken to us.  It is in listening first to God that we begin to understand how to pray.  Prayer is something that we learn.  Sometimes, I feel woefully inadequate in prayer.  I don't know what to say or how to say it.  I think I must know how to pray naturally... but I didn't learn to talk naturally... I had to learn it from my parents and siblings.  Prayer is like that, we learn first from our Father, then from our brothers and sisters, who have learned more than we have. 
Matthew begins the "Lord's Prayer" with the question of the followers of Jesus:  "Lord, teach us to pray".  They were honest about the condition they found themselves in.  Can I be that honest?  Honest enough with myself, God and with you?  To ask, "Lord, teach me to pray.", is to ask to listen to the Father's word, and the patient instruction of Jesus, and my sisters and brothers in Christ.  Those who have made it a habit to listen to God.  Let's all learn to speak the language of prayer... the language of the Father, given to us by Jesus.
Grace and Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Bill

Pulling the "black mask from the face of trouble"

Faith pulls the black mask from the face of trouble, and discovers the angel beneath. Faith looks up at the cloud, and sees that 'Tis big with mercy and shall break In blessings on her head."
(from Spurgeon's Morning & Evening, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 1999, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

I recently came across this quote from the great preacher... Charles Spurgeon.  Spurgeon is considered by many to be the greatest English speaking preacher ever.
What a great thought though... "faith pulls the black mask from the face of trouble..."  When you think about it that is exactly what "faith" does.  It looks underneath and through the troubles, trials and tribulations we may encounter, to see the greater purpose that is there.  When we don't see beneath the surface we are prone to worry, fear, anger, and despair.  Faith looks to see the "angel beneath".   
Rom 8:28 says it quite well... " And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,  who  have been called according to his purpose."
Faith believes that God is at work in our lives, even to using those trials and tribulations that confuse us, worry us and tempt us to despair.  That is why James says... "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
My prayer for us all is that God would give us the courage and faith that "pulls the black mask from the face of trouble..."
Pastor Bill

Where to Invest... a response to a question about the last post

Matt 25:1-11

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

9 "'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'

After my most recent post, a good friend asked me to comment on this passage from Matthew which seems to say the opposite of the passage used in the former post.  Man, I hate it when people think! (Just Kidding, Corey).   Actually, he raised a very good question…  “Hi Bill,
Can you comment on the parable of the 10 virgins and how you see it relating to preparations and readiness? It seems some Christians put all their eggs into "God is coming very soon"- and then they are not prepared for the long haul...but I may need help with that...thoughts?” August 10, 2011 3:52 PM

First, the parable Jesus used in the first posting is intended to remind us to be careful where we  put our trust.  Do we trust our future to God’s care, and love? Or, are we to scramble as though we “are to look out for number one”?  I pointed out that ultimately we humans are called by God to place our trust and hope in Him.  He has promised to care for us and see to our needs.  This frees me to focus on the “One” who can feed my soul and take me into eternity, and to be loving and caring to those whom I meet… and at times even be the one God uses to meet their need.

The parable of the 10 virgins, it seems to me, is more about spiritual preparedness.  Without having to go into the all the details of a 1^st Century Jewish wedding, I want to point out a few things.  The story is a part of a discussion Jesus is having.  In verse 42 Jesus says, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

The first parable is about spending ones time on worry, and distractions that are temporal… our time on earth.  The second is about spending time on what is eternal… our time in Heaven.  Do we invest our time in “getting ahead”?  Or, do we invest our time in knowing and growing in Christ.  The five foolish virgins were looking to make a killing on a short term investment.  Spiritually speaking, they had not spent the time to make sure they had enough oil (some would say that is symbolic of the Holy Spirit).  They were trying to turn it quick… where as the five wise virgins had invested in the long run.  They had made spiritual preparations by investing in a growing relationship with God. 

In applying this to myself, I can see where at times I have been “spiritually short sighted”.  I focus on me, and what I want, rather than on God and my neighbor.  I have to ask myself, at times, what am I investing in… temporary or eternity?

We have all met people who invest in the temporary spirituality… “Give me Jesus because He will make all my problems go away, but don’t ask anything of me.  I don’t have time for religion.”  When times are tough there is no depth to that kind of faith so it amounts to “no faith”.  The point of the parable is “at that time the Kingdom of Heaven” will be like… there will be those who are unprepared for Jesus’ coming because they invested in the gimme, gimme type faith rather than a faith built upon a growing relationship with Jesus.

What do you think?

Grace and Peace

Pastor Bill

Matt 6:19-21
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Like many of you, I have been watching the rising and falling of the stock market this week.  I am not a person who particularly enjoys "playing the market" or anything like that.  I don't know enough about how it works.  Really, I don't want to take the time to learn, either.  However, I do have my pension invested, with some experts keeping an eye on it... I know I probably lost thousands if not tens of thousands earlier this week.  So much for retiring!
As I have listened to folks this week, speak with concern about what will happen to their retirement funds, I couldn't help but think of what Jesus said.  I think it is important to plan wisely for retirement and all of that.  In Jesus' day one planned for retirement by making sure one's children were well taken care of because the kids were the retirement fund.  In our day, it doesn't work that way.  Jesus doesn't forbid us laying away for retirement... what he does is discourage us from putting our trust in what we can save up... I don't know if he had any inkling of the stock market and its volatility, but he did understand about storing in a barn and the realities of having the barn burn down, or bugs get into what has been stored, making it useless.  Those would be the equivalent of the barn burning down.  So much for the future plans.
As I said, Jesus is not forbidding the planning and preparing for one's future.  He is cautioning against putting one's trust in one's own preparations.  When it is all said and done, we are called to put our trust in God.  When the stock market dropped, I must admit a short panic on my part.  A close friend of mine confided that in one day he lost $45,000 dollars of his retirement, meaning he has to work two extra years before he can retire.  GULP!
My panic passed quickly, however.  I began to remember that the same God who has watched out for me in the past, will continue to watch out for me in my future.  I know I can trust God with all of it, not just to delete my past sin, but to provide for my rocky future.  What a great God we have!
Remember, things can always go wrong with our human plans and preparations, but with God it "all works to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes." (Rom. 8:  28)
Grace and Peace
Pastor Bill

Who is "the boss of you"?

I was out of town for a few weeks this summer.  Spent the better part of a week in Joplin, Missouri.  Then almost immediately, a week at middle school camp... A week of middle school kids with out resting up from a mission trip to Joplin is probably not my smartest move!  Anyway, sorry I have been away from this for so long.  I have been trying to get caught up on all the things I let go of during that two weeks.  That is almost as difficult as the two weeks.  As I settle back into the chores of ministry and life in general I find myself in a little bit of rebellion.  People want things, family wants things... and yes, God wants things.  Meanwhile, I begin to wonder, "hey, what about me?  What about the things I want?"

This morning I was reading in the Psalms and I came upon a passage that caught me a little bit by surprise.  Psalm 119:57-58  "Your are my portion, O Lord;  I have promised to obey your words.  I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise."
Sometimes it is easy for me to get caught up in my agenda... my list of things to do or accomplish.  This is especially true when I am tired.  It seems that at those moments I forget what my purpose is.  I lose sight of just what it I was grabbed a hold by God to do.  I forget as well who it is who has grabbed a hold of me. When I said yes to Jesus, He became my portion.  He is my boss... my life.   His demands on my time and energy supersede all other demands.  When I am rested, well fed and "perky" it is somewhat easier to focus and be present on God's behalf to people who are hurting or just want some time.  When I am running on empty I can get cranky and become self centered... "What about me?"

When Jesus was in the Garden, facing his own end, he was lonely, out of gas and must have felt a little bit (actually, a whole lot) of "but, what about me?".  He phrased it, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will", Matt 26:39.  Jesus, when faced with much more than I could ever endure responded to his discouragement, tiredness and all the rest by submitting to the will of His Father.  "... not as I will, but as you will".  Jesus gives up his "rights", his tiredness, his energy to the will of God.  God the Father, gives to Jesus everything he needs to face the Father's will, to accomplish what is needed.  God the Father is Jesus' portion and we are Jesus prize.

If God is my portion, can I do any less?  Can God expect any less from me?  The trials I face, the taxes on my energy and time, they are not nearly what Jesus faced for me.  Can I give up my "rights" and give of myself to meet the needs of others"  Ya... I can.  It isn't always easy.  It isn't always fun... but with God as my portion, it is always worth it.

God is always gracious to me... according to his promises.  I can rest in that.  I find my energies replenished in that.  God gives to me what is needed to accomplish what He lays before me.
Grace and Joy in Jesus,
Pastor Bill

Looking Behind The Curtain

I was thinking about "The Wizard of OZ" the other day.... the movie.  I have read the book several times but the movie is one of the few where I actually like the movie better.  Anyway, I thinking about the scene where Dorothy and her friends meet the Great and Might OZ.  The booming voice, the authority, and special effects kept them from looking behind the curtain.  When Toto goes and pulls the curtain back the companions are surprised to see that the Great OZ was only a short, small voiced man... a human like them, without special powers.  He was using the tricks of special effects to keep them from seeing what was really behind the curtain.

If you look closely at the picture that is behind this blog, you may notice that it isn't a stock photo robbed off the internet.  It is actually a picture I took back in about 2004 or so.  I chose this picture as the back drop of the blog because it is a particularly nice picture... only problem is that all the words and stuff on the blog page keep it hidden.  It disappoints me not because it is my picture, rather it disappoints me because all my busyness gets in the way of seeing the beauty of God's creation captured in that moment in July of 2004 in British Colombia Canada.  It is a shame that you can't see what I saw.

Is it possible that we do that with God, sometimes?  We have an amazing experience of a personal encounter with the Living God... and we clutter the view with busyness.  The beautiful things God is doing in my life and in your life are like that picture... we need to shut-up sometimes, and just let people see the changes that are happening.  Let the beauty that is your changed life speak.  Instead we sometimes feel we have to defend God, or at least our ideas about God.  The great preacher, Charles Spurgeon, once said that defending the Bible is like defending a lion.  Just turn it loose and get  out of the way... Our experience of God is like that.  We don't have to defend it we just need to share it.  God's love will shine through and others will see the beauty of what He is doing in our lives.
Grace and Joy in Jesus,
Pastor Bill

What is an Ecumenical Church?

It has happened again!  I actually had someone question why I would choose to pastor a church that is "ecumenical".  By his question I could tell that in his mind "ecumenical" means... doesn't believe anything, or believes everything.  Let say right up front that "ecumenical doesn't mean either of those.  Another myth is that "ecumenical" means that we are a part of a movement trying to create a "new world order" that has only one recognized church... led by the anti-Christ.  We are not that either.  Let me explain...

According to the Merriam-Webster on line dictionary ecumenical is:"Late Latin oecumenicus, from Late Greek oikoumenikos, from Greek oikoumenē the inhabited world, from feminine of oikoumenos, present passive participle of oikein to inhabit, from oikos house or more "vicinity"...not clear?  Essentially, "ecumenical" means world wide or more closely "universal".  It is the Greek equivalent of "catholic" as it is used in the Apostles Creed, "I believe in the holy catholic church".  That line was not intended to mean "Roman Catholic" church.  The intention was for the believer to affirm one's belief in the Church Universal much as described by the church fathers and St. Augustine.  The church exists where ever those who claim Jesus as Lord and wherever the fruit of Holy Spirit is made manifest. In other words... no one denomination can lay claim to being the only one true church.  No particular congregation can lay claim to being the only true church.  The church, according to scripture, is the "body of Christ".

Here at the Ecumenical Church of Pueblo West, we believe that God's intention is for God's people to join together in celebrating the oneness of Christ's body by choosing to recognize that God's people are not bound by denominational lines but by the work of the Holy Spirit.  That work is being done in and through any who proclaim Jesus as Lord, regardless of denominational affiliation or lack there of.  The "Church Universal" or Ecumenical is God's not man's.  As such, I believe we are to look past each others  "errors" and love one another in spite of those "errors".

Ephesians 4:3-6 says it this way..."³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

It seems to me that I could take that line about "one body, one Spirit,"etc.,  to mean my brand is the only one, or I could take it to mean that the whole body is one and not complete with out the other parts.  I choose to believe that we need to be inclusive of others who differ from us so that our "body" is complete.  As the Apostle Paul says... "not all are a hand, not all are a foot."  There is a legitimate reason to include with out demanding agreement.  As the verse above says, "make every effort to keep the unity...".  Notice it says "unity" not "uniformity".  The distinction being that "unity" means agreeing with out being the same and "uniformity" means everything is in lock step agreement. What this means for us here at Ecumenical Church of Pueblo West is that we celebrate all of God's goodness, grace and love with Baptists, Catholics, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Independents, Republicans, Democrats... any and all who proclaim Jesus as Lord.

So, I will maintain my efforts to live at peace, "doing good to all, especially to those of the household of faith". (Gal. 6:10)  Until Jesus comes back to sort it all out, I believe we have a primary responsibility to love one another... often in spite of ourselves!
Grace and Joy in Jesus
Pastor Bill

God's Extravegance...

Back in 1994, a couple in the church I was pastoring called up and said that they needed to visit with me... That always makes me nervous.  I set up a time.  I worried that maybe I had done something to hurt or offend them.  I prayed and prayed... and worried some more.
The day of our meeting finally arrived.  I took a big breath and sat down with them.  Being a good pastor, I volunteered to open our time together in prayer.  I remember praying something about "love" and "communication" and "forgiveness"... just in case.  
Then they dropped the bomb shell.
They had paid some money down to go on a tour of Israel that was being led by my mentor.  Because of an unexpected family schedule conflict, they would not be able to go on the trip... I felt bad for them but still didn't get what they might be upset with me about...  I know, I can be sort of dense sometimes.

They wanted to give the trip to Israel to me.  WOW!  I was astounded.  What an extravagant gift.  I almost couldn't believe it.  They were paying several thousand dollars for me to take their place on this trip.  I still owe them a debt of gratitude for giving me that wonderful opportunity.
What is the most extravagant gift you have ever received?  A new car? Jewelry? How about this...
"You see , at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a  good person someone might possibly dare.  But God demonstrates his won love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:6-8
What an extravagant gift from God!  While we had no reason to expect anything from God, He chose to give us the very thing we couldn't afford.  Like the gift I received from that couple, this gift from God was not deserved.  It was something I couldn't have paid for myself, no matter how much I wanted it.  Yet, God wants us to have this great gift... so much that He was willing to give what it required for us to receive it. 
I have always thought it a wonder that God gives this gift for the ungodly, while they (I) are (am) still ungodly.  He doesn't expect us to somehow become deserving of it before we can receive it.  "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 
Thank you, Lord for such extravagance.  Thank you, for loving us so much.  Help me, today, to live in such a way that I reflect your extravagance by extending that same love to all whom I meet.
Grace and Peace in Jesus,
Pastor Bill

The Lord is my shepherd...

Psalm 23 is one of the best known passages from the Bible... most any English speaking person on hearing "The Lord is my shepherd..." can say the next line..."I shall not want".

"The Lord is my shepherd..."  I know this is true, yet, I still worry.  "What if's..." can clog up my mind.  I worry about my kids... I worry about my wife... I worry about my church... What if...
something happens...
to me?
to them?
to us?
What if... what if... what if... so many what if's!
"The Lord is my shepherd" doesn't mean "what if's" don't happen.  It simply means that God is the God of "what if's", too!
In the Joseph stories found in the book of Genesis, Joseph doesn't fear the unknowns.  He knows that the God he worships is the God of the unknowns.  Nothing that will happen to him is beyond God... So, Joseph meets each new challenge knowing that he has to trust in God's wisdom and timing.
Would Joseph choose to be a slave or in prison?  No!  Was Joseph willing to see slavery or prison as the work of God in his life?  Yes!  As he said to his brothers on meeting them at the end of the story (Genesis 50:20)  "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..."
May all your what if's turn out to be God's... "YES!"
Grace and Joy in Jesus,
Pastor Bill

Sing unto the Lord a new song!

O sing to the LORD a new song;
          sing to the LORD, all the earth.
²   Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
          tell of his salvation from day to day. 

Psalm 96:1-2

Listening to the radio the other day I heard a song I hadn't heard before... that isn't unusual, I suppose.  This particular song was very effective at reaching into my heart and drawing me out... causing me to see Jesus in a way I hadn't thought of before. A new revelation... well not new to the world, just new to me.  When I have my eyes opened to a new view it helps me see not only God in a new way, but I see myself in a new way.  That is what some call the "ahah!" moment.  I love those.  When I have those moments, it produces a sense of wonder in me... a joy!  That joy can also be called a "blessing" or a gift.  

A gift... something unforeseen, unexpected, even un-asked for.  We all love receiving gifts... almost as much as God loves giving them.  It is God's intent that we experience great joy.  Joy speaks to His character.  That is why the Apostle Paul says that the "Kingdom of God is about Joy and Peace".  Those are blessings God gives to us.  What are the blessing we give to God? 

"Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
          tell of his salvation from day to day. "

Yep!  Tell others about the ways God has blessed you... tell of His salvation... tell of His greatness.  In other words... Sing a new song!

Peace and Joy 

Pastor Bill

"The Death of a Man"

My friend and colleague in ministry is Dr. Steve Van Ostran.  He is a person who has exhibited a lot of wisdom in our various interactions, so when I noticed in the American Baptist Churches Rocky Mountain Newsletter that Steve had written the devotional I was very pleased...When I first heard the news of bin Laden's death, I had a mixed reaction... both pleased yet also sad.  I was having difficulty justifying or understanding my own reactions, until I read Steve's devotional on the subject.  I have asked him for permission to share it with you all here.  So here are Steve's thoughts... that reflected so well my own feelings in a way I was not able to express.  Thanks Steve for your wisdom and leadership.  Pastor Bill

The Death of a Man

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” - John 10:10b (NIV)

I have watched with interest the announcement of and the reaction to the death of Osama Bin Laden. I have racked my brain to consider Biblical parallels to this event. The death of the Pharaoh as the Egyptians escaped came to mind. Perhaps David’s triumph over Goliath. But neither quite fits.
In the case of Pharaoh, it was clearly God’s hand at work to kill Pharaoh and there was a clear sense of deliverance from bondage at the hand of God. While I trust and pray that our government was acting at the leading of God, the use of a Seal team is not quite so clearly the “Hand of God” as the rolling back of the sea. And with David and Goliath, the two combatants were clearly on the field of battle. David didn’t go into the home of Goliath in a raid to kill him. Neither of these really works. Maybe there is something somewhere else that fits.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I believe the U.S. did what needed to be done. I believe that Bin Laden signed his death warrant when he orchestrated the first terrorist attack, period. There is a reality that justice was served in his death as the team sought to capture him. And there is a sense of pride and satisfaction in knowing that the US military was able to demonstrate its strength and even superiority by successfully planning and executing this raid. But I still have trouble rejoicing in the death of this man.
Oh, I understand those who do rejoice. For many of us, Osama has become the personification of evil, just as Jesus personifies goodness. His death for many of us is like the death of Voldemort in Harry Potter or of the Ice Queen in Narnia—it is the ultimate triumph of Good over Evil. For many, Osama’s death is sign that God is still in Heaven, reigning over us and protecting us.
And that is true.
And in God’s providence and protection we can rejoice.
But Osama was not the personification of evil.

He was only one expression of it.
He was a man, just like any of us. A man who—in my mind—was led by Satan down the wrong path; A path that but for the sake of Christ, I might also have walked.
And while Jesus allowed His own Death, He did so in order that we might have victory over death.
In other words, it seems to me that Christ’s desire was that none would die. And as Jesus wept at Lazrus’ grave—as He was saddened by Niccodemus’ inability to accept the life that was offered to him. An so, I have to wonder how Christ responded to the death of Bin Laden—this one, this man—that He also created.
Somehow, I don’t think He was playing bagpipes.

Prayer: Oh, Lord, as we experience incredible relief in knowing this one has been brought to justice, we long for the day when death will be no more, even the death of our enemies. Amen.

Steve Van Ostran ABCRM Executive Minister

Why the windshield is more important than a rear view mirror...

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14


Seems lately many people I speak with are nostalgic for days gone by... remember the good ol days kind of thing.  I remember listening to "old" people (people over 25) when I was a kid.  It depended on the message as to whether the "old" days were good or not.  If I was being taught a lesson... like the value of walking to catch the school bus... then the old days were a horror.  If I was being reprimanded... for not doing chores... I was told how much better kids were back then than I was... 
Lesson... the "____ old days" could be either good or bad depending upon my mother's need.  Actually, the real lesson was in how to "guide" my kids when they were old enough to be told about my "____ old days"!

This isn't what Paul is talking about though.  He is encouraging the folks in the Philippian Church to not live on past victories or failures but to keep looking ahead to the promise of redemption in Jesus Christ.  One of the OT prophets tell us that God drops our sins into the "sea of forgetfulness and remembers them no more."  For those whose past might be as checkered as mine, that is good news.  God has cleared the past so I can move into a bright future.  


Paul says he "strains forward".  He is putting effort to accomplish what God has put before him... there is a temptation to rest on past victories.  Like good sports teams who figure they don't have to work as hard to win again find out... to win in the long run you have to keep moving ahead.  You have to keep the vision always before you.  Like a good race car driver will point out... You have a big front windshield and a small rear view mirror because what's in front of you is more important than what's behind you.  
 Here's to keeping your focus in the right place...
Grace and peace in Jesus
Pastor Bill

Name Dropping...

All the prophets spoke about [Jesus Christ], saying that all who believe in him will have their sins forgiven through the power of his name.  Acts 10:43

There is a great story in the books of Acts 19 there is a great story about the "sons of Sceva".  If there is video replay in heaven... that is one I want to see!  In the story some people realize that the Apostle Paul and other Christians are healing people and freeing people from demonic possession by the power of Jesus' name.  These sons Sceva, a Jewish High Priest, decide to charge money for the service of casting out demons.  These sons are not followers of Jesus, but they figure what the heck, it will work for us, too.  The they command the demon to come out in the "name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches".  The demon responds, "I know Jesus and I know Paul, but who are you?"  Then the demon uses the body of the possessed one to attack these seven brothers, beating them up so badly that they run from the house naked and bleeding all over.
This points us not only to the power of Jesus' name, but more importantly, to the power of "believing" in Jesus himself.  It is important that we who are followers of Jesus know that it is "in Jesus name" that our sins are forgiven.  It is in Jesus' name that our prayers are answered.  It is in Jesus' name that we are allowed to approach the "throne of grace" (Heb. 3).
I am able to use my Dad's name to receive help from those who know and respect him.  There is a certain power in being able to trade on the reputation of a famous person, or a person of authority.  American Ambassadors, those who represent our country to other countries are given the power to speak in the name of the President of the United States.  We, who are followers of Jesus, are ambassadors for God in the name of Jesus Christ.  We can speak on God's behalf, without fear.  In fact we are told to pray, share the Gospel, heal, love... well, we are told to do everything we do in the "name of Jesus".  We can do that without the fear of what happened to the sons of Sceva.
Our sins are forgiven, we receive and share grace...in the name of Jesus.  There is power in that name for those who believe... We don't have to be apologetic, we need to be bold.
Be strong in the Lord... not yourself.  Proclaim the forgiveness of sins, yours and others in Jesus name.
Amen!

Light Living

Your yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light.  So you must live like people who belong to the light. Ephesians 5:8 (GNT)

I didn't wear glasses until just before seventh grade started.  Junior High is not the optimal time to start wearing glasses! However, for being able to see... it was a miracle!  I still remember coming out of the optometrist's office, standing on Sherman Avenue of Coeur D' Alene Idaho.  I could look up one side of the street and down the other and see colors and shapes that I hadn't know where there.  I was between 2nd and 3rd Streets but could read the signs clear up on 7th Street. WOW!  I couldn't believe it.  Things were so vividly clear that I was stunned by what I hadn't been able to see.  As we drove home I noticed how green the fir trees were and how black the highway was...

I hadn't really known that I needed glasses.  I squinted at the black board in school.  Playing baseball, the batter was blurry image when I pitched.  I didn't realize how muted the colors around me were.  I just assumed that was normal.  I figured that was the way everyone saw things, because that was the only way I had ever seen things.  I couldn't imagine any other vision.

After getting glasses I won't go anywhere without them.  I can't see well enough to drive, or walk for that matter.  I can distinguish some people by the way they move or by hearing their voice.  I am truly blind as a bat without my glasses.

But, having been made able to see, why would I want to go back to not seeing?  It wouldn't make any sense to live as blind man when I don't have to.... So, why would I want to live as one who hasn't experienced the light of Jesus?  Way back when, when I first experience Jesus in my life, it was like walking from the pitch black darkness to the wonder of living in bright light.  Things had color.  Things had shape.  The light of Christ brought a clarity to my life that I had never had before.  As one who "belongs to the light", why would I want to go back?  Having been called by God (as all Christians are) why would I want to give that up or deny it.  The metaphor of my glasses is not even powerful enough to express the foolishness of going back to what I was before the miracle Jesus has wrought in my life.  Having experienced Jesus I can't pretend that I haven't.  Having experience Jesus, I don't want to take Him off.  I want to live like "one who belongs to the light".  How about you?
Lord Jesus, help me to live in your light... Let me live as one who sees.
In the Light,
Pastor Bill

What Is Your Credit Score?

I have been watching the ads and receiving e-mails about the importance of knowing my credit score.  I wont be able to buy another house (like I can live in more than one at a time!), I wont be able buy a car with credit, I wont be able to charge a cruise to the Bahamas... all if my credit score isn't good enough.  That is kind of scary.  To think that a little piece of plastic and my mis-use of it could have such consequences!

But, what about our spiritual credit?  Do I (or you) have enough on the account to be admitted into the presence of  God?  Have I been righteous enough?  Have I been good enough to have the  plus side of my life out weigh the negative side of my life? 

At first glance I might be inclined to say yes... but, really?  When I look at even most of the good things I have done... I have to admit that I have done them too often  from selfish motives.  So then they fall into the negative category, too.

Here's what the Bible says..."Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." (Romans 4:3)  Wow!  By believing that God's provision of righteousness (given to us in Jesus' death and resurrection) God posts to our "account" His own righteousness.  My plus' now out number my negatives because of what Jesus has done.  I am considered by God as holy... not because of what I have done.  That would be reason for me to boast.  As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians (2:8-10) "You are saved by grace though faith and that is a gift from God!"

You can begin to know about and experience God's love and grace by reading about it in the Bible.  If you have never done this before, start with the Gospel of John.  As you read, ask this question..."who is this Jesus, and what does He mean to me?"  The answer's may surprise you... Here is to surprises!
Grace and Joy in Jesus.
Pastor Bill... by the way let me know you were here by commenting on the various blog postings.  Thanks