Tomorrow is the first day of Vacation Bible School for our church. We have changed a lot of things this year and this has added pressure to two people preparing for the week. I am so thankful for the time they have given. I am also thankful for the volunteers that have worked on the decorations and the menu. We are going to be serving dinner every night this week and have classes for all ages, including the adults.
One of our missionary families arrived in town last Sunday. They have spent the week decorating their "missions" room to make it feel like Peru when the kids walk into the room. It is masterfully done, even boasting live animals.
The neatest thing for me however, was spending the last two days walking around town passing out VBS flyer's with the missionary (Samuel Rojas) and the one Hispanic man in our church; Freddie. (Freddie came to know the Lord last year and I had the opportunity to baptize him about six weeks ago). As a team we handed out the flyer's to over 600 households. Approximately40% of these families were Hispanic. I praise the Lord for the boldness that Freddie had in talking to people he didn't know. He was enjoying the time so much that he repeatedly asked when we could do it again. In fact, he asked why we were only doing it for VBS, why didn't we do it all the time?
In addition to the free meals, we are also offering transportation to and from church. Tomorrow night we are starting a week long bus route. I have never been involved in a bus route before but I am praying that it will be a tool to reach more people. Adults and children alike. If you think of it, offer a prayer for the visitors, people, and ministry of Valley View Baptist Church.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Father's Day
I had the opportunity to do a baby dedication yesterday for my nephew Cael. I always think that the best part of doing something special like that is the time I spend in preparation. It was good to be reminded of the serious responsibility that we have as parents to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
In thinking about that, I couldn't help but reflect on the work that my parents put into rearing 4 boys. As the years go by I am more and more thankful for the parents that the Lord gave me. My father does not cast a big physical presence, but as far as living a consistent Christian attitude and testimony, he compares with few others. I praise the Lord for the relationship that he still maintains with the four of his boys.
Happy Father's Day Dad! I love you, Jon
In thinking about that, I couldn't help but reflect on the work that my parents put into rearing 4 boys. As the years go by I am more and more thankful for the parents that the Lord gave me. My father does not cast a big physical presence, but as far as living a consistent Christian attitude and testimony, he compares with few others. I praise the Lord for the relationship that he still maintains with the four of his boys.
Happy Father's Day Dad! I love you, Jon
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
A Second Piece?
Well, I haven't received any comments on "A Piece of Peace" so I guess I'll just follow it up with what I believe the Bible is teaching.
We know that the Bible does not contradict itself. Yet we see Luke saying that the angels said "peace on earth, good will toward men" when Christ was born. Later Jesus said "think not that I am come to send peace on the earth". How do I reconcile these?
Christ came to bring peace between God and man, not between man and man. If we wholeheartedly follow Christ we have peace with God. Unfortunately, this does not bring us peace with other men.
Who do you want to be at peace with today? I know whom I have chosen. Division may be coming.
We know that the Bible does not contradict itself. Yet we see Luke saying that the angels said "peace on earth, good will toward men" when Christ was born. Later Jesus said "think not that I am come to send peace on the earth". How do I reconcile these?
Christ came to bring peace between God and man, not between man and man. If we wholeheartedly follow Christ we have peace with God. Unfortunately, this does not bring us peace with other men.
Who do you want to be at peace with today? I know whom I have chosen. Division may be coming.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Golden Calf
I was talking to a deacon in our church yesterday. He had the understanding that church leadership should be political. He said that I needed to find out what the church wanted and then find a way to give that to them. He said the answer was compromise.
Without giving out the details of the disagreement, his position was that I should give the church what they wanted, with the caveat (between the leadership) that it be in name only. In other words, the church really wants this extra biblical thing and as leadership it is not what we are proposing, but in order to get them on our side, let's give it to them. We know that there is no extra authority that comes along with it. We know that it will not change the way that we operate. We know that it wields no special power. Yet the church will accept our proposal because they will have this thing to look at that they think is what they want. How can that hurt? If we try and teach them that they are wrong we will cause division. We are called to be gatherers, and telling people that they are wrong is being a scatterer. Yes, there may be heart issues, but who doesn't have heart issues? We need to keep them happy.
Exodus 32:7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: 8They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
Was the calf that Israel fashioned a real god? Did the calf have any real power, or was it just perceived? Did the calf have the ability to do anything on it's own?
What would God think?
Exodus 32:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: 10Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. (Mark 8:33)
I couldn't say it any better than that.
Without giving out the details of the disagreement, his position was that I should give the church what they wanted, with the caveat (between the leadership) that it be in name only. In other words, the church really wants this extra biblical thing and as leadership it is not what we are proposing, but in order to get them on our side, let's give it to them. We know that there is no extra authority that comes along with it. We know that it will not change the way that we operate. We know that it wields no special power. Yet the church will accept our proposal because they will have this thing to look at that they think is what they want. How can that hurt? If we try and teach them that they are wrong we will cause division. We are called to be gatherers, and telling people that they are wrong is being a scatterer. Yes, there may be heart issues, but who doesn't have heart issues? We need to keep them happy.
Exodus 32:7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: 8They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
Was the calf that Israel fashioned a real god? Did the calf have any real power, or was it just perceived? Did the calf have the ability to do anything on it's own?
What would God think?
Exodus 32:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: 10Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. (Mark 8:33)
I couldn't say it any better than that.
Friday, June 6, 2008
What if?
I have been asked to speak during a commissioning service on June 15th. We are sending a couple from our church into the ministry. They have been accepted to Baptist Mid Missions as short term missionaries. They are not sure where they will be going after this summer but they are sure the Lord is calling them to missions.
This has not come as a surprise to the people of our church. We have witnessed their heart for missions over the last several years. We have seen the way the God has gifted them. I am thankful that the church has a desire to send them into ministry.
What if our church wasn't? What if our church saw the qualifications and the heart of this couple and the gifts that God has given them, yet we weren't willing to put them into the ministry? What if?
This has not come as a surprise to the people of our church. We have witnessed their heart for missions over the last several years. We have seen the way the God has gifted them. I am thankful that the church has a desire to send them into ministry.
What if our church wasn't? What if our church saw the qualifications and the heart of this couple and the gifts that God has given them, yet we weren't willing to put them into the ministry? What if?
Monday, June 2, 2008
Looking for a Piece of Peace
The last few posts that I have written may mean something different to each reader. Some of you may have some inside information to what I have been referring to, although I hope that you can get something out of my ramblings even if you don't know the details of my circumstance.
In continuing this line of thought, the Lord showed me something this morning that brought me a clearer perspective than I thought I would receive. Again, instead of spelling it out, I would like to share some verses that the Lord put together for me. I am opening it up for your feedback and opinions before I give my thoughts. I am sure that to some of you this is not something new though I believe it is difficult to perceive until needed.
Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Luke 2:14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 12:51Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Matthew 10:34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
In continuing this line of thought, the Lord showed me something this morning that brought me a clearer perspective than I thought I would receive. Again, instead of spelling it out, I would like to share some verses that the Lord put together for me. I am opening it up for your feedback and opinions before I give my thoughts. I am sure that to some of you this is not something new though I believe it is difficult to perceive until needed.
Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Luke 2:14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 12:51Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Matthew 10:34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
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