ADVENT…A TIME TO PREPARE
We begin the season of Advent and on Sunday we echoed a need for preparation as we approach Christmas. The early church used Advent as a time of fasting or denying one’s self of earthly pleasures. In any event, Advent was an important time for a Christian to look at one’s self and prepare for the coming of Christ. I guess my question for us all is, “Are we prepared?”
I was a boy scout and my dad always taught me to be prepared. If it is cold I have a blanket in my truck and a heavy coat. I have jumper cables. I have a small survival kit. I have these things in my car in case of an emergency. You just never know!
Jesus warns us to be prepared. He warns us to not be caught off guard. How many times did you forget to put patience in your heart and you suffered frustration and anxiety? How many times did you leave the house without love and you were eaten up with anger and hate? How many times did you leave to go out into the world without mercy and forgiveness and you were plagued with resentment and revenge? How about this one…how many times did you get up out of bed and get on with your day and forgot thankfulness and gratitude and were left with an empty feeling of never having enough? Being prepared is essential in our Christian walk. Are you?
Advent can be a time of wonderful transformation for your spirit and character. It is tempting to jump right into Christmas, but we are still a ways away. Take it slow. Let Advent simmer a while. Let this time of preparation be your main focus. Look at your flaws and the things you need to get rid of and then fill your spirit with the things that matter most. If you do, when you get to Christmas, what a wonderful day it will be. What a wonderful heart you will have to receive the New Born Child. I promise it is worth it!
Love you all,
Rev. Jim
November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
First, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! What a great day and I am enjoying some down time and some family time. So whether you are with friends, family or both GIVE THANKS. This phrase needs to be a part of our daily walk. This is a tremendous choice we make each day and it might be the most important. Paul talks about this for good reason, but first we must understand to whom we give thanks. Certainly it must be God.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is GOOD! His mercy endures forever. What a great thing to remember. Your blessings come from God. Your health comes from God. Your breath in your lungs comes from God. All that you are is a gift from God. Today give thanks to the One that deserves it.
However, to do this we must get our priorities straight. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is your heart will be also.” Telling is it not? If your heart loves money then it will worship things. If your heart loves itself then it will be hedonistic and selfish. Wherever your heart is then that is the thing you will treasure and most love. It is a matter of priorities. Yet, if you love God and worship God then you know the source of all you are is from God. Do you remember the lepers that were healed? Only one came back to give thanks. ONLY ONE! But that was a man who had his priorities straight. He knew that Christ was the One that healed. He knew Christ was the source of his new life and when he discovered that he came back to give thanks.
So give thanks and never stop. Yes, even in the bad times. Paul has it right. Sometimes the holidays can be upsetting for some. Paul says give thanks! You might be experiencing the memories of a painful experience…give thanks. You might even be dreading Christmas, because of finances etc…give thanks. Why give thanks? It is simple. The more we give thanks to God the more our life becomes a prayer. That prayer always relies on the One who can bring change and a better tomorrow. Giving thanks in our bad times means we acknowledge that there is a God that can bring something good out of it. Why do people living with cancer say it is a blessing…because they discover a God who lifts them up. They discover the joy of living. Why do some who suffer tremendous tragedy rejoice, because they discover a God who is with them and for them. Their life becomes a prayer always giving thanks.
There is nothing that is so bad that you cannot give thanks for it. So rejoice this day. Enjoy your friends and family and be thankful. But most of all turn to the source of it all…God. He loves you. He died for you. He has given you another day to enjoy it. Now that is something to celebrate.
Love you all!
Rev. Jim
November 25, 2009
Peter’s mind did the same thing. It got made up. His mind was determined to not let Jesus fulfill what Jesus came to do, which was to go to Jerusalem and die on a cross. He did it because he loved Jesus and didn’t want to see him die. Jesus is quick to rebuke him and tell him he has his mind set on the things of men and not on that of heaven.
You know something, a lot of bad things happen when we get our mind made up instead of leaving our mind open. A lot of fights continue to be fights. A lot of hurt continues to be hurt all because we get our mind focused on what we want and not what Christ wants.
So today practice a couple of things.
1) If you think you are right see what the Bible says. Look it up! If you get your mind dead set on something see what God says about it before you do anything. For some that means you need to carry around a pocket Bible. For others it just means they might need to get involved in a Bible study or small group. For some it just means reading daily. Whatever it is, check it out. God’s Word is the only truth we need.
2) Take a deep breath. Peter was quick to make decisions. They were often wrong. He jumped before he looked. So take a deep breath when you are about to make a big decision. Don’t be hasty. Don’t be rushed. Let the Holy Spirit do its work in your life.
3) Pray. This is huge. Just pray. Invite God to make the decision for you. Let God’s mind be yours and when you do amazing things will happen.
A mind is a terrible thing to waste as the old saying goes. Don’t waste yours today, but instead let it remain open, focused and teachable. Let your mind be filled with the thing of heaven instead of the things of this world. When you do I know you will always make the right choice.
Love you all,
Rev. Jim
November 24, 2009
There is a story of a tightrope walker who walked across a rope stretched between two buildings. Surely he would die if he fell. He attempted it once and made it and the crowd went wild. Then again…the crowd cheered. Next he turned to the crowd and asked, “Do you believe I can walk across this rope to the next building?” They all screamed, “Yes!” He then asked them, “Do you believe I can walk across this rope with someone on my shoulders?” They were all in a state of euphoria and screamed even louder, “YES!” The tightrope walker then looked down at a man holding his child and said, “Then give me yours!” The crowd went silent.
Amazing that faith is very much like that. We say, “I believe, I believe!” However, when it comes to the difficult times in our life we seem to go silent. We don’t want to put our faith to the test. We don’t want to wander too deep into those waters for fear of the unknown. When this happens faith becomes just a word. It does not mean much when it is not stretched and tested. It becomes empty and lifeless when it is not put into action. Faith means we trust in God to do God’s work. Faith means we rest in God’s ability not our own. Faith means we walk as children of the future, born again, not of the past chained in sin.
Where will you faith lead you today? Let me suggest three things.
1) Let it lead to HOPE! Faith can be an incredible spark that gives way to hope. Paul says, …we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5) Faith that God can do anything in your life gives rise to HOPE that is unshakeable. Even when you are suffering, faith that God will see you through produces HOPE for a better tomorrow! There is nothing that God cannot heal, make whole, love or bring peace to. There will always be a better tomorrow! I promise!
2) Let it lead to GOD! Faith allows us to know that we can approach a Holy and Righteous God in love and boldness. You are forgiven! God loves you so much that He has given Christ as a sacrifice for your sins. Enjoy your new life. It is a gift given to you without price! When you allow Christ to be your Lord you will begin to get to know a God of mercy, compassion and love. He wants you to know Him. Start to today.
3) Let it lead to GREATNESS! Your faith puts you in a special place to accomplish great things. Certainly you can do incredible things, but with God ALL things are possible. Your faith in our Lord puts you right smack dab in the middle of a life that will blow your mind. So dream big and let greatness happen.
I know your faith in Christ will lead you to become something pretty special. Don’t waste another minute. Keep putting it into practice. Keep stretching your heart and mind. Trust in your Lord and rely on His goodness and strength. When you do I know you will find hope. I know you will find God. Plus, you will discover a greatness that is only God-given!
Love you all,
Rev. Jim
NOT A SEAT LEFT IN THE HOUSE!
November 16, 2009 by revjim
Filed under Rev. Jim's Blog
Confirmation is a special time in the life of our young adults. On Sunday the most important thing they did was choose Christ as their Lord and Savior. They affirmed questions that are essential to our faith as Christians. Some were baptized, while others reaffirmed their baptism. They also get to become members of the church.
There really wasn’t a seat left in the house. It looked like Easter! I kept warning people that if everyone decided to show up at once then we are gonna be full! It happened. I am glad it did. I am glad it happened on this special Sunday for the kids. After it was all over the church gave them a standing ovation as they welcomed – pretty incredible to say the least.
Where is that glow in your life? Where is it that you are feeling the world standing up for you and clapping with joy? Well the world is never going to do that I hope you know that by now, but HEAVEN IS! The most important thing in our life is standing and rejoicing with you, because you were once lost and now are found. You were once blind, but now can see! Heaven rejoices. You are getting a standing ovation from God and all the angels!
Now if you haven’t made Christ your Lord then don’t wait another minute. Don’t waste another day. An incredible moment awaits you. An incredible discovery is at your fingertips. Then when you do, when you open your heart to the risen Savior, life will never be the same I promise!
We are here. Always have been. Come and discover who Jesus is today. You will be glad you came.
Peace,
Rev. Jim
VACATIONS!
November 10, 2009 by revjim
Filed under Rev. Jim's Blog
Yes it is true…I went on vacation. For those that know me understand that I don’t do vacations very well. I love what I do and I love to do it. Why take a vacation? I can recharge by taking a day on a motorcycle or playing golf. Well, if you are married, vacations are essential. If you are single they are too. If you are a workaholic like me they are a means to having a successful business, peace of mind and well being.
Time away means two things. First, you are forced to let go of your work. This is a good thing. I had no cell phone. I had no Internet. I was forced to put down all my stuff that I think about everyday and just be. Second, you are forced to focus on yourself. Yes, I did say that…YOURSELF! This is so important, because when we work all day we forget about ourselves, our needs, our dreams. When we focus on ourselves we look at our mind, body and spirit. Ultimately, we begin to focus on God and what life is all about. When we do this, we experience real rejuvenation and replenishment.
So take time today. Get that vacation planned. I just went to the beach. It doesn’t have to cost a lot. But get away. Focus on yourself for a change. After all you deserve it!
See you Sunday and love you all!
Rev. Jim
GOD IS GOOD!
November 2, 2009 by revjim
Filed under Rev. Jim's Blog
Okay, so I admit I was wrong. Well, not wrong, but just off. It was pouring down rain on Saturday and I knew for sure we were going to be rained out. At least the Festival part of the day would not happen. The blow ups and the games stations and everything would have to be cancelled. So that left Trunk or Treat. I was already getting calls asking if it would be on or not. I had my doubts!
Then the big moment. I said to my Children’s Director, who is AWESOME, “Don’t be disappointed if nobody comes!” Stacey was optimistic still and said, “If one kid comes it is worth it.” One kid? TRY OVER 500 KIDS!!!! We moved it inside the Narthex of the church and they lined the parking lot to get in!!
So I was wrong…well not wrong, just off. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. But how typical. God loves to take impossible situations and make them possible. He is doing that in your life right now. God is working something miraculous if you will pay attention.
So do not fear. GOD IS GOOD. He is with you. He loves you. He died for you.
Hope to see you Sunday to proclaim it!
Love you all,
Rev. Jim
