I subscribe to a number of emails that daily show up in my inbox. My favorite for many years has been "Mountainwings." Followed by people in over 125 countries, it has the highest subscriber list in the world for a "daily inspirational" email or blog. Here is today's "MountainWings" for you to ponder and enjoy...
We Are Doing Well
==================
I am writing in response to the joke issue called “Success.”
I once heard a preacher from Malawi. His sermon had a very simple message, but one that struck a chord in my life. I would like to share this with you.
He said that when he was in Europe or in the United States, he noticed that people said “I’m great” (meaning I am doing well, things are great for me), therefore everything around me is great.
He said that in Africa, this is not what people say. In Africa, they say, “We are all doing well, therefore I am great.”
I am not gifted with words in the same way he was, but I agree that it is only when we work together as a community that we are able to be the people that we are truly meant to be. That is when we are really great; because the light of Christ is alive and glowing in us.
This is the kind of success that I want.
How about you?
~A MountainWings Original by Mary T, France~
==================
Today was a great day for us at VCC. As a congregational community, we came together to worship, share, be challenged and just enjoy our faith and each other. The light of Christ IS alive and glowing in us, and we are growing in that light. We too are looking for that kind of success!
If you are in the area, and looking for a great church home, come be a part of our growing, vibrant church fellowship in downtown Sumner.
By the way, if you want to subscribe to MountainWings, go to www.mountainwings.com. I highly recommend it.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Daily Devotional
For several years, I have sent out a daily devotional email to many of our congregation and a number of friends. It has been part of my regular morning routine, a part of my personal daily devotions. It is one of those little "extras" I try to provide, as well as helping others with their daily walk with God.
From time to time I like to comment on what was sent out. This is today's devotional: Refuse to let your guard down. The enemy is doing what he can to bring plausible temptation that will open the door for him to take advantage of you. If the devil can get the upper hand you will soon be embroiled in an all-out spiritual battle designed to overwhelm you. Now is the time to stand your ground as you set a watch and discern his subtle tactics, says the Lord. Be awake and aware!
2 Corinthians 10:5 "Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."
I have found the absolute best way to keep my guard up is to daily take time to read the Word, especially first thing in the morning, and daily spend time in prayer, in conversation, with the Lord. That is my first line of defense. That is what sharpens me to keep my guard up. This was the core of my last two weeks of sermons: when we build that relationship with our Lord, we are establishing an "anchor" that will keep us from drifting, from being tossed around in the winds and waves of life...it will stabilize us, no matter what comes at us. And it is the best defense against temptation...period!
My greatest desire is to "love the Lord, my God, with all my heart, soul, mind & strength." then I can go on to "love my neighbor!" All I can say is this..."It works!"
From time to time I like to comment on what was sent out. This is today's devotional: Refuse to let your guard down. The enemy is doing what he can to bring plausible temptation that will open the door for him to take advantage of you. If the devil can get the upper hand you will soon be embroiled in an all-out spiritual battle designed to overwhelm you. Now is the time to stand your ground as you set a watch and discern his subtle tactics, says the Lord. Be awake and aware!
2 Corinthians 10:5 "Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."
I have found the absolute best way to keep my guard up is to daily take time to read the Word, especially first thing in the morning, and daily spend time in prayer, in conversation, with the Lord. That is my first line of defense. That is what sharpens me to keep my guard up. This was the core of my last two weeks of sermons: when we build that relationship with our Lord, we are establishing an "anchor" that will keep us from drifting, from being tossed around in the winds and waves of life...it will stabilize us, no matter what comes at us. And it is the best defense against temptation...period!
My greatest desire is to "love the Lord, my God, with all my heart, soul, mind & strength." then I can go on to "love my neighbor!" All I can say is this..."It works!"
Monday, March 14, 2011
Whither Thy Version?
I was raised on the old King James version (KJ) of the Bible. Please note that it is a "version," often called the 1611 version, as old King James authorized a "contemporary" version of the Bible for common folk in that year (or so we're told). The phrasing and syntax of the Elizabethan English version has stood the test of time and for several hundred years has been an accepted standard Bible version.
Today, however, we have a number of wonderful versions available. The NIV has been a very accepted and is easy to read. My standard for many decades has been the NKJ, or "New King James," as I am very comfortable with the old KJ syntax, but the NKJ updates the "thee's & thou's" for me. Today I love the Message Bible for its contemporary language, as well as the Living Bible and for study, I often use the Amplified Bible (but not for memorization!).
It has been fun for us in our Bible studies to listen to different versions as they put their particular "slant" to a certain verse or portion of the Bible we are studying. As a church, we have not put our "stamp of approval" on any one version, and with computerized or on-line Bible programs, we now have a myriad of versions to compare as we study. We just encourage people to find a Bible version they are comfortable with, and if questioned, we recommend one of the versions already mentioned. The bottom line is this: get into the Bible, study it, get to know it!
Now, in light of that, I have come across the following contemporary, 'politically correct' version of the well-known Psalms 23. Read on...and weep!
POLITICALLY CORRECT CONTEMPORARY 23rd PSALM
"The Lord and I are in a shepherd-sheep relationship, and I am in a position of negative need.
"He prostrates me in a green-belt grazing area, and conducts me into lateral proximity with a non-torrential aqueous accumulation.
"He restores to original satisfaction levels my psychological makeup.
"Notwithstanding the fact that I make ambulatory progress through the non- illuminated geological interstice of mortality, terror sensations shall not be manifest within me due to the proximity of omnipotence.
"Your pastoral walking aid and quadruped-restraint module induce in me a pleasurific mood state.
"You design and produce a nutrient-bearing support structure in the context of non-cooperative elements.
"You enact a head-related folk ritual utilizing vegetable extracts, and my beverage container exhibits inadequate volumetric parameters.
"Surely it must be an intrinsic non-deductible factor that your inter- relational, emphatic, and non-vengeful attributes will pursue me as their target focus for the duration of the current non-death period.
"And I will possess tenant rights in the residential facility of the Lord on a permanently open-ended time basis.
(Maurizio Mariotti)
Today, however, we have a number of wonderful versions available. The NIV has been a very accepted and is easy to read. My standard for many decades has been the NKJ, or "New King James," as I am very comfortable with the old KJ syntax, but the NKJ updates the "thee's & thou's" for me. Today I love the Message Bible for its contemporary language, as well as the Living Bible and for study, I often use the Amplified Bible (but not for memorization!).
It has been fun for us in our Bible studies to listen to different versions as they put their particular "slant" to a certain verse or portion of the Bible we are studying. As a church, we have not put our "stamp of approval" on any one version, and with computerized or on-line Bible programs, we now have a myriad of versions to compare as we study. We just encourage people to find a Bible version they are comfortable with, and if questioned, we recommend one of the versions already mentioned. The bottom line is this: get into the Bible, study it, get to know it!
Now, in light of that, I have come across the following contemporary, 'politically correct' version of the well-known Psalms 23. Read on...and weep!
POLITICALLY CORRECT CONTEMPORARY 23rd PSALM
"The Lord and I are in a shepherd-sheep relationship, and I am in a position of negative need.
"He prostrates me in a green-belt grazing area, and conducts me into lateral proximity with a non-torrential aqueous accumulation.
"He restores to original satisfaction levels my psychological makeup.
"Notwithstanding the fact that I make ambulatory progress through the non- illuminated geological interstice of mortality, terror sensations shall not be manifest within me due to the proximity of omnipotence.
"Your pastoral walking aid and quadruped-restraint module induce in me a pleasurific mood state.
"You design and produce a nutrient-bearing support structure in the context of non-cooperative elements.
"You enact a head-related folk ritual utilizing vegetable extracts, and my beverage container exhibits inadequate volumetric parameters.
"Surely it must be an intrinsic non-deductible factor that your inter- relational, emphatic, and non-vengeful attributes will pursue me as their target focus for the duration of the current non-death period.
"And I will possess tenant rights in the residential facility of the Lord on a permanently open-ended time basis.
(Maurizio Mariotti)
Saturday, March 12, 2011
A Shaking World
For the past several weeks we've watched the world shake...figuratively, and literally. The Middle East is in shambles, and I'm trying to figure out "who's on first." Why should I really care what is happening thousands of miles away in a foreign country? Well, try this...I paid over $3.50 a gallon the last time I filled up my gas tank! I'm almost afraid to see what it is today. My problem here is that the oil has continued to flow, so why the flux in price? For those of you who understand financial intrigues, it has more to do with "oil futures" than anything else...ah, but I digress. They are in turmoil, they are shaking, and so is the price of gas and other commodities.
Yesterday I watched with amazement at the destruction in Japan, and along our western coast, as the earthquake shook the world, literally. They say it moved that island eight feet (8'...!!) over because of the movement of the earth. No wonder the Tsunami brought such destruction.
My point...among all this shaking, is that we need stability. Last Sunday I had 5 literal anchors, of various sizes, on the platform. I used them to illustrate that different anchors are needed for different size boats...from the rubber ducky in the bathtub or the shallow end of the pool...to a 15,000 to 25,000 lb boat sitting in the harbor.
As we grow in our faith, we continually need larger and larger anchors, to keep us, as Paul said to the Ephesians, "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about..."
That anchor is developed by a close, personal relationship with the Son of God, that passion for Him that absolutely sets us on fire for Him. Jeremiah said this was a burning fire within him. That personal relationship will hold you, no matter what happens in our world, or what happens in "your world."
As the old song of the church says, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."
Yesterday I watched with amazement at the destruction in Japan, and along our western coast, as the earthquake shook the world, literally. They say it moved that island eight feet (8'...!!) over because of the movement of the earth. No wonder the Tsunami brought such destruction.
My point...among all this shaking, is that we need stability. Last Sunday I had 5 literal anchors, of various sizes, on the platform. I used them to illustrate that different anchors are needed for different size boats...from the rubber ducky in the bathtub or the shallow end of the pool...to a 15,000 to 25,000 lb boat sitting in the harbor.
As we grow in our faith, we continually need larger and larger anchors, to keep us, as Paul said to the Ephesians, "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about..."
That anchor is developed by a close, personal relationship with the Son of God, that passion for Him that absolutely sets us on fire for Him. Jeremiah said this was a burning fire within him. That personal relationship will hold you, no matter what happens in our world, or what happens in "your world."
As the old song of the church says, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."
Thursday, March 3, 2011
I'm Back...For Awhile
Our new website is up...tweaking, polishing, adjusting, as we try to perfect our work. A new web page means I need to dust off my Blog...it has been a year since I last blogged. Does that say something about this past crazy year...a most amazing year of transition. Transition for myself, for my family, for our church.
In just two months I step over and our son, Kevin, will step into the role of Sr. Pastor. I will become the official church "Father" ("Pastor Emeritus"). After 45 years, I am stepping out of full-time Pastoring. I will continue my work as a City Manager (though at this point we do not know the exact location of our new assignment).
On May 1 we will celebrate our 25th Anniversary as a church, and install Pastor Kevin as the lead Pastor. This will bring to a culmination a 3-year planned transfer of leadership. It has been fun working so closely with him these past three years, and I'm rather proud of the spiritual and leadership growth I have seen in Kevin. He is ready to take the lead...I am ready to let him!
Am I retiring? No! I am just stepping back as far as the church goes. For almost three decades I have been a Pastor, and a local businessman. I have been a local elected official (Mayor) and now, after going back to Grad School, I am serving as a City Manager. I have always found ways to serve the local community where we lived, believing that I was to live out what I preached. So I have been a fireman, a police chaplain, a college instructor, a professional Mediator, an insurance salesman, landlord, and even held a real estate license for several years. I have taught Bible studies, theology, sailing and first aid. I have officiated at weddings, and conducted more funerals than I have preached sermons. It has been a most fascinating, interesting life. Through it all, I have sought to honor my God, both in and outside the church. Hopefully I have influenced others with my life, and helped others live their life to the fullest extent possible.
So now, with four and a half decades of pastoral ministry behind me, I guess I have a right to reminisce. But that will wait. I've said enough for now. I will continue to write and blog and see how I can encourage and influence others. Now, pardon me, I need to get back to my studies!
In just two months I step over and our son, Kevin, will step into the role of Sr. Pastor. I will become the official church "Father" ("Pastor Emeritus"). After 45 years, I am stepping out of full-time Pastoring. I will continue my work as a City Manager (though at this point we do not know the exact location of our new assignment).
On May 1 we will celebrate our 25th Anniversary as a church, and install Pastor Kevin as the lead Pastor. This will bring to a culmination a 3-year planned transfer of leadership. It has been fun working so closely with him these past three years, and I'm rather proud of the spiritual and leadership growth I have seen in Kevin. He is ready to take the lead...I am ready to let him!
Am I retiring? No! I am just stepping back as far as the church goes. For almost three decades I have been a Pastor, and a local businessman. I have been a local elected official (Mayor) and now, after going back to Grad School, I am serving as a City Manager. I have always found ways to serve the local community where we lived, believing that I was to live out what I preached. So I have been a fireman, a police chaplain, a college instructor, a professional Mediator, an insurance salesman, landlord, and even held a real estate license for several years. I have taught Bible studies, theology, sailing and first aid. I have officiated at weddings, and conducted more funerals than I have preached sermons. It has been a most fascinating, interesting life. Through it all, I have sought to honor my God, both in and outside the church. Hopefully I have influenced others with my life, and helped others live their life to the fullest extent possible.
So now, with four and a half decades of pastoral ministry behind me, I guess I have a right to reminisce. But that will wait. I've said enough for now. I will continue to write and blog and see how I can encourage and influence others. Now, pardon me, I need to get back to my studies!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)