Christmas is over and I can catch my breath. Our Christmas was full of friends and family and food. Thanks to all those who sent warm Holiday wishes.
It is time to consider a New Year. I am personally stirred by the wonder of God's grace and mercy. It causes me to commit to the purposes of God. I have been studying in Romans and have been amazed on how much Paul speaks of obedience. He speaks of how Christ's obedience many were made righteousness (Ro 5:19) and how his life mission was effected. Paul viewed his call and apostleship 'to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of Christ's name among all the nations' (Ro 1:5). He would make no boast except what Christ has accomplished through him to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed (Ro 15:18). His great joy was the testimony of the church and their obedience to the faith. (Ro 16:19).
I wonder how much attention we pay to the idea of obedience. Do we view grace as a way to escape the responsibility to obey God in everything, or do we look at grace as the empowering presence of God to do what is right. One of the great themes of Romans is that we are dead to sin and alive to God. Paul would write 'Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness'.
This is my endeavor and prayer. That I may be a slave to the grace of God.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Merry Christmas
It is 5:30 Sunday morning and I feel extremely grateful for the people in my life. To many to list for sure. Family, friends and our church family, to all, Margi and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and greater revelation of God's grace and love.
Thank you for all that you mean to us!
Thank you for all that you mean to us!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Survivining The Holidays
It has been an incredibly busy month!! And now the Christmas season is upon us in full roar. We have just crossed the ten week mark at Journey Church and things are going well. It has been a great privilege to serve with such a committed group of folks with a real desire to make Jesus known. I have been teaching a series on Surviving the Holidays that I hope helps people keep a even keel in the holiday season.
I have observed that for many the Holidays are awkward times. Difficult family relationships, broken friendships, the feeling of being in a box, the pressure to spend, not to mention the weight gain, are ever present to rob us of the peace of God. I believe that some keys to navigating relational waters starts with understanding who you are in God. If you have accepted Christ, no matter where you have been or what you have done you are forgiven and have right-standng with the creator of the universe. That fact should give as great confidence. Let your identity be rooted in Gods love for you and quite striving for the affirmation of man. Because of the grace given to us we have the opportunity to represent Christ to our family and friends. If we can approach relationships with the mindset of an ambassador we an live above the fray. Ultimately we need to become better lovers of people. Jesus taught us to love our neighbor as he loved them. As we become less self focused in our relationships and serve and love others it has an impact. I know a man that in his youth found Christ and was very out spoken and confrontational in sharing his faith. When he would go to large family gatherings he would contend with his brothers and sisters about becoming Christians. It was quite a wake up call when it was pointed out that he never lifted a finger to help with dishes or any other family chores at Christmas gatherings. He never helped clear a table, or offered to take out the trash. As a result the family was increasingly hostile to the message and the messenger. We have the power to overcome evil with good. With a difficult family member that rubs you the wrong way, be kind. live above the fray.
1. Understand who you are.
2. See this as a time of opportunity. Remember we are Christ’s Ambassadors
3. Becoming a Better Lover
4. Overcome evil with Good
I have observed that for many the Holidays are awkward times. Difficult family relationships, broken friendships, the feeling of being in a box, the pressure to spend, not to mention the weight gain, are ever present to rob us of the peace of God. I believe that some keys to navigating relational waters starts with understanding who you are in God. If you have accepted Christ, no matter where you have been or what you have done you are forgiven and have right-standng with the creator of the universe. That fact should give as great confidence. Let your identity be rooted in Gods love for you and quite striving for the affirmation of man. Because of the grace given to us we have the opportunity to represent Christ to our family and friends. If we can approach relationships with the mindset of an ambassador we an live above the fray. Ultimately we need to become better lovers of people. Jesus taught us to love our neighbor as he loved them. As we become less self focused in our relationships and serve and love others it has an impact. I know a man that in his youth found Christ and was very out spoken and confrontational in sharing his faith. When he would go to large family gatherings he would contend with his brothers and sisters about becoming Christians. It was quite a wake up call when it was pointed out that he never lifted a finger to help with dishes or any other family chores at Christmas gatherings. He never helped clear a table, or offered to take out the trash. As a result the family was increasingly hostile to the message and the messenger. We have the power to overcome evil with good. With a difficult family member that rubs you the wrong way, be kind. live above the fray.
1. Understand who you are.
2. See this as a time of opportunity. Remember we are Christ’s Ambassadors
3. Becoming a Better Lover
4. Overcome evil with Good
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