Listening to my body, like listening to my wife, is a good thing. As I shared on my last post, I have had a few days of not feeling so well physically. On Friday I ran a low grade fever and was in some pain. Now, I don't know that Dr. Diane is always right. Okay, so she is always right, but on Friday I backed out of a fishing trip that was planned for Saturday. (That caused more pain) I spent some extra time in prayer. Then I spent all day Saturday simply resting, or at least that's what I called it. Anyway, what I did has certainly made a difference. I had a great day yesterday. We preached two services, went to lunch with my family, and met with my vision team yesterday evening. I felt strong all day. God is good!!!
Yesterday, I used this illustration. Many years ago Mr. Reese took some Hershey chocolate and combined it with his peanut butter and made an awesome new thing called Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. I shared a 1980's Reese's TV commercial about how two people, one who's passion was chocolate and one who's passion was peanut butter, ran into each other and got the chocolate and peanut butter mixed. The result was a Reese's Cup. My question was this. What would happen if we took our chocolate (passion) and combined it with God's passion (peanut butter)? What new thing could God do with that?
For me, my passion is my calling to pastoral ministry. When I mix it with what God wants me to do, I have strength to do it. I think that is what happened yesterday. Some Reese's Cups were made. I don't know how it will all turn out, but God does. Thank you Lord for using my chocolate.
What are you doing with your chocolate today?
Monday, July 23, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Friday, Saturday, July 20,21
The last couple of days have not been very good ones for me physically. I am still confident in the Lord's healing, so not to worry. It's all about Him.
Like everyone else on the planet, I am saddened by the shootings at the theater in Arizona. As I was wondering what we can make of this I found this blog through FaceBook. I don't know this lady, but I think that she has put everything into perspective. Here are some excerps from her blog.
(Maybe, just maybe God spared my life because He loves YOU and wants you to hear this..He wants you to believe that He loved you so much He gave His only begotten Son that if you would believe in Him you would have eternal life.)
“So, you still believe in a merciful God?” Some of the comments online are genuinely inquisitive, others are contemptuous in nature. Regardless of the motive behind the question, I will respond the same way.
Yes. Yes, I do indeed. Absolutely, positively, unequivocally. Let’s get something straight: the theater shooting was an evil, horrendous act done by a man controlled by evil. God did not take a gun and pull the trigger in a crowded theater. He didn’t even suggest it. A man did. In His sovereignty, God made man in His image with the ability to choose good and evil. Unfortunately, sometimes man chooses evil.
I was there in theater 9 at midnight, straining to make out the words and trying to figure out the story line as The Dark Night Rises began. I’m not a big movie-goer. The HH and I prefer to watch movies in the comfort of our own home…where I can use subtitles and get a foot rub. I don’t like action movies. And I don’t like midnight showings. But, as I wrote in my last post, parents sometimes make sacrifices for their kiddos and I decided I would take my fourteen year old and sixteen year old daughters who were chomping at the bit to see this eagerly anticipated third movie in the Batman Trilogy. Twice I had the opportunity to back out and twice I was quite tempted. But something in me said just go with your girls. I did. So I was there with them, fidgeting in my seat, some forty or fifty feet away from the man with the gun. It’s still a bit surreal, but I do know that when the seemingly endless shooting started, as my girls were struggling from whatever gas or chemical had been released, and we figured out what was happening, we hit the floor. I threw myself on top of my fourteen year old who was on the end of the row, straight up the aisle from the shooter. In that moment, as the rapid-fire shots continued, I truly thought I was going to die. And I realized that I was ready. I have put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the redeemer of my soul, and there wasn’t the slightest doubt that I would be received into heaven, not because of any good thing that I have done but because of His merciful nature and the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Still, as I lay over my daughter, I began praying out loud. I don’t even remember what I prayed, but I don’t imagine it really matters. I’m sure it was for protection and peace. It drew me closer into the presence of God. When there was a pause in the shooting, people began to clamor for the exits. The girls and I jumped up and joined the masses. We had to step over a lifeless body, not knowing where the shooter was. We raced to our car and I dumped my purse, frantically searching for keys, looking all around, prepared to hit the ground. I yelled at Michelle to call Matthew and find out if he had made it out of the theater next door. She did. He did. We booked on out of there.
Why would you think such a tragedy would make me question the goodness of God? If anything, both of my girls said it made Him a much more real presence to them.He is not the cause of evil, but He is the one who can bring comfort and peace in the midst of evil. It’s been amazing to see the outpouring of love from so many people after this unthinkable act. Yes, there was one evil act, but it is being covered by thousands, possibly millions of acts of kindness.
Though we don’t have all the answers, we do indeed listen to the cry of our hearts: When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? Psalm 56:3-4
God is always good. Man is not. Don’t get the two confused. We will continue to praise and worship our mighty God, anticipating that He will bring beauty from ashes, as only He can do.
Marie
Like everyone else on the planet, I am saddened by the shootings at the theater in Arizona. As I was wondering what we can make of this I found this blog through FaceBook. I don't know this lady, but I think that she has put everything into perspective. Here are some excerps from her blog.
(Maybe, just maybe God spared my life because He loves YOU and wants you to hear this..He wants you to believe that He loved you so much He gave His only begotten Son that if you would believe in Him you would have eternal life.)
“So, you still believe in a merciful God?” Some of the comments online are genuinely inquisitive, others are contemptuous in nature. Regardless of the motive behind the question, I will respond the same way.
Yes. Yes, I do indeed. Absolutely, positively, unequivocally. Let’s get something straight: the theater shooting was an evil, horrendous act done by a man controlled by evil. God did not take a gun and pull the trigger in a crowded theater. He didn’t even suggest it. A man did. In His sovereignty, God made man in His image with the ability to choose good and evil. Unfortunately, sometimes man chooses evil.
I was there in theater 9 at midnight, straining to make out the words and trying to figure out the story line as The Dark Night Rises began. I’m not a big movie-goer. The HH and I prefer to watch movies in the comfort of our own home…where I can use subtitles and get a foot rub. I don’t like action movies. And I don’t like midnight showings. But, as I wrote in my last post, parents sometimes make sacrifices for their kiddos and I decided I would take my fourteen year old and sixteen year old daughters who were chomping at the bit to see this eagerly anticipated third movie in the Batman Trilogy. Twice I had the opportunity to back out and twice I was quite tempted. But something in me said just go with your girls. I did. So I was there with them, fidgeting in my seat, some forty or fifty feet away from the man with the gun. It’s still a bit surreal, but I do know that when the seemingly endless shooting started, as my girls were struggling from whatever gas or chemical had been released, and we figured out what was happening, we hit the floor. I threw myself on top of my fourteen year old who was on the end of the row, straight up the aisle from the shooter. In that moment, as the rapid-fire shots continued, I truly thought I was going to die. And I realized that I was ready. I have put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the redeemer of my soul, and there wasn’t the slightest doubt that I would be received into heaven, not because of any good thing that I have done but because of His merciful nature and the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Still, as I lay over my daughter, I began praying out loud. I don’t even remember what I prayed, but I don’t imagine it really matters. I’m sure it was for protection and peace. It drew me closer into the presence of God. When there was a pause in the shooting, people began to clamor for the exits. The girls and I jumped up and joined the masses. We had to step over a lifeless body, not knowing where the shooter was. We raced to our car and I dumped my purse, frantically searching for keys, looking all around, prepared to hit the ground. I yelled at Michelle to call Matthew and find out if he had made it out of the theater next door. She did. He did. We booked on out of there.
Why would you think such a tragedy would make me question the goodness of God? If anything, both of my girls said it made Him a much more real presence to them.He is not the cause of evil, but He is the one who can bring comfort and peace in the midst of evil. It’s been amazing to see the outpouring of love from so many people after this unthinkable act. Yes, there was one evil act, but it is being covered by thousands, possibly millions of acts of kindness.
Though we don’t have all the answers, we do indeed listen to the cry of our hearts: When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? Psalm 56:3-4
God is always good. Man is not. Don’t get the two confused. We will continue to praise and worship our mighty God, anticipating that He will bring beauty from ashes, as only He can do.
Marie
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Wednesday, July 18
Diane and I voted yesterday. I was pleased to learn this morning that many of the folks that I voted for won. Of course, this was only a primary, so these people will have to run against another opponent in November. As we voted I had two thoughts.
One: What a great country we live in! We get to vote for our leaders. Our choice, our vote, does count.
Two: As I looked at the names of those running for local offices, I thought about much I admire anyone who wants to serve their community in this way. City Council, Mayor and offices such as these are thankless jobs, I am sure. But I am thankful that someone has the passion to do it.
The Bible says that we should pray for those in authority. Today I pray for those who are currently serving, in whatever capacity, to lead our community. I pray that his/her passion and commitment is in the right place and focused on serving the way that Christ would have them to serve.
What is your passion? How are you serving?
Lord, let it begin with Jerry.
One: What a great country we live in! We get to vote for our leaders. Our choice, our vote, does count.
Two: As I looked at the names of those running for local offices, I thought about much I admire anyone who wants to serve their community in this way. City Council, Mayor and offices such as these are thankless jobs, I am sure. But I am thankful that someone has the passion to do it.
The Bible says that we should pray for those in authority. Today I pray for those who are currently serving, in whatever capacity, to lead our community. I pray that his/her passion and commitment is in the right place and focused on serving the way that Christ would have them to serve.
What is your passion? How are you serving?
Lord, let it begin with Jerry.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Monday, July 16
It was a special time, but somewhat bewildering. Yesterday during one of the worship services at GC I felt the power of the Holy Spirit all over me. It was a bit different than I have experienced in the past. I am not sure how to describe it. It was His power, yet it rendered me almost speechless. The tears wanted to flow, but I did not know why. The words were in my throat, but I had such a difficult time getting them to come out of my mouth. Since that time, I have been pondering what reasoning was behind this Presence.
I have been extremely concerned about the state of my community, my country and the world lately. I have been even more concerned about the state of all of Christ's churches, but especially GC. (GC is the one that I know the best, of course). I have been fervently praying for those who need Christ in so many different ways. There are so many burdens that I share with my GC family, as well as others. Could it be that yesterday, as Paul wrote in Romans 8:26, His spirit was praying for me when I did not know what to pray for?
Now, don't take this next statement any way but face value. I do not have any more information about my personal health than I have shared. I feel physically fine. Nothing has changed in the last few weeks. But I think that yesterday I felt the Holy Spirit reminding me of the urgency of the situation.
If God allows me to preach one more week or one more decade, the message is still urgent. It's all about HIM! If God allows me to live on this earth one more day or twenty more years, the message is still urgent. It's all about HIM!
Look at your schedule today (or tomorrow, or this week). Does it reflect that it is all about you. Or does it reflect that it is all about Him?
I have been extremely concerned about the state of my community, my country and the world lately. I have been even more concerned about the state of all of Christ's churches, but especially GC. (GC is the one that I know the best, of course). I have been fervently praying for those who need Christ in so many different ways. There are so many burdens that I share with my GC family, as well as others. Could it be that yesterday, as Paul wrote in Romans 8:26, His spirit was praying for me when I did not know what to pray for?
Now, don't take this next statement any way but face value. I do not have any more information about my personal health than I have shared. I feel physically fine. Nothing has changed in the last few weeks. But I think that yesterday I felt the Holy Spirit reminding me of the urgency of the situation.
If God allows me to preach one more week or one more decade, the message is still urgent. It's all about HIM! If God allows me to live on this earth one more day or twenty more years, the message is still urgent. It's all about HIM!
Look at your schedule today (or tomorrow, or this week). Does it reflect that it is all about you. Or does it reflect that it is all about Him?
Friday, July 13, 2012
Friday, July 13
Today is Friday the 13th. If you are believe in luck, then this day may have some eery meaning for you. Beware of black cats and walking under ladders. If you believe that Jesus is Lord of everything, every day, then this is the day that the Lord has made. If you agree with Max Lucado that “If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning... Face it, friend. He is crazy about you! ” then this day will have a different meaning.
When I think about my journey with cancer I realize that every day is a gift from God. Happy Friday the 13th!
When I think about my journey with cancer I realize that every day is a gift from God. Happy Friday the 13th!
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