Many of you have seen an invasion of orange trucks recently.  On the side of each truck is lettered a name that is hard to pronounce…are you with me?  The drivers seem polite, and not that scary if you are used to beards and flannel…But when the invasion leaves your home, and you see their artistic impressions, you are left with a sick feeling.  How could they do that to your trees?  I thought that it would be good to talk to the artists about their work…maybe offer a few suggestions, but when I did, they said that they are not paid to make the trees look good.  At least he got that right!

It was at this time that the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me.  God can fix what the world has done to you.  Anyone who has spent time on this blue dot knows that life can sometimes be really difficult to endure.  Maybe you are at the point where your passion has died.  I’ve been there, and it is no fun.  Or maybe you feel like your Heavenly Father is guilty of child neglect.  You may be at the point where you read stories of God’s care for His children, but then your next thought is – what about me?  If He cared about me then why ____________?  (You fill it in.)  This is a false accusation, but one that most of us feel at one time or another.  God’s Word tell us: “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!  Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.  When I awake, I am still with you.” (Psalm 139:17-18)  He also tells us that He is always ready to hear and answer our cries for help: “Lord, you are good.   You are forgiving.  You are full of love for all who call out to you.  When I’m in trouble, I will call out to you.  And you will answer me.” (Psalm 86:5, 7)

So know this today.  You may have the scars of the world, like the trees you see after the “tree guys” have finished their art.  But that is not your end.  You just read that God is thinking about you and you ARE precious to Him.  His heart is full of love for you, and when you call out to Him…He will answer.  What you now see is not the finished product.  God can take your hard, rough, painful experiences, and make them into something beautiful.  The only thing is, He will do it in His time: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)  It’s really hard for us to imagine what the final picture of us will look like.  Growing up, I had a friend who was an incredible artist.  He would always be doodling or drawing pictures, and I would sometimes sit by him and watch.  Almost every time, I had no idea what on earth he was drawing until a little time had passed.  Then I started to see the picture that was in the artist’s mind all along.  You see, when God does a work in someone’s life…it will be a beautiful masterpiece.  This is a guarantee.  He doesn’t make mistakes, He never tires, and His love for you never ends.

Today, like those trees, you may feel scarred, torn apart, and rejected.  Thankfully God does not treat us like the world.  Hear His voice today calling out to you…”Come to me, you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  I will turn your situation around and make you beautiful…in My time!

Book review:  The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns

This book was written by the president of World Vision.  It is filled with Scripture and is written so well that it will keep your attention.  More than that God has used this book to remind me of what I need to focus on and how to get back to what’s important.  I wish that I could give a copy of this book to every spiritual leader that I know.  It really has changed my life and my ministry.  If you are hungry and want to fan your fires again, then read this good.  I give it 5 mega-sized coffee cups up!

Blessing to you,

P Ray

Years ago, I wrote an article and I forgot to sign it.  I didn’t notice it, but my mother-in-law did.  She told me that she knew it was my article, because she knows how I write.  God inspired me with two points from this.

1. It doesn’t really matter that my name was left out, because the thing that I really want people to get is not me.  God is the only thing that matters.  He is the only one who can change lives and make a lasting impression.  I do like writing and have even had a few poems published.  (Bet you didn’t know that!)  But what really excites me is to see someone get a spiritual nugget that they will carry and apply to their everyday life.

“But, ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.’  For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” 2 Cor. 10:17-18.  These verses say exactly what I am trying to get you to see today.  God is the one whom I am trying to please.  He holds the opinion of my work that really matters.  I am not out to make a name for myself.  My God is the only thing I want you to see.

This verse holds the key for us.  The key to giving glory where glory is due.  If we do anything that has any worth to it, it is because of God inside of us.  The moment we even think that we had anything to do with something that turns out well is the very moment we start boasting in ourselves.  It is also the moment when we are no longer approved by God.  It’s sad, but you can see this in church, people who are desperate to be recognized.  They end up talking about what they did…for God…  Was it really for God?

2. My mother-in-law recognized my writing.  This is my second point.  How did she know my writing?  She reads my articles.  That sounds simple enough.  She knew what I wrote and recognized it as my words because she has been reading what I write for some time now.  I can promise you that she would know my article from another, even if none of the names of the authors were listed.  You are probably waiting to see where I am going with this.  My mother-in-law (Hi Joyce) knows my writing because of the style that I write in but also, more importantly, because she know my heart.  I recently heard from Shelley Creeger when she spoke at our Homecoming service, that God’s word is full of His love for us.  It was a great reminder for all of us.  His Word is one giant love letter to us.  We can also know His heart through reading His Word.  So how did Joyce know my writing?  How do we know the difference between the Word of God from others who have great sayings?  You know God’s Word when you read it; that’s obvious.  But you also KNOW God’s Word when you KNOW His heart.

If there is a time when you did something and did not receive any credit, it’s OK!  Really it is.  If we are to take credit for anything, it is God inside of us.  SO it’s still not us.  Do you get it?

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”  Eph. 2:8-9

God Bless!

PRay…you probably already know that 🙂

My granddaughters (alias “cutie pies”) love to play a game called Whack-A-Mole (which sounds like guacamole without the ‘ole on the end).  They have a small bat to hit a mole on the head when that mole's helmet lights up.  The four moles heads and hats are controlled by a simple electronic circuit that makes it a great guessing game as to which mole will light up next.

The problem with whacking the moles is that lots of moles get whacked when it's not their turn!  If they could talk they might say “why did you hit me, I didn't do anything wrong – I didn't even light up!”

If the person doing the whacking is a mother or father, they might reply “well there were lots of times when you should have been whacked but didn't get whacked because I didn't see what you did.”

Or if the whack-er is a brother or sister, they might say “I didn't whack you, Sally (or Mike) did!”

Or those who are not conflict oriented might say “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to whack you – will you forgive me?”

And the type A personalities (don't you just love ‘em?) would no doubt say “I have the bat in my hand and it's my turn and….”

Aren't you glad God doesn't play Whack-A-Mole on us all the time?

If He whacks me it's because He's working something in or out of me. He NEVER whacks me just for the fun of it!

It's my observation that few people do very well with the bat.  Maybe it's a contemporary version of “don't try to take the tiny piece of wood in someone else's eye until you remove the board from your own!?!”

 

Pastor Mark

Ever get woken up in the middle of the night by your baby's crying?  They are trying to tell you something is wrong…feed me, change me, hold me…

Is your prayer life like that?  When you read Psalm 141, how does it sound in your head?  If you were to read it out loud, would it be monotone (using your best Ray Ramono voice)?  Or would it be passionate (like Dick Vitale).  Check out the New Living Translation…notice the exclamation marks.

Psalm 141:1 – “O Lord, I am calling to you. Please hurry!   Listen when I cry to you for help!”

Are you crying out to the Lord in your prayer time? Or is it just routine?

PB

Update Regarding My New Smart Phone – which is still at the Verizon store to be purchased at some future date.  Maybe.

Last week I gave my administrative assistant my smartphone blog to post. No sooner than it was posted a family came to the church and their 8 year old daughter wanted to show me her brand new (you guessed it!) Samsung SMARTPHONE.  My wife happened to be present and having just read my blog got a big laugh out of the whole situation. I found it less funny than she did.

On to something else, sort of.

In my Junior High years our family lived in a big farm house.  My brother Jeff and I played basketball at the old hoop attached to the barn.  If we played 100 games of one-on-one, he would win 98 times.  No kidding.  If I won it was luck.  I eventually refused to play H-O-R-S-E with him because my winning percentage fell from 2% to 0%.  Now time travel with me to my son Joe's Junior High years.  I'm the dad, I was taller, and we had an official backboard, hoop, and net.  It wasn't long until I refused to play H-O-R-S-E with Joe.  I was tired of losing and worse, it reminded me of losing to Jeff all the time.  I could still beat Joe one-on-one until he became a freshman at Allen East.  My final fling in basketball was playing in an alumnae game at Waynesfield.  The guys from 70's played the guys from 90's (what's wrong with this picture!?!).  Full court.  My mom was in the stands that night thinking I'm going to have a heart attack! That's when I hung up my basketball shoes for good.

The point?  Blogs don't have to have a point!  Blogs are just sharing life.

Happy to share a little of mine today!

Pastor Mark

Have you ever wanted something you don't really need?

I'm not talking about a newer car because yours has lived its life or a new computer that won't run newer software or another pair of shoes when you already have ____ pair (sorry ladies – I know, you both want and need new shoes).

I want a smart phone.  The phone I have now makes and answers calls.  I can text on it.  It's not broken.  The two-year activation period is over and it's time to update!  Happy Day!  Except for one thing – I don't need a smart phone.  And, I really don't need the extra $40 per month for the data plan, which you have to have with a smart phone.

In the past, when I wanted something (whether I needed it or not), I started a process with my wife that goes something like this:  I sow the seed, list all the advantages, cry a little (“I'm the only man in the universe who doesn't have a smart phone”), I make proposals, repeat the advantages, drag her to Verizon (and promise we won't buy anything today), and wear her down until she says OK.  What I've described in this paragraph is actually how I USED to do this process. I learned about 15 years ago it didn't work very well because I got what I wanted but the relationship was strained.

So here's my new process. I say “If and when it's time for me to get a smartphone, just let me know.  I won't pressure you or drag you to Verizon or whine (too much)”. Simple. Effective. Honest.

Is life about getting what we want or prizing what we have?  THE most important thing is our relationships!

BTW, if you have a better process – let me know!

I still want a smartphone.

Pastor Mark

This word seems to keep popping up in my life lately.  What is expected of me?  For me right now, I think of VBS, camp, the youth group, my family…we all wear a lot of different hats and have different expectations placed upon us.  Sometimes, those can seem overwhelming.  A lot of times, we expect more out of ourselves than what others are really expecting.

Take some time to clarify what is expected of you.  Not just what you expect of yourself, but what does your spouse need from you today?  What do your kids need from you?  What does your boss or co-workers need from you?  What about God?  What does God expect of you?  He has given you gifts (abilities, talents, passions…) to do a ‘good work that He has prepared in advance for you to do' (Ephesians 2:8-10).  But what does God expect of you?  Does He expect you to move to Africa? Or sell everything? Or be the top dog at the office?  Does He expect you to love the person across the street?  Read the Bible everyday all day and memorize it cover to cover (including the maps)?

The verse that sticks out to me today is the one that we call the Greatest Commandment – Matthew 22:35-40…Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, soul, mind…the 2^nd is like it “love your neighbor as yourself.'  

What does God expect of you today?  What is your role in the Kingdom?  What if we started with loving God and loving others?

PB

I grew up in the Waynesfield United Methodist church and one of my “happy places” was sitting in the sanctuary and seeing light pouring through the beautiful stained glass!  As I recall, there were two large stained glass windows and many smaller ones.

Did you know that one of the purposes of stained glass in the cathedrals of Europe was to tell the gospel story in pictures – to an audience that couldn't read?  The first bible wasn't printed until the 1450's and the most popular version of the bible for the common man was translated in 1611 for King James of England, hence the King James Version.  To read more, church out http://www.allabouttruth.org/king-james-bible.htm!

But this isn't a blog-thought about glass and bibles!  How do people learn about the gospel today?  I suggest it is still by the pictures they see – the picture of you and me, transformed by the saving power and authority of Jesus!

Read St. Paul's explanation of this concept in II Corinthians 2:14-2:3.

You and I are literally stained glass with the Holy Spirit pouring in and through us – telling the story of Jesus to people who may hear the words but miss the message!

What a privilege!

Pastor Mark

Where will we, the church and individual Christ-followers, stand and what should we do in light of recent decisions by the Supreme Court regarding same-sex marriage?  We are in uncharted territory.  We're way past the wrist WWJD bands and Christian T-shirt methods of standing up for Christ.

I submit to you that these arguments aren't about gay rights, DOMA, or US Supreme Court decisions – the primary argument is whether or not truth, absolute truth that doesn't change, can be known and if it can, what is its source?  Who has the right (and responsibility) to speak ABSOLUTE truth (VS subject or relative truth) into the life of a culture, nation, or individual?

We must find the “Holy Spirit given balance” between standing for righteousness and loving people as Jesus does.

Love as Jesus loves.  Tell the truth as revealed in God's Word.  Live a Christian life that makes the gospel attractive (Titus 2:9-10)!

Pastor Mark