Tuesday, January 7^th began like many of my mornings – a breakfast sandwich and iced coffee at Beaverdam. I was driving west out of Beaverdam on old SR 30 when someone ran a stop sign and we both were in an intersection designed for “one at a time, please”.  After the white powder from the air bags settled and I'd called 911 and Dinah, I began to praise the Lord for His protection and for having a big car.

My broken rib is healing – it only hurts when I laugh, or breathe, or cough, or move, or get in and out of a car or chair, or try to sleep.  The ER doctor said it will be 4 weeks before the rib pain goes away. The bumps and bruises (mostly from the seat belts) are healing.

The Dodge Charger?  The body shop stopped counting the cost of repairing it at $21,400 and they hadn't priced out engine parts yet.  I'm in the car market again.

Here's what I take away from this experience.  I was ready to go – not because I'm a pastor or a good person, but because I placed my trust in the Savior!  I loved my car – but it wasn't my second thought after discovering my legs weren't broken (thanks to the lower airbag).  I thought about the man in the other car.  I thought about Dinah, my children, grandchildren, and my UC family.

Special thanks to the EMS crews from Beaverdam and Bluffton, the ER personnel at St. Ritas, and family who helped us get home – all were so professional and helpful!

I am SO thankful and blessed!

Pastor Mark

Today I read Philippians chapters 1& 2.  There are many good verses in these two chapters, but one of them totally jumped out at me…and when that happens, you know it is God speaking.  It's wise to take it to heart, and also take time to meditate on it.  The verse was: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight” (Php. 1:9).  Stop and re-read this verse.

God said this to me: It starts with learning how to love!  In this verse Paul wasn't praying for this church to train, disciple, have more Bible studies, prayer groups, or services… Paul was praying that they would really GET what it means to love.

May abound (perisseueÌ„i). Present active subjunctive of perisseuoÌ„, may keep on overflowing, a perpetual flood of love, “yet more and more” (eti mallon kai mallon), but with necessary limitations (river banks), “in knowledge” (en epignoÌ„sei, in full knowledge) “and all discernment” (paÌ„seÌ„i aistheÌ„sei).

In case you were wondering, a little kid did not take over my keyboard…the crazy looking words are the original Greek.  Paul is telling us that he wants us to learn and experience what it means to really love.  “A perpetual flood of love” coming out from us continuously.  The “necessary limitations” means that this love needs to have an intelligent direction.  God wants us to purposely live a life of love.  He desires to see us grow in the knowledge of HOW TO love better and also discern when the Holy Spirit wants us to pass on His love more often!

This verse really made me think.  I know that we definitely need Sunday school classes.  I teach one, and I know how effective it can be.  What I want you to consider is this…is your knowledge and love increasing?  In my case, when I went off to Bible College, my knowledge did increase.  But, looking back on my life, when my knowledge increased–I became critical of those who were falling short of the standards that I felt they should have.  So my knowledge was increasing, but my love was fading.  Have you noticed that in your own life?

In our church we have a Bible study of some kind, almost every day of the week.  Yet, how many opportunities do we advertise for us to love.  We are hopefully increasing in knowledge, but my prayer is that we also increase in love.  God is calling all of us to “Be the Church”.  There is no possible way that we can really “Be the Church” if we are not first learning how to love.  What would happen if we skipped a Bible study and went somewhere and loved people?  This is my heart and I am confident that it is God's as well.

Blessings,

Pastor Ray

I'm so happy I can't see the future!

Imagine going to a football game and knowing the score before you bought the ticket or knowing what you were getting for your birthday before the gift was purchased.

It's enough for me that God says “I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

As 2013 gives way to 2014 I'm confident and at peace knowing God is managing my future.  All He asks of me is that I live in obedience and trust Him!

Blessings!

Pastor Mark

I don't think there's any doubt that there's a war on Christmas.  This war is part of a much larger one – the war on Christianity.   I won't spend my keystrokes listing examples of this reality.

Instead, I'll focus on this simple truth: if the primary message of Christmas is lost to our culture – then all that remains are secular seasonal songs (many of which I love) and consumerism.  If that's all Christmas is, how boring!  There's no magic. No mystical. No wonder. No message.

I am happy to report that Christmas will NEVER lose its message of the Savior/Sacrifice being born in Bethlehem!  Regardless of how secular culture wages war on Christianity, the light of God and His gospel-good news will ALWAYS shine brighter than its lifeless counterpart!

I am fully committed to living out the message of Christmas – Jesus was born to die and His death makes it possible for everyone to be reconciled with God!

Just as God invaded earth in Bethlehem, He is still invading hearts and lives today – Good News, Great Joy!

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Mark

Fred Schafer gave me a Lionel locomotive (made only in 1946-1947). It's all metal and super heavy – nearly four pounds!  One of my newer plastic Marx locos weighs about 12 ounces.  Like many toy makers, Marx went from high quality metal trains to plastic.

A child in the 1940's often received one toy for Christmas and it was made to last!  The majority of the metal engines made by Lionel and Marx that are 60+ years old will still run if cleaned and lubed.  I put Fred's 1946 loco on a test track and it ran fine, though it hadn't been run for several decades.

One of my best Christmas memories, as an eight year old, was wishing for a train and winning a really nice Lionel train set in a drawing at the drug store in Waynesfield.  Mom and dad had already bought a wonderful set and said I could have one but not both sets. I was thrilled to have a Lionel set!

Though my blog may seem to be about trains and toys, it's really not – it's about memories and I have enough to make this Christmas as special as the previous 59!

More on Christmas next week!

Pastor Mark

As I read Luke 2:1-7 this week, the word contentment came to mind.  Jesus was content with who He was (an outcast, poor, humble beginning, Savior) and didn't have to have the stuff, or the celebration or the recognition that He truly deserved.  He was content.

How content am I, especially after I feel I deserve something.  Take my cat for example: in order to get the cat into the basement every night, we give her a treat (we used to have to hunt her down). She used to hang out upstairs until I shook the bag of treats, then came running.  Now, at about 10:45, she goes to the door and starts meowing or grunting as if to say, ‘Hey, its time for my snack.'  She has come to expect it.  If I take it away, she would be disappointed.  But if she never had that treat, she wouldn't be missing anything would she?  She isn't happy without her treat at night.

Jesus probably knew that He was poor and an outcast, but that didn't stop Him from saving us all!  What about us?  Are we content with what God has given us?

The message I am telling myself:

-          Be content…don't get so focused on the stuff this Christmas

-          Jesus came to save us…he didn't care about status or wealth, he cares about us!  He gave us something we didn't  deserve…unconditional love, eternal life in Heaven.

I hope that His lowly birth helps you be more thankful this Christmas!

PB

Someone once said that military battle is moments of unbelievable intensity followed long periods of mind-numbing boredom.  It's my observation that most of us have plenty of excitement (at least in the form of change and stress), but once in a while something out-of-the-ordinary happens that has just enough intensity to be interesting.

I often go to Cairo to watch trains and read (moments of intensity followed by boredom).  Recently I had been trackside sitting in my car reading and I looked north and saw a fire at one of the switches.  I knew the small propane tanks beside many railroad switches fuel heaters that keep the switches clear of snow and ice, but this didn't look normal to me so I walked down the tracks for a closer inspection.  It looked like a fitting was loose, propane was leaking, and perhaps a spark from a passing train had ignited the fire.

I called 911, a county sheriff arrived, the Cairo Fire Department came next and in a few moments all was well.  I didn't leave until someone from CSX came to repair the fitting.

I wish I could tell you that my action kept a train with hazardous cargo from derailing and saved untold millions of lives. This would be a GREAT blog and story if I made the news or CSX gave me an award (preferably cash).

The truth is I did what anyone would do – the right thing.

Let's look for little right things to do.  We surely have plenty of opportunity during this 2014 Christmas season!

Blessings!

Pastor Mark

I was pondering a devotional from Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah.  He wrote that true worship involves a sacrifice of some sort.  He wrote, ‘we sacrifice when we give up something precious, personal, or profitable to us.'

It made me think about this question:  what have I sacrificed lately because of my devotion (or worship) to God?  We sacrifice our time, by spending it with God instead of on ourselves.  We sacrifice some money when we give of tithes and/or offerings.  What else have we sacrificed to show are desire to follow God?  Has our sacrifice gone to waste?  I'd like to think not.  The money I gave could have gotten me a nicer house or a newer car, but others have come to Christ because of ministries I support.  The time I invest with God, makes me a better person.

Don't just serve or worship God when it is convenient. When someone gives you a gift, doesn't it mean more when you know what they have given up in order to give it to you?  Serve & worship God from your heart…and dig deep.

A great song to go along with this thought is “It's Good (Loves Not Safe)” by Sidewalk Prophets.

PB

Some Verses to check out:

Hebrews 13:15 – Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

Psalm 141:1-2 – I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me;  hear me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

Philippians 4:18 – I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Romans 12 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ^2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

I am almost done with my reading through the Bible in a year program.  Today I read Philippians chapters 1& 2.  There are many good verses in these two chapters, but one of them totally jumped out at me…and when that happens, you know it is God speaking.  It's wise to take it to heart, and also take time to meditate on it.  The verse was: And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,  (Php. 1:9).  Stop and re-read this verse.

God said this to me:  It starts with learning how to love!  In this verse Paul wasn't praying for this church to train, disciple, have more Bible studies, prayer groups, or services… Paul was praying that they would really GET what it means to love.

May abound (perisseueÌ„i). Present active subjunctive of perisseuoÌ„, may keep on overflowing, a perpetual flood of love, “yet more and more” (eti mallon kai mallon), but with necessary limitations (river banks), “in knowledge” (en epignoÌ„sei, in full knowledge) “and all discernment” (paÌ„seÌ„i aistheÌ„sei).

In case you were wondering, a little kid did not take over my keyboard…the crazy looking words are the original Greek.  Paul is telling us that he wants us to learn and experience what it means to really love.  “A perpetual flood of love” coming out from us continuously… The “Necessary limitations” means that this love needs to have an intelligent direction.  God wants us to purposely live a life of love.  He desires to see us grow in the knowledge of HOW TO love better and also discern when the Holy Spirit wants us to pass on His love more often!

This verse really made me think.  I know that we definitely need Sunday school classes.  I teach one, and I know how effective it can be.  What I want you to consider is this…Is your knowledge and love increasing?  In my case, when I went off to Bible College, my knowledge did increase.  But, looking back on my life, when my knowledge increased–I became critical of those who were falling short of the standards that I felt they should have.  So my knowledge was increasing, but my love was fading.  Have you noticed that in your own life?

In our church we have a Bible study of some kind, almost every day of the week.  Yet, how many opportunities do we advertise for us to love.  We are hopefully increasing in knowledge, but my prayer is that we also increase in love.          God is calling all of us to “Be the Church”.  There is no possible way that we can really “Be the Church” if we are not first learning how to love.  What would happen if we skipped a Bible study, and went somewhere and loved people?  This is my heart and I am confident that it is God's as well.

Blessings,

Pastor Ray

I have an Apple iPhone and iPad mini.  I use my iPad when I preach (yes, I still have a real Bible in my hand).  2014 is the first year in 32+ years of pastoral ministry I didn't buy a paper calendar. Everyone on my staff is 100% more tech savvy (and much younger) than me.

Here's my problem:  I still have 10-12 little pieces of paper on my desk – reminders of things I can't afford to forget and have to do.  I know what you're thinking.  Why not use the apps on your electronic devices?  I AM using them and I STILL have little pieces of paper on my desk!  What is up with that?

My conclusion?  The ratio of age to paper notes has to be the key!  At 60 years old my iPad plus paper produces 10 pieces of paper on my desk. The 30 somethings on my staff have an iPad and produce 5 pieces of paper on their desks.  A 10 year old with an iPad has no pieces of paper on his or her desk and laughs at all those older than them.  A 5 year old has learned to color within the lines in their coloring book and will use their iPad and produce zero pieces of paper (except to color on).

Why does this matter? Unless you are 10 years old or younger, there's little hope for you and no hope for those of us with our Golden Buckeye Cards!

Blessings!

Pastor Mark