It was quite a Sunday at Covenant Church, and although I've desired to use this blog to share my thoughts on Sunday sermons, I thought it also appropriate to share a few words about the excitment going on at our church, and the impact that some of it has had on me personally.
Our church has been without a senior pastor for about 17 months, and today, Ryan Laughlin, visited and preached in anticipation of being called to that position in the next couple weeks. It was an exciting morning and frankly, the electricity in the air at Covenant this morning was quite something. It was wonderful to see the high interest level and the high attendance level at church - something that we haven't probably really felt in quite some time. It made me wonder though, how real this process is. We had a crowd at the 8:30 service, the likes of haven't been in a long time, and it seemed that everyone, the choir, the ushers, everyone was on their best behavior. It all made me wonder how real this whole process really is. It felt like one feels when you are little and company comes over for Sunday dinner. The fine china is out, the children are on their best behavior and in their finest clothes. But the question is, is that how a long-term relationship - like the one needed between a pastor and congregation - really is started? It just seems that it wasn't quite real.
Ryan's sermon moved me deeply though. He spoke about the passage of Zaccheus, and how the story of Zaccheus is really the story of Christ's inviation to each of us. He spoke of how our relationship with Christ is often like a game of Marco Polo - the famed hide-and-go-seek game in the swimming pool. Ryan stated that although our relationship may often seem like us reaching out, trying to find Christ with our eyes close, the reality of that relationship is Christ reaching out and us running away. This truly convicted me, and I continue to realize and am drawn in by the thoughts of the necessity of a closer relationship with Christ at this point in my life.
it has been a lot of the realization of the potential leadership that I am about to embark on at Covenant that has caused me to be challenged as to the depth and desire of my Christian walk, and to hear the example today of our running away from Christ makes me realize that I am truly in that problem as well as others. Often, throughout the days, I realize that I could draw myself closer to Christ through prayer or Bible reading, yet for no apparent reason, I run the other way, finding other things to do with my time. I realize that as a leader (although it's not a good reason for doing it), I may be called upon to respond to the needs of others more frequently. If it truly is my desire to assist others with those needs, I need to be prepared - mentally, physically and spiritually.
All of this sounds good, and all of this has probably been in my thought pattern before, but to hear a preacher, who doesn't know the first thing about me, speak to me through his message today, makes me realize the call to take action is coming from Christ, not from some delusion inside me. What I do to respond is another question - will it be the same as before? To some extent, probably yes. But hopefully, it will also be a wake-up call that uses my desire to lead well that draws me to serve Christ well also.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
the rubble
Well, the election results were, for the most part, a big dissappointment. I really wanted to stay in bed this morning, but I realized that it would be pretty much impossible since I haven't banked up two years worth of sick time and vacation. I think that the most dissappointing and telling result was that of our stem-cell intiative here in Missouri. The reason that was more discouraging than the Democratic reboud was because there is much more of a moral and ethical element to the stem-cell debate than to any other debate that may occurr in the halls of Congress.
The fact that the people of Missouri have succumbed to the lies of the scientific community really causes some despair. As much as I want to believe that somehow science will provide our society with cures for many diseases that harm us now, I wonder whether, at the very core level, if we should even be looking for those cures. I often struggle with agreeing with the premise that we should find cures. Our world is based on sin, and because of that sin, God promised that our days would be numbered. I know that disease is also a result of sin, and I know that God has given us the wisdom and knowledge for cures of diseases. So where does that put our attempts to cure something that is a result of our own depravity - a disease that has existed almost as long as people themselves - a disease that no type of stem cell or medication will ever cure - sin.
Beyond the connection between science and spirituality, there comes a question of why we are trying to cure these diseases. Are we curing these diseases to glorify God? to rejoice and use the knowledge that we are given by Him? Or, are we attempting to make these strides for the glory of nothing but ourselves and our "advanced" society? Someone pointed out to me that thousands of years ago, people developed the technology and understanding of how to build buildings, and they then attempted to use that technology to build a tower in Babel. The result of that was not accomplishment, it was the destruction of a people and God rearranging society in a way that would prevent people from reaching Him. We've got the technology, or so it's been claimed. So, as we start to use that technology, are we destined to cause our society to implode just like Babel?
Finally, along the same lines of wondering why we seek these cures, comes the question of our value of life and death? Do we value our lives so greatly that we would do ANYTHING as a society to prevent death? And in attempting to prevent death, are we forgetting what glorious and wonderful things await us when we go home? It appears that our world, of course, has forgotten what will be waiting for us then, and perhaps when you look at it that way - what is waiting for some people is a whole lot worse than death. But as Christians, we forget that death is a good thing. I am certainly guilty of that - as the mere fact of turning 40 next year frightens me. We are not just in the world now, we are part of the world - a part of the world that treasures and holds on to life, and the stuff that comes along with it, so tightly, that we forget that there is so much better shead. Our desire to prolong that life, to put off our going home to Christ, is so great, that we are willing to sacrifice our ethics as a society to prevent that end. Perhaps if we suffered more in life, the thought of glory would be that much sweeter.
The fact that the people of Missouri have succumbed to the lies of the scientific community really causes some despair. As much as I want to believe that somehow science will provide our society with cures for many diseases that harm us now, I wonder whether, at the very core level, if we should even be looking for those cures. I often struggle with agreeing with the premise that we should find cures. Our world is based on sin, and because of that sin, God promised that our days would be numbered. I know that disease is also a result of sin, and I know that God has given us the wisdom and knowledge for cures of diseases. So where does that put our attempts to cure something that is a result of our own depravity - a disease that has existed almost as long as people themselves - a disease that no type of stem cell or medication will ever cure - sin.
Beyond the connection between science and spirituality, there comes a question of why we are trying to cure these diseases. Are we curing these diseases to glorify God? to rejoice and use the knowledge that we are given by Him? Or, are we attempting to make these strides for the glory of nothing but ourselves and our "advanced" society? Someone pointed out to me that thousands of years ago, people developed the technology and understanding of how to build buildings, and they then attempted to use that technology to build a tower in Babel. The result of that was not accomplishment, it was the destruction of a people and God rearranging society in a way that would prevent people from reaching Him. We've got the technology, or so it's been claimed. So, as we start to use that technology, are we destined to cause our society to implode just like Babel?
Finally, along the same lines of wondering why we seek these cures, comes the question of our value of life and death? Do we value our lives so greatly that we would do ANYTHING as a society to prevent death? And in attempting to prevent death, are we forgetting what glorious and wonderful things await us when we go home? It appears that our world, of course, has forgotten what will be waiting for us then, and perhaps when you look at it that way - what is waiting for some people is a whole lot worse than death. But as Christians, we forget that death is a good thing. I am certainly guilty of that - as the mere fact of turning 40 next year frightens me. We are not just in the world now, we are part of the world - a part of the world that treasures and holds on to life, and the stuff that comes along with it, so tightly, that we forget that there is so much better shead. Our desire to prolong that life, to put off our going home to Christ, is so great, that we are willing to sacrifice our ethics as a society to prevent that end. Perhaps if we suffered more in life, the thought of glory would be that much sweeter.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
the real battle
One of the things that I've wanted to do in the past couple months, but that I haven't found the time to do, is to use my blog for posting my thoughts on sermons I hear each week. I think it will challenge me not only to listen better, but to go back and consider the applications of them as I go through the subsequent weeks and months.
Today's sermon was focused on the battle that rages in our world every day. It's a battle that shows itself in many ways, and through many different vessels, but the battle itself is a spiritual battle - the most basic between good and evil. We may see the battle as the battle that we face tomorrow - a political battle. It can be a battle that I sometimes feel I fight at work - a battle to justify my job and the things I do every tday.
The important thing though, is to see the battle for what it is - a battle for our souls and for the souls of those around us. Many in the battle have already surrendered to one side or the other, but their are others who are struggling still between the two sides. Those people need prayer and encouragement. We as Christians appear to have made a decision in the battle - choosing Christ, but the fact of the matter is - even with that decision having been made, the battle lines can be even closer to the forefront. I certainly have seen in my life, where because I am a Christian, I fight battles that those who aren't believers don't even know exist. Sin and temptation are so different for me as a believer. I look at my life, and see struggles with sin in things such as gossip, not loving my family or co-workers as I should, or not committing myself to regular time of reading Scripture. To someone who isn't a beliver, those aren't battles at all, so the battle is a different one for each person.
The thing that I gleaned out of the sermon though, was that despite what battles and how strongly they are being fought, the grace of Christ overcomes those battles, and frankly, if we don't trust that He will, we belittle His work and His power. That was something that struck me quite clearly. I realize how in my life, so many day to day battles are battles that I choose to fight on my own. I don't think that Christ has time for my work struggles or my frustrations with my children at bedtime. Those are things that I need to work through - NOT! I need to trust in Christ's work and strength for those battles as well, and I need to look for guidance in prayer and Scripture to use His strength to get me through the "little" battles each and every day.
Today's sermon was focused on the battle that rages in our world every day. It's a battle that shows itself in many ways, and through many different vessels, but the battle itself is a spiritual battle - the most basic between good and evil. We may see the battle as the battle that we face tomorrow - a political battle. It can be a battle that I sometimes feel I fight at work - a battle to justify my job and the things I do every tday.
The important thing though, is to see the battle for what it is - a battle for our souls and for the souls of those around us. Many in the battle have already surrendered to one side or the other, but their are others who are struggling still between the two sides. Those people need prayer and encouragement. We as Christians appear to have made a decision in the battle - choosing Christ, but the fact of the matter is - even with that decision having been made, the battle lines can be even closer to the forefront. I certainly have seen in my life, where because I am a Christian, I fight battles that those who aren't believers don't even know exist. Sin and temptation are so different for me as a believer. I look at my life, and see struggles with sin in things such as gossip, not loving my family or co-workers as I should, or not committing myself to regular time of reading Scripture. To someone who isn't a beliver, those aren't battles at all, so the battle is a different one for each person.
The thing that I gleaned out of the sermon though, was that despite what battles and how strongly they are being fought, the grace of Christ overcomes those battles, and frankly, if we don't trust that He will, we belittle His work and His power. That was something that struck me quite clearly. I realize how in my life, so many day to day battles are battles that I choose to fight on my own. I don't think that Christ has time for my work struggles or my frustrations with my children at bedtime. Those are things that I need to work through - NOT! I need to trust in Christ's work and strength for those battles as well, and I need to look for guidance in prayer and Scripture to use His strength to get me through the "little" battles each and every day.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
28 days (later)
It's been just about 28 days since I've last blogged, and I really can't explain the delay. The only thing that I can explain is that after a week or so, my mind was filled with so many things to discuss, I just gave up. I found that I had so many ideas, thoughts, emotions and experiences that I wanted to share, that there was no way I could do it in one entry - so I just didn't blog. Now, I'm back - there's still a lot on the table, but I figure I've got to start somewhere.
Perhaps the four or five main things that have occupied my mind in the past few weeks are some changes in my faith, my general observations on the heated political climate as the elections grow close, the Cardinals winning the World Series and some frustrations in my personal world. I'm sure if I spent enough energy, I could combine most of them into a single thought progression, but my head, and the heads of the two or three serious readers that I do have, might explode.
For me personally, I think the most significant thing that has gone on, besides the fact that I turned 39 a few weeks ago, is that I have really been convicted about my lack of commitment to Christ. Not that my faith is fragile, but I've been convicted that in order for me to grow, as I should want to grow, in my faith, I need to truly commit more time and energy to learning about Christ through His word. I have had numerous occaisions in the past few months where I have realized that in order for my witness to be more effective to some around me, I need to have a better command and grasp of the Bible. It's not that my faith or my salvation is dependant on this, it's just that I've realized that I am in a leadership position at Covenant, and for my leadership, and for God's work through my leadership to be more effective, I need to have a better grasp of the Scriptures. I guess when it boils down to it, the grasp of Scripture is the thing that will offer me a better grasp on all of the other things that are going on in my life, and in the lives of those around me.
We'll see how it goes.
Perhaps the four or five main things that have occupied my mind in the past few weeks are some changes in my faith, my general observations on the heated political climate as the elections grow close, the Cardinals winning the World Series and some frustrations in my personal world. I'm sure if I spent enough energy, I could combine most of them into a single thought progression, but my head, and the heads of the two or three serious readers that I do have, might explode.
For me personally, I think the most significant thing that has gone on, besides the fact that I turned 39 a few weeks ago, is that I have really been convicted about my lack of commitment to Christ. Not that my faith is fragile, but I've been convicted that in order for me to grow, as I should want to grow, in my faith, I need to truly commit more time and energy to learning about Christ through His word. I have had numerous occaisions in the past few months where I have realized that in order for my witness to be more effective to some around me, I need to have a better command and grasp of the Bible. It's not that my faith or my salvation is dependant on this, it's just that I've realized that I am in a leadership position at Covenant, and for my leadership, and for God's work through my leadership to be more effective, I need to have a better grasp of the Scriptures. I guess when it boils down to it, the grasp of Scripture is the thing that will offer me a better grasp on all of the other things that are going on in my life, and in the lives of those around me.
We'll see how it goes.
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