Preparations

Are you ready the storm?  

It is coming, well they think it is coming. It is going to snow, or freezing rain, well maybe. We seem to be ok with such vague outcomes when it comes to the weather. Maybe we are just used to it. It is always good to be prepared...  That just makes sense. We prepare for weather. We prepare for the birth of a baby (Christmas reference get it).  But what about other things? Am I prepared in my spirit?  My eternity? Don’t really think about it all that often but then again it doesn’t make the special storm 2009 news cast. 

I want to be prepared to fully worship the Christ. Those kinds of preparations don’t take place at the store but in my heart. Making room for Him, connecting relationally with Him, and quieting the noise of my life so I can hear Him. 

I guess I have some preparations to make. This is one event I don’t want to miss!

Jeff

Time

I had to go to Tigard, Oregon today. No big deal. I was told today at 8:15 am that I needed to be there at 9 am. Right! Like that was going to happen with Portland traffic. So I was twenty minutes late. As a percentage of a day - a small amount... As a percentage of a lifetime - hardly worth mentioning... But oh how people did!

I could have got all "Hey man give me better info and you'll get better results!" or blame it all on dumb drivers in Portland. Instead, I took this moment in time to just show grace: "Sorry I am late. I know your time is valuable, how is your day going? Will you get to spend any special time with family and friends during the holidays? Enjoying the sunshine?"

I guess it is how we spend the time that matters not how we count it. No matter what, time will pass and the day will end. What will you reflect on? Will it be the traffic or the connections with the people God puts (and he does put people in our path on purpose in case you were wondering) in your path to show grace to, love to, kindness to? Sounds like a Jesus thing to me. I think I read about that... He gave His presence... Himself. Good things to follow.

Have a great time... I mean day.

Jeff

Soup

Doesn't soup always sound good on a cold day?

I grabbed a cup with Shelley at Panera for lunch. It's interesting to look around at people- large groups, small groups, young, old, loud, quiet. Some on business, some for pleasure... and some alone.  That struck me... Alone. Seems so un-Christmas doesn't it?

Soup seems to be a dish designed to be shared. Come on, you make it a pot at a time after all. I am looking for opportunities to breakthrough the "alone" thing with an invitation to share... I don't know what? Coffee, laughter, questions... maybe soup! How about you? Are open to an opportunity to breakthrough the "alone"? Good question to think about over a bowl of soup...

(it was tomato for anyone who was wondering)

Jeff

Blogging again

I have decided to start blogging again. The reason is God is doing so much all the time and feel the need to acknowledge what He has done and to share the story with you all.

1. God is really speaking to me about Real Life and the days to come. Man, exciting stuff!

2. I have been so moved to listen to the stories of God working in peoples lives during this series. This week is going to be so powerful: Prince of Peace in real life.

3. Fusion (youth group) is amazing! A great group of students and leaders... 40 some coming!

4. leadership growth for 2010- can't wait.

I really do plan to blog regularly .

Talking about God not me and thankfully serving Him,

Jeff

The choice

Here is the poem I read from on Sunday. Happiness,joy, celebration is a choice.

The Choice

 

It’s quiet.  It’s early.  My coffee is hot.  The sky is still black.  The world is still asleep.  The day is coming.

 

In a few moments the day will arrive.  It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun.  The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day.   The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race.  The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

 

For the next twelve hours, I will be exposed to the day’s demands.  It is now that I must make a choice.  Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose.  And so I choose.

 

I choose love....

 

No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness.  I choose love.  Today I will love God and what God loves.

 

I choose joy...

 

I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.  I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...the tool of the lazy thinker.  I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God.  I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

 

I choose peace...

 

I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

 

I choose patience...

 

I will overlook the inconvenience of the world.  Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so.  Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray.  Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

 

I choose kindness...

 

I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.  Kind to the rich, for they are afraid.  And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

 

I choose goodness...

 

I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one.  I will be overlooked before I will boast.  I will confess before I will accuse.  I choose goodness.

 

I choose faithfulness...

 

Today I will keep my promises.  My debtors will not regret their trust.  My associates will not question my word.  My wife will not question my love.  And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

 

I choose gentleness...

 

Nothing is won by force.  I choose to be gentle.  If I raise my voice, may it only be in praise.  If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer.  If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

 

I choose self-control...

 

I am a spiritual being.  After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.  I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal.  I choose self-control.  I will be drunk only by joy.  I will be impassioned only by my faith.  I will be influenced only by God.  I will be taught only by Christ.  I choose self-control.

 

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  To these I commit my day.  If I succeed, I will give thanks.  If I fail, I will seek his grace.  And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

 

Life in the DASH

WOW, I think I may wear out my bracelet before things set in. God is opening my eyes and changing me. Honestly it feels good. To be heading to the life I want to live. To be who I really want to be.

I forgot to give you the Scriptures I used when we talked about finding our true identity in God so here they are:

You did not create your life so you cannot accurately understand your life outside of God.

Romans 8:6 (The Message)
Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life.

Genesis 1:26-27 (Amplified Bible)
26God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness.... 27So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Psalm 8:3-5 (New International Version)
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, 
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, 
the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

Galatians 2:20 (New Living Translation)
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ.[a] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
God said:
Deuteronomy 7:6 (The Message)
6 Do this because you are a people set apart as holy to God, your God. God, your God, chose you out of all the people on Earth for himself as a cherished, personal treasure.
Therefore I can boldly say: I am someone very special.

God Said:
Jeremiah 31:3 (New Living Translation)
Long ago the Lord said to Israel:
 “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
Therefore I can boldly say: I am deeply loved

God Said:
Philippians 1:6 (New Living Translation)
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Therefore I can boldly say: I am a person in process

God said:
1 John 3:1 (The Message)
1 What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are….
Therefore I can boldly say: I am a person of value

God said:
Joshua 1:9 (New International Version)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Therefore I can boldly say: I am accompanied by God

God said:
John 15:16 (The Message)
"You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

Therefore I can boldly say: I am God’s responsibility



God Said:
1 Peter 5:7 (New Century Version)
7 Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you. Therefore I can boldly say: I am under God’s constant care.
Therefore I can boldly say: I am under God’s constant Care

First week through John

Met with Adam today. He had a great insight on the first 7 chapters of John. Food and water, food and water - this seems to be a recurring theme. His insight was that Jesus continues to show us he can take care of the needs that we face. Man talk about relevant for today and something we all face.

I would not have gotten that insight without partnering up. Thanks Adam.

Day One: Partnering Up Through John

Had my first meeting with Adam yesterday. It was great. We read the first chapter of John together and answered the question on the study Guide. (available soon on the website if you did not pick one up) We are going to text each other each day on one thing gained from the day's chapter and then meet next week face to face. I know face to face is a little low tech but it is fun.

I encourage you to partner up with someone. Take a chance, we really do need each other.

Walking the Line

I want to encourage everyone to read Romans 6 with me. Paul expresses in a wonderful way the freedom that is found when we walk with Christ. Freedom - to live a life: Beyond the Limit!

Romans 6 (The Message)

When Death Becomes Life

So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn't you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land!

That's what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we're going in our new grace-sovereign country.

Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did.

That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you've been raised from the dead!—into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God.

What Is True Freedom?

So, since we're out from under the old tyranny, does that mean we can live any old way we want? Since we're free in the freedom of God, can we do anything that comes to mind? Hardly. You know well enough from your own experience that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom. Offer yourselves to sin, for instance, and it's your last free act. But offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits. All your lives you've let sin tell you what to do. But thank God you've started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom!

I'm using this freedom language because it's easy to picture. You can readily recall, can't you, how at one time the more you did just what you felt like doing—not caring about others, not caring about God—the worse your life became and the less freedom you had? And how much different is it now as you live in God's freedom, your lives healed and expansive in holiness?

As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn't have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you're proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end.

But now that you've found you don't have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God's gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master.

Holy Spirit in Action

Here are the verses I used this Sunday in my message. God, the Holy Spirit, is alive and active. Take a step with Him!


How He moved in the Old Testament.
(before Jesus came)

Came upon...
Gideon in Judges 6:34 (New International Version)
"Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him."

Samson in Judges 14:6 (New International Version)
"The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done."

David in 1 Samuel 16:13 (New International Version)
"So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.


Spirit came upon... (filled)

The Apostles and others
Acts 2:1-4 (New Century Version)
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a noise like a strong, blowing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw something like flames of fire that were separated and stood over each person there. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak different languages by the power the Holy Spirit was giving them."

Paul's teaching to us
1 Corinthians 3:16 (New Century Version)
"Don't you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"

Spirit comes on you... proceeded by cleansing and forgiveness by Jesus
Acts 2:38-39 (The Message)
"Peter said, 'Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.'"

Roles of the Holy Spirit

Spirit bears witness (testifies)
Romans 8:16 (New Century Version)
"And the Spirit himself joins with our spirits to say we are God's children."

1 John 3:24 (New Century Version)
"The people who obey God's commands live in God, and God lives in them. We know that God lives in us because of the Spirit God gave us."

Teaches you...
John 14:26 (New Century Version)
"But the Helper will teach you everything and will cause you to remember all that I told you. This Helper is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name."

Luke 12:12 (New Century Version)
"At that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you must say."

Guides in truth...
John 16:13 (New Century Version)
"But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all truth. He will not speak his own words, but he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is to come."

Reveals Biblical truth...
1 Corinthians 2:10 (New International Version)
"...but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. 
 The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God."

Prays for us...
Romans 8:26 (New Century Version)
"Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain."

Why did Jesus have to leave?

John 16:7-10 NCV
"I have told you these things now so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you these things at the beginning, because I was with you then. Now I am going back to the One who sent me. But none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' Your hearts are filled with sadness because I have told you these things.

"But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go away. When I go away, I will send the Helper to you. If I do not go away, the Helper will not come. When the Helper comes, he will prove to the people of the world the truth about sin, about being right with God, and about judgment. He will prove to them that sin is not believing in me. He will prove to them that being right with God comes from my going to the Father and not being seen anymore."