Saturday, October 27, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
The Blessing of Being Sick
Nobody likes to be sick. Besides the fact you feel horrible, you're taken out of the game. You can't work, you can't play - it's miserable.
This past week, sickness hit our household pretty hard. First my daughter Ella, then me and finally the one that holds it all together in our house - Rachel. When mom goes down it gets scary. Kids end up wearing clothes that don't match and it's cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner - and macaroni and cheese for desert.
Anyway, with all the pain, trouble and chaos sickness brings, I did notice this week there was a blessing in there for me. For almost 36 hours, I didn't do anything except lie in bed. No emails, no cell phones, no meetings, no nothing. My family even kept a safe distance (which was hard). But there was one person who was with me the whole time - Jesus. Being sick gave me the opportunity to be close (or more aware that He's close) and spend time with Jesus. We talked about my family, we talked about Jubilee Church, we talked about me, we talked about Him, we talked about St. Louis. I didn't need to be sick, but I needed that time with Jesus. I needed Him to remind me that real life is in Him and not what I get done.
We have got to slow down every once in a while - otherwise we'll miss out on life.
This past week, sickness hit our household pretty hard. First my daughter Ella, then me and finally the one that holds it all together in our house - Rachel. When mom goes down it gets scary. Kids end up wearing clothes that don't match and it's cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner - and macaroni and cheese for desert.
Anyway, with all the pain, trouble and chaos sickness brings, I did notice this week there was a blessing in there for me. For almost 36 hours, I didn't do anything except lie in bed. No emails, no cell phones, no meetings, no nothing. My family even kept a safe distance (which was hard). But there was one person who was with me the whole time - Jesus. Being sick gave me the opportunity to be close (or more aware that He's close) and spend time with Jesus. We talked about my family, we talked about Jubilee Church, we talked about me, we talked about Him, we talked about St. Louis. I didn't need to be sick, but I needed that time with Jesus. I needed Him to remind me that real life is in Him and not what I get done.
We have got to slow down every once in a while - otherwise we'll miss out on life.
Monday, October 22, 2007
1 John Study Guide Week Three
Follow this link to download a copy of week three of the 1 John Study Guide.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Can You Walk with Two Broken Legs?
A person with two broken legs is completely dependent upon someone else to get around.
A Christian is completely dependent upon prayer to get around. And a church is dependent upon prayer to do anything. At Jubilee, we believe that prayer is foundational in the life of a Christian. And we further believer that prayer is foundational in the "corporate" life of the church. Meaning, it is not enough for members to have an individual prayer life, but it is crucial - let me repeat myself - it is crucial for members to come together in prayer.
In September, I laid out for Jubilee the mission of the church. Then I talked about the importance of being an owner of that mission. How God doesn't just want us to be like the hired hand who holds loosely the mission, but one who is like the Shepherd who owns the mission and takes it very, very personal.
Us coming together in prayer and claiming loudly our dependence on God is powerful according to Scripture. In two weeks, Jubilee will be having a week of prayer that only happens 4 times a year. Here's how that week will go down.
Leaders will gather on Tuesday night to pray (10/30)
The City South and County Discipleship Communities (DCs) will pray on Wed night (10/31)
The City North and Wentzville DCs will pray on Thurs night (11/1)
And THE WHOLE CHURCH will gather on that Friday Night for a time of celebration and prayer.
A man with two broken legs goes no where on his own and a church goes no where on her own either. She needs God. The members of each local church need to come together in prayer.
If you call Jubilee home, I want to ask you to make these weeks of prayer (that will happen four times a year) special times and priorities on your calendar. It's one of the more important ways YOU contribute to the mission of this church.
A Christian is completely dependent upon prayer to get around. And a church is dependent upon prayer to do anything. At Jubilee, we believe that prayer is foundational in the life of a Christian. And we further believer that prayer is foundational in the "corporate" life of the church. Meaning, it is not enough for members to have an individual prayer life, but it is crucial - let me repeat myself - it is crucial for members to come together in prayer.
In September, I laid out for Jubilee the mission of the church. Then I talked about the importance of being an owner of that mission. How God doesn't just want us to be like the hired hand who holds loosely the mission, but one who is like the Shepherd who owns the mission and takes it very, very personal.
Us coming together in prayer and claiming loudly our dependence on God is powerful according to Scripture. In two weeks, Jubilee will be having a week of prayer that only happens 4 times a year. Here's how that week will go down.
Leaders will gather on Tuesday night to pray (10/30)
The City South and County Discipleship Communities (DCs) will pray on Wed night (10/31)
The City North and Wentzville DCs will pray on Thurs night (11/1)
And THE WHOLE CHURCH will gather on that Friday Night for a time of celebration and prayer.
A man with two broken legs goes no where on his own and a church goes no where on her own either. She needs God. The members of each local church need to come together in prayer.
If you call Jubilee home, I want to ask you to make these weeks of prayer (that will happen four times a year) special times and priorities on your calendar. It's one of the more important ways YOU contribute to the mission of this church.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
A Lessoned Learned from a 3 year old
Since having children, a whole new world of learning has opened up to me. Watching them talk, play and interact with others has taught me principles of life in new and fresh ways.
For example Jesus says in Luke 18:17, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter."
Now before children, I knew the principle was to have child-like faith. Got it. Checked that one off the list. But my kids show me this principle every day. Like just two days ago we were getting off a boat onto a dock and there was about two foot of space that I could span but my daughter could not. So she had to be handed to me. And I asked her, "Do you trust daddy to catch you?" And she said yes with a smile that I'll never forget.
This got me thinking. I want to trust God like that through transition periods in my life? When I'm going from one place to another, but there seems to be a gap that I can't span on my own, I want to trust God with out blinking an eye. I want child-like faith. I want to live with the attitude, "My daddy can do anything!" What about you?
For example Jesus says in Luke 18:17, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter."
Now before children, I knew the principle was to have child-like faith. Got it. Checked that one off the list. But my kids show me this principle every day. Like just two days ago we were getting off a boat onto a dock and there was about two foot of space that I could span but my daughter could not. So she had to be handed to me. And I asked her, "Do you trust daddy to catch you?" And she said yes with a smile that I'll never forget.
This got me thinking. I want to trust God like that through transition periods in my life? When I'm going from one place to another, but there seems to be a gap that I can't span on my own, I want to trust God with out blinking an eye. I want child-like faith. I want to live with the attitude, "My daddy can do anything!" What about you?
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Being a Man
The essence of masculinity as defined by the Bile is taking responsibility. Jesus, the ultimate man, took responsibility for whole world. That is why I think men should gather together to pray regularly. They should take responsibility for their families, their neighborhoods, their cities and their church by praying for them. Men should be standing in the gap for such things. We should not take a back seat or cop out of this pursuit. That is why I am going to gather any man that wants to to join the elders twice a month on Wednesdays at 7 am starting this Wednesday at the building for Men's Prayer. I don't care if you have never prayed before - now is a good time to start. If you can make it, see you then.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Week One Study Guide
For those who want to follow along with the series in 1 John, follow this link to download the study guide for week one.
Aligning Yourself With Truth
Do you ever wonder if you're on the right track in life? How would you even measure something like that? What is the plumb line? The Apostle John answers these questions in his first epistle (letter). He writes this letter during a time when many false doctrines and teachers were trying to infiltrate the church and confuse young believers. They were offering alternative ways of thinking and living that were contrary to God's word.
Maybe there are some false teachings that you have picked up in your life and they caused you to get out of alignment? Maybe there are some things you have believed and put into the practice that you thought would bring you the peace of God but have brought pain, discouragement and disappointment? I believe the study of this book will help you rediscover truth.
Join us this Sunday (th 7th) as we will start our new message series in 1 John. If you want to get a head start, we'll be looking at 1:1-2:2.
Maybe there are some false teachings that you have picked up in your life and they caused you to get out of alignment? Maybe there are some things you have believed and put into the practice that you thought would bring you the peace of God but have brought pain, discouragement and disappointment? I believe the study of this book will help you rediscover truth.
Join us this Sunday (th 7th) as we will start our new message series in 1 John. If you want to get a head start, we'll be looking at 1:1-2:2.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
