You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December, 2007.
Friends,
I shared these photos at my other blog, but I thought those of you who visit here might also enjoy them.
jerry
Friends,
I am glad Christmas is over this year. It has been a very long season. I’m glad there was no snow and that the Christmas Eve worship was well attended. We had a great variety of participants this year: A family of bell ringers, a guitar soloist, a young female vocalist, a poet read her original work, one young man (my son) played The First Noel on the piano, one woman read a short work by Peter Marshall and another read the story of Christmas Bells. The congregation sang just about every Christmas hymn in our hymn books (and we did not even have to turn on the video projector!) We lit our candles near the end from the Advent wreath Christ candle. We read Scripture. And we prayed. It was one of my favorite Christmas eve worship services ever. It was sort of strange, however, reading Scripture that evening. One of our regular worshipers is married to a Jewish man who was in attendance. I wondered, as we read from Scripture–especially Isaiah, how those Scriptures sounded to him. I wondered how he felt hearing Christians claim the promises that God made to Israel as their own. Later on that evening I prayed, “Father, I want you to be glorified through the events of this evening.”
Yesterday, we visited with my in-laws. It was a nice afternoon. I was blessed near the end of the day to pray with my brother in law, Bob, who is now going through a second round of chemotherapy to treat a tumor. I was ashamed of myself. I prayed with him, his wife, and my wife in a quiet room in the house before he left. He is about seven years my junior. I don’t normally pray for miracles, but yesterday I did. I felt sort of strange praying for such intervention, but I don’t regret doing so. Then when I finished he said he wanted to add something, so he prayed: “Lord, I want my life to glorify you.” That’s what he said. Bob is a special man. I just don’t have words to describe the change that has taken place in his life since his baptism several years ago. You wouldn’t know that Bob has a tumor growing in his body and that the experimental treatments he is receiving may or may not work. He really is only concerned with God’s glory.
Christmas is a difficult time of year. I have been struggling mightily with the idea of God’s blessing. I’m trying to understand how to receive all things with thanksgiving and, at the same time, give everything away so that I don’t have to feel guilty for enjoying with thanksgiving all that God gives to us. In other words, I don’t want to give away just so that I won’t feel guilty. I want to give away because I want to give away. I don’t even want to give away because someone needs something. I just want to give away regardless of the person receiving. I don’t want to do so because I feel guilty. I do not want to do so because it does something for me. I want to give away because I can.
I prayed at the end of the worship Christmas Eve: “Lord, remind us that Christmas doesn’t end tomorrow. Help us remember that the work of Jesus didn’t end in the manger any more than it began in the manger. Lord let us always keep before us the cross whence comes the victory. Lord teach us that Christmas doesn’t end in a manger.” I’m glad the season is over–the holiday aspect of Christmas. I’m also glad that I have today to enjoy every blessing that comes from the Father.
Father, my prayer is simple, but not easy. Lord, I want to be the type of Christian who blesses others. I don’t just mean with money. Instead, I want to be one who blesses others with my actions, my words, my writing, my kindness, my faith–indeed Lord, I want my entire life to be a blessing to someone, given in faith and hope and expectation that I am pleasing You and Bringing glory to Your Name. As we passed the light from the Christ Candle on Christmas Eve so enable us and strengthen us to pass on that same light to others the other 364 days that will exist between this year’s Christmas eve and next year’s. Lord, I give myself to you; make me an offering acceptable and pleasing in Thy sight. Amen. Amen.
Soli Deo Gloria!
jerry
The calls were made early Sunday. “Church has been canceled” I said. The weather that morning was white-out conditions. The snow was blowing hard and we did not want anyone to try and get out for services. Although to say that church was canceled is really not all true. Our family decided to have church.
It first started with my daughter Kaitlyn. She asked if she could prepare communion and do a meditation. I said yes. We had some old crackers in the house that she broke up. She looked for grape juice but we had none. So she got creative at this point. She found freezer pops. She melted it down and put it in all five glasses. I must say that this was the first time I ever had orange freezer pop juice for communion. BTW it was probably one of the most spiritual moments I have had in communion with the Lord.
Our little service opened up with my teenage daughter welcoming all of us to the the service.(their were 5 in attendance plus our black lab champ. Although champ kept barking during singing so we kicked him out.) Ashley announced to the crowd that she knew God had a purpose for us being here in service this morning. We knew he had a purpose as well. After welcome my wife started up the praise songs on the CD player. It was a great time as we sang our hearts out to God. No instruments, no song leaders or praise bands just the CD player and our voices. After communion we sang a few more worship songs. Than dad shared from Jeremiah 29:11. I talked about how God wanted to bless us and give us a future. After about 5 minutes of this the rest of the family began to share scriptures that they really liked. I was moved as each one shared from the bottom of their hearts. My middle daughter who also did communion wrote down our prayer concerns and praises. Our praises that morning out numbered our prayers. I think this is how it is suppose to be. Finally my son closed up the service by sharing the announcements. He let us know that all events the rest of the day at the church were canceled. No youth groups or bible studies. Everyone was to stay home and just enjoy each other.
Yes it was an incredible time worshipping with my family. I am certain that this is how God intended it from the beginning.
Lord thank you that worship is simply praising you. Thank you that your church is not confined by a building or an address. Yes Lord we love you and we look forward to having church next week either by the fireplace or in some other location. Praises to you.
Friends,
Life can be discouraging at times. Who hasn’t discovered that to be true? I take a minute to peruse the headlines at a few of my favorite websites and discover that there isn’t much happiness being spread around the world. Some bloggers are very fond of ripping and destroying everything that is against theirparticular version of Christianity. Others go out of their way to do nothing but tear to shreds in mockery and sarcasm those who are not “Evangelical Reformed 5 Point Calvinists.” (I have noticed that Calvinists tend to be very arrogant at times. Not all of them, but many of them, especially in the blogosphere.) Sadly, it is these ER5PC blogs that I visit the most because I do appreciate their high view of Scripture even if I deplore their very low view of God’s Sovereignty. This is just one thing that is stuck in my craw this morning.
I’m not innocent. I’ve done it too. I was convicted yesterday morning while I spoke about God’s grace in my sermon. All of the sudden the Spirit convicted me saying, “Look how you have treated the atheists and Darwinists who have visited your blog.” I realized instantly that I was no better than those Christian bloggers who spend all their blogging time defending their superior version of faith against the likes of those who hold an inferior position. As if any of us are saved because of our opinions about Scripture! Isn’t that just the point of grace? I see very little grace coming from some people and I realize that I don’t want to be one of them. I need to respond to people with grace because it is the right way to behave, it is the only way to show that I am saved by grace, and it is the response that Jesus commanded me to offer.
Grace. Sometimes, in moments of selfishness, I wonder what the world would be like if grace did not exist. Doesn’t grace rather complicate things?
The congregation I serve recently passed the 2008 budget. Included in the budget was a line: $1200, Minister’s Education. Now, to be sure, $1200 will pay for about 1 class per year where I am going to school. It will not cover gas expenses, books, room, or food. And besides that $1200, I did not get even a cost of living raise despite the fact that the offerings have increased this year by 5-6%. Don’t misunderstand me: I’m not complaining. I don’t preach in order to make money. That’s not the point. The point is, a husband and a wife decided that was too much: they have left the church over this issue. Well, it’s not even an issue. They are evidently the two who voted against the budget, and they have decided not to return.
What they have essentially said is this: We don’t believe the church should be that generous with the preacher. What is my response supposed to be to this? Grace. Isn’t there some room in this for a little ‘righteous indignation’, a little ‘holy anger’, a little ‘you people are so unbelievably ignorant’, or even a little ‘tossing of the temple tables’? Sadly, and yet in a liberating sort of way, no, there isn’t. Instead, the best response I can have right now is silence, the letting go.
Life can be discouraging at times. These are the difficulties we are faced with as preachers in churches. It is, to be sure, a paltry thing. I’m sharing this, not because I want sympathy, but because I want to put a face on the nature of grace–at least the grace that I am learning about right now. This is, after all, a prayer journey. My prayer today is that I will learn not to be so petty and that someday, when I’m an old preacher put out to pastor and a young preacher’s family comes along in the church I worship with, I pray now that God will help me to be gracious to him and his family. I’m praying now that God will change me in such a way now so that then I will not be like some of the people I see in the church today who have no concept whatsoever of grace.
Father,
Help me to be a man of grace. Lord, help me to be a man who understands the nature of his salvation. Help me Lord to be a man who forgives and forgets others as easily as you forgave me. I need to be gracious Lord so that I will not, in any way, fail to demonstrate to others what you have done for me. I confess Lord my own arrogance and sin and my own unforgiving attitude. I confess my ineptitude and shallowness. I ask Lord for your mercy to be evident in me so that in turn it might be evident to all. Soli Deo Gloria!
jerry
Friends,
It’s been a long day. It is still raining and snowing here in Ohio. It is still cold and wet.
I spent the day fasting. I broke it at around 6 PM this evening. I needed some clarity and I wanted to spend a day trusting in the Lord to strengthen me. The burdens were loaded on early. I carried them only in the strength of the Lord.
A friend told me about a young man of 10 years old that has had thoughts of suicide.
Another friend told me about a young man who was recently found to be in possession of illegal drugs.
Both conversations were accompanied by tears. It is a dark world all around us.
I contrast this with a post I made at Life Under the Blue Sky about another ‘Nationwide Church Growth Campaign‘ the brochure of which was filled with smiling people who had all the answers to all the problems in one handy read-in-thirty-days-book. If only life were so simple! Unfortunately, life is not as black and white Monday-Saturday as it is in Sunday mornings from behind a pulpit. If only life were really about growing a big church where everyone is happy.
But this is not reality now, is it? There are hurting people, carrying real burdens. We come along side them and pray in Jesus’ Name for strength, comfort, healing, and grace. We come along side and help them carry their burdens.
The kids at school were particularly wound-up today. Amidst the noise I tried to pray and lift up these wounded souls, these wounded people.
Lord, I pray for these children; their parents. I pray Lord in Jesus’ Name that you scatter the darkness. I pray a hedge of protection around them. I pray You will protect them from the Enemy who prowls about like a lion waiting to pounce on a victim.
I pray for them Father that you shine the light of truth in their hearts. I pray you give them a Spirit of wisdom and revelation. I pray Lord that you will heal their brokenness. Lord here is our reality. This is what we have done with the freedom you have given us and now our children suffer, hurt, and are taken captive.
Lord in Jesus’ Name, I lift these dear ones to you and ask that you protect them from the devil’s schemes. There are others Lord. Others I don’t know who are hurting. There are other children who are being tricked by the Enemy. Lord, protect them. Jesus didn’t pray to take us out of this world, but He did pray that you would protect us from the evil one. I repeat that prayer: Protect these ones from the evil one.
Shine light. Lord, we cast our burdens on you because you care for us.
We pray in Jesus’ Name, in the Power of the Spirit, to our Holy Father in Heaven,
Amen. Amen.
I remember the first time I flew to Liberia Africa. I was amazed by the love of the people but astounded by the poverty. Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the World. It has been ravaged by 15 year civil war that ended just several years ago. Inflation an unemployment is high. Sometimes I wonder what can be done to help a nation like this. Than I am reminded that we can pray. If you are reading this and looking for something you can pray for would you pray for these things which I have listed below.
Pray for:
1 The message of Jesus Christ to penetrate the lives of the people of Liberia.(Even though many Liberians would call themselves I have learned from first hand experience that their Christianity is mixed with all kinds of tribal garbage that continues to keep them in bondage to Satan.
2 The Liberians need teachers of the word who would be willing to train nationals. The nationals who are completely sold out to Jesus and his word are few. They need more who are willing to partner with them.
3 Good clean drinking water. Jesus said when we give a cup of water in his name that we do it as if giving it to Jesus. Not only do the people of this country need water but they need clean water. You and I are so used to drinking good water that we do not even think about how it keeps us from getting sick. Yet many of the Liberians drink water that literally is killing them prematurely. They need filters and ways to clean their water.
4 Reconciliation is such a huge thing for the people of this small West African nation. They have killed one another for many years. Right now there are attempts to reconcile the different groups. It is a hard task because many have a hard time forgiving those who have killed their family members. This is why Jesus is so desperately needed in this African country. Only he can heal.
5 Pray for Tom, Jon, and myself(david) as we will be going to Liberia in February of 2008. We are going to do some preparation work for a team that will be going the following year. While we are their we will be training some locals how to operate a portable saw mill which has been donated by a church. We also will be assessing what we can do to help in their spiritual and physical needs. Finally pray for our group that we can raise the resources necessary for this trip.
God is so good. “Lord I want to thank you and praise you that you have not forgotten your people in Africa. Sometimes World events look to more popular places but you have loved all of us. Lord be fore we help anyone help us to be completely surrendered to you. Thank you Jesus that you died for me and gave me life I love you so much. your servant dave”
Here is a link of a recent trip to Africa Liberia Mission Trip 07
Friends,
“Pastors are assigned by the church to care for congregations, not exploit them, to gently cultivate parishes that are plantings for the Lord, not brashly develop religious shopping malls.”–Eugene Peterson, Under the Unpredictable Plant, 135
Dave wrote from Indiana today. I am writing from Ohio. It’s raining in Ohio. It’s been raining all day. I had an early appointment with a friend and then I went to the school. In between the two, I went to a nursing home and visited with ‘Betty.’ I learned, for the first time, that she enjoys playing Scrabble. I promised that the next time I go visit her I am taking a Scrabble board and we are going to play a game. She promised not to beat me too badly.
After school, where I spent two and a half hours monitoring Junior High aged children, I went to another nursing home and visited Louise. The most alive thing in the nursing home was the giant aquarium full of fish. Four beds to a room, and a ‘client’ on each bed. Oxygen. Sleep. I walked by one lady who was pushing a walker, “Good afternoon,” I said. Silence. Not much noise in a nursing home. Another woman in Louise’s room was filling out a chair, sleeping hard, and sucking down a constant stream of oxygen. Another woman in the lobby was smiling and wrapped in a blanket.
It’s the hardest part of my job. I visited with Louise. She was taking a nap so I had one of the nurses awaken her. She won’t remember that I visited. I’m not even certain she knew who I was–although, she did ask me six or seven times how my family was. She is sweet and I enjoyed the 24 minutes that I spent with her.
What is amazing is that Louise had more to say to me than I did to her. She asked me more questions about my family than I could ask her about hers (she has none). She smiled as I uncomfortably made small talk, and listened intently as I read from Scripture, and bowed quietly as I prayed; she seemed reluctant to let me leave.
I wish I hadn’t. In her own blessed way, Louise ministered to me yesterday. Yesterday, in a way, she was the Shepherd and I was the sheep.
It rained and rained and rained yesterday. I have a suspicion that the rain that falls in December is somehow beneficial to crops, plants, flowers, and trees that will grow in May.
jerry
We are all aware of the abuses that we commit to the body. Some of us have been guilty of immoral sexual activity. Others have abused our bodies with drugs and alcohol. Others have been addicted to nicotine. Certainly most of us would see why God would want us to refrain from such activity. It is harmful to his temple. It abuses the body He has given us to glorify Him. Now I have committed many of these atrocities that I have mentioned. Yet maybe there is an abuse which does not surpass these abuses but certainly is every bit the equal.
What would you say to an abuse that kills thousands each year, maybe even millions. Would an activity that shortens the life span of believers be something we should take notice of. What about an activity that many in the church have made their god. Should we ignore this abuse? Should we continue to live in such a way that we make excuses for a behavior that is destructive and cost society billions? What is this great crime against humanity that the church has been silent about?
This sin is something I have struggled with for years and many of you struggle with as well. The sin in a nutshell may be called gluttony but it can probably fit under other categories as well. Many of us are guilty of abusing the very temple’s God has created for us. We live in a society in which we put many harmful things in our body. Things which will hurt the very temples God has created for His glory. For years I ate what I wanted and how I wanted. Many of you are like this as well. We devoured and devoured and we continued to devour. We would mask our sins by calling it a fellowship meal. We would excuse our behavior believing that all things are permissible. We wrongly accused the the drunk of his sins of not being able to control the substances he put in his body and yet we could not control the food that came into our own bodies.
I share not as one who has mastered this but as one who knows that I have not treated God’s temple with the respect that it deserves. I am guilty of eating more than I need. I am guilty of eating things that have no value to God’s temple. I am guilty of bringing others along in my wicked lifestyle. Some would ask: “is wicked too strong of a word? ” Maybe but what else can I call something that has been my god for so long. I pray that my confessions may help others who are abusing their temples as well.
“Lord, forgive me for not bringing all areas of my life under your control. Lord forgive me for making food my God and not you. Father forgive me for eating things which are addictive, which do not help my body, which are loaded with known poisons. Lord God forgive me for trying to lose weight so that I might look good. Forgive me for going on diets because I wanted to glorify my health rather than glorify the God who created my health. Lord you simply want me to please you with all areas of my life. Convict me in doing what is right. Help me Lord to have the power to change and the grace and mercy to be patient with myself and others. Lord I love you.”
I have found myself many times making fun of the drug addict or the alcoholic for looking for satisfaction in the pill or the bottle. I have known for many years that it cannot be found in these things. For many years I searched for satisfaction in these things. Like Solomon who held nothing back for his pleasures I too held nothing back I indulged myself on the bottle like their was no tomorrow. I dove into the white powders of cocaine. All of these things I realized never brought me true satisfaction. My prayer so many years ago was, “thank you Lord for saving me from these drugs that have left me empty” Oh how thankful I am to be so wise now to know that these things leave me empty. And so I look down on the guy strung out on these things who looks for his satisfaction in something I know will leave me empty.
Yet as I laugh in my smug little Christian World the heavens cry out to me. They are seeking to get my attention. The creator of the Unverse shouts clearly to me. “You have judged your brother for getting his fix on a pill but you have forsaken me to get your fix on your family, your minstry, you activities, your—-”And we can go on. Yes Lord I have sinned. I am no different than the one strung out on drugs. Yes my sin looks nicer to society but to you it is still the same. I have gone down that same road. Forgive me Lord for trying to find my satisfaction in my family, in my ministry, in my health, in my friendships. Lord I have looked away from you. I have carried your name as if somehow I could bring satisfaction by just having you a part of my life. I have sinned against you. I am desperate for you. No longer do I want to look for anything to satisfy my soul but you.
Lord I love you because you never give up on me. You look through my thoughts and actions hoping that one day I will finally give all to you. Today Lord let this be the day. Let this be the day that I find satisfaction only in You. Life itself holds nothing for me without you. I love you Lord! I love you! Thank you for satisfaction
Friends,
Now my life is complete. I am posting from my blackberry.
This is crazy!
Until tomorrow.
Jerry
Hi I am honored that I can be on this site
I am glad to be here
Friends,
Something will be coming soon…I have invited a friend of mine to blog with me. As soon as we have all the details worked out, we will begin. This will be a great adventure. I’ll talk with you soon.
jerry
dangoldfinch
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