A thought for this New Year:
"Somehow our welcome into the Kingdom of God is tied to our welcome of others." Matthew 25, Luke 12 ~ Christine Pohl
Dec 31, 2009
Dec 30, 2009
Lonely. Depressed. Sick. Addicted. Stressed. Find Rest in Jesus
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.
Jesus says:
"Come. Come all of you who are sick and tired and stressed out. Those of you weighed down by life, those of you weighed down by your sins. Hey! You over there! Yeah, you who are spinning your wheels but find yourself only deeper in a rut. Hey Mr.! Hey Miss! I can see you're exhausted because of your rebellious child and are paralyzed by debt. I know that you lost your job and you're worried sick that you won't find another one before your bills and collectors swallow you up.
Lonely singles, come to me.
Those of you anxious to fit in at school, who feel disliked and misunderstood, come.
College student--you can't sleep because you're about to graduate and you're not dating anyone. You wonder about marriage--you don't want to live alone the rest of your life. You worry about finding a job in a bad economy along with the others who have been laid off. Come to me.
Addicts, addicted to alcohol, drugs, sex, pornography, shopping, or approval, come to me. Come to me, all of you who feel trapped by your sins, who feel like life is a noose around your neck.
If you're depressed, even so bad that you can't get out of bed, come to me.
Those of you sick, fearing the diagnosis, come to me.
You may ask me, 'Jesus, why should we come to you and not go to a self-help book, money, careers, our drugs of choice, or someone else's arms?' And I tell you because I am gentle, not violent. I won't kick you when you're down or suck the life out of you. You get what I promise you--peace and rest. Everything else is just a mirage, an illusion in the desert. I am the oasis in the desert. I am real. I am Faithful. I am True. My peaceful ways are but a light burden, easy compared to the ones you are now carrying."
If you wonder what it means to come to Jesus, please reader, cry out to him. Find a Christian you trust. He or she can help you come. Ask for prayer and seek him out. He will not disappoint you, although his ways of bringing about peace in your soul may be different than you expected.
If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help you, too. I leave you with the Message version of Matthew 11:28-30:
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Jesus says:
"Come. Come all of you who are sick and tired and stressed out. Those of you weighed down by life, those of you weighed down by your sins. Hey! You over there! Yeah, you who are spinning your wheels but find yourself only deeper in a rut. Hey Mr.! Hey Miss! I can see you're exhausted because of your rebellious child and are paralyzed by debt. I know that you lost your job and you're worried sick that you won't find another one before your bills and collectors swallow you up.
Lonely singles, come to me.
Those of you anxious to fit in at school, who feel disliked and misunderstood, come.
College student--you can't sleep because you're about to graduate and you're not dating anyone. You wonder about marriage--you don't want to live alone the rest of your life. You worry about finding a job in a bad economy along with the others who have been laid off. Come to me.
Addicts, addicted to alcohol, drugs, sex, pornography, shopping, or approval, come to me. Come to me, all of you who feel trapped by your sins, who feel like life is a noose around your neck.
If you're depressed, even so bad that you can't get out of bed, come to me.
Those of you sick, fearing the diagnosis, come to me.
You may ask me, 'Jesus, why should we come to you and not go to a self-help book, money, careers, our drugs of choice, or someone else's arms?' And I tell you because I am gentle, not violent. I won't kick you when you're down or suck the life out of you. You get what I promise you--peace and rest. Everything else is just a mirage, an illusion in the desert. I am the oasis in the desert. I am real. I am Faithful. I am True. My peaceful ways are but a light burden, easy compared to the ones you are now carrying."
If you wonder what it means to come to Jesus, please reader, cry out to him. Find a Christian you trust. He or she can help you come. Ask for prayer and seek him out. He will not disappoint you, although his ways of bringing about peace in your soul may be different than you expected.
If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help you, too. I leave you with the Message version of Matthew 11:28-30:
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Dec 29, 2009
Does a Large Congregation Mean a Church and Pastor Are Blessed by God?
"On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
John 6:60 (NIV)
"From this time, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him." John 6:66 (NIV)
As we traveled south on I-75 in western Ohio, my husband Shawn and I wondered whether or not the following was true: huge church = blessing of God. A comment we heard by a popular preacher sparked the discussion. She said something like, "Small churches of 80-150 are that small because they're not being Jesus to others." She is the pastor of a very large church--a church with thousands upon thousands of people.
I get what she is saying. I believe she would say that Jesus attracted people to himself, so people (who are hurting and searching) would want to come to our churches if we were being Jesus to them. If people aren't coming to our churches, it's because we're not being Jesus to those around us.
I grant her point. But then I think about some mega-churches with thousands attending. It is probably true that these pastors are charismatic, good at amassing followers, and good at telling parishioners what they want to hear. Yet perhaps they're more in love with money, fame, and prestige. Because it just is the case that in some of these churches pastors don't share the gospel and good news of the kingdom; they share and spread heresy. The Old Testament indicates that the nation of Israel was full of false prophets who told people what they wanted to hear. Consequently, it should be no surprise that false prophets infiltrate our churches today (and they're not just in mega-churches!).
There are pastors of small congregations who are wonderful people and powerful preachers--who follow Jesus daily and still have tiny congregations. What gives?
Well, I am not completely sure and the answer to that question isn't within the scope of this little post. I will just say that Shawn and I concluded the obvious: huge church does not necessarily = the blessing of God. A corollary is: small church doesn't necessarily = curse of God.
Jesus had huge crowds following him. His popularity threatened the religious rulers of his day. However, in John 6, when he told the crowds that they must eat his flesh and drink his blood, many turned away. The number of followers shrank because of the offense of the gospel. The gospel is offensively good news.
If we are preaching and living the truth in our churches--following Jesus with our hearts, souls, strengths and minds, many will be attracted but some will be repelled.
John 6:60 (NIV)
"From this time, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him." John 6:66 (NIV)
As we traveled south on I-75 in western Ohio, my husband Shawn and I wondered whether or not the following was true: huge church = blessing of God. A comment we heard by a popular preacher sparked the discussion. She said something like, "Small churches of 80-150 are that small because they're not being Jesus to others." She is the pastor of a very large church--a church with thousands upon thousands of people.
I get what she is saying. I believe she would say that Jesus attracted people to himself, so people (who are hurting and searching) would want to come to our churches if we were being Jesus to them. If people aren't coming to our churches, it's because we're not being Jesus to those around us.
I grant her point. But then I think about some mega-churches with thousands attending. It is probably true that these pastors are charismatic, good at amassing followers, and good at telling parishioners what they want to hear. Yet perhaps they're more in love with money, fame, and prestige. Because it just is the case that in some of these churches pastors don't share the gospel and good news of the kingdom; they share and spread heresy. The Old Testament indicates that the nation of Israel was full of false prophets who told people what they wanted to hear. Consequently, it should be no surprise that false prophets infiltrate our churches today (and they're not just in mega-churches!).
There are pastors of small congregations who are wonderful people and powerful preachers--who follow Jesus daily and still have tiny congregations. What gives?
Well, I am not completely sure and the answer to that question isn't within the scope of this little post. I will just say that Shawn and I concluded the obvious: huge church does not necessarily = the blessing of God. A corollary is: small church doesn't necessarily = curse of God.
Jesus had huge crowds following him. His popularity threatened the religious rulers of his day. However, in John 6, when he told the crowds that they must eat his flesh and drink his blood, many turned away. The number of followers shrank because of the offense of the gospel. The gospel is offensively good news.
If we are preaching and living the truth in our churches--following Jesus with our hearts, souls, strengths and minds, many will be attracted but some will be repelled.
Dec 24, 2009
Most Blessed Christmas To You! Take A Look Around
May the wonder of God with us invade your soul and the entire earth! We have perpetually good news!
Hey, please take a look around the blog...read up on some old posts. Perhaps you'll find something worthwhile. I'll be away from computer technology for several days up to a week. I'll post some time before the new year.
Thanks for stopping by!
Marlena
Hey, please take a look around the blog...read up on some old posts. Perhaps you'll find something worthwhile. I'll be away from computer technology for several days up to a week. I'll post some time before the new year.
Thanks for stopping by!
Marlena
Dec 23, 2009
God's Will
This is a snippet from Reverend Robert Arbogast's 4th Sunday of Advent Sermon at Olentangy Christian Reformed Church in Columbus, Ohio. He is a humble and gifted preacher and a wonderful person. If you would like to read more of his sermons, and I highly recommend it, just go to: http://www.ohiocrc.org/sermons
". . . people are always quoting Micah 6:8 about doing justice. But the whole set of verses there in Micah 6 are instructive for today's purposes. 'What should I offer to God?' That's the question. 'What should I offer to God? I'm not sure what God wants. A burnt offering of a thousand rams? Rivers and rivers of olive oil? Is that what God wants from me, something expensive like that? How about my own child, my first born? How about I do what Abraham almost did? Is that what God wants from me?'
That's the question and here's the answer: 'He has told you, he has told you what is good. He has told you what is required. You already know. Just do it!' Are we as ignorant of God's will as we sometimes tell ourselves we are, protesting the lack of a sign or clear signal from God, when we already know? Say I have a spare $150. I may think about buying a new "stompbox" for my electric guitar, even though I don't need one. Another option would be to send the money to the Open Door ministry in Kalazmazoo, Michigan, a ministry that helps vulnerable people get on their feet and take their place in society.
Well, don't I know what God wants me to do with my $150? Isn't it less a question of knowing what God wants than wanting what God wants? That's sure how it is for me. I know you can supply your own examples. Times in the past when you knew what God wanted but you didn't want what God wanted. Times in the past--and maybe you have an example right now, something that is haunting you because you know what God wants. And none of the excuses you've tried have worked, none of the attempts to forget what you know, what you know better than you want to. You know what God wants but you don't want it yourself. And you're ready to turn your back. Mary could have turned her back . . . . Mary could have said, "No!" But she said, "Yes!" She decided in faith to want what God wanted, whatever the price. A sword would pierce her soul (Luke 2:35). You and I? We'll turn our backs because of inconvenience. We'll turn our backs because we have other plans, plans for the evening or plans for our lives. But Mary is our model, as is everyone who makes herself a servant of God's will.
Advent, the patient season, is nearly over. The time is upon us, the time to welcome the Lord. For you, for me, for the Church, the time has come. Time to do what we know. Time to put ourselves and what we treasure at risk. Time to trust God enough to welcome and to serve what God wants, and to learn in time to want it, too. Amen.
". . . people are always quoting Micah 6:8 about doing justice. But the whole set of verses there in Micah 6 are instructive for today's purposes. 'What should I offer to God?' That's the question. 'What should I offer to God? I'm not sure what God wants. A burnt offering of a thousand rams? Rivers and rivers of olive oil? Is that what God wants from me, something expensive like that? How about my own child, my first born? How about I do what Abraham almost did? Is that what God wants from me?'
That's the question and here's the answer: 'He has told you, he has told you what is good. He has told you what is required. You already know. Just do it!' Are we as ignorant of God's will as we sometimes tell ourselves we are, protesting the lack of a sign or clear signal from God, when we already know? Say I have a spare $150. I may think about buying a new "stompbox" for my electric guitar, even though I don't need one. Another option would be to send the money to the Open Door ministry in Kalazmazoo, Michigan, a ministry that helps vulnerable people get on their feet and take their place in society.
Well, don't I know what God wants me to do with my $150? Isn't it less a question of knowing what God wants than wanting what God wants? That's sure how it is for me. I know you can supply your own examples. Times in the past when you knew what God wanted but you didn't want what God wanted. Times in the past--and maybe you have an example right now, something that is haunting you because you know what God wants. And none of the excuses you've tried have worked, none of the attempts to forget what you know, what you know better than you want to. You know what God wants but you don't want it yourself. And you're ready to turn your back. Mary could have turned her back . . . . Mary could have said, "No!" But she said, "Yes!" She decided in faith to want what God wanted, whatever the price. A sword would pierce her soul (Luke 2:35). You and I? We'll turn our backs because of inconvenience. We'll turn our backs because we have other plans, plans for the evening or plans for our lives. But Mary is our model, as is everyone who makes herself a servant of God's will.
Advent, the patient season, is nearly over. The time is upon us, the time to welcome the Lord. For you, for me, for the Church, the time has come. Time to do what we know. Time to put ourselves and what we treasure at risk. Time to trust God enough to welcome and to serve what God wants, and to learn in time to want it, too. Amen.
Dec 22, 2009
Joy Unspeakable
You give me joy that is unspeakable
And I like it, I like it, yeah
Your love for me is irresistable
I can't fight it, I can't fight it yeah,
You carried the cross and took my shame,
I believe it, I believe it, yeah
You shine the light of amazing grace,
I receive it, I receive it yeah . . . .
Lyrics above from the song "Joy" by the Newsboys
I throw my head back in laughter
as inklings of the divine
reverberate throughout me
I'm enraptured,
full of joy because of the implications
and benefits and glories of Christ's
incarnation, death and resurrection.
Immanuel, God with us! O the joy!
O the goodness of God.
My Magnificat.
May the divine inklings find you this Christmastide.
And I like it, I like it, yeah
Your love for me is irresistable
I can't fight it, I can't fight it yeah,
You carried the cross and took my shame,
I believe it, I believe it, yeah
You shine the light of amazing grace,
I receive it, I receive it yeah . . . .
Lyrics above from the song "Joy" by the Newsboys
I throw my head back in laughter
as inklings of the divine
reverberate throughout me
I'm enraptured,
full of joy because of the implications
and benefits and glories of Christ's
incarnation, death and resurrection.
Immanuel, God with us! O the joy!
O the goodness of God.
My Magnificat.
May the divine inklings find you this Christmastide.
Dec 21, 2009
Perception Determines Theology
"Yet a time is coming and now has come when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kinds of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and this worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth." John 4:23,24 (NIV).
If our perceptions of God are inconsistent with his own revelation of himself, then we do not have an accurate understanding of him (granted, we will never completely be able to perceive him). If we worship the God of our fancy, we do not have an accurate understanding of him and our spirits are not worshiping in truth. Instead, we are worshiping a false image, an idol. Our view of God, in other words, our theology, will determine how we live. However, our perception determines our theology. And our theology will determine how we respond to God, ourselves, the world, others, and ideas. Thus, it seems that it is of utmost importance that we have the most accurate understanding (perception) of God that is available to us. All else turns on this.
Until Jesus touches our eyes again and again, we are like the blind man in the Scriptures who saw trees. His perception was skewed until Jesus touched his eyes a second time. Each time Jesus touches our eyes, truths, like the faces of the people in the gospel story, come into clearer focus. As Jesus touches our eyes, through his word, through creation, through others, through beauty, through the wisdom of the ages--we start to see God clearly and consequently, everything else clearly.
If our perceptions of God are inconsistent with his own revelation of himself, then we do not have an accurate understanding of him (granted, we will never completely be able to perceive him). If we worship the God of our fancy, we do not have an accurate understanding of him and our spirits are not worshiping in truth. Instead, we are worshiping a false image, an idol. Our view of God, in other words, our theology, will determine how we live. However, our perception determines our theology. And our theology will determine how we respond to God, ourselves, the world, others, and ideas. Thus, it seems that it is of utmost importance that we have the most accurate understanding (perception) of God that is available to us. All else turns on this.
Until Jesus touches our eyes again and again, we are like the blind man in the Scriptures who saw trees. His perception was skewed until Jesus touched his eyes a second time. Each time Jesus touches our eyes, truths, like the faces of the people in the gospel story, come into clearer focus. As Jesus touches our eyes, through his word, through creation, through others, through beauty, through the wisdom of the ages--we start to see God clearly and consequently, everything else clearly.
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