Over the course of the past few years we (FCC) have been privileged to work with several different organizations throughout our community. Each of them are impacting our community for Christ in different ways, using different means, but through their combined efforts lives and eternities are forever being altered.
This Saturday night is no different. We will actually be hosting 2 exciting events at our building for two different “high impact” ministries. The first is Restoration Urban Ministries. They will be holding (in our Worship Center) their annual banquet. This is a great event full of stories of life change, hope, and possibility. Plus, the food is really good too! It’s open to anyone who would want to come and not only hear what’s happening but also consider partnering in their efforts.
The second event is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes “Date Night.” It’s an event designed to serve as a refreshment to your marriage. They understand that unless marriages stay strong most families won’t be able to stand under the weight of the many different burdens they face. This year, they will have two different features. The first is a Christian comic who will definitely get you laughing. The second is a speaker who will give some very practical wisdom to making a marriage stronger.
If you are looking for something to do this weekend, consider being a part of one of these events. Restoration’s banquet begins at 5:30 and it will be our Worship Center. FCA’s Date Night begins at 6:30 and it will be in The Oasis.
By the way, here’s a link to a YouTube video of the Christian comic who will be a part of FCA’s Date Night.
Bob Coleman (a member of FCC) passed me an article last week. The article was written by Alan Jacobs and within it he makes this statement, “I am by most measures a pretty deeply committed Christian. I am quite active in my church; I teach at a Christian college; I have written extensively in support of Christian ideas and belief. Yet when I ask myself how much of what I do and think is driven by my religious beliefs, the honest answer is ‘not so much.’ The books I read, the food I eat, the music I listen to, my hobbies and interests, the thoughts that occupy my my mind throughout the greater part of every day — these are, if truth be told, far less indebted to my Christianity than to my status as a middle-aged, middle-class American man.”
As I read that statement I had to admit, though my life is different in some specific examples, I could’ve very easily written that same paragraph. By saying that I’m admitting I’m not sure God gets as much attention in my life as he should. I think, in part, it’s because He’s too quiet. My kids will yell when they want my attention. Drivers will honk their horns when they think I haven’t given them enough acknowledgment. But God . . . doesn’t do any of that. He just waits.
I also had to wonder, “Is there really a place where the sidewalk of faith ends?” Apparently because of my previous admittance above I’ve created one. I’m just sure I was supposed to. It seems like in scripture we’re told God should always remain before us. He ought to lead us. We ought to pursue Him in all things and at all times. Unfortunately though, we have allowed the “road of life” to bend away and depart from the sidewalk of spirituality and faith.
Brother Lawrence who spent a lifetime pursuing Christ at a level and with a consistency few of us will ever attain made a couple of statements I think fit well into this conundrum. Lawrence said, “The most excellent method of going to God is that of doing our common business without any view of pleasing people but purely for the love of God.” He also wrote, “It is a great delusion to think our times of prayer ought to differ from other times. We are as strictly obliged to cleave to God by action in the time of action as by prayer in the season of prayer.”
The context of the article by Jacobs was whether or not religion was really influential. Did it have the capacity to influence politics, social values, ethical decisions or goals? My answer would be, “Absolutely!” Faith can alter all of those things and much more . . . but the greater question is . . . how much do I really allow it to alter me?
It was just about a year ago that my family started to sponsor children through the ministry of Compassion International. Over the course of this year we’ve received several letters. Every time we get one it is a huge deal. The kids get around our island, Molly or I read the letter, we take a look at the picture they’ve drawn, and we talk about how much they’ve grown or changed. It’s so cool. I hope if you are sponsoring a child you are taking advantage of the blessing and really pouring into that life that’s seemingly half a world away. When I get a letter here are a couple of things I find myself praying:
1. Let this child continue to grow up to know you, love you, and serve you.
2. Protect them from the harms that could scar their soul.
3. Provide enough food, enough shelter, and enough education that they never go to bed in need.
4. Lead those who are pouring into them with a heart of compassion, mercy, grace, and love.
5. Release your Kingdom to move through Ecuador with the power and strength that comes only through you.
There is no shortage of material to read. You have magazines, periodicals, books, newspapers, websites, blogs, etc. Most of these things aren’t really worth the time or the energy they consume, but on occasion you find a gem. Well, I think I’ve stumbled upon another one. It’s a book entitled, “Getting Rid of the Gorilla.” It’s about forgiveness and learning to forgive those who have wounded us deeply. It’s a great book. In fact, I recommend it to you if you have a struggle with forgiving someone who has hurt you. It could be a family member, a past friend, or even a present coworker. It could be a physical, emotional, or spiritual pain. But, I also recommend this book if you are looking to be challenged in other ways. Brian Jones (the author) is a really gifted writer and in the pages of this book he presents some statements that will take you to the very core of your soul. If you’re like me, you may not necessarily enjoy those poignant moments but you need them. You need them for your heart. You need them for your mind. You need them for your own humility and dealings with pride. Finally, I would recommend this book because it contains some of the best stories I’ve ever read. I literally found myself (I was reading on an airplane) struggling to keep myself from laughing out loud. I kid you not, there are some stories in here that you won’t ever forget and will find yourself telling to others.
If you are interested in reading, “Getting Rid of the Gorilla” here’s a link
This morning I was reading through the 21st chapter of Revelation. In the 23rd verse John is continuing to give a description of heaven and in his description he wrote, “The city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.” As I read that statement two other verses from the Gospels came to my mind. The first was a quote from Jesus in John 8:12 when he said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” The second was another quote from Jesus in Matthew 5:14 when he said, “You are the light of the world — like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.” All of those scriptures made me think about several different things, I want to share them with you.
First, can you imagine inhabiting a place that is served solely by God’s illuminating presence? Gone are the days of needing celestial decorations like harvest moons to really enjoy an evening walk. Equally gone are the evenings of needing to turn on a lamp in order to read or a use a street light to make your way across town. There will be no more dark corners or shady alleys. Instead, these things will be replaced by a bright warming presence wherever we are.
Second, Jesus isn’t just the light of eternity. If I read these passages correctly Jesus simply continues in eternity what He is seeking to do today — Be the Light. In this age, His light is leading us to eternal life. In the next, His Light will be providing everlasting life.
Finally, our opportunity both now and forever more is to reflect God’s glory. In other words, our greatest service to the Kingdom of God isn’t anything more or less than helping others to see and praise God. That’s exactly what Jesus went on to say in Matthew 5:15-16 when he said, “Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. With those words, we realize we now have an eternal job description. Here it is: Shine Bright and Bring God the Praise that is Due Him.
