I have spent the past few days in areas where Christmas shopping was in full bloom. Ironically enough I had no Christmas shopping to be done (not that I am overly prepared. I just didn't have to buy for anyone due to my sweet wife). In the middle of crowded parking lots, slow traffic lights, people cutting others off and receiving the "Merry Christmas Middle Finger"; I couldn't help but have ample amounts to time to process through my dysfunction of hating the season while loving the reason for the season.
The true meaning of Christmas can get lost in the mix of so many wrong perspectives; the presents, the parties, the travels, the relatives, the recovery, etc. Christmas is really all about two reasons:
1. We needed a Savior.
2. God loves us so much to send us a Savior in Jesus.
In our very best of days we still fall eternally short in having a right relationship with God. You see, our sin creates a major barrier between us and Him. However, in His great love for us, He provides a sacrifice that provides us abundant life. What an incredible miracle.
What I learned over the past few days while dealing with the crowds, the traffic jams and the occasional "Christmas Finger" is the same Savior that died for my sins also died for theirs. My role in this equation is simple...to be a reflection of the love my Savior has rescued me through.
What if for only the next 24-36 hours we made much of Emanuel (God literally with us) and keep His love as the desires of our hearts? I don't know...if we really did I think this year may be the most special Christmas to date.
Heart and Soul,
BAG
<><
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
One Reason I Love Merge...
I love the church I get to serve at. Primarily for the facts that so many Merger's love Jesus, the Gospel, and are committed to at this point be a small church striving to make a big difference in Lake Worth. These past two years have been an amazing adventure as God called us to start something from nothing. As we continue down the road we are starting to see God open up even more doors where we can reach out and show His love to people who may not know Him yet.
We have been able to (by the grace of God) offering some relief to families that just needed a little lift as they try to keep them self afloat. This doesn't happen without a group effort. I say this quite a bit at Merge and feel it is worth repeating here: when our efforts are united we go from addition to multiplication. The impact that is felt is a great one.
One great measuring stick for a churches impact in her community is by asking a simple question I heard Rob Bell ask, "If this afternoon you boarded up the doors of the church and never met again...WOULD ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY NOTICE?)
I believe that we have even greater things and a greater impact to come in the next few chapters. But it does my heart well to think of what God is allowing us to do and smile because it is something really special.
Heart and Soul,
BAG
<><
We have been able to (by the grace of God) offering some relief to families that just needed a little lift as they try to keep them self afloat. This doesn't happen without a group effort. I say this quite a bit at Merge and feel it is worth repeating here: when our efforts are united we go from addition to multiplication. The impact that is felt is a great one.
One great measuring stick for a churches impact in her community is by asking a simple question I heard Rob Bell ask, "If this afternoon you boarded up the doors of the church and never met again...WOULD ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY NOTICE?)
I believe that we have even greater things and a greater impact to come in the next few chapters. But it does my heart well to think of what God is allowing us to do and smile because it is something really special.
Heart and Soul,
BAG
<><
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Sunday Recap On a Tuesday...
On Tuesday's I hope to post some thoughts from the lesson that was previously taught at Merge the Sunday before...
Series: You Say You Want A Revolution
Lesson: The Secret Assassin Of The Church...Worry
Text: Matthew 6:19-34
Some Thoughts:
---There is a secret assassin that plagues the hearts of almost every believer. This assassin debilitates people causing them to suffer, hoard, live as a fraction of the people they are called to be. This assassin has been attacking the church relentlessly for thousands and thousands of years. It has ended marriages, ruined friendships, even caused murder. If we don't get a handle on this and lean hard into the liberating Word of God then this one issue may very well lead to your demise. For some revealing this assassin will come as a surprise because it lurks in the shadows almost undetected. For others this assassin has been with them so long they consider it a part of them. This assassin that is so dangerous...WORRY.
---What if I told you that worry is only a symptom to a much deeper issue? What if I told you that you don't have as much of a worry issue as you do a faith one?
---Starting in verse 19, Jesus begins with a series of decisions we make that when pulled back and seen from a distance reveal how worry is the only emotional response we are leaving ourselves and the peace we are praying for is available by making different choices.
OVERALL STATEMENT OF VERSES 19-34:
The things you are most devoted too, fuel the things you worry about the most.
v.19-20
---We are not talking about having a savings account or a 401k (in fact, there is a biblical mandate for saving for the proverbial winters in life). Storing treasures on earth is taking the things that are supposed to be an aid in your life and making them the ultimate pursuit of your life.
---Choose to invest you energies into things that will have an eternal impact.
v.22-23
---The point being that what we choose to look at will either cleanse or distort the light of God's revelation into our hearts.
---Choose to gaze upon things which promote healthy and Holy living.
v.24
---I love the line in the sand Jesus just drew. He says, "Don't play games, you can't serve two masters because what they are calling from you conflict with the other master."
---Choose wisely the master you serve.
v.25
---One of the major problems that come when we worry is that it creates a false reality. You spend more time reacting to "what may happen" and it never leads to you anywhere except towards DOOMSDAY scenarios.
---Never will our worrisome thoughts lead us to rainbows and kittens.
v.25
---Jesus is pulling us back and asking: Is not life more important than your job? Does your life = your job?
v.26
---Birds don't even try and God feeds them. Do you believe that God loves you more than the BIRDS??
v.27
---Can worrying in this now bring certainty in the next now? Can your worry today bring certainty into the next day? Jesus says if it can't then look at the birds of the air and settle in on this revolutionary thought that God loves you more than them.
v.28-30
---At the end of verse 30 Jesus connects the dots: The reason it is difficult for you to pull away and trust God with the uncertainty of tomorrow, the reason you are so devoted to and emotionally distraught about the issues of life is because you lack trust in God taking care of you.
---Maybe you get stuck on the same spot I get stuck: "I know God can save the world, but what about my groceries, my bills, my ____________."
v.31-34
---To beat worry we must choose a path which is God-centered, not self-centered. Because when our world is all about us, worry will beat peace every-time.
3 take-aways:
1. Worry is not just a waste of time. It's a waste of life.
2. We are to do what we can do, then trust God to do the rest.
3. What I am most devoted too, will be the object of my worry.
---My prayer for you is that you will start to see your worry as a great slap in the face of a perfect God. That we will start to quickly identify worry and leave it at the cross of Jesus because if you don't you will never be able to experience the life to the fullest He came to make available to you.
Heart and Soul,
BAG
<><
Series: You Say You Want A Revolution
Lesson: The Secret Assassin Of The Church...Worry
Text: Matthew 6:19-34
Some Thoughts:
---There is a secret assassin that plagues the hearts of almost every believer. This assassin debilitates people causing them to suffer, hoard, live as a fraction of the people they are called to be. This assassin has been attacking the church relentlessly for thousands and thousands of years. It has ended marriages, ruined friendships, even caused murder. If we don't get a handle on this and lean hard into the liberating Word of God then this one issue may very well lead to your demise. For some revealing this assassin will come as a surprise because it lurks in the shadows almost undetected. For others this assassin has been with them so long they consider it a part of them. This assassin that is so dangerous...WORRY.
---What if I told you that worry is only a symptom to a much deeper issue? What if I told you that you don't have as much of a worry issue as you do a faith one?
---Starting in verse 19, Jesus begins with a series of decisions we make that when pulled back and seen from a distance reveal how worry is the only emotional response we are leaving ourselves and the peace we are praying for is available by making different choices.
OVERALL STATEMENT OF VERSES 19-34:
The things you are most devoted too, fuel the things you worry about the most.
v.19-20
---We are not talking about having a savings account or a 401k (in fact, there is a biblical mandate for saving for the proverbial winters in life). Storing treasures on earth is taking the things that are supposed to be an aid in your life and making them the ultimate pursuit of your life.
---Choose to invest you energies into things that will have an eternal impact.
v.22-23
---The point being that what we choose to look at will either cleanse or distort the light of God's revelation into our hearts.
---Choose to gaze upon things which promote healthy and Holy living.
v.24
---I love the line in the sand Jesus just drew. He says, "Don't play games, you can't serve two masters because what they are calling from you conflict with the other master."
---Choose wisely the master you serve.
v.25
---One of the major problems that come when we worry is that it creates a false reality. You spend more time reacting to "what may happen" and it never leads to you anywhere except towards DOOMSDAY scenarios.
---Never will our worrisome thoughts lead us to rainbows and kittens.
v.25
---Jesus is pulling us back and asking: Is not life more important than your job? Does your life = your job?
v.26
---Birds don't even try and God feeds them. Do you believe that God loves you more than the BIRDS??
v.27
---Can worrying in this now bring certainty in the next now? Can your worry today bring certainty into the next day? Jesus says if it can't then look at the birds of the air and settle in on this revolutionary thought that God loves you more than them.
v.28-30
---At the end of verse 30 Jesus connects the dots: The reason it is difficult for you to pull away and trust God with the uncertainty of tomorrow, the reason you are so devoted to and emotionally distraught about the issues of life is because you lack trust in God taking care of you.
---Maybe you get stuck on the same spot I get stuck: "I know God can save the world, but what about my groceries, my bills, my ____________."
v.31-34
---To beat worry we must choose a path which is God-centered, not self-centered. Because when our world is all about us, worry will beat peace every-time.
3 take-aways:
1. Worry is not just a waste of time. It's a waste of life.
2. We are to do what we can do, then trust God to do the rest.
3. What I am most devoted too, will be the object of my worry.
---My prayer for you is that you will start to see your worry as a great slap in the face of a perfect God. That we will start to quickly identify worry and leave it at the cross of Jesus because if you don't you will never be able to experience the life to the fullest He came to make available to you.
Heart and Soul,
BAG
<><
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sunday Recap On A Tuesday...
On Tuesday's I hope to post some thoughts from the lesson that was previously taught at Merge the Sunday before...
Lesson: A Thankful Church
Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
Some Thoughts:
---Big Thought For This Morning:
A thankful CHURCH
is filled with thankful PEOPLE
who have thankful HEARTS
5 things I am THANKFUL for @ Merge:
1. Misty's willingness to work hard in a full time job so I can serve Merge full time. When we left to plant Merge both of us changed employers (since we were working for the same church). A major question we asked was rather or not I would become a bi-vocational pastor or devote all of my efforts at Merge. Misty was a big proponent for me being able to only have one job. So much to the point where she directs a Day School and carries a lot of responsibility so my energies can be focused on serving at Merge. For that I am grateful.
2. For what God is doing and the relationships being built in the body at Merge. God is doing some incredible things as fellow Merger's are on great adventures, receiving healing, and most importantly drawing closer to God. This is an exciting time for us as we see how big our God is.
3. For the continued influence we are developing at M.J. Miller Elementary School. We are being allowed to make a great difference in our community through our acts of service. People are experiencing the love of God through an avenue few churches pursue. For the continued difference I am grateful.
4. That God have been faithful to meet the needs of the church. It is an interesting endeavor anytime a group of people try to create something from nothing. A church is no exception. Over the past nearly two years there have been many moments praying for God's provision financially. Every time He has been faithful and abundant. We believe all of our resources (especially as a church) is a stewardship provided by God. For this reason we work hard at saving, giving and spending at Merge. I think that as we do this well in the early stages, as God grows us we will have even greater opportunities to serve Him with our finances.
5. Thankful for Jesus. His life and death brings us forgiveness of sin and life abundantly. His willingness to be obedient to the Father by laying His life down as a ransom for many is the greatest love story imaginable. God loves us, so much to send us Jesus. For Jesus, I am thankful.
Heart and Soul,
BAG
<><
Lesson: A Thankful Church
Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
Some Thoughts:
---Big Thought For This Morning:
A thankful CHURCH
is filled with thankful PEOPLE
who have thankful HEARTS
5 things I am THANKFUL for @ Merge:
1. Misty's willingness to work hard in a full time job so I can serve Merge full time. When we left to plant Merge both of us changed employers (since we were working for the same church). A major question we asked was rather or not I would become a bi-vocational pastor or devote all of my efforts at Merge. Misty was a big proponent for me being able to only have one job. So much to the point where she directs a Day School and carries a lot of responsibility so my energies can be focused on serving at Merge. For that I am grateful.
2. For what God is doing and the relationships being built in the body at Merge. God is doing some incredible things as fellow Merger's are on great adventures, receiving healing, and most importantly drawing closer to God. This is an exciting time for us as we see how big our God is.
3. For the continued influence we are developing at M.J. Miller Elementary School. We are being allowed to make a great difference in our community through our acts of service. People are experiencing the love of God through an avenue few churches pursue. For the continued difference I am grateful.
4. That God have been faithful to meet the needs of the church. It is an interesting endeavor anytime a group of people try to create something from nothing. A church is no exception. Over the past nearly two years there have been many moments praying for God's provision financially. Every time He has been faithful and abundant. We believe all of our resources (especially as a church) is a stewardship provided by God. For this reason we work hard at saving, giving and spending at Merge. I think that as we do this well in the early stages, as God grows us we will have even greater opportunities to serve Him with our finances.
5. Thankful for Jesus. His life and death brings us forgiveness of sin and life abundantly. His willingness to be obedient to the Father by laying His life down as a ransom for many is the greatest love story imaginable. God loves us, so much to send us Jesus. For Jesus, I am thankful.
Heart and Soul,
BAG
<><
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