While the Season of Thanksgiving has officially gone the Season of Christmas has arrived and there is no greater example of gift giving freely, or thanks expressed then by that of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the spirit of Christ and in celebration of both seasons it is important to say thanks for the love and support shared by the Greenland Baptist Church to me personally and to acknowledge their actions to show the love and concern of Christ to the entire Tri-State area through their efforts involving their 2nd Annual Wild Life Dinner.
The vision for the event was cast by Deacon Terry Adkins and easily supported by the churches brotherhood and then the entire church also rallied behind the idea to do something different and reach out in a unique way for Jesus Christ. For those who have who have never attended their event you have missed out but I certain 2008 will bring another great Wildlife Dinner to their church open to the community that you can get in on.
So often in the rush of life we rush to and from never taking time to say thanks and I want to say thanks for their commitment to pull together creating such an experience for hunters, fishermen and outdoor enjoyers of life. Truth is, my experience at Greenland Baptist Church and the Wildlife Dinner was filled with laughter, meeting people, seeing the excitement of something new and different, plus learning that the greatest hunter in the world, Jesus Christ is looking for people to join in the hunt which ultimately results in the experience of Heaven.
That scripture in Matthew that says “He came to seek and to save that which lost” presents a great challenge to the church and while the message of His mission has not changed our methods need some fine tuning to reach the world that sees no value in church, a Savior or a Lord. The world has done a great job of attracting young people from the message that in generations past had at the fore front the theme of Jesus Christ, Church and her importance and our responsibilities as Christians to that world that He came to “seek and save”.
I am not sure how or why churches feel that we are backed into some type of corner that has us bound to tradition that permits no reaching out, but a Wildlife Dinner with different game to eat and experience is just one of many ways to make a difference and reach new people. How about a checkers tournament? Sure, doesn’t sound like much, but why not? Winning one is worth it all, but even better is just presenting the message of Jesus is worth it all even if no response is seen. God grows seeds in the heart and you and I have a unique opportunity during this Season to keep people focused on the real reason for the season, the coming of a Savior for the forgiveness of sin.
Not sure what your church is planning during this time of the year, maybe it will be cantatas and children’s plays, which are all good, but why not a punch and cookie party too?
Until then
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving Week
With there only being 52 weeks in a year one would think picking a favorite week would be an easy task. I have only enquired into a few folks and their selections for favorite week of the year and my received responses have been varied. The number one response to my enquiring question has been a question in response, “why”? My response of course has just been, I’ve got a favorite week and was just wondering if you did? Most folks have considered it is a trick question or they look around to see who is standing around; as if mother was there it would be the week of her birthday of course!
For me I thought I would simple say I love 51 weeks of the year for riding a Harley Motorcycle somewhere and the other week of the year I love Thanksgiving Week. Truth is that’s not a bad answer but for some that will seem like an easy out, but I’ll hold to this line for now because I’m thinking it is the best way to spend a year without a doubt.
So what week are you saying is your favorite if you have to pick? Will it be a week of vacation on some island or resort? How-a-bout a trip that includes several stopping points each year like amusement parks and maybe a museum or historical point of interest? It could be just a week at home that you enjoy not really doing anything, or maybe it’s a main focus on what my family would call piddling, which means you are really doing nothing, but your way of thinking says you are doing something, even if there is nothing to show for it at the end of the week. Those types of weeks are not bad, we easily justify we were doing something no one else wanted to do, and it was so time consuming because of the many little task it took to make that shed look like it does now. Doesn’t that just make you feel so much better just having read that?
The weeks of the year are all different and there are many reasons for selecting certain days, or occasions, but have you answered the question yet, what is your favorite week of the year?
It is Thanksgiving Week for me for several reasons. While some will think of this as the biggest shopping day of the year for those special items, I’m not much into Christmas gifts so the week is more about resting and reflecting then the run down the aisle for that special something. I like Thanksgiving Week because of the food. While some will say their candy cooking is all for the Christmas Season, to me, since it’s cooked and ready now, it’s all about Thanksgiving Season instead. I would have to say my biggest reason for enjoying Thanksgiving is because it is the season to say ‘thanks’.
Possibly the hardest thing some folks will ever do is say thanks but I discovered it a great way of acknowledging others, their impact and influence as well as the peace that overtakes me when I know I’ve done all I can do.
Now sure what your favorite week is, or how you will reflect upon this Thanksgiving Week, but for me, I’ve already made my decision and to top it off I’ll probably take a Harley ride too.
Until then
For me I thought I would simple say I love 51 weeks of the year for riding a Harley Motorcycle somewhere and the other week of the year I love Thanksgiving Week. Truth is that’s not a bad answer but for some that will seem like an easy out, but I’ll hold to this line for now because I’m thinking it is the best way to spend a year without a doubt.
So what week are you saying is your favorite if you have to pick? Will it be a week of vacation on some island or resort? How-a-bout a trip that includes several stopping points each year like amusement parks and maybe a museum or historical point of interest? It could be just a week at home that you enjoy not really doing anything, or maybe it’s a main focus on what my family would call piddling, which means you are really doing nothing, but your way of thinking says you are doing something, even if there is nothing to show for it at the end of the week. Those types of weeks are not bad, we easily justify we were doing something no one else wanted to do, and it was so time consuming because of the many little task it took to make that shed look like it does now. Doesn’t that just make you feel so much better just having read that?
The weeks of the year are all different and there are many reasons for selecting certain days, or occasions, but have you answered the question yet, what is your favorite week of the year?
It is Thanksgiving Week for me for several reasons. While some will think of this as the biggest shopping day of the year for those special items, I’m not much into Christmas gifts so the week is more about resting and reflecting then the run down the aisle for that special something. I like Thanksgiving Week because of the food. While some will say their candy cooking is all for the Christmas Season, to me, since it’s cooked and ready now, it’s all about Thanksgiving Season instead. I would have to say my biggest reason for enjoying Thanksgiving is because it is the season to say ‘thanks’.
Possibly the hardest thing some folks will ever do is say thanks but I discovered it a great way of acknowledging others, their impact and influence as well as the peace that overtakes me when I know I’ve done all I can do.
Now sure what your favorite week is, or how you will reflect upon this Thanksgiving Week, but for me, I’ve already made my decision and to top it off I’ll probably take a Harley ride too.
Until then
Friday, November 16, 2007
Moses & Directions
What are the odds that the creator of the world really wants to use us to do His will? Good question that I’m certain we have each asked ourselves and no doubt we have considered ourselves to be alone in the question, but this is not the case actually.
Moses was the first recorded in History of the World to ask the question, “Who am I? A self asking question many continue to address inwardly as we live our lives from day to day.
The big deal with Moses in Exodus on this question was because of his resistance to God’s call and Moses refusal to say yes to the vision. It was hard for Moses to see himself someone to deliver God’s people from hardship. It was hard for Moses to see how God could use someone like himself as a leader, especially since Moses didn’t see himself as a leader or as someone up for the unthinkable challenge God placed before him.
Not sure how overwhelming life is in your world but I’m thinking asking “who am I” is not a bad place to start when evaluating our lives, and like Moses we have no doubt wanted Him to send someone else and accept our position that we are just not up to the task. If there is anything frustrating about God is has to be the fact that He doesn’t pay us any mind when we are double thinking ourselves, He just waits for us to stop.
Life is full of situations that create this sense of well informed “I can’t do this” attitude in us. How often? To often we think and feel we are over our heads and out of our field to accomplish things, but isn’t is amazing that God doesn’t think so?
What was the last project you were handed that put you in the frame of mind? What bad news had you last heard that gave you this sense of hopelessness?
Yes, it is hard to imagine that God, the creator of the universe wants to use us, but He does. We are reluctant to follow, but yes, He still calls and points a way. We are more inclined to hear the negative then are persuaded to stand back up and fight the odds, but we must. We must because He has asked us to in spite of who we are. Sure there are others that will be better suited for the task no doubt, but they; it appears are not the ones God is talking to. Skill and experience that others possess out shine our talents, but they are not here, it is us standing at the spot.
Today the expectation God has for us is to ask whatever question we desire, but for these questions not to be sticking points but rather move us to the next question that Moses asked, which was, “what shall I tell them”.
The items on your to-do-list, or the work that is before you is not positions as such to stop us but to cause of to stop and consider our next steps wisely, and those steps should be directions gathered from His will.
The roads we each travel are not always full of lights and direction signs that are easily seen from the roads we travel, but if we go forward with our eyes open, looking around, being observant, and attempting to not pass recklessly in life, I am confident we can all safely arrive from the resistance of His call to acceptance of His lead and find our selves in a new land too.
Until then
Moses was the first recorded in History of the World to ask the question, “Who am I? A self asking question many continue to address inwardly as we live our lives from day to day.
The big deal with Moses in Exodus on this question was because of his resistance to God’s call and Moses refusal to say yes to the vision. It was hard for Moses to see himself someone to deliver God’s people from hardship. It was hard for Moses to see how God could use someone like himself as a leader, especially since Moses didn’t see himself as a leader or as someone up for the unthinkable challenge God placed before him.
Not sure how overwhelming life is in your world but I’m thinking asking “who am I” is not a bad place to start when evaluating our lives, and like Moses we have no doubt wanted Him to send someone else and accept our position that we are just not up to the task. If there is anything frustrating about God is has to be the fact that He doesn’t pay us any mind when we are double thinking ourselves, He just waits for us to stop.
Life is full of situations that create this sense of well informed “I can’t do this” attitude in us. How often? To often we think and feel we are over our heads and out of our field to accomplish things, but isn’t is amazing that God doesn’t think so?
What was the last project you were handed that put you in the frame of mind? What bad news had you last heard that gave you this sense of hopelessness?
Yes, it is hard to imagine that God, the creator of the universe wants to use us, but He does. We are reluctant to follow, but yes, He still calls and points a way. We are more inclined to hear the negative then are persuaded to stand back up and fight the odds, but we must. We must because He has asked us to in spite of who we are. Sure there are others that will be better suited for the task no doubt, but they; it appears are not the ones God is talking to. Skill and experience that others possess out shine our talents, but they are not here, it is us standing at the spot.
Today the expectation God has for us is to ask whatever question we desire, but for these questions not to be sticking points but rather move us to the next question that Moses asked, which was, “what shall I tell them”.
The items on your to-do-list, or the work that is before you is not positions as such to stop us but to cause of to stop and consider our next steps wisely, and those steps should be directions gathered from His will.
The roads we each travel are not always full of lights and direction signs that are easily seen from the roads we travel, but if we go forward with our eyes open, looking around, being observant, and attempting to not pass recklessly in life, I am confident we can all safely arrive from the resistance of His call to acceptance of His lead and find our selves in a new land too.
Until then
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