Sharing your faith at work

If you're like me, you tend to stumble when it comes to sharing your faith. I'm not sure if I suffer from a lack of faith or trust in Jesus or if I'm too worried about what people might think of me. Needless to say, I found the following article helpful in overcoming my fear of sharing my faith. I hope you find it helpful as well!

Chri(YOURS)st,

Jon Sampson

How to Share Christ in the Workplace

by Whitney Hopler

Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of R. Larry Moyer's book, Show Me How to Share Christ in the Workplace (Kregel, 2013).

If you’re a Christian, your job isn’t just a job. It’s a ministry that God has called you to do for His kingdom, no matter what type of work you do. Your efforts in the workplace have eternal value when you use the time you spend there to be the best witness you can be for Jesus Christ.

When non-Christians notice good character in your attitudes and actions on the job, they’ll want to discover more about how you’ve become a strong person. When you take advantage of opportunities to talk with those you work with about the relationship you have with Christ, they’ll want to discover more about how He can change their lives, too.

All too often, though, people hesitate to talk about their faith at work because they don’t know how to do so effectively. Sharing your faith in Christ on the job isn’t as challenging as you may think. Here’s how you can do so well:

Pray regularly. Make it a daily habit to pray for the Holy Spirit to empower you to share your faith effectively with the people you interact with at work. Pray for: plenty of opportunities to share your faith, the courage you need to overcome fear, protection so you’ll be safe from evil while sharing your faith, success in spreading the Gospel message, and the salvation of the people with whom you share your faith.

Recognize opportunities. God will likely present you with a variety of opportunities to get to know people from your workplace and develop personal relationships with them. As you earn their trust, they’ll become open to talking with you about their lives, which can lead to discussing faith. Opportunities include conversations during lunch breaks, carpooling, and special events. You can follow up on people’s sincere comments that indicate spiritual searching by offering to give or loan them Christian literature that explores their questions.

Let your life support your message. The way you live should support the Gospel message that you communicate, so people will take what you say seriously. Ask God to help you live in a way that draws the people you relate to at work closer to Christ rather than driving them farther from Him. Ask yourself these questions to determine if you’re living the kind of life you should be living: “Am I a good worker?”, “Do I act and react with self-control?”, “Do I tell the truth?”, and “Do I live consistently?”

Pay attention to your words. The words you choose to communicate with when speaking or writing on the job contain tremendous power to either help or harm people. So be careful, not careless, with your words in the workplace. Do your best each day to choose words that are graceful, truthful, wholesome, compassionate, and that motivate people to seek God more.

Turn conversations toward spiritual issues. As you talk with people at work about what’s going on in their lives, God will give you opportunities to naturally transition from talking about secular issues into discussing spiritual issues. Start by simply plowing into conversations that you and other people mutually enjoy (such as about your families, jobs, or backgrounds) and trusting the Holy Spirit to inspire and guide you to move from talking about secular issues to spiritual issues, and then from discussing spirituality to presenting the Gospel message.

Explain sin and repentance to people who may not yet understand those concepts. If people don’t realize that their sin has separated them from a holy God, they won’t be able to understand their need for Christ. So when talking with coworkers about their spiritual lives, compassionately explain that sin means missing God’s mark and rebelling against Him, that all human beings struggle with sin in this fallen world, and that God stands ready to meet them wherever they are and help them grow. Be sure to tell them that repentance: is essential to salvation, works in cooperation with faith, and doesn’t depend on any emotional response to sin (such as crying) but instead leads people to change their minds about sin.

Explain to people what it means to believe in Christ for salvation. Make it clear to your coworkers that believing means trusting in Christ alone to save them – not Christ plus anything else (such as a good life, church attendance, baptism or other sacraments, or keeping God’s commandments).

Communicate the Gospel message clearly and completely. Take care to present the Gospel message clearly and in its entirety when you do reach the point of presenting it to people in the workplace, so they don’t get any mistaken impressions of it. Explain that: We are all sinners, the penalty for sin is death, Christ died to pay for humanity’s sins so they can connect with a holy God, Christ was buried, Christ rose again as proof of His victory over sin and death, and Christ was seen by many different people during the 40 days between His bodily resurrection and His ascension to heaven. Personalize the Gospel by telling each person with whom you talk that Christ died for him or her, and that he or she can be saved through faith in Christ.

Follow up with new converts. After coworkers come to Christ, try to meet with them regularly for about eight weeks to help them get established in their faith and start to grow spiritually. Encourage them to join a local church, get baptized, and develop daily habits of praying and reading and studying the Bible. Pray with them and for them. Invite them to join you for Bible studies or service projects.

Use your testimony as an evangelistic message. Take advantage of the opportunities that God gives you to tell the people you work with the story of how God has worked in your life so far. Prepare your personal testimony of faith in advance for when opportunities to tell it arise. Your testimony should clearly explain where you were spiritually before you came to Christ, how you came to Christ, and what difference Christ has made in your life today.

Adapted from Show Me How to Share Christ in the Workplace, copyright 2013 by R. Larry Moyer. Published by Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, Mich., www.kregel.com.

R. Larry Moyer (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary; DMin., Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary) is founder and CEO of EvanTell Inc., a global evangelism ministry based in Dallas, Texas. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from Philadelphia Biblical University in 2001 and regularly speaks at evangelistic outreaches, training seminars, and in classrooms across the United States. Moyer is the author of several books, including Free and Clear, 21 Things God Never Said, 31 Days with the Master Fisherman, and Welcome to the Family (by EvanTell). Visit EvanTell’s website.

Whitney Hopler, who has served as a Crosswalk.com contributing writer for many years, is author of the new novel Dream Factory, which is available in both paperback and ebook formats. Visit her website at: whitneyhopler.naiwe.com.

Tithing: Law or Grace?

I read this article in Leadership Journal today, and thought it would be good to share.  Enjoy!

-Pastor Ryan

Tithing: Law or a Grace? -The place of giving in the Gospel

Written by John Ortberg

One of the things Jesus never actually said was, "By the way, now that I've introduced grace into the equation, no one needs to worry about tithing anymore."

Tithing is considerably less popular than words like generosity or sharing. Among lay people the most common question associated with tithing is: "Am I supposed to base it on net income or gross?" Among pastors the question is: "Isn't tithing an Old Testament concept? Aren't we under grace now?"

This question more or less assumes that it was only post-Pentecost that the church discovered that God is the owner and that people are stewards. It implies that legalistic old Israel thought all they had to do was check the "I tithed" box and then got to spend the rest however they wanted (ignoring biblical statements like "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof").

Worse—a certain looseness of thought about grace sometimes becomes a rationale for not giving at all. A friend of mine made the case: "If my kids are really the Lord's, then I can count the money I spend on their food and clothing and college tuition as falling into the 'good steward' category. If I use my home for hospitality and hosting small group, then the same goes for furniture acquisition and home makeovers. I use my computer for Bible study and my phone to store worship songs, so those items are stewardologically deductible." This type of "all-grace giving" where we give "everything" to God looks suspiciously similar to giving nothing to God.

What if tithing is actually one of God's great gifts to us? What if tithing isn't opposed to grace, but is actually a vehicle of it? I'd like to go back to one of the classic statements about the tithe in Scripture, and look at why tithing is in fact God's great tool to create generous people.

Spiritual training wheels

Tithing is like training wheels when it comes to giving. It's intended to help you get started, but not recommended for the Tour de France.

How do you know when to take training wheels off? The quick answer is: when they're slowing you down. How do you know when its time to stop tithing? For all of us not living in dire poverty, the answer is when you're giving way more than 10 percent. Tithing is a bad ceiling but an excellent floor.

The prophet Malachi famously spoke of failure to tithe as a kind of robbery of the divine. "'You are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test Me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the flood gates of heaven and pour out so much blessing there will not be room enough to store it.'"

God invites human beings into an experiment. He challenges people to test it. At the same time, failure to tithe is called robbery. Tithing is not the last word in generosity; it's the first word. But it's a word that God takes with deep seriousness; perhaps because when human beings get vague around finances, they grow deeply evasive.

Tithe was never to be legalistic

Tithing was built into the foundation of Israel's way of life. "A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord" (Lev. 27:30).

The word tithe means "a tenth part." Tithing means 10 percent. For Israel, however, tithing was really only a start.

There were three "tithes" collected from Israel—one to support priests and Levites (Num. 18:21); another for a sacred celebration (Deut. 14:23); and a third—collected only once every three years—to support the poor, orphans, and widows (Deut. 14:28-29; 26:12-13). So the actual income percentage given was closer to 23 than 10.

Tithing was never meant to be a way to "pay our debt to God." It has always been a training exercise to cultivate a generous and God-centered heart.

Some people argue that since tithing is found in the Old Testament we can discard the whole concept. Jesus, however, was quite clear that he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. In the early church, no one's attitude was "Thank goodness grace takes us out from under the Law—now we don't have to tithe anymore! We can give far less than 10 percent!" The early church was so overwhelmed by God's grace and generosity, it went far beyond the tithe.

Tithing was never intended as a way to "pay our debt to God." It has always been a training exercise to cultivate a generous and God-centered heart.

Tithing is to our possessions what the Sabbath is to our time—a concrete guideline that points beyond itself to the truth that every moment and inch and scrap of our lives come from the hand of God, and will be returned to God.

An economy of generosity

Stanford researcher Leon Festinger developed a line of research in social comparison theory. He noted that in different situations we will tend to compare ourselves with people above us or below us, depending on what ladder we're talking about.

For instance, on morality, we tend to compare ourselves with people we think are below us: mass murderers, drug dealers. On money, we compare ourselves to people above us, those who have more than we do. Upward financial comparisons generate increasing amounts of greed and decreasing amounts of compassion.

But ancient financial practices in Israel discouraged upward financial comparisons. Tithing was a reminder that all human beings were created with a need to give.

If there were two ways Israel was most obviously distinct in its ancient Mediterranean world, one would be monotheism. They worshiped one God. The other is they put voluntary limits on their wealth. They lived in deliberate generosity.

Tithing gets personal

Some years ago I was at a dinner with a man who headed up a large ministry that works with churches and stewardship. I asked him, "What's the primary predictor of whether any particular church will be generous?" I figured he'd talk about what stewardship program they used or how often generosity was taught. It was none of those. The number one predictor of a generous church, he said, is whether or not it has a generous pastor.

Tithing starts right here. So Nancy and I take the tithe of what we earn and give it to the local congregation we are a part of. Then we support other ministries like World Vision and International Justice Mission and Fuller Seminary. That practice is especially important for leaders who want to lead churches to grace-filled generosity.

Copyright © 2013 by the author (John Ortberg) or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal.

God Loves Us in Spite of Our Circumstances

This past Sunday, as it was snowing, and the wind blowing hard outside, I received a call at the church asking if our church was having services in spite of the dreadful weather outside.  I said we were still on, at which point, I was asked If someone could come pick up the caller.  

I have to say, my first reaction wasn't “sure, let me leave the comforts of the church and come get you”, but before I finished that thought, the caller mentioned that I would have to drive his van as he was in a wheelchair and since his grandmother didn’t want to brave the weather, I would have to drive their vehicle.

 Now, I was able to finish my thought about "sure, let me leave the comforts"………., but now I was able to add to this sentiment with the new found information about having to leave the comforts of my vehicle and warm up another vehicle also.  

After rounding up my wife to drive me (thank you dear) we proceeded to Johnny's house.    I have to say, over the next couple hours in the limited discussion I had with him, I was so blessed to have met him and just wanted to share with you my experience. 

Let me start by the knock at the door, and seeing Johnny for the first time, not was he just in a wheelchair, he was totally dependent on his caretaker for everything.  So, let me just do a shout out and say, God Bless his “grandmother” for taking on this responsibility for Johnny  but for all of you that God has called into this mission, to have compassion and a desire to care for all those who are dependent on you for everything. 

As we started talking, he began by saying he “needed” to go to church, and since his church cancelled services, he wanted to fulfill a promise he had made years before when he had attended Central. 

First, he mentioned that when he had visited the first time, he was well received, and always remembered that, and secondly, he said that as some had expressed hope that he would return, he said that he would.  He felt he was honoring that commitment this past Sunday.

Scripture says, let your yes, be yes, and your no, no.  There is probably not one person at Central that remembered his commitment, but he did, and he felt obligated to honor that commitment. 

Pastor Ryan has been speaking about commitment to our marriage/relationships the last few weeks – are we committed to our word as Johnny demonstrated this past week.

I don’t blame anyone for not venturing out this past Sunday due to the inclement weather, but what other lesson did I hear from Johnny about coming to church.  He “needed” to attend church because if he didn’t, his week just wasn't the same, it got the week started wrong if he wasn't in church.  Say what!  

I am concerned whether I shoot 50% playing basketball, or whether I can score 1 point from Jeff Burbank in racquetball, but Johnny knows he needs to be at church on Sunday’s, or his week will not be right.  

Wow, what excuses do we use to skip out of church each week, or helping at Awana, or ...?????

This reminds me of another service I attended years ago where a girl in a wheelchair who couldn't speak, walk, talk, move, started making noises in the back of the church and to the pastor’s credit, he stopped as she used her device to spell out “How Happy she was” – once again, Say What!?!?!?!!! 

How is something like that even possible when we beat ourselves up for our past sins and the life we live?

We can’t accept God’s Grace, can’t rely on God’s promises and then continue in our own self-pity, and then use that for an excuse to skip out at church.  Some of us need to do some serious soul searching and draw a line in the sand and say, enough is enough, ask for help, and then start taking the small steps needed to be committed and honor your commitments. 

If that wasn't enough, what an awful week for Johnny to visit our church.  Here he is, living with his grandmother, totally dependent on her, and probably never going to be married, and Pastor Ryan is speaking of marriage.  I was almost embarrassed to bring him after seeing his disability and knowing what the message was going to be. 

 However, on the way back to his home, he brought up the message, and said while he will never be married and he may not have agreed with everything that was said, he learned/heard of some things that he can use in his own relationships that he does have.  

Once again, he didn’t turn a deft ear on the message after hearing things he didn’t agree with about marriage, he kept listening, and was able to hear what God was speaking through this marriage message, to apply to his own life.

Thank you Johnny for reminding me, it isn't our circumstances that determine the who we are, it is knowing how much God loves us in spite of our circumstances!

-Stan Bream

7 Ways to Earn Respect from Your Wife

The following was taken from the All Pro Dad Website.  You can see the original article here:
 http://www.allprodad.com/articles/dads-and-marriage/7-ways-to-earn-respect-from-your-wife/

Enjoy,
-Pastor Ryan

7 Ways to Earn Respect from Your Wife

A well-known cliché declares, “All that women really want is to be loved, and all that men really want is to be respected.”

Generalizations are seldom ironclad, but it follows that men who love their wives tend to be respected, and that women who respect their husbands tend to receive love. It’s also true that the best way to get what we need from our wife is to both give her what she needs and to give her what we need.
Respect is a huge issue for men in twenty-first century America, and when men don’t feel respected, they don’t always handle it well. Mostly, respect is something we have to earn. It can’t be taken, and it doesn’t just fall out of the sky. Here are 7 ways to earn your wife’s respect.

Treat her with respect:
Make sure your wife knows how much you value and appreciate her. Don’t take a chance on this.  Express it often. 

Never demand respect:
When we raise our voice, berate, bully, and otherwise posture or attempt to coerce respect, then we’re moving in exactly the wrong direction.

Be a servant-leader in your home:
When men demonstrate humility, grace, and mercy at home, the strength of character that defines them as servant-leaders commands the kind of respect that is rooted in love and appreciation.
Consistently put other people first, including her:
Leaders who act like they are the most important person in the room get both obedience and rebellion. But leaders who put others first tend to be followed and loved. Are you putting her first? Read here on how to tell what's most important to you. 

Always follow through on your promises:
One indicator of integrity is a consistent level of follow-through when it comes to keeping promises. And a byproduct of integrity is respect. If your wife knows where you stand, and she can expect you to follow-through, then respect is part of the package.

Volunteer in the community:
Help organize a neighborhood cleanup, become active in the PTA, join a team at church, help out with your kids’ sports teams. Take consistent time and trouble to lift others up.

Carry your weight around the house:
Quietly, yet consistently, be a more visible, viable, and valuable member of your own household. That might mean taking responsibility for the kids’ homework, staying on top of the laundry backlog, being a leader in terms of respecting on-time dinner, organizing cleanup every other day, or being “chores king” every Saturday. The possibilities are endless, but the principle is the same. Here's an article to help remind you What Your Wife is Worth.

© 2013 All Pro Dad. All Rights Reserved. Family First, All Pro Dad, iMOM, and Family Minute with Mark Merrill are registered trademarks.

Just Do It!

Just Do It!

Recently, I went to Wal-Mart.  I had a cart full of things so I went into a checkout lane to purchase them.  There was another customer ahead of me and all of her items were on the conveyor belt. The cashier picked up each item, scanned it, and put her items into a bag. By repeating this over and over, it created space on the conveyor belt. When the conveyor belt was half empty, I reached over it to get the gray plastic stick which is used to separate two customer’s items and began putting my items on the conveyor belt. When I did this, no one questioned what I was doing and when all of the items placed before the plastic stick were gone, the cashier hit the total button and completed the transaction for the customer before me. The cashier did not come upon the plastic stick and question what it was there for. She just knew what it meant and behaved accordingly.

That grey plastic stick has authority.  A piece of rectangular shaped, grey plastic has the authority to let the cashier know which items are one customer’s and which ones are another customer’s. In that scenario, all three of us, the customer ahead of me, the cashier and I, obeyed the authority of that grey stick.

That’s when it hit me.  No one questioned the authority of the grey stick, yet we question the authority of the Bible.  We all obeyed the grey stick, yet we fail to obey God’s word.  How wrong is that?

God didn’t offer his words as mere suggestions or nice words to listen to. Ryan shared James 1:22 with us during his sermon.  “Remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. So don’t fool yourselves. For if a person just listens and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking at his face in the mirror; as soon as he walks away, he can’t see himself anymore or remember what he looks like.  But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God’s law for free men, he will not only remember it, but he will do what it says and God will greatly bless him in everything that he does.”  John 14:21 says, “The one who obeys me is the one who loves me; and because he loves me, my Father will love him; and I will too, and I will reveal myself to you.”

Neither verse says that we have to obey but then God is going to leave us high and dry to figure it all out on our own. No! God assures us that when we walk in obedience He will be right beside us, loving us, blessing us, and revealing Himself to us.

At Tuesday’s Truth Project study, Nick asked us to discuss in our groups the things we have changed because the Bible has told us to and what things we still struggle with even though we know what the Bible says. I shared that I wanted to have a blessed marriage so I read what the Bible said about respecting my husband. I’ll admit that I’m not perfect, but I am really trying. I have held my tongue and I have re-framed my words to be encouraging and respectful to build him up instead of using hurtful words to tear him down.

But…

I struggle with wanting to be liked by everyone and I tend to do things that make me popular with people now, rather than waiting for my stored treasures in Heaven.  So, when co-workers are gossiping and making judgments against others, it is really easy to chime in. It’s a popular way for women to bond. But God isn't asking us to do what’s popular. He says, “Do not conform to this world, but instead, be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  (Romans 12:2) My Bible’s version says, “Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you.”

I have learned from my own experience that there really is no “Easy Button” to get it started.  Other than knowing His word, there isn't anything to do to prepare- you just have to do it.  You have to make up your mind that this is what you are going to do, and then just do it.

I used to say that I couldn't run even if my child was on fire and I had a bucket of water.  But, I envied people who could and as a healthy young person, there is no earthly reason why I can’t run. So, I just made up my mind one day that I was going to start. I got on a treadmill and after a brief warm up, I increased the speed until I was running. After a few seconds, my shins were burning, my side hurt, and I was out of breath. I kind of thought I was going to die, but I kept at it for a whole 90 seconds. Then I slowed down and walked for a while and then ran again for another 90 seconds. Now, 3 minutes doesn’t seem like much, but the point is that I did it and when I was done, I felt terrific! I had more energy the next day and I really felt like I accomplished something.

The same is true when you pick something that you struggle with and decide that you are going to obey what the Bible says about it. In the midst of having to do or not do your thing, it’s tough, but once it’s over, you feel like you've accomplished something. The best part is knowing that Christ is right beside you rejoicing at your accomplishment, ready to pour out His blessing.

So, think about the things that you have already overcome with the help of the Holy Spirit living inside you, and then use that as encouragement to overcome whatever it is you still struggle with. Then, make up your mind that that is what you are going to do and just do it!

-Angie Baack

2013... Time for a fresh start

by Jon Sampson

Happy New Year!

As I write this, my thoughts turn to tomorrow. You see, I'm heading back to work full-time at the Daily Times Herald as a graphic designer. For those of you who've known me a long time, you'll remember I worked there from 1997-2005. So it's a bit of a homecoming for me. I appreciate the second opportunity and look forward to a fresh start and second chances.

Second chances, you may ask? One of my regrets in life was not being more open and sharing with my faith while employed at the newspaper. Plus, in my early years there, I was a little too legalistic. OK, a lot legalistic. I blew chances to really reach co-workers for Christ. This morning, I asked Jesus to help me be bold and clever at work this year. I pray that He'll give me opportunities to share Christ in love and spiritually season my speech. I ask for your prayers in this matter as well and encourage you to take up this challenge as well in your own workplace and life.

Let's make 2013 a year of growth and movement at Central!

I'll leave you with a poem I found this morning on about.com/christianity...

I tried to think of a clever new phrase—
A slogan to inspire the next 365 days,
A motto to live by this coming new year,
But the catchy words fell flat to my ear.

And then I heard His still small voice
Saying, "Consider this simple, daily choice:
With each new dawn and close of day
Make new your resolve to trust and obey."

"Don't look back caught in regret
Or dwell on the sorrow of dreams unmet;
Don't stare forward anchored by fear,
No, live in this moment, for I am here."

"I am all you need. Everything. I Am.
You are held secure by my strong hand.
Give me this one thing—your all in all;
Into my grace, let yourself fall."

So, at last I'm ready; I see the way.
It's to daily follow, trust, and obey.
I enter the new year armed with a plan,
To give him my everything. All that I am.

--Mary Fairchild

Yours in Christ,

Jon

Thoughts from the Connecticut School Shooting Tragedy

We thought we would post a couple of thoughts from two of our Church Leaders about the tragedy that occurred today at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut   We ask that you join us in praying for the families of the victims and would welcome your thoughts below.

As many of you are aware, our nation has yet again been struck by tragedy.  Many lives were lost today at an elementary school in Connecticut.  While I do not have words to express my feelings right now, I know the families of those involved in this shooting need our prayers.

I can't even begin to imagine what these parents are feeling, and my heart aches deeply for them.  This is not a time for us to debate political agendas; it is a time to pray for peace and healing to fall on all of those affected.  This goes to show that we really do need more of Jesus in this broken world.  Will you join me in praying Isaiah 40:28-31 for these families, victims and speak it loud for our nation? I know I will be hugging Chloe and Jireh a little tighter tonight. 
-Pastor Ryan

While I can be a very emotional person, tragedy in this fallen world has sometimes left me numb to express feelings, however, this tragedy in light of the book I am reading has me heartbroken and unapologetically crying for not only these families, but this nation.  I am a lucky one, I was raised by great faithful parents, however, I am confessing, I was not a great parent/husband, or even a good parent/husband, and this is why I am so heartbroken because I was not a parent/husband that I would have liked our kids to emulate.  I /we can rationalize all I want about how we are at different stages in our walk with the Lord, but, the only person holding me (us) back from walking closer is ourselves, no one else.

I know that good parenting can still result in troubled children, however, our (my) obedience to the word of God “while” I was a faithful churchgoer during the raising of our children was in all seriousness, pathetic.  This tragedy “should” make us all re-evaluate, how are we raising our children, what am I showing my children through my marriage, what seriously have I changed in my life over the last week, month, year that would make God stand up and take notice that I am serious about following him.  This isn’t about your spouse, about your children, or your neighbor, this is for “YOU” to think about and then (as Pastor Ryan says) BEG God to help you change by the power of the Holy Spirit.  As we try to evangelize this community, this is so doubly important, because we as a church live in a fishbowl.  Yes, we can’t be perfect, but even in our imperfection, do others see Christ in us to how we then respond to that imperfection.  Are we the first to apologize?  Are we the first to reach out, or are we settled into our way of life, and this is just the way it is going to be.

Tragedy brings about some change – however, as we learned with 9-11, as time goes along, things just get back to normal, and we start settling into how we always have been – may this not be the case for Central.  

-Stan Bream

Bondage Week 1- Snapshots of Your Past

Bondage Week 1- Snapshots of Your Past

How many church services do you think are blessed with so many visual props to make a point?  I don’t know about you, but when I walked in Sunday to see a 6 foot high steel cage sitting there in the middle of the stage, I couldn’t wait to see what exactly pastor had in mind.  I can’t say I would have been completely surprised if he had stepped out in wrestling tights with someone announcing “L-L-L-L-et’s get ready to R-U-M-B-L-E!”  (Ryan, feel free to use that if you run short of ideas).  

But as he began hanging up each of those pictures, it reminded me of how holding on to the past creates a barrier between us and God.  Sins of our past, if we we refuse to let them go, build a wall that prevents us from seeing God.  Imagine, if you will, that pastor had continued to post pictures of everything he had ever done against God in front of him.  Little by little, his view outside of himself would be diminished.  Pretty soon, he wouldn’t be able to see out around them at all.  He would lose sight of God.  

Who of us can claim anything different?  I certainly cannot.  When I sit down and reflect over all of the wrongs I committed against God, I wonder how he did not give up on me.  How could he possibly continue to love me as I denounced his very existence at one point in my life?  The quick answer is: he is God, and can pretty much do whatever he wants.  But for those of us that need further explanation, the answer can be found in Ephesians.  In chapter 1, verse 4, Paul writes “For he chose us in him BEFORE the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his site, IN LOVE.”  God’s love for us is so great that, even while He knew exactly how we would each fail Him, he still chose us.  So God chose us from the beginning of time, He loved us then, and His love is never-ending.    

Because of salvation, our sins are washed away--completely.  2 Cor 5:17 tells us that “if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!”.  Paul goes on to write in verse 19 “that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting peoples’ sins against them.”  Ephesians 1, vs 4 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood...”  In Romans 8:38-39, Paul confirms that nothing will stop Christ from loving us.  This includes our past sins, as well as sins that we will inevitably be guilty down the road. As pastor pointed out, the “snapshots” of our lives don’t define us,  Christ’s redemption does.  Jesus does not hold our sins against us.  Through accepting Him, we are cleansed.  His blood washes away every one of those pictures of our past we are holding onto.  WE ARE FORGIVEN!   So if Christ does not hold what we’ve done against us, what right do we have of not letting go? 

So how do we avoid allowing our guilt of sinning to interfere with our future in Christ?  In Phillipians 3:13, Paul explains, “But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”  If we focus on how we have failed to follow the Word, we lose sight of God and his future for us.  By allowing those snap shots to collect and multiply, we become distracted, and barriers are formed between our hearts and God.  Satan certainly loves it when we do this.  It’s guaranteed that he’s right there beside each of us, striving to remind us how short we fall. We must avoid allowing our past to prevent us from moving ahead in Christ.  We must resist the subtle reminders that satan loves to insert into our thoughts.  Because, as pastor put it, if we obsess about the voice of the enemy, we cannot hear the voice of God. 

  Lord God, thank you for not giving up on us.  You knew every sin that we would commit, you knew every time we would fail to keep you in our hearts, even before we were born.  Yet you still created us. You allow to go through those times, and never give up on us.  Thank You!   You were always and will always be there.

What snapshots are in your life?  Take time to reflect on anything that might be obscuring your view of God, and ask Him for the power to let it go.  Please feel free to share in whatever way you are lead.  Comments, critiques are always welcomed.  

--Jim

What Do You Follow?

Watching, listening and talking to people the last several weeks leading up to the election has been a real eye opener for me.  Don’t worry, I’m not going to espouse the virtues of one candidate or the other.  I’m not going to try and tell you which party to support and vote for.  But what I have found interesting is that a lot of people base their beliefs on preconceived notions that are in no way based on fact.  

These notions are many times fallacies generations old and sometimes planted in us by our parents, a friend, mentor and/or the media, or maybe it’s simply just what we want to believe.  But when people are told fact, and it contradicts those preconceived notions they either react w/anger or just simply turn a deaf ear. 

It doesn't matter how much proof is presented.  I have found this in politics as well as in the church.  In my few short years in church leadership, it has disappointed me to see people walk away from a church, from close relationships, even family, because they were told something they did not want to hear.  It is human nature to gravitate towards the things that “Tickle our ears”.  Things that make us feel good.  “Please tell me what I want to hear!”  But how can we expect to grow if we are following falsehoods? 

Hosea 4:6 “Is God’s charge against the nation of Israel…:“my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.” 

I truly believe we are a people, a nation, a world that is being destroyed due to a lack of knowledge.  The truth is not always palatable, but I would rather swallow a bitter medicine and be saved than feast on candy (or Taco Johns) and die. 

I need to add here that we are given the task of studying so that we know what and why we believe.  We are not to blindly trust.  Question everything.  Take it to the Word of God.  Take it to Him in prayer.  The Bible says that the enemy will appear as an angel of light.  We can be so easily swayed by the “pretty music” others share, but don’t get caught swallowing the hook.   

John 8:32  “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

God loves us.  He wants us to be healed, set free and saved.  Open your hearts to God’s truth.

-Koze

Solomon's Temple

By Angela Noble

Dear Church Family,

 

I usually receive a daily bible verse via email and a couple of days ago it was 1 Kings 9:1, "Now it came about when Solomon had finished building the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all that Solomon desired to do."  This verse inspired me to Google Solomon's Temple and try to find the verses that held the description of the temple itself.  This led me to 1 Kings 6, where the physical characteristics of the temple are described and the building process.  With God’s instruction, Solomon had built a grand and lavish temple, filled with floors of gold, grand cherub statues and intricately carved designs on huge olive wood doors.  This magnificent structure took seven years to be built, each item handcrafted and then brought to the location.  As a lover of historic buildings, how awesome it would have been to see such grandeur and splendor.  A temple designed by God, but hand-crafted by men. 

 

We, at Central Christian, also have a temple.  It is our building just east of town on Highway 30.  Now….it doesn’t have gold over-laid flooring…it has carpet…. and it doesn’t have any intricately carved designs on the walls or doors.  I’m pretty sure the walls are mostly made of drywall and probably factory wood doors.  However, it is still God’s house….a place where we come together and worship and learn to be better followers of Christ.  How grateful I am that we have a building to come to on Sundays and other days of the week.  For those members that have been here for over 4 years, you know that it wasn’t always the case. 

 

As the church continues to grow and the building is used more and more for various outreach ministries, it is going to become increasingly important to maintain it properly.  The Church Cleaning Ministry is an important part of making sure Central’s temple is maintained and is able to continue to support the children, adults, members, attenders and guests that will be coming and going throughout the week.  I would like to ask if there is anyone out there who would be willing to spend a couple hours a month to dedicate towards maintaining the building’s interior.   I need a couple of individuals, families, or groups to commit to clean for 1 week a month for next 6 months.  Tina Boell and I clean the first full week of every month and will continue to do that.  The total time I spend that week cleaning is only 2-2.5 hours.  If anyone is willing to do that…..please email me at anoble227@yahoo.com so that I may get a calendar together for the next 6 months.  The time commitment is small and I have to confess that I probably spend more time a week watching TV than it takes me to clean the church!

 

Thank you in advance for your help…..I really, really, really need it!

 

Angela Noble

anoble227@yahoo.com

Jacob’s Vow

by John Sklenar

In Genesis 28:20-22 it says “Then Jacob made a vow, saying “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.””

Jacob made a vow.  He made it conditional.  He said he would give God a tenth of all he receives if God watches over him and gives him food and clothes and safety.

How did it turn out?  Jacob thrived and God blessed him, and Jacob kept his part of the bargain.

Jacob became the father of a nation; the nation of Israel, which was the apple of God’s eye.  His first love.  This has huge implications for us.

If things aren’t going well for you, meditate on what Jacob did.  Dare you to make a vow with your creator?

In the 90’s, Virlee and I made this vow to God.  We would tithe no matter what, expecting Him to bless us.  I was a bit selfish in doing so.  We had just become committed to the Lord, and decided to dismantle our “empire” and shed nearly $500,000 of debt.

Our Lord keeps his promises.  At times it was tough to tithe, but we did anyway.  The Lord taught us that he is a “just in time” God.  He always keeps his end of the bargain.

Sometimes, with the Lord, 100% minus 10% equals more than 100%.

Proverbs 3:9-10; King Solomon, the wisest man ever said, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops, then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

So…if you give the Lord the first 10% of all you receive, you will end up with more than you started with.  As a CPA, the math doesn’t work for me.  (100% minus 10% equals more than 100%?)  As a citizen of the Kingdom, I know all things are possible when the Creator is involved in my life.

Level Up Week 3

Isn’t it incredible how Jesus never gives up on any of us?  No matter who we are or what we’ve done, he always searches for His lost sheep.  When I think back about what my life was like, what I was like, before I returned to Christ, I’m amazed.  I was living for myself, and no one else mattered.  Period.  I did not take a passive role in falling away from Christ, either; I actively proclaimed how He did not exist.  I was more than willing to share these thoughts with anyone at anytime.   But Christ stayed with me.  He protected me.  He did not give me what I deserved, but instead gave me gifts of love and grace.  He never gave up. 

Why?  Because I am His.  None of us are just a number to Jesus.  Each of us matter.  Wouldn’t it be great to have the ability to see people the way Christ sees them; to love with his love?  What a gift it would be to see past who we think a person is now, and be able to see with God’s eyes who they have the potential of becoming.  To trust that God has a plan in mind.  Considering how He never gave up on any of us, it should be easy to seek after everyone with the same perseverance.

  But Pastor reminded us Sunday that it is so very easy to forget what it’s like to be lost.  It is almost natural, I think, to fall into that legalistic mindset that the Pharisees reflected in Luke 15:2.  Instead of sharing God’s love and grace with others, we like to assume the role of judge and jury.  “Look how so and so is doing such and such.  Oh yeah, they’re definitely going to hell.”  Does anyone else have that problem?  I certainly do.  I thank the Lord that He did not give up on me like I so easily give up on others.  

How easy is it, how natural is it, for us to forget that we are all sinners?  As Pastor had mentioned, the problem with sin is everyone of us do it.  We don’t have to read a book about it, we don’t need any instructions from siblings on how to do it.  We are sinners even in the womb.  If there is one thing all of us are accomplished at, it’s the ability to sin.  Thankfully, Jesus is a friend of sinners; if He wasn’t, none of us would be in a relationship with Him.  None of us are any better than anyone else.  There are not the “sinners” and the “non-sinners” in the world.  There are only the lost and the found.  There are those who are living for the world, and those who are living for Christ.  

Which one are you?  I’d like to say I always fall on the “righteous” side of this spectrum, but it wouldn’t be honest.  I struggle continually with passing judgement on others, with writing others off as unworthy.  A little over a week ago, I was watching a testimony video on iamsecond.com.  (If you have an extra 10 minutes today, I strongly suggest you take a look).  The woman’s name is Karen Green.  She describes her life before Christ.  How she had been molested at an early age, pregnant by her mother’s boyfriend at age 13 and kicked out of the house because of it, used drugs to fill her emptiness, turned to prostitution to pay for her drugs.  All the while, raising her son alone.  Then one day, someone came into her life that looked past what she was.  They did not pass judgement.  They saw a child of Christ.  A lost sheep.  Now Karen has a ministry that goes out on those same streets and shares Christ with other prostitutes.  She uses her past to reach out to others.  

Would I have done the same as the person in Karen’s life?  Not likely.  It would just be too easy to go the other direction and automatically condemn.  I just don’t think I would have been able to recognize the lost sheep.  It would be too easy for me to forget where I was when Jesus called me back.  It’s too simple to overlook how much He has forgiven me in my life.  To admit that I am no better than a prostitute is humbling.  Unfortunately, it’s the truth.  We are all sinners, but Jesus loves us anyway.  

Lord Jesus, thank you for never giving up on me.  Thank you for always loving me.  Please forgive me for not sharing this love  in all situations.  Please help me to never forget that everyone of us matter.  We are all your children.  

These are just my thoughts over Sunday's topic.  Please feel free to share yours!  We would love to hear what others have taken from the messages.   God bless!

Jim

Level Up Week #2

            If I have mastered one thing in this world, it is the art of procrastination.  I can come up with the best excuses to put things off until later.  This is particularly true when it comes to responding to God's calling.  Why?  Believe me, I have a host of "reasons" to put things on hold.  "I'm too busy" is a frequent one.   Sometimes I like to think that my day is just too full to add God's request onto my plate....then I head over to the couch to watch TV.  Other times I use the excuse of being too tired.  On a steady basis, I must admit that God's plans just don't seem to fit into my plans.  "Sorry, God, but I have my to-do list already filled today.  Check back tomorrow."  Frequently I have avoided committing to Christ because "I'm not ready." "I need to read more of my bible," I tell myself, "Then I'll talk to so-and-so about Christ."  

          When I am really honest with myself, the reason I look to avoid responding to Christ boils down to one factor.  Fear.  Afraid of failing.  Afraid of what people might think.  Afraid of looking like a fool.  Quite simply, afraid of going out on that limb for Jesus.  The very first line listed on our sermon handouts this last Sunday got my attention.  "Life and church finally begin to make sense and have significant meaning when I finally begin to understand it's NOT ABOUT ME!!!!!"  As Pastor Ryan pointed out, we were created for two things.  To bring glory to God, and to evangelize to the world.  My fear is no excuse. 

        This fear holds me back.  And by allowing it to control me, I am giving Satan a foothold in my life.  Even worse, by saying that I'm not willing to take a risk is saying that I don't completely trust in the Lord.  I'm telling Jesus that I am placing more trust on my own understanding than in His power.  I am relying on my own abilities than on His.  How can I hope to grow closer to Him if I don't respond when He asks?  Pastor summarized Luke 14:17-20 in this way:  "We are servants of God.  What is a servant supposed to do?   Whatever the master tells him."  I can't make excuses.  The men in verses 18-20 did.  And Jesus responded, "not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet" (Luke 14:24).  

          Lord Jesus, use me today.  Forgive me of my excuses, of my fear and empower me to respond to your calling.  Show me how to live this day not for myself, but for your glory.  

Comments?   What stood out for you this Sunday?  We would love to hear from you.

--Jim Gerdes

8/19/12 Sermon

“The LORD appeared to Abraham.....while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day” (Gen 18:1).  Abraham was waiting on God.  He was ready.  When God showed up, Abraham went to Him.  He didn’t avoid the heat.  He ran right out.  A 99 year-old man ran to God in anticipation of what God would reveal to him and call him to do.  He was ready and willing to serve.  

Abraham’s actions reflect what God expects every Christian to do.  Be prepared to answer his call.  Perhaps more importantly, be willing to follow.  How are we to be prepared?  Spending time in the Word, and listening for Him.  Regular scripture reading (i.e. daily) is essential.  This is always a goal of mine, though unfortunately I frequently fail horribly with it.  Instead of building my day around time spent with God, I habitually try to fit Him in where it’s convenient for me.  Jesus gets my left-overs.  And when reading through scripture, truly focusing on Him is often not accomplished.  The tasks of the day, the worries of the outside world drift into my mind to offer a variety of distractions.  In a way, God’s voice gets drowned out.  

Abraham’s second example, I think, is even more difficult.  Not only was he prepared, listening and waiting for God, but when the Trinity showed up, he responded.  (And with enthusiasm, I might add.)  “When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance...(Gen 18:2).”  Genesis 18:6 goes on to say “Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah”.  Please keep in mind, this is BEFORE God reveals they will have a son within the next year ;) .  “Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf” (Gen 18:7).  Only the best for his Lord; Abraham did not bother with any left-overs.  “While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.”  Waiting for God.  Ready to answer his calling.  

Are we so willing and enthusiastic about what God has in store for us?  Personally, I know I have not been.  God has provided so many opportunities for me.  My response, unfortunately, has not been with enthusiasm, but with excuses.  “I don’t have time right now”.  “I’m not ready for that yet”.  “I had something better in mind.”  “I can’t.”  “I’m scared.”  Any of these sound familiar?  I hope not, but expect that at least some of them apply.   

Heavenly Father, I have failed to make you first, and have continued to refuse to answer what you’ve called me to do.  Lord, please forgive me.  Please grant me strength and courage to know that whatever you have in store, you will provide the ability.  

(I must admit, I hope he doesn’t offer me a child at 99.....)

Comments?  Critiques?  Please, please feel free.  These are my thoughts.  I would love to hear yours.  Fellowship and exploring the Word together is another way for us to grow in Christ.     

--Jim Gerdes

Church Hoppers

(Borrowed from the Crosswalk.com daily devotion)

By Dr. James Emery White

A man approached one of our Guest Services volunteers and asked, “Where are the Sno-Cones?”

For the past few summers, we’ve offered Sno-Cones following our weekend services as part of our Guest Services experience. The goal was to give exiting kids a final pleasant memory of their time at Meck (Mecklenburg Community Church), as well as create a “linger” factor for parents to connect with each other and the staff.

This summer, we’ve been offering them as a “surprise” on select weekends, but not every weekend.

“I go to another church,” he continued, “but during the summer I come here for the Sno-Cones. So where are they?”

The volunteer explained to him our current approach to Sno-Cones, and he became rather indignant. “Is there any way you can let people know in advance when it’s a Sno-Cone weekend so that we know when to come?”

I guess people really like crushed ice and syrup.

Let’s talk church hopping, shall we?

Actually, I’m not the one bringing the subject up. It was surprising to find two articles on the matter get picked up and carried nationally – in the same week, no less – this past month.

First, a working definition: church hopping is going from one church to another without committing to any one church for any significant period of time (which makes it different than legitimate church “shopping”).

As Betsy Hart writes, hoppers reflect a growing tendency to decide, after they have officially joined a particular church, that “Oh, that pastor down the street is a little more high-energy than mine,” or “Gee, the music here isn’t really meeting my needs right now,” or “I really am not crazy about that new children’s church director.”

So they hop from church to church.

The hard-core hopper never even makes an initial commitment. They perpetually float between churches, pursuing a Beth Moore study at First Baptist, youth group at First Methodist, weekend services at Hope, Grace, or Community Church, marriage enrichment events at …w ell, you get the picture.

What’s driving this?

For some, it’s simply the consumer mindset of our culture at work.

As Hart writes, “Church ‘hopping’ is the ultimate ‘all about me’ experience.” They take from various churches whatever it is they perceive to be of value without committing to any one church either to serve or support.

For some, it’s insecurity.

They have to be wherever they think it’s “happening” in the Christian world. I know of pastors who joke about a “migratory flow pattern” among Christians in their community who are constantly church-hopping to the “next” thing in church life.

They move from one church to another, looking for the next hot singles group, the next hot church plant, the next hot speaker, the next hot youth group.

Many times they end up full circle where they began, because their original church suddenly became “next.”

For some, it’s spiritual gluttony.

They want nothing more than to be “fed,” and when they feel they’ve eaten all a church has to offer, they move on where there is the potential for more food – as if that is what constitutes growing in Christ or being connected to Christ.

For some, it’s refusing accountability.

A pattern of sin is pursued, or a choice made, and they leave for a place where no one knows, and no one asks.

For some, it’s avoiding stewardship.

If they are not committed to any one church, there is no obligation to give or serve at any one church. They can float above sacrifice without guilt.

For some, it’s emotional immaturity.

A decision is made they don’t agree with, a building campaign is initiated they didn’t vote for, a staff change is made they didn’t like, so they take their marbles and go play somewhere else.

I know, I know. None of these reflect well on the person leaving, which intimates that anyone who leaves a church is somehow in the wrong, and that is not fair.

In truth, there can be times to not simply hop, but leap. If there is scandal that is simply not addressed, doctrinal heresy, or patterns of abuse, you should leave.

But for the typical hopper, it’s not time for self-justification, but loving admonishment.

First, church isn’t about you. Sorry, but it’s not. It isn’t one of many stores in a mall that exists to serve your spiritual shopping list. Church is a gathered community of believers who are pooling together their time, talent and resources to further the Great Commission.

Find one and start investing your life.

Second, the very nature of authentic community is found in the “one anothers.” Love one another, serve one another, encourage one another; this cannot happen apart from doing life with people.

You need community.

Third, the absence of a ministry you desire may be God’s call on your life to start it, rather than leave to find a church that has it. Remember, every member is a minister, and has been given at least one spiritual gift for service in the life and mission of the church.

Fourth, you aren’t going to agree with every decision the leadership of any church makes, regardless of its structure or decision-making process. You either feel you can trust the character of the leadership, or you can’t.

And being able to trust that leadership doesn’t mean they will always do things the way you think they should. In other words, don’t hop every time you disagree. That’s immature.

(And for goodness sake, don’t stay and pout or politic, either. Either get on board once the decision is made, if it was one that didn’t breach doctrine or ethics, or find a place where you can.)

Fifth, don’t worry about being fed as much as learning to feed yourself. Even more, concern yourself with taking what you already know and applying it to your life, and then helping to feed others who are new to the faith!

Finally, spiritual depth isn’t fostered by satiating your sense of felt needs. It’s receiving a balanced diet of teaching and challenge, investing in service and mission, living in community and diversity that you probably would not select for yourself.

If you simply go to where you are drawn, you will miss out on addressing those areas of life where you are blind.

All to say, if you’re ever at Meck, have a Sno-Cone.

But don’t leave your church to come for it.

Start serving them there.

~James Emery White

James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, N.C., and the ranked adjunctive professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, which he also served as their fourth president. His newly released book is A Traveler's Guide to the Kingdom: Journeying through the Christian Life (InterVarsity Press). To enjoy a free subscription to the Church and Culture blog, log on to www.churchandculture.org, where you can post your comments on this blog, view past blogs in our archive and read the latest church and culture news from around the world. Follow Dr. White on Twitter @JamesEmeryWhite.