We have a blacktop driveway. After a rough winter it was time to reseal it. Just finished it moments ago! Another job finished.
Unfortunately, I made the same mistake I made painting. I underestimated the amount of sealer that would be needed. I had estimated three buckets, but ended up using four. So not too bad.
Makes for a full day of preaching three worship services and then putting two coats of sealer on the driveway. I think I will crash for the evening.
We have a busy week this week at Lord of Life. New member orientation is on Saturday, but not before a wedding on Friday. Executive Committee meeting is also this week with an important meeting with LCEF about Lord of Life's line of credit. Sunday we will be hosting three town hall meetings about the new proposed times for worship starting in the Fall. No shortage of things to do. Will need to set aside plenty of time for prayer.
It's been a busy summer and it is about to get even busier with Vacation Bible School two weeks away and the crunch leading up to September. We have had several new families at Lord of Life these last few weeks and are happy to have them part of our church family. If you are from Lord of Life join with me in helping me welcome them with the hospitality from the Lord.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Purposefully Study the Word
We took a little break from the topic we have been on the last few weeks. We have been discussing the study of God's Word and the attitude we take towards it. So far we have discussed eagerly, attentively, trustfully, expectantly, prayerfully, and humbly studying the Word. Today, we talk about purposefully studying the Word.
Another way of stating it might be intentionally studying the Word. We need to give rhyme and reason to our study. There ought to be a method to our madness.
It is easy to keep coming back to favorite passages and sections. That is not a bad thing, but it is important to venture into new sections as well. When I started reading through the Bible a few years back, I really got into the historical books. I enjoyed reading the stories of the patriarchs, of the prophets, and of the kings. I was not really into the book of Psalms. But with the one year Bible plan I purposefully read the book of Psalms and now it is one of my greatest thrills when I open up the Word.
Beyond having a method to your study, ask yourself what am I taking away from the Word. We should always, always come away with application. Reading the Bible is about more the reading for the love of reading, but we read with life application. Be asking yourself when you are reading God's Word, "what is God saying to me?" "What would God have me do with this?" Look for specific practical ways to put it into practice that very same day.
Maybe you are familiar with Rick Warren's book called The Purpose Driven Life. The premise is that you were created with a purpose. And it is in God's Word you discover your purpose. So ask yourself, what is the purpose that God is putting this reading before me today.
Reading for next week:
Another way of stating it might be intentionally studying the Word. We need to give rhyme and reason to our study. There ought to be a method to our madness.
It is easy to keep coming back to favorite passages and sections. That is not a bad thing, but it is important to venture into new sections as well. When I started reading through the Bible a few years back, I really got into the historical books. I enjoyed reading the stories of the patriarchs, of the prophets, and of the kings. I was not really into the book of Psalms. But with the one year Bible plan I purposefully read the book of Psalms and now it is one of my greatest thrills when I open up the Word.
Beyond having a method to your study, ask yourself what am I taking away from the Word. We should always, always come away with application. Reading the Bible is about more the reading for the love of reading, but we read with life application. Be asking yourself when you are reading God's Word, "what is God saying to me?" "What would God have me do with this?" Look for specific practical ways to put it into practice that very same day.
Maybe you are familiar with Rick Warren's book called The Purpose Driven Life. The premise is that you were created with a purpose. And it is in God's Word you discover your purpose. So ask yourself, what is the purpose that God is putting this reading before me today.
Reading for next week:
| 13 | 1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36 Romans 1:18-32 Psalm 10:1-15 Proverbs 19:6-7 | 14 | 1 Chronicles 16:37-18:17 Romans 2:1-24 Psalm 10:16-18 Proverbs 19:8-9 | |
| 15 | 1 Chronicles 19:1-21:30 Romans 2:25-3:8 Psalm 11:1-7 Proverbs 19:10-12 | 16 | 1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32 Romans 3:9-31 Psalm 12:1-8 Proverbs 19:13-14 | |
| 17 | 1 Chronicles 24:1-26:11 Romans 4:1-12 Psalm 13:1-6 Proverbs 19:15-16 | 18 | 1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34 Romans 4:13-5:5 Psalm 14:1-7 Proverbs 19:17 | |
| 19 | 1 Chronicles 28:1-29:30 Romans 5:6-21 Psalm 15:1-5 Proverbs 19:18-19 |
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
A Completed Project
In May I started a one weekend project that turned into a month and half project. We painted our living room. I thought I could polish it off in a day and a half with four gallons of paint. A day and a half later and three gallons of paint, I was looking at three quarters of the job, still unfinished.
Finally, last night, the job was finished. Our living room was transformed. It ended by hanging a new ceiling fan from the ceiling. In my opinion it looks good. It also feels good to complete a project of such magnitude. It provides me with a sense of accomplishment.
It is a feeling that I don't often get as a pastor. It seems the work of the church is an unfinished work. And it will continue to be an unfinished work until the day Christ returns. This is not a bad thing. In many ways it is a good thing. The day we sit back convinced that the work is done, is the day that Satan has won.
Finally, last night, the job was finished. Our living room was transformed. It ended by hanging a new ceiling fan from the ceiling. In my opinion it looks good. It also feels good to complete a project of such magnitude. It provides me with a sense of accomplishment.
It is a feeling that I don't often get as a pastor. It seems the work of the church is an unfinished work. And it will continue to be an unfinished work until the day Christ returns. This is not a bad thing. In many ways it is a good thing. The day we sit back convinced that the work is done, is the day that Satan has won.
Monday, July 7, 2008
4th of July not really Independence Day?
I ranted a little earlier about passing on myths. It was recently pointed out to me that I incorrectly passed on a myth myself. I recently stated in my post on July 3rd that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th. A little research into this was fascinating.
It was actually on July 2nd that the Continental Congress declared independence from the rule of England. The founding fathers thought this would be the date that would be celebrated for years to come. John Adams wrote: "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America" and celebrate it as their "Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."
On July 4th the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Congress putting their declaration two days earlier into writing. However, the famous handwritten Declaration on display at the National Archives in Washington, DC was not prepared until after July 19 and signed by most delegates on August 2.
On July 3, 1777 members of congress remembered a day late to honor July 2, so instead they celebrated on the 4th of July.
It was actually on July 2nd that the Continental Congress declared independence from the rule of England. The founding fathers thought this would be the date that would be celebrated for years to come. John Adams wrote: "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America" and celebrate it as their "Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."
On July 4th the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Congress putting their declaration two days earlier into writing. However, the famous handwritten Declaration on display at the National Archives in Washington, DC was not prepared until after July 19 and signed by most delegates on August 2.
On July 3, 1777 members of congress remembered a day late to honor July 2, so instead they celebrated on the 4th of July.
Mission of the Month
I was very excited to have my good friend Jacob Gillard with us this past weekend at Lord of Life. Jacob and his family will soon be moving to Uganda to serve as missionaries in that country. You can check out his website at www.ugadaconnection.wordpress.com.
I very much enjoyed the message Jacob shared with us. It was so encouraging to hear about the growth of the Lutheran Church in Uganda over the past 13 years. Jacob and his family will certainly be a blessing to the people there.
Here are some basic facts about the Lutheran Church Uganda:
- 13 years old
- 63 congregations (Avg. 70)
- 6 Mission Training Centers
- 1 ordained pastor
- 1 deaconess
- 13 evangelists
As you can see, the church has grown without the benefit of trained professional church workers. It has been under-resourced in many ways. It is totally a God thing that such amazing growth has occured!We pray for Jacob's work training church leaders. We pray for his family's transition to a new home. We pray for God's kingdom to grow. And we pray for God to be glorified.
My pet peeve
I get a lot of email. Too much email. Maybe that is why one of my biggest pet peeves is getting an forwarded email that is a hoax. It makes me cringe when Christians forward untruths to others. It compromises the credibility of the most important truth we have to share. If we fall for these internet hoaxes, what else will we not fall for and maybe the church is all one big hoax.
Sorry to rant. Most of these things are created to waste our time, and here I am wasting my time on my blog. But if this saves someone else the time of adding their name to an email and forwarding it on to 20 people, then it is worth it.
Know that there is no petition to the FCC to take religious broadcasting off the airwaves. Madaline Murray O'Harra, or whatever her name is, is dead. This hoax originated in 1975 and since that time the FCC has received 30 million pieces of mail from concerned citizens. Don't worry, all is well. Touch by an Angel has not been on television in years, and it has nothing to do with this.
Also, Bill Gates is not going to give you $1000 to forward an email. I wish it were true. That would be very nice.
Check your sources. Never, never, never, never forward an email that you are not 100% sure it is true. Go to www.snopes.com or another reliable website that you can trust. If Dr. Dobson wants you to forward an email, go to Dr. Dobson's website to see what Dr. Dobson really has to say about it.
Sorry to rant. Most of these things are created to waste our time, and here I am wasting my time on my blog. But if this saves someone else the time of adding their name to an email and forwarding it on to 20 people, then it is worth it.
Know that there is no petition to the FCC to take religious broadcasting off the airwaves. Madaline Murray O'Harra, or whatever her name is, is dead. This hoax originated in 1975 and since that time the FCC has received 30 million pieces of mail from concerned citizens. Don't worry, all is well. Touch by an Angel has not been on television in years, and it has nothing to do with this.
Also, Bill Gates is not going to give you $1000 to forward an email. I wish it were true. That would be very nice.
Check your sources. Never, never, never, never forward an email that you are not 100% sure it is true. Go to www.snopes.com or another reliable website that you can trust. If Dr. Dobson wants you to forward an email, go to Dr. Dobson's website to see what Dr. Dobson really has to say about it.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Happy 4th of July
This is 4th of July weekend. We celebrate Independence Day when the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. Freedom is a blessing. For all that is wrong with the United States of America, what a privilege to live in this country. As Christians it becomes very easy to take for granted our freedom to worship.
Our political independence points to a greater freedom. That is the freedom Jesus gives us. At the beginning of his ministry Jesus entered the synagogue at Capernaum and declared:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19
This is the Christians Declaration of Independence. It is Jesus Christ. Our Lord and Savior.
In spite of the holiday weekend you may not feel very free. You may feel that you are in bondage to the economy. Or you are in bondage to your health. Maybe you are in bondage to negative feelings or emotions. Maybe you are in bondage to fear. Maybe you are in bondage to a situation where you feel you are at a dead end and there is no way out.
Many of us will be celebrating this weekend with fireworks and all that fun stuff, all the while on the inside we don't feel like celebrating that much. But Jesus makes a declaration to you. He is annointed to preach good news to your poverty, proclaim your release form the prison, give you sight from your blindness, release you from your oppression, and proclaim God's favor and peace. Today, this is fulfilled. I can guarantee it. Now it's for you to receive it.
Have a great weekend!!!
Next weeks readings:
July 06
1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4
Acts 24:1-27
Psalm 4:1-8
Proverbs 18:16-18
July 07
1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17
Acts 25:1-27
Psalm 5:1-12
Proverbs 18:19
July 08
1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81
Acts 26:1-32
Psalm 6:1-10
Proverbs 18:20-21
July 09
1 Chronicles 7:1-8:40
Acts 27:1-20
Psalm 7:1-17
Proverbs 18:22
July 10
1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14
Acts 27:21-44
Psalm 8:1-9
Proverbs 18:23-24
July 11
1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18
Acts 28:1-31
Psalm 9:1-12
Proverbs 19:1-3
July 12
1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17
Romans 1:1-17
Psalm 9:13-20
Proverbs 19:4-5
Our political independence points to a greater freedom. That is the freedom Jesus gives us. At the beginning of his ministry Jesus entered the synagogue at Capernaum and declared:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19
This is the Christians Declaration of Independence. It is Jesus Christ. Our Lord and Savior.
In spite of the holiday weekend you may not feel very free. You may feel that you are in bondage to the economy. Or you are in bondage to your health. Maybe you are in bondage to negative feelings or emotions. Maybe you are in bondage to fear. Maybe you are in bondage to a situation where you feel you are at a dead end and there is no way out.
Many of us will be celebrating this weekend with fireworks and all that fun stuff, all the while on the inside we don't feel like celebrating that much. But Jesus makes a declaration to you. He is annointed to preach good news to your poverty, proclaim your release form the prison, give you sight from your blindness, release you from your oppression, and proclaim God's favor and peace. Today, this is fulfilled. I can guarantee it. Now it's for you to receive it.
Have a great weekend!!!
Next weeks readings:
July 06
1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4
Acts 24:1-27
Psalm 4:1-8
Proverbs 18:16-18
July 07
1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17
Acts 25:1-27
Psalm 5:1-12
Proverbs 18:19
July 08
1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81
Acts 26:1-32
Psalm 6:1-10
Proverbs 18:20-21
July 09
1 Chronicles 7:1-8:40
Acts 27:1-20
Psalm 7:1-17
Proverbs 18:22
July 10
1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14
Acts 27:21-44
Psalm 8:1-9
Proverbs 18:23-24
July 11
1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18
Acts 28:1-31
Psalm 9:1-12
Proverbs 19:1-3
July 12
1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17
Romans 1:1-17
Psalm 9:13-20
Proverbs 19:4-5
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