Jack Handy writes - “If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
I was blessed by the love and support of my family and my church staff to be able to invest two days in prayer and study at St. Francis Retreat Center. During my time I had such a renewed sense of how much God loves us. It sounds flat as I write this but spending that time in God's word and having uninterrupted worship and prayer time just kept crushing me with the significance of God's love in my life. I went with a list of questions, I came home with the same set of questions. I came back today from my retreat with a greater thirst for just being with Him. I came home with a renewed desire and urgency to know God better and to have Him fully dwell within me. I guess my questions can wait, they don't seem as urgent as they did a couple of days ago.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Seeking God's Will
In seeking God's will I have asked questions that I would bet are quite popular with anyone who has pursued this goal. "what do you want me to do God?" "Why have you put me in this situation God?" "What in the world are you doing God?"
It's this last question that I believe has brought me the closest to the truth of knowing God's will. I am learning that seeking God's will is not just asking God if we should by this house or that house, or if we should take this job or that job, or if we should marry this person or not, or if I should have raisin bran or corn chex. Seeking God's will is as unimaginable and as simple as seeking God. To know God, to know His ways and His thoughts. God's will is that we would know Him. In knowing Him we can begin to renew our minds and become like Him and discern His ways.
Paul said it pretty well
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
That is exactly what I am after.
It's this last question that I believe has brought me the closest to the truth of knowing God's will. I am learning that seeking God's will is not just asking God if we should by this house or that house, or if we should take this job or that job, or if we should marry this person or not, or if I should have raisin bran or corn chex. Seeking God's will is as unimaginable and as simple as seeking God. To know God, to know His ways and His thoughts. God's will is that we would know Him. In knowing Him we can begin to renew our minds and become like Him and discern His ways.
Paul said it pretty well
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
That is exactly what I am after.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Life Giver
This is a copy of an article written by Ron DeBoer. It is basketball season, and this is a story about basketball with a ESPN video. I have been using this story with our worship team to prepare us for Easter. This story reminds me in a powerful way of what God donated so that we could receive life. Read the story, watch the video and enter Easter knowing that a Father watched His Son die so that all of us could live.
Life, Death, Rebirth
by Ron DeBoer
1/4/2008
If you’re a college basketball fan, you know what I mean when I refer to “March Madness.” It’s that time in the spring when the best NCAA Division One men’s basketball teams begin their journey on the Road to the Final Four in an attempt at roundball supremacy. The journey begins with Selection Sunday, which this year occurs on March 16, when the sixty-four teams are chosen and slated into the tournament brackets. It’s an exciting time for everyone associated with a team that makes the tournament—its fans, cheerleaders, marching band, and even the mascot.
This article isn’t about the upsets of top seeds or the buzzer beater in one of the regional finals. This article isn’t about the madness that will begin in a few short weeks at sites all across the country. This article is about last year’s tournament and, particularly, the North Carolina Tar Heels mascot and the tremendous impact of the young man who wore that suit in saving the lives of over fifty people.
* The spiritual imagery emanating from this video gives me goosebumps. The organ donation administrator: “The gift that Jason gave—there’s no greater gift.” The reporter’s voice-over: “All the survivors struggle with guilt—someone else had to die so they could live.” And of course the testimony of Emmitt Ray, Jason’s father: “I don’t know how anyone could listen to some of the stories and the timing and everything that has occurred, and not think an architect is doing that—you know, it’s like God designed it.” You get the feeling when you read and hear about Jason Ray that if, before his death, he had been able to meet the people he saved afterwards, he might have chosen to die.
As we approach Easter, I often imagine the crucifixion of Jesus as seen by God’s eyes. I imagine the Father watching his Son being humiliated, tortured, and killed. When Jesus rises from the dead, I imagine God’s great satisfaction and pride in his son. His son—dying not for just fifty people, but for all of humankind then and in the future.
We are asked to be Christ-imitators in all we do, giving of ourselves freely and generously. Jason chose to donate his organs. Many of us may never get an opportunity to save others in that way. But we can save people in other ways by giving of our resources, time, and love. Jason donated himself to others when he was alive, too. God used his death to save others, but before that, God was surely using his life to save others as well.
God wants to use your life, too. In 2 Corinthians 9:7-9, Paul tells the people, “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, ‘They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.’”
For me, Jason’s story doesn’t end with his life and death. I first received this video from a friend of mine who does not believe in God. My friend is a basketball fanatic who rejected God years ago when his mother was taken at a young age with cancer. Through his story, Jason is donating parts of his spiritual heart and impacting people like my friend whom he never met.
You and I can do the same today.
Life, Death, Rebirth
by Ron DeBoer
1/4/2008
If you’re a college basketball fan, you know what I mean when I refer to “March Madness.” It’s that time in the spring when the best NCAA Division One men’s basketball teams begin their journey on the Road to the Final Four in an attempt at roundball supremacy. The journey begins with Selection Sunday, which this year occurs on March 16, when the sixty-four teams are chosen and slated into the tournament brackets. It’s an exciting time for everyone associated with a team that makes the tournament—its fans, cheerleaders, marching band, and even the mascot.
This article isn’t about the upsets of top seeds or the buzzer beater in one of the regional finals. This article isn’t about the madness that will begin in a few short weeks at sites all across the country. This article is about last year’s tournament and, particularly, the North Carolina Tar Heels mascot and the tremendous impact of the young man who wore that suit in saving the lives of over fifty people.
* The spiritual imagery emanating from this video gives me goosebumps. The organ donation administrator: “The gift that Jason gave—there’s no greater gift.” The reporter’s voice-over: “All the survivors struggle with guilt—someone else had to die so they could live.” And of course the testimony of Emmitt Ray, Jason’s father: “I don’t know how anyone could listen to some of the stories and the timing and everything that has occurred, and not think an architect is doing that—you know, it’s like God designed it.” You get the feeling when you read and hear about Jason Ray that if, before his death, he had been able to meet the people he saved afterwards, he might have chosen to die.
As we approach Easter, I often imagine the crucifixion of Jesus as seen by God’s eyes. I imagine the Father watching his Son being humiliated, tortured, and killed. When Jesus rises from the dead, I imagine God’s great satisfaction and pride in his son. His son—dying not for just fifty people, but for all of humankind then and in the future.
We are asked to be Christ-imitators in all we do, giving of ourselves freely and generously. Jason chose to donate his organs. Many of us may never get an opportunity to save others in that way. But we can save people in other ways by giving of our resources, time, and love. Jason donated himself to others when he was alive, too. God used his death to save others, but before that, God was surely using his life to save others as well.
God wants to use your life, too. In 2 Corinthians 9:7-9, Paul tells the people, “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, ‘They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.’”
For me, Jason’s story doesn’t end with his life and death. I first received this video from a friend of mine who does not believe in God. My friend is a basketball fanatic who rejected God years ago when his mother was taken at a young age with cancer. Through his story, Jason is donating parts of his spiritual heart and impacting people like my friend whom he never met.
You and I can do the same today.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Council of Fears
I have been praying Nehemiah 1:5-11, a bold prayer that reminds us that we can be completely confident in God even as we are completely surrendered to Him. As our team has been looking at Nehemiah to appropriate lessons for leading worship, I have been reminded by one of my prayer partners that Nehemiah did not take the council of his fears. He did not fold under very real justified fears. He was not reckless, but instead he was resilient, trusting that he was called by God to do a "great work". How often the church is handicapped by the council of our fears. Even in the seemingly mundane details of the day, fear is often at the helm. I have been asking God to help me to live and pray and walk boldly in full confidence of who He is - the great God.
As I have been considering these ideas, I am reminded of another scripture that contains a bold prayer - 2 Samuel 7:27-29. In boldness we cannot take a posture of demanding anything of God, but maybe too often we pray with more confidence in our fears than confidence in our God. Let's consider who we pray to when we pray, the Sovereign Lord whose words are Trustworthy!
2 Samuel 7:27-29
27 "O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, 'I will build a house for you.' So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer. 28 O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever."
As I have been considering these ideas, I am reminded of another scripture that contains a bold prayer - 2 Samuel 7:27-29. In boldness we cannot take a posture of demanding anything of God, but maybe too often we pray with more confidence in our fears than confidence in our God. Let's consider who we pray to when we pray, the Sovereign Lord whose words are Trustworthy!
2 Samuel 7:27-29
27 "O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, 'I will build a house for you.' So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer. 28 O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever."
Thursday, January 24, 2008
In all your ways
Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
In all your ways - this phrase has been a point of spiritual growth for me since just before Christmas. Like many, I have been in pursuit of God's will in my life. "Lord show me what You want me to do - where You want me to be". I have been asking God to show me what He wants me to do, what His will is for me, and I believe He has. He has shown me a deeper application to a verse I've known since I was a kid Proverbs 3:5,6. The deeper application comes with the word acknowledge in verse six. To acknowledge is more of a polite gesture for us today, but I feel God's desire in the word acknowledge, is for me to be completely riveted to Him.
This idea is helping me see that seeking God's will for my life has never been His desire - but seeking Him in all of my life is His desire. This all seems a bit simple, but when we consider the way God asks us to have a relationship with Him, we begin to see how simply God wants this relationship to work.
In John 6:40 it says For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life. 1 Peter 5:7 says Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. We believe - we have eternal life, we can dump all our anxiety on Him because He takes care of us. We really struggle with how simple God wants this relationship with Him to work.
Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
We have far too much of our own understanding being trusted, followed and acknowledged in our lives as the body of Christ. When in contrast the wisdom of God says lean not on your own understanding we somehow cannot resist building on our own short sightedness and arrogance. I want in myself to become a person who does not lean on myown understanding , but in every single area of my life may I become completely riveted to who God is, and to what He is doing. When we can do this we will see God's will as He makes our paths straight.
for what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees Duet. 10:12.
I want to be riveted to Him in all my ways
In all your ways - this phrase has been a point of spiritual growth for me since just before Christmas. Like many, I have been in pursuit of God's will in my life. "Lord show me what You want me to do - where You want me to be". I have been asking God to show me what He wants me to do, what His will is for me, and I believe He has. He has shown me a deeper application to a verse I've known since I was a kid Proverbs 3:5,6. The deeper application comes with the word acknowledge in verse six. To acknowledge is more of a polite gesture for us today, but I feel God's desire in the word acknowledge, is for me to be completely riveted to Him.
This idea is helping me see that seeking God's will for my life has never been His desire - but seeking Him in all of my life is His desire. This all seems a bit simple, but when we consider the way God asks us to have a relationship with Him, we begin to see how simply God wants this relationship to work.
In John 6:40 it says For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life. 1 Peter 5:7 says Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. We believe - we have eternal life, we can dump all our anxiety on Him because He takes care of us. We really struggle with how simple God wants this relationship with Him to work.
Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
We have far too much of our own understanding being trusted, followed and acknowledged in our lives as the body of Christ. When in contrast the wisdom of God says lean not on your own understanding we somehow cannot resist building on our own short sightedness and arrogance. I want in myself to become a person who does not lean on myown understanding , but in every single area of my life may I become completely riveted to who God is, and to what He is doing. When we can do this we will see God's will as He makes our paths straight.
for what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees Duet. 10:12.
I want to be riveted to Him in all my ways
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Thank You
Thank you all for taking part in this years worship retreat. It was a blessing to have Pastor Bruce and Pastor Dave lead in teaching. May we live the gospel, and may God use us all, to draw people to Him and to the hope that is only found in being set free.
Eric
Eric
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Retreat outline
"An Adventure To Freedom"
Tentative Schedule
Tentative Schedule
- 9:00 am - Worship - PRAISE - Being consumed with who God is and what He has done
- 9:15 am - Pastor Bruce - Our Offering of Worship part 1
- 10:00 am - Worship - DEVOTION - A willingness to give yourself consistently, completely and wholeheartedly to God
- 10:15 am - Pastor Dave Kessler - Dragon Gazing
- 11:45 am - Prayer and Worship - COMMUNION - Building a relationship with God by praying and listening
- 12:00 noon - El Ewe En Ci eightch
- 1:00 pm - Worship - ADORATION - Intimate, personal, loving worship
- 1:15 pm - Eric - Our Offering of Worship part 2
- 2:00 - 4:00 pm - Pastor Dave Kessler - The King's View
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
An Adventure To Freedom
I am excited to invite you to this years worship retreat. The retreat will be Saturday, September 15th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. We will be meeting at the Okemos Conference Center
This Sunday you will receive your copy of the book "Backyard Dwellers" by Pastor David Kessler. Pastor Dave will be our guest teacher during our retreat. As a team I am asking you to invest in reading this book BEFORE the retreat so we may get the most from our time with Pastor Dave. Our time together will also include teaching from Pastor Bruce, . . . and I may say a couple things.
Our focus this year is "An Adventure To Freedom" - the subtitle of Pastor Dave's book "Backyard Dwellers". My prayer is that through this study and teaching we will be better equipped to bring an offering of worship and a sacrifice of praise
This Sunday you will receive your copy of the book "Backyard Dwellers" by Pastor David Kessler. Pastor Dave will be our guest teacher during our retreat. As a team I am asking you to invest in reading this book BEFORE the retreat so we may get the most from our time with Pastor Dave. Our time together will also include teaching from Pastor Bruce, . . . and I may say a couple things.
Our focus this year is "An Adventure To Freedom" - the subtitle of Pastor Dave's book "Backyard Dwellers". My prayer is that through this study and teaching we will be better equipped to bring an offering of worship and a sacrifice of praise
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