Signing on the Dotted Line

Last Sunday, we began a series called "Six Steps to a New Me". Ephesians 4 explains that we should stop living like the unsaved and begin looking like and acting like Christ. In fact, we are called to be the ambassadors of Christ and thus we represent Him here on earth through the power of the Holy Spirit. What comes next is truly amazing – Paul explains that since we are supposed to live in the "new self" and live righteously and holy then here are some things we can do to show it.

Step 1: Watch My Mouth – Ephesians 4:25, 29 5:4 and 19,20

What we say is a reflection of what is in our hearts (Luke 6:45) and thus if Christ is in our hearts then we should say things that reflect His character. These verses tell us what NOT to say and then what TO say! Check it out.

Also, Psalm 141:3 says "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord and keep watch over the doors of my lips"

How are you doing?

Are you speaking words that HONOR others?

Are you saying words that are HEALING?

Are you using words in ways that HELP?

Ephesians 4:29 commands us to do just that.

Step 2: Clean my Heart – Ephesians 4:26,27; 4:30-32 and 5:18

To make sure that my mouth is behaving properly – I have to clean out my heart. "Of what?" You ask… Of anger – because by harboring anger we give permission to the devil to derail our lives. Verses 30-32 explain that anger brings bitterness and rage that eventually pour out in slanderous words, physical fights and acts that are intended to hurt others. Instead… INSTEAD…

forgive.

Let it go and forgive – clean it out. Move on. Never bring it back up. Look forward to the future. Renew relationships. Be compassionate to each other.

Live filled with the Spirit.

Stop burying things and then stacking other things on top of them… You cannot let time heal something you have not forgiven. Time does not heal it only build up scar tissue or a big huge scab – then something happens and RIPS it wide open again. Forgiveness allows us to move on and become family again.

THIS is the step to cleaning out our hearts – THEN, we fill it with the Holy Spirit and listen to His voice. Joy comes through forgiveness.

Proverbs 4:23-24 says "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. {24} Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips."

It is a battle BUT the Spirit in us gives us strength and the encouragement of others in our family gives us hope.

65 people signed a paper on Sunday to commit to working on these steps – (and 4 more to follow) – they also signed to say they are willing to be accountable to others who have signed the same page. It's a start.

Christmas "Sunday" Morning Excitement

One of my favorite Sundays of the year is the Sunday before Christmas! It always seems like there is a buzz of excitement, an extra portion of good cheer and special greeting and hugs. It seems like there are kids that are REALLY over the top excited about the next week! Christmass break for the school age kids has begun. Everyone is asking "What are you doing over Christmas?" and the service is usually just right!
I am grateful for a church full of love, mercy, grace and compassion. It seems this way almost always and yet right now even moreso.
Yesterday, good friends of ours, Dave and Sue Knight, and my wife and I were able to get together and sort out all of the "Have a Heart" food items for the six families (five from Osceola Grace and one we are connecting with through Awana) for which we collected food and gifts for the holidays. We had a ball and this morning and one night this week we all get to deliver these special gifts thanks to the generosity of MY church family.
I love my church family - I really do. Even when we behave just like family and have squabbles. It is always good to know that forgiveness is there. A quick smile or hug to heal the wounds that we cause each other. A special note or card.
God has placed us together in this body to work side by side to expand His kingdom for His glory. There is no other place I would rather be!
Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Tree “Hunting”

I think it is funny, or weird, or at least - there must be a better explanation for it than I know - BUT... isn't it funny that we spend money to go out in the cold and snow to find the perfect looking Christmas Tree and then - instead of admiring it - we KILL it and bring it home. We even go to a "Tree Haven" to hunt and kill. Does that even seem fair?

I know, it isn't like we are hunting for food - we aren't going to eat it or freeze it for later. We are going to bring it home, put it in our house in a pot of water for four or five weeks, decorate it with lights and meaningful ornaments and admire it! We are going to place Christmas presents under it and all around it. But did the tree really have a chance?

But all for what? To throw it out a week or two after Christmas. However, we have a blast with the experience! As pointless as I make it seem, for our family - it is an experience.
We pose in front of the "perfect tree". We take turns cutting the tree trunk!

We enjoy the "hunt" – we even posed with Santa!When it is all said and done – why? Because as a family, we get to make memories and write a new chapter in the story of our lives. And that, my friends, makes our lives more complete!

What do you do to make the holidays special or happily memorable?

Christmas Sacrifices

It is so cool to be able to see the way our church body comes alive when called to help those that are less fortunate this time of the year. Just two weeks ago we started a quick drive to Christmas by putting together a Christmas tree with hearts on it that had various needs of six different families. God has made these needs apparent and it was exciting to see the hearts leave the tree that first Sunday! We have seen people sign up to bring in food for those families, too!

James says "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. {16} If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? {17} In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. {18} But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."

Sometimes, you have to give up some of what you have in mind for yourself to meet the needs of others – Jesus taught it. Jesus modeled it. Jesus challenges us to do it. The real question is… are you sacrificing to meet the needs or simply doing it from out of your abundance?

Christ sacrificed.

Christ walked away from the privilege of heaven.

Christ set aside His rights.

Am I like Christ? Or do I hang on to what I deserve or have earned for myself through hard work?

We are instructed to think, live and respond in a manner that is different than the world. DO WE? Do YOU?

Do you forgive like God has?

Do you love like God does?

Do you think with the mind of Christ? Are you sure? Have you examined yourself lately in light of the Word of God?

 

I love seeing my church family behave like a Christ – but is it only for a season? Is it a lifestyle? Are we LIVING the part every day?

I think we are striving to live the part – From what I see and hear, people are letting the Word of God change them – I know it's changing me. I think there is a new and fresh feeling around Osceola Grace. Let's connect to the body and to the Head. Let's BE Christ all year long!

Anticipating Christmas

I have loved Christmas since I was a little kid – even if my Christmases were not filled with all kinds of toys – I still loved all that came with it! I remember one year – I don't know how old I was exactly – around 7 – 9 years old… and I was sick, soooo sick and missed a lot of school leading up to Christmas. It seems like no one was home but me – I am not sure how that worked since I was so young but I remember waking up in the early evening to a darkened house and hearing sleigh bells!

I was sure that it was Santa and then as I thought about it I knew it was too early for Santa by at least a week. So what was it? I raced around the house, sure that I was going to see a sleigh settle in our yard from above – or something special anyway! I looked out the back window and yet the sound seemed fainter there so I ran out into the living room and looked out our picture window up into the sky so sure that I was going to see Santa and his sleigh coming to OUR house – WAY EARLY!

Suddenly there were voices! What? Where? I slowly turned and realized that the stereo was left on and a Christmas song was playing on the radio. WOW – he wasn't early and I wasn't completely crazy. But I still have that same anticipation for Christmas morning. I look so forward to the joy on everyone's faces and the fun we have as a family. This is a cool season and the greatest part is the anticipation for me that it is really ALL about Jesus. Not me – not my gifts – but about the gift that God gave to us in His only Son.
I anticipate seeing God do great things this holiday season and look forward to a wonderfully blessed 2010!