David Tarkington

Prayer Point 1: Why Aren't We Broken for the "Lostness" Around Us?

As a Southern Baptist pastor in Florida, I have been asked to help gather pastors and leaders together in our region (northeastern Florida) for the purpose of prayer and renewal. This is foundational for what God has led our state convention to do regarding our mission to be salt and light in this dark, dying world.

As I have gathered with numerous pastors and leaders over the past few months, with more gatherings to come, we have talked,, shared and laughed together. Then, we have taken the time to intentionally and strategically pray for each other, our churches and our state.

These prayer gatherings have been powerful. These are not orchestrated "days of prayer" that we often see done with fanfare, graphic designs, posters and T-shirts, but organic, natural times of gathering together and praying.

For the next few days, I will highlight some of the specifics we, as pastors and leader, are praying for and share with you what we believe must happen for renewal and revival to come to Florida.

The prayer "points" were given to Dr. Clayton Cloer as God revealed them to him, and he has shared them with us. 

Prayer Point 1: Brokennes over the "Lostness" of our state and need for revival

Problem: Sometimes we as believers and churches have a lack of concern for the unsaved.
Symptoms: No salvations or baptisms in many of our churches. Stagnant or declined growth and community impact.
Scripture:

• Psalm 51:17(ESV)
  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 
• Psalm 34:18(ESV)
  The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 

Our Prayer: Let us see the multitude moved with compassion. Burden our hearts for the desperate need of salvation for the people of our state and need for revival in our churches, and then use us to implement a dramatic repentance.

Please join me and other pastors throughout Florida as we pray for a new brokenness over the spiritual state of Florida. Let us be willing tools of God to see His Kingdom grow.

For more on this grass-roots movement to revive and renew our churches, go to www.revisionflorida.org. 

The Day Before Easter

Can you imagine how the followers of Christ must have felt the day before the resurrection? We speak of the three days in the grave, for we know this to be true. Yet, other than knowing the disciples were  basically gathering together in a secret place, there's not much more in the Bible about this time.

While there is still debate on what day Jesus was actually crucified, (BTW - I don't believe it was Friday) the fact is that he was not just unconscious. He was not just in a coma. He was not asleep. He was dead. Jesus' body was not functioning. There was no blood flowing. There were no brain waves to register. The body of Christ was dead. 

The disciples knew about death. Death is a part of life. Solomon had stated hundreds of years prior that going to houses of mourning for the dead was valuable. 

These followers had seen death first-hand numerous times in the past three years. However, in most of those times, as with Lazarus, Jesus proved himself more powerful than death. 

Somehow, this was different. 

Though with hindsight, it's easy to see how these disciples should have been prepared for this day. Jesus had told them over and again, sometimes in parables, sometimes pretty plainly, that he would die.

Did they not believe him?

Did they have a hard time comprehending that this charismatic leader in his early thirties could be speaking of imminent death?

Maybe, like many of us, they just didn't want to think about it.

It may be wise to live with the end in mind. It may be beneficial to visit cemetaries and go to funerals, but many do not.

Morbid? Perhaps.

Depressing? Most often.

Whatever the reason for the disciples not "getting this," they were now gathered together contemplating what to do next. 

Rest assured, the common question for most was trying to figure out how to go back to the way things were three years prior. Some may have even had thoughts go through their mind that made them believe, if even for a moment, that the previous three years following Jesus was a waste. Don't count that option out. The Enemy loves these types of lies.

Nevertheless, it's the day before Easter.

It's the day before the women rush to the tomb to find it open and empty.

It's the day before Jesus appears to the disciples.

It's the day before Jesus walks with some followers on a road to Emmaus.

It's the day before he appears in the room where they are gathering.

It's the day before Thomas gets first hand proof of his resurrection.

It's the day before.

One thing I am certain about. These men and women did not expect to see Jesus the next morning.

They did not anticipate the moment that would change them forever.

The date was circled on God's calendar. 

It was not on the disciples'.

The day before Easter was a day where the disciples felt far from God.

Today, there are many in our world who feel far from God. They are far from God.

Tomorrow, many will change their schedules. Rather than sleep in or go to the beach or spend time on the lake or in a cabin or just a home with family, they will do something out of the ordinary. For many, they will attend a Bible study, sunrise service, small group in a coffee shop, or maybe even a worship service at the church they used to attend or that a friend has invited them to attend. 

They will expect the generic Easter message. Some, undoubtedly, will hear that.

Many may go through the motions and check off the "I went to church on Easter" box for the year. 

However, for others, something is going to happen.

Something will change.

I believe that for some, tomorrow is circled on God's calendar.

Tomorrow is a day where everything will change for them.

At least that's what I'm praying today. . .this day before Easter.

(Oh, and just to be clear. . . I believe there are many who attend church or Bible study every week who are very far from God. May tomorrow change everything. Better yet, may it happen right now.)

What's Next After "Four Zero"?

We have been systematically working through the last seven statements of Jesus on the cross. Through the ministry and resources provided by Worktalk and Geoff Shattock, we have been challenged and blessed to see how the final six hours of work Jesus did on the cross have become a template for us today. It is a model for how we are to "carry our crosses" daily into the workforce and world we live in, all for the glory of God.

But, what's next?

Many times when churches and Christ-followers embark on forty day studies, there is a sense of completion on Day 41. This is not all bad, in that it is good to complete a task. However, if what is learned is shelved on day 41, it truth is we miss the point of the journey.

In truth, FOUR ZERO is a beginning of a life-long journey. It is not just a program or a book to be completed. It is about living for Christ daily.

So, with that in mind, Geoff has put together this short video message of encouragement and challenge for us.

Also, be sure to check out www.worktalk.gs for more details.

Note that we still have Daily Guides available. Though our church-wide journey has come to an end, the forty day strategy can begin again, or for some the first time, at at any time. Perhaps you have some co-workers who would like to join you on a journey of the cross? Daily Guides are $10 each and available in the church office.

What the Church Can Learn From Steve Jobs

Some of you will find it difficult to admit that church leaders can learn from a man like Steve Jobs. In fact, just the title of this post is making some of you angry. I'm sure some are looking up verses of Scripture even now that affirm why I should never even attempt to make the claim this title boasts. 

As many of you know, from reading his biography and other reports, Steve Jobs was not a supporter or believer in the Christian church. He was a seeker who abandoned the teachings of the Bible when his Sunday School teacher could not answer a question regarding the suffering in the world. He engaged in the liberal lifestyle and drug culture of Reed College. He became a dabbler and follower of New Age mysticism and his eccentricities of the "all fruit diet" and not bathing for many days as a young entrepreneur are well known.

Even though he was known as a demanding boss and very difficult to work with, his entrepreneurial spirit and leadership at Apple Computers has become iconic. 

I was watching a video presentation by Guy Kawasaki today. Kawasaki worked for Apple during the 1980s and then again in the mid-1990s first as the Software Evangelist and later as the Chief Evangelist. (Nice titles, huh?) He claims to be one of the few people to have been able to work with Jobs twice and survive. He is now an author and speaker and developer of numerous websites. One of my go-to sites is Kawasaki's www.alltop.com. Kawasaki speaks globally in different settings. He has spoken to leaders in the corporate and education world as well as at Catalyst to church leaders. Kawasaki's faith is evident and his ability to keep his finger on the pulse of culture is helpful for the church.

It's obvious that he has much respect for Jobs. When Jobs died last year, Kawasaki developed a list of "12 Things I Have Learned from Steve Jobs." I watched his presentation of this at TEDx at the Harker School in San Jose.

While watching this presentation, even though focused on the tech industry and business, I discovered some things that can be helpful for church leaders.

Here are the 12 things. . .

1. "Experts" are clueless. That's a pretty harsh statement, but it's based on the fact that in industry, there are those who with past experience and age are elevated to the position of expert. Just because there is much wisdom in experience, there are times when the "experts" miss the point. He uses examples of Thomas Watson of IBM who declared in 1943 his view that the world would have a demand for a maximum of five computers. He also references Western Union's internal memo that declared the new device known as the telephone to be a loser and therefore not worth investing into. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHURCH: This is a stretch, but throughout church history, and especially in the past century or so, there have been some who have declared their "prophecies" of the future of the global church. Some have been dramatically proven incorrect. Sometimes it's a holding onto the past that leads to this, but mostly, it's a lack of discerning the Spirit's lead. There are far too few "men of Issachar" today who truly understand the times. However, there are some "experts" who seem to have their finger on the pulse of culture and without forsaking any of the message of the Gospel have been instrumental in leading the church to reach postmoderns and others to come. Lesson learned - just because someone has written a book and self-declared their "expertise" does not mean they are right. Trust the Spirit and the modern-day "men of Issachar."
2. Customers cannot tell you what they need. Kawasaki states that "Apple market research" was nothing more than the right side of Jobs' brain. Jobs made it clear that if you asked the customer what they wanted, the answer would be simply "better, faster and cheaper." The customer would only ask for better "sameness," not revolutionary change. Customers can only describe their desires in terms what they are already using. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHURCH: People know they have needs, but they don't always know what those needs are. Even good Christian people in the church. Often the perceived need is a better choir, an organ (seriously!), better ministry options for the kids, a more comfortable gathering place, a new pastor, etc. What people need is revolutionary change. This is deeper than church talk. This is referencing the transformational change that only comes from the Spirit of God. So, go ahead and do that "church member survey" but you will not discover what is truly needed. You'll likely see things that have absolutely nothing to do with the Gospel and tranformed lives. You will see things that hearken back to the "good ole days" or a ministry model perfect for the 1950s (or 1990s - by the way, even the 1990s are outdated now.)
3. Jump to the next curve. Big wins happen when you go beyond better sameness. Watch the attached video for a great illustration regarding ice (from harvesters to ice houses to refrigerators.) WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHURCH: I'm reminded of Reggie McNeal's book The Present Future. One of the statements in this book was that the church is answering the questions correctly. It's just that we're answering the wrong questions. It's time for a jump. We do not need "better sameness" but revolutionary change. The world is shrinking. The church must not run from the technology that enables us to communicate globally or support financially missionaries with the click of a button. It may seem honorable to discount the internet and hold tightly to that leather-bound King James Version Bible. I just wonder what we'll say when God asks why we didn't use the things He gave us fully so that more could know Him?
4. The biggest challenges beget the best work. The biggest challengers of Apple, this little startup company with a new type of device called the personal computer were giants known as IBM and then later Microsoft. The challenges were great and many other companies came and went in the 1980s and 1990s. Apple saw the challenges as a chance to be better. (This is very hard for me to admit, since I used to work and love IBM, but it's true.) WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHURCH: Well, there are the David and Goliath elements here, but when thinking about the local church, it's a good reminder that the Enemy and the world are against the Gospel. Some cower to this. Some resort to creating "holy huddles" that protest everything. These churches become known, not for the transformational love and grace of Jesus Christ, but for the fact (or at least the appearance) that they are against everything. Some churches worry about the future, forgetting that this is a sin. The odds may be against the local church, but the victory is secure. This must be remembered. Any church that loses this focus becomes little more than a club. 
5. Design counts. Kawasaki states that Jobs drove people nuts with his Type A design demands. He stated that "some shades of black weren't black enough" and other detail things that most would say "What's the big deal?" Jobs was a perfectionist. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHURCH: The church must remember that the work we do is not for ourselves, but for God. He is the focus. He is the audience. Therefore, why would we offer anything less than our very best? Some churches just offer crumbs at the altar. God deserves the entire meal. The little things matter. Just thinking practically, since our God is perfect and holy, we should care for all that He has blessed us with so that those who do not yet know Him are not distracted by incomplete stories, poor planned events and left-overs. Details matter. It's not about becoming obsessive. It's about offering the best.
6. You can't go wrong with big graphics and big fonts. For Apple, this was made clear during Jobs' regular presentations at Macworld and other gatherings. He would stand in front of a huge screen, usually with one large graphic image and few words presented. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHURCH: Fix your PowerPoint (or MediaShout, or other presentation programs for worship). Find some 16 year old that understands that clear and simple is best. Oh yeah, clean up the website while you're at it. No one wants to read paragraph after paragraph on your site (and, therefore, probably not on this blog either.)
7. Changing your mind is a sign of intelligence. Apple did a 180 on it's announcements about app development for the iPhone and iPad between 2007 and 2008. It was the right shift. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHURCH: Times change. Programs change. Communities change. Churches change. What doesn't change? The Gospel. The Message. Don't say "We're doing this program until Jesus comes" from the pulpit. I've heard that said. Guess what? We stopped doing the program in two years. Why? Because it was time to change. There was a shelf-life for the program. It had served it's purpose. Oh yeah, sometimes you change because you realize you were wrong. God's never wrong, but we do not always listen well.
8. "Value" is different from "price." Apple products have never been the cheapest on the market. Why then does market share increase? Because the products are quality and have value. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHURCH: Ministry is not easy. It will cost. It will cost time. It will cost money. It will cost friendships sometimes. It will cost some relationships (Luke 14:26). However, all of these are worth it. The Gospel is worth it. There is value in the Gospel. It is not cheap. Christ's sacrifice was not cheap.
9. A players hire A+ players. Jobs would say that A players should hire A players, but Kawasaki one-ups him here. If a leader only hires players who are not as gifted and effective as oneself, the organization suffers. If A players hire B players, then B players will hire C players, C players will hire D players, etc. What happens when you get to Z? WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHURCH: Staff well. Too often pastors and ministers are "hired" for reasons other than the call of God and the excellence of the ministry needed. Poor hires lead to weak ministries which lead to frustrated leadership teams and disgruntled church members. 
10. Real CEOs demo. Jobs always showed how to use the products on stage at the trade shows. He didn't have someone else do it for him, when he was able. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHURCH: Pastors must live out what they preach. Delegation is great, but many pastors do not fully understand what it is. Delegated leadership is not telling others on the staff or in the congregation to do something the pastor would not do. I have seen this and it's poor leadership. Pastors cannot tell others to share Christ if they do not model it first. Real pastors demo.
11. Real CEOs ship. Sometimes the product wasn't fully complete, but Jobs would ship it anyway. It was always ready, but in most cases not fully developed. That's why there continue to be new iterations of Apple devices. Do you know anyone who still has the original iPod? You know, the bulkier white one with the monochrome screen? It was good. It was ready, but not fully developed. That's why there are newer versions of these devices and others released each year. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHURCH: If you wait until everyone in your church has been trained in evangelism before you begin to share your faith, you will close your doors soon. If you wait until everyone is fully engaged missionally, you will miss the moment God has given you now. Understand the challenge. Prepare and continually refine, but "ship." Don't remain in the church building. The Great Commission is about action. Real pastors lead their churches to engage. . .to "ship." Refine and release new editions (new believers) as you go and grow, but go and grow!
12. Marketing boils down to providing unique value. Items need to be unique (not refined sameness) and valuable to impact the market. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHURCH: Our message is the most valuable one in the history of the world. It's a message of hope and life. It's the Gospel. It is never changing and cemented in Jesus Christ. The method for delivering the message. . .well, that's ever-changing. The challenge for the church is to follow God's lead into newer methods of delivering the never changing message. If the church does not embrace this, we are doomed to replicate what the church of Europe is now experiencing  - closed buildings, fewer believers and a culturally dying faith. (Oh, by the way, it's not hopeless even in Europe. I believe God is going to do a mighty work among the atheistic post-Christian culture there. It's never happened in the history of the world, but then again, our God has mastered the impossible.)

BONUS: Some things need to be believed to be seen. Here's Kawasaki's quote: "When you are jumping curves, defying/ignoring the experts, facing off against big challenges, obsessing about design, and focusing on unique value, you will need to convince people to believe in what you are doing in order to see your efforts come to fruition. People needed to believe in Macintosh to see it become real. Ditto for iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Not everyone will believe—that’s okay. But the starting point of changing the world is changing a few minds. This is the greatest lesson of all that I learned from Steve. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHURCH: I love this parallel. Faith is believing what we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1). A visionary pastor must believe that which God has revealed. There's no room for "Show Me" faith.

I recommend you follow Guy on Twitter at @GuyKawasaki 

Read more: http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2011/10/what-i-learned-from-steve-jobs.html#ixzz1qjfQtCkB

Sometimes I Miss the Obvious and Walk Right Into Sin

Have you ever known what to do and what not to do?

Have you ever known what to say and when to say nothing?

Have you ever known right and wrong?

And chosen wrong.

It's a very frustrating thing as a Christ-follower. 

It's even more frustrating when it's me.

Earlier today, during my daily Bible reading, I came across a pretty powerful verse (actually, they're all pretty powerful) so I Tweeted it.

Here's the Tweet:

Great verse, huh?

Then, tonight at the premiere of October Baby, as we were waiting in line (all 200+ of us) two wonderful friends in our fellowship were making there way into the theater. They were going in early because of the use of a wheelchair and I jokingly said something to them about going in early. 

Ever have one of those moments when you say something and about a nanosecond after it comes off your lips, you wish you could grab it back?

This was that moment. 

I had said something jokingly, at least that was my intent. However, it was hurtful. I hurt my friends. To add salt to the wound, I did this publicly.

My speech was not gracious. The "salt" was not preserving, but painful. I had missed a moment. I, the pastor, the Christian, the man of God had wounded those God had placed under my leadership. There was no excusing it. There was no reasoning it out. There was nothing that could be done or said to gloss over the sin.

Immediately, I recognized this and apologized. Truly. I was, and am, so sorry. 

I am so thankful for godly friends who not only love me, but understand the power of forgiveness and offering it freely.

I then went to buy my popcorn and could hear God saying to me (not audibly, but it may as well have been) that I needed to apologize publicly. 

That's not fun.

But it was right.

I had spoken publicly and harmed my friends.

I needed to apologize to them publicly. 

I did not do this as a show. In fact, I didn't want to anything. But, I knew what God was leading me to do.

Oh, and there were dozens of people in the theater that I do not even know and honestly, about 90% had no idea I had said anything earlier to hurt my friends.

I tried to justify in my mind why I would NOT do anything.

It didn't work.

So, I stood in front of the 200+ people waiting to watch previews of upcoming films and apologized to my friends, Donna and Doris.

Then, we watched a movie that had this huge portion in it about the power of forgiveness.

Thank you Donna and Doris for being godly friends. Thank you for your forgiveness. I didn't deserve it. Well, then, I guess we never deserve forgiveness, do we.

Oh, and the movie? It was incredible. I'll write about it soon.

FOUR ZERO - "Moments"

01 04 - Midweek Menu - _Moments_

 

Last night we discussed the elements of having "the perfect day." As the weekly study in our FOUR ZERO journey, this one looks at the statement of Christ from the cross to his mother and his disciple John. What struck me was that this day was Jesus' best and worst at the same time. Best in that this is why He came. The cross was his purpose and until the day of resurrection, this was the best day. The worst in that, well, he was crucified.

 

Yet in the midst of the pain, he spoke into the moment before him. He spoke to his mother and friend and did not miss the moment. 

Apart from an intimate relationship with the Father, through the Son, we will not experience perfect days. We will miss the moments He has placed right before us.

It's about the Gospel. It's about Jesus. May we never fall into the trap of just trying to "manage our lives" and become better people apart from the key element that makes it possible - Jesus Christ.\

Oh, I showed this video last night. It's by the group Emerson Drive. Good song and reminds us that we all have moments. Be sure to speak into them. . .

Orphans, Adoption, and Fostering. . . Not An Option for the Church

Over the past few months, God has been revealing to me and our leadership team His plans for our church to enter into a story already being written. This story involves something that for many has been reserved as a "private matter." It's something that some have a difficult time understanding why the church would be involved.

It has to do with children. Most churches are very positive toward children. We promote "family friendly" activities, events and ministries. Many have distinct children's ministries that feature camps, children's church and the mainstay of Baptist life - Vacation Bible School.

It's not that we do not love children. In fact, we do. It's just that there is a group of children in our community and throughout the world that we often do not talk about. These are the children living in orphanages and foster homes.

The question we are asking is "What is the church to do?"

 

I am convinced that God desires us not to simply give an offering a couple of times a year for orphan care (though we will continue to give financially.) I am saddened that many churches have left care for children in our society up to governmental agencies.

 

Why is it that we allow the Angelina Jolie's of the world to be the image of adoption? Isn't adoption and rescuing children a mandate for the church?

Many in our tribe are pro-life, as we are. We are adamently opposed to abortion, feeling that life begins at conception. However, beyond protesting abortion and advocating for the unborn, what do we do for those who have been born, but have no home? What about the child who is put up for adoption? What about the child that is in need of a safe home for a season, or a foster family?

Why does it seem that, for the most part, the church is satisfied with leaving orphan care and adoption up to others? 

I read this verse recently while studying. I had read it before, but this time it really struck a chord. God spoke through His Word to me when reading this verse and it was very clear. 

James 1:27(ESV)
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. 

Pure and undefiled religion. Now that's religion that God loves. Notice that the first item listed has to do with orphans. Visiting orphans. That is not all, there is also listed the ministry to widows and ultimately remaining unstained from the sin of the world (i.e. in the world, but not of it.)

If our commission as Christ-followers is to share the Gospel and make disciples, then wouldn't it make sense for Christians to be heavily involved in the ministry of adopting children who need homes. To rescue children and bring them to Christ is a worthy undertaking. 

I'm not sure how this will look for First Baptist Church, but I do know that we will be "all in." I see a day when there are no children in need of adoption in our county. Why? Because Christ-following families will rescue these children and bring them into their homes. Men and women will become "Mom and Dad" for children who have never known such a relationshiop. Some will experience the love of Christ through a family that heretofore they have never known.

In talking with our friends at the Florida Baptist Children's Homes, this step is vitally needed in our area.

So, the ball is rolling now. Steps are being taken. We will not rush in unprepared. . .but we will rush in. 

Why? Because we must.

Is it any different for believers in our culture to ignore the needs (phsyical, emotional, mental AND spiritual) of children and allow others to deal with it than what the Jewish people did in the Old Testament when they offered up children to false gods such as Molech? That may be an extreme comparison and will probably offend some, but in truth, there's not much difference. 

We, the called out ones, the rescued, the ransomed hearts, the children of God are to offer pure and undefiled worship to the Father. To ignore this aspect (and no, it's not the only one) eliminates our worship from being as pure as it could be.

What will this look like? I'm not sure, but here are some ideas:

• We will offer regularly scheduled MAPP classes here at the church (Apparently, these will soon be called PRIDE classes, but are the same thing. Required by the state in order to adopt.)
• We will offer connection groups for families wishing to adopt or foster children. This will enable couples to talk with and get answers about difficult questions from others who have previously gone through the process.
• We will upgrade and enhance our preschool and children's ministries to be more "user friendly" for families with foster children or children through the Safe Families program.
• We will offer training and information for any wishing to adopt or foster children. 
• We will educate church members about this mission and even those who cannot adopt of foster will be invited into the story. Every Christ-follower can be an advocate.
• Hopefully, through partnerships with other ministries, we will be able to offer scholarships or donations for families wishing to adopt. (This will be a huge faith step and maintained by an off site ministry.)
• International adoption will be an option and we want to help in the process. Whether this is through the China Nest of Hope or our mission in Haiti or some other location, we will offer step-by-step information on how, why, and what needs to be done.
• We will celebrate births of babies in our church family. We will celebrate the adoption of babies into families (regardless the age of the child.)
• We will be more involved in orphan care through the Children's Home here in Jacksonville as well as international orphanages.
• We will be an advocate for special needs adoptions.
• We will be an advocate for multi-racial adoptions.
• Etc. (This covers all the many things we haven't even thought of, but God already has in the works.)

We understand that adopting or fostering a child doesn't make a person a "super Christian." We do believe, however, that all believers can be involved in this mission. It's not a new mission. It's living the Gospel where God has placed us.

Life. Simply Put.

One of our senior adult men was asked by his son recently to write an "Ethics Will." Honestly, I have never seen one printed out before, but I think it's a valuable document to pass on to the next generation.

There was a portion of the will that I thought summed up life pretty simply and is definitely worth sharing.

At the request of my much-loved son I will attempt to write an "ethics will." I have tried to build my life around two things - "love" and "prayer." 

Because I love, I pray; because I pray, I love. I pray to God, THROUGH Christ, about ALL THINGS.

So much has been written about love there is nothing new I can say. However, there is a certain order in which I feel we should love. Let me list them for you:

1. Love God supremely.
2. Love your spouse above any other person living on this earth.
3. Love your children with the understanding that they are not your personal property but are a gift from God.
4. Love your parents and other family members as well as your in-laws - no exceptions.
5. Lastly, love your friends, neighbors and enemies.

He wrote more, but I won't share it at this time. 

There is wisdom in the ages. There is value in having a fellowship full of members from different generations.

Job 12:12(ESV)
Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days. 

For All the Lonely People

 

It's an old song, but a new video. Stories matter and these stories tell us about life. Loneliness has been the topic of discussion this week for many of us. 

 

Feel alone?

Forgotten?

Watch. 

Remember. God So Loved. . .

This morning we took the time to celebrate and remember all that God has done for us. We observed the ordinance of the Lord's Supper today and we did not want it to be routine or just an "add on" to an otherwise full service.

Before taking the elements of bread and juice, we watched a brief clip from the Czech movie "Most" (re-titled "The Bridge" in some countries.) The film was made in 2003 and re-tells the famous story of the bridge tender who had a terrible decision to make. How sweet to slow down, think, and thank God for the great sacrifice He made to bring us to Himself.

I have attached a longer, fuller video here. It is from the same film, but shows more of the story.

It's a story of sacrifice, of obliviousness by some, salvation for others. It is a great reminder of the sacrifice of a Son given for each of us.

Take a moment, even if you watched the clip this morning in church, and view the clip attached. The "rest of the story" is worth the time.

After a time of personal reflection and prayer, we then distributed the bread and juice to all believers and together celebrated and remembered all that Christ has done for us.

May we never forget (and oh, we, like those in the Bible are a forgetful people.) 

To God be the glory!