periclete

The love of Christ compels me

I have been looking over my sermon for tomorrow.   I have been teaching through II Cor 4 and 5 looking at Paul's motivation for ministry.   I have come to one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible.   (I actually have many, many favorites)  II Cor 5:14,15

All week I have been meditating on the phrase, "the love of Christ compels,constraineth, controls me."   There are so many different motivations for why we do what we do.   Greed, fear, envy, competition, appearances, pleasure, a desire to feel significant.   This verse talks about "the love of Christ" compeling the believer.  What a great motivation.   The conclusion to the love of Christ is two fold. Live a holy life (die to self) and live for Him.  (vs 15) 

I have the privilege of being able to think through scripture verses during the week as I get ready for Sunday's sermon.  I study, think, research, gather information, quotes...but not just for the sake of gathering information for others.   I want the scripture impact my own life.   I imagine that every week the Lord does something in my heart and life well before I share the message with the congregation.  

This week especially I have been impacted by the love of Christ.   Not that this is new information for me.   Of course I have known of His love for years.   This week I am especially grateful and so blessed to be loved by Christ.   I have often wondered who I would be apart from Christ and how my life would have been different.   Of course I will never know (in this life anyway) but I am sure that my life would be very different.   

My heart goes out to those who know little or nothing of the Love of Christ.   They have missed a dimension of life that I so appreciate.   It is only by grace that He has shown his love toward a sinner like myself.   I am blessed to be loved by Him. 

Christmas Morning

It is still dark this early Christmas morning and there is a fresh blanket of snow on the ground outside.   Steven made it home from LA last night and he and Debby are soundly sleeping upstairs.  The lights of the Christmas tree are on and there are some packages under the tree.   The house is beautifully decorated for the season.   Peter and Lauren are coming down in a week.   Last night we spent the evening at the candle light service with so many of our friends.  Life is good.

I am reminded of a Christmas so many years ago in Quincy, the little town I grew up in.   I was home from college for Christmas vacation and on Christmas morning I got up early before anyone else was up.   I sat in a chair near the Christmas tree and as a brand new believer I was trying to be regular in my morning prayer time.   As I talked with the Lord, as one talks with a friend, it hit me that I was talking with the One whom I had celebrated as a babe all my life.   Every Christmas we celebrated the birth of Christ at Christmas, but He seemed distant and so long ago.  That morning for the first time, I realized that now I was talking to this resurrected Christ as my Lord and as my friend.  The One who was so far away was now, "closer than a brother".   Christmas had a whole new meaning to me that morning and now after more than 35 years it is still so meaningful.   In a few minutes, I will sit by the tree and continue my early morning practice of spending time with my Savior.   He is still my friend.  

Yes, there are times that He seems distant to me still, but I will continue to pray through those days when He seems distant for I know that He is still there and still listening.   It is moments like this when I feel so grateful to God for his blessings.   We have been through difficult days and I know difficult days are ahead as they are eventually for everyone, but right now I will cherish the moment.

I love Christmas programs

There is something about Christmas programs that I just love.  Sunday we enjoyed the AWANA kids at church singing the Christmas story.  There was the little girl that had trouble getting her sparkily halo straight and the boy who never sang because his shepherd hat was falling down and he just couldn't get it straight.   We decided that some of the boys will end up working for the road department because they had the concept of leaning on their shepherd staff down perfect.  I asked some of the kids some questions as I read the Christmas story and some of the answers were classic. 

There are the little ones that "sing" at the top of their lungs and the little girl that was hunching her shoulders trying to make her wings work.   Of course there are lots of parents with their video cameras recording it all for future moments. 

The baby Jesus started crying but it was OK because it just added to the charm of a wonderful small town Christmas program.  Parents who have never come to church found out that it was't too scary, and through it all Jesus is remembered.

Just an ordinary week

I have been trying to be more regular in my blog, but there are weeks that go by and it doesn't seem that there is much of interest to write about in my blog.   Yet as I have though through my week, I guess there is really plenty.   On Sunday a guy came up to me that has been visiting each Sunday and he told me that last week he prayed to become a Christian as I led in prayer at the end of the service.  I got him hooked up with a friend that will help him with the next step.   I have great hopes for him to really understand and live the Christian life.

Part of my week was organizing the Christmas Eve program.   We have lots of people come to that service that seldom come to church.   It is a great time to celebrate Christmas through music.

I also spent time getting ready for the devotional that is part of the Christmas program with a bunch of the AWANA kids singing and dressing up as angels, shepherds, and wisemen.   The week holds lots of meetings for me, many one-on-one conversations, so many phone calls and just taking care of details.   It seems that the day is over before I know it and there are still so many things on my list to get finished up.

Something unusal this week was working with a small crew of men getting the church building ready for winter.   We were putting flashing up on the north end of the building using Brad Greenwoods lift.   The two of us were in the "bucket" and Brad decided to see how high the lift would go.   I know that there are thrill seekers who would pay money to go that high...I am not sure that I am one of them.   I remember Jesus promise,  "Lo I am with you always" and that is right where I like it the best...Low

busy Sunday

Today was a full day, but I felt like the Lord was working through me as I have been seeking to "listen" to the Lord and being quick to obey.  A guy we had been praying for that has been coming to church for about a month came up to me to tell me that he trusted Christ last week during the message.   He seems really ready to grow in Christ.   There were other things today that reminded me that God is working in people's hearts.  That is my prayer of course, that God would do His work in changing hearts and lives. 

I am so grateful to the Lord for so many things in my life.  Just knowing that He knows me and loves me is wonderful.  I want to know more about practicing His presence.  There are many times I am in the same room as Debby.  I know she is there, but we are just quietly enjoying one anothers company.  We don't have to say anything, but just being together is a good thing.  There are times that I know the Lord is right there.   I am not praying as such, but aware of His presence in my life.  This awareness is something I want to experience in a deeper and more regular way. 

Thanksgiving with the family

We had such a great time with the family in Portland.   Steven flew up from LA.   Bill and Laurie and family came from Boise.   Their older three met us there.   I can't even remember when all of us from both families were together.   Hanging out, playing games, cooking, eating, being thankful, and enjoying each other...sounds great doesn't it.   Our time together was too short in my opinion.  

 

Peter on the left and Steven on the right (my left).   I am blessed to have a great relationship with both of the boys.  Peter turned 29 while we were there.   My how those years have flown by. 

I went to see the surgeon today and he isn't convinced that I will need surgery on my shoulder.   Had a cortazone shot today and physical therapy as soon as possible.  Three weeks will tell if surgery is necessary.