Praise Be to God

Every now and then something happens that just seems to overwhelm us.  We look and are certain that God's hand has moved.  It is a moment that leaves us in awe and the only thing to do is to give thanks and praise to God.  

Recently I have experienced several of those moments.  I will spare you the details, but I am quite excited and overwhelmed (in a good way) with the things that I see God doing and the places where I see him working.

Probably the most interesting thing to me in all of this is the realization that as God moves, we grow.  I had to do some growing and learning before I was able to recognize God's hand in the process.  I had to be humbled and willing to wait and not rush.  And when I slowed down for that, when I learned that, I saw the hand of God at work.  And it is awesome.

Our God is truly great.  He is certainly worthy of our praise.  If his work in our lives was limited to the death and resurrection of Jesus, than that would certainly be worthy of all praise and honor and glory.  Indeed it is worthy of those things and more.  However, God's working in our lives is not limited to that.  And for those moments when you are able to catch a glimpse of his work, there is nothing better to do than to stand back and sing, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  Praise him all creatures here below.  Praise him above ye heavenly hosts.  Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen."

May you see the hand of God in your life this week and always.

Pastor CJ

Moving On

I don't think you ever realize how much stuff you have, until it is time to move it.  At least that is the case for most of us who are lucky enough to live in this wonderful country.  My family is gearing up to move into our first house, and it is quite exciting.  It is also quite exhausting.  We are pulling out things that we have had for years, and haven't seen them in that long either, and yet it is amazing the things that we find ourselves being attached to.  

I can't get rid of that, my mother, my uncle, my next door neighbor's brother's uncle's cousin's sister's third-cousin's former college roommate gave that to me.  It is kind of silly.  In the midst of all the silliness it is important to remember what is really important in life.  It is important to remember what is really valuable and what really makes the difference.  That is the love of God in Jesus.  

Sure the other things are nice.  But those things will not last forever.  They get old, they fall apart, there is always a newer, better and updated model or edition that comes out so that we have to spend more money on something that we already own.  But only the love, grace, mercy and forgiveness that we have in Jesus will never disappoint us or, leave us wanting.  

It is something that is a great comfort.  Though heaven and earth pass away, our God never fails.  Though you have to move everything you own, and the stuff breaks and you don't know what to do with it, God never fails.  

Not only is this a great comfort, but it provides purpose in life.  Knowing this great comfort in our lives, the question that we ask then, is how do we make it known in the lives of others?  This is way more than simply talking to people, although that will be a part of it.  This is investing ourselves, serving, loving and caring for them.  It can be very difficult, but in living this way, we will experience life as it was truly meant to be lived, and what can be better than that. 

God bless you this week in all that you do.

Pastor CJ

An Amazing Witness

This week, I saw one of the most amazing sites that I have ever witnessed in my life.  Some very dear friends, were hit with a very rough situation.  It has not been easy in any way shape or form.  They asked for the members of their small group and some close friends to come by.  Not everyone knew the announcement they were going to make, and yet everyone showed up. That by itself is a miracle with schedules being what they are.  

Then my friend, shared what was going on.  It took some humility and faith.  Mistakes had to be admitted.  Forgiveness was sought.  It took a look of guts and stand up there and do what was done.  And then, forgiveness, love, support encouragement.  It flowed deeply and freely.  These members of the body of Christ gather around their wounded friends, and did not judge or accuse or preach, but instead they forgave, and loved and cared for and supported.  

And that support is something that has continued throughout this week.  My hunch is that no one in that room was thinking from a theological perspective.  They were not thinking, "I know that in Jesus my sins are forgiven, and that as I look for the last day when all things will be restored, therefore I will forgive and work toward that restoration here and know as I am able."  I am sure no one thought that.  But that is exactly what took place.  

Because our sins have been forgiven we are able to forgive others and to proclaim God's forgiveness when it is sought.  Because all things are going to be restored, we can work toward that, and help those who need it, when it is needed.  

Even though that moment was terribly difficult for my friends, it was indeed holy.  God's Spirit was there, and he was working through his people.  The love that flowed in that room is a greater and more powerful witness than all the philosophical and historical arguments combined.  (Not that those things are bad).  In all it was truly an amazing thing to witness, because the witness that it gave was amazing.

God bless you this week and always.

Pastor CJ

Thank You

For those of you out there that serve in our military or have served in our military, I would like to thank you.  Thank you for your service, your dedication and for your sacrifice.

No matter one's views of politics or policies and the like, the fact of the matter is that the people in our armed forces make tremendous sacrifices so that we can continue to be able to practice our religion as we see fit, so that we can speak openly with fear of repercussion, so that we can go to bed at night and know that we are safe and sound.  

Although "wars do not make one great" and should not be treated lightly, the men and women of our armed forces put on uniform so that those of us back home can be safe.  And for that I say thank you.  God bless you.  

To the rest of you out there, as you celebrate this 4th, give thanks to God for the many blessings that he has blessed us with.  A blog like this is not legal in every part of the world.  But I can type, and you can read it freely.  Praise God.  May he bless you and keep you safe in your celebration this weekend.

Pastor CJ