Well, yesterday was Thanksgiving, and our Community Thanksgiving Dinner at church is over for 2008. We sent out about 125-130 meals to shut-ins and local law enforcement personnel who were working the holiday. We also served a number of others who came to the church to eat. One lady came all the way from Los Angeles, CA to spend Thanksgiving home with her mom, and they came to eat dinner at church.
I don't think we'll ever fully know how the dinner touches the lives of those who receive them. Many of them are alone and have no one else to share the holiday with. Others can't leave their homes due to illness or disabilities.
And we certainly appreciate those police officers and other government folks who are forced to miss family meals as they work to keep the rest of us safe. My daughter and I delivered meals to the dispatching unit for the county sheriff's office. It was neat to been taken right in to their communications center and see all the computers and phones and electronic gizmos that most of us think nothing of until we need them.
I appreciate the volunteers who make this dinner happen. Our church family rises to the occasion every year and this year was no different. Folks come early and work more all day - on a holiday. But it isn't just church folks. We had a family come in who was not affiliated with our church. The grandmom lives here locally. Her son and his family were visiting from the Boston area up in Massachusetts. They came to help us deliver a few meals and to clean up following the meal. It was so great meeting them and having their help.
If you live in Southwest Ohio, come join for Thanksgiving 2009!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday Sermon Wrap-Up
Yesterday we looked at how spiritual mountain top experiences are designed to prepare us for those spiritual valleys.
We looked the story of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. The disciples who were with Him, experienced an extreme spiritual high. But when they left the mountain and came back down to "real life," they realized that all their problems and struggles were still a part of them. God never intends for us to stay on top the mountain. he intends for us to grow in the valleys.
A few years ago, Cathy, my wife, and I went out to Colorado, and took the railroad up to the top of Pike's Peak. The view from up there was awesome. You could see mountains that were 50, 60, 70 miles away. The air was clear and clean, and the experience was exhilarating. But, one striking detail: the top of Pike's Peak was barren. There were no trees, no bushes, not a single blade of grass. It was barren and rocky. Nothing grows up there.
That is a marvelous picture of a person trying to live their life always on the mountain top. It's a wonderful experience, but nothing grows. Only in the valley, does growth take place.
We looked the story of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. The disciples who were with Him, experienced an extreme spiritual high. But when they left the mountain and came back down to "real life," they realized that all their problems and struggles were still a part of them. God never intends for us to stay on top the mountain. he intends for us to grow in the valleys.
A few years ago, Cathy, my wife, and I went out to Colorado, and took the railroad up to the top of Pike's Peak. The view from up there was awesome. You could see mountains that were 50, 60, 70 miles away. The air was clear and clean, and the experience was exhilarating. But, one striking detail: the top of Pike's Peak was barren. There were no trees, no bushes, not a single blade of grass. It was barren and rocky. Nothing grows up there.
That is a marvelous picture of a person trying to live their life always on the mountain top. It's a wonderful experience, but nothing grows. Only in the valley, does growth take place.
Busy Week
This has been a crazy week.
We've been trying to get things ready for our Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the church. Plus, I've been trying to get a bunch of church-related Christmas preparations done. AND, we're working on trying to get the brand new church web site up and running. Add to that, hospital visitations, an upcoming church business meeting, Christmas shopping, plus all the other miscellaneous stuff going on ... sometimes I feel so far behind, I'm following myself.
My goal is to get everything done early so I can lean back and actually enjoy Christmas. My wife talks about the dangers of trying to make a perfect Christmas. By slowing down and taking time to reflect on what Christmas is all about, it gains greater meaning.
May we remember that Jesus truly is "the reason for the season."
We've been trying to get things ready for our Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the church. Plus, I've been trying to get a bunch of church-related Christmas preparations done. AND, we're working on trying to get the brand new church web site up and running. Add to that, hospital visitations, an upcoming church business meeting, Christmas shopping, plus all the other miscellaneous stuff going on ... sometimes I feel so far behind, I'm following myself.
My goal is to get everything done early so I can lean back and actually enjoy Christmas. My wife talks about the dangers of trying to make a perfect Christmas. By slowing down and taking time to reflect on what Christmas is all about, it gains greater meaning.
May we remember that Jesus truly is "the reason for the season."
Monday, November 17, 2008
Sunday Sermon Wrap-Up
Yesterday we looked at the topic of "Extreme Devotion." Our text was:
Luke 9:23 "Then He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'" (NKJV)
There's been a whole lotta talk about following Jesus. But when push comes to shove, many of us tend to slide in our devotion to Christ.
God doesn't want just part of us. He wants all of us. May we be sold-out and not hold-outs.
Luke 9:23 "Then He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'" (NKJV)
There's been a whole lotta talk about following Jesus. But when push comes to shove, many of us tend to slide in our devotion to Christ.
God doesn't want just part of us. He wants all of us. May we be sold-out and not hold-outs.
GPS Follow-Up
A few days ago, I mentioned we were looking at GPS devices. We decided to go with the Garmin Nuvi 255.
One thing we decided was that if we were going to invest in one, we needed to get one that could do double duty: for walking and driving. Since we have gotten it, we have played with it and really like it. It seems to be extremely accurate.
I really like have turn-by-turn directions. So far, we've only used it to go places we already knew directions to, as we are getting used to it. If it sends us a route we don't normally take, we just do our own thing, and the device will say, "Recalculating!" I'm looking forward to punching in an address to a place I have never been and allow the device to get us there. The Nuvi 255 also has a feature where you press "Send Me Home." No matter where you are or how lost you are, the device will plot your way back home. That will come it handy, I'm sure.
We even have found a couple of geocaches with it (See geocaching.com). The weather has turned cold, with wind and some snow flurries, so we haven't been able to look for many geocaches. But if we can catch a mild day when we're off from work, I have a feeling I know what we'll be doing.
One thing we decided was that if we were going to invest in one, we needed to get one that could do double duty: for walking and driving. Since we have gotten it, we have played with it and really like it. It seems to be extremely accurate.
I really like have turn-by-turn directions. So far, we've only used it to go places we already knew directions to, as we are getting used to it. If it sends us a route we don't normally take, we just do our own thing, and the device will say, "Recalculating!" I'm looking forward to punching in an address to a place I have never been and allow the device to get us there. The Nuvi 255 also has a feature where you press "Send Me Home." No matter where you are or how lost you are, the device will plot your way back home. That will come it handy, I'm sure.
We even have found a couple of geocaches with it (See geocaching.com). The weather has turned cold, with wind and some snow flurries, so we haven't been able to look for many geocaches. But if we can catch a mild day when we're off from work, I have a feeling I know what we'll be doing.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
First Photographs From Mars?
Came across this photo and thought it was hilarious. It is rumored that this was one of the first pictures sent back to earth from the Mars rovers.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Wednesday Night Bible Study
We have been studying through the Book of Hebrews and last night we looked at this passage:
Hebrews 3:12-13 "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."
Notice the correlation between unbelief and sin.
Way back in the Garden of Eden when Satan tempted Adam and Eve, his ploy was to try to get them to doubt God. Basically, Satan told them, "Did God really mean what He said? All that stuff about eating fruit and dying ... did He really mean that?" That element of doubt is what sealed it for Adam and Eve.
The same tactic is used on Christian believers today. We know what God expects and demands, but Satan asks us, "Does God really mean that? Surely He'll let you slide on this."
We need to encourage one another to keep believing. Things may get tough, circumstances may get difficult, and we may find ourselves in a whirlwind of discouraging events. But God is still God, and He is still in control. He has not forgotten or forsaken us. Keep on believing!
Hebrews 3:12-13 "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."
Notice the correlation between unbelief and sin.
Way back in the Garden of Eden when Satan tempted Adam and Eve, his ploy was to try to get them to doubt God. Basically, Satan told them, "Did God really mean what He said? All that stuff about eating fruit and dying ... did He really mean that?" That element of doubt is what sealed it for Adam and Eve.
The same tactic is used on Christian believers today. We know what God expects and demands, but Satan asks us, "Does God really mean that? Surely He'll let you slide on this."
We need to encourage one another to keep believing. Things may get tough, circumstances may get difficult, and we may find ourselves in a whirlwind of discouraging events. But God is still God, and He is still in control. He has not forgotten or forsaken us. Keep on believing!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tour Noah's Ark
OK, not THE Noah's Ark that is still somewhere on the mountains of Ararat. But this guy in the Netherlands has built a replica of Noah's Ark based on the measurement given in the Book of Genesis.
Check this out: Man Build's Noah's Ark
I'm not sure how to even comment on this. I've always pictured Noah's Ark to look more rectangular - possibly low to the water like an oil tanker. But who's to say this guy has it wrong? I do think the fire extinguisher is a nice touch.
Mr. Hubers is a Christian and hopes his ark will help rekindle interest in Christianity in Holland. The comments at the bottom of the page remind me of some of the comments the original Noah must have endured as he was building his ark.
Check this out: Man Build's Noah's Ark
I'm not sure how to even comment on this. I've always pictured Noah's Ark to look more rectangular - possibly low to the water like an oil tanker. But who's to say this guy has it wrong? I do think the fire extinguisher is a nice touch.
Mr. Hubers is a Christian and hopes his ark will help rekindle interest in Christianity in Holland. The comments at the bottom of the page remind me of some of the comments the original Noah must have endured as he was building his ark.
Monday, November 10, 2008
An Early Christmas
Anyone already in the "Christmas Spirit" yet?
I sort of thought I was, until last week we were in Wal-Mart and they were playing Christmas songs thru the "Musak" or whatever. I definitely realized it was too early. Of course, it was 75 degrees and sunshine outside, and I can't get in to the Christmas mood when I'm in short sleeves and wiping sweat (eeewwww!)
Speaking of Christmas music, there is a web site I discovered a couple years ago. The site is Steve's 25 Days of Christmas Music. Every year, this guy posts a list of some of his favorite Christmas songs, and also puts inks to mp3 files which can be downloaded and transferred to your favorite media device. Each year has a specific theme. For example, 2007 featured Christmas music by big band/swing band artists. 2005 had a theme of Christmas oldies. 2003 featured songs from televisions shows and specials. As November draws to a close, keep watch out on his site and he'll start the list for 2008. I haven't seen a theme yet, but you can be sure I'll check it out. I'll post the exact link when he's up and running.
I sort of thought I was, until last week we were in Wal-Mart and they were playing Christmas songs thru the "Musak" or whatever. I definitely realized it was too early. Of course, it was 75 degrees and sunshine outside, and I can't get in to the Christmas mood when I'm in short sleeves and wiping sweat (eeewwww!)
Speaking of Christmas music, there is a web site I discovered a couple years ago. The site is Steve's 25 Days of Christmas Music. Every year, this guy posts a list of some of his favorite Christmas songs, and also puts inks to mp3 files which can be downloaded and transferred to your favorite media device. Each year has a specific theme. For example, 2007 featured Christmas music by big band/swing band artists. 2005 had a theme of Christmas oldies. 2003 featured songs from televisions shows and specials. As November draws to a close, keep watch out on his site and he'll start the list for 2008. I haven't seen a theme yet, but you can be sure I'll check it out. I'll post the exact link when he's up and running.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Today's Sermon Wrap-Up
Today we tackled the subject of "Extreme Love" and our text was Romans 5:6-8:
Romans 5:6-8 "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
I'm not sure we can fully comprehend what it means to live a Christian life until we first undertsand how much God loved us. God didn't ask us to clean up our act first. He loved us even when we were in deep sin.
This is what set Christianity apart from all other world religions. All other religions are the struggle of man to reach God. Christianity is the story of God reaching to man. And that is what extreme love is all about.
Romans 5:6-8 "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
I'm not sure we can fully comprehend what it means to live a Christian life until we first undertsand how much God loved us. God didn't ask us to clean up our act first. He loved us even when we were in deep sin.
This is what set Christianity apart from all other world religions. All other religions are the struggle of man to reach God. Christianity is the story of God reaching to man. And that is what extreme love is all about.
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