I am currently reading a book that is challenging me on so many levels. The title is "The Hole in our Gospel", by Richard Stearns president of World Vision. The book tells of his journey and how God called him from a very lucrative CEO position in the business world to lead the ministry of World Vision.
He quotes Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision, who challenged others to pray with him, "Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God."
I believe that God's heart is broken over the suffering and injustice that many face in our world today. God's heart is broken as we become more and more insensitive to the cries of the poor, those suffering from AIDS, malaria, TB and other diseases simply because of a lack of drugs that we take for granted. God's heart is broken over the more than 26,000 children who die each day from starvation and the preventable diseases that are related to their poverty.
God is breaking my heart over the needs of the poor, the unemployed and those who are suffering in my own city of Reno where 95% of those living here are unchurched and thousands are unemployed and finding it more and more difficult to provide for their families. Jesus said...
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)
The gospel requires that we do more than just preach the truth, we must act to help alleviate the suffering in this world. Our hearts be broken for those in need. I don't know what all that means for me today, nor for the Bridge Church that I am called to lead. But I do know that doing nothing is not an option. We are responding more today to the physical needs of those around us. We are helping to assist the local mission here, we are working with an organization that helps teen-age mothers and we are partnering with a local food bank. But, I believe that we are called to do more and trust that God will direct as as we seek Him and pray that we will be obedient to His call.
So, let me ask you: What breaks your heart and what are you doing about it?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas means HOPE...
Hope is the word that comes to my mind when I think of Christmas. Hope that says we are not alone and forgotten. Hope that says God loves and pursues. Hope that says God gives a Savior who came for everyone. Jesus Christ came to bring Hope for all of us.
"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)
I know that 2009 has been a very tough year for many. Maybe, it has been tough because of the economy, because of difficult relationships or because of challenging health issues or for dozens of different reasons. Regardless of your situation, there is Hope for you. Hope because God sent His son into the world that we might live through Him.
I don't know about you but I am putting my Hope in the one who came to rescue me. My hope is that you will do the same...
"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)
I know that 2009 has been a very tough year for many. Maybe, it has been tough because of the economy, because of difficult relationships or because of challenging health issues or for dozens of different reasons. Regardless of your situation, there is Hope for you. Hope because God sent His son into the world that we might live through Him.
I don't know about you but I am putting my Hope in the one who came to rescue me. My hope is that you will do the same...
Monday, December 14, 2009
Reflection...
Due to the generosity of the great people at the Bridge Church, Kim and I were able to get away for a few days last week. Thank you so much!!! We had some great time together and it was a blast. I am definitely married to the greatest lady ever.
An added benefit for me was some additional time to read, reflect and refocus on my relationship with Christ. I have been going so fast trying to do so many things for the past few months that I realized that even my time with the Lord has been rushed. I have lost out as a result. I become worried and focused on many things and rush through my time with Him.
The Lord reminded me that He is not rushed, He is not in a hurry and the He longs for me to be with Him just as I long to be with my wife and family. My tendency is to be like Martha and not Mary-a passage that I spoke on the Sunday before my time away where Jesus made it clear that only one thing is needed.
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
As we move into the busy rush of Christmas-my commitment is to take time to stop everything and reflect on my relationship with Christ and His love for me. What about you???
An added benefit for me was some additional time to read, reflect and refocus on my relationship with Christ. I have been going so fast trying to do so many things for the past few months that I realized that even my time with the Lord has been rushed. I have lost out as a result. I become worried and focused on many things and rush through my time with Him.
The Lord reminded me that He is not rushed, He is not in a hurry and the He longs for me to be with Him just as I long to be with my wife and family. My tendency is to be like Martha and not Mary-a passage that I spoke on the Sunday before my time away where Jesus made it clear that only one thing is needed.
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
As we move into the busy rush of Christmas-my commitment is to take time to stop everything and reflect on my relationship with Christ and His love for me. What about you???
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Celebration...
This word is one that I am thinking about a lot this week. I have so much to celebrate in my life at this time.
-I am celebrating one year of ministry here at the Bridge Church. I am so grateful to be here with so many amazing people who love God, each other and want to share the love and hope they have in Christ with this community and city. Thanks for the privilege of doing life together.
-I am celebrating new life. We have several people who will be baptized this Sunday. I never get over the transforming power of the gospel. May we be faithful to continually proclaim it.
-I am celebrating the fact that I work with a great staff and leadership team who love each other and are willing to do whatever it takes to reach a lost and dying world.
-I am celebrating God's faithfulness to provide for His ministry, for my life and for my family. God is SO GOOD!!!
-Finally, I am celebrating the fact that I can to take a couple of days off this week to be with my family and give Thanks for all that God has done and is doing in our lives. I am looking forward to slowing down a little to do this.
So, I'm curious. What are you celebrating this week? I'd love to hear from you.
-I am celebrating one year of ministry here at the Bridge Church. I am so grateful to be here with so many amazing people who love God, each other and want to share the love and hope they have in Christ with this community and city. Thanks for the privilege of doing life together.
-I am celebrating new life. We have several people who will be baptized this Sunday. I never get over the transforming power of the gospel. May we be faithful to continually proclaim it.
-I am celebrating the fact that I work with a great staff and leadership team who love each other and are willing to do whatever it takes to reach a lost and dying world.
-I am celebrating God's faithfulness to provide for His ministry, for my life and for my family. God is SO GOOD!!!
-Finally, I am celebrating the fact that I can to take a couple of days off this week to be with my family and give Thanks for all that God has done and is doing in our lives. I am looking forward to slowing down a little to do this.
So, I'm curious. What are you celebrating this week? I'd love to hear from you.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Your Greatest Need!
We are in the middle of our new series called Turning Point. A Turning Point is when you come face to face with a new truth or idea that you have to make a choice about-you have to decide what you are going to do with it. You can choose to ignore it or reject and keep on living as you are or you can embrace it and allow this new truth to begin to change your life.
Many people came to turning points in their lives as they came face to face with Jesus. They had to decide what to do with some new truth or idea that they had never considered.
This week we are going to look at Mark 2:1-12 and talk about "Our Greatest Need". Four friends brought their friend who was paralyzed to Jesus so that He would heal him. But instead of healing Him, this is what happened.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5)
What do you think the four friends are thinking? What is going through the mind of the man who was paralyzed? Why would Jesus forgive the man instead of healing Him?
What is the point Jesus is trying to make? Maybe he is emphasizing that his real need is not what he thinks it is. Is is possible that what we think we really need is not what we actually need? Is it possible that the things that we want the most are rarely the things that we need the most? Maybe our real need is forgiveness and maybe once we understand that, then everything else looks different.
So, tell me what you think? What do you most people think is their greatest need today? Would they or you agree with Jesus?
Many people came to turning points in their lives as they came face to face with Jesus. They had to decide what to do with some new truth or idea that they had never considered.
This week we are going to look at Mark 2:1-12 and talk about "Our Greatest Need". Four friends brought their friend who was paralyzed to Jesus so that He would heal him. But instead of healing Him, this is what happened.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5)
What do you think the four friends are thinking? What is going through the mind of the man who was paralyzed? Why would Jesus forgive the man instead of healing Him?
What is the point Jesus is trying to make? Maybe he is emphasizing that his real need is not what he thinks it is. Is is possible that what we think we really need is not what we actually need? Is it possible that the things that we want the most are rarely the things that we need the most? Maybe our real need is forgiveness and maybe once we understand that, then everything else looks different.
So, tell me what you think? What do you most people think is their greatest need today? Would they or you agree with Jesus?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)