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...
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
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?
Monday, September 28, 2009
"What Women Wish Men Knew About Women" Part One
It doesn't take a degree in psychology to see that men and women are very different in hoe they view life and they ways in which they interact. It is the wise man who seeks to develop a greater understanding of that difference when it comes to his wife and the other women in his life. Over the next few days, I will address a few areas from the message that I did on Sunday that I believe will help men better understand and relate to women.
Women Need Thoughtful Affection:
Women want to have a sense of closeness and connection with their husbands. They want to know that they are number one in their life and that they are on their minds. Gary Smalley in his book "Love is A Decision" says there are at least five ways to communicate affection to your wives:
Women Need Thoughtful Affection:
Women want to have a sense of closeness and connection with their husbands. They want to know that they are number one in their life and that they are on their minds. Gary Smalley in his book "Love is A Decision" says there are at least five ways to communicate affection to your wives:
1. Words of Affirmation: Never underestimate the amazing power of positive and affirming words in your relationship.
2. Quality Time: Means exactly what it says that you set aside time in your calendar and schedule to spend quality time with her. I believe that you need to find a way to do this for a few minutes each day if at all possible and then you find a way once a week to have extended time together.
3. Gifts - flowers, cards,candy etc. These gifts don’t have to be large ones-in fact sometimes the small ones matter the most. Gifts are just one way of telling her how much you love and appreciate her.
4. Physical displays (touch). Hugs, holding hands, etc. And, I would add non sexual physical touch.
5. Acts of Service - helping around the house, washing the dishes, cooking dinner, taking out the trash, etc.
Take some time this week to discuss this area with the women in your life and find out what they have to say about this area of their life. Tell me what you think. I'd like to hear from you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)