“Roughing It” with No Lights!

This morning, my wife and I woke up to find no electric power in our home. It appears that we were in the midst of a very isolated power outage affecting only a few homes in our neighborhood. This discovery led us to complete our morning routine of getting ready for work with no electricity.

After a bit of grumbling (on my part) while searching through the house for candles and flashlights, I began to actually have fun trying to figure out how to do each of the following with no electricity: open the garage door, shave without cutting myself, and select clothes that match (this is actually a challenge for me every day!).

While “roughing” it this morning, I was reminded of two things. The first reminder is how easy our lives have become as result of electricity (and how I take this “luxury” for granted). The second reminder is the importance of strategically placing a handful of lit candles in the best location to help accomplish the task at hand.

Later this morning, my Bible opened “coincidently” to the following Bible passage:
Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine." (Mark 4:21 NLT)

Just as I was strategically trying to maximize the light for this morning’s efforts, we are called by Jesus to let our lights shine. In another Bible verse Jesus calls us to … “let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16 NLT)

Are you intentionally and strategically letting your light shine?

Glimpses of God

One of the challenges of being a Christ follower is that we are called to believe in what we cannot see. In fact the Bible states emphatically, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).

And yet from time to time we get a glimpse of God’s glory displayed in nature. Last night was one of those opportunities for me. As I was driving home between 6:00 and 6:30 pm, I observed a beautiful sunset in the western sky. The red, blue and gray sky reminded me of the old saying, “red sky at night, sailors delight.” More importantly it reminded me of the grandeur of God and His creative design of this world that we live!!

My sunset experience yesterday was yet another reminder of the glorious Creator that I worship. As I continued to reflect this morning on God’s glory and my future hope of worshipping the LORD face to face in Heaven some day, I read in my daily Bible reading the following experience by Moses and some of his contemporaries: “Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel climbed up the mountain. There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in his presence!” (Exodus 24:9-11 NLT)

Can you imagine what a glorious sight this must have been for Moses and the others to “see the God of Israel?” We can only imagine what it will be like to see Him someday in Heaven and yet until that time, let’s look for glimpses of God in Scripture, in the life of Christ, in the beauty of nature, and in the lives of others who are being transformed by His power!

Where is the Love?

This past weekend, 110 million people watched the Super Bowl and the all the festivities surrounding it including a number of funny commercials and a half time show performed by the Black Eyed Peas. This group’s first top ten hit in 2003 was a song entitled, “Where is the Love?”

Take a minute and look at these thought provoking lyrics included in the song:

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder … As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder … Most of us only care about money makin' … Selfishness got us followin' the wrong direction

Wrong information always shown by the media …Negative images is the main criteria … Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria … Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema

Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity … Whatever happened to the fairness and equality … Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity … Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity

That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under … That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down … There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under … Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found … And ask yourself

Where is the love? … Where is the love? … Where is the love?… Where is the love?

Father, Father, Father help us … Send us some guidance from above …'Cause people got me, got me questionin' … Where is the love?
With Valentine’s Day approaching we are being bombarded with reminders to celebrate love, and yet many disillusioned with life and love feel the sentiments of the words above and are asking the same question … Where is the love?

One of the first followers of Jesus (named John) wrote the following: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.… And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”1 John 4:10-11, 16 NIV

Have you experienced the Father’s Love?

A Local Bronze Star Winner

This week, we received news that one of the soldiers serving overseas, whom our church has been praying, was awarded the Bronze Star for his exemplary service. Andrew Hayden, who is from Springboro but is presently in Iraq, heroically served alongside others in his Army unit to help protect the lives of individuals who were worshipping in a Catholic Church. Although approximately 60 worshippers were killed in this terrorist attack; Andrew, all of his follow soldiers, and approximately 40 people inside the church building survived the attack.

The family expresses gratitude for the prayers of individuals from our church. Let’s remember that our prayers make a difference. As we reflect on this report and the reminder in the power of prayer, let’s remember the following teaching found in the Bible:

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 NIV

To read more about this particular battle that Andrew Hayden was involved, visit the following link: www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/11/01/iraq.violence/index.html.

God Loves Imperfect People

One of the comforting discoveries from reading the Bible is that God loves, blesses, and works powerfully in the lives of imperfect people. The LORD also blesses and works through individuals that have struggling relationships and dysfunctional families. This is good news for people like me, because I am far from perfect and at times I struggle in my relationships with others.

Beginning this weekend, we are going to take a fresh look at some imperfect people and their fascinating relationships recorded in the first book of the Bible, named Genesis. During this series of messages on relationships, we will look at interesting examples of relationships between married couples, “engaged” couples, parents and children, and siblings. One of the common themes throughout this message series will be that the LORD abundantly blesses people with relationships not because they are good enough to merit his kindness, but because He is a loving, gracious God.

The LORD told Abraham, the patriarch of an imperfect family the following: “I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3 NLT

Isn’t it good news to know that God calls imperfect people into a relationship with Him? And isn’t it encouraging to be reminded that the LORD wants to bless our relationships with others and to strengthen our families? Let’s begin by taking a Fresh Look at Relationships!

Seeking to Be Positive During an Ice Storm

Sometimes during the dark, grey winter months of the Midwest, it is a challenge to keep a positive attitude and a cheerful outlook. This morning as the calendar turned to February we are facing a 2,000 mile wide winter storm hitting the heartland of our country. Some of the challenges that we Midwesterners face are clearing the ice from our driveways, driving to work on ice covered roads, and simply walking to the mailbox (yes I fell today …ouch!)

And yet as we face those challenges, we are reminded in the Bible to … Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 NLT). Honestly, there are some days that this is a tough command to obey!

Later in this same chapter of the Bible, the writer named Paul gives this “secret” to maintaining a joyful attitude during dark days. He wrote, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8 NLT).

So what can be my positive thought for today … here it is … Although spring doesn’t start until the end of March, this is the last entire month of winter! And the good news is that it is the shortest month of the calendar year! Now that is a true and lovely thought!