Entertaining Angels

I have always been blessed as families in Russia, in Costa Rica and in Honduras have invited me into

their home. On all of these occasions,  I came away from the experience having a richer and deeper understanding of those 8 beautiful Beatitudes told by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.  And, I would never be the same.

So, when my friend Melissa asked me to host 3 Ugandans from Parental Care Ministries in my home, I was really nervous.  I thought ... how in the world will they understand those beatitudes in a deeper way after spending time in my home? I mean we are all so spoiled as Americans. Then I breathed a sigh of relief (while cooking dinner) as they walked into my home after their music concert with Graeters Ice Cream.  Max was putting on his soccer cleats and let out a big sigh and said "My parents don't buy me Graeters Ice Cream. It's too expensive they say. Dad will only take me through the McDonald's drive thru."  (True Story)  

Javanon Soccer Practice

God worked it all out as he always does. The thank you card left on my counter will be treasured forever.  I am just glad that God allowed my family to entertain Pastor Emmy, 2 American PCM Staffers and 2 Ugandan boys - Joshua and Mark.

Pastor Emmy lives out the amazing love of Christ in Uganda.  He once sold his van and his home to build a school so that children would have an education. He and his wife, Supermom, are parents to over 70 orphaned children.  And, there have been days that Supermom just had to joyfully say "Today, we will fast."  Pastor Emmy and the PCM Staff (under the direction of Mark Barret MD) faithfully live out the beautiful but difficult picture of obedience and sacrifice.  

I am just thankful to have had the opportunity to entertain such a beautiful group of people!

Learning a new card game after dinner

For more information on PCM - visit www.parentalcareministries.org

The Book of Common Prayer

Beginning August 1 of this year, I committed to engage daily The Book of Common prayer. This has been a rich experience!

The Book of Common Prayer is a prayer book that allows readers to greet each day together, remembering significant dates and Christian heroes in church history, as well as important historic dates in the struggle for freedom and justice! There are daily prayers, songs and scripture readings that help us see ourselves as part of a holy people being "set apart" from the world around us to bear witness that a new world is possible!

Today's prayer: Steadfast God, perhaps one of the greatest mysteries is why you continue to entrust the work of your kingdom into our clumsy hands. But we are forever grateful that you do not want to change the world without us.

Takeaways from #GLS16

Global Leadership Summit 2016  Highlights

PASSION

Passion is like PROTEIN for the team! It energizes and sustains! - Hybels

Whose job is it to fill your passion bucket? It is your job! Figure out the things that fill up your passion bucket and do them. The top three ways I fill my passion bucket: 1.  Go to places that stir my soul (The outdoors, Costa Rica, Loma de Luz, working with the underserved and under resourced.) 2.  Mentoring 3.  Reading

LEGACY

What is your legacy? Make sure it is one that honors God and one your children will be proud of! Don't ride the leadership drug to make you feel better about your legacy.  - Hybels

Great Quotes

We do not find love in achievement. - Sheila Niequist

Be present over perfect.  - Sheila Niequist

It's probably not burn-out; it's not being challenged! - Bishop Jakes

Don't go to your phone first thing in the morning - Go to God! - Melinda Gates

Don't let earthly practicalities cause you to lose sight of heavenly possibilities. - Jossy Chacko

Trust what God has put inside you! - Jossy Chacko

Faithfulness is multiplying what you have been given! - Jossy Chacko

Execution doesn't like complexity. - Chris McChesney

Add value to people's lives! - John Maxwell

Start connecting with people instead of correcting them! - John Maxwell

Keep a compelling scoreboard - people play differently when they are keeping score! It helps them see they are winning! - Chris McChesney

The ideal team player is smart, hungry and humble! - Patrick Lencionim

If You have a dream that you can accomplish on your own then your dream is too small! - Bishop Jakes

We must cultivate the discipline of self reflection! - Hybels

Critic or Coach

My last sermon preached at Middletown Christian Church as Associate Minister. Here are some highlights...

Critic or Coach; the last message in a sermon series called "You Asked For It"

Our churches need more coaches and less critics!

A critic is an energy vampire - someone who can just suck the life right out of you.  He's one who likes to give unwanted opinions and desires to get involved in every little detail so that he can offer all of the worse possible outcomes of any situation.  A critic wants to limit potential!

A coach on the other hand is an encourager and an instructor.  John Wooden, UCLA Legendary Basketball Coach, says that a good coach is someone who can give correction without resentment.  A coach on the other hand wants to help you be the best version of yourself and live up to your potential.

One of the best coaches I see in scripture is a guy by the name of Barnabas (Joseph).  His nickname was "Son of Encouragement."  Barnabas played a major role in the early church. His ministry was one that gave birth to others! I believe he was instrumental in helping the Apostle Paul establish his ministry as he accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey. Acts 11 says that Barnabas was a "good man" and full of the Holy Spirit!

I believe that in order to be a great coach - you have to be a great encourager.  Encouragement is not flattery and it is not spouting off motivational quotes. Encouragement means to come alongside.  It is close and intimate. It is not distant.  Encouragement is simply to "put courage in."  It means to be close to someone in their suffering, in their struggles, in their hardships and in their joys. Encouragement in the Biblical sense always points people to God - to his faithfulness - to his goodness - to his loving kindness.

Here are 4 practical ways you can be a good coach/encourager in your homes, your churches and your circles of influence:
1.  Allow people the space to grow!
2.  Affirm the capabilities you see in other people.
3.  Point people toward the "opportunity."
4.  Speak prophetically to one another. (Let people know how God is speaking to you.)
5.  Be committed.

Remember that being Christians doesn't mean "Me and Jesus" - it means "We and Jesus."

Farewell Friday Email

Dearest Middletown Christian Church:

Each time I return from ministry in Costa Rica, I am reminded that we accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is the Lord's work. While on my recent mission trip to Costa Rica, I was profoundly reminded of the importance of sowing seeds of the Gospel and God's love and grace. As I stood in the barrio of La Carpio, I was deeply grateful that God had allowed me to plant a seed of God's love in the heart of Maykol in 2007 - 9 years ago. As Christ followers, we plant seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted knowing they hold great potential and promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We cannot do everything and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This work of planting seeds allows us to do something and do it very well. It may be incomplete but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest. We should sow seeds everywhere we go because we all need to know and feel God's love. And, we should sow seeds generously - with hearts full of love, faith and hope!

Thank you, Middletown, for serving alongside me as we have done our very best to sow and scatter seeds with the purpose of advancing the Kingdom of God. We have done our best, like farmers, to sow seeds of God's love in our homes, friendships and marriages. We have done our best to sow seeds of God's love in the hearts and lives of children and youth in our church through weekly ministries, in our community through opportunities like The Learning Center and Buddy Break, and in our world through mission trips to eastern Kentucky, St Louis, Sunset Gap, Chicago, Kansas City, Costa Rica and Honduras. By the grace of God, we have stepped out of our comfort zones to sow seeds of God's love in the lives of refugees, in the lives of the homeless, in the lives of the hungry, in the lives of the addicted, in the lives of those living in poverty, in the lives of those in prison, in the lives of the discouraged and depressed, in the lives of the abused and neglected and in the lives of those who feel forgotten. 

 

What does a farmer do when he has a barren field? He doesn't complain about it. He doesn't even pray about it. He just goes out and starts planting some seed, because nothing is going to happen until he plants the seed. So, keep sowing seeds for the glory of God. Keep scattering the seeds in your homes, in the lives of your children, in your workplaces, in your circles of influence and in places of deep need. 

 

Thank you once again for allowing me to be a part of advancing the Kingdom of God through the scattering of seeds! I am deeply grateful for all of the kind emails, flowers, gifts, hugs, words of encouragement and love that I have received over the past few weeks as I announced my resignation.  For all that has been, all that remains, and all that will be, I pause, praise the Giver of Life, and whisper "thank you" over and over again. 

 

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as I will be preaching my last sermon as Associate Minister of Middletown Christian Church. 

 

By God's Amazing Grace! Keep Living out the Love of Jesus Christ!

 

Tomara Brown

A Spiritual Feast

For what has been, for what remains, for what will be - I give thanks!

Today, I presided for the last time as Associate Minister over The Lord's Supper at Middletown Christian Church.  When I first began serving at Middletown over 5 years ago, I had not experienced celebrating The Lord's Supper on a weekly basis.  In the Baptist world, I celebrated it once a month and in my younger years - once a quarter. However, I have grown to love and appreciate the important invitation I receive each and every week to remember...

At The Lord's Supper where all are welcome,  I receive the invitation to direct my attention to Jesus' crucifixion - to remember that God sent his one and only son into this world so that whoever believes in him would not perish but would have everlasting life.  For me, The Lord's Supper is an invitation to identify with Christ's death and resurrection in the power of the Holy Spirit. And, I have the privilege to come to the table with my brothers and sisters, to have communion with Christ. It is at this table that I am reminded of what Christ has done for me:  he has reconciled me to God.

And, that's worth feasting over every single week.

With my brothers and sisters at the Table of the Lord,

we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts, forgiveness and presence of Jesus Christ!
we confess that Jesus is the Christ and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world!
we accept our mission of witness and service to all people!
we rejoice in God's covenant of love which binds us to God and to one another!
we yield ourselves to God that we may serve the one whose kingdom has no end!

Blessing and Honor and Glory be to God forever and ever! Amen!

I Lift My Eyes Unto the Hills...

John 5:19 - "I can only do what I see my Father doing..."

Open our eyes! Help us to see you at work and to join you in that work!

Pastor Angel Bermeo's Church - Carnival Day & Work Projects!

So....What happened in Costa Rica this summer?

A sense of Global Community was formed in many hearts...

New Friendships with Pastor Didier in Poas - VBS & Work at Feeding Center

Team members cared for those suffering...

Gained respect for the earth and its resources...

Learned the importance of authenticity over appearance...

Developed a passion for community and honest relationships...

Eternal friendships with Ernesto and Hazel

Gained greater insight into the rejection of consumerism...

Lots of smiles and hugs...

Righteous vibes with Lalo...

Skate Church with Lalo

Moved into different and uncomfortable places...

Interrupted by the undeniable presence of Jesus...

Discovered a path we did not know existed...

Shared the Good News of Jesus Christ...

Tasted great Coffee and Empanadas in the afternoon...

Typical Costa Rican Coffee in the afternoon

We were raised up by someone we didn't expect...

Discovered God's love knows no language boundaries or economic boundaries...

Shared the burden of another...

Welcomed with hospitality...

Delicious Rice and Beans made with Love from Maria

Experienced some great devotions by team members...

Churches were empowered...Worked with those in the community - side by side...

Inspired by the tenacity and strength of those living in La Carpio...

So proud of this kid - Maykol - for choosing the narrow path!

GRACIAS A DIOS!

Lose the Selfies on Mission Trips

Costa Rica mission trip coming soon....

I recently read a very challenging article on Mission Trips and Selfies.  One of the take-aways from the article was this...... we should not take selfies on mission trips that make us feel good about ourselves and at the same time make others feel like they have lost their dignity.  While on mission/service trips, we are there to SERVE and not make ourselves feel better.  

So, what will I do differently now as a result of reading this article? Instead of posting selfies on Facebook, I will remember to instead share pictures that tell stories.  Instead of featuring my own efforts to help, I will take photos (with permission) and celebrate LOCAL people  (like Lalo - pictured above) who are faithfully working for change in their own neighborhoods/communities over the long haul.  

We must remember that when we venture on mission/service trips, we are there to learn and communicate stories of transformation rather then portray ourselves as the "savior."  Many of the missionaries and community leaders are there long before a mission team arrives and they will be there long after the mission team leaves.

I personally believe mission trips are beneficial in many ways when done in the right spirit and in partnership.  After every mission trip, I ask two questions - "What are you going to do differently now in your own community as a result of this experience?"  "How can you continue to support this ministry of which you have been a part?"  

Finally, we must remember that developing neighborhoods and developing countries do not need short term heroes - they need long term partners!

May God give us wisdom in our serving!

Don't be lazy - Be strong in the Lord!

A few weeks ago, I preached a message about Returning to Love from Indifference.  I haven't been able to let this message go because I see so much indifference - so much apathy in the people who call themselves Christian and that includes me.  This is a hard blog for me to write because it isn't the blog of positivity.

This past spring break, Wally, Elliott and I had the opportunity to serve at Loma De Luz in Honduras together.  Max decided he wanted to stay at Nana's house for the week and so he did! We missed him. God always challenges my comfortable Christianity when I am serving at Loma de Luz. While at Loma de Luz, there is no air conditioner, no hot water, no Wal-mart, no Lowes, no Kroger and believe it or not - there is no Chick-fil-a. And, there are no lazy days! Everyone is up at the crack of dawn.

Christianity has become quite comfortable for most of us. Coffee shops in church lobbies. Shuttles to the sanctuary from the parking lot on rainy days. Games to entertain our children and youth. Many parents don't want the responsibility of teaching their children about faith. It's the church's job.

The Breakfast Club '16

At Loma De Luz, we made our coffee every morning with our new breakfast club friends. Who really needs a Panera and Starbucks? We witnessed people walking miles and miles to receive medical care. We witnessed people walking miles to church. We witnessed communities sitting around tables talking and laughing without the use of a cell phone. We witnessed sacrifice and generosity day after day and hour after hour.  It was a wake-up call for me once again.

Each time I venture on a mission trip, I usually read one of Paul's letters to the churches. This time I read Ephesians and I especially reflected on Ephesians 6:10-20 - Be strong in the Lord...your struggle is not against flesh and blood but against rulers and powers of this dark world.  As I read Ephesians 6:10-20, I was reminded  that we can't ever allow the luxurious settings of our culture to dull our alertness to the powers of this dark world. We must refuse to allow comfort and ease to make us apathetic, indifferent, uninterested and in some cases unaware of injustice and the spiritual battle that is raging all around us.  The lazy days of Christian culture must come to an end.  And, this starts today and it starts with you and me. 

Our enemy celebrates our laziness to Christlike living.  Before we know it, we no longer care about racial reconciliation, we no longer welcome the refugee, we no longer fight for passion in our marriages, we no longer believe our children can be restored and redeemed, we no longer believe that there is a path to freedom from our addictions and we no longer believe in the power of prayer.  

Maybe you kind of don't care anymore. You aren't even sure you want to care.  I believe that through prayer  - you can begin the journey to getting your "want to" back.  At the end of this passage, Paul says to pray in the spirit with all kinds of prayers and requests.  My challenge to all of us is to pray for God to open our eyes and help us understand where we have become comfortable in our following Jesus.

The call to Christlike living is a wake-up call out of laziness - urging us to rise up and be strong in the Lord.  We have gotten comfortable in our consumerism - comfortable in our unhealthy patterns of eating - comfortable in our unhealthy patterns of addictions - comfortable in our sin.  We must be putting on the armor of God so that we can take our stand against the enemy who wants nothing more than to take our eyes off of Jesus and to keep our eyes on ourselves.

Ask God now to help you see where you have become comfortable in following Christ...

Ask God now to help you see where you need to execute justice in the world...

Ask God now to help you understand what you need to sacrifice to expand his Kingdom...

Ask God now to help you simplify so that you don't continue to consume things you don't need...

Ask God now to help you put on the armor of God so you can be strong in God's grace...

And, don't be lazy! Pray daily. Pray Consistently, Pray Faithfully for God to help you not become indifferent and apathetic!

What was finished?

Lenten Reflection

Scripture:  John 19:30 "It is finished."

Observation:  The fighter still remains.  Those who can remain like the boxer are a rare breed.  I don't necessarily mean win, I just mean remain.  Hang in there. Finish. Stick to it until it is done.  But unfortunately, very few do that.  Our human tendency is to quit too soon.  Our human tendency is to stop before we cross the finish line.  

Jesus didn't quit.  Can you imagine the cry from the cross?  The sky is dark.  There is weeping.  Then Jesus draws in a deep breath, pushes his feet down on that Roman nail and cried "It is finished."

What was finished?  The history long plan of redeeming humankind was finished.  The message of God to man was finished. The works of Jesus as a man on earth were finished. The task of selecting and training ambassadors was finished.  The blood had been poured. The sacrifice had been made. The sting of death was removed. It was over.

Application:  Remember, a finisher is not one with no wounds or weariness.  Mother Teresa is credited with saying, "God didn't call us to be successful, just faithful."  Blessed is the person who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12).

Kneel:  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for teaching us to remain, to endure and in the end, to finish! Amen!

Maundy Thursday Reflection

John 13:1-17

To allow Jesus to cleanse our feet is to remove all that prevents us from using our feet to follow him. To scrub away our insecurities, to wash away our weariness, to buff off our bitterness.

What do you need to allow Jesus to wash off of your feet?

Together

Lenten Reflection


Scripture:  Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another...


Observation:  It is the will of Christ, I believe, that his disciples should meet regularly together.  Why?  They meet together to pray, to praise, to sing, to read God's Holy Word, to remember the night Jesus was betrayed, to remember the way to the cross, to remember that God sent his only son into the world, to remember that Jesus was crucified, buried and rose again, to remember that we have eternal and abundant life in Christ, to remember that we have someone who calls us his beloved, to remember that we have forgiveness of sins, to remember that his mercies are new every morning, to remember that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength, to encourage one another to live vibrant lives of faith and service...


Application:  Together is a powerful word.  I'm an extrovert.  I love the word together.  Although I need my quiet space each day, people energize me!  Together is a powerful word for the church!  We need each other. We cannot make it on our own. We need the different gifts and abilites that are lived out through the Body of Christ (1 Corinthains 12!) With the day of Jesus' return and our ultimate victory on the horizon, we should be motivated even more to help and to encourage each other.


Kneel:  Gracious God, when we want to give up on the church, help us to remember we are all sinners in need of a Savior.  Help us to open our eyes and look around.  Help us to ask ourselves - who needs encouragement today?  Help us to remember that we need one another and most importantly, we need you!  Amen!

Personal Space

Lenten Reflection

Scripture: Luke 9:11 "he welcomed them..." (NIV)

Observation: This is a familiar passage of scripture for me. The phrase that stood out tonight was "he welcomed them." Crowds continued to follow him yet Jesus did not become frustrated by their presence. He welcomed them.

Application: We as Christ followers must not become bothered by those who get into our personal space! There's a reason for it and we have to look down deep to meet their need. I think Jesus fed many souls that day with spiritual food and not just physical food. Because of his welcoming spirit, people could not help but gather around him.

Kneel: God, help us to welcome those who get in our personal space! Amen!

A Long Way Off...

Lenten Reflection

Scripture:  Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32  - "But while he was still a long way off..." (verse 20 - BibleGateway.com)

Observation:  This is a very familiar passage of scripture to me.  Each time I read it, I pray for God to show me something new.  The phrase that spoke to me this time around is "But while he was still a long way off..."  While the son who had squandered everything was still a long way off - his father ran to him and had compassion on him.

Application:  Have you ever been a long way off?  I mean so far off that you thought there was no hope.  There may be people in your life who are trying to get back on track.  They once walked with Christ but because of hard times, addictions, divorce, adultery, lying and/or resentment, bitterness, hatred - they decided to go down the wide road.  It is very easy when we see him a long way off - down the road - for us to condemn or to say that there's no chance for him to get back on track.  However, in this passage we see that the father places no blame and instead shows compassion.  This is why we see sinners and outcasts being drawn to Jesus at the beginning of this chapter.  Jesus placed no blame but was always filled with compassion - grace and truth!  Jesus did not want to sit around and remind the tax collectors and sinners of how they had done wrong; instead Jesus wanted every sinner sitting around him to know that the lost can be found - the dead can rise again - that there's a resurrection going on!

Kneel:  Give us the courage to run to those in need!  Fill us up with your spirit and send us out with compassion!  Amen!

Do Not Lose Heart

Lenten Reflection

Scripture:  2 Corinthians 4:16 - Therefore, do not lose heart!

Observation:  Why are we told not to lose heart? One of the reasons is...
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed,but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Application:  We must remember that the reason we are not pressed, not perplexed, not crushed, not in despair...is because our strength and power come from God and not from us!

Kneel: God, we beg you to grant us the humility to see that we need you - we need your strength! Your strength and power sustain us and they are a treasure to us! Glory be to God!

Growing Beyond Your Initial Influence

Lenten Reflection

Thankful for Growth! 

Scripture: Luke 3:18-21 NRSV

18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”

20 And again he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with[a] three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

Observation:  What does this say about the Kingdom of God?  The similarity between the two is that they both start small but in the end have a powerful positive effect on their surroundings. The mustard seed starts off really small, yet it grows into a tree that the birds of the air can perch on. The yeast is taken from a small pinch of dough and mixed with a huge batch of flour, yet over time it infects the entire flour and produces dough that can be baked into bread. Both these things multiply or grow into much more than their initial size or influence. The significance in Jesus using these two items is that they are initially small and insignificant, yet they have a large effect beyond what one would have imagined or expected. Yet this is how the Kingdom of God often works. It works through the humble, it works through small but sacrificial acts, it works through people who chose to surrender their lives to God’s work, and it works through events that seemed insignificance until you saw it through the clarity of hindsight. The powerful message of this passage is that we can never know the full effect of our actions when we decide to obey God with our lives.

Application:  Personally I think this applies to me in two ways. First, I often fall into the habit of evaluating my effort or actions from a perspective of immediate effectiveness or productivity. I want to know right away if what I do will be received, if it will be helpful to others, and if it will produce the intended effect. I want to do things that will produce something right away. In the area of ministry, I want to see people responding, coming out to serve, listening to the gospel with excitement and coming into a personal relationship with God. With a certain task or project, I want to know that my effort is helping others succeed, that I’m making things more efficient, etc. Second, I often want to do great big things for God because I think that is what God wants or that is what will be the most effective. Yet, again and again, I have experienced God working through the small things, he works through the one-on-one conversations after a sermon or God works in people’s lives through some small statement they heard in small group or through an observation they made on a mission trip. I’m reminded that I’m called to be faithful to the little things. That God works through small things and it is up to him to multiply our efforts. We water and he makes it grow - 1 Corinthians 3:6.  I serve a God that can take the mustard seed and cause it to grow, he is a God that receives glory when something that doesn’t seem like much is so multiplied through his power and results in the expansion of His Kingdom. 

Kneel: Loving Creator and Sustainer of All Things - Thank you for multiplying my meager steps of faith. Amen!

Keep Us From Just Singing

Lenten Reflection

Scripture:  Romans 2:13 - Don't merely listen to the word, do it!

Observation: Being a disciple of Jesus Christ means that you are a learner and a follower! James 1:22 essentially says the same thing as this verse - Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only! The Word of God is designed to be fruitful in our lives and the fruit is produced through our actions. 

Application:  Whenever we hear God's word in a way that inspires us, we must move to action. Not only are we to feed people spiritually but we are to feed those who are physically hungry!

When I think about these verses, I think about Tim Hughes' song - God of Justice --

God of Justice, Savior to all

Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
We must go, live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken, we must go
Stepping forward, keep us from just singing
Move us into action, we must go
To act justly every day
Loving mercy in every way
Walking humbly before You God
You have shown us what you require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
We must go, live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken, we must go
Stepping forward, keep us from just singing
Move us into action, we must go
Fill us up, send us out Lord
Fill us up and send us out, fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord

Kneel:  God, give us the courage to go!  Amen!

God's Kindness

Lenten Reflection

S. Scripture - Romans 2:4 - Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

O. Observation - What is repentance?  It's a change in intention, attitude and behavior.  It's not saying "I'm Sorry" and continuing the behavior.  It is a change!  Many Christians have grown up in homes/churches where they were taught that they would go to hell if they didn't repent of their sins.  In this case,  I believe people often repented out of fear of going to "hell" instead of a genuine change of intention, attitude and behavior.  I love Romans 2:4 because it tells us that God's loving kindness (not the threat of hell) leads us to repentance - a change in intention, attitude and behavior.

A. Application - In my relationships with my family and friends, I must remember that loving kindness is what leads to repentance and not fear.  We must take time (in loving kindness) to explain the incredible benefits of what a change in intention, attitude and behavior will produce.  Now, of course I realize this may not work all of the time. And, I'm not a therapist.  However,  I do know from my own personal experience - that lovingkindness and not fear leads to repentance! 

K. Kneel - Thank you, God, for your lovingkindness that leads to repentance!  

Words and Ways!

Lenten Reflection 

Scripture:  Revelation 3 - Up on your feet! Take a deep breath! Maybe there’s life in you yet. But I wouldn’t know it by looking at your busywork; nothing of God’swork has been completed. Your condition is desperate. Think of the gift you once had in your hands, the Message you heard with your ears—grasp it again and turn back to God. -Message

Observation:  We must remember that this letter is addressed to a church.  So, when it comes to church - what is the difference between busywork and God's work? This is a question we church folk must consider.  The short answer to this very important question is that we must make disciples - the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Making disciples is not busy work - it's God's work! Applied to Jesus - a disciple is someone who learns from him to live like him - someone who, because of God's grace, conforms her words and ways to the words and ways of Jesus. 

What does a disciple of Jesus mean for you? For me, it means...
...Disciple means Worshiper
...Disciple means Servant
...Disciple means Witness

Application:  As a minister, I must strive to ensure that all I do in the name of Christ points people to conform his/her words/ways to the words/ways of Jesus!

Kneel:  God-give me the wisdom on how to make disciples! Amen!

What does it mean to be Rich?

S.O.A.K.

Scripture:  I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. - Revelation 2:8-9

Observation:  Poverty can be seen in two ways - Spiritual Poverty and Material Poverty.  The letters to the churches in Revelation are very important for the church to read and study! This letter reminds me that there are different types of poverty. We mostly understand poverty to be material but there is a spiritual poverty that exist in our world.  Those who are materially poor are often Rich because they recognize their deep need for Jesus to supply their needs. Those of us who are middle class and upper class Americans must realize our need for Jesus!

Application: All of us are poor in different ways! We must realize our need for Christ! We must decide what it really means to be rich. 

Kneel: Lord, I need you - every hour I need you! Amen

Tumulos and Washed Out Roads!

S.O.A.K.

Scripture: Luke 12:24 - Make every effort to enter the Narrow Gate!

Observation: : The "gate” represents the beginning, to the “way” that leads to life. Why is it narrow?  Because it is a gate which requires self-denial and obedience. This gate has no room for a consuming desire for earthly goods, an unforgiving spirit, and self-righteousness.

Application:  In thinking about the "narrow road" - I can't help but think of the many roads I have traveled.The narrow road  is a path filled with potholes, tumulos (shout out to my Honduras amigos) twisted turns and jagged curves. It is filled with high mountains, washed out roads (shout out to my Costa Rican and Honduras amigos) and low valleys. Along the narrow way we will encounter ditches and crosses we will have to bear. We will run into hills of difficulties and rivers of humiliation. Every now and then, we will encounter stones of despair and rocks of sorrow. Oh yes, along this narrow path, however, we find life at the waters edge and at the mountains peak. And that life is abundant because we have learned to become RICH IN FAITH as a result of walking the narrow road!

Kneel: God, help me enter the gate that requires me to be outrageously generous with my time and money! I want to be Rich In Faith! Amen

Stay Alert

S.O.A.K.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -  12. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Observation: This is a word to the Corinthians - Learn from Israel's History! Just when you think you have it all together, you are tempted to bow down to idols, you are tempted to lie, you are tempted to cheat. But when this happens, God will help you. 

Application:  Temptation is common for all of us. We need to stay focused. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to "Stay Alert" because the devil prowls around us like a roaring lion waiting for someone to devour. The best way for me to stay alert is to stay focused in prayer and on God's Word! Also, I need accountability. I am human. Yes, I'm a minister but I am human. I have to set boundaries to protect myself, my family and my marriage.

Kneel: God, thank you for your faithful help to give us the strength and courage to turn away and resist temptation. Amen!

We Believe

S.O.A.K. - We Believe

Scripture:  Romans 4:3
3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Observation:  Once you realize that God really does have a plan for you and all you have to do is participate in the plan - you will have found your Turning Point just as Abraham did. The first step is not about doing… it is about believing.

Hope on. Journey on. Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever, fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe.

Application: This is a Word you can embrace here and now!  This word is not about you being perfect and making all of the right changes and fixing everything yourself. It is not about you trying to fix things at all. It is you entering into what God is doing for you. This is not about you trying to be right on your own… it is about you believing God's promises. It's about believing who God is!

We Believe by the Newsboys

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ 
We believe in the Holy Spirit 
And He's given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that he conquered death 
We believe in the resurrection
And He's coming back again
We Believe! 

Kneel: Gracious God, in our doubt and fear - help us to believe in you and your promises! Amen 

He keeps the light on!

S.O.A.K. (Lenten Reflection - Psalm 27)

Scripture:  The Lord is my light.... (v.1)

Observation: This is a Psalm of confidence.  David doesn't have to question whether the Lord will be his light, his stronghold or whether the Lord will be gracious unto him.  David has confidence in his creator! David has seen God's light shine even in the midst of sin and war.

Application:  We don't have to ask God to be our light - He is our Light!  We need to anticipate the light that will always shine in the darkness!  He keeps the light on!

I think back to those high school days when I had to be home by midnight.  My mom would always keep the light on for me.  That light symbolized her love and care!  God always keeps the light on!

Kneel:  Thank you God for making the narrow paths a little easier to see with the light on.  Thank you for keeping the light on when I'm late and even when I don't show up.  Amen!

The Blessing of Knowing!

S.O.A.K (Lenten Reflection)

Scripture:  Philippians 3:12 - Press On!

Derby Mini Marathon 2014

Observation:  Philippians 3:2-12 is one of my favorite passages of scripture!  I could write for days just on this one passage. It is rich with meaning for those of us who strive to live like Christ. What is Paul's goal here?  It is to know Christ!  What would it mean for us in our spiritual life each year to set a goal to know Christ?  Paul simply wants to keep pressing on to know Christ.  He wants to know the power of the resurrection. He wants to know fellowship with Christ through suffering.  Paul knows that the root, the foundation of all that we are in Christ begins by knowing Him. Paul is running the Christian race (1 Corinthians 9:24) and he is determined to press on....to continue the race!  He knows that in order to continue to move forward in the race, he must continue to know Christ more deeply.

Application:  Two years ago, I ran the mini marathon with my friends - KJ Powell and Karen Curnutte.  I remember that first practice run through the Iroquois Park - ouch!  The hills were challenging but I was determined to press on.  I knew I would never possess my 13.1 sticker if I did not keep training!  After completing the race, the greatest blessing was not my 13.1 sticker but the experience I had in getting to know my two friends.  That's the way it is with Christ!  The true blessing of the Christian Life is simply knowing Him.

Kneel:  Give me the strength to Press On when I am weak!  Give me the desire to Press On when all is going well!  Give me the wisdom to Press On when I think that I may have arrived.  Lord, I need you to Press On!

Betrayal

S.O.A.K.

Scripture: Luke 22:1-6 The betrayal of Jesus

Observation: Betrayal is probably the most devastating loss a person can experience. To be betrayed, the person must first experience trust in the betrayer.  Jesus trusted. And, Jesus was betrayed. Jesus must have felt a myriad of emotion - anger, fear and distress. 

Application:  Have you ever been betrayed? I don't know if I have and if I have then God has given me the grace to forget it. However, there is one form of betrayal that absolutely breaks my heart and that is infidelity. I just can't imagine how difficult it must be to continue in a relationship that has been violated. Yet, I have seen marriages survive infidelity - I believe only by the grace of God.

I'm thankful for the grace that has restored marriages!

Kneel: Creator God, give me the desire to always remain faithful to my número uno - Wally Brown. Amen!

Show Up

S.O.A.K.

Scripture:  Manifest your faithful love in amazing ways (Psalm 17)

Observation:  Manifest means to ....  display or show by one's acts or appearance! I believe David longed for God's love to be manifested in his life and in his earthly kingdom. David was a man after Gods own heart and despite his sin - he wanted the good work of God displayed in his life as an evidence and qualification for the good will of God towards him. By this he would know the gift of God's incredible grace.

Application: I often wonder why God chose to manifest his amazing love in me. John 15:16 says "You did not choose me but I chose you to go and bear fruit...." Just as God chose David to be King - he has chosen each of us to bear fruit in such a way that His Amazing Love will be displayed through our actions (Matthew 25) and through our appearance to those in need. We need to SHOW UP in the dark places that need light so God can manifest his love through us! We have to Show Up in our families, in our communities, in our circles of influence, in our world.....

Kneel: God, help us to lay aside our desire to be noticed and let you be noticed in us. Manifest your love in us - today and always! Amen.

Just Walk

S.O.A.K.

Scripture:  1 John 2:6 - Whoever says "I abide in him," must walk as he did!

Observation:  How much do you love that Jesus walked?  He didn't rush or run or hurry through this life.  He walked - giving him the ability to notice and act upon promptings from his Father.  What if today we held up a pace of walking when we wanted to rush?  Through that pace of walking and an abiding spirit, we may just be an advocate to someone who needs support today!  We may just do the excellent thing when it would be so much easier not to do it.  We may just lay ourselves, our wants, down for the good of others.  Just walk.  We can practically look more like Jesus today simply by walking and not rushing.

Application:  I need to practice walking instead of rushing!  That's pretty much it!  

Kneel:  God, thank you for this wonderful reminder that it is important for us to walk so that we might notice and be an advocate for someone who needs support now - not later.  Give me a desire to lay down my desires for the good of those in my family, in my community and in my world!  I need your help to just walk!  Amen!

God is My Refuge

S. O. A. K.

Scripture:  9  “The Lord is my refuge (a place of safety and security)” ...

Observation:  David's life had been protected by Divine grace. And, that divine grace covered him in battle and in sin. It is that Divine Grace that was his refuge!


Application: "In this world you will have trouble." Jesus said it and our life experiences confirm it. It is in that trouble, however, that we experience a refuge when all others fail - a strong refuge which none can break through or into and in which all who dwell will not be overtaken.  Remember that hardship will come but it will not overtake you when you dwell in the Most High! 


Kneel: Almighty God, help us to find refuge in You! You are unchanging! You are faithful! You are strength! You are hope! Grant us the desire to just dwell in your presence for it is in the dwelling that we find refuge! Amen!

Now Come, I Will Send You

S.O.A.K.

Scripture:  33 “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.' (Acts 7)

Observation: God saw the oppression in Egypt and God sees the oppression in our community and world. God is still in the business of setting people free from oppression. There is a resurrection going on when those who are oppressed find freedom! Verse 34 keeps me coming back for a second look. I believe God says to me - I have seen the oppression and I have come down to set the oppressed free. Now come, Tomara - I am sending you to be my agent to set people free.

We as middle class Americans must begin to understand how our neighbors here and around the world are being oppressed. And we must understand that we as Christ followers must realize God has called us to help set people free!

When a child is abused, she is oppressed. When a child is abandoned, he is oppressed. When a girl has to walk 8 miles a day to fetch water (which means she can't attend school), she is oppressed. When an adult is denied opportunities because of race or color, he is oppressed. When a young girl is captured for sex trafficking, she is oppressed. When a child is forced into child slave labor, he is oppressed. When a child is malnourished or hungry, she is oppressed. People are being oppressed in Louisville and in our world and we cannot pretend that it's not going on. Families who suffer in silence due to differing abilities are oppressed.  We cannot say that God is calling someone else! 

Application: How do we really help set people free? First, we can give money to awesome organizations like the International Justice mission who fight to free people from slavery and sex trafficking! Second, we can serve as foster parents to children who need a home. Third, we can support (financially or by serving) Ministries like Hospital Loma de Luz who serve some of the poorest people in the Western Hemisphere. Fourth, we can serve with non-profits in our community like Volunteers of America or Americana as they work to meet the needs of the oppressed in our community. Helping to free people from oppression requires our time and resources. It requires we be in relationship with someone different from us. 

Kneel: God, give us a desire to be your agents in freeing the oppressed. Instill wisdom and courage in our hearts. Help us to open our eyes to see the oppressed and not turn our backs. We need your Spirit to guide us! We need your spirit to help us be Bold!  

S. O. A. K. - Ash Wednesday

My commitment during Lent is to read the scripture each day and walk through the S. O. A. K. Guideline! 

Scripture - My sin is ever before me...Psalm 51

Observation - Being a man after God's heart was a struggle for David. To truly be after God's heart - a heart without deceit and pride - a heart full of constant love and grace - is just plain hard. 

Application - As I was walking into our Ash Wednesday service tonight - someone said to me, "Tomara, what do you need to repent of?" I told him that I needed to repent of many things. Here's the deal - I know church people usually see me at my best but I am human just like everyone sitting in church on Sunday mornings. I am a pastor and a preacher but I am also a sinner! I know that following God's heart is difficult - it's a lonely journey - it's a journey filled with sorrow - it's a journey that sometimes brings out rebellion and pride and jealousy. 

Kneel - Savior - I repent of my sin for I know it is ever before me. Create in me a clean heart. Renew a right spirit within me! Holy Spirit - you are welcome here! Flood my heart with your forgiveness. May I be overcome by your presence Lord!