The Meal Matters

This week we will all celebrate Thanksgiving. Hopefully you will celebrate around a table with friends and family. For your meal, I'm sure the following might be involved.
Turkey
Stuffing or Dressing
Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Green Bean Casserole
Sweet Potatoes
Rolls
maybe a ham?
Lots of pie (pumpkin, pecan, apple)

Now, imagine one of these things missing. How would you feel if there was no turkey, no dressing...NO PIE! You would probably get over it, but as you think about spending time with family and friends, hear this passage of Scripture-
11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11-13
Learn to be content in every situation, whether well fed or not. The secret to happiness and joy in this life is learning to appreciate what God has given, and what God has not given. Rejoice in the Lord always, I say rejoice.
Go in peace and go with God.

All Church Thanksgiving Dinner

Thank you to all who attended and helped with our All Church Thanksgiving Dinner. Thank you to finance for helping put everything together and cleaning up. Thanks to the men's group for setting up the other night. A big thanks to the youth for the pie auction. A big thanks for all who made this another wonderful fellowship dinner. I love being part of a church that breaks bread together in a spirit of joy and fun. Thank you to all who make Grace such an amazing church to be apart of for these past few years. And thanks to everyone who made some awesome food and shared it with the rest of us.
Go in peace and go with God.

Purpose of the Church

We are called to make disciples. The best way I know how to do that is with my arms wide open, not closed. When we are closed and cut off certain avenues for people to find their way into the church then we miserably fail at making disciples. The church is the only institution in the world that focuses on the people not there. Jesus Christ said that the church would be built through or on Peter. People gathered. They prayed. Disciples were made through connection and conversation. Buildings don't make disciples. Open your Bible and start searching around and look for the conversations that help connect you to God. Jesus did not hang out with the religious. Jesus hung out with the sinner. The lost. Who are you hanging out with these days?
Go in peace and go with God.

Church Rules Just Don't Work For Me Anymore

Many churches have rules in place for building use. Many of those rules are based in keeping people from using the building. Namely, the fees for use. Sometimes rules are meant to control. Other times, they are used to protect. Rules sometimes are rules just to have rules. And then there are policies. I wonder if many churches go about the task of writing rules and policies for the good of the community? For the good of the lost? For the good of those who might come next week? Some policies are good, some bad. Safe Sanctuary- good. Building use, not sure. Church rules are usually beneficial to members of the church as opposed to non-members. There is a huge distinction. If you are member you are treated this way....and a non-member, well you are treated a different way. Why? I have several answers bouncing around in my head, especially in regard to weddings and funerals. I am praying about this at Grace. I am praying about this alot! I think if we are going to change perceptions of church we might need to rethink how we approach church rules and policies. If you have been on the wrong end of these rules or policies at our church or another church, I am sorry. I am deeply sorry. Look for some changes in Grace over the next few months and years. I think you will all be pleasantly surprised.
Go in peace and go with God.

What Is Important to You?

Yesterday in worship I asked a simple question. If we came over to your house and asked your kids, grandkids, spouse, etc. what was important to you, what would they say?
Job?
School?
Sports?
Them?
Church?
God?
Those in need?
A simple question with a complicated answer. If you look at your checkbook and your calendar you will very easily be able to answer that question. Sadly, you might not like the answer.
Let others know without a shadow of a doubt what is important to you. Make sure others know who you care about, what you care about and if you are a person of faith, let them know about God.
Go in peace and go with God.

Christmas Lights Up

Our Christmas lights are up. We are the first house on our block to have our Christmas lights up. The weather was nice, Phil let me borrow his ladder and well, I felt like putting up Christmas lights. Every year I like to try and put up Christmas lights because I am a Christmas junkie. What is a Christmas junkie? I love Christmas. I love everything Christmas. I love the lights. I love the decorations. I love the trees. I love the stores. I love the way cities decorate. I love the the Plaza and Crown Center at Christmas. Halls is AWESOME at Christmas. Andres is great at Christmas. I love that the radio is playing Christmas music already. I love the way our church celebrates the season and celebrates Christmas. I love that families get together. I love the Christmas dinner, almost as much as Thanksgiving dinner. I love the snow. I love that Jesus Christ came down to earth to save us. Christmas is a wonderful time of year (advent for you traditionalists). It's a joyous time of year. Remember to celebrate the season and be joyful. Remember to rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord always and put those lights up. Go in peace and go with God.

Coming Home

So every day when I arrive home I am greeted by our dog Rheau (roo). She is a loving ball of fur that once the door opens you can hear her tail wagging loudly. I let her outside for a bit and then she is back at the door. If I have only been gone for awhile she is excited to see me, but not that much and goes about playing with her toys and running around. If it's been a long day she comes and sits near me, puts her paws on me and if I am standing, she leans in. She will sit next to me and lean in to the point of either pushing me, she falls over or I start petting her. She wants love and acknowledgement. If you are not a dog owner it might be tough to understand. You can't imagine the joy there is when you arrive home and have something excited to see you EVERY DAY no matter what has happened. Just excited.
Excitement is a good thing. Not sure what you are excited about but excitement is contagious. When people are excited, joyful and happy, it's tough to not join in.
I often think about how excited God is when we turn back to him after an extended period of time.
Luke 15 says, 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Be passionate. Be excited. Be a person motivated by love.
Go in peace and go with God.