The one point I didn't jump on yesterday was a key point - whenever you can, one of the best ways to teach our kids about life is to spend time as a family in worship together.
Worship is NOT just music. It's the time you spend giving Him your worship and honor, praising Him through prayer, speaking the word, music, confessing and asking for His hand to guide your life. It is focused time and energy given to The King and no one else.
Teach your family to make God a priority EVERY day, to seek Him.
We, as a church, also have the responsibility to teach the body about worship as well as how to lead your families.
There is a great resource coming in September that I want to encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of. "5 Keys to Christian Parenting" will begin September 20th. (Registration begins August 23rd in the Family Room.)
You can check out cost and other information in the August issue of @FBC. You can pick up a copy at the church office.
Just a reminder that the family does have responsibilities. Parents - provide a safe place to fail, teach life lessons and model healthy relationships. Students/Kids - obey your parents, honor them both in front of them and around your friends. NIKE! Extended family - take care of your family, step in where you know you need to so that you can keep them pointed toward God.
Church family - welcome in those who don't have family left. "God places the lonely in families..." (psalm 68:6). Sometimes that family is the body of Christ. What an honor and joy it is to know that God trusts us with those who are in need!
Let's do our part - as individual families and as a church family - to build a legacy of Christ followers for generations to come!
See ya in church...
Monday, July 27, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Lessons from the Chinchilla
If you were here last week you heard me talk about Kia's chinchilla, Sir Patsy Sweetpants. (Hey...I didn't name the rodent!)
Anyway, he gave me a great picture last Saturday night right before I went to bed. He got on his little wheel and just ran. He was partly angry because I wouldn't let him out. I wanted to go to bed so he stayed in his cage.
Running.
In circles. FOREVER!
That's when I got the picture of us going through life without God directing our lives. We think we're getting somewhere...we think we're accomplishing 'life goals'...
But if we're not going in the direction that God designed our lives to go, doing those things that ONLY WE can do, we're on the Chinchilla wheel - just running in circles.
My point last week, and the challenge, was to step out and let God direct every step, every decision we make in life. That may include a career change - yes you may be called to leave your steady job. Do you trust Him? It may require a relationship change - is the relationship you're in honoring to God or have you asked Him about it? If there is anything that may be taking our focus OFF of God and putting it on what we want instead then He is not directing our lives - we are.
Folks, take a chance on God. We have fallen so far into the trappings of this world that God is getting lost. He's not lost, but we sure are. Step out in faith and see what our Great God wants to do for you. "For I know the plans I have for You, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you HOPE AND A FUTURE." Jeremiah 29:11
He is our Living Hope. Do you trust Him?
Yeah...it's scary. But trust me - WOW! what a ride!
Keep listening for the chinchilla...
Anyway, he gave me a great picture last Saturday night right before I went to bed. He got on his little wheel and just ran. He was partly angry because I wouldn't let him out. I wanted to go to bed so he stayed in his cage.
Running.
In circles. FOREVER!
That's when I got the picture of us going through life without God directing our lives. We think we're getting somewhere...we think we're accomplishing 'life goals'...
But if we're not going in the direction that God designed our lives to go, doing those things that ONLY WE can do, we're on the Chinchilla wheel - just running in circles.
My point last week, and the challenge, was to step out and let God direct every step, every decision we make in life. That may include a career change - yes you may be called to leave your steady job. Do you trust Him? It may require a relationship change - is the relationship you're in honoring to God or have you asked Him about it? If there is anything that may be taking our focus OFF of God and putting it on what we want instead then He is not directing our lives - we are.
Folks, take a chance on God. We have fallen so far into the trappings of this world that God is getting lost. He's not lost, but we sure are. Step out in faith and see what our Great God wants to do for you. "For I know the plans I have for You, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you HOPE AND A FUTURE." Jeremiah 29:11
He is our Living Hope. Do you trust Him?
Yeah...it's scary. But trust me - WOW! what a ride!
Keep listening for the chinchilla...
Monday, July 20, 2009
Family Is...
We all have different views on what family is supposed to be. We all come from different backgrounds and experiences and that helps to shape/form our view of what family should be.
In preparing for the message this week (July 26), I'd like your input on this topic. In 50 words or less, tell me how you would complete this statement - Family is...
Post it here or you can email it to karl@fbcpoky.com
Thanks for contributing...I'll share a snapshot of what we learn when we're done.
See ya in church...
In preparing for the message this week (July 26), I'd like your input on this topic. In 50 words or less, tell me how you would complete this statement - Family is...
Post it here or you can email it to karl@fbcpoky.com
Thanks for contributing...I'll share a snapshot of what we learn when we're done.
See ya in church...
Friday, July 17, 2009
Back, Just Not Talkative!
WOW! I just realized that I've not posted since July 1st. Took a week off - really only a couple of days, but who's counting?
Went to Yellowstone with my bride and saw some of God's most incredible creation. We haven't been there for over 20 years...still amazing.
EXCEPT the @#$%#@ roads. 30 minute delays in parts, rough and gravel in other parts. That is NOT my idea of vacation. At least the company was incredibly hot!
And right now, since I've been back this week, I'm just not real sure what I need to say. I'm in one of those 'spots' where I need to be still and quiet for a time. I really need for God to show me what I need to share. It's tough. I don't like not knowing and I don't dare run ahead of Him and 'do it on my own.' Been there - hated that!
So, I'll post next week (maybe) and see what God wants to share...
Have a great weekend...and take time to appreciate, celebrate and enjoy His creation all around us. Especially here in Idaho ---- WOW!
See ya in church.
Went to Yellowstone with my bride and saw some of God's most incredible creation. We haven't been there for over 20 years...still amazing.
EXCEPT the @#$%#@ roads. 30 minute delays in parts, rough and gravel in other parts. That is NOT my idea of vacation. At least the company was incredibly hot!
And right now, since I've been back this week, I'm just not real sure what I need to say. I'm in one of those 'spots' where I need to be still and quiet for a time. I really need for God to show me what I need to share. It's tough. I don't like not knowing and I don't dare run ahead of Him and 'do it on my own.' Been there - hated that!
So, I'll post next week (maybe) and see what God wants to share...
Have a great weekend...and take time to appreciate, celebrate and enjoy His creation all around us. Especially here in Idaho ---- WOW!
See ya in church.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Worship and The House Project
We, as a church family, have been doing a major house remodel for a member of our church family who was in a spot. The body - over half of them - stepped up and cleaned, scraped, tore out walls and floors, re-wired, and is getting very close to doing the final painting and flooring stuff before we install bathroom fixtures and other stuff.
IT HAS BEEN AMAZING to be a part of this family in this process!
It turned out, because of what I do and my availability, I've spent a LOT of time as the 'leader' of the project, coordinating dates, supplies, contractors, and the ever loving inspector. It's been fun and interesting at the same time.
What I have really enjoyed is watching this group of people come and share with this family and do so with such amazing hearts. The word excitement rings through every conversation in this house. The level of compassion to get this family back into their home is incredible. The level of worship that is happening in this setting is mind blowing.
People are serving God by loving this family. People are praising God by using their gifts and abilities and skills to minister to someone who was and is in need. In short, they are worshiping God through their actions.
What do my actions look like during the week when I'm not in the office? Does my life, my conduct, my actions reflect an attitude of worship to God? Am I loving the people around me with the level of compassion that Jesus would? Or am I too cool and too busy to even think about them that way?
My prayer is that, especially in this project, people will see me and the love I have for someone in need - a child of God - and NOT an opportunity for Karl to get some notice. (That's why I surround myself with people who will 'pop that bubble' if it even begins to grow!)
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out." Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)
Go rock your world for God - and worship Him the whole time you do!
IT HAS BEEN AMAZING to be a part of this family in this process!
It turned out, because of what I do and my availability, I've spent a LOT of time as the 'leader' of the project, coordinating dates, supplies, contractors, and the ever loving inspector. It's been fun and interesting at the same time.
What I have really enjoyed is watching this group of people come and share with this family and do so with such amazing hearts. The word excitement rings through every conversation in this house. The level of compassion to get this family back into their home is incredible. The level of worship that is happening in this setting is mind blowing.
People are serving God by loving this family. People are praising God by using their gifts and abilities and skills to minister to someone who was and is in need. In short, they are worshiping God through their actions.
What do my actions look like during the week when I'm not in the office? Does my life, my conduct, my actions reflect an attitude of worship to God? Am I loving the people around me with the level of compassion that Jesus would? Or am I too cool and too busy to even think about them that way?
My prayer is that, especially in this project, people will see me and the love I have for someone in need - a child of God - and NOT an opportunity for Karl to get some notice. (That's why I surround myself with people who will 'pop that bubble' if it even begins to grow!)
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out." Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)
Go rock your world for God - and worship Him the whole time you do!
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