To share your thoughts and read others, click on the comments link following the Reflection that you would like to respond to.
October 11-12, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastor of Teaching & Worship
This weekend ended
our series on Habakkuk. (If you missed the service you can watch it online.) How
did Habakkuk turn his questions for God into confidence in God? Habakkuk
chapter 3 revealed three things he did that we can do this week to help with our
difficult situations in life. He prayed, but just not the typical prayer asking
God for things. He pondered God, which lead him to trust God more fully. He also
praised God in the midst of his difficult life situations.
What do you think
about these three? Do they seem like the same old things you've heard before?
How is Habakkuk's approach different from the usual? Do you think if you do
these that you will experience a deeper relationship with God? Send me a note,
I'd love to hear how this message has affected your life.
Finally, I
appreciated Habakkuk's perspective on prayer – I want to try that this week. I
want to stop and ponder God more this week. In fact, I'm setting some special
time aside to do just that. And Lord help me to praise You in the middle of
tough times. God Bless you this week as you grow deeper with
God.
October 4-5, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastor of Teaching & Worship
I confess, I just
hate it when I see somebody getting away with something that is wrong. This weekend we
learned that God answered Habakkuk's questions about the injustices he saw.
There were five areas of injustice that God spoke to in the passage this week.
God spoke about people who steal things, people who gain wealth dishonestly,
people who exploit others, people who betray theirs friends with
alcohol, and people who embrace a false religion.
We learned that
God is not okay with this. We learned that there will be a time when God will
deal with these injustices. Do you think this passage covers the topic of
injustice? After considering these five issues what questions do you still have
for God about the injustices you see? Habakkuk asked God some important and hard
questions. What is a question you have for God that is left
unanswered?
Let's talk about
it.
September 27-28, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Youth
Understanding why God does or allows some of the things that we see or experience is something any of us have yet to fully understand. "What do you want to bring out of this?" and "What role do you have for me in this?" are key questions as we wrestle with the "Why are you allowing this to happen?" dilemma.
What are some roles that you have felt God has called you to play in situations in life that you have found difficult? What were the effects of your involvement and faithfulness to do what God was asking of you?
We all grow from each other's experiences, so please feel free to share your own of how you have seen God work in the midst of things you didn't understand.
P.S.
I had several people this weekend share some of their terrifying taxi
experiences. Countries that were included in the unofficial "Scariest Taxis in the World" survey were Thailand, Japan, and France. How about you? Had a scary taxi experience? Share it with us!
Understanding why God does or allows some of the things that we see or experience is something any of us have yet to fully understand. "What do you want to bring out of this?" and "What role do you have for me in this?" are key questions as we wrestle with the "Why are you allowing this to happen?" dilemma.
What are some roles that you have felt God has called you to play in situations in life that you have found difficult? What were the effects of your involvement and faithfulness to do what God was asking of you?
We all grow from each other's experiences, so please feel free to share your own of how you have seen God work in the midst of things you didn't understand.
P.S.
I had several people this weekend share some of their terrifying taxi
experiences. Countries that were included in the unofficial "Scariest Taxis in the World" survey were Thailand, Japan, and France. How about you? Had a scary taxi experience? Share it with us!
September 20-21, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Youth
"I am doing something"
- God
Is this easy or difficult for you to believe? What are some of the factors that cause you to struggle with this? How do you work through this in your own life?
The "God how could you..." questions are rarely easy, so let's talk about how we handle those wrestling times in our faith. What God has done in and though your life could really make an impact for others who may be struggling the way you have. Let's talk about it!
"I am doing something"
- God
Is this easy or difficult for you to believe? What are some of the factors that cause you to struggle with this? How do you work through this in your own life?
The "God how could you..." questions are rarely easy, so let's talk about how we handle those wrestling times in our faith. What God has done in and though your life could really make an impact for others who may be struggling the way you have. Let's talk about it!
September 13-14, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastof of Teaching & Worship
There
are approximately 2,350 verses in the Bible on the topic of money. In
these past four weeks Pastor Jeff and I touched on no more than 25 of
those verses. In those four weeks we spent our time looking
specifically at what God says about how to live as rich people, but it
is safe to say that there were many more "money" things we could have
talked about as well.
For example, on
Friday night at the "Money You Get, Budgets & Debt" Seminar, I had the
opportunity to talk for a few minutes about stewardship. That's not a word we
hear very often in our normal conversations, but it is an important concept in
the Bible when it comes to our money. The basic thing to know about
stewardship is that all that we have, our money and possessions, are owned by
God and we are His stewards. To be a good steward is to be a good manager
and caretaker of what God owns.
When you add this
important Biblical concept to the message from this weekend we find that it also
helps us even more to "take hold of life that is truly life." I know that these
past four weeks have changed my heart – I hope that it has done the same
for you. I'd be interested in knowing how these past four weeks have made a
change in your thinking when it comes to money. As you open the case and take a
look at what's in your heart what do you see? And how will this make a
difference in your life?
September 6-7, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastof of Teaching & Worship
I just returned
from attending the Invisible Improv event at the church. It was a great evening
on many levels. It's been said that laughter adds years to your life. Well, if
that is true then I added more than a few years to my life
tonight!
As I thought about
this event tonight, I couldn't help but think of one of the ideas I talked about
in the message today. The idea was the one about not giving God our leftovers,
but instead pre-deciding how to be rich in good works. Without a doubt this
event was an example of our college students living out this
principle. They didn't give leftovers, no, they pre-decided and gave of their
best, whether it was the students on the stage or the students serving at the
ticket table or the students serving ice cream or the students doing other
behind-the-scenes work. And what be the result? Be ready to hear stories
from our college students of how God was faithful to them and how God opened
their eyes to something bigger than themselves.
Thank you college
ministry for living out 1 Timothy 6:18 with this event. Now, let the stories
begin. Let the impact of serving a cause larger than yourself begin. Let the
impact of this event reach beyond this country and save the lives of kids
in Africa. My bet is that many in our college ministry are feeling rich right
now! What do you think?
August 30-31, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastof of Teaching & Youth
So, what is it that makes it so easy to rely on money for satisfaction and security? Is it because it is tangible and something we are so familiar with? Is it because society says that money is really the most important thing and we believe it?
This week write down some of the ways that you intentionally make Jesus the Lord of your life and surrender to him. These practical examples can bless us all and be an encouragement for how we too may be able to give the Lord our whole selves...even our wealth and possessions!
So, what is it that makes it so easy to rely on money for satisfaction and security? Is it because it is tangible and something we are so familiar with? Is it because society says that money is really the most important thing and we believe it?
This week write down some of the ways that you intentionally make Jesus the Lord of your life and surrender to him. These practical examples can bless us all and be an encouragement for how we too may be able to give the Lord our whole selves...even our wealth and possessions!
August 23-24, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastof of Teaching & Youth
As we have begun our Deal or No Deal series we talked about a few very important principles when it comes to how we view wealth and riches. First, contentment is itself, great wealth. Solomon said chasing contentment by the accumulation of riches and possessions is like chasing the wind. Contentment and a heart of gratitude is how we can truly experience great wealth.
What are some things in your life that you are grateful for and are able to say that you are content with? (Hint: it may come down to some of the simple things in life.)
As we have begun our Deal or No Deal series we talked about a few very important principles when it comes to how we view wealth and riches. First, contentment is itself, great wealth. Solomon said chasing contentment by the accumulation of riches and possessions is like chasing the wind. Contentment and a heart of gratitude is how we can truly experience great wealth.
What are some things in your life that you are grateful for and are able to say that you are content with? (Hint: it may come down to some of the simple things in life.)
August 16-17, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Dan Jepson, Director of High School Ministries
I’ve had a lot of contact with people in the last week that have expressed how worry affects their life. I’m reminded more and more that this is something that we are all faced with. I think there is comfort in sharing a struggle with other believers. By standing together, we’re more likely to have the strength to overcome.
What are practical ways that you can be held accountable in the next week? How about the next year? Is there anyone in your life that would be willing to stand with you so you can support each other in this area? How would that work itself out?
I’ve had a lot of contact with people in the last week that have expressed how worry affects their life. I’m reminded more and more that this is something that we are all faced with. I think there is comfort in sharing a struggle with other believers. By standing together, we’re more likely to have the strength to overcome.
What are practical ways that you can be held accountable in the next week? How about the next year? Is there anyone in your life that would be willing to stand with you so you can support each other in this area? How would that work itself out?
August 9-10, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Youth
The idea of being reminded of things has really had me thinking lately. I don't know about you, but when I am reminded of something, or something is repeated to me, my natural response is not always to think of how valuable that truth or information could be for my life. Often times my thought is, "yeah, yeah, I know." As I have thought about this I have come to the conclusion that for me, this is very much a pride issue. To be confronted with truth means that I need to see how I measure up to that truth, and when I fall short it can cause something inside of me to rise up and be defensive, and part of that defense can be to tune out.
What are some ways that you remain open to the truths of God without letting your pride or the need to pretend like you have it all together cause you to close off? What are some things in your life that you use as reminders to examine your spiritual walk and relationship with God? I pray that each of us remains open to the truths of God in our lives and the variety of reminders that He has put in place.
The idea of being reminded of things has really had me thinking lately. I don't know about you, but when I am reminded of something, or something is repeated to me, my natural response is not always to think of how valuable that truth or information could be for my life. Often times my thought is, "yeah, yeah, I know." As I have thought about this I have come to the conclusion that for me, this is very much a pride issue. To be confronted with truth means that I need to see how I measure up to that truth, and when I fall short it can cause something inside of me to rise up and be defensive, and part of that defense can be to tune out.
What are some ways that you remain open to the truths of God without letting your pride or the need to pretend like you have it all together cause you to close off? What are some things in your life that you use as reminders to examine your spiritual walk and relationship with God? I pray that each of us remains open to the truths of God in our lives and the variety of reminders that He has put in place.
