To share your thoughts and read others, click on the comments link following the Reflection that you would like to respond to.
May 31-June 1, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastor of Teaching & Worship
I know the subject
of weight can be a sensitive issue. This weekend I didn't want to talk about
our physical weight, but the weight of things and the weight of worry as we talked
about the exercise of simplicity. As I prepared for this message I
couldn't help but remember my own struggles with the topic of simplicity and
really appreciated the perspective from Richard Foster.
I was captivated
by his concept of the inner reality and the outward lifestyle. It made sense to
me and I know I'll be working on living the words of Jesus this week on this
subject. Be sure to take some time to read the first eighteen verses of
Matthew 6. Join the blog below and let me know how the message touched
your heart, created questions, or confirmed what is unfolding in your life
right now.
May 24-25, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastor of Teaching & Worship
This week in our
series, 24 Hour Fitness, we talked about the subject of confession. As I reflect
on the message, my focus turns to having a trusted friend to confess our sins to.
James 5:16 instructs us to confess our sins to one another. I had several
people come up after the messages and ask about that part of confession. It
seems we all can agree that confessing to God is a good thing, but confessing to
a friend is something that requires a little more thought.
During the message I
shared about my trusted friend and the difference he has made in my life when it
comes to confessing. So here is what I want to ask: Do you have a trusted
friend that you confess your sins to? If so, how did that come about? What
has been the positive connection to building spiritual muscle in your life? If
you don't have a trusted friend, what are your thoughts about this part of our
spiritual life?
You can reply by
using the blog feature below. Let's dialogue on this important way to build
spiritual muscle in our life.
May 17-18, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Youth
Ok, here is a great opportunity for you to really help others out in their walk with God! As we talked about this weekend, for some, silence and solitude is extremely difficult, if not seemingly impossible to do in this day and age. But some of you have found some ways to get silent before the Lord, and we want to know how you do it. What are some ways that you allow silence and solitude to penetrate your heart even in the midst of a hectic schedule or crowded space? What opportunities have you taken advantage of to have some quiet and alone time with God?
For some, this idea of silence and solitude may sound like a good thing, but is something they have all but given up on. This is your chance to help others in their journey towards God by sharing some practical ways that you make silence and solitude happen in your life.
If you are one who really struggles in this area please feel free to express what holds you back and maybe someone will have an idea for you to try! This is an opportunity for us to get involved in people's lives. Let's do it!
Ok, here is a great opportunity for you to really help others out in their walk with God! As we talked about this weekend, for some, silence and solitude is extremely difficult, if not seemingly impossible to do in this day and age. But some of you have found some ways to get silent before the Lord, and we want to know how you do it. What are some ways that you allow silence and solitude to penetrate your heart even in the midst of a hectic schedule or crowded space? What opportunities have you taken advantage of to have some quiet and alone time with God?
For some, this idea of silence and solitude may sound like a good thing, but is something they have all but given up on. This is your chance to help others in their journey towards God by sharing some practical ways that you make silence and solitude happen in your life.
If you are one who really struggles in this area please feel free to express what holds you back and maybe someone will have an idea for you to try! This is an opportunity for us to get involved in people's lives. Let's do it!
May 10-11, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Youth
I hope you all had a nice Mother's day. This past weekend we talked about the idea of surrendering the children in our lives to God. This could mean with your biological children, adopted children, foster children, nephews, nieces, kids on a team that you coach or a class that you teach.
Surrendering can look so many different ways. What has it looked like in your life? What are some ways you have learned to surrender your kids that may be an encouragement to the rest of us who will need to do it some day? Click on the link below and tell us your story. Have a great week!!
I hope you all had a nice Mother's day. This past weekend we talked about the idea of surrendering the children in our lives to God. This could mean with your biological children, adopted children, foster children, nephews, nieces, kids on a team that you coach or a class that you teach.
Surrendering can look so many different ways. What has it looked like in your life? What are some ways you have learned to surrender your kids that may be an encouragement to the rest of us who will need to do it some day? Click on the link below and tell us your story. Have a great week!!
May 3-4, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastor of Teaching/Worship
As I was reflecting on the message this week, I was reminded once again of the value and importance of prayer. I think it would be true to say I have learned much about prayer by praying. My goal this week was to get us praying. I hope that you will take the three points of this weekend's message and work them into your life this week.
Remember to begin where you are, be absolutely honest with God, and keep the conversation going all the time. By the way, when praying while driving, be sure to keep your eyes open. God still hears those prayer just fine.
Shoot me a BLOG below of how it’s going this week as you become spiritually fit through prayer.
As I was reflecting on the message this week, I was reminded once again of the value and importance of prayer. I think it would be true to say I have learned much about prayer by praying. My goal this week was to get us praying. I hope that you will take the three points of this weekend's message and work them into your life this week.
Remember to begin where you are, be absolutely honest with God, and keep the conversation going all the time. By the way, when praying while driving, be sure to keep your eyes open. God still hears those prayer just fine.
Shoot me a BLOG below of how it’s going this week as you become spiritually fit through prayer.
April 26-27, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastor of Teaching/Worship
This week we took
some time to explain both baptism and the Lord's Supper. It was noted that
the early church took seriously these two practices and so should the church of
the 21st century. Both were modeled by Jesus, both were established by
Jesus, and both are to be embraced by followers of Jesus. As I reflect on today's
message I come away with a renewed sense of the value and importance of these
two unique practices. May each of us at LBF take seriously both something
to do and something to remember.
If you were in one
of our services this weekend, join our blog below with your thoughts and
reflections on the message of this weekend. What was one thing that you
heard that was new? What was one thing that you knew already but appreciated
being reminded about? What is one thing you will do differently
now?
Thanks for taking
the time to blog with us. God bless!
April 19-20, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching/Youth
The more I think about it, the more I realize how easy it can be to allow the "soil" of my heart to become unhealthy. There are so many things in day-to-day life that try and attack my heart and my attitude and my perspective that I must do something to protect my heart from all the attack it is under. Some of the attack we feel can just be the effects of living life and the normal struggles that most people have. There is also the spiritual aspect of the things that Satan does to try and keep the seed of truth from being planted in our hearts. I believe this is one more application for what we are called to do in the book of Ephesians:
Eph. 6:13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
What kinds of things do you do to try and keep the soil of your heart clear and healthy? How have you had to clear the weeds of your heart in order to allow God to use you and bear fruit in, and through your life?
The more I think about it, the more I realize how easy it can be to allow the "soil" of my heart to become unhealthy. There are so many things in day-to-day life that try and attack my heart and my attitude and my perspective that I must do something to protect my heart from all the attack it is under. Some of the attack we feel can just be the effects of living life and the normal struggles that most people have. There is also the spiritual aspect of the things that Satan does to try and keep the seed of truth from being planted in our hearts. I believe this is one more application for what we are called to do in the book of Ephesians:
Eph. 6:13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
What kinds of things do you do to try and keep the soil of your heart clear and healthy? How have you had to clear the weeds of your heart in order to allow God to use you and bear fruit in, and through your life?
April 12-13, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching/Youth
Evidence of God's desire for friendship to be part of our relationship with Him is found throughout scripture. Our willingness to embrace this aspect of our relationship with God can have a huge impact on the ways that we approach and interact with our Heavenly Father. Consider the following questions and let us know how a friendship relationship with God plays out in your own spiritual walk.
1. What will this mean for your relationship with God when you view Him as a friend?
2. What kind of impact does this have in the way that you approach Him?
3. What difference will it make when you talk about Him with others who don¹t have a relationship?
4. What kind of struggles and hang-ups are there for you in envisioning having this kind of relationship with God?
Evidence of God's desire for friendship to be part of our relationship with Him is found throughout scripture. Our willingness to embrace this aspect of our relationship with God can have a huge impact on the ways that we approach and interact with our Heavenly Father. Consider the following questions and let us know how a friendship relationship with God plays out in your own spiritual walk.
1. What will this mean for your relationship with God when you view Him as a friend?
2. What kind of impact does this have in the way that you approach Him?
3. What difference will it make when you talk about Him with others who don¹t have a relationship?
4. What kind of struggles and hang-ups are there for you in envisioning having this kind of relationship with God?
April 5-6, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastor of Teaching/Worship
How Do I Find Out
What Works?
One of the main
reasons Miriam and I changed from the church we were attending in 1977 to
LBF was on this subject of remaining in Jesus. I was at the point
in my Christian experience where I asked the question, "Is this all there is to
the Christian life?" I had made a friend who had the same question. We both had
a desire to see the reality of remaining in Christ a bigger part of our lives. That
friendship lasted for many years and made a big difference in my understanding
of how to remain in Christ.
That was 30 years
ago. Today I'm still open to learn new things everyday about how to remain
in Jesus. The one thing I know for sure is that the spiritual life is all
about Jesus. Those who try to experience the spiritual without Jesus will
not find the one true living God. If we want to become serious about the
spiritual life, it must involve Jesus. I hope these past two weeks have helped to
make that more of a reality for you.
What did you think
about the way I explained what it means to remain in Jesus? Did it make
sense? Have you experienced something that you could share on the blog
below. I'd be interested in hearing about your ideas and
experiences.
March 29-30, 2008
This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastor of Teaching/Worship
As I reflected on the message of this weekend, my first thought was centered on the name and person of Jesus. Why do so many try and explain spirituality by leaving out the name and person of Jesus? I have never personally been offended by that name, but it seems that so many in our culture ignore or dismiss or altogether reject the name of Jesus. I must confess, I just don't understand how someone could have a problem with the message Jesus brought.
I know that I have found meaning and purpose in life through the message of Jesus. I have found the answer to why I'm here and who I am and it all revolves around my relationship with God through Jesus. What about you? Why do you think others reject the name of Jesus or try and ignore him? You can respond by using the blog link below.
