May 31, 2010 by Worship Director.

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.

When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.        - 2 Corinthians 1:4

Memorial Day was instituted as a day to honor military men and women who fell in service to our country.  More recently, that meaning has been somewhat diminished as we have begun remembering all deceased loved ones on this day.  During these times,  while many of America’s sons, daughters, mothers and fathers, are far from home and in harms way, it is important that we renew our commitment to support of both those serving and the families of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Let’s join together today in two desperate prayers.  One for all those serving in each branch of the military, that they may be safe and cognizant that we hold them in our hearts and thoughts.  We especially, lift up those that are “missing”, whose situations are unknown - that are lost, alone or afraid.  None are forgotten and all of them are appreciated and respected today and everyday until they are home again.

Secondly, we honor those that gave their lives for freedom from tyranny and fear, or in the protection of others. There is no higher honor we can bestow for such an unselfish act than our reverent remembrance. Yet, more importantly, let us pray for the families and friends of the fallen, those that are left behind with aching, empty holes in their hearts and lives, missing their loved ones who did not return home.  We pray for comfort in their despair and weep with them in their grief. Most of us cannot know their pain, but we do know our God has felt their anguish and can mend their broken hearts sooth their souls.

We close out this month of focus on our communication with God, by turning away from ourselves and toward interceding for others.  This seems a fitting doxology to our journey of seeking God’s will and love for us and His world.

Together, there is power in prayer.  Remember - every day - and pray.

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May 30, 2010 by Worship Director.

Then said Samuel to the people, “Come, and let us go… and renew the kingdom there.”   -1 Samuel 11:14

The kingdom of God still needs renewal.  During these special days of remembrance, we honor all those who labored for the kingdom, who fought for freedom, or who gave sacrificially to ensure His kingdom comes.  Some of us will say, “Come, let us go” and others, who can’t go, will provide the means for those who can.  But together, we will all see the kingdom renewed!

We lovingly remember special ones from our fellowship that gave the full measure of their lives in the service of the kingdom and have gone on to their reward!

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May 28, 2010 by Worship Director.

Jesus replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.                                     - Matthew 22:37-39

We know we must love God.  As the scripture says, this is the greatest commandment.  We certainly understand that we must love our neighbor - the second and equally important rule. Why is it that we miss the last part of that scripture - also equally important - “as yourself.”   While it ends the sentence, “as” implies that loving ourselves is necessary before we can  love others.

God expects us to have a healthy self love, not an inflated sense of self, but a balance that allows us to relate to others because our own self issues are not in the way. We bear the burdens of our behaviors, our words, our memories, until they shape us into someone we don’t recognize in the mirror.  Distorted self image can cause depression, psychological and physiological disorders, angry outbursts or emotional numbness, self-destructive behavior, sarcasm or indifference.  Not healthy and not useful to the Kingdom of God.

Most of our trouble with ourselves stems from our inability to forgive ourselves - for things we’ve done, for things we didn’t do but should have, for not living up to the expectations of others, for not living up to our own expectations or dreams.  We think that no one knows us like we know ourselves, knows our faults and secrets.  But God does. He knows every hair on our head.  He knew us before we were born and knows everything we think or do. And He still loves us; always…forever…unconditionally.  Maybe too much, too hard for us to comprehend.

Judas betrayed Jesus and set in motion a succession of events that changed the world. Bible scholars speculate that he was stealing from the disciples treasury, or that he truly believed his action would force Jesus to take a political stand and raise a rebellion against the Romans.  Whatever his intentions, it is clear that he was profoundly repentant, his grief and guilt inconsolable.  He could not forgive himself for his own actions, and he took his life. The saddest part of the story is that Jesus would have forgiven him - surely did forgive him - but he could not accept forgiveness for himself.

Then think of King David. He did horrible things.  He committed adultery, he schemed to hide her pregnancy, and ultimately orchestrated the murder of her husband.  He abused his power as king and sinned greatly in God’s eyes.  Yet, when he repented, God forgave David and he clearly forgave himself. Even after all that, he was still able to write the most self revealing psalms of praise to God, to lay his emotions bare to the world, and to be called “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14).

Start forgiving yourself.  Make a list of all the things that need your forgiveness; every failure, mistake and misdeed that lurks in your memory and causes you pain.  Pray over the list.  God knows it all, but it is good for the soul when we confess it out loud.  Then burn the list.  Watch it burst into bright flame, curl into blackness and die out into smoldering nothingness.  That’s how God sees those sins, how He forgets them forever - they no longer exist.

We are worthy of forgiveness.  We are much loved children of the King. Forgive yourself as God forgives you.

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May 27, 2010 by Worship Director.

The definition of a victim is someone that is harmed, deceived or injured by another.  It is terrible to be victimized. It is worse, when we give them the power to hurt us over and over again.  As long a we continue to dwell on the event, to feel those emotions long after the transgression, to spend precious moments or hours planning revenge, to let hate, bitterness or fear creep into our life and slowly infiltrate our mind - we give our power  away.  We give over control of our happiness (and our health by the way) to someone else.  The only way we can take back our power and over come harmful victim mentality is through forgiveness.  Not easy, I know.

Yes, Jesus forgave those that crucified Him, but He was divine you say.  OK, a high example to live up too.  But there are others we can look too - how about Joseph of the Old Testament? His family sold him into slavery, his employer accused him of rape and imprisoned him unjustly, even friends that he helped in prison forgot all about him and their promises to help.  Yet there is no record of him holding a grudge against any of them. On the contrary, the story of the reunion with his family is nothing but joyful.  All throughout his story in the book of Genesis, the scripture says, “and God blessed him.”  We never see Joseph feeling sorry for himself, playing the victim, letting others control his destiny.

Forgiveness is not only important, it it essential. According to MayoClinic.com, letting go of grudges and bitterness makes way for compassion, kindness and peace. Forgiveness can lead to:

* Healthier relationships
* Greater spiritual and psychological well-being
* Less stress and hostility
* Lower blood pressure
* Fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety and chronic pain
* Lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse

Forgiveness is the cornerstone of the Christian walk.  God forgave the children of Israel again and again.  Jesus taught to forgive “seventy times seven.”  The apostle Stephen forgave as he was being stoned to death.  We must forgive, not just to please God, but to live the life He intends for us. There is a reason for the old adage “forgive and forget.”  We’ve got to let go - to forget the pain, the emotion, the results of the crime against us - so that forgiveness can overcome the memory.  Memory is involuntary - forgiveness is deliberate.

Jesus includes forgiveness in His model prayer so that daily we renew our determination to let go of all those things that can stand between us and God, and the abundant, long and happy life He has planned for you and me.

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May 25, 2010 by Worship Director.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.  - Matthew 6:13b

The Lord’s Prayer concludes with a doxology – a final expression of praise and submission – as if to say, “Whatever, God. You’re in control!”  After all we pray for ourselves, all we request, in the end it’s all about Him.

This world is His kingdom - Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.  - 1 Chronicles 29:11

He is the ultimate power in the universe - We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, who art, and wast, and art to come, because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned. - Revelation 11:17

And His awesome glory was revealed in Jesus Christ, who lives forever - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only Begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.  - John 1:14

The great “I Am” is the only One worthy of our prayers and the only One from whom we can expect an answer.  AMEN!

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May 24, 2010 by Worship Director.

For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.    - Matthew 6:14-15

The verses following the scripture known as the “Lord’s Prayer,” are these lines which are meant to further define what Jesus meant in His prayer.  Verse 12 says “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”  When Jesus explains Himself (as He often did), He used the word “transgressions” - or sins - instead of debts.  It is interesting that these words would be used synonymously.

Debt was something His followers would understand.   Lending and borrowing were common at that time. Usury and unscrupulous financial behavior was also common and the penalties for non-repayment could be harsh.  Perhaps Jesus wanted to be clear that these sins against each other were also sins against God.  “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) - also a harsh penalty for refusing to give God His due.

We owe a great debt to our Heavenly Father for all that He so freely gives us, yet He cancels our debt just as easily.  Whatever words He used, forgiveness would seem to be the key.  Without forgiveness, there is only bitterness - against others, against God, maybe against ourselves.  Forgiveness is so important, that Jesus included this thought in His short model prayer.  Bitterness is a terrible, debilitating obstacle that blocks our way to God and the abundant life He has planned for us.

Yes, Lord, help us forgive those who hurt us, so that we can understand and accept Your forgiveness.

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May 24, 2010 by Worship Director.

What a day of worship, food, fellowship and fun!  May 23rd was a terrific kick off to summer at First Church.  The outdoor worship center provided an excellent picnic area, shaded by our beautiful old oak.  The playground in the back for little children and the open area for horseshoes and volleyball for the “big kids” made for hours of afternoon fun.  Everyone got into the spirit of summer - even some furry four-legged visitors!

Watch for our Fun Days to come and please be our guest!

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May 23, 2010 by Worship Director.

The “Lord’s Prayer” is found in both the New Testament books of Matthew and Luke - important enough to be repeated by both these contemporaries and witnesses of Jesus Christ on earth.  While Jesus gave those lines as a model for prayers in general (”pray this way…” Matt 6:9), the words He chose and the rhythm of the verse is so beautiful, so lyrical, it is little wonder that this scripture was put to music and has been recorded so many, many times.

There is something about the Lord’s Prayer in song that so succinctly demonstrates is meaning and mood - from meditative and reverent, to its desperation and urgency, to the finality of the authoritative power that prevails. We know that King David and others in the Old Testament were masterful at translating prayer and praise into song.  There is something about singing such words, that attaches the meaning to ours souls, where we feel the words with a depth that can often not be experienced or expressed in any other way.

Teaching scripture through song is also a way of learning or memorizing important concepts that has been used throughout the ages, in many cultures, for many subjects (do you remember singing your ABC’s?). Scripture songs continue to be heard today in churches, youth camps and even the radio airwaves. It is moving to the singer, and a joy to the Father to hear prayer in song (even if it is just a “joyful noise” at best).

So, sing it out - whether in your heart or at the top of your lungs.  You just may be transformed.

Never too young to learn the Lord’s Prayer.

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May 21, 2010 by Worship Director.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.            -  Matthew 6:12-13a

Debt – we’ve all got it – and we are easily tempted to incur more.  We live in a buy-now-pay-later society.  The scriptures address debt many times, advising both the debtor and the debt holder.  Perhaps the keys to debt relief are in the Lord’s Prayer.  Just say “no” to the temptation to over-spend, forgive yourself if you’re overwhelmed with your obligations and if someone is indebted to you – get over it.  Don’t loan more than you are willing to lose nor give less than you would ask for yourself.  We can never forgive or out-give our God.

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May 20, 2010 by Worship Director.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread.                                                      - Matthew 6:10-11

God’s will for us is gracious.  We have nothing to fear from submitting to His kingdom plan.  He does not intend for us to go hungry - physically or spiritually – we are children of the King!  Jesus showed us that we have the right to ask for provision, but asking must be combined with faith.  His prayer only mentions our “daily” bread – today’s supply – not enough for tomorrow or next week.  In His kingdom, we have grace for today and faith for tomorrow. Bring it on!

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