Annual Meeting

February 28, 2010, following the noon potluck.

I have written before about the questions that run through my head, like, if a person has amnesia can they have a moment of déjà vu? And where did Noah put the woodpeckers? I also continue to struggle to define the point at which worship begins.

I honestly believe that we can brush our teeth for Jesus (I know Shaun Windle would most definitely agree, he may even have a spiritual gift of teeth brushing.) I had a job in high school and sometimes the only way I could get through the days there was to remember that I am working for God and not the H.E. Butt grocery company. So what does it take to make something worship?

I also believe that it is possible for us to come to church, sing our songs, hear our lessons, and at no point enter into worship. I don’t know how many times I went to church growing up and that’s all that happened… I went. I didn’t grow; I didn’t even really want to be there. I had more fun helping out in the nursery than I did in the service. So was I really worshiping more in the nursery than I was in the service?

I always hear that it’s a heart issue, or a head issue with our attitude. I don’t disagree with that at all, however I know that sometimes we can have the best intentions, and a heart prepared for worship, and still… nothing. I have also not been ready for it at all, doing something completely random: driving in a car or playing with students and something sparks a moment of awe. I have heard that it has to do with those around us, and I can see that to a point, that our attitudes can be affected, so that may be part of it. But only part. David, Moses, Paul, and defiantly Jesus all had times of worship by themselves. So corporate involvement can only effect not create or destroy worship.

I didn’t write this down because I have the answer. I want to know what you think and how you back that up with the Bible. Feel free to leave a post or talk with me in person.

Sitting at my desk each morning I ask many questions. “Lord, what is it you want me to be doing today?” is usually the first question. Others may be, “Why am I here? What’s the purpose of life? Why won’t this silly computer work right?” But there are other questions that I have asked and heard:

If 7-11 convenience stores are open 24 hours, then why do they have locks on their doors?

Did Adam have a belly button, since he didn’t have a mommy?

If I lost my arm in an accident, would it get to heaven before the rest of me?

Is God big enough that He could create an item that even He couldn’t lift?

These are some of the more interesting questions that I have heard, but then I have heard some very important ones as well:

Why do I exist? Where did I come from? Who created God? Is there a God? How do you know? And one that I have heard recently: “Does God love me even though I have sinned against Him and have walked away from Him?”

There is an answer for these question found in God’s letter of love to us, the Bible. From Genesis we discover that we are created in His image (Gen 1-2). Through the rest of the Bible we discover God loving us so much that He works with us in giving us redemption and salvation.

In John 3:16, He writes, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

In Romans 5: 6-8 “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

So, the answer is a resounding “Yes”, yes, God loves you!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” (John 13:34-35, NIV)

“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1 John 4:19-21, NIV)

My question for me and for you today is, “Do you love Him?”

The February Newsletter is now online!

January 2010 Newsletter.

Jennifer Searby sent along this note:

Hi everyone- I know our hearts are breaking for Haiti. I remember when the tsunami hit and I was at a loss for what to do. Praying for the people and donating money to a cause seemed like the best two things. I remember thinking, “Well, how do I know what organization is going to actually DO something with my money?”

On that note, if you are looking to donate money to aid in the disaster relief in Haiti, I wanted to give you two opportunities that I personally have connected with.

Haitian Christian Outreach
HCO is an organization that I took two mission trips with when I was in college. I personally helped build the church/school in the heart of Port-au-Prince. The people who lead this ministry are wonderful and trustworthy people who will use ALL money to help those in Haiti. You can donate directly on their website.

Christianville
This is an organization that my church (Harvest Christian Church, Gainsville) helps to support. They have supported them for over 10 years and many from our congregation have been to their facilities located in Gressler, Haiti, about 10 miles southwest of the epicenter of the earthquake. There is an address on their website to where donations can be sent.

Thank you all for considering helping these organizations as they try to provide relief in Haiti.