GraceAbility

In Matters of Taste

2012-01-03T20:53:00.000-05:00

God expresses himself and his truth in stories. The Bible, to be sure. But elsewhere, too. Many of these stories bear themes of redemption, grace, love, and home. I like stories like that. I eat them up.

To find them, I like reading books, watching movies, and viewing TV shows. I don't like everything I taste. I might not care for something that you enjoy. I also don't have time to watch and read everything. But like a recipe that's really good, or a restaurant discovery, it's fun to share what you like. When I find a book, movie, or TV program that I like, I want to talk about it.

Which makes people tire of me quickly.

So to spare the chatter, on Tuesdays I will write about what I like here. I'll attempt to give you a taste of the stuff that flavors truth and puts redemption on a plate. I'll also let you know what I think doesn't live up to the picture on the recipe.

And I encourage your responses and critique. As long as we all understand, De gustibus non disputandum est-- In matters of taste there is no debate.

Next week: the movie, Hugo.

Grace On Display

2012-01-01T18:54:00.000-05:00

Danny M. and Phil F. both put themselves on a plate today and offered us all a taste of God's grace.

It's what I love about GraceStories: God, reflected through a window, a moment. You can read about God's grace in books, hear about it in sermons, study it in libraries and seminaries, even meditate on it in Scripture. But then grace comes right out and knocks you on your can through someone's story, it's like nothing else. It's evidence that it's real, right here, right now, among us.

You have a story, too. Just as powerful, just as grace-full. Someone--lots of someones--need to hear your story. It may be the only way grace will have a chance to floor them.

Thanks, Danny and Phil.

And We're Off!

2011-04-24T20:47:00.000-04:00

The Lazarus Experiment 2011 has launched!

Sixty-three people, forty days, forty choices, forty ways to celebrate new life.

If you're joining us here on the blog but not on Facebook, please chime in under "Comments" and let us know what you're doing.

We already have some great things happening. "I love you's" being said, relationships reconciled and begun, hiking, photos, and dreams being pursued. Not to mention the wasabi sauce.

This is going to be great. Thanks for participating.

The Lazarus Experiment

2011-04-18T21:51:00.000-04:00

Sunday's almost here, and we're getting ready to start.

Last year we began to think through how Lazarus would have felt about life after being brought back to life by Jesus. What would he have done differently? How would he see each new day? What kinds of changes would he have made?

Lazarus represents the new life that is found in Jesus Christ because of resurrection. If we've put our trust in Jesus, we have the same kind of new life Lazarus had. Sometimes we don't live like it.

So, The Lazarus Experiment is a challenge to live life with the joy, the boldness, the courage, the perspective, the reality of newness. If you are up to the challenge, choose one thing to do each day that reflects the kind of living Lazarus would have done after coming out of the tomb.

For some context and ideas, read this article about last year's experiment in Plain Truth Magazine.

We'll be sharing our ideas, feelings, reflections, and insights here, and on Facebook. Look for us there in Groups under The Lazarus Experiment. Join us at Grace Christian Fellowship for face-to-face interaction each Sunday.

"Let Your Yes Be Yes" or Not

2010-12-26T06:42:00.000-05:00

Interesting article on Slate regarding the discrepancy between the number of Americans who say they attend church and the number who actually do. What does this mean about us?

Walking Santa, Talking Christ

Lazarus, Revisited

2010-11-16T11:33:00.000-05:00

At the conclusion of The Lazarus Experiment, I said there would be more coming from me. It’s taken a while, but here it is.

All along the forty days, one thing kept impressing itself in my head. It’s not strange that it did, because this one theme has dogged my life. It’s always been lingering around the edges, always haunting the inner life. In fact, I have proof of the longevity of this particular mind-shadow.

I’ve posted this picture around before. It’s me at seven years old, sitting atop my brand new birthday bike. But, while she was organizing our photos this summer, Linda took out the picture and looked at the back of it. In my mother’s handwriting:

Ronnie – Looking a little chubby.

Nope. Never looked at the back. Never caught that before. Explains a lot.

So lay me out on the proverbial psych couch and let us regress!

Not really. I’m not one for digging at excuses like scabs, seeing if I can make them bleed enough to build my self-pity and garner sympathy for my oozing wounds. I’m not going to blame anyone, or cast my problems out onto the relational landscape to see where they stick. It just is what it is.

A struggle with—weight, diet, exercise, health, overeating, imbalance, emotional eating, obesity—there are so many names for the thing. For as long as I can remember, this cloud has hovered over my head.

The Lazarus Experiment forced us to ask how we live life—second life. We posed the question: What kind of things would Lazarus have done differently once Jesus called him out of the tomb and the mummy wraps were pulled away? What Would Lazarus Do?

From day one of the experiment I knew this: Lazarus would not live with this cloud. He would not live a life that was not healthy. We don’t know what killed him off, but if it was anything that was within his own personal control, you’ve got to believe that on the next go-round, on the other side of the grave, on the resurrection rebound, he would not have continued on the same weary-worn path.

If Lazarus died because of lung cancer after a lifetime of smoking, for instance, I just can’t see him asking for a cig once the grave clothes were unwound. If he kicked off because of a venereal disease, I’m thinking he would change his wanton ways after he heard Jesus say, “Come forth!” Getting another swing at life would change your perspective, I think, and motivate life change.

Add to that the realization that Jesus did this, for you, alone, to his glory, and the will to change becomes even stronger. The idea of Lazarus falling at the feet of Jesus, worshiping him for proclaiming victory over death—YOUR DEATH—seems like the motivational equivalent of a power boost button in a car racing video game. Move over, Mario! Luigi’s coming on strong!

It just kept hitting me, over and over, that Lazarus would not have stayed obese if he’d died of a heart attack or diabetes.

Now—I also believe this: Lazarus would have lived life to the full. He would have loved and learned and labored and leisured like he never had before. He would not give up bagels. He would eat cake and ice cream. In fact, I’ve got to believe that one of the first things he did was sit down to a steak, medium rare, and onion rings.

OK. Maybe not onion rings. Maybe asparagus instead. And that’s just my point. Lazarus would have a new awareness of how to enjoy the miraculous gift of life in every way. Including health.

So, for many reasons, now is the time.

I’ve done it before. Twenty years ago, when Linda and I and three of our four kids pulled into Royal Oak, Michigan, I had just completed six months of NutriSystem and lost nearly 100 pounds. In those two decades since, I have found all of them, and enough new ones to bring me to a new personal record.

I was 35 years old then. Now I’m 55. It’s going to be different.

Lazarus would do it with grace. He would do it with the awareness of his value to Jesus. He would do it with a joy that comes from facing into the mouth of death and hearing your name called by the giver of life. It would be—fun.

I am fully aware that all of you will have advice for me. I appreciate your help. I know that you want me to succeed. I know the secret of weight loss: take in less than you burn off. Easy as pie. OK—easy as a cucumber. But the truth is I’m not after losing, I’m after living. Health gained, not pounds lost.

I also know that now you’re all in on this. So if you see me at a potluck with a mound of calories enough for a week, you can say something. Or if you invite me to lunch, steer me away from the buffet. You can steal the cream cheese off my tray, or slap the donut out of my hands. I know you’re watching me.

But now let me turn the tables on you: If you want to live your life like you mean it, like you are purchased out of the grave by grace, what would you never do again? How can I help you? How can I hold you to it?

Looking For Grace

2010-10-26T11:01:00.000-04:00

Over the last month, and for the next two weeks, we've been considering the way people look at the church. We've tried to be honest about some of the fails, while pointing to some solutions.

We've discussed Church and Politics, Church and Religion, Church and Isolationism. This Sunday we'll consider Church and Disingenuous Faith. And we're going to stretch the series one more week into November to take a look at Church and Corporate Culture.

I consider this series to be a stamp on us at Grace. I'm praying we come away from this month with a clear awareness of attitudes and positions we want to avoid. I also pray that we can establish a clear picture of what we want to pursue.

We want to pursue God, love Jesus, and surrender to the Holy Spirit. We can all agree with that, and use that as a starting place.

How that works out in us is a matter of grace. More than ever, and with a renewed sense of purpose, calling, and destiny, I believe God desires that we live out the nature of outrageous, amazing, shocking grace. Grace in action, not just grace on a sign or in a song. Grace with feet on. Grace that works. Graceability.

We've been encouraging that individually. How can we do it as a church? Is it possible that people would know us for our reputation as a people of grace - a people who live it out? What are some ideas you have about how GCF could power-up the Graceability factor? What are some specific, legitimate areas where GCF could do some Graceabiltiy strength-training, toning and growing our grace muscles?

Give us your ideas!

The Lazarus Experiment - Reflections

2010-05-17T12:17:00.002-04:00

Forty days. Easter to Ascension Day. Living like Lazarus. Or at least thinking about it.

Some things I did:

Day 40 - Enjoyed a second helping of the best homemade falafel ever.
Day 32 - Prayed for Russell's wife. (Russell from Survivor, who is a complete a--).
Day 31 - Kissed a beautiful woman. (Not Russell's wife - mine).
Day 25 - Burned incense while I prayed in my office. (I know - spooky!)
Day 21 - Held my tongue.
Day 20 - Fished with Jeremy. Helped Linda sell $200 in Yard Sale. Waved at boaters.
Day 19 - Not saying.
Day 17 - Told the proprietors of Big Apple Bagel that they make the best bagels in Mid-Michigan.
Day 15 - Took the day off from the Lazarus Experiment.
Day 8 - Windows rolled down:::Fifty degrees:::Bright orange sunset in front of us:::Juke Joint playing the blues loud on the radio:::Jono and I boogie-in' down the old Freeland Road.
Day 5 - At an intersection between Bay City and Freeland, at approx. 9:30 p.m., I did one of those "car-run-around" things, where you get out, run around the car, and jump back in. I did it alone, but with cars waiting behind me. They honked.
Day 1 - I took a walk in the grass without shoes.

This was so much better than Lent. Not that I would have any real personal experience, since I've never really done Lent. At least not the whole thing. Just like a day. Or maybe 22 hours. OK - 21 hours, 34 minutes.

Many people expounded to me on why the whole big deal was all wrong: Lazarus would not have been happy about being brought back. In fact, he would have been majorly peeved. Once the binding of his death-shroud was removed he probably pulled back his un-dead arm to slap Jesus up-side of the head.

"What were you thinking, man! I was just settling down for my fifth harp lesson, sitting there on the clouds all dressed in white, getting ready to really rock the house with my awesome heavenly fingering, and then I hear you call, 'Lazarus! Come forth!" And I'm like, huh?! And I tell my harp teacher, 'Ah, fiddlesticks!' because there really aren't any stronger words you can use up there, and I pull up my robe and walk on down to the gate. And Peter says, 'See you next time!' And then it occurs to me - I'm going to have to die -- AGAIN! Thanks, Jesus. You're a real pal."

(That's all wrong, of course, because Peter wasn't at the get yet, he was with Jesus at Lazarus' tomb, watching all the fun.)

About this whole "Was Lazarus happy to come back?" thing, I'll just say this: Life is life. God views life as really good, and death as a robber and a thief. We really don't know much about what was going on with Lazarus wherever he was after he died the first time, but I think he was happy to be back among the living. Besides, if we did the whole WWLD? concept based on the assumption that he didn't want to live, I don't think it would really be much fun. Kind of depressing, probably.

So, what have I learned? Here are a few things:

You have to plan these things. At least for the first forty days. I set out to do something every day that was out of the ordinary and distinctively life-affirming. On days when I didn't plan something, it was hard to look back and find something. Next time I'll make a list of several dozen ideas on day one, and then use the list when I need it. That being said, I like the spontaneity of ideas, so I won't stick to the list.
After forty days, you begin to see things to do without planning or thinking. That is a pleasant result.
God desires our celebratory worship, and that doesn't mean just singing at the top of our lungs in our cars. It means doing things out of our love for him and our zest for life. And when we participate in that kind of worship, it feels really good.
The best, most satisfying things I did were for other people.
From day one, I knew that there was one thing Lazarus would do that I was resisting. I'll have more to write about that later.

Thanks to those of you who continued the experiment, whether you went all the way to the end or just jumped in whenever - it still means something.

Next year we'll do it again. We'll be more prepared, and we'll give more warning. We'll offer ideas, and we'll provide assistance.

But if you're reading this, why wait? Ask yourself, "What would Lazarus (the post-dead Lazarus) do?" What would you do if you had life? New life? Resurrection life? What would you do if you knew death was not something to fear? What would you do if you knew that the friend who loved you, spent time with you, wanted to be with you, that friend, also had the power to pull all the sting out of death and give you everlasting life?

Jesus is that friend, and he gives that life. You don't have to wait for it. Ask him for it now. And if you know you already have it, live it like Lazarus.

WWL [NOT] D

2010-04-09T08:40:00.000-04:00

So, we've been thinking about Lazarus, and his post-dead reactions. I've had some very interesting discussions. I've heard some great things going on with The Lazarus Experiment, a forty-day adventure living out what we think befits someone who's come back from the dead. We've asked the question: If Lazarus had an after-resurrection bucket list (things to get done before he kicked the bucket--again), what would be on his list?

Here's another question--from the opposite direction: When Lazarus went to bed that night, before he closed his eyes, if he thought about the rest of his second life, what would he decide NOT TO DO?

Put yourself in Lazzy's shoes. Based on your through-death experience, and in light of the breath you are now taking, what would you resolve to NEVER, EVER DO AGAIN AS LONG AS YOU LIVE?

Come Awake! The Lazarus Experiment.

2010-04-04T08:10:00.004-04:00

When Lazarus came out of the cave after being dead four days, how did his life change? Use your imagination. WWLD?

From Easter to Ascension Day (May 13), I will be doing something every day that celebrates new life in Christ. It will be something I don't normally do, or it may be doing something I do all the time but in a new way. But every day for the next forty days, I will bring something into my life that affirms and accentuates living in grace, freedom, and joy. I'm not going to give anything up, but adding something in. Call it "anti-Lent."

Join me!

Why God Likes Emotions

2010-03-30T12:18:00.002-04:00

Starting April 11, the Sunday following Easter, we'll be taking a break from "Explosive!" - our study in the Book of Acts - and spending five weeks with our emotions.

Sounds scary, huh? We are taught to consider our emotions as a weakness, a liability. But is that how God put us together? What role do our emotions have? How could emotions actually help our growth in Jesus? Do strong, healthy Christians feel emotions?

Join us for this provocative and productive series. Worship is at 10:30 each Sunday morning at Grace.

Explosive Christianity

2010-01-28T11:01:00.001-05:00

Here are two interesting reads about the gospel of chain-reaction:

Charles Colson: How Christianity is Growing
Chicago Tribune

Help for Haiti

2010-01-17T18:28:00.000-05:00

Here are three agencies that check out as legit and evangelical for your gifts to Haiti:

   Samaritan's Purse
   World Relief
   Hopegivers International

Ignition - When God Detonates

2010-01-14T09:05:00.000-05:00

Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Amelith Road at Bay Road. Grace Christian Fellowship.

Talking Turkey! Day Five

2009-12-18T09:57:00.000-05:00

OK! Here it is! For all you vegans out there - the recipe for Tofu Turkey!

And to balance it all out, here's a video from Idaho, the birthplace of Frozen Turkey Bowling!

Talking Turkey! Day Three (and Four!)

2009-12-17T10:07:00.001-05:00

Here are step by step instructions for deep frying your bird.

BUT! Before you fry it up, watch this: Big Bear Fire Department How Not To Fry A Turkey!

Here's an unintentional turkey flame-up. Not a good way to cook it, not a good way to shave.

Want to make something for Christmas that is truly outrageous? Unforgettable? Over the top? Do a turducken - a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken. I know you're just chomping at the bit to get going on it, so here are the instructions - with photos! - for your adventure. (Please save me a serving!)

Talking Turkey! Day Two

2009-12-15T10:05:00.000-05:00

BAM! Here's Emeril's recipe for a Brined and Roasted Turkey.

Or, in a pinch you could substitute this one.

Talking Turkey! Day One

2009-12-14T10:50:00.000-05:00

Here's an article with practical tips on turkey preparation: Allrecipes Turkey Tips

Here's a video with a tip about thawing a turkey: Turkey Thawing

If you enjoyed these, share the joy!

The Star of Bethlehem

2009-12-13T07:16:00.000-05:00

Here's an interesting article by Dr. Henry Morris about Bethlehem's star: http://www.icr.org/home/resources/resources_tracts_whentheysawthestar/

Talking Turkey!

2009-12-11T10:59:00.000-05:00

Next week, Graceability will feature a different way to cook your Christmas bird every day! Check out the blog starting Monday to find some great tips and funny stuff! Pass it along to your friends!

Next Three Weeks

2009-12-10T09:07:00.001-05:00

Hey - Let's wrap up this season! The next three weeks at grace we'll be continuing our efforts at Building a Better Christmas. Here's the run-down:

December 13: Party Planning - How to plan the perfect party. How God planned the perfect party!

December 20: Talking Turkey - How to cook a bird. The bold, honest, turkey-truth about Jesus' birth.

December 27: Packing It Up - Cleaning the mess and putting things away for next year. Making Christmas sustainable (buzz word alert!) year after year.

Don't forget our upcoming Christmas events:

Christmas Caroling
Saturday, December 12
6:00 p.m.
309 Virginia Dr. Essexville
Call Heidi at 989-893-4652

“The Greatest Gifts”
Christmas Program
Saturday, December 19
7:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve by Candlelight
Thursday, December 24
6:00 p.m.

Wrapping Time

2009-11-27T13:49:00.001-05:00

When my parents were preparing to be old, they tossed most of the family pictures.

They were downsizing, something they had to do three times--homestead to mobile home, mobile home to assisted living, assisted living to Ron's house. They wanted to rid themselves of the unnecessary. Apparently, old family photos qualified.

As a result, we don't have many Polaroid memories of Christmases past. I wish we did. Photos are a way to wrap up time so you can savor it later.

How do you wrap time? Not only to preserve it, but to maximize it. How do you make sure there is enough time for Christmas? The real deal; not the glitzy, shop-till-you-drop, Hollywood-Christmas-Parade clone. Is there enough time left over for the Mass of Christ?

Building a Better Christmas starts Sunday. Come ready to wrap.

I Want To Live Forever

2009-11-13T11:23:00.000-05:00

Grandma B's favorite phrase: "It's no fun getting old, but everybody does it."

That's why they call them "the declining years" instead of "the exciting years." But for those who trust Jesus, a resurrection is always on the horizon. Shouldn't that make a difference?

Stupid question, since the answer is obvious. But does it work?

We'll talk about it this Sunday!

What Couples Need Most

2009-10-21T09:08:00.000-04:00

Last night at our Husband's Stimulus Night, Jay Laffoon challenged us to woo our wives.

We were all in. Can't think of anyone in the room who disagreed, or even resisted. Can't believe any husband would. The thing is - we were all there, all paid $5, all sacrificed an evening, because we want to woo our wives. Jay helped us know how to do that better, and motivated us to get it done.

The persistent dilemma, however, is in finding the time and energy to do it. This was especially expressed in the Q&A:

We want to spend time with our wives.
It doesn't have to lead to sex (not that we'd refuse it!).
The busy-ness, distractions, demands, of work, family, money, church, etc. make the time available to spend with our wives disappear.

What to do? Your ideas are welcome, so please comment about what's worked for you or others. In the meantime, here are some of my thoughts:

When you're juggling all those balls in your life, and it seems like your future depends on each one of them continuing to circulate in the air, it's the balls that seem optional that get missed and dropped. You've got a job, and the kids, and demands around the house, and other things that demand a place in the priority list. Dating your wife, or even finding some time to talk without distraction, seems like one of the easiest things to lose in the mix.
Whatever actions you take to accomplish it, time with your wife needs to be bumped up the priority list. It needs to become as urgent as anything else you do. More important than work, kids, and home repair.
Whatever actions you take, you will have to sacrifice something. (Sacrifice, according to Ephesians 5, is the very definition of the love husbands should have for their wives). Jay emphasized that the only relationship that should come before our wives is the one we have with God. So any other competing time-taker in our lives is fair game for the sacrifice.
Jay also spoke of Tozer's description of the Christian life: Magnify God, Mortify Self, Simplify. To simplify means dropping some of the balls we keep trying to juggle. You need to drop a couple of them so that you can pick up the one you've left on the floor - your time with your wife. Don't think that you can keep juggling all of them, or even add a few.
Your wife will see your sacrifice. And maybe that will help her to drop a juggling ball and make more time for the both of you.
Remember - Your kids need not only to have parents who stay together without a divorce--they need to have parents who love each other profoundly.
So, the question becomes--What are you willing to sacrifice?

Let me know what you're thinking. Women--you can chime in, too. And you can comment even if you weren't at the Marriage Stimulus Night.

Those Scary Flashy Gifts

2009-10-19T12:07:00.000-04:00

Next Sunday we're taking a look at those scary flashy spiritual gifts -- the ones that show up most often in "those other churches" where the services go for hours on end, where there always seem to be bodies laying around on the floor, and where the pastors are called preachers and wear white clothes and white shoes to go with their white hair.

Oh, the stereotypes! Stereotypes are usually earned by history and culture, so we'll talk about some of that.

But seriously - have you ever experienced a scary flashy spiritual gift? Do you actually have one? Can you tell us about it? You can do it anonymously here. Know this: your story may help someone else, so please let us in on your experiences. I'd be grateful if you did.

Ministry Muster

2009-10-13T10:10:00.002-04:00

We had a productive Muster Sunday! Two "push" ideas have been picked up by people who will run with them this Christmas:

Neighborhood Caroling - Heidi Tamez will be working on this one.
25 Days of Random Acts of Grace - Kaila O. has some great ideas and will head it up.

In addition, here are actions that have already been taken based on the Muster:

Website Traffic is now being monitored for BayGrace.org
Jay Laffoon YouTube is up on BayGrace.org

Thanks to all who attended the Muster. Thanks to Linda B., Trina S., Ann N., and others who helped with the food. Thanks to Linda B. for watching the kiddos.

Death Sentence

2009-09-30T10:50:00.000-04:00

Can a person really die by taking communion "unworthily?"

I Corinthians 11: 27-30

PREPARE FOR SUNDAY

2009-09-23T09:39:00.002-04:00

To get ready for this Sunday's message, read I Corinthians 11:1-16.

Dress appropriately.

Fleeing the Island

2009-09-14T11:02:00.001-04:00

Name three things you could do to get off the Evangelical Island.

Gray Areas Master List

2009-09-04T22:44:00.002-04:00

Share your gray areas! Got a moral dilemma that hard to figure out? Got a behaviour that you think isn't mentioned in the Bible but needs some direction? Got a friend who needs to know if something they're doing is right or wrong?

Leave a comment on this post with your example of a gray area. Even if you don't have one you're facing, use your imagination and make one up.

We'll be talking about them September 20.

Fun in the Gray Zone!

2009-08-16T19:54:00.003-04:00

So, the pastor takes $20 out of the offering and on his way home buys lottery tickets and a Slurpie. The Slurpie did not come out of the $20. The next day he learns he's hit the current jackpot, $250,000. Should the church:

Fire the pastor.
Reprimand the pastor and refuse the money.
Reprimand the pastor and give the money away.
Reprimand the pastor and pay off the mortgage.
Pay off the mortgage and give the pastor a raise.
Other:

What'dya think?

Six Reasons to Love Baptisms

2009-07-27T12:29:00.001-04:00

Baptizing people has always been on the top of my list for pastoral duties, but doing it in a public lake is even better. Yesterday Grace Christian Fellowship braved rough weather to celebrate a dunking at Haithco Park in Saginaw, and it was great. Here are six reasons baptisms flip my switch:

The excitement of going public. Even grouping up as a church on a public beach causes a scene, and there is a certain thrill in the outing of our faith.
The awkwardness of the moment. Let's face it, the whole experience borders on the odd: a man grabs a person by the neck and arms and offers some ritual words and plunges them backward into the water and pulls them out again and everybody cheers. It's weird, and it's weirder out in the middle of the world. And that makes it specialer. (If I can use "weirder," I can use "specialer").
The display of new faith. Most of the time a baptism happens because somebody has recently given themselves whole hog to Jesus. It is exhilarating.
Joy, joy, and joy.
The visible expression of real grace. Communion is a quiet, usually somber time to reflect on the cost of grace, but baptism punches all the celebration buttons; invite the family, your neighbors, bring out the food, splash in the water, make some noise, and PARTY! It is an earthly reflection of the heavenly party that happens when God redeems one of his own. (See Luke 15)
It's flat-out contagious. Baptism sparkles up the reality of grace in real time, and the bubbles spread around like champaign to tickle spiritual noses all over the place.

Some more info . . .

2009-06-08T10:08:00.002-04:00

Want to read more about how something good can "flip" into something divisive and legalistic? Check out my 2005 article in Plain Truth Magazine called "Never Trust a Skinny Person." And here's a place to get more info on Intuitive Eating. (I think this is a good approach, and seems grace-based, although the book and website is not "Christian.").

Do you have examples of other good ministries or efforts that can "flip" into splintering the church? Share them here!

This Is What We Should Do

2009-04-30T09:03:00.002-04:00

Every once in a while I encounter something I think THE CHURCH should be doing. Most of the time, it's not THE CHURCH doing it. When I first watched "Extreme Makeover, Home Edition" I immediately said, as I was crying, "This is what THE CHURCH should be doing!" When heard about Ashton Kutcher, Twitter, and the UN Foundation's Nothing but Net Campagin raising funds for the purchase and distribution of mosquito nets to refugees in Africa, I said, "Why isn't THE CHURCH doing this?"

Today I saw this video. And I asked the question again. What do you think?

For Your Day

2009-04-16T09:00:00.001-04:00

I'm getting on this bandwagon. Hope, grace, encouragement. I needed to watch this today. Maybe you do to.

Catch this YouTube. If you're not weeping in 30 seconds you've got a heart of stone.

What the LT Is Reading

2009-03-09T10:46:00.003-04:00

The Leadership Team (Doug, Arnel, Marty, Troy, and Ron) is currently reading a book by Dan Kimball (pastor of Vintage Faith Church) called "They Like Jesus But Not The Church." So far the book has stimulated insightful discussion among the group. If you'd like to read along, get a copy (call Brian and Betty at Living Water to order). We're reading chapters 2-3 for our next meeting.

Here's a link to an interview with Dan Kimball: http://www.northpointministries.org/player/722player.jsp?occurrenceID=3178&mediaItemID=3452

Here's the Wikipedia stuff for Dan Kimball: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Kimball

[Gotta love the hair!]

If you pick up the book and read along with us, be sure and tell us about what you're thinking. Use the blog, or email me, or jot a note on the InfoCard (that yellow, cult-like instrument of conspiratorial data-gathering found stuffed in your bulletin every week and collected by a guy codenamed Jerry).

God's Calling - Hide and Seek

2009-03-09T10:36:00.002-04:00

Yesterday we began an exploration in the ways God intersects our lives and communicates with us. I'm learning a lot preparing for these Sundays. It's going to be good.

Already I've heard from a few of you, on InfoCards and in person, about your own "messages." I'm interested in reading and hearing your stories, and I may share a few of them. (Keep in mind that I will ALWAYS get your permission before sharing anything).

This blog is a great way to gather accounts of God's intervention in our lives. So if you have a story about how God spoke to you, let's hear it!

Please pray for this series. Lots of people long to hear from God. I'm praying that they will.

Ron

NPC

2009-02-11T16:15:00.003-05:00

The convention has again proved itself to be the best in the U.S. Check it out:

- Nazareth - the comedian.

- The Sons of Korah -an Australian group singing only Psalms.

- Shane Claiborne - urban radical.

- Rob Bell - a message aimed directly at pastors! Whew.

- As We Forgive: A must-see movie about Rwanda and forgiveness.

- Bill Hybels - about listening to the whispers of God.

- Great worship.

- Being with Linda for four days--well, just us and 2,000 other pastors and wives.

- Laughing my head off, crying my eyes out, hearing from God. It's all good.

We'll be home early Monday morning. We'll be praying for Pastor Cliff and GCF Sunday - that God would have something to share with all.

Grace,

Pastor Ron

National Pastors Convention

2009-02-09T09:22:00.002-05:00

Linda and I will be leaving the house at 3:00 a.m. tomorrow to head to the National Pastors Convention. We'll be back next Monday morning at around 2:00 a.m.

We've attended this gathering a few times, and we can say that it's one of the best places for pastors and spouses in the nation. I'll try to post a couple times through the week to tell you what we've been doing.

Please pray for safe travel, for a good convention, for Grandma and the boys at home, and for our cars to work OK until we get back. (Actually, just pray that our cars get healed!)

Pastor Ron

God is God

2009-02-01T15:32:00.002-05:00

I'm very interested in your feedback to today's message. Please make a comment or, if you prefer more privacy, drop me an email.

Someone asked for the lyrics to the Joan Baez song, God is God. I like the words to this song except for one small part -- the bridge. The rest is good. Here's a link. You can even click to hear the song.

Have a great week. And remember, it's OK to jump.

For Further Study

2009-01-11T19:11:00.002-05:00

Well, C-Sunday is over. I want to thank the wise parents who made decisions about today with/for their kids -- Thanks for helping us be careful with God's word.

I'm interested in your input about today's message. As I mentioned this morning, we are prone to avoid subjects that are culturally complicated, and I'll admit to skipping over stuff like this in the past for fear of reprisals. I don't think that's good, and I don't think it's what God wants from us. I think we need to be honest with his word, and let him speak without our filters. (Not always easy). But I also want to know that we're doing it in a fair, honest, and safe way. Please let me know your thoughts.

Here are some scriptures regarding circumcision that you may want to read to look into the matter further. I've linked these scriptures to the online Bible resource I use most, Bible Gateway. (You can also do some study on your own by typing in "circumcision" or "circumcise" in the search box at BG).

Genesis 17 - Abraham given the covenant sign.

Deuteronomy 10 - Moses records God's plan for circumcision.

Jeremiah 4:4 - The circumcision of the heart.

Romans 2 - Paul diminishes physical circumcision.

Colossians 2 - Paul calls what God has done in a believer's heart "circumcision."

These three all say the same thing, with a different slant:

1 Corinthians 7:19

Galatians 5:6

Galatians 6:15

Next Sunday we'll be looking at Joshua 6. Get a jump on everyone else and read ahead!

Pastor Ron

"C" Sunday!

2009-01-06T09:16:00.003-05:00

This coming Sunday we'll be jumping back into Joshua, and it's chapter 5. Get your Bible and take a look.

Here's the thing: in order to talk about what's going on here without a lot of euphemisms and double entendres, we're going to approach the passage in a forthright, honest way. Which means we'll have to discuss the "C" word.

That's why we're labeling this Sunday's message "PG13." Our Children's Church program will be temporarily altered to include any age, and parents are encouraged to make the call about having their kids stay for the message or attend Children's Church for the day. Kids will be dismissed mid-service, as usual.

If you have any questions about the service, give me a call.

Grace to you,

Pastor Ron

The Thing About Rahab

2008-11-10T08:52:00.005-05:00

Hi.

Since the Bible never really covers some of the stickier issues regarding the story of Rahab in Joshua 2, I chose not to delve into those questions in the message yesterday. As I said, the point in the story is the decision by Rahab to put her complete trust--including her own life and the life of her family--in the God of Israel, the God whom she professed was Lord of all heaven and earth.

The questions hang around the story, although they are not questions put in the Bible itself except by silence. So the answers can only be surmised by our understanding of God, by what the Bible says about related issues, and by what we know of human behavior.

Question #1: Did Rahab continue her prostitution after the encounter with the Israeli spies? Why didn't Rahab repent of her prostitution?

We don't know that she DIDN'T, of course. We don't know what she did or did not do after the visit from the spies. So what can we suppose happened? What we know is that Rahab put herself into the care of God. She trusted him, believing him to be in charge of everything. What we know about God suggests that he would honor Rahab's decision of trust, and that the relationship thus established would have the result of Rahab's facing off with her sin and repenting of that sin. What we know about people is that once a true relationship with God is established, and as it grows, the heart softens in the gentle exposure of God's holiness and brokenness is healed. It is not a flippant assumption to believe that this is what happened to Rahab, either before or after the account in Joshua 2.

Question #2: Rahab lied to protect the spies by convincing the King's police that she had sent the two men on their way back to the ford's of the Jordan. Does this mean that lying is OK? Is it OK to lie in certain situations? And if so, doesn't that make morality subjective instead of objective?

Two answers are usually given for this one:

a. Rahab lied and it was a sin. God, in his sovereign power, still honored the faith of Rahab and the promise to the people of Israel and protected the spies in spite of the means Rahab used. If Rahab had not chosen to lie, God would still have protected the spies. Rahab's faith was adequate to believe God for her life, but was not mature enough to prevent her lying to the King's squad. We simply don't know how God would have protected the spies had Rahab chosen the more righteous path of honesty, but we know this is what he would have done.

b. Rahab lied and it was not a sin, because the purposes of God in saving the spies was more honorable than the deceit of the lie was sinful. In other words, since the deceit was actually an act of faith, and since that act of faith was in service of the plans and purposes of God, the lie was justified. The good from the lie trumps any sinfulness involved.

There are other examples of deceit used in the plans of God in scripture, and in every case these two arguments are proposed. Neither position is completely satisfying to me.

The first is sketchy because it doesn't answer the foundational question: If God could have accomplished his purpose without deceit, why didn't he just do that and keep Rahab from the sin? And if Rahab's actions were sin, why didn't God hold her publicly accountable for that sin so that we wouldn't have to guess about it?

The second option has its own trouble. If Rahab's deceit was not sin because of the ethics of the situation, it opens up the possibility of sin being defined by a person's own motives rather than objectively an issue of right and wrong. It seems to put sin on a teeter-totter with righteousness, so that if you can add something righteous to the sin you can outweigh it and make it OK. This ushers in the issue of relative morality, which always seems a little dicey.

Question #3: Why does the Bible leave us to ask/answer these questions?

This, to me, is the question that is most intriguing. It speaks volumes that these issues were left to the reader to ponder instead of God simply answering them outright. He surely knew we would ask! That he didn't plop down an answer on the spot gives us a point of wrestling. It may be uncomfortable and involve some brain power and trust on our part, but in the end it is good for us.

So, what do you think? Come on! Don't fudge. Don't be afraid of a wrong answer. What do you think?

Ron

Voting, Elections, and Grace

2008-11-02T15:00:00.002-05:00

Please note: no advocacy, advice, or political intention is herein provided. Just strong thinking and a plea for lots of prayer. Please don't use the comments for campaigning, but please respond with how your thinking.

Provided here for your ponderings--Links to some interesting thoughts about voting as Christians and the present campaign:

Watch the FIRST campaign "debate" at Saddleback Church, hosted by Rick Warren.
Jesus for President
NYTimes Op-Ed "Christ Among the Partisans" by Garry Wills
J.P. Moreland on trueu re: WWJD: How Would Jesus Vote?
Do Christians Have an Obligation to Vote?
Chuck Colson on Breakpoint: An Urgent Calling
Obama and Faith - New York Times
About.com on McCain and Faith

Coming Up at GCF

2008-10-18T12:01:00.002-04:00

Hi all.

The next two weeks I'll be away. In my place, John Davis returns to speak. I've heard good things about John's ministry in the past. Please give him a kind welcome.

On November 2 we'll be considering our role in politics and government. We'll tell you exactly who Jesus would vote for! We'll also be praying for the election and our country, and observing communion.

The next Sunday we'll get back to our study in Joshua.

Grace!

Pastor Ron

BAPTISM!

2008-07-28T11:47:00.002-04:00

Wow! What a great day for GCF!

Yesterday more than 100 people crowded the shoreline at Haithco Park as six people went full-bore public with their faith in Jesus Christ. They were baptized in the clear pleasant water, and when they came up out of the lake the crowd cheered!

As soon as I get some pictures I'll post them here. In the meantime, let's continue to be excited about these people and what God is doing:

Isaac Negranza
Ryan Kingham
Karra Owczarzak
Bradley Landon
Lesley Wager
Sue Townsend

Also, when you see my wife Linda, give her a BIG HUG! She's the one who put the afternoon together, and we all had a great time!

Pastor Ron

The Blues

2008-07-21T20:06:00.003-04:00

Hey.

What a great service Sunday. The band, as my wife says, was HOT! We are so blessed to have a great group of musicians under the humble and capable leadership of Doug. Thanks, guys.

Some of you asked me where I got the "Blues Primer" I used Sunday. Here's a link: Blues Primer. My special thanks to guitar teacher Stephen Compton for this hilarious bit.

Some of you also asked for the lyrics to "Evangelical Church-Going Blues," although I can't imagine why. It's the band that made that song any good! But, here are the lyrics:

Woke up this mornin, I was late for church (2X)
Woke up and realized I forgot to wash my shirt,
And now this wrinkled button down is showin all my dirt,

I got the evangelical church-goin blues. (2X)

Pulled into the parkin lot, sometin missin from my life, (2X)
Got out of the car and realized, I forgot to bring my wife,
She waitin back at home and I am gonna face some real strife,

I got the evangelical church goin blues. (2X)

Preacher at the pulpit, he got up in my face (2X)
He told me where I goin and he put me in my place
He said, “I want your InfoCard, or you are a disgrace”

I got the Grace Christian Fellowship,

Amelith Road,

Sunday Mornin,

People Lovin,

Evanglical church going (BIG FINISH!) blu—es!

Have a great week. Don't forget about our car wash push this Saturday at noon. Meet at the church!

Pastor Ron

Psalms So Far

2008-07-16T20:13:00.002-04:00

I realize the blog had not been a regular part of the summer for me, and hence probably not for you. But I've been enjoying the series on worship, "here i am," and I'm wondering how you are feeling about it.

Here's where we've been. We've talked about worship as the intersection of God's greatness and our brokenness. We've discussed how worship amplifies God's character, and in so doing diminishes our place in the universe. Worship is a humbling experience.

Because of all this, worship needs to be honest. In fact, any other approach to worship nullifies it. In other words, if you worship in deceit, if you're trying to fool God when you're praising him, if you "put on airs" during worship, it's not worship at all. You've reduced God to someone who can be scammed, and you've covered yourself in lies, and that's not worship.

And last week we looked at emotion in worship--one of the things that Psalms are all about. Joy, happiness, contentment, peace, anger, depression, grief, frustration, and even jealousy all show up in various psalms. Talk about honesty!

Here's the thing that blows me away: God allowed all that into the manuscript. God, through the elaborate and elegant process of inspiration, shows us how honesty and vulnerability operates when we come face to face with him in worship.

Psalms are the songs and poetic content for the worship of the people of Israel, and serve as a model for our worship. So how does your own personal worship, whether in church or without, compare to what's going on in Psalms?

Let me hear what you're thinking.

Pastor Ron

Next Up at Grace...

2008-06-01T21:41:00.003-04:00

New series starts on June 22.

Last Page of the Album

2008-06-01T21:29:00.002-04:00

So today we finished up our SnapShots series in Mark. I've learned a lot--I learn more every time I take a look at Jesus.

If your family is like us, you have a ton of photo albums. One thing about ours--a lot of them have pages that are blank at the back of the book. Maybe we're waiting for the next chapter.

So what's the next chapter of Mark? Where does Jesus go now? What happens with the good news in June of 2008? What are the pictures we can add to the album? Please let us know.

Betrayed

2008-05-19T11:19:00.003-04:00

Everyone who has ever walked with God has let go of his hand and fallen on their face.

Think of the heroes in the Old Testament: Noah, Abraham, Moses, David. All walked with God. All serve as models of faith. All took a tumble.

Yesterday we observed the reactions to people surrounding the Passion of Christ. All of them, to one degree or another, betrayed Jesus is his most dreadful hour.

These were men who had spent three years in close proximity to the Son of God, who learned from him face to face, who were priviledged to be on the inside track with the whole Kingdom program, but who, when Jesus was arrested, tortured, and savagely crucified, all ditched him. Peter even lied about ever having known Jesus.

So two thoughts come to mind. First is this: If these people could desert him at such a desperate moment, can we dare think that we are immune from the temptation to betray him?

The other question has to do with Jesus' reaction. Jesus was unable to stop Judas from making his horrible choice, and we don't know what Jesus would have done had Judas not taken his own life. But for all the other betrayers, Jesus offered forgiveness. He showed them his love. He went out of his way to help them understand his grace.

If Jesus would forgive his closest followers their act of utter betrayal, is he any less prone to grant forgiveness to those of us who are willing to recognize and repent of our own betrayals?

Think about your walk with God. Have you ever let go of his hand? Have you taken a fall? Has he revealed his grace to you? Want to share the story?

Next Sunday, we'll take a look at why Jesus had to die. Wasn't there some other way?

Coming this summer!

here i am-worship for real life

a series from the psalms

Surviving the Balancing Act

2008-05-12T15:45:00.003-04:00

Happy Post-Mothers' Day.

The day was great at GCF, and I hope those of you who are moms, as well as those who have moms, were able to walk away with hope, security, and a desire to just hang.

Here are some questions to spur you into inaction:

1. When do you chill? Is there a moment to breath? Can you carve out time to "be still and know?" If not, what's your plan?

2. For a tight-rope walker, the weight at the end of the pole provides stability. God's nature--the fact that he's in control, and he has complete and utter power, and he cares about you--is the weight at the end of our poles as we navigate through life. How do you get the weight of his presence into your life?

3. Sometimes it's necessary to give up. The demands of our culture on women to "bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan," etc. raise the expectation level to a fever pitch, and few mothers can pull off the act. What have you had to say "no" to in order to stay on the wire?

A NOTE TO OUR GCF FRIENDS: This week I heard from a couple folks who do not attend GCF but who enjoy keeping up with what we're doing here at GraceAbility. Some even use the MP3s from the BayGrace.org website and listen to the message before they read the post. I'd like to say a special welcome to all of you, and I'd ask that you leave a message and let us know you're out there in cyberspace with us!

Have a good week!

ME - Trying to be funny.

2008-04-15T11:08:00.003-04:00

I need to offer an apology. In my attempts to communicate I miscommunicated.

Sunday, after describing what Jesus did at the Temple, I said something like, "Of course, Jesus must have been sinning, since everyone knows that anger is wrong" and some other things along the same line.

I hope you know I don't believe that. It was said "tongue-in-cheek," but my tongue was not far enough into my cheek to let everyone know it was an attempt at being facetious. Here is what the Bible teaches and what I believe:

Jesus never sinned. Period.

Anger is not a sin. Period. It can be sin, but we're created in God's image to feel anger. Anger is a sin only when anger is broken.

As a child I was taught by good Christians that any expression of anger was crossing a moral line, and I've heard the same instruction given in word and action in many other settings in my life. I think the teaching that equates anger with sin (as in anger=sin) is wrong and can injure our health, our faith, and our influence. That's why I poked some attention at that erroneous teaching.

I love humor, but I know I need to be careful when I communicate so that my words are clearly understood.

Thanks for understanding.

Pastor Ron

The Mess Jesus Leaves

2008-04-13T19:40:00.002-04:00

Yes, we still have a blog.

Today we talked about Mark 11, the story of Jesus coming to the Temple in Jerusalem on Monday, the day after the "Triumphal Entry."

So what do you think about Jesus "going temple"?

One thing we didn't have time to discuss this morning was the practical implication of table turning in the life of a Christian.

Have you ever wanted to turn a few tables of your own? Is it OK? Or is this something only Jesus could do, since he was 100% God and 100% man?

If you think it's OK, under what circumstances is driving people out of the temple with whips considered good Christian behavior? If you don't use whips, what form do you use? What are good targets for this kind of action?

I will confess, I have done some temple-table-turning. I don't use whips. My method is usually words. I like to write satire. Sometimes it is sharp, sometimes just fun. But it's almost always aimed at the religious habits of the Christian culture.

What do you think? Is this a case where WWJD doesn't apply?

Next week a controversial topic: giving. The sermon is titled, Why Tithing is Sin. Here's an interesting article I wrote for Today's Christian magazine about a creative idea offered by LifeChurchTV. Click here to read the article: The Tithing Challenge

Bring your purses and wallets.

Pastor Ron

Back Where We Belong

2008-03-16T14:30:00.002-04:00

So, we're finished with Ezra. It's all about "going-away-and-coming-back-again." (N.T. Wright).

So what have you learned? What impacted you the most? What changes have the lessons from Ezra prompted in you?

Have a holy Holy week.

82
Easter
Erased

Pastor Ron

Coming Clean

2008-03-09T19:44:00.003-04:00

Hello all good GCF folk!

Today we had a great worship service! I think the GCF Praise Band is OUTRAGEOUS! Good job, Doug and crew!

We talked about spiritual DNA today. Let's define what we mean:

In the same way we have a physical DNA that is at the core of all we are -- the way we look, think, and emote, I don't think it's too much of a stretch to think we have a spiritual DNA that defines how we respond to God. Just like physical DNA describes our unique chemistry, so our spiritual DNA is the chemistry that is uniquely designed by God to enable us to respond to him.

Our physical DNA, marvelous as it is, was broken when the first man and woman sinned. That brokeness came from the sin and the "curse." In the same way, our spiritual DNA was broken by the fall of Adam, and our ability to relate to God has been marred. We call it our "sin nature."

Our spiritual DNA might include things like, spiritual gifts, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, ability to understand God's word, and other things. The weaknesses in the DNA--our sin nature--make us prone to sin. The problem sins, those areas where we are weakest, are the scars from that original sin that continue to plague us.

I think churches also have a spiritual DNA. GCF has a spiritual DNA.

So, what's in your spiritual DNA? How does it function? Where is it broken?

What do you think are some of the "genes" in the DNA of Grace Christian Fellowship?

Next week at Grace: we'll tie up Ezra, celebrate Palm Sunday, and talk vision. All three things; one message! See you next Sunday.

Pastor Ron

Does Separateness Attract or Repel?

2008-03-05T11:51:00.003-05:00

Sunday we talked about this question. I think it deserves more time.

Jesus, of course, is our model for what separateness looks like in real life. Jesus was perfect, as holy as holy can be, and he was a human as well as God. You just can't get holier than Jesus.

So, did Jesus' holiness attract people or did it repel people?

Depends on the people! Jesus' holiness attracted people who were helplessly broken. Those people thronged to Jesus. His extreme holiness came off to them not as a platform for condemnation or as a pedastal of pride, but as a balm for the wounds which sin had inflicted on them.

There was a group of people, however, that Jesus consistently repelled. These people were so inflamed by the radical holiness of Jesus that they grew to hate him, despising his mission, to the point that they killed him. Who were these people?

Largely Pharisees. Religious professionals. Holy types. Known for their separateness.

In fact, I was just reminded a few minutes ago that the word "Pharisee" most likely is translated, "separate one."

Blew me away.

That's why I had to write another post. Who do we think we are when we hoist ourselves onto the bandwagon lined up for all to see in the parade of holy people lead by the "separate ones?" I don't want to be part of that party.

There is, however, a holiness that atttracts. It's Jesus' kind. It is humble and gentle. It is honest. It is caring. Oh, how I want to be in that band.

Pastor Ron

Interesting Data

2008-03-04T08:37:00.002-05:00

Here's a glimpse of the religious picture in the U.S. today. Some interesting insights. Here are a few things that pop out to me:

Denominational loyalty is dropping.
More people identify themselves as simply disinterested in organized religion.
One interesting quote:
"Mega-churches succeed not because they are mega but because they have smaller ministries inside"

I'd be interested in reading your thoughts about this study and GCF. Here's the link:

NYTimes

Ron

Being Separate

2008-03-02T16:42:00.003-05:00

OK. Hard stuff. Lots of questions on the way out of the building today. GREAT!

Ezra 9 presents a picture--a template--to use to help us think and act on holiness. We discussed some of the ramifications at church today. How did you feel about what was said? Do you agree with my views on the church in the United States today? Do you sense that "there's a change coming on?"

Of course, it's easy for me to point the finger. And as we've learned, just pointing a finger at someone else's sin problem does not make the pointee holy. It comes down to this: what will I do about this? How can I practice the kind of holiness Ezra practiced?

Does this mean we never draw the line? Does this mean we tolerate sin? Does this mean that we simply ignore sin for the sake of grace?

As the Apostle Paul would say, NO WAY! Instead, we should humbly deal with sin in our lives, and confront sin around us in love and extreme humility. Whenever we sense that we're erecting a tower of our own holiness, we should be concerned. "Pride goes before a fall."

While you were considering these things today, did God speak to you? Did God give you any ideas that would help you and your progress toward holiness? Any ideas on how Grace Christian Fellowship could confess to the Tri-Cities area?

Next week at GCF we look at Ezra 10. Read it this week. Please pray that God would bring together exactly the congregation he wants to attend next week.

Have a graceful week.

Pastor Ron

Courageous Dependence

2008-02-24T15:08:00.005-05:00

What God wants from us is dependent trust. But not blind trust.

Ezra, looking out toward the west from the Ahava Canal, did not step blindly in the direction of Jerusalem, walking off to an unknown precarious future. The journey ahead would be hard and full of peril, but God had already laid a foundation for trust. Read through Zechariah 8 (NIV):

Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me. This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her."

This is what the LORD says: "I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain."

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there."

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?" declares the LORD Almighty.

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God."

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "You who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were there when the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD Almighty, let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built. Before that time there were no wages for man or beast. No one could go about his business safely because of his enemy, for I had turned every man against his neighbor. But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past," declares the LORD Almighty.

"The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people. As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong."

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Just as I had determined to bring disaster upon you and showed no pity when your fathers angered me," says the LORD Almighty, "so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid. These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the LORD.

Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me. This is what the LORD Almighty says: "The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace."

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, 'Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.' And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him."

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.' "

How do we know we can trust him? Because he's given his word. What promises speak to you about well-placed dependence?

Next Sunday, we dig deep into Ezra and into our own spiritual identity. We'll be taking a strong, possibly painful look at holiness -- not the easy, breezy kind, but the holiness that makes you squirm.

Have fun fasting this week.

Pastor Ron

Grace upon Grace

2008-02-17T19:10:00.002-05:00

This morning as we got ready to hit the ice for church, Jon asked me, "What're you preaching about, Dad?"

"Grace," I said.

"I should have guessed! That's kind of your 'theme' isn't it? Grace?"

Oh yeah. That it is.

Here's one to talk about. If you come up with answers, please let me know.

Mankind was made to live best -- to thrive -- in an environment of grace. But because of The Fall, we would much rather dig out of our situation ourselves. God has never abandoned his original plans, and has provided a way, through the sacrifice of his own son, to provide the grace environment for us again.

As applies to church life, how can we create an environment of grace in which people can thrive? Can we? Have you ever been in a place of grace? Have you ever been in a church that provided that environment? How did it work?

Next week at GCF: We'll open up Ezra 8 and learn about Courageous Dependence.

Have a warm week.

Pastor Ron

Facing the Opposition

2008-02-10T16:48:00.000-05:00

On the way out of the building today someone asked the insightful question: So what are we supposed to do about Satan?

Always a good question, based on the evidence. He's always going to try to derail God's work, and he does not want God's plans in us to succeed. So what are we supposed to do?

The answer is alarmingly simple, but not easy.

Imagine walking through a dangerous jungle. Alone, you are vulnerable and open to attack. But if you take someone with you, you might be able to avoid harm. If you are accompanied by a guide who knows the jungle thoroughly, you're even better protected. If you're walking alongside someone who created the jungle, knows every path, every beast, every detail, and has the power over every circumstance you will ever face in the jungle, you can be quite confident and assured of safety. And if that's the case, it just makes sense to stay as close to that person as you possibly can.

So it is with Jesus. We could try to turn around and battle the enemy on our own, but that's not always going to work. Instead, it makes sense to stay as close as we can to Jesus, who has already been victorious over Satan, and trust in the safety of his love and power.

How has Satan caused discouragement in your life? How have you been able to deal with it?

Next Sunday, we'll be looking at Ezra 6: "The Ezra Method."

Enjoy your week.

Pastor Ron

Celebrating With Joy

2008-02-06T12:07:00.000-05:00

Hey!

Have you been practicing your chedvah? Good.

"The joy of the Lord is my strength." How?

This joy that brings strength proves powerful when it springs up in a person. It is like a big wave when it multiplies through a group of people. Can you imagine this kind of joy invading Grace Christian Fellowship? Can you see what that could mean?

How does joy operate? How do we find it, grow it, share it, show it? How do we practice the joy that leads to strength?

Next week at GCF Sunday: Facing Off with Opposition from Ezra 4-5. Have a good rest of the week.

Pastor Ron

First Things First

2008-01-27T21:46:00.000-05:00

Hey there, GCF.

The first three chapters of Ezra provides ample evidence that the most important thing to the returning Jews was worship. If you combed through your life, would you find similar evidence of the priority of worship? Here are some of the ways the evidence showed up in Ezra. Use these categories to evaluate the priority of worship in your life.

The way you spend the budget
The way you organize your family
The way you spend your time
The way you use your talent
The way you express your emotions
The way you evaluate your life

While you're thinking about Sunday, on a practical note, let me know how you feel about the new InfoCard.

May you find grace this week.

Pastor Ron

Kids

2008-01-14T19:07:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile since we were in Mark, and awhile since we've thought through some issues. This one is simple:

What are we going to do with the kids?

That's what the disciples asked, and their answer was to send them away. Jesus got especially angry with this decision, and he rebuked his friends.

Yesterday at Grace Christian Fellowship we talked about what we "do" with kids. Here are some questions I asked that we need to answer:

How do we welcome kids? How do we show children hospitality?
How do we protect the hearts of kids? Are we reactive or proactive?
How are we clearing the pathway to Jesus for kids? What obstacles are we removing?
How are we blessing children? What does it mean to "bless" kids?

Ironic that when we were setting up tables for our ministry meeting, we used the tables the kids needed to eat on. I never considered that they would need the tables more than the adults.

The answers to these questions have to do with Grace Christian Fellowship's overall approach and philosophy of children's ministry. Do we see our role as glorified babysitters, caring for the kids so their parents can be spiritually fed? Or do we see children's ministry as actual ministry to children?

Or we could approach it this way: Would we have ministry to children if none of the adults at our church had children? Hmmm....

"Jesus said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

What do you think? What do we do with the kids?

Have a great week. Next Sunday, the beginning of an exciting new series, "Back Where We Belong."

Pastor Ron

Birthday Cards to Jesus

2007-12-17T10:00:00.000-05:00

At our "UNPLUGGED" Christmas Eve Service (6:00 p.m.) we'll be reading some birthday cards to Jesus. This is not just a kids' project, so adults please put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and let Jesus know what you think about him. You can post your thoughts right here on the blog in the form of a comment.

Next Sunday at GCF: Don't miss a special video, "The 12 Crazy Days of Christmas." We'll have great music by the band, and a message called "Unwrapping Christmas."

Growing Up Christian

2007-12-10T10:29:00.000-05:00

We looked yesterday at Mark 6-9 to discover any pattern in the way Jesus helps his followers grow in their relationship with him. These chapters in Mark focus on Jesus' disciples and their progress in coming to understand: 1) Who Jesus was, 2) What he was up to, and 3) How they were a part of it all. The word that, to me, best describes Jesus' method (if we can even call what he does with his disciples a "method)," is IMPROVISATION.

The word, improvise, comes from the word, improve. So it makes sense that improvisation is the means for improvement. That's one reason I like the idea of improv discipleship.

To review what we talked about Sunday, and hopefully to simplify it all, here is a quick definition of improv discipleship:

On-the-fly, talk-&-walk process. Learning to follow Jesus is not a lecture class, or university degree program, but an apprenticeship.

Individualized. The process of Christian growth is tied to progress, and the content for study is derived from the real needs of the growing disciple.

Just-in-time. Jesus did not dump the whole load of truth and expectation on his disciples all at once--they'd have never survived the weight! But he helped them, step by step, come to understand who he was, what he'd come to do, and how they would be a part of it all.

Repetition and flexibility. For the disciples, there were lessons that needed to be repeated several times, and even then they were not able to put it all together. The two mass meals of loaves and fish show that learning the lessons of following Jesus must often be repeated, and behavior must accompany knowledge.

Willow Creek Community Church, known for its seeker-driven methodology, has recently admitted that some of the programs they've used for spiritual growth have not worked. Bill Hybels, their founding pastor, said the following:

We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between service, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.

(For more info about Willow Creek's study, see this blog post, Out of Ur. Before drawing conclusions about Willow Creek's seeker-driven ministry style, you may want to read their entire study and findings in the new book, Reveal. Also, the authors of Reveal have a website with the same name which prompts discussion of the issue of spiritual growth, discipleship, and church "programs." It's a very interesting site, with lots of info and material GCF may use in the future. Here's the site: REVEAL)

What do you think of the idea of improvisational discipleship? Let me know.

Next Sunday at GCF: Christmas Contagion--The Problem with Good News.

Becoming Mr. Clean

2007-11-25T19:06:00.000-05:00

Whoa!

We've got a lot to think about! I'd like to hear your responses to today's message. Here's a short synopsis . . .

When confronted by religious-types about his disciples not following the rules, Jesus responds by pointing out the shallow nature of the religious leaders' holiness. He accused them of creating man-made rules as measurements of holiness rather than the commands of God. He accused them of finding loop holes around real holiness. He accused them of boiling holiness down to what we look like and what we do rather than who we are.

Jesus later taught his disciples an overriding principle regarding holiness: it's not what goes in, but what comes out that defiles.

We often blame our sin on external circumstances - the portions were too big, the billboard too sexy, the watercooler friends too ready with juicy gossip. Jesus said that we can't blame what's on the outside; we need to look at our hearts.

Some parts of the message demand talking through, so get your small group in on the discussion, or invite a friend to lunch and thrash it out. Here are some questions to prompt your discussion:

Have you thought about holiness in this way before? If not, what was different?
We have lots of ways that we bend holiness to make it more comfortable or easier. Where have you seen evidence of this?
Have you been guilty of making holiness easier? How?
What role does "the world" play in our sin? Can we blame the world for our sin? Is it easier to sin now than it was fifty years ago? Why or why not?
How do we become holy?
Do you agree or disagree with my statement: "It is possible to be smoke, drink, swear, and dance and be holy"?

Now, about Mark 7:16, the missing verse: the best manuscripts of the early versions of the book of Mark do not include this verse. The verse reads: "If a man has ears to hear, let him hear." Of course, Jesus said this many times. It does seem a little out of place here, but being out of place is not a good reason to remove it. The fact remains that it's just not supported in the best manuscripts, so the NIV just dropped it.

Grace to you!

Pastor Ron

Sheep Tending 101

2007-11-19T08:36:00.000-05:00

So . . .

If you're still attending Grace Christian Fellowship after hearing that you may need to give up your handy-dandy parking space, or that you'll have to start shopping around for a new seat in the auditorium closer to the front, or that the cabinet cleaning you've been putting off for so long is now on the front burner, congratulations.

On the blog this week I want you to tell me what God is saying to you about the future of Grace Christian Fellowship. Leave a comment here and let us know what you think GCF will look like five years from now, 2012. Dream God's dream for our church.

Here is a question to think through and talk about:

Yesterday we took a look at one of the BIG DEAL miracles of Jesus, the Feeding of the Five Thousand (Men). While the miracle Jesus did was amazing, it was the lesson for his twelve close friends that may have changed the course of human history. It's one thing to feed 10,000 hungry people in the middle of nowhere. It's another thing to teach twelve guys the importance of compassion, comfort, and the provision of God.

There were, however, some blatant contradictions in the message yesterday. I hope you discovered them and have thought about them. They are nagging questions that the church has struggled with since its beginning. But it's a good struggle, and one which always bears fruit. Here's one issue:

In the Old Testament, God sets up operations in a central location within a certain people group: his Presence in his Temple in Jerusalem among the people of Israel. The direction was from outside to inside. Even the Temple architecture featured this general direction: from the outer courtyards in toward the Holy of Holies.

The New Testament brings a change in the direction of God's mission. Instead of the arrows pointing in, the arrows point out. Jesus, instead of setting up a base camp in Jerusalem, travels throughout the countryside, and he himself is homeless. When he entrusts ministry to his disciples, he does not suggest building a synagogue and inviting people in. He sends his disciples out two by two into the towns and villages. When Jesus described his mission to his disciples on the last day of his earthly ministry, his instructions did not include going back to Jerusalem and starting a ministry resource center, or throwing open the doors to a megachurch. His direction was outward bound: go (from here) into all the world and present this good news.

Here's the contradiction: we still gather into churches. In fact, most of the practical suggestions we talked about yesterday as ways to accommodate visitors implied that the most important thing for us to be doing is getting people in. Whereas Jesus tells us to be sending people out.

So, (finally!), here's something to talk about: Which is it, in or out? What does God want us to do?

Next Sunday we'll be taking a look at the teaching of Jesus about holiness in Mark 7. The message is called, Becoming Mr. Clean.

Have a thoughtful, family enriched Thanksgiving holiday.

Pastor Ron

Taking Jesus on Faith

2007-11-12T14:37:00.000-05:00

I hope you're having a good week.

Sunday's message challenged what we think about faith. We examined the "faith-sandwich" in Mark 5, where Jairus' journey with Jesus to heal his dying daughter is interrupted by a woman who sneaks up to Jesus in order to touch his robe and be healed herself. There are some interesting contrasts between these two people:

Jairus boldly cries out to Jesus to come to his house...The woman sneaks to Jesus without him knowing.

Jairus stares down significant obstacles but still believes Jesus...The woman is scared beyond belief and embarrassed at her need.

Jairus is bold enough to believe that Jesus would follow him to his house...The woman is timid enough to believe that if Jesus knew she was asking for help, he would deny it.

Jairus knows that Jesus must touch his daughter. (Interesting that he doesn't just ask Jesus for his coat!)...The woman believes that Jesus' coat has power enough to take care of her. (Very shaky theology).

Yet, who is the one whom Jesus commends for their faith?

Remember, faith has very little to do with the one who has it; It has everything to do with where it is put.

Where is your faith?

Next Sunday: smoked salmon and whole wheat--Jesus teaches his disciples a lesson in hospitality.

Grace to you,

Pastor Ron

thirsty

2007-11-05T21:18:00.000-05:00

Hi.

Our communion service yesterday focused on our thirst for God. We talked about how physical thirst mirrors spiritual thirst, and how that thirst drives us to God.

I'd like to know your story. How did your spiritual thirst drive you to Christ? How did he satisfy your thirsty soul? What helps you stay hydrated?

May you have a saturated week. Next Sunday we're back in Mark, chapter 5, thinking about faith.

Pastor Ron

Where Demons Dwell

2007-10-28T22:20:00.000-04:00

BOO!

OK. Not too scary.

Today at GCF we talked about Halloween. For Christians, the issue can be a sensitive one, so before you answer these questions, please remember to be respectful of other's viewpoints. Here are a few questions about the day:

What do you remember from when you were a kid about Halloween?
Where do you draw the lines for Halloween? Are the lines different now than when you were a kid? Why?

As we discussed this morning, Satan and his henchmen are the sponsors of damage, and they plot to disrupt God's plans for humanity, as well as his plans for you. The Bible says Satan is crafty. I believe he sometimes uses tactics to distract us with minor squabbles while he stirs up big problems in other areas of our lives, like a boxer who jabs with his left hand while preparing a major assault on his opponent with his right. Think about these questions:

Where have you seen the evidence of Satan's damage?
Have you ever noticed the strategy of distraction? How did it happen?

This morning we settled on the one single thing that always sends the enemy packing: complete surrender to Christ. Like the man in the Gerasenes, we can experience dramatic victory and freedom when we allow Jesus Christ to reign in us.

How has Jesus broken a pattern of damage in your life?
Jesus encouraged the man to tell his story. What's your story?

Next Sunday we will celebrate the Communion. Our theme for the service is "THIRSTY."

Have a good week, GCF!

Pastor Ron

The Authorities, The Crowd, and The Disciples

2007-10-14T22:12:00.000-04:00

Hi, GCF!

Glad you're here with us.

Here are some things to think about based on today's message:

1. We talked about three disctinct groups of people that Mark refers to often in his gospel. Have you ever attended a church that seems to mirror any of the three group types?

Religious Authorities: This group seems to have it all together - they have a spiritual confidence that points to their strong opinion that they are God's real favorites. They professionals when it comes to religion -- doing things that make it look like they are God's VIPs.

Crowd: This group wants Jesus to perform for them. They want Jesus in their lives and in their towns as long as he meets their expectations and doesn't rock the boat. They want Jesus to solve all their problems and take care of the political mess their country is in.

Disciples: This group follows Jesus, but they are sometimes confused, sometimes fail, and sometimes lack the faith needed. But in spite of their weaknesses, they take one step after the other and make progress in their walk with God.

2. Easy question: What kind of church do you think GCF should be?

3. Harder question: What can you do to make that happen?

Feel free to leave a comment or a question. And if you want to get a notice when the blog is updated, sign up with ATOM below.

Have a good week.

Pastor Ron

Jogging Our Memories

2007-10-07T20:29:00.000-04:00

Hi, gang.

Here's the first blog post for GCF and the new interactive space. This is a place to give feedback, ask questions, and access thought prompters from each Sunday message.

Today we looked at I Corinthians 11 where Paul gives instructions for celebrating The Lord's Table. Here are some questions to think about to take the message a step further:

What do you think the first communion was like? How would the disciples who were there react to our communion traditions?
What was the most meaningful communion service in which you participated? Why did it make an impression?
How can the celebration of The Lord's Table be more meaningful? What could you do to make the monthly observing of the communion more significant? How could you remember Jesus better?

Hope these questions help. If you come up with some interesting answers, let me know. If you have any comments or questions, I'd love to hear from you.

Pastor Ron