Turn It Over

The other night my wife and I were talking and we began to talk about the kids and the school year ahead. This school year has us - and them a bit nervous. Shave moved to a new community - one that is double in size from our precious one - one that includes much more cultural diversity - one where they do not know many others. While there is excitement in this "newness", there is also some concern in all our minds. 

So, the other night my wife and I were talking about our concerns and stating that are most concerned about our oldest daughter - who she will befriend and how it might influence her. 

I told my wife, we will have to make sure that she is hanging out with a good group of friends. To which my wife responded, the problem is, we don't know who the good friends are. 

Hours later, as I laid in bed, drifting off to sleep, I thought more about this. It's true, we don't know who the good friends are - we don't know who to point her to  - but God does. And, if we believe that He is in control of every aspect of life - and if we believe that He cares for our children - and  if  we believe that He answers us when we call out to Him - shouldn't we ask Him? 

So, after talking to my wife - and after  worrying about this matter for several hours - I decided to submit it all to God.

Is there anything that is keeping you up tonight? Is there any situation that you wish you could let go of and find peace in? Is there a burden in your life that seems to weigh you down with anxiety or fear? 

Why not turn it over to God? Do it right away. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6 NIV

Glory Ahead

This past week many of our Washington Free Methodist Church family spent time at Wabash Park Camp at our annual Family Camp. Several days were spent in relaxation, recreation, and revival. Many of the children, teens, and adults participated in activities. Families, friends, and churches gathered for a time of food and fellowship. Several hundred shared in Bible studies and worship services.

Yet, it was often the little instances - the in-between occurrences - that caught my eye and stirred my heart. Sunday night I witnessed the teens leading the way to the altar in the midst of powerful worship. Monday evening, as I walked into the Pavilion prior to the evening service, I watched dozens of teens walking up and down rows of chairs, touching and praying over each seat and for the individual that would fill that seat. Tuesday afternoon I saw two small boys - friends - one teaching the other to ride a bike. Tuesday evening I watched the teens passionately worship in the front rows of the pavilion as the small children collected the offering. And Wednesday I walked upon a group of teens spontaneously sharing their testimonies with a group of children in the middle of a softball field. God was truly moving this past week.

And, as I considered each of these occurrences, one thought flooded my mind throughout the week. God has a great work to do - in our lives, in the lives of our children and teens, and in the life of our church. Perhaps this thought came from our Superintendent John Lanes' Tuesday morning teaching when he said "we are looking for folks who have not given up". 

I have made no secret of the fact that one of my top priority right now is to see our youth and children's ministries grow and flourish. You see, I have not given up. I pray that you have not given up either. And I pray that you will join me in this journey of reaching the next generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Further, I pray that we will allow the next generation to lead us as God equips and calls them to. 

We cannot give up. God has a great work to do in us and through us. You see, the "glory days" of the Washington Free Methodist Church are not behind us. As we witness and serve as The Church we know that God has glorious - miraculous - days ahead. 

Another comment from Superintendent Lane struck me this past week. "When we talk about the 'glory days' our children and our teens feel like they are showing up to Thanksgiving dinner late and everyone else has already eaten. Perhaps they're thinking; 'What about us? What is still left?'." 

We cannot give up. God has glorious days ahead!

Haggai 2:3-7; ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.

We cannot give up. God has glorious days ahead!

What Would You Do?

On Sunday we started a journey in a sermon series we are calling “On A Plane”. As I think of the scenario of being on an airplane and the level of complete trust – complete faith – that is placed in the hands of an airline pilot, I cannot help but think of being behind the yoke of a commercial jet myself.

Can you imagine the responsibility of having to navigate a commercial jet safety to the ground while the lives of multiple others rest in your hands? What if this responsibility was thrust upon you without any prior training?

What would you do? Do you take the yoke of the plane and try the best you can? Do turn and run out of the cockpit – I’m not the person for the job? Do you scramble around, looking for instructions on how to fly? Do you cry out for help from someone – anyone – “HELP ME!” 

What would you do?

Although most of us will never find ourselves behind the yoke of a commercial jet – having to navigate it through the sky – we all face situations – everyday – that are more urgent and more serious than flying a commercial airplane with no training!

What do we do? Do we turn and run – throw in the towel – “God this is not for me!” Do we look within ourselves – “I have all the knowledge and strength – I can handle this all on my own!” Or do we cry out for help from the God that has created us, the God that loves us, the God that is powerful enough to lead us through? 

What do you do? What will you do?

Faithfulness on the Water

I've read this passage multiple times, the account of Jesus walking out on the water in the midst of a storm. The disciples see Jesus and are terrified. And yet Peter - in midst of this storm, in the midst of the disciples' disbelief, in the midst of his own terror - calls out to Jesus. 

Matthew 14:25-29; Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

There are two things I want to point out. First, Jesus was about to pass by. He didn't stop until the disciples called out to Him. If they had not called out to Him, Jesus would have continued to walk and He would have passed them by. Second, Peter was the only one to ask to walk on the waves with Jesus. 

Tomorrow I'll be preaching on this passage - and on faith and faithfulness. Let me propose that calling out to Jesus is faith. However, getting out of the boat and walking on the waves with Jesus is faithfulness. 

I don't want to sit in the boat and watch Jesus move, I want to get out of the boat  and be the one that Jesus uses to move. 

Let me challenge you to get out of the boat with me. More on that tomorrow...