Reminders

A couple of weeks ago, we had the privilege of gathering to worship with many friends at a previous church ministry. We always enjoy returning "home" to see familiar faces and catch up on what is going on in the lives of others. As the service closed, a particular song was sung...a well known, well traveled classic..."Be Still My Soul".

Sometimes, the road that God allows us to go down is challenging...that would describe our road lately. But the truth remains that God is still at work and He is with us each step of the journey. As I listened (because I could not get anything to come from my mouth without tears), I thought on the powerful concepts contained in the words of this song. Concepts like "the Lord is on my side"; "patiently wait in difficult times"; "leave to God to order and provide"; "He will remain faithful"; "He guides in the future as He has in the past"; "don't let anything shake your confidence in Him"; "on the dark path we understand better His love and His heart"; "someday a better time and place is coming"; "praise needs to begin now and be directed to Him". Great concepts that I needed to be reminded of and hold tightly to.

Read (and maybe sing) these words for yourself right here:

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. 

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
 
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
 
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
 
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Public Domain

Making Much of Him

These days I am enjoying some quality quiet time in my car during my lengthy travels back and forth to work.  It has given me the opportunity to listen to some great talks, podcasts and music.  The other evening as I made my way home I was particularly struck by a very familiar song from one of my favorite artists.  With my mind focused on this time of the year I sang along with Steven Curtis Chapman's "Much About You" and the words seemed to shine in a little different light.

As many of you may know, right about now my wife loves to have each member of our family set some goals for the new year (typical A-type)!  I always tend to hold back some, not because I don't want to accomplish anything in the coming year and not out of fear that I might possibly fail in completing my stated goals.  No, I think its simply because I am not an A-type!  I do want to have purpose in the upcoming year.  I do want to see all that God has for me.  I do want to accomplish some amazing things...but why?

I think for this coming year, more than other years in the past, I want to make much of God.  I want Him to be seen in my life (John 3:30).  I want to give Him more credit for what He is doing (Luke 5:26).  I want to be busy at the work He has given me to do, but not with the goal of bringing the attention my way, but rather His way.

So, as you read through the words of this song below, may your mind and heart be captivated as mine were and together, may we offer our lives to be taken and used to "make much of Him" in 2013.

Much Of You
"How could I stand here
And watch the sun rise
Follow the mountains
Where they touch the sky
Ponder the vastness
And the depths of the sea
And think for a moment
The point of it all was to make much of me
Cause I'm just a whisper
And You are the thunder and

I want to make much of You, Jesus
I want to make much of Your love
I want to live today to give You the praise
That You alone are so worthy of
I want to make much of Your mercy
I want to make much of Your cross
I give You my life
Take it and let it be used
To make much of You

And how can I kneel here
And think of the cross
The thorns and the whip and the nails and the spear
The infinite cost
To purchase my pardon
And bear all my shame
To think I have anything worth boasting in except for Your name
Cause I am a sinner
And You are the Savior

I want to make much of You, Jesus
I want to make much of Your love
I want to live today to give You the praise
That You alone are so worthy of
I want to make much of Your mercy
I want to make much of Your cross
I give You my life
Take it and let it be used
To make much of You

This is Your love, oh God
Not to make much of me
But to send Your own son
So that we could make much of You
For all eternity

I want to make much of You Jesus
I want to make much of Your love
I want to live today to give You the praise
That You alone are so worthy of
I want to make much of Your mercy
I want to make much of Your cross
I give You my life
Take it and let it be used
To make much of You
I want to make much of You
Much of You Jesus"

Lyrics by Steven Curtis Chapman
© 2004 Sparrow Song (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) Primary Wave Brian (Chapman Sp Acct) (Admin. by Wixen Music Publishing, Inc.)

Book Review: The Church Being Radical Together

I have enjoyed reading the straight-forward and "to the point" writings of David Platt. In fact, in light of moving to a new ministry, I have just re-read, "Radical Together". In this follow-up to his book "Radical", that was directed at individuals, he takes aim at the place where these individuals gather, the local church.

He seeks to answer this one question, "How can we in the church best unleash the people of God in the Spirit of God with the Word of God for the glory of God in the world?" He acknowledges that the local church can "actually prevent God's people from accomplishing God's purpose." From there he looks at six big ideas that are essential for us, as a local church, if we are to really accomplish what God intends for us to do.

The six ideas are these:
1. The worst enemy of Christians is good things in the church.
2. The gospel that saves us from work saves us to work.
3. The Word does the work.
4. Building the right church depends on using all the wrong people.
5. We are living - and longing - for the end of the world.
6. We are selfless followers of a self-centered God.

Through personal stories from his own life and his church, he sheds light on all that would distract us from being the people of God in this world. He reminds us of very familiar sections of the Scriptures that clearly call us to a seemingly radical lifestyle in our present-day American culture. Therein is a challenge to much of what you and I have been doing in our churches. This book is one that should be read and reflected on often by those in church leadership positions. I believe that God intended us to impact this world for Him and that demands that we be "Radical Together".

Note - for full disclosure - I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review as a part of their Blogging for Books program.

Book Review: Finding The Real You

I have been a fan of Mark Batterson since I picked up his first book, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. I enjoy his straightforward style of writing that makes it seem like he is sitting across from you at a table having a one-on-one conversation. Based on his other books, I was excited to open up Soulprint and see where the conversation would lead…and I was not disappointed.

In Soulprint, he begins and ends with this thought, “There has never been and never will be anyone else like you. But that isn’t a testament to you. It’s a testament to the God who created you”.  Through each chapter the reader is taken on a journey of self-discovery. You will be encouraged to find your “soulprint” by looking at your life through the eyes of God. Using the example of the life of David in the Old Testament, Mark points out how God directed David to fulfill his destiny and, in the process, shows us how we can learn those same lessons. Each chapter is full of insightful thoughts on David’s life, as well as challenging and sometimes uncomfortable comments on how we live our lives today.

Soulprint is an excellent, easy read that will challenge you to examine your life in a bigger, God-sized view. I would consider this a must-read for everyone that is looking to have their life make an impact for God in their sphere of influence. Through your own self-discovery, you will see how uniquely God has made you, so that you can live your life to the fullest and honor and worship the God Who made you!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Getting Ready - 2

Day 5
Deuteronomy 18:15-19 speaks of the promise that was to come. God promised that He would raise up a prophet that would come from among his own brothers. God also said that He would place His words in his mouth and that he would teach them all that God had commanded. This prophet to come is Jesus...He was born among His brothers (the Israelites) and He taught as no other man (He spoke as one who had authority).

Moses reminds his fellow Israelites (and us) that we are all "to listen to him". What a thought for this Christmas...that the reason Jesus came to earth was for us to listen to him. Not to question or critique or argue with what He said, but to listen to and to obey what Jesus taught us.

May we be good listeners this year.

Getting Ready - 1

Well, Christmas is almost here again. We prepare for everything...so, how is the preparation going for Christmas? I'm not talking about the decorations or the shopping, but rather, the heart...getting ready for the real reason...the Savior coming to earth in the form of man, a baby.

I, and others, are using a little guide to help us prepare this year. Its called "Christ in Christmas - Advent Devotionals". A simple Scripture reading for each day leading up to Christmas. I want to share my thoughts as I go through this process.

Days 1-4:
Genesis reminds me of the need for it all. Mankind was wonderfully created by God. We were to know Him and be known by Him. We were to enjoy an intimate relationship with Him, but that was all wrecked by sin. The sin had to be punished and that punishment is still with us all today. In the midst of God's dealings with Adam and Eve, hope is still evident...a promise is made...reconciliation is available.

As Isaiah said, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned...For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given...and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

WOW...in the midst of my sin, God still offers me hope, a promise and reconciliation. The God of the universe loves me so much that He would send His Son, His ONLY Son, to bring me back to Himself.

What a great moment in time, when God stepped into our existence to rescue us!

Sample of Catalyst Worship

Steve Fee & Catalyst Worship Band singing "All Because of Jesus".

Catalyst Reflections

This last week I received the CD's of the sessions from this year's conference in early October. It brought back so many great memories.

This was the first time I had ever been to Catalyst and it was all that I expected, PLUS so much more. God used the speakers to challenge my heart and my thinking. I definitely returned home changed.

I look forward to receiving the DVD's soon!