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Last week I talked about how greed is an underlying sin that drives so much of the economic turmoil that our world is in. Monday I read that the CEO of Merrill Lynch has requested a $10 million year-end bonus, even though the company lost billions of dollars last year. That blows my mind.
Even in third world countries where there is so much poverty, hunger and suffering, the problem is not really a shortage of resources as much as it is the sinful greed and corruption that plagues many of these governments and leaders.
You see, the underlying problem in most of these critical world issues is spiritual – it is a problem of the heart. Not until the heart is transformed can society really be changed. All of the government and humanitarian programs in the world won’t solve the issues if people’s hearts are not changed.
That is why we place such an emphasis in our church on supporting mission work that brings the message of Jesus to people and helps them become established and grow in their faith. Your giving to missions helps lives be changed, which in turn changes societies.
Even locally, while we want to help families in need, we must always remember that their greatest need is not food and clothes. Their greatest need is for the transforming grace of God in Jesus.
We reach out to others in kindness as an expression of God’s love, praying that through that they come to know Christ.
As I’ve encouraged you to consider buying gifts that make a difference, or donate to humanitarian organizations, let me urge you to seek out those ones that also share the message of Christ. Two of the best are the Salvation Army and Samaritan’s Purse. These organizations minister to both body and spirit, and are not only about meeting people’s physical needs but also sharing Jesus with them. You can check them out at:
If you are looking for unique gifts that benefit others and are more than a cookie-cutter, mass produced product, you might check out the following. The one store is local, the others are on-line.
Check out these websites for ideas:
Blessings,
Pastor Paul
You hear a lot on the airwaves these days about surviving the holidays and dealing with all of the stress of the season. Everyone has tips for how to make it through the next month. How tragic!
What does that say about the state of our society when the time of the year – Thanksgiving and Christmas – that should bring great joy as we celebrate with our families, has now become something to survive?
I just found out two days ago that our Thanksgiving guest list has expanded with additional family coming into town. At first, I must admit, the thought of hosting twenty-two people at our house for a whole day drained the color out of my face and left me feeling weak. Just kidding. Sort of.
Admittedly I grumbled a bit at the thought. When you think in terms of the logistics – you know all the stuff; like a big enough turkey, mashed potatoes for twenty-two, where to seat everyone, etc. – you lose sight of the people. Worry about that kind of stuff sucks the happiness right out of the moment.
Therefore I determined that this is going to be fun. We’re going to celebrate. We’re going to be grateful. We’re going to enjoy our family, even the ones that can be a bit annoying. In fact they’re the ones who need to be with us most.
So, I’m not going to survive Thanksgiving. I’m going to revel in it and enjoy the moments that are really too rare in our day and age.
God has put people in our lives to share our journey with and tomorrow we’re going to celebrate God’s goodness and grace together with them.
May it be the same for each of you.
PaulSince returning from a week of vacation I’ve had one person tell me during a phone conversation; “You sound relaxed.” Someone else told me yesterday; “You look rested.” I’m glad!
There are times in our lives when we need to consciously lay our burdens down. I know, we’re supposed to do that every day. But sometimes you just keep picking up more and more burdens until the weight becomes too much. And the longer you carry a burden the heavier it becomes.
It’s then that I need to hear Jesus’ words; “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
I love the words of Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Last week was about that – running to Jesus; running away with my love (Jenny) to rest in the love of the One who loves us with an everlasting love. It is wonderful to find Jesus, his rest and peace, in the quietness of a lake cottage; in a good book or fun movie; on a long walk; in a warm embrace; in the adventure of the open road; and in the joy and laughter shared with family.
On our return from
And for a few moments all was right with the world.
Beautiful. Serene. God.
Pastor Paul
Dear Church Family
Well, it’s finally over. For good or bad, yesterday’s election was an historic day in our nation.
I’m not at all surprised by the outcome. I am saddened though that so many people have put their ultimate hope in a man. I watched the people gathered in Chicago for Barrack Obama’s acceptance speech last night and got the distinct feeling that this was a religious event for them. With adoring eyes they gazed at their “savior,” enthralled by his every word. It was almost as if they worshipped this man in whom they have invested all of their confidence and hope.
But our hope is in the Lord. If we believe that God is in control and that His Kingdom transcends those of this world, then we have to accept that He will accomplish His plan through all of this, whether we liked the outcome or not.
Don’t be surprised though if this country becomes less and less a friend of grace. Don’t be surprised if followers of Christ become the ones on the outside. Don’t be surprised if we increasingly become the despised minority. But please know that the Church has always been most effective in changing the world when it has stood outside the powers of this world and called them and all people to repentance and righteousness
I stand behind what I said a couple of weeks ago. “Don’t confuse the Kingdom of God with the kingdoms of this world.” Remember? Caesar is not God and Caesar’s kingdom is not God’s Kingdom. Barrack Obama is not God, and the kingdom of these United States is not the kingdom of God.
Some Christians fear that we are no longer a Christian nation (if we ever were) and thought for sure that God would rescue our country through John McCain, and put our nation back on the right path. But isn’t that equally putting our trust in a man and a political party?
Maybe we need to see things differently. Could it be that the only Christian Nation is not a geo-political nation. It is the Nation of believers who make up the Church worldwide, whose leader is Jesus Christ. This Christian Nation is the Kingdom of God present in His Church. We are the Body of Christ – a holy nation comprised of followers of Christ from every nation, every tribe and every ethnic group.
We live in two nations – the nation of the United States, and the Nation of God’s people, the Church. We live in two realities – the material and the spiritual. We live between two worlds – the present world that is and the future world that is yet to come. We may live in two kingdoms – the kingdom of man and the Kingdom of God – but we can have only one King - Jesus.
Let us pray for our president-elect and our country and serve others in whatever ways we can, but let us follow Jesus and work to build His Kingdom which is a kingdom of “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
Pastor Paul
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