It’s not uncommon for God to call us to something that will move us out of our comfort zone. In other words, God’s direction for us could possibly make us feel a little bit scared—think about Moses, Jonah, Esther, David, Paul, etc… Part of the reason for this is that God wants us to learn to trust Him in situations where it isn’t necessarily easy to trust Him.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Do You Have Confidence And Assurance of God's Love?
Many people find that they are more prone to fear as they get older. The experiences of life have shown them many ways that things can go badly, and this can produce fear. So our confidence and assurance of God’s love for us is very important. As you know, God’s love is perfect. “…Perfect love drives out fear…” 1John 4:18. You remember that God really loves you…right?
Monday, August 29, 2011
Where Does Truth Originate?
All Truth originates with God and is found in God. He is the source of truth. There is no falsehood in God and there can be no deception in Him. If we want to know the ultimate truth, we have to look to God. The truth is found in Him because He is first in all things.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Where Does Love Thrive?
In what kind of environment does love thrive? Answer: An environment of grace, truth and humility. Because of WHO Jesus is, it is the authentic presence of Christ in people’s lives that helps to create environments of grace, truth and humility.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
We Wouldn't Like Being Completely Independent From Other People
Sometimes we imagine the ideal life as the achievement of complete and total independence from other people. But the truth is that if we could achieve such a thing—we can’t—but if we could, we would find that to be empty and hollow. We were not designed by our maker to live totally independent from others; it would not bring true joy or satisfaction. We need each other.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Sometimes We Have To Let People Make A Few Mistakes
Sometimes the ones we love benefit when we give them room. In fact, sometimes we even need to give those we love room to fall down and make mistakes—rather than run “rescue missions” for them—because those falling down experiences are necessary in order for them to learn. This can be hard to do, but real love is willing to do the difficult things.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
E-Flash From Dan, August 25, 2011
Dear E-Flash Friends;
Recently, I heard a very smart and learned man state that the deepest questions of life have to do with these four issues:
1. Origin -- How did I come to be?
2. Meaning -- What is the meaning and purpose for which I exist?
3. Morality -- How do I define and separate right from wrong?
4. Destiny -- What happens when we die?
This year, for our Fall Kick-Off, we will be starting a new series on Sunday morning entitled: The Meaning of Life. This series will involve a study of the book of Ecclesiastes and it will lead us to consider a number of aspects of these 4 deep questions of life.
Our Fall Kick-Off starts on Sunday, September 11th. The message for Sept. 11, “Is Life Meaning-LESS or Meaning-FULL?” I really hope you can be here. We want to start our new ministry season with excitement, high participation and a passionate desire to help people connect meaningfully with the God who loves them!
Whew! I need to catch my breath. I got myself so excited thinking about it that I just went outside and ran around the church a couple of times. That doesn’t appear to have helped me in any way. But see? That’s an example of how thrilled I am!
Okay, I have calmed down a bit, now.
Let’s pray that God will bring people to mind and stir up conversations with friends, neighbors and co-workers that could lead to inviting folks to the Fall Kick-Off! I honestly believe it’s going to be a terrific time of praising God! I have seen firsthand examples of God changing the lives of people through the ministry of our church and He’s not done yet. There are many more transformed lives still to come!
By the way, since I was also talking about this Sunday, August 28th… (see how I made that subtle transition?) We’re going to look at the story of Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus, this week. Talk about a transformation! Jesus brings transformation and salvation to Zacchaeus’ life. It’s a cool story about the life-changing work of the most fantastic person who has ever lived. Hope you can be here this Sunday, too. (Come on, what are you possibly going to do that could be better than being at church this Sunday?)
Um… I’m going to request that you don’t spend a lot of time thinking about that last question.
Blessings,
Dan
Does Objective Truth Exist?
Christians believe there is such a thing as real objective truth. By “objective truth” we mean there is truth that exists independent of whether you and I believe it, or not. “…The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” –Jesus, John 18:37
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Hearing Criticisms And Still Having A Loving Tender Heart
A significant challenge for followers of Jesus is to be able to hear criticisms and other forms of negative words from others without blowing up or engaging in vengeful types of retaliation. At the same time, however, it’s important for our hearts to remain soft and tender. We don’t want to become hard-hearted. This requires much prayer and trust in God along with the help and power of God’s Holy Spirit.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Jesus Is Anointed By A Sinful Woman -- Audio Message
There was a TV preacher who, in the late 1980's, was caught red-handed in a sex scandal. It was a big deal for him, obviously, and he made an emotional public confession of his sins. It was all pretty famous at the time.
Before any of this happened, I would be flipping through the channels and I would see him preach from time to time...
Click here for audio!
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Before any of this happened, I would be flipping through the channels and I would see him preach from time to time...
Click here for audio!
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Have You Experienced God's Gift of Peace?
The Bible says that God can give us a peace that passes understanding. In other words a sense of peace that is not explainable based on our typical comprehension of life and how the circumstances of life normally affect us. This peace is a spiritual blessing. It’s something we can’t give ourselves. It’s a good gift from God.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Did You Ever Notice That Genuine Acts of Love Are Compelling?
Genuine acts love are compelling. Genuine acts of love actually testify to the truth of God and His presence in people’s lives. Jesus said that one of the ways that people would identify His followers was by our love for each other [see, John 13:35]. Real acts of gracious, honest, merciful, generous, selfless love are hard to argue with.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Getting Ourselves Straightened Out
Some people feel like they need to “get their act together” or “get straightened out” in order to come to God. Actually, we couldn’t get ourselves straightened out enough to please God, but the more stunning truth is that He loved us anyhow. Here’s what the Bible says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Friday, August 19, 2011
I've Noticed I Have A Great Ability To Rationalize... How About You?
We have an amazing ability to rationalize our attitudes and behaviors. As a pastor, seeing this incredible ability for rationalization in others has helped me to realize that I, too, have an amazing ability to rationalize the things that I do. This is why the Word of God is so important. It is the source of truth and the standard for living that stands outside of our rationalizing efforts.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Speaking Honestly But Doing So With Grace, Gentleness & Humility
It’s okay to admit when we’re angry, annoyed, troubled, irritated, disappointed, etc. Love does not mean that we avoid being honest. But it means we attempt to express difficult feelings and truths in a gracious, gentle, humble, sensitive way.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Are We Good, Helpful, Wise Ambassadors?
If you are a Christian, you are an ambassador for Jesus. (See 2Cor.5:20) We are ambassadors, whether we want to be, or not. The key question is: are we unflattering ambassadors of the King or are we good, positive, helpful, honest and wise ambassadors of the King?
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Jesus Asks An Interesting Question -- Audio Message
Can you think of a time when you were asked a strange question? A challenging question? A baffling one? A bothersome one?
One of the oddest questions I was ever asked was this one: "Who are you?!?"
But in order to understand what it's odd you have to get the whole context. I was called on the phone at my house one day and invited by another pastor to speak at his church for an event they were having...
Click here for audio message!
.
One of the oddest questions I was ever asked was this one: "Who are you?!?"
But in order to understand what it's odd you have to get the whole context. I was called on the phone at my house one day and invited by another pastor to speak at his church for an event they were having...
Click here for audio message!
.
Loving The Ones Who Are Right In Front of Us
Do you love the people in your life? You know, the ones who are there all the time? The ones right in front of you? Here’s what the Bible says: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” 1John 4:20
Monday, August 15, 2011
Having A Heart That Reflects The Presence of God
It’s possible to follow religious rules and laws pretty diligently and still be far from God in our hearts. God’s standards have to do with more than just compliance to external behaviors. God’s standards have to do with having a heart that’s soft, compassionate, and caring—a heart that reflects the presence of God.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Some Things Can't Be Measured But They're Still Important & Valuable
Not everything of importance can be measured and quantified in precise, scientific ways. Grace, faith, love, hope, kindness, joy, peace, mercy, assurance, God’s presence…these things cannot be measured, their value cannot be calculated, and yet their worth is undeniable.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Don't Cause A Brother Or Sister To Stumble
There’s an idea mentioned in scripture that teaches followers of Christ to avoid doing things that might cause another person to “stumble” in his/her relationship with God. This requires us to be unselfish and truly concerned about the spiritual welfare of others. It requires maturity.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Possibilities Exist
“The person who says something is impossible should not interrupt the person who is doing it.” –Chinese Proverb. Sometimes possibilities exist that we simply cannot see or imagine. “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” –Jesus, Matt.19:26.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Are You Willing To Reveal Yourself?
An important aspect of true loving relationships is the willingness to reveal ourselves to others. Love involves “knowing someone” and “being known” by someone. So, we have to be willing to reveal ourselves. The good. The bad. The flattering. The not-so-flattering. That’s why love thrives where there is a lot of trust and a lot of grace.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
A Radical Transformation
Speaking of what happens in the lives of true followers of Christ, the Bible uses language like “transformation” and becoming “a new creation” and “new life in Christ”. In a fundamental way, Christianity is not about sprucing us up a bit, it is about Jesus coming into our lives and, through the Holy Spirit, radically transforming us from the inside out.
Monday, August 8, 2011
We Accept Responsibility...And That's Okay.
When a follower of Christ wrongs someone, we accept responsibility for our actions. We don’t try to explain it away or effectively “spin” the situation. We admit our fault, we apologize, and we ask for forgiveness. And, you know what? It’s okay. These humbling actions don’t “wreck” us because we have the love and grace of God in our lives.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Real Love Might Involve Gentle Correction
Extending love and grace to others does not necessarily mean we approve of everything that other people do. In fact, TRUE love might mean that we would help a person recognize error in his/her thinking, attitudes, or behavior. It requires honesty and significant maturity to understand that real love might actually involve gentle correction.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Depending Upon God's Greatness
The Bible says that “the one who is in you”—referring to God—is “greater than the one who is in the world.” 1John 4:4. That’s really, really, really, REALLLLLLY good news because I don’t ever seem to have been able to muster up any of my own greatness, so I’m totally dependent on God’s greatness for help.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Being On The Receiving Eng of Love
Some of us have difficulty receiving acts of love and kindness and grace from others. Remember, in order for love to happen there must be a giver of love and there must be a receiver. If we are always on the receiving end and never on the giving end, something is definitely unbalanced. But, some of us need to be reminded that it’s okay to be on the receiving end, too.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Touching The Infinite
There is a deep longing within human beings to connect with something transcendent. We know that we are limited and finite. We know that life is temporary. So we experience the hope that we could touch the infinite. The good news is that we can. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only…” John 1:14
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The Challenge of Doing It Jesus' Way
When it comes to loving people, Jesus casts the net out far and wide…”If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!” Luke 6:32. Jesus goes on, “Love your enemies! Do good to them….You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” Luke 6:35(a) & 36. It’s always challenging to live the way Jesus calls us to live.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Connecting With Something Transcendent
There is a deep longing within human beings to connect with something transcendent. We know that we are limited and finite. We know that life is temporary. So we experience the hope that we could touch the infinite. The good news is that we can. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only…” John 1:14
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