I've watched this several times and it cracks me up!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
What is God's will?
Who of us hasn't asked this question at least once or twice? Chip Ingram of Walk Through The Bible has written a concise, helpful article about discerning God's will: "THE Big Question Christians Ask".
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Loving People
I've been reading the Gospel of Matthew lately. In chapter 14 Jesus gets the news that his cousin and fellow preacher, John the Baptizer, has just been beheaded in prison. By the passage we can tell that it probably hit Jesus hard, but what follows really struck me. Take a quick look...
13When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."
16Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
17"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.
18"Bring them here to me," he said. 19And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
John the Baptizer sort of seems like a minor character to us because there's not a whole lot of paragraphs devoted to him in the scriptures. But Jesus had exceptionally high praise for him (Luke 7:24-28), and the 1st century historian Josephus actually writes more about John than about Jesus (partly because John publicly confronted King Herod about his marriage to his brother's wife). So when Jesus learns of John's martyrdom, he wants to be alone, which we read about in verse 13.
But it's hard for Jesus to just get away from it all. People are always looking for Him, and sure enough, the people catch up. And instead of saying, "Give me some space!" Jesus "had compassion on them and healed their sick", even though His heart was heavy. Not only that, but his time with the crowds went late into the day (v.15) and He then took the time to feed them miraculously.
His long day continues. Jesus finds some time alone again, but then He sees from a distance that His disciples are in serious trouble on the lake, and He heads out (between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m.) walking on the water to save them and teach them another lesson in faith. And sure enough, when they land He ends up healing the sick in yet another location.
What do I take away from this chapter? Jesus felt a great deal of compassion for people, even when weighed down by His own emotional burdens. He just really cared about people in their need. I know I could follow Jesus' example much more--I need to keep my eyes open to folks around me who could use some compassion. I can't miraculously heal diseases or control the weather, but maybe I can be a good listener to someone who's having a bad time. Maybe I could proactively encourage someone, or keep an eye out for someone who looks lonely, or mow a busy neighbor's lawn, or stop by to visit someone in a hospital/nursing home, or give a Wal-Mart gift card to someone who's struggling financially, or provide free babysitting to a frazzled mom...
There's an old children's song that I think has a powerful message. It goes:
Jesus and others and you,
what a wonderful way to spell "Joy"
Jesus and others and you
in the life of each girl and each boy.
J is for Jesus, for He takes first place,
O is for others you meet face to face
Y is for you, and whatever you do,
Put yourself last and spell joy.
May we show love to others as Jesus did.
13When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."
16Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
17"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.
18"Bring them here to me," he said. 19And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
John the Baptizer sort of seems like a minor character to us because there's not a whole lot of paragraphs devoted to him in the scriptures. But Jesus had exceptionally high praise for him (Luke 7:24-28), and the 1st century historian Josephus actually writes more about John than about Jesus (partly because John publicly confronted King Herod about his marriage to his brother's wife). So when Jesus learns of John's martyrdom, he wants to be alone, which we read about in verse 13.
But it's hard for Jesus to just get away from it all. People are always looking for Him, and sure enough, the people catch up. And instead of saying, "Give me some space!" Jesus "had compassion on them and healed their sick", even though His heart was heavy. Not only that, but his time with the crowds went late into the day (v.15) and He then took the time to feed them miraculously.
His long day continues. Jesus finds some time alone again, but then He sees from a distance that His disciples are in serious trouble on the lake, and He heads out (between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m.) walking on the water to save them and teach them another lesson in faith. And sure enough, when they land He ends up healing the sick in yet another location.
What do I take away from this chapter? Jesus felt a great deal of compassion for people, even when weighed down by His own emotional burdens. He just really cared about people in their need. I know I could follow Jesus' example much more--I need to keep my eyes open to folks around me who could use some compassion. I can't miraculously heal diseases or control the weather, but maybe I can be a good listener to someone who's having a bad time. Maybe I could proactively encourage someone, or keep an eye out for someone who looks lonely, or mow a busy neighbor's lawn, or stop by to visit someone in a hospital/nursing home, or give a Wal-Mart gift card to someone who's struggling financially, or provide free babysitting to a frazzled mom...
There's an old children's song that I think has a powerful message. It goes:
Jesus and others and you,
what a wonderful way to spell "Joy"
Jesus and others and you
in the life of each girl and each boy.
J is for Jesus, for He takes first place,
O is for others you meet face to face
Y is for you, and whatever you do,
Put yourself last and spell joy.
May we show love to others as Jesus did.
I knew it!
In our never-ending quest to keep you informed, this just in from the Oregonian...
Two students at Connecticut College in New London, Conn., studying the "five-second rule" for dropped food concluded after experiments that you actually have more than 30 seconds before bacteria cultivates on food that has been dropped on the floor.
-- ABC News
Two students at Connecticut College in New London, Conn., studying the "five-second rule" for dropped food concluded after experiments that you actually have more than 30 seconds before bacteria cultivates on food that has been dropped on the floor.
-- ABC News
Monday, June 25, 2007
Some praises
My family and I just returned from the coast after camping with Kelly's parents for a week. We had a great time at one of our favorite spots in the world, Beverly Beach State Park. It's good to be back in the saddle again!
I did come back to lead worship at church yesterday, and we had a great service at New Hope! It was nice to have Dave and Amy Bertolini with us (I'll try to get Dave's sermon online soon if you missed it), and I hear from Dewey that he had a great time teaching at Dave's church in Dallas. I very much appreciate Jon Wilder filling in on the sound duties as a sub for the camping Steve Myers, and it was also great having Steve Schrock play bass in the band with us for the first time (Steve's been coming to the church for about a month and a half). Thanks for jumping in, guys!
Don't forget this Sunday we'll be having a picnic after church. For details go to our website, www.newhopeconnection.com. Have a great week!
I did come back to lead worship at church yesterday, and we had a great service at New Hope! It was nice to have Dave and Amy Bertolini with us (I'll try to get Dave's sermon online soon if you missed it), and I hear from Dewey that he had a great time teaching at Dave's church in Dallas. I very much appreciate Jon Wilder filling in on the sound duties as a sub for the camping Steve Myers, and it was also great having Steve Schrock play bass in the band with us for the first time (Steve's been coming to the church for about a month and a half). Thanks for jumping in, guys!
Don't forget this Sunday we'll be having a picnic after church. For details go to our website, www.newhopeconnection.com. Have a great week!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
New Hope Sluggers
Our New Hope Christian Fellowship Softball team had a successful first game this afternoon. We played a team from Willamette Medical, and I'm not sure of the official score, but we won by a hefty margin (something like 15-3). And only one minor injury!It was loads of fun, and you're welcome to come cheer us on next week! The game times (Sunday afternoons) can be found on the calendar on our website's homepage.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
For Dads
Hey fellow dads out there! I found an article that was both humorous and thoughtful on the subject of fatherhood. It's the first in a series, so I'm looking forward to more, but if you'd like to read the first installment, click here.
Church Tomorrow
If you attend New Hope Christian Fellowship, don't forget we are meeting at the McMinnville Senior Center for the next couple months starting tomorrow, June 17th. The Senior Center is located on 2250 NE McDaniel Lane, in between the DMV and Wortman Park. See you there!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Puns for you
I'm not exactly a big fan of puns, but I thought some of these were pretty funny!
* I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.
* Police were called to a daycare where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.
* Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.
* The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.
* To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
* When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate.
* The short fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
* The thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.
* A thief fell and broke his leg in wet cement. He became a hardened criminal.
* Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be charged with stalking.
* We'll never run out of math teachers because they always multiply.
* When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A.
* The scientist discovered that her theory of earthquakes was on shaky ground.
* The dead batteries were given out free of charge.
* A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail.
* What's the definition of a will? It's a dead giveaway.
* A bicycle can't stand alone. It's two tired.
* A backward poet writes inverse.
* Time flies like the wind; fruit flies like bananas
* I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.
* Police were called to a daycare where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.
* Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.
* The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.
* To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
* When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate.
* The short fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
* The thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.
* A thief fell and broke his leg in wet cement. He became a hardened criminal.
* Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be charged with stalking.
* We'll never run out of math teachers because they always multiply.
* When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A.
* The scientist discovered that her theory of earthquakes was on shaky ground.
* The dead batteries were given out free of charge.
* A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail.
* What's the definition of a will? It's a dead giveaway.
* A bicycle can't stand alone. It's two tired.
* A backward poet writes inverse.
* Time flies like the wind; fruit flies like bananas
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Report from Rebecca Hardin
We recently got an email report from Rebecca Hardin, a member of our New Hope family who is serving in Surabaya, Indonesia... Hi Everyone, Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I just wanted you to know that your prayers for me here in Indonesia are not only being answered but greatly appreciated. It is truly the greatest gift you can give me. May all glory be given to God.
Things are going well here in Surabaya, although the enemy (satan) is always trying to destroy the works of the Lord. I am so glad that we serve the one true LIVING God and that the battle has already been won. Praise God!
I have been helping out at two schools here (Xin Zhong and EFEX) and will soon have some classes of my own to teach, so please keep me in your prayers as I begin this new adventure. I can't thank the Lord enough for providing me with so many blessings. I not only have a job but also live with the family I work for and I'm considered one of the family as well.
The school, called English for Excellence (or EFEX), is the result of this family answering a call from the Lord to come to Indonesia and do work for Him. We are able to reach many lives as we teach English as a second language here. We have other avenues too, like the street ministry and such. So there is a lot of soil for seeds to be planted in. Please keep me (and everyone here) in your prayers and I will try to do better with posting updates and reports.
In His Love and Service....Rebecca Hardin
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Lauren McCain's Legacy
The other day Dee Bryson sent me a link for a video she found online that really encouraged her, and she suggested I share it on the blog.
Back on February 22nd, Campus Crusade for Christ interviewed college students on Virginia Tech University's campus in a project to compile these students talking about their faith in Christ. One of the girls interviewed was 20-year-old Lauren McCain.
Back on February 22nd, Campus Crusade for Christ interviewed college students on Virginia Tech University's campus in a project to compile these students talking about their faith in Christ. One of the girls interviewed was 20-year-old Lauren McCain. Two things struck me about Lauren's video footage. First of all, it was clear to me that she had spent a lot of time in the scriptures, because almost all of her answers were accompanied by truth from the Bible. And second, I sensed a genuine joy as Lauren discussed her faith and her beliefs. It seemed obvious to me that her relationship with Christ was not just an act, but was the core of who she was. These two things encouraged me as well.
Fifty-three days after the video was taken, Lauren McCain died in the now infamous Virginia Tech massacre on April 16th. In her interview she talked about the joy of seeing God when this life was over, and now she is enjoying that great reward.
If you'd like to see the video, it is included in an article in the Hampton Roads, Virginia Daily Press. I hope it will encourage you, as well, in your own spiritual journey to a relationship with Jesus.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Summertime in Oregon!
First of all, sorry it's been over a week since my last entry--last week I was really sick for 4 days and the rest of the week I was catching up! I am looking forward to a much better week, and I hope your week is going well for you!
Anyway, it's almost summer, and there is just nothing better than summer time in the Northwest! One nice thing about summer here is that we finally get to see more of our neighbors. We Oregonians like to be outside when it's warm and dry, doing yardwork, playing in the yard, firing up the barbecue, etc.
We really need to take advantage of these beautiful weeks and get to know our neighbors! Why not pick a date in the next week or two and invite some neighbors over for a barbecue? Or if you're really ambitious, you could try organizing a block party! As Christians we tend to huddle together and often fail to connect with others who need Christ.
So make a decision to be "salt and light" in your neighborhood this summer! Chances are your neighbors feel a little bad that they don't know you very well, either, and most will really appreciate being asked over. And don't get caught up in thinking of them as "evangelistic projects". Jesus simply said to "love your neighbor as yourself", so just go into the season trying to be a good friend and showing love to the people around you!
(If you'd like some suggestions on how to spiritually make the most of a neighorhood meal, you might find a couple ideas in this article: Summer Cookouts Can Nourish Souls, Too).
Anyway, it's almost summer, and there is just nothing better than summer time in the Northwest! One nice thing about summer here is that we finally get to see more of our neighbors. We Oregonians like to be outside when it's warm and dry, doing yardwork, playing in the yard, firing up the barbecue, etc.We really need to take advantage of these beautiful weeks and get to know our neighbors! Why not pick a date in the next week or two and invite some neighbors over for a barbecue? Or if you're really ambitious, you could try organizing a block party! As Christians we tend to huddle together and often fail to connect with others who need Christ.
So make a decision to be "salt and light" in your neighborhood this summer! Chances are your neighbors feel a little bad that they don't know you very well, either, and most will really appreciate being asked over. And don't get caught up in thinking of them as "evangelistic projects". Jesus simply said to "love your neighbor as yourself", so just go into the season trying to be a good friend and showing love to the people around you!
(If you'd like some suggestions on how to spiritually make the most of a neighorhood meal, you might find a couple ideas in this article: Summer Cookouts Can Nourish Souls, Too).
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Thanks Ethan!
Well, tomorrow is Ethan Barske's last Sunday with us at New Hope Christian Fellowship. Ethan finished his studies in Math and Music and graduated from Linfield last week. He'll be heading home now to Anchorage, Alaska, and plans to get his pilot's license up there. I've really appreciated Ethan's talent and attitude from my first Sunday serving in McMinnville, and we'll all miss his piano contribution greatly. As a worship leader, having a good pianist who can play well in several styles opens up many more musical possibilities, and it's been a real pleasure having him playing along with us!
Pray for Ethan as he moves that God will lead him in finding work and finding a good church there in Anchorage. (And if you've appreciated his service, feel free to leave a comment by clicking on the "comments" link here at the bottom of this blog entry!)
Thanks again, Ethan, and God bless you!
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