The church will only be the loving, vibrant, fruitful body God designed after we have laid hold of His grace. If we think that the work of God depends on us, our talents, gifts, or aspirations, we will be impotent to step out in faith and obedience. A common trap which ensnares Christians is to look at ourselves, consider what our gifts are, and then only seek to use those gifts. Consequently our actions and lifestyle will only reflect what we perceive in ourselves. This kind of insular thinking has the potential to paralyze us and limit what we are willing to do for God - consciously limiting what we consider to be a reasonable scope of work - and therefore limit His effectiveness to work in and through us. But there is much beyond our perception that God wants to do!
If we agree that all gifts we have been given us by God's grace, let us consider another view. Instead of looking at my gifts, deeming them worthy, and then offering them, how about I look to God? Once my eyes are fixed upon Jesus Christ, I can ask God to open my eyes to see the needs all around me. After He reveals the need, I ask God to grant me grace so God might meet that need through me for His glory. If my focus is on my gifts, I will be forever waiting for the perfect opportunity to trust God to use them, rather than trusting God to give me in that instant the gifts in the moment of need. All I have is from God anyway: can't He do more in my life today than yesterday? Or am I going to chain myself to the past, limit my faith, and deny the fact God can do exceedingly, abundantly beyond what I could ever ask or think?
We all know there are grave needs in the world. There is no shortage of needs in our own neighborhoods. But I will never know the needs of people until I get to know the people themselves. What kind of doctor could make a correct prognosis and administer medication without knowing the patient, examining their medical history and symptoms, and communicating with them? If you want to know the needs of your community, it starts with creating relationships one person at a time. Pastors Matthew Barnett and Bill Wilson are perfect examples of men who immersed themselves in the lives of people and God has used them mightily to reach lost souls for Christ. The church, made entirely of Christians, is hamstrung if all Christians only have relationships with Christians. We must seek to interact with all people so the love of Christ might be revealed through tangible means. That's what Jesus did and what He wants us to do.
Not every fellowship will grow to be as numerically large as the Dream Center in Los Angeles or Metro Ministries in New York, but the love of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit enables each church fellowship to be fruitful, effective, and a place where the miraculous is common. After all, no church will ever be judged by God on account of the square footage of buildings, number of parishioners ministries, or buses, or how talented their musicians or singers are. God is seeking people to love and trust Him. He is looking for people to obey His leading and desires we would use all He has graciously given to bring souls to salvation, make disciples of all nations, and faithfully feed the flock of God. God's eyes do not light up at our volume of service or sacrifice, but He rejoices over two mites thrown into His treasury out of a heart rejoicing in faith. How we give matters most to Him.
Don't wait for someone else to lead. Let us look to Christ and purpose in our hearts to follow Him and trust that He will supply all our needs. He is able to accomplish what concerns us today. Will God deprive us of what we need when we are about Christ's business?
20 November 2011
17 November 2011
Don't Eat What You Should Chuck
The other night we had an interesting occurrence at the dinner table. Everyone in our family had nectarines with dinner. It's not an oddity to eat fruit in our house, but what happened next was a first for me. I was assured that the nectarines had been washed just after being purchased. But being the avid fruit and vegetable washer that I am, I still examined it carefully. Where the stem used to be there was a little grey fuzz, nothing scary. I poked a knife into the hole and suddenly a tiny stick poked out a couple centimeters away. I removed the knife and held it up in the light to see better. Funny, I couldn't see the stick. Again, I cut into the nectarine and suddenly the stick appeared again. Wait a second, I thought. Something weird is going on...it was one of those strange moments when the brain is a little slow to process.
Upon further examination, I could see the stick bending ever so slightly. I stabbed right into it. As you may have already guessed, I was disgusted and surprised to see my nectarine was inhabited by a small worm! Before too long I had cut the worm on my plate, proudly displayed for all to see. Then I cut out the small bad spot and washed the nectarine again. And yes, I ate the rest. Apart from that soft, blackened pinhole the fruit was fine. I did notice, however, that the rest of Laura's nectarine remained uneaten. It takes more than a tiny worm to ruin my appetite.
So much of life is like that nectarine. Much of the programming on TV is fit for family viewing: sports, cartoons, nature shows, even some movies and shows. But there is a lot of programming that is pure garbage for the eyes and mind. Even in good shows there can be bad spots. It's a lot easier to cut the bruise out of a nectarine than to trim out a word or a mental image from a show. That's where discernment comes in. Even too much of a good thing can have a negative effect. It's good to have fun but not at the expense of responsibility and morality.
Sometimes for the sake of that one black spot a whole show or movie must go. But there are times when it is alright to skip a scene and keep a movie. What if we were as careful with what we watched on TV or the internet as what we put in our mouths to eat? No one in their right mind would eat that peach which suddenly went very wrong on my bench yesterday. In the matter of a day it was an oozing, green haired, foul piece of fruit so rotten it could not be eaten (word to the wise - don't leave fruit too near your electric kettle). The funny thing is, we can watch stuff that's just as bad spiritually and pollutes our minds - without giving it a single thought.
So the next time you find a worm in your fruit, are you going to eat it? Or will you cut it out? Same thing with what we put before our eyes. Sometimes that thing needs to be thrown in the bin. It's no good for you, and it will make you sick. A worm may not eat much, but a little sin can consume your life! By the time you recognize the symptoms, it may be too late for an easy cure. Take it to the LORD. He will grant the wisdom you need to make the righteous decision.
Upon further examination, I could see the stick bending ever so slightly. I stabbed right into it. As you may have already guessed, I was disgusted and surprised to see my nectarine was inhabited by a small worm! Before too long I had cut the worm on my plate, proudly displayed for all to see. Then I cut out the small bad spot and washed the nectarine again. And yes, I ate the rest. Apart from that soft, blackened pinhole the fruit was fine. I did notice, however, that the rest of Laura's nectarine remained uneaten. It takes more than a tiny worm to ruin my appetite.
So much of life is like that nectarine. Much of the programming on TV is fit for family viewing: sports, cartoons, nature shows, even some movies and shows. But there is a lot of programming that is pure garbage for the eyes and mind. Even in good shows there can be bad spots. It's a lot easier to cut the bruise out of a nectarine than to trim out a word or a mental image from a show. That's where discernment comes in. Even too much of a good thing can have a negative effect. It's good to have fun but not at the expense of responsibility and morality.
Sometimes for the sake of that one black spot a whole show or movie must go. But there are times when it is alright to skip a scene and keep a movie. What if we were as careful with what we watched on TV or the internet as what we put in our mouths to eat? No one in their right mind would eat that peach which suddenly went very wrong on my bench yesterday. In the matter of a day it was an oozing, green haired, foul piece of fruit so rotten it could not be eaten (word to the wise - don't leave fruit too near your electric kettle). The funny thing is, we can watch stuff that's just as bad spiritually and pollutes our minds - without giving it a single thought.
So the next time you find a worm in your fruit, are you going to eat it? Or will you cut it out? Same thing with what we put before our eyes. Sometimes that thing needs to be thrown in the bin. It's no good for you, and it will make you sick. A worm may not eat much, but a little sin can consume your life! By the time you recognize the symptoms, it may be too late for an easy cure. Take it to the LORD. He will grant the wisdom you need to make the righteous decision.
14 November 2011
Tawny Frogmouth!
One blessing about living in Australia is the benefit of living in close proximity to natural wildlife. When the boys arrived home from school today they shouted in excitement, "We found a tawny frogmouth!" My favorite bird is the tawny frogmouth, followed very closely by the kookaburra. Tawny's have very expressive faces and have an amazing defense behaviour that imitates a tree branch (very convincing!). They also can be quite tame and allow you to pet them as they flash their bright yellow eyes. The boys led Laura and me down the street and showed us a juvenile bird.
When we first approached the bird, he acted like he didn't see us. But when we came nearer, he opened his eyes and showed us his very large, red mouth. He almost looked like a fuzzy bird version of a triceratops when he puffed himself up!
Many people in Australia volunteer to look after injured native wildlife and lost birds like this one. If you find one of these birds and it's making hungry croaking noises, raw mince (ground meat) is a good thing to feed them.
After dinner we saw some people congregating around the bird and a man was holding it. The boys ran over to investigate and discovered the man is a volunteer who looks after lost or injured animals. With the bird resting comfortably in capable hands, the story has a happy ending.
What a treasure life is! Thank God for all the beautiful wonders He has created and allows us to enjoy - sometimes right outside your door!
When we first approached the bird, he acted like he didn't see us. But when we came nearer, he opened his eyes and showed us his very large, red mouth. He almost looked like a fuzzy bird version of a triceratops when he puffed himself up!
Many people in Australia volunteer to look after injured native wildlife and lost birds like this one. If you find one of these birds and it's making hungry croaking noises, raw mince (ground meat) is a good thing to feed them.
After dinner we saw some people congregating around the bird and a man was holding it. The boys ran over to investigate and discovered the man is a volunteer who looks after lost or injured animals. With the bird resting comfortably in capable hands, the story has a happy ending.
What a treasure life is! Thank God for all the beautiful wonders He has created and allows us to enjoy - sometimes right outside your door!
13 November 2011
My Baseball Story
Because this blog is open to the public, it is possible people may read this blog without knowing me personally. This blog serves several functions: to glorify God, as a vehicle to express truths God impresses upon me, to communicate thoughts, and to bless others. As a pastor I am always looking to relate and apply biblical truth through common things. Though I am called to be a pastor, I also have the privilege to be a Christian, husband, dad, brother, teammate, and gaming enthusiast. I am a regular human being, not some self-proclaimed spiritual master. Sometimes a story is a descriptive way to introduce people to yourself. Well, here goes.
As a kid, I played baseball for about six seasons. My best years playing ball stretched from age 12 to 14. Pretty depressing that my best days were over by 14! I was known around the league for my pitching, relying heavily upon a devastating overhand curve that gave people fits. I hit for a decent average but never with much power. My dad would yell, "Down and hard!" My swing was built for contact, and I never swung for the fence. In the snack bar there was a board that listed all the players who had hit home runs during the season. Some guys hit 10 or more, but I was fortunate to bounce one off the top of the fence. Hitting the fence didn't put your name on the board.
Me and my brother would play home run derby for hours in the back yard. We would choose our three favorite players and see who could hit more homers. A telephone line ran high through the air in the center of the yard. Over the line was a home run but over the fence was an out. My brother would be Andre Dawson and Don Mattingly while I was partial to Fred McGriff and Chet Lemon. The funny thing is, Chet Lemon wasn't really a power hitter and I never saw him play because he was in the American League. But I had a baseball card of him with a picture of his amazing swing. Like most kids, I always fantasized about what it would feel like to hit a home run. In practice I had hit some, but it wasn't the same as in a game. When I was 15 I tried out for JV and was cut. It was in the tryout that I felt something go wrong in my shoulder when throwing from the outfield. My pride and shoulder were hurt, and I was glad to put an end to my baseball career - or so I thought!
I worked construction for a large part of my adult life and shoulder pain was a constant companion. It would hurt worse some days than others, but I did my best to ignore it. Most of the time I was successful. Last year about this time was when the pain was at the worst. I was so weakened by the pain that I could not do a single push up! For years I had done 40 - 50 push ups in a row right before bed. But the pain was so overwhelming that push ups were impossible. I prayed, "God, please heal this shoulder. I know it's your will to heal. Please be merciful to me." A couple months after this our family moved to Australia.
Slowly, very slowly, the shoulder began to feel better. Five months ago I bought a barbell and 70 kilos of weight and started working out with low weight and high reps. The shoulder still hurt, but I was able to do what I had not done for over a year. It wasn't long after I started exercising that a brother from church suggested that we play in a seniors baseball league. I was intrigued at the thought. But what about the shoulder? Would I be able to play with any amount of proficiency? After Laura and I discussed the opportunity, it was settled: the Grisez boys and dad would all play baseball. Of all the sports available in Australia baseball was the sport we had all played most.
Now what were my honest expectations? I needed to remind myself I am 36 years old, not 14! 22 years had elapsed since I put a ball off the top of the fence. I would have to be patient, build arm strength, work out my mechanics at the plate, have fun and do my best. Pitching was out of the question - well, maybe I could pitch if I limited myself to one inning. My goal was to hit a home run. Laura and I were talking one day and I mused out loud, "You know what, Laura? I've got this giant gorilla on my back. To this day I have still never hit a home run over the fence in a real game. I've had in-the-park homers and some messing around with friends, but never in a real game. But I know I've got it in me. I know I have the power - I just have to execute!" She said without hesitation, "Well if you've never done it before when you were young and fit, what makes you think you can do it now?" I feigned insult, of course. "Are you saying that I'm old and fat?" We both laughed hysterically. And then I proceeded to tell everyone what a tactful wife I have! :)
The first game I pitched one inning. The second game I pitched two innings. My shoulder was pretty sore, but surprisingly I was still able to pitch and started to improve. My velocity was nothing special but my accuracy was improving. Fast forward to the seventh game of the season. We were playing the Castle Hill Knights, the team that thumped us hard the first game of the season. I started the game, pitched almost 5 full innings, and earned the win. But that's not the reason why I'm still smiling about it right now: I hit a home run! It was a no-doubter to left field, easily clearing the six-foot fence. I absolutely smashed it on the screws, perfect trajectory, and saw the ball fly into the bush of Fred Catterson Reserve. I haven't felt that much adrenalin in a long time as I circled the bases, probably acting like I had never hit a home run in my life. Oh wait, that's right - I hadn't! It was amazing and I'm still praising God for that moment.
As our family drove home from church the next day I told Laura, "You know, I think I might go back to the field to see if I can find that home run ball." After lunch the boys and I hopped in the car and headed back to the field where dreams became reality to a 36 year-old washed-up ballplayer. I stood at the plate and envisioned where we saw it go into the bush. Did I expect to find the ball? I figured we had little chance but it would be worth it. A bunch of kids had looked for it without success. Zed, Abel, and I walked to the spot and started our search. Within a minute, we found the ball! Since I was pitching I knew the kind of balls we were using and the ball had a fresh grass stain on it. I put the ball in my pocket and then we decided to keep on looking - maybe we could find a few other souvenirs. It turns out we found 9 baseballs in total (quality ranging from good to very poor!) and a golf ball.
It struck me that we came to the ballpark hoping to find a single ball and we found 9! I started the season thinking that I would have to limit myself to one inning maximum (if I pitched at all) and I pitched almost 5 innings in a single game! There was a day when I could not do a single push up, and months later I hit a home run over the fence in a real game. I thought my baseball career was over at 15 because of a shoulder injury and now my career has seen an unfathomable resurgence! Ephesians 3:20-21 reads, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." That is the God I serve, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, the One who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think! You know what? My shoulder still hurts - and so does my left hamstring, calf, and ankle, and my right wrist! But glory to God! He's given me the great blessing and privilege to be a teammate and fulfill a silly childhood dream of hitting a home run in a country where I never dreamt I'd live and love as my own.
The application? Give God the glory and never place limits on what He can or will do. He does exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the same power which raised Christ from the dead and has regenerated us by grace. Taste and see! Isn't grace the sweetest thing you've ever tasted?
As a kid, I played baseball for about six seasons. My best years playing ball stretched from age 12 to 14. Pretty depressing that my best days were over by 14! I was known around the league for my pitching, relying heavily upon a devastating overhand curve that gave people fits. I hit for a decent average but never with much power. My dad would yell, "Down and hard!" My swing was built for contact, and I never swung for the fence. In the snack bar there was a board that listed all the players who had hit home runs during the season. Some guys hit 10 or more, but I was fortunate to bounce one off the top of the fence. Hitting the fence didn't put your name on the board.
Me and my brother would play home run derby for hours in the back yard. We would choose our three favorite players and see who could hit more homers. A telephone line ran high through the air in the center of the yard. Over the line was a home run but over the fence was an out. My brother would be Andre Dawson and Don Mattingly while I was partial to Fred McGriff and Chet Lemon. The funny thing is, Chet Lemon wasn't really a power hitter and I never saw him play because he was in the American League. But I had a baseball card of him with a picture of his amazing swing. Like most kids, I always fantasized about what it would feel like to hit a home run. In practice I had hit some, but it wasn't the same as in a game. When I was 15 I tried out for JV and was cut. It was in the tryout that I felt something go wrong in my shoulder when throwing from the outfield. My pride and shoulder were hurt, and I was glad to put an end to my baseball career - or so I thought!
I worked construction for a large part of my adult life and shoulder pain was a constant companion. It would hurt worse some days than others, but I did my best to ignore it. Most of the time I was successful. Last year about this time was when the pain was at the worst. I was so weakened by the pain that I could not do a single push up! For years I had done 40 - 50 push ups in a row right before bed. But the pain was so overwhelming that push ups were impossible. I prayed, "God, please heal this shoulder. I know it's your will to heal. Please be merciful to me." A couple months after this our family moved to Australia.
Slowly, very slowly, the shoulder began to feel better. Five months ago I bought a barbell and 70 kilos of weight and started working out with low weight and high reps. The shoulder still hurt, but I was able to do what I had not done for over a year. It wasn't long after I started exercising that a brother from church suggested that we play in a seniors baseball league. I was intrigued at the thought. But what about the shoulder? Would I be able to play with any amount of proficiency? After Laura and I discussed the opportunity, it was settled: the Grisez boys and dad would all play baseball. Of all the sports available in Australia baseball was the sport we had all played most.
Now what were my honest expectations? I needed to remind myself I am 36 years old, not 14! 22 years had elapsed since I put a ball off the top of the fence. I would have to be patient, build arm strength, work out my mechanics at the plate, have fun and do my best. Pitching was out of the question - well, maybe I could pitch if I limited myself to one inning. My goal was to hit a home run. Laura and I were talking one day and I mused out loud, "You know what, Laura? I've got this giant gorilla on my back. To this day I have still never hit a home run over the fence in a real game. I've had in-the-park homers and some messing around with friends, but never in a real game. But I know I've got it in me. I know I have the power - I just have to execute!" She said without hesitation, "Well if you've never done it before when you were young and fit, what makes you think you can do it now?" I feigned insult, of course. "Are you saying that I'm old and fat?" We both laughed hysterically. And then I proceeded to tell everyone what a tactful wife I have! :)
The first game I pitched one inning. The second game I pitched two innings. My shoulder was pretty sore, but surprisingly I was still able to pitch and started to improve. My velocity was nothing special but my accuracy was improving. Fast forward to the seventh game of the season. We were playing the Castle Hill Knights, the team that thumped us hard the first game of the season. I started the game, pitched almost 5 full innings, and earned the win. But that's not the reason why I'm still smiling about it right now: I hit a home run! It was a no-doubter to left field, easily clearing the six-foot fence. I absolutely smashed it on the screws, perfect trajectory, and saw the ball fly into the bush of Fred Catterson Reserve. I haven't felt that much adrenalin in a long time as I circled the bases, probably acting like I had never hit a home run in my life. Oh wait, that's right - I hadn't! It was amazing and I'm still praising God for that moment.
As our family drove home from church the next day I told Laura, "You know, I think I might go back to the field to see if I can find that home run ball." After lunch the boys and I hopped in the car and headed back to the field where dreams became reality to a 36 year-old washed-up ballplayer. I stood at the plate and envisioned where we saw it go into the bush. Did I expect to find the ball? I figured we had little chance but it would be worth it. A bunch of kids had looked for it without success. Zed, Abel, and I walked to the spot and started our search. Within a minute, we found the ball! Since I was pitching I knew the kind of balls we were using and the ball had a fresh grass stain on it. I put the ball in my pocket and then we decided to keep on looking - maybe we could find a few other souvenirs. It turns out we found 9 baseballs in total (quality ranging from good to very poor!) and a golf ball.
It struck me that we came to the ballpark hoping to find a single ball and we found 9! I started the season thinking that I would have to limit myself to one inning maximum (if I pitched at all) and I pitched almost 5 innings in a single game! There was a day when I could not do a single push up, and months later I hit a home run over the fence in a real game. I thought my baseball career was over at 15 because of a shoulder injury and now my career has seen an unfathomable resurgence! Ephesians 3:20-21 reads, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." That is the God I serve, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, the One who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think! You know what? My shoulder still hurts - and so does my left hamstring, calf, and ankle, and my right wrist! But glory to God! He's given me the great blessing and privilege to be a teammate and fulfill a silly childhood dream of hitting a home run in a country where I never dreamt I'd live and love as my own.
The application? Give God the glory and never place limits on what He can or will do. He does exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the same power which raised Christ from the dead and has regenerated us by grace. Taste and see! Isn't grace the sweetest thing you've ever tasted?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)