Church Blog

October 9 2009 at 7:22 pm

More About Self-Control

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Here are more responses I received when I e-mailed church members last week asking how they were being affected by our recent messages from Proverbs. People responded to three questions (names have been removed from the responses): 1) Where is God calling you to exercise self-control? What do you feel he’s calling you to say “no” to?
2) Express how God has been speaking to you. 3) What do you think he’s calling you to do instead with your time? Is there an attitude, activity or behavior you’d like to “put on”? (see Ephesians 4: 24)

Thanks to everyone who responded! I hope you’re encouraged (as I was) to see how God is at work.

1) My tongue and my reckless words!
2) Proverbs 12:18 was read and I was convicted of how my reckless words said in anger contributed to a conflict with my daughter.
3) Encourage my daughter with Scripture for where God is at work in her life and hold my tongue.

1) Media. E-mail, Facebook, and text messaging I need to put down…
2) I believe that God has been reminding me that I have an eternal purpose. It is eye-opening to think how much I lose when I waste my time with media. I make God so small and not important and NOT the main focus in my heart.
3) I think he is calling me to spend time with people in person and pursue their hearts.

1) Playing on the computer, sweets, doing my work, etc.
2) God has spoken to me about being a sluggard. Since my bout with Lyme’s disease, I’ve gotten used to being lazy. Now that I’m better, though, I need to start working.
3) I’d like to serve more.

1) No to martha-isms - distractions of the home.
2) Conviction that my heart and mind are not fully engaged in my quiet times.
3) Be still.

1) Show kindness in my interactions with my children and husband, and not be so quick to anger. 
2) Show love, patience; enjoy time now because children grow up quickly.
3) Spend more time in prayer for my family, also, quality time in God’s Word.

1) No to the busy schedules. Slow down and spend more time for the Lord.
2) God gave me a very specific command about a week a go: he said: “Worship me!” I have been, and the Holy Spirit has renewed my heart.
3) To praise him, to be humble before him, adore him for the wonders he does in our life. Soak in the Spirit.

1) Food as an idol and web-surfing during my time at home with my kids during the day.
2) I am sensing that God wants to deepen my relationships with my children individually through my prayer time with HImself.
3) Praying for and with my children as their needs are brought to my attention.

1) No to: negative thought patterns that lead to dissatisfaction with the life God has chosen for me.
2) Especially thru Ben Wikner’s class on The Book of Ruth (“He is actively plotting for my good”) and Charles Spurgeon’s books: The Suffering Letters and The Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith (I’ve had severe, long-term health problems for almost 20 years).
3) Spend more time in His presence: the Word, worship, prayer, service to others and biblical fellowship

1) With my thoughts, I have a tendency to let my mind run with too much concern, worry, lack of faith.
2) Self-control should apply to even how we use our mind.
3) Philippians 4:8

1) Less time wasted on the computer, be it editing pictures, checking e-mail, or watching movies.
2) I became aware of how I was wasting my time a few weeks ago, and Joshua Harris’ message helped confirm that I was not spending my time wisely. I have had the desire to spend my time better, but have lacked the motivation, even though I know every moment counts.
3) Open the Bible and read, work on cross-centered friendships, and involve others in all that I do.

1) I’m a very aggressive and judgmental person. I need to show the same grace Christ has shown me to others.
2) Mainly God has been working on how I need to depend on him and “look before I leap,” so to say. Show compassion and grace for others before judgment. It may take some time, but I’m just going to keep coming before him in prayer and reading his Word.
3) Less “me” time and more time helping others who may need it more then I need my time to relax.

1) Free time; spending more time with God rather than personal pleasure.
2) He’s been telling me to spend less time on the computer.
3) Rather than going on the computer for games, bring up the Bible on the computer to study.

1) Self-control for me is connected to faith and humility.
2) It takes faith to let go of those not-obviously-sinful impulses to do things which often seem much less interesting.
3) It takes humility to let go of my own ideas and desires because of my overrated view of myself.

1) Not eating unhealthy foods or over eating, and having the self-control to exercise.
2) As I pray the Lord’s prayer every day, the Lord has been speaking to me about having “no other Gods before him” and “do not fear.” When I am afraid, I often get a snack. I do not exercise self-control nor trust in the Lord in my eating.
3) I need to be aware of my eating response and pray and/or exercise when I’m aware of my fear.

1) Self-control in how I manage to spend my time. God is calling me to say “no” to laziness.
2) God has been speaking to me to take more initiative in planning.
3) Put on more of a servant’s heart to care for everyone I interact with in my life.





October 8 2009 at 5:17 pm

Growing in Self-Control

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On Sunday we asked several church members to share how God has been speaking to them about self-control. This came as a follow-up to some of our recent sermons from Proverbs, especially “Self Control in a Wired World” and “The Sluggard.”

The video includes testimonies from the second service only. Tomorrow we’ll post a clip with testimonies from the first.





August 21 2009 at 1:23 pm

Loving Your Neighbor

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I received the following letter from Carol Nelson in response to the Love Your Neighbor series. Let’s all be encouraged by her example!

Dear Josh,

Thank you for the series that you led our church through on “loving your neighbor.” These messages really inspired our family, and gave us courage to take additional steps to get to know and love our neighbors.

After your messages, my husband and I talked and prayed. To some degree, we are limited as a family. My husband works long hours, I homeschool, we have a child with special needs, and we try to be involved in care group and church events. So it’s easy to be “practical,” stick with the routine, and shuttle into our homes with our to-do lists in mind and hand. 

However, we are grateful for constant reminders to love and consider those around us … and especially those who do not know the Lord. For us, any food event that we attend or host has special challenges because we have to consider not only food, but also food surfaces (since we have had 911 visits when our daughter has touched or been touched by the wrong foods). 

So, my husband and I agreed to a ladies tea. Limited food (we provided it) and a group of folks who would be able to understand limitations are a good fit for us. I hand wrote invitations and went door-to-door to invite neighbors … to my surprise, I found that most of the neighbors were touched. Some immediately told me about their schedules (vacations, limitations, or that they hoped to come). 

When I had the tea, it was small. Two ladies from Covenant Life came, one of whom I had not met previously. Three other neighbors came … I listened carefully, and I got to know these neighbors better. I hope that I loved them a little better by giving them homemade banana bread and fresh fruit, and of course, tea … It’s a start, and I am praying I will love my neighbors better and better, and that the Lord will help our family work out all the details.

By God’s grace we may have another ladies tea or other event that we can manage. But, it’s not lost on me that this isn’t something I would have done without the gospel. I would have been happy (or at least preoccupied) with my own friends and my own life, and I wouldn’t have been thinking about loving neighbors I don’t know.

Thanks for the messages, and thanks for inspiring us to take action.

With sincere appreciation,

Carol Nelson

P.S. Since the tea, two other neighbors have written to thank me for the invitation and say to keep them on the list for the next one!





July 29 2009 at 2:45 pm

Gecko Voice: Brit or Aussie?

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Got the e-mail below from Matt Halsey on Sunday night. He references the GEICO Gecko, one of several characters I mentioned on Sunday in the course of explaining the way the book of Proverbs personifies wisdom and folly. I said I wasn’t sure if the gecko’s accent was British or Australian. Now I know! I won’t mention that a certain member named Theresa (last name withheld for her privacy) was the person who was so adamant that the Gecko was Australian. It’s okay, Miss Wheeler (first name withheld). I forgive you.

Josh,
 
I’m sure you’ve had several e-mails already, but GEICO’s Gecko is spoken by Jake Wood, an English actor who stars in the British soap opera, “Eastenders.”  As Brits ourselves we can tell a Cockney accent when we hear one, guv’nor.  :-)
 
Regards,

Matt and Amanda Halsey





July 24 2009 at 8:24 pm

The Case of the Gray Face

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Craig Sterling sent me this note after church last Sunday:

Josh,

Good afternoon! This morning you mentioned having a pet peeve (my words) with gray faces in the church directory. A few weeks ago, we received a letter from Erik Sheffer announcing that we are now under the care of Ben Wikner. So, like you, I wanted to put a face with the name of our new pastor. (If he was introduced to the congregation, I must have missed that particular meeting.)

In short, he’s not pictured in the Member Photo Directory. This morning I wondered who the person was asking us to pray for Russia. One of our row mates told us that person was Pastor Wikner. It was good to put the face with the name!

Grace and peace,

Craig and Mary Ann Sterling

Yes, we’re in the directory!  :-)

Thanks for your note, Craig. This is funny because Ben and his family all lined up and got their photos taken at church this Sunday. So, you can find the Wikners in the directory now. Your note is a great reminder (to pastors, too!) of how helpful it is to be able to put faces with names! Here’s the Wikner clan: First row: Ben and Erin, Ellie, Abigail, Lilly. Second row: William, Gracie, Hope.


Church members, here are a couple of helpful links related to the directory:

• Forgot your password?
• Member Photo Directory homepage (access your profile, settings, frequently asked questions, upload your own photos, etc.)





July 2 2009 at 1:24 pm

Why God Made Bookends

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Dawn Lockwood just sent me this encouraging note I wanted to pass on. She’s been reading a great book co-authored by Jerry Bridges that I highly recommend:

Dear Josh,

I really appreciated your message last Sunday on Naaman ... It directly corresponds with the recommended book for last month, The Bookends of the Christian Life, by Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington. According to the book, every activity in our Christian life must be informed and directed by a spiritual dimension.  The book’s authors call these “bookends.” The first is the righteousness of Christ, and the second is the power of the Holy Spirit. 

The first time I read Bookends I was struck with the realization that most of my areas of sin and struggle with temptation were because I did not understand how to apply grace to my life.  [The book] was helpful and eye opening.  As I did the study questions I saw where the breakdown of lies I believed began, how it started in my heart, mostly due to pride, and God is enabling me to experience much more freedom from sin’s power … I find myself less anxious and trusting God more in everyday issues …

As I am reading and re-reading this book, I can see God forming new habits in my life to depend on His grace and to rest in the finished work of the cross.  Since we are all prone to drifting into self-righteousness and striving in our own strength, I venture to say that this book will be at my bedside for a LONG time.  I am becoming a “bookend” junky!

My family is also doing the study separately. We follow up with our kids and review their answers to the study questions to help them in their understanding and application of grace.  I do not want my kids to believe the lie that Christianity is just following a bunch of rules and to run away from the great news of the gospel. I think many people are like me in the sense that they struggle with remembering the unchanging standing we have in Christ’s righteousness and feel left to themselves to work it out on their own …

It is my hope that others will take time to read this book …We all need to encounter God’s grace more deeply, and this study is transforming! 


In Christ,

Dawn

The Bookends of the Christian Life is available in the church bookstore.





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