Mothers Day is Sunday.  If you need a little inspiration or reminder to honor and celebrate the mothers in your life, I think this ad for a European department store pretty much does it.  (Warning:  whenever I watch it “something gets in my eyes” and they water a little.  YMMV)

Now go tell Mom how much you love and appreciate her.

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Dear actionchurch web audience,

I sit here at Panera Bread with notes and sketches spread out in front of me of the new actionchurch website. Before I actually start adding and removing parts of the site I wanted to hear your opinions.

I have ideas already, but what is one thing that you like about the actionchurch website and one thing that could be improved? This is all totally subjective, and I might even ignore some of your suggestions But I will read and think about everything you have to say.

-Josiah

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It’s a day to chose thankfulness.  To reflect on the good things we have been given…no matter what our “world” looks like.

¹⁸ Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:18

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 I got a great laugh and a lot of wisdom from  these verses from Psalms 32 that I read last night…

⁸ The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
      I will advise you and watch over you.
 ⁹ Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
      that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

Psalms 32: 8-9

Why does life just suck sometimes?  Why do we feel “out of control” or like we are be dragged “kicking and screaming”  from one situation to the next?  In God’s own humorous way he says that it may be because we are not following his guidance…not listening to his advice…not taking the “best pathways” that he has planned for us. 

 There are many times in life that we are going to face difficult situations even when we are following God’s guidance.  This scripture suggests though, that there are other times that we make life hard on ourselves by simply not listening and having to be “put under control”  like a horse…or a mule…or in my case…A horses ass.    YMMV

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Josiah's sofa he will be bringing^

A couple weeks ago at the Relay for Life, Don and I were brainstorming about what the Chill series would look like. It was late, or early, depending on which way you look at it. And maybe we were still fighting off the brain freeze we had from having way too many free snow cones. We decided that the best way for people to “Chill” was for them to be sitting in their own chairs. Nothing against our sweet setup of chairs and tables, but I know some mornings at actionchurch I wish we could have “Bring Your Bed To Church” day…

So this Sunday, bring your favorite chair to “chill” in. If you want to bring something more on the outrageous side of things, and you out shine everybody else, I will buy you lunch. *Sectional sofas are always a great idea… Or if you just want to bring that extra comfy recliner, or rocking chair that is just as good. We have got the A.C All-stars on stage, and Don will be talking (not from his jacuzzi) about another way we can trust God and just chill.

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We pulled the good old bait and switch at actionchurch today. We had Dr. Erik Brink bring the message today while Don “sat in his tub” and chilled at home. Yes, all of these event are culminating to next week where everybody is going to be chilling in their own chairs at church, and then after that, John Rudy Park. More on that later

Dr. Erik (not to generalize, but three words describe him so far… seminary, missionary, surgeon) spoke of the complex design are bodies contain, and how if there is a design, there is a designer. We can just “chill” because if this designer knows what is going to happen to us throughout our whole life, he has got everything covered. See Matthew 6:25-33… Dr Erik also called some kid in the audience an “anal sphincter”. Wow, I really hope that kid comes back.

The whole Record family was gone today, they took a much needed break. He did show up via webcam to kick the sermon off and introduce Dr. Erik. I would like to share Garrett & Ryan’s twitters about that subject… Forgive their spelling, they were texting and running a service : )

Garrett’s Tweet
Ryan’s Tweet

It’s hard to thank the crew when I am apart of the crew… So instead I will just tell you we did an awesome job. Go Us.

We had the The Historic on stage with an awesome cover of a Tom Petty song. I was really diggin’ the whole Bob Dylan with line dancing feel they had going on for their music. Many thanks to them for keeping actionchurch “chillin” today

Next week we are inviting you to bring your favorite chair, sofa, recliner, car seat, or toilet to church. The most ridiculous “item to sit on” will get a free lunch with me! I’ll remind you later in the week. Also, the week after is our actionchurch @ the park. Click the chair on the home page, or just go here to get all the details

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I have a terrible time remembering anything.  Everyone, including our five year old, writes notes to remind me to do things.  By the way, if we ever talk on Sunday and I say “please email that to me-If you don’t I’ll forget it” …I’m not blowing you off.  I seriously want a reminder note so that I don’t forget what we talked about.  

I’m glad we have a written account of God’s plan for us in the Bible.  I read it not because it’s “magical”, not because it’s my “duty”,  but because I constantly need a reminder of God’s plan for living here on earth.   I need to be reminded that although society and technology have changed over the last 2000 years, God hasn’t. I need to be reminded that there are timeless truths that still can change our lives for the better today…If only we remember them.

Here’s a few really important things I was “reminded” of this morning…

¹³ Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Colossians 3:13

⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.  2 Corinthians 9:6

¹⁷ Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.   James 4:17

But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead.   1 Peter 4:5

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I read somewhere recently the statement “God is preparing you, not punishing you”.   Sorry, can’t remember who said it (Perry Noble?) but it certainly has made me think.

It’s pretty hard to tell the difference between punishment and being prepared for something intense.   Boot camp has to feel pretty “punishing” for recruits pushed to their breaking point every day with very little sleep or rest.  It’s hard to tell as an outsider whether football players are being “prepared” or “punished” at their pre-season camps. 

Just like a Good Coach or Drill Instructor, God’s plan is not to permanently harm us when we go through tough times.  His plan is not to injure us…but he does push us further than we ever thought possible…to prove to us that when we trust him we can be stronger than we ever imagined. The great news is that even though we feel many times like we are “breaking”, God knows us better than we know ourselves and the Bible promises that we will not be “tempted more than we can stand“.  We will not be “pushed past our breaking point”.

So for all of us who are followers of Jesus going through difficult times.  Remember, God is not PUNISHING you…he disciplines…he corrects…he “redirects” our attention… but most of all he “prepares” us to come out stronger than we ever thought possible.  Don’t give up…don’t give in to feeling “punished”.  You are being prepared!

² Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.  James 1:2-4

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We’re waiting on a plumber to show up at our house today.  Depending on him actually.  I’ve got a plumbing problem that’s way beyond my ability to fix and a soggy basement to prove it.  (Yeah, you’ve had days like that too!)

I’m certain that my plumber will show up…not because of his advertisements.  Not because of the logo’s and lettering on his truck.  Not because he is a “licensed” plumber.   I’m certain he will show up because he always has in the past.  I trust him because a friend of ours recommended him years ago when we were doing a major addition project to our home, and he proved himself “trustworthy”.    I trust him to “show up” because he always had in the past.  We’ve got “history”.

I’ve got other problems much bigger than my plumbing issues (in our basement…that’s not a euphamism)      and I bet many of you do also.  I’m depending on God to “show up”.   If he doesn’t…we’re screwed!  I trust God to “show up” because he always has in the past.  Someone introduced me to him many years ago.  He doesn’t always show up immediately  as I would like  (like my plumber)… but he always shows up just in time.  I trust God because he has proven to be “trustworthy”!

So who do you call when you have problems beyond your limited ability to fix?  Who do you call on when it all “hits the fan”?  Is it someone you’ve “heard about”…someone you’ve “read about”… someone you “know about”?  Or can you call on a God that you know and trust?  

If you need a “recommendation”…I know a God that you can trust. We “recommend” him each week at actionchurch.  He’s available…He’ll take your call.  The rest is up to you…

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