Tuesday, February 24th, 2009
Welcome to Txt Tuesday…the day we we reply to all the incoming text messages that don’t get a response during the Sunday morning service. You can text your questions/comments etc. to the number on the screens any Sunday morning…
Txt: Why, when u follow, love and obey God in every area u can, does life go from bad 2 worse? And often all u get from others is “I’ll pray 4 u”.
Don: This question alone makes all the effort of taking incoming txt messages during the service worth it…what an honest and thoughtful question. You might expect that I would question whether you were truly “following, loving and obeying God in every area u can” if your life is going from bad to worse…But I absolutely believe you…I’ve personally experienced what you are describing.
Jesus said in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Throughout scripture you will find God saying “you will have trouble”, “you will experience hard times” , “you will experience loss”…but I will be with you…I will protect you…I will make sure that you are cared for.
The problem is, whenever we experience “hard times”…life going “from bad to worse” whenever we go to our friends they often either say “I’ll pray 4 u” or they may even wonder if you are sinning in some area. Most want to help…they are just unable to deal with the reality that you are ”suffering” while doing all the right things. (Think it’s a new thing? Check out the book of Job) It makes us wonder if God is “there”…if he cares for us. Why is it that the more we desire to serve him- the more “trouble” we experience. It seems “backwards”…shouldn’t you be rewarded for “doing the right thing”? Don’t preachers talk about being “blessed by God”? Where is that “Blessing”?
God created life to be lived in “seasons”. There are “seasons” of testing. Times when our enemy (Satan) is doing everything in his power to discourage us from carrying out our desire to follow God. Times when God “withholds” from rescuing us to build our strength and endurance. Times when God is “silent”. For Michele and I the past couple years have been like that. We have devoted our lives to being obedient to God in starting actionchurch….yet we have never experienced more financial, physical, personal (etc)…pain and difficulty. Many times we have wondered “Where is the blessing?”. “If this is the right thing-why is everything so hard”?
The Great news is that every “season” of testing and trouble ends. God does bless us. And over the “long haul” there is nothing better than serving God. Michele and I feel very fortunate right now to be part of what God is doing at actionchurch. But there are times…lots of times…when it just sucks. When it doesn’t seem like anything is ever going to “turn out all right”. The main thing is never to give up…to miss the pay off. Here’s some verses from my favorite scripture to read during seasons of testing. Psalms 37. We will also be dealing with this exact “dilemma” in our upcoming sermon series about Joseph that starts in 4 weeks.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.
5 Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
Psalms 37:3-6
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Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
It’s Txt Tuesday…and it is “on like Donkey Kong” this week. (I’m not even sure what that means…) I loved the txt survey that Josiah did to find out which of the “four” valentines day cards all you ladies got…sounds like the men of actionchurch went “serious” this year.
Txt : Will we do more things like the “Extreme Christmas Makeover” in the future?
Don: Abso-freakin-lutely! (Missed out on the action? -here’s a link to the Makeover.) Since our core value is to give “no strings attached” as we grow larger and have more resources you will see more efforts like the makeover instead of less. (We don’t “give” to attract new people to actionchurch…we attract more people to church so we can give “bigger”) Our next big “push” as a church will come after Easter when we are going to do the RELAY FOR LIFE in an all-out actionchurch way!
Txt : If the one that wronged u is not near, is it okay to do for a stranger or a non-profit in their behalf instead of giving to them?
Don: I know this is in response to Jesus saying in Luke 6 that we should “turn the other cheek” and lend to those who will not repay us. The unfortunate part about being “wronged” is that many times it cannot be “made right” (here on earth at least). Many times we can’t even respond to the person who has wronged us in forgiveness and mercy due to distance, death etc. The most important thing (since God is the one keeping score) is that we forgive in our heart…that we truly let that person “off the hook”. If there is no way to let that person know…I think it would be perfectly fine to do for someone else. If however, you feel like you should pick up the phone and let someone know they are forgiven and loved…”no strings attached”…be obedient and do it…no matter how uncomfortable it may be.
Txt : I got a card with “coupons” for things i want/need on a daily basis. ie. a day of doing whatever I want.
Don: We asked women to txt in what kind of Valentines Day card they got…so this txt is from a woman. An observation: How come women’s “coupon” cards always are for things like shopping…or spending the day AWAY from the man? Men’s cards with “coupons” usually are filled with coupons for “time together”…or “scrapbooking” as I like to call it…just sayin???
Txt : Don’s jacket is lovely today!
Don: It was “lovely”…”dashing” even…I think we’ll stop right there for the week.
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Tuesday, February 10th, 2009
To all of you who sent something complimentary about actionchurch or the sermon we really appreciate it…but I thought there was only one msg that needed response today…
Txt: (in response to “why” Jesus brought his three friends up the mountain to see his “business meeting” at the transfiguration) Maybe Jesus brought them us the mountain to show them just how powerful he was so that they would be able to preach from knowledge and experience…
Don: I understand this txt came in just as I was wrapping up…but whoever you are I think you are exactly right. I absolutely believe that the “point” of following Jesus is not to (as Peter suggested) stay on the top of the mountain …but to follow Jesus down the mountain to where the “large crowds” of people needing help, healing, and teaching await! That’s why we do actionchurch. However, I think you have a really great insight into why it is important to experience those “spiritually explosive” moments…when we see and experience the power of Jesus…when we “hear” God speak…when we see miracles that we can never “explain away”- it certainly does give us confidence in the power of God so we can passionately share that with others. Great insight- thank you “anonymous txter person”…you “brought it” on Sunday!
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