Learning and Setting Priorities

Philippians 4:11

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

In a few weeks I will turn 57 – I can hardly believe that I am really that old!  When I started into ministry at 21 years of age I never thought about being 57.  I just attended the funeral of a friend who was 93 – so I guess I’m not that old!  But then again!!

Setting priorities in life is not something we should put off til later!  Setting the path we will walk – even if we adjust our path along the way is very important.  As we travel this terrestrial ball – and live the life God has given us – we hope that we learn what is important in life – sooner rather than later – and set our priorities in proper order.  We learn – we hope – that our relationship with God is most important – because that is eternal rather than time limited.  We also hope we learn that family – in most cases – is very important and will – normally – stand with us to the end.  We hope that we learn that true friendships are hard to find – that relationships are worth nurturing.  We also hope that we learn that work is often merely a way to provide for the family – even if we believe we make a difference in the world with our jobs.  That last one may be a little strong – but many of us get caught up in our careers and forget the first three I named – God – family and friends – putting work above them.

Paul – the noted author of Philippians and an Apostle of God – wrote that he had learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  Even when we have our priorities right – circumstances can happen in our lives – some of our own doing and some not – that impact the way we live and feel about the life we live.  Some even get to the end of life – or at the halfway mark – and look back and regret the priorities they set in life.

In context – this is what Paul wrote: Philippians 4:4-13 – 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Some key thoughts in those verses and favorites too – I know you picked up on them.  It starts with rejoice in the Lord always.  Rejoice in God – no matter the circumstances.  These verses are where I get my saying happiness is circumstantially driven, while joy is spiritually derived.  We are to be in joy in the Lord always – even when the circumstances don’t line up.  Yet Paul takes it a step further and reminds us that even in the worst of circumstances – we should have joy in the Lord.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus… I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I want to encourage us today – that even if the circumstances of life haven’t lined up for us – and we could run a litany of circumstances that could go or have gone wrong in our lives – we can not only have a joy in the Lord but learn to be content in our life’s circumstances as well.   Paul ends this section of Scripture with a verse that many of us have memorized – but maybe didn’t know the context – I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

My prayer for us today is that we will continue to grow in our walk with Jesus – and learn through the years what is important and to keep God and family above the rest!  It is never too late to learn this my friends – we cannot make-up for the mistakes we’ve made in the past – but we can certainly live going forward with the right priorities and the right heart!

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

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Orange 2

It is the last day of the Orange Conference. Our team has been very excited about what we are learning. We will come back excited and ready to implement some of what we are learning. We are thoroughly convinced that reaching the next generation is vitally important. The way we do that is so important.

Many of us grew up going to Sunday School at church – some even to a Christian school during the week. Many of us can remember Sunday School, VBS, camps, and other models of ministries that had as their goal to train up and equip the next generation. Question: if the end result we are after is for the next generation to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, does the model we use really matter? Is there a better model than we have been using for generations?

Instead of staying with what we have always done, or trying something new because it is new, maybe, just maybe, we ought to seek what would best help us reach our desired goal. I would challenge our church leadership, many whom are parents of young children themselves or grandparents of young children, to put down goals for our children and then strive to reach those goals. Here is a short list to start us thinking. We would like our children, when they move beyond our children’s and youth ministry to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a growing understanding of the basic stories and teachings of the Bible, and the ability to see the need to serve God in ministry (to be more than a consumer of faith). Another way of putting this – we would like our children to develop a wonder about God, a passion for Christ, and a discovery of who they are and how they can serve God. Doesn’t this sound a lot like our mission – bring in – build up – send out?

Are we doing this with what we are doing now? Is there a better way to do it? Are we focused? Do we have a strategy? Have we ever sat down and examined how we go about raising our children in Christ?

I’m so glad I came with the team that attended this Orange Conference. It has opened the eyes of this old church person to new and exciting ways to reach the next generation. I’m convinced that the church should partner with parents to achieve our desired goal. Yellow = the light of the church. Red = the heart of the parents. Orange = yellow and red combined. Involving the family in reaching the children will have an added benefit of reaching the whole church with Christ, our vision.

Stay tuned for the sermon series that begins this Sunday, May 1, as we search some of the challenges of parenthood. See you Sunday.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Ministering to the Hurting

Ministering to the Hurting

Our vision is to reach the whole family with Christ.  As we strive to carry out this vision, we will run into a number of hurting people.  Many of the families in and around our church – if not all of them – have hurts that occur from a measure of dysfunction in each family.  The church family needs to reach out to each other – when one hurts, we should all hurt, and strive to heal the wounds.

People often come into my office or into my path with hurts.  The hurts occur when we do not do family in a healthy manner.

One hurt that is often seen is the hurt that comes from our marriages.  The church can reach out and help marriages by providing counsel and guidance before marriage – even starting with the pre-dating age group.  The church can also offer support groups and small groups that will help strengthen the marriage bond.

Our desire, as we reach out to the family with Jesus, is to go beyond the surface concerns and help families with their hurts.  A goal for us is healthier families.

Where are you hurting and what could your church family do to help you with that hurt?  Is your marriage in trouble?  We want to help.  Are you going through or have gone through a divorce?  We want to help.  Do you have relationship concerns with your children?  We want to help.  Are your children out of control?  We want to help.  Do you feel all alone?  We want to help?

Your church wants to reach the whole family with Christ – and in order to do that we will need to minister to the hurt we find in the family.

We have awesome children’s and youth ministries.  While reaching the children and youth, we want to also reach their parents.  We are targeting Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night as prime times to do ministry to the whole family.  One of our goals is to have something for the whole family during these three times of the week.  As you plan your weeks – please try to keep these three times open and available to participate and support our ministry to the whole family.

The Family

Recently my family went on a family reunion weekend.  It is my mother’s family reunion – the Thomas reunion.  We have gone on this trip for many years.  I remember when many of my mother’s siblings were there with their children and grandchildren.  The family has grown – as has the reunion.  Family I haven’t seen for years or since the previous year come and we get reacquainted.  Mom is now the only living sibling from her generation.  It is sad to see my cousins and know that their parent is no longer here – yet they continue to come to represent the family.

The cycle of life can be seen at these family reunions – maybe you have had similar experiences.  There is mom – the last one of her generation – and there are several generations of people biologically related to us or married into the family.  I have teased our daughter’s boyfriends – now husbands and fiancés – to check out our gene pool before deciding to join the family – lol (none backed out).

Each year there seems to be another new spouse – a new child – a new member to the family.  Each year there seems to be a widening of the family.

Family is important.  Family gives one a sense of belonging – a sense of security.  I know there is one town in the world where I could go and mention my mom’s name – her nickname – and people would love on me because I belonged.

That sense of belonging is the atmosphere we desire to continue and nurture at Mt. Oak.  Our heart’s desire is that Mt. Oak would be a place to belong – a place where visitors feel welcome and want to return – a family.

In order for that desire to come to fruition – the whole family needs to be involved.  At the reunion – it is very easy for one part of the family to attend yet stay to themselves.  They can go to the buffet line and return to their table and not mingle.  They can say there were there – but have very little interaction with others who are also there!  The ones who get the most out of the reunion are those who mingle – who go table to table – talking with family members and getting to know their stories.  Hearing their history – even if it is just an update from last yet.  I enjoyed watching my brother and a couple of cousins sitting together and telling hunting tales.  My mother was all over the place – she loves to connect which sibling you’re related to and how.  Watching how old my cousins are getting while I remain young is also a fun activity (lol).

When you come to worship or some other activity at Mt. Oak – don’t just find your chair and sit down.  Meet people!  Look for visitors – old friends – new friends – family members!  The family is so very important.  Without you and your efforts we will not be the family God wants us to be.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way!

Providing for One’s Family

1 Timothy 5:8

⁸If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

One of the things that has always troubled me – as I see the family under attack by Satan – is the number of fathers (biologically) and mothers (biologically) that abandon their children and their care.  You can add to this list the number of parents who don’t abandon their family but do little to provide for them.

I realize – even as I make the above statement – that some will say there are people who have good reason for not being able to provide for their family.  I would suggest that that number is smaller than some might think.  I believe that Satan is at work – attacking the family at the very core.  Providing for our immediate family is something God has called us to do.

The church that wants to reach the whole family for Christ needs to make sure that part of their teaching instructs men and women to take seriously the care of their families.  That church needs to model what it means to take care of your own.  It needs to work with families to stay together.  It needs to teach that having children is not merely a physical act but a moral one and a life time commitment.

The church that wants to reach the whole family for Christ needs to take to heart this passage for today’s devotional thought.

1 Timothy 5:8 – ⁸If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Our Families Need to Remain Faithful

Deuteronomy 29:18

¹⁸ Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.

As God was warning His people – He spoke through Moses to keep the hearts of the family turned toward God.  No one is to turn away from God.

Are there people in your family who have turned away from God?  Are there people in your family that have become a bitter poison?  Does anyone worship other gods?  Gods of other religions – gods of immoral behavior – gods of a love of money?

If the answer is yes – you have a field to work unto harvest right in your family.  You have a family that our church needs to reach out to in the name and love of Jesus.

All families need Jesus.  Healthy families need Jesus.  Dysfunctional families need Jesus.  Every family needs Jesus.

To paraphrase Dr. Craig from Sunday’s message – what gifts has God given you to reach the families around you – letting your light so shine on Jesus in and around you that they will see Jesus and be drawn to Him?

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Divorce Hurts

Malachi 2:16

¹⁶ “I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of Israel,

I would imagine most of us have heard this portion of Malachi 2:16 before.  The prophet says that God hates divorce.  And why wouldn’t God hate divorce?  Divorce is a very damaging attack upon the family.  It breaks the family up and very hard to live through without some lasting damage – both to the couple divorcing and to any children from that marriage.

I’m aware that some of us didn’t take marriage very seriously when we first married.  I’m also aware that some persons change over time and some people are very abusive and getting away from that person can actually be better than remaining married.  I’m also aware of the damage some couples cause their children by staying together with the type of relationship and example being presented.  I’m aware that some persons cannot remain faithful.  I’m well aware of the reasons people get divorced.

In most cases – whatever the reason divorce comes into the picture – divorce hurts.

What can the church do to help the family avoid divorce? If we are going to minister to the whole family – we need to be about ministering to our children – youth – young adults – adults and even seniors in the area of marriage.  Modeling healthy marriages – teaching and preaching about the Biblical examples of and teachings on marriage – support small groups for people before they marry – as they marry – after they marry – and when troubles arise – are some examples.

A man went to the doctor and lifted his arm over his head and told the doctor “it hurts when I do this”.  The doctor in turn told the man “well, then don’t do it”.  Divorce hurts – so the church needs to take steps to help people to avoid such hurt.

Some of the young people I talk to say they don’t want a marriage like their parents have – they want more out of marriage than they see at home.  How can we help them as they try to improve their chances of avoiding an unhappy or unfulfilled marriage and possibly divorce?

Are any of our readers brave enough to talk about their home life growing up and how divorce hurts?  Are any willing to share the pain of their divorce?  Is anyone willing to help those who have been through the hurt of divorce – whether as the children or the divorced couple – deal with the hurts and heal from the wounds?

Starting this Wednesday night – at 7 pm – and continuing until the Lord gives us the freedom to move on – our evening worship service will be based on strengthening the family – specifically in the area of divorce.  We need healthy couples to attend to help – we need persons who have been through divorce and have healed from the wounds – we need couples that are struggling – we need singles who don’t want to enter a marriage that will end in the pain of divorce – and more.  We will use a variety of resources.

Helping our marriages to be healthy and strong will protect our children and ourselves from the hurt of divorce.  God hates divorce.  Can we work together to help those who are hurting?  How can we help?

Share some thoughts – please!

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Friendship in Marriage

Recently we have been sharing the vision and mission of our church (some say mission and vision) - to reach the whole family for Christ – by bringing them in, building them up, and sending them out.  More clearly defined – bringing the whole family into environments where they can encounter Christ, building up the whole family through discipleship, and sending out the whole family to serve others in our community.

I have been on vacation the last two weeks (until June 7th) and haven’t put out a daily message, but I have been spending time praying about and reading about the family.  More and more I am convinced that God is calling us to reach the whole family for Christ – the family is under attack.

I want to suggest that each member be a regular reader of Focus on the Family’s website – http://www.focusonthefamily.com/.  They often have articles about how the family is under attack and how the Body of Christ can help protect and serve the family.

An article I recently read speaks to the busy schedules some marriages have and how friendship in marriage is so important.  The article is called – The Role of Friendship in Marriage - and speaks to the need to make time for your partner.  Many marriages today have become or are on the way to becoming  two people sharing a home rather than two friends who are striving for the same goals and desires.  Please take the time to read the article and an accompanying article titled – Ten Steps to a Deeper Friendship with your Spouse.  It gives some great suggestions on how you can put the spark of friendship back into your marriage.

From time to time – as I read articles that will help the family – I will post on this blog page with an article like this with suggested readings.  Again - I suggest that each member of Mt. Oak – and anyone else reading this post – to read Focus on the Family’s website.  They are a great ministry that is battling Satan for the family’s sake!  I trust their founder (Dr. James Dobson) and their staff.

God’s Design for Marriage

With marriage under great debate these days – resources that clearly help us see God’s design for marriage would be very helpful.  Focus on the Family has such a resource on their website – Relationships and Marriage.  This is a great resource and worth your time in reading it.

If you are preparing to get married or one day would like to, there is a great section on Why Wait for Sex, that will answer a lot of the questions we might ask.  Our youth director is doing a series on purity with our youth and this would be a great resource for their parents as well as for them.

There is also a great section on Parenting.  The website is filled with helpful ideas and Biblical truths surrounding the family.  New President Jim Daly is taking Focus on the Family and continuing the great family ministry that we have come to know and love.

Check it out and share some marriage and family resources you have found.

Marriage and the Family

As marriage comes under attack – so does the family. Today people living together and not married is common place. Divorce is common place. Other living arrangements are common place.  What does the Bible say about marriage and the family?  What resources are out there that can strengthen marriage and the family?

How about listing some resources to help the family and our marriages? Put some links up that will be good reading.

Here’s one from Focus on the Family
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/divorce_and_infidelity/should_i_get_a_divorce.aspx.

You will find links to articles about subjects like:

• Who gets divorced?
• How would divorce affect me?
• How could divorce affect my kids?
• Is there hope for my marriage?
• How should a Christians view marriage and divorce?

And more…

Are there some you are familiar with and could pass along?