Improving the friendship

Monday I wrote about Abraham being God's friend. I wrote that he was an ordinary man, with glaring weaknesses, who loved and obeyed God, and whom God considered His "friend." But Paul Harvey would be upset if I didn't give you "the rest of the story."

Genesis 22 is, in my opinion, one of the most difficult chapters in the Bible. It starts out with God asking Abraham to go and kill his only son, Isaac, as an offering to the Lord. As I read, my inner dialogue begins ranting and raving, "WHAT?! Kill his only son? God, are you CRAZY?! Why would God ask him to do this?"

As I read this, the Spirit began speaking to me, "Rob, what on this earth is your most valued possession?" That's easy - my wife and children. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his most prized possession, and Abraham agreed. The question in my spirit came, "Rob, would you? If God told you to give up your family for Him, would you? Would you sacrifice them?" (Note: in order to grasp this story, you have to contemporize it and understand that "sacrificing them" wouldn't mean "killing them" - but it would mean laying aside my will for their lives and acceping God's will, whatever that might be.)

Some of us think that our most prized possession would be something we do not yet have - would you give up your dreams, your retirement, your plans? And while that might be part of it, Abraham is asked to give up the one most valuable thing he already had - his son. And you know the story - Abraham gets ready to plunge the knife into his son's belly to sacrifice him to the Lord, and an angel stops him. God knew at that point that Abraham was willing to do whatever God asked him to - no matter what. In Abraham's life, NO ONE was more important that God, and furthermore, EVERYTHING that Abraham had was God's, including his son's life.
You don't get to be God's friend by just speaking to Him a few times a week and reading the Bible a little. Friendship with God is attained when we obey Him - even in the areas and circumstances of our live where we flat out don't understand why we should obey or even how we can obey Him. Friendship with God trusts that God is our Friend, and that He works all things out for our good, even when we don't understand it.

To be a friend of God means obedience to Him, trusting in Him completely - and that is a whole lot easier to talk about (and write about) than to actually live out. But my prayer is, "Lord, I still want to be your friend. When I am tested, may I obey you to the point of death if necessary. But may I always be your friend.

The Friend of God...?

One of the most profound statements that we have read and re-read in our small group's study, Secrets of the Vine, is the statement in John 15:14 where Jesus says, "You are my friends if you obey me." I am overwhelmed by this, considering my life and some of the decisions I have made, that GOD would even consider calling ME His FRIEND...

And then I am reminded of Abraham, the man in the Bible who was called God's friend. I am so grateful that Abraham's story is in the Bible (Genesis 12-25), because it reminds me that God doesn't expect me to be perfect to be His friend. One of the worst ways to read the Bible is to exalt the characters to a "larger than life" status, Reading the Bible this way causes us to feel inferior and unable to reach the heights that the men and women whose lives are recored in the Bible reached. But do you know anything about Abraham's life? Do you know that he was nowhere near perfect? Let me give you some details, and as I do, put yourself in his shoes - imagine if you did these things (or take comfort if you have done some of these things that you can still be a friend of God!):

• Abraham had a problem with lying (Genesis 12:10-13; 20:2);
• To make matters worse, when he lied, he lied about his wife and claimed she was his sister, thus turning her over to some magistrate's harem. In other words, his wife at two different times became part of a harem, subject to sexual slavery because Abraham didn't want to put himself in harm's way rather than trust God. Thank God that He intervened, because Sarah was probably ready to kill Abraham herself.
  
• He didn't rule his family very well, allowing Lot to "move his tents towards Sodom," a place of terrible immorality. There is more on this to come.
  
• Upon his wife Sarah's request, he married his servant so that he could have children.
  
• Abraham laughed at God in disbelief when God told him that Sarah would have a baby. God literally spoke to Abraham, and Abraham laughed at God!
• Abraham's nephew, Lot (who was entrusted into Abraham's care when his brother died) had to be dragged from Sodom when God was getting ready to judge it with fire and brimstone. Furthermore, Lot's two daughters then slept with their father to preserve their family line. Abraham had a dysfunctional family!

Abraham was not perfect, yet despite his imperfections, He obeyed God and believed in God's promises, even though he showed a huge lack of faith by laughing at God at one time. Abraham did do many great things for God, and was incredibly faithful. But he was also incredibly flawed.

Do you know why this is all significant? Because God uses ordinary, incredibly imperfect people to do His will, people who, though flawed, still have a desire to obey God. And if God could use Abraham, then He can use us. If God considered imperfect Abraham "the friend of God," then Jesus wasn't stretching the truth when He told His disciples, "You are my friends if you obey me."

Thank you, Lord, for giving me the example of Abraham, who despite his huge imperfections, followed you and was Your friend. Help me to obey You, so that I can also be Your "friend."

Sunday, February 26, 2005

Snow loves to come on the weekend, but it didn't keep most of our regular crowd from showing up today as we worshiped, commissioned, and learned "what do I do with my blessing?" from Ephesians 1:11-14.

First, the worship - it is getting better in some areas, even with the adjustments that are being made in the worship ministry. As I have led a few times, taking over for Bill near the end of a service, I feel that so many of you are ready to worship. Keep coming with hearts that are expecting to meet with God. There is a saying I want to adopt - "The attitude of expectancy is the breeding ground for the miraculous." God wants to do some miracles in our midst as we worship Him expectantly. Keep seeking God's heart in worship.

Second, we comissioned our deacons - Ed, Kyle, Corey - in both services. I am so excited to grant the authority of this church to these man to minister and to be an extension of this ministry. I have prayed for these men since before I knew them, back when I first came to The Journey and asked God to send me men like these. THANK YOU God for our deacons.

Third, we learned today that we are blessed to be instruments, not just recipients of blessing. I encouraged people to act on the fact that they are blessed - don't be spiritual gluttons, but be people who bless others.

I had some great conversations after each service, and I am excited about Mike & Andrea Minnon coming to our church, along with the faithfulness of Mike (can't remember the last name). Also, I was happy to meet Cheri's friend, Carol, and I hope she will be back again. I also got a chance to converse with Raquel, Veronica's friend. I pray that our church can be a blessing to her as well.

Thank you, Lord, for what you continue to do here. We had 119 with us today.

Andrea comes out of the water after she is baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

This is Alex Landi, Andrea's brother. Alex is 7, and recently asked Jesus to come into his heart. I love baptizing children and helping set the path for their lives.  

This is Andrea Landi, the 10 year old daughter of Veronica Gauthier. Andrea recently asked Jesus to come into her heart, and she wanted to be baptized to show everyone that she is a Christian. 

Alex comes out of the water - raised to walk in a new way of life! 

One other note...

Yesterday I spoke with Jeremy Grieb for about 25 minutes as he is training to go to Iraq. He is somewhere out in the Southwest. Jeremy was asked to be a lay leader of religious services and had asked me for some recommendations on materials. But if you would like, you can email him at repairguy15@yahoo.com and encourage him. This will be a great opportunity for him to minister to others as well, so please pray for him and drop him an encouraging word!

Maybe someone would be willing to put together a care package?
- Pastor

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Today we had missionaries Chris and Stephanie Ballinger with us in both services. They are a couple that has just started raising support to go to the field of Mongolia, and they presented their ministry in song and video.

At the end of Chris's speaking, I challenged people to ask God to do in their lives whatever He wanted to do, to surrender themselves to His will. In both services, people came down to the altar and recommitted themselves to the Lord and His work. I love having missionaries with us because they remind us that ordinary people are the ones that God uses to minister in extraordinary ways.

We had 120 people with us, with many regulars missing, and we also had back several second-time visitors that I am excited about, including the Minnons and another family I can't remember the names. I was also VERY excited that The Journey gave a generous love offering to our missionaries, close to $1000! THANK YOU for your generosity!

Today's services were not typical services - I actually felt overall that they were somewhat lethargic, lacking spark. And there could have been any number of reasons for this, but it was noticeable probably because our services have not been like that in some time. But one lethargic Sunday doesn't define us, and with all that has been going on, maybe we should have expected the enemy to try and get us to be lackluster. But God is good, even when we aren't just teeming over with excitement, and He has so much in store for us over the coming months and year. To Him be the praise!

Saturday evening, February 18, 2006

Tonight was our annual Vision Meeting, but it was also the night when we officially voted in our first constitution and by-laws, three deacons, and our minister of records and finance. It was a very exciting night, so let me give you the run down:

1) It was an extremely cold night, so much so that the hose with the water froze, making it impossible to use the bathroom.
2) Due to the cold or to forgetfulness, it wasn't as nearly well-attended as I thought it would be. That was the worst part about the evening, in that we had 44 adults attend. I wish there were more, but I can only control my part. But it was a unanimous consensus on the constitution, and overwhelming majorities on all other votes.
3) In the meeting, I listed the 2005 recap

• Started our teen group in January
• Pastor Rob became part-time paid staff at church
• Switched to two services on Easter Sunday on March 27, 2005.
• Launched a 3-5 year old pre-school class.
• Pastor Rob became full time in June.
• Handed out close to 400 bottles of water at the Relay for Life.
• Replaced the sanctuary roof in June.
• Made major upgrades to sound system.
• Celebrated our two year birthday in July 2005 at the park.
• Added air condition to Sunday school building.
• Raised $2000 through personal contributions and carwash for Katrina relief.
• Went through our first church-wide campaign, 40 Days of Purpose.
• Started small groups successfully.
• Took on 3 missionaries – Bairds, Kyms, Crawfords.
• Purchased a plow truck.
• 45 people accepted Christ last year at The Journey.
• Had a high of 185 on Celebration Sunday.
• Baptized 13 people.
• Had approx. 310 first time visitors with us from January to December.

4) We also discussed our church goals for 2006:

• Invest in bringing people to Christ
• Number 1 focus of our ministry is bringing people into relationships with Jesus Christ – goal for 2006 – 75
• Number 2 focus of our ministry is making disciples – helping believers grow – our goal for 2006 – 60 people discipled by year’s end.
• Number 3 focus of our ministry is baptizing disciples – our goal for 2006 is 50.

• Strengthen our current ministries
• Only beginning one new ministry this year – DA2LJ. This is a ministry that strengthens our church by targeting new believers.
• We will seek to strengthen every other ministry.
• Add leaders.
• Add workers.
• Improve areas.
• Add space.

• Sharpen our ministry focus
• I am seeking to delegate and remove myself from the wide range of ministries that I have been involved in, including the music.
• My ultimate goal is to help our leaders and helpers focus on their particular areas of ministry rather than be so widespread.

• Solidify our financial budget.
• Cutting spending, saving more, while taking care of ministry obligations.
• We were in the black by $4,399 in ’05 – improving on that.
• This will allow us to actively explore our financial options to expand.

• Complete necessary building upgrades
• Running new water line to building.
• Replacing roofs of SS building and parsonage.
• Adjusting auditorium lighting.
• Replacing carpet in children’s areas with tile.
• Carpeting nursery.
• Adding a bathroom to SS building.
• Replace door in SS building.
• Repairs/minor upgrades to parsonage

• Expand our building facilities.
• We will need to go to three services soon to keep up with attendance increase.
• Explore temporary options for renting.
• Explore building beginning in fall of this year.

5) One of the very last goals we discussed was supporting the new church plant of Steve Jesmer, currently the executive pastor at GSBC who will be starting a church in Manchester within the year. Steve was one of the two pastors along with Anthony Milas who began The Journey, and so we are excited to get behind him and his ministry.

It was a good night, and the Lord blessed. I am excited to see what the Lord has next for us.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Church was canceled today because of snow. :(

Sunday, February 5, 2006

Both services today were great, but for my money, I would say the second service was perhaps the best service we have ever had. The responses to the worship and the word were great all around, but in the second service we hit on a time of calling out to God and worship after the word was brought that in our church's experience was unparalleled.

To begin, the worship was great. People were ready, and they immersed themselves in praising God. We learned the song, "Love the Lord Your God," blasted out "How Great Thou Art," and just the whole worship time was incredible. The word was so well-received. After I spoke, I was so excited as people stood around the altar during the invitation, reaffirming and re-establishing God as the authority in our lives (according to the blessing of authority from Ephesians 1:9-10).

But it was after the invitation that God decided to stay around :) because we were serious about applying the word to our lives, and so we just began to praise the Lord and declare His authority in our lives and in our church, and then we worshipped some more. Honestly, I believe our church reached another level of worship - not that we will automatically stay there, but we know that God has a breakthrough in store and if we come prepared and surrendered like we did this past week, it will become our regular worship.

I heard a message today and there was something explained that I need to pass along:

• There is the favor (blessing) of God in church – we don’t just come to church, we come to experience something that God has deposited in this day for us – it’s called favor.
  

I think God was pleased, and He annointed our church with His favor in our worship this past weekend. But I know He wants this for us EVERYTIME, and He actually deposits it in our church in advance for us to experience, if we will seek it out. May this be the desire of our hearts without fail every time we come together, to find the deposit of favor God has for us!

As you can tell, I am so very excited about what we felt and experienced this past week - even with many regulars missing, we still had 132, and God was near. I look forward eagerly to this coming Sunday!

A summation of two weekend services

Please forgive me for my lack of updates for the last two weeks - a number of things have kept me away, so here is my attemt at catching up.

Sunday, January 22, 2006 - Something broke in my preaching during this service. I was very excited to preach about the blessing of election and how it impacts our Christian lives. But for me, I felt that God was behind my words. Not that I never feel this way, but the Lord is working in my life, shaping me and refining me, and I was just excited to deliver this word and to see the results. Praise God - He made it work, and it really hit home. This service was a good start as for the first time in weeks, we did not have snow on a Sunday. We also had 142, which was our highest non-special event total ever. I really feel as if we have hit a time of favor with God, and He is blessing us in new ways.

Sunday, January 29, 2006 - Last Sunday was favorable, and this day was also favorable but with distractions - flickering lights, plumbing issues, etc. These tried to hinder our worship at times, but the message was received fairly well as looked at the blessing of adoption, and how we can "say it anyway!" Our attendance was good at 132.

Today was special because I was able to baptize 2 wonderful kids, Andrea and Alex (Veronica's kids). It is always a wonderful thing to baptize children who are just beginning their Christian lives, and who know that Jesus Christ is their Savior. A friend of the Gauthier's that visited for Andrea & Alex's baptism also prayed and invited the Lord into her life - pray as we follow up with this. I will post pictures of the baptism when I receive them.

God is moving at The Journey - we have hit a good spot, and I am excited about what is coming up.