11-25-09 Site adjusted

Blogoramians,

I understand some of you have had trouble posting comments. With the help of technosavvy Drew, we may have cleared some of the obstacles. Give it a whirl if you would like.

Tomorrow is the wonderful day of giving thanks. I love the opening words (and actually, all the rest of the words) of Lincoln's proclamation establishing Thanksgiving day,

"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. "

Way to go, Abe. Can you tell these words were written in the depths of the Civil War which was rending Lincoln's heart? Most amazing.

His steadfast love endures forever.

May our hearts be softened and sensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

CO

11-06-09 Mustard Seed Faith

Jesus' disciples asked Him to increase their faith, and Jesus replied that faith no bigger than a mustard seed would do. I noticed that the ensuing stories (Ten Lepers, Persistent Widow, Pharisee and Tax Collector, Little Children, Blind Beggar, Zacchaeus, Talents) all look like mustard seed faith to me. I don't think that is a coincidence - not because Jesus backed up the principle with a bunch of illustrations - but because mustard seed faith is what we have.

My little mustard seed of faith and Jesus -- That's enough. This thought has been very helpful for me as I engage circumstances that are so much bigger than I am. It helps me overcome my apprehension that I don't have enough faith.

What is "enough" anyway? Am I such a great judge of when my faith has finally grown to acceptable proportions? Ahh... no.

Do I have a mustard seed size faith? Yes. Jesus can work with that.

Our Lord is with us,
CO

10-28-09 The faith to pray

I'm quite taken with the parable of the persistent widow these days (Luke 18:1ff.). Jesus tells us that He shares this parable so that we will persist in prayer. In the parable He observes that even if an unjust, unloving, godless judge is pestered long enough, that judge might eventually give in and grease the squeaky wheel. Then Jesus concludes with this somewhat enigmatic line, "But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Jesus is reminding us that God is the opposite of an ornery, uncaring, unfair judge. The opposite.

He is fair.
He is caring.
He is, above all others, godly.
He is not ignoring a single prayer.

He is the perfect one to Whom we make our appeal. Am I relying upon that?

Is God finding that faith on earth in me?

I think so. Just a mustard seed's worth, but that is enough. I will persevere in prayer.

CO

10-7-09

Thanks for the feedback from Vicki regarding “Who are the people you are called to reach?” I appreciate her ready response to reach her family. I liked her named ministry of sharing the love of God, the grace of Christ and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

I also heard from another person (not a post) that his ministry is quiet and “small.” I so much appreciate that observation. When we talk about someone finding his or her ministry niche or identifying the people he or she is called to reach, we tend to use examples of high profile ministers. This makes sense because their example is visible, hence known, to many. That is a helpful communication method. However, it is counterproductive in that high profile ministers are sort of ministry freaks. They are odd because the other 99.9% of us are doing the low profile, quiet, miniscule ministry.

The low profile, quiet, miniscule ministry sounds to me like just what God had in mind for most of the body of Christ. It is also not-so-miniscule. Here are some thoughts submitted by another person (also not a post) that is an outstanding illustration of the need to reach people, and the significance of quiet, low profile, miniscule ministry. Read on, it will be worth your while:

”This month we, as a church, are focusing on missions. With that in mind, I feel led to issue a challenge to all of us to also be attentive to the ‘mission field’ that is our own church family. During the past week, I had a conversation with a few other church members which reminded me of a question we discussed in Sunday School. “What do you think heaven will be like?” FOR ME, HEAVEN WILL BE A PLACE WHERE I BELONG; A PLACE WHERE I WILL TRULY BE KNOWN.I recognize many of your faces as I’ve seen you around the church. I’m sure many of you recognize my face. I know pieces of some of your stories. I’ve shared pieces of my history with some of you. However, I really know very few of you and very few of you know me. Although our tendency is to hang out with those who are already within our circle of friends, my challenge to all of us is to step out of our comfort zone. Look around and really notice people. Speak to someone who is not already in that “circle.” Encourage someone. If someone is not at church, give them a call and let them know they were missed. There are hurting, disconnected people right here in our congregation. Let’s make our entire church family feel like they belong. Let’s make an effort to really get to know each other.”

Thank you for contributing those thoughts. They are right on. Comments welcome, as always.

The Lord is with us,
CO

Who are the people I am being called to reach?

Here’s a provocative question I have been weighing lately, “Who are the people I am being called to reach?”
It seems to me like there are three categories of answers:
1. I believe I am called to reach no one in Jesus’ name.
2. I don’t know.
3. I believe I am being called to reach this person/these people in Jesus’ name.
Although I have a fairly ready answer, I have found sitting with the question has stretched my thinking in surprising ways. It is a “threshing” question that helps separate the wheat from the chaff.
How about you? I want to hear from you regarding one or both of the following questions:
· Who are the people you are being called to reach?
· How do you find yourself being challenged as you attempt to answer that question?
I’m interested in your thoughts. Conversation still works.; talk to me. Or writing comments here can expand a dialogue.

Thanks,
CO

New Deal

Here's the deal: Drew is trying to get me to enter the 21st century. We're not too optimistic, but we're forging ahead.

Anyway, stay tuned while I try to get by barefeet coordinated in cyberspace.

CO