Revitalize Your Church

The Secret of Rejoicing

2013-05-21T06:49:00.003-05:00

At the funeral of my dear friend, Joyce Hubbell last week, someone stated, "Joyce chose to rejoice.."

The longer I live, the more I’m convinced it is, indeed, a choice to rejoice.

It’s commonly believed that rejoicing is just a response. Certainly, there is some truth to that perspective. If my team wins the game, I rejoice. If I receive some unexpected money, I rejoice. If I experience a happy event (such as a marriage or birth of a new baby) I rejoice.

However, rejoicing goes far beyond the emotional response to life’s happenings.

If it’s only a response to momentary events – then it comes and goes – rises and falls – depending on what’s happening now. That kind of thinking makes our attitude a roller coaster – up one minute and down the next.

The Bible says to “Rejoice evermore” (I Thessalonians 5:16.) It also says, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and I say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4.) Now, the Bible does not command us to do the impossible. These verses of Scripture tell us to rejoice continuously – so it must be possible to do so.

The Bible assumes that rejoicing goes deeper than our circumstance and situation. Take a look sometime at the verses in the Bible that speak of joy and rejoicing. It permeates the whole Book! As C. S. Lewis said, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”

I’ve noticed that people like Joyce, who demonstrate deep joy, have often gone through much heartache and suffering. They have learned the secret of choosing an attitude of rejoicing rather than one of grumbling and complaint.

If you want to find something to complain about – you’ll find it.
If you want to find something to rejoice over – you’ll find it.

You get what you look for! To rejoice is a choice.

Look beyond the present difficulty to the future hope. Seek the solution rather than the problem. Focus on what is rather than what is not. Whatever comes, make the choice to rejoice today!

How They Should Settle Local Church - Denomination Property Disputes

2013-05-17T08:28:00.005-05:00

The question of who retains property rights of a local church that decides to leave a denomination is in the news again, in light of the Virginia court's recent ruling that the historic Falls Church building belongs to the Episcopal denomination, rather than the local congregation. Falls Church is now seeking a rehearing.

Property deeds in many denominations (including ours) are not held by the local church, but rather by their governing bodies. This arrangement works fine as long as everybody is in harmony with each other, and in many respects is a safeguard agaist a few rogue members taking over and stealing a church way from it original, intended, historic path.

However, what happens when the denomination strays from its original, intended, historic path and the local church departs in protest? Who should get the building?

The way I see it, in disputes like this, church property should always go to its primary investors.

If the denomination was the primary source of funding for the property (purchase, maintenance, repairs, projects, etc.) then it should go to them. If, however, the local congregation carried the burden of paying for it, then they should retain the right to keep it -- regardless of which entity holds the title.

The responsibility of the courts in such cases, then, should be determining the primary investors.

Bible Thumper

2013-05-16T07:46:00.003-05:00

This woman is a Real Bible Thumper.

How to Get Along With Others

2013-05-13T14:01:00.001-05:00

It is always more pleasant when people get along. As the Bible says, “Behold how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity.” One mother recently told her children, “I only want one thing for Mother's Day – Just one full day when you all get along with each other without squabbling!” They didn’t make it. (You could say they gave her half-a-present!)

Ask anybody, and they will tell you they want to get along with others. However, more often than not, we find ourselves embroiled in controversy of some kind or another. Usually it’s because of misunderstandings.

Understanding what frustrates others is the first step towards peaceful relationships. What gets people upset?

Abrupt Change:
Mark Twain said the only person who likes change is a baby with wet diapers! Normally, however, people are not totally opposed to change. They just get worked up if it is sprung on them!

Unclear Expectations:
When we assume they know what we’re thinking, we’re asking for trouble. It’s aggravating to walk on eggshells around an unpredictable and inconsistent person.

Broken Commitments:
Every time a person breaks their word, they also break a trust. It is better to under-promise and over-deliver.

Violation of Rights:
Ignoring basic courtesy and respect usually bring an angry response. Every human being has the right to be treated with dignity.

Poor Communication:
People are always down on what they’re not up on. You can’t just say something once in passing and then think you’ve communicated. A true communication does not occur until the one receiving it gets it!

When it’s Not Done Right:
Normally, when someone is upset about something not being done “right” they mean “MY WAY!” It pays us all to remember that there is more than one way to look at just about every issue. There are very few things in life that must only be done one way.

_____________________________:
I left this one blank so you can fill it in! Whatever and Anything! There are some folks who will get upset about anything. You can’t do much about that except try to be patient, love and understand the best you can.

So, how do we go ahead and get along? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Get alone with God and pray about it. It’s hard to stay mad when you’re prayed up.

2. Make peace with yourself. Most conflicts are caused by inner turmoil.

3. Assume 80% of the responsibility for getting along. That means be proactive in the relationship. If you think it’s 50% your responsibility (or less) you will wait around when you should be doing something.

4. Fix the problem, not the blame.
5. Never judge motives (unless you are assuming they mean well.)
6. Attack issues, not people
7. Look for common threads. Find what you agree on and put your energy there.
8. Go back and patch the holes. This means to apologize, the make amends, to reconcile and iron out the differences.
9. Make sure they know you care about them.
10. Remember, love covers a multitude of sins.

11. Use the 7:1 ration (seven affirmations to one correction)
12. Refuse to be consumed by negativity
13. Be easy on people when they fail
14. Put God first, and the other things will fall into place.
15. Forgive 70 times 7.

Here, But Not Yet

2013-05-06T09:58:00.000-05:00

Last week's May-day winter storm is something northwoods folks will remember (and brag about) for a very long time, though last I heard, the weatherman joined Salman Rushdie in hiding for his life.

Where is spring? That's what I want to know! Everybody around town has been asking the same question, too.

This Sunday's Mother's Day, for heaven's sake. Last year, we were sunbathing. This year, we're still wearing long johns and tossing snow balls (kids, don't throw one at your mother!)

Last year, the crocuses bloomed. This year, we feel like croaking as we shovel the bloomin' sidewalks. . . again.

Last year, we caught fish all day on opening weekend. This year, we vicariously watched Pete Maina catch them on t.v. instead.

The robins are going to need extensive therapy I'm afraid. And just yesterday, I saw two Canadian geese flying south!

Again I ask. . . where is spring?

And here's the answer: spring is here! Beneath the surface of the earth, she has already sprung! We just haven't seen the full evidence yet.

I guarantee you, though, before too long, she will arrive in full splendor.

In just a short while, our gray landscape will burst forth in reds, purples and, greens. The crusty snow will melt away under the sun's vernal gaze!

There will be a resurrection of nature, and the good folks of the northoods will emerge from their caverns once again into the great outdoors to bar-b-que, ride bikes, swim and play softball.

Yes, spring has begun, and is coming soon in fullness. Just wait. Just wait. You'll see.

Here -- but not here yet; in hopes of better days to come; that's how it is with spring this year -- and also the Kingdom of God.

One Pastor's Greatest Regret

2013-05-03T08:03:00.000-05:00

In her beautiful book, One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp relates one pastor's answer to the question, "what is your greatest regret?"

Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me. I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained by being in a hurry. But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing. . . Through all that haste I thought I was making up time. It turns out I was throwing it away.
(Quoted from Mark Buchanan's Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Your Sabbath.)

When You Go Through the Valley of Baca (Hardship)

2013-04-30T07:20:00.002-05:00

"Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee, in whose heart are the ways of them, who passing through the valley of Baca, make it a well; the rain also fills the pools. They go from strength to strength—every one of them in Zion appeareth before God."
--Psalm 84:5-7 (KJV)

Some time ago, after I'd preached on this verse, my friend, Jim Burmeister, loaned me a casette tape by Jack Hyles on the "The Valley of Baca."

Now, Jack Hyles isn't exactly my type. He's a snortin', yellin', narrow minded, independant, fundamentalist Baptist preacher. (Actually, he was that -- but a few years ago, he went home to glory, his rough edges have been sanded off and he's probably a Wesleyan now!)

However, driving to the hospital, ol' brother Jack really preached a good sermon to me -- snortin' and yellin' all the way. My heart was blessed. "Even though he's dead, yet he speaks."

Basically, there were two points:

1. Everybody, sooner or later, has to go through the Valley of Baca.

Baca is the place of weeping -- sickness, sorrow, trouble, loss.

2. When you are in the Valley of Baca, Dig a Well!

Dig a well for those who will follow after you -- those who will experience the same sufferings. Don't just waste your trial -- dig a well to be a source of hope and blessing to others who will follow the same path.

20 Ways to Ruin a Perfectly Good Day

2013-04-29T07:34:00.002-05:00

1. Take the day for granted. Fail to recognize that it is a special gift from God.

2. Focus on the problems rather than the possibilities.

3. Complain! Complain! Complain! You can always find something to gripe about.

4. Recount the ways others have mistreated you and throw a pity party.

5. Forget to say "please" and "thank you." Be rude.

6. Don't take time to pray. There is not peace for an "un-centered" heart.

7. Cram every minute full of busy activity. Eliminate margin (breathing room.)

8. Criticize and belittle your family members. As Disraeli said, "to belittle is to be little."

9. Spend the entire day watching television. Contentment will evaporate as you vegetate.

10. Count your burdens rather than your blessings. Focus on the negative rather than the positive.

11. Be sure to whine when things go wrong. Whining is the cry of a shriveled soul.

12. Lose your temper! Let it explode in angry tirades.

13. Be a perfectionist. Refuse to be happy unless everything is just right.

14. When you don't get your own way, stick out your bottom lip and pout.

15. Refuse to admit your mistakes. Eliminate "I'm sorry" and "I was wrong" from your vocabulary.

16. Cry over spilled milk. Be absorbed with problems you can't fix.

17. Make excuses. This is much easier than making progress.

18. Find fault with every and situation. Be sure everybody knows what's wrong.

19. Blame other people for your own mistakes.

20. Fail to read and apply the Bible. When you ignore God and try to manage life on your own -- you're sure to mess it up!

A Prayer for Seeking God's Will

2013-04-26T11:14:00.003-05:00

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will trust you always
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
-- Thomas Merton

Preach to Yourself First

2013-04-23T07:56:00.003-05:00

"Take heed, therefore, to yourselves first, that you be that which you persuade your hearers to be, and believe that which you persuade them to believe, and have heartily entertained that Savior whom you offer to them."

-- Richard Baxter, in The Reformed Pastor

Feed the Goose!

2013-04-22T08:02:00.001-05:00

A while back, I awoke in the middle of the night with an inspiring thought racing through my mind.

"Honey, wake up!" I said, "I just had a marvelous thought!

""Hmmnn? Whuzzat? Marvelous thought?", Cathy mumbled.

"Do you want to hear it?" I asked eagerly.

"Sure, might as well, now that I'm awake." said Cathy.

"Feed the Goose! We've gotta Feed the Goose!"

"What?? You woke me up from good sleep for that? What do you mean -- feed the goose?"

"I don't know, but it's a wonderful thought!" I beamed.

"Go back to sleep," said Cathy.

But my mind kept racing. . .

Feed the goose. Feed the goose. What in the world does that mean?

Then the light clicked on in my little brain -- aha! If you have a goose that lays golden eggs, your most important job is to feed the goose.

Don't get so busy gathering the eggs that you forget to take care of the one laying them!

What is your mission in life? What are you wired to do? That's your goose!

Consider the condition of your soul. That's your goose!

Think of a relationship you need to nurture more tenderly. That's your goose.

What brings out your very best and helps you become the person you were created to be? That's your goose!

What is your sweet spot -- the source of greatest delight? That's your goose.

In a business, family, church, or community, what is your main priority? What activity brings the greatest desired result? That's your goose.

Too often, we're so busy running the farm that we forget to feed the goose.

Did You Know Jesus Was an Avenger?

2013-04-20T19:49:00.000-05:00

from Jon Acuff: Stuff Christians Like

This Tent Had Dreams of Greater Heights

2013-04-20T19:44:00.000-05:00

from Failblog

Our Deck This Morning

2013-04-19T09:49:00.002-05:00

Pat Summerall Passed Away

2013-04-17T07:30:00.000-05:00

When I heard that the great sports announcer, Pat Summerall, passed away yesterday, I was reminded of his beautiful testimony of God's grace in his life. As a guest on the 700 Club a while back, he spoke candidly about his alcohol addiction, and how Jesus changed his life.

"Well, to take me from where I was, and the life I was leading, to the life I lead now with the church and with the Lord and with Jesus Christ, it's a total, total turn-around."

Rest in Peace George Beverly Shea

2013-04-16T21:51:00.000-05:00

All Rivers Run into the Sea

2013-04-16T14:58:00.000-05:00

A clapboard congregation
sings heartfelt doxologies
hammered out on an
untuned upright piano
with thirteen missing keys.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Haunting canticles
in a cavernous cathedral.
Echoes of praise
ring from pipes
when songs have ceased.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

An orchestrated blend of rock and blues.
A collection of redeemed sinners
who've tasted grace.
Ancient lyrics dance upon the screen,
electrified.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

And which is true worship?
Which is good and right?
Which is met with heaven's smile?
In which does God delight?
ALL!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

My Waffle Wedded Wife

2013-04-16T07:57:00.000-05:00

Half Mastings

2013-04-15T20:20:00.000-05:00

The flags in town are half mast today. It seems we've had more than our share of "half-mastings" recently.

The flags represent our hearts -- they're at half mast too.

As the flags go down, our prayers go up.

Brennan Manning on Friendship

2013-04-15T12:20:00.002-05:00

A friend is someone who stays with you in the bad and good weather of life,
guards you when you are off your guard,
restrains your impetuosity,
delights in your wholeness,
forgives your failures,
does not forsake you when others let you down.
The friendship of Jesus enables us to see others
as he saw the apostles:
flawed, but good children of the Father.

-- Brennan Manning

Stress Test

2013-04-13T13:34:00.002-05:00

Just finished reading Stress Test, a medical thriller written by Richard L. Mabry.

It's the tale of a promising young medical doctor, Matt Newman, who finds himself kidnapped by thugs at 2:00 a.m., bound and thrown into the trunk of his car. A hair-raising escape from certain death, leads to a back alley fall and a severe head injury.

When Dr. Newman awakens, he is shocked to discover that he is the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Falsely accused by the police, and still pursued by the bad guys, the young doctor finds himself in a frightening fight for survival.

With help from his capable and attractive attorney, Sandra Murray, Newman discovers faith, love, and the purpose of life.

(A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publishers for review on this bog.)

Purchase here.

How to Get Things Done

2013-04-11T15:13:00.002-05:00

I discovered long ago, that a wish or desire is not enough to get something done. Every accomplishment starts with an idea, of course -- but the idea, alone, won't make it happen.

Even a very strong "want to" won't bring the follow through. If you want to get something done, you have to dosomething about it ahead of time!

1. What Gets Scheduled Gets Done.
Not long ago, I shared a great vacation idea with my wife, Cathy. "Hey, we should go to Florida sometime!" (I think our long winter had something to do with that inspiration.)

"When are you thinking we should do this?" Cathy wondered.

"I dunno. Just sometime next January -- or maybe February . . ."

Cathy replied, "Well, the only way that's going to happen is if it gets on the calendar."

For years, I said I wanted to author a book, but never seemed to have the time to write it. Last year, I actually did it.

Here's what made the difference. I put" book writing" on my weekly calendar. When I scheduled a definite time to write -- presto -- the book appeared!

If you want to get it done, get it on the schedule!

2. What Gets Planned Gets Done.
I have a lot of ideas, and most of them don't pan out. The primary reason most of my ideas end up on the scrap heap is because they are not accompanied by a good plan.

An idea is like a semi trailer The plan is the truck. If the trailer's not hitched to the truck, it's not going anywhere!

My brother, Tim, bought a semi trailer a while back, and put it behind his house. It became his wonderful storage shed! You can find lots of fascinating treasures in there! Unhitched ideas are like that. Instead of taking the payload down the road, they become storage sheds for interesting and unused possibilities.

If you want to achieve something, you have to make a plan! If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

You'll end up like Sir John Harvey Jones who observed, "Planning is unnatural. It's much more fun to get on with it. The real benefit of not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise and is not preceded by months of worry."

3. What Gets Started Gets Done
Well, maybe. I have a lot of unfinished projects sitting around my house. Getting started doesn't necessarily get it done but I can guarantee this -- You'll ever get it done if you don't get it started!

A mountain of work won't disappear by staring at it, or wishing it away. You jut have to roll up your sleeves, jump in and take it on! My friend, Robyn Bjork, who recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro remarked, "You get to the top of big mountains by taking one little step at a time."

4 . What Gets our Attention Gets Done
At our church, we celebrate missions. We love to touch the world from Hayward. It's thrilling to me to see people bringing a blessing to their neighbors and the nations. We make a big deal out of it. Hey everybody, pay attention! This is good stuff!

There are a few other important areas, however, where we've fallen short. (No church is perfect.) I've come to realize that we get more of what we recognize, applaud and celebrate.

Note, this works on the negative side as well. For instance, if a school teacher focuses on misbehavior in the classroom, she'll get much more of it. It would pay her better to pay attention and recognize the behaviors she wants to see displayed by her students. Then, she will get more of that!

5. What Gets Appreciated Gets Done.
People want to be wanted, they need to be needed, and they certainly appreciate being appreciated. A primary task for the effective leader is to involve people and then walk around saying, "Thank you!"

6. What Gets Finished Gets Done.
Although starting is half the job -- finishing is the other half. The job is not over until it's really been completed. It's time to finish it with a flourish! Roll up your sleeves, and get it done!

How's Your Bible Reading Going?

2013-04-10T07:41:00.000-05:00

I received an unexpected phone call from Darrelyn Tutt yesterday that helped "jump-start" my Bible reading program.

At the beginning of the year, I had enthusiastically launched an aggressive effort to read the Bible through in 90 days (give or take a few, when you factor in the "zag" days.) This endeavor was inspired by a little guide, For This Reason: God's Word in 90 Days, written by Darrelyn, a poet and pastor's wife from rural South Dakota, and director of Inkwell Ministries.

Well, I did great for almost three weeks -- then bogged down due to a busy schedule, travel and a number of other excuses. For the past couple of months, I've been floundering in my Bible reading -- grabbing little snippets and morsels from here and there and calling it good.

And yesterday, Darrelyn called me on it.

"Hi Pastor Mark! I'm just checking in to see how your 90 Day Bible Reading Plan is going."

"Oh, yeah. . . that was a wonderful plan. . . great stuff. But I kind of got busy and started doing something else."

"Oh, really? What else are you doing? Where are you reading in the Bible these days? What truth did God teach you this morning from His Word?"

"Um. . . Um. . ." my mind frantically raced back to the few verses cobbled from the Bible Roulette Method in recent mornings . . . "Psalm 27. . . Gospels. . . Isaiah."

"Hmmmm. . . and where exactly in Isaiah were you studying?"

"Uh. . . Um. . . Isaiah 61. . .I think. . . and Isaiah 40??"

"And what did God reveal to you from those passages?"

"Er. . . Um. . . good news to the poor. . . . soaring on wings like eagles. . . ."

"I think you would benefit from getting back on track with the 90 Day Bible Reading Program."

"I do too"

"So are you going to do it?"

"Um. . . Er. . . Uh. . . most days maybe. . . as long as I'm not too busy. . . you know, my schedule gets kind of busy and makes it hard for me to invest this kind of time in Bible reading all in one setting. . . and the whole Bible in 90 Days seems like running a marathon. . . and . . . well. . . I'm just making excuses, aren't I?"

"I think so."

"OK -- you're right! I'll get back in the game!"

"I believe you will."

This morning, thanks to that little conversation -- I've re-launched the program -- started where I left off -- plowing through the entire book of Galatians, two Psalms, and a Proverb. Wow -- how rich and rewarding! Sure beats beating skimming for snippets and morsels.

Rural Ministry the Way Jesus Did It

2013-04-09T07:42:00.000-05:00

"We’ve got to put roots down in a neighborhood and do it the way Jesus did. That is ‘come follow me.’ When we are way too small to get involved in large projects by ourselves, we’ve got to get people in the neighborhood involved in humanitarian outreach programs. There are people out there who really would like to have opportunities to help and work." -- Ruth Tucker

A Matter of Trust

2013-04-07T15:32:00.001-05:00

I recently had the opportunity to read A Matter of Trust, a fascinating crime mystery written by Lisa Wiehl and April Henry. This book is a page turner, featuring newly widowed, Mia Quinn, who is forced to return to work as a prosecuting attorney, following her husband's sudden accidental death.

Almost immediately, she finds herself neck-deep in detective work, investigating the murder of her colleague and trusted friend, Colleen, as well as the tragic suicide of a bullied teenager.

While unraveling these mysteries, she also is forced to navigate a perplexing personal life. As a single mom, Mia experiences a teenage son who shuts her out, a daughter's terrifying episodes at night, a demanding, politically ambitious boss, an annoying investigative partner, enormous financial stress caused by her late husband's secrets, and an estranged father who "gets religion" and re-enters her life.

Wiehl's writing reminds me somewhat of John Grisham and Harlan Coban, with an inspiring (but not overt) twist of faith. A Matter of Trust is a good, wholesome read, with a fascinating plot, interesting characters, spine tingling action and a surprise ending.

Purchase Here

(I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from Booksneeze for review on this blog, and was not required to write a favorable review.)