What has its hold on you?

Written by Fiona Monaghan We looked at what living a life attached to the True Vine or Jesus would like versus living attached to things of this world and looking for them to satisfy and provide for us.

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:7-8

I heard a pastor use a visual for the word ‘abide’ that has really stuck with me. He showed a little kid’s toy, this little man inside a gargantuan robot body. When the little man wasn’t inside (or abiding) in the robot he was in his own power and susceptible to all kinds of trouble and problems. But when he climbed inside the robot body, he was able to use all the power available to him in that robots power. That is what abiding in Christ looks like. We climb into Jesus and let Him ‘live out’ in us, He is also the Power behind the work.

“The disciple who abides (is at home) in Jesus is in the will of God, and what appears to be his free choices are actually God’s foreordained decrees…” Oswald Chambers

To live within His will and plan for our lives then frees us from all sorts of things. We take steps daily toward our future knowing He’s got it all mapped out. If we turn our concerns over others into prayers for them, it accomplishes things for the Kingdom far better than worrying will do. To do this we need to trust God with every aspect of life with the confidence of a little child who is totally focused and accepting that our Father would never do anything to hurt or disappoint. He loves us and wants only the best for us in order to grow and strengthen us to be useful in our time here.

Are there some things that have got you ‘hooked’ - things that have too strong a hold on you that need to be cut away so you are free to live your life fully and healthily getting your sustenance from the True Vine?

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdgaO37W2Fs

Your last is never your last

Written by Pastor Tim White Rey’s last message was not his last. Sunday was a moving day as Pastor Rex and his wife, Christalle, led us in a time to launch the Diaz family into their new global ministry based in Dallas, Texas. It showed how our church is in good hands with a group of young, gifted, gracious, fun pastors rising up. It also demonstrated how our church is more than a church- it is a movement.

Dr. Rey Diaz is going to work with Orphan Outreach, trying to solve the world problems of orphans on the streets. He is working on the solution of radical terrorism. Because terrorist find many of their recruits from the Hell holes that these children are forced to live in the midst of these monstrous slums. Orphan Outreach is unique because they collaborate with practically every other Christian orphan society to help with building orphanages, setting standards for their Christian care, working with local churches each time so that Jesus gets the glory, working with adoptive parents, foster parents and lobbying governments into setting higher standards for orphanages. Rey will continue to preach both around the world and when he visits Washington Cathedral in November for a special Orphan Sunday.

The point I want to make to you today is your last sermon is never your last. The apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Thursday, I visited Elling Halvorson for the last time in the hospital. We had our last devotion. But it wasn’t our last because he’s out of the hospital looking better than I have ever seen him. His mind was sharp as he held a business meeting at the hospital with many of the leaders of Boeing. As we prayed together with his amazing daughter Brenda, who is the president of Papillion Air lines, we knew that God has the best yet to come ahead of him. Here is my point.

Your last is never your last if you put your effort in God’s hands.

Jesus put it this way, “I will be with you always even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20a) Our work and our prayers are eternal and continue as long as God is God. So when I preach my last sermon it won’t be my last. Little kids will still listen to the bible stories we put on CD long after I am gone. My books will be read by those that love me long after I am gone. My sermons will be preached by preachers that I have taught as a professor in college and seminary. My discipleship will continue in the lives of people all around the world. Why because it isn’t my work it is God’s and he is eternal. Love is eternal. So your last is never your last. Get it. Get positive because today is a new day to be lived with the thrill of faith in Jesus Christ working through you.

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I saw a miracle today…

Written by Fiona Monaghan I was blessed to be invited to view the ultrasound of my grandchild and I couldn’t help but remember these verses from Psalms. ‘You made my whole being, You formed me in my mothers womb…You saw my bones being formed… my life was written before I was one day old…” Psalm 139:13-16

God knows what that small life represents even now. All the potential is there and He knows it all. From the outside world this little one has a cheering fan club looking on, praying and encouraging their growth until that day when they truly become part of our world.

How like our experience here on earth. We are growing and changing through difficulty and pressure to become people of honor and strength exhibiting the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control. We also have a cheering team looking on and encouraging us.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us… Hebrews 12:1-2

There are so many things in the physical world that have a spiritual counterpart and this one spoke to me loud and clear. This baby can do nothing more to earn the love of its parents and family. Just by being - they are loved; and there is nothing we can do to make God love us more than He does already. His nature and character is love and love is to want the best for someone - no matter what. It is not an emotion - but an action, which was exhibited with Jesus providing the way for us to be reinstated back into God’s family.

“Love is not an affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.” C.S. Lewis

I don’t know what the future holds for this little one, but My Father does, so I think I will just trust Him with it.

Thank you Father for the blessing of being a part of my grandchildren’s cheering section. To encourage, love and pray for them. Keep me mindful of the responsibility I bear them and their parents as I support them and bring them to You in prayer.

Amen

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A love you can't resist

Written by Pastor Tim White I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love is genuine.  2 Corinthians 8:8

What an insightful verse.  The Bible has so much to say about love.  God is love (1 John 4:7-8). Love is the greatest (1 Corinthians 13).  You will know you are a Christian if you love your brothers and sisters in Christ (theme of 1 John).  But here the apostle Paul is saying when God’s love really happens it causes a chain reaction, which is unavoidable.  Like an atomic Bomb.  Can you imagine standing next to an atomic bomb blast and someone running up to you exclaiming what happened and you said, “I didn’t notice anything”?  That is ridiculous.  When Christ’s love happens it is unmistakable, it is a love you cannot resist. 

This morning I woke up early.  After I let my dog out, and I was surprised to see my grandson, Elijah, sitting reading on the chair in the family room.  I asked, “Elijah what time did you wake up?  He replied, “Oh, about 7:30.”  “It’s not about 7:30 yet,” I chuckled looking at the clock. He shrugged, “I don't know… All I know is when I tried to wake up my mom and dad they said they were still sleeping.”

Knowing that they are leaving in a week for Dallas, I smiled and asked Elijah if he would like to sneak out for a cinnamon roll with G.P. He thought about it for a moment.  When he responded he told me he would have to ask his mom and dad because he’s not really a sneaky guy.  I teased back, “You're not?”  With a serious look on his face he answered, “I could be, but I have chosen not to be - I think it is just better that way.” So he asked his parents for permission and then we went to get him a cinnamon roll with their blessing.

When we got back Grandma met us at the door and greeted us, “My two boys sure have sparkling eyes.”  We did, Elijah’s eyes were twinkling because we just had a lot of fun.  My eyes are twinkling because I have a grandson who loves his parents so much that he chooses not to be sneaky guy.  The love that he has been taught and shown is unmistakable, unavoidable, indisputable, it is a love you can't resist.

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Give me patience and I want it now!

Written by Fiona Monaghan But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful ²³ and gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind. Galatians 5:22-23

Patience…the next fruit of the spirit on our list. This is one trait that is much like that of silver, needing extreme heat to purify it. Or that of carbon needing extreme pressure to form diamonds; patience grows under duress and in the learning to hold steady.

“A waiting person is a patient person. The word patience means the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us.” ― Henri J.M. Nouwen 

There are many quotes, poems and jokes about patience; but we all know is that it is not easily acquired. This is another fruit that is an outcome of an action that we have to exercise…that being TRUST. If we can be trusting God for the outcome in the difficulties in life, then what we do while we wait will produce either anxiety or patience. It is all in the process making…it is learning that something of value is never quickly acquired.

A visual that comes to my mind is that of a pearl being formed. Pearls start out as a speck of sand or grit that gets into an oyster and the irritation causes a liquid to be excreted to cover the offending irritant. Over time this form into a pearl - something of value. So when life brings irritations to us, when we encounter those people who make us count to 10…imagine something precious being formed … something of value which will become part of our character and reputation. As stated in Proverbs 22:1 “Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.”

Photo credit: Quote, e-card, Fog Leghorn

Hurry Up and Wait!

Written by Pastor Rex Hamilton When I was about 7 years old, I sang in the kids choir at my church. One year we did a concert called, The Music Machine. It was a popular musical production that sang about the Fruit of the Spirit. I can still remember every word to the song called, “Patience”...

“Have patience, have patience, don’t be in such a hurry. When you get impatient, you only start to worry...”. Funny how some songs just stick with you!

Such a simple (and cheesy) kids song, yet so true for all of us! Impatience with others, God, or ourselves almost always leads to worry and anxiety. If Paul’s words in Galatians 5:22 (NLT) are true that the Holy Spirit “PRODUCES” patience in us- our worry and anxiety will only stunt the Spirit’s work in us. Saying "don’t be impatient" is obviously easier said than done, but the next time you feel anxious or worried about something in your life, ask yourself if it is in any way connected with needing to be patient.

If it is, take a deep breath...whisper the name Jesus and remember the wise words of Winnie the Poo - “Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”

Photo Credit

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orY-QA8kuGc

Take a deep breath of life

Written by Pastor Tim White Take a deep breath of life?  I have seen the first breath of life taken by a human being created by the almighty.  I have witnessed the last breath of this life taken by a loving person who loves so many.   I have observed a person stressed out and overwhelmed by problems stop and take a deep breath of life.

We were designed to live in peace in the midst of troubles.  Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace and in Greek it is eirene.  The Greek word means "join the prosperity of God".  In other words you can't do it alone- so don't - take a deep breath of life.

Moses said, “Be not afraid, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” Exodus 14:13

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adhaJs7vuzw

Joy comes from within

Written by Fiona Monaghan But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind. Galatians 5:22-23

Many think of joy as a happy emotion. An emotion one feels when something really, really good happens. When in all actuality, it is a deep sense of well-being and contentment no matter what the circumstances are around you.

James uses joy in this verse … Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4

Joy is something that comes from within, not subject to circumstances being all lined up in your favor and looking good on the outside.

Joy is distinctly a Christian word and a Christian thing. It is the reverse of happiness. Happiness is the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy has its springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jesus gives that joy. He had joy, singing its music within, even under the shadow of the cross.   - S.D. Gordon

As I came to understand what joy is and what it is not, it became much clearer to me that it isn’t a character trait we can formulate. It seems to flow out of other things. Gratitude (as mentioned above); gratefulness, knowing that this life as we know it is not all there is; that there is something better coming. It is putting our faith and trust in God no matter what may be happening in our lives whether good or bad. Knowing He is still in control and it will work out in the end, even if not how we expected it. Then, from that choice of behavior joy flows.

This week’s challenge: Do your own word study on JOY. See how many quotes and verses you can come up with and see if your understanding of the word will change.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKdpSqHBzuA

What are you growing in your spiritual garden?

Written by Fiona Monaghan This weekend I was working in my garden planting vegetables. While I was working, a talk I had heard came to mind. In the talk, the teacher painted a picture with words that have stuck with me throughout the year and I wanted to share with you.

A gardener is planting his seeds into the soil and then attaches a picture of what that plant will look like when it comes to maturity; usually the package that the seeds came is attached to a stick at the end of the row.

Imagine the seed is in the ground and wonders what it will look like when it matures. He pokes his head out every once in awhile to look at the picture of the mature plant. “Oh yes! That is what I will look like when I am done growing!”

Even though just a tiny seed with little evidence showing of what he will become, it doesn’t have to do much more than just wait, be patient and become like that picture.

This is much like Jesus’ encouragement to us to abide in the vine making sure we stay attached and in time we shall become mature branches and produce fruit. He used gardening metaphor because he was speaking to agrarian culture where they knew planting, reaping, and harvesting terms. We are encouraged to produce Fruit of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control.

This fruit or character traits don’t come easy to us. We experience a tug of war from all the opposite traits. But, the promises are there for us -“Christ in you, the hope of Glory” “Abide in me and I will abide in you …^{” “} Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives…” We are asked to join God in the work that he is already accomplishing all around us, and how best to be of help but to exhibit the fruit we are asked to exhibit.

Jesus is our model. He is the picture on the seed packet. He lived the character we are asked to exhibit. Not only that, he promises to empower us with his Spirit, to become all that we can be.

Take a moment and write a down a couple verses of Jesus’ words (ex: “If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you?” Matthew 6:30; “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes my Father who sent me” Mark 9:37;“I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you” Luke 6:27-28). Spend a week looking at them, soaking them in, activity applying them to your life. Jesus challenges us to grow and by continually looking to him and his lessons we will keep our eyes focused on him.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDFfF31Z6kg

You are never old, as long as you have a new dream!

Written by Pastor Tim White Every morning when I say “Jambo Jesus” or “Hello Jesus” – I recognize your presence, Jesus, I am struck by a new dream. Someone to call on, a ministry to launch, enthusiasm to work on a problem, excitement about spending time with someone I really care about. Every morning God makes life new.

Last week as I was speaking at our community meeting I explained how we are pouring ourselves into reaching the next generation for Jesus Christ and it is working. I explained that with Pastor Rex Hamilton as executive pastor assigned to reach young families; Pastor T.J. Meaney building praise teams to reach the young and not so young; Pastors Ben McCary and Josh Zappone reaching and engaging high schoolers and middle schoolers; Pastor Becca McCary connecting with 3^rd through 5^th graders; and Janette Backlund running her innovative programs to reach young children - that we have a great team.

Pastor Rey Diaz is accepting our call to be our global pastor and represent us around the world. We look forward to each time he returns, hearing him share his heart from the pulpit.

Then, someone asked me the question that has been asked before, “What about the not so young? What are we doing to reach those important people?” Well I am glad you asked. We have a young dynamic minister named Pastor Linda Skinner, a youthful Vietnam War vet named Pastor David Gerzsenye, an amazing pastor named Michael Fernandez, a talented and young musical genius named Rhonda Jones, a beautiful pastor named Jackie White (I can say that because she is my wife). All of them working hard to reaching this age.

The church also has little old me, who is about ready to explode with enthusiasm for life and the opportunity to dream big and beautiful dreams with Jesus Christ. That part of our team is not too shabby either. We are refreshing our ministries, launching our church anew and there is no shortage of excitement as we try and build a great caring network.

After the meeting, one of my heroes, Colonel Erskine Austin, came up to talk to me and said, “If Pastor Rex needs any advice or sounding board on being an executive pastor please let him know that I am there to help.” Erskine did that job for 10 years – and I smiled as I said, “That is a great encouragement.”

So we are off to the races and I feel like I have the butterflies of a quarterback getting ready for the greatest season of his life.

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