"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3
Wow! It is hard to believe we are wrapping up yet another year. This is the second year that we have sponsored ESL learning within our walls here at Mt. Olivet. This has been a wonderful opportunity to make an eternal difference. I would love to take this opportunity to thank each one of you who have given such great verbal support to this program. I wish each of you could receive the blessing of seeing eyes sparkle and heads shaking, and verbal acknowledgement when the understanding becomes real and the word or lesson is understood. The laughing, the graciousness in ways that God has given each of us to understand in our minds, hear with our ears and feel in our hearts the understanding of communication. There are many ways in which humans communicate. This is truly a fascination area of psychology. I certainly have had such a joy in being a part of this. My goal in a few years will be for one of my students to be teaching the class. It can happen. I just pray every day that as we read and study scripture at the beginning of class that God will open the minds of understanding for the students, that not only will they learn English, but they will learn about Christ and the love that has been given for each one of us! My goal for 2012 will be to continue to be an effective outreach resource for our church, demonstrate Christ-honoring character and infuse each lesson with meaningful instruction while sharing the practical gift of love in Jesus' name! I hope your Christmas is filled with unending joys! Keep watching ..... Fonda
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Pastor's PenPoint - "Needle in the Haystack" - December 2011
For many of us this year, we are searching. Hopefully we will find, in a simple haystack, a silver needle. On the head of that needle we will find an eye, and running through that eye we will find a golden thread. And somewhere in the golden thread in the eye of the needle in the middle of a haystack we will find our name written on a small gift wrapped in plain paper.
Some of you might recall a time when something very special, or something you have lost which you wish to find again, remains hidden longer than you can stand; and there seem to be haystacks everywhere and not one of them holds your lost treasure ... the one with your name wrapped in plain paper.
No shining star appears to guide us and, Hark! - No angels sing with good tidings, praising God and singing, "Glory to God in the highest heaven"; ... and there is no peace on earth, not even in our little space.
But the shepherds trusted the angel's words, "To you is born today a Savior." The great prophet, Isaiah, told of the promised coming of Jesus. "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light", he said, "those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them the light has shined."
"For a child has been born for us ... and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
How easy it was to find the right haystack that night on the first Christmas Eve! It was the only haystack to be found and with the only silver needle with golden thread, and it wove around a small gift wrapped in plain clothing. On the golden thread the shepherds found their names, each written by the hand of God, each tied around a small gift, labeled with one small word, "HOPE".
It was the gift of "hope" - the gift that too often has been laid aside, forgotten like a needle in a haystack somewhere, waiting for us to remember. It is the gift of Hope that waits for each lonely child, that none should go to bed hungry and none should be without a bed. The hope that consoles each isolated man or woman, and lifts every sick or crippled soul.
It is the gift of hope that comes to every prisoner, where Jesus sits waiting by his side. It's the hopeful gift of laughter, of smiles exchanged with strangers who pass it on again, and when we say "Merry Christmas", we mean it all year long.
It is the gift of Hope that waits on all the battlefields - waits expectantly to turn a "Christmas truce" into lasting peace.
It's the gift of Hope God sent us in a little child named Jesus - to teach us what a child can teach us best.
Hark! Christ, Our Savior is born! ~ Pastor Todd
Some of you might recall a time when something very special, or something you have lost which you wish to find again, remains hidden longer than you can stand; and there seem to be haystacks everywhere and not one of them holds your lost treasure ... the one with your name wrapped in plain paper.
No shining star appears to guide us and, Hark! - No angels sing with good tidings, praising God and singing, "Glory to God in the highest heaven"; ... and there is no peace on earth, not even in our little space.
But the shepherds trusted the angel's words, "To you is born today a Savior." The great prophet, Isaiah, told of the promised coming of Jesus. "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light", he said, "those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them the light has shined."
"For a child has been born for us ... and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
How easy it was to find the right haystack that night on the first Christmas Eve! It was the only haystack to be found and with the only silver needle with golden thread, and it wove around a small gift wrapped in plain clothing. On the golden thread the shepherds found their names, each written by the hand of God, each tied around a small gift, labeled with one small word, "HOPE".
It was the gift of "hope" - the gift that too often has been laid aside, forgotten like a needle in a haystack somewhere, waiting for us to remember. It is the gift of Hope that waits for each lonely child, that none should go to bed hungry and none should be without a bed. The hope that consoles each isolated man or woman, and lifts every sick or crippled soul.
It is the gift of hope that comes to every prisoner, where Jesus sits waiting by his side. It's the hopeful gift of laughter, of smiles exchanged with strangers who pass it on again, and when we say "Merry Christmas", we mean it all year long.
It is the gift of Hope that waits on all the battlefields - waits expectantly to turn a "Christmas truce" into lasting peace.
It's the gift of Hope God sent us in a little child named Jesus - to teach us what a child can teach us best.
Hark! Christ, Our Savior is born! ~ Pastor Todd
Friday, November 4, 2011
Ordination Service - October 30, 2011
We just experienced a great day in the life of Mount Olivet, the ordination of Pastor Todd Lilley. We were also honored to have Bishop Phil Whipple officiating.
Pastor's PenPoint - "The Rightness of Scripture" - November 2011
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. (Psalm 19:8)
Stan bought his grandchildren a new toy. After glancing at the directions, he set the booklet aside to get busy building. A few frustrating hours later, Stan humbly opened the instructions again and followed the steps to assemble the toy. Soon he was done, and the grandkids were playing happily.
O.K. ... I admit it ... this could easily be me, except the grandfather part. I hate to read directions, which usually creates a lot more work and less than stellar results.
Stan knew that the manufacturer had a plan for putting together the toy. But he assumed he could figure it out too. Many people take the same approach to the Scriptures that Stan took to those directions. In stead of treating God's Word like a manual to live by, they glance at it occasionally when they aren't sure what to do next.
This has certainly been a wonderful, emotional and God centered couple of weeks. While true my going through the process of ordination had a huge impact on me ... it also had an impact on the church. This was a wonderful day in the life of the church; when the affirmation the members and Administrative Board relayed to the denomination and the Bishop resulted in another piece of God's plan for Mt. Olivet being laid in place.
Further, the planning that we are doing not only for our annual ministries and programs, but for the coming years is another step toward a permanence in seeking God's plan ... or in this case, reading in God's instructions!
The Bible is like God's diagram of Himself. He teaches believers who He is, what He thinks, and how He acts. Knowing the ways of the Lord ensures that we make wise decisions, which honor Him.
The Bible is like God's diagram of Himself. He teaches believers who He is, what He thinks, and how He acts. Knowing the ways of the Lord ensures that we make wise decisions, which honor Him.
The Bible is also God's instruction book for living. I advocate reading it every day because believers cannot be spiritually successful or victorious without it. In the above passage, we read that if a person wants to be righteous, his or her life must comply with the rightness of Scirpture. Of course, the only way to know what those principles are is to read, study, and meditate upon the Word.
God's Word is our most valuable possession. Casting it aside is as foolish as tossing away a wallet full of money. Among the Bible's riches are stories teaching us how to serve the Lord and principles about pleasing Him. And there is a wealth of instruction for building a righteous and meaningful life.
I pray blessings on each and every person who calls Mt. Olivet home. Thank you also to those who have affirmed me, our family and the call for us to join Mt. Olivet in the business of Kingdom building.
You ready??? Let's get back at it!
~ Pastor Todd
Stan bought his grandchildren a new toy. After glancing at the directions, he set the booklet aside to get busy building. A few frustrating hours later, Stan humbly opened the instructions again and followed the steps to assemble the toy. Soon he was done, and the grandkids were playing happily.
O.K. ... I admit it ... this could easily be me, except the grandfather part. I hate to read directions, which usually creates a lot more work and less than stellar results.
Stan knew that the manufacturer had a plan for putting together the toy. But he assumed he could figure it out too. Many people take the same approach to the Scriptures that Stan took to those directions. In stead of treating God's Word like a manual to live by, they glance at it occasionally when they aren't sure what to do next.
This has certainly been a wonderful, emotional and God centered couple of weeks. While true my going through the process of ordination had a huge impact on me ... it also had an impact on the church. This was a wonderful day in the life of the church; when the affirmation the members and Administrative Board relayed to the denomination and the Bishop resulted in another piece of God's plan for Mt. Olivet being laid in place.
Further, the planning that we are doing not only for our annual ministries and programs, but for the coming years is another step toward a permanence in seeking God's plan ... or in this case, reading in God's instructions!
The Bible is like God's diagram of Himself. He teaches believers who He is, what He thinks, and how He acts. Knowing the ways of the Lord ensures that we make wise decisions, which honor Him.
The Bible is like God's diagram of Himself. He teaches believers who He is, what He thinks, and how He acts. Knowing the ways of the Lord ensures that we make wise decisions, which honor Him.
The Bible is also God's instruction book for living. I advocate reading it every day because believers cannot be spiritually successful or victorious without it. In the above passage, we read that if a person wants to be righteous, his or her life must comply with the rightness of Scirpture. Of course, the only way to know what those principles are is to read, study, and meditate upon the Word.
God's Word is our most valuable possession. Casting it aside is as foolish as tossing away a wallet full of money. Among the Bible's riches are stories teaching us how to serve the Lord and principles about pleasing Him. And there is a wealth of instruction for building a righteous and meaningful life.
I pray blessings on each and every person who calls Mt. Olivet home. Thank you also to those who have affirmed me, our family and the call for us to join Mt. Olivet in the business of Kingdom building.
You ready??? Let's get back at it!
~ Pastor Todd
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Freemason Run Road Cleanup
7 people from the missions groups and the youth picked up trash along Freemason Run Road this morning. Mount Olivet is responsible for cleaning from the square in Mount Solon to Stokesville 3 or 4 times a year through the Adopt-a-Highway program. It was a great morning to enjoy the fall colors.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Pastor's PenPoint - "Tick Tock Tick" - October 2011
"I expect to pass through the world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."
You've probably seen this quotation many times. It's over 200 year old and from the Quakers.
May I ask you a question I have asked myself recently: If you knew that today was the last day of your life, who would you call? What would you say? What act of kindness would you provide? What broken relationship would you try to heal? Whenever we ask a question like that, it always tends to be theoretical because deep inside, most of us expect to live many more years. That's certainly a reasonable expectation, and I hope it comes true for you. But perhaps we should take Martin Luther's advice to live every day with the day of our death placarded before our eyes. Leadership experts call that "living with the end in view."
I wish to everyone who reads these words long life and good health, but I can't guarantee it for myself or for my own family ... much less for anyone else. Things can change so quickly. Just one phone call and life will never be the same again.
We can reach out to people around us. There are things we need to say now:
If you intend to serve the Lord someday, why not now? Time moves fast ... tick ... tock ... tick ...
Grace ~ Pastor Todd
You've probably seen this quotation many times. It's over 200 year old and from the Quakers.
May I ask you a question I have asked myself recently: If you knew that today was the last day of your life, who would you call? What would you say? What act of kindness would you provide? What broken relationship would you try to heal? Whenever we ask a question like that, it always tends to be theoretical because deep inside, most of us expect to live many more years. That's certainly a reasonable expectation, and I hope it comes true for you. But perhaps we should take Martin Luther's advice to live every day with the day of our death placarded before our eyes. Leadership experts call that "living with the end in view."
I wish to everyone who reads these words long life and good health, but I can't guarantee it for myself or for my own family ... much less for anyone else. Things can change so quickly. Just one phone call and life will never be the same again.
We can reach out to people around us. There are things we need to say now:
- "I love you."
- "I'm sorry."
- "Please forgive me."
- "Thank you."
- "I miss you."
- "I wanted to see you one more time."
- "I wanted to squeeze your hand."
- "I wanted to give you a hug."
- "I wanted to hear you laugh."
- "I wanted to see your beautiful face."
If you intend to serve the Lord someday, why not now? Time moves fast ... tick ... tock ... tick ...
Grace ~ Pastor Todd
Monday, October 3, 2011
Hayride
67 people from Mt. Olivet enjoyed a hayride yesterday on a brisk afternoon. We rode from church to Showalter's Corn Maze, ate lunch, played games, huddled by the fire, then returned safely to church. It was a great day!!!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Kentucky Mission Team
Pray for our mission team as they work at Laurel Mission in Kentucky this week. It will be a challenging time with the recent passing of Rev. Titus Boggs and with the rains from tropical storm Lee.
Pastor's Penpoint - "Preparing ... not Planning" - September 2011
James 4: 13-16. "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.' Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.'
Is James telling us not to plan? Yes and no. James' warning is important to leaders in that leaders are to plan for their organizations but not to plan for their own lives. Does this mean that we are not to establish our 10-year plans for our lives? Yes. James' advice is that if we, as individuals, want to do something, then we should ask God to wish it for us rather than for us to wish it ourselves. The reason for this is that when a person sets out to accomplish his personal will for his life he negates the opportunities that God provides. This is evident in the lives of people who sought their own success and achieved it, yet comment that they feel like something is missing. Contrast this with the people who seem fulfilled in what they are doing and who tell people they would not have predicted a few years earlier that they would be doing what they are doing or going where they are going. The difference between the two types of people is that the first is planning and the second is preparing.
What's the difference between planning and preparing? Planning is deciding what you will do and preparing is becoming ready to do what you might be called to do.
Did Moses 'plan' to tend sheep for 40 years? Did Saul 'plan' to join the very Christians that he persecuted? Think about how Moses' tending sheep prepared him to lead the Israelites from Egypt. Moses argued with God and pleaded with God not to call him to this task. Can you imagine Moses talking to his father-in-law and saying how a few years before parting the Red Sea that he would not have believed that he would do what he did? Can you imagine Paul meeting his pre-conversion friends on the road and commenting to them how well his personal career plan was going? It is a common refrain from folk that if someone told them a few years earlier that they would be doing what they're doing now they wouldn't have believed it. But, using hindsight it is easy to see how our past experiences have prepared us to serve God in where He has placed us.
In the coming months, those who have stepped forward in leadership at Mt. Olivet will be preparing for the plan God will put before us. The Nominating Committee will convene and prayerfully discern who God has called to leadership, the Commissions will meet to prepare the various calendars of activities and work that needs to be done, and the Administrative Board will meet in November to prepare a plan based on how we believe God is calling this church to serve in ministry in the years to come.
As we prepare for our God's plan for our church, please join us in preparing for how God is planning for you individually as well. ~Pastor Todd
Is James telling us not to plan? Yes and no. James' warning is important to leaders in that leaders are to plan for their organizations but not to plan for their own lives. Does this mean that we are not to establish our 10-year plans for our lives? Yes. James' advice is that if we, as individuals, want to do something, then we should ask God to wish it for us rather than for us to wish it ourselves. The reason for this is that when a person sets out to accomplish his personal will for his life he negates the opportunities that God provides. This is evident in the lives of people who sought their own success and achieved it, yet comment that they feel like something is missing. Contrast this with the people who seem fulfilled in what they are doing and who tell people they would not have predicted a few years earlier that they would be doing what they are doing or going where they are going. The difference between the two types of people is that the first is planning and the second is preparing.
What's the difference between planning and preparing? Planning is deciding what you will do and preparing is becoming ready to do what you might be called to do.
Did Moses 'plan' to tend sheep for 40 years? Did Saul 'plan' to join the very Christians that he persecuted? Think about how Moses' tending sheep prepared him to lead the Israelites from Egypt. Moses argued with God and pleaded with God not to call him to this task. Can you imagine Moses talking to his father-in-law and saying how a few years before parting the Red Sea that he would not have believed that he would do what he did? Can you imagine Paul meeting his pre-conversion friends on the road and commenting to them how well his personal career plan was going? It is a common refrain from folk that if someone told them a few years earlier that they would be doing what they're doing now they wouldn't have believed it. But, using hindsight it is easy to see how our past experiences have prepared us to serve God in where He has placed us.
In the coming months, those who have stepped forward in leadership at Mt. Olivet will be preparing for the plan God will put before us. The Nominating Committee will convene and prayerfully discern who God has called to leadership, the Commissions will meet to prepare the various calendars of activities and work that needs to be done, and the Administrative Board will meet in November to prepare a plan based on how we believe God is calling this church to serve in ministry in the years to come.
As we prepare for our God's plan for our church, please join us in preparing for how God is planning for you individually as well. ~Pastor Todd
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Church Picnic at Oakdale Park
What better way to end a summer than with a picnic in beautiful weather.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Pastor's Penpoint - "The Fickleness Problem" - August 2011
The heat was rising off my head ... the humidity engulfed my entire body. I couldn't breathe! I was trapped, or strapped into "The Raptor" ... a loop-de-loop roller coaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. I had just ridden with Leah, and I was seriously regretting doing so. Although I wanted to ride with her, it was not a wise move on my part in the heat. My lungs burned, sweat ran down my neck and my clothes were drenched. "When will this awful heat stop?" I wondered as I trudged, very queasy to the parking lot where I discovered the surface temperature was 103 degrees! Heat waves can be dangerous, and certainly zap summer fun. I wanted to wave at the heat ... wave good-bye! As I drove down the Ohio Valley, fighting nausea and trying to cool down - my thoughts turned to last winter. Snow mounds covered everything, with no sign of what was underneath. I remembered the cold bite of air when opening the door. The frozen numbness of my fingertips after clearing away the mass of snow from the cars and driveway made me wish for warmth and sunshine. Now sunshine and warmth surrounds us and we're wishing for winter again.
The Lord reminded me about the fickleness of our human heart. Never content seemed to scream in my ears, as I realized how much complaining I had been doing. Whine, whine, whine like a squeaky wheel. Reading the story of the Old Testament Israelites has always made me feel a bit smug. I'm not going to be like them I've resolved. When I read the account of their exodus and travels, I saw their ungratefulness and lack of faith in God. How foolish they were to whine about going back to a life of slavery in Egypt I thought. Just read their words of discontent in Exodus 16 after just being rescued miraculously at the Red Sea and see for yourself. These ridiculous and fickle people were always finding fault with Moses. The poor man could not please them. Their journey wasn't going to be long. He was leading them to the promised land of Abraham. Yet, here they were, unprepared emotionally and mentally for the task before them. Finally Moses spoke a hard truth to them:
"And Moses said, This shall be, when the Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the Lord hears your murmurings which you murmur against him: and what are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord." Exodus 16:8
Wow! The realization of my own fickleness has pulled me up short. I hated the winter cold, and now I hate the summer heat. The Spirit nudged me. I am humbled by the reminder of God's sovereignty. He does what He will. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Paul learned this lesson well too. Listen to this:
"Not that I speak in want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know both how to be humiliated and I know how to thrive everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to thrive and to suffer need. I can do all thing through Christ who strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:11-13
Blessed be the name of the Lord ~ Pastor Todd
The Lord reminded me about the fickleness of our human heart. Never content seemed to scream in my ears, as I realized how much complaining I had been doing. Whine, whine, whine like a squeaky wheel. Reading the story of the Old Testament Israelites has always made me feel a bit smug. I'm not going to be like them I've resolved. When I read the account of their exodus and travels, I saw their ungratefulness and lack of faith in God. How foolish they were to whine about going back to a life of slavery in Egypt I thought. Just read their words of discontent in Exodus 16 after just being rescued miraculously at the Red Sea and see for yourself. These ridiculous and fickle people were always finding fault with Moses. The poor man could not please them. Their journey wasn't going to be long. He was leading them to the promised land of Abraham. Yet, here they were, unprepared emotionally and mentally for the task before them. Finally Moses spoke a hard truth to them:
"And Moses said, This shall be, when the Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the Lord hears your murmurings which you murmur against him: and what are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord." Exodus 16:8
Wow! The realization of my own fickleness has pulled me up short. I hated the winter cold, and now I hate the summer heat. The Spirit nudged me. I am humbled by the reminder of God's sovereignty. He does what He will. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Paul learned this lesson well too. Listen to this:
"Not that I speak in want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know both how to be humiliated and I know how to thrive everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to thrive and to suffer need. I can do all thing through Christ who strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:11-13
When trouble comes to us, we will not be prepared because we are so used to our comforts. Murmuring and discontent will be our lot if we do not remember the lesson learned by the Israelites and by Paul. With God we can, meaning we are enabled, to do and to stand all that comes our way. Be assured, God knows our circumstance. Let us be content in our circumstance, while He works out the details.
Blessed be the name of the Lord ~ Pastor Todd
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Charles Richard "Dick" Weekley, Sr. (November 27, 1928 - August 6, 2011)
Charles Richard “Dick” Weekley, Sr., 82, of Mount Solon, passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2011 at the home of his son.
He was born on November 27, 1928, the son of the late Gordon and Dora (Knott) Weekley.
Charles retired from the Maintenance Department at Marshalls in Bridgewater. He was a member of Mount Olivet United Brethren in Christ Mount Solon, VA 22843.
Charles was united in marriage to Annie Florence (McCray) Weekley who preceded him in death on July 10, 2006.
Charles is survived by a son, Charles "Pete" Weekley and wife Jeannie of Mount Solon; four sisters, Nancy Griffin of Richmond, Charlotte “Tootie” Pauley of Richmond, Mabel Williams of Richmond, and Mildred “Janie” Bright of Mount Sidney.
In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by daughter, Peggy Weekley; a brother, Bill Weekley; and sisters, Mary Wright, and Betty Lambert.
A funeral service will be held at Mount Olivet United Brethren in Christ, Mount Solon, VA, at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 11, 2011 with Rev. Todd Lilley officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Church Cemetery Mount Solon, VA.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Olivet United Brethren in Christ 862 Free Mason Run Road Mount Solon, VA 22843.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.johnsonfs.com.
Johnson Funeral Service Inc. in Bridgewater is in charge of arrangements.
Monday, July 11, 2011
National Conference 2011
9 people from Mt. Olivet attended this year's National Conference in Huron, OH from July 6-9. It included a short business session, great workshops and worship, an ordination service, and plenty of time to renew old acquaintances and make new friends.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Pastor's Penpoint - "Dependence Day" - July 2011
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
Being a self-made person is considered a good thing by many, especially in the United States. We tend to have an "I can do it myself" mentality. We somehow feel we haven't really succeeded if we've asked for help. However, godly heroes recognize that they have weaknesses and are willing to accept their dependence on God and allow him to turn weaknesses into strengths.
When God called Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt, Moses argued that he had never been eloquent and was slow of speech and tongue. But God wasn't concerned about these weaknesses. He wasn't depending on Moses' strength - he was looking for his obedience.
Moses did choose to obey God and to trust him. God made him a great leader of millions of people. Moses' slowness of speech became his strength because it helped him know that he couldn't begin to do what God was calling him to do on his own - he had to rely on God. And God's strength is unlimited. (Judges 6-7)
Godly heroes turn weaknesses into strengths.
In July, we celebrate Independence Day in the USA. We are proud that we were able to cut ties and go it alone. But this is the opposite of success for the believer in Christ. We need to bind ourselves to God's strength, for his strength is made evident in our weakness. Our faith is made stronger in dependence.
Consider this... Has God called you to do something that seems impossible because of your weaknesses? You feel as though you are not smart enough ... or experienced enough ... or strong enough? Good! Now you know that you will have to depend on God to get the job done.
May you have a joyous Independence Day, and a blessed Dependence Life!
~ Pastor Todd
Being a self-made person is considered a good thing by many, especially in the United States. We tend to have an "I can do it myself" mentality. We somehow feel we haven't really succeeded if we've asked for help. However, godly heroes recognize that they have weaknesses and are willing to accept their dependence on God and allow him to turn weaknesses into strengths.
When God called Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt, Moses argued that he had never been eloquent and was slow of speech and tongue. But God wasn't concerned about these weaknesses. He wasn't depending on Moses' strength - he was looking for his obedience.
Moses did choose to obey God and to trust him. God made him a great leader of millions of people. Moses' slowness of speech became his strength because it helped him know that he couldn't begin to do what God was calling him to do on his own - he had to rely on God. And God's strength is unlimited. (Judges 6-7)
Godly heroes turn weaknesses into strengths.
In July, we celebrate Independence Day in the USA. We are proud that we were able to cut ties and go it alone. But this is the opposite of success for the believer in Christ. We need to bind ourselves to God's strength, for his strength is made evident in our weakness. Our faith is made stronger in dependence.
Consider this... Has God called you to do something that seems impossible because of your weaknesses? You feel as though you are not smart enough ... or experienced enough ... or strong enough? Good! Now you know that you will have to depend on God to get the job done.
May you have a joyous Independence Day, and a blessed Dependence Life!
~ Pastor Todd
Monday, June 6, 2011
Youth Sunday
The youth led every part of a wonderful service yesterday, including a sermon on Psalm 23. Then they served a meal for the congregation afterward.
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