Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Wait On the Lord

Advent is a season of waiting which marks time with pondering, prayer and patience. Scripture tells us to wait on the Lord, however, not just in preparation for Christmas. We are to wait on the Lord for all types of incarnations of His life with us. We can wait for the Lord to birth a new ministry, for example, holding out prayers as we wait and see. We can wait for the Lord to awaken a relationship that has been conflictual, holding out prayers as we wait and see.

Waiting on the Lord has come to be a central understanding for me of what it is to pastor a church. Waiting is a dimension of servant leadership that I have come to appreciate, although struggle to faithfully employ!

Leaders, especially pastors, are to be wise and strong. We are to make things happen. We even use language that reinforces this - how often do you hear pastors say "We need to move the congregation" as if we can cause large action in simply by preaching the right sermon. I am not discounting the power of the spoken word - I just see the source of the power as coming not from the speaker but from God.
Any gift in leadership that I posses comes from the Lord, to whom I am serving. This is the basis for servant leadership to which I am called. Servant Leadership reminds me of my spiritual place as a Pastor.

So when I "wait" on God - turning in prayer first - this is because I know who is the true leader, the true authority over all. It is God. And God is working things out for good - while inviting me to participate in the process.

I say I struggle to "wait" because I love to get things done and see results. So often, I will set out on a course, relying on my human efforts - and it fails miserably. That is when I return to the posture of waiting. My desire to see a grand idea come into being has many time become a spiritual wedge between me and the Lord. I find myself worn out, discouraged - all because I was running on human steam rather than the grace of the Lord.

If you have something big that you feel God is calling you to - perhaps you may want to consider waiting on the Lord through the 40 Day Prayer Experiment that is happening in our church. Here's what one person has said about the 40 day experiment so far -
"This has just made me more aware to ask God each day help me be more connected to him and his desires for my life."

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Dogs in Church

If you have a pet, then you might know what it's like. You leave for church in the morning, and feel those sad eyes watching you as you depart.

Some folks at Olivet can relate to the guilt of leaving of a pet - and they decided to bring their pets with them. Pets are can worship too. Here is a Chihuahua puppy sitting on the pew with her friend.


Saturday, November 26, 2011

Prayer while Walking

Have you ever prayed while walking? I would love to know how you experienced it and if it is a part of your regular prayer expression.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Bless The Lord... really?

Again and again, "Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul" comes up in scripture. Psalm 103, for example, which was our devotional reading this morning. This is a puzzle for many of us. How can we "Bless the Lord"? Are we capable of "handing out" graciousness to God? Does God needs a blessing from us? No of course not. God is the source of all blessings and doesn't NEED our blessing.

Consider it this way: As you become aware of God's blessing upon you, your whole self fills with gratitude. It is as if our soul itself begins to reflect the One who is the source of all Goodness.

Not sure that helps you - but when I try to wrap my mind around how I can bless God, I find it helpful to see my thankfulness as a reflection of God's blessing that points back to God in tribute and praise.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Will We Recognize Each Other in Heaven?

This All Saints Sunday, we read the names of those who have died since last All Saints Sunday. We tolled the church bell as each name was lifted up in prayer.
It is a lovely service in which we always join in singing "when we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing it will be". But will we be able to find each other in this joyful, crowded place of heaven that John describes in Revelation 7 as multitudes in matching white robes?
I was pondering this with the Christian book club when I realized that our recognition of each other in eternity can't possibly be like it is on earth. We rely so much on physical appearance to determine recognizing each other. But God sees us differently. We are more than body shapes, hair color, or skin tone to God. He knows us as he knit us together in our mothers womb, when we took our first breath, our first steps or turned from Him on a path of erring ways.
Perhaps in heaven, what we will recognize about each other is not based on physical appearance, but by the spirit that dwells with in us.
Have you ever run into a dear friend who you haven't seen in years and didn't recognize them until you heard them say your name? I had this happen with a friend who had completed the gastro-bypass. I didn't recognize the smiling kind person until i heard her voice call my name - then in an instant I knew who she was.
We are so much more than our bodies. So much more than what we see. And it is for this that we will know each other and celebrate our reunion.

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