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Jesus in Carhartts

This Sunday we will begin a Series on the book written by James the Just (Half-Brother of Jesus) dealing with “Faith that Works.”  This is a book you should read standing up that contains a ringing call for action.  It is intensely practical and been called the “Proverbs of the New Testament.”  James is saying…

• Integrity exists only when words and actions meet
• If you can control your tongue you can conquer any discipline in life
• John Maxwell:   demonstrates a faith beyond mere words, don’t tell me-show me, book for our inner-activist, put some shoe leather on our core-values, the more you walk-the less you have to talk
• Faith+No Works= Dead Faith
  • His audience is the Jewish Christian Believers scattered abroad

Please take time to review at least chapter one before Sunday.  Here are a few key scriptures for memorization from this exciting book of the Bible.

Key Verses

James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

James 1:4 But Let patience have its perfect work that you may be complete lacking nothing

James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to     become angry.

James 2:17-18 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

James 3:5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

 James 4:7-8 Therefore submit to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

James 5:16B: The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Get ready to be challenged and equipped!

Easter Sunday 2012 Recap!

Several months ago we set out with a 20 step plan to reach 700 on Easter.  700 would be the single largest attendence Clark Fork has ever experienced in 35 years as a church.  Our goals are not driven by the desire to just be a large church, but we know God cares for people in our city and we know we exist for all the people who are not at our church yet!  I will get to our number record at the end of the blog but want to share a few highlights and share a warm thank you to our wonderful team who pulled off an amazing Resurrection Sunday.

11am the second service which was the smaller of our two Sunday meetings!
(also notice the super sweet stage set made of cardboard!)

We decided to have two services instead of one.  This is a scary thought because you need to virtually double your volunteers.  From greeters, ushers, worship teams, parking team, decoration, cleaning, projector and video crew, and office staff our church aced it!  Job well done!  One new lady who came to church had a huge struggle with crowd anxiety.  One of our greeters noticed she was nervous and pulled her aside on the way in, prayed for her and she made it thorugh the whole service sitting in the crowd!  Not only that she let us know she decided to quit smoking after the meeting and has been smoke free since Sunday.  Well done team in taking care of people!

Our Creative Team, Volunteers, Cleaning Staff, and Saturday Grounds Crew got our building and property ready to put our best foot forward.  Elke Olbricht also did a bang-up job on the stage design and flowers/decoration.  From details like flowers even in the bathrooms- to a beautiful new copper cross on stage our church showed a pride of ownership.

Kid's Ministry was over the top!  We had over 70 kids in each service with a live tomb experience, over 2,000 eggs given away, and powerful worship with a full band in kids minsitry.  Thanks team for going above and beyond for our young people.

"Broken Marriage"

"God Restored and Blessed 36 Years"

A highlight for me was the cardboard testimonies.  We had over 40 people share a very personal testimony written on cardboard, then they flipped it over to show how God has worked freedom into their lives.  The testimonies were during the worship time and culminated in a standing ovation as Doug and Tammy Dove came on stage to share their incredible story.  One lady in our church shared on her cardboard testimony that she had been "Molested" and she put on the back that she was healed through forgiveness.   She had several brave ladies approach her and thank her for sharing because they went through the same thing in their past.  God really used your stories to touch hundreds of people!

Our message on Easter was about God's heart for the underdog.  It was so cool to see so many underdog's who the world may have thrown away or discounted living life full in Christ!  

Thank you to every one who prayed, believed, had faith and invited to 2012 Easter Sunday.  We did not quite reach our goal of 700 but we did have 621 people in church Sunday!  This is huge considering we had a down week on April 1st at around 300 people.  Looking back, we had the third highest attendance ever for our church and the largest in over 7 years. That is an amazing jump and great to have two full services and see so many people respond to the message of Hope.  

I can't wait to see what happens this Sunday with baptisms and many more who will be blessed!

Easter Sunday 9 or 11 am

This Sunday April 8th is Easter Sunday.  This is one of the greatest days of the year to be in Church.  We so expect great things to happen that we added an extra Sunday Meeting.  Instead of our typical 10 am service we will be having 9 or 11 am.  Both services will have huge giveaways and egg hunts for kids.  We have a special event called "Cardboard Testimonies" where we will be seeing 50 abbreviated life stories of people in our congregation.  You won't want to miss that.  This special Sunday will also mark the beginning of a new series about God's heart for the underdog.

Save the Drama for your Mama! (Excerpts from message: Low Drama Church)

Matthew 6:12

Forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us.

“Low Drama Church”

How much of your life is consumed with Drama?  As a pastor I have stated a strange goal: "I want to pastor a low-drama church!"  I know what you are thinking- that I have lost my marbles and that is impossible.  In our age of drama-instant communication, 7000 text messages a month, reality t.v. land, Bride-zilla, social media explosion, etc etc it is really hard not to get sucked into drama.  I do want to add I am so blessed that we do have such little drama at Clark Fork City Church!! 

There was plenty of internal fighting and drama in the Bible:  

• Before David fought Goliath he had to deal with Saul
• Paul and Peter had a disagreement about doctrine 
• Joseph had some brothers who didn’t believe in him
• Gentiles were not Jewish enough for the disciples, so they said "get out the knife!" or something like that...

As we have been looking at the Lord's Prayer and in a series called "Teach us to Pray," we are learning as we pray we are caught up with Jesus priority of forgiveness.  Deep Prayer=Low Drama!  One caveat- to be in the kingdom means we will have drama and battles and challenges.  Also being a church that wins new converts and reaches out to a city will illicit a certain amount of drama.  That is the good type of drama.  The bad kind of drama is infighting among believers.  Prayer reminds us to excel in forgiveness and mercy and grace!

Here are a few quick points on being a Low Drama Church:

1. Be quick to forgive (Leave your gift at the altar and go reconcile with your brother.)

• Matthew 5:23-24

2. Don’t be in a hurry to miss those outside the church.  Luke 10:25 (Good Samaritan story)

The Harvest is Plentiful Laborers are few!  It’s not a harvest problem…It's a laborer problem. Could it be we are about so many other things we miss a chance to do what is right?

3.  Our Heart is for those within the church:

·        ^{Ephesians 2:19} Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God

·        ^{Galatians 6:10} Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

4. If you are continually offended by something or someone check your heart condition.  Acts 24:16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

5. Don’t criticize- James 4:11-12 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. ¹² There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

·        Judging a person does not define who they are, it defines who you are.

6.  My Seat can be someone else’s

·        I am here to serve.  Our church exists also for everyone else that isn’t here yet and I won't allow my own drama to get in the way of reaching people.

7.  Take Responsibility for your emotional state. 

8.  My people prayer list is not an excuse to gossip. 

·        Eph 4:31-32 

·        Explaining your side to someone who does not want to listen and understand you is like using a pencil that was not sharpened, it’s pointless.

9. Forgiveness Makes Room for God to Move- Unforgivness gives the enemy room to move in our lives.

John 13:34-35 -The will know we are Christians by their love one for another.

For an extreme example of forgivness and response to drama- Check out:

Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy (amazon) 

Atheists sue to remove Jesus statue from Big Mountain -So what...God Made Big Mountain!

http://missoulian.com/news/local/atheists-sue-to-remove-jesus-statue-from-big-mountain/article_d8e79fcc-527f-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html

Here is a little current event post from our very own state of Montana.  I have never personally seen the "Big Mountain Jesus" statue that was created to honor WW2 vets. He (the statue) became famous and even garnered some national attention when a group of concerned citizens wanted him take down because he stands on public lands.


This has been both sad and humorous to me for several reasons:

1.  God made Big Mountain which stands in greater testominy than a statue. He made the mountain! Creation is one of the greatest testimonies of God there is. "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." ( Romans 1:20 )

2.  If they tear down "Big Mountain Jesus," we have to tear down a number of other things that stand on public property based on similar reasoning. A Jesus statue on a mountain in Montana seems trite compared to the top of the Washington Monument that bares the inscription "Laus Deo"- Give Praise to God.  That is a much more prominent monument compared to the obscure Jesus statue outside of Whitefish Montana.  If we did some searching an extensive list could be made of government buildings with faith references and quotes. Even in a recession the amount of lawsuits against such things seem to be going up.  Those funds are sadly misappropriated.

3.  Since when did we need a Statue to promote or represent our faith?  I would argue for keeping the statue up for the reason it was planted: as a memorial to WW2 soliders, particularly members of the Army's 10th mountain division.  That's why it should stay.  Jesus doesnt need a statue to win, besides he preferred not having idols of stones- when he is a living God.  It doesn't need to stay up for His name sake, he will get his Glory.  However it is sad that a nation with a rich Christian Heritage would come to this.

4. I guess it could be a subtle reminder to the wayward snowboarder to find his way home...to a Loving God, who gave us a massive playground like Montana to enjoy life and bring Him Glory.

Teach us to Pray 1: A look at the Lord’s Prayer –part 1

Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.  ~Author Unknown

Matthew 6:5-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 

Luke 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." 2He said to them, "When you pray, say…

          Prayer must be specific and targeted: When you aim at nothing, you hit it every time!

          There is a vast difference is saying prayers and praying. On Easter 2007 it was estimated 2 billion people prayed the Lords prayer around the globe!  Was it a rehearsed prayer or people praying to a living God who hears us and responds?

Here are three quick and simple things to remember about the first verse of this super important prayer:

1. We approach God as a Father because prayer is about relationship

          “ It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”  John Bunyan  This is a nice quote and does apply to our heart attitude in situations where we don’t know what to say.  However prayer is a verbal exercise and things usually don’t happen in the kingdom until something is said!  Relationships require communication.  Kingdom Activity requires something to be said! Think of the creation story or many healings in Christ’s ministry: “Pick up your matt and walk!”

Or Joshua 6:20 People shouted with a great shout the walls fell flat.  They had marched around Jericho and did what God had said but something happened when they shouted!  Verbalize your prayers to an almighty God. 

LUK 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

JOH 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

         

2.  We approach with thanks for who he is

    "HALLOWED BE THY NAME."

·        After the address, prayer moves into worship.

·        Upon recognition of the fact that I am in the presence of the Creator of the universe, I worship Him.

I think of how awesome He is.

The Jews felt that the name was too holy to cross the lips of man, thus in the Hebrew text you only find the consonants YHVH. 

·        In Proverbs we are told that the name of Jehovah is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe.

·        It is interesting that Paul tells us in Philippians that God has given to Jesus a name that is above all names that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

·        The angel told Joseph to call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.

So you can imagine if the Pharisees would not utter or write His proper name so for Jesus to come and say “Father” would be offensive to them and mind-blowing!  It was rare people approached God in this way.

3.  We approach with Praise not Petition

       By approaching with praise we are saying he his bigger than our problems. In Prayer mountains turn to mole-hills because our focus and attention is on the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  We can idolize our problems when we fixate on them.  We will see later in the prayer petitions come and it is not bad to shout prayers from a place of need (much like the lepers in Luke 17 who shouted at Jesus from “A long way off.”  But we should want to request and bring petitions and prayers from a close place of relationship with a God who wants to be near us!

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the thoughts I think toward you says the Lord.  Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and go and pray to me.  I will listen to you and you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. 

       Matthew 6:5-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. ¹⁰Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. ¹¹Give us this day our daily bread. ¹²And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. ¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

First Things First! Start the new year on the right foot!

Much has been written about the Law of First Things.  Stephen Covey in his famous book First Things First said "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."  Frank Damazio in The Power of Spiritual Alignment wrote a fantastic book about following the firsts of Jesus which he called "the bottom line for a victorious life."

You can only have one main thing in your life!  If we don't prioritize our lives something or someone else will.  People may claim to be non-religious or are exasperated by talk of God however each one of us have a God or gods that we live for.  In fact our hearts are idol factories.  We live for the love of another, our career, money, sport, our for ourselves to name a few.

When new years day hits we do two things.  The first thing we have a tendency to do is to look back over the shoulder of our life to analyze the previous twelve months.  The second thing we do is to analyze problems in our lives or shortcomings and mistakes and try to change those in the upcoming year.

An article in the New York Times only confirms that the will is weak when it shows that the overwhelming majority of New Year’s resolutions are doomed to failure. According to research, 80 percent of those who make resolutions on January 1 have given up by Valentine’s Day. Nutrition experts say that two-thirds of dieters regain any weight lost within a year, and more than 70 percent of people who undergo coronary bypass surgery fall back into unhealthy habits within two years of their surgery.
(I grabbed this quote from: http://theresurgence.com/2011/12/31/why-new-years-resolutions-dont-work)

I spoke on January 1st 2012 (last Sunday) on the power of first things and looked at seven scriptures where Jesus used the word FIRST.   He said things like seek Him first and His Kingdom.  A famous teaching of Jesus was a reminder of the first and greatest commandment.  He also told a group of pharisees to first take the plank out of their eye before they point fingers at other people flaws and mistakes.

Irregardless of your hopes and commitments in the new year their is one concern or hope that I have for you. Take some time to consider who is your number 1.  Put God first and everything shall be added to you!  All of our diets, fitness goals, finance changes etc etc, will pail in comparison to God's surpassing greatness.  He wants to add to your life.  Like Ephesians 3:20 says, Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. 


Have a super blessed new year! Visit our website and i-tunes account to listen to this message from 1/1/12.

Parents: Not your ordinary bedtime read:

Each of us battle the bounds of the small box that our world can become.  Even in our own community we go to the same stores, buy at the same coffee shop, engage the same people in our own circles. The danger is we can view anyone who is different as out of our world.  Jesus in His famous Great Commission worlds commanded His leaders "To make Disciples of all Nations" in Matthew 28:19.  The small circle of their reach, as well as their vision was challenged.  Apostolic doctrine changed from The people to All people, The temple to You are the Temple and The Holy Land to change All Lands!

The fact is if you grow up in America and if you make $10,000 a year you are better off than 90% of the world's population. If you have kids you have probably noticed when they want things in a store (over and over and over again) or they may take for granted the things that they have.  We are super blessed! I believe we are blessed to be a blessing.  Proverbs 11:25 says A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.  

I wanted to find a tool to not only give my kids a global perspective but also help them understand that they have it pretty good.  At first my wife thought this book may be too intense for our kids but I have had a blast reading, each night about a different nation.  There are facts and pictures and even my 3 year old has been moderately interested as we sit and read about a new nation each night and say prayers for people who are not like us and far less fortunate.  

Book Description

http://www.amazon.com/Window-World-Prayer-Atlas-All/dp/1932805915

Well loved by young and old - a book that will inform and inspire the whole family, this beautifully presented, yet practical book, is the ideal accompaniment to Operation World. Stunning photographic visuals complement this A to Z of countries and people groups providing an exciting learning experience and guide for prayer. Short stories about featured countries or people groups help relate foreign lands and people to children in the West. Each page includes a small map putting the country into perspective with neighboring countries, a fact box with essential country, and people information and prayer points that children can ask God for as well as thank God for.This invaluable resource develops cultural, political, and geographical awareness through a Christian lens. Families, churches, and schools will all benefit from this book and in turn be able to pray more effectively for their world.Winner of the 2002 Gold Medallion for Elementary Age Children.  

Some Great Books-

I wanted to recommend some great books that I have read over the last month or two.  The first two books would appeal to anyone looking for a great read.  The last books have to do with spirituality and faith, particularly in the Christian Church.

Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose is a fantastic read about the Lewis and Clark expedition.  The beginning was a bit slow for me as plans and preparations for the expedition were underway.  This may have just been a window into my own impatient personality as I wanted to get them on the journey.  However once I got into the latter chapters I could not put this book down.  Incredible True story that takes place in our part of the world!

Bonhoeffer, Wow!  I am just a third of the way through this book about a fantastic pastor and author who wound up leading a plot to assassinate Hitler!   http://www.ericmetaxas.com/books/bonhoeffer-pastor-martyr-prophet-spy-a-righteous-gentile-vs-the-third-reich/

We just had the privilege of hosting this author and his wife at our church last Sunday. Terry Virgo is one of the best bible teachers of our time.  Not only do Terry and Wendy have an amazing resume and have shared their gifts with the church- they are so down to earth and personable.  If you would like to see a picture of what a Follower of Jesus and the Church of Jesus should look like,  pick this one up.  You also may watch this interview with Terry Virgo and Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church about this book.  http://theresurgence.com/2011/09/23/the-spirit-filled-church

A fantastic book by David Devenish about apostolic doctrine and Church life.  A must read for any Church leader.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RuLiGddaHo  (to learn more)

Real Time Connections is about linking your Job with God's Global work.  This is a fantastic book for anyone missionaly hungry to see their life make a difference in the world.  This will challenge you to get out of your comfort zone and push the borders of your reach as a leader.

Your Life Has Something to Say

Your life is preaching a message whether you are religious or not.  You may not feel like it does but your life and your experience's have something to say.  I found it difficult believing that my life could in any way help people.  Although through sharing my story, both hilarity and tragedy, people seem interested.  People connect with story.  Jesus throughout the gospels encountered people and jumped into their story.  


You may feel like Joe-six pack or Average Jane.  But your life is not average especially when you find God has put a message within you.  When you find that message you become a messenger.  The Bible says in 1 John 5:10 "Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony of God in them."  


If you have a chance to visit Clark Fork City Church we are looking at several stories over the next 8 weeks. A woman who was a social out-cast, a man born blind, The Average Joe and several others.  These messages are sure to inspire you and your story and urge you into God's Story.  


There is a portion in “A River Runs through it” that balances the story with a line “What a beautiful world it was once.”  In this stretch of the Story Norman Maclaen described three parts of fishing water: The Rapids, The Deep Bend, The Tail of the Fishing Hole. When we back up from our life it is interesting to view life's parts and how they effect who we are. 

Each great story has different parts that are viewed by God in their entirety, our finite minds have a tendency to break down each part and in our (chronos) time frame see events as individuals.  God has been at work in our lives before we knew he was there.  When we couldn’t see him at work.  When nobody else was there, He was.  He see's the whole thing.  Maybe a bend in the River has thrown your story for a loop, but God will find purpose in it.  His River wants to flow through your life.

September 23rd-24th Leadership Event is for You!

"A Christian Leader is a humble, God-dependent, team-playing servant of God who is called by God to shepherd, develop, equip, and empower a specific group of believers to accomplish an agreed-upon vision of God." Dave Kraft

Next weekend, Friday September 23rd and Saturday 24th we are privelaged to host a leadership event with Dave Kraft.  Dave recently wrote a book called "Leaders Who Last."  Only 30% of Leaders finish well.  Each one of us is called to lead people.  Jesus didn't ask us to go make decisions, but to go make disciples.  We all have a story to tell and a minsitry to be a part of.  Whether that means full time staff at a church or a volunteer for an Awana program, or maybe you are on usher on a Sunday we all have a part to play.  Not to mention God's global call that compells us to reach into our cities and nations of the world. 

Dave Kraft worked with "Navigators" a christian ministry for 38 years before joining Mars Hill Church in Seattle.  Dave works as a leadership development pastor, training, recruiting and equipping leaders.  He has served as a leadership coach for very inffluenctial pastors as well.  

Dave will be speaking Friday evening and Saturday until Lunch.  This brief time will be packed with training and will challenge each of us to  grow in our leaderhsip capacity. Please set aside the time and if you lead a team please encourage all your leaders to participate.  You may not be leading a ministry but you need to be!  This would be a great event for you as well.

The 20$ cost associated with the event is helping us as a group of city churches to start a fund to bring in high end leaders to Missoula to impact our city.  This event will get the ball rolling for a ministry called "city forum." So we get the opportunity to sow into the next events which will be a parenting event ted Tripp called "shepherding a child's heart" followed by a marriage conference by Paul Tripp.

Please don't miss this opportunity to dial in your leadership skills and be challenged. Childcare will be provided.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=157497414318325

Don't Miss our new Sunday series "God's River Runs Through It"

http://www.clarkforkcitychurch.org/connect/the-river/

The Church has Left the Building

So often when we think of Church, we think of a building, a Sunday morning, songs, speaking and lunch afterward.  Many Pastors and Church leaders spend time at a desk or keyboard or trapped in an office somewhere.  It seems as if in Jesus ministry much of His time was not in a building but out with people.
We have been prompted to in the last few months to leave the four walls of our facility and move our office out into the streets.  More and more I want our church to be "In Missoula, for Missoula."

One project we have just started is called "Street Teams."  We were given a twelve passenger van, filled it with tools and lawn-mowers and we have started hitting the streets with a Free Yard-work Service.  Wait, whats the catch?  Many people are used to solicitors, Religion Peddlers, and Vacuum Salesman pounding on their doors.  We have been knocking on doors to serve those who cant serve themselves and love on the City  we get to live in.  We cant change the whole town but we get to help one home at a time.  We have found people seem suspicious at first and then warm up to the idea when we serve their needs.

We have several needs as this project starts to expand:
1) Workers:  We go out every Friday morning and need more help as work increases and we are still looking for a crew-boss to start a Saturday Street Team. You do not need to be a skilled craftsman, just have a heart to help people.  We mow lawns, clean yards, pick weeds, and more extensive projects as well.


2) We are meeting at 7am tomorrow for a special roof installation and need around 3-4 workers.


3) Finances for Vehicle Graphics:  we have a van that could be a rolling billboard.  It just needs the graphics.  If your business wants to sponsor our vehicle graphics we would love to note that on our van.  This will also give us credibility and exposure as the van goes through the city.

4)  Tools: if you have tools to donate they can be dropped by during regular business hours.

Thanks for your help!

Storms: Who is to Blame, and our Response?

I woke up Monday morning to catch and feed a couple horses and to my surprise the round coral they were in had almost two feet of water in it.  They were standing in a new pond.  It turns out neighbors up-river had opened a water gate to relieve flooding.  This spring has been a year of disasters: from Japan, to Joplin and even significant flooding here in Missoula Montana as well as across the states.  (Below picture taken in Missoula Montana: Third St Flooding 2011)

The Book of Matthew chapter 27 shares some of Christ's words that could relate to many situations we find ourselves in.  24Every one therefore that hears these words of mine, and does them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: 25and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. 26And every one that hears these words of mine, and does them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: 27and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. 


The one thing both home owners in the above text had in common was a flood.  In the fifth chapter of Matthew talks about the sun shining and the rain falling on the just and the unjust.  I have often heard the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people."  I heard someone say "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond."  I recently shared a message on a Sunday morning called, "The way we see the problem is the problem."


I have had things in life I tried to or would like to blame God for.   It is important to not shrink away from problems but to allow them to test and try you.  If you find your house shaking, take inventory of what is shaking. Our growth in life doesn't come from the great times as great as they are.  I believe our spiritual and emotional maturity is grown through storms.  


Someone taught me gold is purified by fire.  If you want a pure metal, heat is applied so impurities can rise to the top.  When heat is applied in your life what comes to the top?  Who do you turn on- when things get tough.  We have to remember not to turn on someone but to turn to THE someone who can help.  Jesus said "Whoever hears the words of mine is like a man who built his house on the rock."  


A few things to remember while going through a storm...

1. God does not always work miracles and acts of providence for our deliverance from suffering; sometimes by faith God sustains his people through sufferings.

2. Having faith is not the ultimate determining factor in whether you suffer or escape, God is - God's sovereign will and wisdom and love.

3. The common feature of the faith that escapes suffering and the faith that endures suffering is this: both of them involve believing that God himself is better than what life can give to you now, and better than what death can take from you later.

 Take time today to thank God for what you have. Cherish the victories and long summer days.  But don't shrink from adversity and only cast blame.  Find the victory in adversity.  Is your house built on the rock? (Below picture of Surfers on Clark Fork River:Missoula Montana)

How are you in Adversity?

.....A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17


In my previous post I referenced the book "A River Runs Through It" by Norman Maclaen.  The story is about how Paul's brother Norman takes him fishing one last time to try and help him through a difficult season in life but his message doesn't seem to break through.   

                                   A picture I took of my brother David: Beartooths 2008, 11 miles in   
Being a pastor I have rejoiced with people who rejoice, and also mourned with people who mourn.  Why is it some of the most difficult situations, and some of the hardest struggles are smack dab in the middle of family? Why is it some people who appear to need the most help are the most difficult to reach? 


A popular English proverb says "when the going gets tough the tough get going."  Far too often this happens in a negative sense, usually one of two ways:


1) People who are wounded retreat and don't allow anyone close, because to be close equals too vulnerable
2) People near the wounded retreat and don't fulfill Proverbs 17:17 and they love only  when convenient or on their terms


Consider this sliver from :The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible
A true, hearty, faithful friend, loves in times of adversity as well as in times of prosperity: there are many that are friends to persons, while they are in affluent circumstances; but when there is a change in their condition, and they are stripped of all riches and substance; than their friends forsake them, and stand at a distance from them; as was the case of Job, (Job 19:14) ; it is a very rare thing to find a friend that is a constant lover, such an one as here described. The Jewish writers understand this as showing the difference between a friend and a brother: a cordial friend loves at all times, prosperous and adverse; but a "brother [loves when] adversity [is] born"

                                                        My two brothers and I in the Beartooth Mountains: 2009
Some of my favorite family memories have been an annual fishing trip to the Beartooth Mountains in Montana, just north of Yellowstone Park. My Dad and brothers went last year and we spent 5 nights around 12 miles into the wilderness area. We enjoy each other's company, catch tons of fish, get on each others nerves, and also challenge one another physically and spiritually.  A Proverb written by Solomon says "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."  
                                                                   
Far too often the iron in our lives doesn't sharpen but can do damage.  Remember the story of two brothers in the book of Genesis named Cain and Abel.  Because of jealousy, competition and anger Cain slew his brother Abel.  How many family feuds have there been or started in good intention and the outcome of adversity ends in emotional slaying?  


Community/Family is designed to:  
Help us in times of trouble
Challenge us not be independent
Cause us to overcome individualism
Forge us with accountability
Encourage us to keep going when the road seems to long 


This week we are mourning with those who mourn.  A great man, Brent James Schlimgen (see link) passed away last Thursday morning.  Leaving behind his beautiful wife Kristy, and two boys Andrew John and Luke James.  Not to mention so many in our own community who were dear friends.  


This event has cause several responses in my heart.  One of grief for his dear loved ones who have certainly walked through some difficult years.  Secondly I am reminded how precious are days our and not to take for granted even one day with those close to us.  Finally I am reminded of how to respond, that a brother is born for adversity.  Not for quarrelling.  But to stand strong when others fall.


Proverbs 17:17 is summed up well with these words,"To the second of these parallel clauses, there is an accession of meaning, that is, that a brother's love is specially seen in adversity"  - Jamieson-Fausset-Brown


We live in a land where dysfunction has become the norm.  Divided couples and friends, Divided families and a Divided Nation. Reach out, don't run. Dig Down and find a purpose in the middle of your adversity. 


JY

http://missoulian.com/news/local/obituaries/article_367f6f00-6e94-11e0-9842-001cc4c03286.html