From barking dogs to falling on your knees

The older I get the more I love this song (O Holy Night played before communion) and the more I appreciate communion. I hate to admit it, but as a kid, I can clearly remember dreading when songs like this came on the radio.  They put me to sleep!  I wanted the dogs barking jingle bells, Rudolph, or better yet, I loved the 12 Pains of Christmas!  “What do you mean if one light goes out they all go out?”  “Five months of bills!”  Similar with communion, my very first memory is just wanting to be able to get a drink in the middle of church.  For some reason, I thought that tiny little cup would quench my thirst to make it through the rest of the service and grape juice just never looked so good!  

My next memory about communion revolves around guilt.  Communion was my time to take inventory and see how I failed at being a “good Christian”  It was a focus on whether or not I had been “naughty or nice.”  It was a reminder of my failure with guilt stacked on...I did appreciate Jesus and remember his salvation, but the majority of my focus or my emphasis was on failure and guilt.  

Now, as I am older, I can’t wait to sing this song.  I feel like it tells my story!  I love the story line, the build up, and the passionate drama.  This song speaks to my heart and reminds me how Jesus has changed me from guilt to hope. This song reminds me that while I was/am stuck in sin...pining in error (worsening/declining) yearning because of my sin... My emphasis or focus can shift from my deeds to His power and love.  His law is love- a love that surpasses knowledge, a love so wide, high, and deep.

Now I really feel I have a thrill of hope because I am experiencing spiritual transformation.  After 40 years, I am noticing a change in who I am. I believe Jesus is transforming me.  We all can have the thrill of hope.  We have the thrill of hope that our sadness will go away.  The thrill of hope that our anger will be calmed.  The thrill of hope that our anxiety will be changed to peace as His gospel is peace. The thrill of hope that we will be transformed and made knew.

Here in communion, we remember our need for a night that was set apart, when the God of the galaxies that is way bigger than anything we can fathom, who created us, became a baby through a virgin birth.  We remember our need for a savior who died and came back to life. Let’s pray:   Father we fall to our knees.  We rejoice in our salvation. We are sorry for our sins, we thank you Jesus for saving us.  Thank you for your love that surpasses knowledge.  

Sin and error pining- declining in sin.  Worsening in sin..  Or longing for help because of sin

When is forgiveness fun and...not so fun?

Have you ever had fun forgiving someone?  I know, weird question.  

My fun forgiveness memory was when someone I ended up knowing ran into the back of my car on Tuscarawas st. in Canton.  I got out of the car, saw it was a past patient, we hugged, I looked at the car...looked at her, and said. “eh don’t worry about it.” She put her bumper in her trunk and we got out of there.  Forgiving her wasn’t that hard for me because my monte had 195000 miles on it and the extra cracks and dents didn’t really change the appearance that much. That time, forgiving was fun and easy.

Paul tells us to “examine ourselves” during this time.  In other words, look into our hearts and see if anything needs dealt with.  Perhaps one of your issues today is forgiveness.  Maybe the pain, betrayal, and sadness are just too great and feelings are too raw making forgiveness seem impossible.  If so, I want to remind you that Matthew 19:26 states, “With God All Things are Possible” and we are told in 2 Timothy 1:7 that the spirit God gave us gives us power, love, and self discipline.  We have the perfect example of Christ forgiving others when He was being crucified and he cried out in prayer, “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing”

Another example can be taken from a modern day hero named Victor Marx.  Victor Marx goes after the source of sex traffickers in the US, has befriended juveniles who are at highest risk of crime, and now lives in Iraq where he runs an organization that rescues kids who have been orphaned and kidnapped.  Victor Marx attributes being able to be who he is today because he forgave two of the men who would do beyond terrible things to him as a kid.  His forgiveness of them allowed him to move on.  His terrible experiences; being able to endure different methods of torture, toughened him and have given him the ability to go places most would not even think of going.  Those experiences have made him better instead of bitter.  This is a very good representation of Romans 8:28- “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Communion is the perfect time to deal with the impossible feelings in your heart.  We are reminded that Christ makes the impossible possible. Sometimes learning to forgive is a process and takes time.  Hang on!  Keep coming to the cross.  Keep praying for help.   

Prayer:  Father, thank you for making the impossible possible through Christ.  Open our eyes and help us see how forgiving others will help us and those around us heel.  Give us the strength and courage to forgive and help those around us become better.

Chase the Lion and Dare to be a Daniel

Mark Batterson wrote a book entitled, "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day."  Around 2007, a buddy of mine recommended it to me.  I read the book and listened to a six or seven series podcast series Paster Batterson put on while I would run the bike trail at quail hollow.  The idea of chasing the lions in my life became one of my creeds.  In other words, welcome trials.  Welcome challenges.  Then, go after those challenges with everything you've got!

Another creed I was taught as a kid was "dare to be a Daniel."  My mom always told me to "dare to be a Daniel" from the time I am early enough to remember.  The lesson here was to go against the flow.  Don't be afraid to stand up for what is right and represent the Lord.  In addition, Daniel was very gifted.  He was refined.  Daring to be like Daniel was a charge to be the best I can be and grow strong, fearless, and build great character.

Here is an image from Mark's book:

8-29-17. Six Battles Team Transformation

Great 5 min podcast on Battles Every Man Must Win

Our monthly challenge:

Notes from the evening.  

We enjoyed sharing about a third of our adoption story at church

God’s Call for Your Life: Truth vs. Feelings