One Not Forsaken

I am writing from Calvin Crest Camp where the ministers and elders of the Missouri Valley Christian Church are meeting to prayerfully and humble seek God's will for our church in the future.  We are looking to a 5-7 year vision as well as a 12-15 year vision.  When I came I had hope for some insight into the plans which God has for His body here..... what I received was something completely different.

 There are not merely ideas, but a plan has emerged which will radically shape our congregation for many years to come with a foresight on the changes which our community will face in the future.

 Through prayerful surrender and confession we began the retreat by being vulnerable to each other, seeking help from each other and reaching to God on each other's behalf.  Nearly two hours of prayer brought us to the point where we were just ready to look to the agenda.

What will follow this weekend will be a a layout for all the members of our church.  This is not the plan of the leadership, but the plan which we have all worked for and put together.  Please continue to pray for God's will to be done through us all!

Last night as I came home from our special Monday night class for the month of October and went in to my children's bedrooms as they had just been put down for the night. I went in and gave Isabella a goodnight kiss and then did the same for William. He looked sad and I asked what was up and he responded with a, "I don't want to talk about it." I said ok and then went to talk with Cade and give him a goodnight kiss as well. On my way out the door, William looked up at me and I could tell he wanted to talk. I sat next to him and asked what was wrong. He then told a story of how there were kids at the school who did not like him. And he was sad.

 

Now, having gone through eight or more years of being made fun of on a daily basis and being an outcast in school, I wanted to help him get a grasp on what was happening. We spent 15 to 20 minutes talking. I told him that there were people who just did not like his daddy too. He seemed to connect with me. I shared how what others think of us does not affect who we are, nor change any of God's blessings in our life. He understood this and seemed to get better. We continued talking with the single tears every once in a while cascading down his cheek. Finally I said, "Will, what others think doesn't change anything about your life." I realized I was wrong when his eyes filled immediately with tears and they rolled out as he spoke these words, "But it hurts my heart..."

 

How many people around us are in the same boat? How many people walk through life trying to not let things affect them, or get under their skin, but ultimately are hurt in heart. I looked down at William and realized so much of what Jesus' ministry was while on this earth. I had no more wise or instructing words, I simply leaned in, clutched his head to my chest as he let loose and said, "I know what you mean..."

 

After crying for a while, he stopped and I could see a marked difference. I am reminded that many times our ministry of healing in the church is not to always attempt to fix situations, but to heal hearts through empathy and compassion.

 

I have to admit that I am addicted to talk radio. Anyone shocked? As I work in the office, I have the internet linked into radio stations that provide me a background of political information as I go about my day. Many days I enjoy the banter and the discussions, but the past week or so I have felt myself getting angry and upset at what I hear. If you do not listen to the news or listen to talk radio, let me get you up to date. Here is a summary of what is constantly being said:

 

"[Candidate] says he/she is about [insert issue] but are they really? The truth is [insert a bunch of lies] . Is that really who you want to be your [position the cadidate seeks]?"

 

And it is not just the [party to which you are opposed] who do this. Each party, each candidate, and each ad is doing this now. Barak Obama is not a muslim (he is a Christian), John McCain is not too old to use a computer (the motions hurt his war wounds when he types), and Sarah Palin is not 90% of the hateful things said about her. I would try to defend Joe Biden too, but no one seems to pay attention to him enough or is threatened enough by him to invent lies.

 

How is it that both sides attempt to claim God and both try to espouce tolerance and yet this vile speech is the climate of our political arena?

 

Let us Christians avoid the temptation to fall into this hateful, non-productive speech, whether you support the Republicans or the Democrats.

I am constantly amazed at God's immense power and love and my inability to fully surrender the way I wish I could.  He is always near, always ready, always loving, and always keenly aware of what I am doing.  On the contrary, though, I stray, am often caught off gurad, sometimes selfish, and not always intimately aware of what God is doing.  

It is easy to understand how it is that we are incomplete creatures.  We have lost what God created us to be.  Everything that God is by nature, I am not.  That which God would never be, I struggle to cease.  I wage war in my mind and heart for its very control while God lives at full peace in His soul.  Oh how I desire more than I can grasp to be like Him, full of Him and consumed by Him.  What can I do?

I can only fall on my face and cry out to the savior, Jesus Christ, for his power and example to claim me in its wholeness.  I have nothing to offer but my life.  I have nothing to give but my time.  I have nothing to surrender but my will.  Take them all, Lord Jesus, and make me new.

 

A new site...a new start.

I have said it two or three times, but I believe that this time I mean it.  I am starting anew  with blogging.  If you happen across here you are welcome to read and comment as you like.

I am  still an empty man offering empty ramblings.  All are invited to join in.