Creation Cries Out for It's Creator Too

Life can be hard, there is no doubt about that.  There are days when we have to ask ourselves, “When will you return God?  When will the suffering end?”  As I looked at the devastation caused by the tornadoes in Tuscaloosa and Joplin I am reminded that it is not only us that cry out for our Savior.  Even creation cries out for  redemption…

Romans 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

Over the past several years there has been a lot of speculation as to the cause of global warming and what to do about it.  There has been conversation about the effects and perhaps we are seeing some of that.  

            The other day I was having a conversation with Mom, who lives in California.  Seeing the effects of a tornado, Mom said, “I’ll take an earthquake any day!”  No matter where we live creation cries out.  Some have tornadoes, some have earthquakes, others have volcanoes or tsunamis.  No matter where we go creation is crying out just as we are.  

            So what does it mean for us?  How do we respond?  God calls us, as the Church, to be an extension of his love and grace.  Too often we get stuck trying to explain the unexplainable.  I cannot explain to you why natural disasters occur other than what I just explained earlier, creation is crying out for a Savior.  It is the fallenness of creation.  But I do know how God calls us to respond….

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Ephesians 6:1-2 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

We can respond, first of all, in empathy and pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering through loss during these times.   Perhaps God has asked you to give or even go and help during these times.  We should always be listening for what God is asking us to do. 

            Harold Camping may have got the date wrong of the Lord’s return but it is still eminent.  Until he returns we will see all of creation crying out, that includes the destructive forces of nature.  I don’t know if I prefer an earthquake to a tornado, frankly they both seem terrifying.  Seeing these natural forces makes me realize how powerful God is and how powerless I am.   So where is the hope in all of this?  The hope is in what is yet to be seen.  Creation cries out, we cry out and God answered.  He answered by sending Jesus and redeeming us, and one day all of this will be redeemed as well and we will see the new heaven and the new earth.  That is where our hope lies, in Jesus Christ.  Have a great week!

Pastor Stan and Polly

A Piece of Polly's Story

A little over ten years ago Polly has two bad car accidents within three months of each other.   The first she was hot almost directly head on by a car trying to pass on a two lane road.  Her car flipped over and she ended up in a ditch but crawled to safety and escaped relatively unscathed.  Three months later, still shaken by the first accident she was rear-ended by a Suburban and pushed into the opposite lane of a two-lane road where she was struck by a Cement truck.  She walked away from that relatively unscathed as well.  I told Polly, after these two accidents, that she is a super-hero.  To walk away from both of those accidents was nothing short of miraculous and we are forever grateful to God for that.

The lasting memory of those accidents was some back, neck and hip problems.  Most of the time she was oaky but every so often it would flare up.  That happened like never before a couple of weeks ago and no amount of Chiropractic adjustment helped.  This eventually led her to the ER and it was discovered she had an acute herniated disc in her neck.  

We all have pain that we live with.  Whether it is the direct physical pain or the pain of loss or brokenness that is the result of living in a fallen world.  This is why we need a Savior.  The Apostle Paul spoke of his own pain in this way…

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ 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.

            My wife has dealt with pain unbelievably well.  I can tell when she is in pain but she rarely lets on about it.  She keeps going.  She has incredible faith and believes, as Paul did, that God’s grace is sufficient for her in all ways.

            Having said that tomorrow Polly goes in for surgery to repair a herniated disc in  her neck.  She is hopeful of the prospect of relief from pain.  She is at peace knowing that God is always with her and she is incredibly strong.  My wife is my hero! 

            We believe healing will come and we appreciate the prayers of all of you.  We believe in prayer.  Prayer is powerful and effective! 

James 5:16 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

When we are weak….when we are in need….when we are hurting, God is there.  He never leaves….He never forsakes.  He is awesome!  Thank you for standing in the gap and interceding and praying for Polly, we look forward to seeing you soon.  Have a great week!

Pastor Stan and Polly

The Pain of Transformation

Why is it that transformation seems so painful?  In that great and spiritual movie “X-Men”, anytime Wolverine transforms into his combative self it looks so painful.  How about when a mother gives birth and new life comes into this world.  It is painful, at least that’s what I hear and it sure looked that way when I saw my daughters being born.  How about those nagging physical problems that need a physical transformation called surgery to rectify?  It is painful in the short term but long term we are thankful for the transformation.

            In the book of Romans Paul talks about the transformation that happens as we choose to walk with Christ.  This too can be a painful transformation as Christ surgically removes spiritual ailments in our life and directs us back to a path that produces life.  Listen to what Paul says….

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. ² Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

            Transformation comes as we offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God.  That sounds painful, doesn’t it?  Anytime we hear that word “sacrifice”, we know it may not be easy.  So Paul says in light of God’s great mercy shown to us, we offer our lives back to Him.  I no longer live for me but for God.  This is how I worship God.  That can be painful because up until the moment I realize this truth I have always lived for me.  Everything I did was with me in mind.  Once I decide to follow Christ all of that changes.  Now I sacrifice my own life and live for God.  All of the things that are so important and give me significance, according to the standards of this world, take a back seat now.  What matters now?  Everything that is important to God is now important to me. 

            Transformation is painful at times but it is worth it.  We can spend so much time wondering what God’s will is but we can never know until we surrender our will to His.  Transformation happens as we refuse to follow the patterns of the world and instead follow God’s standards.  When the world tells us to pursue riches, God says. “Be generous”.  When the world tells us to pursue pleasure God says, “Pursue righteousness”.  When the world says that it can offer peace God reminds us that the only lasting and eternal peace comes form Him. 

            We are constantly transforming but the question we need to ask is “What are we transforming into?”  We transform from kids into adults and from young to old.  As people relate with us we are transformed, sometimes for the better and sometimes not. 

What is the nicest act someone has ever done for you?  How did it change you?  Has anyone ever sacrificed it all for you?  That is what Christ did.  He died so that you could live.  Through this act of mercy we are changed.  Is this a painful process?  Sometimes it is.  But never as painful as what He endured for us.  In light of this I offer myself to Him.  We say to God, “Your sacrifice meant something.  I am grateful.”  Have you ever allowed yourself to really ponder this?  Christ gave himself up for you.  The more we understand this, the more it will change us. Our heart will beat with His.  We will be transformed more and more into the image of Jesus Christ.  We will become more and more like Him until the day we see Him face to face.  Have a great week!

Pastor Stan and Polly

Theology of Parties

Is it just me or was this week was a week filled with festivities?  Graduation is here and it seems like there is a different party every day.  And why not, graduation from High School is a significant and defining transition from being a kids to growing up and moving on towards independence. 

That’s not the only significant event that is going on this week though.  There was also Cinco de Mayo this week as well as Star Wars Day (May 4^th).  Then it is all highlighted on Sunday by Mother’s Day.  We love to celebrate don’t we?  Any excuse to get together we want to do it.  This is something that God put within us too.  We designed us for community, which is why we enjoy getting together.  In fact, if we look at Jesus life he spent a lot of time at parties and in people’s homes.  His first miracle was at a wedding turning water into wine.  And who called him out?  It was Mom. 

John 2:3-5 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” ⁴ “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” ⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Don’t you love this?  Mom gets Jesus to begin his public ministry by calling out in a crisis.  What is the crisis?  We’re out of wine for our guests!  This is a big deal!  To run out of wine at a wedding would have disgraced the host of the party.  This, apparently, was enough to bring Jesus into the public eye by doing something extraordinary.  The guests not only enjoyed the wine but they marveled that it was the best.  What a way to honor the host!

            Jesus spent a lot of time going to these gatherings or parties.  He did a lot of extraordinary things at these parties.  He honored people with his presence and always gave them even more than what was expected.  This is what we will call Jesus “Theology of Parties”.

            This “Theology of Parties” is Jesus way of teaching us how God loves us. First of all, the fact that Jesus spent so much time at parties shows us how he loved being with people and valued relationship.  He never turned down an invitation, whether it was from a tax collector or a Pharisee, Jesus always honored his guest by showing up.  

By showing up to all of these parties Jesus also demonstrated being a friend to those who need friends.  Even though the Jews knew how to party there was no hospitality shown among the religious leaders and the rest of the people.  There were those who expected places of honor and considered themselves more esteemed and worthy than others.  So Jesus, by befriending these who have been left behind, is demonstrating a value to lives that been devalued. 

Jesus brought such life to a party!  And it was literal life, not just manufactured.  Whether he was healing, raising people from the dead, teaching, reconciling brokenness or turning water into wine Jesus showed us to never underestimate the generosity of God.  

Yes it has been a week of festivities and it is not over yet.  Today is a day where we celebrate Mom and Grads.  How about taking Jesus “Theology of Parties” with you.  Honor others above yourself, be a friend to those who need a friend and show a generosity that exceeds expectation.  May we celebrate life, accomplishment and people the way that Jesus did.

Have a great week! 

Pastor Stan and Polly