Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The Divine Plan

“I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NCV)

What does it mean that God has good plans for you? How does it make you feel? Do you believe God has a plan for everyone? If God wants to give everyone hope, how must you treat people? How does believing this change the way you live?

The following story was found at: http://www.rogerknapp.com/inspire/shay.htm
At a fund-raising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the school's students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question. "Everything God does is done with perfection. Yet, my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is God's plan reflected in my son?" The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. "I believe," the father answered, "that when God brings a child like Shay into the world, an opportunity to realize the Divine Plan presents itself. And it comes in the way people treat that child." Then, he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they will let me play?" Shay's father knew that most boys would not want him on their team. But the father understood that if his son were allowed to play it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging. Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said, "We are losing by six runs, and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and I'll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning." In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. At the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the outfield. Although no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base. Shay was scheduled to be the next at-bat. Would the team actually let Shay bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that this was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have ended the game. Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman. Everyone started yelling, "Shay, run to first. Run to first." Never in his life had Shay ever made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled "Run to second, run to second!" By the time Shay was rounding first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman for a tag. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher's intentions had been, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head. Shay ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home. As Shay reached second base, the opposing shortstop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third!" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams were screaming, "Shay! Run home." Shay ran home, stepped on home plate and was cheered as the hero, for hitting a "grand slam" and winning the game for his team. "That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face," the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of the Divine Plan into this world."

God has a plan for everyone! Now it is time we help bring pieces of that Divine Plan into the world. When we see everyone as God’s creation, and believe that God has a plan for them, we will start treating them as special as they are! Go out and believe in people the way God believes in them.

With hope and joy,
Garrett

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Tasting Life

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? – Romans 8:31-32 (NKJV)

What does this passage mean to you? Do you believe this? What does it mean to believe this? How does a person who believes this live life? Who have you seen who lives life this way?

Following story found at: http://www.inspirationpeak.com/cgi-bin/stories.cgi?record=145
Before the young man began his studies, he wanted assurance from the Master. "Can you teach me the goal of human life?"


"I cannot," replied the Master.


“Or at least its meaning?"


"I cannot."


"Can you indicate to me the nature of death and of life beyond the grave?"


"I cannot."


The young man walked away in scorn. The disciples were dismayed that their Master had been shown up in a poor light.


Said the Master soothingly, "Of what is it to comprehend life's nature and life's meaning if you have never tasted it? I'd rather you ate your pudding than speculated on it."

Because God is for us, nothing can be against us! We are free to live life, to taste all life has to offer without fear. We are not to be speculators of truth, but people who live lives of truth! Go taste the freedom of the Gospel truth knowing that God is for us!

With hope and joy,
Garrett

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Too Good

But the man said, “Don’t be afraid. You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who has been crucified. He has risen from the dead; he is not here. Look, here is the place they laid him.” – Mark 16:6 (NCV)



Is this good news to you? What does it mean to you? How does it change the way you live? What are you afraid of you should not be because of this event? Is there better news anywhere? How do you share this news?



This story was told to me:

A young boy’s favorite shows were Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo. Better shows did not exist, and he could barely wait to watch them each day. One day as he was began to watch incredible news came over the television screen… Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo were going to have a special show where they were together!

The boy’s excitement bubbled over as he announced to his parents news that could not get any better. “Mom, Dad!” he shouted, “Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo are going to meet and be on the same show, this is the best news ever!”

All week long he talked about it. He told his friends, his teacher, his neighbors, and his family, he thought everyone needed to know. The night before the monumental event he was in bed just staring up at the ceiling imaging every possibility, it was going to be great.

The day was the slowest day ever, the evening could not come soon enough. And minutes before the show started he was sitting right in front of the television screen, nervous with anticipation. His parents sat on the couch behind him, excited for him. The show started, Mr. Rogers came into Captain Kangaroo’s house. The boy didn’t move for the first minute. Then after about two minutes he started crying uncontrollably, and he got up and ran to his room.

His parents followed him into his room very concerned about their son. “What happened to him,” they wondered, “he had been waiting so long for this.” The boy was face down on his bed weeping. His mother sat on the bed and rubbed his back, “What is wrong?”

He looked up and in between sobs was able to say these words, “It is just too good, it is too good.”



“He has risen from the dead; he is not here.” It is just too good, it is too good! This is the best news ever, there cannot be better news. Live life holding onto news that is just too good, so that everyone can see your joy in whichever way that joy comes out!

With hope and joy,

Garrett

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Death Where Is Thy Sting

So this body that can be destroyed will clothe itself with that which can never be destroyed, and this body that dies will clothe itself with that which can never die. When this happens, this Scripture will be made true: "Death is destroyed forever in victory." 
 "Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your pain?"… But we thank God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:54-55,57 (NCV)

What is this victory of which Paul speaks? What can never be destroyed? What can never die? What does a life of giving thanks to God for this victory look like? Do you live a life of victory?

A poem I found at: http://www.inspirationalstories.com/4/414.html
We lived out in the country, fifty miles from a big town.
We had a little church, for all of us who lived around.
The minister was part time and came every other week,
So when he came, we all would go to hear the preacher speak.
Once a year, on Easter, we would drive to the big town.
That was the only place a sunrise service could be found.
So once a year, on Easter, to a church in town we'd go,
My kids would make a fuss, but my sweet Mother loved it so.
She lived with us, my wife and I, two daughters and a son,
And everybody loved ol' NaNa, she was so much fun.
She had a personality that was controlled by love.
She always said she got it from the angels up above.
So every Easter morning we would all dress in our best,
And go to sunrise service that would start before the rest.
Once a year that preacher knew that we would all be there,
Because that was the only sunrise service anywhere.
He knew my Mother loved the sunrise service that was here,
And he knew all of us, by name, and we went once a year.
He loved ol' NaNa and he knew that she would never miss,
His sunrise service Easter morning, he had told her this.
He knew we had a country church, and minister part time.
He knew that we could not join his, and he said that was fine.
He said he thought he knew our preacher, "Godly man," he said.
"I know he likes to travel, that's the calling he's been led."
When Mother died in early March, our part time preacher came,
Out to our little country church, where we put her remains.
Our little church was crowded, NaNa's friends for miles around,
But, we forgot to tell the preacher that was in the town.
Easter morning came that year, but we were not up to,
Going to the sunrise service, like we always do.
Then as we sat at breakfast, knowing that we didn't go,
Deciding we should go to town and let that preacher know.
They had a later service and it started at eleven,
We really should go tell the preacher, NaNa's now in heaven.
So we got dressed, and off we went, much later than before.
When we arrived, we saw the preacher standing by the door.
He smiled at us and shook our hands, as he began to speak,
And as he spoke, the words he said just made my knees get weak.
He said, "I knew something was wrong, you all were not together"
"The sunrise was so beautiful, we had such perfect weather."
"But, you have made this service, that is why we have another."
And then I started telling him, what happened to my Mother.
A puzzled look came on his face, when I said Mom had died,
A look that someone gives you, when they think that you have lied.
We just stood in silence, as my heart began to vex,
And to this day, I'm still in shock of what he told me next.
It's something that you don't expect, it comes without a warning.
He looked at me and said..."I saw your Mother here this morning!"

Easter is coming! Our victory is just around the corner! When we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we must never forget that his resurrection ensures our resurrection… for us death has been defeated!

With hope and joy,
Garrett

Sunday, April 5, 2009

April Minister's Minute from the Journal of Hope and Joy

I was driving down 2nd Street the other day. I had just spent the night at a retreat where I had not slept and discovered a tick attached to my body. I missed my family and was anxious to get home. The three-hour drive was near complete and I was tired and ready to be out of my car. Then something awful happened, well not real awful, just that kind of awful that feels awful in the moment because it gets in the way. Two cars in front of me someone was going only 15 miles per hour. The car directly behind the slow car and right in front of me was obviously in a hurry as well, because the driver made sure to be riding as close as possible behind the slow car, slightly moving side to side with those jerky motions that signals the irritation anyone who drives is familiar with and too many of us have done ourselves. I understood the irritation of the driver, for what reason could the first driver have to proceed so slowly, to show so little concern for those who are driving behind?
As we continued this parade of slowness for another couple of seconds my sight was caught by a bright pink color off to the side. I turned my head and encountered a gorgeous spectacle. A magnificent shrub of some kind was in full bloom, and offered a bouquet of this dark, yet brilliant, pink flower. Its beauty sung to me of spring. In my somewhat foul mood I had forgotten that spring was in the air. The pleasant warm weather coupled with the strange yellow dust, which covers everything in these parts this time of year, obviously did not do the trick. I needed this awesome reminder of pink flowers. Immediately my heart warmed to the idea of spring and my gaze searched for other clues as to its arrival. Yes there was more, a certain small tree with little white flowers only beginning to bloom, gently screaming to me that they were alive. The large trees, which canopy some of the more beautiful streets in this town, covered with green buds also announcing life, announcing spring. In the moment I was caught up staring at it all, I was caught up in spring, I was caught up in life.
Not long ago this same drive, one I make very often, was bare and void of this beauty, or even any glimmer of the potential for the beauty in which I was immersed. Yet now in this moment the colors, the life, gently assaulted my vision, gently proclaimed to me, “Garrett we are alive.” I kept looking around to gather more proof of this liveliness, more proof of another spring season. I smiled at it all as it smiled back at me, and with that smile I remembered I was driving and looked ahead. The cars that caused my distress were much further in front of me as I now discovered that I was only going 10 miles per hour. Sure enough I looked in the rearview mirror and found someone riding close behind me, moving side to side with those jerky motions to ensure I was aware of the irritation I was causing.
I love spring because Easter happens in spring. I always remember Easter celebrations fondly, because it is the time when churches I have been a part of always seemed most alive. It makes sense I suppose, Christ is alive, not dead, he was just dead, but now he is alive! The church is in full joy, people are there, I wonder if more come on Easter because they know the church will be more alive on Easter, it will be a celebration on Easter.
I guess if I was not a church going person I would be more apt to go on Easter. When life was so obviously celebrated. When the drudgery of religion was set aside, at least for a day, and we celebrated life and church felt alive.
Someone who recently visited our church told me that it felt alive to them. I do not think I understood the power of that statement until just now… our church does feel alive! Sure we may not be unique in feeling that way, and creation at spring does it far better, but we are alive in the Spirit and alive with each other. You all can describe it far better than I can, or maybe not all of you, but you know what I mean. We are alive! When Easter comes to us this year proclaiming life, gently, or not so gently, shouting to us that Christ is alive and therefore so are we, I hope we hold onto this celebration. I hope that in the middle of summer, at the beginning of autumn, and in the cold of winter visitors still think we feel alive in the Spirit, alive with excitement, alive… because Christ is alive in us, giving us a hope and joy that we always want to share! Get caught up in this Easter life so that others get caught up too!
Riding the wave of the Holy Spirit,
Garrett