“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you…” – Matthew 7:7 (KJV)
Have you asked for anything recently? If so, what was it? Did you get it? What are you seeking for in this life? What doors are you knocking on and why? Are these doors opening?
The following comes from Tim Sanders at www.sanderssays.typepad.com (August 25, 2006)
Take your life and all the things that you think are important, and put them in one of three categories, represented by three items: glass, metal, and rubber.
Things of rubber, when you drop them, will bounce back. No harm is done when these things get dropped. So for instance, if I miss a Seahawks’ game, my life will bounce along just fine. Missing a game or a season of football will not alter my marriage or my spiritual life. I can take ‘em or leave ‘em.
Things of metal, when dropped, create a lot of noise. But you can recover from the drop. If you miss a meeting at work, you can the get the CliffNotes. If you don’t balance the checkbook and lose track of how much you have in your account, and the bank notifies you of an overdraft—that will create some noise in your life, but you can recover from it.
Things of glass, when dropped, shatter into pieces and will never be the same again. They can be glued back together, but they are altered forever. They may be missing some pieces, and the probably can’t hold water again without leaking. The consequences of this brokenness will forever affect how the glass is used.
You’re the only person who knows what those things are that you can’t afford to drop. More than likely, they have a lot to do with your relationships with spouse, children, family, and friends.
Too often when we ask things of God we are asking for the rubber things or the metal things to work out. We wonder why our prayers are not answered, why the doors we want opened do not open, and maybe it is because we are not asking the right questions. God wants us to be concerned with the glass things, the precious things, the wonderful things, and those things and people that we often take for granted without ever realizing it, generally until it is too late, after we dropped them forever altering our lives. The most important things in life are relationships with others, and with God. If we asked that our relationships get better, we would soon discover we spent more time worrying about the glass things, and then less about the rubber, and soon less about the metal too, and yes… life would be better, the door of what we truly want would be opened, love!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
More Than Enough
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men. – Mark 6:41-44 (NRSV)
How many loaves and fish were there again? How many people were fed? Do you know how that happened? What does this make you think about Jesus? What is possible with God?
Recently First Presbyterian Church helped a man who had been homeless get a home to call his own. People came together and donated items with which to fill the new home. Over 25 people worked in various capacities painting, fixing, moving, and loving, pouring the love of Christ into a situation that seemed hopeless only months before. It was incredible!
Today I received a call from a man who had donated some items who is a member of a different church. He told me that the recent economy had been hard on him, and for a while he had been wondering what he could do. Finding little work available was making him discouraged, then he saw pictures of the joy pour out of the simple place for which he donated items to help make a home. In seeing those pictures he felt called by God to use his talents to help the poor and needy have homes that are more beautiful. “I have talents God has given me, and here I am wondering how to use them. Then when I saw that picture it hit me. I can give the love of Christ by using my talents to help people who could never afford what I do.”
The thing about Jesus feeding all those people is that it demonstrates that a little can become a lot in the hands of Jesus. Some people decided to help a homeless person when they only had a little with which to help, but they put it in Jesus’ hands. Now by the grace of God he has a home and the fact that he has a home has caused someone else to decide to pour out the love of Christ upon others. Often times we do not have much to give to those in need, especially when we seem to be in need ourselves. However, we must give, because when we put what we have in the hands of Jesus there is no telling how many people will be fed!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
How many loaves and fish were there again? How many people were fed? Do you know how that happened? What does this make you think about Jesus? What is possible with God?
Recently First Presbyterian Church helped a man who had been homeless get a home to call his own. People came together and donated items with which to fill the new home. Over 25 people worked in various capacities painting, fixing, moving, and loving, pouring the love of Christ into a situation that seemed hopeless only months before. It was incredible!
Today I received a call from a man who had donated some items who is a member of a different church. He told me that the recent economy had been hard on him, and for a while he had been wondering what he could do. Finding little work available was making him discouraged, then he saw pictures of the joy pour out of the simple place for which he donated items to help make a home. In seeing those pictures he felt called by God to use his talents to help the poor and needy have homes that are more beautiful. “I have talents God has given me, and here I am wondering how to use them. Then when I saw that picture it hit me. I can give the love of Christ by using my talents to help people who could never afford what I do.”
The thing about Jesus feeding all those people is that it demonstrates that a little can become a lot in the hands of Jesus. Some people decided to help a homeless person when they only had a little with which to help, but they put it in Jesus’ hands. Now by the grace of God he has a home and the fact that he has a home has caused someone else to decide to pour out the love of Christ upon others. Often times we do not have much to give to those in need, especially when we seem to be in need ourselves. However, we must give, because when we put what we have in the hands of Jesus there is no telling how many people will be fed!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Our Need for Community
Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone…” – Genesis 2:18 (NRSV)
What does it mean to you that God wanted Adam to have company? Why do you think God wanted that? What is life like for someone who is alone? Why is good not to be alone?
As I drove toward the church earlier today I saw a massive flock of birds flying together. There must have been several hundred flying in a formation that resembled a school of fish in the sky. They flew as birds often fly, together changing direction instantaneously toward some goal of which they alone are aware.
While watching this dance take place I noticed a solitary bird flying aimlessly across the horizon. Not quite sure where to go, not quite sure what to do, she was alone and I was sad for the bird. But soon the solitary bird encountered the flock, and somehow immediately entered into the magical dance with the others. Her flight no longer bore the uncertainty of her loneliness, but exemplified the triumph that can only be awarded to one who knows that community is needed to make one whole.
Perhaps that is why God said it is not good that man should be alone. We need to be with others to be whole. When we are happy we have to share our joy. Where do you share your joy? When we are in despair and need we have to have others who can love us and help us. Where do you find such wonderful people? God says of each of us, “It is not good that you should be alone,” and God is right because we were created to be in community. If you do not have a community where you can feel whole go find one. There are many churches that might just be that place where you are embraced with love. If you already have such a community go find those who are flying alone. There are many people that might just need your embrace of love so they know they are not alone.
With hope and joy,
Garrett
What does it mean to you that God wanted Adam to have company? Why do you think God wanted that? What is life like for someone who is alone? Why is good not to be alone?
As I drove toward the church earlier today I saw a massive flock of birds flying together. There must have been several hundred flying in a formation that resembled a school of fish in the sky. They flew as birds often fly, together changing direction instantaneously toward some goal of which they alone are aware.
While watching this dance take place I noticed a solitary bird flying aimlessly across the horizon. Not quite sure where to go, not quite sure what to do, she was alone and I was sad for the bird. But soon the solitary bird encountered the flock, and somehow immediately entered into the magical dance with the others. Her flight no longer bore the uncertainty of her loneliness, but exemplified the triumph that can only be awarded to one who knows that community is needed to make one whole.
Perhaps that is why God said it is not good that man should be alone. We need to be with others to be whole. When we are happy we have to share our joy. Where do you share your joy? When we are in despair and need we have to have others who can love us and help us. Where do you find such wonderful people? God says of each of us, “It is not good that you should be alone,” and God is right because we were created to be in community. If you do not have a community where you can feel whole go find one. There are many churches that might just be that place where you are embraced with love. If you already have such a community go find those who are flying alone. There are many people that might just need your embrace of love so they know they are not alone.
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
A Creation to Enjoy
God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good… And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. – Genesis 1:31, 2:2 (NRSV)
What does it mean to you that everything God has made is “very good”? What do you think of all the work that God has done? Why do you think God rested from the work? Do you rest from your work, and if so why?
Last week my family and I went down to the Florida coast to celebrate my birthday with my very good friend and his family. Before we left I was a bit stressed out. There was so much to do, and I didn’t feel like I had enough time to do it. I was also concerned about driving 6 hours south to spend two nights and then drive 6 hours back. Would the trip be worth it? When would I have time to prepare a sermon? How would Langston (my 9 month old) handle being in a car for so long? What about that meeting I am going to miss… so many questions.
When we got down there I felt better, and then I felt great. I stopped thinking about everything I “had” to do, and started to relax. The second night we ate out at an open-air restaurant right on the beach. My wife and my friend were having a great conversation, and I found myself staring at the clouds over the ocean as the sun set behind us. The clouds were beautiful colors of oranges mixed with purples mixed with colors no human has yet named, and amazing shapes billowing for what seemed to be miles and miles into the sky. One group of clouds had lightning flashing in its midst far at sea, while below others I could tell that rain was falling into the ocean. It captured my attention with its majesty.
As I looked at the wonder all around me I noticed someone else who seemed to also be captured by it. I walked over to him and asked him what he saw when he looked at it all. He told me his wife is an artist and explained to me the lines that he saw in it, and how he wished she was there to paint it. Then he stopped talking for a moment and turned to me, “It’s beautiful, and I am just glad I am here to see it.” He was right, it was beautiful, and thanks be to God I took the rest I needed to enjoy it.
I am sure that God rested after it all just to take it in, to enjoy the very good universe that he created. Jesus was right when he said that the Sabbath was made for us humans. We experience things as worthless as stress and thereby fail to recognize that a very good creation surrounds us. It is time to take a break, to rest, to observe the Sabbath and just take in the creation that God could not help but sit back and enjoy. I know we will see beauty and miracle, and realize that we are blessed just to be here and witness it. God wants us to enjoy life, and there is so much to enjoy right here! Do you see it?
With hope and joy,
Garrett
What does it mean to you that everything God has made is “very good”? What do you think of all the work that God has done? Why do you think God rested from the work? Do you rest from your work, and if so why?
Last week my family and I went down to the Florida coast to celebrate my birthday with my very good friend and his family. Before we left I was a bit stressed out. There was so much to do, and I didn’t feel like I had enough time to do it. I was also concerned about driving 6 hours south to spend two nights and then drive 6 hours back. Would the trip be worth it? When would I have time to prepare a sermon? How would Langston (my 9 month old) handle being in a car for so long? What about that meeting I am going to miss… so many questions.
When we got down there I felt better, and then I felt great. I stopped thinking about everything I “had” to do, and started to relax. The second night we ate out at an open-air restaurant right on the beach. My wife and my friend were having a great conversation, and I found myself staring at the clouds over the ocean as the sun set behind us. The clouds were beautiful colors of oranges mixed with purples mixed with colors no human has yet named, and amazing shapes billowing for what seemed to be miles and miles into the sky. One group of clouds had lightning flashing in its midst far at sea, while below others I could tell that rain was falling into the ocean. It captured my attention with its majesty.
As I looked at the wonder all around me I noticed someone else who seemed to also be captured by it. I walked over to him and asked him what he saw when he looked at it all. He told me his wife is an artist and explained to me the lines that he saw in it, and how he wished she was there to paint it. Then he stopped talking for a moment and turned to me, “It’s beautiful, and I am just glad I am here to see it.” He was right, it was beautiful, and thanks be to God I took the rest I needed to enjoy it.
I am sure that God rested after it all just to take it in, to enjoy the very good universe that he created. Jesus was right when he said that the Sabbath was made for us humans. We experience things as worthless as stress and thereby fail to recognize that a very good creation surrounds us. It is time to take a break, to rest, to observe the Sabbath and just take in the creation that God could not help but sit back and enjoy. I know we will see beauty and miracle, and realize that we are blessed just to be here and witness it. God wants us to enjoy life, and there is so much to enjoy right here! Do you see it?
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Approaching God with Boldness
Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:16 (NRSV)
What does it mean to “approach the throne of grace?” How is it done? What does it mean to approach with boldness? Have you found mercy and grace at this throne? What do you normally do at your time of need?
I was recently told this true story.
There were two families in the same church praying for different things. The first family prayed that they would find some way to help someone else. They believed themselves to be blessed and wanted to live into the idea that they must then be a blessing to others. One night before bed they prayed together with the mother leading them in prayer, “God please open our hearts to ways we can help others, and open our eyes so we know who needs your help.”
The next Sunday morning while going into church they saw another family going in too. The other family was a mother and father and two young children, the parents looked a bit stressed. A wave of purpose washed over the mother and father of the first family, and they agreed together to go give a $1000 check to the family they saw with the two children. With a simple greeting and a pass of an envelope containing the check and a letter that said, “We think you may need this,” the deed was done.
At one point in the service people were invited to give testimonies and the stressed looking mother approached the front of the church. She began speaking, “Last night my husband and I had no idea how we were going to buy food for our kids. We don’t even have enough to pay the bills right now. We looked at our budget and realized that if we could get $960 we would be able to make it until the next pay check in a couple of weeks and be alright. So we did the only thing we could think of, we prayed together. We got on our knees and asked God that somehow we received enough money to make it so our kids wouldn’t go hungry. When we got to church this morning, someone gave us a check for a $1000 and a letter that said they thought we might need it… thank you Lord,” she said through tears.
Two families approached the throne of grace with boldness, asking that their needs be met, and in each other they found mercy and grace. Too often we go to God with fear or laziness, believing that nothing will be accomplished in our prayers, and then nothing is. Other times we never even go to God, giving up before we ever begin. With boldness let us approach the God of promise! Jesus offers life and life abundant to all who seek him. If we do nothing, nothing will happen. If we boldly seek Jesus we might just experience the grace of God!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
What does it mean to “approach the throne of grace?” How is it done? What does it mean to approach with boldness? Have you found mercy and grace at this throne? What do you normally do at your time of need?
I was recently told this true story.
There were two families in the same church praying for different things. The first family prayed that they would find some way to help someone else. They believed themselves to be blessed and wanted to live into the idea that they must then be a blessing to others. One night before bed they prayed together with the mother leading them in prayer, “God please open our hearts to ways we can help others, and open our eyes so we know who needs your help.”
The next Sunday morning while going into church they saw another family going in too. The other family was a mother and father and two young children, the parents looked a bit stressed. A wave of purpose washed over the mother and father of the first family, and they agreed together to go give a $1000 check to the family they saw with the two children. With a simple greeting and a pass of an envelope containing the check and a letter that said, “We think you may need this,” the deed was done.
At one point in the service people were invited to give testimonies and the stressed looking mother approached the front of the church. She began speaking, “Last night my husband and I had no idea how we were going to buy food for our kids. We don’t even have enough to pay the bills right now. We looked at our budget and realized that if we could get $960 we would be able to make it until the next pay check in a couple of weeks and be alright. So we did the only thing we could think of, we prayed together. We got on our knees and asked God that somehow we received enough money to make it so our kids wouldn’t go hungry. When we got to church this morning, someone gave us a check for a $1000 and a letter that said they thought we might need it… thank you Lord,” she said through tears.
Two families approached the throne of grace with boldness, asking that their needs be met, and in each other they found mercy and grace. Too often we go to God with fear or laziness, believing that nothing will be accomplished in our prayers, and then nothing is. Other times we never even go to God, giving up before we ever begin. With boldness let us approach the God of promise! Jesus offers life and life abundant to all who seek him. If we do nothing, nothing will happen. If we boldly seek Jesus we might just experience the grace of God!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
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