Do these pics really need a description? It's Christmas in Florida!!!
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Monday, December 07, 2009
The Message-Advent #2
The Message
Luke 1:26-38 (English Standard Version)
26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" 29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
34And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"
35And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. 36And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God." 38And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Have you ever felt honored and humbled all at the same time? From the first words of Gabriel’s message to the end Mary was informed that an impossible event was about to fall on her. She had been chosen to carry the Holy Son of God. How overwhelming, especially for such a young girl!
Every parent knows how huge the task is. How do I make sure this child is healthy? Am I feeding him enough? Is she getting enough tummy time? Is he sleeping too much? Is he sleeping too little? I’m sure Mary had all of these questions and more.
But Gabriel also offered words of assurance.
“The Lord is with you.”
“He will be great.”
“Nothing will be impossible with God.”
The message Gabriel poured into Mary was one of an overwhelming task surrounded by an almighty God.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 28 to “go and make disciples.” Our task is overwhelming. Our minds and hearts fill with questions. Where? How? When? But Jesus goes on to say “I am with you always.” This is not a task we figure out on our own. It is a lifestyle that happens while walking with our Lord and Savior.
What is the message you hear God telling you this Christmas Season? Whatever God is calling you to this season do not forget the Almighty God is with you.
Prayer-
Our Father,
Our lesson today is a link in the chain of promise. It assures us that we, too, have a job to do. While our task may seem overwhelming we are reminded that You are with us. Just as You prepared Mary for her task, You have prepared us for ours. Thank you for the tasks. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your assurance that you will “never leave us or forsake us.” Thank you for your promise to return for us soon, maybe today.
We humbly pray,
AMEN
(prayer written by Rev. Orville Harvey)
Luke 1:26-38 (English Standard Version)
26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" 29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
34And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"
35And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. 36And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God." 38And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Have you ever felt honored and humbled all at the same time? From the first words of Gabriel’s message to the end Mary was informed that an impossible event was about to fall on her. She had been chosen to carry the Holy Son of God. How overwhelming, especially for such a young girl!
Every parent knows how huge the task is. How do I make sure this child is healthy? Am I feeding him enough? Is she getting enough tummy time? Is he sleeping too much? Is he sleeping too little? I’m sure Mary had all of these questions and more.
But Gabriel also offered words of assurance.
“The Lord is with you.”
“He will be great.”
“Nothing will be impossible with God.”
The message Gabriel poured into Mary was one of an overwhelming task surrounded by an almighty God.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 28 to “go and make disciples.” Our task is overwhelming. Our minds and hearts fill with questions. Where? How? When? But Jesus goes on to say “I am with you always.” This is not a task we figure out on our own. It is a lifestyle that happens while walking with our Lord and Savior.
What is the message you hear God telling you this Christmas Season? Whatever God is calling you to this season do not forget the Almighty God is with you.
Prayer-
Our Father,
Our lesson today is a link in the chain of promise. It assures us that we, too, have a job to do. While our task may seem overwhelming we are reminded that You are with us. Just as You prepared Mary for her task, You have prepared us for ours. Thank you for the tasks. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your assurance that you will “never leave us or forsake us.” Thank you for your promise to return for us soon, maybe today.
We humbly pray,
AMEN
(prayer written by Rev. Orville Harvey)
Friday, December 04, 2009
Friday randomness
- Be careful about taking things at face value. Check out Scot McKnight's post here.
- What a difference a year makes...see here.
- The coolest baby in the world here.
- Stocking stuffer idea here...OK this one is for me but you may enjoy it too. :-)
- This Sunday is the second Sunday of Advent. Look for this week's devotion posted here on Monday morning.
Is Zechariah 4:6 really true?
I like to think of myself as a fairly competent person. If a problem arises I can think through it and come up with a course of action to solve it. I love information and learning new things. If there is something I don't know I can usually find someone who does so they can educate me in the matter.
I have put together enough furniture in our house to have a sense of accomplishment in that area. I am also certain this Christmas will provide several opportunities to install batteries, open difficult toy packaging, and simply "make it work Daddy".
In thinking through all of the above the word "I" keeps jumping out at me...reminding me of Zechariah 4:6...
Zechariah 4:6 (English Standard Version)
6"Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts."
Some times I realize that I have WAY too much confidence in myself and pay WAY too little attention to the real power of the universe...GOD's SPIRIT!!!!
What are you trying to accomplish today? What are you surrendering to the Holy Spirit today?
Notice a difference?
I have put together enough furniture in our house to have a sense of accomplishment in that area. I am also certain this Christmas will provide several opportunities to install batteries, open difficult toy packaging, and simply "make it work Daddy".
In thinking through all of the above the word "I" keeps jumping out at me...reminding me of Zechariah 4:6...
Zechariah 4:6 (English Standard Version)
6"Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts."
Some times I realize that I have WAY too much confidence in myself and pay WAY too little attention to the real power of the universe...GOD's SPIRIT!!!!
What are you trying to accomplish today? What are you surrendering to the Holy Spirit today?
Notice a difference?
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
questions
Asking questions is really an art form that way too many of us ignore. It's through asking questions that we really absorb as much around us as possible. When we ask...we get answers. When we get answers...we learn something new. When we learn something new...we grow. I'm all about growing but it does take a little bit of effort to get there.
Craig Groeschel has a great post here on asking the right questions. Do you have any productive questions you would add to his list?
Craig Groeschel has a great post here on asking the right questions. Do you have any productive questions you would add to his list?
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Silence
This year I'm once again writing out our Advent devotions for the lighting of the Advent candles at church. I will be posting each devotion here on the site. If you need some ideas for Advent in the future or you want to just copy and use these feel free. I have the previous years available also. Just look under the "Christmas" tag. Merry Christmas.
THE SILENCE
Isaiah 7:14 (New International Version)
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (New International Version)
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
Micah 5:2 (New International Version)
2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times."
For years the people of God had heard the prophecies. A child will be born. He will be called Wonderful, Mighty, Everlasting. They knew He was coming. The prophets of God had spoken truth for years. The people believed these things. They taught their kids about the one who was coming. They taught their grandchildren to believe the prophecies. Year after year they waited.
After a time the prophecies ended. The silence was almost deafening. The old prophecies didn’t seem to hold the same punch as they used to. Are they still valid? Surely this “special one” would have come by now. The silence lead to questioning. The questioning lead to doubt. The doubt lead to complacency in their worship, their relationships, and their lives.
We have an advantage today. We know that He came and His name was and is Jesus. We know that He lived a perfect life. We know he died on a cross and rose again. Because we know these things we also know that He is coming again one day. It may not be as quickly as we’d like but it IS going to happen.
This is a great way to begin the season of advent. We remember the first coming. We look forward to the second coming. We celebrate in the in between time!
Prayer
Father God, I know that you are from everlasting to everlasting. You are the same yesterday, today and forever. But as I enter this Advent season, it seems but yesterday that we celebrated the same things last year, and the year before. One Advent season seems to flow into another.
Lord, as we enter this Advent may I see beyond the busyness, the glitz and the glitter to a renewed awareness of your message of Advent. May I see Jesus, Immanuel - God with us. May I once again celebrate the birth of Christ with the expectancy of a new believer and the hope of one who believes that this same Jesus is coming again to establish peace, justice, and righteousness upon this earth made new. In the name of Jesus, The Prince of peace, AMEN.
(prayer written by Rev. Frank Hall)
THE SILENCE
Isaiah 7:14 (New International Version)
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (New International Version)
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
Micah 5:2 (New International Version)
2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times."
For years the people of God had heard the prophecies. A child will be born. He will be called Wonderful, Mighty, Everlasting. They knew He was coming. The prophets of God had spoken truth for years. The people believed these things. They taught their kids about the one who was coming. They taught their grandchildren to believe the prophecies. Year after year they waited.
After a time the prophecies ended. The silence was almost deafening. The old prophecies didn’t seem to hold the same punch as they used to. Are they still valid? Surely this “special one” would have come by now. The silence lead to questioning. The questioning lead to doubt. The doubt lead to complacency in their worship, their relationships, and their lives.
We have an advantage today. We know that He came and His name was and is Jesus. We know that He lived a perfect life. We know he died on a cross and rose again. Because we know these things we also know that He is coming again one day. It may not be as quickly as we’d like but it IS going to happen.
This is a great way to begin the season of advent. We remember the first coming. We look forward to the second coming. We celebrate in the in between time!
Prayer
Father God, I know that you are from everlasting to everlasting. You are the same yesterday, today and forever. But as I enter this Advent season, it seems but yesterday that we celebrated the same things last year, and the year before. One Advent season seems to flow into another.
Lord, as we enter this Advent may I see beyond the busyness, the glitz and the glitter to a renewed awareness of your message of Advent. May I see Jesus, Immanuel - God with us. May I once again celebrate the birth of Christ with the expectancy of a new believer and the hope of one who believes that this same Jesus is coming again to establish peace, justice, and righteousness upon this earth made new. In the name of Jesus, The Prince of peace, AMEN.
(prayer written by Rev. Frank Hall)
Friday, November 20, 2009
best of all
This Sunday I am preaching on our identity in Christ. I'm kick starting the message by reading Max Lucado's children's book titled "Best of All". As I was reading this book it struck me that there were two types of people in this world.
1-People who need to know who they are.
2-People who need to know who others are.
One of the best ways to enter the Thanksgiving/Advent season is to realize that the ground at the cross is level. What I mean is, we all have the same access to a holy, almighty God that was provided by our gracious, merciful, savior Jesus. So I have no reason to look down on anyone else because we are all walking through this life together and need each other to continually point to our never ending need for that Savior.
Let's enter this season with an attitude of celebration. Celebrating the fact that God can and does use any or all of us to bring glory to Himself. Now that's a reason to be thankful.
1-People who need to know who they are.
2-People who need to know who others are.
One of the best ways to enter the Thanksgiving/Advent season is to realize that the ground at the cross is level. What I mean is, we all have the same access to a holy, almighty God that was provided by our gracious, merciful, savior Jesus. So I have no reason to look down on anyone else because we are all walking through this life together and need each other to continually point to our never ending need for that Savior.
Let's enter this season with an attitude of celebration. Celebrating the fact that God can and does use any or all of us to bring glory to Himself. Now that's a reason to be thankful.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Jesus wants the rose
Today I really had the urge to blog something but I really didn't know what. I've been reading and studying several passages in the Bible today and God really spoke some good stuff to me. I thought "I'll share some of that". I've also listened to some good music. I've spent some time with my son Micah. All of these things were good experiences and very blog worthy. But as I was preparing for Sunday's message I came across this video clip. It may be a little offensive to some. It may be a little distracting to others. However, the last few lines are worth the 4 minutes it takes to watch it. This video is not meant to promote anything or anyone other than Jesus himself and how much He loves you and me.
I hate that this type of thing happened in a church setting. I love church and as a pastor I am always trying to be creative in my attempts to communicate the gospel. My prayer for all of us is that in our efforts to be creative we would not distort the true gospel message. Jesus wants the rose!
I hate that this type of thing happened in a church setting. I love church and as a pastor I am always trying to be creative in my attempts to communicate the gospel. My prayer for all of us is that in our efforts to be creative we would not distort the true gospel message. Jesus wants the rose!
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