Unity March 15, 2010

How is unity to be attained when there are so many differences and disagreements between Christians?  We know that unity was of utmost importance to Jesus when he walked on this earth.  In his final prayer, he prayed that believers would be one just as he and the Father were one.  However, when we look around and see all the factions and splinters of believers, it sometimes feels hopeless.

What do you think about this?  In Ephesians 4…

^“11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹²to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

¹⁴Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Read verse 12 & 13 again, “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Could these works of service lead us to unity?

Look at verse 16, “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Could these works of service be a tool that unifies the body and helps the body to grow and mature in unity?

What effect does it have on me when I hear of churches and their works of service?  Can I see beyond our differences and see the work of the kingdom?  Can I appreciate the love that is evident in their works of service?  What about individuals with whom I have differences?  When I hear or witness their works of service, do I grow in unity and love?

The whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (verse 16)…unity is part of the fullness of Christ.

Just a thought…

Family January 14, 2010

“I would get a lot more out of _______ Church tonight, Dad.”

“Maybe so, son, but we don’t only go to church to ‘get something out of it.’  There are many more reasons.”

“Like what?”

“I’ll tell you on the way to church.”

….on the way to church….

“What are those other reasons, Dad?”

“Church is family.  We’ve made a commitment to those people.  What if I look around and see a child that always says ‘yes, sir’ and ‘no, sir’ and mows the lawn without being asked and loves to wash the car?  I might get a lot more out of that child.  Maybe I’ll trade children…  I’ve made a commitment to my family.  We always stick together.  We are there for each other.  We depend on each other and encourage each other.  My family  needs me.  My family counts on me.  We stay together, warts and all.  Church is family.  I don’t attend just because I get something out of it.  I attend because they are my family.”

–Paraphrased from a ride to church last week–

Mucking Stalls May 2, 2009

My teenage boys have hired out for a month to muck stalls.  They are working several hours every day to clean out stalls for a trainer down the road. Meredith likes to go and hang out and ride our horse who is there for training.

Wednesday afternoon I got home and everyone was milling around the house and down by the pond.  My 17 year old asked me to wake him up in 30 minutes and he and Locke would go to the barn to work before church.   Meredith planned to go with them.  I knew he could bring the kids to church when they were done with their stalls.

I was teaching class, so I planned on leaving pretty early.

I woke Barrett up, he headed out the door and I watched the Camry roll down the drive.  All was quiet.

I scurried around and found my study book I thought I had lost and headed out the door.  Quite pleased with myself that I was leaving so early.

All was well until I discovered after church that our children weren’t there.  None of them.

I had forgotten that Barret has a small group Bible study in town on Wednesday nights in the opposite direction of the church building.

He left Locke at home with Meredith who had been left there by everyone.  She hadn’t gone to the barn and I had not checked for her before I left.

Logistics…we have a few logistics to work out, but I know this must be good for the boys.

————

Last night when I came home late from a workshop, no one was there.  Everyone was at the trainer’s barn.  The boys were working, Meredith was riding our new horse and Scott was probably riding, too.

So I turned the car around and took a late night trip to the grocery store for milk and sandwich stuff.  I hate going to the grocery store.  But at least no one was needing me and now we have milk!  I’ve got to have milk for my cereal-loving family.

A Noisy Church April 13, 2009

God bless mothers and fathers who bring their babies to church.  I know it is hard and stressful to come to church with little ones.  I remember wondering why I was there.  All I did was wrestle my babies and distract those around me.

…But that’s not true!  I was doing so much more than fussing with children and keeping others from listening.  I was raising up children to be a part of the kingdom.  I was encouraging Christians to support one another.  I was making a statement to the world that I will follow Christ until he comes again.    I was deepening my commitment to his body.  I was working out my salvation.  I was learning from godly mothers about how to nurture and admonish my children.

When our children were babies, church was the hardest thing we did as a family.

I am so proud of you mothers and fathers who come to church and bring your babies.  You are doing the right thing.  You are doing the work of God.  Keep coming, keep wrestling!  Children are a blessing to their parents and to their church.  Thank you for being a part of his kingdom.

Your children are what the rest of us must become like to enter the kingdom of heaven.  We need them.

You bring life and energy to church.  Hold your head up high and remember that many of us would love to help you hold your baby or wrestle your toddler.

Children make a church noisy.  Their sweet little sounds and loud protests can sometimes fill an auditorium.  Keep them coming.  I love a noisy church!

Old Hymns April 2, 2009

We sang some beautiful songs at church Wednesday night.  Old hymns that trigger precious childhood memories.

• Blessed Assurance
• Have a Little Talk with Jesus
• How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts
• Mansion Over the Hilltop

I can hear in my mind the strong alto leads from small country churches where my dad would preach as I was growing up.  Sweet memories of sweet people who loved the Lord.  I remember potluck Sunday dinners, outhouses, paper fans, wasps and good people.

I’m thankful for my memories of country people who gathered together every Lord’s Day to remember our Saviour.

What are some of your childhood memories of church?