On My Mind...
Brace yourself, I’m about to reveal something shocking. Something that has probably escaped your notice but I are a college and seminary graduate, I’ve spent 30 plus years working with the police, I’m a trained observer. So, here it is…our world is a mess! Our world is confused, twisted and perverted. Up is down, down is up, right is wrong and wrong is right. Even within the Church there is confusion. So many who claim the name of our Lord believe and act is ways that are unacceptable. It seems even a basic understanding of God is lacking, let alone there being sound theological reasoning and understanding. I hear some claims from “Christian experts” and I’m left wondering if we are reading the same book. I certainly do not understand what often passes for worship in our churches. Interest in God, and the things of God, range from casual curiosity to absolute devotion, from indifference to open hostility. What is to be our attitude towards God? If God is God, how are we to respond? I think Psalm 111 gives us some insight. It is a song of praise to the goodness of God and the glory of His works. The Psalm is an accrostic poen with each verse beginning with the successive leters of the Hebrew alphabet. You could say it speaks to the glory of God from A to Z! What is clear is that, the only proper response to a genuine understanding of our God is a life of worship, wonder and fear. The psalmist opens with, “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart.” I will give thanks with the whole of my being. This is not a token acknowledgement but a full-throated, full life devotion. An intentional act, a giving of one’s self to God in worship. Then in verses 2-9 the psalmist is filled with the wonders of God, “Great are the works of the LORD…” The Psalm ends with the acknowldgement that the “fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,” and the declaration that His praise endures forever. This is to be the heart, the attitude of the people of God. A heart/life of worship, wonder and fear. I can’t control what the world does, but I can determine my response. He is worthy.
I want to remind you that we are putting together a team for Nicaragua for June 9-16. We will be serving the girls at the Home of Protection, providing a two-day youth camp for area children and engage in some evangelistic outreach. Has the Lord placed this on your heart? If you have any interests at all, I would encourage you to talk with Maryem or Nathan. The Lord has opened a door for us to build a long-term relationship with Nicaragua and given us two great leaders for this work. If you can’t go yourself, you can give so that others may go. There will also be an opportunity to give to meet the needs of the work there. You will be hearing more in the days and weeks to come.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we continue our study of the book of Acts. Have a blessed week!
Rod
I want to remind you that we are putting together a team for Nicaragua for June 9-16. We will be serving the girls at the Home of Protection, providing a two-day youth camp for area children and engage in some evangelistic outreach. Has the Lord placed this on your heart? If you have any interests at all, I would encourage you to talk with Maryem or Nathan. The Lord has opened a door for us to build a long-term relationship with Nicaragua and given us two great leaders for this work. If you can’t go yourself, you can give so that others may go. There will also be an opportunity to give to meet the needs of the work there. You will be hearing more in the days and weeks to come.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we continue our study of the book of Acts. Have a blessed week!
Rod