2023 Gratitude Series, Part 2: Erin York

Erin York only shows up for a minute in “Faraway State of Mind 6,” but she’s more significant in my life as my fiancée’s mother and future mother-in-law. I’ve also put her second in this series (instead of later) because in the same week that I had the joint session with Max Hartrey and my counselor (who also happens to be his counselor) we had a conflict of our own (together with my fiancée) that really ate at my spirit for a while afterward. I am no stranger to conflict in family settings, having had them with my parents at various different points over the years as well. The way I see it, it was simply a matter of time before we would have one ourselves. It happened. But, just like the recent set of conflicts with Max that prompted me to reflect, evaluate, and then act on a change that I needed to make with him, I needed to find a way to go through the same process here.

As I was reflecting, I was led to press in further to the importance of practicing gratitude. When I first met my love back in 2020, it was put before me that I needed to make certain changes in order to be acceptable to her. Some of them were easy, while others were not. At the time, I didn’t really have any requests or requirements for change that I wanted to see my love make. Over time, though, I began to see some things – simply, ways of how my love’s family handle things that I don’t agree with (thankfully my love agrees with me on such things!). Regarding these disagreements, though, I can choose to practice gratitude or ingratitude.

Upon further continued reflection, I’ve also been learning over the years that people will only make changes that they are willing to make. Similarly, another lesson more painfully learned over the years is that, just because I decide I’m willing to make certain hard changes, doesn’t mean that the other person will. Just like the previous paragraph, I still retain the ability to decide what to do with that: I can choose gratitude or ingratitude.

One other key thing I believe God has been leading me to contemplate – from what I can tell, this is a core value of Erin’s – is the importance of family unity, no matter what. It was very much a foreign concept to me growing up, and only something I kinda-sorta understand now, having been blessed with certain family members and close friends who have demonstrated this in my life. Marriage is messy. Family is messy. There is a sense also that, unlike with friends, you kind of can’t choose your family. Historically speaking, I can argue the other side of that, and that there would be nothing wrong with it. After all, I’ve lived that life, and I’ve seen first-hand how pseudo-families made from friends and church community can help with the healing process and at least partially fill the gap.

However, what I understand that Erin has been trying to teach both my love and me is, outside of a truly horrendous abusive situation, to not throw the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to immediate family, but rather, as the Scripture below says:

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Colossians 3:12-13, NKJV

Bottom line, in a sense there is a higher calling as Christians that we must follow and adhere to, as much as it is possible with us. The thought of “having” to bear with other people, especially difficult people, sounds exceedingly painful (and I would know!), but the idea is that, along with practicing gratitude, practicing also this pattern of bearing with other people is a necessary hallmark of authentic Christian life.

Finally, I would say that, regarding particularly difficult relationships or situations, there are times when God will say, “OK, you can move on.” And when He does say that, He will make it clear and provide a way out for this leaving to happen.

But, so as not to confuse the reader, I will firmly state that, regarding Erin, regarding my love, and regarding my love’s family, this is not the case here.

To this end, I am grateful to God that Erin:

1. Has allowed me to date, become engaged to, and ultimately marry her daughter.
2. Is and has been another family member in my life, and thusly, another option for celebrating typical family events, including birthdays and holidays.
3. Has a forgiving nature, and practices forgiveness regularly.
4. Loves Christ, which has showed even in moments when we had come to disagreement on one thing or another.
5. Has been teaching both my love and myself all sorts of various things, from cooking to yardwork to ideas about furniture (looking ahead to married life), and more…

There’s more, and I could go on for a while, but I’ll stop there for now.

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3, NKJV

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:14, NKJV

Devotionals from my Bible app: Embrace God's Guidance (Psalm 25:5)

Embrace God's Guidance

Pause and take a moment to reflect on the last time you truly allowed yourself to be led by someone else—the kind of leading that required you to give up control and trust the person leading you.

If we’re honest, many of us struggle in some way to completely surrender trust. And even when we do decide to surrender, we might still slightly find ourselves trying to taking back some measure of control.

We fear being hurt.
We fear vulnerability.
We fear being misled.
We fear rejection.

But here's the truth: when we place our fears in the hands of a loving God, it readies our hearts to cultivate a deeper intimacy with Him.

God knows your heart, He sees your struggles, and He's aware of your weaknesses. And He's there—right there, in the midst of your anxieties and fears—ready to guide you, teach you, and lead you to truth. Allow the words echoed by the psalmist to be your prayer today…

https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.25.5.ESV

2023 Gratitude Series, Part 1: Max Hartrey

I’m kicking off this gratitude series with my friend who inspired the character Max Hartrey in “Faraway State of Mind” stories #5 and #6. As such, I will refer to him by his character name.

I’m also beginning with Max because the inspiration for this series came as a result of a recent change in our friendship that I strongly felt was necessary. Before I share how we met and how our friendship had grown over the years, I wanted to mention that, although I expect we will remain lifelong friends, some events had happened over the last few months that prompted me to make this change.

For the last 5 years or so, we had a habit of weekly phone calls (I also have this routine with two other men currently), of each of us checking in and sharing how life is going, and then offering feedback and support. However, especially as my life began to change (I’m getting married next summer), the criticality of Max’s role in my life began diminishing. The primary reason is due to him being about 40 years older than me, and the reality that neither of us can really support the other with the things going on in our respective lives. At his age, his body is showing signs of wear and tear that I don’t expect to face for, well, another 40 years at least (hopefully). As such, I don’t know that I can support him all that well. More specifically for me, he’s never been married, and the support I tend to need at this point in my life is for challenges that he has not really had to deal with, as far as I’ve known him.

A few months ago, we had a series of conflicts (looking back, the way they occurred really weren’t necessary) primarily regarding my frustration at what I perceived to be his inability to support me in the way I needed. But we agreed to try to work things out, and after I met with my counselor individually a few times to process my end of things on this, we agreed to have a joint session with Max (my counselor was also Max’s, which worked out nicely). By the time we had had the session, Max and I had settled back into a rhythm of sorts in which our phone calls were peaceful, and I introduced to him more clearly the real issue. This time, when I told him I felt it was best to end our phone calls, he completely understood. By the time we got to our joint session with our counselor, it was really more of a finalizing and sharing a goodbye of sorts. A day or so later, when I had the chance to really mentally/emotionally process the session, I broke down. I knew that this was still the best choice for us both, but the finality of this change left a gap in my heart.

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, NKJV

I first met Max on a retreat over 10 years ago. The intensity of that retreat, as well as things I had heard about it from others ahead of time, scared me. It wasn’t “boot camp,” like I had feared (not even close), but my initial experience left me feeling things like unsafe, confused, and scared, so scared to the point that I was unable to speak into the other things I felt. Max was one of the few (if not only) bright spots on that retreat. A year later, when I started going to the Place (I am intentionally keeping the real identity of this place confidential) for weekly support group sessions, again, Max’s presence in that group helped me feel welcome and begin the healing process for myself. Over time, as my connections with the others in the group grew, Max was the one with whom I had the closest friendship of all the group members.

We’ve shared a lot of memories outside of the group sessions, including short flights in a 2- and 3-person plane, annual Christmas tree decorating parties at a house of a mutual friend, a second prayer and support group (this time through the Vineyard), occasional lunches, dinners, music concerts, and excursions to the Botanic Gardens and the local train museum, and more. And yes, as was alluded to in “Faraway State of Mind 5,” Max developed a friendship also with my childhood best friend (the primary inspiration for Bosendorfer) which lasted until my childhood best friend cut off contact, like he had done with me.

And yes, the weekly phone calls. Max and I both left our shared group about 7 years ago, and for a couple of years, until I asked him if we could have weekly mutual support calls, we played by ear our methods and frequency of staying in contact. Although we both now clearly have vastly different support needs, we did have many common points in our respective healing journeys that drew us together as close friends. No matter how life plays out for either of us from here on out, I will forever be grateful to Max for the friendship that I’ve been blessed to have with him. I will forever be grateful also for the friendship that I continue to be blessed to have with him, even with the new changes.

Devotionals from my Bible app: A Great Reveal (1 Corinthians 2:9)

A Great Reveal

Without context, 1 Corinthians 2:9 could seem like Paul was referencing heaven. And while it’s true that our human minds have never seen, heard, or imagined the magnitude or magnificence of what God has planned for eternity, Paul’s message had a different point.

Paul was contrasting man’s wisdom with God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:6-8), he clarifies that only the Holy Spirit can reveal God’s mysterious plan. Without the Spirit, we are blind, deaf, and incapable of comprehending His power. Without the Spirit, His wisdom seems foolish to even “the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters” (1 Corinthians 1:20).

It takes the Spirit of God to reveal the mysteries of God.

Only the Holy Spirit can divulge what was previously hidden—what cannot be seen with human eyes, heard with human ears, or imagined with human minds.

And Jesus Christ is the mysterious plan, hope in the flesh, and the long-awaited Messiah who has come to rescue His people, “In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3). And because His Spirit now dwells inside of His people, we can also “have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

So don’t forget: “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.2.9.ESV

2023 Gratitude Series: Prologue

Early in my blogging years, I used to post a list of gratitudes on or near Thanksgiving Day. Typically the list revolved around the standard items in my life at the time: family, friends, food, having a car, a computer, etc. Oh yes, and cats. Sometime after I graduated from college, I stopped. I don’t really have a reason why I stopped (or started, for that matter). Nor do I really have a solid reason for not restarting this tradition once I restarted blogging, except that my focus was different. Perhaps sharing my list of gratitudes was my way of expressing a part of what I had understood to be my faith at the time. I’ll never really know.

During the years when I didn’t blog, I had a close friend with whom we developed a regular habit of sharing our gratitudes to each other, which we did on a weekly basis. Our challenge to ourselves and to each other was to come up with five. That was pretty much not a problem, and sometimes we would even exceed the requisite five. Considering that I was still struggling with a lot of things in life at the time, developing a habit of gratitude-giving (which, admittedly, I’ve lapsed on it repeatedly) helped me begin to develop that muscle of taking my mind off whatever it was that I was feeling or thinking about that was perhaps not good.

Another backstory component to what I wish to do with this Gratitude Series this fall/winter season is that, again back when I was in college, in a separate journal, I used to write stories about how I met and came to become friends with each of the significant friends I had at the time. It was a really nice exercise and yet another form of gratitude. And yet, as time has passed by, I’ve gone through more circles of friends and other colleagues and acquaintances and not really stopped in the same way to take stock of the people I’ve come to have known over the last ten years or so. So I will attempt to do that now.

One caveat for the reader that I must bring up, is that, true to the form I’ve adopted in my blogging over the last several years, I cannot identify these friends by name. Sure, part of this is for security reasons. I’ve posted stuff (opinions, primarily) over the last several years that, if the wrong person were to come across this page, I could get censored, shut down, or worse. But the other part is that, with at least some of these friendships, some of my experiences with certain individuals could be confidential in nature. The truth is, I met some of my friends while in therapy. I’m not about to “out” them in this regard.

Also in this regard, is the reason I’m finding myself quite grateful for the “Faraway State of Mind” story series. Especially in the last two stories I wrote last year, I’ve drawn inspiration for certain characters from some of these friends for whom I personally (albeit cryptically) wish to share my gratitude. As such, I will happily use some of these characters as a front to allow myself to share more of how I came to know them, as well as how God has used them in my life (and hopefully how He has used me in their lives as well).

Devotionals from my Bible app: As For Me (Micah 7:7)

As For Me

Micah could have chosen to live like everyone else—growing weary of waiting on God and, instead, giving himself over to whatever sins were trending at that time.

He could’ve chosen to worship false idols.
He could’ve chosen to take advantage of the vulnerable.
He could’ve chosen to spend his free time pursuing meaningless pleasures.

But even when things felt stale and slow, even when it seemed he was standing alone, Micah looked to the Lord—the only One who could save his soul.

https://bible.com/bible/59/mic.7.7.ESV

Sermons from Good News: The attitude of gratitude

Church 11/18/2023

Offertory scripture:

2 Corinthians 9:11-12

11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,

The key to reaping a large harvest means planting lots of seeds.

Promises from verse 12: The needs of believers will be met. and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

Sermon message:

God is good.

Thesis: The attitude of gratitude.

The attitude of thanksgiving.

It is very powerful and positive. It’s a force.

Being thankful is good for people’s health, in your minds, emotions, bodies, etc. and people like to be around you.

When you choose gratitude, God’s presence shows up. He even changes the situation, even just by showing up.

The opposite of gratitude is griping and completely. This is a very powerful negative force. It does not come from God. He never tells us to complain or gripe.

Satan was the first complainer and griper. He even exalted himself above God and wanted to judge how things worked in heaven. People who complain and gripe repel the presence of God. People who do these things act entitled like they’re owed good things.

Instead, be thankful. You’ll draw God toward you.

God loved the Israelites and He still loves them. He taught them about thanksgiving. But they griped and complained. God tried to teach them to praise Him throughout the course of Biblical history. Let us listen when God teaches us.

The pilgrims who came over to the New World wanted to learn from the Bible. They endured hard times but wanted to be thankful to God. The first thanksgiving was hard. But they praised God anyway. And the second thanksgiving was far better.

So how do we learn to be thankful? Especially considering those who grew up around others who were critical and negative.

Point #1: Make a decision to have the attitude an attitude of gratitude.

Everything starts with a decision. Decide to look at God more than problem.

Luke 1:37
    For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Nothing is impossible with God; all things are possible with Him.

Point #2: Decide to sing praises to God.

Acts 16:25 Paul and Silas sang praises to God and prayed, from prison, at midnight.

All their chains broke off and the door opened. Gratitude and praise is a powerful positive force.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Sometimes it takes awhile for a pattern of gratitude to take hold. But do it anyway. It is worth it. God will be drawn to you and situations will change in your favor.

Question: what is there to be thankful for in any situation?

Answer #1: You’re not alone. Psalm 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Answer #2: Acknowledging that God is your way out of the bad situation. 1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

The Bible says the first way to do something: say it.

Point #3: Remember things to be thankful about.

Psalm 103:1-5 focus passage

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

4 Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Point #4: Look to a Bible example.

Example: Jesus healed ten lepers. One of the ten, after receiving healing, returned to Jesus to personally thank Him.

Luke 17:11-19

11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

Focus verse: Luke 17:17 Jesus asked him where the other nine were.

Because the tenth personally thanked Jesus, he was also made whole, in addition to being healed of leprosy.

Luke 17:19 (KJV) 

And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Point #5: Look to the pilgrims.

They set aside a day of thanksgiving. They could have complained. But they didn’t. They chose to be thankful. Things weren’t perfect at the time. But they believed God.

Consider the story where Caleb and Joshua gave a good report of the new land God has promised them, while ten other spies complained and gave a bad report. Caleb and Joshua made it to the promised land. The others didn’t.

Later, Joshua charged the Israelites to decide who they were going to serve, God, or someone else. But Joshua was going to choose to serve God.

Devotionals from my Bible app: An Unwavering Hope (Job 19:25-27)

An Unwavering Hope

Job’s hope throughout his trial is rooted in God's character and promises. Even through his discouragement, He consistently reminds himself of God’s justice and love. Job 19:25-27 is a powerful statement of Job’s hope in God.

God is Job’s ultimate redeemer. Regardless of how circumstances change in his life, God is the one who ultimately rescues him in the end. After the suffering and grief passes, God will still remain. This is the hope that Job holds on to.

We can learn something from Job. All of us will go through seasons of suffering and grief. When this happens, it is important that we cling to God's hope and promises. Regardless of how long each season lasts, we know that God is the One who will ultimately redeem us in the end.

The promises of God will always remain because we know God is faithful to fulfill them (Hebrews 10:23). When everything is shaking around us, God will still be the solid Rock we can stand on.

And even if our suffering doesn’t end during our time on Earth, we have the hope of eternal life with God. We should always be looking forward to that moment when we will join Him in eternity.

Take some time to thank God for all He has done for you. If you're in a difficult season, pray for your hope to be anchored in Him. Spend some time thinking about God’s promises. As you do, you’ll begin to see how God’s promises shape the way you live.

https://bible.com/bible/59/job.19.25.ESV

Devotionals from my Bible app: Everything Starts With Faith (Hebrews 11:6)

Everything Starts with Faith

Did you know that you can please God? We often talk about the various commands and regulations that God gives, and we talk a lot about the good things God gives us. But have you ever considered the ways you can please God?

The first thing Hebrews 11:6 tells us is that we need faith to please God. Those who do not believe in God cannot please Him.

There is a difference between having a true relationship with God and performing religious tasks without faith. We don’t have to earn a relationship with God because it is something He gives us freely. Those who have faith can please God, not because we have to, but because we get to. When we have faith in God, our hearts are changed, and we begin to desire to please God through our words and actions.

Hebrews 11:6 also tells us that God rewards those who seek Him. This doesn't mean God will give us whatever we want in life, but rather, it means that those who genuinely seek a relationship with God will find it.

And in this passage, God Himself is the gift we receive!

https://bible.com/bible/59/heb.11.6.ESV

Devotionals from my Bible app: Refreshed (Proverbs 11:25)

Refreshed

Do you know someone who constantly pours themselves out?

They’re generous with their words, unselfish with their time, and openhanded with their money. And yet, somehow, they always seem to have more to give.

The author of Proverbs, traditionally attributed to King Solomon, said this:

“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”
Proverbs 11:25 NLT

King Solomon knew a thing or two about generosity. In fact, Scripture tells us: “King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth” (1 Kings 10:23). But he was also generous, spending years of his life funding and building the temple in Jerusalem, as well as sharing what he had learned with others.

Some of the most miserable people on earth are also the most selfish people on earth. But if you’ve ever been generous with your life—whether you’ve given financially, contributed your expertise, invested your time, opened up your home, or offered spiritual, emotional, and physical support—you know from experience: those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Of course, we shouldn’t give to get. And we also must apply God’s wisdom when it comes to setting boundaries and avoiding burnout. But Jesus is the King of an upside-down Kingdom, where:

The last will be first.
The greatest will be a servant.
Those who give up their life will save it.

Jesus even told a story of a poor woman who gave more than anyone else—because she gave everything she had (Mark 12:41-44).

You don’t have to be rich to be generous; you just need a heart that is willing to serve.

So today, instead of a scarcity mindset, let’s have a mindset of abundance. Our God has unlimited strength, power, and resources.

https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.11.25.ESV

Sermons from Good News: Do the right thing

Church 11/11/2023

Offertory scripture:

We learn as go along in life.

The word of God can help and will help.

Psalm 34:10

As we learn to seek God and put His word into action, He will not withhold any good thing from you.

God wants you to be an overcomer.

Psalm 105:37

Sermon message:

This weekend is Veterans Day. Veterans are important.

John 3:16 one of the favorite verses of many believers.

Thesis: do the right thing

Everyone thinks they know the right thing is. But we have to be careful. The Bible warns us about being wise in our own eyes.

Proverbs 12:15

Proverbs 21:2

The Lord ponders the person’s heart.

We need to humble ourselves before God.

James 4:10

We need to let God correct our thinking.

Romans 12:2 (AMP)

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

God will be transforming us for the rest of our lives.

We’ve heard the following things: Live by faith. Love others. Forgive. Give. Trust God. Treat others the way you want others to treat. And so on.

But sometimes we get scared of following through because things many not pan out the way we expect if we do do the right thing.

Sometimes we simply just need help doing it.

A story from the Bible to encourage us:

Luke 10:25-37

25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Jesus is trying to teach us that we cannot do it on our own and that we need Him.

Religion judges and condemns. Love helps.

The priest and Levite walked by when the man was half dead. Arguably, they were worse than the robbers who beat him because the robbers didn’t completely kill them.

The expert asked: Who’s my neighbor?
Jesus: rather, who are you going to be a neighbor to?

Answer: The right thing to do is to be a neighbor to someone.

Point #1: Good deeds are good seeds.

Proverbs 19:17 Help the poor; God will reward you.

Luke 6:36-37

Do not condemn others or you will be condemned. Instead forgive them, and you will be forgiven.

A good deed is a good seed.

Conversely: a bad deed is a bad seed.

Now Luke 6:38. This applies to money but it also applies to deeds overall, including reserving judgment, to forgiving others, and to helping others.

2 Corinthians 9:6

Plant generously so you can reap generously.

Genesis 8:22

Point #2: Walking in love is following directions from above.

Walking in love is spiritual wisdom. It’s from our Heavenly Father.

John 13:34

Galatians 5:14

Point #3: It takes faith to take the first step.

Sometimes we don’t see or don’t get to know what happens until after we start walking in faith.

Don’t rely on your own understanding; trust in the Lord.

We don’t know what was going through the Samaritan man’s head when he decided to help the traveler. But he chose to do the right thing.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

Pray for all people, no matter what.

1 Timothy 2:8

Sermons from Good News: The need to feed

Church 11/4/2023 

Offertory scripture:

Deuteronomy 28:1-2,12
“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:

The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

God has commanded us to give.

And to do it diligently

Sermon message:

Thesis: The need to feed

Ever since the beginning God knew that His creation needed to be fed.

Genesis 2:16

We need to feed ourselves.

What you don’t feed will become weak.

What you do feed will become strong.

Believers need to feed. Believing is important but we also need to feed.

Hebrews 10:25

The same need to feed also applies to our spiritual lives.

Psalm 1:3

Romans 10:17

There’s a need to feed both for the body and for the spirit.

Feed love and not hate.

Feed faith and not fear.

Consider Joseph in the Old Testament.

The king’s dream: seven lean cows devoured the seven fat cows but didn’t get fatter. The cupbearer remembered that Joseph interpreted his dream, and asks him to interpret the king’s dream.

Genesis 41:35

Jesus was led in the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Satan tempted Him physically and spiritually.

Matthew 4:4

The real “you” is a spirit; you just have a body

Matthew 4:11

Angels came and ministered to Jesus after the devil finished tempting Him and left.

As you see the Day of the Lord approaching, gather, pray, and study the Bible more.

Point #1: Feed your spirit.

Psalm 119:103

Jeremiah 15:16

Don’t feed your body only; feed your spirit first.

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Jesus prayed. Jesus attended church. (Synagogue) Jesus read the word of God.

Point #2: Meditate on God’s word.

Stop and think about God’s word.

Point #3: Check your tank.

Check your spiritual tank.

Matthew 12:34 out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

If your heart is full of the word of God, you’ll be speaking it. If not, you’ll be speaking the results of that.

Am I speaking faith or unbelief?

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Point #4: Make the change that’s needed.

Commit yourself. Come to church. Pray. Study and meditate on God's word.

Sermons from Good News: Understanding God

Church 10/28/2023

Offertory scripture:

Last week recap: offertory scripture was walking in love. Then the sermon message was that also.

Galatians 5:6 for if we are in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love.

Another way of putting it: when you are joined to the Anointed one — the only thing that matters is faith that works and expresses itself through love.

Sermon message:

God is good.

Thesis: Understanding God.

Isaiah 55:8-9 God speaking directly: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways not My ways. My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

The Bible tells us what He things is important.

Point #1: Your heart is important to God.

Your core is important to Him. He loves you and wants your heart to be right with Him.

We will talk about God, about our hearts, and about David.

God wanted to anoint a new king to succeed Saul. So Samuel visited David’s father Jesse to see which son God has highlighted to be Israel’s next king.

1 Samuel 16:7-11

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.”

And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.”

God reveals which son. David was the last-born of all the sons. Even Jesse didn’t mention David by name.

1 Samuel 16:12-13

So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

Others didn’t see what God saw in David. Samuel therefore anointed him.

Point #2: Faith in your heart is more powerful than any of your problems or even your biggest problem.

Faith that is in your heart, that faith in God.

David faced Goliath (9’4” tall). Goliath was a problem but David had faith in his God.

It’s important to put the word of God in your heart. Because out of the abundance in your heart, your mouth speaks.

Mark 9:23

Mark 11:23 if you believe in your heart, you will have whatsoever you say/speak. If you faith you will be rewarded.

Watch what David did.

1 Samuel 17:45-46

Because of his faith in God, David told Goliath he will kill him and then get the rest of the Philistine army.

If the mountain is speaking to you, speak to it with faith in your heart.

If the giant is speaking to you, speak to it with faith in your heart.

2 Corinthians 4:13 we having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken, we also believe, and therefore speak.

Point #3: A contrite heart is more powerful than your biggest mistake.

Psalm 51:17 the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You will not despise.

Psalm 32:1-5 [FOCUS PASSAGE]

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,

Whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,

And in whose spirit there is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones grew old

Through my groaning all the day long.

For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;

My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah

I acknowledged my sin to You,

And my iniquity I have not hidden.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”

And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

1 John 1:9

Re-examining Isaiah 55:8-9

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Back up to Isaiah 55:6-7

Seek the Lord while He may be found,

Call upon Him while He is near.

Let the wicked forsake his way,

And the unrighteous man his thoughts;

Let him return to the Lord,

And He will have mercy on him;

And to our God,

For He will abundantly pardon.

Point #4: A heart set on God touches God’s heart.

You can touch His heart by loving Him.

1 Samuel 13:14 David: a man after God’s own heart.

Acts 13:22 recapping how God replaced Saul with David because he was a man after God’s own heart.

Psalm 51:10 create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 63:1-4

O God, You are my God;

Early will I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.

So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,

To see Your power and Your glory.

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips shall praise You.

Thus I will bless You while I live;

I will lift up my hands in Your name.

Sermons from Good News: Faith works

Church 10/21/2023

Offertory scripture:

God is good and He loves you.

We give because we love God.

We love and honor Him with our giving.

The Bible also says that He is love. We are given the commandment to love others.

Examine your “love” walk. If you have a need for something, examine yourself and asking how your walk with God is going (in terms of loving God and loving others).

Honor God with your giving but also by examining your “love” walk.

Sermon message:

We need God in the time we live right now. Not only God but we need faith and faith in His Word.

Thesis: Faith works.

Faith still works. 1 Peter 5:8

Jesus explains that faith works.

Matthew 17:20

Faith is very important.

Mark 9:23 all things are possible to those who believe

Hebrews 11

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego found that faith in God works.

Daniel found that faith in God works.

Gideon found that faith in God works.

Joshua found that faith in God works.

Abraham found that faith in God works.

A total of fifteen men of faith came forward that faith in God works.

Faith in God still works today.

Point #1: Faith works in the presence of fear.

David found that faith in God works, even when Goliath the giant was there.

Even military members in combat have to deal with fear. Having a little fear does not make you a coward. The key is to overcome fear. Sometimes you have to fight spiritual battles on your knees.

Sometimes the people who take risks in the name of faith in God have a lot of fear. But the key is they overcome it and obey God.

Point #2: Faith works in your heart and is released from your mouth.

The heart-mouth connection

What’s in your heart comes out of your mouth.

Matthew 12:34 out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Consider when the ten spies came back from the land of milk and honey. They spoke faith because they believed God and had faith.

Matthew 12:35 the treasure that is in your heart will produce appropriate fruit. Good treasure in your heart = good things out of your mouth. Evil treasure in your heart = evil things out of your mouth.

Romans 10:8-10

Mark 11:23 if you have faith and speak it, it will come to pass.

Whatever goes into our hearts comes out of our mouths.

Romans 10:17 faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

What you say can work both ways. It can also affect your life.

Proverbs 18:21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat its fruit.

Point #3: Faith is a spiritual force that works in changing the (seen) world.

2 Corinthians 4:18

Fight in the spirit realm.

Point #4: Faith works by love.

Galatians 5:6 in Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but rather faith working by love.

The two great commandments:

Love God. Love others like you love yourself.

Caution: Faith will not work in an unforgiving heart.

Faith comes from God who works in love. We cannot speak faith if our hearts are holding on to unforgiveness.

Have you forgiven others?
Have you forgiven yourself?

You need to forgive in both. Otherwise faith will not work in you.

Faith works in a forgiving heart.

Sermons from the Evanston Vineyard: fixing broken relationships with others in our walk with Christ

Not long after I published the previous post, I decided to pay another visit to my old church, the Evanston Vineyard.

Now, before you ask: the Vineyard?? You mean that place you left?? Why the heck are you going back?? ... let me explain my mission(s):

1.) following from my previous post about community, one of my goals is to go and see who from there God might highlight for me to connect or reconnect with. Although I did say hi to a few folks, there wasn't really anyone that hit my radar in this regard. Nonetheless, I feel inside myself this urge to expand my community, not only for myself, but also for my love. We have both been limited regarding our community, over the last few years in my case, and over her entire lifetime in her case.

2.) on the off-chance that there would be another decent sermon preached, I thought it might be helpful to hear and capture some notes. That I did, although due to different distractions, I left home late and entered the sanctuary even later after arriving.

One thing about the below sermon is that a.) it was exactly what I wanted and needed to hear regarding a difficult situation at the present with another person, and b.) this is also a challenge to myself. It is so easy for us to want to apply the below verses to "that other person," but Jesus made it clear that this is for everyone. That includes me as much as it includes "that other person."

One final note: further down, there are three questions I listed as "Regular Question #1," "Regular Question #2," and "Regular Question #3," that I think could provide an excellent framework to some of the check-in conversations I have.

Church 11/5/2023

Thesis: Fixing broken relationships with others in our walk with Christ.

Point #1: Be a gracious assessor.

Matthew 7:1-2

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Jesus doesn’t mean we can’t evaluate or assess. It’s important to evaluate right vs wrong. It is important to make judgments for ourselves regarding others around us. We need to exercise wisdom.

But, don’t pass sentence on someone. Do not assume something about someone based on your preconceived notions or because of other people’s whispers.

Use the same scales of judgment that you would want others to use against you.

Romans 14:10
You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

Don’t throw the person out with their actions.

Point #2: Work on your own stuff.

Matthew 7:3-5

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

This will give you the requisite humility to engage with others regarding their sin.

2 Corinthians 13:5A

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.

Check yourself. Are you honoring God with your life? Are you truly walking with the Lord in all your ways?

Important question to ask yourself: What is your blind spot? What are your blind spots?

Important follow-up question: Is it possible to live your best Christian life in isolation? (No.)

Important follow-up question: How can you know about your blind spots if you are living and walking in isolation?

Three questions to ask in your inner circle:

Regular question #1: How is your relationship with Jesus right now?

Regular question #2: How are your relationships in your life right now?

Regular question #3: What have you done to advance the kingdom of God since we last talked?

A really good accountability check.

Point #3: Understand who we are working with.

Matthew 7:6

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Wrong actions to wrong people can lead to really bad results.

Proverbs 9:8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.

You don’t need to be everyone’s judge. Don’t judge everyone. Be wise on who you judge. Where is the other person at? How well do you know them? Ask questions about them to know them better. Is the Holy Spirit nudging me to them? Have I done this before with them? If so, and they haven’t responded, maybe back off.

The first category is the wise. They may not like it at first but they will ponder it.

The second category is the fool. They bend the truth. They go into shame and beat themselves up.

The third category is the attacker/mocker. They accuse you in response.

Learn to interact differently with the wise vs with the fool or the mocker.

A view on community: a time to plant, and a time to cull (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

 One of the biggest pet peeves that I've had for as long as I can remember has been self-righteous people who have nothing better to do than judge and complain and push their own personal agenda. Even though today is "Time-Change Sunday," fall edition (i.e. we gain an extra hour) I was awakened at 5 AM (4 AM new time), initially for physical reasons, but, ultimately for spiritual reasons. I've been up for the last few hours since, and I've since come to realize that the best medicine for this type of anxiety and restlessness is to spend time in the Word of God. The spiritual reasons for my being awakened this early are the same reasons that really stunted my sleep a couple weekends ago, albeit to a more extreme degree then. (Footnote: I'm on Central Time, but the timestamp on blog has always been put on Pacific Time, for reasons that defy me. It states that this blog was posted at 5:21 AM, but really, I posted this at 7:21 AM.)

I understand my own accountability for my thoughts, words, feelings, and actions. I have my own relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is not shy about convicting me of things when I need to be convicted. Even now, I'm finding a couple results of the move of the Holy Spirit regarding taking initiative on two things for sure, and both revolve around building community. There have been conversations had in my household over the last few weeks (and really, these are on top of the environment of this household that has been there as long as I've lived here) that have begun the thinking process on getting more community for myself and by extension for my love. 

In 2020 and in 2021, things were trending the opposite way. The issue wasn't whether I had too much community, but rather that much of it was the wrong community. This led to a massive culling of said communities, and because of COVID (and other things), it really was more of a hunkering down and minimizing those that I interacted with and let into my life.

[Side note: I realize I'm saying "community" a lot, but I'm really just writing this how I would verbally say it out loud.]

As grateful as I've been for a few key members of influence in my life especially in 2020 and 2021, I've come to realize that I need more voices in my life, Godly voices, encouraging voices, and certainly not the types of voices that, in my opinion, would lead Jesus to say this: (this was one of the devotionals that arrived in my inbox this morning)

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. 

Matthew 23:2-12, NKJV

Some of the conversations that I've been a part of lately have felt like what Jesus has described about the Pharisees: for they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. How I look at this could be potentially made to say: to these Pharisees, it is not enough for the citizens to follow God's laws only, but rather that the citizens also please them and the whims of their hearts in addition to or even on top of pleasing the Lord.

Further down in the chapter, Jesus states this:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 

Matthew 23:23-26, NKJV

I have long been a firm believer of personal justice. That said, I agree that I need to be careful that personal justice not yet met does not lead to anger, unforgiveness, and bitterness. That is harder said than done. In my own life, in my own flesh, I've had to say: I choose to forgive, but only because of this... or, but only on these grounds... but, the key line remains: I choose to forgive. Forgiveness is and must be unconditional. No exceptions.

[OK, it appears I may have contradicted myself. I will therefore clarify my statements above. Nowhere do I ever say: I choose to forgive, but only if... No, this truly would be conditional forgiveness. That "only if" is conditional on, if the other person does this... or, if the other person stops doing that... As a result, with God's help, I have made sure to no longer set up a decision to forgive based on that. So, when I say: I choose to forgive, but only on these grounds... what I mean by "these grounds" is simply that, I forgive fully and freely, but know that I still firmly believe that this person is selfish, arrogant, and prideful, and unless they prove otherwise, this is where I stand, and this is how I will continue to see them. But I will no longer allow myself to be angry or hateful towards this person.]

In my life, I have learned the necessity of setting boundaries with people. I will not claim to do this perfectly. These conversations often are messy, and the anxiety with which I woke up this morning was a result of my continuing to try to set boundaries with the individual with whom I conversed with last night - an individual, I might add, who somehow neither understands nor agrees with this concept of someone else setting boundaries with them.

Another way to put it regarding having culled my community down to the stakes a couple years back:

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV

The time will soon arrive to cull a few key members of my community. But I'm also realizing that, before I do so, I need to plant again, for the sake of both my salvation and that of my love's.

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, NKJV

Devotionals from my Bible app: Ask God Honestly (Matthew 7:7)

Amen.

Ask God Honestly

Everything begins with our relationship to God. Jesus made it possible for us to have a restored relationship with God. We can talk with God, spend time in His presence, and ask Him to help us because, as believers, we are called His sons and daughters.

Because of our relationship with God, He listens to us. Much like a child talking to their parents, God wants us to speak to Him. When we pray, we have the opportunity to tell God our needs, our concerns, and the desires of our heart.

Jesus tells us that if we seek a relationship with God, we will find it. God gives Himself freely to all who seek Him. God isn’t hiding in heaven, hoping we will someday find Him. He is readily available to talk with us.

This means we should be persistent in our relationship with Him. We have access to the Creator of the world. Everything comes from Him and has life because of Him. He has the ability to give us the things we need.

However, while we can ask for whatever we want, it doesn’t mean He will give us everything we ask for. Just like an earthly father won’t give his child something harmful, God also won’t give us something we do not need (Matthew 7:10-11).

We often don’t ask God for things because we may feel guilty for doing so. But God actually desires for us to go to Him—even with the smallest of requests.

Take some time today and tell God honestly how you feel. Ask Him for the things you truly need in life. Continue each day building a relationship with Him through Scripture reading and prayer.

https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.7.7.ESV

Devotionals from my Bible app: Our Sure Foundation (Isaiah 54:10)

Amen!

Our Sure Foundation

Every time we turn on the news, we’re bombarded by tragedies happening in the world. Over the past few years, there has been so much world conflict, changes to our way of life, and disasters happening around the globe. This makes it easy to feel defeated and fearful of what is happening or could happen in our lifetime.

Natural disasters and global tragedies are not something unique to us. They’ve been happening ever since humankind turned away from God in the Garden of Eden. Scripture has a lot to say about these types of issues and also how God acts when tragedy strikes.

Isaiah 54:10 tells us that even though the earth shakes—God is immovable. In the midst of chaos, He is still in control. Nothing takes God by surprise, and nothing is greater than Him. A few chapters prior, in Isaiah 40, Isaiah says that God never grows weary as His power and might are everlasting.

Regardless of what is happening around us and whatever is happening within us, God’s love can never be taken from us.

In God, our past is forgiven, and our future is secured. There is nothing we can do to be taken out of the love of God. When we make mistakes, we can know that God’s feelings towards us do not change. He does not revoke His love from us; He continues to give it to us freely. He has compassion on us when we make mistakes.

That means we don’t have to live in fear. We can enter God’s presence confidently, knowing that there is nothing that can take His love from us. We can also live securely, knowing that whatever tragedies or world events occur, God’s power and might do not waver.

Scripture calls God our Rock that helps us withstand the greatest waves and earthquakes. Even when it feels like the earth is shaking and the hills are crumbling, God is at work calling us to rest upon a sure foundation—His unending love for us.

https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.54.10.ESV