Economic Problems . . . or Possibilities?

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

One of my core convictions is that God has called us to live differently. So much of the way we live is just reflecting the substance and style of the world. That's not following Jesus. That's not being salt and light in the world. That's just having Christianity as a side bar to access when it's convenient.

On Monday night at our Leadership Meeting I talked about the current economic crisis and the opportunity that God has given us to respond in a way that honors Him AND blesses others.
I am full-on excited about what God is going to do in this season as we seek Him in the ways that I talked about.

We recorded my leadership talk from Monday to make it available for you to listen to. (It's around 25 minutes) I hope you'll listen to it. I also copied the fill-in-blank outline that I gave the leaders below . . . you can click here and listen to audio and follow along with the outline.

1) Ask God to give you ______________________________

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philip. 4:11-13

2) S________________

“But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” 2 Cor 11:3

3) G__________ G______________________

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:10 NIV

4) Get out of ___________________

“The borrower becomes the lenders slave.” Prov 22:7

5) Expect _______________________

“For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they did it of their own free will.” 2 Cor. 8:3

Valentine Delivery - Part II

It's Valentines Day and I'm not really into the glitz and commercialization of a once-a-year love fest. (Although it seems to be international as Beatriz told me this morning that they do the same thing in Spain on Feb 14th.)

But I have been thinking about the Valentines left on my door by the little creekers. (Other post) Here were some of their quotes:

"Happy Valentines day. Jesus loves you do to others as you would have do to you"
"Go God"
"Tank you for being such a grate pastor!"
"Pastor John I like you for anyone"
"Thanks Pastor John for teching us about the bible"

As I hear these I'm thinking: 'but these kids don't really know anything about my life. They don't understand the crisis' I'm going through with families. Or the struggles with my own family. Or the sin that I have to keep fighting to overcome. Or how I mess up every day trying to follow Jesus . . .'

Jesus tells us that we're to love Him like little children . . . and I wonder if the same isn't just as true in loving each other. What if we didn't see all the junk, and only saw each other like God sees us? What if we just saw 'grate friends' and liked people 'for anyone'?

That Romans 12 passage I've been talking about says: 'Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.'

Now that's the kind of Valentines Day I need! It takes practice, but let's try to love each other like the little creekers. Maybe even start by putting a note on somebodies door???

The Body

As I continue to read & soak in Romans 12 . . . .

How incredible be a part of this community that we call the church:
"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other." (vs.4-5)

Your hope is my hope. Your problem is my problem. Your need is my need. . . . He goes on:
"In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."

We ALL have the privilege - and responsibility - as part of the whole, to serve in the way that God has designed us. It takes ALL of us. It takes you.

This past Sunday we began something new in sharing with you the 'Oso Creek Top 7'. The top 7 serving needs that are going unmet at Oso Creek right now (that we know of).

It's my obligation as your Pastor to share with you these needs and encourage you to prayerfully ask God if He is nudging you to fill one of these needs. If so, please contact the person in parenthesis. So here they are (makes for kind of a long post) . . . thanks for being part of the family!

1. Children’s Ministry – Kids, Kids, Kids! We are blessed with many kids . . . all of who need to experience the love of Jesus! We are in great need of Son Harbor leaders, 1^st – 5^th grade on Sunday mornings. Prepare lessons, activities and lead Son Harbor volunteers in leading engaging and active Small Group discussion and activities. No experience necessary, curriculum and training provided! (Audie @ 960-9551)

2. Volunteer Champion – Have the joy of helping people find their place to serve!! Updates serving needs on a regular basis and coordinates with new Creekers after completion of Discovery Class to connect them to serving opportunities. (Audie - 960-9551)

3. Children’s Ministry – Pre-K & Kinder Class leaders. Sunday morning leaders for our Pre-K & Kindergarten students. Leaders present the weekly lesson and all activities, crafts and projects are provided. Curriculum and training provided. Leaders can serve, bi-weekly, or once a month. (Amber @ 793-7305)

4. Lighting Team – Let the Light Shine! We need someone to serve on our Sunday Celebration team - lighting up the whole thing - by operating the lighting board. NO experience needed, training provided. (Mike Ilse - 857-6588)

5. Videographer- Do you like to communicate through media?? Do you have some (not extensive) experience filming, editing and producing video? We need a willing volunteer to help us experience God in a more powerful way through film. (John @ 993-4463)

6. Student Ministry- Impact kids in some of the craziest (and most volatile) years of their lives! We need Middle School group leaders. Our Middle School Life Group leaders meet with our 6^th – 8^th graders each Sunday morning during our 11:00 am Celebration Service. (Beau @ 356-6279)

7. Greeter Team – Be a part of the ‘crazy wavers’ who give Oso Creek an awesome first impression! The ‘First Impression’ team includes parking lot greeters, nametag table assistance and children’s table assistance. We currently are looking for volunteers to serve at our nametag table for both Sunday morning Celebrations. All you need are a willingness to serve and a friendly attitude. (Tim @ 215-0230)

Pretenders - Part II

Still chewing on these verses in Romans 12: "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." (Romans 12:9-10)

'Take delight in honoring [blessing] each other.' God's been talking to me about being a blessing. So much of my life I feel like I go through as a policeman. Can anybody relate? Watching this and that. Correcting this and that. Instead of blessing, I'm busy policing.

God's job is to correct, mine (and yours) is to bless. OK, I'm speaking generally, I'm not saying that we NEVER correct our children or others - but what if we went through our day looking for ways to bless people. Not looking to judge, or critique, or justifying, or ignore. Just bless.

We have been blessed now for 4 weeks as Beatriz Lopez has been living with us. (This is her at the HS Girls GNO) Cindy and I believe that much of the reason God has put her in our familie's life is because she is a 'blesser' (and a blessing!)
It's like she is just continually searching for ways to serve and love others. It's amazing. She came here to learn about America . . . and this sweet young lady is teaching us much as we just watch. (I know that her parents in Madrid must be proud.)

I pray for a Beatriz in your life . . . and I pray that today you (and I) would seek to simply be a blessing.

Pretenders - Part 1

Yesterday morning on the Creek Living Water blog, Kim shared these verses:

"Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." (Romans 12:9-10)

Just meditate on those two verses a few minutes . . .

That word 'pretend' is pretty convicting. It's where we get the words, pretender and pretentious. It's where the veneer meets the flesh. How many times do I have hateful or neglectful or just no thoughts about the person in front of me, while putting on the show with my words. Or, practice the cursory 'Thank you' while thinking unholy things.
How can I be a pretender so much of the time?

There are TWO things. Two stinkin' things that Jesus said were really, really important: Loving God and Loving Others.

Why do we struggle so?

And then the word that really kills me is 'really.' 'REALLY love them.'

Who have you REALLY loved today? Not for your gain, or pleasure. But just in doing what is good. How could that change you? Them?

More later . . .