Author: Pastor'sPonderings

Just a guy who asks questions, considers life and tries not to take any of it for granted

Sermon Podcast – “Getting Ready to Fail”

epic fail red grungy stamp isolated on white background

We’ve been in our sermon series entitled “Stories” for about a month now, and today’s story is another great lesson for us to glean from the Bible!   There are stories within these pages that tell of failures and success of God’s people.  Today, we explore the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua – and their failure to capture the city of Ai.

Listen to our teaching today entitled “Getting ready to Fail”

Joshua 7:1-9
1 But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things ; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD’s anger burned against Israel. 2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.  3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.”  4 So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, 5 who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water.

6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads.  7And Joshua said, “Alas, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! 8 Pardon your servant, Lord. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? 9The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?”

Sermon Notes – “Getting Ready To Fail”

For continued victory in life we must…

  1. Avoid Self-confidence! (7:1-3)
  2. Avoid Self-Assurance (7:4-9)
  1. Having failed…Return to God-dependence!
  2. We must seek God’s direction, because He alone can bring us true Victory!Questions:
    1.   What areas in your life right now have you neglected to seek God’s direction in?
    2.  Have you experienced failures?  How did they make you feel?
    3.  How can you turn your failures into victories?  Where does God play into all of this?
    4.  Can you trust God to help you today?   Will you trust Him?
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Time Traveling Within A Warm Glow.

We sat there on a blood red double decker bus peering down into the street below.  The amber glow of street lamps bending soft shadows onto the course pavement as shoppers arrive and depart rather infrequently.  

It’s a quiet night as we peer from above.  It seems tranquil, almost melancholy, ring a certain chord within my heart that makes me yearn to remain for a little while longer.  

My eyes shift from the random shoppers regaling of their adventures and rejoicing in their store sales and paper bags with their prizes as proof of their successes…I shift my glance to the red bricked victorianesque shop quietly nestled into this all too tranquil street, like a shiny priceless pearl amongst the clams devoid of riches.

Somewhere within a shop owner pleasantly spreads a wisp of a smile as the glowing orange lamp light cast shadows of yet another patron searching for unique wares within this pearl.  They exchange glances, the owner nods politely as the new shopper examines the “maybes” and the “I need these” purposely priced and placed on retro 1950’s shelves.  It speaks of a different era, a much simpler time…oh how we have complicated things since then, thus this store pulls its patrons into a time machine of sorts, striking that chord and halting the insanely fast paced life we are all so victimized by and accustomed to.  

I see all of this from our double decker bus within my mind and I long for simpler times.  I yearn to bring it all to a screeching halt.  All of the “to dos”, all the appointments.  All of the deadlines.  All of the traffic jams and blaring horns.  I want it all to stop…and for a moment it has as I stare out into a space where time stands still.  And in this moment, I breathe, I exhale and I am found again. 

Now I hope I can find him again as I step back into life and out of this street. 

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Are We”Doing Church”All Wrong?

A lot has been said about what “Church” should look like.
Thousands of books have been written about it.
There are many, many workshops and educated teachers whose primary purpose is to instruct the Church how to be…how to exist.

But…

What if we are doing Church all wrong?
church2
Many denominations have glommed onto specific acts of worship – Baptism, Communion, Flag waving, Altar calls, Speaking in tongues, Music Styles, Multi-media blitzes…etc.  -And these are all good things -sometimes important elements of worship, BUT what happens when these “good things” become the main focal point?  Could they become over emphasized?  Could these mere elements of worship become worship itself – completely devoid of its original purpose?

In the process of becoming “Church”…are there times when we lose sight of why we’re a Church in the first place?   I don’t mean to deconstruct the Body of Christ today, but I feel very strongly about this subject.  I believe our belonging to Christ is enough…we do not need rituals to maintain or get closer to God.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I am not saying that these elements of worship are all rituals, but when we do them week after week, month after month, year after year – and we just go through the motions of them…are we in danger of making these outward expressions of the inward change a ritual?

I am not saying that we throw the baby out with the bath water here, but perhaps we need to be more conscious of what we do in worship.

churchAnother question that I often ponder is this –
Is the Body of Christ really supposed to look like the Churches that we see in our communities today?  Are we really supposed to be separated and divided?  
Again, this is not a bash upon any church or denomination, but rather an intern perspective here.  I believe that man made edifices have, at times, taken the holiness out of our holy of holies.

When we try to organize everything, and building our kingdoms, when we try and grow our congregations and sometimes compete against the church down the street…have we lost sight of why we’re a church in the first place?

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ACTS 2 Church 
The Acts 2 church looks vastly different that any church that I know of today.
These men and women lived in community together…kind of like a commune, but more like a family…not a cult, but a body of Christ built together out of love.  They shared EVERY Resource that they had.  They ate together, they prayed together, they added to their numbers daily.  People saw their love of Christ and it was infectious!

We live in a very individualistic society today…we don’t really understand the Hebrew culture of the Acts 2 church.  We don’t get to be that close any more in our churches.  Sure, we invite one another out to eat after church, or we go to one another’s homes…but our worship services today are so structured and methodical…there’s an order to it.  I am not saying that this is wrong, but sometimes “Community” only becomes achieved on Sundays for an hour or two, and maybe a during another hour at midweek.  We don’t look like that early church anymore.

I wish I had an answer in how we can recapture some of that fellowship…wait there is – Discipleship.  Fellowship.  Family.

We must be more intentional in our church families to be disciples as well as disciplers.
We don’t always operated as individuals  in the Body of Christ – we are joined together, and we need that fellowship – just as God desires that kind of fellowship with us!
What if true Church was more about that fellowship than the number of scripturally accurate hymns or contemporary songs we sing on Sundays?  What if God desires more than just a water baptism or a morsel of bread and wine on our lips?  What if it’s not about flag waving but heart changing?  What if Church is more about what we do outside of the walls of a million dollar structure than what we do on the inside?

I think we get so blindsided by our elements of worship that we forget to look outside.
Sure, we need to be fed, but if all we do is gorge ourselves in our buildings while the world around us is starving, are we “Doing Church” right?

holyI think that before we can “Do Church” we have to “BE Imitators of Christ“…We have to experience the inward change of our hearts before any of these outward things can be evident and real.  After all, wasn’t it God’s instruction to “Be Holy”…not “Do Holy” (Lev 20:26)  We get these backwards many, many times.

I pray that within our walls of “Church” we first focus on being reflections of Him, then we take that reflection into the world so that others might see Him and believe as well!

Something more to ponder today!
You might disagree with me…so be it.

To God be the glory!

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Dear Salvationist, Why Do You Want To Be A Soldier?

Dear Salvationist,

I ask you this question within this pondering today because it truly matters how you answer the question.  There are good reasons to be a soldier, and there are not-so-good reasons to be a soldier.

The ‘Not-So’ List: Photo Feb 24, 1 29 59 PM
1) I want to be a soldier because my whole family is a soldier…
this may be the most common of answers.  The answer itself isn’t necessarily bad or wrong, but if this becomes the sole reason you are a soldier, then you have missed the point of soldiership.  In the same way that no one will get into heaven on the merits of others, so it is with soldiership.  A good soldier is one who understands the mission and is prepared to be holy and then to live out holiness everyday.  Familiar bonds are wonderful, yet they are not a sufficient motive for soldiership.

2) I want to be a soldier because I look good in dark blue…(comforts)
Probably not a common excuse, but none-the-less it still address the physical aspects of soldiership.  If we choose to become a soldier because of the opportunities and comforts it affords us – we will have joined for the wrong purposes and motivations.  I am not saying that one can’t change, but if this motive remains constant throughout soldiership, then it will always be about dependancy on the organization and movement than it will ever about being a useful part of movement in the first place.    We don’t wish to become soldiers because of the comforts it affords.

trimMarching On…
Why do you want to be a soldier?
If the answer is that you long to be used by God for His holy purpose, and that you care about suffering humanity – then you are in the right place!  Our hearts and purpose for being soldiers has to line up with the mission of this army.

what is that mission you ask?
“The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”

What vision should we, as Salvationists share?
I think this still applies – don’t you?

ONE ARMY: We see a God-raised, Spirit-filled Army for the 21st century – convinced of our calling, moving forward together

We will… one

  • deepen our spiritual life
  • unite in prayer
  • identify and develop leaders
  • increase self-support and self-denial

ONE MISSION: Into the world of the hurting, broken, lonely, dispossessed and lost, reaching them in love by all means

We will…

  • emphasise our integrated ministry
  • reach and involve youth and children
  • stand for and serve the marginalised
  • encourage innovation in mission

ONE MESSAGE: With the transforming message of Jesus, bringing freedom, hope and life

We will…

  • communicate Christ unashamedly
  • reaffirm our belief in transformation
  • evangelise and disciple effectively
  • provide quality teaching resources

Dear Soldier, 
bandif you join these ranks as soldiers for any other purpose than to be servants of God and servants of man, then we have joined for all the wrong reasons.  The uniform, and all it represents, is a symbolic representation of a sacrificial life.  We are taking a stand against sin and death in this world.  We are standing with the marginalized.  We are pushing to end human slavery in our world.  We are striving to end the blight of human trafficking.  We are fighting for the homeless, the destitute the helpless, the hurting, the lost.  When we put on our uniforms and say we are soldiers, we are saying that our identities are no longer individual, but we are united with Christ to bring His love into some very loveless places of our world.  When we say we are soldiers, it means we are saved to serve, and we are saved to save.

soldiersIt’s more than just a uniform.
It’s more than just a covenant or a soldiership enrollment paper that we sign.
This mission, this movement – we become the very hands of feet of Christ if we do it properly.  Improperly, we join the throngs of clanging noise of the world that leave little impact and change on humanity.  The choice – this choice to be a soldier of Christ is ours to make.

So…what will it be?
Something more for our Army world to ponder today.
To God be the glory!

Disclaimer:  “The opinions and thoughts expressed here on Pastorsponderings do not necessarily always reflect the opinions and thoughts of The Salvation Army.  Reader discretion is advised.“

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Sermon Podcast -“He Has A Photograph of You!”

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Sermon Podcast –

Scripture Reading -Luke 19:1-10
1-4 Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and couldn’t see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by.  5-7 When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.” Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, “What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?”

8 Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, “Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I’m caught cheating, I pay four times the damages.”

9-10 Jesus said, “Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham! For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.”

Sermon Notes: “He Has A Photograph Of You!”
Key Verses for today – Luke 19:1-10, Isaiah 49:16-18

3 Lessons From Zacchaeus:

1) It Doesn’t Matter Who We Are or Where You’ve Been/What you’ve done!

2) Jesus Sought Him Out – He Seeks Us Out Too!

3) An Encounter With Jesus Changes Everything!

Need Additional Convincing?

Read –

Isaiah 49:16
“Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I’d never forget you—never. Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands.”

-Does it help to know that God has your name written on his hand?
-No matter where you are or where you’ve been, He seeks you out and STILL loves you!
-You are on God’s heart – He Keeps A Photograph of you!

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Death Wish Coffee Review

I drink  a lot of coffee…I enjoy my coffee too!!
I love the coffee, it’s my wake up juice…my sweet nectar, elixir of life…mmm
…okay, I digress.

I just returned from a pastor’s conference (which was a wonderful time!)…When I got back to my office, I discovered an amazon box smiling on my seat.  The contents?  A black box containing a bag of Death Wish Coffee, which  also included a nice DWC sticker (which now is prominently placed on my computer…next to the apple sticker…covering up an HP logo).
I was so surprised and excited to try this coffee!
I’ve thought about ordering it before…it’s been on my amazon wish list for a while now, so receiving it in the mail from an anonymous friend seemed too good to be true.   A few of my friends commented that maybe it was sent to me maliciously (haha – I don’t think so). Again – a big thank you to whoever you are that sent me this coffee…and so I felt compelled to do this review, so here goes!!

Death Wish Coffee can be purchased through Amazon (hyperlinked here), or directly from Death Wish Coffee (hyperlinked here)
Death Wish Coffee is advertised as “the world’s strongest coffee”, I’m always curious about these type of claims, so I read up on them.  Here’s a good, comprehensive test of DWC by HuffingtonPost’s Crime and Weird News Editor Andy Campbell – Death Wish Coffee: ‘World’s Strongest’ Cup Claim Put To The Test

My experience was similar to Andy’s – The coffee is smoother than most dark roasts (or, in my opinion, ALL of them!!)  that I’ve tasted.  It didn’t have a bitter taste either – which is truly amazing, and something that I was surprised by!  I enjoyed my cups, which were French-pressed.  Supposedly DWC beans have 200% more caffeine than normal Arabica coffee…and I did notice more of a caffeine buzz afterwards.  Would I recommend this coffee?  YES.  But, if you’re sensitive to caffeine, please don’t buy this bean.   Although I didn’t get “the shakes” from this coffee, I did notice the caffeine affects on my body…and, are my pupils dilated right now?

Long story short – good coffee, no skunky after-taste, more caffeine with these beans.
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Preaching:  What If We’re Doing It Wrong?

I don’t mean to pry.  This is more for my benefit.  This is a pondering of my own heart.  

What if I’ve been going about preaching all wrong?  

What if it should look more like a Ted Talk and less like a full-on Fire and Brimestone message?  

What if I spoke those words not to convince and manipulate, but instead attempted to tell stories about life…like Jesus did with parables?  Maybe I’ve been going about it all wrong.  Maybe I can change.  Maybe it’s not too late.  Maybe…

Perhaps, instead of over-complicating the text of the Bible, I made it pure…and simple.  It isn’t complicated.  It isn’t convoluted, or an opportunity to attack “those people”…

Maybe, just maybe – WE can come back to the simple message of Christ, of grace, and of our need for salvation.  

Note to self…Keep It Simple Stupid!  

Something more to ponder. 

 

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