Pastor Blake Cromwell
November '02
There is an old story that tells of Michelangelo, the great sculptor, pushing a block of granite down the street. A curious neighbor sitting lazily on the porch of his house called out to him and asked what he was doing with the old piece of stone. Michelangelo is reported to have answered, "Because there is an angel in this rock that wants to come out.”
The hidden potential of the people all around us is incredible, but we are often deceived by their rough exterior. If we could only see each person’s God-given destiny it would motivate us to do all we could to help them fulfill it. When people truly discover their destiny everyone benefits.
My belief is that all we need to live wonderful lives is now here on planet earth. God has gifted us with all the tools necessary for success in life. I believe the cure for cancer is hidden inside the mind of a child who is waiting to be developed. I believe that if you and I help others, then all of us can begin uncover and enjoy God’s gifts to their fullest. Like the story of Michelangelo who chipped away at the stone to uncover the angel in the rock, we too must seek to unlock the potential of people all around us.
When we help others we bless ourselves and our Father in heaven. No service is too small. Jesus said even “a cup of cold water would be rewarded” if given in His service.
Several years ago two teenage boys tried to come into a church service one evening only to find it packed out and with no empty seats. The two boys turned to leave because they couldn’t find a seat. A concerned usher stopped them and escorted them down towards the front of the auditorium and found them two seats. That night both of those boys accepted Christ. One of them was Billy Graham. Do you think that usher is going to get any credit in heaven? I’ll say! We have no idea of the significance of the small acts of service we do for others.
Jesus died for our sins and started the church that is to be His physical witness on planet earth. He has given us the responsibility to be His hands and feet to those around us. Our job is to see the potential in others and point them to Christ where their true fulfillment can be found. When we live self-centered lives we miss God’s highest.
This week I am asking the Father to give me His eyes to see what He sees in the people in our Valley. The Bible teaches us that people can have a hard heart yet there are God given gifts in every hard heart. That hard heart needs someone to help it find the great sculptor, Jesus, who can unlock that great gift.
Just think, this week in our churches in the Kings County another young man like Billy Graham might be looking for a seat. Let’s all do an S-O-S (scoot over some) and help to unlock the greatness in every heart.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Christmas Giving
Pastor Blake Cromwell
December '02
Christmas roars upon us with its demands and joys. Kids will be out of school seeking adventure and the latest PlayStation game. There will be Christmas parties and family gatherings. There are gifts to buy and special Christmas programs to attend. Every year there is a tremendous pressure to keep alive the real meaning of Christmas.
Giving gifts is an expression of our desire to do as Father God did and give to others. It is always a delight to bless family and friends with an expression of love for them. But to increase the Christmas miracle we must give to others less fortunate than ourselves.
The simple and profound message of Christmas is that God gave what we all needed and couldn’t obtain for ourselves. His gift was His Son who provides salvation for whosoever will trust in His birth, death and resurrection.
Adopting a family in need, giving to a orphan or working at a soup kitchen are all ways to bring the spirit of Christmas to others who are not as fortunate.
Recently I told a true story of giving to our church and I’d like to share it with you in the hope it will inspire you to be like God and give to others that which they cannot get for themselves.
Joel Morgan planned to visit missionaries in Eastern Europe. So he asked some friends what to pack. They said snacks for yourself because there isn’t much to eat in the rural villages of Eastern Europe. As he walked through the grocery store, he prayed “Lord, what might make it through customs.” He picked up Reese’s peanut butter cups, some tapioca pudding, some hard candy and gum, and some malt, some small cans of fruit cocktail. When Joel arrived in Romania, he stayed with a missionary family who were living in very harsh conditions, often without heat and electricity, they enjoyed a very good evening of conversation and prayer together. And as Joel started to leave, he remembered the snacks he had brought for himself and he had an idea. He thought, you know it is only October, but why not use these snacks to celebrate an early Christmas? So he got out his backpack and began to play Santa Claus in their living room. He asked the missionaries’ two teenage daughters, if you could have one thing from the U.S., what would it be? In unison, they said “candy!” “What kind?” Joel asked. The mother chimed in, “the girls love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. But they are not available here.” With a lump in his throat, Joel pulled out the king size package and the girls began jumping up and down laughing as they held their gift.
Wiping away a tear, Joel asked their mother, “Well, what item from back home would brighten your day?” Now, this was a big risk. I mean what if she asked for a side of beef? She said sheepishly, “I miss fruit, especially citrus.” Reaching into his bag, Joel pulled out a can of fruit cocktail and mandarin oranges. Now everybody was laughing, and everybody was wiping away tears.
After a time of celebration, Joel turned to the father and he thought about pulling out the few remaining items left in his bag and letting the dad make the decision, two out of three miracles ain’t bad. You know, why press your luck? But something deep down inside Joel shouted, “Go for it!” And before he could argue with God, he heard himself ask, “Gary, what is your favorite dessert?” The dad smiled and said, “you know, it’s something nobody else in the world likes…tapioca pudding.” Joel nearly injured himself pulling out the snack pack of tapioca pudding that God had prompted him to buy seven days earlier and 4,000 miles away.
In reality Christmas giving should be a way of life. Love is seeing a need in others and helping to meet that need. The Pastors in the Kings County want you to know that God loves and has a plan to bless your life.
December '02
Christmas roars upon us with its demands and joys. Kids will be out of school seeking adventure and the latest PlayStation game. There will be Christmas parties and family gatherings. There are gifts to buy and special Christmas programs to attend. Every year there is a tremendous pressure to keep alive the real meaning of Christmas.
Giving gifts is an expression of our desire to do as Father God did and give to others. It is always a delight to bless family and friends with an expression of love for them. But to increase the Christmas miracle we must give to others less fortunate than ourselves.
The simple and profound message of Christmas is that God gave what we all needed and couldn’t obtain for ourselves. His gift was His Son who provides salvation for whosoever will trust in His birth, death and resurrection.
Adopting a family in need, giving to a orphan or working at a soup kitchen are all ways to bring the spirit of Christmas to others who are not as fortunate.
Recently I told a true story of giving to our church and I’d like to share it with you in the hope it will inspire you to be like God and give to others that which they cannot get for themselves.
Joel Morgan planned to visit missionaries in Eastern Europe. So he asked some friends what to pack. They said snacks for yourself because there isn’t much to eat in the rural villages of Eastern Europe. As he walked through the grocery store, he prayed “Lord, what might make it through customs.” He picked up Reese’s peanut butter cups, some tapioca pudding, some hard candy and gum, and some malt, some small cans of fruit cocktail. When Joel arrived in Romania, he stayed with a missionary family who were living in very harsh conditions, often without heat and electricity, they enjoyed a very good evening of conversation and prayer together. And as Joel started to leave, he remembered the snacks he had brought for himself and he had an idea. He thought, you know it is only October, but why not use these snacks to celebrate an early Christmas? So he got out his backpack and began to play Santa Claus in their living room. He asked the missionaries’ two teenage daughters, if you could have one thing from the U.S., what would it be? In unison, they said “candy!” “What kind?” Joel asked. The mother chimed in, “the girls love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. But they are not available here.” With a lump in his throat, Joel pulled out the king size package and the girls began jumping up and down laughing as they held their gift.
Wiping away a tear, Joel asked their mother, “Well, what item from back home would brighten your day?” Now, this was a big risk. I mean what if she asked for a side of beef? She said sheepishly, “I miss fruit, especially citrus.” Reaching into his bag, Joel pulled out a can of fruit cocktail and mandarin oranges. Now everybody was laughing, and everybody was wiping away tears.
After a time of celebration, Joel turned to the father and he thought about pulling out the few remaining items left in his bag and letting the dad make the decision, two out of three miracles ain’t bad. You know, why press your luck? But something deep down inside Joel shouted, “Go for it!” And before he could argue with God, he heard himself ask, “Gary, what is your favorite dessert?” The dad smiled and said, “you know, it’s something nobody else in the world likes…tapioca pudding.” Joel nearly injured himself pulling out the snack pack of tapioca pudding that God had prompted him to buy seven days earlier and 4,000 miles away.
In reality Christmas giving should be a way of life. Love is seeing a need in others and helping to meet that need. The Pastors in the Kings County want you to know that God loves and has a plan to bless your life.
Shooting Up Christmas
Pastor Blake Cromwell
December '02
Christmas morning was ruined. In utter disbelief, my parents surveyed the damage my brothers and I had created. It might not have been so bad had my parents not planned to sell the house just after Christmas.
As I viewed the hundreds of tiny holes in the sheet rock of my bedroom wall I realized Christmas Dinner wouldn’t be pleasant for any of us. At the not so tender age of ten, it was certainly going to be the worse Christmas of my life. Now Dad was sending us to his room to lay over his bed and wait for you know what.
As I lay waiting, I rehearsed the morning’s events. My brothers and I had awakened very early that Christmas morn to quietly whisk our Christmas gifts out from under the tree and creep back to our rooms for closer inspection.
With great joy, we unwrapped three of the most beautiful Red Ryder BB guns you ever did see. Just weeks earlier our dad had told us that BB guns would make fine gifts since we would be moving to Hanford just after Christmas. Year after long year we had begged for BB guns only to hear that LA wasn’t a good place for them. We ripped them from their thick, protective cardboard packaging and hoisted them into the air in triumph —three “Great White Hunters.” Discovering that the BBs served as that year’s stocking stuffers, we commenced to fill our rifle chambers.
To be honest, I don’t remember whose idea it was to set the remains of the cardboard packaging against our bedroom wall for target practice, but I am very sure that once discovered, I told Dad that it had been my brother, Steve. He was the oldest and still to this day I blame him because I can’t face the fact that I was just so stupid. Stupid, to think those boxes would stop a BB. We lined up all three boxes side by side and began to blast away with glee. It wasn’t until we were almost out of BBs that Dad appeared.
As Dad moved one of the targets to reveal the damaged wall I could feel the tears begin to flow. We really did feel bad because we knew that we had let Dad and Mom down. Dad never did spank us that morning, but he told us something that has stayed with me to this day. He told us that he forgave us and that he would fix the problem. That ten-year old boy just couldn’t see how the wall could ever be fixed. For the next week, every morning I awoke to see the results of my actions on the bedroom wall. But Dad was true to his word. Within two weeks the old sheet rock was removed and replaced. The wall was painted over and all evidence of that terrible Christmas morning had vanished.
That sight was a better Christmas gift then my BB gun. It showed me that a bad situation could be turned around. All one needed was the help of someone like my dad.
All these years later I have found that in the Bible we have a Father who will help us in our hour of need, just like my dad did that Christmas. The Bible refers to God as “Father” hundreds of times. In one place Scripture declares, “If you, as earthly fathers, who are imperfect, know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will your Father in heaven give the help of the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.”
At ten I didn’t understand how my dad could fix that wall, but he told me he could and he did. Now at fifty I still don’t know how God can fix some problems I get myself into but He has promised to answer when I call. If you are facing difficulties, even impossible situations, why don’t you call out to your Father in heaven to help you. Romans 8:28 declares, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” One version of the Bible quotes this verse like this, “That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives is worked into something good because we love God.”
During this Christmas Season the Pastors in the Kings County would love to tell you how much your Heavenly Father loves you and that He can work something good out of a bad situation. We want you to know God’s greatest gift to you is His Son Jesus.
December '02
Christmas morning was ruined. In utter disbelief, my parents surveyed the damage my brothers and I had created. It might not have been so bad had my parents not planned to sell the house just after Christmas.
As I viewed the hundreds of tiny holes in the sheet rock of my bedroom wall I realized Christmas Dinner wouldn’t be pleasant for any of us. At the not so tender age of ten, it was certainly going to be the worse Christmas of my life. Now Dad was sending us to his room to lay over his bed and wait for you know what.
As I lay waiting, I rehearsed the morning’s events. My brothers and I had awakened very early that Christmas morn to quietly whisk our Christmas gifts out from under the tree and creep back to our rooms for closer inspection.
With great joy, we unwrapped three of the most beautiful Red Ryder BB guns you ever did see. Just weeks earlier our dad had told us that BB guns would make fine gifts since we would be moving to Hanford just after Christmas. Year after long year we had begged for BB guns only to hear that LA wasn’t a good place for them. We ripped them from their thick, protective cardboard packaging and hoisted them into the air in triumph —three “Great White Hunters.” Discovering that the BBs served as that year’s stocking stuffers, we commenced to fill our rifle chambers.
To be honest, I don’t remember whose idea it was to set the remains of the cardboard packaging against our bedroom wall for target practice, but I am very sure that once discovered, I told Dad that it had been my brother, Steve. He was the oldest and still to this day I blame him because I can’t face the fact that I was just so stupid. Stupid, to think those boxes would stop a BB. We lined up all three boxes side by side and began to blast away with glee. It wasn’t until we were almost out of BBs that Dad appeared.
As Dad moved one of the targets to reveal the damaged wall I could feel the tears begin to flow. We really did feel bad because we knew that we had let Dad and Mom down. Dad never did spank us that morning, but he told us something that has stayed with me to this day. He told us that he forgave us and that he would fix the problem. That ten-year old boy just couldn’t see how the wall could ever be fixed. For the next week, every morning I awoke to see the results of my actions on the bedroom wall. But Dad was true to his word. Within two weeks the old sheet rock was removed and replaced. The wall was painted over and all evidence of that terrible Christmas morning had vanished.
That sight was a better Christmas gift then my BB gun. It showed me that a bad situation could be turned around. All one needed was the help of someone like my dad.
All these years later I have found that in the Bible we have a Father who will help us in our hour of need, just like my dad did that Christmas. The Bible refers to God as “Father” hundreds of times. In one place Scripture declares, “If you, as earthly fathers, who are imperfect, know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will your Father in heaven give the help of the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.”
At ten I didn’t understand how my dad could fix that wall, but he told me he could and he did. Now at fifty I still don’t know how God can fix some problems I get myself into but He has promised to answer when I call. If you are facing difficulties, even impossible situations, why don’t you call out to your Father in heaven to help you. Romans 8:28 declares, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” One version of the Bible quotes this verse like this, “That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives is worked into something good because we love God.”
During this Christmas Season the Pastors in the Kings County would love to tell you how much your Heavenly Father loves you and that He can work something good out of a bad situation. We want you to know God’s greatest gift to you is His Son Jesus.
Gaining Confidence
Pastor Blake Cromwell
January 2003
A little boy was overheard talking to himself as he strode through his back yard, baseball cap in place and toting ball and bat. “I’m the greatest homerun hitter in the world,” he said with confidence. Then he tossed the ball in the air, swung and missed. Undaunted, he picked up the ball, threw it into the air and said to himself again, “I’m the greatest homerun hitter ever!” He swung at the ball again, and again he missed. He paused a moment to examine bat and ball carefully before throwing the ball into the air once more and saying, “I’m the greatest homerun hitter who ever lived.” He swung the bat hard and again missed the ball.
“Wow!” he exclaimed. “I am the greatest pitcher in the world!”
Unlike the boy who “missed the ball” and turned failure into success, we often take “missing the ball” as a severe blow to our self-confidence. More often then not, we become fearful when faced with failure and allow the circumstances to rob us of our spirit.
Our lack of confidence affects how we view ourselves and the challenges we face. If you are tired of being fearful, let me assure you that you can learn how to capture the confidence our Lord. He was confident as He faced the challenges of life and He promises to make His Followers as bold and “confident as lions.”
We see this confidence when we study the people of God. After the crucifixion the Disciples of Jesus were whimpering and fearful men, but when the resurrection occurred these same men were strangely different. Instead of hiding, now they were “going where no man had gone before.” Once afraid in the garden to be counted with Christ, now they were willing to risk everything for Him. So real was their confidence, they were fearless even when martyred for their faith.
In the story of Moses and the Children of Israel, we see how God gave His people great confidence. Israel had been in slavery in Egypt for over four hundred years and they had learned to bow their eyes in submission. Their will had long been surrendered to the stern orders of their masters. All personal pride, security and confidence had been crushed out of God’s people. They were slaves — broken, defeated and insecure around their Egyptian masters.
But when God visited Egypt with the Ten Miracles the browbeaten Israelite slaves were strangely transformed into God’s confident people. They suddenly knew God could do anything. Since He overthrew the Egyptians they were confident that whatever they would face in the future God would be with them.
The key to the transformation of the Disciples and the Israelites was that both groups meet with an All Powerful God. The Disciples saw and spoke with a resurrected Lord. The Israelites had the presence of God in the center of their camp and were made confident by the visible evidences that God was with them.
As the Prophet Daniel declares, “They that know their God shall be strong and confident doing exploits.” A natural by-product of communion with God is an inner boldness. The last promise made to the Followers of Christ is that they would receive the Holy Spirit and He would fill them with confidence and power to be witnesses for Christ.
The Pastors in the Kings County would love to minister to you this weekend the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Just remember, “Those that wait upon the Lord shall have renewed strength.” Why not gather with us and others this weekend in a church, waiting upon the Father to send us our Helper, the Holy Spirit.
January 2003
A little boy was overheard talking to himself as he strode through his back yard, baseball cap in place and toting ball and bat. “I’m the greatest homerun hitter in the world,” he said with confidence. Then he tossed the ball in the air, swung and missed. Undaunted, he picked up the ball, threw it into the air and said to himself again, “I’m the greatest homerun hitter ever!” He swung at the ball again, and again he missed. He paused a moment to examine bat and ball carefully before throwing the ball into the air once more and saying, “I’m the greatest homerun hitter who ever lived.” He swung the bat hard and again missed the ball.
“Wow!” he exclaimed. “I am the greatest pitcher in the world!”
Unlike the boy who “missed the ball” and turned failure into success, we often take “missing the ball” as a severe blow to our self-confidence. More often then not, we become fearful when faced with failure and allow the circumstances to rob us of our spirit.
Our lack of confidence affects how we view ourselves and the challenges we face. If you are tired of being fearful, let me assure you that you can learn how to capture the confidence our Lord. He was confident as He faced the challenges of life and He promises to make His Followers as bold and “confident as lions.”
We see this confidence when we study the people of God. After the crucifixion the Disciples of Jesus were whimpering and fearful men, but when the resurrection occurred these same men were strangely different. Instead of hiding, now they were “going where no man had gone before.” Once afraid in the garden to be counted with Christ, now they were willing to risk everything for Him. So real was their confidence, they were fearless even when martyred for their faith.
In the story of Moses and the Children of Israel, we see how God gave His people great confidence. Israel had been in slavery in Egypt for over four hundred years and they had learned to bow their eyes in submission. Their will had long been surrendered to the stern orders of their masters. All personal pride, security and confidence had been crushed out of God’s people. They were slaves — broken, defeated and insecure around their Egyptian masters.
But when God visited Egypt with the Ten Miracles the browbeaten Israelite slaves were strangely transformed into God’s confident people. They suddenly knew God could do anything. Since He overthrew the Egyptians they were confident that whatever they would face in the future God would be with them.
The key to the transformation of the Disciples and the Israelites was that both groups meet with an All Powerful God. The Disciples saw and spoke with a resurrected Lord. The Israelites had the presence of God in the center of their camp and were made confident by the visible evidences that God was with them.
As the Prophet Daniel declares, “They that know their God shall be strong and confident doing exploits.” A natural by-product of communion with God is an inner boldness. The last promise made to the Followers of Christ is that they would receive the Holy Spirit and He would fill them with confidence and power to be witnesses for Christ.
The Pastors in the Kings County would love to minister to you this weekend the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Just remember, “Those that wait upon the Lord shall have renewed strength.” Why not gather with us and others this weekend in a church, waiting upon the Father to send us our Helper, the Holy Spirit.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Fragrance or Odor?
Pastor Tim Howard
February 21, 2010
Recently, while praying for our city and county, I became very thankful for the many services provided by our governing authorities. There are programs to help children at risk, young adults struggling with anger, people in need of financial assistance and a full array of educational opportunities to name only a few.
One service that might be overlooked by many is the waste management department that is seen each and every day on streets throughout the city. When my wife and I moved to Hanford six years ago we received a brochure containing some information and instructions. The brochure described how we should separate the recyclable materials from the regular trash and gave directions for throwing away larger items like furniture. It went on to discuss many frequently asked questions and then gave the specific pick up days for our neighborhood. The instructions were simple: Take your waste container to the curb on the proper day and someone will come to take it away. WOW! That’s a needed service at a reasonable price.
Don’t laugh! Every house has trash that needs to be removed and it’s true for our personal lives as well. We all have some garbage laying around due to unhealed hurts, disappointments, painful memories, wounds, broken promises, broken hearts, unmet needs and unresolved issues. This garbage needs to have a means of systematically disposing of it. If not disposed it will become a hazard to one’s spiritual life and hinder future growth. It can also produce an odor that offends rather than a fragrance that makes life enjoyable. Simply stated; life stinks when we don’t remove the trash.
What needs to be disposed of in your life?
Is it your attitude that stinks and desperately needs to be changed? If that’s true for you, throw it out and get a different one. God can give a new attitude by giving you a new way of viewing life. When you see things from his vantage point, your attitude can change.
Maybe your actions or words are hurting people rather than helping them. Maybe there is some trash talk going on and your words have a stench surrounding them. Why not fill your mouth with words of praise rather than words of criticism. I guarantee if you do, the atmosphere will change and your words will be like a sweet smelling bouquet of flowers.
So, it’s time to take out the garbage! We know what to do with the practical stuff but what about the personal garbage? The city tells us to bring our stuff to the curb but the Bible tells us to bring our personal trash to the cross. The cross is the place where Jesus died for you. The cross is the place where sins are forgiven. The cross is the place where you can exchange the old for the new. The cross is the place where you can confess without the fear of being criticized or attacked. God can deal with your garbage! He can even recycle some things and restore them to new condition. By the way… the city only sends a truck twice a week but the cross is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Is your life a fragrance or an odor? Maybe you ought to visit a place of worship this weekend and meet Jesus at the cross. The Pastors would love to help you become a sweet smelling aroma.
February 21, 2010
Recently, while praying for our city and county, I became very thankful for the many services provided by our governing authorities. There are programs to help children at risk, young adults struggling with anger, people in need of financial assistance and a full array of educational opportunities to name only a few.
One service that might be overlooked by many is the waste management department that is seen each and every day on streets throughout the city. When my wife and I moved to Hanford six years ago we received a brochure containing some information and instructions. The brochure described how we should separate the recyclable materials from the regular trash and gave directions for throwing away larger items like furniture. It went on to discuss many frequently asked questions and then gave the specific pick up days for our neighborhood. The instructions were simple: Take your waste container to the curb on the proper day and someone will come to take it away. WOW! That’s a needed service at a reasonable price.
Don’t laugh! Every house has trash that needs to be removed and it’s true for our personal lives as well. We all have some garbage laying around due to unhealed hurts, disappointments, painful memories, wounds, broken promises, broken hearts, unmet needs and unresolved issues. This garbage needs to have a means of systematically disposing of it. If not disposed it will become a hazard to one’s spiritual life and hinder future growth. It can also produce an odor that offends rather than a fragrance that makes life enjoyable. Simply stated; life stinks when we don’t remove the trash.
What needs to be disposed of in your life?
Is it your attitude that stinks and desperately needs to be changed? If that’s true for you, throw it out and get a different one. God can give a new attitude by giving you a new way of viewing life. When you see things from his vantage point, your attitude can change.
Maybe your actions or words are hurting people rather than helping them. Maybe there is some trash talk going on and your words have a stench surrounding them. Why not fill your mouth with words of praise rather than words of criticism. I guarantee if you do, the atmosphere will change and your words will be like a sweet smelling bouquet of flowers.
So, it’s time to take out the garbage! We know what to do with the practical stuff but what about the personal garbage? The city tells us to bring our stuff to the curb but the Bible tells us to bring our personal trash to the cross. The cross is the place where Jesus died for you. The cross is the place where sins are forgiven. The cross is the place where you can exchange the old for the new. The cross is the place where you can confess without the fear of being criticized or attacked. God can deal with your garbage! He can even recycle some things and restore them to new condition. By the way… the city only sends a truck twice a week but the cross is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Is your life a fragrance or an odor? Maybe you ought to visit a place of worship this weekend and meet Jesus at the cross. The Pastors would love to help you become a sweet smelling aroma.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Love is a Decision
Pastor Tim Howard
February 16, 2010
Can you remember some of the Valentine cards you received back in grammar school days? The ones that said “You’re Cute,” “Be Mine” or “I Love You.” Giving cards was a great way for friends to express love, kindness and affection in a lighthearted way.
St. Valentine's Day is an annual holiday that celebrates the importance of friendships on every level and is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine. If you were to describe this day with one word, many people would use the word LOVE. Another term I’ve often heard is ROMANCE.
Romantic love was connected to the Valentine day celebration back in the Middle Ages and will still play a major role when people celebrate this Valentine weekend. Thousands of cards will be given, many flowers will be purchased, millions of people will be kissed and someone who is romantically involved will speak the words, “I love you”.
Romantic love is exciting, exhilarating and even enchanting but not everlasting. It fades over time because it is a love that’s rooted in the emotions and motivated by desire. It’s quite powerful and brings extreme pleasure to people. But the love that lasts and lasts is a love of devotion not a love of emotion. The love of devotion is rooted in a covenant and a commitment and doesn’t quit when desire is long gone.
The love of devotion is discussed in 1 Corinthians 13. Some call it the Love chapter in the Bible. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever.” This type of love is called ‘agape’ in the original language of the New Testament and refers to a divine love. I’m glad to know that truth because when these scriptures are read, I’m acutely aware of my need for some help. I can’t love that way in my own strength. I need God!
God wants you to find true love on every level. He’s willing to teach you about the different kinds of love and how to love people as He loves people. The love of emotion is based on a desire but the love of devotion is based upon a decision. Every time a mother decides to change a baby’s diaper, even though she has no desire to do so, she exercises agape love. Whenever you decide to sacrifice something for the benefit of another by putting their need before your desires, you express agape love. Lasting love is a decision!
Maybe you are feeling unloved right now. Maybe someone told you they loved you but it didn’t last and now you are alone again. I encourage you to visit one of the many Church families in Kings County this weekend and I pray that you will understand the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love for you. The Bible says God is love and His agape will never cease.
February 16, 2010
Can you remember some of the Valentine cards you received back in grammar school days? The ones that said “You’re Cute,” “Be Mine” or “I Love You.” Giving cards was a great way for friends to express love, kindness and affection in a lighthearted way.
St. Valentine's Day is an annual holiday that celebrates the importance of friendships on every level and is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine. If you were to describe this day with one word, many people would use the word LOVE. Another term I’ve often heard is ROMANCE.
Romantic love was connected to the Valentine day celebration back in the Middle Ages and will still play a major role when people celebrate this Valentine weekend. Thousands of cards will be given, many flowers will be purchased, millions of people will be kissed and someone who is romantically involved will speak the words, “I love you”.
Romantic love is exciting, exhilarating and even enchanting but not everlasting. It fades over time because it is a love that’s rooted in the emotions and motivated by desire. It’s quite powerful and brings extreme pleasure to people. But the love that lasts and lasts is a love of devotion not a love of emotion. The love of devotion is rooted in a covenant and a commitment and doesn’t quit when desire is long gone.
The love of devotion is discussed in 1 Corinthians 13. Some call it the Love chapter in the Bible. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever.” This type of love is called ‘agape’ in the original language of the New Testament and refers to a divine love. I’m glad to know that truth because when these scriptures are read, I’m acutely aware of my need for some help. I can’t love that way in my own strength. I need God!
God wants you to find true love on every level. He’s willing to teach you about the different kinds of love and how to love people as He loves people. The love of emotion is based on a desire but the love of devotion is based upon a decision. Every time a mother decides to change a baby’s diaper, even though she has no desire to do so, she exercises agape love. Whenever you decide to sacrifice something for the benefit of another by putting their need before your desires, you express agape love. Lasting love is a decision!
Maybe you are feeling unloved right now. Maybe someone told you they loved you but it didn’t last and now you are alone again. I encourage you to visit one of the many Church families in Kings County this weekend and I pray that you will understand the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love for you. The Bible says God is love and His agape will never cease.
Friday, February 12, 2010
How to Survive Church Relationships
Pastors Blake Cromwell and Kenny Burchard
Unless you live in a cave, you’re probably involved in relationships with other people. It’s a natural part of our human experience. My observation as a pastor is that it is also one of the most difficult parts of our lives. As I look around our world, I notice that behind most problems and struggles that people are facing, there is a relationship problem at the core. In fact, I would go as far as saying that most of our problems can probably be traced to either a breakdown in our relationship with God, or with another person. I recently spoke to our congregation about this, and offered a few observations, and some biblical prescriptions for relationship problems. Read on and see if you can “relate.”
Relationship problems are not a new thing, whether outside of the church, or inside. In fact, the New Testament writer, James, confronted some serious relationship issues in his letter. It was James who wrote, “my brethren, as believers in our glorious Lord, don’t show favoritism.” That little command opens our eyes to one of the biggest relationship problems that we all face—Discrimination! I know we think we’re getting better as human beings when it comes to discrimination. But it’s still a disease that either infects us, or affects us in one way or another. I’ve noticed it in Christians and non-Christians alike. We all want to be accepted just the way we are, but we’re not as good at accepting others who are not like us.
It seems to me that discrimination shows itself in four main ways. First, we judge by appearance, second by ancestry (or race), third by age, and fourth, we accept or discriminate based on achievements. We judge by appearance when we unfairly distance ourselves from people who wear certain styles of clothing, or color their hair, or who have a certain type of body shape or size. We spread the poison of racism by failing to accept men and women who are made in the image of God, just because they have a different ethnicity and culture than ours. We rob ourselves of the possibility of having great relationships with those younger or older than us when we fail to value either their youthful vigor, or their aged wisdom and experience. And finally, we put ourselves on a pedestal, and put others down based what they have, or have not attained in life, whether it be money, fame, education, or power. The poor despise the rich, when we all know that they’re just the outer crust held together buy a bunch of dough. And the rich despise the poor, many of whom are trying to fight their way out of poverty. James says, “My brothers, these things should not be.” I agree with him.
On a very practical note, these relationship killers can be overcome, and our relationships can change for the better if we will embrace 3 core values in all of our relationships. First, accept everyone. Be careful! You might be rejecting someone based on appearance, race, age, or achievements that could really be a blessing to you. Give them a chance! Get past the outer appearance, and into the substance of who people really are. Accepting is not the same as condoning evil and sin. Jesus loved everyone, but he certainly spoke up when he saw something wrong, and so should we. But let’s be mature enough to see that style, race, age, and status have very little to do with sin and evil. I’ve been the biggest proponent of this in our own church. I tell my congregation, “I want to see bikers sitting next to bankers.” Guess what, you can come and see that very thing next Sunday! And these guys love each other and accept each other. The second core value is, appreciate everyone. Nothing feels worse than trying to make a meaningful contribution, and then being unappreciated or even despised. I see parents shushing their kids, who have good things to say, just because of the fact that they are young. I see teens write off the older generation because they don’t appreciate the wisdom and experience of their elders. This is a tragedy. Those who are married know I’m right when I say that a little appreciation goes a long way. But failure to appreciate over and over can cost you your relationship! The third core value is, affirm everyone. When was the last time you bit your tongue when your teenager said something weird, and instead found something good to say about them? That affirmation will become like cement that strengthens your relationships. People need to know that we can see the good things about them, and not just the things that bother us. Husbands, when was the last time you told your wife “you’re beautiful,” or wives to your husbands “thanks for working so hard?” Affirmation is the wind in the sails of our relationships.
I encourage you to let God show you where you’ve contributed to the problem of stressed out relationships, and make a commitment to become part of the solution and not the problem. Your marriage, your family, your church, your workplace, and our world will be a better place for it.
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