One Another

by Tim Howard

In the Bible, the New Testament records 50+ scriptures that include the phrase “One Another!” Here’s a sampling: People are told to “Be devoted to one another”, ”Honor one another above yourselves”, “Accept one another”, “Care for each other”, “Serve one another”, “Don’t judge one another”, “Be patient with one another”, “Forgive each other”, “Encourage one another”, “Confess your sins to one another”, “Pray for one another”, and the list goes on…

One of the verses found in John 13:34 is the overarching statement that Jesus gives to his disciples and could be used as a summary for all the other teachings. It says: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you…”

This statement wasn’t new in the sense that it had never been spoken before but it was new because it was founded upon and motivated by something totally different. In the Old Testament this commandment was based upon the Law. It was something required and mandated. Something you had to do, ought to do and should do. As good as that may be, the new commandment Jesus gave was based upon gratitude and not duty. People were encouraged to love each other because Jesus had loved them. They could extend mercy, grace and kindness not because it was mandated but because they were recipients of God’s mercy, grace and kindness. They freely received so they could freely and gratefully give.

A Biblical Commandment is like a road map. It provides information that will lead you to God’s provision and protection when you follow it. For you and I to experience a full flow of God’s life, we can’t divorce ourselves from this commandment, which involves loving people. If you say you love God and yet treat people like dirt, you deceive yourself. In actuality, your spiritual progress will be revealed in the way you relate to others. Not just your immediate family but also those you encounter on your daily journey.

Loving people our way may be attractive but loving people God’s way will always be more challenging. Jesus said it’s easy to love people who are lovable. Anyone can do that! But what about the people, who complain, criticize, whine, talk too much and don’t listen? What about the sarcastic, cynical, crude and intolerant? Here’s where you need an extra dose of grace. It’s not as easy as you may think!

Everyone has his or her own idiosyncrasies, quirks and odd nuances. John Ortberg in his recently published book says: “Everybody’s Normal Till You Get To Know Them.” In other words, we are all difficult to love at times yet we all need to be loved by someone.

To love people the way Jesus loves each of us means we will have to sacrifice something. You may have to sacrifice some of your time to serve others. It may cost you something in a monetary way to help one another like it cost the Good Samaritan. You may be required to sacrifice your opinion or sacrifice some sleep in order to help others but what is that when compared to the sacrifice Jesus made for you on the cross.

What might happen if we all take this commandment to heart? What if our love becomes more than a feeling that is rooted in the emotions? What will happen if we really accept one another - serve one another - stop judging one another and forgive each other? What if Jesus becomes our prime example and we emulated Him on a consistent basis? Why don’t we try it and find out?

The Leader Inside

by Andrew Cromwell

I believe that everyone has a leader inside them. I don’t mean that everyone is destined to lead thousands, but rather that all of us have within the capacity to lead ourselves and influence others. John Maxwell says that leadership is influence, nothing more and nothing less. He identifies leadership with influence because everyone has the potential to influence those around us.

The most powerful leaders are able to challenge people to stretch and grow not because they have the authority to hire and fire, but because they have earned people’s trust and have painted a picture of possibility. Think about it, some of the greatest leaders of the last century didn’t hold formalized positions of authority. Martin Luther King Jr., wasn’t an elected official and he didn’t lead a large business organization. Mother Teresa didn’t sign anybody’s paycheck. And Gandhi didn’t carry the keys to any boardroom (I’m not sure he had any pockets in that robe anyway).

Successful leaders first lead themselves and then invite other people to be and do something better too. It doesn’t matter if you have a formalized position of authority or not. All of us live in relationship with others and every encounter that we have with another person is an opportunity to influence their thoughts and feelings.

If you don’t think I’m right about this, take a moment to consider a person you know. I’m talking about that one person who, wherever they go, they just suck the air out of the room. Whenever you talk to them, you find that you are depressed and bitter. When you walk into a room, you know they have been there because everyone in the room is about to go jump of the nearest bridge.

We all know people like this, they are leaders in the area of negativity. They always have the perfect comeback phrase that brings rain clouds to any celebration. They influence people all around them and everywhere they go. But their influence points people in the wrong direction.

But it is a lot easier to be a downer then it is to be an encourager. It takes very little energy and effort to criticize a creative idea. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to calculate how you can destroy another person’s dream.

Encouraging people, on the other hand, takes energy and effort. It is hard work to get someone to see potential in themselves and inspire them to take positive steps. But each one of us can do it.

You see, in any given room the leader is not necessarily the smartest or the brightest. Often, they are not the most naturally gifted. But a leader has a burning desire to see people’s lives improved.

So whether or not you have the title “leader”, you can be a leader. Simply seek to add value to other people. Speak possibility into lives. Don’t raise a complaint, raise the standard. Carry joy around with you and sprinkle it on everyone you meet. Lead yourself first and others will follow.

The pastors in Kings County would love to add value to your life this weekend! Getting yourself and your family in church is a great way to either start or continue your leadership journey.

Stop Putting It Off

by Andrew Cromwell

There are always things in our life that we do not want to do, so we put them off. We tell ourselves that we will do it tomorrow. We think about how the thing is going to take a long time or be painful to do. And in this way another day passes, another week, another month, and another year. And still the thing is not done.

We all have things we put off until a later date. Sometimes these things really are large tasks — getting back in school to finish a degree, painting the house, or tackling that big project at work. Other times, the tasks are actually small, but they feel large to us because they involve emotional investment or the potential for conflict — having that difficult conversation, visiting relatives, or balancing the checkbook.

Whether big or small, rational or irrational, we delay doing these things, and we usually do so to our own detriment. More often than not, the things that we put off are actually important. But instead of focusing on the value of getting these things done and on the (generally) wonderful results which would flow from doing them, we instead fill our time with doing other less important things.

We have all had the experience of finally doing the thing we were dreading for so long. When we do it, we generally discover it wasn’t as difficult as we had imagined. We also usually end up asking ourselves, “Why didn’t I just get this done sooner?” We wasted so much time worrying, delaying and talking ourselves out of it, when we could have just done it.

I remind my kids the way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. We would all do well to remember that little adage. Start focusing on what needs to be done and do it. If the task is overwhelming, focus on the first piece. To finish your college degree, you must first sign up for one class. To fix your marriage, you must first write your spouse a note (or take them out on a date). To become the Karate Kid, you must first paint the fence.

We often miss the best things in life because we waste our time worrying about how difficult they are going to be. Instead, let’s focus on doing the things that are going to make a difference in our life.

So what are you putting off? Don’t delay any longer, get started today!

Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call on Him while He is near.” The pastors in Kings County would love to help you build the One relationship in all of our lives that we must NOT put off. Why don’t you stop putting off getting in church, it might not be quite as painful as you had imagined!

Keep It Simple

by Andrew Cromwell

Have you noticed the simplest things in life often seem the most difficult? Just because something is simple, it doesn't mean it is easy. We all know the mantras: keep it simple stupid, put first things first, measure twice and cut once - none of these things are rocket science, yet putting them into practice sometimes feels like it.

The other day I came across a Scripture verse in Ezekiel that says: "They refused to keep my decrees and follow my regulations, even though obedience would have given them life."

It stopped me in my tracks and made me think. The verse is written from Father God's perspective and is directed to the Israelite people when they were on the brink of being destroyed as a nation. God is simply saying to them, "If you would have listened, then you wouldn't be in the situation you are in right now!"

Boy, isn't that often true for us? If only we would have listened - to our parents, to our spouse, to our children, to our boss - things might be different today. We might not have had to go through the pain that comes from bad choices and decisions. But the icing on the cake for many of us is that we failed to listen to Father God.

I think what is interesting about obeying God is that it doesn't only keep you out of trouble, it also gives you life. In other words, something is actually added to your life when you choose to do things God's way. Proverbs chapter three says, "Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take to heart my commands. They'll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well."

When we obey God, His power flows into our life in ways that we cannot experience otherwise. The Bible calls this the blessing of God. Jesus said that those who follow His commandments will live a life that is a higher caliber and quality compared to those around them. He likened it to a river of living water that would flow from within those who walk in relationship with Him.

The funny thing is, following God's commands is simple - it's just not easy. The good news is, God is on your side and He helps those who truly want to follow Him. He makes the impossible, possible. If He can make a dead man alive again, then he can take someone like you and me who can't seem to get it straight and He can turn our life around.

We can't do it on our own, we have tried and we have failed time and again. But we can do it with His life flowing in and through us. And that is true quality of life.

So the next time you are at a crossroads and have to decide which way to go, choose the way that gives life!

The pastors in Kings County would love to help you tap into that river of life. Why don't you get in church this weekend and discover the life that God promises?

Quality of Life

by Andrew Cromwell

Have you noticed the simplest things in life often seem the most difficult? Just because something is simple, it doesn't mean it is easy. We all know the mantras: keep it simple stupid, put first things first, measure twice and cut once - none of these things are rocket science, yet putting them into practice sometimes feels like it.

The other day I came across a Scripture verse in Ezekiel that says: "They refused to keep my decrees and follow my regulations, even though obedience would have given them life."

It stopped me in my tracks and made me think. The verse is written from Father God's perspective and is directed to the Israelite people when they were on the brink of being destroyed as a nation. God is simply saying to them, "If you would have listened, then you wouldn't be in the situation you are in right now!"

Boy, isn't that often true for us? If only we would have listened - to our parents, to our spouse, to our children, to our boss - things might be different today. We might not have had to go through the pain that comes from bad choices and decisions. But the icing on the cake for many of us is that we failed to listen to Father God.

I think what is interesting about obeying God is that it doesn't only keep you out of trouble, it also gives you life. In other words, something is actually added to your life when you choose to do things God's way. Proverbs chapter three says, "Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take to heart my commands. They'll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well."

When we obey God, His power flows into our life in ways that we cannot experience otherwise. The Bible calls this the blessing of God. Jesus said that those who follow His commandments will live a life that is a higher caliber and quality compared to those around them. He likened it to a river of living water that would flow from within those who walk in relationship with Him.

The funny thing is, following God's commands is simple - it's just not easy. The good news is, God is on your side and He helps those who truly want to follow Him. He makes the impossible, possible. If He can make a dead man alive again, then he can take someone like you and me who can't seem to get it straight and He can turn our life around.

We can't do it on our own, we have tried and we have failed time and again. But we can do it with His life flowing in and through us. And that is true quality of life.

So the next time you are at a crossroads and have to decide which way to go, choose the way that gives life!

The pastors in Kings County would love to help you tap into that river of life. Why don't you get in church this weekend and discover the life that God promises?

The Art of Following

by Tim Howard

While driving the streets of Boston, Massachusetts a while back, I became disoriented and irritated. I’m sure Boston is not the only city in the world that is challenging to navigate but it ranks among the top ten in my book. It’s not uncommon to be driving down one street and for no apparent reason the name of that street changes to something else and just when you think you’re making progress, you end up lost. On this one occasion I reached a point frustration and stopped to ask for help. When a man stops to ask someone for directions, it’s proof positive that he’s at the breaking point!

To my surprise, the people were very kind and one man actually said he would show me the way. His exact words were “ Follow Me, I will take you there”. I was very grateful, relieved and hopeful even though I didn’t realize another challenge awaited me around the first corner. It was mid-day and the traffic was horrendous. If you have ever had to follow someone through six lanes, busy intersections, congested streets and honking taxi drivers you have discovered it’s not as easy as it sounds. There is an art to following!

Luke 2 records a story I've read many times and quite frankly, find it a bit amusing. It’s the time when Jesus was a twelve-year-old boy and his parents lost him. How do you lose God? That’s the amusing part! Here’s the story: "After the feast was over where they had gone with Jesus, while His parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company they traveled on for a day, then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find Him they went back to Jerusalem to look for Him. After three days they found Him in the Temple courts sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions." From this historical record, I noted how easy it is to lose track of Jesus when you're not keeping your eyes on Him. Jesus is full of surprises and can change directions without warning just like the kind gentleman who was leading me through the streets of Boston. If you aren’t watching closely, you can end up going north on Route 93 while he’s going east on Route 90.

If you are to learn the art of following you will need two qualities. The first is FOCUS: constantly checking to see where Jesus, this dynamic leader is going, never losing sight of His plan and purposes. The second is FLEXIBILITY: knowing He is the God of surprises; you must be willing to make certain adjustments.

He speeds up sometimes and slows down at other times. He goes on one road for a while then He takes another one. He's not inconsistent, fickle or undecided but He is traveling a sure and certain route because He knows the road and you don't.

Jesus' baseline invitation and command to us is: Follow Me! Luke 9:23, "If anyone would come after Me let him take up his cross daily and follow Me."

Believe it or not, God has already been in your future. Psalms 139 makes it clear that He “goes before us.” He charts a path for us and knows where we should stop, when we need to rest and the best route for the journey. All you need to do is learn the art of following.

Stop Trying to Be Happy Already

by Andrew Cromwell

Have you ever noticed that the more you try to be happy, the less happy you are? We do all we can to arrange our lives so our happiness is unchallenged. We avoid challenging conversations, side step important issues and generally insulate ourselves from things that make us uncomfortable. But even though we do all of this, we still find our goal eludes us.

Happiness makes a lousy goal. Think about it this way, if you are a parent and your goal is to make your kids happy...look out! You will be turning cartwheels all day long trying to achieve that impossible goal. You will buy them stuff they don’t need, taxi them to far too many places and ignore their bad behavior way too often. And all of this won’t necessarily make them happy, it will just make them spoiled, miserable brats.

If however, instead of happiness, your goal is to have healthy, well-adjusted children that leave your home and become responsible, contributing adults, you will treat them very differently. What you will discover is that they might actually experience MORE happiness because you give them stable structure, strong boundaries and a healthy dose of reality (like teaching them the world does not revolve around them).

We get this mixed up all the time. We forget that Father God’s goal for us is not to make us happy, it is to make us into the people He created us to be. It is not that we won’t be happy along the way, it is just that sometimes we need to be unhappy if we are going to learn the things we most need.

Please don’t misunderstand what I am saying. God does not get his kicks out of making you miserable, far from it. He is not a cosmic sadist trying to figure out a way to ruin your life. The truth is God will pretty much leave you alone to experience the repercussions of your own behavior if you want Him to. Let’s be honest, we don’t need God to make our lives miserable, we do a pretty good job of that ourselves.

But if we do invite God into the equation, if we ask Him to be a part of our lives, we can be sure He is going to keep on working with us all the way until the end. That is what the Scripture says in Philippians 1:6. He will use ALL of the circumstances in our lives to give us character adjustments and make us into the people He wants us to be.

So stop trying to be happy. Instead, decide to live out your life to the fullest in the way God has designed you. Invite Him to adjust you, you will be better if you do!

The pastors in Kings County would love to see you in church this weekend. And I’m sure it would make Father God HAPPY too!